Chapter 18:

As they spread the news to their friends and family, everyone cheered for them even if their families didn't really know the other's soon to be spouse. Claire had showed her desire to meet his parents saying that they should at least get to know her and get to know their granddaughter after all as well. Owen wasn't very comfortable with this idea but he knew she was right. After he had walked out on Jessica at the altar, they had given him hell for leaving his bride standing by herself at the altar, accusing him of not being a man, in the brief moment he had talked to them days later. He had all but hung up the phone on them not wanting to hear what they had to say to him anymore. He could understand not approving but now that he was about to marry Claire, he was afraid they would say some things to hurt her. He just wasn't sure what to expect.

In the end, things had gone well, and his mother had even pulled Claire into a hug and welcomed her into the family.

'I'm sorry for what happened last time son' his mother apologized 'We should have been more understanding, after all it is better not to marry than marry the wrong girl' his mother told him.

'Thanks mum' Owen replied pulling the older woman into a hug. He couldn't remember the last time he hugged his mother, and it was only now that he realized how much he missed her. Sometimes growing up, and being away from home and away from your parents, you forget about that bond, about where you came from, about your roots, but being back home, Owen only wished he could stay longer.

'I can tell she really loves you and I can also tell that she is the love of your life. It's in the way you look at her. That love it is all there' she told him proudly 'I am so proud of you' his mother said cupping her son's face with both hands.

Claire had heard the conversation and it had touched her heart, knowing how much it had pained Owen. He had talked to her about what happened and understood his reluctance it taking her to meet them but in the end, they were going to be family, and everything turned out well.

Meeting Claire's family, had been easier although her father did take the opportunity to point out how she had ended up raising their daughter on her own for the first couple of years, to which Claire defended Owen and taking full responsibility. It was her fault after all. Owen could do nothing and Claire knew that if he could do anything he would have done it.

Obviously, they had already made some wedding plans knowing that the moment they would go to meet their families, they were going to be asked questions and would want details. They had settled on a date and chosen a venue. They had known immediately they wanted to get married down by the beach when Claire had told Owen she wanted to marry in Summer, so they had immediately selected venues which would fall under that category, and had been undecided between two but then settled on getting married and Navy Beach on Long Island. They had gone on the spot to check out the venue and make sure they like it, and Claire had fallen in love with the area immediately.

'Are you sure this is fine with you? That this is what you want?' she asked him.

'Yes Claire. What I want is you…walking down the aisle to marry me, it really doesn't matter where we say I do, but I love this beach. It seems perfect. I can already picture the whole thing' he told her and Claire smiled.

'I still need to go and buy a dress' she told him.

'No hurry' he replied sarcastically and Claire laughed.

'Usually the bride is the anxious one, but it seems that in our case, the groom is more anxious. Nervous are we?' she teased.

'Very' he replied so Claire leaned in and kissed him, her arms wrapping around his neck, as they were on the boat on their way back home, the sunset as the perfect background.

'You have nothing to be anxious about. I can't wait to marry you' she replied.

'Me too' he replied before wrapping his arms tighter around her and locked his lips with hers again, not giving a shit in the world that there were people watching them.

oooOOOooo

Claire and Diane had just walked out of Kleinfeld both with a huge smile on their faces after Claire had found her dress. Since she was due to marry in a couple of months, she could only choose her dress from a selected area of which they had in stock, but with Claire not having anything in particular in mind of what she wanted and with an amazing figure, it really wasn't a problem. In fact, she had only tried on five dresses before she found the one. She had gotten teary eyed and was literally glowing in that dress and when they put on the veil for her, tears had just streamed down her cheeks. She could just imagine Owen's reaction when he sees her in her wedding dress.

Diane walked inside Starbucks first for a coffee and a snack when she stopped suddenly causing Claire to bump into her.

'What the…?' but Claire stopped mid-sentence as she took note of where Diane was looking. Further down by the counter was Jessica who had just noticed them. For Diane it was no problem to walk up to her and talk to her as they were still friends and did hang out sometimes, but Jessica and Claire had yet to meet again since the disaster of what was supposed to be Jessica's happiest day. The two women stared at each other for what seemed like forever, the tension obvious in the air as they both stood still, until Jessica grabbed her cappuccino and walked right past Claire hitting her with her shoulder and out of Starbucks. Claire sighed heavily as her head fell down, two fingers pinching the bridge of her nose.

'Come on, lets find a table' Diane told her.

Claire followed her friend and just sat down burying her face in her hands, so Diane just walked over to the counter ordering the usual for both of them. She turned around to look at Claire who still looked upset. She cursed under her breath knowing that the day was probably ruined, and not that she could blame her. Why did they have to see each other today of all days? Claire had been so happy after finding her dress and so excited for her wedding day to come, but now she just looked…defeated…guilty all over again.

Thanking the barista, Diane grabbed the tray and made her way over towards Claire 'I got you the usual' Diane started telling her before taking a seat opposite her friend.

'Thanks' Claire replied with a forced smile.

'Come on Claire, where is that smile you had on just a couple of minutes ago?' Diane asked her 'You just bought your wedding dress' Diane reminded her.

'I know…I just can't help feel guilty now. Why did I have to bump into her today of all days? I haven't seen her since' Claire said frustrated.

'I know, I understand your frustration Claire, I mean that was my thought exactly but maybe it's faith' Diane offered.

'Faith? You mean karma' Claire corrected her.

'No no. Faith. Maybe it's faith letting you know you two should talk things out' Diane told her.

Claire's eyebrows shot up at that 'Talk things out? What's there to talk about Diane? In her eyes, I stole her fiancé and I can't blame her because if the situation was in reverse, I would probably feel the same way' Claire explained with a shrug 'I mean their failed wedding hasn't even been a year ago and Owen and I are already making wedding plans' Claire continued.

'Yes okay granted, but you and Owen share a bond, and even though you haven't been together that long, it's like you have been in each other's lives forever. Your case is different. Look…I know it is not easy but all I am saying is that…maybe you should try, and then if she doesn't want to have anything to do with you…at least you would have tried' Diane told her, but Claire didn't say anything, making it clear the subject was closed.

oooOOOooo

'What's wrong?' Owen asked as he wrapped his arms around Claire's waist careful not to startle her and make her flip the mug of coffee she currently had in her hands while she looked out of the window. It was late and Madison was already in bed 'You have been quiet since I came from work. Something I said?' he asked her and Claire shook her head 'Then what is it? I thought you said you found a wedding dress. Shouldn't you be happy?' he asked her confused 'Or…are you having second thoughts?' he asked as a lump formed in his throat at the thought.

Claire turned to look at him and cupped one cheek giving him a smile 'Never' she said before she kissed his lips.

'Then what is it?' he asked her 'You look so sad' he said running a hand through her hair. She had been growing it out and Owen loved it. It reminded him of when he first met her.

Taking a deep breath, she sighed heavily 'I saw Jessica' she simply said.

'Oh fuck' Owen cursed as he let his hand fall away as if she had burned him 'I'm sorry Claire. Of all days, you had to see her today' he could now understand why she had been quiet and looking sad. She was feeling guilty again and he knew it pained her that her and Jessica are no longer friends…thanks to him 'What happened? Did she say something?' he asked her.

'No we didn't talk. We just stared at each other for a couple of seconds or minutes, I don't know, and then she walked past me and hit me with her shoulder' she explained. Walking past Owen, she sat on the couch and placed the mug on the coffee table, before burying her face in her hands. She was frustrated and upset. This was supposed to be a happy day, a day to remember, the day when she finally bought her wedding dress to marry Owen. It didn't matter the fact that she had already experienced this before. Before the man in her life was not Owen, was not the love of her life. She had never loved someone the way she loves him, and Jessica had to spoil it. Well it seems almost fitting since she had ruined Jessica's day, well no she per se, but Owen left Jess because of her, because he loves her.

Owen walked over to her and sat down next to her, pulling her into him, one arm wrapped around her shoulder. He couldn't believe what he was about to say, but maybe that is what she needed. She needed to face what happened so she could be able to move completely past it 'Maybe you should talk to her. Lay everything out on the table' he told her.

Claire looked at him in disbelief 'What? Seriously? I can't believe that even you are suggesting that I should talk to her' Claire told him, and Owen realized that even Diane must have suggested it.

'You have nothing to loose Claire but everything to gain. If she agrees to talk with you then you know where you stand with her and you would have both said everything that is unsaid at the moment, and if she doesn't then at least you would have tried' he told her trying to encourage her.

She looked at him pondering his words, and then she nodded 'Okay. I will text her now before I change my mind' she said and Claire was about to get up to go grab her phone but Owen stopped her.

'Don't do it because I am telling you Claire. If you don't want to or you are not ready then don't contact her, and do it when you feel ready' Owen told her.

'No it's fine. I will do it now' she told him, so he let her hand go.

Grabbing the phone, she found a previous chat and started writing…

'Hi Jess, I was just wondering if you want to meet up and clear the air'

That was all she wrote and with that she pressed sent, and went to sit next to Owen 'I texted her. I guess we'll just wait and see' she told him.

oooOOOooo

Two whole weeks had passed and Claire hadn't heard from Jessica. The first couple of days she was checking her phone every few minutes but then between being extremely busy at work, and with the wedding preparations, and having accepted the fact that their friendship was over now that she had tried to reach out to Jessica but with no response, Claire had stopped checking her phone.

It was on a late Friday afternoon when the door bell rang and Claire went to open the door while talking to one of her contractors who had just called her regarding one of the projects they were working on after encountering a problem, only to stop dead in her tracks, shocked and surprised at the same time.

'Yes that's fine. I will contact you tomorrow morning and we'll go from there' she said before hanging up 'Jess…what are you doing here?' she asked and then shook her head 'I mean…come in' she said as she stepped out of the way to let her once best friend inside her home.

Closing the door behind her, Claire noticed how Jessica had stopped a couple of steps away not entering the kitchen.

'Can I offer you a drink?' she asked her.

'Anything alcohol' Jessica replied and Claire knew that meant they were about to really talk and alcohol was needed.

Making their way into the kitchen, Claire opened the fridge and pulled out a brand new bottle of red wine, knowing it was Jessica's preferred drink. Pouring some liquid in two glasses, Claire left the bottle on the table as she handed a glass to Jessica and kept one from herself. It took them a moment, both not really sure how to start or what to say first even if they had both practiced the speech time and time again. Taking a big gulp of wine, Claire opened her mouth to speak but Jessica said her name at the same time Claire did.

'You go first' Jessica said.

'Okay…Jess I never meant to hurt you' Claire said immediately.

'I know. I know Claire' Jessica repeated 'But it didn't make it any less painful' she explained.

'I know' Claire nodded.

'I feel like…all this pain is my fault, because I knew…I knew from the moment we realized that Owen is Madison's father, that it was going to be over between the two of us' Jessica started telling her.

'What do you mean?' Claire asked.

'I always felt that there was something off between the two of us, like there was something missing…I realize now that that something missing was you. He wasn't whole for me to have. You always had him Claire. He was never mine to have. I understand that now' Jessica told her 'Well that and he admitted that the last time I saw him when he came to collect his stuff'.

Claire was speechless. She really didn't know what to say to that. Owen had told her that he had been settling when he had asked Jessica to marry him, but she was not about to say that to her.

'He did?' she asked surprised that he had admitted that to Jessica. He never told her that.

'He did' Jessica confirmed.

'I…I don't know what to say Jess. This is one big whole mess' she said instead.

'Sure…sometimes I feel like I ended up in a soap opera because these things only happen in soaps' Jessica replied half laughing.

'True' Claire replied. A moment of silence fell between the two, both opting for the glass of wine, finishing it off and both reaching for the bottle at the same time. Stopping mid-air they looked at each other and laughed 'I guess we are still in sync' Claire said with a laugh.

'Yeah so in sync, we both chose the same man' Jessica replied and Claire looked at her with hurt and guilt in her eyes 'I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that. I mean how could you have known six years ago, that a one-night stand would have all these repercussions?' Jessica said.

'I couldn't' Claire replied. That was when they heard the keys and then the sound of the door opening and closing, and their heads snapped in the door's direction, both knowing who had just arrived.

'Babe I'm home' Owen called out as he made his way into the kitchen only to stop at the entrance his gaze shifting between the two women, who were both standing up now, both with different expressions on their faces 'Jess' he said in a whisper, shocked to see his ex in his now home.

'Hi Owen' she said as she slid her hands in the back pockets of her jeans. At least she had a different tone when talking to him this time, he thought.

Claire made her way over to him but didn't wrap her arm around him or kiss him like she normally does. The last thing she wanted to do was rub it in Jessica's face. Owen did however place a hand on her back and stroke it a couple of times with his thumb.

'We are talking things through' Claire started telling him.

'I see. I emm…I should leave you two alone then' he said and turned to leave the room.

'Owen wait' Jessica called out stopping him, so Owen stopped and turned to look at her as did Claire 'I just…I just wanted to say…no heart feelings okay? I mean sure you hurt me…a lot…but I understand now…it's always been Claire. You were trying to move on…you couldn't have known you would meet Claire again and that she was my best friend. What I don't get is…why didn't you end things before? Why at the altar?' she asked him the pain obvious in her voice.

He felt like he was suddenly trapped. He wasn't ready for this conversation. After she hadn't replied to Claire, they thought she didn't want to have anything to do with them, and now, after a full day at work and exhausted, he comes home to find his ex here, asking him questions.

Running a hand through his hair he started 'At first I felt torn…When I finally met Claire again it was like…I wasn't sure what the hell was happening. I had been wanting to see her again for years. Sure I moved on with you (pointing at Jessica) but deep down I still hoped that I would get to see Claire again someday, and then when I finally do see her again, I'm engaged, and a part of me wants to give in to what I had wanted since I saw her and a part of me wanted to honour you and stay with you. When I finally made the decision of wanting to be with Claire, I tried to tell you many times, but it was like you knew that I was going to end things. You would say you don't want to talk or start making out and before I knew it we were at the altar. I swear Jess that the last thing I wanted to do was leave you at the altar' he told her. By the time he finished both Jessica and Claire had tears streaming down their faces.

Hearing Owen explain the position he was in, now that time passed, Jessica realized that she was part at fault too. If she had stopped and listened, she could have spared all of them time and more pain. It would have still hurt but maybe a little less.

'I'm sorry' Jessica apologized 'I didn't make things any easier. I could feel that I was losing you and I guess I tried to hang on to you. I thought that maybe if I get you to the altar you won't leave me…I guess I was mistaken' she said.

This conversation was turning out to be very uncomfortable for Claire. Here she was standing between ex-lovers listening to how things ended knowing she was the cause. She tried to slip away but Jessica noticed.

'Please Claire don't go. I'm leaving anyway. I just heard congratulations are in order so I came to clear the air and maybe we can start fresh…if you still want that' she said to Claire.

'I would love that' Claire said through her tears.

'It will take time but maybe eventually things will get better and everything will be behind us' Jessica told her and Claire nodded 'So I guess…I better get going' she said as she grabbed her stuff and walked past them towards the door 'I hope you two have a great life together' she told them 'I honestly wish you all the best' she said and with that she was out of the door leaving both Claire and Owen staring at the door.

Claire had been so lost in her thoughts she didn't even feel Owen moving and behind her and when he placed his hands on her shoulders, she literally jumped.

'I'm sorry you had to listen to that' he told her.

'It just took me back to everything that happened since we met again' she told him. Everything seemed so fresh again in her head, the many times she wanted him but had to hold back, or when they had given into their desires and ended up kissing. She was sure she would never forget any of those stolen forbidden kisses. The happiness of having found each other, the pain of not being able to be together.

'I know…I can tell' he told her 'Madison still not here?' he asked.

'No' she replied before checking the time 'We have to go and pick her up in an hour's time' she reminded him.

'Come with me then' he told her as he took her hand in his and lead them upstairs. She had a feeling where he was taking her but didn't say anything. Truth be told she wasn't in the mood, but she trusted him and knew that she would get quickly in the mood and might actually do her good and brighten her up again

Entering the master suite, Owen turned the water and started removing his clothes while Claire just stood there watching him, exposing every inch of his body with every piece of clothing he removed, as she let it sink in that that body…this amazing man was all hers and no one else's.

She watched him walk up to her and locked her eyes with him. She watched him cup her face with both hands, his eyes full of love and passion as he looked straight in her eyes, and then he leaned in and captured her lips with his and Claire melted in his arms as he deepened the kiss and started removing her clothes. She let him do as he pleased and when he walked them inside the shower and pressed her against the wall, she could feel herself melt in his arms. She managed to switch off her mind and just focus on the present. His lips on her lips and body were doing wonders to remind her of who he belonged to, and that everything that happened was in the past now.

'I love you Claire' he told her his hands cupping her face, looking straight in her eyes, as he pressed himself against her body 'I wanna show you how much' he said before lifting her up and burying himself inside of her.

She moaned loudly wrapping her legs around his waist as he started pounding into her. Both in a frenzy as they kissed each other hard and passionate while Owen hammered into her, she came screaming his name and Owen released his load.

Wet and spent, they sat down on the shower floor, water still splashing on them as they held onto each other.

'God I love how you make me feel better' Claire said and Owen laughed.

'It's always been you Claire…Always…never forget that' he told her.

'I won't' she replied before kissing his lips and then resting her head against his shoulder, while Owen just held her.

oooOOOooo

As they held each other naked in bed later that day while Madison slept peacefully in her bed, Claire couldn't help but think about the days events.

'Owen…' she said as she turned to look at him.

'Mm' he said exhaustion starting to take over. There was only the moonlight filling the room, setting a very peaceful tone as the sounds only one can hear were the night animals, cars in the distance and Owen's heartbeat.

'I never doubted you' she told him and his eyes flashed open.

'What are you talking about?' he asked her before a yawn escaped his mouth.

'You wanted to remind me how much you love me…I know you love me Owen…I never doubted that…it's nice being reminded though' she told him.

'And I love reminding you' he told her with a tired playful tone.

'Go to sleep' she told him as she snuggled into him 'I love you too Owen…never forget it' she told him.

'I never will' he said and with that sleep claimed him.