Ch. 8 Explaining the Truth
(Fitz)
My shift had been finished for a little while now, but I had decided to sit at a table and eat dinner here as I finally had my own apartment but it still got lonely. And then my phone alerts me to a text message and I see it's from Clare.
Clare: On our way to the Break Room now. See u there
So I message back.
Fitz: Be there soon
And then put my phone back in my pocket and quickly finish my food, before I get in my car and head over to meet everyone. I pull up behind Jay's car just as they are all getting out. I park and get out walking toward the doors, but notice that Clare is wearing Owen's jacket and is holding on to her right arm while Owen has his arm around her shoulders. I decide to wait until we're inside to ask about both though.
We get inside and take a round booth at the back for now so we can all fit. And again Owen is next to Clare, but it's now I notice that Clare has tears in her eyes. "Clare, are you alright?" I ask cautiously. She nods her head, but is still holding her arm.
"I'm sorry Clare, she got past me so fast I didn't even realize it. Can I see what happened?" Lucas asks, and now I'm confused. But then Clare moves her left arm and lifts the sleeve of Owen's jacket and I can see deep red marks up her arm. Four on one side and another on the other side, and think I realize what I'm seeing.
"Oh Clare," Emma cries.
"You are never going back to that house," Owen comments getting an angry look on his face.
"Is someone going to tell me what happened?" I comment, and look around at everybody. What I find funny is they all look to Clare before they say anything, and then she nods again.
"Ok we'll tell you, but it's a long story and you have to promise not to tell anyone," Owen tells me, and I nod in agreement. "We were at Clare's house after we left you at the Dot earlier," he continues. "It was her mom that grabbed her arm," he informs me and I'm shocked.
"Your mom did that? Has she done anything else to you Clare?" I ask. I always thought besides the divorce that Clare's family was perfect.
"Today? Just yelled. She wasn't happy when we tried talking to her," Clare tells me once she has wiped away her tears.
"What else has she done Clare?" I ask, cause now I'm worried knowing what I've been through with my step-father and step-brother Steve.
"Up until Friday she'd just been getting more and more controlling. She likes to care when it works for her and can keep her in control, otherwise she really doesn't pay attention. But that changed Friday when we got into an argument and she slapped me," Clare tells me and now I'm shocked.
"Clare I don't mean to pry but what was your fight about?" I ask, and then realize something. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to though," I add, and I see she's ok, a small smile on her face now.
"No, it's ok I'll tell you, but this is the part you have to promise not to freak out about or tell anyone about," she tells me, and everyone else looks at me too and I nod again as I look at them all.
"Thursday night was a bad night for me and I was really upset. I got up Friday and got into a fight with my mom about not being home for Easter weekend to go to Bianca and Drew's wedding in Vegas. She knew about it but she wanted to show me off as the perfect daughter at church and it got bad enough that she slapped me. I was shocked cause she had never gotten that angry, but I left right away and didn't say anything about it," she tells me and I think back on the guys my mom has brought into my life.
She takes a moment to catch her breath and no one says anything. "Today I went home for the first time since Friday because I knew I needed to talk to my mom. I had asked these guys all to come with me cause I was sure it would get bad and with Darcy and Jake not here I needed support," Clare starts.
"You'll always have our support and love Clare," Spinner comments and takes her hand for a moment.
"Mine too," Owen comments and I'm still confused.
"Well we got there and after threatening to call the cops on everybody I tried to explain to my mom who Owen was but she jumped to conclusions assuming I was pregnant and said Owen could leave and she was going to take me to a home for unwed mothers. I was finally able to get her to listen to say I wasn't pregnant but that Owen and I were married and she flipped," Clare says and as my mind wraps around what she just said my jaws drops.
"You're kidding right, this is some kind of weird joke? You two are not married, you're barely friends," I comment and yet even I can see what I'm saying is wrong. I get death glares from all the guys.
"We wouldn't have told you, Owen's family, the Torres family, my brothers, Darcy, Emma and especially never my mom and Glen if it weren't true Mark. She not only wanted to take me to a home for unwed mothers when she thought I was pregnant and threatened to keep me away from everyone, but then grabbed me to try and take me to a judge tonight to get it annulled," Clare says in tears again.
"I'm sorry Clare, I didn't mean it, I was just shocked. But I'm seeing that Owen cares for you. But please don't tell me you both got married to get you away from your mom," I check, because this is still a shock to me.
"No Fitz, we didn't get married because of Clare's mom. I didn't even know what her mom was like until after we were married, and saw how controlling she could get until today. Even I was scared and there isn't much that scares me anymore," Owen comments and we all go silent.
"I'm getting hungry," Emma comments, and everyone except Clare and I nod in agreement. "Spinner will you get me something, I have to go to the bathroom," she mentions.
"What would you like Em?" Spinner asks her.
"Spaghetti please, but no sauce and a water with lots of lemon," she requests, and the guys start getting up.
"Are you sure you don't want anything Clare?" Owen asks with concern in his voice.
"No thanks, I'm really not hungry," she tells him. He shrugs, kisses the top of her head and then walks to the bar with the others.
"You have somewhere else to go right? Because after what Owen just said none of us are going to let you go home," I tell Clare.
"Yes," she answers meekly now. "Owen's parents are letting me live there," she tells me, and I'm glad she'll never have to live with her mom again.
We're silent for a minute again and then I ask, "so you're really happy about this?"
"Yes Mark, I'm happy with Owen. It was never something I had planned for my life, but now I don't know what I'd do without him," she tells me, and although she still looks sad even I can tell the two of them are right for each other. But it feels like I got punched in the stomach because I liked her for so long and never got my chance with her.
"I'm happy for you guys," I tell her, and although it was tough, I truly mean it.
She must see something when I say it because she looks right in my eye and replies, "I'm sorry Mark, this must be hard for you. I want to apologize for Eli when he poisoned you, because that was never fair to you. I told Owen this weekend that if you and I had really been given a chance on Vegas night I think we could have really had a lot of fun," she says and I just have to smile.
"It wasn't your fault Clare, Eli and I were really just too into proving we were better than the other and better for you, and I want to apologize again for ever having that knife. It was a stupid thing to do and something I regretted as soon as I did it. I never wanted to scare you, and yelling at you and calling you that name should never have happened," I reply with true regret about it all.
"I've forgiven you for everything, including what happened when you got out of juvie Mark. And I've missed you this year. I mean, I know I see you at the Dot occasionally, but I mean as a friend I guess. Do you think we could be friends?" she asks, and I'm silent for what feels like forever.
"If you're willing to put all my stupid mistakes behind us, then I'd be happy to be your friend Clare," I tell her and she slides over in the booth and gives me a hug.
"I forgave you a long time ago, and I'm sorry it's taken me this long to say it," she smiles and then kisses my cheek.
"Everything alright Mrs. Milligan?" Owen jokingly asks as he and the others walk back up with their food and drinks.
"I regained a friend Mr. Milligan," she comments with a smile squeezing my hand before moving back to her spot, and I smile too and tell Owen I'm happy for them also.
After they all start eating, Clare speaks up, "I have a question Mark," she says and I look at her. "Do you have a girlfriend now?" she asks, and Owen and the others all look at me. "I think my friend Gaea would be right for you, that's why I'm asking," she explains.
I pause, not quite sure what to say. "She really is a nice girl man. And very cute," Owen comments.
"I can bring her to the Dot tomorrow so you can meet her," Clare suggests and I agree. Once they all finish eating we decide to play pool and then I say goodbye to everyone hugging Clare and Emma, who I got to know better while we played pool, and headed home for the night.
(Clare)
Danielle and Noah had gone to bed by the time we got home last night so I didn't have to explain what happened with my mom, and avoided the topic this morning. Owen had a shower when we got back and I was asleep before he got out. I had a shower this morning, so I changed in the bathroom.
"Ready to go?" I ask when I meet Gaea at her locker when the final bell rings at the end of the school day.
"Yep, let's go," she comments with a smile and we head toward the door. As I get to the door I see Adam coming from his Radio Broadcasting class. "Hey, Owen and I will be over about 5pm alright," I comment as I walk up.
"Yep sounds good, my parents are just expecting you guys for dinner anyway," he remarks, waves and then walks down the hall. Gaea and I leave and head to the Dot.
"There's more to you and Owen then him just being a friend and Tristan's brother isn't there?" Gaea asks while we're walking.
I pause, and think for a moment, Gaea is a friend but I haven't known her that long. But I'm also about to introduce her to Mark who does know about us although he promised not to say anything, but I don't want them having secrets. I'm about to answer when my phone goes off. "One moment," I tell Gaea as I get it out and stop to read the text message.
Jake: I'm sorry about ur mom. I thought she'd be angry but I never thought she'd go mental. Why didn't u tell me she hit u? Call if u need anything. I'm glad ur living w/ Owen. Xo
"You ok?" Gaea asks when I put my phone back in my pocket.
"Yeah thanks. I didn't have a great night last night. That was just my step-brother checking in," I tell her and then sit on a bench with my head in my hands. She sits next to me and after a moment puts her hand on my back and rubs it softly.
"I know we haven't known each other for too long, but you can tell me anything," she remarks. I look up and see her with a kind smile, and find myself smiling too.
"Ok, but you have to promise not to say anything to anyone. Only certain people know about this right now, and not everyone is taking the news well," I tell her in warning so she knows I'm being serious.
"Of course Clare. My siblings and I have become quite good at keeping secrets with my dad's job as a director. I know how to keep secrets," she comments and I feel like I can really trust her.
"Owen and I were down in Vegas for a friend's wedding this weekend but some things happened and now Owen and I are married," I tell her quietly as we are still in public and her mouth drops open.
"You're married!?" she asks in shock but keeps her voice down. "You're married to Owen, the cute guy I saw you kiss the other morning and you introduced me to?" she asks with clarification before I can answer.
"Yes," I answer with a laugh at her description.
"He's hot, I'm happy for you, so what's the issue? What happened last night?" she questions but my face drops again. "It's ok Clare, I don't want to pry."
"Let's just say my mom didn't take the news well, so now I'm living with Owen's family," I tell her, take a deep breath and then stand up again. She gets up and follows me as we walk to the Dot in silence.
When we get inside I look around but don't see Mark. I take a seat at a booth and Gaea sits with me. The waitress, whose nametag says Meghan, takes our order and we sit in silence a few more minutes.
After about five minutes I see Mark walking out from the employee lounge. He sees me and we both wave a little and smile. "That is Fitz," I tell Gaea who turns slightly after Mark has looked away.
"He's cute and I like the spiky hair," she comments and I laugh. "But what's with the name? Nickname?" she asks.
"His full name is Mark Joseph Fitzgerald, but he hates his name and makes everyone including his parents call him Fitz," I tell her as Meghan walks up with our order. "I'm the only one allowed to call him Mark," I inform her after Meghan walks away, but she never asks why, and I don't explain.
We begin eating and Mark is busy for a few minutes, but then the football players leave to get to practice as they just came in for a snack, and now it's not as noisy or crowded in here. Once it's slowed down I catch Mark's attention and he walks over with a smile.
"Hey, how was school?" he asks me, and then looks at Gaea and his smile gets even bigger.
"Boring, like it has been recently. But Mark, this is the girl I was telling you about last night. Mark Gaea, Gaea Mark," I introduce them and they smile shaking hands, and I see Gaea's smile has gotten bigger too.
"It's very nice to meet you," Gaea greets politely.
"It's my pleasure. I like your name, it's different but it suits you. Does it have a special meaning?" he inquires.
Gaea laughs slightly before she answers. "Well a lot of my family gave their children names that are different. Mine means 'Greek goddess of the earth'," she tells us as she begins to blush.
"It really does suit you," Mark comments and I'm pretty sure he's flirting. "I make everyone call me Fitz cause I hate my name. Even my parents have gotten used to calling me Fitz now," he acknowledges with a small laugh.
"Except Clare," Gaea remarks with a smile.
"Yes Clare's the exception," he agrees, but doesn't get the chance to explain when we hear his name being called. He turns around and Meghan slightly points toward the door without making it obvious at the busload of passengers walking in. "I have to get back to work I guess. It was great to see you again Clare, and very nice to meet you Gaea. Come say bye before you leave," he suggests and then rushes back toward the counter where the lineup has started.
We continue to eat and then start on our homework for a short while, and the bus passengers slowly get their food and head back out to the waiting bus. When most of the passengers have left Owen walks in and greets Mark. They certainly aren't as close as they once were, but I think given everything that's happened and that Mark and I are friends again, they are realizing what they've been missing.
"Hi Gaea, hey Clare you ready to go?" Owen asks as he reaches the table.
"Yep, just need to put away my books," I tell him with a smile. A few Degrassi students look at us when he talks to me but no one says anything.
"Do you need a ride home Gaea?" Owen questions when we both are gathering our books.
"That's kind of you Owen but it's ok, I know you guys have to get to Adam's house and my house is kind of out of your way, thanks anyway" she comments as we head up to the counter where Mark is standing.
"Hey, if you need a ride I can take you if you can wait 15 minutes for when I get off," Mark tells her and I smile, because now I know he likes her.
"Thanks Fitz, that's very sweet of you," she comments and then sits on one of the stools to wait.
"You two have fun," I smile. "Bye Gaea," I comment and we wave. "Bye Mark," I smile and he comes around the counter and gives me a hug saying bye, and then he and Owen fist bump before we leave.
It's a quiet drive to the Torres house, but as we get closer I get slightly nervous. But when Owen pulls up to the house and stops the car he surprises me. "Hello beautiful," he greets and then leans over and kisses me on the lips and I melt, no longer nervous but genuinely happy.
"Hi handsome, what was that for?" I inquire once we pull away.
"We can't exactly greet each other as husband and wife when not everyone knows about us yet, but I didn't want to not greet you with a kiss. Besides you looked like you were worried about something," he comments and I smile.
"I like being able to greet you like this, but I do wish we could in public too, and it wasn't such a secret. And thank you, I needed that. I guess I'm just worried about talking to Audra and Omar, with having to explain everything," I tell him, as my worry begins to return.
"You know, we could go public at some point if you want. After all, we were going to get your name changed once we got home from Vegas," Owen remarks after a moment. "And don't worry about talking to Audra and Omar, they already know a lot of the situation and are happy for us. I don't think they'll be too upset at us, or at least at you when you tell them why you were drinking. They'll probably be more furious at your parents, and with good reason. They might be mad at me for drinking, but I have my own parents so they can't do too much anyway," Owen comments and then kisses my cheek before opening his door to get out. I climb out and instead of going around back we knock on the front door as invited guests and Omar lets us in a moment later.
"Welcome, come on in to the living room. Audra almost has dinner finished," Omar comments as we go in and sit together on the love seat. He then goes to the steps and we hear him call down to Adam and Drew that we have arrived. They bound up the stairs a minute later and enter the living room.
"Hey guys, ready for tonight?" Drew asks with a laugh. "Ow," he calls out when Adam smacks his arm, and we all laugh.
"Don't make them more nervous dude," Adam chastises with a glare at his brother and then sits on the couch.
"So did everything go alright last night and you get everything moved in?" Drew asks rubbing his arm as he sits down, making sure he's not near Adam this time.
"Not really, but I'm living at Owen's for sure now and thanks Drew for helping Owen with the room it means a lot. We didn't move my stuff in yet, just took up a suitcase and duffle last night so I had more clothes. The rest will go up tomorrow from Owen's SUV and then whenever I can get in at my mom's to get the rest of my stuff," I inform them.
"Are you ok? You didn't really tell me how last night with your mom went," Adam comments with a worried look on his face.
"I'd rather only have to say it once if it's ok, so waiting until after dinner would probably be better," I suggest to my best friend, whose face takes on an almost scared look but he nods in understanding.
"Ok, but I definitely want to know," he tells me and I nod this time.
"I promise because I'll have to explain why I was drinking to your parent's, and I'm sure they'll want to know about my mom's reaction," I tell them as Audra walks in. She gives me a funny look so I'm not sure if she heard me or not, but she doesn't say anything.
"Alright get washed up for dinner guys," she tells us and then walks back into the kitchen.
We all wash up and then enjoy a nice home-cooked Italian meal after Omar says grace. We enjoy pleasant conversation and I almost forget about our conversation after dinner. Almost. But nothing is brought up about it during dinner.
"Did everyone have enough to eat?" Audra asks, and we all nod. She stands up and begins to pick up plates. I do the same without even thinking about it picking up mine and Owen's plates. "You're a guest Clare. You can sit down," she comments when she notices.
"That's ok Audra, but you've provided for all of us dinner, money, snacks, tv and movies, love and caring, this is something small I can do to help," I respond and then walk toward the kitchen.
"She may be young, but you've got yourself a good wife Owen, hold on to her," I hear Omar comment as I leave the room and I can't help but smile. I put the dishes in the dishwasher and turn to see Audra smiling at me.
"Can I help with dessert?" I ask.
"Sure Clare, that's sweet of you. I've got the pie, can you please scoop the ice cream," she suggests and I nod.
When we have served dessert I sit next to Owen again and he puts his arm around my shoulders and then putting his fingers to my other cheek, turns my head toward him and kisses me, with a passion, although the kiss is short given we are at dinner in someone else's home. "I can't wait until I can do that in public," he comments smiling.
I smile and kiss his lips quickly once more. "Me either," I comment and then he let's go as we begin eating dessert.
"We'd like to know why you both broke US laws and were drinking while you were under our supervision on the weekend. We know you're both teenagers and some teens do stupid things, and that you are legally able to drink here Owen, but we also thought you knew better, and we could trust you," Audra comments once everyone has finished eating but we're still at the table.
Owen and I look at each other, and he nods his head. "I guess I wasn't really thinking about what could happen or why I did it," he begins. "I was excited about getting through a tough first year, and after B and Drew didn't get married, meaning we didn't get a reception, I decided I wanted to celebrate anyway. I grabbed a bottle from the ballroom, and began drinking, but it hit me hard. I'm not even sure now what I had. I had quit drinking after I stopped hanging out at the ravine, but even then I wasn't a huge drinker cause of hockey and such, so I guess the alcohol hit me harder than I expected," he tells Audra and Omar. "I still don't remember anything much after that until I woke up with a fuzzy, pounding head with Clare asleep beside me," Owen admits.
"Alright Owen, we understand the year was tough. Being excited and wanting to celebrate being done the year is one thing but you need to think about the consequences of your actions, not just for yourself but for those around you. You could have been hurt, but what if you had been caught. You were our responsibility and yes you're 19, but it was still illegal. You or we could have been charged that night. We aren't your parents, and I know you have told them given the situation, but we'd like to know why you think we should trust you again, given that you broke a federal law this weekend," Omar speaks directly to Owen, and I can see Owen take a deep breath thinking before he speaks.
"You both know I've made some mistakes, but I learn from my mistakes. I learned that how much bullying could hurt in general and that I was just as bad a bully as those who picked on Tris, when I bullied Adam and Drew and that just because someone asks or pressures me to do something is not a good enough reason I should do it, especially if it feels wrong. And although it doesn't always make it better after the fact, I've learned to apologize for my choices when they hurt someone else. As I've apologized to Adam and Drew as well as the both of you," Owen explains and the whole family nods. "But I think, when you're ready, you'll be able to trust me again because I am not only apologizing but I am taking full responsibility for my mistakes," he says and then pushes back his chair and stands up which surprises everyone.
"Owen, what are you doing?" Drew comments, but Owen just looks straight at Drew's parents.
"I'd like to apologize to you both, for the bad judgement choices I made on Friday night. I not only put myself in possible danger but I could have gotten you both, or even everyone on the trip into trouble because I wanted to celebrate and didn't think of the consequences and for that I am truly sorry, and I'm sorry I lost your trust," he tells them, and then all of a sudden has picked up my hand and is looking straight down at me. "Clare, I know we both made choices that night, but I want to apologize for mine because if I hadn't made the choice to drink like I did then you wouldn't be in the situation you are in now, so I'm sorry for my choices, but to be honest I can't call my choices mistakes, because although it was unexpected, I am happy that my choices led to us getting married, although I am sorry that it and that whole night are something neither of us remember. You deserve so much more than that and I would very much like to give you a wedding you can remember one day. So although I made some bad decisions, those decisions led me to you Clare, so even though I may have lost your trust Mr. and Mrs. Torres, I don't regret my decisions, because then I wouldn't have Clare," Owen tells the room, and I can feel the tears building in my eyes, and I hear a sniffle. But I can't turn around as Owen kneels down and kisses me softly and tenderly, and I feel such love in this kiss, and I'm sure I want forever with this man.
When he pulls away he sits in his chair again and then hands me a napkin to wipe my eyes. Once I'm finished, Owen takes my hand and puts our interlocked hands on the dining room table for the whole family to see, and he looks proud.
It takes a minute for either Audra or Omar to speak, but after wiping her eyes Audra starts with, "thank you Owen. We know you're a young man who does learn from his mistakes, and we thank you for the apology, and we accept it. But are also happy that although it wasn't the smartest decision, that you are happy with the outcome of this weekend's decision. We do however want to remind you that not all choices end positively or even safely like this one did, and you need to remember that when you decide to do something. Choices have consequences, and you need to think about those before you do something you may regret one day," Audra tells him.
Owen nods, "yes ma'am I understand," he answers.
"I've being telling my boys this since they were just little Owen, but I feel it's something you need to think about. Trust can be lost in a moment but can take a lifetime to earn back. We trusted you all this weekend, and were disappointed by some of you," Omar says, but this time is looking at Drew, who hangs his head. "You have our trust Owen, don't ruin it, because it is something worth far more than a drink or a choice that may have serious consequences. Think next time before you act son," he says looking back it Owen.
"Yes sir," comes out but simultaneously as both Owen and Drew answer Omar.
"Now Clare can you tell us why you were drinking on Friday night?" Audra comments. "I didn't even think you drank," she finishes and I sigh slightly and then raise my head to look directly at Adam who meets my gaze, and then turn it to look at his parents to begin my explanation.