Ch 4. Guess What, We're Married
(Owen)
"Ok, let's hear it. What in the world is going on?" Fiona questions stopping Clare and I in the parking lot. The Torres family and Bianca also stop and turn around, looking at us. Bianca making sure she's nowhere near Drew.
"Ya, you two seem really close today, and I saw Bianca coming out of what I thought was your room yesterday Clare, but you didn't come out with her," Imogen remarks.
"How about all of you come back to our house, and explain it, rather than trying to do it out here in the parking lot," Audra suggests, and we all agree.
We get back to the Torres house, but instead of going in through the basement door like we normally would we follow Audra and Omar into the living room and all sit down, Clare and I next to each other.
"Ok, so tell us why you two have gotten so close so quickly," Imogen insists once we're all comfortable and everyone's looking at the two of us.
I look at Clare, who says I can tell them. "Well, after Drew and B's wedding didn't happen," I start, and look at Drew for his stupidity. He just looks away for a moment. "I started drinking. After all, it was Vegas and there wasn't much else to do that night due to our ages and what happened. Anyway, the next thing I know I'm waking up in bed in my hotel room the next morning. My head was fuzzy and pounding, but there was something tickling my nose. I moved it, opening my eyes, and found Clare was asleep beside me," I get to, and Fiona and Imogen are going crazy with questions. Drew is just sitting there in shock.
"There's more, just let them get through the story," Bianca suggest, getting Fiona and Imogen to stop talking. Ever since Fiona came home from Italy at Christmas after 6 months of her internship, she and Imogen are almost inseparable.
"So, I woke up in Owen's room, and my head was fuzzy too. Bianca and Owen were both there," Clare tells them and is almost interrupted with questions again, but Bianca speaks up.
"I was only there because Adam was worried because Clare was missing, so I went to see if Owen had seen her or could help us look," Bianca remarks which quiets everyone down again.
"So after talking just Bianca and I and then all three of us we figured out that Owen and I had gotten married the night before. Turns out the fabric Owen moved away from my face had been Bianca's veil," Clare informs those who don't know already, who all appear shocked.
"Clare? You got drunk and got married?" Fiona questions.
"To Owen?" Imogen adds to her girlfriend's question.
"Yes, Owen and I got married Friday night, although neither of us remember it. But we have a wedding chapel photo, a large tacky ring, and the fact that we called and confirmed it with the chapel the next morning. Plus we did wake up in bed together Saturday morning. I'm Mrs. Milligan now," Clare adds with a laugh. I smile, cause although it's odd, I still like the sound of that.
"So I guess you guys spent the rest of the weekend together?" Drew comments from his spot on the floor. Probably wondering why we didn't tell him.
"Ya, the two of us and Bianca spent Saturday together, and then yesterday the three of us and Adam went out. Bianca surprised Clare and I with a gondola ride at the Venetian as part of our wedding present while she and Adam went to the mall and then we all went to the Shark Reef Aquarium. We had fun together and Clare and I have been getting to know each other better," I tell our friends.
"So you both are really happy about all of this?" Fiona asks.
"Yes I am," Clare answers without hesitation.
"I was very shocked, and it'll take some getting used to, but yes I'm happy," I comment taking Clare's hand.
"So are we the only ones that know?" Imogen questions.
"I emailed to tell my sister, but she probably won't see it until next week or so, but otherwise yes, only the people in this room know, although we'll have to tell our families soon," Clare tells them.
"I figure my family will probably react better so we thought we'd tell them first," I comment.
"Then we'll have to tell me mom and Glen, and my brothers at some point too, although telling my mom is a conversation I'm especially not looking forward to," Clare remarks and I squeeze her hand.
"I'll be there when you tell her," I remind Clare then lean over and kiss her temple.
"You two really do seem good together," Fiona comments with a smile, "and I'm happy for you."
"Me too," Imogen pipes up.
"But I'm still shocked you got drunk Clare," Fiona adds.
"It isn't the first time," Clare comments sardonically, and then remembers that Audra and Omar are still in the room.
"We can't control what you kids do at home, but you were both under our supervision this weekend, and we thought you both were much more responsible then to be drinking under age. Especially you Clare," Audra comments and now I know I'm feeling guilty, and given that Clare just hung her head I'm sure she's feeling the same way.
"You are old enough that we thought we could trust what you did while you enjoyed your time in Vegas. Do you realize what could have happened to either of you while you were drinking?" Omar speaks up and I realize he's right. I'm legal here now, but not in Vegas, and Clare isn't legal age in either country.
"We'd like to talk to you both about this some more later this week," she tells us and we nod, "but it's been a long day with a 5 hour flight and we lost 3 hours with the time difference, so we're going to head upstairs and unpack. You kids can order pizza for dinner but the rest of you need to leave by 9pm. Tomorrow is a school day for some," Audra comments, looking at Adam, Clare and Imogen, who failed her senior year.
They get up from the couch they had been sitting on and head for the stairs, but Audra turns around when she reaches the doorway. "Bianca, when you're ready, we'd like to sit down with you and Drew to discuss everything," Audra tells them. They both nod and then she follows Omar upstairs.
"I didn't really think about it before now as I was more concerned with the fact that you got married, but why were wither of you drinking Friday night?" Bianca questions.
"I'd like to hear this too, especially Clare's reason but how about we order pizza first," Adam suggests and we all agree. Drew orders, and we all go to the kitchen to get plates and drinks and then head down to the basement. And again Bianca makes sure to stay away from Drew.
"Ok Owen, how about you start," Adam suggests.
"Well its simple really, we didn't get to the reception part of Friday night, and I wanted to celebrate being done my first year of University. I didn't think what I had was that strong, but I guess after I stopped drinking and hanging out at the ravine, my system just couldn't tolerate it this time. I also didn't really pay attention to what a grabbed from the ball room the reception was supposed to be in," I admit. We talk for a bit longer, and then the doorbell rings. Drew goes up paying for the pizza and then brings it back down. We all grab what we want and get comfortable.
"Alright Clare, spill, why in the world would you be drinking?" Fiona prods.
"Ya, I've only ever known you to drink once Clare, and it was after something bad, so what happened that would make you want to drink, especially underage," Adam remarks. This reminds me of when Dallas told me he kissed Clare last year after he gave her a beer. Now I want to talk to her about this, but first I want to know why she was drinking Friday night too, especially if it was something bad.
"It was kind of a culmination of things I guess," Clare begins. "My mom and Glen have been having troubles in their marriage. With Jake not here, my mom has been taking a lot of her anger out on me," Clare tells us, and I put my arm around her. "I tried calling my dad to see about visiting him, and asking him if maybe I could move in with him for a short time while my mom worked out her marital issues, but the first time I called I got his new wife, who not only informed me they are expecting a baby together, but said they had no room for me. When I tried to call about a week later the number had been disconnected, and I never heard from my dad. I don't even know if he's still living in that house and they, or maybe she changed the number, or if they moved and didn't bother to tell me. So, now I'm still stuck with my mom and Glen."
"That's terrible about your dad Clare, why didn't you tell us?" Bianca questions.
"I guess I was just trying to deal with it and get over the fact that my dad has finally shown for the final time he really no longer cares, plus we were all busy dealing with the details of this weekend and the wedding, I didn't want to worry or bother you," Clare tells us all.
"You could have talked to me Clare. I'm your best friend," Adam remarks sounding somewhat put out that Clare wouldn't tell him.
"Well I made the second phone call Thursday night, and I didn't want to call and bother you. But anyway I just wanted to forget about it and enjoy the weekend, but Friday morning before I left, my mom got angry again, this time enough to slap me," Clare gets out and we all are shocked.
"Ok, no excuses, this was something you should have told me," Adam tells her. "I knew your mom was all about herself, but I didn't think she'd ever hit you," Adam tells her, and then reaches over giving Clare a hug.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you Adam, or any of you, but I was shocked, and made sure I left directly after and just wanted to forget about it. When the wedding didn't happen it brought up the memories of my parent's divorce and my dad's infidelity and what had happened that morning and the night before, and I just couldn't deal and needed a way to stop my mind for a little while," Clare finishes and now I realize she needs someone solid in her life right now, and I hope that I can be that for her even if we're young. I also noticed that Drew looked away when Clare mentioned infidelity.
"I'm so sorry Clare about what's been happening in your home, but you could have told us," Fiona tells her with a smile.
"I've always been the type to try and deal with things myself, and that's become even stronger since Darcy and Jake are both gone, but thank you," Clare comments.
"If your mom ever lays a hand on you again, I want you to tell me Clare," Bianca commands, and Clare nods.
"That goes for me too," I lean over and tell Clare.
"I promise," Clare comments to me with a smile.
"Well, please let us know what's going on both at home and with you guys," Fiona remarks. "I'm guessing you guys aren't going to tell people at Degrassi until you can tell your families first?" she questions.
I look at Clare who has sort of been leaning on me since I put my arm around her. "No I think I'd rather wait for other people to know, until Owen's family, my brothers and Darcy at least know," Clare answers.
"I thought Jake was your only brother, and he's just your step brother," Imogen questions looking at Clare.
"Yes, Jake's my step-brother, but I also have four guys I consider my older brothers too. They've been like older brothers and think of me like another sister since I was about 11," Clare tells her.
"Alright, neither of us will tell anyone, but we should probably get going. I have to go relieve the nurse looking after my dad soon," Imogen comments.
"Thanks," Clare comments and then stands to hug Fiona and then Imogen. I tell them thanks also, and we all say bye, and then they head out.
"I'm gonna go to the bathroom," Clare says. She hasn't sat back down since she got up to hug the girls, so she heads out of the room.
Being left as the only girl, I'm guessing is why Bianca decides at this moment to head to the kitchen for another drink.
"Why was I one of the last of us to know? Even my parents knew before you told me," Drew comments sounding somewhat hurt.
"Well, it wasn't done on purpose Drew, but Bianca was there when we discovered what was going on Saturday morning, and helped Clare and she was upset, so we were trying to be good friends. She came back on Sunday and this time with Adam. Your mom saw us Saturday evening and we ended up telling her about it, because Clare moved to my room and Bianca took her hotel room. Your mom told your dad," I explain.
"Thank you for being there for Bianca when I wasn't. I know I was stupid and selfish. It was a moment of weakness, and idiocy, that if I had the opportunity to take back I certainly would," Drew tells us as Bianca returns to the room.
"I'm glad to hear that Drew, but it did happen, and I'm still feeling hurt by it. Right now, I just can't handle being here, so I think I'm gonna head home now," Bianca comments, and Clare returns. "You're not going home to your mom tonight are you Clare?" she's asks, and I realize after what Clare told us, I don't really want her going home either.
"But I don't have anywhere else to go, and my mom's expecting me home," Clare answers.
I think for a moment and then realize something. "Yes you do Clare, you can stay at my house tonight. I'm sure Adam would say you slept here if you were to call the house so you don't have to go home. Besides, we're married and will have to tell my family at some point. I can even take you to school in the morning. Anyway, I'd prefer you weren't at home with your mom and her temper," I tell her as I stand and put my arm around her shoulders again, and can see Adam nodding in agreement.
"I wouldn't get in your way or put you out?" Clare asks after biting her lip a moment.
"Of course not Clare and I think I'd miss having you in the same bed as me if you went home," I tell her. I see Adam blushing slightly, even though he knows we're married, and Drew seems somewhat surprised. I guess he thought we weren't quite close enough to share a bed yet.
"You'd be okay with me telling my mom I stayed here?" Clare turns to ask Adam.
"Of course Clare, if it keeps you from being hit by her again, I'd do just about anything," he tells her. She smiles and hugs her best friend.
"Thanks Adam, I'll call my mom on our way to Owen's so she thinks I'm staying here. Bye Drew, bye Bianca," Clare says giving each of them a hug. I hug Bianca and fist bump Drew and Adam saying goodbye. Bianca says bye to both guys, although it's hard for her with Drew, and then the three of us head out to our vehicles. Bianca had left her car at the Torres house for the weekend, while I had left mine at the airport.
Clare and I get in the car and start heading to my house. Clare gets out her phone I'm assuming to call her mom. "Hey mom, I'm staying at Adam's tonight. Audra's okay with it, and I'll get a ride into school in the morning," Clare pauses for a moment. "I love you mom," she finishes and then hangs up.
"That was quick," I comment.
"No one answered so I just left a message. She knew I would be home today, and yet she wasn't around to pick me up or welcome me home. But that's my mom just looking out for herself," Clare comments. "How would you feel about meeting my brothers, well the ones that are still here in the city, and talking to them after school tomorrow?" Clare asks me and I think about it for a moment.
"Are you sure?" I question.
"Ya, I'd like to get it over with, and have our families know sooner rather than later," Clare remarks.
"Ok sure, then I'll pick you up after school tomorrow and we can meet them if that works. Besides, I think once they learn why you were drinking Friday night, they'll want to be around more, protect you from your mom, and keep you from getting hurt again. I don't really know their relationship with you, besides what you've told me, but I know how protective some of these guys can be when it's important," I comment as we pull into the driveway. Clare texts quickly and I see Adam's name, and then puts it away as I get out going around and opening her door. I see she's biting her lip looking nervous. "Don't worry Clare, I'm sure my family will be shocked, but they'll be supportive, I know they will," I comment putting my arm around her shoulders.
We get up to the front door and I get out my key. "Are you sure, Owen?" she asks, still sounding nervous.
"They've always been supportive of Tris and I, and that includes when Tris came out. I have no doubt that they'll be shocked, but they'll take you in right away. You don't have to worry, I'll be there, and I promised never to allow anyone to hurt you. Come on," I prompt, opening the door and going inside with her a step in front of me.
"Hey Owen, … and Clare," Tris comments when Clare and I step past the living room doorway. "Welcome home, Owen," he says coming over and giving me a hug.
"Hi Tristan," Clare smiles shyly at him.
"Hey bud, happy Easter, are mom and dad around?" I ask my brother.
"Ya, they're in the den watching a movie before they head to bed I think," Tris tells me.
"Ok, thanks, I have to talk to them about something," I tell my brother and then begin leading Clare down the hall to the den.
I walk in and Clare follows me. "Owen, welcome home! I hope you had a great time, how was the wedding? I hope it turned out perfect," mom gushes coming up and hugging me, and then notices Clare. "And who's this?"
"Hey son, welcome home," dad agrees and comes over and we hug also.
"Mom, dad this is Clare, a friend of mine, we actually went to Degrassi together for a while, although we only became friends in the last year or so," I explain to my parents as we all go sit down on the couch and chairs as my dad turns off the tv.
"It's very nice to meet you Clare," my mom says and shakes Clare's hand, and my dad shakes it after.
"It's so nice to meet you both also," Clare says giving them a smile, but I can still tell she's nervous.
"It's great to bring over a friend Owen, especially one so pretty, but you just got home, we weren't expecting guests, but we also thought you'd be home a couple of hours ago, was your plane late arriving?" Dad questions.
"Well, actually, I want Clare to stay here overnight and I'll take her to school in the morning. There's some trouble going on at her house, and I thought it best if she didn't go home to that, plus she called and her mom wasn't even there to welcome her home. I went to Adam and Drew's place after we left the airport cause we had to talk about something together, so we stayed for dinner there, and Clare and I have something to tell you both," I explain rapidly as I take Clare's hand. I'm not quite sure how to tell them everything and get talking rather fast.
"Oh, I'm so sorry that you're having problems at home Clare, is there anything we can do?" mom questions.
Clare looks up at me, not quite sure where to start. "We'll get to what's going on there as we explain what we have to tell you," I suggest, and mom drops the subject.
We sit there quietly for a moment not quite sure how to tell my parents, and then my dad breaks the silence. "Just come out and tell us son, if we can help we will. You know we love you, and you can tell us anything," dad reminds me the same things he's told Tris and I since we were little.
"Well, this weekend didn't quite end up as we had expected when we left. Bianca and Drew didn't end up getting married," I tell them.
"Oh dear, what happened?" mom remarks.
"It's a long story, but let's just say Drew made a stupid mistake," I tell them. "Anyway, they didn't, but without realizing it at the time, Clare and I did," I tell my parents, and wait for the reaction.
"You and Clare did what?" dad asks slowly, and mom gets a look of recognition on her face.
"Owen, you didn't," mom sounds upset. "You're 19. I know you're old enough to, but I thought you'd go to school and get an education before you settled down. Besides we're just now meeting Clare," she pauses for a moment and appears to be thinking, "Clare, are you pregnant?" mom asks almost with tears in her eyes.
Clare shakes her head, but can't get out any words. "Mom, NO!" I exclaim, trying to get past my mom's tears and my dad's astonished expression. I take a few deep breaths and calm down so I don't scare Clare, or find myself yelling. "Please, just let me explain," I tell them and see them each nod. "Friday night after the wedding didn't happen I wanted to celebrate being done school and I had a drink. Unfortunately it hit me harder than I expected. And although Clare doesn't really drink, she was drinking that night to deal with what's been going on at home, which she'll explain when she feels comfortable. Anyway, I guess while we were both out of it, we got a license and got married. We woke up Saturday morning in my hotel room together. There was a wedding photo on the night stand, and Clare had a tacky ring on her finger rather than her regular purity ring, which she always wears," I tell them without going further into details than necessary right now.
"So the two of you are really married?" dad questions. "This isn't just a prank or something?"
"Of course not dad, neither Clare nor I would ever do something like that. Besides, with Bianca's help Saturday morning, along with a phone call to the chapel from the photo, we found out it really did happen and is legal," I explain.
"Ok son, we believe you, I'm sure your dad just wanted to be sure," mom explains dad's questions.
"She's right son, I just wanted to be sure of what you were saying, I never meant to imply you were lying or joking around," dad says coming over and giving me a hug.
"Thank you for taking this so well, I know it's a shock, it was for us too," I say letting go of dad and taking Clare's hand again.
"Welcome to the family Clare, I would like to get to know you better in the near future," mom comments before she and dad each hug Clare who has now stood up.
"Thank you Mr. and & Mrs. Milligan, I would enjoy getting to know you both better, as well as Owen better beyond what we talked about this weekend. I know it was a shock, but I assure you I'm happy," Clare smiles at them.
"I'm happy too," I tell them, "that is why we are telling you about this, because we plan to stay married," I tell my parents, because I know they appear supportive but I don't want them thinking we are just telling them so we can then get it annulled or get a divorce.
"Yes, I'm seeing you both seem happy, and please Clare, call us Danielle and Noah. Speaking of talking, have you told anyone else like Clare's family or your friends about getting married?" mom asks.
"Bianca, Adam, Drew, Audra and Omar Torres, Fiona and Imogen know. Clare emailed her sister but we haven't heard back yet," I get to.
"She probably won't see it or get back to me for another week or two," Clare interrupts.
"Yes, and then you guys. We'll have to tell Tris, Clare's brothers, and her mom and stepdad at some point also."
"Ya, I plan to phone my step brother tonight, and text my brothers tonight too about possibly meeting after school tomorrow," Clare comments.
"So what do you plan on doing now that you're married? I mean, I know Owen just moved back home from student housing, but I'm sure that you've been living at home or in student housing up until this point, right Clare?" dad asks.
"Yes sir, I mean Noah," Clare changes it when she sees the look dad gives her. "I have been living at home up until Friday as I'm still a student at Degrassi, but given the problems I've been having with my mom, and my stepdad, plus the fact that my dad and his young pregnant wife abandoned me, I'm not quite sure how long I'll be there," Clare remarks thinking about her mom again, and now that we're sitting again, I put my arm around her shoulders.
"She's in grade 12, and 18 years old, you don't have to worry," I tell my parents when I see their eyes bug out as Clare continued to talk. "We haven't had too much chance to talk about the future yet, besides spending the weekend getting to know each other better," I tell my parents. "I figured she could stay here tonight as her mom wasn't even home to meet her, and maybe for this week, and that would hopefully give us time to figure out where we'll go from there," I explain to my parents what I've been thinking.
My parents look at each other a moment. "We're ok with Clare staying here tonight, but we need to talk about what is right for everybody together, so why don't you kids head to bed. Clare can email and text her brothers and you can tell Tris to head to bed too. Owen, you should begin looking for a job for the summer tomorrow while we're at work, and then we'll have a family meeting with you two and Tris tomorrow night as a family," mom explains, and I see Clare smile, as she is considered family. "And I know you are both young and married, but I don't really want to be a grandmother yet," mom comments as Clare and I get up to head upstairs.
"Seriously mom," I snark back, when I see Clare blushing. "We're still getting to know each other, nothing is going on," I tell them, but I know Clare is still embarrassed.
"Alright," mom concedes. I'm not quite sure if she believes me or not. "Goodnight Owen, love you. Good night Clare, it's been nice to meet you. Please tell Tris I say goodnight," mom tells me.
"Night mom, love ya," I tell her and give her a hug. While I say goodnight to dad Clare hugs my mom, and then my dad. Clare and I head back to the living room. "Tris, mom and dad say goodnight, and say it's time for bed cause school's tomorrow," I tell my brother and say goodnight, and then Clare and I grab our bags and she follows me up to my room. "That's my parent's room, they have their own bathroom. This is Tristan's room and this is the bathroom," I show Clare when we get up there. "And this is my room," I tell her as I open the door and she follows me in.
"I like the room," Clare comments putting down her bags and looking around before sitting on the bed. "I'm gonna text Jay and Lucas about meeting us tomorrow," she remarks.
"Sure no problem, I'm gonna get ready for bed," I tell her, and then grab my stuff and head for the bathroom.
When I get back to my room Clare is in her pyjamas sitting on the bed again. "I texted Jay and Lucas, who both said they'd meet me when I said I had to talk to them about something important, so we'll meet them at Above the Dot tomorrow after school. They said Spinner and Emma are still here for Easter too," Clare informs me as I climb into bed.
"Sounds good, so what about Jake?" I ask.
"I don't know the wifi password, so I was waiting for you to come back," she tells me and I realize I don't even remember it.
"I'm not sure what it is, but I can find out for you tomorrow. Why don't you just email him from my email," I tell her with a smile.
"Ok," Clare smiles, setting her phone on the night stand.
I get up and grab my laptop getting into my email, and then passing it to Clare as I climb back in. Clare begins emailing, and I'm curious what she plans on telling Jake. It's Clare says the subject line. Jake, I'm not quite sure how to tell you, but my dad abandoned me completely last week and my mom and I aren't doing well right now. I also have some news, but it's important and something I don't want others knowing so can you call when you get this so we can talk. If you get this can you call during Degrassi lunch time? Love and miss you bro, Clare xo
Clare sets down the laptop, and then I think she's going to get comfortable and fall asleep. But instead she rolls over so she's facing me. "Goodnight Owen, and thank you for bringing me here," she comments, and I'm about to answer, but instead she leans forward and kisses me on the lips. I smile into the kiss and deepen it slightly. We pull away fairly soon, but are both smiling.
"Goodnight Clare," I tell her. We each get comfortable, and then just like the night before I put out an arm, and Clare snuggles into my chest and I put my other arm around her. I kiss her head, and think about what's happened this weekend. Could this all be me caring about Clare, or could Bianca be right, and could I actually love Clare?