A/N : This is the third story to my Little Girl Lost series.
Little Girl Lost: New Beginnings
CHAPTER 1
Last day at the cabin...
"Clara, don't be afraid," Hawke said as he looked up the cabin stairs.
Clara stood terror-stricken in the doorway of the cabin, tightly clutching her stuffed lamb for comfort. Today, she leaves her hideaway from the terrible ways of the world outside the mountain. After years of torture and torment, Clara had found her haven that fateful snowy night seven months ago. Now she is to start the next chapter of her life in a new home down in the world she still barely trusts.
"I don't want to go," Clara said.
"I don't either but we have to. Don't worry, we'll be back here on the weekends," Hawke said holding out his hand. "We'll do this together,"
Clara took his hand and as always putting her trust in his decision. Once Clara, Tet, Bonnie and Clyde were loaded in and secured, Hawke took off giving Clara a sad final look.
Landing at the hanger Clara notices her Grandfather is missing. "Where's Grandpa?"
"He's out on a job," Hawke said. "He doesn't know yet about us moving,"
"Why?" Clara asked.
"Because, Grandpa will not believe it happened," Hawke said. "Also, it would be fun to surprise him,"
Clara let out a small giggle. "Did I just hear a giggle and see a smile?"
Clara quickly changed back to her sad face. "No, I coughed,"
"Ok, if you say so," Hawke said. "Let's take Tet for a walk before we leave,"
Driving down the highway Tet was in the back whining with fear, as he kept sticking his head through the gaps in the metal barrier. Clara trying to comfort him along with Bonnie and Clyde as best she could.
"It's ok Tet, I know how you feel," Clara said. "I don't like it either but we have to do what Daddy says,"
Glancing into the rearview mirror he was met by a death stare. Her face was glazed for a split-second and then she frowned, her lips pursed together and her eyes unblinking, at that moment, if her eyes were a weapon, the piercing look in them could have caused serious destruction, like she was a lion and he just went in her territory and she is about to attack.
"Clara, stop it. We've been over this and it's not going to change," Hawke said. "I think you'll like the new house,"
"We'll see," Clara said. "How far away is it? It's been nearly an hour!"
Hawke chuckled at her stubbornness though mostly annoying was also at times cute. "We're almost there,"
"It's too far!" Clara exclaimed. "I don't like it!"
"Too bad," Hawke said.
"Is that the ocean?!" She asked. "Where are we?!"
"Clara, calm down," Hawke said. "We'll be there in ten minutes,"
Traveling down a road lined with Palm trees and homes Clara felt out of this world. It was all foreign to her despite coming down from the cabin for activities, she always knew she would return to it's safety by day's end. As they advanced down the road they passed by a large lake with a series of small mountains in the foreground. Clara silently admitted to herself that wherever they were it was pretty in it's own way. Continuing on outside her window the scene turned to more regular trees and bushes as the houses also became bigger. They turned down another road with both sides of the road covered in walls of shrubbery and tree's.
"We're here," He announced as he made another turn into a private lane.
"Where?" Clara asked. "We're still driving!"
"Here," Hawke said as he pulled up to black steel gate and a fortressed wall accented with lush landscaping and tall trees behind to protect privacy. Opening the gate he pulled through going down the long drive. Clara's jaw dropped at the sight of their new home never imagining it would be so big.
The driveway was the size of a small town square able to hold about ten cars. The house was white stucco with conservatory-style windows framed in light blue molding. It had an old world look of English and French design. The garden like front landscaping was full of precisely cut bushes forming two large squares flanking both sides of the ten step stairway down leading to the path to the front door. Inside the squares were giant square cement planters carved with a lions head in the middle. Along the path were trees of lavender hyancith's and scattered flowers of all colors and types and more cut bushes forming a low hedge along the path. There was also a mixture of bushes with all different kind and colors of flowers along the outline of the house as well further out. It was beautiful and inviting even to Clara.
Hawke first unloaded Tet who was all to happy to leave the truck. Clara on the other hand needed a bit of coaxing, despite it's inviting look. Clara still was frightened. He prayed he wouldn't have to carry her out that would only further traumatize her. He opened her door to be met by a look of pure heartbreak. Her big green eyes wide with fear and sadness clutching to her lamb so hard. This was the first time in a long time seeing her this scared, it made him want to close her door and put Tet back in and leave straight back to the cabin. But he won't because he knows to wouldn't be right for either of them.
"Clara, it's time," Hawke said. "It'll be alright,"
"No,"
"Clara, we are not going back," Hawke said. "You have no other choice,"
"I'll stay here,"
"In the car?" Hawke chuckled.
"Yes,"
"That's not gonna work," Hawke said. "How about I let you hold Tet's leash?"
"I can walk him?"
"Yes, you both can look at the house together," Hawke said. "Sound good?"
After a few moments of thinking Clara relented. As he lifted her out he could feel her shaking with fear, he held her for a few minutes to calm her as much as he could.
"See, you made a big step," Hawke said. "Let me know when you're ready to go the rest of the way,"
"I'm ready," Clara said.
He set Clara down handing her Tet's leash. "Let's go,"
Tet started to follow Hawke down the path with Clara more in tow.
Compared to the cabin everything looked opulent and big from the gleaming wood floors covered in loving throw rugs to the sheer curtains billowing like mist on the wall of floor to ceiling windows that faced a slope and then a sunset. Nothing else. The furnishings were old but had a story to tell, so they had to be antiques with what looked like handcarved workmanship each area of the room melting into the beauty of the next with some delicate settees next to more heavy bookcases and fireplaces that mated with the walls that appeared to be actually used. The elegant tray-ceilinged living room painted in off white with gorgeous view of the mountains through the wall of custom-designed conservatory-style windows featured moldings reproduced from an old English cast and an eighteenth century fireplace surround from the South of France. Period piece chandeliers and sconces in the foyer and living room had been personally selected from Paris. The result was sophisticated yet warmly inviting and restful space.
Clara and Tet walked around the bright spacious room looking out the window at the vast mountain in the foreground. A comforting reminder of home. Hawke could see her start to soften behind that stubborn pout.
The kitchen, was huge open compared to the cabin yet still retained the look. The cabinets and floor looked exactly the same except this had with eleven foot ceiling. An island containing a six burner cook-top with extra large oven, ample storage and open shelving for the true chef, a vegetable sink, and a raised granite seating area. A double wide refrigerator and a built-in desk and a breakfast room.
"Grandpa, will really like this," Clara said. "It's so big,"
"There's more to it," Hawke said.
Leading her and Tet to a door that opened adjacent to the kitchen is an outside dining patio designed for year-round al fresco entertaining with outdoor heater and speakers. The patio was framed by half timbers and custom wrought iron railings, limestone floors and illuminated by a five foot-wide Italian chandelier. There is a built-in barbecue and sink. The patio overlooked the pool and spa as well with the comforting mountain views.
"Wow!...I mean it's nice," Clara said letting slip her excitement but quickly regaining her standoffish composure.
"What's that?" She asked pointing down to an olympic sized pool.
"That's a pool," Hawke said.
"What's it for?" She asked.
"Clara, you don't know what that is?" Hawke asked.
"No, I've never seen one before,"
"You swim and relax in it during the summer," Hawke said. "To cool off and have fun,"
"Oh, can we go in now?" Clara asked.
"No, not yet," Hawke said. "You need a bathing suit,"
"Huh?"
"Let's move along, " Hawke said. "I'll explain later,"
Upstairs Hawke showed Clara the guest rooms first. "Where's your room?" She asked.
Clara looking up at him with her big green eyes filled with concern. The house was many times bigger than the cabin making her fearful of being to far away from her father. She quietly admitted to herself that she did like it and was far from what she thought it would be. It seemed they still retained privacy and some isolation from the world.
"It's over here, just two doors down," Hawke said. "Don't worry, I'm still close by,"
Opening the door to his room it was much bigger and brighter than the loft at the cabin. "Daddy, this is really big!"
"Yeah, lot's of room," Hawke said.
"You have your own bathroom!" Clara said as she walked around still holding onto Tet. "It's huge! It's almost as big as the downstairs of the cabin!"
"I know..."
"Why is it so big?" Clara asked. "It's just you,"
"Clara..."
"You have a porch!" Clara exclaimed. "What about mine?"
Hawke's room had a terrace overlooking a beautiful and tranquil scene of far off mountains and ocean.
"Come on, it's time to show you," Hawke said. "Hop on my feet and I'll take you for a ride,"
Clara's tough exterior began to crumble as she began to shriek with laughter.
"Are we there yet?" Clara asked as they stopped.
"Yes, now close your eyes," Hawke said.
He slowly opened the door. "Ok, are you ready?" Hawke asked.
"Let me see!" Clara exclaimed.
"Open your eyes," He said.
She opened her eyes and glances through the door on her left where a very large spacious room folds out. The walls are lavender color edged with white crown molding and cream colored carpet. The arch cut out wall behind her full-size white colored two point poster bed is an elaborate hand painted mural of wild flowers and butterflies flying through the sky. Along the rest of the walls were painted with a tree, birdhouse and flowers, baby owls, rabbits, deers and butterflies. Her favorite stuffed animal was also added to the mural, appearing behind the tree. All painstakingly done to bring a small comfort of the cabin home with her. Light filters in from the three large windows facing the backyard below. A long window seat with teal colored cushions and storage was built into the wall underneath the window as well. On the far end of the room, Hawke had an elaborate enclosure resembling a small cottage built for Bonnie and Clyde.
Clara's eyes wet at the painted scenery reminding her of all that she missed, but it was also beautiful and comforting at the same time. She looked up to her father trying to find words and not to cry at the loving and thoughtful gesture. He picked her up giving her a sweet gentle hug and a kiss.
"I know," He said.
"Pink blanket again!" Clara laughed.
"You noticed my little joke," Hawke laughed. "Let's go, we've got more bedrooms to see,"
"How many are there?"
"Seven,"
"What?!" Clara exclaimed. "Why is there so many?"
"That's how it was built," Hawke said. "There actually used to be ten bedrooms,"
"Why did you get one with so many?"
"I didn't buy the home Clara, this is where I grew up," Hawke said. "I kept it for your Uncle Saint John,"
"You didn't grow up at the cabin?" Clara asked.
"No, that was my Grandparent's," Hawke said. "After my parent's died, we moved in with Grandpa,"
"Oh, where is Uncle Saint John going to go now?" Clara asked feigning ignorance. "Will he live with us?"
"I don't know, but he won't mind that we've moved in," Hawke said. "Let's go see your playroom now,"
"I have a playroom?" Clara wondered as he carried her down the hall. "What's a playroom?"
"This is a playroom," Hawke said as he opened the door to her imaginarium.
Clara's jaw dropped at the expansive and extremely elaborate room of fun and wonder. One wall was made into an entire chalkboard, while another consisted of a very detailed world map. The rest of the walls were used for storage consisting of built in shelving cases filled books and craft materials. There were endless bins of legos and a big work table in the middle. But the big surprise was installed in one corner of the room, a tree fort and a climbing wall with a five foot tubular slide which sent Clara over the edge of excitement. Hawke drove the designer and contractor crazy with his ideas for this room especially when it came to this room. They didn't know or could understand how very little time he had with Clara. He knew in this room is where she will really blossom her mind to create and find amazing things.
"OH MY GOD!" Clara shrieked. "Can I try it?!"
"Yes, go ahead silly,"
Clara ran over quickly starting to climb the wall into the tree fort and down the slide. She was wild with glee as she ran around her room inspecting everything even discovering another enclosure for Bonnie and Clyde. "That's so they can be with you here when you're playing," Hawke said.
"Thank you, Daddy," Clara said hugging his leg.
"Remember, I said there used to be ten bedrooms?"
"Yeah,"
"This room used to be all three," Hawke said. "Come on, there's more,"
Outside the backyard was like a park to Clara. So much open space to run around and to her surprise another treehouse, this one being bigger and more elaborate. There was a small stable for horses which Clara hoped to one day house Firefly. After a couple of turns on the enclosed trampoline, Clara finally got an up close look at the olympic size pool. It was white-lined like a sheet is covering its bottom. The shape was that of a rectangle with it's edges smooth and rounded. It was filled with glittering water clear as the sky, not murky anywhere. It sloped gently, going far down enough that she couldn't guess the depth. Some parts were tiled, and the tiles glinted in the sun, making the water glint and shimmer even more. There were no waves-all was still. The water was so calm it looked like she could walk out on to it and just keep walking forever, never getting wet at all. Like a silverly blue sidewalk, it was straight and formal looking. When Clara looked at it, her instinct was to dive in, dive down, down, down...all the way to the bottom, however far that might be. As she looked closer, and her first awe wore off a tiny bit, Clara noticed some peculiar things. One was that there was a little ledge right before the water began, and water was constantly rushing into it and falling down into it's trench, like a little waterfall. She also saw the walls-they white, true- but they also had little markings on them, mostly crosses and thick lines. She saw that these markings continued on as tile down the way on the bottom. These were the tiles she had seen before, and she wondered about them. But for now, no more wondering. Without hesitation, she dove in...
"CLARA! NO!" Hawke screamed.
As she looked up from underneath, she saw a light and a blurred version of what was above her. She couldn't see it clearly, but what she could see is better than the reality of what was. It was very bright and the light added to the effect of the beauty. It was bright and truly beautiful, then suddenly she was jolted out of her hypnotic intrigue by the sudden rush of water as her father jumped in pulling her out to safety.
"Don't you ever do anything like that again!" Hawke frantically exclaimed."You don't know how to swim yet, you could have drowned!"
"I'm sorry," Clara cried as Hawke cradled her tight to him. "I didn't mean to scare you,"
"I know, but don't ever frighten me like that again," Hawke said. "I can't lose you..."
Clara looked into his eyes and saw a fear that she had never seen before.
"Come on, let's get out of these wet clothes," Hawke said. "Afterwards, I'll call Grandpa to come over for dinner,"
Later on...
"Hey, Dom how did it go today?" Hawke asked.
"It went alright, the director knew better this time not to interfere," Dominic said. "Finally leaving it to the old professional here,"
"Sorry, I couldn't make it today," Hawke said.
"String, will you stop apologizing every time you can't make a stunt," Dominic said. "Besides Toni has been helping out and really enjoying it,"
"Ok, anyway I was calling to see if you wanted to meet for dinner,"
"Sure, i'll be up..."
"Not at the cabin," Hawke said.
"What? Where?"
"This new place we found in Santa Barbara," Hawke said. "Clara loves it,"
"Santa Barbara?" Dominic asked. "What's the address?"
"This can't be right," Dominic said to himself as he pulled up to the black steel gates. "I must of taken a wrong turn somewhere,"
As he was about to back out the gates opened. "Ok, maybe this is it,"
Dominic pulled through and proceeded down the long driveway unexpectedly coming upon a house. "Wait, this can't be what I think it is,"
Dominic stepped from the car, gaping at the large mansion that sat in front of him, towering over him as if attempting to intimidate him. He stabbed the doorbell, which glowed with a yellow light surrounding the white button. Hearing a faint 'ding dong' It was, moments later, the door swung open.
"HI GRANDPA!" Clara shouted with excitement.
"Clara?" Dominic said in a dazed tone.
"Come on Grandpa, I wanna show you my playroom!" Clara said as she pulled his hand leading him through the door.
"Well, you look like a deer caught in headlights," Hawke said as emerged from down the hall.
"String, this is.."
"Yes, it is," Hawke said. "I came back home,"
"You finally did it!" Dominic said giving him a big hug. "You made the right decision, String,"
"Yeah, I know," Hawke said. "I made the decision along time ago,"
"Really?" Why didn't you say anything?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise," Hawke said "Remember those two women I was seeing?"
"Yeah, that's why you had me watch Clara,"
"They were the interior decorators," Hawke said.
"Well, now that you've joined society maybe you'll meet someone," Dominic said. "A nice girl for both of you,"
"Dom, the only priority in my life is Clara," Hawke said. "Nothing else matters,"
Dominic knew not to push the subject anymore, but he held on to hope that one day a woman would come along and change that declaration. She would have to be a strong and patient woman to put up with his stubborn defense of being cursed. Dominic was beginning to believe that Hawke didn't believe it himself anymore, but instead now used it as an excuse to not get involved.
"Let's go Grandpa, there's lot's to see!" Clara said tugging on his hand.
"Alright, I'm coming," Dominic said.
After dinner Clara retreated to her playroom with Tet in tow as Hawke and Dominic shared an after dinner drink.
"String, I don't even recognize the place. Then again it's been so long," Dominic said. "Let alone you still even had it,"
"After mom and dad died Saint John kept it," Hawke said. "For his future wife and kids, I kept it in case he came back,"
"It's a good thing you did," Dominic said. "You did a great job on the renovations,"
"I drove them crazy to the point one of the decorators quit," Hawke said. "The playroom was the hot topic,"
"That's an amazing room," Dominic said. "She'll be in there most of the time,"
"And the pool," Hawke said. "Had an incident earlier where she almost drowned,"
"WHAT?!" Dominic exclaimed. "What happened?!"
"The little daredevil just jumped right in," Hawke said. "I had to go in after her,"
"She's getting bolder," Dominic said. "We gotta watch her,"
"Yeah, well I'm gonna call it a night," Hawke said. "Been a long day,"
"I'll see ya tomorrow kid," Dominic said. "Wait until Archangel finds out, this I can't wait!"
"He's gonna find out the hard way," Hawke chuckled. "Gotta make it a little fun,"
"So what do you think so far?" Hawke asked Clara as he tucked her in for the night.
"I like it especially my play room, there's lot's for me to do. Bonnie and Clyde have more room too," Clara said. "And I love my room, it's so big!"
"I thought you would but there's one thing I didn't show you earlier," Hawke said as he got up from the bed. "Look up,"
Hawke turned off her lights and the sky painted ceiling turned from day to night with lighted stars littering the sky. Hawke had the ceiling not only painted like the day time sky but had tiny fiber optic lights installed to create a starry night as well. Even forming constellations.
"Wow!" Clara said. "It's so pretty, Thank you, Daddy!"
"I tried to bring home some reminders of home to make you comfortable," Hawke said. "I know it will be a big adjustment,"
"I'll be ok and besides now there's a lot of room for all the clothe's Grandma sends!" Clara said. "Is she ever going to stop?"
"I don't think so," Hawke chuckled. "Hey, i'm not complaining, shopping is not my speciality. This is her way of helping of me,"
"Can you teach me how to swim tomorrow?"
"Yes, but first we have to get you a bathing suit," Hawke said.
"Ha! you have to go shopping!" Clara laughed. "I promise i won't be difficult,"
"You better not be!" Hawke said as he began to tickle her into a hysterical oblivion of laughter.
Later on...
As Hawke lies quietly asleep in his bed, Clara quietly creeps in armed with a pillow and blanket. Settling down on the floor next to her father just like she did in the beginning at the cabin. Unknowing to her this time her father was awake. As Clara got comfortable she felt a pair of arms wrap around her lifting her up off the floor.
"Only for tonight," He said as he placed her beside him in the bed.
Clara smiled as she snuggled into her father.