Title: Reunification
Author: Lisbeth
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.
Rating: PG-13
Synopsis: While attending grad school, Grace runs into someone from her past.
Feedback: Please, it would make my day.
E-Mail: strangefruitgirl@hotmail.com
Author's Note: This chapter was heavily inspired by the movie and the music of "Vanilla Sky." I saw the movie last December and loved it, and bought the soundtrack a few days later. After seeing it a second time on video, and listening heavily to the soundtrack yet again, I would recommend giving the soundtrack a good listen to even if you didn't care for the movie.
Chapter 12: Sweetness Follows
Grace woke up with a smile on her face and an empty bed. The disappointment on her face was easily noticeable. She sat up and stretched out her arms and legs stifling a yawn. She could hear a radio somewhere in the house as she got out of the bed and walked to the bathroom. She washed her face and brushed her teeth. Then she brushed her hair and pulled out a hair clip from her bag.
As she walked into the living room, she recognized the song from the "Vanilla Sky" soundtrack. It was "Elevator Beat" from Nancy Wilson. She walked into the kitchen to find him searching through his cabinets and fridge.
"Good morning." Grace said as she went up to him. The two kissed each other. "What are you doing?"
"Writing a grocery list. I know, that's so Carol Brady, but hey, it works."
"I wasn't going to pick on you about it, if that was what you were worried about." Grace said as she nudged him.
"I wasn't." August said as he nudged her back.
"So, when do you want to go to the store?"
"Well, I'm in no rush. What do you want for lunch?"
"We haven't even started with breakfast."
"Do you want to just go pick something up, or test out our skills in the kitchen?"
"I'm feeling a little dangerous today, lets cook." Grace said as she smiled at him.
"Cook it is!"
"I'm gonna go change. It looks like it wants to rain today."
"Well, we can go rent a few movies if you want."
"I need to call mother dear."
"So, how are you going to handle that?"
"I'm not going to tell over the phone. This isn't something that you just say over the phone. It would be more adult of me if I just did it in front of her face. I'm going to do it tomorrow when I get back."
"You're just going to tell her that you're staying with Jessie and Katie again?"
"If they'll cover for me one last time. I need to call them. I hate asking them to do that for me, but if it will give me one more day of calmness before the storm hits, then I guess it will be worth it. Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"
"I think you should follow what your gut is telling you. You've always been good with that." August said as he leaned against the kitchen counter. "You never know, they may be more open about it than you expect."
"I honestly wish I could believe that. It all can't be peachy keen." Grace said as she walked out of the kitchen.
She pulled out a long sleeved shirt and put on a pair of jeans. She looked out of the window and saw the wind pushing the small tree branches around. Trying to summon all of the courage in her, she reached grabbed the phone on the bedside table and dialed home. Zoe answered.
"Hello."
"Zoe, hey, it's Grace. Where's mom?"
"She's just getting up. Hey, how was the concert."
"It was really good. We had a wonderful time. Um, look, could you tell mom that I'm just going to spend another night over here at Jessie and Katie's. We uh might go look at the space the museum is going to give her for her show."
"Grace, I don't think that will be a good idea." Zoe whispered.
"What do you mean? Why are you so
quiet?"
"Mom knows about him
Grace. She dialed *69 last night
thinking it was the retirement home, but she got August Dimitri instead."
"Oh shit. Did she say anything?"
"Not really, she was more in shock than anything. Look Grace, I didn't tell her anything, but she has questions and I know she's just dying to ask me a few of them. If I were you, I would just come home and come clean. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. In fact, last night I came to the decision that I would tell her."
"That's the best thing to do Grace. Look, I have to go. Dad wants me in early today and I haven't even eaten breakfast yet. I'll see you later."
"Bye." Grace said as she hung up the phone.
As she sat there, trying to relax her thoughts, she knew that there was no turning back. It then hit her that the phone call August mentioned last night may have in fact been her mother. What if she tried to call today? Grace knew her mother's bullshit detector was one of the best around, and if she wanted answers, she was going to get them.
She walked back into the kitchen as she heard the beginning chords of "Sweetness Follows" on the stereo. August looked up from the morning newspaper to her worried face. Grace didn't want to speak at that moment; she just wanted to be in his arms.
"Is everything alright?" August said.
Grace just walked up to him and stared into his eyes for a few moments. She raised her right hand to his cheek and slowly slid it down his face until she met his hand with hers. He noticed her hands were ice cold; that was a dead giveaway to her nervousness. It was then that she grabbed his hand as she led him to the living room. She turned up the volume on the stereo and wrapped her arms around his waist as she began to motion him into a dance.
August didn't bother to protest. He just held on to her, hoping to pass some of his strength to her. She was one of the strongest people he knew, but she still could be so weak at times. He could tell that the charade would be over sooner than he expected and it scared him a bit. Grace closed her eyes and tried to think of what words she would say, what lines she would have rehearse on her drive home. What explanations she could give, but how can one explain this? How could she explain love?
"I have to go home" was all she could say with sadness dripping from every word.
"It's ok. We'll figure something out."
"I don't want to go now. I need to be around you some more. I don't think I'm ready to be honest." Grace said as she buried her head in his chest.
"Yes you are. Remember that there is nothing to be afraid of." August whispered to her.
"I wish it were as easy as it sounds."
"It will be with time. I believe in you, I always have."
"I'm still going to go with you to the store, don't worry. I want to prolong the magic as long as I can." Grace said as she let a small laugh out of her system.
"Me, worried?" August said. "You're hands are so cold. You're too nervous" he observed.
"I can't help it. I think I was born to worry." Grace replied as she released him from her grip.
"We'll be fine. I have a feeling that everything is going to be alright in the end" August said as he looked at her, his hands still holding hers. "I'm going to take a quick shower, then we'll be on our way."
Grace didn't let go of his hand as he tried to walk away. She looked at him with a face that he could easily read. There were times she felt he could truly read her mind. She held his hand tighter as she smiled.
"Let's go then" he said with a smile as she followed him, hand in hand, into the bathroom.
As Zoe sat at the kitchen table eating breakfast, Lily walked into the kitchen.
"Morning honey." Lily said
"Morning." Zoe said.
Lily grabbed the leftover coffee cake from the fridge and cut herself a piece. She placed it in the microwave and set the timer for thirty seconds. She then fixed herself a glass of milk and by the time everything was saved, the time was up. Lily made her way to the table and sat across from Zoe.
"I need to talk to you." Lily said.
"About what?" Zoe asked, even though she knew what it was about.
"Has Grace told you about anyone she may be seeing? Anyone she may think we would disapprove of."
"I think you should ask Grace that." Zoe said as she walked to the sink with her dishes.
"No, I'm asking you."
"Mom, it's none of our business."
"It's our business because it affects our family."
"How
can her seeing August Dimitri affect our family?" Zoe said with a hint of
anger.
"So you knew! She is seeing him?"
"I don't want to get involved in this."
"It's too late for that Zoe."
"She's been seeing him for a few weeks now. I think they met at school."
"Please don't tell me he's teaching there."
"No! They have the same class. He's a grad student now; their meeting was purely a coincidence."
"Did she mention if the relationship was…………"
"She told me that they aren't having sex. There. I took the mystery of it out for you."
"She could be lying."
"Mom lighten up! As far as I'm concerned, this is the happiest I've seen her in I don't know how long. I personally think he is really good for her. I know my opinion may not hold much credence in this household, but I say you should let her live her life the way she feels is right for her. We have no right to make that decision for her in the first place. I have to go or I'm going to be late." Zoe said as she grabbed her mother's car keys and walked out the door.
Rushdie's Grocery Store was going through its usual Saturday morning rush. While August's list wasn't too big, it did require something from almost every aisle in the store. It was funny how something she once dreaded doing with her own family was something she loved doing with him. It almost felt as if they were a married couple. He did, on accident, sometimes bump into her back heels with the cart. At least she thought it was accidental. There were simple disagreements over which apples to choose and which cereal to buy. Even Grace's adamant stance on no longer consuming red meat came as a surprise to August.
"I can just feel the arteries of my heart clogging up by looking at it." Grace said as they strode by the meat section.
"But you only live once. We're all hedonists."
"Yes, but I like basking in the knowledge that I can somehow prolong this life."
"I think I could fall in love with you for that theory alone." August said sarcastically.
"It's too late for that." Grace said as she looped her arm through his.
"It's never too late." August said as he kissed her forehead.
About fifteen minutes later, they were in line, getting ready to check out. August scanned over his list once again to make sure he had everything he needed.
"We forgot something." He said.
She loved it when he said "We."
"What did we forget?"
"Tomato soup."
"I'll go get it. How many cans do you need?"
"Four should be good."
"I'll be right back." Grace said as she walked towards the canned foods aisle.
As August looked at the magazine and tabloid racks, he heard his name, but it wasn't Grace's voice.
"Mr. Dimitri?"
He turned around.
"Alexa? Hello." He said trying to sound convincing enough. She was carrying a small basket with her that wasn't filled with much.
"How have you been?" she asked.
"Just fine in fact."
"I didn't know you were living in Chicago. Are you still teaching?"
"No actually. I'm attending grad school here."
"Oh, how interesting. I have my own business now. It's a little pottery painting shop. It's been doing really well."
"That's good to hear." He replied.
"Are you here alone?" Alexa asked with a glint of hope in her eyes.
In his head he was screaming for Grace to hurry up and save him from the sticky situation. He didn't know exactly what how to tell her. She was a good student, but he could never really see himself actually hanging out with her.
"Here you go, four cans of tomato soup." Grace said as she walked up to the two. She then noticed Alexa and the look of absolute shock on her face.
"Alexa, what a surprise!" Grace said.
"Hi Grace. How have you been?" Alexa said slowly, trying not to sound so shocked.
"Really good actually." Grace said. Then she looked up at August, trying not to laugh. "I think we have everything dear."
He couldn't help but play along in the game. "Yes, we do honey."
"Oh, so you two are…………….ok, I get it." Alexa said. "Didn't you move to Australia Grace?"
"Yeah, but I came back for him." Grace said as she looked at August. She looked at Alexa with the smile of a woman in love.
"Well, I've got to go. I think I forgot something. It was nice seeing the two of you." Alexa said as she walked away defeated.
Grace tried to contain herself, but as soon as she looked at August, she busted out laughing. "I'm sorry, that was just too good. I wish I had a camera for her face."
"That was priceless. Grace you're so bad."
"Oh come on, you were drowning there, just admit it."
As the two walked out of the store, Grace saw Alexa's curious stare in the produce section.
"Thank you." August whispered in her ear.
She once again looped her arm through his as they walked towards his car. In a matter of hours, she would confess everything. She could only think about time. The Rolling Stones had a song about time being on ones side, but was it really on hers? She could only enjoy the time she had left with him that day.
There weren't many dishes, but Grace offered to stay and help him clean up the kitchen. Maybe it was her way of buying time. She once again laughed at the thought of how she felt as if they were a married couple, just doing normal couple things.
"What is it?" he said as he dried and saved the dishes.
"I was just thinking about how this feels funny. Us doing the dishes, it just feels like we're a married couple."
"Married? Don't you think we're jumping a little ahead of ourselves?"
"You know what I mean?" Grace said. "It feels right. I hate doing dishes, but when I'm doing them with you, it's different."
"Everything now is different. Are you nervous?"
"Yes and no. I don't know really. I guess it's just one of those things where you have to be there to be able to explain it."
"I want you to call me; it doesn't matter if it goes good or bad. I just want to know that you're alright."
"Ok. I'll do that."
The two finished the dishes, and Grace packed up her makeup bag. He carried her bag to the car and once again re-assured her that everything was going to be fine. She held onto him, not wanting to let go.
"I love you." Grace said.
"I love you too." August said. "Don't forget that."
"How can I?"
The two kissed, a short, sweet kiss. He watched her drive off. It was his turn to feel her nervousness. He felt his stomach twisting for her, but kept reassuring himself that things were going to be fine.
As Grace pulled up to Manning Manor, she knew that it was now or never. She grabbed her bag and walked into the house which was quiet for a Saturday afternoon. As she passed the living room, she heard her mother on the phone. She tried not to listen in, but she couldn't help it. Lily was sitting on the sofa with her back to Grace. Grace stood there, listening in silence.
"Judy, I don't know if the relationship has gone that far yet. Zoe and Rick are telling me that it's none of my business, but I can't help it! She's my daughter for crying out loud; it's my job to be concerned." Lily said quietly.
Grace walked up the stairs towards her room. It appeared that no one else was home. As she opened the door to her room, she noticed that the binder he gave her along with her Chekov book were on her bed. Surprisingly, she wasn't that angry. She was tired of hiding.
Rain was beginning to pelt on her window and she knew that the skies were only getting darker. Grace sat in her chair and tried to collect herself while waiting for the inevitable. A knock came on the door.
"Yes." Grace said
Lily walked in. "Hey honey. How was the concert?"
"It was really good. You know, if you're going to dig through my stuff, you could at least make an effort to save it." Grace said. "Where is everyone else?"
"Well, Zoe is at work. I asked Rick to take Simon and your grandmother out to a movie. I'm sorry about your stuff." Lily said as she went to sit on the bed facing her daughter. "I wanted to talk to you alone."
"I know that you know. Zoe told me that you accidentally called him last night. Believe me, that's not the way I wanted you to find out about this."
"Grace, this is a lot for me to take in."
"I know you don't approve of it."
"That's not what I was going to say Grace."
"Well, then what were you going to say? That I wasn't even an egg in your reproductive system yet when he was born, or that everyone else will look at us like we're freaks, but I really don't care what anyone thinks. I'm in love."
As the rain gave way to thunder, Grace felt some of the built up tension melt away.
"Grace, I remember five years ago when I walked into your room when you were reading that book. I told myself that you would move on. There were days where it was good, but I knew you would never really get over him. It saddened me to think that you would continue to pine after him. I thought you were over him, at least, I tried to convince myself of that."
"Do you know how hard it was for me to simply pretend that I didn't feel anything for him? To act like he was nothing but a small spark in my life, but he was so much more than that. Five years ago, we would never have been able to have this kind of relationship, but now we can. I can't risk walking away from that because it may be too weird for you to take in."
"Last night, I tried to think of reasons why this couldn't possibly work. I thought I had it figured out. He's too old, he only wants you for one thing, he is having some sort of mid-life crisis, he will break you heart. But the thing is, I don't think he wants you for one thing, I don't think he is going through some sort of mid-life crisis, and I know he wouldn't break your heart. You look so radiant now. I haven't seen you like this in, I don't know how long."
"I don't know if I can truly make you understand."
"I don't need to understand it Grace. He writes beautiful poetry. I especially liked the poem he wrote about you. I think that it helped me in realizing that you are no longer my little girl. It also made me realize his true feelings. I want you to be happy Grace. I won't pretend that it won't feel a little weird, but you have to live your life for yourself. I would like to know how you two met."
Grace laughed as she began to explain how she first saw his name on the roll sheet for her Russian Literature class. She continued with their reunion and apologized about lying to her family over the past few weeks. It was inevitable that the subject of sex was going to arrive.
"I know it's none of my business, but I know you're smart enough when it comes down to protection."
"Mom!" Grace said as she felt a blush creep up on her cheeks.
"I'm sorry! It's just that I want to make sure that you're taking the proper precautions in that area."
"Mom, we haven't gone into that area yet. That's all I'm saying."
"Ok. I'm stopping there." Lily said.
The two continued talking for a good long while. Lily brought up the subject of August's writing and the two discussed his works. It was the first real conversation Lily had with her daughter ever since she had come back from Boston.
"How are you going to tell your father?" Lily asked
"I'm not too sure. I don't think he will be too happy about it."
Two hours later, Grace walked into Booklovers. Zoe walked up to her, her hair in a semi-mess.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to dad. Is he here?"
"Yeah, he's in the back. Did you tell mom?"
"Yeah."
"And?"
"She wants me to follow my heart."
"So I guess this means he's coming over for Thanksgiving." Zoe said with a smile on her face.
"I don't know Zoe. I'm really not that worried about that right now. I just have to tell dad, that's what I'm worried about."
"Well, he's in his office in the back. Good luck."
Grace walked into the back section of the restaurant. There were a few customers, but not too many for chaos. Grace walked up to her father's office and knocked gently on the door.
"Come in." Jake said
"Hey dad." Grace said as he went to hug her father.
"Hey kiddo. You're coming here looking for a job?"
"No." Grace said smiling. "I need to talk to you."
"Sure, shoot."
"Well, I was just curious. Um, have those anger management classes worked for you? Are they still working?"
"Yeah why?" Jake said as laughing.
"I don't know if you remember five years ago, when I was still at Upton Sinclair. I don't know how to say this. I don't even know how to start it off."
"Whatever it is, you can tell me Grace."
"Do you remember my English teacher,
August Dimitri?"
"Yeah. That was the teacher who got a little too
close for comfort if you ask me." Jake said sternly.
"I'm seeing him. Well, I'm dating him to be exact." Grace said quickly. "I met him again in one of my classes and we're seeing each other."
For a few seconds, Jake was in a silent shock. He didn't know what to say. He looked up at his daughter, her brown eyes glassy, and was reminded of what Tiffany had told him a few weeks ago. She suspected that Grace was seeing someone. She thought Grace was in love. August Dimitri couldn't have been the person who gave his daughter her twinkle back. He tried to deny himself of that.
"I see." Jake said.
"I know you don't care for him, but I told mom earlier today and I needed to tell you."
"Do you love him?"
"Yes." Grace whispered.
For a while, they talked about it. Grace could only recount her story of how she met him again. Explaining her feelings when he was gone wasn't too easy. It was the same to explain her feelings when he came back into her life. Grace felt that she tried had to make her father somehow understand, but what if he couldn't. She felt as if everything were in slow motion as she described her feelings. Her hands that she often flayed around when she tried to explain something were ever so present during the conversation. In slow motion, her lips moved, her eyes beamed, her father smiled. She felt content.
In the end, he admitted that it would take him a while to get used to it all. He asked her to realize that he would at least make an effort to understand where she was coming from. That wasn't a guarantee they would get along, but at least, he would try to for his daughter's sake.
As Grace walked out of the office, she bumped into Zoe who was trying to act like she wasn't being nosy.
"So, how did he take it?" Zoe asked.
"I wouldn't say I have his approval, but he is going to make an effort to try and give him a fair chance. I couldn't expect everything to come up roses."
"What are you going to do now?"
"He wants me to call him. I don't know, I think I just might go visit him."
"Are you gonna spend another night?" Zoe said with a huge smile nudging her sister.
"I really don't think that's any of your business." Grace said.
"I can take a hint. I'll see you tonight, I hope!" Zoe said as she walked towards the dining area.
Grace drove home to find that the rain had subsided, now all that remained were gray skies and the wind. The first thing she heard was Simon's screams mixed with laughter as he ran into the living room with Rick chasing him around. Grace nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Hey Grace" Simon yelled as he continued to run around the living room.
"Hey!" Grace said afraid to move from her spot.
"Hey Grace" Rick said. "So, how are things going?"
"They're good. They're real good."
Grace grabbed the cordless phone and ran upstairs. Her clock read 5:30. She dialed his number. He picked up on the first ring. She recounted the conversations she had with her mother and father. The two talked on the phone for a little while and agreed to meet each other at Adam's Playground Park.
Thirty minutes later, Grace pulled up at Adam's Playground Park. The skies were still gray, but they were just as she liked them. The wind moved her somewhat messy hair as she looked around for him. She walked around the park, past the orange and yellow leaves of fall. There were still a few people at the park. She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her coat as her eyes only wandered the area for him. She turned around and saw him standing in the middle of the sidewalk. The distance between the two of them was at least fifty feet. They slowly began to walk to each other, closing in the distance, but it was too much for her. After a few steps, she ran the rest of the distance to him. She couldn't help but jump into his arms.
"Remind me again that this isn't a dream." Grace said as she held on to him.
"This is definitely not a dream." He said as he continued to hold her.
He released her from his grip and she stared at him, giving him the reassuring look she always seemed to give him when she knew that things were good. She moved into his arms; it was now a normal thing for her to do. It felt funny at first, but now, her day just didn't feel or seem right if she didn't spend a moment or two in his arms.
"I told you everything was going to be alright." August said.
He wrapped his right arm around her shoulder as the two began to walk. Now that the slate was clean for the two of them to actually be out in the open, Grace felt a huge weight being lifted off of her shoulders. The wind continued to make the leaves dance around them as they continued their walk.
