Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi!
Author Note: Here we go with another chapter. Sorry it took so long but life went heck it an I needed to wait for Halawen to edit and beta my craziness. Let me know what you guys think.
Luke's POV
"What the hell kind of throw was that! It was a ball not a strike!" Owen yelled at the TV.
We were watching Toronto Blue Jays vs. Detroit Tigers on television having a guy's night along with Zig who didn't have to work tonight. None of us felt like drinking tonight and were just eating some pizza and cokes. Clare went home for the night and Becky and Maya were looking over last minute details for the upcoming wedding for my sister and Zig. The game was getting intense with it being a tied game and the umpires were making stupid ass calls for nothing. I was about to get up and get more drinks for everyone since it was in a commercial when I heard my house phone ring and I went to go answer it real quick.
"Hello?" I ask and hear a lot of background noise.
"Is this Luke Baker?" Questions the female voice.
"Yes."
"You're listed as Clare Edwards's emergency contact," she says and I start to freak out.
"What happened is she okay?" I yell into the phone probably damaging the lady's hearing causing Owen to mute the TV as him and Zig look over worried at me.
"She suffered a head injury during a break in at her apartment." The woman responds to me softly.
"I'll be right there." I tell her hanging up before she could say anything and reach for my keys.
"What happened dude you look like a mad man right now?" Zig asked standing from the couch.
"Cause I'm going to murder the bastard who hurt Clare in her own apartment!" I replied pissed.
"Holy crap what?!" Owen exclaims.
I couldn't answer because I was too angry and afraid of how badly hurt Clare might be. I rushed out with Owen and Zig following me and asking what happened. I quickly tell them that Clare was hurt during a break in at her apartment as we run down to my car.
"I'm going to call Becky and Maya and let them know what happened." Zig speaks up from the back and makes the call.
It was a few minutes of dead silence other than the mumbles of Zig talking on the phone and the music on the radio. Luckily the hospital was close to where we lived and I parked in the lot of Emergency just as Zig got off the phone with my sister.
"Clare Edwards where is she?" I demand not really thinking.
"Exam room four," the lady tells me and I take off running, "but she's still talking with the cops," the nurse calls after me but I'm already gone.
I run back and open the door, Clare is with a doctor and two cops. She has a bandage on her head and I go over and take her in my arms happy to be holding her again.
"I'm okay; it's a minor concussion can I sleep at your place tonight?" She asks.
"Yes of course I may never let you back in your apartment," I tell her.
"I'll come by tomorrow for the rest of your statement Clare, you should get home and rest," says one cop just as Zig and Owen follow me in. "Just uh who are all these guys?" The cop asks and I give him a funny look while Clare giggles.
"Luke's my boyfriend and Zig and Owen are friends, Zig works at the bar with Maya. I'll call you in the morning Spin," she says to the cop.
"Yeah we'll talk about your boyfriend and the fact that you know Owen Milligan and didn't tell me," he says and leaves with his partner.
"How do you know a cop?" I inquire.
"He dated my sister," she responds and kisses me.
"Are you okay what happened?" Owen questions.
"I'm fine I'll tell you all what happened later, can I go now Dr. Vasquez?"
"Yes but take it easy for the next couple of days and if you're staying with her you'll have to wake her up every two to three hours tonight," the doctor says to me.
I tell her no problem; she gives Clare a few more instructions and discharges her. Becky and Maya want to see Clare so we all head to the condo. I gave my keys to Owen so he could drive since I wanted to sit in back with Clare and hold her as she was quit since we left the hospital and made it to the parking lot. It was quiet during the car ride and soon we were at the condo without any of us realizing it. We got out and made our way up the elevator and soon reached our friends condo.
"Oh Clare are you okay?" Becky asks rushing over to her as soon as we're inside.
"We were so worried," Maya says hugging Clare as well.
"I'm okay, where's Jace?" She asks as we go in and sit in the living room.
"He's upstairs sleeping, so what happened?" Maya asks.
"I came home and found my apartment had been broken into, it was trashed and I called 911. There was a guy in my apartment and he ran past me to get out and knocked me down. I hit my head and went unconscious," Clare explains and I tense up holding her tighter.
I could see out of the corner of my eye Owen and Zig both tense and hold my sister and Maya tighter at the thought of someone looking to attack and hurt Clare.
"Did you know who the guy was?" Owen asked tense clenching his fist together until Maya grabbed one of them and started rubbing her hand soothingly over it to calm him down as he pecked her on the forehead kissing it.
"It was one of the bouncers from the strip club that I went undercover at and got his boss arrested for all those crimes." Clare told us softly laying her head on my shoulder looking tired.
"I knew having you work there was a bad idea, you could have been killed," I say worried but loud and we hear little footsteps on the stairs.
Jace appeared sleepily and climbed up in-between Maya and Owen and laid his head on Owen's side looking tiredly.
"What you doing up baby?" Maya asked looking at Jace smiling a little.
"I hears lots of noises, Auntie Care why do you have an owie wrap on your head?" Jace questions innocently pointing.
"She got hurt but she's okay buddy, let's get you back to bed," Owen says standing up.
"Tan I have a dwink?" Jace ask looking up at Owen before turning his head to look at Maya with a pouty lip.
"Where did you learn that pout from Mister." Maya wonders tickling Jace side making him giggle. "But yes you may have some milk."
"Tanks Mommy."
"Lil Man say goodnight to your aunts and uncles and Mom and I'll go get your milk and take you back to bed." Owen says smiling and helps Jace down from the couch before he heads off into the kitchen acting every ounce like a Dad would be.
In the corner of my eye I could see Maya smile looking at the kitchen admiring Owen and I'm sure falling more for him as the moments and days went on. Owen puts milk in a Sippy cup carrying Jace back to the living room and Jace waves to everyone. "Dood night Mommy, Auntie Care, Untle Lute, Auntie Becky, Untle Zid." He says before Owen carries him upstairs.
We waited till we couldn't see Jace in view anymore before we talked more of about what happened since we didn't want him to hear. "You can't go home to your apartment for a while and you should have more security when you're at work," I say.
"Excuse me I think I can care for myself Luke especially at work I've been doing it for work and for years." Clare boldly stated reminding us all of the stuff she has done for being an undercover journalist.
"It's not about you being able to care for yourself it's your safety we're concerned about, you've had to sleep at Luke's 83 times now because you threatened, you have now received 39 death threats, 51 threats to do bodily harm and I will now have to add one person breaking into your apartment to look for something and sending you to the hospital. I know you like to be Miss Independent and all and that's great but the rest of us love you and worry about you so you're getting extra security or we're doing it ourselves," Zig sates firmly.
"And plus Maya will need protection to on the days she's working with you." Becky speaks up.
"Yeah you both need protection and I'm not taking no for an answer," Owen says trying to sound stern but he's also kind of beaming.
"Owen I'll be fine I only work with Clare Monday's Wednesday Friday mornings and the rest of the time I'm at the Club." Maya says grabbing his hand squeezing in it comfort when he sits back down next to her.
"What's with the smile?" I ask Owen.
"Jace just called me Daddy," Owen replies.
"Aww!" Becky and Clare both cooed as the rest of us smiled on at the though Jace finally had a father figure in Owen as Maya's smiles was the biggest as they kissed lightly and held each other on the couch.
Clare's POV
I sat in the courthouse with Luke's arm around me and Maya on my other side. They were here for support, it was the last day of the trial and the jury was out for deliberation, the trial had lasted three weeks but it was pretty cut and dry.
"The jury is back," my lawyer tells me and we walk into the courtroom. The guy that broke into my apartment is found guilty of breaking and entering and assault, he's sentenced to two years, which means he'll be out in 18 months or a year but hey at least he's going to jail. "The judge has approved restraining orders so that no one working at the club at the time of your article can come near you, hopefully this is the last time you'll have to be in court for this," my lawyer says.
"Thank you I hope so too," I smile and then Luke kisses me.
"Let's go meet the others and celebrate," Maya says.
I nod and Luke wrap's his arm around me and I grab with my other hand Maya's as a group we made our way through the crowd in the court room and then the building itself with all the officials and others wait for their own trials. We made it outside and I let go of Maya's hand and she digs through her purse to find her phone as we reach Luke's car. Maya calls Zig and Becky from the car to meet us at the bar where she and Zig work for a celebration in the VIP room.
"They're on their way, Owen was over playing with Jace so they all be there when we get there." Maya tells us once she hangs up with whoever she talked to.
I nodded happy as this day was getting better now that the guy was behind bars and I am free from harm since Owen demanded more security for me at work since Maya works with me a few days week and he doesn't want nothing like this to happen to me or her again. I grab Luke's free hand of the console and squeezed it and he looks over at me with a smile before kissing my hand as we drove closer to the club. We arrived a short time later and went through the back; Zig, Becky and Owen were already here with Jace.
"Two years is pretty good and you have restraining orders," Owen says hugging me in congratulations.
"I want cake now!" Jace demands from Becky's arms and I see that they got a chocolate cake.
We all laugh a little as Maya tries and scolds him for that but tries and hide her smiles at Jace's pouting face. Becky hands Maya Jace as Owen kisses her hello as Zig begins cutting pieces of the cake as Becky hands it out to us. We had drinks and talked about the upcoming wedding of Becky and Zig which would be in a weeks' time and soon our friends will be flying in for their wedding. We were all excited to see some friends since we haven't seen them in months' time. I was eating cake and talking with Zig about the possibility of someone else from the club trying to hurt me or break in. We were talking in low voices but I think Luke heard us as he kept looking over away from the conversation he was having with Becky about the wedding.
"Hey can I talk with you for a minute?" Luke asks and Zig smiles walking over to Becky.
"It was just talk Luke, it's very unlikely to happen," I tell him.
"I know but when I got the call from the hospital I was terrified and I realize that I don't want to spend any more time apart than we have to. Will you move in with me?" Luke asks.
"Of course I will," I smile and we kiss while everyone else cheers.
Maya's POV
Owen and I were driving to the airport to pick up Adam who had flown in for Zig and Becky's wedding. Owen hasn't seen Adam since Drew and Bianca's wedding and I haven't seen him since he was in town last year so it would be great to see him again. We reached the airport and pull up to the arrivals sidewalk near baggage. I spotted Adam already there and waiting for us. I got out along with Owen and we made our way over to him. "I hope we didn't get your arrival time wrong and you had to wait long."
"You didn't don't worry my plane arrived early so I've only waited about 15 minutes." Adam tells me as I hug him hello.
I nod as Owen and Adam shake hands and then begin putting Adam's bags in the trunk of Owen's Escalade. We get in and Owen starts making our way to his house where Adam, Carol who will be arriving later tonight and Bianca and Drew will be staying for the wedding. It was quit in the car for a few minutes with just the radio making noise until Adam began to talk.
"Thanks for letting me and Carol stay at your house Owen; we could have just gotten a hotel room for our stay." Adam says.
"No problem man I got enough room in the house trust me it's only me in it, and most of the time I'm sleeping at the Condo anyways." Owen replies looking at Adam through the mirrors.
"Yeah Clare told me about you two, also that Clare is moving in with Luke." Adam smiled on at us.
"Yeah were all happy about that, not happy that she still willing to put herself in dangerous settings to get the scoop, plus with Maya working on the side with her some days cause even more worry for us." Owen replied showing worried etched on his face as he grabbed my hand and held it the rest of the way home.
"Yeah Clare is stubborn that way but Maya is at the office and I doubt anyone would try to attack them at the office. I'll talk to Clare while I'm here, so how's it going for you two?" Adam asks.
"Great I've never been so happy before other than when I'm with Jace and the others, it's like Owen filled the voided piece of my heart back together, I know it's only been almost a month since we got together but I couldn't be happier." I gushed as Owen kissed my hand tenderly.
"I've never been happier man," Owen smiles.
We talked about other stuff till we reached Owens house and unloaded Adams luggage and made our way inside. Tonight was the rehearsal dinner so after Adam got settled we left to meet the others at the condo. Since the wedding was in two days Tris and Tori were driving in tomorrow cause that was the earliest they could get out of classes, and Drew and Bianca were arriving late tonight around the same time as Carol so Owen and Adam would be heading back to the airport after the diner after the rehearsal part. We hopped back in the car and made our way to where the wedding would take place and parked near the other cars. Zig's parents, Becky's parents, Luke and Clare were already here. We did a quick walk through of the wedding so no one choked tomorrow and then we all left to go to dinner. Owen buckled Jace into the extra car seat that I told him he didn't have to buy and then got in himself as Adam and I got in as well. We followed the caravan of cars to where they were hosting the dinner at.
"Here's to Becky and Zig may they have a long and happy life together," Mrs. Baker toasts as soon as we're sitting down and we all have drinks.
We toast to them for a few minutes as Jace looks on and colors on a kids mat he was given not really paying attention to the adults as he sits in the booster seat between Owen and I. The waitress brought out the appetizers as we look at the menu to what to have for dinner.
"What do you want to eat baby?" I ask Jace knocking him out of his coloring to look at me.
"Noodles and chwcole mwlk." Jace says.
Everyone finished ordering and Jace looked at me.
"Mommy need to pee!" He announces to the table. I could hear chuckles from Luke, Owen and Mr. Baker at what Jace said while in-between there talk of the upcoming hockey season reminding me soon Owen will be going on the road again. I help Jace out of his seat ad carry him to the woman's bathroom and into one of the stalls, helping him so he could pee, he flushed when he was done and I took him out to wash his hands. I turn on the water and to my shock my sister walks in! I haven't seen her since I told her I was pregnant and got hung up on.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Katie screeched scaring Jace in the process who hid behind my legs.
"Jace honey I want you to go straight out this door and go back to the table and get Owen ok." I whisper to him. Jace looked hesitant and kept looking between me and Katie since he didn't know who she was. With a light push I got him to leave the bathroom before I turned an glared at my use to be sister. "I'm here with friends but as you've only had one true friend your entire life I guess you wouldn't understand that."
Katie sort of shrieks and then lunges at me slapping me across the face just as Owen opens the door. My left side of my face feels sort of numb now as I lay my hand over it to stop the pain.
"What the fuck is your problem Matlin. I know I did not just see you slap my girlfriend!" Owen yells standing in front of me, blocking Katie from reaching at me.
"Girlfriend?!" Katie exclaims. "Why would you want to date a skank like her?"
"The only skank around here I see is you, so get the hell out of my way and leave us alone." Owen says wrapping his arm protectively around me and escorted me out of the bathroom and back to the table where I see everyone one looking worried at me, including Mr. and Mrs. Baker.
"Are you ok Maya?" Becky questions after Owen and I sit down.
"As okay as I can be after a confrontation with my sister," I mumbled irritated that I ran into her tonight.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and I see Owen comforting me from the other side of Jace and I smile at him and place my hand on his relive to feel him a little close to me.
"Where are you two going on your honeymoon?" Adam asks Zig and Becky.
"Bahamas!" Both Zig and Becky said and Becky continued on, "We saved up a lot and our parents split the rest as our wedding gift."
"That's amazing." Clare said as the food started to be served.
"Yep 7 glorious days in the sun and beach with this beautiful lady what more can I ask for." Zig smiled kissing Becky sweetly as their moms awed at their sweetness.
We ate the good food and talked about the wedding and my confrontation with my sister was put out of my mind. It was getting later and it was just us now since Becky and Zig's parent's all left for the night, agreeing to meet up at the condo tomorrow for last minute preparations for the wedding. Jace was now asleep also in Owen's arms and I was able to sit next to Owen now as we chatted more about everything that will be done tomorrow. It was 10 o'clock now and Adam and Owen were soon needed to go the airport to pick up Carol and the Torres. We say goodnight to everyone and I ride home with Zig and Becky since I came with Owen. Jace is asleep when we get home and barely wakes up when I get him in pajamas. Just as I'm getting in bed Owen comes in.
"Did everyone get in okay?" I ask him.
"Yep they said to say hi and they can't wait to see everyone tomorrow," Owen tells me before catching my lips for a kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too," I smile and fall asleep happy.
Owen's POV
I was getting into my tux at the Baker's church and thinking that one day I wanted to be married to Maya. i know it only been a month since we've gotten together but it fits and I'm the happiest I've been in a long time. I thought about how I would propose to her, what I would say and telling Jace. Then Luke calls to me to say they were going to start in five minutes. I nod and quickly slip on my shoes and stand where Zig and Luke where at.
"You ok dude, you looked a little out of it?" Luke asked me as Mr. Baker helped fix Zig's bowtie real quick since he was also officiating the ceremony as well.
"Yeah, all this wedding stuff just got me thinking of wanting to marry Maya someday." I whisper to him.
Luke looked shocked at what I said and was about to say something when his dad came over to us and told us it was time. I follow Luke out and he takes Maya by the arm since they are best man and maid of honor. I link arms with Clare and we follow Luke and Maya down the aisle, we take our positions the music changes and Reverend Baker walks Becky down the aisle. Zig is practically popping out of his tux he's so happy. They reach the end of the aisle and Zig takes Becky from her father. Reverend Baker begins the ceremony and I spend the whole time looking at Maya and imaging it's our wedding. I'm daydreaming so much I almost miss the Reverend asking for the ring. I looked over and smiled as Jace holding the little pillow and helped up the stairs by Mrs. Baker and hand over the rings to Reverend Baker before going back over and sit next to Mrs. Baker again.
They exchange rings and vows before saying I do. Reverend Baker says some other things about love and marriage and then tells the happy couple to kiss.
"I present to you Mr. & Mrs. Zigmund Novak," the reverend says and everyone cheers.
Becky and Zig walk down the aisle, Luke and Maya follow and then Clare and me before we divide into cars to go to the reception. I followed the caravan to where the reception was being held and quickly found a spot to park. I got out and made my way around the other side of the car and help out Maya and carried Jace inside into the hall. Since Maya and I were part of the wedding party along with Jace Becky okayed the switch around so that Jace could sit next to Maya instead of the other side of the groom side. Within a few minutes everyone had arrived at the hall, once everyone was inside the DJ announced it was the bride and grooms first dance so Zig and Becky take the dance floor. I could tell by the music there wedding song was a Whitney Huston song I just couldn't put the name to it. I felt my hand being grabbed and I turned and saw Maya smiling at me. I leaned over kissing her sweetly as the music played in the background. Pulling away I heard giggling and saw Jace looking at us laughing sweetly. I watch as Maya tickles Jace making him laugh harder until the song is over and Zig and Becky are back and sitting next to us. Soon another song is starting and others are starting to get up and dance.
"Want to dance?" I ask standing up and holding my hand out to her.
Maya nods and tells Jace to stay with Luke and I her out of her chair and walk around the table and we stop next to Drew and Bianca who are alos dancing and begin to slow dance. She smiles at me and I lean down to kiss her but look up when I hear a commotion.
"We have arrived," my brother announces.
I turn to see my brother in one of his ridiculous outfits standing at the door with Santamaria wearing a dress that barely covers her crotch and two unknown dudes are with them. We knew Tris and Tori would be late since they had issues of some sort with school and got a late start driving in. I heard a sharp in take from Maya and I look down to see her look shocked for some reason and she was staring at one of the guys at the door. "What's wrong?" I ask Maya.
Maya was about to speak up and say something when another voice boomed through the crowd and towards the doors.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT PIECE OF SHIT DOING HERE TRISTAN! YOU DAMN WELL KNOW WHAT HE'S DONE AND HERE OF ALL DAYS IS STANDING HERE WITH HIM!" Luke yells surprising some at his words since most of his family is here of course as he storms over to where Tris and his group are standing now. I see that Adam, Drew and Zig were also looking mad making me wonder what I've missed.
"Okay who is he and what's going on?" I demand.
My demanding caught Tris attention and he began pulling one of the guys with him and Tori and the other followed as Bianca, Clare and Becky showed up out of nowhere and pulled Maya closer to them causing me to wonder even more since I see now Maya looking scared and hurt now instead of happy and smiling at she was doing not even five minutes ago.
"Miles Hollingsworth get out!" Clare says surprising me at her spite since I have never seen her that mad.
"I believe I was invited thank you." This Miles jerk said coldly smirking at her.
"I sure as hell know we did not invite you, now Chewy can stay but you need to get out now!" Zig said glaring.
"Well we were invited and he's Tori's date so he can stay." Tris said smugly as the guy called Chewy apparently looked on in wonder looking curious like me.
"He's Jace's father and Jace has no idea, Owen please make him leave!" May requests with tears in her eyes.
I stiffen at the thought of Jace's sperm donor was standing right in front of me and that Tris knew that and still brought him here with them. I turn around and grab Miles the collar, I don't want to hit him in front of Jace but I pull Miles outside with Luke, Clare, Drew and Bianca following me. Once we're out of view I punch Miles as hard as I can. Miles falls to the ground holding his nose as blood starts oozing from it "STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM MAYA AND JACE!"
"You can't tell me what to do, you know who I am!?" Miles demands standing up as Drew and Luke get closer to him.
"You're a nobody Hollingsworth, you can't pull the last name card anymore you forget your Dad's not the mayor anymore." Luke says glaring shoving him away from us.
"I could own you all, I have more money than God," Miles says.
I open my mouth to yell at him again but Clare steps up surprisingly, she gets in front of me and kicks Miles right in the nuts before slapping him as hard as she can and Miles falls to the ground.
"Last time I checked God doesn't need money you Machiavellian ego maniacal loser! If you do anything to anyone of us I promise you I will use all my skills to dig into your life and write an expose about every black spot on Hollingsworth family line! Get out and stay away from all of us," Clare spits angrily and then takes Luke by the hand. "Come on Luke I want to dance," she says pulling him back into the wedding.
The rest of us are laughing a little and Miles looks pissed.
"Just remember, you come after one of us and we will all come after you now get your ugly face out of here." I tell Miles.
"Remind me never to piss off Clare," Drew comments.
"She's only scary if you're a scumbag and that guy is a scumbag." I tell them as we walk back inside and I find Maya holding Jace. Maya looked like a wreck still but I know she was trying to show composure some by holding Jace who looked like he was about to fall asleep anyway. I gazed the room and saw Tris and Tori along with the other guy sitting in the corner but I could see them looking and sneaking glances at Maya which was pissing me off as I see Tris boyfriend shaking his head at them thinking the same as me probably. I spot Zig and Becky talking to the others now and shoot worried looks at Maya still. I want to talk to Maya and get the full story but not with Jace so I pick him up and take him to Becky's parents. "Can you get him something to eat?" I request.
"Of course Owen," Mrs. Baker smiles taking Jace from me.
I walk back to Maya and hold out my hand to her, "Come talk to me."
Maya looked hesitant at me for a moment like she was in wonder if I was mad at her or something. She grabbed my hand and I led her over to where there were some empty seats away from the party. I pulled one of the chairs out for her to sir and I pulled the one next to hers close as I could and sat down and grabbed her hand.
"Talk about what?" Maya asks.
"Miles, I want to know everything," I tell her and she looks away from me.