Chapter 21
They were all there – all the Heroes that had helped destroy Sylar and save the world. Even Niki, DL and Micah were there. Standing in a half moon around Peter – all dressed casually except for him, standing in his formal clothes without a tie or shoes. Niki, DL and Micah, Molly and Mohinder, Matt and his wife Janice, Hiro and Ando, Claude, Isaac, Nathan and Heidi and Noah, Sandra and Lyle Bennet were all there.
Her mother's eyes were filled to the brim with tears and Lyle stood looking at the sand. Noah – her father in every way that counted – smiled proudly at her.
Mohinder and Molly laughed at seeing her so flabbergasted.
Matt and Janice smiled sweetly.
Isaac stood to the side but his smirk told her he was happy to be there.
Heidi, who held something behind her back, waved Nathan over who joined his wife and gave her a loving kiss. They too smiled at Claire.
Hiro and Ando were laughing loudly and talking in Japanese.
Claude was rolling his eyes.
Niki held something behind her back and Claire was happy to see her there – after everything that happened. She clung onto DL and Micah stood in front of them. All three of them smiled at her and it was a heartfelt moment to see the small family back together after all this time.
But it was Peter that caught Claire's gaze. Peter in his semi-formal suit and a bunch of bright red roses in his hands. He beckoned her over and before Claire knew it she was standing mere feet away from him.
"Peter what is – "she stopped in mid sentence as he lifted his hand to silence her with a smile.
"A few days ago you thought I was proposing to you and I wasn't. But Claire you need to know that since day one you have been everything I have ever wanted in my life. Save the cheerleader – save the world. I just didn't know in saving you I ultimately saved myself. You saved me Claire, you saved me when it looked like everything around me was falling apart. Sure we started out on a rocky road, with us believing Nathan was your father and Sylar attacking us at every corner. But those are the times I remember, having you in my arms after those fights and worshiping the ground you walk on. For those five years that I thought you were dead – they were my worst years ever. Yet here you are today and I'm the happiest man on the face of this planet. Because you love me…you love me enough to carry my child. Claire Bennet – you saved me, you made me indestructible, you made me whole." Claire was crying by the time Peter sank down on one knee and took her hand in his.
"Marry me Claire Bennet. Right now in front of all our friends and family – in front of everyone that matters to us. Do me the biggest honor ever and marry me." Peter's own tears rained down his face as Claire nodded. He jumped up and embraced her, passionately kissing her with all the power he had left in his body while their friends and family clapped their hearts out.
After a while, when Claire had calmed down enough to be able to breathe and Mindy and Caroline had been forced into the bus that drove off, Claire turned towards Peter with a huff.
"How am I supposed to marry you without a dress and a minister?" she asked sadly and Peter smiled as Niki, Heidi and Nathan walked closer. He pointed to Niki and Heidi first.
"These are your bridesmaids that will sort out the dress…" Niki lifted the package in her hands and Heidi showed the hair and make-up things in her bag.
"Being President I am allowed to perform a marriage ceremony." Nathan smiled and Claire laughed, kissing Peter again and again until Niki and Heidi moved her away.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Claire wore a white summer dress that flowed nicely and looked like something Claire would wear to a formal wedding. She loved it – thanking Heidi and Niki continuously as they did her hair and make-up.
Before she knew it she stood next to Peter, clutching his hand, after being led down the sand by both Noah and Claude, as Nathan started the ceremony. They said their vows, staring in each other's eyes as they did it.
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
And oh boy, did they kiss.