A/N: Bethany – Poor you and poor Nat too – both w/computer trouble. :( Glad to see you've caught up! I'm back and ready to post – so here you go!! PCGirl - you can log off now. :) Until 55! xox-G
Chapter Fifty-four
"I'm not going over there." Colin insisted.
"He promised me he'd be nice to you." Kate said with a smile.
"Do you remember the last time I came over? A day or two later your mom was in the hospital and you broke up with me." He sighed as he stared at her beautiful face, her eyes pleading with him.
"Katrina…" He rolled his eyes. "I can't say no to you when you look at me like that."
"Really?" She grinned wider. Kate batted her lashes at him and whispered. "Are you saying I can get anything I want then?"
"Oh God. What did I just say?" Colin was kicking himself and Kate was slowly inching closer to him.
"You said you can't say no to me." Kate moved to kiss him. "You can't - can you?"
As her lips found his Colin knew it was hopeless. She wanted him to make peace with her father and as scared as the prospect made him he knew he'd have to try. Kate pulled back and smiled at him before moving closer and kissing him again.
He held her tighter and admitted defeat. Now that he had her back he knew he never wanted to let her go.
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Though Kate and Colin were closer than ever there were two other who couldn't be further apart. "Are we ever going to discuss this?" Livvie asked.
"Discuss what?" Caleb tried to avoid the subject.
His wife was having none of it. "The fact that you've been trying to trick Colin into being turned." Livvie glared at him.
"He didn't bite." Caleb shrugged as he walked out onto the balcony of the villa, the white curtains flowing in the breeze behind him.
"Or she didn't. Caleb." Livvie sighed. "What are you doing? You are repeating history exactly. Why can't you leave him alone? Why would you want to do that to him?"
Caleb's eyes began to glow with rage. "He doesn't want that life, Olivia – he's just too stubborn to see it."
Livvie glared back. "He looked like he was pretty determined to me. Stop forcing him. I'm begging you."
Caleb had had more than enough. "Why are you fighting me, Olivia? You should want this too. You should want him to join us. You'll let them take him from us? After all that it meant to us to have a child – you'll let him live that boring life? You'll let him die – Olivia. That's what you're saying. How can this be OK with you?"
She was completely torn. Part of her wanted to give her son the life he wanted, the other was terrified of losing him forever. Livvie stared at Caleb with tears running down her cheeks. "I don't want that." She sobbed. "I don't…"
Caleb grabbed her by the shoulders and turned him to face her. "Then, please - don't fight me." He pleaded with her, staring deeply into her eyes. "Help me make sure it doesn't happen."
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"You hate it. Go ahead and say so." Rafe sighed.
"I don't hate it. I love it." Alison giggled.
He eyed her suspiciously.
"OK. You're right. I do hate it." She admitted. That had to have been the worst sandwich she ever tried to eat. "But…" She gave him a huge grin. "I love you."
"I'm hopeless at this – you know?" Rafe sighed as he sat down on the bed next to her.
"What?" She asked as she drank more iced tea to wash away the awful taste in her mouth.
He stared at his hands, defeated. "Everything that you do. Running around, taking care of the kids. Pretty much all of it. Thank God for Katie or else you'd starve."
Alison wanted to tell him it wasn't true but she couldn't lie. She looked over at him and smiled. Not all of it was true anyway. "Rafe…" She said softly as he took his hand in hers.
He looked up at her sadly.
Poor baby. Alison thought. He really, truly looked upset. "Rafe. You take the best care of me. You do a great job with the kids. So you can't cook. It's OK."
"Making a sandwich isn't even cooking." Rafe said softly. "I can't even do that."
Alison knew she was in for a fight but decided to broach the subject anyway. "I think maybe you should go back to work."
"NO." He said, his voice saying he wouldn't budge. "You have almost another week left."
"Maybe just half a day?" She tried again.
He shook his head at her. "Forget it Alison. I'm going to be here to take care of you."
She didn't want to admit it – but Rafe was driving her a little bit crazy. He was so sweet, but he was a tad bit over protective. Not that it surprised her at all. "I promise, I'll stay in bed."
"Uh huh. Sure. Until the phone rings or you just want to grab something from the kitchen or you need a book to read." The mere idea made him worried. "Melissa and Grant have the gym under control. I'm staying here."
Alison looked at him lovingly as she tried again. "Rafe. Please? I promise I'll be good…"
"NO." He leaned in to kiss her, muffling her protests. She sighed as he did, leaning back into the pillows and bringing him with her. She suddenly realized that there were benefits to having to stay in bed.
"I'd be happy to stay here for as long as you want. That is - if you'd join me." She whispered.
Rafe smiled against her lips and kissed her again. "It's tempting, no question – but I've got to go pick Becky up from ballet."
Alison sighed and pulled him closer. "Can't she drive yet?" She said with a grin.
Rafe laughed out loud. "No. Not yet." He said as he kissed her once more and reluctantly pulled away.
He was nearly at the door when he heard her call his name. "Yes?" He said as he turned around.
She tried to keep from laughing as she asked him, "Since you're going out anyway - could you bring me back something to eat?"
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"I don't want to hurt him." Livvie said, her voice still choked with tears.
Caleb held her close. "He'll be hurt more if we leave him alone Olivia, deep down I know you know that."
"Caleb – he's so sure he doesn't want our life. How do you think we can convince him?"
He took a breath before he spoke. "If anyone can convince him it's you."
"Caleb…" Livvie sighed, not quite sure she could do what he was asking. Colin would fight her, every step of the way.
"You have to, Olivia. We will lose him forever if you don't." As if to make his point Caleb dragged her to him and kissed her, leaving her breathless. "You have to." He said again.
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They reached the front door and Kate held Colin's hand tightly in hers. "We don't have to stay long. I just want him to get used to having you around."
Rafe nearly mowed them down as he came out the front door. "Whoa Katie!" He said with a laugh as he grabbed her shoulders to steady her. He glanced over at Colin and nodded, not wanting to say something he'd regret.
"Going somewhere Dad?" Kate smiled at him.
"To pick up your sister." Rafe replied. "What are you two up to?"
"Colin wanted to say hi." Kate said as she gave Colin's hand a squeeze.
Rafe took a look at the young man standing before him. Colin looked like he wanted to be any place but here.
"Katie. Why don't you go check on your mom? I think Colin and I need to have a chat."
Colin's face filled with fear, Kate's filled with worry. "Daddy?"
Still Colin knew it would have to happen sooner or later. There was no use trying to put it off. "It's OK Katrina."
Still terrified, Kate eased in the door and went upstairs. She didn't want to leave Colin alone but her dad really seemed to be trying. She knew as long as her mom was still resting it would be OK. Both she and her father still felt so much guilt over the fact that because of their bickering, she got hurt.
Incredibly nervous, Colin cleared his throat and said softly. "Mr. Kovich..."
Rafe held up his hand to tell him to stop. "Colin. I love my daughter. I will not let her get hurt – not if there's something I can do to stop it."
Colin simply nodded, knowing that it'd be better if he kept quiet.
"I've made many mistakes in my life. I've allowed my emotions to get the best of me and I promised my wife that I'd be reasonable about all of this."
He didn't look reasonable, he looked downright scary. All Colin could do was nod again.
Rafe couldn't believe he didn't choke on the next words but he'd promised Alison. "And I will be. I'll let you see her. I won't stand in your way but hear me when I tell you this. If I find out she's in danger, if your father thinks to use her to get to you I swear to you you'll never see her again. Am I making myself clear?"
Colin fought to find his voice. He looked Rafe in the eye as he said, "Crystal, Mr. Kovich."
Though he couldn't quite believe it was true, Rafe could tell he meant it. He gave Colin one last menacing look. "Go on. Go inside. Keep an eye on them for me, OK?" He extended his hand to Colin and fought a smile.
Colin was stunned that he'd trust him enough to leave him alone with his wife and daughter. He took Rafe's hand and shook it firmly.
"Absolutely." Colin replied.