Love and War
(A Clauson Fanfiction)
Claudia -
The marriage of convenience had been going rather well since Anthony Zacchara had been arrested. Claudia was slowly gaining her husband's trust. They didn't love each other and they probably never would, but they did care for one another. Though they tried so desperately to hide it. Claudia sat in her bedroom getting ready for the Fund Raiser Party Carly was throwing at the Metro Court. It was to raise money for Breast Cancer. Claudia's friend Rebecca Shaw (Emily Quartermaine's strangely coincidental look-a-like) was diagnosed with Breast Cancer a few weeks ago and Carly thought it would be the perfect time to raise money for a good cause and bring publicity to her hotel. Claudia's long, red, strapless, sweat-heart cut dress hung on the back of her door as she slipped on her lingerie and diamonds. Claudia was indeed excited about this evening, not only would it be the first public date she had ever had with her husband, Sonny Corinthos, but her brother Johnny and his girlfriend Lulu were going to announce their engagement. Claudia did not like Lulu very much, but as long as her brother was happy, she was happy too. She stared down at her wedding ring and remembered her engagement and wedding. It all took place in less than twenty four hours. Who, knew it would bring her so much happiness. She did care for Sonny and he made her happier than any man had ever made her. Though she wasn't going to tell him that - it would go to his head. But, this was the one place where Claudia really felt like she was home. Claudia slipped on her long red dress, right after she curled, her silky, long layered black hair. A diamond bracelet hung on her right wrist and a heart pendant hung upon a white gold chain around her neck. Her red stilettos were slipped on and she exited her bedroom; grabbing her clutch and checkbook from the sofa.
Sonny -
Sonny thought that the marriage of convenience was going fairly well. A lot better than he had expected. He buttoned the cuff buttons on his white button down shirt and began to dress up in his suit. He was extremely proud of Carly for thinking of such a caring and wonderful idea. Rebecca was going into chemo therapy soon and she probably would not get to go out for a glamorous night like this in a long time. So, putting this Fund Raiser together for her was an extraordinary idea. He was also excited about spending the evening with his wife. Sonny buttoned the last button on his suit jacket and glanced down at a photograph lying in his dresser drawer. It was his and Claudia's wedding picture. Milo had insisted upon bringing a camera and taking pictures of them while they cut their cake. Good thing they never ate a slice because Anthony could have probably poisoned it… or Trevor… or Ric… or any Zacchara personal for that matter. Sonny remembered that moment clearly. They did look very happy, even though he knew he was faking it the whole time. But, he wasn't faking it now. She kind of made him happy and every time he saw her a little spark would fly through his body. But, he wasn't going to tell her that - she'd let it go to her head. Sonny grabbed his checkbook from his desk drawer and took one last glance at the picture before exiting out of his bedroom; to hear Claudia's stilettos pounding on the floor. There goes that spark.
Both -
Claudia blushed slightly as she ran into Sonny coming out of his room. His eyes transfixed on her; her curly long locks, her flowing red dress, her stilettos pressed against his wooden floor, the diamonds clutching to her skin, and the red lip gloss that shined across her luscious lips. "Wow," was all Sonny could say. Which did not surprise Claudia much, cause he barely ever gave her complements. "You look beautiful."
Claudia gazed into his sexy brown eyes, now entranced by his handsome looks. His suit flowed on every curve of his body and his black gelled hair stood perfectly in place. She almost lost herself, until she realized she needed to say something, "Thanks." They stood for a moment, drawn to the others picture-perfect features. "Are you ready?" Sonny looked into her eyes and watched as her red lips moved within the question.
So, he answered, "Most definitely," and held out his arm for her to take. Which she did, freely and gladly. They walked down their stairs into their living room, where Jason Morgan - Sonny's right hand man, best friend, and enforcer in the business - and his girlfriend Samantha McCall - a close friend of Claudia's - were waiting for them. They were all going to ride to the Benefit together. They greeted each other with hellos, hugs, and handshakes, and left to the evening none of Port Charles was ever going to Forget. - End of Chapter One
Sonny -
Sonny kept his fingers entwined with Claudia's the whole elevator ride up; afraid if he let go of her she would disappear, like in the plot of some fairytale. He felt like she was Cinderella and she was this beautiful and amazing woman, but he only had her till midnight. When it was past then, everything would go back to the way it was before tonight, business as usual, with the occasional hitting the sheets, and nothing more. But, the question was, Does Sonny want more? He Didn't know. He had no idea what to want or what to feel around Claudia. His emotions and feelings were always being scrambled and changed around her. Nothing was ever set in stone. He needed it to be, he always had it that way, but it wasn't that way now and that's what Sonny loved about his relationship with Claudia - the unpredictability.
Claudia -
Claudia didn't mind holding Sonny's hand at all. She found it comforting and warm. She awaited tender moments like this, were she felt that they could really have a chance at a romance and fall in love. But, as the elevator doors opened and their hands unclasped, it all seemed to change. Jason and Sam walked out of the elevator giggling and clinging to one another. Claudia and Sonny stood next to each other, shoulders touching, Sonny's arm around her waist. But, this wasn't the romantic and loving hold Jason and Sam had. It was strictly business. Always has been, always is, and always will be.
Both -
Claudia and Sonny greeted all their friends and family before retrieving their place cards and walking over to their assigned table. "I'll have a vodka rocks, please." Claudia asked the waiter as he arrived to bring Mr. and Mrs. Corinthos their drinks. Claudia played with her clutch, opening and closing it as she waited for her husband to order his drink.
"I'll have a scotch, thanks." The dark, mobster announced. The waiter walked away, leaving Mr. and Mrs. Corinthos to talk amongst themselves. Claudia and Sonny stared at each other for a few seconds, which seemed like ages to them. It was a total awkward moment. All they ever talked about really was the business and they were usually fighting about it. Now, they actually had to start up a conversation - an actual one on one personal conversation.
"So," Claudia began, "this place looks really incredible, huh? Carly and Jax did a fantastic job, putting this events together. Remind me to tell them later, okay?" Sonny just stared at her and nodded his head. This was going to take a lot of work. Claudia looked away for a moment and noticed the elevator door opening and in walked Richard Lansing, or Ric as Port Charles called him. He was the scum, of the scum of the earth. Sonny's little half brother, Trevor's illegitimate son, Anthony's used-to-be most trusted ally, Jason and Johnny's punching bag, the Zacchara family lawyer, and Claudia's ex-lover. Claudia and Ric had a brief affair after he cleared Johnny of the murder charges that were filed against him when he "supposedly" killed Logan Hayes. Only to find out that Lulu Spencer really killed him and Johnny took the fall. Things between Claudia and Ric kind of fell out when Claudia ratted out her father to Sonny, about how her father shot Kate Howard and was playing Sonny for all he was worth, which is a lot. After that, her and Sonny got "closer" and Ric and her were definitely over, but he was always around to annoy her and antagonize her. He was insanely jealous that she of all women chose Sonny over him. Was he surprised? No. Was he disappointed and heartbroken? Most definitely. Claudia looked away as fast as she could and lost herself again in Sonny's sexy brown eyes.
Then Sonny began to engage in conversation, "Are you happy?" Sonny asked seriously, though Claudia looked at him as if he had three heads.
"I don't understand the question." Claudia replied; not knowing where Sonny was going with this. Sonny genuinely wanted to know if Claudia was happy with him. In the picture they had both been faking it. But, now he was truly happy and he wanted to know if the same counted for her.
"Are you happy in this marriage?" Sonny rephrased the question. Claudia looked a little stunned, by his choice of words and sat back a moment, thinking of what to say, when Ric Lansing walked over to greet them.