I think the story is beginning to dwindle. I really want to write more about Grace and Eli but I don't know how much I can write. I could seriously write pages with them just in bed together, but that's just too dirty and kinky! I hope you're still enjoying.

Chapter eleven

"We're going to have to tell them eventually."

"We can wait till after my gig. You know my dad, he'll probably tell me I can't play."

"Fine. We'll tell them after the gig," replies Grace and she sighs even though she is slightly relieved.

Eli is sitting on his bed and Grace is lying down with her head in his lap. They hear a knock at his door and they both jump up but they are too late. Jessie has already seen them and smiles softly.

"Jess..." Eli starts to explain but Jessie waves her hand.

B/W Jessie: They must think I'm stupid or something. (small laugh)

"It's not like I hadn't figured it out already. I'm not stupid, Eli."

"I never thought you were stupid."

"Jessie, you know?" Grace bites her lip and yet places her hand on Eli's thigh for reassurance. He pats her leg to calm her down.

"I've noticed your glances at dinner. The way Eli smiles every time you come into the room. And the way you go red when Eli mentions "a girl" he's seeing."

Jessie sits down on a chair and Grace relaxes a little.

"You won't say anything, will you?" pleads Eli.

"E, you know you can trust me. I trust you with my secrets, don't I?" Jessie raises her eyebrows.

"Uh, yeah. How is that going, anyway? Feeling any better?"

Grace starts to get up, "should I leave the room?"

Eli looks at Jessie, reassuring her that she can trust Grace.

"I guess you probably know. I mean, you're the one that...you told me about Katie, remember?"

Grace searches her brain and remembers, shocked.

"You're not seeing her, are you?"

Jessie nods her head slightly and goes a little red.

"Jessie, are you coping alright?"

Jessie sighs and shrugs.

"Do your parents know?" asks Grace and then realises that she would have known if they did. "I mean, do you plan on telling them?"

"Well, do you plan on telling Dad and Lilly?" Jessie raises her eyebrows.

Eli and Grace look at each other and hold each others hands. Even though Jessie knows, she still finds it weird and is startled by the gesture.

B/W Jessie: He's so preoccupied with her now that soon he'll forget about me.

"Grace and I are gonna tell them after my gig."

"Wow, you're both a lot braver than me. Then again they'd probably be more understanding of this than of me being...into girls."

The three sit in silence and consider for a moment.

"To make it easier, maybe the three of us should do it together?" asks Grace. Eli places his arm around her and she leans back a little.

"No, I have to do this on my own. Maybe Katie will help me," replies Jessie with a little smile.

"If you need backup you have both of us, kiddo," Eli smirks a little and Jessie laughs.

B/W Jessie: Maybe he won't forget about me. (small smile)

"At least I won't be the only one freaking out the parents," giggles Jessie. "Anyway, I should er, leave you two alone."

"No, Jessie, stay..." says Grace, attempting to be enthusiastic. Eli is busy tickling Grace's arm.

"No, it's ok...I have stuff to do," replies Jessie, biting her lip.

Once Jessie leaves the room Eli pulls Grace towards him and lies down on the bed.

"Now where were we?" he asks with a wicked grin. He reaches her hands towards Grace's face and looks into her eyes. Then Eli remembers something and smiles.

"What's making you so happy?" grace pokes Eli in the stomach and he pretends to cringe. She slaps him a little and he quickly kisses her on the nose.

"I have a surprise for you," he smirks.

Eli pokes him again in the stomach and pretends to get aggressive but can't help laugh.

"You will just have to wait until tomorrow night." Eli smirks again and starts to tickle her until she falls off the bed.

Grace gets up from the floor, jumps on top of Eli and starts to pull off his t-shirt.

"Do you think we have time to..." Grace looks down at Eli's pants. Eli looks at the clock and considers.

"Look what I've done to you! You've become a nympho!"

"As if you don't like it!" laughs Grace and she nuzzles his neck.

"Hey, I'm not complaining, just stating a fact. And yes, we do have some time," he replies as he starts to pull off Grace's top. They both begin to laugh.

- - -

"Maybe you're right," laughs Grace as she pulls the doona to cover herself up from the cold.

"About what?" Eli is leaning on his arm and looking down at her.

"That I'm a nympho. I'm ready to go again!" She laughs some more and pulls his arm down.

"It's amazing how much you've changed in the last month," Eli looks at her with admiration.

"It's because of you," Grace kisses Eli on the nose and pokes his cheek.

"You've also helped me change," he whispers.

"You don't need to change, Eli."

"But...before you and I got together I was aimless. Work was shit and I was going nowhere. But now, I'm working harder, I might be getting a promotion and my music is going well."

"You didn't need me for that to happen. You did it on your own."

Eli wraps his arms around Grace and pulls her in close. Grace closes Eli's eyes and does her specialty, covering his face with butterfly kisses and stroking the back of his head. Eli finds himself drifting into sleep and lets Grace take over.

"When we first met, I thought you hated me. That I was just this waste of space that was always getting in your way. I wanted to disappear but then suddenly, we became friends and I was able to look beyond your perfect face. You made me feel special," whispers Grace as she continues to stroke his neck.

Eli slightly stirs but is fast asleep.

"And now...now you make me so happy and I want to do the same for you. I want you to be with me forever. But knowing my luck, something will screw up or you'll realise I'm still that waste of space," she continues to whisper. Tears start to fall down her face and she softly kisses Eli's mouth. She traces his face with her fingers and slowly closes her eyes and starts to fade into sleep.

- - -

"I think something is going on with Eli and Grace," remarks Lilly as she drops some of the groceries onto the counter.

"Like what?" Rick turns on the kettle and flicks through the mail.

"I think they are seeing each other," Lilly raises her eyebrow.

B/W Lilly: Soon she'll move out of home and get married...and leave me. (sad smile)

B/W Rick: At least Grace will offer Eli some direction. (raises an arm and looks impressed)

"What do you think about that?" asks Lilly as she pours some tea for the both of them.

"I think Grace would be good for Eli."

"But their step-brother and sister!" cries Lilly.

"But they don't feel like brother and sister. And if they're happy together and safe, which you know they will, we should be happy for them."

B/W Lilly: Eli does care about my little girl. (raises eyebrow)

"And we'll be able to keep an eye on them at least, Lil."

"That's true," remarks Lilly vaguely.

B/W Lilly: But when do I have to stop looking out for her? (frowns)