Chapter Seventeen
The next week flew by as Grace studied for her finals. She barely saw Eli because he was working and spending as much time at the hospital with his Dad. Still, they made time for each other in their busy lives. Eli, constantly thinking of Grace, would leave her notes in the cabinets or on the mirror. He felt bad that his life was hectic at that time, but Grace understood that their family needed him.
Rick came home from the hospital the day before Grace's college graduation. Because he wouldn't be able to navigate the stairs until his leg mended, he was now sleeping in the garage.
Grace drove back to the house for Rick's welcome home party. Everyone gathered and had a nice family meal, courtesy of BookLovers since no one had time to cook. Rick looked haggard and tired, but his spirits were good. He had really dodged a bullet, his doctors had said. Lily couldn't stop smiling, thankful that her husband was home.
Jessie and Katie cleared the dishes and Lily was helping Rick get settled into the garage, leaving Grace and Eli alone in the living room. He took that private moment to grab her hand and rub his thumb on the back like he always did. She smiled, wanting to kiss him, but knowing that she couldn't.
Eli cleared his throat and said, "Tomorrow is your college graduation. We have both proven to our families that we are adults, Grace. I think it's time we should tell them about us."
Grace thought about it, and then replied, "I'm just worried about how they will react. What if they don't want us to be together?"
"We're adults, Grace. We have our own lives and, while I would love to have the blessings of our families, they can't dictate who we love. It would be different if what we were doing was illegal, but you are not my biological sister, Grace. Those rules don't apply to us."
"But would we have to stop our relationship if our family disapproved? I can't imagine not being with you, yet I can't imagine them giving us their blessings, either Eli," she whispered, softly.
"I can't stop these feelings for you, Gracie. No matter what our families say, I can't stop caring about you. And I won't be able to go back to just being your step-brother. I love you too much…" he started.
Jessie and Katie entered the room. "Are we interrupting? Jessie asked.
"No... we're just discussing whether we should tell the rest of the family about us," Eli began. "But Grace is hesitant."
"It's not that I'm hesitant... and no, what we are doing isn't illegal. But it does have a taboo-like feeling. I'm not one to care what people think of me, but it's still going to be hard to be talked about. That Grace Manning is dating her stepbrother."
"May I interject?" Katie asked. All eyes turned to her. "Grace... that's how Jessie and I feel every day. Being a lesbian couple is hard because everyone talks and everyone stares. But, I love Jessie and I wouldn't give her up for anything in the world. No matter of the comments or looks we may get. I have to be with her," she finished, smiling at Jessie and rubbing her knee.
Grace considered what Katie had said. "The family has welcomed you with open arms, right? Maybe they will give us the same approval..."
"It's worth trying," Jessie grinned.
"And hopefully my Dad won't beat up Eli too much. Or fire him," Grace replied, winking at Katie and Jessie.
"Ooops... I hadn't considered Jake. Maybe this is a bad idea," Eli said, winking at Grace.
Later that night, Eli cradled Grace in his arms. She looked up into his eyes and said, "I love you, Eli."
He kissed her nose and replied, "I love you, too."
"And I'm IN love with you," she said.
"Is something wrong, Grace?" he asked.
"No... but I think you are right. It's time we tell our family. They have to know. I want to share this with them."
He held her closer, "Me, too, Gracie. Me, too."
The morning Grace Manning graduated from college started out in a pleasant manner. She was woken up by the smell of coffee brewing. She rolled over and saw that she was alone in bed. She quickly stood up and pulled her robe around her body before she walked out into the kitchen.
Grace couldn't help but giggle when she saw Eli. He was standing at the cook top, wearing nothing but an old apron, making pancakes. He looked up from the griddle pan when Grace entered the room and grinned.
"Shoot! I was going to give you breakfast in bed!" he cried.
Grace laughed and walked behind him. She threw her arms around his waist and nuzzled his neck. Eli turned to face her and smiled. "Good morning, soon-to-be-college graduate!"
"Good morning, E!" he grabbed her hand and led her over to the breakfast bar.
"I'm almost done with the pancakes, but let me get you some coffee."
"I think I'm going to need it," Grace whispered. "It's going to be a long day with the ceremony and party."
"Yeah, but it's going to be a great day, Gracie."
"Yeah, I know. But I'm a little nervous about telling our family. Are we making a mistake?"
Eli finished up his large pile of pancakes and grabbed the maple syrup from the microwave before he presented Grace her plate and sat beside her.
"Just remember what we talked about last night with Jessie and Katie. They are on our side. And I'm sure when we are finished talking to my dad and Lilly, they will understand. They HAVE to, Grace."
She took a bite and smiled. "This is amazing!"
"I'm not a bad cook. Too many years working at BookLovers and working the kitchen every now and then," he responded.
After they finished breakfast, Eli pulled Grace into the bedroom. They had less than two hours before her graduation ceremony began, but he wanted to hold her one last time before they confronted their family about their feelings towards each other. Grace fell onto the bed and pulled Eli on top of her. He stroked her body, lovingly. She shook her head and flipped on top of him.
Grace began kissing Eli with so much passion. She pressed her hips into his groin, forcing him to groan in ecstasy. Eli grabbed her breasts and pinched her nipples until she pulled away, smiling at him. "Don't be naughty, Eli." She giggled, before she slid down lower on the bed and began sucking on his long, hard shaft. Eli's breath came faster and faster until he finally pulled her away, shaking his head. She knew what that meant.
Grace spread her legs wide and felt Eli enter her. He clutched her breasts as she rhythmically rose up and down, feeling him deep inside her. Grace felt her cheeks redden as she pulled herself up and down. Eli tried to slow her pace down, but she was on a mission. She wanted to be animalistic this morning. She needed to be in control before her relationship with Eli came under scrutiny by her family. Faster and deeper she rode, feeling her hips bang into Eli. He grunted, digging his fingernails into her buttocks.
Finally, she was ready to come. By then, she was screaming, shouting, breathing rapidly. Eli had held his orgasm, waiting for her to come. When it happened, they both clutched each other, moaning and panting, not wanting to pull away from the closeness with their arms and legs entwined and Eli still deeply inside of Grace.
"You are amazing," he finally spoke, whispering in her ear.
She giggled and looked at the alarm clock. "Oh my god… we need to get ready, Eli!"
She pulled away and they both ran to the shower. This time, Grace didn't have time to go down on Eli. Instead, they quickly washed and rinsed, only occasionally allowing their bare skin to touch.
Within twenty minutes, they were dried, dressed, and climbing into Eli's Jeep. He was wearing an amazing suit and Grace had on a beautiful, tight dress underneath her polyester graduation gown.
"I look like a cow in this!" she giggled.
Eli looked over at her, his hand resting on her thigh. "You look beautiful."
She smiled and began to speak when her cell phone started ringing. She picked it up, looked at the display, and answered, "Hey Mom!"
"Gracie! Where ARE you and Eli? We're all waiting for you where you told us to meet. Are you here?" Lily sounded panicked.
"We're on our way. We had some construction traffic on our side of town, Mom," she winked at Eli as she told the fib.
"Well, drive safely, but please hurry! Rick is sweltering outside!"
Eli pulled into the parking lot near the ceremony site. "We're already here, Mom. We just need to find a parking space and we'll be right over."
Grace hung up the phone as Eli pulled into a parking spot. He ran over and opened the door for her, offering his hand for her to climb out of the Jeep.
"Ready?" he asked, squeezing her hand.
"As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."
Eli looked around before he pulled Grace close to him. "I love you, Grace Manning. And I am so proud of your accomplishments."
"Thanks, Eli…" she began.
"Wait. I'm not done." He turned her around and whispered, "Close your eyes." He then lifted her hair then placed a necklace around her long neck.
Grace looked down at her clavicle and gasped. Eli's present was a beautiful diamond necklace.
"Eli!" she whispered.
"I love you, Gracie. Come on… let's go see our family…"he said, before she pulled him in for one last kiss.