Hey guys, so I am feeling a bit more inspired but don't hold out hope for too much more, I hope you like this and just so you know the italic Part Three is a flashback part and its the beginnings of a relationship between two people, basically its the moment when the two realize they like each other.
* - I Own Nothing
It had been a month since Chris was born and brought home to the B&B, he was now the apple of everyone's eye – even Grandpa Artie's or as Claudia liked to call him 'Grumpa' Artie. Chris was a wonderfully calm baby and only really cried when ignored for too long (Pete swore up and down he got that from HG), Myka and HG were a tag-team of success tackling Chris's nighttime fuss with ease and occasional help from Pete and Claudia.
Pete embraced the role of daddy fairly quickly and became probably the best at telling when Chris was hungry; a trait surely passed down from father to son as Chris was always hungry but never gained more then half a pound if they let him. Myka had bought probably fifty picture/learning books in preparation for Chris's opportune learning faze, HG… was stressed.
HG didn't sleep and when she did it was plagued with nightmares of Christina's death, most nights HG just stayed in the nursery watching over Chris and when anyone (even Myka) tried to broach the subject she shut them down, so a month and one week after bringing Chris home and many sleepless nights on HG's part Myka insisted Claudia take HG out into town for lunch one day and get her to talk.
So after a half hour of stalling on HG's part Claudia had managed to drag her out into town and to HG's favorite café. "You know shoving food down your throat isn't going to work, I'm supposed to keep you out of the house until four and its only one," Claudia said watching HG shovel the food on her plate into her mouth.
"I don't bloody well understand why you are doing this," HG said after swallowing the food, she reached for her tea (which tasted almost as bad as the tea from Starbucks) and sipped it making a face. "I just want to make sure Christopher is alright," HG narrowed her eyes at the young woman across from her who folded her arms at her mentor.
"You do realize that I know you better then that right?" Claudia asked and rolled her eyes after HG grumbled a 'yes'. "Besides everyone is home today except us, do you not trust Myka and Pete to take care of little C?" Claudia watched HG flush at that.
"Of course I do but I just-," HG cut herself off when emotion became too much and she put a hand over her eyes resting an elbow on the table, Claudia simple sat and waited letting the woman compose herself before pushing further and after a minute HG removed the hand. "I cannot handle the loss of another child," HG stated plainly staring into Claudia's eyes with emotion that almost drew a sob from Claudia's chest. "If it happens not even Myka can save my soul,"
Claudia nodded slowly thinking carefully about what to say next. "I can't know or imagine how hard it must be to have a child ripped away – I guess I can try to compare Joshua to it but I got him back," Claudia started. "Losing Christina was horrible and unfair but it can't be what defines your relationship with Chris HG," Claudia watched the emotions on her mentor's face change. "Chris will be a happy little boy and will have lots of people who love him and you will be there to protect him but you cannot lock him away from the world and you cannot watch his every move because for one it'd be really creepy and for two it'd be impossible," Claudia winced as her mentor let out a sob and reached over the table and grabbed the woman's cold shaking hands. "Look, being clingy and overprotective is one thing but not sleeping and eating is another HG, I mean Myka is making me talk to you!"
HG chuckled at that and smiled fondly through the tears at Claudia. "You do not see yourself the way we do darling," HG told her young friend who just 'pfft' her. "Its true my dear, you have more power then you see," HG squeezed the hands that gripped her own.
Claudia just blanched and continued. "No changing the subject," She said sternly to HG. "Alright look – we got the video system online and a baby monitor, a first-aid kit that weighs fifty pounds and everyone in the house has baby and regular CPR training," Claudia reasoned. "In a week is the anniversary of your and Myka's first meeting and you are going to take her to the hotel down the street from this café for the night and Pete and myself with watch Chris," HG started to protest but Claudia continued. "Hey! Be grateful I'm not making you take her to Paris or somewhere farther away!" Claudia let go of HG's hands and with one last stern look she began eating her now cold food that she had ordered at the beginning of this brouhaha.
Part Two
Claudia watched HG fuss over Chris as both she and Myka attempted to get her to leave. "I know… I know," HG murmured as Myka insisted Chris would be fine with Claudia. "Very well," Leaning down and giving the sleeping baby one last kiss on the forehead HG then turning and walking out the nursery door Myka right behind her.
Claudia rolled her eyes at the British author's silent treatment toward her and turned on the baby monitor before leaving the nursery, she headed down to the living room where Pete sat watching an old sitcom with Steve and Leena was cooking away in the kitchen while Artie was still at the warehouse – it was only seven at night after all but both Myka and Claudia had seen the stalling coming and planned ahead making sure that HG and Myka got ready at four and began saying their goodbyes at five.
"They still in the driveway?" Steve asked while throwing a piece of popcorn in his mouth and Claudia shrugged sitting next to him.
"Doesn't matter, they aren't coming home till tomorrow morning and if they try to without probable cause then I'll go all Oprah on HG until she goes to love her woman," Claudia answered and laughed at the two guys as they blanched at the thought of Myka and HG and lady loving.
"Ew Claude, not nice thoughts," Pete grumbled tossing a handful of popcorn at her. "My sister and the woman who could kill me… slash sister-in-law," Pete shook his head quickly but perked when Leena brought in a plate of fresh baked cookies. "Thanks Leen!"
Claudia stood up and went to the kitchen with Leena bringing the empty popcorn bowl that had been discarded once cookies had been brought it. "So, read anything fishy in HG's aura or whatever you read?" Claudia asked as she stood next to Leena and began to hand dry the dishes that Leena handed her.
"Just lots of anxiety and fear," Leena smiled at the young woman as she handed her the mug that stated 'World's best mummy (don't tell my mama)' that had been a splurge on Claudia's part. "It must be hard trying to cope with that much anxiety," Leena sighed at the thought and Claudia hummed in agreement. "Do you think there will ever be a good time to tell them?"
"I'm sure there will be," Claudia reasoned wiping the last bits of water off the plate Leena had handed her. "We just have to be patient and wait for HG to get a hold of herself," Claudia shrugged and smiled as Leena washed the last dish and handed it to her before leaning over into Claudia and kissing her cheek. "I just hope they approve," Claudia said after a moment of silence passed between them. "I mean… they're like my parents," Claudia smiled as she tossed the towel on the counter next to the dish rack and grabbed a hold of Leena's hand.
"They will," Leena assured Claudia intertwining their fingers and lacing a hand through the other woman's short hair. "HG will find it amusing I'm sure to tease you to no end," Leena chuckled as Claudia looked horrified.
"I didn't think of that!" Claudia exclaimed leaning into Leena's touch. "Man… we are so in trouble," Claudia warned Leena who raised a brow. "I mean me, I… myself," Pausing Claudia blew out a breath. "You know what I mean,"
"Yes, yes I do," Leena smiled and kissed Claudia chastely on the lips before pulling away completely and walking toward the living room with Claudia not far behind.
Part Three
It was dinner time at the B&B and Claudia sat watching Leena move around in the kitchen as she finished prepping dinner, Claudia's brows furrowed as the conflict continued in her mind and she leaned her head down on her arms and continued to stare at the innkeeper. "Why are you staring at Leena?" Claudia jumped a good foot in her air and turned to glare at Steve who had the decency to look sheepish.
"Just can't wait for dinner," It was enough of a half truth to please Steve's ability and he walked away with a nod leaving Claudia to go back to staring.
Lost in her thoughts Claudia didn't notice as the time flew by and everyone came home for dinner, Myka and HG who had been at the warehouse walked in and saw Claudia sitting in the living room and staring into the archway that led to the kitchen. They shared a look and Myka went upstairs to shower and HG walked over to her young friend, after sitting next to Claudia with no response HG cleared her throat and Claudia once again jumped into the air.
"What is it with everyone today?!" She asked angrily putting a hand over her heart. "I nearly had a heart attack earlier with Steve and now you!" Claudia felt her heart race start to slow and watched as HG raised a single brow in response and rolled her eyes. "What?"
"Is that anyway to speak to an elder my dear?" HG scolded Claudia who snorted at that. "Now why are you staring at our dear innkeeper?" It was asked with a smile and Claudia narrowed her eyes at her mentor.
"Why do you want to know?" Claudia answered a question with a question and that made HG narrow her own eyes, Claudia was dodging and it meant something was going on inside the young woman's mind. "So what if I'm staring?"
"It's unlike you darling," HG stated simply with a shrug. "To simply sit and not do anything but stare," HG watched the younger woman's eyes cloud for a moment. "Something is on your mind and it is causing a conflict within you," HG watched her friend's eyes clear as she spoke. "I am here to speak to if you need me," HG told her friend before standing and heading up the stairs (most likely to join her wife).
Claudia let out a frustrated breath – HG had no idea what her conflict was and she didn't exactly know how to bring it up. 'Hey there, how'd you know you were gay for Myka?' Claudia shook her head at the thought of that conversation before turning her head back to the kitchen archway where Leena now stood staring back at her; Claudia let out a string of curse words and once more put a hand to her heart. "What is with people today?" She muttered.
"I didn't mean to startle you," Leena apologized and Claudia nodded standing. "I just was wondering if you would help me bring the food into the dining room," Leena asked and Claudia looked into her eyes knowing she would never be able to say no to her.
)-(
Claudia didn't know what was wrong with her, she was having… feelings toward Leena and it was not right – she was older and her innkeeper! No not her innkeeper just an innkeeper, Claudia watched as Leena began washing everyone's dishes from the spot she had been sitting before dinner.
Claudia couldn't help what she felt and so she stood up and walked over to the dish rack and began drying the dishes. "What are you doing Claude?" Leena asked stopping for a moment to look at the young woman who almost never helped with the dishes.
"Drying the dishes," Claudia answered simply and shrugged, she chuckled at Leena's shocked expression.
They continued until they were finished and Leena stared at Claudia for a moment before smiling. "Thank you for the help Claude," Leena said before leaning in and kissing Claudia's cheek, Claudia watched Leena walk away with a single thought in her mind 'Yeah… I'm smitten… wait… that sounded British… dang it HG'