Thank you all for the lovely reviews. I thought I updated this story, but I guess I was wrong. Um, so... Here's chapter 9.

What do you think about K.C. and Clare? Do you think Clare should let K.C. meet Vanessa? What is Clare up to in this chapter? Hmm, you're just going to have to find out.


ELI:

"Good morning Clare and Nessie," Eli says as the two walks down the steps.

"Good morning, Eli," the two says in unison.

"Breakfast is almost ready. My butler, Walter, is making a big breakfast."

"You have a butler?!" Clare shrieked.

"Yeah, I gave him yesterday off. That's why you never seen him. Anyways, come sit."

Vanessa and Clare took a seat at the table. He smirked and looked at the resemblance between the two. Nessie had some features where it reminded Eli of Clare. Other features reminded him of K.C. He let out a heavy sigh. Out of everyone in the world, K.C. was the one to get her pregnant. That same K.C. came here a couple of years ago just to mess everything up and break Imogen's heart.

Walter walked into the living room, rolling a cart of food along the way. He sat a plate in front of Eli, Clare, and Vanessa. Then, he placed trays of food on the table. He gave each of them their silverware and offered them something to drink.

"I'll have orange juice and Nessie will have milk," Clare said sweetly.

"And you, Mr. Goldsworthy?" Walter asked.

"I'll have coffee. I need to stay awake today. Thank you Walter."

Walter nodded his head and disappeared into the kitchen.

"You need to stay awake for what?"

"Unfortunately, I can't take a week off work. Things are going wrong with my corporation. People are quitting left and right. I- I need more writers, more people to pitch ideas, just... more people. Wait, didn't you say you write?"

"Oh, Eli, I couldn't-"

"Clare, come on. You can get rid of that crappy job and come work here. You and Nessie can live here. It'll be fun, won't it Nessie?"

Nessie nodded her head, stuffing pancakes in her mouth. Clare scolded Nessie before turning her attention back to Eli.

"No, Eli. I cannot leave my life in Toronto behind. I love it there. I have family and friends there."

"Clare, I have family and friends there, too, but I had to follow my dreams. I'm sure you want to do the same."

Clare kept quiet. Walter walked in with their beverages and handed it to them. Each one of them gave him a "thank you" before he went back into the kitchen. Clare looked up at Eli and took a sip of her orange juice.

"Let me think about it. Okay?"

/.../

After breakfast, Eli left leaving Clare and Nessie alone. Clare was walking around the house, trying to figure out what to do. She didn't want the two of them caged knowing they were in New York. It was many places they could explore.

Clare walked down the steps, looking around for Walter. She searched the kitchen, the living room, and the dining room. She sighed when she couldn't find him. She turned around and gasped. Walter was standing there with a blank expression. She grabbed her chest and let out a chuckle.

"Walter, I was just looking for you," she said to the old man.

"I had a feeling, Ms..."

"Edwards," Clare finished.

"Ms. Edwards, do you need anything?"

"Yes, how is life in New York? Is it worth leaving your family behind for?"

"Ah, Ms. Edwards New York is beautiful and if it's your dream that you're chasing or a certain someone, then it's worth it."

Clare sighed and nodded her head. Eli was offering her one of the biggest opportunities here. He was asking for her and Nessie to come down to New York to stay with him. After Clare just paid for the marvelous house he had given her the money for, he was up and asking her to come here. What was she going to do with the house? Summer was slipping farther away and Clare needed to come up with something quick. She needed to register her daughter in a school if she was going to come here. Was this the best idea for her and Nessie?

"Ms. Edwards, Elijah is a magnificent person. I've never seen him like this."

"Like what, Walter?"

"So happy. Elijah hasn't been this happy since his first year he made a hit selling movie and book the same year. You and that joyful child is making him happy. You're making him see life in a different perspective. Now, I'm not trying to put this in your head so you can say yes, but I want you to make a wise decision Ms. Edwards."

"Thank you, Walter."

Walter bowed and walked away, leaving Clare standing there alone. She walked out of the dining room and went upstairs to get Nessie. She couldn't sit in the house all day, so she decided they were going to go for a little walk.

"Nessie, want to go for a walk in the park?" Clare asked, peaking in Nessie's room.

"Yes! I want to get on the swings," Nessie cheered.

"Come on, baby," Clare said.

Nessie stood up and ran towards Clare. She intertwined her hands in her mother's and the walked down the steps.

"Walter, we're going for a walk," Clare called out.

Walter appeared from the shadows and handed Clare a key with a sheet of paper.

"Here's an extra key and the house number. If you get lost, Ms. Edwards, give me a call."

Clare nodded her head and thanked Walter. Her and Nessie left the house. Clare suddenly remembered that it was a park nearby here. As they began walking, Nessie was asking Clare a lot of questions. She wanted to stay in New York with Eli. Honestly, Clare did too. She just didn't know if it was good at the moment, especially with K.C. by.

They walked in the park and Nessie let go of her mother's hand to go on the swing. Clare walked behind her and gently pushed her. Nessie's giggles filled the park and Clare smiled warmly. Clare stopped pushing Nessie and she walked in front so she could see her. She stood a few feet away from Nessie so she wouldn't kick her in the face.

"Mommy, I'm swinging by myself!" Nessie cried out.

"I see, baby! You're doing a wonderful job!"

"She's so beautiful," a voice said from behind.

Clare turned around and gasped. K.C. was standing there with his hands stuffed in his pockets. Clare turned back around and walked over towards Nessie.

"Honey, get off the swing. We're leaving, now."

"Aw, mom, but-"

"Now, Nessie!" Clare barked.

Clare stopped the swing and Nessie jumped off. Clare grabbed her daughter's hand and they began to walk away. K.C. followed behind Clare and grabbed her arm. Clare turned around and snatched her arm away from him.

"Don't you dare touch me!" she spat.

"Clare, I have every right to see her."

"Get away from me, K.C."

K.C. stood in front of his daughter and crouched down. He took her hand and looked up at her.

"Hello, darling, I'm your father," he said.

"No!" Clare hollered, "Let's go, Nessie."

Nessie began to cry as Clare pulled her away. Clare turned her head and yelled out, "Don't ever come near us again!"