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Dinnertime.
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Leon ran towards Claire helping her get up. Claire turned to see if the children were fine and they were laughing at her.
Claire put her hands to her hair, arranging it before looking at Leon embarrassed.
"Sorry."
"I am sorry for showing up this way" Leon approached Claire and hugged her suddenly.
Despite being friends for a long time that hug made her even more embarrassed. She realized he blushed so he would also be embarrassed, something quite unusual for a guy like Leon. He was so confident that the shy countenance definitely didn't suit him.
"Come on, I need to introduce you to the children."
"Children?" Claire asked curiously .
"Yes. I called Mariane in the morning and she said that there were still available beds. I brought the two children of a friend of mine who died. They only know me and this friend was very special." Leon realized that Claire raised an eyebrow "Claire, I am currently unable to raise these two children up."
"I didn't say anything, but since you said it, I will speak my mind. You are getting older day by day. You're not that big boy cop from yesteryear anymore. These wrinkles show that it is the time for another kind of responsibility. I think you should adopt these children as they only have you. And it is better for any child to have an agent father who's always busy than having no father."
"Claire! I don't have time or room for children. You have to understand that not all people are like you." Leon furrowed his brow upset "You always criticize me."
"C'mon Leon. I just think if you are the only person they know, they surely would be better with you. This is a good place, but it is never the best option, if they can have a family. And you clearly need them."
"What do you mean I need them?"
"Nevermind!" Claire shrugged "Come on , I want to meet these little ones and will do everything to make them feel as if they have found a family here."
Leon's face changed at that time and he managed to smile. Claire was always like that and somehow he was used to it. He knew that Claire did not have much patience with him and with all men, and yet he really liked that little rebel.
Leon stepped behind the children and put his hand on each one's shoulder.
'Claire, These are Dylan and Anne."
"Hello Dylan. Hello Anne. I hope you enjoy your new home and know that you've just got several friends, until you feel like calling ourselves family."
"Hello Claire" Dylan approached Claire hugging her legs. Claire corresponded hugging the boy and smiling.
"Anne, Let's go." Leon pushed the girl gently .
Anne had the same indifferent countenance. As she got a little closer, she just shook hands with Claire without moving her body or change the expression on her face.
Claire kept smiling, ignoring the attitude from that adolescent girl. Leon, on the other hand did not realize Anne's attitude. For him, the girl was just shy.
Claire went to the children's room, followed by Leon, who was carrying their luggage. That house was simple, but well planned. Both the female and the male bedrooms had bunk beds. colorful curtains, carpets and paintings decorated those comfortable rooms.
Leon put each bag in its respective room before heading back to the living room. Claire noticed that Leon was limping slightly.
Jason, a dark-haired 8-year-old boy, took Dylan by his hand and brought him along to the toy-library. Dylan accepted without hesitation. Claire thought that he would get along with the other children easily. On the other hand, Anne had her arms crossed by the door. Some of the kids called her, but the girl just nodded refusing every invitation.
Claire realized that Anne would be a challenge and Claire loved challenges .
"Leon, Mr. Collins is preparing a super soup for our dinner and I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss it."
"Marin, Leon is always very busy and..."
"I'd love that. It's been a long time since I had a good soup." Leon smiled at Mariane.
Claire shrugged. Leon was probably flirting with Mariane as he always did. 'Leon, you haven't changed a bit. ' she thought.
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Anne took only two spoonfuls of that delicious soup and soon pushed the plate with her hand claiming she was not hungry. Leon however, was savoring the second helping of that soup paying compliments to that nice man's talent.
Claire noticed that Leon was sweating.
"Are you alright, Leon?"
"Perfectly. With such a wonderful soup who wouldn't?"
"I asked that because you're sweating."
"I'm hot. The soup warmed me up."
Claire thought it was really weird. Even though the soup had really warmed everybody up, he was sweating too much.
"Leon, Anne didn't like it, but I really enjoyed this soup." Dylan said smiling.
Leon stroked the boy's head and tried to smile. For a moment he thought he exaggerated eating. He had never gotten that full from eating before, but for some reason felt that way.
Leon filled the cup with water and tried to drink, feeling his mouth dry, but he was so full he could only sip a single gulp. He took a napkin on the table and began to shake on himself.
In a few seconds Leon realized that he was not full, but nauseated. He didn't understand that after such a well prepared meal. His head was spinning and he tried to focus on what Claire said about a movie, but did not understand a word.
Heat suddenly became cold and Leon crossed his arms and cowered himself.
"... so we'll watch Harry Potter today, but only after helping mr. Colins with the dishes." Claire looked at the kids and when she turned to Leon she got worried. The man seemed strange and he was completely pale. "Leon?" Claire got up from the table and went towards him, ignoring his insistence that he was fine. Claire put her palm on his forehead and looked at Mariane. "He's burning up. Help me, let's take him to my room."
"I'm alright, Claire. I don't want to bother you."
"Be quiet, Leon. Not the right time for your stubbornness."
Claire and Mariane took the man to Claire's room. Mariane left the room to get a thermometer . Claire helped Leon to lie on her bed. Leon had a grimace of pain when he stretched his left leg and Claire asked:
"What's Wrong with your leg?"
"Nothing serious, just a cut."
"When did this happen?"
"I don't Know, Claire. Some days ago."
"Take off your pants."
"What?" Leon asked confused.
"Take it off."
"Claire..."
Mariane entered the room holding the thermometer. Claire took it, thanked her friend and asked her to leave them for a minute. Claire closed the door and sat on the bed beside Leon.
She unbuttoned Leon's jeans and opened the zipper in one movement.
"Claire?" Leon asked kind of surprised, but he did not stop her.
Claire carefully lowered his pants, revealing his pink boxer. Claire knew this was not the time to jokes, but she could not help laughing.
Carefully taking his pants off and once she got to his knees Claire got startled. Leon's left thigh really had a cut, but by the color of the skin and the swelling, Claire realized that Leon was going through a risky infection.
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Heyyy!
The95will : Helloooo! Hahahah Loved how you describe Chris and Leon and you are totally right! :D. As I'm writing because its a request, I really hope I can write Leon well. I dont plan to write a big story, so since I am still in the beginning, feel free to give some ideas. I will add Ada later to make up a little drama :D Thanks will!
NerdGirl4Life: Hello deaaaaaaaar! Thank you very much for your review! ;) Besoooos!
