Author's notes and disclaimer...I own nothing of the brilliant show Once and Again and I own no part of the song Someday We'll Know or any other lyrics used in this fic. I've just borrowed parts of both and added my own twist. I want to thank everyone reading and thanks so much for your replies...they keep me going and make me want to write more! Thanks so much for your kind words. This is the last chapter...the end of the story. I hope yall enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thanks for reading and I'll be posting other fics before too long! So long for now...enjoy the end...
The men took their places in front of the church as the wedding began. As Eli looked around the church, he couldn't help but smile as he realized everyone in attendance was there because of the powerful love he shared with Grace that had overcome so many obstacles thrown in front of it. Neither Eli nor Grace gave up and neither could be happier. Standing in front of the minister, Eli looked to his side and smiled at his father…his best man. Zoe knew that so many times in Eli's life the two were at odds but the last few years the two became closer than they ever had been. She began her walk down the aisle knowing her sister would follow and the tears would come soon after.
Zoe looked around at everyone in attendance. She saw Rick look over at her mom who was crying. He tried comforting her with a loving glance but Zoe realized he was just as emotional. Henry had his arm around Karen's shoulder and whispered something in her ear, which made her smile. The music changed and everyone stood as Grace began her walk down the aisle. Zoe felt the tears slide slowly down her cheeks and smiled through them. Her eyes met another set of eyes and she forgot where she was for an instant. Her boyfriend was sitting in the pew watching her with love in his eyes. It was something Zoe hadn't truly known before. She watched as Grace leaned toward their father and whispered something. The tears began to fall down Jake's cheeks and he muttered something back. Tiffany watched the two of them, looked at Zoe and smiled warmly. Zoe smiled back and knew today was the perfect day they'd waited so long for.
The ceremony was beautiful. Eli and Grace chose to use traditional vows instead of writing their own. Zoe remembered a conversation where they both decided they wanted to write their own vows and her mother spoke up and said, "The two of you know you won't be able to speak at the wedding if someone isn't helping you. The ceremony will last an extra hour because you'll both be emotional after all that's happened." They agreed and it was settled. Jessie sang during the ceremony while Eli played the guitar. It was a song the two had written together to surprise Grace. It was a song of friendship and love and every obstacle caused by both. There wasn't a dry eye in the church when they were finished.
Pictures were taken, more tears were shed, and Zoe needed to escape. She was outside getting some fresh air when she heard two voices. "Hey you two, you better not be doing anything nasty in those bushes." Zoe said while laughing.
"Zoe Manning, we are not doing anything in the bushes. We are talking beside the bushes. There is a huge difference. And anyway, we're old enough to do what we want, where we want." Jessie laughed and said, "Shut up Katie, you know we wouldn't do anything here. Stop making her think we would."
Zoe looked at the two and said, "I am so happy for you both. You found each other again after all that time and distance had separated you. Your love was strong enough to survive. Just like Eli and Grace found each other again."
Katie put her arm around Zoë's shoulder and said, "Just like you found your man. He's a cutie. Do not let him go. You'll find each other again if it happens but you lose too much time doing it that way. Trust me on that. It's more romantic but too painful."
Lily walked outside and the three knew it was time to go back inside. "Where have you been? Eli and Grace are about to make their entrance as husband and wife now let's go. We can't miss this. Zoe, where's your brother? Apparently, you were the last to speak with him and now none of us can find him. We thought he would calm down by now at his age. I think he just likes tormenting me." Zoe laughed as the four of them went back inside.
Eli and Grace stepped into the reception as husband and wife, hand in hand, smiles and laughter on their faces and in their hearts. There was soft music playing in the background as they ate dinner. Grace looked at Zoe and said, "I want to have my first dance with Eli now. Why did we decide to have a full meal? I'm not hungry." Grace and Zoe both giggled. "You have to wait, now eat or at least pretend to eat." Eli and Grace had to have their first dance and then he would dance with his mom and she would dance with her dad. Grace stood and said, "If I don't return in five minutes, come to the bathroom and help me please." Zoe said okay and watched as Grace kissed Eli before making her way to the bathroom. She sighed. Eli smiled at Zoe and whispered, "Remember when we were trying to decide on a song for our first dance?" Zoe smiled back at him and said, "Oh yeah, I remember. Do you think everyone will like the song?" Eli smiled and nodded as Zoe remembered that night in the kitchen.
"Come on Eli. No band you listen to will have a slow song that we could dance to and you know it so you are going to have to listen to our choices. There is no other way." Grace kissed his cheek and continued looking through music book after music book.
"I had no idea there were so many sappy songs in this world. Oh, stop it Grace. They are though, sappy, cheesy, and all romantic. I don't think any of them would fit your relationship with Eli. Isn't that how it works? You have to find a song to fit your love for one another. Where's the 'I hated you but I loved you secretly and we weren't supposed to fall in love but we couldn't help it and now we couldn't be happier or more in love' songs? What?" Zoe was trying to help as well as Katie and Jessie. Through the laughter in the room, there was a gasp. It was Jessie. "I've got it. I like this one. It is not too cheesy and yet, it is very sappy in a wonderfully romantic way. Here Grace, check it out. Oddly enough, it might fit Eli's feelings more than Grace's."
Grace took the book Jessie handed her and said, "It's from a movie. Do we want to use a movie theme? This is an old song too. Do we want to use something current, fresh? Maybe something classic that will be around forever."
Jessie sighed. "Just read the lyrics Grace. Keep an open mind. Besides, think how shocked everyone will be when you choose a song like this…simply because of the lyrics without ever hearing the song itself. You're both writers, think of the words." Grace began reading and soon she felt a tear in her eye. "Oh my god, it's beautiful. It's perfect. Jess, thank you. E, look. Get that look off your face and just read the lyrics. Open that brilliant mind of yours. Stop laughing Eli Sammler or I won't dance the first dance with you no matter what song we have. Just because it came from a movie doesn't mean it can't fit our life perfectly. You wouldn't have been here that weekend if you didn't need to be next to me and couldn't fight it anymore, correct?" He opened his mind and found himself drawn to the lyrics. That would be the song they would dance their first dance to as husband and wife. He could not wait to hold her in his arms.
Toasts were made, the cake was cut and it was time for the first dance. No one knew what song they chose but as the music began, everyone was quiet and all eyes were on Eli and Grace.
Been running from these feelings for so long, telling my heart I didn't need them. Pretending I was better off alone but I know that it's just a lie. So afraid to take a chance again. So afraid of what I feel inside.
But I need to be next to you. I need to share every breath with you. I need to know I can see your smile each mornin, look into your eyes each night for the rest of my life. Here with you, near with you, I...I need to be next to you. Need to be next to you...
Right here with you is right where I belong. I lose my mind if I can't see you. Without you there is nothing in this life that would make life worth living for. I can't bear the thought of you not there. I can't fight what I feel anymore...
Cause I need to be next to you. I need to share every breath with you. I need to know I can see your smile each morning, look into your eyes each night for the rest of my life. Here with you, near with you, I...I need to be next to you...
I need to have your heart next to mine for all time. Hold you for all my life. I need to be next to you. I need to be next to you. Need to be, need to be next to you. And share every breath with you. I need to feel you in my arms babe...in my arms baby. I need to be next to you...
Grace cried and Eli felt tears rush to his eyes but he forced them back. He wouldn't cry this time. He wanted to remember every second and he did not want to remember it through a haze of tears. "I love you Grace. We wouldn't be here if I'd stayed hidden in my apartment. I cannot believe you married me. I can't believe I ever got so lucky in my screwed up life. I never made it easy for us Grace but I will make it up to you…if it takes me the rest of my days." Grace kissed his cheeks, his dimple in his chin, his nose and then found his lips. They danced the rest of the night as the smiles never left their faces. They had never been happier…or more in love.
Years later...
The love story had begun with a boy being nice to a girl with a crush and it is ending with two sisters standing in a graveyard, saying goodbye to their siblings. Jessie and Zoe stood alone in front of a tombstone. Grace passed first and Eli joined his wife a little less than a year later. They watched their children grow up and have children of their own. They lived in a big old house that reminded them of their parents' home and made certain they had a huge backyard in which they spent so much of their time. Eli and Grace loved one another and gave hope to everyone they knew that love could last a lifetime. The road was never easy. There were many potholes and nasty turns along the way but the strength of their love kept them together through it all. Zoe and Jessie said their goodbyes and knew that in their hearts the love story would never truly end because Grace and Eli were together once again.
The end…