Chapter Fifty-two

Cam walked slowly up the steps to the porch, carrying a sleeping Kate in his arms. He knocked softly, unable to reach the doorbell.

Within seconds Rafe was there, a huge grin crossing his face at the sight of his daughter. "Hey. Thanks for keeping her." He whispered as Cam handed Kate over. "Hey Princess." Rafe murmured, placing a kiss on her head.

"It's our pleasure. She's no trouble at all. We love watching her. " Cam answered. His voice got serious as he added. "Can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Sure." Rafe nodded, stepping outside and pulling the door shut behind him. "Do you mind if we just sit out here? Alison's napping on the couch. I've been driving her crazy lately and I know she hasn't slept much."

It was a warm spring day. Cam didn't mind at all.

Rafe gazed lovingly at Kate, never more content. "So. What's up?"

"Tell me. Abby had a vision this morning and it really upset her. Are you - I mean are you and Alison - do you have any plans to leave?"

"Leave where?" Rafe asked, his voice distant.

"Here - Rafe. Are you leaving Port Charles?"

"No. Why would you possibly think that? We're not going anywhere." Tearing his eyes from his daughter Rafe finally began to pay attention to what Cameron was saying. "That's crazy."

"OK." Cam nodded, still uneasy. "I just - It's so odd though. Abby saw it. She saw it and it scared her to death."

"This is our home - Cam. I have a business here." Rafe looked at him like he was crazy. And then - in an instant he knew. "Oh my God. She couldn't have."

"What?"

"I can't believe this. Alison." Rafe held Kate closer and sighed. "She had a talk with Livvie. She said she asked Livvie to convince Caleb to leave."

"OK - so?" Cam still didn't understand.

Rafe began to get angry. "I can see her doing it. She would give it all up to keep things peaceful. She'd ask me to leave here."

"Rafe…"

Rafe held the baby tighter. "And God help me but I'd do it too. If she asked me to - believe me - I would. If I thought it would make her happy I'd go. I'd even let that bastard think he's won if it made her happy."

Kate began to stir and let out a soft whimper. Rafe sighed. "That's great. Look at me. I'm upsetting her too. Shh, I'm sorry, sweet girl." He said, trying to calm her. "Thanks for the heads up - Cam."

Cam chuckled, " I didn't know I was giving you a warning. I'm just trying to keep my wife from completely losing it. She was beside herself Rafe…"

"Her bookstore…." Realization washed over Rafe's features. He knew exactly what had upset Abby so. "They're going to run it together. The idea of her leaving…."

"That - among other things." Cam said with a nod. "Abby's convinced if you go you won't ever be able to come back."

Rafe wanted to assure him, but couldn't promise a thing. He knew he'd be lying. The decision he'd made earlier that morning became all the more real every hour it seemed. "Cam - I can't tell you for sure that we won't leave." He leaned back on the porch swing and shifted Kate to rest on his chest, his hand rubbing her back as she drifted off to sleep. He placed a soft kiss on her head. "If that's what it takes to keep them safe - we will. As much as we won't want to - we will. We'll leave here."

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"So." Caleb said with a grin as he watched her finish dressing. "What shall we do this fine spring day?"

"Someone's chipper this morning." Livvie said with a laugh. She never thought she'd laugh again.

"I finally have what's mine." Caleb wound his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. His hands possessively rested on her stomach. "I have reason to be."

"Caleb." Livvie murmured as she leaned back in his arms. "Where are we going?"

He placed his lips close to her ear and spoke softly. "To my old apartment. I had the landlord open it for me."

"And then what?" Livvie asked nervously. She knew she wanted to be wherever he was. She knew - in the end - she'd chose him and whatever he wanted - but her conversation with Alison nagged at her.

"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."

"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."

Livvie covered Caleb's hands with her own. Deep down - she knew Alison was right. She just was able to get him back - she would not lose him now.

She'd convince him that it was for the best. She knew she could do it. All she needed was some time alone with him.

"Let's get going then - OK? Before my dad finds you here. We have a lot of plans to make." Livvie said with a grin as she turned in his arms.

His eyes glinted with mischief as he replied. "Oh yes. We certainly do."

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Cam left - no closer to allaying Abby's fears. In fact, his conversation with Rafe just cemented them.

They'd go. They'd leave - if push came to shove they'd do it.

Life was never easy - Rafe was reminded that more every day he walked this earth. Everything - it seemed, came at a price.

There were more important things to take care of at the moment than worrying about what Caleb would cause him to do. Rafe walked inside and up the stairs to put Kate down. He tucked her in and took a deep breath. This is what really mattered to him.

"Ah. There she is. Home at last." A hushed voice called out behind him.

Rafe couldn't help grinning as he turned around. "Yeah. There she is." He beamed as he watched his father walk to the crib and run a hand over Kate's head. "I had a feeling you might come and find me here."

"Well - c'mon. It's not everyday I get a chance to see my grandchild." Ed said softly, love and pride filling his voice. "You did real good kid. And naming her after your mother - that was something. She'd have really liked that."

"It was Alison's idea - actually." Rafe admitted.

"I know. She's an amazing young woman." Ed said with a grin. "You did real good there too."

"I know. Believe me - I got your message. I won't risk losing them - Dad. I know what choices I'll make in the end. Nothing matters to me more than my family." Rafe vowed. "Nothing ever will."

"I'm glad to hear it." Ed replied. "But it's not over yet - son. Not by a long shot. This won't be easy. He'll taunt you. He'll tempt you. Don't fall for it."

"I won't." Rafe promised. "There's too much at stake."

Rafe watched his father as he still gazed at Katrina. "Alison's going to be so mad she was sleeping. She wants to meet you. If she was here she'd bombard you with a million questions."

"I'll meet her sooner or later." Ed said with a smile.

Rafe laughed back at him. "No offense - Dad - but I hope it's later."

"You can count on it." Ed said as he leaned over and placed a kiss on Kate's cheek. He moved to give his son a hug, pulling away quickly. "Good luck, kid. Remember. I'm counting on you."

Rafe watched with a twinge of sadness as the image of his father slipped away. He gazed down at Kate again needing to say the words to her too. "I mean it, Princess. Nothing matters to me more than you and your mom - Katie. I promise you. Nothing ever will."