Just a few more days on short story month from December 23rd to January 4th I will not be posting daily because of the holiday's. As I can get to them I will be posting Christmas chapters for storied that never made it to Christmas like Between Love & Darkness. How often I post and how many I'm able to post will depend on the time that I have.
Please see the DeGrassi Saviors website for the entire December and January schedule.
Ch. 4 Say Goodbye and I Love You
(CLARE)
"Thanks for coming with me Adam, I know I couldn't have done this alone and I don't think anyone else could have come with me," I smile at my best friend as we prepare to leave my place and meet Eli at his dorm. Eli thinks the three of us are going to hang out but we're really going over so I can break up with him. "Well I guess Bianca could have come with me but it's better with you, Eli hates Drew simply because we had sex and he's jealous of Johnny," I sigh.
"To be fair he has a reason to be jealous of Johnny, seeing as you're falling for him and all," Adam smiles as we walk out to the living room.
"Adam shhh," I scold him. I know this place is sound proofed but Johnny often leaves his bedroom door open.
"What? You mean you haven't told him yet? Clare I know he likes you too, even Drew knows he likes you. Just make out with him already," Adam grins.
"Adam! Let's go and remind me to smack Drew for being a bad influence on you," I huff grabbing my purse and pulling Adam out the door.
On the walk to the subway, the subway ride and the walk to Eli's dorm all I can think about is what to say to him. I wish there was a way to do this that Eli wouldn't get angry but I know there isn't. No matter what I say he's going to be angry, he's going to blame everyone else and I'm going to leave feeling terrible. The closer we get to Eli's door the more nervous I become, but I'm resolute in doing this, it has to be done for me and my son. Adam knocks and Eli lets us in, he's not even dressed, he's only got jeans on and his hair is wet, he must have just showered.
"Sorry shooting ran late just come and sit down I'll be dressed in a sec," Eli tells us closing his door again.
"So where do you want to go? I know this…"
"Eli I came over to break up with you," I blurt out and cut him off.
Eli was about to put on a shirt but he drops it and glowers at me, "You came over here to break up with me?!"
Eli advances toward us and Adam stands in front of me, I don't think Eli would ever intentionally hurt me but he is pretty angry.
"I loved you Eli a part of me always will but w…"
"You're getting back together with Drew aren't you? I knew that would happen the moment I saw that brain dead jock at your place. You never should have told him you were pregnant with his kid," Eli growls so angry that he spits.
"Hey watch what you say about my brother," Adam snaps.
"Eli Drew is the father he has every right to know that he was going to have a son. I couldn't keep the baby and keep it from everyone, even if I'd given it away he had a right to know," I respond.
"So you break up with me for him just because he's the father!"
"Eli I'm not getting back together with Drew he's engaged to Bianca. We're barely even friends but he is the dad and he's going to be involved. His entire family is," I stress and my tone is beginning to waiver with anxiety.
"Then it's him, you're breaking up with me because of Johnny aren't you? I knew you moving in with a guy was a bad idea, I never should have let you," Eli seethes his green eyes burning with jealousy and hate.
"Let me?! Eli you don't control me I chose to move in with Johnny and I'm not breaking up with you because of him. I'm breaking up with you because I you don't trust me, because we're not good together anymore and because I have a baby to think about. I do think it will be good for Drew to be involved and know his son but I don't think it will be good for you to. I'm sorry Eli I can't be with you anymore."
With that I flee Eli's dorm room before he can say, or do, anything else. Adam doesn't follow me right away so he must be talking with Eli. Adam does catch up to me a minute later, he doesn't say anything just runs up and falls in stride with me.
"You want to go home?" Adam questions and I shake my head.
"No I think we better go warn Drew to be wary of Eli and I need to tell my mom. I think Drew should probably be around for that although he may want to be," I reply getting out my phone.
Adam gets his out too so he can find out where his family is and we can meet up with them. I text my mom that we need to talk and ask if we can maybe video chat later. She doesn't reply right away so I call Johnny.
"How'd it go?" He asks upon answering.
"Not great, Eli was angry of course but he didn't take any responsibility he just blamed you and Drew. He's pretty outraged you might want to get out of the house for a while," I suggest.
"I'm already out but what about you?" Johnny questions and I hear the worry his tone carries.
"I'm with Adam, we're going to meet up with his family and I'm going to tell my mom. I probably won't be home until tonight," I tell Johnny.
"Okay, try to have some fun, stress isn't good for you or the baby," he reminds me.
I say that I will and we hang up, Adam tells me that his family is in Brooklyn and they'll meet us this afternoon. So Adam and I go to SOHO and visit some museums before grabbing lunch and heading back to his family's suite.
"So how'd it go with Eli?" Bianca asks when we walk in the suite.
"Not so good but it's done. He doesn't know where you guys are staying but if you see him try and avoid him Drew, I think he might try and hurt you. He's really mad and convinced that I was leaving him for you or Johnny," I tell Drew.
"Well you are leaving him for Johnny right?" Drew inquires.
"No I'm leaving him because I can't be with him, it's not good for me or our son. I haven't even talked to Johnny, not about us," I reply.
"Yeah well you should," Adam comments and I shoot him a look.
"I sent a text to my mom asking her to video chat later so I can tell her. I haven't heard back yet and you don't have to be with me but I…"
"I'll be with you Clare," Drew cuts me off, "I'm in this with you. If you'd told me from the beginning I would have been in it with you from the beginning."
"Thanks Drew," I smile.
"Kids we're going to out for a while, you four can do what you want and we'll meet back up for dinner. Clare id your mom gives you any trouble let me know," Audra tells me and I nod.
The Torres parents leave, Adam makes me some tea and we hang out watching TV for a while until I get a text. It's my mom saying she'll be home in an hour and we can video chat. Drew says that's fine and we can do it Adam's room with his laptop. We keep watching TV and the closer it gets the time the more nervous I become. A few minutes before it's time to talk with my mom Drew and I go into the bedroom Adam is using and I turn on his laptop. We get the video chat program ready; Mom's using my old account so it's already on Adam's list. When my mom's face comes on the screen my heart is pounding and hands are sweating I'm so nervous.
"Clare it's good to see you Honey, hello Drew I didn't know you were in New York," Mom comments obviously confused why he's here.
"Yes Ma'am we're visiting the city my dad's firm partners with one here and they put us up," Drew sort of rambles, he's nervous too.
"Mom I asked you to chat for a reason, I have to tell…you…that…I'm pregnant," I barely manage to get the words out and pause for breaths between them.
"You…" Mom gasps staring at me with her mouth dropped open and her eyes wide with shock. It's very silent and very tense for a moment, none of us say anything or even move. "You're the father," Mom says looking at Drew.
"Yes Ma'am, I didn't know anything until a couple of days ago but I'm going to be involved, my whole family is. Bianca and I will drive down until she gives birth and then we'll meet halfway and share custody. Then Bianca and I will look at transferring schools so we're closer to Clare and our son," Drew assures my mom.
"I broke up with Eli, he's not good for me or the baby but I have the support of Drew's family and Johnny," I tell her.
"When did you even find out you were pregnant Clare?" Mom questions. For the next hour I tell Mom everything, from finding out I was pregnant, wanting to hide it and give away the baby. Telling Colombia, Eli and Johnny when I asked about the room for rent. Then Adam finding out which of course led to confessing to Drew. "I'm not sure what to say, this is a lot. I can't believe you didn't tell me when you found out. At least you have support out there, Drew I'd like to speak with your mom and Clare Glen and I will find some time to come visit around the baby's due date. You let us know if there's anything you need Clare and I'll talk to you soon."
"Thanks Mom," I smile and we hang up. I look at Drew and let out a breath of relief, "That went way better than I thought it would, I can't believe she was so supportive."
"Yeah well if you'd told everyone when you found out you wouldn't have spent so long being stressed," Drew admonishes.
"So we didn't hear any yelling," Bianca comments when Drew and I come out of the bedroom.
"Yeah my mom's being supportive can you believe it? She wants to talk to your parents but she was just shocked not even angry," I smile.
"Good," Adam grins, "Mom called she wants us to meet them for dinner."
"Now that I'm not stressed about telling my mom I'm starved, let's go," I say grabbing my purse.
We leave the suite and take the subway to meet the Torres parents for dinner. When we get into the restaurant I see Johnny at the table with the Torres parents.
"Johnny what are you doing here?" I ask with a smile on my face as he pulls my chair out for me.
"Audra and Omar invited me to dinner," he tells me and my smile gets a little bigger.
At dinner we tell them what happened with my mom and Audra says she'll call my mom tomorrow. After a nice dinner with the Torres family we arrange to meet them tomorrow for lunch before they go home. Johnny and I return home on the subway, Johnny unlocks the front door and turns on the lights. Before I can go into my room Johnny takes my hand and turns me to him.
"Hang on before you go to your room I want to tell you that I like you Clare. More than just a roommate or even a friend, I really like you Clare and I want to be with you," Johnny tells me.
I smile linking my arms around his neck and joining our lips for passionate kiss. I part my lips just slightly and tug at Johnny's bottom lip as I pull away.
"I like you too and I want to be with you," I smile. "But there is a little more involved than just being with me," I remind him rubbing my pregnant belly as my son kicks.
Johnny smiles and puts his hand on my belly and his arm around me, "I know and I want this too. I want to raise your son with you, and Drew, Bianca, Adam and everyone else involved. I like Drew and his whole family and this little guy will have one big family," Johnny says rubbing my belly, "Come with me I have something to show you."
He takes me to my room but when he opens the door and turns on the light only none of my stuff is in the room. Instead it's been set up for the baby, there's a crib and changing table, even a rocking chair and some baby decorations on the wall.
"Johnny when did you do all this? How?" I breathe out in astonished happiness.
"With some help form Audra and Omar, it's all secondhand but it's in good shape. I thought this would be a good room for the baby and you could share mine, sine we're dating now," Johnny tells me with a grin.
"What were you going to do if I said I didn't want to be with you?" I giggle.
"Moved it all back but I overheard you telling Adam this morning how you felt so I knew I wasn't taking a risk. I thought we'd make the den into a playroom and all your stuff can be moved into my room. Some buddies will come over tomorrow and help me move the furniture around. You can tell us where you want everything, I don't care what furniture is in the room or how things are arranged as long as you're happy," Johnny tells me before giving me a gentle kiss.
"You're amazing," I grin stealing my boyfriend's lips for another kiss.
(JOHNNY)
"We have to leave in a few minutes to meet the Torres clan for dinner. Drew already sent me a text to say they were checked in," I inform Clare walking over to the sofa.
"Okay you better help me up or we'll never get there," she comments putting out her hands so I can help her off the sofa.
It's the beginning of August and Clare is 34 and half weeks pregnant. The two of us have been dating for six weeks and we're very happy. My friends helped us move some of her furniture into my room, what is now our room and the rest of her stuff into the bedroom and some of my stuff out. We sold the rest and were able to buy some more baby stuff. All of Clare's friends, my friends, and our families know that Clare was pregnant with Drew's baby but we we're all involved and going to raise it. Drew, Adam and Bianca have been driving down every weekend and Audra and Omar come as often as they can. Last weekend everyone came to the apartment for a baby shower, well everyone that could come anyway but Alli came and she was happy for us, and Clare's family was there.
Thankfully we haven't seen or heard from Eli since Clare broke up with him. Adam has been in touch with Eli through e-mail a little but that's it. All Adam will tell us is that Eli is dating someone new but still angry at me and Drew.
"Oh," Clare breathes out putting her hand on her belly after I help her up.
"Are you okay?" I ask putting my arms around her.
"Yeah I'm fine just feeling like a whale, let's go it takes me a while to waddle to the subway station," Clare says.
I smile and kiss her cheek, grab her purse and we head out. We're meeting the Torres family pretty close to the apartment so it's a short subway ride. Clare is moving a little slower when the subway stops and she's gripping my hand tightly.
"You sure you're okay?" I question looking at her and see that she's slightly pale.
"Umm how far is the hospital? I'm pretty sure I'm in labor," Clare informs me.
"Okay let's get back on there's a hospital at the next stop," I tell her and we get back on.
After Clare's water breaks in the subway car someone alerts the train workers that she's in labor. We get a security escort at the stop and they call ahead to the hospital. An orderly with a wheelchair meets us about halfway to the hospital. Now that Clare's in a wheelchair and we're headed to the hospital I call Drew.
"Hey we won't be meeting you guys for dinner she's gone into labor we're walking to the hospital," I enlighten him.
"She's in labor, holy crap this is it, we're on our way," Drew says and hangs up. He calls me back when he realizes he needs to know what hospital we're going to.
Clare is taken up to maternity and I start filling out paperwork while calling Helen. After the paperwork I'm taken to Clare's room, she's in a gown and is breathing through a contraction.
"Drew and everyone will be here soon, how do you feel?" I ask Clare taking her hand.
"The contractions hurt but they're bringing me an epidural," she tells me.
"Good, do you need anything?" I question.
"Drew would be nice, he got me pregnant and I feel like yelling at someone," she replies and I laugh.
"He'll be here soon, you can yell at me until then," I offer.
"I don't want to yell at you I love you," she replies.
I'm not sure if it's the situation or the pain or she really means it. I don't have time to ask her either as the door bursts open and the Torres family comes in.
"How's my boy? How are you? What can I do?" Drew asks rushing over to her.
"He's ready to come out, I'm better now that the contraction is gone and just be here," Clare answers and Drew grins.
"We'll be in the waiting room calling everyone," Audra says coming over and squeezing Clare's hand.
Just as the Torres parents leave a doctor comes in and he gives Clare an epidural. She's much more relaxed after that and doesn't even yell at Drew. We start talking about the baby and all the stuff we want to show him, Clare and Drew discuss names for the hundredth time and finally settle on one.
"Alright Clare you are ready so who's going to be in here for the birth?" The nurse asks.
"I'm the dad," Drew says.
"I'm her boyfriend," I speak up and kiss Clare.
"I'm his fiancé," Bianca tells the nurse pointing to Drew.
"And I'm the uncle and the best friend," Adam informs her.
"Let them all stay," Clare tells her and squeezes my hand.
"Okay then I'll get the doctor and we'll be right back," the nurse replies and leaves the room.
"We're about to be parents, and an uncle," I grin at Clare.
"It's about time this kid needs to come out," Clare comments and I kiss her again.
The nurse returns with the doctor, Drew and I hold Clare's hands, Bianca and Adam stand by us. The doctor does some things down below, another nurse comes in and the doctor tells Clare to push. She sounds like she's in a lot of pain when she pushes and she squeezes mine and Drew's hands very hard but after ten minutes of pushing we all hear a cry. As soon as we hear it we all get the same look on our face, it's elation and we look down but can't see anything yet. Clare pushes again and suddenly there's a baby, a dirty pink crying lump that's whisked away before we get a good look at it.
"Is he okay? Where's our son?" Clare questions darting her eyes between me and Drew.
"He's fine, he's being cleaned," I tell her.
They're still doing things between her legs and I see a lot of blood but the doctor says she's okay. And then a nurse comes over with the baby wrapped in a blanket. All we can see is his little face and his eyes are closed. The nurse hands him to Clare and she smiles in a way I've never seen before. There's such love and bliss in the smile, she cradles her son in her arms and then looks at us.
"Hi Aaron, welcome to the world," she grins and looks at Drew. "We made a baby," she says to Drew with happy tears in her eyes.
"Yeah we did and he's gorgeous," Drew smiles stroking his son's cheek.
"Welcome to the family Aaron William Edwards-Torres," Adam says grinning at his nephew.
"He's perfect, just perfect," Bianca smiles, "I'll go get your parents," she offers and leaves to get Audra and Omar from the waiting room.
"He's beautiful, isn't he beautiful?" Clare remarks looking from Aaron to me, at just this moment Aaron opens his eyes and looks right at me.
"He's amazing, just like his mom," I reply pushing a curl behind her ear and abducting her lips.
Audra and Omar come in, everyone looks at Aaron, everyone holds him, lots of pictures are taken and we don't stop smiling. After a couple of hours Clare is exhausted so everyone else leaves so that she can rest. Aaron is in a bassinet next to her bed and asleep already. Drew and the others will be back in the morning and said to call if we need them; Helen and Glen are flying in on the first flight they can find. For right now it's just the three of us in Clare's room, I'm lying on the bed and holding her.
"I love him so much, I didn't think it was possible to love this much," Clare tells me looking at her sleeping son.
"I did, I love you Clare," I say and attach my lips to hers. Aaron starts crying so I break the kiss and go over picking him up. I lie down holding him between us and look at Clare again, giving her another kiss, "I love you both."
That's it for this story Waiting on a Spark that hasn't Happened Yet will replace this and will premiere on January 15th.