Chapter 3: The First Two Days

There wasn't much to eat for breakfast, just a couple bags of peanuts. Charlie nonchalantly handed his over to his wife. "What's this?" asked Claire, looking blankly at the bag.

"Your breakfast."

"I'm not taking your bag of peanuts, Charlie. Can't you tell I need to go on a diet?" She rubbed her belly, grinning teasingly.

"C'mon, Claire. I can go without a silly bag of peanuts," Charlie started in a serious voice,"but I know the baby can't." He stared at her, elbow resting on his knee, chin resting in his hand. Claire looked forward, trying to ignore him, but his gaze on her never failed.

"All right, you relentless bloke." She plucked the bag out of his hand.

Charlie grinned. "Thanks, you stubborn bird."

The day dragged on. Many were searching through the wreckage and on the beach for their luggage. Some were lucky, finding theirs still in tack. Claire squealed with joy as Charlie walked up, her black duffel bag around his chest. He had no luck in finding his duffel though.

"It would help if you'd tear off the sleeves of your shirt," Claire suggested when the sun was high in the sky and burned like fire. Sweat was running down Charlie's face and his hair was sticking out wildly.

"Admit it, Claire,"replied Charlie as he tore off a palm branch to fan himself."You just want to see my biceps."

Claire rolled her eyes. "Oh, yes. That's it. It's not because I want my husband to have heatstroke."

He stuck out his tongue at her, and she did it back to him. They were prone to going back and forth with playful banter. Claire laughed, reaching her hand out to smooth Charlie's damp hair. His hair was laying down now, but Claire scrunched her face up in disgust at the oily sweat on her hand.

"I think I'll go wash this off in the water."

Charlie nodded, jumping up to help her stand. He walked her to the water, catching sight of the doctor along the way. He left Claire at the water's edge to go see what plans the doctor had. Claire bent down carefully letting the oncoming wave devour her hand. The sand was graining on her skin, but the soothing water felt wonderful on her aching legs. She straightened up, and peered down at her belly. The baby still hadn't moved. She was afraid to approach Charlie with the fact that their baby might not be alive inside her anymore. The thought pierced her heart, and she pushed it from her mind. The baby was the reason Charlie was with her. If the baby was lost, he may be lost to her as well.

Claire's hands spread across her stomach and she closed her eyes as a tear fell. I can't lose them both. I love them too much.

"They're going out on another hike tomorrow. Sayid thinks that if they bring the transceiver to a higher level that it will pick up a signal." Charlie paused, and shifted nervously as if he were a little kid asking his Mum's permission to go play. "I was wondering if you wouldn't mind that I go with them."

Claireturned her neckawkwardly from where shelaid against her husband. Even at home, he always insisted on spooning and Claire was glad that hadn't changed now that they were stuck on this island. "Why do you want to go?"

Charlie shrugged. "I want to do something to help get us off this bloody island, especially before the baby is born. And-"

"You want to go exploring, don't you?" Claire interjected, matter-of-factly.

"Well, yeah," Charlie replied, sheepishly. "It'll only be for a few hours."

"Or all day." Claire struggled to sit up, and Charlie immediately helped her. "Charlie,we don't know what's out there. What if something happens to you?"

"I figured if I can survive a plane crash then whatever the noisemaker in the jungle is won't do anything to me."

Claire shot him a look. "The crash doesn't qualify you as invincible."

"All right, I know." Charlie held up his hands for a truce. His grin was broad and boyish though."But just one nature hike, andI promise I won't go anywhere else."

"You think I'm going to leave you hanging like this?"

"I barely know you, Charlie, so why would I assume you'd stick around? The image of your back walking away like he didhaunts my thoughts."

"I'm not like him, Claire. Youhave tobelieve me! I promise I'll take care of you."

Claire folded her arms in frustration, a doubtfullook on her face. "Prove it."

"You can go."

"Really?" Charlie's face lit up, and he laid a wet kiss on her lips.

The next morning, Sayid andthe girl with the wavy brown hairwere headed out with the transceiver. Charlie hastily kissed his wife, and ran towards them. Claire watched, worried and sad, as her husband left out with the group. She spent the day roaming the beach, and finally settled on a pair of airplane seats that were sitting perfectly fine near the water. She cracked her diary open, and began to write:

Day 2 after the crash. No sign of rescue yet. Charlie went off with a group to see ifthe plane transceiver thing will work. I'm worried about him. That sound in the jungle scared me nearly as much as the crash, and now he's out there in it's territory. With that and the baby not moving yet, I'm surprised I haven't broke down crying.

An foreign voice drew Claire suddenly from her thoughts, and she looked up to see the Asian man standing by her with a tray of sea urchins. "Oh! No. Thanks." She shook her head and went back to her writing, but the man insisted. Claire smiled. "Okay, since my husband loves sushi, I'll try one." She delicately picked up one between her fingers and popped it in her mouth. A moment later she nodded, trying not to show her disgust for the odd taste.

It was then that she felt something in her stomach. She placed a hand on it just in time to feel the sensation again. An excited and relieved smile spread over her face as she stood. "I just felt it! C'mere, feel it!" she exclaimed. Claire, without realizing her own strength, pulled the Asian man's hand to her belly. "Did you feel that? There's a kick. Right there'sa foot! He's moving around."The man pulled his hand away from her grasp, but Claire barely noticed.

"He's okay!" She stopped, realizing with great delight what she just said."I guess I think you're a he."

Charlie returned later than he wanted to. The sun had set several hours ago. He knew Claire would be asleep by now. He hoped not to find tearstains on her cheeks. When he finally made his way to their little campsite, Claire was sitting by the fire. She turned at the sound of footsteps, and nearly fell over standing when she saw that he had returned.

"I'm so glad you're back!" she said, crying into Charlie's shirt as he held her. "Oh, Charlie, I'm so happy! The baby moved today."

Hepulled her away, gently. "The baby is okay?"

Claire nodded vigorously, and told him the story about the encounter with the Asian man. "I think it'sa boy."

"How do you know?" he asked, and Claire shrugged.

"I just do."

"This is the best thing that has happened on this forsaken island! Our little one is okay! Why did he have to wake up while I was gone?"

"I'm sure he'll kick again for his Daddy."

Charlie knelt down, spreading a hand across Claire's belly, and began to sing softly,"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, never let it fade away. Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, save it for a raining day..."