Chapter 45 | Dinner (part2)
"Grace, do you mind passing the salt?" Lily asked her daughter from across the table. Grace, who had been lost in her own thoughts, looked up with a start.
"Sorry?" she asked, blushing when Eli nudged her with his shoulder.
"The salt?"
"Oh here" Grace reached over and passed her mother the salt, then turned to Eli who was sitting next to her. "Thanks"
"For what?" Eli asked innocently, breaking off a piece of his bread roll and popping it into his mouth.
Grace shook her head, she'd been sitting there for the past who knows how long, thinking about how much things had changed in the past year. If someone would have told her a year ago, that she would now be sitting at the same dinner table as Eli Sammler, she would have laughed. Let alone the fact that he was her ex-boyfriend.
She looked across the table at her mother and Rick, who were staring into each other's eyes, almost oblivious to everyone around them. Judy who was sitting next to Jessie and Zoë at the opposite end of the table to Grace. Jessie looking like she couldn't wait to get away from Zoë who had been talking non stop all dinner, and Judy, who hadn't looked so happy in months.
"Who would have thought huh?" Grace said quietly, not meaning for Eli to overhear her.
"Thought what?" Eli asked a slightly confused look on his face.
"Zoë! Can I eat please?" Jessie snapped at Zoë on the other side of the table.
"That we'd be here, like this" Grace answered.
Eli looked around the table, and then back at Grace, "Are you talking about everyone here tonight or about us?" he asked, his face serious.
"Ah, both I guess" Grace blushed, embarrassed.
Eli nodded a small understanding smile on his face.
"We'll talk later okay"
Grace smiled hesitantly, and then looked over at Eli's father who was feeding her mother a spoonful of his dessert.
"Look at them two" Grace said laughing at the disgusted look on Eli's face.
"Talk about pathetic" Eli groaned, "Get a room you two" Eli said loudly, causing Lily and Rick to finally look up with surprise.
"What? Oh sorry" Rick laughed at the look on his sons face.
"I think it's sweet," Grace said, shaking her head as Eli nearly choked on a mouthful of coke.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Mum" Grace could hear Zoë start in her 'I want something from you voice'.
"Yes Zoë?" her mum replied, knowing perfectly well that her daughter wanted something. "Well, can Grace do the dishes tonight?" Zoë asked quickly, putting a stack on plates down on the sink, "I want to show Jessie what we bought last week"
Grace jumped up from she was sitting at the table, "That's not fair, I've done the dishes every night this week, she always finds some excuse to get out of it" Grace complained to her mother angrily.
[Grace- Just because she is younger she thinks that . . .]
"Please Mum?" Zoe looked at her mother with pleading eyes.
[Zoe- Just because she was older she thinks she can . . .]
Lily looked at Rick who was still sitting at the table with a smile on his face and rolled her eyes. "What do you think?" she asked him, a twinkle in her eyes.
"Oh I don't know" Rick pushed his chair back and stood up.
"Mum please" Zoë begged.
Lily through her hands up in the air, acting as if she was giving up. "Well yeah okay, I guess you can both have the night off" she said with a smile.
[Lily- let them get away with it (smiles) but only for one night]
* * * * * * * * * *
"So," Eli said as he looked around Graces room, "this hasn't changed much" he said referring to Grace's room.
"Well, you were only in here just days ago Eli" Grace said with an awkward laugh and walked over to the radio.
"Yeah I was, wasn't I" Eli said quietly to himself.
[Eli- Was it only just months ago that we would spend days laying here together, in each others arms, doing nothing, just being?]
Grace turned on the radio, pausing for a moment before turning back to face Eli who was now making himself comfortable on her bed.
// Listen
I don't understand why you had to go
I guess I'll never know // Grace looked over at Eli who lay sprawled across her bed, his head resting on his folded arms. // Still some things I've got to say
Even though I'm all alone
I know you want me to be strong
Standing tall amidst the rain
Without you life just ain't the same // Eli, feeling Grace's eyes on him looked up, and saw the sadness in her eyes as his met hers. // And there are so many things I'd like to ask you // "I am sorry you know" Eli said quietly, tearing his gaze away from Grace's. [Eli- I wish you knew just how sorry]
// And there are so many things I still don't know // Grace took a step towards the bed where Eli lay; a he shuffled over on the bed, and then sat up, gesturing for her to sit down next to him. "I just wish I knew why" Grace said, leaning back next to him. Eli shrugged, "truthfully I don't really know myself" he admitted, "I thought I did but being around you now makes me not so sure" // And there are so many things I'd like to ask you // Grace ducked her head, embarrassed and hurt. [Grace- If he doesn't want to talk well I guess I can't force him to] "There must have been a reason" Grace said indignantly, avoiding his eyes. Eli stared at her angry face for a moment and made a decision. [Eli- (hands in pockets) I guess its now or never, if Grace and I ever have a hope of being friends, then I have to just tell the truth.] "You can be really stubborn sometimes" Eli said abruptly, shifting his weight away from Grace. "What?" that was so not the kind of answer Grace was looking for. "Just wait" Eli said, forcing himself to look at her. "I'm not saying that it's a bad thing. It's a good thing really, it's just that. Being with you scared me. You know exactly what you want and you go after it. You get good grades -" "It not" Grace tried to cut in but Eli kept talking, there was no going back for him now. "You get good grades; you make your parent's proud. I other the other hand" Eli gave a half laugh- half snort, "will never make my parents proud and that's what scared me. You're everything I want to be, except for the girl bit of course. I couldn't let myself bring you down" // Still yet so many things that I will never know // "But" "No Grace, just listen okay" Eli took a deep breath then ran his hand threw his hair, "after what happened with Carla I began to realise that if I could stuff up like that once it could happen again, what would happen next time I let myself get caught up in the moment. You're a great girl Grace but you mean too much to me for me to risk doing that to you again. Your still young, well so am I, but I admittedly have a lot more experience, you just need to get out there and live your life, have fun. Because some things just aren't meant to be" // If there was any way
I could see your face again
I'd give my own life
Only you can ease my pain
And if I could turn back the hands of time
It would take me just a moment
To tell you what's on my mind
Even though I'm all alone
FI know you want me to be strong
Standing tall amidst the rain
Without you life just ain't the same// Eli hopped up off the bed and walked over to Graces window, unsure of what to say next. Grace got up and stood behind him, resting her hand on his shoulder, "I wish you would of told me this before" she said quietly, "if I knew how you felt" Grace shrugged. Eli turned to face her, "It wouldn't have made a difference Grace" Eli said with a sad smile, "we have both changed so much this year, it was bound to happen" "But we could-" Eli cut Grace off, sensing what she was about to say. "No what ifs Grace, okay. If you start doing that well then you have to start looking at our whole relationship. Before I met knew I never really knew what love was, and for you I am so thankful for that. But we can't go back. You have Matt now and even then." Eli shrugged. "There nothing going on between me and Matt" Grace said defensively. Eli nodded his head "But there should be, I never thought I'd be saying this" he rolled his eyes, "heck, I never thought I would have said anything which I just have, but it's time to move on. Our parent's are dating, and it's serious. You know, one day they could be married and we could end up related. I know that's no excuse but well, you know me, you mean a lot to me, you always will, and I want us to get past this and be friends" Grace smiled and wrapped her arms around Eli in a huge hug. "I've missed you, you know?" "Me too" Eli agreed, freeing himself from her embrace before things became awkward. "Now what are you going to do about Matt?" // And there are so many things I'd like to ask you
And there are so many things I still don't know
And there are so many things I'd like to ask you
Still yet so many things that I will never know Listen
Sometimes I sit and wonder
Will we ever meet again
But where ever life may lead you
You'll always have a friend in me //
* * * * * * * * * * "You know, things really are going to be okay" Lily said to Rick, smiling happily as she dried the plate she was holding. "You think so?" Rick asked, watching his daughter and Zoe fighting over the remote control. "Yeah I really do" Lily put down the plate on the bench behind her, and wrapped her arms around ricks waist from behind him. [Lily- maybe it's time to] [Rick- maybe its time we] "Lil" "Rick" they both spoke at the same time. "You first" Rick said smiling at his girlfriend. [Rick- I guess it can wait awhile]
"How would you feel about us, moving in together?" Lily asked much to Rick's surprise. "Seriously?" Rick asked, they'd only discussed it briefly before, and he knew he'd been about to ask Lily the same thing, but were they ready for it? "Yeah, seriously" Lily nodded, her eyes searching his for an answer" "Well . . . "
[TO BE CONTINUED]
Authors Note: Well of course you all know the answer! Hope you liked the chapter, it was kinda long for me to write but I wanted to get things with Grace and Eli sorted out once and for all. Also I think there will only be another 5 new chapters at MAXIMUM, I'm trying to get this season finished off so expect a few surprises in the next few chapters. I'm on holidays next week so there'll be more updates then, but I have exams this week so don't expect anything for now.
"Grace, do you mind passing the salt?" Lily asked her daughter from across the table. Grace, who had been lost in her own thoughts, looked up with a start.
"Sorry?" she asked, blushing when Eli nudged her with his shoulder.
"The salt?"
"Oh here" Grace reached over and passed her mother the salt, then turned to Eli who was sitting next to her. "Thanks"
"For what?" Eli asked innocently, breaking off a piece of his bread roll and popping it into his mouth.
Grace shook her head, she'd been sitting there for the past who knows how long, thinking about how much things had changed in the past year. If someone would have told her a year ago, that she would now be sitting at the same dinner table as Eli Sammler, she would have laughed. Let alone the fact that he was her ex-boyfriend.
She looked across the table at her mother and Rick, who were staring into each other's eyes, almost oblivious to everyone around them. Judy who was sitting next to Jessie and Zoë at the opposite end of the table to Grace. Jessie looking like she couldn't wait to get away from Zoë who had been talking non stop all dinner, and Judy, who hadn't looked so happy in months.
"Who would have thought huh?" Grace said quietly, not meaning for Eli to overhear her.
"Thought what?" Eli asked a slightly confused look on his face.
"Zoë! Can I eat please?" Jessie snapped at Zoë on the other side of the table.
"That we'd be here, like this" Grace answered.
Eli looked around the table, and then back at Grace, "Are you talking about everyone here tonight or about us?" he asked, his face serious.
"Ah, both I guess" Grace blushed, embarrassed.
Eli nodded a small understanding smile on his face.
"We'll talk later okay"
Grace smiled hesitantly, and then looked over at Eli's father who was feeding her mother a spoonful of his dessert.
"Look at them two" Grace said laughing at the disgusted look on Eli's face.
"Talk about pathetic" Eli groaned, "Get a room you two" Eli said loudly, causing Lily and Rick to finally look up with surprise.
"What? Oh sorry" Rick laughed at the look on his sons face.
"I think it's sweet," Grace said, shaking her head as Eli nearly choked on a mouthful of coke.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Mum" Grace could hear Zoë start in her 'I want something from you voice'.
"Yes Zoë?" her mum replied, knowing perfectly well that her daughter wanted something. "Well, can Grace do the dishes tonight?" Zoë asked quickly, putting a stack on plates down on the sink, "I want to show Jessie what we bought last week"
Grace jumped up from she was sitting at the table, "That's not fair, I've done the dishes every night this week, she always finds some excuse to get out of it" Grace complained to her mother angrily.
[Grace- Just because she is younger she thinks that . . .]
"Please Mum?" Zoe looked at her mother with pleading eyes.
[Zoe- Just because she was older she thinks she can . . .]
Lily looked at Rick who was still sitting at the table with a smile on his face and rolled her eyes. "What do you think?" she asked him, a twinkle in her eyes.
"Oh I don't know" Rick pushed his chair back and stood up.
"Mum please" Zoë begged.
Lily through her hands up in the air, acting as if she was giving up. "Well yeah okay, I guess you can both have the night off" she said with a smile.
[Lily- let them get away with it (smiles) but only for one night]
* * * * * * * * * *
"So," Eli said as he looked around Graces room, "this hasn't changed much" he said referring to Grace's room.
"Well, you were only in here just days ago Eli" Grace said with an awkward laugh and walked over to the radio.
"Yeah I was, wasn't I" Eli said quietly to himself.
[Eli- Was it only just months ago that we would spend days laying here together, in each others arms, doing nothing, just being?]
Grace turned on the radio, pausing for a moment before turning back to face Eli who was now making himself comfortable on her bed.
// Listen
I don't understand why you had to go
I guess I'll never know // Grace looked over at Eli who lay sprawled across her bed, his head resting on his folded arms. // Still some things I've got to say
Even though I'm all alone
I know you want me to be strong
Standing tall amidst the rain
Without you life just ain't the same // Eli, feeling Grace's eyes on him looked up, and saw the sadness in her eyes as his met hers. // And there are so many things I'd like to ask you // "I am sorry you know" Eli said quietly, tearing his gaze away from Grace's. [Eli- I wish you knew just how sorry]
// And there are so many things I still don't know // Grace took a step towards the bed where Eli lay; a he shuffled over on the bed, and then sat up, gesturing for her to sit down next to him. "I just wish I knew why" Grace said, leaning back next to him. Eli shrugged, "truthfully I don't really know myself" he admitted, "I thought I did but being around you now makes me not so sure" // And there are so many things I'd like to ask you // Grace ducked her head, embarrassed and hurt. [Grace- If he doesn't want to talk well I guess I can't force him to] "There must have been a reason" Grace said indignantly, avoiding his eyes. Eli stared at her angry face for a moment and made a decision. [Eli- (hands in pockets) I guess its now or never, if Grace and I ever have a hope of being friends, then I have to just tell the truth.] "You can be really stubborn sometimes" Eli said abruptly, shifting his weight away from Grace. "What?" that was so not the kind of answer Grace was looking for. "Just wait" Eli said, forcing himself to look at her. "I'm not saying that it's a bad thing. It's a good thing really, it's just that. Being with you scared me. You know exactly what you want and you go after it. You get good grades -" "It not" Grace tried to cut in but Eli kept talking, there was no going back for him now. "You get good grades; you make your parent's proud. I other the other hand" Eli gave a half laugh- half snort, "will never make my parents proud and that's what scared me. You're everything I want to be, except for the girl bit of course. I couldn't let myself bring you down" // Still yet so many things that I will never know // "But" "No Grace, just listen okay" Eli took a deep breath then ran his hand threw his hair, "after what happened with Carla I began to realise that if I could stuff up like that once it could happen again, what would happen next time I let myself get caught up in the moment. You're a great girl Grace but you mean too much to me for me to risk doing that to you again. Your still young, well so am I, but I admittedly have a lot more experience, you just need to get out there and live your life, have fun. Because some things just aren't meant to be" // If there was any way
I could see your face again
I'd give my own life
Only you can ease my pain
And if I could turn back the hands of time
It would take me just a moment
To tell you what's on my mind
Even though I'm all alone
FI know you want me to be strong
Standing tall amidst the rain
Without you life just ain't the same// Eli hopped up off the bed and walked over to Graces window, unsure of what to say next. Grace got up and stood behind him, resting her hand on his shoulder, "I wish you would of told me this before" she said quietly, "if I knew how you felt" Grace shrugged. Eli turned to face her, "It wouldn't have made a difference Grace" Eli said with a sad smile, "we have both changed so much this year, it was bound to happen" "But we could-" Eli cut Grace off, sensing what she was about to say. "No what ifs Grace, okay. If you start doing that well then you have to start looking at our whole relationship. Before I met knew I never really knew what love was, and for you I am so thankful for that. But we can't go back. You have Matt now and even then." Eli shrugged. "There nothing going on between me and Matt" Grace said defensively. Eli nodded his head "But there should be, I never thought I'd be saying this" he rolled his eyes, "heck, I never thought I would have said anything which I just have, but it's time to move on. Our parent's are dating, and it's serious. You know, one day they could be married and we could end up related. I know that's no excuse but well, you know me, you mean a lot to me, you always will, and I want us to get past this and be friends" Grace smiled and wrapped her arms around Eli in a huge hug. "I've missed you, you know?" "Me too" Eli agreed, freeing himself from her embrace before things became awkward. "Now what are you going to do about Matt?" // And there are so many things I'd like to ask you
And there are so many things I still don't know
And there are so many things I'd like to ask you
Still yet so many things that I will never know Listen
Sometimes I sit and wonder
Will we ever meet again
But where ever life may lead you
You'll always have a friend in me //
* * * * * * * * * * "You know, things really are going to be okay" Lily said to Rick, smiling happily as she dried the plate she was holding. "You think so?" Rick asked, watching his daughter and Zoe fighting over the remote control. "Yeah I really do" Lily put down the plate on the bench behind her, and wrapped her arms around ricks waist from behind him. [Lily- maybe it's time to] [Rick- maybe its time we] "Lil" "Rick" they both spoke at the same time. "You first" Rick said smiling at his girlfriend. [Rick- I guess it can wait awhile]
"How would you feel about us, moving in together?" Lily asked much to Rick's surprise. "Seriously?" Rick asked, they'd only discussed it briefly before, and he knew he'd been about to ask Lily the same thing, but were they ready for it? "Yeah, seriously" Lily nodded, her eyes searching his for an answer" "Well . . . "
[TO BE CONTINUED]
Authors Note: Well of course you all know the answer! Hope you liked the chapter, it was kinda long for me to write but I wanted to get things with Grace and Eli sorted out once and for all. Also I think there will only be another 5 new chapters at MAXIMUM, I'm trying to get this season finished off so expect a few surprises in the next few chapters. I'm on holidays next week so there'll be more updates then, but I have exams this week so don't expect anything for now.