Christmas Plans

CHAPTER 16

POV : Amelia 

Mel woke up to the surprise of Clara snuggling up to her. Her face was buried in the sheets but was rested on Mel's shoulder. She smiled down at her and gently kissed her forehead. She looked over to where Tamara had slept and was surprised to find the baby sitting up playing with a small box. She had bought that for Clara for Christmas. It was a small necklace with a bluebell on it. The same flower that she had wore to the ball. She didn't want to wake Clara so she let the baby play. The box was tied shut, anyway. She rested her head back on her pillow and started playing with Clara's hair. It looked almost golden in the rising sunlight. While she was awake she pondered what she was going to do about Clara's garden. Mel knew she didn't have enough money to buy Clara's shoppe for her. She also knew she wouldn't be able to convince her parents to let her back in. She went through the money she knew she had and how much a normal shoppe would cost. She had a fraction of enough. She pondered ways she could raise money or anyone who owed her favors. She knew that Lady Margarett had a crush on her, but Mel knew better than to ask for money and drop her. She wondered if Christine would help. She knew not all nobles had money, but maybe Christine would be willing to help a friend out. Adrian was also friends with Clara. Jamie was too. She wondered if they all would be able to buy her an even better shoppe. She knew Adrian could, but his father probably wouldn't let him. She ran through how many places were available in town. She nearly sat up as an idea came to her head. She wasn't how keen Clara was on moving, but she knew that bigger towns, or still small ones, would have different options. Mel knew what Clara had before, and that was hardly a shoppe. She could do it. She smiled as the pieces clicked together. She would ask Adrian to see what other towns had available. She would ask Christine and Jamie to help with finances and she would get Clara her flower shoppe. After Mel's mind was made up, Clara blinked awake and rubbed her eyes. She looked up at Mel and seemed to be remembering the events of the day before. She closed her eyes again and buried further into Mel's shoulder. Mel smiled but pushed her away. 
"Sorry, but I have to get to work. I wasted enough time for now." She got up and went to get dressed. She had left them both in their clothes from the day before when Clara had fallen asleep, but she had removed their shoes. She noticed out of the corner of her eye how Clara blushed and glanced away as Mel got ready for the day. She got fresh clothes on and brushed her hair and teeth. She walked over to where Clara was sitting and kissed her forehead. Clara met her eyes and leaned in. Mel smiled and kissed her. When they both pulled away, Clara went to pick up Tamara. She took the box out of her hands and handed it to Mel. She dug around her bag for a second and came up with a small rattle. It made a similar noise and was less breakable. 
"Thank you again for letting us stay here for awhile. Before you say it, no it wasn't your fault. I was meaning to get out of there soon anyway." She shrugged and walked out of the room. Mel was annoyed at the girl's flippant attitude, but she knew there was no way to change her mind. Mel cleared the thought from her mind and followed after Clara. 

POV : Clarice

Clara was glad Mel had dropped the conversation earlier. After she had left the room she was met by an older woman. She had told Clara that she was sent by The Prince and she was to be Tamara's nanny. That had given Clara the whole day to wander about the castle. She had spent the whole day in the gardens wishing for her own. She hoped with all her heart that her mother wouldn't burn it. She had found the garden staff and asked if they needed anymore help. They had bowed, denied, then ran away. It had left Clara in an even more helpless mood than before. She had been sitting at the bench she and Mel had gone to at the ball the whole day. She was a little hungry, but she didn't want to move. She knew she had gone through a lot the last few years and she knew that if anything else happened she would shatter. She kept rebuilding herself as people around her knocked her down over and over again. She sighed as she brushed her fingertips over the Bellflower Companula. She was so lost in thought she hadn't even realized Adrian had sat down next to her. She jumped when he put a hand on her shoulder. 
"I'm sorry. Are you alright? Are you comfortable?" Clara smiled and nodded. He frowned and she knew it didn't reach her eyes. His eyebrows drew together as if she was a puzzle he was trying to understand. "How do you do it? Get pregnant, basically abused, and thrown out and still have the strength to get up every morning?" She let her smile drop and stared at the flower. 
"It's for you, Mel, Jamie, and, most of all, Tamara. She can't have me just shut down. She needs me still. She will be walking soon and then talking. Then she will only need me to cook and clean for her." She smiled, a real one. "I know because I watched so many women in town get married and have children. I watched them sometimes when their parents wanted a night out. I always made sure they had everything I had ever wanted from a family. I want to give Tamara the world. I wanted her to have a father. To know how to be strong, protective, and loyal. When Henry left me, I realized I wasn't going to find that in him. I've found that now in Mel. I don't know if she's going to leave me the second I do something stupid or if she is actually here. That scares me. I want her to be a part of my life. I want her to a part of Tamara's life." Her eyes drifted to the Bellflower. "I realize now, that I love her. More than I love myself. I hope she can see that even if I can't always show that." Adrian hugged her and she froze. He backed away. 
"Sorry, you just sounded like you needed one. Clara, you are inspiring. You are worth more than what you can give. I've known Mel since she moved here, which is a while. She isn't going anywhere. If she says you're the one, then you're the one. I want you to know that." Clara smiled and hugged him this time. 
"Thank you for listening. Could you please find me something to do in the garden? I tried asking the staff but they ran away." Adrian nodded. 
"Anything for Mel's girlfriend." Clara smiled and got up. 
"And Adrian, thank you for the nanny." He smiled and she walked away.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed, as always. I hope you will continue reading and join Clara, Mel, Adrian, and Jamie in the next chapter!