The Fallen:
Spring 2010:
Peter Petrelli was stunned as the petite pale hand reached out for his. He stared at her hand as it lay on the leather seat next to him. The hand belonged to his niece, Claire. It was an peace offering he could not resist. He reached out and placed his hand on hers. She squeezed it gently, reassuring him that no matter what was about to happen she was there for him. He looked up into her soft green eyes and saw the same worry that was running through his own mind. Together with his brother, Nathan, they were on the way to the hospital. Just minutes earlier. Nathan had received a phone call advising him his wife and mother were in the emergency room. Car accident. Condition unknown.
"If it was bad enough that they couldn't say anything over the phone . . . Oh, God." Claire's thoughts echoed in his mind. "I'll never forgive myself."
He tried valiantly not to hear them, but in the muddle of his own emotions, he couldn't control his mind reading power. He rubbed his fingers along hers and her panicked murmurings died down.
Their hands found one another again after they exited the car. Nathan strode into ER as if he was attending a business meeting. For him, the moment was about power, being in control. Because Nathan Petrelli very rarely found himself out of control in any situation. And, he would be damned if he let his emotions slide on this occasion.
"Mr Petrelli." A pretty nurse met them at the entrance. She started giving him a summary of the accident, like she was briefing him on a series of morning meetings.
Claire found the pace difficult to keep up with. She ran alongside Peter. The dull echo of her black pumps the only noise between them. Still, they did not let go. It was comforting for them, to stay connected. Both reasoned that it wasn't weird or unusual, they were family and this was what families do in times of crisis.
"How is my wife?" Nathan Petrelli's first question was barked like an order.
"She is fine. A slight bump to the head." The nurse's brunette head bobbed up and down as she walked.
"And the baby?"
"We're just doing an ultrasound now to confirm, but everything appears to be normal."
"Where is she? Can I see her?"
"Yes, sir. Just follow me."
"Wait." Nathan Petrelli came to a halt in the crowded hallway. "What about my Mother?"
The nurse turned to face them, a grave look on her face. "The specialist is with her now . . . "
Peter finally spoke up. "Specialist? What's going on?" he demanded.
"Look when we know more, I'll let you know."
"I don't understand. What's wrong with her. Where is she?"
"I know you're all concerned right now. When your mother was brought in she was unconscious. Right now, we are doing everything we can to help her. Now, if you'll follow me." She led the way into a dimly lit room.
Heidi Petrelli was lying on a hospital bed, stomach exposed as a technician moved an ultrasound wand around her belly. "Oh, Nathan. Oh, Peter. I'm so glad you're here. It was awful." She was deathly pale, a small bruise on her forehead.
Nathan was at her side in an instant. His hand reaching out and finding hers. "Are you okay?" He asked.
Peter and Claire stood back slightly. Relieved glances passed between them. They were still holding hands.
"I'm fine . . . But Angela . . ." Heidi began.
"Shh . . ." Nathan kissed her on the forehead. "How is the baby?"
"Just perfect," the technician replied.
Relieved smiles all around.
A few hours later, Nathan, Heidi, Peter and Claire found themselves in a hospital ward, at Angela Petrelli's bedside. The Specialist had spoken to them just a few minutes earlier. Angela had suffered a broken ankle and a concussion in the accident. The CT scan was clear, but for the time being she was still unconscious. Therefore, the full extent of her head injury was not known. Heidi had been given the all clear.
"Oh," Heidi sighed. "I can't believe this. I feel so responsible."
Nathan put his arm around his wife and pulled her close. "Hey, this isn't your fault."
"We're just glad you're okay, Heidi. Mom will come through this. She's a fighter," Peter offered.
A silence fell over the room as they all contemplated their relationships with the matriarch of the Petrelli family.
"Hey Pete," Nathan smiled at his brother. "Remember when we were kids and Mom had to take you to the emergency room."
Peter frowned and raised an eyebrow at his brother.
"Sure you do. It was your sixth birthday and Mom was giving you a lecture about party etiquette so you stuck an M&M up your nose."
Claire giggled and Peter rolled his eyes.
Nathan ignored Peter and continued for Heidi and Claire. "Of course, it got stuck so Mom took him to the ER. On the way she started telling him off for putting stuff up his nose and how dangerous is was. Peter, by this time, was so angry that when they got to the hospital he proceeded to give anyone who would listen a lecture on the dangers of sticking objects up noses. He was so good at mimicking her tone, it was classic. Poor Mom, if looks could kill."
"Only time I went to hospital as a kid." Peter smiled shyly as laughter filled the room. He stepped closer to Claire, secretly reaching for her hand again. She didn't pull away.
Together they swapped stories about Angela. Heidi and Claire sharing their tumultuous first encounters with her. For Nathan and Peter it was more stories from their childhood. Another silence fell between the group. The two brothers both contemplating what it would mean to lose another parent.
"Oh. Oh no," Heidi spoke suddenly.
"What is it?" Claire asked.
"Oh oh oh oh oh." She stood up and flicked her dark hair behind her shoulder.
"What?" The other three asked in unison.
"My water just broke." She clutched her swollen stomach.
"Your, your what?" Nathan stammered. "Baby time?"
Heidi nodded, unable to suppress the big smile on her face.
"Are you two okay to stay here?" Nathan asked.
"Of course!" Peter stood up and ushered them out the door. "Go . . . go." He waved them off down the hallway. "Good Luck!"
He turned back to Claire. "What a day, huh?"
"Yeah." She suddenly felt uncomfortable in his presence.
Peter took a seat opposite Claire, on the other side of the hospital bed. Angela's skin was a sickly shade. It was unusual for them to see her in this way. She never got sick and was always perfectly made-up. Together they sat, taking in the silence and the soft sound of her breathing.
"I'm-" Claire began.
"You know it's-" Peter started.
They both stopped abruptly when they realised the other was speaking. A goofy smile spread across Peter's face. "You go."
Claire smiled shyly and averted her gaze from his. "I was just going to say . . . ah . . . that I'm sorry for-"
Peter offered her his hand across the bed. "No . . . It's okay. You don't need to . . . " He paused when she took his hand. "Not now."
Her green eyes filled with tears. "I'm so scared."
"I know." Peter nodded his agreement. "All the powers in the world and I still wasn't prepared for this."
"I've missed you." A solitary tear slid down her cheek.
"Hey, maybe after all this is over we can go out dancing."
Claire laughed and dabbed the back of her hand at her tears. "I'd like that . . . It's been . . . Forever."
He stroked the top of her hand. They sat at Angela's bedside, chatting for hours, smiling like old friends who been never been apart.
Claire awoke to the soft squeeze of her fingers. "Mmm . . . Pete?" The hand that held hers had red manicured nails. She lifted her head back from the covers only to meet the eyes of her grandmother. "Hey, you're awake."
Angela smiled. "Where is everyone?" There was expectation in her tone.
"You know you're in the hospital right?"
Angela nodded. "Yes."
"They're down in Obstetrics. Heidi went into labour."
"Heidi . . . How is she?"
"She's fine." Claire tightened her grip and place her other on top. "The baby is fine. Pete was here just a moment ago, but I guess he went to check on them."
"What time is it?" The colour had returned to her face.
Claire yawned and glance down at her wrist. "A little after three. How are you feeling?"
"Sore." She examined a deep purple bruise on her arm. "You know, Dear, I've been meaning to talk to you." Angela let go of Claire's hand and pushed herself up the bed.
"You have?" Claire swallowed.
"I know."
"You know?" Claire ran a hand through her dark hair, fearing what would come next.
"I know you're hurting."
"Ah," Claire could feel the tears welling up again.
"Life, the choices we make, as a woman these are never easy."
"That's an understatement."
"I was once like you. Afraid of being alone, afraid that no one would ever want to love a . . . freak . . . is that what you call it?"
Claire stared at her grandmother as she continued.
"You need to take care of yourself, Claire. Before you can truly let anyone into your heart."
Claire blinked back tears. "I . . . I don't know how to be me any more."
"I know one thing . . . this." Angela gestured to Claire's appearance. "This has to go. You're almost twenty . . . A bit old for teenage flights of fancy, wouldn't you say?"
"I need some help," Claire agreed.
Angela opened her arms. "Come here."
Claire leaned onto the bed and let her grandmother put an arm around her.
"And you always thought I was a cold hearted bitch."
Claire stiffened, unsure of what to say. The look on her face gave her true feelings away.
"It's okay. I apologise to you, Claire. I've never really given you a chance to get to know me." Angela's voice was tinged with regret. "I never saw eye to eye with your mother and I've let that affect our relationship."
Claire relaxed and nestled her head into Angela's shoulder. "I'm sorry . . . for not being myself lately."
"I know about school."
"Oh God," Claire groaned. "I . . . can explain . . ."
"I might be able to offer some help in that area."
Claire sat up, face to face with Angela. "Really?"
Peter cleared his throat in the doorway. He looked tired. "I hope I'm not interrupting." He was a little surprised to see them embracing, but he covered it well.
"Of course not, Peter," Angela smiled at her son.
"How are you feeling?" He didn't move from the doorway.
"A little sore but," she looked at Claire. "On the mend."
"How is Heidi?" Claire questioned.
"Great, better than great. She and Nathan are now the proud parents of a baby girl," he announced, stepping into the room.
"A girl!" Claire squealed with delight. "I have a sister!" She leapt up and launched herself at Peter. They embraced warmly, relishing the closeness that had been absent for too long. The broke apart slowly, their gaze lingering.
Angela Petrelli watched her son and niece, hands in her lap, a contented smile on her face.
At last, guilt free smiles all around.
A/N: Hi, thanks for reading - Pip :)
In the last chapter of Volume Four: Goodbye and Good Luck: Claire makes a stunning decision about her future.