A/N: This is up late for TWO reasons. #1 it's really long. #2 I had a friend come over, someone I haven't seen in months, and we ended up talking for two hours. MY BAD!
- Update on Dec. 29 at 5:46 pm EST
Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi or it's characters. That is all.
Wow, life sure has changed since December. Honestly if you had told me four months ago that Alex would be involved in a car accident I would have slapped you. If you had told me four months ago that Palex would be back then part of me would have believed you because I was always holding on to some hope that they would get back together. I feel like finally everything is back to normal.
After Christmas Alex was released from the hospital and was able to come back home. Mom and Brian really wanted Alex to live back at home with them but we insisted that Alex stay at the condo. Alex was able to go back to school when the semester started back up. My parents and I wanted her to take a semester off but she refused to. Paige has, of course, has been at the condo 24/7 ever since we came back from New York. Last I heard Sage and Alex are keeping their distance from each other. Alex didn't want to hurt Sage anymore than she already has and decided that giving Sage space would be good for her to heal.
It's February which means Paige is busy getting her summer collection together. Apparently her collection is the most highly anticipated collection of the season. All I know is that when Paige isn't working she's with Alex. Alex still has the cast on her arm and it has to been on there for two more months. Alex isn't too happy about that since she's having trouble writing, and other things I'd rather not mention. They removed the brace for her leg but she had to go through a little bit of physical therapy for it. She still walks kind of funny but I think in a few weeks she'll be back to normal.
I've been working a lot at the station lately. I'm still on the 11pm to 5am shift because of all the time I took off to take care of Alex. The station completely understood my need to take off but it also kind of hurt me. Beth is still busy studying and taking classes at Vet school. She's really happy and she always looks excited to go to class.
I'm chillin in the living room right now watching television. It's Sunday which means it's my day off. I like to watch TV on my off days. Paige and Alex are upstairs yelling about something. I don't know why they're yelling. They just got back together. Uh-oh, I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. I do not have a good feeling about this.
Palex walks into the living room and now they're standing in front of me.
"Jordan, we need your help," Paige says.
I groan. Well there goes my day off.
"Do I have to?" I ask.
"Yes," Alex says.
I sigh. "Ok, what's up?"
"We need couple's counseling," Paige says.
I raise my eyebrow. "Umm… ok? And you need me to recommend someone to you?"
Paige is shaking her head. "We need you to be the counselor."
"Umm… You do know I'm not a counselor right? I didn't even take a single psychology or sociology class in college."
"Well Lexie doesn't want to go to an actually professional."
"I don't want some stranger all up in our business," Alex says defensively.
"But you want me all up in your business?" I ask.
Alex scoffs. "Please you're already in our business all the time anyway."
Ok she may have a point there.
"This way we don't have to pay anyone," Alex says.
"Oh so really you want to use me because you don't have to pay me?" I ask.
Paige rolls her eyes. "Hon will you just do this for us or not?" Paige asks.
Well it is Sunday which means there's nothing that good on TV anyway. I might as well. I mean Beth is hanging out with her brother all day today so it's not like I have anything else to do.
"Ok," I tell them. I stand up. "You two sit on the couch. I'll go get one of the dining room chairs and a pad and pencil."
Counseling Session:
Let me just say that I feel really smart and cool right now. I'm sitting in a chair across from Palex with a notebook and pencil in my hand. I'm also wearing my smart looking glasses. They're glasses that I have just to have that make me look smart.
"So tell me," I start, speaking in a German accent. "What brings you into my office today?"
Alex shakes her head. "Cut the bad German accent Jordan," she says. "Just act normal."
"Ok fine. Why are you taking away my Sunday from me?"
"Well seeing as this is like the millionth time we've started a relationship with each other I want to make sure that we don't mess up this time," Paige says. "I think there are certain issues we need to discuss and talk aboot."
"Alrighty, and Alex do you agree?"
Alex is nodding her head. "I definitely want to make this work this time around and I agree that there are issues we need to talk aboot."
"Alright. Well how about we start with the biggest issue at hand."
"Paige coming out to her parents," Alex says.
"My work," Paige says at the same time as Alex.
Whoa. Paige and Alex are looking at each other with the same expression of disbelief on their faces.
"Your work?" Alex asks. "What aboot your work?"
"Well sometimes my work will take me away from the city," Paige says. "Sometimes I'll have to go to New York, or L.A., or even Paris. As a fashion designer I have to travel for my job so I might not always be here. And what aboot me coming out to my parents?"
"Well Paigey don't you think it's aboot time you did that?" Alex asks. "I mean that was one of the reasons why it was difficult for us to get back together four years ago."
"No, I believe the issue was me dealing with labeling myself which I have come to terms with. I don't believe in labels but if I have to label myself, then I'm bisexual."
"Well it's nice that you've finally come to terms with labels and what not but don't you think it's important for this relationship that you come out to your parents?"
"Alex does have a point," I tell them. "If you want this relationship to work then not only do you have to be true to yourself but you also need to be true to those closest to you."
Paige is looking between Alex and me. "What am I suppose to do?" she asks. "Go to my parents' house, knock on the door, and say 'Hey Mom and Dad! I'm leaving for Florida to go launch my summer line and by the way Alex and I are dating!'?"
"Well I wasn't suggesting that exactly but you can do that if that's what you want," I tell her.
"Paige it's not that big of a deal," Alex says. "You're 23 years old. You're a grown woman. I think your parents would understand that this is your life and you're going to live it as you please."
Paige sighs. "Can we move on to a different topic now?" she asks.
I look at her. "Ok," I tell her. "But we'll come back to this issue later. Moving on…"
Later:
Two hours later and we're still sitting down here. Alex and Paige have discussed everything from their exes to how each of them was feeling during different events through the years. We calmly talked about the Hollywood disaster. Paige admitted that she was jealous that Alex was in a successful loving relationship while she was out in L.A. alone. Alex admitted that the reason why she pulled away when Paige tried to kiss her was because she was afraid the kiss would lead to something more and she didn't want to cheat on Sage nor did she want to admit to herself that she still had feelings her Paige.
Paige admitted her dislike for Sage, although Alex and I both already knew that. Alex admitted that while she was with Sage Paige was always in the back of her mind but that she really wanted to move on with her life and she was hoping that proposing to Sage would finally make her feelings for Paige go away completely. Paige admitted that the reason she stayed was Griffin was because she didn't want to be alone again, although he might have had potentially infected her with HIV and he helped her from thinking about Alex as much. Alex admitted that she went ape shit on Griffin was because not only was she pissed about him having HIV and not telling Paige before he slept with her but also she didn't like the way he looked. Alex said she thought he looked like a douche bag. I really need this "session" to be over.
"Ok, is there anything else you two are keeping from each other that you'd like to talk about?" I ask.
Paige looks down at the floor and Alex's eyes are roaming, looking everywhere but at Paige. Ok, these two are definitely hiding something from each other.
"Ok, there's obviously something that you two are keeping from each other that you want to discuss," I tell them. "Paige, do you want to go first?"
Paige turns and looks at Alex.
"Hon, there's something I've never told you aboot before," Paige says, her voice cracking.
Tears are slowly beginning to fall down her face. I run to the kitchen and grab the box of Kleenex off the counter. I come back to the living room and put the box down beside Paige.
"Do you remember how hesitant I was to be intimate with you in high school?" Paige asks.
Ok I feel a bit uncomfortable now.
Alex nods her head. "Yeah," Alex says. "I was hesitant too. It was both our first times being with a girl."
Paige is shaking her head. "But I was scared," she says.
Alex takes Paige's hand. "Paige it's ok," she tells her calmly. "You can tell me anything."
Paige takes a deep breath. "Back in grade nine I went to a party," she starts, her voice sounding shaky. "There was a boy there that I liked. I flirted with him and we went upstairs."
Ok, I 'm not liking where this story is heading.
"We started kissing," Paige continues. "He- he…"
The tears begin falling down Paige's face as she cries.
"I told him no," Paige cries. "I told him no!"
Alex instantly has her arms around Paige, holding her.
"Paigey, why didn't you tell me before?" Alex asks.
"Because I didn't want to burden you with something so horrible that happened to me years ago," Paige tells her. "I didn't want you to look at me differently or be afraid to touch me."
"Paigey, you could NEVER burden me with your past," Alex says sincerely. Alex pulls away slightly to look at Paige. "What's the name of the asshole that did this to you? I'll go kick his ass right now!"
Yeah, because even though she has a messed up leg and a broken arm Alex can still kick some guy's ass. Or at least she thinks she can.
Paige wipes away the tears falling down her face and she's shaking her head. "No hon," she says. "I already got my revenge. Aboot two years later I was at a party with Dylan, Marco, and Spinner after helping Dylan move in and I… I sort of took Spinners car and crashed it into the guy's car."
Alex's eyes widen. "Is that why you had to pay Spinner back?" she asks.
Paige is nodding her head. "Yeah, I kind of totaled the back of his car, but at least I got my revenge."
Alex pulls Paige back into her arms and kisses her on the forehead. "I'm so sorry that happened to you," she says sincerely. "And I'm so sorry you were afraid to tell me."
"Hon, it's ok," Paige says. Paige pulls back a little and looks at Alex. "I'm ok now."
Whew! Lots of emotion in this room right. I just had to wipe a tear away. I clear my throat.
"That was… very strong of you Paige," I tell her as my voice cracks from all of the emotions that I'm feeling right now.. "Ok, I think we're done."
"Wait," Alex says suddenly. "I have something to say." Alex looks really scared and nervous. She looks at Paige. "I have to tell you something that only four people know aboot."
Alex looks at me. Oh my God, is she really going to tell her? Alex looks back at Paige.
"It's something I should have told you a long time ago," Alex says, her voice cracking.
"Alex…" I start. "Are you sure?"
Alex nods her head. Now Paige looks scared.
"Lexie what is it?" she asks. "You can tell me anything hon. I love you."
"You might hate me after I tell you," Alex says.
Paige places her hands on Alex's face. "I could never hate you," she says seriously.
Alex takes a deep breath. "It's aboot Rick Murray."
Paige seems confused. "What aboot him?"
Alex gulps. "I-I… It's my fault the shooting happened," she says, her voice shaking. "It's my fault Jimmy got shot."
"Hon, what are you talking aboot? Spinner and Jay confessed that they were the ones who pulled the prank and told Rick that it was Jimmy who did it."
Alex is shaking her head. "I was vice president which meant I had keys and access to the backstage area. He pissed us off that day and anger and hatred was clouding my judgment. I went backstage during the lighting round and set up the paint and feathers. I'm the reason why Rick was humiliated. I'm the reason why he went off and brought a gun to school. It's my fault. And that's the reason why Jordan stopped talking to me. She tried to stop me that day but I didn't listen."
Tears are pouring down Alex's face right now. This has to be the most emotional thing I've ever witness in my whole life.
"Paige I'm so sorry," Alex cries. "I'm so sorry!"
Paige looks lost. She's opening and closing her mouth, not sure what to say. I'm just sitting here, not sure what to say myself.
Paige turns to Alex. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asks.
"Jordan had already stopped talking to me for what I had done. And you had already shut Spinner out of your life when he confessed to what he did. When you and I had started dating I wanted to tell you so many times but I was so scared that you would hate me. I couldn't even handle the thought of you leaving me and hating me."
Paige rests her forehead against Alex's. "Hon, I could never hate you," Paige whispers. "I wish you would have told me sooner though."
"I know," Alex cries. "I'm just so sorry. It's my fault Jimmy got shot. It's my fault Rick ended up dead that day."
"Shh," Paige whispers. "It's not your fault. It's not your fault that Rick came back to school with a gun. You didn't give him the gun. You didn't tell him to shoot Jimmy." Paige gently grabs Alex's face and looks her straight in the eyes. "It is not your fault Alex. You made a mistake but it's not your fault."
"How can you just forgive me?" Alex asks.
"Because I love you and love is aboot forgiveness."
More tears fall down Alex's face. "I love you too. I love you so much."
Both of them lean in and now they're kissing. They're still kissing. Ok this kissing looks like it's getting pretty heated. Paige falls backward on the couch and now Alex is hovering over her and they're still kissing. Um… ok… I think it's time for me to leave.
"I'm just going to go now," I tell them
No response from either one of them. No surprise there. I get up from my seat and go upstairs. I look back at the kissing couple. Jeez, I really hope they don't have sex on the couch.
Later:
"Jordan. Jordan, wake up."
Is someone calling out my name? I turn in my bed. I'm trying to enjoy the rest of my nap. Maybe this person will go away.
"Jordan!" the person calls out my name again, this time loud.
Ahh! Why is this person shaking me?
"Jorda, get up!" the person yells.
Ugh! I reluctantly open my eyes. Paige is standing above me.
"What?" I ask. "I'm trying to enjoy a nap."
"I need you to come somewhere with me," she says.
I turn and look at the clock. It reads 5 pm. "Where are we going?" I ask. "We have dinner in two hours."
Every since we got back after Alex's accident all of us have been going to my parents' house on Sunday nights. Mom and Brian claimed that life is too short and that families need to spend more time together. Now every Sunday night we have dinner at their house.
"I know," Paige says. "It'll be really quick."
"Why do I have to go?" I ask. "Why can't Alex go?"
"Because Alex is sleeping."
"And so was I!"
"Hon," she says in a pleading tone. "I need some support. Will you please come with me, please?"
Her voice sounds slightly scared and her eyes are pleading to me. Ugh, damn my heart of gold.
"Fine," I tell her and reluctantly get out of my bed. "But we have to make this quick. I was supposed to bring a pie to dinner tonight."
"It'll be really quick," Paige says. "I promise."
Michalchuks' House:
Paige and I are standing in front of her parents' house. I'm not one hundred percent sure why though. Well I'm not one hundred percent sure why I'm here exactly.
"Paige, are you going to do what I think you're going to do?" I ask.
Paige is nodding her head. "Yep."
"Why am I here then?" I ask.
"Because hon I need some support and unfortunately Beth hadn't come back yet."
Nice to know I'm her second choice. Paige knocks on the door. I'm holding my breath, I don't even know why. The door opens.
"Paige!" Mrs. Michalchuk says surprised and excited. "I didn't know you were coming over today. Come in darling, come in."
Paige walks into the house and I'm right behind her.
"I'm so happy to see you," Mrs. Michalchuk tells Paige. She pulls her in for a hug. Now she's looking at me. "It's nice to see you too Jordan."
"Hello Mrs. Michalchuk," I greet her.
Mrs. Michalchuk waves me off. "Please Jordan, call me Rose. How's Alex by the way?"
"Alex is good," I tell her. "She can almost walk back to normal."
"That's really good. I'm so happy to hear that."
"Mom, is Dad here?" Paige asks.
"Of course of course," Mrs. Michalchuk answers. "Roger!" Mrs. Michalchuk calls out Mr. Michalchuk's name. "Paige and Jordan are here!" Mrs. Michalchuk turns back to Paige. "What's up honey?"
"I just need to tell you and Dad something," Paige says.
A look of concern appears on Mrs. Michalchuk's face. "Aboot what honey?"
"I just need to talk to you and Dad."
Mr. Michalchuk walks into the foyer. "Hello sweetie!" he greets Paige. "Jordan," he greets me and holds out his hand.
I shake Mr. Michalchuk's hand. "Hello Mr. Michalchuk," I greet him. "How are you?"
"Please Jordan, call me Roger. I'm good. How are you? How's married life?"
"I'm great and married life is terrific."
"That's good to hear. Sorry the Mrs. and I couldn't be at the wedding. But I hope you got our present."
I'm nodding my head. "Yes I did," I tell him. "Beth absolutely loves the mixer. She's always using it."
"That's good," Mrs. Michalchuk says. "See Roger I told you that was the perfect gift to get them."
"As always dear you were right," Mr. Michalchuk says.
Paige's parents lead us to the living room. Mr. and Mrs. Michalchuk sit on the couch while Paige sits down on the futon across from them. I'm standing up against the wall. Ya know, just in case I need to make a quick exit.
"Jordan dear, wouldn't you like to sit down?" Mrs. Michalchuk asks me.
"Oh no thank you," I answer. "Standing up burns more calories."
"Hmm." Mrs. Michalchuk turns to Paige. "Ok honey, what do you want to talk to us aboot?"
Paige takes a deep breath. "Well first I want to tell you two that I love you so much. If it wasn't for you two I wouldn't be where I am right now."
"Paige honey, we love you too," Mr. Michalchuk says. "What is this aboot?"
"Well you know how I went to New York when Alex got in her car accident?"
They're both nodding their heads.
"And I told you I went there to be there for her because we're friends. Well that wasn't the complete truth." Paige takes another deep breath. "The real reason I went to New York to see if Alex was ok was because… I love her."
I just exhaled a breath I didn't even know I was holding in. Mr. and Mrs. Michalchuk are just looking at Paige.
"I'm bisexual," Paige says. "And I have been for awhile now. Alex and I dated back in high school and then again when I came back home from Banting and now we're back together."
Still silence. Usually a long period of silence is not a good sign.
"I love Alex, I really do," Paige continues. "And I just hope me loving her doesn't stop you two from loving me." Paige's voice just cracked which means she's on the verge of crying.
"Paige we could never stop loving you," Mr. Michalchuk says.
"You're our daughter Paige," Mrs. Michalchuk says. "We'll always love you no matter what."
Oh thank God! I thought Mrs. Michalchuk was about to break down and cry. Paige is looking at her parents.
"You mean you're not disappointed?" she asks.
Mrs. Michalchuk looks confused. "Paige, why would we ever be disappointed in you just because you love a girl?"
"Because Dylan is gay and I'm supposed to give you grandchildren!"
Mr. and Mrs. Michalchuk are looking at each other. They look back at Paige.
"You'd think we'd be disappointed at you because of grandchildren?" Mr. Michalchuk asks. "Paige you're 23 years old. You shouldn't even be having children right now. Besides there's always adoption."
Wow they are taking this a whole lot better than I thought they were going to. Paige seems really relieved and a bit confused.
"Sweetie, why do you look confused?" Mrs. Michalchuk asks. Mrs. Michalchuk looks over at me. "You looked shocked and confused as well Jordan."
"I didn't think you'd take it this well," Paige says honestly.
"Paige we accepted your brother for who he is," Mr. Michalchuk tells her. "Why wouldn't we accept you?"
Paige shrugs her shoulders. "I don't know."
"Besides we already knew aboot you and Alex," Mrs. Michalchuk says nonchalantly, as if it's no big deal.
Wait, what?
"What?" Paige exclaims. "How?"
Mrs. Michalchuk starts laughing softly. "Well one day a few years ago I came over to the apartment to come talk to you aboot something. I walk in and I went to your bedroom. It was pretty early and when I opened the door I saw you and Alex sleeping in your bed. You two clearly didn't have any clothes on underneath the covers."
A look of horror appears on Paige's face. I'm quietly laughing. This is kind of funny.
"I'm not too old to put two and two together dear," Mrs. Michalchuk says.
"Why are you just NOW telling me this?" Paige asks. "Why didn't you ever say anything?"
"Because I wasn't sure if it was an experiment or something real. Besides I figured if it was real then sooner or later you'd tell me yourself. I learned many years ago at a PFLAG meeting that you must wait till your children are ready to tell you themselves. You're not supposed to pressure them into saying anything, so I didn't."
"Well jeez Mom, you pressured me aboot telling you everything else. I've been keeping this a secret for years!"
"I'm sorry darling!" Mrs. Michalchuk exclaims. "I didn't know it was eating you up inside. Next time I'll pressure you to come out to me."
Paige looks at her dad. "And why didn't you say anything?"
"Anything that deals with you and no clothes immediately gets blocked from my brain and memory," Mr. Michalchuk says. "The thought of my little girl in bed naked with anyone, guy or girl, makes me want to jump into a time machine and go back to when you were three and thought everyone was icky."
Wow.
Paige is smiling at her parents. "I love you two," she says.
They all get up and hug. Aww it's a family Michalchuk hug. Now all we need is Dylan.
"And we love you Paige," Mrs. Michalchuk says.
"No matter who you love," Mr. Michalchuk adds.
Wow, well today sure was interesting. I did not expect my Sunday to turn into this. I wonder what'll happen next Sunday.
A/N: I caught you and your girlfriend naked while you two were sleeping - that could have been the title of this chapter. LOL!