A/N: This is for Melody who's kept Kleenex in business this week with her heartbreaking (but excellent) fanfic. I can't promise happiness in my little world just yet – but in honor of Rali's first kiss – my "mini-Rali" gets an extension of their last chapter. The plans coming together or is there a twist? Hmmm. Read and find out. Until – good golly – 64! xox- G

Chapter Sixty-three

"You should go home, Clo." Grant stated, though his arms tightened around her.

"I told you I wasn't ever going to let you go." Chloe replied as she snuggled closer. "I meant it."

"You probably will have to eventually." He laughed as he moved to sit up bringing her with him.

She went about putting the things from their picnic back in the bag Grant had brought. He stood and watched her.

Chloe could feel his eyes on her. She looked up at him and smiled. "What?"

"You're beautiful, Clo…" He said his voice serious.

She blushed a bit and moved to smooth down her hair. Grant loved how she was always doing that. She knew what she looked like. She had rolled out of bed and hadn't even bothered to run a brush through her hair. She must look a fright. "You think so?"

Grant nodded. "I do. God…" His heart was in his eyes as he stared at her. "I still can't believe you're actually with me."

There was one thing that had changed where the two of them were concerned. Now that they admitted their feelings, Grant could hold nothing back. He spoke most times without thinking – without wondering if he should be embarrassed by what he said.

"Is this it for you?" He asked her then. "Are you OK with this?"

Chloe stood and brought the blanket with her. She went about folding it and looked at him strangely. "Grant? I have no idea what you're asking me? Am I OK with what? Is what it for me?"

He looked around the studio. "This. I want to know if this is what you want. I'll be working here full time someday. My dad – he's talked to me about it. He won't be finished anytime soon but someday…" Grant trailed off and sighed. "Someday – it'll be mine. Is that OK with you? Would you be happy?"

Chloe's heart began to pound. She knew what he was saying but asked him anyway. "Are you asking me if I'll be around when it's your turn to run the gym?"

"Yeah." Grant tore his eyes from hers, suddenly feeling foolish. They were still in high school. If he told her right now that he wanted to marry her someday he was sure it'd freak her out. But it was true. He dreamed of a life like his parent's had and he had always known Chloe was the one. His voice shook a bit as he finished. "I mean. It's a long way away. Anything could happen." He was terrified that she might not feel the same way, but he knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted her, right next to him, for the rest of his life. Grant wondered if she knew what he was thinking.

He didn't need to worry. She did. She'd been dreaming of a life with him since she was a little girl. She remembered when they were about five and she was about to cross the street without looking. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back, saying something like. "No, Clo. We're supposedta wait till its green." Chloe knew right then that he'd be someone who'd always watch out for her and keep her safe."

Chloe smiled at the memory and took pity on him. He was so adorable. She dropped the blanket and moved to stand in front of him. She rose on her tiptoes and gave him a smacking kiss on his lips. She looked into his eyes and smiled. "I'll be there, Grant. You won't be able to get rid of me."

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In the light of a new day, it all seemed better. Alison looked over at Rafe and smiled. They had both fallen asleep in the clothes they wore the day before. She leaned close to him and gave him a kiss before slipping from the bed. She took a second to steady herself, still queasy. Morning sickness was lasting forever this time.

Fresh from her shower, she felt so much better. She dressed quickly and made her way downstairs. Abby and Cam and the rest of their friends would be over soon. They were going to put their heads together and try and find a solution to this whole mess.

"Becky!" Rafe called out as he came down the stairs. He couldn't find her and was beginning to panic.

He came barging into the kitchen. "Becky!" He cried.

Alison smiled as he approached her. His hair was still damp and as he got closer she could tell that he had used her soap by mistake again.

"Don't you smell pretty?" She said with a laugh as she kissed his cheek.

Normally he'd joke with her, but he was too worried about his daughter. "Alison. Where is she?"

Alison nodded towards the bay window. "She's right there. She's outside."

She saw him exhale sharply and she pulled him to face her. "She's fine Rafe."

He nodded. "OK. Alison? How are we going to make her understand that she can't go anywhere but here at home for a while?"

"She likes it here. It shouldn't be a problem." Alison replied.

"Relax, sweetie. We'll figure it out." She said as she moved into his arms and held him tight.

Rafe wanted to believe her, but he was still so worried. If something happened to his little girl, he'd never be able to forgive himself.

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They sat around and drank coffee. Grant and Chloe kept yawning. Kate knew why. She had heard him sneak in at about 4 am. Lia had seated herself almost on the other side of the room from Danny, looking uncomfortable.

Colin sat right next to Kate but was a million miles away. He didn't understand why she felt the need to have them all sit around and discuss this. He knew the easiest solution. He could just give in and get it over with.

Right now, their collective attention was focused solely on Lynnie at the moment. They hated to put pressure on her but she was their secret weapon. She could tell them what they were up against first.'

She had other things on her mind besides visions at the moment. She looked around the coffee shop and sighed. Everyone was paired off around her. Kate with Colin, Grant with Chloe and though her twin was fighting it with all she possessed, Lia and Danny were as close to a couple as they could be. She suddenly felt a tightening in her chest, like she couldn't breathe.

They were all staring at her. She knew these were her friends and they loved her but she couldn't take it much longer.

"So the plan is to wait for Lynnie?" Danny voice broke through the thoughts spinning in her head.

Lynnie glared at all of them from behind the frames of her glasses. "I don't have visions on demand." She snapped at him.

"We know, Lynn." Kate looked at her concerned. "But you'll tell us when you do – right?"

"Maybe. Maybe not." Lynnie muttered.

"Lynn? What's wrong?" Lia asked.

She whirled around and her voice started to rise. "What's wrong? Everything's wrong. Don't you get it? I don't want to be able to see things. I don't. It's not fun you know, seeing horrible things happen – not knowing if you can keep the people you love safe. It sucks – quite frankly." Lynnie stood and tried to get out of the circle of chairs. She tripped and fell, knocking her glasses off.

"Lynnie. " Her sister whispered as she helped her to stand. "Are you OK?"

"I would be if all of you would get off my back." She said in a huff. "You've got enough people here to figure it out. I'm going home." She grabbed her purse and nearly ran out the door.

Lynnie walked as fast as she could to the park, tears blurring her eyes. This had been building up for months, maybe years. She didn't tell anyone – even Lia – but she always had this nagging fear that she'd always be alone. And from the way things looked - it seemed to be true. Who'd want a freak like her?

No one. She decided. There would never be someone who could understand.

She had run so far so quickly that her legs were about to give out. Gasping for air, she stopped on a bench to catch her breath and wipe her eyes and though it was a steamy July morning she got a chill. A shadow fell over her and she gasped when she saw who was nearby.

"God, you're just like your mother. Bookish, uptight and in a perpetually bad mood."

"Caleb." Lynnie whispered.

"Could it be true? You're out here in the world with no one who loves you? A pretty girl like you shouldn't be all alone."

Caleb gave her a sinister grin and stared into her eyes, mesmerizing her in almost an instant. "You look like Abigail, but tell me you're smarter than her. I don't want to have to take you captive. Agree to help me, Gwendolyn."

She wanted to fight him, but was she was so worn out she was having trouble. She shook her head at him. "I can't…I won't."

He could see he was winning. "That's it, sweetheart. You'll be so useful to me."

"I won't…" She said, right before she placed her hand in his.