CHAPTER TWELVE:

PICTURE PERFECT

       GRACE MARIN GROANED LOUDLY, COVERING HER HEAD with her white silk pillow. The noises from outside of her house were annoying her and she couldn't get her precious sleep! Damn Jason and his yard work. 

"Ugh," Grace sighed, finally sitting up. Maybe it was time for her to get up. She checked her phone, noting that it was 10 o'clock in the morning. She had slept in by accident. She didn't know how, but after Jessica went back to her normal life away from Rosewood, Grace technically moved in. She didn't move her furniture or anything big, but she did now have half of the closet space and a toothbrush in Jason's bathroom. Hey, they were dating for 4 years before, just because they had a length hiatus didn't mean they still couldn't be in love. 

Grace looked out of the window, seeing Jason with his shirt off, talking with the yard workers who helped him renovate. Maybe she should get ready too and help out.

"Hey handsome," Grace called out to Jason who was now wearing a shirt. Grace carried a pitcher of water and glasses for the workers. "Brought some water for everyone."

"Thanks, love." Jason smiled, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She passed out the waters to the workers who did a good job so far. Jason was really transforming the backyard into something new. 

"Hey!" Jason suddenly shouted at one of the workers in the distance. Grace furrowed her eyebrows in confusion at what was happening. She peeked around the workers beside her who were grabbing their waters to see Jason run up to a worker who was trying to get into the shed. She saw Jason shake his head at the worker and lock up the shed securely. She noticed how he left the key above the door, as if that would've been secretive enough. 

She shook her head slightly at Jason's lack of tack. He made it seem like there was something valuable enough to steal. Not like she had anything against the workers, she just knew that the way Jason approached the situation made it seem like a multimillion dollar car was locked up inside. 

Grace decided it was time for her to go back inside and leave the men to work. 

• • •

"God damn it!" Jason yelled out in frustration, slamming the door behind him.

"Hey, hey, hey," Grace rushed over, placing her hands onto her fiancee's shoulders to calm him down. "What's going on?" 

"Remember how earlier someone broke into our shed?" 

"Yes?"

"Spencer and Emily were the culprits." 

"What, why?" Grace was confused for a moment, why would those two be snooping around Jason's shed?" 

"I found some pictures when I was cleaning out the shed. I thought they'd be of Alison but turns out they were all of Aria. I didn't know they were of her until I developed them fully. Spencer and Emily think I'm obsessed with Aria when I wasn't the one who took those pictures!"

Grace cracked a smile, leaning her head on Jason's shoulder. "Jason, remember a long time ago... when I got mad at you for taking pictures of me?" 

"I do remember that," Jason grumbled, looking away from the blonde woman in front of him. 

Grace grabbed onto Jason's chin, pulling his gaze forcefully to her own. Her crystal blue eyes searched the green eyes before her own. "Remember that those photos are what got us in this mess in the first place." 

"I-I didn't mean to do that to you– To make you apart of that." Jason sighed, kissing Grace's forehead. 

"I know, we were teenagers, we didn't understand the consequences of trusting others." Grace soothed him, knowing how personal he took it. It was so long ago that it didn't faze Grace anymore.

"We know better now." Jason confirmed, kissing his future wife's cheek. "I'm going to have some coffee on the porch, do you want some?" 

"No, I'm going to go make dinner." She wished she could join him, but maybe after she prepared their meal. 

"You're the best, do you need help?" Jason asked, glad that she was cooking. Jason was definitely not a good cook– Grace would lie and say he was decent. 

"I got it, go enjoy yourself." Grace kissed Jason quickly, smiling up at him as he turned to pour his coffee. 

Jason DiLaurentis took his warm beverage from the coffee machine and walked outside onto the porch, appreciating the cool breeze. His coffee kept his insides warm despite him not wearing any fall clothing.

In the distance bright lights twinkled and approached his home. A cop car pulled into his driveway and Jason knew who it was immediately. Garrett. 

"I was wondering how long it'd be before you showed." 

"In Rosewood, all roads seem to lead back to this house." Garrett pulled out two cans of beer from his back seat, offering one up to his friend. "Want one?" Jason gave his old friend a strange stare, as if he was crazy. "Sorry, I forgot," he said casually. He didn't forget, he was just trying to get under his high school friend's skin.  

Garrett made himself comfortable on the porch steps, leaning against the railing. He angled himself so he could still socialise with the blonde man seated on the porch swing. 

Jason coughed, clearing his throat. He tried to be nonchalant but knew why his high school friend was there, it was obvious. They hadn't talked in awhile. "So, what's on your mind?"

"I just want to make sure we're still cool, Jason." Garrett eased into the conversation, he didn't want to stir the pot. 

"What does it matter anymore? It's over, right?"

"I'm a cop now. Matters more than ever." His reputation was what mattered, he needed to protect himself from a childish mistake he had made. Garrett couldn't let his old friends ruin his opportunity for a better life. 

"Everything okay out h– Oh, Garrett." Grace stopped in the doorway as she noticed the uniformed officer before her. 

"Hi, Gracie," Garrett waved a welcome when he turned to see Grace Marin. 

"Why did you bring beer?" Grace asked bluntly, she didn't bother to greet the cop. 

"I forgot," Garrett shrugged, sending a smirk towards the girl. "I don't suppose you'd like one?" Grace shook her head at his 'kind' offer. Both were sober now, at least Garrett was curteous enough to drop the subject.  

"I'd say," Grace snorted. She didn't move from her spot in the doorframe. Her eyes darted over to Jason and he shook his head, patting the spot beside him. She complied, walking over to her fiancee to sit down and enjoy the evening. 

The three young adults sat in quiet, enjoying the nighttime for once. None of them brought up the past or future, just enjoying what they all once had together. 

•   •   •

so they took pretty little liars off of netflix and i'm pissed.