Clawen • What comes next

|| CHAPTER 58 ||

           

The next morning, they all drove to the airport to get Karen on a plane home. She had found tickets the night before, to a decent prize and had decided it was time she went home. To get home to her boys who were barely surviving without her. They were probably fine, she was just worried as any parent would be. Other reason for her leaving, was to give the little family their time alone. There was no reason for her to run around in between them and getting in the way of their bonding time.

Claire had insisted she stayed a couple days longer, that it was no big deal and they didn't mind having her there. Karen had thanked her sister many times and told her, she needed to get home.

In the car, they sat in the same seats as they did on their way home from the hospital. Maisie was way less scared than that time and Claire often found her either glancing over at her or Charlie, with a small smile on her lips. The events the day before had helped Maisie along with getting okay with Charlie.

In the girl's eyes, she was basically there. She wasn't scared of Charlie any more, of touching her or even holding her now. She would still not be comfortable if Claire or Owen asked her to hold Charlie for a minute. She had only held her that one time and she was sitting down with Claire right next to her. But the sweaty and shaky feeling she got before when she looked at Charlie or were near her, was gone now.

At the airport, Claire insisted they walked Karen all the way in, till they had to say goodbye. Karen however, convinced Claire that she was just fine checking in on her own. That they could just let her off at the drop off point outside. Owen had grinned at Karen's attempt at getting Claire to give up. Figuring it would never work and they would have to spend an hour in the airport until Claire was ready to say goodbye. Eventually Karen had gotten enough arguments through, so that Claire had to surrender and Owen couldn't help but look surprised over at Karen. Eyes wide, meeting a shit eating grin on the sister of the woman he loves. She was probably very aware that he was putting his bets on Claire, he thought.

"I'll be fine Claire, I've been in an airport before" Karen said, as they pulled up to the drop off. Claire sighed. "I know but..." She said, having trouble finding a reason to actually follow Karen in, by now. "Fine...I love you..." Claire eventually said, with Karen's eyes looking at her from the front seat, begging her sister to let it go. "I love you too sis" Karen said, and leaned as far back as she could to hug Claire goodbye. Reaching out to rub Maisie's shoulder a couple times, before getting back in her seat and giving Owen a quick hug. And with that she left the car, went to the trunk to get her luggage, waving goodbye behind her, as she made her way through the entrance.

They left the drop off point, to continue further into the city, to do some shopping. Claire wanted to stay in the car with Charlie, which Owen completely understood. He and Maisie were just going to go into the few stores alone. When they got back, both of them were asleep in the backseat.

Neither of the two, woke up when they loaded the groceries or on the bumpy road home. Owen was surprised that Charlie didn't even make a sound. He understood Claire's exhaustion more and wished he was able to pick her up and carry her into bed without her waking up. But she wasn't a toddler. So, he asked Maisie to take the groceries into the kitchen and start unpacking, then he would be there to help, in a few minutes. He picked up Charlie's seat, where the girl was still sleeping and walked upstairs with it, gently putting his sleeping daughter, into her crib. After staying for a few seconds to see if she woke up, he left to go back to the car when no sound came from Charlie.

When he got out to the car, Claire was still very much asleep and he didn't stop himself from looking at her sleeping form, for a few seconds, before deciding between his two options. He could either wake her up and let her walk up to bed on her own. Or he could be as careful as possible and carry her upstairs. She would probably wake up either way but if he carried her, she wouldn't have to use any energy on walking. Looked like his decision was made.

He bent down and carefully pushed himself inside the car and leaned over her body. Unbuckling her seatbelt, he carefully moved his hand behind her back and got a good grip on her legs, before ever so slowly lifting her up. His first thought was, she's going to wake up, this is stupid. But then after he got her out of the car and she didn't move an inch, he started to worry if she was even breathing. Right as that thought popped into his head, Claire started to stir. It only took her a second to open her eyes and then another to yelp in surprise.

A look down at the ground, which she wasn't touching and then another look up at Owen, who was smiling at her ever so sweetly. "Owen what the hell?" She asked. She didn't sound mad, she sounded more confused if anything. He chuckled and said "You fell asleep, I figured I'd save you the trouble of walking since you didn't even wake up at the big bump in the road that you always complain about. She reached up to hold onto his neck with one of her hands. After a second of her not saying anything, she started laughing and let herself lean into his body. "You are too good to be true" She whispered against his jaw. He smiled at her comment and hummed in agreement. "I am quite amazing, yes" He said, making her giggle. "But I have to be, or I wouldn't deserve you" He then said, looking down at her slightly. He felt her smile against his neck, before she left a few kisses.

As they reached the front door, Maisie came from the kitchen to have a look at what was going on. She started giggling when she saw them. "What are you doing?" she laughed. Owen couldn't help but laugh as well and looked back at the girl. "Mom is tired, I'm just giving her a little lift" He said, making Claire shake her head with a soft chuckle against his shoulder. "Can I be next?" Maisie asked. Owen could see that she was kind of nervous and shy with the question. Fidgeting with her hands and avoiding eye contact. He smiled at her even though she wasn't looking at him. "Of course. I'll put mom to bed and then I'll come down and get you" He said. Maisie's face lit up with excitement as Claire laughed in his arms. "You are going to put me to bed huh?" She asked, pulling away slightly to get a better look at him. He smiled down at her, his laughter still there. "What else?" He then asked. She was quiet for a few seconds before shaking her head with laughter. "Nothing" She then said and let her body rest against his again.

Maisie walked back into the kitchen to finish the groceries, knowing her parents well enough, to have figured out that Owen wouldn't come down in time to help.

Upstairs Claire opened the door for them, since Owen's hands were rather occupied. Claire couldn't help giggling, as he walked them inside the room and placed her gently on the bed. He had to shush her a couple times, because Charlie was sleeping right at the end of the bed. She slammed her lips shut and looked up at him. He had laid her down in the middle of the bed, slightly leaning over her. She reached her hands up to cup his cheeks and pull him down to her. He followed her lead and let her. She leaned up a bit and gave him a big slow kiss, telling him how much she appreciated him, just with the touch of her lips and the tip of her tongue.

She sighed out loud. "Damn, giving birth really destroys the fun" Letting her head fall against the pillow, as she exhaled. He smiled at her, just as annoyed by it as her. "Patience, darling" He whispered into her ear, before leaving a kiss behind it and pulling away. Standing up straight, he reached down to pull the blankets over her small body. She smiled up at him throughout the whole process of making her as comfortable as possible.

He gave her another kiss before walking to the door. "If she wakes up, I got her. You get some sleep" And with that, he left the room and closed the door behind him.

I know some of you wanted Karen to stay – You know that I know! But she gone boys, sorry.

If you have any ideas or milestones that you are really interested in reading, please do tell. I don't want to write every tiny detail, if I'm going to lull you all to sleep. Plus the less you want, the less research I have to do on babies...