Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, not PC, any of it's characters, dialogue or storylines. Nothing - except Abby and Cameron. :) Them I get to keep. ;)
A/N: This story is fourth in a series, coming after And Baby Makes Three. If you read that one then you know, that it was pretty much all happiness, all the time. I don't know if I can make the same promise here :( - but rest assured I won't drag anything out for months like TIIC tended to do. If you haven't read the other stories here's what hasn't happened….Alison never stabbed Rafe, Livvie never wished on the ring, the vamps are gone - incl. Caleb and Alison's sister is a girl named Abby who's more than a little bit psychic. ;) The most important thing that has happened (for me anyway!) is that Rafe and Alison are happily married and have a beautiful baby girl.
This one will take me a while, I've only got the first few chapters done, But - here we go again!! And yep, Melody - that was a clue!!! Enjoy! xox-G
Chapter One
She opened her eyes to one of the most spectacular sights on earth. Rafe sitting up in bed, fast asleep, holding Katrina in his arms. Katrina, on the other hand, was wide awake and gurgling.
How much sweeter could he be? Alison thought with a smile. He's letting me sleep while he takes care of Kate.
Alison laughed softly and whispered, "Oh sweetie. C'mere, Looks like you wore your daddy out." Alison carefully took Kate from Rafe's arms and held her close.
Almost immediately, Rafe grumbled and turned to lie down, pulling the quilt over him.
Alison eased from the bed and carried her into the nursery. "Ohhhh…kay. Let's get you changed, little one." She set about to do just that and couldn't help but grin. Kate just stared at her, like she couldn't care less. She didn't look the least bit unhappy or uncomfortable.
As she worked, Alison kept talking, "We'll just make sure that you're all nice and dry and then we'll feed you. How 'bout that for a plan Katie?"
Kate squealed in response.
"Think that's a good idea?"
She squealed again.
"I guess so." Alison laughed and nodded.
Once she was sure the baby was warm and toasty, Alison moved to the rocking chair to give Katie her breakfast.
*************
A few hours later, Rafe stood in the kitchen, watching Alison give Kate a bath. He was supposed to be at work hours ago, but he just couldn't make himself leave. He had called Abby and she swore everything was under control, but he knew he had to get back to work eventually. That didn't mean he wanted to.
Every day since they had been home he was more and more convinced. He could die happy if all he did was watch his girls all day long. Still, they had a mortgage and another mouth to feed. Somehow he knew it wasn't going to happen.
"Hmm. Hmm. Hmm." Alison hummed to the baby as she trickled tepid water over her. Kate's arms and legs flailed wildly the whole time. "There you go. All squeaky clean. Wouldn't want anyone to think you're a stinky baby."
"Alison!" Rafe laughed.
"It's true. I wouldn't." Alison laughed back. "If she was, people would say I'm a terrible mother."
"They'd be crazy to. You're an incredible mother." Rafe said with a smile. "I don't know how you do it."
"Just the same way you're an incredible father." She grinned as she wrapped Kate in a big fluffy towel and handed her to him while she got ready to dress her again.
Rafe pulled the baby close, shutting his eyes and taking a deep breath, smelling a familiar scent.
"Alison? What did you do to her? She smells like roses!!" He looked at her, a bit shocked. "Please. Don't tell me you used some of your bath beads on her?"
"No!" She insisted. "Of course not! It's chamomile baby oil. Isn't it fantastic?"
"It's great, Alison." Rafe rolled his eyes. Alison took 45 minutes to get ready most days. Good thing there were two bathrooms upstairs because he could already see how it would be someday.
Alison glanced at the clock as she took Kate back and laid her down on the towel she had placed on the kitchen counter. "Rafe, sweetie? Not that I don't absolutely love having you around, but - aren't you late for work?" She gently shushed Katie, who was starting to cry.
"I called Abby. It's fine. I don't have a class until 2:00." Rafe grinned. "Besides, look - as soon as you said that she cried. She wants me here."
"We both do." Alison placed her hand over Kate to keep her still as she leaned over to kiss him.
He reached over and ran a hand across her cheek. "Well it's a good thing then that I'm here." He kissed her again and said, "Tell me what I can do."
"OK." Alison grinned. "You get her diaper on her and I'll get everything else ready."
"I'm getting good at this." Rafe said proudly as he carefully lifted Kate up, her diaper perfectly intact. She squealed with happiness. Alison could not deny that he had done an excellent job.
"Now, you can put on her onesie." Alison instructed as she handed one to him.
"Her what?" He asked, confused.
"Onesie, Rafe. It's - you know, it's all one piece." She giggled.
"Speaking baby is a whole other language isn't it?" He said with a sigh.
"Yeah - but you're quick. You'll catch on soon enough."
They spent the rest of the morning taking care of her together but all too soon, it was time for Rafe to go.
"Say bye-bye to Daddy, Katie." Alison took Kate's little hand in hers and waved it at him.
"Angel. You're killing me." Rafe said, still struggling to make it to the door. He kissed them both for what seemed the hundredth time.
Alison sniffled. "Go. Quick. If you stay too long I might cry."
"I'll miss you." Rafe said kissing her again. He pressed his lips to Katrina's forehead and whispered. "See you later, princess."
Alison wiped at her eyes and sighed as she ordered. "Get out of here."
"Alison…" He begged. He didn't think he'd be able to make it if she kept this up.
"Rafe…hurry up. Go. The sooner you go," She choked back a sob. "The sooner you'll be back."
He knew what she said was true. Rafe inched away but it wasn't a moment before he was next to her again.
He ran a hand over Kate's head and said, "Love you." before kissing Alison gently one last time and running out the door.
"Love you too." She replied in a whisper as she watched it close.
