If I were Grace I'd be falling for James, too! But of course I still love Eli and I couldn't handle having Grace break his heart. I think Jessie is still searching inside and trying to work out who she wants and who she is. I know that Katie has a special place in her heart but that could just be because Katie is her one true friend. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Also, I thought it would be interesting to see how Rick handles Lilly's pregnancy and temptation in the office. This is a lot of fun!

Chapter twenty-one

Rick is sitting at his desk sorting through old drafts and making notes on what has been changed in preparation for his presentation tomorrow. His phone rings and he picks up.

"Dad, Mum's on line two, can I put her through?"

"Sure, E," replies Rick and he swaps the phone to his other ear.

"Hi, Rick."

"Hey Karen, what's up?"

He can tell something is wrong because Karen is breathing deeply and she always does that when she's worried.

"Have you spoken to Jessie lately?"

"Well, I saw her this morning before I left for work."

"No, I mean a serious one on one chat."

"Karen, if you have a point to make, just make it. I'm extremely busy."

"Fine. Jessie confided in me about her relationship with Katie."

Rick interrupts Karen. "What do you mean relationship?"

"Jessie hasn't told you?" Karen bites her tongue and sighs.

"Told me what?" Rick starts to get impatient.

"I think you should talk to her, Rick, and talk to her soon."

"Karen if you know something I don't know I think you should tell me."

"No, she told me in confidence and I respect Jessie enough to keep it that way."

"You're a great help, Karen."

Karen is about to reply when Rick notices Mary standing at the doorway and he holds up a finger and Mary nods.

"Listen Karen, I'm really busy. I'll talk to Jessie as soon as I can, ok."

Karen mumbles "goodbye" and slams the phone down. Rick cringes for a second and regains his composure. He puts the phone down and looks over at Mary.

"Marital problems?" she smirks.

"Ex-wife problems."

"Ah...trying to prove who is the better parent, right?"

"Sounds like you've had the same problems," states Rick with surprise.

B/W Rick: She's smart, friendly, charming, sexy and a mother? (impressed look)

"Divorced two years and one daughter," Mary pulls out her purse and shows Rick a photo of her daughter.

"She's adorable. How old?" Rick smiles down at the photo then looks back up at Mary.

"She's five," Mary replies and puts the photo away.

"That was a whirlwind of a marriage."

"Let's just say I got married too young and too soon to the sexy rebel all young girls fall for."

Rick chuckles and loosens his tie.

"I was that rebel once so be careful what you say," he smirks.

"When you're on the rebound like I am, a rebel is exactly what you need." Mary raises an eye brow and smirks.

B/W Rick: I haven't felt this awkward since I was a teenager. (loosens tie)

The phone rings and Rick coughs a little before he picks up the phone.

"Dad, Peterman is on line one. He sounds annoyed, should I put him through?"

"Yep, thanks E. O yeah, can you print out the Peterman file and put it in a folio?"

"Sure thing."

Rick holds the phone away from his ear and covers the mouth piece.

"I should get back to work. We'll finish this conversation um...later."

Mary smiles softly and nods. She turns around and wiggles her behind while walking out the door. Rick follows her with his eyes and then remembers Peterman.

"Good morning, Mr Peterman," he quickly says and loosens his some more.

- - -

Judy is sitting in her office sorting through inventory when she looks up to see Lilly standing in the doorway carrying a tray of tea and sandwiches.

"I thought I'd bring lunch to your office so we can talk a little."

Judy smiles. "Sounds good to me, take a seat," she offers as she puts down her pen and turns to face Lilly as she sits down.

"So, how's my little niece or nephew going?" she asks as she picks up a sandwich and unwraps it.

"Well, this little one is eager to come out, let me tell you! I'm hardly sleeping and the nausea in the morning is atrocious!"

"Is Rick being his supportive self?"

Judy takes a bite of her sandwich and notices Lilly hesitate for a second.

"He isn't?"

"No, no...of course he is. He's just very busy with this new project. I'm sure Sam has mentioned it to you."

"The Peterman project? Sure, he's mentioned it. It's a major stepping stone for Rick and him."

"It is," agrees Lilly. "But I miss Rick and I can't help feeling a little neglected. It's as if he's not excited about the baby," Lilly sighs and takes a sip of tea.

B/W Lilly: Why would he find me attractive now? (tugs her hair and rubs her belly)

"Oh Lilly, you know Rick. He gets caught up in work for a while but he always settles down again. Just give him a little time."

B/W Lilly: But it would be nice to be intimate.

"I know. I guess it's just the hormones playing up," Lilly smiles softly and takes another sip of tea.

- - -

Jessie places some books in her locker and closes the door. She turns to walk away and finds Tad standing next to her.

"Oh, hey Tad."

"Hey Jessie. How've you been?"

Jessie tugs on her t-shirt and notices Katie walking past with a group of girls. Katie looks over at Jessie and offers half a smile. Jessie quickly looks at her feet. Katie goes back to paying attention to her friends and Jessie sighs softly and looks up at Tad.

"Um, pretty good I guess. You?"

"Yeah, same, but the maths assignment is killing me."

"The algebra? I finished it last night," Jessie smiles softly.

"I knew you'd find it easy. Could you help me out with it?"

Jessie takes in a deep breath and thinks. "I guess so."

Tad smiles broadly, "Thanks Jess!"

Jessie smiles.

"So, can I come over to your house after school?"

Jessie nods, "that's cool."

Tad smiles again and waves goodbye, "see you later."

"Yeah, see you later," Jessie replies and walks off. Tad follows her with his eyes and smiles.

- - -

Grace is sitting on the curb waiting for Eli to pick her up. James walks over and sits down next to her. He pokes her on the arm and Grace jumps in shock and then smiles at James.

"So, Dimitri was a tyrant today, don't you think?"

"Well, the play is next week, James."

James sighs, "I'm so not ready for this."

Grace offers a reassuring smile, "you'll be fine."

James smiles back, "with a leading lady like you, the play will be a success no matter what."

Grace blushes. Eli drives up to the curb and honks. Grace gets up and rubs her pants down.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow," she smiles.

"I'll be the goof on stage forgetting my lines during rehearsals."

Grace slaps James a little, "you're such a loser, James."

"Oh, you're breaking my heart," he smirks, places his hand on his chest and pretends to collapse.

B/W Grace: He always makes me laugh. (small smile)

"See you, James," Grace smiles.

"Bye, Grace," James waves, shoves his hands into his pockets and walks off.

Grace waves back and gets into the front passenger seat and kisses Eli hello. Eli watches James walks off and gets a niggling feeling inside.

B/W Eli: If she's a part of me I have no choice but to trust her. (shrug)

"Hey, babe. You seem happy."

"Ah, just had a good day I guess. How was work? Any better?"

Jessie gets into the backseat and Eli and Grace say hello. Eli starts the ignition. Jessie looks out the window and sighs. Eli and Grace don't notice.

"Work was...I dunno. I'm sick of it I guess," he shrugs.

B/W Grace: And all Eli seems to do is make me worry lately. (frown)

Grace rubs his shoulder, "it'll be ok, E," she murmurs.

Eli offers a small smile and places his hand on her thigh and looks at the road.