Three weeks after Quil and Claire meet

Quil's POV

The day after I had met Claire, Sam, Emily and I discussed what we were going to do. Finally we decided that we were going to have to tell her dad what had happened. Emily said that it would be a good idea if I were to be hired as Claire's nanny. I loved the idea, but I was really worried about how Claire's Dad would feel about everything. I think my biggest fear, aside from something happening to Claire, was that Tyler would think I was some kind of a freak, and tell me that I wasn't allowed to see his daughter anymore. I knew truly that there really wasn't anyway he could really keep me away from her, but it would just be easier if he was okay with everything.

Since I had first met Claire I had spent every second of my free time with her. Whenever I left she always made me promise that I would come back before she went to sleep. I also made sure that I was always there whenever she woke up. The first time that she had hugged me had been a complete surprise. It was two days after we met, and I was telling her good night. She had motioned for me to come close. I wasn't expecting anything other than a whisper like she done the other times she wanted to tell me a secret. When I bent lower and put my ear by her mouth she whispered 'I love you', and then flung her arms around my neck. I was shocked at first; this was the first time I had been able to touch. After I got over my shock I put my arms around her and picked her up in a big wolf hug. I was completely lost in the moment because after a while I realized that she had gone to sleep in my arms. Since then she had fallen asleep in my lap at night, and then I would bring her to bed.

Tyler's was going to be flying into Seattle at about 11 this morning, and Sam was going to pick him up. I had talked to Claire a little about going with Sam to meet her dad at the airport, but she adamantly refused. I really didn't want to argue with her about it; especially since she felt betrayed by her dad for leaving her.

Claire and I went for a walk around one o'clock. Claire had actually been the one to suggest it. I think that even though she was only six she could tell that I was stressed about her dad coming, and I needed to be distracted in some way.

Claire always liked to ask questions when we went on walks, and today wasn't any different. "Do you think that there are a lot of wolves in the woods here?" She asked me.

"I don't know. Would it make you worried if there were?"

"No, wolves are special. They help protect the weak."

"Why do you think that?"

"Mom use to tell me stories about how there were people who could be wolves and then they would kill the things that would kill people. They never stop watching over the people to make sure everyone is safe." This was the first time Claire had talked about her mom since the first night I met her. I took it as a good sign that she was coping with everything. I also knew from the way Claire was acting she hadn't said everything that she had actually been thinking about. I kept walking beside her waiting for her to say the rest since with Claire patience is best.

After about five minutes she continued. "Do you think that if we had been where the wolves were mom and Stephen wouldn't had died?" My heart yearned to make her happy again.

"Honey it was your mom's and Stephen's time to go to heaven. It wouldn't have mattered where they were; it was there time to leave." I looked at her hoping she would understand what I was trying to say.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." She said looking unhappy.

We kept walking, but I could tell that Claire was getting tired. "Is it all right if I carry you, Claire?" Even though Claire allowed me to touch her, I didn't do so unless I either asked or she was the one who initiated it. She just nodded her head her eyes a little droopy. I picked her up and began carrying her home. She snuggled into my sholder and sighed.

"Did you know that one good thing happened since it happened?" I just assumed that she was referring to her mom's death.

"What's that?" I asked curious.

"I got to meet you." The rest of the trip was silent, but my head was reeling. Claire actually thought that I was almost as good as her mom. I really didn't know what to think. I was unbelievably happy.

When we got back some of that happiness had faded away when I saw Sam's car parked in the driveway. Tyler was here!

Thanks AmberGlow2 for the beta work.