The next few days passed without accidents or excitements and it wasn't until the day of the party that things got interesting.

Claire had just got home from work. Myrnin had given her a break from her usual project to help him prepare for the party. She was surprised to find that he was wearing an actual suit with a bow tie. She noticed, and not for the first time, that he was incredibly handsome and cleaned up real nice. When she commented on it, he rolled his eyes and gave her a dazzling smile.

"Why thank you, Claire. It is nice to know that I am still appealing to a woman such as yourself, but I warn you! Do not look upon my beauty too long or you may swoon!" He teased and she was the one to roll her eyes now.

"Oh shut it."

He gave her his best pout. "Are you saying that I am not swoon-worthy?"

"I haven't 'swooned' in your presence yet."

"Give it time. I have made quite a few heroic catches due to fair maidens such as yourself swooning in my presence."

Laughing, she straightened his bow tie. "Sure, Romeo." She glanced down at her phone. "It's five thirty: I've got to get home."

"Of course." He walked with her to the portal and before she went through, she turned back.

"Be careful tonight." He looked at her, bemused.

"It is I who should be telling you that, my dear."

"I'm not the one going to this possibly dangerous party."

"Do not fret, Claire. I have taken care of myself for centuries. I can assure you tonight will be no different."

She sighed. "I know: I just worry."

"Do not."

She gave him a smile small. "I'll try not to."

"That's my girl." He said fondly and quickly gave her a small peck on the cheek, surprising Claire.

Stunned, Claire stared at him for a long minute before he smiled and gently pushed her through the portal. In the Glass living room, Claire stared at the wall for a long moment before slowly turning away. She didn't know what to make out of what just happened or even if she should think too much on it so she decided to deal with it later. Turning around, she noticed that the living room was empty.

"Michael?"

"Upstairs in my room!"

Claire climbed the stairs and opened Michael's door to see Natalie and Nathan playing together in the middle of Michael's huge bed while Michael stood beside it putting on his shirt.

"Wow, you're getting ready already? The party doesn't start until eight."

He turned and smiled. "I know but I have to do a few things before hand for Amelie and pick up my 'date'."

"So Gina is still stupid enough to risk her life with this?" He shrugged and Claire went over and sat on the bed where Nate and Nat were and the finally realized she was in the room.

"Mama!" They stumbled on the bed before crawling over and squeezing onto her lap. She smiled. "I missed y'all too." Helping both off the bed, she turned back to smile at Michael. "We'll let you finished getting dressed."

"Okay. I'll come say bye before I leave."

"Okay." They went to her room and before she knew it, all three of them were fast asleep on her bed with Claire having a child cuddled into each side.

When she woke, both babies were gone.

She panicked for a second before she saw Natalie asleep inside their crib. She got up and went over, expecting to see Nathan next to her, but was immediately worried when she didn't see him. Running downstairs in search of him, she only found the house completely empty with the exception of Eve washing dishes in the kitchen.

"Eve? Have you seen Nathan? He's not in his crib."

Eve glanced at her. "Yea. Jason took him out. Something about spending quality time with him."

"Quality time?" She asked bewildered. "But-" Just then her cell phone rang. The number was restricted but she was curios because only her family, friends, and Amelie had her number.

She answered. "Hello?"

"Hello little Claire."

She recognized the voice almost immediately. "Ol-"

"Quiet. Say my name in front of Eve and I shall enter your house and kill you both." She shut her mouth and waited. "Good girl. Now do me a favor: go upstairs and get on the program called Skype. I have much to show you." With that the line went dead and Claire raced upstairs. She had a gut feeling what this was about but she prayed that she was wrong.

Opening up her Skype, she saw that some girl named Kate-Kate? Why did that name seem familiar?-wanted to video chat. She accepted and was greeted to the sight of Oliver grinning at her first then to the sight of people shadowing him in a dim room.

"Ah, you are always so good with instructions." Oliver smirked.

"What do you want?""

"Right to the point, are we? Look in your closet." She gave him a look before complying. Opening her closet door, she saw a beautiful dress hanging where there had not been one an hour ago. It was black, sleek, floor length, and elegant. She hadn't seen anything like it before.

Returning to her computer, she frowned. "What do you want and what is this for?"

"Isn't it obvious young Claire? I would like for you to attend the ball tonight and be our Cinderella."

"No."

"No?"

"Yes: no. Amelie forbid me from going and I will not risk my life or her wrath by going."

"But will you risk it for someone else's life?"

Her stomach dropped at what was about to happen but she had to ask. "Whose life?"

"Come forth." One of the shadows stepped forward and Claire swore her heart clenched before starting to beat at a mad man's pace.

There was Nathan, her little boy, her son. He looked fine but not at all scared or nervous in his surroundings like Claire thought he would be but, then again, that could have been because he was in his father's arms. Jason stood there holding Nate with nothing but a blank look on his face. Tears threatened to fall as she saw Oliver glance at them.

"Would you allow your son to die instead of doing me this little favor?" Unable to speak, she remained silent in her torment. "Really? Are you that kind of mother?" He taunted and ran a finger down her baby's cheek.

She couldn't handle it. "Alright. I'll do it."

Oliver moved away from Nate and smiled. "I always knew you'd be a great mother. See you tonight." With that, the connection was severed and Claire was left staring at a blank screen.

R&R Please
Bre