Chapter 12…
"Hey, Dad," Clare addressed the tomb stone inscribed with "In loving memory of Randall Edwards". "Eli and I came to visit you because…well, Prom is tonight, and I know that's where you first met Mom…and you both wanted to ditch your dates and be with each other all night long," she added and laughed, recalling the distant memory of the story her mother and father had shared while sitting her down at age twelve and attempting "the talk" about dating. She slowly ran her freshly manicured nails over the top of the headstone, careful not to damage them. "I miss you," she murmured, "I can't believe how much everything has changed. We've had a lot of good times together, Dad. Remember how frustrated I was when you were teaching me how to tell time? Remember how quickly I learned how to tie my shoes and how hilariously amazed you were?" she looked down at the grass for a moment before deciding to sit cross-legged in front of the stone. She gently placed the bouquet of daisies by his grave before continuing. "I think you were the one who was there when I first learned how to walk…mom was at work, and you and Darcy were sitting in the living room with me, trying to teach me how to walk. There's a video of it somewhere…you caught me whenever I fell." Tears stung her eyes as she eyed Eli, who had whole-heartedly agreed to accompany her in visiting her father's grave for the first time since the funeral, standing a few graves away, far away enough for Clare to have her privacy but near enough to respond if she needed him. "Look, I was angry at you for a long time, but when I found out you had cancer, I…I just couldn't be." She sniffled and laid her head down on the stone, tracing her father's name with her index finger. "I just want you to know that I will never forget you or our good times. I wish you could still be here. I love you," she finished, drained of everything she had wanted to say and kissing the palm of her hand before placing it on the ground.
Eli, noticing her crying, walked over to her slowly. Not wanting to upset her, he sat cross-legged directly behind her and moved so that his arms wound around her waist tightly. He rested his cheek on her slightly trembling back and closed his eyes, hearing the rasping of her lungs. "I love you, Clare." He said truthfully and continued to gently and patiently hold the girl of his dreams.
Four and a half hours later…
"OH MY GOODNESS, MY BABY IS GOING TO PROM!" A very excited, proud, and five months pregnant Helen gushed and snapped several pictures of Clare and Eli as they stood by the door, waiting to leave for prom.
"Mom," Clare whined as what must have been the tenth picture of her and Eli was taken. She giggled when she felt Eli squeeze her waist and keep his hands there as they posed for the next picture. "Mom, my face hurts from smiling. I am not photogenic!"
Eli scoffed, spinning Clare around to face him. "You will look beautiful in the pictures, Clare. You are so gorgeous," he remarked as he took in her baby blue dress that had the beautiful diamond accent in the center. Her outfit was completed with silver heels, the corsage Eli had brought to her and the necklace with the tiny diamond that Helen had given Clare hours before Eli had arrived when Clare was getting ready.
"Thank you, Eli. You look so handsome," Clare giggled, coyly twirling one of her perfectly curled locks around her finger, and all resentment of her mother's obsessive photo-documenting was gone as soon as he gently took her hand into his and intertwined his fingers within hers. "Mom, we have to go now, or we're going to be late!" Clare insisted, practically bursting out the door as Eli smiled apologetically at the very pregnant woman and nodded in sheepish agreement.
Helen frowned, but smiled as Glen came up behind her and wrapped his long arms around her protruding belly and kissed her cheek. "I think you've got enough pictures to fill an entire album, Helen." He joked, resting his chin on her shoulder for a second before slowly approaching Clare and Eli. "Eli, please, keep her safe tonight. Clare, you look so beautiful," Glen smiled thoughtfully and accepted Clare's urgent hug around his waist.
"Thanks, Glen," she blushed and gave her mother a hug as well. When she wandered back over to the door by a grinning Eli, Clare added, "Oh, and don't worry, Glen. I'm in good hands." She clasped Eli's hand in her own and started down the front steps before she was stopped by her mother.
Helen whispered into Clare's ear, "Honey, I want you to have the best time tonight that you can. Have fun, have the most fun you can get while you're still young and you still can. Have a magical time, sweetheart, and please let me know once you're on the road to Banff!" Without another word, Helen hugged her daughter goodbye and watched with her husband as her second youngest giggled and climbed into Eli's car as he held the door open for her. Her heart both fluttered with excitement for her daughter and broke in the recollection that just sixteen years ago, she had first held baby Clare Diana Edwards in her arms at the hospital, with her loving husband Randall by her side. Her mother had been by her side, and Darcy had been sitting on the bed, cross-legged, waiting to hold her baby sister. Tears were brought to her eyes at how touching this all was as she recalled how excited she and Randall were about having another child. Now, Randall was gone, and her baby girl was all grown up, going off to the Prom with the boy she loved. It seemed like just yesterday, young thirteen year old Clare was excited to start school at Degrassi with her older sister by her side. The girl with the long ponytail, school uniform that she chose to wear every day, and the braces and glasses, was now a beautiful young woman with shoulder length, bouncy curls and big blue eyes. She was taller, and Helen finally realized that Clare really had turned out all right.
Glen gently hugged his now crying wife and kissed her forehead emotionally. Guiding her into the house, he quickly made her some herbal tea and put her to bed.
"So, is Jake going to Prom?" Eli asked, gently holding Clare's hand and admiring the corsage out of the corner of his eye. CeCe had picked it out for him, knowing Clare would absolutely love the light green and purple flowers bound together by delicate lace.
"Yeah, with Jenna," Clare said, sighing happily and gazing out the window as they made their way to the hotel. She was not worried about Jake anymore. It wasn't worth it, and if he and Jenna were happy, she had given up on being a monster and not allowing other people to be happy. She had plans on her mind; tonight was the night that inhibitions are damned and second chances were not needed. Her bag lay fully packed in the back seat, and Eli had rented a hotel room just for the two of them, reasoning that they would need a place to crash after the long night. "Are you excited for Banff?" Clare grinned, glancing over to Eli as he continued driving. The city lights of Toronto lit up the skyline, and while Clare loved Toronto, she could hardly wait to get to the mountains.
Eli smiled back at her, keeping his eyes on the road. "I can't wait. I'm mostly psyched to go white water rafting, hiking, and spending time with you though," he gave her a warm look before returning his eyes to the road as they watched the houses disappear behind them before entering the main city.
Clare burst into giggles and her stomach flipped excitedly as he parked the car behind the hotel. "I'm so excited! Tonight will be amazing, Eli." Clare blushed as he came closer to her and pecked her lips.
"Yes, it will," he whispered against her lips before bringing her inside.
Walking inside, Clare gingerly followed Eli as he gently led her to the front desk. The entire time he was checking them in, Clare felt twinges of herds of butterflies just billowing in her stomach, filling her to the brim with happy excitement. She couldn't wait to kiss his soft, full lips and run her fingers through his silky dark hair. She wanted tonight to be the night.
"Clare?" he brought her out of her reverie with his soft voice and stroked her hand. "Why don't we go up to our room and get settled, okay? Then we can go down to the ballroom?" he suggested, holding out the slick black Sheraton Centre key card to her.
"O-oh yeah, let's go," she shakily but cheekily accepted the key card and walked to the elevator with him, holding his hand the entire time.
Eli shot her a cute half smile that made her heart flutter and the butterflies return at the thought of kissing those perfect lips once more. As the two entered the elevator, they shared a few anxious and excited yet knowing side glances that only two people seriously in love could share.
Clare couldn't take it anymore. Oh, to hell with it, she thought and eagerly brought her arms around his neck to kiss him full on the lips. He gently reciprocated and hugged her to his sleek black suit, feeling her sigh against him and melt into his arms. However, as the doors opened when they finally reached their floor, they were interrupted by a short "Ahem," and immediately broke apart.
Imogen Moreno and Fiona Coyne, wearing matching corsages and beautiful dresses, were standing side-by-side, waiting for the elevator to reach their floor. "Well, this is awkward," Imogen giggled as she saw her best friend with cheeks burning red. "Fi and I were just about to head down to the dance floor. Looks like we're on the same floor! Yippee!" she giggled excitedly and twirled her exotic and unique yet beautiful dress. The dress was a gorgeous evening gown, peach colored with a sparkly floral pattern and sequins on the straps. Her dark brunette hair, usually in quirky pigtails or cinnamon buns, was curled perfectly down her shoulders. Her eyelashes were coated with dark mascara and a light lining of gold eyeliner highlighted her chocolate brown, curious eyes.
Eli rolled his eyes at a smirking Fiona before stepping out of the elevator with Clare and allowing the girls to get in. "Sorry," he mouthed to Fiona, who waved her hand to gesture, it's fine, have a good night.
"Well, isn't that humiliating?" Clare sighed annoyed as they made their way into the room. She plopped down on the couch and waited for Eli to sit beside her.
He slowly navigated over to her and sat down, placing a caring arm around her shoulder. "Clare, it's okay. You have no idea how many times I've walked in on those two making out. Let's just say movie nights have a different meaning at Fiona's loft nowadays," he playfully rolled his eyes and kissed her forehead.
"Eli?" Clare whispered, kissing his shoulder and grabbing his hand to lightly play with his fingers.
"Yeah?" he murmured, leaning his head gently on hers which was resting on his shoulder.
Clare's stomach tightened into a coil of nervous butterflies and her palms began to sweat, causing her to unravel her hand from his. Could she do this? Could she really ask him to make love with her? It wasn't something they had talked about since they day she had tried to seduce him on the beach, and although they had shared a beautiful and loving intimacy on graduation night in the tent, the conversation hadn't been made in quite a while. "Um, never mind, we can talk about it later," she jumped up and grabbed his hand, practically bursting out the door and running as quickly as her heels would allow her to without twisting an ankle.
Eli laughed, finding her rushing rather amusing and adorable. An amused smirk made its way onto his face and she turned around to face him on the way downstairs in the elevator.
"What? Why are you smirking at me like that?" she giggled and stepped closer to him.
"Nothing; you're just adorable," he stated calmly and sighed, straightening his tuxedo in a teasing, overly dignified manner. He widened his green eyes playfully down at her, gazing admirably at the blue-eyed girl. She looked… perfect.
Clare stepped even closer until there was no space between them, almost stepping on his shoes. Glancing at the decreasing floor numbers, she realized they had six floors to go until they reached the ground level. "I just might have to wipe that smirk right off your face, Eli." She said softly and placed her lips on his, moaning quietly when she felt his soft and warm lips kiss her back. It was a short, chaste kiss, and she smiled into it, releasing his lips and giggling madly when she felt him wrap his arms around her waist and literally carry her out of the elevator when they reached their destination.
"Oh, Edwards, I am so getting payback for that little trick later," he mumbled, causing even more giggles to explode from the overly excited sixteen-year-old.
A few students smiled at the happy couple as they made their way into the main ballroom where everyone was dancing and the music was blaring. "Eli, this is perfect!" Clare exclaimed, pulling him onto the dance floor.
Katie Matlin had definitely done a great job organizing the prom, and violence was not something the students had to worry about this time since Mr. Simpson had made sure to hire extra security and chaperones. No one who wasn't a Degrassi student or a date of a Degrassi student could enter the prom.
By the time Clare had reached her destination in dragging Eli to the center of the dance floor, the song had ended, and she pouted playfully. "Eli, the song's over," she pretended to pout and he saw right through it.
"Clare, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that I sense a smile coming on, sweetheart," he grinned, causing her to immediately drop the pouty puppy-dog act and giggle softly. Just then, the DJ announced that he was going to "slow things down a bit" which automatically caused some of the more awkward couples to shuffle off the dance floor.
Clare slowly turned her face to Eli's, a deep, rosy blush conquering her cheeks. Her blush was only intensified by a returning smirk and Eli's arms wrapped around her waist as she wound her arms around his neck. A few familiar chords of a guitar filled her ears, as she quickly recognized Christina Perri's "Arms" beginning to play.
"I never thought that you'd be the one to hold my heart, but you came around and you knocked me off the ground from the start,"
"You put your arms around me, and I believe that it's easier for you to let me go…you put your arms around me and I'm home."
Clare's cheek found rest on Eli's shoulder as they gently swayed to the music, surrounded by other couples. No words were needed in this perfect moment; she could feel his support in the form of arms twined around her waist, in the form of love holding her racing heart still, and in the form of irrevocability. Eli's love was irrevocable; it would never end. That wasn't something Clare needed to worry about.
"How many times will you let me change my mind and turn around? I can't decide if I'll let you save my life or if I'll drown,"
"I hope that you see right through my walls, I hope that you catch me because I'm already falling, I'll never let our love get so close, you put your arms around me and I'm home."
"You know I love you, right?" Eli smiled gently and whispered into her ear, noticing the goose bumps that adorned Clare's delicate shoulder in response.
"Of course, and I love you, too," Clare whispered, letting the beautiful music fill her ears as she felt Eli place a gentle and careful kiss in her cinnamon curls.
He leaned his head against hers slightly, angling her face to his. "I never want to lose you, Clare. You're amazing, and my entire world."
She pressed her lips to his and smiled when she noticed the happy smirk that made its way onto Eli's face. Content, she caressed his cheek and lightly kissed his ear. "You will never lose me, Eli. I'm here to stay."
As the night went on and they slow-danced, and danced to the fast and upbeat songs as well, Eli and Clare grew more and more anxious about spending the night together. It was a happy-anxious feeling, however.
Two hours later…
"Oh my gosh, Eli! It's midnight already!" Clare giggled as she noticed the students tiredly making their way up to the upper floors for after parties and some just for mere sleep. She felt his long arms make their way around her waist as she giggled non-stop.
"Yes, it is," he murmured into her ear, pressing a loving kiss to her neck and swimming to the shallow end with her. The hotel's fancy indoor pool was rather empty; the few other guests that had been swimming had filed out by now.
Clare grabbed his hand eagerly and sat on his lap as he climbed into the bubbling hot tub. "This is seriously the best night ever." Smiling widely, she lightly played with his fingers and leaned against his smooth chest.
They made small talk, mostly speaking about Eli's up-coming school year at U of T and Clare's senior year at Degrassi. He promised to take her to prom next year, and to be at her graduation, cheering her on. They also spoke about Clare's eagerness to meet her baby brother or sister in a matter of months.
"I don't know what I'd do without you." She whispered into his ear, voice so low that absolutely no one in the world could have heard her except for Eli. She gently trailed her hands down his chest and left a kiss right above his heart. "Eli," she muttered, kissing his cheek and interlocking his hands with both of hers.
He turned to her, grinning. "Yes, sweetheart?"
"I want you. Tonight, Eli," she brought her lips to his and climbed out of the hot tub, pulling him behind her. Looking into the deserted hotel hallway, she noticed no one but a few lingering employees cleaning out the ball room. "Come on!' she giggled, and was immediately swept into his arms as he carried her bridal style to the elevator. They were slightly wet, but mostly dried off.
Once they finally made it into their room after an entire torturous elevator ride full of kisses, Eli turned to Clare, who was slowly peeling off her bathing suit. "Clare, wait," he begged, his glistening eyes fighting not to look at her body. He turned away from her, still clad in his swim trunks.
"What?" she whispered, approaching him and placing her hands on his shoulders before leaving a trail of kisses down his back.
"A-Are you sure?" Eli asked shakily, keeping his back and shaking hands to her.
"Yes, Eli. I love you." She slowly leaned forward; her back pressed against his, and placed her lips on the outline of his ear. "Make love to me," she whispered softly, kissing his neck for emphasis. "Don't turn away from me, Eli."
He slowly turned around, eyeing her beauty, and gently and carefully kissed her. "I love you, Clare." He promised, knowing she already knew.
"I know. I love you, too." She felt him gently walk her to the bed, and, hanging onto him with all her strength, she was finally taken to a place of love.
