A/N: Sorry this chapter took longer to update than I thought!

Also, that idea for a new story might be creepin' up. I'm not 100% sure yet but I might want to dive into the possibilities of another alternative sequel to Dear Father. We'll see because now I'm just biting off more than I can chew with so many fics lol

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CH 31

Lovers

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The house had seemed a lot quieter that week. Margo and her family had ended their stay at the Winters-Dylan residence and left to Lana's parents' house closer to the city. It had only been a day without their family but to Lana it felt like it had been some kind of hazy dream she would forget by the end of the day. Still, she felt herself missing her sister's company and noted that Johnny too seemed somewhat bored after David and his cousin left. It was as if they couldn't remember life before their family's visit.

It was a Wednesday morning and the family was getting ready to leave for the day. Surprisingly, Lana had been the first one out of bed that morning. Rachel had refused to wake up on the dot like she did so every morning without fail. She didn't even get up when Lana turned on the shower. Lana grew worried and checked Rachel's temperature while she slept half buried beneath the pillows.

"Rae?" Lana spoke softly, "Rae, Sweetheart, it's time to get up now." Lana thought she sounded like her mother. It was just odd having the roles reversed. Alas, her temperature seemed just fine to Lana so she nudged Rachel once more before she continued on with their morning routine.

Johnny was the second one to make it downstairs that morning. He was showered and ready for school. He took Scout out to the yard meanwhile Doyle meowed bloody murder at Lana, demanding to be fed at that instance.

"Okay, easy now." Lana told the cat as she poured food into her bowl. Rachel always fed Doyle on the dot every morning and now Lana was the one hearing the cat's wrath on their tardiness. "Where in the world is your owner?" She glanced up to see Rachel enter the kitchen with sleepy and puffy eyes. She had quickly showered and hastily dressed.

"Well, good morning Sleeping Beauty." Lana glanced over to the clock on the wall to check the time, "You're almost late to the ball."

Rachel smiled lazily, "I think that's Cinderella."

"Whatever it is, we're almost late." Lana went up to her and kissed her cheek.

Rachel yawned and nodded along, "Right. Sorry." Her eyes searched for Doyle who was now happily eating without further complaint.

Lana frowned at this, "Are you okay? It's not like you to get out of bed after I do." Lana caressed her cheek, "You're not ill are you?"

"No, I'm fine. I guess I'm just a bit tired is all." Rachel tried to force a smile but Lana could see it in her eyes that Rachel wasn't one hundred percent there.

"You do feel a little warm, you know." Lana commented just as Johnny came back inside with Scout.

"I'm serious, I'm fine." Rachel lowered her voice. She didn't want Johnny to overhear and worry. She had promised to take him down to the freedom trail on the weekend and didn't want to disappoint him.

"All ready." Johnny called out after placing Scout's food bowl down.

"Alright, my boy," Lana stretched her hand out to him and placed it upon his shoulder, "Who will it be today?"

Johnny's face turned pensive but without skipping a beat, he said, "Rae!"

"Woo!" Rae gave him a high five, "You got it, Buddy." She brought him closer, placing her hands on his shoulder.

Lana looked at her boy and shook her head, "Wow? Again? What happened?" Johnny just shrugged with a laugh. "Hmph, you forget who birthed you." She playfully chucked his chin, "Fine, let Rae take you. I have to head to the office early anyway."

This caught Rachel's attention and her brows came together, "For what?"

"Business with Lou." Was all Lana said before she grabbed her purse and exited the kitchen.

"Johnny, go get your backpack. It's on the sofa." Rachel told Johnny and with a single nod, he dashed off.

Rachel grabbed her purse from the table and followed after Lana to the front door. "Is it bad?"

Lana opened the door and stopped before she stepped out onto the porch. She smiled sweetly at Rachel, "No. It's not." She paused, "I'm the one that should be worried."

Rachel looked confused, "What do you mean?"

Lana only smiled and kissed her lips, unbothered by the fact that they stood out on the front porch where the entire neighborhood could see, "I'll see you at work, Love. Don't be late."

Rachel opened her eyes when Lana pulled away from the kiss and blinked slowly. Her eyes were glossed over and her cheeks blushed a brilliant crimson. She watched Lana get into her car and her knees went weak. "Work?"

Johnny stepped out onto the porch, waving goodbye at Lana. He then looked to Rachel with question, "You okay?"

Rachel shook her mind free of the haze. "Yes." Her voice cracked; she quickly cleared her throat and answered again in a deeper tone, "Yes. Let's go."

Johnny repressed a laugh and followed after her.

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Lou was already in his office when Lana arrived. He was sitting at the edge of his desk, throwing that ball of his up in the air and catching it. He was presentable and well dressed as always.

"I hope you called me in early for a damn good reason." Lana said as she opened the door without knocking and let herself in.

"Winters!" Lou beamed as soon as he saw Lana, "Just the person I wanted to see. And yes, I did ask you to come in for a very good reason."

Lana placed her purse on the seat across his desk. "So what is it?"

Lou's attention darted towards the door and he frowned suddenly, "And Ms. Dylan?"

"Ms. Dylan?" Lana asked, confused, not sure why he had asked for Rachel.

"Yes, Ms. Dylan. That pretty little blond that follows you around all the time. I'm sure you know the one." He gave her a teasing smirk.

Lana rolled her eyes, "She's dropping our boy off at school. Why?"

"Very well. That can wait. Onto other matters." He stood from the desk and walked around to sit down, "I wanted to discuss this book of yours. Any progress?"

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Rachel parked the car in front of Johnny's school. Her eyes were still heavy with sleep; she had been up the entire night before with anxious nerves, unable to doze off until sometime past five in the morning.

Johnny noticed her tired state. He had noted that she hadn't been the one to wake him that morning or the first one down to the kitchen to make breakfast. It was so unlike her. "Did you have a bad dream?"

"Hmm?" Rachel turned to him with those sleepy eyes, "What makes you ask that?"

Johnny shrugged, "You look tired." He turned pensive, "Mom used to have a lot of nightmares when I was little. She used to wake up screaming and then…" His voice died down, "And then the next day she looked really tired."

Rachel saddened when she heard this. Lana was always so headstrong and plucky. It was hard to imagine her in such a vulnerable state. Of course her past had been a very difficult and traumatizing one. Rachel couldn't imagine the strength it took to overcome such obstacles and still have the will to carry onward. She really admired that about Lana.

"Does she still have bad dreams?" He asked, his eyes growing with worry. "I don't hear her cry anymore."

Rachel placed her hand on his and gave it a light squeeze. She shook her head; she had not heard Lana cry in her sleep in a long while. "No, I don't think she does anymore."

"That's good." He glanced out the window, "But...do you?" He turned back to her.

Rachel sighed, "Sometimes but just normal nightmares. Silly ones. But that's not why I'm tired today."

"Why are you tired then?"

Rachel's attention went to the children walking in the direction of the school. They were dressed in their uniforms, with their school bags hanging from their shoulders. She smiled softly and set her attention back on the boy. It was funny how easily she could confide in him. Johnny was young but he was bright and had an understanding beyond his years. After all, he was his mother's son.

"Sometimes I just worry too much for my own good is all." She admitted to him, "I suppose I just want to make your mother happy."

Johnny grabbed his backpack when he heard the school ring the first bell of the morning, "Well, she doesn't cry in her sleep anymore. I think you're doin' a good job." He gave Rae a thumbs up and hurried out of the car before he was late. "Love you, bye!"

Rachel couldn't help to laugh as she waved him off, "Love you too! Be good!" She sat in the car for a moment, watching him to make sure he made it inside safely, "That boy is something else."

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Rachel stood in front of Lou's office later that morning when she arrived to work. She took in a deep breath and repeated her speech in her head just like she had done so the night before while she laid wide awake. She raised her fist up to the door to knock but couldn't bring herself to do so. It was as if her body was completely frozen in place. She frowned to herself and chewed on her bottom lip, trying to muster up the courage to storm inside and demand what she deserved.

Rachel muttered frustrated nonsense underneath her breath but just as she was about to finally knock, Lou's voice boomed from behind the door, "Dylan get in here, now!"

Rachel flinched and opened the door without question. Big eyes wide and alert like she had just gotten scolded in school. "Yes? You called?"

Rachel's attention was set on Lou who sat behind his desk. It took her a moment to realize that Lana was in the office as well. There was a serious and rather rigid expression on her face and Rachel suddenly became more nervous than she already was. All the courage she had once felt about asking for a raise that moment had quickly evaporated into nothing and her mind turned into a blank slate.

"Ah, there she is, the apple of Ms. Winters' eye. Get in here, Ms. Dylan and close that door behind you."

Rachel stepped fully into the office and closed the door. She looked from Lana to Lou but remained silent. It was no secret to Lou that the two women were a couple and were living together. A few of their coworkers suspected as well but hadn't spoken about it in fear of Lou himself who would not tolerate any discrimination. Still the whispers and rumors ran rapid in hushed voices.

Rachel cleared her throat, "Hello, Ms. Winters." She acknowledged Lana like the two professional colleagues they were in the workplace.

"Hi, Ms. Dylan. A little late, are we?" Lana smirked at her, those dazzling brown eyes gleaming just for her.

Rachel felt herself blush and she bit back a smile.

Lou brushed his hand away, "Easy there, Winters. We got business to tend to."

"What business? I'm dying to know." Lana answered back sarcastically. Lou had been beating around the bush after the discussion of Maniac and up until Rachel arrived.

Lou nodded and stood from his chair, "Very well then." He placed his hands upon the mahogany desk and landed his attention on Rachel. "Ms. Dylan. I called you this morning because I'd like for you to place an add on our paper."

Both Rachel and Lana looked confused at this. "Uh, yes, of course. Of what?" Rachel asked. Lana kept her eyes on Lou, unsure of what game he was playing at.

"A job opening."

"A job opening?" Lana was the next to ask. She didn't recall any positions opening up.

Rachel felt her throat go tight, suddenly tense.

"Yes, put out an add for a new assistant."

Rachel paused and a frown slowly formed. "An assistant for Ms. Winters?"

"No, for me." Lou stood straight.

Lana frowned instantly at this but remained quiet. Rachel's lips parted, trying to put one and two together but her brain creaked, unable to catch up to speed. "But I'm- I'm your-"

"Not anymore." Lou stated firmly, "Ms. Dylan, you're dismissed from your assistant's duties effective immediate."

"What?" Rachel stood back, utterly shocked. She felt her head begin to spin as her ears grew hot. Lou's words bounced off the walls and smacked her across the face over and over and still her brain could not make sense of things fast enough.

Lana shot up to her feet, "I beg your pardon?"

Even though the fierce look in Lana's eyes could burn the flesh off Lou, he remained firm. "Yes, I am afraid Ms. Dylan's services as my assistant will no longer be needed because I am promoting her to the editorial staff."

Both women stopped. Lana was about to lynch Lou and Rachel had begun to self destruct. She blinked a couple of times and frowned in confusion, "Come again?"

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The bar was alive and well with the sound of jazz and lively conversations that night. Lana and Rachel sat on a small red booth; sharing drinks in celebration of Rachel's promotion earlier that day. Lana was so pleased with the news that she wanted to celebrate as soon as possible. She asked Kit if he could watch Johnny on that night while the couple went out for a well deserved date in the city. The bar was one of their favorites and the drinks had been ever flowing.

Lana sat across from Rachel, smiling at her. "You know I almost ripped his head clean off."

Rachel laughed, "I haven't seen you that angry in a long time." She used the small straw to stir her White Russian. Her eyes were downcast on the alcoholic drink as she spoke, "I for sure thought he was a goner."

"Well, why did he have to word it that way? I swear sometimes that man drives me insane." Lana took a drink from her scotch. "Sometimes I feel like he lacks common sense."

"I'm sure he meant it as a surprise." Rachel tried to ease Lana.

Lana shook her head, "Even then."

"Oh, Lana. Don't huff. I'm fine." Rachel placed her hand upon Lana's and held it. Rachel smiled when her gaze landed upon their fingers intertwined. Lana had such lovely hands. Slowly, Rachel's smile faded, "Lana?" The news of her promotion felt heaven sent but she couldn't help but worry about what really influenced Lou to make such a decision out of the blue.

"Hmm?"

Rachel met her gaze and quickly changed her mind, not wanting to ruin a lovely night. So instead she changed her question, "Would you like another drink?"

"Sure, I'll get them." Lana motioned to move but Rachel quickly jumped to her feet.

"No, this rounds on me." She gave Lana's hand a little squeeze and let go, instantly feeling the cold that took her place. Like a quick rabbit, Rachel darted towards the bar.

Lana watched as Rachel made her way through the sea of women. One or two ladies turned their heads as Rachel walked by and their eyes lingered for a few moments. When the young blonde paid them no mind, they turned back to their conversations as if nothing had happened. Lana looked down to her drink once she saw Rachel reach the bar.

That young woman had been nothing but joyful surprises since she made herself known in Lana's life. And it made Lana think about that other woman Rachel had loved before. The one that had caused Rachel to lose everything she ever had in life. The thought of the faceless woman boiled Lana's blood. How could someone be so cruel so such a lovely person? It was beyond Lana but in a way she was glad for Rachel made her way into her life.

Lana was brought out of her thoughts when she noticed the backside of another woman approach Rachel at the bar. She slowly perked up and watched from her seat in the booth. Rachel turned her head to look at the woman when spoken to. For a moment Rachel looked like a little bunny rabbit caught in the headlights. Her eyes grew with surprise and her lips parted in the way they did when she was caught off guard and unable to think of what to say in the moment.

Lana watched the scene unfold before her with a sense of amusement. Rachel looked nervous, that much Lana could tell but the young woman was able to handle herself in such situations. She had been in them before. Perhaps it was her darling face or that look of serene blissfulness that she carried along with a kind smile for anyone she met eyes with. Lana didn't know but it caught other women's eye as well. They chatted for a minute or two. Rachel only smiled at what the other woman was saying, she was polite that way.

A very familiar feeling grew in the pit of Lana's stomach. It was an ugly feeling and not one she much cared for but it lingered from time to time when it came to the young woman and its name was jealousy. Lana's jaw grew rigid but she remained still.

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?" A velvet voice spoke above the jazz music and Lana was finally torn from the scene at the bar to come face to face with someone she had not seen in years.