Hello, hello everyone. I'm back with the new chapter of Better Than Paradise II. I think all of you are excited that Claire is writing a novel about her time on the island. I'm glad. Hope you'll all enjoy this chapter. So I will no longer keep you waiting.

Chapter Eight: The Restaurant Business

A month later

"Well, it's finished," Kate said on the phone.

"I know, I'm so excited," Claire replied. "What time is the opening?"

"At 6, who's watching the kids?" Kate asked.

"Are you kidding? Charlie and I are bringing them," Claire replied. Sawyer's restaurant was opening that evening. "What should we wear?"

"Dressy casual, at least that what Sawyer said. He doesn't want to be very formal about this thing," Kate replied.

"We'll get there as soon as we can. Charlie is at a press conference for a new album and he could be late," Claire replied.

"Take your time. No rush as to when you get here," Kate replied.

"Okay, thanks. Plus with a two year old and a six month old it'll be tough," Claire said. Kate laughed. Claire heard the front door open.

"Claire? I'm home," Charlie called.

"Actually, we might be on time, Charlie just walked in," Claire said.

"Okay, see you there," Kate said.

"Bye," Claire said and hung the phone up. Charlie walked into the living room and saw Claire sitting on the couch.

"Hey," he said walking over to her. He leaned down and gave her a kiss. Claire smiled through it and rubbed the back of his neck. Something he loved.

"Did you have fun?" Claire asked as Charlie sat next to her.

"Yeah, a blast. This girl must think she's Britney Spears or something a lot like her. Hated it, though I hate Britney Spears too," Charlie said. Claire laughed as Aidan ran it.

"Daddy!" he yelled. Charlie smiled and lifted him up.

"Hey buddy, did you have fun today?" Charlie asked kissing him.

"Yes, Uncle Jack and me played football in the backyard," Aidan said.

"Jack was off today?" Charlie asked. Claire nodded. "I thought you were leaving them with Shannon?"

"Shannon had to go to work today. I called Jack and he was home so I left them there," Claire replied.

"What time is the restaurant opening?" Charlie asked looking at his watch.

"At six so we should really get ready," Claire said. Charlie nodded and stood with Aidan. He made Aidan fly in his arms up the stairs. Claire followed close behind holding onto Aidan's feet.

In the car…

"I hate wearing these shirts," Charlie said fingering the buttons on them.

"Charlie, Kate said casual dressy, just please wear the shirt for tonight," Claire said taking his hand away from the buttons on his shirt.

"I never look good in these types of things," Charlie said.

"Yes you do," Claire replied kissing his cheek.

"No, you always look better," Charlie said tearing his eyes away from the road to see Claire in her skirt and sweater. Claire blushed. She still couldn't take a compliment from him without doing it.

"Thanks," Claire said. Charlie pulled up to the restaurant and pulled in next to Jack's car. Claire looked up at the name of the restaurant.

"Very original, Sawyer's Place," she joked. Charlie laughed as they got out of the car. Charlie picked up Aidan out of his car seat and Claire put Camille in her carrier and they went inside.

"Hey!" Kate said walking towards them. "You made it on time!"

"Yeah," Charlie said. Aidan reached for Kate and she took him.

"Hey buddy, you ready to eat some food?" Kate asked. Aidan nodded and then yawned.

"He'll most likely be asleep by the end of the night," Claire said. She looked down at Camille who was already asleep. "This one already is."

"Come on, let's go see Uncle Sawyer," Kate said. She walked off with Aidan and Charlie and Claire walked over to a table. Each place had there names put on a little place card.

"Who are we sitting with?" Claire asked. Charlie scanned over the names on the table.

"Kate, Sawyer, Jack, Shannon, and Boone," Charlie said sitting next to Claire.

"I wonder if Boone is bringing Lucy," Claire said. Charlie shrugged not really caring. He fingered Camille's hand as she slept.

"Hey guys!" Shannon said coming up behind them. Claire smiled and hugged her friend.

"Hey," Claire said. "You're sitting with us tonight."

"Great, are we sitting with the owner as well?" Shannon asked. Claire nodded. "Where's Aidan?"

"Kate stole him," Charlie said. "He's around here somewhere with her."

"Or with Jack now," Claire said pointing to them. Jack had Aidan and was holding onto his hand as Aidan dragged him around the restaurant.

"I think our friend Jack just uses our son to get women," Charlie said watching as a woman came up to talk to Jack. Claire rolled her eyes and went to get Aidan.

"Jack, may I have my son back?" Claire asked. Jack nodded and gave Aidan to Claire.

"Mummy! I want to stay with Uncle Jack!" Aidan cried out.

"Come over here with mummy and daddy," Claire said carrying him over. Claire noticed that Sawyer was over talking with Charlie and Shannon.

"Hey Sawyer," Claire said putting Aidan down on Charlie's lap.

"Hey Claire," Sawyer said.

"What were we talking about?" Claire asked.

"What kind of food does Sawyer serve here," Charlie said.

"Yeah, what kind do you serve here?" Claire asked.

"Why none other than good old Southern cooking," Sawyer said. "Plus burgers and other things like that."

Shannon laughed. "Only you Sawyer."

Soon, everyone had arrived. Boone was the last to arrive, he was missing someone.

"Hey Boone," Claire said as Boone made his rounds saying hello. Shannon looked at her brother.

"Boone, where's Lucy?" Shannon asked. Charlie and Claire looked at each other.

"Oh, we broke up," Boone said.

Charlie looked at Boone. "Why?"

"Well, she wasn't the type of girl I thought she was," Boone said. Charlie nodded and looked at Claire taking a drink of his drink. Claire raised her eyebrows and turned to Aidan who was having trouble with something.

Sawyer could tell the uncomfortable silence was unusual for them so he spoke up. "Well, I think it's time to bring out the food."

Sawyer ran into the kitchen and called for the food to be brought out. Soon, the plates were placed in front of them and they began eating.

Claire loved her meal. She couldn't believe how good it was. She noticed everyone at the table was giving compliments to Sawyer.

"Sawyer, this is great," Claire said.

"Thanks, you know I try," he joked. Kate nudged him.

"Just be happy he's the owner and not the cook. At home he can't even make toast without burning it," Kate said. They all laughed.

It looked like Sawyer's place was going to be a success. Claire could only imagine how big this place was going to get in the next few months.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Okay everyone, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I hope you all have a good Easter and I'll update as soon as I can. Thanks for all the reviews for chapter seven.

Until next time,

Bloomy Angel