"I love him," Grace breathed, squeezing Eli's hand tighter.

"And I love her" Eli said, returning her grip.

Lily threw her hands in the air, laughing at them mockingly.

Rick paced the room, glaring at his son.

Things had started out pretty civilised, considering Lily proclaimed she was going to throw up and ran into the kitchen, returning a few moments later with a look of fury on her face.

A few slanderous words were flung, and pretty soon all hell had broken loose and Eli and Grace's 'talk' with their parents had turned into a screaming match.

It was Rick who raised his hands in the air, declaring that they would be civilised about this, and behave like adults- and then told everyone to take a seat in the lounge room.

And though he declared things would be civilised, he had scowled at Eli and Grace as he saw them sit together, side-by-side, still holding hands.

Rick and Lily stood in front of them, glaring, while they protested- declaring over and over again their undying love.

But within a few more minutes the screaming had started again.

"Don't say that!" Lily yelled.

"But I do! I love him!" Grace screamed back at her.

"You are step siblings!" Rick yelled with fury, bringing silence to the room. His voice was so thunderous that even Jessie and Zoë, who sat up stairs, able to clearly hear the yelling going on downstairs, shuddered.

Eli, feeling his eyes sting, turned away from his father's piercing stare.

"This cannot-" Rick thundered, "this WILL NOT go on!" he said.

There was silence for a moment longer, and Rick began to pace around the living room again.

"Eli, I think you should move out" Lily said the words, not bringing herself to look him in the eyes.

Eli looked at her, and then turned to look at Grace- and he saw the shock and pain wash over her.

"NO! You WILL NOT throw Eli out on the streets because he loves me-" Grace yelled, releasing her grip on Eli's hand as she stood up in front of her mother.

Lily rubbed her brow, not wanting to look into Grace's teary eyes..

"He doesn't love you!" Rick had stopped pacing and shouted the words at Grace, causing even Lily to quiver.

Grace looked at him, tears and hatred washing over her face.

Eli rose and stood next to Grace "You do not tell her that! I do love her!" Eli yelled, and Rick took a few giant steps towards him, using his height as a challenge.

"I love her!" Eli declared once more, and Rick pursed his lips.

"Grace you are sixteen-" Lily began, walking towards Grace, opening her arms to her.

But Grace stepped away, clutching Eli's arm "that makes no difference. I love him!" Grace spat back, and Lily retorted her arms, turning away as tears began to fill her eyes.

Grace breathed in, holding the tears back while she spoke "we weren't asking for you're permission to love one another!" she said harshly, and Eli brought one arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him.

"So what were you hoping to get our permission for? You thought we'd simply allow you to date one another-" Rick said, stepping forward to hold Lily "you will only embarrass yourselves- you are STEP BROHER and STEP SISTER!" Rick said the words slowly and coldly, hoping they would rub off on Grace and Eli.

Grace brushed away some of her tears "you didn't give us a choice when you two started dating- so we are NOT giving you one!" she spat back, burying her head in Eli's chest.

"Get out of my sight!" Lily had turned to face them now, her face hurt and angry "go!" she yelled.

Grace pulled away from Eli, but he still clutched her hand as they walked away from their parents.

Rick and Lily watched as their children both headed towards Eli's room, and Rick's temper flared again.

"Jesus Christ!" He growled, causing them both to turn and look at him "you two haven't-" Lily spat the words out through a croaky, teary voice.

Grace gave a frustrated sigh "NO!" she screamed back at her, and Lily buried her head back into Rick's chest.

"Go to your OWN rooms!" he said sternly.

Eli and Grace released their hands.

Eli held Grace's shoulders, turning her body to look at him.

"I knew this would happen!" Grace said, holding back a river of tears.

GRACE I knew that would happen!

ELI we both knew.

Grace lowered her head, not wanting Eli to see how upset she was.

But he placed a finger under her chin, leaned in slightly, to kiss her- but felt his father and Lily's eyes on them, and so he pulled away.

"I love you," he whispered, and Grace tried a faint smile.

"I love you too," she whispered back; and she so badly wanted to collapse in his arms, and kiss him slowly and tenderly and then hungrily and passionately.

Eli rested his lips on her forehead, and she closed her eyes as she felt his soft lips press against her creased brow.

"Goodnight" he whispered, and he disappeared into his room.

Grace stood for a moment, steadying herself, and then crept up the stairs to her room, where Jessie and Zoë were waiting for her.

GRACE I need him

ELI I need her.