GRACE he didn't just say that……….
Eli took another step towards Grace- breaking the still world that had formed around them……..slowly, he got down on one knee before her- digging around in the inside pocket of his jacket, he pulled out a small green box.
GRACE He didn't just do that……….
He lifted it up towards Grace, opening it to reveal a beautiful gold ring- with three small green jewels in the centre, woven into one another-
GRACE oh my god.
ELI breath, breath, breath…………….
Grace stared down at the ring before her; it was perfect. It wasn't too fancy and extravagant; it was plain and elegant; exactly the sort of thing she would have chosen.
"Grace Brooks Manning………..would you marry me?" Eli breathed; his words clearly shaky and strained.
Grace stared at the ring for a moment longer, though for Eli, it was an eternity until her eyes met his.
Her mouth was ajar; she was too shocked to cry or utter any words; so she simply looked at Eli quizzically, expecting him to say more.
Eli felt his knees begin to ache, and his body begin to wabble as the pain that shot through his legs began to unstable him; "say something………please?" he whispered, raising an eyebrow.
Grace shook her head slightly, trying to regain focus.
GRACE if only I could remember how to talk………..
"Thankyou" she uttered in the smallest, quietest of whispers.
Eli almost didn't hear her; or decided not to.
He stared at her, expecting, hoping for more.
Suddenly Grace seemed to realize that he was waiting for an answer.
GRACE god, I wish I could just put my life on pause for a moment.
"I……….I………err……….." she stammered, tucking a piece of invisible hair anxiously behind her ear.
"Can I get up?" Eli whispered, wanting to break whatever thoughts Grace had running through her confused mind at that moment.
She stared at him for a minute longer, "Yes, god, of course- get up, get up" she said, stepping back as he stood again.
The ring box was still in his hand, closed now, so Grace couldn't admire it.
He stepped forward, and brushed a hand against her cheek, wanting to calm her; but he only felt her icy skin below his fingers, and suddenly realized that she was shaking slightly from the cold.
ELI I felt so stupid. Grace is only 17 for god sake……..and here I am asking her to MARRY me?
God……….seventeen and engaged to her stepbrother………how could she survive high school?
Without thinking he peeled his jacket off, and wrapped it around Grace.
"God, I'm so sorry" he muttered, fumbling with the large chord jacket.
She felt the warmth instantly, and looked into Eli's eyes as he fixed the jacket around her shaking body.
GRACE his arms feel like home……..
"Yes" she breathed, once Eli had placed the jacket around her.
ELI she didn't just say that………….
"I am so sorry Grace, this was just a stupid gesture………." Eli paused; Grace was staring at him strangely……….
"Yes" she repeated, closing the jacket around her, and still staring dreamily into his eyes.
"What?" he whispered.
"I will marry you" she answered him gently.
"No………Grace……….it was heartless of me, I mean- you're only 17, and marrying you're stepbrother……..well that's crazy………." He began, but Grace lifted a finger to his lips; silencing him.
"Your not my stepbrother……….you're my soul mate………and I want to marry you……….." she whispered softly.
Eli didn't say anything; he could only stare into Grace's dancing eyes.
"Or do you take you're offer back?" she asked, smiling slightly.
He shook his head frantically; and reached up, cupping Grace's hand that rested against his lips; kissing it tenderly.
"You've made me………I'm so………….Grace!" he said ecstatically, and wrapped his arms around her lovingly.
GRACE how did we go from screaming at one another………to………..engaged?
Grace let out a little laugh as Eli released his grip; "so, are we, still fighting?" she asked, giving him a faint smile.
Eli took a small breath, a small cloud of mist forming around his face as he exhaled; "yeah……" he said, and looked down at Grace; his grin was from ear to ear.
Grace looked into his eyes, earnest for a moment; "good……….because it meant nothing………" she began, but Eli silenced her with a warm kiss.
When he pulled away, the smile was still plastered on his face; "you're forgiven………but I am going to use this against you for……..years to come!" he laughed, and Grace lifted herself up on her tippy toes, kissing his lips passionately.
"Oh hey" Eli pulled away from her engaging kiss, and opened up the little green box again, lifting the ring out.
"Grace-" he said, taking her hand, he raised it and slipped the ring onto her finger.
She stared down at the ring, wrapped around her slim finger.
Eli stared at it aswell; and continued to while he spoke; "I was thinking this could be a pro-longed engagement………we could have the actual ceremony when you graduate………." Eli whispered, and then raised her hand to his lips, kissing the ring.
She smiled as he did so, and when he lowered her soft hand, his eyes fixed on hers; "we have to wait another year?" she whispered, still smiling.
Eli nodded slowly, "Hmmm……..do you really want to be a married senior?" he asked.
Grace shook her head slightly, and Eli bent down and kissed her lips feverishly again, and when he pulled away he whispered softly "we better get inside".
Grace shot one last look at the city, as Eli wrapped an arm around her waist and they started walking towards the door- but she stopped him for a moment, and he turned to look at her.
Now she had tears in her eyes……….but a smile still on her face.
He whisked one of the tears away with his finger, and Grace sniffled.
"Promise me something?" she asked softly
"Anything" he replied, looking at her curiously.
"Never stop doing this," she whispered back.
Eli lifted an eyebrow "what?" he asked, "I think you can only propose so many times before the fun wares off………." He smiled.
Grace shook her head "No-" she began, "Never stop surprising me-" she added, and Eli's smile grew.
He lowered his head, kissing her quickly on each cheek, then her forehead and finally her lips- "never" he replied; and he wrapped his arm around her again- and they walked inside………….
AUTHORS NOTE:
C'mon………admit it………..you had NO IDEA that was coming, did ya?
He he he, I have been DYING to write about this for so long. I knew I wanted to do it from the moment I started writing this story!
Ahhhh………but I think I was too romantic- cause when I re-read it I got really depressed, cause I want someone to say all those things to me (preferably Shane West…………but I'll settle for a nice, funny guy too)
So are we enjoying it now? I hope you all cried out 'YES!'
But sadly, it must all come to an end VERY, VERY soon………..sobs
But do not fear, I have an idea for another Grace and Eli fic, though I'm not sure if I should write it, or venture out to another tv show!
We'll see what happens, until then………keep checking back for UPDATES!
