I'm sorry for the lapse. I think one more chapter will seal the deal here. Again, my humble apologies for the wait. Thank you for all that reviewed and who plan to!
"You work here?!" Ella asked, amazed at how large the place was. Then again, everything seemed much larger from a child's perspective.
"What is this place?" she asked in wonder.
"Well, your aunt works in the basement among other places. We even have a cow there," she knew that would pique the girl's interest and help to deflect the possibility of having to explain exactly what it was that her aunt does.
"A cow! No way, you're lying. I can tell," Ella exclaimed, secretly hoping there really was a cow. Olivia simply smiled. Wait and see.
X
Ella grabbed Olivia's hand as they approached the lab. Olivia squeezed it lightly in reassurance. She forgot just how scary such a place would seem to a young child. She wonders if it would have had the same effect on her when she was that age. Given what she had been through—probably not.
Ella screamed in delight and disbelief, "you DO have a cow!" Olivia smiled and watched her loose her grip and run toward Gene. Her hand tingled so slightly.
Ella stopped short of the gate and introduced herself, "well hello Mr. Cow. How are you today?"
Walter and Astrid came into view. "It's a female bovine and her name is Gene," Walter spoke, ascending the few lab steps. He paused to look at the child. "Well, the distinction is clearly there. You're somehow related to Agent Dunham….yes, a niece perhaps?"
Olivia walked over and nodded her head. Walter stretched out his hand to Ella. "Well then my name is Dr. Walter Bishop, but you can call me Walter."
Ella reached out and shook his hand. Her brows creased and her mouth went slightly agape. "But you don't look like a doctor or this isn't a hospital," Ella spoke.
Walter snickered, "Ridiculous! You don't have to…" but Astrid piped in and quickly changed the subject before Walter could lose himself in a tangent.
"Isn't about time we milked Gene anyway?"
Walter snapped out of it and quickly changed his demeanor, "Yes, of course."
"Oh, can I help?!" Ella asked, jumping up and down.
"Why of course you can. Just don't stand behind her. God forbid she decides to lift her hind legs and kick you square in the face," Walter laughed.
"And don't worry Walter, we'll leave for lunch, like I promised, as soon as we're done," Astrid reminded him.
"Excellent," the old man smiled.
X
"Just thought you should know that Walter is explaining nipples to your niece," Peter popped his head into Olivia's office to warn her.
"Shit!" Olivia mumbled and quickly rose from her chair.
"Whoa, I'm just kidding. Sorry, I couldn't help myself," he chuckled. "Speaking of temptations, why are you here?"
"Because I work here," she replied matter-of-factly.
"Yes, I know that," Peter chuckled again, "but why today. Not exactly the family fun scene I would plan out in my head."
"I know. I just had to stop for twenty minutes to look into something. I stayed up all night thinking about this one detail about the warehouse. I thought that maybe the agent…"
Peter held up his hand and cut her off, "I don't want this to come off the wrong way but Olivia you need to stop for one day. The files will be here tomorrow. Hell, even tonight if you absolutely have to! Just, enjoy one day with your niece."
Olivia waited a moment before she spoke, "you're right." She placed her glasses on the desk and rubbed her temples.
"Aunt Olivia!" Ella squealed while running into Olivia's office. "Oh my goodness, did you know that milk right from the cow is not that yummy? It kind of tastes yucky. Like, really bad." She stopped when she noticed Peter.
She gasped and ran to him. She embraced his legs and looked up to him. "I didn't know you where here!"
Peter chuckled. It truly was amazing how quickly children became attached to adults they've only met a few times. He patted her back and replied, "Well, it's nice to see you too!"
Olivia smiled and came out from behind the desk. "Ew, that milk is gross, huh?" Olivia's smile ceased when she noticed that her niece was still captivated by Peter's presence.
"Peter, you have to come with us today! We're going to the Lots of Lights where all these thousands of lights are hanged up by really big people on really big ladders and there's apple cider and managers with baby Jesus..."
"Mangers," Olivia cut in, correcting the littler girl.
Peter chuckled, "oh really? That sounds very cool. But, it sounds like some aunty and niece time and I don't want to impose…"
"Don't be silly! My Aunt Olivia wants you to come. I hear Mommy talking about how 'Peter is good for you Liv' and all that stuff."
Olivia's jaw just about hit the floor in embarrassment. Peter's smile only broadened. He stole a glance at a slightly flushed Olivia.
"Well, am I invited then?" he laughed. She looked down at Ella's begging face.
"Why not?" she began to chuckle in pretense, letting out some of the tension and embarrassment. Sure, why not give my niece the opportunity to let out what else she might have heard from my stupid sister.