Grace couldn't feel as her legs lunged forward- they had a mind of their own……..and they knew were they were heading.

She saw the large metal detector gates ahead of her, and eventually slowed her pace down to a walk; her mother couldn't come beyond this point without a ticket.

She turned and saw her mother's flustered face, bobbing up and down not far behind her……..

GRACE this is it, the do or die moment.

"Flight 346 for New York is now boarding"

Lily was now standing by Grace's side; her eyes watery and unforgiving as salty tears crashed down her cheeks.

Without saying a word she pressed Grace's head against her chest, and wrapped her arms around her- Grace did the same.

"I love you so much" Lily whispered.

Grace pulled away; "I love you too" she replied, and turned her head to look at the gate that lay ahead.

Lily followed her gaze, "it's now or never," she said simply, trying to control her voice.

Grace nodded, and turned back to her mother, squeezing her arms around her one last time before pulling away and racing towards the gate……..leaving Lily to hold herself tightly as she saw Grace place her bag on the conveyor belt, walk through the gate……..and eventually leave her sight.

GRACE I think my mother saw who I really am that night……..

LILY and I liked what I saw……….


Grace ran- her feet pounding against the ugly puke green airport carpet- controlling her breaths so they were in time with her feet- - everything around her was a blur, as her eyes began to swell and her face fluster.

"Flight 346 for New York is now boarding"

The ladies voice only made her run harder- - the thought of Eli made her fly past the massive crowds, scanning the signs for the right gate………and then she saw it, a large line had gathered, but she was still too far away to make out any faces……..but it was definitely gate 6……..and this was definitely now or never.


"Have a nice flight" The man beamed at Eli, handing his ticket back to him.

Eli nodded meekly, taking the ticket from the man's hand. Before walking into the gate he turned around one last time; looking past his family, squinting to look closely at the faces that surrounded them.

She wasn't there……..she wasn't coming.

He focussed back on his family, and gave one last wave before turning and walking down the hall.

"Flight 346 for New York is now boarding"

He heard the voice again- and felt his heart sink slightly.

As he turned the corner he was met by a fairly long line of passengers, waiting to board.

He felt a little out of place; in his black t-shirt and rusty jeans- amongst the business type people in front and behind him, carrying their brief cases.

He waited patiently; glancing up ahead, he saw quite a few people still ahead of them, and watched as the air hostess's examined their tickets and allowed them to come aboard.

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck; he had imagined taking this flight with Grace by his side- - he'd imagined as she'd help him open up the tiny bag of peanuts, as he'd allow her to rest her head on his chest during the hour flight, as he'd rub her neck when she complained that she couldn't sleep…………..he'd imagined landing in New York, with Grace by his side………holding his hand telling him he was getting all he'd ever wanted.

But Grace wasn't with him- - and he guessed he'd have to ask one of the airhostesses's to help him open up the tiny bag of peanuts.

He let out a little laugh as he imagined himself fumbling with the small bag……..and he was shot a curious look from the woman in front of him and the man behind him.

ELI Grace would have laughed with me……..or at me, one of those!

He looked down the line again, as it became smaller and smaller; and he noticed a couple, arms draped around one another, who were only standing a few people ahead of him.


They were in their 30's, and looked happy.

Really happy.

Eli felt a pain in his heart, and suddenly he felt his hands shake.

Without thinking he turned around and pushed past the people behind him, fighting to get away- - -he couldn't do this……..not like this………leaving with Grace hating him, or worse- not loving him!

He pushed past all the people, and ignored their curious and angry looks, as they had to make way for him as he furiously pushed past them.

"Excuse me, sorry" he muttered, as he crept forward, his eyes fixed on the waiting lounge ahead of him.

Grace ran into the waiting lounge- scanning the faces of the people who seemed to be seeing loved ones off.

Her eyes fixed immediately on Rick's tall frame, and the small Karen who stood beside him.

"ELI!" She yelled, lunging forward, knocking into someone as they walked past her.

Jessie turned around, hearing her brother's name; and her heart stopped as she saw Grace- dressed in her waitressing uniform (?) approach them.

"Grace?" she said, in disbelief.

Rick and Karen looked down at Jessie, and then followed her gaze to Grace as she ran towards them, and suddenly stood before them, panting for air, a flustered face………

"What are you doing here?" Rick asked, a mix of anger and astonishment.

Karen put an arm on his shoulder, warning him not to do or say something hurtful.

"You just missed him!" Jessie blurted out, and Rick looked down at her curiously.

Grace didn't give Rick or Karen a chance to stop her- she raced past them, to the line that was threading through the gate, ready to board.

"ELI!" She screamed; just then one of the air hostess's who was collecting ticket's approached her.

Before he could remove Grace, she stuffed her ticket in the man's face, and he examined it, curiously.

"ELI!" she yelled again.


"ELI!"

It couldn't be.

Eli pushed past the people; angrier this time as they wouldn't part.

"ELI!"

The familiar voice came again- it couldn't be?

Finally Eli had pushed his way past all the people, and stood at the entrance, Grace on the other side of the line staring at him- - with her deep, chocolate eyes luring him.

"Grace?" he breathed, not believing she was standing before him.

"ELI!" She screamed again- and wedged herself between the line of people- breaking through them so she was on the other side, standing next to Eli.

Her heart stopped-

And started again as she lifted herself onto her toes, cupping his head in her hands, and kissed him feverishly and passionately.

He wrapped his arms around her middle- pulling her in- not caring that everyone, including Rick and Karen- were gawking at them.

"Miss?"

They pulled apart- and saw the airhostess standing beside them holding out Grace's ticket, which she took with a shaky hand.

"Thankyou" she murmured.

He nodded, a sheepish smile on his face, and walked away-

"Grace-" Eli started.

But she silence him, shaking her head slowly; "I need you Eli Sammler!" she whispered, clutching the ticket.

Eli looked into her soulful eyes; not quite hearing her words amongst the chaos in his mind.

"I'm going wherever you're going," she breathed, a smile spreading across her face.

He wanted to shake his head, and tell her that she didn't REALLY want to come……..that he didn't want to force her.

But she lifted herself up again, and kissed him- deeper this time.

Eli poured himself into the kiss, wrapping his arms around her middle, he lifted her up slightly- Grace was too glad for his strong lift, and she wrapped her legs around his middle, and her arms around his neck- deepening the kiss.

They finally parted- only to be greeted by the sound of a soft clapping- they both turned around and saw the people in the line, clapping softly with smiles across their face.

Eli and Grace both blushed- and then Grace turned to him "we getting on this flight or what?" she asked, and Eli smiled down at her.

He clasped her hand- lacing their fingers together as they joined the line, a few people allowing them to cut ahead of them.


Rick opened his mouth, and took a step forward; but Karen and Jessie both put a hand on his arm- stopping him from walking forward.

"Don't you dare!" Karen breathed.

And Rick could only look at her helplessly; having to let his son live his dreams……and love the girl!


AUTHORS NOTE:

total fluff or what?

HA! Well don't think for a second that this is where the story ends……….OH NO! Check back this weekend for more!