Disclaimer - I don't own Degrassi
A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to publish, I'm working on another story as well called "Our Story." This chapter has alternating POVs
"Eli it's time to wake up." Clare cooed in my ear.
"Ugh I'm awake." I groaned as I sat up in bed.
"Good." Clare giggled as she handed me my clothes which consisted of a Dead Hand tee shirt and a pair of black skinny jeans. I got ready, looked over mine and Clare's wedding pictures from last month, and made my way down stairs.
Clare had breakfast set up for us and I sat down at the table across from her. "Ready for the first day of your seniour year of college?" I asked
"Nervous is more like it." She giggled as she tried to slim down her shirt.
"Clare you're barely showing, you're only three months pregnant." I stated
"I know, but still. I'm going to be the only girl there that's married and pregnant." She said as we set our plates. I nodded not wanting to argue with her as we ate and occasionally talked about school. It turned out that Clare was free from 11am until 1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and I was free from 12 to 1 on those days. She was also done with classes at 1pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so we decided that she'd sit in on my 11:00 class Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and we'd eat lunch at noon. After figuring that out we decided it was best to leave if we were going to make our morning classes.
When we got to the college I checked in with the dean again to make sure Clare isn't in any of my classes for next semester since we're married and lucky for me he made sure she wasn't going to be put into my classes at all so dating her while she finishes her seniour year of college isn't going to be a problem.
"Professor Goldsworthy?" He called to be before I left
"Yes?" I asked
"This wife of yours I'm assuming you're going to want to be there when she goes into labour right?" He asked
"I'm hoping to be there." I said
"I'd hate to lose you as an English teacher since you're one of the best so come back to me with her due date and I'll give you time off. Also if she happens to be in your class one semester come here and I'll fix it." He said looking at me.
"I'll tell you and thank you. I'm sure this is probably stressful. " I said before leaving to make my first class on time.
"Not at all, however if you were dating, yes this would be stressful, but Gretchen; Steve's wife has been attending college his for the past semester she transferred too." He said "You'll have her in one of your classes and I'm sure she'll see Clare." He chuckled.
"I'm glad it's not frowned upon." I said knowingly.
"The school board said it was, but there wasn't anything in the regulations that read 'A teacher cannot be married to a student upon said student's entry.' It did say a teacher cannot date a student so there's no harm if they're married before the student attends this school." He said knowingly which Clare's decision for an early marriage probably just saved our asses. I have to thank her.
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As I walked into my first class, I became nervous. I could hear girls talking about Eli some just now having him as a professor, some who have had him, and those who've had/have him as a professor and want to date him. It didn't really bug me anymore. I took my seat away from everyone and took out my text books as I waited for the professor.
"Excuse me." A girl said sitting next to me causing me to look at her. "Do you know what we need for Professor Goldsworthy's class?" She asked
"I don't know I don't have him." I said and she moved into a different seat.
"I heard he's hard to get as a professor that is, I talked to the dean and he put me on his list. It's even harder to have him as a professour since he only teaches two classes now not four." She said and I looked at her confused.
"You went to the dean?" I asked
"Well of course, he's the best English teacher this campus has to offer and if I'm going to be come a journalist I need to be taught by the best." She admitted before leaning in "Between you and me I heard a girl went to the dean to get on Professor Goldsworthy's roster because she likes him, everyone knows that Professors can't date their students." She said snidely
"So you only want to be in his class because of his teaching skills?" I asked
"Of course, look at this Professor Goldsworthy won the teacher of the year award last year and it was his first year of teaching. 90% of his seniour students that majored in English went on to bigger and better things one of which right now is currently in New York working on the New York Times. There's an article about that too right here it says he's one of the most knowledgeable, and grammatically correct writers they have on their staff which is saying a lot. He also went to school taking 8 classes a day just to graduate within four years and he succeeded." She explained as she rummaged through the papers "His teaching skills are very different, from what the news paper says he's a hard teacher to have, but fun, yet hands on. Year I heard he slammed a book just for the dramatic effect of keeping everyone's attention and walks around the room causing his voice to bounce off the walls. I can't wait to meet such an amazing Professor, my name is Liz by the way." She said holding out her hand.
"Clare." I said as I shook her hand.
"You're married!" She gasped looking at my ring
"As of last month." I giggled.
"Congratulations." She said.
"Thank you." I smiled.
"I'm only calling roll the first week to make sure I can memorise everyone's face so when I call your name I want you to hold your hand up and announce your presence if you don't you'll be kicked out when I'm done roll. I will know your face so if you come back tomorrow saying you're on my list with proof you'll be kicked out. I don't take well to jokes on my expense." Professor Larkin stated before putting down his books. He went in alphabetical order and looked at each person as they held their hand up and announced their presence.
"Clare Goldsworthy?" He said
"Here." I answered loud enough for him to reply and raised my hand.
"Ah, Mrs. Goldsworthy I look forward to having you in my class for the semester especially since you've been taught under the same hands that taught Professour Goldsworthy am I correct?" He asked
"W-well Eli and I met in his juniour year of high school and we did have the same English classes together so I guess you can say I was taught under some of the same hands he was." I said sort of embarrassed.
"I should've known you were his English partner, you taught him a thing or two in that department did you not?" He asked
"I guess you can say Eli and I taught each other a thing or two. He's always had such an amazing talent as a writer, but when we first met he wasn't able to harness it as Ms. Dawes our English teacher put it. I harnessed my talent, but could get it detailed enough we seemed to have what the other lacked." I said knowingly.
"I look forward to your writing and you did a damned good job on Stalker Angel." He boasted
"That was all Eli, I just added some modifications I thought were appropriate." I said
"Don't be so modest Clare, without your edits I don't think Stalker Angel would've been published." Eli chuckled from the door way as he walked into the classroom and down to the front of the class.
"Eli stop giving me so much credit." I said as I looked at him. He looked amazing standing up there.
"Clare, I'm not giving you too much credit." He chuckled as he faced the professor "Watch out for her, she can be quite feisty don't let her appearance or soft demeanour fool you and she's a hell of a writer. It's also nice to have you as an English Professour as well as our Mathematician." Eli said shaking Professour Larkin's hand.
"Looks like I have too the way your playful banter is going." Professour Larkin chuckled before turning to the class. "Now for the rest of you if you're wondering about Professour Goldsworthy and Mrs. Goldsworthy's relationship-"
"It doesn't matter to you. So it's none of your business." Eli chuckled and I laughed a little and shook my head as the class awed.
"Looks like you've just earned a sign of disapproval." Professour Larkin chuckled
"I was merely laughing and shaking my head because it's amusing." I stated and shifted a little. "Show of hands if Eli doesn't tell you about our relationship who's going to ask me after class?" I asked loudly and everyone raised their hands including Liz.
"I have a question." Liz said
"What is it?" Professor Larkin asked
"Since Clare's pregnant doesn't that mean Professor Goldsworthy will be worried about his niece, nephew, cousin, or whatever?" She asked amused "I met her before class and was shocked that she was married, even more shocked when she said she was pregnant." Liz said softly but loud enough for all to hear.
"I didn't get married because of the baby." I said knowingly.
"Speaking of the baby Clare, are you feeling ok?" Eli asked and I stuck my tongue out at him and I got a text message causing me to laugh. "What is it?" Eli asked
"CeCe texted me apparently Bullfrog put a whole banana in the blender skin and all." I laughed
"Did he at least put the top on?" Eli asked
"She didn't say but he's on the radio." I giggled.
"Eli, thanks for taking over my class with the lovely yet amusing banter." Professour Larkin laughed.
"And good looks." Someone said softly but we all heard.
"Thanks for the compliment, but I'm unavailable." Eli chuckled back and Professor Larkin leaned in to whisper something in Eli's ear causing him to face palm showing off his wedding ring he kept hidden.
"You're married to Professour Goldsworthy aren't you?" Liz asked as I facepalmed and I nodded with my face in my hands.
"Clare who do you have next class?" Eli asked
"Why don't you have a class to teach or do you plan on stalking me until 11?" I asked curiously.
"I plan to sit in on the lesson and it's not stalking." Eli chuckled
"So you plan on disrupting the lesson again?" I asked
"It's not really disrupting if I get noticed or if I have a question." Eli laughed.
"It just so happens I'm sitting in on your class." I giggled
"Professor Larkin do you know if Eli and Clare are brother and sister and how they're related?" One student asked
"Please don't tell anyone Liz." I begged.
"I can't I'm stuck with you since we're both going to Professour Goldsworthy's classroom next." She giggled back. "Besides your secret is safe with me and I won't hold it against you because people will find out soon enough." She stated which we both knew.
"I know their relationship, but it's not my business to tell." Professor Larkin said sounding amused
"Clare what's your relationship with the professor, are you brother and sister or what." The student asked
"I can't tell you." I giggled
"Wait your Math class is two hours?" Eli asked sounding amused.
"Did you have coffee yet Eli?" I asked
"It's right here." He said holding up a cup. "Don't worry I got you tea and it's still hot if you want it." He smirked I stood up and walked down towards him.
"Thank you." I said as I reached for the cup, Eli somehow entrapped me in a kiss. His hands moving to my waist and my hands moving around his neck, our tongues moving against each others in a sensual dance leaving me breathless as we pulled apart. I opened my eyes to see his and during the kiss it was like there was no one existed just us, like the other times before. I watched Eli's eyes move off of mine as he looked away from me and a slight blush appeared on his face. I grabbed my tea as he turned me around so my back was against his, his hands now on my stomach.
"My wife." Eli said holding me against him, I was too busy blowing on my tea to notice what he said until after he said it.
"Well kids now you know they're married." Professor Larkin said and leaned in towards him. "I don't think you've heard, but when you two were kissing the girls awed in sadness. I think you two broke some hearts." He laughed causing Eli and I to snicker a little.
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"Ok class, my announcement is this you need all your books by Wednesday. There will be an hour of homework so you won't get bored and look over the syllabus that I passed out. Good bye." He said.
"So to my class now?" I asked taking Clare's hand as I grabbed my belongings and we walked out of the classroom hand in hand.
"Hi." Someone said scaring us a little.
"Hi." I said back more like asked
"Eli this is Liz, she's your student and you have her this period." Clare informed me.
"Ok." I replied as I lead Clare into the classroom and sat her down in one of the front seats. "Wow I see half of my class is here so either you were bored and came early or lets just say the phrase teacher's pet comes to mind." I chuckled as I stood in the front of the room and looked around "Unless you followed me here like one student did." I stated so Liz knew I didn't mean her. A few more students piled in as I checked the time and shut the door meaning class has begun. "Any late arrivals will now make themselves known." I chuckled and made my way back to the front of the room and looked around "I see some new faces and some old so if I don't know your name right away don't be mad. I'll learn it. As for roll I don't call out names I will ask questions and call on you in return I expect you to say your first and last name before answering the question." I said and someone raised their hand. "Shoot." I stated
"Greg Hartmore. Will there be a syllabus?" He asked
"Thanks for reminding me Greg and yes there will be a syllabus." I said picking up the papers and handing them out. I handed a stack to each side of the class and watched as they passed them out. Clare didn't take one and passed it to the next person probably stirring up questions. "Now as you will see on your syllabus we'll be doing a lot of plays and readings as well as watching movies and doing hands on projects." I informed the class. "Each assignment and test has the amount of points it's worth and I will not put a letter grade at the top of the paper so if you want to know your letter grade you'll have to do the math ." I stated as a few kids raised their hand. "First row left side girl in bright purple." I called out.
"Melissa Cunnington. When you grade won't there be an 80 on the paper or something?" She asked.
"No if there's 20 questions I'll just put down the number you got right at the top of the page so assuming you got all 20 right you'll see a 20 at the top of the page."
"Ok." She nodded as I continued my class. About half way into it kids noticed I wasn't calling on Clare. "Lisa. What's your question?" I asked noticing she was sitting near Clare.
"The girl in the front sipping on coffee, doesn't seem like she's paying attention." She stated
"That's because she's not." I chuckled "She's not one of my students."
"Then shouldn't she be in her class or somewhere else?" Someone asked back and I could tell Clare was getting amused.
"No, she's exactly where she belongs." I said as I looked at her. "You'll be seeing a lot of her though, some of you have already seen her last year when she came in my room sick. She's my wife." I announced. All hands raised. "I'm not answering questions about my personal life." I stated with a chuckle.
"Eli." Clare called out weakly as I turned to her, she motioned to the door and I nodded. I watched as she ran out with her hand over her stomach and mouth.
"Is she ok?" one of my students asked.
"Probably just morning sickness." I answered absentmindedly. "She's three months pregnant and yes the baby is mine." I chuckled before anyone could ask. I resumed teaching and smirked at Clare when she entered the room. The rest of class went fast and soon we were off to lunch.
"Eli?" Clare asked me as we sat in Morty in front of a restaurant not far from the one I took Clare to. They just built it so we decided to try it out.
"Yea, Clare?" I asked back.
"Why didn't you tell me you won a teaching award?" She asked
"Because it's nothing I wasn't even supposed to get it." I stated dryly and Clare rubbed my arm showing me that she's sorry.
"How did you get it than?" She asked
"I just started teaching a guy in a suit I thought was a higher up walked into my room so I kept teaching like normal. I didn't know my kids nominated me for whatever reason and I won. There are other teachers that have been teaching a lot longer than I have." I stated
"Eli, that just shows you how great of a teacher you are and besides I heard one of the seniour students that you taught his last year went off to New York and became a journalist." Clare stated
"He needed help in English with his writing I didn't want to be home with Imogen so I helped him." I shrugged "I couldn't just turn him down and let his dream die."
"Which makes it worth it. Eli, you deserved the award, you have kids fighting to get into your class. If that doesn't say something what does?" She asked looking at me.
"I guess you're right." I smiled as I leaned in for a kiss. We kissed for about ten seconds before we got out of the car together. I walked over to let Clare out of her side of the car and put my arm around her as she put her hand around my waist. "I love you, Clare." I whispered in her ear and kissed her temple. "And our baby." I whispered as I gently rubbed her stomach and walked inside.
"I love you and our baby as well." She said and kissed my cheek. We walked to a table and sat down as we waited for a waitress to notice us since you seat yourself here. "Clare, I'll be right back." I said and kissed her temple.
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I watched Eli walk towards the men's room and automatically felt awkward without him. A waitress came over and I ordered our drinks seconds later they were placed down.
"Hi, Clare." Kevin from my lit class said as he sat across from me.
"Hi." I replied with a faint smile. "Can I help you?" I asked curiously.
"Actually I came here on lunch and was surprised to see you." He chuckled.
"Oh." I muttered not knowing what to say. "So, how long have you attended TU?" I asked curiously.
"Since freshman year, it's a shame I haven't noticed you." He said reaching across the table.
"I'm married I thought you knew." I said showing off my ring.
"And pregnant I've heard." He said sardonically "It's just a coy to get guys to leave the girl alone." He chuckled as if he were amused.
"No it's not a coy thank you. My husband should be here soon." I stated
"Clare?" Imogen asked with Jake's arm wrapped around her.
"Jake, Imogen." I said dryly thinking how could it get any worse.
"How's the baby?" Jake asked casually.
"The baby's doing good. I'm really excited and one of the guest rooms is going to be the nursery." I stated
"Jake, Imogen." Eli said curiously as he stood next to the seat noticing them and looked at me curiously and I shrugged to him.
"Hi, Eli." Imogen said "I hear the baby's doing good." She stated
"Yea he or she is." He said and glanced between me and Kevin, again I shrugged and patted the seat.
"Jake and I are dating." Imogen blurted
"Congratulations?" I asked
"So how do you know Clare, and who are you?" Eli asked looking to Kevin.
"I'm Kevin, I have class with Clare." He smiled at me
"I see you two are married now." Jake said tauntingly
"Yea and we're happy." I stated knowingly and I watched all three leave.
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After Clare and I ate lunch together we went home to relax. I sat down on the couch and opened my arms for her as she crawled into them.
"I found out you're only teaching two classes this semester." Clare trailed off
"I know, I want to spend more time with you." I stated knowingly
"I love you, Eli." Clare whispered as I turned on a sappy romance movie for her.
"I love you too, Clare." I whispered back as I leaned in for a kiss, she obliged and kissed me back. We both turned to the movie and Clare relaxed on me, both of our hands on her stomach.