The island wasn't fun to live on. There was the disconnection from societal struggles, which was a positive, but you had to survive. You all had to survive. Most were unable to do anything when they got here to help themselves survive, but people were adapting but it didn't make it any easier. Although you struggled with your life here, you knew that Claire had it far worse. The two of you were rather fond of each other, so she had told you a far bit of her nerves over being on an island especially now that she had her new born baby Aaron.

She hadn't wanted to raise her child, she planned to put him up for adoption but being on this island, she had no choice. Claire had insisted that she would try to get him to sleep today, having needed help over the last few days as Aaron would fuss about sleeping. You watched on, seeing her struggle, but after an hour or so he was asleep in the cot that Locke had made for him.

Quietly, you made your way over to her, not wanting to wake the baby. Claire ran a hand through her tangled blond hair, blinking her bloodshot eyes. You hated seeing her like that. She was tired and stressed and out of her depth, but asking for help made her feel worse, incapable of being a mum. You knew she would be an amazing mum, but she needed help sometimes, everyone did and that didn't make her any less of a mother.

You rested a gentle hand onto her shoulder, giving her a pitiful smile as she looked up at you, tired eyes and weak smile.

"Hi," she said softly, not because of the baby sleeping by her side, but because she was too tire herself to speak any louder.

"You okay?" You smiled, trying to reassure her.

She nodded her head, but you knew that she was lying to you.

"You look knackered Claire, you're not okay," you stated.

"Aaron just won't sleep. I don't know what to do sometimes, it feels hopeless. I knew that I should never be a mum," she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.

You leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"Hey... it's going to be okay. You're doing amazing, especially seen as the circumstances aren't the best. Everyone struggles at first, and you don't have all the amenities that most new mums would have, but luckily you have me," you smiled cheerily. "I promise that I will always be here for you and Aaron, however you need me, and you have everyone else. Jack, Kate, Locke, everyone. We are all here for you."

She nodded her head lightly. "Thank you."

You smiled kissing her forehead once more. "Don't thank me Love. It's the decent and right thing to do for you. You're a good person and you only deserve the best."

~*~

Written by Charlotte.