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[sub]A collab between [@SouffleGirl123] & [@HaleyTheRandom]; Featuring [color=DC143C]Miles Price[/color] & [color=c4df9b]Claire Montgomery[/color][/sub][/center]

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Miles walked to the front door of the ranch, the evening breeze feeling chilly on his skin. He couldn’t work out why it felt so cold, was it preparing for the approaching Winter or the nervousness he held. Sure, it was normal for one to feel nervous when directly spending time with their girlfriend’s mother but Claire Montegomery was his godmother, that woman helped raise him until her supposed death. So why did the air feel so heavy? Hell, why was he even scared?

He contemplated turning around and just going back home. Make some excuse about having a meeting with an overseas client and bottle the stress for another day but he knew his mother wouldn’t allow that. Instead he knocked at the ranch door and braced for impact. Once upon a time Miles would have swung the door open and walked in like he owned the place but he was trying very hard to climb back into John’s good graces, even if he wouldn’t be around at this moment to impress.

Claire had spent every waking moment since her return looking after her family - just as she had always done. Both her father and daughter had seemed to manage without her, but she couldn’t help but notice all of the small things that needed to be cleaned and tidied around the house. Nor could she ignore the massive amounts of paperwork that were piling up in the office. John could play the role of tough man all he wanted to; Claire knew he was struggling. There wasn’t anything putting the ranch at risk - at least not for now - but someone had to get a move on signing shit. 

Now taking her turn sitting at the head of the kitchen table, Claire was doing just that. Multiple papers and files laid spread out before her, reading glasses perched on the bridge of her nose. Hearing the knock at the door, Claire did what any other person would do and answered it. 

[color=c4df9b]”Miles!”[/color] she greeted the young man rather cheerfully. [color=c4df9b]”Come on in.”[/color] Turning to move back across the room, she asked: [color=c4df9b]”The drive over wasn’t too bad, I hope?”[/color]

If Miles was being honest, the last thing he expected on his next visit to the ranch was a warm welcome from anyone but Lilith but there one was. [color=DC143C]”Claire,”[/color] he greets the woman smoothly before following her back into the house. Her cheeriness definitely alleviated some of the nerves that beat at him but there was still some uneasiness that lingered within him. Miles figured it was just some tension from the dinner earlier that week and hoped it’d leave him soon, he hated feeling out of place in what was essentially his second childhood home. 

At her question he gave a nod of his head. [color=DC143C]”Nah, not bad at all. How are you adjusting to not being dead anymore?”[/color]

[color=c4df9b]”It’s interesting,”[/color] the woman replied, pursing her lips as she sat back down. [color=c4df9b]”I’ve missed a decent chunk of everyone's lives. Country music ain’t the same no more. You can’t hang up on anyone properly anymore because phones ain’t made to give you that satisfying ‘click’ when they close anymore. Target’s taken over everything. No one makes their coffee at home anymore. I swear Little Debbie cakes got smaller - but at least ol’ Jack Daniels is still the same,”[/color] she sighed, reaching for the bottle that seemed to stay on the Montgomery table these days. [color=c4df9b]”Want a drink?”[/color] 

[color=DC143C]”Please,”[/color] Miles replies, loosening the tie around his neck and taking a seat of his own. He watched as the woman poured them both a drink. Part of him was still trying to process the fact that she was really here in front of him. She looked exactly the same as she remembered her, almost eerily so. [color=DC143C]”Don’t mean to press any sore spots but did it feel like 10 years in the astral plane?”[/color]

Throwing her feet up onto the corner of the table, Claire took a sip of her drink before speaking. [color=c4df9b]”Time’s weird there,”[/color] she replied, looking off into the distance. [color=c4df9b]”Sometimes it would feel like five minutes, others would feel like an eternity. I was able to keep an eye on all of you from time to time, but it was hard. I’m not even sure if Astral Plane is the right word for it. It was something… in between. Cordelia could visit me, but not vice versa.”[/color] 

Taking another drink, she studied the boy for a moment as he sat there in his business suit. [color=c4df9b]”What’s this fancy job you got now that I keep on hearin’ about?”[/color]  

Miles was halfway through taking his first sip of his drink as Claire talked about her time in the astral plane, namely that she’d been occasionally keeping an eye on them. It took all it had in him to not choke on the whiskey in his throat. How much had she seen? [color=DC143C]”Oh, and- uh- what did you see?”[/color] he asks, taking another sip in an attempt to cover up the nervousness on his face. Miles did tend to have a good poker face in times like these, accompanied by the fact he was hardly all that nervous, but there was something about Montgomerys that made it hard for him to keep that cover. Maybe it was the fact they were so close to him for so long he knew they knew him too well to be able to hide much, not to mention their divination being able to pick up what the human aspect missed.

He slumped back in his seat, making himself comfortable, at least being around Claire was a lot more comfortable than her father. As she mentions his job Miles gives her a half smile. [color=DC143C]”I work in HR. Ma says she never thought I’d end up behind a desk. I guess she's got a point but I’m good at talking, I guess it just felt like a good option. Wanna give her a better life, y’know?”[/color] Miles replies with a shrug before taking another sip of his whiskey.

Claire thought for a moment, wondering which memories to share with him. There were a lot of private moments she had happened to stumble upon, but nothing to scaring for anyone involved. [color=c4df9b]”Just random things,”[/color] she responded, ever so slightly blowing his question off in the process. [color=c4df9b]”Mostly just Lilly.”[/color] 

Listening to the young man speak, she continued to observe him. It was almost freakish how much time had passed - at least in her mind. She still imagined Miles as a little boy. He had barely just entered his teenage years before she had disappeared. Now he was sitting here looking more like her younger brother than her godson. A small smile played at the corners of Claire’s lips as she heard Miles’s last comment. 

[color=c4df9b]”Me and your mom had this dream of a commune one time,”[/color] she laughed. [color=c4df9b]”Figured we could start with the ranch, and then grow from there. Then life got in the way of things.”[/color] Claire knocked back what little was left of the alcohol in her glass before pouring herself another drink. She left the cap off for Miles, a clear signal for him to help himself. 

[color=c4df9b]”Now that we have the small talk out of the way,”[/color] Claire sighed again, resituating herself as she did so. [color=c4df9b]”I reckon’ I should tell you I brought you here to talk about Lilith - but you probably already knew that part.”[/color] 

As Claire talked of her and her mother’s old plans Miles couldn’t help but chuckle, finishing off his whiskey. [color=DC143C]”That definitely sounds like the two of you. I guess it almost felt like one between our house and the ranch sometimes,”[/color]

That was when Claire moved to her next topic of conversation. Miles tensed up a bit, squirming in his seat to sit more upright. He knew this was coming. He snatched the whiskey off the table and helped himself to another glass, he would definitely need it now. He gave a nod in response while taking a quick sip of his newly-filled cup. Was it just him or was it getting warmer in the room? [color=DC143C]”I did have my suspicions- yeah,”[/color] he clarifies softly.

Watching him squirm where he sat, Claire's previous smile seemed to vanish. She was used to putting the fear of whatever god there was into men - but she didn’t want that from Miles. [color=c4df9b]”Relax kid,”[/color] she half-way joked. [color=c4df9b]”Ain’t nothin’ to fear ‘cept for the repercussions of your own actions.”[/color] Taking another drink, she took a moment to figure out how to articulate her thoughts. [color=c4df9b]”One thing that I remember seeing was the night Lilith… had her breakdown, if you will. Now let me start by saying that absolutely [i]no one[/i] blames you for that, Miles. Shit happens and we can’t predict how others will react to the choices we chose to make. But… she tried to call you that night. I don’t know if you put two and two together from all the missed calls or not - but she did try to reach out. I’m not blaming you for that night, but I do have to ask why you left my girl alone in the first place.”[/color] 

Miles gave an audible sigh, leaning back into his chair. He didn’t remember much of that night when the calls came flooding in. He remembered seeing the first few and figuring Lilith wanted to pick up where they left off- whether it be in the harsh fight they had the day earlier or in their relationship that had recently ended. From there he ended up getting black out drunk, a worse state than usual in an attempt to ignore the pain and woke up to more missed calls than he could imagine. One of his biggest regrets was not picking up that phone. That was the first major moment he failed to be there. He’d talked her off so many cliffs in the past but the worse one was the one he missed. 

Miles took a moment to collect his thoughts and figure out how to word his answer. [color=DC143C]”I guess I was scared,”[/color] he responds, his voice low and small as he tries to fight off the waves of emotions that accompanied that memory. [color=DC143C]”I mean, at first I just expected her to get on the phone and yell at me off the heels of a fight we had earlier and when I realised I was probably wrong…”[/color] he readjusts himself in his seat again, slumping forward and taking a sip of his whiskey. [color=DC143C]”I don’t know how much you know about what we were like then but we weren’t good for each other, I was the last person she wanted to see the last time I saw her before those calls. I guess I was scared I was just gonna make it worse.”[/color] Miles’ eyes pointed at the ground, unable to meet Claire’s as the shame overtook him at that moment. He takes another sip of whiskey to close himself out.

Watching and listening as Miles spoke, it was easy to see how sincere he was being. Claire didn’t have to study the boy to know he was telling the truth though. Ever since he was little, it seemed that Miles was unable to lie to his godmother. He had wiggled himself out of many instances with his mother, but he had rarely been able to do the same with herself. It seemed that fact was still proving true. 

[color=c4df9b]”I get it,”[/color] was all she had to say for a moment, letting their words settle into the air. [color=c4df9b]”It’s a weird thing having that Carlisle boy’s memories,”[/color] she mused. [color=c4df9b]”I know the things that Lilith has told him, but I still don’t really know the full story. I suppose it’s not really my place [i]to know[/i]. She mentioned something about you two getting back together the other day? We had to keep the conversation a little hush-hush. Didn’t want John to hear, ya know?”[/color] 

Miles pursed his lips as she spoke. The fact that Claire had Carlisle’s memories concerned him. There were a lot of things in that memory bank of Carlisle’s that probably weren’t the best to share with his godmother. [color=DC143C]”I suppose if you got Carlisle’s memories floating up there you know a good gist of the story. I’m a bit surprised John hasn’t made a fuss about it yet,”[/color] he replies, taking another sip of his whiskey. At the mention of the result of his and Lilith’s catch up at the bar a couple of days prior a small smile spread on his face. Now that was a better memory. [color=DC143C]”We did. Just trying to figure out how long I’ll make it before John mounts my head on a pike,”[/color] he half-jokes.

Pressing the glass to her lips once more, a small smirk appeared on Claires face as she spoke. [color=c4df9b]”That’s because he doesn’t know yet. And what you don’t know can’t hurtchya. Though I’m sure he has strong suspicions.”[/color] Shuffling around some of the papers on the table, Claire began to make neat stacks out of the various files and pages before her. [color=c4df9b]”’Sides. He’s not the one you need to worry about,”[/color] she quickly added. [color=c4df9b]”He still considers you family. Not quite sure if he wants you and Lilith to be a thing, but he’ll respect it in his own way. Now Lilly herself on the other hand…”[/color] Claire chuckled, slightly wincing as one of Carlisle's most recent memories rose to the surface. [color=c4df9b]”That girl knows how to swing.”[/color] 

When Claire mentioned John still seeing Miles as family the boy couldn't help the snicker that escaped his lips. [color=DC143C]”I think I lost all rights to being seen as family the day I broke it off with Li. Probably earlier than that really,"[/color] he replies, downing the rest of his glass and placing it onto the table.  [color=DC143C]”Do you have the memory of her hitting Car with a tequila bottle?"[/color] Miles asks before sinking bad into his seat. 

In this moment he'd once again felt comfortable in the Montgomery ranch, the fear and unease he'd felt washed away. Truly he was expecting Claire to interrogate him about every little wound he'd given to her daughter. He'd deserve that talk but being off the hook felt good. [color=DC143C]”Must be weird having someone else's memories. Do you get all the feelings too just the visuals?"[/color]

Pursing her lips once more, Claire began to ponder what Miles was saying. She reckoned he had every right to come to the conclusion that he did - but Claire also firmly believed that Miles was one of the very many stand-in sons that John had ‘adopted’. Facts aside, she wasn’t about to sit here and inflate Miles’s ego with such a thing. He had hurt Lilith badly - everyone knew that - but it was childish to worry over and blame people for things that happened years ago. 

[color=c4df9b]”Visuals and emotions,”[/color] Claire responded, now finishing off the rest of her drink. [color=c4df9b]”I can picture the memory in my head, and I can sense the emotions around me - or him - and I can feel what he’s feeling. The whole tequila thing is very vivid - the whole party is, honestly. At least from Carlisle's point of view.”[/color] Filling her cup once again, Claire continued to speak. [color=c4df9b]”He’s an interesting being, that boy. Can’t seem to take the hint about anything, always seems to think he’s helping when he’s clearly not. I’m not even sure where to begin to describe how he feels about Lilly. Shit makes me want to gag, honestly.”[/color] 

Miles only gives a thoughtful [color=DC143C]”Hmm,"[/color] as Claire recounts her experience with Carlisle's memories. As interesting as it would be to explore his friend's mind, the last thing he'd want is constant exposure to his past to that degree. [color=DC143C]”Honestly, Carlisle is probably the only person that party was vivid for,"[/color] he muses, mainly to himself. 

As Claire complains about Carlisle's feelings Miles couldn’t help but chuckle. Lilith and her mother truly were cut from the same cloth. [color=DC143C]”I suppose I can't really say anything about the feeling side, might come out a bit too hypocritical."[/color]

[color=c4df9b]”I beg to differ,”[/color] Claire responded, shaking her head. [color=c4df9b]”I suppose he does love her, in his own way, and he does seem to want the best for her.”[/color] Her brow furrowed, the blonde tilting her head to the left ever so slightly as she concentrated. [color=c4df9b]”I don’t like the way he seems to see her as his. I could be wrong about that, but that’s at least what it seems like to me. This whole ‘it’s my turn. You’re supposed to be with me’ shit is a little… strange.”[/color] 

[color=c4df9b]”Anyway,”[/color] she sighed, drinking more of her whiskey. [color=c4df9b]”I reckon it’s not a problem so long as he isn’t a little asshole anymore.”[/color] 

[color=DC143C]”Yeah, I get that,"[/color] Miles muses, leaning forward in his seat and wringing his hands. No matter what was said between the pair, Miles couldn’t shake the feeling of unease the knowledge that woman could vividly picture Carlisle memories of him. Memories of him easing Carlisle's mind at parties by telling him him and Lilith were casual to college days of kicking the man out of their dormroom so he could entertain his latest hook up. He knew those members probably painted him in a dark light  

[color=DC143C]”Look,"[/color] he sighs, [color=DC143C]”There's probably some memories up there that I… or probably neither of us want you having so if there's some sort of brain bin you could just chuck 'em into, that'd be great."[/color]

[color=c4df9b]”Happily,”[/color] Claire laughed. [color=c4df9b]”Like I’ve said Miles - the past is the past. You don’t have to worry about me hanging it over your head.”[/color] Continuing to shuffle through the papers now, Claire let the silence fill the room as she continued to occasionally take a drink from her glass. 

[color=c4df9b]”I do have to ask one thing of you though,”[/color] she began, her eyes moving up from the table to meet his. [color=c4df9b]”Don’t hurt her. And I know that it’s a dumb thing to ask of you, because that’s what people do - they hurt other people with the choices they chose to make, even unintentionally. All I’m asking for you is to not hurt her [i]intentionally[/i].”[/color] 

At her request the young man nods his head. [color=DC143C]”I'm trying, Claire. I promise,"[/color] he replies simply before giving a deep sigh. [color=DC143C]”I really do want to be better,"[/color]

Hearing Miles’s words, Claire's expression softened as she gave him a sympathetic smile. [color=c4df9b]”You already are, kiddo.”[/color] With a sigh, Claire took a large sip of her drink before reaching for a pack of her cigarettes. [color=c4df9b]”Now you might wanna go on and git before they get back from doin’ the evenin’ rounds. Still need to give John the news and all that jazz. I got some leftovers you can take your momma on the way out.”[/color] 

[color=DC143C]”Yeah, you're right,"[/color] Miles muses, pushing himself up and out of the chair, readjusting his tie in the process. He hadn't imagined this talk going as well as it did but he was glad for it, thankful even. Her mention of leftovers took him back to days when Claire would cram his overnight bag full of food and supplies and would convince a young Miles to play 'spy' to sneak money from Claire into his mum's possession without her realising. Simpler times in some ways. [color=DC143C]”Thanks Claire, for everything. I think having you back has been good for Lil,"[/color] he says. 

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