Chapter Twenty-nine
"You need to take a break." Livvie said softly from the doorway. "Come to bed."
"I don't need sleep Olivia." Caleb replied. "I'm fine."
"It's almost morning. You've been at this all night." She whispered as she moved towards him.
Caleb flipped through the book in front of him and scribbled something down on the pad beside him. "I'm trying to prove our son wrong. Trust me. It's not easy. He's so stubborn."
Livvie smiled to herself. Wonder where he got it from she thought. She was slightly surprised as she realized what he'd been doing. "Caleb. You're helping him."
He gave her a look. "Of course I'm helping him. He's misguided and weird but he's still my son."
"Weird?" Livvie asked then.
"He actually likes living like that." Caleb shivered a bit. "He's abnormal."
Livvie smiled wider. This was something she knew Caleb would never get over – for eternity. The smile left her face as she remembered why he had been down here all night. "Have you figured anything out yet?"
"No. I don't think I'm even close." Caleb admitted, flipping another page in frustration. "Mostly – I can't figure out why the slayer hasn't flown over here and come banging our door down." He sighed at the image. "You know he's blaming all this on me."
"It's not an easy situation. But I'm with you. This isn't just our fault – those Kovichs have got all that sugar running through her veins." She agreed pretending to get the chills.
"Exactly." Taking a deep breath he threw down the pen in his hand and pushed away from the desk. "I can't take it. Much too sweet for me." He said with a smile.
"Me too." Livvie said as she crossed to him and eased into his arms. Her voice got serious as she pulled him close. "But not for Colin..."
Caleb couldn't believe his son was so enamored of that kind of life. Unbelievably, being mortal made his son happy. But now he was far from it. Somehow – this needed to be fixed because when Colin was unhappy, Livvie was unhappy and unhappy Livvie was not something he enjoyed. He buried his nose into her hair and inhaled deeply as he replied. "No. Not for Colin."
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"That was nice." Alison yawned and stretched as she walked up the stairs.
She glanced over her shoulder at Rafe. "I guess the girls are asleep. It's later than I thought."
"Yeah." He replied, somewhat distracted and getting anxious. He couldn't wait to see her reaction to what he had planned.
As they made their way into the bedroom she stopped and turned quickly, grabbing hold of his shirt and pulling him towards her. She ran her hands up his chest and twined them around his neck. She eased close and kissed him softly.
"What was that for?" He asked as she pulled away.
"Just because." She said with a smile. "Because Katie seems better and more than that, she seems incredibly happy. I didn't tell you but I was really worried about her. I think it might be alright now." She kissed him again and whispered. "I just felt like letting you know that I love you. More than anything."
"I love you too." He whispered as he leaned down to kiss her again. "Want to know how much?"
"I already do." She giggled as he held her closer.
"That may be." He murmured against her neck. "Alison. I have a surprise for you."
"A big surprise or a little surprise?" She asked – her mind spinning, distracted by his kisses.
"Big." He laughed at her. "C'mere." Rafe reached for her hand and brought her to sit on the bed.
Alison sat and smiled up at him. "I love surprises!"
He kissed her again and began. "I know. OK. Here's something you already know. It's no surprise that I'm trying to get you alone." He narrowed his eyes and laughed. "It's time to take desperate measurers."
Alison ran a hand through his hair. "Yes. I know. Things have been crazy."
"They have. I want you alone. I mean really alone. Where no one but me calls your name – and no one walks in on us." He said his voice soft and filled with laughter.
"I still can't believe that." She laughed back at him remembering.
"Me either." He replied shaking his head. "So. Close your eyes."
"Rafe..." She protested.
"Close them." He demanded softly staring at her until he saw her comply. "OK. Picture a soft sandy tropical beach, where the sand feels like velvet beneath your feet. The sun warming your skin and a gentle breeze running through your hair. Can you see it?"
"Mmm hmmm." She replied, imagining in vivid detail. "Are you there with me?"
"Yes. Of course." He said softly. "We'll both be there. Next weekend. Open your eyes."
She kept her eyes shut tight. "No. I like it where I am. It's nice here. Do me a favor. Tell the waiter I want a pina colada."
"Alison." He laughed at her. "Open your eyes."
She finally relented. Her eyes fluttered open slowly and she caught sight of the brochure he held. She snatched it from his hand. "Ooo! That's gorgeous!"
"So are you." Rafe said as he took her mouth in a passionate kiss. "Come away with me, Angel." He whispered against her lips.
"Rafe..." She sighed. "You planned all this yourself? I can't believe you."
"Come on. Next weekend." He kissed her again. "And listen to me..." He said as he squinted his eyes at her. "You don't need to pack much."
"Rafe..." She laughed, knowing what he was really saying.
"One suitcase - I mean it. You won't need much more than your bathing suit – I promise you." He said, trying to keep his voice stern. The image of Alison in a tiny bikini flew through his mind. His eyes clouded as he stared into hers again. "C'mon. Say yes."
"Yes." Alison replied as she snatched the brochure off the bed and stared at it again. She squealed. "Yes!" again as she rained kisses all over his face. "You're the best husband ever." She said softly as she pushed him down into the pillows. "Oh Rafe it looks fabulous! I can't wait."
"Me either." Rafe replied with a laugh as he pulled her close. As he kissed her again, he was distracted as he listened and heard what he could only imagine was Becky sneaking downstairs for a snack. He sighed as he added, "It can't come soon enough."
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Sunlight streamed through the window, warming her face and making her smile in her sleep. She shifted and winced as she realized her hand was throbbing a bit. The smile left her face as she remembered what had happened.
Billie could hear hushed voices from the other room as Billie fought to open her eyes. She looked down and noticed that she was still dressed in her clothes from the night before.
She moved to sit up and as she did she noticed a blanket tossed over a chair nearby. "He slept here?" She said to herself. I can't believe it.
She heard Ty's giggle from the other room, and another voice low and deep. "Quinn..." She whispered. "He's still here."
Curious and suddenly feeling brave she pulled her hair up in a ponytail and walked towards the door. She'd have loved to be able to go into the bathroom and at least splash some water on her face but she couldn't get there without walking out into the living room anyway.
Sighing she made her way towards the sounds that had woken her.
"It's really, really sticky." Ty said in a loud whisper.
"It's glue, Ty. It's supposed to be sticky." Quinn replied with laughter in his voice. He shushed him and then noticed it was too late. Billie had walked in. "Good morning." He said softly as he caught her eye. He stood and blocked the little project he and Ty had been working on together.
"Hey Bill! You're awake!" Ty said excitedly. "We went out – me and Quinn – and we bought bagels."
She could smell them toasting and grinned back at him. "I see that."
"You didn't have any coffee, so..." Quinn began to explain.
"I don't drink it and it's very expensive." Billie replied, her voice sharp. Despite remembering how he'd been with her last night she started building up a wall again without even realizing it.
Not this time, Belinda. Quinn warned her silently with a look. "It wasn't a complaint. I was just explaining why we went out."
Billie took a deep breath – still extremely unsure of herself. "I'm sorry." She whispered. Having someone take care of her took getting used to.
"It's OK." Quinn replied. "How's the hand?"
"It's OK." She said as she glanced at it. "You stayed..." She whispered.
"Yes." He said matter-of-factly with a nod. He caught her gaze and realized this all might be too much for her. He looked down at Ty and nudged him a bit. "OK, Slugger. I need to get moving. You ready?"
Ty nodded and his eyes lit up. Billie could tell they were up to something from the moment she walked in the room.
Ty giggled as he told her. "We bought bagels and we bought superglue. Look, Bill. We fixed it." He said proudly as he turned and carefully picked up the vase. "You can't use it for flowers like before but..."
Billie's eyes flew open in shock and filled with tears. He'd done this for her. He'd gone out early in the morning to glue it back together. She took the vase from Ty's little hands and ran her hands over it. The cracks were barely visible. There was a chip on the top but it was all in one piece again. For the first time she believed that maybe someday – she could be too.
Ty watched her cry and was beside himself. "You said it would make her happy." Ty turned to Quinn and said, his voice quivering.
Billie fought to reassure him. "I am honey." She said. She looked into Quinn's eyes and added. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He replied with a smile. Quinn knew this thing – whatever it was or turned out to be – would need to happen slowly. It was time for him to go. "Enjoy your breakfast, Belinda." He said to her. He ran his hand over Ty's head before moving towards the door. "I'll see you later, Slugger."
"Wait..." Billie called out as she moved to him and placed a hand on his arm. She took a deep breath and held his gaze again, mesmerized by his sapphire eyes. They were the kindest eyes she'd ever seen. Before she could lose her nerve, she leaned in and brushed her lips across his cheek. "Thank you Quinn." She whispered as she pulled away.
"You're welcome." He replied. He knew he should go, but he ignored his own advice and leaned in close and touched his mouth to hers. The kiss was short and soft and he'd moved away so quickly she barely had time to react. He saw the look of confusion on her face and realized it really was time to go. Quinn turned the doorknob and walked out into the hallway, still smiling.
So much for going slow. He thought with a sigh. Whistling to himself he glanced at his watch – realizing he could catch Lia at the station. He needed to find out how much she'd been able to dig up on that derelict Mark.
Someone should warn that guy. He thought as anger began to bubble up inside him. When he and Lia found him, he had no idea what he was in for.
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They sat in the kitchen. Kate stirred her tea and watched as Colin angrily stared into his coffee. "I can't believe you didn't tell him." Colin shook his head at her. "Katrina..."
"I know. I know." She replied, trying to calm him. "But I just couldn't. He was so excited. He's taking my mom away. He made all these plans. I couldn't ruin it. Colin, you know once I tell him he'll have me under lock and key."
"That's true. But..." He ran his hand through his hair and couldn't hide his frustration.
Kate looked at him with hope filling her eyes. "Chris wants to see me today. Maybe he found something. Maybe by the time my parents get back I'll be better."
She was grasping onto whatever she could and Colin just kept getting angrier. This was supposed to be a time when they should able to enjoy every moment. They should be making plans and painting the baby's room. It should be the happiest time of their lives. But instead they were anxious and fearful and walking on eggshells. He didn't know how much more he could take.
He looked over at her and sighed. He wanted to believe. "Katrina."
For the last few weeks it had gone like this. A seesaw back and forth. Today it was Kate's turn to be strong because Colin was floundering. She sat beside him and stared into his eyes. "Let's go and see. He sounded optimistic, Colin – he really did."
"I want this to be over." Colin said as he pulled her close. "I want us to just be able to enjoy this and be happy. I want you to stop having to be poked and prodded and tested day after day, week after week. This isn't fair. I thought we were done fighting, Katrina. I thought the worst was over."
"I know." She whispered into his shoulder. "It's OK."
Colin fought to regain control. "OK." He said with a sigh. "We'll see what Chris says. But if nothing changes – Katrina you have to tell your parents. If things don't change soon we're going to need everyone we can get to help us fight."
"I know." Kate said with a nod, still hoping for the end of all this to come today. Maybe it would. Maybe today they'd get their miracle. She eased closer to Colin and held him tight. She had to believe it could happen. There was no other option.
