Chapter 38 Take my hand

They lay at each other arms and kept quiet. It was still dark outside, but nobody felt the need of sleeping. They just enjoyed at each other's company. Peter had pulled her closer in his arms. Her back had pressed against his chest. His face had buried in her hair and inhaled her sweet scent. His hand covered her belly and Claire had laced fingers with his.

'How did you find me?' Claire asked few minutes later. 'I thought that they won't tell you this.'

'I asked my mother and she was more than happy to obligate.' Peter kissed the back of her head and Claire closed eyes with pleasure.

'Mh… Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that you are here.'

'But?'

'But what are we going to do now?'

'I don't know yet.' Peter shrugged. 'I just wanted to find you before it's too late.'

'Too late?' Claire looked at him with confusion.

'I thought that it's better if I'm away for some time.' Peter shrugged. 'Remember my conference in Ireland?' Claire nodded and he continued. 'I was just about packing my bags when my future me teleported just in the middle of my room.'

'Your future you?' Claire turned around in his hands to look at him. 'Peter, are you alright?'

'It was me, Claire.' His face faded. 'I swear! I couldn't believe it at first, but then he teleported me in his time and I saw you.'

'Oh.' Claire saw the pain in his eyes and understood that the story was not good for them.

'I saw you in one mental facility. You were there, sitting on one chair and staring through the window.' Peter closed his eyes for one moment. 'The other Peter told me that you are like this since the moment they took our son from you.'

'What?' Claire's eyes widened and she placed hand over her belly protectively. 'What happened then? Who took him?'

'Our family.' Peter answered quietly and touched her face. 'After his birth'

'But…Where were you?'

'I was in Ireland without my memory.' Peter's voice trembled. 'The other Peter stopped me from going, though.'

'That's why you're here? That's why you found me so quickly.' Claire shivered and Peter pulled the warm blanket over her body, covering her shoulders.

'I'm here, because I wanted to be here. I wanted to be with you, but my future me just pushed me a little bit in that direction.' Peter kissed her forehead. 'Don't worry. We'll figure something out.'

'Okay.' Claire calmed in his hands and soon she was falling asleep. Peter could not sleep. Not yet. He had to think about this new situation. His hospital career was over or, he could accept that place in LA they had offered him just week ago. He had refused, because of Claire and their life together in NY. Now they could not stay in New York. It was impossible with their family on their feet. Yeah, the LA was a good option for now. Peter decided to make the call on the next day. He wrapped arm around Claire's waist and closed his eyes, finally found his place.

It was tough morning. The first signs of the upcoming thunder make them woke up. Peter stared at the window and saw the pouring rain outside. He frowned, but then the door opened and he saw one tall curly woman walked into the room. Peter frowned even more. She did not knock.

'Good morning.' His voice surprised her and she stared at him with confusion.

'Who are you and what are you doing in my house?' She asked angrily. 'And why you two share one bed?'

'I'm Peter and I'm here to take Claire.' Peter got off the bed carefully. Claire still slept despite the noise outside.

'You can't take her. She is under our custody.'

'Oh, but I can, because she is pregnant with my child and I won't leave her alone here!'

'She is pregnant?' The woman stared at him with surprise. 'I didn't know that!'

'Who are you anyhow?' Peter tilted his head.

'I'm Sandra Bennet and you are in my house.'

'Bennet…' Peter rubbed his chin. 'Why's that sounds so familiar to me?'

'My husband is Noah Bennet.' Sandra tilted her head, still trying to understand the new situation.

'Huh! That is it! Noah Bennet works for my mother.' Peter nodded. 'So she gave Claire to him.' He murmured under his nose. 'Smart move! I would never guess where she is…'

'Hey! Who is your mother anyhow?' Sandra looked at him with annoyance. 'What have she done?'

'My mother is Angela Petrelli and your husband works for her. She wanted Claire away from me and that's why she hid her here.' Peter crossed arms before his chest. 'I thought that your husband told you about this.'

'He never speaks for his job.' Sandra shook her head. 'But he insists for this girl to stay here.'

'She can't be here.' Peter frowned. 'I am going to take her with me as long as she is ready!'

'Why they want you apart? I mean, she is pregnant from you. Why don't you just marry her?'

Peter laughed bitterly.

'I wish that was possible.'

'Why's not?'

'You're asking too many questions!' Peter frowned.

'Baby?' Claire called him and Peter turned around to look at her. She was awake and looked sleepily at him.

'I'm here, beautiful.' He answered softly. 'You can rest some more if you want to. Everything is okay.'

'Okay.' Claire followed his advice and closed her eyes again. Peter turned around and looked up at Sandra. She was smiling.

'That girl holds your heart, huh?'

'Yeah.' Peter smiled and tilted his head. 'She holds it tight.'

'You can take her whatever you want, but I don't know what to explain to my husband.' Sandra frowned.

'When is he coming back?' Peter looked at her.

'The early afternoon, why?'

'Then we will stay here until then and I'm gonna talk with him instead of you.' Peter smiled again. 'Don't worry. I'm sure that we'll ménage to fix things.'

'Okay.' Sandra sighed with relief. 'Now, are you hungry? I have the breakfast ready. Do you want to join me?'

'I'm gonna wait her and we can join you later, okay?' Peter nodded at Sandra and she nodded back.

'Okay. I am going to put one extra plate.' She said before leaving and closed the door behind her back. Peter sighed and sat on the bed. He touched Claire's face and one thin smile appeared on his face. They would make it. He was sure now.

The ringing of Claire's phone pulled him out of his thoughts. He saw it Mel's name as the Caller's ID. Peter sighed and put the phone close to his ear.

'Hi Mel!'

'Peter?' He heard her surprised voice. 'I thought… this is Claire's number, isn't it?'

'Yeah.' Peter frowned.

'So that means that… you are together?'

'Claire just woke up.' Peter smiled, seeing Claire stretching her back in the bed.

'Oh that is good news.' Mel sighed with relief. 'I thought that you're never going to find her.'

'What? Why?' Peter frowned even more.

'They didn't tell me.' Mel made short pause. 'When I asked where Claire is, they told me that this is not of my business. '

'Who told you this?' Peter saw Claire watched him with concern, but he put his hand up. 'Who told you that this is not of your business?'

'Your mother.' Mel answered correctly. 'She said that I don't have to worry more about Claire. She told me that my friend is in good hands.'

'She is with me now, so don't worry!'

'That's good.' Mel lowered her voice. 'Be careful with her, okay? She needs you now.'

'I will.' Peter smiled. 'Bye Mel and we'll keep in touch!'

'Bye Peter. Wish you luck.' Mel said and hung up the phone.

Peter hung up too and threw it onto the nightstand. He rubbed his chin and sat on the bed.

'What's wrong?' Claire placed hands on his shoulders and Peter smiled again. It was not time for smiles, but he felt the need to smile now just because she was here. She squeezed him lightly and rested chin on the top of his head. That was good.

'It was Mel.' Peter finally spoke and felt her arms circled around his waist. He covered her hands on his belly. 'She says that my mother told her that you are in good hands. However, she hadn't told her where you are.'

'I'm in good hands now.' Peter felt her pleasurable sigh.

'You are not regret about it?' She asked him quietly. 'It's too much for you to sacrifice.'

'Hey.' Peter turned around slightly and patted his lap. Claire sat on it and he buried fingers into her hair. 'We are in this together, aren't we?'

'I think so.' One shy smile appeared on her face. 'I wish things were easier, but I also want to keep our son.'

'I just changed the future.' Peter shrugged and pressed one soft kiss on her temple. 'I swore that I would protect you and I'll keep my word.'

'Okay.' Claire pecked his lips and got off his lap. 'I think I need to visit the bathroom now.'

'Hurry up!' Peter yelled after her, while she was closing the door. 'They are waiting for us downstairs.'

'I'm coming!' Claire yelled behind the closing door. Peter smiled and leaned back on the bed. He crossed fingers behind his neck and closed his eyes for one moment thinking about his next move. Now Claire depended on him. He was responsible for her life.

Five minutes later Claire walked out of the bathroom. She looked refreshed and just tied up her hair at the nape of her neck. She wore thin green blouse and Peter could see the small protuberance of her belly. Claire followed his look and her hands slipped hands there.

'It is little obvious now. Don't you think?' She looked at him.

'Yeah, I can see it.' Peter looked up at her and his face went serious. 'I'll take care of you. I'll take care for the both of you.'

'I know.' Claire walked to him and reached hand. 'I know that you can do it, Peter. You are my hero remember? Now let's go downstairs, okay?'

'Okay.' Peter smiled and took her hand. 'Let's go eat.'