Title: Strong Enough Chapter 5
Author: Nicki C.
Email: I don't own Once and Again or the characters
Summery: Grace realizes that there might be hope
Feedback: Of Course I want it.
Grace got through the rest of the day barely; just doing normal things. But it seemed like even normal things were hard. It was hard to listen to Zoey chatter about her friends; it was hard to listen to her mom talk about morning sickness. She felt like she should be listening to what they were saying but she just couldn't concentrate, all she could think about was Eli.
Grace decided that she was probably just better off brooding alone her room. How could she make Eli understand what she needed without pushing him? She didn't think she could. It was so complicated. And she was scared, no matter which way she looked at it; disaster loomed. If she tried to change him, she'd only end up pushing him away; and losing Eli would kill her. But if she went to him tonight accepted him as is, he'd keep hurting her; it might be wonderful at first. But if he didn't grow up, if he wasn't willing to learn to tell the truth she'd end up hating him. Hating Eli was not an option. She loved him for so long that her love for him was mingled with her very soul.
Tired of hearing her own thoughts, Grace turned on her radio. After all it was all request hour with Advice Guru Lovelorn Larry. Music and hearing about someone else's screwed up love life was bound to cheer her up.
She'd just laid down in the bed when something clicked in her mind. Music! That's the key to Eli, why didn't I see it before? It's the one thing he loves most in the world. That's how she'd tell him how she felt, what she needed. Then at least he'll know what it is I need.
Grace ran around her room searching for all the things she needed. Then she headed to the garage. She was nervous, she knew once she knocked on the door things would be different. "But what the heck" she thought "Things have been different for a week".
She knocked
"Who's there?"
"It's me, Grace"
He opened the door, he'd been thinking about her. Trying to figure out how to get her talk to him that didn't involve removing the hinges from her bedroom door.
She looked tired, kind of worn out and worried.
He looked horrible, like he'd been crying.
"Did I do this to her"
"Did I do this to him"
"We need to talk Grace, I need to tell you some things. I need you to say you won't run until I'm finished."
Grace decided to go for it. She just started singing. She didn't want to give herself time to chicken out while he was talking.
Insert"Bed of Roses"