A/N - Hello dear readers!!! Did y'all LOL like I did when after I
christened them the Aw Triplets - (Melody, Nat and pcgirl) they all then
replied almost identically again??? If not I must be easily amused. LOL!
Anyway - just wanted to update you. This story - it seems - will not end
with the birth of Rali's baby. :( It's basically b/c the Caleb/Abby/Cam
stuff is coming to an end soon and I can't stretch it out long enough to
include it all.
SO. Here's my promise to all of you who have been so kind as to tell me that you are reading and want me to continue.
After EYHD is over (I'd say there's about 10 more chapters max - if that!) I will write an all-Rali (practically!) ending to the baby story. I have a ton of chapters that I thought would be going here that just happen too far in the future to fit. I also have 1 more really neat idea for a Rali fanfic (which would occur YEARS from now) - but quite frankly - though I enjoy writing all this immensely it takes a lot of time. If I can find a way to make the story short I'll post that as soon as I can.
Then - I think I need to take a little break. Obviously - I love this couple to death and will miss them terribly - but someday - somehow - I think I'll need to move on. Of course - who knows - I could be sitting there - months from now - watching an old PC tape and a story will spring to mind. If so - I promise - I'll write it.
Thanks again all of you who have taken the time to review (and to everyone who's just reading too!). I am so glad you like what I've been writing. I say this all the time - but I mean it - you all are so incredibly good to me. As always - until the next chapter - hope you enjoy!! xox - G
Chapter Thirty-seven
Finished with her little lecture, Abby just stared at Caleb. He had no idea what to do with her. She wasn't afraid, she wouldn't talk, she had what was his and would not give it back.
Caleb knew what to do when someone was scared. They begged and pleaded and he was able to get his way by promising not to hurt them in exchange for what he wanted. Abby's reaction and defiance made that incredibly difficult.
She had thrown him completely off track. Nothing made any sense. If he ever wanted peace again he'd have to figure out a way to get what he wanted - but it was clear, threatening her wouldn't work. He'd have to try something else entirely.
The question was - what?
******************
Cam had had a lot of time to think in the four long years he'd spent in heaven. Just lately, since he'd had a chance to be back on earth he'd had a revelation. It was time he stopped being so hot headed and selfish. He had died. Who was he to demand a second chance?
He loved Abby - he always would. He wanted nothing more than the chance to lead the life he had had planned with her. But maybe it wasn't meant to be. Maybe - it was her destiny to find her way to him instead.
Cameron was at a loss as to what to do. He wanted to trust Ed. He did trust him, but it was so hard to keep that much faith. Abby was in so much danger and the worst part was - she didn't seem to care.
She seemed to have no fear of dying. Cam wanted her close - no question - but more than that - he wanted her to live. She had always wanted kids - if she came to him she'd never have them. It was be such a tragedy since he knew she'd would make an incredible mother.
Cameron, for all his insisting that he'd sell his soul to save her knew that if he did it would bring nothing but trouble. He'd seen what happened when Rafe tried. Now that he thought about it - it was crazy he hadn't met Rafe when he was here. They had so much in common. The thing they had most in common is the love they felt for the women in their lives.
He had an appointment with Ed in an hour. Maybe he'd tell him they were letting him go back - maybe not. For the first time, however - he'd be at peace with whatever they had decided.
*****************
It had been almost 2 hours. Alison now sat in the middle of the spiral staircase watching the goings on down below. Rafe hadn't come upstairs, Abby hadn't come home. Her life, her happiness once again, was at the mercy of a vampire and she absolutely hated it.
She watched Rafe working - talking to the customers, answering their questions. He was nearly asleep on his feet. She cursed herself for opening the gym this morning. If she hadn't he wouldn't have felt the need to stay down here and keep working.
Caleb had Abby. Abby had Caleb's ring. She couldn't believe Abby had kept that information from both her and Rafe. They were her family and they could have helped her.
Alison realized once again Abby was trying to save her - to spare her. She was tired of that too. Everyone was constantly put in danger to save her and she felt so incredibly guilty about that. It was time she tried to repay them a little bit.
She looked heavenward and closed her eyes, pleading with them to do something to save Abby. She looked to them because right now - Rafe was trying to take it all on and if anyone in this world deserved a break it was her husband. She spoke softly to herself - hoping they could hear.
"You've been so good to me. Despite everything I've been through - you have given me so much. I can't even begin to thank you enough for Rafe. I won't even try. There is nothing I could even imagine I could do or say to tell you how grateful I am to you for allowing me to have him."
She swallowed tears as she continued. "If that wasn't enough - you gave me Abby. I was scared when I learned I had a sibling - I was afraid we wouldn't get along. But Abby is absolutely amazing, she's everything I ever dreamed my sister could be and so much more."
Alison absentmindedly rubbed her stomach. She had begun to lately without even realizing it. "Now, Rafe and I get the chance to have a child of our own and that just floors me. Whenever I complain about anything from this point forward I hope I remember just how lucky I am. I know I have some nerve to ask for anything else - but it's not for me, it's for them."
"Please, give Rafe some peace. He's done so much for all of us already. I know I kid him all the time about being normal but what I really mean is that he deserves a chance to enjoy his own life without having to worry about what he needs to do for everyone else - including me. I had hoped we could spend these last few months just treasuring every moment of waiting to be parents. All I want is for him to be happy. Please."
Alison wiped away tears and began to finish. She figured she'd taken enough of His time. "Just one more thing about Abby. She's had so much sadness - so much taken from her too soon. Please. Don't take her too. She has too much left to do, too much of her life to live. It would be so wonderful if she, like I've been lucky enough to, could do that with the person she was destined to be with. Whatever you decide, I know it's meant to be. But I'm begging you. Please just keep her safe and bring her home."
Alison opened her eyes and took a deep breath. It looked like the gym was finally empty. She wanted to make sure no one else came in so that Rafe could get some well deserved sleep.
"You promised." She called out to him, putting a smile on her face, not wanting him to worry.
Hearing her voice - he turned around and faced her. "I was just about to come up." He insisted.
"Then lock the door and shut out the lights."
Rafe walked around one last time, doing what he was told. As he moved toward the stairs he tried to make his voice light as he teased. "You're very bossy."
She wasn't in the mood to kid around with him. She was too concerned. She stood up as she answered, "You're very tired. You don't have to pretend for me, Rafe. The world really won't fall apart if you go and get some sleep. You are so hard on yourself. Please, come upstairs."
He was starting to understand that. Even though he'd always feel as if he was responsible for keeping her and everyone they loved safe, he knew she didn't expect him to do anything more than be there with her. It was humbling and absolutely amazing that he was this lucky.
He stood a few steps below her and looked up at her, his love for her shining in his eyes. The look was mirrored in hers as she gazed down at him and gave him a kiss. She slid away and grabbed his hand tugging him behind her so that he followed her back upstairs.
Alison pulled Rafe inside and made him sit on the edge of the bed. His eyes were almost shut already. She knelt next to him and took off his shoes then moved to pull back the covers for him. Too exhausted to protest, he laid down, but not before he pulled her towards him and made her climb in beside him. Curling his arm around her waist, he pulled her close, finally able to rest.
SO. Here's my promise to all of you who have been so kind as to tell me that you are reading and want me to continue.
After EYHD is over (I'd say there's about 10 more chapters max - if that!) I will write an all-Rali (practically!) ending to the baby story. I have a ton of chapters that I thought would be going here that just happen too far in the future to fit. I also have 1 more really neat idea for a Rali fanfic (which would occur YEARS from now) - but quite frankly - though I enjoy writing all this immensely it takes a lot of time. If I can find a way to make the story short I'll post that as soon as I can.
Then - I think I need to take a little break. Obviously - I love this couple to death and will miss them terribly - but someday - somehow - I think I'll need to move on. Of course - who knows - I could be sitting there - months from now - watching an old PC tape and a story will spring to mind. If so - I promise - I'll write it.
Thanks again all of you who have taken the time to review (and to everyone who's just reading too!). I am so glad you like what I've been writing. I say this all the time - but I mean it - you all are so incredibly good to me. As always - until the next chapter - hope you enjoy!! xox - G
Chapter Thirty-seven
Finished with her little lecture, Abby just stared at Caleb. He had no idea what to do with her. She wasn't afraid, she wouldn't talk, she had what was his and would not give it back.
Caleb knew what to do when someone was scared. They begged and pleaded and he was able to get his way by promising not to hurt them in exchange for what he wanted. Abby's reaction and defiance made that incredibly difficult.
She had thrown him completely off track. Nothing made any sense. If he ever wanted peace again he'd have to figure out a way to get what he wanted - but it was clear, threatening her wouldn't work. He'd have to try something else entirely.
The question was - what?
******************
Cam had had a lot of time to think in the four long years he'd spent in heaven. Just lately, since he'd had a chance to be back on earth he'd had a revelation. It was time he stopped being so hot headed and selfish. He had died. Who was he to demand a second chance?
He loved Abby - he always would. He wanted nothing more than the chance to lead the life he had had planned with her. But maybe it wasn't meant to be. Maybe - it was her destiny to find her way to him instead.
Cameron was at a loss as to what to do. He wanted to trust Ed. He did trust him, but it was so hard to keep that much faith. Abby was in so much danger and the worst part was - she didn't seem to care.
She seemed to have no fear of dying. Cam wanted her close - no question - but more than that - he wanted her to live. She had always wanted kids - if she came to him she'd never have them. It was be such a tragedy since he knew she'd would make an incredible mother.
Cameron, for all his insisting that he'd sell his soul to save her knew that if he did it would bring nothing but trouble. He'd seen what happened when Rafe tried. Now that he thought about it - it was crazy he hadn't met Rafe when he was here. They had so much in common. The thing they had most in common is the love they felt for the women in their lives.
He had an appointment with Ed in an hour. Maybe he'd tell him they were letting him go back - maybe not. For the first time, however - he'd be at peace with whatever they had decided.
*****************
It had been almost 2 hours. Alison now sat in the middle of the spiral staircase watching the goings on down below. Rafe hadn't come upstairs, Abby hadn't come home. Her life, her happiness once again, was at the mercy of a vampire and she absolutely hated it.
She watched Rafe working - talking to the customers, answering their questions. He was nearly asleep on his feet. She cursed herself for opening the gym this morning. If she hadn't he wouldn't have felt the need to stay down here and keep working.
Caleb had Abby. Abby had Caleb's ring. She couldn't believe Abby had kept that information from both her and Rafe. They were her family and they could have helped her.
Alison realized once again Abby was trying to save her - to spare her. She was tired of that too. Everyone was constantly put in danger to save her and she felt so incredibly guilty about that. It was time she tried to repay them a little bit.
She looked heavenward and closed her eyes, pleading with them to do something to save Abby. She looked to them because right now - Rafe was trying to take it all on and if anyone in this world deserved a break it was her husband. She spoke softly to herself - hoping they could hear.
"You've been so good to me. Despite everything I've been through - you have given me so much. I can't even begin to thank you enough for Rafe. I won't even try. There is nothing I could even imagine I could do or say to tell you how grateful I am to you for allowing me to have him."
She swallowed tears as she continued. "If that wasn't enough - you gave me Abby. I was scared when I learned I had a sibling - I was afraid we wouldn't get along. But Abby is absolutely amazing, she's everything I ever dreamed my sister could be and so much more."
Alison absentmindedly rubbed her stomach. She had begun to lately without even realizing it. "Now, Rafe and I get the chance to have a child of our own and that just floors me. Whenever I complain about anything from this point forward I hope I remember just how lucky I am. I know I have some nerve to ask for anything else - but it's not for me, it's for them."
"Please, give Rafe some peace. He's done so much for all of us already. I know I kid him all the time about being normal but what I really mean is that he deserves a chance to enjoy his own life without having to worry about what he needs to do for everyone else - including me. I had hoped we could spend these last few months just treasuring every moment of waiting to be parents. All I want is for him to be happy. Please."
Alison wiped away tears and began to finish. She figured she'd taken enough of His time. "Just one more thing about Abby. She's had so much sadness - so much taken from her too soon. Please. Don't take her too. She has too much left to do, too much of her life to live. It would be so wonderful if she, like I've been lucky enough to, could do that with the person she was destined to be with. Whatever you decide, I know it's meant to be. But I'm begging you. Please just keep her safe and bring her home."
Alison opened her eyes and took a deep breath. It looked like the gym was finally empty. She wanted to make sure no one else came in so that Rafe could get some well deserved sleep.
"You promised." She called out to him, putting a smile on her face, not wanting him to worry.
Hearing her voice - he turned around and faced her. "I was just about to come up." He insisted.
"Then lock the door and shut out the lights."
Rafe walked around one last time, doing what he was told. As he moved toward the stairs he tried to make his voice light as he teased. "You're very bossy."
She wasn't in the mood to kid around with him. She was too concerned. She stood up as she answered, "You're very tired. You don't have to pretend for me, Rafe. The world really won't fall apart if you go and get some sleep. You are so hard on yourself. Please, come upstairs."
He was starting to understand that. Even though he'd always feel as if he was responsible for keeping her and everyone they loved safe, he knew she didn't expect him to do anything more than be there with her. It was humbling and absolutely amazing that he was this lucky.
He stood a few steps below her and looked up at her, his love for her shining in his eyes. The look was mirrored in hers as she gazed down at him and gave him a kiss. She slid away and grabbed his hand tugging him behind her so that he followed her back upstairs.
Alison pulled Rafe inside and made him sit on the edge of the bed. His eyes were almost shut already. She knelt next to him and took off his shoes then moved to pull back the covers for him. Too exhausted to protest, he laid down, but not before he pulled her towards him and made her climb in beside him. Curling his arm around her waist, he pulled her close, finally able to rest.