A/N: Not much left. :( I'm telling you it is sooo hard – letting this story go, but I made a promise to myself not to drag out the story for my own selfish reasons. LOL!

Livvie712 – great to "see" you back!!!! You are too sweet for words. I'm glad you've enjoyed my stories – I've certainly enjoyed writing them!!

Terri – my goodness. I read your review at work and got all teary. :'( It's truly been my pleasure to write this past year and it makes me so happy to know you've been enjoying my stories. It means the world to me. I feel the need to quit while I'm ahead – if you know what I mean. I don't know if this is truly the end. I can never say I'll never write another Rali story – but I can say just not right now. :)

So much to tie up – so let's get started!

PCGirl - thanks for the idea. I think it works out so much better this way!!!

This story does have an ending. Really. Truly. I swear. LOL! Until 84 – enjoy! xox-G

Chapter Eighty-three

Livvie crept up the stairs, not wanting Caleb to know she came inside. She knew this is how it would end up. She knew Rafe wouldn't stay away once he knew his daughter was here.

In many ways , though it would kill them both to admit it, Rafe and Caleb were a lot alike. Rafe would move heaven and earth to keep Alison and his children safe – Caleb would go to hell and back to have Colin accept him and have him in his life again.

In the last few days – Livvie had begun to dream. She dreamt of what it would be like to watch her son grow old and die. It broke her heart. But she knew in Colin's heart he didn't want to do this. Colin didn't want to live a life like that. Could she really make him do something he was so set against?

She knocked softly on the door – not hearing a response. She dug for a key in the pocket of the sweater she wore and eased the door open.

"Colin?" Kate said softly, her face full of hope when she turned around.

She looks so much like Ali, Livvie thought as she watched the young girl's face fall when she realized who had come in the room.

Kate turned away quickly.

"You look lovely." Livvie commented, noticing the long black gown Kate was wearing. She hadn't wanted to change into it, but Kate decided to try and play the game. Maybe if she did she could get them to let her see Colin.

"I've never felt less lovely in my life." Kate said as she turned back to face her. "I feel…" She couldn't put it into words. Summoning all her courage she looked at Livvie thoughtfully. "How can you do this to him?" She asked.

Guilt washed over her. Livvie couldn't meet Kate's eyes. "It's his choice."

Kate laughed bitterly. "Please tell me you are joking, you can't truly believe that."

Kate spoke the absolute truth. Livvie was trying to convince herself as well as Kate that it was all for the best.

Unfortunately for Livvie, Katrina's temper had been lit and she was on a roll. "He loves you. Even through all this he always loved you. And you'd just give him up to make that monster happy."

Livvie began to get angry herself. "That "monster" is my husband." She snapped at her.

Kate gave her a look that could shatter glass. "My condolences."

Taking a deep breath, Livvie tried again. "You don't understand. Caleb just wants…"

Kate cut her off sharply. Her voice rose in anger. "I don't care what Caleb wants – and quite frankly – you shouldn't either. You should care what Colin wants. You're his mother, for God's sake." She glared at Livvie and began to pace a bit. "It's absurd to even have this conversation. He wants to live his life as a mortal. Is that really the end of the world? Your husband is so obsessed with having his legacy live on – but he can't see that he doesn't need Colin for that to happen. He'll live forever – you'll live forever. If there was any mistake it's that maybe you stopped having kids too early. He had to pin this entire obligation on Colin. It's unfair, it's unreasonable and above all it's simply cruel."

Kate's words stung. Long ago, Livvie had pushed away the desire to have more children. One was more than she or Caleb had ever hoped for.

"I want you to leave me alone." Kate said, her voice rousing Livvie out of her little daydream. "Unless you want to tell me that you'll let him go and let him live his own life, instead of this twisted, completely archaic one you've mapped out for him I have nothing else to say to you. Nothing – that is, except this."

"What's that?" Livvie asked, not really wanting to know the answer.

Kate stared Livvie in the eye and gave it one last shot. "Your husband has proven he's heartless but my mother once called you her friend. That tells me there was something good and kind in you once upon a time. If you have one ounce of compassion left in you – maybe you could extend it to your son. If you can't do that – I truly pity you."

Tears filled Livvie's eyes as she watched Katrina's face. "I just want Colin to be happy." Kate pleaded one last time, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Don't you?"

Stunned by her words, Livvie backed out of the room, finding herself in the hallway but not knowing exactly how she got there. Hearing a loud slam, Colin eased the door to his room open and saw her standing all alone.

"Mom. I thought he was going to see you." He said. "You look so upset."

Livvie walked into her son's room and took a seat, her hands shaking a bit. Her mind was spinning. She wanted to do the right thing but choosing one of the men in her life made her sure that she'd lose the other.

"Was he? He's busy now. Rafe is here." Livvie said, her eyes incredibly sad as she watched her son. She knew there and then he needed to truly decide for himself. Caleb would kill her - but she couldn't let Colin do this without knowing it was his choice.

"He's here?" Colin asked, surprised. "Why would he..."

Colin trailed off, knowing there was only one answer. "Katrina." He breathed. "She's here too isn't she?"

Livvie nodded. "Yes. She's here. Honey, I think you should talk to her."

"I could feel it." Colin said under his breath. He didn't think he'd be strong enough to do what he had to do if he saw her.

"NO." He said, shaking his head at his mother.

Livvie knew that she was taking a huge chance. She knew that if she didn't make this small effort she would never be able to live with herself. She just hoped it wasn't too little too late.

Livvie gazed lovingly at him. "Yes. I won't have you do this unless you face what you're giving up, Colin. I can't do that to you. It's amazing. I never really thought about anyone but myself - not until I had you. I can't let you give up everything you wanted to make your father and me happy."

Colin continued to shake his head at her. "No. Just let me do this. It's what he wants. I'm tired of fighting and I just want this stupid conflict to end."

"I'm sorry." Livvie said softly as she moved the door that connected his room with Kate's. She took out the key and moved to unlock the door. She stopped short and turned to face him. "I think that if you see her and can leave her behind then I'll know that you are with us because you choose to be – not just to save her."

Colin knew if he saw Katrina it would be next to impossible for him to do what they wnated. "Mom. NO."

Livvie kept talking, afraid that she'd chicken out. "I need you to know you have a choice." She looked at him, confusion filling her face. "Sweetheart, I'm not even sure which choice I want you to make. I just know I want it to be yours. It's the least I can do for you now. I know I haven't always been the best mother to you and I'm sorry."

"Mom." Tears shone in Colin's eyes. He walked towards her and moved to pull her in his arms. "You did a great job."

She sighed as she clung to him. When did he get so tall? She thought. "I did OK, until you found out what we were and then, I took his side. You needed me and I wasn't there for you. I'm so sorry."

"Mom. It's OK." Colin whispered.

Livvie eased away and wiped at her eyes. "OK. So. You go in there and you talk to her. If you still want to do this. I'll see you downstairs." She moved to the door again – this time opening it.

She walked past him, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. Walking as quickly as she could, she made it to the hallway before she broke down.