A/N: Hi all!!  Such sweet reviewers! 

Terri – I'm floored.  Such kind words.  I'm humbled and you are more than welcome.  I'm also overjoyed to know I'm not the only one still completely hung up on them!! 

Livvie712 – Thanks so much for the review.  Honestly – part of the reason you don't see them much is that writing Caleb and Livvie is MUCH harder for me.  Rali (and Cabby) stuff just comes to me without even thinking much about it  – but I promise – you'll find out answers to your questions soon. 

PCGirl – You think it's that far-fetched??  LOL!!! 

Now…To my dear "spoiled" (LOL!) Awians and other dear readers. Sorry to break it to y'all - but this'll be my last update until Monday at the earliest. I'm going away for a few days and alas - :( no computer. But - of course - I promise I'll have lots of great chapters for you when I get back. ;) And this ones kinda long and jam-packed if I do say so myself so it'll have to do for now.  .  ;) The upside is that PCGirl can catch up if she wants to and oh I don't know - maybe some other people I know might like to update their wonderful stories too. :) C'mon! Surprise me!! Until 39!!!! xox -G

Chapter Thirty-eight

Livvie stood and stared out the window of the lighthouse.  If she closed her eyes she could see his face almost too clearly.  She was trying her hardest to forget him but couldn't help but wonder. Was he thinking about her at all?

Her dad had been so great. He was taking such good care of her. She was shocked to think that even Lucy, even Lucy was really making an effort to be nicer to her. She and Lucy had their differences but she seemed to make Kevin really happy. Livvie - for once - didn't begrudge someone else's own happiness - even though she herself couldn't be more miserable.

Today she had a sonogram and saw her child - their child. As she placed a hand on her stomach her heart called out to him. "Caleb…" She whispered to the night. "I know you think that the wish you made ended your life - but look. It's really just beginning. We can have all you dreamed of if you'd just come to me…"

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

Abby tiptoed up the stairs and peeked in on Katie - startled at the sight before her. "Oh my God." She whispered.

She crossed the room and knelt next to the rocking chair. Cam was sitting there, fast asleep with Kate in his arms. She reached up and took the baby from him, gently shushing her when Kate began to stir.

Abby tucked Katie back in and leaned over to place a kiss on her forehead. Then she walked back over to Cam and kissed him in exactly the same way.

His eyes fluttered open. "Hey." He said with a yawn.

"Hi. I didn't hear you come in."

"You were out like a light." He smiled.

"So were you." Abby replied.

"She's so good Abby." Cam's voice was full of awe. "She stopped crying the minute I picked her up."

Abby nodded and smiled. "I know. It's actually because Kate and I had a little talk earlier. She agreed to be on her best behavior so that I can convince you to give her a cousin sometime soon."

Cam looked over at Abby and ran a hand through her hair. " You don't need to convince me - Abby. I can't wait to have one of our own."

She stood up straight. "Really? Are you sure? I mean - we just got married and you've been gone for so long. I thought maybe you'd like to take some more time."

He stood himself and took her into his arms. "I'm happy the way things are but - Abby - I'm sure it'll be the most amazing thing in the world - seeing you with our child. Let's just see. OK? We'll start trying and I'm pretty sure that when they think we're ready." He glanced up at the ceiling. "It'll happen."

"Should we start trying now?" She asked with giggle as she grabbed his hand and led him to the guest room.

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

Hundreds of miles away, it was as if he could hear her.  Caleb's head shot up.  He was trying so hard to concentrate on the task at hand but there was emptiness inside of him since she'd been gone.  Part of the problem was he never thought she'd really leave him.  He knew he'd ignored her but there was work to be done – and being powerless – he needed to be here, in his family's home so the dark forces dwelling here could protect him from harm.

Livvie knew how to live the life they had now.  He had no idea what to do.  When he came back before he was playing at being mortal – but he still had his legacy.  Being human made him vulnerable.  He hated being vulnerable.

He knew where he could find her – but going back there and watching all who'd seemingly defeated him smugly cast their eyes on him in pity was more than he could bear at the moment.

But he would go to her soon.  He was kidding himself if he thought he could really stay away.

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

Blissfully unaware of the world around her, Alison's back was pressed against the door to their room. Her hands continued to loosen Rafe's tie, finally freeing it from his collar and tossing it to the ground. She giggled as she moved to unbutton his shirt, tugging it from the waist of his pants. Rafe was desperately trying to get the door opened as she did. If he didn't get them inside fast he was sure at the rate she was going he'd soon be out in the hallway completely undressed.

"Hurry up - Rafe." She whispered as she placed kisses on his neck. "C'mon. What's taking you so long?"

"It's this stupid key." Rafe's voice sounded strangled, mostly because her hands were tugging on his belt now. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, never more thankful when the doorknob finally turned and they stumbled inside.

He threw the key on the ground and shut the door with his foot. Alison walked across the room - kicking off her shoes and beginning to let her hair down. Rafe wanted nothing more than to go to her - but he had a last minute thought to place the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. He grabbed his tie from out in the hallway while he was at it. Once accomplished - he shut the door again and locked it.

Turning back around - he realized - Alison was gone.

Are you kidding me? He thought with a sigh. "Angel?" He called out.

"In here." She replied from behind the door to the bathroom. She giggled again. "I'll be out in a second."

"You'd better…" He muttered under his breath. He slipped off his own shoes and shrugged out of his jacket. He moved to light a group of candles by the bed. He looked down and was happy to see there was a small CD player there as well. He pressed play, and suddenly the smooth, soft sound of jazz filled the air. Just one more thing, he thought with a smile.   He closed his eyes and focused, pleased when he could feel the stem of a rose appear in his hand.  He placed it gently across the pillow.

"Ahem." Alison cleared her throat, the sound causing him to turn around. When he opened his eyes - he was again stunned speechless.

"WOW." He whispered.

"You've been saying that a lot lately." Alison sauntered over towards him with a smile. Her hair fell about her shoulders in a mass of soft curls.  She was wearing a long silk negligee of blush pink, trimmed with delicate black lace. There was a slit in the front that ended dangerously close to her waist.   The fabric was nearly the same color as her skin. She'd been saving it for a special occasion and this certainly seemed to qualify.   It also was clear her husband approved. 

"Come here." She demanded softly as she crooked her finger at him.

Far be it from him to deny such a request.  He crossed the room in seconds, his arms closing around her, his hands sliding around her waist and across the soft fabric of her gown.  Her own hands moved over him, desperate to finish what she'd started in the hallway.

"Hold on a minute."  He warned her, reaching between them, catching her hands in his and bringing them to his lips.

"Rafe…" she nearly begged as she looked up at him, her eyes clouded with desire.

He smiled as he kissed her.  "Alison.  Slow down. We don't have to rush this.   We have nothing but time."

"I forgot."  She admitted honestly, still reaching for him.  "I forgot what that's like."

"I know."  He replied, capturing her mouth with his again.  "That's the whole point of all this."

She sank into him and wound her hands around his neck, pulling him closer to her.

"Now…" He continued between kisses.  "Come on.  Relax.  Take a minute and just dance with me."

"I like dancing with you."  She said with a smile as she began to sway in his arms.  This was really a fabulous idea.  

He kissed the top of her head and held her tighter.  "I know. Me too.  I promised you at Abby's wedding I'd dance with you for Valentine's Day – but we had other plans."

Upon hearing his words, for the first time in hours Alison was suddenly caught up in thoughts of Katrina.  "Rafe…" She whispered.

He could tell by the tone of her voice she was wavering.  Rafe knew he had to think fast.  He pulled her closer and kissed her, so sweetly that the feel of his lips on hers brought her concentration back to him in seconds.  "Shh. She's fine."  He whispered.   

"It's just for one night though, right?"  She asked just before his lips found hers again, leaving her breathless.

"Just one night."  He replied, kissing her again.  As he did, he crossed his fingers behind her back.  He was certain he could convince her otherwise.