"I still think this is a crazy idea," Maria said, as Tito and Caylee got into the back seat of Ritchie's car.

"It's just lunch," Tito said. For the life of him he could not understand why Maria was being so damn stubborn about this. Every attempt by Eleanor to reach out and meet her granddaughter had been politely but firmly rebuffed. Finally, she'd come up with the idea of a little sendoff luncheon before OFC's sailing trip.

If Maria persisted in thinking he was twisting her arm to get her to meet Eleanor, well then that was just too damn bad.

"Lunch at her house," Maria said. "Why couldn't this wait until you got back from the sailing trip?"

"Because as soon as I get back I'm moving in with Eleanor, and I really think you should meet her now, not wait until the first time you come there to see me." He paused. "Unless your plan was never to come over for the next three months at least."

"What do you mean at least?" Maria asked.

"I mean, Eleanor asked me to make a commitment to live there for three months so I can get to know her and make up my own mind about what kind of person she is, and what relationship I want to have with her in the future."

"If any," Maria said, and Tito ignored her.

"If things work out, maybe I'll stay longer."

"With everything you've already been through, I can't understand why you are such a pushover for this old woman. You just believe everything she says, don't you?"

"So far she hasn't given me any reason not to take her word at face value."

"Easy for you to say, when you weren't the one who was humiliated by Bradford Thornton not once but twice," Maria said bitterly.

"If it was Bradford Thornton inviting us to lunch, I wouldn't give him the time of day," Tito said. "He's dead. This is not him."

"Well it's his mother," Maria said, turning around in her seat to glare at him.

"That's like saying I must be like Thornton because he's my-"

Maria cut him off. "Don't say it, Tito. Don't use that word to describe him."

"You know what?" Richie said calmly. Maybe you and Caylee should switch seats, Maria, and you and Tito can sit together in the back seat and fight with each other as if you're still ten years old."

"Very funny," Maria said. "Nice to know not even my husband is on my side on this."

"Maria," Ritchie said. "I am on your side. I just don't want you to have regrets later. This is an elderly woman, and she's your only living grandparent. What if you wait and later change your mind and she's not around any more?"

"Next thing you know she's going to want to meet Matty."

There was silence in the car.

"She did want to meet Matty, didn't she?" Maria sounds even more stressed.

"Of course she wants to meet her only great grandchild," Tito said. "I convinced her she should get to know you first."

"Hmph" was Maria's only comment.

"Well," Caylee said brightly, "I think it's a lovely idea for all of us to get together for lunch before we leave for Bimini. I think Jack and Bailey are bringing JB along, too."

Maria turned back again to look at Caylee. "Is it true that you and JB are moving in together?"

"I'm tired of living alone. JB is like my grandfather, and I don't think he likes living alone either."

Maria grinned. "So, Tito, I guess you two will have a chaperone at both places."

"Don't think I haven't thought about that," Tito said. But at the moment he was thinking about Bimini, and two nights alone with Caylee in a cottage by the beach. There was a lot that could happen in two nights. Besides, his apartment wasn't going anywhere, even though he was temporarily moving out.

He was probably crazy, getting himself in deeper with a woman like Caylee. They were from two different worlds. It didn't matter that his grandmother was apparently from the same world as Caylee. She was still way out of his league.

Caylee was fancy parties and splashy photos on the society page. Jetting off to exotic places for the weekend on a whim.

He was a novelty to her, a walk on the wild side, and he knew it. Which was fine, as long as he didn't get too used to having her around.

Just then she glanced over at him, reaching across the seat to give his hand a squeeze. Her smile was flirty and her eyes sparkled and he just knew her thoughts had also gone immediately to Bimini. He felt like someone had punched him in the gut and knocked the wind out of him.

Not get too used to having her around? He was afraid it might already be too late.

Jack pulled the car onto the ferry for their trip over to Fisher Island, and Tito got his mind off Caylee and thought what a pain this was all going to be gong to work every morning, then was immediately ashamed of himself. A little inconvenience was a small price to pay to get to know the grandmother he never knew he had.

He just hoped Maria could find it in her heart to give Eleanor a chance.

* * *

When they got to the front door it opened immediately. Tito had expected Chloe to be standing there, but to his surprise it was Eleanor herself who led them in.

"I'm so pleased you were all able to come today for lunch. I so wanted to do something to celebrate that wonderful sailing trip you put together for the kids in the program."

Caylee knew Eleanor had to be in her 70's, but she was surprised how much younger her energy seemed. Definitely not the grandmotherly image Caylee had expected.

Eleanor was dressed in a casually chic pair of white capris slacks, topped with a lightweight white and yellow color block short-sleeved sweater. Her shoes were soft leather flats in a bold blue color. She wore her silver hear in a simple but stylish cut, ending just above her shoulders. She had a patrician nose, the high cheekbones of a model, and clear piercing blue eyes that looked like they could see right through a person into their soul. Tito's eyes. And Maria's.

Tito had described her, of course, but still Caylee had not been prepared for the impact of meeting Eleanor Bancroft Thornton face to face. Caylee realized not only had Eleanor obviously been a beautiful woman in her youth - she still was.

Eleanor may not look like a grandmother, but the expression on her face when she greeted Tito was definitely sending out doting grandmother vibes.

Then Eleanor turned her gaze on Maria. "Thank you for coming," she said, her voice soft. "I know you didn't want to, so it means even more that you did."

Maria stared back at Eleanor, her expression difficult to read. "Tito wanted me to meet you." Then she pulled Ritchie forward and introduced him, apparently using that moment to avoid any further direct conversation with Eleanor.

Tito then turned to his grandmother, gestured at Caylee, and simply said, 'This is Caylee, the woman I told you about."

Caylee extended her hand and gripped Eleanor's hand - fine boned but surprisingly strong - in hers, then impulsively leaned in and kissed Eleanor on the cheek.

"I'm really pleased to meet you," Caylee said, and watched Eleanor's face light up with genuine warmth.

"I'm very pleased to meet you as well," Eleanor said. "You're every bit as lovely as Tito said you were."

And Caylee had the feeling Eleanor was talking about something other than her physical appearance.

"Let's go out on the terrace by the pool," Eleanor said. "Chloe and I have lunch set up out there."

"Chloe?" Maria asked.

"She's the graduate student who's been staying here with me while she completes her studies," Eleanor explained.

Eleanor led them through the a wide archway into the family room, crossing it to open the French doors on the other side that led to the terrace. Caylee glanced back and saw Maria lingering, looking at a painting displayed on the wall.

It must be one of hers, Caylee thought, recalling that Tito mentioned Eleanor had several of Maria's paintings in her house.

Before Caylee could say anything, Maria turned and followed the rest of the group out through the French doors, her face unreadable but her jaw set exactly the way Tito sometimes set his. Caylee wondered if it upset her that her grandmother apparently collected her art, or if there was some other reason for the thinly veiled hostility.

They walked outside where Chloe was fussing with pitchers of what looked like ice tea in one, and pink lemonade in the other. It was a lovely buffet lunch set up on a table off to the side, with a platter of assorted sandwiches and a variety of side dishes from a nearby deli. Classy, Caylee thought, but presented with a simplicity that suited the occasion. That was an art, she reflected, that he own mother, with her over-the-top notions about entertaining, had never learned.

"Tito," Eleanor said after Chloe had been introduced to every one, "I hope Bailey and her husband will make it here today. I'm excited to meet the other indispensable part of OFC."

"She and Jack are probably just running a little late," Caylee explained. "Also, Jack's grandfather has been staying with them."

Tito spoke up. "I hope you don't mind, I encouraged Jack and Bailey to bring him along."

"Mind? Of course I don't mind. There's certainly plenty of food here, and I'm delighted to have another guest. Especially one from my own generation."

A few moments later they heard the melodic chimes of the doorbell.

"That must be them now," Eleanor said., and started toward the French doors to go back inside.

"Stay here," Tito said, touching her arm lightly. "I'll go let them in."

"Please help yourselves," Eleanor said, gesturing to the table set up with the buffet, "then we can all have a seat at the table. I, for one, would love to hear more about the plans for this sailing adventure."

"Everything looks lovely," Caylee told her, and selected a sandwich and some fresh fruit while everyone else joined in.

Eleanor turned, a welcoming smile already on her face, as Tito approached with Jack, Bailey and JB.

Tito ushered Bailey in first, steering her toward Eleanor. "This is my right hand person at OFC, Bailey Reed."

"I'm delighted to meet you Bailey," Eleanor began. Then she froze as JB stepped through the doors. And she just stared at him.

"Hello Mrs. Thornton," Jack started. "I'm Bailey's husband, Jack, and this is my grandfather-" His voice broke off. "Is there something wrong?"

"I don't believe it," Eleanor breathed. "Jonny? Jonny Berrington? Is that really you?"

"My god," JB said, pausing on the small step down to the terrace. "Ellie?"

He turned to Tito. "Ellie Bancroft is your grandmother?"

Authors Note: Is Maria ever going to let go of her hostility toward Eleanor?

And what's the deal with Eleanor and JB?