Chapter Seventeen

"I'm the one who got shot at – why do you look like you've been through hell?" Lia said, with a smile trying to lighten the mood.

"I'm sorry." Lynnie sighed in frustration. She was so tired of feeling this way, but she didn't know what to do. "It's…it's just…Ethan."

"Lynn. I love you but please. Don't start with that again." Lia rolled her eyes. "The man is crazy about you. I mean – he's completely certifiable. Honestly. If I didn't have my Daniel and you weren't the sweetest thing on the planet I'd be insanely jealous."

"It's not that." Lynnie replied feeling even more desolate. Ethan had said such wonderful things to her and she knew he was trying so hard. Still, she had no idea how to get past this. "I know he loves me. It's just - I think he loves me too much." She averted her eyes and stared at her lap.

Lia could tell from her actions that Lynnie was serious about this – whatever it was. "Honey. How is that even possible?"

Lynnie looked over at her sister with tears lighting her eyes. "He spends his entire life making sure I'm happy. He's constantly worrying and wondering if I'll be alright. He went through enough the first time he was here." Unable to stop them, tears fell silently down her cheeks. "Maybe he'd be better off…"

"Stop it." Lia said sharply. "Stop it right now Gwendolyn. I mean it."

"I'm sorry. It's just…" Lynnie trailed off.

Not only did Lia want to console her sister, she was doing anything she could to keep her mind of Eric. He will still in surgery and every hour that passed she got more and more worried. She turned her attention to the one problem she knew she had a shot at fixing. "Look at me Lynnie." She waited until their eyes met before she continued. "If Mom hadn't brought Dad back – neither one of us would be here. Can you imagine what her life would be like without him?"

Lynnie remained silent unable to speak. She knew Lia was right – it was just so hard to watch him spend all his time and energy making sure she was happy.

"Ethan and I have chatted a time or two. I mean – c'mon. I wouldn't let my favorite sister marry just anyone." She said with a grin. "So I know he didn't have much of a life before. But now – Lynnie. He has more than he ever dreamed of. He's amazed that he got a second chance and he's even more amazed that he found you."

"I know…" Lynnie said with a nod.

"He knew – almost from the minute he met you – he knew about your gift. And he fell in love with you anyway. C'mon Lynnie. What was it that you said to me when you first met him?"

"That it was like he was sent just for me." Lynnie whispered.

"And he was." Lia took her hands in hers and smiled. "So stop OK? There's so little time Lynn. If there's anything I learned today it's that you just never know what will happen. You can't waste time worrying about what ifs and should haves."

"You're right." Lynnie said with a sigh. "I'm sorry I've been so crazy lately."

"Shh. It's OK. Next time you feel this way you should remember I'm always right." Lia laughed as she pulled her sister close. "Don't you ever forget it."

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"Congratulations." Michelle whispered as she pulled away and gazed into his eyes.

"Thank you." Jack replied with a huge smile. "Chloe looks the happiest I've ever seen her. And Melissa…" He sighed loudly. "…she's just beautiful." He leaned down to kiss her again. "Good job Doctor."

"Thanks." She grinned back at him. When he caught the look on her face he kissed her again, unable to contain his happiness.

As she stared up at him her voice fell to a hushed whisper. "Not to put a damper on everything but we need to discuss this. When are you going to tell her?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. Soon I guess."

"Oh. Soon." Michelle giggled and rolled her eyes. "Great plan Jack."

"Why do I have to be the one to tell her? Why don't you tell her?" He suggested.

Michelle was having none of it. "Nice try Ramsey – she's your daughter." She laughed at him, nerves evident in her voice. Even though her heart was pounding she shoved him playfully. "C'mon. Be a man and get it over with."

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Alison continued to watch from the end of the hall. "How long do you think this has been going on?" She whispered.

Rafe sighed as he watched his wife. She was out of control. "Angel. I have no idea. Please. Let's go. Leave them alone."

She was mesmerized by the scene in front of her. Rafe wracked his brain to think of a way to get her to leave.

Finally he got an idea. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He leaned close and whispered in her ear. "It's been such a long day. How about we take advantage of the fact that Ella's at Quinn and Billie's?"

Alison didn't answer right away. Her mind was elsewhere.

Encouraged, Rafe kept going his voice soft and seductive. "C'mon Angel. Let's go home. Just think of it. You. Me. Candlelight. Some wine, champagne maybe to celebrate? A long hot bubble bath…"

"Rafe. Stop it." Alison protested as she squirmed away. "Are you kidding me? Control yourself. You're a grandfather for God's sake."

"So what?" He replied, shocked by her reaction. "What are you talking about? May I remind you that you're a grandmother?"

"That may be – but I'm a very young grandmother." She said matter-of-factly, swatting at his hands. Her gaze was still glued to Jack and Michelle. "You're much older. You should act your age."

"Are you kidding me?" He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I must be losing my touch." He muttered under his breath. "…and by the way." He added, completely offended. "I'm not old."

Alison was oblivious. "C'mon. Let's go." She said as she linked her hand in his and dragged him out of their hiding place.

Somehow he knew that she wasn't taking him home. "Alison. Leave them alone." He warned her, tugging back and refusing to budge.

She tried to free her hand from his but to no avail. "Rafe!" She hissed at him. "I just want to say hi."

"Nice try." He chuckled at her. "Listen to me. I'll say it again. Leave. Them. Alone. Stop being so nosy."

The commotion they were making alerted Jack and Michelle. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" Jack laughed as he watched Rafe trying to reason with his wife.

Michelle took a deep breath and stared into his eyes. She was tired of hiding. She smiled widely as she answered. "As I'll ever be."

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She walked up behind him, catching him staring through the glass of the nursery.

Ethan heard her approach and turned around. "Hey." He whispered. "Did you have a nice time with Lia?"

"Yes." Lynnie nodded, moving to him and pulling him close. She held on tight, almost as if she was afraid to let go.

Startled by her greeting, but happy to have her in his arms, Ethan dipped his head and placed a soft kiss on her hair. "You OK?"

She didn't speak but nodded against his chest. Her arms tightened around him.

"They just took her out." Ethan said then, speaking of Grant and Chloe's little one. "I guess they took her to see her parents. She was the prettiest but look at the rest of them Lynn. Isn't it amazing?"

Lynnie looked up at him, noticing for the first time how his face was full of awe. "I think we should get ourselves one of those." She whispered with a smile.

"You do?" Ethan held her at arms length. "Really?"

"Of course." Lynnie replied with a nod, her eyes shining. "Don't you?"

"I would love…I mean…it would be great…" He stammered, never believing that he'd be this lucky. "Lynnie." He sighed as he leaned down to kiss her smiling lips. "Can we really?"

Lynnie laughed out loud. He sounded like a little kid, who was begging his parents for a treat. She realized then that when he was a child he probably asked for nothing. That was just the way he was. He was always so happy for anything he got. He never even thought to ask for more.

Suddenly she knew. That Ethan asked for nothing more than what he got because he didn't realize he could. There were so many things she could give him. She should have realized it before.

"We certainly can." She said as she gave him a long lingering kiss. She laughed again as she added. "I just have one request. Let's have one at a time OK?"

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"Ali?" Jack said with a smile, keeping Michelle's hand firmly in his.

She looked at him like it was the first time she'd caught sight of him. "Jack! Hi!" She said brightly.

"So. I guess we're grandparents." Jack grinned wider as she and Rafe approached. Rafe dragged his feet, knowing that it was hopeless. Jack was in for it now.

Alison couldn't believe Jack was being so nonchalant. "Yes we certainly are. Thanks to the wonderful job Michelle did." She turned in her direction and gave her a huge smile. "She's amazing. She brought both my grandchildren into the world."

"She is amazing isn't she?" Jack said as he pressed a kiss to Michelle's head. Michelle was mortified. Her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.

"Yes. She is." Alison stared at him. "I didn't know you actually knew that though."

Jack just continued to give her a smile.

Alison was at her wits end. She smacked him on the arm. Hard. "JACK RAMSEY!"

"Ouch." He winced and backed away from her. "Easy!"

"I'm sorry man…" Rafe said with a chuckle.

"How long has this been going on?" Alison demanded, oblivious to the fact that her husband was apologizing for her.

"Has what been going on?" Jack replied.

"STOP IT." Alison grumbled at him. "You – and Michelle?" She said as she looked in Michelle's direction.

"Oh. That." He laughed as he stared down at her, falling in love again at the look on her face. He could feel her shaking with nerves and held her a bit closer. "A while." He shrugged.

"Well. That's wonderful." Alison said, not very convincingly.

Jack gave her a grin. "Tell me how you really feel Ali." He said then.

"No." She shook her head at him. She stared into Michelle's eyes and promised, suddenly ashamed of herself. "Honestly – it is. You've been so good to us. You helped to save Katie's life and I'm not sure I ever thanked you properly…"

Michelle blushed a deeper shade of crimson. "I was just doing my job, Alison. It's alright."

"No. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be sounding so shocked." She said. "But I AM shocked. How did you ever keep this a secret?"

"It wasn't easy." Jack replied, laughing again.

"Well. When did it start? How did you meet? Does Chloe even know because I don't think she does." She looked from Jack to Michelle and back again. "You know what? I have a great idea. You should both come over for dinner so we can get to know Michelle better. How's tomorrow night? I'll ask Cam and Abby too."

"Maybe. We'll see." Jack said. He should have known. The minute Ali knew she'd be all over them. He looked down at Michelle who was struck speechless in fear.

"You look very happy together." Rafe chimed in, wanting to come to Michelle's rescue. His wife would be giving her the third degree and then some if they didn't leave soon. He took Alison's hand in his and tugged. It was about time they went home anyway. He had some celebrating he wanted to do. "Maybe we can talk about it later. Angel? Let's go. C'mon."

"Congratulations Jack." Rafe said as he held his hand out to him. He shook his hand and gave him a huge grin.

"You too!" Jack replied.

"We're very lucky aren't we?" Rafe added as he began to drag Alison away. She was still so stunned she barely put up a fight.

Jack turned to Michelle as Rafe and Alison walked down the hallway. "Yes." He whispered as he moved to kiss her. "We certainly are."