"The One" – Part 29

Summary and additional notes in part 1.

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! We'll see if Adam gets a break in this chapter!

Imortal Power - Agreed! Lemons do rock :D

Special Thanks: Whoa! With 180+ reviews this is my most reviewed story ever! Thanks so much guys! It's really awesome hearing what you guys think and writing back too, so keep 'em coming! Lol.

Author's Note # 2: This is not related to my Degrassi timeline fics. (See my Author's profile for details!)

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Degrassi!

-oOo-

Adam smiled at Fiona. The afternoon had gone pretty well. After a slow start, the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. Catching up with Declan and Holly J had been more enjoyable then he thought it would be. And it was an entirely difference experience spending time with her parents as adults. They could relate more as equals, so it wasn't as scary as it was in the old days.

He was looking forward to dinner, which would be served in the next fifteen minutes or so. He leaned closer to his girlfriend.

"Hey, I'm going to use the restroom. I'll be right back," he told her.

Fiona nodded. "Okay. Do you want me to show you where it is?" She grinned at him.

Adam's smile widened. He remembered where the bathrooms were, but it would be nice to break away from the group for a bit.

"I'm heading that way. I'll walk you there, man," Declan interjected before he could reply.

Fiona slightly frowned. She had been teasing Adam, but her brother didn't seem to get that.

Adam quickly glanced at her before responding. "Uh, sure."

Declan promptly stood up and Adam followed suit. "After you," he encouraged.

Fiona looked at Holly J, who shrugged in response. She then turned and watched them go with a curious expression.

"How are you holding up?" Declan asked once they passed through the French doors and walked into the Penthouse.

Adam shrugged. "I'm fine," he told him. "Actually, I'm having a pretty good time."

"Shocking!" Declan quipped.

They both laughed.

"Truthfully, I wasn't sure what to expect," Adam admitted.

Declan nodded. "Understandable, given last month Beth was in your place."

Adam stiffened a little. He didn't like thinking of it that way. "You make it sound like musical chairs," he retorted in a light tone, masking his annoyance.

Declan shrugged. "Not my intent. Fiona isn't one to hop from partner to partner."

Adam wasn't sure if he should be offended or not. Something in his tone made him question if that was a dig directed at him. "Good to know," he quipped, opting for a diplomatic response.

"It is, isn't it?" Declan remarked. "Fiona loves with her whole heart, but she's stable. Loyal. Trusting. She doesn't play games."

They stopped in front of the main guest bathroom.

"Well, thanks for the company," Adam told him, relieved that they reached his destination. He started to walk inside.

"Wait," Declan called to him. Adam paused with his hand on the door knob. "Since it's just us here, I think now's a good time for us to talk."

Adam furrowed his brows and turned to face him. "Isn't that what we did on the way here?"

Declan shook his head. "No, that was the pre-talk. This is me asking you straight up, what are your plans with my sister?" His expression was unreadable. Adam had to admit, it made him a little nervous.

"My plans?" he repeated slowly.

Declan sighed. "Look, I think you're an alright dude, Adam. But I don't know if you know what you're getting into. My sister gave up a lot to be with you. She ended a long-term relationship with a woman she really cared about, moved out of the home they shared, and pissed off a lot of people in the process."

Adam nodded. He knew Fiona took a big chance on him and he was thankful that she did.

Declan continued. "She's really into you and is completely invested in your relationship. If you're not sure or you're still feeling things out, just end it now. I don't want to see her heartbroken or hurt because you realize later on that you're not ready to settle down or that you miss the chase too much," he laid out his case bluntly.

Adam clinched his jaw. "I meant what I said earlier. She's the one for me," he reiterated firmly. He couldn't keep the edge out of his voice.

Declan looked him in the eyes, refusing to back down. "Yeah, but does that mean 'the one' for this week? Or this month?"

Adam took a deep breath and let it go. He reminded himself Declan was only looking out for his sister – even if he was being a prick about it…

"For life, Declan. She's the only one I want to be with! I want everything with her," he affirmed. "Not to be crude, but if I just wanted to get into her pants I wouldn't be here."

And he would have done that already!

Declan stared him down for a few more seconds before easing into a smirk. "Okay. If that's what you say, then I'm going to believe you. I'm only gonna tell you this once… Don't fuck up," he scolded him. He then clapped a hand on Adam's shoulder and grinned. "Are we good?"

Adam blinked. The guy's sudden changes in demeanor were disconcerting. "Yeah, sure. Does that mean I'm allowed to pee now?"

Declan chuckled. "To your heart's content!"

-oOo-

"What did you do?" Holly J whispered to her husband after he sat back down. He had a slightly smug grin and he took way too long just to grab a bottle of wine from the kitchen.

Declan looked around. "Where's Fiona?"

"She went back inside," Holly J informed him. "Now, answer my question!" she demanded. She was relieved that her in-laws were still locked in conversation several feet away, as they overlooked the balcony.

Declan grinned. "I scared the living crap out of Adam!" he boasted.

She rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised?" When Declan mentioned he wanted to pull Adam aside, she had a feeling he would be as subtle as a hammer over the head.

"What? I needed to know if he's serious or not. Fiona uprooted her whole life for him and we know she's not thinking objectively."

"And brother knows best?" Holly J quipped.

Declan smirked. "Of course, I do."

"You are way too overconfident!" Holly J teased. "So, what did Adam tell you?"

"Exactly what I thought he would," Declan sighed. "I just hope they can make it work."

Holly J leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss. "Give it time." As she saw it, only time would tell about those two.

-oOo-

Adam frowned as he washed his hands. He was still mulling over his chat with Declan. He had an uneasy feeling about it. Though he understood Declan had concerns, he felt like he had been on trial! He was certain of how he felt about Fiona. He wouldn't lie about it. Not to her, and certainly not to her family!

He sighed as he dried his hands on the small towel hanging by the door. In moment he would have to go back out there, poised and unfazed. He looked in the mirror and smoothed down his hair. He took one last deep breath and opened the door.

When he stepped outside he did a double take upon noticing he was not alone.

"You took awhile," Fiona noted with a teasing grin.

"Fiona? What are you doing here?" he asked surprised.

"Intercepting you before heading back out there," she answered nonchalantly as she toyed with the collar of his shirt.

"Why?" he questioned.

She softly laughed. He watched as she came close and pressed her lips to his. Adam kissed back for a few seconds before abruptly pulling away.

"Fiona, your folks are out there!" he whispered, alarmed.

She looked at him. "Yeah, outside. With Holly J and Declan," she reminded him. Fiona then brought her lips back to his. This time he relaxed and eagerly returned the kiss. She gently pushed him up against the wall. Adam brought his hands to her waist and pulled her closer. He sighed contently as their tongues leisurely caressed.

After a long moment, they pulled apart.

Adam looked at her in wonder. "You have no idea how much I needed that," he chuckled.

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I have an idea," she smirked. "For the record, I want everything with you, too."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "You heard all that?" he said shyly.

She nodded, amused. "I have to second the 'don't fuck up' sentiment. It really would be a shame with 3 weeks to go!"

Adam snorted and wrapped his arms around her body again. "Your mouth is a thing of beauty," he joked.

Fiona laughed. "And don't you forget it!" she teased.

They leaned in and shared a short kiss.

.

tbc

A/N: Oh, Declan! I wonder if he was that rough on Beth? Somehow I doubt it… Oh well. Looks like he'll finally back off now. And, yay! Fiona to the rescue! At least providing moral support, lol.

Review! You know you want to! :D

In the next chapter… we're skipping to Sunday! And Adam's friends Meg and Isaac return! (If I don't skip ahead a bit we'll never get to the end of Fadam's month! Lol. Rest assured, this is definitely not the last chapter featuring the Coynes!)

Off-topic: I'm updating "Long Weekend" tonight. It will be up in a few hours, when I get home :D