Clawen ♡ Second Time's the Charm

Chapter 34: Awakened

Claire stirred in her sleep. Her entire body felt engulfed in a comfortingly sensational warmth. Compared to the pain she had previously been experiencing, this feeling seemed like heaven. The last thing she could remember was being carried into the building and set down on a hard chair. After that, her memories seemed to have ceased for a while as if time had frozen. In reality, Claire had simply passed out once more from exhaustion.

She longed to stay in her trance-like state, but she could hear distant sounds almost calling her to open her eyes. All around her, there seemed to be a choir of murmurs and whispers. Slowly, she returned to the vivid world of consciousness. The sounds grew louder as her eyes fluttered open.

"Finally awake, sleeping beauty?"

Claire shifted, instantly recognizing the voice. It belonged to the man who had carried her all the way into the building, who had taken care of her while she slept, who hadn't left her side since she had asked him the day before to inspect the paddock of the Indominus.

"Owen?"

Owen let out a small sigh of relief when Claire whispered his name softly. He loved the way his name sounded on Claire's tongue- sometimes tranquil and hushed, sometimes with a prickle of exasperation. But it was always said with that same tenderness.

"Yeah, I'm here. I'm here."

Claire realized that she was resting against his chest, her hair fanned out against his face. Immediately, she sat up straight and smoothed her hair down. How long have I been choking him with my filthy hair? How long has he been watching me sleep? Owen, knowing exactly what was going through her mind, encircled her wrists with his hands and gently brought them away from her knotted red hair.

"It's alright, Claire. I don't mind," he reassured her. He kissed her forehead affectionately. I'm just relieved that you're alright.

She nodded uncertainly before another urgent thought popped into her mind. Oh, my God! Where are Zach and Gray? "My nephews! Where are they-"

"They've gone to steal some complimentary cookies for us," Owen replied before Claire could begin panicking. "God, woman. You worry too much. Go back to sleep or something before you give yourself a heart attack."

The color returned to Claire's cheeks as her muscles visibly loosened. Owen tugged her backwards, guiding her head to his shoulder. She leaned against him with a long sigh. It felt like it had been a long time since she had been this comfortable. The blanket wrapped around her shoulders was fuzzy and as soft as a cloud. Claire fingered its edges delicately. I should get blankets like this one day...

Owen smiled fondly at her. Just then, his stomach began to growl loudly, startling both of them. Even the noises coming from the thousands of visitors packed inside the building were unable to drown out the persistent growls. Claire giggled like a child when Owen's face turned a sheepish shade of red. She had actually never seen him blush before and found it extremely adorable. Well, there's a first for everything, I suppose.

Owen shrugged. "I'm starving to death over here. If you don't want your cookie, I'll gladly take it!" Claire couldn't resist a smile. She loved his laugh, how it seemed to come from deep within him and bubble out with his energy.

"Well, I'm sorry but you can tell your obnoxious stomach that I'm not sharing," Claire retorted haughtily, teasingly. Her eyes glinted with mischief.

"Whatever. It wouldn't listen to you either way. It's as stubborn as I am. Tough luck, babe."

Claire rolled her eyes and reached for Owen's hand. A small thought hidden in the back of her head began to creep tenaciously outwards. She held his hand tightly as a more serious mood descended upon her. Owen sensed the subtle change.