"Engaged" – part 7

Summary and notes in part 1.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Degrassi!


-oOo-

"Are we almost there?" Angela asked. She was a little out of breath.

Drew smirked at her words and gave Adam a look. "Seriously, bro. Why couldn't you have gone for a building with an elevator?" His brother's apartment was on the fifth floor and the stairs were rather steep. It was quite a trek.

Adam sighed. He knew he didn't have the fanciest of accommodations, but the rent was cheap and the location paramount. "It's just one more flight up."

Drew chuckled at his deflection. He turned his girlfriend. "Do you want me to carry you?"

She smiled at him. "If there was more than one flight left, you would have to!"

They both laughed. He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss.

Adam took out his keys as he reached his door.

"We need water!" Drew proclaimed dramatically as the three of them walked inside.

Zach was sitting on the couch with a video game controller in his hands. "Hey guys!" he greeted them.

"Hey man," Adam replied. "You remember my brother, Drew. This is his girlfriend, Angela. Angela, meet my roommate Zach."

They shook hands.

"Well, this is quite a place you have here," she said diplomatically.

Zach and Adam laughed.

"It's a shithole. But it's our shithole," Zach declared.

Adam frowned at him. "Hey, it's not that bad."

"He's in denial," Drew ribbed him. The place wasn't messy or anything. It was just tiny. Very tiny, and cluttered as a result. Though Zach was sitting on the futon, Drew knew the room doubled as his bedroom at night.

"Honestly, does Fiona ever spend the night here?" he asked his younger brother. He couldn't picture it.

"She's over here quite regularly," Zach answered for him. Adam smiled at his roommate, grateful for the back up. "She doesn't stay over every time, because her place is like ten blocks north. Derek does because his apartment is even more cramped than ours!" he laughed.

Adam initiated a fist bump between the two.

"Fine," Drew relented, deciding not to push.

"You guys can help yourself to some drinks. I'm going to quickly change clothes for tonight," Adam told them.

Despite this morning's unpleasantness, he had a fun filled day showing Drew, Angela, and their parents around the city. The three of them were going to swing by Fiona's before heading to his uncle's house in the Bronx. Uncle Pepe was throwing an engagement party for him and Fiona, and nearly all of their extended family in New York would be there. His parents were already en route.

Drew nodded and headed to the kitchen with Angela.

Ten minutes later they were all gathered around the television.

"Ooh!" they called out as Zach's avatar stumbled.

"It ain't over until it's over!" he insisted, smashing the keys on the controller at a furious pace.

Chris smirked. "I think you should let the master take over," he confidently stated. He and his roommates had varied interests but this was one thing they all had in common.

"And by that he means me," Adam boasted.

Chris frowned. "You wish!"

Angela cleared her throat. "As much fun as this all is, we have a party to get to," she reminded the Torres brothers. She laughed when she saw Drew and Adam visibly pout. "And Adam, your fiancée awaits."

Adam smiled broadly at the mention of his wife-to-be.

Chris glanced at Drew and they shared a knowing look at the silly grin that took residence on his face.

-oOo-

"Fi, you look amazing!"

She grinned as he looked at her with open affection. She was wearing a red and black party dress that had a halter neckline. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Adam quickly closed the distance between them by bringing his lips to hers.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she lightly teased. He was wearing a blue button down shirt and dark denim jeans with dress shoes.

"Good to know," he quipped as he looked into her eyes.

Drew coughed to get their attention. He and Angela had been waiting for them outside, but decided to find them in the lobby since time was getting away from them.

Adam and Fiona softly laughed as they disentangled from their embrace.

"We should have a private car out front," Fiona informed them. She reached for Adam's hand as they walked towards the main entrance.

-oOo-

Grandmother and grandson shared a long hug.

When they pulled away Abuela Lucia looked at Adam with a mischievous smile. "When are you going to give me great-grandchildren?" she grilled him.

Everyone grinned, amused.

He shared a brief look with Fiona. She playfully shrugged.

"You already have Sam and Grace," Adam deflected.

Sam was his cousin Linda's daughter. She was nine years old now. Grace was Gia and Eddie's adorable three year old daughter. They actually named her Jennifer Grace Cruz, but everyone called her by her middle name. It seemed to fit. Adam was more than happy to have a positive association with the name now. He was touched when Gia asked if he was alright with them using it.

Abuela Lucia had a wry smile. "So when can I expect more from you?" she followed up.

Drew chuckled. He knew their abuela wouldn't be so easily deterred. He wanted to know as well! Adam had discussed it with him in the past, but he was curious if their plans had changed. Drew glanced around and noted everyone else was listening in too.

Adam looked at his fiancée again. Fiona raised an eyebrow, passing the ball to him.

"Not for a few more years. We still have to finish school and after the wedding we want to settle into married life," he asserted. They needed time to get their careers off the ground.

Abuela Lucia laughed. She knew she had put him on the spot, but felt he gave her a good answer. "Don't take too long. I'm not getting any younger here!" she playfully pointed out. The young couple already had a four year long 'pre' engagement!

Adam looked at his grandmother in wonder as he laughed along with the rest of his family. There were no hard feelings, only love.

"You too, Andrew!" Abuela Lucia added a moment later. "Mis nietos need to get a move on!"

In her day, most folks got married in their mid to late teens and children soon followed. Times were different now, but she would prefer a happy medium!

Drew lightly shook his head as the laughter continued. He knew that was coming! He glanced at his girlfriend, Angela, and she looked back at him with a smirk. He wasn't sure yet what the future would hold for them, but he couldn't wait to find out.

.

tbc


To the folks I cannot directly PM:

MeganGil - Thanks so much for the review! That's awesome to hear! Family gatherings are fun and I'm glad this brought up good memories. Will try to update soon. This fic is a work in progress and life is busy for me at the moment (though in a really good way!). But I will share this tidbit... we're gonna see Uncle Pepe in the next chapter :D