Beyond the Consequences: Book 5 of the Consequences Series (Volume 5) by Aleatha Romig Page A

me confront my past. I’ve done that—over and over. Now I want my future.”
    “That doesn’t sound stupid at all. Perhaps you should talk to your doctors. Tell them how you feel.”
    Claire stood and wrapped her arms around her friend. Stepping back, she smiled. “Thank you. Thank you for not telling me it’s too soon, or that I don’t know what’s best for me. Thank you for listening.”
    Tilting her head, Courtney whispered, “Emily?”
    “Yes,” Claire admitted. “I started to broach the subject with her the other day and she was all over me.” Reaching for Courtney’s arm, Claire hurriedly continued, “I know how you all feel about her, but don’t. She’s trying. She just has this obsession with mothering me.”
    “Well, honey, after her little girl is born, she’ll be too busy with Michael and the baby to worry about mothering you.”
    Claire sighed as they left the table. “It feels great to talk to someone who knows me, knows the real me and everyone around me. I can’t say these things to my therapists or doctors. They don’t get it. They’d want me to explore my feelings or my motivations. I just want to say, ‘hey, I love my sister, but today she’s driving me nuts’ without delving into the psychology of why I feel that way.”
    Making their way through the tables, Courtney grinned knowingly and whispered, “You know I’m here anytime. My guess is that your husband isn’t the best sounding board for your complaints about your sister.”
    Claire feigned a laugh. “That goes without saying. However, he’s trying too. They both are. Very trying.” She added with a giggle as her eyes lit up. “And I’m very happy that John decided to stay at Rawlings Industries. Even though it’s still strained with Emily, when Tony talks about John, I sense a genuine admiration.”
    “I know that Brent thinks the world of John. If you’re ever looking for reasons or positive outcomes that resulted from all that you’ve been through, John coming to Rawlings could be one. According to Brent, he’s a wonderful asset to the company. They’re all glad he’s there.”
    Claire smirked. “Not a good asset?”
    “No, a fantastic asset.”
    “Who’s the one who’s over the top—who’s keen on superlatives?” Claire asked as they stepped into the Iowa winter wonderland and cold air bit their cheeks.
    Courtney laughed as she settled into the backseat of the waiting SUV next to Claire. “So, maybe I’ll be a hot, over-the-top grandma?”
    “I have no doubt!” Claire replied.
    “So are we still on for next Saturday night?” Courtney asked.
    “Yes! I want Tony to have the best birthday celebration he’s had in years.”
    “I don’t think that’ll be too difficult. And with our plan, I’m sure we’ll succeed. I heard from Eli and Marianne, and they’re flying in on Friday night.”
    Claire watched the flakes of snow swirl in funnels near the street. Neither she nor Tony had had much to celebrate in the last few years. She thought about Tony being alone in prison on his last two birthdays. Though Tony didn’t talk about his prison experience much, Claire knew. She knew what it was like to be alone. She didn’t want that for either one of them, ever again.
    “Oh! Tony will be so excited to see them.”
    Courtney went on, “So that’ll be Eli and Marianne, John and Emily, Tim and Sue, Jerry and Meredith, Caleb and Julia, and the four of us. Can you think of anyone else I should invite?”
    “No, that sounds good.”
    “Good?”
    Claire shrugged. It surprised her when memories would hit. For some reason, the thought of Derek Burke popped into her head. She’d only met him once and she’d never met Sophia, but nevertheless, Claire had a momentary flash of how nice it would be to have them among their circle of friends. Pretending the thought hadn’t occurred, Claire replied, “I just realized I’ll be seeing Julia and I can’t say anything about her pregnancy. That’ll be so