Chapter 3 The Road Map Home
Bianca woke up feeling like a brand new person today was the day she was going to have a real family, normally adoptions took a few months to finalize but the forms being signed coupled with the connections afforded to one with the Coyne name allowed the adoption process to be sped up to its final stages.
Laura had called in a few favors to make sure Bianca's process was pushed along fast enough so Bianca would be adopted by that afternoon which made Bianca feel at ease for the first time in a while which she was thankful for after today she would know what it was to feel whole again.
Bianca rolled out of bed at seven sharp even though her first class wasn't until 9:15 she showered dressed and had breakfast and was ready to leave by 8:30.
After gathering up her things she noticed Fiona wasn't around and went over to Fiona's room to check on her.
"Fiona its 8:30 wake up we have class."
After waiting a few moments Bianca went into Fiona's room to wake her up she ended up finding a note on her pillow
Bianca
Left with Imogen to the gym before class thought I'd let you sleep see you in class.
Your sister
Fiona
Bianca looked at the note and smiled Fiona had said sister that one word meant the world to her she not only was going to have a family but a sister who would watch over her and at this point it didn't matter she was going to be the youngest of the family all that mattered was that she now had a true family and that's all she ever wanted.
After folding the note up Bianca slide the note into her jacket left the room did one last check of the loft and made her way to Degrassi.
Bianca decided since she had a bit of time to kill she would head over to the Dot and grab a coffee.
Bianca parked across the street and walked into the Dot as she made her way to the counter where she was surprised to see none other than Fitz behind the counter.
"Hey Fitz long time no see."
"Hey B it's been a while how've you been?"
"Great when did you start working here?"
A few weeks ago I came back from Ontario I needed some time to get my head straight."
"Okay that's good so I can expect the friend discount from now on?"
"I'll see what I can do what can I get you?"
Coffee and milk three sugars."
"No problem $1.25."
Bianca pulled two dollars and handed them to Fitz.
After completing Bianca's order the two friends decided to catch up.
"So Bianca what's going on?"
"Nothing much keeping out of trouble as much as possible I've had enough of probation."
"That's good so how our things at Degrassi?"
"You know same school different drama."
"Funny I kind of miss the old place."
"Why don't you come back it'd be like old times."
"No thanks too many memories besides I went and got my GED might even think of going to college."
"That's great Fitz maybe we could hang out sometime I've got stuff to do after school but you can call me."
"I'd like that Bianca say you still hang with any of our old crew?"
"Yeah Owen actually."
"Cool maybe when we meet up we can have a bonfire over by the ravine."
"Sure my cell number is still the same is yours?"
"Yeah just call when you're free."
"No problem I'll see around Fitz."
"Stay safe B."
With that Bianca left the Dot and made her way to Degrassi.
Meanwhile at Degrassi Clare was being dropped off at school by Emma who was dropping Clare off because after what happened yesterday she wasn't about to let Clare's fragile mental state get any worse than it already was.
"Emma you didn't have to drop me off I could've walked."
"It's okay Clare I wanted to do this it was no trouble besides I took the day off today."
"Well thanks anyway Emma I'm going to catch up with my friends I'll see you later."
"Have a good day if you need me just call."
"I will Emma."
Once Clare made her way into Degrassi she headed straight for her locker where surprisingly Adam Jenna and Alli were all waiting for her.
"Hey Clare feeling any better today?"
"Yeah Adam I'm fine let's get to class the bells about to ring."
Clare couldn't help but look back at her locker and remember what was there just a day ago she tried to put it behind her and concentrate on her work hopefully Eli wouldn't try to pull another stunt again.
Clare tried to concentrate on her assignment for English but could only hear Eli's voice in her head taunting her as mentally pleaded for him to stop eventually Clare was able to quiet the voice down long enough to make it through the rest of class once the bell rang Clare bolted out of class hoping to avoid Eli on her way to chemistry, Alli Jenna and Adam managed to catch up with Clare just as she was settling into her work station it was then that Adam decided to confront his friend over her behavior.
"Clare what's going on with you you've been acting weird since yesterday afternoon what gives?"
"It's nothing Adam I'm fine honest if something were wrong I'd tell you."
"Alright I'll drop this for now."
"Thanks Adam."
Clare spent the next two classes seemingly just waiting for Eli to make another move in his plan to make her life hell.
Just as the lunch bell rang Clare and her friends made their way to the café where Clare noticed Bianca walking towards the café along with Imogen Fiona Drew Katie and Owen.
Clare was seemingly stuck in place as Bianca made her way to the entrance of the café only to be taken from her daze by Adam who yelled out for her.
"Clare."
"Huh" Clare said running inside just as Bianca was inches from hitting Clare with the door.
Clare ran past Bianca and towards Adam meeting up with him at a back table.
"Clare what the hell first you space out in class now you almost get creamed by the door as soon Bianca walks in."
"Adam I told you it's nothing now drop it please." Clare said feeling like she was moments away from snapping.
"Clare I'm only trying to help."
"You know what I'm going to hang out in the music room I'll see you guys later." Clare huffed as she made her way out of the café and towards the music room.
Just as Clare pulled up to the music room Eli came from around the corner.
"Hello Clare enjoy my little gift yesterday?"
"Eli leave me the hell alone you made your point."
"Oh no Clare I haven't you see my little paint job on your locker was only a warning shot if you don't come back to me I'll make sure you never get to be with whatever pathetic bitch you have your eye on."
Just as Eli said that he pushed Clare up against the door and kissed her after which he ran away.
Clare just sat on the floor crying Eli had now escalated first he hurt Clare emotionally now he had hurt her physically she now felt like she was nothing and had no one to protect her.
Clare was able to pull herself together enough to make her way into the music which to her surprise wasn't empty Clare noticed Maya with headphones on working on the computer.
Maya happen to be taking her headphones off when she noticed Clare on the far end of the room crying.
Maya ran over to her to see what was wrong.
"Clare what's the matter and don't lie to me you wouldn't be sitting here crying if nothing was wrong."
Clare wiped the tears from her face and took a breath.
"Eli he…" Clare said on the verge of tears again.
"Eli what Clare talk to me I want to help you."
"Eli kissed me in the hallway even though I didn't want it and he spray painted my locker." Clare said barely keeping herself from crying again.
Clare its okay I've got you does anyone know he's been bothering you?"
"No nobody knows he'll come after me worse if I tell please don't tell anyone Maya." Clare pleaded.
"Relax I won't but you have to tell me who it is you like that would force Eli to treat you like this."
"I… I can't."
"Clare you can trust me I promise."
"It's… Bianca." Clare managed to get out before she broke down crying again
"Clare don't worry it's okay I've got you." Maya said taking Clare into a hug.
Being held by Maya in that hug Clare felt like a small portion of weight she was carrying was lifted off her shoulders she didn't know why but to Clare Maya felt like a safety net, she now had someone with her that could understand what she was going through and just let it out at her own pace.
Meanwhile across town Spinner and Emma were having lunch at deli a few blocks down from Spinners precinct trying to come to some sort of agreement about what to do with Clare.
"So Spin have you thought about our talk from last night?"
"I don't know Emma taking Clare permanently is a big step are you sure this is a good idea I mean adoption is a big step it means we'd be parents responsible for raising a teenager."
"I know Spin but think about it Clare has no one else Darcy's not around her mother threw her out and her father isn't around anymore she has no one and besides if we don't take her she'll just end up in the foster care system and you know the system can be hell on kids especially older ones."
"I get it Em I really do but are you sure we can do this from what I've seen adoption cases are a lot of work to get resolved besides do we even have what it takes to raise a sixteen year old?."
"Spin we can do this you're always telling me I have a maternal side to me and to be honest you'd make a great dad you're very caring loving and nurturing all good qualities to have in a dad."
"Alright you got me we'll apply to adopt Clare but just to make sure we don't run into any surprises we do this by the book paper work and all."
"Aw Spin you don't know how happy you made me we're going to be a family." Emma said with a huge smile on her face.
"Anytime babe now that we decided to adopt Clare we're going to need a lawyer aren't we?"
"We are." Emma said slyly.
"I know that grin what are you thinking Emma Christine Mason?"
"I'm thinking since we need a lawyer why not get someone we know?"
"Are you going to call who I think you're going to call?"
"Well yeah I figured we really need this to work out so why not call the one person we know can get this job done right."
"You're right make the call I'll tell my sergeant I need the afternoon off she owes me a favor we can be down at the office in an hour if we hurry".
Spinner and Emma took the short walk to the precinct knowing that they were about to take the first step into parenthood.
Back at Degrassi Clare was sitting in her last class of the day which was study hall she couldn't wait nightmarish day to finally be over.
Since study hall had a sub Clare made her way out of study hall by telling her teacher she had to go use the washroom grabbed her stuff and made her way out towards the parking lot she had looked up at the clock and noticed it 1:50 and knew Bianca would be coming out of French and heading for the gym with Owen Fiona Katie Imogen and Drew she knew Bianca often worked out with them and had been doing so for since school started she didn't know why they worked out together to her knowledge Degrassi didn't have any co-ed teams but it was worth heading over there on the off chance she might learn something about Bianca she could use to try and connect to her.
Clare made her way to the gym when she noticed Bianca and company make their way towards the gym from the French room she decided she would walk just close enough behind them to make it look like she was heading towards the nurses office but would be able to hear any chatter.
Even though Clare's behavior was a bit off for her she chalked it up to simply gathering intel on her crush since she didn't have any other way of getting close to Bianca.
As the group made their way into the gym Clare heard a small conversation between Bianca and Fiona by the door of the gym.
"So B a quick twenty on treadmill before we head to seal this deal?"
"You know it it'll help relax me."
"Don't worry about it they'll approve the paperwork and you won't be alone anymore."
Clare wondered what that conversation could have been about what did Fiona mean you won't be alone anymore and what could possibly have Bianca stressed, Clare had so many questions and no answers when it came to Bianca but she had no way of learning anything about Bianca unless she could get into her circle of friends.
Clare was about to turn and walk out of Degrassi when she felt someone grab her shoulder.
"Easy Clare it's just me what are you doing in the halls?"
"Oh Maya it's you I thought you were Eli."
"No just me now what are you doing in the halls I thought you'd be gone being in the gifted program and all."
"Not yet I just came to check on upcoming school events by the bulletin board before I left."
"Wanna try that again Clare?"
Fine you caught me I came to catch a glimpse of the person that stole my heart."
"I see what if I told you I could get you the information you want."
"I'd be ecstatic but how would you do that?"
"Well my sister happens to practice with Bianca I'm sure I could get you a little something without letting on you have a crush on Bianca ."
"Thanks Maya you've been the only one that hasn't made me feel like my world has gone super nova I can really open up to you."
"What are friends for if you want we could hang out sometime you know just get away for a bit."
"I'd like that I need to get out of my own head for a bit take my number I'll call you when I'm free."
Clare and Maya traded numbers and Clare made her way out of Degrassi.
Back inside Bianca and the rest of the Red Dragon team were getting ready to walk out of the gym ready to head to see Cassie and Anya.
"So Bianca remind me why you and Fiona are skipping practice?"
"We're not skipping Owen we have some stuff to take care of downtown we'll try to make it but no promises Cassie already knows so shut up already."
"Fine I'll drop it but now I have to spend the rest of the day watching Drew and Katie attempt to train without wanting to screw."
"Hey Owen chill don't be jealous because you don't get to roll around with the sexiest woman in Canada."
"I'm not besides I like being single it allows me to be free."
"Alright I'm calling bull shit Owen don't act like you're happy being single I know you since we broke up you've been a mess outside of the gym."
"I have not B."
"You have I mean look around Katie and Drew are engaged Fiona and Imogen are engaged and besides me you're the only single one it has to get to you."
"Alright fine I admit it I'm a bit jealous but I'll get over it."
"Owen didn't you and Anya have a thing before she left?"
"We did Fiona but that's old news besides she's our coach now I can't make a move even if I wanted to."
Owen if you're into her just wait until after the New York trip and then make your move who knows maybe that old spark is still there."
"Before this goes any further Bianca we need to get out of here we have less than an hour to get down town let's move."
"Alright Fiona let's go we'll see you guys later."
Fiona and Bianca made their way to the car while the rest of the crew walked to the gym.
Meanwhile downtown Emma and Spinner were sitting down in the reception area of the law office that agreed to handle Clare's adoption.
"Em are you sure we aren't causing trouble by doing this?"
"Spin don't worry it's all clear besides she was happy to do this for us."
Once Emma said that a tall brunette in a black pants suit emerged from the office.
"She's ready for you Mr. and Mrs. Mason come on in."
Spinner and Emma walked into the office which was a small office painted a simple white with a small bookcase on the side of the door which contained various law books on one shelf and degrees on the back walls.
The lawyer spun around in her chair.
"Hey guys how can I help you."
The lawyer Emma had called was none other than Degrassi alum Liberty Isaacs she was the one of the best family lawyers in Toronto so it was only natural that Emma reached out to her.
"Hey Liberty like I told you earlier we wanted to adopt a child but wanted to do it the right way and figured that you could make that happen for us."
"Okay first things first since I'm handling this case I need you both to sign the retainer agreement and don't worry I spoke to my bosses and I told them you guys were old friends they didn't kill you on the fee its only $500 an hour".
Emma and Spinner looked over and signed the contract knowing that no matter what it cost they were going to adopt Clare and give her the home she deserved.
"Good now that we took care of that I'll let you guys know that adoptions are a bit tricky to handle but from what you guys told me on the phone this should be a cake walk."
"Thanks Liberty this means a lot to us."
"It's no problem Emma now I just need you two to know that the first I need to do is take Clare and place her with an agency so this hits no road blocks but don't worry you guys won't lose her the agency I have in mind is run by two people you both know and Spinner let's just say you know one person a little better than most."
Spinner wondered who Liberty could be referring to when she picked up the phone and dialed out.
"Amy send them in please."
Once the door opened Spinner and Emma were stunned to see Paige and Alex take a seat.
"Liberty what is this?" Spinner asked perplexed.
"Well when you said you wanted to adopt Clare but didn't want her to be taken from you I called the two people that ran the agency that had the power to make that happen".
"Wow thanks Liberty thanks guys." Spinner said elated he was able to make his wife happy.
"Anytime hun." Paige said hugging her friends.
"Well now that we are all reacquainted why don't you two tell Paige and Alex who you two are trying to adopt."
"Well Paige Alex we are trying to adopt Clare Edwards." Spinner said proudly.
Both Paige and Alex were shocked with Alex being the first to speak.
"Wait Clare Edwards as in bible girl Darcy Edwards' sister?"
"That's the one Alex." Emma replied.
"Wow okay but why her doesn't she still have her parents?"
"Not anymore Alex her mom tossed her out on the street her dad remarried and moved and Darcy is in Africa from what Clare knows."
"Okay this is nuts but we'll help we brought some papers for you to sign giving us the right to handle Clare's case from the foster care side." Paige stated.
Once again Emma and Spinner signed the papers they needed to so that Clare would finally have the life she deserved.
"Alright now that we took care of all the paper work I'll need to serve Clare's mom with abandonment papers so we can take this case to judge to start the process then Paige Alex and I will be able to really get the ball rolling on the adoption."
"Thanks Liberty can we have some time to talk to Clare before you serve the papers?"
"No problem Emma just give me a call when you're ready."
"Thanks it won't be long we just need time to sit with Clare."
After concluding the meeting Emma sent a text to Clare telling her she was on her way home Clare had been in the library studying so when she got the text she headed to Emma and Spinners.
Down at the courthouse Bianca Fiona and Laura were all waiting with Juliana's attorney were all waiting for the judge to emerge from his chambers to make a decision on Bianca's adoption.
"Fiona what's taking so long you don't think he rejected the request do you?"
"Bianca relax he won't you're getting adopted just wait."
The judge had been in chambers close to an hour and a half reviewing the paperwork when he finally came from his chambers.
"Bianca DeSousa please approach the bench."
Bianca nervously approached the judge and looked at him.
"Ms. DeSousa after reviewing your case file I've decided to grant your aunts request for termination guardianship and grant Laura Coyne's adoption request in addition to awarding the $100 million dollar trust fund from your uncle Danny DeSousa congratulations from this day fourth you are now known as Bianca Leah Coyne enjoy your family."
With that the case was closed and Bianca broke down and cried while hugging her mom and sister for the first time in a long time Bianca felt like she was home.
The next update will be up ASAP starting with Emma and Spinner revealing their adoption plans to Clare.
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