Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi or the characters
Clare's POV
"Clare! Wake up it's 11am!" Eli yelled
"Huh?" I groaned trying to comprehend everything
"You have to get home it's 11am." Eli stated opening the hatch
"Eli, I don't want to go home."
"You have to Clare it's going to be ok. I'll explain everything."
I got out of the back, we both got in Morty, Eli put the key in the ignition, and drove off once I was seat belted. I grabbed his hand and held it tightly I was too afraid to go home, too afraid of what my dad might do or say.
"Are you ok?" Eli asked
"I'm afraid." I muttered with my head down
"There's nothing to be afraid of I'll be going in with you. I'll explain everything, don't worry."
I couldn't muster up any words so I just nodded. We were at my house before I knew it; the ride seemed 3 seconds long.
Eli opened my door, stuck his head inside, and kissed me really passionately much like the kisses from last night when the nuggets were cooking.
I got out and held Eli's hand all the way to my door I squeezed it once we got inside.
"Clare you're 12 hours late and didn't even call!" my dad yelled as he read the paper not even taking his eyes off it.
I jumped, lowered my head, and started to cry. I felt Eli jump too. I wasn't ready to let go of Eli's hand.
"Clare it's ok" Eli cooed as he wiped the tears away.
"I don't hear you saying anything." my dad bellowed
"Yes sir I am aware I'm late." I said softly trying to suck in my tears my dad gets angrier when I cry afraid of what was going to happen next.
"Now that we got that cleared up come over here." my dad ordered
I couldn't move I knew what was going to happen; I didn't move nor say anything, I just sobbed.
"Are you crying?" he asked
"Yes sir." my voice was shaking
My dad put his paper down and looked towards Eli and I.
"Who are you and what are you doing with my daughter?" He questioned looking at Eli
"Sir my name is Eli, I'm the reason why Clare is late, I took her to a carnival across town and we fell asleep in the back of my car. Don't worry I wouldn't touch your daughter"
"Clare, come here!" my dad demanded as he pointed to the ground in front of him
"She's not a dog!" Eli fumed as he held me back from moving
"And who do you think you are to tell me how I should talk to my daughter?"
"I'm her boyfriend." Eli expressed proudly
My dad walked over to me, glared at me, then glared at Eli.
"Where's mom?" I commanded softly, Eli let go of my hand.
"Not home. How could you stay out all night with a guy?"
"Dad I love him." I whispered happily
I felt my dad hit my face and I fell to the ground with the amount of force he used. I couldn't move I didn't feel pain I didn't feel anything everything was black.
Eli's POV
I noticed Clare laying there on the floor not moving. I realized why she was afraid to come home, if only I realized this sooner I would've took her to my place and talked to her more.
"You have no business hitting Clare like that." I said to her dad, in return he rammed me into the wall. "So do you solve everything with violence? It's no wonder why Clare's afraid of you" I sneered
I guess it struck a chord because he moved away from me and looked at Clare who was still on the floor unconscious.
'Don't you dare touch her. I'm bring her with me can you get me her stuff she'll be living with me from now on." I said to her dad as I moved my hair out of my eyes
"Is she really afraid to come home?" He uttered
"Yes" I told him as I sat bent over Clare, I gently moved the hair away from her face. I seen a bruise already starting to form.
"I'll get you her stuff."
Mr. Edwards came back with all of Clare's things as I was starting to put her in Morty; he put some of her things in the back, he got most of her things loaded up before I got her seat belted.
"I'll come back for the rest of Clare's things later. Take a good look at what you did to her, I'm taking her to the hospital you should get some help." I mumbled
I got into the drivers seat Clare was laying down her head was pushed up against my leg. I was rubbing her face while I was driving to the hospital trying not to speed like I wanted to. Morty hadn't broken down all week and I was hoping it wouldn't break down today. I stopped at a red light and looked down at Clare she looked so sweet as if she were sleeping. I whispered "I love you Clare" knowing she might not hear me. I was thinking the worst and felt a tear fall from my face. Then the light turned green and my eyes started to fill with tears and my vision started to blur; I knew it was dangerous to drive like this, but I had to get Clare to the hospital, then I felt a hand on my face.
"Eli what's wrong?" I heard in the sweetest voice ever
"Clare you're ok." I exclaimed as I pulled the car over.
"Why wouldn't I be ok?" she asked
Without saying anything I hugged her and kissed her really hard, then started to drive off again.
"Your dad hit you and knocked you unconscious for about 30 minutes now. I'm taking you to the hospital for a possible concussion and you're moving in with me" I explained
"Eli, I'm fine. I don't need to go to the hospital"
"Clare, I want proof that you don't have a concussion" I said as I drove up to the hospital's parking lot.
"Eli I'm ok can we just go home"
"Not until the Doctors tell me you're ok."
"Fine." she sighed
I found a parking spot and helped Clare out of the car. When we got into the hospital the doctor seen her right away I had to sit in the waiting room, so I called my mom.
'Mom I need to talk to you"
"What's wrong baby boy, where are you it's loud in the background?"
"I'm in the hospital I'm ok, Clare's dad hit her this morning she was unconscious for half an hour. I'm going to tell the doctor she's moving in with me and since I'm 17 they'll need your consent."
"Ok well I'll call her parent…"
"Mr. and Mrs. Edwards"
"I'll call Mr. and Mrs. Edwards and get them to give you custody of her even though she's your girlfriend she's 16 and by law in order to legally live with you , you have to have custody or guardianship and in this case since Clare is getting abused you have to have custody of her. I'll call her dad and get her information that I need to add her to your medical insurance and I'll pay for the hospital bill. I'm fixing everything on the contract now you don't have to sign it again since I still have the original in my computer. I'll e-mail it to you and you'll need to print it out and I'll also e-mail one to the principal. Thank you for telling me and go over the rules with her and since Clare will be under your care I'm hiring a maid."
"Mom it'll be weird having custody of my girlfriend because she's my girlfriend not my kid."
"Well if I get custody of her it would be like you're dating your sister and I think you'd find that would be equally weird."
"Yea that would be gross, but it'll still be weird because I have custody of my girlfriend mom, my girlfriend can't you just type up a contract stating that she's emancipated like you did for me which takes away her parents rights to her?"
"Hmmm I forgot about that… I could do that, but I'd have to add her to the contract, but right now since she's still under her parents care you have to sign as her guardian to get her out of the hospital"
"Thank you mom."
"You're welcome,I love you Eli"
"I love you too mom"
Right after I hung up the phone I had to talk to a doctor with Clare in the room so they can get both sides.
"I need to know what happened." the doctor said
"Well sir, I got home way past curfew and got into an argument with my dad.."
"I tried to defend her and explain why she was late." I added
"Then my dad hit me and I don't remember anything except for waking up in a car with Eli on the way here"
"How long was she unconscious?"
"30 minutes" I told him
"Well we need to take her away from your dad."
"I already did that sir, she's moving in with me, my mom already said it was ok and her stuff is in the back of my car." I stated
"Well that's fine, but I'll need to talk to your mom so she can verify that Ms. Edwards is able to move in and then I need to talk to Mr. Edwards so he can also verify it."
I started to dial my mom's cell phone number and held out my phone towards the doctor.
"Here's my phone I dialed my mom for you." I said
The doctor left the room to talk to my mom.
"Clare what did he say?" I inquired walked up to Clare to check on her
"I don't have a concussion I'm ok, I just have a bruise from where he hit me. I'll have to take pain medicine and it'll take a few days to heal."
"Ok" I kissed her.
"Ok your mom verified everything Mr. Goldsworthy." The doctor said as he gave me my phone back.
"Here's my cell phone I'll dial my dad's number."
The doctor took Clare's phone and yet again left the room.
"So your mom actually said I can move in?" Clare sounded excited
"Yes, but there are a few things I need to tell you."
"I know you need to tell me the rules so do we have chores?"
"Not really just do homework and get good grades."
"That's more of a rule and not a chore." Clare giggled as the doctor came in.
"Both sides confirmed that Ms. Edwards now lives with you Mr. Goldsworthy. Since Mr. and Mrs. Edwards still have custody you're her active guardian right now I'll need you to sign her release papers since an adult over 18 can't."
I signed the papers, then handed them to the doctor.
"Ok you're now free to go." He chimed
"Ok so what's going on now who has custody or whatever over me?" Clare requested as she hopped off the hospital bed.
"Ok. Well my parents really aren't on vacation. They're in Germany when I got called out of school it was because I was supposed to move with them, but I refused. I told them since the house is paid for I wouldn't have to worry about a place to stay I can make my own meals, get good grades, and take care of the house. After hearing my reasons the complied and let me stay and it made things easier since my mom's a lawyer she made up a contract I have to abide by. They're currently living on the army base. Since you're underage and don't want to live with your parents my mom is making a document to get you emancipated which you'll have to sign she's also stating in the contract that you'll be living with me." I explained as we walked out of the hospital and got in Morty.
"So your parents went through all that trouble not only to let you stay with me in Degrassi, but also went through more trouble to let me live with you?" Clare asked as we drove off.
"If you want to put it that way."
"So your mom is actually getting my parents to write up a document so I'll be emancipated?"
"Yea, you'll just have to sign the document that my mom sends me and the contract that I've already signed she'll just add a line for you to sign."
"Ok, but what if my parents don't agree to it?"
"Trust me they will and we're home" I said pulling into the drive way.
We exited Morty and I opened the back hatch to get out Clare's belongings.
"I'm going to take your belongings inside. Can you unlock the door and turn off the alarm the remote to the alarm is on my key ring it's the white button." I gave Clare my keys.
"Ok and I didn't know you had an alarm system." she said as she took my keys
"Yea my mom is afraid to go to sleep without an alarm system everywhere we lived we had to have one" I said as I got her bags out of the back there were only two suitcases both huge and on wheels.
"The alarm's off and the door's unlocked."
I shut the hatch and began to walk up the sidewalk to the house.
"Here I'll take on they're on wheels." Clare said as stopped me and gave me my keys
"Ok" I said in fear that an argument would start if I didn't let her take a suitcase I had her suitcase in one hand and my keys in the other.
Clare followed me as I went inside. I picked up her suitcase as I went up the front step into the house and put her suitcase next to the door. I did the same with her other suitcase so she didn't have to lift it.
"Welcome home Clare" I said as she stepped inside and shut the door behind her.
"Thank you Eli"
"For what? I did this because I love you." I smirked as I went up to her kissed her.
I turned on the alarm out of habit and threw my keys on the table and walked to my computer in my "office" as my parents would call it.
"I love you too and if you hadn't come inside with me my dad would have killed me." Clare muttered as she followed me.
"If I would've bought you here and asked you why you didn't want to go home you wouldn't have gotten hit in the first place." I said looking through my e-mails sitting at my desk
"So is this your office?" She asked as she looked around.
Good she sent it. I thought to myself "Yes, this my so called office, my mom believed every one in the family should have one. She and my dad had their own office, my dad's is located downstairs in his so called man cave.." I said as I waited for the document to start printing
"So how many rooms are in this house?"
"Technically 15, upstairs there's four bedrooms two bathrooms one's in the master bedroom, in the basement there's one bedroom, one office that was never used because my dad mainly used my mom's office my dad moved the furniture from his office, one living room which my dad spent most of his time, one bathroom, one bathroom, and one kitchen, on this floor there's a living room, two offices, and a kitchen. Oh I almost forgot the garage." I said as the contract was being printed "Here Clare the emancipation document you need to sign"
"Wow that explains why your house looks like a mansion because it is a mansion and it's already paid for?" She said as she was reading it.
I bought up the contract.
"The only reason we got it is my mom thought we were all going to stay here permanently so she wanted a huge house and paid for it because my mom hates having a mortgage because she said they took too long to pay off so she gave the previous owner the whole $400,000 upfront."
I began to read the contract.
"Here all signed. So what are you reading?"
I took the contract from her and handed her the other one.
"I was just reading over the contract her she forgot how the utilities and alarm system weren't being covered in the last one because she added them in here saying that she's paying for it so they're automatically going to her credit card until I move out, she also changed the amount of money for food it's now $10,000 a month and she added in your allowance, you'll probably have to talk to my mom because she's going to get you a debit card for your allowance and she'll need to set a pin number and you need to sign this too." I answered
"Wow $10,000 for food and $1,000 allowance?"
"Yea my mom gave me a debit card for food, I'll have to give you the pin number for that. I also have a debit card for my allowance you'll have one too."
"Ok all signed"
I scanned the contract into my computer and e-mailed it to my mom.
"Done my mom should have it soon"
Not long after that was said my phone started to ring.
"Hello?" I asked into the phone
"Hi hunny I'm at the bank; how's Clare and are you home?" My mom asked softly on the other end
"Yea she's here and she's ok thank you mom for everything."
"No problem it just shows how much I love you."
"I love you too and I got the new contract."
"I called Clare's dad and he's going to give you Clare's birth certificate and social insurance card, when you get the rest of her things at 3 don't worry it's 2 now. We left yours in our safe, sorry I forgot to tell you until now. The safe is hidden in your office under one of the floor boards the combination is 10-31-10; your favorite holiday and the year we moved in."
"Ok got the combo, thanks again mom."
"You're welcome and I need to talk to Clare because they need a pin number."
"Ok. Hold on." I told my mom. I looked around, but there was no Clare. "Clare?" I yelled out. I waited a few seconds and no answer so I walked into the living room and yelled louder "CLARE!"
"Coming Eli." she yelled happily in return
"Don't do that you scared the hell out of me I thought something happened to you luckily the alarm system is on. Here my mom needs to talk to you. I'll get us something to eat."
I kissed Clare and left her in the living room to talk to my mom about her pin number. I sent my mom a fast e-mail saying she has my permission to copy and paste my signature to get custody of Clare, then I made cheese burgers.
"You mom said she loves us both and I programmed my pin number into my phone and can I have the office next to yours? Your mom mentioned having a safe for me in my office."
"Yea and after we eat I'll get your things. I'm turning on the house alarm when I leave so I won't have to worry about anyone hurting you while I'm not here."
"Ok well I don't think that's going to happen and my pin number is the last four digits of my phone number and that's the number I'll put in my safe once I find it in the floor boards."
"Ok and the burgers are done."
We watched the Vampire Diaries while we were eating and surprisingly I enjoyed every episode it had some blood, twists, turns, death, fighting, amongst much more other things. I didn't really think Clare would watch anything like this. I finished eating at 2:30.
"I gotta go get the rest of your belongings do you want to come or stay here?"
Just then there was a knock at the door. I peeked out the window and it was Clare's dad.
"Clare your dad's here."
"Ok I don't want to see him I'm still afraid he's going to hit me even if you say differently, so I'm going to hide in my office to look for my safe call me when he's gone." Clare said.
Once Clare was in her office I shut off the alarm and opened the door.
"How can I help you?" I asked her dad as I walked outside of the house.
"I just came to drop off the rest of Clare's things." I noticed there was a pile of her belongings stacked up next to the door. "How is she doing?"
"She's got a bruise on her face where you hit her."
"I signed a contract emancipating Clare and I made her mother do the same. Your mom put up a fight with my wife saying she'll take her to court for child abuse and when she'd get custody she'll have both you and Clare move to Germany with her. My wife gave in when your mom told her she's a lawyer and won't lose the case. I got the one back that you signed it's now stamped. I think she sent a copy to the school too."
"That's my mom for you."
"I have her birth certificate, social insurance card, we also added the emancipation document in there for Clare. Where is she?" He asked holding an envelope
"She's inside she doesn't want anything to do with you"
"Oh she's that mad at me?"
"Well you beat the shit out of her and almost gave her a concussion you knocked her unconscious she could've went into a coma, what do you expect her to be happy or something?" I chuckled sarcastically.
He handed me an envelope I looked inside and all her important documents were in there.
"Thank you" I said ready to carry Clare's things inside.
"You're welcome do you need any help?"
"Sure." I answered not wanting him to go inside, but his help would make it faster plus Clare was upstairs away from her dad.
I opened the door and carried in her envelope. I looked behind me and notice Mr. Edwards was following me with two boxes.
"Just put the right here" I said pointing next to the couch as I put down her envelope.
"You sure do have one big place." Mr. Edwards noticed as he put down the boxes and looked around.
"I know my mom thought we were all going to stay here permanently so she made sure it was big and paid off in one payment."
It took a few minutes to carry in the boxes.
"Thank you for your help Mr. Edwards" I said as slid the last two boxes in the door making sure he can't go back inside.
"You're welcome."
I went inside and turned on the house alarm.
"Clare he's gone!" I yelled.
"Finally" She said coming out of a room. "I found my safe like 10 minutes ago and programmed in my combo it's the same as my pin number."
"Here's your important information that you need." I said handing her the envelope.
"I'll put it in my safe before they get lost."
When she got back we talked about sleeping arrangements we decided to sleep in the master bedroom which currently had no furniture. Clare decided to keep her books and her laptop in her office, and her DVD collection would stay with mine in the entertainment center.
While she unpacked her books, laptop, and DVD collection I moved a dresser into the room for Clare, my dad had moved my bed and dresser into the master bedroom once he found out I was staying, guess he didn't tell mom. I got done moving the heavy furniture when Clare was done she helped me move two night tables in our room.
I helped Clare unpack the rest of her belongings which took a few hours, we then sat down on the couch I had my arm around Clare.
"It's 6:30. What do you want to do?" I asked.
"I'd rather just spend time with you than go out." Clare said as she shut off the lamp next to her making the light dim the only light was the setting sun.
Clare and I started kissing; as we moved into a horizontal position my hands rubbed her thighs
"Eli I don't want to do anything intimate"
"I know don't worry I won't have sex with you until you're ready"
About 15 minutes later there was a knock on the door.
"Who the hell comes to a house that has no lights on?" I growled
Clare started to giggle as I got up; I made my way to the window and peeked out.
"It's Adam and I'm hard." I groaned as I backed away from the window
"I'll answer it, Eli what's the code to shut off the alarm?"
I looked over to Clare as she made her way to the alarm, so I made my way to the couch.
"17 35 37, the off button is on the left side at the top." I answered once I sat down.
I watched Clare turn off the alarm and answer the door.
"Hey Clare what are you doing at Eli's and what the hell happened to your face?"
"I live here now and don't ask."
"I'm asking and wow living with your boyfriend. Does Ali know?"
"If you must know my dad hit me and I'm not sure what happened after that you'd have to ask Eli. No you're the only one that knows, come in"
Clare then opened the door for Adam to come in I then grabbed the remote.
"Wow, Eli your place is huge and I thought the outside looked big it's so spacious in here."
"You mean you know where Eli lives, but have never been inside?" Clare questioned
"Well, yea I only came over to get Eli so we could go out."
"Oh."
"So Eli where are your parents I don't see your dad's GMT and why are the lights out."
I looked over at Care when Adam asked about the lights being out and she blushed.
"I'm sorry I interrupted I didn't know Clare would be here."
"It's ok Adam" Clare said
"They're vacation in Germany they wanted me to go with, but I told them I'd rather not"
"You passed up a chance to go to Germany dude are you insane?" Adam yelled
"Well they said it was for the weekend and tomorrow they'll probably call saying they like it so much there that they'll be home in two weeks. If I would've gone and they liked it there a lot they would've made us move there."
"Oh, in that case, dude I'm glad you stayed."
Then there was another knock on the door.
"I'm closer I'll answer it." Adam said
"Look out the window first." I told him
"It's Ali."
"Just open the door and move if not she'll push you out of her way" Clare said
"Ok…" Adam said cautiously
He then stood next to the door, opened it so he was behind it, and in barged Ali like a bat out of Hell.
"Clare I went to your house and your parents said you lived with Eli so I demanded that they give me the address. How could you not tell me? And…why are the lights out?"
"Don't ask" Adam chuckled
We were just so used to it we barely noticed how dark the room was getting.
"Well we've been busy"
"I'm turning on a light." Ali said
"Ali don't!" we all yelled knowing she'd freak out once she seen Clare's face.
"Too late" she said "Clare what the hell happened to your face?"
"Again don't ask" Adam chuckled.
"I'm asking" Ali sneered.
"I took care of the problem" I told her
"My dad hit me" Clare said
"I'm gonna kill him."
"Ali don't worry I don't think he'll be hitting anyone else"
We gathered in the basement, talked, and watched TV until 10, then Clare and I went to bed.
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