"The One" – Part 87
Summary and additional notes in part 1.
Author's Note: Sorry this is a little late! Thanks for the reviews on the last chapter! :D
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 his girlfriend and grabbed her hand. "Here we go," he whispered playfully. She laughed as they made their way over to Drew and the others.
Drew had a huge grin. "Come here bro!"
Abby, Eli, and Fiona laughed.
Adam had a sarcastic quip ready, but recognizing his older brother's sincerity he decided against it. "Andrew!" he said warmly as they came near. "And you're holding my little angel!"
Haylie's bright smile matched her dad's. Adam pulled them both into a gentle hug.
Fiona nearly melted at the scene.
"I know, it's sickeningly sweet," a familiar voice remarked. She glanced in the direction of the speaker and found Elijah Goldsworthy looking back at her, with a lopsided grin.
"Eli!" she said happily. He nodded and they shared a hug.
Eli looked exactly like she expected him to look! He was tall, somewhat thin, and still wore lots of black. He had on black jeans, an olive colored graphic t-shirt, and wore rocker style black cuffs around his wrists. The main difference between now and his younger days was his hair. Gone was the long, shaggy cut. Instead his hair was cropped short, in an intentionally messy style. It suited him. Also his jaw was broader but he had the same playful green eyes of his youth.
She smiled at him as they pulled away from their hug. "It's good to see you."
"Likewise," he told her good-naturedly. "It's been a long time!"
"Only seven years," she noted lightly.
They both laughed.
"You look well," Eli complimented her. She appeared to be radiating with happiness and had a hunch that Adam had much to do with that! "I'm happy for you guys."
"Thanks!" She glanced over at Adam and saw he was already holding his niece. He was locked in conversation with his sister-in-law, Abby.
Drew suddenly turned to her and their eyes met.
"Fiona," he said with a friendly smile.
Drew was a football star back in high school. Senior year he bulked up more and went on to play in college. He landed a full scholarship to Eastern University, where he joined fellow Degrassi alum Riley Starvos. These days he worked as a physical trainer. He was wearing a plain blue t-shirt, dark denim jeans and white sneakers. His hair was styled in a short and spiky cut, similar to his younger days, but now he had sported stubble on his face.
He and Fiona shared a small hug.
"You have a lovely family," she told him sincerely.
Drew grinned. "Thank you. They're my world." He glanced at Abby, who was smiling broadly as she watched Haylie and Adam interact. "Let me introduce you."
As if on cue Adam and Abby turned to them.
"Fiona, this is my wife, Abby," he said.
Abby, who was wearing a light green sundress, gave Fiona a warm smile. She was slender woman of average height. She had a heart shaped face and long, wavy black hair. Her eyes were brown but mixed with hazel, and like Drew she had an olive complexion.
She pulled Fiona into a hug. "It's nice to finally meet you, in person!" Abby laughed.
Fiona nodded as she chuckled. The two had been conversing on FaceRange for the past two weeks! "It's good to meet you too!"
"And here's the most adorable girl you'll ever meet," Drew said proudly as he looked at his daughter.
"I call her my angel," Adam added. He placed another kiss on the little girl's cheek and Haylie giggled.
Abby playfully sighed. "Geez, you men spoil her!" she teased them.
Drew and Adam shrugged. It was true but it didn't matter to them one bit!
Fiona and Abby laughed. Eli smirked.
Adam smiled at Fiona and then turned his niece. "Haylie, this is Fiona," he told her.
"Hi Fiona," the little girl said shyly.
Fiona grinned broadly. She thought Haylie was too cute for words! Like her Momma she had wavy hair, although it was a few shades lighter than either of her parents. She had big brown eyes, and was dressed in a white shirt and a pink jersey skirt with sequins. Fiona definitely got the sense that she was a girly-girl.
"Hello. It's wonderful to meet you," Fiona told her.
-oOo-
"So, how was your flight?" Eli asked as they exited the airport and walked out into the parking lot.
Adam shared a look with Fiona and grinned. "It was pretty cool. I never took it first class before." He had flown home a million times, and though he could afford it on his current salary, it had never crossed his mind to purchase a first class ticket. Now that he was with Fiona, he had taken Drew's advice to heart about elevating his style!
Fiona softly laughed. "Apparently wine, spacious seating, and in flight meals that taste like actual food aren't readily available in coach," she quipped, teasing him about some of his comments during the flight.
Adam feigned offense. "Hey!" He had been rather green though.
"Well, not for us mere mortals," Eli deadpanned. "So we appreciate the occasional taste of ambrosia."
Fiona shrugged, surmising she wasn't going to win this round.
"I'm all for luxury," Drew chimed in. "If you can afford it, why not treat yourself sometimes? There's no harm in it. Work hard, play hard is my philosophy."
"True," Eli conceded.
"So, are you coming with us to the house?" Adam asked his friend as they approached the cars.
Drew glanced at his wife. Abby shook her head at him.
"Um, I don't think so. I just wanted to see that you guys got in alright," Eli explained.
Adam furrowed his brows. "What? Oh come on, we just got here. You can't go yet!" He hadn't seen his good friend in over two months! "We have tons to catch up on!"
Eli paused.
"One beer!" Adam insisted.
"But then he can't drive home," Drew quipped.
Abby resisted the urge to swat his arm.
Eli smirked, debating whether to say yes just to stick it to Drew! "I know it's lame, but I got some work stuff to catch up on. I left a little early and I'm taking all day tomorrow off."
Adam and Fiona nodded with understanding.
"I know how that is," Fiona commiserated.
"Yeah," Adam agreed. "Well, I'm glad you came, man."
Eli genuinely smiled. "Me too."
The two bumped fists.
-oOo-
As they pulled up to Drew and Abby's house, Fiona smiled. It was a cozy three bedroom home with a nice green yard and a small porch out front. Spanning sides there was a small garden where Abby grew herbs and fresh tomatoes. A small walkway of sandstone led from the sidewalk directly to the porch.
On the left side of the house was a garage. Drew came up the driveway and placed their PT Cruiser into park. "We're here!" he announced happily.
"Thanks for the obvious," Abby teased him. She laughed as she opened the passenger door.
In the back seat, Haylie was strapped into a car seat with Adam and Fiona sitting on either side of her. All throughout the ride she had been full of energy! She and Adam had played a number of games and sung songs. Now that she was home she was starting to show signs of sleepiness!
"I'll get her," Adam told Abby. He took Haylie out of her seat. "Let's go munchkin!"
The little girl giggled.
"Abby, you have a lovely home," Fiona commented as they walked towards the door.
"Thank you," Abby smiled. "It's been an on-going project, but we've had fun every step along the way."
"Really? You thought remodeling the basement was fun?" Drew joked as he came up behind them. He was carrying Fiona's suitcase.
Adam laughed. That seemed to drag on forever and of course every time he was in town Drew would enlist him to help!
Abby choose to ignore the remark as she open the door. "Welcome to Casa Torres," she told Fiona.
.
tbc
A/N: Aww. Sweet homecoming! We got some descriptions of Drew and Eli 'all growed up' as well as Abby and Haylie! Drew and Abby's house sounds nice, no?
In the next chapter, we'll see Mama Torres in person! Mr. Torres too! Will post when I get back.
Reviews = Awesome :D
Off topic: Update "Long Weekend" today too!
To the folks I cannot directly PM:
MegGil – That's a great one-shot idea :) I think so. I updated "Love In The City" recently. I'm going today as well. Thanks for the review!