Jessie walked into the kitchen, chatting away into the phone, which seemed to be permanently glued to her ear.

"How about next week?" she asked, walking past Zoe who was sitting on one of the kitchen stools, doing her homework.

She grimaced as Jessie bought noise into the quiet kitchen, disturbing her study peace.

"No I cant- Eli and Grace are coming home this week" Jessie smiled, as she hovered around the fridge.

Zoe shook her head, trying to forget the disturbance, and focused back on her project about whaling, and why it should be banned.

"Oh my god! Gross!" Jessie squealed loudly; Zoe's concentration was broken once again.

ZOE having all 2 sisters in the house again………hmm………..it will be an adjustment, especially since I only just learnt to take deep breaths and count to ten with Jessie!

Jessie pulled the phone away from her ear for a moment, and turned to Zoe "This orange juice is like a century old!" she grimaced.

Zoe shrugged, and took a deep breath as she looked back down at the book she was reading.

"1………2………3…….." Zoe breathed as Jessie began talking loudly again.

"No, I'm fine, it was just this totally gross OJ!" Jessie said into the phone.

Zoe took another deep breath, "……..4………..5……….6" she whispered again.

Jessie turned and looked at Zoe, removing the phone from her ear again "Do you mind?" she hissed at her.

Zoe looked up innocently, took a deep breath and then gathered her books up in her arms, jumping down from the bench; "sorry for existing, but I was in here FIRST!" she muttered as she left the kitchen.

Jessie shrugged and continued her conversation with Katie; "Yeah so anyway………..what was I saying?" she asked.

"Oh yeah- Eli and Grace are coming home tonight………they called this morning and said they will be here at about 7:00………." Jessie smiled to herself, and listened as Katie inquired about the couple.

Jessie's smile grew wider "Yeah well, I think Lily still believes that Grace is a virgin……….." she giggled into the phone.

"I KNOW! Its so funny………even when Eli answers the phone all huffed and puffed, she just thinks he's been for a run or something…….." Jessie listened to Katie's infectious giggle.

Just then Lily came through the back door, bags of groceries in hand.

"Oh hey Jessie" she beamed.

Jessie almost choked on her laughter "Lily" she said anxiously, turning to meet her smile.

"Look Katie, I gotta help Lily prepare dinner tonight……..ok……….see ya………..lo-" she paused, correcting herself "-have a good night" she covered up quickly, and pressed the off button on the cord less phone.

"Is Katie working at the restaurant tonight?" Lily asked, as she started unpacking the groceries.

Jessie nodded "Yep" she answered, helping Lily unpack.

"Oh- you should have called Jake and asked him to give her the night off……….. I think she would have loved to come over for dinner tonight" Lily beamed, walking over to the kitchen cabinet to put biscuits away.

Jessie shrugged "well, this is more of a family thing" she said, examining what sort of ice cream Lily bought- strawberry swirl.

JESSIE Grace's favourite

LILY Grace's favourite.

Lily shrugged "Ok- whatever" she muttered, putting the ice cream away.

She was visibly happy- the smile she wore proudly on her face had been there at the beginning of the week………..and everyday since, she'd counted down the number of days until Grace and Eli were to come home……….

Jessie glanced up at the clock, it was 4:00- three hours until they got home.

She couldn't wait to hear about their trip!

And have her big brother home again………talk to Grace about school, friends, clothes- all the stuff big sisters are for!

Jessie smiled to herself, Lily caught her doing so.

"You look as happy as I do" she commented, putting new orange juice in the fridge.

Jessie was caught off guard, but nodded slowly, agreeing with Lily's statement.

"I don't know-" she began, walking over to the bench and taking a seat on one of the stools, "it'll be great to have them back. So we can be a family again………" she smiled wider, Lily walked over, taking a seat on the stool next to her.

"I know exactly what you mean," she whispered.

There was a moment of silence, before Lily broke in, pulling out a cook book she bought from Judy's store, "Now- what shall we make for their welcome home dinner?" she asked, thumbing through the pages.


Grace stared out the window, watching as the familiar neighbourhood glided past.

She felt Eli's hand wrap around her own, as though he could sense all that she was feeling.

"Nervous?" he asked quietly.

Grace turned her head and smiled at him; "I should be" she began, studying his eyes while she spoke, "but I'm not" she smiled wider.

Eli squeezed her hand, "neither am I" he agreed, the hint of astonishment in his voice.

He honestly thought he would throw up his lunch the moment they got in the cab and headed home- but he was surprisingly calm.

"Maybe because it feels so right" Grace whispered softly.

Eli lifted her hand to his mouth, kissing it quickly and then lowering it back down, "I think your right," he said softly.

Grace smiled and turned to look out the window again, she saw her street ahead.

She was glad that they'd insisted that Rick and Lily not come pick them up from the airport.

Both her and Eli had wanted the trip home to themselves; after all, it might be the lost moments peace they have together.

Grace could only imagine the wedding frenzy she and Eli would stir once they made their announcement.

No doubt her Grandma would fly down, Lily, Karen and Judy would all insist on helping- and Eli's grandmother.

Jessie and Zoe would find their way into the arrangements- - -

Grace smiled to herself as the image of her wedding dress faded into her mind.

She'd thought about every single detail during the long flight home.

While Eli rested his head against her shoulder and slept peacefully, she imagined and created the perfect dress in her mind (she couldn't sleep well on planes!)

GRACE Full Organza Skirt With Scattered Pink Flowers, sweetheart Neckline, Sleeveless, diamond white, Duchess Satin………….

Grace smiled wider, the image floating in her mind as she pictured herself in the perfect dress………and Eli, looking handsome in a slick black tux.

She glanced over at him- picturing what he looked like at her mother and Rick's wedding.

GRACE Eli in a tux……….tempting!

"We're here," Eli announced, breaking Grace's train of thought.

"Eli" she tugged on his arm, stopping him from getting out of the cab.

He looked at her curiously "Grace?" he asked.

Without saying a word, she pulled him towards her, their lips exploding into a passionate, heated kiss. They didn't even notice the cab driver standing awkwardly at Grace's door, waiting for them to finish.

Once they pulled away, Eli composed himself and asked, "What was that for?"

Grace smiled "for loving me" she whispered.

Eli smiled, and brushed a hand across Grace's cheek, he grabbed her hand and they both got out through Grace's door, which the driver was holding open.

"Ready?" Eli asked, as they found themselves standing outside the house.

Grace gripped Eli's hand, "ready" she announced…………….