"This place is really great…" Katie smiled as she reached for her glass of water.

Jessie smiled and nodded, "it is…." She agreed.

GRACE (smiles unconvincingly) ….really great last evening of 'single-dom'

Eli stared into his drink, with a small smile forced on his lips; "so…big day tomorrow…." He started, looking up at Jessie and Katie who sat opposite him, "…nervous?"

Underneath the table, Katie reached over and squeezed Jessie's hand, "not a bit!" she smiled.

Jessie pulled her hand away, folding it in her lap, and shook her head slightly, "no…" was all she said.

Katie turned to her, but Jessie wouldn't meet her questioning eyes…so Katie let her resistance pass, thinking perhaps Jessie was tired…or anxious…?

KATIE (smiles wildly) this is all I have ever wanted! To be with the person I love forever…its finally going to be official… I am going to be marrying the woman of my dreams…. and I couldn't be happier!

Grace nodded and gave a small smile, "wow…. its all so surreal…." She said, even though in the back of her mind she was thinking how…ordinary this all was.

GRACE I mean…Jessie and Katie have been an old married couple from the moment they were 15….they've been together since forever! Its as though they're already married…so I don't see this as such a huge step…or a major revelation! .. Its just them getting it written down….cemented….no biggy!

Katie took a sip from her water, and then placed it back on the table, "so Eli…how did you find this place?" she asked, looking around the dimly lit pub, a soft tune was playing from speakers at the other end of the room.

Eli shrugged, "just driving around…." He murmured, taking a sip from his scotch.

Jessie looked around the pub; there was hardly anyone else there. A few couple scattered around the room, sitting at tables far away from them. A fairly large dance floor, that was empty….the place was actually quite…boring.

"Well I just love this place…its so nice and quiet…" Katie exclaimed, sipping her water again.

Jessie bit her bottom lip, restraining herself from mentioning how thoroughly bored she was…but she caught Grace looking at her…. and she guessed that her stepsister could sense her discomfort.

JESSIE its just going to be so official….Katie and I….married…forever…no questions about it?…I mean…I know everyone always presumed that we'd be together forever…but what if a few years from now…we grow into two very different people? Then what? It happened to my parents….who's to say it wont run in the family! Who's to say we wont file for divorce?

Grace reached for her glass of baileys, she took a long sip….the alcohol burning her throat slightly. She spluttered, and Eli's hand reached over and patted her back slightly, "whoa! You ok?" he asked, resting his hand on her back.

Grace feigned disgust, pushing her drink away, "fine…fine!" she said, waving him off.

"Wow…." She murmured, as her spluttering and mock coughing ceased, "I just need some air,…" she announced, rising from her seat.

She lay her eyes on Jessie, "mind coming with me?" she asked, and Jessie, reluctantly, stood, and walked out the front door with Grace.

"Ok…so get it off you're chest!" Grace said, turning to Jessie as they stood outside the entrance of the 'lonesome cowboy' (a name Grace thought was very tacky!)

Jessie hugged herself against the cold and shrugged, "nothing…I thought you needed air?" she asked, changing the topic.

Grace rolled her eyes, "don't blame Eli…. I don't think he gets out too often…and he just wanted to give you and Katie a special evening….he thinks this is fun!" she said, motioning to the pub.

Jessie half smiled, "yeah…I'm having a blast!…" she murmured.

"He was trying to be nice…." Grace tried.

"Its not that!" Jessie finally snapped.

"Oh! Its not?"

"No!….its…."

"What?" Grace urged.

Jessie turned away from Grace, "its…nothing…I'm fine…do you have enough air?"

Jessie took a few steps towards the door, but Grace outstretched a hand, stopping her; "I slept with Eli!" she announced.

Jessie's eyes nearly fell out, her mouth dropped, the hair on her arms were standing tall, "you what!"

Grace rolled her eyes and nodded, "I slept with Eli….it meant nothing…." She waved her announcement aside, "…I told you my secret…..what's your's?"

"I didn't make you tell me about you and Eli getting back together….I didn't have a clue anything was going on!"

"We're not 'back together'!" Grace said, sternly, "that's beside the point…what is bugging you!" she demanded.

Jessie turned away from her again, averting her eyes to the gravel ground; "I'm scared is all…."

Grace stared at her, mouth slightly agape, trying to search for a thoughtful and comforting reply.

Jessie turned back to her, "do you think I'm going to make a horrible wife for being scared to marry Katie?"

"What?" Was all Grace could think to say?

Jessie sighed, and ran a hand through her loose hair, "do you think that because I'm nervous about marrying Katie…It's a sign that I am going to make a bad wife? A bad partner….?"

Grace sighed, and bit her bottom lip…and then she sighed again….all of which did not sound very encouraging to Jessie.

"Jess…it makes sense that you're scared…."

"Scared?" Jessie spat, "I said I was nervous…not scared!"

Grace raised her eyebrow, and Jessie frowned; "ok…maybe a bit scared…."

Grace nodded, "this nervousness wouldn't happen to have anything to do with the fact that you're the offspring of divorced parents…?"

Jessie avoided her eyes; "I guess you're the wrong person to talk to about it if that is the case…?"

Grace laughed, and scratched her head, "Yeah…I guess I am….!"

JESSIE I just need someone to tell me its going to be ok….

"But…" Grace started, walking towards Jessie, laying a hand on her shoulder, "if it's any help at all…. from one step-sister to another…. maybe you can take our parents bad examples and make use of them?"

Jessie looked at Grace and gave a small, unconvincing smile.

"I think one of the reasons my parents broke up was because of lack of communication…" Grace motioned to the front door of the pub.

"You're trying to be very delicate in saying that I should talk to Katie about this…. aren't you….?"

Grace smiled, "I'm sure she'd listen?"

Jessie nodded, and turned, about to head back inside.

"And Jessie…." Grace started, as they walked back inside, "I'm sure you will make a great wife….as will Katie!"

Jessie smiled, and when she reached their table again, she outstretched a hand to Katie, who looked at it with a raised eyebrow; "dance with me?" Jessie asked, motioning to the empty dance floor.

Katie looked up to her with a broad smile, placing her hand in Jessie's; they both walked to the dance floor, and started swaying to a new song.

"How about it?"

Grace looked down at Eli, who stood up, and took Grace's hand, "dance?" he asked, huskily.

Grace smiled and shook her head, "I don't…" she started, but Eli was already leading her onto the floor, and pressing his body up against hers.

I remember stormy weather
The way the sky looks when it's cold
And you were with me
Content with walking
So unaware of the world

"Katie…." Jessie started, pulling away slightly from their embrace, so she could look her in the eye.

"Hmm?"

"I love you….you know that…right?"

Katie laughed, "well yeah…I love you too….."

"I mean…I really…really love you…."

"Jess, what's wrong?"

Please don't drive me home tonight
'Cause I dont wanna feel alone
Please don't drive me home tonight
'Cause I don't wanna go
Tuesday morning
In the dark
I was finding out
Who you are

Eli and Grace, Jessie and Katie, were the only couples dancing, everyone else ignored them, kept on with their evenings as though the dance floor were still empty.

"I hope Jessie doesn't ask questions…." Eli started.

"Don't worry….." Grace murmured, "I….sort of….told her…."

Eli was quiet for a moment, "what?" he finally asked.

Grace pulled away, looking into his face with earnestness, "I'm sorry….it was sort of a trade…my secret for hers…."

"And what was hers?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, he looked over to his sister and Katie, noticing they were sharing a conversation.

Grace leaned her head against Eli's chest again, "well then….it wouldn't be a secret if I told you…"

I took your picture
While you were sleeping
And then I paced around the room
If I had known then
That these things happen
Would they have happened with you?

"Jess?" Katie urged.

Jessie looked down to their moving feet, and then back up at Katie; "I just want to apologise in advance…."

"For what?"

"Incase I turn out to be a bad wife… and you end up regretting ever marrying me…."

Katie didn't take Jessie's response as a joke, she looked at her seriously, with a creased brow.

"Where did that come from?" she asked, finally.

Jessie shrugged, and then sighed, "I don't know…"

"Yes you do! Or else you wouldn't have mentioned it….!"

Jessie bit her bottom lip, and looked to the floor again, "do you think maybe we should postpone the wedding….?"

Katie broke her embrace; she stood, staring at Jessie, her eyes wild and wanting to cry; "what?" she whispered croakily.

Jessie instantly wanted to take it back, "I'm sorry… forget I said anything…." She tried, reaching for Katie's hand.

Katie slapped her off, "no! What did you mean?"

"I meant…." Jessie looked away nervously, and before she had time to think of an answer, Katie was bolting for the door…Jessie quickly followed her.

Please don't drive me home tonight
'Cause I dont wanna feel alone
Please don't drive me home tonight
'Cause I don't wanna go
Tuesday morning
In the dark
I was finding out
Who you are

"What?" Eli tried, as Jessie raced by them.

He and Grace broke their dance, looking after where the two girls had just run, "what's happening?…" he asked, turning to Grace.

She rubbed her forehead, "Jessie is just worried she's going to repeat family mistakes…"

"Oh no…" Eli murmured, and took a step towards the door, but Grace held him back.

"Its their wedding, Eli…..lets just go and sit down….wait for them…ok?"

He reluctantly nodded, and Grace led him back to the table.

And if you turned around to see me and I was gone
You should have looked outside your window
'Cause the sun was coming up
The sun was coming up

Please don't drive me home tonight
'Cause I dont wanna feel alone
Please don't drive me home tonight
'Cause I don't wanna go
Tuesday morning
In the dark
I was finding out
Who we are
who we are

"Katie!" Jessie called, as she ran towards the car, where Katie stood, fumbling with her keys, trying to find the right one in the darkness.

"Katie!" Jessie called.

Katie dropped the keys, and quickly bent down to pick them up.

"I'm sorry!" Jessie sighed, standing before her as she stood up again, keys in hand.

"Where the hell is it?" Katie murmured angrily.

"Look….I was being stupid…you know me….I say stupid things when I'm…."

"Ya know what Jessie? I just want to go home and cry right now…." Katie said through clenched teeth, stuffing one of the keys into the lock of the door, and then pulling it back out when it wouldn't turn.

"That was just such a dumb thing to say…." Jessie rambled on, wildly.

Katie ignored her, tears falling now, which made it even harder to determine which key was which.

"I don't want you to go….its all my fault…I'm sorry!"

"Dammit! Where is it?"

"KATIE!"

Finally, she sighed and reluctantly looked up, tears streaming now.

"I am scared….OK? Scared!"

Katie brushed a tear away, "what!" she asked, a little angrily.

"Scared! I am scared about you…about marrying you….I'm scared about tomorrow….and every day after tomorrow!"

"What does that mean!" Katie asked, flinging her arms in the air.

Jessie turned around, away from Katie….and then she looked back to her, rubbing her forehead as a tear escaped, "It means that I am afraid that…." She choked up, and wanted to stop herself…but Katie urged her…

"Jessie…right now I really want to get into this car and just….drive!" Katie declared, croakily, "….so unless you explain to me whatever the hell it is you are trying to say….you….you may not see me again for quite some time…because I am so upset…and totally prepared to just keep driving and never come back!"

"No!" Jessie mumbled through tears.

"Then tell me what you mean!" Katie yelled, throwing her hands in the air, and dropping the keys again.

"I mean that I am scared!"

"Of what!"

"Of hurting you!" Jessie blurted, tears coming heavily now, down her cheeks. "I'm scared that I am going to hurt you the same way my parents hurt each other….I'm scared to death that one day you are going to turn around and decide that you don't love me anymore…..because of something that I did to you….I am scared that we wont work….for whatever reason…and I will lose the best thing I ever found in my life…you!"

Katie stared at Jessie, for the longest time. Her hollow, brown eyes, big and searching. Her bottom lip quivered, and more tears ran….and then she took a step forward, cupped Jessie's face with her hands, and kissed her….long and hard….

Jessie wrapped her arms clumsily around Katie, holding her tight….never wanting to let her go….they both cried…salty tears running down to their lips, tasting bitter on their tongues.

When they pulled away, Katie kept holding Jessie's face, brushing fingers lightly against her cheeks; "you and I are going to fight….we are going to hate each other some days….and most days we will love each other…." She gulped back tears, "…we're going to go through some tough times… and that's ok!" she smiled; "….because no matter how much we fight, disagree…bring each other to tears….we're still going to stick around….right? We aren't going to run away from us just because we have some bad days….we're going to keep coming back…." She quickly kissed Jessie's lips again, and then pulled back, still smiling; "because we'll live for the good days!"

JESSIE its going to be ok…


"Do you think they're ok?" Eli asked, eyeing the front door….Katie and Jessie still hadn't appeared.

Grace nodded, "I'm sure…." She murmured, lifting her drink to her lips.

Eli looked at her, studied her as she took a sip.

"What?" Grace blushed, lowering her drink.

Eli shook his head, "nothing" he smiled.

"No! Tell me…what!"

He laughed and shook his head slightly, "I was just thinking….he replied, vaguely.

"About tomorrow?"

He nodded.

"Its pretty amazing….isn't it….Jessie and Katie!"

"How long they lasted?"

Grace nodded, and they sat in silence for a moment.

"Do you think we would have….?" Eli asked after a long time, he looked away from Grace.

"If you hadn't have left?" she asked, and he nodded.

She didn't say anything for the longest time, and then she sighed and gave a small smile; "I like to think that we would have…"

He looked back up with a smile aswell, "me too…" he replied.

Grace nodded, "and now?…"

"What?" he asked, surprised.

Grace shook her head, and sipped her drink again, when she lowered it she waved him away, "never mind!" she said.

"And now….do you think we'll last now?" he clarified.

She didn't say anything….and that scared him…

"I thought we were…nothing….?" He asked, slowly, "that's what we agreed….it means nothing….right?"

She gave a sad, unconvincing smile and nodded, "nothing…exactly…."

ELI nothing…

GRACE ….nothing

"Maybe we should get going…." Eli mentioned, looking to his watch.

Grace said nothing, only stood and hesitated before walking to the door.

"You said you wanted to know me…." She said, and Eli looked up at her….she wouldn't meet his gaze, only continued talking; "….well what I want to know about you is…how did she last for so long?" she finally looked down at him, into his eyes.

"What?"

"The illusive 'Isabelle'….I want to know how it is that you two lasted so long….I want to know what her secret was…because from where I'm standing…it seems like you're a very hard person to hold onto…."

Grace walked quickly to the door, leaving Eli to stand slowly and follow her.

ELI it's a….long story….

And he couldn't help thinking, that just as things were getting better between them…..they got worse again…so quickly….in an instant!

And maybe the only way to end the cycle they seemed to always find themselves in….maybe he should just tell her about the illusive 'Isabelle'…..

ELI (raises eyebrow questioningly)


AUTHORS NOTE

Song was Michelle Branch's 'Tuesday morning'.