"We haven't been going so smoothly………..have we?"

Eli fidgeted slightly, and Grace knew what his reply was, without him having to say a word.

"That scares me……….." Grace murmured, looking down at her hands.

"It scares me too," Eli mumbled in reply.

Grace's hand ran up and down Eli's arm slowly; she concentrated on her fingers as they played along his skin.

Eli watched her hand move up and down, and then his eyes veered to her face; her soft face.

They lay together on Eli's bed, both propped up on their sides, resting on their elbows so they were facing each other.

"Are we going to be ok?" Grace suddenly asked, ruining the tranquil silence.

Eli was quiet for a moment, but continued to stare at Grace as she brushed her fingers against his arm.

"I don't know," he murmured after a moment.

Grace's eyes slowly wandered to Eli's face, and held his gaze for the longest time.

"I want us to be ok," Grace stammered, surprising both of them with the shakiness of her voice.

ELI I cant promise you that……….

Eli said nothing, only continued to stare into Grace's sad eyes.

She took a small breath, and spoke again; "I guess I thought that once we were together……….once I aloud myself to love you……….everything would be ok"

Eli gave a small, understanding, nod; "so did I ……….but then we realised we had to hide our relationship from the family………"

"Having to hide has torn us apart………don't you think?" Grace continued for him.

Eli looked away for a moment, and Grace knew his answer.

"I want us to be ok Eli" Grace said again, outstretching the hand that stroked his arm- she held it against his cheek, and Eli closed his eyes, allowing his senses to melt in her touch.

"I don't ever want to hurt you………." Eli murmured, eyes still closed.

Grace gave a small smile, "you could never hurt me" she replied.

ELI (guilty look)

Eli's eyes quickly opened, he stared adoringly into Grace's soft face; "you know I love you………. I really do……….in a way I never thought I could love someone……….."

Grace's smile grew, and a tear rolled down her cheek, "I know," she said, shakily.

"I hate that we have to hide this……….." Eli said softly.

"Me too…………but we cant tell our family………..that could never work……….." Grace agreed.

Eli nodded; "but I want the world to know that I love you……….."

Another tear escaped, Grace removed her hand from Eli's cheek to brush it away.

"Just because we can't tell the whole world doesn't mean we cant love each other……….." she finally said.

Eli gave a small nod, "then that's it……….we will just have to try harder……….make this work……….."

Grace nodded aswell, "I'll be at Uni next year……..I'll move out of home, and so can you………it would make sense that brother and sister would move into their first apartment together……….."

Eli gave a small smile, "step brother and sister" he corrected.

Grace smiled aswell, and looked into his eyes for a moment; "we can do this," she murmured.

"We have to………." Eli replied, moving his face close to hers, "because I cant lose you……….." he said softly, right before their lips connected.

Grace pulled away after a moment, "what did you want to tell me?" she asked, creasing her brow.

Eli felt a lump in his throat, but swallowed it down; "it doesn't concern us anymore……….." he murmured, and leant into Grace's lips again.

ELI it doesn't concern us………..because I've already decided……….. I need to go to Philadelphia. It was my decision, and I have made it.


"Should I call the kids and check up on them?" Lily asked, as she and Rick waited to be seated.

Rick peeled off Lily's coat, and draped it over his arm; "Grace and Eli are very capable of babysitting, Lil……….we don't need to check up on them" he replied.

Lily nodded, and turned to the waitress as she escorted them to a table, where Karen and Henry were already sitting, and sipping wine.

"I wonder what this could be about!" Rick whispered in Lily's ear sarcastically, with a hint of bitterness.

Lily gave a small wave, catching Karen and Henry's attention; she quickly turned her head to Rick, "don't stand down to her Rick……….remember……….this is Jessie's life!"

Rick gave a small nod, and smiled as he approached the table.

"Rick, Lily………" Karen acknowledged, "thankyou so much for coming this evening, and on such short notice"

"Oh, not a problem at all, Karen" Lily smiled, through clenched teeth.

Rick pulled her chair out, and she sat down beside Henry, turning to him; "how are you?" she asked, still smiling.

Henry, who didn't look particularly enthused about the gathering, gave a pathetic smile "fine………just fine thanks……….." he mumbled.

Rick sat down, beside Karen, and reached for Lily's hand underneath the table.

"The kids are at home with Eli and Grace?" Karen asked, taking a sip of her wine.

Rick nodded.

"Good………..good…………." Karen murmured, taking another sip.

There was an awkward silence that went on for too many seconds to count, and finally Rick cleared his throat.

"Karen………what's this all about……….?"

Karen shot him an awkward, unconvincing smile; "well, why cant this just be a nice dinner?" she asked, innocently.

"Because I know it's about our daughter………." Rick replied hoarsely, "out lesbian daughter"

Karen almost choked on her gasp as Rick said 'that' word; she turned to him with a raised eyebrow.

"Well……….your right……….this is about Jessie" Karen said, struggling to calm her tone, she placed her glass on the table.

"I'll just get right to it………" she looked around the table before continuing, "I think Jessie should start seeing a psychiatrist again"

There was a stunned silence, and then Rick sliced through by saying; "don't be so stupid Karen!"

She turned to him, mouth agape and fired back; "stupid? Stupid? I am perceiving this as something she needs to talk about………to air her feelings……….do not call me stupid Rick………. I am trying to be a good parent!"

"A good parent?" Rick repeated with a laugh, "are you saying I'm a bad parent because I believe that sending our daughter to a psychiatrist about something she cant change about herself is stupid?"

They both launched into a full on attack, causing a few eyes to wander towards their table; but both Henry and Lily calmed their dates, and managed to lower both Rick and Karen's voices.

While they harassed one another about who the better parent was, Henry offered Lily a wine, and calmly said; "so hows life treating you Lil?" she smiled in reply, and leaned forward as she began to tell him about her radio show's new segment- both deciding to tune out their dates.