A/N: Ali – LOL! I know. Believe me if I really knew a guy like Ethan (or Grant, Quinn, Kyle, or Cameron for that matter) I wouldn't have to create him. ;) Hmmmm. Maybe that's when I'll stop writing this series. No offense but I hope it happens sooner rather than later. LOL!

Melody - "your" Katrina inspired me to put in the Ella section. LOL! I think she's pretty cute - but I don't know if she can compete. :)

This chapter is dedicated to my dear PCGirl and commemorates the fact that she's abandoning me. The nerve of some people. SIGH. (j/k. :) )

Until 9 - Enjoy! xox –G

Chapter Eight

The phone rang three times before it was answered. Colin was taken aback, expecting it to be Rachel.

"Hallo?" The voice on the other end sounded breathless.

"Hey Mom." He said with a smile. She sounded so weird when she tried to speak Romanian.

"Colin!" Livvie sighed. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing's wrong." He laughed. "Just calling to say hi."

"I don't believe you." She replied. " You were just here.You hardly ever call just to say hi."

"That isn't true." Colin protested. He should have known his mother would be suspicious. He decided to try and change the subject. "How's her highness?"

Just thinking about Rachel made Livvie smile. "She's as fabulous as ever. She's outside with your father."

"You know - it's just so hard for me to imagine him playing in the snow." He admitted.

"I know." Livvie agreed with a laugh. "But he is."

"I can't wait till Alex is big enough to do that too." He said wistfully.

"It'll happen sooner than you think." Livvie replied. "How's Katrina doing?" She asked then, worry edging her voice.

Colin sighed. He didn't dare admit it to anyone – most of all Katrina – but he was sitting on pins and needles. He couldn't entirely believe she was actually all right. "She's good." He said simply.

"Colin…" Livvie's voice told him that she knew he wasn't telling the whole story.

"She is. She's good." Colin said a second time. He took a deep breath and finally confessed. "I'm just scared Mom. I can't ever go through that again."

"I know." Livvie said softly. "Please. Don't make yourself crazy. I'm sure everything will be fine."

"I hope so." He said, his voice quiet. "Well you sound like you're well. How's Dad? Is he OK?"

Livvie bit her lip and wondered how much she should say. Caleb hadn't mentioned anything specifically to her but she knew something was not quite right. It hadn't been since he had helped save Katrina's life. She fought to keep her voice steady as she answered. "Everyone here is just great, sweetie."

Colin was going to try and dig deeper but suddenly the air was filled with the sound of Alex's crying. "Well. There's your grandchild and he sounds really mad." He laughed a bit. "Katrina's out with her mom tonight. It's just me here. I'm sorry I have to go."

"That's OK, honey." Livvie stifled her sigh of relief. "Give him a kiss for me."

"Will do." Colin was reluctant to hang up but couldn't keep his son waiting. He had a feeling Rafe was right – something was going on - but it seemed he wasn't going to get any more information today. "Give Rachel one for me too."

"Of course." Livvie promised. "Talk to you soon."

As she hung up the phone she shifted to gaze out the window. She saw Rachel, bundled in her tiny coat trimmed with fur rolling in the snow. Caleb stood by, laughing at something she was saying.

From where she stood, everything looked perfect. Why couldn't she shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Mom?" Kate said with a laugh. It was the third time she called out to her.

Alison was lost in a daydream, reminiscing about the night before. It was amazing to think that Rafe could still get to her that way.

She turned to look at her daughter with a faraway grin. "Yes sweetie?"

Kate knew that look. "Wow. OK. Where were you?" She giggled.

"No place. I was just remembering something." Alison sighed. "What's up?"

"I was saying you have your hands full with Becky." Kate replied. "She's nuts."

"I know." Alison agreed. "She's making me nervous."

"Are you worried about Kyle?" Kate asked her then.

"Yeah – I'm scared she's going to attack him soon." Alison laughed. "She'll calm down eventually. I don't see Kyle taking any chances at the moment. I take it you tried to reason with her last night but I'm sure you got next to nowhere. Thanks anyway."

"Don't mention it." Kate's eyes flew open wide as she caught a glimpse at the time. "I should go. Colin's had Alex for hours."

"All right. It was so good to see you today. It was fun." Alison said softly.

Kate gave her a look. She knew what her mother was really saying. "I know. I know. Next time don't walk in the door without your grandson."

She kissed her cheek and hurried towards the door. "Tell dad I said hi!"

Alison smiled. "I will. It's started snowing again. Drive safe honey."

"I will." Kate said with a nod as she pulled the door open. "See you later." She waved and then was on her way.

As she moved to place their mugs in the sink, Alison's mind wandered a bit. She felt Rafe get up early this morning. He'd been gone all day – and even though she knew he wasn't going to be home for dinner it didn't stop her from missing him. She was roused from her thoughts when she heard the front door open and close with a snap. She smiled when she heard Ella's sweet voice.

"Hey Daddy!" She said brightly. She looked up from the puzzle she'd been working on.

"Hey." He gave her a look. "What are you doing up?"

"It's only nine." She sighed at him after glancing at the clock.

"I know what time it is. You know the rules." He stood and glowered at her.

She saw right through him. "Daddy. The rules are silly."

"Rules are rules." Rafe said then, his voice almost a growl. "And the rules say you can stay up until the number on the clock matches your age. Are you nine?"

"No – I almost am though. Two more weeks. And Daddy, the rule doesn't make any sense. Does Becky get to stay up till seventeen o'clock? No. She can't. Because there is no seventeen o'clock."

The kid had a point. But then Rafe got an idea. "There is so." He said confidently.

"Where?" The tone of her voice said she didn't believe him for a second.

"In the army." He replied. He didn't think he needed to mention that 1700 hours was actually five in the afternoon.

"Nuh uh. You're making it up." She gave him a little pout determined to win. "Plus – this isn't the army."

Rafe disagreed. "It is so. It's my army. Now march your little self up those stairs and get to sleep or else."

She stood, looking cuter than words in her tiny snowflake pajamas. She was wearing them out fast. She had barely taken them off since she got them for Christmas. She placed her hands on her hips and laughed at him. "Or what?"

"Or it's broccoli for every meal for a week." He threatened her with what he knew would work.

That would be just awful. She made a horrible face at him. "Not for breakfast too?" She asked, her confidence shaken.

"Yep. As a matter of fact it'll be two bowls for breakfast." Rafe replied, trying to keep his laughter at bay.

Ella gave an exaggerated yawn. "Oh my. All of the sudden I'm very very sleepy."

"Oh really?" Rafe laughed loudly, unable to hold it in any longer.

"Yes. I think I should go to bed right away." She nodded as she walked towards him.

Rafe bent down and scooped her up. "Good idea. Brush your teeth." He whispered before kissing her nose and setting her back down. "I'll be up in a second."

"'K." Ella bounded up the stairs. "Boy. That was a close one." She mumbled to herself.

Rafe laughed loudly as he heard the water running upstairs. He turned and saw Alison standing in the doorway.

"Did you eat?" She asked with a smile.

"Yeah. Grant and I ordered in at the gym." He said. "Did you girls have a good time?"

"We did." She laughed as she remembered the conversation he'd just had with Ella. "Seems to me you were once a rule breaker yourself. You really can't blame her for trying."

"Huh?" He replied, suddenly a thousand miles away.

"You were." She replied, noticing the look in his eyes. She tilted her head as she gazed at him. "OK. What's wrong?"

Alison knew that look well – and didn't like it one bit. "What are you worried about now? Is it still Becky – because honey – it's going to be fine."

"I know." He replied, unconvincingly.

"OK. Well – if it's not Becky then Rafe, please. Tell me what's bothering you." Alison prodded again.

"It's the same thing as before." He admitted, knowing she wouldn't let go until he told her. "I keep thinking that something's happening with Caleb."

"Have you called to check on him?" She asked then.

Rafe stared at her like she had two heads. "Call him?"

"Yeah – you know. Pickup the receiver. Dial. It's easy. I can get you the phone if you want to try now." She said with a laugh.

"What's wrong with you? You know he won't talk to me." Rafe continued to look at her like she was crazy.

"I know no such thing." Alison said with a sigh. "You two. Seriously. It's about time you both got over it." She walked to the coffee table, carefully moving Ella's puzzle to the kitchen.

Rafe followed behind, still thinking she was nuts. "Alison – Caleb and I don't talk."

"No – you certainly don't. You two bicker like an old married couple." She stated as she wiped the counter with a sponge. Satisfied she threw it into the sink and moved back towards the living room.

Rafe trailed behind her again, following her up the stairs. "We do not."

"Oh yes." She said, her voice definite. "You do. You know I'm convinced there is something to this whole balance thing. You can't exist without each other. And I know he can be horrible and vicious and cruel..."

"At least you haven't forgotten that much." Rafe said with a sigh as they walked into the bedroom.

"BUT." She clarified. "I'm also convinced that you live for the fact that he's around for you to fight. And admit it Rafe – things are too complicated now for you to get rid of him."

She had a point – but he didn't have to like it. "So what are you saying?"

"I'm saying if you're worried about Caleb then ask him yourself what's going on. Stop trying to get Colin to spy for you."

"How did you…" Rafe looked at her, shocked that she knew.

"Rafe Kovich. Don't ever forget I can read you like a book." She cautioned him with a smile. She yawned and stretched and made her way to the bathroom. "Speaking of books…your daughter is waiting for you to tell a story to her."

"Alison." He sighed. She was right. He should stop playing games and just get to the bottom of it. He'd never rest until he did.

"Yes Rafe?" She said as she peeked her head out of the bathroom. He looked miserable and she knew exactly why. "It's OK honey. Just say it quickly – it'll be much less painful."

"You're right." He whispered reluctantly.

"I know. I always am." She flashed him another grin. "Come on. Go tuck Ella in and hurry back."

"What? Why?" He asked then.

She gave him a look as she emerged from the bathroom wearing a delicate and lacy nightgown. "No reason." She said with a slow sexy smile.

He blinked furiously as he turned and hurried out. "Geez. I hope she's already asleep." He mumbled as he made his way towards Ella's room.

Alison could do nothing but laugh as she watched him go.