A/N: Aww! Thanks girls! It's so nice to feel loved. :) I just need to make a comment about the end of this chapter. This story is supposed to be set in the year 2025. If my calculations are right, Alison and Rafe are in their late 40's. I know that in theory, yet in my mind's eye they look exactly like they did as the screen faded to black last Oct. And as long as PC airs on SN I feel like they always will. So work with me here and just pretend that the kids have been SORAed and their parents still look like we remember. OK? LOL! Thanks!

Until 3! xox-G

Chapter Two

Kate ran her hand along the edge of the table, smiling as she caught sight of the framed pictures adorning the surface. She paused and picked up the one that was her favorite, the one from their wedding. She was smiling up at Colin and he was gazing down at her. It was clear they didn't even know the photographer had snapped it. It was perfect.

Her life was perfect. Since they'd finally been able to break Colin free of the chains Caleb had kept on him forever, their life was simple and for the most part quiet and peaceful. They lived in the loft his father used to own, but Kate had replaced the sleek black lacquer and leather with casual cheerful fabrics and rich, gleaming wood. Most of their furnishings were compliments of Ethan. Since he'd been back it seemed he hadn't lost his amazing talent for making things both practical and beautiful. He was doing incredibly well.

So were he and Lynnie, Kate thought with a smile as her eyes caught sight of the next picture. Lynnie had realized a life at the newspaper wasn't quite for her. Her gift made her an object of scrutiny. Other reporters thought she got a jump on them because she could glimpse the future. Not to mention she was the editor's daughter. The combination made for complications all around.

So instead she'd started to write children's books, full of her incredible imagination and lots of mystery. She'd become quite successful.

She put the frame down and moved to the next. Danny and Lia. She knew that they were perfect for each other but Lia was getting impatient and they all knew that was dangerous. Danny put off their wedding until he was finished with his first year of residency at the hospital. Lia, in her typical fashion, told her just the other day she had decided to go to nursing school so she could see him more than a few hours a day.

Kate laughed to herself. Lia fainted at the sight of blood, so it would be interesting to see how far she'd get.

She got to the end and realized again there was a picture missing. Chloe and Grant. As always when she thought of them now, tears stung her eyes and her heart ached as she tried again to figure out how something so right could go so wrong.

As for her own little life, Kate had expanded the business at the bookstore, with her mother's help she was catering small parties around town and loving every minute. Colin also couldn't be happier. He was enjoying quiet success, recording his second CD, and home from touring. Big venues and bright lights weren't his thing, he'd gone around the country playing little clubs. While he had some free time he was teaching guitar at the community center. He was so good with kids. Kate always had known he would be.

Kate sighed and ran a hand across her stomach. At this point in her pregnancy, she knew that it was normal for her to be tired but she had never felt more weak and drained as she did in the last week or so. She thought if she mentioned it to her doctor she'd be labeled as a paranoid expectant mother and God help them all if Colin thought there was something wrong. He was a basket case already. Soon there would be many new pictures displayed on the table. She honestly couldn't wait.

She smiled as she heard him come in the door.

"OK. Here you go." He said with a grin as he walked in with a bulging paper bag. "I hope I got everything you wanted."

She peeked in the bag, spying every possible fruit and vegetable. She'd simply asked him to get milk and a loaf of bread. He was obsessed with her eating well. "Is there anything left at the store?" She sighed. "Colin, sweetheart. Sit down with me for a second."

He ignored her question. "You look pale." He said as he moved closer to her, his brow wrinkled with worry.

Kate didn't want him to start on that again. Though she knew it herself, she smiled as she said, "I'm fine. I'm worried about you. Honey. You won't make it through the next five months if you don't take it easy."

"I am taking it easy." He said as he kissed her quickly.

"Oh really? I haven't had my baby shower yet and we already have 2 car seats, 4 baby gates and childproof locks for all the cabinet doors."

He shrugged. "I want us to be prepared for any scenario."

"It's not a war – it's a baby." Kate laughed as she brought her hand to his cheek and kissed him softly. He pulled her into his arms. He was alarmed when he felt her sink against him, like she couldn't hold herself upright. It came so suddenly that Kate's mind again filled with worry. Her eyes got heavy and fought to stay open.

Colin pulled back to look at her, convinced she was over exerting herself. "I want you to rest." He ordered as he gently moved her to lie back on the couch. His face was full of concern as he pushed the hair off her face. "Katrina, please. You're overdoing it."

Kate nodded as her head touched the pillow and though she had just woken up a few hours before, she surrendered to sleep again.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Tell it. Please!?!" Ella pleaded.

"Sweetie, it's time for bed." Rafe replied trying to keep his voice stern. He pulled the baseball hat she wore off her head and hung it on her headboard. He leaned over to kiss her goodnight.

"It's Saturday tomorrow. I don't have to be up that early. C'mon Dad. Just once. Please?" She batted her eyes at him. "I promise, I go to sleep right away."

It was justice for sure that a man with such a soft heart was given three daughters. Rafe sighed and sat beside her once more. "OK. But then you will go to sleep." He commanded.

"Promise." Ella smiled triumphantly as she crossed her heart. She knew he'd give in. He always did. She snuggled in and waited for him to start.

Rafe ran a hand over his little girl's hair and spoke softly, telling the same story he'd told her every night. "Once upon a time there was a family."

"A mommy, a daddy and two girls and a boy." Ella continued.

"That's right." Rafe smiled. "And they were very happy."

"But something was missing." Ella interrupted again.

"Am I telling it or are you?" Rafe chuckled at her.

"We both are!" Ella said with a sigh. "We both always do."

"OK – one day, just about the time when the littlest girl was getting bigger, the daddy got an idea. And he told the mommy."

Ella giggled. "And she said he was crazy."

"But she agreed he was right as always." Rafe replied.

"Not always." Alison called out from the doorway. She smiled as she made her way over to them. She eased herself on to the arm of the chair Rafe sat in and took his hand in hers. She smiled as she added, "But he was certainly right about this."

Rafe kissed her hand and finished, noticing that his daughter was fading fast. "And soon, there was a brand new baby in the house, with pretty green eyes..."

"...And golden hair..." Ella said with a yawn.

"...And she was just what they needed..." Rafe pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"...to make their family complete." Ella murmured just before she fell under.

Alison stood and moved to tuck Ella in, gently kissing her brow. Smiling she walked hand in hand with Rafe towards the door, shutting the light as they moved into the hallway.

He leaned in to kiss her and she pulled back and smiled. "FORGET IT."

"What?" He asked innocently.

"Don't give me what. Ella's almost eight, the same age Becky was when we had her. You're feeling sentimental. FORGET IT. Your first grandchild will be here in five months."

"I wasn't even about to suggest..." Rafe protested.

She knew he was lying. "Nice try. Just to remind you, I'm about past the age of having children. You're out of luck, buster."

He inched closer and whispered. "I know. You keep saying that, but medical science has made amazing advances in the last few years."

Alison laughed loudly. "OK, sweetheart. I'll make you a deal. When medical science has advanced enough that you can carry a baby instead of me then I'll be all for it. We can be first in line. In the meantime, wait five months and spoil your grandchild."

Rafe shivered. His children brought him such joy that he'd have a hundred, but he wasn't at all anxious to go through childbirth himself. Memories flashed through his mind. He was still awed. Alison had been so amazing each time. He didn't know how she'd done it. He was sure even if it was possible he couldn't.

"Don't you remember the last line of the story?" She smiled as his arms closed around her. "All we needed was Ella. Now, our family is complete."

Rafe touched his lips to hers and smiled. "It certainly is."