FicWad

"Christa, could you come here a minute?" Ray logged off the computer and waited.
She walked into the living room carrying a file overflowing with paper. Ray laughed.
"What?" she asked with a puzzled look.
He nodded to the file. "You're about to lose papers."
She shrugged, "I need to get them organized anyway. If they all fall out then I'll have to do it."
"I could help you." He offered.
Christa sat the file down on the desk, "Then I'd never find anything. Look Ray I know it looks like a mess but believe it or not messy works for me."
She was standing close enough that he pulled her down on to his lap. "Since I met you it works for me too."
Christa cast a quick glance around the apartment. "Are you implying I should clean up a bit?"
"Not at all. I'm sorta getting used to messy. Look I haven't picked up my shit since we got home."
Christa narrowed her eyes, "Your shit consists of a few papers and one Coke can."
"See? I'm making progress. Anyway, Gee called and wants me to come over and help him work on the gazebo. Wanna come?"
She sighed, "I've got two reports I've got to get done so I can e-mail them into the office today."
"Is it okay if I go?" He asked caressing her arm.
"It would be a good idea. If you hang her you'll just distract me."
Ray laughed, "I would not."
"Oh yeah, you would."
He kissed her briefly. "So if you get the reports done today can we spend tomorrow together?"
Now Christa laughed, "We spend everyday together."
"Yeah, but I had something special in mind but I'm not sure if you'll like the idea."
She was intrigued, "So run it by me."
He glanced around the apartment again. "I was thinking that you and I should look for another place. Maybe a house."
Christa was shocked, "A house?"
"Well we are gonna be getting married. The downside is that I'll be leaving for Europe so you'd have to handle the details if we find something."
She was silent a moment and he began to worry she wasn't into the idea. Finally she spoke, "Are you sure?"
"Sure?"
"Sure you want to get a house?"
He tried to understand question. "Why wouldn't I?"
"It's kinda a big step"
Ray looked into her eyes, "Christa, I love you. We're gonna get married. A house just seems like a logical step."
She smiled, "Yeah, I guess it does."
He kissed her deeply before adding, "Tomorrow we'll spend the day looking for a place that's truly ours."
Words escaped her. All words except, "I love you."

"So how are you feeling?" Monica asked as soon as she and Alicia sat down in the living room.
"Tired but not bad." Alicia said with a smile. "After Mikey and I talked with the specialist I think I started feeling better just cause I'm not as stressed."
"I understand you wanted to tell Mikey about the pregnancy before telling any of us. I just feel bad you had to keep all the worry to yourself." Monica told her.
"Truthfully I almost told you. Cause you've had kids I wanted to ask you so many questions." Alicia admitted.
"Well just know if there's anything I can do for you just ask. Gee told me Mikey's planning on going to Europe so if you need me to go with you to appointments or just to hold your hand I'll be there."
"I know that." Alicia said reaching over and giving her hand a squeeze. "You're always there for anyone who needs you."
Monica frowned, "You make me sound nicer than I really am."
Alicia laughed, "Are you kidding? Everyone knows how you are, Monica. You're probably the nicest person I know."
"Is that always a good thing?" Monica said looking away.
Alicia was shocked, "What? I don't understand."
"It's nothing." Monica said quickly.
"No, wait. I want to understand. Why did you say that? You are a good person. Everyone who knows you says that."
Monica sighed, "Yeah, good old understanding Monica."
"What's wrong?" Alicia asked softly then added, "Does this have something to do with Liv?"
"No" Monica lied. However the truth came pouring out. "Okay yeah. Alicia I've tried my hardest to be understanding about the whole situation with Liv. I know all about the history between her and Gerard. I've stood by and watched him go through hell because of her. That day she sent Bert over with Elle I welcomed Elle into my heart. I love her. When Liv started asking me to watch her I did it happily. I've dealt with Liv because of Elle and for Gerard. I've tried to befriend her. Did my best to understand where she was coming from." She paused her voice breaking, "and now she's trying to get him back."
Alicia was speechless. "What? She told you that?"
"No, she hasn't come out and said it but I just feel it. Bert thinks so too."
"Bert? What's he got to do with this?"
Monica tried to gather her thoughts, "Liv has been in contact with him."
"And he thinks that's what she wants?"
Monica nodded, "Yeah. He's sure that's what she wants. He told Gerard yesterday."
Alicia was about to speak when Elle ran in.
"Mommyca, Dadgee wants pizza."
"Tell him I’ll order a couple of pizza, Bug."
"Otay." She skipped back out of the room to give him the message.
Alicia smiled, "She so damn cute. I love her glasses."
"Yeah, they make her even cuter."
"Ok, so back to what we were talking about. "When Bert told him what did Gee say?"
"He never got a chance to really answer Bert. They saw me and stopped talking."
Alicia frowned, "So Gee knows you overheard Bert tell him, right?"
Monica nodded.
"So did you just flat out ask Gee what he thought?"
"We've talked about it. He told me it doesn't matter what she wants. He said that I'm his life now."
"Well, fuck yeah you are. Shit, I hate Liv."
Monica sighed, "I wish I could say that I did."
Alicia gave her a disbelieving look, "Are you saying you like her?"
"No, I can't really say that but I don't hate her. I can't help it but I feel sorry for her. She's always so sad and I think she and I have something more than Gee in common."
"What?"
"When all the shit was happening with Mike and Kelly Liv was here. I blurted out what had happened to her. Liv listened to me and picked up on the fact I'd been abused by my husband. Before she left she said she understood." Monica shook her head, "I think Liv was abused."
"Well not by Gerard." Alicia said
"No, before she knew him. I think so much of he behavior stems from that."
Alicia sat quietly a moment then spoke her mind. "Monica, don't get mad but I gotta say something. You are right; sometimes you're too nice. Listen to yourself. You’re making excuses for Liv's behavior. You don't know about her past, not really. For once put yourself first. If it's true she's trying to take Gerard from you are you gonna let her?"
"Alicia, you and I have never really gotten all that angry at each other. I told you once and I'll say it again. I think of you as a sister. I don't mind you saying what you think. Maybe you're right about me. But let me assure you. I'll never give up Gee without a fight."
Alicia smiled, "Thank God. You are Gee are meant for each other."
"In my heart I know we are." Monica said. She stood. "Now, I've got to order pizza. What kind does Mikey like?"
"You don't care what I like?" Alicia pretended to be hurt.
"Look poor Mikey is the one out there helping Gee. He deserves to have his favorite pizza."
Alicia laughed, "Yeah, you're right. I think I better walk out there and check on him. Power tools and the Way brothers." she shuddered, "Scary."
Monica went to the phone to order the food. Alicia walked out to the back yard still thinking about what Monica had said. If it was true and Liv really was trying to get Gerard back how could she be stopped?

“Hey” Luke said as he passed Kara in the hall.
“Luke” Kara greeted him. “Want a ride home after school?”
Luke stopped and he and Kara moved out of the traffic flow. “Sure, if it’s not any trouble.”
“Bob’s picking me up and we’re gonna go buy me a new car. It’s not a problem to take you and Kelly home first.”
Luke liked Kara but wondered why suddenly she was offering him a ride. Kara knew what he was thinking. “Hey, I know Kelly-Dweeb is grounded and can’t talk to you on the phone. Just figured if we gave you guys a ride home it would give you two a little time together.”
“That’s nice.” Luke said slowly.
“Hey, what can I say, I’m just a nice person.” She said with a laugh.
“What’s up?” Kelly said as she reached out and took Luke’s hand.
“Hey, Sunshine. Kara offered to take us home after school.”
Kelly’s eyes narrowed as she looked at her sister, “Why?”
“Shit, try to do a good deed and this is the thanks I get.”
Luke laughed, “Hey, I could listen to you two all day but I gotta head to class. He gave Kelly a very quick kiss. “See ya after school.”
Kelly waited until he walked away before turning to her sister. “So?”
“So what?” Kara asked switching her books from one arm to the other.
“Why are you in such a good mood?”
Kara smiled, “Cause I’m living with my husband and I love it. Cause he’s taking me after school to buy me a car, cause I’m just happy, okay?”
Kelly smiled, “Okay, but admit it. You miss the pink room.”
“Shit, yeah right.”
Kelly laughed, “Well, Elle likes it.”
“Well Elle can have it. As soon as I graduate I’m outta there.” She noticed how the expression on Kelly’s face suddenly changed. “What?”
“Oh nothing. See you after school.” She turned and quickly made her way down the hall before Kara could ask any more questions. How could she begin to explain the feeling? The feeling that Elle wouldn’t be staying in the pink room again.