A/N: Sorry for the delay. I'm swamped with work my darlings. Without further ado, here's the latest installment for Rali & Co. (And by Co. I mean those pesky Morleys). LOL!

Thank you Mother Goose for the little rhyme.

Gosh. This story is over 160,000 words long. It will definitely be the longest one I've ever written. Memories was 170,000 – and this one isn't nearly over yet. Will it ever end?

Until next time…enjoy! xox - G

Chapter Sixty-eight

It took everything she could to keep herself in check. Livvie took another deep breath. It had taken two torturous days, but finally Colin and Caleb had tracked Annette down. She hadn't gone far, Livvie thought with a shake of her head. Smug, backstabbing bitch.

She could hear Caleb's voice in her ear, almost as if he was standing next to her. Calm yourself Olivia. He would say.

Calm. Livvie shook her head again. He wants me to be calm. My baby's been missing for weeks and he thinks I should stand here and talk to the woman who's taken her calmly.

Standing there, trying to compose herself, Livvie decided she'd like to calmly smack the crap out of her.

Still she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. With her eyes still closed she lifted her fist and pounded on the door.

She could hear movement on the other side. She sensed it was Annette with the door still closed.

Just keep breathing Livvie, she thought to herself. If you can do that you'll have her back in no time.

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"Rafe." Katrina smiled. She couldn't help laughing watching at her son's attempts to use the grill. "I am glad to see you lending a hand."

"I try." He gave his mother an exasperated look, wincing as he burned his finger. "It's not my fault Alison won't let me near her kitchen."

"I don't blame her. You are a disaster." Katrina teased before pressing a kiss to his cheek. "But you are very sweet."

Rafe didn't reply. He just basked in the miracle of standing in his yard, talking to his mother.

Katrina snatched the spatula from her son. Deftly, she saved one of the steaks from being incinerated. She decided, now that she was back in practice, to do some motherly nudging. "So. I was thinking. You should do something nice for her."

"Who?" Rafe looked at her quizzically.

"Your lovely wife." Katrina replied. "Look at all she's done. She tracked me down, brought me over here in that pretty little plane and has made me feel nothing but welcome in your beautiful home." She narrowed her eyes at him. "And you - you need to slow down. From what I understand you were gone for nearly a month, leaving her here all alone."

"I know I was gone awhile - but it's not like I was on vacation without her. I was off to track down our slightly rebellious daughter." He replied as he spotted the daughter in question, giggling at something Kyle had just whispered in her ear. He turned to his mother and sighed. "But I know what you mean. I should get her something."

"Yes. You should. And I have the perfect idea." Katrina nodded. Her voice lowered as she made a suggestion. "Get her away from here."

Rafe blinked. He couldn't believe his ears. "You want us to go away?"

"Absolutely." As she caught the look on his face her voice was exasperated. "Oh Rafe please. Don't look at me like I just ordered you to do the dishes. I'll be just fine. It'll only be for a few days. You need to spend some time alone together."

As much as he knew he'd enjoy some time away with his wife, he couldn't possibly go anywhere right now. "Mama. That's a sweet thought. But I – I mean - we – we wouldn't want to leave you. It's been so long and you just got here." Rafe protested.

"And I'll be right here when you get back." Katrina replied as she placed the platter in Rafe's hands and began to pile the food onto it. "I will watch that darling little Ella and don't you worry." She added as she watched his eyes wander back towards Becky. She could read his mind. "I'll make sure to keep an eye on Rebecca. Relax for once in your life. Take your pretty wife and get reacquainted." She switched the grill off and laid the spatula down gently before she added. "Tell me something. Isn't it almost your anniversary?"

Rafe realized that she was right. The summer had flown by. It was mid-July already. It was less than a month till their wedding anniversary.

He knew that it would be "It is – but…" Rafe still was trying to make her understand. "Mama…"

Katrina was having none of it. "But nothing. I cannot even believe you are arguing with me. You've been blessed with more than I ever dreamed for you. I didn't raise you to take that kind of thing for granted did I?"

"No. No you didn't." Rafe said with a smile.

She turned to him slowly, gazing up at him and took his face in her hands as she whispered. "A love like this is precious. I know how busy you always are, taking it upon yourself to try and save the world." She smiled widely as she scolded him. "But please. Just do what I tell you. Stop for a moment and just be grateful."

Rafe watched his mother closely. She had a far away look in her eyes. He wondered, not for the first time, how he'd not seen it before. Maybe it was because he'd been so focused on his training. Maybe it was because he'd never known that type of love before he met Alison. Regardless, it was obvious to him now. She'd been as in love with his father as he was with his wife. All of the sudden it all made sense.

"Now say, 'Yes, Mama' and think about where you want to go." Katrina instructed with a laugh as she eased back, watching the change come over him. It was amazing to see. In his past life she had never been able to get him to stop and slow down. She was beyond happy to be here to witness him finally make something besides fighting a priority.

"Yes, Mama." Rafe laughed back at her as he did just that.

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"Olivia." Annette sneered. "What an unpleasant surprise."

"Your not surprised at all are you?" Livvie replied. "Surely you didn't think I'd let you keep my daughter without so much as a fight."

Annette sighed as if she was bored. "My issue is not with you."

"Well - guess what? My issue is with you." Livvie snapped back.

Calm Olivia. She could hear Caleb's voice as if he was standing beside her. Stay calm. For a split second she was nearly convinced he was standing right there with her.

"He didn't think of me when he made those wishes. He didn't think of anyone but himself." Annette replied.

"You are wrong." Livvie said softly. "He was thinking of me. I wanted us to have a chance to have children - and thanks to him, you were able to have one of your own. Do you mean to tell me that you'd have been happier if she never existed than you are to have had her and lost her?"

Annette did not reply. Her head was filled of thoughts of Anastasia.

Livvie kept going, desperately trying to stifle the voice in her head that said "Take her out. Now. What are you waiting for?"

Instead she took another deep breath and kept her tone soft and soothing. "You know what it's like. To wake up and wonder where your daughter is. That's how it's been for me for weeks now. I know you don't want to hurt her, but you are. You are keeping her from her mother."

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"I've been planning this so long I can't believe it's almost here." Becky said excitedly as she sat with Maggie under a tree. They'd been there for a good hour, talking a mile a minute, just like they had when they were little.

"He's going to be so surprised." Maggie agreed. "I've reserved the private room and Mam says she'll make all his favorites.

Becky chuckled. "She's not insulted that he doesn't have the most discerning taste?"

Maggie laughed back. "Are you kidding? She's from Ireland. Most of the people there are happy with meat and potatoes. Trust me, she's fine with it."

"So. We'll be there at 7:30." Becky said then, nervously picking at the lawn. She sighed and looked over at her friend. "I just wish I could do something more."

"More like what?" Maggie looked at her funny. "Becks what else could you do to celebrate his birthday? You've got an absolutely amazing night planned."

"Yeah." Becky sighed again. "An amazing night where he drops me off and goes home alone."

Maggie shouldn't have had to ask. Getting some time alone with Kyle was something that had been nagging at Becky forever it seemed. "It'll happen Becky." She reassured her friend. "You just need to stop trying so hard."

Becky rolled her eyes. "Well I think there must be something wrong, because he's a guy and he never seems to mind that we haven't well, you know." Frustrated, she blew her hair out of her eyes and sighed once more. "I'm afraid if I don't keep trying we might never have a chance to be alone together."

Just then the guy in question came walking over and stood next to them, beaming down at Becky like she was the only person in the world. If she knew what he was thinking at that moment she would know for certain how wrong she was. Kyle held a hand out to her and helped her to stand, smiling when she tilted her face up to his and kissed him sweetly.

"What are you too whispering about?" He asked with a grin.

"Nothing." Maggie said quickly with a shrug.

"Just - you know - girl talk." Becky added.

Kyle gave her a look. "Why do I have a feeling you're up to something?"

"Who me?" Becky blinked at him innocently. "Why would you say something like that?"

"Yes you." He laughed at her then. "Because - you usually are up to something."

"Well. If I am you'll know about it sooner or later." She giggled as she grabbed his hand and tugged him towards the picnic table.

He tried to pretend to be annoyed but it was useless. Her penchant for trouble was only one of the thousand things he loved about her. "Don't I know it." Kyle chuckled as he followed behind.

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Annette was in a far off place, her mind still on her own daughter. "She embraced this life - it was only when he let her dream of something else that I could not protect her."

"We can't always protect our daughters the way we want to." Livvie said softly. A sense of peace washed over her. She could feel Caleb's presence in the house. Just keep her talking Livvie, she said to herself. Distract her and Rachel will be back home in no time. She kept on, knowing she was almost there. "We do our best - but sometimes it's just not good enough."

Caleb watched as Colin led him down the dark and desolate hallway. The fact that his little girl had been away for so long continued to gnaw at him. He should have seen this coming, he should have taken care of all of it sooner.

Faintly he could hear her voice coming from a room nearby. It sounded so small and broken, and he could hear her crying as she said the words.

Three little kittens, they lost their mittens and they began to cry…

His heart ached, remembering how she would always recite rhymes like that. It was one of the most adorable things about her.

They got to the door and Caleb nodded at Colin to open it. Fear snuck up his spine, hoping that she had been well taken care of. In Annette's emotional state he couldn't be sure.

Colin gently eased the door open, and it seemed for a moment the room was empty. Defeated, they nearly turned to go when they heard her voice again.

Meow, meow, meow, meow. Then you shall have no pie…

He had to swallow to find his voice. "Rachel?"

She wiped her eyes as she whispered. "Shhh. Stay quiet Casper." She hugged her stuffed kitten tightly. "I think I hear Papa."

Caleb sighed with relief. "Precious. You're right. It's me and your brother. Come out sweetheart. We're here to bring you home."

"It's not a trick? The lady - she plays tricks on me sometimes." She said her voice wary. She kept huddled in the corner, the heavy drapes covering the window hiding her from their view.

Caleb was beyond annoyed that he couldn't find her using his powers. He tiptoed towards the sound of her voice.

"No baby. It's not a trick. C'mon out. Let's go home now."

"You aren't mad? You didn't send me away 'cause I was bad?" Rachel asked with a sniffle.

"No. Not at all." Taking a steadying breath, Caleb drew the curtain aside. Colin smiled widely when he saw his sister's tearstained face, her dark hair covered in dust.

In one swift movement, Caleb whisked her off the floor. "My precious. There you are." He buried his nose in her hair and held her tight. "I've been looking for you forever."

"Well." She giggled as he rained kisses on her little cheeks. "Now you found me!"