She Came Between Them. (Norman Reedus & Sean Patrick Flanery)

Chapter Eight

Norman moved in with Claire over the next few weeks, it felt right, Claire missed him when he wasnt there and wanted to be with him day and night. It was the beginning of a new year and they had just celebrated their first Christmas together. It was just the two of them and it was perfect for Claire.

Returning back to work after the holidays Claire pulled in next to Lucy's car. "Hate the first day back" Lucy flapped trying to organise her desk. "Dont even get me started on mine. We never learn to tidy it before we finish and every new term we have this battle" Claire sighed gesturing to her messy desk of old paper work, pens with no caps and several empty mugs. Their office phone rang and Claire went to answer "dont..its been going off all morning im in no mood for extra work today" Lucy said making Claire laugh at her 'enthusiastic' approach. " well im going to grab a coffee before the class arrive. You want one?" Claire asked as she headed out the door down to the machine.

Checking her phone she saw missed calls from an unknown number and then Norman. She couldnt really talk as the day was about to start so she dropped him a text
Whats up babe? Xx
She had barely put her phone in her pocket before Norman text back
Call me now. Its urgent xx
Heading to the staff toilets she shut herself in the cubicle and called Norman, he swiftly answered

"Claire ive been phoning you all morning" Norman sounded concerned and anxious

"He's alive" Norman added.

Claire was confused by what he was going on about

"What? Norm you are making no sense" Claire tried to get Norman to explain himself better but she was nowhere prepared for what he was going to say.

"They got it wrong. Sean is alive. He and his team got taken hostage after their crash and have only just been released."

Claire's heart stopped

"What...how?" She stammered through her dry mouth.

"You need to come home babe" he said with seriousness before disconnecting the call.

Claire stayed in the bathroom in shock. Trying to take deep breaths to calm herself down, she couldnt hold it in any longer, the shock at this news took over and she threw up in the toilet. Was this really happening?

"Claire what you doing?" Lucy asked coming into the bathroom "you've been gone like 20 minutes!" She added banging on the cubicle door. "Not knocked up are ya?" Lucy laughed as Claire unlocked the door and came out in a daze "jesus you look like shit, you alright?" She asked this time with genuine concern. Claire had gone pale. "I have to go home" Claire said blankly dashing water over her face.

Claire upped and left in a hurry. "Tell them im sick!" She yelled to her friend as she ran down the hall and got in her car and drove home. Speeding and driving through red lights, she was paying no attention after the news she had just heard. Barging through the front door she saw Norman sitting with an Army Official. "Someone tell me what the fuck is going on now !" Claire snapped throwing her bag down. The Official stood up the shake Claire's hand but she did not take it. "Unfortunately when your husband's helicopter came down they were ambushed by the enemy and taken hostage, only discovered by our troops during a raid. We were under the impression they had...been engulfed by the explosion of the helicopter" the Official explained, clearly nervous at having to admit they had got it wrong in the first place. Norman sat with his head in his hands, Claire stared straight at the Official. "You told me my husband was dead! We had a funeral...i buried him!!" Claire began yelling through tears. Norman tried to calm her down, "you came into my house 3 months ago and told me he was dead and now you are back telling me he isnt..this is unbelievable" she said pacing the room holding her forehead with her hand.

"Sean is on his way back to the US now, we can have someone here for you to answer any questions you may have" the official offered.

Claire stormed upstairs, she had to throw up again, this news was too much, all the emotions of the day she heard he was 'dead' flooding back to her. "Claire honey, open the door" Norman asked gently knocking on the door. "What the fuck do we do?" Claire asked still in disbelief as Norman pulled her into his chest. "I dont know sweetheart...i dont know" Norman sighed as he placed kisses on the top of Claire's head, he couldnt help tears fall down his cheeks as they came to terms with the news.

"They want you to wait in a side room at the airport so you can talk to him before they bring you both home" Norman told her what the official said to him when Claire left. "Ill come in with you if you want" Norman offered. "I should see him alone. He thinks im still his wife and...oh god i cant do this!" She said beginning to sob. Norman let her drench his t shirt in her tears before they got changed and headed for the airport. Not speaking at all on the way but holding hands as he drove.

"Can i get you anything ma'am?" A guard asked showing her into the room before Sean arrived. "No thanks" Claire said taking a seat. Holding her head in her hands Claire heard the lady leave and leave Claire alone. The silence and the wait were excruciating, Norman was waiting outside, the wait probably killing him too.

The creek of the door opening made Claire look up, it opened and there stood her husband. He looked tanned, tired and he let out a big smile and ran to Claire. "Oh my baby i never thought id see you again!" He cried as he scooped her into his arms. Claire burst into tears as he wrapped his arms around her kissing her face, she had pined for this for so long. But what about Norman?