Chapter fifteen

"So, we'll tell them tonight."

"That's the plan," Rick replies.

Lilly takes in a deep breath and sighs. She is at the kitchen table going through mail and drinking tea. Rick is sitting next to her going through some work papers. Zoey walks into the room and stares at Lilly.

"What is it, honey?"

"I want a dog," demands Zoey.

"Not at the moment, sweetie," sighs Lilly.

"Why not?"

Lilly glances at Rick.

"We might as well do it now."

Lilly walks to the staircase and yells, "Kids! Come downstairs, please!"

Eli, Jessie and Grace walk down the stairs into the kitchen and look at Lilly curiously.

"We, Rick and I, have news..."

Eli and Grace exchange smiles.

"We know, Mum."

"You know?" Lilly looks shocked.

"Know what?" asks Jessie.

"Tell me!" whines Zoey.

"Well..." starts Rick.

"I'm pregnant," states Lilly.

"I'm going to have a baby sister or brother?" smiles Zoey.

"Wow," murmurs Jessie.

"That's great, Lilly," says Eli.

"Yeah Mum, that's great" says Grace and she gives Lilly a hug.

Eli pats Rick on the back and Jessie hugs Lilly and Rick.

Zoey jumps up and down and cuddles Lilly.

"So, can we get a dog after you have the baby?"

"We'll think about it," says Rick.

"Lilly walks to the fridge and looks inside.

"I think we should get Chinese take-out tonight, what do you say?"

Everyone agrees in unison and Rick offers to go pick it up. Rick leaves the house and Zoey asks Lilly dozens of questions.

"If it's a girl can you name her Tabitha? Or, if it's a boy can you name him Timothy so I can call him Timmy?"

Lilly ruffles Zoey's hair and laughs.

Grace sits down at the table, looks down at some papers and shows signs of frustration. Eli sits down next to her and pats her shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

"It's the script for the play. I have so many lines to learn," she sighs.

"I can help if you want," Eli offers.

"No, it's ok, E. James is helping me tomorrow after school."

"Who's James?"

"Oh, he's in my class and he's in the play. He's been really supportive with all this."

Eli tries to hide his jealousy but Grace notices.

"You have nothing to worry about, E," Grace reassures him with a kiss on the cheek. Lilly looks up from the mail.

"I'm so proud of you, Grace, getting involved again with the play," beams Lilly.

Grace rolls her eyes but blushes, "thanks, Mum."

Eli looks down at the table and plays with his hands. Grace looks over at him and takes hold of his hands.

"You want to hang out later, bubs?"

Eli shrugs and Grace smiles.

"We can..." Grace raises an eyebrow and smirks.

"Sure, sounds good," Eli shrugs again.

Jessie rolls her eyes at the two of them and starts to set the table.

"Lilly, is it ok if Katie sleeps over tonight? We want to have a movie night and just veg."

"That should be fine, she can come over after dinner," offers Lilly.

"Thanks," Jessie smiles softly.

"You and Katie are inseparable, sweetie. It's nice that you have such a good friend."

Jessie blushes and looks down at the plates as she places them on the table. Grace looks at Jessie and notices her blushing. She nudges Jessie a little and offers her a small smile. Jessie smiles back and nods, reassuring her everything is ok. Eli is oblivious, too busy looking down at his hands and in his own world. Rick comes into the kitchen carrying bags of food and he drops it all on the table.

"Zoey! Dinner's here! Kids, come on, eat up," smiles Rick.

Eli shakes his head a little and comes back down to earth. Grace rubs his arm and he smiles at her slightly.

- - -

"Ok, what's wrong, sourpuss?" Grace tickles Eli in the stomach and laughs.

"Nothing," mutters as he pushes her hand away.

"Come on, E."

"It's just...why didn't you ask me for help with the play?"

"I thought you would find it boring, that's all," Grace reassures Eli.

"I'm sure James is happy he can help out," smirks Eli.

Grace takes hold of Eli's hand, "I love you, E. There's no need to be jealous."

"I guess. It's just we don't spend much time together any more, you're always busy."

Grace strokes Eli's cheek and kisses him on the mouth.

"I can't believe you're jealous. I always thought it would be me being jealous of some hot chick," laughs Grace.

"You clearly don't have that much faith in me."

"Oh, E, stop it. Come on, come here." Grace opens up her arms and Eli reluctantly hugs her. Grace leans back against the bed and pulls off Eli's t-shirt. "We have some time, bubs. You wanna?" Grace smiles and covers Eli's chest with little kisses.

Eli smiles and pulls Grace on top of him, "come here, babe." He pulls off her singlet and unbuckles her bra.

"I love you," whispers Eli and Grace nuzzles her head into his neck and he pulls her in tight.

- - -

"I'm telling them tonight, they should know."

"Well, if you think it's best, then do it," Katie replies.

Katie is wearing her pajamas and lying on Jessie's bed. Jessie is getting changed and looking at Katie.

"So, tomorrow then?"

Katie smiles and nods and then notions for Jessie to join her on the bed. Jessie quickly throws on her nightie and walks quickly over to the bed.

"If they accept Eli and Grace then surely they'll accept us."

"We've talked about this, we're not doing anything wrong."

"Fine, fine," mutters Jessie.

Katie smirks and pulls the blanket over them.