So here is the second part! You may wonder why did I decide to make it two separate parts when it's so short. I did it because one part kind of has the breaking, and the other the healing. So yeah! Hope you like it!
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I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. It's been a year since Gramps passed away. And boy has it been a hard and eventful one.
I looked over to my right to see Claire sleeping peacefully. We're married now. We have been for two seasons.
*
"OH MY GOSH! YES GRAY! YES! YES! YES!" Claire screamed excitedly at the top of her lungs.
She leaned down and kissed me.
I got up and smiled, slipping the engagement ring onto Claire's finger. I hugged her tightly, inhaling the raspberry smell of her hair. God I love the raspberry smell.
We were watching the sunset on the quiet late-summer beach, listening to the ocean. Well, not so quiet once Claire realised that I was proposing.
We stopped hugging and I stood back to look at her. She was crying.
"Oh my gosh! What did I do? Did I hurt your feelings? I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-"
"Nothing is wrong… In fact, everything is perfect! Gray… you have no idea how happy I am. This is my best birthday ever." Claire cut in.
We kissed and looked back at the sunset one last time, before we set off towards Claire's farm.
As we got onto her property, I involuntarily smiled. Claire had another birthday present coming her way.
I held open the door and she got in two steps before she noticed her house was different.
"Gray! You idiot! You stupid, dumb, sweet, amazing, adorable IDIOT!" Claire said.
What I thought was really funny, was she kept muttering idiot under her breath while admiring her new fully upgraded house. Claire gawked at the stuff in her house. Yeah, I kind of got furniture too.
Claire flung herself on to the big bed. Gosh I had trouble getting that stupid thing, but it was necessary if I wanted to marry her.
I looked around at my work. I guess I did pretty well.
"ARGHH!!!" I yelled. In a fraction of a second that I looked away, Claire had pounced on me showering me with a million "thank you"'s and "I love you"'s. Claire finally shut up and held me tight.
"Thank you so much Gray. You're the best boyfriend/to-be husband EVER!"Claire chirped.
I ruffled her hair and said a quiet, "no problem".
"I can't wait till our wedding!" Claire whispered excitedly.
"Only seven days…" I whispered with a small smile that just wouldn't leave my lips.
*
DING! DONG!
The church bells had never sounded as great as they did on that day.
People began to take their seats in the pews, smiling. I can't believe so many people came. I suppose Claire is pretty popular... My Claire…
I almost jumped when the wedding music came on. No one noticed though. They were too busy looking at Claire… And boy did they have a good reason to. Claire wasn't just beautiful as she always is… She was… just...amazing, indescribable, pure wow.
May walked in front of Claire, spreading petals everywhere. I feel sorry for whoever has to clean up afterwards.
We went through the vows quite fast. When Carter said "You may kiss the bride", I was really jittery. I seriously don't like kissing in public. To be honest, I was terrified. I wanted to run out of the church. But my love for Claire kept me there. I want to be with her forever. And if kissing her in front of a crowd was the small price I had to pay to be with her forever, I would do that. I will do that.
I stepped forward and kissed her. Claire made it brief, because she knew I wasn't a fan of displaying my emotions to a whole crowd of people.
As we walked out of the Church, I smiled. I couldn't of been happier.
*
The past two months have been bliss. Claire was the best thing that ever happened to me. I stepped out of memory land, back into the present.
I figured I should make breakfast. Claire loves bacon and boiled eggs, so I made that. I also grabbed some grapefruit juice (another thing Claire adores) and put it all on a tray.
I walked up to Claire and stroked her head gently.
"Clairebear…" I called to her, smirking at her adopted nickname. Something about it just made me laugh so hard.
"Mmmph?"
Claire has never been a morning person. And she is a farmer. Bad combo.
"I made you breakfast."
"Aww… Thanks Gray." Claire smiled.
She was always a sucker for breakfast in bed. She gave me a quick kiss before digging in.
We finished breakfast, and Claire helped me put the dishes away. When she stood up, I realised the roundness of her stomach was becoming more and more pronounced. We have a baby coming. One more season, and I'll have a baby girl… I'm excited but scared… Can I be a good father?
Claire and I walked back over to a cabinet where our clothes were kept. As Claire did every morning, she checked the calendar.
She nearly fell back, but didn't, because I happened to be just behind her. She sat down on the bed, tears in her eyes.
"Today is the day Saibara died… It's really been a year…" she whispered between sobs.
"Claire, don't cry. Be happy as he wanted us to be. We have a wonderful life ahead of us." I said.
"He would be so proud of you… I wish he was here so he could see the baby when she comes" Claire said.
"But he is here. He is always here. He is just watching from higher up than usual."
"I love you so much Gray. I'm glad I moved here." Claire said.
"I love you too Claire. I don't know what I would do without you. You helped me through those days. You kept me going. Now I'm keeping you going. Smile." I said.
Because Claire was getting weaker I had taken over the farm work (and I still take care of the "evil" chicken, but there are more now) so I went over and did that in record time.
I handed Claire a flower I had gotten for her, and left for work. Work was pretty lonely, until an old friend from the city came. He got sick of the city too. His name is Kyle. He is strong to, and lives at the inn. The room my grandfather slept in remained empty. It was too painful to go in there.
Kyle and I share tasks and we're each our own boss. Kyle remains unmarried, but he prefers it that way. He was never one to make commitments. He is kind of like Kai, but Kai decided he loved Popuri enough to stay forever.
As soon as it was one o'clock I went back home to Claire. She smiled and asked if I wanted to go out for a picnic.
We ate while talking about anything and everything that came onto our minds.
I glanced at my watch. It was 10 pm. We should go back, but something caught my eye: a star shining brightly, brighter than the others.
I took Claire's arm and pointed at the star.
"Told you he was watching over us." I said playfully.
She smiled and cuddled into me.
We did get better… And I'm sure things will get even better. With Claire by my side, I was the happiest man on earth.
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So tell me what you thought of it! Don't be afraid to criticize, it's an old story that doesn't quite reflect my current writing. I promise I won't be offended! Oh and for Staying Over, I'm working on it, put I will be a bit busy... But I promise it'll be up before next weekend!
