A Haire Moment: ~Moving in~
Year 3:
During a particularly stressful night, Claire was confiding in Hayden on how she felt she didn't have enough time for anything. She was working 55 hour shifts, while simultaneously being a full time student, keeping up with her family, and of course, the relationship she was in. She was heading into a time where her mood was more sour than usual, and it was impacting everything. Hayden knew this, and saw it first hand. He was still in college, working on his masters, and he had his own place, but was thinking of moving for a while now. His one bedroom apartment was nice, but it didn't feel like a home. It felt like a bachelor’s pad. One he no longer felt was enough for what he wanted. He’d gone out with Claire long enough that he knew it was time to create new memories. So, one day, he started looking at different places on his day off, and found this place. He asked them to put a halt on the open houses, and reserved it for one night where they gave him the key. Claire finally had gotten one sane night off, so they were going to a friend's black and white college party.
After enjoying the night, he drove her to this place, instead of his apartment. He parked the car a few blocks away, and asked her if she trusted him, and so she looked at him oddly. Of course she did. He then blindfolded a very confused Claire. ”For the record. I’m also going to be wearing a blindfold,” he has said as he started the ignition again. ”I’m kidding. It’s for..It’s a surprise.” was all he had told her.
He unlocked it, the candles having been lit by his frat brother earlier, and he took the blindfold off. “What do you think?” he had asked, and Claire had been rendered speechless. “We’ve got this good thing going, y’now? Like really good thing—that I want to invest in, yesterday, today, and tomorrow,” he had laughed. “I think we should take the next step. We need to, and I want your life to be easier, not more difficult with me in it. So, this is my solution.” Claire looked around the house in awe, then at Hayden several times before she smiled at him.
“Is this for real?” was all she could muster. He had laughed and nodded, “Claire Blake, this is very real. ” his arms had found their way around her waist, as they stood in the middle of the living room, “Very serious.”Claire tucked her arms under his, and got on her tip toes to see him better. “Then, very seriously, very realistically, I must say yes.” she grinned up at him, rubbing his back lightly. "What took you so long?" she joked. He grinned back dorkily at her. "Didn't you hear? The best things in life, take their time, and I would be crazy, if I wanted to rush this. I love you too much for that." he replied, rubbing his thumb over her cheek. "I love you too," she replied, embracing him into her form. "This is perfect, and I love it."
