Chapter 5

I started working for Caroline two weeks ago and I absolutely loved it. Her house was just a little bit smaller than ours but if you walked in, you could automatically tell that kids lived there. Hannah clung to me like I was the greatest thing ever and I even taught her a few little dance moves. Michael was still stand offish with me but I could tell that his wall was crumbling.

The kids always talked about their older brother and even though I hadn't met him yet, I knew a lot about him. He was twenty-one with brown hair and green eyes. He's been in the Army since he was eighteen and his best friend, Brent, joined him. I could tell by the stories they told about him, he was the one that provided everything for them.

One day, while I was coming back from the park with the kids, Hannah insisted on getting some information from me.

"So Claire, do you have a boyfriend?" Hannah asked.

"I sure do," I smiled, looking in my rear view mirror.

"What's his name?" Mikey asked.

"Duncan. He lived across the street from me and just after I learned that my dad was missing in action, he asked me out. I said yes insistently because I've always had a little crush on him."

"Mom worries all the time that something is going to happen to Clay," he said, looking out of the window.

"Well, that's why you guys just got to keep praying and hope that nothing happens to him."

"I say my prayers for him every night," Hannah piped in. "Claire, what color eyes does Duncan have?"

"He has beautiful, big brown eyes. You know the color of chocolate?"

"Yeah," she smiled.

"That's the color of his eyes."

"I wouldn't want a boyfriend with eyes that color," she said.

"Why not?" I asked, curious.

"Because it would make me want chocolate all," she said, dragging the 'l' out.

"I didn't really think about that."

"Hannah, you're a doofus," Mikey said.

"Stick and stones, Mikey. Stick and stones."

I couldn't help but laugh at the siblings because even after the worry they have about their brother and whatever was wrong with their mother, they still knew how to cut up and pick on each other. I think that's important especially within a military family. When we got back to their house, Caroline was laying down so I sent the kids up to get ready for dinner and I started cooking.

Just before I called everyone down for supper, the phone started ringing and just as fast as it rung, it stopped. I heard some giggling and then Hannah ran downstairs followed closely by Mikey. I could tell that Hannah was chomping at the bit to say something but Mikey kept shooting her glances. About ten minutes later, Caroline walked down and had a slight smile on her face. I put the food on the table and watched as Hannah almost bounced out of her seat.

"Can I ask what's going on?"

"Yes, of course," Caroline smiled. "Clay just called, he and Brent will be back home in two weeks."

"Oh, that's wonderful," I said, giving my best smile to the family and hoped that they couldn't see past it.

Don't get me wrong, I was happy that the family would be reunited with their oldest son and brother but deep down, I was kind of envious of their happiness. I knew that my family would move past the fact that my father wasn't coming home, but we would never experience that type of happiness again. I ate as fast as I could and quickly excused myself to step outside for some fresh air. I fought against the tears and once I felt composed again, I went back inside to clear away the dishes and clean the kitchen.

* * * * * *

The day before Clay was set to come home, Caroline asked me if I could fix a homecoming dinner for the family. She explained to me that Clay's favorite meal was lasagna so she asked if I could go to the store to pick up the things to fix one. I told her it was no problem and that I would make a dessert also. Caroline handed over her credit card and the kids and I headed to the store.

We browsed the aisles for the things needed for the lasagna and I got the things needed to make my grandmother's chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. At the last minute, I circled back around for the things to make a salad and garlic bread. Only using Caroline's card for the lasagna ingredients, I used my own money for the rest. I knew that Caroline would try to pay me back for it but I would not accept it. On the way back from the store, the kids decided to asked a little more about my life before I moved up here.

"Does your boyfriend play any sports?" Mike asked.

"Yeah, he plays soccer and is on the swim team. He would also run with me."

"Does he have a car?" Mike asked again.

"Nope," I smiled.

"Well, he can't be that cool," he said, smirking.

"He's got a big blue Dodge Dakota," I smiled.

"That's cool," he smiled. "Clay likes trucks but he's got a pretty sweet muscle car."

"Do ya miss 'im?" Hannah quipped.

"Of course I do. It was very hard saying goodbye."

"When will you see him again?" she said.

"Not sure. Soon I hope," I smiled.

"I can't wait to see Clay. He promised me that he would have a real tea party with me since I have a real service set now. Claire, when I do plan my tea party, will you make cookies for it? You make good cookies."

"Of course I will, Hannah. We'll make chocolate chip, sugar and my personal favorite, orange creamsicle cookies."

"Oh, that sounds yummy," Hannah giggled.

"Of course, I would have to make some mini cupcakes to go with it to. Maybe your mom and Mikey would like to join. There has to be enough."

"Brent can come to," Hannah beamed.

"You all don't talk a lot about him. Is he a nice guy?" I asked, wondering because the only name I heard all the time was Clay.

"Brent is awesome," Mikey said. "He's a little more hyper than Clay is but he's like another brother."

"I know you all can't wait to see them."

After we got back to the house, I had the kids go straighten their rooms up and went to check on Caroline. I still didn't know what was wrong with her but from the time that I met her until now, I know she's lost some weight and looked more frail. After checking on her, I went over the downstairs to make sure everything looked good. I knew that Caroline would want everything in order for when Clay got home tomorrow.

I went home a little early because I would be back over there bright and early to get things ready for when Clay got home. When I got home, I let mom know that I was back and going up to take a shower. When I came back down, she was in the kitchen boiling some water.

"Whatcha doin'" I asked.

"Tea. Want some?"

"I could use some," I smiled.

"How was it today. Her son comes home tomorrow, doesn't he?"

"Yeah, I don't know how I'm going to handle seeing them so happy."

"Honey, I know I've told you this before but you are a strong woman. You'll be happy to see one family reunited."

"I don't want to break down in tears. Especially in front of someone I've never met. Oh and his best friend gets to come home also so not only will I know one family is back together but two," I said as she poured the water into our mugs. "I hate to admit it mom, but I'm just a tad bit jealous of them," I admitted, a couple of tears rolling down my cheek.

"I am to honey and I've not even met the family yet. I'm jealous because they get that extra time and we don't," she said in a reassuring tone. It was her turn comforting me. "No one will blame you if they know your situation. It's hard to anticipate viewing that happiness when we can't have it. And you're going to see it first hand. It would be different if it was a story about a family reunited on television but you are going to be there when they get to wrap their arms around him."

"That's exactly it," I said, sipping on my tea.

"Well, good thing I made calming tea than because you're going to need some rest because I expect you coming home crying tomorrow and emotionally drained."

"I'll be fine."

"I know you will. You know why?"

"Why?" I asked.

"Because you are part Luke James Henderson and he was a strong man."

"Thanks mom," I said getting up and walking over to give her a hug. "I'm heading upstairs to see if I can get Duncan on chat."

"Okay Claire, get some rest."

"I will mom. Thanks," I said, walking up the back staircase.

When I got to my room, I loaded up my laptop and after signing on, immediately saw a message from Duncan. I smiled because he said that he would be up until he heard from me. I asked if he wanted to video chat and he responded 'duh' back to me.

"Hi," I smiled when his face flashed across my screen.

"God, I've missed your beautiful face," he smiled.

"I miss you to."

"So, what's new? How are those kids you're watching?" he asked.

"Oh, they're great. Little balls of energy but they are really great kids. I hate to admit that I'm a little jealous of them though."

"Why's that?" he asked.

"Did I tell you that their older brother is in the Army?"

"Yeah," he nodded.

"He's due home tomorrow and I'm going to be there."

"Oh," he said. "That must suck."

"For me, yeah but I couldn't be happier for them."

"So, how much do you miss me?" he smirked, changing the subject because he knew that I would eventually start crying.

"If I saw you tomorrow I'd probably strangle you to death from hugging you so tight."

"I miss you to. I'm trying to talk mom into letting me come up there for a weekend but so far, she's not budging," he told me.

"It's okay," I said, yawning.

"Hey, I'll let you go. If you need someone to talk to, call me tomorrow," he said.

"Okay," I said, kissing the tips of my fingers and pressing them against the webcam.

"Bye beautiful, love you," he said.

"Love you to," I said and exed off the screen, ending my chat with Duncan.

I finished off my tea and sat the mug on my bedside table, curled under my blankets and drifted off into slumber.

**************************************************************************

I'm a day late with this chapter but it's been a rough couple of weeks. Trying to stay with my homework is a challenge.Also, I've been helping out my family a lot recently with the loss of my uncle.

It's been nearly 2 months since we've had to say goodbye to him but I know he's looking after us. It still doesn't seem real and I find myself, almost everyday, wanting to call him up and ask him something.

Anyway... enough with the sad... I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and the next upload will more than likely be Friday... I know it's a long time to wait but at least I'm getting the uploads in. Also in the next chapter, you'll get a little idea of how Claire's father was and we'll also meet Clay and Brent and see if we like them.

As always.... leave me some love...