Ok guys soo soo sorry for the delay. Lots and lots of things came up. But I promise the next one will be out pronto it is done just needs typed. It was going to be part of this one but this one had a little bit added on in the editing and it would have just been ridiculously long. Ps: please ignore typos

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 14

After Luke and Joan had viewed and discussed the apartment they returned to the Girardi home. When they got there they found their mother carrying in groceries, but she was not alone. Both Grace and Eric were there helping her.

Luke felt his heart beat speed up when Grace turned around at the slamming of the car door.

"Hey Joan, Luke…" Grace said trying to maintain her focus on Joan as Eric came up behind her. He wrapped his arm around her waist.

Luke noticed Grace flinch and close her eyes briefly before turning her eyes to him. She had hoped he hadn't been bothered by Eric. He had quickly shifted his eyes to his mom in the background hoping Grace hadn't noticed, but Luke had noticed, not just Eric, but Grace. She still was not comfortable with public display of affection and was sure Eric had only done it because he had been there. The fact that HE was there he knew, didn't make it any easier on Grace, and it was definitely not easy on him.

"Aren't you going to introduce me Grace?" Eric asked laughing "I still can't get used to calling you that. She had me call…"

"Um." Grace interrupted "This is Luke Girardi. Luke, Eric Walker."

"Eric extended his hand. "Sorry about at the restaurant… I didn't know before…"

Luke nodded and took his hand, though the whole time he was starring at Grace whom in return was pleading with her eyes to him for understanding.

"So… what brings you guys here?" Joan asked feeling the tense situation.

"Well, Grace's father is having a welcome home dinner for her mother and he suggested we invite all of you to come, plus I wanted to meet some of Grace's friends and learn a little more about her. We've already invited your parents, and I believe an Adam?" He looked for conformation from Grace. "And, that leaves you two."

Grace jumped in. "Please don't feel obligated to come or anything I know you don't know her well or anything I just thought…"Grace seemed a little unsure.

"Grace we'd love to come. Right Luke?"

Luke looked at Grace. It did not seem like she had come up with the idea. All Luke could do was stare at her. Joan elbowed him and again Eric pulled Grace close protectively.

"Oh…right."

"Uh…Eric, Joan…do you care if I talk to Luke for a while?" Grace asked more directing her question to Luke than to anyone else.

"Grace… Do you think you should…?"

"Eric I'm fine." She said sternly.

Luke was caught off guard by Eric's question. Did he think he would hurt Grace? He did notice the hostility and definitely the protectiveness but he had thought that was because he was an old boyfriend.

Joan's mood brightened instantly.

"Come on Eric, you can talk to me. Luke just cleaned out the garage, but I managed to save a lot of old high school yearbooks and pictures. Those should be fun to go through." She said with a grin.

Eric smiled back truly interested.

And Luke and Grace both said "No!" in unison.

"Joan no. Please." Grace pleased and Luke backed her up.

"Joan don't"

"Lighten up Grace." Eric teased. "They are only high school pictures. "Besides… I'm sure you looked beautiful in all of them."

"Awwwww." Joan smiled.

And Grace attempted one last plea with her before her and Eric ran off to look at the pictures.

Luke played with his hands nervously.

"I'm sorry about Eric, he doesn't think when he says and does things sometimes…"

Luke just continued to play with his fingers, he was still nervous about being around her because of the uncomfortable situation with Eric being there.

"Luke, why do you get like this now? I'm not going to say or do anything that you should be nervous about." She said playfully pushing his arm.

"Seriously though…you are…different."

Luke looked up and mumbled softly "So are you."

"Grace laughed. "How am I any different? I am exactly like I was before."

Luke looked hurt when she said this. She couldn't possibly believe that. The girl he had known and loved had to be there within her. "No. it's like…you stole half of Joan's personality. You are…I can't believe I'm phrasing this like this but for lack of a better way…girly, and well, before you would always have an opinion and speak what was on your mind no matter what it was or who it was about or against, no matter the consequences. If I'm different it's because I don't know how to react to you now."

Grace stared at him a moment and then said "Come on."

She grabbed his hand and started pulling him down the street.

"Where are we going?" Luke looked a little confused.

"For a little walk." She answered him.

"Uh… Grace… could we just talk here or something. I…"

"You're not comfortable going for a walk down memory lane…"She smiled at him.

Luke nodded.

"It's not far. I just have some things to say, and I don't want to say them here."

Luke nodded and kept walking. When they got to their destination Luke stopped dead in his tracks.

Lol well you had to expect a cliff hanger. But you are lucky it's not the next chapter yet lol cause ouch will that one be begging for a follow up. Anyways…. Sorry this chapter was so….dry. It was meant to have more tacked onto it that would explain some stuff. The next few chapters will brew a storm I'm sure lol but you will seee. We did have a little tension in this one soooo not sooo horrible.