Your reviews have made me so happy, and they're reason I work so hard to keep the story good. This chapter will have some friends we all love, but remember that Clare and Jake happened but not the frostival so Alli and Clare are still fighting...let's see what happens!

Saturday morning Clare woke up bright and early, because the baby still thought of her bladder as a squeeze toy. She had nearly bumped into Eli on her way out of the bathroom. "Hey, glad your up." Eli was normally not an early riser, but he had lied when he had bragged about how comfortable the couch was.

"Yeah, I'm a little worried, because I'm already so big. I hope this is normal." Clare was right about that. She had looked up pictures of women after the first month of pregnancy, and they all seemed to be smaller than her. "What day is the appointment?"

"You're not big at all. Another thing, Adam called. He said something about feeling ignored by not being told, and if it's a boy you're supposed to name him Adam. He's coming over later, because apparently we're not allowed to leave him out of the misfit reunion." Eli had invited Adam over, because he did feel a little guilty about Adam having to hear everything from school. He was also worried about which version Adam may have heard.

Clare's face lit up in a bright smile. She hadn't talked to Adam nearly enough since the break up, and she was looking forward to seeing him. "That's great. I have to get dressed. What time is he coming?"

Clare looked like she was about to start bouncing off the walls. "He'll be here in about two hours, so you have plenty of time to eat and get dressed. Cece made pancakes." Cece and Bullfrog had told them the night before that they would be gone that night for a concert and all that day working at the station. Clare's stomach growled and she realized that she was famished. She walked down the steps and sat at the table where a rather large stack of pancakes lay in wait. Eli also set a bowl of strawberries beside the plate.

"Thanks, but you didn't have to do all of this." Clare's words told him one thing, but the speed at which she was eating said she was lying.

Eli smiled and sat with her while she ate, making conversation throughout. "I didn't have anything else to do, and the baby needs good meals." Clare was grateful for everything Eli had done for, but every time she tried to thank him, he waved her off. He always said that she would do the same for him if he had gotten pregnant, and she laughed every time When she was done eating, Clare went to take a shower, and Eli washed the breakfast dishes.

Adam had perfect timing as always. Just after Clare announced that she had finally gotten her hair to look presentable, Adam knocked on the door. Eli let him in, and he immediately made his irritation known."How could you? I have to here from geeky Gary that my best friend is pregnant, and I don't know what's going on. I've heard all kinds of crazy stuff, so someone better start talking!" He wasn't genuinely mad, but he wanted to know what was going on and when Clare and Eli became good enough friends to live together.

"Well, I've been great, thanks for asking. And you?" Eli's annoyingly sarcastic comment reminded all of them of how they used to be, and Adam shoved Eli in retaliation.

Clare and Eli had decided that Clare would do the explaining, since it was her baby and all. "Okay. I am pregnant, as you can tell, but Eli's not the father. Parker is, but he didn't want the baby. My mom kicked me out when I said I didn't want to get an abortion or put the baby up for adoption, so Eli's letting me stay here."

"Well, I have to admit I'm a little happy Eli wasn't lying about you being pregnant, because I want that baby named after me!" They all shared a laugh at how well Adam was taking everything. "By the way, Clare, Alli asked about you. She wanted to know if you're okay."

Clare was stunned to hear this. She and Alli had been fighting since Alli kissed Jake, but Clare had wondered if Alli would believe all of the rumors. "Did she say why she was asking?" Clare really would have liked to mend fences with Alli, but she didn't know how. She was still upset about everything that happened.

Adam didn't need to be involved in their fight, so he just answered the question. "I think she's worried about you. Those rumors are not flattering. I'm pretty sure at least one says you have AIDS and have had two abortions before this pregnancy, so she probably wants to make sure you're still really Clare.

"Maybe I should call her?" She looked to Eli and Adam for their opinions.

"I'd talk to her in person, so meet at the Dot or talk at school.", Eli spoke up. Adam nodded in agreement, because he didn't have a better answer.

"Yeah, I'll call and ask her to meet me at the Dot. Eli, could you drive me, since I'm not exactly in walking condition?" Eli nodded and Clare smiled her thanks.

They stared into each other's eyes for much longer than necessary until Adam interrupted with, "Not again!" He was referring to the days when he had to deal with their witty banter and frequent glances.

Eli and Clare jumped as if they had forgotten Adam was there, and they would never admit it, but they had forgotten a little. Clare left the room to get her phone, so she could call Alli. "So, man, you're seriously okay with Clare having some other dude's baby and living here with it?" Adam knew Eli and Clare still had feelings for each other, and this was either going to lead to a rekindling of their relationship or complete breakdown of the last shred of friendship between them.

Eli's thoughts had gone in the same direction as Adam's, but he was only hoping for friendship to come out of this. If something more happened he wouldn't be opposed, but he would take what he could get. "She had nowhere else to go, and she needed at least one person to tell her everything isn't hopeless."

Clare bounded (as much as she could in her pregnant state) into the room. "We're meeting in one hour. Does that sound good?" She was happy that Alli had agreed on meeting up to talk about everything, but she was also nervous about how it would end. Clare needed as many friends as possible at this point.

"Sounds great. I'll drop you off, and Adam and I will go hang out at the comic store until you're ready to leave." Adam liked this plan, because it had been a while since he and Eli had done anything. They had drifted apart after Eli's breakdown but were still friends.

They talked until it was time leave, and Eli drove Clare to the Dot where she waved good bye and walked in. She ordered a water, because she couldn't drink coffee until after the baby was born. That alone had made mornings difficult for everyone. Alli was already seated at a table by the window and waved Clare over when they made eye contact. "Hey, Alli. Thanks for coming.", Clare started.

Alli looked at Clare's growing belly in surprise. She had been in India for two weeks visiting family and hadn't heard the news until two days ago. She hadn't believed it a first, but it was true. "I thought everyone was lying when I heard that Clare Edwards is pregnant. Please tell me it wasn't a clown from the circus who got you pregnant!"

Clare groaned at how crazy the rumors had gotten. "No, it was Parker, but he wants nothing to do with the baby."

Alli looked at her sympathetically. Clare had been prepared for amusement or disappointment but not sympathy. "That's too bad. Are you really living with Eli? Did you make up? Are you back together? When did you lose your virginity? I want to hear all about it! How pregnant are you, because you look pretty big to have just found out you're pregnant."

Just like that Alli was the best friend Clare had always been able to count on, inserting humor and girly details into her serious questions. "Well, let's see. I am living with Eli, but we're not back together. He's helping me, because my mom kicked me out when I said no to abortion and adoption. We are friends again by the way. I'm only a month and a half pregnant, but I feel like I could burst. Look at me, I'm huge! Ugh, but I got pregnant the first and only time I had sex. I know, that's just my luck."

Alli had laughed and "aw"ed in all the right places, and Clare felt like she was floating on cloud nine by having her best friend back. "I can't believe I leave for two weeks, and you get yourself knocked up! I know we never talked about everything that happened, so are we okay?" They were acting like friends, but the elephant in the room was bringing in a lot of tension.

"We're okay. I'm so sorry about blaming you and not Jake, and I heard about what Dave did. I'm so glad we're friends again, because I need you!"

"I'm so glad you said that, because I've already decided I'm taking you maternity clothes shopping and baby clothes shopping. It's going to be so much fun, and I can't wait!" The next two hours were filled with conversation about baby names, baby clothes, and what they had been doing while not talking.

Clare was sad when Alli said she had to leave but promised they would make a shopping date soon. She called Eli to pick her up and discovered Adam had also just left. "How did it go?", Eli asked when Clare entered the hearse.

She smiled to herself as she remembered how well it went. "It was good. We're friends again, and you don't have to take me shopping for maternity and baby clothes."

Eli was glad to hear Clare so happy about being friends with Alli, and he was more than relieved that he wouldn't have to help with picking out clothes. That was not his area of expertise. The ride home was peaceful and happy, but the arrival was lacking. When Eli pulled Morty into the driveway, he and Clare noticed a familiar vehicle parked already and a familiar mom sitting on the porch. "I guess now's as good a time as any to talk to your mom, since it doesn't look optional. As they were walking up the walk way, Clare realized Glenn was with her mom. "Mom, what are you doing here?", Clare asked when she and Eli reached the porch.

"Could we talk, please?", Helen asked pleadingly.

"Okay, but let's go inside first if that's alright with you." Clare's question was directed at Eli, since it was his house.

"Of course.", he answered while unlocking the front door. When they entered, Eli asked Clare, "Do you want me to let you all talk alone?"

Clare realized that Eli's presence had given her confidence in her last conversation with her mom, and she didn't want to risk that going away with him as well. "No, I want you to stay." He nodded and offered everyone seats in the den, so they would all be more comfortable.

They sat, and Helen started the conversation. "I wanted to start by apologizing for the way I spoke to you. I was shocked, but that's no excuse for yelling at you when you responsibly came to me. I also shouldn't have given you an ultimatum like that. It was a rash decision that I regret."

Clare took in her mom's words but found it difficult to believe her. "Why didn't you come earlier? It's been nearly a month, and you're just now talking to me."

Helen looked down ashamed at what answer she would have to give. "I hoped you would come running home when you realized how difficult it was to be on your own. Obviously, you haven't been on your own. Glenn and I talked. He made me see that, while I am disappointed in the way I'm getting my first grandchild, I'm still getting one. I want to be in your and the baby's life, and I want you to come home."

Clare truly had to think about her answer. She had missed her mom so much over the last month, but Eli and his family had been so good to her and helped when they didn't have to. She also had to admit that she would miss Eli waking her up in the morning and watching television with her at night, but she should go home. "You won't try to make me get an abortion or give the baby away?"

"No. This is your baby and your decision. All I ask is that you stay in school and complete your high school education. We can look at college options when the time comes." Helen was completely sure of her decision on the matter, because she wanted Clare home where she should be.

Clare looked at Eli and then her parents, but she still had one concern before her decision was made. "What about while I'm at school? I can't afford daycare." Neither could her mom and Glenn. They were in a good place financially, but daycare was expensive for five days a week.

"That may be a concern, I've been given a raise, but it comes with more hours, like everyday from seven in the morning to five in the evening."

This scared Clare, because Cece had offered babysitting services if Clare stayed, but she was sure the offer didn't extend to Clare leaving. She couldn't ask Cece to take care of a baby all day that she had no relation to in any way. "Then what would we do? Eli's mom said she will babysit if I stay here, but I don't know if she'll want me to stay when I can go home." She looked to Eli for this answer.

"Cece said you can stay as long as you'd like, so the offer stands. It's your choice, Clare." He knew his mom would let Clare stay even if her parents wanted her back.

"Sweetie, you can't stay just because you want a free babysitter. You need to come home, where your family is." Helen was becoming upset that Clare was even considering staying when she had a home to go to.

"It's good here, though. Eli's parents have offered to let me stay as long as I want, babysit while I'm at school, and take me to doctor's appointments and stuff."

"But they're not your family, and you can't ask them to pay for clothes, doctor's appointments, diapers, and everything else that comes with you and the baby living here."

Clare had started crying during Helen's words, but she wasn't sure why. The words weren't mean, but she was so upset that she had to choose between her home and a place she felt so comfortable in. "Are you okay?", Eli asked worriedly. He didn't know what had happened, but he wanted to make it better as soon as possible.

Clare shook her head as she tried and failed to control her tears. "I-I don't know. I ju-st h- hate having to choose between my family and yours, because you, Cece, and Bullfrog have been so great." Eli put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her to him until her tears subsided.

"We just want you to come home and be with us. I'm sure Eli and his parents have been helpful, but they're not your family. We are. Why would you need to think about coming home?"

"Mom, I love you, but Eli and his parents are literally the only people who have supported from the second I told them I was pregnant. You freaked and kicked me out, and Parker broke up with me. They didn't judge or tell me how disappointing it was or tell me abortion is at the top of the list of things we could do. All they said was that it would be hard, but I could do it. It's not easy to walk away from the only people who have supported me this whole time and held my hair when was vomiting or made me big breakfasts because I'm always hungry."

Helen was both sad and angry that her daughter wanted to go to someone other than her for support and comfort. "We can do that. Glenn and I want to support you, help you, and make you happy. You're my daughter, and I want you home. You can't exactly choose to leave. I'm almost sure this constitutes as running away, you know."

Clare looked at her mom with wide eyes. She stood and stated angrily, "No, I'm sure this constitutes as being kicked out, and are you threatening to drag me home?"

"Clare, I want you home with your family where you belong!" Helen had also stood along with Glenn. Eli chose to stay seated.

"Your mom just wants what's best for you." Glenn had finally spoken up, but he wasn't saying anything helpful.

"If she wants what's best for me then why have I been living with someone else for a month. I like living here where no one yells me, and I don't have a step brother annoying me by sleeping with ex-friends or step fathers who think they know what's best for me."

"Clare Diane Edwards, you can't stay here just because you don't like the way things work at our house. You are coming home today!"

"You know, mom, I remember a conversation with this much yelling except that it was you kicking me out which I accepted. I'm not leaving."

Eli decided it was time to either help or send everyone over the edge. "I don't mean to pry in family matters, but this kind of stress can't be good for the baby. Maybe we should all take a few breaths and calm down." His therapy was being very helpful in keeping him calm during this situation.

"I think we'll just go. When you and your parents realize how difficult having a new born in the house is when you don't have to, Clare will come back.", Helen told Eli before showing herself out of the house with Glenn following behind trying to calm her down.

Clare sat down and sighed. "You okay? Maybe you should lie down for a little while." Eli always seemed to have the baby's best interest in mind, and Clare could have kissed him in that moment, but she restrained herself. Instead she agreed and went to the bed room for a nap. It was only two in the afternoon, and Clare felt like she had run an emotional marathon that day.

Clare didn't wake up around four, and Eli had suggested a movie night to relax a little. They watched Clare's favorites which meant lots and lots of chick flicks. Eli suffered through them in silence until he realized he was hungry. The clock on the table said it was eight o'clock, so he turned to Clare and asked, "Want to just order a pizza?"

She agreed instantly, and Eli called in the pizza order. When it arrived, Eli and Clare sat down, ate, and turned in for an early night. Both were very tired that night and went to bed at only ten. Clare woke up at one in the morning to her growling stomach, but she didn't want pizza. She wanted, more than anything in the world, frozen yogurt with sprinkles and gummy bears. She bit her lip and thought about what she should do, but she couldn't ignore the baby, and the baby was demanding frozen yogurt.

Clare crept quietly down the stairs and into the den where Eli was asleep on the pull out couch. She stood over him and stared until she was sure he wasn't going to simply wake up on his own. "Eli?". She said timidly. When he didn't stir, Clare poked his arm lightly. This caused him to roll over on his back and the blankets to shift. Clare noticed that he wasn't wearing a shirt and couldn't help but admire the muscle he had developed. Her growling stomach brought her crashing down to reality, and she poked Eli harder. "Eli?"

Eli's eyes cracked open a bit, and he finally noticed her presence. "Clare? You okay?" His words slurred together, as he was half asleep still. He was alert enough to look at Clare worriedly when she only bit her lip and looked down. "What's wrong?", he asked cautiously.

"I'm hungry.", she stated.

"Um...okay. Well there's still some pizza in the fridge." Eli seemed confused now, because Clare was capable of heating up her own pizza.

"I- the baby wants some frozen yogurt...with sprinkles and gummy bears?" She ended with a question.

Eli sighed but sat up, giving Clare a better view of his abs in the process . "Mmkay, I'm up. There's a TCBY close by, so do you want to go there or is the baby being really picky?" Eli tried to joke about it, so Clare would know he wasn't upset.

She sighed in relief and said, "That works. I'll go change."

As she was turning Eli held her wrist. "You don't need to change, since we'll only be gone long enough to get the frozen yogurt. Then you would have to change back into your pajamas. Just put on some sandals, and let me get a shirt." Clare nodded again, and they got ready. Eli drove to the nearby frozen yogurt shop, and they headed inside. The cashier seemed surprised to see them at such a late hour but made the usual greeting. Eli walked with Clare to the counter. "Hi, I'd like two chocolates, one with sprinkles and gummy bears, the other with chocolate chips." He had decided that if he was driving there, he might as well indulge too.

The woman filled their orders and exchanged the treats for Eli's money. Clare lead the way to a table, and they sat down to eat. "Thank you for doing this so late. You must be really tired." Clare had a habit of apologizing for things like morning sickness and apparently cravings, although Eli had told her it was normal and perfectly fine.

"I'm alright. I had actually been dreaming about taking a trip for ice cream at one in the morning, so you did me a favor." He always made jokes out of her apologies to show that she really didn't need to thank him. They finished eating, and Morty took them back to Eli's house. "Night, Clare.", he said as she walked up the steps.

She observed the bags under Eli's eyes and knew the couch was probably his reason for not getting enough sleep. She hated that she was the reason he was so uncomfortable, so she stopped him when he started walking to the den. "Eli, wait. Your bed is pretty big, and I'm not too huge yet, so we could share." She blushed deeply at what she had suggested but meant every word.

Eli wasn't sure if he should accept or not. His bed was so tempting when compared with the couch, and it didn't hurt that the bed had Clare in it too. "The couch is fine really, and you're not big at all." He always reassured her that she wasn't fat, just pregnant.

"I insist. It's your bed, and I don't want you sleeping on the couch for eight and a half more months. Please, it would make me feel less guilty." Clare and Eli both knew he couldn't say no to her when she asked like that.

"Okay, but I can take the couch any time you want." Eli followed her up the steps, and both had butterflies in their stomachs at the prospect of sharing a bed. Eli didn't voice his nervousness, and Clare also held her tongue. She forced herself not to stare when Eli stripped off his shirt and looked to her. "What side do you want?", he asked.

She smiled at his thoughtfulness. He was always doing little things that made her smile or feel better. She crawled into the bed to show him which side she liked, and he laid down on the other side. He switched off the lamp when they were settled beneath the blankets and tried to keep his distance to avoid in awkwardness. Clare was nervous at first, but her fatigue got the best of her, and she was soon sound asleep. Eli relaxed after Clare fell asleep, because he didn't have to worry about brushing against her and making her uncomfortable. Clare rolled over in her sleep and snuggled into Eli's side. Without thinking Eli wrapped his arm around her slumbering form and drifted to sleep in peace.

The next morning Eli woke up when Clare ran from the room in her haste reach the bathroom. He followed in case it was morning sickness, although that seemed to have lessened recently. He didn't hear the sounds of retching, so he walked back to his room where he noticed a note taped to the door. It said, Came in late. Looks like you and Clare had fun, at least you won't have a pregnancy scare. -love, Cece. He wasn't sure whether to be embarrassed or amused at his mom's note. Clare walked into the room and saw the note in his hand. After reading it she quickly settled on embarrassed and blushed a dark red.

They walked down stairs and sat down to cold pizza for breakfast, because Cece and Bullfrog were sleeping in. After a bit Bullfrog walked down the steps and made a bee line for the coffee pot. "Cece made you a doctor's appointment for tomorrow at ten in the morning, so you can skip school tomorrow.", he announced gruffly while staring down the brewing pot.

"Oh, that's great."

next day

"Ready to go?", Eli asked Clare. She looked nervous but nodded anyway. They walked to Morty and drove to the Dr. Lein's office for Clare's appointment. Clare was given paperwork to fill out, and they were asked to sit in the waiting room until called. "Do you want me to wait out here?", Eli asked quietly.

Clare didn't need to think about her answer. "No, I want you there."

A short time later a nurse opened the door and called out, "Clare Edwards." Clare and Eli walked to the door and the nurse led them to exam room three. "The doctor will be with you soon.", she said before leaving the room.

It wasn't a long wait before Dr. Lein entered the room and smiled at them. "Well, Clare, I see here that you're pregnant. Congratulations. We're going to take some blood to make sure everything's in order, and I'm going to ask you some routine questions, okay?" Clare nodded and after her blood was taken the doctor began his questions. "Have you ever been pregnant before?"

"No"

"Do you know the date of conception?"

"Yes, March thirteenth."

"Good, good. Have you noticed anything odd since your last menstrual cycle?"

"Well, I've been a little worried about how much weight I've gained. I'm only a month and a half pregnant."

"I see. Have either of you had any mental illness or diseases in your family history."

"I don't think so, and he's not the father." Clare looked down as she admitted that.

"Oh, okay, we're going to get a nurse in here to do an ultrasound, so we can see your baby, and make sure everything's normal. You said a month and half, correct?"

Well, six and a half weeks, so yes."

"Alright, before we move on I want to talk about something. You're what is known as a high risk pregnancy. It's nothing bad at the moment but could lead to some problems. Teenagers are considered high risk, because babies born to teen parents often have more congenital defects or developmental problems than those born to older women. I want you to try to stay relaxed and not over exert yourself more than absolutely necessary."

Clare and Eli sat in the room for a few minutes before a nurse entered the room. "Hi, I'm Mindy, and I'll be doing your ultrasound. If you'll just lie back and pull your shirt up over your stomach. I'm going to put this gel on it, so it'll be a little cold.", she instructed.

They watched as an image appeared on the screen. The nurse pointed out where the baby was. "Everything seems to be healthy here, and we'll make another appointment when you leave."

"So, I'm the normal weight for my second month?", Clare asked hopefully.

"Well' you are for your situation." At Clare's concerned expression he continued. "You're having twins, congratulations."

So...critiques? What are your thoughts on what should happen in month three?