Please review! James is 4 in this chapter.

Claire smiled fondly watching Francis hand one of the sheets of the newspaper to James at the counter in their kitchen. He had finished reading it, and now James was coloring in the pictures and ads. It was rare that they got a morning like this, but it was also a morning where she wanted Francis around the house. After she spent some time with her visitor, she knew that she'd want to get out of the house and away from the drama that would surely wreck havoc on her morning.

"When is he coming?" Francis asked, peering at her over his glasses.

"Any minute now." Claire sighed as she lowered her coffee mug. She brushed off the front of her overly large blouse, tucked into the jeans she had chosen for the afternoon. Francis had gone with a similar outfit for the day - jeans and a plain v-neck t-shirt. And, James. . .well, James had gone full on yellow for the day with polka dot leggings and a princess t-shirt. Their 'little ray of sunshine' as Francis had said when she had run into their bedroom to kiss him good morning.

James frowned, coloring a picture of downtown D.C. "Who's coming?"

Claire leaned forward, dropping onto her elbows and brushing back her daughter's brown locks. "A friend of mine from when I was little. He's a photographer now, and he's got some pictures for me to look at. We might be able to sell them at a gala."

"So if you behave, we can go anywhere you want." Francis smirked, quickly correcting himself when he saw her eyes snap to his. "Except the zoo."

James huffed out a breath, crossing her arms over her chest. "You never wanna go to the zoo."

"Why would I need to? I've got you, you little monkey." Francis smiled, standing up and attacking her cheek with kisses. She giggled, scrunching up as his stubble tickled her cheek. "What is so fascinating about the zoo anyway? It smells. There's too many people around. Other kids throw tantrums."

"But, they have tigers." James exclaimed, talking as if they were unicorns. "And, they're ginormous."

Francis rolled his eyes, but he smiled nonetheless. "How about we go to the Natural History museum? They have all the animals and none of the smell." He set his own coffee cup in the sink, pausing when they heard the front door open. "What is it, Steve?"

Steve cleared his throat as he stepped out from the shadows of the dining room. "Adam Galloway has just arrived. He has a number of pictures he has requested to bring inside for Mrs. Underwood to look at."

"Send him in." Claire gave him a small smile before walking around the counter to James, picking her up long enough to set her down on her feet. She squatted down though to be eye level with her daughter. "Now, the man coming in might say some things that upset you, sweetheart. But, your father and I will be right here. You just say when you've had enough."

"Is he going to be mean to me?" James asked, glancing between her and Francis.

Claire shook her head, giving her a reassuring smile. "Not to you. He might say mean things to me though." She gazed over her shoulder when their detail started helping carry in the photos before giving James a peck to the cheek. "Do you want to look at the pictures with me?"

James nodded excitedly, taking Claire's hand as she stood. "Is Daddy coming?"

"Only if things get out of hand." Francis stated, grabbing his paper again. He peered up at Claire. "I'll be right here."

"Francis, this is business. I could've had him just come to my office." Claire reminded him, nervous about the interaction that was about to take place. She knew there wasn't a reason to be nervous; she knew the facts. But, the accusations and assumptions would undermine her marriage, undermine her control as a person.

Francis shook his head, moving his hands to her shoulders. "And, he would say whatever he was going to say and wouldn't care who heard him. I don't like him being here, especially being around James, but we've held this off for four years. If you want me to send him away, I-"

"No," Claire cut him off, cupping his cheek briefly, "you're right. We need to do this. Who knows? He may not suspect at all."

"Claire?" They both turned hearing Adam's voice.

Claire inhaled deeply, kissing Francis briefly before looking down to her patiently waiting four year old. "Time to go." She turned to walk through the dining room and found herself chuckling when James started skipping beside her. When she felt anxious, James knew exactly how to break the tension even if she didn't realize that's what she was doing. But, she picked her up before they stepped into the living room, keeping her close by resting her on her hip. "Hello, stranger."

"Claire." Adam smiled in greeting. His eyes were clouded over in surprise though seeing James in her arms. "And, who is this little beauty? I've never known you to offer babysitting services."

"Well, it's not babysitting when it's your own child." Claire breathed, turning her gaze to James. She smiled when James looked back at her. "Can you tell him your name, sweetheart? I'm sure he'd be happy to show you his pictures if you told him."

James pressed herself closer to Claire, pressing her cheek to her mother's and looking back at Adam. "I'm James."

Adam grinned, crossing his arms over his chest. "That's a very pretty name. I see you get those pretty eyes of yours from your mother as well." He looked back to Claire. "Apparently, I haven't been a very good friend. Claire, I wasn't even aware that you had a child."

"Francis and I didn't want her in the limelight. We've kept her hidden very well." Claire stated bluntly before James urged her to let her get down and look at the pictures. She allowed her daughter the freedom to do so but kept the distance between her and James shorter than the one between her and Adam. "Be careful, and don't touch them."

"Okay, Mommy." James nodded before moving to the coffee table, studying the canvases leaning up against the furniture around her.

Adam chuckled. "I never thought I would hear someone say that to you." He grabbed another canvas that was behind him in the foyer. "How old is she?"

Claire kept her eyes trained on James. "She's four." That made him pause. "She turned four in February." She knew the math wouldn't take long. He'd figure out she was at his place in New York four years ago. After she had told Francis she was pregnant and he made the appointment, she fled to Adam in the hopes of forgetting the upcoming abortion. But after a very short lived stop to his flat, she spent the rest of the week in a hotel with the little money she and Francis had in their bank accounts at the time. She returned back to Gaffney the day before her scheduled appointment and still had her baby with her the next night. But, those few hours with Adam gave him all the proof he believed he needed. "Time flies."

"Am I. . .Am I her father?" He asked the question she knew was coming.

And, she met her eyes when she gave him the answer. "No, she's not."

"You took a paternity test." Adam more insisted than stated.

"I didn't need to." Claire replied plainly. She crossed her own arms over her chest. "I know she's Francis's."

Adam scoffed, and it caught James's attention. "C'mon, Claire. We both know you came to visit around the time you would've conceived. She could be mine. She very likely could be mine. And, you've hidden her from me."

Claire couldn't help but smile at the comment. "I didn't hide her from you. She's not yours, Adam. When I came to visit you, I was already pregnant with her." She took another step closer to James, blocking her off from Adam. "I didn't think I had to tell you when I was having a baby with my husband."

"I want a DNA test. I deserve to know the truth." Adam persisted, stepping closer to Claire.

James decided to make her presence known, making her way between Claire and Adam and pushing on his legs hard enough to get him to take a couple steps back. "You're too close to Mommy." When he was a comfortable distance away, she stepped back to Claire, wrapping her arms around her mother's leg protectively and for security. "You're being rude."

Adam, despite his anger, tried to soften his tone for James. "Hon, I'm trying to get to the bottom of this."

"No." James said defiantly.

"Adam, you need to stop." Claire warned him, reaching down to try and soothe her angered daughter. She knew what was coming and was afraid of what would get damaged if he continued to fight her over this.

Adam's eyes darted to hers though, ablaze. "I'm not going to give up on my child. If she's mine, I've already lost four years with her. I missed her first breath, first words, first steps. Hell, I've probably missed her first day of school for all I know."

Claire cupped the back of James's head, gently massaging her scalp. Anything to distract her from what was coming. "Her father was there for all of that."

"Her father? Claire, you and I both know that he wouldn't ever love a child even if it was his own." Adam argued, pointing to James as if she were an object instead of a small child clinging to her mother's leg.

"Stop!" James reached up, resting her hand on Claire's. "My daddy loves me. He says so everyday."

Adam bit his scoff this time. "Your father lies."

"Shut up, Adam." Claire snapped, making him fall silent. "You may not like Francis, but he's an amazing father who adores his daughter. So, don't tell my daughter that her father doesn't love her, because he would do anything for her. So, shut up."

"I don't believe that." Adam gritted out and moved to step towards her again.

James voiced her anger again though, putting him back in his place. "Back up!"

Claire felt James try to pull away but kept her hold this time as weak as it was from her stance. "Adam, she's not yours!"

"Then, prove it!" Adam shouted.

That's when Claire's hand on her daughter couldn't hold her anymore. James grabbed one of the nearby canvases and threw it at Adam. "NO!" Adam caught the frame, but the scream from the little girl captured all his attention. She breathed hard, pushing her hair away from her face with both hands even as Claire pulled her back against her legs. "You're nothing! He's my daddy." Her little arm raised, pointing to the door frame leading to the dining room where Francis stood unnoticed until then.

Claire didn't have to look to know Francis was there. She could feel him getting closer as soon as Adam started asking about James. The territorial lion standing nearby to prepare a quick defense and then kill with the offensive. But, James had beat him to it. "James's father is Francis, Adam."

"So, you brought her out here to what? Mess with me? Show me what I've wanted with you will never happen?" Adam antagonized. "This is a fucking joke, Claire!"

"You will not talk to my wife that way." Francis stated, his own chest puffing out more than normal as he approached. "My wife and my daughter stated the truth to you. If you can't accept that, you can leave right now. You are nothing. Not to me, not to James. Whatever feelings Claire has for you have no comparison to our marriage. Past, present, or future. You will be nothing." He stepped closer to Adam, into his personal space. "And if you ever tell my daughter I don't love her, I will show you just how far I'm willing to go for her."

Claire caressed James's cheeks with her thumbs, her fingers still pressing her emotional four year old back against her knees. "We will bury you, Adam."

Francis nodded once. "So, don't disrespect my family again."

Claire reached towards him, squeezing his shoulder while her other hand kept James's back against her legs. "Can you take her and calm her down? She doesn't want to be around him, and I don't want her in here with him either. I won't be long."

"Yeah," Francis said, still staring at a deflated Adam. He turned and crouched down to his fuming little girl. "C'mon, James."

James grabbed onto Francis's hands that were held out for her, standing between his arms as she met his eyes. She smiled when he pressed his forehead to hers. "We are going to the zoo, Daddy."

Francis chuckled, dropping his chin to his chest. "You're killing me, darlin'." He quickly picked her up, wrapping his arms around her haphazardly and causing her to shriek into a fit of giggles as he walked back towards the kitchen. "You're going to scare those tigers though."

Claire smiled despite how hard she tried not to. Those moments always surprised her, because four years ago she never thought she'd witness them. But, the heartwarming moment was cut short when she turned back to Adam. "I wouldn't do that to you. Hide your own child from you. That's not me." She also would've terminated the pregnancy if it was Adam's. She had only wanted a child with Francis, and she got her.

"I never really had you, did I?" Adam said more to himself, defeated. "We only stand each other in moments, never longer than a breath."

"I've never been anybody's, Adam." Claire stated quietly. "Well, maybe James. But, Francis and I don't claim each other. Yes, we're husband and wife, parents, but we don't look at each other as conquests. We're partners. You're right. We only ever worked in a moment, because you treated me like someone you needed to protect from the world. Francis, he's protective and possessive, but he's. . .different." She sighed, never really knowing how to explain the simplicity yet complicity that came with her marriage. "I care for you, but I love Francis. As hard as it is for you to swallow, it's the truth."

And, she wanted the conversation to end there, so she changed the topic before he could say more about her marriage or her daughter. "If you still want to donate the photos, I'll gladly take them for auction. Otherwise, Steve can help you load them back up for your flight back to New York."

James rested her chin on top of Francis's head, holding onto his forehead while he held her legs over his shoulders. "Daddy, can we go see the tigers now?"

"But, he hasn't gotten to the water yet." Francis teased his daughter, standing in front of the turtle enclosure. They'd been standing there for about five minutes watching the largest turtle eat grass in between strokes forward towards the false water front.

Claire chuckled beside him as she pulled a hair tie out of her pocket. "Francis, we are going to have a very unhappy girl if we don't start moving soon." She snapped the hairband onto her wrist. "And, we've got a few more exhibits before we reach the wild cats."

"Alright," Francis grunted before reached up and moving James from his shoulders to his hip, watching as Claire pulled their daughter's hair back from her face and tying it. "We'll head for the tigers. I hope you practiced your roar for me."

"I've watched The Lion King." James gave him a toothy grin as he lowered her to her feet and took her hand. She reached out and took Claire's hand with her other. "Daddy, did you know they used tiger roars instead of lion roars in that movie?"

Francis smiled, glancing up at Claire who had a proud smirk on her face. "Really? How do you know that?"

James shrugged. "It was the only magazine left when we went to the doctor's." She jumped excitedly when she saw a sign with a mirage of wildcats on it. "We're almost there. I want a tiger."

"I thought you wanted a puppy." Claire laughed, reminding her daughter of her current obsession. Whenever she saw a dog, she would spent the next hour asking whether or not they could get a puppy of their own.

"But, you said no." James stated as matter of fact. "Now, I want a tiger."

Francis chuckled, turning his attention to Claire. "We should've gotten her the puppy." She flashed him a smile and nod of her own before focusing back on James and their surroundings. Although their morning had been rocky at best, she seemed to let it roll off her shoulders. Four years ago, she would've let it conquer the back of her mind. But, he also knew she wasn't bothered by telling the truth, even if it meant burning bridges. "Never thought I would see you this relaxed in a zoo."

Claire snickered, moving her hand into his when James broke free to peer into the panther cage. "It's a relaxing day. We don't do this very often. And, look at her," she jutted her chin towards their fascinated tiger lover, "she's ready to become a zookeeper."

"I can't imagine the headlines." Francis murmured, looking fondly at their daughter as well. He leaned over, kissing Claire's cheek. "You know I never doubted she was mine. It never crossed my mind."

"I know." Claire breathed. "I wouldn't have walked out on that doctor if she was anybody else's."

James rushed over to them, grabbing Claire's hand. "Mommy, there's the lions!"

Claire picked her up, helping her get a better view of the lions over the fence barrier. "They're beautiful, aren't they? It looks like they have a couple cubs too."

"Looks like the tigers aren't far away. They're on the other side of the lion exclosure." Francis smirked, pointing across the lion den to the tigers climbing around in the cage behind them. "James, darlin', those tigers could eat you."

James clasped her hands together. "But, they're so cute."

Francis laughed at his daughter's innocence. She was clever, quicker than him sometimes, but he had to remind himself that she was still a four year old girl whose priorities included an item's cuteness. "Yes, but they're also dangerous. Look at their teeth. They're larger than your whole hand."

"We're dangerous too." James rolled her eyes, giggling when Claire put her back down on her feet. "I'll race you."

Before either parent could reply, James took off down the path, following the signs with the tiger pictures on them. Francis cast a glance to Claire before they both jogged after her. "Now, she's listening to you."

"Well, you better beat me this time." Claire said, twisting the knife deeper into that competitive wound, before she pulled ahead of him. He followed her down the path to a cave-like structure that had glass panes looking into the tiger cages. They both found James with her nose pressed against the glass as a tiger stalked back and forth in front of her. "She wasn't kidding when she said they were big."

Francis rested his hands on his hips, chuckling as his daughter's lack of fear to a tiger three feet from her. "We could put a saddle on it and let her ride it when we go for our runs." They both walked up beside her, squatting next to her. He rested his hand on the small of her back. "Okay, do you have that roar for me?"

James shook her head, pointing to one of the tigers dropping down from the trees. "They're going to."

"How do you know that?" Claire asked, watching the other tigers start to stand up and stretch.

"Just watch them." James breathed excitedly.

Francis caught where his daughter's eyes moved and followed her gaze, watching as each of the tiger's started roaring like a roll call. It soon caused the lions in the next cage to start their rounds of roars, followed by smaller grunting noises. As the noises died down and his daughter finally let out her own roar so overcome with excitement, he met Claire's surprised eyes with his own stunned expression. "We're raising a circus leader."

Please review!