Next morning in the kitchen, everyone was bouncing around in a not very
much hurry. It was Monday Morning and although they all tried to ignore;
work, school. ., the real world was calling out their names.
Grace and Eli were doing their best to act normally. They avoided too much long conversations, tried not to look at each other or display any demonstration of a too friendly relation. Jessie observed their every move, like she was some kind of a hawk studying its prey. Billions of thoughts passed her mind as she just sat there and watched them pretending nothing was going on. She had a not very pleased look on her face. Eli noticed that something was obviously bothering his sister, he even asked what it was but she just easily dismissed him saying that she was not in the mood of going to school.
When all the kids were almost ready to take off, Rick and Lily made an announcement.
"Everyone?!!!", Rick first caught their attention, "Before you lave, I guess that Lily and I should tell you something."
They all had big questions marks stained on their faces, so Lily went on with the explanation, "We wanna let you know that you won't have to worry about the space problem of this house. Jessie and Zoe, you're not going to have to share a room again."
"That's right! We thought of it and with all the confusion that happened when you too first shared a room, the best solution is the Baby to live in our room.", Rick added. At the moment Rick mentioned the word *Baby* the frowns on the kids' faces faded away. The truth was they didn't have a clue of what the parents were talking about. None of them were actually worried about the rooms or where the Baby was going to live. They all knew that no matter what decisions Rick and Lily would take they would have to play one of the good kids and accept it because, in spite they all hated it, there was not much they could about the *subject*. But with what their parents said, they seemed to be relieved now.
"But the Baby is gonna live there with you . like. forever?", Zoe asked only to show she cared.
"Of course not, sweetie!!", Lily snorted, smiling. "Maybe for one or two years but by that time Eli and Grace will not be living here so we're gonna have extra rooms then we see what we want to do . And it's easer for me to take care of the Baby if he or she is in my room.", Lily finished. Eli and Grace exchanged glances when Lily said they would be out of the house within one or two years. They smiled at that thought.
"Okay, everybody!!! Time to go!", Eli clapped once or twice making Grace, Jessie and Zoe start their every day ritual of saying goodbye.
"Bye, Grace! Bye, Zoe!, Bye, Jessie, Bye, Eli!", Lily happily stated then jokingly added, "Bye, mom! Bye, Lily!, Bye, dad! Bye, Rick!"
"Bye!!", they all got out loud in reply then walked out.
Eli and Jessie were the first ones to get to the car. Jessie usually took the backseat but when Eli was driving them but this time she took the passenger's seat instead. When Grace saw that she made a funny face but right away shrugged the unimportant subject, entering the car, placing herself sat next to Zoe. . on the backseat.
Seatbelts hooked, ready to leave. Eli took a look around and thought they had an odd picture going on there. He wanted Grace to be next to him not Jessie, "Um. Jess?!!", he called.
"What?", his sister answered.
"Could you sit on the back and let Grace sit here?", he tried to sound as much casual as possible. But not casual enough for Jessie and Grace. The two girls made a surprised face after he uttered those words.
"Why, Eli?", Jessie questioned, knowing that he couldn't tell her the truth, so while he kept moving his moth she just wonder what clever lie he was going to make up this time then she sarcastically remarked, "You don't want me to sit next to you, Eli? Or."
"No!! It's not that!!", he clumsily snapped, "It's just that you always take the backseat and Grace the front so I . thought . that.. maybe. um-"
"Grace? Do you mind if I seat here?", Jessie turned and asked.
"No!! Not at all!", Grace more than quickly stumbled, as her eyes loudly asked Eli what was that about and what he think he was doing.
"Okay! Can we go now?", Jessie glared at her brother then Eli stated the car, taking off.
* * *
Grace and Jessie arrived at school a few minutes late, that's why they had to go straight to their respective classes.
During her second class, Grace got a note from Cynthia. Then note said: * Hey, stranger!! You won't believe in what I have to tell you!! Explain later at lunch! Cynthia.*. Grace looked over her shoulder and shook her head in confusion, Cynthia all smiling, mouthed *later*.
~ ~ ~
When Eli got to BookLovers he had a big surprise. A new girl, named Eva, was working in Nina's place.
"Hey, Judy!!", Eli frowned as this Eva girl ate him with her eyes.
"Um.. Hey!!! Eli!! Good morning!", Judy greeted as she walked in his direction.
"Morning. Um. What happened to Nina?"
"Oh!! Jake fired her.", Judy informed.
"Why?", he quizzed, shaking his head.
Judy got a little embarrassed and vaguely answered, "He's got his reasons.", she lightly snorted a laugh. Her eyes kept rolling and she couldn't stop nodding, which made Eli realize what made Jake fire the girl.
"Oh!! Got it!", he ironically remarked.
"You know, I have to confess that Jake firing Nina was a complete shock to me. Specially the reason that got him to do it.", Judy in a very subtle way mentioned Jake's past as a womanizer.
Eli laughed at it, "People change."
"Oh, so I heard.", she kidded then her expression went from embarrassment to a wide open curiosity. "Talking about changing. You're different."
Eli lowered his eyes grinning and pretended he didn't know what she was talking about, "What do you mean?"
"I don't know. You look unsually happy.", she insinuated, "You and Grace didn't talk much about what happened at the cabin."
"There's not much to talk about.", Eli tried to escape from answering but he new the woman wouldn't leave him alone until her said something. "You know, we fought then compromised. The place was. nice. There were lots of trees, mosquitos, . the lake was full of.. fishes.. frogs. You know what, I better work or I'll be next one fired here.", he dismissed her as she rolled her tongue inside her cheek and hummed a * hughm hum.*
* * *
At lunch time, Grace was at the school cafeteria with Cynthia and Linda. The two girls were all excited and that was killing Grace of curiosity.
"Are you two going to tell me what's going on or not?", she impatiently quizzed.
The girls laughed then Linda start to break the mystery, "See that hot-tall- brunet with deep dark eyes over there?", she pointed to three tables across the one they were sat.
Grace looked at the boy she was talking about, made a funny face and said, "Yeah!!! What about him?"
"Well, according to my sources .", Cynthia jumped in.
"Sources??", Grace's brow furrowed in wonder.
"Yes! Sources.", Cynthia confirmed and went on, "After the whole Mr. Dimitri thing. certain boys of this school began to see you with other eyes."
"That's right my friend.", Linda was the on explaining now, "They see you as a mature and brave girl and."
"Where is this going?", Grace got out.
"Okay. That hot guys we were talking about has been asking lots of questions about you.", Cynthia smirked.
Grace's mouth fell opened, "You mean, Taylor , the captain of the football team?", her two friends only nodded in agreement, ''Why?"
"I say, he's interested in you.", Linda stated the obvious.
"You're crazy.", Grace began to blush and thoughts of her and Eli came to her mind.
"What? Is that hard to believe that a hot guy could be interested in you?", Cynthia muttered.
"No, it's not that. It's just that, I. I mean..", all Grace could think of that moment was how twisted that sounded and how funny life can be sometimes.
"Okay, maybe we're wrong. But we only have left a month here and the prom is in two weeks. I know Taylor hasn't invited anyone yet. I say we wait and see what happens.", Lind tried to make thing lighter and make the frowns on Grace's faces disappear.
"Okay", Grace only added, going back to her food.
~ ~ ~
Jessie and Katie were sat on the second table away from Grace and her friends. During the lunch the girl didn't say a thing, all she did was glare at her step-sister every now and then, never letting the concern expression on her face fade.
"Alright. I can't take this anymore.", Katie stated, noticing Jessie's weird behavior. "What's going on, Jess?", Jessie was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear what her *friend* had just said, "Jess? Jess?"
"Um.. What??", Jessie was brought back to reality by the sound of Katie's voice.
"Are you okay??"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Nothing. Just. you seem worried or something.", Katie said a little unsure.
"Oh. it, it's nothing.", she dismissed, wearingly smiling. Katie didn't buy that but didn't want to upset her even more so she just let her be.
* * *
That say after school, Jessie went to visit her mother but didn't stay fro the night because Karen was having dinner with Henry. When Jessie got home, she looked around and saw no signs of Eli and Grace.
"Hi, dad!", Jessie said, shrugging off her backpack.
"Hi, honey!", Rick replied.
"Where's Lily?"
"Um, she's upstairs. She's not feeling well.", Rick vaguely informed.
"Oh!!! Where's Grace and Zoe and Eli.", Jessie wanted to be sure her suspicious were true.
"Zoe is with Lily and Grace and Eli. I'm not sure where they are. They were here about.. a minute ago or was it two hours ago. I don't know. Did you check their rooms.", Rick said more interested in the news on TV.
"No, I didn't.", Jessie sighed in announce then trudged up to the attic. Once up there, she collapsed on the bed and she had to obligate herself to not do something stupid and go to the garage and bust Eli and Grace. To draw her mind out of the thought of Eli and Grace she called Katie and talked about nothing in particular.
* * *
Fours days had passed since Jessie found out about the secret romance of her brother and step-sister. During those days, Jessie had to pretend she bought every single lame excuse that the two made up to be together. It nauseating her every time she caught them flirting. She was disgusted by them and she didn't know why. Her status with Katie couldn't be called normal, so why she was so upset with Eli's and Grace's story?? She couldn't say. She even tried to convince herself that maybe because both were lonely the decided to dive into that risky relationship. But that thought melt away when Jessie found out about Taylor having a crush on Grace and after meeting the new girl at BookLovers. She could tell by the way Eva was looking at Eli that that was hell over heels for him. With those new information in hands, Jessie wondered why couldn't Eli be interested in Eva or why couldn't Grace content to be with one the most good looking guys of the school. But what the hell? Life's complicated. Love's complicated.
So there they were, the whole family having dinner on a Thursday night. Eli and Grace barely had touched their food when they excused themselves and went to the garage with the excuse Grace was going to listen the new song Eli had written.
Jessie watched them leave and knew what they were actually going to do, "Dad?"
"What, Jess?",
"Um.. I-", Jessie opened her mouth to talk but she was cut by Lily complaining about not feeling so well.
"Oh, God! I don't fell good.", Lily place her hand on her womb.
"What is it, Li??", Rick face's fell in concern. Lily had been feeling bad for a few days and it was starting to worry him. "Don't you think you should see a doctor?"
"I have an appointment.", Lily disputed and he gave her a look. ". the appointment is on the at then end of the month."
"Lil, we-", Rick was about to pour tons of reasons for Lily to go see a doctor as soon as possible when Jessie couldn't take anymore.
"Um. excuse me.", Jessie pulled back the chair and stood up then walked out the scene leaving Zoe, Rick and Lily on the table.
~ ~ ~
Eli and Grace had spent the whole day apart so they locked the door right after then entered in. Eli grabbed Grace then lifted her body as he kissed her fervently. It was the best part of the day for both of them. Grace wrapped her legs around his waist as he walked over to his bed. Eli laid them on it. He was placing kisses on her collar bone as she softly groaned. He swiftly slid a hand under her shirt and begun to caress the bare skin of her tummy. Their make out sections were much stronger now, everything grew, the kisses, the touches. everything. Grace was about to put her hand on the back of his trousers when they heard a knock on the door. Eli and Grace quickly separated and clumsily fixed their clothes and hair 'til finally got out.
"Eli??", they heard her call.
"It's Jessie.", Eli whispered to Grace who had her hand on her mouth to contain the laughs of the fear of being caught . "What do I do?"
"Eli???", Jessie had an urgent tone on her voice.
Grace knew there was no other way but open the door. She walked to it and unlocked and as she opened it, it revealed a very pissed Jessie.
"Why was the door locked??", Jessie wanted to make them nervous.
"No particular reason.", Eli answered and Grace went to his CD pile's. "What do you want?"
"Listen to your new song.", Jessie meanly played with their minds. Eli looked at Grace with widen eyes , not knowing what to say back, "Isn't it what you guys were doing?"
"Yeah, sure.", he said.
"So, can I hear it."
"You know what, I just remembered I kinda promised Lind I would called tonight to talk about the prom, so . I'm going. Night, Eli. Night, Jessie.", Grace wisely made that up and left the scene.
Eli sat on his bed, frustration stained in his eyes while Jessie sarcastically waited him to play the song, "Eli. I'm waiting."
"Jess. the song isn't finished yet.", he lied.
"Really?? Why can Grace hear what you've got so far and I can't", she started to sound more and more pissed.
"Because... because... Grace is a writer and she's helping me write the song. That's why.", Eli blew out and Jessie just gave him a look. He was good in lying, she couldn't deny that. Tired of that game she stood up and left. * That was close. *, he thought , right after she slammed the door shut.
* * *
Friday morning was a complete chaos for the family. Rick had a meeting at seven, the girls went to school and Eli to work. Lily stayed home because she was not feeling good at all. She told Rick she would look for a doctor but she didn't.
While Lily struggle at home, Jessie and Katie had a argument at school. The fight happened because Jessie was acting weird around Grace and when Katie asked her what was going on she begun to attack her for no reason.
The sucked for all of them. Eli and Grace were the first ones to get home. Eli first then after a few minutes Grace. She found him in the kitchen. As she stepped in, Eli hugged her tightly...
"Eli?!!", Grace warned in a whisper.
" There's nobody home... We're completely and totally alone.", he with a smirk. Neither Eli nor Grace knew that Lily hadn't gone to work that day. "Come on, let me kiss you."
"No, not in the house. We can't do this here It's too risky.", she reasoned as usual, getting out of his grasp then walking to the fridge.
"Oh, please... You can't do this to me.", Eli crawled closer to her then touched her arm. Grace felt electricity shooting through all over her body. She was supposed to be used to his touches but she couldn't help feeling that way. She slowly begun to fell her legs were about to fail. She closed the door and turn to allow him to get even closer to her. Eli, caressed her left arm and made his way up to her neck until he hand cupped her face, their lips were only inches apart when a call startled them...
"Grace??", Lily called and they turned around. Horror and fear in their eyes , Eli and Grace let go off each at the moment they heard her speak.
"Mom?", Grace only managed to get that out. "I didn't know you were home."
"What were you doing??", Lily asked, her tone was filled with worry and why do not say despair of what the answer might be.
"What do you mean?", Grace had to play dumb. Eli didn't know what to say he just stood there like a statue.
"It, it, it seemed like you, you, you and Eli were about to, to-", Lily couldn't finish her thought, part of her brain told her that what she was thinking was completely insane and part of her heart told her otherwise.
"I ... asked ... Grace.. to, to... smell my new perfume. I wanted to know if it's too strong nd sweet so... You know.", that was all he could thought of. How could he explain why they were standing so close to each other.
"Really?", Lily puzzled.
"Yes, mom. And by the way Eli, I didn't like it... It is too strong and sweet.", Grace played along and opened the fridge again.
"What are you doing home so early, Lily", Eli asked to distance her from the scene she almost witnessed moments before.
"I, I'm not feeling well, I", Lily put her hand on her womb and her face shown pain.
"Lily, are you okay?", Eli was scared.
Grace turned to take a look her mother and she go terrified with what she saw, "Mom... your pants."
Lily looked down at her white pants and saw that it was stained... ... stained with blood. "Oh my, God.", Lily only whispered.
Eli grabbed the phone and called Rick telling him, that he and Grace were taking Lily to a hospital. Jessie was entering in the house at the moment they rushed outside. She got completely confused...
"Eli? What's going on??, she asked as Grace helped Lily to get in the car.
"Lily's Baby is in trouble.", Eli informed in a hearty tone. Jessie run to the car and place herself sat. They left to the hospital...
~ ~ ~
Eli, Grace and Jessie were at the waiting room when Judy got there with Zoe...
"How is she?", Judy asked.
" We don't know yet.", Eli mumbled as Grace hugged her sister.
They waited for about fifteen more minutes then Rick appeared to thrown out the news...
"So?", Judy quizzed.
" How's my mom? How's the Baby?", Zoe added with tears in her eyes.
" They're both okay.", Rick informed them with a relief tone in his voice. They all hugged and sighed heavily when they heard that.
" What happened?", Judy wanted more information.
"It's nothing serious. The doctor said that something like that is not unsual in a pregnancy of woman in her forties. He said that we must be more careful, she can't carry heavy things, she can't do housewife duties... you know. But everything is going to be fine.", Lily quickly explained.
A nurse came pushing Lily sitting in a wheel chair.
"Hi, mom!", Zoe kneeled down and gently embrace her mother...
* * *
They all got at home, Lily went straight to her room and so did Rick, Jessie and Zoe went up and Eli and Grace turned on the TV. Grace waited until they were completely alone to break the silence...
"Eli , we need to talk.", she seriously said, her eyes drowned with tears. Eli nodded in agreement and they went to his garage to talk.
Eli close the door but didn't lock it. He sat on his bed and Grace just stood there, her eyes fixed on the floor as her tears kept streaming.
"Grace, your mom is fine and so is the Baby. Everything is going to be o-", Eli knew she was too worried about her mother.
"I can't do this anymore.", Grace interrupted him.
"What? Do what, Grace?", Eli frowned, not understanding what she was talking about. Grace blinked and more tears rolled down. She looked at him and he read in her eyes what she meant. "It's not what I think it is, right?"
"We can't keep on doing this anymore.", she sniffed.
"Why not?"
"You saw what happened, Eli. She almost lost the Baby.", Grace burst out.
Eli couldn't believe what she just said, "What are you saying? You're saying it was our fault?"
"She almost caught us kissing, Eli. You saw the expression on her face, she was terrified.", Grace begun to freak out.
"Grace, you heard my father. Her pregnancy is a dangerous one. Things like that happen.", he pleaded, raising his voice a little.
"No... no... if she... Anyway, it doesn't matter, Eli... This... what we have is... is a lie... We're living a lie. I don't know if I can handle this situation. I want to tell the world about us and after what happened I just can't do that... I can't do it anymore.", Grace cried.
Eli buried his head in his hands and desperately said, "Grace, you can't be serious about this... This is what we've been waiting for... You can't do this to me."
"Oh, come on, Eli!", she screamed, "Do you see a future for us?? You said yourself that if we wanna be together we must hide this... Do you think you can live like that?? Well, I can't."
Eli swallowed his feelings down, he knew she was right. The couldn't make their relation public, at least not until the Baby was born and keep on hiding it was too hard for both of them. He knew what to do... but it ached him just to think of it, "You're right. I can't live like that, either."
Grace wiped out her tears, "We knew... we knew this was going to happen."
"But we had to try, right?", he added, choking at the words, "So, that's it. Hugh?!!"
"I guess so."
Silence filled the air as they took time to absorve all that had happened. Their hearts were broken and there were nothing they could about that. It was how things were for them...
The silence became too strong for them to stand so Eli spoke, "Jessie told me about Taylor... He's got a crush on you... Right?", Grace didn't say anything, " Jessie thinks you should go out with him."
"Yeah, she told me.", she found strength to speak, " She told me about Eva too... She said the girl's head over heels for you."
Eli and Grace locked eyes again. The feeling crossing their eyes were something that both well knew... loneliness, sadness... They were apart again... She nodded and forced a smile... he did the same...
"So, I see you around.", he breathed.
"See you around.", Grace replied and Eli turned his back on her. The tears went back streaming at the minute she walked out his door. Grace rushed into the house and bumped at Jessie on the stairs...
"Grace??", she quizzed
"Not now, Jessie", Grace ran up and locked herself in her room.
Jessie thought it was odd, so she went to Zoe's room to ask if Lily was okay, Zoe assured her that she was. Jessie figured then that Grace wasn't crying because of her mother, she was crying because of Eli. Jessie was dying to know what had happened between them, so she went to her brother's garage. As she got there, she saw his door were slightly opened, she slid herself in and found Eli crying too...
"Eli, are you okay", she with sympathetically.
"Go away, Jess.", he ordered, not wanting to deal with anyone.
"But Eli, you're-"
"I SAID GO AWAY!!!! DAMN IT!!!", he screamed in desperation. His action scared her a little, she never saw him like that before. So she quietly slid back out and closed his door, leaving him alone with his pain...
Grace and Eli were doing their best to act normally. They avoided too much long conversations, tried not to look at each other or display any demonstration of a too friendly relation. Jessie observed their every move, like she was some kind of a hawk studying its prey. Billions of thoughts passed her mind as she just sat there and watched them pretending nothing was going on. She had a not very pleased look on her face. Eli noticed that something was obviously bothering his sister, he even asked what it was but she just easily dismissed him saying that she was not in the mood of going to school.
When all the kids were almost ready to take off, Rick and Lily made an announcement.
"Everyone?!!!", Rick first caught their attention, "Before you lave, I guess that Lily and I should tell you something."
They all had big questions marks stained on their faces, so Lily went on with the explanation, "We wanna let you know that you won't have to worry about the space problem of this house. Jessie and Zoe, you're not going to have to share a room again."
"That's right! We thought of it and with all the confusion that happened when you too first shared a room, the best solution is the Baby to live in our room.", Rick added. At the moment Rick mentioned the word *Baby* the frowns on the kids' faces faded away. The truth was they didn't have a clue of what the parents were talking about. None of them were actually worried about the rooms or where the Baby was going to live. They all knew that no matter what decisions Rick and Lily would take they would have to play one of the good kids and accept it because, in spite they all hated it, there was not much they could about the *subject*. But with what their parents said, they seemed to be relieved now.
"But the Baby is gonna live there with you . like. forever?", Zoe asked only to show she cared.
"Of course not, sweetie!!", Lily snorted, smiling. "Maybe for one or two years but by that time Eli and Grace will not be living here so we're gonna have extra rooms then we see what we want to do . And it's easer for me to take care of the Baby if he or she is in my room.", Lily finished. Eli and Grace exchanged glances when Lily said they would be out of the house within one or two years. They smiled at that thought.
"Okay, everybody!!! Time to go!", Eli clapped once or twice making Grace, Jessie and Zoe start their every day ritual of saying goodbye.
"Bye, Grace! Bye, Zoe!, Bye, Jessie, Bye, Eli!", Lily happily stated then jokingly added, "Bye, mom! Bye, Lily!, Bye, dad! Bye, Rick!"
"Bye!!", they all got out loud in reply then walked out.
Eli and Jessie were the first ones to get to the car. Jessie usually took the backseat but when Eli was driving them but this time she took the passenger's seat instead. When Grace saw that she made a funny face but right away shrugged the unimportant subject, entering the car, placing herself sat next to Zoe. . on the backseat.
Seatbelts hooked, ready to leave. Eli took a look around and thought they had an odd picture going on there. He wanted Grace to be next to him not Jessie, "Um. Jess?!!", he called.
"What?", his sister answered.
"Could you sit on the back and let Grace sit here?", he tried to sound as much casual as possible. But not casual enough for Jessie and Grace. The two girls made a surprised face after he uttered those words.
"Why, Eli?", Jessie questioned, knowing that he couldn't tell her the truth, so while he kept moving his moth she just wonder what clever lie he was going to make up this time then she sarcastically remarked, "You don't want me to sit next to you, Eli? Or."
"No!! It's not that!!", he clumsily snapped, "It's just that you always take the backseat and Grace the front so I . thought . that.. maybe. um-"
"Grace? Do you mind if I seat here?", Jessie turned and asked.
"No!! Not at all!", Grace more than quickly stumbled, as her eyes loudly asked Eli what was that about and what he think he was doing.
"Okay! Can we go now?", Jessie glared at her brother then Eli stated the car, taking off.
* * *
Grace and Jessie arrived at school a few minutes late, that's why they had to go straight to their respective classes.
During her second class, Grace got a note from Cynthia. Then note said: * Hey, stranger!! You won't believe in what I have to tell you!! Explain later at lunch! Cynthia.*. Grace looked over her shoulder and shook her head in confusion, Cynthia all smiling, mouthed *later*.
~ ~ ~
When Eli got to BookLovers he had a big surprise. A new girl, named Eva, was working in Nina's place.
"Hey, Judy!!", Eli frowned as this Eva girl ate him with her eyes.
"Um.. Hey!!! Eli!! Good morning!", Judy greeted as she walked in his direction.
"Morning. Um. What happened to Nina?"
"Oh!! Jake fired her.", Judy informed.
"Why?", he quizzed, shaking his head.
Judy got a little embarrassed and vaguely answered, "He's got his reasons.", she lightly snorted a laugh. Her eyes kept rolling and she couldn't stop nodding, which made Eli realize what made Jake fire the girl.
"Oh!! Got it!", he ironically remarked.
"You know, I have to confess that Jake firing Nina was a complete shock to me. Specially the reason that got him to do it.", Judy in a very subtle way mentioned Jake's past as a womanizer.
Eli laughed at it, "People change."
"Oh, so I heard.", she kidded then her expression went from embarrassment to a wide open curiosity. "Talking about changing. You're different."
Eli lowered his eyes grinning and pretended he didn't know what she was talking about, "What do you mean?"
"I don't know. You look unsually happy.", she insinuated, "You and Grace didn't talk much about what happened at the cabin."
"There's not much to talk about.", Eli tried to escape from answering but he new the woman wouldn't leave him alone until her said something. "You know, we fought then compromised. The place was. nice. There were lots of trees, mosquitos, . the lake was full of.. fishes.. frogs. You know what, I better work or I'll be next one fired here.", he dismissed her as she rolled her tongue inside her cheek and hummed a * hughm hum.*
* * *
At lunch time, Grace was at the school cafeteria with Cynthia and Linda. The two girls were all excited and that was killing Grace of curiosity.
"Are you two going to tell me what's going on or not?", she impatiently quizzed.
The girls laughed then Linda start to break the mystery, "See that hot-tall- brunet with deep dark eyes over there?", she pointed to three tables across the one they were sat.
Grace looked at the boy she was talking about, made a funny face and said, "Yeah!!! What about him?"
"Well, according to my sources .", Cynthia jumped in.
"Sources??", Grace's brow furrowed in wonder.
"Yes! Sources.", Cynthia confirmed and went on, "After the whole Mr. Dimitri thing. certain boys of this school began to see you with other eyes."
"That's right my friend.", Linda was the on explaining now, "They see you as a mature and brave girl and."
"Where is this going?", Grace got out.
"Okay. That hot guys we were talking about has been asking lots of questions about you.", Cynthia smirked.
Grace's mouth fell opened, "You mean, Taylor , the captain of the football team?", her two friends only nodded in agreement, ''Why?"
"I say, he's interested in you.", Linda stated the obvious.
"You're crazy.", Grace began to blush and thoughts of her and Eli came to her mind.
"What? Is that hard to believe that a hot guy could be interested in you?", Cynthia muttered.
"No, it's not that. It's just that, I. I mean..", all Grace could think of that moment was how twisted that sounded and how funny life can be sometimes.
"Okay, maybe we're wrong. But we only have left a month here and the prom is in two weeks. I know Taylor hasn't invited anyone yet. I say we wait and see what happens.", Lind tried to make thing lighter and make the frowns on Grace's faces disappear.
"Okay", Grace only added, going back to her food.
~ ~ ~
Jessie and Katie were sat on the second table away from Grace and her friends. During the lunch the girl didn't say a thing, all she did was glare at her step-sister every now and then, never letting the concern expression on her face fade.
"Alright. I can't take this anymore.", Katie stated, noticing Jessie's weird behavior. "What's going on, Jess?", Jessie was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear what her *friend* had just said, "Jess? Jess?"
"Um.. What??", Jessie was brought back to reality by the sound of Katie's voice.
"Are you okay??"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Nothing. Just. you seem worried or something.", Katie said a little unsure.
"Oh. it, it's nothing.", she dismissed, wearingly smiling. Katie didn't buy that but didn't want to upset her even more so she just let her be.
* * *
That say after school, Jessie went to visit her mother but didn't stay fro the night because Karen was having dinner with Henry. When Jessie got home, she looked around and saw no signs of Eli and Grace.
"Hi, dad!", Jessie said, shrugging off her backpack.
"Hi, honey!", Rick replied.
"Where's Lily?"
"Um, she's upstairs. She's not feeling well.", Rick vaguely informed.
"Oh!!! Where's Grace and Zoe and Eli.", Jessie wanted to be sure her suspicious were true.
"Zoe is with Lily and Grace and Eli. I'm not sure where they are. They were here about.. a minute ago or was it two hours ago. I don't know. Did you check their rooms.", Rick said more interested in the news on TV.
"No, I didn't.", Jessie sighed in announce then trudged up to the attic. Once up there, she collapsed on the bed and she had to obligate herself to not do something stupid and go to the garage and bust Eli and Grace. To draw her mind out of the thought of Eli and Grace she called Katie and talked about nothing in particular.
* * *
Fours days had passed since Jessie found out about the secret romance of her brother and step-sister. During those days, Jessie had to pretend she bought every single lame excuse that the two made up to be together. It nauseating her every time she caught them flirting. She was disgusted by them and she didn't know why. Her status with Katie couldn't be called normal, so why she was so upset with Eli's and Grace's story?? She couldn't say. She even tried to convince herself that maybe because both were lonely the decided to dive into that risky relationship. But that thought melt away when Jessie found out about Taylor having a crush on Grace and after meeting the new girl at BookLovers. She could tell by the way Eva was looking at Eli that that was hell over heels for him. With those new information in hands, Jessie wondered why couldn't Eli be interested in Eva or why couldn't Grace content to be with one the most good looking guys of the school. But what the hell? Life's complicated. Love's complicated.
So there they were, the whole family having dinner on a Thursday night. Eli and Grace barely had touched their food when they excused themselves and went to the garage with the excuse Grace was going to listen the new song Eli had written.
Jessie watched them leave and knew what they were actually going to do, "Dad?"
"What, Jess?",
"Um.. I-", Jessie opened her mouth to talk but she was cut by Lily complaining about not feeling so well.
"Oh, God! I don't fell good.", Lily place her hand on her womb.
"What is it, Li??", Rick face's fell in concern. Lily had been feeling bad for a few days and it was starting to worry him. "Don't you think you should see a doctor?"
"I have an appointment.", Lily disputed and he gave her a look. ". the appointment is on the at then end of the month."
"Lil, we-", Rick was about to pour tons of reasons for Lily to go see a doctor as soon as possible when Jessie couldn't take anymore.
"Um. excuse me.", Jessie pulled back the chair and stood up then walked out the scene leaving Zoe, Rick and Lily on the table.
~ ~ ~
Eli and Grace had spent the whole day apart so they locked the door right after then entered in. Eli grabbed Grace then lifted her body as he kissed her fervently. It was the best part of the day for both of them. Grace wrapped her legs around his waist as he walked over to his bed. Eli laid them on it. He was placing kisses on her collar bone as she softly groaned. He swiftly slid a hand under her shirt and begun to caress the bare skin of her tummy. Their make out sections were much stronger now, everything grew, the kisses, the touches. everything. Grace was about to put her hand on the back of his trousers when they heard a knock on the door. Eli and Grace quickly separated and clumsily fixed their clothes and hair 'til finally got out.
"Eli??", they heard her call.
"It's Jessie.", Eli whispered to Grace who had her hand on her mouth to contain the laughs of the fear of being caught . "What do I do?"
"Eli???", Jessie had an urgent tone on her voice.
Grace knew there was no other way but open the door. She walked to it and unlocked and as she opened it, it revealed a very pissed Jessie.
"Why was the door locked??", Jessie wanted to make them nervous.
"No particular reason.", Eli answered and Grace went to his CD pile's. "What do you want?"
"Listen to your new song.", Jessie meanly played with their minds. Eli looked at Grace with widen eyes , not knowing what to say back, "Isn't it what you guys were doing?"
"Yeah, sure.", he said.
"So, can I hear it."
"You know what, I just remembered I kinda promised Lind I would called tonight to talk about the prom, so . I'm going. Night, Eli. Night, Jessie.", Grace wisely made that up and left the scene.
Eli sat on his bed, frustration stained in his eyes while Jessie sarcastically waited him to play the song, "Eli. I'm waiting."
"Jess. the song isn't finished yet.", he lied.
"Really?? Why can Grace hear what you've got so far and I can't", she started to sound more and more pissed.
"Because... because... Grace is a writer and she's helping me write the song. That's why.", Eli blew out and Jessie just gave him a look. He was good in lying, she couldn't deny that. Tired of that game she stood up and left. * That was close. *, he thought , right after she slammed the door shut.
* * *
Friday morning was a complete chaos for the family. Rick had a meeting at seven, the girls went to school and Eli to work. Lily stayed home because she was not feeling good at all. She told Rick she would look for a doctor but she didn't.
While Lily struggle at home, Jessie and Katie had a argument at school. The fight happened because Jessie was acting weird around Grace and when Katie asked her what was going on she begun to attack her for no reason.
The sucked for all of them. Eli and Grace were the first ones to get home. Eli first then after a few minutes Grace. She found him in the kitchen. As she stepped in, Eli hugged her tightly...
"Eli?!!", Grace warned in a whisper.
" There's nobody home... We're completely and totally alone.", he with a smirk. Neither Eli nor Grace knew that Lily hadn't gone to work that day. "Come on, let me kiss you."
"No, not in the house. We can't do this here It's too risky.", she reasoned as usual, getting out of his grasp then walking to the fridge.
"Oh, please... You can't do this to me.", Eli crawled closer to her then touched her arm. Grace felt electricity shooting through all over her body. She was supposed to be used to his touches but she couldn't help feeling that way. She slowly begun to fell her legs were about to fail. She closed the door and turn to allow him to get even closer to her. Eli, caressed her left arm and made his way up to her neck until he hand cupped her face, their lips were only inches apart when a call startled them...
"Grace??", Lily called and they turned around. Horror and fear in their eyes , Eli and Grace let go off each at the moment they heard her speak.
"Mom?", Grace only managed to get that out. "I didn't know you were home."
"What were you doing??", Lily asked, her tone was filled with worry and why do not say despair of what the answer might be.
"What do you mean?", Grace had to play dumb. Eli didn't know what to say he just stood there like a statue.
"It, it, it seemed like you, you, you and Eli were about to, to-", Lily couldn't finish her thought, part of her brain told her that what she was thinking was completely insane and part of her heart told her otherwise.
"I ... asked ... Grace.. to, to... smell my new perfume. I wanted to know if it's too strong nd sweet so... You know.", that was all he could thought of. How could he explain why they were standing so close to each other.
"Really?", Lily puzzled.
"Yes, mom. And by the way Eli, I didn't like it... It is too strong and sweet.", Grace played along and opened the fridge again.
"What are you doing home so early, Lily", Eli asked to distance her from the scene she almost witnessed moments before.
"I, I'm not feeling well, I", Lily put her hand on her womb and her face shown pain.
"Lily, are you okay?", Eli was scared.
Grace turned to take a look her mother and she go terrified with what she saw, "Mom... your pants."
Lily looked down at her white pants and saw that it was stained... ... stained with blood. "Oh my, God.", Lily only whispered.
Eli grabbed the phone and called Rick telling him, that he and Grace were taking Lily to a hospital. Jessie was entering in the house at the moment they rushed outside. She got completely confused...
"Eli? What's going on??, she asked as Grace helped Lily to get in the car.
"Lily's Baby is in trouble.", Eli informed in a hearty tone. Jessie run to the car and place herself sat. They left to the hospital...
~ ~ ~
Eli, Grace and Jessie were at the waiting room when Judy got there with Zoe...
"How is she?", Judy asked.
" We don't know yet.", Eli mumbled as Grace hugged her sister.
They waited for about fifteen more minutes then Rick appeared to thrown out the news...
"So?", Judy quizzed.
" How's my mom? How's the Baby?", Zoe added with tears in her eyes.
" They're both okay.", Rick informed them with a relief tone in his voice. They all hugged and sighed heavily when they heard that.
" What happened?", Judy wanted more information.
"It's nothing serious. The doctor said that something like that is not unsual in a pregnancy of woman in her forties. He said that we must be more careful, she can't carry heavy things, she can't do housewife duties... you know. But everything is going to be fine.", Lily quickly explained.
A nurse came pushing Lily sitting in a wheel chair.
"Hi, mom!", Zoe kneeled down and gently embrace her mother...
* * *
They all got at home, Lily went straight to her room and so did Rick, Jessie and Zoe went up and Eli and Grace turned on the TV. Grace waited until they were completely alone to break the silence...
"Eli , we need to talk.", she seriously said, her eyes drowned with tears. Eli nodded in agreement and they went to his garage to talk.
Eli close the door but didn't lock it. He sat on his bed and Grace just stood there, her eyes fixed on the floor as her tears kept streaming.
"Grace, your mom is fine and so is the Baby. Everything is going to be o-", Eli knew she was too worried about her mother.
"I can't do this anymore.", Grace interrupted him.
"What? Do what, Grace?", Eli frowned, not understanding what she was talking about. Grace blinked and more tears rolled down. She looked at him and he read in her eyes what she meant. "It's not what I think it is, right?"
"We can't keep on doing this anymore.", she sniffed.
"Why not?"
"You saw what happened, Eli. She almost lost the Baby.", Grace burst out.
Eli couldn't believe what she just said, "What are you saying? You're saying it was our fault?"
"She almost caught us kissing, Eli. You saw the expression on her face, she was terrified.", Grace begun to freak out.
"Grace, you heard my father. Her pregnancy is a dangerous one. Things like that happen.", he pleaded, raising his voice a little.
"No... no... if she... Anyway, it doesn't matter, Eli... This... what we have is... is a lie... We're living a lie. I don't know if I can handle this situation. I want to tell the world about us and after what happened I just can't do that... I can't do it anymore.", Grace cried.
Eli buried his head in his hands and desperately said, "Grace, you can't be serious about this... This is what we've been waiting for... You can't do this to me."
"Oh, come on, Eli!", she screamed, "Do you see a future for us?? You said yourself that if we wanna be together we must hide this... Do you think you can live like that?? Well, I can't."
Eli swallowed his feelings down, he knew she was right. The couldn't make their relation public, at least not until the Baby was born and keep on hiding it was too hard for both of them. He knew what to do... but it ached him just to think of it, "You're right. I can't live like that, either."
Grace wiped out her tears, "We knew... we knew this was going to happen."
"But we had to try, right?", he added, choking at the words, "So, that's it. Hugh?!!"
"I guess so."
Silence filled the air as they took time to absorve all that had happened. Their hearts were broken and there were nothing they could about that. It was how things were for them...
The silence became too strong for them to stand so Eli spoke, "Jessie told me about Taylor... He's got a crush on you... Right?", Grace didn't say anything, " Jessie thinks you should go out with him."
"Yeah, she told me.", she found strength to speak, " She told me about Eva too... She said the girl's head over heels for you."
Eli and Grace locked eyes again. The feeling crossing their eyes were something that both well knew... loneliness, sadness... They were apart again... She nodded and forced a smile... he did the same...
"So, I see you around.", he breathed.
"See you around.", Grace replied and Eli turned his back on her. The tears went back streaming at the minute she walked out his door. Grace rushed into the house and bumped at Jessie on the stairs...
"Grace??", she quizzed
"Not now, Jessie", Grace ran up and locked herself in her room.
Jessie thought it was odd, so she went to Zoe's room to ask if Lily was okay, Zoe assured her that she was. Jessie figured then that Grace wasn't crying because of her mother, she was crying because of Eli. Jessie was dying to know what had happened between them, so she went to her brother's garage. As she got there, she saw his door were slightly opened, she slid herself in and found Eli crying too...
"Eli, are you okay", she with sympathetically.
"Go away, Jess.", he ordered, not wanting to deal with anyone.
"But Eli, you're-"
"I SAID GO AWAY!!!! DAMN IT!!!", he screamed in desperation. His action scared her a little, she never saw him like that before. So she quietly slid back out and closed his door, leaving him alone with his pain...