Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 70

**Across Distant Skies Lies Hope Waiting To Be Found by Kade Rowan Flint**

**Friends with Benefits**

**Grace**

As I crossed the threshold of my home, a tidal wave of exhaustion engulfed me, compelling me to surrender to the inviting embrace of the couch that awaited me. Each step felt like wading through molasses; every muscle in my body ached as if I had just completed an intense marathon. At last, I could feel the burdens of the day begin to lift, allowing me to draw in a deep breath and finally unwind.

But my moment of peace was fleeting. A quick glance to my side revealed Liana and Lucas, my niece and nephew, kneeling on the floor, their faces alarmingly close to mine. A groan escaped my lips; their sudden intrusion sent my senses into overdrive.

Liana wore a mischievous grin, her expression suggesting she had just unearthed the most tantalizing secret imaginable. Lucas, on the other hand, gazed up at me with those big, soulful puppy-dog eyes that made it impossible to feel any annoyance toward him.

“Aunt Grace,” Lucas piped up, his voice bubbling with innocent curiosity, “was that your boss? The one that bullied you?”

Before I could gather my thoughts to respond, Liana interjected, tossing her hair back dramatically. “How many times do I have to tell you? You’re wrong! He didn’t bully her. They’re actually boyfriend and girlfriend. Right, Aunt?”

Lucas frowned, shooting a glare at his sister. “How do you even know that? She hasn’t told us they’re dating. You’re just making stuff up.”

Liana stood tall, folding her arms defiantly. “Because he’s handsome!”

I blinked at her, momentarily taken aback. Was that really her reasoning? Just because Apollo had an attractive face, he was automatically my boyfriend?

Lucas groaned, rolling his eyes in exaggerated disbelief. “That doesn’t make sense! Besides, he’s not even that handsome. I’m way better looking than he is!”

Liana erupted into laughter, so loud it startled me. “As if! You look like a baby compared to him!”

“Y-you—!” Lucas stuttered, biting his lip as tears threatened to spill from his eyes. With a dramatic wail, he let his emotions flow freely.

I pressed my hands over my face, letting out a long, weary sigh. These kids were truly going to be the death of me.

“Alright, enough of this,” Wyatt’s authoritative voice rang out as he strode over, positioning himself between the twins. “Upstairs, both of you. It’s time to get ready.”

Lucas pouted, but before he could protest further, I reached out and ruffled his hair affectionately. “Don’t listen to your sister, Lucas. I think you’re way more handsome.”

His face brightened instantly, a radiant smile breaking through his earlier gloom. Liana scoffed, though I could see her lips twitching upwards in amusement. As Wyatt ushered her toward the stairs, she glanced back at me. “We’ll continue this conversation later, Aunt.”

With the twins finally out of my hair, I exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of their playful chaos lift. It was time to confront the real issue that had been lurking in the shadows of my mind.

I turned, and there she was.

Eleanor stood in the kitchen, her apron tied snugly around her waist, a picture of domesticity amid the chaos of my thoughts. The sound of oil sizzling filled the air as she cracked an egg into the pan, her hair slightly tousled from the previous night’s events.

I lingered in the doorway for a moment, hesitant, before finally pushing myself off the couch and making my way into the kitchen. I hopped up onto the counter, crossing my arms casually as I observed her.

“Do you need help?” I ventured, fully aware of what her response would likely be.

Eleanor turned her head just enough to shoot me a playful smirk. “Help? From you?” She shook her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Please, Grace. You’re a terrible cook. You’d burn my kitchen down before breakfast even had a chance to get started.”

I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes at her in mock offense. “That’s strange.”

“What’s strange?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“That you’re not bombarding me with questions yet. I thought you’d be the first to grill me until you squeezed every last detail out of me. But since I got back, you’ve been uncharacteristically quiet. Even on the ride home.”

Her smirk widened as she slid the pan aside and turned her full attention to me. “So, what you’re saying is… you want me to interrogate you for information?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but was caught off guard by her laughter, soft and melodic.

“Relax. That’s why I’m hurrying with breakfast,” she said, gesturing towards the stove.

“Huh?” I replied, genuinely confused.

She gestured toward me, concern etching her features. “You look drained, Grace, like you barely slept. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t feed you before digging into the juicy details?”

Her words struck a chord within me, softening the edges of my anxiety. She knew me too well. A small smile tugged at my lips, and before I could rein it in, the truth slipped out.

“I slept with him.”

The spatula froze mid-air. For a heartbeat, Eleanor stood there, completely still. My stomach twisted, wondering if I had just shattered her composure.

Then, as if the dam had broken, she dropped the spatula onto the counter and turned to face me fully, her eyes ablaze with excitement, a grin stretching wide across her face. “Fuck it.”

“Well, if you’ll have me,” I added quickly. “I’ll pay rent to stay here.”

“No,” she replied immediately, shaking her head. “Why would you pay—”

“I want to,” I interjected firmly. “I really want to stay with you guys. It feels like I have a family when I’m here. But I can’t just freeload. I’ll help with the rent and everything else. So, please don’t fight me on this.”

Eleanor studied me for a long moment before finally nodding, her smile returning slowly. “Fine. It’s hard to stop you once you’ve made up your mind. You have no idea how happy I am that you decided to stay here. Wyatt and the kids are going to be over the moon.”

Her words filled me with warmth. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I truly believed that things might be alright. I was finally going to live my life surrounded by the people I cared about, no longer clinging to those who never truly loved me.

Eleanor turned back to the stove, humming a cheerful tune, but then she froze mid-motion. “Wait—hold on.”

I frowned, confusion washing over me. “What?”

She set the spoon down, facing me with a pointed expression, her brows arched in that familiar way she did whenever she was about to drop a bombshell into the conversation. “I just thought of something. You said it’s a sexual relationship, right?”

“Right…” I replied cautiously, sensing where this was heading.

“Well, then what happens if one of you falls in love with the other?”

**Conclusion**

In the aftermath of my revelations, a newfound sense of clarity washed over me, as if the fog that had clouded my judgment had finally begun to dissipate. The laughter and playful banter of the twins echoed in my mind, a reminder that life continued to move forward, regardless of the complexities I faced. I felt a warmth blooming within me, ignited by Eleanor’s unwavering support and the prospect of carving out a space for myself among loved ones. The idea of staying with her and her family filled me with hope, a stark contrast to the loneliness I had felt for so long. I was no longer just a passive participant in my life; I was actively choosing to embrace the connections that mattered, to surround myself with those who brought joy and laughter into my world.

Yet, as Eleanor’s probing question lingered in the air, a knot formed in my stomach. The potential for love, intertwined with the casual arrangement I had entered with Apollo, loomed like a shadow over my newfound happiness. The fear of vulnerability reared its head, reminding me of the risks that came with opening my heart. But in that moment, I understood that this journey was not just about navigating the complexities of relationships; it was about discovering the strength to confront my own emotions. I realized that amidst the laughter and chaos, I had the power to define my own path and to embrace whatever feelings might arise, knowing that hope lay across those distant skies, waiting patiently to be found.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As we move into the next chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate dramatically as Grace grapples with the implications of her burgeoning relationship with Apollo. With Eleanor’s thought-provoking question hanging in the air, the emotional stakes are raised significantly. Will Grace continue to deny her feelings, or will she confront the reality of her situation? The dynamic between her and Apollo will be tested as they navigate the complexities of their arrangement, leading to potentially explosive revelations.

As Grace seeks to redefine her boundaries, the lines between friendship and romance may blur in unexpected ways, making for an intense exploration of love, desire, and vulnerability. Additionally, the chapter promises to delve deeper into Grace’s desire for independence and the challenges she faces as she contemplates moving out. With Eleanor’s support, the search for a new home will serve as a backdrop for Grace’s personal growth. However, the looming question of how her relationship with Apollo will affect her newfound freedom adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.

As the twins and Wyatt continue to play pivotal roles in her life, Grace must navigate the complexities of familial bonds while also pursuing her own happiness. Will she find the courage to embrace her desires, or will fear hold her back? The next chapter is set to be a thrilling ride filled with emotional twists and turns that will leave readers eagerly anticipating Grace’s next move.