Sorry about the long delay. I was away for just over a week and I didn't have a computer with me so I hand wrote it. Finally I have finished typing it up. It's pretty long so I'm sorry if it feels a bit tedious. Enjoy!

Chapter twenty-five

Sitting on the balcony, wearing a crisp cotton white nightgown, she can hear his feet walking towards her but she keeps her eyes focused the rising sun. Eli reaches the balcony and places mugs onto the table and a bit of coffee spills, staining the white wooden panels.

"Thanks," I mumble, smiling briefly.

He leans down, placing a quick kiss on Grace's mouth.

"What are you thinking about?" he asks as he sits down into the seat next to mine and places his feet on my lap. Grace starts to massage his feet and looks back at the sun.

"Nothing special, just how I wish we could stay here."

"We can," he smirks.

"Be realistic, E," Grace replies and slaps his feet.

Pretending to be hurt, he jerks his feet away which is fine because Grace grabs her coffee and takes a greedy gulp.

"Seriously, babe. There's nothing keep us at home."

"What about school? Your job? Mum's pregnancy?" Grace scornfully chuckles.

"I meant after all that and I can always change jobs."

"You think?"

He takes a sip of coffee and places his feet back on Grace's lap. He nods briefly, taking another sip of coffee.

"Just think about it, babe. You can go to UC and I can find an admin job somewhere. Maybe even join a band."

Grace moves his legs to the floor, takes his mug out of his hands and sits on his lap. Looking down into his eyes, Grace cups his face with her hands and kisses him softly on the mouth. Gently running one hand through Grace's hair, he places his other arm around her waist and pulls her in. Grace slowly moves her lips away from his and moves her lips to the nape of his neck and kisses him. Grace feels him slightly shiver.

"We could make love in every room and not worry about being interrupted," he murmurs.

"I think I'm warming to the idea."

Moving away a little, Grace picks up her coffee and looks back out at the sun.

"Just think about it for a while, babe," he suggests as he picks up his coffee, "you, me, the beach and a place to ourselves."

"Fine, fine," she murmurs and snuggles into his lap, closing her eyes and Eli gently strokes her, wraping his other arm around her.

- - -

Grace enters the apartment, dropping groceries onto the counter and looks around.

"Hey bub, where are you?"

Grace hears shuffling going on the bedroom.

"Do you have someone else in there with you?"

Eli walks into the kitchen with a smirk on his face and his hands behind his back.

"What have you got there?" Grace suspiciously asks.

"I was gonna give it to you later, but I couldn't resist," he shyly admits.

Eli walks over to Grace and brings his hands forward, with one holding a little box. Grace opens the box and squeals.

"I can't believe it!"

Eli beams at her.

"Does this mean...?"

"Yeah babe, it does," he smiles.

Grace picks up the plectrum, turns it around in her hand, feeling the cool smoothness against her pink, moist skin.

"Does this also mean you're getting me a guitar?"

"You'll just have to wait and see," he smirks and Grace can feel herself bursting inside.

Placing the plectrum on table, she throws her arms around him and he lifts her up.

"Have I told you how much I love you, bub?"

"Not in the past 24 hours," he pouts.

"I guess I'm just going to have to show you," she whispers and kisses him softly. He carries her across the kitchen and throws her onto the couch.

Climbing on top of me, Grace pulls off his shirt and places her hands on his back. She slowly moves them down, pushing harder with each movement, finally reaching the top of his jeans. Edging her hands underneath, he breaths in and Grace's hands move in smoothly and notes that he's not wearing anything underneath.

"O, what a nice surprise," she murmurs and he chuckles.

She moves her hands to the front of his jeans and undoes the buttons. He starts to unzip her shorts and pulls them down, along with her underpants. He kisses her on the mouth and moves down to the top of her breasts, softly kissing each one. Shuddering slightly, she leans up a little and he eases himself inside of her.

"Harder, harder," she yells quickly and he pushes further in.

"How's that?" he asks as he takes hold of her waist and squeezes.

Grace shudders briefly, relaxes her muscles and pulls him in closer. She can feel him shudder against her and finally he collapses on top of her, his breathing causes the little hairs on her neck to rustle. Grace places her hand on the back of his head, letting her fingers run through his hair and his breathing begins to slow down. The weight of his body pushes down on her and while it's a little uncomfortable, it makes her feel safe and secure, and so she gently kisses the nape of his neck and she slowly closes her eyes, surrendering to sleep.

- - -

Grace can feel the sunlight against her eyelids and they are forced to open. Eli is sitting in the seat next to the couch and he is looking at Grace closely.

"'Morning, sleepyhead."

"What time is it?" Grace asks while yawning.

"Um, twenty past ten," he casually replies.

Stretching out my arms, Grace smiles over at him and Eli gets up from the seat and walks over towards her. She raises her legs and he sits down, clasping my feet and plays with my toes.

"We're going tomorrow."

He nods slightly.

"We have to pack soon."

He nods again.

"We have to leave here," she states, emphasizing the word leave.

He nods again.

"Say something."

"What do you want me to say?"

"That you booked the room for another week."

He shakes his head.

"That you bought the place."

He shakes his head again.

"That you love me."

He starts to shake his head and quickly stop.

"You tricked me, babe."

"You weren't listening...babe," I reply, rolling my eyes.

Eli gets up from the couch, stretches his arm out to her and she takes his hand, easing herself off the couch.

"We should start packing," he suggests as he looks around the room.

"Why don't you go out, pick up some breakfast and I'll start packing?" Grace offers and Eli kisses her quickly and picks up the car keys.

"Be back soon," he yells and leaves the apartment.

Grace waits until she can hear the front door close and then she starts to get ready. Having brought an Italian cookbook and all the necessary ingredients the day before, she chops all the vegetables and starts to fry the onion and garlic in oil until they turn translucent. Eli's favorite meal is spaghetti bolognaise and a fresh green salad. His favorite dessert is a little harder to make – chocolate ripple cake with extra cream and strawberries. Being underage didn't stop her from buying a six pack of beer and a bottle of red wine. The aim of the evening isn't getting drunk, but eating good food, relaxing and whatever their hearts desire.

Having finished off the sauce, Grace pours it into a bowl and hides it in the fridge. Just when she is about to start the cake she hears the key in the door and quickly puts away any incriminating evidence.

"Have you been cooking?" he asks suspiciously as he enters the kitchen and places breakfast on the counter.

"Maybe..."

"Fine, don't tell me," he shrugs.

Grace picks up a take-away coffee and rummages through the bags.

"You're a lifesaver," she murmurs and leans in to nibble his ear a little.

He mumbles something under his breath and kisses me on the mouth.

"You don't mind if we have a cold breakfast do you?"

Grace looks into Eli's eye, "I prefer ice coffee, anyway."

- - -

Jessie sits at the kitchen table, absentmindedly picking at a muffin and occasionally looking at the newspaper. Lilly walks into the kitchen and pours herself a herbal tea.

"Good morning, Jessie," she smiles.

"Oh, 'morning Lilly," she replies.

"Where have you been?"

"Huh?"

"You seemed miles away just then," Lilly observes.

"Oh, just thinking..." she murmurs in response.

"About anything special?"

"It's not important..."

"Jessie, I hope you feel comfortable enough to talk to me," Lilly pats Jessie on the shoulder and sits down next to her.

"I am, Lilly, don't worry about me, ok?" Jessie looks at Lilly with pleading eyes and Lilly holds herself back from squeezing her.

"Fine, I..." Lilly starts to reply but suddenly hears running water. Jessie looks down at the floor and notices a puddle of water in between Lilly's legs. Lilly calmly looks at Jessie.

"Jessie, sweetie, call your father, tell him to meet us at the hospital. Then get the suitcase from my room and we'll drive to the hospital. Make it snappy."

Jessie runs to the phone.

- - -

Mary is sitting at her desk, facing the door, with her legs crossed and she is wearing a mini black skirt, black stockings and a lot cut emerald green singlet on top of a black lacey bra. She is reading a file and her moist, red lips are sucking a pen. Rick is standing at the door, looking at Mary, taking in her long legs and red lips. He looses his tie and gently knocks on the door. Mary looks up and offers a very smug smile and unfolds her legs very slowly. Rick coughs slightly and feels a little flushed.

"I thought you may have been avoiding me," observes Mary.

"No, no. I've just been busy."

Mary smiles, "good, I thought I may have scared you off the other day."

"Of course not...you...anyway, I just wanted to know how the project is coming along."

Mary leans forward and gets up from her chair.

"Peterman rang this morning, personally, to compliment us on the updated designs."

Rick's eyes remain focused on the wall and Mary laughs.

"You really need to lighten up, Rick."

"Hey, I'm cool, I'm just..."

Mary walks up to Rick and stands right in front of him.

"You're just what?"

Rick coughs.

"I'm just stressed about work and..."

Mary takes hold of his hand and leads him towards a chair. She forces him down and starts to massage his shoulders. Rick tries to get up but her hands remain firm.

"Relax, Rick. This is one of my many specialties."

Rick lowers his shoulders and closes his eyes. Mary leans down and places her lips next to his ear.

"You know, I give great full body massages as well," she murmurs.

Rick jumps up.

"I really should get back to work," he states as he adjusts his tie. Mary moves his hands away and starts to do it for him.

Rick finds himself leaning in and Mary does as well. Just when they are about to lock lips, the secretary knocks on the door. Rick jumps back and Mary smirks.

"Um, Mr Sammler, your daughter just called. She and Mrs Sammler are on their way to the hospital. Her water just broke."

- - -

Grace places a cd into the stereo and hits play. Soothing music wafts through the apartment and she finds herself humming along. She finishes off the final touches while Eli is out rending some dvds. She places a plate of olives, a dipping bowl of olive oil and Turkish break onto the table and lights a set of candles. Grace hears the key in the door and she quickly runs her hand through her hair and adjusts her dress. Eli's footsteps get closer.

"Wait there!"

"What the...?"

"Stand still and close your eyes," Grace orders Eli.

She hears him grumble and finds herself smirking.

"You're such a baby," she laughs as she reaches him.

"You're a freak," he mutters.

Grace takes hold of his free hand and finds herself turned on by the smoothness and strength in his hand.

"Just follow me," she orders him as she leads him towards the kitchen table.

"You're a demanding woman and it's quite a turn on."

Grace kisses him on the cheek and watches him smile.

"I love you, now open your eyes."

Still holding my hand, Eli opens his eyes and she watches them widen in surprise and a smile flickers across his face.

"Babe..." he murmurs and squeezes her hand.

She pulls him towards a seat and sits him down.

"It's my turn to spoil you," Grace murmurs.

He quickly runs a finger though one of the lit candles and then looks up at Grace. He runs a finger along the lining of the dress and winks.

"So, um, what's for dinner," he whispers.

"I think dinner can wait," she replies huskily and kisses him softly on the mouth.

The phone rings and they both groan.

"Ignore it," Eli mutters as he kisses her again.

The machine beeps.

"It's Jessie. Lilly's just had the baby."