Clare had just gotten home from graduation. She sighed, she was wore out from well all of it. She knew she had about 2 hours before the dinner. Her Mom had planned her graduation party but she just wanted a moment to herself. She didn't even know where to start to find herself. She only knew one thing she gave herself a year but she wanted to go with Eli as well. She knew what she felt for him he was her Forever but it still nagged her She been through so much in a two years she needed find herself again but she still wanted him there always. Which speaking of him she wanted nothing more then to hide in his arms . She was about to text him when she realized he'd be at the house in 30 minutes to help with dinner that was now 90 minutes away. She only knew this because he offered his help to Helen.
Helen had just walked in to her room. "Clare Honey come on you got to get ready for the dinner ." She looked at her mom "I know I know I just ugh mom when did I lose myself" Her mother looked at her with love "you never got lost Clare-bear you just grew up." Her mom looked at her this time with tears "Life has thrown you curve balls ,but you have hit each one out of the park and kept going ." Helen kissed her forehead and continued " You my girl have made me so proud Keep going because I can not wait to see what accomplish." Clare stood there as her mom went to walk away before her mom got out of her room she called her "Mom" "Yes Clare"
She didn't say anything just crossed the room and hugged her mom and whispered "Thank you for everything " Her mom smiled "Go! my sweet girl you have a dinner to get ready for and Eli and Cece and bullfrog will be here soon. " Clare looked at her in peer shock "Since when was his parents involved in this mom?' Her mom smiled "They are family since the moment Eli told you had "Pretty Eyes" or we could go with Since you and him were having a baby or the fact that he dropped everything for you when you had cancer ..its all of those what you two have Clare its what anyone wants ." She walked down the stairs and as she did "Now GO GET READY!"
Clare went into her bathroom and started the shower before walking into her closet to grab her dress . She decided to play some music just pushing a random song. She looked at her dress It was a simple white sundress that was tight til her waist before flowing out and hit just above her knees. It was a gift from her dad. along with 5,000 dollars to as he put it in his letter to her "find who you are" . She knew it was just his way of trying to not feel guilty for not being around . But she accepted it all the same. She went back to the bathroom and took her shower. she put her dress on. She had brushed her hair after straightening it since it was so short she didn't want to curl it .She saw the scar from where the port was . She smiled She made it she beat cancer. She put a hand on her stomach losing little Adam broke her but Eli built her up again all her friends had too. She started to twirling into her room. She was now excited. She was still spinning around when she heard three voices and smiled. She went in and hung her graduation robe on a hook of the bathroom door and spun back into her room. She was about to go greet her boyfriend and his parents when she felt someone watching her. She saw him leaning against her door frame in a pair of black skinny jeans and a navy blue button up with his smirk on his face. She looked up to meet his Green eyes . "Hey" she said before twirling towards him.
Eli chuckled catching her in his arms "Hey Beautiful shouldn't you be getting ready ." She smiled "Yes but I wanted to see you and your parents first and why didn't you tell me they were coming to help?" He reached for her hand and pulled her into him helping her twirl again before leaning down and giving her a quick kiss on the lips . " They as Cece and Bullfrog told me "Clare is like a daughter to us we are gonna help too Babyboy" he gave her another kiss this one lasting a little longer "So yeah they are here to help which I should go help your mom but I wanted to see you" She smiled and went to kiss him but he moved before she could "I really need to go help and you need to finish getting ready " She pouted "Or you could join me? " She saw him stop and he turned to her looked her dead in the eyes with his a little darker shade of green "Edwards dont tempt me" She smiled "Who said I was tempting you" He was in front of her in a flash before she knew it and his arms wrapped around her waist .
"I'll join you later" She sighed "Blue eyes I promise plus we said we could make long distance work we have all summer and all year to see each other but you only get this one time to celebrate graduating high school so finish getting ready" She pulled him into a hug . "Eli" he looked at her "what's going on Edwards" She looked at him then down at the floor "I'm scared of finding myself and you not loving me after what if I change into someone you can't love" He gave her his smirk before pulling her fully into him "Again If I love you now I am going to love you more for who you are in a year"
She went to protest but he spoke before she could "Clare I told you when you tried to keep me at arms length after our .." he stopped for moment trying to figure out how to put it " first class we went to when you were you know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you I meant it even a year from now it wont change " She looked at him "Okay" He gave her a kiss on her forehead and pulled away from her "You look beautiful already by the way now please can I go help set up" She smiled and kissed his cheek "I guess but I wanted you to myself" He laughed before turning and going down the stairs. Clare went to her vanity and started doing her make up 20 minutes later she was done . She walked out of her room and down the stairs.
She smiled as she came down to the scene of the lower part of her house now had graduation decorations everywhere Cece and Helen were blowing up more balloons well Eli and Bullfrog were carrying bowls and plates of food outdoors to the big back patio. Glen and Jake were outside getting tables and chairs set up. She cleared her throat as Bullfrog and Eli reentered all 4 looked up at her. CeCe and Bullfrog reached her before the other two "Clarabelle you look so beautiful" they gave her a hug "Thank you" CeCe smiled "And Congratulations Graduate We are so proud of you Babygirl" Clare smiled her mom walked over to her with tears in her eyes "oh My look at you my baby is a high school Graduate you look so grown up in that dress" Clare hugged her. "I love you mom" Helen looked at Glen and the others "When did these guys all grow up on us" Cece was tearing up as she looked at Eli "I don't know Helen but I am gonna hug you now " Eli rolled his eyes and looked at Clare "When did Cece become a sap... one minute with your mom and she's crying"
Clare shook her head and Cece slapped her son in the chest as he walked towards his girlfriend but stopped and turned to his mom. Clare laughed when she saw Eli look at Cece "Come here my god woman you act like you just had me when I've been here for almost 19 years not like it was a newsflash i grew up ." Cece looked at him "boy don't make me beat you in front of Clare" Clare turned to her "Don't let that stop you by all means he needs it " Eli narrowed his eyes and rolled them but smiled "Thanks Blue eyes see where your loyalties lie." She went to say something but the door opened and in walked Alli and Dallas.
Alli ran up to Clare "DAMN girl you are looking HOTT!" Clare blushed and hugged her "Thanks " Dallas smiled "Looking good Edwards" he hugged her and went and bumped fist with Eli "What's up college man?" Eli laughed "Not much ready to celebration this beauty" as he walked over to Clare who blushed but smiled as Eli kissed the top of her head and pulled her into his arms she laid her head against his chest they stayed like that un til other guest started showing up.
It was an hour into her party everyone had showed up and she was sitting in Eli's lap talking with his parents , Becky, Drew and Imogen and her mom and Glen . Dallas and Alli were dancing along with Connor and Jenna. She looked around and felt the missing piece . Adam. He should be here with them laughing and celebrating with his girl friend finally happy as himself and as a graduate. Eli noticed the change in her . He moved her off his lap got up and helped her up. He nodded his head towards a hammock they had hung up earlier "Lets go talk Edwards something is going on in that pretty little head of yours" She looked at him tears started to pool her eyes .He sighed and hugged "Come on Honey lets go talk." Eli said pulling her with him. He laid down in the hammock first then helped her get in making sure they didn't tip it. She went to lay on him the way they did over two years ago but then turned to make them chest to chest so she could hide her head in the crook of his neck. He sat them up trying to get it to where he could look at her but she ended up wrapping herself around him . He let her "Beautiful what's wrong?" he asked with genuine concern in his voice. She lost control then "Adam should be here, He should be dancing with Becky, He should of walked that stage with me, with Drew with my class, Eli I miss him, I miss him so much that it hurts, He was my best friend he was both our best friend, and he's not here ,He kept me from doing dumb stuff, like being with Drew. I don't want to be sad but I cant help feeling him missing." she started crying again hiding herself again in the crook of his neck. Eli took a moment to collect himself and his thoughts.
"Clare " he sighed "He wouldn't want you upset you know that I miss him too and your right he should be here how about we all get together tomorrow and do a ceremony for him ,that way your class can honor him again." She looked at him and kissed him "I love that and I love you, you my dear are genius." she said with tears coming down her face. Eli wiped her tears and kissed her on each cheek "cheer up Blue eyes it's your party your suppose to be happy." She pushed him down and kissed his neck and laid down putting her head on his chest "Okay I'll try just hold me and then in a bit can we dance please?" He laughed kissing her temple "For you anything."
A little while later Eli was holding Clare's hand and pulling them out of the hammock. "Come on, I owe you a dance." Clare laughed as they made their way over to the other couples still dancing seeing that her mom and Glen and his parents had even started to slow dance. She smiled. without even thinking she turned to him "I can't wait to be them in 20 years." Eli smirked "Have I told you lately I love you?" Clare smiled as they put their arms around one another bringing them close to each other. "Yes, but I still love hearing it, I love you too." He looked at her "Always and Forever" .
Cece and Bullfrog heard them and smiled. Bullfrog moved his wife over to his son and girlfriend. "So we got you a graduation gift, But I think I should of just gotten you both condoms." Cece chuckled well Clare turned red and hid her face in Eli's shoulder and laughed. Eli groaned "DAD! " Cece started laughing "Oh you got a dad out of baby boy ,you should know by now he's gonna embarrass you kid." Eli chuckled "ugh I swear you two drive me crazy but I love ya both so much but some days I swear you live to do this." Bullfrog smirked "Yup we do " then he smiled "Trust me Clarabelle you will love your gift I promise anyways, We will let you two be I got to go dip this woman of mine and show her how much I love her." well moving his eyebrows up and down Eli groaned making clare and his parents laugh.
It was close to 9 pm when the party died down not a lot of people were left and Helen told Clare to start opening her cards and gifts. Clare had a note book to write so she knew who to thank. She started with gifts even thought there was only two. One was from Alli's parents. She opened it. Inside was a picture of her and Alli in their cap and gown. She smiled. She then opened a box it was a necklace that said class of 2014. She wrote down what she got
.The other bag was really small and it was from her mom. She opened it. Inside was a small box with her class ring she hugged her mom. She then opened all the cards besides the one Eli said was from his parents that was thicker then the rest She counted the money from friends and family she had close to 7,000 considering the 4,000 her grandparents sent her. She wrote down the names in her notebook then proceed to open Cece's and Bullfrog's card.
In their card were about 10 round trip plane tickets to NY for when ever she looked at them. "Cece, Bullfrog What exactly are these" Bullfrog looked at her "Uh Plane tickets." Clare smiled "I get that I just they don't have a date or anything" This time Cece answered "That is because they can be used anytime you want to go see Eli, We know your wanting to work on finding yourself and with this last year it was hard for you both trying to do long distance this way if you miss him and you don't have to spend money to go see him." Clare just stared at them both for moment before jumping up and pulling them both into a hug . "I love you both thank you for loving us and giving us a fighting chance." Both adults smiled "Thank you for loving our son for his faults and all. " They hugged again then told her they were gonna go say good night to her mom and Glen before they head home and to enjoy the rest of her night.
The last of the guests left. It was literally just Clare ,Eli, Helen and Glen. Jake had left to go see Katie. Clare was sitting on top of a picnic table with Eli on the seat her chin resting on his shoulder looking like she was 2 seconds from falling asleep . Her mom looked at her. "Did you enjoy yourself?" Clare just shook her head too tired to talk. Eli looked up her "Go to bed We can clean up without you." She looked at him. "But I'm not tired." He looked at her and rolled his eyes. "Yeah and I'm not Bipolar."
She gawked at him before she could give a comeback to his remark he had already stood up and wrapped his arms around her back and legs , He lifted her bridal style and began carrying her through the back door that Glen held open. She tried to get down but it only made Eli hoist her up and over his shoulder. "Not happening Edwards quit fighting me." He climbed the stairs and carefully threw her somewhat on her bed. He then turned around and went to walk out of her room only to feel a pillow hit his head and a giggle from Clare. He grabbed the pillow and chucked it straight at her but she caught it. He went to go help but Helen yelled up for him to enjoy the the rest of the night together. Eli turned around and looked at Clare. "So does that mean I go home now." Clare shrugged. Eli went over to kiss her good bye and started down the stairs once he exited her room.
Helen stopped him with "I figured you could stay the night with her." he stood rooted at the spot "Uh, Helen are you sure?" he asked shocked. "Eli you both basically plan on being together the rest of your lives and who am I to stop my almost 18 year old daughter." He just looked at her. "Eli Your a good young man, You were there for Clare through cancer, losing Adam, the baby and losing the baby you two deserve a good night together." He looked at Helen "She's my everything She's My beginning, My Middle and one day My end, I'd walk the end of the earth to make her happy" Helen smiled and Clare heard him say that to her mom. He walked back up the stairs but didn't see Clare in her bed . He called for her and she told him she was in the bathroom. He went to go to her bed to wait for her.
Clare called out for him, he went to her bathroom and asked what she wanted. She opened the door and grabbed his shirt and pulled him in. "You, I want you." she said before crashing her lips to his. He opened his mouth when he felt her tongue at his lips and they deepened the kiss together. He pushed her gently against the wall. His arms started to roam to the bottom of her dress while her hands were already unbuttoning his shirt. The kiss grew more hungry before they had to stop to breath. Eli looked her "Do you want to move this to your bed " She looked at him "No I want you now Eli I don't want to move this outside of my bathroom right now." He helped her out of her dress quickly before she finally finished the last button of his shirt and pulled it off in record time. Their lips met again. Clare pulled away "Eli I want you now, Pants off now." As she took her underwear off. He had them off a few seconds later. "Are you sure?" "Elijah Shut up! and please make love to me." He didn't need to be told twice he grabbed a condom from under her sink and rolled it on.
He grabbed one of her legs and placed it on his hip." Clare the last time we did this." She shut him up with a kiss He lined up with her and pushed in She let out a moan and started to leave open mouth kisses on his neck. He started thrusting slow at first until She moved her hips against his meeting his thrusts. He was hitting her g spot at this angle. and he could tell by the look on her face she wouldn't last long since it been a while since they did anything. "Clare" he moaned her name .She looked him dead in the eyes "Elllliiii Fasterrr and harder pleaseeeeee" He moved them to the floor before entering her again and slamming into her over and over She let out a moan of his name mixed in with the word fuck. She started meeting his thrusts and he knew neither of them were gonna last. Her back started to arch and he grabbed one of her hands and held it with his above her head as her legs wrapped around his hips "Fuck Clare" he moaned into her ear as she bite his neck. After a few more thrusts they both moaned each others names as they came together .Eli lowered himself on Clare both breathing heavy. "I am so going to use those plane tickets just for sex ." She said
Clare said once they were able to breathe. He rolled off her took the condom off and tossed it in the trash next to him "Gez , Blue eyes using me as your sex toy and here I thought you loved me for my personality." Clare looked at him. "oh I do ,but sex is a more fun " he laughed as he shook his head "You little devil" . He got up and helped her up. "Let's go to bed Beautiful." He took some pj pants he left here and put them on as she took his dress shirt and put on they got into bed and cuddled into each others arms and drifted off to dreamland.