Devotion to Danger

A Wish Come True

{Clara’s POV}

He kissed the top of my head and rubbed my back as I cried. “Yes.. you’re finally home.” He said, a choked sob escaping his throat. That’s when I knew, wholeheartedly that I was never going back to mom. I would be here for the rest of my life, with the family that truly loves me.

I sat up, smiling at my father, he looked so sick compared to the pictures that Adrien had sent me. “How are you feeling dad?” I asked.

He let out a long sigh. “I have good days and bad days.. but I’m not giving up. You know me, I’m a fighter. I do feel bad that Adrien has had to work so hard to be able to take care of me though.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Even putting me here in this wonderful hospital. He’s really been working hard, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.” He smiled softly. “He’s done so wonderful taking over the restaurant. He even got me a place here at the hospital so I didn’t have to get out too much, he knows how much it exhausts me.”

“Dad.. please.. tell me is there anything I can do?” I asked.

He shook his head. “No sweetie, you being here is more than enough. The treatment isn’t so bad, though I’m always sick, and of course the cold caps are terrible, but I’m fine.” He said, pulling my hand into his. “I’m just so glad to have my little girl back home!”

“I’m glad to be home too dad.. and don’t worry, I don’t plan on leaving, I’m home for good!” I said, catching him a bit by surprise.

“What about your mother?” He asked, looking over me.

I shook my head. “I’m not going back to her.. I’m staying right here with the people that I love, and that love me.”

“Is she really that bad?” He asked, looking between me and Adrien.

Adrien nodded. “From what Clara has told me, she seems worse than ever.”

Dad sighed, leaning back in his bed. “She always was a bit frantic..” He looked over to me. “What has she done?”

“Dad.. we shouldn’t get into this..” I answered, trying to redirect, but he cut me off.

“Clara, tell me.. please.” He said, his gaze filled with regret.

“She’s controlling.. I wasn’t able to have any friends.. or date.. I got fired from almost every job I had because she would follow me and scare off the customers at the restaurants and stores. She kept me trapped with her, took me out of school, and would hardly let me out of her sight.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I had no say in my own life.. no freedom, and I was always alone.”

He sat up, pulling me into his arms. “My poor girl, you don’t have to go back.. sounds to me that your mother lost the rest of her mind when she left. Your mother was always into the supernatural, she believed in everything no matter how insane. She saw a psychic once.. that woman told your mother that she saw a man, a man with blue eyes, eyes of crystal, who would one day cause your demise. Your mother swore that she’d never let that happen. She began trying to keep you away from people here, but I kept making it harder. Eventually she began seeing me as an enemy, as someone who wanted to do you harm. She packed up one night and left, leaving a note that she wouldn’t be back, and she was taking you with her. I tried to find you, find out where she’d taken you, but when you turned 18 and you contacted me, that’s when I realized she made it to another country, and that’s why I could never find you.” He sighed, kissing the top of my head as he held me in a tight hug. “I didn’t want to worry you with your mother’s ways, that’s why I haven’t said anything.. you never said much about how your mother was either.. I guess we were both avoiding it for different reasons. I’m so sorry honey.. I should’ve done more..” he choked, his voice sounding broken.

I pulled back and looked up at him. “Dad, it’s okay, I’m home now, and none of that matters anymore. I’m never going back, I’ll always be here, right here with you, from now on.” I smiled softly. “So instead of focusing on all of the bad, let’s focus on the good times ahead!”

“Right!” Adrien said, walking over. “Like tonight, I invited some friends over, some from when we were kids, and of course I invited the Nikolai’s.” He smiled. “It’ll be good for you to do things like go to parties, and have fun, just letting go!” He said.

Dad spoke up. “I agree, so you better have a great time, for me!” He said, smiling.

I nodded. “Alright, I will, but for now, can we just stay like this? Talk, maybe order some food, and possibly watch a movie like when we were little?” I asked, looking between dad and Adrien.

“That sounds perfect sweetie.” Dad said, looking to Adrien. “What do we want to eat kids?”

“Pizza, from dad’s restaurant!” I smiled, looking over at Adrien.

“I’ll order all of our favorites! I’ll make sure to get extra sauce on the side for the stuffed crust!” He laughed, walking out of the room and calling in the order.

“I’m so glad you’re back home Clara.” Dad said, pulling me into another hug. “I just can’t get over it, I’ve been wishing you’d come back all these years, and here you are! Thank you, for making your old man’s wish come true.”