Hope you are all enjoying this story so far. Madison's birthday party is coming Hope you all enjoy it and what Owen came up with Reviews are more than welcome. I love to read what everyone thinks about what I'm writing!

Chapter 8:

'You have got to be kidding me' Claire told him as he showed her the golden coloured gown waiting for her to be worn.

'Oh come one Claire, it's just for a couple of hours and besides, what are you complaining about? It's not like you will be wearing this costume' Owen told her showing her The Beast costume and Claire burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand, 'Thanks for the encouragement' he told her.

'Oh come on Owen…you're hardly a beast' she replied 'This will be one good looking beast' she told him and then 'Fine…I'll wear it' she told him as she grabbed the gown and made her way into her bedroom to get ready.

Madison's nanny was invited and helping her with her own golden gown, the little girl completely oblivious that she will be dressed just like her mother. All she knew was that the party theme was Beauty and the Beast and that was it, anything else was a surprise, and when she saw Owen dressed up in his costume, she couldn't help but laugh but being incredibly happy, and when her mother finally showed up in her gorgeous gown, Madison's face lit up, and Owen's heart stopped as he took her in. Claire could feel his eyes on her, even if through the mask he was wearing, and all she could do was blush and bite her lip.

'Wow mommy…you look beautiful' Madison told her as Claire picked her up.

'So do you…my little Belle' Claire told her and Madison beamed at that.

Her friends were starting to arrive as they gathered around Madison all expressing how much they loved her dress and handing her the presents they got her. Claire and Owen immediately stepped in to organize the kids and hand out food and drinks until the games start, of course with the help of Madison's nanny and Diane who was also invited as was Jessica. They were all helping out and Jessica was doing her best to ignore the irritating voice in her head that kept bugging her and making her doubt her fiancé and her friend.

'Are you alright?' Diane asked her as she caught her staring at Owen and Claire taking photos with Madison.

'I don't know' she shrugged.

'It's Madison's birthday party' Diane reminded her 'They are just making memories for her, making sure she has an amazing party and all that. It's her first birthday with Owen' she reminded her.

'I know Di…it's just that…you remember what Claire used to say about that guy and that guy turns out to be my fiancé' Jessica reminded her.

'I know…it's a very complicated situation' Diane told her 'But they haven't given you any reason to doubt them, have they?' she asked.

'Not really…but Owen has been spending a lot of time with them since he found out about Madison. He even slept here while Claire was away…alone in her house. I don't know what to make of that' she replied.

'Have you talked to him about it?' Diane asked her.

'Yes, and he said that he wanted Madison to still feel close to Claire since this was the first time they were away from each other' Jessica replied 'I just feel like he is slipping away' she whispered wrapping her arms around her waist.

Diane could understand that and as she looked over at the two of them completely lost in their own world, she couldn't help but feel sorry for Jessica. She didn't deserve this but it is not like they had planned all of this.

'You are his fiancée not Claire' Diane reminded her. It was supposed to comfort her but it didn't. It actually made her doubt if he still wanted her to be his fiancée or if he wished Claire was. She had been trying hard lately to remind him who he was with and remind him how good they are together but even while making love, Jessica could feel Owen was being somewhat distant, and she didn't know what to make of it. She had tried bringing the issue up, asking him if he had feelings for Claire but he didn't really answer her, and that was bugging her, but at the same time, she wasn't sure if she really wanted to know the answer to that question. What would she do if he said yes? Would she still go ahead with the wedding or would she cancel? Cancel the wedding? That had never crossed her mind, and as she watched the two of them dance together now as the theme song was being played, she couldn't help but promise herself that she was going to hang onto him for dear life, but that doesn't mean she wasn't getting upset watching all of this playing out right in front of her.

oooOOOooo

'You look absolutely stunning' Owen told her as they swayed together and Claire could feel her heart swell in her chest. Being this close to him…dancing…one arm wrapped around her waist holding her close to him while the other one held her hand.

'Thanks' she whispered trying to make eye contact but finding it difficult with the mask.

'I mean it looked gorgeous on the hanger but it looks even more beautiful on you' he told her.

'Thanks Owen…for everything…not just the compliment' she started telling him before he turned her around and then Madison was pulling at their clothes and Owen lifted her up in his arms, so they could all continue dancing together.

'Are you enjoying your party princess?' Owen asked her and Madison nodded eagerly.

'Best party ever' she told him, and that was true, because it was the first proper party she ever had, and Owen felt Claire's body tense at that comment, and he could tell she was feeling guilty for it and for not taking the time to organise this party.

'We are happy you like it and enjoying yourself' Owen told her.

Madison hurried to her friends as the song finished and Claire moved gracefully away, needing some space and time to collect herself, and after the cake was cut and the candles were blown, making sure Madison made her wish before blowing the candles up, she went upstairs to step out of the gown but couldn't undo the zipper, so she was about to step out of her bedroom to find someone to help her out, only to come face to face with Owen.

'Need any help?' he asked, figuring it was hard for her to undo the zipper on her back.

'Yeah' she blushed 'Can you undo the zipper for me?' she asked him as she turned around.

'Sure' he replied. He took hold of the zipper in his fingers, and as he started sliding it down, his eyes glued on every bit of skin that was being exposed, he could feel himself getting breathless. He was unexpectedly undressing Claire. His mouth went dry and Owen licked his lips as his eyes flattered letting his breath fall on her skin, which made Claire shiver and her eyes flattered. She could feel her heart skip a beat when his hands were settled on her arms, turning her slowly around.

She could see his eyes now…so big and dark with lust and the way he was looking at her was making her melt from the inside. Her eyes were shifting from his eyes to his lips and Owen could see her chest rise and fall with every breath she takes. His hands went up to cup her face, his thumbs caressing her cheeks, as he leaned in resting his forehead against hers while she stood there frozen, literally in a trance as she waited for him to close that little gap left between them, when his lips brushed softly against hers and Claire moaned, needing more. She wanted him. She wanted him so bad, and then he was pressing his lips against hers and he was kissing her, his tongue immediately finding the gap between her lips to slighter inside her mouth to find her tongue and dance with it. She grabbed the lapels of the blue jacket he was still wearing and kissed him long and hard and passionate…passion that had been building for the last five years, and even though there had been stolen kisses prior to this, somehow this felt different. Maybe it was the fact that they were in her bedroom or maybe the fact that they were practically alone or maybe the fact that they had spent three days apart, whatever it was, it felt different and Claire didn't want this kiss to ever end, but when her name escaped his mouth, it brought her back to reality and Claire pulled out of the kiss, ending it, letting her forehead rest against his.

'What's wrong?' he asked her, and Claire looked up at him surprised at that question.

'You really have to ask?' she asked him 'You're getting married next month Owen. You are marrying my best friend. That's what's wrong' she told him.

He sighed heavily running his hand through his hair but didn't say anything. She was right. It was wrong and he had been feeling like this since the day Claire walked into his life again with his daughter, but he had been so focused on spending time with Madison, he didn't think about anything else, or tried not to think about it, because one way or the other he was still spending time with Claire.

'You have to decide Owen…You have to decide which one of us you want to be with. You can't keep having us both. It's not fair' Claire told him.

'I know…I'm sorry' he apologized.

'Sorry is not enough. You need to act. Do you realize that I had to plan her bachelorette party? That I have to be the one to help her get dressed in her wedding dress? Do you realize that I have to spend by her side when you say "I do"? Do you know how hard this is? What this is doing to me?' she asked him, getting angry at him for being so selfish.

Owen was silent. He didn't know what to say. He knew she was right and that he was being selfish and deep down he already knew who he wanted to be with, he just couldn't bring himself to tell her…to hurt her, because she didn't deserve it.

'I just don't want to hurt her' he whispered as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

'So what, it's okay to hurt me?' she asked pointing her finger at herself, feeling hurt at that statement.

'No damn it. I don't want to hurt either of you. Of course I don't want to hurt you Claire. That's the last thing I wanna do' he told her as he stood up and walked closer to her, but she took a step back and Owen felt like she had just slapped him in the face, 'Claire' he whispered.

'No Owen…until you make up your mind…this – and Claire motioned with her hand the two of them – can never happen again. If you want me, then you have to leave Jessica. If you want to be with her, then it's fine. Just let me know and we can arrange times for you to see Madison and all that shit' she told him with tears in her eyes now.

Owen just stared at her. Was she really doing this? Was she telling him that they won't be able to spend time as a family together if he didn't choose her?

'Until then…we have nothing else to say, so please leave' she told him, motioning with her hand to leave the room. Owen stood silent and walked out of her bedroom closing it after him, and as the door closed, Claire fell on her knees crying. She hadn't had a man in her life since she got divorced from her husband, she hadn't given her heart to anyone, only that mystery man seemed to have it…she couldn't give it to anyone even if she wanted to…and now that he was in her life, she wasn't sure he wanted it. The thought pained her, and it pained her even more to know that for her to be with him, if he wanted to be with her, they were going to break Jessica's heart in the process. Speaking of which…where was she anyway?

oooOOOooo

Four days had passed since Madison's birthday party and that conversation, and Claire had managed to avoid talking to him more or less, letting herself getting occupied with work or house work when he was around. Madison hadn't said anything, too happy to spend time with her daddy, but the tension between the two of them was real and heavy, and as much as Claire tried to ignore it, she couldn't. It was affecting her in more ways than one. Sometimes she won't be able to concentrate on her work and other times, she would manage to get so lost in her work she would even forget to eat.

She was busy on her phone in her office, scheduling a follow up appointment while going through her emails when Jessica stormed into her office slamming the door behind her. Zara quickly followed apologizing for not managing to stop her.

'It's fine Zara' Claire assured her as she hung up from the call…not that she had any choice. She just nodded and made her way back out, closing the door behind her.

'What's wrong?' Claire asked, not sure what would make Jessica barge in her office like that…well unless Owen finally got the nerve to actually tell her that it was over.

'What's wrong? This is what's wrong' she told her as she grabbed her phone and showed her the picture of her kissing Owen on the cheek when they went on a picnic weeks ago.

'It's just a kiss on the cheek Jess, relax' she told her, as she got back to checking her emails.

'Oh yeah? And what about this? Just another kiss on the cheek?' she asked as she showed her the picture of Owen kissing her on the cheek now on the same day.

'Yes. Madison asked us to take a photo and give each other a kiss. That's all' Claire explained.

'That's all? Are you kidding me right now?' she asked her, and by now Claire was starting to get pissed off. Sure Owen was her fiancé but Claire had met him first, had fallen for him first, and she had only held back as much as she could out of respect for her.

'Look Jess, you're making a big deal out of nothing' Claire told her.

'Nothing? Are you forgetting how many times you used to talk about the mystery man?' Jessica asked her making a gesture with her two hands 'Do you know how many times I heard you say that it must have been love at first sight or how good he was in bed or how much you wish you could make love to him again? Do you really think I forgot all of those comments? Because I haven't? How do you think it makes me feel to know now that that man is my fiancé? To know that my best friend slept with my fiancé and not only that but she has a daughter from him?' Jessica went on. She was fuming and pissed off and it felt like they were finally having the conversation they should have had when they first found out that Owen is Madison's father.

'Hey I did not sleep with your fiancé okay. He was not your fiancé back then. You didn't even know him' Claire defended herself.

'Well he is now, and you would do good to stay away from him' Jessica warned her 'He is my fiancé and just because you have a daughter from him doesn't give you the right to spend time with him and what not. Madison can come over at our house and they can spend time together all they want' Jessica told her.

'Now wait a minute' Claire told her as she got up from her chair and slammed her hands on her desk 'Madison is my daughter…mine and Owen's not yours, and I decide where she stays and where she spends her time. For your information, they have their own time alone, I don't stay with them' Claire informed her 'Do you really think I would do anything to steal him away from you? Are you forgetting that you are the one he is engaged to? If he wanted to be with me then he wouldn't still be engaged to you, so that should tell you something, now if you don't mind, I have an appointment I need to attend to' Claire told her and with that she grabbed her bag and opened the door, motioning for Jessica to get out.

oooOOOooo

The wedding was suddenly two days away and nothing had changed much. Owen was still engaged to be married and Claire was practically not talking to him. He would go and visit Madison as usual and Claire would go in her study and work, anything to not spend time in the same area he was and to see less of him as much as possible. He had attempted to talk to her many times, but Claire wouldn't listen. She had made it perfectly clear to him. It was either her or Jessica. He couldn't have both, and until he decides who he wants to be with, she was not going to back down. It actually hurts to think that he doesn't want her, when all this time she thought they had a special bond, that maybe it had been love at first sight all those years ago. She pushed the thoughts and the tears away and focused on her work until a car passing by with the sound full on playing their song drove by and Claire froze. She was working from the kitchen as Madison had complained that mummy wasn't spending time with them, so that day, Claire had told her that she would work from the kitchen so she could still talk to her if she wanted to, and when that car drove by and they heard the song, Owen lifted his head to look at her, and Claire could feel his gaze on her, burning her. She swallowed hard and turned to look at him, her eyes locking with his. It was like this song was following them everywhere they go.

It had even managed to follow them during the bachelorette party…

'How is this even possible? He can't be having his bachelor's party here…tonight of all days' Claire told Diane as she ran her hands through her hair frustrated. Claire had been the one to organize this karaoke night since she was Jessica's maid of honour. She had gone with this idea because when they were young, all three of them used to go out and spend Saturday nights in karaoke bars, singing their hearts out and they would have so much fun, so Claire had thought it would be a good idea, even if their friendship is somewhat strained at the moment. That had all gone down the drain though when Owen showed up looking already slightly drunk, with his group of friends. This was not supposed to happen.

'Well it is a public bar Claire, the event isn't private' Diane pointed out.

The girls were already taking turns with the microphone. One girl would call out another girl's name and choose a song for her and the chosen girl would have to sing that song, and despite Owen being there, all was going fine and everyone seemed to be having fun. The guys had stayed away from the ladies doing their own thing, and therefore Claire didn't have to see him or talk to him, at least so far she had managed to stay away.

'Claire…you're up next' Shannon called out. Shannon was Jessica's colleague but they had spent a year or two in the same class, so they were quite acquainted but had no idea what had been going on. Drinking the glass of wine at one go, Claire made her way towards Shannon and took the mike in her hands, and then the chosen song started playing and Claire almost froze. No one knew they had a song…no one except the two of them, and when the first couple of notes started playing, somehow, Claire's eyes found his and then she was singing, letting everyone just fade into the background…including him, not wanting to give the song away, as memories of that night played out in her mind, and when the song was finished, she quickly chose someone else to take the stage and a random song, and practically ran out of the bar.

He watched her leave and tried to go after her but she was already gone when he finally managed to make it outside. He turned in every direction, hoping he would catch a glimpse of her but she wasn't there. Sure he could go after her, it is not like he doesn't know where she lives, but figured she just needed to be away from him.

And now, this stupid car had rehashed that moment again. Claire got up from her chair and was going up the stairs when Owen's hand grabbed hers. She stopped and turned to look at him, feeling all kind of broken. She has never felt like this before and didn't know what to make of it, how to handle all these new feelings. A part of her wanted to respect his relationship and her friendship with Jessica and another part of her wanted to just grab him and let him have his wicked way with her. And then there was that part of her who wanted to send everyone to hell and leave her alone and delete all these stupid feelings she was having.

'Claire' he whispered, and if her ears weren't playing tricks on her, she thought his voice broke as he whispered her name.

'Leave me alone' she told him as she yanked her hand away from him and hurried up the stairs and into her bedroom.

He heard the door slam and Owen sighed heavily. He was making a mess out of everything. He was hurting the one person he really didn't want to hurt, and it was making him feel like shit. He let her be for now and went back to play with his daughter.

Not long after, Madison was lying down in her bed and Owen was reading her the bedtime story she had selected, when she interrupted him, 'Is mommy okay?' she asked him looking worried.

'I'm sure she is princess' he replied, knowing full well she wasn't and that it was all his fault.

'She looked upset' Madison told him.

'Well even grown-ups get upset sometimes. Must be something work related honey…don't worry okay. I will check on your mummy. Go to sleep now' he told her before he leaned down and kissed her head. He made sure she was tucked in properly and was just getting out of the room and closing her bedroom door when a sudden loud noise startled him.

'Claire' he whispered his eyes going wide, his heart pounding hard in his chest at the thought that Claire got hurt. He hurried down the stairs and came to an abrupt halt when he found her lying on the floor unconscious, face down next to a chair that she must have knocked over when she fell. He dropped down on his knees next to her, turning her around 'Oh God no…Claire…Claire?' he cried as his hand ran down the side of her face, begging her to open her eyes.