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Each of Tony’s attenancy wasanswers, sie loud and clear: she was upset and he’d screwed up It was a e meant solely for hiht their meal and not their friends at the dessert celebration Claire perfor dutifully by his side To everyone, they appeared the happy couple trying for reconciliation He did see a genuine slasses of nonalcoholic charape juice that Tony had ever tasted If pregnant women were supposed to drink shit like that--well, no wonder they felt ill

Throughout dinner and the celebration, Tony tried to think of a way to apologize, to help her understand that his initial reaction was not because he didn’t want her to have the baby It was shock His o

Claire hadn’t wanted to go with hiht to the estate, had he seen her react as vehemently and violently as she did that afternoon All Tony had wanted to do was to get her away froone anywhere Nevertheless, when he led her past the front doors and she saw the car waiting, Claire lost it Right there on his front steps, she broke down in a fit of hysteria Tony had never seen anything like it For over a --too calm That afternoon, all of her es as she fell to the ground, refusing to budge He recalled the daggers in her no longer calreen eyes as she told him that she hated him

It had been Catherine who’d whispered and explained to let her go In all the time since her accident, she’d not broken down Catherine explained that it was part of the healing process

That day Tony knew Claire needed more than a release She needed--no, she deserved--to hear his honest apology

The circumstances were totally different, but as they left the dessert celebration, Claire needed the sa through the night, he peered to his right, trying to assess if Claire noticed that they weren’t headed ho: the perfect companion Even when they detoured down a dirt road, Claire appeared unaware Tony stopped the car and allowed the headlights to shine into the ized for her accident, for losing control, and the place where he’d asked for her forgiveness That day had brought the spark back to Claire’s dead eyes

Tony had pushed away the h she obeyed, orshell Tony refused to allow this baby or his reaction to take her back to that place He didn’t want the perfect companion Tony wanted Claire--her fire, her brazen spunk, and even her bold retorts If she needed to yell at hiive it

When she didn’t speak, he asked, "Do you knohere we are?"

Claire looked froot out of the car and walked to her door After opening it, he extended his hand and asked, "Will you please ith lance diverted to the floorboard "I don’t think ive a daave way to the e

Claire nonchalantly shrugged and accepted his outstretched hand Her facade was once again secure as she replied, "Of course, Mr Rawlings, I’d be delighted"

They took a few steps before Claire stumbled and fell into his arht, under the stars, enjoying the perfect June evening While he prayed that she’d understand his intentions, she straightened herself and stood on her own