Decided to switch this up a bit, this chapter is in Claire's point of view. And I know everything is happening so quickly for them, but just go with it. :)

"I can't believe this is happening." I said dreamily whilst flipping through a magazine as my mother did my hair. She chuckled and I looked up towards the mirror to see her smiling reflection say, "I can hardley believe it myself. My little girl...getting married. Are you sure you're ready for this, Claire?"

(Flashback)

"Shannon." I said, speaking into my cell phone, "I just dropped Aaron off at the babysitter's. I should be at your house soon."

"Good. We have a bunch of catching up to do." She replied casually but I could tell that something was up. Shannon was a lovely person, but she never seemed to interested in me and only a few short days ago, when she called me out of the blue, I was more than surprised. However, I politely accepted her invitation, and was now only a few miles short from her home.

When I reached the lengthy driveway and eventually the door, I knocked softly and was immediately greeted by Shannon who escorted me into her darkened living room.

"Um...did you not pay the electric bill or something?" I asked, trying to make light of the mood and the lights came flickering on in response, followed by the chorus of a group of woman scream, "Surprise!"

I opened my mouth in bewilderment, still unsure of the situation, and asked, "What's going on? It's not my birthday."

"Nope." Shannon answered proudly, "It's your bachelorette party. Libby helped me put it together."

"That's so sweet of you." I answered honestly, wiping a stray tear from my eye, "Nobody...nobody has ever done something like this for me before."

"Well now they have." I heard a familair voice say and when I turned my head I saw my best friend from back home, "Rachel! What are you doing here? I'm so surprised to see you!"

I then ran over to her and wrapped my arms around her body in a friendly hug and she said, "Well imagine my surprise to find my best friend of ten years fly off to L.A. to give up her baby, but instead stays put and gets engaged to the bass player from bloody Drive Shaft."

She tilted her head when she finished and my only reply was, "Look, I'm sorry about that. It's hard to expalin but--"

"Don't worry. All's forgiven." She said gently, "You're smart, Claire. You must have a good reason for doing what you've done."

I nodded slowly but before I could say anything, Shannon motioned for us all to go upstairs where she had rows of seats and massage tables set up along with workers.

"What's all this?" I asked excitedly, and Libby answered, "We didn't want to do anything wild and crazy, so I suggested we have a spa day. I hope you like it."

"This is perfect. It's just the thing I need, thank you."

The rest of the evening went well, consisting mostly of girlish chatter, and Shannon explaining, in detail, her relationship with Sayid and how Boone was coping with it, "He was in love with me, you know."

"Who?" I asked, unsure of what she had meant and she answered, 'Boone' matter of factly, "He's over me now, though. Now he's dating some girl, Joanna, she was on the island with us."

"Oh, I remember her...she was nice." I said vaguely, and the conversation turned to a different topic.

Hours later, when the party was over and I was fully relaxed, I got into my car and went to pick up Aaron. He seemed to do just fine at the sitters, much to my relief, and I quickly drove home once I realized I hadn't spoken to Charlie sice early in the day.

When I finally arrived at the house, I noticed a few cars in the driveway and wondered if Charlie had had a party thrown for him as well. Not thinking much of it, I dug out my key to open the door and as soon as I strolled in, someone stepped in front of me, "Claire, hey, good to like, see you again. Did you have fun at your party?"

"Nice to see you too Hurley. How did you know about the party?" I asked, and he said casually, "Oh, you know, Libby told me."

"Oh, of course. Well I had a lovely time." I stated happily, "But, umm, could you let me inside my house now? Aaron's getting fussy."

"Oh, no, I think that's a bad idea, dude." He said quickly, just as Jack came to stand beside him.

"Claire. You're back?" He asked and when I nodded he added, "Why don't you go outside for a second and--"

"What? Why?" I asked, suddenly growing annoyed.

"It's just that Charlie isn't--"

"What's the matter with Charlie?" I asked frantically, pushing past him. He grabbed my arm in order to stop me but I pushed him away quickly and rushed to the couch which Charlie was laying on.

"Well hello, beautiful." He slurred, his eyes drooping, "How ever have you been?"

I took one look at him then swiftly turned my head to Jack and questioned, "What's wrong with him? Is he sick?"

Jack slowly shook his head and took a small bag from off the table, "We had a party. Things got out of hand, we never actually saw him...." He continued on but I couldn't process the rest of his words, could only focus on the clear baggie that I had known all too well.

The next morning, after Charlie woke up and rubbed his eyes, he found me standing in front of him with a stern look on my face. I placed one hand on my hip and held out the other which was grasping the bag and asked slowly, "What is this?"

"Claire--I can explain." He said quickly and when I lifted my eyebrows he asked, "You can't possibly believed I used?"

"I come home with our child to see you sprawled on the couch, with this next to you. What do you expect me to believe?"

"I would never do that to you--to the baby. I didn't use, Claire. Just let me explain." He said softly, looking at me expectantly. I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed sadly, hoping he could in fact explain himself, "Go ahead."

"Some of the guys--your brother, Hurley--they threw me a bachelor party, yeah? And they decided to call a few of my old friends, not knowing who they were. So they found my old friend Tom's number--he was also my drug dealer." He paused for a moment then went on, "So Tom came and brought the bag, thinking that I wanted some. But I refused and told him I was clean now, and we got into a big fight so I started drinking. And he left by the time Jack and the rest came here so I guess they just assumed I used. But I didn't--I wouldn't."

I froze for a second, absorbing his words, and he brought his hand over to lightly stroke my arm, "I won't drink again. I promise."

"I trust you." I replied after a long silence, "And I love you."

His eyes lit up instantly and he grabbed my hand and squeezed it gently, "I love you too, Claire."

(End of Flashback)

"I said are you sure you're ready for this, Claire? I know it's all happening so fast--you've just met the man not a month ago."

"Yes, I'm ready. I'm completely in love him." I answered without thinking, "He may not be perfect but he's doing the best he can. And so am I."

"That's lovely to hear. I'm happy for you, sweetie."

Just then, I heard a gentle knock on my door and my mother went to open it, revealing the person I had least expected to see, "Claire, it's great to see you! You look amazing."

"Kate?" I asked, jumping up from my seat and running over towards her, "You were in jail, what--how are you here? Does Jack know?"

"It's a long story, I can tell you later." She said, clearly dropping the subject, "And no, I haven't seen Jack yet."

"Well you best see him soon. He's still in love with you, you know." I uttered and when her eyes widened I cleared up, "I can just tell these things."

She gave a small smile and I could see a slight sparkle in her eye, before I joked, "But don't go getting engaged or anything right away. Today's my day."

She chuckled and changing the subject again, said, "Charlie's a great guy. You two make a good couple."

"Thanks." I said simply, and she looked away sadly and asked, "How--how's Aaron?"

"He's good." I smiled which caused her to ask hopefully, "Do you think I could see him sometime?"

"Yeah, of course." I stated plainly and my mum interupted us, "Claire, honey, you have to finish your make-up. The wedding's starting soon."

"Alright, mum." I stated before turning back to Kate and saying, "You'll stay for the wedding, won't you?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." She assured me and I smiled before going back to my seat and finishing my make-up.