Chapter 14: Apologies and Acceptances

Rafe knocked on the door and waited for a nurse to answer, hoping it wasn't going to be Evelyn. It was difficult enough trying to think everything over, but to run into her now, it just wouldn't be pleasant. He didn't know what to do about the situation.

"Hi Rafe," Sandra opened the door and stepped aside, letting Rafe walk through. "What are you doing here? Evelyn's…"

"I'm not here to see Evelyn. Is Allie upstairs?"

"Yeah, she just got home. Go on up," Rafe smiled at Sandra and slowly climbed the stairs up to Allie's room.

When he reached the top, he knocked on the door. "Allie, you in here? It's your wonderful, kind, caring, fantastic…"

"Okay, stop the ego boosting," she said laughingly when the door opened. "You really aren't that amazing." She took his arm and led him into the room. "What are you doing here? I thought you had to work again today."

"I did, this morning." He paused. "I need to talk with you about some things. Like…" he trailed off.

"Evelyn and Danny," she supplied and he nodded.

"How did this happen," was all he asked.

"I don't know. I avoided them for months. You remember what I did when Mom died. I kept away from everyone…and I did the same thing this time. I couldn't talk with anyone because no one knew what I was feeling…well, except Danny. Then one day, he came to talk to me and told me they were together." She shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm sorry you got involved in this."

"Rafe, I got myself involved. I'm the one who came to Pearl and…" she trailed off, unwilling to admit her feelings to Rafe.

The two sat in silence for a short time, each thinking about their respective situations. "What's going on with you and Danny?"

Allie's head snapped up and she stared into his eyes. "What do you mean," she asked quietly.

"Don't try and play shy, I heard what you told me, and I figured something out when you met us at the plane."

"I don't know Rafe. I don't know what's going on, and I wish I did. I'm so confused. The four of us are tied up in this stupid situation and I don't know where I stand in all this." Allie tried to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall.

"He should be home soon. I'm going to ask Doolittle tomorrow when I drive to the base. He might know when the guys should arrive."

"Hey Allie, you got mail." Barbara entered the room without knocking. "Oh, sorry Rafe. I didn't realize you were here." She walked over and handed Allie the letter. "Here ya go. I'll see you later, I'm off to work." And with that, she left, leaving brother and sister to sit again in silence.

"Well, I need to be going. I've got things to do and think about." He stood and walked towards the door.

"Do you think you'll take her back," Allie asked before he reached for the doorknob.

He turned and looked back with a sad expression etched on his face. "I don't know what to do about the baby. Otherwise, I'd say yes in a heartbeat."

"She loves you."

"That doesn't… it doesn't matter. Danny doesn't even know about the baby. What's he going to do when he finds out?"

"Can't you two raise the baby? He can call you Uncle Rafe or something. I know it's weird, but… And he can still call Danny daddy, but they wouldn't be together. They don't fit together like you and her do. You two were made for each other, Evelyn said it herself."

"I don't know Allie. We'll see." He gave her a hug and pulled the door open. "I'll be around later to talk with her. You take care." Rafe walked down the stairs and Allie watched.

Once she heard the front door shut, she closed the bedroom door and sat on the bed with the letter Barbara brought up. It was from Danny. She held back a squeal as she slit open the flap and took out the paper. Inside, along with his letter was a small note. She opened the small note first and smiled.

Allie,

Thanks for calling Sarah and letting her know about me. It meant a lot. I'll be sure to thank you in person when we get home.

Gooz

"You're welcome," she said aloud and folded the note back up. She put it back into the envelope and slowly opened the letter.

She read through carefully, commenting aloud when she had an opinion.

"Thank God," was all she said after reading about his medal not being awarded posthumously.

"I hope you don't change your mind when you find out about Evelyn and the baby. I think he's okay with the thought of us, it's just the baby." She sighed softly and continued reading.

She reached the end of the letter and her eye caught on one of the last sentences. God willing, I should be home by the end of the month. Gooz and I are healing up pretty nicely, or so the nurses tell us. By the way, they aren't anywhere as good as you and the girls. Have Rafe check with Doolittle, he should know when we're scheduled to arrive.

Her eye caught the calendar, "Oh my goodness! He should be home within the week! Hopefully! I need to talk to Rafe!" She grinned and placed the letter back into the envelope.

It wasn't worth writing a letter to send him, not when he might be home soon. "But I can write a letter to give to him when he gets here." She grinned and ran downstairs to the desk.

"What are you doing," Martha asked when Allie flew past her.

"Writing Danny a letter." Allie pulled out some paper, pen, and an envelope.

"Do you know when he might be home?"

"Hopefully within a week. I got a letter today from him. He said he should be home by the end of the month." She grinned again. "That's next week!"

Martha smiled back. "Hey, Allie. Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, what do you want to ask?"

"What's going on with Evelyn and Rafe? Are they going to get back together?"

Allie turned to look at her friend. "I don't know. Possibly…maybe. I just don't know."

"I figured you might know something, considering you're close to the matter."

"I don't. Sorry." Trying to avoid any further conversation, she turned back to her letter. After a few minutes, she heard Martha sigh and walk away.

Dear Danny,

She wrote over four pages to him. He may never even read this, she thought as she placed the letter into the envelope and sealed it.

Allie walked up the stairs to her room and when she arrived, she lifted the mattress and slid the letter underneath; making sure no one would read it.

She lay back on her bed, trying to think about what to do. The next thing she knew, she was being gently shaken awake.

"Wha?" she murmured, trying to roll back over.

"Come on Allie. It's time to wake up," Rafe shook her shoulder again, trying to rouse her from sleep.

"What are you doing back here," she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Allie, it's Monday. You slept through yesterday evening and all through the night."

"Did I really?"

"Yes. Now come on, I have some news for you."

"What news?" She sat up and smoothed out her dress.

"Danny should be home on Sunday." She smiled as her face lit up with excitement.

"Oh really!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"Yes," he laughed. "Now come on, you need to come downstairs with me. I need you to sit and listen while Evelyn and I talk."

"Oh no Rafe. I can't. I don't want to get anymore involved."

"Please," he begged. "I need you."

Allie sighed, and then finally nodded. Rafe took her arm and gently pulled her off the bed and led her downstairs.

Evelyn was waiting in the living room, already sitting on the sofa. Allie sat down in an old armchair, close enough that she could hear, but far enough away that she was comfortable. Rafe sat on another sofa, and turned to look at Evelyn.

The two sat staring at the other for a few minutes. "Okay Ev," Rafe began. "We need to figure out where we stand and what we're going to do about the baby."

Subconsciously, Evelyn placed her hand on her stomach. "Do you have an idea," she asked timidly.

"I love you Evelyn. I have for a while now. I think I always will love you. You were the greatest thing to happen to me." He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his legs.

"Rafe…"

"I know you're sorry and I think you really mean it. But Ev you've got to understand. The baby changes everything. Danny'll come back soon…Sunday actually."

Evelyn's face lit up slightly. "He will!" She turned to Allie. "Oh that's wonderful."

Allie smiled back and pulled her legs up onto the chair, curling into a ball.

"I think I've thought it over enough, and I've realized you two didn't mean to hurt me. I don't know what I would have done if something would have happened to you." Rafe stood up and walked over to where Evelyn sat. He knelt in front of her and took her hands in his. "I'm sorry. I said something that I probably shouldn't have. As long as Danny agrees, I'd like to be with you and help you take care of the baby."

Evelyn looked into his eyes and Allie's jaw dropped slightly. "Really?"

He nodded. "I love you Evelyn."

"Oh Rafe," she said as she stood up, hugging him tightly.

Allie quietly stood up and left the room. She was due at work in a half hour and need to clean up.

I hope Danny agrees with this situation when he comes home. She quickly showered and dressed in her nurse uniform. Rafe and Evelyn were still in the living room when she slipped out the front down and walked down the street.

AN: Wow I had this chapter up quick! Yay for me! Thanks for the reviews for the last chapter. Hope you all enjoyed this one. The next one should be up soon!