Title: Reunification
Author: Lisbeth
Synopsis: While attending grad school, Grace runs into someone from her past
Rating: R (I really don't think this warrants NC-17)
Feedback: It keeps me going.
E-Mail: strangefruitgirl@hotmail.com
Author's Note: Man, is it me, or are the readers just horny? I've been a fan of Sigur Ros for a while now. I remember hearing a fan say once that their music was the perfect music to make love to. I recently downloaded a live version of a song called "Njosnavelin (The Nothing Song)." It was used in the movie Vanilla Sky, and I heard it is going to be on their new cd. If it is possible to fall in love with a song, I have done so with this one. The first time I ever heard it, I knew that this was the song for Grace and August. While listening to it, the images began to take shape as to how I was going to approach the consummation of their relationship. I am someone who thinks that music plays a huge part, and I think the song should be listened to, if possible, while reading the chapter. It's a beautiful song and I imagine it playing a part in that possible scene, even if you can't understand the Icelandic language.
Chapter 14: The Nothing Song
The art show showcasing Katie's artwork was beginning to draw in quiet a crowd. While some were the hob knob's of Chicago's art community, some were just art fans who dropped by. Grace and August walked into the gallery hand in hand. Even though the occasion didn't call for formal clothing, Grace still dressed up a bit in a pale green linen dress. Tonight would be the first time her family would see August again. To her surprise, Grace wasn't real nervous.
Over the gallery's speakers, Cat Power's "Cross Bones Style" was playing. Though they couldn't immediately find Katie or anyone in her family, they took their time in looking at Katie's work on display.
"Hey!" Katie said as she approached Grace and August. "Thanks for coming. I really appreciate it."
"Katie, your work is amazing. Have you seen any representatives from MoMA yet?"
"I'm really not too sure. I'm so nervous right now. I couldn't eat anything in the last 48 hours in fear that I would regurgitate it."
"Has mom and Rick arrived yet?" Grace asked.
"I don't think so. They had to find someone to watch Simon and your grandmother. They should be here soon."
"Where's Jessie?"
Katie looked around. "I have no idea. It's so easy to get lost with all of these people sometimes. Well, I hope you two enjoy all of this. I'll just warn you about the champagne; it's nasty, please avoid it at all costs."
"Thanks for the tip." August said.
Katie saw a man motioning his hand for her to come his way.
"I have to go. Duty calls. Thanks again for coming. I'll see you around." Katie said as she walked towards the man.
"Well, I wouldn't say she's the next Monet, but this is really good stuff. We can say that we knew her before she had her own calendar."
"Her own calendar? I was thinking her own wall at the Guggenheim."
"Ok, that sounds better." August said.
As the two continued to walk, Grace still looked around for her family. While the two were looking at a painting done in her stepsister's honor, Jessie walked up to them.
"I love the way the light catches it." Jessie said.
"Hey!" Grace said as she hugged Jessie.
"So, what do you guys think?"
"I think you'll have your rent paid off again in no time flat."
"I really like the painting over there with the green sky." August said to Jessie pointing at the painting across the room.
"If memory serves me correct, she painted that one after she had a dream of green skies. That's the easiest way I can sum it up." Jessie said.
"So, with Mr. Dimitri on your arm, I'm assuming that your mom knows."
"Please call me August. This is the first time I'm going to see them in five years." August replied.
"Lily is alright with it?"
"It will take some time, but she'll get used to it."
"You're mother is one of those people who better understands stuff after she's had some time to think about it. At least, that's how I always perceived it." Jessie said.
"Is your mom and Henry coming?" Grace asked.
"Mom's out of town on business and Henry went with her."
"That sucks."
"Yeah, but she's seen them all. She even has dibs on one of the paintings."
It was then that Lily, Rick, and Zoe walked into the room. One could easily tell that they weren't exactly expecting such a crowd.
"Whoah!" Rick said as he walked into the gallery. "This is something I never would of expected."
"I think it's cool." Zoe said as she looked around the room in wonder. "Hey! There's Grace." Zoe said as she walked across the room to meet her sister. Lily and Rick followed suit.
"Grace!" Zoe said as she reached her sister.
Grace and August turned around to see Lily, Rick, and Zoe facing the two of them.
"Hey!" Grace said to her mother and stepfather.
"Hi honey." Lily said to Grace. "Hello Mr. Dimitri, or August." Lily said. It was easily seen that Lily was still trying to get used to the idea of her daughter seeing him.
"August is fine." He said.
Rick moved forward to shake August's hand. While the conversation flowed between all of them, there was still the underlying tension between Lily and August. It wasn't until a few hours later, when she saw him staring at a painting alone that she took the opportunity to speak to him.
"Green skies. That's something I never would of expected." Lily said as she moved next August.
"Jessie mentioned that Katie got the idea after a dream."
"That explains it then."
After a few more moments of silence, August decided to end to it.
"I know you're probably still in shock with all of this, but I love Grace. I'm not seeking your approval because Grace is capable of making her own decisions, but….."
"I understand. I'm not saying that this is the easiest pill to swallow, but I want my daughter to be happy, and you make her happy. It will take me some time to adjust to it, but I think in the end it will be all right. I just don't want you to somehow get the impression that you are not welcome in our home, or anything like that."
"Thank you." August replied.
The night ended with five of Katie's paintings being picked up for showing by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It would take a few days for the reviews in the Chicago papers to come out praising the "refreshing colors and viewpoint" of Katie Singer's artwork.
It was raining outside. The soft pounding of it on the rooftop with the thunder dropping in on it every now and then was the perfect weather for sitting back and relaxing on a Saturday evening. One of August's Bob Dylan cds was in the stereo churning out "Fourth Time Around." Grace sat at the kitchen table working on her research paper for Dr. Sutton's class while August was sitting on the sofa writing something in what he liked to call his "idea book." All of his story and poetry ideas were recorded in the book. Even small phrases or particular words were recorded; words that stood out to him. Grace thought it was unique; after all, every writer has a particular knack to them. The idea book was his. She found herself staring at him, writing in his book. Before she could catch herself, he caught her. Grace slammed her book shut and walked to the living room. She made her way around the sofa and leaned down to wrap her arms around his shoulders. She kissed his cheek then rested her head on his left shoulder as she looked down at what he was writing. He placed his hands over hers.
"Anything about me?" Grace asked out of curiosity.
"Yes, there is plenty in here that is dedicated to you. Do you want to know what it is?"
"To be honest, no. I want to see the finished results." Grace said as she kissed him again.
"So I don't have to worry about you sneaking in here?"
"As long as you keep it in that hiding place of yours. I'll pretend I don't see you putting it in the bottom drawer of your desk."
"I guess that means I'll have to find another hiding place."
Grace released her arms from him and walked to the stereo. She took out the Bob Dylan cd and put it back on his cd rack. Walking into the kitchen, she came back a few seconds later with another cd. A smile came to her face as she put the Sigur Ros cd in the player. She programmed the stereo to shuffle the songs around. The rain was still coming full force from the sky. This was the weather she liked on days like this. It was the perfect kind of weather for sleeping in.
The unique sounds from the first song began its journey through the speakers as Grace continued to stare out the window at the rain. Even though the sun had long ago set, she could still see the rains effect on the world outside. She saw small puddles forming on the sides of the road. It didn't look like it was going to let up anytime soon.
"What is this?" August asked.
"What?" Grace asked, still in her spell.
"What kind of music do you have me listening to now? There is only so much I can be converted to as a fan you know."
Grace turned her head and smiled at him.
"I like listening to this when it's raining. It relaxes me. One could say it almost makes me braver. If you just close your eyes and listen to them. You just let go of your inhibitions and just focus on the rain and the music; it's almost spiritual."
August closed his eye, willing to try the experiment, as he put his pen down. He was trying hard to stifle the laugh that was forming in him. She loved that image of him. Maybe Katie could paint that image of him for her; maybe Zoe could take a picture of him like that. She needed to get that done. Grace walked up to him, his eyes closed still trying to understand what Grace was talking about, she took the idea book out of his hands and kneeled down in front of him. She moved in and kissed him. He kept his eyes closed while Grace grabbed his hands and pulled him off of the sofa. She moved him towards the middle of the living room.
"I want to dance with you."
"You know I couldn't deny you that."
"I like to dance when I get nervous. It helps me clarify my thoughts."
"What do you have to be nervous about?"
She never responded to his question. She just rested her head on his shoulder and continued to dance with him. Begging for the rain and the music to muffle out her nervousness, she was never one to be so forward with things sometimes.
"You're hands are cold. Why are you so nervous?" he said with open eyes. It was the first time she had seen them open in that moment.
Grace looked at him with eyes that expressed both sternness and playfulness. She moved her hands up to his face, as if his face would somehow warm them up for her.
"I know there is nothing to be afraid of. You know that don't you."
"What are you so afraid of?" August asked.
"For years I was always scared, especially in Boston, of giving myself to another person knowing that you were still out there." Grace said as she ran her left hand through his hair. "There was a while when I didn't think I would ever see you again. But, I would always turn to your inscription. I would turn to the memories of you I had. I remember thinking that day when you dropped me home from school that this person was going to be my first. I just had a feeling in my gut that you would be."
"You mean, you've never………."
"No." Grace whispered. "I'm probably the oldest virgin in Illinois."
"I had no idea." August whispered back.
"That feeling was right. Forgive me for being so forward, but I want you." Grace said as she kissed him. The delirious fever that was kissing him grew.
August didn't want to admit it, but he was in shock at the fact that Grace was waiting for him. It almost filled him with joy with the acknowledgement that he was going to be her first. He was going to show her what rapture felt like. Bliss would have a new meaning to her in a matter of hours. Grace felt her heartbeat quicken when his hands moved to her neck. Kissing could be so trivial at times, something never really appreciated, but in this contact with him, every single kiss was appreciated.
"I want you to show me what it's like." Grace said. "I want that kind of contact with another."
With those words August cupped her face in his hands, looking into her eyes. His thumb began its slow glide up and down her cheek. He began to kiss her cheek, making a slow and tortuous path to her left earlobe. When he finally reached his destination, he stopped. She closed her eyes as she listened to him breathing in and out.
"Let me show you what it is like." August whispered into her ear. He then slowly made his way to her eyelids, kissing each one. He grabbed her hands and led her to the bedroom.
Complete darkness. Still, after a few minutes, the eyes adjust to it. We are able to make our way around whatever it is if we are used to the territory. He was a territory that was so familiar, yet so unknown, all at the same time. The moon was full, as it hung just over his window. Even with the rain, it still had its ability to glow. There were no need for candles; the moon was their nightlight
There was a chill that always came with rain. It was something Grace could never really understand. She welcomed the chill that came in that moment because it would only call for him to move in closer. Body heat, his, was a wonderful thing. They spent the first few minutes just playfully fooling around. It was he who slowly removed her sweater, but still, her tank top remained. It was she who removed her jeans. She sat on the edge of his bed and watched, still clad in her underwear, laughing, at his vain attempt of a strip tease.
"I never said I was an expert." He said laughing.
"Come here." Grace said as she curled her finger to him.
"Boy, we're getting a little demanding, now are we?" he said as he slowly approached.
"Come on" Grace said still waiting for him to come closer. "I want to tell you a secret."
Finally, when he reached her, he kneeled down.
Grace kissed him. "Don't quit your day job." Grace whispered as she began laughing.
"You had to soften the blow for me?"
"Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind."
If there was one thing they didn't want to do was rush into it. Grace knew that sex was no longer sacred anymore. It was more of a tool that was used in order for someone to get what one wanted. It sold magazines, billboards, even television shows. As they both lie in his bed, it began with the two of them just staring at each other. Why was it so hard to believe that this wasn't something they could have imagined? She grazed her fingers through his hair, just allowing the event to come as it may, in the most natural way possible. Grace could hear "Njosnavelin" beginning on the stereo as he slowly glided his hands to the bottom of her tank top and pulled it off of her. He felt the goosebumps rise on her skin, and the nervous twitch of her skin at this touch. She wanted to take every single minute slowly, as if to savor the softness and paleness of his skin - the smell of apricots and mint mixing with the vanilla of his. After discarding the item, he began the sweet, but tortuous task of peppering her face with his kisses. Grace's hands made their way to his face, pulling his face to hers so their lips could match. She held him there for a while, still finding it hard to believe that it was all real. His hands began their journey as he softly explored, through touch, her arms, her face, her breasts, her stomach, all the while with his lips remaining on hers. Grace wrapped her arms around his neck as she moved her hands, touching his back. Could his skin be any softer?
"I've never been this close to you." Grace whispered in the darkness. She could see his eyes in that darkness.
He looked as if he were waiting for her to tell him to stop, or to slow down. He was waiting for her to somehow correct a mistake almost. August felt that it was important for her to know that she was the only who truly held the strings. He could only hope that she understood that by looking in his eyes. She gave a look that told him that everything was fine. It was then that his kisses moved from her lips to other areas of her territory. Everyone has an erogenous zone, and Grace's was her neck. She felt the shortness in her breath come to her when he was there. As she tried to memorize every inch of his body by touch, he moved to her collarbone. She could tell he was fascinated with that area; kissing it so softly, as if anything harder would somehow bruise her. He felt as if she were a delicate flower almost; one who had to fully bloom with each petal opening slowly, one by one. His hands moved to her breasts; the sign of power and fertility for ancient goddess' was now his area of focus. Grace promised herself that she wouldn't hold back, and when a slight moan escaped her throat, she knew she was fulfilling it. Kissing was ethereal, but it was also something that could get boring almost at times. The rain continued and the girl who was not used to calling the shots and giving demands felt the courage to do it now.
"I want to feel you inside of me." Grace whispered.
Eye contact. How was it that when it is used in certain situations, it is probably more important than anything else? Their eyes locked together as he entered her slowly, making sure she was comfortable with it. Grace felt her pulse quicken and a flush come to her face. He needed to see her reaction was all she could think in that moment. He needed to see what he really did to her. And he did, when he watched her gasp, her eyes still locked on his.
The age-old rhythm began its course, slowly. Grace reminded herself to breathe as she felt his fingers softly follow the trail that were her veins from her heart to her wrists. When he reached her hands, Grace entwined her fingers with his. She held on to with a soft grip as a single tear escaped her left eye. As soon as August saw it, he captured it with his lips. There was no room for spoken language – only gestures.
All of the pent up frustrations and emotions; all of the times she tried to deny her feelings; all of the years she waited were finally coming together in that moment. She felt the building turmoil that was an orgasm build inside of her and he could feel it too. It was then that he began to quicken the pace and brought his lips to hers yet again. Then it came. Her cry of ecstasy was muffled with his lips. A few seconds later, he joined her in the bliss.
"Are you alright?" he whispered, his nose touching hers.
"Wonderful" she replied as kissed him.
He started to move, but she soon stopped him.
"Can we stay like this for a little while longer?" Grace asked.
"We can stay like this for as long as you like." August replied.
"I'm memorizing this moment; I love you." she said as she looked at him.
"I love you too." He responded.
Grace woke the next morning to the feel of his lips crawling up her spine with his kisses. The storm was reaching the end of its cycle. She fanned out her arms to stretch them. When he noticed she was awake, he lay his head on her back.
"A girl could get used to this you know." Grace said.
"I know."
"I'm going to have to go home. I promised my mom and aunt that I would help them pack up my grandmother's things."
"You don't have to leave so soon."
"What time is it?"
August picked is head up and looked at his alarm clock. "It's a little after 8."
"I'm going to have to go. I promised mom I would be there at 10."
"We still have two hours. That's plenty of time."
"I have to take a shower." Grace said as she sat up and wrapped the sheets around her.
"Do you realize how beautiful you are when you are just waking up? I wish I had a picture of that." August said as he moved in to kiss her. After a few more stolen moments together, Grace got out of the bed and walked towards the bathroom, dragging the white sheets with her.
"Where are you going?" August asked.
"I'm going to take a shower." Grace screamed.
A few seconds later, after hearing the shower starting up, August got up. "I'm joining you." he shouted.
It was going to be their second, and surely not their last shower together.
