Chapter 8
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: This is what happened to John and Claire years after TBC took place.
A/N: This is more like an epilogue than an actual chapter, and there's a lot of elapsed time. I want to thank all my reviewers, especially those of you who have been reading this since it was first posted, and I hope you enjoy the last part of Opposites Attract.
Claire Bender stared absentmindedly out the window of her SUV. It wasn't her father's BMW, but it was what she'd chosen. She glanced over at her husband, John Bender, and thought that he looked as nervous as she felt. They were on their way to their high school reunion. Many of their friends they hadn't seen for twenty years. She wondered if things would be awkward, not many people married their high school sweethearts, and even fewer stayed with them this long. Although she'd never had any doubts about the life she'd chosen she knew some of her former classmates would find it odd. She'd been known as the princess throughout most of high school. He'd been known as the criminal. No one could have guessed their fates would have become so intertwined.
After graduating Claire and Bender had decided to go junior college together. His grades were practically non-existent, at least not to the point where any four year college, state or otherwise, wanted to accept him. Claire's weren't anything to be very proud of either. She'd taken the easiest courses with the maximum amount of study halls and still had only slid by with Bs and Cs. They rented an apartment together and worked part time. It was no fairy tale, but at least hey were in control of their own lives. After two years at a local community college they both transferred to the University of Chicago. It was still local, which made affordable with the some significant help from various scholarships and financial aide programs. Graduation signified the passing of a major hurdle for both of them. It meant they wouldn't have to end up like their parents after all. They didn't have to remain trapped in a lifestyle that wasn't their own and was not of their choosing. It signified freedom.
After college John and Claire Bender (then Claire Standish) had moved to New York City. They found jobs and rented a small flat. She worked as a journalist for Vogue magazine and eventually was promoted to editor in chief of the entire enterprise. He worked as a band instructor at a public high school and eventually earned a professorship at Julliard. After about three years at the age of twenty-five, the young couple decided to get married. Now they lived in a townhouse with their two children, Joan and Clark. Joan was twelve and Clark was nine. They both looked and acted remarkably like their parents, although neither seemed to favor one more than the other. Joan had her mother's fair skin, but her father's thick hair, and had a tendency to act on the rebellious side. Clark had his father's strong build and his mother's high cheekbones, but typically acted more refined than his sister.
It had been hard for the Benders to leave their children behind in New York, each staying with a friend for the weekend. They would have left them with family, but neither set of grandparents seemed suitable and both were only children. Silently each was wondering what the other was thinking, and if their thoughts mirrored each other's. Unbeknownst to them Mr. Vernon was waiting on the inside of the double doors that led to the plaza where the reunion was being held. He was more than a little surprised to see them exit the same vehicle and walk in together. He was even more shocked to see the style in which they were dressed, which was obviously reflective of the success in which they lived. He himself had retired many years earlier, shortly after this class graduated. He was fairly appalled as he noted that it appeared he had greatly misjudged Mr. Bender, and Ms. Standish as well, if that was in fact still her name. He made a mental note to ask them about it the minute he could get up his courage. With that though in mind he headed to the mini bar.
John and Claire saw him walk away as they entered and shook their heads, laughing. He hadn't changed at all, but then some things never do. They were living proof of that. Walking hand in hand they exchanged worried looks and pushed open the door to the banquet room, where the rest of the breakfast club was waiting for them.