Welcome back, sorry it's been a while, I have been writing a lot, it just wasn't fort stories I post on fanfiction.
Ch. 3 Divide Up the Broken Heart
(CLARE)
"Hi Clare," Eli says when he answers his phone. After running for a couple of blocks I found a semi-hidden spot between a couple houses and called Eli. I knew he and Adam were having a movie night at the Torres house tonight. I could've called Jake, but he just dropped me off. I didn't want to ask him to come out again or have him pick me up in tears. Jake has never dealt with me this upset before.
"Can you and Adam come pick me up?"
"Yeah, where are you? Are you okay?" Eli questions.
"I'll tell you everything when you pick me up."
I tell them where I am, hang up and wait impatiently to see Morty. I'm also watching for Owen and Fitz because I don't want to talk to or see either of them right now. When I see Eli and Adam pull up in Morty I've never been so happy to see that smelly old hearse. Eli pulls up and Adam gets out so I can slide in, when we're all in Eli starts driving back to Adam's.
"Okay, so what happened?" Adam questions.
"Jake dropped me off on our way home and I went looking for Owen. I couldn't find him but did find Fitz and we went looking together. We were told that Owen went out back with Anya, so we went outside. They were making out in the basement! I started to run, and Fitz stopped me, tried to tell me there was an explanation. I think Fitz knew that Owen was cheating on me, he was trying to convince me all week that Owen didn't want to get back together with Anya. I think he was just covering for his best friend. Then Owen came out and I told him we were done. Then Fitz said he suggested they switch names that first day in class and Owen didn't deny it. I ran and called you," I tell them. I have to talk quickly, hardly taking a breath or I won't get it all out. When I'm done I wipe away the tears rolling down my cheeks.
"I can't believe Owen would do that, when did he get interested in Anya again?" Eli asks.
"I don't know. He told me just the other day that he didn't want to get back together with her and he loved me. Then he's making out with her tonight," I huff.
"Owen's an idiot, honestly, I never really understood the two of you together. I can't imagine Fitz would protect his friend and lie to you like that though. Fitz and Owen might be best friends, but I'd never lie for Eli like that. Maybe he did know Owen still had feelings for Anya, but that's a long way from intentionally lying and covering for a cheating friend," Adam remarks.
"Yeah, I suppose," I reply. I'm sure Adam is right, I was angry, but I don't think Fitz would intentionally lie that way.
"Come finish movie night with us. Mom will probably let us all sleep in the basement, probably Drew too when he gets home," Adam says.
We arrive back at Adam's, and he asks his mom if we can all sleep in the basement. She says that's fine, so I text my mom and she says I can stay over. Owen has texted me three times, I've ignored them all, and now I turn off my phone. We go down to the basement and they resume the movie they were watching when I called. We're just starting a second one when Drew comes home.
"Hey guys," Drew greets when he comes in and closes the backdoor, "I heard what happened at the party Clare. Owen is an idiot, and you are way hotter than Anya. You deserve better than Owen."
"Thanks Drew," I smile. He's Owen's friend so I really wasn't expecting him to be on my side.
"Bianca and I overheard Fitz getting angry at Owen over it just before Fitz left," Drew says, and I smile.
"Clare and Eli staying over, and Mom said we can all sleep in the basement," Adam tells him.
"Cool," Drew smiles joining us on the sofa.
When the movie ends, we get ready for bed. Adam has an extra toothbrush I can use, and Drew gives me a T-shirt I can sleep in, Adam gives me a pair of sweat shorts to wear as well. Drew and I make our beds on the sofa, me on the chaise part and Drew on the long part. Eli and Adam are on the floor, we put on another movie, and then another. We all fall asleep before the movie is over.
We wake late the next morning, and we all wake up at about the same time because we're sleeping so close together. We get dressed and eat cereal for breakfast, then Eli drops me at home on his way home. I wave to Eli and I'm about to go inside when I hear my name.
"Clare, wait," Fitz calls. I stop on the steps and turn to see him running across the street from his car.
"Were you staking out my house?" I question.
"Your phone was off, if you didn't come home soon, I was going to start driving around to people's houses," Fitz replies.
"How long have you been there? You didn't sleep in your car, did you?"
"No, I came by your house last night. I thought maybe Jake picked you up, but his truck was still here. So, I figured you had probably spent the night at Alli's or Adam's maybe. I've only been watching your house for a couple of hours."
"You waited two hours just to talk to me?" I ask, cocking an eyebrow. I don't think Owen would ever wait outside of my house for two hours for anything.
"I had to, I wanted you to know I never knew Owen was cheating on you or even thinking about it. I would never help him do that to you. Normally we tell each other everything but he didn't tell me he wanted to get back together with Anya or was thinking about it or anything. I should have been suspicious when he didn't want to switch names that first day. Even more so when he never wanted to talk about how it was working with Anya."
"It's okay Fitz, I believe you. I'm sorry I accused you of knowing that Owen was going to cheat. I think a part of me knew that you hadn't and would never, but I was upset and not thinking clearly."
"It's okay, I get it. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow at school," Fitz says with a relieved smile.
"See you tomorrow partner," I grin.
"Until tomorrow, Precious," Fitz smirks.
Before I can scowl at him, he turns around and walks back to his car. I go inside with a smile on my lips. It will still be awkward seeing Owen and Anya tomorrow, but I'm glad Fitz and I are on good terms or the semester would have been really awkward.
"Hey, word is Owen was making out with Anya at the party," Jake remarks coming down the stairs. Our parents seem to be out, which isn't surprising they're usually running errands on Sunday.
"He was, Fitz and I caught them."
"Ouch, sorry Clare. You want me to punch him tomorrow? That's a brotherly thing to do right?" Jake offers and I giggle.
"I appreciate the offer, but no, I already slapped him and broke up with him," I reply. I walk up the steps a few steps until I'm a bit higher than Jake. Then turn to kiss Jake on the cheek before going up to my room. As awkward as tomorrow at school will be I know I have the support of my friends, and Jake. I'm actually looking forward to working with Fitz this semester. Owen is his best friend, but it feels like I have Fitz's support as well and that's a good feeling.
(FITZ)
I park in my usual spot next to Owen on Monday morning and go into school. The very first thing I see when I walk in is Owen and Clare in the foyer, he's trying to talk to her, and she looks angry. I can't quite hear what they're saying, but Clare storms away after a moment. He watches her walk away and then hangs his head. He did something stupid, but he's my best friend, and I can't leave him hanging.
"Give her some space, she's angry right now, and feeling very betrayed. She's probably feeling some of what she was feeling when she found out her father cheated," I tell Owen.
"Shit, I didn't even think of that," Owen says.
"I'm pretty sure you weren't thinking at all. C'mon let's get to homeroom," I remark slapping him on the back lightly.
"Clare doesn't want us to, but I still think we oughta punch you," Jake comments as soon as we get into homeroom.
"Yeah, I agree," Eli says curling his lips up into a sinister smirk. Owen didn't even blink when Jake threatened to punch him. Eli, however, is rather scary when he's angry and Owen swallows hard.
"I know, I know I deserve it, but you have to believe me I didn't mean to hurt her," Owen says.
"If you hadn't you wouldn't have cheated at all, you wouldn't have been tempted," Eli replies.
Owen shoots him a look, but class is starting so he doesn't say anything. Eli has a point though, as much as I hate to admit it. I gave Owen the opportunity to switch names that first day, and he looked very happy when he picked Anya.
When the bell rings for second period Owen walks very slowly at first, and then very fast. I think he's trying to beat Clare to class. I speed walk with him, and we get there before Clare and Adam. Jenna is in class, and she shoots Owen a dirty look, he ignores it and looks away.
"If you recall last week I told you that you would all be getting pregnant or looking to adopt. I'll be handing out packets with the information for you and your spouse. Obviously, we won't be going through pregnancy in real time, so pay attention to the packets as they tell you everything you need to know. I'll hand these out and give everyone some time to read them over," Miss Sauvé says as soon as the bell rings.
"You're at the end of your first trimester, we're having a boy! Sweet, Fitz Junior," I grin.
"We are not naming him Mark Junior," Clare argues.
"Okay, fine, we have plenty of time for a name. Let's see what else it says," I remark looking back at the paper.
"I'm experiencing fainting and mild nausea, but that's not bad and we already know what to do for that. We looked up the doctor's appointment and we have a room set up for the baby already. Doesn't seem like there's much to do," Clare says. I catch her glancing at Owen and Anya in the back of the room.
"Ignore them, look we have to write a paper about your first trimester and everything we did including the doctor's appointments. Our budget is pretty solid, but there's probably things we didn't think of. Why don't we go to the hospital after school, we can talk to some of the OB/GYN staff. Then we can go to my house and work on the paper," I offer.
"Okay, sounds good. I guess let's start working on the paper, at least get an outline down," Clare says, getting out a notebook. She opens it ready to write when Miss Sauvé begins talking.
"Read over the parameters of the paper carefully, those are due on Wednesday. If you had budgeted for having your own child and you're adopting, be sure to change your budget. Those that are adopting have some extra resources in your packets to help you out. You have the rest of class work on your new additions."
Clare and I spend the rest of class getting down an outline for the paper and questions to ask at the hospital. Every time I catch her trying to glance at Owen and Anya, I bring her attention back to me. Owen says he's sorry, but when he's around Anya the two are extremely flirty.
"What did you two get?" Jenna asks as we walk out of class.
"I'm at the end of my last trimester and we're having a boy," Clare replies.
"I'm ten weeks along and we're having twins, two girls. I know it's pretended but I'm not looking forward to carrying or having twins," Jenna says, making a face.
"Don't worry, I'll help you through it. My aunt had twins, she was so miserable for the last few months because she couldn't leave the bed," Adam remarks.
"Ugh, that sounds awful. After the scare that K.C. got me pregnant last year and this project I may never get pregnant," Jenna comments. We all laugh and Adam pats her on the shoulder.
"You eating with us Fitz?" Adam questions. I look over my shoulder to see Owen and Anya still in the back of the classroom flirting.
"Yeah, sure," I shrug.
"I don't want to eat at the caf, let's eat at The Dot," Jenna remarks.
"It's not snowing, we could walk," Clare says.
"As you wish Honey Pie," I grin.
Clare rolls her eyes and Adam smirks. We start walking to the front and get joined by Eli, Jake, Drew and Bianca. Spinner is working as usual; he takes our orders and we push three tables together so we can all sit together. No one talks about Owen and Anya over lunch thankfully.
"Text me when you're done at newspaper, Kitten," I tell Clare when we walk back to school after lunch.
"I will," she says, twisting her mouth at me for the name. I smirk and Drew laughs as he and Bianca turn with me to get to third period.
"Where were you three at lunch?" Owen asks when we come into the classroom.
"Eating with the cool kids," Bianca responds and Eli smirks.
Owen kind of narrows his eyes at us, but we say nothing else. Miss Dawes has us working in pastels to draw flowers, which is pretty boring and my mind wanders, mostly to Clare. In environmental science Betenkamp pairs us off and I get paired with Jake.
"So, what are you and Clare doing after school?" Jake asks as we begin working.
"Stuff for parenting/life econ class, we have to turn in a paper Wednesday, so she'll probably stay at my house for dinner."
"Cool," Jake smiles before we get to work. The assignment isn't hard, and we finish before the end of class.
When the bell rings I head to my locker. I'm putting books away and expecting to head to The Dot for an hour or so while waiting for Clare to be done with newspaper. When I see her approaching from the corner of my eye, I'm a little surprised. I'm also expecting her to say she can't make it this afternoon.
"Ready?" She asks and I raise a skeptical eyebrow.
"Did you quit the paper?"
"No, I texted Liam and asked him to get my assignment for the week and tell Katie I couldn't make it. He'll email me later," she replies with a small giggle.
"Cool, well, let's go then," I remark waving her forward.
We go out to my car, and I open her door helping her in. She's quiet in the car, and I worry by the far off look in her eye that she's thinking about Owen. I almost ask, but we're close to the hospital and I don't want to bring it up now. I park at the hospital and help her out of the car, she walks a couple steps behind me as we go inside.
"Hi Fitz, are you here to see your mom? I believe she's on rounds, but I can page her if you'd like," Nate says when he sees me. Nate is a young nurse and usually works the desk as he's doing today.
"Hey Nate, actually we were hoping to talk to the OB/GYN on duty or some of the OB/GYN staff," I reply. Nate's eyes immediately go to Clare.
"I'm not pregnant," she says quickly, holding up her hand and shaking her head.
"It's for school," I explain.
"Oh, well Dr. Bell and Dr. Scharr are both on duty. Let me call up to maternity and see if either of them has a few moments to talk with you," Nate says. He picks up the phone and presses a button, then tells them who I am and we're here for school. "Dr. Bell can speak with you, she'll meet you at the elevator, third floor," Nate says after hanging up.
"Thanks Nate," I reply and put a hand on Clare's shoulder directing her to the elevators. We get in and a few others get in or are already in. When we get off at maternity, I hear the whispers in the elevator.
"You must be Miranda Fitzgerald's son, I'm Dr. Analiese Bell," she says holding her hand out.
"Yeah, you can call me Fitz, this is Clare, we're in the same parenting class and wanted some insight from an OB/GYN," I reply, shaking her hand.
"It's good to meet you both. Your mom is a wonderful nurse Fitz, she's helped us out before when we were very busy. We can speak down here, but I may have to run off if I get paged," Dr. Bell remarks.
She turns and we follow her to what is a small meeting room, there's a round table and we all sit down. Clare gets out a notebook and we start asking our questions. Dr. Bell is very helpful. We spend about half an hour with her while Clare gets down some short-hand notes. We thank Dr. Bell and leave the hospital. On the drive home Clare and I talk about what we learned. When we get back to my house it's empty, Dad isn't on call and there's no note, but it's been happening a lot lately.
"You want a snack? We can take it up to my room and work at my desk so we both have a computer to work at."
"Sure," Clare nods.
"Chips and soda, okay?"
She nods so I put some chips in a bowl and grab two glasses from the cabinet. I let her choose which soda she wants and pour her own glass. We go up to my room and sit at my desk. For a while we work mostly in silence, occasionally asking the other a question or making a suggestion. Then she gets up to use the washroom and I find my mind wandering to my parents.
(CLARE)
"You know we sh…" I'm saying when I come back to Fitz's room, but I find him staring blankly at the screen. "Fitz?" I question, but he doesn't even look at me. "Mark," I say louder while putting my hand on his shoulder.
"Huh?" He questions finally looking at me.
"You, okay? You were pretty zoned out there," I remark sitting in the chair again.
"Yeah, fine, what were you saying?"
"You didn't look fine, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, let's get back to work," he says turning to his computer, but I catch his hand.
"Mark, you can talk to me, something's obviously bothering you."
He looks down at my hand holding his. I pull my hand back and he sighs heavily. He gets up from his desk chair and sits at his bed so I follow him.
"Did you know your dad was cheating?" Fitz asks.
"No, I had no clue, not an inkling. I never ever thought in a million years he would cheat on my mom. Although, I'm apparently a terrible judge of those things because I thought Owen meant it when he said he loved me and didn't want Anya. In some ways Owen's betrayal hurt worse than my dad's. Why? You think your dad is cheating on your mom?"
"Actually, I think my mom is. I don't really have any proof, but I don't think she works as many 24-hour shifts as she says she is. Or maybe she is and she's cheating with a someone at the hospital. I suppose my dad could also be having an affair, but really, I think he's spending so much time away, so he doesn't have to be home. So, he doesn't have to think about why Mom is always gone."
"I'm sorry Fitz, I know how hard it is when your family is falling apart. Have you talked to your parents?"
"No, honestly, I'm afraid to know the truth. If one or both really is having an affair, even if they just don't love each other anymore, I don't know how I'd handle it."
"You should talk to them; it will probably be painful but isn't it painful not to know too?"
"Yeah, it is," he nods.
"I was devastated when my dad announced his affair and walked out. He's all but vanished from my life, like Darcy. It's not all bad though, with Dad gone Mom and Glen reconnected and Glen is great. I rarely talk to Darcy, but I have Jake now, and as different as we are he actually takes an interest in my life and he does really try to be a good brother. He's done a lot I don't think Darcy would ever do, at least not without protest. It was hard for a while, it really sucked and as you remember I spent many an hour crying my eyes out on Owen's shoulder. In the end though it really worked out for the better, for everyone."
"I know you're probably right, but I don't think I can talk to my parents about this. Actually, you are the first person I've told at all," Fitz confesses.
"You mean you haven't told Owen? I thought you two talked about everything. You knew exactly how far I'd gone with Owen," I remind him.
"That's different, he was bragging," Fitz says. I cringe a little at the thought of Owen bragging about me like a conquest. "I don't mean that to sound as harsh as it did, it's not like he was bragging about it in the locker room. We got together the day after and he told me about it, he was smiling, talked about how incredible you felt, and how he wanted to know how you tasted," Fitz tells me.
I bite my lip remembering it, although Owen hasn't ever brought up doing anything more. He definitely never offered to return the favor, not to me. Apparently, he mentioned it to Fitz though. I can feel my cheeks flushing at the memories and thoughts, so I shake my head to shake them away.
"Why haven't you talked to Owen about your parents?"
"Family stuff is about the only things we don't talk about," Fitz shrugs. "My parents have always had their issues, always been workaholics, leaving me on my own. Owen's house has always been my refuge, I spent more time at his place than my own."
"I do remember you being at his house a lot, kind of always being around. I just sort of thought about you as Owen's annoying friend. I never actually thought about why you might be spending so much time at Owen's, hanging around us."
Fitz looks away and scratches the back of his neck uncomfortably, "Yeah, well being a third wheel was usually better than being alone."
"You can talk to me about it, if you want to that is. I know what you're going through, better than most people. If you want someone to talk to you can talk to me, we're friends now, aren't we?" I ask putting my hand over Fitz's.
"Yeah, we are," Fitz smiles, "thanks, it would be nice to have someone to talk to. It's getting close to dinner time, you want to stay? We can keep working on the project, I'll order us some dinner, and I'll get you home by curfew. My parents may or may not come home."
"Sounds great, I'll just text my mom," I smile back.
I text Mom and Fitz orders take out from my favorite Indian place. I don't even have to tell him what I want he remembers. We continue working until we hear the doorbell. We go downstairs and get the food and silverware before returning to Fitz's room and sitting at the computers to continue working.
"You know, you're going to be pregnant and I'm not sure a fitness trainer can do much while pregnant," Fitz remarks.
"That's a good point, I'd have some paid leave I guess, but I don't know how long I could teach while pregnant, and right after the baby is born. Things would be a lot harder with just your income."
"Maybe we should go to some gyms tomorrow or Wednesday, talk to some fitness instructors, we should be able to find at least one that's been pregnant. Even if we don't, they must have thought about what to do if they got pregnant."
"Yeah, good idea," I nod. "Depending on what my assignment is for the paper I can probably go tomorrow. Hang on, Liam should have told me by now," I comment looking at my phone. Liam did send it to me, it's easy and won't take me long at all. "Yeah, tomorrow will work," I reply.
"Great, we'll go tomorrow then," Fitz grins. We finish eating and do as much as we can for parenting/life econ class. "You're welcome to stay and do the rest of your homework. We have ice cream and chocolate sauce," Fitz says after sending our work to our school accounts.
"How can I resist ice cream with chocolate sauce," I grin.
Fitz grins back and we go downstairs, he gets out the bowls and spoons. I find ice cream and chocolate sauce in the freezer and fridge. Fitz grabs an ice cream scoop from a drawer and hands it to me. We make sundaes and take them upstairs to his room again.
"Did you ever talk to your parents?" Fitz asks after we've been working in silence for a while.
"No, I was too afraid to, afraid of the answer. I should have though; I wish I had now. Questioning, not knowing and then finding out my dad was having an affair was crushing. I don't know if confronting my parents would have made any of it easier. Maybe it wouldn't have made it any easier, but I would have known sooner, been a little more prepared for my dad's revelation," I reply.
"Yeah, I remember texting Owen that night, asking if he wanted to get together when they got back. He told me about your dad and how upset you were. When he was home, and we were all at his house watching movies I could tell it was on your mind. You weren't really watching the movies, you hardly ate."
"I remember, my whole world had changed, I didn't want to be home, so many memories at that house. I was questioning everything I knew about my father, my family. I really don't know if I would have gotten through that time without Owen, and you."
Fitz grins at me, I think I see him blushing a little and we return to our homework. I finish all of my homework and my assignment for the paper before looking at the time. I won't be late for curfew, but just barely. I tell Fitz we need to go, and we go down to his car. He always opens the door and makes sure I can get in with my stubby little legs. When we get to my house, he even walks me to the door because it's snowing now.
"See you tomorrow Hot Lips," Fitz says when we're at my front door. I roll my eyes and groan at the nickname when the front door opens, and my mom is standing there.
"Uh Mom, you remember Owen's best friend Fitz?"
"Of course," Mom nods.
"You remember I told you we'd been paired for the semester in parenting? Fitz is my husband for the semester. I was at his house doing homework and working on the budget for our parenting class. We got a lot of work done," I tell her. I'd told her I was eating dinner with my project partner when I sent the text earlier. I figured Jake would fill her in if she had questions.
"I'm glad to hear it, perhaps we should have your husband for dinner tomorrow night. You can work here after school and Fitz can stay for dinner," Mom states.
"We actually have something to do right after school, but I'd be happy to bring us back here after that. We'll do homework here and I'd be more than happy to stay for dinner Mrs. Ed…er…almost Mrs. Mar…" Fitz begins stumbling over what to call my mom.
"Helen is fine, we'll see you tomorrow then Fitz," Mom comments. I wave to Fitz and go inside with Mom. "He seems like a very nice boy," Mom says, locking the front door.
"He is," I reply with a smile. "All my homework is done and I'm well fed, I'm going to take a shower," I tell her taking off my coat and snowboots. As I get to the top of the stairs Jake is just coming out of the washroom.
"You two must be working really hard on your project, you were at Fitz's until curfew," Jake comments.
"We are, but actually I finished all my homework there. Mom invited Fitz to dinner tomorrow night, so we'll be doing homework here. After we go around to a few gyms," I remark, and Jake cocks an eyebrow. "It's for class, my job is fitness instructor. I'm going to take a shower."
"Washroom's all yours," he says heading to his room.
I set my stuff in my room and go into the washroom turning on the shower. I undress and step in letting the warm water flow over me and clear my mind. The very first thing to enter my cleared mind is Fitz. In fact, he stays on my mind all night long. I even have a sexy dream about us in his room, making out on his bed. I wake up flushed, and both excited and nervous to see Fitz at school.