Chapter 6: Broken promise

Claire watched him, trying to hide shock. She was searching for words.

"Oh", it was all that she could said.

Alex was walking around their hotel room, all excited and talking about his afternoon with Bryce.

"I just want to get him know better.", Alex happily said.

Claire stared into space, holding Charlotte closely to her. Baby was nervous since they left the shop; precisely since Alex announced that he is staying in Melbourne.
She was afraid of looking him in the eyes, afraid of that if she looks at him, she will do something crazy. Like kiss him, for example.

Her cell phone rang. Claire jumped from the couch and picked it up.

"Just wondering what took you so long there", Tess joked.

Claire was overwhelmed with feelings; was like Tess felt how much Claire needed her right now.
Claire looked at Alex.

"I'm taking BOM outside", she picked baby up and ran from the room.

"Claire? Claire, are ya there?" , tess's voice was worried.

Claire got to elevator and bursted to tears.

"Oh, Tess..." , Claire mumbled through tears.

Tess panicked.

"Claire, what happened? Is BOM all right?"

"Yeah, she is fine...It's about Alex. Tess, he is...He is staying in Melbourne."

Tess gasped in shock.

"WHAT?!"

All reply she got from her sister were more tears. Tess realized that just now, without a single word, her sister admitted that she loves Alex...and that she can't live without him. But, Tess knew that it wasn't something to talk about over the phone.

"Calm down, Claire. It doesn't mean he stays forever. Calm down, sister...And, come home."

Alex watched as Claire packed her bag. Since she came back to their room, she didn't said a word, just started to get her and Charlotte's things out of the wardrobe.

"What are you doing?" , he asked, confused.

"What does it look like?" , was Claire's reply.

"Is everything all right at Drovers?"

"Yeah", she shortly replied, afraid of tears.

"Than why are you suddenly packing up?", asked Alex, getting even more confused.

Claire didn't replied. She just continued with packing and than zipped her bag. She was about to pick it up when Alex grabbed her hand.

"Claire..."

At the feel of his touch, Claire felt shivers going down her spine. But, she didn't wanted to make him not knowing his family. She didn't wanted to act like Liz did.
She collected all her strength and looked to those eyes that she loves sooo damn much!

"Take care of yourself", she quietly said and picked Charlotte up in one hand and bag in other hand.

"Claire, wait!", he rushed to catch her up, but it was too late. She went to the elevator and when he rushed down the stairs, taxi cab drove her away.

Breathless from running, Alex was only able to whisper:

"Stay with me..."

But it was too late. She was gone.

Claire held Charlotte close to her. Baby was nervous and cranky and very soon started to cry.
Through her own tears, Claire soothed her baby daughter:

"It's okay, baby. It's all right, BOM. I will never leave you, darling, I promise", she hugged Charlotte tightly, crying silently "And i won't break that promise, Charlotte...", she quietly said as tears got over her...