Chapter 20 Human
Odessa, Texas
Sandra came down and started cleaning up the table. Claire was with Peter and Pete. Sandra just had left the boy to his parents. She saw Noah walked in and dropped on the near chair. His face was dark. He put down his glasses and gazed the empty space. Sandra knew what he was thinking, because she thought the same. She released one sigh and sat in the other side of the table.
'Noah…' she said quietly, but he did not look at her. Sandra thought that he did not hear her, but he did.
'What happened with our life, Sandra?' he said, gazing the empty space.
'What do you mean?'
'Look at us… Look at Claire… I wanted other life for her. I wanted better life. Look at her now.' Noah said and just now, he moved his look to Sandra. 'She works as a waitress and have an illegitimate boy from her…' Noah stopped and grabbed his head. 'Where we got it wrong, Sandra? Where?'
Sandra made short pause. She just had seen her daughter smiling. Claire had not really smiled from the moment she came back from New York pregnant. Now she smiled and that smile actually touched her eyes. As a mother, Sandra had felt that her daughter was a calmer now than before. She was afraid to say happy, because that words was too strong for them now.
'I saw her smile, Noah…' Sandra said finally.
'What?' Noah looked his wife with confusion.
'I saw Claire smiling. She never smiled like this before…'
'You think that…' Noah frowned.
'I think that she loves Peter and their son. I think that they can cure her life.' Sandra said carefully. Her voice was quiet and trembled a bit. 'I'm not saying that this situation is not painful for me. Trust me! I was in shock when I found out about her and Peter! It was like… stroke. You are not hearing every day that your daughter is in love with her uncle. Oh, and by the way, she has a son with him!' Sandra bit her lip. 'I was in shock! I am not going to lie to you! I talked with her and even if she told me how they fell in love and that, they still love each other… I still can't understand that completely…'
'Then?' Noah looked at her with confusion.
'I saw her smiling, Noah!' Sandra smiled bitterly. 'I saw how one man and one boy can awake her smile again! She deserves that! She suffered too much already!'
'So you suggest…'
'Give it a try…' Sandra reached and covered his hand. 'It's going to be awkward, I know, but…'
'It's hard for me, Sandra!' Noah sighed.
'I know!' she squeezed his hand. 'But you have to think about Pete too…'
'Pete…' Noah rolled his eyes.
'Their son… That little boy deserves real family with both parents. He deserves normal life…'
'Can they be a normal family, Sandra?' he asked ironically.
Sandra thought a bit and then stood up from the table.
'Come with me.' She said and pulled him up.
'Where?' Noah asked suspicious.
'Just… follow me.'
Noah frowned and walked after her. They climbed the stairs and ended up in front Peter's room. Noah frowned even more.
'What do you want to prove now?' he said with dark face.
'Sh-sh!' Sandra touched her lips with one finger and quietly opened the door. 'Come! See…' she whispered and Noah did that unwillingly. Then he froze.
Peter, Claire and Pete had fallen asleep. Claire rested her head on Peter's collarbone and Pete lay on his tummy and grabbed his father's hand. Claire had put one hand over him and the three of them looked just as one family.
Sandra closed the door as quiet as she had opened it.
'Do they look like a family to you?' she asked Noah and he just studied her face.
'They looked so…' he searched the right words.
'Normal?'
'That is weird!' Noah could not believe it. 'This is so weird! They looked completely normal…'
'I know…' Sandra rubbed his back and they both walked downstairs.
Inside the room, Peter opened his eyes. He thought that he had heard noises, but he probably had dreamt. Peter felt the pleasant weight of her head resting on his shoulder. That was new feeling for him. Then he felt his son hand resting over his wrist. That was also new, but Peter would walk through anything to feel that. It was priceless… He gulped painfully, fought with his tears. Claire had saved him again. She had given him this. She had given him reason for existing!
Peter felt her sigh and his hand wrapped around her tightly. She had fought for him. She had fought for their son to be born. Knowing his family, Peter knew that this was truly miracle. However, she was here now. She was with him and their son. She cured his wounds and did not even know that. Peter knew that this would not be easy. However, it never was with them. They just had tough fate. The same fate had brought them together and strangely, as it sounded, Peter was thankful. He was tired of fighting. He just wanted to be with her… He wanted a family… He wanted their family… Nevertheless, the shadow of Angela and Nathan still haunted him. That was why Peter was afraid to be happy. He was afraid to believe again.
'Peter?' he heard her sleepy voice.
'Yeah…'
'If you want I can…' she tried to move, but he caught her.
'No, please stay! I love to feel you in this way…'
'You love to feel me?' she asked quietly and snuggled carefully in him.
'I love to feel you beside me!' he said and Claire felt his lips touching her hair.
'I love to feel that too…' she whispered and closed her eyes again. Peter was right. It really felt like home.
New York
Angela stared at the photo of her son. The son, she had banished twenty months ago. The son she had not seen twenty months. Peter… He meant to be her golden boy. He had to be her boy. The son, Nathan never was and never would be.
Angela lingered trembling fingers over the photo. Here Peter was at 26. Just before… Claire. He smiled and Angela could see the innocence in his young hazel eyes. Peter was so pure and naïve. His soul still was… untouched. Her boy… Peter was her boy then. He cared about her. He could sit and talk with her hours, just to make her feel better. Angela just had to look in his eyes and see his smile to feel comfortable. Before Claire…
When Peter had met her… She had brought the pain in his life, but… she had brought the love also. Claire had changed him. Angela could see that… She thought that Peter would turn back to his old self from the moment; he understood that Claire is his niece. She thought that she knew him well enough and she had expected that from him. Peter had lied to her. He had smiled and told that everything is okay. Angela believed him… She got wrong. She was blind. She was blind like everyone else around them.
Peter and Claire had special connection. They had special bond. It looked indestructible. Angela thought that she could manage to deal with that. She got wrong again. Peter had found his way back to Claire. She had welcomed him with open arms. Then Angela could not shut her eyes anymore. She had to waked up and see the things what they really were. It was too late…
Angela had thought to talk with Peter in the night of the Charity Ball. She was late again. She had seen him grabbing Claire in his arms and both flew away. Nobody had a doubt in Peter's nobles. He never would have done something inappropriate. He was better than everybody was. Angela was among those people. She always had trust in her son. He was a good boy. He was good son and never had disappointed her. But he was only human… Human with heart… Even more dangerous, he was man in love. Normally, that would not be a problem for Angela. Never were. Peter had loved before. He was in love before, but now it was different. He had fallen in love in his niece.
Angela knew that the girl was crazy in love in her son. She had seen that in her eyes every time Claire looked at Peter. Her eyes shined with treacherous glow. Angela knew that Peter had noticed that. However, she thought she knew her son and had let the things in his hands. He would push her away. He would talk to her. They would find out a way to deal with that. Angela got wrong again. He was just a human… No matter how powerful Peter was, he still was just a human.
Angela had dreamt that night. She had dreamt a boy with hazel eyes and black hair. She thought that this was just a mistake and had awakened with that feeling. However, when she knocked on Claire's door that morning, Angela had understood that sometimes the dreams did happen. Sometimes, you just had to trust in your instincts. She had seen the both figures in the bed. Peter hugged Claire and she was lying in his arms, with body followed his curves. They were perfect together. There was something… always was something… However, everybody had closed eyes upon the obvious.
Peter and Claire… Angela took down the photo in her lap and leaned back on her chair. Nathan had disowned his brother again. He had forget him, or at least tried to forget him. He tried to forget that he had a daughter. Angela thought that the last one was for the best. Claire never succeeded to fit in their family… neither Peter did. He always was different… as her…
Angela leaned back on her chair and looked through the window. It was beautiful day. It was raining day… Just as her soul. She still held the picture of her son…
Odessa, Texas
Pete slept peacefully beside his father. Claire had to go to work, so Peter asked Pete to stay with him. His son had fallen asleep, playing with him. His joyful laugh was like balm for his weak and wounded soul. He was his salvation.
Peter just watched him sleep and that felt his hearth with nice warmth. His boy… He loved him with full heart… Peter reached and touched his black hair. He loved his mother too. He loved her so much and despite all that sometimes even hurt. Hurt to admit that you loved someone, but you not allowed to. Peter knew that if it were not Pete, he would be dead now. He would not have reason for living. If it were not Pete, Peter would not be here. He would give up and gone long ago. If it were not Pete, Peter would not have reason to believe that there was a chance for him and Claire.
He smiled bitterly and remembered his life before that. He remembered his life in New York and then Las Vegas. He thought he was strong and could conquer the world. He was the eternal dreamer. His soul was young and naïve… However, Peter understood what it was to be alive in the moment he had saved Claire. She was his purpose then. He had sworn to protect her no matter of the fact.
Then suddenly… He had found out that she was not only a purpose, but the love of his life also. He had fallen in love without even knowing that. Peter never regret for that. Not even when he had understood that, he had not allowed loving her in that way. Claire deserved his love and he was ready to die for her. He was ready to die for her then. Nothing had changed since. Peter still would do anything for her, even sacrificed himself.
Pete shifted in his dream and that brought one light smile on Peter's face. His reason for living…
Odessa, Texas
Burn Toast Coffee
Claire gazed in the empty space. Her thoughts were far away from her job. Luckily, there were not so many clients today. Barb was with her in the same shift. Everybody had understood about Andy and that he was on the run now. Everybody tried to act normal, but Claire felt the hidden looks and quiet whispers. She hated that. She hated this attention and preferred to be home with Peter and Pete. He preferred to be with her family now.
'Claire?' Barbs voice pulled her out of her thoughts and Claire looked at her. She would call Barb her friend, but she was scared to have friends. Now, Peter was enough. He was enough for everything in her life.
'Yeah? You need help?' Claire tried to smile and looked at Barb. She bent her eyes and coughed nervously.
'No, Claire… I thought we can close if you want.' She said quietly.
'Sure…' Claire jumped of the tall chair. 'Wait! Why me? Why I have to…'
'It was Andy before and now…' Barb bit her lip.
'Now what?' Claire tried to sound normal.
'Now… You are taking his place!' Barb blurted out.
'What?' Claire looked surprised. 'I wasn't asking…'
'But they promoted you this morning. You are the manager now…'
'Great! Manager with apron!' Claire said and threw her apron on the bar.
'They said… ' Barb coughed again. 'The bosses said that they would talk with you tomorrow.'
Claire looked at Barb and saw her sad eyes. She almost felt regret for the girl. Claire knew that Barb liked Andy. He was his prince charming even that he never had looked at her. Now Barb missed Andy and it was obvious that she mourned for him. Suddenly, Claire found out that she did not care. She could not care for the man who almost had killed Peter. Her Peter! Claire only hoped that the cops caught Andy soon, so she could be calm for Peter's life.
'Okay!' Claire said and threw one quick look at Barb. 'Tell everyone that they had to clean up, before you lock the diner.' She pulled out the keys out of her pocket and handed them t Barb.
'I have to do that?' Barb looked shocked. 'Andy never…'
'Andy is not here anymore and you said that I'm in charge!' Claire said firmly and cut her sentence. 'I told you what to do! Now…' Claire grabbed her purse. 'I have family waiting for me at home! Good bye!' she said, but turned back at the door. 'One more thing! Be sharp tomorrow!'
Claire walked in the diner, rushing to her home. She was rushing to see Peter…
Odessa, Texas
Bennet's House
Claire entered in the house quietly. It was dark everywhere so she presumed that everybody had fallen asleep. She dressed out her jacket and pulled off her shoes. Her intention was to sneak into Peter's room and curled up beside him. She already had felt what it was to sleep beside him and in his arms.
'Good evening, Claire!' the sound of Noah's voice made her jump and turned back to see him. He was standing in the middle of the living room.
'Dad! What are you doing here?' she said with racing heart. 'What are you doing in the dark?'
'I was waiting for you…' Noah said and switched on the lights. Claire blinked from the bright light.
'But…' she looked at her watch. 'Dad! It is 11 PM! Can this wait for tomorrow?'
'No!' Noah said and waved hand at her to join him. Claire sighed and sat on the couch with folded legs.
'What now? Be quick!' she snapped.
'You hurry for somewhere?' Noah lifted up his eyebrows, but Claire was not in the mood for his mind games.
'I'm hurry for my bed! I was on my feet the last eight hours and I'm tired!' she said yawning.
'You hurry to your bed?' Noah said sarcastically and Claire understood what he was doing. Her fuzzy feeling flew out of the window. She switched on aggressive mood.
'So that's what you're doing here!' Claire frowned. 'You just want to be sure that I won't jump in Peter's bed!'
'Claire!' Noah frowned.
'You are insulting me!' Claire unfolded her legs and stood up. 'What kind of slut do you think I am?'
'Claire…'
'He just came back from the hospital… He…' Claire waved hand and shook her head. 'You know what? Forget it! I am not going to explain this to you! Believe in what do you want to believe! I expected that from Nathan, but never from you!'
'You don't have to be rude, Claire!' Noah lifted his hands in sign of truce. 'I just care about you! Look what I did for Peter just to…'
'And you're going to use that to keep me away from him?' Claire growled. 'Wake up, dad! I love him! Him! We have a son and I think that you know what that mean!'
'I prefer not to talk about that now!' Noah said and avoided her eyes.
'But you wanted to talk, so I'm talking!' Claire crossed arms before her chest and frowned. 'I thought that you swallowed that already! I thought that you are ready to support me! I thought that you love your daughter enough to let her be happy!'
'I do love you, Claire…' Noah tried to explain, but she interrupted him.
'Okay! Then I think you deserve my honesty…' she said as she passed beside him. 'I was going to see Peter! And yes I was going in his bed, but just for being in his arms! I missed him all this months and I want to be around him as long as I can! We won't do anything… now!' Claire said and walked to the stairs.
'Claire!' Noah called her and she turned around briefly.
'I'm not a kid anymore, dad!' she said quietly. 'I'm a woman and I love! I need to be with him now!' she made short pause, but Noah did not say anything. He just looked at her. Claire nodded. 'Good night!' she said and turned around. In the moment she hid from his sight, Noah already knew where she was going. He sighed and switched off the lights.
The first sign of her presents where her lips on his. Peter opened his eyes and tried to focus in the dusk room. He felt her hair nicely tickling the both sides of his face and smiled sleepily.
'Claire…' he whispered and she pulled back. Not too far, but enough to look in his eyes.
'Sure… Who do you think I am?' she asked quietly and he buried hands in her hair.
Peter did not answer, just pulled her down and kissed her gently. It was not passionate kiss. It was kiss for welcome home.
'Hi…' he said after that.
'Hi…' she answered and for his surprise, Claire shoved under his blanket.
'What are you doing?' He looked confusing. He just had noticed that se wore her nightgown. 'Claire?'
'Sh-sh… I'm tired from work and I want to sleep now!' she said and rested her head on his shoulder.
'Claire…' Peter sounded unsure.
'Get sleep now…' Claire said and put carefully her hand on his stomach. 'We have to talk tomorrow… and with my parents…' she already fallen asleep. 'Good night…' she murmured finally and Peter felt her normal breathing.
Peter stayed awake for some time. He was confused from her behavior. She acted as if her parents knew… However, he was too exhausted to thing anymore… Her presents soon calmed him enough and Peter fell asleep again. She was not a dream anymore. She was real and in his arms.