CHAPTER 7
Clara's peaceful moment with her father was cut short when a sudden stabbing pain shot through her stomach and chest. Recoiled in pain she leaned forward and started to vomit, violently. She became very flushed and started to feel hot and her lips started to turn that familiar blue. Hawke immediately yelled for the nurse as he he hugged the pillow against Clara to protect her wound.
"Can't breath." she said in a struggled breath.
The team of nurses swarmed into the room and surrounded Clara's bed pushing Hawke out of the way. They immediately put a oxygen mask on her and turned her on her side. She started to breathe better and began to call for Hawke. He started to make his way back to her but the nurses would not let him.
"I want my daddy!" She cried in a struggled breath.
"I'm right here." Hawke said as he moved back to the bed.
"No, you can't come please leave the room." The nurse said.
"Daddy!" Clara was starting to get frantic just as Doctor Well's rushed through the door.
"Let him through, she needs to be calm." Doctor Well's said.
Hawke ran over and took her hand. He bent down to her level and gently stroked her head trying to soothe her while trying to remain calm himself. "I'm here, everything will be alright."
"Her left lung collapsed. I need a chest tube and lidocaine there's no time to sedate her. Mr. Hawke, your going to have to keep her calm, try to distract her." Doctor Well's said.
Hawke acknowledged trying to hold back his tears. "Remember when I took you fishing for the first time and you caught that big fish? I need you to catch another one because that was the best fish I ever had and this time you can hook the worm. But I need you to stay strong Clara. I know your tired but we'll get through this. I promise."
"It's done. Good job distracting her, we can sedate her now." Doctor Well's said.
"What happened?" Hawke asked.
"Her lung collapsed. Most likely due to not taking deep breaths due to the pain from the ribs. She's running a very high fever of one hundred and six. She's having a delayed reaction to the blood transfusions all we can do for that is treat the fever, the body will fix the rest. We're going to do an X-Ray now to make sure it's placed right. Go take a break, she'll be asleep for awhile." Doctor Well's said.
"Yeah." Hawke said as he walked out of the room. He was met by Dominic and Archangel.
"String, is she ok?" Dominic asked.
"What happened?" Archangel asked.
"Her lung collapsed and she's having a reaction to the transfusions. Doctor Well's said she'll be ok." Hawke said wearily.
"She's asleep now?" Archangel asked.
"Yeah, she will be for awhile." Hawke said.
"Good, because I've got something to show you." Archangel said.
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"Before you obliterated the base we found the security room and found footage from the cameras." Archangel said.
"I want to see them." Hawke said.
"I know you do but I'm warning you, it's not easy to watch. Marella had to leave and I could barely finish." Archangel said.
"Are you sure String? I think this is something that your better off not seeing." Dominic said.
"Dominic, I need to know what happened." Hawke said.
"Ok." Michael said as he went over to the computer and started the video.
"We'll be outside." Archangel said.
Hawke watched in silent horror at the brutality Clara endured over the last three days. She had an iron will that was uncompromising and frustrating to her captors. Hawke's fury erupted into a rage. The room started to feel like a vacuum, Hawke taking his anger out on the furniture takes a chair hurling it through the computer screen. Then he made a sound. His sound. That made his whole throat rip open and scream to the heaven's.
That sent Dominic and Archangel running back into the office.
"HAWKE! ENOUGH!" Archangel yelled.
"String are you alright?" Dominic asked.
"I think I'm going to be sick." Hawke said.
After a few moments Hawke calmed downed.
"Well, I have something that will make you feel a little better. We apprehended the other the guard that was assigned to Clara. He sang like a canary to spare his life from the death penalty. He said that at one point she escaped." Archangel said.
"How?" Hawke asked stunned.
"He's not sure but he thinks she escaped through the underground pipe system. They were guarding her room from outside and at one point she was gone. She was found outside running through the desert." Archangel said.
"She's a tough little tiger." Dominic said.
"After they picked her up they brought her straight to the machine and as you could see in the video, she fought like a lion." Archangel said.
"The only person who's face I couldn't see was the woman. She was the one who took Clara's locket." Hawke said.
"Sir, he's in the room." Marella said as she walked through the door.
"Who?" Hawke asked.
"The other something that will make you feel better. Follow me." Archangel said.
Hawke and Dominic followed Archangel to an interrogation room far removed from the rest of the building.
"Hawke, just letting you know the camera's are not working." Archangel said.
"Who's this?" The man asked.
"This is the girls father. I'm going to leave you two alone to talk..Oh and by the way he shot your friend point blank in the head." Archangel said.
Fear flared in the man's eyes as he realized that this would be more than a talk. Archangel closed the door and immediately the rumblings of what sounded like a horrific beating began. They heard the man scream in terror and the thunderous sound of a constant bang of a chair ramming into the man. Archangel and Dominic feared of what they were to find after almost a half hour there was silence. Hawke emerged his shirt and hands covered in blood, spatters on his face.
"He's done talking permantly." Hawke walked away to return to Clara's room.
Archangel and Dominic peered into the room to see the results of Hawke's revenge and found the room torn apart. The man physically torn to pieces. His face beaten and ripped off to the bone from the repeated ramming of the chair, his torso cut open. The results of Hawke's rage were unnerving to the two men, Archangel knew he would find a man almost beaten to his death but not of this magnitude.
"My god, it looks like Jack the Ripper returned." as Dominic scanned the room seeing the spatters of blood on the walls and the man ripped apart.
"I didn't think he would go this far." Archangel said.
"You and me both. Please god, I hope no one claims her because If someone does, that will be the end of Stringfellow Hawke. Michael, does he have to wait the full three months? He only has less than a month left." Dominic asked.
"I was thinking the same thing. I'm going to the committee and to Zeus to see if they will help to make an exception in this case. I don't foresee it being a problem." Archangel said.
"You know Michael, I know we don' t get along at times but I want to say Thank you. If it wasn't for you and Marella we would of never found Clara. You have been a good friend to Hawke even if the two of you won't admit to being friends." Dominic said.
"Thank you Dominic. I want you to know that my only concern was Clara and not the computer. I'am grateful to you guys for destroying it." Archangel said.
"Was that computer really that powerfull it could destroy the whole entire planet?" Dominic asked.
"Yes, by using our own weapons against us." Archangel said.
"And you've never used it?" Dominic asked.
"Like I said before. How do you use a weapon of ultimate mass destruction when it can stand in judgment on you." Archangel said.
"How did you stop it?" Dominic asked.
"Clara's parent's. I don't know how they did it but they saved all of humanity. And Clara did just the same. We all owe our lives to that little girl." Michael said.
Dominic returned to Clara's room to find a cleaned up Hawke holding her hand and gently stroking her hair, as he was whispering into her ear of a happier time.
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Clara sat at the table pouting at the dinner Hawke prepared for her. The plate of unsavory food before her was so repulsive to her she could not hide her distaste.
"What's this?" Clara asked.
"Liver and spinach and your going to eat it. It's good for you." Hawke said.
"No way am I eating that! It looks like grass." Clara said.
"Clara, you cannot live off macaroni and cheese." Hawke said.
"Yes I can!" She said.
"Well don't expect any candy or dessert for the next month." Hawke said.
Clara was horrified at the idea of no candy and she could tell that her father was serious, but she was not going to surrender and was not going to let the idea of no sweets break her.
"I will not be bribed with candy or dessert!" She declared.
Hawke was taken by surprise at how stubborn she really was. He saw that just like him, once she set her mind to something she was unbending. Her will was unwavering and nothing could stop her.
"You will not leave this table until you finish your dinner." Hawke said sternly.
"No!" She exclaimed.
"Ok then, you go to bed right now. No playing outside tonight." Hawke said.
Clara stomped off upstairs and put herself to bed. This was the first time he had to really discipline her, and he felt so bad that now for the first time in her eyes he was the bad guy. But he knew this time would eventually come and won't be the last, but with the hopes they are few and between.
The next morning Clara came downstairs from the loft her feet so light touching the floor made not a sound. Hawke was busy in the kitchen making breakfast when all of a sudden he felt two small arms wrap around his leg. A small grin formed on Hawke's face before he looked down but quickly evaporated to see Clara quietly weeping.
"Clara, what's wrong?" Hawke asked as he picked her up. He saw her beautiful green eyes red and tired, covered in dark circles but there was need in them as well. He became concerned that last night he might have been to harsh on her. She would not answer as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Are you still mad at me for last night?" He asked.
"No." She finally answered.
"Then tell me what's bothering you so I can make it all better." He said.
"I had the nightmare again." She said wearily.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked her as he stroked her hair.
"Because I thought you were still mad at me." She said as she started to cry.
"Hey, I'm not mad at you. Even if I was that doesn't mean you can't come to me for help. It hurts me to see you like this lamb." Hawke said as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and held her tight. His being hard on her probably brought the nightmare back and the guilt was eating him up.
"Daddy, why do you call me lamb?" She asked.
"When I found you, a poem came to my mind when I was holding you by the fireplace. Would you like me to read it to you?" Hawke asked her.
She nodded a yes with a glean in her eyes.
Hawke put her down and went over to the library to retrieve the book. He and Clara sat down on the couch as she snuggled into him, anticipation building for the knowing of her loving name bestowed upon her father.
"You ready?" Hawke asked.
"Yes!" She said.
"Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
Gave thee life & bid thee feed.
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing wooly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice!
Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb I'll tell thee!
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He is meek & he is mild,
He became a little child:
I a child & thou a lamb,
We are called by his name.
Little Lamb God bless thee.
Little Lamb God bless thee."
"Do you like it?" Hawke asked.
"Yes! can you read it again?" She asked with a gleaming delight.
"Ok, one more time than it's time for breakfast." Hawke said.
Hawke read the poem once more and when he was done he looked down to find Clara settled into a contented sleep. He picked her up and brought her back to bed, layed her down and tucked her in. Kissed her on the forehead and gently stroked her head. "Sweet dreams this time, my little lamb."
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"String, are you ok?" Dominic asked apprehensively.
"Yeah." Hawke said.
"Is she doing better?" Dominic asked.
"So far. She doesn't want to fight anymore, I could see it in her eyes earlier. How could anybody harm a child the way they did to her?" Hawke could not contain his grief anymore. Salty tears dripped off his chin. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but all that came out were deep, gut-wrenching sobs that tore through his chest and convulsed his body.
"How much more can she take of this?" he choked, rocking and back and forth. "I failed her. I promised I would protect her and I couldn't ..."
"Shhh," Dominic whispered as he hugged his foster son.
Coughing and gasping and crying, he couldn't stop, not even when he felt his uncle's arm across his shoulders.
"String, you have got to take a break. You've been in this room for three days, your getting overwhelmed. I'll stay with her. She'll be alright." Dominic said.
"No, I need to be here when she wakes up. She'll get upset if I'm not here." Hawke said.
"Stringfellow Hawke! You get out of here right now and don't come back for at least an hour!" Dominic yelled.
"Ok, I'll go." Hawke said and left the room with a feeling of uneasiness, praying that she would sleep until he came back.
Hawke pressed his cheek against the window, staring out at the grass and the trees through clouded vision. His stomach rumbled, the thought of food repulsed him. His head throbbed and his eyes burning from the crying he has done in the past few hours. His insides felt hollow, as he felt he'd never feel whole again. Life had tried to betray him once again. He met the love of life when he was at his lowest and brought him back from the depths of misery and despair. She had brought him stability in his time of need and now has been wretched out from underneath him once again. He felt desperately alone. Not to long ago he preferred to be, but now he desired it no more. He was not going to let her go no matter what it cost him. He killed for that girl and he would do it again.
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Sitting on the window box Clara stared out the window at the rain droplets rolling down like tears. It was gloomy and gray, matching her melancholy. The rainy day gave Clara time to reflect on all the events that have happened in her life so far. Before Hawke found her, she had no joy or pleasure only pain and loneliness. She wondered why no one wanted her, until now. Hawke noticed in the morning that she was a little blue, but thought it was because she couldn't go outside. Now he senses it was more than not being able to go out and play.
"Clara, are you alright?" Hawke asked her as he sat down next to her.
"I don't think god liked me." Clara said as she still gazed out the window.
Hawke was rocked to his core. He believes god sent her to end is damnation. They were each other's salvation from the pain and misery that dominated both of their lives, but no more they were determined to start a new chapter of their lives together.
"That's not true. Why would you think that?" Hawke asked.
"Nobody wanted me. I was always sent away and I couldn't have friends. Why? What did I do? What's wrong with me?" Clara asked looking at him with her sad green eyes.
"Clara, listen to me you did not do anything wrong. They were the one's who were wrong for what they did to you." Hawke said.
"Then why did god let them do it?" She asked as a tear started to roll down her small cheek.
Hawke took her in his arms to comfort her as he tried to heal her pain that he knew only to well.
"He does love you Clara, I think he let it happen to make you strong. I don't think we would of found each other if he didn't. I know how you feel. I went through the same thing. I lost my parent's when I was twelve and my brother too. I've endured a lot of pain over time but it will get better Clara." Hawke said.
"But why does he make it bad?" She asked.
"Because god works in mysterious ways Clara. We don't understand why, but he does. I have never been happier since you came into my life, you saved me little one. I'am so grateful to him for guiding you to me. I love you lamb more than anything on this earth." Hawke said as he gently stroked her head as she rested against his shoulder.
"I love you more than anything in the whole universe." She said with giggle.
"Well, I love you more than god himself." Hawke said.
"I don't know if he's going to like that." She said.
"Clara, he won't mind. Remember he's the good guy." Hawke said as he planted a kiss.
"Can you read the other poems in that book?" Clara asked.
"Yes, It's a perfect day to curl up to a good book anyway." Hawke said.
"And for dinner no vegetables?" She slyly asked.
"No, your getting your vegetables. Thought you could trick me, never gonna happen Clara." Hawke said as he tickled her stomach, which sent Clara into a fit of laughter. His most favorite sound in the world.
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"Marella, the committee was in one hundred percent agreement of going forth with the adoption. I'm guessing you already started the paperwork." Archangel said as he walked back into his office.
"Sir, I have an idea and I don't know why I didn't think of it before." Marella said.
"What is it?" Archangel asked.
"A birth certificate." Marella said.
"What do you mean?" Archangel asked.
"Sir, there's no record of her being born and there is nothing on paper to tie her to her real parent's. So we can create a whole new identity for her." Marella said.
"We can name Hawke as her real father. Good job Marella!" Archangel exclaimed.
"But who do we name as the mother?" Marella asked.
"Gabrielle." Archangel said.
"Good choice, that will cover the question of why he's a single parent." Marella said.
"Don't tell Hawke until it's all done. Just in case we run into problems." Archangel said.
"Yes, sir." Marella said.
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Hawke watched Dominic from the door as he regaled her with stories of his adventures during the war. He gazed upon the sight of his foster father fussing over his grand daughter, he has been so happy since she joined their tiny family.
"You need to get better and come back home. Because I can't have your father go back to his cranky, crabby, crotchety, gloomy, depressing hermit ways again. And I"ll have no one else to share my cooking with, I can't share it with him. He needs you baby girl, don't give up on him." Dominic said as he gently stroked her hand.
"Crotchety huh?" Hawke said as he came in the room.
"How long were you standing there?" Dominic asked.
"Long enough." Hawke said.
Just then there was a knock on the door. They both turn around to see Sister Monica standing in the doorway. "I hope I'm not intruding. Is it alright if I come in?"
"Absolutly Sister, please come in." Dominic said.
Sister Monica walked to her bed and gazed at the child she brought into this world.
"Oh, my poor child. How more can you suffer? This is a cruel world we live in now, for evil to do such horrible harm to a young defensless child." Sister Monica said as she gently stroked her hair.
"Can you tell me what she was like as baby?" Hawke asked.
"Oh yes of course. I came here to give you pictures that we had of her, unfortunatly there are not many. But I can tell you that she was a very beautiful and sweet baby. She was always laughing and smiling, very playful and adventurous. When she started to crawl we could barely keep up with her, she was a little rocket. She had us on such a chase twenty four hours a day. One time she crawled into a mass right up to the priest while giving communion. But she was also a determined little thing, very stubborn. Once she made up her mind she could not be swayed no matter how hard we tried, especially when it came time to nap. She loved sweets especially ice cream and also pickles, that was the only green food that she liked." Sister Monica reminisced.
"Thank you Sister, without you we may never have found her." Hawke said.
"Oh, just look at her with those chubby cheeks and what a big smile! Aww String, look her hair is the same as yours when you were her age." Dominic said.
"Yeah, your right she was kinda blonde like me." Hawke said as he gazed at the pictures of baby Clara, blissfully unaware of the burden that was to come.
"I must be going now but I want to you to know that, I'm very happy that you found each other Mr. Hawke. I can see that you have a deep unbreakable love for her. I think your souls were meant for each other in someway. I will pray for all you every day." Sister Monica said.
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Marella walks into Archangel's office to find him sitting with the phone still in hand, a look of deep dread sprawled across his face.
"Sir, is everything all right? Is it Clara?" Marella asked.
"No, it's not. That was Zeus, someone has come forth to claim her." Archangel said.
"What?! I don't believe it! There's something wrong. The timing is too suspicious." Marella said.
"I know but evidently they are her family, on her fathers side. Apparently it's her uncle. Her father was estranged from the family, so they did not know about Clara until last week. The uncle has political connections and that's how he found out she was here." Archangel said.
"Who does he know?" She asked.
"The Attorney General." He said flatly.
"But there is no record of her existence so how do they know it's her?" She asked.
"Because someone on the committee told the Attorney General everything in a passing conversation." Archangel said.
"Oh my god, this will kill Hawke. Isn't there anything we can do?" She asked.
"No, but I agree with you. Something isn't right but my hands are tied." He said.
"When do they plan to take her?" She asked.
"When she's discharged from the hospital." Archangel said.
"When do we tell him?" She asked.
"Now. Send him up here." Archangel said.
"Yes, sir. Should I have Dominic come as well?" Marella asked.
"Yes, he'll need his support and keep him from doing something doing something rash." Archangel said.
A little while later Hawke and Dominic enter Archangel's office….
"Michael, you better make this quick because she's going to wake up soon and I have to be there. She'll get upset and scared If I'm not." Hawke said.
"Why do you need us both here?" Dominic asked.
Archangel stood there silent. "You both need to sit down." He said.
"Michael, what's going on? I don't have time for this. Spit it out!" Hawke said.
"Oh my god." Dominic said realizing what's happening.
"What?!" Hawke said.
"Clara's family has come forth to claim her." Archangel said.
Hawke felt the room once again turn into a vacuum, nausea and anger rolled in his stomach. Horrified at the words that just passed Archangels lips, words he prayed every night that would never come. He was going to watch her grow up and walk her down the aisle for her wedding after finally accepting she was no longer a little girl. He was going to be a grandfather. All his plans and dreams with Clara were gone when those words came to pass.
"Who?" Hawke asked.
"A uncle on her father's side. They were estranged for years they had no idea about her until now. He has political connections to the Attorney General. Someone on the committee told the attorney in passing conversation about Clara. That's how they found out." Archangel said.
"This whole thing stinks. I don't believe it not one part of it!" Dominic yelled.
"I don't either, it's not right." Marella said.
"There's something I didn't tell you. Her family is from England, they will take her there to live." Archangel said.
"That's a little too convient for my taste." Dominic said.
"I don't buy it either. " Archangel said.
"Well, can't you do something?!" Dominic yelled.
"I wish I could Dominic, but this is coming from way above me." Archangel said.
Hawke starts crying. Deep, heart-wrenching sobs shake through his body. He sinks into the chair and covers his face with his hands, letting the grief consume him. Maybe Clara was right, god didn't like them after all. Marella sits in the chair next to him and starts to rub small circles around his back.
"Everything will be alright, Hawke." Marella said trying to give some small measure of comfort.
Hawke made himself a promise that no matter what the cost he would never give her up.
"I'll give you Airwolf back and you can stop looking for Saint John. Please let me keep her." Hawke said.
"It's not that simple Hawke. This is her blood family they have natural custody over you, it's over." Archangel said.
"Who exactly is her Uncle that he knows the Attorney General?" Dominic asked.
"Thomas William Richard Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire." Michael said.
"That's a mouthful." Dominic said.
"She's nobility?" Hawke asked shocked at the revelation.
"More aristocrat than noble there is a difference. In Britain, the aristocracy refers to the upper class-the wealthy and ruling class. This class is predominately made up of members of royalty and nobility. Many do not know that there is a distinction between nobility and royalty in regards to the aristocracy in Britain. If one is deemed royalty, it means that they were born into their position. Therefore only the king and queen and their direct relations can be considered royalty. On the other hand, nobility is a title conferred upon a person if they meet certain requirements, which include being wealthy and already being a part of the aristocratic population." Explains Michael.
"I'm confused so which one is she?" Dominic asked
"In her case aristocracy, her family has hereditary peerage in the House of Lords. They have some ruling power similar to a senator in congress. Her family is one of the richest if not the richest in the country. They also have the most power of all the other houses as well." Michael said.
Hawke's mind was reeling, he wanted to pack her up and run away never to be found and live their lives together quiet and happy. How does he tell her that she's not coming home with him.
"Hold on, the original last name Clara gave us was Noble right? But that was the name the nuns gave her or was it her parent's? Maybe they were hiding from someone else, like family." Marella said.
Hawke could not take anymore talk of the tragedy that has befallen him once again. Life has betrayed him once again.
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Hawke sat beside Clara, the only sound was the beeps from the monitors as he gently stroked her hair, his eyes flooded in tears. Dominic, Archangel and Marella stood there silent, they had followed him to see if he was alright from the abrupt way he left the office. Hawke looked over to the concerned trio of people that he was grateful for their help and support, but he wanted to be left alone with Clara to enjoy the last few precious time he had left.
"I just want to be alone with her." He simply said.
"We'll be around if you need us." Archangel said as they left the room to give him time alone.
When everyone left he climbed onto the bed besides Clara. He held her hand and softly caressed her cheek with the other. He fought the threat of tears coming again but was surprised to feel a finger curl around one of his.
He looked down to see Clara eyes opened looking up at him.
"Hey, lamb." Hawke said as he bent down to plant a kiss on her forehead. "How do you feel?"
"Tired and hurt." She said.
"You'll be ok. Are you hungry?" He said.
"Yes." She said.
Hawke called the nurse and got her a light meal which she wolfed down in less than ten minutes.
"What happened?" She asked.
"Rudy had to put a tube in your side to help you breathe. Remember you had trouble earlier after I brushed your hair?" He asked
"A little. When can we go home?" She said.
"A couple of more days, lamb. Soon." Hawke said trying to fight the urge of welling tears.
"I want to see the deer, the baby should be born now." Clara said.
"Have you picked a name yet?" Hawke asked.
"Emily if it's a girl and William if it's a boy." She said.
"Speaking of William, grandpa brought the book of poems. Do you want me to read it now?" He asked.
"Yes!" She exclaimed.
"Which one do you want me to start with?" Hawke asked.
"This one and use my name instead." She said.
"Are you sure Clara?" Hawke asked surprised by her choice yet fitting to the present moment of their lives.
The Little Girl Found
"All the night in woe
Clara's parents go
Over vallies deep,
While the desarts weep.
Tired and woe-begone,
Hoarse with making moan,
Arm in arm seven days
They trac'd the desart ways.
Seven nights they sleep
Among the shadows deep,
And dream they see their child
Starv'd in desart wild.
Pale, thro' pathless ways
The fancied image strays
Famish'd, weeping, weak,
With hollow piteous shriek.
Rising from unrest,
The trembling woman prest
With feet of weary woe:
She could no further go.
In his arms he bore
Her, arm's with sorrow sore;
Till before their way
A couching lion lay.
Turning back was vain:
Soon his heavy mane
Bore them to the ground.
Then he stalk'd around,
Smelling to his prey;
But their fears allay
When he licks their hands,
And silent by them stands.
They look upon his eyes
Fill'd with deep surprise,
And wondering behold
A spirit arm'd in gold.
On his head a crown,
On his shoulders down
Flow'd his golden hair.
Gone was all their care.
"Follow me," he said;
"Weep not for the maid;
In my palace deep
Clara lies asleep."
Then they followed
Where the vision led,
And saw their sleeping child
Among the tygers wild.
To this day they dwell
In a lonely dell;
Nor fear the wolvish howl
Nor the lion's growl."
"I want to go home daddy, to our lonely dell." She said as she look up to him with her green eyes. They lost their radiance of joy and happiness, now all they reflected was anger and woe.
"I do too Clara, it won't be much longer." Hawke said as he got up off the bed and back into the chair.
"You rest, so tomorrow you'll be stronger. I'm not leaving you, I'll be here when you wake up." Hawke said as he gently squeezed her hand.
"I love you." She said as she drifted off to sleep.
"I love you more lamb." Hawke said.
Hawke decided he was not going to turn her over. Something was just not right and that bad feeling in the pit of his stomach was forming, and he knew from times past to never ignore because he paid the consequences too many times not to know. He promised himself he would not let her go and he was going to keep his promise, whatever it had to cost him.
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The next day Doctor Well's removed the tube and Hawke saw the opportunity to escape with Clara. He quickly got her dressed and gathered the small bag he packed during the night and with Clara in his arms made his way out only to be met by Archangel and a team of security surrounding them in the hall.
"I knew you would do something like this." Archangel said.
"Then let me." Hawke said with a steel tone in his voice.
"I can't, you would be a fugitive. That would not be fair to her Hawke and you know it." Archangel said.
"String, he's right don't do this." Dominic said.
"Michael, something is not right about this whole thing. I can't let anything else happen, don't do this to us." Hawke pleaded.
"I agree and I'm on your side, but this is not the way. You have to tell her because they're here to take her home." Archangel said.
"I'm going home with daddy!" Clara said getting frantic.
"No lamb, you can't come back with me to our lonely dell." Hawke said fighting the tears that were flooding his eyes.
"WHY? YOU DON'T WANT ME ANYMORE?!" Clara asked sobbing uncontrollably.
"No! that's not why. Your real family is here to take you home." He said, gently stroking her hair and cheek as he wiped away her tears.
"I DON'T WANT TO GO! PLEASE DON'T LET THEM TAKE ME!" Clara pleaded looking at both Hawke and Archangel.
"I can't keep you Clara, it's your real father's family. You belong with them." Hawke said with tears starting to fall.
"No, I belong with you! because I love you more than anything daddy." Clara said calmly as she wiped away his tears.
"I love you more little lamb." Hawke said as he hugged her so tight that it felt as if they were melting into each other.
"I'll give you a few minutes to compose yourselves and security will bring you up to my office." Archangel said.
"Clara, I want you to remember that I will always be there for you no matter where you are." Hawke said.
Dominic stood there tears rolling down, he hasn't cried like this since Saint John went missing in Vietnam. Now he was watching his foster son and best friend die right in front of him, the fight in him is gone. Just as she enlivened him now he was being killed all over again. Stringfellow Hawke had no more lives to spare.
"Hey, you'll always have Lucy to keep you company." Hawke said as he placed the stuffed animal in her arms.
He motioned to security to lead them up to Archangel's office. When they arrived Hawke still carrying a frightened Clara entered the office to a man and woman standing there before them.
"Is this them?" Hawke asked suspiciously.
"Yes, let me introduce myself. My name is Thomas William Richard Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire and this is my wife Veronica. It is so very nice to finally meet you Clara." He said. But she saw something in their eyes that was frightening, she tightened her hold on Hawke.
"How exactly are you related to her?" Hawke asked.
"She is my niece by my brother." He said.
"If you don't mind my asking but how long and why were you estranged?" Dominic asked.
"We've been estranged for ten years due to a disagreement over his choice of bride. Can we please finish the formalities because we are on a tight schedule." He said getting impatient.
"Ok, you have already signed the adoption papers and everything else is in order. You are free to go." Archangel said.
The Duke held out his arms to take Clara, she looked at Hawke and frantically started to cry. "No! please don't let go of me! I don't want to go!" Clara screamed as Hawke tried to hand her over. But her eyes were filled with terror with a knowing of what was ahead for her. Hawke started to change his mind and started to tighten his hold on her but before he could the Duke grabbed her out of his arms.
The Duke held her as she struggled to break free. "Clara, calm down everything will be alright. Your going to live in a big castle now every little girl's dream." His wife said.
"Well, we really must be going. Thank you Mr. Hawke for taking such good care of her, we wish you the best." The Duke said as they rushed out the door.
"NO! DADDY PLEASE HELP ME! DON'T LET THEM TAKE ME!" Clara screamed as she held out her arms dropping her stuffed animal.
"DADDY!"
Clara screams could be heard through the door of the office. Hawke completely collapsed into a chair sobbing to the point of not being able to breathe. Archangel called for Doctor Wells scared that he will collapse. Just then Marella ran into the office hoping to still find everyone and stop the exchange, realizing she was late Marella picked up the phone and called for security.
"Security code thirteen, I repeat code thirteen!" Marella said.
"Marella what is going on?!"Archangel asked.
"Sir, she's in danger we have to stop them. They're going to kill her!" She said as she ran out the room with everyone following.
"What do you mean?" Archangel asked as they hurried out.
"Primogeniture." She said.
"What is she talking about?" Dominic asked.
"It is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn male child to inherit the family estate, in preference to siblings. Her father was the firstborn out of one brother and two sisters. In the absence of children, inheritance passed to collateral relatives, usually males, in order of seniority of their lines of descent. The eligible descendants of deceased elder siblings take precedence over living younger siblings. That would be his brother." Marella said.
"So his brother still inherits the estate. I still don't understand." Archangel said.
"No, the law was overturned by the government. Clara is the rightful heir to the estate, because the succession would go to the first born child and since he had Clara. It now automatically passes to her, not the brother." She said.
"Since on paper she does not exist all they have to do is kill her and no one would know." Hawke said.
"But if she doesn't exist like you said how is she to inherit? She's no threat to them? Dominic said.
"As long as she's alive she would be." Marella said.
Once in the lobby they could hear the frightful cry's of Clara pleading to security for help. "PLEASE HELP ME! PLEASE!"
"LET HER GO NOW!" Hawke said as he hurried over.
"DADDY!" Clara cried when she saw him coming towards her. Hawke could see she was tired and in pain from the struggle.
"What is going on?! I demand an explaintion! I will have you buried for this!" The Duke said.
"We know about the inheritance and your sick plan to eliminate her. Let her go or you get a bullet in both your heads, My men are expert snipers they can do it without harming the girl. It's your choice." Archangel said.
He motioned to security to draw their weapons but the Duke relented realizing Archangel would carry out his threat. As he released his hold Hawke quickly grabbed her to the safety of his arms. Clara held onto him as tight as she could that her little fingers were starting to hurt. She buried her head into his neck her cries became soft whimpers as he calmed her as only he could.
"It's all over Clara, they're not going to harm you anymore." Hawke said as he gently rubbed her back soothing her whimpers to a quiet calm. He was about to leave when Archangel told him and Dominic to come to his office.
"Before all this came about I went to Zeus and the committee about your guardianship of Clara. I told them at the time since no one had come forth and there was only a matter of three weeks left and due to the events that occurred if the adoption could be pushed up.
"What did they say?" Hawke asked with an anticipation in his voice.
"They agreed." He said.
"But then I realized that we did not need to do an adoption. All we needed to do was create a birth certificate since none was created and name you as her father. Her birth father and Gabrielle as her mother so no one could question her absence. So Clara is by right your real daughter, no one can claim her now once you sign the paper." Marella said.
Hawke was speechless at what Marella just told him. His wishes and dreams were finally coming true, he guessed god did like them after all. He signed the certificate and the weight of all his pain and misery from the past disappeared, allowing him and Clara to start a new life filled with happiness and joy.
"Clara, Would you like to pick your middle name?" Marella asked her.
"Gabrielle." She said.
"Why that name sweetie?" Hawke asked startled by her choice.
"Sometimes when you sleep you say that name. I guess you like it, do you?" She asked.
"Yes, very much." Hawke said as he kissed her forehead.
"Clara Gabrielle Hawke, It has a nice ring to it." Archangel said.
"It sure does. Clara, this paper says that I'm your real father now and no one can take you away from me ever." Hawke said.
"That means we can go home together?" Clara asked.
"Yes, we can go back to our lonely dell and I can't wait." Hawke said.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
A/N: The story of Hawke and Clara's new life together continues in my next story: Little Girl Lost: Reveled.
Poems:
The Lamb by William Blake published in the "Songs of Innocence" 1789
Little Girl Found by William Blake published in 'Songs of Experience" 1794
