If you have not yet done so visit my page on the DeGrassi Saviors website and click the button to read the Choose Your Own Adventure Story. The link does work now, it will take you to an exterior site and you click the button that says, "Play Now". There are several different paths to take so enjoy them all while it's up.

Ch. 54 Onward & Steady, Able & Young

(CLARE)

"So, you four plan to leave your bedrooms this weekend?" Dallas asks from the backseat.

It's Saturday morning and the five of us are in Jeff's car on our way to Guelph. Jeff, Johnny, Sam and I are going to Jeff and Sam's parents for the weekend, and Dallas is going home for the weekend.

"The only reason our parents agreed to let us bring Johnny and Clare for the weekend is that Clare will be sleeping in my room, and Johnny will be sleeping in Jeff's," Sam informs him.

"It's also the only reason Spin agreed to let me go. Well, that and the fact that Johnny was coming," I comment.

"I don't know why, it's not like Spin doesn't know you're sexually active and on birth control," Johnny speaks up.

"As does Drew but I think they feel better when they think I'm not having sex, or doing things that could get me into trouble."

"What about Adam?" Dallas questions.

"Adam's different," is my only reply.

"Joey's having a party tonight if you all want to go," Dallas says after a few minutes.

"Cool," Jeff replies apparently answering for all of us as the rest of us don't know who Joey is.

Dallas does a lot of the talking on the drive, either talking about people or things he's missed, or hockey he talks a lot about hockey. Though, Jeff does join in when Dallas is talking about hockey. We drop Dallas off at his house and Sam moves over so she's no longer sitting in the middle, though we reach their parents house in about ten minutes. Jeff parks out front, we all get out and stretch, I had my jacket off in the car but it's cold out here. I'm about to put my jacket on so we can grab our bags and go inside, but the front door opens, and their mom comes out, and she is followed shortly by their dad. They great their kids with big hugs and then look at me and Johnny, we're still standing somewhat awkwardly by the car.

I am sure that at this moment I do feel more awkward than Johnny. After all the one and only time I've been here was when I gave my virginity to Jeff. We're probably the only two that know it took place here but still, being back here and meeting his parents for the first time I'm feeling just a bit awkward.

"You must be Clare and Johnny, I'm Linda and this is Thomas," Linda smiles at us, "we've heard all about you. Please come in."

Jeff has the trunk open, he gets my bag and his, while Johnny gets his bag and Samantha's. I follow Sam and Linda into the house while Thomas lags behind. Linda leaves us at the living room and we all go upstairs, I already know where Sam's room is of course, but she's ahead of me and I follow her in. The boys follow us and set down our bags. Sam has a trundle bed in her room which her parents already pulled out and have made up, so I set my purse on that. I sit on the bed a moment and get out my phone texting my brothers that we arrived safely. Johnny may have already done so, but that's fine.

We all meet in the living room once we're settled, gathering at the table to have lunch. Thomas and Linda ask Johnny and I a lot questions over lunch, about our families and school mostly. After lunch Jeff, Johnny, Sam and I go to Market Square for Ice Skating, it's pretty busy and I haven't been skating in a while. It doesn't matter though I spend most of the time skating around holding Jeff's hand. Johnny and Sam really haven't been skating in a while and they fall a lot, but it doesn't matter we all have a good time. After a couple hours of skating, falling and laughing we're all pretty hungry. We go back to the house and get a snack, hang out for a while and eat dinner with Thomas and Linda before leaving for the party. Joey lives a few blocks away in a light blue house with a horseshoe driveway.

"Jeff, Sam you guys made it," grins a lanky boy with deep red hair and freckles.

"Hey Joey, this is my girlfriend Clare and Sam's boyfriend Johnny," Jeff introduces us.

"Cool, enjoy the party. There's drinks and some food in the kitchen. Some people are outside despite the cold," Joey tells us.

Jeff puts his arm around me and we walk into the kitchen with Johnny and Sam following us. Johnny takes a beer; Sam and I get wine coolers and Jeff gets a rum in Coke.

"Hey Jeff, Sam you guys back?" Asks a somewhat portly boy with long blonde hair.

"Just for the weekend, we'll be heading back to Toronto on Sunday evening," Jeff replies.

Johnny and I are introduced to the boy whose name is Cody. He went to school with Jeff and Sam and they spend a few minutes talking about people they all now. When Cody begins talking to someone else we move away from him and the bar and wander a moment, Jeff seems to know everyone here and Sam knows many of them. Johnny and I are introduced to several more people before I see someone I recognize. Dallas is here, on the sofa with his arm around a girl. I wave to him and he waves back, the boy next to them looks over and I realize I know him as well, I met him at Hamburger Hippo the day I gave my virginity to Jeff. Jeff sees them too and we go over, they scoot over a little and Jeff sits down, I sit on his lap. Johnny and Sam sit on the coffee table near us.

"Sweet you guys came. You all know Jeff and Sam. Clare you remember Colby, Trish and Sebastian, and this is Emily. And everyone that's Sam's boyfriend Johnny," Dallas introduces everyone.

"Hey," Johnny nods.

"Dallas was just telling us about Toronto, DeGrassi and the Ice Hounds," Sebastian tells us.

"The Ice Hounds have been doing great, Owen's a good captain we're sure to be champions," Jeff grins proudly.

"Owen was really proud to make Captain," I comment.

"So, Johnny do you go to DeGrassi too?" Emily asks.

"I did, I graduated last year and now I go to U of T. All of our gang goes to or did go to DeGrassi though," Johnny replies.

"Our gang? What are you guys the Little Rascals or something," Sebastian mocks.

"It's just what we call our group, the kids we grew up with and we're very close to," I clarify.

"How many are in this group?" Colby asks.

"Wait, wait I think I can do this," Dallas speaks up before any of us can answer. "Clare and her three brothers Spinner, Drew and Adam. Spinner's wife Paige, and Drew's girlfriend Bianca. Johnny of course, and Owen too, his brother Tris. K.C. and his girl Jenna and…" Dallas pauses about to say Maya and then changes his mind. "Clare's ex Fitz, Jeff stole her away, and Fitz's brother uh…"

"Sean and his fiancé Emma," Johnny says.

"Is that everyone?" Dallas asks.

"Jay and Lucas, and now his girlfriend Mia. And Jeff and Sam now too," I add.

"Big group, I don't think I even have that many close friends, plenty of friends but only a few that I'm really close to," Colby comments.

"We all grew up together," I shrug, "and for a lot of us the group is all we have. K.C.'s dad isn't around, and his mom works hard so she's hardly around. Jay's been on his own…well pretty much always, Sean and Fitz's dad took off when they were little, and their mom was always more of a child than they were. Lucas' dad took off and their mom works a lot, Johnny's parents were sort of half around, and half not. Never knew my mom and my dad passed last year," I say sadly, and Jeff tightens his grip on me.

"Yeah, but we've all had each other, through everything," Johnny smiles and I grin back.

"It's great that you have a solid group of friends, even if most of you have shitty families," Trish comments.

"Yeah, we've helped each other through a lot. We've all gotten into trouble of one kind or another," Johnny smirks with a reminiscent twinkle in his eye. I giggle just thinking of some of the messes our group have gotten into. Johnny looks at me and then he starts laughing and now we can't stop, we're stuck in a giggle loop!

"Must have been an inside joke," Sebastian remarks while Johnny and I are still laughing.

Eventually Johnny and I stop laughing, we spend most of the party with Dallas, Emily, Colby, Trish and Sebastian. We leave a little before two in the morning when the party begins to break up. By the time we get back to the house I'm very tired, as soon as I'm ready for bed I get into bed and fall asleep within moments.

I wake the next morning to wonderful smells, Sam wakes up at the same time I do. After putting on robes and taming our hair a little we go downstairs to find Linda making pancakes for breakfast. Thomas is up and helping her, Sam starts getting out things to go on the pancakes. I ask if I can help but Linda says to just sit down, so I make myself a cup of coffee and watch them work. The boys find their way downstairs, Jeff helps but Johnny makes coffee and sits down with me. Watching Jeff and Sam make pancakes with their parents I can tell this is a ritual they did often. Everyone seems to have a job and know exactly what to do.

After a great breakfast we all go for a walk at the arboretum and go downtown. After a lot of walking and a bit of window shopping we have lunch downtown. After lunch we spend more time downtown, mostly Sam and her mom looking in shops. Just before we leave we get some coffee and return to their house. We have a quiet afternoon of board games and a somewhat early dinner before we have to pack the car up. Jeff and Sam hug their parents goodbye, Linda hugs me and Johnny as well. We say goodbye to Linda and Thomas, pack the car and leave to pick up Dallas, he's waiting for us when we pull up to the house. The drive back is pretty quiet, aside from the other cars and the music Jeff has on. Jeff drops Dallas off first again, and then Johnny. Samantha gets out to kiss Johnny and I wave to him. Jeff drops me off next, Sam and I say goodbye in the car and Jeff gets out with me. He takes my bag from the trunk and walks me inside, as usual our living room is full of people. We wave to them and Jeff walks with me to my room.

"I had fun this weekend, your parents are nice," I smile.

"They really liked you, Johnny too," he grins. "Sam and I should get home, I'll see you tomorrow pretty eyes."

We share a long and passionate kiss and I walk him to the door. I wave to him and Sam as they drive away.

"How was the trip?" Paige asks as I close the front door.

"It was good, Jeff's parents are nice," I reply with a smile.

"Jay and Adam should be back any minute too," Spin tells me.

"I'm going to unpack," I announce and walk back to my room.

There really isn't much to unpack I just don't feel like answering a bunch of questions at the moment. I get my dirty clothes in the laundry basket, unpack my toiletries in the washroom and then get my backpack ready for tomorrow. I hear Adam and Jay get home, but I stay in my room, Adam comes back to my room, I know it's him and he doesn't knock just walks in.

"How was it?" We ask at the same time and laugh a little.

"Good, I didn't really have any time alone with Jeff, but it was nice."

"Jay and I talked a lot, went hiking, it was probably a lot like your camping trip with Drew."

"Yeah, I think that was the point."

"It helped, somewhat anyway. I was able to release some anger I had over Maya. I probably still have some to get out, some things to process. I am feeling better though, about everything."

"Good," I smile.

"Jay's sleeping over in my room so you can sleep in your room. I'm going to take a shower," Adam tells me.

He leaves my room and I spend my evening on my laptop until I'm ready to go to sleep. You would think with everything being in a good place that I'd have nice dreams and wake rested. Instead, I have an odd nightmarish sort of dream that leaves my mind as soon as my eyes open. Unfortunately, the feelings I had from the dream linger. I get up and get ready but I'm not hungry, so I don't eat breakfast. Spin closes tonight so he's sleeping in and Paige has already left for work. Jay is here but he'll be leaving for work soon. Adam rides with Drew to school and I ride with Bianca.

"Any idea what your brother's Valentines plans are?" Bianca asks as she starts driving. Valentines is tomorrow and Drew never forgets Valentines.

"I'm sure roses will be involved, probably chocolates and he'll probably find a way to get you two alone," I reply.

"Alone in his room or alone and away from the house?"

"I'm thinking alone somewhere away from the house," I reply.

"That sounds expensive, should I get him something? I'm not sure what to get him."

"I think you could wrap some ribbon around your breasts and he'd be the happiest boy in the world," I reply and Bianca laughs.

"That's not a bad idea."

Bianca parks at school and I grab my backpack from the backseat. Drew and Adam park nearby and we wait for the boys before walking to the entrance.

"Adam your back," Jenna smiles when we walk in.

"You look better," K.C. says with a grin while Jenna is hugging Adam.

"I am, a lot better," Adam replies.

"Welcome back Buddy," Owen says hugging Adam from behind.

"Thanks, but you're kind of crushing me," Adam says slowly.

Owen lets go of him and Tris hugs Adam welcoming him back to school. We move away from the doors but sit on the steps, they ask about our weekend trips. Fitz comes in and welcomes Adam back, Jeff and Anya come in a few minutes later and also welcome Adam back. When the bell rings Adam, Jenna, K.C. and I walk to math class. Everyone is happy to have Adam back and welcomes him back to school. Other than everyone welcoming Adam back it's just another day, Bianca and K.C. are trying out for Bright Sparks after school, Drew has basketball and of course Owen and Jeff have hockey practice with the other Ice Hounds. Since everyone else has after school activities Fitz gives us a ride home, Jenna comes with us and everyone just hangs out at our place doing homework in the living room.

Fitz only hangs out for a couple of hours before going home, Bianca is the first one home, and she brought K.C. with her. They tell us they both made Bright Sparks. We congratulate them and they sit down getting out their own homework. Drew is the next one home, tired after basketball practice, and hungry. He gets a snack and joins us for homework. Adam and I finish our homework first and we help Paige with dinner when she gets home. K.C. and Jenna decide to stay the night, I let them have my room and I'll sleep in Adam's. For the second night in a row I have a disturbing nightmare, only this time Adam wakes me up in the middle of it.

"How can you be having nightmares, everything is good now, isn't it? You're not hiding something from us are you?" Adam asks.

"No. You're not running or trying to get some dangerous surgery. Jay's doing a lot better, K.C. and Jenna are doing better. Everyone is good as far as I know, I don't know why I'm having these nightmares," I sigh.

"You had one last night didn't you?"

"Yeah, but I forgot it as soon as I woke up just like I did tonight. Both times it's left me with this eerie feeling."

"Everything's okay Sis, we're all good now so no more worrying," Adam assures me putting his arm around me in a hug.

"I know, I'll try. I'm not sure I can get back to sleep I'm going to go watch TV," I tell him.

"You want me to come with you?"

"No, you get back to sleep."

Quietly leaving Adam's room I go out to the living room, turn on the TV and turn the volume down. After a couple hours of mindless late night TV I do fall asleep on the sofa. I wake up the next morning when Paige gently shakes my arm.

"Trouble sleeping?" She questions.

"Odd dream that I don't remember," I yawn.

"I'm going to start some coffee. Are you okay to go to school? I can call in," Paige offers as she walks to the kitchen.

"No, I'll be alright once I wake up a little."

I follow Paige into the kitchen and talk with her at the table while we wait for the coffee. I make myself an extra-large cup, Paige makes me some breakfast and everyone else is soon up. While the others are eating breakfast I get ready for school, K.C. and Jenna ride with Bianca. Adam and I ride with Drew, and he tells us he's taking Bianca to a hotel tonight so he won't be home. Then he asks if we have plans for Valentines.

"I'm getting my cast off after school, those are my plans. My date with Anya isn't until Saturday."

"Jeff has practice after school but I'm sure he has something planned."

"I'll find out what," Drew comments and I just shake my head.

Drew parks next to Bianca and we all walk into school together. Adam and I walk to our lockers, he gets his open and then gets surprised by Anya kissing his cheek.

"Happy Valentines Adam," she grins.

"Happy Valentines," Adam smiles back.

"Happy Valentines Pretty Eyes," Jeff says as he spins me around to steal a kiss. "I have practice after school, but I know you're getting your cast off Adam, and I thought the four of us would go to dinner to celebrate and then Clare and I could do dessert alone."

"Sounds good," I grin and look at Adam.

"Cool," Adam nods.

Jeff puts his arm around my shoulders and the four of us walk to the foyer. Owen, Dallas, Vanessa, Drew and Bianca are in the foyer and we sit with them until the bell rings. The school didn't decorate for valentines or anything, and most of the guys could care less but some of the girls are dressed in red or pink or hearts. There's also a lot of chatter throughout the day about people's plans for today and tonight. After school Spinner picks Adam up to get his cast off and I go with them. We have to wait for about twenty minutes before the doctor comes in. Adam's cast comes off easily and the doctor tests Adam's mobility and strength, then Spinner schedules a physical therapy appointment for Adam on Thursday. Spinner makes Adam a snack when we get home but I'm not hungry, we start on our homework before we need to get ready. It will take me longer to get ready so I stop first and go back to my room to change.

I know we'll be eating inside but I'm not sure what Jeff has planned for dessert so I dress in layers. White ankle boots and red jeans, a white off the shoulder sweater with a black tank underneath. I can hear that Spinner is helping Adam get dressed when I go into the washroom to finish getting ready. I only do light makeup and pull my hair back a little, by the time I'm done deciding what jewelry to wear Adam is ready as well. He's wearing dark jeans, a white undershirt and a red, black and white plaid button up, he combed his hair but that was it. When the doorbell rings we know it's Jeff and Anya, I open the door to let them in.

"We just need our coats," I tell them.

"Have a good time, I'm going to meet Paige for dinner," Spinner says as he rushes out the door.

"Wow, no talk about curfew or no sex?" Anya comments when Spin is gone.

"We know when curfew is," I shrug.

"And he knows what we get up to, mostly anyway," Adam shrugs.

I help Adam on with his coat and grab my purse then we get into Jeff's car. He drives us to the restaurant and gives the host his name, he apparently made reservations this morning. The restaurant is pretty crowded but we have a nice booth near the window.

"How's your arm feel now that your cast is off Adam?" Anya asks after we've ordered.

"I'm glad to have that damn cast off it itched like hell. My arm feels kind of weird though, it's pretty weak. I do have physio on Thursday," Adam replies.

"If you do your physio your arm will be stronger in no time," Jeff tells him.

"I hope so, it's really sucked only having one arm."

"Then don't punch any more trees," I scold him.

"Promise," Adam grins.

We start talking about school and friends, possible plans for March break. The food is good and we are at the restaurant for over two hours. Adam and Jeff split the bill and we go back to Jeff's car.

"Why don't we go back to our house for dessert. Adam and Anya can watch TV or use his room, and we can have dessert in my room," I suggest when Jeff begins driving.

"Sounds like a good plan to me," Jeff grins and looks in the rearview mirror, "what do you think?"

"Sounds good to me," Anya replies.

"Yeah, cool," Adam smiles. Jeff grins and drives to our house, I unlock the door and turn on the lights in the living room.

"Adam you sit down, I'll get out some dessert," I tell him.

"I'll help," Jeff offers.

Adam and Anya sit down and start looking for something to watch on TV while Jeff follows me into the kitchen. I get out ice cream and cookies, we make a bowl for everyone. We take Adam and Anya's bowls to them and Jeff and I go back to my room. I close my door and sit on my bed, Jeff sits next to me. I take a few bites of my ice cream and then hold a bite out for Jeff. He takes it and does the same for me. This continues for a few moments before our ice cream bowls are on my nightstand and we're making out on my bed. After a few minutes our shirts are off too, Jeff kisses his way down to my jaw and my neck to my chest. Then he lays soft open mouth kisses around my breast. We don't get any farther than that, but only because their school night curfew is soon and they need to get home. When his alarm goes off Jeff kisses me and puts his shirt back on. I put my sweater back on but not my bra, and follow him out to the living room.

"Anya we gotta go," Jeff tells her.

"Good night Adam," Anya smiles kissing his cheek, "see you tomorrow. Goodbye Clare."

"Night, see you guys tomorrow," I wave. I kiss Jeff again quickly before he and Anya leave. "So, have a good valentines?" I ask Adam.

"Yeah," he grins, "it was good."

(LUCAS)

"Mia Jones to see Dr. Hanlon," I tell the receptionist at the OB/GYN clinic.

Today is our first prenatal appointment. The receptionist types on her computer and tells us to take a seat. I sit down next to Mia, she's thumbing through a pregnancy magazine. After a few minutes a nurse calls us back. They get Mia's weight and height before they show us back to an exam room. The nurse gets Mia's vitals, gives her a gown to change into and tells us the doctor will be in shortly. Mia gets undressed and gets up on the table. After a few minutes there's a knock at the door and I call to come in.

"Hi I'm Dr. Elizabeth Hanlon."

"Lucas and Mia," I tell her as she shakes our hands.

"Good to meet you both," she smiles. She then sits on the rolling stool at the computer and looks at it. "Well I see by the medical histories that neither side of the family is aware of any genetic disorders, that's good. I don't see that you're on any medications Mia, have you started taking a prenatal vitamin supplement?"

"Not yet," she shakes her head.

"Okay, I can write you a prescription for one if you'd like?"

"Yeah, that would probably be good," Mia says.

"Great, why don't you lay back and scoot down so I can do an exam," Dr. Hanlon says.

The doctor does a full physical and a pelvic exam before having Mia go to the washroom for a urine sample. She then gets blood for testing and tells us all the options for genetic testing and what's ahead. When we leave she gives Mia a prescription for prenatal vitamins and tells us to make another appointment for four weeks from now. We stop at the reception desk and make an appointment for March 16th before we leave.

"I'm starving, that was a long appointment. It's a good thing the rest of our appointments won't be so long," Mia says when we're back in the car.

"Yeah, that was pretty long. I'm hungry too, we're close to The Dot, we can stop for lunch before I take you back to the dorms."

"Perfect, a burger sounds great," Mia smiles.

"Hey Spin," I greet with a grin when we walk into The Dot. It's lunchtime at DeGrassi so the café is pretty busy.

"Hey guys, how was the appointment?" He asks nodding to us.

"Good, but very long and we're starved," I reply.

"What can I get you guys?"

"Two burgers, two shakes, one vanilla and one chocolate."

"Coming right up, you should probably grab the table by the window before anyone else does," Spinner says.

"I'll claim it," Mia smiles while Spinner rings us up and I pay.

"So, everyone will be over at your place at ten to help you guys move. I thought we'd split up and send a few people with Mia to get her stuff. Adam is coming but he's strictly on supervising duty," Spinner informs me while he makes our shakes.

"How's he doing?"

"Better, all around better. He had his first physical therapy appointment yesterday, he did well the therapist was impressed. He's got his first, well sort of second, date with Anya tomorrow night."

"I heard he had a date with her, Adam and the older girl," I grin.

"Yeah, who would have thought," Spinner laughs handing me the shakes.

I smile and take the shakes bringing them to Mia, we eat lunch and wave to Spinner as we leave. I take her back to the dorms and drop her off since she has classes this afternoon. I go home and pack a bit more, just about everything is now packed aside from the things I need every day. Then I shower and get ready for work, it's a pretty slow night and I spend most of it thinking about Mia and our baby. When I get home I fall right into bed getting a few hours of sleep before everyone arrives to help us move.

"Lucas we're here," Spinner calls as he comes in followed by everyone else.

"We brought provisions," Sean tells me setting bagels and coffee on the counter.

"Cool, thanks guys and thanks for helping," I grin.

"Johnny, Sam, Jay and Fitz are on their way to Mia's dorm to pack her up and they'll meet us at your new apartment," Emma informs me.

"Good, we should be done early then. There's just a little bit left to pack up, everything else is in boxes and bags."

"Good, the truck is downstairs. Adam you supervise and direct, we should get the furniture out first," Spin comments.

We split up and within a couple of hours my entire apartment is in a moving truck. When we arrive at the new apartment Mia and the others are already here. I send Adam upstairs with Mia so he can help direct where furniture and boxes go. After we get all of Mia's stuff upstairs I order pizza for lunch, most of us keep moving stuff up to the apartment until the pizza arrives. There's no furniture in the apartment yet so we just sit on the floor to eat our pizza. After we've all eaten and have some fuel in us we get back to moving. After another couple of hours we have everything in the apartment. Spinner leaves to take the moving truck back to the rental place and get Adam home so he can get ready for his date. Everyone else stays to help us unpack, and after a couple more hours we have all the essentials unpacked. We thank everyone and tell them to go home. When everyone is gone Mia and I throw together some dinner and eat at our dining table, then we shower together and get to bed.

"Our first night in our new apartment," I smile pulling Mia into my arms as we get into bed.

"Yeah, and it already feels like home," Mia grins kissing me gently, "then again that could just be being in your arms."

I smile an kiss her neck and putting my hand on her belly, "This will be a good home for us and our baby."

Update soon will likely jump ahead about a week and include March Break. Next to be updated is "Live in My House, I'll be Your Shelter".