Clara decided not to go to the sentencing hearing. She made the excuse that it was nearing exam time and she needed to get things moving with her classes, but Danny knew she just didn't want to see him. They had instead agreed that he would go to find out, although Clara's lawyer would contact her otherwise.
The hearing started at 2 so Danny left after the morning lessons were over, briefly stopping by on his way out.
"You don't have to do this for me, it shouldn't be your problem," Clara put a hand around his waist and Danny kissed her head softly.
"If it's your problem then it's my problem, that'll never change. Besides - today all we need to worry about is how long, we know he's going down. Are you sure you're okay here?" he asked.
"Year 11s this afternoon, they're practically terrified of me now, I'll be fine," she grinned and stepped back, still holding his hand. "I'll see you at home, Adrian said he'll drop me back," Clara kissed him quickly and Danny left, leaving her to her afternoon.
He arrived at the court in plenty of time, hanging around until they could go in. He sat in the same place he had previously, keeping out of sight of Fraser unless he was to turn around completely. It also made him easy to see for Clara, but that was irrelevant now, although her lawyer had glanced his way and nodded briefly. Fraser walked in shortly after, being led to his seat by guards - something that made Danny unnaturally happy.
The trial seemed to go on for far too long. Danny listened as each side gave their final statements, citing arguments for length of sentencing and so forth. It was mildly amusing to listen to the attempts from the defence given the situation. Fraser barely moved this time, not responding quite as animated as he had done previously.
Finally the time came and the judge began to speak. He went through all his reasoning before finally giving everyone the information they wanted. "You have caused undue emotional damage and seem to have very little remorse and it is for that reason that I sentence you to life with a minimum of 20 years before parole." Danny finally breathed, unsure quite how long he'd been holding his breath for. He was out of their lives, it was finally over.
Fraser looked defeated, he was led away and Danny couldn't help but smile as he saw him leave. It was only when he stood up he realised there were two people waiting for him.
"Are you Clara's new fiancé?" the male asked. He tried to judge their ages - maybe mid fifties? Could they be…?
"Who's asking?" he couldn't be too careful given the situation.
"We're Tom and Fraser's parents," the woman replied, "we were hoping Clara would be here today." Danny thought back, he was sure Clara said they no longer spoke to her. They hadn't even been at the trial.
"I don't mean to be blunt, but I know the situation between you is far from simple," Danny told them.
"We've made mistakes… we were hoping to apologise," Tom's father explained. Danny had to think for a moment, they seemed genuine.
"She's been working, exam time coming up - it wasn't necessary for her to be here," he looked at the clock, "okay, if you want you can come back to ours. Just briefly, she'll be home soon, you can say your peace."
They seemed grateful and Danny gave them the address, telling them to leave 10 minutes after him to allow him to sort the house out. He made his way out, already beginning to wonder if this was a good idea but it was too late now. When he arrived home he went round and quickly tidied around the lounge, filling the kettle and flicking it on as the doorbell went. He went over, opening it to let them in.
"Thank you for this, we won't stay any longer than necessary - we appreciate how difficult this has been for you both," Tom's Dad said as Danny shut the door.
"I'm not sure you can, you've not even been at the trial," Danny wasn't going to beat about the bush here, but they didn't seem to complain.
"No, we weren't," they followed Danny through to the lounge and sat down as offered. "We were ashamed of what happened, it was a mistake not turning up to the trial, but we've heard all about what happened and we couldn't keep away any longer. The bitterness that occurred after Tom's death has got out of control, it was uncalled for from our family, Clara certainly didn't deserve any of that."
"No, she didn't," all 3 of them looked round - Clara must have come in quietly because none of them noticed her until she spoke. "I need to change, you know where the front door is," she added before going upstairs. Danny sighed, standing up and telling them to stay in the lounge, following Clara upstairs. He shut the bedroom door and the moment he had, Clara started. "What are they doing here?!" she spoke loud enough to show how upset she was.
"I knew it was risky, but they just wanted to apologise. They were at the hearing, you heard what they said just then - they regret what happened between you. Maybe you should just hear them out?" Clara sat down heavily on the bed, her head in her hands. "Has your lawyer rung yet?" he asked and she shook her head. He sat down beside her, placing one hand on her knee.
"He got life, minimum of 20 years before parole, he's gone Clara," she looked up at him, "you're safe now - and those two people downstairs are more worried about you than about their son. Come down, just give them 5 minutes. That's all I'm asking, it's all they're asking." She thought about it for a moment, staring back at the floor.
"5 minutes, but that's all," she told him. "You owe me," she smirked a little, hitting his arm before standing up and going downstairs. Danny followed at a slight distance, allowing her to go in first. Clara walked in, both Tom's parents watching her as she sat down opposite them. "I'm listening," she told them and sat back.
"We can't imagine how difficult this has been for you, what Fraser did was unacceptable. I think for a while we didn't want to believe what had happened because he'd sucked the whole family in to this hatred against you and we were ashamed. The idea of facing either of you in the court room was unthinkable - so we didn't. But we did know someone who had gone and they kept us up to date and the more we heard, the more we knew how wrong he had been. Once the date for the setencing came through we knew we had to come and apologise. Tom loved you, he would never have wanted any of this." Clara bit her lip slightly, looking down. This wasn't easy to hear, it was lovely, knowing they'd finally seen sense, but the emotions were a little too much.
"One of your son's is dead, the other is in prison for at least the next 20 years, both because of me," she said without looking up.
"Don't be stupid Clara," Clara jumped a little when Tom's Mum sat on the sofa beside her - she hadn't noticed her move. "Tom's death has never and will never be your fault, it was a freak accident Clara. As for Fraser's actions, they were completely down to him. We are ashamed, we let you down after Tom died."
"I've had Adrian, and Danny more recently," she shrugged.
"That's not the point, we were practically your in laws and yet the moment Tom was gone we practically abandoned you. Clara none of this has been fair on you, we need to apologise for that." Clara finally looked up, making eye contact with her. "I'm so sorry," Tom's Mum spoke sincerely and opened her arms and Clara leaned in to hug her. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Clara sat back, wiping at her eyes. "We have no plans to go and see Fraser, he's sentenced himself to lonely years ahead."
"But he's your son…" Clara replied.
Tom's Dad chipped in now. "No son of mine treats anyone like he's treated you," he told her, sitting forward, "we were hoping you might keep in contact? We understand if it's difficult for you, but you were always so much like the daughter we never had and we don't have any children to treat now," he smiled. Clara didn't reply immediately, looking up to Danny who had been keeping an eye from the corner of the room. He just smiled, nodding.
"You don't have to treat me, but… well, it might be nice to see you," Clara smiled.
"We'd like to get to know you as well Danny, it's clear you care a lot about Clara," Tom's Dad turned to him. "It's fairly clear you come as a package now." They all smiled slightly at that.
"It'd be lovely to get to know you too," Danny replied, "why don't I rustle up something for dinner? I'm sure we're all pretty hungry after today."
Clara stood up, "I'll come and make drinks, can I get you anything?" She took orders for tea from Tom's parents and made her way into the kitchen with him, shutting the door.
"Are you okay?" Danny asked her once the door was shut. Clara leant into him, clearly emotionally tired after today. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed…"
"No, you did the right thing, they really meant what they just said. Before everything we got on so well, I'd go and visit even without Tom sometimes, but after he died… I just hadn't realised it was all down to Fraser. Are you okay with this?"
Danny nodded, "if they're part of your life then they're part of mine Clara, that's how this works." He kissed her softly, "I love you, I'm glad things can finally get back to normal now."
"Speaking of which, that trip we never had last weekend," she began, "how do you fancy going after work tomorrow?"
"Going where exactly?" he asked, moving to get food out.
"My secret, but it's Friday tomorrow and I love you, and I want to show you something that's important to me," she told him, sorting out drinks.
"Alright, it's a deal. Dinner will only be about 10 minutes," he told her as she picked up the mugs, taking them through.
When Danny arrived with dinner they all sat up at the table, tucking in. There was silence for awhile, nobody really sure what to say.
"This is really good," Tom's Mum told Danny.
"I just chucked it together really, sorry it's nothing more fancy," Danny replied and Clara rolled her eyes.
"He's an amazing cook, just refuses to admit it," Clara pointed out, "honestly just be glad he's cooked."
"Oh I am," Tom's Dad grinned and Clara shook her head, a small smile on her face as she tried to look offended.
"That was one time, and I genuinely didn't mean to give everyone food poisoning…" Danny almost spat his drink out as he burst out laughing, all of them chuckling slightly. "Danny Pink you're meant to be on my side!"
He sorted himself out a little and looked at her, "you gave everyone food poisoning?!" Clara put her head in her hands, still laughing a little.
"It was an accident! I'm also a much better cook now than I was then, but it was the first meal I cooked for Greg and Marlene, so maybe not the greatest of first impressions…" Danny was almost in hysterics. "Oh my gosh I hate you!" Clara hit him gently.
"Luckily it didn't put us off too much," Marlene replied, "and it did actually taste nice on the day…"
"Silver linings," Clara replied, "you were so nice about it to be fair," she smiled as they all finally stopped laughing.
"Well we did actually quite like you, despite the illness," Greg replied, "but back to this food - you've definitely got a winner here Clara."
"Mmm I'm lucky," she smiled, finally getting back to eating.
They all finished up, sitting back and continuing chatting. Clara held Danny's hand almost instinctively, but she felt relaxed. They were having a laugh, chatting away, she finally felt like she had some sort of family back. Speaking of which…
"How's your Dad?" Marlene asked. Clara instinctively groaned but realised they were only trying to be polite. Thankfully Danny saved her.
"They've not spoken a lot recently, things are difficult. We haven't seen him since new year," he explained.
"Oh? What's happened, is he alright?" Greg questioned, Danny scoffed.
"There's nothing wrong with him, well not physically, but since I've been in the picture he's managed to not visit his daughter in hospital or support her through a kidnapping trial. At new year he said he wanted a fresh start but I'm not really seeing that," he was angry, that much was obvious. Clara squeezed his hand gently, shaking her head.
"It's fine Danny," she spoke quietly.
"No it's not, he's your Dad!" Danny replied, "you were seriously ill and he couldn't drive 200 miles back from his holiday to see you!"
"What happened?" Marlene was looking concerned, Clara sighed softly, wishing she could have got in before Danny and dodged this question.
"I was having absence seizures, except we didn't know that and then one day I collapsed on the stairs and stabbed myself with a knife… it's fine though, I'm fine. Honestly we don't have to go through this, the issues with my Dad aren't your problem," she smiled, "I'm well looked after."
"It's not fair on you though sweetheart," Marlene replied, "listen, if you need anything you know where we are right? Do you still have our numbers?" Clara nodded, "good." She looked up at the clock, "we'll leave you two be now, but the offer stands whenever."
"That's really appreciated, thank you both," Danny replied as he spotted Clara struggling, "we'll have to have you round again."
They all stood up, saying the relevant goodbyes. Once the door shut Clara almost fell into Danny's arms and he hugged her tight. "Don't cry beautiful," he kissed her head but she stood up, shaking her head.
"I'm not sad, not really. I've come to terms with everything with my Dad already, I'm just so happy to have the feeling that someone cares, I mean someone other than you, someone I see as a parental figure. I was really close to Marlene and Greg, Marlene especially, it broke my heart not to be able to talk to her anymore. Fraser is gone too, I finally feel free," she kissed him softly, "come on, we have work tomorrow," she told him, going to tidy.
#-#-#-#
When the school day ended they quickly rushed home to pack before heading off. Clara, still unable to drive, was directing Danny who still had no idea where they were going. They had music on, singing along as they drove up the motorway.
"Hey, off here," Clara pointed at the exit and Danny headed in the direction. "Then right at the roundabout," she smiled.
"Got ya, still not going to tell me?" Danny asked and Clara shook her head, smirking. "I mean I've gathered we're up near your home area…"
"You're still getting nothing out of me, turn left at the next junction," she chuckled at his attempts, "a surprise is a surprise. Right," she instructed.
"These lanes are getting smaller and smaller Miss Oswald I do hope you know what you're doing," he drove carefully. Clara rolled her eyes at him and giggled as he continued driving cluelessly.
"Okay slow down, the entrance is just up on the left," she watched carefully, "just after that signpost," Clara pointed and Danny nodded, turning in. He drove up the long drive, only stopping when he saw the cottage.
"Clara Oswald what on earth? This place must cost a fortune - it's huge! There's only 2 of us you know," he parked up and switched the engine off.
"It costs me nothing, I just had to check it was free," she smiled, jumping out of the car and pulling their bags out of the boot. "It belonged to my Mum's parents, they left it to her but obviously… well anyway, she left it to me. Dad looks after it mostly, it's used as a holiday cottage but it's often free out of season, and I can book it out whenever I want. "Come on let's get inside," Clara told him and led him inside.
Danny followed, "it's really lovely," he told her as he looked around. Clara dropped the bags by the stairs and went back him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Wait till I show you the area tomorrow, you'll love it," she kissed him, "right now though I'm starving - there's food in the fridge, can you work your magic?" Clara smiled and kissed him once more before letting him go.
Danny cooked them dinner and they settled on the sofa together, "I was thinking," Danny started as he finished eating.
"Careful, that's dangerous," Clara interrupted and chuckled, still finishing up her meal.
"Cheeky sod," he replied, "but really, I was thinking that our wedding is getting ever closer and we need to think about the final details like… the guest list?" Clara nodded, looking up.
"I guess we need to each get a list together and compare?" she suggested. "I need to organise a dress trip with Grace too," Clara smiled. "I can't believe this is real, it's happening,"
"It's also only 4 months away," Danny smiled and kissed her softly.
"You mean I've put up with you for 8 months? Bloody hell that deserves an award," she chuckled and Danny quickly grabbed her, tickling her. Clara squealed, kicking out but giggling, "Danny stop!"
"Only when you apologise!" he told her, not letting her go.
"I'm sorry I'm sorry!" she shouted and he finally stopped, chuckling as they settled back. "That was mean," Clara took deep breaths.
Danny grinned, "you deserved that," he winked, "Luckily I love you a lot." Clara grinned, standing up, "hey where you going?"
Clara grabbed his hand, "come on, let me show you the bedroom," she smiled, pulling him up, "I promise you'll love it," she winked.
"I'm not sure I'll be paying much attention…" he grinned and followed her upstairs.
#-#-#-#
The next morning Clara woke to see Danny still asleep, she smiled and settled in his grasp, staring out of the window where the sun was miraculously shining over the nearby hills. She had every plan of taking Danny out there today, back to the places she would spend hours with her parents as a child.
After a little time lying there she started to get a little impatient and moved her way out of Danny's arms, grabbing the dressing gown off the door and heading downstairs. She started to tidy up the mess they'd left from dinner last night, putting dishes in the dishwasher and clearing the kitchen. Once that was done she got going on some breakfast, getting pancakes ready to take upstairs, something her Mum would often make when they were away here.
"Good morning sleepyhead," Clara smiled as she walked in with the tray with breakfast, placing it on the edge of the bed before sitting back on the bed. Danny had clearly only just woken up, slowly sitting up and working out what was going on. Clara chuckled at his slight sleepy confusion and kissed him gently.
"How long have you been up?" he asked. Danny finally started to clock what was going on, "you didn't have to make breakfast."
"It's the one thing I can actually cook really well, don't knock it," Clara smiled and picked the tray up again, bringing it closer. "It's not been that long, I just wanted to get things tidy downstairs. Then I got hungry," she grinned.
"Well I'm not complaining," Danny smiled and tucked in, "what's the plan then?" he asked.
Clara started eating too, "look out the window," she told him and he duly did, "see the middle hill? We're heading up there. It's my favourite, it has the best views."
"Looks like the perfect day for it," Danny replied, "best finish this up and get ready then?" Clara nodded and carried on tucking in to the food. As soon as they could they got themselves up and suitably dressed. Clara sorted out some food for them to take up the hill and stuck it in a backpack.
"You ready love?" Clara asked, "I've got food and drink." Danny appeared with his walking boots on, ready to go. "Very handsome," she smiled and kissed him. "Let's go." Clara took his hand, leading him out.
They walked up together, chasing each other occasionally and laughing their way up. When they'd finally made it up Clara mocked a collapse to the floor, breathing deeply as they'd run the last hundred metres. "Wimp," Danny grinned but Clara stuck her leg out so he fell, making sure to help catch his fall. They both ended up lying on the floor, giggling while slightly out of breath.
"Why did I think racing you was a good idea?" Clara chuckled, "you've practically been trained in this."
"You never stood a chance," he grinned, taking her hand as they stared at the sky. "Tell me more about this place then." Danny played with her fingers and Clara smiled.
"You're the only person I've ever bought up here," she started. Danny opened his mouth to reply but she knew what he was going to say, "yes, even Tom. I was going to, but time kept getting away from us and we never quite made it. This is my favourite place, I would sit up here for hours. My parents used to go spare before they realised, I'd just disappear for hours on end without telling them where I was going. Sometimes I'd read, sometimes I'd write, sometimes I'd just stare out at the view or the clouds. After my Mum died I begged Dad to bring me here all the time, it was the one place I felt truly at peace, I'd come up here and talk to her. We'd do that too, sometimes, we'd both just come up here…" Clara sighed contentedly, "so many happy things have happened up here."
"Well I'm honoured to be up here, it's beautiful," Danny replied, kissing her hand gently. "What did you want to do now then?"
"This, this is good," Clara smiled, "I um, I had an alternate reason for bringing you up here," she sat up now, looking out at the view. Danny followed. "You know how I told you so many happy things had happened up here?" He nodded and Clara reached for the rucksack, opening the side pocket and pulling a packet out. "Open this."
Danny took the box off her and opened it. As he did something dropped out. He reached over, picking up what had fallen out and looked at it. "I…" Clara smiled at his face, "this is what I think it is right? I'm not imagining this?"
"You're not, but there's something else in the box too," she told him and he looked inside, pulling a picture out.
"How…? I don't understand…" Danny replied, almost lost for words.
"Well you see when two people love each other very much…" Clara began and Danny rolled his eyes, hitting her playfully and grinning. "I ignored all the signs, I put it down to stress. I only found out this week, I went to get the scan done while you were at the hearing and I was going to tell you then but everything happened with Greg and Marlene and then it occurred to me that we hadn't come up here and it would be the perfect place." Clara explained, leaning into him.
"And how far? I'm no expert but that looks kinda big?" Danny looked at the picture, still looking a little shocked.
"24 weeks…" she replied a little sheepishly.
"24?! But shouldn't it be obvious?" Danny gestured to her stomach.
"You'd think we'd have noticed… I mean the bump is tiny, I was worried when they said that, but they said it can be with some people - the baby is fine," Clara lifted her top up slightly and lay back down. "It's there though, when you know, it's there." Danny looked down and slowly moved his hand to rest on her stomach. "There's just one thing…"
"You're due 2 weeks before the wedding, I already did the maths," he smiled gently, "I guess we'll have to prepare for all eventualities," Danny kissed her stomach softly and then moved to kiss her properly. "This is our family now, whatever happens it's all about us."
"I really love you, did I mention that?" Clara smiled and looked back out at the scenery. .