Chapter 7

Authors note: In this chapter, I have put three different stages of Clark's life and the next chapter will be the same as each section is not very long. Sorry the chapters aren't very long for this story but I'm finding it quite hard to think of lots of ideas for it but anyway, I hope you guys are all enjoying it and please review! :)

One year old (Dean, Lillie and Clark's first birthday party)

"Careful Oscar." Ed warns, gently pulling the excitable puppy back towards him as he tries to run towards Lillie who was crawling along the grass towards Dean and Clark.
"There! Proof that Lillie loves Clark. She's crawling towards him!" Rolie says, grinning at Ed and Wordy who shake their heads.
"She could be heading for Dean for all we know." Shelley replies, shrugging.
"No... I don't think so..." Rolie murmurs as Lillie stops in front of Clark and sits down.
"I'm going to go and get some more drinks." Ed says getting up from the deck chair and heading inside, closely followed by Wordy and Oscar.
"Clark! Not on..." Sophie exclaims as Clark picks up a lump of cake and squashes it on Lillie's face. "Lillie's face."
"Now that is what you call true love!" Rolie shouts as Sophie shakes her head and wipes the cake off Lillie's face. "One day they are going to get married and have kids and you'll all be feeling foolish for not seeing it sooner!"
"Rolie, they are not getting married and having children. How many times do we have to explain this to you?" Sophie asks jokingly.
"Well, you know maybe they will get married but... I'll be quiet." Katie, Rolie's wife says after seeing Sophie's exasperated glare.
"Everything ok?" Ed asks as he and Wordy walk into the back garden.
"Rolie seems to think that Clark squashing cake on Lillie's face is an act of true love." Shelley explains
"Rolie, Rolie, Rolie." Greg mutters, shaking his head.
"Hey, just you wait until they're..." Rolie starts but is interrupted by Sophie, Ed, Shelley and Wordy.
"Teenagers and dating!"


3 years old

"Lillie hurt herself today." Clark tells Ed as he drives Lillie and Clark to HQ after play group.
"Really?" Ed asks glancing back at the two toddlers. "You ok Lils?"
"Uh huh, Clark made me feel better." Lillie replies
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, he gave me a hug and coloured with me." She says
"That was nice of you Clark." Ed comments and Clark nods, smiling.
"Lillie my best friend." He says, turning and grinning at Lillie who grins back.
"Clark's my best friend." She repeats grabbing his hand and holding it tightly in hers.

"Now that," Rolie exclaims pointing to Clark and Lillie who were still holding hands.
"Is an act of true love. Yeah, yeah we know!" Ed finishes, punching Rollie playfully in the arm.
"Huh?" Lillie says, looking confused.
"Don't worry sweetie." Wordy says, lifting her onto his hip. "How was play group?"
"Good but I falled over."
"You fell over?" Wordy repeats and Lillie nods.
"But I ok!"
"You sure?"
"Yeah! Clark gave me a hug and coloured with me. Clark's my bestest friend ever!" Lillie exclaims as Wordy sits her down on one of the chairs in the briefing room.
"Lillie's my bestest friend ever!" Clark says trying to climb onto the chair beside Lillie's before Ed helped him up.
"Awww!" Rolie whispers from the back, earning an eye roll from Ed.
"Rolie."
"Fine...fine...I'll stop."


6 years old

"Daddy, Dean wasn't at school today." Clark says as Ed starts the car.
"I know buddy." Ed replies pulling out of the parking space.
"Why not?" Clark asks
"He's gone away with his mummy." Ed explains
"Why?"
"I'm not sure."
"How long is he going to be gone?"
"I don't know."
"Can we go and ask Mr Parker?"
"Not today buddy."
"But why daddy?"
"Because Mr Parker's very busy today, ok? How about we go and get some ice cream?"
"Ok." Clark replies, shrugging. "I hope Dean comes home soon. I missed him today."
"Me too." Ed mutters, not loud enough for Clark to hear.

"What's wrong with Clark?" Sophie whispers to Ed when she comes home to find Clark curled up on the sofa, hugging Oscar.
"Maria (AN: I know that's not Greg's ex's name but oh well, I'm going to stick with it.) took Dean to Dallas with her last night. Clark doesn't know yet but he does know that Dean's gone away for a while with Maria."
"What happened?" Sophie asks, glancing at Clark to see if he was watching them.
"I don't know, Greg didn't want to talk about it."
"I'm going to talk to Clark. Shall I tell him where Dean is?"
"You can, just don't promise him that he'll be back soon because I don't know how long it's going to be." Ed replies, kissing Sophie on the forehead before heading into the kitchen.

"Hey buddy." Sophie says softly as she sits down beside Clark of the sofa. "How was your day?"
"Ok. Dean wasn't in school today and I missed him lots."
"I'm sure you did. Honey, Dean's gone with his mummy to Dallas for a little while ok?" Sophie says, wrapping her arm around a Clark's shoulders.
"For how long?" Clark asks and Sophie sighs
"I'm not sure baby." She replies
"A long time?" Clark persists, looking up at his mum.
"I really don't know, I'm sorry."
"Can I write him a letter?" He asks
"Yeah, I think that's a great idea." Sophie replies kissing Clark's forehead before moving off the sofa in search of some paper.

"He ok?" Ed asks as Sophie enters the kitchen.
"I think so. He wants to write a letter to Dean. Even if we're not able to send it, it might help."
"Sounds like a good idea." Ed replies handing Sophie the pencil that she was looking for. She that's him before heading back into the living room to Clark.

(Clark's letter to Dean)
To Dean
Mummy said that I could write a letter to you because you weren't at school today. I hope you are ok. I missed you. Please come back soon so we can play together again.
From your bestest friend Clark

AN: Short but sweet (hopefully!). Let me know what you think! :)