A few days had passed and Clair was thinking about going to work.
Robert was still on the lose.
Dave kept trying to make peace but they wouldn't hear it.
Dave walked into the hospital hoping to talk to Cliff.
He wanted to make things right or at least make him think that.
He saw Cliff going down the hallway talking to a nurse.
Dave ran up to him and said "Cliff! Is this a bad time?"
Cliff glared at him "yes!"
He continued to walk with the nurse.
Dave said "Cliff wait! Please hear me out. Its about Clair."
At the mention of her name he froze.
He was furious at Dave for being here.
He calmly excused himself and forced Dave into his office.
He all but slammed the door.
Cliff said "how dare you come here! I don't know who in the hell you think you are but our friendship is over! I don't ever want you mentioning my wife's name again!"
Dave said "Cliff, we can't let this little incident ruin our friendship."
Cliff glared at him and said "incident?! You tricked her and called my wife a bitch! We have nothing left to discuss. I have to go back to work I'm sure you can find your way out!"
Cliff left and Dave looked around Cliff's office.
He grinned when he realized he was all alone.
He shut the door and decided to snoop.
He looked at his desk and saw pictures of his family and his favorite one of Clair. 'Damn, she is beautiful.'
He wanted to find something to use against Cliff.
After 30 minutes he found nothing so he left.
As he was driving he remembered the nurse she was a hot little number.
He thought she must have been in her early twenties.
He decided to make it look like Cliff was cheating on her with the nurse.
Cliff came home after a long day at work and saw his wife making dinner.
She smiled at him when he slipped his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek.
She was slowly healing mentally and physically.
He let go of her and stopped at the refrigerator to get a drink.
He moved to the table and kept her company.
She said "Cliff, can I talk to you about something?"
He said "of course."
She said "I think I'm ready to go back to work."
He frowned and said "come here."
She sat at the table and he took her hand "what's this about?"
She said "I'm bored. I want to be back at the office but I'm still scared."
He said "honey, I don't want you at work until you are ready. If you're worried about money don't be I am doctor after all."
She smiled and touched his hand "I know."
He said "Robert is still out there. I want you at home where you are protected. We both know you are not ready to go back you haven't even gone into my office and we have yet to make love!"
Clair frowned "you had to go there!"
He said "well it's true. If you're bored you can decorate my office. We can go shopping for furniture and if you can show me that your ready to be around people then I will consider allowing you to go back to work. How does that sound?"
She was angry "allow me?! Cliff I am a grown woman! How dare you talk to me like I'm a child. I just told you because I wanted your support. It's obvious that I don't have it!"
She got up and he gently grabbed her wrist "wait!"
She looked at him and he said "Clair, I just don't want you rush into something that your not ready for."
She sat down and cupped his cheek "I know that but I think I'm ready at least I would like to try."
He said "but he is still out there!"
Clair said "I know but I can't let him stop me from living my life. I have a job to do and my boss has been great through all of this but I know he is ready for me to be back."
Cliff glared at her "did he threaten your job?! Is that why your forcing yourself to go back?"
She kissed his hand and said "no, sweetheart. This is my decision it has nothing to do with my boss."
He sighed and ran his hand over his face.
Cliff said "I don't like this Clair but if its want you want I won't stop you. Just don't expect me to be happy about any of this!"
Cliff stood up and stormed upstairs.
She sighed and thought 'well he took it better than I expected I just hope I'm making the right decision.'
She flinched when she heard the bedroom door slam.
Cliff kicked off his shoes and changed into more comfortable clothes.
He laid on the bed staring at the ceiling.
He didn't know why she was pushing herself but he didn't like it.
He was starting to feel a little guilty about the way he treated Clair.
He took out his anger from Dave on her.
He sighed closed his eyes.
Clair was still in the kitchen when Dave walked through the kitchen door with Rudy.
Clair dropped her spoon on the floor with a loud clang.
Rudy said "uncle Dave is here."
Clair's voice shook when she said "Rudy go get your father!"
Dave quickly and sweetly said "that's not necessary Rudy I'm here to see your mother."
Clair insisted "Rudy go get your father. Now!"
Rudy frowned she could've sworn she detected a bit of panic in her mother's voice but ran upstairs like her mother insisted.
Clair found her voice and said "what are you doing here?"
Dave said "I wanted to apologize."
She glared at him and tried to remain brave "I have nothing more to say to you!"
Dave said "I went to see Cliff today and I saw him with his nurse."
She crossed her arms "of course he was he works with them!"
He said "no. I mean he was extremely close to her."
Clair cut her eyes and said "what are you trying to say?"
He said "I think there is something going on with them."
She said "Cliff would never cheat on me!"
He knew she would never believe him so he went to plan B.
He caught her off guard and leaned into kiss her.
She slapped his face.
Cliff was coming downstairs when he heard the commotion.
He had seen Clair slap Dave.
Cliff angrily said "what's going on in here?"
Clair ran to Cliff and hid behind him "he was trying to convince me that you were having an affair and then he tried to kiss me."
Dave angrily said "that's a damn lie!"
Cliff grabbed Dave and threw him out of the house.
He locked the door and heard Clair whimper.
He took her in his arms until she calmed down.
He lovingly said "are you alright?"
She said "no, he tried to kiss me!"
Cliff took her face in his and said "may I kiss you?"
She smiled and nodded.
He leaned in close and kissed her lips.
He let his tongue slip in her mouth and she moaned.
Her arms went around his neck.
All too soon the kiss ended.
He rested his forehead against hers.
She said "that was wonderful."
He pulled back and said "are you feeling better?"
She nodded "I can't believe he had the nerve to come to our house again!"
He huffed "I can."
She looked concerned and he explained how he showed up at the hospital.
He said "I was still upset and I took my anger out on you. I'm sorry."
She cupped his cheek "don't worry about it. I know none of this easy."
He sighed "still it was no reason to take it out on you."
She kissed his cheek and lovingly said "I forgive you sweetheart. Does that mean you're ready to talk about me going back to work?"
He sighed and said "I'm sorry Clair but I don't support your decision because I know your not ready. I can see it in your eyes and I can here you whimper at night. I have a bad feeling about this. Just give it some time please!"
She sighed "No. I'm going back Cliff. Whether you want me to or not!"
He said "then were done discussing this!"
He went started going back into the living room and she begged "Cliff please be reasonable about this! I need to know that you'll be there for me."
He completely ignored her and walked into the living room.
She felt the tears well up in her eyes.
Deep down inside she knew Cliff was right but she was just as stubborn as he was if not more.
Cliff was sitting in his office knowing full well that she would not come in.
That evening Cliff was avoiding Clair.
She was incredibly hurt by his attitude.
He could tell she wanted to talk but he didn't want to say something he might regret later.
Night fell and Cliff was still in his office.
She was tired and wanted to go to sleep but not without her husband.
She went to his office and stared at the door.
She was terrified that he would turn her down and sleep on the couch.
Cliff was doing some paperwork when he heard a knock at the door.
He said "who is it?"
He heard Clair voice softly say "its me."
He and sighed leaned back "come in."
He waited and watched the door.
He huffed when she didn't open it.
He threw his pen down and opened the door.
He saw her jump back and thought 'oh yeah your really ready to go back to work.'
She sighed.
He said "did you need something?"
She nodded "I needed you. Please come to bed. You've been in here all night."
He watched her hold out her hand.
He grabbed it and kissed her hand.
She smiled and tried to pull him in the hallway.
He held her hand tightly and she looked at him "what is it?"
He attempted to pull her in his office.
When she realized who he wanted she panicked and begged him to stop "no, Cliff! I can't. Let me go! Please."
He heard her voice crack and he dropped her hand "how do you expect to go to work if you can't even come in my office where you were attacked?"
Clair froze "why do you keep throwing that in my face?"
He said "I'm just trying to make a point! Clair just take a couple steps forward into my arms. Your safe honey. There's no better time than now."
She sighed "he raped me in here Cliff! Why are you trying to make me relive it?"
He realized that pushing her was not the answer so he turned off the light and gently moved her.
He said "fine! Let's go to bed."
She followed him to the bedroom.
They got ready for bed and crawled under the covers.
She said "Cliff are you upset with me?"
He frowned and said "of course not! I just miss your company when I'm in my office."
She leaned against him "I really want to come in there but I see Robert hiding or on the couch and it scares me to death."
He wrapped his arm around her "oh Clair bear that's why I want you to redecorate the room so you will feel safe and welcomed. You know what I miss the most about your visits?"
She closed her eyes when he kissed her neck "making love to you on my desk. Don't you miss it too?"
He kissed her ear lobe.
She sighed "of course I do."
She moved her head to give access to her neck.
He was pleased at her reaction.
She let her hand rub his arm.
She moaned "oh Cliff."
He knew it was a risk but he slid his hand over her shirt and covered her breast with his hand.
Her eyes flew open and she gasped.
He quickly said "it's just me sweetheart."
She looked at him curiously.
He said "do you want me to move it?"
She swallowed hard and said "no."
He smiled and slowly massaged her breast.
He kissed her cheek and whispered "I won't hurt you. I love you so much Clair I just want to be close to you."
She swallowed hard.
He knew she wasn't ready so he stopped.
He removed his hand and said "thank you baby."
Her eyes widened "you stopped!"
He looked confused "I thought that's what you wanted."
She looked aggravated "I don't know what I want or think or feel! Cliff I would like to try and be with you tonight."
He saw her give him a hopeful look and he said "let's start by sleeping naked and go from there. Okay?"
Clair took a deep breath and nodded.
He cautiously took off his shirt.
She slowly reached out and touched his chest.
He said "may I take off your shirt?"
Clair froze.
He said "look in my eyes. It's just me."
She nodded.
He unbuttoned her shirt while looking into her eyes.
He very slowly pushed the shirt off her body.
He saw her beautiful breasts and the bruises that were healing.
He looked up and saw tears streaming down her face.
He was alarmed "honey, what's wrong?"
She said "I hate that you have to see the bruises."
He lovingly said "oh sweetheart don't. You're gorgeous. All I see is my beautiful wife whom I love more than anything else in this world."
She sniffled and said "really?"
He smiled "really."
He reached and slowly pulled down her pants watching her face as he did so.
She was left in her underwear.
He said "are you alright?"
She breathed deeply but nodded.
He ran his hands up and down her legs.
He crawled back up to her and said "why don't we start by just sleeping in our underwear tonight? I can tell you're not ready to be completely nude lying so close to me."
She looked relieved but said "but I thought..."
He put his finger to her lips "shhh. Don't worry about it. We will take it one step at a time."
She held his hand to her heart "oh Cliff your so good to me. Most husband's wouldn't be so understanding."
He smiled "I'm not like most men."
She gazed into his eyes "no your not and I think God for it. Cliff?"
He said "hmm?"
Clair said "hold me?"
He grinned "come here sweetheart."
She slowly moved into his arms.
He let her get comfortable.
It was hard to control himself with his wife laying practically nude against him but the last thing he wanted to do was scare her so he remained a perfect gentleman.
He rubbed her back and she eventually started relaxing and said "Honey, are you still upset with my decision to go back to work?"
He said "I think it's to soon. I just wish you would reconsider. Have you told your boss yet?"
She said "no."
He was relieved "so then you don't have to go."
She sighed "I have to do this!"
He said "why?"
She shrugged "if I don't do it now I may never go back. It just something I have to do for me. I know I'm not ready I was just going to spend the day in my office. I'll do baby steps Cliff I promise. I just really need your support!"
Cliff pulled her closer "alright. You have it but I still have a bad feeling about this."
She snuggled deeper into his arms and thought 'so do I.'
She said "I love you Cliff."
He kissed her head "I love you too Clair."
Eventually, she fell asleep listening to the calming sound of Cliff's heartbeat.
Cliff on the other hand stayed awake holding Clair close.
Thursday night:
Cliff locked the house up and went to get Clair who was in the kitchen sipping on her tea.
He saw her sitting at the table deep in thought.
Cliff knew she was having second thoughts about going to work tomorrow.
All evening she had been very quiet and glued to his side.
"Clair?"
She almost jumped out of her skin and nearly spilled what was left of her tea.
She looked at him and he said "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.
She swallowed and said "it's alright. I was just thinking."
He sat down next to her and touched her hand "Clair, I wish you would reconsider this."
She pulled her hand back "No! I told I'm doing this one way or another!"
He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face "if that's what you want. Let's go to bed."
He didn't want to fight with her so he gave in.
She nodded.
She put her cup in the sink and walked upstairs with Cliff.
Clair was in the bathroom getting ready for bed.
Cliff had already climbed in bed and set the alarm.
He decided to read a bit hoping that it might calm his nerves.
He had a bad feeling about Clair going to work.
He heard the bathroom door open and saw her go to the closet.
He was incredibly disappointed when he saw her wearing long sleeve pajamas.
'She was doing so good' he thought.
She picked out her clothes and laid them out.
Clair carefully crawled over Cliff and got under the covers.
He frowned "were not sleeping in our underwear tonight?"
She said "No! Go to sleep Cliff."
She laid down and tried to get comfortable.
He didn't like this attitude it was obvious she was scared about tomorrow.
He said "are you alright?"
She snapped "what do you care? You already think me going back to work is a bad decision."
He had enough and said "don't you dare take this out on me! I told you weren't ready. You can change your mind I know you never told your boss."
She didn't like the way he talked to her "I told you I have to do this for me! I am doing this whether you like it or not!"
He huffed and threw back the covers.
He grabbed his pillow and a blanket lying on the chair.
He heard her voice change from angry to worried "Cliff, where are you going?"
Her voice squeaked "Cliff?!"
He continued to go downstairs ignoring her pleas.
Tears instantly sprang in her eyes and she looked around the room.
She knew he was upset with her and it was all her fault.
She was terrified and was taking it out on her darling husband.
She turned on the lamp
Clair laid down and turned off the light.
She pulled the covers around her shoulders and tried to sleep.
Cliff was downstairs on the couch.
He closed his eyes and eventually fell asleep.
Clair on the other hand tossed and turned.
She finally managed to fall asleep at 12:45 a.m.
Cliff woke up sometime later and decided to head back upstairs.
He opened the bedroom door and saw an empty and heard Clair whimpering.
He went into the bathroom and saw Clair on the floor with her knees drawn up against her chest.
She was on the verge of having a panic attack.
He sat next to her and touched her arm.
She jumped.
He said "baby, what's wrong?"
She just shook her head.
He said "just breathe in and out okay?"
She did what he told her to do.
After a minute she started to calm down.
She rested her head against the cabinet.
He rubbed her hand and said "are you alright?"
She swallowed hard and nodded.
He said "you haven't been like that in a long time. What caused it?"
She looked down.
He calmly said "Clair?"
She sighed and said "I was thinking about tomorrow and panicked."
He frowned "oh sweetheart I told…"
She quickly covered his mouth with her hand and begged "Please, Cliff don't say it."
He kissed her hand and said "I won't."
He watched her for a minute and said "are you ready to go back to bed?"
She frowned and said "that all depends. Will you stay?"
He smiled "absolutely."
She nodded.
He helped her stand and they got into bed.
She immediately went into his awaiting arms.
She sighed and said "Cliff, I'm sorry about earlier."
He said "I forgive you. Now just close your eyes and hold onto me. I'll protect you."
She smiled and fell asleep.
Friday morning:
Clair was in the shower.
She leaned against the wall letting the hot water hit her face.
She was having second thoughts about going to work.
Her stomach was in knots.
She felt like she could have a panic attack at any minute.
She jumped at Cliff voice.
He said "you're going to drown in there."
She sighed and turned off the water.
Suddenly a towel appeared.
She took it from his hand and dried off.
He saw the shower curtain open and looked at his wife.
He saw the dark circles under her eyes and noticed she looked peaked.
He touched her face "are you alright?"
Clair froze.
He sighed "Clair baby stay home. We both know your not ready."
She stepped out the shower and said "I know I'm not and you're right maybe I shouldn't go."
She saw his hopeful expression and sighed "I'll just stay for an hour."
He huffed "Clair!"
She loved how protective he was of her.
She cupped his cheek and kissed him.
She slowly slipped her tongue in his mouth.
He moaned and slid his arms around her waist.
She felt the familiar bulge and tensed.
She ended the kiss and smiled.
She said "Cliff, I'll be okay. If you let me do this and don't complain when you get home tonight we can try and make love. How does that sound?"
He was shocked but found himself nodding.
She grinned and shook her head "oh Cliff we've been married for over 20 years and you get so excited when we make love."
He said "why wouldn't I? I'm married to the most beautiful woman in the world. You take my breath away every time I look at you."
She was touched her heart felt like it would explode with all the love she felt for her husband.
She took his face in her hands and softly said "you're too much Cliff. I love you more than anything else in this world. You know that right?"
He said "of course I do."
She frowned "I need to finish getting ready."
He said "do you want me to drop you off?"
She said "no. I might not get out of the car if your there and if I change my mind I want my car there so I can leave; but thank you for the offer."
He nodded.
He was still against this but didn't want her to go through it alone.
They moved into the bedroom and she said "Cliff please turn around."
He sighed but complied.
She dropped her towel and grabbed her panties and bra.
She said "okay."
He turned around and saw her in her undergarments.
It was so hard for him not to run over to her and kiss her senseless.
She quickly got dressed.
She sat at her make up and put on her face.
He kissed her head and said "I'll make breakfast."
She nodded and watched him leave the room.
She began thinking 'what are you doing Clair? Stay home relax in the bed talk Cliff into staying home with you. Don't do this to yourself!' She debated with herself over and over.
She put the finishing touches and stood up.
Suddenly she ran to the bathroom and threw up.
This was too much for her.
She finally made her decision...she wasn't going!
She finally went downstairs and saw the kids at the table.
She touched Cliff's back and softly asked "Can talk to you for a second?"
He nodded and they walked into the living room.
She had her arms crossed and her nails digging into her arms.
She said "do you think you could stay home with me?"
He said "I thought you were going to work?"
She shook her head "I can't Cliff! I thought I could I really did but I'm just not ready."
He sighed with relief and took her in his arms.
He whispered against her ear "thank god you came to your senses."
She rolled her eyes but snuggled into him.
She played with his tie "well, can you stay?"
He said "let me see if its possible." She watched him on the phone and knew by the look on his face the answer would be no.
He hung and looked sad "I'm sorry baby I've got to many patients."
She sighed "I understand."
He watched her grab her briefcase and he panicked "what are you doing?"
She said "I might as well go to work there is no reason for me to stay here. I'd be a nervous wreck."
He said "but Clair..."
She touched his lips and tried convincing both of them "I'll be alright. I'll just be there for an hour."
She gazed into his eyes one last time and slipped out the door before he could stop her.
She pulled into the parking lot and parked the car.
She hated parking in the underground parking lot.
She always felt like someone was watching her but she knew her mind was just playing tricks on her.
She got out of her car and slowly made her way to her office.
She pushed opened the double doors that led to her office and saw her boss and secretary talking.
They were both stunned to see her.
Richard said "Clair I didn't know you were ready to come back."
She said "I don't think I am. I just wanted to it for an hour and take baby steps if that's okay."
He was pleasantly surprised "of course I don't mind. It's nice to have you back."
A smiling Kate nodded in again.
Clair went to her office.
She sat in her chair and tried to calm down.
She called Cliff and they spoke for a few minutes.
He did the best he could to calm her nerves.
She hung up and decided to work on some paper work.
Finally the hour had passed she was more than ready to go home.
She called Cliff to let him know she was headed home.
She was to jumpy to be at work so she bid her boss good day and left.
She was in the hallway waiting for the elevator when Dave appeared.
She gasped and said "why are you here?! Cliff told you to leave me alone!"
He said "you can't go Robert is planning something."
She frowned "what are you talking about?"
He tried to make it sound like he was making up for all the trouble he caused.
She was confused.
He said "he's planning on attacking you at your car. Please don't go. I can take you home."
She glared at him "you really expect me to trust you after everything that's happened between us? Besides I would never get in a car with you!"
He sighed "Clair, come on it's me I'm trying to protect you!"
The doors opened and she said "stay away from me!"
She entered the elevator and he watched her disappear.
He thought with a menacing grin 'plan is working.'
She sighed when the doors opened to the parking lot.
Dave was the last person she was expecting.
She knew Cliff would be furious when she told him.
She opened her car doors and sat down.
She closed the door and looked in her mirror.
She saw two eyes looking back at her.
Before she could scream a hand along with a cloth went over her mouth.
She tried to fight but her eyes closed and she relaxed against the seat.
Robert got out of the car and quickly moved Clair to the back seat and tied her up.
He climbed in the front seat and drove away.
About 2 hours later Robert pulled up the driveway and got out of the car.
He opened the back door and saw Clair still passed out.
He grinned and picked her up.
Robert walked into the house and into the basement.
He laid her on the bed.
He tied up her wrists and legs.
Dave walked in and Robert said "its about damn time you got here after you made me do all the hard work!"
Dave laughed "what does it matter? She's here now right?"
Robert nodded "that's true."
Dave said "I see that the chloroform worked."
Robert grinned "like a charm. Now what? Do we strip her and have our way with her while she's out or when she's awake?"
Dave sat next to her and sniffed her hair.
He said "I want her awake so she can feel me moving inside her and feel me when I shoot my seed deep inside her. I will make her scream in ways that Cliff has never done. I want to hear her scream my name and even if she makes it back home my face will be the only thing she sees while Cliff attempts to make love to her. I will destroy their marriage if it's the last thing I do!"
Robert and Dave shared a look and stared hungrily at Clair.