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After eating and having further discussion on training procedures, Jack and Malachy made their way up to the bedrooms. Malachy noticed that the door to Claire’s room was ajar. He closed it over when a hand to his chest stopped him. “She prefers to keep it open at night. I’ll check on her while you finish getting settled in.” Jack walked towards Claire’s bed, where she was sound asleep. Her phone, book, and laptop surrounded her. Malachy couldn’t help but stand in the doorway, watching how Jack interacted with his daughter. He lifted her things from her bed and set them on the desk. He then covered her with a gray blanket and brushed the hair from her face to kiss her forehead. He truly cares for her. Maybe the Council got it right letting him adopt her. Envy filled Malachy’s chest. Jack made his way back to Malachy, and headed towards his room, when he noticed Malachy staring. He was looking at Jack with a slight grin. “You’re a lucky man. Only thing you're missing is a woman t
“Sorry Pops. I gotta go. Rehearsals for the Christmas program have started and our group is preparing an a cappella song. I have to be there early. And then softball starts conditioning this week as well.” Claire rushed into the kitchen, grabbed a muffin, an orange juice, kissed Jack on the cheek, and darted out the door to the waiting car of her friend, Trevor. All before Jack could wish her a good day. Trevor, a human boy who was a year older than Claire, was one member of their choral group. He has been picking her up early in the mornings for the past two weeks for their rehearsals. And Jack had suspicions that the boy had his eyes on Claire. Claire’s phone vibrated in her bag as she slid into the blue pickup truck. Jack: “I need to meet this Trevor, you know.” Claire: “ugh….fiiiiiine…. I can ask him what he is doing after the football game Friday. Satisfied?” Jack: “Deal. Love you.” Claire: “Love you. Now go do whatever retired old folks do :)” She couldn’t believe her
She was awestruck and froze in place; there was nothing else she could do. Mal was back, and her heart pounded in her chest at the sight of him standing next to the black SUV, a hand holding the passenger door open. “Hey you! Welcome back.” Without thinking, she dropped her bags, jumped up to wrap her arms around his neck, and gave him a hug. They were both shocked by her boldness, though neither said anything and neither moved. His arms instinctively wrapped around her waist to bring her closer. Before Malachy could think of a more appropriate response, Jack walked out of the front door. “What a great surprise. I didn’t know you were back in town. Claire let the man go. You smell of grass and sweat. Go upstairs and wash up before supper.” “Sure thing Pops. It’s good to see you again, Mal.” She hopped down from his embrace and headed into the house. Malachy stood still in shock while Jack gave him a teasing look. “I think someone has a crush on you. I can’t remember the last ti
20 minutes later, Trevor pulled the truck up to the bowling alley. “You bowl? Why didn’t I know you bowl?” Claire asked eagerly as they got out of the truck. “Well, technically, I just roll it down there and pray. But it’s fun, athletic, and they have food here too. And based on how loud your stomach was growling, we can eat first.” “Thank you!” Trevor walked up to her and offered out his right hand. She timidly grasped it as they walked into the bowling alley. They walked up to the counter to reserve their lane and rent some shoes. But when Claire tried to grab her wallet, Trevor held his hand up. “Tonight is on me.” Slightly impressed with his chivalrous move, Claire replied, “Suit yourself.” They managed to get a lane far away from the other bowlers, but no one really seemed to pay them much attention. “So, what kind of food do we want? Drinks?” She turned towards Trevor as he set their names up on the scoreboard. He glanced over his shoulder. “I figured pizza and sodas.
Trevor: “HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I can’t wait to see you tonight!!” Claire: “Happy Anniversary! I can’t wait either.” Claire set her phone down to look out her nook window overlooking the neighborhood and small retention pond. The cool autumn wind blew the colored leaves across the surface of the calm water. She wanted to let in the crisp air by cracking the window slightly. Autumn was her favorite time of year with the colors, the smells, the cool weather. She loved it all. Her fingers drummed out a beat on the back of her phone, all the while her feet tapped on her bedroom floor. Quinn pushed Claire’s legs together, stopping her nervous twitching. “Stop! You’re going to make me poke you in the eye if you don’t hold still.” Claire shook her head, “sorry. Just nerves coming out, I guess.” Tilting her head, Quinn finished the last of Claire’s makeup. “Why are you so nervous? You guys are adorable together, been together forever. Just sleep with him already and give me the details!!!”
****Contains Violent/Mature Themes**** Now that she had some distance, Claire could assess her situation more clearly, and she was stunned. Her car door was gone, multiple trees were down around her, and two more figures were standing behind the man who grabbed her. Vampires. The three figures were all facing her with their fangs bared, and the latter two huddled into crouching stances, ready to pounce. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Deep breaths. Keep calm. This is what you’ve trained for. If you don’t fight, you’re gonna die. That thought raced through her head. Claire knew she could handle two vampires in a fight, but three would push her limits to the max. Trying not to panic, Claire gripped her bat harder. As the two crouching vampires ran straight for her, she didn’t have time to think, only react. She swung her bat to hit one on his head while she kicked behind her to land a blow to the other. Using her size to her advantage, she was ducking and dodging the punches from
“FUUUUUUUUUCK. Why does it still hurt so much?” Claire struggled to sit up in her bed. It’s been over a week since the random rogue attack and she still hasn't healed as fast as she would’ve liked. “You had two cracked ribs, countless bruises, claw marks on your neck, and you lost quite a bit of blood. You’re lucky you got away with that.” Marian helped her sit up while Malachy sat on the corner of her bed. He hasn’t left her side since they arrived home and Claire didn’t mind in the least. “Now shut up, eat, and take the medication to help prevent any infection. You still need to rest,” Marian chastised, then walked out of the bedroom and shut the door behind her. Claire looked to Malachy, “you know I’m ok right? I know you’re busy and sitting with me can’t be fun. So you can leave…If you want...” Her head slowly lowered; she didn’t want him to leave, but she didn’t want to seem clingy. She didn’t have any claim on him. He wasn’t hers and she wasn’t his. “I’m not going anywhere,
Cheeky asshole. Claire ran to her closet and threw on her favorite dark skinny jeans and her white zip up hoodie. She also grabbed her favorite earrings and, of course, her opal necklace. She darted down the stairs to find Mal had changed from his usual black suit and tie to a tight-knit black sweater and jeans. Oh shit. Claire’s eyes all but popped out of her skull at the sultry sight and stopped her in her tracks. Frozen to the spot, she thanked The Goddess he seemed too focused on his phone to notice her staring. After a few seconds, he looked up at her with a slight smile, then he grabbed her hand and led her to his SUV. With a tremble to her voice and a hand held to her heart, she feigned panic. “Are you kidnapping me? This feels an awful lot like kidnapping… Does Pops know we’re leaving together?” He opened the door for her and offered his hand to help her get in. “You are a bit of a smartass, you know that? You are more than welcome to leave, but there is something you