~A Once and Again Series~
Where do we go from here?
Chapter 23//Here for Grace
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"So, how about it?"
Grace looked over at Eli.
"Do you want to know the sex of your baby?" The doctor asked, giving them a warm smile.
"Yes," Grace answered. "We decided we want to know."
The doctor, who had told them to call her Celia, moved the ultrasound sensor on Grace's belly. Eli watched the screen, amazed at the blurry tiny figure that was their baby... their baby.
"It looks like you're going to be having a... girl," Dr. Celia announced. She gave them a laughing grin, "But don't bet the whole boat on it... even the finest ultrasound machines have known to be wrong."
"But... you think it's a girl?" Grace asked, grinning. A girl.
Dr. Celia nodded. She scribbled something on her chart and looked over at the two of them. "99% sure."
Eli's hand squeezed Grace's gently. A girl... Grace squeezed his hand back... A girl.
* * *
"Well?" Lily asked when they entered the house later. She and Rick looked over eagerly from where they sat on the couch.
Grace and Eli looked at each other, delighted in being able to share the news. "A girl," Eli announced.
"A girl," Lily said joyfully. "My girl is having a girl..." She began to get teary-eyed.
"Wow," Rick said, musing over it. "My son is having a daughter..."
Lily and Rick looked over at each other and met in a kiss. They rubbed their noses together afterwards. "Do you realize what this means?" Lily asked Rick.
"Uh... Dominic will get his first girlfriend... that's if he and Maddy don't hit it off," Rick joked, "Of course, they're all related... hmm, it would make for a good Jerry Springer's episode."
Lily slapped his arm, rolling her eyes. "We're going to be grandparents!"
Rick smiled, raising a hand to his head. "I can't be a grandparent... I'm not even getting gray hairs yet."
Lily narrowed her eyes teasingly, "I've seen you yanking out a few strands the other night..."
"Those weren't gray," Rick insisted, "They were off-black."
"Off-black?" Lily laughed.
By this time, Grace and Eli had moved into the kitchen. Eli went to the stove, preparing an omelet for the two of them, while Grace went to the table.
There were a couple piles of mail sorted out on the table. One pile for Lily, one pile for Rick, a single envelope for Jessie that looked to be a college brochure, and a pile for Grace.
Grace picked up her mail. The first was from Edgewood College. Grace didn't have to open it to know it contained a letter stating their regrets that she wasn't going to be attending their school after all. Another one was a letter trying to recruit her to join the Navy... yeah, right. And the last bore Coop's handwriting.
Grace looked over to where Eli was busing mixing up the ingredients for the omelet. She tore open the side of the envelope and slipped the letter out.
Grace,
Wow. I wasn't sure if you'd write me back, and I sure wasn't expecting what you said. So, you and Eli are having a baby? Wow. I don't know what to say about that. I'm happy for you... as long as this makes you happy. Does it?
So, are you and Eli dating? I didn't realize that you two were... like that, but now that I think about it-- it makes sense. He was always very protective of you. And you of him, too. I... I can't say that I'm not surprised by it, though.
I had a million things I wanted to write you about, but right now my mind's blank. I just want to say that I hope you're happy. You deserve to be happy. You're an amazing girl.
Sorry this is so short.
-Coop
Grace set the letter down. She was happy to have heard from Coop. She had been afraid he would have been too upset by her news to consider writing her. Grace looked over at Eli, who was busy at the stove. She smiled. She was happy. Eli made her happy. And the baby... although not planned, and perhaps happening too soon in her life... the baby, their baby girl made her happy.
Eli turned, catching her peaceful smile. He smiled back.
Yeah, things were good, Grace thought to herself. It was all working out. Her mother and Rick seemed to be okay with the news of her and Eli, and even her father seemed to be adjusting to it. Grace didn't know if things could get any better... And to imagine that this all happened by accident. Grace wouldn't have it any other way, though. She loved Eli. She loved their baby. She loved her life.
* * *
[[[[...Start of memory flashback]]]]
"Uh, I thought you had work today."
Eli frowned at her and shrugged. "I called in sick."
Grace looked him over. "You don't look sick."
Eli shrugged again. He plopped down on the sofa next to her. "So, what are you up to?"
Grace subtlety shifted on the couch, putting space between them. She glanced at the door. "Uh, I don't know... hang out with friends, I guess."
"No play practice?" Eli asked, grabbing the remote from her hand.
"The play finished last week," Grace informed him coldly. She glanced over at him. "Another play you've missed."
Eli didn't even look at her. His eyes remained on the television. He decided it was best not to comment on that one. Yeah, he had missed another one of her plays... but it wasn't like she had asked him to come to this one. In fact, she was being awful careful about talking to him at all these days.
"Are you just going to sit here and watch TV?" Grace asked uncomfortably.
"Yeah, why?"
Grace shifted on the couch once again. "I don't know."
Eli looked at her, "Did you want me to leave? Though usually when I enter the room... it's YOU that flees."
Grace sighed, "Eli..."
Eli looked back at the TV. "It's true," He said.
It was true. Grace just felt... well, uncomfortable around Eli, now that she was dating his once best friend. She hadn't told him yet. She didn't know how to. She didn't want to. She didn't want to hurt him... as crazy as that sounded, since he had hurt her so much.
The front doorbell rang. Grace shot up, wishing she had convinced Eli to leave before now. But, oh well... maybe she could sneak out without Eli seeing who it was that was picking her up.
Unfortunately, Eli was also getting up and heading for the door.
Grace glared at him, "It's for me."
Eli looked back at her, "How do you know?"
Grace frowned. "It's for me," She said again, as they reached the door. She blocked him from opening the door with her body. Bad idea... now Eli was more determined to answer the door.
Grace sighed, resigned, and pulled open the door. Coop smiled at her, "Hi."
"Oh, Coop," Eli said, a little uncomfortable at the unexpected visit of his friend. "Hey, sorry about practices, man... I've just decided that I don't have the time for the band right now."
Coop looked at Eli, a little confused. "Oh, we already got a new guy... Jack."
Eli gaped a bit, "Oh."
Grace looked at her shoes with great interest.
"So, what are you doing here?" Eli asked.
Grace looked up.
Coop spoke slowly, not sure why Eli didn't understand this already, "I'm here for Grace."
"For... Grace," Eli echoed, looking at Grace.
Grace stepped out onto the porch, "Bye Eli."
"Grace..." Eli began, his face already contorted with new feelings.
Grace shut the door quickly behind her.
"Eli seemed a bit out of it," Coop said, taking her hand in his.
Grace nodded, drawing her hand back, pretending to straighten her shirt collar. "Yeah," She said, tonelessly. Coop didn't know the truth... that Eli didn't know about the two of them. But Grace had a feeling that Eli was beginning to see it now. She glanced back at the closed door guiltily, then hurried down the step, and off to Coop's car.
* * * (Still memory flashback) * * *
"So, we could go back to my house... my parents are gone," Coop offered.
Grace looked, distracted, out the car window.
"Grace?" Coop asked, drawing her attention.
"Oh," Grace processed the words he had said to her. "Uh, no... I should really just get home." She looked out the window as they began to pull out of the movie theatre's parking lot.
"Did..." Coop began, and then paused until he had her attention again. "Did you want me to come in this time? And 'meet' your folks? Of course... they already know me, but... Have you told them about us yet?"
Grace shook her head, "Not yet. They're really busy with the new baby and all."
"Right," Coop said, his tone expressing a bit of disappointment.
Grace ignored it, leaning her head back against the head rest as they drove along.
Coop pulled up in front of her house, and Grace leaned forward, unbuckling her seatbelt. She began to get out of the car, and then stopped, looking back at Coop... at her boyfriend. Her boyfriend.
His curly hair had gotten a bit too long... he needed a haircut, but Grace wasn't about to tell him that. She kind of like the curly mop that was growing atop his head. Like a chia-pet. Grace smiled.
Coop smiled too, relieved. It was the first real smile he had gotten out of her all night.
Grace's hand reached out, locking fingers in his curly hair, and drawing his face towards hers. She kissed him softly.
"Good night," Grace said when she pulled away. She smiled again, and got out of the car. She waved at him, and watched him drive away. As she started towards the front door, her smile had faded. She stopped as she reached the porch, her body illuminated by the porch light. She glanced over at the garage door, and changed direction.
Grace knocked at Eli's door.
Eli pulled it open for her. The room was strangely quiet... none of his usual music playing in the background. He stepped aside for Grace to enter.
"So, I guess you know, now," Grace said as he closed the door behind her.
"I want to hear it from you, though," Eli said, his face looking at hers.
Grace sighed, turning away. "I'm dating Coop," She admitted.
Eli was silent. Grace went over to his CD collection. It was just too quiet in here. She began sorting through them, but everything looked the same. She gave up. She looked around the room, and noticed a red and white pack in the garbage... "So, are you quitting smoking?" Grace asked, seeing a few cigarettes were still poking out from the discarded package.
"Yeah," Eli answered.
"That's good... it's a bad habit," Grace said. She finally looked at him. "I should have told you sooner, Eli. I should have."
"How long... has this been going on?" Eli asked.
"A few weeks," Grace said with a sigh. "I'm not even sure how it started... it just did."
Eli tilted his chin down, looking at the floor. "So, you like him?"
Grace shrugged, even though his eyes weren't on her to see it. "Yeah, I guess."
"You guess?" Eli looked up.
Now it was Grace who looked away, "I like him."
Eli walked over to the door. He held it open for her. Grace looked at him, sorry that he had to have found out about it like this... this wasn't what she had wanted. She could tell he was hurt.
"Eli..." Grace began.
Eli was silent, waiting at the door for her to leave.
Grace reluctantly left, casting a glance over her shoulder at him as he swung the door shut again.
After she was gone, Eli rubbed his face with his hand. He had been hoping Grace would tell him that she was only friends with Coop... he had been hoping that they weren't dating. But they were... and 'I like him' Grace had said.
Coop was a great guy. He had been Eli's best friend for many years after all. But... Eli didn't like the idea of him dating Grace. Eli didn't like the idea of anyone dating Grace, other than himself. Eli didn't want to lose Grace...
Eli sighed, and found himself going over to the garbage can, picking up the pack of cigarettes he had thrown away last week. He had quit, but... Eli found himself lighting up one, and putting it to his lips.
So much for quitting.
* * *
Where do we go from here?
Chapter 23//Here for Grace
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"So, how about it?"
Grace looked over at Eli.
"Do you want to know the sex of your baby?" The doctor asked, giving them a warm smile.
"Yes," Grace answered. "We decided we want to know."
The doctor, who had told them to call her Celia, moved the ultrasound sensor on Grace's belly. Eli watched the screen, amazed at the blurry tiny figure that was their baby... their baby.
"It looks like you're going to be having a... girl," Dr. Celia announced. She gave them a laughing grin, "But don't bet the whole boat on it... even the finest ultrasound machines have known to be wrong."
"But... you think it's a girl?" Grace asked, grinning. A girl.
Dr. Celia nodded. She scribbled something on her chart and looked over at the two of them. "99% sure."
Eli's hand squeezed Grace's gently. A girl... Grace squeezed his hand back... A girl.
* * *
"Well?" Lily asked when they entered the house later. She and Rick looked over eagerly from where they sat on the couch.
Grace and Eli looked at each other, delighted in being able to share the news. "A girl," Eli announced.
"A girl," Lily said joyfully. "My girl is having a girl..." She began to get teary-eyed.
"Wow," Rick said, musing over it. "My son is having a daughter..."
Lily and Rick looked over at each other and met in a kiss. They rubbed their noses together afterwards. "Do you realize what this means?" Lily asked Rick.
"Uh... Dominic will get his first girlfriend... that's if he and Maddy don't hit it off," Rick joked, "Of course, they're all related... hmm, it would make for a good Jerry Springer's episode."
Lily slapped his arm, rolling her eyes. "We're going to be grandparents!"
Rick smiled, raising a hand to his head. "I can't be a grandparent... I'm not even getting gray hairs yet."
Lily narrowed her eyes teasingly, "I've seen you yanking out a few strands the other night..."
"Those weren't gray," Rick insisted, "They were off-black."
"Off-black?" Lily laughed.
By this time, Grace and Eli had moved into the kitchen. Eli went to the stove, preparing an omelet for the two of them, while Grace went to the table.
There were a couple piles of mail sorted out on the table. One pile for Lily, one pile for Rick, a single envelope for Jessie that looked to be a college brochure, and a pile for Grace.
Grace picked up her mail. The first was from Edgewood College. Grace didn't have to open it to know it contained a letter stating their regrets that she wasn't going to be attending their school after all. Another one was a letter trying to recruit her to join the Navy... yeah, right. And the last bore Coop's handwriting.
Grace looked over to where Eli was busing mixing up the ingredients for the omelet. She tore open the side of the envelope and slipped the letter out.
Grace,
Wow. I wasn't sure if you'd write me back, and I sure wasn't expecting what you said. So, you and Eli are having a baby? Wow. I don't know what to say about that. I'm happy for you... as long as this makes you happy. Does it?
So, are you and Eli dating? I didn't realize that you two were... like that, but now that I think about it-- it makes sense. He was always very protective of you. And you of him, too. I... I can't say that I'm not surprised by it, though.
I had a million things I wanted to write you about, but right now my mind's blank. I just want to say that I hope you're happy. You deserve to be happy. You're an amazing girl.
Sorry this is so short.
-Coop
Grace set the letter down. She was happy to have heard from Coop. She had been afraid he would have been too upset by her news to consider writing her. Grace looked over at Eli, who was busy at the stove. She smiled. She was happy. Eli made her happy. And the baby... although not planned, and perhaps happening too soon in her life... the baby, their baby girl made her happy.
Eli turned, catching her peaceful smile. He smiled back.
Yeah, things were good, Grace thought to herself. It was all working out. Her mother and Rick seemed to be okay with the news of her and Eli, and even her father seemed to be adjusting to it. Grace didn't know if things could get any better... And to imagine that this all happened by accident. Grace wouldn't have it any other way, though. She loved Eli. She loved their baby. She loved her life.
* * *
[[[[...Start of memory flashback]]]]
"Uh, I thought you had work today."
Eli frowned at her and shrugged. "I called in sick."
Grace looked him over. "You don't look sick."
Eli shrugged again. He plopped down on the sofa next to her. "So, what are you up to?"
Grace subtlety shifted on the couch, putting space between them. She glanced at the door. "Uh, I don't know... hang out with friends, I guess."
"No play practice?" Eli asked, grabbing the remote from her hand.
"The play finished last week," Grace informed him coldly. She glanced over at him. "Another play you've missed."
Eli didn't even look at her. His eyes remained on the television. He decided it was best not to comment on that one. Yeah, he had missed another one of her plays... but it wasn't like she had asked him to come to this one. In fact, she was being awful careful about talking to him at all these days.
"Are you just going to sit here and watch TV?" Grace asked uncomfortably.
"Yeah, why?"
Grace shifted on the couch once again. "I don't know."
Eli looked at her, "Did you want me to leave? Though usually when I enter the room... it's YOU that flees."
Grace sighed, "Eli..."
Eli looked back at the TV. "It's true," He said.
It was true. Grace just felt... well, uncomfortable around Eli, now that she was dating his once best friend. She hadn't told him yet. She didn't know how to. She didn't want to. She didn't want to hurt him... as crazy as that sounded, since he had hurt her so much.
The front doorbell rang. Grace shot up, wishing she had convinced Eli to leave before now. But, oh well... maybe she could sneak out without Eli seeing who it was that was picking her up.
Unfortunately, Eli was also getting up and heading for the door.
Grace glared at him, "It's for me."
Eli looked back at her, "How do you know?"
Grace frowned. "It's for me," She said again, as they reached the door. She blocked him from opening the door with her body. Bad idea... now Eli was more determined to answer the door.
Grace sighed, resigned, and pulled open the door. Coop smiled at her, "Hi."
"Oh, Coop," Eli said, a little uncomfortable at the unexpected visit of his friend. "Hey, sorry about practices, man... I've just decided that I don't have the time for the band right now."
Coop looked at Eli, a little confused. "Oh, we already got a new guy... Jack."
Eli gaped a bit, "Oh."
Grace looked at her shoes with great interest.
"So, what are you doing here?" Eli asked.
Grace looked up.
Coop spoke slowly, not sure why Eli didn't understand this already, "I'm here for Grace."
"For... Grace," Eli echoed, looking at Grace.
Grace stepped out onto the porch, "Bye Eli."
"Grace..." Eli began, his face already contorted with new feelings.
Grace shut the door quickly behind her.
"Eli seemed a bit out of it," Coop said, taking her hand in his.
Grace nodded, drawing her hand back, pretending to straighten her shirt collar. "Yeah," She said, tonelessly. Coop didn't know the truth... that Eli didn't know about the two of them. But Grace had a feeling that Eli was beginning to see it now. She glanced back at the closed door guiltily, then hurried down the step, and off to Coop's car.
* * * (Still memory flashback) * * *
"So, we could go back to my house... my parents are gone," Coop offered.
Grace looked, distracted, out the car window.
"Grace?" Coop asked, drawing her attention.
"Oh," Grace processed the words he had said to her. "Uh, no... I should really just get home." She looked out the window as they began to pull out of the movie theatre's parking lot.
"Did..." Coop began, and then paused until he had her attention again. "Did you want me to come in this time? And 'meet' your folks? Of course... they already know me, but... Have you told them about us yet?"
Grace shook her head, "Not yet. They're really busy with the new baby and all."
"Right," Coop said, his tone expressing a bit of disappointment.
Grace ignored it, leaning her head back against the head rest as they drove along.
Coop pulled up in front of her house, and Grace leaned forward, unbuckling her seatbelt. She began to get out of the car, and then stopped, looking back at Coop... at her boyfriend. Her boyfriend.
His curly hair had gotten a bit too long... he needed a haircut, but Grace wasn't about to tell him that. She kind of like the curly mop that was growing atop his head. Like a chia-pet. Grace smiled.
Coop smiled too, relieved. It was the first real smile he had gotten out of her all night.
Grace's hand reached out, locking fingers in his curly hair, and drawing his face towards hers. She kissed him softly.
"Good night," Grace said when she pulled away. She smiled again, and got out of the car. She waved at him, and watched him drive away. As she started towards the front door, her smile had faded. She stopped as she reached the porch, her body illuminated by the porch light. She glanced over at the garage door, and changed direction.
Grace knocked at Eli's door.
Eli pulled it open for her. The room was strangely quiet... none of his usual music playing in the background. He stepped aside for Grace to enter.
"So, I guess you know, now," Grace said as he closed the door behind her.
"I want to hear it from you, though," Eli said, his face looking at hers.
Grace sighed, turning away. "I'm dating Coop," She admitted.
Eli was silent. Grace went over to his CD collection. It was just too quiet in here. She began sorting through them, but everything looked the same. She gave up. She looked around the room, and noticed a red and white pack in the garbage... "So, are you quitting smoking?" Grace asked, seeing a few cigarettes were still poking out from the discarded package.
"Yeah," Eli answered.
"That's good... it's a bad habit," Grace said. She finally looked at him. "I should have told you sooner, Eli. I should have."
"How long... has this been going on?" Eli asked.
"A few weeks," Grace said with a sigh. "I'm not even sure how it started... it just did."
Eli tilted his chin down, looking at the floor. "So, you like him?"
Grace shrugged, even though his eyes weren't on her to see it. "Yeah, I guess."
"You guess?" Eli looked up.
Now it was Grace who looked away, "I like him."
Eli walked over to the door. He held it open for her. Grace looked at him, sorry that he had to have found out about it like this... this wasn't what she had wanted. She could tell he was hurt.
"Eli..." Grace began.
Eli was silent, waiting at the door for her to leave.
Grace reluctantly left, casting a glance over her shoulder at him as he swung the door shut again.
After she was gone, Eli rubbed his face with his hand. He had been hoping Grace would tell him that she was only friends with Coop... he had been hoping that they weren't dating. But they were... and 'I like him' Grace had said.
Coop was a great guy. He had been Eli's best friend for many years after all. But... Eli didn't like the idea of him dating Grace. Eli didn't like the idea of anyone dating Grace, other than himself. Eli didn't want to lose Grace...
Eli sighed, and found himself going over to the garbage can, picking up the pack of cigarettes he had thrown away last week. He had quit, but... Eli found himself lighting up one, and putting it to his lips.
So much for quitting.
* * *