Chapter Thirty-one
"Are you sure? Because - honestly I wasn't looking for this. I'd be happy…" Abby's words rushed out of her mouth like a flood.
"Nonsense - my dear. All I want is someone who'll love this place like I do and I can see it in your eyes. You'll take such good care of everything." The woman said with a smile.
Abby closed her eyes for a moment and began to dream. "I - I will need to talk to my husband about it. It's a big investment. I don't know if we can…"
"You go home sweetie and you talk to him. Take your time. Come back next week. I'll be here. I'm here every day."
"I promise you if you do this you won't regret it." Abby called out as she left, her eyes sparkling.
As she watched her go the older woman grinned wider. "I'm already sure of that."
************
As Livvie walked away - Alison went back inside - shaking. She took a few deep breaths to steady herself. She needed to get out of here.
When she got back to the table she felt like an intruder. Jack was making himself completely at home. He - unbelievably - was even eating her lunch. And Melissa was hanging on his every word.
Alison was exhausted. "Hi." She said softly.
Jack was in the middle of a story and Melissa was laughing.
"Umm. Kate and I will just go - I guess." She said, trying to get their attention.
Melissa turned to her and grinned. "OK. She was no trouble at all - Alison. She's an absolute angel."
"I know." She replied softly as she grabbed her bag and wheeled Kate out the restaurant - relieved to see Livvie was no where to be found. Jack and Melissa seemed to be really getting along. At least that part of the lunch worked out. She gazed into the stroller and was happy to see Kate sleeping.
She made her way back to the gym in almost a daze. She was never more relieved to see Rafe as she walked in the door.
"Hi! You're back early." Rafe called out to her.
Alison tucked Kate's stroller behind the counter and laid another blanket over her. She kissed the top of her head and came around to meet Rafe near the couch.
"Hey. What's the matter?" He asked as he saw the look on her face.
"I saw Livvie." She said with a sigh.
Rafe tensed up at the sound of her name. "And?" He prompted.
"And - it was good - in a way. I finally told her how I felt - about everything." Alison said - her voice empty.
"OK." Rafe said then, thankful that there was no one around at the moment. "And?"
"She - Rafe. Oh God. I don't like to talk about this because I know how it makes you feel. But - she does it - every time. She always - always - brings up the fact that you and she - that you were together once."
Hearing her say the words, Rafe hung his head. Nothing hurt him more than knowing how what he did during that time hurt her. He grabbed her hand and kissed it gently.
Alison began to shake. "I know how much you love me. I know that. I know back then you didn't have your memory. I know she tricked you. I know that - Rafe. But I need you to understand something."
She held his hands in hers and looked him in the eyes. Tears flowed down her cheeks. "Nothing hurts me more than remembering that. When you first came back to me and we only had a few short weeks to be together - I knew it would eventually be OK because I got to fall asleep in your arms every night. When Caleb tricked us and ruined our wedding you told me every single day that you knew it was a lie and how much you loved me and that's how I was able to survive. When Joshua held me captive - you fought with everything you had to bring me home with you. But then - Rafe. Back then - when you were with her all I did - every day - was try to convince you how much you loved me and every day - all you ever did was tell me how sorry you were and walk away." Alison began to sob.
Rafe was absolutely miserable. He hated what he'd done to her. He held Alison tighter but couldn't find his voice.
Alison continued to cry. "I know I said it didn't matter and I want you to know that - it really - truly doesn't. We're together now. We're a family and all of that is in the past. I don't even remember it on a normal day. On a normal day all I see - all I feel is your love for me and for Katie and it's so huge and so powerful that nothing else even comes close. But when she says it - Rafe. The minute she brings it up I am right back there. I'm right back there watching it all again. It flashes right in front of my eyes. I see myself there - I see every second of every day when I was came so close to having you remember and then I'm right there watching her waltz in with a story that you can't help but believe because it's our story. Then there's that moment when I can see you look at me like you're just about figure it all out and then in a split second she's there too - lying to you again and instead of telling her to just get lost - you put your arm around her shoulder and you walk away from me."
Tears flowed down her cheeks and her voice began to break, "I know why she does it Rafe. She does it to hurt me. She knows exactly what hurts me most and you warned me. You told me this was a bad idea and I should have listened to you. I should have…" Alison sobbed and sank into him clutching his shirt and bringing him closer.
"Alison. I'm sorry." Rafe whispered as he ran a hand down the length of her hair. "I'm so sorry."
"As if all that wasn't bad enough, Then…" She said her voice broken.
"Then what?" Rafe said softly.
She sniffled and ran a hand over her cheek. "I got back to the table and Jack was…"
Rafe could guess already what it was. Oh no. He thought - his heart heavy. On top of all of it - her little matchmaking plan backfired.
Still he heard himself ask. "Jack was what - Angel?"
She looked up at him and said with her voice full of tears. "He was eating my lunch!!"
Abby floated as she walked back home. Her head was swimming with ideas and dreams of her future, She wanted to talk to Cameron - right now. She called his office - she called his cell phone and left messages everywhere. Now if he'd just call her back she could tell him the news. She was so caught up in it all she wasn't paying any attention to where she was going. As she turned a corner she knocked right into Lucy.
When she realized what she had done her voice was light. "Hey! How are you?" She said with a grin.
Lucy looked at her sadly. "Been better kiddo."
"Are you alright?" Abby asked, concerned.
Lucy shook her head. "NO. I'm not. I'm torn in two and I have no idea what to do about it."
About a half hour later - Alison was no longer crying. For that - Rafe was relieved. "Better now?"
"Uh huh." Alison said with a sigh. She couldn't really talk - her mouth was full.
"You sure you don't have something to tell me?" Rafe asked with a trace of panic in his voice. It was possible but God help them if it was actually true.
"What?" She looked at him, completely confused.
He swallowed the lump in his throat before he continued on. "You're craving cheeseburgers. From the diner. Please tell me you're not…"
All of the horrible events of the day vanished as she burst into laughter. "No. Rafe. Sweetie. I'm just hungry. Don't worry. I'm not."
Rafe let out the breath he wasn't aware he was holding. He loved Kate but she was enough of a handful. He wasn't ready for another baby just yet.
She giggled louder and nibbled on a french fry as she added. "But give me a few more months and I just might try."
