Chapter 50 | Fighter
Eli stared at Grace for a moment, she looked so peaceful, you could almost think she was sleeping. Almost but not quite, because then you would notice the thick bandages on her face, the neck brace she had to wear, and if you pulled back the sheets you'd find the heavy bandages, which concealed the bruising from her broken ribs.
Eli reached out and brushed a strand of hair that was hanging over her eyes. It was so hard to believe that just the day before he had been watching her laughing happily, Matt by his side. He could remember the second of jealousy he'd felt when he saw Matt lean over and kiss her lightly on the lips, and when Grace pulled back blushing but leaned back in to kiss him again anyway.
It had made him think of a time, only about six months before when he'd kissed Grace for the first time in the crowded hallways of school. He smiled wistfully thinking how cute she looked; her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. They had been so happy together. And then he broke her heart.
Eli brushed the tears from his eyes, watching Grace's chest rise and fall with each breath, waiting, hoping, for some sort of sign of her waking up, anything.
It had taken so long for them to work things out. To be friends again. When Eli made the decision that Grace was better off without him he had never expected that she would be out of his life altogether. And now he was facing the very same - Eli shrugged - Problem? No - he shook his head. Deep down he knew Grace would pull through, she was strong, a fighter.
Taking a deep breath he rose slowly from his seat by Graces bedside. He realised now he was not so much afraid of her dying, he was afraid of her waking and having her heart broken because of him all over again.
"How is she?" Eli turned around at the sound of someone behind him.
"Huh. . ." There stood Felicity, her face pale, eyes red and puffy. She was wearing a heavy jacket, which was pulled tight around her, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.
Eli looked down at the ground, totally unprepared. Truth was he'd been too busy thinking about Grace and Matt, he'd forgotten all about everyone else, or maybe he had just chosen to.
"The doctors say she should be awake by now" Eli shrugged as Felicity walked over to Grace, "But her vital signs are good or whatever so they are just hoping that her body needs some time to recover" Eli continued on pointlessly, Felicity wasn't listening to him.
"He really loved her you know" Felicity whispered, touching Graces cheek gently.
Eli took a step towards her, not knowing what to say, after all what could he say, I'm sorry. I'm the reason why your brother is dead? "Felicity" Eli shook his head as he saw her back stiffen. "I . . . I'm-"
"Don't say your sorry Eli" she whirled around, a surprisingly defiant look on her drawn and tired face.
"I don't know what else to say" he answered truthfully, staring into her eyes,
"Don't say anything" she shook her head. "The other driver, he'd been drinking," she said flatly.
Eli looked at her in disbelief, "So he . . . ?"
Felicity squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, trying to compose her self before speaking. "Don't blame yourself okay." Eli let out a laugh.
"I'm serious" Felicity said moving towards him. "You did the right thing by getting Matt to drive. Your drink had been spiked Eli, if you had of driven you could have all been killed. It took me a while to realise that. But Matts dead" Felicity said, struggling to hold back tears, "Blaming yourself isn't going to change that" wiping her eyes she looked back over at Grace. "I have to go home now, my mum needs me, just like Grace will need you when she wakes up. And I know she will. You mean more to her than I think she realises, be strong for her Eli okay. And don't listen to what other people think, you know the truth"
Eli stood there frozen to the spot, thinking about what Felicity had said. When she first walked into the room he'd half expected her to . . . what? Attack him like Jake had tried to? No. He didn't know what he had expected, but it definitely wasn't what he got.
Eli turned around to find his father staring at him from the doorway, a look of surprise on his face, "Was that?"
"Felicity?" Eli nodded.
"Oh" Rick said, a serious look on his face.
"What?" Eli rolled his eyes, walking towards his father.
"Are you okay?" he asked, looking his son straight in the eyes.
Eli ducked his head, "Hows Lily?" he asked, changing the subject.
Rick shrugged; Eli took one last look at Grace as he led him out of the room and into the hall. "She said she's fine but" he shook his head, "you know Lily, look Eli, why don't you go grab something to eat okay" Rick said after looking at his watch. "You've barely eaten all day"
Eli looked at him hesitantly, but the hungry grumble of his stomach answered for him.
"Yeah okay" he nodded, "You want anything?"
"Yeah, um, here" Rick pulled out his wallet from his back pocket. "Get anything you want"
* * * * * * * * * *
Eli looked up at the sound of someone approaching the uncomfortable plastic chair where Eli was sitting outside Grace's room. "Why don't you go in?" she suggested, noticing his longing gaze which was fixed on the open doorway, through which he could see Lily and Jake sitting beside Grace, talking softly to each other. Eli shrugged, "Dunno. Guess I thought I should give them some time with her alone" The woman nodded, tucking a stray strand of her silky blond hair behind her ear. "It's not easy is it" she said, her voice kind and understanding. "What isn't?" "Watching someone you love hurt" Eli turned to her, a look of confusion on his face. "I don't want to be rude, but who are you" he asked. The woman smiled, "I'm Tiffany, I work at Jakes restaurant" The look on her face and tone in her voice didn't go unnoticed by Eli. "So that explains it" Eli said flatly. "Explains what?" "That whole 'it's not easy' thing. You love him huh" he said, nodding her head in Jakes direction. "Just like you love her. Now enough about me, why don't you go on in there, I think Graces needs you as much now as you need her" Eli looked at her seriously for a moment and then stood up, "Good luck with" he shrugged, "everything I guess, and Jake" "Thanks" she said with a laugh, "I better get going. Hope to see you soon Eli" she called over her shoulder as she walked off down the hallway. Eli stood silently at the door for a few moments before knocking gently. "How is she?" she asked quietly as Lily and Jake looked up. "Honesty, I don't know" Lily admitted as Eli sat down on the opposite side to them. "The doctors say she's doing well. Her vitals are great and everything, so why wont she wake up" as she spoke Eli could here the tremble in here voice. Eli took Graces hand before speaking, "She's going to be okay Lily" he said, although being quite surprised at his own words he continued on, "You know, that's one of the thing's I love most about her, she's strong, she won't let go without a fight" he said. Jake looked at Eli his eyes clouded with confusion, "Is there something going on here that I should know about?" he asked, looking at Lily then back to Eli who was handing Graces hand tight. "What do you mean?" Lily asked confused herself. Eli was overcome with a sense of dread as he saw the look on Jakes face turn from confusion to anger. "I should have known" he said angrily. "Why didn't you tell me?" Jake yelled at Lily. "Jake, I think you should calm down" Lily said quietly, placing her hand gently on her ex-husbands arm, "and tell me what's going on" "I should be asking you the same question. You know, I thought there was something weird about just how upset he was, about how much time he spent with her" Eli looked down at Grace's still form, he had completely forgotten about Jake not knowing, and now, for him to find out like this, to fid out there, then. Eli shook his head, 'this ain't gonna be good'. "He's her friend Jake, friends have the right to be concerned and to care" Lily tried to defend Eli. "I'm not stupid Lily. He said he loved her and I saw the way he looked at her. Why don't you look more surprised, huh? Did you know about this already?" Jake spoke as if he had totally forgotten about Eli's presence in the room. Lily nodded then looked Jake straight in the eye, "Yes Jake I knew. But there was nothing we could do about it. And if we had have told you, you would have reacted the exact same way. I wanted her to tell you Jake, I really did, but it was her decision to make not mine" Eli cleared his voice as if to remind them of his presence before speaking, "Jake, I'm really sorry that we never told you, but the truth is it was over before we really got the chance. I love Grace, I always will, but I'm not in love with her. She's like a sister to me and I can't bare the thought o-" Eli stopped still, cutting himself of mid sentence, was he just imagining that or had Graces hand just moved in his, it was almost as if she was squeezing it. Eli turned and looked at Grace expectantly but her eyes were still closed. Shaking his head he turned back to Jake who was trying to get himself under control. "I know you probably mean well" Jake admitted, struggling to keep himself from yelling, "But I've heard all about you. Your 2 years older than her for god sakes. Why would you even be interested in her?" Eli felt a twitch again, but he shook his head, 'You're just imaging things E' he told himself. "Grace helped me out when I really needed it, she believed in me when no one else did. Your daughters amazing Jake, but I think it's time you realised that she's not a little kid anymore, she's growing up". They all turned around at the sound of someone clearing their throat, and Eli knew that this time he wasn't just imagining it. "Excuse me?" came the weak raspy voice which Eli could still recognise as Graces. Both Lily and Jake jumped up in surprised, a look of extreme happiness on their faces. "Yes honey" Lily said rushing to her daughters side and taking her other hand in hers and Graces eyes fluttered open, "Will someone please tell me what's going on?" she asked.
***Authors Note: Well guys that was it, the last Chapter so what did you think? Sorry it took so long to write but like I said I wanted to finish this season off by the time I go back to school and now 9 weeks later I'm on my last day of school holidays. I hope you've all enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it and I'm looking forward to writing the next season later this year. So as always don't forget to R&R, your comments are greatly appreciated.
Eli stared at Grace for a moment, she looked so peaceful, you could almost think she was sleeping. Almost but not quite, because then you would notice the thick bandages on her face, the neck brace she had to wear, and if you pulled back the sheets you'd find the heavy bandages, which concealed the bruising from her broken ribs.
Eli reached out and brushed a strand of hair that was hanging over her eyes. It was so hard to believe that just the day before he had been watching her laughing happily, Matt by his side. He could remember the second of jealousy he'd felt when he saw Matt lean over and kiss her lightly on the lips, and when Grace pulled back blushing but leaned back in to kiss him again anyway.
It had made him think of a time, only about six months before when he'd kissed Grace for the first time in the crowded hallways of school. He smiled wistfully thinking how cute she looked; her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. They had been so happy together. And then he broke her heart.
Eli brushed the tears from his eyes, watching Grace's chest rise and fall with each breath, waiting, hoping, for some sort of sign of her waking up, anything.
It had taken so long for them to work things out. To be friends again. When Eli made the decision that Grace was better off without him he had never expected that she would be out of his life altogether. And now he was facing the very same - Eli shrugged - Problem? No - he shook his head. Deep down he knew Grace would pull through, she was strong, a fighter.
Taking a deep breath he rose slowly from his seat by Graces bedside. He realised now he was not so much afraid of her dying, he was afraid of her waking and having her heart broken because of him all over again.
"How is she?" Eli turned around at the sound of someone behind him.
"Huh. . ." There stood Felicity, her face pale, eyes red and puffy. She was wearing a heavy jacket, which was pulled tight around her, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.
Eli looked down at the ground, totally unprepared. Truth was he'd been too busy thinking about Grace and Matt, he'd forgotten all about everyone else, or maybe he had just chosen to.
"The doctors say she should be awake by now" Eli shrugged as Felicity walked over to Grace, "But her vital signs are good or whatever so they are just hoping that her body needs some time to recover" Eli continued on pointlessly, Felicity wasn't listening to him.
"He really loved her you know" Felicity whispered, touching Graces cheek gently.
Eli took a step towards her, not knowing what to say, after all what could he say, I'm sorry. I'm the reason why your brother is dead? "Felicity" Eli shook his head as he saw her back stiffen. "I . . . I'm-"
"Don't say your sorry Eli" she whirled around, a surprisingly defiant look on her drawn and tired face.
"I don't know what else to say" he answered truthfully, staring into her eyes,
"Don't say anything" she shook her head. "The other driver, he'd been drinking," she said flatly.
Eli looked at her in disbelief, "So he . . . ?"
Felicity squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, trying to compose her self before speaking. "Don't blame yourself okay." Eli let out a laugh.
"I'm serious" Felicity said moving towards him. "You did the right thing by getting Matt to drive. Your drink had been spiked Eli, if you had of driven you could have all been killed. It took me a while to realise that. But Matts dead" Felicity said, struggling to hold back tears, "Blaming yourself isn't going to change that" wiping her eyes she looked back over at Grace. "I have to go home now, my mum needs me, just like Grace will need you when she wakes up. And I know she will. You mean more to her than I think she realises, be strong for her Eli okay. And don't listen to what other people think, you know the truth"
Eli stood there frozen to the spot, thinking about what Felicity had said. When she first walked into the room he'd half expected her to . . . what? Attack him like Jake had tried to? No. He didn't know what he had expected, but it definitely wasn't what he got.
Eli turned around to find his father staring at him from the doorway, a look of surprise on his face, "Was that?"
"Felicity?" Eli nodded.
"Oh" Rick said, a serious look on his face.
"What?" Eli rolled his eyes, walking towards his father.
"Are you okay?" he asked, looking his son straight in the eyes.
Eli ducked his head, "Hows Lily?" he asked, changing the subject.
Rick shrugged; Eli took one last look at Grace as he led him out of the room and into the hall. "She said she's fine but" he shook his head, "you know Lily, look Eli, why don't you go grab something to eat okay" Rick said after looking at his watch. "You've barely eaten all day"
Eli looked at him hesitantly, but the hungry grumble of his stomach answered for him.
"Yeah okay" he nodded, "You want anything?"
"Yeah, um, here" Rick pulled out his wallet from his back pocket. "Get anything you want"
* * * * * * * * * *
Eli looked up at the sound of someone approaching the uncomfortable plastic chair where Eli was sitting outside Grace's room. "Why don't you go in?" she suggested, noticing his longing gaze which was fixed on the open doorway, through which he could see Lily and Jake sitting beside Grace, talking softly to each other. Eli shrugged, "Dunno. Guess I thought I should give them some time with her alone" The woman nodded, tucking a stray strand of her silky blond hair behind her ear. "It's not easy is it" she said, her voice kind and understanding. "What isn't?" "Watching someone you love hurt" Eli turned to her, a look of confusion on his face. "I don't want to be rude, but who are you" he asked. The woman smiled, "I'm Tiffany, I work at Jakes restaurant" The look on her face and tone in her voice didn't go unnoticed by Eli. "So that explains it" Eli said flatly. "Explains what?" "That whole 'it's not easy' thing. You love him huh" he said, nodding her head in Jakes direction. "Just like you love her. Now enough about me, why don't you go on in there, I think Graces needs you as much now as you need her" Eli looked at her seriously for a moment and then stood up, "Good luck with" he shrugged, "everything I guess, and Jake" "Thanks" she said with a laugh, "I better get going. Hope to see you soon Eli" she called over her shoulder as she walked off down the hallway. Eli stood silently at the door for a few moments before knocking gently. "How is she?" she asked quietly as Lily and Jake looked up. "Honesty, I don't know" Lily admitted as Eli sat down on the opposite side to them. "The doctors say she's doing well. Her vitals are great and everything, so why wont she wake up" as she spoke Eli could here the tremble in here voice. Eli took Graces hand before speaking, "She's going to be okay Lily" he said, although being quite surprised at his own words he continued on, "You know, that's one of the thing's I love most about her, she's strong, she won't let go without a fight" he said. Jake looked at Eli his eyes clouded with confusion, "Is there something going on here that I should know about?" he asked, looking at Lily then back to Eli who was handing Graces hand tight. "What do you mean?" Lily asked confused herself. Eli was overcome with a sense of dread as he saw the look on Jakes face turn from confusion to anger. "I should have known" he said angrily. "Why didn't you tell me?" Jake yelled at Lily. "Jake, I think you should calm down" Lily said quietly, placing her hand gently on her ex-husbands arm, "and tell me what's going on" "I should be asking you the same question. You know, I thought there was something weird about just how upset he was, about how much time he spent with her" Eli looked down at Grace's still form, he had completely forgotten about Jake not knowing, and now, for him to find out like this, to fid out there, then. Eli shook his head, 'this ain't gonna be good'. "He's her friend Jake, friends have the right to be concerned and to care" Lily tried to defend Eli. "I'm not stupid Lily. He said he loved her and I saw the way he looked at her. Why don't you look more surprised, huh? Did you know about this already?" Jake spoke as if he had totally forgotten about Eli's presence in the room. Lily nodded then looked Jake straight in the eye, "Yes Jake I knew. But there was nothing we could do about it. And if we had have told you, you would have reacted the exact same way. I wanted her to tell you Jake, I really did, but it was her decision to make not mine" Eli cleared his voice as if to remind them of his presence before speaking, "Jake, I'm really sorry that we never told you, but the truth is it was over before we really got the chance. I love Grace, I always will, but I'm not in love with her. She's like a sister to me and I can't bare the thought o-" Eli stopped still, cutting himself of mid sentence, was he just imagining that or had Graces hand just moved in his, it was almost as if she was squeezing it. Eli turned and looked at Grace expectantly but her eyes were still closed. Shaking his head he turned back to Jake who was trying to get himself under control. "I know you probably mean well" Jake admitted, struggling to keep himself from yelling, "But I've heard all about you. Your 2 years older than her for god sakes. Why would you even be interested in her?" Eli felt a twitch again, but he shook his head, 'You're just imaging things E' he told himself. "Grace helped me out when I really needed it, she believed in me when no one else did. Your daughters amazing Jake, but I think it's time you realised that she's not a little kid anymore, she's growing up". They all turned around at the sound of someone clearing their throat, and Eli knew that this time he wasn't just imagining it. "Excuse me?" came the weak raspy voice which Eli could still recognise as Graces. Both Lily and Jake jumped up in surprised, a look of extreme happiness on their faces. "Yes honey" Lily said rushing to her daughters side and taking her other hand in hers and Graces eyes fluttered open, "Will someone please tell me what's going on?" she asked.
***Authors Note: Well guys that was it, the last Chapter so what did you think? Sorry it took so long to write but like I said I wanted to finish this season off by the time I go back to school and now 9 weeks later I'm on my last day of school holidays. I hope you've all enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it and I'm looking forward to writing the next season later this year. So as always don't forget to R&R, your comments are greatly appreciated.