Disclaimer: I don't own Lost.
The seven year old ran up to his mum, stumbling over the sand. Proudly he hand up his hand and presented her with a smooth, grey pebble. Claire smiled sadly at her son, "Come on then, Turnip Head." Slipping his small hand in hers, they slowly made their way up the beach to a secluded area at the top. They stopped at the edge of the lapping sea.
The sun was setting behind them, casting a bittersweet glow around them. Aaron carefully dug a tiny hole and delicately placed the flawless stone in it, before scooping the sand up to cover it. He stood beside his mum, playing with a ring that was too big to stay on his finger properly. They stared out at the never ending sea in silence for a moment. Aaron looked up at Claire with wide, blue eyes.
"Does Daddy know?"
'Of course he does, Sweetheart."
"Tell me Daddy's story again."
Claire swallowed, trying to get rid of the lump in her throat. "Well, there was a boat so we all thought we had been saved. But we couldn't talk to it because a big submarine wouldn't let us. So Daddy said he would go and fix the submarine. He gave Mummy a big kiss and…"
"He gave me his ring!"
"Yes, he gave you, Turnip Head, his special ring. And he and Uncle Desmond went away, and Daddy dived deep under the water and pushed the big button that would save us." Her breath hitched as she tried not to cry. "And he did, he saved us. He's a hero."
"Does Daddy love me?"
Claire wrapped her arms around him. Kissing the top of his head, she murmured, "More than anything."
As the sun disappeared under the horizon, the pair walked back down the sand. The moon illuminated Claire's tears. As they got into the car, Aaron patted Claire's hand before rolling over and falling asleep.
Claire watched her son sleep; he was peaceful without worries or nightmares. She absentmindedly stroked his hair. One day she would tell him that all the stories were true, she'd tell him why they did this every year, why Uncle Jack and Hurley and all the others never came to visit.
Why she never ate peanut butter.
Why she loved his Daddy and why he loved them back.
"I'll tell him all about you. I love you so much, Charlie."
As she drove away, she missed the faint whisper, "I love you too and always will."