Hey Hella Ella,

chapter four was finished quicker because of you 3 loved all of that feedback. Yes I do have a plan. Three fanfics, one for each of the Archeon sisters. Nesta will not meet Cass in this story (although he is mentioned previously by Mor, I think Nesta calls him an idiot for still chasing after Mor.) But in the next few chapters we're going to meet Rhys and I'm actually pretty stoked about his characterization in all of this. For now Feyre and Tam are together (that will make sense a lot later though I promise) but like I said we'll see how that plays out. A lot of the elements of the ACOTAR trilogy are still going to be included.

Love,

Tay 3

Chapter Four:

Midterms were finally approaching and Elain had already survived through two of them. Two down one to go, so after her Botany exam she headed to the library to grab her fourth cup of coffee within the last twelve hours. She kept saying the coffee was for her studies but to be frank, she hadn't slept well the past few nights. Well. Not since Lucien had kissed her.

Feyre had claimed that it was sign of Elain's growing 'irresistibility'. The fact that Lucien had followed her out into the parking lot was because of her mad seduction skills, Feyre's words not Elain's. Despite what Feyre kept telling her it didn't deviate from the fact that Elain felt like she was in high school all over again. Lucien had walked away from their kiss without so much as a glance back and a farewell for her to get home safe. She was worried she was going to turn around and hear a crowd of whispers, "bad breathe" or even worse, "worst kisser ever".

Except it was completely ridiculous! This was Prythian, esteemed Ivy League University! No one was going to pay any attention to her or her kissing skills, whether they were good or not. They had doctorates and medical licenses to worry about.

Mor had suggested that when they finished their Midterms they should go back; see if he had missed her. It was absurd to think that any more would happen between them. But still… it was a possibility that sent Elain's heart aflutter. Her heart buzzed like a thousand honey bees and her smile was the nectar. She was caught between a rock and a hard place, whether he would ignore her or he didn't. And then there was the third option that he wouldn't even remember her.

"I'm starting to wonder if you're following me," Elain glanced up from her notes. she was seated towards the entrance of the library, closest to the coffee shop in case she needed another cup. Nectar poured from Elain's lips at the sight of Graysen before her.

"Sorry," he chuckled probably for her benefit, "But if people keep seeing us together they're going to think we're having an affair,"

"Oh stop it," She giggled, her hand lightly slapping his arm.

Graysen glanced down at her almost empty cup, "Hey what did you have, I'll grab you another."

Her eyes widened at the request, it reminded her of how different they were, "No, you don't have to do that. Keep your money."

He only shook his head though, "Elain you work so hard, with school and your job. Let me buy you lunch from the coffee house." Yes, so different. Elain wasn't ashamed of how hard they worked. Feyre was the first to get a job after their father had declared bankruptcy. Feyre was the reason they had food on the table, until Elain and Nesta's senses kicked in and they both started working too. All three of them passed through high school with flying colors. They did what they had to do in order to survive.

Graysen was different. He didn't grow up not knowing when his next meal would be. His parents, loving and kind, they always thought about what was best for their family as a whole rather than themselves. Elain remembered her mother being warm, nurturing, the traits a mother is supposed to have. But she died before Feyre could even ride a bike. So that left the three of them with their father who was always starting and failing businesses.

At least when Nesta turned 18 she was able to get Elain and Feyre out of their father's house and the three had been living in an apartment together ever since. It wasn't the biggest apartment, but the three of them made it work. And surprisingly enough, their father would send them money whenever he 'could'.

Elain wasn't ashamed of her past, no her family didn't go on vacation or get their nails done every Tuesday. But they were her family and her sisters had survived the harshest of winters with her under her father's roof. When she looked at Graysen she saw the stability that she would have to herself, to her future children. That's all she wanted, was for her children to never have to worry about if the heater would break or where their next meal would come from.

"Okay," she finally said. So he wanted to take care of her lunch, so she would let him.

He came back a few minutes later with a turkey sandwich and a cup of soup, "Do you have time to talk for a minute?" he asked sitting across from her.

Elain shut her laptop and reached for the soup, "Fire away," Gosh could she have sounded any weirder?

"I stayed with Paige for too long," he sighed while leaning back in his seat. "I think I stayed with her because I didn't want to hurt her. Or maybe it was to prevent myself from inconveniencing either one of us," After moments Elain didn't say anything, "I'm sorry," he finally said, "Like I said a while ago, we grew up together. I feel like you know me best. All of me, not just the Ivy League me," he chuckled at himself.

"I don't think this makes you a bad person, if that's what you're asking me?" Elain said. "You are allowed to be happy Graysen, other people's happiness shouldn't reflect your own. Maybe if you're happy together it's supposed to fuel you, but not drain you."

She swallowed desperately at the sight of his twinkling gray eyes. "I'm glad I ran into you," he smirked. Elain smiled at him again as he leaned in just a smidge, "Listen I was wondering, if you needed a ride back for Thanksgiving I have an extra seat. Unless… you have other plans."

"No, it'll be good to have someone to talk to."

"For sure," he said, "And I promise, I won't make you listen to The Chainsmokers the entire way." She laughed as he stood up, his own cup of coffee in hand. "This was good, let's keep in touch. I'll text you sometime." Elain watched Graysen as he left the library, everything was falling into place, she reached into her pocket and messaged the girls on their group message.

[-]

Walking into the O'Malley's house was like walking into a fairy land. A fairy land she had never known, one filled with a well off family and the love to match it. A home she had never known, but hopefully one she could one day make.

Elain didn't make it two feet before two toddlers glomped each of her legs, "Elain!" they cried, "We missed you, we missed you!"

She threw her head back and laughed, "I missed you too!" After gently prying them away Elain saw the two princesses before her Anna and Mary.

"These are new, very nice!" she pointed to their costumes, "I love them! Wish I had a big poufy dress like that."

Mary's eyes grew four sizes, "We'll order you one from the princess store,"

"Well my birthday is coming up!" Elain glanced up at the figure of Mrs. O'Malley coming down the stairs, still adjusting her last earring. She was radiant, full of class and elegance that a mother should have.

"They have been bugging us all week about when Miss. Elain was going to come back," she smiled, "So glad you could do this on short notice, we completely forgot about this dinner meeting for some clients of ours."

"It's no trouble!" Elain said, "I love these girls so much I don't mind putting down the books every once in a while."

Mrs. O'Malley turned to the kitchen, "Michael I'm ready! Come on we're going to be late!" she turned back to Elain, "My apologies, we've had a minor crisis today. The garbage disposal has stopped working," she glared in the direction of her eldest daughter, "Anna may have decided to hide her marbles down the drain."

When Mrs. O'Malley began walking Elain knew to follow, "I've already made dinner and it's heating up on the stove. Feel free to help yourself out to anything you want, as usual."

"It smells delicious," Elain said taking in a whiff of the nice pot of spaghetti sitting on the stove. The rich scents of garlic knots filled the art and danced on the edge of her nostrils. "Thank you, I think I've finally perfected my mother's recipe."

Just as they stopped at the stove Mrs. O'Malley turned to her husband, "Michael, would you rather stay here or eat with me and the Washington's at Café Amore?" When he didn't respond she pressed further, "Michael, we have to be there in half an hour, can you please just let Lucien off the hook."

Elain's breath sharpened at the name. It was an unusual name, but she prayed there were two different Lucien's and the one she had kissed wasn't ten feet away from her. She stepped closer to Mr. O'Malley who was standing above a figure, a familiar figure, looking at the inside of the garbage disposal.

Her stomach completely flattened at the familiar body she saw before her, yup it was definitely her Lucien. The guy she had kissed four days ago and hadn't bothered to show back up at the bar he worked at. Then again he hadn't contacted her in any way either so the whole situation was about to become 10x more awkward.

"We're almost done," Mr. O'Malley said much to his wife's distress.

"We had to call in for back up," she said to Elain, "Michael's not really a handyman, most accountants aren't."

"Thank you darling, we all heard that," he said.

"Michael, we're going to be late."

Just as Mr. O'Malley was going to speak Lucien spoke from inside the cabinets, "I'm almost done here Mr. O'Malley, you guys can go ahead and go."

"Thank you Lucien," Mrs. O'Malley said handing him his coat, "If you need anything just call Elain." At the sound of her name, Elain watched as the muscles on Lucien's back stiffened. Her name wasn't exactly popular either, and she had mentioned she worked for the O'Malley's before. A knot formed in her stomach at the knowledge he knew she was there, that he was there.

The last time she had seen him was after he kissed her, the image of him walking back into Illyria was still fresh on her mind. Lucien slid halfway out of the sink, propping himself up on his elbows, their eyes breached contact, "Hey," he said.

"Hi," she returned.

Awkwardness crackled through the air. Was this really happening, and if it was why?

"I haven't seen you in a while,"

Elain bit her bottom lip, "Midterms," he nodded at her. He looked down at the screw driver he was fiddling with.

Lucky for Elain the two little princesses flew to her hip demanding to be fed. Within a few moments Lucien was packing up his tools, "You can use this sink now," he said as Elain placed the girls bowls in front of them.

"Are you going to stay for dinner Lucien?" Anna asked.

Elain's heart shattered at the small smile that played on his lips. He ruffled the little girls hair and smiled at her with such warmth, "I don't think I can today Princess Anna."

Both of the little girls frowned and turned to Elain, "I insist, least we could do after you saved our garbage disposal."

"I guess I wouldn't mind a quick bite," the playfulness in his eyes suddenly changing. "What are we eating?" he turned back to the girls.

"We're eating noodles!"

"and bread,"

"Sounds good," Lucien said.

"I got 1,2,3 meatballs," Mary counted.

"I think I'm going to eat twenty," Lucien said rather calmly. The two girls went into a complete fit over it. Like it was the funniest thing they had ever said. Elain put her plate down and handed Lucien his, "Sorry I don't think there's twenty in that bowl."

"There's always seconds," he said, his eyes flickering to her lips. Her cheeks burned throughout dinner, whenever she glanced up his eyes were waiting for her. Like she was his dessert or something like that. But watching him interact with the girls it made her realize that she didn't know him. Not the real him. She only knew the person he was when he ran a bar. Not the person that was good at fixing garbage disposals or good with children.

When the girls were finished, most of their dinner on the sides of their mouths rather than in their bellies Elain gathered them up, "Alright let's get you guys cleaned up and ready for bed."

"Two stories?" Mary yawned.

"I think two stories sound fair," Elain smiled leading them to wash their hands. Lucien watched her from his seat at the kitchen table. "You're good with them," he said after the girls had raced upstairs.

"I was thinking the same thing about you,"

"Not really," he shrugged, "I grew up with four brothers. I know what kids want," he chuckled at the history Elain didn't know behind his words.

"Makes two of us then," she smiled, "Thanks," he said.

"I want to work with kids," she offered, "I'm getting a degree in botany. So I can teach kids about the plants and stuff."

He raised his eyebrows at her, "You mean you're going Prythian and you don't want to be a brain surgeon?" She shook her head, "Interesting."

"Are you stereotyping me?" he shrugged and he chuckled, "You really are an ass."

"Shh now, we don't want the girls to hear that bad college girl mouth of yours."

"You didn't seem to think my mouth was bad the other night."

"Far from it actually." Elain rolled her eyes at the smirk he threw her and turned to go upstairs and make sure the girls were actually heading off to bed.

She returned downstairs about half an hour later, the kitchen spotless. The dirty dishes were cleaned and put away and all of the leftovers were in the fridge. Yeah, she was helpless. Completely helpless when it came to this guy.

He was definitely messing with all of her plans.