Disclaimer: I don't own anything, everything belongs to it's rightful owners.

I'm sorry about the break. I was on holidays, then I got caught up with school, and by then I had lost my muse. But I promise, I have not given up on this story, and I hope you haven't either.

"We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us."

Ken Levine

Chapter Five - Choices

Clara had been reclusive for the past few days, Matilda excusing her behaviour due to Bucky's departure. But in reality, she was just avoiding her grandmother. But it seemed she could no longer spend her days locked in her room reading. As, her aunt had decided to visit. Of course, Clara had not learned this until she was being called down to greet her.

Audrey Bell was a slightly woman, of average height, but great beauty. Her thick strawberry blonde hair hung around her pale face in soft curls, her light blue eyes sharp, holding a coldness within them that both entranced and repelled men from her. You would not be mistaken for thinking that she and Clara were sisters, given that Clara had inherited her grandmother's beauty, just as Audrey had.

This beauty, and her willingness to use it to her advantage, was what caused strife between Matilda and her younger sister. Audrey relied on her beauty to get what she wanted, manipulating others at a mere whim, for nothing more then entertainment.

Or maybe it was her viper tongue, which spat out such cruelties, that it would make even the strongest person crumble in a fit of tears. Matilda hated the way that Audrey found joy in tearing down others, treating it as a sport.

Her husband, Jonathan, was a cold man, all hard stares and steely expressions. Since Clara met him, almost seven years ago, she didn't think she'd ever seen him smile. Sometimes she could see his eyes soften, when he looked at his wife, or two young children. But it was gone in the blink of an eye, and Clara was left wondering, if her uncle felt anything at all.

"Clara" said Audrey, outstretching her arms, "It's been so long"

'Not long enough', Clara thought to herself, as she hugged her aunt back, knowing that whatever sentiments Audrey was showing her, were nothing but a facade. A mask to hide the snake underneath.

"It's nice to see you again" said Clara, faking a smile

Clara quickly moved away from Audrey, who didn't seem to notice as she had already moved her attention towards her sister.

"Mattie" said Audrey, "Oh, how I've missed my big sister"

"I've missed you too" said Matilda, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes, "How have you been?"

"Good, busy as ever" said Audrey, taking off her hat and handing it to Nellie, "I'm sorry about not being able to make it to your wedding" she said, turning to Clara, "But Jonathan was just so busy with work, we couldn't possibly come"

"That's okay" said Clara, "It was a small thing, just close family friends. I'm sure Jonathan's work was much more interesting"

"Nonsense" said Audrey, pretending to ignore the bite in Clara's tone, but her smile noticeably tightened, "I was very disappointed, I sincerely wanted to meet the man that you have fallen so deeply in love with" she said, raising her eyebrows as she looked around, "So, where is he?"

"Currently he is overseas" explained Clara, "Fighting"

"A noble thing" said Audrey, "Fighting for his country. Hopefully he will return home soon"

"Hopefully" Clara replied, not willing to accept her Aunt's fake sympathy. She knew that Audrey's absence from her wedding had nothing to do with Jonathan's work, but rather, her displeasure in Clara's choice of husband.

She was glad when her father struck up a conversation with Jonathan about his job, creating enough of a distraction for Clara to slink away to the back porch. She was so eager to be away from them, that she did not notice her grandmother's presence on the porch until she was already out there, with no way to escape.

"I thought you'd want to see your darling daughter?" Clara asked her, "Join in with the passive aggressive remarks about my husband"

"He's beneath you" Catherine stated, not even looking at Clara from her spot in the chair

"He's a good man" Clara retorted, sick of the same argument that only got more pathetic the more it was used

"I don't deny it" said Catherine

"He loves me" said Clara, turning her back to her grandmother, which is more then I can say for you"

"I do this because I love you" said Catherine, and Clara knew she was telling the truth, in the way that she at least believed what she was saying, "He can't look after you, not in the way men of our status can"

"I don't need any of that" she spat, "He makes me happy in a way no other man ever could"

"I'm sure, that had you tried, you would have found another" said Catherine, "One that you loved, but that could also provide for you, give you the life you are accustomed to"

"There's no one else" said Clara, "There will never be anyone else. Only Bucky"

Her words shocked Catherine, but the honesty in her eyes frightened her more. Catherine had thought that her marriage was just a rebellious act, that Clara would soon see the error of her ways and come crawling back to her family, beg them to forget all about her indiscretions. But she now saw, that what she had thought was infatuation ran much deeper. It was devotion, not some minor attachment or fondness. The depth of Clara's feelings might have comforted others, but it brought more concern to Catherine.

"And what if he doesn't come home?" Asked Catherine

"He will" she whispered, more of an assurance to herself then to her grandmother, and Catherine's eyes softened as she looked at Clara, pitying her unfortunate situation

Clara avoided her family for the rest of the day, by retreating back into her room, to stare at a blank page and mull over what to include in her letter.

Dear Bucky,

I've been staying with my family for the past few days, it's good to spend time with them, I haven't spent much time with them since we got married. I just wanted to spend all of my time with you. I still wish to spend all of my time with you, and survive only on the thought of you, of your arms around me, your lips on mine. I know that we will be together again soon, this war cannot last forever.

I am thinking of joining the army nurses, like we talked about before you left. My family don't want me to, but I can't stand the thought of being stuck here doing nothing whilst you're over there risking your life. This inactivity is killing me, I need to be doing something, I need to be productive.

But enough about me, what about you? How are you doing? I hope you're well. How's training? God, I have so many questions for you, but now I'm rambling. I know you will be okay, you're tough. Remember how much I love you, let that give you encouragement to hurry up and end this war.

Love, Clara

She finished off the letter, just as she heard her name being called by her mother. The letter was left on the desk, as Clara made her way downstairs.

"It's Eleanor on the phone for you" her mother told her

"Thanks" she muttered, picking up the phone, "Hello"

"Hey doll, how are things with your family?" Asked Eleanor

"Good" she muttered, "I guess"

"And how are you?"

"As fine as I can be" said Clara, "What about you? How's...I'm sorry I forgot your latest fling's name"

"Haha, very funny" replied Eleanor, "Actually, there is a guy that I'm interested in. He's one of the new doctors, very handsome, and smart, and funny"

"Are you actually considering settling down?" Asked Clara, in mock surprise, "He really must be something special for you to give up your single status. And here I thought you would become a maiden aunt to my children, that or join a convent"

"Convent, please, do I seem like nun to you?" Asked Eleanor

"Not in the slightest, you lack humility" said Clara, "Among other things"

"Anyway, he's taking me out on a date" Eleanor told her, "Some fancy restaurant, he wants to wine and dine me"

"Sounds like just your type" said Clara

"Clara, hurry up on the phone" her mother called out, "Your brother's here"

"I have to go" she said, dejectedly, "Have fun on your date"

"Have fun with your family" said Eleanor

"I'll try" she chuckled, before hanging up the phone, and making her way into the hallway

Nate was much taller then his sister, about four inches in fact, and had filled out over the years, having been rather skinny as a teenager. He shared his black hair with their father and sister, but had inherited his mother's brown eyes. His wife, Mary, was quite short and petite, with short blonde hair and blue eyes, traits their three month old daughter had inherited. Clara had always liked her sweet sister-in-law, thinking her to be a good match for her gentle, but somewhat bumbling, brother.

"Clara" said Nate, pulling her into a hug, "It's good to see you. I'm sorry about Bucky leaving, how are you doing?"

"I'm okay" she said, smiling at her older brother. Her favourite thing about her brother was his honesty, you never had to look for double meanings with him, unlike her aunt and grandmother.

"How's my little niece?" She asked, turning to Mary

"Keeping us up all night" Mary replied

"Well, sleep deprivation looks good on" Clara joked, "Besides, when she's a teenager she'll be keeping you up at night for different reasons"

"Don't even mention that" warned Nate, "I don't want to think about it"

"Don't worry honey" said Mary, "That's many years away"

Sarah was soon plucked from her mother's arms, as Matilda began cooing over her granddaughter. Even Catherine managed a smile.

The family soon settled around the table, falling into natural conversation. But Clara couldn't help but notice the tightness of her mother's smile, and the fact she kept shooting wary looks towards Catherine. Matilda's uneasiness only caused Clara to become on edge, expecting the worst from her grandmother. And it soon came.

"So, Clara" said Catherine, "I hear you're planning on joining the Army Nurses"

Her question got the attention of the whole table, each ending their own conversations to turn their attention to Catherine and Clara.

"Yes" said Clara, through gritted teeth, shooting a glare towards a guilty Daisy. Though, she had fully expected Daisy to tell Matilda, and for Matilda to tell Catherine. She knew they meant well, but couldn't help but be angry with them for their interference.

"You want to go and risk your life of the off chance that you'll be reunited with your husband" said Audrey, who was truly aghast by the news, "This seems foolish, even for you"

"This isn't about Bucky" she snapped, though she knew it was at least partly a lie, "I want to do this. I want to help people. I'm sure that's something you couldn't possibly understand"

"Clara" scolded Matilda, but she was not even remotely listening to her mother

"No" she yelled, banging her fist on the table as she rose, leaning forward, "I will not let her sit there and berate me about my choices" she said, "It's my life, they're my decisions. I'll do what I goddam want"

"I suppose you learnt to use language like that with your husband" said Audrey, her face remaining stoic despite Clara's anger, "But, that's what you get when you marry beneath you"

Clara shook with anger at her aunt's words, and before she knew it, her hand was connecting with Audrey's cheek in one hell of a slap. Chaos erupted at the table, Jonathan rushed to his wife's side, Matilda and Daisy were gaping at her, Audrey's eyes were wide with shock as she stared up at her.

"Don't you ever speak about him like that" she warned her aunt, her voice so low it was almost a growl

All eyes were on Clara, as she retreated back up the stairs, slamming her bedroom door shut behind her. Her chest heaved from the rush of adrenaline. She'd never done anything like that before. But she'd been so angry. She would be lying if she said she hadn't thought about hitting her aunt before, but she'd never actually believed she would go threw with it.

It was then that she made her decision. It didn't matter to her what her family thought, she would join the Army Nurse. Even if she didn't see Bucky again, it was better then sitting at home just waiting for him to return.

There will be a time skip between this chapter and the next, and as such, I'm including Bucky's reply letter here.

Dear Clara,

Training's good, or at least as good as it could be. I'm doing fine, I hope you are too. I think it's a great idea to join the nurses, you already know you're great at it. Whatever you decide to do, you know I'll support you no matter what. I miss you too, it's getting pretty lonely without you. Hopefully the war will end soon and I can come home.

Love, Bucky

Reviews would be much appreciated, I'd love to hear what you think of the story so far, Clara, her relationship with Bucky, and just about any other opinion you have.