A/N: You guys make me do nothing but : ) !! - Oh and OK - fyi - I'm just guessing there must be some sort of balcony at the Lighthouse. Cut me some slack people. LOL!! Until 50! xox-G
Chapter Forty-nine
"What?" Livvie was dumbfounded.
"You heard me."
"Alison. Caleb isn't even here - even if I wanted to how could I take him with me?"
"He'll be here - Livvie - sooner or later - he'll be here and when he comes…" Alison took a deep breath. "I want you to convince him to go away. If you promise to do that - it'll be a start to making up to me."
"Why should I have to be the one to leave?" Livvie's voice was brimming with anger.
"You don't really want me to tell you why - Livvie. I've got a million reasons - but here's the best one. If Caleb comes back here and you two decide that this is where you'll live…" Alison's voice shook and tears began to fall. "Then I'll be danger of losing him - and that is not an option for me. Either you convince Caleb to leave or I'll have to do it myself."
"Is that a threat, Alison?" Livvie asked bitterly.
"No. I'd never stoop that low. It's a fact Livvie." Alison wiped the tears from her cheeks. "You know it's true. Rafe and Caleb can't inhabit the same space. It's too hard - there's too much history between them. If you really want to share a life with Caleb then we should both want the same thing. "
"I still don't get why I should have to go. This is my home too." Livvie spat back.
"Because you just asked me how you could make up for the fact that you made my life miserable and I told you what could make a difference." Alison was getting angrier by the second. "You don't want to do it - fine. I expected as much. Just don't come around here begging forgiveness anymore and expect me to tell you it's alright. Seems to me you should have to make some sacrifices."
Alison was suddenly exhausted. She moved to sit on the swing that hung on the porch, staring at her hands. "I don't really understand you anymore Livvie. I used to. I used to know you so well. And I can't even begin to understand what you have with Caleb. How you could want a life like he used to lead - I'll never get it. But I know you love him - and I can tell he loves you so you have to have some sort of idea what I'm feeling now."
Livvie stared at her and let her talk. She didn't quite know what to say anyway.
Alison ran her hand over the side of the house and sighed. "We both found this house separately - did you know that?"
Livvie shook her head no.
"We did." Alison said with a watery laugh. "Neither one of us had any idea. I was going to give it to him for Christmas and he had the exact same thought."
Alison kept on, not even caring if Livvie was listening or not. She had started and she needed to finish. She pushed her feet against the floorboards of the porch and started to swing. "We both love this house. We have a million dreams that we thought would come true here. It'll kill me to have to do it, but if I'm forced to - I will. I'll move away and find another house in another town where I can raise my daughter and any other kids I'm lucky enough to have with him in peace. I'll do it - because I can't risk losing him Livvie. I love him too much. He's worked so hard for so long to keep everyone safe and it's about time he gets to finally live his life. I want him to be able to do that here - and that's why I'm asking you to leave."
"It's not just for me Livvie. You won't be happy here either. Don't you want a better life for your child? If we both try and live our lives here together it will end badly. We'll lose both of them."
Alison got up and walked to her door. "You can wait till he gets here to answer me. I just hope you can find it in your heart to make the right choice."
Livvie watched her go - completely conflicted and more than a little confused. If she was going to try and make up with Alison - shouldn't she at least try to do what she asked? "Ali. How do you know he's coming for me?"
Alison opened the door and slipped inside. She kept her hand on the door as she gave her an answer.
"Because it's clear he can't live without you Livvie. Trust me. He'll be here soon - if he's not here already."
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Alison locked the door behind her and crept up the stairs. She almost walked in to check on Kate and stopped herself, remembering that she was at Abby's. She walked into her own bedroom and sighed.
She smiled at the sight of him, pushing thoughts of Livvie from her mind. He had fallen asleep, fully dressed, on top of the covers. She got ready for bed herself, pulling on her favorite shirt of Rafe's to wear. She crawled into bed beside him and he stirred instantly, reaching for her and pulling her close.
"Love you…" He murmured, placing a kiss on her hair before falling under again.
She snuggled closer and blinked back tears. "Love you too."
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Livvie made her way back home - her mind spinning. Alison gave her so much to think about. Most of all - how in the world was she so sure that Caleb would come for her.
She rubbed a hand over her stomach and exhaled. Her voice held no trace of hope. "Sure he'll come. He hasn't yet and it's been weeks."
Her room looked fine, but she sensed someone had been in there. Probably her dad or maybe Lucy. Maybe Christina snuck in to play dress up. She didn't linger over the thought too much. She had many other things on her mind.
Livvie walked out on the balcony and stared up at the night sky. It was almost pitch black. A chill came over her and she turned to go back in. She heard a rustle in the trees nearby.
It couldn't be him. Maybe Alison was just trying to get back at her for all she'd done in the past. It would make sense.
"I never thought you'd really leave me." She swore she heard him say from behind her.
"Caleb?" Livvie gasped and turned around.
"I thought you'd come back." He said with a sly grin, moving out of the shadows and closer to her. "I was sure of it. But that's part of what I love about you Olivia. You always keep me guessing."
"I thought you'd never come for me." She breathed, unable to believe he was truly with her. Tentatively, she reached out to touch him. As she did a shock, so strong it was nearly visible ran through her body.
"I'll always find you. You know that." He placed a hand on the side of her face, his fingers tangling in her hair.
"I thought you didn't care." Livvie said softly, a tear escaping and running down her cheek. She was so happy to see him.
"I care too much." He replied with a laugh. "That's the problem."
She closed the space between them and covered his mouth with hers. He kissed her hungrily, like he had been starved for weeks. He couldn't get enough of her.
As her body sank into his he could feel it. He knew there was something different but hadn't been able to pinpoint it exactly. Now, he was sure.
He reluctantly tore his mouth from hers and looked deeply into her eyes. "Olivia, my love. Do you have something you want to tell me?"
