Okay, the next couple chapters are going to deal with Christmas. After all 'tis the season. Hey! That's the title chapter of this chapter! Enjoy! Merry Christmas!

Chapter Four: 'Tis The Season

A Week Later

"Claire, are you sure that Aidan will be fine with Jack and Kate?" Charlie asked as they walked out of Kate's apartment to go shopping.

"Charlie, he'll be fine. Come on, you trust Kate and Jack don't you?" Claire asked as Charlie took her hand.

"Yeah, of course, it's just..." Charlie said. Claire stopped and stood in front of him.

"I know," Claire replied. "It's just the fear of leaving him alone. We've been with him since the day he was born. You don't think I'm nervous and scared?"

"Yeah, I know you are," Charlie said. Claire leaned up and kissed him.

"Come on, we have to meet Liam and Karen in the mall," Claire said running to the car. Charlie smiled at her and followed her to the car.

"So, what should we get him?" Charlie asked.

"Oh, I was thinking some cute clothes, those toys that help you learn and develop the mind. Oh and those Baby Einstein videos. I hear they are really good!" Claire rattled off.

"Whoa! That's a lot of stuff," Charlie replied.

"Well, we want the best for him don't we?" Claire asked.

"Yeah, but love, do we have enough money?" Charlie asked.

"Oh...I didn't think about that," Claire replied. She looked out the window. She remembered her job at Fish-N-Fry before she got pregnant and there she only made minimum wage. She didn't know how much Charlie made in Driveshaft, but it couldn't have been much since the band had its problems.

"But, I'm sure we can give Aidan a wonderful Christmas without all that stuff," Charlie said. Claire looked at him and smiled. Yeah, love would be a much better present then gifts and presents.

They arrived at the mall a few minutes later and went inside out of the heat to go Christmas shopping. They walked inside and saw Liam and Karen immediately. They decided to go shopping as couples and then split up.

Charlie and Claire walked to a baby store to look for things for Aidan. Charlie took up Claire's hand and held it as they walked. She noticed she had the hand that had the tape on it. Claire looked down at it and she noticed Charlie's fingers now spelled out 'LOVE'. Claire smiled as Charlie pulled her over to a display for baby clothes.

"This is cool, I like this outfit," Charlie said holding it up. Claire smiled and held it up to her.

"Yeah, I like this outfit," Claire said. They picked up a few more things and went to the check out. Charlie became interested in some of the baby toys while Claire paid.

"This is it for today ma'am," Claire said putting the toys and clothes on the counter. The clerk turned and it was Mrs. Littleton. "Mom."

"Claire, it's nice to see you today," Mrs. Littleton replied ringing the things up.

"Yeah, you too," Claire said looking over at Charlie playing with the little dump truck. She smiled. Mrs. Littleton followed her line of vision.

"So, that's your new boyfriend, huh?" Mrs. Littleton asked.

"Yeah, his name is Charlie, Charlie Pace," Claire said. "He's a great father for Aidan. And he loves me."

"What do you know about love?" Mrs. Littleton asked. "You should know, you're father left me, and Thomas left you. How do you not know he is going to leave you?"

"Because he's not. I trust him more than anything. Just could you finish?" Claire asked. Charlie then walked up.

"Claire! Claire! When Aidan gets bigger we have to buy him that dump truck. It's so cool!" Charlie said. Claire smiled and Charlie looked at the clerk.

"Oh, hi," he said recognizing Mrs. Littleton.

"Mom, this is my boyfriend Charlie Pace. Charlie this is my mother Mary Littleton," Claire introduced. Charlie stuck his hand out for Mrs. Littleton to shake it.

"Nice to meet your Mrs. Littleton," Charlie said. Mrs. Littleton put her hand out and shook Charlie's hand lightly and without much grip. Once they were done, she wiped her hand on her pants as though Charlie's hands were dirty.

"Charmed I'm sure," Mrs. Littleton replied. Claire looked at them both.

"Well, we've got to go mom," Claire said. Mrs. Littleton nodded and handed the two bags over. Charlie took one and they walked out of the store.

"Wait!" Mrs. Littleton called. Charlie and Claire turned towards her. "How's the baby?"

"He's fine, his name is Aidan," Claire said. Mrs. Littleton nodded. Claire nodded and they walked out of the store.

An hour later, they met up with Liam and Kate again. "All right, Claire and I will go this way," Karen said.

"And Charlie and I will go the other," Liam said. Charlie hugged Claire and kissed her.

"I'll see you soon," Charlie said. Claire nodded and smiled.

"Come on lovebirds!" Liam said grabbing Charlie's shoulder. Charlie smiled and waved at Claire as they walked away. Claire did the same.

"Ah, young love. I miss it," Karen said.

"Yeah, but your married and you have a deeper kind of love," Claire said.

"Yeah, but I see how Charlie looks at you. I've never seen him love a girl as much as he loves you. He grew up on that island. He quit drugs, he fell in love, he's taken on so much responsibility. You've really changed him Claire," Karen explained.

"Well, maybe a little. But I didn't help him quit drugs, I had nothing to do with that," Claire replied. Karen smiled at her.

"I think you did, by the way he talks, when he quit, he had you in mind," Karen explained.

"Oh, that was way before we even got together," Claire said. "And he thought of me? Even then?"

"Yeah, he really loves you Claire," Karen said. Claire smiled as they continued on their way.

"So Charlie, what are you getting Claire for Christmas?" Liam asked. Charlie shrugged.

"I don't really know yet. I mean, I don't know what she needs," Charlie said.

"Jewelry is always good," Liam said.

"Claire's not really a jewelry person," Charlie said. Then an idea rang in his head, but he didn't know if he should get it. He didn't know what Claire would say or do. She would accept it if she loved him as much as she said she did. He smiled and made his decision.

Meanwhile, Claire and Karen had left one store where they bought Charlie and Liam clothes for Christmas.

"I'm so glad Charlie is getting new clothes. We both need them," Claire said.

"Let's hope Charlie is buying you clothes. On the other hand, you wouldn't want Charlie buying clothes for you," Karen said. Claire laughed. They walked by one store and Claire looked in the windows. She gasped.

"Oh, we have to go in here! I know now what I want to buy Charlie for his big gift for Christmas!" Claire said.

So, what are Charlie and Claire getting for each other? Anyone want to take a guess?

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