A/N: Awww! You guys missed Cabby. Well - they'll get their own chapter in just a few. Be patient. : )
PCGirl - I'm a copycat - I sent Ian to Ireland too - but not for as long as you. LOL! Now - there are somethings I feel I need to clarify…
Nat sweetie - the diner is not Kelly's. The one in my story is open 24 hours. I know - the fact that Mike works there is confusing now. LOL! I'm an old school GH fan. Frankly - I remember Kelly's when Rose Kelly actually worked there. Yes - in case you were wondering - I'm that old. LOL! OK - I was really young then but still - I remember.
Which leads me to something else. Nat (& I think Bethany too) - I know you are still in school and here I am - writing about all these teenagers when I haven't been one myself in over a decade. Even my baby sis - who is much younger than me - is in her twenties now. SO. If I seem to be patronizing y'all or writing them like a bunch of dorks (do people even say dork anymore ?? LOL!) - please let me know. Seriously!!
I hang around people who are discussing mortgages and babies. I am not afraid to say I might be a tad out of touch. ;)
Getting back to the names in this story. It's sort of random how I chose them. Some names I just like and don't know anyone with them - like Abby and Cameron. Newest example - Ian's wife's name is pronounced Ash-ling. It means vision or dream. Some are symbolic b/c they fit the story - like the kids names - Katrina, Grant, Becky, Julia and Lynnie. (FYI - in my imagination - Quinn is Cam's mother's maiden name, but I gave him that name b/c I feel that some guy named Cameron wouldn't have a son with a common boy's name like John or something.) Some might be clues. (Let's see how smart you are.) Some I just throw in for fun - like Joey - (Quinn's friend) is my dad's name. Mike and Mary from the diner are named after one of my closest friends and her hubby.
Just thought you might be curious. If not - oh well. No harm done. LOL! Alright. Enough rambling. Until 12! xox-G
Chapter Eleven
"I can't believe we're coming here." Rafe said with a sigh.
"Rafe." Alison laughed. "Contrary to what you think his son has done to your daughter - Ian is your friend."
"He is my friend - but he has an idiot for a son." He said, his voice completely serious.
"Oh-kay." Alison said as she took his hand in hers and walked towards the entrance to the restaurant. "Are you done yet?"
"What?" He stared at her.
She leaned in and kissed him softly, God, she must say these next two words four times a day at least. "Calm down. Katie's OK. She's moving on. She's going out tonight and she seems perfectly happy. You know - you really should be worried about your son - he's a wreck. He actually offered to babysit Becky tonight instead of going with Kate. No bribing necessary."
Rafe held the door open for her. "I still can't believe that." He was stunned by the fact that Grant had feelings for Chloe - for years it seemed - and he hadn't a clue.
Alison waved at Abby and Cam who were sitting at a table already. As they approached, they were completely surprised to see Ian at the hostess stand.
"Don't say it. Just follow me." He said as he led them to their table.
"Giving up medicine, Ian?" Rafe laughed as Alison hugged her sister and gave Cam a wave.
"I said don't say it. Aisling's girl called in sick - so I'm filling in." Ian stood by and watched as his friends settled in their chairs. "By the way, Rafe, before you say anything - I know what you're thinking. My son is an idiot."
Rafe gave him a look. "As long as you know it." He said with a grin.
"I do. This new one can't compare to your Katie - but she is sweet. He brought her home with him today." Ian looked over and saw another party waiting to be seated. "Times like these I rue the day I married a chef." He sighed as a waiter came over to their table. Ian grinned and said, "No menus for you - my girl'll take good care of you."
Soon after Katie's first birthday, Ian took a leave of absence and took Danny to Ireland. Alison tried to play matchmaker for him in Port Charles but it seemed his match was to be made there instead. He met Aisling while staying at her bed & breakfast. First he fell for her cooking and then he fell for her. Three months later they were married and he brought her back with him, where she now ran The Cottage, a small quaint inn and 5 star restaurant. It was casual - yet elegant. Just like Aisling. She was lovely, tall and willowy, with similar coloring to Eve and smiling blue eyes. Their daughter, Maggie, was Becky's best friend.
The waiter brought over wine and filled all their glasses, except for Alison's. She didn't believe she was pregnant yet - but the fact was they were going to try. Luckily, no one but Rafe even noticed. He smiled softly and gave her hand a quick squeeze under the table.
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Becky was talking a mile a minute but Grant barely paid attention. Somehow, he got roped into playing Candyland with her. It was her favorite game. Becky had a serious sweet tooth. Anything remotely candy related made her smile.
She concentrated and counted as she moved her piece around the board, wishing she was in such a place herself. "What if there was really a Lollipop Forest, Grant? That would be so great! I'd love to have a lollipop tree right outside my window. Then I could climb it and eat lollipops all day long." Her eyes shone like stars, her imagination running wild. She said this every time they played. The fact that her new favorite book was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory wasn't helping matters much.
Becky was a great distraction, except for the fact that this conversation reminded him that he and Chloe had thought about making her a version of a lollipop tree for her birthday - which was coming up next week. Just seeing her little face light up would be priceless. Chloe had all sorts of ideas. Grant knew he'd have helped but Chloe was the one who was going to put it all together. It was sure not to happen now.
Chloe. Grant thought with a sigh. He thought about her every minute, every second it seemed. Would there ever be a time when he didn't think of her?
He'd say he hoped there would be but it would be a lie.
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"I can't believe we pulled this off." Julia said as she scanned the room, twirling the straw in her drink.
"I can't believe how cute his is." Kate said with a sigh, watching the band set up.
Lynnie sat beside them both completely and totally nervous. Something was going on here. There was something off about Colin. He was unbelievably attractive, but there was something scaring her. She was getting that feeling she always got - right before she got some sort of vision. She picked up her fork and nibbled on the last of her dinner.
"I bet I can get that guy at the bar to get me a drink." Julia said as she gave him a smile and a small wave. It would be easier if her mother would have let her wear the other outfit but she knew she could pull it off. She stood and smoothed back her hair, licking her lips a bit.
Kate reached up and grabbed her hand, making her sit back down. "Lia. You're staying at my house tonight. The only people in this world more strict than your parents are mine."
Lia gave her a look.
"OK." Katie admitted with a laugh. "My dad then. Please. I'm begging you. Save me from being a nervous wreck and just behave yourself.
Lynnie's attention was drawn to the door. "Uh oh." She said as she stared at Julia.
"What?" Lia said as she turned to see who had just come in. "He has some nerve." She said, her voice shaking with anger.
"Lia." Lynnie warned.
"What?" Kate said as she looked from one of her cousins to the other. She finally glanced at the door herself, seeing what the commotion was.
She thought she'd moved on. She thought she was over it. But the minute she saw Danny and Taylor in the doorway, it was like she was there all over again.
Kate pushed back her chair and frantically searched for the ladies room. "I'll be back in a second."
"Katie…"
"I'm fine. Just give me a minute." She promised as she turned and walked away.
"Katie…" Lynnie called softly as both she and Lia watched her go.
Moving down the corridor, she didn't pay attention. Before she could get there she collided with Colin.
"Whoa. Where's the fire?" He said with a laugh. "We didn't play yet so at least I know it's not the music that's sent you running."
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
"Hey." He said, suddenly concerned. He ran a hand over her hair. It was as soft as he'd imagined.
"Katrina…"
She fought to get control of herself and pushed him gently away. "I'm OK." She promised him.
"Katrina…"
"I'm OK." She said again as she eased away and into the ladies room.
Colin knew at that precise moment that he never wanted to see her cry again. Despite the fact that he knew it was hopeless, he couldn't leave her alone. He didn't want to actually admit it, but he'd been looking forward to seeing her all day long. He was so nervous tonight and that was completely unusual. He rarely got stage fright. If he was being honest he had to admit it was because of her. He cared what she thought of him. It was dangerous but he was slowly realizing he couldn't help himself.
Colin leaned against the wall and waited for her to come out. He couldn't leave, not when she was so upset. Something had made her sad and he was determined to find out what it was so he could fix it.