Wake Up Call [Nathan]

[clairebear]

14th June, 2009

It was two days after Peter and Becca's wedding, and Claire had a lot of fun being a bridesmaid, but what she had enjoyed the most about the whole evening was when she took to the mic to sing for the happy couple. Everybody had applauded her, and she felt good about herself, although she hadn't really thought her voice was particularly that good, but good enough not to get embarrassed about singing in front of her family and friends. Of course the song she had sung for them, wasn't a song she had written or anything, it was a Celine Dion song, and it was made for Peter and Becca as far as Claire was concerned.

The wedding was just what she needed to help her get back on the right track after everything she had been through, and now West was no longer in her life. She had ditched him once and for all, all his disappearing acts kept annoying her. The fact he wasn't even around when she was kidnapped and lost their baby, was the final straw for Claire, and though she tried to forgive him and keep their marriage in tact, she realised it wasn't going to work, when he just upped and left her again with no warning. She now put in for a divorce, and had Angela speak to her high powered lawyers to speed it up for her.

Now she was in the living area of the White House, listening to music, and dancing and singing along to Kelly Clarkson's 'Since U Been Gone', not even caring if anybody could hear her not, or see her for that matter, she was feeling better than she had in a long time, and she was going to make sure she started to enjoy herself more.

[nathan]

{Dear god I hope this is okay}

It had been two days after the wedding of Peter and Becca. He wished those two the best of luck and hoped their marriage lasted longer than his marriage to Heidi. He really thought that he would be a normal guy at his brother’s wedding and be happily married. Though he was indeed not happily married he was single and the most powerful man in the world – okay one of the most powerful men in the world.

The most interesting part of his little brother’s wedding was watching his daughter sing. She had an amazing voice and he never thought that someone in his family would have an amazing voice. For one thing Nathan didn’t have an amazing voice it was an alright voice. He could keep a note but he wasn’t bad neither was he that good. He wondered if his daughter was ever interesting in doing one of those reality shows or something.

His daughter had been through a lot the past few months and he just felt sorry for her and all he wanted for her was to be happy. It would make him happy if she was happy. He was always grumpy if she was hurt or non happy. He didn’t know why but it was part of him that emotional was not thrilled for his first born to even be in that such pain. No one should ever be in that much pain wether it was father, daughter, mother, son or whatever.

Nathan was strolling the West Wing, which were the private residences of where the President and his family lived. Though this presidency it was different. He had various people living within the grounds of the private residence. Yes you could say that this was the modern presidency. People helping people. It was the call of the times. He sighed as he heard a voice – someone was sing to a Kelly Clarkson song. He wasn’t sure which song but he knew it was Kelly Clarkson.

He stopped dead in his tracks trying to figure out the voice, it was Claire’s. Well, to be honest he thought and hoped it was Claire’s no one else he knew could sing like Claire. He then went to the area where Claire was and smiled, not wanting to interrupt her but he did anyway. “You know, Claire you have an amazing voice” he said as he leaned against the wall with his arms folded. “You should try and do one of those reality shows or something” he replied in an encouraging voice hoping Claire would mind him suggesting some things.

[clairebear]

{Well I thought it was good - and sorry for delay - stupid antibiotics making me so sleepy and sluggish}


Claire was having fun singing and dancing along to the Kelly Clarkson song so much, she didn't even hear her dad Nathan walk into the room. She only saw him after she turned round and saw him standing up against the wall with his arms folded and a smile on his face. She stopped dead in her tracks then, even though she knew that he would have heard her at the wedding, being caught dancing around like an idiot by her dad was a bit embarrassing.

She then gave him a sheepish smile, and a slight wave of her hand, when he said she had an amazing voice, she felt her face flush red, and she rolled her eyes a little then, "Dad, really....I only sang that song for Peter and Becca because they asked me to be their bridesmaid, I don't have that good a voice..." She trailed off then, watching the look on her dad Nathan's face, was making her think different. "Do I?" She then asked, as she made her way over to him, to wrap her arms around him, so he could give her one his signature move hugs, she loved so much. The one where he wrapped his arms around her, with one hand on the small of her back, the other at her neck, and then he would lean his chin on top of her head. She loved it.

When he continued saying she should do one of those reality shows or something, she wasn't sure if he was being honest at first or not. She really wasn't that good, was she? Keeping her arms around him, she looked up at him, "You really think? I really was just messing around there, I know I don't have a bad voice, but didn't think it was that good to go parading to people I don't really know."

However, she knew there was a music event coming up in California, where up and coming new acts got the chance to show off their talents. Maybe she could attend that. "Well, there is a music event coming up in California soon, I could maybe go to that, but, it's California, and you know what happened to me, the last time I was there, I wouldn't want to go alone." She bit down on her bottom lip then. She wondered if Nathan would suggest coming with her, which is what she really wanted, but knowing his position, well she didn't want to ask him, she wanted him to offer, because she knew how busy he could be.

[nathan]

{sorry if this post seems dull. lot of shit on my mind}

Nathan just watched his daughter dance and then the next thing he knew she had stopped dead in her tracks. He wondered why she would do that and then realized that it could have been that he was watching her and most daughter’s no matter how close they were to their parents always felt embarrassed about doing something in front of their parents. He understood that. He hated when his parents would go into his room when he was trying to do his homework or had friends over when they were trying to do odd stuff – like dance to YCMA.

He then watched her as she gave him a sheepish smile and just waved her hand as he had just commented on how amazing her voice was. He just shook his head as she did that teenager look to him. He got that a lot from her, but he knew she was an adult but she still had her teenage attitude. Everyone seemed to have that at her age. He remembered having that kind of attitude when he was her age.

Claire then spoke and he just gave an awkward look at her. He had thought that she had a good voice and he was encouraging her. However it seemed that she didn’t think so. He was about to give up when she made her way towards him. The two exchanged hugs as he leaned his chin on top of her head.

Nathan began to wonder if he was just dragging this singing thing to its death because he wasn’t sure if she was confident in her singing. To him she was amazing and he figured that if she was good enough she could do one of those reality shows and blast away the competition. He was being completely honest with his daughter but he wasn’t sure if she was believed him or not. His kids never seem to know if he was being honest or not. “I really think that you are good and I think you should give it a try” he said with a smile.

He didn’t know when the next music event was for the reality show. For some reason he was thinking American Idol but then Claire spoke about a music event in California. He wasn’t sure about her going to California as the last time she went to California some people jumped his precious daughter and she lost the baby. He didn’t want her to get jumped again and hurt again. He looked at her. “Well when is the music event? Because I’m going to California in a few weeks to do a political speech and maybe if it is that same week I can make sure everything is okay with you, Claire” he said with a smile hoping that she would want him to come with her. He wanted to come with her. He loved her.

[clairebear]

{It's fine - I'm sorry for taking so long to reply back)

Claire didn't know why she had stopped in her tracks when she saw her dad Nathan had been watching her, it wasn't like she was embarrassed, more just that she didn't know she had been getting watched. If she was embarrassed at being watched, she would never have sung at Peter and Becca's wedding the way she had. She still didn't think she had that great a voice though. She knew there were much better singers out there, but then, there was also much worse singers out there too.

When Claire finally went over to him to hug him, she was glad he hugged her back in his typical signature move. Then she had asked if he really did think she was that good. She could only smile brightly at him, when he said he did think she was good and she should give it a try. She did wonder if he was just saying that because he was her dad, and it was like he had to say it, but she knew Nathan well enough to know he never said things unless he meant them. "Well, alright then." She smiled at him again, and that was when she mentioned the music event in California which was coming up.

Claire couldn't hide her happiness when Nathan asked when the music event was, and how he was due to be in California for a political speech in a few weeks. Maybe it would just be the same week as the event, and then she knew she could have one of only two people she now trusted the most with her. Those people were Nathan and Peter. She couldn't completely trust Noah anymore, even though it was sad for her to think like that. "The event is on July first, it's not like a competition or anything, just a thing that shows off new talent. Might be lucky for an agent to be there, who knows." She shrugged her shoulders lightly. "I'd really like it if you could take me, you know I only really feel safe around you." She hugged into him again then. Always feeling safe in her dad Nathan's arms. She loved him, loved him very much, something she never thought would ever happen when she first found out he was her biological father.

[nathan]

Nathan had hoped that him watching Claire wouldn’t distract her from doing what she was doing. However it seemed to have but that was just Claire. She was always that way and Nathan really didn’t seem to care about it. He figured that it was probably just typical teenage stuff when parents were in the same room watching their children. It happened everyday across America.

It didn’t take Claire long before she went over to hug him and he then hugged her back in typical fashion. It was the way the two of them were. They might have an awkward relationship but he loved to hug his daughter at times. She was his pride and joy. He loved all his children but he always wanted a girl. He sighed as he was trying to encourage his child that she did indeed have a good voice. It was the truth. “Good” he said when she said ‘well alright then.’

Nathan then went on to ask about when the music event was. He hoped that it was the same week as the event in which he had to make a political speech. He was always looking for an excuse to stay in a place for a certain amount of time and he had to inform secret service about the event. He looked at his daughter when she said the event date. He gave a bright smile. “Excellent my speech is on July 2nd so that will work out perfectly” he said with another bright smile. “So since my speech is on the 2nd I can attend and I’m glad that you feel safe with me” he said as he was hugged once more. This time as the two of the hugged he kissed Claire on the forehead.

[clairebear]

When Claire had finally given in and decided to believe Nathan that she did indeed have a good voice, he said 'good'. She smiled brightly at him then, before she leaned into the hug once more. It was true that Claire didn't think she had a bad voice, otherwise she wouldn't have sung at Peter's wedding to Becca, but she still didn't think it was that great either, and all she could think when Nathan was trying to encourage her, was that he was her father, and it was his job to do that. But she knew Nathan wasn't the type to lie, at least not about family matters, not since they got on the right path of a proper father and daughter relationship.

When Nathan had asked her when the event was, she was hoping that he would be able to go with her, she knew she could always have contacted Noah, but he just didn't seem to be there for her these days, and even though Nathan was busy with his Presidential duties, he always found time for Claire. Even if he had to rearrange things.

"Brilliant, because I'd really like you there." The fact that Nathan could actually be at the event, and not just take her to it, made Claire feel really happy. She gave him another bright smile when he said he was glad she felt safe with him. After they hugged again, she gently pulled out of it, sitting on the sofa and patting the seat beside her, so she could just lie into his shoulder, for want of a better description, a sit down hug. Once he was sat beside her, she looked into his eyes, "Why wouldn't I feel safe around you? You were the one who found me that..." She trailed off then, feeling tears begin to sting her eyes, even after all this time, she was still finding it very difficult to talk about it all.

"I'm sorry, I still get upset over it." Her voice was soft, and hardly audible, through the tears. "I know I'm incapable of dying, well, apart from that one spot, if nobody removes the object, I still wonder what could have happened, if you hadn't came when you did."

It had been a while since she properly spoke to her father Nathan about what happened that day, the last time they properly spoke about it, was the day after it happened. But Claire hadn't spoken to many people about it, and of those she had, they weren't her father. They weren't Nathan.

[nathan]

Nathan just looked at his daughter as she smiled brightly at him. He was glad that she thought of his suggestion. She really didn’t have a bad voice and she had an amazing voice. Though all parents would say that about their children. However Nathan was very confidante that she had a good voice. And to be honest he was telling the truth and he didn’t want to discourage his daughter from stepping out in the real world.

He was really glad that the event would be not on the day of his Presidential duty and much to his luck it wasn’t that made it even better. Because he knew that he could rearrange the speech if it came to that however he was surprised and happy that he didn’t have to rearrange the speech. Sure he would make the speech a bit later than usually but he really wanted to be there for his daughter.

He nodded and smiled at his daughter. “Well, I’ll be there to support my daughter” he said with a warm smile. The two of them hugged once more and he watched Claire gently pull out of the hug that the two embraced and watched his daughter sit on the sofa motioning him to sit by her. He did just that and he looked into her eyes wondering what was wrong…she then went on explain and then she started to weep.

He hated to see his daughter like this since he knew that she hated to talk about the whole incident that happened a couple of months ago. Okay it seemed liked a couple months ago but it was just weeks. He really didn’t know what to say to his daughter. “It’s okay we all have to move on sooner or later” he said not really sure what to even say. “I don’t want to think about what would happen, Claire we just need to move on…” he said trailing off not wanting to speak of that little incident.

[clairebear]

The thought of her father being there to support her at the music event made Claire feel much better about the whole situation. Pushing her singing forward to the public was Nathan's idea really and in a way, if she flunked big time, then she'd have him there to take her frustrations out on. Although, deep down, she knew Nathan wouldn't push her toward something he didn't believe in, it wasn't how he worked. Nathan hadn't lied as such since he got Claire back into his life, although Claire wasn't daft, she knew he could still be ruthless about some decisions, but so long as that ruthlessness didn't come out on her, she was more than happy.

"Look forward to it then. Wonder if there'll be anybody from The Chronicle there?" She was more questioning it out loud than aiming the question at Nathan, but she wondered what he would think about it all, if he thought the newspaper crew would be there, and with something like that event, they were bound to be there. They had a music reviews guy after all.

Claire had then sat down on the sofa after pulling out of the hug gently and patted the seat beside her. Nathan had naturally sat down next to her, and she had hugged into his shoulder then. When she spoke of why wouldn't she feel safe with him, she had reverted back to what had happened to her and got upset again. What Nathan said made sense, but for Claire, it wasn't that easy a thing to forget. "I know what you're saying dad, it's just, not that easy, but I know I have to." She knew Nathan hated to think what could have happened if he hadn't turned up when he had. Maybe she should talk to Wade about it, he was always very good at listening to her, after all, it had happened back in May and it was now June, she should be over it.

[nathan]

Nathan wanted to support his daughter in anyway he could. He hated that he never knew about her and always wanted to be there for her even if they had spent those last few years getting to know one another. He was still there for her as a father and that is how he wanted his relationship to be with her and he hoped that she didn’t mind him pushing her towards singing. She had a very good voice and she could probably make a living off of it. It was something that was far from normal – like the life she always wanted but it was normal. Normal people could be famous. Hell, look at him.

Nathan just looked at his daughter when she asked an awkward question about if the Chronicle would be at the event. He really didn’t know what to say. All he knew was that his mother was dating the editor and he began to wonder if they would be there to cover something. “I’m not sure Claire, I’m sure Rossi would have some people out there” he said shaking his head. “I could always ask my mother, she is dating the poor guy” he replied shrugging his shoulders back.

Nathan sat naturally next to her and he was embraced by a hug into the shoulder. Which was fine with him anyway? He then had to speak about the question that she had asked him and truth be told he didn’t want to upset her with him. He hated to see her upset over a thing that she shouldn’t be upset at but that was a part of real life. He wondered if he should get Noah to gather someone to erase that memory of her but he really didn’t want her to suffer about that. He hated that. “I know that is just a part of life I guess” he said sighing…

{sry that is all i could come up with. if u want to end it then fine with me lmao}