A/N: LOL! Oh Awians!! I'm soooo glad I surprised you. I was trying to keep any hints out of the story and I guess it worked. ;) Alison's not happy with anyone. What's the story w/Livvie and Caleb? Will Jack stop being a jerk? We shall see. Until 25! xox-G
Chapter Twenty-four
"Just leave me alone Alison." Livvie said softly.
"I will not." She replied, pulling a bottle of water out of Katie's diaper bag and handing it to her. "Morning sickness is just the worst. Looking at you brings it all back."
"Is it really that obvious?" She asked, her stomach still incredibly queasy.
"Not to everyone I don't think." Alison replied as she sat down beside her. "But - you know - I just went through it - Livvie. I looked like that for a good two months."
Livvie sipped the water and took a deep breath.
"You didn't answer me though. When are you due?"
"September." Livvie replied.
"I don't expect you to tell me - but I have to ask. Is Caleb here with you."
"No." Livvie whispered.
"Is he excited about the baby?" Alison asked then.
"Ecstatic." She said bitterly as she stood up slowly. "It's OK. You can stop pretending to care Alison. I'm fine. I've got to go."
"Livvie?" Alison called after her.
"What?" She whirled around and glared at her.
"Congratulations." She said softly.
Livvie didn't reply. She just turned back around and walked away.
***************
"So you'll confront her?" Abby asked.
"I'll try. Livvie and I have a sort of understanding. I can get her to talk." Rafe replied. "She's most likely with Kevin. He and Lucy have been talking lately. Maybe she knows something."
"OK." Cam said. "So I guess that's the plan."
"Yeah. Sounds good." Rafe glanced at the clock. "Wow. It's late. Alison was supposed to stop by this afternoon." He reached for the phone and dialed.
"Hello?" Alison answered with a sigh. After Livvie left, she sat in the park for about a half hour, trying to process everything.
"Hey Angel. Where are you?" He asked.
"On my way home." Alison lied.
"Oh. I thought you were coming here."
Alison fought to keep her voice calm. "I was - but Katie's a little fussy and I'm not feeling that well."
Rafe immediately was concerned. "Are you OK?"
"Yeah - it's just a little headache." Alison replied. That - actually - was the truth. "I'm fine." Kate started to wail and she was thankful. She didn't want to stay on the phone. "Rafe - Kate's crying. I've got to go. I'll see you later."
"OK. Love you." He replied, completely unaware that she'd already hung up on him.
**************
When Rafe got home, he was curious. There were no lights on downstairs. He saw a single light on up above - in Katie's room.
He parked the car and walked into the house. When he came home at night he could usually smell something cooking - but there was nothing. He was beginning to get nervous. It all seemed so odd.
"Hey - I'm home!" He called out as he walked in the door.
Rafe got more anxious when there was no response.
"Alison?" He said then, as he walked slowly upstairs - half afraid of what he'd find.
"In here." She said, her voice lifeless.
Rafe walked in the nursery and smiled as he saw Alison getting Kate ready for bed.
He crept up behind her, wound his arms around her waist and pulled her close. "Hey. How are my girls?"
She didn't think he'd like the answer she had to his question. Alison turned to face him with Kate in her arms. "Can you take her, Rafe? I fed her and she's all ready for bed. I'm going to get myself ready too. My head's killing me."
"Are you sure you're all right?" He asked as he looked into her eyes.
"Yes." She said softly, too tired, too hurt and too angry to get into it now. "I'm OK. I just want to sleep"
She handed Kate over and moved toward the door, When she reached there she turned to face him again. "I'm sorry - I didn't make dinner - but there's stuff for sandwiches in the fridge."
Rafe shook his head at her. She looked really tired. He knew how hard it must be to take care of Kate all day. He was awed by how she seemed to do it so effortlessly. "Don't worry about us. We'll be fine. You go rest."
"Thanks." She whispered as she left the room.
Still worried about Alison, Rafe held Katie close. He couldn't help smiling as she gurgled at him. "OK - c'mon my pretty girl. Come help your Dad make a sandwich."
**************
The next morning Alison felt no better. Kate had barely made a sound all night. Alison slipped from the bed and went to check on her. She was still sound asleep.
She walked downstairs and made some tea. It was really early. Alison curled up on the window seat in the kitchen and watched the sunrise.
Rafe walked in and just stared at the beautiful picture she made. As he did he realized it was so odd. Alison usually made him coffee anytime she got herself tea. Maybe they were out.
"Hey Angel. Do you feel any better?" He called to her.
"A little." She replied, still staring out the window.
"It was so weird not talking to you last night? Did you do anything fun yesterday?"
"No. Not fun." She said.
Rafe moved closer. "Alison. You're worrying me. Is something bothering you?"
"No - not something. Try someone." She replied.
Fear washed over him as he asked, "Is it Livvie?"
"Why would you ask that - Rafe. Is she here?" Alison asked sadly.
He tried to find the words to answer her.
"Huh - Rafe? Could that be it? Could that be who Abby saw?" Alison drew her knees up to her chest and hugged her arms around herself. She shook her head and continued on, her voice full of sarcasm. "No. She couldn't be - right? Because if Livvie were back you and Abby - you'd certainly tell me."
His heart was heavy as he tried to explain, "Alison - I."
"What - Rafe? Didn't want to worry me? Wanted to protect me? Were afraid I'd get hysterical? All of the above??"
"Yes - actually." He admitted.
"Well. You should have told me sooner because guess who I ran into in the park yesterday?"
"Did she hurt you?" Rafe asked as he walked to stand beside her.
"Do I look hurt?" Alison shot back.
Before he could reply she added. "I am. But not by Livvie."
"Alison." He needed to make her understand.
She shook her head again. "Rafe - I don't want to talk about this anymore. You all don't seem to need my help and that's fine. I'll just be part of the problem - you and Cam and Abby - you work on the solution."
"What are you talking about?" He was beginning to get angry. "Alison I was just trying to protect you and Kate."
"And it's noble of you. But c'mon Rafe. The truth is I don't have much to offer. I'm just something you need to worry about. Abby - Abby can see the future and Cam - he's a former angel too. I'm just plain-old-run-of-the-mill-human. I've got no tricks, no powers - just someone who finds herself in harms way. You guys were right. You're better off leaving me out of it." Tears ran silently down her cheeks as she spoke.
Rafe knew she'd be angry about keeping this from her - but this isn't how he expected it to be. He couldn't bear to see her so sad.
"Alison - please." Rafe pleaded. "Let me explain."
"Go to work, Rafe." She said sadly. "I promise I'll stay right here so you won't have to worry."
She turned away and stared out the window again - determined to ignore him.
He stood and watched her for a good couple of minutes before he spoke again.
"You really won't talk to me?" He couldn't believe how stubborn she was being. She had it all wrong and the fact that she wouldn't even discuss this was making him really mad.
"No. I really don't want to. Maybe later - but not now. Go - Rafe." She wiped at her eyes. Kate began to cry and she stood and walked right past him.
Frustrated and furious - mostly at himself - Rafe grabbed his keys and jacket and strode out the door, starting the car and driving away in almost a blur.
Alison held a sobbing Kate and stared out the window, watching him go. And then she started to sob herself.
