Disclaimer - Here's what's mine - Abby, Cameron, the idea for this story. :) Here's what isn't - PC, any of it's characters, dialogue, or storylines. I don't know who owns them anymore - but I know it sure isn't me!!! ;)
Author's Note: I said soon - and I hope this is soon enough.!!!!! LOL! Don't be too impressed - I have a dozen or so chapters done already that didn't fit into the last one. Those who know my stories know - this is Part III in a series - coming after Chasing Shadows and Everything Your Heart Desires. Please read the other 2 stories if you haven't yet 'cause if you don't you'll be a little lost. A LOT has happened here.
This story takes place after my VERY loosely based version of The Gift. Read EYHD and find out what happened before this - rest assured - nothing did between Caleb and Alison other than a little kidnapping. :) Alison - obviously - by the title -is with child (wow - lol! so old fashioned of me!!). Anyway - it's all sunshine and happiness for Rali pretty much 24/7 in this story. Don't like Rali? Don't read this then :) because I certainly do - maybe a bit too much!! I seem to have developed a bit of a problem!! :)
This chapter is once again dedicated to the Aw Triplets (they know who they are - LOL!) and all the other dear faithful readers who have read and reviewed my other stories. Love y'all to death…even though you're killing me - motivating me to keep going with this. My poor wittle fingers (and my imagination - quite frankly) need a break. Not until I'm done with this though. As always - ENJOY!! - xox - G
Chapter One
Sunlight streamed through the window, glinting off her hair, which was bright as the sunbeams. That's my wife, Rafe thought with a grin. Look how gorgeous she is.
Leaning her chin on her hand, she pushed the hair away from her face and gazed lovingly at him. "OK. I think I might have got it now. It doesn't matter if I get fat or have fangs, pretty much nothing is going to be able to make you want to get rid of me? Is that right?" Alison asked, her eyes squinting, a huge smile blooming on her face.
"Yes. That's right. Took you long enough to figure it out." Rafe replied, running his hand over her hair, pausing on the slope of her shoulder. His eyes met hers and held.
Alison was getting lost in his stare again. "Hmmm. If I happen to forget again - could you please remind me?"
"With pleasure." He leaned in to kiss her.
Her eyes fluttered closed, and she sighed when his lips met hers. It was over. Finally over.
Alison held him tighter. If she ever really let Rafe know just what his kisses did to her - she'd be at his mercy forever. She sighed again, heavier this time, and as she did she pulled him closer to her. Goodness could the man kiss. Everything glittered behind her eyes when he kissed her - it was like fireworks, sort of like a kaleidoscope, beautiful colors melding and changing over and over. Even after all this time - it still shocked and amazed her.
He clearly had no idea what she'd just been thinking as pulled away and caressed her cheek. "What do you want to do today?" He asked. "I'm keeping the gym closed."
"Rafe. We've lost so much time already. You haven't opened since I've been in the hospital." She protested.
"Alison. We took 4 days for a honeymoon. You found out your sister was kidnapped and you opened up. I don't think 3 more days will kill us. We'll open tomorrow, but not today. Today" he said kissing her again and then continued, "is just for you and me. We can do anything you want."
A few things flew into her mind. We could stay here in bed all day, was her first thought as she snuggled closer but the sunlight she could see lighting the apartment was irresistible. Imagine - a day without vampires - just hours and hours with nothing to worry about. Alison never thought this day would come. She wanted to do something really simple. "How about a picnic? By the lake?" She asked.
She was so hard to please - he thought as he smiled. "A picnic it is." Rafe replied.
Never more content, Alison lay back on the pillows, folding her hands over her stomach. Moments later , her eyes grew wide. "Oh my God!" She exclaimed.
"What?" Rafe asked, suddenly worried.
"Oh my God, Rafe." Tears shone in her eyes. "Give me your hand." She said, not waiting. She grabbed for his hand and held it tightly, bringing it to rest under hers on her belly.
As his hand moved over her, he realized how big she'd gotten. They'd been so distracted lately he hadn't noticed that she was clearly pregnant now. A week or two ago - people wouldn't have been able to tell, but now - it was obvious. "What's going on?" He asked.
"The baby - she's moving." She replied, her voice filled with awe.
There she goes again. Rafe laughed. "Alison. You don't know it's a she."
"I do too. Stop arguing with me. Shhh, Wait and be quiet." She scolded. Rafe couldn't help but smile, she already sounded like someone's mother.
Then he felt it, like a fluttering under her skin. "Wow. Oh my God. Alison." It was amazing.
"I know. Rafe, it's so weird." She turned to look at him, smiling widely.
He felt "her" move again. "Looks like someone's wide awake."
"I guess so." Alison laughed, rubbing circles over her stomach. "Can you even believe this?"
"No. It is truly unbelievable." He replied, kissing her softly. "So are you."
Rafe shifted in to sit up and then leaned over and placed a kiss below her belly button. Alison felt the baby move again and giggled. "Hey there - little one." Rafe whispered. "I'm not calling you "she". Your mother's crazy." Rafe grinned as Alison smacked him lightly on the shoulder. "If you're a boy I don't want you to get a complex."
"It's a girl, Rafe. I don't even need to have them tell me for sure. I know it."
Rafe rolled his eyes. "Stop interrupting me. I'm having a conversation here. Anyway, little one. I need you to do something for me. Take care of your mom - OK? I'm going to have a heart attack before you're born if she gets into any more trouble."
"Rafe!" Alison laughed.
He sat up next to her and looked deeply into her eyes. "I mean it. I'll go crazy if I have to go chasing after you again. My heart can't take much more."
"You have nothing to worry about anymore. Rafe. That's what's crazy. No vampires." Her eyes grew wide and shone with happiness as she inched closer to kiss him. "You can retire, for now."
"For now?" Rafe asked.
She smoothed the hair away from his forehead. "I'm trying not to think too much about it, but I know something else could come." She saw the concern fill his eyes. "No. Rafe. I'm not worried. I just mean that I know it's part of who you are. Fighting evil. I don't expect you to just sit by and let it happen. Someday - you might have to again."
"I love you." He said simply, humbled and awed by the fact that she knew him so well.
"I love you too." She replied.
"Now." she said as she captured his lips with hers. "The baby's hungry. It's time for a picnic - let's get on with our lives, Mr. Kovich."
As they rose from the bed and dashed around, getting ready they were laughing, smiling, seemingly without a care in the world. Finally - there was nothing stopping them from doing just that.
