Authors note: Thanks for all the reviews I really appreciate it made me extremely happy especially since it's my first fanfic. Sorry for taking long but life took over…

And suddenly I become a part of your past
I'm becoming the part that don't last
I'm losing you and its effortless
Without a sound we lose sight of the ground
In the throw around
Never thought that you wanted to bring it down
I won't let it go down till we torch it ourselves

(The Fray, Over My Head Cable Car)

Bright Eyes, she hadn't heard that in a while and he always said it with such fondness. Grace liked how it sounded coming from Eli it made her heart flutter. She had attained that nickname a long time ago.

Eli and Grace were just sitting one lazy afternoon in his garage/room talking about anything and everything they had made a habit out of this and it was becoming a daily occurrence. Eli would come from work and shower and exactly 30 minutes later Grace would be knocking on his door.

One day the topic of Dimitri came up this made her extremely uncomfortable. Grace did not know how much to reveal to Eli. How could she tell to her new "friend" that his indiscretions (let downs really) had pushed her to seek solace in an older man. Fortunately or unfortunately, he seemed extremely interested in the whole book ordeal. Grace told him that the dedication was misinterpreted and that it was dedicated to the girl with the "loneliest eyes" and not "loveliest eyes".

Eli stood from where he was sitting on the bed, came to kneel down next to her on the floor, took her face in both of his hands, and examined her carefully as if trying to decipher the meaning of life. This was a surprise but not unwelcome instead of recoiling from this intimate position she just let him.

Eli told her that that her eyes were not lonely, they were lovely and expressive and bright because there was this fire inside of her that always radiated through her because she was so raw and real. Is that how he truly saw her it almost made her feel special and was over joy with his view of her, and now she was embarrass. To break the moment she pushed him playfully and said he was being overly dramatic. Then told her that he was going to call her Bright Eyes as a reminder as to how special she was. At this she just rolled her eyes.

"If I knew this is what awaited me I would have returned sooner" Eli chuckled.

This was nice he thought holding her like this as if time never passed. As if he never left her behind to find himself in order to be good for her.

Grace lifts her head and is met with his over six-foot frame and disheveled hair (made to look that way) and his hazel eyes, which she missed greatly. The joy she felt was overwhelming and couldn't shake up the smile that was plastered on her face until she realized she was still in the conference room. A blush creped in her face because of the spectacle she must have done. She disentangled her self from him and immediately missed the contact. She tried to gather her bearings by straighten her self-out and tucking an invisible strand behind her ear.

"We are just going to have make up for your absence then." She smirks up at him and is taken back that he really towers over her barely 5'5 frame.

"Why Eli Sammler did you just grow on me?"

Smirking he answers, "We can't all be dwarfs Bright Eyes."

"I'll have you know that I am average height for my gender," she spats pretending to be offended.

"Sure Bright Eyes keep telling yourself that" he chuckled.

Grace rolled her eyes, grabbed his hand in hers, and led him to sit next to him near the head of the table.

John McCormack was the big shot at Vinyl Records and had just arrived. He was the typical CEO, older fellow who had reached his midlife crisis and seemed unable to get out of it; rode a sports car had a comb over and had that chauvinistic smile of his trying to get inside any panties that would let him. He had the power to intimidate the hell out of you and he knew it.

"Listen up people, we have to make this short and sweet, time is money and we all have to get back to work," John stated.

John started to walk around the conference table rambling how the success of this new band was up to everyone in this room and that 100 was required. Finally, he made his way back to the head of the table to look at Eli not before giving Grace a look that made Eli want to punch his lights out.

"Everyone before we are done I would like to introduce Eli Sammler, he is the new producer. Why don't you introduce yourself Eli, we are all family after all" he stated.

Eli was not prepared for this, oh shit he thought. He felt his palms start to sweat and brought them back down to his lap. Grace turned to look at him and was a little worried at the expression on his face. She looked down and saw his hands fumbling in his lap. On instinct, she took her own hand, brought it down to his lap, and took his hand in hers. Eli on instinct intertwines his fingers with hers and Grace gave him a reassuring squeeze. Eli took a deep breath feeling at ease with her presence started to speak.

"Oh, I can't wait to show you my office and then I could show you around if you like and then we could go have lunch I was meeting Jessie, she is just going to be excited when she sees you Eli." Grace said as she looks back at him. He was following in step behind her still a little overwhelmed by the size of this place.

"Yeah sure, whatever you want Bright Eyes" Eli stated. She was so cute when she rambled like that he thought.

As they headed to her office, he noticed a raven hair girl outside what he believed to be his Grace's office if the plaque on the door was any indication. Grace Manning it read. She had made something of herself and he wasn't even here to see it happen. He shook his head at the last thought because there was no point in dwelling on the past things happen for a reason.

The raven hair girl on their way to enter the office stopped them. "Hey Grace, aren't you going to introduce me."

Shaking her head lightly Grace said "Emily this Eli Sammler the new producer for that band that everyone is working so hard on lately, Eli this Emily my assistant."

"Eli, why does that name sound so familiar?" Emily asks more to her self than to them. Suddenly a light goes off in her head.

"You're kind of related to Grace, right? You guys are like star cross lovers, oh my god I could finally put a face to that name." and as an after thought she added "You really are handsome, no wonder" she was stopped right there by Grace who just wished the ground would swallow her whole.

"Emily enough" she said through clench teeth.

Eli on the other hand found it quite amusing.

"Sorry Grace, I'll just get back to work. It was nice meeting you".

"You too" said Eli.

Grace gave one final look at Emily that said I will get you for this and led Eli to her office. She really needed new confidant there still was Jess she guessed.

"I am sorry about that Eli sometimes I don't even think she knows what she is even saying half the time".

Eli actually didn't mind it was interesting to hear Emily's take on their "relationship". It was also a good sign since Grace had talked about him.

Once they entered, her office there was a tall dark hair person standing near her window looking out to the city. Instantly Eli felt his stomach clench he new he wasn't going to like this. He seemed too familiar with the surroundings as if he has been here before waiting for her.

"Pumpkin, there you are. I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch today?" the man by the window said as he turned around to face Grace.

Grace instantly felt her self blush at the nickname; she will learn to like it she thought. Tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, she looks up at him with a bright smile.

"Tad" she exclaims and goes near him to give him a hug.

Tad takes in his arms and places a hand in her neck and another in the bottom her back and places his forehead against hers and gives her an Eskimo kiss.

Eli watches the intimacy of Tad's touches and how she gives into them in a sense of comfort and familiarity, it kills him. His jaw clenches and his hands form fists he could only imagine that his knuckles are white from all the pressure. He can't help but think that it should be him that should have the privilege to touch her like that. Eli was angry and he knew he shouldn't be but Bright Eyes in the arms of another who strangely seemed familiar. Eli also wonders why his Grace, not his apparently never mention anything about seeing anyone.

They disentangled themselves from each other. Grace looks at Eli confused on his set expression and furrows her brow trying to figure out why that would be.

It felt weird to have them both here; they were the most important men in her life (including her dad also of course). She also knew that one of them was deeply imbedded in her heart.

She grabbed Tad's hand in the same fashion she had done with Eli earlier. Eli took noticed of this and the clenching in his stomach intensified.

"Tad this is Eli my stepbrother," Grace said. Eli and Grace internally flinched on the last part.

"Hey man, nice to see actually meet you" Tad approached Eli to shake his hand.

Eli goes to shake his hand and still feels that he has met him before or at least seen him. That is why he feels the urge to ask, "It's good to meet you too but haven't I seen you before?"

Tad places his hand in the back of his neck as a sign of nervousness and Eli becomes suspicious.

"Well I did try to date your other sister in high school, and I don't think Grace liked me much when we were on the play together."

"Did you go to the play Eli, you must have seen the fellow who practically brought down the props, well that was me, and I think I also bumped into you at the cast party." Tad finished in a rush.

Grace looked up at Tad with fondness she remembered the play and it wasn't a particular part of her life she liked to relive but looking back and how he had changed and become the man that was now in front of her always made her smile.

She had a special coffee shop she liked to go to when she was in college and even still attends today two years before she graduated she had literally bumped into Tad one morning and spilled her coffee on him. He laughed it of f saying it was ok and hey didn't she look familiar and she thought it was typical for him to forget her because she recognized him. Then he said that she must compensate for her lack of coordination and she looked offended she already apologized what else did this self serving pig want and then he surprised her with mention that the only way to repay him back was with a date, that was a complete 180 and she looked up at him confused. Then he leaned down and said "Had to make sure it was you I recognized that flare anywhere". They exchanged numbers and have been dating since.

"No sorry I didn't go to the play" he felt he wanted to leave this conversation as soon as possible. "So you tried to date Jessie then…" he didn't know how to proceed from there. Tad had gone to high school with them, well that cleared where he had seen him before. So this guy believed to give it a go at the entire Manning/Sammler woman who was next Zoë?

"Anyhow, I'm sorry Tad I can't go for lunch today with you, I want to give Eli a tour of the place and then catch up with lunch with him and Jessie." Grace lean towards Tad and they move to be near the door. Eli feels a sense of satisfaction knowing that Grace picked him over Tad that brought a smile to his face.

Eli turned around to look that they were intently talking to each other and wished he knew what they were saying. Then he notices that he dips her and kisses her, oh man, he did not need to see that. He glances away from there and starts walking around the office trying to preoccupy his time.

Tad had dipped her, and with Eli on the room no less. They were talking about possible plans for later tonight and he dips her.

"Bye pumpkin and behave yourself and don't work to hard" he whispers in her ear and brings her back up.

"Bye Tad" she replies with a shy smile.

Tad leaves the office leaving Eli and Grace alone. There is a tension in the room and Grace for the life of her figure out why.

"You never told me about Tad" he tried to make it sound nonchalant but he obviously failed because he instantly noticed that Grace took offend to his statement.

"I didn't know you were my keeper Eli?" Grace said with a sarcastic undertone.

"That's not what I meant Grace and you know it, the thing is I thought we were friends and maybe I wouldn't have been blind sighted by all your display of affection and whatnot." Eli felt he had to throw that in their because well because who the hell did that guy think he was displaying his love for Bright Eyes, well Tad hadn't said he loved her right out in front of him but it was all in the way Tad touched her and looked at her it made him sick.

"Eli I really do not understand this sudden change of attitude but you better change it because I will not put up with it" Grace felt she had to make her feelings clear. She did not need this right now and were did he get off sounding offended he left!

"There is no attitude if there were trusts me you will know" she was so stubborn sometimes why can't just admit that he had a right to know about every aspect of her life.

Their little rant had gotten them at close proximity from each other they were both keeping eye contact unwilling to blink as if blinking would show a sign of weakness.

By all that was holly he really wanted to kiss her. Getting her all railed up meant that (didn't mean to) she developed a cute little flush on her cheeks and her eyes become darker and bigger it was beautiful.

"I will not have this conversation here Eli, not that there is something to debate about but if you feel the need to display this childish behavior in a more appropriate place be my guest but not here" she said it like she meant it too. Grace got a little closer to him looking up at him not at least intimidated by the fact that he was well a male and taller that made Eli gulp because with the closeness.

Then Grace decided to inch closer almost closing the gap between them, decided to add for good measure "Got that Eli", and gave him a little push with both her hands on his chest and with that she walked away to the door.

Eli was lest there dumfounded the proximity of Grace had distorted his bearings a little and he really wanted to throw her up against the wall and ravage her but then images of Tad dipping in that display of whatever came into focus and remembered she had moved on in some way.

Eli didn't know what he expected when he returned but knowing she had a significant other had been a low blow. Sighting Eli looks at her by the door and she was looking at him with a look of irritation.

"Well, what are you waiting for come on , I'll show you around then we will meet Jessie for lunch" and with that she walks out the door and Eli obediently followed.

Eli and Grace traveled to a small diner when they arrived there they were sited in a booth by the door in order to spot Jessie the moment she arrived. Grace decided to sit across from Eli, he expected her to sit next to him and felt a little hurt.

Grace seemed restless in her spot and kept glancing at her watch.

"Is there somewhere else you'd rather be at Bright Eyes?"

"Huh? Oh no is just that well we have to go back soon and Jessie hasn't arrived yet."

As if summon by a command of the mind Jessie arrived looking all tousled with books on one hand her backpack still open on one shoulder and her hair falling out from its confinement. The college years Grace remembers with fondness maybe that will be her again if she could decide on a school already.

"Sorry guys but the lecture ran longer than expected" said Jessie out of breath. Jessie had grown up to be beautiful young women with her long blond long hair and slim figure.

"That's okay just glad you made it" replied Eli.

They all settled into a comfortable conversation between them but Grace still kept fidgeting and looking down at her watch. Jessie and Eli both noticed but said nothing about it.

"I got an idea it's already Friday right? Jessie suddenly said. Both Eli and Grace looked at each other confused and then back to Jessie and nodded.

"Well we could just go home now instead of waiting until tomorrow" Jessie continued.

"I think it's a great…" Eli started to say but was interrupted by Grace.

"I don't know you guys I still have work," Grace added.

"Oh come on Grace, Eli is back and we have to celebrate with the whole family and we where heading there tomorrow might as well now". Both Sammler siblings looked at each other, then back at Grace, and decided to instill similar puppy dog eyes to sway Grace's respond.

Grace was thinking about it. This was a special occasion, she was already late coming back from lunch, and who could say no to those two. Giving in Grace says "I suppose let me just call Emily back at the office have her arrange some things" with that she gets herself from the booth and walks outside to contact Emily.

After Grace heads for the door Jessie turns her self around to fully face her lovely brother "So Eli what is your deal?"

"What ever do you mean my sweet sister?"

"Cut the crap the way you were looking at Grace, you were doing fine in L.A why return now, did your thick head actually realized that you actually wanted what you ignored and try to keep at a distance for so long."

"I do not know where you are going with this."

"Of course you do, you probably had an epiphany that you did in fact need Grace, right?"

Eli was left a little dumfounded because it actually sort of happen like that. He was doing great in L.A he got a degree in Audio production made great contacts in the music business and now he found himself back where he started because of a certain brunette with big brown eyes.

"She is doing well Eli I don't want you to mess her up, I love her like a sister and she told me" Jessie left it at that and didn't need to go further.

Grace and Jessie had become quite close over the years and they found out they had more in common than they thought and came to an understanding and acceptance.

"You said she is doing well but not happy or content Jessie maybe there is something I could do" Sighting. "And maybe I have a chance" the last part was almost a whisper and he wasn't sure if she caught it.

"You're over your head brother."

"Maybe" as he finished his statement Grace came back in putting the cell phone back on her purse and smiled brightly at them.

"Ok all set so how are we arranging this and driving to the parentals?" Grace asked as she sat back down.

Jessie was the first one to respond, "We could borrow Katie's car she would gladly drive us she was visiting too."

"Still going strong you and Katie then," Eli asked.

Jessie just rolled her eyes and nodded her head in affirmation. Her relationship with Katie had its difficulties but it was great all the same and coming clean to the family was hard but with Grace in her corner things with the family was a little better.

They talked for a little while longer and then got up to pay. Eli waited for Grace to be near her to place his hand on the small of her back and guide her around. Grace just looked up at him and smiled shyly at him not giving much thought to his contact it was natural even though he had been gone for so long his touches were a norm.

Jessie looked back and saw there interaction and couldn't help wonder if Eli knew the fight that was a head of him to get Grace the way he wanted. She also wondered why she wasn't disturbed by the fact that her siblings share an attraction that isn't platonic.

Being home was good. Lily had made the most fuss with the arrival of Eli and the girls it had been a long time since everyone was together.

"Oh my Eli look at you, you still are as handsome as ever" Lily said. Lily then proceeded to give him a bone-crushing hug.

Rick on the other hand seemed composed and patted Eli on the back. Eli was having none of that and took his dad for a hug they both laughed at this.

Lily was in the mist of cooking when they arrived and had to arrange to accommodate everyone. While still cooking Lily looked back at her family gathered around talking animatedly and felt overjoyed having everyone here. Times like these made her miscarriage less painful. She shook her head at the last thought and went back to finishing dinner.

After dinner, they took the conversation to the living room. "So Eli any one special in your life" Lily asked. At this question, everyone got quiet and waited for Eli to respond.

Grace looked intently at Eli while Jess seemed amused to see what Eli would say.

"No one special in my life Lily"

Grace released a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"But there must have looked at how handsome you are…"

"Leave the boy alone Lily" Rick chuckled.

Eli stood to go into the kitchen to get something to drink and heard the doorbell ring. He wondered who that could be.

He took longer than he expected but when he came back, he took in the scene before him.

Tad had arrived and was now seated with Grace and placed his arm around her and brought her closer and everyone else looked happy to see him. They had all gathered around him while he seemed to tell a story. They all seem too comfortable with his presence, he had to wonder how often Grace brought him over.

"Tad I'm so glad you came" Lily said.

"Yeah we could finish that project we started in the garage" Rick mention.

As Eli kept watching from a distance he felt that if he came forward to join their little group he would be intruding and disrupted the new family that had formed with out him.

Eli caught Grace's eyes and they stared at each other it was intense and intimate and he wanted to have those big brown eyes to always be the focus of her attention, there was so much that has been left unsaid and needed to be said.

Tad turned to look at Grace and noticed the connection between Eli and his girlfriend and it made him suspicious like there was more than a family connection between them not even a friendship one it seemed deeper. He did not like it one bit, he squeezed Grace's tight and brought her attention back to him.

Eli had seen the way Grace looked at him and it was enough to reassure him that he had a chance and that he wasn't part of her past.