Alright here is the chapter I basically knew every part about and wrote before the rest of the story was even mapped out. Enjoy!

Chapter 24: The Last Spark

Two years later.

How am I going to tell him? Claire worriedly thought as she walked down the geode-lit steps towards the New Jersey Trollmarket. She wasn't sure how Jim would react but he needed to know.

Last week, Claire had lost her job as a production manager at a big performing arts center nearby. She recently used all her sick days and missed so many hours of work from fighting crime that she got fired. Plus having a stomach flu hadn't helped either. Jim did his best to make her feel better but it was so overwhelming that Claire felt she needed to get away for a few days. She just returned from Arcadia by way of the Gyre.

Claire walked down the long stone tunnel and turned right. She made her way out of the tunnel and onto the Trollmarket balcony. She descended the steps, trying to act casual as she did. After she made her way through the market stands she entered the library.

Blinky was there teaching young trolls a history lesson.

"Now, who can tell me what Deya the Deliverer's favorite fighting technique was?" Before any of the trolls could reply Blinky saw Claire enter the room.

"Fair Claire, you have returned!" Blinky called out. "Now everyone, pull out your books and read chapter 21 to find the answer." Blinky walked past the young trolls and over to Claire. "How was your trip to Arcadia, I hope you had a "dope" time."

Claire couldn't help but chuckle. "It was great," Claire said. She felt a little relieved that Jim wasn't there.

"That is good to hear, Master Jim will be happy you are back. He has been in an odd mood since you left."

"Really?" Claire asked, dread washing over her.

"Yes, but I'm sure your presence will return him to normal."

"Do you know where he is?"

"I believe he said he was going to rest in your dwelling,"

From behind Blinky, a young troll asked him a question, diverting his attention. Claire took the opportunity to sneak away, not wanting to intrude any longer.

As Claire made her way to her cave apartment she recalled the conversation she had with Jim before she left. She told Jim that she had pushed herself too far and regretted it. She may have worried Jim when she said she didn't want him to come with her to Arcadia. Claire saw the hurt in Jim's expression. She should have said that she just needed time to collect herself, but of course, she had to be overdramatic and just left without another word. She should have reassured him that none of it was his fault.

Hopefully, she wasn't too late to tell him the truth.

She climbed the stone steps to their cave apartment and approached the wooden front door. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Claire looked into their apartment which they had spruced up after they got married. They had put dividers to separate the front of the apartment from the back, giving them a bedroom.

"Hey it's me," Claire called out.

"Claire?" Jim called back. Claire went to Jim in their bedroom and found him sitting at their computer desk. He stood up but didn't move to greet her.

"How was your trip?" He asked a little formally.

"Good," Claire replied, taken aback. She wasn't sure why but there was a tension in the air that she wasn't sure what the cause was. She went and sat on the edge of their bed and looked up at Jim.

"Listen, I wanted to talk to you about something." She said mustering her courage.

"Me too. But you go first" He said seriously.

Claire was surprised at this. What's going on with him? She pushed the thought aside before she could lose her nerve.

"For starters, I wanted to say I'm sorry for rushing out of here as I did, I was just so done with the stress I was feeling." She began.

"Was it about losing your job or…is there something else?" He asked solemnly.

"Losing my job is part of it, but now there is something else," Claire said taking a deep breath.

Jim had begun to pace and slowly let out a tense breath of air.

"I think I know what it is." He said not looking at her.

"You do?" Claire stared at him, eyes wide.

"I was thinking about it when you left and...I think that it's not right to hold you back from following your goals."

"Excuse me?" She said confused.

"I mean you shouldn't have to be the one to make money for both of us. You shouldn't have to sacrifice what you want to do just to earn money."

"Woah I never said-"

"I know you only took the production manager job in the first place because you kept missing the rehearsals because of me and the criminals we were chasing."

"Jim, I-"

"You shouldn't be letting me hold you back from what you deserve. I think that if you need to take a break from things here and go follow your dreams, I won't stop you." He said firmly.

Claire sat there shocked. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was Jim trying to push her away?

"Are you done?" Claire said in frustration.

Jim looked down at her confused.

"Tell me I'm wrong." He said, anger in his tone.

Claire wanted to protest that everything he said was false but she paused. Was he right? Well, she knew he was dead wrong about the whole not needing to be the one making money for the both of them, that just sounded sexist. But the rest seemed to resonate with her. She had sacrificed a lot to help Jim protect others. Her original dream was to perform on the stage, not manage it. In a way, she was happier now that she didn't have to do that job anymore.

But while she was away she realized her dreams had changed, not because she was overwhelmed or busy, but because she found something more important and just as precious.

Jim took Claire's silence as a confirmation to his accusations. His anger was quickly replaced by defeat.

Claire looked up and saw the way the light seemed to fade from Jim's eyes as he stood there. This wasn't like Jim. Did leaving for Arcadia scare him? What was the real underlying issue? She thought back on his words again and an idea struck her.

"What exactly do I deserve?" Claire asked sincerely.

Jim faced her but kept his eyes on the ground. "You deserve so much more than I can give you. You deserve the chance to be an actress, not work a job you hate. You deserve a husband that can live above ground, take you out on proper dates, start a family..." The last word died in his throat. Jim immediately turned away from Claire, head lowered, and folded his arms.

Claire understood what Jim was scared about and stood up from their bed. He thought he wasn't making her happy.

"Jim, you can't make my decisions for me." She started to tear up. "I have everything I need."

Claire walked over and put herself in front of Jim. He glanced off to the side.

"I love you," Claire said. She tried to meet his eyes, but he wouldn't turn to her. With her hand, she gently guided his face back towards hers. His eyes were misty and kept glancing away from her. Claire's forehead creased and she softly smiled.

"And that's never going to change." She removed her hand.

Jim took a breath and reluctantly looked at her. Her countenance undeniably told the truth. She really was happy being with him.

He finally let go of his built-up fears and relaxed his shoulders. Reassured, he reached out and took her hand in his. He leaned down and touched his forehead to hers. They moved closer and embraced wholeheartedly.

As Claire rested her head against his chest she could hear the soft lull of his heartbeat. With that, she remembered why she wanted to talk to him in the first place.

"And besides…" She paused, gathering up her courage again. "I've already started a family with you."

Initially, Jim thought she meant that the two of them were already a family, but the way she said it made him feel like it was supposed to mean something else.

Confused he gently pulled away and looked down at her. Claire lifted her head and their eyes connected.

Claire spoke in almost a whisper. "I'm pregnant."

It took Jim a moment to process the two words and then another to react. His eyes grew wide as his jaw went slack. Speechless, he searched her face to make sure what she said was real. In her wet eyes gleamed an earnest joy, giving Jim all the confirmation he needed.

Jim stepped back and ran his hand through his hair slightly overwhelmed.

He flashed-back to when he and Claire were taking care of a sack of flour together as a school project. It didn't exactly end well for the flour sack, but just remembering how they talked about what parenthood might be like someday, today, reignited a hope in him. One that hadn't been lit in years.

A tender smile slowly grew over his face. He met her eyes again.

"I get to be…a Dad?" He softly asked.

She nodded and let a shaky breath rush out.

"Yeah. You're gonna be a papá." A tear fell down her cheek as she smiled in relief. Happy to know he really wanted this.

Jim took a step forward and lifted his hand, softly wiping away Claire's tear. Jim's smile grew as they peered into each other's eyes. He gently pulled her towards him, wrapping his arms around her.

Claire lightly pressed up against him, engulfing herself in his warmth and relished the moment. The moment she knew everything would be alright.

•^^•

And never was there so much joy than this of Claire and her Trollhunter.

Whoops I rewrote Shakespeare :V

Thanks to all the comments and positive feedback. Also thanks for everyone's patience. I was not expecting this fanfic to take this long, but I'm glad it's finished. Thank you Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia for being such an amazing show!