Claire sat with Charlie. Boone was dead and it was horrible. But she also had this small being in her arms. She couldn't be overtaken with sadness.
"What are you going to name him?" Charlie asked leaning his head on Claire's shoulder looking at the baby.
"I was thinking Daniel." She said looking at Charlie. He clearly adored the baby. Claire was glad for the help. She was also glad it was Charlie.
"I like that name." Charlie said letting the baby grab his finger. He was so small and frail. Charlie felt the need to protect him, and had an almost fatherly feeling. One he knew he probably shouldn't have but he couldn't shake. He had almost died for this woman, this baby.
Claire smiled her warm smile. "Daniel…How's that?" She cooed at her son. "Daniel Anthony Littleton."
Daniel closed his eyes against the bright world around him. This mom lady was holding him and he felt safe. And warm nestled up against her. His stomach was full. He fell asleep feeling eyes loving watching him.
Claire sat Daniel in the cradle Locke had made and moved back over to Charlie. She leaned up against him. "I can't believe I was going to give him up." She sighed. "And now all I want to do is get off this damn island and raise him where he should be raised." Charlie didn't say a word but she knew he was listening as he put an arm around her letting her lean up against him. "Charlie?" She asked.
"Yeah?"
"If…when we get off this island you have to make me a promise okay." She moved her head so she could see his face.
"Of course Claire." He told her honestly.
"You won't lose touch with me." She bit her lip like a schoolgirl. "I'd hate that." She admitted.
"Of course I won't loose touch with you." He smiled reassuringly at her. "Claire…."He started then stopped not seeming to be able to say what he wanted.
"What is it Charlie?" She asked him her eyes locking with his.
"I just wanted you to know that you are the prettiest girl I've ever seen. Even in this grossness, your still beautiful." He said a blush tinting his cheeks.
Claire did blush, but she smiled. "That was so sweet. Thank you." She curled up closer to him. "Thomas never called me beautiful. He called me pretty, and cute and hot, but never beautiful."
"Well Thomas was a bloody idiot Claire. He didn't know a good thing when he had it."
Claire sighed. "Maybe I did something wrong."
"You didn't. He was a coward. He didn't deserve you." Charlie said. He hadn't talked to a girl this sincerely in years, not since before he had done drugs. But then most girls weren't Claire. "I wish I did." He whispered to himself, silently enough he didn't think Claire could hear.
"You doubt yourself to much." Claire yawned. "Stay with me tonight please Charlie."
"Of course." He said letting out a yawn himself. He lay down next to her putting his arms around her for warmth. Lately the nights had been cold, but the days just as warm.
Charlie woke to an empty bed. He got up and checked on Daniel who was fine and then went outside. Claire and Kate were sitting down talking.
"Hey Charlie." Kate said grinning.
"Hey Kate."
"I was just leaving." Kate said standing up. "I need to go check on Shannon." She said the sadness clearly showing in her voice. "Bye Charlie. Bye Claire."
Charlie went and sat next to Claire the caves seemed extremely empty, everyone was at the beach where Shannon was. "What were you two talking about?" Charlie asked.
"Girl stuff." Claire said smiling.
"That's a wicked smile." Charlie laughed pushing a strand of hair that had fallen out of Claire's eyes.
"Charlie about what you said last night…"
"It was out of line." Charlie said feeling suddenly guilty.
"No, that's not it." Claire said. "I wanted to reinforce what I said. Don't doubt yourself Charlie."
"Claire you're smart, and beautiful, classy…" Charlie was stopped by Claire's hand covering his mouth.
"Charlie can you please let me finish?" Claire moved her hand to the side of his face. "You are great. You almost died, would have if it weren't for Jack, because of me. You are always there for me. Even when I pushed you away you were still right there to be my friend. You shot a man for me Charlie."
"Claire…" Charlie started. Claire put her other hand on the other side of his face and drawing him closer. She laid a soft kiss on his lips and then pulled back smiling at him.
"Your deserving Charlie." She said to him. He pulled her close to him again kissing her once again. But he wasn't going for modesty, or sweetness but to really kiss this girl.
Claire backed up pushing some of Charlie's hair back softly. "Go get some air Charlie. I have to feed Daniel, and then I'll get Kate to watch him. Me and you have some figuring out to do." She said flirty, half teasing. She leaned down giving him another swift kiss before going into the cave, only to pop out for a second with the order "Air Charlie."
He happily obyed.
