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Claire felt a flash of envy as she watched Rae hug Mel goodbye, just as quickly as she started feeling envious of Rae and her mother guilt completely welled up in her. She looked away, crossing her arms as she found the moss growing on the side of the building suddenly very interesting.
"Miss Claire?" Claire's head snapped to the direction of the voice. Mel had her head resting on top of Rae's, Mel's eyes soft and inviting as she pulled an arm away and waved Claire in. Rae looked at her innocently but she could see a hint of sadness on her face. "You can get a hug too, if you want."
Claire's body moved without her registering what Mel had offered. She barreled into the pair, tightly wrapping her arms around Mel, who just gently wrapped her free arm around the young noble and squeezed. Warmth seemingly flooded her body as she nuzzled closer, all caution thrown out the window as pure happiness flooded her system. Rae's eyes bore into her but she did not care as warm laughter escaped Mel's mouth. Just as soon as it had begun, it had ended and some part of Claire was sad. She could not recall the last time she had received a hug.
"You really enjoyed that hug." Rae grumbled as they walked away, all the goodbyes and well wishes having been said.
"I really did!" Claire brightly beamed.
"You could at least not answer right away!"
"I just don't know what I'm doing!" Claire cried into her hands. "I would be such a terrible mother, how can I be what the girls need?" Her voice was pitched as she sobbed into her hands. Her body shook, the chair being the only support Claire had to not just fall to the floor.
Mel pulled the young girl in for an embrace. She gently squeezed the young girl, who simply melted in her arms while she let tears flow. Carding her fingers through Claire's hair she hummed a quiet tune.
"You hold me like my mother did." Claire whispered sadly, it would have been unnoticeable if both were not so close together. Mel felt something in her chest tighten up as Claire returned the gesture, her hands desperately gripping the back of her dress. Mel didn't want to let go, and she was sure Claire wouldn't ever let go. Mel allowed her head to lean into Claire, rubbing a circle on the girl's back. "I miss her."
"I know you do. She would be proud of you." Mel said softly. A warm kiss was placed gently on the young woman's forehead. Mel carefully wiped away the tears on Claire's face. "With Rae I felt the same fear you do. I wasn't sure what I was doing and I was so terrified." Mel leaned back in and rest her head on Claire's shoulder. "My own mother told me she was terrified when she had me when I came to her about Rae." Mel murmured softly, trapping the girl in another hug. "The girls depend on you, and that's scary. It's okay to be terrified, Claire, but don't label yourself as terrible when you are part of those girls' world."
"But-" Claire started.
"I imagine your mother was also terrified with you, Claire." Mel squeezed the blonde tightly. "She left such a sweet girl here." Mel felt tears well up in her eyes. Some part of her scolded her for crying, it wasn't her place to begin crying. "You were her world, I know it." Mel whispered, just barely audible. Claire's arms tightened their hold on Mel, as if she would fade away any second.
Claire recoiled in surprise as her embroidery needle once again poked her finger. Checking the finger, it was a totally superficial wound as no blood appeared. Grumbling, she returned to work, candlelight being her only form of lighting as it was night outside.
Rae was sound asleep in bed, with the twins securely tucked into their beds. Again the needle slipped and stabbed it's wielder. Claire let out an annoyed sigh as she decided she was done with trying under the dim candle. The creaking of a floorboard immediately grabbed her attention, her head snapped up to the sound. Standing quietly in the hallway entrance was Aleah. The little girl quietly rubbing her eyes as she walked forward.
"Mama Claire?" Her voice wavered. Quickly setting down her embroidery work, Claire rose to her feet and picked up Aleah. The young girl quickly wrapping her arms around Claire's neck, leaning against her mother in desperation.
"I'm here." Claire murmured, placing a hand protectively over Aleah's back. She nuzzled Aleah's soft hair, the sensation tickling her nose. Aleah began to cry, inconsolable as she desperately gripped Claire. "It's alright, I'm right here."
Claire looked at Mel. The woman had a proud and warm smile as she approached her newest daughter.
Claire moved on her own, this time no invitation needed. Both hands picked up the skirt of her wedding dress as she surged towards Mel. Warm laughter dancing in the air the moment Claire made contact with Mel and wrapped her in a tight hug.
"Thank you." Claire sighed, Mel returned the hug, nuzzling the girl with her cheek.
"You're beautiful in that dress." Mel commented, Rae coming up to Mel and Van with her signature troublemaker smile on her face.
"Well, Claire always looks beautiful mother!" Rae brightly bragged, Mel couldn't hold back the laugh that escaped her lips as Claire let go to chide Rae.
"Mama Claire! No punishing Mama Rae today!" Two bright voices teased, May and Aleah came to Rae's rescue by standing in front of her.
"It's not fair that Grandma Mel got a hug from Mama Claire!" Aleah whined, May nodding in agreement as both set their arms out for her.
Claire knelt down to the ground, arms wide. Both girls squealed in joy as they jumped at Claire, small arms wrapping themselves around the bride. Rae grinned at the scene, falling in love again as she saw the warm and soft smile on Claire's lips, her eyes flitting between the twins.
"Do you not want a hug from Mama Rae?" Rae asked sweetly, hands clasped in front of her as she innocently looked at her daughters.
"No! Mama Claire!" They both turned away and gripped Claire tighter. Laughter erupted from the group, Rae not able to stop herself from laughing.
Claire jolted awake as a pair of knees jabbed her in the side. Hissing in pain she sat up to see the culprit.
May shyly looked at her, the commotion causing Rae to stir from her slumber.
"What is it?" Rae mumbled, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"It is just May, dear. Go back to sleep." Claire said calmly, her beloved and dorky wife just quickly falling back on her pillow and returning to sleep. Turning her attention to her daughter, she helped May higher up into the bed, bringing her into her own arms. "What can I help you with?" Claire softly whispered into May's ear.
May seemed nervous, gingerly returning the embrace and gripping the nightgown Claire wore.
"Mama Claire and Mama Rae will never leave us?" Claire was taken aback, tightening her hold on May.
"Never." Claire affirmed, bringing May up closer and placing a kiss on each of her cheeks. "You are forever ours."
"You promise?" May seemed almost desperate.
"I swear before all the spirits and God." Claire murmured, nuzzling her daughter's cheek. May leaned into Claire, sighing into the warmth. In moments, another pair of knees jabbed themselves into Claire's side, the woman groaning. Bruises had to be forming there, she was sure of it.
"What about me?" Aleah whined, worming her way between Claire and May. Jealousy driving the child to behave so poorly. Claire pushed the girls over as she scooted over on the bed, rolling on her back she motioned for Aleah to go to the empty side. The young girl eagerly complying, settling into the space and cuddling up against her mother and near instantly falling asleep. Claire lazily threw her arm over Aleah, turning her attention to May.
"Will you promise me that you'll never leave Mama Rae and I?" Claire said softly, May desperately wrapped her arms around Claire's neck.
"May will never!" May affirmed loudly. Rae babbled in her sleep about loud noise, Claire just rolled her eyes as she wrapped her arm around May.
"Good, now let's try to get some sleep." Claire smiled warmly, nuzzling the young girl's nose. May giggled something into her mother's ear but Claire couldn't hear it as sleep took over.
She rushed down the hall way, nightgown fluttering behind her as she surged towards her target. Opening the door, she stepped into the room, she needed to see for herself to settle her fear. Nearing the small bed in the room, she peered down, her heart racing.
Claire was sound asleep, the small girl peacefully dreaming away. Melia sighed in relief, sinking to the floor as her fear melted away. Claire stirred, quickly coming to her senses and locking eyes with her mother. Melia could feel her face relax from whatever expression she had previously. She drank in Claire's crystal clear eyes, her heart near bursting as the girl innocently raised both arms expectantly.
Melia scooped Claire up, tightly embracing her young daughter. Claire tightly embraced Melia, resting her head against her mother's shoulder as she peered up at Melia's face. Claire reached up with one hand and caressed her mother's face. Melia turned her head, placing a gentle kiss into Claire's palm. The young girl giggled as she pulled her hand away, returning it to around Melia's neck.
Melia brought Claire up to her face, and placed multiple kisses all over. Claire smiling and returning a kiss to her mother's cheek.
"Let's try to get some sleep, Claire." Melia smiled warmly, nuzzling the young girl's nose.
"Mama, I love you." Claire giggled into Melia's ear.