Title: Picture Perfect
Author:Sabrinasmom3
Rating:PG
Disclaimer:I don't own Joan of Arcadia or the actors, blah, blah blah.
Summary:Luke and Grace do normal, everyday things together that end up meaning much more and that someone else sees as picture perfect.
Now that they were a "couple", things were going to be different. There were so many things he wanted to show her and so much he wanted them to do together. Most of it was small stuff, to most everyone else anyway. He loved it when she held his hand in the hall now. It made his heart jump and gave him a rush. One of the first "normal" things he wanted to do was have her over to just veg out and watch TV. He knew it didn't seem like a big deal, but it was important to him. He asked her to come over on Friday and he promised her pizza and licorice if she came. He didn't even have to do the puppy dog eyes to get her to agree.
Grace's first instinct at the invitation was to panic and make up an excuse. That passed quickly however, as she reminded herself that this was a person and a family she could trust. There was no reason to keep them at an arms length like she had all the others. They knew her secret and cared about her anyway, maybe even more because of it. It was a first for them though. The movie date didn't quite work out and Luke's birthday dinner was, well, non-existent. It was like this would be their first date. Every time she thought about it her stomach started to bubble and she felt like she might be sick, but in a good way. It wasn't like her to get excited, but it was all she could do to keep her hands steady the rest of the day.
After school they faced their first real challenge, deciding on a movie. They ended up choosing two each and agreeing to watch them in whatever order they were pulled out of the bag. Neither one of them really cared what they watched. Who know if they would even pay any attention to the movie.
When they got to the Girardi's, no one was there. Dad and Kevin were still at work, Joan was at Adam's and Mom hadn't gotten home yet. Challenge number two: agree on pizza toppings. Who would have thought that they were both big mushroom fans. Wow, this was easier than he thought it was going to be. By the time they ate some pizza, popped some corn and settled in, the family had returned, eaten and dispersed to various areas of the house, leaving them alone to watch their movies.
As the first movie started, Grace leaned back on Luke's shoulder and felt a warm wave run through her. For the smallest second, she didn't recognize the feeling. It had been a very long time since she had felt this comfortable and relaxed, especially outside of her own room and then, only when the rest of her house was empty. Even at night after her parents had gone to bed, she had trouble relaxing enough to get to sleep. She was up late most nights, sometimes never going to sleep at all. But here, now, with Luke, she felt like she was floating in warm, still water. That was the last coherent thought she had before she let her eyes slowly shut, only thirty minutes into the movie, one of her movies.
Luke wasn't sure exactly when Grace fell asleep, but the movie wasn't even half over when he realized his arm had gone numb. He was determined to suffer, no matter how much it ached or tingled, in order not to disturb her. He was actually relieved when his mother poked her head in the living room to check on them. "Mom, what do I do?" he whispered. This was a new problem for him, one that he, even with his infinite knowledge of all things science, couldn't solve. His mom got a silly, lopsided grin on her face, then ran out of the room. Well, that was helpful. She was back in couple minutes though. With a camera! What was she doing? Not only was she not helping, but she would probably wake Grace up. And if Grace woke up to someone taking her picture…He dared not think of what she might do. He gritted his teeth and growled angrily at his mom. Her response was to disappear again. This time, returning with Joan. What was she doing, paying admission? Joan got all dreamy eyed and grinned at them, just like mom did. But at least after getting a good gawk in, she tried to help. Joan held Grace's head while Luke scooted out, then helped him, lower her down. Luke swung Grace's legs up onto the couch, took her shoes off and covered her up, amazed that she hadn't even flinched. It was a beautiful site. His Grace, with no tension, no anger, no worries. It was a so beautiful and so rare, that he couldn't help grabbing the camera away from his mother and snapping a couple of shots of his own. He didn't care if she woke up and maimed him. These pictures would be worth it.
It was Joan's idea to have their mom call Grace's dad to explain what happened and get his permission for her to stay the night. Luke never would have dared suggest that his girlfriend sleep over. But Grace was, after all, Joan's best friend too. His mom eyed him suspiciously until he shot his hand in the air and made the boy scout promise sign. Then she shook her head and went to make the call.
She had to assure the rabbi that the situation was all very innocent and guarantee that she would chaperone diligently before he relented. Luke sat on the living room floor staring at Grace until Joan kicked him out so she could set up her sleeping bag on the floor (part of her mom's master chaperone plan or early security system). She was finally able to shove him out of the room and up the stairs.
He went to bed, but for a long time he didn't sleep. How could he when every time he closed his eyes he could see her face and he know she was there, just a couple of floors below him. He remembered the way she breathed lightly and evenly and how her mouth looked like she was just about to smile. During those moments he sat watching her she looked more at ease than he had ever seen her and more beautiful than he could ever have imagined anyone could be. The thought of her was so overwhelming that he caught himself starting to cry. Not because he was sad, but because he was grateful. Grateful to know her and grateful that she was his. Of course, he would never dare tell her he thought of her as his. That might cost him a limb. He smiled at that thought and finally succumbed to sleep.
