A/N: Hope you enjoy the chapter! Thanks again to my beta angelanharvey3!
Claire's POV
I drove to my mom's house early the next morning. I was feeling nauseous and shaky, and had I no idea if it was morning sickness or just my nerves; I was totally freaking out about asking my mom for Shane's bail. I didn't know exactly how much I was going to need, but I needed to know if she would help us when I did find out.
I pulled into her driveway and turned off the engine, then got out of the car and hurried up to her front door. I was just about to knock when it swung open and my mom appeared in the doorway. The look of excitement on her face soon turned to a look of horror when she saw the cuts and bruises on my face.
"Oh my god, Claire! Sweetheart, what happened to you?" she gasped as her hands shot up to cover her mouth.
I cleared my throat nervously. "Can I come in first?" I asked.
She nodded. "Yes honey, of course," she said, then stepped aside to let me in. "Why don't you have a seat on the couch sweetheart, I'll be back in a minute and you can tell me everything."
"Okay," I acquiesced, walking over and sitting down.
I heard the kettle going off in the kitchen and figured she must have made herself some tea.
She was only gone for a few minutes and when she walked back in, she was carrying a plate of food and cup of what actually smelled like coffee. I was hoping she hadn't made it for me because my stomach was doing back flips and I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to eat just then.
"I made you some breakfast. I hope you're hungry."
Well, wouldn't you know...it was for me.
"I'm really not that hungry, Mom...I'm sorry," I said, feeling guilty that she had went out of her way and made all of this food but I wouldn't be able to eat any of it.
"Do you want some coffee?" she offered.
"No, thank you."
"Are you sure you don't want something to eat?" she asked, waving the plate in front of my face.
"Yes Mom, I'm sure. I really wish you wouldn't have - oh god." I quickly clamped my hand over my mouth, got up, then ran in the direction of the bathroom.
I thought that even though I was feeling nauseous, I would be okay, but apparently I was wrong. The second she waved that food under my nose, I felt the bile rise up in the back of my throat and I knew that my stomach was about to betray me.
I was sure after I had ran out of the room like that, straight to the bathroom to throw up, that my mom suspected something, especially after she'd waved the plate of food in my face and I'd passed up the offer for coffee. She may be old fashioned, more than a little overprotective, and in some ways naive, but she definitely isn't stupid.
I knew that it was about time I came out of the bathroom and face my mom, but I just wasn't ready to see the look of disappointment on her face when she realized, if she hadn't already, that the reason I've been feeling so cruddy lately is because of morning sickness, not a bug.
I stood there staring at my reflection the mirror, contemplating my options: Should I just walk out there, pretend like nothing had happened, and go straight into the reason why I came? Or should I just tell her about the pregnancy, even though Shane had been adamant about us telling her together?
I stood there for a few more seconds, and after I'd finally made up my mind to tell her the truth (but only if she asked), I walked over, put my hand on the doorknob, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
Big surprise. Mom was already standing there waiting for me to come out. She had a look of concern and disappointment on her face, and I knew…I knew she already knew.
"Mom, don't look at me like that. I'm fine," I said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Claire, I am going to ask you something and I want you to be honest with me," she said in a somber tone.
"O-okay," I stuttered.
"Are you pregnant?"
I stood there dumbstruck and shocked by the bluntness of her question, but Mom was always one to get straight to the point, so why should this time be any different?
"Yes."
"God! Claire, how could you be so stupid?" she exclaimed. "I knew this would happen. I mean, how could it not? I let you move in with the guy. Actually, that was your father's brilliant Idea. Now he's gone and I'm left to clean up the mess."
"Mom, it's not so bad and there is no mess for you to clean up. Well, there is a mess, but it has nothing to do with this pregnancy," I assured her.
"No mess... It's not so bad…" She repeated my words back to me as if she had trouble comprehending them. "Claire, do you not realize that you have ruined your life?"
"I did not ruin my life!" I yelled back, getting frustrated.
"How can you say that?" she demanded.
"Did you ruin your life when you had me?" I shot back, looking her straight in the eye.
"N-No, of course not...but that's different," she stammered, and I knew the question had thrown her off.
"How so?" I pushed. "Because if I remember correctly, you and Daddy weren't that much older than me when the two of you got married and knocked up."
"Yes, Claire, but that's just it. I was older and you are still very young. Baby, you have your whole life ahead of you."
"I still do. It's just that my priorities have changed a little," I informed her.
"And what's next on that list of priorities? A wedding, I hope?" she asked pointedly.
"I don't know, Mom. But I don't think Shane is ready and I'm not going to pressure him."
The look that she gave me said it all…that was the stupidest thing she had ever heard.
And it infuriated me.
"And why not? He was ready to have sex with you, but now that you're pregnant he's not ready to marry you? Don't you think that that should be at the top of his and your little 'priority list'?" she asked angrily.
"No, Mother,I don't. When and if Shane and I decide to get married, it will be because we love each other and we want to spend the rest of our lives together - not because I'm pregnant. I need to know that he is here because he wants to be here, and he needs me just as much as I need him - not because I'm having his baby and he feels obligated," I told her.
The look on my mother's face was one of pure frustration and I could tell that she didn't know whether to hug or slap me in that moment. But she chose to hug me, and for that I was thankful; my face didn't need another bruise, and it felt really good to be in my mother's arms. I needed her to tell me that everything was going to be okay, that I would be okay…and to know that she still loved me no matter what.
"When did you get to be so smart?" she asked, hugging me tighter.
"I don't know," I mumbled unenthusiastically.
"God, Claire, I don't know whether I should be proud of you, or be really angry, or both. But what I can say is that despite the whole getting pregnant at seventeen thing, you seem to know exactly what you want, and for that, I am very proud," she offered as she released me from the hug and cupped my face. "I love you and that will never change...no matter what you do," she assured me before kissing my forehead.
"I know, Mom."
"Like I said, you seem to know exactly what you want and that's a good thing," she said with tears in her eyes. "Sometimes it's hard to remember that you are not a little girl anymore...but you are still my little girl. Even if you are all grown up. I'm here for you. So if you ever need any help or advice or just someone take care of the baby for a few hours, promise me that you'll come to me. Juggling all of this…being a mother, going to school, having a job, and taking care of a home is difficult at any age, but it's going to be especially challenging at seventeen."
"I know Mom, thank you...yes, I promise. And I'll be eighteen in less than twenty four hours, you know," I added with smile
"Yes, I know…officially an adult. That would scare the bejeezus out of most parents and I have to admit that it does scare me a little, but you've been acting more like an adult than most adults I know…for a while now, actually, so the edge has kind of worn off," she said with a smile, patting me on the back.
I smiled in response and took a deep breath. Might as well get on with it… I thought with a sigh.
"Mom, there was a reason I came here…" I hinted.
"Hm?" she hummed with a slightly raised brow.
"I have something really important to talk to you about, and I think you should sit down," I told her.
"Claire, you just told me that you're pregnant and I didn't faint then. I think I'll be okay," she joked.
"Just humor me, okay?" I said, showing a little more frustration than I had intended.
Her relaxed demeanor vanished then as she realized that this was obviously something very serious. She nodded and whispered, "Okay…" then walked over and sat down on the couch.
I walked over and sat down too, then turned towards her. I didn't know where to begin; just thinking about the events of the last couple of days choked me up.
My mom must have noticed that I was struggling with my thoughts, because she reached out and put her hand on my knee, giving me a comforting look. "Take your time, sweetheart," she consoled in her motherly tone. "Whatever it is, it must have been traumatic if it's this difficult for you to talk about, but just know that we can talk about anything. No matter what it is, I'm here for you. We can sit here all day if that's what it takes. Just tell me when you're ready."
"Thanks Mom…but I think I'm ready now," I responded, blinking back tears.
"Okay, go ahead."
"The other night, Eve, Michael, Shane, and I went to this new club called Crimson Knights. It was fun at first. I even got to go up on stage and sing karaoke," I started, giving her a half smile.
She smiled in response and nodded for me to continue.
I took a deep, cleansing breath, then soldiered on with the events of that horrible night. "Everything was going great until this man on the dance floor grabbed me…he started acting belligerent and insisted that I had been singing to him, like only him. I tried to get out of his grip, but he was too strong for me. It took Shane coming over and threatening him to get him to leave me alone. Or so we thought…" I trailed off, looking away.
It was hard even thinking about the events of that night, but having to talk about it aloud, especially to my mom, was like reliving the experience all over again.
"Why did you say 'or so you thought'? Was that not the end of it? Is he the one that did this to you?" she asked, referring to my battered face.
"Yes, but there's more. Let me finish…" I told her. "We thought he was gone, but we were wrong – boy, were we wrong. Because later, after everyone had left and I had gone off by myself to use the bathroom, he showed up again. Apparently, he had followed me in there when no one was looking, because when I walked out of the stall to wash my hands, he was standing there by the door, waiting to pounce. Long story short, he tried to rape me and when I tried to fight back, he hit me, hard, several times, but my fighting back isn't what stopped him. What stopped him was that Randi, Eve, and Nikki walked in, and when Randi realized what was happening, she grabbed the knife that he had so casually laid down, put it to his throat, and pulled him off me. He didn't count on my friends showing up to save the day, but then neither did I. I am so grateful they did though, and I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay them," I said, tears streaming down my face.
She immediately pulled me into her arms. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry."
It had been a while since she had held me like that, and at the moment, it was exactly what I needed.
"Where was Shane while all of this was happening?" she asked.
"Well, he was up front waiting for me to come out of the bathroom. He was actually the one who sent the girls to come look for me and make sure I was okay. When they didn't come back, he came looking for me himself. He found us in the hallway after everything was over. When I turned and he saw what that monster had done to me, he was furious and asked me to tell him everything. So I did. After I was done recounting all the gory details, he was livid and told Eve and Randi to take me up front. That's when he went to look for the guy and beat him up."
"Go, Shane," she cheered.
That wasn't at all what I had expected. To be honest, I was completely stunned by her reaction.
I furrowed my brow. "Mom…" I breathed in disbelief.
"I know, and usually I don't condone violence, but that fucker deserved it," she spat.
"Mom!" I exclaimed. She had surprised me once again.
"Well, he did," she said in her defense. "Wait, do you even know his name?"
"Yes, his name is Lee Wilcox. I found that out the next morning when the police came to arrest Shane for Assault and Battery," I replied.
"You're kidding, right?" she asked incredulously.
"Nope, they took him away yesterday morning. That's why I needed to talk to you. I came to ask you if you would do me a favor…"
"Sure. Anything you need, sweetheart."
"Will you come to Shane's bail hearing tomorrow and pay his bail so that he can come home?" I asked, more confident than ever that she would say yes.
"Of course. Shane shouldn't be the one in there anyway; that Lee Wilcox person should be," was her response. "He is going to be arrested, isn't he?"
"That's what they said, and they also said that they were going to go down to the club and try to find more evidence."
"Good."
"Thank you so much, Mom," I gushed. "We will find a way to pay you back as soon as possible, I promise."
"I know you will, sweetheart. Don't worry about me," she instructed. "Let's just focus on getting Shane out of jail and taking care of you and that baby. Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?"
"Yes, Mom. I'm sure." I assured her. "Actually, I should probably be getting home. I have some things I need to get done before tomorrow."
"What could you possibly have to do on a Sunday?" she asked suspiciously.
"Well I...I," I sputtered, trying to think of a lie, but failing miserably.
"Why don't you spend the day with me?" she asked, a pleading look in her eyes. "It just seems like lately I need an appointment see my own daughter. I would just really like to spend some time with you...so what do you say? Will you stay?"
"Yes, I'll stay. And I would love to spend the day with you…that sounds really nice," I said sincerely.
A smile spread across my mother's features. I hadn't seen her smile like that in a long time, since before my father died. It made me feel a little less sad knowing that I had just made her day.
Even though I was a mess on the inside, I put on a smile and hoped that today would be a good day for both of us.
As it turned out, spending the day with my mom had been exactly what I needed. We spent the day watching movies, playing games, and doing things around the house. Never once did we talk about my near rape experience, or about Shane being in jail, or his bail hearing the next day. For those few hours, I pretended that that was someone else's life; it was as if it had all been a movie, and just for a little while, I was able to pause it, step away, and just be.
However, now I was on my way home and it was time to take the movie that was my life off of pause and face reality again.
I pulled up to the curb beside the house and sat there for a second to try and catch my breath. Just as I was about to get out of the car, my cell phone vibrated against my thigh, letting me know I had a text message. I had put it on vibrate in my pocket when I got to my mom's house so that there wouldn't be any interruptions, and forgot to turn it back on when I left.
I reached into my pocket to retrieve my cell, then pressed the power button and the screen lit up. I touched the green puzzle piece on the screen and a text from Eve appeared there.
Meet me and michael at common grounds when u r finished at ur moms
Since there was no reason for me to go into the house now, I decided just to start the car back up and head towards Common Grounds to meet them there, but not before taking my phone off vibrate and placing it back in my pocket, just in case Shane or somebody else important decided to call.
Because it was in the evening on a Sunday, Common Grounds was pretty slow when I got there. I pulled into a parking space beside Eve's car, then got out and went in. I let my eyes scan the room until I found Michael and Eve sitting at our usual spot near the front.
I waved to them and then made my way over to the counter to order myself a drink.
A girl with a round face and curly blonde hair was working the cash register. There was no one in line, so I walked right up to the counter.
"Herbal tea, please?"
"Yeah, that'll be a dollar fifty," she replied coolly.
I took out my wallet and began searching for the correct change.
"No coffee today, Claire?" an all too familiar voice asked from somewhere nearby.
The voice belonged to Oliver, and just the sound of it sent a chill down my spine. I looked up slowly until I was staring straight into those cool calculating eyes. He'd more than startled me and I was sure he knew it, because now I was standing there like a deer caught in head lights and the look on his face said he was enjoying every moment of it.
"I-I decided to try something different today. Keep things interesting," I lied. Badly, I might add.
Why couldn't I be a better liar? Note to self: See if the bookstore has a Complete Idiots Guide to Lying.
"...Or maybe you're cutting back on the caffeine because of the little bambino you're carrying?"
"Huh...?" I breathed. "How did you...know?" I asked, completely taken off guard.
He tapped his earlobe, then discreetly pointed to my stomach, and that's when it dawned on me: with his ultra sensitive hearing, he could hear my baby's heartbeat. However, if that was true, why hadn't Michael heard it before and known that I was pregnant before I did? Or maybe he had, and just chose to keep it to himself. But then that doesn't make any sense, because he was genuinely shocked when Shane and I had told him, so that couldn't be the case.
Note to self: Ask Michael about this. P.S. Kill Michael if he knew and didn't tell me.
"Judith, I've got the cash register. Go fix Ms. Danvers's Herbal tea, would you?" he asked, turning his attention to the other girl.
"Okay," she replied, then turned and walked away.
"Plus..." he continued, turning back towards me and leaning over the counter so that only I could hear what he said next. "You smell different."
"Oh," I replied, a little embarrassed.
"I wonder what Amelie thinks?" he wondered aloud, more to himself than to me.
My eyebrows shot up. "She knows?"
"Don't look so surprised. Nothing happens in this town that Amelie doesn't know about. You, of all people, should know that, Claire," he stated with a slight shrug of his shoulders. "You should be expecting a visit pretty soon."
The curly-haired blonde girl walked back up to the counter with my herbal tea in hand.
"Your herbal tea," she relayed, sliding the cup towards me.
"Thanks," I replied, reaching for the cup…still in shock.
I picked it up and was about to walk away when I heard Oliver clear his throat. I looked back up at him to see that he was holding his hand out, obviously waiting for me to pay for my tea.
"Oh, yeah, sorry," I apologized, then put the two dollars I had clutched in my hand on the counter.
I was almost to my table when none other than Monica Morrell walked in and not two steps behind her were her evil minions, Jennifer and Gina, or as I liked to call them, the Monickettes.
"Well, look who it is," she stated, looking at me as if I were a bug she wanted squash with her shoe.
I was so not in the mood for this; with everything else I had going on right now, I didn't need to add a bitchy encounter with Monica.
"Hello Monica...you're looking as slutty as always," I remarked.
"I'm going to take that as a compliment, because you're obviously jealous, seeing as how you went dumpster diving for your outfit this morning," was her comeback and right on cue, Jennifer and Gina laughed as if it was the funniest thing they'd ever heard.
Usually I would have countered her dig about my outfit with a smartass comment of my own and destroyed her right in front of everyone, but I just didn't feel like it. I didn't have the energy to fight with Monica today. Instead, I stared down at my mug of herbal tea, letting her think she had won.
"What, no witty comeback from our resident genius?" she teased.
"Nope, no come back," I replied, hoping that that would be the end of it.
"So, I heard Shane is in jail again. Something about beating up a guy at Crimson Knights, because he was a little too friendly with you," she said, trying to get a rise out of me... And it worked.
"You don't know the whole fucking story, so stay out of it Monica," I snapped.
"You'd think living in Morganville, you'd be able to handle yourself by now. But I guess you'll always be weak," she remarked with an evil smirk.
"Oh really? Well I'm strong enough to kick your skanky ass," I shot back.
"Oooh I'm so scared. Quick, get me a Depends, I think I just pissed myself," she cried sarcastically. "You do realize that Shane is going to get tired of this Damsel In Distress act and go find himself a real woman, don't you?"
I rolled my eyes. "Let me guess...somewhere in that warped mind of yours, you are hoping that that woman is you. Well, let me remind you honey, he hates you. You killed his sister and he wouldn't spit on you if your hair was on fire. So get over this little high school crush of yours and realize that you don't have a chance in hell with him. It's pathetic...really. Oh, and by the way, you will never be half the woman I am," I declared, then turned and walked away, leaving Monica standing there speechless.
I was almost to Michael and Eve when someone stepped in my path. It was the curly-haired blonde girl from the counter and she didn't look happy.
"Is there a problem?" I asked, having no idea what this could be about because I was sure I had paid for my coffee.
"Yeah, you," she spat.
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I know you don't know who I am...but I know exactly who you are," she said.
She was giving me a look of pure hatred and disgust and somehow I knew she wasn't here to tell me that I was the next big winner of The Publisher's Clearinghouse.
"O-okay... And who would that be, exactly?" I asked.
"You're that little bitch whose boyfriend beat up my fiancé and who's accusing him of attempted rape."
Oh fuck...this is definitely not going to be good...okay, this would be an excellent time for someone to jump out and yell, "Smile! You're on Candid Camera!"
I looked over at the table where Michael and Eve were sitting and saw the alarmed looks on their faces as they started to get up.
"Look, I don't know what you heard or what your fiancé told you, but he's right where he should be. He's sick and he needs to be locked up before he hurts anyone else, because maybe the next girl he tries to rape won't be so-"
My words were cut off by the girl's angry growl as she shoved me backwards with all of her might, and then suddenly, I was flying. I waited for the impacted to come, thinking I would land on the floor or some other hard surface, but instead I landed with a soft thud.
I opened my eyes to see that I had landed on a black leather couch, and that Michael had the girl around the waist, restraining her.
It was only a matter of seconds before Eve was at my side, making sure I was okay and being all motherly. "Oh my God, Claire, are you okay?" she asked concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine…just a little shaken," I assured her.
"When I saw her push you, I was scared. Are sure you're okay? Do you want me to kick her ass? Cuz I will."
"Yes, Eve, I'm sure, and no, I don't want you to kick her ass; the last thing I need right now is you in jail too. Now please, help me up," I requested, then grabbed onto her outstretched hand and got to my feet.
"I guess at least she pushed you onto a couch and not over a table," she joked.
"Yeah, I'm sure the baby appreciates it," I said sarcastically.
"I'll kill you, you bitch! You tell that little boyfriend of yours to watch his back!" she shouted as Michael carried her to the front of the store and away from us.
"Do you want me to order you another drink?" Eve asked. "Since yours is kinda over there on the floor…"
She pointed at the floor behind me where I'd spilt my tea when I went sailing across the room. I didn't need to look back to know that my tea had gone everywhere. I knew that Oliver would be pissed, and I hoped he'd fire her because I really didn't want to have a run in with her every time I wanted some damn tea.
"No, that's okay. I know you guys meant well, but I think I'm just going to go home. I've had enough drama this weekend to last a lifetime," I replied with a shrug.
"Okay, well do you want me to walk you to your car?" she asked.
"No, I'll be fine," I assured her. "I'm parked right outside."
"Okay, I'll see you at home then... Sorry about all of this," she said with a sad smile.
"It's okay...really." I smiled at her halfheartedly, hugged her, then turned and headed towards the door.
When I reached the front, Monica stepped in front of me, blocking the exit. I looked at her incredulously.
"You've got to be kidding me," I sighed, frustrated.
"Don't get your panties in a twist...I just want to ask you a question."
I narrowed my eyes. "What?" I snapped.
"Did I hear you right? Are you pregnant?" she asked, a look of slight contempt on her face.
"That's none of your business," I said, giving her my most wicked 'wouldn't you like to know' grin, before pushing right past her and out the door, into the cool night air.
It felt good to be safe in my car and away from everyone. I didn't think I could take another hostile encounter, and I was sure that if one more thing went wrong today, I was going to end up in a padded room somewhere, which didn't seem like that bad of an idea at the moment, because it seemed like every time I left the house, someone was trying to attack me. At least maybe I'd be safe there.
I looked down, put my hand on my stomach (which was now hard and starting to resemble what most people know as a baby bump), and reflected on the day's events. Today had been very interesting to say the least, but not all of it was bad…some very good things happened today. For instance, I was sure my mother had my back in the whole Lee Wilcox fiasco, and Shane's bail would be paid, meaning he would be home tomorrow. So despite my run in with Monica and the encounter with Lee Wilcox's whack job sister, I had one good thing to look forward to.
"It's all going to be okay...Daddy will be home soon," I said, patting my belly gently.
The next day couldn't have come fast enough; it was my birthday, but more importantly, it was the day of Shane's bail hearing, and he would be coming home. I know he'd only been in jail for a couple of days, but I missed him like crazy.
That morning, after my mom came over and brought the cake for my party later on that evening and the money for Shane's bail, we all left for the courthouse. Eve rode with Michael and I rode with my mom. We decided it was better to take two cars so that the car ride home wouldn't be cramped.
We got to the courthouse at 9:15 a.m. They brought Shane in about twenty minutes later, and the hearing finally started about thirty minutes after that. The hearing was short; Shane pleaded guilty and the judge set Shane's bail at seven thousand dollars. We only had to pay fifteen percent of it.
After we went and paid Shane's bail, they told us that it could take up to a few hours to process his release, so Michael suggested we go have lunch while we waited for the call to come pick him up.
Michael, Eve, and I were sitting in a booth at Lou's Sandwich Shack, eating...again and waiting for Shane to call. My mother had gone on ahead to the house to set up for my party; I wasn't really into it, but if everyone else wanted to celebrate, who was I to argue?
I had managed to choke down a couple bites of my sandwich, but not much more. The anticipation was making it hard to do anything other than sit there, worry, and try to keep from fidgeting.
Apparently, Eve and Michael had noticed.
"You okay, Claire?" Eve asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, you've been sitting there for the last fifteen minutes mutilating your sandwich with your toothpick. So, either something is bothering you, or you've got a really big grudge against turkey 'n swiss," Eve joked lightly.
"Okay, you're right...this waiting is driving me crazy. They said he'd be released in three to four hours. It's been five. Why hasn't he called yet? What if something happened and he's not getting out?"
"Claire, you need to stop worrying. His bail is paid. He is getting out today. Sometimes these things just take longer than expected," Eve reasoned.
"I guess you're right," I replied, still a bit unsure.
"Of course I am," she insisted.
My phone rang then, startling me. I reached into my purse, hoping it was the call I had been waiting for, and pulled out my cell phone. When I looked at the screen and saw the number of the jail, my heart skipped a beat. I pressed TALK and put the phone up to my ear.
"Hello?"
"This is the Morganville Texas jail. I have Shane Collins on the line. Will you accept the charges?" the operator asked.
"Yes," I replied, eager to hear his voice.
There was a long silence and then Shane came on the line.
"Hey, so I heard it's your birthday," he began.
"Why yes, it is," I gushed.
"Well don't you think you should come and get me so we can...um, celebrate?" he asked, the sentence full of innuendo
I pictured him standing there with that wicked grin on his face that I loved so much, and smiled. I knew exactly what kind of celebrating he was referring to, and it had nothing to do with my birthday party.
"We'll be right there," I assured him, ignoring the innuendo.
"I love you," he said, his voice now soft and serious.
"I love you too," I replied. "I'll see you in a minute."
"Okay, I'll be waiting," he said before hanging up.
I pressed END CALL and put my phone away, then looked up at Michael and Eve.
"You ready?" I asked.
"Yes...let's go get your boyfriend," Eve replied. "Before you do anymore damage to that poor sandwich."
I smirked. "Shut up…"
We paid for our food, then left and headed to the jail to pick up my Shane.
Even though I knew the nightmare was far from over…that Shane may still have to go to trial, and that I would have to see and possibly testify against Lee Wilcox, at least Shane would be home for now.
We arrived at the jailhouse not five minutes later, and Shane was already standing outside waiting. I jumped out of the car, barely giving Michael time to come to a completely stop, ran up the stairs, threw my arms around Shane, and gave him a long, hard, passionate kiss. Shane returned the kiss just as eagerly, and when we finally pulled apart, we were both breathing heavily and trying to catch our breath.
"Wow, I missed you too," he said, giving me his signature grin. "Maybe I should go to jail more often."
I smacked him on the chest, but didn't loosen my hold on him. "Don't even joke about that, Shane. It's not funny," I said sternly, looking away.
I know he was just trying to lighten the mood, but I just couldn't joke about Shane being in jail. These last three days had been hell for me, and even though I knew he wasn't serious, I couldn't find the humor in it.
He reached out, lifted my chin with his index finger and looked deep into my eyes. "It was a stupid joke...I'm sorry," he promised, then kissed my forehead and pulled me into an enveloping hug.
I sighed, loving the smell of him. I had missed it. "It's okay...I know I shouldn't be this way, but I can't help it. I missed you like crazy," I whispered.
"I missed you too...these last three days seemed like an eternity," he whispered against my lips before kissing them softly.
"Yes, they did," I agreed. "You don't know how good it feels to be in your arms right now."
"Actually, I think I do."
"Let's go home, okay?" I suggested, leaning back and looking into his beautiful eyes.
"Okay," he complied, then released me from the hug.
As I turned around, he draped his arm around my shoulders, not seeming to want to let me go, and then we both began to walk down the stairs towards Michael's car.
"I can't wait to never see this place again," I declared, intertwining my fingers with his where his hand lay on my shoulder.
"My thoughts exactly," he agreed, planting a kiss to my temple.
Shane's POV
I came downstairs and walked into the living room to find Claire, Eve, Randi, and Nikki gathered around the living room TV, finishing a game of Rock Band 3. I had showered and changed clothes, and was finally ready to start Claire's 18th birthday celebration, but it looked like they had started without me.
I sat on the couch next to where Claire was standing, singing the last of the words to Katy Perry's Firework.She smiled at me and put the microphone down when she was finished.
"How was your shower, babe?" she asked sweetly, then bent down and gave me a quick peck on the cheek.
"It was good...it was exactly what I needed, but it would have been even better with you in it," I told her, giving her the grin that I knew drove her crazy.
She smirked. "You know I would have, but my mother is here and I don't feel comfortable having sex in the shower with her down below," she pointed out.
"Who cares if your mom is here?" I shrugged.
"Um, I do," she said bluntly, then slyly placed herself in my lap. "What if she had heard me?" she whispered in my ear.
I slowly nodded. "Oh, that's right...you are kinda loud," I teased.
"Shane," she whined and pushed against my chest, her face blushing bright red from embarrassment.
Aw.
I smiled, giving her my best cheesy grin.
She hit my shoulder as hard as she could.
"Ow, sorry...damn you hit harder now that you're pregnant," I said, rubbing my shoulder.
"Serves you right, Shane," Eve interjected, siding with Claire. "But he is right Claire, you are kinda loud."
Claire stood up. "Oh, and you're not, 'Miss Oh Michael fuck me harder, my fucking sexy vampire man'!" Claire exclaimed, imitating Eve loudly.
She'd obviously forgotten all about her mom being here in her haste to get back at Eve.
"Yeah…" she continued with a smile. "I hear all kinds of weird shit coming from your room at night."
"Baby," I said, trying unsuccessfully not to laugh, "Shhh! Your mother," I reminded her.
"Shit!" she exclaimed, covering her face with her hands.
She peeked at me through her fingers as I whispered, "Where is she anyway?"
"She's in the kitchen," she whispered back, imitating me.
I slowly shook my head and smirked at her.
'Oh my god…' she mouthed, then hid behind her hands again.
I chuckled and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her back down onto my lap.
"Wow, that's some seriously funny shit," Randi said, chiming in for the first time. "I could tell from the day I met you that you were a freak, Eve."
"And that's a bad thing?" Eve asked, grinning evilly.
"Never said it was," Randi said, meeting Eve's grin with one of her own.
"Anyway," I interjected, changing the subject, "Speaking of Michael, where the hell is he?"
I noticed Michael's absence when I first walked in the room and had meant to ask, but I'd gotten distracted by my conversation with Claire.
"He got a phone call just a little while before you came down, then said he had something important to take care of and left," Eve answered. "I'm guessing it was some sort of vampire business."
"Really. So he couldn't have waited until after we were done?" I asked, annoyed that Michael had just up and left knowing that it was Claire's birthday.
"It's okay...really," Claire said, her eyes saying otherwise.
He could have at least stayed until after everything was over.
"No, it's not," I countered. "I just got out of jail and it's your birthday...he should be here."
"It's really not that serious, Shane. I'm sure he'll be back soon," Eve said, defending Michael.
"Whatever, are we going to wait on him or what?"
"I told him we would, but he said not to, because he didn't know how long he would be," she replied.
"Great...so let's get started," I said, a little more sarcastically than intended. "I'll go see if your mom needs any help in the kitchen."
"Please do...she's been in there such a long time, I'm starting to worry," Claire admitted.
"Claire, could you come in here please?" her mother asked then, suddenly appearing in the kitchen doorway.
"Yeah sure, I'll be right there, Mom."
I stood up then, and followed her into the kitchen. When I saw who was sitting at the table across from Claire's mom, I stopped in my tracks. Myrnin had decided to pay us a visit on Claire's birthday. I doubted it was a social visit. I knew he wanted something and I had a good idea what that was; Claire hadn't been to work in weeks, and I knew he had come over to ask for her return.
Over my dead body.
"What the hell are you doing here?"I demanded, glaring at him.
"I just stopped by to see how young Claire is doing and to wish her a Happy Birthday," he replied, as if this was a normal everyday occurrence.
"Bullshit! You never stop by unless you want something," I exclaimed. "So either tell us what you want, or leave. Now."
"Shane, calm down. It's okay," Claire assured me, then turned her attention to our visitor. "I'm fine Myrnin, thanks for stopping by. Did you need something, or was that it?"
"Yes, Claire. I'm afraid I do have my own selfish reasons for visiting this evening," he admitted.
"I knew it," I said, cursing him in my mind.
"Shane," she scolded.
I gave her a hard look, letting her know I wasn't budging.
She sighed then turned her attention back to Myrnin. "What did you want, Myrnin?"
"I came to tell you that I need you to come back to work," he said. "I feel you've had enough time to recover from your father's passing, and now I need you to return to the lab."
"No! Hell no!" I exclaimed angrily.
"Shane, stop being this way...you knew I had to go back sometime," she said, putting her hands on my chest, trying to calm me down apparently.
"Not now. You're pregnant and he's not stable," I told her, continuing to glare at Myrnin over Claire's shoulder.
"He won't hurt me...I'll be fine," she said reassuringly.
Her reassurance did little to ease my mind.
"What will stop him when you're alone in his lab and he suddenly gets really thirsty?...That's right, nothing," I reasoned, shaking my head. "It won't matter that you're pregnant, you'll be like a tall cold glass of water in the middle of a fucking desert. It's too dangerous... No."
"Sha-," she started, but I interrupted her.
"No," I reiterated. "There is no way you're going to get me to change my mind on this," I said firmly. "I'm not going to lose you because this douchebag decides he wants a mid-afternoon snack."
"It wasn't a request, it was an order," Myrnin interjected.
Claire turned to face Myrnin, her face saying that she wasn't too happy with Myrnin's choice of words. She opened her mouth to speak, but I beat her to the punch.
"You can give all the fucking orders you want - she's not going back to work for you...you'll have to kill me first."
"Hmmm...an intriguing idea," he contemplated, tapping his chin with his index finger, as if he was seriously considering my words. "It can definitely be arranged."
"Can't we work something out...you know, a compromise," Mrs. Danvers said, stepping in. "What if you let Claire have some time off, at least until after the baby is born? That way, she can be more focused on whatever it is you have her working on."
"I'm afraid that's impossible," Myrnin replied.
"See, that leech is being unreasonable," I stated furiously.
"On the contrary, I think I'm being quite reasonable. Claire comes back to work for me and I don't kill you where you stand," he threatened. "Considering the way you've talked to me, I think that's more than generous."
"Come and get me, bloodsucker!" I yelled through clenched teeth.
"Shane, stop it," she demanded, stepping in between us. "Myrnin, please leave so that I can talk to Shane. You and I will talk later."
"Yes, we will," he concurred, then walked over to the back door, opened it, and left. The door closed quietly behind him.
Claire turned back towards me, took my face in her hands and looked into my eyes. I stood there stubbornly staring back at her with my arms folded across my chest.
"Shane, I know you worry about me, but you don't have to," she assured me. "You are not going to lose me. Can't you just-"
I chuckled humorlessly, then uncrossed my arms and grabbed her wrists, removing her hands from my face. I placed them down by her sides and held them there while I spoke. "No. Before you ask, I am not okay with it. I will never be okay with it," I declared, already knowing where this was going and nipping it in the bud before she had a chance to take it any further.
I let go of her wrists, then turned and walked passed her mother, through the kitchen door, and into the living room.
"Shane!" Claire called out from behind me as the kitchen door shut in her face.
I walked over to the couch, sat down, and grabbed the remote, then started flipping through the channels, completely ignoring the fact that Eve, Randi, and her friend Nikki, were already sitting there watching something.
"Hey! We were watching that!" Eve exclaimed.
"Does it look like I give a fuck?" I snapped.
"What the hell is your prob-"
Just then, Claire burst into the living room, cutting Eve off. "What the hell was that? You can't treat me like I'm a child, Shane. I am a grown woman...your girlfriend, not to mention the mother of your unborn child. I deserve some respect. I understand why you don't want me to go back, but I have to. I can make my own decisions and I can take care of myself," she exclaimed, looking down at me angrily, her hands balled up into little fists.
"Yeah, like you took care of yourself the other night with Lee Wilcox," I countered, but immediately regretted it and wished like hell I could take the words back.
Her jaw clenched as tears filled her eyes.
"That's not fair and you know it," she replied, her chin quivering a little.
I stood up and took a step towards her, but she stepped back.
"Claire, I'm sorry. I didn't mean," I promised, trying to reach across the space between us and pull her into my arms.
She slapped my hands away and stepped back. Again.
"No…don't," she said before she turned and ran up the stairs.
You are such a fucking idiot, Shane.
I hated myself for hurting her. I hadn't meant to say that, and I really hadn't meant to make her cry.
"Way to be an asshole, Shane. What's next, are you going to steal candy from little kids?" Eve remarked sarcastically.
"Nobody fucking asked for your opinion Eve, so just go back to watching whatever girly shit the three of you were watching and stay the hell out of it."
"Geeeez." I heard Nikki say as I hurried out of the room and up the stairs after Claire.
This night was turning out to be a real blast.
...
When I got upstairs, the door to what was now our room, was open a crack, so I pushed it open the rest of the way and went in. Beyonce's If I Were a Boy was blaring loudly from the speakers on the stereo.
I walked over and turned it off.
Claire was lying on her side on the bed, her back facing me. She lifted her head and turned it slightly, trying to see who had just turned off her music, and sniffled softly.
"Hey! I was listening to that," she snapped,
"I know, but I thought we should talk," I said, making my voice low and gentle.
"Do whatever you want. You will anyway," she said, then turned away from me again.
"Don't be that way," I pleaded, then thought better of it. "You know what...never mind. You have every right to be mad at me." I walked over and sat down on the bed next her. "I'm sorry...I never should have said that. I'm a huge asshole. I wouldn't blame you if you never forgave me," I offered, then sat there and waited for her response.
It wasn't long before she sat up and turned to face me.
"Why should I...? I mean, why would you even say that to me? Were you trying to hurt me? Because if so, it worked. You succeeded in hurting me," she informed me, fresh tears filling her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, baby. I don't know what I can say or do to fix this...The second I said it, I wished I could take it back. But I can't. And to answer your question, I never meant hurt you. I never would. It just slipped out in the heat of the moment," I replied, looking down and shaking my head sadly.
"I should be mad at you for a very long time, but I can't be because I love you and I need you. So, I forgive you."
I reached out and took her face in my hands, then wiped her tears away with my thumbs, kissing her tenderly afterwards.
"I love you too, so much. I really am sorry. It's just that you're the only family I have left and if something happened to you, I don't know what I'd do." I confessed. "I know I have Michael and Eve, but it's not the same. I was just frustrated that you were putting yourself at risk and I said something I never should have said. I saw how badly traumatized you were by what Lee Wilcox did to you and I am a total jackass for even letting those words leave my mouth. You don't know how badly I wish I could take them back, but I can't and I truly am sorry."
"I know," she said, putting her forehead against mine. "I understand how you feel and I understand that you want to protect me. If I can help it Shane, you are not going to lose me. I'll fight like hell not to leave you, but if it will make you happy, I will talk to Myrnin and see if there is a way I can work on stuff from home, at least until after have the baby is born, but I seriously doubt it. If I can't, you have to chill out and let me do my job...okay?"
"I'll try, that's the best I can do."
"Thank you," she said, then kissed me softly.
"So, you told your mother about the baby?" I asked as I pulled back.
"Yeah, she kinda guessed on her own. I kinda gave it away when she brought out the breakfast she'd made and I refused to eat any of it, then took off running towards the bathroom to throw up after she'd waved it in my face," she admitted.
"Oooo, yeah that's not good."
"Tell me about it. She was standing there waiting for me when I came out the bathroom and asked me very bluntly if I was pregnant. I was so shocked, I told her everything, and as I expected, she freaked out, but after we talked about everything she calmed down and even warmed up to the idea, then we spent the rest of the day together."
"So, I don't have to worry about her trying to kill me anytime soon?" I half-joked.
"No, you're safe."
"Good to know." I gave her a quick kiss, then stood up.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To the bathroom. I'll be right back…I promise," I assured her, then leaned down and gave her one more quick kiss before leaving the room.
...
I walked into the doorway of our room a few minutes later to find Claire standing at the floor length mirror across the room with her shirt raised up, revealing her now slightly rounded belly. She had a smile on her face and was gently running her hand over it. As I stood there watching her, a smile spread across my face as well.
"What are you doing?" I asked with a playfully arched eyebrow.
She looked up at my reflection in the mirror and smiled.
"Looking at my stomach in the mirror to see how much bigger it's gotten," she replied, then turned to me and let her shirt fall back down to cover her belly. "And thinking about what I'll look like when seven or eight months along, I'm huge, have swollen ankles, and can no longer see my feet. Will you still think I'm beautiful? Will you find me sexy?"
I walked over to her and pulled her into my arms. "Well you do paint a beautiful picture," I joked. "And I'll tell you what I told you the last time you asked me that, I will always think you're beautiful and I will always find you incredibly sexy. I love you and that will never change, okay? Don't ever doubt that."
I moved her hair out of her face, leaned in and gave her a kiss that let her know exactly how I felt and that I wouldn't be changing my mind anytime soon. It was passionate, hungry, and full of lust. She kissed me back in much the same way. Her lips were soft, sweet, and tasted of cherries. A combination that always seemed to kick my raging hormones into overdrive and at that moment, I could feel myself getting hard.
I broke the kiss, knowing I had to end it then, or there would be no turning back, and with what Claire had recently been through, I wasn't sure she was ready. The kiss said she was, but I wasn't going to push her, plus there was something I had to do, that I had been waiting to do, and now seemed like the perfect time.
"What? What is it?" she asked when I broke the kiss. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing…everything is fine," I assured her. "It's just that there's something I've wanted to ask you."
"Okay...what?"
"Well, I..." I started, but was interrupted by the sound of my cell phone ringing in my pocket.
Damn whoever it isI thought as I reached into my pocket. I didn't want to answer, but with everything that had been going on lately, I knew I had to.
"Just a second, okay?" I told her as I turned away slightly.
It was facing the wrong direction, so I flipped it over and looked down at the screen. I didn't recognize the number, but I knew the only person I had given my number to lately was the public defender. I had given it to him as a way to reach me when I was out-processing.
I pushed the talk button and put the phone up to my ear.
"Hello?"
"Hello, is this Shane Collins?" the voice on the other end of the line asked.
"Yeah, this is he," I replied casually.
"This is Aaron Nettings, the public defender you spoke with at the Morganville Jail."
"Oh, hi...has something changed?" I asked curiously.
"As a matter of fact, yes it has. It seems that Lee Wilcox has dropped the charges he filed against you," he said.
"Are you serious?" I asked, completely stunned.
"Yes, it seems he's changed his mind about pursuing the charges against you. You are in the clear."
"Why? I mean, that's awesome, but why?" I asked.
"That, I can't answer, because I don't know. Just be happy that you're out and you're free of all this. Take care of that pregnant girlfriend of yours…even though he dropped the charges against you, she is most likely going to have to face him in court."
"I will, thanks." I said, then tossed the phone onto the bed.
"Who was that?" Claire asked.
"It was the public defender that they assigned me in jail. Apparently Lee Wilcox dropped the charges," I said with a big grin.
Claire didn't share my excitement though. In fact, she looked unsure and scared.
"Are you sure? I mean, this isn't some kind of joke?" she asked.
"Yes, baby, I'm sure. This is not a joke," I said.
"He can't change his mind, right? They're not gonna come and like, get you in the middle of the night?" she asked, and I could tell she was serious. I knew then that she really was afraid of losing me.
Aw.
I chuckled lightly as I wrapped her in my arms, hoping to ease her fears. "No, he cannot change his mind. He dropped the charges, this is for real," I assured her as I lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. "You don't have to worry. They are not going to come get me in the middle of the night, okay? You're stuck with me."
She smiled and it looked so beautiful on her. "Good. You don't know how happy that makes me," she said.
"I think I just might," I said, giving her a long, slow kiss. As I pulled back, I looked into her eyes. "Now, there is still the matter of that question I wanted to ask you…"
"Okay, so ask me."
"Well...I've wanted to ask you this for a while…I've actually been thinking about this a lot lately," I said, then took in a deep breath as I felt my nerves consume me. "I know I said I wasn't ready, and for a long time there, I wasn't…but with everything that has happened lately, I realize that I am. It's also made me realize how much you mean to me, that I can't live without you, and that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you so much."
"I love you too," she said, her voice shaky and her eyes filled tears as realization slowly dawned on her face.
"So…" I continued as I got down on one knee and pulled out a little black box. "I guess what I'm asking you, Claire Danvers, is will you be my wife?" I asked, opening the box's velvet top. "Baby, will you marry me?"
Her mouth formed the shape of a little o and she gasped as more tears fell from her glistening eyes.
I could barely breathe and was frozen in place, knelt there by the bed on one knee, nervously awaiting her answer.
E/N: So, what did you think? Leave a review! Feedback good or bad is much appreciated! Thanks for reading!