Starts where 70 left off. And, Eli is still undecided about Philadelphia.


Their lips parted, and their eyes locked; in that moment, they both went so deeply inside each other's souls……….and they both knew it………..totally and truly.

"You make me so happy," Eli whispered, huskily, brushing his hand against her cheek.

Grace smiled, and felt her cheeks blush slightly; and beneath his fingers, Eli felt the hot flush, and smiled.

Grace's body pressed against his "but now you realize…………" she whispered, "I'm never going to be able to let you go……….." a small smile danced upon her lips, as she looked into his green eyes.

ELI (bites bottom lip) go? Leave this? Leave everything I've ever wanted………….leave her? And for what? Philadelphia? A career? …………(Raises eyebrow as he thinks over what he's just said) A career? Something I never imagined myself having………….then again………….. I only ever dreamed of having Grace………..and now……….I do…………

Eli's smile had faded somewhere between his thoughts; he blinked, and stared back into Grace's dark eyes, her words hitting him suddenly. He quickly gave a reaction, by leaning down, and kissing her lips, hard, and tightening his grip around her waist, hoping she hadn't noticed the far off gaze.

GRACE this feels………….strangely right……….as though it was meant to be like this the whole time……….and I was just delaying the inevitable.

Eli took her in, kissed her hard and feverishly, not wanting to let her go. And, she replied, running a hand through his hair; her lips were his……….she was his……….they were together.

"GRACE!"

She parted when she heard the yell from down stairs, but Eli didn't want to stop, he tightened his grip, and pushed his lips against hers again.

"Eli………we have to stop………." She murmured, succumbing to his kisses for a moment.

"I cant………" Eli mumbled, parting for only a moment, and then pressing his soft lips against her supple neck, and then wandering towards her lips again.

She giggled slightly, but at the same time, gently pushed him away.

"We have to go downstairs,………" she said, firmly.

Eli, panting, stared back at her; those swollen pink lips, dark brooding eyes, and soft red across her cheeks. She was breath taking, and they were together.

"Your so beautiful" he whispered, and outstretched his hands, cupping her face, and moving closer; he started kissing her strongly again.

"Eli!" she exclaimed, and pulled away, holding out her hands so there was distance between them.

She took small gulps of breath, "we are together……….."

Eli nodded, a small smile playing across his lips at the sound of those words.

"But that doesn't mean we can stop being careful……….we cant let our guard down……….ok?" she made a deep sigh, and ran a hand through her messy hair, "our parents………..they cant know……….not now……..…..!" Eli looked away, her words washing over him, "ok Eli?" she asked, and he turned back to her.

"For how long?" he asked.

Grace opened her mouth, but no words came out; so she simply shrugged.

"I guess we never really thought about the family………and us………." Eli murmured, the new obstacle thinking over in his mind.

"I guess we didn't……….." she agreed, looking down at her feet, and then back at Eli, "I mean………we knew it would be difficult, and awkward………..but we never actually talked about telling them……….about being a couple around them…………."

"GRACE!"

They both turned to her door, and then back to one another. "We're a secret then?" he asked, slowly, and quietly.

"We have to be" Grace bit her bottom lip as she looked at him, seeing their new problem was already hurting him.

She took a step forward, and brushed a hand against his cheek; "lets not focus on the bad right now…………." She murmured, "we are together………." She added, and, with that, he leaned in and kissed her, softly and hastily.

"We better get down there" he murmured, and they both turned to the door.


Lily pulled her sister into the kitchen, and, before speaking, popped her head out the door to check that Jake was being busily entertained, and was out of hearing distance.

"Lil?……….." Judy raised an eyebrow.

Lily turned to her sister, moving closely so she could whisper; "I presume this is about booklovers?" she asked and Judy nodded. "Ok………..just tell me Jud……….is it going bankrupt?" Lily asked, her voice anxious.

Judy let out a small laugh, "why don't you just wait until Jake tells everyone?" she asked.

Lily sighed, "Jud! If something is happening……...and its bad……….tell me now………ok?"

Judy looked into Lily's concerned eyes, and gave a small nod, "nothing bad, I promise," she said, sincerely.

Lily gave a long sigh of relief, and popped her head back out the door, seeing Grace and Eli walk down the stairs, she ducked back into the kitchen; "ok………good…..….so what is it then?" she asked.

Judy huffed, "Well Lil, get out there, sit down, and let Jake tell you the GOOD news himself!" she replied, tugging on Lily's arm, pulling her into the lounge room.

Jake's head lifted as he saw the two women enter, and Eli and Grace walk down the stairs.

"Good, everyone's here!" he exclaimed.

Grace looked at Eli questioningly, and then to her father; "daddy?" she asked, surprised.

Jake walked towards her, stepping over Jessie and Zoe's legs as they were propped up on the coffee table.

He approached her, kissing her head lightly; "hey hun!" he smiled.

Eli looked at Jake with concern, and then turned to see Judy tugging Lily into the room; he quickly called out to her.

"Judy! Can I talk to you for a sec?" he exclaimed.

Grace quickly looked over as Eli pulled Judy into the kitchen, but then focussed back on her father.

"What's this about?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

"You'll soon find out!" he said, leading her into the lounge.

Tiffany was sitting in one of the large chairs, one-year-old Domonique in her hands, bundled up in a navy blue blanket.

"Oh! Dommy! Tiffany!" Grace exclaimed, walking towards her.


"So, you don't want us to tell them yet?" Judy asked, raising an eyebrow.

Eli shook his head, "I just think I should tell them first……….ok?"

Judy nodded, and watched as Eli hastily left the kitchen, Judy soon followed, and announced, "Ok everyone……….suspense is over…………."

Jake smiled, and took his stand infront of the fireplace, motioning for Judy to do the same.

"What's this about Jake?" Lily asked quickly, as she snuggled up close to Rick on the big couch, Zoe and Jessie beside them.

"The business isn't closing……….is ti?" Grace asked, creasing her brow, as she stood beside the chair Tiffany and Domonique were sitting in.

"Oh Jake!" Tiffany exclaimed.

Jake threw his hands in the air, "you all have such little faith………no! The business is not closing………..quite the opposite actually!" he smiled wickedly, knowing he had the family in suspense.

Grace looked towards Eli, who was leaning against the wall, his head bowed slightly.

"So tell us already!" Zoe yelled out, and Jake laughed.

"OK! Ok!" he calmed her, "but I think its only fair that the master mind behind booklovers be the one to tell you all!" he replied, and stepped over slightly, so Judy was in full view of everyone.

"Oh ok…………." She smiled nervously, looking around the room; she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

Grace turned back to Judy, as she started to explain; "well……….you know the English company B & J Bookstore?"

"Of course!" Lily exclaimed, "Never heard of them" Rick shook his head, and Lily jabbed him softly in the ribs.

"Anyway…………." Judy went on, ignoring Rick, "they contacted us and offered us a huge amount of money to buy the lay out to Booklovers, and have us as partners when they spread out to America……….Philadelphia specifically…………so they will be known as B & J booklovers!" Judy smiled stupidly.

"Eli?" Jake asked, and Eli's head shot up "do you have more to………." Jake began, but Judy elbowed him in the ribs, something that didn't go unseen by Grace.

Jake understood, and quickly changed the subject "7.8 million, did we mention they are offering us 7.8 million!" he exclaimed, and squeals soon followed.

Everyone jumped out of their seats, ecstatic with the news. But Grace continued to stare at Eli, and his bowed head, which lifted after a moment.

ELI does she know?

He turned to her, and their eyes locked for the longest time………..

ELI she knows?

Finally, Grace gave a small smile; which she had to break as Jessie pulled her up from where she was sitting, forcing her to join in the family's happiness.

Eli gave a small sigh of relief, and looked towards the huddled family. He had to give a small smile as he watched Lily and Judy squeal loudly as they hugged and twirled around in circles.

But still……….the whole time……..he couldn't help thinking………

ELI what about Philadelphia?


AUTHORS NOTE:

Ok, I could not for the life of me, remember Jake and Tiffany's babies name. So, in this fic, from here on in, it's called Domonique! Ok? Cool! And thanks soooooooooo much for all the classic reviews!

Aren't I doing well with the chapters? (And, no Netty- I'm not high………I'm just on a roll, lol)

Bit of pressure in school at the moment, so I might not be so frequent in the chapters, but keep you're fingers crossed!