"The One" – Part 26

Summary and additional notes in part 1.

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews!

So, this is usually the chapter where I get stuck when writing long stories. Lucky for me –and you! – that didn't happen this time. Chapter 27 is already in the can :D (and many more)

This is not related to my Degrassi timeline fics. (See my Author's profile for details!)

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Degrassi!

-oOo-

Fiona awoke in the morning with a smile on her face. She savored the feel and warmth of Adam's body against hers. He was still fast asleep, but at some point during the night he snuggled close to her. His arm was wrapped around her middle, and she was certain she could lie like this forever.

Yesterday evening started off well but had ended on a bad note. Their talk helped her to find understanding and their night cap afterward definitely relieved lingering tension. She wanted them to start fresh from this day forward, but she knew it wasn't realistic. If she and Adam were going to make it as a couple they would have to address issues as they came up. Not sweep them under the rug or pretend they didn't exist. He seemed to intrinsically understand that. She was disappointed in herself that she seemed to have trouble doing so.

The truth was, it really bothered her that Adam had been with so many girls. Yes, he was single at the time and free to do whatever he wished, but she found it hard to reconcile his promiscuous past with the memory of the boy she had dated so many years ago. The wide-eyed and innocent boy who couldn't believe his luck that Fiona Coyne liked him back. Back then he only had eyes for her and loved her with all his heart. The Adam she knew today still loved her with all his heart, but he had shared his body with so many others. Perhaps it was irrational, but she felt hurt by this and she wasn't sure how to get past it. She told herself it didn't matter because it all happened before they got back together, but when she came face to face with a girl he had been with, it upset her more than she realized it would.

Adam suddenly shifted in the bed. Moments later he slowly opened his eyes. "Fi?"

She smiled at how sleepy he sounded. "I'm here. Good morning."

He smiled and snuggled closer to her. "Morning," he greeted her.

Despite herself, she softly laughed. "We have to get up soon."

He grumbled. "Why?" He was lying in bed with Fiona in his arms. The moment was perfect. He was content to stay like this all day.

Fiona sat up. "We slept in pretty late. We have to get dressed and grab some food," she told him. "We're going to my parents' later."

Adam sighed as he followed suit. "Right." He was nervous about going to the Coynes, but he would have to face them some time. He ran his hand down her arm. "Do you want to shower first, or should I?"

She grinned. It was good to see that he was onboard with today's activities. "I'll go first." He nodded. "But… I think we should talk."

Adam snapped his eyes to hers, concerned. Those words never led to anything good. "About what?"

Fiona looked away. "You've been really good about communicating how you feel," she started. He looked at her intently as he waited for her to continue. "I need to do better, and I guess there's no time like the present."

Adam blinked. "What do you want to tell me?"

Fiona took a deep breath. "It bothers me that you hooked up with so many girls over the years." When she finished she looked up at him. Adam had a contemplative expression on his face.

"I can't change the past," he said delicately.

"I know," she responded.

"It happened when we weren't dating," he gently reminded her.

"I know that," she stated. She held his eyes.

Adam paused for a moment. "What do you want me to say?" he asked carefully. He didn't want to come off as defensive, but he was thoroughly confused. He didn't know how to make the situation better. He could explain why he had bedded so many girls, but it wouldn't undo the past. Honestly, he wasn't sure what she wanted from him.

"I don't know. But listening, truly listening to me would be a good start," she told him.

He let out a long breath. "Okay."

They watched each other for a long moment.

"What bothers you about it?" he asked her.

She threw him a quizzical look. Wasn't it obvious?

Adam looked back at her expectantly. If they were going to discuss this, they needed to verbalize their feelings.

Fiona shrugged. "I hate the idea of you with other girls," she admitted quietly. She hated feeling jealous and possessive, but unfortunately it made her feel both.

Adam leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "I don't like thinking of you with other people either. When you told me about Beth I was so jealous. I wished you happiness, but it hurt knowing you were with someone else."

Fiona sighed. "It's not the same thing though. I was in a committed relationship."

Adam raised an eyebrow. "It sounds like the non-committed part is an issue for you."

She looked at him. "Wouldn't it bother you, if this was reversed?" she questioned.

Adam thought about it. "Yes. It would," he confirmed. "But… At the end of the day I would have to realize what happened after our break up had nothing to do with me."

Fiona narrowed her eyes. "Are you telling me I should just get over it?"

Adam shook his head. "Not at all. How you feel, is how you feel. I would never try to dictate that!" he assured her. "I'm just trying to fully understand, not just assume."

Fiona sighed again. "I hate this conversation."

Adam had a wry smile. "It's painful," he commiserated. "But the fact that it feels so raw is a sign that it's probably necessary."

Fiona threw a pillow at him. "Can you be a little less Dr. Phil?"

It grazed the side of his head and Adam chuckled. "Will do! Though you might want to work on your aim," he teased.

-oOo-

Adam frowned as he looked at the two outfits that were laid out on the bed. He couldn't make up his mind. He wanted to impress Fiona's parents, but he didn't want to overdress for the occasion. He needed a second opinion. He walked over to the open door of his bedroom and stuck his head out. He smiled when he spotted Gregory sitting on the couch. His friend was munching on dry cereal as he watched TV wearing a t-shirt and sweats.

"Hey man, I need a bit of help," Adam called out.

Gregory looked up and threw him a quizzical look. "With?"

"Can you come here?" Adam asked him as he gestured towards his room.

Gregory sighed and moved to stand up. He stretched for a bit before walking over to his friend. "Wow, I'm actually allowed into your love cave?" he joked.

Adam smiled as he shook his head. "My lady is taking a shower," he told him.

"Ah," Gregory nodded. "I knew there was a catch!" he laughed. "So what can I help you with?"

Adam pointed at the outfits. "So, I'm meeting Fiona parents again, after seven years. I want to look good but I don't want to overdo it."

Gregory snorted. "You're asking me a fashion question?"

Adam shrugged.

"Shouldn't you pick Fiona's brain on this? After all she's the expert," Gregory quipped. He noted Adam's hesitancy and added, "Oh, I get it. You're still in the dog house."

Women were complicated. He had been skeptical when Fiona said she was fine with what happened yesterday. Gregory had a hunch that it would bother her, after all she really loved the guy.

Adam sighed. "No, we talked about it last night… And again this morning."

Gregory sent him a sympathetic look. Back in college Adam's luck with girls made a lot of guys envious, but his past was hurting him now. "Are you guys okay now?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "She's upset and I understand, I do. But at the same time, there's nothing I can do to change it. I feel… powerless."

Gregory rubbed his chin as he thought about it. He idly noted that he needed to shave. "Maybe it's one of those things that just needs time. You're with Fiona now, and you're not going to be with anyone else. A few years from now who you were with will be a distant memory."

Adam had a wry smile. "If only I could fast forward," he said wistfully.

Gregory lightly punched his arm. "Dude, it's going to be okay. You'll get through this," he assured him. "Right now, it's best to focus on the present. I vote for the light blue button down shirt and khakis. With the other one, I feel dress pants would be overkill."

Adam looked down at the clothes and nodded. "Good point!"

.

tbc

A/N: Yeah, she really wasn't over it! It's a good thing their facing their feelings head on. Gregory makes a good point about giving it time.

Reviews are cool to the school :D

In the next chapter, it's time to meet the parents... again!