A visit to Clair

You wonder what’s taking them so long, but also don’t really want to think about it because, you know James well enough that you don’t want your mind to go there. He is your little brother after all. Still, he said he’d be here for breakfast and it’s almost 10 o’clock, and if he needed to change anything he would have let you know. You think about going over there to surprise them, but then you remember that James specifically wanted this to be as if they were surprising you, not the other way around.

“Should I pretend to go for a walk and see what’s going on, or just wait for them?” You ask no one in particular. You know this is nothing to get anxious about, but you can’t help it. You decide to twirl your orange locks to help calm down, and start to pace. “Maybe I should do something to distract myself…. maybe do my rounds with the kittens earlier than normal. Buy some time.” You realize it’s a brilliant idea, and begin.

After a long sigh, you start your rounds, going room to room making sure food and water bowls are filled, toys aren’t destroyed, and that everyone is accounted for. You always dreamed of opening a refuge for cats that no one else wanted, or didn’t have a better home to go to. When you and James decided to found Trenzalore, you decided it was time to follow up on that dream, at least as best as you could.

You had eight cats inside the house, which got hectic sometimes, but luckily you had the space. There were so many more that you took care of that didn’t stay with you though, other strays that would come by the house for some food or pets every now and then, but you let them stay free. Who are you to judge?

“Ok so Jack’s here, Leia, Olly, Salem, CJ, Ryan, Amanda, and Timmy. Okay, you’re all here.” While counting them isn’t much fun, but having them all great you and purr is always a nice pick me up, so you try and start your day and end your day by ‘doing your rounds’ as you liked to say.

It really was a great distraction, and after about 15 minutes, you’re done and can hear James’ voice from downstairs. You rush down and try to act surprised when Melanie shows you the ring. “Oh. My. GODDDDDD! I’m so happy for you!” You’re not one to hug usually, but this was a situation that called for it.

“Yeah, I finally popped the question. I’m surprised she didn’t demand it years ago honestly.” James rubs the back of his head, and Melanie slaps him in the gut. “We both know why now shut up. Let Clair and I enjoy this.” Rubbing his stomach in defeat, you can’t help but laugh.

You remember when you first met James, online over a basic polling app you went on for kicks. He was only around 14 at the time, and had posted a poll asking about atheism, and you and he had a pleasant, albeit brief, exchange and things just seemed to snowball on and on from there. 7 years his senior, things got awkward from time to time, but as you grew closer you truly started to see one another as family, and as such he had a tendency to get on your nerves like family.

“Well I’m glad James didn’t forget anything important. Tell me everything! How amazing was last night? How’d he ask?” Melanie blushed beet red, and couldn’t seem to find her words for a moment. Surprised, you looked to James who grinned his awkward grin and said “Well… to tell the truth I may have went a bit overboard and only popped the question after she had a bit of an emotional episode.” God damnit. How does he manage to do this everytime something important happens?

You slap him in the shoulder “How the hell did you manage to screw up it further after almost leaving the ring here with me?”

Silence.

Oops.

“Eeep.” You throw your hands over your mouth as James puts his hands over his face. “He almost did what now?” You can’t tell if Melanie is just surprised, or is mad at all, and you can’t believe you let it slip that you knew about the proposal.

You can’t help but sit like a deer in headlights, hoping someone, anyone, will say something. You desperately want to take Melanie to the side and talk to her yourself, but you also want to know what her reaction was before you make it worse by apologizing for something that she finds no issue with. Melanie simply stares at nothing, as if looking at something really far away. You and James are both staring straight at Melanie, wondering what she’ll say.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, she speaks. “So, I don’t know why I was so surprised he told you, considering he can’t keep a secret, and it’s you. How much of last night was your idea Clair?” You still can’t tell if she’s upset, her voice was even, and her face is stone.

“None of it!!! I mean I baked some food, and I hid the ring over here, but the planning was all James I swear.” You’re telling the truth, but you want this conversation over with, and soon. Or, at least, you’d rather have this conversation one on one.

James cuts in finally “Baby, if you want to talk about this let’s do it back home. If you’re going to hit me I don’t think Clair really wants to see it.” While James can defuse most situations, you never enjoyed how he always seemed to rely on self-deprecation as an out, and he always seems to butt in at the wrong times.

“No we came here for two reasons, or so I thought. The first one was a waste, did you already bring up the second too?” You could tell by her tone Melanie was upset, but the more you thought about it, the less it made sense. She even admitted it shouldn’t have been a surprise, yet it was. What exactly happened last night? You wish James would simply say it so you can move on. James rubs the back of his head as he answers his fiancé.

“No, they have no idea what we’re about to ask.” Oh? Now there’s something interesting. “What exactly are you about to ask us?” you reply. There’s a brief pause before Melanie swats at James’ shoulder and he coughs before talking. “Well, you see, you have known me for a very long time and I think of you as family. We’ve always been especially close, and we thought it was only fitting to ask you to, well, be the godparent of our future children.”

Your jaw hangs open as you try and process what he just said. James’ hand shoots to the back of his head again as he senses the mood of the room shift once again, and surprisingly Melanie speaks first. “Yeah, and while I know if anything were to happen to us, the whole commune would pick up the slack and help give our kids the best life possible, I would really feel more comfortable leaving them in your hands, knowing you’d love them as much as we will.” Her mood seemingly brightened by the new topic, you can’t help yourself as the tears well up.

“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” You go in for a hug before she can turn you down. Your head sits comfortably on her breasts for quite a while as you hug her, and you hope she doesn’t mind. You hear her sigh as you maintain your hold “James, come join the hug before your sister squeezes me to ****.” He laughs as he moves in to join the moment.

You’re so happy you decided to start this commune with one of your best friends, and though you never wanted children yourself, knowing they trust you with there’s means all the more.

You managed to pull Melanie aside after some time, and apologized, but Melanie would hear none of it. “You did nothing wrong Clair. In fact, I’m glad you helped him because we both know how scatter-brained he can be, and if it weren’t for you the night may have gone poorly. I’m not mad, I promise. With you or James.” Satisfied with her answer, you return to the main group.

A while later they finally leave, you all shared some tea and talked about the future, but Melanie seemed insistent on leaving and the only reason she gave was “You’re paying up on your debt early mister” as she and James walked back towards their home. You’re not sure what that means, but you think all was smoothed over. Now that the emotional roller coaster was over, you went in search of your bong to get nice and high to help keep today as great of a day as it started.