Clare's Pov
The morning didn't start out as planned for her, but then it usually never did. One would never equate morning person and Clare in the same thought, but she tried and succeeded most times to be alive enough to get out the door for classes. After falling out of bed during a rather dubious dream she couldn't get back to sleep if the world depended on it, so instead she quietly made some coffee and sat in her kitchen nook watching the world outside. She was in her own world so much she never felt the body drop into the chair across from hers.
"Earth to Clare... Earth to Clare.". Adam grumbled sleepily rubbing his eyes with an agitated glance at her. Clearly he wasn't a morning person either, but here he was up and at em like her.
"What.. Oh, morning there". Clare sheepishly grinned motioning to the pot of coffee and the mug close to her. "You came in late it seems, what where you doing?". She asked softly glancing at him with a concerned look upon her face seeing his frown.
He quietly waved away her concerns getting the first sip of the hot brew down with a greedy sigh. Sliding his fingers along the mug he glanced up again seeing her watching him and laughed.
"I'm fine, just never been a morning person y'know?". He mumbled grumpily as he shrugged. "Forgot to call to let you know so there would be no calls to the cops about someone breaking in but I was out with the family and a few of their friends. It's hard to get back on a regular basis so when I do we go all out. Holidays not withstanding because those have their own schedules. Mom wanted me to call you and have you over, but Eli had talked to me earlier in the evening so I told her you were going to be busy. I hope you were busy.". He said with a wriggle of eyebrows in a suggestive way causing her to laugh softly and shake her head negatively. "Joking, Joking. He told me he gotten a letter and thought you would too. Everything go okay?".
She quietly told him what had occurred and what had been in her own letter. There was never not a time that she doubted Adam's loyalty to both her and Eli and this was one of the times it touched her that he would be furious on their own accord. The only thing she decided to leave out what the secret that she shared with Eli last night thinking that bombshell wasn't something that she should burden Adam with.
"Fiona knew?". He asked carefully trying to keep the hurt from his tone, but Clare knew that before his fondness for Fiona even after she hurt him. Clare nodded but held up a hand to keep him from saying anything.
"She knew, but in her defense I believe that she kept it because Imogen promised her to keep the secret and I won't blame her for that. Honestly, I may be a sap but I don't hold as much hatred towards Imogen either. I won't say that I'm not upset for that would be lying to both myself and everyone. She had her reasons, even if they were absolutely incredulous and selfish it's something she has to come to terms with. Fiona, from what Eli told me was really broken up that she couldn't share it and I believe that.".
"Your going to forgive Imogen?". Adam choked out almost spitting out the coffee he'd just sipped causing Clare to almost laugh at the look upon his face.
Clare sat there for several moments trying to come up with the best answer that wouldn't cause Adam any undue stress. She knew that he was upset for everyone, and that wasn't how she wanted things to be. Perhaps she was really the pushover her sister claimed she was, but perhaps she was just the better person in all of this to overlook certain things, just not everything and she wouldn't. Imogen would hear about what she did and how it caused pain, but that would be later.
"I won't say she'll be forgiven for everything because there are things she's going to hear about what I went through after that weekend. She caused both undue stress on not just me but Eli, and there are things that even she wouldn't have guessed would occur.". Clare said softly with a soft sigh.
"No, I wouldn't imagine that someone could plan for everything now could they?". Adam said with a little spite, but nodded at her look. "You continue to amaze me that you aren't ready to just behead her. I would be, and I'm sure Eli was there for a time. Yet, you seem to be more forgiving or it's hiding that well.".
"No, there will be a conversation between us. There is no doubt about that simply for the fact she's going to be told the consequences on her actions. Maybe then I'll be more upset but I feel more pity for her. I never trusted her, but no one ever brought up any concerns to me about Imogen when you all went to NYU. So, what was I to know that I should have kept a better eye on her.". Clare looked at Adam with a look of speculation. It was true that no one had mentioned Imo's obsession with Eli. It could have been said that there wasn't an outward appearance of any obsession, well not since their junior year in high school and the few weeks they had dated.
"If you would have asked me back then about it I would have answered honestly. I didn't see any inkling of what I had seen in high school, but then again I didn't hang with both of them at the same time, nor did I hang with her by myself. She wasn't one of my friends anyway, she tended to be around Fi and Eli. Since I wasn't in their circles I was excluded a lot, and by then I was already off delving into other things up there. I admit that our relationship at the time wasn't the best since any time I asked to hang out he was busy and I could understand that. School was a bitch, and it was the mistress.". Adam said with a grin that Clare mirrored.
The continued to chat for a while as Adam told her of the evening's events that would occur at the ball. Apparently he had scored some nice tickets to some of the sporting events around the city for the silent auction from some of the people he managed. She was proud of all the work he had done for himself in light of his early years, and it showed that he had the sense to be tough but fair in business. The only thing she wished for him was to find the happiness that always eluded him.
…...
"Adam, is there anyone special coming tonight to be your date?". She asked suddenly startling him enough he glanced up from the paper he'd been reading. He grimaced slightly trying to hide the irritation that question always brought up.
"Actually, no. Should I have one?". He asked abruptly, ignoring the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach at the line of questioning. Somehow this should have been easy to dodge being his mother had the same question anytime she spoke to him. Audra Torres was never one to let sleeping does lie and when it came to the youngest member of the family she was relentless. It came down to wanting more grandchildren and someone to love her baby boy then she was going to keep asking. Audra, however, had the tack to not add the children given any that would come from any union wouldn't be biological after all but still would be adored regardless.
"I suppose not, but I was just trying to ask if You were dating someone? You never mention it and... and I was just curious.". Clare explained gently, smiling at her best friend fondly.
"I know you mean well, but considering Audra asks every time we speak on the phone it's become an easy to dodge, you know? I have been on a few dates in the last weeks or so, but no one I would want to bring home for the judging. I was going to escort mom because dad is out to town for the last two weeks in Vancouver with a deal." he shrugged slightly sipping the hot liquid gently as Clare smiled at him. "I'm not dodging the question but I do wish I had someone but there are a lot of women who don't want the baggage I drag along. I wish it was easy to find someone who didn't care about it all, but it's next to impossible."
"No, it's not. Clearly they are either nitwits or not looking at you.". She said vehemently with a shake of the head at his words. "Adam, have faith.". She concluded with a wink. He laughed at her words knowing she meant well and was honest but it still didn't help him to find someone.
"It amazes me that an English teacher would use the word nitwit to describe other women. I'm content with my life right now Clare, but if someone came along then it would only brighten my world so no worries with me. Sex, I can get.. Companionship is another matter and you know how much those two worlds are different. Oh, speaking of tonight mom wanted me to extend an invitation for you to come with her and the girls to get all dolled up at three. The ball starts at seven, should be enough time I hope to get pretty.". He laughed loudly dodging the palm that swatted at him in mutual laughter.
"I hadn't even thought of any of the logistics of a ball. Then again I had not planned to even attend up till yesterday. My help had been confined to the school. Yes! Please tell her that I would like to come with them. Sounds like fun and as You know I'm neither the girly girly nor the socialite to know such things.". She said sheepishly with a grin over her mug.
…...
They had spent the morning talking over every aspect that had occurred in the years since they graduated high school and went to opposite sides of the country. It was not that they had kept up with each other because they were best friends but sometimes you overlook the little things when you aren't near each other all the time. She had missed this she mused later as she was leaving the house to go meet his mother and sister in law at the spa.
These little moments were another thing that had been missing with her own mother who preferred to spend time with Glen, her stepfather than to have little times with her daughters. So, it was always left to Alli and Darcy to keep her moored down as a female even they were sometimes neglectful with their various significant others and careers.
Every single thought vanished the moment she walked into the spa and noticed there was far more than just Audra and Bianca in attendance. The memo must have missed her house that this was THE place to come and have others pamper you before a grand event. She stood in the doorway watching the stylists helping others into chairs or other rooms for their appointments. Laughter bubbled from every corner of this building and that cast a calming spell over everyone within, including Clare. Smiling as she stepped into the main room with a bounce in her step as Audra spotted her with a quick flicker of her fingertips beckoning her over to the others.
"Clare, We had wondered if you were going to join us and it's good to see you!". Adam's mother voiced with a warm welcoming smile as she sheepishly nodded her greetings to the others who stood around conversing quietly.
"Adam sprung this on me just a few hours ago, of course I hadn't been planning on attending till yesterday either but, still. Thank you for including me in this, it's overwhelming.". She shyly admitted sticking a stray curl behind her ear as the employees of the spa began to come forward explaining what was on the menu of treatments. In the end she chose to get a massage to soothe her tense body and then her hair would be tamed and fixed.
"Please come with me Miss Edwards?". One of the employees said softly placing a hand on the crook of her elbow gently. She nodded and quietly followed into a small but elegantly decorated room listening as the lady began to explain what would occur during the time here.
…...
Eli's Pov
Family sometimes could be either a pain or a blessing, and in Eli's case it was both at the same time. He shouldn't have even bothered to have brought up the current drama that was raising both his blood pressure and stress. At the moment Cece, his mother, was expounding on the past soap that had been his life. It wasn't like he was unaware of what has occurred, having been living it himself but she chose to advise him that this may be foolish, and dangerous for his well-being. They meant well, he knew deep down in his soul.
"Baby boy, it's not that we aren't happy.. erm.. or at least we are happy for you. It's just that considering how the road has been when you are in a relationship with Clare, we are concerned. Please, just see it from our eyes and how we have had to reach down and grab you when something has gone wrong.". Cece explained softly as her fingers held her child's lightly patting them every so often for support. Her eyes were filled with worry for him, he knew.
"If anyone knows how bumpy the road has been these last fourteen years it has been me. I've lived them quite well, mind you. Perhaps I should have started with the story instead of fast forwarding to the end as I normally do with you Cece.". He said quickly raking his free hand into the hair so like his father that Cece smiled in response to watching the nervousness build in her son. She nodded without a reply and waited to hear what was going on in his life.
He began to speak about what went down those many years ago having not told them the whole truth in what he knew as that back when it happened. Somehow it had begun to become easier to speak about the pain that he had went through now that he had the full map in front of him about the lies. His mother's eyes began to fill with tears as his words came quickly, explaining everything that he hadn't even told Adam on what Imogen's lies has begot.
"Oh, Baby boy what have you gone through?". Cece whispered as his arms wrapped around her thin body hearing the heartbreak on her own words crushed him.
"Cece, you know that I came through everything as well as can be expected from this warped horror writer. Ah, that is an understatement of course but I pulled through it with the help of others whom cared. Now, had I known the full absolute truth it would be a much different matter. I came out far better than Clare did. She had three things compound her in as many weeks and that she's still sane makes me know that when I said she was a hero long ago, it's still the truth. I don't want this to sound like I am not taking any blame, because I believed what was told to me.".
"Then I believe that I owe her an apology for being to harsh about her whenever someone brings her up to me in the last decade. I had believed that she had ended it when your time was spent getting an education and not enough on her, or some such thing. Is she okay?". His mother asked gently, rubbing his arm for support as her eyes glanced over him quietly making sure he was okay as well.
"I don't think she'll be asking for an apology from you or bullfrog because there isn't a need for one. Considering You believed that she was the one in the wrong, as did I it's something that neither of us were in the wrong about. Comedy of errors if you will, but I believe she's going to be okay. She's always been strong, and will continue to be.". He remarked as his mother nodded listening to him.
"Good, Baby Boy.". She sheepishly commented as he continued to talk to her about other items for several minutes before dashing off to begin his countdown to the beginning of the ball.
…...
If only he had realized just how much it went into making every single detail the most perfect for both of them, he would have just stolen her away for a weekend instead. Luck was on his side in the form of a small, but romantic woman by the name of Audra Torres whom after explaining what he wished to do decided to be the fairy godmother to her son's best friend. She quickly helped secure some of the items that would be needed to woo a woman as he wished. Now, if only his nerves would cooperate with the rest of him it would be perfect.
"You look dashing Dear,". Audra smiled at both of the men who stood in front of him, "You too Elijah. Such good looking men, you sure there isn't some woman you can find for Adam.". She cocked an eyebrow towards Eli with a grin as Adam groaned loudly. It was done in jest, they knew, because she quit trying to badger her son long ago but wished he would find someone to love soon.
"Thank You , for all of this. I may be able to dream up things, but nothing like this.". He asserted sheepishly as he squirmed in the tuxedo clearly uncomfortable in the clothing. She smiled back at them and patted each of their cheeks before leaving to finish her own dressing. "Adam, I'll be ready soon, I'm sure. Elijah, good luck dear.". She called out as she disappeared into the hallway.
"What did she help you with, by the way?". Adam slyly asked watching Eli flicker a stray hair that landed on his forehead gently. Eli turned his eyes towards his friend with a smirk.
"I asked her help in some surprises for tonight, that's all. She's good at organization I've found, and she helped me with some of the feminine things. It's no biggie after all, you'll get to see some of it so don't pout if I don't tell you right now.". He retorted and walked to the door before Adam could form something to grouse back at him. "I'll see you there, don't pout. I've heard that it causes wrinkles.". He laughed softly as he closed the door stepping into the crisp spring evening.
The man standing in the driveway looked up from his phone with a grin upon his lips as soon as he noticed whom it was walking towards him. Tapping his nose gently as he nodded towards the limo with shrug before falling into step with Eli.
"I was able to get everything You asked, but really did you need it all?". The man inquired tightly.
"Declan, shut up and scram will you? Thank you for helping with this. I owe you.". He said grinning at the other man.
"Consider this payment for that time when you saved my ass from those females a few years ago.". Declan said with a smile of his own, shaking his head at the memory.
They shook hands and went their separate ways as the limo began to move back towards that small bungalow which held his date for the evening. As the vehicle moved closer to it's destination he began to feel nervous and hoped he was doing the right thing with this evening. He felt it stop before his eyes glanced up to see they were where they needed to be, at Clare's house. As soon as the driver opened his door he vaulted out towards the front door and the girl behind it.
