Firstly translations are at the bottom of the chapter.

Thank you very much to LittleFeileacan for their very kind review, very much appreciated. In answer to your question my grandfather came from Ireland, hence the interest.

Chapter Ten

"You realise I'll need to hit the gym soon if you keep cooking for me like this."

Turning from the sauce he was currently preparing Greg had to smirk as he saw Grace watching the swirling red liquid within her glass as she twirled the stem between her fingers. Having somehow got the same night off together Greg had decided to wine and dine his girlfriend as they'd not had chance to have a proper night together in weeks.

Yet, despites what Grace had said Greg knew that she had nothing to worry about, between a balanced diet and her dancing Grace had nothing to worry about when it came to her weight or figure. Then again in his eyes the woman before him could be nothing but perfect.

Knowing he could leave the sauce he was preparing for a few minutes Greg made his way to where his Grace was sat on the kitchen counter, noting the smile she gave him as she realised she'd gained his attention.

"You know must women would love to have their man cook for them, and here you have a boyfriend who likes cooking for you. And there's nothing wrong with you, I love the way you look, but if you're that bothered about my cooking I can always make a salad."

"Now I wouldn't want all that effort to go to waste now and it would be a tragedy to let your cooking go to waste. Besides if you love the way I look who am I to argue."

Having placed her wine glass beside her Grace crossed her arms behind Greg's neck as he came to stand before her, noting the humour and seriousness with his brown eyes as she took in his words. Taking a moment to take in the one before her Grace knew that Greg's words were true, she did have a boyfriend that went out of his way for her and not just the fact that he enjoyed cooking for her, but if he was able to help with anything he was.

Once again she found herself glad for everything that had brought them together, from Greg waking up by chance when she'd been changing his bandages to Greg finally working up the courage to ask her out. Having to return the award winning smile Greg was giving her Grace leaned down brushing her lips against his. Despites the shiver which ran down her spine as she once again meet that taste which was uniquely Greg as his lips parted beneath hers Grace was content with the slow and gentle kiss she was partaking in.

Can you help me out; can you lend me a hand?

It's safe to say that I'm stuck again

Trapped between this life and the light

I just can't figure out, how to make it right...

A thousand times before

I've wondered if there's something more... something more...

I feel it's gonna rain like this for days

So let it rain down and wash everything away

I hope that tomorrow the sun will shine

With every tomorrow comes another life...

Instantly recognising the ring tone of her boyfriends phone Grace regrettable pulled back from the kiss as she reached out for the item in question from the counter beside her, praying that the Crime Lab wasn't calling him in, although she knew he'd started fitting in his field training alongside his job as a lab tech he hadn't said anything about being on call tonight. Flipping open the phone Grace could see the amused expression Greg was wearing as he watched her answer his phone.

"Sanders phone, can I ask who is calling?"

"...His mother, is Greg available to speak with?"

"Of course Mrs Sanders I'll get him for you."

Seeing his girlfriend suddenly pale seconds after answering his phone Greg was about to ask what was wrong when her next sentence answered it all. Usually his mum always rang at the weekends to see how he was doing, hence his own surprise as Grace handed him the phone. Seeing as it was the first connect Grace had had with his mum Greg could understand why she'd paled once realising who she was speaking to. However, as he took the phone from Grace Greg knew he was about to face the grilling of a life time, not only because Grace was the first woman to ever answer his phone to his mum, but he'd yet to inform his mum about his current girlfriend.

Knowing how his mum could get when it came to women he dated Greg had been reluctant to inform his family about the woman across from him, knowing full well what would happen once he did. The insistence that he bring her to visit them and thus face judgement to see whether she was suitable for him, he'd no doubt his Papa Olaf and Nana Olaf would love Grace, even his dad would like her. What had really put him off was his mum, so far every girlfriend he'd ever introduced to her had never been good enough for him and that was the last thing he wanted her to say about Grace. Knowing that this time even if his mum disapproved he wouldn't be letting Grave go, which in previous relationships had always ended up being the case.

"Hey mum."

"I'm taking it you are not at work then, just tell me she's not some one night stand."

Seeing how the conversion was going to even before it had started Greg didn't want to be having his discussion in front of Grace however, despites his wishes he knew it would be happening. Despites Grace's picking up of Norwegian Greg knew that just like him with Irish had just got past the basics therefore would at best understand a few words and not the whole.

"Mamma nei jeg har fortalt deg tusen ganger jeg har ikke tilfeldig ... slenger" (1)

Seeing Grace's nervous expression at his expressed reply to his mum Greg intertwined his fingers with one of her hands, giving her a smile to show her she didn't have to leave as she silently mouthed that she could leave. Seeing the hints of a smile in return Greg was glad to feel a returning squeeze to his hand as Grace remained where she was.

"Jeg lov til å bekymre Greg; jeg vil bare hva som er best for deg." (2)

"Jeg vet mamma og jeg setter pris på det, men jeg er ikke en liten gutt lenger. Å gjøre feil er en del av det å vokse opp, er hvordan jeg ellers skal lære." (3)

"Du har rett du er ikke et lite barn lenger, men er du fortsatt min sønn ... Dette er ikke en av de feilene du må gjøre det er?" (4)

"Hun er langt fra en tabbe ... hun er det beste som har skjedd meg, de siste åtte månedene har vært fantastiske."(5)

Taking in the nervous yet questioning eyes of Grace Greg gave her a reassuring smile to calm her hoping it worked as he awaited a response from his mum who had gone quiet.

"Jeg håper du har behandlet henne rett Greg, er det noen sjanse for å møte henne gang snart?" (6)

"Det er det ingen tredje grad" (7)

"Jeg kan være litt skuffet over at jeg har nettopp funnet ut om din nye kjæreste, men jeg har aldri en gang hørt deg snakke sånn om en kjæreste før." (8)

Although he already knew that Grace was definitely different from any woman he'd ever dated before and was a relationship he wished to pursue for as long as he could, hearing his mum tell him she'd never heard him talk like this brought it home to him. From her curly red strands, charming smile to her quirky, yet patient and loving nature he loved everything about her, but more than that he was beginning to realise that for him there wouldn't be anyone else.

"Fordi hun er ikke som de andre ... hun er annerledes og jeg virkelig ønsker å gjøre det arbeidet.." (9)

"Jeg skal la deg kvelden din, men jeg forventer at du skal fortelle meg om dette mysteriet kvinnen av deg neste gang jeg ringer." (10)

"Alright mamma, vil jeg snakke med deg senere" (11)

Glad, yet surprised that his mum was willing to let him tell her about Grace another time Greg couldn't help but wonder what his mum's intuition was telling her. It was obvious that she'd picked up something from their conversion otherwise she wouldn't have left the topic so easily. However, deciding to deal with his mum when he had to Greg flipped his phone shut before turning to the one who was quietly watching him.

Taking in what he knew was a nervous gesture as Grace pushed her hair back from her face with the back of her hand Greg found it quite a chance from her usual confident attitude. Releasing the hand he'd been holding Greg when to gently place them on her cheeks before initiating a kiss, putting every bit of love he felt for her into it. Pulling back he was glad to see a shy smile upon her face before moving to link both his hands with hers.

"I'm taking from the language switch you were talking about me."

"Sorry about that, but my mum tends to get a little blunt sometimes especially when it comes to me and practically everything I do."

"I'm guessing she didn't know about me, sorry I put you on the stop."

Seeing the diverted glance Grace gave as she finished her sentence Greg could only imagine what she was thinking, considering that all her family had known about him two months into their relationship. When Grace's niece had returned home from her trip with them Grace had been bombard with phone calls from particular all her family regarding the boyfriend Lizzie had told them about. The fact that in eight months he'd not told his family about her must look like he didn't want them to know about her.

"No she didn't, but that's my fault I should have her I know...It's just she's been a little critical of my pass girlfriends and I didn't want that with you...I'm proud to have you as a girlfriend and I love you, I love everything about you...I know I've said it before to other girls, but with you I know for the first time it's real."

Waiting patiently for Greg to get out what he was trying to say Grace felt any doubts she had that Greg was uncertain about her vanish, it was obvious from his stops and starts and his sudden anxiety that he meant every word he was saying. Plus she could partially understand where he was coming from, her own family was very tight knit, with both her parents and grandparent being very judging when it came to potential parents for their children/grandchildren. However, unlike her Greg didn't have five siblings to offer their support and be able to talk to when they had they parents to go up against.

Plus she could fully understand why he'd be flustered, as she felt the same way when her mum had rung enquiring about Greg and quizzed her about him. However, it was only in recent weeks when her own mum had enquired about meeting Greg face to face that she'd been put in the same position. Although Lizzie had put in a good word for Greg she'd been nervous about introducing the first man she'd actual fell in love with to her parents.

"Has anyone ever told you that you have a tenancy to over talk when you nervous."

"I've been told."

"I love you too Greg and I get the over protective mother bit to, I worry about you and I'm not the one who gave birth to you."

"I'm for one very thankful for that, otherwise this entire relationship would be totally wrong."

Glad to see his humour return with his laugh Grace was glad to see the nerves leave her boyfriend as he ran his thumbs across the back of her hands.

"What would you say to meeting my family, I know my Papa and Nana Olaf would love you, and I'm betting on my parents loving you to, who couldn't."

"Well I am curious about the famous Papa Olaf, but you do realise if we're doing the whole meeting the parents thing you're going to have to meet mine."

"Only fair I guess."

Smiling at the grin Greg was now wearing Grace knew the family meetings would definitely be interesting however, before they could further discuss the idea Grace found herself trying to contain laughter as she happened to glance behind Greg.

"You sauce's beginning to boil."

No longer able to contain her laughter as Greg turned from her cursing Grace knew that she wouldn't change anything between them as she watched him saving his cooking. Looking forward to whatever the future would bring for them.

1 - Mum no I've told you a thousand times I don't have casual...flings

2 - I'm allowed to worry Greg; I just want what is best for you.

3 - I know mum and I appreciate that, but I'm not a little kid anymore. Making mistakes is part of growing up, how else am I going to learn.

4- You're right you're not a little child anymore, but you are still my son...This isn't one of the mistakes you have to make it is?

5 - She's far from a mistake...she's the best thing that's happened to me, the last eight months have been fantastic.

6 - I hope you're treating her right Greg, is there any chance of meeting her sometime soon?

7 – That's it no third degree.

8 - I may be a little disappointed that I've only just found out about your new girlfriend, but I've never once heard you speak like that about a girlfriend before.

9 - Because she's not like the others...she's different and I really want to make it work.

10 - I'll leave you to your evening, but I'm expecting you to tell me about this mystery woman of yours next time I call.

11 - Alright mum, I'll talk to you later