Chapter 17:

As promised, Owen picked Madison up from school and went to pick Claire up from work early, so they could start decorating for Christmas. They were already a tad late in decorating but from the looks of it at the market yesterday, they weren't the only ones. As Owen started opening up all the boxes and bags they had bought, Claire started going through some Christmas songs and carols to play on her phone to get them more into the spirit. It was more for Madison's sake that they were doing all of this, but so far it was a lot of fun. Owen had already put the Christmas tree in place, and Claire had already put the red throw-overs on the couch and was in the process of changing the cushion covers when the song 'All I want for Christmas' of Mariah Carrey started playing and Owen got up from his spot, made his way over to her and pulled her in his arms, swaying this way and that, twirling her around as Claire laughed out loud while Madison clapped and cheered from her spot, her face full of delight as she watched her parents happily singing and dancing along the tune.

'You idiot' Claire laughed before she kissed his lips and pulled him into a hug, wrapping her arms around his neck.

'As long as I'm your idiot' Owen replied with a smile kissing her back 'Back to work' he said pulling out of her arms.

After managing to replace the cushion covers, Claire sat down next to Owen and Madison and started pulling out the lights that needed to go on the Christmas tree, handing them to Owen and while he was busy wrapping the tree in lights, Claire and Madison started taking out the personalised Christmas stockings and hanging them against the fireplace mantle, and setting the reindeer and Santa Clause next to fireplace. The house was already becoming warmer and getting into the spirit these holidays always managed to emit, and when Owen was finally ready from the lights, Claire and Madison proceeded with helping him hanging the baubles. Madison took care of the lower parts of the tree while Claire and Owen decorated the upper part.

'Hey Madison, you want to put the star on top?' Owen asked her and Madison quickly got up from the floor and made her way over to her daddy. He lifted her up, gave her the star and Madison put it in place like a pro, and after Claire took care of decorating the coffee table and placed baby Jesus in the crib on it, decorating it with some lights and ponsiettas, they turned on the lights of the Christmas tree and the three of them just stepped back and took it all in. It was one beautifully decorated room.

'So nice' Madison whispered in awe.

'We did a good job' Claire said.

'That we did Ms Dearing' Owen replied with a wink and Claire smiled at him, knowing he was not just talking about the decorations of the room. She leaned in and kissed his lips again before he wrapped one arm around her and pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head.

oooOOOooo

Christmas Eve came in a blink of an eye, and Claire found herself being super excited. She hadn't felt like this in years, probably since she was a little girl herself, and Owen could already see the smile that simply refused to leave her face. Madison obviously had school holidays so Owen had decided to take both Claire and Madison to a day at the zoo, telling them he had a surprise for them, and just as promised he did. When they reached the tiger enclosure, he signalled his co-worker and lead the three of them inside.

'What are you doing?' Claire asked.

'This is my surprise' he replied as he pointed at the two tiger cubs on his right. Both Claire and Madison gasped happily, both acting like five years olds as Owen and his co-worker made their way over to them with the cubs in their hands 'This is one of my Christmas gifts' he told them, as he handed his to Claire and his friend handed his cub to Madison. Always making sure to keep an eye on his girls, they took turns in taking photos, even some with him included and another all three of them with the two cubs in their hands.

'Thank you…that was an amazing surprise' Claire told him kissing his cheek before leaving the enclosure.

As the day rolled by and the night fell, Madison laid restless in her bed, even if she was too tired, she was just too excited for Santa Clause to come.

'Someone looks very anxious' Claire said as she sat down on the edge of the bed next to Madison while Owen sat down on the other side.

'Do you think he will come mummy?' Madison asked her.

'Of course he will pumpkin' she replied kissing her forehead.

'You have been a very good girl. He will surely come. I bet there will be a lot of presents under the tree in the morning' Owen told her and Madison smiled 'Now go to sleep or else he will skip our house' he said and with that he leaned in and kissed her nose.

They got out of her room leaving the door ajar and went downstairs so they can start putting their own presents under the tree. Claire stopped and smiled at the plate of cookies and the glass of milk set near the fireplace.

'She is just adorable' Owen said as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed the side of her face.

'She is' Claire agreed.

'Definitely takes after her mother' Owen said with a smile and Claire turned in his arms to look at him smiling back.

'I hope that is a good thing' she said flirting with him, her hands moving up and down his chest.

'It definitely is' he replied his arms resting on the small of her back, pulling her closer to him. Pulling herself up on her tip toes, she placed her lips against his and the presents were soon forgotten, as one kiss lead to another and they were soon making love next to the fireplace.

'You know, if Santa Clause had to pop by now, he would get an eyeful' Owen teased and Claire burst out laughing. They were on the floor, Owen in a sitting position resting his back against the couch while Claire rested her back against his chest, his arms wrapped around her, their bodies covered with the red Christmas blanket there was on the couch.

'Please tell me you don't really believe in Santa Clause' she laughed as she turned her head to look at him.

'Of course not silly' he replied pecking her lips.

Sighing contentedly, Claire snuggled into him 'I can't believe we are spending Christmas together' she said 'Never in a million years would I have imagined this'.

'Well good things happen to girls who are good' he said and Claire smiled but he could tell it wasn't a full happy smile 'What?' he asked.

'I'm not sure if I was good all year round' she replied.

'Claire…I thought that was all behind us now' he said.

'I know. I just can't help it sometimes' she said with a shrug 'I miss her'.

'I can understand that' he said, but he didn't say that he misses her too and Claire caught on that.

'You don't miss her?' she asked him.

'Do you seriously want me to miss her?' he asked her confused.

'No I guess but…you were together for a long time' she pointed out.

'Yes, and why are we talking about this?' he asked and Claire shrugged. It wasn't that he didn't want to talk, but not on this subject. He didn't want to talk about his ex especially not on Christmas Eve.

'Sorry' she said 'I can change subject' she started telling him on a more playful tone as she turned on her knees to look at him, wrapping his arms around his neck.

'Oh yeah?' he asked playfully.

'Mmhhmm' she replied with a wicked grin on her face before she leaned in and started kissing him again, and just like before, Claire was soon straddling him, her legs wrapped around him as she rode him.

With his hand flat on her back and the other one on the back of her head, his fingers lost in her red hair, he deepened the kiss. He pushed at her, never leaving her body so that she was now on her back, her hands cupping his face and Owen was on top of her, pounding into her, next to the fireplace, as the flame burned next to them. Bending one leg and resting it on his shoulder, Owen increased his pace, now having better access, and Claire was soon biting her lower lip as she came hard around him, bringing Owen to his own release.

'I like how you change subject' Owen teased with a smile before pecking her lips and Claire smiled back.

'I knew you wouldn't object' she said. Her green eyes were shining in the light of the fire burning in the fireplace and Owen had to remember how to breathe as he popped himself on his elbow, resting his head in the palm of his hand while the other one pushed a strand of hair behind Claire's ear, letting it linger down the side of her face as they stared at each other.

'Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?' he asked her.

'Mm not sure if you have Mr Grady' she said as she shifted closer to him, his fingers playing down his chest.

'You take my breath away Claire' he admitted.

Claire leaned in and hugged him, sighing happily into his chest as she let her head rest right above his heart, enjoying the sound of his heartbeat, as Owen wrapped one arm around her.

'This is definitely the best sound ever' she whispered before kissing right above his heart and Owen smiled.

They were finally happy, and yes, even if sometimes Claire still felt guilty for her friend, she was finally accepting them as a couple, excepting that they were made for each other, excepting being happy, and it was just such a wonderful feeling. Seeing the beautiful smile plastered on her face, Owen just couldn't be happier knowing that he was the cause behind that smile. To think that only weeks ago they were still apart seems only ridiculous now, but then again, they were both vert stubborn people, so maybe that was expected of them.

They were so comfortable in each other's arms, that Claire fell asleep to the sound of his heartbeat. He contemplated waking her up so they could go upstairs to bed, but she looked so beautiful and peaceful, Owen wanted to savour the moment a little while longer. He stared at the beautiful woman for almost a whole hour and not even getting bored as he thought of the gift he had stashed away in his bag. He wasn't sure if it was too soon or not, and probably it was, after all they had literally just gotten together, and he had told her that he wanted to date her for some time, and well they did, but this feeling of belonging to her, of wanting to make her his kept echoing in his head and his heart. He wanted to place that ring on her finger from the minute he laid eyes on her. It had been love at first sight for Owen, he knew that, and he had hoped that he was hers. For a long time he had thought that he had been wrong, but when faith brought them in each other's life again, he knew that he was right, and maybe he made a mess out of the whole situation but damn it he wanted to make it right. He wanted to do right by her and their daughter.

Pulling out of their embrace, he put on his boxers and picked her up before carrying her upstairs bridal style. She whimpered in his arms but remained asleep, but Owen knew he couldn't let her sleep naked even though he would have liked that, but with Christmas morning being only hours away now, he guessed Madison would barge into the bedroom and knew that Claire would not want her daughter to find her naked in bed.

'Claire honey, wake up. You need to get dressed' he told her.

'Mm…Owen' she whispered.

'You need to get dressed' he told her but Claire was literally knocked out, so he grabbed the nightdress from the bed and started helping her getting dressed as he helped her stay in a sitting position somehow. This was a first, dressing her up but somehow it felt precious. He was taking care of her and when he tucked her in and she whispered his name, he couldn't help but smile. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead and went to check on their daughter before going downstairs to leave everything ready for Christmas morning.

oooOOOooo

'Mommy, daddy, wake up' Madison barged into the bedroom and literally jumped on their bed 'Mommy, daddy it's Christmas' she said happily as the two finally opened their eyes, a smile on their face.

'Happy Christmas princess' Owen told her with a bright smile.

'Presents, presents' she said not caring the least about what Owen was saying. She just wanted to check if Santa Clause had brought her any presents.

'Okay okay' Owen replied laughing with Claire laughing next to him 'Let's go downstairs' he said.

Madison literally jumped off bed and started running downstairs even if she was not supposed to but she was too excited to obey that rule today.

Claire was pushing the covers off her, about to get out of bed when Owen slid an arm around her waist and pulled her back down 'Happy Christmas beautiful' he told her before leaning down and kissing her. Wrapping an arm around his neck, Claire deepened the kiss for a short moment before pulling away knowing Madison was impatiently waiting for them downstairs.

'Happy Christmas Owen' she said with a bright smile.

Reaching their daughter who was checking out the presents under the tree, they smiled lovingly at her as they held hands.

'Come on mommy, presents' she said jumping impatiently and Claire laughed.

'Okay sweetheart' she said.

Sitting down on their knees, they enjoyed watching her open her presents, before they exchanged their own gifts. Madison obviously had some items Beauty and the Beast related and had gotten also a nice pink pram and a doll to go with it while Owen had gotten Claire a beautiful necklace which she immediately had him put it on for her and Claire got Owen a watch.

With Christmas carols playing in the background from Claire's phone, they enjoyed watching their daughter happily playing with all the toys and books she received. They were sitting down on the floor not too far away from where she was, as snow fell outside giving Christmas morning the perfect touch.

'I can't believe we are spending Christmas together' she said as she leaned into him happily. For the first time in what felt like forever, she truly felt happy, like she was in the right place, right where she was supposed to be.

'Believe it Claire. This is the first of many to come' he told her looking in her eyes. She smiled and let herself melt in his embrace again. Holding her, letting himself drown in this beautiful moment with his family, he knew that now was the perfect time to do it.

'Coffee?' he asked knowing she couldn't resist her morning coffee, she nodded, so Owen kissed the side of her head and got up from the floor while Claire crawled to play with Madison.

Owen started the kettle and prepared the mugs of coffee and a mug of hot chocolate for Madison. He leaned against the counter, folding his arms as he watched them. What more could he ask for? He literally had everything he ever wanted. An amazing daughter, a beautiful woman in his life, love, health. There was nothing else he desired more. When the water finally boiled and he filled the mugs, he opened the cupboard and pulled out the small box before making his way over to where Claire was.

He stopped behind her and went down on one knee, with Claire completely oblivious to what was going on behind her back.

'Daddy what are you doing?' Madison asked as if right on queue and Claire turned to look around immediately gasping and covering her mouth with one hand as her eyes took in his posture and the small box in his hand.

'Owen' she whispered as her eyes started filling with tears.

'I know you may think this is too soon, but the moment just feels right. Being here with you and our daughter is all I ever wanted Claire. I love you and I know you love me too' he went on and tears started streaming down Claire's face 'And damn it feels good to be able to say that and feel that. All I want is this…nothing else. I want to be able to wake up every morning next to you, to raise our gorgeous daughter together, to love you and take care of you and to be able to call you my wife' he told her as he took her left hand in his, his thumb caressing the spot where her ring would be 'Claire Dearing…would you do me the honours of becoming my wife?' he asked her and Claire sobbed happily as she nodded.

'Yes…yes I'll marry you' she said as she watched him slide the ring on her finger, before she grabbed his face in her hands and crushed her lips hard against his, kissing him with all the love and passion she could feel for him as tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably 'I love you Owen Grady' she told him looking straight in his eyes.

Owen chuckled and pulled her closer to him if that was even possible 'I love you Ms Dearing' she told her, and then he caught sight of Madison staring at them with a huge smile on her face 'Mummy and daddy are getting married princess' he told her as he reached for her and pulled her in his arms for a big hug and a kiss. Madison cheered happily and clapped her hands.

'Yyeejjj mummy and daddy are getting married' she cheered happily 'We are going to be a family' she said.

'We already are sweetheart' Claire said 'We already are'.

oooOOOooo

After the proposal and having breakfast made by chef Grady, Claire had received a video call from her sister and got to catch up and talk to the boys as well as give out the fresh good news, to which her sister screamed with joy. Later in the day after having the roasted turkey and roast potatoes with some vegetables, to which Madison had only eaten a couple, they decided it was time to head out and enjoy the atmosphere, heading first to Rockefeller Centre to take a photo with the famous Christmas tree always present and ready to pose for the thousands of photos people take with it. After that, they made their way to the ice ring at Central Park. The ice ring was packed as always and as expected with people losing themselves on the ice while a couple even hit the floor. Claire was a natural to which Madison was clearly taking after her and Owen turned out to be a good companion on the skates after all, even if he had tried to get out of it telling Claire he was not a good skier.

'So how are you so good on skates?' he asked as they held hands while skating, flashes of different colours flashing past them.

'I lived in Madison remember? Even though I am not really a Winter person, I love skiing. I can do this in my sleep, and I love it. It helps me relax. When I was younger I used to hit the ice arena when I needed to cheer myself up' she told him 'Speaking of which, let's get out of here. I want to go somewhere' she told him.

'Okay' Owen replied. To him it was actually a relief to be getting these shoes off his legs.

As they walked away from the ice ring with fewer people around, Claire fell slightly behind on purpose while Owen was happily singing Christmas carols with Madison, when something cold and quite hard hit the back of his head.

'Ouch' he said as he turned around his hand rubbing the spot where something hit him, only to find Claire laughing and throwing snow at him.

'Oh you're on' he said as he bent down and started throwing snow at her, when Madison joined in and started hitting her dad with some snow herself. With the girls ganging up on dad and Owen trying to defend himself while still throwing snow at them, he tackled them to the ground and they all laughed hard. This day really couldn't get any better. It was so much more than Claire ever hoped for. At the beginning of the year, she definitely hadn't thought she would be celebrating Christmas in this way. Pulling her phone out of her coat pocket, she started taking photos. As usual she couldn't help herself but to memorize these special moments forever. Photos of them playing in the snow and them as a family huddled together, with Madison wearing that red coat with matching beret, she was the cutest girl around.

'You my beautiful wife to be' Owen started telling her as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him and only stopped talking momentarily to kiss her lips 'Are the most amazing mum ever' he told her 'Madison had so much fun today' he told her as they walked out of the girl's bedroom. She was already sound asleep. Not that it was early, far from it but as soon as they got home she literally asked them to go to bed, so after giving her a quick shower, they dressed her up in her Christmas pjs and settled her into bed.

'And you are an awesome dad' she replied back, kissing him again before she interrupted the kiss to take his hand and lead them into the bedroom, locking the door behind them. Owen smiled wickedly, so ready for what was coming. She walked them towards the bed and pushed him from his chest, and Owen sat down, his hands ready to settle on her hips but she pushed his hands away 'You…are going to wait for me here' she told him and with that she smiled and made her way into the bathroom. Owen watched her with a smile on his face disappear behind the wooden door and as he waited he couldn't help but think of the day's events. How happy she looked, the look she had on her face when she realized he was going to propose to her. For a second he thought she was going to run away from him and turn him down, since it was quite early in their relationship, after all they hadn't been together for years, but the moment felt right and after everything that they had been through, he really didn't want to wait any longer. He wanted to make her his. He wanted to be able to call her his wife. The word felt so right on his lips, he just couldn't wait. His thoughts were about to start heading down the path of preparations for the wedding and everything they would need to do when the bathroom door opened and Claire stepped out of it.

'So…are you ready to unwrap your Christmas present?' she asked him as she stood there seductively with her hands on her hips, in her red laced transparent bodice.

'Jesus Claire' Owen said his eyes wide as he took her in. He stood up from the bed and made his way to her, while she stood there watching him approach her, looking like he wanted to eat her. She was about to say something to him when his hand cupped the back of her head and pulled her in, crushing his lips hard against her. He kissed her so fierce and with so much passion that he made her slightly dizzy.

'Wow' she said as he pulled his lips away only to start kissing his way down the valley of her breasts, skipping her neck this time round as his arms wrapped around her waist 'Maybe I should start wearing this more often' she continued as her hands cupped his head, enjoying where he was heading 'That was some kiss' she said.

'You know it's not going to stay on you for long, right?' he asked as he looked up at her from between her breasts and Claire chuckled at that comment when his hands grabbed her breasts 'God, the things I wanna do to you right now' he said, the arousal in his voice too obvious not to notice.

It wasn't that he had never seen her in something beautiful, but this…this piece of lingerie was driving him mad. He felt like he couldn't control himself. He almost felt like a teenage boy who had just seen a woman in a lingerie for the first time and was about to fuck her for the first time. Without any warning he picked her up bridal style and walked them towards the bed, laying her in the middle. Stepping out of his clothes so he was completely naked, he climbed on top of her, covering her delicious body with his and locked his lips with hers again, as once again, their tongues danced wildly. One hand moved to one of her globes and massaged it for her making her moan in his mouth. His hand moved down her side, down the side of her left leg, sliding between their bodies and between her thighs to undo the bodice, immediately inserting two fingers inside of her.

'Owen' she whispered not expecting that for some reason as she felt him pump into her at quite a fast pace. He had shifted slightly to the side to make room for his hand to work.

'I'm going to make love to you Claire' he said and with that, he pulled his fingers out, grabbed her hands with his moving them up above her head and as he positioned himself at her centre he pushed inside of her making her cry out. She was wet, he knew that and he felt that but they hadn't played a little bit before so when he pushed inside of her, she had to take him in and adjust to his size quickly. Giving her just a couple of seconds, Owen began pumping into her, faster and harder with each thrust as Claire enjoyed the mix of burning sensations with his pounding. The feeling of having him inside of her was something she knew she would never get tired off. He felt so damn good there and Owen knew just where to hit, all the right spots to make her scream and her body feel so good in all the right places.

'Aaahhh…Owen' she whimpered.

'Say it again' he managed out. It was all getting to his head. The way she felt, her walls squeezing him, the way her body felt under his, her breath, the way she tasted, the way she was moaning and squeezing his hand and when she said his name, she almost made him fall over the edge especially with how she said it after the way she moaned.

'Owen…aaahhh…so good…you're so good…aaahhh' she cried again before biting her lips and then he was releasing his load and Claire came viciously around him as he hit a particular spot.

He had hardly calmed down after his release, when he was pulling out and pushing the red material off her body, wanting her naked now. With his hands immediately working on her breasts, his lips worked on her neck, and his cock worked on her clit as he rubbed himself against her, and Claire felt like she was ready to explode already as her body experienced so many different emotions at once. The way her stomach clenched and the way her core ached for him to be inside of her again, feeling herself opening up for him, the way his lips were working on her neck and the way his hands were working on her breasts, all Claire could do was fist the sheets and let her body enjoy what this marvellous man was doing to her, when all of a sudden his lips let go of her neck and his hands let go of her breasts and now his hands were pushing her legs up and his tongue was suddenly flicking her clit and Claire's body began to spasm uncontrollably.

'Shit Owen' she cursed as she arched her back and let her head fall, feeding herself into his mouth. She felt his tongue slide inside of her giving her different kind of pleasures and then he was sucking her and Claire cried as her hands went to his head holding him there 'Owen…I'm going to…aaaahhhh oh shit' she cursed as she came hard in his mouth. She tried to move away but he held her there, drinking every drop her body offered him, and when she was ready he got up and locked his lips with hers so she could taste herself on him.

'You taste so fucking good' he growled into her ear before his tongue started kissing that area sending all kinds of shock waves through her body. She wanted to touch him, take him in her mouth but something told her that he was not quite done with her. She could feel him on a roll here, like he hadn't even experience one orgasm already tonight. She knew he would like the lingerie but she didn't think this would be the kind of effect it would have on him, but damn it he was being so amazing tonight she might consider wearing it every night from now on.

She felt him turn them around and suddenly she was on top of him so Claire took the opportunity to go down on him. He had been about to say something but when she took him in her mouth and started sucking him, Owen shut his mouth and his hand moved to her head. He watched her work him and then she pulled her mouth away and replaced it with her hand and Owen growled at the feeling. He could feel himself on the verge of losing control, so he pushed her hand away and picked her up.

'I want to watch you ride me' he told her.

His eyes were dark and big and there was so much arousal in his eyes and voice that Claire just crawled on top of him, positioned herself and took him inside of her. He hissed as he was finally buried deep inside of her again and when she started riding him it took all that he had not to just burst inside of her. He watched her bounce on him, her boobs bouncing in front of him, watching the colours of pleasure on her face and then he felt her walls clench tighter around him and knew she was about to cum, so he flipped them around and hammered into her making her scream her orgasm out as he howled out his and when the orgasm finally subsided, Owen fell next to her on the bed. Staring up at the ceiling they panted as they tried to pick up their breaths again, and then they stared at each other for a moment and burst out laughing.

'Jesus Christ Owen…that's one way to open up your present. I take it you enjoyed it' she teased and Owen grabbed her and pulled her on top of him making her scream in surprise as she laid flat on top of him, her hands resting on his chest.

'You want me to show you again how much I enjoyed opening up my present?' he teased her as he pushed a strand of her behind her ear and Claire laughed.

'Really? Already?' she asked.

'I have good stamina baby' he replied and Claire laughed before she kissed him.

'Well I might need a minute or two big boy' she told him and Owen laughed. Rolling off him, she cuddled into him, resting a hand above his heart, her eyes settled on the ring shining on her fourth finger 'I can't believe we're getting married' she told him as she stretched her hand out playing with her fingers.

'Neither can I…but I can't wait' he told her 'I can't wait to call you my wife Claire' he told her.

Propping herself up on her elbow now, as she grabbed the sheets to cover their naked bodies, Claire smiled at him 'You really can't wait can you?' she asked with a smile.

'Nope. Do you want to get married soon or?' he asked her.

'I want to get married soon but I also would love and prefer a Summer wedding, but that means another six months' she told him, realizing he might not want to wait that long.

'I can wait six months' he told her noticing the hint of disappointment on her face, but when he said that, her face lit up again and he smiled, running the back of his hand down her cheek 'I will wait forever if I have to Claire. I just want to marry you' he assured her, and Claire hugged him tight before a thought ran through her mind and Owen noticed by how she lost her grip on him.

'What is it?' he asked her, fearing he might know exactly what it was.

'Nothing' she lied not wanting to taint this moment.

'It's fine Claire, you can talk to me about anything' he assured her.

'I just…don't want to ruin this moment' she replied, sitting up.

'You're not going to and besides, now your mind is working you're not going to be able to shut those thoughts away. Tell me' he encouraged her.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded 'I was just wondering if you were this good with her and if you said that to her' she said without mentioning any names, knowing she didn't need to. She had moved on from what happened, had accepted that her once best friend is Owen's ex, but sometimes, thoughts just pop up and she couldn't just switch them off. Maybe she just needed answers and to be able to talk about it like any other subject, or maybe it was just the fact that she missed her and felt responsible for what happened.

'Claire…' he started saying as he sat up and took her hand in his 'I only proposed to her because I thought I was never going to see you again. I tried to move on but deep down I was settling. I knew that, and no I never said those words to her, and about being good, I guess every person rate differently, but I can assure you that I never made love to anyone the way I do with you. No one ever came close to make me feel the way you do and no one ever will because there will never be anyone else but you' he assured her and Claire smiled and nodded through the tears that were threatening to spill.

'I love you Owen' she said as she cupped one side of his face.

'And I love you Claire' he said and with that he leaned in and kissed her again, but this time, it was slower and passionate on another level as he pulled her down with one hand in her hair, starting up another round before they both finally fell asleep in each other's arms.