nothing to lose

Grace Parker. 20 yrs, sophomore. "Do small things with great love." - Mother Teresa

[shelleyhennigsource]

#literally me every morning

[shelleyhennigsource]

[grace-parkaahh]

Beantown | G + N

[lord-nick-blog]

It didn’t surprise Nick that Johnny caught on to the fact that Grace was wearing a ring. Johnny reminded him of himself a little bit, and Nick definitely would have caught on if he noticed any of his sisters wearing a ring on their left finger. He grinned and shook Johnny’s outstretched hand before wrapping his arm around his fiancé. “I’m not going anywhere anyway,” he replied to Johnny, smirking down at Grace. “I went through too much trouble to get that ring.” He grabbed her left hand and kissed the palm of it before entwining their fingers.

Nick twirled a strand of Gracie’s hair around his finger and pursed his lips. “Now, how do you suppose we tell your parents?” He brought up, raising an eyebrow. “Micha’s husband proposed in front of us at a family dinner- which I thought was a bloody bold move- but I think it may be too late for that…unless you want me to do it in front of your parents, because I’ll do it.” He was mostly teasing, mostly. 

[grace-parkaahh]

Grace let out a small laugh and shook her head. “No, unless you want my dad to break your wrist.” She said, and Johnny nodded aggressively to the absolutely true fact. Grace shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t... really know.” She admitted her and looked at the both of the males. “This is my first time going through this, y’know!” She said, slapping her knee and laughing. “How about we just have dinner first and see what happens. I am starving.” She admitted and smelled the spices coming from upstairs. She looked at Nick and gave him a small smile. She let him know through their silence that everything would be alright. 

‘Grace, Nick, Johnny!’ She heard a stern familiar deep voice echoing through the house. “Show time!” She joked and began to dance while walking up to the kitchen. Her mother handed them plates and utensils and lead them to the table filled with platters of food. “God... Nick, you look skinny. Let’s put some meat on those bones.” Carmen said through a smile as she rubbed her new boyfriends steroid injected arms. Grace could feel her eye begin to twitch, a reaction she usually had when she got mad. “You’re lucky to have this one.” Grace said to her sisters boyfriend and shoved a pepper in her mouth. Clapping her hands loudly, Grace’s mom shushed them. “We didn’t come here to fight, ladies, get it together. Nick, you look perfectly fine.” She said and directed them into the dining room as they served themselves. “How ya’ been, Nick?” Grace’s dad asked and walked beside him. 

[grace-parkaahh]

Beantown | G + N

[lord-nick-blog]

The car ride to Grace’s parents house was a lot more tense than it needed to be. She even turned up his new Kendrick Lamar album to avoid talking to him. Of course, Nick tried to spark a conversation anyway, but her nervousness wad obvious whether she tried to hide it or not. He on the other hand was pretty excited. Having dinner with his future in-laws was something he looked forward to, surprisingly. Nick parked the car in front of the house and cut the engine. They entered the house and Nick let his fiancé lead him through the house, only stopping to greet Mrs. Parker before going to  back porch. The resemblance between Grace and Carmen was quite noticeable, although they had different personalities. Nick found Carmen’s ‘don’t care about anything’ personality to be funny, although he would never mention that to Grace.

When Mrs. Parker called for them to help set the table, Nick followed Grace back into the house. But she turned to him and said that she had not told her parents about their engagement yet. Admittedly,  his nervousness spiked a little bit, but nonetheless he didn’t mind. Nick nodded and gave her a crooked smile, “that’s fine, love. We should tell them together anyway.” He took her hands in hid and kissed the back of of each one, chuckling when he noticed that Grace had turned her ring over. “Well at least I know why you were acting like I kicked your dog in the car.” He joked, trying to lighten Grace’s mood. He turned around and walked into the dining room where her mother was setting up. The boy flashed Mrs. Parker a charming smile, the same smile that he flashed to the realtor earlier.

[grace-parkaahh]

Grace watched her mother leave the room as her and Nick began taking over the job. She found it peaceful as they put down all the plates and utensils, until a loud bang happened. "What the hell was that?" Grace said and looked at the chandelier above them shake furiously. She walked towards the sound to find her brother sprawled on the floor covered with corn. Her parents stood there with their arms crossed, almost expecting it to happen. Grace could only help but laugh at her younger brothers clumsiness. "Dude — really?" "Shit happens. I was trying to help, okay?" Johnny replied as he got up and corn hit the floor. Graces father walked over to his son and smacked him playfully with a tea cloth. "You're lucky those weren't the ribs." He said and walked away.

Grace looked at Nick and smiled. The family was still normal, besides Carmen as usual. There wasn't any way of changing her attitude. "So when's dinner ready?" Her brother asked and her parents looked at him, shaking their heads in unison. "20 minutes." Her father replied and scooted them all of the kitchen. Grace went down to the basement lounge and sat on a couch, holding her rumbling stomach. "Nice ring, Gray." Johnny said nonchalantly as he opened the fridge and took out a Dr. Pepper. Grace looked at him and couldn't make any words to say. "Yeah, the one on your left finger, that represents being... I don't know... engaged!" He said as he walked over to her and flipped the diamond over. Grace laughed and nodded. "Oh yeah... that thing. Yeah. I'm engaged!" She said and held up her hand. Johnny chuckled and patted her on the back. "Don't be a Carmen and drop this guy after 5 days of being engaged." He said, and held his hand out to Nick in order to congratulate him. "Oh, no, you'll catch me dead before I get engaged 15 times." She said and sighed.

[grace-parkaahh]

Beantown | G + N

[lord-nick-blog]

Nick wrapped Gracie in his arms as she kissed him. He couldn’t help but laugh at her excitement. He was as equally excited as her- but less jumpy. “Yeah, but those boots can’t live with us, sorry.” He teased as she rolled off him. He took her offered hands to pull himself up and placed a quick kiss on her forehead. Nick strolled after Grace to the elevator. She was like a caffine-filled toddler. 

They filled out the necessary forms and put a down payment on the apartment. Nick still couldn’t believe that this was happening. He was moving in with the love of his life and getting married. A lazy grin formed on his lips as he and Grace walked out of the apartment building. The sun was beginning to set over the city, and a soft wind blew, slightly ruffling Nick’s hair. “We still have dinner at your parent’s house, right?”

[grace-parkaahh]

“We still have dinner at your parent’s house, right?” He asked. She nodded, smiling slightly, and waving goodbye to the realtor. She did not know what to expect from her parents tonight. She was hoping they would trust her, and encourage her as they usually did but also, her brother and sister would be present. Everything could go downhill because of those two. Grace tossed her keys to Nick and entered the passenger seat. She preferred not to show Nick that she was nervous about the whole situation, so in order to avoid talking she turned up the music and looked at her phone. An occasional question from him came from time to time but they finally arrived at the Parker Residence. She saw the parked cars lined up in the drive way and could see Carmen from afar standing on the back porch with yet another male interest in her life. That wasn’t a surprise to her family anymore. She could get engaged any time she wanted and no one was shocked.

Grace lead Nick into her household and they were greeted by the noise of a TV, dogs barking love to Grace, and aromas coming from the kitchen. Grace discretely flipped her ring to hide the diamond and walked outside to the back porch to find Carmen. Carmen of course couldn’t have been bothered to turn around. “Hi.” Grace said, and the long haired brunette slowly turned around, waved a couple of fingers and went back to hugging her new love interest. “What a surprise, right?” Grace laughed, and went back into the house. “Gracie, Nick, come help set the table!” Her mom called out to both of them and Grace tensed up. “One sec!” Grace called out before turning to Nick. “By the way, I haven’t really told them about our engagement so I’m planning to do that tonight... um.... yeah.” She spat out quickly in one breath. 

[grace-parkaahh]

Beantown | G + N

[lord-nick-blog]

Ever since they landed in Boston Nick knew that he could find home in this city. Gracie was always raving about how great Boston is, and had to agree that it is a great city– although he would never admit it to her. Nick walked around the apartment, and he liked it. It was the best they’ve looked at. By the way Gracie kept staring out the of the windows in the living room he knew she liked it too. The view was a great one, it looked similar to his hometown. When the realtor mentioned the studio, Nick gave Grace a crooked smile. “Really?” He nodded his head slowly in approval. 

When the realtor left he watched Grace walk towards the windows before turning to him. He loved how the sunlight glowed on her, she looked like a fantasy. His fingers itched for a pencil or a pen and some paper to draw her, but if they got the apartment he could spend hours drawing her. Nick nodded and threaded his fingers through hers. “I like it too…I love it in fact, it’s the best we’ve looked at.” He said, and drew her into his arms, locking his hands together on the small of her back. “I like the view. I like how you look in the view too.” He dropped his hands and moved back towards the center of the room. “I don’t think we have to look much further. Say the words and it’s ours.” He suggested with a grin.

[grace-parkaahh]

Grace wrapped her arms gently around his body, laying her chin against his chest. She looked up to him and her smile drew bigger as he told her he liked it, he loved it, actually. She followed him to the center of the room and shot him an enchanting smile. “I think.... it’s ours.” She said, biting her lip and letting out a small sigh of relief. She looked at him and ran into him, hugging him as tight as she could and accidentally knocking them both down. She sat up on top of him and shook him in a loving way. “We’re getting our own place!” She let out and began to give him kisses all around his face. Letting out a laugh, she rolled next to him with her hair messed up all on her face and kissed his cheek one last time.

“Let’s go tell this lady.” She said, standing up and putting out her hands to help him up. She practically ran to the elevators, pushed every button multiple times and sprinted to the realtor letting her know they were going to get the apartment. The realtor was just as happy as they were and congratulated them. Grace nodded to Nick and held onto his arm– but she realized she had one last thing to do, which was inform her parents about her future. Her married future.

[grace-parkaahh]

Beantown | G + N

[lord-nick-blog]

Nick was completely aware of how much trouble he was gonna be in with his fiancè if he was late getting to the apartment building. Might as well have fun and get in trouble later, he thoughts before ducking inside yet another thrift store. This store was more of a clothing thrift store; he enjoyed the ones that had useless junk that he definitely didn't need but wanted anyway. There was a small old woman sitting at the cash register, she gave Nick a pressed smile. He returned it with a smile and a nod of his head. After spending at least fifteen minutes browsing the store he bought a american flag bandana and left. Walking down the street, he pulled his phone out to see the many messages Gracie sent him. He smiled and replied that he wasn’t far from the building. 

As he approached the building, Nick spotted his fiancè. He was pretty sure he would spot her in a huge crowd any day—even with her new hair cut. “Sorry I’m late. But when the city calls you must answer.” He said before kissing Grace on the side of the head and flashing their realtor a charming smile. He looked at the coffee cup in Gracie’s hand and raised an eyebrow. “None for me?”

[grace-parkaahh]

Grace and the realtor had finally warmed up to each other. Grace knew she definitely needed a coffee to soothe her, she looked like those types. Before she knew it, she received a kiss and a familiar scratchy scruff against her head. Grace looked up at a charming Nicholas and shook her head discretely, since she knew what he was up to. “No, you’re late, mister.” She said, and pulled him by his hand towards the entrance of the building. The realtor grinned, sipping her coffee as she spoke to them about the perks of the building. She had glowing reviews and brought them up to the vacant apartment awaiting its owners. Grace stepped into the large empty room and she immediately saw the glowing landscape of the city Boston, and grinned. She let go of Nick’s hand and walked up the wall of windows and stared out of them. The realtor then opened the windows and all of the cool air blew in, freshening up the room. 

“Your fianceè told me you’re an artist, actually, every apartment here includes a studio that comes with the bedrooms and bathrooms.” She said to them and Grace looked back at Nick. She followed the woman around the place and enjoyed the aspects of it all. The cozy yet comfortable size of it, the kitchen, the master bedroom, the lounging area – it was more than she ever expected. The realtor smiled, “I’ll give you two a couple of minutes to discuss this one. I’ll be waiting outside.” Grace grinned and walked up to the windows before turning around to Nick. “I mean... I really like it.” She said, and found his hand to hold. “I think it’s a good size, and I really am enjoying this view.” She said, looking over her shoulder. 

[grace-parkaahh]

Beantown | G + N

Grace stood outside one of the new modernized apartment buildings in Boston, the Avalon Exeter. She stared at her phone waiting to see a text message from her fiancé letting her know he was 2 seconds away, but of course, she could only assume he got caught up in one of the trillions of thrift shops in the city. She knew this would be a death trap once they arrived there, but there was no way of stopping the man from checking out every single one he saw. The realtor she was standing with was becoming impatient and checking her watch every couple of seconds. Grace cleared her throat and went to go play with a piece of her hair, only to remember she had cut most of it off so when she played with it now; it looked awkward. She smiled at the woman and shrugged, “He’ll be here really soon. I promise, I’m just as annoyed as you are.” She said, rubbing her arms to keep them warm. 

She looked around the street to find things she grew up with to be practically the same. There was still the historic red brick apartment buildings, all the college students running around, the business suits carrying a cup of coffee along with a brief case, and the Boston gear stickers or posters hanging from trees, walls and cars. She could only grin from the all of the nostalgia of her childhood. “Want to get a coffee really quick?” She asked the woman, and encouraged her with arm movements and head nods. They walked over to a local coffee stand, ordering their cups and waiting for the famous Nick Morganston to make his debut at this apartment tour.

[grace-parkaahh]

Grace ⟶ Nick

Nick: I don't like you cause of your shoes either i'm on her side with this one.

Nick: I can catch them, just throw them nicely.

Grace: I told her I'm single just for that.

Grace: Bitch.

[grace-parkaahh]

Grace ⟶ Nick

Nick: I definitely told you not to wear those boots bUT.

Nick: Your feet are gonna sweat ha

Nick: Ask her about the weather. Or baseball. Idk shouldn't you Boston people connect?

Nick: I'm 5 minutes away.

Grace: I definitely took a nap before this and didn't feel like getting all dolled up.

Grace: She doesn't like me because of my shoes. I know it.

Grace: If you went to another thrift store... you're catching these hands.

[dsharmaniacs]

[maliathehale-blog]

[grace-parkaahh]

Grace ⟶ Nick

Grace: Where the hell are you????

Grace: I'm standing here awkwardly with this realtor.

Grace: She thinks I'm a joke, dude. I kinda am. I'm wearing fuzzy moccasins and fuzzy socks. All the fuzz. ALL OF IT.

Grace: JOKES OVER! Bring your 6 ft body over here mister.

Grace: HELLO.

[shelleyhennigsource]

Shelley Hennig, Natalie Hall and Bailey Noble behind the scenes on ‘Still Life’.

[yenvengerberg]

Shelley Hennig for BELLO Mag.

[lord-nick-blog]

The smile that lit up Nick’s face mimicked one of a kid in a candy store. “Yes?” He had to ask, to make sure that he heard her correctly.  He hugged Gracie ever so tightly, his face buried into her neck. He pulled away and took the ring out of the back. He held onto Gracie’s hand gently and slipped the ring onto her slim finger. He breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank God it fits.” He chuckled. Nick tossed the box and took Gracie’s face into his hands and planted a deep kiss on her lips, pouring everything he was feeling into the kiss.

[grace-parkaahh]

She nodded her head to him asking if she actually said yes. Her smile grew as he watched him slip the ring onto her finger. She looked at it up close and looked up at him, her future husband. She held his wrists as he held her face and returned her feelings into their kiss.

"Well– time to tell the Parker's." She said silently, letting out a small laugh. 'This is bound to go well...' She thought to herself as she caressed his arm.

[lord-nick-blog]

Nick laughed and held Gracie as she hugged and kissed him. He could almost feel the excitement pouring out of her. He set her back to her feet and held her hands. “I figured it would be a lot easier for our future if I did it.” He said, grinning down at her. His grin slowly slipped from his face. “And a lot easier for what I’m about to do.” He brought Gracie’s hands to his lips and placed a soft kiss to her knuckles before letting them go. Taking a quick deep breath, Nick got down on one bended knee and reached into his back pocket, pulling out a small leather box. “Do you remember that time I went home without you and you got so angry with me because I wouldn’t tell you why?” A small smile quirked his lips. “Well, this is why. It belonged to my grandmother, my mom’s mother. I had to do a lot of convincing for her to give it to me.” He said, lifting the box a little. “I almost gave in and told you, but I figured that would ruin everything.” He hesitated before continuing.

"This past year has been the best year of my life. Being with you… is the best thing to ever happen to me. You…challenge me, you teach me, you surprise me, you understand me in ways no one ever has and you are the only person who can drive me absolutely mad. While my family always overlooked my passions, you took me seriously. Even when I didn’t believe in my own passions, you did. I know I can be the most obnoxious, arrogant bastard to ever breathe but yet you still tolerate me. You make me want to be a better man, Grace. Not just for you but for myself as well.  For years I always thought of love as something transitory, something replaceable, but when I fell in love with you I realized…I never want this to end, I never want to even think about replacing this. Grace, I promise to never purposely do anything to hurt you. I promise to always try my hardest to be a man you can be proud of calling your husband. I know it’s only been a year, but in this year I know for a fact that this…this is it…and I don’t want to wait anymore.”

Looking into Gracie’s eyes. Nick slowly opened the box and revealed a studded diamond ring. “Grace Robyn Parker, will you make me the happiest wanker in the world and marry me?”

[grace-parkaahh]

Grace felt her knees buckle when Nick bent down on one knee. All she could think was, 'Oh my God... is this really happening?' Her stomach filled with butterflies and her cheeks beginning to hurt from smiling so hard. She was left speechless and she let out a small shriek. "Yes, yes, yes! YES! A million times yes!" She said, meeting him and hugging him around his neck. She felt her tears slipping and she kissed his cheek. "I would love to marry you, Mister." She said, and gasped for air. She held her hand out and covered her mouth. She felt her tears hit her hand and she couldn't stop smiling.