Chapter 17 - Part 2
Claire was standing a bit away from the others, watching Alex talking with Liz and Harry. She couldn't believe they were married, after all those years in denial about their true feelings, this was like a dream coming true. A dream she had never in a million years thought would come true, until 6 years ago where they were blessed with their beautiful babygirl as the priest had pointed out in her speech. She turned her head in the other direction and her eyes caught Charlotte running around and playing with John.
"It's a crazy feeling isn't it?" Tess asked and pulled Claire out of her bubble.
"What is?" Claire asked and kept her focus on Charlotte.
"Going from lovers to married" Tess said and took a sip from her wine. Claire's smile got even bigger. "It really is - it's weird as well" Claire said and looked at her sister. She was finally able to understand what Tess had been on about after her wedding, she had kept talking about this magical feeling and a feeling of something changing, even though anything hadn't really changed - but Claire knew now, more than anything, what she meant at the time.
"Are you sure you won't regret not going on a honeymoon?" Tess asked. Nick and her had had the time of their lives on their honeymoon, and she couldn't understand why Claire didn't wanted to go. Claire frowned at her sister and sighed.
"I've told you - there is no time for a honeymoon. We have so much work to catch up on, both the training and breeding is going really well. It's not that we, I, don't want to go, it just don't fit into the schedule right now. Maybe in a couple of months" Claire said and seeked out Alex in the crowd. "I better go find Alex" Claire said and sent Tess a smile and stroke her shoulder gently. Tess nodded and took another sip of her wine.
Alex was still talking with Liz and Harry when Claire joined his side. He instantly put his arm around her waist and smiled at her.
"Ah, there you are. I must say, you look absolutely beautiful in that dress Claire. So stunning!" Liz said and studied the dress and Claire.
"Thank you" was all Claire could say - she looked good, she agreed, but she still wasn't used to get those kind of compliments from people.
"Yes, and it was a beautiful ceremony. Now both sons are married - what more can we ask for?" Harry said and lifted his glass and gave signal to Alex and Claire to take a sip with him. Alex reached for a beer behind the bar and handed it to Claire.
"No thanks" Claire said, and kindly placed it on the table beside her.
"Oh, you want a glass of wine instead?" Alex asked and was ready to find her one.
"No, I .. I'm good with a soda right now" Claire said and sent Alex a nervous smile. She didn't want to give him the news with Harry and Liz at their side - her pregnancy was something she looked forward to share with Alex this time, and she wanted to give him the news in the right moment, she just needed to figure out when that would be.
"Tell me - Isn't it about time we get another grandkid?" Harry asked only the way he could. Alex sighed and shook his head. It was no secret that he would love another child, as he had talked with Nick about, but having Harry and Liz constantly pushing for another one was getting a bit annoying by now. Their on going desire about another grandchild almost made him feel guilty for not making their wishes come true. "Oh Harry, we are already blessed with Charlotte and little John. I'm not saying a third grandchild wouldn't be an absolute thrill, but let the young couple do their thing" Liz said and sipped of her white wine.
"Excuse me - If everyone would find their seats, the food will be out shortly" Terry's voice sounded from the other end of the tent. Alex had asked him to be the toastmaster and he had been more than happy to do it, made him feel involved in the wedding as he had said himself. The food for the wedding was catered by someone Liz knew, she had insisted on paying for the food. It was a bit over the top for a backyard wedding, both Alex and Claire had tried telling her but without any luck - but as long as her and Harry paid for it, they could eat like royals for all Alex cared. They were enjoying a fine tasting lobster soup as their first meal and even though Claire had had her doubts about letting Liz organize the food, she had to admit she was in a state of delicious food heaven. Normally she wasn't that much of a seafood eater, but she was already on her second portion and it felt like nothing could stop her.
"You sure you have enough room for the rest?" Alex joked as he saw her finish the last spoonful. "Plenty!" Claire said wiping around her mouth with the napkin. She had an endless appetite at this moment and she knew it was caused by her pregnancy - she really needed to tell Alex. "What are you smiling at?" Alex asked and interrupted her thoughts. She hadn't even noticed she was smiling, but how could she not. She was feeling so blessed.
"Just everything" Claire said and squeezed his hand. Alex knew something was up, he could see it in her eyes, in the way she smiled and the way she acted. "There is something you are not telling me McLeod" Alex said and looked suspicious at her. Claire turned her head and looked at him, how did he know? For a second she considered if now was the right time to tell him about the pregnancy, but before she could finish her thought it got interrupted by Terry who announced the first speaker of the day, Harry. Wonder how this will go Claire thought to herself, she knew Harry and he would most likely drop hints about grandchildren or Drover's.
"Thank you Terry" Harry said and adjusted his tie.
"Alex. Let me start with saying, how happy you have made your mother and me, by marrying Claire - I know it seems old-fashioned, but it was always me and Jack's big plan. To expand our properties to one huge property. I know it's not quite what is going on, but a man can hope right?" Alex shook his head at these words, Harry just wouldn't give it a rest.
"I know Jack would be proud of you Claire. He always talked about how you were to run Drover's and he hoped you would do a lot better job than him. I'm not one for criticizing, but I think you did and still do. Sorry Jack. You never asked for help, even when it was offered to you and I admire that Claire - You somehow made it work, where everyone else had doubt you had faith, just like your dad.
Liz and I couldn't wish for a better daughter-in-law, it's no secret we've seen you as one since the boys and you were children and we are happy to finally make it official. You McLeod's women are making it hard for the Ryan's to catch up!
- Best of luck to you both, know we'll always be here for you, Charlotte and for the next grandkids to arrive in the future.
To Claire and Alex" Harry said and lifted his glass in unison with the rest of the guests. Before sitting down he shook his head at Alex, as to say he was proud of him and that was something Harry rarely did, and it finally made Alex understand what Claire had been asking him years ago, right about the time he found out the baby was his - If he wasn't going to be as much of as dad for the baby, if she had been pregnant with somebody else, because fatherhood wasn't just blood, it was all the little things in between.
"Where you going?" Alex asked as he saw Claire get up from the chair.
"I just need to use the toilet - I'll be back soon" Claire said and made her way back to the house. On her way back she got followed by Tess, who felt the same urge as herself.
"Well that speech made it clear where I stand with Liz and Harry" Tess said and frowned at her sister.
"What do you mean?" Claire asked her with a confused look on her face.
"Didn't you hear him? "Liz and I couldn't wish for a better daughter in law" it's obvious they don't like me" Tess said and stopped outside the bathroom door.
"He didn't say that" Claire said, trying to calm Tess down - although Liz and Tess had found it hard to get along since she arrived at Drover's for the first time almost 10 years ago.
"What, are you blind? Liz hates my guts" Tess said and walked in the bathroom with Claire.
"And so what if she do - You aren't married to her" Claire said and turned her back to Tess so she could help her unzip her dress.
"Yeah well, it sure feels like that sometimes" she said and leant against the sink. Claire laughed at her remark as she placed herself on the toilet. It was true. Being in a relationship with a Ryan meant you had to deal with Liz a lot - But Claire had actually come to like it, especially because of her greatness with Charlotte.
Tess stood against the sink and looked around the bathroom while Claire finished on the toilet. It felt like years since she had first sat foot on Drover's and had to get used to the farming life, and learn to know her sister - She smiled for herself, it felt like they had never been apart now, like they've been in each other's life all the time. She turned against the mirror cabinet to find an aspirin, she could feel a headache sneak up on her and if anything was as it used to the aspirin's would still be where they had always been - and they were. But as she took out the pack her eyes caught another small package in the back.
"Claire, what is this?" She asked and took the package out of the cabinet
"What is?" Claire asked as she flushed the toilet.
"This?" Tess asked and turned to face her, with the package in her hand. It was a pregnancy test.
"Oh, it's nothing - I just have a package of those in the cabinet just in case" Claire said. She wanted to tell Tess she was pregnant, but she wouldn't want to hurt her feelings and she was really scared she would.
"But this is opened" Tess said and took a look inside and pulled out the pregnancy test Claire had tested positive on. "And it's positive?!" Tess said with a blank stare.
"I guess you're going to be an aunt again" Claire said without knowing what else to say. She couldn't read Tess' mind, was she happy or sad or maybe both?
"Claire that is … SUCH good news!" She said and embraced her sister in a big hug. "How far along are you? and why haven't you told me?!" Tess asked in a firm way.
"Only a couple of week Tess. And I haven't told anybody. Everyone was so stressed due to the wedding so I thought I would wait to tell anyone to after the wedding, and I haven't told you because .." Claire stopped. "Because I didn't wanted to hurt your feelings. I know how you and Nick have been struggling this past year"
"Claire, you, giving me the news about another little beautiful McLeod could never hurt me. I can't wait to be an aunt again!" Tess said and tears were starting to find their way to her eyes.
"But you can't say anything Tess, I haven't told Alex yet - Still trying to figure out the right way and time" Claire said and looked at Tess with the serious look, only Claire could pull off. "Don't worry about the right way, he will be thrilled" Tess said and seeked out some toilet paper to dry her eyes with, without ruin her makeup.
"Yes I know he will, and that is why not telling him have been killing me - I don't want him to think I'm keeping it from him again, as I did with Charlotte"
"Oh he won't Claire. Just tell him soon" Tess said and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah, you are right" She said and turned on the water to wash her hand. "We better get back, they will start to wonder where we are" Claire said and dried her hands in the towel by the sink.
"Just give me a minute or two, then I'll be back out" Tess said.
Claire made her way back to the tent without Tess. Her mind wandered on what Tess and her had been talking about in the bathroom, on her way back to the tent. She shouldn't really think about the right place to tell Alex about the baby, but she still kinda wanted it to be special - the only thing she knew for sure, was that she was going to tell him before this day ended, she couldn't keep it to herself anymore.
"Mum" Charlotte waved at Claire from Liz's lap as she got back in the tent. Claire smiled as she walked up to Harry and Liz to talk to her daughter.
"You having a good time BOM?" Claire asked and kneeled down to be in the same height. She found it a bit difficult considering her dress was slim fitted.
"Muuuuuum, stop calling me that!" Charlotte said with an irritated voice - she was growing so fast and it was a bit scary to see how much she resembled Claire already.
"But you are my little BOM" Claire laughed and gave her quick kiss on the cheek.
"You have to stop growing up so fast Charlotte, your mum can't keep up - You are our little BOM" Harry said and looked at Claire with a smile. Claire smiled back as to say thank you, for being on my side.
"You are both annoying, and now I'm leaving" Charlotte said in a way that made the three of them laugh. Claire watched Charlotte find her way to Nick and John's side, she would really make a great big sister, there was no doubt about that - seeing her interact with John the way she did, melted her heart and her hands instantly found their to her stomach.
"Is anything wrong dear?" Liz asked and interrupted Claire's moment. She had picked up on her stare and the way her hands had made a little wall of protection around her stomach.
"Oh, no, everything's fine" Claire said and quickly smiled at them "I'm just gonna go find Alex" she said before making her way back to the table. She would need to be more careful, Liz was good at picking things up and she wouldn't want people to know before Alex, well Tess obviously knew but that was different, she was her sister and they told each other everything.
"I almost put out a search warrant for you" Alex said as Claire came back.
"Sorry, I just had a talk with Tess and then I stumbled into Liz and Harry when I got back" She said and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. A kiss that made Alex reach the sky of excitement, they were actually married, husband and wife - it was crazy.
"Should we do the next speech before the main course?"
"Jesus Terry, don't do that" Alex said with a startled voice. Terry had sneaked up on Alex from behind, without him noticing him. "But you are the toastmaster, whatever you do is fine" Alex said and emptied his beer.
"You sure I can't get you anything?" Alex asked Claire as he studied her pouring some water in her glass. She shook her head as she took a big sip "I'm fine" she said and smiled at him.
"Before we are digging into the lovely veal that awaits us, we have one more who would like to bless this beautiful couple with a speech. Meg, my darling, you are up" Terry said and looked down at Meg at his side. She got up a bit shaken, like it had caught her by surprise.
"I'm not good at speeches at all, it don't come easy to me like the cooking .. or cleaning" Meg's words made the crowd laugh.
"I've watched Claire grow from a very very young age up until now, where I'm still witnessing the growth of this wonderful woman. I'm thankful for being a part of your life for so many years, I've always seen you as my own daughter and I'm quite sure Jodi have seen you as a big sister in a way, maybe more so the last couple of years. I've seen a strong woman deal with the loss of her mother at a young age, only to deal with the loss of her beloved fathertoo early as well, I've seen a woman struggle to maintain things as they were but also a woman that wasn't afraid to take chances - they've might not always have turned out the best, but that never let you to give up.
Claire, you are a truly loving and amazing woman that always have her heart in the right place. You and Alex has given me, and Terry, one of our biggest presents - Little Charlotte. I'm blessed and grateful for the role you have allowed me to fulfill in her life, and in your life as well. I know I can never replace your mother or Jack, and I would never want to - but knowing you have been relying on me in the ways you have, warms my heart.
I don't say this often, but I love you and the family you are allowing me to be a part of. It makes me happy to know, you finally found the love you deserve and the love you have been longing for, with the man you have been longing for - But nonetheless, it makes me happy to know that you grew out of the loneliness and into this life full of laughter and joy.
- I wish you both a long time of happiness, love, joy and laughter. Thank you for making us all one big family" Meg's words had hit herself just as much as they had hit Claire, and she had to wipe her eyes with her napkin, before she made her way over to Claire to give a big hug. They didn't do it often, they rarely even spoke about their feelings or what they meant to each other, but this sure called for a hug. Meg had meant every word, she really did see Claire as her own daughter - but it was only natural, since she had been there for so many years.
"It was a beautiful speech Meg" Claire said with tears in her eyes, as they hugged. "I really do love you too and I'm thankful for having you in my life" Claire said as they ended their hug. Claire had always known that Meg meant a whole lot to her, but never quite in what way, not until Charlotte had been born and the speech Meg had just held, simply strengthened those feelings. "I'm so happy for you both" Meg said and hugged both of them before finding her way back to her seat.
The veal got served not long after the speech, everything was running smoothly - Alex had really did a great job picking Terry for the toastmaster role, he knew what he was doing and he had the speakers in a perfect order, and always made sure to give the caters a heads up when they were suppose to bring the food or wait a little while longer.
"Have you seen Charlotte?" Alex asked and looked out on the guests. Claire joined his search for their daughter and she soon smiled. Charlotte was sitting with Jodi and Becky, playing with Becky's twins.
"Just look at her" Alex said, he as well had spotted their daughter. "She is really great with her cousins" he continued and looked at Claire. Biologically Danny and Emma weren't even related to Charlotte, but they still functioned as cousins towards each other. Just as Meg had said, they were all one big family.
"What?" Claire asked with a smile as she noticed Alex staring at her. He placed his hand at the back of her neck at stroke his fingers over her bare skin, each touch made Claire's skin react - his touch was soft and loving.
"Maybe we should do more than just talk about a little brother or sister for Charlotte" Alex almost whispered, to make sure no one else could hear what they were talking about - It was a private matter after all. Claire didn't think her smile could get any bigger, but it did as soon as he had said what he did. If only you knew, Claire thought to herself. They were already doing more than talking about a second child, way more.
"We should" Claire said and watched Alex's eye lit up. She was planning out the perfect moment in her head, the moment when she was going to tell him she was pregnant - But any moment just seemed good right now. "Alex, there is actually something I've been meaning to tell you. I'm .. " She got interrupted by Charlotte pulling Alex's arm, she was in a hurry to be given the permission to take a ride on her pony. "Hold on babygirl, mum was saying something" he said and turned his head towards Claire again. "It's okay, you can take this little treat outside" Claire said and tickled Charlotte in the side, which made her giggle so hard. "I'll be right back then" Alex said and kissed Claire on the cheek.
"Whoever get's out there last, ows the others a biiiiig icecream" Alex said and started to pretend he was running as fast as he could - he was soon surrounded by John, Emma and Danny as well. Claire watched him play with the kids on their way out of the tent and couldn't help but smile. She was lucky she had found a man as good as Alex, he was really something special. Guess I just have to wait a bit longer to tell you Claire thought to herself and placed her hand on her stomach.
To be continued ..
Thank you for all the support you guys have given us - seeing how you keep on reading with us, really means a lot to us! Chapter 17 - part 3 will be coming during the next days!
