Chapter 16

Grace stumbled down the sidewalk, tears fogging her vision. She had no idea where she was going, or what she would do next. She had no where to go. She could go back to Karen's, but she didn't want to interrupt her once again. She really did not want to bunk over at Jack's. Who knew what he would do in the middle of the night, and frankly Grace really didn't want to know.

Yes, she was all alone.

Conversely, a strong smell floated from a nearby noodle restaurant. How could Grace pass up the chance to eat at a time like this? She crossed the street and pushed the clear glass door open, taking in the heavenly, welcoming aroma which emitted from the shop. She walked up to the counter and ordered herself a bowl of noodles, anxious to eat away her tears.

After she paid and collected her noodles she went and sat down at a table, no longer ashamed of eating all by herself. She was used to it. She had this way of making people believe she was waiting for someone. Glancing around, Grace noticed that the restaurant was fairly busy. She had grabbed one of the last free tables.

Just as she was about to take another spoonful of noodles into her mouth, a finger taped her on the shoulder. She turned and found herself face-to-face with a rather attractive woman. She looked as wearied and worn down as Grace was sure she looked herself.

"Do you mind if I share your table?" The women asked bluntly, not buying in to the whole Grace-was-waiting-for-someone act.

"Sure, I don't mind." Grace pushed the chair opposite herself out with her foot. The woman smiled and sat down. "You look like you've had a hard day." Grace commented, trying to start a conversation. She so desperately wanted someone to talk with and she was relieved this woman had chosen her to sit down by.

"So do you." The women remarked back, but it wasn't an evil statement, just a sad recognition that both had had a bad day. "And yes, I did have an awful day."

"I left my boyfriend and I thought I could move back in with my best friend, but I found out he met someone." Grace expounded, wanting to talk about it, to vent with someone.

"That's too bad." The woman shook her head. "I left my partner of seven years today." She looked down at her noodles, mindlessly swirling them around.

Grace gave her a sad look. "Why?"

"I caught her with someone else." The woman sighed.

Grace was caught quite off guard. It really wasn't the fact that the woman had just said her and not him, well it sort of was. The word partner in her previous sentence had hinted at it, but Grace hadn't been prepared for the word her. There was nothing wrong with it; this woman was just another human being, trying to find love in the world, as Grace was doing herself.

"Oh, sweetheart…" Grace reached out; all barriers she might have put up in the past were gone. She took the woman's hand in her own. "That's so sad."

"I know." The woman's eyes filled with tears, but she wouldn't let them fall. She was too proud for that. "I'm surprised you didn't run away."

"Why would I do that? That would make me shallow and uncaring." Grace smirked. She saw a smile forming on the woman's gloomy face. Grace knew that she had found what she needed. They were both going through a rough time, but it seemed that together they would make it through. "I'm Grace, by the way." Grace realized they hadn't even exchanged names, yet they were already holding hands and expounding their life stories and woes to each other.

"Oh, sorry, I'm Sadie." The woman smiled, gently running her hand under her eyes. Those beautiful green eyes. Grace couldn't help but notice how attractive she looked, despite the swollen puffyness that had arisen while crying earlier. There was just something about her; Grace wasn't sure what was happening. She just somehow knew that everything was going to be okay from then on. And she knew that she felt comfortable, comfortable in this situation with this woman.

Nathan, after watching a movie with Karen in the media room, helped a very tired and very pregnant Karen back up to their bedroom. He laid her down in the bed, placing pillows around her for support and comfort, and then kissed her forehead before climbing in to bed beside her. She stared at him, studied his face. He seemed unnerved about something.

"What's wrong, sweetheart." Karen asked, reaching a hand out and stroking Nathan's cheek.

He took her hand in his own and kissed the palm of it. "It's nothing, baby." He shook his head.

"Oh, come on." Karen egged him on. She knew something was up with Mr. Nathan tonight.

"Well," He glanced around, seeming to search for the right words, "I just…I'm afraid…am I going to be any good at this whole parent thing?" He asked bashfully.

Karen laughed, "Of course you are, honey." She reached out and touched his face, slowly running her fingers across his rough, unshaven stubble. He'd been so interested in caring for her that he had hardly had enough time to care for himself. "Look at you. You're loving and caring, and you've been with me through the whole nine months. You make sure I'm comfortable, hell you bend over backwards for me. I'm sure you'll do the same for our baby."

"Really? You think so?" Nathan seemed to perk up.

"Honey, I know so." Karen grinned. He smiled back and leaned in for a kiss.

Frankly he'd been getting a little anxious, a little worried about the whole situation. In less than a month he and Karen would have their first child together. He was sure it would work out, it had to. He had that gut feeling one gets when everything's going to be okay. But he wasn't sure he was prepared yet, as a father, as a man, to handle such a responsibility. He was sure he could, he had just needed a bit of reassurance from his lovely wife.

"Let's go to bed, honey." Karen took his hands in her own and pulled them up against herself, snuggling with them as if they were her teddy bear. Her eyes, which had been slowly drooping shut, began to close, a content smile permanently on her face.

Nathan kept his eyes on her face, watching as she drifted off to sleep.

Jack sat alone in his apartment. He had no one to do anything with, nor did he feel motivated to find anyone to do anything with.

He could not believe that Will had found someone, and so quickly. In less than a month Will's new "lover" Joey had already moved in. They were so close that it made Jack sick. He hated seeing Will happy. Hated it, hated it, hated it.

Why did he hate it? He wasn't sure. But he just did.

It bugged him that Will was taken.

Did that mean something?

"Do you want to come back to my place?" Sadie inquired, knowing that both had been done with their noodles hours ago. Glancing around, she had also noticed that hardly anyone was left at the noodle restaurant. They had all dispersed, and now only a few people remained.

Grace, also realizing this very same fact, found that their time would either end now, or it would be carried on if she accepted the invitation. She found that she didn't want to be alone, and she had enjoyed Sadie's company very much. Choosing not to accept would leave Grace with going over to Karen's and crashing there. She really had no where else to go, so this invitation seemed like just the ticket, for just that one night. "Sure." She nodded.

A relieved smile crossed her face. It was as if she had been holding her breath, wondering if she was making the right decision by asking Grace back to her place. She hadn't picked up a woman in seven years, especially not a straight one, so it was like going out on a limb, wearing her heart on her sleeve. She had felt vulnerable even soliciting this idea. But luckily Grace had accepted and she felt glad that she had asked. "Great. I just live a couple of blocks away."

Grace nodded and accepted the hand that Sadie was holding out for her. The two walked out of the restaurant and down the street, neither noticing, or caring that their hands were still entwined together. There wasn't much said on the walk to Sadie's. Both were a little nervous, maybe even a little scared, but there seemed to be a sort of anticipation brought on by the fact that this was all new. It was a new relationship for Sadie, and for Grace it was a new kind of relationship. She wasn't exactly sure how far she wanted this relationship to go, but she did feel comfortable in it.

They came across a rather attractive little apartment building. It had about three stories and fit between two other apartments just like it. "I'm on the top floor." Sadie explained as she unlocked the vestibule doors. Grace nodded and glanced around, wanting to take in all her surroundings. She wondered if this place would become familiar, she wondered if she would return often, or if this was just a one night thing.

Sadie led Grace up a flight or two of stairs and there at the top level Sadie opened a large black door. Inside, the apartment was beautiful. The interior decorator who had done the place had done a great job. The walls were all soft colors and some darker forest colors. The whole lay out of the apartment was very spacious. The ceilings were high, most likely because Sadie was on the top floor.

As Grace took in the apartment, Sadie studied her from behind. As she sat her purse on the table she watched as Grace's eyes surveyed her apartment.

"It's beautiful." Grace remarked without turning.

"I know." Sadie slipped out of her shoes and slowly moved towards Grace.

Grace turned and looked at Sadie, a wide grin on her face. "What shall we do?"

"I was thinking we could go sit on that really comfortable looking couch." Sadie pointed in the direction of the chaise lounge.

"I'm thinking that sounds like a good idea." Grace grinned.

Nathan took a leave of absence from his work so he could stay home with Karen. He wanted to be there for her. She was beginning to depend upon him more and more. She had taken to her bed for the most part, not leaving it unless she desperately had to. Nathan and Rosario rotated bringing meals to her and everything else she ever needed was attended to by one of her maids. She was living the high life, except it could be painful, suffocating at times. She missed seeing her feet, she could hardly breathe half the time, her feet were swollen, and she was beginning to feel very fat. However, when Nathan was around he made her feel like she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He boosted her self-esteem so much. It was hard to have a negative thought when he was by her side.

Now they were sitting in bed together. Nathan was gently tickling Karen's arm, trying to relax her. She was having a rather awful day. She was in a rather poor mood, having gotten in to an argument with Rosario and then yapping at Nathan. Of course she then felt bad, but Nathan reassured her she was entitled to have these off days.

Nathan tore his eyes away from the TV screen, and glanced at Karen. He could hear her shallow breathing and he wanted to make sure she was okay. He knew her due date was coming up, what was it? Next week? Thursday? Friday? When was it? She had told him, he'd just forgotten.

Karen, without looking at Nathan, spoke. "I'm scared."

"Of what?" Nathan frowned.

"About having this baby." She looked at him, her eyes pleading with his. She looked really frightened.

"Oh, Karen, sweetheart, you're going to be fine." Nathan turned more towards her.

"You're sure? It's not going to hurt too much?" She bit her finger and looked up at him through pouting eyes.

"No, it's going to be fine."

"I'll get pills?" She'd been looking forward to the pain killers. She'd missed them.

"Of course. They want it to be as easy for you as possible." He assured her.

"What if they have to cut me open?" Karen gasped, her breathing going from shallow to near hyperventilation.

"Calm down, sweetie." Nathan tried to calm her. "You're going to be fine. The doctor didn't think that was going to be necessary, he said you should have no problems."

"But what if I do, honey?" She insisted, persisted.

"So what? As long as you're okay and the babies okay it doesn't matter." Nathan held her hands in his own.

"You won't think I'm attractive any more." She pulled her hands from his and crossed them over her chest like a defiant little child.

Nathan almost laughed. "Karen, is this really what you're worried about? You're afraid that I won't find you attractive anymore?"

Karen looked down, played with a loose thread in her bedding, and then nodded.

"Karen! You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. I'll always find you attractive."

"Really?" Karen looked at him.

"Of course." Nathan nodded. "Karen, I love you."

"Oh, I love you, too." Karen reached out and wrapped her arms around him.

Just as they were kissing, Jack came sauntering in, head down, looking rather sad. "Hey Kare, hey Nathan." He uttered, his words hardly audible. He plopped down on the bed beside Karen.

"Jackie! What's wrong with you? You are the one person I depend on to always have a smile on that dazzling face of yours, and now you don't. Spill gay boy." Karen immediately picked up on his depressed mood.

"Will found somebody and they're moving in together." Jack sighed, a long dramatic sigh, as he crossed his legs and looked at the opposite wall.

"Oh, Jackie, I'm sorry." Karen reached out for his hands.

She was the only one who knew, who had ever known. Jack had told her one late night while they had been expounding secrets to each other. Jack shrugged his shoulders. "I'll be okay."

Karen had reached out and was gently rubbing her manicured fingernails up and down Jack's back. She hated to see him down. As she soothed his sadness, she began to think the situation over. "Wait, you said he was moving in with Will?"

"Yeah." Jack nodded.

"So what about Grace?" Karen inquired.

"What about her, she's living with Mark." Jack mumbled.

"Not any more." Karen slowly sat up a bit more.

Jack turned inquisitively, "What is this you say?" An eager look appeared on her face. "Mark and Grace broke up?"

Karen nodded, but then frowned. "So where is Gracie?"

Jack frowned as well. "Hmm, I don't know." He placed his hand to his chin and pretended to think, however Karen was actually thinking. Where could Grace have gone? Now she was worried.

Strange, she'd never been worried about another human being in her life. But Grace was important to her, she needed to find her, make sure she was okay. Reaching out she grabbed her cell phone. It had been several nights since Grace had come over, she really hoped she was all right.

Grace unloaded the last box of her stuff in to Sadie's spare bedroom. She had offered it to her until she could figure out a living arrangement. On the surface the move seem to be temporary, but both seemed to sense that it might not be such a brief stay. Sadie sure hoped it wouldn't, at least.

Grace was still a bit nervous about the whole situation. They had not done anything, except for maybe that first night when they had stayed up until two in the morning, sipping wine. Grace distinctly remembered a kiss. But so far Sadie had been kind and lenient, not wanting to rush anything…that was if anything was going to happen.

Neither really knew.

Grace heard her cell phone going off and raced to her purse. She flipped it open without looking to see who it was and said, "Hello," as she glanced around her new room, admiring how beautiful it was.

"Gracie, I was worried sick. Where are you?" Karen breathed over the line.

Grace was caught off guard. "Why were you worried?" This was new.

"I had no idea where you went. I just found about Will's new boy toy and realized you have no where to go." Karen sighed, relieved that Grace had answered and was now talking to her.

"I'm fine, Karen. I'm actually staying with a friend." Grace explained, deciding friend was the best way to go.

"Well you could have called." Karen retorted.

"I'm sorry, mother, I'll try to remember to call every five minutes." Grace rolled her eyes. She felt two hands on her hips and turned to see Sadie radiantly beaming at her and her new room. "Hey listen, I have to go."

"Okay, but call later, or better yet come by tonight." Karen dictated, not making it seem like Grace had any other option.

"All right, I'll try." Grace smiled. "Bye Karen."

"Bye Gracie."

Grace flipped her phone shut and smiled at Sadie. "Do you like it?"

"I love it." Sadie grinned, glancing around at all the little things Grace had added. Grace found herself caught once again in those green eyes of hers, and when they looked right at her, it was like they could see right through her. "Do you want some lunch?" Sadie inquired.

Grace nodded, but neither moved. Slowly, hesitantly Grace leaned in. Their lips met without any other body part touching. It was a unsullied kiss, but both felt something.

Sadie smiled and took Grace's hand, leading her out to the kitchen.

TBC...I forgot to say TBC in my last chapter. Anywho...I'm thinking a I feel something tragic coming up, or maybe it will get all happy? Anyway tell me what you think. You know I love my reviews. Lol. And thanks again for all the reviews you've given to me. ! You guys are the best, and you're so intuative, it's like you can sense what's going to happen next. Lol. K, go review!