Welcome to tonight's shot!
Legal: I own nothing but the idea
Stuff to know before reading:
*Takes place right after Drew finds out he's not the dad and she tries to tell Eli
*Adam is not dead, he was hit by a drunk driver and is in a coma and never dated Becky
*Lucas still lives in Toronto, Mia and Izzy are still in Paris
That pretty much does it enjoy the fluff and remember this stiry is for entertainment purposes only.
For a Couple of Nights You Could Say You're My Wife
(LUCAS)
"Valieri can I see you in my office?" My boss requests when I get back to the office Wednesday evening after a job. I follow him into his office and sit down on the other side of his desk. "There's a position opening up and it would be a promotion for you and come with a large raise."
"That's great," I grin. I've been working at this company for two years now in the same position.
"You're a family man aren't you?" My boss asks.
"Yes Sir," I nod. When I applied for the job and interviewed the boss, who has eight kids of his own, asked about my family. I do have a daughter but I rarely see and Mia barely talks to me unless it involves Izzy, even then it's usually through text or e-mail. I'm not married, I don't even have a steady girlfriend. However my boss thinks I am married.
"It's a good position for someone with a family, better benefits, regular hours and less field work. I'd like to meet your family before I make my final decision, I've never met them before and I always like to meet with the families before I promote someone. Gives me a better understanding of the person, their ideals and values."
"Yeah, great I'll talk to the wife as soon as I get home and let you know tomorrow," I tell him keeping the smile on my face.
I shake my bosses hand; go to my desk to get my things and leave. I don't go home instead I hit The Break Room, a mostly high school hang out I still come from time to time it's a good place to think. I'm really happy that I'm up for a promotion there's just one problem, my family lives in Paris, France and Mia doesn't exactly talk to me.
"Lucas?" I vaguely familiar voice draws me out of my thoughts and I look up to see a girl who also seems vaguely familiar. Short and voluptuous with short light brown hair, her face resembles this cherub doll my mom has at her house. She has these incredible blue eyes you'd think I'd be able to place in a second. However I continue to stare at her and I cannot put a name to her face. "Clare," she says after a second when I continue to stare at her, "Edwards. Darcy's little sister."
"Right The Shep called you a bitch," I grin finally recognizing her.
"Yeah one of my more memorable high school moments," she comments sitting across from me.
"You look a lot different than I remember," I remark looking her over.
"Yes I got curves and laser eye surgery so no more glasses. Plus it's been three years," she replies with a somewhat snarky tone as a waitress brings her a ginger ale.
"Feeling nauseas?" I inquire.
"Being pregnant has that effect," she says and my eyes go wide.
"Didn't you and Darcy wear abstinence rings?"
"Yeah back when my parents were still dating and before Eli, and cancer," she sighs.
"You had cancer?"
For the next couple of hours Clare fills me in on the last three years. I hear all about her and Eli, her parent's divorce, her mom getting remarried, her date with Fitz and Fitz's return, her and Jake, prom and her friend getting shot, getting back together with Jake and breaking up, back together with Eli, them breaking up and getting together again. I hear all about Asher, Clare losing her virginity at prom, battling cancer, Adam's car wreck, Clare running student council with Drew and the building sexual tension, her breakup with Eli, sleeping with Drew and him telling her she's a rebound and finally finding out she's pregnant.
"I was sure Drew was the dad, he was actually excited about it and being really sweet. Then I found out I'm actually sixteen weeks pregnant, Alli told Dallas and he told Drew and now Drew hates me and he's being a total jerk. I tried to tell Eli he was the dad and he called me a whore so I'm not talking to him either. I didn't want to go home and with Eli working at The Dot I wasn't going there, not too many DeGrassi kids hang here anymore so I figured it would be safe. I was surprised to see you here though," she tells me finishing her story.
"Fuck and I thought me and Jane went through a lot in high school seems like you've been through most everything."
"At least high school is almost over," she sighs.
"Anyway I'm her because I needed time to think, I found out today I'm being considered for a promotion."
"Isn't that a good thing? Shouldn't you be out celebrating?"
"Except that when I got the job I told my boss I had a family and he wants to meet them. I don't think Izzy can fly out from Paris that quickly or that Mia would let her, we're still not on the best of terms. I get Izzy in the summer but generally only exchange a few short e-mails with Mia. So now I either have to come clean to my boss which definitely won't get me the promotion. Or find a family in the next couple of days."
"Couldn't you just tell him that you only have Izzy in the summers?"
"Yeah but he thinks they live here with me. He's real big on family values and all that and I don't think telling him I'm a bachelor ten months out of the year will go over well," I tell her and then an idea hits me. "You could be my wife," I exclaim and she spits out the sip of ginger ale she just took.
"Excuse me?"
"Just for a couple days, move into my place for a couple of nights, pretend to be my wife for a couple of days and meet my boss. You're even pregnant it's perfect," I grin.
"Have you gone insane? I'm still in high school."
"Yeah but you're a senior, Mia was 13 when I got her pregnant. Besides we've known each other for years."
"You didn't even remember who I was today."
"Just pretend you're my wife for a couple of days to impress my boss. He'll come to dinner and see that I have a family. If you do this for me I'll go to birthing classes with you, take you to doctor appointments, I'll even be there for the birth if you need a coach," I plead with Clare.
She looks at me with her eyebrows pinched together and looking at me like I'm insane at first. Then her eyebrows relax and she pulls the right side of her lower lip between her teeth, rolling her lip softly between her teeth. It's kind of adorable and pretty sexy actually and makes me smile.
"You swear to be with me for the birthing classes and delivery? I could actually use a coach seeing as the baby's dad isn't speaking to me and Drew hates me."
"I can punch them both out for you too," I offer and she giggles softly.
"Eli already punched Drew and I don't think Drew's head could take a punch from you. A part of me would love for Eli to get hit after how he treated me but no just come to birthing classes with me and be my coach. So I just move in for a couple of days?" She questions.
"Yeah, you won't need to move all your stuff in but enough to make it look like you live there. I can borrow some stuff from my mom too, so that my apartment doesn't look so much like a bachelor pad."
"I can move my stuff tomorrow I'll ditch school, after today I don't really want to go back tomorrow anyway."
(CLARE)
I spent the better part of last night packing things up, I really wasn't sure what would be enough to make it look like I actually lived there. I packed up two suitcases of clothes and three boxes of books, trinkets and pictures. I also packed essentials; jewelry, toiletries and my laptop. Lucas is coming to get me at eleven and take me to his apartment before he goes to work. When my cellphone rings I look at it to see Alli's face flashing on the screen.
"I know I shouldn't have told Dallas but please don't ditch school because you're mad at me. Drew's a jerk just ignore him," Alli begs when I answer.
"I'm not mad at you Alli, well I am a little mad that you told Dallas before I could tell Drew but it's okay. I just needed a day to myself that's all, I'll be back at school tomorrow," I assure her.
"Jenna and I will take notes for you and e-mail you the homework," she says. I tell her thanks and hang up when I hear a car pull up. When I look out the window and see Lucas I open the front door for him.
"I wasn't entirely sure what to pack but it's all upstairs," I tell him.
"What about your mom?"
"I sent her a text that I was staying at dad's a couple of days," I reply. Lucas carries most of the stuff down and loads up the car then we drive to his apartment.
"I shouldn't be more than six hours, just one client today. You can put things anywhere you want, make the apartment yours or ours I guess since it's supposed to be. There's food in the fridge and a bunch of takeout menus in the drawer next to the fridge."
"Okay I'll see you tonight, there's a birthing class at the hospital tonight if you're not too tired," I say tentatively.
"Great sign us up," Lucas smiles and leaves the apartment.
This feels very weird, not just being in a guy's apartment but that guy being Lucas and I'm here because I'm moving in. Well temporarily moving in and temporarily pretending to be his wife. I can't believe I said yes to this arrangement. Of course I am getting a birthing coach out of this deal and it can't possibly be worse than spending time with Eli or Drew right now. I get out my laptop and sign us up for the birthing class and then I begin unpacking. Lucas' apartment is only a one bedroom so it isn't hard to find the one bedroom. He actually cleared out a couple of drawers in the dresser and there didn't seem to be much in his closet to begin with so I start putting away clothes. After three hours of unpacking and deciding where to put stuff I look in the kitchen for something to eat. I spend the rest of the afternoon doing the homework and assignments Alli and Jenna e-mailed me and Lucas gets home just after six.
"I'm all unpacked and the class is in a couple of hours," I tell him.
"Sweet, I'll change and take you to dinner first," he smiles going into the kitchen and I follow him. I'm sure I shouldn't be but I'm a little worried that he won't like where I put things. "That's perfect," he grins when he sees the sonogram picture I put on the fridge. "You're having a boy?"
"Yeah named Adam after my best friend, thankfully a name that worked both when I thought Drew was the dad and still works now that I know Eli is the dad. Assuming of course he actually speaks to me again and wants to be a part of his child's life."
"He will, he'll find out somehow and it will become important to him and hopefully it won't take him as long as it took me."
Lucas goes back to change and I get my shoes on and grab my purse. Lucas changes into jeans and a t-shirt and takes me to dinner at Swiss Chalet. When we get to the hospital for the birthing class I realize we're the youngest ones in the class.
"Couples take a seat on the floor," the instructor says and we sit down. "We're going to start with relaxation breathing techniques, pregnant ladies sit between you're partners legs and lean back against their chest."
"I wasn't really thinking about the fact that there'd probably be touching," I apologize as I cautiously move between his legs.
"You don't want me to touch you?"
"It's not that," I reply leaning back against his chest slowly. "I just don't want it to be uncomfortable for you. I only have to play my part of this deal for a couple of days, you have to do your part for the next five or so months," I remind him as I very slowly begin to relax against his chest.
"I think I can handle five months of you being cradled against my body," Lucas replies and it makes me smile. The class is nice, a lot of the teacher talking and then filling out a birthing plan which requires a lot of decisions.
"You sure this won't be too awkward for you?" I question as we leave class and walk back to his car.
"It was kind of fun actually, I wanted nothing to do with it at 14 and 15 but I do regret not doing all that stuff with Mia when she was pregnant," he says and I smile. "So my boss will be coming at five tomorrow for dinner, I can pick up something on the way home," Lucas tells me after a moment.
"I can cook but we need some groceries."
"To the store then," he says. We stop at the grocery store getting not only what we need for me to cook tomorrow but some other groceries as well. When we get home we unload the groceries together. "I'm going to shower and I'll sleep on the sofa you take the bed," he says.
"Thanks but do you have enough bedding to do that?"
"Yeah there's a sleeping bag in the closet."
"Great, well good night then," I smile. I feel like I should kiss him, or hug him even but instead I wave awkwardly and go into the bedroom.
I change into pajamas and get into bed doing things on my laptop until Lucas is out of the washroom and then I go in and brush my teeth. I return to the bedroom and try to go to sleep but after tossing and turning for what feels like quite a long time I get up. Lucas is still awake and watching TV but looks over at me when he hears me come out.
"Sorry was the TV too loud?"
"No I just can't sleep, I came out for some water."
"Anything I can do?"
"No I just can't seem to shut my mind off, restless I guess since it's not my house or my bed," I reply as I get myself a glass of water.
"I know the cure for that," he says getting out of the sleeping bag.
He wears only boxers but I admit the sight is rather pleasing. He takes me back to the bedroom and I get under the covers while he sits on top. As I get settled in he begins telling me stories about him and Jane when they were young, stories about Izzy and stories about all the trouble he got into. Halfway into a story about him and Johnny breaking into Bardell I fall asleep. When I wake the next morning to my alarm he's still in bed with me, under the covers but we aren't touching. He wakes to the alarm too and looks at me.
"I think I fell asleep talking, must have gotten under the covers at some point," he yawns.
"That's okay it is your bed but I have to get ready for school."
"I'll take you," he offers.
"You don't have to the bus goes right by here."
"What kind of husband would I be if I didn't drive my wife to school," he responds and I smile. I get dressed and ready for school and Lucas gets dressed. I'm not hungry for breakfast so he just drives me to school. "You sure you don't want me to get you breakfast?" He asks as he pulls up by the steps.
"Yes I just feel nauseas I'll be okay."
"I'll pick you up after school then, no field work today just research so I have flexible hours today," he tells me and I nod before getting out of the car.
The only people in the courtyard right now have no idea who Lucas is so no one says anything of the fact that he brought me to school. I go inside walking past Drew and Dallas and go to my locker. I get out my books and start walking to the student council office to put in the schedule that I won't be at the meeting today. Drew and Dallas are now in the student council office along with Alli and Becky and I don't want to go in and face Drew, hopefully I can get in and out without looking at Drew. Just as I reach the student council office I see Lucas walking toward me so I pass the door for student council, we're still visible from the glass wall of the office however.
"What are you doing here and how did you get in?"
"Easy I told Simpson I was your husband," he grins and my eyes widen with shock and fear because Simpson will call my mom. "Relax I work for a personal security firm I told Simpson I was here on business. I brought you stuff for your nausea, mint tea and crackers. I got the tea from The Dot and met Eli," he informs me handing me the stuff.
"You didn't…"
"I didn't hit him," Lucas cuts me off, "but he deserves it. I didn't even tell him the tea was for you. I did tell him if he calls you a whore again that I'd rip his lungs out though. If he's smart he'll be able to put it together that I got the tea for you."
"I'll bet he's the dad," Drew's voice makes me turn around. Drew, Dallas, Alli and Becky are all lingering outside the student council office doorway and watching Lucas and I.
"Go to hell Drew," I shoot back with venom in my tone.
"Oh you're Drew and I'll bet you're Dallas," Lucas says with a slightly growling tone. Dallas doesn't say anything but the way he reacts when Lucas says his name tells Lucas he's right. Lucas clenches his fist and takes a couple of steps toward Drew and Dallas until I catch his arm.
"Lucas don't, come on you should get to work I'll walk you out," I assert pulling him toward the entrance.
"They definitely deserve to have their faces smashed in," Lucas argues and loud enough that they hear.
"I agree but if you hit Drew he'll probably get another concussion, he's already had two of them and one Torres brother in a coma is enough," I comment.
"At least now they know if they do anything else to hurt you they'll have to face me."
"I don't remember that being part of the deal," I comment as we reach the front steps.
"I'm adding it to the deal, birthing coach and protecting you from the jerks of the world," Lucas says and I laugh. "I'll be here to pick you up as soon as school is out," Lucas smiles and I watch him go down to his car before I return inside.
"What in the world are you doing with Lucas Valieri?" Alli inquires.
"He's just a friend Alli," I reply.
"Who brings you tea and crackers and wants to smash Dallas and Drew's heads in? And since when are you and Lucas friends?"
"It's a recent development, he dropped me at school and I told him I was nauseas so he got me tea and crackers, plus I think he wanted to meet Eli. I told him about Eli, Drew and Dallas and he's protective," I tell her as the bell rings and I rush to class.
Miss Oh lets me drink the tea in class but I wait until the bell to eat the crackers. Alli says nothing about Lucas all day long, Drew won't even look at me and there's a couple times where Dallas either looks like he has questions or wants to say something but he never does. When I tell Dallas to tell Drew I can't make it to student council because I have plans with Lucas Dallas simply nods.
"How was school?" Lucas asks when I go down to his car.
"Not bad, you scared Drew and Dallas so they barely spoke to me."
"Good," Lucas smiles as he begins driving.
We get back to his place and I take a quick shower before I start dinner. Lucas helps by chopping vegetables and we have everything ready before five. I cover the food to keep it warm and we change for dinner.
"Hang on you need one more thing," Lucas says as I leave his room after getting dressed. He goes into his room and I wait in the hall, when he returns it doesn't look like he has anything. But then he takes my hand and slips a ring onto my ring finger.
"What's that for?" I question looking at the delicate diamond ring.
"We're supposed to be married remember, it was my grandmother's I borrowed it from my mom," Lucas tells me.
"I can't wear this, wait does your mom know why you borrowed this?"
"You can wear it, it's just for a night and she sort of knows. I didn't give her all the details just told her I needed it for a dinner with my boss tonight," Lucas says as there's a knock at the door. "Okay just be yourself and remember that you're supposed to be my wife," Lucas says as we walk toward the door. Lucas opens the door revealing a man a few inches taller than Lucas; he's slender with salt and pepper hair and a square jaw. "Welcome Sir," Lucas says letting him in and closing the door behind him. "This is my wife Clare, Sweet Cheeks my boss Seth Maddox," Lucas introduces us and comes up with a pet name for me on the spot.
"She's gorgeous, it's a pleasure to meet you finally," Seth grins kissing the back of my hand.
"It's my pleasure Seth, dinner's ready please sit down," I smile.
"So how did you two meet?" Seth asks when we're all sitting down and begin eating.
"Actually we've known each other for a long time, we just weren't that close until a couple of years ago. Clare was going through some family stuff and we ran into each at The Break Room. We talked for hours, began dating and we fell deeply in love. Of course her friends thought she was mad for marrying a guy she'd only been dating for six months that's five years older than her. That didn't stop us of course, we've been very happy, proving them all wrong and now we're expecting our first child," Lucas says making up story of our relationship and yet he's not entirely lying.
"You're expecting another child? Wonderful I have eight children myself," Seth tells me.
"Eight?! I think we'll stop at this one, it's a boy and of course Lucas already has Izzy. She's only out for the summer currently but we're hoping to get her out more," I say before taking a bite.
"Yes and Izzy's excited to be a big sister," Lucas adds.
"And we do need a bigger apartment with a new edition on the way," I comment hoping if his boss thinks Lucas needs a bigger apartment it will help him get the promotion.
"Yeah a three bedroom at least, we'll need to start looking soon," Lucas says.
"Indeed having space for all the children is important. Tell me Clare what do you do?" Seth asks.
"I'm still in school," I say slowly.
"Clare's only eighteen, she's a senior at DeGrassi but she wants to go into journalism. She'll be going to Ryerson next year, our parents will be helping with the baby but we'll also have to use a daycare or a nanny part time."
"Journalism is a good field, many journalists are even better than private investigators," Seth grins.
Seth stays for dinner and dessert, asking some more questions and telling us about his own family. While every answer Lucas and I give is essentially a lie it's also the truth in a way. Like I really am going to Ryerson next year and Lucas really does want Izzy to come out more.
"We're very glad you could come to dinner Seth," I smile as we walk him to the door at the end of the night.
"Dinner was wonderful, you are a beautiful host. You are a very lucky man Lucas," Seth smiles.
"Don't I know it, Clare's amazing," Lucas grins putting his arm around me.
"After tonight I've made my decision, you got the promotion Lucas you'll start on Monday," Seth informs Lucas.
He's so happy he has a huge grin on his face. His other arm comes around me lifting me up into a tight hug. He spins me around once and then our lips connect. I kiss him back instinctually and it's not until I think about the fact that I'm actually kissing Lucas that a breath hitches in my throat. My heart starts pounding and my lips part slightly deepening the kiss. Lucas sets me down after a second and lets go of me with one arm shaking Seth with the other.
"Thank you Sir this is fantastic, you won't regret this decision Sir," Lucas smiles and Seth leaves.
"Congrats you got the job!"
"Yeah it worked and you were great I couldn't have done it without you, he loved you," Lucas says excited and elated and then he looks a little sad. "Well I suppose I should get you home now."
"It's kind of late and I'd have to pack up all of my stuff, probably easiest to do it tomorrow since it is Saturday."
"It does make more sense for you to sleep here tonight. I'll sleep on the sofa."
"Don't do that, we slept in one bed last night there's no reason we can't sleep in one bed again. I mean we're just going to be sleeping right?"
"Right just sleeping. We should probably clean up the kitchen first," Lucas comments and we go into the kitchen.
After cleaning up I get ready for bed and Lucas showers, I'm in bed by the time he comes into the room. Unlike last night I fall asleep almost the minute Lucas is in the bed with me. After breakfast the next morning Lucas helps me pack up and then he drives me to my house. Thankfully my mom and Glen always go out with friends on Saturday so they aren't home
"So I'll see you on Thursday for birthing class," Lucas says after helping me bring in the last box.
"Yeah see you Thursday, I'll meet you at the hospital," I reply.
"I can pick you up; it's easier if we go together. I can even pick you up from school," he says.
"The class is at eight," I remind him.
"Eight, right well I'll pick you up here at 7:30 then. So until Thursday then," Lucas says waving as he leaves.
When Lucas is gone I go upstairs and begin unpacking, finishing by the time my parents are home. I tell them my time with Dad was fine and Mom asks no other questions. I stay up late on my computer but find my mind keeps drifting to Lucas. I have a terrible time getting to sleep and after two hours of trying to get to sleep I get up and go downstairs. I watch TV and fall asleep on the sofa just before dawn. I sleep until my parents get back from church and spend the rest of my Sunday moping, I just have no idea why. By Monday morning I'm just concentrating on school, nothing interesting happens that morning, Drew is still avoiding me and I eat lunch at the picnic tables with Jenna, Connor and Alli.
"Uh Clare you have a visitor," Alli says pointing behind me and I turn around seeing Lucas pull up in his car. I leave the table and walk over just as Lucas gets out of his car.
"What are you doing here? The class isn't until Thursday."
"I know but I miss you, I couldn't sleep the last two nights. I started in my new position today and all I could think about was how you helped me get it. I know it was just to fool my boss and get the promotion but," Lucas says going down on one knee pulling his grandma's ring from his pocket, "Clare Diana Edwards will you be my wife for real and for the rest of our lives?"
"Yes," I smile and Lucas picks me up spinning me around a crushing our lips together.
"I don't have to be back at work for another hour you want to go to city hall right now?"
"Let's do it."
"I love you," Lucas smiles crushing our lips together again and then setting me down.
"I love you too," I grin kissing him again. I run around to the passenger side of the car as Lucas gets in the driver's side.
"Clare where are you going?" Jenna calls after me.
"Getting married see you for third period," I call back and Lucas drives off leaving my friends in shock. "You know my mom's going to have a heart attack," I tell Lucas.
"Mine will be thrilled," he replies.
"At some point I will have to tell Eli the baby is his."
"We can invite him to dinner; he has a right to be involved as long as he can treat you with respect. With this promotion I can afford a bigger place we'll start looking for a three bedroom. Izzy's going to be a fabulous big sister."
We park at city hall and go in, after filling out the paperwork we have just enough time to say "I do" and then Lucas rushes me back to school. He parks near the stairs combing his fingers into my hair and softly pressing his lips to mine.
"I guess this means I have to move my stuff back in, and more of it."
"I'll come to dinner and we'll tell your parents, we can move your stuff in slowly but you are definitely sleeping over tonight."
"I can't believe I'm going into school as a married woman."
"If anyone gives you any trouble just tell them they'll have to deal with your husband."
I hope you enjoyed this shot but remember this is for entertainment purposes only. I do not condone getting married to someone after 48 hours. Or lying to your boss for that matter.