Title: Late
Author: Elizabeth
Rating: PG-13 or higher
Category: J/A, L/G
Summary: One way or another someone�s always late. The outcome could either be serious or lucky
Disclaimer: I own no one.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A week later.
It was a Saturday night and Adam, Joan, Luke, and Grace were out while Helen watched Matt and Sierra. Helen finished bathing Matt and dried him off before putting him in a diaper and his pajamas. She picked him up and put him in his car seat next to Sierra�s own car seat. Sierra was looking around.
�There we go. You�re both clean.� She looked at Sierra and Matt. �Let�s see�what shall we do now?� They both made little noises and she smiled. �Rest? Sounds like a plan.� She took them into the living room and put the carriers on the floor before sitting on the couch. �Hey. I know you would love to stay up for your mommies and daddies but I let them stay out as long as they want. I know it�s not the best thing to do considering I let your Uncle Luke stay out late and I got a granddaughter out of it.� She tickled Sierra�s belly. Sierra squealed.
The door opened and Will walked in.
�I�m home!�
�Hey.� Helen turned to him. �How did things go at the station?�
�Good. We have a new case. I�m pretty confident about this one.�
�That�s great. Oh! I�ll go heat up your dinner.� She looked at the babies. �Be good while I�m gone.� She went into the kitchen.
Will took off his jacket and set his briefcase down. He heard a whimper and turned. Matt�s face was scrunched up and he looked like he might go at it any minute.
�Oh�� Will looked around and found his binkie on the coffee table. He picked it up and gently put it in his mouth. �There you go.� Matt whimpered and didn�t take it. �What? What do you want, kiddo?� Matt started crying and Will sighed. �Don�t give me that. Okay, come here.� Will picked him up and held him in one arm. �There�s no crying here. There�s no crying in the house of fun.�
Matt hiccupped as he cried and Will gently rocked him from side to side. Sierra saw this and got into the act. Will looked at her.
�Hey, what�s the matter?.� Sierra continued to cry so Will picked up the car seat and set it on the couch. He unbuckled her from the seat and gently picked her up. They both whimpered and looked around as Will moved around the room.
�Okay, it�s okay. Sh. It�s okay. Hey want me to tell you a story? Yeah�your mommy, daddy, and Uncle Kevin may not want to hear these stories ever again but I don�t think they�d mind if I told you? You won�t say anything will you, Matt?�
Matt whimpered and looked at him.
�Sierra?�
Sierra let out a small cry before looking around again.
�Okay. Let�s start with your Uncle Kevin. He used to be able to walk but now he can�t. But when he could walk, he would run around like the world was watching him.�
Helen watched from the doorway and was amazed. She had heard the babies crying and had been struggling to get dinner and their bottles ready. Then when she heard them stop, she had gone to check on them and saw her husband holding the both of them. Matt was in one arm and Sierra was in the other arm. Helen smiled from her spot. The sight was so beautiful to her. She picked up the camera beside her and took a photo.
�Now your mommy, Matt. What would she not mind me telling you? Potty training? No, she�ll never forgive me and I don�t want to scar you for life.� Matt let out a cry and Will shushed him. �Hey. I know. I know you�re not really used to me. It�s my own fault, huh? I�m a big baby myself, kiddo.�
The door opened and he didn�t notice. Joan and Grace were bantering about something as they took off their jackets. Adam and Luke followed and Luke looked in the living room.
�Oh my�� he said in awe.
Everyone turned and they were shocked to see Will holding his grandchildren. Joan looked like she was about to cry and Adam had a shocked look on his face. Grace grinned and Luke stood there, first in disbelief, then amazement, and then he felt proud. He took Grace�s hand and gave it a squeeze.
Will turned and saw them. He looked into Luke�s eyes and they silently acknowledged each other.
Grace was the first to make a move and she walked over to Will. �Hey I�ll take her.�
�Okay. Easy, good girl.� Will carefully handed the baby to Grace.
�Hey there. Yeah mommy�s finally home.� Grace rocked her and went upstairs to feed her.
Will looked at Matt and noticed he still looked upset. �I bet you want mommy, too.�
Joan grinned and walked over. �Hey little guy, come here.� Joan took him and patted his back. She looked up at Will. She didn�t know what to say so she settled for a simple, �Thanks dad.�
Will smiled and Joan went upstairs. Adam went over to Helen.
�How did that happen?� He whispered.
�Just be glad it did.� Helen gave him a smile.
At their spots, Will and Luke looked at each other.
�We need to talk, son.� Will finally said after some silence.
Luke nodded. �Um�my room?�
�Sure.�
They both went upstairs. Luke sat on his bed and Will went to the computer chair.
�Dad�what I said last week�while it was true, I shouldn�t have gone that far especially in front of Joan.�
�I deserved every word of it. You were right Luke. I was taking my anger out on everything by ignoring Matt. Tonight when I held him and he couldn�t calm down, it just made me feel like the worst person in the entire world.�
�Matt is a great kid, dad. He doesn�t look anything like him and he�s beautiful. All he needs is people to love him. He needs that from you too. And so does my daughter. I needed you dad. I needed help being a father. I needed you to love my daughter for me.�
�I wanted to. But I was too caught up with everything else. The rape, Joan�s pregnancy, I guess I was trying to keep from thinking about the hurt by throwing myself into work.�
�I�ve been a father for three month and every time I do something, I�m afraid I�ll screw up. I was ashamed of myself because I was afraid that I wouldn�t be good enough for her. It was because of you. I know I have to be responsible dad but I�m only 17. I need you.� Luke said, his eyes watering slightly.
Will looked at his son. At first he saw a young man but behind his glasses, he saw a vulnerable teenager whose life had taken a sudden turn. He hated seeing Luke like this. Joan walked in and saw them talking.
�Dad? Luke?�
Luke looked at her. �How long have you been there?�
�A while.� Joan walked over to stand in front of them. �Dad. I just want to understand why you�ve been acting this way. I just want to know what�s hurting you so bad you can ignore your own kids.�
Will looked into her eyes. He couldn�t stand to see the pain that he had put there.
�I just�I hate seeing you guys struggle.�
�What?� Joan asked softly.
�What you both went through�I couldn�t stand it. I didn�t like seeing you kids suffering.�
Joan and Luke looked at each other and then at their father.
�Why didn�t you say anything? Dad, you made me think you hated Matt.� Luke said.
Will looked at Luke. �I did?�
Luke nodded.
Will was shocked that Luke thought this. When he thought of the little boy he had held just five minutes ago, his heart ached. �I don�t. I never did. I couldn�t let go of the anger I had for what happened and I took it out on you and the kids.�
�Why didn�t you acknowledge Sierra?� Joan asked the question Luke wouldn�t address. Luke glanced at her before looking at his father.
�I was in denial. I didn�t want to believe everything was happening. I just didn�t want to see you hurting anymore.�
�Dad�� Joan sat down beside him. �Dad, we�re not hurting anymore. We�re okay. We�re getting through this day by day. But we can�t get through this without you. You need to meet us halfway there. You need to let go. I know you hate seeing us hurting dad but�how can I when I have so many people on my side? And Luke�he�s doing so much better.� Joan smiled and looked at Luke.
Luke sighed. �The only thing is�dad I need your help. I need help being a father. I need advice, words of encouragement, anything from you just so I know that I�m not screwing Sierra up for life.�
Will looked at his son through his tears. He put a hand on the back of Luke�s neck. �Luke�every time you hear your daughter cry and you pick her up and you feed her or change her or just rock her, you�re being a father. When I would hear you singing her to sleep or something, I would feel in my heart that you were a great father.�
Luke chuckled. He had been waiting to hear those words for months. �Really?�
�Yes. I�m so sorry Luke. I�m sorry for the way I treated you.�
�I forgive you dad. I love you.�
Will smiled slightly. �I love you too, son.�
Luke wiped the tears from his eyes and Will hugged him. Joan smiled through her tears and Will turned to her.
�Come here you.� He pulled Joan into his arms and held them both in his arms. �I�m so sorry. I�m going to try harder from now on. And if I ever do anything stupid like this again, don�t hesitate to put my head on straight.�
Joan chuckled. �You can count on it. Oh um�dad?�
�Yeah?�
�What would you think about�me moving in with Adam in an apartment?�
Luke raised his eyebrows and looked at Will.
Will smiled. �We�ll talk about it with your mother.�
Joan squealed and hugged him.
When they were finished talking to Will, Joan and Luke went into the hall to meet Adam and Grace.
�Hey. How did it go?� Adam asked.
�It went fine. I think we�ll be okay.� Luke said.
�Yeah.� Joan said in agreement. �It�ll take time but we just have to work on it.�
�Cool.� Adam said. He took Joan�s hand and they headed downstairs.
Luke looked at Grace and smiled. She smiled back.
�Come on. Let�s go make sure they don�t make out to death.�
He laughed as he followed her downstairs.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Grace was eating her breakfast when the doorbell rang. She got up and went to see who it was. She opened the door to see Luke.
�Hey! What are you doing here? I thought you were working today.� Grace let him in the house.
�Well I was supposed to but my boss called and said he didn�t need me there today so I decided that I would take Sierra out while you spent time to yourself.�
�Luke.� Grace smiled. �She�s still asleep.�
Luke shrugged. �Hey I get to spend time with her mother until then.�
Grace chuckled and they went into the kitchen.
�So what are you two going to do?�
�What we usually do? She�ll entertain me with nonsense, I�ll feed her, cater to her every need, and let her sleep for as long as she wants. Then I will bring her home whenever you want.�
Grace tapped her fingers on her cheek. �That sounds tempting.�
�Grace. You deserve a day off to yourself with no interruptions.�
Grace kissed him on the mouth and grinned. �Thanks.� She heard sounds coming from the baby monitor and went to let go of Luke.
�Nuh uh. Dad�s honor.� He let her go, kissed her, and went upstairs to get Sierra. Grace shook her head.
10 minutes later, Luke came down with Sierra in one arm and her baby bag in the other. Sierra was dressed warmly and wearing the little cap Luke had bought for her.
�There we go. She�s all ready for her day with daddy.�
Grace smirked and walked over. �Have fun you two. Thanks Luke. This means a lot.�
Luke kissed her and then looked at Sierra. �Say bye mommy. Bye mommy.�
Sierra just stared at him. Luke shook his head.
�Call me later, okay?�
�Okay.� Grace closed the door after he left and turned around with a sigh. �Now I can watch that movie I rented a week ago.� She headed upstairs.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luke was lying on the couch and Sierra was sitting on his stomach playing with her teddy bear. It had been a quiet day but they were having fun with each other nonetheless.
�Are you having fun?�
Sierra giggled and looked at him before going back to her toy.
�You look just like your mommy, you know that? Yeah. She�s really special, Sierra just like you.� Sierra dropped her bear and Luke carefully reached down to pick it up. He held it in front of her and shook it. She giggled and reached for it.
�I�m going to do right by you and your mom, okay? After I finish school and I have enough money, I�m going to ask her about getting an apartment together.� Sierra made a noise. �Oh? Yeah I�m going to take care of you. I promised that to your mommy and I�m making that promise to you.� He sat up a bit to kiss her forehead. Sierra let out a tiny smile and Luke smiled back. �Hey. Sierra. I love you.�
She kicked and stared at him with her big blue eyes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The doorbell rang and Joan answered the door. Grace stood there wearing her lather jacket to keep warm from the cold.
�Hey Grace! Come on in.�
�Hey. Is Luke around?�
�Yeah he�s in the living room feeding Sierra. Come on.� They went into the living room and saw Luke on the couch with Sierra.
�Hey.� Grace walked over. �How was your day?�
�We had a spectacular day. Sierra really enjoyed learning about science.�
Grace looked at him. �You mean she didn�t fall asleep?�
Luke rolled his eyes. Grace just chuckled and sat on the couch.
�How was your day today, Grace?� Joan asked.
�Fabulous. I watched a movie, listened to music, got coffee, took a long walk, and just hung out. It was really relaxing.�
�That�s awesome. Well Adam is on his way to take Matt and I to see Finding Nemo 2 so I�m going to get him ready.�
�Sounds interesting.� Luke said.
�Did they really have to do that? I mean sequels suck anyway and now they�re trying to ruin that movie by making a sequel? When will it end?� Grace shook her head.
Joan and Luke just shook their heads Once Adam arrived, he said hi to both Sierra and Grace before taking off with Joan and Matt.
Grace sat on the couch and turned on the TV to see what was on. Luke put Sierra in the playpen and sat next to Grace.
�As always there�s nothing on.� Grace muttered.
Luke smiled and put his hand on hers. Grace looked at him.
�Hey.�
�Hi.� Luke leaned in and kissed her on the lips. They kissed for a few seconds before Luke pulled away. They stared at each other before Luke spoke. �Marry me, Grace.�
Grace froze when he said that and she leaned back. �What?�
�I want you to marry me. Not right now but someday after we�ve settled down and have a place of our own. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.�
Grace just looked at him before she smiled. �Okay.�
�What?� Luke was expecting her to freak out on him.
�Okay. Okay, I�ll marry you!� Grace chuckled.
�Oh�oh Grace.� Luke hugged her and then kissed her. They made out passionately before Luke pulled away. �I love you, Grace.�
She smiled. �I love you too, Luke.�
Luke kissed her again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Joan and Adam were in the park playing with Matt. Adam currently was holding onto Matt while he grabbed handfuls of sand from the sandbox and threw them at Joan.
�Hey!� Joan giggled and crawled towards Matt. Matt giggled and leaned back towards Adam.
�Joan, you�re a tiger.�
Joan growled and kissed Adam on the lips. Matt reached up and gently tapped their chins. They looked at him.
�May we help you?� Adam asked.
Matt clapped and grabbed another batch of sand. Joan moved away as he threw the sand.
�What have you been telling this kid about me?� Joan asked laughing.
�Nothing!� Adam chuckled.
A ball rolled over and gently hit Matt�s feet. Joan looked at it and sighed. She turned and saw a familiar little girl looking at them.
�I�ll be right back.� Joan got up and took the ball before walking over to the little girl. �Here you go.�
�Thanks Joan. A day in the park is wonderful, isn�t it?�
�Yeah. Matt really enjoys it.�
God smiled. �He�s a special baby, Joan.�
�Special? How?� Joan looked at Him skeptically.
�He�s special like you.�
Joan sighed. �Don�t tell me��
�Maybe, maybe not. Oh and go see Grace.� He started to walk away.
�Why?� Joan asked.
�She�s your friend, Joan. Do you really think I�d ask you something for no reason? Oh and take Matt to see Kevin.� He rushed off giving her a wave.
Joan bit her lip and turned to Adam. He was standing up and holding Matt on one hip. Joan walked over to them.
�You know what? I want to see Grace.�
�Okay, no problem. Let�s get going.�
�Okay. Oh Adam? Is it okay if we take Matt to see Kevin?� Joan asked.
Adam nodded. �Yeah. Is something wrong?�
Matt let out a laugh and Joan smiled at him before looking at Adam.
�No. I just think Matt would like to see Kevin.�
Adam nodded. �Okay. Come on.� They walked towards Joan�s car.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Grace was at home feeding Sierra when the door opened and her mom came in. Grace sighed as the stench of alcohol immediately met her nose.
�Gracie! Are you home?�
�Yeah mom I�m here.� Grace looked down when Sierra bit her. �Hey!�
�Aw look at you with the baby. Want to come see grandma?� she slurred.
�Not right now, mom.� Grace pulled her top down and scooped Sierra up in one arm. �Hey come on let�s go upstairs.�
�No I don�t feel like it!� she headed for the kitchen.
�Mom, what are you doing?� Grace called. Sierra started to cry and Grace put her on her shoulder and began to burp her. �Mom?�
Grace followed her into the kitchen and saw her opening up another bottle of wine.
�Mom, come on you don�t need anymore.� Grace went to reach for her but she slapped her away.
�Don�t tell me what I do or don�t need!�
Sierra started crying again and Grace patted her back.
�Sh it�s okay. Mom, come on let�s go upstairs.� Grace reached for her arm but she shoved her away.
Grace�s back met the counter and she groaned. Sierra cried louder and Grace tried to shush her.
�Hey, what�s wrong? Why are you still crying?� Grace bounced her lightly and patted her back.
�Gracie, get that loud music turned down!� her mom groaned.
Grace heard the doorbell ring and then the door open.
�Grace? Are you home?� she heard Joan ask.
�No.� Grace muttered but then Sierra decided to cry out again and her mom ended up dropping a glass. �Mom!�
Joan rushed in and her eyes widened. Grace�s mom was inebriated and Grace was on the other side of the kitchen trying to sooth Sierra.
�Where�s your father?� Joan asked.
�Where do you think?� Grace asked sarcastically. �He�s at work.�
�Adam!� Joan called behind her. �Get your butt in here!�
�What is it, Jane?� he ran in and looked shocked. �Whoa.�
�Guys could you please leave? I�m in the middle of something.� Grace said as she tried to get Sierra to calm down.
�Grace, give me the baby.� Joan said.
�What? Why?� Grace glared at her.
�Just give me the baby.� Joan said sternly as she held her arms out.
Grace gulped and handed Sierra to Joan. Sierra let out a shriek when her mom handed her over. Joan patted Sierra�s back and looked at Grace.
�You. You�re coming with us.�
�Girardi-�
�No! Grace, you can�t keep doing this! You can�t be expected to take care of both your mother and daughter! You�ve had to deal with your mom your whole life. Well there�s someone else who needs you. Someone new needs you to take care of her. And you can�t do that while you�re still living here. So pack your bags, you�re coming with us.� Joan nearly yelled.
Grace just stared at her. She turned slightly when her mom started roaming again.
�Grace. Please.� Adam said. �Stop doing this to yourself. Think about Sierra. Do you really want her going through what you had to go through?�
Grace looked from him to her daughter. She noticed how sad and scared she looked. How could a baby ever look like that? Grace put her hand on the counter and pushed herself away.
�Joan get her out of here. Adam, help me get my mom upstairs and pack my things.� When she said their names, they knew she meant it.
Adam nodded and they both took a hold of Grace�s mom and took her upstairs. Joan looked at Sierra and kissed her forehead before grabbing her car seat and heading for the car. 20 minutes later, Adam and Grace came down with a couple of suitcases and the baby�s things. They got in the car and Joan drove to her house.
They got out of the car and Joan took Sierra while Adam and Grace took the bags inside. Joan walked in the house to see Helen and Will giving her a curious look.
�Grace is staying with us. She needs to take care of herself and her baby in a safe environment.� Joan stated.
�Where is she going to sleep?� Helen asked.
�My room.� She replied. �Luke may be able to keep his hands to himself but not for too long.� Sierra made a noise and Joan shushed her. �Don�t start the waterworks again, little one.�
The door opened and Luke walked in. �Joan, hey. Sierra? Hi baby, what are you doing here?� Luke set his bag down and took Sierra. �Joan, what�s going on?�
�Go upstairs and be with your girlfriend.� Joan gave him a look.
Luke looked at Joan before looking at his parents.
�Go on.� Will said.
Luke went upstairs and into the nursery. Grace was sitting there holding herself.
�Grace?� Luke sat beside her. �What happened?�
Grace looked at him and Luke finally saw she had been crying.
�Wha�? Grace?�
�I should never have gone back there. Probably should have here stayed anyway. I actually had help. I didn�t have to deal with anyone�s drinking problem.�
Luke rubbed her back. Grace winced when he touched a part of her back. Luke lifted up her shirt and found a bruise forming there. �Grace?�
�I�m fine. I just accidentally hit the counter.� Grace sighed.
�What changed? What made you decide to leave?� Sierra started babbling and Luke kissed the back of her head. Sierra turned to look at him before putting her finger in her mouth.
�Adam and Joan. They came over and when they saw I was dealing with both my mom and Sierra, they told me to stop hiding and that I couldn�t be expected to take care of two people. I can only take care of the person who wants me and needs me. My mom doesn�t want me to help her. But Sierra will always want me to help her even when she doesn�t say it.� Grace leaned over and kissed Sierra�s forehead. �Hi baby. I�m sorry I put you through that.� Sierra chewed on her finger and just looked at her mom.
Grace shook her head and put her head on Luke�s chest. Luke wrapped an arm around her as Grace started to shake with unshed tears. He rubbed her arm and kissed the top of her head.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Grace and Joan sat on the couch facing each other holding their kids out in front of them. Matt and Sierra were pounding on a toy keyboard with their tiny fingers. It had been two weeks since Grace left her house. So far everyone was doing well with the arrangement. Grace�s mom had been by to try to talk to Grace but most of the time Grace was never home.
�As they get bigger, I feel older.� Joan said.
�Yeah. When did we get responsible?� Grace chuckled. �I thought at this time I�d be speaking out against something in college.�
Joan nodded. �Now you�re changing diapers and changing shirts five times a day.�
�Oh yeah.� Grace reached over and wiped some drool from Matt�s chin. Joan did the same to Sierra.
�You doing all right?� Joan asked.
�Yeah. My dad called earlier and we talked but I�m not going there. He still wants me home but I can�t do that to Sierra or me. I mean I love my mom and dad and I do miss being home.� Grace looked at Joan. �But I don�t know if my mom will get help, though. I can�t stick around and find out.�
�We won�t worry about that right now, Grace.� Joan looked down at Matt when he began making more noises. �We�ll just worry about the people who keep us awake at night when they can�t stop crying!�
Grace chuckled and put a hand on Sierra�s stomach to keep her from falling forward.
�So�you and Luke seem a bit closer lately. What�s up with you guys?�
Grace looked at Joan surprised that she had noticed. Grace just shook her head. �Nothing really.� She handed Sierra a stuffed lobster, pinchers, which Luke had given her sometime after she was born.
�Oh come on! Something�s up.� Joan tried to catch her eye but Grace avoided her. �Grace? You can tell me�as long is it isn�t anything gross.�
Grace sighed and looked at her friend. �Luke proposed.�
Joan�s eyes widened and her jaw dropped in shock. �You�re serious?�
�Yeah. I was as shocked as you are.� Grace pushed her hair behind her ears.
�Wait so�you said yes?� Joan looked at Matt when he started hitting the keyboard.
�Yeah. I mean we don�t plan to get married for a long time but yeah�one day.�
�Oh my gosh. Well congratulations!� Joan laughed.
�Thanks.�
�Wow. You and my brother. It�s like a world gone crazy.�
Grace shot her a look and grinned before looking down at Sierra.
The door opened and Adam and Luke walked in.
�Hey!� Luke said.
�Hey.� Joan grinned. �How was the trip to the store?�
�Fun. Two packs of diapers. Matt is set for the entire week.� Adam grinned and kissed her and then kissed Matt on the head. Matt looked up at his father before going back to playing.
�And Sierra has a new rattle since we lost the other one.� Luke handed the toy to Grace.
�Okay, thank you. Hey Sierra, look.� Grace shook the rattle in front of her and Sierra took it and looked at it.
�Luke I heard the news. Congratulations.� Joan said with a smile.
�Thanks.� He looked at Grace, who looked at the babies. He could see she was blushing though.
�And uh how will you tell mom and dad?�
�Tonight at dinner. Dad tends to be calm during meals.�
Joan nodded.
�So how long before you guys get hitched?� Adam asked.
�We haven�t decided.� Luke said.
�I don�t plan ahead.� Grace pointed out.
Joan chuckled and looked down at the babies. Her eyes widened. �Oh my gosh. You guys look.� she said.
They all looked at the babies to see them holding hands. Grace and Joan looked at each other in amazement before looking down at the kids as they giggled at each other. Luke and Adam were amazed.
�They�re playing.� Joan said. Matt let go of Sierra�s hand and she reached out for his.
�Yeah.� Luke smiled.
�Guess they are going to be best friends for life now.� Adam said.
�You bet.� Grace said as the kids let go of each other and went back to their toys.
They all looked at each other and then back at the children, amazed at how far they had all come.