Title: Cooperation

Rating: M

Chapter: 2. Sweet Creature, Part 2

Fandom: Degrassi: The Next Generation

Summary: Cooperation (noun): the process of working together to the same end.

Comments: "Sweet Creature" is sung by Harry Styles.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the idea.

Clare winced as Drew drove over a pothole, jerking the car. She held her breath, praying Aubree didn't wake up.

"Relax," Drew spoke up. "We're almost home."

Clare nodded, looking out the window. "Are Alli and Dallas meeting us at the house? Or -"

"They're already there," Drew interjected. "Alli texted me before we left the hospital."

The next couple of minutes were silent, except for Aubree's soft snoring, as they drove to Drew's house. Drew pulled into the driveway before getting out to unhook the car seat from the back. Clare climbed out and wobbled up the driveway to the front door.

"Welcome home, Aubree Elise," Drew whispered as they walked inside.

Before she could even get her winter coat off, Clare was ambushed. She let out a gasp before wrapping her arms around Alli. "Oh, hi."

Alli held Clare close, sighing, "I'm so sorry I missed your labor." She pulled back enough to look up at Clare's face. "You should have called me."

Clare smiled, stepping away from Alli to take off her own coat. "It's okay. I had Audra and Helen with us. They can get anything done. Especially together," she assured. She winced when she reached too high to put the coat on a wall hanger.

"Here." Dallas took the jacket from her and hung it up. He then gave her a hug. "Congrats, Mommy."

Clare beamed as she hugged him back. "Thank you." She pecked him on the cheek before slowly stepping into the living room to join Alli and Drew.

Drew had already put his jacket away and was getting Aubree out of the car seat. "C'mere, Bree." He laid her against his chest and turned to Alli. "Want to hold her?" he offered.

Alli's whole face lit up. "Yes!" She held her arms out and Drew helped her get situated on the couch with Aubree. "Oh my god," she cooed. "How is she so tiny?"

Clare sat down in an armchair, resting a hand on her side. "It's amazing. Isn't it?" She looked at Drew with a timid smile.

Drew met her smile with his own and walked over to Clare's side. "You okay?" He kissed her forehead and sat on the armrest beside her.

Clare nodded, curling into him, and closed her eyes. "Just tired," she mumbled.

"We can send Alli and Dallas home. They'll understand," Drew whispered. Then he heard Alli squeal about something Aubree did in her sleep. "Well, Dallas will understand," he chuckled, looking over at their daughter and her godparents.

Clare shook her head, reminding, "They came all this way from the states. They can stay."

Drew nodded, stroking her hair back. He knew it was useless fighting with Clare and they had just gotten home from the hospital. Instead, he just clutched her close while he could. She had settled contently in his arms and was about to fall asleep when they heard Aubree start crying again.

"She's probably hungry," Clare mumbled as Drew pulled away.

Drew walked over to the couch and went to the diaper bag he had left on the coffee table. He pulled out a premade bottle of formula and screwed a nipple on. "You want to feed her?" he asked Alli, holding the bottle out.

"Sure," Alli nodded, taking the bottle and forced the nipple past Aubree's screaming lips. "Shhhhh. It's okay, Aubree. It's all better now." Aubree settled down as she sucked hungrily.

Drew turned back to the armchair and smiled at the sight of Clare fast asleep. He walked over to her and scooped her into his arms, lifting her off the chair. "I'm gonna put Clare to bed," he told his friends quietly. He didn't wait for a reply as he started out of the room and up the stairs. He laid Clare in his bed, where she had spent the last month with him. He tucked her in and kissed her forehead before sneaking out of her room.

"Is she okay?" Dallas asked when Drew walked back into the living room.

Drew nodded, assuring, "Yeah. She just had baby. It's a little tiring." He laughed when he realized Dallas had Aubree propped up on his shoulder with a rag. "Get sick of her already, Alli?" he teased, sitting back in the armchair.

Alli glared at him, snapping, "No."

Dallas chuckled, patting Aubree's back firmly. "No. Uncle Mikey's done this before." When the baby let out a burp, he laid her back down in his arms and wiped her mouth with the rag. "Hello Sunshine." He kissed Aubree on the cheek, making her sigh. "You look like your Mommy."

"She does," Drew agreed with a goofy grin. The same smile he hadn't been able to keep off his face since his daughter had arrived. "But she's going to have my excellent hair. Once she gets some." He got up to join his friends and held his arms out. "Come see Daddy." Dallas handed Aubree over and Drew cradled her close. "Muh-wah!" Drew gave her a noisy kiss on the head, making her huff. "I love you, Bree."