The sun peaked through the window far sooner than any of them would have liked. Annie blinked a few times before sitting up to look around the room. Her eyes landed on Grace and Oliver. Her mom and dad. Sleeping soundly on the couch on the other side of her room. She smiled before flopping back into her bed and snuggling down into the fluffy down comforter. Sandy repositioned himself against her and they both drifted back to sleep.
It was only a little while later when Oliver woke. Knowing that the quiet meant Annie was still sleeping, he pulled Grace closer to him and pulled the blanket up further around them. Grace moved into him deeper in her sleep. Her leg slipping between his and rubbing her face into his chest. He closed his eyes breathing in the scent of her his heart almost aching which how much he loved her.
Oliver woke again some time later. He looked up to see Annie and Sandy playing on the bed. Quietly, he dipped his head to capture Grace's lips in a kiss. He slowly worked her lips apart and met her tongue with his. A few moments later he pulled away. "Good morning love." She smiled up at him "Good morning. What a way to wake up." Running his fingers through her hair he just looked into her bright blue eyes. Too quickly for his liking, the moment was broken, "you're awake!!!" "Good morning Annie." "Is it time for breakfast?! Boy am I hungry!!" Oliver just laughed and shook his head. "Come on Annie," Grace said "let's go down." Grace and Oliver rose from the couch and were met with Annie throwing her arms around them before she and Sandy took off towards the dining room. Hand in hand, they followed her down.
The three of them sat at the table enjoying their breakfast as Annie excitedly recounted her favorite moments from the previous night's party. Suddenly they heard the doorbell ring and Oliver and Grace looked at each other in confusion. Grace felt her stomach drop remembering the last time a surprise guest arrived, it was the Mudge's. Drake entered the dining room. "Who's at the door, Drake?" Oliver asked. "It's for Miss Farrell sir." Grace's confusion grew as she stood slowly and followed Drake from the room. Punjab made eye contact with Oliver. They both nodded and Punjab followed Grace. Annie watched the scene cautiously and was about to ask what was going on when they heard "GRACE ELIZABETH FARRELL!!" Exclaimed from the foyer. At this Sandy took off of the door with Annie close behind him and Oliver close behind her.
"Mom! Laura! What on earth are you doing here?"
The oldest woman, while waving a newspaper through the air, repeated herself, "GRACE ELIZABETH FARRELL! What am I doing here!? What do you think I'm doing here?! I haven't heard from you in months. I didn't even know you were romantically involved and I then I see in the newspaper that you are ENGAGED!"
"What?!" A look a panic crosses Grace's face and when she turned to glance at Oliver and saw pure confusion she knew he knew nothing about it either. She took the paper from her mother and flipped it open.
"Following the search for his orphan house guest's parents, the Warbucks household has had a few crazy days. It seems that Oliver Warbucks himself has found comfort in the arms of his secretary, or by the looks of it, fiancé." Below were pictures. One of Grace in Oliver's arms at the bridge, a few of them at the party, each one they're touching in some way, and the largest on the page of them in quite a passionate kiss. The picture was close enough to see that their mouths were open and their tongues were together. Grace's hand held the side of Oliver's face displaying her engagement ring.
Grace was mortified. Not only that her mother and sister had seen the picture, but that everyone else in New York would too. She passed the paper to Oliver who looked at it for a few moments before handing it back to her. "BLASTED PRESS!"
"Grace what on earth were you thinking!!" Laura yelled.
At this, Annie looked from Grace to Oliver with a concerned look on her face. Oliver noticed immediately and bent down to pick her up. Her arms wrapped tightly around her neck and she leaned her head against his.
"Laura please." Grace said. Laura only looked at her before glancing at Oliver briefly then rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest. Grace turned to Oliver and her heart melted when she saw him holding on to Annie. She moved towards them and smiled at the little girl while pushing her curls back and running her hand along the side of her face. "Why don't you and daddy go finish breakfast hmm?" Annie nodded and Oliver put her on her feet. His hand found Grace's waist pulling her in to place a kiss on the corner of her mouth. He squeezed her side reassuringly as Annie dropped to Sandy's level, "stay with mommy," she said to him. Grace and Oliver smiled at each other and then Oliver took Annie's hand and led her back to the dining room. Sandy brushed against Grace's leg and she scratched behind his ear affectionately. She turned back to her mom and sister, "we should go upstairs." With Sandy never leaving her side, she led the two upstairs to her room.
Once inside her room, Grace's mom spoke again. "Now will you please tell me what is going on?"
"There isn't much more to tell. I wasn't trying to keep anything from you. It only just happened and we were just as surprised by the paper as you were."
"Why didn't you ever tell me you were involved?"
"Well we weren't until very recently."
"Oh Grace don't you think you're rushing into things?"
"Yes doesn't the rush make you wonder?" Laura chimed in.
"Wonder? Wonder about what exactly?" Grace asked.
"About his intentions."
"What?!" Grace was losing her patience with her sister.
"Really Laura? Must you be so cruel?" Their mother asked.
"Well I'm only thinking that what other reason would someone with such status and money be interested in their employee. And on top of that in such a rush to move the relationship along."
"Laura..." Grace warned through gritted teeth.
"Grace did it ever occur to you that his motive is to get you into bed?"
"Laura. That's enough." Their mother said firmly.
"No." Grace replied.
"No it hasn't occurred to you?"
"No that isn't his motive."
"How can you be so sure?" Laura shot back.
Grace had enough. "Because we've already been in bed so he knows he doesn't need to rush for that."
"Oh Grace." Her mom sighed.
Laura pressed on. "Did he force you? Are you pregnant?"
"Laura!" Grace shouted. "You really think so little of me that you believe Oliver couldn't actually have true feelings for me? We are getting married because we are in love with each other. Yes things have been rushed but with everything that's happened with Annie it's terrifying how quickly you can lose things. I am not pregnant and I was not forced. Oliver was the one that said we should wait. I didn't want to."
Laura's eyes just got wide.
"Oh Grace." Her mom said again. "Were you ready? He didn't hurt you? Oh my baby."
"Mom. I promise I'm okay. I was ready. He wanted to wait and I told him I was ready. He didn't hurt me. I trust Oliver more than anyone. He was gentle and took such good care of me. It was the most amazing experience and if I could I would just keep reliving it."
"You really love him don't you?"
"More than anything."
Laura said nothing.
It was quite a few hours later. Grace excused herself from her mom and sister. She found herself wandering in the garden. "Hi love." Oliver's deep voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Hi. Where's Annie?" She asked. "With the Asp learning some new self defense moves." Grace raised her eyebrows at him and his hands flew up in innocence, "I made her promise not to demonstrate on me." They laughed. Grace soon sobered. "Will you sit with me?" She asked him. "Of course." He took her hand and led her to one of the garden chairs. Sitting down, he pulled her into his lap. She said nothing.
"Is anything wrong Grace?"
"Just thinking."
"What about?"
"Just some things my sister said."
"Would you like to talk about it?"
She ignored his question. "I love you." She whispered.
"I love you too."
"Do you?"
Oliver's heart sank. "Grace. What did Laura say?"
"That you have no reason to be interested in your employee. That the rush of the relationship is to sleep with me."
"Grace. You cannot possibly believe that."
"I am just your employee."
"Stop. Look at me. You know better than that. You have never been just an employee to me."
"I'm sorry. Ever since we were kids Laura has known exactly what to say to make me doubt myself."
"I need you to trust me."
"I do trust you Oliver."
"Then listen to me very carefully. I am in love with you. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you. I love everything about you."
Grace took in a long, shaky breath. Tears falling from her eyes. "I'm so sorry. What did I do to deserve you?"
"I ask myself what I did to you deserve you every day."
"I love you."
He kissed her. "Mmm I love you too."
"I know you do." She leaned into him and he held on tight.
A short time later, "Grace?"
"Yes?"
"For the record, sleeping with you isn't the reason I want to be with you, but it definitely is one of the things I love about you."
She sat up to look at him and laughed. "I love sleeping with you too."
"I know you do."
"Oliver! You are impossible!"
Meanwhile, Annie made her way excitedly upstairs after her lesson with the Asp to find her parents. Oliver's office was empty so she headed down the hall to Grace's room. She started to open the door and heard voices.
"I'm telling you, those two are not in love."
"Oh please Laura."
It was Grace's sister and mom. Annie stayed still wondering if Grace was in there with them.
"Laura you can't honestly believe they don't love each other. You saw them together this morning. You heard what Grace said."
"Come on Mom. She's in love with his money and he's in love with the idea of having someone take care of his orphan."
Annie heard enough. She shut the door and ran into her room.
Grace and Oliver walked hand and hand up the stairs. "I'll go see if I can find Annie." Oliver told her. Grace nodded and turned to go find her mom and sister. "Oh and Grace? Don't listen to anything Laura says." With that he winked at her and headed down the hall.
Oliver walked into Annie's room and was surprised to find her laying on her bed. He walked toward her slowly, sat on the edge of her bed, and reached out to rub her back gently. "Annie? Are you okay?"
"Go away." She mumbled. Oliver was shocked. Never had he heard Annie talk like this.
"What? What's wrong Annie?"
"Please go away."
"Annie! Look at me." She rolled over to sit up. "What's wrong? Why do you want me to go away?"
"Because you don't want me here."
"What?! Annie where is this coming from? That's crazy. Of course I want you here."
"You lied to me!!"
"Annie. Please talk to me. Please tell me what you're talking about."
Annie stood up on the bed and looked like she was ready for a fight but soon the tears started flowing. "You told me you loved us and wanted us to be a family but you don't! You don't want me here and you don't love Grace!"
"Annie! Where is this coming from?"
"I want Grace! Where is she?!"
"She's in her room with her mom and sister but Annie..."
Annie jumped from the bed and ran down the hall. Oliver caught up with her as soon as she was flinging the door open and bursting in.
"Annie! What happened?" Grace questioned as Annie flew into her arms sobbing. Grace saw Oliver standing in the doorway with pain in his eyes as he watched Annie.
Annie was close to hyperventilating she was crying so hard. "You said you loved each other. You said we would be a family!" She sobbed.
"Annie. Sweetheart please calm down. What are you talking about?" Annie slowly lifted her head from Grace's chest and glanced over at Laura. This didn't go unnoticed by Oliver.
He walked towards them. "Grace, sweetheart, bring her in here." And he gestured towards the bathroom. The three of them walked in and he shut the door behind them. He filled a glass with water and handed it to Annie. As she took a drink, Grace wet a washcloth to wipe the tears from her face. She and Oliver then got down to Annie's level and grace spoke softly, "Annie will you please tell us what's wrong. Why do you think we don't love each other."
"Please don't be mad. I didn't mean to leavesdrop."
"Eavesdrop." Grace corrected gently. Wondering what she was talking about, "what did you hear Annie?"
"I don't want you to be mad." She said again.
"Annie we aren't mad at you, we just want to know what's wrong so we can help." Oliver said softly.
"She said you didn't love each other. She said that Daddy Warbucks was in love with having someone to take care of me so he didn't have to and that mommy was in love with daddy's money."
"Who's she? Who said that?"
"Your sister."
"Laura." Grace growled through gritted teeth. Oliver's hand went to her back in an attempt to keep her calm. He turned to Annie then and said, "Annie. None of that is true. I love you both very much. I want you here because I love you and I want to adopt you so that I can always take care of you. And I want to marry Grace because I'm in love with her and I want to be with her forever."
Annie looked to Grace for reassurance. "I love you too Annie. I love Oliver too. The three of us could be living in a box under a bridge and I would still love both of you more than anything." Annie nodded. "Sandy too?" Oliver laughed. "Sandy too! Even if he does like Grace more than he likes me." He winked at Annie then and she smiled. Oliver pulled her into his arms and was relieved when she threw her arms around him tightly before she dropped her head to his shoulder and yawned. "What do you say we go get you ready for bed?" Oliver stood with Annie in his arms and she reached a hand out towards Grace. Grace held her hand as they walked back through Grace's room. Avoiding making eye contact with Laura, "We're just going to get Annie ready for bed," Grace said to her mom. She smiled at Grace and said "goodnight Annie." "Goodnight. See you tomorrow," the young girl replied sleepily. Then Laura spoke, "is there anything you need me to do?"
Grace turned to her, "you've done enough."
After getting Annie to sleep the couple made their way back down the hall. Oliver was heading to Grace's bedroom door and as he turned the knob to open it and walk in her heard Grace behind him, "Oliver! What are are you doing?" He ignored her. "Okay I've held my tongue long enough!" This got the attention of Grace's family. Grace stood at the door praying her didn't completely lose his temper.
"Mrs. Farrell."
"Helen. Please." She interrupted.
"Helen. I feel I owe you an apology. I never meant for my relationship with Grace to go as far as it has without so much as meeting you properly. I know you must be concerned with how quickly it has escalated but I need to assure you that Grace is the most important person in my life aside from Annie. I would never do anything against her will or to hurt her. I'm truly sorry about how you found out about our engagement. Had I known those pictures were being taken I would have stopped it before they left my property. The bottom line is I love your daughter more than I ever thought possible to love someone and I promise to spend the rest of my life taking care of her."
Grace bit her lip and with tears in her eyes looked at her mother.
"Thank you Oliver. I am proud of Grace for finding someone that will treat her the way she deserves and I would be honored to call you my son."
"Thank you."
Grace went to move towards Oliver when he turned to her sister. Biting her lip again, she stopped her movements.
"Laura. We've only just met and barely know each other and for some reason that I can't quite wrap my head around you've decided that not only do you not like me but that you don't trust me either. You're entitled to your opinions of course but please try to remember that you are in MY home, and there is a little ten year old girl that notices everything." His voice begin to get louder and Grace made her move. She came up behind him and put her hands on his sides in hopes to steady
his temper. "You feel that I am marrying Grace because I want someone to take care of Annie for me. And that she is marrying me for my money. Again, you're entitled to your opinion but OUR daughter heard you talking about it. As Grace's sister you are of course welcome here, but my girls mean more to me than anything. Grace and I can handle the rumors but Annie doesn't deserve that."
He was angry now. Grace could tell. Afraid of what else he might say she tried to intervene, "Oliver..." she said timidly.
He only turned to her, ran both hands through her hair and pulled her to him to kiss her. He pulled back slightly, whispered, "I love you," and left the room.
Grace stood there speechless as she often was after he kissed her like that.
Helen broke the silence. "He's a good man Grace."
"Mother!" Laura exclaimed.
Grace spoke, "As Oliver said, Annie heard everything. It's hard enough for her coming from that horrible orphanage. She's just learning to trust people again. Think what you want of my life but keep it to yourself here."
"Honestly Grace. When did you get so threatening?"
"The moment I started to love Annie. I may not have birthed her but she is my daughter and I will not let anyone hurt her every again."
Helen stood. "Girls. That's enough. It's been a long day and I think we all just need some sleep."
They both nodded at their mother and she and Laura made their way to their rooms.
Grace went to Oliver's office and when he wasn't there she figured he had gone to bed. With a sigh, she headed back fo her room to change for the night.
A short while later Laura was laying in bed and could here voices through the wall behind her head.
"Oliver." Grace sat up in bed. "What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't sleep."
"Is something wrong?"
"I'm sorry for the way I spoke to Laura."
"Don't be sorry. She deserved it and more, which she got from me after you left."
Having heard her name, Laura was now listening closely. She rolled her eyes at Grace's response. It got quiet before she heard her sister mumbling and knew they were kissing.
"What are you doing?" She heard Grace ask.
"Showing you how much I love you."
"Mmmm please do."
Laura knew exactly what was happening now and wished her little sister wasn't so irresponsible. She also knew that she shouldn't be listening anymore, although that might be out of her control.
It wasn't long until Oliver had Grace naked below him and was removing his pajamas. Oliver leaned down to kiss her slowly and then moved down to taken her nipple in his mouth. Her hand went to the back of his head and she hooked her leg behind his. He pulled back to look down at her before sliding his hand between her legs. She was wet.
"Mmmm Grace. You're ready?"
"I'm always ready for you."
Laura squeezed her eyes shut and wondered why of all the rooms in the house she was put directly next door to Grace.
Oliver slid is hands up Grace's thighs to spread her legs apart. He took himself in one hand and slid the head up and down her to get himself wet.
"Oliver. Please."
"You're sexy when you beg for it."
"Oliver." She warned and he slid in.
She gasped and his response was, "damn you feel good." He began to move in a slow, but deliberate pace. His thrusts were steady but hard. Grace wrapped her legs around him and he brought his hands to hold her sides. They slid up and down her smooth skin with every thrust.
"Grace."
"Mmmmm."
"Grace." He said again.
She moaned.
Afraid that it might be too rough he slowed his pace and replaced the hard thrusts with rolls of his hips.
"Grace look at me. Please."
She did. He rolled his hips again and she arched her head back. Her hands flew to the bed and she gripped the sheets tight in both fists. She bit her lip before her mouth fell open and a tight "ahhhh" escaped her lips. Oliver slid his hands up to hold on to her at her ribs. He felt her clench once around him and he knew she was close. He was torn between dragging it out and letting her go. She was almost in agony and she looked more beautiful than he had ever seen her.
"Please Oliver." She finally whispered.
"What sweetheart? Tell me what you want."
He ground his hips into her with the next roll.
"Mmmm yes! Oliver!"
He repeated the movement. "What do you need Grace?"
"Let me cum. Please."
"Mmm you're begging again." He knew he was being cruel but he loved when she begged him.
"Please Oliver. Please. I need to cum for you."
With that, he lifted his hips and went back to thrusting into her.
"Yes Oliver." And from thrusting to pounding.
Her hands moved from the sheets to above her heard. She gripped the headboard in an attempt to steady herself.
"Don't stop."
Thrust.
"Mmmm right there."
Thrust.
"Fuck! Oliver please!"
He slid his hand between them. She felt his hot palm resting flat against her lower stomach. He slid almost all the way out of her.
"Oliver."
He started sliding slowly back into her and moved his thumb to rub her clit. His head dropped and he put his mouth right to her ear. She felt his hot breath. She arched her back and his other hand still on her rib cage slid up to grab her breast. His hips started moving faster and as he pinched her clit between his thumb and finger he whispered "I love you" in her ear. She lost it. Her body began to shake and her walls were pulsing.
"Oliver!!"
He moved both hands back to her sides and held her as she orgasmed. Loving the feeling of her clenching his shaft he kept his hips tight to her. Her hands fell loose from the headboard and lay lazily above her head.
Rubbing his hands up and down her sides again he spoke, "god you're beautiful when you do that."
"You're amazing."
"I love when you cum for me." He said with a slight smirk.
She said nothing. Just raised her eyebrows.
"That's what you said. That you wanted to cum for me."
"It is for you."
"Shouldn't it be for you?"
"No matter how good it all feels. No matter how much I beg for it. No matter how hard a fall apart. The best thing about it is knowing when it hits me, you're watching."
"You are an incredible woman." At that she rolled her hips into him. "Again?" He questioned. She nodded.
He rolled off of her and when he slipped out what was about to ask him what he was doing. He laid on his side next to her and sliding and arm under her pulled her to him. Still on her back she rolled her head to look up into his eyes. His arm slid under her head and his laced his fingers with hers. He lifted her leg closest to him over his hip and entered her. He brought his other hand to lay flat on her stomach and her free hand wrapped around his bicep feeling the muscles strain. Their lips met and their tongues danced lazily as their hips rolled slowly against one another. Their slow pace continued as they whispered words of love to one another. Soon Oliver was breathing heavily, "I'm going to cum Grace. I need you with me." She was close but not as close as he was so she moved her hand to her clit and began rubbing it slowly and timidly. Oliver shook his head, "mmm that's my job." And knocked her hand out of the way. They came together.
Oliver slid out of her and Grace moaned at the loss of contact. She moved quickly too him, buried her face in his neck, and clung to him.
"Oliver?" She mumbled against him.
"What sweetheart?"
"Will you stay?"
"Of course I will. Goodnight sweetheart. I love you."
"I love you too." She was asleep almost instantly exhausted from their time together.
Next door, trying her hardest not to listen, Laura failed miserably considering how loud the two lovers were. Laura realized that maybe she was jealous of Grace. Being the older sister, she should be experiencing all of this first. And after what she just heard, maybe she was in fact jealous that her little sister had a man like Oliver Warbucks.