Chapter Five
"Better?" He asked in a whisper.
"Yes." Alison replied, snuggling closer and sighing. "There's not much that's better than this."
After dinner, they had put a sleeping Kate in her portable crib and started a fire. They stopped talking about all the things they couldn't control at the moment. Instead, they'd been wrapped up in each other for hours.
"I agree." Rafe said with a smile as he ran a hand up and down her back. "God. I missed this. I love her but those last few months that kid was keeping me too far away from you."
Alison looked lovingly over to where Kate was sleeping and giggled, "The nerve of her. She's so demanding." She titled her face up to Rafe's and gave him a kiss.
He smoothed her hair out of her eyes and said, "You should go upstairs. You need to get some sleep."
"No." Alison protested, pulling him closer. "I'm not going anywhere." She kissed him again. "Besides - she's been out for almost three hours, you know that she's going to wake up any minute."
She sighed with contentment and laid her head on his chest. "Just hold me for a little while longer, Rafe. Please?"
"Looks like Kate's not the only one who's demanding," Rafe laughed as he did just that.
**************
"I want to help you, Abby. I just want to make it stop." Cam said as he held her close.
"You always did." She said with a smile. "And, it's very, very sweet - but you know that's impossible."
The fact that he couldn't was something that would plague him forever. "Still. I don't want you driving until these visions ease up a bit." He kissed her carefully on the forehead, careful to keep away from the bandage there.
"Cameron…" She started to object.
He shook his head no and shifted to look at her. "Forget it. It's too dangerous."
Deep down, she knew he was right. "OK. Well - how do you suggest I get around then?"
"I'll chauffeur you - wherever you want to go." Cam said with a grin.
"Will you wear a cute little uniform? With a little hat and everything?" She teased.
"No." Cam said as he laughed out loud. "Nice try though."
"You'd look really sexy in a uniform." Abby said as she inched closer.
"The answer's still no." He said as he kissed her.
Once it was quiet again, the thoughts came rushing back into his mind. Cam's voice got soft and serious.
He tightened his hold on her. "I could've lost you tonight, Abs. Now I know exactly how you felt when it was me. Thank God Lucy was there to take care of you."
"Shh, I'm OK." She insisted as she tried to calm him.
Cam's voice shook. "Abby…"
"I'm OK." She said again as she pressed her lips to his.
*************
The sun was shining brightly the next morning. It was the type of day where it should have been easy to push away all the horrible thoughts from the night before.
Rafe stood by the door, jingling the keys.
"C'mon girls." He called out. "Are you ready?"
"You're being ridiculous." Alison sighed as she walked down the stairs with Kate in her arms.
Rafe was not at all anxious to have this discussion again this morning. "I am not leaving you here alone today. Alison - just forget it."
"Rafe. It took over a half hour to load up the car. I can stay here. We'll be fine."
"Alison. I'm not arguing about this anymore this morning. C'mon. Let's go."
She looked at him again and rolled her eyes, annoyed as she bundled Kate up and got her into her carseat. "That tone of voice, Katie? That's his "Daddy's-not-joking-around-and-he's-had-enough" voice. Make a note of it - little one. You'll hear it a million other times in your life."
Rafe couldn't help but laugh. "Alison!"
"What? It's totally true." She said as he helped her with her coat. "I know you don't want to discuss this anymore - but - I'm telling you right now. Kate and I are not doing this every day."
She's incredible. She just won't give up. "I'm not joking around and I've had enough." Rafe said, his voice serious as he lifted Kate up and moved towards the door.
"See, Katie. What'd I tell.you?" She said, exasperated.
"Let's go," Rafe said again.
"I'm going with you now, Rafe Kovich but trust me. We are talking about this later. " Alison promised as she grabbed her bag and walked out the door.
Rafe was absolutely sure that was true.
**************
"Rise and shine sleepyhead." Cam said softly.
"mmmm?" She mumbled.
"I made your favorite." Cam said.
Abby shifted to sit up and rubbed her eyes. "English muffin?"
"With peanut butter." He grinned.
"Chocolate milk?" She said with a yawn.
Cam nodded as he placed the tray beside her.
She looked at him with love in her eyes. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He leaned over and gave her a kiss. "Eat up because Alison's on her way over."
"She didn't have to do that." Abby protested.
"She didn't have a choice." Cam laughed.
"See - Cam." Abby sighed. "This is why I don't want to talk about what I see. Rafe's already worried about them and I don't even know what it is yet."
"Relax Abby."
"No. You relax." Abby glared at him. "I want everyone to be happy."
This morning started off so well, Cam thought with a sigh. He sat beside her and ran a hand over her hair. "We are happy. Everyone's happy Abby. You made sure of that."
"I wanted it to stay that way." Abby sniffled.
"I want to be a millionaire but we can't always get what we want." Cam replied.
Abby rolled her eyes. "Are you trying to make me feel better here?"
What was she talking about? Of course he was. "Yes." Cam said, confused.
She pushed away the tray. "You're doing a lousy job. Aren't you late?"
"Abby." Cam tried to fix the mess he made.
It didn't work. "Just go. I'm fine. Alison will be here soon."
"I love you." Cam tried again.
Abby sighed but continued to glare at him. "I love you too - but you're really annoying me. Go on. I'll see you later."
Cam knew a lost cause when he saw one. He kissed her quickly and left.
