DISCLAIMER: Once again, Lost belongs to J.J Abbrams and all those people with their names in the credits at the end of the show. I am neither, so I do not own Lost.
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Charlie was up early in the morning. He stopped for a brief moment to chat to Hurley, who was also awake ("Dude, have you seen my walkman?" "Sorry, I haven't, but I'll keep an eye out."), then went to check up on Claire and Aaron.
Claire was awake, sitting on the ground and rocking back and forth. Aaron was still asleep. Charlie tapped Claire gently and said, "Hey."
Claire smiled and said, "Morning."
"Morning," said Charlie, sitting down beside her. He didn't have anything else to say, so the two of them sat in silence until Claire said:
"I don't think you're a coward, Charlie."
Charlie's heart nearly dropped out of his body. How stupid could he be, walking around and talking to infants about his problems?
"You- you heard, you did?" Charlie stuttered.
Claire smiled. "I don't think you're a coward," she repeated. "It takes a true man to admit his feelings for a lady- and a truly brave man to do that to an infant."
Charlie smiled.
"Do you want to know a secret, Charlie?" said Claire, rocking back and forth again.
Charlie said, "Of course."
"I tell the baby my problems too. I tell him how I'm scared that he won't survive, and how I'm glad I have a great man to protect me." Claire smiled at Charlie. "I tell Aaron how much I really love you, and how scared I am that you don't think the same. But after last night," Charlie smiled. "I know I don't have to worry about that."
Charlie smiled and hugged her. He kissed her forehead.
"I've never told you how grateful I am that you help me, Charlie," said Claire. "I don't know how I would have ever done anything on my own."
Charlie smiled and kissed her forehead again.
"I really love you, Charlie." Claire whispered.
"I love you too, Claire."