A/N: I have an irk with ff.net now--you can't use the (star) or the (tilde) button because they don't show up. Hope the flashbacks make sense! And Melody--I'm keeping my idea of Danny and the candle the same, even if it is wrong. ;) Until next time--PCGirl.
"Uh oh, this looks serious," said Alison as her and Livvie entered the ice cream parlor to see their two oldest daughters sitting at a table looking at each other but not saying anything.
"You don't think they had a fight with each other, do you?"
"Only one way to find out," she said as they walked to the table and sat down, "Hey sweetie."
"Hey Mama," said Kate as she played with the edge of her napkin and looked slightly back at her mom—mirror images of each other, just like Tara and Livvie across the table from them.
"What's the matter with you two?" asked Livvie who was slightly nervous with the way their daughters were acting.
"Well—do you want to start Katie-bug?" asked Tara.
Kate couldn't help but cracking a smile at the nickname Tara had given her a long time ago, "Mom—Remember when I said I didn't know who Lizzie's crush was? Well, that was a lie."
"I figured that—so who is he?"
"Alex," said Tara softly.
Alison's eyes got huge as she looked at Livvie who had a slight smile on her face, "What's so funny?"
"I'm just trying to picture my son, Alexander Roderick Morley, having feelings for a girl—any girl at this age. I mean he's studying so hard to follow in his father's footsteps, and keep the Morley legacy going I'm surprised he has time to still play basketball with Jeremiah for fun. Sometimes I think he knows more Romanian than both Rafe and Caleb put together. He's not going into the summer thinking about girls, he's going into the summer thinking about the trip to Daia that Caleb promised him."
"So what are you trying to say? That we should just let her keep on this fantasy about her and Alex?"
"Yes, that's exactly what Livvie is saying. Causing commotion about this to either of your father's or to Eddie will do absolutely no good."
"That's what we're scared of—the restarting of a war that was finally put to rest because you two pushed it. I mean those feelings of hatred and killing each other never really left either of our dad's and we know that. How do we not know when Rafe finds out that he doesn't think this is Dad's fault and go after him?"
"Because the four of us won't let that happen. Right Livvie?"
"Right—the past ten years have not been a bed of roses, there have been times I'm sure both of your dad's were ready to give up the peace, but Alison and I have always been able to stop them from doing that, and I'm sure with the two of you also we'll keep on doing that."
"Promise?" asked Kate.
"I won't promise it'll be simple as pie, sweetie, but I can promise that in the end we'll still be a family and we'll still have our friendships with each other."
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Leslie lifted up the latch and walked into the musty barn, "Liz—you in here?" she said as she saw her sitting against the post that her parents had carved their names on nearly twenty years before.
"Hey—how did you find me?" she asked as she looked over and saw her best friend standing there in the half open door.
"I—just a guess," she said shrugging off the truth.
"Oh no—did you have one of those visions happen again? Leslie—I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to cause that to happen again," she said as she stood up and dusted off her jeans.
"No—don't, it's not your fault. I don't understand how this is happening, but it is not your fault, ok?" she said as she closed the door and leaned against it. "How are you?"
"Frustrated. I mean Kate wouldn't even listen to me," she said as she looked at the carving and began running her fingers over the edge of the heart, "You don't chose who you fall in love with, Leslie."
"I know, but just don't do anything foolish—ok? I mean he's going to be gone all summer, and if he were to come back with his own crush on some Transylvanian chick I don't want you to be all sad and depressed because of it."
"I won't be depressed—I mean this is a silly crush right now, but I just feel like it's supposed to be."
"Your mom and Uncle Jamal thought they were supposed to be before Rafe came along, and look at my dad and Livvie."
"Yeah, I guess you are right," she said with a half smile.
"Listen, whatever happens—I promise I will always be at your side and I am always going to be your best friend, ok?"
"Ok," said Lizzie as she and Leslie hugged before blowing out the lantern that hung next to Rafe and Alison's heart and leaving.
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"Hey—I hope you aren't mad that I've been in town for a week now and haven't stopped by before tonight," spoke Ian as he stood in the night at Eve's grave. "They've had me running around hearing this story instead of trying to do what I cam here to do, and that was to be able to let go of our little boy. He's not a little boy now Lambert, he's grown up into a fine young lad who I know you couldn't be more proud of."
Ian stopped and looked up to the sky for a moment, "I've raised him for so long, and been there for so many important moments that I'm not sure how I can get through each day without him being near me. Even when I haven't been near him I've known you could be—in his heart, in the wind, in the sunshine that's falls down onto his skin and keeps him warm. So please Eve, please promise me you'll keep watching over our little boy now that his Da can't be there to hold his hand anymore."
Flashbacks
(Ian in the NICU talking to Daniel before Eve gets there) Ian: You're my son, and I love you. Ahem. And your mother loves you very much. So when she comes in here, maybe you want to do something. She fought very hard to keep you in this world, to bring you in here. She's still fighting -- we all are. And I know you're tired right now, and you're a wee bit scared, and I understand that. But you got to believe me when I tell you that everything is going to be just fine. It's going to be all right. Because I can see that you're a fighter, just like your mother. And I need you to fight right now. I need you to hold on. Ok? And I promise you -- I promise you the most wonderful life. But you have to hold on. You have to be strong. Hold on.
(Ian taking Daniel from the nurse and putting him in Eve's arms) Ian: Hey, there, little man. Don't be nervous. You're about to meet the most beautiful woman in the world. Say hello to your mother.
See Ian, Danny, and Eve at the park having a picnic.
(Eve holding Danny at the apartment and talking to him) Eve: Hi. Oh, goodness, that was a loud noise, wasn't it? Oh, it's ok. Yeah. Oh, it's ok. Mommy's not going to let anything happen to you. No, she's not. No. It's ok. Shh. Mommy's always going to watch over you. Yeah. Just like the stars. Look, Danny. There's your star. There it is. And it's there for you to wish upon any time you feel alone or scared. It's going to be ok. And if you wish enough and dream enough, all your wishes can come true.
Ian holding the 'comfort' candle that Alison had left him at his door and Daniel leaning over grabbing it and putting it in his mouth.
Ian and Danny at Eve's grave Christmas of 2002 with a little Christmas tree they've set up for her and Ian's talking to Eve wishing he could have given a better Christmas to Danny
Ian and Danny at the airport at end of Trinity getting ready to get on the plane to head off to Ireland
End Flashbacks
"Watch over Daniel, Lambert—not just for one night, but for always," said Ian as he turned to leave the grave and a slight wind blew through the cemetery and he could almost hear Eve say, "I promise I will--not just for one night, but for always."