On the drive to the airport, Ian couldn't get the latest visit from the INS out of his head. He kept replaying it over and over, wishing he had handled it better. He wondered if Lucy had ever called the immigration attorney, but didn't want to ask her. If he mentioned it, she'd know immediately that something was still up with the INS and she had enough to worry about without his adding to it. She looked so tired, even when she was sleeping—he had lain in bed and watched her sleep for a while after they made love the previous evening. It seemed that even their lovemaking was reflecting their mood, and he missed the passionate Lucy… but that was probably just what happened when you were managing two careers and a houseful of kids. He could be patient with her, for as long as she needed, and he'd help her in any way that she'd let him.
He parked the car and went into the airport to meet Rafe. He wished that he felt better about his visit, but he concerned that Rafe had another agenda he didn't know about. He was waiting at the end of the terminal when Rafe came out carrying his same old duffle bag. His hair was longer, and he sported a goatee, but otherwise he was the same Rafe Kovich. He embraced Ian and smiled broadly at him, "Ian! It's so good to see you again…it feels like forever since I've been home. Where are Lucy and the kids?"
"We decided that it would be easier for me to pick you up at the airport alone. The wee ones get to be a handful, and …well, you know." Ian answered.
"Yeah, I know. Everyone's okay, though?" Rafe asked his friend.
"Oh, yeah, everyone's great. Did you bring any other luggage, or is this it?"
"This is it; we can go straight to the car. I always did like to travel light." Rafe answered.
"Yeah, I remember," Ian said almost nostalgically. "We need to talk about some things in the car, okay? Something's come up that you need to know before you see Lucy and the kids."
"Is anything wrong?" Rafe asked as soon as Ian pulled out of the parking lot.
"No, not exactly wrong, but I wanted to give you a warning. Kevin's bringing Livvie to Thanksgiving dinner, and…" Ian paused. "And you need to keep the slayer talk to a minimum anyway—but not at all when she's at the house. Lucy and I, we agreed that there'll be no talk of vampires and avatars and such around the wee ones. Can you do that for us?"
"Sure, Ian, no problem. It's really not suitable for children anyway… except around a campfire. When they're older I can give them some great stories to spook their friends!" Rafe answered with a laugh. "Wow…Livvie's coming back, too. Seems like old times, doesn't it?"
"Not really. The dinner table will have a few less guests this year… because you're here. I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, just being honest here," Ian said his brogue thickening with emotion. "Alison and her friends will be doing their own celebration this year, and I have to tell you that Lucy will miss them. But there'll be plenty of good times to share together with those that will be coming. I just want you to understand that some hearts are still broken, and the healing's going slow."
"I… I know… and I know that I'm the cause," Rafe whispered. "You know I still love her, don't you? I always will."
"Aye, I know. Let's talk of something happier, what do you say? I can't wait for you to meet the wee lass—she's a beauty! And such a good baby… been sleeping through the night since she was six weeks old!" Ian bragged.
"I can't wait to meet her either…the next slayer…wow! There was a time when I thought that Lucy and I were the last of the line. Did Lucy get the ceremony arranged?" Rafe said.
"What ceremony! What slayer! You bloody well better not be talking about my daughter, Rafe!" Ian roared at the younger man.
"Lucy … I mean I told Lucy all about it…it's just a little something that we always do to celebrate the birth of another Kovich," Rafe said defensively.
"In case you haven't noticed, my daughter's name is THORNHART, boyo, not Kovich—even her ma's never been a Kovich!" Ian was incensed.
It doesn't mean anything! I … uh… she won't be starting her training or anything yet," Rafe stammered.
"What do ye mean, training! There are NO SLAYERS in my family… Jesus, Mary and Joseph! My wife has turned her back on that blarney, and I'll certainly not have my wee lass following in your footsteps!" Ian could barely control his temper enough to drive the car. He was grateful when the signal changed and he could stop and turn to face the younger man. "Have you gone daft? Here I was defending you to everyone and you're plotting to steal my daughter behind my back!"
"Ian… Ian… I'm sorry. I… I didn't realize that Lucy hadn't mentioned it. It's okay… we've never discussed Caroline's training… it's just… just…" Rafe couldn't say anything else when he saw the sorrow in Ian's eyes. "Forget I said anything… we can talk about this another time if you want… I just want to have a happy Thanksgiving with my family… can we do that?"
Ian drew in a ragged breath and nodded at Rafe, "Okay… it's tabled for now… but we will be discussing it again. And don't even think of performing any ceremony without my permission."
"No problem… I wouldn't dream of it… still friends?" Rafe answered quietly.
"For now, boyo!" Ian said with a forced laugh. They didn't speak anymore until Ian pulled the car into the driveway. Lucy opened the front door and stood watching the men walk up to the house. She recognized some tension in Ian, he seemed to always be stressed lately, and hoped that everything was all right between him and Rafe.
Lucy walked into the living room carrying three beers, "Well, they're all in bed, though I don't guarantee that they're actually asleep!" She handed a beer to Rafe and another to Ian, who set it on the table and picked up his glass of whiskey.
"Thanks, love. Sit yourself right here and I'll warm you up, what do you say?" Ian said as he patted the couch. Lucy sat down and snuggled close to Ian, who put his arm around her and pulled her close.
"Well, Cousin, what's been keeping you busy lately?" Lucy asked.
"Uh… excuse me… I need to ask you two something'" Ian interrupted before Rafe could speak. "Uh… Rafe mentioned some ceremony for Caroline… one that I didn't know about?"
"Oh… that. I was going to tell you about it, but it never seemed to be the right time," Lucy said. "It's just some naming ceremony—that's what it is, right Rafe?—that has been done in the Kovich family for generations. It sounded sweet—and since I've never gotten to know much about my Kovich roots—I thought it might be a nice tradition to start with Caroline."
She looked at Ian, and felt terrible for not mentioning it earlier, she reached up and caressed his cheek, "I'm sorry sweetheart… we won't do it if it bothers you… I just didn't think it was anything… you know… anything terrible."
Rafe interjected, "Yeah, Ian, I'm sorry, too. Would you like me to explain it… then you can decide if it's okay for Caroline."
"All right, then, tell me about this thing you want to do," Ian answered softly.
"Well, we could do it here or at a church, or even the park, it doesn't matter where. We basically ask all the Kovich's that have come before to bless and protect this new member of the family—and we bestow her names upon her and enter them in the Book."
"What book?" Ian and Lucy asked in unison. "You never mentioned any book, Cousin," Lucy said accusingly.
"It's just a very old volume that has recorded all of the Kovich's—their names and birthdates, kind of a family tree, I guess you'd call it," Rafe answered evasively.
"Cousin, I know you. There's something you're not telling us," Lucy answered. "I told you we'd maybe do a little naming ceremony, but I never agreed to passing down the family business. Out with it, what aren't you telling us?"
"Well… the Book also records each Slayer's special talents—and their kills…" Rafe answered.
"…And their deaths and I imagine they mostly died pretty young. Am I right?" Ian said.
"Yeah, you're right. But the Book has always remained in the hands of the Kovich's. It's protected—the pages can't be read by anyone but the family—you and me and Lucy, we're the only ones that can read it or write in it."
"But I'm not a Kovich," Ian replied.
"You're married to one… that makes you family. In past generations, it has sometimes been up to the husband or wife to keep the family going. I've kept it in a safe deposit box here in Port Charles since I came here, you can read it if you want to. It belongs to you and Lucy as much as it belongs to me… more so when you consider that you're continuing the line."
"You really don't get it do you, Rafe?" Ian answered. "I'll not consider carrying on anything without Lucy… and I'll certainly not risk my child to your family honor," Ian said in measured tones.
"I'm not asking you to, Ian. I'm just asking you to read the book and decide for yourself. I'm sorry, but one day Lucy will have to tell Caroline about her heritage. Remember what Lucy went through… for so many years… because she didn't know. Caroline will have her own special gifts, and she'll know she's different. It's only fair that she know who and what she is… then she can decide for herself. Plus, there's always therisk that someone will come after her and Lucy… you need to be prepared." Rafe pointed out.
"Rafe… I've a mind to throw you out of here right this minute, and tell you never to darken our doorstep again. You are telling me that my family is in danger, and that my wee babe could be a target from some unholy… thing!" Ian said, his voice rising.
Lucy placed her hands on his cheeks and kissed him tenderly, "Shh, shh, it's okay. We won't let anything happen to her… she's safe… Rafe is just overreacting… it's okay… we've finally found our happiness… we won't let anyone spoil it for us…"
"Don't cry, love, we will make it be all right," Ian said pulling her close. He kissed the tears on her cheeks and pulled her onto his lap. Rafe sat across the room, watching them in envy—wishing for just one minute with Alison.
"Ahem…" Rafe cleared his throat. "Over here… company… remember me."
Ian let out a short laugh, "Sorry about that—but you have to imagine what your words sound like to us. We have too much to lose now—and we worked so hard to get it."
"I understand. I'll get the Book for you to read… and whatever you decide is fine with me. I won't say another word about it." Rafe yawned and stretched, "Lucy… where am I sleeping tonight? Suddenly I'm exhausted."
Lucy stood up and said, "Come on, Rafe. You're bunking with Danny this visit. I would have let you use the guesthouse, but Ian's brother Patrick and his family are going to be here soon and I just don't have the time or the energy to redo it after you leave."
"Can I have the top bunk?" Rafe answered with a laugh.
When Lucy re-entered the living room, Ian was sitting by the fire staring into it. She sat down behind him, put her arms around his waist, and laid her head on his back, "I'm sorry… I guess Rafe's coming was a bad idea, wasn't it?"
"No… I just wish you'd told me what he wanted before he got here," Ian answered her softly. "I never imagined that we'd be worrying about retribution. I figured once the vampires were gone… we could live normal lives. Now I'll always have that fear nagging at me! I can't live without you! You and the wee ones… you're my life!" Ian ended with a ragged sob.
Lucy turned Ian around and kissed him, at first tenderly and then with building passion. She pulled his shirt up over his head and began kissing his chest, his neck, and his face. Ian groaned with passion, lifted Lucy in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Their lovemaking was at the same time ferocious and tender, acting out their fears in love. When they were spent, Ian gently stroked Lucy's hair and whispered his love in her ear. Lucy fell asleep feeling safe and secure in his arms. Ian watched her peaceful slumber before he gave in to his own, and his arms tightened around her as he slept.