A/N: I probably had a really cool author's note before ff.net decided to
delete the original chapter (that's what I get for being funny and
attempting to delete the April Fools joke) Until—what am I saying? This
story's been over for 2 weeks now—PCGirl.
~~~~~~~~~~
Rafe was placing books on the built in bookcases in the living room when he heard the banging and a large sigh, "Alison, is everything ok?" he said as he walked around the corner to see her standing there—her hair was pulled into a bun, though some strands as slipped free and she was wearing one of his t-shirts and baggy sweat pants. "Hey," repeated Rafe quietly, "Are you ok?"
"No, I'm never going to be ok again," she said kicking the pots that were at her feet.
"What are you looking for? I might be of some assistance," he said crossing his arms and leaning against the entry way.
"I can't find anything anymore—I'm useless. You know I remember seeing it just last week at the apartment—so it has to be here, right? I mean it couldn't have just sprouted legs and walked off—could it?" she said looking at him in a huff.
"What are we talking about?"
"The spaghetti strainer."
-----------
Jack looked up with a smile as he saw his brother come into the Trinity followed by a number of diligently listening hospital interns behind him.
"And this everyone is the wonderful Trinity. It used to be called the Recovery Room—or it did when I was just a wee little intern like yourselves, but now it's bigger and better," he grinned as he went behind the bar to where Jack and Frank were standing. "Why is it better you ask? Well, because of these two fine men. First we have Frank Scanlon—a part time paramedic, so he will be keeping an eye on you at both places. And this, is my baby brother—you can obviously tell who got the better looks," he said putting his arm around Jack's shoulder and neck.
"Yeah—him!" shouted one of the male interns.
"Everyone is a comedian. So that wraps it up, let's have lunch and then we'll head on back to the floor," he said as he looked at the men. "It's time for a toast."
"To what exactly?"
"To these new seven interns—and to my class, at least what remains—and to Rafe and Alison's beautiful babies."
"That's great, Chris, but you only have six interns," smiled Frank.
"What? No, that's not right. Great I lost one," he said slamming his hand on the bar. "Anyways, let's hurry and toast," he said as Jack poured him and Frank a shot, and then gave Chris a cup with soda in it. "Here is to the new intern class, and to the old."
"Wherever they may be," said Frank lifting his glass to Jake, Karen, and Eve.
"And to the children that are the future of Port Charles—Neil, Serena, Katrina, Edward, and Christina—and all those that have yet to be born."
"And finally—to Ian Thornhart and Danny—may they find peace wherever they end up," added Chris.
"Bottoms up boys," said Jack as they clinked glass and drank.
-----------
"Caleb, I don't think I can do this," said Livvie as she stood at the edge of the spring and looked into the water. "You know I can't swim, what happens if something wrong occurs?"
"You trust me again, right?" he said taking her by the shoulders and leaning down to look in her eyes.
She nodded frantically, "Yes, you know that, but I don't trust myself enough to jump in that spring."
"We're one step from having the final thing we want out of our life—a family. If something happens and we are unable to become vampires again I don't care—as long as you are there with me. I'm not going to let anything happen to you in that spring," he said giving her a kiss as she turned around and jumped in.
As Livvie hit the water she began to see all her memories of Caleb. The first time meeting him at the riverbank, him taking her to the catacombs after the Nurses Ball, their first wedding—then came them finally being together again, both as vampires, and them killing Joshua, then their next wedding in October. She suddenly felt the surface and began to move towards it, looking around she saw him standing at the edge of the spring, "Come here, Olivia," he said as she moved towards him and he pulled her out. "Oh Olivia," he said holding her closely and running his hands over her wet hair. "Are you ok?" he asked.
"Yes," she said chattering slightly as he grabbed the gray blanket and wrapped her in it.
"I'll be right back, ok," he said giving her a kiss and walking over to the water. He was facing her with his back to the water, "I love you Olivia—always," he said as he leaned back and hit the water. He saw flashes of his life—being turned originally, killing Rafe, being reborn by Tess, but finally he saw Olivia turn him again this last time. He felt the surface and came out to see her sitting there near the ledge a look of panic on her face, "I'm fine Olivia—we're both fine," he said getting out as she held her hand out for him
------------
"All this commotion over a spaghetti strainer?" snickered Rafe as he came in and looked at the mess she'd made. "Are you sure you aren't missing a kitchen box anywhere?" he said looking around.
"No, I don't think so—I don't know anymore. I'm so frustrated—I'm a horrible wife and mother," she sighed as she heard one of the babies cry. "How can she be crying already? I just fed her twenty minutes ago," she said as she began to walk past him.
"Hold on a second," he said stopping her, "First of all you aren't even making the spaghetti—and second of all let me go check on her, it's probably just a wet diaper," he said kissing the top of her head and leaving as she just stood there looking at her feet.
--------
"Chris, I thought your class was jinxed, but even yours didn't lose an intern on the first day," laughed Frank.
"No, just a doctor. I'll find her, trust me," he said as he went outside the door.
"Where do you think she went?" asked Jack.
"I have no clue, oh well that didn't take long," he said as he turned to see Chris walk back in with the new girl, and then upon seeing her he dropped the glass he was holding. "Crap," he said looking around for a cloth or something.
"I'll get the broom," said Jack as he went into the back.
"Frank, this is our missing intern—Sara," he said as he looked again at the girl who had a serious resemblance to Karen.
"Hi Frank," she said as she smiled at him.
"Sara, why don't you go order, we're heading back in a bit for actual work," said Chris as he sat down in a chair and looked at him. "What do you think of her?"
"I think—I think I'm seeing an angel. Am I?"
"I have no clue, but stranger things have happened in this town."
---------
Livvie looked up from lacing up her riding boots and saw Caleb rubbing his wet hair with the blanket, a slight smile on his face, "What are you thinking about, my love?"
"I was just thinking about how it's different this time."
"Hmmm?" she said finishing the laces and standing up.
"When Rafe and Lucy pushed me into that spring before I didn't want to be mortal. I was ready to become a vampire and get my powers back immediately—but this time it's different because I know in the end I will be a vampire, but I will also have a son or daughter to call my own," he said pulling her in for a hug. "It'll always be me and you—I know that for sure," he said kissing the top of her head. "Oh, I forgot—I have you something," he said pushing her away and going over to the sack he had brought in with the blankets. She saw a glimmer of gold before he got a full grasp in his hands, "Turn around," he said as she did and then felt the warmth of the jewel against her chest.
She looked at it—a pear shaped ruby pendant, "It's beautiful—the red is so dark—almost like blood," she said with a slight laugh.
"Yes, I know. I didn't think it still existed, but I found it earlier when I was upstairs. Turn around so I can see it," he asked her and as she did Caleb could feel his heart race slightly and a smile appeared on his face.
"What do you mean it didn't still exist?" she asked as she took it in her fingers and began to twist with it.
"It was worn by a female Morley—by marriage or birth—when she became a Kovich in order to continue the line. It's said to keep protection over her until she may again become a vampire—then she would put it away until the next female Morley wore it. Elena took it off the night she fled the Manor, and it's never been worn since."
"Because Trevor was scared he'd lose Tara—were you scared you may lose me?"
"I was, but not anymore—let's go Olivia, it's going to be almost dark when we get back to the stables if we leave now," he said taking her hand and leading her out of the spring.
---------
"I was right—Katie needed a diaper change," said Rafe as he came back in to see Alison sitting on the floor calmly.
Alison looked up at him and smiled, "I found it."
"Where was it?"
"It's at Jasmine's—I let her borrow it the other day," she laughed. "She's going to bring it by tomorrow morning on her way to work."
"Well, I'm glad to hear it," he said as he squatted down to her eye level, "I want to talk to you about something you said earlier."
"What?" she said biting her lip.
"You are not a horrible mother—you are the best. It's going to take a few weeks—maybe even months—before we get into the hang of diaper changes and feedings, but we're going to get the hang of it, ok? Now just promise me no more stressing out over spaghetti strainers, ok?"
"I promise she said looking up at him. Do you really think I'm going to be a good mom?"
"The best—without a doubt," he smiled as he leaned down and kissed her passionately just before they heard Eddie begin to cry. Rafe pulled out of the kiss and gave a laugh. "I should have known to change his also when I changed her," he said getting up and going to take care of Eddie.
----------
"Are you going to the party?" asked Jack as he watched Frank staring off into the abyss.
"Huh?" he said bringing himself back to the real world. "Oh—the party that Rafe and Alison are holding? I mean are you sure they'd want me to come?"
"Sure—everyone else is going to be there. We can close up the Trinity early, say it's for family reasons or something like that. I mean unless you'd rather try and get a chance to talk to her," he said motioning over towards Sara.
Frank laughed, "That obvious huh?"
"Oh yeah—but I promise that unlike you and Imani neither Jasmine nor I will play matchmaker, unless you want us to."
"Well, boys—I've got to get this group whipped into shape," said Chris as he walked over from telling the interns it was time to go. "Take it easy," he said turning around and clapping his hands to get their attention and motioning for the door.
"Is it just me, or is Chris treating them like a group of small school children?" laughed Frank.
"It's not just you," replied Jack.
------------
Livvie stopped her horse before they began to go downwards into the valley—the Manor was still a ways off and the sun was beginning to set behind the mountains behind them, but she didn't care that much. She patted her horse as she tried to calm her down, "Caleb, wait," she said as he turned and came back up the hill.
"What is it?" he said turning his horse in a circle so he was directly next to her.
"I was just thinking about all those that did this trek before us. What they felt when they came to this point in the journey and looked at their home—did they see it as differently as I do now? I mean it's still a home, a haven for us, and the land around it still belongs to us, but there is something different now."
"It's the excitement of not knowing what is to come," he said looking over to her.
"But there is one thing I do know—you are still going to be there with me, from now and through eternity."
"Through eternity," echoed Caleb as he leaned over and kissed her. "Are you ready now?"
"Sunt pozitie," she spoke to him and saw a smile appear on his face. "Did I mispronounce that?"
"No, that was perfect, just like you," he said as Caleb kissed her again and snapped the reins to cause the horse to go again.
~~~~~~~~~~
Rafe was placing books on the built in bookcases in the living room when he heard the banging and a large sigh, "Alison, is everything ok?" he said as he walked around the corner to see her standing there—her hair was pulled into a bun, though some strands as slipped free and she was wearing one of his t-shirts and baggy sweat pants. "Hey," repeated Rafe quietly, "Are you ok?"
"No, I'm never going to be ok again," she said kicking the pots that were at her feet.
"What are you looking for? I might be of some assistance," he said crossing his arms and leaning against the entry way.
"I can't find anything anymore—I'm useless. You know I remember seeing it just last week at the apartment—so it has to be here, right? I mean it couldn't have just sprouted legs and walked off—could it?" she said looking at him in a huff.
"What are we talking about?"
"The spaghetti strainer."
-----------
Jack looked up with a smile as he saw his brother come into the Trinity followed by a number of diligently listening hospital interns behind him.
"And this everyone is the wonderful Trinity. It used to be called the Recovery Room—or it did when I was just a wee little intern like yourselves, but now it's bigger and better," he grinned as he went behind the bar to where Jack and Frank were standing. "Why is it better you ask? Well, because of these two fine men. First we have Frank Scanlon—a part time paramedic, so he will be keeping an eye on you at both places. And this, is my baby brother—you can obviously tell who got the better looks," he said putting his arm around Jack's shoulder and neck.
"Yeah—him!" shouted one of the male interns.
"Everyone is a comedian. So that wraps it up, let's have lunch and then we'll head on back to the floor," he said as he looked at the men. "It's time for a toast."
"To what exactly?"
"To these new seven interns—and to my class, at least what remains—and to Rafe and Alison's beautiful babies."
"That's great, Chris, but you only have six interns," smiled Frank.
"What? No, that's not right. Great I lost one," he said slamming his hand on the bar. "Anyways, let's hurry and toast," he said as Jack poured him and Frank a shot, and then gave Chris a cup with soda in it. "Here is to the new intern class, and to the old."
"Wherever they may be," said Frank lifting his glass to Jake, Karen, and Eve.
"And to the children that are the future of Port Charles—Neil, Serena, Katrina, Edward, and Christina—and all those that have yet to be born."
"And finally—to Ian Thornhart and Danny—may they find peace wherever they end up," added Chris.
"Bottoms up boys," said Jack as they clinked glass and drank.
-----------
"Caleb, I don't think I can do this," said Livvie as she stood at the edge of the spring and looked into the water. "You know I can't swim, what happens if something wrong occurs?"
"You trust me again, right?" he said taking her by the shoulders and leaning down to look in her eyes.
She nodded frantically, "Yes, you know that, but I don't trust myself enough to jump in that spring."
"We're one step from having the final thing we want out of our life—a family. If something happens and we are unable to become vampires again I don't care—as long as you are there with me. I'm not going to let anything happen to you in that spring," he said giving her a kiss as she turned around and jumped in.
As Livvie hit the water she began to see all her memories of Caleb. The first time meeting him at the riverbank, him taking her to the catacombs after the Nurses Ball, their first wedding—then came them finally being together again, both as vampires, and them killing Joshua, then their next wedding in October. She suddenly felt the surface and began to move towards it, looking around she saw him standing at the edge of the spring, "Come here, Olivia," he said as she moved towards him and he pulled her out. "Oh Olivia," he said holding her closely and running his hands over her wet hair. "Are you ok?" he asked.
"Yes," she said chattering slightly as he grabbed the gray blanket and wrapped her in it.
"I'll be right back, ok," he said giving her a kiss and walking over to the water. He was facing her with his back to the water, "I love you Olivia—always," he said as he leaned back and hit the water. He saw flashes of his life—being turned originally, killing Rafe, being reborn by Tess, but finally he saw Olivia turn him again this last time. He felt the surface and came out to see her sitting there near the ledge a look of panic on her face, "I'm fine Olivia—we're both fine," he said getting out as she held her hand out for him
------------
"All this commotion over a spaghetti strainer?" snickered Rafe as he came in and looked at the mess she'd made. "Are you sure you aren't missing a kitchen box anywhere?" he said looking around.
"No, I don't think so—I don't know anymore. I'm so frustrated—I'm a horrible wife and mother," she sighed as she heard one of the babies cry. "How can she be crying already? I just fed her twenty minutes ago," she said as she began to walk past him.
"Hold on a second," he said stopping her, "First of all you aren't even making the spaghetti—and second of all let me go check on her, it's probably just a wet diaper," he said kissing the top of her head and leaving as she just stood there looking at her feet.
--------
"Chris, I thought your class was jinxed, but even yours didn't lose an intern on the first day," laughed Frank.
"No, just a doctor. I'll find her, trust me," he said as he went outside the door.
"Where do you think she went?" asked Jack.
"I have no clue, oh well that didn't take long," he said as he turned to see Chris walk back in with the new girl, and then upon seeing her he dropped the glass he was holding. "Crap," he said looking around for a cloth or something.
"I'll get the broom," said Jack as he went into the back.
"Frank, this is our missing intern—Sara," he said as he looked again at the girl who had a serious resemblance to Karen.
"Hi Frank," she said as she smiled at him.
"Sara, why don't you go order, we're heading back in a bit for actual work," said Chris as he sat down in a chair and looked at him. "What do you think of her?"
"I think—I think I'm seeing an angel. Am I?"
"I have no clue, but stranger things have happened in this town."
---------
Livvie looked up from lacing up her riding boots and saw Caleb rubbing his wet hair with the blanket, a slight smile on his face, "What are you thinking about, my love?"
"I was just thinking about how it's different this time."
"Hmmm?" she said finishing the laces and standing up.
"When Rafe and Lucy pushed me into that spring before I didn't want to be mortal. I was ready to become a vampire and get my powers back immediately—but this time it's different because I know in the end I will be a vampire, but I will also have a son or daughter to call my own," he said pulling her in for a hug. "It'll always be me and you—I know that for sure," he said kissing the top of her head. "Oh, I forgot—I have you something," he said pushing her away and going over to the sack he had brought in with the blankets. She saw a glimmer of gold before he got a full grasp in his hands, "Turn around," he said as she did and then felt the warmth of the jewel against her chest.
She looked at it—a pear shaped ruby pendant, "It's beautiful—the red is so dark—almost like blood," she said with a slight laugh.
"Yes, I know. I didn't think it still existed, but I found it earlier when I was upstairs. Turn around so I can see it," he asked her and as she did Caleb could feel his heart race slightly and a smile appeared on his face.
"What do you mean it didn't still exist?" she asked as she took it in her fingers and began to twist with it.
"It was worn by a female Morley—by marriage or birth—when she became a Kovich in order to continue the line. It's said to keep protection over her until she may again become a vampire—then she would put it away until the next female Morley wore it. Elena took it off the night she fled the Manor, and it's never been worn since."
"Because Trevor was scared he'd lose Tara—were you scared you may lose me?"
"I was, but not anymore—let's go Olivia, it's going to be almost dark when we get back to the stables if we leave now," he said taking her hand and leading her out of the spring.
---------
"I was right—Katie needed a diaper change," said Rafe as he came back in to see Alison sitting on the floor calmly.
Alison looked up at him and smiled, "I found it."
"Where was it?"
"It's at Jasmine's—I let her borrow it the other day," she laughed. "She's going to bring it by tomorrow morning on her way to work."
"Well, I'm glad to hear it," he said as he squatted down to her eye level, "I want to talk to you about something you said earlier."
"What?" she said biting her lip.
"You are not a horrible mother—you are the best. It's going to take a few weeks—maybe even months—before we get into the hang of diaper changes and feedings, but we're going to get the hang of it, ok? Now just promise me no more stressing out over spaghetti strainers, ok?"
"I promise she said looking up at him. Do you really think I'm going to be a good mom?"
"The best—without a doubt," he smiled as he leaned down and kissed her passionately just before they heard Eddie begin to cry. Rafe pulled out of the kiss and gave a laugh. "I should have known to change his also when I changed her," he said getting up and going to take care of Eddie.
----------
"Are you going to the party?" asked Jack as he watched Frank staring off into the abyss.
"Huh?" he said bringing himself back to the real world. "Oh—the party that Rafe and Alison are holding? I mean are you sure they'd want me to come?"
"Sure—everyone else is going to be there. We can close up the Trinity early, say it's for family reasons or something like that. I mean unless you'd rather try and get a chance to talk to her," he said motioning over towards Sara.
Frank laughed, "That obvious huh?"
"Oh yeah—but I promise that unlike you and Imani neither Jasmine nor I will play matchmaker, unless you want us to."
"Well, boys—I've got to get this group whipped into shape," said Chris as he walked over from telling the interns it was time to go. "Take it easy," he said turning around and clapping his hands to get their attention and motioning for the door.
"Is it just me, or is Chris treating them like a group of small school children?" laughed Frank.
"It's not just you," replied Jack.
------------
Livvie stopped her horse before they began to go downwards into the valley—the Manor was still a ways off and the sun was beginning to set behind the mountains behind them, but she didn't care that much. She patted her horse as she tried to calm her down, "Caleb, wait," she said as he turned and came back up the hill.
"What is it?" he said turning his horse in a circle so he was directly next to her.
"I was just thinking about all those that did this trek before us. What they felt when they came to this point in the journey and looked at their home—did they see it as differently as I do now? I mean it's still a home, a haven for us, and the land around it still belongs to us, but there is something different now."
"It's the excitement of not knowing what is to come," he said looking over to her.
"But there is one thing I do know—you are still going to be there with me, from now and through eternity."
"Through eternity," echoed Caleb as he leaned over and kissed her. "Are you ready now?"
"Sunt pozitie," she spoke to him and saw a smile appear on his face. "Did I mispronounce that?"
"No, that was perfect, just like you," he said as Caleb kissed her again and snapped the reins to cause the horse to go again.
