Title:  Reunification

Author:  Lisbeth

Disclaimer:  I do not own these characters.

Rating:  R

Feedback:  My goal is 100 reviews (hint hint)

E-Mail:  strangefruitgirl@hotmail.com

Authors Note:  I apologize for taking so long.  I originally intended for the chapter to be longer than this, but I decided it would be best to just push it into Chapter 18.  Thanks for the patience.

Chapter 17:  Changes

After returning from the Thanksgiving break, Dr. Sutton's analysis paper was due and the semester was almost over. Even though she hadn't officially moved in with him, Grace did have her own little section of the closet for some of her clothes. 

            "I don't see what's the point of giving us a break for the Thanksgiving holiday," Grace said waving around a knife she was using to cut up an apple with.  "then have us return for four days of classes, then give us finals.  Why not just do it all before the Thanksgiving break?" Grace said.

            "Well, I would answer you, but I'm afraid of you waving that knife around." August said sarcastically.  "I don't understand it myself, maybe they think it is better for the students in the end.  You know, give them a little break time and what not."

            As he flipped through the morning paper, Grace hoped onto the kitchen counter next to him.  "So, anything interesting going on in Chicago today?"

            "The usual.  Hey, the Orpheum is going to show "Rebel Without A Cause" this week.  Have you ever seen it?"

            "I love that movie. I haven't seen it in ages." Grace said as she gave him a piece of her apple.

            "We could go look for a tree also; a real one."

            Grace looked strangely at August.  "You've never had a Christmas tree in this house?"

            "I've had trees – you know, those small, fake plastic ones that are absolutely dreadful." August said laughing slightly.

            "You have to have a tree in that big living room on yours. The real ones just have this smell to them.  You notice it as soon as you walk in the door."

            "Christmas wasn't always one of my favorite holidays.  It would mean long, wonderfully boring drives to New York to spend with my brother who has a seven year and an eleven month old girl and my younger sister who is constantly giving me the lecture about how I need to make her a sister in law. I'm not getting any younger. Blah blah blah, yada yada yada.  The holiday just always reminded me of loneliness – not having anyone to share it with." August said as he folded up the paper.

            "Well, you're not going to be alone this year." Grace said.

            He lifted his head and gave a look as if he had just reached some sort of epiphany.  "Would you mind repeating that?"

            Grace lowered her head to his, "You're not going to be alone this year."  Then she kissed him.

            August tossed the folded paper over his head.  "Let's go get that tree then." He said as he kissed her.

As the two looked around at the variety of trees available, the chill that was a Chicago winter was beginning its reign over the city. There were a few people looking around for trees, some with children, which had Grace observing them. August snapped her out of the spell when he came behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"What's wrong?" he whispered.

"Nothing. I was just thinking."

"About?"

"Christmas. I know there is still time, but where are we going to go?"

As the two walked down the aisles, looking at the trees, the conversation was continued.

"Are you worried about my family? Is that it?" August asked.

"No! Ok, maybe, a little. I'm just worried about what the reaction would be if you were to show up with someone that

you once taught in high school. And I stress the last few words" Grace said as she stopped in front a fir tree.

"You're getting worked up for nothing."

"Am I?" Grace said as she playfully punched him in the stomach.

"Yes." August said. It was then that he lowered down his tone. "I told them about you five years ago when I first went home. My sister picked up on something and she practically tortured it out of me."

"What did you tell her?"

"I had to explain why I resigned from my position.  She knew it was fishy because she knew that teaching was what I loved to do. I told her what I told you months ago. I had feelings for a student that I should not have had. She was shocked a little, at first, but when I explained it a little more, she understood. At least, I think she understood." August said as he adjusted the hat on Grace's head.

"And what about the rest of your family? Do they understand?"

"I told them months ago, when we first started seeing each other."

"What did you say?" Grace asked.

"I told them that I have never been this happy in my life. I think they got it and I think we found our tree." August said as he looked behind Grace.

Grace turned around and inspected the tree. It was about two feet taller than August and it didn't have any gaps in the branches. As August stood guard of the tree, Grace went find someone to wrap the tree in net wire and load it into her trunk. While the two waited in line to pay for the tree, August brought up the conversation again.

"My parents invited us for Christmas and New Years. If you wanted we could do a split arrangement. Maybe go to my parents for Christmas and yours for New Years, or vice versa. I just think, either way, you should meet the genetic pool that is the Dimitri family."

"I can hardly wait." Grace said as she straightened her wool gloves. Two hours later, the first real Christmas tree in August Dimitri's house was set up.

With the ending of the semester came the break for the holidays. Grace ended her semester with A's in every class except for her Shakespeare class that left her a B. August also ended his semester with a good note, being that he also left the Russian Literature class with an A. Even though he still a few years shy of his PhD, August felt the pull of teaching high school English again. He still had his certification and all he would need to do was just drop off his file at the school board office. Grace knew of his wanting to teach again, and she supported him with whatever decision he made.

Terrence Hill sent notice that his collection of poetry, which August entitled "Without Within" would be officially on bookshelves the following June. August still had to meet with an editor, even though he felt Grace was doing an excellent job at it, the two had just about decided which of Zoe's pictures would go well with the collection.

Then came Christmas. Grace and August decided that Christmas would be spent with his family in New York.  Grace thought it was only fair since August spent Thanksgiving with her family. Lily was a little shocked about the idea at first, but the night before the two left, Grace and August stopped by Manning Manor to exchange gifts with everyone else. 

A few hours later, the two were off to New York.  Grace flipped around the radio stations until she could get a station with a clear reception.  Nothing good was on.

"Do you have that Joni Mitchell cd with you?" Grace asked as she opened the glove compartment and began searching through his collection.

"I'm not too sure.  Why not just put in that Jeff Buckley cd that your sister gave me, or us, shall I say."

"I have to find it first." Grace said still digging.

"I would like to know who even tipped her off about it in the first place, hint hint."

Grace looked up at him and gave him a look in her eyes that slyly said that she didn't know.  "I don't know.  Maybe I just dropped a clue here and there.  Besides, I figured it wouldn't hurt to add a live cd to that growing collection of yours.  I just wish we could have seen him live instead of hearing it from a cd." Grace said as she put the cd in the player. 

As "Dream Brother" began to play, the Illinois state border was crossed.  The conversation between the two flowed as to what Grace would expect.  August clowned around about how the Dimitri family was one of liberal ideals and beliefs, except for Christopher who was the fence sitter of the family.

"When he married Emily, he also married her and her families conservative backbone.  We're talking full on, here is a five hundred dollar check, supporters of the Bush legacy."

He told her tales of his older brother Christopher and his younger sister Hanna. She had heard him talk before about his sister and brother, but she never really got detailed descriptions about them.

"My sister, Hanna, is this big time liberal.  If she would have been alive for the Vietnam protests, she would have been there in a heartbeat."

"How old is she?"

"She's 29.  She actually got arrested once in New York City."

"For what?" Grace asked.

"Her and a group of people snuck into this posh fashion show for one of those big time designers who was using fur for his line.  Well, as the models walked out on the runway with these fur coats and what not, Hanna and her little protest friends all jumped up and started to spray paint the coats shouting that 'fur is murder.'"  August said, waving his right hand frantically to help in emphasizing the words.

Grace laughed. "So your sister has had run ins with the law?"

"My parents weren't too happy about her actually being arrested, but they raised us to stand up for what we believe in."

"Did she stay in jail?"

"For a few days.  Her and her friends had to either do community service or pay for the coats that were ruined.  She took the community service."

"So, Hanna lives in New York City?"

"She stayed with me when I was there actually.  Hanna has a Masters degree in psychology, but she decided two years ago that she wanted to go into film studies. The money that my great aunt left to us was saved up for her schooling.  She's studying it at NYU.  Her forte is documentary films.  Supposedly, her and a few of the protest buddies are going to drive cross country to California and sneak into this animal testing lab and will set the animals free – and capture it all on film."

"That's preposterous.  She's pretty much signing her own death warrant."

"Yeah, but she was a little wasted when she told me that last year."

"She sounds really cool."

"I think you'll really like her.  Just don't bring up the glass ceiling in the workplace and animal rights and you'll be just fine.  She gets really worked up for those topics, even if you agree with her."

"Thanks for the advice." Grace said as she laughed at the idea that August had a sister who was almost a criminal. 

August could sense the slight hint of worry in her face.  Thoughts swam in her head about all of those people who couldn't stand their boyfriend/girlfriends relatives.  Worse case scenario, but Grace tried to force those thoughts out of her head. 

"I know what you're thinking about." August said as he reached for Grace's hand.  "I think you are more worried about meeting my family than you were when you told your family about us."

"I can't help it.  We aren't exactly you're everyday normal couple."

"Define normal."

"Ok, I was never one who liked to follow the social norms, but still, I can't help but feel that we're being judged sometimes."

"Grace, who wants to be normal?  Normal can be very very boring.  It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks anyway.  All that matters is that we're happy.  Remember Chekov – there is no room for judgment in love – as you once said."

"What about love equals sacrifice."

"Who says we aren't sacrificing?  You sacrificed spending Christmas with your family for my sake as I did for Thanksgiving."

"I don't mean holidays."

"I know, but I'm going on the literal interpretations here. I don't care what anyone else has to say or think about us or what we have.  I waited all of those years, just living for that one moment, you would tell me that you weren't seeing anyone.  I waited for that second chance, and I have no intention of letting other peoples opinions ruin what we have.  We are so lucky to have found each other again.  How many people do you know can actually say that they were given a second chance?"  He then released his hand from hers.  "I feel the connection." He continued as he placed his hand on his heart.  "In all honesty, that is what kept me going."

"Me too." Grace whispered back as she gave him a knowing smile.  He still had the ability to leave her speechless and it never ceased to amaze her.

            Six hours later, August and Grace were driving into the Syracuse city limits.  The traffic was the usual holiday driving jams, but nothing too bad.  Odd as it was to meet the people who raised and grew up with her August, she felt at home as soon as she stepped out of the car. 

            Hanna ran out to greet the two and jumped into her brother's arms.  As soon as she pulled away from August, she gave Grace a hug that took her by surprise.  She had shoulder length red hair that was cut into layers.  One would easily be able to tell that she was related to August.

            "Oh my God, it's so good to finally meet you." Hanna said.  "You're all Auggie would talk about for a while.  Oh, I'm Hanna." She said as she grabbed Grace's hand and shook it.

            "Nice to meet you." Grace said.

            "I'm sure mom told you that Christopher was going to spend Christmas with Emily's family." Hanna said as she directed her attention back to her brother.

            "I thought he was coming here.  I wanted him to meet Grace."

            "Well, Emily's father had that stroke two weeks ago, so they figured it would be better if they stayed.  He sends his love though.  They sent this really cool e-mail Christmas card.  Baby Clare and Trevor look absolutely adorable."

            Hanna grabbed their bags and started to walk towards the house.  Snow was lightly beginning to fall outside as Grace observed her surroundings. 

            "Auggie?"  Grace said as she started to laugh.  "I thought you were joking about the whole 'Auggie so and so plays keyboards on the new Dylan album' thing."

            "Hey, we all have our little nick names – Gracie." He replied.  "I just hope it doesn't stick to your vocabulary." 

            "Don't worry, I'll leave Hanna to do that."

            "Keep that up and you won't be seeing any of my naked baby photos." August said jokingly as he draped his arm around her shoulder and the two walked towards the house.

            It was the first Christmas that she had not spent with her family.  Grace always remembered hearing former college classmates of hers saying that one truly knew that ones partner was ready for commitment whenever the introduction/spending time with the parents came into play.  It was a dumb theory, one Grace didn't buy into, but still, she couldn't help but feel completely overwhelmed by it all.  Never in her right mind would she ever have imagined living out such a moment five years ago. 

            August took Grace's peacoat and hung it on the coat rack next to his.  The house was an old Victorian style home which was old and worn in, but in a good way.  One could tell it had a history just by walking in the doors.  The living room was big enough for a piano and two sofas.  The fireplace was already crackling.  It all brought a smile to her face reminding her of one of Jessie and Katie's favorite words – cozy.

            Before she could get too familiar with the living room, August grabbed her hand and led her to the kitchen.  Grace could hear the gentle voice that she immediately assumed was Sophia Dimitri. 

            Sophia Dimitri struck Grace as one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen.  Her gray hair was pulled back into a small but proper bun and she was wearing a simple pair of khakis with a green cardigan set.  When Grace and August walked into the kitchen, Sophia was on the phone but immediately acknowledged her son and his girlfriend's presence with a smile.

            "Well now, Christopher, don't worry about us.  You and Emily stay in San Francisco with her parents.  Send them our love.  I have to go, August and Grace just arrived.  I'll send them your love.  Ok.  Ok.  Bye." Sophia blew out a breath of frustration as she hung up the phone.  "I swear, that boy drives me up the wall sometimes with all of his worrying.  Hey honey,"

Sophia said as she walked towards her son with open arms.  "It's so good to have you here."

            "It's good to be home." August replied.  Before his mother could release him from her arms, August began the introduction he had been waiting to do for a long time.

            "Mom, I would like to formally introduce you to Grace Manning.  Grace this is my mother, Sophia."

            "It's nice to meet you." Grace said as she shook Sophia's soft hand.

            Sophia pulled Grace in for a hug.  The shock in Grace's eyes immediately caught the attention of August who laughed.

            "Finally, I get to meet the elusive Grace Brooks Manning.  Thank you for coming."

            "Thank you for having me." Grace replied.

            "So, are you two tired from the long drive?"

            "It wasn't too bad.  The traffic for once was actually kind of sane."

            "That's because you had someone there with you for the drive." Sophia replied as she took two coffee mugs from the cabinet and placed them on the kitchen counter and reached for the pot of coffee.

            "Where's dad?"

            "He had to go into town to mail off some gifts for your brother.  He should be back soon." Sophia said as she brought two steaming cups of coffee to Grace and August.  "Here you two are."

            "Thank you." Grace said.

            "Thanks." August said.

            "Where did Hanna go?" Sophia asked.

            "I have no idea.  I think she brought our bags upstairs, but I haven't seen her since."  August replied.

            "She's probably in her room planning out her next big protest.  Excuse me for a moment.  Auggie, show Grace where the sugar and cream are please." Sophia said as she walked out of the kitchen.

            "Well?" August said as he grabbed the sugar and cream from the cabinet and placed the two on the counter in front of Grace.

            "Well what?"

            "I told you there was nothing to worry about."

            "Who said I was worried?" Grace said sarcastically.  "I'll tell you one thing I've learned so far about your family – they sure are into hugging guests.  I've always heard of southern hospitality, but northern hospitality, we've just coined a new phrase."

            "My great great grandmother was from Georgia.  It's must be genetic."

            Sophia walked back into the kitchen and sat at a stool next to the counter as she started to polish a tray of silver utensils. 

            "August.  Grace.  You two sit down.  Your butts are probably numb though from sitting in that car for that long drive.  Are you two hungry?"
            "No thanks. We ate after we crossed the state line." August said.  "So, how is Emily's dad?"

            "He's getting better.  The stroke wasn't too bad, thank goodness.  But, he'll be fine.  I'll give Pat credit, he's resilient." Sophia said as she grabbed a spoon from the tray.  "So, Grace, what tall tales has August told you about us?  Nothing bad I hope?"

            "Oh, no Mam.  Only good words."

            "Please, call me Sophia.  All of that Mam stuff makes me feel even older than I already am."

             It was then that everyone heard the front door opening and closing.  Edmond Dimitri, in his late sixties, possibly early seventies, walked into the kitchen, still brushing snowflakes off of his sweater.

            "Gez, Sop, I think we may have to turn the heater up a little tonight."  He stopped suddenly when he saw his two guests.  "August! It's good to see you." He said as he hugged his son.  "Let me guess, you're Grace!"

            "Nice to meet you." Grace said as Edmond hugged her.

            "It's getting colder outside?" Sophia asked.

            "The wind chill is, and this house is almost as old as the Roman Empire."

            After a few more minutes of chat with his parents, August gave Grace the tour of the Dimitri house.  It was a big, four bedroom house, with two bathrooms, and a den.  While Grace knew that she wanted to live in the city for a while, she also knew that this was exactly the kind of house that she wanted to spend a part of her life in.  She saw family photos that went as far back as August in his early years.  He had gotten his red hair from his mother and his eyes from his father. 

            "And this is, or shall I say was, my room growing up." August said as he opened the door.

            "The room looked as if it had been tidied up recently.  There was a vase of fresh cut flowers next to the window.  Hanna took the liberty of putting both of their suitcases in the same room.

            "I guess this means we're roommates." August said as he snuck in a kiss from Grace.  "Remind me to thank Hanna."

            "So, this was your room." Grace said as she looked around. 

            "Well, mom turned Christopher and my room into guest rooms.  That explains why it looks a little dull.  I used to be hip you know."

            "Who says you aren't?" Grace said as she looped her arm around his.

            "It's still pretty early, you want to take a drive around the city?  I could give you the tour. There is this park that is absolutely beautiful around Christmas time.  The snow just clings to the trees and just makes everything so surreal.  It shouldn't be too cold."

            "That sounds good." She replied.

            As Rick added a little bit of water to the tree stand, Lily sat on the carpet, finishing up her task of wrapping gifts.  Her and Rick gave Zoe the keys to the SUV and asked that her and Simon go drive around the neighborhood to look at the houses that were decorated for the holidays.  It was always a spectacle to see. 

            "It feels weird with Grace not here." Lily said as she test measured the paper around a box.

            "I think it's good that she's getting to meet August's parents.  It's about time." Rick said as he wrapped the skirt around the tree stand.

            "I would really like to know what they think about the relationship.  Grace told me she was a little nervous about going.  We all have to do it though – it's part of the courtship." 

            "She'll be fine.  I don't think you give her enough credit sometimes.  She can hold her own with the rest of them."

            "I never underestimated her, I just want her be the best she can be.  I want her to be happy."

            "And she is."

            "I need to hurry up with this stuff; Zoe and Simon are going to be back soon and I told Zoe that I couldn't find the kind of camera lens she wanted in town.  I don't think I've seen her that disappointed since she found out that Santa Claus wasn't real."

            "But you did find the lens right?"

            "Of course I did." Lily said.  "I had to order it online."

            "Well, shopping for Simon was easier than crumb cake."

            "We might as well enjoy the years when everything he wants will be at one store." Lily said.

            It was then that the two heard the SUV being parked in front of the house and the doors opening and shutting.  Lily grabbed everything in a hurry and ran upstairs while Rick tried to make it appear as if nothing had been going on. 

             "Oh, not that story please!" August begged of his sister.

            "I have to tell this one." Hanna said. 

            "You weren't even alive when it happened."

            "So, it's my duty tell the embarrassing stories, even if I didn't actually see them."

            August, Grace, Hanna, Sophia, and Edmond were all gathered around the dining room table recalling stories from the past.  Dinner was just finished and everyone, except Hanna, was chatting over merlot.

            "Dad was painting the shed in the backyard one summer and Auggie and Christopher were hanging around in the back yard playing, or doing whatever it was that the two of you were doing."

            "We were playing airplane pilots I think."

            "But anyway, so, Dad is standing on the ladder and the paint is in a tray, full to the brim."

            "I kept telling those boys not to run around the ladder with me on it, but of course, they never listened." Edmond added in.

            "So, Christopher and Auggie started chasing each other around, and August wasn't watching where he was going."

            "I ran smack dab into the ladder, knocking over the paint and dad." August said as he was beginning to laugh.

            "Christopher couldn't slow down in time to stop himself, and he joined the two of them.  The paint was all over their clothes and hair."

            "Thank heavens it was lead free."

            "Dad had to cut off August and Christopher's hair because he was afraid the paint wouldn't fully wash out."

"Edmond tried to cover it up and say that the boys wanted him to cut their hair." Sophia said.  "I knew it wasn't the case when I saw August.  Poor boy looked like he was crying all afternoon.  It didn't help that he had a black eye to go with that awful haircut too."

            "You know, now that I think about it, that paint may have done wonders for my hair." August said jokingly. "Ok, no more embarrassing stories.  That's enough for one night."

            The phone rang in the kitchen.  Edmond got up to go answer it as everyone else continued to laugh about the story.  Edmond walked back into the dining room.

            "August, Christopher is on the phone.  He wants to say hi." Edmond said.

            August got up from his chair and walked into the kitchen.  As he passed by the chair Grace was in, he softly ran his hand over her shoulder.  Sophia got up and brought a few empty glasses to the kitchen. 

            "Would you like some help with that?" Grace offered.

            "No thanks.  I have a rule around here – guests don't clean.  That's what my kids are for." Sophia said as she walked out of the dining room.

            "I'm so glad you're here." Hanna said as she moved to the chair next to Grace's.  "It's good to see my brother smile again.  I'm so glad he's with you and not with that Chris woman."

            "I'm guessing you didn't care for her."

            "Those words are too kind, really.  You know how there are just some people who you have personality clashes with, she is one of those people."

            "I met her once actually.  She seemed nice."

            "Yeah, for someone who, excuse my language, thought her shit didn't stink.  I just felt that she thought she was too good for everyone.  And some of the clothes she would wear!  But seriously, I remember when he came home for a few days after he resigned.  He told me about you and I kept hearing in my head that old song from the Police.  You know, "Don't Stand So Close To Me."

            "Oh God, I remember that one.  Some of my former classmates at Upton Sinclair would tease me with that song for days."

            "But, there was a way he spoke of you, in the highest respect.  He said you were an old soul who had so much to give to the world.  That was one of the things that struck his fancy.  He was so afraid of what he felt and at the same time he was so sure of it.  He dated a few girls, but no one he would seriously consider settling down with.  I figured that you had to have brown hair and eyes because all of the girls he dated afterwards had those characteristics."

            "It was just a bomb that was waiting to go off though.  I think I knew that, but I didn't want to admit it to myself.  He was the first grown man who I had ever had a crush on.  At first, I thought it was just a phase – as soon as I would be done with the class, I would forget about him.  I remember him telling me once that I should say what I was so afraid to say to the person I was so afraid to tell it to.  I think I began to truly live my life that day."

            As August pulled the comforter and sheets back from the bed, Grace walked into the room and shut the door behind her gently.

            "I don't want to wake your parents." Grace said.

            "Don't worry, they sleep like logs." August said as he climbed into bed. Grace followed suit.

            "I was thinking earlier today about how all those years ago, when you publicly humiliated me in front of your class, I never in my right mind would of thought that I would be spending the holidays with you and your family – sleeping in the bed that you slept in growing up.  I think I have to pinch myself sometimes."

            "Drugs.  That's it."

            "That's right." Grace said as she went to kiss him.  "You are very" she kissed his cheek "very" she kissed his chin "very" she kissed his lips "addictive."

            "Glad to know I have that effect on you."

            "I'm going to quote this wonderful poet when I say this – that we are so lucky to have found each other.  It sounds so clichéd at times, but talking to Hanna made me realize that." Grace said as she slid her hand down his cheek.  "Goodnight." Grace said as she kissed him.

            "Goodnight."   

            Grace awoke the next morning to see snow lightly falling from the sky.  As she stretched out her arms and legs she felt August's arm tighten its grip around her stomach.

            "Merry Christmas Eve." August mumbled in his pillow.

            "Good morning.  How did you sleep?"

            "Very good." He said as he lifted her shirt a little and started to kiss her stomach. "This would be a perfect day to just stay in bed.  I could make love to you all day."

            "With you parents and sister just down the hall?  Feeling a little dangerous today, aren't we?"  She said as he faced her and continued kissing her.

            "Now is the time for you to tell me that we have to stop." August said as his hands started to glide up under her shirt. 

            "I'm going to have to put you on hold for that." Grace said as she grabbed his hands; still, he made his way down her neck with his kisses.  She then wrapped her arms around his neck when he returned to face her.  "But don't worry, we'll make up for it when we get back home."

            "Promise?" August said with a slight laugh.

            "I know you wouldn't allow me to break it." Grace replied back as she kissed him.

            It was then that August moved his head down and laid it to where he could hear her heart beating.  Grace ran her fingers through his hair as the two remained like that for a few minutes. Never in a millions years was all the both of them could think of. 

            Christmas Eve wasn't an event of chaos, unlike, the major holidays at her house with her mother running around trying to get everything organized.  At the Dimitri household, everything was calm and steady.  Sophia was trying to get everything set up for the next day by preparing things ahead of time. 

            The day went by pretty fast.  Grace spent the day getting to know the Dimitri family.  Edmond Dimitri was an archaeologist that retired at the end of the fall semester that year.  He used to teach the subject, his specialty being in Meso-American archaeology.  He was nicknamed Doc by his students and every year during the summer break he would plan out an "expedition" as he liked to call them for his former archaeology students who wanted to tag along for the adventure.  He gardened in his spare time. 

Sophia Dimitri was a former piano teacher who taught all three of her kids the instrument.  She gave lessons from their home and in her spare time volunteered at a local shelter for battered women and children.  Whenever she could, she would coordinate fundraising events that would include walking marathons and even dance offs. 

Hanna was still attending film school at NYU.  She worked part time at one of her former Psychology Professors psychotherapy practice.  Her job was that of a research assistant.  She was dating a guitarist from a punk band and told her family that he couldn't come down to visit because of a family trip to visit relatives in Vancouver.  

Grace saw every family photo album Sophia and Edmond could dig up. Her favorite picture was one of August when he was around five years old.  She could tell it was taken in their backyard.  The sunlight made his red hair stand out even more than it usually did.  It stood out even more than the missing front tooth.     

            That night everyone gathered in the living room and watched "It's A Wonderful Life."  Grace remembered hearing August mention how it was practically a family tradition.  Besides, it played every year on television, so it was kind of hard not to avoid.  Grace began to think of the incoming months.  She was due to return to school in a few weeks, and she already had it set that she would move in with August after the New Year.  August would continue also with one more semester of school and then he would return to teaching.  He still wasn't too sure if he wanted to pursue his PhD part time.  Unlike Grace, he didn't appear to be too worried about it.  She figured that he would know when the time came. 

            Christmas.  Even though she had heard her mother talk about how the Mannings had Jewish blood in them, Christmas was still celebrated. It never did baffle her; she had just grown accustomed to it.  August and Grace had went in together, buying Sophia a new piano stool.  Edmond had given his son a hint to cure the constant complaints his wife would dish out about how bad the stool was getting.  It wasn't as glamorous a gift as August would have wanted to give his own mother, but it was something that she needed. 

            Edmond had received a recently published book on Mayan and Aztec death rites along with a new set of digging tools.  August remembered his father having that set of tools ever since he was a teenager and he figured that it was time for a new set of tools for a new chapter in his life – retirement.

            August gave Hanna two concert tickets to see The Hives at the Hammerstein Ballroom.  August had given Grace a sweater that he had been seeing her admire for a few weeks, and he somehow found a first edition book of stories by Anton Chekov.  It was old and had that particular smell that Grace loved with old books.

            Grace gave August a filing system for him to get all of his works organized.  She would look at the disorganization that was his poetry and stories and would get a headache just trying to put everything in its right place.  Grace often joked that she would get him that and she finally did.  Along with the system, Grace gave August a Linda Ronstadt signed record that she was lucky enough to have found on ebay.  She paid a good deal for it, but she knew that it was worth it for him. 

            The dinner was a mix between a vegetarian cuisine for Hanna's taste and a full on meat fest for everyone else in attendance.  It was a lovely moment for Grace in realizing that things were changing for everyone.  She was once so afraid of change, but now, she was beginning to ease into it.  It felt comfortable, warm, like a sweater that one never gets tired of, one that could never be outgrown.  Grace and August would leave tomorrow morning

            As Grace sat on the bed flipping through the book, she would often find herself inhaling the scent of the book.  August walked into the room, shutting the door behind him.

            "Can I ask you something?  Where did you find this?"

            "When I was staying in New York, there was this little bookstore that specialized in first edition books.  I called them to see if they had what I was looking for and asked Hanna to pick it up for me."

            "I love it.  Thank you."

            "Thank you for the record.  What kind of idiot would put something like that on auction?"

            "It plays like new too.  I tested it out when you were gone one day."

            "So, tomorrow, we'll be driving back to the windy city.  I was thinking that we would leave after breakfast.  Is that alright with you?"

            "That's fine.  Whenever you are ready."

            At five in the morning, Grace woke up at the sound of a piano downstairs.  She immediately noticed that August wasn't there.  She walked downstairs to find August playing a tune unfamiliar to her ears.  For a few minutes she watched him play.  Sensing another presence, he turned around to see Grace standing at the stairs. 

            "Hey, come here." August said as he scooted over on the bench and made room for her.

            "What are you doing up this early?" she said as she sat down.

            "I woke up thirty minutes ago and I couldn't fall back asleep.  I watched you sleep for a little while.  I figured it wouldn't hurt to freshen up on my piano skills."

            "Play something for me."

            "Any special requests."

            "I don't know, anything.  Surprise me."

            "You asked for it."

            August began to play Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata."  Grace rested her head against his arm as she watched his fingers lightly touch the various keys.  His hands moved, softly swaying with the tune.  Every once and a while she closed her eyes, just letting the flow enter her ears.  She didn't even notice when the song was over. 

            "Since when have you been a Beethoven fan?"

            "My mother made me learn this when I was fourteen.  She was a huge fan of that kind of stuff.  Of all the stuff she made us learn, this was my favorite piece."

            "Did you know that Beethoven had to lower the piano to the floor when writing his music?  He would lay his head on the floor to feel the vibrations to get the right notes.  I remember taking a fine arts survey class and my professor loved Beethoven.  She always was astounded with the fact that a man who was deaf could write such beautiful music.  She said that the first time she had ever heard "Moonlight Sonata" she cried.  That piece always stuck out for me."

            "I was thinking about making everyone breakfast.  Would you care to help me?"

            "I would be delighted." Grace said.

            Breakfast was served an hour later once again, catering to every person.  It was a quiet morning and a quiet breakfast for everyone.  There was still snow on the roads, but nothing too big of a deal.  The weather allowed Grace and August to take one more walk around the neighborhood. 

            Then came the time to leave.

            "Thanks so much for having me." Grace said as she hugged Edmond and Sophia bye. 

            "Thanks for coming over.  It was so nice to finally meet you." Hanna said. 

            "August.  Grace.  Don't be strangers." Sophia warned.

            "You two have a safe drive back." Hanna said.

            "You too." August replied back to his sister.

            "That was nice." Grace said as they were on the highway.

            "I'm glad you met them."

            "What's weird is that I can imagine you growing up in a household like that.  I'll admit, I never would of guessed that your father was an archaeologist.  I would of thought a doctor or a lawyer, even an engineer."

            "Engineer!"

            "I said I was imagining."           

            "It went well though.  It went very well.  Hanna took to you like you were a long lost sister."
            "I felt like I had known her for a long time when we would talk to each other.  Let's just hope that she doesn't get arrested again."

            "So, when would you like to start bringing your stuff in?"

            "Well, I could start tomorrow.  There shouldn't be that much to move in the first place.  I just have clothes and books mostly."

            "I am making room for those books also.  Maybe we should just invest in another bookshelf.  We could start our own library practically."

            The drive home was quiet and good.  Even though the two got caught up in a few traffic jams, it was nothing too bad. 

Once again, the ever present thought that changes were going to be made came into her head again.  She felt they were for the best and was now fully willing to welcome them in full force. She knew that as long as she had him by her side, everything was going to be alright.