Chapter 11
Peter, Heidi, West and I spent the entire week keeping Nathan company at the hospital. It was clear by the time he was released, that if he'd stayed another day, he would have gone absolutely mad with boredom.
My Mom fussed over him when we got home, insisting he take it easy for the next couple of days. "I wouldn't advise traveling yet," she warned, and Dad promised her he would be all right.
"They already kept him an extra week at the hospital, dear. I don't think he needs any further torture."
Nathan gave my Dad a grateful look, and that's when the two of them decided to speak in private. I watched as they disappeared into my Dad's study, shutting the door behind them. I knew what they were going to discuss, and I could see Nathan's face change from concerned to almost fearful within a matter of seconds.
"Don't spy on them, munchkin," Peter warned, taking my arm and leading me away.
"Sorry," I apologized.
"You look as if something's on your mind," Peter added. "What's up?"
"Nathan invited me to spend my summers with him in New York," I admitted, and Peter's eyes widened with surprise. "Heidi mentioned that I really should come visit them, and he made that suggestion."
"Wow," Peter breathed. "How do you feel about that?"
I shrugged. "I'd like to meet Monty and Simon," I replied, who were Nathan's two young boys, and technically my brothers. "And I've wanted to see New York again, and maybe catch up with my old girlfriends from Manhattan High School. I've been meaning to do that, but never got around to it."
"Okay," Peter began, "You do realize that even if Nathan is inviting you to spend the summer with him, it doesn't mean he'll have a lot of time to spend with you. He hardly sees his own family. I wouldn't get my hopes up that anything will change." He looked doubtful about the entire situation, and I wondered if I would have to convince both he and my Dad that I would be okay there.
"I don't really mind that much," I said, and Peter raised an eyebrow. "I'd get to know Heidi better. I'm really starting to like her." It was true…once the initial suspicion wore off, she was a very pleasant woman to be around. However, I had to admit she was a woman with a lot of patience if she had a husband like Nathan Petrelli to deal with.
"Well, I think we'd have to discuss all this with your Dad before we make any decisions," Peter told me. "And I don't think it's going to be easy, considering how bent he is on protecting you. The last thing he'll probably want is to send you with someone who's already in danger."
I sighed, leaning against the wall. "Yeah," I muttered. "I hate how even though I'm eighteen and considered an adult, no one wants to treat me that way."
Peter smirked, ruffling my hair. "Yes we do," he insisted. "But we care about your safety, also. People like us aren't allowed to live normal lives."
"Thanks for reminding me," I muttered, and he shrugged.
When I brought this up to my Dad later on at dinner he said, "Absolutely not. I wouldn't hear of it."
"Why not?" I exclaimed.
"Did you listen to anything I told you at the hospital?" He asked. "Someone was trying to assassinate Nathan! The last thing I want is for you to be in the middle of all that. You'll stay here in Costa Verde, and that's my final answer."
I wanted to scream, to throw my plate across the room, and I could tell Mom was sympathetic. She knew my Dad was overprotective in the worst way, and often balled him out for the extremities he took in regards to my safety.
"I think you're being a little unreasonable, Noah," Mom announced, and I looked at her, wide-eyed. Dad did, too, as though he'd been betrayed. "She's eighteen, and technically old enough to be living on her own if she had the funds. I don't think it would be an issue if she spent a few weeks with Nathan and his family."
"You're completely missing the entire point," Dad growled. "Someone tried to kill him last week."
"Peter says he's hardly ever at the house," I explained. "So it would just Heidi, the boys and me. It's not like I'd be following Nathan around wherever he went."
Dad shook his head in disbelief. "I'm sure if they can't get to Nathan directly, whoever is after him will try to target the family next. I know how that works, Claire. I'm not an idiot. You're not going."
"You can't stop me," I growled, and Dad looked surprised.
"Claire, honey, why don't you go up to your room?" Mom suggested, and I looked at her, Dad, and Lyle, who had been quiet for the entire conversation. He didn't dare speak up when Dad was in this type of mood.
Sighing heavily, I shoved my chair back, and stormed out of the kitchen. I could hear my parents arguing from downstairs, and decided to call Peter and ask for help.
"What could I do?" he asked, and I shrugged.
"You could offer to come with me," I explained. "Dad probably would feel better if I had someone like you watching my back."
"Claire, I…" Peter started to protest, and I rolled my eyes.
"Didn't you say you were looking for ways to use up your vacation time?" I asked. "You and Caitlin aren't getting married till next year, so it's not like you won't have any saved up for your honeymoon. Please, please, please? I've never asked you for anything!" I was near tears, shocked at how adamant I was about spending the rest of the summer with Nathan.
"I'm so glad I'm not actually there right now," Peter muttered. "You'd give me one of those looks and I wouldn't be able to resist if I tried."
I smiled to myself, knowing that would probably happen.
"Please, Peter?" I whined.
He sighed heavily. "All right," he agreed. "All right. I'll be over as soon as I can."
"Thank you," I gasped, and after telling Peter I loved him, I hung up the phone.
When he came to the door, both Mom and Dad were surprised to see him there. "Claire," Dad growled, sensing I'd probably called in desperation, and I folded my arms across my chest when my Uncle came into the house after we opened the door further to let him through.
"Don't worry, she didn't bribe me or anything," Peter insisted. "I wanted to come."
I gave him a grateful smile, trying to ignore Dad's suspicious glare.
Soon after Peter arrived, my Dad brought him into the study as well. I decided to disappear and call Nathan's cell phone at that point, and when he answered, I explained my situation without hesitation.
"Oh Jesus," Nathan muttered. "Claire, I'd hate to say this, but you probably had the worst timing to ask him. What's going on?"
"Dad's saying no, but Peter came to try and convince him otherwise," I admitted, and Nathan sighed.
"All right…can you let me talk to your Dad?" he asked, and I peered through the door, wondering how far along they'd gotten.
"I'll check and see," I replied.
Peter came up just as I came down, and the two of us nearly collided on the stairs. He took the phone from me a few moments later, and told Nathan that Noah agreed to let me come on one condition, that he accompany me every step of the way.
I couldn't believe it! I stood grinning as I held onto the rail for support, afraid that if I'd let go I'd fall the rest of the way.
"Yeah…I can spare a few weeks from the hospital, Nate, trust me. That's not an issue. I'm sure Caitlin will understand, and she'll probably want to come with us. God, you still treat me like a kid sometimes!"
I fought laughter at the comment because that was the same tactic I'd used just a short time ago.
When Peter eventually gave the phone to my Dad, he came to the bottom of the stairs again, and pointed a finger at me.
"I love you, Munchkin, but you owe me big for this," he said, and I hurried down the steps, leaping into his arms.
"Thank you so much," I told him. "Peter, I'll spend the rest of my life making this up to you if I can!"
"I can only imagine," Peter laughed. "You have to understand your Dad's point of view with this, Claire. He's worried about you, and doesn't want anything bad to happen."
"Yeah, I know," I agreed. "But I can't believe I get to spend the summer in New York! Angela, Rose and Megan'll be ecstatic when I tell them. They've been begging me to com back for a long time now."
Peter laughed at my enthusiasm. "It would be nice to see those girls again…they were good to you," he agreed, and I embraced him again.
"You're the best Uncle in the whole world," I exclaimed, and he kissed my forehead.
"Thank you," he replied. "Well, I'd better get going…I promised Caitlin I wouldn't be here very long."
"Okay," I agreed, and he gave me another quick hug and kiss.
"Be good," he warned. "Take it easy on your Dad from now on."
"I will," I insisted, and watched as he left the house. When my father finished getting details from Nathan, he came upstairs to my bedroom.
"Claire, I still don't like this," He admitted. "It's incredibly risky. But as Peter and your mother have both said, you've displayed a lot of maturity for your age, and I should be able to trust your judgment."
"I'm sorry, Dad," I apologized. "But I really want to be part of Nathan's life as much as I can, if he'll let me. I don't want to replace you, ever, but…"
"You have every right to feel that way, honey," Dad promised. "And I'm glad Nathan's been taking interest in your affairs. But I want you to be careful. Even if Peter is going along, he won't be with you every second."
"I know," I agreed. "I'll be careful. I promise." I hugged him, too, and Dad stroked my hair as he always did when he tried to comfort me.
"I never want you to think I'm being unfair," Dad continued. "I'm just being cautious. You are an adult, and a wonderful one. I'm so proud of you, more than I can even say."
"Thanks," I whispered. "So what did Nathan tell you?"
"He's going to pay for your plane ticket, and you'll fly there at the beginning of July. You'll stay in New York for a couple of weeks as a trial, and if it works well enough, we'll do it again next year."
I nodded…June was only a week from being over, so I had time to pack and get myself together. When I told West about my summer plans, he was naturally disappointed, because he was hoping to spend it with me.
"I'll only be gone for a few weeks," I promised. "And I'll be home before you know it."
"It's going to seem like forever," He muttered. "I'll be bored out of my mind!"
"I'm finally reuniting with my biological father…it's something I've dreamt about," I said.
"I am happy for you, don't get me wrong," West replied. "I'm just a selfish pig, and I want you all for myself."
I laughed. "Everybody seems to," I teased. "Listen, I promise I'll call as much as possible, okay?"
"You don't have to do that," West insisted. "But I'd like a text message every now and again to let me know you're still alive."
"I will," I said, and after we said we loved each other, I hung up my cell and set it on my nightstand.
Gazing around the bedroom that I'd grown comfortable with over a couple of months, I thought about my life thus far. From the time I discovered I was different to accepting the abilities I've been given…and still not knowing what would become of me.
"For right now, just live life one day at a time," I told myself, as I prepared myself for my newest adventure.
