Chapter Six
Rafe pulled up to a scene riddled with chaos. There were two squad cars and what was that? He peered through windshield. An ambulance?
Panicked, he parked and was out of the car in a heartbeat.
He raced towards the house, his eyes searching frantically for any sign of Becky. He didn't see her anywhere, but he saw someone who just might know where she was.
A voice rang out, full of annoyance. "OK, Mags. Get in the car and start to sleep it off." Maggie stumbled over to the squad car and obeyed. As she watched her crawl inside the officer added. "And hey! Listen to me, kiddo. If you throw up back there I promise you I'll make you clean it yourself."
"Lia..." Maggie sighed as she sat down, looking incredibly green. "I'm really sorry."
"Don't apologize to me. Damnit Maggie. What the hell are you doing? The guy's a creep and nothing but trouble. I try and make it a rule not to arrest members of my family but you're making it difficult."
"Am I arrested?" Maggie's pretty hazel eyes flew open in shock.
"Not unless they put a law on the books about being a moron." Lia said, then. "Honestly I think you might be begging me to lock you up when your father and brother find out how you've spent your evening."
"Lia?" Rafe called out to her.
She turned around when she heard her name. "Well. That was quick. Hi Uncle Rafe." Lia flashed him a smile.
Despite the occasion, Rafe couldn't help but smile back. He never got over the sight of her in her uniform. Lia's long chestnut hair was pulled back in a severe ponytail. She looked hard as nails but he knew full well she was a sweetheart underneath her tough exterior. His niece was barely tall enough to reach his chin and she looked so incredibly tiny. Even with that, he couldn't deny that Port Charles was a safer place now that she was enforcing the law.
"Where's Becky?" He asked her still searching the yard with his eyes.
"Before I tell you, please - just take a deep breath." Lia said, trying to keep him calm.
"I don't like the sound of that." Rafe replied, his voice rising in fear
Lia grinned, shaking her finger at him as if she were scolding a child. "See? You're not breathing. You know what? You should really try yoga, Uncle Rafe. It's very calming."
"Julia." Rafe sighed. "Your concern for my well being is heartwarming. C'mon. Cut it out. Where's your cousin?"
"She's in the ambulance..." Lia began.
"THE WHAT?" Rafe yelled – not waiting for more information. He ran towards the flashing lights, full of terror imagining what he'd find when he got there.
"The man's going to give himself a heart attack one of these days." Lia grumbled as she watched him go. She turned towards Maggie again, who held a hand to her mouth, moments away from getting sick.
Lia rolled her eyes and moved towards her future sister-in-law. "Ah geez, Margaret Mary. You can tell you aren't a Donovan. If there's one thing we can do it's hold our liquor."
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Grant pulled up to her house, slowing and putting the car in park. The whole ride there he didn't take his eyes off the road. He was afraid to look at her. Still stunned, it took Chloe a moment to unhook her seatbelt. Grant opened her door and she stepped outside. He waited for her to start walking before he followed her to the house.
Jack had heard the car and opened the door as they approached. "Sweetheart?" He said softly. He was taken aback when she saw who was with her. "OH. Hi Grant."
Grant swallowed and tried to find his voice. "Hi Mr. Ramsey."
Jack was shocked and surprised to see them together after all this time. He wasn't quite sure what was going on, but he intended to find out. "Come in you two. You're soaked."
Grant shook his head and stayed on the porch. "I just wanted to make sure she got inside alright."
Chloe walked into the house and stood beside Jack, pleading at Grant with her eyes. "Please." She said softly. "Come in."
He shook his head again. "I really have to get going. Goodnight Mr. Ramsey." He said as he averted his eyes from hers.
"Grant..." Chloe said again, tears welling up in her eyes. She couldn't believe she could still cry, she'd cried so much this past year. "Please..."
Grant hunched his shoulders and turned around, walking off the porch and back towards his car. "Take care, Clo." He whispered so softly she almost didn't hear him.
Chloe stood frozen, unaware of Jack's arm resting on her shoulders. "Grant..." She sobbed as she watched him go. Jack closed the door softly and she moved to it, pressing her hand there as if to reach Grant on the other side. "Please..." Still weeping, she slid to the ground and rested her head against the door. "I'm so sorry."
It took some doing, but eventually Jack moved Chloe into the living room, bringing her to sit down on the couch. He felt awful and partially responsible for her ending up this way. Melissa had always been so good with her. He had no idea what to do. He pulled his little girl into his arms. "Shh. It's OK. Tell me what happened, honey."
"This is all my fault. He didn't want to leave me. I wanted to spare him what you went through – so I made him go. I pushed until he finally walked away and now..." She turned her tearstained face to his. "I made such a mess of things. Oh God, Daddy. What have I done?" She asked desperately. "I hurt him so badly. I know he won't come back to me now. It's too late."
Shocked at what she told him, Jack hugged her tightly. He knew now that since Melissa had been gone he'd been too wrapped up in his own grief to help Chloe the way he should have. She was worried about dying? How could she think that living without Grant was the answer? Now that he knew what had happened, Jack didn't think she was right. He knew for a fact how much Grant loved his daughter. He was sure that there was still hope. Kicking himself, he tried to repair the damage. "No. It's not, honey. It might just take a little time."
She continued to cry as he held her close. "I knew you weren't together. I didn't realize..." Jack swallowed the lump that had lodged in his throat. "I didn't realize how bad it was." He hugged her tighter and pressed a kiss to her hair. "I'm so sorry. You needed me and I wasn't there for you."
"You have a lot on your mind. You miss Mom. I know that." Chloe said as she clutched his shirt and moved closer.
"I do. I miss her everyday. But God, Chloe, I missed you too." It stunned him that he'd been so blind. "She'd be so angry with me, you know that? Here you are, having been so unhappy. I should have paid more attention."
"It's alright." Chloe whispered as she pulled back to look at him, tears drying on her cheeks. "I miss her so much Dad. She should be here. I don't understand. It makes no sense. Why?"He knew what she was asking. He asked himself that same question every day. Why did they have to lose Melissa? It had taken him so long to finally find her. "I don't know sweetie." He said as he kissed her. "But I do know this. It sucks."
Chloe actually smiled in spite of it all. "It totally does. There's nothing good about it."
"No. But there could be a way to make it at least a little better." Jack said as he lowered his voice and blinked back tears of his own. "Your mom and I - we talked about a lot of things those last few weeks. She wanted, more than anything, for you to be happy. And you're not now. You haven't been since she left us. So listen to what I'm saying OK? Your mom was so excited about you and Grant getting married, sweetheart. I know you think it's hopeless but trust me - it can still happen. I need you to pick yourself up and go and try again, Chloe. And if it doesn't work the first time, just keep trying. Sooner or later, I know it. He'll realize he can't live without you. And then, you'll be together just the way you should be." He hugged her again and whispered. "Tell me you'll try. That's what she would have wanted."
As he finished, Chloe pulled back, stared at him and wiped at her eyes.
Jack took it as a bad sign, until he saw her smile again.
"Daddy." She said with a laugh.
"What?" He replied embarrassed. "Was it that bad? I know I'm not too good at this stuff."
Chloe shook her head. "No. That's not it. I can't believe it. You sounded just like Mom." She said with a small sob, smiling again through her tears.
"Really?" Jack grinned at her before placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Yeah." She said with a sigh hugging him again. She whispered into his shoulder. "I think she might have taught you a thing or two."
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"BECKY!" Rafe called out, frantic.
He finally caught sight of her. She sat on the ledge of the ambulance, her feet dangling over and swinging back and forth. A pretty and petite EMT stood beside her, examining her right hand. As he got closer he noticed a young man flat on his back inside, an ice pack held to his face. Rafe could hear him moaning in pain.
There was certainly a story here.
"Daddy..." Becky's voice was full of relief.
"Becky. What happened?" Rafe demanded, trying to calm himself down.
From inside the ambulance, Tim called out. "She punched me, that's what happened!!"
Another EMT, a short, spiky haired young guy, held Tim down and started to laugh. "Did she really?" He said with a huge smile. "Nice shot."
"Becky?" Rafe stared at her and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Start talking."
"She freaking broke my nose!!!" Tim added as he tried to sit up.
The guy didn't know when to quit. "God, Tim. Shut up!!!" Becky said, wincing as the girl bandaged her hand.
Rafe wasn't about to give up. He gave her a look that would have made most grown men shake in their shoes. His voice was eerily calm. "Rebecca Elizabeth. I'm going to count to three. Before I finish, you better tell me what the hell happened here."
Was he serious? Count to three? Becky rolled her eyes. Did she think she was a four year old? "OK - Dad. Before I do, promise me you won't hurt him."
"WHAT?"
Becky smiled slightly as the girl working on her hand finally finished. She looked up at her father and spoke softly. "Dad - he's an idiot but he really was pretty drunk. Just promise me when I tell you this you won't go and try to kill him."
Rafe shook his head at her. "Not a chance. Start talking Rebecca. NOW. I mean it."
"Oh let him kill me. It's fine. I feel like I'm already dead anyway." Tim moaned as the guy beside him laughed louder.
Becky knew Tim might get his wish as she began. "He wanted to kiss me. I didn't want him to. I warned him twice. He kissed me anyway. So." She said matter-of-factly. "I punched him."
That did it. Both of the EMTs were now doubled over.
Rafe didn't find it funny in the least. He hopped up into the ambulance with rage in his eyes.
"DADDY!" Becky cried out, horrified
Rafe didn't even hear her. In an instant he fisted Tim's bloodied shirt in his hand and dragged him to sit up. The EMT scrambled to get out of the way.
"What year are you in?" Rafe hissed at him, his eyes on fire.
"W-w-w-what?" Tim stammered, completely scared out of his mind.
Rafe tightened his grip. "Simple question. Tell me the answer. Sophomore? Junior?"
"J-j-junior." Tim replied.
"So you're what? 17? I'm guessing you learned the word 'no' a long time ago didn't you?" Rafe shook him and asked.
Tim had never been more afraid in his life. "Yes sir. I did."
Rafe regarded him closely. "Maybe you need practice with the definition. I'm going to ask you a few questions. Let's see what you know. First question, do your parents know what you've been up to tonight?"
"No." Tim whispered, shaking his head.
"Are you legally allowed to drink when you're 17?"
"No." Tim said again.
"When a girl tells you she doesn't want to kiss you – do you still try anyway?"
"No." The young boy squeaked, beyond petrified.
"Are you EVER going to step foot near my daughter again?" Rafe finished as he glared at him.
"NO!" Tim said shaking his head violently.
Becky's jaw dropped open, finding nothing funny about this. But beside her their little audience roared with laughter.Satisfied, Rafe released his hold and moved back towards Becky. His face and voice both softened as he looked at her. "Is it broken?" He asked the girl who had bandaged Becky's hand.
She fought to find her voice, still laughing at what had just transpired. "No." She said, finally composing herself. "She's lucky. It's just a very bad bruise. She should go easy with it and maybe take some Advil. But she'll live."
"Thank you." Rafe said quietly as he turned to his daughter. "Let's go." He commanded as he took her uninjured hand and began to drag her away.
"Dad..." Becky sighed as she scrambled to keep up with him. "I can't believe you just did that! Tim's going to tell everyone. I'll never live this down. Everyone's going to be talking about me for..like...EVER!!!!"
"You'll get over it." Rafe said, dismissing her protests quickly. He stopped and stared into her eyes, and she knew he meant every word. "Be happy I let him live, Rebecca" He grabbed her hand and started walking again. "Don't press your luck."
