A/N: Ahem…Melody? Another story? Sweetie - are you trying to kill me? LOL! I have an idea for one that happens way after Rafe would be teaching the kids to make snow angels and if I finish this one over Christmas – perhaps…perhaps I'll start. I wrote a few chapters already. Maybe it can be like a flashback or something. That might work. Here's the start to the surprise. Remember – Cam and Abby have one going on themselves. Not nearly as elaborate – but cute in its own way I think. Enjoy, enjoy my angels…xox –G
Chapter Thirty-four
"And you got the stuff for the kitchen? Did I give you a shopping list already? I want us to be able to have dinner there." Alison asked Abby, her voice a bit frantic.
"Alison - please relax. I've got everything you asked for." She sighed.
"I just want it to be perfect. I just want him to be really surprised." Alison paced the room, still completely nervous and beside herself with excitement.
Oh - he's going to be surprised, Abby thought with a grin.
Alison was still talking a mile a minute. "OK - so you know what to do - don't you?" She gestured towards the note Abby held in her hand. "Later today, just give him that note. If he meets me at about 7 that should be good. That way he can work at the gym all day and won't get too suspicious." Alison stood in front of Abby. "You can still drop me off there at 5 - right? This is the tricky part - he's not going to want me to go anywhere. I hope he doesn't freak out. Because I need to be there way before him…."
Abby couldn't stand it another minute. She gently but firmly placed her hands on her sister's arms and practically pushed her to sit on the couch. "Breathe - sweetie. Just stop it for one second."
"Abby…" Alison protested as she sat down.
Abby looked deeply into her eyes. "I mean it. Just take a deep breath. Everything is going to be just fine. I'll get you everything you need, Rafe will be there at 7 and you'll surprise him. Just trust me - OK? I know - It's going to be perfect."
*************
Rafe knocked frantically on Lucy's door - a smile lighting up his whole face. "Oh alright already!" He heard Lucy say as she opened the door.
He looked at her with a sheepish grin. "Sorry, Luce. I just…"
She cut him off, giving him a huge hug. "Look like a little kid on Christmas. Cousin, look at you!! Today's the day!"
"Christmas Eve." He said as he walked inside, rubbing his hands together. "Can't think of a better day to do this."
"She's going to love it." Lucy beamed.
"I know. I just came from there. Everything looks perfect. Thanks Lucy. I couldn't have done it without you." His tone never more sincere. "The tree - it looks amazing - I can't wait to see her face."
I wish I'd be there to see both your faces. Lucy thought with a grin. "What about the nursery?"
"That's even more amazing." Rafe said. He remembered looking at the furniture all in one place - the reality of it all starting to sink in. "But all the bedding and stuff – Luce – it's incredibly pink." He said, his eyes lit with laughter.
"Rafe - you know her. That's what she had picked out and she's so sure she's right. I could go no other way."
"True. We can return it though – right? I don't want my son sleeping on a bed of pink rosebuds." Rafe said with a laugh.
"Of course, silly goose." Lucy grinned.
Rafe started to pace a bit, worried.
"Now – here's the hard part. She can't get there before me. I need to surprise her. She's going out with Abby – some last minute wedding stuff. I told her to give her a note while they're out asking her to meet me at about 6. I'll close the gym a bit earlier than I planned. It should be sort of slow today."
Lucy began to panic. A whole hour? That's too much time to leave Alison in the house alone. There were all sorts of surprises that she and Abby wanted to have planted. Both Rafe and Alison needed to arrive there at almost the same moment. She thought as fast as she could. "Well. I'm going with them and it's not going to take very long. Maybe you should close a little earlier – like about 4:30 so you could get there by 5."
Rafe's brow wrinkled with worry. "You think so?"
"I do." Lucy nodded. "5:00 is much better."
"I could probably do 5:15." Rafe suggested
Close enough. Lucy thought, heaving a sigh of relief that she'd pulled it off. "Perfect."
"I can't wait – Lucy." He said for the millionth time. "I really can't wait."
*************
"Watch your step, Ali. Rafe will kill me if you slip and fall." Abby cautioned.
"I'm OK." Alison said with a glance to her watch. It was just five minutes after 5:00. She looked up at them with tears brimming from her eyes. "Thank you both so much for all your help. I couldn't have done it all without you."
"It's absolutely our pleasure. Well – we'll leave you alone. I'm sure there's some stuff you need to take care of before Rafe gets here. Merry Christmas." Lucy said, giving her a great big hug.
Abby did the same, and then followed Lucy to the car.
They drove off as fast as they could, both of them crossing their fingers it all worked out like they hoped.
"Merry Christmas!" Alison repeated softly as she waved from the front porch.
In shaky hands she held the key to their new home. She fit it in the lock and twisted it, knowing it was something she'd come to do for many, many years to come. As she opened the door and stepped across the threshold she was overcome with joy and a sense of peace. This is where they belonged. A new place – all their own – bright and clean and ready to fill with their own memories and traditions.
She turned a huge circle in the center of the living room, catching a glimpse of the tree, lost in thoughts of how wonderful it all would be. Logs were set in the fireplace, waiting to be lit. Three stockings hung from the mantle - two large, one incredibly tiny, making her smile wider. Lucy and Abby had thought of everything. She had just noticed a note propped up on the mantle as well – addressed to both her and Rafe. Curious she walked over and was about to pick it up when she heard someone at the door.
Turning toward the sound she saw him and though he was way too early, there was nothing she could do but grin. He was slightly disappointed he wasn't there to surprise her but it seemed she'd just gotten there herself. She hadn't even taken off her coat.
"Merry Christmas!" They both said simultaneously.