Livvie decided that it would be best to let Alison scream, yell, whine, and whatever else she felt like doing to get the anger out of her system. Because she had to admit, if it was her honeymoon that was ruined by a stupid tropical storm, she would be pissed too.

Livvie walked over to Alison and put her arm around her. "Hey, it's okay. You can always go another time."

"No, it's not okay, Livvie! This is supposed to be my honeymoon, dammit!"

Livvie just sat there silently.

"I'm sorry, Livvie. I really didn't mean to snap at you like that. I'm just mad."

"It's okay, I understand. I would be really angry too."

"I can't believe I'm not going to be able to go on my own honeymoon," Alison said sadly.

"But, Alison, you know that in the end, the honeymoon won't even matter as much. I mean, I know it's special, but hey, you have a lifetime with Rafe! I'm sure nothing is more special than that."

Alison smiled at Livvie. "You're right. I'm marrying the man that I love tomorrow, and that's the most important thing."

"Exactly."

"Speaking of which, I really need to call him. I want to hear his voice."

"Okay, well why don't you go get ready for bed and then do that. You have a big day tomorrow."

"Thank you, Livvie." Alison gave Livvie a hug.

"Okay bride-to-be, go get some rest."

"Goodnight, Livvie."

"Goodnight." Livvie watched as she left the room. Livvie looked up. "Please let everything go alright tomorrow," she prayed.

Alison, finally ready for bed, crawled under the covers and was immediately regretting her decision that she and Rafe spend the night apart. What kind of stupid tradition was that anyway? Alison was getting married tomorrow-she had to be well rested! But how in the world was that possible without Rafe?

Alison reached for the phone, but before her hand even touched it, it rang. She picked it up. "Rafe."

"How did you know it was me?" Rafe laughed.

"I sensed it was you. You're reading my mind you know. I was just about to call you, too."

"Are you in bed?"

"Yeah. Are you?"

"Yeah, and I'm lonely. Lucy's guest bedroom isn't as cozy as our room."

"Well it's not so cozy right now. It's pretty empty without you. I'm sorry I made us spend the night apart. That was a stupid idea."

"No, don't be sorry. I think maybe it'll be good for us. We'll be even more excited when we finally get to see each other again, you know, me watching you walking down that aisle…"

Alison smiled. "That's true. So, sweetheart, I've got some bad news."

"Bad news? What's wrong?" Rafe asked, his voice taking on a worried tone.

"It's about Cancun. We can't go."

"What? Why not? Was the flight cancelled?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was."

"We can take a later flight, then. It's no problem."

"No, Rafe, we can't. All flights are cancelled."

"I don't understand."

"Well, let me put it to you this way. A tropical storm is about to beat the hell out of Cancun."

"You're kidding me, right?"

"I'm afraid not."

"A tropical storm?"

"Yeah, so unless we want to get soaked, I'm afraid our honeymoon will have to be postponed."

Rafe sighed. "So no Cancun, huh?" he said, disappointed.

"I'm really bummed about this, Rafe."

"I guess it's not all that important, I mean we can always go another time."

"I know, that's what Livvie said, but it won't be the same. It's just that…well, is it so much to want to spend some time alone with my husband after our wedding in a nice place?"

Rafe smiled, suddenly getting an idea. "You know what? I've got a better idea."

"You do?"

"Instead of Cancun, why don't we spend some time at that cabin we stayed at before."

Alison smiled. "Aww, where we first made love."

"Mmm-hmm. I know it's not the beach or anything, but it's still a pretty special place for us. And we'll just take it from there."

"I love it! That's perfect!"

"Good, then we have a plan. Everything will work out, I promise you."

"I love you, Rafe."

"And I love you, too."

"I'm so excited about tomorrow, Rafe."

"So am I. I can't wait to see what your wedding dress looks like."

"Well you'll just have to wait, Rafe Kovich. It's going to be a surprise."

Rafe laughed. "Hey, when did you say your parents are coming?"

"Daddy said they would be here around 8 am."

"I still say they should have been here today for the rehearsal dinner."

"I know, but Daddy said he had something important to do in Chicago and Mom always tags along with him. But hey, the important thing is that they will be here for the wedding, and I'm just excited about that. As long as they at least make it to that, you know?"

"So am I ever going to meet them before the wedding?"

Alison laughed. "I promise, you'll meet them at some point tomorrow before the wedding."

"Okay, good, because I'd really like to meet the people who brought such a wonderful and beautiful young woman into the world."

"Rafe, you're making me blush, you know."

"Good, you look sexy when your face is all red." He laughed.

"Well you look sexy when you laugh."

"You look sexy all the time."

"So do you…this could go on for a while," Alison laughed.

"I miss you so much, Alison. Just hearing your voice makes me want to hold you."

"It's going to be so hard sleeping without you beside me," Alison said softly.

"You probably should get some sleep. We both should, actually, since tomorrow is the big day."

"Yeah. But I don't want to hang up the phone just yet. I think if I still know you're on the other end of the line, I think maybe that's comforting enough for me to fall asleep."

"We don't have to hang up the phone then. So, goodnight then?

"Yeah, I love you."

"I love you, future wife."

"Goodnight, future husband," Alison said with a smile. And Alison laid down with the phone still against her ear, and Rafe did the same. And somehow, the sound of each other's breathing helped them each fall asleep.

~*~*~*~

"Good morning," whispered a deep voice that tickled Alison's ear. Alison slowly opened her eyes and felt Rafe's arms around her. "Good morning," he repeated.

"Rafe?" Alison said sleepily and turned over to face those beautiful eyes of his looking at her with love.

"Alison, are you awake?"

"Huh?" Alison woke up and realized she had been dreaming and that Rafe's voice was coming from the phone. "Rafe?"

"Good morning, angel."

"Good morning," she said groggily. "Uh, I must have been dreaming. I thought you were right beside me."

Rafe laughed softly. "I was having that same dream. Did you sleep well?"

"Mmm-hmm. I think I'm about to fall asleep again though," she laughed.

"Well it's still really early. Why don't you go back to sleep so that you can be well-rested for today."

"Okay, I'll see you at the church," Alison said softly.

"Bye, angel," Rafe said and hung up the phone.

Alison hung up her phone and smiled as she fell back asleep.

About an hour or so later, Alison woke up again. She looked at the clock. Exactly one minute until her alarm would go off. Alison shut if off so she wouldn't have to hear it. Then, she smiled.

"Oh my god!" she said and sat up. "It's my wedding day!" It was literally as if the realization had just hit her. "Oh my god!" Alison sprung out of bed and ran to the closet to open the door. There inside was her beautiful wedding gown, just waiting to be worn. Alison squealed in delight. Then she ran out the door. "Livvie?"

"Oh good, you're up," Livvie said from the kitchen. "I was just getting breakfast started. Did you sleep good?"

Alison grinned as she sat down at the table. "I slept very good. Rafe and I were on the phone all night."

"Then how did you get any sleep?" Livvie laughed.

"No, we weren't talking on the phone all night. I meant that we, you know, stayed on the line all night. And he woke me up this morning. It was so weird, I thought he was next to me and then I realized that he was on the phone." Alison laughed.

Livvie laughed with her. "How romantic."

"It's the only way I could have got any sleep last night. I've just grown so used to having him right there beside me."

"Well, breakfast is somewhat ready," Livvie said as she was struggling with some pancakes.

"Oh I'll help you with that."

"No, no you don't. You're getting married today. It's everyone's job to pamper you today.

Alison smiled. "Alright." She wasn't going to argue with that. It was really nice.

After breakfast, Alison and Livvie got dressed. Now all they had to do was to wait for Alison's parents to arrive. And after spending some time with them, it was off to the spa to get the bride ready for the big event later that afternoon.

But eight o'clock rolled around and passed, and Alison's parents had not arrived yet.

"Alison, are you sure they were supposed to be here at eight?"

"Yeah, I'm positive. That's what Daddy told me on the phone last night. I'm sure he's just late. It's only been fifteen minutes. And really, it's no big deal because the wedding is at 3 so they have plenty of time to get here. Oh, you know what, I'm going to go run to the bathroom real fast. I haven't seen my parents in a long time, so I want to make sure that I look more mature. The last time they saw me, I was kinda wild." Alison laughed.

"Okay, well then while you're doing that, I'll just get out my to-do list for today and make sure that we're getting everything done."

The phone rang.

"Will you get that Livvie?" Alison called out from the other room

"Sure." Livvie ran to the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi, is Alison Barrington there?" said a woman's voice.

"Yes, she's here. Can I ask whose calling?"

"This is Veronica Carmichael, Derek Barrington's secretary. I have an important message for his daughter Alison."

"Oh, well then hold on just a second. Alison!"

Alison walked into the room. "Is it for me?"

"Yeah."

"Who is it?"

"Your father's secretary." She handed her the phone.

"Thanks," Alison said and took the phone. "Hello?"

"Hello, is this Alison Barrington?"

"Yes it is," Alison said all bubbly.

"Hi, this is Veronica Carmichael, your father's secretary. Your father asked me to call you to tell you that he's extremely sorry, but he and your mother will not be able to make it to Port Charles today. An urgent last minute meeting came up, one that he cannot afford to miss. He sends his apologies and best wishes."

Alison felt her heart stop, and she couldn't bring herself to say anything.

"Miss Barrington, are you still there?" Veronica asked.

"Yeah," Alison squeaked.

"Okay, I just wanted to make sure you got that message. Have a good day!" The secretary hung up without even saying goodbye.

Alison felt tears sting her eyes, and the she dropped the phone and wiped her eyes with her finger.

"Alison?" Livvie rushed over to her, obviously understanding that something was wrong. "What's wrong?"

"They're not coming, Livvie. My parents are not coming." Alison ran towards her bedroom.

"Alison, wait," Livvie said.

Alison turned around. "I just want to be alone for a little while, Livvie."

Livvie couldn't think of anything to say. She watched silently as Alison went to her room and shut the door.