Volume Two: Winter Hearts

Winter 2008:

Peter: Shortly after we welcomed in 2008 Claire convinced me to join her on keep fit New Year's resolution.

"C'mon Claire," Peter called through her closed door.

"Just a minute."

Peter sighed. "We're just going for a run you know ... it's not the prom or anything."

The door to her room flung open and an energetic Claire bounced out. "Very funny! I'm ready." She was wearing blue sweatpants and a matching jacket. Her long blonde hair was tucked up into a black beanie.

Together they began jogging at a leisurely pace down the long shingle driveway before turning right and heading up the snow covered street. They pounded the pavement in a silent unison, their warm breath visible in the chilly morning air. They continued on their usual route towards the local park when Peter noticed Claire looking at him strangely.

"What?"

"So when are you gonna get a new hair style?"

"Not this again ... when are you gonna quit mocking my hairstyle?"

"When you realise it's no longer the nineties's and chop off those ridiculous bangs."

Peter reached over and grabbed the beanie from her head causing her long blond hair to cascade down around her shoulders.

"Hey ..." Claire cried out as her frizzy hair was revealed.

He smirked at her. "Someone didn't brush their hair this morning."

Claire stopped running and held out her hand. "Alright, give it back."

"Not until you promise to leave my hair alone." He jogged on the spot a few metres in front of her.

Claire rolled her eyes. "Fine. I promise."

"I don't believe you."

"Give it back."

"Not until you say it like you mean it."

"Grow up, Peter." The irritation in her voice was clear.

"Oh, a bit cranky this morning?"

Claire clenched her fists and turned around to walk away before she had a better idea. She quickly reached down for a handful of snow. She carefully bundled the soft white snow into a harden ball and turned back towards Peter.

"What are you gonna do?" He antagonized her. "Throw that at me?"

"I was thinking about it." Claire worked it between her hands.

"Go ahead," he said confidently. "You'll never hit me."

Claire hurled the snowball towards Peter. He moved to dodge it, but as soon as he saw it leave her hand he realised her aim was off.

"Missed me ... your arm is-" Peter stopped mid sentence as a chain reaction from the misaimed snowball caused a mini avalanche of snow to descend on him from the tree above. He stood there gasping for breath as the icy snow melted against his face.

Claire giggled at the sight of him. "Now that's an improvement."

"You are so dead, Tex," Peter threatened as he wiped snow from his eyes.

"I'm so scared." Claire watched him furiously gather up snow.

"You should be. I will never surrender." Peter sent a snowball through the air and watched as Claire dodged it effortlessly.

"Is that all you've got?"

Peter replied by sending a quick fire succession of snow missiles and this time Claire was not so lucky. She squealed and tried to run for cover. She made it to a line of trees near the edge of the park and took refuge. She could hear the sound of snowballs impacting on the tree and ground behind her. After the few moments the barrage ceased and Peter went silent. Carefully, Claire edged closer to the left side of the tree and slowly peeked around. Peter was nowhere to be seen.

"Damn," she muttered as she started turning back.

"Give up yet?" Peter suddenly appeared next to her.

Claire gave a startled scream. "No fair, that's cheating!"

"What?" Peter pretended he didn't know what she was talking about.

"You know." Claire narrowed her eyes at him.

"I don't cheat." Peter suddenly caught her off guard by lifting her off her feet and into his arms. "What do I have to do to make you understand?" He started walking back to the footpath.

"Put me down!"

Peter ignored her and continued walking.

Claire started struggling in his arms, but he held her tight. "Put me down!"

"Okay." Peter stopped and promptly let her go, straight into a large snowdrift, before he casually walked off again.

Claire cried out, but her landing was soft. She could hardly believe what he has just done.

"Pete!" she yelled at the rapidly disappearing figure.

He stopped and turned to face her. "You give up yet?"

Claire thought for a few seconds. "Okay ..." She held her hands up. "Okay, I give up. Just come and get me out of here."

Peter strolled back and held out his hand, Claire took it and he began pulling her to her feet. Suddenly, Claire pulled back forcing Peter to overbalance. For a moment he struggled to remain on his feet before he teetered and fell into the snow beside her. Quick as lightening she rolled over and planted herself firmly on his chest. There was no escape.

"Never trust a girl," she giggled as she held up a handful of the white powder. "Eat snow."

Nathan paced back and forth behind his office desk rhythmically tapping a small newspaper in his hands. Peter and Claire sat on the other side with bemused expressions on their face.

After another few minutes, Nathan finally broke the tense silence.

"How many times do I have to remind you, that this family has an image to maintain?"

Claire looked across at Peter and shrugged.

"We're not quite sure what you're getting at Nathan." Peter was genuinely confused.

Nathan rolled his eyes and thrust the newspaper down in front of them. Claire stifled a giggle as they both leaned forward to peer at the images on the front page.

"Congressman's Brother and Daughter enjoy romp in the snow"

"How do you explain this?"

"Slow news day?" Peter offered.

"Pete! This is no laughing matter." Nathan's face took on a deep shade of scarlet.

"Nathan, I can explain," Peter began.

"I don't want an explanation!" Nathan's tone was stern.

Peter and Claire glanced sideways at each other.

"What exactly do you want us to say, Nathan?" Claire asked.

"Something ... anything that might explain why my brother and daughter were caught acting like pair of school kids."

"But I am a-" Claire protested before another of Nathan's angry looks silenced her.

Peter put his hand to his mouth to cover a wry grin.

"Peter! You should know better ... and Claire, well, I had hoped you were more mature than this. You've got to be more careful. Not just about this, but, well ... you know."

"But we are being-"

"No, you're not. Not careful enough." Nathan's eyes flashed with anger. "You think I don't know about your little games?"

"Games?" Claire echoed.

"Practicing with your powers."

"Oh," Claire mouthed.

"What if Heidi catches you? Or, God forbid ... the boys?"

"I'm sorry, Nathan," Peter choked on his words. "I guess we weren't thinking."

"Me too," Claire added.

"You're damn right you weren't thinking." Nathan frowned at them again. "I've got to go." He checked his watch, before pointing at each of them. "We'll continue this later ... You concentrate on school and you ..." He pointed at Peter and suppressed a smile. "Try not to blow up again."

The second the door closed behind Nathan, Peter and Claire collapsed in a fit of giggles.

"Oh my God ... did you ... see his face?" Claire could barely get the words out.

Peter nodded and put on a serious tone. "You should know better."

Claire laughed hysterically until small tears appeared in her eyes. Together they laughed uncontrollably for a few minutes before Claire got a suddenly serious look on her face. Gingerly, she leant over and picked up the newspaper.

"Oh no," she said with a low groan.

"What?"

"My hair!" she squeaked.

Peter caught sight of the photographs and began howling with laughter again.

"Peter!" Claire turned around and hit him gently with the paper.

Peter couldn't contain himself. "I'm ... sorry, but-" he tried in vain to explain himself as Claire started pelting him with the rolled up newspaper.

Claire: I had on my first date on Valentines Day. His name was Liam, a senior like me, and according to my friends, something of a catch at our High School. I remember giggling nervously when he gave me the invitation. Looking back I guess it was a pretty big deal, but it was really just me, a boy and dinner in a new city.

Claire stared at the image of the stunning young blonde woman in front of her. Her breath caught in her throat as she remembered the image was her own. Her long blonde hair had been straightened and styled to elegantly frame her glowing face. She wore a slimming knee length black skirt and cream blouse. There was a quick knock at the door, before Heidi entered.

Claire turned to greet her and smiled shyly. "Hi."

"Claire, you look beautiful."

"Thank you."

Heidi was dressed for a romantic dinner with Nathan. She walked in and seated herself on the edge of Claire's bed. "We were going to save this for your prom, but Nathan decided you could use it tonight," She explained as she revealed the slim black box in her hand and passed it to Claire.

Claire gasped as she opened the box to reveal a dazzling silver and diamond necklace. "Wow. It's beautiful."

"Here. Let me." Heidi took the necklace and fastened it around Claire's neck.

Claire looked at her reflection again before turning towards Heidi with shining eyes. "This is too much."

"No. It's not. You're family, Claire."

"I wouldn't even be standing here if it wasn't for you," Claire acknowledged. "Thank you."

Heidi smiled as she recalled Nathan's reaction to his daughter asking to go on a date. "He can be a bit over protective sometimes. He just really cares about you."

"I know my Dad was exactly the same."

There was another knock at the door.

"Come in," Claire said anxiously.

Peter popped his head around the door. "Liam's here. You might wanna speed things up a bit before Nathan can begin the interrogation."

Claire laughed softly. "Right. Thanks again, Heidi." She stood up to follow Peter.

"You look great," Peter complimented her as they made there was downstairs.

"Thanks," Claire took her jacket and scarf from his hands. "This is weird," she whispered. "Everyone's being really helpful ... I mean it's great, a bit unnecessary, but great. I feel like I'm under scrutiny or something. I'm surprised Angela isn't here."

"She couldn't make it." His joke calmed her nerves.

They found Nathan and Liam waiting in the den. Liam looked relieved to see her.

"Claire," Nathan boomed. "I was just getting to know Liam."

Claire took Liam by the hand and led him towards the door and a hasty exit. "Thanks, Nathan."

"Home by midnight." Nathan called after them.

"I know. Have a good night." Claire confirmed as they stepped out into the crisp night air. "Thank God that's over."

Liam's clear blue eyes sparkled and he leaned close to whisper in her ear. "You look beautiful."

Claire: That was the beginning of my short and somewhat tempestuous relationship with Liam.

AN: Edited 12/11.