TPP ups:
Chapter 89 The hands of the truth
Mel was a quiet kid before. She was always the good one in the family. Her father had not had problems with her. That was until she had chosen to fall in love with her stepbrother. Then she had become another person and her father could not recognize her anymore. Now she was married and she was so young for that. Ben Mackenzie looked at the picture of his daughter, stashed over his desk. Mel was beautiful girl. She looked just like her mother and he had loved her once.
‘I have to see him!’ He heard Mel’s voice behind the door.
‘But, Miss Mel, you can’t…’
‘I’m going in!’ Mel spoke slowly and Ben was not surprised when the door slammed open. Her daughter appeared there and she looked angry. Actually, angry was a small word. Mel looked furious.
‘It’s okay Sara.’ Ben nodded at his secretary and she closed the door again. ‘So what brings you here, Mel?’
‘You.’ She shook her head. ‘I thought I knew you! Through my whole life! How could you? How could you do something like that?’
‘What?’ Ben frowned, but did not get up from his chair.
‘You’re not the man I thought you are!’ She hissed and leaned her palms on the opposite side of his desk. ‘You are one lying bastard!’
‘Shut your mouth now, young lady!’ Ben growled. ‘I’m your father!’
‘Are you?’ Mel tilted her head. ‘I was sure that I know you! I was sure that you love me and you want what is the best for me! Now I am not that sure about it! Sean is the only person I can trust! He loves me!’
‘You both are sick!’ Ben frowned. ‘I meant what I said at the dinner…’
‘It’s not about me, okay?’ Mel yelled. ‘It’s not about you or your friends anymore! I thought you as a different man! I was proud to have you as a father!’
‘What the Hell are you talking about?’ Ben hissed and got off his chair.
‘Arthur Petrelli!’ Mel hissed too. ‘How could you let him do that? How?’
‘Ah.’ Ben tilted his head. ‘His plan about rounding up people with abilities? It is a good one I have to say.’
‘Good one? Good?’ Mel was so angry that she could not even catch her breath. ‘Are you nuts?’
‘You don’t have to worry about!’ Ben narrowed his eyes. ‘You’re safe!’
‘You damn right she is!’ Peter’s voice surprised the both of them. Mel frowned and looked around. He was standing by the door. His arms had crossed before his chest. He looked annoyed, but his eyes glowed dangerously.
‘Ah Peter.’ Ben was not surprised by seen him here. ‘I expected you a lot earlier.’
‘Sorry. The traffic is awful.’ His voice was low and he almost snarled the words.
‘Yeah.’ Ben watched him carefully. ‘Your father warned me about you.’
‘Warned you, huh?’ Peter released his hands and came closer. ‘I bet he didn’t tell you the half of the truth about me!’
‘Really?’ Ben did not look worried.
‘Yeah. My father doesn’t know me at all.’ Peter stopped close to Mel. ‘He was playing dead when I was growing up.’
‘What are you doing here?’ Mel looked up at him.
‘Do you really think that I’ll let you alone with him?’ Peter nodded at her father. ‘He proved that he could play for the both sides.’
‘You kinky bastard!’ Ben clenched his fists and when he opened them, they were burning. ‘I should teach you a lesson!’
‘You could try.’ Peter smiled. ‘That is why I told you that my father do not know me…at all!’ He tilted his head and his hands glowed too.
‘Fine!’ Ben released his hands. ‘I give up! Tell me why you are here and get out!’
‘I want to know why you are doing this.’ Peter narrowed his eyes, trying to reach Ben’s mind. ‘Why are you helping my father?’
‘It’s about our past. I helped him before.’ Ben answered. ‘I was his student and his heir for the place in the Company.’
‘Company?’ Peter frowned.
‘My job was to get close with Nathan and his fiancée.’
‘Heidi?’ Peter’s eyes widened.
‘Dad!’ Mel looked shocked. ‘What have you done?’
‘We have to lead an experiment for…’ Ben coughed and Mel saw a trickle of blood running down his nose.
‘Stop!’ Mel grabbed Peter’s arm. ‘You are killing him!’
‘What experiment?’ Peter ignored her and had focused over Ben. ‘What have you done?’
‘We had to create the perfect match and the children… Ah!’ Ben grabbed his head and fell on his chair. ‘Their children should… have…’
‘Stop! Peter please!’ Mel shook his arm.
‘Mr. Mackenzie?’ His secretary ran into the room. ‘What are you doing?’ She squealed to Peter and Mel. ‘I’ll call the security!’
‘Stop!’ Peter reached out his hand and she stopped immediately. ‘Turn around.’ He used his vocals to command her actions. Sara listened to him. When she turned around Peter saw the fear in her eyes. ‘You haven’t seen anything! Do you hear me? Anything!’
‘I haven’t seen anything.’ Sara repeated and Peter nodded.
‘Good.’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘Now you have to get back to your desk and make few calls.’
‘I have to get back to my desk and make few calls.’ Sara repeated and Peter saw her leaving the room again.
When he turned around, he saw Mel taking care of her father. She brushed his blood with his satin tie and Peter smiled ironically. She had come here to argue with him and now she was taking care of him.
‘Nobody could save you the next time, Ben!’ Peter’s smile faded. ‘You could tell to my father that I won’t let this happen! Do you hear me? I won’t let you do this to the innocent people!’
‘They are not all innocent, Peter.’ Ben coughed.
‘True, but who you are to deal with them?’ Peter nodded at Mel. ‘I’m done here. You’re coming with me or you’ll chat with your father?’
‘I’m coming with you.’ Mel went to him and touched his arm. ‘Sean is waiting for me.’
‘Fine.’ Peter looked back at Ben. ‘Next time… and this is a promise!’
He came back home just to find out his brother crossing his living room back and forth. Nathan looked so serious that Peter felt little worried. Claire was not there and Nathan almost bumped in him.
‘Hey!’ Nathan almost jumped back and stared at his brother with confusion. Then his look fell on Mel. ‘Hello, Mel.’
‘Hello, Mr. Petrelli.’ Mel nodded seriously. She looked up at Peter. ‘Okay, I’m going back to Sean. Call if there is something new, okay?’
‘Okay.’ Peter nodded and waited for Mel to leave the apartment. Then he looked back at his brother. ‘Tell me what is going on here! What is this law? How could you let dad do such thing?’
‘I’m shocked too, but I still don’t have the answers, Pete!’ Nathan scratched the back of his head. ‘You have to understand that…’
‘Where is Claire?’ Peter interrupted him and looked around.
‘She went to see Joshua.’ Nathan frowned. ‘Why?’
‘It’s too quiet…’ Peter frowned.
‘He just fell asleep.’ Claire showed from the bedroom. She was holding her son in her arms. Peter could see him sleeping.
‘Why don’t you put him in his crib?’ he asked and came closer to her.
‘I’ve tried, but he woke up every time when I did this.’ Claire whispered.
‘Okay.’ Peter nodded and looked back at his brother. ‘I want you to do something about dad!’
‘What?’ Nathan hissed. ‘Are you listening to yourself? He is the closest person to the President! I am just and ordinary Senator!’
‘You have to do something, Nate! We have to do something!’ Peter frowned. ‘I was to see Ben Mackenzie. I was shocked, man!’
‘What? Why?’ Claire was the one that asked him. ‘He is Mel’s father, right?’
‘Yeah and dad’s protégé.’
‘Are you sure?’ Nathan frowned. ‘He was my friend.’
‘His job was to be your friend, Nate!’ Peter hissed. ‘You and Heidi were a part of an experiment.’
‘Are you nuts?’ Nathan increased his voice, but Claire shushed him. ‘Sorry.’ He looked at his daughter. ‘But this is crazy!’
‘I was there!’ Peter snapped. ‘I almost killed him to know this and I’m sure that this is just one small part of it!’
‘What truth?’ Claire called him and he looked at her.
‘You won’t believe this.’ Peter shook his head.
‘You can try…’ She whispered.
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Chapter 90 Time for us
Peter rubbed his son’s back. Now he was in his arms and his mother was sitting beside him on the couch. Claire looked concerned and Peter could not blame her. There were so many problems hung over their heads now. He wondered how the life had messed up with them so much. They just had stared their new family and bunch of things just had hit them. He thought that that was their punishment for being together. However, when they had found out about their real connection, theses thoughts had forgotten.
Peter closed his eyes for a moment, just feeling Joshua’s warmness in his arms. He was sleeping with head on his shoulder. Claire had placed him in his arms and Peter was thankful for that now. She knew what he needed now. She always knew and that was why Peter was sure that he would not be happy without her in his life.
‘Pete?’ His brother called him and Peter looked at him with sadness in his eyes. Nathan had tricked too. They all had tricked from Arthur. He had played with their life and used them as his puppets.
‘Are you okay, baby?’ Claire touched his face and Peter leaned his head on her palm. ‘Peter…’ Claire felt giant knot in her throat.
‘It’s hard living in a lie you know?’ His voice was almost a whisper. ‘And this man is my father, Claire.’
‘What have he done, Pete?’ Nathan took his attention. His face was blank and Peter knew about his training to keep his emotions hidden.
‘He has something in common with Heidi’s conception.’
‘What?’ Claire was shocked.
‘Mel’s father told me that we all are part of some sick experiment.’ Peter closed his eyes for a moment. ‘They wanted to create the perfect match with ability. Then he told me something about the children of that couple, but I couldn’t understand anything.’
‘Who is that couple?’ Nathan frowned.
‘I don’t know.’ Peter answered. ‘But I’m going to find out next time when I meet him!’
‘Why didn’t you ask him?’ Nathan snapped. ‘I bet you had the opportunity!’
‘That’s correct, but Mel was also here. He is her father Nate! I couldn’t kill him in front of her eyes?’ Peter’s face faded.
‘Kill him?’ Claire looked stunned.
‘He has really strong will.’ Peter looked at her. ‘Moreover, he tried to fight with me.’
‘Not the smartest thing I should say.’ Nathan murmured and looked at the small baby in his brother’s hands. ‘So what are we going to do now?’
‘Not us!’ Peter narrowed his eyes. ‘You have to do something with dad and his influence over the President!’
‘How?’ Nathan snapped. ‘Dad is strong, Pete! You know that! Hell - you told me that!’
‘You can use everything against him. Everything - legal or illegal! I do not care! If I have to deal with him, I would’ve done one simple thing.’ Peter’s eyes glowed.
‘Kill him?’ Nathan lowered his voice. ‘Damn you, Pete! He is our father!’
‘I’m his son.’ Peter clenched his teeth. ‘He doesn’t love me. I understand that, but he is trying to mess with my family and that is something I’ll never forgive him!’
‘Peter… I…’ Nathan had interrupted by knocking on the front door. Claire got off and went to open.
‘Tell me that she is lying to me!’ Sean rushed into the room.
‘What?’ Claire looked at him with confusion.
‘Mel.’ Sean looked at Peter and saw him sitting on the sofa with his son in his hands. ‘She told me where she’s been and I told her that she’s better lying to me!’
‘Nope.’ Peter shook his head carefully. ’She is not lying to you. She was with her father. I found her there and honestly I’m not surprised.’ Joshua gave angry cry and Peter nodded at Claire. She came closer and took Joshua from his father.
‘Come to mommy now.’ She cooed. ‘You are hungry, huh big boy? Let’s feed you.’ Claire hid in the bedroom and closed the door.
‘As you’re saying…’ Peter looked back at Sean. He was nervous.
‘She is so restless! How could she go there?’
‘Mel told you about… everything?’ Peter rose up his eyebrows and got off his place. ‘I thought you knew where she was? And why are you so upset?’
‘I know Ben, okay?’ Sean tried to explain. ‘He was like father to me, but then something happened. It was twenty years ago. I was a kid and I saw these people walking in and out of the house. I asked my mother and she told me that these are his new partners.’
‘Twenty years?’ Nathan murmured.
‘Who were they, Sean? And again - why are you so scared for Mel?’ Peter tilted his head.
‘I can’t remember, but they were older than Ben. Much older than him.’ Sean scratched the back of his head. ‘The reason why I am so upset is simple - I don’t trust him!’
‘Since when?’ Nathan frowned. ‘I thought that you two are very close.’
‘I’m married to his daughter.’ Sean’s face faded. ‘I thought that there is only that, but… I am not so sure anymore. I cannot trust him even with her. He is different after he came back from his work in Europe.’
‘He was an ambassador…’ Nathan frowned.
‘And he could travel.’ Peter frowned. ‘That’s how he met with dad. I can’t believe this!’
‘You better believe!’ Nathan narrowed his eyes. ‘Ben is very clever and very capable man. He knows what he is doing. I know that for sure!’
‘Fuck!’ Peter cursed and his brother looked at him with surprise. Peter was very careful with his language around his family. Now was the first time Nathan had heard him swearing like this.
‘Yeah.’ Sean hesitated. ‘I was about to ask you something.’
‘What?’ Peter stared at his friend.
‘It’s about Mel.’ Sean coughed. ‘Can you watch over her? I mean, giving her temper and stuff, I’m sure that she would go there again.’
‘What the Hell are you talking about?’ Mel had showed up at the door. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Ben cannot be trusted, Mel.’ Sean frowned.
‘He is my father. He won’t hurt me!’ She said that, but she looked unsure.
‘Just to be sure that it won’t happen again…’ Sean looked at Peter. ‘Could you do that for me?’
‘No!’ Mel snapped. ‘He won’t and we have to talk!’ She grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the apartment.
‘She definitely has a temper!’ Nathan rolled his eyes. ‘Probably it’s from her mother. Ben was never man of the emotions.’
‘I’m sick of it, Nate!’ Peter looked at his older brother. ‘Everything is against us and after Joshua was born, the problems just keep coming. Claire is nervous and Joshua cannot sleep lately. I’m telling you…’
‘Why don’t you go and visit Aunt Alice?’ Nathan rubbed his chin. ‘I’m gonna need time to deal with dad’s mess. Maybe you need some time out of troubles.’
‘Aunt Alice?’ Peter bit his lower lip and looked up at his brother. ‘You think that it’ll be good idea? I mean that… she and mom…’
‘She loves you, because mom loves you. She hates dad.’ Nathan tilted. ‘I thought her for crazy person before, but now I’m sure that she is completely fine. Dad is the one with the crazy ideas.’
‘I still can’t believe it!’ Peter shook his head.
‘Don’t think about it now.’ Nathan placed hand on his shoulder. ‘Call at your work and take some time for your family.’
‘I guess you’re right.’ Peter shrugged. ‘I have to talk to Claire too.’
‘I’m sure that she will agree with you. She needs that vacation as much as you do.’
‘Okay then.’ Peter released a thin smile. ‘We are going to visit Aunt Alice. I need you to call me if there is something new, okay?’
‘Okay.’ Nathan nodded. ‘I will call you when I understand what I have to do.’
‘Works for me.’ Peter nodded.
‘Now I have to go and make few phone calls.’ Nathan tapped his brother’s shoulder and went to open the front door.
‘Are you sure you do not want me to teleport you?’
‘Nope.’ Nathan smiled. ‘I need some fresh air.’
‘Okay. See you Nate.’ Peter smiled back.
‘Bye Pete.’ Nathan nodded and got out of the apartment.
Peter sighed and went to see Claire. She was standing close to Joshua’s crib and stared at him with smile on her face. Peter walked to her and touched her arm. She looked up at him.
‘He just fell asleep.’ She whispered.
‘I can see.’ Peter murmured and touched her face with the back of his fingers. ‘I have an idea.’
‘What?’ Claire had tilted her head.
‘How about a vacation?’ Peter spoke quietly. ‘We could visit Aunt Alice and stay there for awhile. What would you say?’
‘We really need this.’ Claire nodded.
‘So you agree?’ Peter what to be sure.
‘Yes.’ She nodded again.
‘Okay then.’ Peter smiled and took her in his arms. ‘We’re going to do it.’
A/N: I have to give the credit for Mel's temper and her reaction about the events to her real prototype - Melaurax3. The 'bastard' convo in the prev chapter was her idea also. Thanks Mel! I gave me big help and for the character! I owe you!
ArinnaVal
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Chapter 91 New position
Claire was looking at him with confusion. She just had thought about something disturbing. Peter’s idea was to go and stay with his aunt for a while. There was only one little detail.
‘She doesn’t know about us, Peter.’
Peter frowned. Her words made him think. She was right of course. He had not thought about that. Alice and Angela were not that close. Thanks to Arthur, they had not seen each other for a long time. The last time was when Alice had tried to steal some money from Arthur’s office. She needed them for something. Peter could not remember for what exactly. Alice was strange bird and she thought for herself as a mother of all dispossessed. She lived in a small house, close to the ocean. When Angela had asked her why she wanted to live at the other side of the country, Alice had answered her that she wanted to as far from her family as she could. Therefore, Peter knew that she did not know about him and Claire.
‘That could be a problem.’ He answered and looked at Claire. ‘We have to explain it to her.’
‘Or maybe we should pretend that…’
‘I’m not going to pretend in front of anybody!’ Peter snapped quietly and threw one brief look at his sleeping son. ‘Besides, Joshua is coming with us and he looks just like me.’
Claire followed his look and smiled softly.
‘Yeah. The resemblance is obvious.’ She nodded. ‘We can’t fool anyone about that.’
‘I’m sure that she will understand.’ Peter whispered. ‘We’ll tell her that we are not related and I’m sure that she will take the news easily.’
‘Are you sure?’ Claire looked at him with concern. ‘I barely know her, but I know about her temper. She is nothing like your mother, Peter.’
‘She is more open person, Claire.’ Peter tilted his head. ‘She speaks what she thinks and I’m sure that she will accept us. Don’t worry.’ Peter wrapped arm around her shoulder and squeezed her tightly. Claire leaned on him and sighed tiredly.
‘It’ll be good to take a little break from this.’ She whispered. ‘I’m feeling the need of go and hide somewhere.’
‘Well, this we can do now.’ Peter rubbed her arm. ‘We’ll hide for a while and then we’ll come back and deal with all of our problems.’
‘And getting married?’
‘And getting married.’ Peter repeated and gave her a short kiss. ‘I have to take a shower and then go to bed.’
‘Um… okay.’ Claire nodded. ‘I have to finish something first and then I have to go to bed too.’
‘Okay then.’ Peter smiled and Claire watched him hid in the bathroom. She smiled.
‘Oh yeah, I have a job before going to bed.’ She murmured and took her clothes off. When she joined Peter in the bathroom, she saw him standing with his back to her. She slid hands at the both sides of his waist.
‘I thought you have a job.’ Claire heard his husky voice.
‘I do have a job.’ She murmured and placed soft kiss on his back. Peter turned around and took her in his arms.
‘And you are not scary to get wet?’ He uttered close to her lips, but she just smiled.
‘I am wet already.’ She murmured and his lips crashed over hers. He lifted her up and she wrapped legs around his waist. She could feel the hot water flowing over her, but the only thing she could think of was his lips over hers. His hands held her tight and did not give her enough room for moving. She did not want to.
‘Are you sure that you are wet enough?’ He murmured close to her ear and she just nodded. She did not have enough strength for more. Peter took few clumsy steps and leaned her on the wet tiles. She clutched onto his shoulders and yelped when he felt him slid into her.
‘Oh… damn!’ She bit her lower lip, feeling his moves.
‘It’s good?’ He groaned close to her ear, nuzzling her neck.
‘Mh-mm…’ Claire shut her eyes and arched her back when he bit her neck and his tongue skimmed over her pulse point. ‘Peter!’ She hissed and felt him increased his moves. His hands slid under her thighs and lifted her up just a little bit to change the angle.
‘Are you ready?’ He uttered close to her lips.
‘Ah…’ she just succeeded to saw and he made one last move, hitting the right spot and making her scream in her orgasm. Her nails dug dip into his skin and she felt his blood under her fingers. Peter followed her soon after.
‘Damn!’ He groaned and leaned his head on her shoulder.
‘Yeah.’ Claire buried her hands into his wet hair. She did not have strength for more.
‘I need shower now.’ He chuckled and kissed her shoulder.
‘Me too.’ Claire smirked and followed him back under the flowing water.
Claire fell asleep in the moment her head touched the pillow. She snuggled in Peter’s arms and her forehead touched his bare chest. Peter sighed and rubbed her back calmingly. However, it was hard for him to close his eyes now. His mind just refused to take a rest. He thought about everything, but the upcoming vacation. So many problems were hanging over their heads. Sylar, Arthur and his plan… Peter frowned. Moreover, the biggest mystery of all - what had happened twenty years ago?
Who was that perfect match?
Who were their children?
What had happened then?
There were too many questions without an answer. Peter hated when he had put in such place. He has to know at least half of these answers. He was already worried about this experiment. They probably had done something with Heidi, or Nathan. Or maybe - the both of them. The worst part of all of it was that his father knew. He was the main part of this plan. Peter should not be surprised. Arthur Petrelli was born to command. He had grown up under his shadow until he had sent into that boarding school. Peter was thankful for that. He had met people there. However, the part that he liked the most - he was far away from his father and his constant hostile behavior.
Peter sighed and closed his eyes, trying to sleep. However, the sleep did not come and he spent the night with Claire in his arms. That was the other thing he liked the most. Claire and their life together. He had not imagined, even in his wildest dreams that he would be like this with her. She was his dream come true and he could not help, but just staring at her.
That was how he spent the night and he was not tired at the morning.
He called Sean and told him about his idea. Sean agreed with him and offered to replace him while he was gone. Peter was thankful for that. He also promised to call if there was something new about it.
Claire prepared Joshua for the long way. She was ready just in time. It turned out that he needed a lot more things that she thought. When Peter saw her dragging one big bag after her, he burst into laugh.
‘We are not moving into North Pole, Claire.’ He looked at her over his son’s shoulder and she frowned.
‘These are his stuff.’ She nodded at the small bag, hung over her shoulder. ‘These are ours.’
‘He needs all of his stuff?’ Peter frowned.
‘Yeah.’ She rolled her eyes as if he should have known this. ‘He needs his diapers, his bottle, and his clothes - two pairs of each suit. He needs his favorite blanket and oh… his seat too.’
‘I got it.’ He frowned even more. ‘I just didn’t know that one baby would need so many things.’
Claire laughed.
‘And what would you thinking?’
‘Never mind.’ He answered indefinitely, but she laughed even louder. ‘Cut it off already!’
‘Sorry! You should see the look on your face now.’ She came closer and touched his cheek. ‘Can we go now?’
‘Why you are so eager all of a sudden?’ He tilted his head.
‘Because I do not want to feel scare.’ She answered seriously.
‘Okay.’ Peter wrapped his free arm around her waist. ‘I thought we could fly to there, but now we can’t because of this luggage.’ He smiled. ‘I’m gonna need a free hand to do this.’
‘Sorry.’ Claire answered to his smile. ‘I know that you miss your flying. Maybe the next time?’
‘Okay.’ Peter nodded again and closed his eyes. When he opened them, they were standing at the front porch of his Aunt. They could hear and see the ocean. ‘We are here.’ He looked down at Claire.
‘We are here.’ She smiled nervously and waited for him to knock on the door.
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Chapter 92 In the eye of the storm
Peter and Claire stood in the front porch of Alice’s beach house. It was early evening and she supposed to be there.
‘We are here.’ Peter looked down at Claire.
‘We are here.’ She smiled nervously and waited for him to knock on the door.
He did it and his Aunt showed almost immediately. Alice was one of a kind. Her curly hair was already grey, but hung free over her shoulders. She was younger than Angela was, but her eyes were young. They shone against her nephew. Peter stood in front of Claire and she had not seen it yet.
‘Oh my! If this is not my favorite nephew?’ She grinned and wrapped arms around him, before he could able to react. Peter had no choice, but smile and hugged her back.
‘Hey Aunt Alice.’ He pulled back. ‘How are you?’
‘I haven’t seen you since your… eighteenth birthday I think.’ She smiled widely. ‘What brought you here?’
‘Um… I came to see you.’ Peter coughed and stepped away so she could see Claire and the little Joshua. ‘This is…’
‘Claire?’ Alice’s eyes widened. ‘Look at you! You are so grown up now!’
‘Hey Alice.’ Claire blushed. ‘Nice to see you again.’
‘And look what we have here.’ Alice came closer and looked at the baby in Claire’s arms. Joshua just opened his eyes and her smile faded. ‘This is your son?’ She turned around and looked at her nephew. Peter nodded.
‘This is my son.’
‘You cannot hide it, you know?’ Alice frowned. ‘He looks just like you!’
‘I know.’ Peter smiled proudly.
‘So who is the mother?’ Alice stared at him seriously. ‘And why you are here only with him and your niece?’
‘Claire and I aren’t…’
‘I’m the mother.’ Claire spoke quietly in the same time as Peter did.
‘What?’ Alice hissed. ‘Say that again?’
‘I’m his mother.’ Claire lifted up her chin. ‘Joshua is my son too.’
‘You are kidding me, right?’ Alice looked back at Peter. ‘You can’t do this, Peter! You just can’t!’
‘What I can’t do?’ He snapped, but avoided her eyes. He knew how she felt now. She felt disappointed from him.
‘You slept with your niece?’ Alice grabbed his arm and Peter finally looked at her. She looked furious and he heard the sound of the incoming thunder.
‘I love her.’ Peter answered a little quiet, as he wanted. ‘And you don’t understand…’
‘Oh I can understand you perfectly!’ Alice clenched her fists. ‘What you did is a felony!’
‘And it’s coming from you, right?’ Claire murmured.
‘You have to shut up now!’ Alice snapped at her. ‘You are in this too!’
‘What?’ Peter hissed.
‘Now you are coming here to hide, right?’ Alice frowned even more and they felt the wind rose. ‘You are coming here to hide your crime?’
‘This is not a crime!’ Claire screamed and Alice looked at her.
‘I bet it is! It’s called incest and I know that is…’
‘We are not related!’ Claire frowned against Peter’s Aunt.
‘What? Are you serious?’ Alice looked confused. The wind had stopped as sudden as it had showed up. ‘Of course you are related! I know that, because you are Nathan’s daughter.’
‘I’m not… his biological daughter.’ Claire looked at Peter and saw his encouraging smile. ‘Heidi is my real mother.’
‘This is nonsense.’ Alice murmured.
‘Did I mention that my father just show up?’ Peter took her attention with his words. ‘And… I think that he has something with this.’
‘Arthur?’ Alice frowned again. ‘He is back? But how? I think that he’s…’
‘We all thought the same.’ Peter murmured.
‘Excuse me, but can we go in? I think that Joshua needs new diaper.’ Claire interrupted their talk and this time Alice looked at her with less anger in her eyes than before.
‘Sure.’ She stepped aside and made a room for Claire. The young woman passed her and walked into the beach house. Peter followed her with the luggage, but Alice caught his arm. ‘We have to talk, Peter! You have to give me some explanations here!’
‘Okay.’ Peter nodded barely noticeable and followed Claire into the house. Alice gave them the room on the top floor with the view to the ocean. There was only one big bed in the middle of the room. Alice frowned and explained that she had not prepared for babies in her home. Peter just smiled and seconds later, Joshua’s crib was in the room.
‘You!’ Alice’s eyes widened. ‘How did you do that?’
‘You can control the weather. I have another trick in my sleeve.’ Peter shrugged.
‘You can teleport?’
‘Well, maybe few more.’ He murmured and watched Claire as she changed Joshua’s diaper.
‘What are you talking about?’ Alice looked shocked.
‘I’ll explain it to you later.’ Peter frowned.
‘Fine!’ Alice snapped and left the room.
Peter went to Claire, but she was already finished. Now she prepared for feeding her son and sat on the bed. Peter sat close to her and watched the mother and the son. They were his and he could not be happier that he had them.
‘What are you thinking?’ She asked him and saw his sad smile. Joshua munched until he fed.
‘She took it… easy.’ Peter murmured.
‘Easy?’ Claire frowned. ‘She created a thunder storm out of the nothing!’
‘She was confused.’
‘And you’re protecting her.’
‘She is my Aunt, Claire.’ Peter wrapped his arm over her shoulders. ‘She has to react like this.’
‘I know.’ Claire shrugged and placed Joshua’s head on her shoulder. ‘I know that she has the right to be upset, but it’s still bugging me.’
‘It hurts you?’ Peter looked surprised. ‘You do not have to feel in this way, especially now when we are not related.’
‘Everything is legal now.’ She whispered and rubbed Joshua’s back.
‘But you are thinking about the time when it wasn’t?’ Peter uttered.
‘It’s not me, it’s you! You are thinking about that and you can’t just let it go!’ She snapped. ‘It’s on the past Peter!’
‘Claire…’
‘I know that you felt guilty! You’re feeling in the same way even now and there is no reason!’
‘I slept with you!’ Peter frowned. ‘I let myself to do this! I could stop it…’
‘Just shut up, okay?’ Claire hissed and got off the bed. She put Joshua carefully in his crib and fixed his blanked around him.
‘It’s true, Claire!’ Peter had followed her. ‘We hurt so many people…’
‘And some of them lied to us so we are even now!’ Claire turned around to face him. ‘I felt guilty too. You know, especially from my parents. I felt weak and pity, but every time when I looked at you, just forgot about that and kept going.’
‘Claire…’
‘And I love you.’ She looked at him.
‘Hope you’ll never stop!’ Peter touched her face.
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