A/N: Some of this was a bit of Melody's idea, PCGirl gave me the word of the day and Tempted's giving me lots of inspiration for the rest of the story. I'll leave it at that. Until 56! xox -G

Chapter Fifty-five

"Grandma?" Kate called out.

"Katrina, darling. Please. Don't call me that." Elizabeth groaned. The mere thought of an eighteen year old calling her Grandma made her shiver.

"Oh. Sorry. I mean, Elizabeth." Kate began to grin. "How long are you staying?"

"Tomorrow - next week. Who knows? Whenever Paris calls I'll be on a plane."

"The whole city calls you?" Kate giggled.

Elizabeth grinned. She'd given up a lot but she loved her life. "Almost, sweetie. That's a fabulous dress on you." It made her so happy to do things for her grandchildren. "It'll knock Colin's socks off."

"You think?" Kate asked her voice hopeful as she spun around in a circle, letting the skirt flair out.

Elizabeth gave her granddaughter a grin. "I know. When I was your age I wore one just like it. I'm sure it helped me snag Malcolm."

"Mother? Please. Do not give Katie relationship advice." Alison said as she walked slowly downstairs.

"Mom? You should be in bed." Kate ran to the bottom of the stairs to take her arm. She looked at her with great concern.

"I can't take it anymore. I just needed to get out of bed. I'm going to sit right here on the couch honey. I'll take it easy, I promise."

"Mom…" Kate wasn't quite sure it was a good idea. Dad was going to have a fit, she thought to herself.

"I'm fine." Alison insisted. She ran her gaze over Kate and smiled. "Don't you look lovely?"

"Colin and I are going to the restaurant where he first…" Kate trailed off and blushed.

"First what?" Alison asked with a smile. Elizabeth sat down next to her and was all ears as well.

"I can't believe I didn't tell you what happened before." Kate looked at both of them and beamed. "Lia, Lynnie and I went to hear Colin play months ago and Danny showed up with that girl Taylor. It was like less than a week after we broke up and I didn't expect to have to deal with it so soon."

"OK." Alison prodded, completely curious.

"When Colin found out Danny was there with his new girlfriend he came back to the table with me and he…" Her eyes got dreamy. "Right before he had to go onstage he grabbed me and kissed me."

So that's when it all began. Alison smiled wider. "Some kiss huh?"

"Yeah. Some kiss." Kate suddenly had the insatiable need to kiss Colin again. It had been like that from the very first. She should have known then where it would lead. "He's unbelievable Mom." Kate said with a sigh.

"Must run in the family, Caleb is as wicked as they come but he was absolutely fantastic in bed." Elizabeth said then with a faraway look in her eye.

Kate was horrified. She looked at her grandmother in shock.

It barely fazed Alison. Nothing her mother said had much effect anymore.

"Mother please. Keep it to yourself. We're not interested." Alison turned and took her daughter's hand. "Katie honey, if you think he's that wonderful then I'm sure it's true."

"I meant…he's an amazing person. I'm not talking about…" Kate stammered, still mortified. She never imagined she'd be discussing such things with her grandmother.

It was then that Alison knew. Her little girl was all grown up. Tears filled her eyes. God help them all if Rafe found out. She almost shivered just thinking about it. No wonder Kate felt so strongly about Colin. He was her first. Alison knew exactly what it was like to want and need someone like that, to love someone so completely.

From all she could see, despite where he came from - Colin felt the exact same way about Kate.

"I know sweetie." Alison glared at Elizabeth. "It's not necessary – OR APPROPRIATE - to elaborate."

Kate looked at her watch. She was really early but she wanted to be anywhere but there at the moment. "I'm going to go. Are you sure you're OK?" She asked her mother.

"I'll sit right here sweetie. Go and have fun." She whispered as Kate bent to kiss her cheek.

"Bye Elizabeth." Kate called out as she raced out the door.

Alison turned to look at her mother, her eyes glittering with anger. "Honestly Mother. Is it possible for you to be more indiscreet?"

"I hate to break it to you sweetheart, but if she's wearing that dress out on a date with Caleb's son there's only one place she'll be ending up when the night is over." Elizabeth was completely oblivious. Her eyes twinkled as she added. "I wonder if what they say is true. Like father, like son?"

"What do I have to do to make you stop?" Alison asked, frustrated. "This is your granddaughter you're talking about for God's sake."

Elizabeth, obviously, did not know when to stop. She sighed as she said, "Lucky girl."

Alison stood on shaky legs. "OK. That's it. Get out." She said as she pointed towards the door. "You miss Caleb so badly? Go find him and make an even bigger fool out of yourself this time - Mom."

"Oh c'mon. Sweetheart. I was just kidding." Elizabeth looked hurt. "Please sit down before Rafe gets home and I get into trouble."

"You're already in trouble. I don't think it's funny. I don't think it's appropriate for you to talk with her like that. If she confides in you fine – but you don't know when to stop. You embarrassed her and you embarrassed me." Alison was visibly upset. She'd been wanting to say a lot of things to her mother for a while and this latest conversation certainly did the trick to set her off. Now that she'd started, she couldn't seem to stop.

"You hurt Chris. He actually cared for you and you threw him away like he was nothing. Paris called or Milan or wherever it was and you ran – as fast as you could. I'm used to you hurting me. I'm immune to it – but don't you dare come sweeping in here with your arms full of presents and expect it all to be OK. I won't let you do that to my children. I won't."

Elizabeth wasn't quite sure what had brought on this tantrum but she, deep down, was most concerned about Alison getting herself upset. Rafe would have a fit if he saw her in a state such as this.

Too late. He walked in the door with Becky as if on cue.

"Mommy! You're up!" Becky ran and threw her arms around Alison's waist and hugged her tight.

Rafe wasn't as pleased. "How'd you get downstairs?" He asked with a scowl.

Alison ran her hand over Becky's head and took a deep breath. "I walked. Rafe, please. I'm fine."

She was far from fine. She looked furious and more than a little upset. He was certain he knew the cause. "Elizabeth?" Rafe said softly.

Elizabeth face flushed and looked frantically around for her purse. She clutched it to her tightly. "I'm glad you're back. I was on my way out."

"Mother. We're not done talking." Alison voice shook a bit.

Rafe looked from Alison to her mother and back again. Something was very wrong.

"You get some rest sweetie. I know Rafe will make sure you do. I'll be back later." She nearly ran out the door.

Becky gave Alison another squeeze and then pressed a kiss to her stomach. "Hi little baby!" She said with a grin. "Did you miss me?"

As she did, Alison caught Rafe's eye and they both melted.

Watching her with Becky, Rafe knew there would be no discussion at the moment. "You'll tell me later?" He asked, certain it was Elizabeth's fault. The only question was what did she do exactly?

Perhaps. Alison thought to herself as she nodded at him. Most of it anyway.

Alison ran a hand over her stomach and looked down at her youngest child. "We certainly did. How was the game?" She asked with a smile.

"Great! I scored two times." Becky said proudly.

"Wow! Two?" Alison said, impressed. "Are you going to show the baby how to play someday?"

"Of course. I'm making a list." She said as she looked up at her parent's and grinned.

"A list?" Rafe asked.

Becky nodded. "Of all the things I can do that the baby needs to learn. Wanna see?"

Alison fought to hold back a smile. It never failed. She felt better already. A few minutes with Becky worked like magic. "Sure, honey." She said as sat down on the couch.

The little girl dug in her knapsack and pulled out a piece of pink paper. She had drawn hearts and flowers as a border. She held it in her little fist and squeezed herself between her parents.

"OK. Let's see." Alison watched Rafe hold the paper a bit in front of him. He needs glasses, she chuckled to herself. He'd look cute with glasses but she knew it'd be forever before he gave in and got them. Laughing softly, she leaned over to read the list for herself.

"Swimming will have to wait a bit – OK Becks?" Alison said with a grin as she read the first item on the list.

Becky kicked her feet back and forth in front of her. She knew some things would take time. "OK. Like till the baby's one?"

Alison smiled wider. "Hmm. Older I think. When did you learn?"

"I was five." Becky said after a moment's pause.

"So that's when you can teach the baby, OK?"

"How do you teach someone to watch TV honey?" Rafe tried not to smile as he did.

"You have to concentrate. Sometimes if you don't you miss stuff." Becky replied, her voice very serious.

They both looked the list over, trying their hardest not to collapse with laughter. Apparently Becky thought it was important for the baby to learn how to chew gum and blow bubbles, play hopscotch and not to eat broccoli. Among other things, of course.

Rafe was finally able to control his voice. "That's a really great list, Becky. Thanks for showing us. Why don't you go wash you hands and we'll go order something for dinner?"

"OK!" She said as she scrambled from the couch and dashed off.

As soon as she was out of earshot they both went into hysterics.

"Thank you." Alison said softly as she finally got control of herself.

"For what? Breaking up the fight you were having with your mom?" Rafe asked as he smoothed the hair off her face. "Don't think I forgot. I still want to hear about it later."

"I know you do." She said with a sigh. "But that's not it. Thank you for Becky. She's absolutely amazing." Alison said as she gave him a dazzling smile. "They all are. We're so lucky."

Even though his mother-in-law was a menace, Rafe knew it was true. He was still worried but at the moment what mattered most was that Alison was safe and happy. His lips found hers and he kissed her thoroughly, causing her to snuggle closer.

"We are aren't we?" He said, smiling himself as he kissed her again.