And in a sudden dramatic turn of events… this is the last chapter of Summer Camp!
I know, I'm sad too, but I think this one would be best left here.
In happier news, I've recently started a new story - Trespass, and am in the process of beginning a boarding school AU which should be up soon. So if you want to see either of those check out my page or click on the subscribe button below! (You know you want to… ;) )
Enjoy…
Epilogue
"Ethan!" Clara called out into the garden to stop the 3 year old from going near the pond. She then threw the nearest teatowel at Danny, "oi you - watch your son closer will you?" she grinned. "Come inside you two, nearly dinner time for the little man," Clara stepped back inside the kitchen and finished up sorting his dinner. Danny got him inside and helped wash his hands before getting him to sit up at the table. He went back into the kitchen as Clara was serving up and smiled.
"You look nervous," he observed, "Clara he's 3, he'll be alright for 2 nights."
"I know I know… just… first time and all that? Well, first time since the honeymoon. Anything could happen…" Clara sighed but Danny just rolled his eyes, spinning her round to look at him. "He's incredibly excited, as should you be, this is our first time alone since we got married," Danny kissed her softly, "we've got a lot of catching up to do." Clara chuckled at him and took his hand briefly.
"I can't wait, I also can't quite believe we've been married 3 years tomorrow…" she smiled.
"Mummy dinner!" came the call from the dining room and they both started chuckling.
"That's your cue. I'll go and bring the cases down," Danny smiled, kissing her head gently before making his way upstairs.
#-#-#-#
Once Clara had taken her Dad through Ethan's needs for the 100th time and Danny had managed to drag her out of the house they were finally on the way to their holiday. After the drive to the airport he finally managed to stop her checking her phone by stealing it off her once they'd checked in.
"Hey!" she tried to grab it back off her but Danny shook his head and held it out of her reach. "Danny!"
"Nah uh, we are going to enjoy this holiday and you are not going to worry about Ethan all week! Relax, please," he gave her a stern look and Clara finally gave up reaching for the phone.
"I'm sorry, I've been a nightmare all day haven't I?" she looked a little sheepish and Danny nodded. "Keep it, this is our time now - you're right. Holiday, happiness, relaxing," she smiled and took his hand, "I'm just not used to it."
Danny chuckled put her phone in his pocket, "you deserve this so much," he put an arm around her. "I love you," Danny kissed her, "remember this time three years ago then?"
"How the hell could I forget you nearly punching my Dad?" Clara chuckled as they sat down.
Clara had finally got herself back on her feet and with the wedding only 2 days away she was grateful for her range of movement returning. Ethan was asleep and she'd just finished packing for the honeymoon when the door went. Clara made her way downstairs and opened the door, rolling her eyes and leaving the door, walking back inside to leave her Dad to come in. "I was wondering how long it'd take before you showed up, you know when you came to the hospital I thought you were actually trying."
"Linda's not coming to the wedding," Dave told her, shutting the door behind him and going in. Clara turned around at that, surprised he would go anywhere without her. "She's not going to come between us anymore."
"Where on earth is this coming from?" Clara asked, sitting down.
"I left her. When I left the hospital… I realised what she'd done to us. I went home, we had a big fight, she wouldn't listen, she left. Before you start I didn't want you to stress about me ontop of everything else so I got myself sorted before coming round. That's all there is to know."
Clara sat there with her mouth slightly open in shock at what he was telling her, "I… Dad I'm sorry, thank you," she couldn't lie and say she was upset about it, but he knew that too.
"Don't be sorry, I'm fine and I can't wait to see my little girl get married in 2 days time," he smiled. "How's the little man doing?"
"He's great, the doctors are so impressed with his progress he was home much earlier than they expected. He's napping at the moment but I'm sure he'll be awake soon," she smiled. "Sit down Dad you're making this awkward," she smiled and pulled him down to sit on the sofa.
"And what about you? How's my girl doing?" he asked, sounding more sincere than he had done for a long time now.
"Good, really good, recovered so much better than I thought and actually surprisingly calm about the wedding - Danny's basically organised everything," she told him.
"He's a good one," Dave told her, "he really loves you sweetheart, he's cared for you much more than I have recently."
"He's perfect," Clara smiled and blushed, "sorry, still has that effect on me. Oh, he'll be home soon, I don't know how he'll react…" she stood up as she heard the door unlocking and ran over to greet him.
"Well this is very keen, you're looking good today," he smiled and kissed her before shutting the door and going into the lounge, pausing as soon as he spotted Dave. "What's he doing here?"
"Danny don't…" she took his hand and Dave stood up. "He left Linda, it's over, he's stayed away to get himself together and now he's here for us."
"Like he was when you had to go through that trial? Or when you nearly died? Or when his grandson was fighting for his life in hospital?" Dave lowered his head as Danny spoke.
"I know I've not been anywhere near a good father recently, but I want to make up for that. Starting with tonight, you two deserve a night together. It's 2 days until the wedding, you've been busy nonstop for weeks. Just go for a meal out, take your mind off things for an hour or two, I can watch Ethan." Danny didn't reply straight away.
"That's lovely Dad, thank you. I'll wait till he wakes so I can feed him and make sure he's sorted and then we'll be okay for an hour or two, I'll just go and check on him," she grabbed Danny's hand and led him upstairs, leading him into the bedroom.
"Do you really trust him?" Danny asked and Clara smiled at him. "What?"
"You will never stop worrying about me will you?" she smiled, "whatever has happened, I haven't seen my Dad look at me the way he did today for a long time. He's genuine, and now I know that I know I can trust him I think we should get out and spend an hour together," she kissed him gently.
Danny smiled, "alright, if you say so, I'll get changed."
Clara woke up the next morning in his arms, rubbing her eyes at the sunlight shining in and looking at the clock. This was the first time she'd been able to wake up on her own in 3 years and it was actually pretty good. Danny was still asleep, she smiled and looked up at him, watching his steady breathing. They'd arrived late last night at the hotel after a flight delay and basically gone straight to bed, although not after making the most of finally being alone. They lay among tangled sheets, another sight that Clara could barely place the last time it had happened. Children changed people, changed relationship, some people said for the worst but Clara would have no interest in going back to before Ethan. He'd been their shining light, growing up too fast but still a bundle of joy.
"Mmm good morning beautiful," Clara smiled again as Danny opened his eyes and spoke. "Well isn't this nice to wake up to," he ran a hand through her hair. "You sleep okay?"
"Best night's sleep I've had since we got back from honeymoon," she chuckled and kissed him softly. "What do you want to do today then?"
"Mmmm as tempting as staying here is, we've got the whole of Barcelona to explore. Shall we get up and go down for breakfast?" Danny suggested and Clara nodded, sitting up with the sheet pulled around her.
"I'll go shower, see you in a bit," she smiled and got up, heading off to the bathroom.
They spent the day on the tour bus, hopping on and off to get a good feel for the city and listing places they could spend more time other days. It was long, they walked a long way and when they returned to the hotel they were knackered.
Clara flopped down on the bed and Danny chuckled, "not as young as I used to be you know," she grinned and Danny rolled his eyes, lying down next to her.
"Well you still look as beautiful as the day I met you," he reassured her, taking her hand.
"Oh sure, I'm sure I looked really hot shouting at you in that corridor," she chuckled, "so, 3 years since the great hen and stag nights…"
"Why did we ever agree to those the night before the wedding? Remind me?" he asked, linking fingers with her properly and holding their hands up between them.
"Because anytime before that we were kinda busy…" Clara chuckled, "I still can't believe Adrian persuaded you to go to a club!"
Danny shook his head, chuckling, "honestly? Me neither…"
'Good luck tonight' Danny chuckled at Clara's text and went to reply but his phone was stolen out of his hand. "There'll be no texting tonight young man, Clara will be fine, your son will be asleep and you will be smashed," Adrian grinned, putting Danny's phone in his pocket.
"You know I never had you for the getting drunk type Adrian," Danny replied, grabbing a beer.
"Ah you're about to learn a lot Mr Pink," he chuckled and they got going.
It was a few hours into the night when they left another bar and went to the club. "Oh no no no!" Danny stopped as they walked towards iit, "nah uh I am not dancing."
"Oh you so are!" Adrian chuckled, a couple of the other guys cheering him on. "Don't be a wimp Pink!" Danny groaned.
"Okay okay okay! Not for long… and I'm still not dancing," Danny mumbled and Adrian rolled his eyes.
"I'm so gonna change that," Danny was rather bemused at these circumstances, but people had hidden features that was for sure.
Clara on the other hand had a slightly lighter deal - doctor's orders and all that. She was at Beth's house with Helen and a couple of others, wine in hand, music on and pamper kits at the ready.
"So what exactly did Adrian have planned for Danny tonight then?" Beth asked and Clara shook her head, giggling. "Are you really tipsy already?"
"I haven't drunk for like 9 months give me a break," Clara chuckled, "and I have no idea, he wouldn't tell me. All he'd say is that he'd get him back in one piece so goodness actually knows," she grinned.
"Adrian's a dark horse isn't he?!" Helen joined them, sitting down beside Clara.
"Honestly when I went out with him a couple of years ago it was mental, I've never been so drunk! The memories… or lack of… almost haunt me," she grinned. "I'm pretty glad he's not organising tonight we'll put it that way."
"I think that's a story we need to hear sometime, but right now - party time!" Beth grinned, turning the music up.
They danced around, Clara finally able to let her hair down and enjoy the night. She checked her phone occasionally, but Ethan was with Tom's parents who were going to care for him, with her Dad's help, until they got back from honeymoon and they'd spent a lot of time with him and promised her they'd ring if there were any issues. This was a night to enjoy and she'd made herself promise she would do just that. Danny had planned the perfect wedding, he deserved for her to enjoy that.
"Oi, Oswald, where're you hiding?" Clara came back to reality and smiled at Beth who was topping up her glass, "do I even need to ask what you were thinking of?"
"I think you know," Clara chuckled and took another sip, "I'm back I'm back. Let's do this… wait, what are we doing?" Helen and Beth both laughed and Clara turned around to see a man who appeared behind her and started to take his jacket off. "Ohhhh nooo no no no no no!" Clara shook her head as she finished another sip of her drink. "Beth you promised!"
"I promised nothing," Beth winked, "come on he's hot!" Clara chuckled a little nervously, blushing, "there I knew you agreed! Now look and enjoy," she told her. Clara turned her head back a little reluctantly and looked around but was somewhat surprised to see the man's jacket back on. There were more laughs from behind her now, clearly everyone was involved in whatever this was.
The man picked up something from the floor and handed it over, "Jade was right, this was pretty fun," he chuckled. "Enjoy your night, see you tomorrow," he grinned and left. Clara spun around, hunting the art teacher out in the crowd.
Jade grinned, walking forward, "that would be my plus one… he's the only one you hadn't met," they were all still laughing a little, "go on, open the bag!"
Clara grabbed the nearest chair and sat down with the bag on the floor in front of her. She pulled out the tissue paper on the top and saw what was inside. "Oh my gosh what are you lot like?!" Clara pulled out the underwear.
"Well you know, gotta look good for the big night," Beth grinned, "and they are very nice," Clara had to agree, but she still didn't quite know how to react.
"So you got Jade's boyfriend to pretend to be a stripper to deliver some underwear?" she asked, laughing and sitting back.
"That's about the long and the short of it, now are we going to play twister or not because I have been waiting all night!" Jade told them and Clara laughed, putting the underwear back in the bag and standing up.
Clara woke up the next morning to see Danny watching over her. "Happy Anniversary beautiful," she kissed him gently and smiled.
"You should've woken me," Clara smiled, running a thumb gently along his cheek.
Danny smiled, "you looked too beautiful, besides - we're on holiday." Clara giggled as he kissed her cheek gently. "Pool day then?" she nodded, "fantastic."
They made their way down to the pool, grabbing sun loungers. Danny went to lay down but Clara grinned and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the pool. She jumped in and looked up at him stood on the edge, "come on it's nice in here!" Danny chuckled at her and jumped in beside her. They spent a while swimming up and down, occasionally splashing each other. Eventually Clara stopped and started floating on the top of the water, staring up at the blue sky.
"It was like this when we got married, blue and sunny," she smiled as Danny stopped beside her. "I remember waking up and being partially blinded by it, but it was perfect weather." She looked up to see Danny smiling happily. "What's that for?"
"What? I was just smiling!" he shrugged. Clara sat up a bit, giving him a look, "okay I was thinking about how beautiful you looked on our wedding day. I remember when I saw you walking down the aisle… I'll never forget that moment. I just remember thinking how lucky it was, that it must be a dream." Danny admitted.
Clara blushed a little and smiled back, kissing him softly. "It's funny, because I was thinking the same thing just now."
She wasn't sure if the sun had woken her or the excitable banging on the bedroom door, but Clara was definitely sure that she had a hangover. Sitting up, she chuckled to herself a little at the events of the previous night before calling for Beth to come in. The door opened and in she came, Ethan in her arms.
"What's he doing here?" Clara asked, not aware that he'd come back.
"Greg and Marlene are downstairs, they thought you might want to see this one," she smiled and handed him over.
Clara took him in her arms and smiled down at Ethan, kissing his head softly. "You being a good boy?" she asked and smiled as he wriggled a little in her arms. "I thought as much. You are going to be the star of the show today you know that? Gonna steal all my limelight I bet," Clara rolled her eyes a little as he fell asleep. "Alright I get the picture," she looked up to Beth. "Thanks. Are they still downstairs?"
"Yep, weren't sure how long you wanted him. Did you want me to take him while you get up? We will have to get moving soon…" Beth told her, looking at the clock.
"Yes Miss," Clara grinned. "I'll chuck some clothes on and come and say hi, we can start properly when they've gone," she smiled and handed Ethan to her carefully. "Walk slowly or he'll wake up!" she warned him before shutting the door behind Beth and getting dressed.
Once she'd quickly showered and thrown on her jeans and a top, Clara threw her hair up out the way and headed downstairs. As soon as she entered the living room Marlene jumped up and hugged her, "I'm so happy this day has finally come for you!" she squeezed her, "I just had a feeling you'd want to see your little boy before the service."
"Thank you, he's exactly what I needed to see this morning. Best hangover cure," she chuckled. "Has he been okay for you?" Clara sat down on the arm of the sofa and took Ethan back from Beth.
"Absolutely perfect, slept straight through you've struck lucky here," Marlene told her.
"I'm glad, I did wonder if the change of environment would phase him but clearly not, although he's already napping again- gets that from his Dad," Clara smiled.
"You know we really should start getting you ready…" Beth was already getting anxious. Clara rolled her eyes and nodded. "He'll wake when he's hungry. See you at the church I guess," Clara put Ethan back in his pushchair carefully. "Be good little man, I'll see you in a few hours."
After a quick round of hugs, Greg and Marlene left with Ethan and Beth stood up with a determined look in her eye. "Right. Makeup, then hair. Helen's arriving at half 10 to do that."
"I'm trusting you, I haven't got a clue what's going on, Danny's made a pretty good job of that." Beth grinned knowingly and grabbed her hand, "alright I'm coming!"
Clara let Beth do her makeup, trying not to be annoyed by how long she was taking over it. Clara had to admit that she was very good at it though, so it would probably be worth it. Just as she finished and applied the finishing touches, the doorbell rang. Helen came in and joined them, working on her hair. They chatted, laughed a little about the previous night and before they knew it - it was dress time.
She walked downstairs and into the lounge where they were waiting, clearing her throat to get their attention. Both women turned around and gasped slightly, "Clara…" Beth finally broke the silence, "it's gorgeous. You look incredible."
"Danny's going to be blown away, it's a perfect choice for you," Helen told her.
Clara smiled, "thank you, I just wanted something simple," she explained and took a deep breath. "I guess it's time…"
"Ah yes! Car's outside, you lead the way," Helen smiled, much to Clara's confusion, "don't ask, just go Oswald."
"Ah, can't use that for much longer," Clara grinned and pointed at them both before opening the door and stepping out. her Dad was stood at the end of the path all dressed up in a suit and ready to go and behind him - his classic car, his pride and joy, and something Clara had loved her whole life. "Oh my gosh Dad…"
"Got her going again for you, and don't you look incredible, my little girl," Dave walked up to her and took her hand, kissing it gently. "Danny said you talked about the car a bit, he asked if I'd drive you over and how could I possibly refuse? You'd better hop in or I'll be late!" Clara chuckled and smiled, making her way over to the car where she was helped in.
Dave drove them down to the church, it wasn't too far but the drive was special for Clara. When they arrived he came round and helped her out. "You ready?"
"I think so… i'm suddenly really nervous and I don't know why Dad," Clara took a deep breath, looking up at the church.
"Because it's a big step, but Clara you're going to be so happy I just know it. You've already got a beautiful little boy, you've won the jackpot." Dave told her, "I'm with you all the way."
Clara took another deep breath and nodded, "let's do this," she smiled and looked around to make sure her bridesmaids were ready before moving towards the door.
Danny waved his hand in front of her face, "hey you alright?" he asked as they lay by the pool having climbed out. Clara turned to look at him and smiled.
"You know I really think I am," she reached for his hand, "sorry, I was just thinking about the lead up to the wedding, how I was feeling then… I can't believe how scared I was," Clara chuckled.
Danny rubbed a thumb over the back of her hand, "we have such a wonderful life, I couldn't imagine having it with anyone but the woman who shouted at me within 2 seconds of meeting me."
"Mmmm and I can't imagine my life without the arrogant guy who walked into me in the corridor," they both tried to keep a straight face but ended up laughing.
They were happy. Very, very happy.