Hey guys!
Here is the next chapter I promised. I'm kind of stuck on ideas right now. Usually kids go to preschool until they are 4. I don't know what the next big Transition will be. Ideas anyone? Also, I love all of you guys! I have had 1151 hits, 37 reviews, 12 favs, and 20 alerts! I'm so excited; you all are the best! Thanks so much guys!
Disclaimer – Mommy! Why didn't you tell me Quil wasn't mine?!
Kudos – To the all my friends who are reading this and bearing with me. How could I forget the most amazing beta ever! Nor of Kiamo Ko is the bomb! Be jealous. I know you are! :D
Song – We The Kings - Check Yes Juliet (My song of the moment. I'm truly addicted; you know the drill youtube it.)
Chapter 4 – Don't Loose Her
"Quil!" she yelped prancing into my arms. Oh, how I missed my original name, "Tuil." She was getting older, I tried to tell myself. There were only about twelve years now until I could really be with her.
"Happy birthday!" Scooping her into my arms, I led her inside of Emily and Sam's little cottage. Anne and Cole trailed behind. A very pregnant Emily greeted us.
"Em-I-leeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Claire sang out, reaching toward her.
"Well, hello, Miss Claire!" she replied, laughter dancing in her eyes as she gathered Claire into her arms.
"Why, Claire! You are a tad chilly! Quil, fetch her a sweater." Claire is always cold. Plowing through the mass of people that had gathered, I finally pounced on Anne.
"She's cold, isn't she?" Anne chuckled, handing me a white sweater.
"Thanks!" Gratefully, I returned the smile.
Things with Anne and Cole have only been getting better. I'm a bit of a babysitter for Claire and her brother, Joe, and a free one at that. They practically consider me family.
"Everyone ready for some cake?" Emily popped her head into the living room.
She didn't have to ask twice; we all jostled and shoved our way into the kitchen, where tables were set up for everyone to sit at. I took the honorary seat next to Claire.
A loud chorus of "Happy Birthday" rang out through the home, echoing around the walls.
"Make a wish, Claire, and blow out the candles," Sam said.
"Don't tell anyone what you wish for, though," Jake advised.
"Mmmm." For a moment or so she sat there, pondering, and finally her face lit up and the little bulb above her head erupted with light. Four little candles suddenly lost their glimmer. The cake was quickly distributed and devoured even more quickly.
"Presents!" Claire yelped. Pure joy was written all over her face. I wiped some pink icing off her cheek with a napkin.
"Let's go!" With a grunt, I lifted her out of the chair. Man, is she getting bigger. She's so tall now.
A Barbie doll idea must have been set up by Emily, since everyone gave Claire something Barbie related. It was my turn now. I reached into my back pocket and withdrew a tiny silver package.
"Here, Claire. Happy birthday." The silver paper slowly drifted toward the ground, creating a neat pile arranged around her feet.
"Ooh! A new charm!" She had three now: a moon, a dog (last year's gift), and now a canine tooth. Key word being "canine".
"A tooth?" She looked up at me. I stumbled; how would I explain this one to her?
"Erm. . . remember how you lost your first tooth with me? Well, one day, when you look back at that bracelet, I want you to remember that."
"Oh, yeah. That was funny. You were freaking out!" Everyone laughed.
I scanned the room for Jacob; he always takes advantage of any time to annoy me.
"Oh shit." I muttered under my breath. He took the tooth the wrong way. The canine tooth being pointy must have reminded him of her. I bolted out of the room in search of Jake. I caught a whiff of him. He was outside.
Sliding the deck door aside I stepped outside. Tears were rolling down his cheeks.
"I'm sorry." Shuffling my feet, I dared a glance up at him.
"She sent me a letter. It's weird to think that, about two years ago, she could have made me the happiest man in the world if she left that leech for me. A year ago she made me the saddest when she married that bloodsucker. Now she's sending me letters. Part of me wants her to just disappear. It's just adding bruises to an already cut-up heart."
I sat by him and gave him a somewhat awkward hug. So I'm not touchy feely; deal with it.
"Make sure you don't lose her, okay?" he asked. "I don't want this for you."
"I won't."
Review! Again are there any ideas on where to take this story? Sorry but I don't want to skip years. Claire is 4 years old now.