a/n - Oh my Awians (lol!) How I love you guys!!! Melody my dear, yes - you win for most reviews. :) I stopped counting at 20! Seriously - 79 reviews???? I'm completely floored. Thanks to everyone for making me look so popular. I was never voted Homecoming Queen and am still bitter about it. This makes up for a lot. LOL!

Just so you fully understand. I wanted him dead. What I wanted most was for him to become the empty shell Joshua threatened to make Rafe in CS. I wanted Rafe to plunge that stake right in his heart and be able to live a life with Alison "Caleb free". But - as I said - I have an idea and when I have time I'm going to write a story that occurs in the future. This had to happen to make it work. That's all I'm saying for now. ;)

I realize now (duh!) telling you these are cliffhangers is really unnecessary. Like you think I'm going to let Abby die. Hmmm. Am I? Read on and see….This chapter's jumpy - I've got a lot to say. 3 more chapters to go - then on to happy Rali. Yipee!! LOL! Here's 44 AND 45 - just 'cause I love y'all to pieces. Until 46 - the final chapter perhaps??? We shall see - xox - G

Chapter Forty-four

Upon hearing Alison's words - Cam ran in the direction of the room where Abby lay, lifeless, pale and cold. This can't be happening, he thought desperately. How's that for irony? You send me back - you take her. Already furious, he ran to her side, testing for a pulse. He expected it to be slow and thready. Instead - he could feel it beating frantically. He couldn't lose her. Oh God. Not now.

************

Rafe scooped Alison up and laid her gently on the couch. Kneeling beside her, he took her hand in his. He reached over, brushing the hair from her face, the tears from her cheeks. This couldn't be good for her - or the baby - to get this worked up and upset. He sighed, knowing that for the time being he could relax. Since practically the first time since he'd come back to earth there was nothing to fight. All he had to do was be with Alison. Though his mind was filled with worry - his heart was light for the first time in forever.

"Abby." she said again with a sob. "Not Abby."

Obviously, she was still completely distraught. He could feel it - it nearly radiated from her. He kissed her forehead and hoped he could calm her down.

"Shh." He whispered as he placed gentle kisses on her hand. "Everything's fine now. Don't worry. Shh. Abby will be OK."

As he reassured her - he hoped and prayed what he said was true.

************

Caleb and Livvie returned to the loft. His mind was racing. Ripping the ring off his finger he threw it into the fireplace. What good was it now?

Caleb walked to the bar - took one shot - then another. Mortality meant that he could get drunk. He couldn't wait to feel the effects tonight.

Livvie watched him, half mourning the life they'd lost - half ecstatic that she was human again. It wasn't like the last time. She was human AND Caleb was human. It was actually liberating to know that now they could live a semi normal life. He still had his music. They could go on tour maybe. He'd understand it was for the best eventually.

An odd sense of peace came over Livvie at last. For the first time in ages, she didn't resent Alison. She could have what Alison had - a life and a family with the man she loved. It wouldn't be easy but maybe someday….

*************

Rafe took out his cell phone and dialed. Alison was getting worse, not better. She slipped in and out of consciousness - she continued to call out for Abby. Worried beyond belief, Rafe gave them the information they needed to find them.

**************

"Abigail Kathryn McBride. Don't you dare." Cameron demanded, tears filling his eyes as he sat beside her, trying to make her wake up. He held her hand tightly, pleading over and over, "Don't leave me. Not now, Abby. Please. Don't."

If she could hear him she would know she was in trouble. He used all three of her names. Cam was desperate, wanting her to wake up. He had no idea if she could hear him, but he wouldn't stop trying.

**************

Abby was caught somewhere between heaven and earth. She was stunned by an intense violet light. She looked down, noticing that she was dressed totally in white. "Cameron?" She called out. "Cam. Where are you?"

"Abby, honey." she heard a familiar voice say.

"Mom?" Abby cried, tears filling her eyes as she raced into her arms.

"Oh!" Julia cried, not fully believing that she had the chance to actually hold her daughter again. She ran a hand over her hair. "There's my girl." She said as she stepped back to get a good look. "My God. You're so incredibly beautiful."

Abby choked on laughter and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Mom. Stop it. Look at me. I'm a total geek."

"Typical. You always saw the big picture. You never really noticed what was right in front of you. You're gorgeous sweetie. But it's actually amusing that you don't see it."

Abby blushed, not believing her for a second - but happier than anything to be able to talk to her mom again. "Mom. Where's Cameron? Isn't he here too?"

Julia sighed. "You two. You're driving me nuts. Sweetheart, he's down there right now - worried sick over you. Look and see." She waved her arm and an image appeared on a monitor - crystal clear.

Abby saw herself, pale and deathly still. And then he saw Cameron, holding her hand, pleading for her to hear him.

"What's happening? He's there? I'm here? What's going on?" Abby's voice was filled with desperation.

"Abby. You're not supposed to be here. You belong with Cameron."

"But he belongs here." Abby replied, totally confused.

"No. Not at all. He got taken way too soon."

Tears filled Abby's eyes. "Mom. So did you."

Julia took her daughter's hands and squeezed them tight. "I thought so too. I really did. When I first got here I was furious. I knew you'd be lost. It was horrible, watching you deal with all that and seeing the guilt you carried. My God, Abby. You were so incredibly hard on yourself, you broke my heart. My accident, that was not your fault."

"Mom - I was almost there." Abby began to cry.

Julia's voice shook with the anger one could only expect from a disappointed mother. "STOP IT. Abigail - I mean it. DON'T. You see the future, it's not your fault when something bad happens. If you can't stop it - perhaps it was meant to be."

"You sound just like Cam." Abby chuckled.

Staring into her daughter's eyes, Julia was finally at peace. "Abby - you have to know. Some of my last thoughts were of how lucky you were to find him. He's so good for you. He calls you on all those times you take on too much. He loves you for everything you are. He sees you as I see you. All the wonderful, amazing things you possess. You two deserve every happiness." Julia nudged Abby away from her as she spoke the next words. "Go, my darling little one. Go and live the life you were destined to."

"Oh Mom." Abby cried. "I love you. I'm so sorry - I've been so selfish - wishing to have Cam back. You have to know I wanted you back too."

"You're ridiculous." She said as she pulled Abby close. "Sweetie - I know you want me back. But, honey - believe me. I've already lived my life - I raised the most incredible person to walk the face of the earth. My job is done. Yours is just beginning. Go back to him Abby. He needs you."