Chapter 21: Honeymoon - Stage 7

Sun was shining over Athens, it was beautiful, warm day and everything seemed sooo perfect to both Claire and Alex. They chatted all the way down to the beach. As they finally came there, they sat down on their towels and Claire said:

CLAIRE: "Im just gonna buy us some water. Be right back", she leaned toward her husband, kissing him softly and adding with a smile "Dont forget me."

Alex shook his head with smile on his lips:

ALEX: "What are ya nuts, Claire? Thats mission impossible!"

Claire smiled and went to get some water, while Alex took everything they needed out of the bag and sat down, watching the sea in front of himself with smile on his face. Life couldnt be more perfect to him; here he was in this beautiful land, and what was the most important - with the love of his life. He remembered how many years they pretended to be just mates and also how he tried to push his emotions for her away...He thought that he done good job until...

Shade ran over Alexs face. He remebered the day when he realized that he cant imagine his life without Claire anymore...It was the day of Nicks Rodeo accident.

It was around oneoclock in the morning when Alex noticed the property in front of him. He sigehd. Drovers. What brought him here?

He shivered; night was too cold and he just ran from the house, couldnt imagine to go back there. Harry was sooo hard on him, he even kicked him few times. Alex could still feel the power of those kicks...'I sure did deserved that', he thought, but he wasnt able to move. Where could he go? Not home...he was too afraid...But where than? He sure cant stay outside, he didnt even brought his jacket, and it was becoming too cold to stay outside...

He looked toward Drovers. Maybe Claire was awake? Thinking of chance to talk to his best friend right now calmed him down a bit.

He stepped down the hill, picking up some little stones on his way and when he came under Claires window, he whistled one to it.

He saw the light turning on and than Claires face showed up on the window.

"Alex!", she quietly called. "What happened?"

"Claire...can ya...can ya come down for a second?"

"Yeah, sure, stay right where ya are", and with those words, she shutted the window.

Alex paced around the yard and in two minutes Claire showed up, bringing her Dads coat with her.

"Alex, I was trying to ring ya whole day, but nobody answered the phone", Claire started with her attack , but when she stepped closer, she saw that her best friends face was covered up with tears. Not just that. He had few bruises on his face and arm. Claire gasped in shock "Alex! What happened?", she quickly put coat over his shoulders as he slumped down on the ground, sobbing.

Claire immediatelly reacted, sitting down beside him and hugging him tightly.

"Alex? What happened?", she asked, concern was soooo obvious in her voice.

Her arm was around his shoulder all the time while he talked thorugh tears:

"Claire...Nick is in the hospital..."

"What? What happened?"

"He is hurted badly...And it is my fault", sobbed Alex.

"What do you mean it is your fault?", Claire creased her eyebrows.

"We went to Rodeo, Claire...and I pushed him to jump on a bull without an armour...And he fell", Alex voice broke down in tears.

Claire frowned and hugged him with both of her hands.

"Sssshhhh, its not your fault...", she tried to sooth him.

"Yeah, Claire, it is my fault", he cried.

Claire picked him up.

"Come on. You are staying at Drovers now. No way I am letting you to Harrys hands", she knew that Harry must have blaming Alex for the whole thing, he was always sooo hard on both Alex and Nick.

Alex still stared to the sea remembering how she stood for him back than...She said by herself that he will stay on Drovers...He remembered how Harry came tomorrow anger as a hell, but Claire already informed her Dad about what happened and Jack didnt let Harry to kick Alex again, even Claire jumped in front of Harry few times.

Claire came back to the towels, and was stunned that Alex didnt reacted. He stared at the sea in front of himself.

She creased her eyebrows and sat down beside him. Still no reaction.

Claire put her palm on his shoulder and quietly called:

"Alex/"

He snapped out of his trance, blinked few times and slowly turned his head, looking to his wife.

Claire gasped in worry as she saw his face.

"Honey, what happened?"

Hearing that same question that she asked him years ago, but with that word "honey", Alex felt something broke in him. He gazed to her beautiful blue eyes.

"Claire...I never thanked you..", he whispered.

She creased her eyebrows.

"For what?", she asked, gently rubbing his back.

Alex caressed her cheek gently with his palm. She covered his palm with her palm, looking quizzically to his eyes.

"I just remembered that night when I came to Drovers...when Nick got hurted in Rodeo accident...", he swallowed hard.

Claire kissed his palm and pulled him in for a hug:

"Come here", she whispered, and second later, she felt him relaxing in her arms.

"I dont know what would I do back than...if it wasnt for you...", he whispered, pulling a bit away from her and placed gentle kiss on her lips. Claire responded to his kiss immediately. She couldnt believe it that this was actually happening...she couldnt remembered the last time she was sooo happy.

Alexs hands travelled down her waist and Claire felt shivers down her spine. Just being so close to him drove her nuts and she pulled him closer to herself, deepening the kiss causing Alex to tighten his hold on her and he gently layed her down on the towel, not breaking the kiss.

"Alex...", she whispered, trying to catch a breath "Alex, we cant...here. Alex...", she chuckled.

He looked at her, and she saw love mixed with passion in his eyes and it made her tremble under his touch.

"Do you know what are you doing to me, Claire', he whispered, kissing her again and she couldnt imagine to pull back. She ran her fingers through his hair, wanting that this moment never stops...

After some while they parted, leaning on each others foreheads. Claire smiled to him:

"Wanna race to the sea?"

Alex smiled back:

"Aw, its pointless! I will beat ya in a second!"

"Is that so? I bet in two beers that it wont happen!", chuckled Claire.

"Youre on!", replied Alex and they both stood up and started to run toward the sea. Just before the end of the ground, Claire felt Alexs hands whirling her up and he jumped in the water, carrying her with him.

As they swim back on the surface, they both laughed. Claire punched him playfully on a shoulder:

"Ya cheated."

"Ya mind?", he winked, swimming toward her and hugging her under the water. Claire smiled.

"Not at all", she replied, pulling him closer and their lips met again...