Well, this is the other chapter I typed during my spring break. I'm very upset because I wish I had more time off, but I missed my friends at school. Anyway, sorry to say but a person we hate will be showing up in this chapter. Hope you enjoy anyway. Here's chapter nine!

Chapter Nine: Dinner with the Enemy

A week later

Claire sat in thought one sunny day while outside with Aidan and Cammie. Cammie was leaning against Claire's chest watching Aidan run around kicking a ball. Cammie giggled at her brother and Claire smiled at them two.

Claire could see from the back yard that Charlie pulled up. Claire smiled and looked over at Aidan.

"Aidan, daddy's home," Claire said. Aidan dropped his ball and ran to the gate to see Charlie get out of his car.

"Daddy!" Aidan said. Claire stood and walked over to the gate with Camille. Charlie unlatched the gate and walked inside.

"Hey my beautiful family!" Charlie said picking up Aidan who was jumping up and down at Charlie's feet. Claire smiled and walked over to Charlie.

"Hey," Claire said as Charlie wrapped an arm around her. He kissed her.

"Hi love, how are you today?" he asked.

"Fine, Karen and I closed the shop early today because she doesn't feel like working at eight months pregnant," Claire said. "I remember when I was in that position." Charlie chuckled and kissed the kids.

"Yes, I remember that too," Charlie said. He took Claire's hand and they walked inside. "Want help with dinner tonight?"

"No, I'll be fine, you can control the kids," Claire said winking at him. Charlie stuck his tongue out at her and then sat down on the living room floor to play with Aidan and Camille.

Claire went to the kitchen and cooked chicken for dinner. She set the table and watched Charlie wrestle with Aidan. Camille watched from her playpen giggling and laughing. Claire smiled at them and watched her husband act like a three year old.

Claire turned back to the food and put all of it out on the table and set Camille's high chair next to her place and put a chair next to Charlie's place for Aidan to sit on.

Claire cut up Aidan's food and put it on his plate. She walked to the living room and stood in the doorway, Aidan and Charlie's play fight had subsided. Aidan was watching a cartoon and Charlie was sitting on the floor talking and rocking Camille.

"Time to eat guys," Claire said. Aidan jumped up and raced to the table while Charlie stood carefully not to drop Camille. They walked to the dining room and sat down.

Once they were all settled, Claire spoke up. "Charlie, I think I need to have that dinner with Thomas," Claire said.

"Now?" Charlie said.

"Well, this weekend," Claire said. "Do you have anything planned at work?"

"Not that I know of," Charlie said. "I'm sure we can go."

"Thanks," Claire said. "I feel much better knowing you were going too."

Charlie smiled. "I appreciate that," Charlie said. Claire winked at him drinking her drink. "Where are we going to leave the kids?"

"Well, not with Sawyer or Kate, they are both working at the restaurant this weekend," Claire replied. "So, I'll see if Jack or Shannon are free."

"Okay, I guess, it's a date," Charlie said shrugging.

That Friday…

"You can't get off?" Claire asked Charlie that night.

"No, and I'm really pissed off too. Liam said that there is no way I can get out of this meeting. I'm upset that I can't be with you love," Charlie said.

"I'll be okay Charlie. I won't let Thomas do anything to me," Claire said. She heard Charlie sigh on the other end.

"Alright, I'll pick the kids up at Shannon's," Charlie said.

"Okay, but I might get them before you do if this dinner doesn't go over well," Claire said. Charlie laughed.

"Okay, I love you," Charlie said.

"Love you too," Claire said. Claire hung up and loaded the kids up in the car and took them to Shannon's.

On her way, Thomas called her. "Yes Thomas?"

"I just wanted to tell you those reservations at Tuscany didn't pull through, we have to go somewhere else," Thomas said.

"Where?" Claire asked stopping the car.

"A place called Sawyer's Place, do you know it?" Thomas asked. Claire smiled, this was going to be good.

"Yes, I know it," Claire said.

"Good, see you there!" Thomas said. He hung up.

"This is going to be a fun night," Claire said.

At Sawyer's Place…

"Claire, what are you doing here?" Kate asked seeing her best friend.

"Thomas picked to eat here," Claire replied.

"Where's Charlie?" Sawyer asked coming up behind Kate.

"He had to work, I'm all alone," Claire said. Kate looked at her.

"We'll watch the bastard if you want," Sawyer said. Claire giggled.

"No need, I can handle him," Claire replied. Sawyer and Kate looked at each other and left. Claire saw Thomas sitting at a nearby table and went to join him.

"Hi Claire," he said standing.

"Hi," Claire said sitting down.

"I'm surprised you wanted to come eat with me," Thomas said sitting.

"I think I just needed to tie up some loose ends," Claire replied.

Kate and Sawyer on looked from the kitchen area. "I have a bad feeling about tonight," Sawyer said.

"Sawyer, we're watching over her, what could possibly happen?" Kate asked. "I think it'll be okay, and I don't think Charlie will kick our asses if something happens, he'll kick Thomas's most likely." Sawyer chuckled and went back to work.

"Claire, I just want to say that I'm sorry for what I did last year," Thomas said.

"I know, but still you had no right to do what you did," Claire replied calmly.

"I know, and I realized that when I was sitting on my ass in jail," Thomas said. "Could you ever forgive me?"

"I don't really think I could," Claire said softly. Thomas looked down.

"I know," Thomas said. "I deserved that."

"Yeah, you did," Claire replied. "I accept your apology, because I see that you really mean it. I'm glad you changed Thomas."

"Thanks Claire," Thomas said. "If you don't mind me asking, how is he?"

"Great, he's got a little sister now, and he loves her. He's talking so well and is even becoming potty trained. He's really growing up too fast," Claire said.

"At least he's got a great mum and dad to take care of him," Thomas said. Claire smiled.

"Yeah, he does," Claire replied. She smiled at Thomas and he smiled back.

Later…

Claire walked in an hour and a half later. The TV was on in the living room so she went in there. Charlie was in there sitting on the couch.

"Hey love," Charlie said. Aidan was asleep on his chest. "Little man here is all tuckered out, fell asleep just about ten minutes ago."

Claire smiled and sat next to Charlie. He kissed her. "How was dinner?"

"It was actually okay, he's changed a lot," Claire replied. Charlie looked at her. "But I never would ever go back to him."

"I know, your heart belongs to me and my heart is yours," Charlie said. Claire giggled and Charlie kissed her.

"He made me realize how much I'm so happy to have Aidan back in my life," Claire replied rubbing Aidan's back. Charlie smiled down at her.

"I know, I love him so much too," Charlie said. Claire smiled.

"But, he also made me realize how much I love you too," Claire said. Charlie smiled and kissed her.

"That's what I love about you," Charlie said. Claire giggled and snuggled into Charlie.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Okay, we will never see Thomas again! I promise! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Thanks to everyone who reviewed for chapter eight! See you next time.

Until next time,

Bloomy Angel