Chapter Text
It was a mistake to bring Claire here, Allison thought. The mansion was not as child proof as she thought it was when she first pitched the idea to Patrick after gaining partial custody.
“Faster! Faster,” Claire shreeked. Hearing her giggle was almost worth this gut wrenching anxiety.
“Whooo!” Klaus still had his muscles from Vietnam (and wasn’t that a trip to find out Klaus had been in the freaking Vietnam war ) and was currently using them to carry Claire around on his back like all fifty pounds of her were nothing.
“Would you children behave?” Allison laughed. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Klaus, it was that she didn’t trust the strange taxidermy animals, or the glass cases everywhere, or the paintings, or a million little things.
Then Five materialized in front of her in a soft patch of blue light. He was standing behind the bar and was about to go for a drink when he noticed Claire running around. If there was one thing other than stopping the apocalypse Allison was proud of him for, it was that he didn’t drink around Claire.
“Don’t want to give her the wrong idea,” Five muttered under his breath before walking to sit on a barstool beside Allison.
“Hey, Five. How’s Dolores?” Allison asked. Five had just gotten back from visiting her, so it felt right to ask.
“She’s alright. I think she’s doing better being surrounded by her friends,” Five responded neutrally. He was always in a better mood after seeing her.
Allison watched as Klaus put Claire down. She nearly sighed with relief when Claire’s little feet hit the floor.
“Mommy!” Claire paused, “Hi Uncle Five. Mommy can we make cookies?”
“Is Grandma around? I don’t want you and Uncle Klaus to get hurt.” Allison took a careful look at Klaus while saying that last part.
“Can you and Uncle Five help? Then we’ll have adult soup-or-vision!” Claire rocked back and forth from her heels to her toes.
“I can help,” Five replied shortly, yet fondly. Five loved his niece and Claire loved her Uncle Five. Once Allison caught Five tutoring Claire in math, something he hasn’t tried to do for anyone since he was Claire’s age.
“Come on, Allie!” Klaus pulled her into the kitchen.
Allison wouldn't have it any other way. For the first time in a long time she felt truly happy.