Chapter 4: Hidden feelings

Claire sat on verandah holding Charlotte in her arms. Child was gazing to her mother.
Claire smiled to her baby - daughter who snapped her out of thinking bout the moment when she first saw Peter.

"How stupid I and naive I was back than, Charlotte", Claire quietly said, playing with her daughter's little fingers on her hands "But, I got you", she smiled to child "And I am soooo happy because of that! You're the most important person in my life", she kissed little palm of BOM's hand "Sometimes, Charlotte...", Claire sighed "I am just afraid that I won't be able to raise you right by myself", Claire's eyes were filled with worry "Your father doesn't even wanna see you...How am I going to explain you that one day, my sweet little BOM? How are we going to cope on our own, Charlotte?"

And, just like an answer on her question Alex showed up, but he wasn't alone. He brought little pony with him and in his right hand he had bouquet of red roses.

Claire gasped in amazement.

"Alex! What is that?!", she got up from the chair and took BOM with her in her arms. She went toward Alex.

Holding his serious face, Alex replied:

You and your silly questions, McLeod. This", he pointed to pony who was stamping his front feet slowly on the ground "is a new candidate for our training school!"

"Alex...", she tried to say something, but she was speechless.

"No, no, don't say a thing! Please, let me explain that to Charlotte."

Claire smiled warmly and handed her baby - daughter to Alex.

"Heeeey, beautiful one!", smiled Alex.

As child passed from Claire's arms to Alex's arms, she giggled, playing with sleeve of his shirt.

Claire watched as Alex "explained" to BOM how will him and Claire train her pony, how will he teach her to ride, and smile broke on her face. As he promised when they were kids, Alex has always been there for her. When Ruth and Tess went away, when her father died, when she found out that Peter is married. Alex kicked Peter because of her. He was there when she had an accident and he lied to Peter that he is father to protect Claire...And now, he was also here for Charlotte and baby adored him and he adored her as well.
He broke down all the rules to protect her; he even lied to his parents that he is Charlotte's father... They found out at the end, but Alex was still here for Claire and Charlotte.

She watched him taking BOM's little hand and gently patting pony's head with it. Baby giggled.

Claire felt that same unease, but during time she realized what is it. She was deadly scared of what she realized, but she couldn't deny it anymore - she was in love with Alex.

Feeling Claire's stare, Alex turned around and looked at her. She was perfect, absolutely perfect. She was love of his life - but she didn't had clue about it. He loved her for all these years, but didn't dared to tell her that. He was afraid that he will hurt her if she sees him only as a friend. And he didn't wanted to see tears again in those the most beautiful blue eyes for him. She already suffered too much.
He closed pony in fence and with Charlotte in his arms, he went toward Claire. He handed her roses and quietly said:

"And, this is for you, Claire."

She took roses from him and shook her head. Alex smiled.

"What?" , he asked, still smiling.

Claire warmly smiled and hugged him with other hand.

"What would I do without you?", she whispered.

Alex hugged her back, inhaling beautiful scent of her hair.

"Don't worry. You'll never find that out", was his reply.