Shea just shook his head, damn woman was no help.

They continued on the dishes in silence, with the occasional scream from the kids or Elli outside.

Shea looked over at Grace, “She’s rich.”

“Who?”

“Elli.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, like wicked rich.”

“Wow, I always thought she dressed too nice to be photographer, she has a sick style and it isn’t a cheap one.”

“Yeah, but that was another thing she has never told me. This morning I saw her take some pills, she said they were for hormones.”

“Hmm, maybe she’s just secretive.”

“I don’t like it.”

“Well now that all her shit’s on the table, just ask if there is anything else.”

“I will,” Shea handed her the last dish. When she was done drying it, he took Grace’s hand in his.

“Do me a favor?”

“Sure,” she said, turning to face him.

“Keep an eye on Elli for me, call her and stuff.”

“Of course.”

Just then the door opened and Elli came in with Amelia on her hip and Ryan’s hand in hers.

“I think we’re done,” Elli gushed, breathing hard.

Amelia kicked to be put down, so Elli obliged. Amelia took off past Shea and Grace, down the hall to where James was coming up.

“She’s her daddy’s girl,” Grace said with a shrug as Ryan took off running, “So I was thinking we’ll go to the Adventure Science Center tomorrow with the kids before you leave.”

Shea shook his head, grabbing Elli’s hand, bringing her to him. She nuzzled into his side, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“No can do, we’re spending the day together.”

“Oh.”

Elli looked at Grace, then up at Shea before looking back at Grace.

“Or we can come with you.”

“Baby, I want to spend the day in bed before I gotta go on a road trip.”

“It’s fine, Elli,” Grace said a little sharper than normal.

“Things change when a new person comes in your life. Spending the day in bed is way more fun than spending the afternoon with your family.”

“Wow Grace, guilt tripping me?” Shea asked.

Grace just looked at him with anger filling her eyes.

“You’re going to be gone for two weeks, then mom and dad will be here and you won’t have any time for us.”

“I’m gonna go in the living room,” Elli said as she dropped her arms, trying to get away.

“No, its fine, baby,” Shea said, wrapping her back up, “Grace, really?”

“What?”

“Stop. If I do remember correctly, I didn’t see you for three months when you and James first got together.”

“That was different, I was pregnant.”

“So you being pregnant made it okay to not talk or see me for three months? But me spending the day with my girlfriend in bed instead of going with you is not okay? When I call everyday and come see you at least every other day?”

“Whatever, Shea. I’m not arguing with you.”

“Because I’m right.”

“Whatever,” Grace stomped out the room and Elli looked up at him.

“Maybe we should just go. I don’t want to piss her off.”

Shea put his finger on his lips. Grace came back in the kitchen just as he knew she would. She then looked at Elli then Shea.

“I’m sorry. I’m just not handling you leaving this time very well because for some reason I feel like something is going to happen. So just be careful. But like I said, I’m sorry,”

Shea let go of Elli to wrap Grace up in his arms. He knew that was the reason why they were fighting. When Grace got really nervous or worried about him, she took it out on him by fighting. She had been up his butt ever since he had gotten slashed on the collar. He loved her so much, so he took what she threw at him, she had been doing it to him since they were younger. No telling what Elli thought, she probably thought they were crazy.

“Just please be careful.”

“I will, I’ll call every night.”

“You better.”

Chapter 16

“How did you know Grace would come back?” Elli asked as they drove back to Shea’s condo a few hours later.

After a tearful goodbye from Ryan and Grace, Shea had to get out of there. He hated when Ryan cried, but he really couldn’t handle seeing Grace cry.

“When she gets real worried about me, she gets like that. She had been a little testy with me the past couple weeks.”

“I’m glad you knew what was going on because for a second I thought she hated me.”

Shea laughed, “No, baby, she’s just nervous.”

“I am too; I don’t want you to leave.”

“I know,” he said taking her hand in his; they drove the rest of the way home like that.

Nothing else was said until after they were washed up from the day, Adler was fed, and they were lying in bed together. The light was still on; the bed was turned down, and they were laying on top of the blankets in complete silence. Shea was wearing just his boxers while Elli was wearing his AHL shirt and panties. She was lying on her back, while he laid on his side, tucked up against her side, running his hand up and down her thigh.

“Hey,” he said since her eyes were closed, she opened them and smiled at him.