•Thicker Than Blood•

•Chapter 34•

Meanwhile, Claire was sitting out in the barn. Clearly, she was sulking in her own misery as she threw the chicken feed out into the grass for the chickens. Sighing, she would eventually put the bag of feed back into the bin they were normally concealed in. Still seething with some sort of reluctant rage, she decided not to return to the house right away. However, she wasn't entirely alone either.

"Hey, Claire? You got a minute?" Chris came into the barn.

With a sigh, she responded. "What do you need, Chris?"

He seemed to pause, realizing her frustration. "Is this a bad time? What's going on?"

"Just had another fight with Leon is all. What else is new?" Claire sat down on one of the shelves and looked around. As if it were nothing major.

"Sounds new to me. What was it about?" He propped himself up and sat beside her.

"I just can't help but feel like he's going to be a different person by the end of this. I can hardly bear the thought." She said, "I don't want to lose the Leon I knew."

"Did you tell him that?"

"In some form or another..."

Chris looked at her, raising his eyebrows as if he knew she could get aggressive when she wasn't particularly fond of something. That had been what happened. She kept it bottled up for so long that she ended up blowing up at him when the slightest hint of the situation resurfaced. Truthfully, underneath the anger was fear. Scared to lose what she had. Maybe she wasn't too good with change.

"What did he say then?" Chris asked.

"He went on a rant about how he wanted the best for us. He just wanted to protect us. Imagine how much better we could be if he got the better job... he still wanted to protect the people. Along with us. You know? Just trying to be this big selfless hero without really.. staying in the moment. He's not thinking about it right now. He's only thinking of what could be rather than what is."

"I see..." Chris looked up. "In all honesty I think both of you have some pretty decent points. Maybe you both should meet in the middle somehow." He suggested.

"That's a lot easier said than done, Chris."

"I know. But, things can happen over time."

The both of them sat in silence for a moment. Claire sighed, leaning back against the wall the shelf was against. Clearly, she had a lot of thinking to do before she said anything to Leon. She really didn't want to snap at him again because of her overwhelming thoughts and fears.

"Well... either way. What brought you here?? Claire questioned.

That was when Chris seemed to freeze, leaning forward with his hands folded in his lap. He messed with his thumbs while he figured out how to say what he wanted to. Chris had never been outwardly emotional, especially in the sentimental sense. Though, he could really use the help in that department. All he had to do was ask.

"Well, this is more about Genevieve. I've had this plan... and I'm not sure how to execute it." He said.

"Oh? You mean the adoption talk?" She asked.

"How did you know about that...? Only one other person knew-." It clicked.

"Leon tells me everything. As far as I know... I don't think he could keep something from me to save his life. He's always been honest like that." Despite being angry with him, she couldn't help but smile at that thought. There was still hope.

"Right, well.. I'm not sure how to ask her. What should I do? You and Leon both made it look so easy."

"It's not an easy conversation, but for us it was a longtime coming. We were already really close... but it also seems like that for you and Genevieve. At this point, I think you should just bring it up to her in conversation. Maybe something good will come of it. Actually, I'm sure of it." Claire smiled toward him.

"That... would make sense." He stood up. "The execution might not go so well... but, I suppose it won't matter too much if she wants to be my daughter. Right?"

"Bulls eye."

Chris chuckled under his breath, finally standing up and popping his back after a long stretch.  Claire followed behind him, hopping off the shelf as well. She didn't bother stretching, heading out of the barn with Chris on her trail. They headed up to the house. Once they got there, Leon and Genevieve were in the living room.

"Claire, Sherry had another episode.. she threw up this time." Leon said, looking up.

"That's not actually the first time she threw up... it's the fourth time. She's done it twice at school and once before here..."

"Why didn't she tell us that?" Claire asked.

Genevieve shrugged. "I'd guess she was just scared to tell you.."

"Goodness- is she okay?" Claire asked, looking towards Leon.

"I put her in bed to rest. She should be alright soon..."

"Alright, I'll trust that. I'm going to bring her some ginger ale." Claire said, heading to the kitchen.

"Don't forget crackers." Leon followed after her.

Chris and Genevieve looked at one another, exchanging a worried expression while they watched the two. Despite their fight that happened not all that long ago, when it came to Sherry, they were parents. As if they hadn't even fought, they worked side by side to make sure Sherry was okay. Now, that was what parenting was about. Putting your child first. No matter what happens. There will always be some sort of love in that concept.