Thursday
Clare shifted slowly, not wanting to wake up yet. She was still safely wrapped in Luke's arms. Clare turned and snuggled into her husband's chest lightly. Luke smiled and carded his fingers though her hair. Clare relaxed and stilled. Luke continued to run his fingers though her hair as he gently ran his other fingers across her cheek. After a few minutes the ninja woke with a stretch and a yawn.
"Good morning Angel..." Luke cooed.
"Hmmm...Morning Honey..." Clare hummed as she opened her eyes. Luke chuckled and kissed her forehead as he laid his hand to her cheek. Clare smiled to him as she put her hand on top of his.
"Feeling any better?" Luke asked.
"I feel fabulous...How about you?" Clare asked.
"Still a little tender but otherwise fine." Luke replied.
"Okay, don't push yourself today." Clare said as she sat up.
"I won't but that goes for you as well..." Luke replied as he gently took her injured wrist.
"I won't either." Clare said smiling. Luke nodded and unwrapped her wrist to inspect it. Clare waited patiently. Luke again checked her wrist to see if it was healing the way he wanted it too. It wasn't purple anymore but it still hurt a bit. Luke nodded, happy to see it was healing. Clare twitched her fingers slightly. He began to wrap it back up. She stretched her other arm up. Luke rubbed her wrist gently after it was wrapped. Clare tilted her head at him, "Something wrong?"
"No, it's just when I see you hurt, I hurt..." Luke replied as he rubbed the mark on his back.
"Is it bugging you again?" Clare asked as she shifted.
"I may not have seen you fall down the stairs but I definitely felt it same as when your magic snapped back..." Luke replied.
"Please don't tell me you were fighting when you felt those..." Clare whispered.
"I wasn't so don't worry..." Luke replied and stroked her cheek, having noticed it calmed her. She closed her eyes and leaned against his hand. He smiled and rubbed circles against her cheek. Clare smiled and opened her eyes. Luke kissed her forehead, happy to see her at ease again. She smiled and kissed his nose.
"I'll be fine as soon as your wrist and ankle heal..." Luke assured.
"Okay...Should be by lunch..." Clare hummed as she shifted slightly. Luke smiled and got out of bed, "What do you want for breakfast?"
"Waffles." Clare replied smiling.
"Waffles it is..." Luke replied as he pulled on clean pants and his robe. Clare smiled as he left before picking up the thick tome again. Irian dropped into her lap with a sigh.
"You'll get the hang of it eventually." Clare hummed as she stroked the tiny kit's head. Irian sighed and turned jet black. Clare rubbed the kit's ears as she read quietly. Luke returned in a while with waffles covered with strawberries and whipped cream. Clare put the piece of parchment in between the pages she was on and set the book down. He smiled and handed her the plate. She took it with a smile to set it on her lap. Luke glanced up and went to get the twins. Clare's ear twitched, why hadn't she heard them. Luke returned with wide awake twins. Clare smiled to them.
"Mama." They both said happily.
"Morning you two." Clare said smiling. Luke set them down on the bed. Clare pulled them against her and smoothed back their hair before starting to eat her waffles. Luke smiled and sat at her hip. Clare ate quietly but quickly so she could cuddle her children. Luke chuckled and amused the children while she ate. After she was done, Clare set the plate on the nightstand. Miloh instantly reached up to her. Clare smiled and picked him up. Miloh snuggled into her. Clare smiled and leaned against the head board to nuzzle her son's head. Luke smiled as Flora pouted, he picked her up so she knew her brother wasn't the favourite. Clare stretched before shifting slightly. Flora squirmed, she was again too warm. Luke turned her on her stomach across his arm and rubbed her back.
"You'll have to teach Flora how to control that." Clare said as she shifted Miloh.
"I intend to, when she's old enough to be able to control it." Luke replied as their little girl began to calm. Clare smiled then felt a twinge of magic coming from Miloh, "Hmm...?"
"What?" Luke asked when Flora finally settled. Clare shifted her hold on Miloh, "Hmm..."
"What is it Clare?" Luke asked starting to think something was wrong with their son.
"I don't think we need to worry about Miloh catching a cold or getting sun burnt." Clare responded. Luke smiled, "And you get sick quiet often dear..."
"Only when I get dragged though snow." Clare replied, sticking her tongue out at him. Luke chuckled and kissed her cheek, "I was only teasing Angel." Clare smiled and whispered in his ear, "So was I." Luke shook his head, then glanced at Flora who had fallen asleep across his arm. Clare smiled and shifted to cross her legs. Luke handed her their little girl before picking up the dishes. She held Flora gently and was careful that the tiny girl didn't get hot again.
"As long as she stays on her stomach she'll be fine..." Luke told her. Clare nodded and kept Flora on her stomach. Luke disappeared downstairs while Miloh snuggled closer to his mother. She rubbed his back gently. She was not happy to find him hot to the touch. Clare put her hand to his forehead. Miloh was at the same temperature as his sister, but she was naturally hot. Clare sat up more and shifted Flora so she could get at Miloh easier. Flora whined, thinking her mother was playing favourites.
"Shh Flora, I think your brother's sick..." Clare whispered. Flora quieted as her father returned. Clare shifted Miloh and wrapped him in a blanket.
"Is he alright?" Luke asked as he picked up Flora.
"I think he's got a cold...Can't be sure though..." Clare said as she leaned against the headboard. Luke swallowed thickly, his children not being well would eat away at him until Miloh was well again. Clare's stress level just spiked once again as she nuzzled Miloh gently. Luke shifted Flora in his arms to check her as well. Clare sighed and started humming lightly. Luke muttered some Sheikhan under his breath as he wrapped a blanket around their daughter as well.
"She's sick too?" Clare asked. Luke nodded and brushed Flora's bangs off her fevered skin. Clare sighed, "Were you this sick as a kid?"
"Yeah, I got sick quite a bit...but that was because my parent's always favoured my sister over me." Luke replied. Clare nodded, "Hmm..." It struck Clare as odd that her husband didn't resent his sister even though his parents favoured her and couldn't have given a damn about him or his well being. She watched him for a moment before shrugging her shoulders. Luke ran his fingertips across Flora's cheek shakily. Clare reached over to him and touched his shoulder lightly. Luke looked up, a worry etched in his eyes that she hadn't seen since she fell ill six years ago.
"They'll be fine..." Clare whispered rubbing his shoulder. Luke nodded as he took Flora's tiny hand, both twins looked so fragile. Clare sighed and held Miloh close to her, hoping he would just get over this thing. Luke leaned his head on her shoulder as he held Flora. Clare started humming softly. Flora whined and shifted uncomfortably. Clare shifted to nuzzle the tiny girl's head.
"Mama...I'm too warm..." Flora whimpered.
"Come here then...I'm cooler than your dad..." Clare whispered as she held her free arm out. Luke carefully placed the tiny girl in her arms. Clare held Flora gently, her cooler skin touching her daughter warmer skin. Flora settled a little but she still squirmed and whined in discomfort.
"Shh..." Clare cooed softly as she nuzzled her head gently. Luke wrapped his arms around Clare. She nuzzled his head lightly before watching her children. Miloh was asleep, fevered, but asleep while Flora struggled to cool herself. Clare put Flora on her stomach while still in her arms. Their tiny daughter settled and soon joined her brother. Clare sighed softly and closed her eyes. Luke buried his face in her neck as he tightened his hold on her. She nuzzled his head lightly before stretching her legs. Luke settled behind her but he refused to release her. Clare held Miloh and Flora close to her as she leaned against him. She could hear him whispering over and over again, 'they're going to be fine.' She sighed and nuzzled his head again. Luke finally calmed and relaxed. Clare started humming lightly. Flora coughed as her brother sneezed. Clare sighed again and held her children close. Luke rubbed their daughter's cheek as she continued to cough. Clare shifted Flora so she could pat her on the back. Flora's coughs subsided and she settled. Clare sighed in slight relief before closing her eyes. Miloh shifted in her arms, "Mama...?"
"Yes, Miloh?" Clare asked as she opened her eyes.
"I don't feel good..." He whined.
"No...you're sick..." Clare said softly. He whimpered and snuggled closer to her. Clare nuzzled his head lightly before wrapping the blanket tighter around his small body. Luke shifted from behind her and disappeared out the door. Clare held her children close to her, cooling one off and keeping the other warm. Luke returned a few minutes later with two bottles in his hands. Clare glanced up at him then down at the children. He took Miloh and handed her a bottle for Flora. She shifted Flora and gave her the nipple of the bottle. Flora turned her head away with a whine.
"You have to drink Flora...it'll make you feel better..." Clare cooed softly. Flora continued to whine.
"Please Flora...please drink..." Clare whispered to the tiny girl. After a few minutes, Flora had exhausted herself and began to suckle. Clare sighed thankfully and nuzzled her daughter's head. Miloh was behaving even worse than his sister and repeatedly refused his father's request. Clare leaned over, "Miloh, please drink...It'll make you feel better..." Miloh continued to resist. Clare sighed, she could feel a headache brewing. Luke recognized that sigh and traded her children. Clare took Miloh and the bottle, "Please Miloh...you're making mommy worry..." Much like his sister, he tired himself out and began to drink. Clare sighed and absently rubbed her temple. Luke lay Flora on her stomach and slipped behind Clare. When Miloh finished drinking, he fell asleep. Clare set him on her lap to rub both temples. Luke gently removed her hands and guided her head to his shoulder. Clare rested her temple on his shoulder as she closed her eyes. He began to run his fingers though her hair while he stroked her cheek. Eventually Clare fell asleep, she'd rather go to sleep then suffer with a headache. Luke sighed and watched over her and the children. An hour or two later, Clare woke up because her headache finally faded into oblivion. Luke kissed her forehead aware she was awake.
"How are the children?" Clare asked as she opened her eyes.
"Fevers have broken and their still asleep..." Luke replied after a moment.
"And how are you?" Clare asked as she looked up at him.
"Fine, you're the one I'm worried about." Luke whispered.
"Why?" Clare asked raising an eyebrow.
"You've been so stressed lately, I'm afraid you're going to breakdown..." Luke replied as he played with the chain of her locket.
"A nice hot bath and a very good massage might help... " Clare said as she rubbed her shoulders. Luke smiled a little but fear was still in his eyes.
"I'll be fine." Clare said waving her hand in the air.
"Every time you say that something bad happens..." Luke muttered.
"Name one time that something bad happened when I said I'd be fine." Clare said turning to him.
"Oh I don't know, maybe before every time you yourself have fallen ill." Luke replied. Clare rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Well I'll be fine this time." Luke shifted to hold her tighter. She sighed and leaned against him.
"Are they still asleep?" Luke asked. Clare looked at the children, "Looks like it." Luke nodded and slipped out from behind her and into the bathroom. Clare stretched and watched the twins carefully. A few minutes later Luke returned, "Go have a bath, I'll watch them."
"Okay...I'll be back." Clare said as she shifted to the edge of the bed and stood. Luke pulled her into a fierce kiss. Clare blinked but smiled and kissed him back. Luke released her after a moment, apologizing quietly.
"You don't have to apologize...I love kissing you." Clare said as she tapped his nose before slipping into the bathroom. Luke smiled a moment before going to lie around the twins. After about a half hour, Clare came back dressed in a dark blue skirt and t-shirt. Flora was holding her father's finger tightly as he lay next to the twins. Clare smiled and stretched before looking out of the window at the sea. Luke looked up at her.
"Is it just me or is the sea calling to us...?" Clare asked herself as she turned from the window.
"I've had you land locked for too long I see..." Luke chuckled. Clare shifted, "Nah, I don't think so..."
"You think they're ready?" Luke asked as he rubbed the back of Flora's hand.
"I think they're ready." Clare replied. Luke nodded, "We're going to have to tell Anni."
"Shouldn't be too hard." Clare said as she stretched again.
"Clare honey, this is Anni we're talking about." Luke reiterated.
"Right...water works..." Clare remembered. Luke nodded. Clare thought for a moment, "Do you want to tell her?"
"I think we should both tell her or else she'd be even more upset." Luke replied.
"Oh okay...but we should get the twins used to the ship." Clare said. Luke nodded, "They seem to be feeling better."
"That's good." Clare said going to sit on the edge of the bed. Miloh looked at her with clear eyes.
"Do you want to go see daddy's pride and joy?" Clare asked picking him up.
"I'm looking at them..." Luke cooed.
"Okay, Daddy's first pride and joy?" Clare asked grabbing the two coats off the floor. Flora yawned and snuggled into her father. Clare passed him the green one as she slipped the blue one onto her son. Luke smiled as he carefully slipped it onto Flora before picking her up. Clare smiled as she picked Miloh up. Flora whined until her father turned her on her stomach.
"Mind if I borrow your coat again dear? It's kinda chilly out there." Clare asked as she moved to stand. Luke smiled and handed her his coat again. Clare smiled and slipped it on then stood. Luke chuckled and kissed her temple. Clare smiled and kissed his cheek, "Let show the twins your ship."
"Our ship." Luke corrected.
"Right, our ship." Clare said with a smile. Luke followed her out the door and down to the dock. Clare climbed onto the ship via the gang plank. Miloh was definitely curious where as his sister couldn't care less.
"It could use a little dusting..." Clare hummed as she shifted Miloh to her other arm. Luke nodded.
"When should we clean it...we've got all day today." Clare hummed. Luke nodded and put Flora downstairs.
"I'll get the cabin, you can get up here and the helm." Clare said as she took Miloh downstairs. Luke nodded and they both set to work. Clare had kept the children on the large bed as she worked. It took over six hours to clean the ship out. Clare had even managed to make room for a crib. Luke came back downstairs rubbing his neck. Clare was laying on the bed with the twins, huffing and puffing lightly. Luke laid next to her and rested his head on her collar bone. Clare smoothed his hair back gently and absently. Luke shifted and his back popping in the process made him groan.
"I'll give you a massage later..." Clare said as she shifted slightly. Luke nodded and refused to move his right arm. Clare laid there for at least another hour before she shifted again. Luke winced when she moved his arm in even the slightest.
"Did you hurt yourself?" Clare asked worry evident in her voice.
"Kinda..." Luke replied.
"Kinda...How kinda?" Clare asked getting more worried.
"I think I dislocated my shoulder..." Luke replied as he was unable to move his arm, "I fell on it."
"I've done that a million times...easy fix if you want me to?" Clare asked as she looked at him.
"Sure why not, I already know it's going to hurt." Luke replied.
"Okay." Clare said and sat up. Luke bit back a yelp when she moved his arm. Clare moved quick and relocated his shoulder before flopping back against the bed. Luke shifted as the pain increased tenfold. Clare, after making herself comfortable, pushed against his shoulder effectively putting it back in place painlessly. Luke settled after the pain faded. Clare sighed and rolled her own shoulder.
"Let's go home..." Luke whispered.
"Don't use your shoulder too much...it'll be sore for a while." Clare replied as she scooped the children up then sat up. Luke nodded and used his good arm to push himself upright. She smiled to him then went to stand up. Luke led her back to the house where he promptly collapsed on the bed. Clare smiled and set the twins beside him, "I'll go cook supper." Luke nodded as the twins curled up on his chest. Clare smiled and kissed his forehead before slipping out of the room. Luke sighed contently. The ninja came back a half hour later with steak and potatoes. Luke and the kids had nodded off while she was away. Clare smiled and set the tray with the food on the nightstand. The twins had their hands fisted in his shirt while they slept. Clare smiled and kissed all three foreheads before she stood to open the window. Luke shifted and accidently jarred his shoulder eliciting a groan from him. Clare pushed the window open before smiling to him. Luke reluctantly opened his eyes. The ninja walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. Luke groaned as the pain gnawed at his shoulder.
"Why are you always getting into trouble?" Clare asked as she patted his head.
"Because I married you..." Luke teased as he kissed her jaw.
"Oh, I'm trouble now..." Clare said, kissing the corner of his lips.
"Always have been..." Luke replied, "But that's what I love about you." Clare smiled and kissed his lips. Luke returned the kiss happily. Clare smiled and broke the kiss, "Dinner is done." Luke smiled then glanced at his two small problems. Clare smiled softly and took the twins off him. Luke sat up carefully. Clare smiled and moved the tray to his lap, "I already ate." Luke nodded and ate his dinner. Clare smiled and crossed her legs to sit the twins in her lap. They snuggled into her warmth and fisted their hands in her shirt. Clare smiled and laid back carefully. Luke placed his plate on the nightstand and cuddled up along her side. Clare smiled lightly and nuzzled his head. Luke shifted to carefully drape his arm across her waist. She smiled and nuzzled.
"I love you Clare..." Luke whispered as he traced light circles around her naval.
"I love you too Luke." Clare replied softly. Luke settled and soon joined the twins. Clare smiled and closed her eyes. Luke's even breathing ghosted across her skin. She smiled and sighed softly. A peace settled over all of them. Clare eventually fell asleep around eight. They all stayed asleep curled around each other.