Author's Note: OK dear readers - this is it - the moment you've been
waiting for! LOL!
I'd really, truly love to hear what you think - now that it's all FINALLY
done. (btw - I'm also hoping to clean up some of the typos and words that
have gotten out of order that I've noticed throughout - it annoys me - so
I'm thinking it probably annoy y'all too!)
I actually first ended the story w/this chapter; but I had too much to say so I decided to add Chapter 44. I'm thinking it could have worked either way. When you read 44, I'm sure you won't mind. Just think of it as a bonus - for being so faithful, patient and kind! Soon as I can, I'll start posting the next story - which I hope you'll read too. :-). As always - thanks so much for reading! - Until later!! xxooxx Gracie
Chapter Forty-three
Rafe held her still, his fingers gripping her arms, nearly bruising her he held her so tightly.
"Please. Rafe, just let me go." Alison's voice was filled with sorrow. This was too much for her to take right now. Maybe tomorrow she could try again. She'd try to make him forgive her every day of her life if he'd let her, but she couldn't start today.
His voice stunned her. It was bitter and angry, "Not on your life. You are not leaving here until you listen to me."
It seemed the decision was made for her. She'd have to fight today. Sighing, she started her apology once more, hoping this time she could make him hear her. "Oh God. Rafe. I know you're angry. I know you hate me. I know that. But I -"
Alison couldn't speak anymore. Rafe pulled her to him and covered her mouth with his.
The tears were still hot on her cheeks. Her breath was ragged. She clung to him, saying everything she had been trying to before by returning his kiss, knowing all the while that it would never be enough to convince him. Not anymore.
Oh God, he was so angry, she thought. Alison could taste his fury in each kiss. His hands framed her face, his fingers wound into her hair, tugging it none too gently. He kissed her again and again - so roughly and desperately it was almost like an assault. In the state she was in she took it to mean that he wanted her to remember what she'd lost. Almost like punishment for all she had made him go through.
Even though she knew it was over, she couldn't help sighing - because, however he kissed her, gently, angrily, full of desire, it didn't matter to her. Nothing in her life could ever compare to how he could make her feel when he did.
Rafe pulled away and held her by the shoulders, shaking her as he spoke. Alison just looked at him - speechless. This did not seem to be going well.
"I can't believe you. You must be nuts! You were trying to take him on alone? Alison, he was so dangerous. He could have hurt you, he could have killed you a thousand different ways before you could even blink. Did you even think about that?"
"I did, but."
He shook her again, glaring at her as he cut her off sharply, "But nothing. Don't you dare argue with me - not about this." Rafe was furious. "I will never let you do something so insane again. Do you hear me?"
"Rafe.I just."
"You just what? You just thought that I'd be fine if he had you instead of me - that I'd be grateful to you? That I'd be happier if you married him and became a vampire while I got live a life without you? How did you possibly think that would even be an option? "
"It was the only option, Rafe. I love you. As hard as it was to hurt you, I would do it again in a second. I had a chance to stop Joshua, and I took it. I would not let him kill you." Alison spoke the words like a promise.
He didn't care what she said. He could never live without her. She was his life; she was the one whose love brought him back here in the first place. Without her, nothing else mattered. Whatever chances she tried to take, whatever she tried to do to save him, he'd never be able to live knowing she had sacrificed her life for his.
Rafe stood facing Alison, wanting to make sure she understood. They may spend the rest of their lives together. He may have to give in to her now and then when they argued. But this is one thing he would not negotiate.
"Let me tell you something and it's very simple, so listen closely. You - offering your life for mine? Not an option. Ever."
God, he was so stubborn, she thought impatiently. How many different ways would she have to say it? "Rafe, please.I had to." she tried to convince him again.
"NO. Save it. That can never, ever happen again. Never." He stared at her, his eyes deadly serious.
"What!?" Alison asked.
She was getting annoyed with him. He kept interrupting her. He always did that. It made her so angry. In fact, she was so angry now that she completely forgot she had been trying to beg his forgiveness.
Rafe lifted her chin, looked deep into her eyes as he spoke. "I won't allow it. It won't happen. There is no way that would ever work."
That did it. He won't allow it? Ugh! Alison thought, frustrated beyond belief. This is what always drove her crazy about him. He was so hell bent on keeping her safe that he did this all the time. He thought that he could just order her around. Who did he think he was?
"You won't allow it!?!" Alison asked, her voice now shaking with disbelief.
"That's right." Rafe shot back.
"Excuse me? Umm, since when do you get to tell me what I can and can't do?" she started to raise her voice, her patience was growing thinner each second.
"Since you started to leave your brain behind whenever you leave the house." he said simply.
He'd done it again. Alison was more than angry now. She could not believe him! He was actually saying she was stupid!
"Rafe Kovich, let me tell you something. I may love you enough to die for you, but I will not stand here and let you tell me I'm stupid for doing it. Get it?" Her eyes were on fire as she poked him in the chest as she spoke, her finger punctuating each word.
Rafe tried to grab her by the arms to hold her still, but she squirmed from his grasp.
"Oh yeah?" He replied, "Well, let me tell YOU something - Alison, I love you too much to ever let you die for me so you have nothing to worry about."
She stared at him then, still furious.
He stared back - and began to shake with laughter.
This is the other thing he did all the time. Whenever she was ready to fight with him, he began to laugh at her. It annoyed her beyond belief.
"Rafe. I can't even believe you're laughing at me at a time like this. This is far from funny." Alison warned him.
He took a good look at her then. Her hands on her hips, her eyes still so angry it just made him laugh more. The sleeve of her gown was torn at the shoulder, a smudge of dirt smeared across her cheek. There was a twig caught in her hair. She was an absolute mess, and Rafe had never seen anything more beautiful in his life.
"It is? Are you sure?" Rafe was still laughing, as he reached for her, pulling her close.
Having wanted nothing more than to be exactly where she was right now for the past week, Alison finally just gave in and melted into his arms.
"I'm sure." she said, still terribly mad at him, but even with that, she sighed as she moved in closer. She could never be close enough to him again.
"You do realize that we are fighting over who loves the other more." he said, placing a soft kiss on her hair.
Realizing that he was exactly right, Alison began to laugh herself. "I guess we are."
Oh God, how did she ever think she could have lived without him? Alison would never have been able to do it. Not for a minute, not for a second - she was kidding herself if she thought she'd ever be able to survive. She couldn't believe she was back in his arms. How many times had she wished for this in the past few days?
All the love she felt for him filled her voice as she spoke his name, "Rafe."
"Alison." he said, finally beginning to calm. He touched his forehead to hers.
"You're not leaving me?" she asked, still not convinced it was actually true.
"Leaving you? What are you talking about?" Rafe held her face in his hands, his eyes searched hers to try and figure out what she meant.
Alison averted her eyes, remembering all the horrible things she had said to him. "I can't believe you are actually here with me now. I thought you would never want to see me again after all the horrible things I said to you."
Rafe caressed her cheek, trying to wipe the smudge away as he asked, "Did you mean what you said?"
Alison knew she deserved it. She had hurt him so completely; she had spoken to him so convincingly that he had every reason to ask her that. She promised herself she would do this if she had the chance. She needed to make him understand just how much she had lied.
Her hands moved to his face, holding it still as she looked deeply into his eyes. She wanted to make sure there was no doubt in his mind. "No. No. No. I didn't mean a word, not one single word of it."
She ran her fingers through his hair. Tears began to run down her cheeks. She paid no attention, she was only thinking of him. "Oh God - Rafe. I love you. I love you. I never wanted to hurt you."
Rafe didn't mean for his question to make her so upset. He shouldn't even have asked. He had been hurt, but he already knew. She had lied to him, to save his life. He tried to calm her down. He took her hands in his, kissing them softly. "It's OK. Shh.It's OK. I know - you do."
Alison barely heard him, she wouldn't stop until finished this. She looked into his eyes, all the love she had for him shining from hers. "You need to know how much I lied. Nothing I said to you that day was true. Not one thing. You have never, ever failed me. Not once. Rafe, meeting you, falling in love with you, is the most amazing thing that ever happened to me. I am so incredibly grateful to have you here with me. I need you to know that I know how lucky I am."
Lucky? He thought. Just look at her. She's the bravest, most beautiful woman in the world and she, unbelievably had chosen to love him. She had no idea who the lucky one was.
She stopped to catch her breath but quickly continued. "There are two things in my life that I am completely sure of. I am sure of your for love me and I am absolutely, positively sure that I love you and I always, always, will." She rose on her toes and pulled him close, all the love she felt for him evident in her kiss.
Rafe pulled her closer, deepening their kiss as he did. He would never let her go. Ever. Alison was safe. They were together again.
He continued to kiss her, never wanting to stop. He sighed as he said, "You know - I think I got that."
"Rafe?" Alison asked, finally sure by the way he was kissing her that he understood she loved him, more than anything.
"mmm?"
She needed to know, now that she felt safe she kept going over what had just happened again and again in her mind. She reluctantly tore her lips away from his and asked, "How did you know what was going on? How were you able to find me? And - seriously, was I imagining things or wasn't that CALEB who pulled Joshua off of me?"
He kissed her once more before he answered, "Well. Jamal kept in touch with Casey - "
"He did?" Alison asked, though she was hardly surprised. She was so glad that through everything they'd been through they had been able to stay such good friends.
"mmm hmm. And as for how Caleb got involved, I'll let your sister explain.."
Rafe had become so used to talking to Abby that he didn't even realize what he just said.
Alison's eyes widened with shock. "My sister? What do you mean?"
Rafe didn't hear her, he was busy trying to kiss her again.
Alison pulled back sharply, finally getting Rafe to focus on her words.
"Rafe - you just said - my sister."
He realized now what he'd just blurted out. He hadn't meant to do that. He hadn't meant to tell her that way. But now that he had, he simply smiled and said. "Yes. She's here."
"You've actually met her?" Alison asked, still shocked at the thought that her sister was in Port Charles to begin with - let alone that Rafe had met and talked to her.
"Without a doubt." Rafe said with a smirk, thinking again of how alike they were.
"When? How?"
"She didn't even know that you were sisters herself when she got here. Alison - it's a long story, and I think you should let Abby tell it."
"Abby? My sister's name is Abby?" Alison stared up at him, new tears in her eyes. "She was the one who met Livvie?"
"Yes. Then after I met her, she helped me save you." Rafe leaned in to kiss her again.
Maybe it was his kisses or knowing she'd finally found her sister or perhaps it was the fact that she'd just spent many days being held captive by a lunatic, but Alison's head began to spin. It was a good thing he was holding her, because she wasn't sure she could stand up much longer.
Seconds later, Rafe felt her legs give out. She started to sink to the ground. He caught her and scooped her up in his arms.
"Whoa. Hey. Alison?" Rafe asked, his voice full of concern.
"I'm OK." She replied as she hooked her arm around his neck, pressing her cheek to his chest. "I think I'm just overwhelmed. I haven't eaten much lately either. I was too afraid that Joshua would." she trailed off as her eyes fluttered closed.
"C'mon. I'm taking you home." Rafe whispered as he placed a kiss on her hair.
"Oh Rafe." Alison said with a sigh. "I'm already there."
I actually first ended the story w/this chapter; but I had too much to say so I decided to add Chapter 44. I'm thinking it could have worked either way. When you read 44, I'm sure you won't mind. Just think of it as a bonus - for being so faithful, patient and kind! Soon as I can, I'll start posting the next story - which I hope you'll read too. :-). As always - thanks so much for reading! - Until later!! xxooxx Gracie
Chapter Forty-three
Rafe held her still, his fingers gripping her arms, nearly bruising her he held her so tightly.
"Please. Rafe, just let me go." Alison's voice was filled with sorrow. This was too much for her to take right now. Maybe tomorrow she could try again. She'd try to make him forgive her every day of her life if he'd let her, but she couldn't start today.
His voice stunned her. It was bitter and angry, "Not on your life. You are not leaving here until you listen to me."
It seemed the decision was made for her. She'd have to fight today. Sighing, she started her apology once more, hoping this time she could make him hear her. "Oh God. Rafe. I know you're angry. I know you hate me. I know that. But I -"
Alison couldn't speak anymore. Rafe pulled her to him and covered her mouth with his.
The tears were still hot on her cheeks. Her breath was ragged. She clung to him, saying everything she had been trying to before by returning his kiss, knowing all the while that it would never be enough to convince him. Not anymore.
Oh God, he was so angry, she thought. Alison could taste his fury in each kiss. His hands framed her face, his fingers wound into her hair, tugging it none too gently. He kissed her again and again - so roughly and desperately it was almost like an assault. In the state she was in she took it to mean that he wanted her to remember what she'd lost. Almost like punishment for all she had made him go through.
Even though she knew it was over, she couldn't help sighing - because, however he kissed her, gently, angrily, full of desire, it didn't matter to her. Nothing in her life could ever compare to how he could make her feel when he did.
Rafe pulled away and held her by the shoulders, shaking her as he spoke. Alison just looked at him - speechless. This did not seem to be going well.
"I can't believe you. You must be nuts! You were trying to take him on alone? Alison, he was so dangerous. He could have hurt you, he could have killed you a thousand different ways before you could even blink. Did you even think about that?"
"I did, but."
He shook her again, glaring at her as he cut her off sharply, "But nothing. Don't you dare argue with me - not about this." Rafe was furious. "I will never let you do something so insane again. Do you hear me?"
"Rafe.I just."
"You just what? You just thought that I'd be fine if he had you instead of me - that I'd be grateful to you? That I'd be happier if you married him and became a vampire while I got live a life without you? How did you possibly think that would even be an option? "
"It was the only option, Rafe. I love you. As hard as it was to hurt you, I would do it again in a second. I had a chance to stop Joshua, and I took it. I would not let him kill you." Alison spoke the words like a promise.
He didn't care what she said. He could never live without her. She was his life; she was the one whose love brought him back here in the first place. Without her, nothing else mattered. Whatever chances she tried to take, whatever she tried to do to save him, he'd never be able to live knowing she had sacrificed her life for his.
Rafe stood facing Alison, wanting to make sure she understood. They may spend the rest of their lives together. He may have to give in to her now and then when they argued. But this is one thing he would not negotiate.
"Let me tell you something and it's very simple, so listen closely. You - offering your life for mine? Not an option. Ever."
God, he was so stubborn, she thought impatiently. How many different ways would she have to say it? "Rafe, please.I had to." she tried to convince him again.
"NO. Save it. That can never, ever happen again. Never." He stared at her, his eyes deadly serious.
"What!?" Alison asked.
She was getting annoyed with him. He kept interrupting her. He always did that. It made her so angry. In fact, she was so angry now that she completely forgot she had been trying to beg his forgiveness.
Rafe lifted her chin, looked deep into her eyes as he spoke. "I won't allow it. It won't happen. There is no way that would ever work."
That did it. He won't allow it? Ugh! Alison thought, frustrated beyond belief. This is what always drove her crazy about him. He was so hell bent on keeping her safe that he did this all the time. He thought that he could just order her around. Who did he think he was?
"You won't allow it!?!" Alison asked, her voice now shaking with disbelief.
"That's right." Rafe shot back.
"Excuse me? Umm, since when do you get to tell me what I can and can't do?" she started to raise her voice, her patience was growing thinner each second.
"Since you started to leave your brain behind whenever you leave the house." he said simply.
He'd done it again. Alison was more than angry now. She could not believe him! He was actually saying she was stupid!
"Rafe Kovich, let me tell you something. I may love you enough to die for you, but I will not stand here and let you tell me I'm stupid for doing it. Get it?" Her eyes were on fire as she poked him in the chest as she spoke, her finger punctuating each word.
Rafe tried to grab her by the arms to hold her still, but she squirmed from his grasp.
"Oh yeah?" He replied, "Well, let me tell YOU something - Alison, I love you too much to ever let you die for me so you have nothing to worry about."
She stared at him then, still furious.
He stared back - and began to shake with laughter.
This is the other thing he did all the time. Whenever she was ready to fight with him, he began to laugh at her. It annoyed her beyond belief.
"Rafe. I can't even believe you're laughing at me at a time like this. This is far from funny." Alison warned him.
He took a good look at her then. Her hands on her hips, her eyes still so angry it just made him laugh more. The sleeve of her gown was torn at the shoulder, a smudge of dirt smeared across her cheek. There was a twig caught in her hair. She was an absolute mess, and Rafe had never seen anything more beautiful in his life.
"It is? Are you sure?" Rafe was still laughing, as he reached for her, pulling her close.
Having wanted nothing more than to be exactly where she was right now for the past week, Alison finally just gave in and melted into his arms.
"I'm sure." she said, still terribly mad at him, but even with that, she sighed as she moved in closer. She could never be close enough to him again.
"You do realize that we are fighting over who loves the other more." he said, placing a soft kiss on her hair.
Realizing that he was exactly right, Alison began to laugh herself. "I guess we are."
Oh God, how did she ever think she could have lived without him? Alison would never have been able to do it. Not for a minute, not for a second - she was kidding herself if she thought she'd ever be able to survive. She couldn't believe she was back in his arms. How many times had she wished for this in the past few days?
All the love she felt for him filled her voice as she spoke his name, "Rafe."
"Alison." he said, finally beginning to calm. He touched his forehead to hers.
"You're not leaving me?" she asked, still not convinced it was actually true.
"Leaving you? What are you talking about?" Rafe held her face in his hands, his eyes searched hers to try and figure out what she meant.
Alison averted her eyes, remembering all the horrible things she had said to him. "I can't believe you are actually here with me now. I thought you would never want to see me again after all the horrible things I said to you."
Rafe caressed her cheek, trying to wipe the smudge away as he asked, "Did you mean what you said?"
Alison knew she deserved it. She had hurt him so completely; she had spoken to him so convincingly that he had every reason to ask her that. She promised herself she would do this if she had the chance. She needed to make him understand just how much she had lied.
Her hands moved to his face, holding it still as she looked deeply into his eyes. She wanted to make sure there was no doubt in his mind. "No. No. No. I didn't mean a word, not one single word of it."
She ran her fingers through his hair. Tears began to run down her cheeks. She paid no attention, she was only thinking of him. "Oh God - Rafe. I love you. I love you. I never wanted to hurt you."
Rafe didn't mean for his question to make her so upset. He shouldn't even have asked. He had been hurt, but he already knew. She had lied to him, to save his life. He tried to calm her down. He took her hands in his, kissing them softly. "It's OK. Shh.It's OK. I know - you do."
Alison barely heard him, she wouldn't stop until finished this. She looked into his eyes, all the love she had for him shining from hers. "You need to know how much I lied. Nothing I said to you that day was true. Not one thing. You have never, ever failed me. Not once. Rafe, meeting you, falling in love with you, is the most amazing thing that ever happened to me. I am so incredibly grateful to have you here with me. I need you to know that I know how lucky I am."
Lucky? He thought. Just look at her. She's the bravest, most beautiful woman in the world and she, unbelievably had chosen to love him. She had no idea who the lucky one was.
She stopped to catch her breath but quickly continued. "There are two things in my life that I am completely sure of. I am sure of your for love me and I am absolutely, positively sure that I love you and I always, always, will." She rose on her toes and pulled him close, all the love she felt for him evident in her kiss.
Rafe pulled her closer, deepening their kiss as he did. He would never let her go. Ever. Alison was safe. They were together again.
He continued to kiss her, never wanting to stop. He sighed as he said, "You know - I think I got that."
"Rafe?" Alison asked, finally sure by the way he was kissing her that he understood she loved him, more than anything.
"mmm?"
She needed to know, now that she felt safe she kept going over what had just happened again and again in her mind. She reluctantly tore her lips away from his and asked, "How did you know what was going on? How were you able to find me? And - seriously, was I imagining things or wasn't that CALEB who pulled Joshua off of me?"
He kissed her once more before he answered, "Well. Jamal kept in touch with Casey - "
"He did?" Alison asked, though she was hardly surprised. She was so glad that through everything they'd been through they had been able to stay such good friends.
"mmm hmm. And as for how Caleb got involved, I'll let your sister explain.."
Rafe had become so used to talking to Abby that he didn't even realize what he just said.
Alison's eyes widened with shock. "My sister? What do you mean?"
Rafe didn't hear her, he was busy trying to kiss her again.
Alison pulled back sharply, finally getting Rafe to focus on her words.
"Rafe - you just said - my sister."
He realized now what he'd just blurted out. He hadn't meant to do that. He hadn't meant to tell her that way. But now that he had, he simply smiled and said. "Yes. She's here."
"You've actually met her?" Alison asked, still shocked at the thought that her sister was in Port Charles to begin with - let alone that Rafe had met and talked to her.
"Without a doubt." Rafe said with a smirk, thinking again of how alike they were.
"When? How?"
"She didn't even know that you were sisters herself when she got here. Alison - it's a long story, and I think you should let Abby tell it."
"Abby? My sister's name is Abby?" Alison stared up at him, new tears in her eyes. "She was the one who met Livvie?"
"Yes. Then after I met her, she helped me save you." Rafe leaned in to kiss her again.
Maybe it was his kisses or knowing she'd finally found her sister or perhaps it was the fact that she'd just spent many days being held captive by a lunatic, but Alison's head began to spin. It was a good thing he was holding her, because she wasn't sure she could stand up much longer.
Seconds later, Rafe felt her legs give out. She started to sink to the ground. He caught her and scooped her up in his arms.
"Whoa. Hey. Alison?" Rafe asked, his voice full of concern.
"I'm OK." She replied as she hooked her arm around his neck, pressing her cheek to his chest. "I think I'm just overwhelmed. I haven't eaten much lately either. I was too afraid that Joshua would." she trailed off as her eyes fluttered closed.
"C'mon. I'm taking you home." Rafe whispered as he placed a kiss on her hair.
"Oh Rafe." Alison said with a sigh. "I'm already there."