Clawen • What comes next

|| CHAPTER 73 ||

No one reacted for a good three seconds. The first one to make a move or talk, was Karen. Her face in shock, her eyes busy trying to kill Claire where she stood. "Claire Dearing!" That got Claire to turn her head and lock eyes with her very angry looking older sister. Squeezing Owen's arm again, for more comfort and the strength she needed to deal with her sister. Karen was quickly up on her feet and stood before the two for a split second, before pulling them both into a hug, forcing Claire to let go of Owen's arm.

"Finally. You two idiots are finally doing it" She said in a low voice, not quite a whisper but close. Karen let the poor couple go and took a step back, speaking louder this time. "I was starting to think you guys had called it off and decided to live life, hillbilly style" Claire smiled at her sister with a tilted head, as Owen chuckled by her side. The others could be heard sniggering a bit as well. "But how dare you not tell me?" Karen then asked, which was what Claire had been waiting for. She just kept her lips shut and chuckled at her sister without giving her an answer, if the chuckle wasn't answer enough.

When Karen had seemed to have given up on her sister, Derek and Kara stood up. Derek was quick to give them both a hug before standing back to give Kara space. She did the same but as she pulled away from Claire and had said her congratulations, she said "I didn't know you were engaged. Didn't know you had that kind of balls, brother". This time, it was Claire's turn to chuckle and Owen glared at his sister with a warning look in his eyes.

After everything had calmed down slightly, Zia took a step forward, having decided that it was time to get these two idiots married. She barely knew Owen, only having been through a slight piece of hell with him, Claire and Franklin. Claire however was her former boss, whom she respected, a lot. Over the few years they worked together, Claire had warmed up and become less tight, for every day that went by. Zia was very glad that Claire considered her something of a friend. Plus, the love her and Owen had for each other was practically shining throughout the house and having to wait another minute to marry them, was a pain.

"Alright ladies and gents, it's time to get these two nut-heads married" Zia announced, reaching her arms out to get the couple to stand, facing the other. When satisfied, Zia stepped between and a step back. "So, Claire asked me a week back if I would marry them. To which I told her yes, without thinking twice" Zia started. People found themselves some comfortable positions on the couches and started listening. Maisie moved Charlie around to face their parents, even though the little girl had no clue what was going on. Claire and Owen both reached out to grab the others hand, when Zia paused for a second.

"Now we all know Claire, or most of us do" She said gesturing around them. "Which means we know how stubborn she is, how determined she can be and of course we know how organized she is. Despite that, I didn't get any information other than, I was to marry them" The crowd chuckled and smiled up at the happy couple. "So, before I mess up, lets get to the point"

Claire and Owen squeezed each other's hands. Owen saw the lump going down Claire's throat, just as Claire could feel how clammy Owen's hands were. This wasn't a big deal, hence them doing it now. But they both found themselves scared to death. Staring into each other's eyes to find some sort of comfort and known feeling of safety. Longing for this to be over as soon as possible and to get on with it and spend time with their family.

They both looked over at Zia, who was staring back at them with a questioning look. "Now if the bride and groom are ready to listen" Zia said, having decided to wait with another word, till the two stopped eye-banging in front of their family. Both their faces turned to shock, reddening more and more for each second as the small gathering of family members behind them, sniggered and chuckled at them.

"Yes, we're ready" Claire said, trying to hold back a laugh, which didn't get any easier when she glanced up at Owen, who was failing miserably and the exact same thing.

"Alright! Claire Dearing, do you take Owen Grady as your husband?"

"I do"

"Owen Grady, do you take Claire Dearing as your wife?"

"I do"

"Well then I guess it's time to pronounce you husband and wife" And with that, everyone erupted into cheers. Claire and Owen were both grinning at each other, from ear to ear, unable to think a single thought. Zia noticed how lost in each other they both were again and decided to give them a push.

"You may now kiss your gorgeous bride, you damn beefcake"

Laughter could be heard, even from Claire and Owen right before their lips locked. Owen quickly pulled Claire to him, via their hands. Letting go of them quickly to let his arms come around her middle, to press her close to him and hold her there, until time stopped. Claire gracefully let her body be moved around by Owen and reached her arms up to pull him down towards her.

After ten minutes of hugs and kisses and Claire checking up on her two daughters in all the chaos.

The rest of the day went as well as could be expected. After all, it was a housewarming party, so everyone got shown around the house. After all that, Owen suggested that they all went for a walk before it got dark. The living room feeling rather small and crowded with all these people, plus it was getting rather hot. Everyone agreed and after half an hour, they all returned to the house.

Everyone was having such a good time, so that when it had gone past the time where people normally would go home, no one did. When they ran out of food, they ordered pizza for everyone and there was even mention that this was technically their wedding. There was no cutting it short or shutting down early. Most of those words were from Karen but the party part came from Kara. Who to no one's surprise, was quite the party type.

When it sneaked in on the later night, Charlie was starting to get upset and Maisie noticed. It wasn't that her parents had forgotten about them, no not at all. They came to check and hear if they should take Charlie for some time and if Maisie was doing okay or was in need of a break. To that, she told them that she was quite alright and that she had no problem looking after Charlie. That they should enjoy their time and talk to their family. Of course, Maisie joined the conversations as well and it wasn't like she didn't have a good time either.

So, when it started getting quite dark and Charlie couldn't be kept calm anymore, Maisie decided to sneak upstairs, letting her parents keep doing whatever they were doing. She changed Maisie's diaper which Claire had taught her, a long time ago. She changed Charlie into her little pajamas and put her to bed. Not forgetting to read the little girl a bedtime story. Charlie fell asleep without any trouble and when Maisie walked back downstairs, Claire noticed her.

"Where's Charlie?" She asked. "Oh, I put her to bed. She started getting upset" Maisie said, nonchalant like it was no big deal, which it wasn't, to her. To Claire however, it was quite the big deal. She was shocked and Maisie could see the tears coming. "You just did that?" Claire asked, putting an arm on Maisie, getting ready to pull her into a hug. Maisie nodded like it was a stupid question, which only got Claire to pull her into that hug. Rocking them back and forth, Claire whispered to Maisie. "You didn't have to do that, sweetheart". Maisie rubbed her mom's back a couple times before speaking. "It's no big deal, I just wanted you and dad to enjoy your time" Maisie heard her mom sniffle against her shoulder, which only made her smile.

"You are too perfect Maisie, too perfect! Thank you so much sweetheart"

MY BABIES ARE MARRIED NOW

I don't really have anything to say, other than the usual – I hope you all enjoyed.