A/N: Surprise! Here's a chapter! It moves around a lot b/c I want to keep the story moving. Until 54 and I'm back home. xox-G

Chapter Fifty-three

"Daddy?"

"Yes Angel Face?"

She took another bite of her cereal. Grant was already up and out, going to the gym as was usual nowadays. Katie hadn't made an appearance yet. Becky and Rafe were in the kitchen, fixing breakfast for Alison.

"Mommy's supposed to rest - right?" She asked as she crunched loudly as she chewed, She loved crunchy cereal.

"Yes. She's not supposed to come downstairs." Rafe smiled at his little girl. "You're going to help me make sure she listens right?"

"Uh huh." Becky nodded. "She might listen if you don't try and cook - or mess her kitchen up."

"Becky? Honey? Is my cooking that bad?" Rafe was genuinely concerned.

She scrunched up her face at him. "It's pretty bad."

Laughing, Rafe busied himself with putting Alison's breakfast on a tray, complete with a small bouquet of pink roses from her garden. He was just about to lift it when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." Becky scrambled off her chair.

Rafe watched her go and called out after her. "Rebecca!! Make sure you ask who it is first."

"I will." She replied as she got to the door. Becky put on her best big girl voice. "Who's there!?"

"Someone with presents!" was the reply.

"Gramma Lizbeth?" Becky squealed as she opened the door.

"Katie?" Elizabeth said with a smile.

Becky's little face fell. "No. Gramma. I'm Becky."

"I know sweetie - I'm just kidding." Elizabeth crouched down and gave her granddaughter a hug. She looked up at Rafe and asked. "Is she OK?"

Rafe nodded and took a deep breath. He half expected her to come - and half didn't. It really depended on her mood. You never knew with Elizabeth. Alison would be so happy to see her. "She's fine."

Elizabeth kissed the tip of Becky's nose, making her giggle. "I was so worried. I caught the first plane."

"I know." Rafe said softly. "We all were."

"OK." She replied as she took a deep breath. "So. I think I promised presents. Becky honey. Check that bag over there."

"Elizabeth. There's no need to be extravagant." Rafe warned her.

"Oh. There's no such thing." She waved him off.

"Wow. Daddy look!!" Becky said, her voice full of awe.

He took the garment out of his daughter's hand. "Absolutely not!"

Elizabeth looked from her granddaughter to Rafe and back again. "What?" She rolled her eyes. "Oh c'mon Rafe it's the latest thing."

"Elizabeth - Becky is eight - not twenty-eight. She does not wear leather miniskirts."

"Says who?" She challenged him.

"Says me." Rafe sighed, "Elizabeth - please tell me you know that this outfit is inappropriate for a child Becky's age. Please? Because the alternative is too scary for words."

"What?" She asked, confused.

Rafe's face was awash with fear as he replied. "That you're designing children's clothes now."

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"Lia? Are you OK?" Lynnie asked.

"Hmm?"

Lia poured coffee beans into a canister on the counter, spilling more than a few and not seeming to notice.

"Julia?" Lynnie asked again. "C'mon. Talk to me. Is it about the baby because frankly I don't think anyone is more surprised than Mom?"

"It's…no. I don't know what it is." She replied, nervously as she looked at her sister, "OK. Please don't laugh at me."

"OK." Lynnie sat on a stool and grinned. "Is it Danny?"

"What? No." Lia blushed and spilled more coffee.

"Uh huh. Lia.." Lynnie sighed. "Do you like him?"

"What?" She asked, trying to avoid the subject.

Lynnie wasn't going to let her get off so easy. "Stop saying what - this is me you're talking to. It's OK if you like him. Danny's cute."

"Danny's annoying." Lia replied, trying to make her voice sound casual.

Lynnie wasn't buying it. "Lia. I see what's going on here. I know what you're scared of."

"I'm not scared." Lia insisted.

"Yeah you are." Lynnie smiled. "You act so tough all the time but Danny gets to you - doesn't he?"

Lia would keep putting up a front - with anyone else but her sister. "I've been his friend forever. All of the sudden he makes me nervous and clumsy. I hate it. Plus - he's Katie's ex-boyfriend Lynn - isn't that weird?"

"We're talking about a few different issues. First of all - stop it. Katie's in love with Colin. She and Danny weren't meant to be."

Lia closed the bag of coffee and stuffed it back on the shelf. "This conversation is stupid anyway. He probably doesn't even like me that way . "

"Oh OK. Danny's had more coffee in the last month than the whole time we've known him. I don't think he knows what to do either Lia. You're not the easiest person …"

"What!?" Lia gasped.

"That's not an insult." Lynnie sighed. "Lia admit it - you know it's true. "

"I hate this Lynn. I hate being unsure of myself. It sucks." Lia sighed and sank down into a chair.

"I know. Nothing's happened yet so relax. Just go easy, Lia. OK? Don't be in such a rush. If it's meant to be it's meant to be."

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"Mom - Rafe's right. Becky can't wear that." Alison laughed. "I can't wear that!!"

"How does a daughter of mine have such little fashion sense?" Elizabeth sighed.

"Mother!" Alison was shocked.

Her mother gave her a grin. "I'm sorry baby but you are not exactly cutting edge." Her eyes filled with concern. "How are you really?"

Alison smiled widely. "I'm good. I'm going a little stir crazy but Rafe is the sweetest in the world. The kids are helping him out."

"I can't believe you are having another one!" Elizabeth laughed. "I'm too young to have so many grandkids."

"Sorry. Too late." Alison beamed as she ran her hand over her belly. "Did I tell you Abby's pregnant too?"

"She's as crazy as you are!" Elizabeth shook her head. She reached out to grab her daughter's hand. "You've got to stop scaring me baby."

"I know. I'm OK." Alison insisted. "I know it's not easy for you to come back here."

Elizabeth had a pang of regret about how she'd ended her relationship with Chris. She usually pushed it away - but it nagged at her always. "I don't think I could have picked a worst time either. So what's this I hear? Caleb's in town? Why isn't Rafe running all over town trying to catch him?"

"He wants to." Alison said softly. "It's killing him not to but he's holding off because of me - and Katie."

"Katie?" Elizabeth was confused.

Alison nodded. "…and Colin. Caleb and Livvie's son. A lot has gone on here Mom. It's going to take a while for you to catch up."