A/N: I'm glad I've made you happy, girls. Katie dearest – you're just too smart for you own good. That's a fabulous idea. Grant should talk to Kyle.
Kathy and Ali – you guys are just too much. I can't say it enough – thank you so much for telling me how much you're enjoying reading. It really means a lot to me.
Bethany - Thanks to you too. Just a little warning…If I wasn't such a nice person I'd keep my next chapter hostage until you post one of your own. LOL! ;)
Melody dearest – I'm sorry to hear you've been sick too. :( I woke up with something today myself. I hope it's not the flu but at the moment I feel completely yucky.
Terri – I know it will take you a while to see this note...but you are more than welcome. Seems I just couldn't stay away. I don't know what I'll do next but I'll never say never again. :)
Livvie712 – Aw! Go easy on Kyle. He's just confused. As for what's next – no promises, no plans. I hate to start after The Gift because – in general – I hate to even acknowledge the events of The Gift. ;) But we shall see…
And Imagine04 – It's wonderful to hear from someone new. Your review made me :) It's lovely to hear that you enjoy my stories – even though I fear I'm not always as nice to Caleb and Livvie as I could be. LOL!
Maybe I'll kinda start now. I don't really like this chapter at all for some reason – it's too jumpy – too something. I don't know.
Oh well. Y'all be the judge. Until 63! xox-G
Chapter Sixty-two
"He's so tiny…" Livvie said as she gazed through the glass of the nursery.
Caleb took a deep breath as he regarded his grandson. 'Yes. But he's strong."
"Yes. He is." Livvie sighed as she handed Rachel over to her husband. She knew she needed to be someplace else at the moment. "Can you take her?" She whispered. "I need to go see Colin."
Caleb smiled as he took Rachel into his arms. He was awed by Livvie's devotion. She had always been like that, completely full of concern for their children. For a moment Caleb became sentimental, almost grateful. If he was being honest, he'd should say thank you to Cameron and to Rafe – for forcing him to wish on the ring all those years ago. Turning both he and Olivia mortal again made Colin's life possible. Years later, having the option gave him Rachel.
This is what bothered him most about the life he led. He loved Olivia's fire, her passion – the infuriating things she'd done in the past had ensured that he'd never be bored. When she was with their children she resembled Tess.
Or if he was being honest – she resembled his first Olivia.
He suddenly realized that didn't think about her much anymore. Not really, not until he saw Livvie with their children. It was then that he found himself thankful that things turned out the way they did. The Olivia he knew before would never have embraced the life he'd learned to accept. This Olivia – the one he'd was with now - was his true other half.
Rafe watched his enemy standing with his daughter and couldn't help but think it was the one thing they had in common.
"Is she alright?" Rafe asked softly, meaning either Livvie or Rachel.
Caleb's spine stiffened at the sound. He held Rachel closer, suddenly a bit uncomfortable. "She's fine." He replied, still staring through the window at their grandson. "And Katrina?"
Rafe took a deep breath. "I don't know." He answered honestly. "It's been so long. I'm beginning to think…" He found he couldn't say the words. "I'm waiting for Chris to tell me something but I don't think he has the answer." Frustration filled his voice as he added. "No one seems to have an answer."
Caleb turned to face Rafe completely confused. "You're waiting for Ramsey? You mean you haven't looked into a solution on your own?" It seemed impossible to him. Rafe was usually so obsessive, particularly when it came to his family.
Rafe's voice was full of anger. "I know that this isn't the first time this has happened. I know that year ago our ancestors went through something similar. But that story didn't have the ending we are looking for. Neither one of them survived."
Caleb turned away and Rafe paced back and forth a bit, finally stopping and gazing at his grandson again. If he didn't see with his own eyes how much Caleb's son loved his own daughter he would think this was all wrong. If he couldn't feel the love he already felt for their grandchild it would be so much easier.
He knew Caleb was committed to Livvie. He knew there was something about her that tied her to him forever. But he liked to think that it was different. He liked to think it was somehow less than what he himself felt for Alison. It was hard for him to wrap his head around a soulless creature actually being capable of love. But there it was, staring him in the face. The way Caleb fought to save Livvie made him sure of it, the way he was with his children made it even more obvious.
Rafe knew now what Alison had been trying to tell him for years. And once again he was reminded that nothing worth having was ever easy – even for someone like Caleb.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Chris stared at the results for what seemed like the thousandth time. He knew he was so close. He could feel it.
He thought of Kate and how long she had kept hanging on. He didn't dare tell Alison or Rafe or his wife for that matter, but Katrina should not still be here with them. It was nothing short of a miracle that she was still alive.
He rubbed a hand across his face and blinked. It was time to start again. There had to be something he was missing, just the tiniest piece of the puzzle. He knew he was almost there. He had to work fast before it was too late.
Ian stood outside the door to the lab, a folder - crumpled and faded with age clutched in his hand. Working with Ramsey was not something he was completely comfortable with. But they'd come close before and now maybe they'd finally find the answer they'd always searched for. He could almost hear Eve prompting to push the door open. In honor of her, and to help the daughter of one of his closest friends he sighed and walked into the room.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
He bent down to press a kiss to Chloe's forehead. She had had such a rough day. From being at the hospital to morning sickness, he had known it would take a lot out of her. He sighed as he stared at her and as he did, Grant heard the faint sound of a door clicking shut.
Intrigued he moved out into the hallway and caught a glimpse of Kyle moving down the stairs.
"Going somewhere?" He called out as he reached the main floor of the gym.
Kyle had placed the keys on the counter and had been searching for a pen. His head snapped up when he heard Grant's voice. "Hey. Grant. Yeah. I'm – I'm going home." He said sadly. "I was going to leave a note with the keys."
"Really?" Grant replied as he gave him a concerned look. "Does Becky know?"
"She knows." Kyle said with a nod. "She's the one who told me to leave."
"And you're going to listen to her?" Grant asked as he moved to sit on the couch.
Kyle didn't understand. He knew that Chloe had told him that Grant was proud of what he'd done, but he was sure that he'd side with his sister. If Becky didn't want him around, why would her family?
"Well. Yeah." Kyle finally replied. "Shouldn't I?"
"That depends." He said with a sigh. "Do you want to leave?"
Kyle had been happier here than anyplace else. Part of him felt guilty but he knew that if his father was in his right mind he'd be proud of what he'd been able to accomplish. But nothing compared to what it felt like to be with Becky. He couldn't bear being here now – now that she wanted nothing to do with him.
"No. I don't." He admitted. "But why should I stay? She doesn't want me here."
Grant shook his head. Was he honestly giving a lecture on love to a guy who was after his little sister? He guessed he was. "It would be hard. I know trust me. It's torture to live in the same place with someone you…" He took a deep breath and continued. "...its torture to live in the same place with someone you love and not be with them. I know exactly what it's like, because I did it myself for over a year."
Intrigued, Kyle put down his bag and moved to sit across from Grant. "Wait? What are you saying? Are you saying Chloe once told you to leave?"
"Yeah." Grant said softly.
"And you left?" Kyle couldn't believe it. The way Becky spoke about the two of them together, from what he had seen with his own eyes, it was shocking to think they hadn't always been as happy or as in love as they were now.
Grant was trying to figure out exactly what went wrong. He needed some more information. "You were there when Becky woke up weren't you?" He asked.
Kyle nodded. "Yeah. And that was when I realized that I never wanted to see her like that again."
"So. If you're not here – you won't have to see her." Grant offered.
"Exactly." Kyle agreed, glad he found someone who understood.
Grant smiled a bit as he continued. "And out of sight means out of mind right? So if you left, you wouldn't ever wonder how she was, what she's up to, who she's with?"
The thought of Becky even talking to someone else made Kyle's heart pound. Jealousy began to creep up and take hold. He knew, that if he was being honest to himself and to Grant, that he's always think of her. No matter where he was.
Grant could see him struggling and walked over to him. He put a hand on his shoulder and stared into the younger man's eyes. "It doesn't work that way – Kyle."
"But…" Kyle tried to find a better excuse to do what he thought was right. He kept coming up empty.
"Listen to me when I tell you. I know my sister. She's all about fairy tales and happy endings. I bet you she was just disappointed you weren't sitting beside her, pledging your undying love for her when she woke up."
Kyle stared at his hands and sighed. "I know. I didn't. But I really wanted to…"
Grant stood and cut him off. This was more information than he wanted. The thought of Becky being old enough to be in love was something he still couldn't completely accept. "Kyle. Please. There's only so much I'm willing to discuss with you. Here's a suggestion. Go bring her some flowers and tell her you're sorry."
"That won't work…" Kyle said softly -nervous and completely unsure of himself.
"Trust me. It'll work like a charm." Grant walked to the counter and grabbed the keys tossing them at Kyle as he moved to the stairs. "Go on. Get out of here. I'll see you over there in a bit."
Kyle watched Grant go and then stared at the keys in his hand. He summoned up his courage and walked towards the door. If Becky cared enough to save his life perhaps there was a chance she'd still want to see him. Now, after talking to Grant – he didn't think he could leave without at least giving it one more try.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Livvie softly came up behind her son, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "Colin honey."
"She won't wake up." He whispered not turning around. "I sit here. I've been sitting here for hours – for days - but she still won't wake up. I talk to her, I've sung to her. I sit here and just hold her hand but still…nothing."
"Colin…" She tried again.
"I'll sit here forever if I have to." He promised as he ran his hand over Kate's again. "I'm not leaving until I hear her voice."
Livvie realized all at once that he must have never left her side. "Colin. You need to take care of yourself."
"I need to take care of her." He turned to face his mother briefly before focusing on Katrina again. "I've done a lousy job up until now. I mean really. Look at her Mom. It's my fault. I should have stayed away…"
"Colin. Stop. Please." Livvie could see her pleas were falling on deaf ears.
Colin's voice softened as he changed the subject and asked her. "Did you see him?"
"Yes. Sweetheart, he's beautiful." Livvie whispered.
"She hasn't even seen him. She never woke up. She has to see him." Colin said as he held Kate's hand tighter.
"Colin…" Livvie tried again.
"She has to…" He said over and over again, the fact that he was no longer alone in the room simply not registering. "She has to…"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Honey please. I hate for you to be so upset." Alison said as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"But. Oh God. Katie. Mom. I had no idea…" Becky said with a sob.
"I know. It's OK…" Alison whispered as she pulled her daughter close.
"Ouch…" Becky whispered as she winced. She sighed as she fell back onto the pillows.
"I'm sorry sweetie." Tears filled Alison's eyes. "Please. You need to take care of yourself."
"No I am. I did something so stupid. I tried to save someone who didn't want to be saved." Becky relied.
"He was frightened, Becks. It has nothing to do with him being ungrateful." Alison pulled back and gently dried her tears.
"That's ridiculous." Becky said with a shake of her head. "Mom, really. What did he expect me to do? Like I was supposed to just stand there and let someone kill him?"
"I know it's hard to understand, but all slayers seem to be cut from the same cloth. I tried to save your father once. Fighting a vampire didn't really scare me. It was afterwards that scared me to death." Alison ran a hand over Becky's cheek as she spoke.
"How so?" Becky asked intrigued.
Alison stared into her daughter's eyes as she explained. "I thought he was angry at me, for things I said to him to keep him safe. Turns out he was really just frightened because I'd put myself in danger and he thought he might lose me."
"Really?" Becky seemed completely unconvinced. "So you think Kyle acted like a jerk because he really does love me? You think he's afraid of living without me?"
Alison began to laugh. "He's not a jerk, Rebecca. First of all – I think you should remember that after you…" Alison fought to keep her voice steady as she imagined the scene. "…after you got hurt, Kyle was the one to kill Mark. He didn't even hesitate. Your brother said he did an amazing job."
She stared at her lap and idly picked at her blanket. "Really?" Becky said again, wanting with all her heart to believe it was true.
Becky's eyes met Alison's and she recognized the look in them well. Rafe better be prepared, she thought with a small smile. Becky's heart was long gone it seemed. "Really." She said as she reached for her hand. "So don't be too hard on him. I know it's difficult to understand but trust me. Kyle wasn't able to keep you from getting hurt before. He's just trying to make up for it now."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Deep in her mind Katrina was happy. When she retreated there she could feel it. She was with Colin and her son. Things were quiet and peaceful.
For once in the longest time she didn't feel tired, she felt alive and full of energy.
She wanted to come back to him, if only to say goodbye. Kate could feel his hand in hers and she wanted to squeeze it so he'd know she could hear him. But in reality, she was just so tired.
Colin wouldn't know what to do without her at first, but her mother would help him – his mother could help him. She wouldn't have to worry. Her son would be safe from the life that Caleb led because he was part of her. He'd be a slayer too.
In her mind Kate could see her father training him, just as he'd trained her and her brother and sisters. She could see her son running around, laughing and giggling and surrounded by love. She wanted to be with him but if she couldn't – she knew he'd be well taken care of.
Fighting to break through she summoned all her strength and gave Colin's hand a weak squeeze.
Colin felt it immediately. His head shot up, startling Livvie as she wiped tears from her eyes. "Katrina?" He whispered as he moved closer to her. "Katrina. Come on. Please. Come back to me."
Her eyes remained closed and she lay so still. But faintly, unbelievably, he heard her whisper his name.
Livvie heard it too. She moved and rested a hand on her son's shoulder.
"That's it. Katrina. Come on." Colin pleaded with her, his voice rising and full of hope. "Please…" He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "Wake up. I need you to wake up. Come back to us, please. The baby needs you."
"The baby…" She murmured.
"Yes. Sweetheart. He's here, and he's so beautiful and so strong. He's just like you. You need to wake up and see him. Come on. I know you can. Please…"
For the first time in days he thought it would all be alright. He could see it. She was coming back to him.
But despite his hopes, his heart broke when he heard her speak again. She opened her eyes and stared into his as she whispered. "I love you, Colin." Her eyes closed again as she added. "Goodbye…"
