Grace squeezed Eli's hand- his words still lingering in the air……….and in the minds of their parents, it would seem, judging by the deafening silence.

LILY well, when I married Rick- or, even when I started dating him. I never ever thought that our children would fall in love…………. I mean, I don't think anybody saw that one coming………….

JESSIE I could tell from the beginning. Though I was once bitter about it……….I'm actually happy for them.

I mean, Grace needed somebody to 'set her free', and Eli REALLY needed somebody to keep him grounded……….perfect!

ZOE perfect! That's now minus 2 siblings………. I hope they move out of home soon…………. I know Eli already has, but what about Grace!

RICK Grace and Eli………..and I though the idea of them dating was absurd! MARRIAGE! Is it just me that sees this as a huge mistake! Well………not mistake………more………..strange………….yes; it's all a bit strange. Marrying stepsiblings! Well, I love them both- and they love each other………..maybe it wont be a mistake!

JAKE this is a HUGE MISTAKE! Gracie is only 17………I mean……….she is marrying Eli……….the druggie, metal head run away teen………..this isn't good………and………has everybody totally missed the point that they are STEP SIBLINGS?

KAREN yeah, like we couldn't see that one coming a mile away. I don't think I have ever seen Eli so happy. Or Grace for that matter. They definitely compliment each other.

JUDY this would all make a great book……………I could call it 'Once and Again'…………..hmm?…………….or 'family was never this close'…………..or 'family crossed lover'………..hmmmm………….

"That is fantastic!" Jessie finally chimed in, breaking everybody's thoughts.

She leapt up, and ran straight into Eli's arms- and then swung her arms around Grace, all the while, a huge smile on her face.

Suddenly, while watching Jessie's outburst of excitement and joy- everybody else chimed in aswell.

Rising from their seats, and passing congratulations, handshakes and hugs between Grace and Eli- who both stood, hand in hand, smiling proudly.

"Of course- we're going to wait until after I graduate" Grace added- and Lily, while hugging her, whispered, "I think that's for the best".

Jake walked over to Eli, his hands firmly in his pockets, letting it be known that no handshakes would be passed between them.

"Jake-" Eli began, feeling the hostility Jake was oozing.

Jake raised a hand, silencing Eli.

"Just- take care of her," Jake whispered under his breath, making sure Grace, who was busy being bombarded with pleas from Jessie and Zoe about who would make a better maid of honour, couldn't hear………..

Eli nodded, and outstretched his hand. This time, Jake took it, and shook it vigorously.

Rick approached Grace, wrapping his arms around her lovingly.

"Don't let it be any of us who interfere with what you and Eli have," he whispered, pulling away from her, and walking towards Lily, who was a blubbering mess, alongside Karen who looked even worse………….

Judy sided up next to Grace, running a hand through her nieces hair "I should be jealous- I mean, I'm 26 and still not married……….your 17 and engaged………" she smiled.

"26?" Grace asked sarcastically.

Judy poked her tongue out, and pulled Grace into a long hug, "congratulations kiddo" she whispered.

"Now give us a look at the ring," Judy asked, pulling out Grace's hand.

Simultaneously, the two blubbering, sniffing messes, Lily and Karen, both chimed "the ring" through broken sobs- and stepped forward to examine it.

Eli watched as Grace cooed, and blushed- explaining the beautiful New York scenery in the background while he proposed to her.

She, of course, left out the entire Greg incident………….

But his thoughts about how beautiful his bride-to-be looked were soon interrupted, as someone tugged on the sleeve of his shirt.

Eli looked down, staring into Zoe's innocent face.

"Zoe- we discussed that you and Jessie could both share the title of 'maid of honour'" Eli began, but Zoe shook her head.

"That's not what I wanted to say" Zoe replied.

"What then?" Eli asked curiously.

Zoe took a short breath, "break my sisters heart and I'll break you're leg!" she said sweetly, and then skipped off to look at Grace's ring.

Eli let out a little chuckle, looking back over at Grace.

Her hair fell loosely down her shoulders, and she wore no make-up- only a little mascara and clear lip-gloss………he loved her natural beauty.

The red woollen jumper she wore somehow brightened her face- accentuating her rosy cheeks and red, robust lips.

The floaty emerald green skirt she wore, hugged her hips in all the right places- showing off her gorgeously curvy body.

He looked at her yearningly.

And couldn't help but wonder……..how had such a beautiful woman ever fallen in love with him?

Just while Eli asked himself this, Grace turned her head, her chocolate eyes dancing with delight- she smiled sweetly at Eli, having caught him staring at her. And then looked back to Jessie, who was asking a million questions.

Eli let out a breath- and suddenly realized, the whole time he had been staring at her- he'd been holding his breath……….he pushed the question out of his mind.

Deciding, instead, to not ask why she had ever fallen in love with him……….but to just be grateful that he had her love.