A/N:

I love reviews, so please do =] Loving the ones who did already. Anyways, another chapter. Enjoy. If things are getting confusing (now they aren't yet, but i am sure i am going to make things hard to understand xD) don't hesitate and write me a message telling me so ...

Chapter 3: Stuck At Home

With her magazine in her hand she was totally ready for the night. She was only 9, but she always listened and she was probably the most responsible kid around.

"And remember Claire. At 7 Alex comes here, so until then I expect you to behave."

Claire nods her head eagerly. Never in her life, she thought nine years were rather long, her parents have left her alone in the house before. Not alone and especially not alone with Lyle. Ok, she might be 9, but she thought she could handle it. Even if it was just for 30 minutes. It sounded long enough for Claire. Not long and they'll leave her alone for the whole night. At least, she hoped so. If I can just behave myself and make sure i don't brake anything, I am sure they'll let me stay alone even longer, she though eagerly. Now she was hoping her dad wouldn't change his mind.

Her dad gave her a kiss on her forehead and her mum gave her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. She as well wanted to get out of the house as soon as possible before Noah would change his mind.

Her mum was walking outside with a laugh on her face. She was caught by surprise when her husband suddenly suggested to go out for the night. Go out to the movies. The classical date. She loved the idea, though. They haven't done something with just the two of them in a long time. Noah on the other hand looked more concerned than happy with the opportunity to spend a night with his wife. He was just afraid something was going to happen to Claire. Or Lyle for that matter. This family was everything to him. He would do anything just to keep them save. That's why it was hard for him to leave Claire alone. What might happen to her?

She could hurt herself when she decides to make chocolate milk for her or Lyle. She could trip over the books and the boxes he had left on the ground. She could watch television and watch things she isn't allowed to see. That could damage her for life. He knew he had read something about it somewhere in a magazine about the mind of a child. What if Lyle wakes up before Alex got there. He was almost sure he left the gas open. Did he secure the door properly?

"It's going to be fine. " A reassuring smile from Sandra, his wife, made him feel calm again. He grabbed her hand and they intertwined fingers. "You worry too much." He chuckled. She did too, because they both knew she was right. He knew he always thought to much. About everything, but luckily he had Sandra to make him feel safe and calm again. About everything. She was the rock in his life. The one he could hold on to when he was having a hard time.

That was all he was hoping for Claire. To find someone who loves her unconditionally. Just like Sandra does. He had made some mistakes, but somehow she could always forgive him. That's all he wants for Claire and Lyle. Having someone by their side like he has Sandra.

He squeezed her hand before letting it go again just to open the car door for her. She grinned from ear to ear.

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Claire bounced through the whole house with an oreo in her left hand and the remote control for the television in her other hand.

"I'm in control! I'm in control." She sung while she danced, ate a oreo and looked through the television channels at the same time. She really is amazing, isn't she? Lyle was just lying in his box sleeping. She tried to be as silent as possible, yet still show her cheerfulness.

She stumbled through the living room trying to rush to the kitchen as soon as possible. Her favorite show was on and she didn't want to miss it for the world. Not a second of it. With a plate filled with snacks and a drink in her other hand, she tried making her way back to the living room. Her dad always left all his stuff in the middle of the room. She didn't really mind, but right now it wasn't really convenient.

Bam!

She fell hard, tripping over one of the boxes. She fluttered her eyes. Her plate lied on the ground shattered in a million pieces. Great, she thought to herself. As she stood up she kicked the box. A picture that was previously lying on top of it fell off. After picking it up she recognized it. It was taken last Christmas and you could see them all sitting around the Christmas tree. Dad wasn't on it of course, because he was making the picture. She was sitting on the floor. She was holding Lyle in her arms. She was helping him open up his present. She laughed seeing the picture. Now curious for what else is in the box she opens it. A pile of pictures is inside of it. Many are with the family. A few taken in the zoo. Some taken in the house itself. On holiday. With a smile she went through a lot of photos.

Then she found photos she didn't remember. Still some had her on it, but she was so little she couldn't remember it. She was still a baby, but she wasn't alone. Someone else was sitting next to her. Someone older than she was, but not that much. She was a small and had blond hair just like Claire has. There were pictures of her family with her. Claire's family and the other girls family. Sometimes it was just the two of them playing with dolls. It was weird. How come she doesn't know her.

"Who are you?" Claire mumbled. It was a picture of all of them standing in front of a giant Christmas tree. There were four grown ups and two little girls. Claire just thought the picture was cute even though she didn't know or remembered the other people. She just put it in her pocket so she could think about it another time. When she wouldn't miss her show.

The moment she shut the box she heard a key turning in the lock.

Surprised she looked up.

Her father was walking in the room. Her mother walked behind him. She gave Claire a look telling her she was sorry. Not only for Claire, but for herself. She thought she was going to have a nice quiet evening with her husband, but instead he just couldn't let it go. He really thought something bad was going to happen to Claire.

"I told you there was something wrong."

Claire saw her mother rolling her eyes.

"She broke a plate. What if she cut herself?" Then he turned towards Claire. "You know you aren't going to be home alone again, right?"

Claire's eyes widened and if you knew her well you knew that was when she was going to plead. Plead as hard as she could. "But daddy, dearest daddy, lovely daddy, my daddy, the daddy i love so much, I was about to clean that up. I didn't mean to leave it like that. You know that right daddy?" She didn't forget to pout as she pleaded as if she was pleading for her life, which she thought was the case. "I just saw this box and i was looking through some pictures. I totally forgot about it. I am going to clean it up right now." She stood up, run to the kitchen, grabbed a towel and some other stuff to clean it up and she did. Within a few minutes she was finished. "See! See! I can take care of myself Daddy. I know I can. You know i can too." She said now jumping in his arms.

A grin was plastered on Noah's face. That's my daughter, he thought proudly. "You're amazing, you know that."

Claire answered that statement with giving him a kiss on his cheek. Sandra smiled. She always thought Noah and Claire have a special bond. Maybe Noah just spoiled her and she knew she did too, but Claire was just too sweet. She chuckled as she thinks about some memories about Claire. One of them including Claire sitting on the ground and smearing marmelade all over the place. Noah was so furious when he saw it, but when Claire started to pout he just started laughing and the two of them spent the whole afternoon cleaning it up. Like a dad/daughter thing.

Noah looked confused at his wife. You can imagine it is weird when someone starts laughing at loud all of a sudden. Sandra just smiled at him. A few minutes later they placed themselves in front of the television. Sandra called Alex he didn't have to come anymore to babysit since they were already home.

"While what movie do you want to see Claire." Noah grabbed the remote control and walked to the DVD collection. "Claire?" He looked back. "Claire?"

Sandra shushed him and pointed at Claire who was lying on the couch fast a sleep. They both grinned and Noah picked her up to put her to bed. As he did so the photo, Claire put in her pocket previously, fell out. He looked at it and then took it with him upstairs placing it by her bedside so she saw it when she'd wake up.

"Sweet dreams" He whispered. He leaned closer to give her a goodnight kiss.

What he didn't know was she was already dreaming.

Dreams she was going to remember for the rest of her life.