Life As a Star
A Big Surprise
Niall’s View:
Claire and I sang a few more songs together while we were downstairs and in the mood. We played songs such as, Come Alive by Rachel Taylor, Someone like You by Adele, and A Thousand Years by Christina Perrie. There are few others that I liked, but those were my favorites. We now had left the piano room and were laying down in her basement on an extremely comfortable couch, the walk-out patio doors were letting in rays of sunshine that we gratefully soaked up as we chatted intimately about various subjects.
“Okay my turn,” Claire began her next curious question to find more out about me, “what is song reminds you the most of me?” I chuckled at her and away from her. I had to think only shortly as I remembered some certain lyrics from One Direction’s previous album.
“Little Things from our Take Me Home album, that’s the song that will always remind me of you, for a number of reasons.” I felt her grow still as she began singing the song quietly and slowly sang louder. I joined her in harmony as we lullabied ourselves to a peaceful moment of pure happiness.
“...and I’m in love with you, and all these little things.” I wrapped my arm around her stomach and pulled her close.
“Can I tell you something extremely important?” She twisted around to be facing me with a sweet, sincere smile.
“You can tell my anything.” I looked down dramatically just to freak her out. “What? What is it?” I took a deep breath and leaned in towards her ear.
“I’m hungry.” She broke out in a fit of giggles, as did I, and we slowly got up and went upstairs to join our friends. As we neared the bottom of the stair-steps I reached over and grabbed ahold of her left hand. I lifted it to my lips and kissed it softly to assure her that everything is going to be alright. We took one stair-step at a time until we got to the top and pushed the door open. Immediately, eight heads and 16 pairs of eyes turned our direction and we froze. Harry, Louis, Zayn, Liam, Jess, Justin, and another girl I’d never seen before. Just when it couldn’t get more crowded and exhausting we hear the doorbell ring. No one moved.
“Hello…” Claire broke the silence and I squeezed her hand in reply to her. Knowing what both of us had gone through in the past 72 hours, I wouldn’t be surprised if Claire didn’t want a bunch of people to talk to. I know she doesn’t want the attention or the pity; she seems to really hate pity.
“Claire, Niall!” The guys all came over and wrapped us up in a familiar hug. Claire just smiled and kept quiet. The awkwardness was sort of eating away at all of us.
“How are you feeling, both of you?” Liam put his hands on our outside shoulders.
“I’m hungry.” I retorted, which sort of broke the ice as they all chuckled at my usual response to any question of that type.
“Well then come eat alright, you look like the bloody ghost of a snowman.” Louis spoke rashly. I gave him an offended expression.
“You could’ve at least added bloody ghost of an Irish snowman.” They all laughed again, Claire even chuckled.
“Claire!” The girl that I didn’t know ran to Claire and threw her arms around her, which Claire generously accepted.
“It’s so nice to see you Alana, I feel like it’s been forever.” The girl, Alana, released Claire and gently moved some little hairs out of her eyes.
“Not forever dear, just too long.” I smiled at the way they talked, they must be really close. I heard another tumble of voices entering into the house and looked around the corner to see Justin, of the Bieber relation, walking through the foyer, taking off his shoes on the way in. Claire suddenly left the kitchen and ran to him.
“Justin!” His head snapped up and stood steadily as she ran into his arms for a hug.
“I’m so sorry Claire, I haven’t been here for you and I’m so sorry.” I broke from the guys who were still waiting to catch up with me and I walked to Justin.
“Forget it, you’re here now aren’t you?” He kissed her head and I felt myself cringe but I ignored the feeling and put my happy face on.
“JB how is it?” I approached him as he let go of Claire and we gave each other a short but firm hug. I left my arm on his shoulder in my comfortableness.
“Man, you’re looking scrawny dude. What are they feeding you out here, bread and water?” Claire chortled, as did I, and left his question to be unanswered.
“Thank you for stopping by, it was very nice of you. I think Jess was in the kitchen cooking so perhaps you’d like to stay for lunch?” Claire asked kindly. He accepted and she escorted him into the kitchen to chit-chat with Alana and the guys. I pulled Claire aside into the living room to talk to her but she took me on the back porch instead. I pushed two chairs together and we sat down with a “huff” and looked each other in the eyes, squinting in the perplexing sunlight.
“What’s up? I can tell something’s off, ya know, a little more off than the obvious.” She smiled slightly but looked down in embarrassment.
“I haven’t read it yet.” I thought for a minute about what she meant but I didn’t know.
“Read what exactly?” She held her fingers together and bit her lip nervously, which made me smile. She squirmed anxiously before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a folded envelope with her name scribbled across it. The faint memory of her supposed brother, Alex, had given it to her, claiming it was from her father. I would be nervous if I was her too but I was also anxious for her to read it, I could tell she was scared though.
“I’m scared that he wrote something I’m not ready to read. What if I’m not ready to read it Niall? I’m just not sure what to expect and it’s just too much…” She folded the envelope into a small square and I slowly reached over and touched her hand reassuringly.
“I know you, I know you pretty well. And I bet that you are scared, I’m scared for you. But I know that once you do something that you’ve set your heart to; you can complete it and usually have no regrets. Like the competition, I could tell you were dead scared on that stage. Heck, you didn’t even know you were going to sing but you did it anyway, and are you happy with your determination and accomplishments?” She nodded happily.
“Yes of course, absolutely.” I grabbed the envelope and unfolded it, handing it back to her after I pressed out the defined wrinkles as best as I could.
“Then open it and don’t have any regrets or guilt over it. The sooner you read it the better. If you need me to leave I can, if you want me to stay I will. What would you prefer?” She just gave me a look and that was all the answer I needed. I’d been with her through so much the past couple days and I’m going to be there for Claire as long as I can. But this letter that she got from her dad, that’s for her eyes and her eyes only. I kissed her head momentarily and hopped up. I reached the door and turned back one last time as I watched her start to rip away the paper seal and I darted inside to chat with our friends.
Claire’s View:
Niall was so right, all I had to do was set my heart to it without expectations and I would be alright. But as I pushed my finger through the soft crinkled paper I felt my heart beat quicken a thousand paces as I reached inside and pulled out a folded piece of paper. It was a letter, a long letter with at least 2 pages in handwriting. Before I even dared read the first word, I held the lined paper to my nose and if I wasn’t mistaken, a small scent of my dad still lingered behind on the dried ink. I smiled slightly as I held the paper up to my eyes and started reading this forgotten letter…
My dearest Claire,
I don’t expect you to understand why I wrote this letter, but I know in my heart that you’ll receive it gratefully anyway.
I guess I should start by commending you. Your whole life I pushed you and pushed you to be the best pianist you could ever be. I made you practice and practice until your fingers were numb and your hands were cramping. But no matter the pain you endured or the tiredness you felt, you kept going, for me, and that my darling has made me the proudest father in this world, by far. However, although my love for you can never be outdone, I know I will not always be there for you, and when the time comes years down the road when I pass, I want you to know something, something I’ve been keeping from you for too long: your mother.
After you were born, I came out with a new album to tour with and I had to leave you both behind for an entire year. And of course, the days I was able to go home, your mother and I spent our every moment entangled with one another and with you. At which time your mother found out she was pregnant again. Now I know what you’re thinking, but stay with me here because there’s a reason I hid this factor from you Claire.
Your mother, whose name is Anne, just so you know, she grew tired of me constantly leaving and said that raising a child completely by herself was already so hard, but to be pregnant with a second was too much to bare all alone. But I refused to leave my music. I was taught to try harder even when you think you’ve reached your best, so I abandoned my family for the sake of my musical career. Your mother left you with your Nan and Grandpa, and took your brother with her to God knows where. I got a call from her 8 months later saying that she’d given birth, it was July 16 1998. She named him Alex, after your great-grandfather. And Alex took her maiden name, Folven.
Now, assuming you’re the one reading this means that Alex has given this to you himself. Please Claire, love him with all your heart, mind, and soul as I did. He means so much to me, and it breaks my heart to think of all the years I wasted on my music to be better and in turn left my family behind. I don’t want you to repeat my mistake Claire. I know music is important to you, singing, piano, even the bit of guitar I taught you, those are all talents I want you to keep pursuing, and in time I know you will make a name for yourself. But no matter how big the numbers for your slammin’ new single, no matter how much fame you possess and how many fans are screaming your name at your 30th concert, never neglect your family, never leave them behind, not like I did. I hid them from you because I was afraid that you’d view me as a failure, and all I ever wanted was to be strong for you. I wanted to make up what I did to your mother by staying with you as often as I could, and I apologize for hiding this important mother figure from your life.
I’m sorry I couldn’t have spent more time with you Claire, as a father it was my duty and my responsibility and I failed miserably in doing so. But in my attempt to “win” back your favor, ;), I’m giving you a big present. Something that hopefully isn’t too out of your league, hopefully you’ll pass it on for generations and care for it with all your heart, just like your mother and I first did. Enjoy life my daughter, and love your family, and then love your music. I love you my sweet darling and I pray that you succeed in your life as I would’ve wanted you to. Stay strong!
Love Dad**
P.S. follow this address,
30 Hackney Pony Lane
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Words could not possess the feelings flowing in and out of me in that moment. I felt as if a thousand tasks filled my plate, but at the same time relief engulfed me completely and as I held the letter I got up and walked inside. My mouth open, re-reading every last word he so delicately wrote to me. I led myself to the kitchen where everyone sat around the bar eating sandwiches and fruit with bottles of water. Zayn, Liam, Louis, and Niall were chatting away while Harry, Alana, and Justin were talking up a storm over something important. Justin and Jess were by the stove talking softly. But as I entered the room everyone’s talk subsided and silence entrapped the area. I didn’t react at first but after realizing that they were noticing my utter shock I looked up from the crumpled paper with tears misting in my eyes.
“Claire?” Almost everyone spoke up at once, wondering what was wrong. But Niall was the first to come to my side and look into my eyes.
“He left me a house.” Niall shook his head in shock before blinking rapidly and looking back at me.
“What?” He seemed just as surprised as I was.
“He left me a house in South Carolina, my dad did. I think he wanted me to live there but I…I…” I felt a tear slip and it almost landed on the paper but Niall put his hand over the letter and caught the tear in his hand.
“That’s amazing Claire, isn’t that amazing…to you?” I nodded with a crease in my forehead, unsure if I had fully accepted the present in my mind yet or if I was still too shocked to comprehend everything I’d just read.
“I need you all to hear this, because what dad wrote mostly involved my family. And so far, I consider everyone in this room my family. It’s important to me that you know what his last thoughts were about family before he died.” I wiped off my eyes and unfolded the letter. Niall quickly pulled a small cushioned chair from the living from and we sat in it together, me on his lap. I cleared my throat and started from the beginning.
“My dearest Claire, I don’t expect you to understand why I wrote this letter, but I know in my heart that you’ll receive it gratefully anyway. I guess I should start by commending you. Your whole life I pushed you and pushed you to be the best pianist you could ever be. I made you practice and practice until your fingers were numb and your hands were cramping. But no matter the pain you endured or the tiredness you felt, you kept going, for me, and that my darling has made me the proudest father in this world, by far. However, although my love for you can never be outdone, I know I will not always be there for you, and when the time comes years down the road when I pass, I want you to know something, something I’ve been keeping from you for too long: your mother.
After you were born, I came out with a new album to tour with and I had to leave you both behind for an entire year. And of course, the days I was able to go home, your mother and I spent our every moment entangled with one another and with you. At which time we found out she was pregnant again. Now I know what you’re thinking, but stay with me here because there’s a reason I hid this factor from you Claire. Your mother, whose name is Anne, just so you know, she grew tired of me constantly leaving and said that raising a child completely by herself was already so hard, but to be pregnant with a second was too much to bare all alone.
But I refused to leave my music. I was taught to try harder even when you think you’ve reached your best, so I abandoned my family for the sake of my musical career. Your mother left you with your Nan and Grandpa, and took your brother with her to God knows where. I got a call from her 8 months later saying that she’d given birth, it was July 16 1998. She named him Alex, after your great-grandfather. And Alex took her maiden name, Folven. Now, assuming you’re the one reading this means that Alex has given this to you himself. Please Claire, love him with all your heart, mind, and soul as I did. He means so much to me, and it breaks my heart to think of all the years I wasted on my music to be better and in turn left my family behind. I don’t want you to repeat my mistake Claire.
I know music is important to you, singing, piano, even the bit of guitar I taught you, those are all talents I want you to keep pursuing, and in time I know you will make a name for yourself. But no matter how big the numbers for your slammin’ new single, no matter how much fame you possess and how many fans are screaming your name at your 30th concert, never neglect your family, never leave them behind, not like I did. I hid them from you because I was afraid that you’d view me as a failure, and all I ever wanted was to be strong for you. I wanted to make up what I did to your mother by staying with you as often as I could, and I apologize for hiding this important mother figure from your life.
I’m sorry I couldn’t have spent more time with you Claire, as a father it was my duty and my responsibility and I failed miserably in doing so. But in my attempt to “win” back your favor, ;), I’m giving you a big present. Something that hopefully isn’t too out of your league, hopefully you’ll pass it on for generations and care for it with all your heart, just like your mother and I first did. Enjoy life my daughter, love your family, and then love your music. I love you my sweet darling and I pray that you succeed in your life as I would’ve wanted you to. Stay strong! Love Dad, P.S. follow this address, 30 Hackney Pony Lane Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.”
By the end of my recitation, most in the room were sniffling, but especially Justina and Jess because they knew him as I did, like family. Niall coughed away his grief for me and held me closely in a comforting hug.
“What are you going to do?” JB asked. Everyone looked up at me expectantly but I had no response. I just shrugged my shoulder and left my mouth open; fighting for the right words to say, but Niall was thankfully there to help me out.
“We’re going to go there today.” Spun my head around, surprised at his confidence.
“What are you talking about, we can’t just leave in the middle of everything. We have to get our health back to normal and train for this competition, I mean the competition is hopefully back on for some time this week. What day is it anyway?” He stood up with me in his arms and carefully set me down on the ground.
“Today is a Friday, and we have the weekend to go check out this big surprise of yours, this house. What your dad says, you have to take it to heart more seriously than you already have. This present is just waiting for you Claire. We can’t keep it waiting any longer.” Everyone nodded in agreement and I was shocked at their willingness to let me leave the house, let alone the state, in my conditions.
“But what if…” Niall shoved his hand to my mouth carefully.
“No what if’s. We will take you to the hospital today to do one small check up, get your stitches out, check in on your Nan. While we’re doing that we’ll have the lads pack my bags and load the luggage, Jess and Alana can do your bags, and Justin and Justin can manage the finances and planning of it all. Sound good?” They all smiled happily for me and I could only copy their ecstatic reaction.
“I love you all so much, thank you.” They all “awed” as we gathered in a big group hug and waited a few minutes before releasing and getting to work.
Claire and I sang a few more songs together while we were downstairs and in the mood. We played songs such as, Come Alive by Rachel Taylor, Someone like You by Adele, and A Thousand Years by Christina Perrie. There are few others that I liked, but those were my favorites. We now had left the piano room and were laying down in her basement on an extremely comfortable couch, the walk-out patio doors were letting in rays of sunshine that we gratefully soaked up as we chatted intimately about various subjects.
“Okay my turn,” Claire began her next curious question to find more out about me, “what is song reminds you the most of me?” I chuckled at her and away from her. I had to think only shortly as I remembered some certain lyrics from One Direction’s previous album.
“Little Things from our Take Me Home album, that’s the song that will always remind me of you, for a number of reasons.” I felt her grow still as she began singing the song quietly and slowly sang louder. I joined her in harmony as we lullabied ourselves to a peaceful moment of pure happiness.
“...and I’m in love with you, and all these little things.” I wrapped my arm around her stomach and pulled her close.
“Can I tell you something extremely important?” She twisted around to be facing me with a sweet, sincere smile.
“You can tell my anything.” I looked down dramatically just to freak her out. “What? What is it?” I took a deep breath and leaned in towards her ear.
“I’m hungry.” She broke out in a fit of giggles, as did I, and we slowly got up and went upstairs to join our friends. As we neared the bottom of the stair-steps I reached over and grabbed ahold of her left hand. I lifted it to my lips and kissed it softly to assure her that everything is going to be alright. We took one stair-step at a time until we got to the top and pushed the door open. Immediately, eight heads and 16 pairs of eyes turned our direction and we froze. Harry, Louis, Zayn, Liam, Jess, Justin, and another girl I’d never seen before. Just when it couldn’t get more crowded and exhausting we hear the doorbell ring. No one moved.
“Hello…” Claire broke the silence and I squeezed her hand in reply to her. Knowing what both of us had gone through in the past 72 hours, I wouldn’t be surprised if Claire didn’t want a bunch of people to talk to. I know she doesn’t want the attention or the pity; she seems to really hate pity.
“Claire, Niall!” The guys all came over and wrapped us up in a familiar hug. Claire just smiled and kept quiet. The awkwardness was sort of eating away at all of us.
“How are you feeling, both of you?” Liam put his hands on our outside shoulders.
“I’m hungry.” I retorted, which sort of broke the ice as they all chuckled at my usual response to any question of that type.
“Well then come eat alright, you look like the bloody ghost of a snowman.” Louis spoke rashly. I gave him an offended expression.
“You could’ve at least added bloody ghost of an Irish snowman.” They all laughed again, Claire even chuckled.
“Claire!” The girl that I didn’t know ran to Claire and threw her arms around her, which Claire generously accepted.
“It’s so nice to see you Alana, I feel like it’s been forever.” The girl, Alana, released Claire and gently moved some little hairs out of her eyes.
“Not forever dear, just too long.” I smiled at the way they talked, they must be really close. I heard another tumble of voices entering into the house and looked around the corner to see Justin, of the Bieber relation, walking through the foyer, taking off his shoes on the way in. Claire suddenly left the kitchen and ran to him.
“Justin!” His head snapped up and stood steadily as she ran into his arms for a hug.
“I’m so sorry Claire, I haven’t been here for you and I’m so sorry.” I broke from the guys who were still waiting to catch up with me and I walked to Justin.
“Forget it, you’re here now aren’t you?” He kissed her head and I felt myself cringe but I ignored the feeling and put my happy face on.
“JB how is it?” I approached him as he let go of Claire and we gave each other a short but firm hug. I left my arm on his shoulder in my comfortableness.
“Man, you’re looking scrawny dude. What are they feeding you out here, bread and water?” Claire chortled, as did I, and left his question to be unanswered.
“Thank you for stopping by, it was very nice of you. I think Jess was in the kitchen cooking so perhaps you’d like to stay for lunch?” Claire asked kindly. He accepted and she escorted him into the kitchen to chit-chat with Alana and the guys. I pulled Claire aside into the living room to talk to her but she took me on the back porch instead. I pushed two chairs together and we sat down with a “huff” and looked each other in the eyes, squinting in the perplexing sunlight.
“What’s up? I can tell something’s off, ya know, a little more off than the obvious.” She smiled slightly but looked down in embarrassment.
“I haven’t read it yet.” I thought for a minute about what she meant but I didn’t know.
“Read what exactly?” She held her fingers together and bit her lip nervously, which made me smile. She squirmed anxiously before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a folded envelope with her name scribbled across it. The faint memory of her supposed brother, Alex, had given it to her, claiming it was from her father. I would be nervous if I was her too but I was also anxious for her to read it, I could tell she was scared though.
“I’m scared that he wrote something I’m not ready to read. What if I’m not ready to read it Niall? I’m just not sure what to expect and it’s just too much…” She folded the envelope into a small square and I slowly reached over and touched her hand reassuringly.
“I know you, I know you pretty well. And I bet that you are scared, I’m scared for you. But I know that once you do something that you’ve set your heart to; you can complete it and usually have no regrets. Like the competition, I could tell you were dead scared on that stage. Heck, you didn’t even know you were going to sing but you did it anyway, and are you happy with your determination and accomplishments?” She nodded happily.
“Yes of course, absolutely.” I grabbed the envelope and unfolded it, handing it back to her after I pressed out the defined wrinkles as best as I could.
“Then open it and don’t have any regrets or guilt over it. The sooner you read it the better. If you need me to leave I can, if you want me to stay I will. What would you prefer?” She just gave me a look and that was all the answer I needed. I’d been with her through so much the past couple days and I’m going to be there for Claire as long as I can. But this letter that she got from her dad, that’s for her eyes and her eyes only. I kissed her head momentarily and hopped up. I reached the door and turned back one last time as I watched her start to rip away the paper seal and I darted inside to chat with our friends.
Claire’s View:
Niall was so right, all I had to do was set my heart to it without expectations and I would be alright. But as I pushed my finger through the soft crinkled paper I felt my heart beat quicken a thousand paces as I reached inside and pulled out a folded piece of paper. It was a letter, a long letter with at least 2 pages in handwriting. Before I even dared read the first word, I held the lined paper to my nose and if I wasn’t mistaken, a small scent of my dad still lingered behind on the dried ink. I smiled slightly as I held the paper up to my eyes and started reading this forgotten letter…
My dearest Claire,
I don’t expect you to understand why I wrote this letter, but I know in my heart that you’ll receive it gratefully anyway.
I guess I should start by commending you. Your whole life I pushed you and pushed you to be the best pianist you could ever be. I made you practice and practice until your fingers were numb and your hands were cramping. But no matter the pain you endured or the tiredness you felt, you kept going, for me, and that my darling has made me the proudest father in this world, by far. However, although my love for you can never be outdone, I know I will not always be there for you, and when the time comes years down the road when I pass, I want you to know something, something I’ve been keeping from you for too long: your mother.
After you were born, I came out with a new album to tour with and I had to leave you both behind for an entire year. And of course, the days I was able to go home, your mother and I spent our every moment entangled with one another and with you. At which time your mother found out she was pregnant again. Now I know what you’re thinking, but stay with me here because there’s a reason I hid this factor from you Claire.
Your mother, whose name is Anne, just so you know, she grew tired of me constantly leaving and said that raising a child completely by herself was already so hard, but to be pregnant with a second was too much to bare all alone. But I refused to leave my music. I was taught to try harder even when you think you’ve reached your best, so I abandoned my family for the sake of my musical career. Your mother left you with your Nan and Grandpa, and took your brother with her to God knows where. I got a call from her 8 months later saying that she’d given birth, it was July 16 1998. She named him Alex, after your great-grandfather. And Alex took her maiden name, Folven.
Now, assuming you’re the one reading this means that Alex has given this to you himself. Please Claire, love him with all your heart, mind, and soul as I did. He means so much to me, and it breaks my heart to think of all the years I wasted on my music to be better and in turn left my family behind. I don’t want you to repeat my mistake Claire. I know music is important to you, singing, piano, even the bit of guitar I taught you, those are all talents I want you to keep pursuing, and in time I know you will make a name for yourself. But no matter how big the numbers for your slammin’ new single, no matter how much fame you possess and how many fans are screaming your name at your 30th concert, never neglect your family, never leave them behind, not like I did. I hid them from you because I was afraid that you’d view me as a failure, and all I ever wanted was to be strong for you. I wanted to make up what I did to your mother by staying with you as often as I could, and I apologize for hiding this important mother figure from your life.
I’m sorry I couldn’t have spent more time with you Claire, as a father it was my duty and my responsibility and I failed miserably in doing so. But in my attempt to “win” back your favor, ;), I’m giving you a big present. Something that hopefully isn’t too out of your league, hopefully you’ll pass it on for generations and care for it with all your heart, just like your mother and I first did. Enjoy life my daughter, and love your family, and then love your music. I love you my sweet darling and I pray that you succeed in your life as I would’ve wanted you to. Stay strong!
Love Dad**
P.S. follow this address,
30 Hackney Pony Lane
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Words could not possess the feelings flowing in and out of me in that moment. I felt as if a thousand tasks filled my plate, but at the same time relief engulfed me completely and as I held the letter I got up and walked inside. My mouth open, re-reading every last word he so delicately wrote to me. I led myself to the kitchen where everyone sat around the bar eating sandwiches and fruit with bottles of water. Zayn, Liam, Louis, and Niall were chatting away while Harry, Alana, and Justin were talking up a storm over something important. Justin and Jess were by the stove talking softly. But as I entered the room everyone’s talk subsided and silence entrapped the area. I didn’t react at first but after realizing that they were noticing my utter shock I looked up from the crumpled paper with tears misting in my eyes.
“Claire?” Almost everyone spoke up at once, wondering what was wrong. But Niall was the first to come to my side and look into my eyes.
“He left me a house.” Niall shook his head in shock before blinking rapidly and looking back at me.
“What?” He seemed just as surprised as I was.
“He left me a house in South Carolina, my dad did. I think he wanted me to live there but I…I…” I felt a tear slip and it almost landed on the paper but Niall put his hand over the letter and caught the tear in his hand.
“That’s amazing Claire, isn’t that amazing…to you?” I nodded with a crease in my forehead, unsure if I had fully accepted the present in my mind yet or if I was still too shocked to comprehend everything I’d just read.
“I need you all to hear this, because what dad wrote mostly involved my family. And so far, I consider everyone in this room my family. It’s important to me that you know what his last thoughts were about family before he died.” I wiped off my eyes and unfolded the letter. Niall quickly pulled a small cushioned chair from the living from and we sat in it together, me on his lap. I cleared my throat and started from the beginning.
“My dearest Claire, I don’t expect you to understand why I wrote this letter, but I know in my heart that you’ll receive it gratefully anyway. I guess I should start by commending you. Your whole life I pushed you and pushed you to be the best pianist you could ever be. I made you practice and practice until your fingers were numb and your hands were cramping. But no matter the pain you endured or the tiredness you felt, you kept going, for me, and that my darling has made me the proudest father in this world, by far. However, although my love for you can never be outdone, I know I will not always be there for you, and when the time comes years down the road when I pass, I want you to know something, something I’ve been keeping from you for too long: your mother.
After you were born, I came out with a new album to tour with and I had to leave you both behind for an entire year. And of course, the days I was able to go home, your mother and I spent our every moment entangled with one another and with you. At which time we found out she was pregnant again. Now I know what you’re thinking, but stay with me here because there’s a reason I hid this factor from you Claire. Your mother, whose name is Anne, just so you know, she grew tired of me constantly leaving and said that raising a child completely by herself was already so hard, but to be pregnant with a second was too much to bare all alone.
But I refused to leave my music. I was taught to try harder even when you think you’ve reached your best, so I abandoned my family for the sake of my musical career. Your mother left you with your Nan and Grandpa, and took your brother with her to God knows where. I got a call from her 8 months later saying that she’d given birth, it was July 16 1998. She named him Alex, after your great-grandfather. And Alex took her maiden name, Folven. Now, assuming you’re the one reading this means that Alex has given this to you himself. Please Claire, love him with all your heart, mind, and soul as I did. He means so much to me, and it breaks my heart to think of all the years I wasted on my music to be better and in turn left my family behind. I don’t want you to repeat my mistake Claire.
I know music is important to you, singing, piano, even the bit of guitar I taught you, those are all talents I want you to keep pursuing, and in time I know you will make a name for yourself. But no matter how big the numbers for your slammin’ new single, no matter how much fame you possess and how many fans are screaming your name at your 30th concert, never neglect your family, never leave them behind, not like I did. I hid them from you because I was afraid that you’d view me as a failure, and all I ever wanted was to be strong for you. I wanted to make up what I did to your mother by staying with you as often as I could, and I apologize for hiding this important mother figure from your life.
I’m sorry I couldn’t have spent more time with you Claire, as a father it was my duty and my responsibility and I failed miserably in doing so. But in my attempt to “win” back your favor, ;), I’m giving you a big present. Something that hopefully isn’t too out of your league, hopefully you’ll pass it on for generations and care for it with all your heart, just like your mother and I first did. Enjoy life my daughter, love your family, and then love your music. I love you my sweet darling and I pray that you succeed in your life as I would’ve wanted you to. Stay strong! Love Dad, P.S. follow this address, 30 Hackney Pony Lane Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.”
By the end of my recitation, most in the room were sniffling, but especially Justina and Jess because they knew him as I did, like family. Niall coughed away his grief for me and held me closely in a comforting hug.
“What are you going to do?” JB asked. Everyone looked up at me expectantly but I had no response. I just shrugged my shoulder and left my mouth open; fighting for the right words to say, but Niall was thankfully there to help me out.
“We’re going to go there today.” Spun my head around, surprised at his confidence.
“What are you talking about, we can’t just leave in the middle of everything. We have to get our health back to normal and train for this competition, I mean the competition is hopefully back on for some time this week. What day is it anyway?” He stood up with me in his arms and carefully set me down on the ground.
“Today is a Friday, and we have the weekend to go check out this big surprise of yours, this house. What your dad says, you have to take it to heart more seriously than you already have. This present is just waiting for you Claire. We can’t keep it waiting any longer.” Everyone nodded in agreement and I was shocked at their willingness to let me leave the house, let alone the state, in my conditions.
“But what if…” Niall shoved his hand to my mouth carefully.
“No what if’s. We will take you to the hospital today to do one small check up, get your stitches out, check in on your Nan. While we’re doing that we’ll have the lads pack my bags and load the luggage, Jess and Alana can do your bags, and Justin and Justin can manage the finances and planning of it all. Sound good?” They all smiled happily for me and I could only copy their ecstatic reaction.
“I love you all so much, thank you.” They all “awed” as we gathered in a big group hug and waited a few minutes before releasing and getting to work.
Notes
This chapter is so family orientated, it's a personal favorite i have to say. After everything Claire and Niall have gone through together, it only seems fitting that something good finally comes there way. The question is, what will Claire find in this house of hers? You'll have to wait for the update, you can expect it within the week :) Love to all.xx
~C.R.**
