Someday we'll know
Why I wasn't meant for you

Eli turned on the water to the shower and searched for something to wear. "No, I can't wear that. Why am I worried about how I look? Never in my life have I worried about how I look. I don't care. Didn't care anyway but now Grace is here with her 'Mr. I don't know how to spell my name like a normal human being but I have money and I'm perfect and I have Grace and you don't and I don't care what anyone else says' jerk she's going to marry." He yanked his clothes off and stepped into the cold shower wishing he weren't so alone.

In the house...

"Hey everyone! What, no 'hello, how ya been, we've missed you like crazy?" Jessie stepped into the chaos that is their kitchen and smiled knowing she was home even if Eli didn't feel like he was. "I brought bagels."

"Jess! Hey sweetie, you're finally here! I think that brother of yours wished you had gotten here yesterday. How's school? How's your mom? Here, let me take those for you and you talk to your father. He looks like he has an important question for you. Then, when you're finished, you can tell me what he wanted!" Lily said with a laugh. Jessie handed the bagels to her step mom and gave her dad a hug.

"What's so important Dad?" Jessie asked.

"No, not here. Come on." Rick led his daughter upstairs to the attic. "Now, we can talk. How are you?" He asked with a smile.

"Dad, don't tell me you brought me up here to ask me how I am. Didn't I call you yesterday and you asked that same question then? I'm exactly the same as I was 24 hours ago. What's up? Why is everyone acting so weird? I know we get weird for weddings but this is ridiculous. First E, now you. It's Grace isn't it? Is there a wedding or did she have a wonderful moment of realization and cancel it so we can plan the real wedding that should occur? Now that isn't a pleasant look. Dad?" Jessie felt as though she walked in on the beginnings of a haunting tornado about to touch down and devastate everything in its path. She looked into her father's eyes and knew he ached for Eli but also for Grace. After all this time in some ways he was a father to both. She touched his hand and softly said, "Daddy, talk to me."

"Jess, he loves her. E loves Grace. I guess in some way I've always known but some things you just don't want to think about or push, so you sweep it under a rug and forget about it when its not right in front of you. He left and I thought it was over. Now he's back and I see the pain in his eyes. I see the spark there when Grace walks into a room. I see how they interact."

Rick paused a moment to catch his breath and gather his thoughts. "We have a plan. Not much of a plan, but a start. Jake and I are taking Geoff out to breakfast. Lily is going to find a way to get Grace and E alone together today so they'll be forced to talk about their feelings. Or, they'll sit alone in silence while they're together, which of course would mean the entire breakfast would be a waste. We don't want to tell them straight out to admit everything because...I guess we don't really have a good reason. It's so close to the wedding and it's now or never. Lil, Judy and I were up late talking last night."

He smiled as he thought about the morning's events. "Grace slept in E's bed in the garage and Eli came in and slept in her bed. Geoff surprised us all by showing up early. He woke Eli with flowers instead of Grace. I know, it sounds funny doesn't it? Anyway, you're here and I'm assuming you know everything and maybe you can help Lily get them alone. Can you do that sweetheart?" Rick let out a sigh and looked at his watch. He knew Jake would be there any minute and they were running out of time as the minutes ticked away faster and faster bringing them closer to the wedding.

Jess laughed softly. "Yes, I'll help. Hey, is Mom going to be home today? Wait, Grace and Eli can pick something up from Mom's that we need for the wedding. Mom can't drop it off because she's late for wherever she'll be late for. Lily is going to be too busy with wedding stuff and Philip because you know how wild your youngest son is. And I have...well, I wont be able to either. And Zoe, well, Zoe will be with me wherever that is. It has to be something they can't easily find so they're searching all over the house for hours. And it cannot be something just one of them could pick up alone. How's that? Will that work?" Jessie had a smile on her face and her eyes sparkled as she realized her brother is one step closer to his happily ever after.

"My brilliant daughter. And Philip is not that bad. It's just his stage he's in right now. Okay, so I know he's about 6 years too late for the terrible twos but leave your brother alone. I am glad he's sleeping over at a friend's. God bless that child's parents. Okay, I have to see if Jake is here and then we're off and your plan goes into motion. Call your mother and let her know what she's doing today. I love you Jess. We'll get this figured out." He put his arm around Jessie and they made their way back to the kitchen where Jake was already asking Geoff questions. Jake would be the biggest obstacle considering he didn't want anyone marrying Grace. He'd also be the biggest help interrogating Geoff.

"Hey Jake. Are we ready to go?" Jake and Geoff said yes and they said their goodbyes. Rick gave Lily a quick kiss and whispered, "Jess knows how they'll be alone today. She'll fill you in."

Lily hugged her husband and felt a smile form on her lips. "You better go before you miss breakfast." She turned toward her ex-husband and gave him a bit of a warning. "Jake, be nice okay? Geoff, they aren't that bad...really. You'll be fine. Have fun boys."

"Bye everyone. Grace, I'll see you later okay?" Geoff stepped closer to Grace as the kitchen door opened and Eli walked in. "I love you. Bye sweetheart." He put his finger on her chin and tilted her head up as he gave her a kiss goodbye.

"Bye Geoff. Enjoy your breakfast." Grace murmured.

Eli looked at them with obvious pain in his eyes. But she didn't say she loved him. Grace smiled and turned toward the sound she heard by the door. 'Eli'.

Grace watched as he cleared his throat and mumbled a goodbye to the three while he walked to the table and sat down. 'Was that a tear in his eye? No, why would he be upset? He can't be upset that Geoff kissed me goodbye. Not possible.'

"See you later E." Rick saw the look on his son's face and gave a desperate, pleading look to his daughter. Jessie gave him a slight nod and sat down next to Eli. The three men left on their mission as the kitchen began to come alive again.

"So, who wants what? Zoe, Grace...Jessie? Eli? Judy? HELLO?? Is anyone going to answer me? Where is my family?" Lily turned around and laughed as she saw everyone talking at the table. "Okay, if no one wants to help me cook they don't eat. I am going to have a huge breakfast all to myself." The room filled with laughter as one by one they stood to help make breakfast.

Breakfast was finished, dishes were washed, and slowly everyone began making their plans for the day. Judy left for home before Will worried too much. Grace went to her room. Lily and Jessie went to the living room for their talk. That left Eli and Zoe in the kitchen alone.

"I've got a question for ya Zoe. Would you like to go out to the yard to our spot or do you want to stay here?" Eli asked with a smile.

"Either one is cool with me. Here is fine though...I'm too stuffed to move." Zoe answered with a giggle.

"Are you ready?" Eli looked at Zoe with confused and hurt eyes. He needed to know everything she knows. "It's not going to be an easy conversation. And I need to know the truth, no matter what it is. Can you do that for me? Even if it is something about your sister? I am going insane and I need to know." Eli pleaded with Zoe.

"Yeah Eli...ask away. Feel free to ask me anything...anything at all. No matter what or who it is about. I won't lie to you Eli. I promise I wont." Zoe finally noticed the look of frustration on Eli's face and realized she should be quiet so he could ask his question.

"Do...umm, why...uh, was...hell, I don't know how to ask you this. I guess the direct approach would be best. I should just come right out and ask. All right. Zoe, why did Grace have to talk to me last night? Why did she come to my room? Do you have any idea what she was going to say to me? You don't know do you?" Eli was trying to read her reaction on her face and he couldn't. He saw shock and confusion, then the smallest of smiles flashed across her face for a split second, and then the confusion returned.

"Eli, I probably shouldn't be the one you should be asking. Why don't you ask Grace?" Zoe knew exactly what Grace wanted to say. She was smart enough to have figured it out years ago but knew it would be better coming straight from her sister's heart and mouth instead of Zoe spilling the beans. "Eli, you really need to ask Grace."

"I can't Zo. You saw them when he left this morning. I can't do that to her. I can't ask her a question that could hurt her right before she begins the rest of her life with another man." Eli was confused. He was in love. He was helpless and needed someone to show him the light. If it had to be her younger sister, then there was nothing he could do.

"Dammit Eli. How can you go on like you are? Do you think she would rather have you keeping it all inside and living the rest of your life in denial and unhappy? Stop that blasted mistake of a wedding and tell her you love her." Zoe heard a gasp and glanced past Eli to the doorway. Grace. Her sister heard everything. 'Zoe, you blew it. I have to do something. Eli. His face. Grace. She's not moving. What do I do? What do I say? Someone come help me please? Where is mom when I really need her?'

"Grace, I'm sorry. Grace? You okay? You don't look well." Zoe saw her sister's face turn pale. Grace looked at her and then at Eli, and ran out the door, tears pouring down her cheeks.

"Dammit." Eli wasn't certain what to do or how he could stop her but he knew he had to. She couldn't run away without an explanation. "Grace wait! Stop. Grace!" Eli ran after her. He caught up with her as she got in her car and slammed the door. He knew he couldn't let her leave because he wasn't certain when she might return...or if she would return. He grabbed at the handle and opened the door. "Grace, don't go. Let's talk. We need to discuss this. We've fought this for years and there's too many discussions we needed to have and never did. You know it and I know it. Please Grace, talk to me." Eli begged her as a tear fell down his cheek.

"I can't Eli. Not right now. I just need to think. I'm getting married. What about Geoff? It's too late for you and me. I have to go. I'll be back. We'll talk when I get back okay? Can you move so I can shut my door? Please E, not now." Grace didn't know what else to say.

Eli brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. He left his hand on her cheek as he said, "I'll wait Grace. I'll always be here. I'm not going anywhere, not anymore. I won't say it even though I want to. You know how I feel, I think you've always known. Be careful Grace." Eli stepped out of the way and shut her door for her. She started the car and backed out of the driveway. His heart pounding, he watched her drive away, not knowing where she was headed but knowing he would be there when she returned. He won't run away. He'd never leave her again.