"Grace honey its good to see you again," greeted Denise.

"Thanks Denise. Its good to see you," replied Grace as she walked in the kitchen of AJ's house.

"Hey Mom. Thanks for getting the groceries and stuff."

"Sure sweetie. Grace do you need help getting settled?"

"No. I'll take my suitcase to the guestroom. Talk to your son."

"Guestroom? Grace, aren't you staying in my room," asked AJ.

"Um No."

Denise said, "oh honey don't worry about me. It's fine if you two are sharing a room. You don't have to hide anything from me."

"Denise I'm not."

"Grace why are you staying in the guestroom," asked AJ. "Its not like we've never slept in the same bed before."

"AJ do you want to get into this now," asked a blushing Grace.

"That's my cue to leave," said Denise.

"No Denise! Don't leave," exclaimed Grace.

"Its fine sweetie. I need to go check on dinner. By the way, you two are coming over tonight."

"Mom."

"Don't Mom me. I will expect you in an hour. Bye," called Denise as she walked out of the house. "I didn't mean for her to leave," said Grace.

AJ replied, "you didn't. Trust me no one makes my mom leave anywhere. Now tell me why you don't want to be near me."

"AJ that is not it."

"Pooh explain it to me."

"I know we've slept in a bed before, but we've never you know."

"Made love."

"Yeah or anything like it."

"And?"

"And I know you. If we are in the same bed you will want to."

"Make love? Well yeah."

"Well I'm not ready yet. AJ I've never," finished Grace with a whisper.

"Never? Not with any of your frat boys?"

"NO!"

"Sorry, I just thought. Wow."

"AJ!"

"Sorry. Why Pooh?"

"Well I wanted to be with someone I loved and I loved."

"Me. Damn Pooh."

"You're disappointed."

AJ cupped her face in his hands and said, "Don't ever think you disappoint me. It hasn't happened and never will. This is not a bad thing. You stay in the guestroom. I don't want you to do anything you aren't ready for. Tell me what you want and when."

"You sure."

"Of course."

AJ pulled her into a kiss. Grace rested her head against his chest. She never wanted to move. Finally, they pulled apart and got their bags in. They put all of Grace's things in the guestroom, then headed to Denise's for dinner. When AJ called one of his buddies, Denise pulled Grace into the kitchen.

"So you still staying in the guestroom?"

"Yes."

"Good! It will do him some good to work for someone. Besides, its about damn time he realized you're the right one for him. Welcomed to the family."

As they hugged, AJ walked in saying, "Kassi."

"Hi Kassi," greeted Grace taking the phone.

"Hi Grace. I hear you made it to the Sunshine State in one piece and with the car in tact. I guess that means you didn't let Bone drive."

Grace laughed, "I let him drive on open road, but not in any towns or cities."

"I'm sitting here and can hear you," whined AJ.

"Yes you are and shh I'm talking to Kassi."

"Woohoo you get him," cheered Kassidy.

"I do."

"Does this mean?"

"No! Have you and Nick," retorted Grace as a joke.

Kassidy quietly said, "no."

"Oh Kassi, I'm sorry. I was just teasing. I didn't really think you would. Not with well."

Kassidy interrupted, "Grace it's fine. You did nothing wrong."

"Kassi."

"Promise. I expect you to drag AJ down here tomorrow so I can see you."

"OK. See you tomorrow Kassi."

"Yeppers. Night."

"Night," said Grace and hung up.

"Pooh let it go."

"I can't believe I said it."

"It sounds like Kassidy understood," stated Denise.

"Yeah, but still. How insensitive!"

"Let it go baby."

"OK," agreed Grace as their evening continued.

"How's Grace," asked Nick as he stepped outside with their drinks.

"She's fine. Thanks," replied Kassidy, taking the glass he offered.

"How's Kass?"

"She's fine."

"No she's not. What happened?"

"I asked Grace if she and AJ had made love. She said no then asked if we had. I know she was only joking, but."

"It bothered you."

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry. I bet Grace feels awful."

"She does, which makes me feel worse. It's just that I never even thought bout it."

"Making love to someone else?"

"Yes."

"Well you don't have to think about it now. Kass sit here and enjoy the sunset."

She tried to enjoy the sunset, but as she sat there tears began to fall down her cheeks. Nick saw them, but didn't react. He knew she had to get through all the pain. He didn't immediately follow when she quickly went into the house. He watched the sunset, then went inside to check on her.

He knocked on her door and said, "Kassi?"

"Come in."

Nick stepped through the door. She was lying curled up on her bed crying. He lay down and pulled her into his arms. He stroked her hair.

"I miss him so much."

"I know you do."

"I didn't get the chance to prepare this time. I knew it was coming with mom and dad, but Kevin was there. He was saying love you and see you later, then he was dead. I didn't get to say goodbye or all the things I wanted to say. I hate that so much!"

"I know. I wish I could explain it, but I can't. All I can do is hold you when you cry and be here when you need to talk."

Kassidy turned to face him, saying, "Thanks Nick. You have helped so much."

"Anytime Kass," he replied while tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

"Gawd! I'm all snotty.'

"Yeah you are," chuckled Nick.

"Come on. I need tissue and we need to pick up around here. Grace and AJ are coming down tomorrow."

Kassidy grabbed a tissue off her dresser and blew her nose.

"Nice," laughed Nick.

"Oh hush," she scolded with a smile. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

"What's this for?"

"Thanks for hanging in there with me. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Lucky for you, you will never have to find out."

"Good."