Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 120

~ The Beginning of the End... ~

Seven weeks later

"So, you will be back tomorrow, right?" Dawn asked, balancing the telephone between her shoulder and her ear. She stood in the partially decorated room of what would be her child's nursery. Her eyes narrowed as she compared Winnie-the-Pooh, Mickey Mouse, and Paddington Bear. Which of the three deserved to be her baby's first playmate, she wondered.

"Well, it's not every day that my youngest becomes a legal adult, young lady," Carrie told her across the telephone wire.

Dawn laughed softly. "So, is that a yes or what?"

"Don't get smart with me!" Carrie said, laughing. "Besides, I think your husband would never forgive me if I didn't show up."

"Show up?" Dawn asked, an inquisitive smile on her face. "Show up for what exactly?"

"None of your business. You'll find out soon enough. For someone who likes surprises, you sure can be a nosy somebody."

"Well..." Dawn laughed, knowing that she could not offer any kind of defense for herself. "I wouldn't have to be so nosy if people would give me a hint."

"Well, you'll get no hints from me."

"You're all in cahoots," Dawn mumbled, grinning. "So, is Simone okay with your leaving? If she needs you to stay longer, I understand."

"She's okay with it," Carrie replied. "She wishes that she could come back with me, but it's best that she stay here for a while. The sandy beaches and salty air are good for the soul."

"Yeah, I'm sure they are. So, are you coming back alone or is Tommy coming, too?" Dawn asked. Unable to make a decision on the stuffed animal dilemma, she moved to the rocking chair and sat down. Rocking gently back and forth, she waited for her mother to answer her.

"Ask him yourself," Carrie said. "Hold on."

A bright smile spread across Dawn's face as she listened closely as the telephone switched hands. As soon as she knew he was there, she said, "Hey, T-bird!"

Tommy laughed. "Hey, there, Mama Cassadine!"

Dawn responded with a laugh. "Not, yet, but soon." Her free hand patted her very round abdomen. In her third trimester, her pregnancy was very obvious. "So, are you coming with Mama? You know my birthday is tomorrow."

"As if I could forget," he said, with a smile. "By the way, I got your letter with the pictures. The house looks great. I can hardly wait to see it."

"Me, too," she told him. "We haven't had a housewarming party because we're waiting for you, so answer my question! Are you coming back?"

"Yes!" he said, laughing. "I will be there! Sheesh, woman!"

"Don't you start with that woman stuff," she said. "You mind your manners, mister!"

"Yeah, yeah," he said, laughing softly. "So, what's up with Nikolas? Is he there?"

"Blowing me off already? Dang, man, that's harsh!" She giggled softly as Tommy expelled a loud breath. "He's here, but he's in the shower. Do you need to talk to him? I can get him for you."

"No, that's okay. Just tell him hello for me and that I'll see you both tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll do that."

"See that you do," he told her, teasing her with the same bossy tone that she had just used with him. When she released a loud sigh into the receiver, he laughed and said, "I should go now. Do you want to talk to your mom again?"