Chapter Twenty-seven

"It's fun to eat in a restaurant." Ty said as he took another bite of his macaroni and cheese. "The coolest thing is you don't have to do the dishes."

"Yes. Tyler." Billie laughed. "That is very cool."

She turned her attention back to the newspaper in her hand. She'd been carrying it with her all day, though she didn't need to look at it at all anymore to see what it said. She'd memorized the article. Though she still wanted to be angry with him she was finding it increasingly difficult. Quinn's words of apology were lovely. He spoke of how much he admired the way she'd raised Ty and that he'd been entirely wrong about her. The article, coupled with the words he'd spoken to at the bookshop earlier in the week had Billie's head swimming and her stomach in knots. She didn't know quite what she'd do when she ran into him again.

"So tomorrow Bill – I gotta be up early 'cause we hafta leave on time." Ty said with his mouth full of cheesy noodles. Billie sighed, knowing it was pointless to scold him for not swallowing before he spoke. He was jabbering a mile a minute because he was so excited. Tomorrow was the long awaited trip to the stadium.

"I know, buddy. So finish up and then you can get to bed early." She gave him a grin.

"How come you never eat when we go out to a restaurant? You always just have a drink." Ty asked her then, trying to get off the 'going to bed early' subject. That was not what he had in mind.

"I'm just not that hungry." Billie shrugged. Ty didn't need to know that she could barely afford the meal he was eating – let alone one for herself.

It seemed to appease him. Ty pushed his plate towards her and held out his fork. "You could have some of mine." He suggested sweetly. "It's too much for me."

Billie's heart melted. She leaned down and placed a kiss on his forehead. "No. I'm fine. That's OK sweetie. If you can't finish it all we can take the rest home in a doggie bag."

"A doggie bag? We don't have a dog." Ty said, confused.

"That's just what they call the bag you take leftovers in." Billie replied. "You don't really need to have a dog.."

She didn't get to finish her explanation before he asked, his face lit up with hope. "Could we have a dog? Someday maybe?"

Tears filled Billie's eyes as she looked down at him. She gently ran a hand over his head. "Maybe someday, sweetheart. We don't have enough room for one right now. A dog needs a house – the apartment's too small." She hoped that would appease him – for a little while at least.

The bell on the door jangled, causing Billie's head to snap up. As it did she locked her eyes with the man coming through the door, her heart rising to her throat.

Why did he seem to be everywhere she was? Wasn't it enough that she knew she'd see him tomorrow?

Quinn sauntered up to the table with a grin. "Hello Belinda."

As she fought to find her voice, Ty smiled widely, nearly coming out of his seat.

"Hey Quinn!!! Tomorrow's going to be so cool!"

Quinn looked over at Ty and gave him a wink. "I think so too, Slugger. Are you ready? Make sure you bring your mitt."

"Oh don't worry. I'll remember. Billie already put it in my knapsack so I won't forget. And I have my lucky hat and my new Yankee shirt. I'm going to look just like a real player."

"You are a real player." Quinn replied with a laugh. "Was dinner good?"

"Yeah. Really, really good. But it's too much so we have to bring some home to the make believe dog." Ty said with a yawn. "Bill – can I play a game now?"

She had promised him. Billie handed him two quarters and nodded. "Just one game." She said as she watched him scamper off to begin to fight aliens.

Quinn glanced back at Billie and smiled before gliding into the chair next to her. "Make believe dog? Why do I feel like I missed something?"

Billie blinked as he settled in. It didn't seem like he was going anywhere anytime soon. "Um. It's just..." Stop it. Speak you idiot. Billie admonished herself. What is wrong with you? She sighed as she felt his eyes still on her. "It's a long story." She finally managed.

Quinn noticed she was especially nervous. Chuckling to himself he lowered his eyes and spotted the carefully folded newspaper in front of him. Suddenly, that explained everything.

"So." He said softly. "You've read it?"

"Yes." Billie replied in a whisper, still not able to meet his gaze. "I've read it. Thank you."

Quinn shook his head. "No need to thank me. It's the article I should have written in the first place."

"What you said..." Billie tried again willing herself not to stammer. "...about me – and about Ty? It was very nice."

"Unlike the last one – everything I said this time was true." Quinn replied.

"Thank you." She said again, summoning all her courage to bring her eyes to his. As she did, to her complete mortification a tear escaped and slowly fell down her face.

Even though he had two sisters, seeing a woman cry always made him uneasy. They cried when they were sad, or angry, when they laughed and when they were happy. Quinn didn't know which Billie was at the moment. He only knew whatever it was – she was crying because of him.

He did the only thing he could think of to do. He rubbed his thumb across her cheek, wiping the tear away. "You're welcome."

"Quinn? Your order's ready." Jack called from behind the bar.

"OK." Quinn called back to him, his eyes still on hers. "Thanks."

Billie took a deep breath, thankful that she was saved further embarrassment. It seemed he would be leaving.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Billie?" Quinn asked as he reluctantly stood to go.

"What?" She asked, not remembering.

"Tomorrow? The Yankee game?" He replied. As he looked at her he was suddenly inspired. "You know what?" He asked thoughtfully. "Why don't you come with us? I could use some help keeping those rugrats in line."

"I can't. I have to work." She shook her head.

"You forget - I know your boss." Quinn said with a grin. "So it's settled. You're coming. See you tomorrow."

"It's not..." Billie protested.

He called across the room to Ty. "Goodnight Slugger. Rest up! You're in the big leagues tomorrow"

"'Kay. I will. Bye Quinn!" Ty said with his back still to him. He was still engrossed in playing the game.

"See you tomorrow." Quinn said as he turned to her again, his tone saying he wouldn't take no for an answer. He took his take out and headed for the door.

Billie watched him go and couldn't believe what had just happened. "Good God, Belinda." She said to herself. "What the hell have you gotten yourself into now?"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Do you want some more Cam?" Alison asked with a smile.

"No. Please. I'm stuffed." He replied as he leaned back in his chair. "That was delicious."

They sat around the table, joking and laughing over coffee. Aidan and Ella were watching a movie in the den. They were pretty quiet and Abby suspected they were asleep. It always happened like this. Whenever they got together for dinner they lost track of time. Before they knew it – it was midnight.

How lucky was she? Abby thought with a sigh. Little did she know all those years ago things would end up like this. Rafe and Cam left the table to play with some new gadget Rafe had gotten for the computer. Alison was busy clearing the table as Abby looked on, not anxious to help but knowing she should. Or she could just get Alison to stop so she wouldn't feel guilty.

"Sit back down Ali. Let's make the guys do that later." Abby grinned and gave her a wink. She could see Cam and Rafe wrist deep in soapy water already and thought it was a perfect solution. "C'mon. Tell me more about the wedding." Abby said excitedly.

Alison was happy to oblige. "Oh, Abby. It was beyond beautiful. It was simple and quiet – just like Grant and Chloe looked gorgeous. I'm so happy for them. They are so much in love I swear I've never seen anything like it. It was late and hurried but at the same time just absolutely perfect. Even though it was nothing like Katie and Colin's wedding..." Alison trailed off, worry creasing her brow. "Katie..." Alison whispered under her breath. She drummed up her courage and turned towards Abby, needing to know for sure but nervous to find out. "Can I ask you something Abby..."

Abby never offered up bad news if she could help it, but a direct question? She learned a long time ago she couldn't refuse that. Even though her sister hadn't really mentioned anything specific, she knew what she was asking. "Alison. You don't need to ask me." Abby said softly as she looked into her eyes. "You already know."

"There's something wrong with her isn't there? I knew it." Alison said with tears in her eyes.

"She seems to be alright at the moment, Ali. Please. I don't want you to get upset." Abby took her hand and gave it a quick squeeze. "This thing – whatever it is - she's fighting it. She and Colin are doing everything they can at the moment. And she has really good doctors helping her. You have to believe it will all be OK."

Abby's words didn't do much to calm her. No matter how old Kate got – she was still her baby. Alison couldn't bear the thought of her being sick in any way. As hard as it was for her, she knew that it'd be even more difficult for her husband. "Oh God. How can I tell him? Abby, Rafe is going to go crazy."

"I know this will be hard, but I don't think we should say anything until Kate comes to you. There's got to be a reason she's keeping you in the dark."

Alison shook her head and wondered aloud. "I don't understand why she'd want to do that. We can help her. Whatever it is – she knows she can always come to us."

Abby took a deep breath and to explain. "Of course she knows that. She does, but you also know that she doesn't want you to worry..."

"I'm already plenty worried, Abby. I have been for weeks now but I kept my mouth shut." Alison protested. "I can't stand it any longer."

"Let her come to you – Alison. Don't push her. She and Colin are dealing with a lot right now and I think you just have to let them work through it themselves. They'll come to you soon. I can see it. But you have to let them figure it out first, OK? Please. Promise me you will."

"Abby..." Alison sighed as she blinked back tears.

Abby smiled softly and tried to reassure her again. "Ali, please. Just give her time. I can see it – don't worry. Soon she'll come to you..."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"So. This is the big surprise, huh?" Cam flipped through the brochure Rafe had given him and smiled.

"Yeah. That's it. Amazing isn't it? Can you believe I have to go that far away to have a second alone with my wife?" Rafe asked, grinning himself.

"Yes. I can, actually. I can't tell you the last time Abby and I have had time alone." He said, suddenly realizing how long it had actually been.

"And we'll really be alone. There's no TV, and no phones in the room. Actually, that fact is freaking me out a little – but I can't believe it was a great deal. June isn't exactly high season, I mean – it's much more expensive in the winter – but it's got everything right there. You never have to leave."

"And that's the whole point isn't it?" Cam said with a laugh.

"Yeah." Rafe agreed, laughing back. "That's the point." He looked at Cam and got became inspired. "Hey. Why don't you take Abby? We could all go."

Cam shook his head. "No. That's OK. Didn't you just say you wanted time alone with Alison?"

"Well – yeah – but it's not like the four of us would spend every moment together. It'd be nice."

"I suppose it would – but the answers still no." Cam said as he handed the brochure back to Rafe.

"Why?" Rafe asked confused. It seemed like a nice idea to him.

Cam grinned. "Because I need to think up something better on my own."

"What!?!"

"Oh you know it's true." Cam laughed as he continued. "For years I've been coming up short. I hear it all the time. "Rafe is so sweet, so romantic..." Blah blah blah blah blah. I'm tired of being viewed second best, damnit. Even my own mother likes you better than me. So thanks – but no thanks. I'm going to find someplace to take Abby that will blow your little island away."

Rafe looked at him stunned. "You're trying to compete with me?"

"I didn't plan on it." Cam shrugged. "Just worked out that way. Believe me buddy – it's mostly just for my own survival. Trust me. I'm still getting grief about Mother's Day eight years ago when I got Abby a bathrobe and you bought Alison a ring."

"The bathrobe's always a bad idea, Cam. I could have told you that." Rafe chuckled. "Jewelry will work pretty much every time though."

"Oh – I know it now. BELIEVE ME." Cam laughed louder. "So. Go on to your little tropical paradise. Enjoy yourself. We'll watch Ella and then you can watch Aidan when it's our turn."

"OK. It's a deal, you know..." Rafe stared into his brother-in-law's eyes and offered a challenge. "...if you really think you can pull it off."

Cam smiled back at him. "If I know what's good for me I'd better."