So like I said last chapter this story is coming to a close. Beginning with this chapter, after Clare's pov, we'll be jumping ahead. Each pov that moves ahead will tell you by how much time it is jumping ahead.
Ch. 50 A Birthday, a Wedding, a Memorial & a Holiday
(CLARE)
"Happy Birthday," I grin when Owen walks into the basement with Fitz. I walk over and link my arms around his neck pressing my lips to his for a sizzling kiss.
"Thanks Beautiful I'm happy to be eighteen and even happier to be celebrating it with you," Owen grins.
"The party's almost set up and everyone will start arriving soon," Drew tells Owen as he hugs him.
"Cool thanks for letting me have the party here," Owen grins.
"Of course dude," Drew smiles.
Owen hugs Adam, Maya, Bianca and Dallas and we all greet Fitz. There's a little setup left to do but they won't let Owen help since it's his birthday and he wants me to sit with him. So we sit on the sofa while the others finish setting up. Eli is the first to show up, followed shortly by Tris and Zig, Lucas and Mia, Darcy, Peter, Emma, Spin, Sean, Paige and Reese. Anya had to work so she shows up a little late and Luke is last to arrive with a few of the other Ice Hounds guys. A short time ago Maya and I would not have lasted a night in a crowd like this, especially with Dallas and the Ice Hounds guys. However since being adopted and becoming a Torres' and since my confrontation with Dallas things have been better. Dallas has behaved since then, for the first week he stayed very clear of me and Maya. He slowly started hanging out with us again, watching movies with us and eating meals when he wasn't working. He's been nice to both Maya and I and even protective at times, no longer instigating he would stop others from bothering us or anyone else he knows. I think we're slowly starting to become friends.
Owen's party goes until midnight, he has a good time, gets some good presents and he's happy all night. I'm happy watching him and seeing how happy he is.
"I had a great birthday thanks guys," Owen smiles hugging everyone goodbye at the end of the night.
"Maya and I will walk them out," I tell our brothers and billet brothers.
"Back inside in five minutes," Drew says.
"Dude it's like you don't trust us," Owen grimaces.
"They're my sisters now of course I don't," Drew responds and I smile.
"We'll be back in five minutes," I tell them and Maya and I walk out with our boyfriends arms around us. "Happy Birthday I love you," I smile and give Owen a passionate and lingering kiss while my sister says goodbye to Fitz.
"I love you too," Owen smiles when we finally pull out of the kiss.
I hug Fitz goodbye and Owen hugs Maya then my sister and I walk back inside. We do a little clean up tonight mostly putting away food. We'll do the rest in the morning, Maya and I say goodnight and go up to our rooms. I fall asleep happy and dream of Owen, as I usually do. It's a weekday and even though it's summer both Mom and Dad have work and we all sleep in. All of us are awake by eleven and after breakfast we start cleaning the basement from the party last night.
"Hey need some help," Eli asks coming into the basement.
"No we're almost done," Drew replies.
"In that case can I borrow Clare and Adam for a little while?" Eli requests.
"Uh sure we can get the rest," Drew nods.
"Grab your stuff I'll take you guys to lunch," Eli says.
"He's about to give us bad news," Adam comments when we're upstairs and Eli can't hear us.
"Yeah I know I saw his face and he's taking us to lunch," I agree.
I grab my purse and get on shoes meeting Adam in the kitchen then we go down to the basement. We say goodbye to the others and leave with Eli. He takes us to our favorite Indian place for lunch.
"Okay Goldsworthy spill," I insist after the waiter has taken our order.
"Yeah what's up?" Adam asks.
"I got a job as a P.A. on Brett Barnett's new movie."
"Eli that's fantastic news congratulations," I grin hugging him tightly.
"Yeah that's awesome dude," Adam smiles giving Eli a high five.
"Only I leave for New York tonight, I have a flight out at six. I'll be gone for the rest of the summer and starting school in the fall. My parents are going to drive down my car and a bunch of my stuff on Saturday."
"You're telling me this is goodbye?" I question feeling a tightness in my chest at this thought.
"No more like so long until Thanksgiving, possibly Christmas," Eli responds.
"Christmas?!" I gasp.
"It's not that long and I considered not going to stay here for you but you don't need me. You've been doing amazing Clare, you and Maya both. You've got a whole new family and a ton of support; you've even got Dallas now. If you need me I'm a phone call, an e-mail, a facerange message away."
"Yeah I know but this still sucks," I pout.
"I'm sure Owen will make you feel better and you'll have Adam."
"I bet we could take the car one weekend and go down to see Eli," Adam says.
"A road trip to New York sounds like fun," I smile, "but I'm still going to miss you."
"And I'm going to miss you too both of you."
(ADAM)
I wake up to use the washroom and see a light on downstairs. I use the washroom and then go downstairs finding Clare at the table.
"What's wrong sis?" I question sitting at the table with her.
"I can't sleep," she tells me and looks at the clock on the microwave. "In fourteen hours it will have been one year since Mom died. It's been a year and I tried to sleep but it all came back. I can hear Glen's voice, see my mom's dead body on the floor, feel Jake washing me in the shower."
"They aren't here, you're safe that was a year ago, you're a Torres now. If the memorial will be too much for you tomorrow Mom can cancel it," I tell her putting an arm around her shoulders.
"No I want to do it but tomorrow's going to be hard. I was doing really well but it's all rushing back at once."
"Clare it's been a year, the first anniversary of a tragic event is hard for anyone. You're mom's death was the beginning of months of hell for you and Maya. We know tomorrow will be hard and we'll all be there for you. It will be okay and if you don't want to be at school you can come home. Drew only has a couple of classes tomorrow and so does Owen they'll be with you," I assure her.
"I know," she nods.
"Why don't we go watch a movie downstairs," I offer.
"Thanks Adam," she grins.
We spend the rest of the night in the basement watching movies; every so often Clare will randomly burst into tears. I just hug her and remind her that she's safe. Mom finds us in the basement at six and asks Clare and Maya if they want to stay home from school and they both say no.
"Morning," Fitz smiles at us when we get to school, he kisses Maya's cheek and hugs Clare. "Owen says to call him if you need him and he'll be here in ten minutes, he'll even leave class for you," Fitz tells Clare and she smiles.
"I don't want him to miss class I'll be okay," she says.
We find Reese inside and greet him, then Jenna, Dave and K.C. join us. Everyone hugs the girls and supports them. They both make it through the day but barely. Maya goes to the nurse in third period for bursting into tears in class and Clare stays pretty quiet all day and never eats. She is happy to see Owen waiting to pick her up when school is out. Owen drives her to our house, Fitz drives Maya and Reese drives his motorcycle. Drew is home and we all sit in the basement doing homework for the next couple of hours. Clare and Maya don't really get any homework done but if their teachers don't understand why and give them an extension they'll have to deal with Mom.
"Hi kids we'll be leaving for the cemetery in a few minutes," Mom says coming down the stairs.
I turn off the TV and we all gather our stuff, we take three cars to the cemetery. Darcy, Peter, Sean, Paige, Zig, Tris and the Milligan parents, Fitz's mom, Emma, Spinner, Simpson, Connor, Spike, Jack, Jay, Manny, Lucas, Mia and Izzy meet us there. Most of us brought flowers and we put them on Helen's grave.
"Thank you all for coming, a year ago today my mother was killed," Darcy says and Clare and Maya break down. Owen and Fitz hold them close while Darcy says a few words about her mom. After this we go back to my house for dinner.
"Do you two need anything?" I ask Clare and Maya when we're home.
"No," Clare shakes her head.
"I want to lie down," Maya replies.
"I'll go with her," Fitz says.
"Do you want to lie down?" Owen asks Clare.
"No I want to be around lots of people so I don't think about Glen or Jake or anything that happened in that house," Clare tells us.
"How about eating then, they should have food ready downstairs," Owen urges.
"I'm not hungry," Clare responds.
"Let's go look at the food anyway, maybe we can bring something to Fitz and Maya," Owen suggests and Clare nods.
While everyone talks and eats Clare just looks sad and lost in her head, which makes sense. Maya and Fitz join us after a little while. They look sad all night but they do seem happy that we're doing this and we all knew this day would be hard for them. At the end of the night they hug everyone before they leave, Owen and Fitz leave last and kiss the girls goodbye.
"You want to stay up watching movies?" I ask Clare.
"Yes please," she nods.
"Me too," Maya says.
"Movie night!" Drew grins hopping over the sofa and turning on the TV. He leaps with a little too much enthusiasm and falls off the sofa making the girls laugh and it makes us smile.
"I love having brothers," Maya grins.
"And we love you both," I tell my sisters putting my arms around their shoulders and we walk to the sofa.
(REESE)
*****June 25th eleven months since months since Owen's 18th birthday*****
"I'm proud of you little bro," Tracker says hugging Sean.
"How the hell do you tie this thing," I question trying to make my tie work.
"I'll show you," Tracker says coming over.
I first met Tracker at Sean and Paige's engagement party. He's pretty cool, it kind of sucks that he lives so far away. Sean and Paige started the paperwork to adopt me but they wouldn't approve it until Sean and Paige were married, which they are doing today. Sean asked me to be his best man; Tracker, Dylan and Jay are his Groomsmen. Emma is Paige's Matron of Honor while Clare and Maya are her Bridesmaids and Izzy is a flower girl.
"Sean the girls are almost ready you should take your place at the altar," Principal Simpson says after knocking on the dressing room door.
"Okay, I'll see you guys in a few minutes I'm about to get married," Sean grins walking out with Mr. Simpson.
Maya comes out of the girl's dressing room; she's being escorted by Dylan. Tracker escorts Clare and I escort Emma, Izzy follows us tossing flowers and Paige is escorted down the aisle by her parents. The minister begins the ceremony and about as soon as he starts talking Paige starts crying. I like seeing them so happy and even though we've been a family for over a year the wedding feels like it's just bringing us all together. Plus now that they're married my adoption will be approved and I'll be Reese Cameron forever. No love loss between me and my parents, I haven't seen tem since visiting my mom. My parents lost all parental rights but a few months ago I signed official papers completely revoking any rights they have and keeping them out of my life.
Paige and Sean share their first kiss as husband and wife and we all cheer. When they break the kiss and walk back down the aisle the guests throw rose petals on them. We follow them to the ballroom where the reception is and they have their first dance as husband and wife. After they dance we all eat dinner, I'm sitting at the center table with Paige, Sean. After eating I get up and walk to Clare's table, the Torres family is large enough that they got their own table including all the kid's dates.
"Want to dance?" I ask holding my hand out to Clare. She smiles taking my hand and we go out to the dance floor. "You look really beautiful in your dress I bet Owen's mouth hit the floor when he saw you."
"He said I looked gorgeous and you look very handsome in your tux. Paige and Sean look so happy and so do you," Clare smiles.
"I am, it's nice to have a real family."
Clare smiles nodding in agreement and looking at her family sitting at the table. Two weeks ago Clare, Adam, Fitz and I, and the rest of our class graduated high school. Fitz is going to art school in town; Clare will be attending U of T like Owen and still has her job at The Interpreter. I'm going to mechanics school and Jay gave me a part time job at his garage. Owen and Clare, Drew and Bianca, Adam and Anya and Maya and Fitz are all still dating and very happy. Eli is up for the summer and even made it to Clare and Adam's graduation which made them both happy.
"Mind if I cut in?" Owen asks when the next song begins.
"Not at all," I smile releasing Clare and she begins dancing with Owen. There's someone else I want to dance with anyway. "Care to dance?" I ask Jane.
"I'd like that," she smiles taking my hand and we go out to the dance floor. Owen smiles at us when he sees me dancing with Jane.
She moved back home this summer after her graduation with a BA, she has two more years of school but she's transferred to U of T to be close to her family. I've been getting to know her these last few weeks and I really like her. I just haven't been able to tell her or Lucas yet. So I figured the romantic setting of a wedding would be good.
"You know my adoption papers should be coming through pretty soon, I'm really excited about it even if I'm eighteen now," I tell Jane as we dance.
"You should be excited it's a big deal Reese," Jane smiles.
"As soon as we get the official papers, and Sean and Paige are back from their honeymoon, we're going to have a party to celebrate. I was hoping you'd be my date."
Jane grins and gives me a quick kiss, "I'd love too."
"Great," I smile.
The reception goes on another two hours and I dance four more times with Jane. Sean throws Paige's garter and Lucas catches it, Paige throws her bouquet and Clare catches it, she looks like she might faint when she catches it but Owen looks happy. Sean and Paige hug me goodbye and leave for their honeymoon. I'm old enough to stay on my own but Lucas offered for me to stay at his place, I should say at his, Mia and Izzy's place since they live together now, and I thought that was better.
"Reese you're sleeping at our house," Izzy says happily running over and taking my hand.
"That's right for a whole week while Sean and Paige are on their honeymoon," I smile at her and she claps her hands excitedly.
"You ready to go?" Lucas asks walking over with his arm around Mia.
"Yep," I nod.
"Daddy will you go get the car I don't want to walk all that way," Izzy says.
"Come on Izzy I'll give you a piggyback," I tell her kneeling down and she hops on my back.
"Time for bed Isabelle," Mia says when we get back to their house.
"But I want to stay up and play with Reese," she pouts.
"You and Reese can play tomorrow," Lucas tells her.
"Go get ready for bed and I'll come in and tell you a story," I tell Izzy.
"Okay," she grins and runs off.
"I'm going to shower will get Reese set up on the sofa?" Mia requests and Lucas nods. She kisses Lucas and hugs me before going back to their bedroom.
"So I asked Jane to be my date at my adoption party," I admit to Lucas as we set up the sofa for me. He was spreading out a sheet but stops and looks at me.
"You and my sister?" Lucas questions and I nod. "Well I already pretty much think of you as a little brother so I guess if you marry my sister and really become my brother it would be a good thing. Izzy would love having you as a real uncle and I think you and Jane would be good for each other."
"Hey it's just one date don't book the chapel just yet."
(OWEN)
I park at the Torres house and get the bags from the back. It's Canada Day and The Torres family is having a BBQ to celebrate. Everyone is here including Eli, Dallas and Bianca who are all home for the summer. Sean and Paige just returned from their honeymoon and found out Reese's adoption was approved so there's a party tomorrow to celebrate. Clare is talking with Mia and has her back to me so I set down the stuff I brought for the BBQ and go over.
"Hey Gorgeous," I grin and she turns smiling at me and softly kissing me.
"Hi, Mia was just telling me how good Reese is with Izzy," Clare says.
"He's come a long way too, where is Reese?" I question looking around.
"He and Jane went to get some ice cream, he asked her to be his date at his party," Mia informs us.
"I can see that, Reese and Jane would be good together," I grin.
We talk to Mia for a bit and then Lucas joins us with Izzy. Clare talks a lot about being excited to start at U of T in a couple of months. Just before dinner is ready Emma and Spinner tell everyone that they're pregnant and we all cheer and congratulate them. We eat with Fitz, Maya, Adam and Anya and then we all travel in several cars to go see fireworks. We spread out a blanket and I sit with Clare between my legs and leaning against me. We're quiet while waiting for the fireworks to start and I absentmindedly stroke her arms. I think about how far she's come, her and Maya both but Clare had a longer road. There was a time that I could barely touch her and when I did touch her she was still in the state of mind that she was nothing but a sex slave. Now we kiss without it evoking any emotions in her from Jake or Glen, we hold hands, I caress her skin, massage her and hold her and she's not only okay with it but enjoys it.
When the fireworks begin Clare holds my hand interlacing our fingers. At the end of the fireworks she and I share a gentle kiss. We hang out for a while after the fireworks and then people divide up to go home.
"I'll see you at Reese's party tomorrow," Clare smiles giving me a soft kiss before leaving with her family.
Fitz and I drive home in my car and talk about our nights and the girls we love. When I fall asleep I have a dream about being married to Clare. Rees's party doesn't start until tonight so after eating breakfast we call the girls and ask if we can hang out there. After Clare gets permission from Audra we head over. Bianca is here already since she's staying the weekend and sleeping at the Torres house, Anya is also here and we all watch movies until it's time to leave for the Cameron house.
"Hey guys thanks for coming," Reese greets us opening the front door.
"Of course we came this is a big deal, it was really important for me and Maya and it's a big deal for you," Clare grins hugging Reese.
"Yeah we were already a family but it's nice to have it official," Reese smiles.
"And you and Jane are you two official yet?" I question.
"We have a date tomorrow night," Reese smiles.
Within half an hour everyone else is here and we sit down to dinner.
"I want to thank everyone for coming to celebrate Reese officially becoming a Cameron. He's enriched our lives and been a wonderful edition to our home. Reese you already know that we love you and that you're one of the family we're really proud of how far you've come and how much you've accomplished since being with us," Sean says raising his glass and we all echo the sentiment.
"And I love you both, I'm grateful to be in this family and there's something else to celebrate tonight. Lucas and Mia got engaged last night," Reese announces and now we all cheer for Lucas and Mia. Izzy who's been holding the secret in starts talking non-stop, telling us how Lucas proposed and Mia said yes and they called Reese to tell him. With all the good news everyone is smiling for the rest of the night.
"It's going to be a busy year with Emma and Spin's baby and Mia and Lucas' wedding. Not to mention me, Fitz, Reese and Adam beginning school," Clare says as we leave at the end of the night.
"Yep it's going to be a great year," I grin and capture her lips for a loving kiss.
So the next chapter will jump ahead a year to Lucas and Mia's wedding and there is probably two chapters left in this story. Replacing this will be Nothing to Say the Guilty are Safe.
