Thursday
Clare shifted slightly, not wanting to get up yet. The sheets beside her were cold. Clare groaned quietly then sat up quickly. The bed was empty and from the look of it, it had been for a while. Clare looked around the room, he couldn't have gone yet. No, he wouldn't have left without telling her. Clare sighed and rubbed her forehead before climbing out of bed. It was the cool air of the room that reminded her to put a top on. Clare went over to the dresser to grab a bra and shirt before slipping those on and grabbing a dark blue skirt. The house was eerily quiet, the twins weren't fussing, Marie was quiet and there was no sound to locate Luke. Clare put the skirt on before going out the bedroom door to see why it was so quiet. The nursery door was open and Luke was sitting in the window with the twins, who were sound asleep. Clare got to the door and smiled softly before slipping away to go grab an apple to eat. Luke didn't hear or see her as his attention was fixed on the twins. Clare got her apple then leaned against the counter, eating it and thinking. Lucas slipped into the room yawning before walking straight into the kitchen island. Clare smiled softly and picked him up, setting him on the same island, "You need to be careful..."
"Sorry mom...what's the matter?" Lucas asked after his vision cleared.
"Hmm...oh nothing." Clare answered smiling softly still.
"Well then what's on your mind?" Lucas asked knowing that look. Clare looked down at the floor for a second then up, "How about some cake...I'll whip one up here..."
"Mom..." Lucas said as he jumped into her arms. Clare sighed softly, "I'm worried..." Lucas nuzzled her cheek.
"I'm worried...about...the trials your father has to take..." Clare whispered, stroking the Keaton's fur.
"Dad will be fine, he promised didn't he?" Lucas replied trying to reassure his mother.
"But one of the trials is facing his fear...And I know that Luke is a big chicken when facing fears...except mine of course..." Clare muttered.
"Mom...dad would do anything for you and if that means facing his own fears, he'll do it without a second thought." Lucas replied.
"So..." Clare muttered, she was his wife and was allowed to worry. Lucas sighed, "Have you talked to dad?"
"No...I was going to make a cake..." Clare muttered. Lucas gave a look that said 'get your butt upstairs now' as he jumped onto the counter. Clare sighed and went to the door to head upstairs. Lucas watched before returning to Marie. Clare went up the stairs and peaked back into the nursery. Luke was just lying the twins back down in their crib. Clare waited until he came out of the room to talk with him. Luke looked over at her, "Clare...what's the matter Angel?"
"Come here..." Clare motioned him over. Luke quickly crossed the room, worried something was wrong.
"You don't have to go..." Clare whispered softly.
"What?" Luke asked as he shut the door of the nursery.
"You don't have to go." Clare said looking up at him.
"Yes, I do." Luke said as he placed his left hand to her cheek. Clare shook her head lightly, "No you don't..."
"I do Angel, not just for you but for myself. I have to prove to myself that I'm the person meant to be waking up next to you every day." Luke told her gently.
"...I can't stop you, I want to but I can't...Just promise me, you'll be careful and come back home..." Clare asked looking up at him.
"I will always return to you Clare, always." Luke whispered as he pulled her into his arms. Clare wrapped her arms around his torso and hugged him. Luke held her tightly knowing she was afraid he wouldn't come back. She kept her face in his chest. Luke ran his fingers through her hair and rubbed her back. Slowly, her hold on him relaxed. Luke carefully picked her up and cradled her against him as he headed back to their room. Clare kept her head against his chest, not wanting to move. Luke sat down on their bed then laid down. Clare shifted slightly to make herself more comfortable. He ran his fingers though her hair again, "Is there anything else bothering you?" Clare shook her head in response.
"Are you sure?" Luke asked as he rubbed her back. This time, she nodded. Luke sighed and shook his head then lifted her up to tuck her head under his chin. Clare shifted again to this new position. He ran his fingers through her hair before tucking her bangs behind her ear. Clare kissed his neck gently before relaxing. Luke smiled softly and placed a kiss to her forehead. Clare shifted slightly again, "I should go make that cake..."
"No you stay here for a little longer..." Luke said and locked his arms across her waist. Clare nodded with a tiny giggle before making herself comfortable. Luke settled and his hold on her loosened as his hand returned to smoothing out her hair. Clare's breathing evened out. Luke chuckled silently at his small victory. Clare snoozed lightly. Luke watched over her until she woke up. It was an hour and a half before she reawoke. Luke was still running his fingers through her hair making it very hard to stay awake. Clare shifted and sighed softly as she resisted the strong urge to go to sleep.
"Feeling better?" Luke asked quietly as he stilled his hand. Clare nodded slightly before shifting to stretch.
"Then why so quiet sweetheart?" Luke asked.
"Cause..." Clare said then turned her head to look at him.
"Because?" Luke coaxed running his finger across her cheek.
"Because we won't get this quiet time...until you come back." Clare replied. Luke smiled softly and placed a soft kiss to her lips. Clare smiled lightly and kissed him back gently. Luke kept it sweet as he ran his fingers across her cheek. She broke the kiss and smiled to him.
"I'll come back as fast as I can..." Luke whispered.
"I don't doubt you won't..." Clare replied. Luke wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. Clare snuggled into his chest lightly. There was two muffled thumps in the doorway. Clare lifted her head off his chest slightly to look. Much to both their surprises, Miloh and Flora lay in a little dog pile on the floor. Clare smiled lightly, "They can walk."
"They got out..." Luke pointed out.
"...So they did..." Clare said as she climbed off his chest to get the twins. Miloh instantly reached up to his mother. Clare smiled and picked them off the floor, Flora seemed disinterested in her mother.
"Is she alright, her eyes look unfocused?" Luke asked as he leaned against the headboard. Clare walked over and sat next to him so she could set Miloh down to check her daughter. Luke picked up Miloh while his daughter remained distracted. Clare snapped her fingers in front of Flora to see if that could get a reaction. Flora's eyes focused momentarily before going cloudy again. Clare sighed, "I'm going to go dance...maybe she'll snap out of it..." Luke nodded, then whispered something to their son that made him clip his hands. Clare smiled and placed a quick kiss to both of her boy's head before going to the library with Flora. Luke waiting until she was gone before sneaking both himself and Miloh into the conservatory. Clare set Flora on the couch before reaching for the book that her grandmother gave her. Her young daughter flopped sideways on the couch and just laid there pretty much dead to the world. Clare smiled lightly yet sadly as she kissed her daughter's head before opening the book. Again Flora's eyes focused momentarily before going glassy once more. Clare opened the book to the salsa page then went to go change into the red salsa dress. As she went into the hall, she could hear her song being played. Clare smiled then quickly changed before going back into the library. Flora hadn't moved an inch, in fact the only sign that the tiny girl was alive was the steady rise and fall of her chest. Clare sighed softly and sadly before kissing her daughter's head again before starting to dance to the song floating from the pages of the book. Her daughter's eyes focused and stayed that way as her sharp eyes followed her mother's every movement. Clare ended the song with a sweeping bow before standing back up. To her surprise, there was a tiny and happy clap. Clare looked up at her daughter before smiling. Flora reached for her, nearly falling off the couch. Clare smiled and picked her daughter up, "Did you like that? Do you want to learn how to dance?" Flora nodded before snuggling into her mother's arms.
"Okay, I'll teach you." Clare replied before crouching on the floor. Flora yawned and went limp in her arms.
"Nap then dance..." Clare whispered with a small giggle. Her song reached her ears again. Clare smiled and stood to go into the conservatory. It was a little slower than it was supposed to be but it still sounded perfect. Clare smiled softly and looked to the piano. Miloh sat in his father's lap, playing her song with no trouble. Clare smiled and stood next to the two boys of the family. Luke looked at her and smiled. Clare smiled back before patting his head. Miloh finished and looked up at his mom for approval.
"Beautiful." Clare said and picked up her son to kiss his head. Miloh smiled and cuddled close to her. Clare smiled again, "Let's go put you two down for a nap." Luke smiled and slipped out onto the patio. Clare smiled and took the twins to the nursery to have a nap.
"Mom!" Lucas called from downstairs. Clare quickly kissed the twins before poofing downstairs, "Yes?"
"Need your help...NOW!" Lucas exclaimed. Clare winced slightly, "Don't yell...now what do you need?" Clare asked as she walked over to him. Marie was pacing in front of her basket, only three kits curled up inside.
"Ah, missing...Don't worry Marie, we'll find the last one." Clare said as she patted the Keaton's head. Marie calmed a little, just enough to lay with her other kits. Clare's ear twitched, searching by sound for the missing kit. A distressed mew came from the linen closet. Clare smiled lightly and walked over to the closet, opening it. Marie's tiniest kit was curled up on a sheet which had fallen from the shelf.
"How did you get in here little one?" Clare asked as she picked the tiny kit off the sheet and held it close. The poor thing was nearly frozen through. Clare smiled lightly and took the kit back to its mother, "Hiding in the linen closet." Marie took her kit and tucked it closest to her. Clare smiled lightly before going into the kitchen to start making cake. Lucas curled around Marie as she fussed over the kit. Clare smiled and hummed lightly. The house fell quiet again. Clare finished mixing the cake then put it in the oven to cook then went upstairs to get the bracelet's she bought for them when she was pregnant. Luke was sound asleep on the bed, his pendent glinting in the afternoon sun. Clare smiled lightly before changing into the skirt and top and tucking the two little boxes with the gifts in the pockets. Luke shifted and rolled on his side. Clare smiled and kissed his temple before going back downstairs to check on the cake. A peaceful silence had settled in the house. Clare smiled and checked the cake, another few minutes should do. There was a loud bang upstairs followed by a groan. Clare giggled lightly, "He fell off the bed again." Luke came into the kitchen with his hand over the gash on his temple.
"You should be more careful." Clare replied as she started to mix up some icing.
"I try to be, I really do..." Luke replied as he did his best to stall the bleeding. Clare smiled lightly before letting her magic gently wash over her hands as she reached for his temple. Luke removed his hand from the six inch long gash on his temple.
"What did you hit your head on?" Clare asked as she ghosted her hand over the gash, healing it.
"Nightstand..." Luke replied. Clare shook her head and finished healing the wound then tapped his nose with her other hand, it had icing on it. Luke chuckled and rinsed his hands then wiped his nose, "So much for my nap..."
"Maybe I should put a wall of pillows around you...nah, you would knock them all down." Clare said as she went back to mixing icing. Luke chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. Clare smiled lightly and finished mixing then bent to take the cake out. Luke released her and leaned against the counter. Clare pulled out the cake and started to ice it. Luke glanced to the stairs then headed upstairs. Clare set two different coloured candles on the top of the cake, smiling softly. Luke slipped into the living room with the twins and sat on the couch. Clare quickly lit the candles and carried the cake into the kitchen. Luke smiled and covered the twins eyes. Clare carried the cake to them, singing happy birthday. Luke shifted the twins so they wouldn't fight and they could both see. Clare set the cake on the coffee table in front of them, "Okay blow your candle out." They looked at each other then did as told. Clare smiled as the flames flickered before dying at the infant's breath. Luke smiled and kissed both their heads.
"Do you two want to try some cake now, or later?" Clare asked her little darlings. They both nodded and then, "Yes!" Clare smiled widely, "Alright."
"Are you two just full of surprises today?" Luke asked as he shifted them to either side of him. Clare took the cake away before returning with two small pieces of cake on small plates. Luke smiled and beckoned her to sit with them. Clare smiled and sat down beside him. Miloh immediately crawled into her lap. Clare smiled and sat one plate on Luke's knees in front of Flora and put the other on her knees. Miloh looked up at her and cocked his head to the side. Clare ate a little piece, "Mmm..." Miloh smiled and opened his mouth. Clare put a little piece in her son's mouth carefully. Miloh closed his mouth and chewed carefully.
"Do you like it?" Clare asked after her son was done swallowing.
"Yes..."Miloh replied.
"Do you want another bite?" Clare asked. Miloh smiled and nodded, Luke was doing the same with Flora only getting her to talk took a little more coaxing. Clare smiled and cut another little piece for her son. This continued until both children yawned and snuggled into their parents.
"Let's put you two to bed..." Clare whispered as she moved the plate off her knees then stood.
"Okay...mama..." Miloh said between yawns. Clare smiled widely before scooping Flora off Luke, "And you too, my little flower." Luke smiled and kissed her forehead as he took the dishes. Clare took the children upstairs and into the nursery, where she tucked them in and gave each a small kiss on the head. Flora refused to release her grip on her mother's shirt. Clare picked them both back up before going into the master bedroom to lie down with them. Flora snuggled closer to her as Miloh remained still. Clare smiled lightly and started humming softly. Luke smiled as he leaned against the door frame. Clare continued humming, not knowing he was there. Miloh and Flora settled close to her and soon were sound asleep. Clare smiled and closed her eyes to join her kids in sleep. Luke silently slipped over to them and covered her and the children. Clare slept soundly for the next two hours. While she slept, Luke cleaned the house and did the laundry. Clare gently picked up the still sleeping twins and took them to their own bed. As she entered the nursery she found Luke just finishing putting away the twins clothes. Clare smiled and snuck over the crib, lying the twins down.
"Did you have a nice nap?" Luke whispered as he wrapped her in his arms.
"Yes." Clare replied in the same tone with a soft smile. Luke smiled and kissed her temple. Clare smiled softly and leaned against him. Luke shifted then picked her up. Clare smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. Luke slipped back into their room and set her on her feet. Clare looked up at him before kissing his cheek. Luke placed a kiss to her forehead, "Come, I have a surprise for you..."
"Okay." Clare said smiling softly as she followed him. Luke covered her eyes then led her into their bathroom. Clare stepped into the bathroom and waited. Luke kissed her neck as he uncovered her eyes. Clare looked around the room. The windows were covered and the room was lit with rose candles. Water was already drawn and two clean robes were folded on the counter. Clare smiled and turned to him, kissing his lips. Luke smiled, "I figured I pamper you this evening..."
"You can pamper me all you want." Clare whispered then kissed his cheek.
"Really now, I usually you whine about me spoiling you..." Luke replied.
"Usually." Clare said off handily. Luke chuckled and hooked his fingers in the hem of her shirt. Clare smiled and raised her arms above her head. Luke easily slipped her shirt off. Clare smiled and lowered her arms once the upper garment was off. Luke placed a kiss to her neck as he slipped her skirt off. She nuzzled his cheek lightly. He smiled as he removed her undergarments. Clare shifted her weight slightly. Luke shooed her over to the bathtub as he pulled off his shirt. Clare shook her head with a smile before going to the tub to sink into the warm waters. Luke sat on the floor next to the tub and placed his hands against her back before starting to work out any tension. Clare sighed happily and closed her eyes to enjoy her husband's soft touch. He smiled as he worked and placed a kiss to her neck. She smiled softly and leaned her head back. Her head came to rest on his shoulder as he worked on the small of her back. Clare sighed happily again. Luke kissed her temple as he moved up her back. Clare smiled lightly and almost melted. He slid his hands up her arms before working on her shoulders. Clare sighed softly and happily again. He removed his hands to pick up a small bottle. Clare opened her eyes and sat up slightly. Luke hands found her skin again as he slowly worked rose scented oil into her skin. Clare practically melted again. He smiled and continued to work. She closed her eyes and relaxed completely. Luke kissed her temple as he worked down her arms. Clare smiled again as she let him work.
"Looks like someone's enjoying themselves..." Luke whispered as he shifted her back to get at her stomach. Clare nodded with a happy smile.
"Good, that means I'm succeeding in what I set out to accomplish." Luke told her as he worked the oil into her stomach. Clare smiled, "That's good..." Luke chuckled as he ran his palms down her thighs. Clare smiled again and leaned her head back once more. Luke shifted to work on her legs. She smiled and sighed softly. Luke smiled as he placed a kiss to her calf. Clare smiled and giggled softly. Luke chuckled and went back to work. Clare smiled and leaned her head against the rim of the tub. Luke finished one leg and set to work on the other. Clare dipped the finished leg in the nice warm water. He repeated his work on her other leg before shifting back to place a kiss to her lips. Clare kissed him back gently. Luke ran his fingers across her cheek. Clare ran her wet hands through his hair. Luke smiled at her antics as he broke the kiss. Clare smiled and gave him a little splash.
"Now, now, none of that or it ends here..." Luke whispered.
"Aww..." Clare whined quietly but stopped her splashing. Luke smiled and kissed her forehead. Clare shifted slightly before stretching. Luke stood and grabbed a towel before beckoning her to stand. She put her hands on the edge of the tub and stood out of the water. Luke around wrapped the towel her and lifted her out of the tub. Clare smiled and tucked the blanket into itself so it wouldn't fall. Luke set her on her feet and let her dry off while he grabbed a robe. Clare dried herself then started to dry her hair. Luke shooed her hands away from her hair as he slipped the robe on her. Clare smiled and let him do what he wanted. Luke tied the robe shut then led her back into their room. Clare followed diligently. He smiled and led her to the bed and made her sit in front of him. Clare sat down on the soft covers and turned her back to him. He smiled and threaded his fingers through her hair before gently braiding it back. She shifted to make it easier for him. He finished by tying a red ribbon at the bottom. She rolled her shoulders lightly before leaning back against Luke.
"And how do you feel?" Luke asked quietly as he wrapped his arms around her.
"In heaven..." Clare whispered as she closed her eyes. Luke smiled and ran his fingers across her temple. Clare smiled lightly and folded her hands across her stomach. Luke placed his hands over hers. Clare smiled lightly and threaded their fingers together.
"Do you miss it?" Luke asked.
"Just a little." Clare replied in a soft whisper. Luke nuzzled her neck.
"Let's just wait another year or two. Okay?" Clare asked.
"It's your choice Angel, I can wait until you're ready, it's your body after all." Luke replied.
"Okay, we're waiting." Clare said softly. Luke smiled and kissed her temple. She smiled and opened her eyes a crack.
"Now, time to get some shut eye..." Luke replied.
"Okay." Clare smiled and closed her eyes again. Luke shifted to lie down with her. Clare turned on her side and nuzzled herself into his chest. Luke kissed her forehead, "Sleep tight Angel."
"Back to you..." Clare whispered softly and fell asleep. Luke smiled and tucked the blankets around her before joining her.