~A Once and Again Series~
Where do we go from here?
Hey, thanks for reading, as always.... oh, and sorry if I confused you on Eli and Grace in the past couple of chapters. They ARE dating now, ever since the kiss in Grace's room that Rick witnessed. :) Anyways...... on with the show.
Chapter 11//Not Sure Where We Stand
"Did you want orange juice?" Eli asked, as he opened the fridge. He looked over his shoulder at Grace, who nodded. Eli filled up two glasses with the cheerful orange liquid and carried them over to the kitchen table. He set one down in front of Grace.
"Thanks," Grace said, as she took a drink. Eli smiled down fondly at her.
Rick entered the kitchen unnoticed and he looked at his son looking at Grace. Rick closed his eyes briefly, not wanting to see the love on Eli's face... he couldn't see it.... because then he'd have to admit to himself that what he clung to was not true. He'd have to admit that there was something more between Eli and Grace. Rick couldn't do that. So, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, both Eli and Grace were busy eating.
"Eli? Ready for work?" Rick asked, walking further into the kitchen.
Eli nodded, swallowing a forkful of eggs. "You're not going to be TOO hard on me, right? After all... it is my first day."
Rick smiled, "We'll see."
Eli shook his head, but smiled, and finished eating. Rick went over to the counter and fixed himself two pieces of toast.
Lily entered the kitchen, looking exasperated as she held a crying Dominic in her arms. Her eyes focused in on Grace. "You can watch him today, right?"
"Yeah, right," Grace agreed.
Lily let out a sigh of relief. "He's not usually fussy like this..." Rick reached out for the baby, and Lily passed him over. "And if I took him in, Les would...."
"Don't worry mom," Grace cut in. "I'll watch him." She had finished eating and went over, taking Dominic from Rick. "Besides... I guess I should get all the practice I can taking care of a baby."
Lily nodded uneasily. She looked at Grace holding the baby briefly, her eyes growing unfocused.
"Mom?" Grace questioned, and Lily snapped back. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, fine," Lily said. She looked at the clock. "I've got to get going..." She kissed Rick, and Grace, and the baby... and kissed Eli for good measure. She exited the kitchen, pausing as she entered the empty living room. She took a deep breath, letting it back out slowly. She still was getting used to the idea that Grace was going to have a baby. Her Gracie... with a baby. Oh, boy.
* * *
"He's such an angel," Jessie said, as she held Dominic, feeding him his afternoon bottle.
Grace wrinkled up her nose, making sure to keep her tone low, as to let Dominic hopefully fall asleep. "You should have seen him this morning... he was crying and crying... and crying."
"Oh, I heard him," Jessie said guiltily. She smiled at Grace, "So, I stayed in my room."
Grace smiled back, "I don't blame you."
"Yeah, well... at least you're getting good practice for your baby," Jessie commented.
Grace nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."
"Have you thought of any names?" Jessie asked, looking down as Dominic finished off the remains of his bottle. Jessie gently pulled the bottle away, and Dominic closed his eyes peacefully.
"Names?" Grace whispered. "Uh, not yet."
They were silent for a time as Dominic slowly drifted back and forth from barely awake to asleep. Finally Grace saw that he was out for good, and lifted the baby from Jessie's arms, putting him in the crib they kept in the living room. She and Jessie moved to the kitchen, where they could still listen for the baby, but talk too.
"Grace?" Jessie asked, as they munched on cookies.
"Hmm?" Grace asked.
"What's up with you and Eli?" Jessie asked. "I know it's not my place, but..."
Grace looked down at the table. "I guess... we're back together."
"OH," Jessie said, glad for the admission, but something in Grace's tone was wrong. "Is that a bad thing?" Jessie pressed her.
"No, of course not!" Grace said sharply. She sighed. "I just am not sure where we stand, I guess..."
Jessie silently waited for her to go on.
"I mean, we're having a baby together! So, are things different now? Am I more important to him now, because I'm carrying his child?" Grace sighed. She looked over at Jess, "Am I making any sense?"
"Yeah, kind of," Jessie said.
"I just wonder if this time I can trust him... depend on him. I wonder if this time I mean more to him... because of the baby." Grace said, trying to explain.
"What do you mean?" Jessie couldn't help but ask. She didn't quite get what Grace was saying.
Grace looked at the table, and then back into Jessie's eyes. "Jessie... Eli cheated on me, before, when we were together... so I guess what I'm saying is... has he stopped doing things like that, because things are different now... because of my being pregnant?"
"Oh," Jessie breathed out. Eli had cheated on Grace... Jessie hadn't known that... but of course, she hadn't even known they were together before. She had only realized it and put it together when Grace told her about being pregnant.
"I think he's changed... I hope he's changed," Grace said. "Because I don't want to go through any thing like that again... he really hurt me."
They fell into silence, each thinking.
* * *
Grace knocked on his door. Eli opened it, letting her in.
"Did anyone see you sneak out here?" Eli asked as he pulled her into his arms.
Grace shook her head, "No.... I think I've learned by now the trick to sneaking out here in the middle of the night." She smiled, thinking of all the times she had snuck out here to be with him when they were dating before.
Eli leaned in, kissing her softly. His hands circled her waist and drew her in tight against him. They fell down onto the bed.
Later Grace lay with her head resting against his chest. Eli's breathing had become deep and regular. He was asleep. Grace lay cuddled against him, enjoying the comfort of his warm body. She should probably go back up to her room now, so her mother wouldn't wonder where she was in the morning, but Grace couldn't get herself to move. She liked being here too much.
So instead, Grace closed her eyes... not sleeping, but just letting her thoughts drift.
[[[Start of memory flashback...]]]
"Grace?" Eli asked, coming up behind her.
Grace turned, a tightened look on her face. She looked around the living room, but no one else was here. Just her and Eli. Grace looked down at her bridesmaid's dress she still wore... she should probably go change. They had come home from her father's and Tiffany's wedding and wedding reception an hour ago, but Grace hadn't had the chance to change... because of "The News".
Her mother and Rick had sat them down after they had all gotten back from the wedding... for "The News". Grace had thought that they were just going to confirm that the family was going to Australia, but it turned out to be different news.... Her mother was pregnant.
And so, the plans to go to Australia were scrapped, as Lily and Rick decided it would be best if they stayed here. But, Grace still couldn't believe her mother was pregnant... it was so...
"Grace?" Eli asked again, and Grace snapped out of her thoughts.
"So," Grace mumbled. "We're going to have a little brother or sister, huh?"
Eli nodded, looking at her closely. "Are you okay?"
Grace sighed. "I'm fine."
"You don't look fine," Eli said, with concern. He began to say something, but they both heard the sounds of Zoe and Grace coming down the stairs. Eli guided her into the kitchen, which was empty. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.
Grace shook her head 'no', but then paused and nodded, "Okay."
The sounds of Jess and Zoe grew louder, and Eli realized that they were coming in the kitchen. "Let's go in the garage," Eli suggested, and Grace followed him silently.
They went into Eli's room, and Eli closed the door behind them. Grace flopped on his bed with a heavy sigh. "I was looking forward to going to Australia," She said.
Eli came and sat down next to her, "Me too." He looked down at Grace, in her pretty dress.
"And now we aren't going, because she's pregnant!" Grace huffed. "You think that they planned this?" Grace asked, looking up at him. "Do you think they wanted to have a baby-- or if it just happened?"
Eli thought it over, "A little of both, I guess. They are both very happy about it, though."
Grace rolled her eyes, "Just what we need in this house is another person!"
Eli smiled, "Yeah, we are kind of running out of space."
Grace let a smile form on her face, "Yeah, pretty soon I'll be moving in with Zoe or Jessie."
"Or me," Eli added, jokingly.
Grace smiled. "That wouldn't be that bad...."
Eli smiled too. He unconsciously smoothed a piece of her hair back from her forehead-- barely knowing he had done it.
Grace's smile faded away. She sat up, not looking at Eli. "I kissed him," She said suddenly.
"Hmm?" Eli asked, totally lost.
Grace turned, looking uncomfortably at him. "I kissed Mr. Dimitri." She looked at Eli, waiting for his reaction.
"You did?" Eli asked, thinking it over. This was new information to him. He had sensed that there was something more than a teacher/student relationship between the two... but a kiss?
"Yeah," Grace said quietly. "But that's all... just one kiss."
"One kiss," Eli repeated. One kiss sounded like a big deal to him, especially if the guy involved was your teacher and twenty-plus years older than you.
Grace's eyes began to tear up. "And now he's gone."
"He left?" Eli questioned, wishing he knew how to get off this topic.
Grace shook her head, "I don't know... but he's gone... to me. We said our goodbyes, we had to. It couldn't be."
Eli was silent. He looked at her, uncomfortably seeing the wetness to her eyes.
"He was just..." Grace couldn't begin to explain what Dimitri had been to her, so she stopped.
For a time, the two were quiet, and Grace's eyes dried of any tears. She looked over at Eli. "Do think less of me?"
"What?" Eli asked in surprise.
"For kissing him... for getting involved with him," Grace whispered. She looked at Eli out of the corner of her eyes.
"Of course not," Eli assured her. "We all make mistakes."
Grace shook her head, "No... that's just it. Even though it had to end, and the outcome was the way it was... I don't think it was a mistake. I don't think I'll ever think it was a mistake."
Eli slowly absorbed her words. He wasn't sure he liked how much Mr. Dimitri seemed to mean to Grace, but at least she hadn't said anything about wishing it had continued between them. She seemed to accept that it couldn't have gone anywhere.
"Eli? Grace?" Came a knock on the door.
Grace sighed, and got up from the bed, opening the door to reveal her mother.
"Grace, you haven't changed out of your dress yet," Lily noted. "You better before it starts to wrinkle."
Grace nodded, throwing a look back at Eli before she left his room. Eli sat on the bed, deep in thought.
[[[[...end of memory flashback]]]]
* * *
Rick got up quietly, making sure not to jostle Lily, who was sleeping soundly. He was also careful not to disturb sleeping Dominic, who lay in his crib in the corner. Rick couldn't sleep. His thoughts kept running circles in his head. He thought maybe something to eat would settle him.
He went down to the kitchen, being quiet as he passed Zoe's and Grace's closed doors. He made himself half of turkey sandwich and poured himself a glass of milk. He carried these into the living room, and sat down at his drafting table, looking over his most recent plans while he ate.
Rick's head jerked up, his eyes drifting away from the blueprints as he heard a door creaking open. He automatically reached up and turned off the lamp which illuminated his drafting table. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to do this, as it was probably only Eli... but he didn't have enough time to wonder over his odd actions... as a figure walked into the living room.
Rick in his dark corner went unnoticed as Grace walked past and up the stairs to her room, quietly reclosing the door behind her. Rick waited a few beats and then turned back on his lamp.
Grace had just come in... from the garage, Rick felt no doubt in that. It was after one in the morning. Rick sighed, knowing what he had just saw was only going to add to his problems of not being able to sleep.
* * *
Where do we go from here?
Hey, thanks for reading, as always.... oh, and sorry if I confused you on Eli and Grace in the past couple of chapters. They ARE dating now, ever since the kiss in Grace's room that Rick witnessed. :) Anyways...... on with the show.
Chapter 11//Not Sure Where We Stand
"Did you want orange juice?" Eli asked, as he opened the fridge. He looked over his shoulder at Grace, who nodded. Eli filled up two glasses with the cheerful orange liquid and carried them over to the kitchen table. He set one down in front of Grace.
"Thanks," Grace said, as she took a drink. Eli smiled down fondly at her.
Rick entered the kitchen unnoticed and he looked at his son looking at Grace. Rick closed his eyes briefly, not wanting to see the love on Eli's face... he couldn't see it.... because then he'd have to admit to himself that what he clung to was not true. He'd have to admit that there was something more between Eli and Grace. Rick couldn't do that. So, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, both Eli and Grace were busy eating.
"Eli? Ready for work?" Rick asked, walking further into the kitchen.
Eli nodded, swallowing a forkful of eggs. "You're not going to be TOO hard on me, right? After all... it is my first day."
Rick smiled, "We'll see."
Eli shook his head, but smiled, and finished eating. Rick went over to the counter and fixed himself two pieces of toast.
Lily entered the kitchen, looking exasperated as she held a crying Dominic in her arms. Her eyes focused in on Grace. "You can watch him today, right?"
"Yeah, right," Grace agreed.
Lily let out a sigh of relief. "He's not usually fussy like this..." Rick reached out for the baby, and Lily passed him over. "And if I took him in, Les would...."
"Don't worry mom," Grace cut in. "I'll watch him." She had finished eating and went over, taking Dominic from Rick. "Besides... I guess I should get all the practice I can taking care of a baby."
Lily nodded uneasily. She looked at Grace holding the baby briefly, her eyes growing unfocused.
"Mom?" Grace questioned, and Lily snapped back. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, fine," Lily said. She looked at the clock. "I've got to get going..." She kissed Rick, and Grace, and the baby... and kissed Eli for good measure. She exited the kitchen, pausing as she entered the empty living room. She took a deep breath, letting it back out slowly. She still was getting used to the idea that Grace was going to have a baby. Her Gracie... with a baby. Oh, boy.
* * *
"He's such an angel," Jessie said, as she held Dominic, feeding him his afternoon bottle.
Grace wrinkled up her nose, making sure to keep her tone low, as to let Dominic hopefully fall asleep. "You should have seen him this morning... he was crying and crying... and crying."
"Oh, I heard him," Jessie said guiltily. She smiled at Grace, "So, I stayed in my room."
Grace smiled back, "I don't blame you."
"Yeah, well... at least you're getting good practice for your baby," Jessie commented.
Grace nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."
"Have you thought of any names?" Jessie asked, looking down as Dominic finished off the remains of his bottle. Jessie gently pulled the bottle away, and Dominic closed his eyes peacefully.
"Names?" Grace whispered. "Uh, not yet."
They were silent for a time as Dominic slowly drifted back and forth from barely awake to asleep. Finally Grace saw that he was out for good, and lifted the baby from Jessie's arms, putting him in the crib they kept in the living room. She and Jessie moved to the kitchen, where they could still listen for the baby, but talk too.
"Grace?" Jessie asked, as they munched on cookies.
"Hmm?" Grace asked.
"What's up with you and Eli?" Jessie asked. "I know it's not my place, but..."
Grace looked down at the table. "I guess... we're back together."
"OH," Jessie said, glad for the admission, but something in Grace's tone was wrong. "Is that a bad thing?" Jessie pressed her.
"No, of course not!" Grace said sharply. She sighed. "I just am not sure where we stand, I guess..."
Jessie silently waited for her to go on.
"I mean, we're having a baby together! So, are things different now? Am I more important to him now, because I'm carrying his child?" Grace sighed. She looked over at Jess, "Am I making any sense?"
"Yeah, kind of," Jessie said.
"I just wonder if this time I can trust him... depend on him. I wonder if this time I mean more to him... because of the baby." Grace said, trying to explain.
"What do you mean?" Jessie couldn't help but ask. She didn't quite get what Grace was saying.
Grace looked at the table, and then back into Jessie's eyes. "Jessie... Eli cheated on me, before, when we were together... so I guess what I'm saying is... has he stopped doing things like that, because things are different now... because of my being pregnant?"
"Oh," Jessie breathed out. Eli had cheated on Grace... Jessie hadn't known that... but of course, she hadn't even known they were together before. She had only realized it and put it together when Grace told her about being pregnant.
"I think he's changed... I hope he's changed," Grace said. "Because I don't want to go through any thing like that again... he really hurt me."
They fell into silence, each thinking.
* * *
Grace knocked on his door. Eli opened it, letting her in.
"Did anyone see you sneak out here?" Eli asked as he pulled her into his arms.
Grace shook her head, "No.... I think I've learned by now the trick to sneaking out here in the middle of the night." She smiled, thinking of all the times she had snuck out here to be with him when they were dating before.
Eli leaned in, kissing her softly. His hands circled her waist and drew her in tight against him. They fell down onto the bed.
Later Grace lay with her head resting against his chest. Eli's breathing had become deep and regular. He was asleep. Grace lay cuddled against him, enjoying the comfort of his warm body. She should probably go back up to her room now, so her mother wouldn't wonder where she was in the morning, but Grace couldn't get herself to move. She liked being here too much.
So instead, Grace closed her eyes... not sleeping, but just letting her thoughts drift.
[[[Start of memory flashback...]]]
"Grace?" Eli asked, coming up behind her.
Grace turned, a tightened look on her face. She looked around the living room, but no one else was here. Just her and Eli. Grace looked down at her bridesmaid's dress she still wore... she should probably go change. They had come home from her father's and Tiffany's wedding and wedding reception an hour ago, but Grace hadn't had the chance to change... because of "The News".
Her mother and Rick had sat them down after they had all gotten back from the wedding... for "The News". Grace had thought that they were just going to confirm that the family was going to Australia, but it turned out to be different news.... Her mother was pregnant.
And so, the plans to go to Australia were scrapped, as Lily and Rick decided it would be best if they stayed here. But, Grace still couldn't believe her mother was pregnant... it was so...
"Grace?" Eli asked again, and Grace snapped out of her thoughts.
"So," Grace mumbled. "We're going to have a little brother or sister, huh?"
Eli nodded, looking at her closely. "Are you okay?"
Grace sighed. "I'm fine."
"You don't look fine," Eli said, with concern. He began to say something, but they both heard the sounds of Zoe and Grace coming down the stairs. Eli guided her into the kitchen, which was empty. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.
Grace shook her head 'no', but then paused and nodded, "Okay."
The sounds of Jess and Zoe grew louder, and Eli realized that they were coming in the kitchen. "Let's go in the garage," Eli suggested, and Grace followed him silently.
They went into Eli's room, and Eli closed the door behind them. Grace flopped on his bed with a heavy sigh. "I was looking forward to going to Australia," She said.
Eli came and sat down next to her, "Me too." He looked down at Grace, in her pretty dress.
"And now we aren't going, because she's pregnant!" Grace huffed. "You think that they planned this?" Grace asked, looking up at him. "Do you think they wanted to have a baby-- or if it just happened?"
Eli thought it over, "A little of both, I guess. They are both very happy about it, though."
Grace rolled her eyes, "Just what we need in this house is another person!"
Eli smiled, "Yeah, we are kind of running out of space."
Grace let a smile form on her face, "Yeah, pretty soon I'll be moving in with Zoe or Jessie."
"Or me," Eli added, jokingly.
Grace smiled. "That wouldn't be that bad...."
Eli smiled too. He unconsciously smoothed a piece of her hair back from her forehead-- barely knowing he had done it.
Grace's smile faded away. She sat up, not looking at Eli. "I kissed him," She said suddenly.
"Hmm?" Eli asked, totally lost.
Grace turned, looking uncomfortably at him. "I kissed Mr. Dimitri." She looked at Eli, waiting for his reaction.
"You did?" Eli asked, thinking it over. This was new information to him. He had sensed that there was something more than a teacher/student relationship between the two... but a kiss?
"Yeah," Grace said quietly. "But that's all... just one kiss."
"One kiss," Eli repeated. One kiss sounded like a big deal to him, especially if the guy involved was your teacher and twenty-plus years older than you.
Grace's eyes began to tear up. "And now he's gone."
"He left?" Eli questioned, wishing he knew how to get off this topic.
Grace shook her head, "I don't know... but he's gone... to me. We said our goodbyes, we had to. It couldn't be."
Eli was silent. He looked at her, uncomfortably seeing the wetness to her eyes.
"He was just..." Grace couldn't begin to explain what Dimitri had been to her, so she stopped.
For a time, the two were quiet, and Grace's eyes dried of any tears. She looked over at Eli. "Do think less of me?"
"What?" Eli asked in surprise.
"For kissing him... for getting involved with him," Grace whispered. She looked at Eli out of the corner of her eyes.
"Of course not," Eli assured her. "We all make mistakes."
Grace shook her head, "No... that's just it. Even though it had to end, and the outcome was the way it was... I don't think it was a mistake. I don't think I'll ever think it was a mistake."
Eli slowly absorbed her words. He wasn't sure he liked how much Mr. Dimitri seemed to mean to Grace, but at least she hadn't said anything about wishing it had continued between them. She seemed to accept that it couldn't have gone anywhere.
"Eli? Grace?" Came a knock on the door.
Grace sighed, and got up from the bed, opening the door to reveal her mother.
"Grace, you haven't changed out of your dress yet," Lily noted. "You better before it starts to wrinkle."
Grace nodded, throwing a look back at Eli before she left his room. Eli sat on the bed, deep in thought.
[[[[...end of memory flashback]]]]
* * *
Rick got up quietly, making sure not to jostle Lily, who was sleeping soundly. He was also careful not to disturb sleeping Dominic, who lay in his crib in the corner. Rick couldn't sleep. His thoughts kept running circles in his head. He thought maybe something to eat would settle him.
He went down to the kitchen, being quiet as he passed Zoe's and Grace's closed doors. He made himself half of turkey sandwich and poured himself a glass of milk. He carried these into the living room, and sat down at his drafting table, looking over his most recent plans while he ate.
Rick's head jerked up, his eyes drifting away from the blueprints as he heard a door creaking open. He automatically reached up and turned off the lamp which illuminated his drafting table. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to do this, as it was probably only Eli... but he didn't have enough time to wonder over his odd actions... as a figure walked into the living room.
Rick in his dark corner went unnoticed as Grace walked past and up the stairs to her room, quietly reclosing the door behind her. Rick waited a few beats and then turned back on his lamp.
Grace had just come in... from the garage, Rick felt no doubt in that. It was after one in the morning. Rick sighed, knowing what he had just saw was only going to add to his problems of not being able to sleep.
* * *