A/N: Thanks to anyone who checks out this story. I actually just watched the entire Final Destination series for the first time a few weeks ago, and I completely fell in love with it. However, after seeing the alternate ending to FD1, I started thinking about what a sequel could look like if they'd gone that route. If you think about it, none of the main characters in any of the movies are parents, so I think that would add a different dynamic. Also, I like the idea of having some cast members return instead of starting with a whole new set of people for each movie. I know Clear was technically in FD2, but it wasn't really her story, whereas she'll be the main focus of this fic. So let's go...
Dark clouds hung over the university football field, threatening to spoil a graduation that countless students had worked four long years for. Sprinkles of rain fell throughout the ceremony, but Clear barely felt them through her cap and gown. She just inched up in the line of students, barely listening to the names being called, barely noticing as her classmates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. All she could think about was the people who weren't here. Terry. Billy. Tod. All the people who were lost on Flight 180.
Alex. He was the one she thought of the most. They hadn't even been a couple. Not really. Only two people who formed a connection as they fought Death's list. She couldn't explain why their souls had clicked, so suddenly and strongly, but Clear hadn't felt that bonded with anyone in a very long time. She'd basically been alone in the world before that plane crash. It was Alex who showed her that she was worthy of being loved. He sacrificed his own life so that she could continue hers. And he hadn't even known about the baby.
Clear was only a few weeks pregnant when Alex died. It happened that night she'd found him alone on the beach. They were just two scared, traumatized teenagers who knew their time was almost up. An emotional conversation led to some comforting kisses, kisses that quickly grew more passionate and ultimately led to sex. Although it wasn't how she imagined her first time, Clear didn't regret it. She was glad that she could share that moment with Alex. However, they had been careless. And nine months later, Clear gave birth to a son- Alexander Chance Browning. It seemed right to name him for the father he'd never know, but she chose to call him by his middle name out of respect for Alex's parents. She didn't want them to feel that emptiness and loss every time they heard their grandson's name.
She looked out into the bleachers, her eyes finding Barbara and Ken. Alex's parents had given her the support system that she would've never gotten from her own mother. As soon as she went to them about her pregnancy, they helped her every step of the way. From letting her live with them, to helping her with Chance once he was born, to giving her the encouragement she needed to keep pushing towards her degree. Raising a baby in college was a huge challenge, and she didn't know that she would be graduating today without them.
Catching her eye, Barbara smiled and waved at her, while Ken lifted their five-year-old grandson onto his lap and pointed Clear out to him. Chance's face lit up, and he waved excitedly to her. A rush of love and warmth washed over her, replacing the sadness she felt just moments earlier. Clear never thought she'd become a mother so young, but she wouldn't change it for anything. Chance was a true gift. A little too hyper and curious at times, but the most caring child she'd ever seen, and so smart too. Blonde hair framed a beautiful little face that carried traits from both of his parents. Clear's nose and facial structure, Alex's eyes and lips.
Clear smiled and waved back at her son just as she heard her name being announced into the microphone.
"Clear Rivers."
Turning her attention back to the ceremony, Clear walked across the stage, shook the President's hand, and took her diploma, before going to take her seat. As she was walking, she caught Carter's eye, and they shared a smile that signified more than a "we did it" between a pair of unlikely friends on graduation day. She knew they were both remembering everything they had to go through to get to this point.
As the only two people who walked off of Flight 180 and survived Death's list afterwards, they were bonded for life. It sometimes amazed Clear that the boy she used to dismiss as a self-centered jerk was now her closest and dearest friend. Chance even called him "Uncle Carter" because he basically became part of the extended family. At first, Clear thought it was his way of repaying Alex. Because Alex saved Carter's life, maybe he felt obligated to be there for the people that Alex left behind. But Clear quickly realized how much their shared ordeal had changed Carter, and that he genuinely wanted to be a better person. He even told her once that he needed her in his life, because no one else knew the trauma of almost dying on multiple occasions. No one else had nightmares of speeding buses, and railroad tracks, and planes exploding in mid-air. He needed a friend who understood. And in return, he wanted to be the kind of friend that she deserved.
Clear knew that she was incredibly lucky to have the support system she had now. Of course it was still hard, not having her dad here, not having Alex, and not having a mother who cared enough to show up for her daughter's college graduation. But she was strong. And she had more than enough love in her life to get through it.
Following the ceremony, Ken and Barbara took Clear and Chance out to a nice steakhouse to celebrate. Carter also came along, with his girlfriend Paisley- a stunning redhead who hadn't graduated with them, as she'd dropped out a year ago to focus on making music. She was a talented vocalist, Clear would concede, even if she wasn't exactly fond of Paisley as a person. (And that was an understatement. She thought Paisley was a spoiled little rich girl who had no concern for anyone other than herself.) But Carter obviously saw something in her, and perhaps some of Clear's disdain for the other girl did stem from envy. Paisley was free to chase her creative dreams, without any responsibilities holding her back. Although Clear still dabbled in the arts occasionally as a de-stressing mechanism, she knew that she had to think of her son first when choosing a college major. She would need job security, good benefits, and a respectable salary. So she'd decided on nursing. After all the death and destruction she'd witnessed, it would give her a chance to save lives. As for Carter, he also went into the more secure field of business. He'd worked as an intern for his uncle, and he seemed to like it.
As the group of six finished their dinner, the lighthearted conversation about the ceremony turned into a discussion of what would come next. Although Clear had a wonderful relationship with her son's grandparents, she planned to move into her own place once gainfully employed. She needed to feel independent again.
"Clear, you know you're welcome to stay with us for as long as you want," Barbara attempted to convince her. "We love having you and Chance. And you'll still need a babysitter when you start working."
"I know, and I really do appreciate the offer...and everything else you've both done for me," Clear said, sincerely. "I just need to grow up, you know? Branch out, figure out how to do the parenting thing on my own. But I promise that Chance and I will stay close by. Mt. Abraham is home. It always will be."
"Mommy, will our new house have a pool?" Chance asked, hopefully. Although he didn't initially like the idea of leaving his grandparents, he was starting to see it as a new adventure for him and his mom.
"We'll see," Clear smiled, moving some hair out of his face.
"Well, Carter and I can't wait to move to the city," Paisley chirped. "This town is just too boring. I mean, it makes sense for you, Clear. Being a mom and all. But with me being a musician, I need to be where the action is."
"Pais, I never actually agreed to moving," Carter disagreed. "I said maybe I'd think about it later on, but I've already got a job lined up here."
"And there are many more job opportunities in the city," Paisley countered. "Babe, you have to trust me. We will be much happier when we aren't suffering from boredom every day."
"Will I still see you, Uncle Carter? If you move?" Chance questioned, his blue eyes suddenly widening with concern.
"Oh absolutely," Carter promised, lifting the child onto his lap. "You really think I could go without my favorite little dude? How else would I get the tellers at the bank to give me free candy?" he asked, tickling Chance and making him giggle loudly. Clear couldn't help but smile, even as she noticed Paisley roll her eyes.
"You know, this is a bittersweet time for us," Ken remarked, redirecting the conversation. "After Alex...there were days when we didn't think we could go on. But you gave us a reason, Clear. You gave us a wonderful grandson, and you became like the daughter we never had."
Tears pricked at Clear's eyes as Ken turned to Carter. "And you. Somewhere along the way, you became more than just Clear's friend, or some kid I'd catch raiding my refrigerator. You became like a nephew to me. A kid that I could help, when you needed some tips for school, or needed help with your car...things I couldn't do for my son anymore..."
Barbara squeezed her husband's hand as she looked between the two college graduates. "We just want you guys to know that we love you. Even though it's hard for us to let go, and let you move on to the next stage of your lives, we're so proud of the people you've become. And we want to do something special to celebrate your graduation."
"A vacation," Ken clarified. "Clear, we know you've always wanted to go to New Orleans. So we'd like to take you and Chance and Carter...and Paisley, if she wants to come along."
"Really?" Clear breathed, before gathering herself. "I mean, that's really nice of you guys. But it's not necessary-"
"We know," Barbara told her. "But it's something we'd like to do. Clear, you have worked so hard. Between helping us around the house, being a full-time student, and being an amazing mother...you deserve this, honey."
"Yeah, don't make this hard," Carter chimed in. "Like you always do when someone tries to do something nice for you." He looked around at everyone else. "The first time I offered to babysit, she wanted to take me to a therapist."
Clear sighed, embarrassed by the reminder. The loneliness she'd experienced for much of her life had really messed her up, to the point where she questioned and second-guessed every act of kindness. Especially if it was from someone with no obligations to her. She'd just assumed that Carter was acting on survivor's guilt.
"Okay," she relented with a small smile as she stood to hug Barbara and Ken. "This means a lot to me. Thank you."
"You're very welcome," Ken assured. "Carter, can we count you in?"
"I was in as soon as you said New Orleans," he replied with a smile. "But I can pay my way. I have some money saved up. Pais has a lot going on with her music, so I don't think she'll have time-"
"I'll make time," Paisley quipped, although she wasn't even sure that her boyfriend heard, as his attention had now shifted to the child on his lap who'd started shooting off questions about all the cool things they were going to do in New Orleans.
Meanwhile Clear tuned out of the conversation entirely as a realization hit her. This would be her first attempt at a vacation since the class trip to Paris, which ended before it could even begin. It would be an opportunity to set the real world aside for a few days, and actually enjoy herself. An opportunity to make great memories with her son. That's what she wanted for him. A childhood full of great memories. And since she was his only living parent, she knew she'd have to work twice as hard to make that happen.