ECLARE FAN FOREVER BABY!
Firstly, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REVIEWS! I'm SOOOOO happy you guys loved the last chapter. Secondly, I'd like to apologize once again for my grammatical errors. I've been rereading a few of my recent chapters and I noticed some mistakes that could've been avoided, but I didn't catch them when I revised and I published the chapter. I'm a total grammar nerd, so I feel bad about that. I apologize again for that if it happens again.
Fluff chapter! Possibly the cheesiest thing I've ever written, but I don't care! Read, review, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi . . . and I think I'm somewhat okay with that.
Chapter Forty-Six
Drive Away
Clare lifted her heavy eyelids the next morning and saw that her head was on someone's warm chest. She remembered last night immediately and grinned widely at the memory. Eli made love to her and it was incredible. She then took recognition to the hand that was on the middle of her back and the body that was underneath her arm. She kept the smile on her face as she unattached herself from his bare chest so she could look at his face.
She rested her head on her pillow as she faced her lover. She saw that he was already awake and that his green eyes were watching her while glistening with sheer happiness. He grinned when he saw her beaming at him with just as much joy in her eyes.
Clare didn't know what she could say; everything she thought was a grand understatement of how she was really feeling and she didn't want to present anything less than her true emotions. Deciding to show her feelings in a physical manner, she put her hand on his upper arm before kissing his mouth.
Eli returned the endearing action with all the passion he had for her. They stayed in the moment for a minute when they pulled away and grinned at each other.
"How long have you been awake?" she asked.
"Five minutes," he replied, smoothing his thumb over her shoulder blade. "So . . . any regrets about last night?"
"Nope," Clare answered honestly while she slid her hand from his arm to his chest. "You?"
"None whatsoever."
Clare was reassured and moved closer to him so their bodies touched.
"What do you plan on doing today?" she asked.
"Well, I'm thinking of going home to get showered and changed, then I'll come back here, pick you up, and we can go get some breakfast at the Dot then spend the day together."
She smiled in approval of this idea before giving him a peck on the lips.
"Don't leave me waiting too long," she warned him playfully.
"I don't intend to."
He unraveled his arm from around her and put that hand to her side of her face. He kissed her lips again, wishing they could remain this way forever. While their lips danced, he slid his hand from her face, to her neck, and to her shoulder. She moaned pleasantly against his mouth as she felt his skin on hers.
They were becoming absorbed within the feeling of pure passion when Eli's phone started to ring. He let out a breath in frustration as they leaned out of the kiss. He pulled his hands away from Clare and reached over the side of the bed to grab his jeans. He dug the phone out of his pocket and saw that his mother was calling him.
"Hey, CeCe," he greeted her, trying to not sound frustrated as he lied back down on the mattress. Clare laid her head on the front of his shoulder and put her hand on his diaphragm. Eli listened to his mother while he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"Hey. How was the concert?"
"It was great," he answered; he actually forgot about the concert until CeCe brought it up because he was so distracted by the fact that he and Clare shared a night of intimacy and that they were waking up side-by-side.
"Did you and Clare have fun?"
"Yeah," he said. "It was crazy awesome."
"Great. So where are you? Did you ever come home?"
Eli glance down at Clare before thinking of the most convincing lie possible, knowing that she wouldn't want him revealing what really happened between them last night.
"No, we didn't get back till late last night so Clare let me crash on her couch."
"Are you there now?"
"Yeah," he answered, smoothing his hand over Clare's upper arm.
"Alright," CeCe replied. "Just making sure you're okay. Your dad and I are at the station, so we won't be home till late."
"Okay, I'll see you guys then."
"Bye."
"Bye," he said before closing phone and putting it to the side. He met Clare's eyes again. "Sorry about that."
"It's fine. Thanks for not saying anything."
Eli simply kissed her temple as if to say, "you're welcome".
"Were you planning on saying anything to your parents or Adam?" she asked.
"Probably not," he answered honestly.
"Good, because I want to keep our first time between us for as long as possible so . . . can we keep this our secret?"
"My lips," Eli began to agree before giving her another quick kiss, "are sealed."
Eli sat up, preparing himself to climb out of the bed when Clare also sat up, the sheet secured around her body. She put her hand on his shoulder and he stopped moving.
"Can you stay for five more minutes?" she asked with a small pout.
"I'll be back in half an hour," he reminded her.
Deciding to use a different method of convincing, Clare planted her lips to his neck.
"It's just five more minutes," she whispered against his skin. "Please . . ."
Eli enjoyed the sensation of her lips on him and the sound of her pleading voice.
"Please," she repeated. "Please . . ."
He felt her move the kiss from his neck to behind his ear and he surrendered.
"I guess five minutes won't hurt," he concluded.
She smiled before they lied back down on the mattress. She laid her head on his chest while he coiled an arm around her shoulders.
"So, four months ago we said forever. Are will still holding on to that?" he asked hopefully.
"Read my lips," Clare said.
She then put her lips on his for the fifth time in the last five minutes.
"If I wasn't willing to stay with you forever, I wouldn't have given myself to you," she revealed to him as she took her lips away from his.
Eli gave her a loving lopsided smile before wrapping his other arm around her.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too."
After five minutes of lying there in a pleasant silence, Eli gave Clare a kiss on the bridge of her nose.
"I'll be back no later than ten-thirty," he said to her.
"Promise?" she asked.
"I promise," he said before she kissed his lips once again.
Eli climbed off the mattress and Clare watched him as he put on his clothes from last night. She watched his body while he covered it up and she couldn't help but feel disappointed that he left the bed at all, let alone clothed himself.
"Baby," she spoke.
He looked up from tying his shoe and saw her sitting up in the bed again with the sheet still resting around her torso.
"Thanks for staying with me last night. And for being with me," she added.
"Anytime," he said, the happiness in his eyes never fading. "I'll be back soon."
"You better," she teased.
"Oh I will," he promised with a jubilant grin.
He kept his eyes on her and took his time leaving the room. She could help but chuckle as he slowly walked backwards, eventually running his back into the door, then delaying the time it took him leave the room.
Clare lied down once Eli shut the door and listened as his footsteps echoed down the stairs. Once she heard the front door close, she knew he was gone . . . for now.
She turned to her clock and saw that it was a minute after ten. She knew that the sooner she got up, the sooner she would see Eli again. She got out of bed and got in the shower. A few minutes later, she was drying her hair before changing into the t-shirt she got at the concert last night and a pair of jeans and applying a small amount of makeup. While she did all this, all she thought about was her and Eli's night together.
Clare was done getting ready by twenty minutes after ten. Too anxious to wait inside her house for another ten minutes, she grabbed her keys, phone, and wallet before sitting outside the house on the front step. She watched the street carefully for any signs of Morty. Five minutes later, the black hearse was coming down her street.
Seeing him coming, Clare jumped up and walked down the path so she could climb in once he stopped. She noticed his classic grin on the other side of the windshield before he slowed the car down until came to a complete pause. She climbed into the car and they chuckled in amusement at the fact that they were both wearing the same kind of t-shirt that they both got at the concert the night before. The only difference was that Eli wore his black jacket and Clare was wearing her denim one.
"Told you I'd be here in half an hour," he jested.
"I never doubted you," she replied before they met their lips for a welcoming kiss.
Their lips brushed each other's for a few seconds before they separated and exchanged sentimental stares.
"Want to know a secret?" he asked.
"Sure," she replied.
"I'm never going to get tired of kissing you."
She felt some blood go to her cheeks at these words.
"I feel the same way about kissing you."
()()
They went by the Dot and ate their breakfast, talking and smiling all the while. They sat side-by-side and enjoyed themselves until their plates were completely empty. Clare offered constantly to pay for hers, but Eli insisted.
"I wouldn't mind paying for my own," she informed him.
"You gave me probably the best night ever. It's the least I could do," he told her as he hooked his arm around her shoulders.
They then decided to drive to the abandoned church and just spend the day together. They were now sitting on Morty's hood; she was sitting between his legs as he held her against his chest. Their smiles rarely faded as cuddled.
"Have I ever mentioned that I love you?" he asked sweetly.
"A few thousand times," she acknowledged.
"Just making sure," he said as he pulled her closer to him.
"And I'm certain that I've said something about loving you a few times in the past."
"Only a million times a day," he replied.
They then sat there in a loving silence for a moment. They watched the weak rays of the February sun go through the leafless branches of the trees. It was warmer than usual for February, but it was still slightly cold . . . not that the couple minded. Eli was fine in his jacket and Clare was perfectly warm in his arms and her denim jacket.
"It's nice out here today," she observed.
"Yeah," he agreed. "And what better way to spend it than with the people you love?"
"There isn't one."
Eli kissed her head in response.
"Just out of curiosity, was last night a onetime thing?" he wondered out loud.
"Do you want it to be?"
"I'm asking you."
"Well now I'm asking you," she retorted with a smile.
"I just want you to be happy."
"And I want you to be happy," she rearranged.
Eli leaned his head back and sighed.
"You are impossible, Edwards."
"Takes one to know one . . . Fluffy," she added, knowing it would irritate him.
He playfully rolled his eyes. Although she gave him that nickname months ago, she stilled called him it on occasion. However, since she still called him that, he had the right to call her by a nickname she wasn't thrilled with either.
"I guess so, Piglet."
She knew Eli was getting his own little revenge on her for calling him Fluffy again, but she blushed nonetheless.
"Why did I ever tell you that name?" she groaned.
"You had to. Remember, we asked each other questions and I asked you for a nickname you have?"
"Will you ever stop calling me it?"
"Only time will tell," he smirked.
"Then it's only fair that I call you Fluffy."
Eli sighed in defeat.
"Alright, truce," he said. "It's just kind of weird that you gave me it because of a stupid mustache."
Clare recalled the memory of that time not so long ago that he grew a mustache and she teased him about it constantly.
"Has Adam dared you to do anything like that again?" she asked.
To this day, Eli had not told Clare that he only grew that mustache in the first place because Adam wanted to him to prove that he wasn't getting any feelings for Kate. Not really concerning himself with it after that day, he forgot all about it and didn't say anything. However, he decided to keep their promise about them about always being honest with each other, so he took a breath and started to tell the truth.
"Confession time," he began. "He never actually dared me. He thought I was getting feelings for Kate, which I wasn't, and he wanted me to prove that by growing a mustache."
"You did that just to prove it to Adam?" she repeated in amazement.
"Yeah. Kinda weird, I know."
"I think it's actually kind of sweet in a weird way. But that was one of the things you said you'd never do."
Eli shrugged.
"Love makes you do crazy things . . . like some of the things you did last night," he said with his lopsided smile.
"Shut up," she said with an embarrassed laugh.
"You never answered my question," he reminded. "Was last night a onetime thing?"
Clare sat there for a second and thought about it. If she had to be honest, the night before was incredible and she wanted to relive it.
"If it was a onetime thing, it's okay," Eli said hurriedly, not wanting her to feel pressured. "I'll still love you and I'm not going to be one of those boyfriends who will leave because of it."
"I know," she told him before lacing her fingers through his and turning her head to look at him. "But I don't want it to be a onetime thing. Do you?"
"Honestly, no," he finally responded with a smile. "But if there's any time you want us to stop or if you don't want us to be that way, let me know and –."
"Eli," she interrupted. "Shut up and kiss me."
He obeyed and they remained in that position for several seconds. They eventually disconnected their lips and grinned at each other.
"Forever?" he asked hopefully.
"Definitely," she agreed before molding her mouth to his again.
()()
They spent the rest of their day at the abandoned church except for when they went to the Dot for lunch. They talked, cuddled, kissed, and basically spent all the time humanly possible in each other's company. By six o'clock, the sky was getting dark, but Clare didn't want to leave Eli. She told him this and he suggested that they go to see a movie at the drive-in.
"I thought you didn't like drive-ins," she recalled as they drove down the road.
"Well, if I have to be honest, I don't really intend on watching the whole movie," he told her flirtatiously.
"Good, because I don't plan on it either," she replied with a simper. "And, since my parents won't be home till tomorrow afternoon, do you want to spend the night again?"
Eli glanced at her and grinned before averting his eyes back to the road.
"I would love to," he replied.
By six-fifteen at night, Clare and Eli were sitting on Morty's hood as they watched the movie. His arm was around her shoulders as she hugged his waist. He felt her lay her head on his shoulder and he turned his head to look at her, the movie no longer grasping his attention. She could feel his eyes watching her, so she turned her head to look back at him.
"What do you think of the movie so far?" she asked.
"I'm not really paying attention," he admitted.
"Neither am I," she replied.
He gently put his lips to hers and she reciprocated the kiss he was giving her. She couldn't believe that not long ago, she almost let go this boy. All because of Kate, these moments she had with Eli could've become distant memories and nothing more. She was thankful that he was able to gain her trust back and that they were able to continue on with their lives.
She removed her lips.
"Are you okay?" he asked, noticing her distracted demeanor.
She let out a low breath before answering.
"I just can't believe Kate almost broke us apart."
"Who is this Kate that you speak of?" Eli asked, not wanting any thoughts of that girl to ruin the moment.
Clare grinned at him with appreciation before putting her hands on his shoulders and gently pushing him down until he was lying on the hood as he locked his hands behind her back.
"Have you realized that we've spent almost twenty-four hours together?"
"And I've loved every second of it," he revealed to her.
They then pulled their lips together and kissed passionately.
"Um . . ." he murmured against her lips. "You know . . . there's a lot of room in Morty . . . and since this last night wasn't a onetime thing . . . we could always . . . you know . . ."
Clare continued to fight his lips as she mused over his proposal. He waited patiently for her to answer, but he purposely slid his hands onto the small of her back to encourage the idea. Chills soared through her at his touch.
She smiled against his lips when the goose bumps disappeared and soon leaned out of the kiss before climbing off the hood. She grabbed one of Eli's hands, led him off the car, and pulled him all the way to the back of the hearse.
They climbed into the back and Clare immediately pulled him down on top of her. They began an amorous make-out session while she pulled off his jacket. As their lips battled, Clare found the bottom of his shirt and began to pull it off him. The kiss broke for a matter of seconds until Eli was half naked then it started up again.
"Have I ever told you how sexy you are?" Clare asked as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She then smoothed her hand down his chest before she took the base of his throat in her mouth. Eli never answered her question since he was too busy enjoying her touch and breathing deeply when her lips attacked his skin.
When Clare saw that Eli was too distracted to answer, she moved the kiss from his neck back up to his lips.
"You are really, really, really sexy," she told him while they continued the steamy kisses.
Eli gently rubbed each of her thighs as he took gentle bites of her bottom lip before pushing his tongue into her mouth. He then slid his hands from her thighs to the button of her jeans.
"Do you trust me?" he asked her as he grazed his lips on her jaw.
"Yes," she exhaled.
Eli continued to fondle his lips on her jawbone and then her neck as he slowly slid the button through the slit of her jeans. She breathed in while he sucked on her neck and pulled her zipper down.
He was about to pull everything on her lower body off when her phone started ringing throughout the hearse.
"Are you serious?" she groaned and Eli stopped tending to her neck. Since his hand was so close to her pocket, he reached into it and pulled her phone out for her and looked at the caller ID.
"It's your mom," he informed her before transferring the phone to her hand.
"Of all the times for her to call," Clare complained in frustration before opening the phone. "Hi, Mom."
"Hey sweetheart," Helen replied.
"What's up?" she asked as Eli slid one of his hands under her shirt. His touch made her squirm pleasantly and she glared at him playfully for doing so, especially while she was talking to her mother. As he hand ventured over her stomach, a portion of her skin was exposed.
"I just wanted to let you know that I'll be home soon."
"R-Really?" she stammered as Eli traced her navel with his index finger. She tried to keep her voice casual, but his touch made her want to shudder with pleasure. "I thought you weren't coming home till tomorrow."
"I decided to come home a day early. I'll be there in fifteen minutes or so, okay?"
"Alright," she agreed, trying not to gasp as Eli put his lips on her stomach. "I'll see you then."
"Bye."
Clare then closed her phone before grabbing a handful of Eli's hair and pulling his head up.
"I never knew you were that horny," she chortled.
"Sorry, couldn't resist," he said honestly. "What was that about?"
"My mother has the worst timing," she said with disappointment in her voice. "She's fifteen minutes away from Toronto."
"Then we should make this fast."
He fingered the hemline of her shirt and began moving it up so her entire stomach was showing. He put his mouth to her abdomen and kissed it repeatedly. She felt his hands go back down to her pants when decided to speak.
"Wait, Eli," she began. He lifted his head up to look at her.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She sighed regretfully before lifting her head up to look at his eyes.
"I love you, I love what we did last night, and I want us to do that again, but . . . I'm not ready for us to do things . . . you know . . . that fast. You know? We just got part of our relationship started and . . . I don't want the moments we make love to be quick; I want them to last."
Eli wanted nothing more than to pleasure the love of his life, but he also understood why she didn't want them to be fast. Her happiness outweighed his desires and he nodded in comprehension.
"Okay, I can respect that," he accepted as he sat up and closed her jeans.
"Sorry," she told him honestly while he pulled her shirt back over her skin. "And I guess this means our plans for you to stay over again tonight aren't going to happen."
"It's fine," he reassured as he hovered over her body to put his forehead against her. "Just promise me that we'll continue this someday soon."
Clare felt her face go red while she smiled.
"Someday very soon," she agreed. "Thanks for understanding."
"No problem. I'm just happy that I'm yours."
"And you always will be."
()()
"You don't have to walk me to the door if you don't want to," she informed him ten minutes later as they walked towards her home after climbing out of the hearse.
"I know I don't have to. I just want to spend every moment possible with you."
She smiled at his devotion until they were at her front door.
"I'll call you when I get home from church tomorrow," she promised.
"I'll be waiting by my phone."
She grinned at him before taking his hands.
"I've had a great time with you the last two days," she said to Eli.
"Me too," he replied. "And the days before, and the days before that, and the days before that."
Clare smiled again and Eli returned it before kissing her.
"I love you," she whispered as he pulled away but kept his face by hers.
"I love you too, sweetheart," he replied. She smiled at another nickname he'd given her.
"I wish you didn't have to go."
"I wish I didn't have to leave. But I will see you at Degrassi on Monday."
"Too long," she said.
"It'll be here before you know it," he promised her. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
With a final kiss on the cheek, Eli let go of Clare's hands and began to walk back to Morty, looking over his shoulder as he did.
"Wait," she said when he was halfway down the path. He stopped and turned around to see Clare sprinting towards him. She then threw her arms around his neck as he captured her around the waist. They took each other's lips in for a kiss for the final time that evening.
They remained that way until they ran out of oxygen. They concluded the kiss and took in some breaths as they smiled at each other.
"I'll see you Monday," he said.
"See you then," she replied before reluctantly letting go of each other.
Clare stood there and watched him as he climbed into the car and drove down the street. She was starting to miss his company as she walked into her house. When she entered her room a few seconds later, she recalled everything they did over the last two days. She was definitely head-over-heels in love with Eli and she was never going to let him go if she could avoid it. Now all she wanted was for Monday to arrive so she could see him again.
"I've got the time
I've got the place
I've got this love for you
At this moment, don't you feel it baby?"
~"Drive Away" by Orianthi
I must thank my friend and her boyfriend (I call them the lovebirds) for giving me inspiration to finish this chapter; without their mushiness, I probably wouldn't have finished this chapter by now. Thanks amigos!
Please submit some kind of feedback just so I know you guys are still reading! PLEASE!
