Time is Everything

Estelle Stafford

Ending…

We have all those moments when the world seemed to be falling apart and we were sure the end of the world was coming that the darkness was going to fall and we never again would see the light.

Everything was falling apart…. Claire was in love, but she was not sure if Gabriel was in love with her. In the beginning everything had been rather easy, even with her father constantly trying to convince her that he was not right for her. Enraged did not began to describe Noah's feelings when he found out that his little girl was dating Gabriel Gray, a man almost ten years her senior, but he might have looked over that fact if it was not Gabriel Gray. He never liked the man and probably never would, but with her mom and Lyle on her side, the two were coming to a reluctantly truce. And Claire thought that was going to be the worse of her problems but now…

She was not even sure was in a relationship with him, not alone if he loved her as much as she loved him.

They had fights before; her father had been a source of plenty of them. There had also been fights over money. Claire was still rather independent and wanted to take care of herself, while Gabriel just wanted to lavish her with everything which was nice for the most part, but because of his insecurities, he had a tendency to go overboard, always buying her the most expensive things. Then every once in awhile there were little arguments about how the house should be ran. It happens, you know the hardest part about loving someone was living with them, but they never once fought like they had last night, there was not even a lot of yelling, it was just…just….it was different….

Claire thought she was hearing the bells, they had been dating for a year and half, so she was almost positive a ring was in the works, and so it all made sense that she met Gabriel's family right?

She was sitting on the couch working on paperwork for the hospital, she was one step closer to becoming a doctor, already starting her residency at the hospital, next she would be a full time attendant, but she still had over two years to go. She was lost in her work that she did not hear Gabriel come in, until he spoke.

"Hey gorgeous," he greeted as he kissed her on the cheek.

"Oh hey," she pushed her work aside, "There is something I want to talk you about," She took his hand in hers. He sat down next to her.

His face fell into concern, "Is something wrong, baby doll?"

"Well, I don't think so…I just think it is time I meet your parents...," he jerked his hands away, like he had been sit on fire. She was on the side of caution, "You already know my family, and…"

"No, it is not happening,"

"Why not?" She asked curiously, and Gabriel looked down, his heart was aching. He could not tell her, for a million reasons, he just…

"It is just not happening okay!" he stated firmly.

"Don't yell at me, I don't understand why want you tell me why? Do you not trust me?" She stood up to reach for him.

"With everything," he took her hands again, "I love you."

"But…"

"This is not about trust, I don't like talk about it."

"You need to talk about it, I need to know."

"Why? You don't have to know everything about me!" His voice rose again.

"How can we possibly get married if I don't know your family?" She said it rather shyly, she pretended to be casual about it but both knew there was never anything casual about mentioning marriage in that context.

"I guess we won't get married." Her eyes shot up. He did not…he could not.

"Claire…I didn't…I," What was he supposed to say? How could he explain to her about his family? Why he kept that part of him locked up. She stood up and went straight for door, "Claire," his voice cracked, he screwed up, and he knew that. "I'm going…I'm just going," she said. She shut the door.

Gabriel just stood, the emptiness surrounded him. He should have ran, he should have went after her, but he just stood there in shock, feeling a sting, he thought he never feel again…It was the reason he kept things under lock and key. Funny, though it seemed like the more he tried to protect himself the more he just got hurt.

Now here she was at home again, a place that once been her haven because her parents had always made her feel safe no matter how dangerous the storm.

It was late she knew…when she knocked on the door. She heard the rustling inside along with murmurs. She should have called, but she also knew they would have stayed up all night worrying about her; she did not want them waiting for her unnecessarily, so instead she probably was freaking them out, but that would only last for a few minutes. Her father opened the door, "Clairebear?" he questioned gazing at her.

"Noah who is it?" Sandra asked as she wrapped herself tighter in her pink robe.

"It's Claire," he was surprised.

"What?" her mother squeezed passed her dad, "Come in, Sweetie," she grabbed Claire by her arm guiding her inside. "Noah warm up some hot coffee,"

"Its fine," Claire spoke, "I know it's late we can talk about this tomorrow."

"We'll talk about this now," her father's voice was kind but no less insisted. "I bet this has to do with that lousy boyfriend of yours. What did he do?"

"Dad," Her voice was strained, her body wanted sleep but her mind would not let her obtain such bless until she talked about it and she knew it, but her father would always be bias. All they would do was argue. She shook her head, "Please…don't…"

"Noah, just put on the pot of coffee," Sandra ordered again. She then brought Claire to the kitchen, "You know very well none of us are going to sleep a wink with all this worry on are minds."

Claire sighed in defeat, "I know, it's just I don't…I don't know where to begin." Noah set three cups down as the coffee started brewing.

"Just tell me what he did Clairebear!" her father growled.

"Noah," her mother scolded as she looked at him, "You got work in the morning, just go to bed, and I'll deal with this." Her father looked hurt and was about to say something else when her mother's harsh glare made him think twice.

"Fine," he snarled, "but if he hurt her, he will pay."

"And he will," Sandra agreed, nobody hurts her baby ever, but she wanted all the facts before she made the decision to shoot his balls off or not. "We need to get the facts first before we do anything rash, so I'll take it from here." Noah reluctantly went back upstairs, but both women doubted he would be sleeping anytime so, if anything he would be straining from the master bedroom to hear what he could about what happen.

Sandra went to the coffee pot and poured out a cup for her and Claire, she put sugar and milk in it. She sat down the cups back on the table, "Now darling, you tell me what's going on now." The voice was encouraging and Claire knew her mother would sit there all night until she told her what happened. So Claire confessed everything, her dreams for her and Gabriel, the fight, her fears, and why she could not stop herself but come home because it felt like the world was ending.

"Well," her mother focused on her as she sat her World's Best Mom mug down. "I didn't even know you two were that serious, but I suppose it was a matter of time, heaven knows your father was hoping it would never come, but you two have been dating awhile."

"I know…but maybe," Claire hugged her blue mug, "Maybe it was just me…that thought we were at that point."

"Well…" Sandra thought for a moment, "It could be, but you really won't know until you talk to him, darling." Sandra patted her daughter's hand.

Claire pushed a wavy strand to the side, "if it is true, what then…and…I don't think that is the big issue here."

"No," Sandra agreed, "He shut you down, and that is why this fight is so awful to you, despite the fact you two had more intense arguments." Claire nodded.

"So now what?"

Sandra took her baby girl's hand and held it for a moment. "Baby I love you, and your brother Lyle more than life itself, and I know you loved him so much and for so long, but darling…" she gazed intently and Claire was aware of what her words were going to be, she was thinking the same thing, "if the man won't let you in, there isn't much more distance you two are going to be able to go."

"I know…I know…" Claire had sat her cup down and hand buried her face in her hands as the tears came down. "I know…" Sandra got up and just held her little girl.

The thing about the end of the world there are not always explosions, sometimes it is just something small. Though here is the question or you just going to let the world end or fight for it?

Risk…

Risks, sometimes we take them unnecessarily, sometimes we guard ourselves so much against them, that we risk losing a purposeful life, but we all take them in one way or another. Gabriel had unknowingly been taking so many risks by trying to protect himself, and now he was going to lay it all on the line.

It did not even take a day and Gabriel was making calls trying to locate Claire. She had gone to her parents for a few days, having Emma and Peter pull a string or two to get out of work. He packed a few things-along with a small black box he had been holding onto for months-and took the first flight and was in Odessa, Texas the next morning. He had rented asked for a company car, and was driven out to the Bennet's house, were he was promptly and painfully greeted by Noah.

He was punched in the face…well…it had been awhile, but the man certainly had not lost his touch. The driver looked over and was about to step out to assist him, when Gabriel shook his head 'no' at him. "You get off my property, now." Noah demanded.

"NO," Gabriel growled back. He was not going to back down; he never was ever going to back down when it came to winning Claire…never again. "I'm here to see my girlfriend."

"She's no longer your girlfriend!" Gabriel felt fear lurch at him. Did she say that? He wondered to himself, but it did not matter. He was not going to accept it, until she told him, and then he would not accept it, until he was sure there were no chances to fix things.

"Claire!" he yelled, he was seemingly erratic, and he knew it. He was sure some reporter would snap a picture or two and in the paper there were be a headline that read: New CEO Gone Crazy, but he did not care. He could see her in the window, and he could see that she was watching him, "Claire!"

"Go away," Noah yelled.

"Noah," Sandra stepped out and Gabriel was more afraid of her than Noah any day, but nothing was as scary as losing Claire, nothing, even as Sandra stared him down. "Calm down," She touched her husband's shoulder gently. "And you," She turned the glare full throttled on him, "You need to give her a few days to figure things out."

"I like you Sandra, but I'm not backing down,"

"Gabriel, I used to like you, but really you are starting to change my mind. You need to leave now!" Her voice was cold.

"No, Claire," he yelled even louder and Noah's temper had barely been defused before, and it was already going back to full force. Sandra stood in between them, "I love you, and I made this," he opened up a box, "It's not a ring, but it is what I was going to purpose to you with." Noah was once again making his way toward Gabriel.

"Don't," Sandra ordered as she watched Claire open her window.

"What is it?" She asked, seemingly curious, though she bit her lip and her face was blotching from all the crying. She was still hurt, but she was listening.

"It's a watch baby doll," He told her, "I made it months ago, especially for you. I had a proposal all planned, soon, and I'm still up for it, if you are. I know we still won't be able to get married right away."

"You are never marrying my little girl," Noah growled.

"Dad stop it," Claire stated firmly, "But…?" She gazed back at Gabriel.

He sighed, "More like a because…because I got issues Claire, a lot of issues and I...we need to work through all them before we can get married, and one of them is my family. To be honest I never wanted to talk about them, but I'm willing to try and open up…for you. I love you, and you have made me a better man than I thought I ever be, and I'll never be the man you deserve, but I'll keep trying anyway." Claire slammed the window shut, surprising Gabriel. He turned to see Noah's smirk, and Sandra's widened expression.

"I think that's her answer," Noah stated. Gabriel barely heard him as he just stared at the close window. He could not believe it…He just laid out his heart out and she…She was right there. Claire was running right toward him. Sandra pulled Noah away from the scene to let the two talk.

"I love you, too," she said with a smile after they shared a passionate kiss, "but…" her face was serious, "You can't close me off like that, anymore."

"I might sometimes," he admitted, "but I will always try not to, and I can promise I'll open back up, eventually." She thought about it for second and his world stayed still.

"Okay, I deal with that,"

"Yeah?" he asked to be sure.

"Yeah, but you do have to show me that watch…"

"Oh you didn't see it," He put it in his back pocket.

"No, I was looking from the window, silly,"

"Well, I guess that means it can still be a surprise than."

"What? Seriously," She tried to get in his pocket.

"Claire," his voice was serious, "I really do want to surprise you."

She pouted a bit, but conceded, "Fine, but in all seriousness what was this thing with your family."

"Okay, but not here, you want to go for a drive?" he asked.

"Yeah, let me just tell my parents were I am going." She disappeared but only for a second, though a little longer than anticipated because Noah was being difficult…no surprise there. They went for a drive into the sunset, staying out until dawn, talking about all kinds of things, and slowly Gabriel spoke about how he had no father and his mother was in a mental institution. He opened himself to be vulnerable for her.

Love has always been a risk, and trusting someone with your heart was like trusting them with the destruction button of your world, you hope they never push it and always protect it from others.

Daughters…

If it was up to fathers Daughters would never grow up, they would stay that cute girl with chubby cheeks, curly hair, and bright eyes that look at the world with curiosity, but the thing was it was not up to fathers…

Noah wanted his daughter to forever be his little Clairebear, but she had always been too stubborn for that. So she grew. He knew it was happening when she told him at five she did not need a night-light, anymore. He knew it when she rode her bike the first time by herself. She grew older day by day. One day she had been sleeping in a crib the next day she was driving a car. He knew it was coming. He would have to let her go, even if he was not ready to. How could a father be ready for that?

Then she went and fell in love with a man, he could never approve of, and without warning she gave her heart completely away to Gabriel Gray. So when the Wedding came around, the process of giving her away had been just a ceremony…really, but no less emotional…

His beautiful daughter stood in front of the mirror, with her little tiny silver butterfly barrettes wrapped in her blond locks in the back, and sitting on top of her head as if she were a princess was small tiara with spirals that had the tip of green rhinestones on them. Then her beautiful face had been painted up with a silvery eyes-shadow, her pink lips were brightened with rosy gloss, a slight peach pink blush graced her cheeks. On her ears hung beautiful butterfly earrings with tiny pearls dangling at the bottom, and to match she wore a rhinestone necklace with a tear drop pearl, and a pearl bracelet borrowed from her mother. There were the glossy white shoes, and for something blue there was a blue anklet which would barely be noticeable. The something new is what would take everyone's breath away; the dress was nothing short of amazing.

Showing off all of her youthful beauty without revealing hardly anything, the dress was a silky bright white. The top of the dress covered all of her but a slither of cleavage with tiny silver beading curving around her breasts. The bottom of the dress flowed outward, yet clung enough to reveal the smallest of her waist. It was covered in sheer floral silver.

He had noted ever detail and watched as Sandra had helped her with the placing of her tiara. His wife smiled with tears in her eyes as she left to go to take her place among the other guests. It was almost time for Noah to give his little girl away.

"You are so beautiful," Noah's voice cracked, and Claire turned away from the mirror.

"Daddy," She smiled, "Thank you," She took his hand in hers, "I know this is hard for you; I know you don't like Gabriel and…"

"It's not just that Claire; you grew up too fast, way too fast. I never wanted to give you away."

"Oh Daddy," she caressed his cheek, "I'll always be your little girl." Then she held out her arm. "Ready to walk me down the aisle.

'Never' he thought, 'I never wanted to give you away but you look so happy' sometimes a father just has to choose between letting her go and her happiness. That day Noah chose her happiness.

He had to let her go, even after years of not wanting to, even after she chose a man he really did not like. It came down to either letting her marry the man she loved or they would forever stay miserable at each other, so he let her go. Noah reflected on these thoughts as he stood in the hospital room watching his little girl hold her little girl, with the proud father Gabriel Gray kissing her on the forehead.

"She's beautiful," He told her.

"I know," Claire beamed, though she was rather worn out despite the fact the medicine took the pain away of giving birth, it never took away the work of bringing a miracle into the world. "She was so worth it." She leaned down and kissed her babe on the forehead, which was now wrapped in a pink blanket.

"Yes, well she looks like her mother," Noah stated, "and her mother is a beautiful girl."

Claire smiled as she looked down. In honestly, she could not really make out the details of her daughter's features that would come with age, and she pretty much looked like every baby anyone has seen, but that made her no less beautiful. "She'll be a looker which is why we are naming her Cassandra Bethany Gray, we decided to go with a name kind of like yours mom. You are one of the most beautiful women I know." Sandra was awed by the gesture; her full name was Sandra Annabeth.

"Oh baby," she kissed Claire on the forehead, "You have no idea how happy that makes me."

"I'm glad," Claire stated, "Sweetheart," She handed her over to her husband. Gabriel cradled her in his arms for a little while before he looked over at Noah, "Mr. Bennet," Gabriel held out Cassandra, "Would you like to hold her?" And Noah knew that really daughters change everything, and letting them go was never easy, but someday, most of the time if you do your job right it will be worth it for the happiness that is gained, because things have a tendency to go a full circle.

Time is everything, one moment you are a little girl, the next you are a woman. One moment you are alone and the next you are surrounded by people who love you.

End Time is Everything

Author's Commentary: Well, that's all she wrote folks, it is finished, so much I would like to say. Thanks to those who stuck with me until the end. I hope you enjoyed it, even if it was not always perfect. I'm glad to have finished a project that was longer than a one-shot.