So someone on twitter had mentioned this idea to Stephen Stohn about an Eclare storyline, and when I saw it, I got very inspired. Whoever mentioned this, I am making your wish come true!

I really hope you guys like this story :-)

Enjoy ;-)

Taking Big Steps

Nobody's POV

It was the eve of Elijah Goldsworthy's graduation. He really did it! Despite everything he had been through at Degrassi Community High School, he was able to make it to this point. There were a lot of rises that he encountered, but also very many falls that he had stumbled through. Those stumbles were never a walk in the park, although at some of those times he imagined that they'd be.

He was faced with a dark past; being one of the reasons he entered Degrassi. To help him get a fresh start that he truly deserved, or even in better term, a second chance at happiness.

Did that happiness come true? Indeed it did. He met Clare Diane Edwards. He was the one who ran over her glasses in the parking lot. He stopped to pick them up, but was stolen by what he said were her "pretty eyes" and he had even admitted it to her, causing a blush and smile to appear upon her face.

Things from there only progressed between them. Yes, it's a very long crazy story up to this point. They went from being acquainted English partners, to good friends. They went from close friends, to boyfriend and girlfriend. The relationship was bumpy at first, for there was drama with a certain bully, but they were still able to make it through. It wasn't too long when they just grew closer and closer. Everywhere they would practically be seen together, holding hands, arms wrapped around each other, or quirky little remarks they'd share together. Eli made it clear to the whole hallway that he was indeed in love with Clare Edwards. Clare as well confessed that she loved Eli as well. However, once spring break grew closer, things between them only went downhill. Clare discovered a lot of Eli's dark past, Eli lost it, and went crazy to the point of almost killing himself, and that ended in a messy break up.

Both Clare and Eli, tried to move on and start fresh with new people in their lives, but those didn't seem to last at all.

After one crucial semester of Eli coping with this terrible mental illness, and Clare trying to adjust to her brand new transformed family life, they took a short breath of relief. Oh until they reunited just before the winter frostival, and became close friends again, but Clare kissing Eli meant that there was still something there. Clare knew she still loved Eli, and though that last semester Eli confessed he'd probably always have feelings for Clare, there wasn't a certainty until after winter break if he still truly loved her.

On this eve of Eli Goldsworthy's graduation, he stared into his mirror, adjusting his tie, and looking down at a small velvet black box.

He stopped fixing the tie and smiled, as he picked up the box, and opened it, revealing the shimmering jewel inside, and the engraftment that read: "I love you always, and hope to be your forever."

Eli was definitely going to propose to Clare. He wanted to marry her, and be with her more than anything. But there was still a little fear in him, or in other words he felt as if proposing could be a risk.

They made it through the rest of the year inseparable. Eli and Clare getting back together only proved that they were truly in love. Eli became a much better and healthier person, and Clare became a lot less up tight about every situation that would approach her. They simply had each other to balance each other out, and that only made things better for the both.

But he wasn't sure how Clare truly would feel about a teenage marriage.

Eli sighed and closed the box, placing it down. He looked down at the picture of him and Clare from prom, which wasn't too long ago taken. Clare was dressed in her long purple silk dress that hugged her curves perfectly, and also included a white silky v shape strap across her chest. She was carried bridal style by her prince charming, Eli who not only had on the traditional tuxedo, but also had gotten a matching purple to go with Clare's gown. They both were gazing into each others eyes, and smiling.

Moments like that made Eli want to cry, but in the best way possible. Eli felt himself get a little shaky, and he placed the picture down on the table and looked at himself in the mirror. "I can do this." He said to himself.

He grabbed the small black box, and headed to his bed, grabbing his blue cap and gown, heading out of his home and off to graduation.

XXXXX

"Eli, your mom and I are so proud of you. You've really stepped it up and became a true man this year." Bullfrog said as he pulled his son into a strong side hug.

Eli returned the hug and patted his father on the back. "You know I couldn't have done it without you and CeCe. You guys are the reason I am that man today." He said in response.

Bullfrog and Eli continued to talk, until a beautiful young auburn hair colored girl walked by. Bullfrog gave the girl a smile and winked at Eli. "I'll let you two talk." He said as he went to go find his wife and leave the two alone.

Eli smiled. "Well hello Clare Edwards." He said as he pulled Clare in for a hug.

Clare rolled her eyes, wrapping her arms around the boy's neck and pressing her lips to his, giving him a short chaste kiss. "And hello Elijah Goldsworthy." She said shutting her eyes and leaning her head against his.

They broke apart and smiled interlocking hands, and beginning to depart the front yard of the school.

"So how does it feel to be a newly graduate?" She asked as they continued to walk.

Eli shrugged and swung their interlocked hands back and forth as they walked. "Eh, I mean I guess it's kind of sad, but hey I can't complain about Toronto U." He said casually.

Clare frowned. "I can."

They stopped in their tracks and Eli stepped in front of Clare, grabbing her other hand in his. They both briefly looked down at their entwined hands and then back into their eyes.

Eli ran his hand through her hair. "Are you really going to miss me that much?"

Clare nodded in response.

Eli smiled small. "I promise nothing will change between us. We will make this work."

Clare smiled small at the response and gestured that they keep walking.

XXXXX

Eli's POV

It's so hard to believe that I have finally graduated from Degrassi. It almost feels as if I have freedom now, but I know that isn't quite the case just yet. I admit I'm for sure going to miss high school. Sure there's tons of drama shit that occurs, and there's no doubt that I couldn't wait to get away from that annoying Becky Baker. God! I can't stand her, such a whiny little mother…well I won't get to ahead of myself there.

But it's not going to be easy leaving the love of my life. Although we have been together for only the whole semester or I guess really since Frostival, we have gotten much stronger and in reality we haven't missed a beat.

She's had a very rough year, and all I wanted to do was be there for her if absolutely needed.

In the return from winter break poor Clare developed Insomnia, and literally went two straight days without sleep. So much stress was over ruling her life, and by that third night, it wasn't too late when she had called and asked if I could help her at all. That night I walked over to her house, and walked us back to my house. Of course with her mother and step father being so careless didn't even notice she had left the house, but that evening she not only left her own house, but she came home with me. We both walked up to my room, and I tucked her into my bed, and then I got in bed with her. To my surprise the moment she crawled into my arms, she relaxed, and it wasn't long until I felt her soft breathing. She finally fell asleep, and it made us both happy.

I then looked down at the beautiful blue eyed angel who lay smiling in my arms. We were in our special little hide out lying in our hammock, which actually got replaced by a better hammock that Adam and I built recently.

Clare sighed deeply. "I've never felt this close feeling that I am feeling with you." She placed her hands over my one hand that rested over her stomach. "Can I ask you something? Please don't laugh."

I smirked and flipped her over, so that we were now facing each other horizontally. "Tell me, I promise not to laugh."

Clare smiled small, and bit down on her lip, staring down at my lips. She seemed a little hesitant at her words, and leaned down to press a peck on my lips. I returned the kiss but didn't let her off the hook. "That's it?"

She shook her head in reply. "No, it's just…" She sighed, and laid her head down over my heart. "Eli, I love you so much. It's this love that feels like it's just gotten stronger and stronger. No downfalls." She stopped talking, resting her hand over my chest and pushed her self up to look back at my confused response. Clare covered her face and got out of the hammock, nervously standing next to me.

I sat up in the hammock and grabbed her hands in mine.

Clare slowly moved her head towards me, and I could have sworn I saw tears appear into her eyes. "I'm a nervous wreck Eli, I'm sorry."

I ignored her silliness, and decided this is the perfect time. "I love you too, so much." I pressed my lips to hers, and we kissed briefly, slowly pulling away.

Clare smiled through her tears, but that expression changed immediately as I got down on one knee right in front of her.

Clare gasped and widened her big blue eyes, covering her mouth with one hand, but not letting go of my other hand.

And now my tears are coming back, oh just lovely, and what I need.

I squeezed Clare's hand, and placed a gentle few pecks over her soft hand.

I smiled small through my tears, and began with my words. "You know that without a doubt we love each other so much, and have both been through a lot whether it was together or separate. Clare, I am so lucky to have you back in my life again, and sometimes I get that feeling like I don't deserve someone as great as you, but mostly I ignore those thoughts. And tonight I am almost positive of one thing, but I want to know of one thing." I reached out of my pocket, revealing the black box, which I then opened up revealing now the shimmering diamond ring.

Clare's eyes widened even more, and she was by now bawling her eyes out completely. She shut her eyes, letting more tears fall down her beautiful face.

I felt my own tears intensify too, but didn't let that control with what I wanted to really ask. "Clare Diane Edwards, will you marry me?"

XXXXX

CLIFFHANGER:-D yupp this one goes out to the cliffhanger girl ;-)

This is for sure getting continued, but I really really hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter. If I can get at least 6 reviews, (no more than one review by the same user name) then I will get the second chapter up soon!

SO PLEASE REVIEW :-)