They all set off that afternoon, taking one of the many spare cars locked up within the garage of the manor. The plan was to drop Zia and Franklin off at their respective houses, and Owen, Claire and Maisie would drive to Owen's place in the woods. There wasn't a lot of room for the three of them, but this way while Claire was doing her office work and public announcements for DPG, Owen and Maisie would stay back and work on the cabin. The sooner it was completed, the more comfortable they would all be.
Owen had tried to convince Claire to rest for at least a few days before going back to work, but she would have none of it.
'Fine Claire, but Zia works there too. If you don't let her check your injuries, or she tells me you're pushing yourself too hard, I'll be coming to collect you myself.'
At first Claire rolled her eyes at Owen's threat, but soon realised he was serious when he exchanged numbers with Zia and was told the exact same thing from the veterinarian.
'Guys, come on, I'm not a child! I run DPG, I can't just abandon it now!'
'And who's going to take over for you when you put yourself in the hospital?' Owen argued. 'You do no more than five hour days, three if you're in the field. Got it?'
Claire reluctantly agreed, only because she knew he would follow through with his threat.
When they reached Owen's caravan, they sent Maisie for a shower, while Owen and Claire sat down at the table.
'I think we should try to contact Iris. She must be worried sick about her.' Maisie had filled them in on her life in the Lockwood manor. She had been homeschooled and looked after primarily by Iris, once her grandfather had been too sick to do so himself. She'd never been to a school and had no friends her own age. Maisie said it did get lonely sometimes, but she never knew any different. She often got lost in her imagination, spending her time getting lost in the manor, pretending she was trekking through the Jurassic era.
'We'll see what we can do tomorrow. For tonight though, lets just rest.'
Claire checked her phone, surprised she had six missed calls, three from her sister, Karen, one from Zach and two from Gray.
'Shit! I need to call Karen and the boys. They've probably heard about the dinosaurs escaping by now.'
'What did Karen say when you told her you were returning the the island?'
There was a slight pause and Claire grimaced. 'I, ah, didn't tell them.'
Owen laughed, slightly amused. 'Have fun telling your sister that.' He kissed Claire on the forehead lovingly, before making his way to the kitchen (if you could call it that), and making them something for dinner.
Putting her phone up to her ear, Claire listened to the concern voicemails of her family. She'd become a lot closer to them since leaving the park three years ago. Always making time to visit them during holidays and family events. Karen and Scott had since divorced, holding off until the boys were coping better since the incident. Zach was now in college and Gray was in high school.
Taking a deep breath, Claire pressed her sisters number and waited for her to pick up. She didn't have to wait long before her sister was yelling down the phone at her.
'Claire! Are you ok? What's going on?' Karen was yelling so loud Claire had to pull the phone away from her ear. 'Why am I hearing reports of you and a team going to the island to save those dinosaurs, and why are they now saying dinosaurs have now escaped and are roaming free in America! You said you'd never go back, Claire! Do you have any idea how worried the boys and I were about you?'
'Uh, hey Karen! How's things?' Claire asked rather lamely, not knowing where to start with everything that had happened within the last few days.
'Claire, are you serious right now? What's going on? Hang on, I'm putting you on speaker with the boys.'
'Aunt Claire, are you ok?' Came the worried voices of her nephews Zach and Gray.
'Hey guys, look I'm fine, really. I did go back to the island to relocate the dinosaurs, but there were a few issues along the way.'
Claire went on to tell them mostly everything, leaving out her injury, almost dying multiple times, and Owen and Maisie. That conversation could wait for another time. No need to worry them even more or get yelled at again by her sister. She always felt like she was getting a lecture from her Mum.
Claire realised that at some point during her conversation that Karen was crying.
'Wait, are you crying again?'
'She hasn't stopped.'
'Zach!' Karen snapped, though it didn't sound as intimidating as it should have with her sniffling.
'Look, if I promise not to go back there, will you stop crying and worrying about me?'
'Claire, there is no island anymore! Don't think you've heard the end of this! And I'll always worry about you, you're my litter sister!'
'Yes Mum. Now if you don't mind, it's been a long day. I'll call you soon, ok?'
'Ok, we love you Claire.'
'Love you too guys.'
Claire hung up and sat there staring at her phone.
'That conversation could've gone better. I can't believe you didn't tell them.' Owen said, sitting back down next to Claire.
'You heard all that?'
'Yeah, way to play it cool.'
Claire chuckled before all went silent again.
'I almost didn't tell you.'
At Owen's questioning look, Claire went on, staring ahead as she spoke.
'After the way we left things last time, I didn't think I was ready to face you again. Mills wanted me to ask you if you'd help recapture Blue, and a part of me thought it was best not to involve you at all. You made it very clear that you wanted nothing to do with that island or the dinosaurs. But the other part of me knew we needed you. I needed you. I knew you wouldn't go back unless it was for Blue though.'
'You really don't know, do you?' Owen said, surprised.
'Know what?'
'I didn't go back for Blue. Sure, seeing her again was great and I wanted to help her. But I went for you, Claire. I knew that if you went, I would never forgive myself if I wasn't there to protect you. And I knew you'd get yourself into trouble.'
'Hey, I do not-' Claire's protest was cut off by Owen's lips claiming hers.
Breaking the kiss, she rested her forehead against his, trying to catch her breath.
'You can't just shut me up like that every time.'
'Why not? It works.' Owen had a cocky grin on his face.
The bathroom door opened, and Maisie wandered out, looking refreshed but exhausted.
'Ok, lets have something to eat, then we'll go to bed.' Owen said, getting up and clapping his hands together.
While they were eating, Claire decided to bring up the subject with Maisie.
'Maisie, we thought it'd be a good idea to call Iris and let her know you're ok. Do you know how to contact her?'
'I have her number in my bag. You want me to go live with her now, don't you?' Maisie said softly, eyes downcast.
'No sweetie, of course not!' Claire assured the girl, placing her hand softly over Maisie's. 'But legally, you don't belong to us. We'd get into a lot of trouble if we just took you without discussing your future with Iris first. She'd be your legal guardian now. But Owen and I will talk to her tomorrow to discuss what we're going to do.'
'Besides, I promised I'd tell you all about Blue, didn't I?'
This seemed to cheer Maisie up, and once they all finished eating, Owen and Claire each took a shower (though Claire found this quite difficult as she couldn't get her leg wet).
As there was only one bed, all three were sleeping wrapped in each others arms. Tomorrow, everything was going to be uncertain and chaotic, but for tonight, everything seemed almost perfect.
