Hey Guest Reviewers, especially those that reviewed the last chapter of Friends with Benefits, I did reply so check my profile page. Also RED I did get the story plotted and added it to my list.
Ch. 21 Til the Clock Strikes Three
(CLARE)
"Are you sure you ate enough?" Owen asks me as he rinses my cereal bowl in the sink.
"I'm sure, I'm plenty full. Now I'm going to the washroom," I tell him getting up from the chair.
"Do you feel sick? Are you going to throw up? Maybe you should stay home, it's only the first day," Owen says in an anxious tone and rushing to my side.
"No I'm going to brush my hair and finish getting ready for school," I tell him putting a hand on his arm and resting one behind his neck. "I'm going to be okay Owen don't worry," I assure him.
"Yeah but I won't be there and after what the doctor said I'm worried about you being at school and away from me, something could happen. I'm going to be worried about something happening to you and our babies all day," he confesses.
"I know but I'm not going to be alone at school, there will be plenty of people there to keep an eye on me. And we don't know that these are our babies, they could be Mike's and mine," I remind him.
"That's what I meant," he says and I give him a dubious look, "It's what I meant, when I say our I mean the three of us. Do I need to find someone to marry the three of us so that they will really be our babies?" He jokes and I giggle but I almost say yes.
"I'm going to get ready for school," I tell him kissing him softly and he lets go of me but does follow me back to the washroom.
Dallas is just coming out of the washroom and grins at us, "Hey Sugar," he says kissing me gently.
"You weren't in Paris to watch me either and you survived eight weeks of that," I remind Owen as he leans in the doorway watching me do my hair and makeup.
"Barely, Dallas and I were going crazy; do you have any idea how many times we almost hopped a plane to come get you? If Drew and Adam hadn't stopped us every time we would have been in Paris with you as soon as we found out. Besides I got Miles and Tris to spy for us," Owen reminds me.
"Yes and they'll all be at school with me, along with Drew, Adam and most importantly Mike. If something happens one of them will call you right away and you can come on campus, Simpson made sure of it," I point out turning in his arms to kiss him passionately.
I break the kiss walking into the bedroom to get my backpack and he grabs it. "Don't carry your backpack this thing is heavy," Owen admonishes.
"Owen it's not that heavy and I'm only sixteen weeks," I remind him as we walk out to the living room.
"Yeah and carrying twins and you had a stressful pregnancy, and the doctor said you were at higher risk for preeclampsia, which if it leads to eclampsia can kill you," Owen says, his voice full of worry and fear, his arm around me tightly.
The words can kill you are said just as we walk into the great room and everyone else is there so they hear him. Maya looks over at us with a curious but concerned look; Mike looks just as worried as Owen.
"Owen I don't have preeclampsia she said it was a concern but we're being cautious and I go in for an appointment every two or three weeks. I'll be okay at school, I have lots of people there to watch me and Mike's just as worried as you. I promise if anything happens someone will call you," I assure him turning to kiss him again.
He only looks slightly relieved but lets out a breath and hands my backpack to Mike. "Don't let her carry her backpack or anything too heavy," Owen instructs.
"I won't and I'll be sure Drew and Adam don't either," Mike nods.
"Should I carry your backpack Maya?" Miles questions.
"No, I'm not carrying twins and I'm not at high risk for preeclampsia, besides it's not very heavy right now, if it gets heavy then you can carry it," Maya says and I smile.
We all say goodbye to Angela but Owen is taking us all to school, he drives, I sit in the middle between him and Mike while Maya and Miles take the back.
"I guess Angela will be driving us next week when you start at U of T," I comment.
"Not necessarily we have a couple of other cars and Maya and I can't drive yet but you and Dallas can. Mom said she was going to give you guys keys to the cars that way the five of us aren't relying on Owen and Mom to get us everywhere. With two pregnant girls and Owen going to University and Dallas doing hockey in a month it's probably a good thing," Miles informs us.
"Cool but Clare shouldn't drive," Mike says.
"I can drive," I protest.
"Can yes but if something goes wrong while you're driving you could crash," Mike points out.
I could argue but it's pointless, I wouldn't be arguing with one very stubborn, very worried, over protective alpha male I'd be arguing with two. Owen is nodding so I know he agrees, of course I haven't seen them argue about anything when it comes to me and the babies since I've been home.
"Dallas is right, better not to risk it, if he drives that's three drivers and I'm sure in a pinch Drew, Adam or even Jenna could be transportation. You can drive after they're born but we're not risking it while you're pregnant, too much at risk already," Owen says with finality putting a hand on my belly right above Mike's hand already on my belly.
I just smile and put my hands over theirs, the three of us are silent the rest of the way to school but Maya and Miles are speculating on what classes they'll have and how many they have together. When we get to school Owen parks in the parking lot and comes in with us, Simpson wanted to meet the five of us, along with Drew and Adam, to give us all our new class schedules personally. That way Owen will know all our classes and if any of us have any concerns or conflicts in our schedule we can talk about it. Owen got his schedule already but doesn't start until next week, from 9am – 2pm Monday, Wednesday and Fridays he has classes. He's got another class on Monday's and Fridays starting at 8am and then his lab hours when he needs them are Tuesday's and Thursday's mostly, and he has one class on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 10:30 – 11:30. He is getting his bachelor in physical education and health and I am quite proud of him.
Miles gets out of the car and puts an arm around Maya, the three of us get out of the car, Mike and Owen each putting an arm around me. It is pretty early but being the first day of school there was still quite a few kids in the courtyard and they started whispering and pointing as soon as they saw us. We ignored them walking into school and straight to Simpson's office. Drew and Adam were waiting for us outside the office and after greeting them we went in greeting Simpson.
"Good morning kids welcome back to school," Mr. Simpson says when we go in, there are four chairs set up, Maya sits in one, Miles in another, Owen sits in one putting me in his lap and Mike takes the other chair while Drew and Adam lean against the wall. "I have all of your schedules," Simpson says handing everyone but Owen a paper, "neither of the girls has a gym class, I also made sure that Clare and Maya had classes with at least two of your friends just to be safe. The only exception being that Clare has studies in literature and the only one of your group also in the class is Adam. It's your last class of the day and you have a spare period just before that with Drew, I thought it would be a good time for you two to meet on student council stuff."
"Thank you Principal Simpson our schedules look great," Miles tells him.
"Yeah thanks this schedule is perfect," I smile.
"Christine did most of it actually and we'll be checking in with both of you frequently especially as you near your due dates," Simpson tells us.
We thank Mr. Simpson again before leaving his office and then we huddle in the hall to look at and compare our new schedules.
"We have homeroom and our last class together Baby," Miles grins.
"Yeah and I've got homeroom, music and English with Tris," she says.
"Mike, Drew and I all have homeroom together but that's my only class with Mike," I comment and he puts an arm around me. "Then I have Chemistry and last period with Adam and my spare after lunch so it's a pretty easy schedule," I tell them.
"And I can come hang out during your spare when I don't have class or lab hours, plus it's right after lunch so I can come for lunch and stay," Owen speaks up with a pleased tone and sounding slightly less worried than this morning.
"We should probably find our lockers and stuff," Maya comments after a little more discussion about our schedules.
"Ok I guess I should go you two take it easy and I'll come at lunch," Owen tells me and Maya.
He hugs Maya and gives me a nice long passionate kiss before leaving. Miles and Maya leave us to go to the corridor with the grade ten lockers and the rest of us walk to the senior lockers. We find Connor, Jenna, Becky and Luke at their lockers, Adam kisses his girlfriend and we all exchange greetings, there's more comparing of schedules before we actually figure out our lockers. Mike's locker is right next to Luke's, Jenna's locker is right next to Connor's and only two down from Becky's and my locker is right between the Torres brothers. We talk a little in the halls before splitting up to go to class, Luke has a humanities class as his home room and it happens to be the families in Canada class which is the same as Drew, Mike and I.
"I hope I don't have any classes with Imogen," I comment as I sit in my desk.
"She won't get anywhere near you if you do," Mike assures me and I smile leaning over to kiss him.
"Damn it's true you're really going to be a dad captain?" One of the Ice Hounds asks as he sits in his desk in front of Mike.
"The season doesn't start for another month Scott you can call me Dallas. And yes I'm going to be a dad," Mike affirms.
"Owen could be the dad too," I speak up.
"Yeah heard that too so where is he?" Scott asks.
"Owen actually graduated and got out of here," Luke replies.
"He starts at U of T next week, he'll come at lunch, they're both involved we all live together and everyone's happy," I say in a bit of a sharp tongue.
"So I guess this means you won't be hooking up with any hot puck bunnies this season huh Dallas?" Scott snickers.
I tense up, my jaw tightening and my pulse rate quickens. I know I gave them nothing but problems while in Paris and drove them crazy going on a date with Dorian but I never wanted to lose either of them and I definitely despise the idea of Dallas hooking up with a puck bunny. I'm in love with them both and I want them both to stay with me, I know Owen was joking this morning when he said the three of us would get married but I want to do it quite honestly.
Mike turns in his chair, taking my hand and pulling at me so that I turn a little too, "Yes it does and no one is hotter than Clare," Mike says in a firm tone, cupping my face and turning my head before abducting my lips in a fiery passionate kiss. He doesn't pull away and keeps kissing me, grazing his tongue over my bottom lip and I part my lips for him. His tongue goes in and I grip his shirt, some of the kids are starting to whistle and clap but we keep kissing, not wanting to pull away and part our lips.
"Mr. Dallas, Miss Edwards I believe that penitent for touching each other is what lead to your current predicament, please refrain from PDA in class," Mr. Lane says in a stern voice when he comes into class.
"Sorry Sir," Mike apologizes when we break apart laughing.
"Now that the show is over I'm going to start class and Mr. Dallas if you can't refrain from kissing Clare I will separate your desks," Mr. Lane warns him.
"I'll be good," Mike says in an almost despondent tone and Mr. Lane begins class.
When class is over Mike gets my backpack since he's as paranoid as Owen and neither lets me do much of anything. Mike, Drew and Luke all have math for college technology as their next class and I have chemistry with Adam, Jenna, Connor and Becky. So the three of them walk me to class and Mike gives my backpack to Adam, then Mike kisses me softly and says he'll see me at lunch. I walk to a table, deciding it will be ours for the year, sit on a stool and Adam sets my backpack down.
"Tell me if you need something, no bending over and lifting," Adam says as he sits next to me.
"You're starting to sound like Mike and Owen," I remark.
"Yeah well I guess their paranoia is rubbing off on us. You know you might not be able to fit behind a regular desk in a couple months," Adam comments as Becky and Jenna walk in.
"Adam that wasn't very nice,' Becky admonishes her boyfriend.
"He's right though; my stomach is going to be growing a lot between now and my due date, especially with twins. I'll talk to Mr. Simpson at lunch about the possibility of needing a desk without a chair attached," I reply.
Mr. Bettankamp comes in and we stop talking as he starts class, at lunch Adam takes my backpack and we walk to our lockers. Mike, Drew and Luke are at their lockers and everyone stashes their backpacks. We meet Maya, Miles, Tris and Winston on the steps just as Owen pulls up and then we all walk to the Dot for lunch. With all of us we pretty much take up the entire café. Owen, Mike and Drew push together a bunch of tables and move chairs around them.
"How was your morning? Anything happen?" Owen asks putting his hand on my belly as soon as I'm sitting between him and Dallas.
"If anything had happened someone would have called you," I tell him turning to give him a gentle kiss.
People start ordering and I break the kiss with Owen to see Fitz standing there uncomfortably. We place our order and Fitz walks away as quickly as he can to the counter.
"You know I'm going to have to talk to Simpson about getting a desk with a chair that isn't attached. In a month or two I won't be able to fit in those desks at school. Maya you might need the same thing, at least when you're seven or eight months along," I point out to Maya.
"I'll talk to Simpson when I come back with you guys. Since you have a spare after lunch and I'm allowed at campus and without classes of my own until next week," Owen grins.
"I'm just going to be in the student council office with Drew," I remind him.
"I don't care," he responds as Fitz brings our drinks.
Maya and Tris spend most of the rest of lunch telling Owen about their morning classes. After lunch Owen walks back with us and comes in with us, kissing me before walking to Simpson's office. Drew goes to get out backpacks and Mike walks me to the student council office and of course stays until Drew returns, then he kisses me before he turns to go to his English class.
"I was thinking we should have a welcome back dance Friday night," Drew tells me.
"Sounds good but Adam's social chair shouldn't you be discussing that with him?" I question as Owen comes in the room and sits down next to me.
"Yeah I will but you're the veep I need your approval," Drew says.
"You have my approval, so just a regular dance or should we have a theme?" I inquire.
"Definitely a theme," Drew says and then starts stroking his chin like he's thinking hard.
I turn to Owen to let Drew think, "What did Mr. Simpson say?"
"Said that he and Christine already thought about that and as soon as you feel uncomfortable in a regulation desk they'll bring in a little table and chair for you. You'll have to sit in the back of the room or off to the side but whoever has class with you can sit with you or near you," Owen tells me and I open my mouth to reply but Drew speaks first.
"I got it a beach party theme," Drew exclaims.
"We'll have to prevent the whole student body from showing up in swimsuits," I point out.
"So we'll have a dress code, no swimsuits, girls can wear swimsuit tops with shorts or something and guys have to wear shirts. You can wear a coconut bra and grass skirt though," Drew comments with a slightly evil, slightly lascivious grin while wiggling his eyebrows.
"Mmm hot, I'll pick it up you can wear it at home later," Owen comments.
"You're not even going to be at the dance," I point out.
"I know that's why you can wear it at home later," Owen responds and I shake my head.
"You could probably come Owen, you're allowed on campus it shouldn't matter if you're at the dance," Drew points out.
"Sweet, you're still wearing it at home later," Owen grins and again I shake my head.
"Okay now that we've settled that how about beanbag chairs for student council?" Drew proposes.
"I won't be able to get out of a beanbag chair in a few weeks," I comment.
"You can just sit on Dallas, he won't mind," Drew snickers.
"He will when I'm big enough to crush him," I argue.
"Hey," Owen scolds brushing a curl behind my ear to kiss my neck, "don't talk like that."
"Owen I'm carrying twins I'm going to be huge, you're going to have to face it," I tell him.
"You're still going to be incredibly sexy," Owen counters kissing my clavicle now.
"Okay stop Drew is watching us, anyway I don't think we have it in the budget to get bean bag chairs. Has Connor submitted a budget yet?" I ask.
"No he's supposed to have it by today's meeting," Drew tells me.
This is pretty much how the rest of our spare period goes, Drew and I talking about student council and every so often Owen makes a smart ass remark, or he tries to kiss my skin with Drew in the room. Owen walks me to my studies in literature class, kissing me at the door and handing my backpack to Adam when he tries to get past us, since we're still kissing. Eventually I push Owen away to break the kiss and go sit at my desk next to Adam.
"So did you fuck them both at once or did one of them have sloppy seconds?" Jeff, one of the kids in our class, asks in a rude tone.
"Hey watch your mouth!" Adam tells him.
"What? It's a valid question, the whole school knows St. Clare got herself knocked up and can't be sure who the father is. Now the rumor is they're all living together, tell me do have a threesome every night or do you switch off?" Jeff teases.
"You're going to get your teeth knocked out," Adam cautions him.
"You going to try and fight me little Torres? You don't fight, Eli did all you're fighting and you're brother," Jeff chortles.
"I won't touch you, and neither will my brother since his concussion, however both potential father's will happily kill you," Adam grins.
Jeff tries to laugh it off but now he looks scared and he shuts up, I smile at Adam as Miss Dawes comes in and starts class.
(MAYA)
"Clare and I have student council but Owen's here to pick you four up, he's taking everybody to his parent's house. You can hang out with Tris until we're out of student council," Dallas tells us when school is out.
"Cool, have fun at student council," Miles says.
I walk out of school with Miles, Tris and Winston, Owen is waiting in his car for us. Tris sits in front with his brother and I sit in back between Miles and Winston. Sophie is home when we get there and smiles when we all come in.
"Hi kids, so nice to see all of you, Owen's been hanging out most of the day which has been nice. How was everyone's first day at school?" Sophie asks.
"Good I like all my classes and I have most of them with Maya," Tris replies.
"Miles and I have two classes together; I had a good first day. There were a few kids that made comments because I was pregnant so young though. And we heard a lot of people spreading rumors about Clare, Dallas and Owen," I tell her rolling my eyes.
"Who was talking about you and who was spreading rumors about us? I'll kill them all!" Owen growls.
"Owen you will not, you are not like that anymore and what would Clare think? Just let it go the rumors will die down and so will the talking," Sophie scolds him and Owen growls in response. "Why don't you kids start on your homework and I'll make some snacks," Sophie says.
I sit on the sofa with my legs on Miles' lap, Tris and Winston sit on the floor and we all start doing our homework. Owen has his laptop and he's doing something on it but I can't tell what from here. We stay at the Milligan's for about two hours doing homework and then Owen's phone rings.
"Clare and Dallas are done," Owen tells us when he hangs up.
We say goodbye to Sophie and Tris but we're giving Winston a ride home so he's coming with us. We drive back to DeGrassi, Clare and Dallas are on the steps with Jenna, Connor, Adam and Drew. They say goodbye to them and get in the car, I'm sitting in back between Miles and Winston again, Clare gets in the middle of the front seat and Dallas gets in next to her. They talk a little about student council on the way home and we learn that we're having a beach party dance on Friday evening.
"Cool that should be fun," Winston says.
"Yeah a dance with shorts and Hawaiian shirts," Miles laughs.
"I went to the costume store when I left you," Owen says to Clare.
"You actually got them!" She exclaims with just the slightest hint of anxiety in her tone.
"Told you I would," Owen grins looking at her and I catch a carnal glint in his eye so I know whatever it is it's something sexy.
"Got what?" Dallas questions.
"You'll see," Owen smiles, Clare shakes her head and the three of us laugh.
"Clare should probably rest," Dallas says when we get home.
"I have homework," she protests.
"Which you can do after dinner," Owen tells her.
"Come rest in my room, Miles can finish his homework with Dallas and I need a break," I tell Clare taking her hand since I know the boys won't drop it until she rests.
We go into mine and Miles' room and I turn on the TV, Clare takes off her shoes and gets on the bed. I take off my shoes and join her on the bed, we sit silently for a short while just watching TV and she does look pretty tired but she's had a long day and she's on her second trimester of carrying twins which has not been an easy pregnancy.
"If I have to go through another 24 weeks of everyone treating me like I'm going to break then I'm going to scream," she gripes.
"You have to admit we all have reason to worry, you were really stressed out, Tris and I watched you pass out a couple of times and you were throwing up a lot in Paris. Then with what your doctor said at your appointment it just got everyone more worried," I point out.
"Yeah I know and I agree there's cause to be concerned but I'm not going to break if I carry my backpack or if I start on homework as soon as I'm home from student council," she says.
"We're just being cautious so that nothing happens to the twins or you, if Owen or Dallas lost you or the twins it would kill them," I tell her.
"Yeah," she sighs in a sort of sorrowful tone almost like she doesn't believe it.
"You don't think Owen and Dallas would die if something were to happen to you or the twins?" I ask her.
She rolls on her side, propping herself on one arm, "No it isn't that," she shakes her head.
"Then what is it?" I question.
She sighs, bites her lip and fingers the comforter, "Owen joked about the three of us getting married. I know he was joking, he only said it after I gave him flak for saying our babies and I didn't think he'd included Mike in that. Well he said he meant Mike too, that when they say our babies they mean Owen's, mine and Mike's."
"But you don't believe him? You think they're still fighting about who's the father?" I question.
"No they aren't, I know they aren't. What worries me is losing one of them. I love them both and I want to keep them both, which I know is terribly selfish of me but I couldn't stand to lose either one," Clare confesses.
"And you're worried that when you find out who the dad is the other one is going to leave or not love you anymore?" I state more than ask.
"Yes, they're both proud alpha males and I know they say no matter who the father is that I won't lose either one. I want to believe them but no matter how I picture it in my head one of them is disappointed and hurt because he's not the father and I lose him. Both Mike and Owen are very proud alpha male types but it isn't just that. Mike's with me at school all day long and although I'm a little worried about him meeting some puck bunny when the season starts I know it won't happen. He's with me all day at school and then student council; he's with me a lot more than Owen. He starts University next week and I'm really worried about him meeting some girl at University, some girl that likes sports, isn't involved with another guy and isn't pregnant," Clare confesses.
"Have you talked to him?" Maya questions.
"Well not recently but we had this talk when we first came back from Paris. We all agreed that if one of us met someone else and had true feelings for them the other two would be happy for them. That includes me meeting another guy but of course I don't want any other guy I want the both of them. Mike could meet another girl but he's with me all day, barely leaves my side actually. If he were to meet another girl then I'd know right away, but not with Owen, I'm fairly certain he wouldn't cheat on me but that doesn't mean he won't meet someone he falls head over heels in love with and spends time with her without telling me," she's quiet for a second biting her lip and look sullen. "I know I'm being selfish and ridiculous I mean there's no way I can keep them both, not the way I want anyway."
I start to say something but the door opens and Miles comes in. He tells us dinner's ready so I turn off the TV and we go downstairs. Everyone rehashes their day around the dinner table and Angela tells Dallas and Clare she made copies of the keys to the extra cars and they can each choose one as a gift from Angela. I thought they were both going to die from shock when they heard that and Clare must have hugged her a dozen times and said thank you about a hundred. After dinner Clare and Dallas go out to choose their cars, Dallas picks the black SUV and Clare the red sedan. The housekeepers clean up after dinner of course and I go up to my room with Miles to finish our homework. When I'm done with my homework I take a bath and then put on my robe going down to the kitchen for a bedtime snack and I find Owen in the kitchen making tea for Clare.
"I thought it was Dallas' night with Clare?" I question knowing usually whoever is sleeping Clare's bed that night is the one that makes her tea.
"It is but they're both working on homework so I told her I'd make the tea. You come down for tea too?" He asks.
"No I'm a little hungry," I tell him he smiles and starts to walk out but thinking about what Clare told me earlier I stop him. "Uh Owen," I say and he stops turning back to me, "Clare's worried, kind of terrified really that she's going to lose one of you. She's worried that whoever isn't the dad is going to leave or at least leave her b…"
"We've already told her she won't," Owen says cutting me off.
"I know but saying it and doing it are two different things, you guys are very similar and both, as she put it, very proud alpha males and she's worried that if the babies are Dallas' you'll be disappointed and walk out. That whoever isn't the dad won't be able to stay but she's worried about something else too," I tell him.
"What?" Owen asks.
"Well Dallas is at school with her all day and she sees who he's with and all but you'll be going to U of T and she won't see you, or who you're with," I'm saying and Owen speaks up before I can finish.
"She thinks I'd cheat on her?" He questions in a hurt voice.
"No not cheat on her exactly but meet someone else and fall in love. She knows you guys talked about it and agreed it could happen but she's deeply in love with you both," I tell him.
"Yeah and we're deeply in love with her, there is no one else, not for me and I'm pretty sure not for Dallas either," Owen says firmly.
"I don't think she knows that, the way she was talking I think she feels like a burden more than anything. She's pregnant with twins and her pregnancy hasn't been easy. She's afraid that you'll meet some girl that's into sports and not pregnant or with another guy or that…well that need so much from you I guess, that isn't saddling you with responsibility. I don't know if you can convince her that she's not going to lose you but I think you should try. Remind her every day or something," I advise him.
Owen walks over and kisses my forehead, "Thanks Maya," he says and then walks back to their part of the house.
I get an apple and peanut butter and head back to our room. I sit on the bed and set my plate down before grabbing my boyfriend's face and snatching his lips for a tenderly loving kiss.
"What was that for?" Miles grins when I release his lips.
"Because I love you and I'm glad there's only one of you," I tell him and he smiles.
"I love you too and I'm glad there's only one of me too because I'm not sharing you with anybody," Miles says, I grin and attach my lips to his again.
Update next Monday starting in Owen pov and including the dance.