Chapter 2

The days after the accident where filled up with painkillers and doctors in white jackets. They passed like an intoxication, so the first diverging day was the day the hospital finally let her go. Alex came to the hospital, like he'd done every day since the accident. But this time he didn't come to visit her, but, finally, to pick her up. She was packing her things when he came into her room. He was carrying a bundle of flowers that was so big she could hardly see his face. He always made her laugh if he was trying to do something romantic. It was so sweet.

'Hey, what are you laughing about?' he asked, looking half amused and half humiliated. 'These flowers aren't funny… but they smell awful…'

Claire took the flowers out of his hands and smelled. 'They don't smell awful, you idiot!'

'Maybe not,' he said, taking her bags off the bed. 'But I'm a man.'

It was a sunny day, symbolising her mood. It was the best day since weeks. He had parked his car just in front of the front door, because she was still limping a bit. But it was clear the Claire inside had not changed a bit; she still didn't want him to help her in and out of the car.

'Hands off,' she said, again.

'Very happy to see you, too, Claire.'

It was so good to be back on Drover's. Not to see it for a long time had made her love it even more than she already did before.
The moment they heard Alex' car, everyone came running out of the house. They all wanted to hug her at the same time.
The only missing person was, very strange, Tess. She recognized her when the others let her go. She was standing behind them, waiting for her.
They held each other for a very long time. She felt her warmth and realised that Tess was the one she had missed the most. She had come to visit her in hospital, but she hadn't come every day. Drover's was very important to her.
'I missed you, Tess.'
She felt Tess' tears on her shoulder.
'I missed you too. You scared me, it was horrible.'

'I scared myself too,' she said, and they laughed together.
'Come on, ladies, no crying now! Let's get inside and see what Jodi has done to the poor house,' said Nick and he winked to Jodi.
'He doesn't like it,' Jodi said humiliated. 'But I'm sure you will, Claire.'
She waited till Claire didn't listen anymore and whispered to Tess: 'She will, won't she?'

She did. There were plastic flowers everywhere and she could hardly see the table under all the food.
'I'm sure you'll like it,' Meg said. 'There's Turkish food and Italian and…'

'Leave it, mum,' Jodi said, 'I don't think Claire's interested in cooking lessons.'
Claire smiled. 'Today I am, Jode.'

She looked around to find Alex.

'Hey, didn't you have a present for me? You know, before…'

'Yeah, I did. You'll get it. Later.'

Being home felt so good. It was the best evening of her life. She had never appreciated Meg's food more than she did now. It was perfect, even Stevie was still there. It was a glorious moment.

A couple of hours later she was sitting on a fence, staring at the stars above. Alex came closer so silently she didn't hear him coming, but she knew it when he was there. She always did.

'I have never appreciated life so much as I do now,' she said. She felt his hand on her shoulder.

'I have never appreciated you so much as I do now,' he answered. She smiled.

'I still got your present.'

'Oh, what is it, what is it!'

'Close your eyes.'

She did. She felt his hands taking hers.

'Now open.' She opened her eyes and saw him kneeling at her feet. A feeling took control over her mind. There was a look in his eyes she had never seen before. He was holding a small, black box in his hands.

'Claire… I should have done this a very long time ago, but… It didn't seem to be the right moment, so I'll do it now. I love you.'

A silence took over the place for a moment. A late bird sang his song to the black night.
'Claire McLeod… Will you marry me?'

A few seconds she didn't know what to say. It seemed to make him insecure.
'Won't you?' It sounded so pitiful it made her laugh.

'Of course I will, you idiot!'

'Will you?'
'Yeah!'
It was the most perfect moment of her life. It was the most perfect ring she'd ever seen. Their faces came closer to each other and their lips found each other in a kiss that seemed to last forever.