Clawen • What comes next

|| CHAPTER 9 ||

The rest of the day went along just fine. Owen went to continue on the house and Claire had her fight with getting everything they bought, put away. Maisie ran back and forth helping here and there. Mostly with Claire tho, since Owen didn't have much she could help with. If that was the case, she just sat on the grass and watched him work. She enjoyed the peace and quiet you got out here.

The day about to turn to night and the sun slowly disappearing behind the trees. Owen started to gather some wood, for a fire while Claire and Maisie managed to find something they were able to cook on said fire.

Sitting around the glowing heat in the darkness, with an arm around Claire and Maisie half asleep with her head in Claire's lap.

Claire tipped her head up to kiss Owen's jawline and snuggled further into him, careful of not disturbing Maisie. He looked down to the perfect image below and thought. How could he be so lucky? How come he managed to get Claire back, and somehow a child that none of them had any connection to. Yet it felt like they had known her forever. He started hoping that Maisie's case would be over quickly and Claire would get custody. And that eventually, they would get married, have Maisie call them mom and dad and then maybe have another kid at some point. Of course, Owen being the smart guy that he was, knew that things didn't always go the way you wanted them to. He knew there was a chance that Maisie would get taken away from them and Claire might leave him again. Yes, the last part was very unlikely but he couldn't stop his fears.

Trying to forget the mess in his mind, he instead asked Maisie if he should take her to bed. She nodded as she got up and leaned her body against Owen who put his arm around her to steady her half sleeping form on the way in.

Claire stayed by the fire and waited for Owen. She didn't want to go to sleep, she wasn't tired. She just wanted to sit out here and have her worries fade away, hopefully with the love of her life by her side. And there he was. Walking out of the van and slowly closing the door, before making his way towards her.

He had brought a blanket which he unfolded and put around Claire's shoulders. Sitting down by her side, he put his arm around her, yet again and sure enough she snuggled into his side, but further this time. Basically, putting her whole weight on Owen. She felt at peace. With his nose in her hair, which she had gotten so used to the first time around and his arm so perfectly draped around her shoulder.

The sun had disappeared behind the trees and there was no light other that the slight flicker from the small fire still going on, and then of course the moon, shining it's light upon them. Owen was listening the nature, automatically looking for danger but also enjoying the silence and all the sounds of the different animals out there. He knew Blue was out there somewhere, he wished deeply that she had come with them but he understood. To be honest with himself, he had no idea how he would have handled that whole scenario.

"Claire" Owen whispered into her ear. She slowly started sitting up straight before rubbing her eyes and looking at him questioning. "I think you fell asleep" He said and gave her a kiss on the cheek when she turned her head forward. "Let's go to bed, shall we?" He asked her and stood up, reaching his hand out for her to take. She yawned and nodded before taking his hand. He walked to the van with Claire against him, one hand in his and the other around his arm for extra support. Her tired body, barely able to stand and the leg didn't make it easier. His free hand holding the blanket he had brought out for her.

"Go ahead" He told her when they entered. "I'm just going to get something to drink" He told her and she made her way to their bed. He walked over to the sink and got the water running before sitting down by Maisie's legs with his hands in his lap. "I really hope you get to stay with us Maisie" he whispered almost inaudible, as to not wake her up and so that Claire wouldn't hear. Thinking both girls were asleep by now, he continued with his whispered confessions.

"You know, I've never seen Claire like this. I always dreamed of someday marrying her, to someday have kids with her and grow old. I still have the same dream even after everything, especially after everything. Seeing her with you warms by heart, it gives me hope. I'm really happy that you came to be with us Maisie, even if it was under extremely bad circumstances. And if you get to stay, I hope you will someday think of us as your parents. I hope you get to stay with us for so long, that you get to experience the feeling of being loved by Claire, to really feel it. It's something truly special and you won't feel it with anyone else, god knows I've tried." He let out an almost silent laugh, before continuing. "God I just love her so much Maisie, I really do. I don't know what I'll do if she ever leaves again."

What Owen didn't know was that Claire hadn't gone to sleep. After having heard the water running but nothing else moving, she went to check it out but didn't get far before she heard the voice she knew so well. The voice that automatically calms down her entire person with just one word. She had stopped in her tracks to listen. After hearing everything and seeing Owen standing up and making his way towards the sink, she quickly took a step backwards and jumped onto the bed.

A minute later, Owen entered and found Claire on his side of the bed. He went over to her and placed his glass of water on the nightstand before bending down to have a quick look at the beauty he currently shared his life with, and hopefully would continue to share it with. Stroking her red messy hair out of her face and behind her ear, he leaned in. As he was about to place a kiss to her forehead, her eyes shot open. and her hand came up to his cheek. She looked him in the eyes and pushed herself that small distance forward to make their lips meet.

Both of them slowly melting by the kiss, Owen eventually pulled away. "You're so beautiful" He said shaking his head lightly. She smiled up at him with her sweet smile, reserved just for him. She leaned in and gave him a second kiss. "You are also on my side of the bed" He said after he pulled away which made her smirk at him. "What are you going to do about it?" She whispered in what Owen would call a flirty tone.

He walked over to Claire's side of the bed and laid down. Before Claire knew it, he had his arms wrapped around her and flipped on top of him before placing her down on her side. After his little stunt was over, he didn't let go. Claire pushed herself, into him as far as she could and smiled to herself. She didn't think she was ever going to get tired of his strong arms around her. She never wanted to be seen as a damsel in distress but she didn't see any shame in admitting that she felt much safer when his arms were wrapped around her.

He placed a kiss into her hair and tightened his hold on her. "Goodnight my love" He whispered. Claire had never heard him call her that before, never really heard him call her anything other than her name really. She had to admit, it made her stomach flutter and started something in her lower abdomen, that she knew too well. She turned in his arms and looked up at him. "My love" She whispered sweetly. "Is that a question or a statement?" He asked. "Both" She whispered back before placing a kiss on his lips and sinking down to hide herself in his neck.

"Goodnight to you too, my love" She whispered tiredly, before both of them slowly drifted off to sleep.

I hope this was alright - I'm trying to push it along faster but I keep coming up with ideas and I add fluff on top of fluff and it just never seems to end.

Well hope ya liked it! :D