Chapter Twenty-two
The phone on the other end rang incessantly. It was pointless. No one was going to answer. He placed it back in its cradle, knowing it was futile.
"He's not answering." Livvie stated.
"He's angry." Caleb replied. He shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "And after everything I gave up for him he still doesn't trust me."
"There's a reason for that." Livvie stood and moved to stand in front of him. She took a deep breath. "You frightened Rachel." She snapped, failing at keeping her temper in check. She could already see this conversation ending badly - unless she could get her point across.
"I know." He said with a nod, anger rising. It was clear she was taking their son's side. He looked into her eyes and spoke softly. "I'm sorry." Though those were the words she wanted to hear it was said with a trace of sarcasm.
His attitude did not go over well. Livvie's eyes were filled with anger. "She has no idea what's going on here. She's just little girl."
Caleb's gaze was as icy as his voice. "Oh really? Thanks for the information."
"Don't do that." Livvie's voice began to shake. "Damage has been done, Caleb. I know you like to pretend that things never happened but there are consequences."
"I gave him that life." Caleb said slowly. "And this is how he thanks me."
"Caleb. You returned that life to him. You took it away and you made it right. It's not that I'm not grateful..."
"I didn't ask for your gratitude. I'd like my son to show me some respect – you know..." Caleb pinched his fingers so that they were about an inch apart. "...just a little bit."
Livvie took a deep breath, wanting him to keep his voice down. She spoke softly. "I understand that but honestly, you can't blame him."
Caleb nodded in agreement. "No. That's right. I blame his wife."
"GOD. Caleb. Not that again." Livvie threw her hands up and groaned.
"This isn't surprising to you is it Olivia? He married a slayer." Caleb's voice held a hint of disgust. "If only he'd chosen differently..."
Livvie began to shake with rage. She wasn't going back there – to the way it was when he and Colin were at each others throats. She refused. It would never happen again. Not now. Not ever. "If he'd chosen differently – you wouldn't have our daughter. Is that what you're saying you wanted?"
The mention of Rachel had Caleb's voice softening. "No. Olivia..." He tried to take her into his arms.
Livvie stiffened at his touch. "Stop thinking about yourself for just like – oh I don't know - one second. Can you do that?" She challenged him.
Caleb gave her silence as a response.
She plodded on, knowing they needed to get past this. "You may not like the fact that Rafe's daughter and your son fell in love. But like it or not – they did and now she's carrying your grandchild. Get over your wounded pride and see the big picture. Can't you see? It's about Katrina – and the baby. There's obviously something wrong and he's terrified for her - for them both."
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Alison stared at the phone, a grin from ear to ear. That was the way Rafe found her as he walked in the bedroom. It was his favorite way to see her. He lived to see his wife happy.
"Who was that?" Rafe said with his mouth full of leftover birthday cake.
Alison's grin grew. She walked over towards him and hooked a finger in the sugary icing. She kept her eyes on his as she licked it off. "Mmmm. That's good."
Rafe's mind began to wander. Had he just asked her a question? Funny, but for the life of him he couldn't remember what it was - nor did he care to find out the answer anymore.
He put down his fork and set the plate on the bedside table and reached for her. As his lips sought hers she pulled back and whispered. "Go get dressed."
Get dressed? Rafe looked at her confused. He reached for her again and gave her a smile. "Do you not realize what was going on here?" He tried to kiss her again. "Let me explain it to you. See, first we get undressed...."
She was tempted but her heart was beating wildly for another reason at the moment. "Rafe. We have to go."
"What are you talking about? Go where? It's 11:00 at night." He snagged her around the waist and pulled her to him. "Let's go to bed."
She let him kiss her once more before she pushed him gently away. "C'mon. We don't want to be late."
"Hold on. FOR WHAT?" Rafe asked totally confused.
"That was Grant on the phone." She said her eyes bright. "He and Chloe are getting married."
Rafe's face lit up. It was about time. "That's great..." He began.
"Tonight." Alison finished.
"What!?"
She gave him a huge smile. "Our son is getting married. Tonight. I'm still not sure how it all happened but now that they're together again I guess they don't want to waste time. They'll meet us at the courthouse."
Alison's mind began to spin. She began to make a list; knowing that in their haste Grant and Chloe would leave out a few details. "I need to pick some flowers from the garden for Chloe and maybe Becky can lend her a dress. I know that they probably aren't thinking of these things. Chloe's too focused on Grant at the moment I'm sure. She doesn't realize the little things she'll miss having."
She smiled at Rafe again, realizing how happy it made her that Chloe and Grant would now be forever always. She couldn't be happier. She kept babbling on as she pulled dress after dress out of the closet, trying to figure out what to wear. "She's so good for him you know? I mean honestly, could you ever imagine Grant doing something so spontaneous?? He's always been so careful – from the time he was a baby..." '
All of the sudden it hit her. "Oh my God." Her voice caught on a sob. She looked up at Rafe with tears in her eyes. "My baby's getting married." She sank down on the edge of the bed and began to cry.
Rafe
tried not to laugh. "Alison..."
She spoke through
sniffles. "He's getting married. I mean, I knew it was going to
happen I just..." She couldn't speak. She wiped at her eyes, her
head swimming with memories. "Oh God. Remember when he was born
– Rafe?"
"Do I remember? Of course I remember." He whispered as he pulled her close.
"I was miserable. It was so hot that summer. I was so uncomfortable. I felt like I was going to explode. And it's like he knew how hard it was for me because from the minute he arrived he was so easy. Kate was like a dream but Grant barely fussed at all. He was such a good baby." Images of Grant's childhood began to float in front of her eyes. "He's always been so good."
"Alison – take a deep breath and relax for a second." He began to chuckle at her. "And you dared to make fun of me at Kate's wedding." He muttered under his breath with affection.
She didn't hear him tease her. She was lost in her memories. "When he was little he used to follow you around everywhere. Do you remember?" Alison smiled at him through her tears. "It was so cute, so different than with Katie. He'd try to do everything you did. He'd try to walk like you and hold his fork like you. And now he is, he's so much like you..."
"I know..." Rafe whispered, running a hand over her head to try and quiet her down.
Her words spilled out without pause. It had always amazed him how she could speak non-stop. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks were flushed. She looked so beautiful when she talked about their children, he couldn't help but think.
"Rafe, he's all grown up now. He's going to start his own family – with Chloe. I'm so happy for him – I'm so happy that he's happy. He and Chloe belong together. It was difficult for both of them this year but it's all right again – don't you think so?"
She was still talking, he realized with a grin. Nearly thirty years and that was something that never changed about her.
"It is." Alison said with a sigh. "The two of them were meant to be, from the day they were born. Everything's going to be alright now."
"Yeah it is." Rafe agreed, taking her hand in his and kissing it sweetly. He needed to get her to calm down or they'd never make the wedding. "Angel." He whispered. "Breathe."
Alison blinked, finally coming back to him again. She inhaled and exhaled deeply before she stared into his eyes. "I have to get dressed." She said matter-of-factly pulling her hand from his and moving towards the closet again. She shook back her hair and wiped at her eyes, trying to steady herself.
Watching her, he knew she was going to be ok now. "So..." He said softly as he walked over to her and kissed her again. "Get dressed. I'll be back in a second to get ready myself. I'll go wake the girls."
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"He thinks I planned this." Caleb's voice was dangerously calm.
"And do you blame him?" Livvie asked. "At one time you would not rest until he bent to your will. I know what that's like. You did the same to me once upon a time."
"Olivia..." Caleb sighed in frustration. He turned his back to her, trying to gather his thoughts.
"I won't deny that it kills me that they chose to live a life across the world from us." Livvie's eyes began to glitter with anger. "That we'll never be accepted in Port Charles and that the world – as usual – revolves around Rafe and Alison."
"Olivia." Caleb said again. His voice held a warning. "Do not start that again."
"I know." She said smugly, knowing she'd made her point. "This is what I'm trying to get across to you. This isn't about you and Colin or even you and Rafe. It's about our grandchild. Our grandchild. You know that child is as much a part of you and me as it is of..." She gave him a grin as she finished. "...Barbie and Ken."
"I know." Caleb grinned back as he turned to face her again.
The smile left her face quickly as she remembered what they had been talking about. "She's sick, Caleb."
"I know." He replied, the jokes forgotten now.
"He must be so scared." She said as she moved into his arms. "I know you didn't plan this but Caleb is it true? Can you help them? Do you know how to fix this?"
"I don't have the answers he's looking for but I do know this." Caleb said with a sigh, pulling her close, nuzzling her neck and inhaling the scent of her skin. He could feel her pulse beating under his lips and was anxiously anticipating what was to come. First he wanted to answer her question. Caleb pulled back and gazed into her eyes. "I know what won't fix it."
"Well." Livvie said, moving to pull him close again. "At least that's someplace to start."
