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Claire ALWAYS Gets Her Way by bays1

Chapter One - Lollipop, Lollipop, Oh Lolli - Lolli - Lolli ( Age 7)

It was the biggest and brightest one Claire had ever seen. It was much bigger than the souvenir lollipop Cadence had brought to show and tell. This lollipop seemed to be the size of her head, maybe larger and the delicate red and pink swirls had her craving the strawberry flavour. She wanted it so badly that she could already feel babyish tears of disappointment welling up. He had said no, that it would rot her teeth but what did that matter? Claire wanted it and he was suppose to give her what she wanted, every time before this she had always got her way. One sugary sweet smile was all it took for Quil to carry out her smallest wish.

Claire knew who was to blame. Uncle Sam. He'd sussed out what she was doing and she knew he had spoken to Quil about it, she had heard them talking while she was 'asleep' on the couch. It wasn't fair! This lollipop was the only thing Claire ever truly wanted!

"Pwease. Pwease. Pwease, Quil." His heart broke her the sight of her glistening eyes and trembling lip. Surely one lollipop wouldn't hurt? Quil shook his head regretfully and a single tear trailed its way down Claire cheek. He couldn't give in. He couldn't! If he let her have everything she would get spoilt, that's what Sam had said. But, how could a child as innocent and sweet as Claire ever be spoilt? He hoisted her up into his arms; carefully making sure her red and white spotted skirt didn't hoist up too. Claire wouldn't look at him.

He brushed the tear off her chubby cheek. "Awww Clairy-Fairy, please don't cry. How about we go on the Ferris Wheel instead? Look Embry's in the line by himself."

Claire stubbornly refused to move her eyes. If he wouldn't give her the lollipop, she wouldn't do as she was told. She fiddled with the fluoro band around her wrist instead, pretending it was a thousand times more interesting than the ride she had been most excited for earlier. Something played on her mind though and she still wouldn't look but she could ask Quil. Not that she wanted to talk to him, just because he was nearest.

"Is he really by himself?" Quil chuckled and Claire bounced against his solid chest with each guffaw.

"Yep." Claire peeped out the corners of her eyes so Quil wouldn't see what she was doing. Just like Quil said, Embry was in line swaying to music that she couldn't hear and she was pretty sure no else could either. No one else but Embry that is. He was weird like that. Quil had called him something the other day. What was that word?

"What a loser." Claire snorted. Quil suddenly stopped laughing and gently plopped her back standing again. He dropped down to her level.

"Couldn't have said it better myself Clairy but let's not say that around anyone else deal?" He whispered conspiratorially and held his giant hand out for Claire's tiny one to take. The mischievous sprit jumped back, her ponytail bobbed with the movement.

"No Deal." She said firmly. There was no way she would do what Quil said unless she got the lollipop. He probably thought he had distracted her. Honestly, he couldn't expect her to just pretend it wasn't there on the stand mocking her with the fact it wasn't hers. Boy, she would like to let her tongue at it.

Quil sighed as she took an obvious glance at that blasted cavities on a stick. Sam was right, Claire knew how to play him. He had to let her know he wasn't all soft. "No."

"Fine. I'll just go call Aunty Emily a loser then." She huffed in response to the temporary set back. This was something Claire was determined to win. With a sense of purpose, she began to march across the trampled grass to where she knew the big girls were talking. Silently, Claire counted. One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, Three Mississip…

"Claire! Wait!" Bingo! Quil jogged over to where she was tapping her foot in imitation of Emily the other week. In his hand was proof he had crumbled. "Here."

She watched him suspiciously as she slowly edged forward with her hand outstretched. "No funny business." She warned him seriously. Quil couldn't help but grin at her now corporate like attitude.

It was so close. Just. One. More. Step. And…

"Busted dude!" A familiar voice cried victoriously. The red candy disappeared from view. Claire stamped her foot in frustration. So, so close. "You're on candid camera!"

Quil groaned. Brady had to bring his camera didn't he? He would bet his life that later he would get to hear about how he just 'happened' to record this weak moment by 'accident'.

"Sam is so going to go alpha on you." Quil groaned again. Brady whooped. "God, I hope I'm there! Hand over the candy Quil. I'm gonna need that for further evidence."

Claire slumped back into her sulk as Brady strutted off, clutching onto the camera like a classified document and waving her lollipop at her family in the distance. Then Quil whispered into her ear and everything didn't seem as bad.

"Don't worry I'll get it back for you later." Lollipop paradise make way for Claire.

It was that moment Quil realised he couldn't be untwisted from a certain tiny, little finger.

A/N: This is going to be the first chapter in a hopefully seven chapter story about Claire managing to get her way through the years. So...let me know what you think (the good, the bad and the ugly please) and I'll try and get another chapter up ASAP :)

Bayley