Woah, guess who's back after all this time? It's meeeee. Sorry for such the delay on this chapter, between school and bad case of writer's block, nothing was getting done.

Now, I know we all were expecting this chapter to be about how Veronica and Chandler got together, but no. Because I suck. That'll be the next chapter. Because I just love Momma Chandler and Claire a little too much. (Honestly, Claire's not very far from getting her own story.)

Also, a dear reader suggested that some character in this story get killed off for fluff purposes(?) (she suggested Claire) and that, I can promise, is not going to happen. That is not the purpose of this story, it's FLUFF. Okay. No dying. Sorry.

Crack!

Another bolt of lightning streaked the sky outside, soon followed by a loud cracking, making Heather pull her blanket around her tighter. Why the hell did Veronica have to go out on nights like these?

This was one thing that she hated to admit, even to herself - thunderstorms scared her. The almighty, fearless Heather Chandler was afraid of thunderstorms.

This is all Veronica's fault. If she didn't go out, she wouldn't be stuck hiding in a blanket in bed alone. Well, unless...

"Come on, Claire.. You're going to come sit with mommy.." The blonde mumbled, pulling the half-asleep toddler into her arms. The girl grunted in response, not being all too happy with being moved.

Heather had brought her back to her and Veronica's room, settling the two of them under the covers almost immediately. Claire seemed rather pleased at the fact that her mother was letting her cuddle. Usually Veronica was the cuddler.

The blonde had jumped as another flash of lightning illuminated the room, pulling Claire uncomfortably close. The toddler huffed and opened her eyes to glare at her, grumpy about being woken up.

"Mommy, no. Bad."

"Mommy's not bad."

"Yeahhh."

"Noooo. I'm scared. That's different than bad."

"Whyyyy?"

"Because mama's not here to protect me from the big, bad storm outside." Heather made sure to motion towards the window for emphasis.

"That's okay."

"No, it's not."

"Yuh-huh. I'll protect you." Claire nodded, nuzzling closer.

Really? Her three year old daughter wasn't afraid of the storm but she was? Damn it.

Heather smiled, smoothing down the girl's unruly curls with her hand before kissing the top of her head. This was definitely Veronica's parenting shining through.

"You're such a good girl." She said, lightly poking Claire on the nose.

"I know!" Claire answered, grinning at her cheekily. Andddd that was her parenting showing itself.

It wasn't long before the two had drifted off to sleep together, Heather hugging Claire to her chest.

"Heather-?" Veronica called into the quiet house, looking around curiously, "I'm home..!"

Well.. She wasn't in the kitchen or the living room.. And Claire wasn't in the nursery..

Peeking her head around the corner to their bedroom, the brunette grinned at the sight that greeted her. Heather was sprawled out, arm hanging off the edge of the bed; Claire, upside down, her leg thrown over Heather's chest, the two snoring quietly.

"Looks like someone was freaked out by the storm.."