Sunshine after the Rain - Claire & Neil
After she’d finished writing in her diary, following her run in with Neil, Claire had taken a quick shower and gotten dressed. She really hadn’t the slightest idea when Neil was going to show up, but she wanted to be ready whenever he did. The fact he was planning to give her money still felt odd to the blonde, who wasn’t used to letting people give her a hand up, even if she did need it. It was a really sweet gesture, it was just... Not what she had been expecting. It was almost like he was trying to take care of her lately, with that and promising to help her if Charles bugged her.
The girl sighed a little, although there was a smile on her face. She hadn’t wanted to still like him, but she had to admit, it was still there, and having him around again did make her happy. She just knew better than to get too hopeful this time.
Since she had no real way to repay him, she decided that she’d at least make him something hot to eat for when he arrived. It was cold out, and since he’d given her his jacket, she was sure he’d be cold and hungry. The stubborn guy. While she couldn’t make him anything with meat in it, obviously, she decided on a vegetarian stew with tofu instead of the usual meat. Hopefully he wouldn’t mind it, she was pretty sure he’d remember she was a vegetarian.
After getting everything into the pot and starting to simmer the food, Claire moved to turn on the tea kettle. She wasn’t sure if he’d prefer tea or coffee, but if he preferred the coffee, she could always brew some of that, too. It felt odd doing all of this for someone other than her sister, but it actually warmed her heart. It got pretty lonely for her lately, since Rachel was staying in her own place, and now her family was all gone.
“Just you and me, huh, boys.” she sad softly, smiling down at the two dogs that sitting on either side of her, panting as they continued to watch her, waiting to see if she’d drop anything on the floor for them. She shook her head at them with a chuckle, “You have your own food. This is for Neil.”
As she moved back over to the pot, she lifted the lid and gave a stir before taking a small taste of it. It tasted pretty good to her, but she wasn’t sure what he’d think. It was the thought that counted anyways, right?
Almost as if reading her mind, she heard a knock on the door and felt her heart leap up into her throat. “Coming!” she called out, having to weave between her two dogs. Normally, they’d have gone running for the door, but with food on the stove, neither budged.
Claire took a deep breath and then opened the door, a big smile crossing her face. “Hey! Come on in!”