Saturday afternoon at the Manning/Sammler house. It was a quarter to six in
the afternoon and Lily was in the Kitchen, making dinner. a week has passed
since the Grace/Eli incident, Lily and Rick tried not to think about it but
it has caused them some bad headaches, specially to Lily, she was really
worried about her daughter and step-son but since things seemed to be
*normal* again, she just let them be.
"Mom, I'm hungry.", Zoe announced, stepping into the kitchen. "Can I have a sandwich?"
"No."
"Why not?", Zoe snapped.
"Because if you eat now you won't have dinner later.", explained Lily.
"So?", Zoe insisted.
"Just hang on for another hour, okay? Dinner's almost ready.", Lily said with a smile and Zoe snorted, turning away to leave.
"Hey, Zoe!", Lily called. "Do you know where Grace and Eli are? I haven't seen them all afternoon."
Zoe raised her arms and clumsily waved them, letting her mother know she had no idea where Eli and Grace were.
*
*
*
"Eli! Eli!", Grace sweetly called while Eli place small kisses up and down her neck. "Eli!", she called again.
"Yes.", he hummed, never stopping kissing her.
"Oh God!!", she softly giggled, enjoying his sweet kisses. "Could you, um… hugh, stop and pay attention, please?", she said, cupping his face, *forcing* him to look up at her.
"I'm paying attention.", Eli lazily replied, taking her lips. Grace almost forgot what she wanted to say when his hot mouth met hers in one of those most passionate and magic kisses they have been sharing for the past six days.
"Okay, okay! That's it!", Grace got out after she reluctantly broke the kiss then she slid off from underneath him, standing up.
"What?!", Eli smirked at her, turning around on his bed so he laid on his back.
"Think we better go.", Grace snorted while fixing her hair and clothes.
"Where?"
Grace snorted heavily and made a face. "We gotta go back inside, Eli! At least, I do."
"Why ?", he played dumb, knowing it would probably annoy her.
"Our parents. Hello!!", she seriously joked. "We've been in here all afternoon, if we, I mean I, don't go back soon, they'll suspicious and if they suspicious there's something going on between us, they'll make questions and-", Grace stumbled then realized Eli was delightfully amused in watching her non-stop babbling.
Eli sat up and put his shoes on. He stood up and slowly walked towards her, attempting to take her in his arms and savor her again.
"No. No. No.", said Grace, moving away from him. "I know what you're doing and it's not gonna work."
"Stay a little more. I bet they haven't noticed you're in the house.", Eli stated, holding her. "And if Lily ask what we were doing, I just ell her I was trying to get her daughter naked.", he joked and Grace nipped him.
"Hey! That hurt!", he snapped.
"Good.", Grace teased him.
"Oh! I didn't know you enjoyed pain.", he teased her back, slowly pushing her against the wall.
"Eli! Don't!"
"You asked for it!", he replied with a smile on his face.
Grace swayed and ran out of his room, going into the house, Eli rushed after her. Grace jokely screamed when she saw Eli was *chasing* her as they invaded Lily's kitchen in a mad rush.
"Mom!", Grace cried and Lily gasped in surprise when she saw them playing around her kitchen.
"Grace, could you stop running around this, please!", Eli sarcastically ordered while him and Grace kept running around the island.
"Grace!?! Eli!?! What's going on?", Lily tried to understand the whole scenario.
"Nothing, Lily. I'm just trying to give your nasty daughter what she deserves.", he said laughing.
"Yeah?!! And what would that be?", Grace spoke as she rushed upstairs.
"If you think you're gonna get rid of this, Missy… you won't!", Eli exclaimed as he reached the stairs, making Grace turn around and look down at him. *I hope not*, Grace mouthed and they self-consciously smiled.
"You're free to go… for now.", Eli let Grace go to her room. "Oh, hey Jess!", Eli greeted Jessie who was watching TV.
"Hey, yourself!", Jessie greeted him back.
"I didn't notice you were here."
"Yeah, I kinda figured.", she smirked and he smiled.
"Um.. listen. I'm going to mom's. Wanna come?", Eli asked.
"No. I have to finish my homework.", Jessie replied.
"Homework? In a Saturday afternoon? You know, Jess, you scare me sometimes.", Eli mocked her and she displayed her tongue out to him. "Sure you don't wanna come?"
"Just get out of here!", she threatened him holding a cushion above her head, ready to throw it on him.
Eli went to the back door and headed to his room to get his keys. When he passed by Lily in the kitchen she oddly observed him. After he left, she went to the living room to talk to Jessie.
"Jessie!", Lily got her step-daughter's attention. "What do you have to say about Grace and Eli?"
"What? What do you mean?", Jessie quizzed.
"I thought they hated each other. Isn't that what you told me and Rick a week ago?", lily reminded Jessie the dinner incident. "So?"
Jessie was trapped. She didn't know what to say to Lily who was getting very impatient for not getting any answer.
"They love each other.", Jessie decided to tell the truth, knowing that Lily would take it as a joke but by the expression of horror that Lily's face seemed to show after hearing *that*, Jessie realized her word were not misinterpreted like she thought they would. "I mean, just because we fight sometimes, it doesn't mean we don't love each other. First it was me and Zoe, then me and Grace, last week it was Grace and Eli. My guess is the next ones, that are going to be hating each other, are Zoe and Eli. But it's just a guess."
"Really?", the frowns of concern on Lily's face faded away.
"I better finish my homework.". Jessie thought it'd be better to leave the room before Lily asked any more questions.
*
*
*
"I'm home!", Jessie got home from her therapy appointment. She went through the house and there was nobody there which was odd because she saw Eli's car outside when she came in and she assumed him and Grace would be home. She went up to the attic, threw her backpack on the floor and collapsed on her bed, trying to figure how she would spend the rest of her day.
Grace and Eli were at home but not exactly in *home*, they were locked in Eli's room. That place seemed to be the only one they would be safe at. As long as they kept the door locked, nothing would stop them from doing what they most liked to do: make out.
Grace was lying on Eli's body. Their hearts were racing as their hot mouths kissed one another. Eli grabbed Grace and rolled them aside so he was on top now. They felt like they were in heaven every time they were together. Eli's left hand ran through Grace's hair and his right one was strategically placed on her jean cover hip. As their kisses grew more and more passionate Eli subconsciously slid his hand under Grace's shirt and caressed her tummy. When Grace felt his hand touching her bare skin she broke the kiss because she wasn't used to have a boy's hand under her shirt.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-", Eli apologized, moving his hand back to where it was.
"No, it's okay.", Grace breathed then took his hand, replacing it on her tummy, under her shirt. Eli was amazed in seeing that Grace was not afraid that her act might lead them to something *deeper*. He smiled at her welcoming and she hold his face, bringing his lips to hers…
"Eli!", Jessie called from outside.
Eli and Grace parted from each other and remained in silence, believing that Jessie would leave is she got no reply. But that didn't work. Jessie called again… once… twice and they still kept in silence.
"Eli, I know you're in there and I know Grace's in there too. So, you better open this dam door 'cause I ain't leaving until you do it.", Jessie got out with annoyance and Grace and Eli laughed at her words.. They hesitantly stood up, fixed themselves and Eli opened the door.
"What?", Eli said and Jessie made her way into his room. Grace was standing next to the stereo, she had a couple of CDs in her hands. She thought that Jessie would buy they were doing nothing but listen to music.
"I didn't say you could get in.", Eli jokely said as Jessie took a seat on his bed.
"When were you planning to tell me?", Jessie questioned and Eli and Grace looked at each other.
"Tell you what?", they got out together, pretending not to know what Jessie was talking about.
"You don't know?", Jessie remarked and they shook their heads in agreement. "I just thought it'd be fair enough for me to be the firs to know that Princes Di has come back from the deads and that she got married to Rick Martin.", Jessie sarcastically added. Grace and Eli self-consciously stared each other and laughed.
"Yes. It's true. We're together.", Eli admitted as he stepped closer to Grace, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"It was about time!", Jessie exclaimed.
"Sorry we didn't tell you before but-", Grace mumbled an apology but Jessie didn't let her to continue.
"You were going on emotions and I was the last thing you guys would think about.", Jessie understood them and they smiled at the fact she's been so helpful and comprehensive..
"I'm gonna get out of here and let you, love birds, alone.", Jessie snorted, standing up.
"Where are you going?", Eli quizzed, noticing she was all dressed up.
"Nowhere in particular.", Jessie vaguely answered. "Why?"
"Nothing. It's just… you look hot!", Eli shrugged. "Are you sure you're telling us the truth?"
"I'm hanging out with Katie. You know… talk, maybe have some ice cream, laugh a little… girls stuff.", Jessie blushed at her brother's comments and when Grace heard she was going to meet Katie, she gave Jessie the * is it what I think it is* look and Jessie smiled, nodding.
"Oh my God!", grace suddenly got out, hugging Jessie. * Congratulations*, Grace whispered in Jessie's ear.
"What was that about?", Eli frowned when he saw them hug.
"We're happy. Happy people hug. That's all.", Grace replied and he shrugged, not believing her.
"I better go.", Jessie said, leaving the room.
"Now… spell it.", Eli ordered and Grace raised an eyebrow.
"Spell what?"
"I know you know who's Jessie's date really is and I want you to tell me."
"First, I don't know anything and second, if I did know something I wouldn't tell you.", Grace denied her knowledge in Jessie's love life.
"And why is that?", Eli quizzed and Grace shrugged. "You know what's going on with her, don't you?"
Grace knew that Eli would not stop bugging her with it so she chose to tell him the truth but not the whole truth. "yes, I know what's going on with Jessie. She's in love but I'm not telling you who she's in love with.", said Grace. "I can't betray Jessie's trust."
"You are so telling me what I wanna know.". Eli smirked, getting closer to Grace.
"No, I'm so not.", she snapped and Eli grabbed her, starting to tickle her sides. Grace couldn't stop laughing as Eli laid them down on the floor. He sat on her legs to immobilize her. He looked deeply into her brown eyes and kissed her. Grace wrapped her arms around him, pulling his body closer to hers..
*
*
*
Next day, Eli went to pick up Grace from school and instead of driving her home, he took her to his mother's .
"Eli? What are we doing here?", Grace asked as Eli pulled over.
"My mom's car is filthy.", Eli replied.
"Yeah? What does it have to do with me?", Grace frowned in confusion.
"Everything.", he said smiling while she eagerly stared him. "You're helping me cleaning it.
""What?", she got out surprised. "Why don't you just take it to a car-wash or something.?"
"And what's the fun in *that*?", Eli beamed, taking her hand, leading her into the house. When they got inside Karen thought it was odd for Grace being there but she didn't question it.
"Did you brush the tires?", Eli asked.
"Yes.", Grace answered a little annoyed.
"They don't seem clean to me.", he said, over looking the tires.
"So why don't you clean them yourself.", she sarcastically ordered.
"That's not an attitude of a good girl.", Eli teased her.
"Who said I'm a good girl.", Grace got in the teasing game. In fact, she did more than that. Grace took the rose and jetted water on Eli's face.
"Oh! It's a war?!!", he screamed and she said *yes*. Eli grabbed the bucket which was filled with water and soap and threw the mixture on Grace. She jokely screamed as he grabbed her from the back and both fell on the floor.
Karen was in the kitchen when she heard Grace scream. She stood up and went to her front door to see what was happening there. Karen was surprised to see Grace and Eli in a water battle, she was also amazed to see her soon having such a great time. She stood there, watching them , she was so lost in her thought about her son that she didn't notice Henry had arrived and that he was right next to her.
"Earth calling Karen!!!.", Henry joked and Karen was brought back from her thoughts with the sound of his voice.
"Hey!!!. What you're doing here?", she questioned and he kissed her tenderly.
"I'm here because I let my watch here last night.", he explained.
"Oh yes! I've found it. It's on the living room shelf.", Karen told him where his watch was and he went to get it.
"Who's she?", Henry asked. pointing to Grace.
"That's grace. Eli's step-sister.", Karen lightly replies.
"Really?!!", Henry made a confused face. "I could swear she was his girlfriend."
Karen turned to him and her face suddenly was covered with concern. "Why do you say that?"
"Nothing. I just-", Henry preferred not to express his thoughts because they would probably upset Karen. "Sorry, my mistake. I gotta go back to the hospital."
"Call me?", Karen stated and Henry mumbled a goodbye as he took off then Karen walked back into the house.
*
*
"Look at me! I'm soaking!.", grace exclaimed as her and Eli entered in Karen's living room.
"You started the whole thing. You asked for this.", Eli grinned.
"Shut up!!", she snapped.
"Hey, you!!", Karen made her way into the room.
"Mom, can you lend Grace a towel?"
"Yes, sure. Oh Jesus! Look at you!", Karen got out when she saw how wet they were. "Eli, you better get a hot shower now or you might get a flu or something. And that goes for you too, Grace. Come with me. I'll lend you some dry clothe.", Karen motherly treated them. Eli smiled when he saw Karen being so nice to Grace.
*
*
"Grace! Come on! We're late!!", Eli impatiently called and after a few minutes Grace and Karen came down. Grace was wearing a Karen's dress.
"Can we go now?", he asked, grabbing his keys. "Bye mom."
"Thank you, Karen.", Grace thanked her for the clothes. "Bye."
"Bye and Grace, you're welcome.", Karen smiled at them and they left.
Grace and Eli headed to the car. When they got in it, Eli started to stare Grace like she was some kind of a rare specie.
"What?", she snorted a laugh.
"I never thought I'd see you in one of my mom's dresses.", he began to tease her again and she pinched him. "Hey!! you better stop doing that or-"
"Or nothing. Now drive me home!", she sarcastically demanded then they drove off.
*
*
*
"Mom! we're home!', Grace called coming in.
"Hi! Where were you guys!?", Lily beamed at them
"We were at my mom's.", Eli explained. "We washed her car."
"Grace helped you wash mom's car?", Jessie quizzed, coming down and Eli nodded.
"How nice of you ,sweetie!!", Lily congratulated Grace for her *noble* act.
"It's not like gave me a choice, mom.", Grace stated and Eli made a funny face.
"I'm going to my room. ", Eli announced, leaving then Grace and Jessie went up to their owns.
The phone rang.
"Hello?", Lily picked up the phone. "Oh, hi Karen. He's upstairs, hang on a sec. RICK!!! KAREN'S ON THE PHONE!!",
Rick who was in his room reading, answered the phone. "Karen?!"
"Hi, Rick.", Karen awkwardly greeted him on the other line.
"Something's wrong?", he asked, noticing the concern on her ton.
"No, not really.", Karen began. "What is the kind of relationship between Eli and Grace?", Karen stammered.
"They're friends. Why?", now Rick's voice was the one filled with concern.
"No, nothing. It's just… they spent the entire afternoon here and I sort of noticed that…", Karen clumsily started to explain the reason why she made that question and the more she explained, more the concern on Rick's face grew.
*
*
*
Grace was already in bed when he snuck into her room. "Eli! What are you doing in my room? Are you crazy?", Grace quietly stated.
"Yes! I'm crazy about.", Eli smiled, crawling onto her bed then kissing her.
"We can do this up here.", grace got out breathlessly.
"We're not doing anything wrong. I just want to hold you through the night.", Eli grinned, kissing her jaw.
"Eli!", she breathed and he took her lips again.
"Grace!", he whispered, loving the her touches.
As Eli deepened their kisses, Grace felt her body burn and her heart soar. She had never felt those thing before. "You better go back to your room.", Grace found courage to break the kiss and speak.
"Okay, you won!", Eli agreed but before he left he gave her a sweet, passionate, warm, wet kiss. "Good night!", he mumbled, standing on her doorway then she mouthed a good night too.
Eli reached the kitchen's door and before he stepped out he froze and wonder. *There's no point for me to spend this night alone.*. He knew he'd twist and turn in his bed, thinking about Grace, knowing he could be in her embrace . So he decided to come back up and spend the night entwined to Grace.
"Eli?! What are you doing up?", Rick, his voice was filled with sleep.
Eli froze when he practically bumped on his father. "I was thirsty.", Eli stammered.
"I'm glad you and Grace are close again.", Rick said more awake than seconds before.
"Yeah. Me too.", Eli replied, unsured of why his father was bringing that subject up.
"Good. Um… hugh. It's nice that you two have each other… that you're… friends.", Rick sounded seriously concerned. "But I want you to… never forget she's you're… step-sister, Okay?"
"Why? Why are you saying that?", now Eli spoke with concern.
"Nothing, just don't forget *that*.", Rick took a glass of milk and headed out the kitchen then up to his room.
Eli's mind began to wonder. *Does he know about us*, he questioned himself. Eli took a deep breath and gave up the idea of spending the night with Grace. He turned away and left.
*
*
In spite of Rick's words never stopped playing on Eli's mind, he was almost asleep then he felt an arm embrace him.
"Grace?!"
"I couldn't sleep.", Grace softly hummed, sliding under his covers. "I need to feel your body next to mine."
Eli hold her tightly. "I want you to know that we'll always be together.", he seriously muttered and she looked up at him, fear passed though her eyes. "I want you to know that no matter what may happen to us, I will never leave you. Never."
" Why are you saying that?"
" I bumped on my father after I left your room.", Eli began to explain. "He told me that I should never forget you're my step sister."
"You think he know?", Grace barely spoke.
"I don't know. But I guess he suspicious something is going on."
After Eli spoke Grace clutched him even tighter. He felt her arms wrapped around him, he listened to her heart beats come down, he knew she the one and that's all that mattered to him.
*
*
*
Morning came and Grace succeeded to go up to her room without being seen.
When everybody was having breakfast Jessie felt like she should bow to Eli and Grace for keeping their hands off of each other. She knew it pained them
badly.
lily and Rick left to work and Grace, Jessie and Zoe went to school. Eli was the last one to leave the house. When he was about to leave the phone rang.
"Hello?!", Eli answered the phone.
"Hello? Eli?! It's me.", a female voice spoke on the other line and Eli froze when he heard her speak. "Eli? It's me. Carla. Are you still there?!! Eli?!!??"…
"Mom, I'm hungry.", Zoe announced, stepping into the kitchen. "Can I have a sandwich?"
"No."
"Why not?", Zoe snapped.
"Because if you eat now you won't have dinner later.", explained Lily.
"So?", Zoe insisted.
"Just hang on for another hour, okay? Dinner's almost ready.", Lily said with a smile and Zoe snorted, turning away to leave.
"Hey, Zoe!", Lily called. "Do you know where Grace and Eli are? I haven't seen them all afternoon."
Zoe raised her arms and clumsily waved them, letting her mother know she had no idea where Eli and Grace were.
*
*
*
"Eli! Eli!", Grace sweetly called while Eli place small kisses up and down her neck. "Eli!", she called again.
"Yes.", he hummed, never stopping kissing her.
"Oh God!!", she softly giggled, enjoying his sweet kisses. "Could you, um… hugh, stop and pay attention, please?", she said, cupping his face, *forcing* him to look up at her.
"I'm paying attention.", Eli lazily replied, taking her lips. Grace almost forgot what she wanted to say when his hot mouth met hers in one of those most passionate and magic kisses they have been sharing for the past six days.
"Okay, okay! That's it!", Grace got out after she reluctantly broke the kiss then she slid off from underneath him, standing up.
"What?!", Eli smirked at her, turning around on his bed so he laid on his back.
"Think we better go.", Grace snorted while fixing her hair and clothes.
"Where?"
Grace snorted heavily and made a face. "We gotta go back inside, Eli! At least, I do."
"Why ?", he played dumb, knowing it would probably annoy her.
"Our parents. Hello!!", she seriously joked. "We've been in here all afternoon, if we, I mean I, don't go back soon, they'll suspicious and if they suspicious there's something going on between us, they'll make questions and-", Grace stumbled then realized Eli was delightfully amused in watching her non-stop babbling.
Eli sat up and put his shoes on. He stood up and slowly walked towards her, attempting to take her in his arms and savor her again.
"No. No. No.", said Grace, moving away from him. "I know what you're doing and it's not gonna work."
"Stay a little more. I bet they haven't noticed you're in the house.", Eli stated, holding her. "And if Lily ask what we were doing, I just ell her I was trying to get her daughter naked.", he joked and Grace nipped him.
"Hey! That hurt!", he snapped.
"Good.", Grace teased him.
"Oh! I didn't know you enjoyed pain.", he teased her back, slowly pushing her against the wall.
"Eli! Don't!"
"You asked for it!", he replied with a smile on his face.
Grace swayed and ran out of his room, going into the house, Eli rushed after her. Grace jokely screamed when she saw Eli was *chasing* her as they invaded Lily's kitchen in a mad rush.
"Mom!", Grace cried and Lily gasped in surprise when she saw them playing around her kitchen.
"Grace, could you stop running around this, please!", Eli sarcastically ordered while him and Grace kept running around the island.
"Grace!?! Eli!?! What's going on?", Lily tried to understand the whole scenario.
"Nothing, Lily. I'm just trying to give your nasty daughter what she deserves.", he said laughing.
"Yeah?!! And what would that be?", Grace spoke as she rushed upstairs.
"If you think you're gonna get rid of this, Missy… you won't!", Eli exclaimed as he reached the stairs, making Grace turn around and look down at him. *I hope not*, Grace mouthed and they self-consciously smiled.
"You're free to go… for now.", Eli let Grace go to her room. "Oh, hey Jess!", Eli greeted Jessie who was watching TV.
"Hey, yourself!", Jessie greeted him back.
"I didn't notice you were here."
"Yeah, I kinda figured.", she smirked and he smiled.
"Um.. listen. I'm going to mom's. Wanna come?", Eli asked.
"No. I have to finish my homework.", Jessie replied.
"Homework? In a Saturday afternoon? You know, Jess, you scare me sometimes.", Eli mocked her and she displayed her tongue out to him. "Sure you don't wanna come?"
"Just get out of here!", she threatened him holding a cushion above her head, ready to throw it on him.
Eli went to the back door and headed to his room to get his keys. When he passed by Lily in the kitchen she oddly observed him. After he left, she went to the living room to talk to Jessie.
"Jessie!", Lily got her step-daughter's attention. "What do you have to say about Grace and Eli?"
"What? What do you mean?", Jessie quizzed.
"I thought they hated each other. Isn't that what you told me and Rick a week ago?", lily reminded Jessie the dinner incident. "So?"
Jessie was trapped. She didn't know what to say to Lily who was getting very impatient for not getting any answer.
"They love each other.", Jessie decided to tell the truth, knowing that Lily would take it as a joke but by the expression of horror that Lily's face seemed to show after hearing *that*, Jessie realized her word were not misinterpreted like she thought they would. "I mean, just because we fight sometimes, it doesn't mean we don't love each other. First it was me and Zoe, then me and Grace, last week it was Grace and Eli. My guess is the next ones, that are going to be hating each other, are Zoe and Eli. But it's just a guess."
"Really?", the frowns of concern on Lily's face faded away.
"I better finish my homework.". Jessie thought it'd be better to leave the room before Lily asked any more questions.
*
*
*
"I'm home!", Jessie got home from her therapy appointment. She went through the house and there was nobody there which was odd because she saw Eli's car outside when she came in and she assumed him and Grace would be home. She went up to the attic, threw her backpack on the floor and collapsed on her bed, trying to figure how she would spend the rest of her day.
Grace and Eli were at home but not exactly in *home*, they were locked in Eli's room. That place seemed to be the only one they would be safe at. As long as they kept the door locked, nothing would stop them from doing what they most liked to do: make out.
Grace was lying on Eli's body. Their hearts were racing as their hot mouths kissed one another. Eli grabbed Grace and rolled them aside so he was on top now. They felt like they were in heaven every time they were together. Eli's left hand ran through Grace's hair and his right one was strategically placed on her jean cover hip. As their kisses grew more and more passionate Eli subconsciously slid his hand under Grace's shirt and caressed her tummy. When Grace felt his hand touching her bare skin she broke the kiss because she wasn't used to have a boy's hand under her shirt.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-", Eli apologized, moving his hand back to where it was.
"No, it's okay.", Grace breathed then took his hand, replacing it on her tummy, under her shirt. Eli was amazed in seeing that Grace was not afraid that her act might lead them to something *deeper*. He smiled at her welcoming and she hold his face, bringing his lips to hers…
"Eli!", Jessie called from outside.
Eli and Grace parted from each other and remained in silence, believing that Jessie would leave is she got no reply. But that didn't work. Jessie called again… once… twice and they still kept in silence.
"Eli, I know you're in there and I know Grace's in there too. So, you better open this dam door 'cause I ain't leaving until you do it.", Jessie got out with annoyance and Grace and Eli laughed at her words.. They hesitantly stood up, fixed themselves and Eli opened the door.
"What?", Eli said and Jessie made her way into his room. Grace was standing next to the stereo, she had a couple of CDs in her hands. She thought that Jessie would buy they were doing nothing but listen to music.
"I didn't say you could get in.", Eli jokely said as Jessie took a seat on his bed.
"When were you planning to tell me?", Jessie questioned and Eli and Grace looked at each other.
"Tell you what?", they got out together, pretending not to know what Jessie was talking about.
"You don't know?", Jessie remarked and they shook their heads in agreement. "I just thought it'd be fair enough for me to be the firs to know that Princes Di has come back from the deads and that she got married to Rick Martin.", Jessie sarcastically added. Grace and Eli self-consciously stared each other and laughed.
"Yes. It's true. We're together.", Eli admitted as he stepped closer to Grace, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"It was about time!", Jessie exclaimed.
"Sorry we didn't tell you before but-", Grace mumbled an apology but Jessie didn't let her to continue.
"You were going on emotions and I was the last thing you guys would think about.", Jessie understood them and they smiled at the fact she's been so helpful and comprehensive..
"I'm gonna get out of here and let you, love birds, alone.", Jessie snorted, standing up.
"Where are you going?", Eli quizzed, noticing she was all dressed up.
"Nowhere in particular.", Jessie vaguely answered. "Why?"
"Nothing. It's just… you look hot!", Eli shrugged. "Are you sure you're telling us the truth?"
"I'm hanging out with Katie. You know… talk, maybe have some ice cream, laugh a little… girls stuff.", Jessie blushed at her brother's comments and when Grace heard she was going to meet Katie, she gave Jessie the * is it what I think it is* look and Jessie smiled, nodding.
"Oh my God!", grace suddenly got out, hugging Jessie. * Congratulations*, Grace whispered in Jessie's ear.
"What was that about?", Eli frowned when he saw them hug.
"We're happy. Happy people hug. That's all.", Grace replied and he shrugged, not believing her.
"I better go.", Jessie said, leaving the room.
"Now… spell it.", Eli ordered and Grace raised an eyebrow.
"Spell what?"
"I know you know who's Jessie's date really is and I want you to tell me."
"First, I don't know anything and second, if I did know something I wouldn't tell you.", Grace denied her knowledge in Jessie's love life.
"And why is that?", Eli quizzed and Grace shrugged. "You know what's going on with her, don't you?"
Grace knew that Eli would not stop bugging her with it so she chose to tell him the truth but not the whole truth. "yes, I know what's going on with Jessie. She's in love but I'm not telling you who she's in love with.", said Grace. "I can't betray Jessie's trust."
"You are so telling me what I wanna know.". Eli smirked, getting closer to Grace.
"No, I'm so not.", she snapped and Eli grabbed her, starting to tickle her sides. Grace couldn't stop laughing as Eli laid them down on the floor. He sat on her legs to immobilize her. He looked deeply into her brown eyes and kissed her. Grace wrapped her arms around him, pulling his body closer to hers..
*
*
*
Next day, Eli went to pick up Grace from school and instead of driving her home, he took her to his mother's .
"Eli? What are we doing here?", Grace asked as Eli pulled over.
"My mom's car is filthy.", Eli replied.
"Yeah? What does it have to do with me?", Grace frowned in confusion.
"Everything.", he said smiling while she eagerly stared him. "You're helping me cleaning it.
""What?", she got out surprised. "Why don't you just take it to a car-wash or something.?"
"And what's the fun in *that*?", Eli beamed, taking her hand, leading her into the house. When they got inside Karen thought it was odd for Grace being there but she didn't question it.
"Did you brush the tires?", Eli asked.
"Yes.", Grace answered a little annoyed.
"They don't seem clean to me.", he said, over looking the tires.
"So why don't you clean them yourself.", she sarcastically ordered.
"That's not an attitude of a good girl.", Eli teased her.
"Who said I'm a good girl.", Grace got in the teasing game. In fact, she did more than that. Grace took the rose and jetted water on Eli's face.
"Oh! It's a war?!!", he screamed and she said *yes*. Eli grabbed the bucket which was filled with water and soap and threw the mixture on Grace. She jokely screamed as he grabbed her from the back and both fell on the floor.
Karen was in the kitchen when she heard Grace scream. She stood up and went to her front door to see what was happening there. Karen was surprised to see Grace and Eli in a water battle, she was also amazed to see her soon having such a great time. She stood there, watching them , she was so lost in her thought about her son that she didn't notice Henry had arrived and that he was right next to her.
"Earth calling Karen!!!.", Henry joked and Karen was brought back from her thoughts with the sound of his voice.
"Hey!!!. What you're doing here?", she questioned and he kissed her tenderly.
"I'm here because I let my watch here last night.", he explained.
"Oh yes! I've found it. It's on the living room shelf.", Karen told him where his watch was and he went to get it.
"Who's she?", Henry asked. pointing to Grace.
"That's grace. Eli's step-sister.", Karen lightly replies.
"Really?!!", Henry made a confused face. "I could swear she was his girlfriend."
Karen turned to him and her face suddenly was covered with concern. "Why do you say that?"
"Nothing. I just-", Henry preferred not to express his thoughts because they would probably upset Karen. "Sorry, my mistake. I gotta go back to the hospital."
"Call me?", Karen stated and Henry mumbled a goodbye as he took off then Karen walked back into the house.
*
*
"Look at me! I'm soaking!.", grace exclaimed as her and Eli entered in Karen's living room.
"You started the whole thing. You asked for this.", Eli grinned.
"Shut up!!", she snapped.
"Hey, you!!", Karen made her way into the room.
"Mom, can you lend Grace a towel?"
"Yes, sure. Oh Jesus! Look at you!", Karen got out when she saw how wet they were. "Eli, you better get a hot shower now or you might get a flu or something. And that goes for you too, Grace. Come with me. I'll lend you some dry clothe.", Karen motherly treated them. Eli smiled when he saw Karen being so nice to Grace.
*
*
"Grace! Come on! We're late!!", Eli impatiently called and after a few minutes Grace and Karen came down. Grace was wearing a Karen's dress.
"Can we go now?", he asked, grabbing his keys. "Bye mom."
"Thank you, Karen.", Grace thanked her for the clothes. "Bye."
"Bye and Grace, you're welcome.", Karen smiled at them and they left.
Grace and Eli headed to the car. When they got in it, Eli started to stare Grace like she was some kind of a rare specie.
"What?", she snorted a laugh.
"I never thought I'd see you in one of my mom's dresses.", he began to tease her again and she pinched him. "Hey!! you better stop doing that or-"
"Or nothing. Now drive me home!", she sarcastically demanded then they drove off.
*
*
*
"Mom! we're home!', Grace called coming in.
"Hi! Where were you guys!?", Lily beamed at them
"We were at my mom's.", Eli explained. "We washed her car."
"Grace helped you wash mom's car?", Jessie quizzed, coming down and Eli nodded.
"How nice of you ,sweetie!!", Lily congratulated Grace for her *noble* act.
"It's not like gave me a choice, mom.", Grace stated and Eli made a funny face.
"I'm going to my room. ", Eli announced, leaving then Grace and Jessie went up to their owns.
The phone rang.
"Hello?", Lily picked up the phone. "Oh, hi Karen. He's upstairs, hang on a sec. RICK!!! KAREN'S ON THE PHONE!!",
Rick who was in his room reading, answered the phone. "Karen?!"
"Hi, Rick.", Karen awkwardly greeted him on the other line.
"Something's wrong?", he asked, noticing the concern on her ton.
"No, not really.", Karen began. "What is the kind of relationship between Eli and Grace?", Karen stammered.
"They're friends. Why?", now Rick's voice was the one filled with concern.
"No, nothing. It's just… they spent the entire afternoon here and I sort of noticed that…", Karen clumsily started to explain the reason why she made that question and the more she explained, more the concern on Rick's face grew.
*
*
*
Grace was already in bed when he snuck into her room. "Eli! What are you doing in my room? Are you crazy?", Grace quietly stated.
"Yes! I'm crazy about.", Eli smiled, crawling onto her bed then kissing her.
"We can do this up here.", grace got out breathlessly.
"We're not doing anything wrong. I just want to hold you through the night.", Eli grinned, kissing her jaw.
"Eli!", she breathed and he took her lips again.
"Grace!", he whispered, loving the her touches.
As Eli deepened their kisses, Grace felt her body burn and her heart soar. She had never felt those thing before. "You better go back to your room.", Grace found courage to break the kiss and speak.
"Okay, you won!", Eli agreed but before he left he gave her a sweet, passionate, warm, wet kiss. "Good night!", he mumbled, standing on her doorway then she mouthed a good night too.
Eli reached the kitchen's door and before he stepped out he froze and wonder. *There's no point for me to spend this night alone.*. He knew he'd twist and turn in his bed, thinking about Grace, knowing he could be in her embrace . So he decided to come back up and spend the night entwined to Grace.
"Eli?! What are you doing up?", Rick, his voice was filled with sleep.
Eli froze when he practically bumped on his father. "I was thirsty.", Eli stammered.
"I'm glad you and Grace are close again.", Rick said more awake than seconds before.
"Yeah. Me too.", Eli replied, unsured of why his father was bringing that subject up.
"Good. Um… hugh. It's nice that you two have each other… that you're… friends.", Rick sounded seriously concerned. "But I want you to… never forget she's you're… step-sister, Okay?"
"Why? Why are you saying that?", now Eli spoke with concern.
"Nothing, just don't forget *that*.", Rick took a glass of milk and headed out the kitchen then up to his room.
Eli's mind began to wonder. *Does he know about us*, he questioned himself. Eli took a deep breath and gave up the idea of spending the night with Grace. He turned away and left.
*
*
In spite of Rick's words never stopped playing on Eli's mind, he was almost asleep then he felt an arm embrace him.
"Grace?!"
"I couldn't sleep.", Grace softly hummed, sliding under his covers. "I need to feel your body next to mine."
Eli hold her tightly. "I want you to know that we'll always be together.", he seriously muttered and she looked up at him, fear passed though her eyes. "I want you to know that no matter what may happen to us, I will never leave you. Never."
" Why are you saying that?"
" I bumped on my father after I left your room.", Eli began to explain. "He told me that I should never forget you're my step sister."
"You think he know?", Grace barely spoke.
"I don't know. But I guess he suspicious something is going on."
After Eli spoke Grace clutched him even tighter. He felt her arms wrapped around him, he listened to her heart beats come down, he knew she the one and that's all that mattered to him.
*
*
*
Morning came and Grace succeeded to go up to her room without being seen.
When everybody was having breakfast Jessie felt like she should bow to Eli and Grace for keeping their hands off of each other. She knew it pained them
badly.
lily and Rick left to work and Grace, Jessie and Zoe went to school. Eli was the last one to leave the house. When he was about to leave the phone rang.
"Hello?!", Eli answered the phone.
"Hello? Eli?! It's me.", a female voice spoke on the other line and Eli froze when he heard her speak. "Eli? It's me. Carla. Are you still there?!! Eli?!!??"…