Author's Note: There's a lot of plot in this chapter, but it's a little light on the sexual activity. I promise to rectify that with chapter 9. Please enjoy.
*****
"Stephen! Are you up yet, babe?"
Stephen stirred slightly in his sleep. His eyes blinked open once, twice, and then a third time, finally staying open as the mostly dark lit room absorbed his sight. Grace's face was pressed against his own, her eyes already wide with energy.
"I am now," he answered, briefly, closing his eyes once more.
"Babe, look out the window. The sun is just rising," she said, excitedly, while nudging his side.
Stephen cracked an eye towards his window, where the blackness of the night was fading away into a dull purple, the first vestiges of light shining through. Grace bounded up out of bed, still wrapped up in a blanket, and pressed her face against the window.
Taking a deep breath, Stephen sat upright, and immediately felt the soreness in several different parts of his body. The workout program that she had him on was showing progress, as he had woken up stiff and aching most days this week since they started on plan. Today, it was his back that was sore, particularly his lower back. He knew that blame went to the dead-lifts she had him do yesterday.
Padding across the carpet in his bare feet, Stephen sidled up next to Grace to look out the window. His window faced the main street, as well as having a good view of the other houses in the neighborhood. What was most impressive was that it received the eastern sun every morning, and without any trees in that direction, he always had a good view of the sunrise. It was just early enough that the bright orb was poking just above the horizon.
Grace pressed against him, letting her head fall against his chest. Stephen relished the feeling of her soft hair brushing against him.
"So romantic," she whispered, still staring out the window. "I've always wanted to watch the sunrise."
"Good thing you woke up for it," Stephen chuckled. "Otherwise, I'd still be sleeping for another hour."
"It's just a good thing you have me then," she teased.
Stephen wrapped his arms around her and they continued to watch for the next half hour, while the sun came fully into view, illuminating the entire neighborhood. In the space of that time, the dull purple of early dawn casually faded away into brilliant orange and then yellow as daylight finally awoke anew.
It wasn't quite yet 7 am when Grace nudged him once more, after having dozed off briefly.
"Mphm, I'm awake," Stephen grunted.
"Looks like you have a new neighbor," Grace pointed out, pressing her finger against the glass.
Stephen looked in the direction she was pointing. Sure enough, a small moving truck was backing carefully into the driveway at a house in their neighborhood. It was just across the street, two houses down, and close enough to watch.
"About time that house sold," replied Stephen. "It's been on the market forever."
"Just a tiny little house," Grace noted.
She wasn't wrong. Whereas most of the houses in the neighborhood were far from palaces, this one in particular was built decades ago, for a very small family. It was only one floor, a single story, with no additions, or a garage. In today's world, it would barely be appropriate for one or two people.
Stephen watched as the door to the U-Haul opened, and out popped a single man. From what he could see, he guessed possibly forties for his age. His head was completely bald, but it looked to be by choice, instead of by circumstance. His bronzed skin indicated some type of darker ancestry, and Stephen's first guess would have been Latin, or maybe Mediterranean.
What was most noticeable about the man was the very prominent scowl he wore as he opened up the back of the truck.
"He doesn't look happy," said Grace, picking up on his facial expression as well.
"Well, moving is never a fun thing to do. Especially by yourself," replied Stephen.
They watched for a few more moments before Grace finally got up, giving herself a long stretch after sitting for so long against the cramped window sill. Stephen quickly followed her lead, getting up and dropping off the wrapped blanket back on his bed. On his way, he stepped over his duffel bag, which was already packed and ready to go for this weekend. He wouldn't need much to attend his cousin's wedding. Apart from his suit, he really just needed a change of clothes and some fresh underwear.
When he turned his attention back to Grace, she was already fully dressed, rocking a tiny pair of light blue jean shorts, and a white tank top that had Stephen doing a double take already.
"Your mom is already in the kitchen. Will you let me in shortly?" She smiled.
Stephen just nodded, and right before his eyes, Grace started to disappear until she was completely out of sight. This part of their relationship was just about normal now. Since Grace technically shouldn't be spending the night, they went through elaborate measures to make it appear that she didn't. Even though he hadn't slept a wink without her pressed into his side since they met, it was important to keep up appearances, even if just for his mother. That meant the room was sound proof when she was there. It also meant that Grace made herself unnoticeable if Theresa Willow ever poked her head in.
Lastly, it meant that in the mornings, Stephen had to officially let Grace into the house, so that they could spend time together. Usually, that meant she disappeared until he got into the kitchen, and then appeared outside for him to let her in.
It was all quite elaborate, but it served the purpose that they needed, at least for now. Stephen didn't mind having to go through extra measures, but he was already thinking of the day when they could share a bed without worrying about someone walking in on them. Even though they were both technically of age, it still felt a little disrespectful, considering it was his mother's house, and not his.
Perhaps our own apartment
, he thought to himself.
When I get that manager job.
He grinned as he got dressed, and after throwing on a pair of cargo shorts and a red button-up shirt, he pulled open his door and walked the short distance to the kitchen.
Surprisingly, Theresa wasn't huddled over the oven, but rather was looking out the window while carrying her mug of coffee. It seemed they weren't the only ones who noticed the moving truck.
"Morning mom," said Stephen, before turning the coffee maker on.
"Morning sweetie!" Theresa chirped, casting a look back in his direction. "Sleep okay?"
Stephen smiled as he remembered the feel of Grace's body pressed against his in the middle of the night. As well as her hands going after delicate areas in the middle of the night. "Like a baby," he answered, innocently.
"That's good," replied Theresa, before looking back out the window. "Looks like the Sanderson house finally sold. There's a moving truck out front and a man is unloading things. A very cute man," she added.
"Mom, seriously?" replied Stephen, making a face.
"What?" She laughed. "I'm still human, even if I am your mother."
He just rolled his eyes, and brewed a cup of coffee.
"So mister, are you all packed to go to Shelly's wedding?"
Stephen nodded, "Just about. A few things to pack still, like my charger, but I have everything else."
"Good! What about Grace? Do you know if she's ready?"
"I'm sure she is, but you can ask her yourself. She'll be over here soon," replied Stephen.
Theresa looked up at the clock, "So early?"
"It's hard to keep her away," shrugged Stephen, with a little smile.
Theresa laughed. "I don't know why you would want to keep such a lovely girl like her away. She's just delightful." It seemed that her opinion of Grace had changed greatly in the several days since their somewhat rocky introduction. How her opinion changed so fast, Stephen didn't know. He hoped it had nothing to do with Grace's magic though, and more her personality.
Almost as if on cue, the doorbell rang. Stephen quickly made his way to the front door, opening up to see his favorite pair of blue eyes.
"Good morning," Grace smiled, shyly.
"Morning baby," he answered, before letting her jump into his arms, wrapped each limb around him tightly.
Even though they had just barely separated five minutes prior, it still felt like an eternity without her presence. Stephen could tell by the look in her eyes that she felt the same way. After a moment, Grace slipped back down onto her feet, and they both entered the kitchen, hand in hand.
"Morning Grace!" Theresa chirped, turning to offer the younger woman a smile.
"Good morning, Theresa," replied Grace, with a sunny smile. She set an overnight bag down on the table, something that Stephen hadn't noticed before, yet his mother certainty did.
"Oh great," replied Theresa, looking at the bag. "I take it you're ready to go?"
"All packed up," nodded Grace. "Yet, a bit nervous to meet the rest of your family."
"Nonsense, there's nothing to worry about," waved away Theresa. "Just be your regular, normal self, and you'll be fine. Plus everyone will be so consumed with the happy couple anyway."
"Do you want to leave soon, mom?" Stephen asked, looking over at his mother's suitcase that was sitting near the door.
"Just about. Why don't you finish your bag, and we'll get moving in the next half hour? Let me go check on the twins and make sure they are ready," she replied, dashing out the kitchen in the direction of their room.
Grace sidled up next to Stephen, her arm wrapped around his back. "I have a surprise for you, in my bag."
"Oh?"
Grace gave a slightly evil grin, "Mhmm. I think you'll enjoy it very much!" She winked as she finished her line.
"Any hints on what it might be?" Stephen asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Just one. It's completely see-through," she replied, coyly.
Stephen swallowed hard, earning a throaty giggle from his genie girlfriend.
A few moments later, Theresa was marching the twins, still half asleep through the kitchen. Each was carrying a duffel bag, no doubt filled with their suits and change of clothes for tomorrow. As usual, both of them noticed Grace right away, their eyes going wide.
"It's so cute. I can tell they are related to you. Their preferences in the opposite sex are so close to yours,
" Grace said, telepathically.
"I'll resist the urge to rub it in for them,"
