The Little Prince
Summary: Clare and Drew bring their baby boy, Gabriel home.
Clare winced as she and Drew entered the apartment they shared , baby carrier where baby Gabriel slept peacefully was in Drew's left hand as he helped Clare into the apartment carefully.
"I can't believe he's still asleep." Clare whispered, eyes wide. "Everyone warned me that babies couldn't stay asleep with a lot of noise or movement."
Drew grinned teasingly at his friend, "You're not complaining, are you?" He asked, bumping her shoulder with his, glad that they had this comfortable comrade. They weren't dating but they were still friends. When he'd found out that Clare was carrying his child, he had decided to help earn some money to get them a small apartment near Columbia University so Clare would be able to attend school. Drew had managed to also get into a small college near the area so he and Clare could raise their baby together.
She shook her head. "Of course not. I'm just surprised is all. Of course, it will probably change as he gets comfortable in his room, but still."
He nodded in understanding. "How about we put Gabriel to bed and then I can fix us something to eat and we can try to get some rest?"
Clare smiled and took her son from the carrier, cradling him in her arms and staring down into his sweet face.
The two teens entered the nursery, looking at the soft yellow walls with the baby blue trim, cherry oak crib near the window covered with blue curtains. Clare laid Gabriel in the crib, leaning into Drew as they both admired their son. "We should call and tell Alli, Jenna, Connor, and Dallas that we brought Gabe home. You know they'll have our heads if we don't."
"Jake and Darcy will be here tomorrow morning, right?" Drew wondered. Clare's siblings had said something about it earlier. They were staying at a hotel until then.
"Yeah." Clare's answer was solemn as she thought of her mom, dad, and stepfather. Her mother had been disappointed when she'd found out her daughter was pregnant and had practically disowned her, Jake's dad and Clare's stepfather had agreed with that decision, as for Randall, he'd abandoned her long ago.
Drew wrapped his arms around her and she hugged him back, taking comfort in his very presence.
"Thank you for being a part of Gabriel's life, Drew. And for being there all throughout my pregnancy." Clare swallowed, eyes gleaming with tears. "I know I made it difficult with not wanting you involved and everything and not knowing who the father was at first but you never gave up on me."
Drew gave her a boyish grin that lit up his handsome face entirely. "There's no reason to thank you. He's my son, too. He's important to me. You're important to me. You didn't get pregnant on your own."
"Still. It ended your relationship with Becky. Your parents were pissed at you." She insisted.
He laughed then, throwing back his head, unable to contain it. "So? It wasn't the first time they were upset with me and it won't be the last. Besides, they're happy now. They have a grandson. And as for Becky and I...we were always wrong for each other. We were together for the wrong reasons and she still loved my brother."
Clare frowned. "I wish Adam were here. He'd spoil Gabe rotten."
Drew gave a smile. "He'd get our son addicted to comic books before he could walk."
"Anyway, we better go and get something to eat and then call our friends." She said, smiling a bit as she recalled her best friend. She missed him dearly, but somehow, Gabriel and Drew lessened the pain if only a little.
"I'll go to the kitchen to start something." The young man answered, resting his hand on his son's stomach for a moment and smiling at him tenderly before exiting the room. Clare followed him out moments later, kissing her son's forehead sweetly and whispering. "Goodnight my little prince."
the end