Chapter Seventy-five
"Abigail." Cam's voice cautioned her. "You barge in there and you'll scare them to death." He turned her to face him. "Take a deep breath and calm down."
Abby knew that he was right. She breathed deeply and moved to hug him tight. How lucky she was to have him. Without him, her heart sometimes took the reigns from her head. Cam was always right there to make sure she stayed on track.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"You're welcome." He smiled as he bent his head to give her a quick kiss. Abby took another breath and turned towards the door. Cam stood behind her and put his arm around Quinn's shoulder.
Rafe sighed as he made his way down the stairs, just as Abby pressed the doorbell.
What now? He thought as he peered through the peephole.
Immediately concerned, he opened the door.
"Little late for a Donovan family outing isn't it?" He said softly as he gestured for them to come in.
"Yes. I'm sorry Rafe. Is Alison sleeping?" Abby asked.
"No. She's up with Becky. Lucy brought her home. She had a nightmare. I'm guessing since you're here I'm about to have one myself."
Just then, Grant appeared in the doorway with Chloe in tow. Jack and Melissa followed right behind.
"Come on in." Rafe's pulse was racing, unsure of what was going on but knowing it could not be good. "Join the party."
As if on cue, Lia, Lynnie and Danny came rushing in.
"OK. Now that we are all here tell me. Where is she?" Rafe turned to Abby and tried to keep his voice calm. "What happened to Kate?"
She didn't have to ask him how he knew. "Rafe…" Abby said. "Maybe you should sit down."
"Abby. No. TELL ME." His voice began to rise. "Where's Katrina?"
"What's going on?" Alison said from the middle of the staircase. Her voice was filled with panic. "What happened? Why is everyone here?"
"Alison." Rafe said with a sigh, moving to help her down the remainder of the stairs.
"Rafe?" She said, her voice shaking. "Where's Katie?"
"Mom? Sit down OK?" Grant almost pleaded as he moved to take her arm to help her over to the couch.
"NO." She pulled away from his grasp. "NO." Alison looked towards her sister. "Abby?"
"She went after Colin." Abby almost whispered. "He made a choice. He went to…"
"Where?" Alison asked, desperate.
"Romania." Rafe replied before Abby could. "When did she leave?"
"Earlier tonight." Lia chimed in. "Danny, Lynnie and I tried to stop her." She turned to look at her aunt. "Aunt Alison – we really tried. But we got there too late."
Alison nodded and gave her a slight smile. "I'm sure you did sweetie." Alison's suddenly felt as if she couldn't stand. She fell back onto the couch and rested a hand on her stomach.
"Alison…" Rafe moved to sit by her side.
She took his hand in hers. "I'm OK." She promised him as she looked into his eyes. "Rafe. You have to go get her."
"I know." He replied, giving her hand a squeeze. Rafe looked towards his son. "You look after your mom and your sister for me."
"I'm sorry. I can't." Grant replied with a shake of his head. "I'm going with you."
"No." Chloe whispered, her eyes filling with tears. Melissa walked over to her daughter and put her arm around her.
"Grant. You will listen to me. I need you to stay here." Rafe's voice was stern as he stood and glared at him.
Grant shook his head no again. "Not a chance. I'm going with you."
"From the looks of you you've gotten into trouble of your own tonight – and I expect to hear all about it." Rafe said, his voice beginning to shake with anger and fear. "I am your father and right now - I am not asking you - I am telling you. You WILL stay here."
"Rafe." Alison said so softly her voice was barely audible. "Please. Take him with you."
His face softened as he looked towards her. "Alison…"
Even though the thought of both of them in danger made her feel sick to her stomach she spoke again. "Please." She pleaded with him as he sat beside her. "Don't go alone."
"I'll go." Cameron interjected.
Alison shook her head at him. "No Cameron – you can't. Abby needs you."
She turned to face Rafe again and took his hands in hers. "I know you have to go get her, And Rafe, I'll have Cameron and Jack and Ian and Kevin to look out for me. You need someone to look out for you."
"Alison…" She looked so sad and frightened. No matter what he did it seemed he couldn't ever stop that from happening over and over. As always, each time it happened, he vowed that he never wanted to see her look that way again.
"Go. Both of you." She said as she stared into his eyes. "Go bring her back where she belongs."
The sooner he got going the sooner he could make it happen. Though it was killing him, he knew he had to go – and quickly. "OK." Rafe nodded and took her in his arms.
"Alison?" Abby walked over to sit on the other side of her sister. "Sweetie? Do you want me to stay with you?"
"I – " Alison laid her head on Rafe's shoulder and found she couldn't speak.
"Thanks Abby. I'd appreciate that." Rafe answered for her as he held Alison tighter.
Now that it was settled, Grant knew they'd have to move fast. "Dad. I'm going to change. I'll be right down." He said softly as he moved towards the stairs.
He was so focused he almost didn't see her standing there. "Grant." Chloe's voice was choked with tears.
"Chloe." He said with a sigh.
She was so upset all she could get out was one word. "Stay." She pleaded to him with her eyes.
His heart broke just looking at her. "Clo…"
"Stay." She said again. "Don't leave me."
"Honey?" Melissa grabbed Chloe's arm and shook her a bit. She knew that Grant was going and hoped with all her heart that her daughter could accept it. "Sweetheart? Why don't you two go outside and say goodbye."
Her crying was killing him. With a grateful look at Melissa, Grant took Chloe's hand and led her onto the porch. As soon as the door closed behind them she threw herself in his arms.
He held her for a full minute before he tried to speak. "Chloe. I'm sorry. I have to."
"Don't apologize. I know." She said with a sob. "I'm being selfish, but I really don't care. I just…""What?" He asked as he held her closer.
Don't be a baby, Chloe. She scolded herself. You love him, you know what he's called to do. Kate is your friend and his sister and she needs him. Summoning all of her strength Chloe leaned back and turned her tearstained face to his.
Chloe fought to keep her voice steady, trying to sound braver than she felt. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You should go. You just need to promise me something OK?" She smiled through her tears. "Because I know you. I know you – you always keep your promises."
"I'll promise you anything." He touched his lips to hers and whispered. "Anything."
Chloe clung to him and tried to find her voice again. "Promise me you'll come back home to me. We have forever remember?"
He kissed her as if his life depended on it before he said the words. "I remember. I will. I promise."