10.
Neil, however, had no such qualms. Jake knew how he felt about Grace, Neil was sure of it. He'd seen Jake's smiles as Neil had spent time with Grace, he'd watched as Jake had seen Neil and Grace together and just known – known – that it was right. Jake had accepted Neil's feelings about Grace before Neil had even really begun to understand them himself.
"Go for it Dad," Jake grinned, Grace feeling herself break out into a grin as she pictured Neil's face at his son's words.
"Yeah, go for it" Jack Meadows echoed, Neil's gaze flickering between the two, not knowing where to stop, finally landing on Jake.
"You approve?" Neil finally managed.
"I approve. Grace is great, and you're happy Dad. What more could I want?" Jake grinned.
Neil tightened his hold on Grace, his smile threatening to split his face wide open.
"Thank you son," he said, finally letting go of Grace with one arm, drawing Jake into the hug, his heart happy with joy as he felt his son wrap his arms around both him and Grace.
"Ok then," Jack Meadows finally said, his own grin causing his face to ache. "I'm happy for you two, you three," he said, adding Jake to the mix. "I'm going to get going then, and Grace, I'll start the paperwork tomorrow," he told them, reaching behind him and grabbing his jacket. "I really am happy for you."
The little family that faced him, the son finally relaxed and content, the father glowing with happiness and the woman at the centre of their hearts whose smile lit the night sky, they made Jack Meadows smile. Made him realise that happiness came to everyone eventually. Made him appreciate the time and effort he'd put into finding out more about his team, a grin forming as he realised he'd be able to cross two of his officers off his list. Terry and Mickey wouldn't be half as complicated, nor would Stevie, and Max – well Max was just odd and Jack conceded that he may just accept whatever Max told him at face value. Dragging himself back to the present, he smiled at Neil as he watched Grace and Jake go back into the kitchen in search of chocolate ice-cream.
"You're a lucky man Neil. A very lucky man. "Jack said with a smile.
"I know," Neil said with a smile of his own. "She's – she loves me. Grace Dasari loves me," he repeated, as if still unable to quite believe it.
"That she does," Jack grinned. "And you make the most of it" he told Neil, grabbing his hand and shaking it. "Ok, I'm going to get going. I'll see you both at work tomorrow, on time and looking respectable," he teased, grinning as Neil blushed.
Shutting the door behind him, Neil wandered back into the kitchen, his face breaking out into a grin again as he caught sight of the vision before him. Loaded onto three plates were the most intricate, lavish and extravagant chocolate ice-cream sundaes he'd ever seen.
"Celebrating hey?"
"Most definitely," Jake said triumphantly, holding a spoon out to his Dad as Grace reverently pushed a huge sundae into view.
"And you're sure – "
"Dad, I'm sure. Grace makes you happy, you love her and she loves you. And I like her too. She's fun. She beats you at poker and she's almost a challenge on my games. Won't take long before she's a real challenge and I can practice on her, cos face it Dad, you're rubbish at computer games" Jake told him, just about managing to keep a straight face, his sudden yawn almost concealed behind his hand.
"Smart Alec," Neil smirked back, grinning as he wrapped an arm around Jake. "Time for bed mister, and this time you're staying there. That sundae will still be there tomorrow, and so will Grace," Neil told him as he caught Jake's look, Neil's glance sliding to Grace, who nodded.
Jake moved over to Grace, wrapping her in a hug. "Good night Grace" he smiled up at her. "And welcome to our family" he told her, his smile widening as she returned his hug.
"Go," she grinned back at him. "And thank you" she said, finally releasing him and watching as he and Neil made their way upstairs.
Sitting back down, she pulled a sundae towards her, her heart filled with happiness and her mouth with delicious chocolate. Ten minutes later Neil reappeared, grinning as he caught sight of the woman he loved smiling happily and wearing a chocolate moustache. Wandering over to her, he wrapped his arms around her and proceeded to kiss away her chocolate moustache. A thousand gentle kisses removed all trace of the chocolate, and Grace grinned when he reached over and proceeded to prepare the last remaining sundae, gently smearing it all over her lips.
"Well, will you look at that" he murmured, "someone needs - "but Grace cut him off before he could finish, her lips sliding over his as they sank into the kiss, into their future. Breaking apart momentarily, Grace smiled at him.
"I love you Neil Manson,"
"Love you too Grace. Now shut up and kiss me".
So there you go. All done. A thousand thank you's to everyone who reviewed, to Lucy, to Shell, to PCJAL, to maddieJ and most of all, to my lovely and faithful reviewer firebird590. This is my first Bill fic, and I can only do it because of the relationship between Grace and Neil, as I don't know enough about the show or the other characters to do justice to anyone or any situation. Having said that, I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this, and thank you so much for reading.
C
