A/N: LOL! It's truly my pleasure to make y'all smile. Until 37 xox-G

Chapter Thirty-six

"Thanks Jack!" Rafe called out as he left the Recovery Room.

There was another thing he could check off his list. He now he had someone to open the gym while he was away with Alison this weekend. Melissa could run things but he didn't want her opening and closing alone. They were lucky they found her. He was happy Jack could keep an eye on her. Once Alison found out his plan - he was sure she'd approve of this little arrangement. It'd be convenient too, since Melissa was going to rent their old apartment. Jack had mentioned he was planning on helping her move in the next day. The commute was getting to her and it had been vacant for a few months. It was time – but - in a lot of ways he was sad to see it go.

He was caught up in his thoughts – wondering if Cam and Abby might move out soon too. With her new business – maybe they'd be making other plans. He was so intent on trying to figure out exactly how he'd be able to convince Alison to go away that he didn't even notice who was walking towards him until it was too late.

"Hello Livvie." He greeted her, but not at all warmly.

"Rafe." She replied as she tried to move past him quickly.

He blocked her path. "I'm glad I ran into you. I wanted to talk to you."

Livvie nearly snorted at him. "Yeah. Like I believe you'd ever be glad to see me. Too bad Rafe. I don't want to talk to you – so I'll be going now."

"Don't worry - it'll be quick. I just need to say one thing." He glared down at her. "Listen to me closely, Livvie. Do me a favor – leave Alison alone. If you don't have anything nice to say to her – then don't even talk to her anymore. Can you do that? I mean are you actually capable of shutting your mouth?"

"Can I open my mouth to answer or do you just want me to shake my head?" She asked.

"Cute. Livvie. I'm serious. I mean it. I know you say things just to upset her and you know what?" He shrugged and gave her a smirk. "I don't like seeing her upset."

Livvie glowered at him and shook back her hair. "Point taken, Prince Charming. Cinderella is ultra sensitive. I get it. Can I go now?"

He stepped to the side and she began to walk away. When she heard him still speaking she stopped.

"Livvie. Tell me something. What are you doing here? Really. I mean – wouldn't Caleb be thrilled to learn that there's an heir to his sick, twisted family legacy? Huh? Why are you here hiding out instead of over there with him hanging a mobile made of bats in your dungeon of a nursery?"

Livvie couldn't take it anymore. She whirled on him. "Because Rafe – he doesn't want this baby. As a matter of fact – it seems that even after all we went through - he really doesn't even want me. OK? Are you happy now? He wants his old life back more than he wants to make a new one with me. He doesn't speak to me – he doesn't even acknowledge me anymore and judging from the fact that he hasn't tried to track me down at all he won't anytime soon."

Rafe started to speak again but she kept on. "That's why I'm here. Because I can't stay there with absolutely no one and have this baby all by myself. I know it's hard to remember because you're all caught up in your spun sugar candy coated life but my dad happens to be here. OK? I came back to be near him – but I don't even think that's going to work because everyone here hates me. You don't have to remind me – I know it. It's blatantly obvious. No one else in this whole town wants me around My dad is the only family I really have left so - Rafe to answer your question - that's why I'm here."

He didn't know what to say. Livvie's hurt looked genuine. He never thought he'd see the day.

"It's OK. You don't have to reassure me. I know why everyone hates me. I know everything I did and you know what? For a lot of it – I'm not even sorry. I don't expect you to believe me but I am suddenly feeling somewhat bad about what I did to Alison. She told me off the other day and you know what? For the most part - she was right."

Rafe was stunned nearly speechless. "OK. Livvie – I.."

"Rafe. I got it. Don't worry. I won't speak to her anymore." She said sadly as she began to walk away.

She turned back for just a moment and then looked him in the eye, tears brimming in her own. "This is what always got to me about you. The lengths you'd go to defend the person you love. No one would ever be that worried about how someone treated me." Livvie took a deep breath before she finished in a whisper. "It really is amazing - how much you love her."

******************

When Rafe got home that night, his conversation with Livvie was still fresh in his mind. Between trying to figure out a way to spring his surprise on Alison and the way he was almost feeling – it was so odd. Could it be that he was actually feeling sorry for Livvie? He couldn't believe it. It kept him completely distracted all during dinner.

Alison noticed but decided to wait until she got Kate to bed before she tried to talk to him. She tucked the baby in tight and went back downstairs. She saw him standing by the big bay window and she sneaked up behind him, curling her arms around his waist and pressing up against his back. She peeked around and looked up and saw a sky full of stars and a moon that was nearly full.

"Look at that sky. Isn't it amazing?" She asked with a grin.

He covered her hands with his and continued to stare outside. "Hmm?" He answered.

He was completely distracted. "Rafe? You're so quiet tonight." Alison was even more worried than before. "Are you alright?"

He gave her hands a squeeze. "Yeah. I'm fine. It's just - I had a little conversation with Livvie today."

She was a little bit startled – but she tried not to show it. She inched closer and tightened her arms around him.

"And?"

"And. I don't know – she seems - sad."

Alison's hands inched up his chest as she pressed herself closer to him. "Well she is sad - Rafe. She's lost everyone who ever cared about her."

"And if you believe her - even Caleb - apparently." Rafe said with a sigh as he took one of her hands in his and kissed it quickly.

He turned around to face her and pulled her into his arms. "I just don't want her to hurt you anymore."

He was so unbelievably sweet. "She won't. She can't. I won't let her." Alison promised as she slid her hands up to twine around his neck - pulling him nearer still. "I don't want you to have to worry about that. I'm fine - really I am."

Rafe looked down at her and nodded.

"Good. Now." She said with a grin. "Can we stop talking about such unpleasant things and concentrate on something more important?"

Rafe leaned down to kiss her quickly. "Like what?" Rafe asked as he tried to pull away.

"Like us." She replied as she held him still, keeping his lips on hers.

This was the opening he was looking for. "Funny you should mention that." He said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the couch.

Why'd you stop kissing me? She thought with a pout. "What?"

Rafe smiled at her - as if he could read her thoughts. "Sit down with me for a sec." His hand still held hers and he brought it to his lips, placing small kisses across her knuckles. "And I need you to do something for me - OK? Promise me you'll hear me out before you say no."

What in the world was he up to? "OK. I promise."

"Close your eyes." Rafe demanded softly.

"Rafe." She sighed.

He leaned close and placed a kiss on each of them. "Close them." He said, his voice serious.

She sighed again, but mostly because now she wanted him to kiss her again even more than she had before. "OK. They're closed."

"OK." Rafe smiled. "Now. Think back. Can you remember the last time we had a whole entire night to ourselves? I mean completely alone. Just the two of us - with no distractions."

Alison's lips curved into a smile. "Umm. Yeah, I think I can."

"How long ago was it? Tell me." He whispered.

"Oh." She said with a huge smile. "It had to be months and months ago. It was probably, our honeymoon - I guess."

She looked so beautiful, smiling up at him with her eyes still shut tight. He couldn't help himself. He leaned in and kissed her softly. "mmm hmm. You're absolutely right. So don't you think we deserve another one?"

The sound of his voice and the feel of his lips on hers distracted her. "Another what?" She asked as she tried to pull him closer.

He wanted to give in but he needed to convince her first. Rafe ran his fingers gently though her hair, softly caressing her cheek as he did. "Another honeymoon."

The feel of Rafe's touch made her start to shiver. "That would be nice." Alison ran her hands up his arms and again tried to bring him to her.

"So. Let's go. This weekend." He whispered.

"OK." She murmured in agreement.

"So. It's settled then." He said as he traced the line of her face with his finger, before he tilted her chin so that her lips finally found his. "I found the perfect place for us to get away."

As she heard him say that Alison pulled back sharply. "We can't go away Rafe." She said with a laugh.

"Sure we can." He insisted, hoping he could convince her.

"Rafe." She laughed harder. "Are you forgetting Katrina?"

"No. I'm not. Alison. Please just hear me out before you say no. I have everything planned already. Your sister is going to stay with her so that you and I can…"

What was he saying? "Rafe. You can't be serious. I'm not abandoning my child." Alison's eyes filled with tears.

Rafe knew it all seemed to be going too well. It had been too good to be true. Here's the reaction he was expecting. "Alison - c'mon. Stop it. You wouldn't be abandoning her."

Alison shook her head back and forth violently. "I won't leave her Rafe - I can't."

He leaned close and kissed her quickly. "Just for a few days - Alison. Please tell me. Why not? Don't you trust Abby?"

"With my life. And it sounds incredible. I love the idea - I want to spend time alone with you. I do. But - Rafe. Stop. Listen to what you're saying. We can't just pack up and leave her." Alison shook her head no again but there was a huge part of her that didn't want to. Looking at him all she wanted to say was yes - but her heart wouldn't let her.

He brushed a stray tear from her cheek. "Alison. Listen to me. I love Kate. With all my heart. I know how much she needs us but I love you too. I just want to spend some time alone - just the two of us. You asked me to promise you that we'd have some time like that and I just want to keep that promise. You work so hard - every day taking such good care of her." He leaned in and gave her a long lingering kiss to make his point. "Please. Let me take care of you for a day or two."

Alison wanted to say yes - but in her mind - she couldn't even imagine walking out the door and driving away from her. "But she needs me. She need us. Rafe - I can't…"

She was breaking his heart but he was determined. Rafe held her chin in his hands and made her meet his eyes. "Look at me for a second. Listen. I promise you. She'll be fine. Abby and Cam - they've agreed to stay at our house so Kate will be right here at home and they'll have everything she needs. This place that I found - it's so close we could be home in just a little more than a half an hour if we absolutely had to. Just think about it for a second. We'll leave right before dinner on Friday and be home Sunday."

He could tell he was getting through to her. He kept talking while he still had her attention.

"I'll tell you what. Let's just take it one night at a time." He stared into her eyes. "First, we'll go to dinner on Friday and if you decide you want to - then we'll stay overnight. And then - we'll see how you feel about staying on Saturday."

The idea of time with Rafe without any interruptions seemed too good to be true. But at the same time - she couldn't bear the thought of spending a whole night away from Kate. She looked at him and wiped a tear from her cheek with a sigh. "If I want to come home we will? Right away? You promise?"

Rafe took her hands in his and kissed them both at the same time. "I promise. Anytime you want to come back we can."

"I love you." Alison said softly.

"I love you too." Rafe leaned closer and kissed her before he whispered. "Is that a yes?"

She took a deep breath and nodded with a smile. "It's a yes."