A/N: I realize this might not be the merriest chapter – I'm usually so good at matching up holidays but we're out of luck because in the story it's summer and alas there's no snow. But, what we do have is the fact that our favorite slayer is in the hospital and of course all sorts of other things are happening too.
I want to take a sec to say thanks again for all of you for reading. I truly appreciate the time you take out of your day to share in my wacko obsession with me.
Have a wonderful holiday one and all – may Santa be good to you – and may you have a happy safe and healthy new year.
Until 42 – enjoy! xox-G
Chapter Forty-one
Rachel shook her dark head of curls and smiled over at her father. She had been playing quietly for hours. His daughter had an amazing imagination. He thought for the millionth time how he ever could imagine life without her. Questions he didn't want the answers to filled his mind. She was so sweet and innocent. His first born denied his legacy. Would his daughter do the same?
Caleb didn't want to know right now. Right now she was here, she was his and she was happy. There was still time to figure out the rest.
The days went by and as each one passed he still couldn't believe the slayer hadn't summoned him. Just as that thought filled his head the phone rang. There he is now. Caleb thought with a smirk. He crossed to the phone and picked it up.
"Domino's Pizza." He said with a smile clearly heard in his voice. Despite the way Rafe made him crazy, he couldn't deny that he found him entertaining.
"You sound well, Caleb." A deep menacing voice replied.
Caleb was taken aback. It was more than just the fact that he'd been expecting the call to be from Rafe. He could sense trouble. Immediately his eyes focused on Rachel again. "What do you want?"
"Not much." The voice continued, mocking him. "Just a friendly reminder that I'm around – and that I'm not going anywhere."
"Oh. Thank you for the update. I was sitting here, all a flutter just wondering…"Caleb said bitterly.
"You sound less than thrilled to hear from me." The caller replied.
Caleb shrugged. "No. On the contrary. Don't flatter yourself. Trust me, in my life you are insignificant."
The voice on the other end shook with anger. "You'll live to regret that."
Caleb rolled his eyes and was anxious to finish the call. "I'll live to regret a lot of things. Don't call here again."
There was a long pause and then a bitter chuckle. "Just giving you a little warning. Keep an eye on what's yours – Caleb."
"Are you threatening my family?" Caleb's voice rose close to ten octaves. He couldn't believe his ears.
A long cackling laugh was heard on the other end. "I guess you'll have to wait and see."
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Chloe sat with Grant and Ella, who had fallen fast asleep in her arms. She pressed a soft kiss to her head and smiled over at her husband. "Are you taking notes?" She whispered as she nudged him with her elbow.
Grant was preoccupied. So much had happened his head was still spinning. "Hmmm?"
"Please." Chloe begged with a laugh. "Don't make me go through this myself in a few years."
He turned and smiled at her. "Oh c'mon."
"Don't give me that. I got a preview the other day when you went psycho on that poor kid." Chloe insisted. She shifted Ella on her lap and hugged her tighter. "I can see it now. You're just like him when it comes to this."
Grant nodded and leaned in to kiss her. "OK. I promise." He said with a smile as he pulled away. He could tell by the look in her eye she didn't quite believe him.
He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. "I'm just glad he's OK."
Chloe smiled back at him as she replied. "Me too."
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Colin hung up the phone and tried to hold back his laughter as he walked into the bedroom. His stir crazy wife was sitting up in bed, flipping through a catalog full of baby things. Kate's face brightened as she saw him enter.
"Hi sweetheart! Come here. Look at this." She held a hand out to him.
Colin appeared at her side and took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. He settled beside her and looked at the picture of the crib she was gushing about.
"Isn't it beautiful?" She asked with a sigh.
"Isn't it the same as the one you showed me yesterday?" He replied.
"NO." Kate rolled her eyes. "Colin – please. Pay attention. That one had scrollwork around the top. This one has much cleaner lines."
"Of course. Cleaner lines." He chuckled at her. Like the baby would notice. "Katrina. That was you Aunt Abby on the phone."
"Oh really?" Kate replied absentmindedly, still flipping through the catalog. "What's new with her?"
Colin smiled at her and tried to find a way to begin. "Actually, she wasn't calling to catch up. She wanted to let you know something. Before I tell you I need to let you know that it was a false alarm. He's absolutely fine."
Kate's eyes flew open and she stared at him, her voice shaking a bit. "Who's fine?"
He took her hands in his and gazed into her eyes. "Your father. He's in the hospital."
"What?! Oh my God." Kate sobbed. "I have to go…" She struggled to break free of his grasp and get up.
"Katrina. What did I just say?" Colin took her chin in his hands and made her focus. "He's OK. And you're not going anywhere."
She fought to take the words in. He's fine. He's OK. She repeated to herself over and over. "OK. OK." She said as she took a deep breath. "He's fine. Please Colin, tell me. What happened?"
He fought to keep the laughter from his voice. "Becky's got a boyfriend…"
"And?" Kate prompted.
"And your father almost had a heart attack – well – OK - not really. He just freaked out and gave a good impersonation of someone who had a heart attack." Colin began to laugh softly.
"Colin – stop talking in circles. Did he or didn't he?" Kate nearly yelled at him.
Colin stopped laughing and gave her a smile. "He didn't. He's in perfect health. But I think this little scare might just be what cures him from scaring the hell out of guys who fall for his daughters."
Kate nodded and finally breathed more easily. "I knew it would happen someday." She said with a smile.
Colin smoothed the hair away from her face and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "We all did." He replied.
Her eyes opened wide in horror. "Oh my God Colin. How are we going to tell him about me?"
Colin couldn't believe he hadn't thought of that himself. "Katrina…"
Tears threatened to fall as she sank into his arms. "We have to – but – I mean – if he went this crazy about Becky…"
"Kate. Please don't worry. I know he'll be upset but it'll all be OK." He promised her. "We'll tell him in a few days, when he's home. Trust me, I doubt your mother will let him get too crazy – not after this."
"My mom." Kate gasped. "Oh God. She must have been terrified. I mean – I can just imagine. If it had happened to you…"
"Shh." Colin whispered as he held her tight. "I know."
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"Can I go home now?" Rafe asked exasperated.
"I don't know…" Ian replied. He turned to the young man next to him. "Dr Thornhart? What do you think?"
Danny tried to keep a straight face. Rafe still made him uneasy, a carryover from when he and Kate were dating. As father's go, Cam was tough but Rafe was near to impossible. "I think he's in the clear. But you know, maybe just a few more tests..."
Rafe's eyes glittered with anger. "Let me out of here. I'm fine."
"See now. This concerns me. Listen to that monitor." Ian chuckled.
"Could be another attack." Danny agreed.
Alison watched Rafe's face and she knew he was five seconds from ripping off the sensors they'd placed on his chest and bolting out the door.
"Rafe, honey. What did we talk about?" She called out sweetly.
He took a deep breath and pleaded at her with his eyes. "Alison. Come on. They're just doing this to annoy me."
"Then use it as an exercise in patience." She said having not an ounce of sympathy for him. "Rafe. You are not leaving here until you calm down.
"I think she has it all under control, lad, let's go." Ian said, still laughing as he and Danny left the room.
"Alison…" Rafe sighed.
"Tough luck. You're staying here tonight." She said with a smile.
"Alison…" He said again.
"I need you to understand how serious I am. I want you to take tonight to realize that this has got to stop."
"I can do that at home." Rafe grumbled.
"Perhaps. But I don't want you to." She giggled. "I'm taking Ella home and giving her dinner. I'll leave her with Becky and come back to see you later."
"Alison…"
She shook her head at him as she walked to his bedside. "This is not up for discussion." She said with a grin as she leaned down to kiss him. "Behave yourself. I'll bring you something to eat when I come back."
"I can't believe you're doing this." He said still trying to get out of it.
"I can't believe you ended up here." She replied as she made her way out. "I love you. Be back later."
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Becky wandered the halls, finally ending up in the hospital cafeteria. She smiled when she saw Kyle sitting there, intently shredding a napkin.
"What's the matter?" She called out to him softly.
He looked up at her sadly. "I can't believe you're asking that. I almost killed your father."
Becky giggled at him. "Kyle. Stop it. You did not."
"Oh no. I did." He insisted. "I saw how scared you were. You need to stay away from me Becky."
She ignored him and sat in the chair beside him. "Nice try, but the last thing I need in my life is another guy telling me what to do. My dad and Grant have that covered thank you very much."
"Becky…" Kyle sighed as he turned to face her. "This was a mistake."
The laughter left her voice. She knew what he was referring to. "You really think so?"
He stared into her eyes. "Yeah. I mean. Can't you see it? The first time we talked I made you faint – when your father heard about me he ended up in a ambulance – I'm clearly a threat to you and your family's health."
"Well you know - contrary to current events we Kovichs are actually a pretty tough group." She replied with a smirk. "It's OK. My dad will live."
"I don't doubt it." Kyle took a deep breath and fought to do the right thing. It would help if he could stop staring into her eyes, if his hand weren't itching to touch her.
He pushed back his chair and stood. "I'm glad he's OK." He said softly. "It was really great meeting you Becky – but I'm going to do what's best for everyone – I think. I'm just gonna go."
Becky tried to keep her voice steady as she watched him. "Just like that?"
He nodded sadly.
"OK." Becky said softly as she stood herself. "Have a great life, Kyle."
Kyle expected her to try and convince him otherwise. He blinked at her reaction. "Becky…"
"You do what you think is best." She continued with a smile.
He knew leaving was the right thing. He nodded again and moved towards the door.
"I'll miss you." Becky called out as he made his way out into the corridor.
As the door closed behind him Kyle found it hard to take another step. He stared at the door, wondering how he could go back without embarrassing himself. As hard as it might be – it would be easier than walking away from her.
