It has been thirteen years since Drew signed the abandonment papers leaving Clare's and her baby girl's life for then Clare got back together with Eli and he raised her daughter Reagan as his own and Drew went on with his life as if nothing ever happened.
Today was Reagan's first day of high school at Degrassi community school, Clare already had breakfast on the table and Eli was reading a newspaper "so today's the day huh?" He said looking at Clare.
"Yeah its hard to believe that she will be going to the same school we did" said Eli.
"Lets hope her experience is smooth sailing unlike ours" joked Clare.
Eli smiled for a second and then it faded and Clare noticed "whats wrong?"
"You dont think anyone there would know about her real dad and tell Reagan do you?" Whispered Eli.
She walked over and put her arms around him "Elijiah Goldworthy you are her dad...you raised her nothing can take that away I promise DNA doesnt mean anything" said Clare.
"I love her so much I dont want her to doubt that" said Eli.
"She wont" said Clare.
They stopped their convrosation when they heard steps going downstairs that belonged to a auborne haired teenage girl with blue eyes "hey Reagan you ready for high school?" Asked Eli.
"Oh yeah im so ready" she said wakking over and giving her dad a kiss on the cheek.
"Do you know what electives your gonna take its a good opprotunity to take advanced classes and get ahead" said Clare.
"Clare its her first year in hugh school, let her discover herself and have fun" said Eli.
"I think im gonna join the newspaper and take photography" said Reagan.
"That sounds fun you do what makes you happy" said Eli.
After breakfast was ate Eli took Reagan to school as he pulled into the parking lot he smiled "have a good first day" said Eli as she got out and walked into school.
He then looked over to seeing a man walk over to him he recognized him but couldnt put his finger on it "so is that her?" The man asked.
Eli then recognized him "why are you stalking MY daughter?"
"Im not stalking her, I teach the gym class here, so I guess I will see her this semester or next and have you legally adopted her" asked Drew.
No but as far as she knows im her father, and its gonna stay that way you signed your rights away she is nothing to you, but your student understand" said Eli.
"I understand" said Drew "I just wanted to say thanks."
"For what?" Said Eli.
"For taking care of her" said Drew.
"I did it for Clare and Reagan not you" said Eli.
The bell then rang "well I gotta teach gym" said Drew.
"Remember she is your student nothing more" said Eli.
"I know" said Drew as Eli drove off.
The day went by until 5th period where he would have the gifted class he saw the students walk in and his eyes locked on her, she grew up beautiful she looked like Clare but had his eyes he couldnt believe she was already in high school it seemed like yesterday him and clare found out they were having her, he remembered it like was yesterday.
He was walking the halls of degrassi minding his own buisness when he heard a bunch of papers fall on the floor he looked up to seeing Clare picking them up and he tried to help and she gave him a cold shoulder as if he was the worst person in the world.
Then finally the news was out "YOU GOT ME PREGNANT!"
He was terrified he was nowhere ready to be a father, but then one sentence eased his mind "ive already decided im getting an abortion."
His heart began to ache as he looked at her now how could he at one point be okay with Clare terminating her life seeing her now be a beautiful healthy girl.
He then remembered the day he signed his rights away, he didnt want to be a dad at the time and Eli would only step in if he wasnt a part of her life period he wanted Clare happy, so he did what was best.
His thoughts were inturrupted with the bell ringing signaling class was gonna begin the students stopped talking and gave him their undevided attention "hi my name is and I will be your gym teacher for the semester" he said.
"Now im gonna call role before we begin today's activity as he went down and checked the list as to who was here or absent he finally got to Reagan's name and he accidently blurted out "Reagan Tores."
The girl looked confused "my name is Reagan Goldsworthy" she corrected.
"Right sorry the computer got your name mixed up with someone else ill get that fixed" said Drew.
He then finished calling role and then picked the game for the day "were playing basketball everyone pick your teams" he looked over at Reagan she was with four other guys one of them looked like he was flirting with her she was trying to shoot a basketball and the guy walked over positioned her hands just right and helped her make the basket.
He kept watching them remembering how he was in high school, he couldnt even think of a guy thinking of Reagan like that he then snapped "hey guys you know what how about we do the old fashion girls vs guys lets show who is better huh?"
Drew felt at ease when he saw Reagan walk away from the other guys they played the game and class was over when school was over Reagan was practicing basketball waiting for Eli to pick her up when Drew walked in the gym "thinking about trying out for the basketball team?"
"No im practicing for fun"said Reagan.
"We have tryouts in two weeks if you want to we have a freshman team and junior varsity that you can try out for myself and will be the coaches."
"I dont think im that good" said Reagan.
"There's still tme to improve" said Drew passing the ball to her.
The two of them played basketball As he showed her pointers and strategies to improve her skills it was the best time Drew had in a long time.
The hour went by way too fast as someone walked in the gym "Reagan its time to go home" he then looked over at Drew "whats going on here?"
"This is coach Torres he was helping me with basketball I might try out for the team" she said excited.
"We have met before..and thats weird you never showed interest in sports Reagan" said Eli.
"Well high school is about trying new things right dad?" Said Reagan.
Drew looked down when she said that and there was an ache in his heart, Eli smiled "I guess so we will talk it over with her mom" said Eli.
"Well thank you " he said with venom in his voice "we better go" he put his arm around Reagan and they walked off.
Drew put all the basketball stuff away and as he drove home all he could think about was Reagan how she grew up, how he missed it all, how he wished he took a stand and took responcibility he then pulled into his drive way and walked into his house where his wife Bianca greeted him "how was first day back to school."
"I saw her today" said Drew.
"Who?" Asked Bianca.
"Clare's daughter Reagan..." said Drew.
"Wait I thought they lived in New York" said Bianca.
"I guess not" said Drew.
"Well how does it feel seeing her after all this time?" Said Bianca.
"I feel like shit she grew up to be a beautiful young lady and I wasnt a part of it" said Drew.
"Are you having second thoughts" said Bianca.
"Today I spent an hour after school just playing basketball it was one of the best times of my life" said Drew "but as far as she knows Eli is her dad and I dont want to ruin that for her" said Drew.
"Being a father is more than playing basketball its a full time commitment" said Bianca.
"I didnt even want to give her up but Eli wanted it all or nothing and I wanted Clare happy so I gave up my rights" said Drew.
"You wanted to keep her in your life?" Said Bianca.
"Yes shes my daughter" said Drew.
"Then request to have your rights reinstated" said Bianca.
"But as far as she know Eli is her father she doesn't know anything about me" said Drew.
"They would tell her eventually its better for her to find out because you want to fight for her rather then you could care less" Said Bianca.
"You would be okay with her being here" said Drew.
"Of course I would because I love you, and if Eli loved Clare he would have respected you being in Reagan's life you shouldnt have to depend on school just to spend time with her" said Bianca.
"I'm gonna do it im going to get my rights back" said Drew.
He then picked up his phone and called Clare "hello?"
"Clare its Drew" he said.
"Eli said he and Reagan saw you today" said Clare.
"Im the gym coach at Degrassi and she showed interst in our basketball team" said Drew.
"So she told me" said Clare.
"Clare you did wonderful with her she turned out great...but after seeing her...ive had a change of heart," said Drew.
"About what?" Said Clare nervously.
"I want to gets my rights reinstated I want to be her father" said Drew.
Clare's eyes went wide in anger "WHAT?"
To be continued...