Claire woke up to the sensation of a small hand patting her head. She immediately smiled when she felt a gentle kiss on her cheek. Once she opened her eyes, she was greeted with the cute little girl that would always make her heart squeeze.
"Good morning Sweetie." Claire said as she gave Lily a tight hug and peppered her face with kisses earning a morning giggle from her.
She turned to face the clock on her nightstand and noticed it was seven in the morning. Lily was truly an early bird whenever she was able to get a full night's rest.
"Let's get you freshened up. Anna will be here to pick you up in a little bit." She said as she started to get up. Lily had already put on her hearing aides so Claire simply told her instead of signing it to her.
'What about Ben?' Lily asked after sitting up on the bed. He would almost always be the one to keep her company.
"Ben has a few things to do today. So that means you get to spend the day with Anna." Claire explained.
In reality, it was very unusual for Ben to ask for a day off. Especially during such a hectic time. But seeing as it was such a rare request, Claire understood it was important and decided to simply ask him about it later.
Both girls showered, ate and got ready for the day. Claire wore an above the knee length dress that hugged her body. She was fond of dresses being long sleeved, like the one she had on, when it came to work. It had a pearl white color that she paired with beige high heels. She left her hair loose and applied some simple make up. It was an elegant look like most of her other outfits were.
Lily on the other hand had a yellow dress on with red flowers at the hem of the skirt. They matched her hair perfectly. Holding her favorite stuffed bunny, she would hardly ever fall asleep without it, making her look as adorable as ever.
During the time they ate and prepared themselves, Lily had signed non-stop about her little adventure with Aiden. She spoke about all the animals she saw, the new things she got to try out and learn about, how Aiden made sure she reached to feed lettuce to all of the giraffes and how she had the time of her life inside the small animal petting section inside the zoo.
Seeing her so full of energy was making Claire feel energized too. Although she had slept a bit better that night, it still wasn't enough to make her sore muscles and stressed out head relax. She had been running on pure willpower the last couple of weeks. Making the last few days even harder for her to get through.
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"Sweetie."
'Yes Mommy?' Lily replied as they made their way to the hotel's back entrance. It was usual for them to always take the less frequented routes.
"What do you think of Aiden?" Claire looked carefully at Lily while she held her in her arms. Her eyes sparkled when she looked up at her to answer.
'Shit. He's good. Already won her over huh?' She thought to herself as soon as she saw her little lips turn into a genuine smile.
'He makes me feel safe. I like him.' Lily signed to her.
"Like Mommy and Uncle make you feel?"
'No....not like Mommy. Maybe a little bit like Uncle, but it's a different kind of safe.' She looked down at her wrist where she wore the small wolf themed bracelet Aiden had given her while at the zoo gift shop. 'I don't really know how to explain it Mommy.'
"There's no need Baby." Claire sighed. "I think I understand what you mean." She nuzzled her nose against Lily's which made her smile widely before she continued. "I'm glad you had fun at the zoo together."
'But don't worry Mommy! You and uncle are still my favorites.' Lily hastily explained so that Claire wouldn't feel bad.
"How can you be so absolutely adorable?" Claire chuckled while she softly tickled Lily making her giggle.
Just as they reached the outside, Anna stepped out of one of the two cars that were waiting for them both and greeted them.
"Everything in order?" Claire asked Anna as she strapped Lily into her car seat.
"Yes Boss." Anna replied. "Everything is running smoothly."
"And the meeting?"
"I was notified that you can pick the time and place at any moment during the day. No questions asked on their part." Anna said as she gave her a knowing look.
"I know I know. Stop it with the teasing." Claire responded while ignoring Anna's suggestive expression to face Lily. "I'll see you later baby. I love you." She gave her a kiss and received one in return before closing the door.
Turning to Anna she continued. "I'll go train the new pups once I'm through with today's schedule. Have them both prepped while you're at the center base."
"Thanks. I'm in dire need of blowing off some steam." Anna responded with an appreciative smile.
"Just make sure they're still in decent shape by the time I get there." Claire warned her. Anna could get intense when it came to her destressing methods.
"I won't make any promises." Anna said as she got inside the car and indicated the driver to leave.
Claire sighed as she watched them leave. She knew Anna would leave a trail of her men painted in black and blue after she was done at the base.
"Flinn Corporation." Claire said to the driver who held the car door open for her as she got inside.
Her meeting with Aiden today was an important one. They would discuss the specific resources they would share with one another as well as any other conditions for them to be used.
She was quietly sitting in the back seat of the car as she tried to conjure up ways not to get distracted by his eyes during their serious meeting. After the moment they had the night before, there was no way she wouldn't lose focus while having to constantly look at him.
Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone went off.
After picking up the phone and answering, the woman on the other line told her what the call was about. As soon as Claire heard her, her heart started to pick up the pace of it's beating at an alarming rate.
"TO IMPERIAL HOSPITAL! NOW!" Claire shouted towards the driver making him jump in his seat. If it weren't for his years of experience and his honed reflexes, he would have crashed the car. He looked at her through the rear view mirror and noticed how his usually reserved and tranquil boss was very shaken up.
"Right away Boss." He answered immediately after composing himself from the sudden fright she gave him and did as instructed.
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Not a second after they arrived, Claire shot out of the car barefoot. Again. She made her way up the floors with her chest huffing and puffing thanks to her slightly erratic breathing. Not caring about anything or anyone else, she ran until she was in front of Colton's room.
Her hands were shaking as she lifted one up to grab the doorknob. Before opening it, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. 'Please. Please. Please. Please.' She repeatedly thought to herself as she slowly opened the door. The cold from inside the room instantly caused her to shiver and her eyes to flutter open.
As soon as she looked inside, she took one cautious step after another before she closed the door behind her. She gazed at him on the bed in slight disbelief. Her feet were glued to the cold floor without being able to say a single word.
"Can you move quicker Cece? I'm not getting any younger you know." Colton said to her while he smiled. "Hurry up and come give your favorite brother a hug."