Claire was ecstatic when her parents eventually arrived.
"Mrs and Mr Williams, I presume." The doctor asked with a smile. "Of course, this is your identity whilst in here. Our doctors will respect the privacy of our patients fully."
Doctors helped to move her mum into a quiet room that was much smaller than the VIP suite but yet cosy and comfortable.
"Claire, how much did it cost you? How did you get the money?" Claire's dad pulled her aside once the doctors left the room. He was anxious.
"Don't worry about anything," Claire reassured him. "I've saved every penny since the promotion and it's enough for mum's recovery here, and enough for the apartment for the next year or so."
"Claire…"
"Don't worry dad. I did not sell a kidney." Claire joked.
"You silly, child." Claire's dad laughed while squeezing her.
Claire sat with her parents in the room for hours, chatting happily.
For the next four weeks, she assisted her mum through rehabilitation, and she helped her dad with all the house chores she could.
Over time she lost her appetite and as the night rolled, instead of sleeping she turned from side to side. She was unsure how to move on, both with the issue with Moore Senior and Moore Junior. The truth that Gabriel revealed to her weighted her down. She wanted him to be purely cruel and evil. She wanted to hate him. But yet her head was filled with 'what ifs'.
As the month passed, Claire became more agitated. She hated the stillness and hiding. She needed to act.
"Claire…" Claire's mum came into the room in the wheelchair.
"Mum." Claire smiled back at her.
"You know, Claire, you're so much like me. You're kind, caring, but also spirited and a fighter. I've spent years of my life doing what I was passionate about, and it almost ruined us. However, I am forever thankful to you and your dad for being by my side. You're my little miracle worker."
"Oh, stop, mum." Claire smiled as her mum moved closer.
"I'm not telling you to stop what you're doing. I'm telling you that I'll support you through it, however difficult it'll be."
"Mum…" Claire's eyes welled up.
"I know what's in that head of yours better than anyone else." Leanne poked her on the head. "Be careful and stay strong."
"Mum…" Claire started sobbing.
"Thanks to you we are well and safe. Once I'm better, we'll join the fight again. Us Thompsons, we don't give up easily."
"I know."
"Also… I've heard something from somewhere…"
"Spit it out, mum."
"Aren't you impatient?" Leanne laughed. "I've heard Gabriel Moore asking about you back at St Anne's. I know that you've already made up your mind, even if you don't admit to it, but I always believed in giving people a proper chance."
"You don't know what you're talking about," Claire replied quickly which made Leanne laugh.
"Something tells me that you aren't telling me everything."
"Oh stop it!" Claire mumbled into her mum's shoulder.
"You must tell me."
"I don't know how, mum."
"You can tell me without judgment. And if you're worried, I ain't going to tell dad."
"Should you really keep secrets from your husband?"
"Should you really keep secrets from your mum?"
"You're horrible at times," Claire grumbled again. "I think I did something really bad."
"Claire, you have no ounce of evil in your heart to do anything bad."
"I think Gabriel likes me," Claire whispered.
"But…"
"He did some hurtful things."
"Do you think you have it in your heart to forgive them?"
"I don't know."
"If he likes you, he'll change on his own. You can't change people, but also sometimes you can't judge people solely on their past mistakes."
"If I didn't know you, I'd think that you're on Gabriel's side."
"I'm on your side, Claire." Leanne gently stroked Claire's cheek. "But I also know that longing look. Even though I didn't think that I'll see it on my daughter's face."
"What should I do?"
"Your dad used to say something about a painting…"
"Oh no, not again." Claire laughed.
"Every time you fell out with your friends, your dad said that you can imagine that you're starting to paint a picture from the beginning. Some lines always stay the same but it takes effort to change the picture. If you end up with the exact same picture, break it off. If the new picture is better and more beautiful, you know that they've changed." Leanne sighed. "Pack your things when you're ready. I do not wish to see you this miserable again."
"You're horrid, you know, sending your only daughter away like this."
"Now, we both know that's not true. I'll tell your dad to make his world-famous ravioli for dinner."
"Is it okay if I stay a little longer? I did take a two-month break from work, I might as well use it all."
"Of course. I'm guessing that you want to make him suffer a little longer too."
"Maybe a little." Claire chuckled.
"Good girl. Don't be too easy on these men."
"Aren't you contradicting yourself?"
"It's a balancing act." Leanne kissed Claire on her head.
Since that day they haven't spoken of it again, but as the days passed they both knew it was to happen. Claire packed the very few things that she had with her, said goodbye to both her parents, and left the apartment already feeling homesick by her first stop, and worried about what was yet to come. The night was long on the shaky coach, and she only arrived back in the city after midnight. She checked into the hotel feeling again as if she had nowhere else to go, tossing around in bed once again, not knowing that Gabriel has been tossing in his bed anxiously as well, as he still didn't know Claire's whereabouts.
As the morning came, Claire carefully got dressed and ready for her first day back at work, readying for the confrontation with Gabriel as well as a warm welcome from Zoe and Gina.
Claire walked into the familiar building, carrying a handbag over her shoulder, with her employee card attached to her skirt.
"Claire?" Gabriel's voice sounded quietly across the empty lobby. Claire looked up at him, swearing internally at the timing. She didn't want to hear a whole lecture on her being gone, and she didn't want to be at the receiving and of his temper tantrum. Not yet. Now that she saw him, she wanted to run again. Gabriel marched towards her and Claire felt tightness in her chest. "Oh, Claire." Gabriel hugged her. Claire froze as that was the last of what she expected. "I'm so glad to see you."
She briefly closed her eyes as the warmth spread through her and as she inhaled a fresh smell of citrus and chypre, maybe mint? But no cigarettes.
She felt Gabriel's fingertips push into her back, and his warm breath on her ear.
A few seconds of subconscious comfort that she never expected, and that she never would admit to.