Chapter 5: Fire Storm

This day started just like so many others before it, with Clover in front of the computer the sun had gone up and she had yet to go to sleep. Ellie had gone to school already and outside the waterslide that she finally got her was waiting for her return.

'And so, Mary Hawrne, had concurred yet another heart and broken it just as fast, all in the light of the paparazzi'

Clover finished the last sentence of yet another blog update, her smart phone had been vibrating all night. Apparently there was some big thing going on in the City and she was the one who had to keep the blog updated. Yes, she was still a celebrity blogger but with more pay this time. Clover stretched out her aching body and got up, headed to the kitchen for a cup of extra strong coffee. She finished downing two cups before Liana showed up to drive her to work.

"Come on! We are going to be late" She yelled from the open car window.

-------------------------

Ellie entered her after school activity,ballet. She rolled her eyes, her mothers idea. She liked it thought, it kept her away from her house, she wouldn't be alone here. But like everything else, this class also came to an end. She got her phone up, the GPS pulsated on her location, she moved the map and found the street she was looking for.
Ellie wasn't born yesterday, and she wasn't a kid anymore. She had figured out who her father was, Michael Murray, now a famous photographer. The address was easy to get after that she got his name. She got on her bike and headed north, the sun was setting and it was getting pretty late. Her pocket begun to vibrate, the familiar screeching horror noise, a ringtone she had set for her mother.

"Yeh" Ellie answered, looking around, she was close now.

"Ellie! Where are you?!" Her mother sounded worried, was she home early? Ellie thought, goddamn her luck.

"I'll be home soon mom, I..uhm, I got stuck talking to eh a girl from ballet class" She lied, there were no girls in ballet class, it was basically only her there, and the teacher.

"Oh" her mother paused, did she buy it? "Well, hurry home okey? I have to head out soon again, I hoped I could hang out with you a little"

Of course, work and more of it. Ellie sighed

"mm kay mom" she was so tired of this.

"I left some food on-" clover continued, but Ellie hung up.

"I don't care about your stupid food!" She yelled at the phone, the call already over.

She was hoping her father might be different, maybe he had time for her. He could talk to her when she needed to tell someone about her day. He could comfort her with the kids in school were mean to her, he could explain why he left them. He was probably very important, that he had to go away for a little while.

Her mother hadn't explained much about what had happened between them, just that he prioritized other things in life. Maybe he just didn't love her vacant mother, she understood that. Because he wouldn't just leave her? would he? its not like she wasn't important to him, he loved her right?

She walked up to the house that the GPS told her would be the home of her father.
It didn't look like much, she thought. It looked like no one was home though.
Should she just ring the doorbell, would he recognized her? She had overheard her mother talk to aunt Li about how her eyes were her fathers. Would he hug her and welcome her home?

Ellie gulped and walked up to the window, she had brought Patches with her. The only real friend she had, she hugged him close as she peeked in to the window. In to her fathers living room.

Dark, empty, he wasn't home. For some reason this felt good, she wasnt sure she was ready to be rejected again, not by her father.

"We'll come back some other time.." she whispered to her friend. "Maybe he'll home then."

Ellie felt the cool wind blow against her, it was getting really late and she figured her mom was already out again. She sighed, got back on her bike and headed home. At least now she knew where her father lived. She just wasn't sure what he looked like. Ellie hoped she would be more courageous next time.

-------------------------

Clover didn't like the phone call she had with Ellie, she knew her daughter was drifting away from her. She just didn't know what to do, talking didn't seem to work. It just upset Ellie more, as if she got angry at her efforts to trying to be a good mother. Clover tried to focus as she made her way to "The barn" some sort of underground club, she had agreed to appear there and have some drinks for money. She felt dirty, doing these kinds of things for money. But she was late with the bills this month so this needed to be done, she could only hope that Ellie would understand.

This continued to take place though, doing some appearances for money, it was getting to her.

She had also found out that Travis had finally become a father, she was happy for him. He was basically ecstatic, she was an adorable little toddler. However Clover couldn't hide the fact that her heart was slightly broken when she had found out and it caused her to basically avoid Travis and his family. As much as she could anyways, since Liana was her co-worker, she hadn't seen her much lately due to maternity leave and Clover dove head first in to more work.

Despite all of this, she found herself on her porch with Travis late at night now days. It had started a few weeks back. For some reason Travis and Lianas relationship had gotten pretty unsteady and Travis escaped the pressures at home next to Clover. Their children got a long well or so it seemed, Ellie wasnt so happy with sharing her toys.

"I don't know whats going on Clove" Travis begun. "It's like she just hates me these days, like I've single handedly stopped her career and her social life. Ever since she gave birth to Becka shes been miserable and its apparently my fault." He looked over at Becka and smiled. "Don't get me wrong though, Li loves Becka, its just.. I don't know.."

"It's not you Travis, just let her deal with this. Be there and support her, I'm sorry I cant be of much help." She tried, she honestly didn't know what to tell him. She had tried talking to Liana herself, but it was as if she was a part of the problem as well. Maybe she wasn't so happy that Travis escaped to her home.

"I can't say I know how it is to have a supportive dad around" she smiled at him, she couldnt help it. There was something between them no matter how hard she tried to fight it, she just wanted to touch him, kiss him. But it was wrong! so she looked away.

"Thanks" Travis murmured. "It couldn't have been easy, raising Ellie alone." He continued, looking at her with something different in his eyes. Clovers heart began beating a little faster. "You're amazing Clove, I've always thought you were amazing. You'd do anything for Ellie and even though you work so hard you're always there for your friends." He smiled and moved closer to her, his hand was just inches away from hers. She could feel the heat of him burning her skin, his lips looked soft and inviting and she had to tell herself to stop staring at them. His lips parted and she felt her self leaning in towards him.

"I.." he begun, he was inches away from her now. She could feel his hot breath against her tongue.

"Mom!" Ellie yelled "Can you tell Becka to stop stealing my toys! uggh.. kids" she muttered.

The interruption broke the moment she had with Travis, she sighed.
"S-Share your toys Ellie, its not nice to fight" she scolded and tried to recover her calm.

Travis got up and picked his daughter up off the grass.
"I should get this little lady home, It's getting late." he grinned towards Ellie and ran his hands through her hair messing it up, he looked over at Clover and his eyes were apologetic.

"aww, come on Uncle Trav, Stay! We can play with the water slide some more!" Ellie pleaded while she stuck her tongue out to Becka. "But you can take her home if you want."

"Sorry kiddo, gotta go" he headed home, leaving Ellie pouting on the grass. "See yah later Clover"

-------------------------

Some hours later Clover and Ellie got ready for bed. She kissed her daughter on the forehead and wished her a goodnight sleep.

"I miss uncle Trav" she mumbled before she drifted off to sleep. "I know baby... Me too" Clover whispered.

As she undressed and got ready for sleep herself, she heard noises outside her window.
"ugh-oh" a huge splashing sound and some deep giggling. A man, a man who was stumbling over the water slide. Travis? she wondered. The back door opened, she hadn't locked it! She panicked slightly.

Her room door opened and there he was, Travis, drunk.

"Hey, there you are..." he looked out towards the window. "That watershlide is azum! just... the ground ish hard. You know?" he walked towards her. He didnt seem too drunk, just a bit tipsy.

"Travis, What- I'm.." She tried to covered herself as she was only in her underwear.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, embarrassed.

"We had a fight" he sighed. "and I headed out with some friends, got some drinksh" he grinned. "I needed to talk to you"

"Well, ugh, I'm sorry to hear that" she wasn't sorry at all and she felt bad for it. "Do you mind though?" she hinted at her arms around her body.

"Oh!" he mumbled and actually looked at her since he got there. "Oh....." he continued.

Clover blushed and the familiar burning feelings begun to rise within her.

"Clover..." he moved in closer to her, his voice was deep, husky, irresistible.

She walked up to him, put her hand on his naked chest, it was so smooth and warm. The fire in her trashed, but she was going to control it.

"No." She said firmly "We cannot do this, you're drunk. Lia-" she continued.

"Clover..." Travis interrupted her. "I know. I didn't come here to try to sleep with you." He was inches away from her. The trashing fire licked the inside of her skin, trying to burst out, it was painful to be this close to him yet so far apart.

"I just wanted to see you." He spoke softly, he reached around her to embrace her in a hug that was going to push her over the edge. But he fumbled with his feet, lost his balance and pushed them both on top of her bed.

Panic struck her at the same time as the fire raged inside her. His chest was against hers, his skin was pressed against hers, his lips inches away from hers. His gaze was locked on hers, they were frozen, but for only a moment. With a snarl ripping through him he kissed her, he pressed his soft lips against hers with passion,their tongues intertwined as the flames inside of her engulfed them both.

Clover didn't care anymore, for years she had wanted him, for years they had teased each other, forbidden to touch only to look, only to crave. His hands were allover her now, just like she had always wanted, she felt guilty. As they slipped under the covers the voice in the back of her head was worried about what was to come but Travis lips on her neck shut the little voice up.

They didn't stop, the fire was only but ember now and then sun was rising, yet they couldn't stop.

Chapter 4: Changes

Clover was slowly realizing that the house was actually hers, the decor was god awful in her book, but that could easily be fixed. Well, if she had the funds, which she didn't.
Between paying back the money to Travis, since she insisted on it being done regardless what Travis said, and putting food on the table, it was hard to get anything else done.

Ellies room was something Clover did not neglect, she had all the toys she could possibly need. Most of them gifts from Travis and Liana, Clover smiled at the thought of the two. They had helped a lot. Clover had managed to snag a promotion to Celebrity blogger, not something she was overly proud of doing but it brought home cash and that's what she needed. She had also finally finished a book she had started about her first boss from her home town. It had somehow become a modest success, which is basically why they still have the house they life in.

Travis had told her about this library close to her home and advised her to check it out. Which of course she did. However one day when she was on her way to get some work done, since she didn't own a computer at home, she stumbled on a familiar face deeply buried in a thick book.

"Travis, didn't expect to see you here" she said, Ellie turned around in her arms.

"wunkle twavis" she squealed and reached her chubby little hands towards him.

Travis looked up and quickly put away the book, he looked slightly startled.

"Elliekins!" he got up and began tickling her softly which resulted in Ellie squealing in laughter. "Hey Clover, what brings you here at this hour." It was pretty late, but with a small child that rarely matters when it comes to sleep.

"Nothing much, just needing to finish up on some work, to get some books looked up" she lied about the last part since Travis would probably offer to buy her a computer. Where was he getting all this money anyways.

"Oh I see, well there's plenty of those here" he looked around nervously.

"What are you up to...Travis" Clover was suspicious now.

"Nothing" he laughed and leaned back on the couch he was sitting in, the book he had been reading fell down on the floor exposing its cover. 'A strange story, by Clover Darkmedow'

"You're reading my book?" Clover was confused "why are you so weirded out about that? If you wanted to read one I could of just send you a copy, signed" she added with a wink.

"I'm not wierded out, what, what are you talking about" He put his focus on Ellie to get away from Clovers prying gaze. "Look, she wants to go down." he was right, Ellie was squirming her way out of her mothers arms.

Clover sighed and put her daughter down. "Stay in sight, okey?" she told her.

"Look Clover, I don't know why I'm acting weird. Maybe I just wanted to pick your brain without you knowing it." he admitted, surprised by his own honesty it seemed by the look on his face. "Ehm.."

Clover blushed, why was this so hard, why was he dating her best friend. Travis looked like he was in physical pain. She understood, if he were to leave Liane for her nothing would work anyways. There was nothing neither of them could do.

"So ehm." Travis put a smile on his face. "I heard Ellie has taken her first steps"
Travis was sweet, he always wanted everything to be good. He cared deeply for Ellie, maybe he wanted children of his own. She wondered why they weren't trying.
"Yeah, It was amazing. She took a few stumbling steps, to what i thought was me, but she passed me and stumbled head first in to that toy create you got her." she laughed.

"I wish I could of recorded it. It was priceless."

"Wow, that sure sounds like Ellie" Travis looked over at the baby, who was gnawing on some books. "Was she okey though?"

"Well, after she hit her head on the fall in to the crate, which followed by a concert of crying and screaming, she was fine." Clover put a hand on Travis shoulder who didn't look convinced. "She was and is fine, just some kisses on that bruise and maybe a cookie or two and she wanted to walk around the house for the rest of the night."

They continued talking about Ellies antics until little Ellie fell asleep in Travis arms, Clover called it a night and headed home. They agreed that Clover would send both Travis and Liane signed copies of her book. Travis didn't look overly thrilled about the idea but he didnt argue.

----------------------

Eventually Ellie had grown out of her cot, time flies when you're buried in work, she thought to herself.

Clover hoped that her daughter wasn't noticing her absence as much as she did, she had been swamped in work. Landing another promotion meant that there was more money in the household coffers. So the house got a slight make cover, with some help of friends and neighbours the kitchen got a much needed face lift, she also got Ellie a new bed so she wouldn't have to bunk up with her mother. She was much too old for that now.

Ellie enjoyed her new room, however she was struggling in school. Her mother wasn't unknown in this city and 'everyone' knew about her missing father. It was more than Ellie could bare, she frowned at the task her teacher had asked her to finish til tomorrow. She was about to give up when she heard her mothers footsteps in the hallway.
Finally, shes home. She thought to herself. Her mother was 'never' around, which meant that Ellie knew pretty much how to take care of herself. She didn't care that her mother was trying hard to keep them under a roof. She was one parent short, was she going to be without the other as well? She might as well be an orphan.

"Hey, Honey. Do you need some help with the homework?" Her mother peeked in to her room, always caring, guilt dripping from her words.

"Fine" Ellie hissed at her mother, got her books and headed out to the kitchen.

Clover sat down next to her daughter, she felt the tension between them, it had been like this for a while now. She tried so hard to be both a good mom and a good provider to this family, it wasn't working. She wish she could split herself in half.

"So what do we have today?" She tried

"uggh, Math" Ellie groaned.

Clover tried to the best of her abilities to help her daughter out with her homework without getting on her ever so easily aggravated nerves.

"Mom!" Ellie exclaimed "Did you even go to school!? I'll just do this alone." Ellie got up and stormed off in to her room, slammed the door shut and that was the end of the conversation.

Clover sighed in defeat, she thought back to when Ellie was a toddler how happy she seemed back then, blissful child. She got up and headed for the computer for yet another night of writing.

Chapter 3: Life & New Surroundings

After the party for Liana, Clovers social life became pretty non existent. She spent her days reading books, rubbing her growing belly and whispering sweet nothings to her unborn child.
She hadn't heard much from Travis, but that wasn't important. She couldn't go play love games when she was about to give birth to something that was going to change her life forever.

When the big day came, Clover was, like she expected to be, alone.
Liana was stuck at work, with her promotion she had so many new tasks, she basically lived at work. But the birth was pretty uneventful, absolutely normal, like the Doctor said. Perfect, was closer to what Clover called it.

Somehow Clover was a natural mother, she had no idea where it came from but she just felt the need to do everything possible for her child. Ellie, she had named her after her grand mother. Elisha Darkmedow.
She had Michaels eyes and his upper lip. At first Clover struggled with keeping the burning tears away when she looked upon Ellies perfect face, but eventually the hurt and anger faded and she only felt joy when she saw Ellie. She wasn't going to let the action of her father poison her life.

"I love you Ellie, My Ellie" She cooed.
As time passed, so did the family funds. Clover was on maternity leave which meant she wasn't getting much money in. She was making ends meat by writing some random articles about uninteresting things that she picked up here and there around town. However, her efforts did not stop the repoman, or woman in this case,from coming.

The repo-lady cracked up manically, as she swooped up Clovers entire kitchen counter, it hit her that she really needed to step up her game. She looked over to Ellies crib, it warmed her heart to see her daughter giggling and making adorable noises to herself, Clover promised she would do better for her daughter.

Clover struggled to catch more writing jobs the following weeks, but she had managed to put away some money every now and then. She was planing on moving to a small house. She chouldnt raise Ellie in this small apartment, it just wouldn't work. As she was finishing up an article about the local dog show, where a furry pig had won the show, to later be exposed and caused a scandal in the dog world, the door bell rang.

"Hey Clover, let me in" Lianas voice was familiar, Clover buzzed her in.

"Hey girl,Long time no see" She greeted clover as she threw her arms around her.
"Hah, Yeah I'm sorry, Busy being a mom and all" she looked over to Ellie sleeping in her cot.
Liana had been over quite a few times since Ellie was born, However it was only quick visits, to shower the little baby with kisses and love. Liana was a busy woman these days.
"Yeah I heard you were looking for a new place." She sounded very excited "Cheap" she added and winked.

"mmhmm" Clover agreed. "It's pretty impossible though, the market is crazy!"

"Well, you're in luck!" Liana could barley contain herself and Clover was getting dragged along in to the excitement.

"You found a place!!" She squealed.

"YES!! Well not me, Travis did, he doesnt have your number though and I was in the neighburhood so I figured I'd tell you!!" she explained

Clover was so happy but for some reason, it irked her that Travis had found the place, Liana and Travis were close? For how long had she been out of the social loop?
"Thats great! wow!!" She began but trailed off. "Travis? You guys hang out?"
"Well, we do more than hang out" Liana blushed.

Clover tried to not let it show that this information had somehow hurt her, as it was news to herself.

She didnt even know Travis.

"You're dating?" She sounded more sour than she intended to.

"We are kind of more than dating, we've been going steady since your party, I think its pretty serious. I'm sorry I havent let you know. I figured it wasnt important, or well. You know, considering..." she trailed off and glanced over at Ellie.

Clover felt insulted, as if she cant talk about men just because the father of her child broke her heart and turned her world upside down. She followed Lianas gaze and felt the reassuring 'warmth' in her chest when she saw Ellies face.

"Why? Did you like him or something?" Liana sounded apologetic.

"What? No, heavens no. We all know I got enough to deal with" She lied.

Lianas phone rang and ended the weird conversation.
"Shit, its work. Ugh. I wish I could get some free time!" she cried.

She obviously has enough time to hook up with hot guys, Clover thought to herself.

"Here" Liana handed her a piece of paper "It's Travis number, call him. He will give you the information you need. You have to act fast, that house wont be on the market for very long!" She gave Clover a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. "Love you girl-- YES I'm on my way, My god. Yes I have finished the paper work." her words faded off as she entered the elevator.

Clover unfolded the piece of paper in her hand, Travis name and number had been scribbled down fast. She picked up her phone and dialed it. She waited patiently for the dial to go through, she was nervous. Why on earth was she nervous? The house, she thought. Its the potential gain of a house, she told herself.

The dials kept going and she was beginning to think he wouldn't pick up.

"Hey it's Travis" his husky voice was familiar.

"Travis, It's Clove-"
"I'm not here right now please leave a message"

What the hell she thought.

"The hell, uhm.. err.." she began.

"JUST JOKING!" Travis laughed. "Oh wow, why is that so funny." He was clearly wiping a tear from his eye.

"Goddammit Travis!" she sounded upset, but if he could see her right now he would see her smiling.
"Sorry Clover, You're probably calling about the house thingy."

"Yes, that life changing thingy.." She muttered.
"Well, Cheer up! Because its yours."
"What?" what was going on

"Well, I'm standing in the house right now, They couldn't wait and you didn't call so I bought it, for you. You pay me back whenever you can."

"Are you serious?!" Her world was spinning.

"Yepp, Hey I can't talk right now, I got some paper work to deal with..OH! Come down here right now, You can sign them and it will be your house from the start. Hurry, I'll text you the address."

So, Clover grabbed her coat. Hit 1 on her speed dial, the baby sitter, and bolted of to the subway station.

Only 15min later she arrived at the address in the text.

Travis was waiting for her.

"There you are, fast isnit? Pretty quiet out here yet really close to the city!"

"Yeah wow, I cant believe this is happening, that youre doing this. Travis you didnt have to.." She began feeling those warm fuzzy familiar feelings and she pushed them aside as Travis walked her in to the house.

It was a small, new and perfect. It was way bigger than the apartment, this was a 2 bedroom, bathroom and a big kitchen with a small yard next to a little river. Just perfect she thought to herself.

After the paperwork was done, it was just her and Travis left in the house. He was walking around feeling mighty proud of himself.

"Why did you do this, Travis? You don't even know me."
"Psh, You're a good friend of Liana. Besides, I wasnt in the need of the money for the moment. You got lill Ellie and needed space. I could help, so I helped." he looked her deep in the eyes and she was about to drown in the light green ocean that was his eyes. They were quiet for a while, lost in each others gaze. Clover felt hot, warm, so tense yet she didnt want it to stop.
Suddenly Travis broke off, blushing but hiding it by walking towards the back door.

"Also! there's room for a waterslide right there! It's perfect, I was thinking for when Ellie is bigger and all that." He grinned at her.

He was thinking of Ellie, that was all Clover could think about.
Travis looked nervously at the time on his phone.

"I gotta go, Liana is coming home from work soon." He smiled apologetically. "Don't worry about the financial stuff, move in when you want to. I'll get back to you next week. Kay?" He handed her the key and walked out the front door.

Back home Clover couldnt shake that moment she had with Travis, her thoughts drifted off in to impossible possibilities. She was woken up out of her day dream by the slurping sounds from the bottle, letting her know it was empty.

"Oh Ellie" She cooed "we are moving to a bigger house!"
However, she had to get the packing done, selling this apartment. She wanted to get a good price so she could pay Travis off as soon as possible.

The day before the move it was time for a big event in Ellies life as well.

It was time to grow up, just a little.

On unsteady feet, Ellie and Clover left their old apartment to make their way to their new home.

Ellie tugged her mothers hand, begging to get picked up.

Clover couldnt do more than obey her beautiful child. Ellie leaned her head against her mothers chest, she giggled.

"mm..mommaa" She tried.

Clover froze, looked down at Ellies face who seemed to be just as chocked as herself.

"Yes, mommy!!" Clover encouraged.

"mmoommmaa!" Ellie giggled and hid her face against her mothers chest.

Clover beamed, she felt like she could take down mountains. She was indeed a mother and she was going to give everything to this child.

Chapter 2: Friends

The days dragged on and turned in to weeks. On her way to the library, to escape her reality in books, she stumbled in to one of her co-workers. Liana Ciel, she was the paper girl and would always hide a moshed up cupcake in Clovers mail when it got delivered at work.

Clover smiled a weak smile to show Liana that she was not in the mood for conversation, but Liana didnt take the hint.

"Clover! You have no idea what just happened!" She exclaimed and awaited her guess, but Clover didnt want to play. She sighed and looked longing towards the subway station that would take her to forgotten lands.

Liana couldnt wait

"I got promoted!" she beamed but didnt get the response she was hoping for.
Clover was only dragged back in to the conversation by the shaking of her body, she suddenly realized her friends hands on around her arms.

"Well??!"

"Oh, I'm so glad for you Li, you deserve it!" she smiled faking interest.

"Whats wrong?" Liana suddenly looked serious.

"It's nothing" Clover tried "Look, I gotta go" She pushed Liana aside but her hand was still warped around one of her arms and it hindered her from moving on.

"No, tell me whats wrong, is it that guy? Mich, Michael, something"
Clover hadn't heard his name in so long, he hadn't called her once, not a text, email, nothing. It was as if he didnt exist as if she didnt exist. Tears begun to wallow up in her eyes.

"Oh hunny" Liana soothed, "Come here, what happened" She warped her arms around her friend.

"H-he left me" Clover cried. "He stormed out and left me all alone."
"There there, It will be okey. He's just a guy, there's plenty of them around here" Liana comforted as much as she could.

Clover suddenly got silent and stiff, holding her breath.

"Theres...more?" Liana sounded worried, she pushed Clover away from her chest so she could look in to her eyes. "What is it?"

Clover looked away, trying to escape her friends prying eyes.

"I'm... I." Clover studded.

"Yes..." Liana was beginning to sound annoyed.

"I'm.. pregnant." she admited.

"I knew it! You sly little....argh, Goddamnit Clover! what were you thinking, what ARE you thinking?!"

"I don't know, I can't go through with ending this life Li. It's a part of me now, we will be strong together." She cooed.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing Clover?" Her friends hand resting reassuring on her shoulder

"Yes, I'm going to raise the baby alone. Trust me Li, I can do this. You'll help me right?"
Li seemed to be warming up to the idea of a small child to snuggle with.

"What are friends for?" She smiled. "Wow, I can't believe you're going to be a mom!" she laughed in disbelief. "Will I be sort of an aunt?!"

"Of course" Clover mused. "Best aunt ever"

They both smiled in silence for a while

Where are you headed anyways?" Li asked
"The library, need to get my readings on" she giggled. "Hey, I'll throw a party this weekend, No no alcohol" She smiled at Lianas frowning face. "for you, promotion and all. Bring some of your friends!"

"Alright, I'll be there" She assured "you take care of yourself you hear!"

"Will do!"

Clover gave her friend a warm hug and made her way to the mythical creatures that were going to whisk her away from her empty apartment and deadbeat job.

----------------------------------

The day of the party came and Clover finally got out of her jammies to tidy up.

She had invited some people from work and some guy that hangs around the laundromat in her building. She doesn't remember his name, hopefully he doesn't steal something. She thinks to herself.

One of the guests was this very handsome guy called Travis, something she picked up when Liana introduced them.
"Wow, I really like what you've done with the nursery" He said. "To be honest I never really grew up so I'm kind of drawn to the toys" he giggled. Clover frowned, weird, she thought.

"Thanks" She managed to get out. "So what do you do?" better to change topics.

"Oh, Not much to be honest. I take some pictures for the Daily Gossip"

Clover flinched, whats with these photographers everywhere!
"Oh, I see. That's nice..." she responded awkwardly. Why was it so hard to talk to guys all of the sudden?
"Your ex baby father was a photographer?" He guessed.

Clover was about to choke on her food "Something like that" she mumbled.

Travis leaned in, a bit too close for comfort if it was up to Clover.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to steal your heart away" he whispered and got up.

"Hey! How do you turn this on Li?" He pointed at the stereo. "Let's get this party startin'" He gave Clover a wink and began fiddling with the little stereo.

Clover regain her poise and smiled, she was going to like this Travis guy.

Liana helped Travis get the music going and people begun to loosen up. But not fast enough for Travis to stay out of the toy box. Clover looked at the little wooden horse on the floor and rolled her eyes, looked over to Travis and saw a huge grin on his face.

"Told yah! Toys, Love em!" He laughed and so did she.

"Hey...Hey!" The weird laundry guy in front of her tried to get her attention "My name is Justin by the way." he smiled an innocent smile and tried to give her a flirtatious wink but seem to just twitch his eyes awkwardly. Clovers heart broke a little, bless him.

The party went on to the wee hours of the morning, Justin had given up on Clover and was trying to get it on with Li who was too tired to fight him off. Melody from work had left early, something about cats allover the place. Clover spent most of the night laughing and reminiscing lost childhood days with Travis. Who eventually got up to call it a night, but before he left he walked off with Li, they talked, exchanged something and he left. Clover didnt hear what they said or saw what they exchanged, she didnt really care. She was happy, she had friends and good ones it seemed and maybe, just maybe, even a little crush.

Chapter 1: Standing Alone

Meet Clover, She is going through a bit of a rough patch in her life. Here she is about to give birth, with no father in sight, with no real in come and in a brand new city. She doesn't even know where the hospital is. All of that isnt going to stop the baby from coming though, but we are getting a head of ourselves. Let's back up.

Clover was living in Los Aniegos when she met Michael, he was a free spirit, a very talented photographer and she fell head over heels for him. She had just started to work as a spell checker for the local news paper, her dream was to become a news anchor. However Michael had other plans.
While they were watching the stars together in their back yard he leaned in and whispered in Clovers ear.

"We should escape this city...."

"What are you talking about?" she giggled.
"We should move to another city, you and me, start a new life. I'm so tired of the people here." He kissed her cheek, and then her nose.
"You're serious?" she pulled away from him to look him in the eye, yes he was serious.

"I got a job in Jericho, I want you to come with me. I don't want to be without you." His eyes were smoldering.
Clover thought about her job and how she just had started to get to know the city, but when she felt Michaels hand around her lower back and his lips against hers. She knew she was moving the next day.

For the first few weeks, she didnt see much of Jericho. Whenever Michael was home they spent a lot of time in bed together. She was in heaven, They lived in a small apartment on the 10th floor right in the heart of Jericho. Space was a luxury they couldnt afford and the furniture a bit run down, but she was happy. She had Michael.

As the weeks dragged on, she had managed to get a small writing job at the local news paper in Jericho, but she has started to worry, she was late and when i say Late, you all know what that means. She started to backtrack her cycle and panic hit her. She was most likely pregnant. She decided to pick up a pregnancy test after work the next day, but as the morning sickness was already telling her what the test would do, Positive, she was pregnant.
At first she was shocked, what was she going to do? She had no good income, she had no experience with children, Michael was just getting on his feet here. Michael, she thought and her heart melted. A child with Michael, they would make it work, together. Deep down she knew she was going to keep it, she had always wanted to have children. The shock and worry slowly turned in to happiness and longing.

When Michael got home from work she decided to tell him, she was so happy. Beaming with joy, but Michael was not happy to hear the news.

"What?! I'm going to be a father?! Clover, are you crazy?!" I can't be a dad, how could you do this to me?!" He was furious, screaming. Neighbors that passed by gave them confused looks.

"Me? How did I do this to You?! You're also a part of THIS you know!" How dare he, Clover thought, its his baby too, she cant just magically conjure babies on her own.

"I thought you were on the Pill! I didn't sign up for this, You better get that fixed because I wont be a part of this, I just cant" Michael was upset and confused, he pleaded with her. But Clover wanted to keep the baby.

"That, isnt getting Fixed!" She screamed at him.

"Then I'm leaving you, I won't be a part of this, I have a say as well. You can stay here, I have another place I can stay at. I don't want to have children. " He spat out the last word, she was frozen. she didnt know what to say.

"and dont call me, If you keep it, it wont be mine" he whispered as he passed her.

"Don't go..." Was all she managed to get out when she saw Michaels back disappear through the door.

That night Clover couldnt sleep. The tears kept falling as she looked out over Jericho's dark streets.
What was she going to do now? She was alone, with none to support her. Was Michael right? Should she get rid of the baby? Her heart broke, no, she couldnt do that.

Clover had made up her mind, She was keeping the baby. With or without Michael, she was going to make it. Alone.