What a Life [Open]

[sandrabennett]

March 12, 2009

As Sandra walked through her home with her final last bags of groceries in her arms she realizes how much she missed having Claire around. At least she would help her without question. Lyle...every now and then. At times Sandra wished Lyle would have an ability then maybe then he would have an excuse to not help her out around the house.

Or maybe Lyle did have an ability to be lazy, no that was just every teenage boy. Gently placing the bags down on the table Sandra begins to unload some of the things. Stopping halfway she laughs to herself. She has been through a lot lately. Most of the problems or situations revolving around Claire. Who's been married twice once by Sam Norton. But that ended badly, shame he was a nice fellow.

Then again by West Rosen, a guy who can fly. What is with the flying and blondes? He himself seems like a nice fellow as well. Nice enough to get her daughter pregnant. Sure Sandra thinks it was a little too early. Okay waaay to early for Claire. But Claire has shown some maturity a large amount of it at that. Sandra is sure that Claire...and West can handle a baby.

And yet the mother still worries, maybe the Claire will understand her pain when she has the baby. "Oh God!" she says aloud realizing something. "I'm going to be a grandmother ooooh!" moaning in both pleasure and sadness. Not sadness of tears but the unexplainable sad that makes you happy.

"I need a drink." a strong understatement as she finished putting the groceries away before opening a cabinet and setting a bottle of wine on the table. Not opening it just staring at it.

[hrg]

Noah was in his office doing some research on his next assignment which he didn’t have to get just yet when he heard someone come into the house. His hand went for his gun which has hidden under the desk but then he heard Mr. Muggles bark once then stop. It was only his wife returning from shopping yet again, he had no idea on why she bought all this food when Lyle and her only ate it. He did enjoy his time when he could come home and eat with his family but that was less then the amount he had in the past couple of years.

He loved his family he did but he rather enjoyed going off on trips even the ones where he thought he could possibly die. His family life was different now. Lyle was a teenager and could drive so he wasn’t around much when he would return from work.

Claire was a different story. She had gotten married to that Sam guy without really letting him do a profile check on him and he turns out to be a bad guy. The only good thing with him leaving her was that Noah had made sure he wouldn’t hurt his daughter ever again. She was now with West a man who she had dated in high school and also the kid who he kidnapped years ago talk about weird families. She now was pregnant with West’s baby he guessed. He loved Claire but the choices she had been making scared him because he didn’t want to loose her.

Then there was his wife. Sandra and him were finally getting back to a place before they had kids and really loved each other. He didn’t know why she was still with him after all the horrible things he had done to their family but he thanked God everyday that she was still there because he truly loved her and needed her.

Noah was pulled out of daydream when he heard his wife something like Oh God. He got to his feet grabbing his gun running into the kitchen pointing it at the unknown intruder. “Don’t move.” He then realizes he is pointing his gun at the bottle of wine. “Don’t scare me like that.” He states to his wife as he lowers his gun.

[clairebear]

Claire was once again on her own in the house she shared with West, as he once again went off somewhere, doing only god knows what. When he suddenly came back into her life he promised her faithfully he would never abandon her again, and he had done just that. Or at least, that's how it seemed to Claire. He just never seemed to be around anymore. At least, not as much as he was when he first came back into her life. She was pregnant with his baby, what was she supposed to do now?

After visiting with Nathan in Washington, Nathan had asked her to move in with him. She had told him she would have to think about it. But truth was, Claire began to wonder if it might have been a better idea for her to move in with him. Life in California just didn't seem the same as it used to be. Yes, her adopted parents were in California, but Claire still managed to feel alone most days. Not wanting to bring her problems to Sandra all the time, and Noah hardly ever being there.

She had caused them more trouble in her short life, especially in the last year than she could think of. She wasn't sure how she was going to make it up to them, if ever. Then again, they had agreed to adopt her, so you have to take the bad with the good right? She decided to pay them a visit, or at least her mom, she doubted her dad would be in.

In less than five minutes she was at their house, still having a key, she let herself in just in time to hear her mom exclaim oh God and how she was going to be a grandmother. It didn't sound very good. It was like she wasn't happy about the situation. Couldn't they understand, she wasn't a little girl anymore.

She then watched as Noah, who was, surprisingly at home, come toward her mom with a gun in his hand, and then realise that it was only his wife and a bottle of wine. Claire shook her head, and then in a very sad voice, with a frown on her face, she muttered "Welcome home Claire" in a very sarcastic way. Normally she would have run to help her mom with the shopping, but right now she wasn't happy to have heard the tone of her mom's voice over her pregnancy.

[sandrabennett]

All she could possibly think of was to get a glass and just pour. But it was too early then again who would know. It wasn't as if Sandra really had a life other than being a mother. Maybe she should go out more often go and get some friends. At least try to act normal. Yeah right. she thought. Being normal after all she's seen and been through. For Heaven's sake she saw her daughter die then come back to life.

And if that wasn't bad enough she shot Claire. So what if she could heal doing that was unforgettable and in Sandra's mind unforgivable. It was soon decided that she was going to definitely have a drink. As she stood up to get a glass from the cabinet a command barked through the room. Luckily she remembered that voice. Even though her mind knew who it was her heart was still going a mile a minute.

"Don't scare YOU like that! My God Noah!" Sandra placed her hand over her heart and bent down. "Almost gave me a heart attack, I didn't even know you were home." recovering quickly from her shock she took two glasses from the cabinet. Maybe that was my warning not to drink. she laughed to herself at that joke.

”So I guess you were busy. All cooped up in your bat-cave. Would mind joining your wife for a drink?” she asked Noah. It has been a while since they have done anything lately that this would seem like the only thing they could relate to. Relaxing with wine. ”I mean with us becoming grandparents, as happy as that seems I realize I’m getting old and I need to live life. What do you say?!” Sandra was acting completely out of character.

Well trying to anyway it was hard to get out of her comfort zone. Then she saw Claire and her face widened with a smile. ”Oh Claire! How are you!” Sandra ran toward her daughter and squeezed her somewhat gently, ”How is everything?” then Sandra’s motherly instincts kicked in. She didn’t need an ability to see that something was wrong with her daughter.

”What is it?” speaking in a concerned tone. Sandra’s eyes immediately began to burn through her daughter trying to find an answer. For a moment she wondered if Noah could pick up on these things anymore. Well probably as a Company man, but she wondered if he could still do fatherly things.

[hrg]

Noah faked a smile as he set his gun down on the table. “I thought someone was breaking in.” He then sat down on a stool that was placed by the island. “Been home for a couple hours now.” He smiled at his wife but inside he could have frowned over the fact she didn’t even bother to check if he was back. It was his own fault since he never came around much in the past Sandra and the kids didn’t expect much of him.

“I had to check on some files the company sent me.” He states not wanting to get into another argument over his job. “A drink sounds good.” He would rather had scotch but wine would so after all he hadn’t picked up another bottle of his favorite since he found out about Claire’s baby. He rolled his eyes at his wife who seemed to chipper and that made him wonder if she was under a spell well someone with a power because magic wasn’t real. “Sandra are you feeling ok?”

Noah smiled as his wife said their daughter’s name. He turned around facing the entrance to the kitchen seeing his daughter standing there. His daughter, his Claire Bear was all grown up but she still looked like a little child to him that was one thing that would never change. Noah could tell Claire had came there for help. He got up and kissed his daughter’s forehead. “I missed you Claire Bear.” He gently puts a hand on her back gliding her to the breakfast table pulling out a chair for her.

“Sandra please she just got in the door.” He eyes his wife knowing that they both wanted to make sure Claire was ok but he had learned Claire will speak her mind when she was ready and pushing her didn’t help at all. “You tell us when you are ready.” He states eyeing his daughter patting her knee once she sat down.

[clairebear]

Sandra, her mom finally noticed her and came toward her and gave her a gentle hug. Claire naturally hugged her back, despite how she was feeling, she still loved her mom, of course she wasn't feeling particularly great, and her mom had to ask how she was feeling. Claire could lie, but her parents were good at knowing when she lied, just like she knew when somebody was lying to her.

"Oh you know, pregnant, alone, come home to find you don't seem to be too happy about the baby, so yeah I'm just wonderful thanks mom." Claire said in a sarcastic voice. Sandra then began to ask her once more what the problem was, but apart from telling them about the absence of West, she wasn't quite sure whether to tell them about Nathan's offer or not.

Then he dad Noah came toward her and kissed her forehead saying he had missed her, calling her Claire Bear like he always did. Claire would never grow old of hearing that, but she did wonder if Nathan would give her a pet name like Noah did, and if it would be the same or not.

"Hi dad" she said softly, giving him a hug when he kissed her forehead, and allowed him to lead her to the breakfast table. She was quite surprised by Noah sticking up for her, by telling Sandra not to question her so soon after she got in the door. Still they wouldn't be happy when she told them what was on her mind.

"Thanks dad" she said softly, as she sat down at the table, and then started picking at a muffin her mom had probably made earlier, not sure where to start. She noticed him patting her knee, and then Claire realised there was no point in holding it back any longer.

"Alright, well firstly I've been feeling alone recently because West seems to have gone on some disappearance act" she began, as she continued picking at the muffin and eating small pieces of it, and then looking down at her feet for a few moments before carrying on.

"I don't feel safe here anymore, no as in the house here, but California here" she continued as she took in a breath, and then looked up at her mom Sandra and then side ways to her dad Noah, "so I've made a decision."

She could tell they would both be wondering what this decision was, so she shouldn't keep it back from them any longer. She wasn't going to ask their permission, she felt she didn't need it, she was just going to tell them and hope they would understand and not get too upset.

"I'm moving to Washington, to live with dad, that is to say my biological dad." Then she just looked from one to the other with her eyebrow raised waiting for the fireworks to start.

[sandrabennett]

Shock feel over Sandra when she heard that Claire thought that she meant she didn't care about her future grandchild. Quickly Sandra went in front of of Claire to stare at her deeply. Putting her hand over her heart she explained "I didn't mean it that way I was just realizing I'm getting old just a tease from myself to myself!" She didn't ever want Claire to think that she wasn't happy about the baby, that was just plain insanity.

Her eyes were so wide at the moment they looked as if they were going to explode. But the news just didn't stop coming in bad as she told them West had gone and disappeared. Taking a seat Sandra now had a dumbfounded look on her face. With West leaving and Claire assuming that her own mother didn't like the baby everything was just going downhill. Looking back at her daughter she could tell that she wasn't done.

Oh how she wished Claire was finished with the bad news that she was going to tell them something new. Something good. Anything good or anything different off to another random topic. Sadly dreams and wishes rarely come true. "Yo-you-you want to move to Washington! You don't think its safe here?" Sandra just stood up and turned to the sink. Her voice remained shakey, "Oh dear I've let the dishes say in this sink too long, Claire would you like something to eat."

Sandra was completely denying the fact that her daughter wanted to go away. Her eyes started to water, but she refused to cry. She wouldn't be mad to know that Claire was just planning to move away, no she wanted to go to her other dad. That is what hurted the most a man who barely did much for Claire while Noah and her raised her. Roughly scraping a plate over a spot that has been clean fifty scrubs ago.

"This isn't right, daughters don't just back up and go and leave to be taken care by someone else. They go to friends they go college." Sandra mumbled completely taken in by denial. Turning around with the same plate in hand washing it Sandra tried to make sense of it all. "Why, why wouldn't you feel safe here? I just don't understand?!"

Looking over to Noah she expected him to say something, anything to make this better. Maybe this was a dream and Sandra didn't wake up yet. But it wasbn't she inhaled a breath and finally gave in. "You will still call won't you?"

[hrg]

Noah could only frown when Claire stated that she thought that Sandra and him weren’t happy for her. It was somewhat true but he would do anything for his daughter even push passed the young part and let her become a mother. He let a bit of anger show when his daughter talked about her new husband. “You tell me he wasn’t been around.” He slammed his fist on the table then smiled at her showing that he wasn’t going to do any harm to her so called other half.

Noah’s heart dropped when Claire said she was moving to go live with Nathan. He didn’t want to loose his baby girl. He had protected her for so long and now she was walking right into the people who never protected her like he had. It wasn’t fair he tried to be a loving husband and father and now everything was going away.

He watched his wife trying to go into denial like she had done so many times. He could see that Claire was worried about Sandra so he gently brushes his finger against her nose as he got up walking over behind his wife while she was scrubbing for dear life. He put his arms around his wife’s waist kissing her neck as he whispered into her ear. “It will all be ok.” That was the one thing he was good at, comforting the ones he loved.

He then moved away now looking at Claire trying to give her a big smile. “Do you need help moving?” He tried to play it cool but it wasn’t working as well as he thought. “We will miss you.” That was all he could utter out of his mouth before walking over hugging his daughter again like it would be the last time he would ever see her.

[clairebear]

Claire immediately felt bad when her mom Sandra said she hadn't meant that she wasn't happy about the baby, just that she was teasing herself about becoming a grandmother. "Sorry mom" Claire began as she held her head low, "guess I caught you wrong" she added, as she bit on her bottom slip slightly. The last thing she wanted to do was upset her mom, although she would be doing that soon enough when she mentioned about moving to Washington.

Claire almost jumped when her dad Noah slammed his fist on the table, but it was only to be expected. He was annoyed at West, and right now, Claire was so upset with West, she didn't care what Noah did to him. "That's what I said" she replied, as she looked at him sadly.

Just as she had predicted her mom was upset over the whole moving to Washington thing. She sighed gently, she didn't want to move away from them, even though sometimes she felt like she couldn't completely trust her dad Noah, he had protected her, or at least that's what she took from his secrets. But they must understand that she would want to get to know her biological father, and she could come back and visit them often.

Claire watched the look on Noah's face and he seemed just as upset as Sandra, only difference being Noah was better at keeping it to himself. He went over to comfort her mom, and that made Claire feel a little better to know that he was doing his best to keep his cool with her, and also doing his best to keep his wife happy about things.

She couldn't answer her mom right away about why she didn't feel safe in California, because she had to choose her words carefully, she didn't want to hurt either of them. Of course she immediately changed the subject to dishes and food she hated to see her mom upset like this.

"I don't really feel hungry to eat, sorry mom" she said, as she continued to pick pieces of the muffin and eat it instead, it was about all she could face right now. She had been having slight touches of morning sickness the past few days. However, she wasn't sure if it was proper morning sickness, or just the fact she had been abandoned by West and felt alone.

"It's not you or dad, I feel safe around the both of you, its the fact that I don't feel safe in California itself, I've heard about young girls being attacked here, and with West doing this disappearing act, but mostly I just want to get to know Nathan more, I want to understand him, I want that bond with him that I have with you, tell me you understand please?" Claire said almost pleading with her mom. Sandra then asked if she would still call. Claire rolled her eyes slightly but with a smile, and tears in her eyes.

"Of course I'll call, you'll probably end up seeing more of me than you have the past few weeks while I've been with West" she said softly, "If Nathan doesn't pay for flights, he'll fly me to see you himself, I know he will" Claire said so they would know that she wasn't completely abandoning them.

Her dad then asked if she needed help with moving even if it was a little strained, but Claire wasn't going to pick up on that. "That would be good, thanks dad" she said, and then he said they would miss her, and that's when Claire broke down, the tears finally consuming her as he came and hugged her. "I'll miss you too, but I have to do this" she said as she wrapped her arms around him tightly and leaned her head on his shoulder.

[sandrabennett]

As Noah came over to comfort Sandra all she could do was to feel like everything was going to be fine. She never knew how he did it. How to ease pain in such a way, almost like a miracle worker. She knew Claire was going to leave no matter what they said. That was something Sandra loved about her, when she set her mind on something nothing will ever change it. Pushing herself into the group hug Sandra smiled. Breaking out when hearing that Nathan might fly with Claire over here Sandra shook her head.

"Is that even safe? Flying with Nathan, I know you've done it before." it is somewhat strange to worry about the girl who heals quickly. Then again that is what mother's do. Staring at her daughter she smiled, "Okay, let me make you something to eat, that muffin isn't going to do you any good. And I'm sure the baby would agree with me." this time Sandra wanted to cook and wasn't trying to force her negative emotions into another outlet.

She was filled with joy for some reason, probably that he little girl is growing up, just a little too fast though. With this big move Sandra tried to put herself in Claire’s shoes. She wanted to know Nathan more, that in itself made sense and she couldn’t be completely mad at that. A little sad, but not mad.

Then again this could be a good thing with Claire gone that left Noah and Sandra less of a worry to take care of. Not that Sandra saw Claire just as a worry or aggravation all the time only that she had to put in a little bit more added “what if’s” considering a serial killer was after her for some while.

Turning back with a smile to Claire Sandra asked in a soft caring voice, ”When exactly are you leaving, I want to have a sweet old sappy goodbye scene that I see on my soaps.” she joked honestly. It would mostly likely end that way anyway. Knowing this family.

Sandra mind wandered off again, when she thought of families. The Petrelli family isn't the most stable of families. Truthfully the Petrelli family needs a lot of therapy someone higher than Doctor Phil. That was Sandra's personal opinion, she didn't see what happens behind close doors. She was just going off what she heard none of which were good or positive things.

Trusting them wasn't a thing Sandra was fond of, but still she did trust that they would keep Claire safe. They at least had more...means and specialty in handling her. Or so Sandra assumed once more.

[hrg]

Noah could only look at his daughter as he kissed her head as she let him hug her. He would miss her so much and this would change everything. The whole Bennet family dynamic would change though Claire was adopted she was still apart of their family even if she did now know who her real family was. It didn’t matter. He greeted his wife as she came into the hug placing his hand on the back of her head.

As his wife started to worry about Claire flying around he decided he should speak up. “I think Nathan has more common sense not to fly Claire while pregnant. Plus Angela has a jet for the company so Claire could always go on that.” he wanted to reassure both of them that they would still be able to see each other and be a family.

He wanted to yell at Claire for leaving them when she was about to have their grandchild but he knew she needed this and he wasn’t going to tell her not to go after all she would do the opposite of what he said to do. “Well I suggest before you move you should stay here while we pack your stuff up.” He wasn’t going to let her stay on her own just in case West was the kind of man that Sam was.

(sorry didnt have much of a muse)

[clairebear]

Thankfully things seemed to have stayed calm, the last thing Claire wanted was to have a screaming match over her decision to move to Washington to be with Nathan. She knew they wouldn't have liked the idea, but she was glad they seemed to be living with the idea. After all, what else could they do? Claire wasn't going to back out of her decision no matter what they said. She and Nathan had finally bonded, and Claire wanted it to continue, but she'd always love the family who brought her up, always. Sandra and Noah would always be her mom and dad, she just had a biological dad as well.

Claire rolled her eyes again with the same soft friendly smile on her face, "Mom of course it's safe, I climb onto Nathan's back with my arms wrapped around his neck, there's no way I'm falling, but even if I did, I heal, remember?" she said with a bit of a laugh, and then she realised what the real worry was in it, she might heal, but the baby might not be able to.

When Noah said he would assume Nathan to have more sense than to physically fly Claire while pregnant Claire had to nod her head, "He's right, so I guess it's proper flights all the way" she said agreeing and grinning at her mom, well if it made her feel more at ease, then Claire would agree to anything. But she would still go flying with Nathan, he was careful, and so was she.

Claire still wasn't really feeling like eating, but since Sandra was insisting, Claire just shrugged her shoulders and continued to smile, "Fine, sure I'll have something to eat if it makes you happy" Claire replied as she shook her head with a smile.

Claire had to admit that it would indeed be strange without spending time here, but it had also felt strange to her when she was back here and no longer with Nathan. So she was sure she was making the right decision. And she knew she'd always have a home here, if for some reason it either didn't work out staying with Nathan, or if anything should happen to him, or any other reason, she knew she'd always be welcome back in the Bennet family, even if she was referring to herself as Petrelli, she was still very much a Bennet.

"Oh don't worry, I'm pretty sure there will be an amazing goodbye scene to rival any of your soaps mom" Claire said with a slight laugh and shake of the head. "I'm not sure, thought in a couple of days time, kind of wanted to make sure you guys would get used to it before I actually left" Claire added, when Sandra asked when she was leaving.

Claire wrapped her arms around her dad Noah again, "Thanks dad" she said when he suggested she stay with them while her things got packed for moving. It made sense. "I'd feel safer here than on my own, so thanks" she said as she could feel her stomach lurching already at the thought of leaving the family she had grown up with, the parents she had known as mom and dad for years. But still, she had to do this, she needed to do this. She might even get a chance to meet and get to know her half brothers Simon and Monty.

[sandrabennett]

(OOC: Sorry for the wait and small post busy busy! T_T)

Sandra was extremely happy to know that Claire would allow her to cook her something. Really it was the best thing Sandra could do to get rid of all this energy. Hearing about Nathan flying Claire is safe still in a way bother Sandra. She rattled through pans and the fridge. She was planning on making an omolet, it was simple and fast. Also filling too. "Yeah well...I guess still you can heal and all that doesn't mean a mother can't worry, right?"

Turning on the burner she laid down the pan and sprayed it. "So Claire what do you plan on doing in Washington, like see any sights, spend postcards, go explore the White House, send many photos back to your mother, get new friends, then show pictures of your new friend to mother." Even though it wasn't like Sandra to joke all the time this time it was a joke. Well sort of.

[hrg]

Noah smiled at his daughter knowing now she would be safe staying here till she left. Noah would always think of his family in a way in which others would think he was crazy for. He tend to picture the family as a great knit group but it was never like that because of him. You know your mother.“ Noah states looking at Claire as he looked at Sandra who was starting to cook.

“Sandra I know this is your coping method but try to breathe.” He stated to his wife hoping he didn’t get backlash from her. Everything was going good for awhile now probably because Claire was around more since she became pregnant. He just wished that everything would stay the same instead of making it worst.

[clairebear]

Claire felt herself rolling her eyes when Sandra said she might be able to heal but it doesn't stop her worrying about her. It was a mother's duty. When her dad Noah added that she knew her mother, she felt her smiling, nodding her head and rolling her eyes again all at the same time.

"Yeah, you're right, I do know her by now, she'll always worry, it's what she was born to do" Claire said teasing Sandra slightly, "I promise to be careful, alright" Claire said in a voice full of surrender as she watched her mom mess around as she made Claire something to eat. She then went onto one of her rambling modes, talking like an express train. She was going to say something to her, but her dad Noah got in first.

"Mom, I promise to keep in touch plenty, you'll probably hear from me and see me more than you ever did while I was living with West across the street" she said to Sandra with a grin, as she turned to look at her dad Noah and winked at him. Wow this whole moving State thing was tougher than she ever imagined it to be.