After The Fall

Chapter 7 – "Sunrise"

"Our baby?" Dale leans up against the wall as Julia looks at the two of them.

"Annie, why didn't you tell me? I didn't even know you were pregnant. Do Dad and Mom know?" Her arms go around her sister, her heart on the verge of breaking.

"No they don't Jules and I kept it from you guys because I didn't want your pity or sympathy. Poor little Anna all alone and pregnant, you know that's what would have happened Jules. Cole and I are fine and I was on my way to see you when this crazy shit went down." Anna pulls away from Julia as she stares back at Dale, now slumped to the floor.

"Let's take this downstairs." Julia taps Dale on the shoulder as she walks past him.

Once downstairs, they sit in the living room, each of them just staring at one another. Julia reaches for the baby, her heart breaking for her little sister. "Can I?"

Anna hands Cole to her, the baby smiling and cooing back at her. "I'm sorry I hid all of this from you, I hope you can forgive me Julia. I won't stand in the way of whatever you have with Barbie, I promise."

Suddenly Dale jumps up taking Anna by the hand and pulling out of the house, to the porch. "What do you mean he's mine? Did you know you were pregnant when you broke up with me? God, Annie you should have told me, should have called me. I have a child, a son and now here you are trapped in this God forsaken town with me. You've been here all this time, right here with me. Oh God Annie I've missed you."

Dale's arms go around her making her bursts out in tears. He holds her tighter, his hand cradling the back of her head. "Do you love her?" Anna lets the words fall out slowly.

"I have feeling for Julia but I didn't know she was your sister, I swear." Dale takes Anna's face in his hands, his eyes holding that look that was only for her.

The urge to kiss him gets harder as she stares into the endless blue, looks into the eyes that once held her captive. "I never stopped loving you Barbie, never. I said all those things and pushed you away because I had too. Max would have killed you if I didn't walk away from you, she was serious. She's somewhere on an island trapped in here with us. You need to be careful Barbie, she's dangerous."

"Don't you worry about Max; if or when I find her I'll deal with her. For right now we need to get some things cleared up. You should have told me about Max way back then, I could have handled her. I would have rather gone on the run with you than live without you. As for the baby, he's my son and I think you owe it to me to tell me. I would have done my best to be here for you Annie; I would have loved to share all of it with you." Dale's thumbs stroke her face, his lips caressing her forehead.

Taking his hand Anna walks back into the house, taking the baby from Julia. "Cole Shawn Barbara this is your father. Barbie, here is your son." Anna gives the baby to Dale, his hands holding his son so gently.

"Hey there little man. He looks like me, even has my eyes. He's just perfect Annie, thank you." A single tear rolls down Dale's face as he rocks his son in his arms.

Anna takes Julia in the kitchen leaving Dale alone with his son. They talk for a bit about the baby, about Dale and how they're both fallen for the same man. Anna tells her about Elliot and Amber, their adventures together and how they came with her.

After the sisters are all caught up, including how Julia thinks Peter left her, they go back into the living room where Dale is laying on the couch with Cole asleep on his chest.

"You have to come and stay with me, you and the baby." Julia takes her sister's hand, hoping she'll say yes.

"I can't … not if you are living there with Barbie. I still love him Jules but I won't stand in the way of him loving you." Before Julia can answer her back Dale takes her hand.

"I want you to stay with your sister, she's your family. I'll go stay at Rose's or somewhere else." Dale kisses the top of Cole's head as he looks up at the two women in his life.

Sitting down beside him, Anna takes his hand. "No, you stay with Julia. I'm fine here. It's better this way and you can see Cole whenever you want."

Julia turns her head as Anna gives Dale a long sweet kiss. Dale kisses her back, his fingers squeezing her hand. They sit on the couch, talking about the baby until Norrie comes running down stairs in tears.

"Norrie!" Anna leaves Julia and Dale with Cole as she runs out after Norrie. Joe stops her on the porch, his sister Angie sitting there with him. "You go after Norrie and I'll go check on Carolyn."

Going back up the stairs Dale stops her as the first step. "Are you sure you want to stay here?"

"Yeah, I'm sure Barbie. I can see the way you look at her and the way she looks at you that I'm not in your heart anymore. I lost you a long time ago but I have Cole to remind me of the love we once had." She slips her hand out of his as he tightens his grip.

"When did I say I don't love you anymore Annie." He pulls her into his arms and kisses her hard. "I need to talk to Julia but I'll be back."

Her heart felt a spark bring it back to life, that kiss giving her hope that she might have her Barbie back.

Climbing the stairs she can hear Carolyn crying, her dead wife lying in the bed. Anna wraps an arm around Carolyn, trying to console her. "Do you need anything?"

"Just my Alice back." Carolyn hugs Anna back as they cry together. "Do you love him … cause if you do go after him."

Anna smiles back at Carolyn, squeezing her tight. "I do love him but he's with Julia."

"Don't you see it Anna, you are so much like Julia that Barbie dove deep into her hoping to drown in you." They share a few more tears together before Anna runs down the stairs.

She sees Dale outside and Julia in the living room with Cole. Running outside she finds Dale on the lawn, the sunrise peaking over the horizon. "Barbie."

He turns to look at her, the two of them just smiling at each other. Anna runs into his arms, their embrace so warm, so loving it radiates it's own sunlight.