A/N: It's getting hard to keep this up. My next story is already taking over my brain. I CANNOT wait to post the first chapter!!! The problem is - I'm not sure I'm doing this one justice. So I took a few days to get this just right. Not too much left now - so get ready! Thanks as always for your reviews. Y'all astound me - you truly do. Until 57! xox-G
Chapter Fifty-six
"What's going on with her?" Lucy asked as she braided Christina's hair. It was so amazing how easily they slipped back into a routine. She was back - with her Doc. It was exactly where she knew she belonged.
Though she had moved back in with Kevin, Lucy thought of Ian often. She wanted to make sure he was OK. It would take some time before they could truly become friends again. She missed Danny and so did Christina. She hoped she could find some time to talk to him soon.
"I don't know." Kevin said with a sigh. "I wish that I did."
"When did she come back? I didn't even hear her."
"Late last night." Kevin sipped his coffee. "She was very upset. I hate to see her like this and it can't be good for the baby."
Lucy shook her head. The fact that Livvie was pregnant at all astounded her. The fact that Livvie was pregnant with Caleb's child was completely terrifying.
"And now - this morning? She up and gone already. He has a pull on her - Lucy. She'll be tied to him forever. I wish there was something I could do." Kevin was so frustrated. He didn't know how to help his daughter and it was killing him.
She looked over at Kevin, wanting to console him. She kissed the top of Christina's head and whispered in her ear.
Nodding, Christina walked over and crawled into Kevin's lap. "It's OK Daddy." She said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks sweetheart." Kevin said as he pulled her close. He had one daughter safe and sound. He wished he could say the same about the other.
**********************
Alison held Kate close as she walked towards the door. "Who could that be Katie? Huh? Maybe Aunt Abby or maybe it's Grandma. We haven't seen her in a long time. She's been so busy lately designing clothes. Scary - right? I know." Alison giggled. Even though it made her laugh, it was nice to see her mother occupied with something productive at last.
She peeked through the peephole and saw who it truly was.
"Livvie." She said as she opened the door, shifting Kate in her arms.
Livvie looked at her and smiled slightly. "Ali - hi. Can I come in for a minute?"
"Sure." Alison said, not knowing exactly why she felt it would be alright. There was something about the way Livvie looked. Since the last time Alison saw her she looked more like her old self. Softer with a trace of kindness in her eyes. She wasn't nearly like Tess, but she looked more like the old Livvie, the one that she knew before Caleb came into their lives.
Livvie gazed around the living room, seeing all the framed photos and little knickknacks "This looks just like someplace you and Rafe would live."
"Is that a compliment?" She asked with a smile.
"Yes." Livvie said softly. "It's beautiful. It's a real home."
Alison looked on in concern. She seemed so lost. "Livvie - are you OK?"
Livvie shook her head. "No. Not really. I'm sorry Alison. I - I came to tell you that I couldn't do it. I was going to try - I promise you I was. I was going to try and convince him to go."
Livvie sat down on the couch and ran a hand over her stomach. "He doesn't understand. It doesn't have to be like what you and Rafe have. Us living like this - it doesn't have to be a house with a white picket fence or me in the kitchen with cookies baking in the oven. We could have a piece of both of us that gets to live on, that will walk around and represent the love we have for each other. We could have it now - but it's not what he wants."
Alison just kept quiet and let Livvie talk. She propped Kate up on her knees so she was facing her. Kate was oblivious to the conversation - she was mesmerized by her own feet.
Livvie looked over at her and smiled softly, "He forgets he was born mortal. He was once as small as Kate, with a life full of possibilities. He lost that life a long time ago and I really thought he'd be happy for the chance to get it back. He's not Ali. He misses the power that being a vampire gave him. It's making it so he can barely breathe. I want him to be happy and he won't be living like this."
"What are you saying - Livvie?"
"I'm saying I'm sorry Alison but I can't stop him. I'm not really sure what he's planning to do. He may try to ruin you again. He may just leave. I don't know. He won't tell me. I also wanted to tell you that I'm staying - for now. Until I have the baby at least."
"Livvie. It's OK." Alison kissed Kate's neck as she placed her head on her shoulder. It was almost naptime.
"I know I told you I wanted to try and make up to you and I said that I'd try. But I can't. So - I don't expect you to try and forgive me." Livvie wiped her eyes and stared off into space.
Alison patted Kate's back as she heard her breathing slow. She looked into Livvie's eyes. "Livvie. I know what you are trying to do - and I have to be honest with you. It's going to take a long time." Alison blinked back tears as she continued. "I don't know if I can ever truly forgive you. There are so many things you've done that still hurt me when I just think about them. The feeling is as real as if I'm back in time, experiencing it all over again." She held Kate closer and took a deep breath. "But. Even with that - I think you should stay. You shouldn't go through this alone."
Livvie got up and stood to look out the window. "I might have to - Ali." Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I left him - again. The other night I walked out because he's so consumed by the fact that he's lost his legacy that he's not interested in what we could have together. He's obsessed. He had the ability to live forever and now he's incredibly vulnerable. He despises being vulnerable."
Alison began to get angry. Too bad Caleb, she thought bitterly. Her voice was shaking a bit as she spoke. "I don't have any sympathy for him - Livvie. He was immortal - but he thought nothing of taking the life of someone else." Alison shivered and continued to rub Katie's back. She didn't want to get into this.
"Livvie - I'm sorry. I'm not going to talk about this anymore. Seriously - this is not a conversation you want to have with me. I don't know what your life with him was like - I can't imagine what about it attracted you. I don't really want to know - because I know it will never be something I'd understand. I think you deserve the chance to be happy if you want it. I don't really have the right to banish you. But you need to promise me that you won't do anything to harm me or my family. I'm tired of fighting - especially you. As long as you promise to do that - I wish you every happiness."
"Do you really?" Livvie asked as she turned to face her.
Alison nodded. "I do. Livvie. I really do."
"Why?" Livvie asked, dumbfounded. "Why would you possibly after all I did to you?"
"Because I hate to see anyone so miserable. As sick and twisted as he is, Caleb, apparently, makes you happy. I was hoping you could go off and live a life together. Maybe that can't happen. But you should at least be near your family as you start your own."
Alison held Kate tight as she looked sadly at the woman she used to call her friend. "Having a child? Livvie, it's such an amazing experience. If he let's you do it alone - Caleb has no idea what he's missing."
