My morning was the same as any other I was determined to tell Eli today that Erika was mine once I found the chance.
"Hey Clare" Eli said as he waited out front of my house with his hearse Morty.
"Hey Morty's fixed" I said excitedly as I waved goodbye to Erika and got inside.
"Now you have a ride to and from school as long as you want one" Eli said with a smile.
We talked about what we thought the project would be in English. For some reason Ms. Dawes wanted to keep it a surprise. Then we pulled into the school parking lot and walked up the school steps together.
"I'll come get you after school." Eli said as we parted ways. I just smiled at him.
"You need to tell him about Erika you're starting to fall for him like it or not and he needs to know" Alli said in a whisper
"I know Alli and I'm trying" I said as I got my books.
"Try harder" Alli said as I shut my locker
During lunch I didn't sit with Eli alone so I knew I had to wait hopefully the project would help give us time alone so I could tell him about Erika. I was thinking about how I could try to find a way to talk to Eli all during my 5th and 6th period classes.
I made it into English right before the bell rang and took my seat.
"So who here's ever read Romeo and Juliet?" Ms. Dawes asked
Eli and I were the only ones that raised our hands.
"So we now have our Romeo and Juliet team, you both will have to rewrite the final act and make it more modern. Here's something to use Romeo takes the poison, but it doesn't affect him right away and then Juliet wakes up giving her about a minute or so to kiss him goodbye… hmm there's an idea just play off that. Adam since you're good friends with them you'll be filming. Projects are due tomorrow everyone else come get your assignments after you've picked your group."
"Ms. Dawes I need to be excused" I said
"Ok take the bathroom pass."
I then left with the bathroom pass and called Emma to tell her I'll be late picking up Erika due to a school project. She didn't seem to mind and asked if she could watch her till 6 for the rest of the week so she and Spinner can spend time with her. I then walked back to class.
"So what time do you have to be home?" Eli asked as I sat down
"6" I said
"Just enough time we'll meet after school" Eli said looking at Adam and I
After school Eli drove us to a secluded park as we began to film the scene. It didn't take us too long. We were done by 4:30. Eli then dropped Adam off.
"Eli where are we going?" I asked
"It's a surprise." he told me.
We drove for twenty minutes and ended up in a park. I got out and seen swings I remembered sitting on swings with Erika when she was a few months old I used to put her in my lap and just rock back and forth. I sat there slowly gliding on the swing remembering when Erika was younger.
"I like you Clare, really like you and I know you feel the same about me" Eli said snapping me out of my trance "I don't want there to be secrets between us"
"Eli" I said
"Clare I had a girlfriend before I moved here, her name is Julia and I killed her about a year and a half ago"
"You killed her? How?"
"We got into an argument and she ran out on her bike I tried to run after her and noticed she had stopped to look for cars I then stopped running and noticed a car was about to hit her I ran to her as fast as I can to get her out of the way… I was too late someone called the ambulance I heard someone say 'D.O.A' as they took her lifeless body off of me. I kept blaming myself for it I used to go see her a lot, but I've found myself moving on."
"Eli it's not your fault. I've kept a secret from you too, but I've been trying to tell you for the past week. I understand if you won't talk to me after I tell you."
"Clare I wouldn't stop talking to you I like you too much." Eli said as he moved my bangs from my eyes.
I looked down at my shirt and then up to Eli. "Erika isn't my sister as much as it may seem…she's my daughter. Her dad left me when he found out I was pregnant he moved in with his mom somewhere in Alberta. I get child support checks from his mom, but they don't have a return address on them. I got pregnant over a year ago in September and had her in July since I didn't start to show until school was over no one knew about it except for the teachers, but they kept it quiet; other than the teachers and family the only ones that know she's mine are well, Alli and now you."
"So what Clare you had a kid, if you look at it people our age have kids and I also get a long with her really well so it's not going to change anything. Like I said I really like you." Eli then kissed me again.
"So does this mean we're official?" I asked
"Only if you want to be" Eli smirked I then kissed him.
"So time to go pick up Erika, girlfriend" Eli said with a smile no smirk smile.
We held hands all the way to his car.
"By the way your ex is an ass for ditching you when he found out about Erika and he's not even in her life which makes him a bigger ass in my eyes."
I smiled at Eli after that. We kissed before he opened the door to let me in Morty.
"Now to go home, do you have an extra car seat?" Eli asked
"No I don't" Eli said driving home
"Ok we'll walk I'll drop Morty off."
Just then the phone rang. My mom called me to explain why she's coming home late.
"Is everything ok?" Eli asked
"Yea it's just that my mom's coming home late which is never good. Instead of 7 she's coming home at 10 even worse she's off tomorrow and Wednesday."
"Isn't that good news that your mom's off" Eli said as he parked Morty in front of his house "You can leave your book bag in here" He said as we got out.
"The only good thing that comes from my mom being off is I get the car." I said as we held hands walking to the Dot
"She doesn't keep Erika with her?"
"No I don't let her watch Erika alone. You'll probably see why tomorrow if you come over."
"Ok well we're here" Eli said
We both went inside to get Erika. Eli opened the door to the Dot for me. We seen Adam inside.
"Hey guys" Adam said as he waved "come sit"
"We can stay a few right?" Eli asked as my phone vibrated
"Yea I just got a text saying they'll be a little late"
Eli held my hand as we walked to sit with Adam.
"So I finished the video and it's ready to turn in so are you guys official?"
"Yea" Eli said
"We talked at the park and got to know more about each other and told each other our little secrets." I said to Adam
Eli then tapped me on the shoulder and whispered "They're back" in my ear.
"MOMMY!" Erika yelled as she ran over to me
"Erika I missed you" I said as I sat her on my lap.
"Eli" Erika said holding her arms out to Eli
"Wow you did better with your e's mommy's so proud of you" I told her as Eli took her and put her on his lap.
"That's your kid Clare?" Adam asked
"Yes she's mine" I said
"She's cute how old is she?" Adam asked
"Just over a year" I told him
"Where's the dad?"
"The asshole ditched her when he found out Clare was pregnant" Eli said as he covered Erika's ears so she didn't hear him
"Home Mommy and Eli" Erika said
"Hey man you heard the boss" Eli chuckled
We waved good bye to Adam and then left. Eli pushed Erika on the way home and carried her diaper bag for me.
Eli came inside and kept Erika and I company. I put her to sleep at 9 and Eli and I went to watch TV on the couch to wait up for my mom.
"Eli are you sure it's ok if you wait here?" I asked him
"Yea my mom said it's fine just as long as I get enough sleep."
We then laid down and fell asleep on the couch.
"Clare Dianna Edwards!" my mom yelled as soon as she got in the house causing Eli and I to jump.
I looked at Eli and realized he had his arm around my waist and my head was on his chest.
"Ms. Edwards I can explain" Eli said as we got up.
"Mom you're drunk" I said to her
"Clare you're a slut" my mom barked
"Ms. Edwards-" I cut Eli off
"At least I'm not an alcoholic" I retaliated
My mom then hit me.
"And that's why I don't let you watch Erika" I barked at her.
"Here Clare put this on your face, it'll help" Eli said as he gave me an ice pack. I guess he must've got it while I was arguing with my mom.
"I'm going to bed I don't need this" my mom said
I was about to open my mouth when Eli told me not to.
"I told my mom what went on and told her I'm staying here tonight with you until you fall asleep, I'll be over early tomorrow."
"Ok" I replied as I walked to my room holding Eli's hand
"So is that what you have to deal with when she's off?"
"Yea, but this is the first time she's hit me, usually my mom just throws things" I said as we got to my room.
"I'm going to change make yourself at home" I told him
After I got into my pajamas, lied in bed next to Eli who already picked his side of the bed, and then he wrapped his arms around me.
"I feel safe in your arms" I told him
"I'm glad" Eli said as he kissed my forehead "Get some sleep"
I then put my head on Eli's chest and went to sleep.