Chapter Eighty-five
"Olivia." Caleb sighed when he saw Livvie standing in the foyer. "I was coming to find you and I got sidetracked."
"I know." She said softly, looking lost.
He ran his hand through her hair and leaned down, placing his lips on her neck. He couldn't wait for the ceremony to be over and for the celebration to begin. He had his own plans for her and didn't expect that they'd be done until dawn broke. Smiling against her throat Caleb whispered. "Everything's ready. All we need is Colin."
"He might not come." Livvie replied, her voice full of nerves.
Her words didn't register with him. "He's made his choice, Olivia. Soon he'll be back with us. Right where he belongs."
Livvie eased away and looked at him, fear lighted in her eyes. She tookk a deep breath and stared into his eyes. "Caleb, I did something you might not like."
Smiling he moved to take her in his arms again. "What else is new my love?"
"I let him see her, Caleb." She whispered, tearing her eyes from his.
"You what?" Caleb's voice rose ten octaves.
She looked at him and took a steadying breath. He looked as furious as she had ever seen him. Still she kept talking. "I unlocked her door. I told him to talk to her first."
Fury washed over him like a tidal wave. Caleb took her arms and shook her almost violently. "Olivia – you know that little witch has cast a spell over him – preaching the virtues of that mundane mortal existence. You know that's what he thinks he wants. We've gotten so close! How could you take such a chance? How could you risk everything we've worked so hard to gain?"
"Because it's his life, Caleb." She replied, her voice gaining strength. She knew she had done what was right and wouldn't apologize for it. "He deserves to make the choice for himself. If he truly wants this – talking to Katrina won't matter."
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Colin let his arms fall to his sides. He couldn't win this fight. Choosing Katrina would mean she'd always be in danger, choosing his father meant he'd lose every dream he ever had. Still – if he chose to follow his family, Katrina could live in peace. She wouldn't understand – but it was because he loved her so much that he had the strength to do this.
"I don't know why I bothered to come here." Katrina said - her voice a mere whisper. "It's clear I've already lost you."
"Katrina..."
She shook back her hair and willed the tears not to fall. Grabbing her bag when she moved toward the door. "You're wrong, Colin. Your home was with me. But if you can't see it on your own – nothing I can say will convince you."
"I'm sorry." Colin said, knowing it was not enough.
"So am I." Kate replied, her voice sincere. She knew she had lost everything in the span of an instant. Her dreams destroyed in just a second. It was devasting. Now she understood all her mother had told her. Now she knew what her parents had lived through. How they ever made it was nothing short of a miracle.
Kate was sure there wasn't going to be a miracle for her. Colin was determined and it seemed nothing she could say or do would make a difference. She wanted to leave him with a warning - because she knew that if he tried she would surely not survive.
Staring him in the face she spoke slowly. She wanted to be sure he understood. "I am warning you. Don't ever try and come to find me. Because you won't be here anymore. You'll be gone. The Colin I knew – the Colin I loved will die tonight. I don't want to ever see the creature that takes his place. "
"Katrina..." Colin pleaded her to stop. Her words combined with the sadness in her eyes was killing him. He became more determined than ever to do this to keep her from feeling such pain ever again.
She wasn't quite finished. Cutting him off she continued. "I promise you this. If you come anywhere near me and my family I promise you I'll fulfill my family's legacy – Colin."
Kate's voice was steady but her eyes were dead as she looked into his. "Once you do this - I never ever want to see you again." She couldn't believe she was saying the words but she knew for a fact that she meant them. "If you dare come anywhere close I'll stake you so fast it won't even register."
He could tell she was speaking the truth as she added, her voice sounding hollow and lifeless. "You'll be dead before you even hit the ground."
Colin felt as if she'd already done what she promised. Staggered by her words he fell back and sat down on a chair.
Turning on her heel she ran towards the open door, fleeing down the stairs as fast as her legs could carry her.
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"Lynnie?" Ethan sat beside her and took her hand.
"She's coming home." She whispered her eyes still unfocused. "He's not coming with her."
This was the third vision she'd had in the last two hours. He was getting better but he was still a bit at a loss as to what to do to comfort her. Sighing to himself, Ethan gave up and simply moved closer and put his arm around her.
Instantly, she started to calm. The visions still came but with Ethan beside her she was much less scared. "I can't believe he won't go..." She said, her voice breaking a bit.
He sat beside her and stared at her beautiful face. Her cheeks were flushed and tears clung to her lashes. Did she have any idea how gorgeous she was? He couldn't help but think.
He watched the change come over her as she came back to him. Sighing she took her glasses off and began to wipe at her eyes.
"Hey." Ethan whispered as he took a tissue and wiped a tear from her cheek. He'd never seen anything more beautiful than those serious eyes looking up into his. He ran a hand through her hair as he asked, "Are you OK?"
"Hey." Lynnie replied - a bit embarrassed when she realized it had happened again. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize." He insisted. Ethan's only thought was to make her feel better. He didn't even realize what he was doing as he pulled her into a hug. "It's not a happy ending is it?" He whispered in her hair, holding her tighter.
Lynnie rested her cheek on his chest, taking a deep breath and trying to memorize this feeling, of his arms around her, of the soft cotton of his shirt, of the way he seemed to know exactly what to do to calm her. She knew that once Ethan was gone this all would leave with him.
"I'm beginning to wonder if there are ever any really." Lynnie replied too softly for him to hear, knowing that her own little fairy tale would come to an end soon. They'd be taking Kate home and Ethan would return to his afterlife. Nothing could be more unfair in her mind.
She didn't dare hope but inched as close to him as she could get. Giving in they both tried to treasure each moment while it lasted.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hearing the commotion, Caleb turned his attention to the stairs. He saw Kate running, her dark dress a severe contrast to her hair, which flew out like ribbons behind her.
Caleb knew by the look in her eyes that he had won. Feeling elated and victorious he gave her a smirk. "So. My son chose curtain number one I see."
Rage clouded Kate's vision, her heart so shattered she felt like she was dying. "If you know what's good for you you'll stay away from me." She said bitterly.
"Now, now. Sweetheart, I know you're disappointed – but don't be such a sore loser." Caleb continued to gloat.
Livvie honestly expected the outcome to be different. Full of happiness that her son was back with her at last and sadness for the young girl in front of her she said the only thing she could think of.
"Katrina I'm so sorry."
"No you're not." Kate spat at her, the sound of her voice bringing Grant and Rafe out of the library. "You've got what you wanted. You've killed your own son. I hope you are happy."
Crazed with grief, Kate dug into her bag, her fist closing on the stake she carried there. She dropped the bag beside her and stared at them both – her eyes wild. "I swear to you I'd do it. I'd kill you both if I thought it would make a difference."
"Katie..." Rafe said softly, unable to bear watching her like this any longer. The scene in front of him was one he never thought he'd ever witness.
Hearing her father's voice made her start to sob again. "I'd do it..." She promised, tears running unheeded down her face. "If I thought it would make you finally feel something I'd do it." Kate's hand let go of the stake she carried and it landed with a thud on the ground. She sank to her knees right beside it and cried, the sound of her sobs making Caleb grin and Rafe burn with anger.
Rafe couldn't let her suffer anymore. Kate was so grown up but she was still his little girl. Motioning to Grant that they'd be leaving, he slowly walked up behind her. He had come here to fight but it was clear there really was no choice to make. His child was his only priority at the moment. Kate was on the verge of a breakdown and the only thing he needed to do right now was to get her out of there and home where she belonged.
"Katie, c'mon, Princess. Let's go home." Rafe whispered as he pulled a jacket around her shoulders and scooped her up in his arms.
"Daddy..." She said her voice and her heart both broken. She turned her tearstained face to his and simply stated. "I lost him. He's gone."
"I know, sweetheart." Rafe said, his own heart breaking as he kissed her forehead and carried her out the door.