Clawen • What comes next

|| CHAPTER 69 ||

Downstairs on the couch, Claire was sitting with Charlie on her lap and Owen beside her. He was very interested in what was on the TV, unlike Claire. She wasn't even watching, just relaxing with his arm around her and her baby girl on her lap, who was babbling away.

Suddenly Maisie came walking down the stairs, looking scared and nervous. She came to a stop on the last step and waited for her parents to notice her. Biting her lip and swallowing every second. When Claire looked up and saw how distressed Maisie looked, she immediately asked her what was wrong. The girl didn't really give an answer. Just put her mouth askew and looked at the floor, while she continued to bite every bit off her lip that she could.

Claire sensed that something was off, so she quickly handed Charlie to Owen and walked over to Maisie in long strides. She put an arm on the girl's shoulder and asked again. This time quieter. Maisie stuttered not knowing how to say what was on her mind. She didn't know the words for it or what it was, so the struggle seemed endless. Claire understood that the girl needed some time to find the words, so she patiently waited.

When Maisie finally came out with it, all she said was. "I'm bleeding" In the smallest voice, almost a whisper. Claire could hear how scared the girl was, how terrifying this experience was for her. She smiled down at the girl with an understanding look before gesturing for her to come up to the master bathroom.

As they walked through the door to Claire and Owen's bedroom, Maisie nervously asked. "Is it bad?" Claire smiled back at her, shaking her head. "No sweetie, its completely normal" She said, as she closed the bathroom door behind them and turned the key.

Claire started rummaging through the cabinets while Maisie fiddled with her hands, behind Claire. "What is it?" Maisie eventually whispered, looking up at Claire with the same nervous look as earlier. Without turning around, Claire said "I'm pretty sure you've got your first period". Maisie's look went from scared to confused. "Period?" She asked curiously. "Yes, period" Claire said as she turned around with a pack of pads in her hand. "What is a period?" Maisie asked.

Claire smiled down at the girl, feeling slightly sorry that the girl didn't even know what would happen to her own body. "It's this thing that happens to every girl around your age. It's a big topic so, if you go get some new underwear and put one of these in, then I'll tell you everything you need to know, alright?"

Maisie nodded and took the pack, before walking to unlock the door. "What are these?" She asked before leaving. "They're pads, they go in your underwear" Claire said expecting another question. "How?" Maisie asked. Claire chuckled to herself slightly for having predicted it. "One part of it is soft, the other is sticky. I think you know what goes where" Claire said, with a wink at the end. Maisie smiled up at her before leaving the room.

10 minutes later, Maisie exited the bathroom and found her mom waiting in the hallway. Maisie's mouth went slightly askew, as she smiled up at her mom. "Want me to tell you about it now or do you want to wait?" Claire asked, having thought about the possibility that Maisie might want to take some time before getting everything explained. "Now" Maisie said and Claire gestured for the girl to take them wherever she felt most comfortable.

That's how they ended up on Maisie's bed with the door closed, as Maisie hugged her covers to her body for more comfort. When Maisie was ready, Claire started the whole spiel.

To be honest with herself, she didn't know where to start. She had no idea what Maisie knew and how much. The girl was smart, very smart. But some subjects were completely alien to her. She quickly found out that Maisie did know about reproducing, hence why she never asked regarding Charlie. But that was about it. It wasn't all of it either. It was hard for Claire to figure out what was necessary and having to guess if Maisie already knew about a specific thing.

After an hour of Claire talking almost nonstop and Maisie asking question after question. Claire felt like the topic was clear enough for the girl to go on with her life. Of course, as it is for most when they are told all of this or figure it out. In worst case, experience it first, like Maisie. Their lives change. Not in a bad way, but it's a big part of growing up.

Maisie asked to be left alone afterwards and Claire left the girl's room, feeling somewhat confident that she explained it well enough. That she did good. When she came down into the living room, Charlie was playing on the floor surrounded by pillows. Owen was still on the couch, less focused on the TV than when she left him.

She made her way over to him, sitting down at his side and leaning in as he wrapped his arms around her. He was yet to find out what had been going on for over an hour but he could sense that she needed a hug. After planting kiss after kiss in her hair, one on her cheek and then another on her mouth, he finally asked. "What were you doing up there?" Claire sighed, as she realized the one thing she forgot to talk to Maisie about. If she wanted Owen to know and if so, if she wanted to tell him herself. "I don't know if I can tell you" Claire said, letting her head fall on his shoulder.

Owen shrugged and turned his head to the TV. "Okay" He said, as his fingers started stroking her arm ever so slowly. Claire pulled away from him to be able to look him in the eyes. "Okay?" She asked. He looked back at her with a puzzled look. "What?" He asked. "Nothing it's just...You're usually pushier, more curious" Claire said, tilting her head at him. He shrugged again and tilted his own head. "I'm trying to be better" Was all he said in hopes that, that was the end of it. Claire narrowed her eyes at him, signaling that it was far from over. "Owen" She said firmly, getting his attention back. "Alright I am trying to be better, but I'm also like 99 percent sure I know what it is so, it doesn't bother me that much" He said, before pulling Claire back into his body.

She seemed to accept his answer for a second before her own curiosity pushed through. "what is it then?" She asked. "I can't tell you, because you won't be able to tell me yes or no and I know how much that will kill you. Not being able to correct me if I'm wrong. And even if I'm right, I'll be able to see it on your face" He said sending a wink her way with the last part. She stared at him for a second before realizing that, he was right. She settled her body back in against his and let out a content sigh.

After a minute or so, Owen spoke up. "She got her period, didn't she?" Claire just nodded against his shoulder. "Yea" She eventually whispered. "I spend an hour, telling her everything she needed to know, because of course no one had told her about all the things that's going to happen to her own body. Unbelievable" Claire said, sighing the last word.

Owen put a hand to the side of her head and pressed it towards him, giving it a kiss. "I bet you did great "He whispered. Claire sighed and grabbed the hand he just used, to give it a kiss.

"Let's hope so" She whispered.

I realized that it was time for this. Now or never.

I'm very aware that I'm falling behind with uploads and I apologize. It's been really hard to get myself to write, therefore no chapters to upload.

I'm trying but I don't want to overwork myself so – If it won't make you all hate me, I'll be uploading every third day from now on.