Chapter Thirty-six
"It's raining." Alison said with a sigh.
"It's going to be fine." Rafe insisted as he moved to stand behind her.
She leaned back into his arms completely unconvinced. "30 people in our house and you say it'll be fine."
He leaned close and whispered in her ear. "We have nearly 30 people in our house nearly every holiday and it works out OK."
He had a point but she didn't like it. She suddenly was incredibly nauseous. "Plus – I feel absolutely miserable."
The first thing he'd noticed when Rafe saw her today was that she looked really pale. He felt the need to apologize. "I know. I'm sorry."
Alison touched a hand to her stomach, willing it to settle down. "GOD! Just once I'd like you to know how horrible this is."
He let out a chuckle. "Angel – if that was the way it worked Kate would have been an only child for sure."
"You're not making me feel better." She snapped at him. "I'm serious, Rafe. There's so much to do."
He tried to stifle the grin that was about to spread across his face. "Abby will be here in a few minutes."
"Oh fantastic. You and Abby. I'll have to two most apathetic chefs in history helping me out." Alison rolled her eyes and sighed. "I need Cameron."
"He's coming in an hour." Rafe started to laugh. "I promise. I won't burn anything."
Running through her to do list in her mind, Alison knew she needed to get started. Lifting a tray full of cookies, she got incredibly dizzy as she moved to put them on the table. "Whoa." She said as her knees nearly gave out.
"Hey. Easy." Rafe whispered as he caught her. He took the tray from her hands and made her sit down. "Relax for a second. Maybe we should cancel the party. Everyone would understand." He got her settled and went to get her a glass of water.
The only thing Rafe was worried about was that there'd be a little issue with the surprise he'd arranged for her. Even if they cancelled everything he was sure it would all work out.
She gave him a weak smile as she took the glass from his hands and took a long sip. "No. I won't let Kate be disappointed like that. The party is for Lia and Lynnie too. The Donovan's are coming and everything. Plus, how are you going to explain it? Not everyone knows I'm pregnant, Rafe. Right now, it's just the kids and Cam and Abby…" She trailed off and stared at him, realizing her mistake. "OK. Who else have you told?"
He knew he'd get caught sooner or later. "Lucy – so of course - Kevin knows too." He grinned.
"And?" She knew that wasn't the end of it.
"Ian and Aisling." He said, wincing as he knew she'd start to scold him.
Alison knew there was one more but she asked anyway. "And?"
He had to laugh then. "And Jack and Melissa."
"EVERYONE KNOWS???" She cried. "Rafe. That's not a good idea. It's so early. What if something happens…" Her voice shook a bit.
He wouldn't let her finish the sentence. It was too scary to contemplate. He kissed her to calm her down. "Nothing will happen. I won't let it."
"Rafe…" Alison wasn't convinced. He was sweet but she knew there were some things he couldn't control. Still, she pushed the worry from her mind and concentrated on all there was to look forward to.
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The TV was on low. Kate sat on the floor with her legs stretched out in front of her, talking to Lia, Lynnie and Danny, getting the scoop on what she'd missed having spent all her free time lately with Colin.
"So then what happened?" Kate asked her eyes sparkling.
"Can we please stop talking about this?" Lia pleaded.
Kate laughed at her. "No. I need to hear details. You forget - I missed the prom.."
"Because you wanted to…" Lia interjected.
Her cousin nodded. "Right. But I still need information."
"Aw...Lia c'mon. Let her talk. I think it's sweet that you went with Warren." Danny said with a laugh.
She could take it from anyone but him. "That's it. I'm leaving." Lia stood quickly and stormed off.
Danny watched her go, still laughing. Did she spend every waking moment angry? He wondered.
"Details, Gwendolyn." Kate continued. She was trying to distract herself. As soon as Colin got here it was going to get crazy – specifically because the weather was so bad and they were stuck inside. It was like being trapped. There were very few places to hide.
"So Lia told Warren that a year's worth of root canal held more appeal than him. He's so dense he didn't realize that she was insulting him. Luckily, Cassie was there to step in."
"But Cassie went with Grant didn't she?" Danny was completely confused. He'd been out of high school for a few years and was trying to keep up.
"Exactly." Lynnie giggled. "But after he called her Chloe for the fifth time she'd had enough."
"He did NOT!" Kate nearly screamed. That was it. Her brother had run out of time. She was going to make this her new pet project. If she had to lock the two of them in the attic later she'd do it. It was getting too ridiculous.
Lynnie laughed louder. "Did too. Poor girl. But she and Warren looked pretty cozy in the limo later so I guess it worked out for the best."
"Where do you think Lia went?" Danny asked.
"Good question." Kate replied. "She's probably in the kitchen."
"Anyone want anything?" Danny stood and grabbed his empty cup.
"Vodka Tonic?" Lynnie smiled, shaking her own in his direction.
"Yeah OK. Like your uncle doesn't already scare the crap out of me. You're getting Sprite." He said as took her cup as well and walked towards the kitchen.
"It's nice that you and Danny can still be friends." Lynnie commented as they watched him go.
"It is -isn't it?" Kate sighed. "I hope he finds someone to make him happy. I know now for sure it's not me."
Kate looked towards the door for the millionth time. She bit her bottom lip, completely nervous.
Lynnie's eyes got serious as she gazed at Kate. "He's late huh?"
"Yeah." Kate gave Lynnie a look. "And as much as I want him to be here already I'm so scared - Lyn."
Lynnie nodded. She knew exactly what could happen. "You should be. How are you going to handle this?"
"I have no idea. This isn't something you can plan." Kate sighed.
"It sure isn't. Its worth it though – right? You really love him?" Lynnie asked her then.'
Kate's eyes filled with love. She spoke softly. "I know all the things that are wrong about us – Lynnie. I know that it makes no sense. But if you really think about it – he and I – we're not so different. He's been fighting what his father is forever. He's so passionate about it that sometimes I think he's more of a slayer than me. Colin doesn't want any part of that life. That's what I'm hoping I can get my dad to understand."
Lynnie took Kate's hand and tried to smile despite how unsettled this whole situation made her. "I hope it works out. I truly do, Katie. I can't lie to you. It scares me."
"It scares me too." Kate agreed. "But don't you see? It's too late, Lynnie. I don't have a choice anymore. I can't possibly let him go now."
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"I can't believe he got you here without me knowing!" Alison said for the one millionth time. She gave Jamal another huge hug.
Rafe looked on and smiled. He knew this was what she needed to feel better.
"Relax there Spunky. I can't breathe." Jamal laughed at her.
"I'm so, so glad you could make it." She gave him a bright smile. "How is Alabama?"
"Different." He grinned back. "Good - but really different."
Jack gave him an enthusiastic pat on the back. "It's great to see you man."
"You too. It's been a while since we've been up here. Too long." He replied, giving Imani's hand a squeeze. "This place still looks the same."
"The kids certainly don't. The last time I saw Justin he was barely four feet tall." Rafe remarked.
"I know." Imani sighed as she watched her son and Quinn play some handheld video game. They were mesmerized by it, had been for hours. "He's growing so fast I don't know what to do with him."
"And Jade is just gorgeous." Alison commented. "I need to apologize in advance. She'll probably wind up with gum in her hair if she hangs out with Becky for too long."
"It's OK." Imani laughed as she glanced over at the little girls playing in a corner. "It'll grow back."
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Grant stood in the doorway of the den chatting with Chloe. Actually, he spent most of the time just staring at her. As usual, they talked about everything but the one thing they should be discussing.
Despite the weather outside the party was a huge success. Having Cameron's family around always made things interesting. The guys were already drawing straws to see who would wind up driving Ian home, since he'd been chatting with Cam's brothers for hours. The whiskey wasn't far behind.
Still there were a few people on pins and needles waiting for a certain guest to arrive. Kate had begun to pace. Lucy grabbed hold of Kevin's hand - wondering if they'd make it through the night. Abby and Lynnie caught each other's eye, knowing exactly what the other was thinking.
They were waiting for the sound of a doorbell, but suddenly, there was a crash from the kitchen and everyone went silent.
Danny's voice floated through the house. "Jesus - Julia! What the hell!?! I was kidding!"
Red faced and furious, Lia ran straight past the room full of adults and up the stairs, slamming the door to the bathroom behind her.
Danny came out into the room, his shirt soaking wet. He wiped his face with a towel. "I can't believe it. She threw that drink right at me!" He was still in a bit of shock.
Having looked just the same way a few times in his life, Cam suddenly knew exactly what was going on. "Poor kid. He picked Lia? Ah man. She's my daughter and I love her but he's got a tough road ahead of him."
Ian knew it too. "This is insane. They're falling for one right after the other. Honestly, these kids need to branch out a bit. It's like a bloody soap opera." He said with a sigh.