Before you begin, I want to thank everyone for their encouraging reviews. I
was very busy this weekend, so I was unable to update. However, I will try
my best to improve upon that.
So, when we last left Eli and Grace, both Spencer and Carla had returned. Spencer has a new job at Book Lover's and Carla had a baby. While romance *may* be in the air for Spencer and Grace, Eli took one look at Carla and realized whatever he emotions he had towards he were over - he loves Grace. Now. onto.
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Chapter Eight
Grace spent the next morning studying. She thought she finally had a grasp on her botany material and basically felt that if she spent another minute looking over her notes, her brain would explode... Soon, it was eleven thirty and she decided to go downstairs.
A note on the kitchen table told her that her Mom, Rick, Zoe, and Drew had all gone to visit Uncle Aaron and Grandma at their homes with Aunt Judy. Grace wrinkled her nose, wishing that she could go visit her relatives, too. She hadn't seen them since Easter. Uncle Aaron was improving every day, it seemed, while Grandma continued to deteriorate. It broke Grace's heart to see her Grandmother like that. Alzheimer's disease had basically turned the elderly woman into a vegetated state.
Grace looked out the window and saw that Jessie had taken the extra car - probably to see Katie. Grace had been one of the first people to ever know about their relationship and, while Rick and Karen were still dealing with it, everyone accepted the two as a couple. Grace knew that one day, Jessie and Katie would make a lifetime commitment.
The only car in the driveway was Eli's. Bored, Grace decided to go visit him in the garage.
"Come in," Eli said, after she had knocked on the door. She entered the large room, taken aback by how much it had changed since she last visited it. The posters were gone. It was actually plainly decorated, painted a khaki color. His bed was covered with a blue and red plaid quilt.
Eli was lying on his bed, watching a movie. When he noticed Grace, he sat straight up. "Hey."
"Hey yourself," she said. "Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all."
Together, they lay on the bed, watching the drama. Eli kept on stealing little glances at Grace, unsure why she was there with him.
**Eli - "Last night, it felt like we had a moment. How can she hold me like that and not feel how I do?"**
Finally, Grace spoke up, still looking into the television screen. "It was weird seeing you and Carla together again.."
"Why is that?"
"I don't know. I just felt like I was back in high school, watching from the outside. I know how much she meant to you."
"Grace. she doesn't mean a thing to me now," he responded, placing his arm on her shoulder.
"I know that. It just was weird. That's all." She looked at the clock. "We better get going soon."
"Yeah. be ready in ten?"
"Sure."
Eli let out a sigh after she left the room.
**Eli - "Will she ever know how much she means to me?"**
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During her whole shift at Book Lover's, Grace was swamped. It seemed everyone came straight from church to eat in the restaurant and to buy some books. Sunday was always their most popular days because they served the best brunch buffet in town and Aunt Judy always arranged an author appearance for book signings. Because the buffet was all-you-can-eat, Grace spent more time than usual clearing off plates and making sure drinks were full. By the time her shift ended, she was exhausted.
She entered Eli's office and found him looking at the picture of their family that was on his desk. She smiled, remembering the day it was taken.
"Are you almost done?" she asked him.
He broke his gaze from the photo and looked lovingly into her eyes for a few moments.
Grace could sense something deep in his eyes. It made her feel warm and comfortable.
**Grace - "What is happening? Why am I feeling like this? Why is Eli looking at me like this?"**
Eli broke their eye contact, looking down at his paperwork. "I'm done for the day. Let's go back home so you can pack and then I'll drive you into the city."
"Sounds great. Thanks Eli. I appreciate you driving me everywhere this weekend."
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Grace threw all of her dirty clothes into a trash bag, which she through down the stairs. After she gathered everything else up, she went down stairs to say goodbye to her family, who had returned from their visits. Because of finals, she wouldn't be home the next weekend, so it would be a while before she saw them again. Eli just stood of to the side of the living room as Grace individually said goodbye to each member. She gave him a huge smile when she was done, signaling that she was ready to leave.
Though Eli would have enjoyed talking to her during their ride into Chicago, Grace fell asleep before they even turned onto the highway. Eli had watched her all day at work, running around frantically, trying to please the patrons.
It was dark by the time he pulled up to her building. She didn't even stir when he turned his vehicle off. He sat and watched her sleep for a few moments before lightly shaking her awake. Once she opened her eyes and saw Eli looking intently at her, she smiled and apologized for sleeping the whole ride.
"Not a problem. I know you were busy at work today," he said, getting out of the car. He grabbed her bags in the backseat and started into her building.
"Eli, you don't have to walk me home. I'll be fine."
"Nonsense. It's dark. I don't mind."
They rode silently up the elevator to the third floor. Grace slowly opened the door and her mouth dropped open. Half the furniture was missing. She started running all over the apartment, clearly upset. She ran into her room, but everything was where she left it on Friday. Then, she ran into Heather's room and it was completely bare, except for a small envelope on the floor. Grace sat down and read it:
Grace,
The opportunity arose for me to live with a fellow med student closer to the hospital, so I had to jump on it. Hope you don't mind. I am paid up until next month, so you don't have to worry about this month's expenses. Hope you can find another roommate soon. Love, Heather
Grace began to sob. She felt scared because she didn't know what to do. She was in such a large city and didn't want any random person to live with her. All of her other friends were in very nice apartments and most of them had renewed their leases in May.
Eli watched from the doorway, unsure of what was happening. By the looks of things, he assumed Grace's roommate had ditched her. He frowned as he saw Grace cry harder. He finally went to her, kneeling down, and placed his arms around her tightly.
Grace looked up at El and then threw her arms around him, sobbing into his shoulder. She hadn't cried like this for a very long time, but she had no idea what she was going to do.
"Shhh. shhhh." Eli whispered, kissing the top of her head and running his fingers through her straight brown hair.
Grace looked up at him with her deep brown eyes wide. She handed the letter to him so he could get an idea of what made her cry like this. She watched as Eli scanned the letter, shaking his head in disbelief. When he finished, he turned his attention back to Grace, placed a finger underneath her chin, tilting it up closer to his face.
"Grace. you're going to be fine. I'm sure you will find a roommate soon enough."
For reasons unknown to Eli, his statement made Grace cry even harder. He continued to cuddle her, secretly enjoying every moment that she was close to him. Slowly, she began to calm down.
"I don't know what to do, Eli. I know I can't swing the rent by myself and all my girlfriends have their own places."
"Could you run an advertisement in your school's paper?" he suggested.
Grace rolled her eyes and laughed at him, "Sure, if you want to see my dead body on the five o'clock news."
Then, Grace turned back to Eli, her expression in deep thought.
"Eli? Would you like to move in with me?" she asked.
Eli's mouth dropped before he even tried to answer her.
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Coming Soon to Perspective
**Grace - "Am I making a mistake? Should Eli live with me? What if he brings a girl home. or, and I know this is a far-fetched idea, but what if I bring a guy home? Could I have sex with someone while Eli was within earshot? Of course, seeing as how there are no other alternatives, this will have to work. We'll be fine. We'll manage."**
Grace went to the kitchen to pour herself some wine when she saw the answering machine blinking. She quickly pressed the 'Play' button.
"Grace? This is Spencer. I got your phone number from your aunt today at work. Eli has been really helpful with my training. I think I'm going to like it at Book Lover's. Anyway, I was just wondering if you'd like to get together soon. You know, catch up and whatnot. Give me a call back. My number is." Grace ran to the table and wrote his number on the notebook she and Eli had used the night before, smiling.
So, when we last left Eli and Grace, both Spencer and Carla had returned. Spencer has a new job at Book Lover's and Carla had a baby. While romance *may* be in the air for Spencer and Grace, Eli took one look at Carla and realized whatever he emotions he had towards he were over - he loves Grace. Now. onto.
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Chapter Eight
Grace spent the next morning studying. She thought she finally had a grasp on her botany material and basically felt that if she spent another minute looking over her notes, her brain would explode... Soon, it was eleven thirty and she decided to go downstairs.
A note on the kitchen table told her that her Mom, Rick, Zoe, and Drew had all gone to visit Uncle Aaron and Grandma at their homes with Aunt Judy. Grace wrinkled her nose, wishing that she could go visit her relatives, too. She hadn't seen them since Easter. Uncle Aaron was improving every day, it seemed, while Grandma continued to deteriorate. It broke Grace's heart to see her Grandmother like that. Alzheimer's disease had basically turned the elderly woman into a vegetated state.
Grace looked out the window and saw that Jessie had taken the extra car - probably to see Katie. Grace had been one of the first people to ever know about their relationship and, while Rick and Karen were still dealing with it, everyone accepted the two as a couple. Grace knew that one day, Jessie and Katie would make a lifetime commitment.
The only car in the driveway was Eli's. Bored, Grace decided to go visit him in the garage.
"Come in," Eli said, after she had knocked on the door. She entered the large room, taken aback by how much it had changed since she last visited it. The posters were gone. It was actually plainly decorated, painted a khaki color. His bed was covered with a blue and red plaid quilt.
Eli was lying on his bed, watching a movie. When he noticed Grace, he sat straight up. "Hey."
"Hey yourself," she said. "Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all."
Together, they lay on the bed, watching the drama. Eli kept on stealing little glances at Grace, unsure why she was there with him.
**Eli - "Last night, it felt like we had a moment. How can she hold me like that and not feel how I do?"**
Finally, Grace spoke up, still looking into the television screen. "It was weird seeing you and Carla together again.."
"Why is that?"
"I don't know. I just felt like I was back in high school, watching from the outside. I know how much she meant to you."
"Grace. she doesn't mean a thing to me now," he responded, placing his arm on her shoulder.
"I know that. It just was weird. That's all." She looked at the clock. "We better get going soon."
"Yeah. be ready in ten?"
"Sure."
Eli let out a sigh after she left the room.
**Eli - "Will she ever know how much she means to me?"**
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During her whole shift at Book Lover's, Grace was swamped. It seemed everyone came straight from church to eat in the restaurant and to buy some books. Sunday was always their most popular days because they served the best brunch buffet in town and Aunt Judy always arranged an author appearance for book signings. Because the buffet was all-you-can-eat, Grace spent more time than usual clearing off plates and making sure drinks were full. By the time her shift ended, she was exhausted.
She entered Eli's office and found him looking at the picture of their family that was on his desk. She smiled, remembering the day it was taken.
"Are you almost done?" she asked him.
He broke his gaze from the photo and looked lovingly into her eyes for a few moments.
Grace could sense something deep in his eyes. It made her feel warm and comfortable.
**Grace - "What is happening? Why am I feeling like this? Why is Eli looking at me like this?"**
Eli broke their eye contact, looking down at his paperwork. "I'm done for the day. Let's go back home so you can pack and then I'll drive you into the city."
"Sounds great. Thanks Eli. I appreciate you driving me everywhere this weekend."
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Grace threw all of her dirty clothes into a trash bag, which she through down the stairs. After she gathered everything else up, she went down stairs to say goodbye to her family, who had returned from their visits. Because of finals, she wouldn't be home the next weekend, so it would be a while before she saw them again. Eli just stood of to the side of the living room as Grace individually said goodbye to each member. She gave him a huge smile when she was done, signaling that she was ready to leave.
Though Eli would have enjoyed talking to her during their ride into Chicago, Grace fell asleep before they even turned onto the highway. Eli had watched her all day at work, running around frantically, trying to please the patrons.
It was dark by the time he pulled up to her building. She didn't even stir when he turned his vehicle off. He sat and watched her sleep for a few moments before lightly shaking her awake. Once she opened her eyes and saw Eli looking intently at her, she smiled and apologized for sleeping the whole ride.
"Not a problem. I know you were busy at work today," he said, getting out of the car. He grabbed her bags in the backseat and started into her building.
"Eli, you don't have to walk me home. I'll be fine."
"Nonsense. It's dark. I don't mind."
They rode silently up the elevator to the third floor. Grace slowly opened the door and her mouth dropped open. Half the furniture was missing. She started running all over the apartment, clearly upset. She ran into her room, but everything was where she left it on Friday. Then, she ran into Heather's room and it was completely bare, except for a small envelope on the floor. Grace sat down and read it:
Grace,
The opportunity arose for me to live with a fellow med student closer to the hospital, so I had to jump on it. Hope you don't mind. I am paid up until next month, so you don't have to worry about this month's expenses. Hope you can find another roommate soon. Love, Heather
Grace began to sob. She felt scared because she didn't know what to do. She was in such a large city and didn't want any random person to live with her. All of her other friends were in very nice apartments and most of them had renewed their leases in May.
Eli watched from the doorway, unsure of what was happening. By the looks of things, he assumed Grace's roommate had ditched her. He frowned as he saw Grace cry harder. He finally went to her, kneeling down, and placed his arms around her tightly.
Grace looked up at El and then threw her arms around him, sobbing into his shoulder. She hadn't cried like this for a very long time, but she had no idea what she was going to do.
"Shhh. shhhh." Eli whispered, kissing the top of her head and running his fingers through her straight brown hair.
Grace looked up at him with her deep brown eyes wide. She handed the letter to him so he could get an idea of what made her cry like this. She watched as Eli scanned the letter, shaking his head in disbelief. When he finished, he turned his attention back to Grace, placed a finger underneath her chin, tilting it up closer to his face.
"Grace. you're going to be fine. I'm sure you will find a roommate soon enough."
For reasons unknown to Eli, his statement made Grace cry even harder. He continued to cuddle her, secretly enjoying every moment that she was close to him. Slowly, she began to calm down.
"I don't know what to do, Eli. I know I can't swing the rent by myself and all my girlfriends have their own places."
"Could you run an advertisement in your school's paper?" he suggested.
Grace rolled her eyes and laughed at him, "Sure, if you want to see my dead body on the five o'clock news."
Then, Grace turned back to Eli, her expression in deep thought.
"Eli? Would you like to move in with me?" she asked.
Eli's mouth dropped before he even tried to answer her.
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Coming Soon to Perspective
**Grace - "Am I making a mistake? Should Eli live with me? What if he brings a girl home. or, and I know this is a far-fetched idea, but what if I bring a guy home? Could I have sex with someone while Eli was within earshot? Of course, seeing as how there are no other alternatives, this will have to work. We'll be fine. We'll manage."**
Grace went to the kitchen to pour herself some wine when she saw the answering machine blinking. She quickly pressed the 'Play' button.
"Grace? This is Spencer. I got your phone number from your aunt today at work. Eli has been really helpful with my training. I think I'm going to like it at Book Lover's. Anyway, I was just wondering if you'd like to get together soon. You know, catch up and whatnot. Give me a call back. My number is." Grace ran to the table and wrote his number on the notebook she and Eli had used the night before, smiling.