Announcement: Due to some things in the real world regular long stories will not be updated next week. That means that "He Touched Me & I Let Him Love Me", "How'd I Let You Slip Away", "Like I'm Your Lover or More Like Your Ghost", "Best Served Hot" and "Ghosts of Who We Were" will not be posted next week. The two extra stories, "It's Euphoria, It's Anger" and "Walking Through Fire without a Burn" chapter 2 will be posted on the weekend instead of Thursday and Friday. The regular schedule will resume Monday May 12th with "He Touched Me & I Let Him Love Me" getting a new chapter.
Ch. 14 Just Hang on & You'll See
(CLARE)
"You expect me to just sit here while you guys do all the set up?" I question Drew as he sits me on the outside bench; he even put down pillows and a blanket to make it more comfortable.
"I want you to rest and be healthy, everyone's coming to this thing to see you. You're the queen, you sit on your thrown and greet everyone," Drew tells me.
I twist my mouth at him but he only kisses my lips. He leaves me to continue helping to set up for the BBQ, of course Adam and Dallas are also helping. Pretty soon the Torres yard would be full of kids as pretty much everyone we knew was coming. I hated sitting around and watching everyone work, I felt kind of useless, but no one was going to let me do anything so I settled into it and watched the others. Fitz and Meghan are the first to arrive and I'm happy to have some company.
"Hey you look much better," Meghan smiles as she and Fitz hug me.
"Yes I've been feeling pretty good, of course Drew doesn't let me do anything, neither does anyone else really," I grumble slightly.
"That's because you need to take it easy," Adam quips as he joins us, "hey Fitz," Adam nods to his former tormentor.
"Hi Adam, this is my girlfriend Meghan. Adam is Drew's younger brother," Fitz introduces them.
Meghan smiles at Adam and they say nice to meet you, then Drew comes over with Dallas and he meets Meghan and Fitz. While they're still greeting each other I get up to hug Owen who just arrived with Stacey, Cam and Tris.
"Stacey this is Fitz, he and Owen were really good friends a couple of years ago and this Fitz's girlfriend Meghan."
The girls say hi and hit it off right away as they start talking and walk off leaving their boyfriends. Fitz and Owen are talking now too; seem to be rehashing stories about their days in the ravine. Drew and Adam are setting up chairs and I almost sit back down but then I see Luke and Becky approaching. I hug them and just as they walk off to greet the others Eli comes so I hug him.
"I thought you were supposed to stay off your feet?" He scolds me.
"Not off my feet exactly just gotta take it easy," I respond.
He hugs me and makes me sit on the bench again and he stays with me until Drew comes over and takes his place. I greet the rest of the guests from the bench and everyone comes to me. Lucas, Owen, Stacey, Luke, Becky, Adam, Fitz, Meghan, Eli, Bianca and Dallas all pull up chairs to eat near me. Drew of course sits on the bench with me after getting me a plate. When I'm done eating I toss my plate and go in to use the washroom. When I go back outside Drew is deep in conversation with Dallas, Bianca, Owen, Zig and Lucas. Fitz, Meghan, Luke and Becky are talking. Adam, Eli, Tris and Tori have moved to one side of the yard. Jake, Mo, Katie, Fiona and Imogen are at the other end. Glen, Audra, Omar and the other adults are still sitting near the BBQ. I am tired of sitting so I decide to walk through the yard a bit while everyone is distracted and talking. I only make it around once because Drew grabs me when I pass behind the bench.
"Sit," he says.
"I'm tired of sitting and I need to get some exercise," I remind him.
"Why don't we all walk up the block and back, Clare should be able to make that and it will help all of us digest our food," Stacey suggests.
"Okay we'll walk up the street, who's coming?" Drew asks.
Owen, Stacey, Fitz and Meghan all stand up Drew puts his arm around me and the six of us start walking. Owen and Stacey take the lead, they're holding hands and their arms swaying as they walk, they keep a steady and slow pace so that we don't go too fast. Drew and I are in the middle, his arm around my shoulders and mine around his waist. I turn my head a little to look at Fitz and Meghan behind us, he has his arm around her shoulders and she's holding his hand.
"Have you guys applied to any schools?" I ask the seniors, I already know Drew hasn't applied anywhere and Meghan's a junior like me.
"York and U of T, I'm staying close to home to keep an eye on my brother," Owen tells me.
"I dropped out but Meghan's helping me get my GED and then I might try and apply to schools," Fitz replies.
"I'm taking next year off to work and save up," Stacey tells us.
"Well good then you'll all be here next year," I grin.
"Yep and I for one will be happy to babysit if you need it," Meghan offers.
"Thanks I'm sure we will," I smile.
"You know the six of us should have dinner or something," Owen comments after a minute.
"I'm sure we'll have lots of time to hang out this summer," Stacey points out.
"Summer's far," Owen grumbles, Stacey laughs and tickles his side making Owen jump then he smiles and kisses her.
We walk to the end of the block and then back to the BBQ, Drew makes me sit down again, and he gets us some water and joins me on the bench again. Dessert is being served, Owen brings us some, and he and Stacey eat with us. The BBQ continues on into the night and I talk to everyone. It's nearly ten before Glen and Jake leave, they're the last guests to leave but they did stay to help clean up, I wasn't allowed of course. It's now almost eleven, Drew and I are lying in bed, we're ready for bed, the lights are off and we should be asleep but there's one little problem.
"What's the matter?" Drew asks when I change position for the fifth time in about ten minutes.
"I'm horny and the doctor said we couldn't have sex, I can't orgasm at all because it could start contractions," I whine.
"Sorry I know that must be hard, why don't you lay on your side and I'll rub you," Drew suggests.
"It's not the same," I complain with a pout.
"I know it's not the same but it will help you get to sleep," he responds.
I sit up to place a soft kiss on Drew's lips and then turn on my side, one leg bent up a little. Drew sits up and starts rubbing my back, neck and shoulders, it's relaxing and while it's not climaxing after Drew rubs me for a while I start to fall asleep.
"I love you Drew," I whisper just before falling asleep.
"I love you too My Shining Jewel," he whispers back.
I'm asleep within a few seconds and I have happy dreams all night of Drew and I welcoming our new baby to the world.
(DREW)
"You told Principal Simpson that you had a prenatal appointment and would have to miss part of your classes?" Mom asks at the breakfast table.
It's been about ten days since the BBQ, Clare and I have been spending a lot of time with Owen, Stacey, Fitz and Meghan since then. Today is Tuesday May 3rd and Clare has a prenatal appointment at 11:30 which is right in the middle of school but with all her complications we have to keep all her appointments.
"Yes Mom we told him on Monday, but we have a spare period after lunch anyway and I doubt the appointment will go that long," I assure my mom.
"Make sure you both get your homework if you miss a class," Mom says.
"Mom," I sigh with slight aggravation.
"We better get to school anyway," Dallas comments nodding to the clock and I stand up grabbing my backpack and Clare's.
We say goodbye to my mom and go out to my car, I drive us to school and park next to Bianca's car. Adam gets Clare's backpack as we walk to the front, Dallas leaves us for his team but Adam stays with us. We go to their lockers first and then mine before I walk them both to class since they have homeroom together, I kiss Clare at the door and tell her I'll get see her at lunch when we have to leave for our appointment. Math and business leadership go by slowly but I'm anxious to get to the appointment, anxious and petrified. I want to know that nothing else is wrong and Clare's going to be okay, I'm also worried that we'll find some new complication this time. At lunch I pick Clare up from parenting class, she's walking out with Owen and he has her backpack, I wave to him and my brother then Clare and I walk back out to my car. She's a little tense for the whole drive and I know she's worried too, I reach over and take her hand interlacing our fingers and she smiles at me.
"It'll be fine, we can handle anything, besides we probably get to find out if it's a boy or girl today," I remind her.
"I know," she says trying not to look worried but I can feel that she is. Not that I blame her, this whole pregnancy has gone wrong from the start, a lot of which was my fault.
I park at the doctor's office and run around to the other side of the car putting my arm around Clare and we walk in together. The receptionist greets us; we check in and wait in the waiting room a few minutes before we're shown back to a room. Clare is told to change into a gown, she does so and then a nurse knocks on the door, she gets Clare's blood pressure and weight then draws some blood. When the nurse leaves Clare lies back on the exam table and I stand at her side holding her hand. After another few minutes there's a knock at the door and Dr. Davis comes in.
"Hi Clare, Drew it's nice to see you again. How have you been feeling Clare?" Dr. Davis asks.
"Pretty good, I've been resting a lot, Drew hardly lets me do anything," Clare tells her.
"That's good you need to take it easy, have you had any cramps or abdominal pains?" She questions and Clare shakes her head. "Alright let's get a look here," she says lifting Clare's gown and pulling Clare's panties down just a bit. She puts the gel on Clare's belly and turns on the sonogram machine. A picture appears on screen of our baby and I smile squeezing Clare's hand. Clare looks over to smile before looking back at the screen as Dr. Davis starts talking. "The baby is still developing well, she'll be pretty small but she's healthy and developing well," Dr. Davis tells us.
"She?!" Clare and I exclaim at the same time and Dr. Davis smiles.
"Yes you're having a girl, you can see at this angle," Dr. Davis tells us moving the wand again so we can see. Dr. Davis asks us several more questions and does a full physical exam on Clare before a nurse comes in handing Dr. Davis some papers. "You're blood test looks good but your iron levels are still pretty low so we'll keep you on the same dose of your iron supplement. You haven't gained any weight since your last appointment but I don't think you will gain many pounds. So make sure your diet stays healthy, if you have any bleeding at all especially with cramping come in right away. Make an appointment for three weeks," Dr. Davis tells us.
When she's out of the room I help Clare get dressed again before we go to the reception desk and make an appointment.
"We're having a girl and she's beautiful," I grin when we're in my car and driving back to school.
"Drew all we've seen is the shadowy pictures from the sonogram," Clare laughs.
"She's our daughter, how can she not be beautiful with a gorgeous mom like you and the handsomest guy in school as her dad," I reply.
"And the cockiest," she laughs, "but yes she'll be beautiful."
I grin and kiss Clare softly when we pull up at a stop light. We drive back to school, Clare is silent and gazing out the window like she's thinking about something.
"You okay?" I question when we park at the school. Classes have already started again but Clare and I have a spare period after lunch anyway.
"Yeah I'm fine just thinking," she says putting her hand on her belly.
"Thinking about what?" I question unbuckling my seatbelt then taking her hand and kissing the back of it.
"I don't know just worried I guess," she replies.
"About what? Dr. Davis said everything looked good, we're having a daughter and she's developing beautifully. We know that there's difficulties with the pregnancy and we're taking care of them. You're going to be fine, our daughter is going to be fine," I assure her.
"I know, I'm just…" she pauses biting her lip, looking at me and smiling, "never mind it's nothing we should get inside."
"Clare," I say in an admonishing tone because she's not talking.
"It's nothing Drew really, I was just worried about all the pink baby clothes we're sure to get," she tells me and then kisses me quickly before I can respond.
"Alright let's go tell my brother he's getting a niece," I remark getting out of the car. "We can tell Owen, Dallas and B too since they have their spare period now."
We find them all together, sitting outside at a picnic table so we join them.
"How was the appointment?" Adam questions.
"It was good, we didn't hear about any other complications and we found out we're having a girl," Clare tells them.
"SWEET!" Owen grins.
"Aww she's going to be a little princess and as soon as she can walk I'm going to teach her to kick butt," Bianca replies.
"Mom's gonna buy her a whole bunch of little dresses, she finally has another girl to dress up," Adam comments and we all laugh.
"Yeah she'll probably buy her a little tiara and everything," I comment but I'm not joking.
"Hey is everyone coming to my birthday on Saturday?" Owen asks.
"We'll be there," I say for me and Clare.
"We'll be there Owen," Bianca smiles.
"Yep me too with Becky and I know Luke's coming," Adam says.
We talk a bit more, mostly about Owen's birthday party, until the bell rings then we walk inside. Clare and I visit our lockers for our backpacks and I walk her to class. I set her backpack down, give her a tender kiss and head for my own class. When school gets out I go to Clare's class to pick her up, Adam meets us on the steps and I drive us home. We start on our homework, Adam comes down to the basement with us and does his homework, the basement is mine and Clare's apartment now but everyone still hangs out down here.
"How was the appointment?" Mom asks when she gets home.
"No new complications and you're having a granddaughter," I tell her and Mom lights up.
"Oh a baby girl! It will be wonderful to have a baby girl again. We can get pink bedding for the crib and a purple stroller, we'll decorate the nursery in…" Mom says excitedly as she walks up the stairs.
"Oh boy," Adam says rolling his eyes.
"Well at least one of the grandparents is excited about having a granddaughter," Clare sighs.
"We could call Jake and Glen, I bet they'll be excited," I offer.
"We'll tell Jake tomorrow and he can tell his dad, I'm going to take a nap before dinner," Clare says.
"You feeling alright?" I question and I know I sound worried because I am.
"I'm okay, a few palpitations making me woozy and it's been a long day. I just want to rest for a bit," Clare assures me.
"You want me to lay down with you?" I ask.
"No I'm just going to lie on the sofa, really Drew I'm okay," she replies.
She takes my lips for a fervent loving kiss, then she gets up from between me and Adam lying on the chaise part of the sofa. I watch her for a few minutes, she doesn't actually fall asleep just lies there watching TV and resting. When she notices me we watching her she looks up and smiles at me mouthing the words, "I love you."
(CLARE)
Drew parks at Owen's house and we get out of the car, he grabs Owen's present from the backseat while I start walking to the front door. I ring the bell and Drew runs up to join me just as Tris opens the door.
"Hey guys, come on in everyone is outback," Tris tells us stepping aside so we can come in.
Drew seta Owen's present on the table with his others; his mom is in the kitchen and looks over at us. I've only seen Owen's parents at his championship game since I got back together with Drew. We weren't sitting together at the game and I didn't actually talk to them. Owen said he explained everything and his parents understood, the certainly didn't want him to be a teen dad and they really liked Stacey, still I felt bad that we had deceived them so long.
"Hi Clare it's nice to see you again Honey," Lydia says hugging me and smiling at Drew. "You too Drew and I hear you're having a girl," Lydia comments hugging Drew.
"It's nice to see you again too Lydia and yes we're having a girl," I reply putting my hand on my stomach.
"Congratulations and I am glad you two got back together and are raising the baby together. Well everyone's out back for dinner," Lydia tells us going back into the kitchen.
We smile and go out to the backyard, we're the last to arrive because I fell asleep this afternoon and Drew didn't want to wake me.
"Trying to ditch my party?" Owen teases coming over to hug us.
"It's my fault I took a nap and Drew didn't want to wake me," I apologize hugging him tightly.
"I'm just teasing, Drew called and I knew you'd be late, besides you need your rest. You hungry? Dad's got burgers and chicken on the grill and mom went all out on food," Owen says.
"Yeah I'm a little hungry," I reply.
"I'll get us food, you go say hi to everyone, I'm sure that everyone will want to touch your belly and tell us how excited they are that we're having a girl," Drew tells me.
I kiss his cheek, Owen let's go of me and I start mingling, I know everyone here but I decide to start with Adam and Becky. I say hi and hug them then Dallas and Bianca before sitting down with Meghan and Fitz. Drew joins with me with two plates of food and we begin eating, Owen and Stacey join us with food after a few minutes. Thankfully the four of them know not to ask me how I'm feeling or how much fun we'll have raising a girl, or how difficult it will be to raise a girl because that seems like all I've talked about with anyone since finding out we were having a girl. That or asking what we're going to name her and I just found out I'm having a girl.
"You have other plans for the weekend Clare?" Meghan asks.
"We're having brunch with Jake and Glen tomorrow morning but that's about it," I reply.
"I take it your mom doesn't know about this brunch," Owen remarks.
"Oh she knows, she's not coming, in Helen's little world we don't exist," Drew responds gritting his teeth.
"I'm sorry it must be hard not to have your mom supporting you through this," Meghan comments.
"Well she's never really been there for me or my sister that I can remember. Mom's always been sort of in her own little world," I tell her.
Stacey asks where my sister is and I tell them how she ended up in Africa and that she stayed there. At least though she knows about the pregnancy and is not flipping out or turning her back on me. After that talk becomes all about summer plans and prom. After eating I use the washroom and Lucas finds me, he hugs me tight and we start talking, staying inside because it's actually quitter in here. We're still talking when Owen comes in followed by everyone else so he can open his presents. Drew puts his arm around me and we sit on one of the big arm chairs to watch Owen open his presents. After presents we go back outside for cake.
"Why don't you feed me the cake babe," Owen suggests to Stacey.
"Sure," Stacey grins taking a handful of cake and smashing it onto Owen's mouth.
She starts giggling and then runs when he tries to put cake on her. It takes all of about half a second for it to become a food fight and within a few minutes the entire party is covered in cake. I do mean the entire party including Owen's parents but we're all laughing hard and nobody cares that we didn't actually eat the cake. Drew and I decide to go home after the cake fight however as we need to shower now. I have cake in places it simply shouldn't be. We wish Owen a happy birthday again say goodnight to everyone. Drew drives us home and we go in through our entrance and straight to the washroom. Drew turns on the shower and we start undressing then both get in the shower and rinse off. Drew gets out and I see that he's aroused; it's fairly hard to hide.
"You know I can't have sex, or orgasm at all, but I can take care of you," I offer to Drew.
"No, I'll take care of it," he tells me.
"Drew you're horny and I can…"
"No," Drew says interrupting me and turning to face me, he takes both my hands, interlacing our fingers. "You are My Shining Jewel not my sex doll; I can take care of myself. I'm not going to have you on your knees every time I get horny; I'm a teenage guy I get horny every few minutes. I'm fine, the most important thing is that you stay healthy and deliver us a beautiful healthy baby girl," Drew asserts.
I open my mouth to argue but Drew gives me a passionate kiss and tells me to go get in bed. I see no more point in arguing so I give in and leave the washroom for our bedroom. After putting on one of Drew's shirts to sleep in I get in bed, it's about ten minutes before Drew joins me. He wraps his arms around me kissing my jaw and tells me he loves me. I nuzzle into him and fall asleep happily ensconced in Drew's arms. Some hours later I wake up with jolt, sitting up rapidly from Drew's arms and taking deep shaky breaths.
"Clare are you okay?" Drew asks sitting up and putting his arms around me.
"Yeah it was just a bad dream go back to sleep," I tell him.
"What was the dream about?" Drew questions kissing my shoulder.
"We lost the baby," I tell him wiping the tears that crawl from my eyes.
"We're not going to lose the baby Clare," Drew says turning me to face him and capturing a kiss.
"You can't know that Drew, I've had nothing but problems, what if I'm not strong enough to hold this pregnancy."
"Yes you are Clare, we're going to have a beautiful baby girl and you're both going to be fine. It was just a nightmare, I read that pregnant women have nightmares," Drew assures me.
"You read?" I tease him.
"It's been known to happen," he chides back resting his chin on my shoulder. "It was just a nightmare Clare, you're going to be okay, our daughter is going to be okay. Come on let's get back to sleep," Drew asserts pulling me down to lie down with him.
I turn on my side and cuddle into him, "Drew do you really think we can do this?"
"I really do Clare."
Remember long stories will not be updated next week so the next update for this story will be Tuesday May 13th.