A/N: Another chapter, can you believe it? Haha! :D

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Spoilers: I suppose some of this comes from various episodes of the second season. Whichever one that mentions Eli has a daughter, and I referenced the talk Alicia had with Jackie in one of the episodes, and it the conversation itself will happen in later chapters.

We'll See

Chapter 13

"Mom?" Grace's voice came to her again. "What's going on?"

"Grace, please wait in the living room for me." Alicia answered, looking her daughter in the eye. She refused to blush or be embarrassed in front of her children. She could still see the tears in Grace's eyes. She knew that something had upset her daughter, which had brought her home on Saturday morning, instead of Sunday night. Grace nodded in her shock, and walked back into living room.

"Sorry about that." Alicia said quietly, turning to Eli finally. He gave her a soft smile of understanding.

"Don't worry about it. I have a daughter of my own. She lives with her mother and spends a few days at a time with me. She's 16. It's happened to me before as well." He answered. She could see the amusement in his eyes, and the warmth of mutual parental troubles.

"Well, she won't wait long. She's a bit impatient. Let's go see what has upset my child." Alicia said offering him a slight upward crook of her lips, as if she couldn't quite bring herself to smile fully about the situation. Eli nodded. She watched him dress in his slacks and shirt. He left off his socks for the moment and his tie. His jacket and tie were still in the living room. She put on her robe and he followed her into the living room. Grace could be heard making coffee in the kitchen. She knew her mother well enough that serious conversations were only allowed after she was awake enough to make sense of her teenagers' ramblings. She and Eli both took seats at the bar and Grace wordlessly passed cups toward them.

"Grace," Alicia prompted. "I know you have questions. I also know that you're upset about something. Which would you like to discuss first?"

"I'm upset at Grandma. She was bad mouthing you and Dad didn't say a word. Why was she doing that? Why does she keep popping up where ever we usually hang out? It's a little weird. I want to see her, because I love her and she's Grandma, but not quite that much. It's like she's turning into a stalker." Grace said quickly, deciding to start with what had upset her most. She wasn't really upset about her mother and Eli Gold, only a little surprised.

"Your Grandmother is confused about why your Dad and I split up. She thinks it's my fault that things happened the way they did, that I didn't love your Dad enough. She's entitled to her opinion. She can say what she wants about me, to anyone she wants, but she and I will have words about saying it in front of you. I will also talk with her about popping up in places she is no longer welcome." Grace nodded.

"Can I ask about you and Mr. Gold now?" Alicia smiled and nodded.

"I think after this morning, you can call me Eli." He prompted. He had been silent, watching mother and daughter, interact. He had wondered if his own daughter had similar conversations with her mother, and if they were as civil. He didn't think so. His ex-wife was a volatile person. It was part of the reason their marriage didn't work, well that, and he was a workaholic.

"Ok, Eli." She gave him a small smile. She really did like the man.

"What questions do you have for me and Eli?" Alicia prompted again.

"I don't know really. Maybe how long you guys have been seeing each other?"

"I guess last night was the first date, wasn't it?" Eli looked to her for confirmation. She nodded.

"And you guys are already sleeping together? Isn't that a little fast?" Alicia's eyes widen in surprise, even though she should have expected that question.

"Grace…" She started, trying to find a way to put it without being completely blunt about the subject of sex. "Just because two adults sleep in the same bed, doesn't necessarily mean that they're having sex. While I do like Eli quite a lot, and will continue to see him, neither one of us is ready for that step in this relationship. In truth, we barely know each other, but sometimes, I want someone next to me in bed. It's something that I've missed. It's probably the only thing I miss about being with your Dad. Eli filled that missing part last night." She paused, taking in her daughter's expression. Grace seemed to understand what she was saying and accept it well enough. "Are there any other questions you want to ask me or Eli for that matter?" Grace was silent for a moment, contemplating what would be acceptable to ask.

"Yes, actually I do. Will you both do me, and Zach for that matter, a huge favor?"

"I have to hear what it is first." Alicia answered and Eli hid a smile behind his hand. She employed a perfect strategy, hear the proposal, then agree or disagree. Very tactful, and it was one of the things that made her a great lawyer.

"Will you guys just act normal? Don't hide the fact that you're seeing each other. I mean that's why Zach and I had so many issues about you and Dad. You talked to us a little, but you never just told flat out, everything that was going on. We tried to understand, but without all the information, it's difficult." Alicia looked to Eli for confirmation on this one. She needed him to agree with her as well, before she could say yes to Grace's favor. He nodded in acceptance of the terms. She gave him a slightly devilish smile. He really had no idea what he'd just set himself up for.

"I agree to your favor. I promise to be more open about what's going on in our lives. I will do my best to answer your questions, and so will Eli. You can ask whatever you want. I can't promise that we'll answer everything, Grace, some questions just aren't appropriate to ask. Do you understand what I mean?" Grace nodded, looking between them. Eli's eyes had widened considerably at Alicia's statement, and suddenly he couldn't hold back the laughter that was bubbling inside of him. It spilled over his lips even though he tried to hold it in. His shoulders started shaking with mirth. Alicia smiled at him, and leaned into his shoulder, her own laugh mingling with his. Grace smiled at them both, happy in their happiness. She hadn't heard Eli ever truly laugh, and it had been so long since she'd heard her mother laugh so freely. She was entranced.

Grace moved around the bar and leaned into her mother's other side. Alicia wrapped an arm around her shoulders, hugging her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. It was wonderful to be so close with them, and for a moment, even though Eli wasn't her Dad, it was like her world hadn't fallen apart, and that this was her family.

They finally controlled themselves and Grace hopped up on the bar to sit and watch the two of them. And just as suddenly as the happiness had effused the room, it disappeared with Alicia's next question.

"Grace, where is Zach?"