Chapter Four

Becky's bedroom was just like her. Simple, sweet and utterly feminine. She sat at her vanity table and fixed her makeup, dreading the evening ahead of her. Maggie Thornhart had hit a rebellious streak, and she was determined to take Becky with her for the ride.

Maggie was her best friend, but lately she was making choices that Becky didn't agree with. Pete Baxter looked all sweet and innocent on the outside, but Becky knew for certain that he was as two faced as they come. It was only a matter of time before he broke Maggie's heart in two.

Becky tried to reason with her, but she wouldn't listen. So for now she'd just do what she could and try and keep an eye on her.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't even hear Ella sneak inside until she saw her reflection in the mirror.

"Hey Elly Jellybean." Becky said with a grin as Ella hopped on the bed and lay on her stomach, kicking her feet back and forth behind her. It was fitting that Becky would nickname her sister after some sort of candy. Ella loved coming to Becky's room. She always had a secret stash of sweets.

"Hey." Ella smiled as she settled in. "Are you going out?" She asked.

"Yeah. In a little bit." Becky replied as she dug in her drawer and pulled out a lollipop, one of Ella's favorite kind. The younger girl's eyes lit up like stars as she tore off the wrapping.

"With a boy?" Ella asked then. "Does Daddy know?"

Becky had to laugh. Ella might be a kid, but she knew the score when it came to their father. "No. Not with a boy. I'm going out with Maggie. We're supposed to go to the movies." Becky applied her lipstick carefully and puckered her lips. Despite what she'd just said, Becky wasn't convinced that's where they'd end up tonight. Maggie probably had other plans, she sighed to herself.

"You wear makeup just to go out with your friends?" Ella was confused. She thought it was only for when you wanted to catch a boyfriend. Maybe that's what Becky was trying to do. Ella didn't really want her to. If she got a boyfriend she'd want to get married like Katie and then she wouldn't live there anymore. Ella would really, really miss her.

"Sometimes." Becky turned to face her little sister. She was surprised to see that Ella was frowning. Ella was usually so happy. She was immediately concerned. "Sweetie? Is something bothering you?"

Ella sighed as she thought it over. Maybe Becky could help her out. She knew a lot of stuff. Ella blew her bangs out of her eyes and took a deep breath. Finally, she decided to ask. "Are girls allowed to like bugs?" Her voice told Becky this was a very serious question.

"You mean like ladybugs and butterflies?" Becky said, wondering where exactly this was going.

Ella liked those kind of bugs – but she pretty much liked all the others too. Crickets and lightning bugs especially. "Yeah. Those – but some other kinds too. Is it weird to like them?"

"No, honey. It's not weird." Becky said, trying not to smile.

"Mary Ellen Lewis said that it is weird and that I should like Barbie instead. She said it's weird that Aidan's my best friend and that I play baseball." Ella frowned as she gazed up at her big sister. "Is she right? Am I weird?"

Becky began to get angry. Mary Ellen Lewis was such a snotty little kid. She used to baby-sit for her and she had been a terror since she was 4. "Ella." Becky said as she sat beside her. "It's not weird to like bugs. There are people – and some of them are girls - whose job is to study bugs all day long. Did you know that?" Ella shook her head no. "It's true. And you have plenty of Barbies." Becky held back a laugh as she remembered most of them were missing their heads or had their hair cut off. "And finally, sweetheart. Aidan isn't just your best friend, he's your cousin and you play baseball because you're incredibly good at it.

She kissed Ella's forehead as she finished. "You are not weird at all, Ella. Next time Mary Ellen Lewis opens her stupid mouth you tell her I said you are 'one of a kind'."

There were more than just Ella's hobbies on her mind. She scooted off the bed and stared down at her clothes. She had on a yellow striped t-shirt and baggy overalls, her sneakers well worn and scuffed up. "She says I dress like a boy."

Becky had dressed in almost nothing but pink and other soft pastels since birth. The contrast between the two sisters was amazing. But before Becky could address that point, Ella continued. "It's OK. I know I look like one."

Ella may be a tomboy but her beautiful face and head full of honey colored ringlets made it kind of impossible to label her as anything but a girl. Becky gave her another kiss on the forehead. "Jellybean – no. You don't look like a boy."

"Sure I do. Everyone says so." Ella shrugged. She really was OK with it. "Haven't you heard them? Everyone says you and Katie are the prettiest and I know why. It's because you look like Mommy and she's the most prettiest in the whole wide world. Everyone says that me and Grant look like Daddy – so I guess I must look like a boy."

Becky bit her lip and tried to keep her composure as she tried to explain. "Ella. You do look like Daddy. Your hair is the same color, and your eyes are too." She touched a finger to her sister's button nose as she went on. "You have the same shaped nose and most of all, you have his smile. Daddy's got a great smile. Even though you look like him, you still look every bit like a little girl. Sweetheart, I promise you. No one will ever mistake you for a boy."

"They do when I wear my baseball hat." Ella said, showing she wasn't convinced. She looked down at her clothes again. As usual, her knees were stained with grass. "Really Becky? Are sure? Even if I wear overalls and like to run around a lot instead of dancing ballet like you?"

Becky finally laughed and hugged the little girl tight. "Even then." She replied with a nod.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Everyone is right. You look exhausted." Alison said her voice full of concern.

Kate knew it was true, but she didn't want everyone fussing over her. "I'm OK, Mom."

"Are you really? Have you spoken to the doctor about this – because honey, when I was pregnant, by this time I always had so much energy I didn't know what to do with it." She also knew that in her fourth and fifth months she couldn't keep her hands off Rafe, but if there was one thing she'd learned from Elizabeth – when talking to her children - it was best to keep those type of details to herself.

Kate shook her head and rubbed her stomach. "I haven't yet. But I have an appointment tomorrow. I'll ask her then. I promise."

"OK." Alison replied, still not convinced everything was alright. She ran a hand over her daughter's hair. "Why don't you take a nap and I'll make something for you two to have for dinner?"

Kate protested. Her mom was too sweet. "No. It's OK. Colin is going to pick up something on the way home from lessons." A look came over her face as she spoke about him.

Alison smiled. She knew that look. It was the look of a woman desperately in love. "He's enjoying that huh?"

"Oh Mom." Kate sighed, her eyes bright and her cheeks flooding with color. She instantly looked better than she had mere moments before. "He loves it. I think he might even like it more than recording and touring. I don't think I've ever seen him happier."

Her mother laughed and said softly. "I think that might be the fact that he's home with you."

"Maybe." Kate agreed. So suddenly, just when she was feeling more like herself, she felt a wave of dizziness coming over her. She took a deep breath and gripped the counter. Luckily, her mother was too busy putting away dishes to notice. Kate's mind was wracked with worry as she said softly, trying to sound casual. "Mom? You know what? A nap is a good idea. I'm going to go sit down in the living room, OK?"

She couldn't fool Alison. Her voice was alarmed as she looked at her daughter. "Honey?"

"I'm fine." Kate insisted, waving her off as she walked slowly into the living room. Alison was right on her heels. "I'll just take a quick nap."

As Alison helped her settle on the couch the door opened. Colin walked in with a smile and a box of pizza. "Hi!" He said brightly. He was always happiest when he was home.

Though she had just lain down, remarkably, Kate was already fast asleep. Alison's eyes were anxious as they met her son-in-law's. "Hi." She whispered. "Colin. Tell me. Does this happen a lot?"

He put down the box and leaned over his wife, kissing Kate's lips lightly. She murmured and turned to her side.

"What's that?" Colin replied, finally paying attention to the question.

"Kate – falling asleep in the span of an instant? It's worrying me. I've been here all afternoon and I've never seen her so tired. I don't know but to me she looks pale and seems to be so drained of energy. Has she been sleeping a lot?"

He nodded, feeling uneasy as he saw the look on Alison's face. "All the time. I think she's trying to do too much. She doesn't realize how much simple things take out of her." His eyes grew wide as a thought came to him. "Why? Do you think there's a problem?" He asked, his voice rising in panic.

Alison fought to keep him calm. She shook her head at him. "No, sweetie. I didn't say that. Colin. Kate's young and she's healthy. I think it's a bit unusual for her to be this tired but I'm not a doctor. Maybe it was nothing, but I do think it's worth checking out."

"She has an appointment tomorrow." Colin said as he gazed down at Kate, his mind spinning. "I'm going with her. I'll make sure she talks to the doctor about it."

Alison fought her own worry and reached for her purse. "OK. Well. I better get home." She crossed to Colin and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I know she's in good hands now." She said with a smile.

"Thank you." Colin replied, blushing a bit. "And thanks for taking care of her today. You're the best." He added, meaning every word.

Alison laughed. "You're too sweet but I have a feeling your opinion might change once the baby comes and I'm here all the time."

"You mean you're not here all the time now?" He teased.

Alison laughed back. "'Night, Colin. Take care of our girl." She said softly as she slipped out into the hall.

"'Night." He whispered as the door closed. He turned his attention to his wife, still sleeping soundly. He was overcome with worry again as he said. "I promise. I will."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A few hours later, Becky was the one wearing a frown. As she had predicted, Maggie had another idea for their evening out. Becky watched as two of her classmates staggered towards the staircase leading to the upstairs of Pete's house. His parent's were gone for the weekend and the party was in full swing.

There must be nearly eighty people here. Music was blasting and as she tried to make her way to someplace quieter. She tripped over what seemed like a hundred discarded beer cans.

"This is ridiculous." She muttered to herself as she forced to smile at her friend Lindsay who winked and did another shot. Becky sighed. People sometimes said she was uptight and a snob, but honestly, what's fun about all this? It was only a matter of time before someone got sick or called the cops.

Oh God. Becky thought as she filled with panic. If Lia shows up here tonight I'll be dead for sure.

She made her way to the kitchen, thankful when she saw first, that it was empty and second when she spied a nearly full bottle of diet soda resting on the counter. She found a clean cup and poured herself a glass. Maybe she should loosen up and have something stronger but she wasn't at all in the mood to tempt fate. She needed her wits about her if she was going to get Maggie home safely. Maggie had driven here tonight but Becky knew she was on at least her third beer. She knew that she'd be the one to drive Maggie's car home.

She was about to go and try to find her friend when someone else wandered in. Pete's best friend, Tim Winters came stumbling by, sloshing his beer all over the floor as he made his way toward her.

Not wanting to deal, Becky smiled softly and tried to get by him.

He snagged her arm and held her still. "Ah. Becca. I haven't seen you all night. Have you been hiding from me?" Tim said, slurring his words a bit.

Becky stared at him. She hated when he called her Becca. He did it just to annoy her. "It's Becky – tough guy. And no. I haven't been hiding."

"I think you have." He replied, his eyes unfocused as he swayed a bit, his hand tightening on her arm and backing her into the counter. "C'mon Becca. Relax a little. I don't know why you're always so tense." He leaned closer and whispered. "Why don't you like me?"

"Because a) you call me "Becca" and b) you smell like a brewery." Becky stared at the hand he held on her arm and then looked him dead in the eyes. "Now. Timothy. I suggest you get your hands off me."

The six pack he'd consumed gave him boundless confidence. He gave her what he thought was a charming smile and leaned closer, so that his mouth was inches from hers. "You see. We have a problem then, because I'd much rather have my hands on you." He leered and ran a finger of his free hand down the column of her throat. "Not just on you. All over you."

Her heart beat faster, but not because she was looking forward to what Tim had in mind. He wasn't a bad guy actually, but he was drunk and she wasn't interested. "I'm going to ask you one more time to let me go." Becky warned him.

"You're beautiful, Becca." Tim said as he pressed a kiss on her neck.

"You're drunk, Tim." She sighed, as she placed her hands on his chest and tried to push him away. She thought about throwing her drink in his face to get him to cool off a bit.

"Just a little." He smiled as his lips hovered over hers. She thought she had more time, but despite his condition he moved quickly. In a split second he moved in for the kill, sloppily covering her mouth with his.

In an instant Becky went into action. She dropped the cup she had been holding, and in one fluid move she brought her knee up sharply, causing Tim to double over. When he finally was able to stand his eyes were angry and she saw him make a move toward her. Without even blinking, she made a fist and swung, connecting with his nose in one perfectly placed shot. Pain shot through her arm as she backed away.

"What the hell?" Tim cried as his hands flew to his face, trying to stem the flow of blood. "Becky – Jesus!" He pulled his hands away and his eyes flew open in horror. "Are you out of your freaking mind?"

Becky searched frantically and sighed when she found a pile of napkins. She pressed them into Tim's hands. "Idiot." She said through clenched teeth. "You can't say I didn't warn you."