A/N: What's Katrina wearing? Look and see! Oh and fyi - y'all. In my little world - the Vampire B&B does not exist - so no worries. Read on and you'll see what I mean. Until 36! xox-G
Chapter Thirty-five
Livvie tossed and turned trying to get comfortable. She had so much trouble falling asleep - and her conversation with Alison earlier in the day didn't help at all.
She punched at the pillow and sighed. Choosing Caleb was her destiny wasn't it? She was meant to be with him - but it was so clear now. In choosing him - she lost everyone else. Everyone - except her father. What had she done?
Couldn't she - somehow - have both? Caleb didn't seem to think so. If he really loved her wouldn't he be trying to find her? Wouldn't he want to contact her somehow? It's been weeks and no word, no attempt to get in touch with her. Nothing. He must know where she is. She didn't make it hard to figure out at all.
Her hand ran over her stomach. She had an appointment with the doctor the next day. Despite how awful the rest of her life seemed, she was so thankful that she was getting this chance. Finally - there'd be someone who'd be hers no matter what. Livvie supposed Caleb had a right to know that he was going to be a father - but maybe - maybe the best thing she could do for her child would be to keep him or her far away from him. They would just get caught up in his quest. If he insisted on doing what he was doing there was no place for her in his life - let alone a child. As worried as Caleb was about regaining his immortality he seemed determined to die trying to get it back.
She shut her eyes tight and hugged her arms around herself. Alison's words kept echoing in Livvie's head as she finally drifted off to sleep.
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"Go to sleep - Abby." He said with a sigh.
"Why? Am I annoying you?" She asked with a giggle.
"No. You're not - you're adorable and I love the fact that you're so excited but I have to be in early tomorrow. I need to get some sleep." He kissed her nose and closed his eyes.
Abby traced a finger across Cam's forehead and ran a hand through his hair. "Someday - you won't be able to get much sleep. Someday we'll be sleep deprived just like Rafe and Alison."
He smiled and looked over at her. "I have to admit - I really thought that was what you were going to tell me."
"Well you certainly didn't look like it. You looked shocked at the suggestion."
Cam ran a hand over her cheek. "I would have been shocked - but a good shocked."
"Me too." Abby's eyes filled up. "We'll have to work on that - won't we?" She said as she snuggled into him.
"It'll be my pleasure." Cam replied as he kissed her quickly. He turned over on his side as he finished. "We can start in the morning - right before I go to work."
She was very disappointed but it gave her something to look forward to. Abby wasn't done talking. She inched closer and peered over his shoulder. "OK. Just one more thing I have to tell you. If you really want us to try this will be great practice. Rafe pulled me aside when I went over there. He's trying to get Alison to go away for a weekend, but he knows she won't even consider it unless sets it all up and surprises her. So…he wants us to watch Kate next weekend. Are you up for it?"
"What do you mean watch her?" He asked.
She laughed at him. "Watch her - Cameron. You know. It's traditionally called babysitting."
Cam began to panic. "For the entire weekend?"
"Yeah, Well. Just Friday and Saturday night."
Cameron's brow wrinkled as he tried to imagine the two of them taking care of a baby all by themselves. For a whole weekend. It would certainly be an experience. "How old is she now?"
"Almost 2 months. Sweetie. What's the matter with you? You just finished saying you want to start to try to have kids. We need some practice. It'll be fun. We'll stay at Rafe and Alison's so we'll have everything we need. It's perfect. "
Cam turned back towards her and kissed her again. He took a moment to stare into her eyes. "You're perfect. OK. Let's see what happens. Go to sleep."
Abby couldn't help smiling at the sound of his voice. It was clear he already had that father thing down. "Yes sir."
*****************
"She's OK?" Alison asked with a yawn.
"She's fine." Rafe replied as he climbed into bed beside her.
"I'll get her next time." Alison promised as she rolled over and curled into him with a sigh.
"How about you? Are you OK?" His face was full of worry.
"I'm fine. Rafe. Please stop. I didn't tell you what I did to make you feel bad. Honestly. Living without you was horrible - remembering it is horrible too but it doesn't matter anymore. I'm right here now - with you. I shouldn't have gotten so upset - because that's just Livvie getting what she wants and you know what? I don't care what she wants. I care what I want. And I want you."
Rafe moved to kiss her. "You have me."
She pulled him closer. "I know I do. So stop worrying. Because you have nothing to worry about."
Rafe ran his hand across and down her back as he kissed her. Before she knew it, she found herself sprawled on top of him, staring into his eyes. She smiled as she leaned down to cover his mouth with hers.
They didn't get much further than that. Kate apparently was not quite through. The sound of her crying filled the air. "I'll go." Alison said as she rolled off of him and jumped out of bed.
He watched her go and sighed. Kate was really fussy tonight. Rafe closed his eyes and imagined how it would be next weekend. It would take some convincing but he was sure he could pull it off. Nearly forty-eight hours alone with his wife. He loved Katrina - he truly did - but he'd forgotten what it was like to be with Alison - uninterrupted. It had been way too long. He could just see them now. He found the greatest little inn about 45 minutes away. Close enough for them to get home quick - far enough that they'll feel like they're getting away. The restaurant there got great reviews. He imagined what Alison would look like now. She'd wear a sexy dress and they'd have a romantic dinner. And then after dinner….
He was startled from his little dream as he heard his wife cry. "Rafe Kovich! What did you do to my daughter!?!"
"What?" He said with a chuckle. He'd lucked out when Alison went to kiss the baby goodnight a few hours before. Kate was so wrapped up in blankets she didn't notice then.
"Don't give me what! Are you kidding me??" She replied, incredulous
"Aw c'mon." He protested. "Leave her alone. She's comfortable."
"She's comfortable." Alison rolled her eyes as she carried Kate into their bedroom. "Rafe. I was saving this outfit for our son!!!! It was only in her room because I wanted to find someplace to pack it away where I'd remember for next time."
She was taking this so seriously. She was so mad she looked absolutely adorable. Rafe loved when she got all worked up about stuff like this. He tried not to smile as he explained. "Look - I panicked - OK? She didn't want to wear that thing you gave me. She screamed the whole time I tried to put it on her. It was the first thing I could find."
"Rafe. That's what's she supposed to sleep in. It's comfortable."
"Says who? I'm telling you. Katrina didn't like it. As soon as I stopped torturing her with it she quit crying."
Alison took a deep breath to try and make him understand. "OK. Let's forget for a moment that what you have her wearing is blue. Rafe. Look at it. It's two sizes to small for her!!"
"I know. I realized that. Actually - just the pants were too small. That's why I only put the top on her."
"I can see that." She tried to stay mad at him but he continued to give her a goofy smile. "You're impossible." She said with a giggle.
Rafe smiled wider. "Angel. Come on. She's fine. Just leave her alone. Look. She's already back to sleep."
Alison looked down at Kate and sighed. "My precious little girl. You look completely ridiculous. Daddy's so not allowed to pick out your clothes any more."
Rafe laughed as Alison sat down in the bed beside him, still holding Kate in her arms. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the baby's forehead and grinned. "Then get her something for bed that I can get her into without her screaming her head off and I promise you I won't try."
