"umm…what part of 'centered' is foreign to you two? Fix it," Fiona
Jake and Drew looked at each other, both standing on ladders and holding opposite sides of a 'CONGRATULATIONS' banner, "I thought Clare organized this party?" Drew asked confused about why Fiona was shooting orders.
Jake shrugged, "she did, but she also organized Fiona to help party plan. That being said, fix the end of your side of the banner I don't want to get yelled at again," Jake ordered.
Fiona busied herself getting everything perfect for the party as Clare stood in the kitchen looking down at the still frozen appetizers in front of her. Her mind wandered to Eli and this party and if she should tell him the truth or not.
"So what do you think? Pretty impressive if I do say so myself and…well I do," Fiona stated walking up to Clare in the kitchen.
Clare looked around and smiled, "it's great Fiona, thanks for all your help and for letting us use your loft,"
Fiona smiled, "so when is Eli and Adam supposed to be here?"
"oh…not for another 10 minutes or so," Clare replied
"Well it loos like anyone who matters is here. Are you going to cook those?" Fiona asked noting the uncooked quiche sitting on a cookie sheet in front of Clare.
Clare shook her head, "oh, ya…sorry, I guess my mind is somewhere else right now," she replied
Fiona looked at her a moment, noticing her paler then usual complexion, "are you feeling ok? You look under the weather,"
"oh no, I m…I m fine, just tired I guess," Clare stuttered busying herself preparing the rest of the food. Fiona watched her unconvinced but before she could question Clare further Drew interrupted.
"I got a text from Adam they are on their way up," Drew stated looking at his phone
"Ok, everybody hide," she called rushing around and turning off the lights.
Clare didn't move from her spot in the kitchen, despite it being her idea for the party, celebrating wasn't something she was looking forward too anymore.
Eli and Adam walked into the darken loft, "why are we here again?" Clare heard Eli ask Adam
"I told you, Drew borrowed money from me and I need to collect," Adam lied
As they walked into the living room of the loft everyone jumped out of their hiding places and yelled "Congratulations," as the lights flickered back on.
Eli stood there a little shocked by the surprise but, smiled politely, "wow, thanks guys," he stated as people walked over to him to congratulated him in person.
Clare smiled, loving how happy Eli seemed. Fiona walked over to Eli and grinned, "so, were you surprised?" she asked beaming.
"ya, it's great….you know you should really go into the surprise party business," Eli said noting that this wasn't the first surprise party Fiona had thrown in her loft.
"Perhaps, but this actually wasn't my idea. You can thank your girlfriend for putting it together," Fiona said patting Eli on the shoulder and walking towards Imogen and some friends at the other end of the room.
Eli turned to find Clare standing in the kitchen and smiled at her. She moved into the living room and met him at the corner of the counter.
"You're pretty amazing you know that," Eli smiled putting his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him.
Clare smiled, "well you deserve this, you worked hard to get into NYU and I am proud of you," she stated honestly
Eli smiled and leaned in to kiss her softly on the lips.
"Clare, we need to get the food out of the oven!" Fiona called from back in the kitchen
Eli and Clare pulled apart at the sound of Fiona's voice interrupting their moment, "I guess I have work to do," Clare stated pulling away from Eli.
"I can help," Eli responded about to follow her further into the kitchen
Clare stopped him, "no, no this is your party. Go, mingle and have fun," she scouted him away.
Once he had left her presence her smile faded back to the realization of what she was keeping from him.
"Clare, the cheese puffs!" Fiona snapped
"Ya, sorry," Clare went to the oven and helped Fiona with the food
As she plated the pastries the smell ran up her nose and filled her gag reflex. In order to keep from being sick she swallowed and held her breath hoping the nausea feeling growing in the pit of her stomach would relax.
Across the room a knowing Katie saw Clare struggle with the food and rushed to the kitchen, "hey, Clare why don't I finish up here and you can get more music from the bedroom," Katie suggested, covering for her.
Clare nodded and mouthed a thank-you to Katie and walked to Fiona's main bedroom to retrieve some music.
As she entered the room a dizzy spell hit her hard and she carefully sat on the bed hoping it would pass. She placed a hand on her small abdomen and breathed slowly, begging her body to cooperate with her. Once she felt a bit better she rummaged through some music and walked back into the party. She looked around the room and smiled at the sight of her friends and boyfriend talking and laughing.
As she stood in the corner of the entrance and Katie walked up to her, "you feeling better?" she asked softly.
Clare nodded, "a bit, thanks again for helping me out there," she replied
Katie nodded, "no problem, but it's only a matter of time before someone else notices that your not feeling well and then you will be forced to explain," she said reminding her that she had to tell Eli.
"I know, just not tonight. Let him enjoy right now before I completely, ruin everything with this news," Clare said looking back to Eli.
Katie sighed, "Clare…" she began
Clare shook it off, "I should probably go back and help Fiona with the food and everything," Clare stated changing the subject.
As Clare began to walk past Katie another dizzy spell hit her and she almost fell to the ground but, Katie caught her, "I have a better idea, why don't you go and get some rest. All of this stress and lack of sleep is probably getting to you. I will take care of the food and cover for you," Katie stated worried about Clare.
Clare was about to dismiss the idea but, knew Katie was right and she needed to lay down for a bit. Clare nodded and turned back to the bedroom.
Katie watched as her friend walked away concerned.
An hour later
Eli was in the middle of a conversation with some friends when he looked around the room and noticed Clare was missing. He excused himself from the group and walked over to a busy Katie in the kitchen, "Katie, have you seen Clare?" he asked curious.
"ya, she…umm…was pretty tired, after all the planning and what not so she is just taking the edge off in the back," Katie stated not really telling him the full truth.
Eli nodded.
"Katie, we need more of those spinach rolls ASAP!" Fiona called interrupting Eli and Katie's conversation. Katie turned back to her tasks and hurried around the kitchen.
Eli turned and walked towards the bedroom and before he entered the room he heard soft sobs coming from the other side of the door and opened the door to see Clare laying on her side and crying.
"Clare?" he called softly
She sat up slowly and tried to stop her tears when she heard Eli call her name, "Eli, I thought you were enjoying the party," she said
"I was but, then I couldn't find you and Katie said that you were in here and not feeling too well…so I became concerned, Clare what's wrong?" he asked sitting beside her on the bed.
Clare shook her head, "oh…nothing, I think I got some onion in my eye or something," she lied horribly
Eli took a hand and wiped away some tears falling from her eye, forcing her to look at him, "Clare?" he asked again not believing her lie for a second.
"It's nothing Eli, lets go back to the party," she tried
"Clare, it's not nothing…please, is it because I m leaving because I told you NYU doesn't change how I feel about us," he explained again
Clare nodded, "I know…it's not…lets not…" Clare stumbled over her words
"Clare…" he called again begging for answers
Just then Jake entered the bedroom, "hey Clare, Katie is wondering where the….oh….wow, I think I might have walked into something here and so I m just going to mosey on back to the party. Forget I interrupted anything," Jake said noticing the intense moment between Eli and Clare.
"If I tell you, it might ruin your night and everything," Clare warned
Eli shook his head, "please," he probed
"You have to know that….I m not trying to trap you here or ruin your dreams or…"Clare stammered
Eli tried to follow but, was getting lost, "Clare, Clare…just tell me," he urged
"I m pregnant," she finally said
Eli's eyes widened and his heart raced at her announcement and as his mind wrapped around the news tears raced down Clare's face.