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.

Author's Note: OK, sorry it took so long, but this Chapter seemed so short. I haven't decided where to go from here yet.

Chapter 7

Hand in hand, Grace and Luke walked up the front walk of the Polanski home. Grace stopped at the door and turned to Luke. "Remember, you are just here for moral support and help me get out quicker. As hard as it will be, please don't say anything or interfere. I have to do this myself." Luke nodded in agreement. Grace took a deep breath and reached for the doorknob. She could hear her heart beating in her ears and anticipation and panic tingled over the surface of her skin.

As she opened the door, she handed Luke the piece of paper with a list of absolute necessities and sent him upstairs to pack her a bag. She listened to see if she could tell whether her mom was awake or still passed out in the upstairs hallway. There was no sign of her, but Grace could hear the scratching of a pen and the shuffling of paper in her dad's office. As she approached the doorway her father looked up. "Hi Gracie, did you need something?" His expression changed when she stepped fully into the room where he could see her face more clearly. He stood up and rushed over to her. "What happened, who did this?" he asked. "Sit down Dad, we need to talk."

He returned to his seat and Grace sat in the chair in front of his desk. Grace's voice cracked a little as she began to speak. "First of all, your wife did this. Second of all, I'm only here to find out what you're going to do about it. I can't live like this any longer and I shouldn't have to. You only have three options." Her father started to speak, but she put her hand up to stop him. "No. You need to listen to what I have to say. This is the way it is going to have to be. You can talk Mom into checking into a rehab center. There she can get the help she needs to quit drinking. If you can't convince her, you'll have to make her to move out. If you can't or won't do one of these two things, then you'll have decided on option three. If you decide that Mom can stay here and continue to drink, I won't be coming back. You have one week to decide what we're going to do, until then, I'll be staying with the Girardi's." With that, Grace turned away from her shocked father and walked out of the office. Luke was waiting at the front door with her bag. When he saw her, he opened the door and they walked out together. About the time they reached the bottom of the front steps, her father finally recovered enough to speak. They could hear him yelling for Grace to come back as they headed down the walkway.

Authors Note: Like I said, I'm not sure where to go from here. I could end the story here. Or I could have the Rabbi make a choice. Any suggestions?