A/N: Sorry I've been MIA my loves. I've been a busy little bee. I have tons of chapters in my head – it's just getting the time to type is becoming increasingly difficult. I'll work as fast as I can. Until 34 – enjoy!! xox-G
Chapter Thirty-three
He walked into the apartment and smelled something burning. "Lynnie." Ethan whispered to himself. He smiled and shook his head as he moved towards the kitchen, grabbing an oven mit and pulling the pan from the oven before throwing it in the sink.
He ripped the window open to clear the air. Then, still smiling, he went to go find her.
Lynnie sat at her desk, typing furiously. Her glasses were perched on her nose and her hair thrown up in a knot. She was dressed in a ratty sweatshirt and a pair of his socks which didn't even match.
"Honey?" He called out to her.
She didn't even look up. Her fingers flew over the keys with lightning speed.
Ethan bent down to place a kiss on her hair. Even though he was serious, he couldn't help smiling. "How many times am I going to have to talk to you about this? Sweetheart – one of these days you're going to burn the place down."
"Hmmm?" Lynnie mumbled in reply, sighing as she hit the delete key and rewrote the sentence she had just typed.
"Gwendolyn. I can see you're busy – but when you're done – we're going to have a chat about what could happen when you start dinner and forget it." Ethan sighed himself and reached for the phone, hitting a key on speed dial.
Lynnie was oblivious as he chatted with the person on the other end. "Yeah. Hi! The usual." Ethan chuckled when he realized they knew exactly who he was and why he was calling. "Yep. She did it again. 20 minutes? OK. Thanks."
Grinning madly, Lynnie hit save and clicked her laptop shut. She was always so happy when she finished a chapter. "Hi! You're home!" She pushed away and looked up, giving Ethan a huge grin.
"Yes." He replied as he moved towards her again. "I'm home." He kissed her softly and stared into her eyes. "Lynnie…" He began.
"I missed you." She replied, still unaware as to what he was trying to say. She curled her arms around his neck and kept him close, kissing him back.
"I missed you too." He replied. "Lynnie…" He tried again.
"Yes?" She murmured as she gave him little nibbling kisses on the side of his neck.
Ethan glared at her as he stepped back and held her at arms length. "Sweetheart. We need to talk about something." He grabbed her hand in his and started walking.
"It sounds serious." Lynnie giggled as she followed him out into the living room.
"It is." He replied. "Lynn. Honey. Did you forget something?"
"No. I don't think so." She gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"
Ethan sniffed the air and gave her another chance. "Tell me something. What did you today?"
Lynnie smiled as she settled on the couch. "Umm. Let's see. I went to see Katie. Poor thing's going crazy all cooped up at home, but she looks great." She sighed, relief filling her voice, hoping that all the danger she saw for Katie was over at last. She continued recounting her day. "And then I had lunch with Lia."
"OK. …and then…" Ethan pressed on.
She inched closer to him and began to play with the buttons on his shirt. "I went to the bookstore and read to the kids. Aidan's been bugging me and I promised him. I'm so glad I did. It was great. and the bonus was that seeing him and Ty and Ella together gave me an idea."
"Sounds like fun. OK. And then???" Even though she was distracting him he knew he was close to getting her to remember.
"And then I came home to make you dinner and…" Lynnie's eyes opened wide. "Oh No!!! Ethan…" She sighed.
Ethan ran a hand through her hair. "Honey…"
"I can't believe I did this again. It's the…" She began – completely horrified.
"Third time this week. Yes. I'm aware of that." Ethan smiled at her and kissed her brow. "So is the guy at the pizza place."
"Oh God! Ethan." Tears filled her eyes.
He wouldn't let her go there. "Shh. Don't cry. It's OK. I'm just worried about you. I know how you get…"
Lynnie placed her hands on his shoulders and clung. "I was going to make a nice dinner. You've been working so hard – I wanted to do something for you. After all you've done for me…"
"It's OK." Ethan smiled and pulled her close. "You know what honey?"
"What?" Lynnie sniffled into his shoulder.
He laughed as he ran his hands through her hair, causing it to fall down around her shoulders. "If you want to do something nice for me – you don't have to make me dinner."
"But…" She protested.
"Lynnie. I know how it is. You get all caught up in things and you forget. It's OK. I know your work is important to you. But – you're clearly not cut out for cooking." He watched the shock wash over her features. "Lynnie." He said firmly, still grinning. "You're not. It's not a bad thing." He leaned close and stared into her eyes. "There are so many other things you're good at."
"But…" She began again.
He kissed her quickly to cut her off. "Tell me about the chapter." Ethan prompted.
That did it. He'd finally been able to distract her. She loved to tell him about what she was working on. "Oh Ethan. I really think it came out really well. There are these three kids – two boys and agirl – just like Ella, Aidan and Ty and they try and solve a mystery together." Her eyes sparkled behind her glasses. "My editor is going to freak out. She'll see dollar signs –and I can tell already it'll make a great series."
"Not to mention the fact that the kids will love to see themselves in a book. I can't wait to read it." He said as he kissed her again. His hands reached up to slip her glasses from her face. Smiling, Lynnie returned the favor and took his off as well. It was always a bit of a shock to see how different he looked without them. She giggled as she watched him try and focus. She knew full well that he couldn't see a thing.
"You'll be the first." She sighed as his lips touched hers again. "Always…"
"God. I love you Lynnie." He whispered against her skin and began to laugh again. "I'm just wondering…"
"What?" She asked dreamily as she tried to bring him back to her. The doorbell rang and she gave him a disappointed look as he moved to answer it.
"…if they'll deliver out to the farmhouse." He teased her as he pulled the door open and took their dinner from the delivery guy. "Otherwise, we might starve to death."
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Rafe checked the windows on the first floor; tugging at each of them to make sure they were closed and locked. There was no reason to open them. June had been unbelievably warm and they'd had the air conditioner running day and night.
He went over the checklist in his mind as he walked slowly upstairs. Tomorrow morning he and Alison would be leaving for their little vacation. Though he couldn't deny he'd been looking forward to it, it always made him nervous to leave the kids home. Worry still filling his mind he quietly peeked in on Ella, smiling as she watched her sleeping soundly. She sighed and turned in her sleep, snuggling further under the covers. He tiptoed towards her and pressed a kiss to her hair, his heart overflowing with love.
He eased back out into the hallway and moved towards Becky's door, noticing a light still spilling out from under it. He knocked softly and heard her reply, "Come in…"
She sat at her computer, starting intently at the screen. She quickly closed a few of the windows she was looking at, knowing that her father would be suspicious if he caught a glimpse and realized what she was up to.
"Hey Angel Face." Rafe said with a smile. "What are you doing up so late?"
She smiled up and him and told the truth. "I couldn't sleep."
The truth was she hadn't slept for days. She couldn't get the stuff with Kyle off her mind. She was completely torn. Part of her was happy she'd met him. He was sweet and funny and she couldn't deny that the sound of his voice sometimes gave her butterflies. But the fighting vampire thing was a high price to pay for some innocent flirting. She was so confused. Becky knew she had a calling. She'd felt it years and years ago. But she didn't think she wanted this. She liked her life the way it was – simple, uncomplicated. The minute Kyle bumped into her she had felt it. Her life would never be the same. She just wondered if she could handle all the changes.
Rafe moved over and kissed her forehead. "I've locked all the windows downstairs. Do me a favor. Don't open them OK?"
"OK, Dad." Becky nodded. "It's alright. I'll be fine." She'd been expecting this. She was sure her father had just started. She leaned back in her chair and prepared herself.
Rafe began to pace a bit. "Now. Grant and Chloe will check in on you if you need them. You can always stay with them if you feel uncomfortable here – you know that right? Ella will be with your aunt and uncle – so you won't need to worry about her."
"We went over this twice yesterday. I think I got it." Becky tried to hide her smile.
He didn't realize she was making fun of him. "I know you're a responsible kid, Rebecca. But I'll say it anyway. Listen to me carefully." He narrowed his eyes at her. "Absolutely no parties."
"DAD!" Becky rolled her eyes. She valued her life too much to take a chance like that. "Are you kidding me? I would never…"
"I'm just saying…" He replied. "I trust you Becky. I just…"
"…worry. I know." She said with a grin as she stood and crossed over to him and hugged him tight. She giggled as she said. "I love you Daddy. I'll be just fine. So will Ella. You and mom – you just relax and enjoy yourselves."
"OK." He said with a sigh as he kissed the top of her head softly. "I'm sorry."
"It's OK." She grinned as he pulled away. "You wouldn't be you if you didn't worry."
"God. You sound just like your mother." Rafe laughed as he moved towards the door.
"You should listen to her. She's a smart lady." Becky laughed back at him.
"She certainly is." He replied as he left her. "Goodnight, Angel Face."
"'Night Dad." Becky called out as he slipped back into the hallway.
Rafe was still smiling as he shut the door behind him. He could hear Alison humming off key as he walked into their bedroom. As he did, his eyes flew open in shock. "ALISON." He said as he rolled his eyes. "Two suitcases. TWO. I thought we agreed…"
Alison turned around and gave him a huge grin. "I know. I know. But Rafe…"
"Alison." He shook his head at her. "We're going for five days – not five weeks." He took a step into the room and tripped over a shopping bag. "What the hell??" Rafe sighed as he picked up the bag and began to rifle through it. "Alison…you don't need any more clothes."
She moved so quickly he couldn't believe it, crossing the room in an instant and ripping the bag out of his hands. "That – Rafe Kovich - is actually a surprise for you." She said as she gave him a wink.
"Oh really?" Rafe asked as he raised his eyebrows, now more curious than before. A dozen images of what Alison could be referring to ran through his mind. As he fought to remain patient, he scanned the room and saw six more shopping bags just like the one she had taken from him. "Umm. Alison?"
"Yes?" Alison replied, her voice distracted.
"What about those other bags? Are they all surprises for me?" He said, trying to sound stern.
Her head shot up and her mind spun furiously. She blinked and gave him an innocent look. "Yes. One for each night."
"There are six bags, Alison." He called her bluff. "Seven if you count the one you just took from me."
"Well." She said with a laugh. "One for each night and two for the umm beach."
"Alison." He laughed back at her.
"Rafe. I bet you I'll get all this in two suitcases." She put her hands on her hips and titled her chin up to him, offering a challenge.
She was so adorable. Rafe thought as he watched her. He couldn't believe in about eight hours he'd have her all to himself. "Two suitcases, huh?" He moved towards the bathroom and called out casually. "Did you pack my toothbrush yet?"
"No. It's still there." Alison replied as she continued to fold the items she knew would be essential for the trip, her mind spinning as she frantically tried to figure out how to make it all fit. She heard the faucet turn on and then off a few minutes later. She smiled to herself, suddenly coming up with a great idea.
Rafe walked back into the room, wiping his chin with a towel. He chuckled to himself as tossed it back into the bathroom and picked up a book, still watching her as he put his reading glasses on and settled in. He could see her trying to figure it all out in her mind. "Two normal sized suitcases, Alison." He added.
He laughed out loud as he watched Alison's face fall.
She decided to try and persuade him another way. She gave him a look and crawled onto the bed. "Just two?" She pouted as she inched towards him.
"Yes. Two." He replied.
Alison took the book from his hands and tossed it aside. "But Rafe…" She whispered as she gave him a kiss.
"Two. Alison." He replied, not swayed in the least.
"But…" She sighed and kissed him again, longer this time.
She was good – but he was determined. "No. TWO."
Alison lowered her voice and gave him her sultriest look. "Rafe. You know, we could start our little trip now if you want." She trailed her fingers up and down his chest as she added. "There's really no reason to wait till we get there."
Though it was quite a tempting offer, he knew what she was really up to. He reached over for his book again. He looked into her eyes and shrugged. "Nah. That's OK. I've waited this long – I can wait one more night." He bit his lip to keep from laughing at the look on her face. "You better finish packing." He said with a smile. "We're leaving in seven hours."
"I can't convince you?" Alison was shocked.
"Nope." Rafe chuckled and focused on his book.
She stared at him for a long moment and then bounced off the bed. Glaring at him she went to her suitcase and began pulling out an armful of silk and lace. She then took out two impossibly small bathing suits.
Rafe watched her and began to panic. "What are you doing?"
"If I can only take two suitcases I won't have enough room for these." She replied with a shrug.
In an instant he realized he should have given in. She'd do it too. She'd take every soft and silky nightgown she owned out of there and replace them with something much less sexy. She'd do it just to spite him. Not that he didn't think she looked amazing in anything she wore – but he couldn't deny he certainly appreciated it when she made an effort.
He needed to stop this before it got out of hand. Rafe scrambled out of bed and walked to the closet, pulling down another suitcase and placing it beside her other two. He grabbed the pile she'd just removed and placed them in the extra bag. "OK. You win." He whispered as he kissed her quickly.
Alison giggled as he pulled away. "I knew you'd cave." She laughed louder and continued packing. "Trust me, sweetie. You won't regret it."
"I'm sure I won't." He replied right before he kissed her again.
