Or what the wind says when she cries?
"Well, umm...yes, Grace and I have discussed children. Having children. Us as parents. We won't right away. We'll both get set up in our lives and spend time alone as a married couple before we start trying for children. I wasn't expecting that question, sorry." Geoff regretted the moment he accepted Rick's offer. He thought a free breakfast would be nice. Three grown men getting together to enjoy a nice, simple breakfast out. It's turned into two vengeful lunatics and an innocent bystander that has to live the rest of his life as part of the lunatics' family.
Jake laughed as Rick said, "Sorry there pal. Didn't mean to scare you. We need to make sure Grace is in good hands. She's Jake's daughter and my stepdaughter and we have taken care of her and watched her grow into a beautiful, brilliant, strong and happy woman and we want her to stay that way. We aren't that scary are we?" Rick smiled while trying to think of another intimidating question.
"No sir. You aren't scary. I was just thrown off guard. I hadn't realized you would be wanting to discuss our having children." Geoff was ready to run outside, dig a very deep hole, throw himself in and cover himself up. He realized he'd also be happy with running outside and having the wind sweep him up and take him away. Rick's phone rang again as Geoff said a silent prayer of thanks.
"Hello? Hey Lil. Umm, I'm not sure if we're finished or not. Geoff thinks we are." He whispered to the other two sitting down that he would return and made his way outside.
"So Grace is at Karen's? This day is getting more peculiar as the hours pass. I'm almost scared to think of what will happen next. I'm glad we know where she is. Eli hasn't left yet? Oh, well of course he's nervous. I would be too if I were in his shoes. He'll be at his mom's and that should help. Listen Lily, I have to run. Jake had an evil look in his eyes and I think I need to save Geoff. We'll be back in about an hour."
He listened a moment as his wife objected to the possibility of their return so soon. "A little longer? Okay, we'll go buy you presents. You just want presents so you're using the excuse that we need to stay out longer. I know. A storm? Great, storms are brewing all over. The wind has picked up too. I'll talk to you soon. Love you Lil. Bye." Rick went back to the table with a smile on his face.
When Rick arrived at the table, he witnessed a flustered Geoff trying to speak. "I wasn't expecting that question either. Umm, well, that may be a question you should ask your daughter. It's rather personal and frankly, in my eyes, none of your business even though you are her concerned father." Geoff's face was a pale shade of white and getting lighter as he shifted in his chair. "You're back. Everything okay? Wedding preparations progressing well?" Geoff needed the subject changed and quickly.
"Yes, everything is fine. Lily needed to know where something of mine is that she realized she needs. I told her, she looked and found it. Although she found it where I wasn't expecting it to be. It is safe and sound though and Lily knows where it is now." Rick was once again sending signals to Jake, hoping he understood.
"Oh, you mean the thing I let you borrow that was mine but is now at your house?" Jake got it. Grace is safe and somewhere they didn't think they would be, but the important thing is that she is safe.
"Yes, exactly Jake. As a matter of fact, Karen borrowed it once and we forgot and couldn't find it then. She called and let us know it was there and I believe at that time we sent Eli over to get it and bring it home." Rick was enjoying the coded conversation as Geoff sat back looking at the two of them, completely confused.
"Good. Glad it's found and Lily knows where it is. Odd that Karen had it once." 'So Grace is at Karen's and Eli is on his way there. Good. So we need to keep interrogating Geoffrey here so we don't interrupt anything. This is fun.' Jake looked back at Geoff and decided he would pursue the question further, simply to see him squirm some more. "Rick, I asked Geoff if he and Grace were using birth control." Rick chose the wrong moment to take a drink and proceeded to choke. "Are you okay? I'm sorry. Here, have a napkin, I have extras. Want a drink of water? Will that help?"
"Actually Jake, you not asking those types of questions could help. At least wait until I have finished my coffee. However, Geoff, can I ask what your answer was?" Rick was trying not to laugh. He was supposed to be intimidating, fatherly, and scary and you cannot be laughing and achieve those things.
"I told him it was none of his business even though he is her father and he should ask Grace if he felt the need to ask at all. It's just personal. I wouldn't think to ask either of you about your forms of birth control, nor would I want to know. I wouldn't ask Eli or Jessie what they used." Rick choked again. Jake slapped him on the back and took a drink.
"Yes Geoff, that is a good point. Maybe we should go so I can stop choking. I was thinking it would be a wonderful idea to buy Lily a present. Tiffany too. From Geoff. What do you think?" Rick hoped both agreed with him. If they didn't he was out of ideas on how to kill some time. 'Too early to hit the strip bars. Do men about to take the plunge into marriage still do that? Oh, I can't do that. Lily would kill me and Tiffany would kill Jake. Although, Geoff wouldn't have to worry about any kind of a father-in-law to annoy him.'
"Sounds good to me. Let's go. Geoff, are you ready? We can always ask questions on the way to the mall and while we're shopping, and even get in a few more on the way back to Rick and Lily's house. After you." Jake was grinning like the cat that ate the canary and couldn't wait to see Geoff squirm some more.
Later, the men arrived at the mall and Geoff sighed having survived the car ride. 'The questions in the car weren't too difficult. I think I answered them okay. Why are they quizzing me like this? It's not as if they just met me and have to get to know me. I thought they trusted me and know I love Grace. I don't like Eli. He blows into town and everything is turned upside down. Even Grace's actions are inexplicable. Maybe its this storm. Maybe Eli personifies this storm. Isn't that a lovely thought? Why does Grace worry so much about him and how he is doing? Always wanting to know how his band is doing and how many records they've sold and where they're playing next. Wanting to meet his girlfriend so she can find out what the girlfriend is like and if she's good enough for Eli. It's almost as though Grace was in love with him. In love with Eli? No. Can't be. She can't be in love with Eli...can she? What the hell do I do now? I'm going to do the quickest shopping I've ever done I know that. So that's why these two are giving me the third degree trying to scare me off. They've teamed up against me. Maybe I'll just talk to the minister and have him marry us tonight at the rehearsal instead of tomorrow at the wedding. I'd like to see how they'll react to that.'
"Hey Geoff!! Are you here?" Jake had been asking him more questions and Geoff seemed off on another planet.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't hear you. I guess I was thinking about tomorrow and the wedding and everything. What did you say?" Geoff tried to recover quickly so the two men didn't realize he was catching on.
"Never mind. That's okay. Not important. What is important though is what you'll be getting your mother-in-law-to-be? Any ideas? Did you need us to give you any pointers? Although, whatever I could tell you about Lily wouldn't help. Considering we didn't have the best marriage. You'll be faithful won't you Geoff? You won't cheat on my daughter will you?" Jake needed to make certain Geoff would be honest and faithful because his daughter didn't need to go through what her mother did because of the stupidity of a man.
"No sir, I wont cheat on Grace. I would never hurt her like that. Honesty and faithfulness are very important to me. I don't take those things lightly. I don't think Grace would either." Jake and Rick looked at one another and then at Geoff.
Jake said, "Let's go find that present now." The two fathers hoped things were going well at Karen's and that they wouldn't be the ones having to explain anything to Geoff.
Karen's house...
Grace stood and slowly walked through Karen's house, out the door, and to the backyard. She needed air. She felt stifled in that house...the house he grew up in.
The wind was beginning to blow and Grace gazed upward into the sky. Clouds were rolling in and looked like they were dancing in the sky to the music of the wind. Tears began to fall from her eyes and somewhere in the distance, she thought she heard a car. 'That must be Henry. I'll let them say their hellos and then I'll go in and we'll share the ice cream and talk.'
She never saw him at the back door. She never heard the door open nor did she hear it close behind him. Grace never knew he was walking across the yard to her, to hold her. She was too busy listening to the wind, feeling it envelope her, wishing it were Eli with his arms around her, shutting off the rest of the world and all it's problems.
She closed her eyes as he continued to bridge the distance between them. Eli stopped, stood behind her, took a deep breath and wrapped his arms around her. She never moved. Grace sighed and put her hands on his where they rested on her stomach and leaned her head back on his shoulder without a moment of hesitation. Eli realized he was home. This was home. For Eli Sammler, Grace was his home and he'd move heaven and earth to prove it to her.
Karen heard her son enter the house. She heard him walk down the hall and go out the back door. Karen knew he wasn't here to talk to his mother. He needed to be near Grace. She picked up her purse and started to leave. She decided to call Lily to let her know Eli made it there.
She dialed the number and waited. "Lily. Hi. Eli's here. She walked outside and I heard him go out the back door when he got here. Hold on a moment and I'll check." Karen walked to the window and sighed when she saw the two in the yard. "Lily, he's standing behind her holding her. I don't think they're speaking but I don't think they need words right now." Karen sighed. "How will she tell Geoff? I'll help you with anything you need or calls you may have to make. Did you want me to come over there now? I can. Judy's on her way? Okay, we'll meet at your house then. When are Jake and Rick bringing Geoff back? Okay. Sounds good. I'll see you shortly. Bye." Karen hung up the phone and grabbed a note pad and pen. She left them a note so they wouldn't wonder. 'The two of you will need all the strength you can find.' Karen stepped out the front door with a smile on her face and drove to Lily's house.