Annie was disappointed to say the least. Like Oliver, she too worried something was up. However, she had no specific suspicious. If anything, she wondered if Grace and Oliver had been fighting. They argued a lot before getting together, so maybe now it was done more quietly. Though tempted, she didn't ask him. Whatever the problem was it pushed him to at least feign good spirits. She enjoyed spending time with him just as much as she used to enjoy her time with Grace. More in a way given the long road getting here. Still, she did wish they could have spent time as a family. Despite her initial let down, she didn't say anything more on the subject, worried she might hurt Oliver's feelings and make him feel as though she didn't want to be around him.
Seeing no rush to get home, Oliver proposed a movie. Grace normally wouldn't allow it on a school night, and truth be told, that thought was what pushed him to carry out his suggestion. Chances are she wouldn't notice. Besides, he spent enough time wondering about her whereabouts this week. It wouldn't hurt for her to go through the same.
This was ridiculous, he started thinking through the movie. Where they some sort of juvenile couple who resorted to hints and games? Granted, they were probably no more than twenty in their last serious relationships. It wasn't how he wanted things. With any other woman he would have lived with it, not caring what she did with her days, nor would he worry himself with her motives. He wasn't sure what to expect as their relationship went on — he was still trying to make sense of the emotions surrounding the arrangement. Was this a bump? Or has the transition from boss and employee been made, resulting in this?
And then, with some help from a scene from the movie he was hardly paying attention to, it hit him. She wasn't avoiding him. She wasn't avoiding Annie. She needed time for herself. Of course, he mused in silence, there isn't a moment in the day where she is alone. By the time she goes to her room, she must fall dead asleep. No wonder she's been taking long breaks and keeping occupied with that silly project. It's taking her away for a little while. Why didn't I see it sooner? Even I get some downtime. If she's not working, she's with Annie. If she's not with Annie, she's with me. If only she could have told me… Probably thought she would offend me. He smiled at the thought. Should I tell her I figured it out? I don't want to embarrass her. If I know her, she must feel guilty. I started letting on after dinner… Damn, I never guessed there would be so much to learn. Playing the stocks are one thing, women are another.
"Mr. Warbucks? Mr. Warbucks, the movies over." Annie repeated a third time as she yawned.
Oliver, who was surprised to discover he'd dozed off, opened his eyes, sitting up in a panic.
"How long have I been sleeping?"
"I dunno. I didn't know you were until the lights came on."
"What was the ending."
"Same as always. The guy and girl fall in love."
"My mind wasn't on it tonight."
Again, Annie yawned. "Can we go home now?"
Rising to his feet, Oliver said as he picked up Annie, "Absolutely."
. . .
Annie was asleep before they reached home. About five blocks from the theater, Oliver regretted not bringing the car. The air was frigid and Annie became dead weight. He powered through but was thankful when he reached home. He brought her upstairs, taking her shoes off and tucking her into bed, minding not to wake her. It was well after ten o'clock. He could only pray she would wake up with no trouble for school — not that there was ever an issue getting her out of bed by sun up.
Since Grace's room was near Annie's, he stopped by her door in case she was up. After a couple knocks, he concluded she was still looking through the photo albums. With his revelation, he wasn't sure if he should disturb her. It was late, anyhow, and he was bushed from the walk home. Ultimately, his wish to see her prevailed, however, he vowed to stay no longer than a minute or two to say goodnight.
The door was cracked open which he took as a good sign. Peeking his head in, he saw Grace sitting in one of the chairs. An album was open wide on her lap and her head was slumped to the side with her eyes closed. His initial thought was to wake her. It looked like she had a few left and he didn't want to have to wait for her to get to work in the morning. Deciding better of it, he carefully took the open album and set it aside on the dresser before going to the closet to see if there was a spare blanket. With no luck, he took the quilt from the guest bed and covered her over as best he could. He smiled as he looked at her. She didn't appear to be in the most peaceful of slumbers but she looked beautiful nonetheless. He placed a kiss on her forehead and then crept out of the room.
Grace woke a couple hours later to a cramp in her shoulder. Hardly remembering moving to the chair, seeing a blanket on her lap brought on more confusion. It was safe to assume Oliver had stopped by after getting home, though, she thought he would have woken her. She looked at the floor assuming the album had fallen. When she didn't see it, she reached for the next one in the remaining stack. As much as she wanted to crawl into bed she knew this task best be finished before morning. With no sunlight coming through the window, she assumed she still had a bit of time.
Her heart was much more in this task at the start. Now it'd become tedious, repetitive, and hopeless. Why she thought she'd be able to recognize a couple she never Met was beyond her. So many people in the photos looked alike. Some could have been Annie's parents. Some definitely weren't. A handful of albums turned out to be scrapbooks which were the most hopeful, yet took longest to go through. For the life of her, she couldn't figure out why this had become of such urgent and great importance. Annie seemed to be putting her project together just fine as it was. The rest she wanted to supply could wait a little while. She knew Oliver was upset with her for passing on this evening's outing and figured Annie was disappointed as well. Most of her regretted the decision to stay behind.
The remaining albums didn't take her long, granted, she breezed through them lazily. When it came to the last album, a part of her anticipated a miracle. Part of her was sure this had to be it. It was always the last home. Much to her chagrin, the final album wasn't even one of the question marks in the stack. There were all of four photos and only one had a person in it. Whether it was the hour of the realization of these wasted hours she couldn't tell, but Grace felt her eyes fill with tears. She tossed the album in front of her on the bed along with the quilt. Standing up, she started boxing up the books, then changing her mind with the decision to wait until tomorrow. It was time to admit defeat and call it a night.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, Miss Farrell. I didn't realize you were still asleep."
Grace opened her eyes, promptly shutting them again when a beam of sun hit her face. Laying her head back down on the pillow, she questioned, "What time is it?"
"Nearly ten o'clock, Miss."
Sitting up in a flash, Grace said, "Annie! Did she get to school?"
"Yes, Miss. The Asp took her."
Burying her face in her hands in hopes to sooner adjust to the light, she said, "Mr. Warbucks will be furious. I'm sure he's been yelling for me all morning."
Annette shook her head. "Not that I know of. After breakfast with Annie, he went into the office. He hasn't sent for anyone."
"That's strange…"
"So is your sleeping past 8:30, if you don't mind my saying. Even 7:30 is questionable for you."
"I was up late working on something for Annie." With an aggravated sigh, she realized, "Now I won't have time to return those books to the orphanage. I've got to hurry and get dressed. Would you mind telling Mr. Warbucks I'll be right down? And if he's angry maybe come and warn me?"
"Yes, Miss Farrell… but he really didn't seem mad this morning. Perfectly normal. Well, normal as he's been lately."
"I hope you're right."
. . .
Grace was downstairs within ten minutes. As much as she would have loved a full shower to get the dusty feeling off of her skin, she decided haste was more important. She found it hard to believe Oliver wouldn't be angry or at least irritated with her. She knew she'd been pushing lately. Why did she do it? While he was a different person than when Annie first arrived, she couldn't expect he'd allow this recent neglect of her job persist.
He seemed normal enough when she entered the office. When he heard her footsteps he looked up from his work to greet her good morning. Stunned, Grace said nothing beyond her response and picked up where she left off yesterday.
They worked in silence which eventually became a brutal atmosphere for Grace. They weren't particularly busy. Today's tasks were all routine and preparation for another factory check coming up.
"Oliver?" she spoke at last.
"Yes, dear?"
Stunned by the normalcy of his voice, she stumbled over her question. "Why aren't… is everything all right?"
Looking up, he questioned, "Yes, why?"
"The quiet has been maddening."
"Then why didn't you say something sooner?"
"… Because I thought you would be angry with me."
"How come?"
Feeling as though he was beginning to play dumb, she replied, "Because of last night. I feel bad for not going. And I feel bad for not waking up when you came back, assuming you were the one to cover me over."
"Yes, it was me. I didn't want to disturb you."
"You mustn't worry about that," she replied.
"I do worry. I realize you haven't had a moment to yourself since the day you met Annie."
"… Did she say something to you? Is everything all right?" Grace questioned, growing worried.
"No, no. Nothing aside from wondering what you were doing."
"Then what's this all about?"
"I just assumed."
Shaking her head, she asked, "Assumed what? You're not being very clear."
With an aggravated sigh, Oliver replied, "I assumed you were looking for time to yourself. Needing some space is understandable. I know now that I'm more in the picture you're with someone from the start and finish of every day."
"Do you think that my tracking down information about Annie's parents is a way to avoid you?"
"I wouldn't say avoid. I'm not offended."
Walking behind the desk, Grace leaned again the drawers and reached for Oliver's hand. "I don't want you thinking for a minute that I don't want to spend time with you."
"Really, Grace, my feelings aren't hurt. I understand."
"I promise to tell you whenever I need some alone time. I regretted staying behind last night."
"If you weren't looking for time for yourself, why are you so hung up on this project?"
"I don't have a satisfying answer."
"What's the unsatisfying answer?" he questioned.
"Everything I said last night. This is something I need to do. I know I can never make up for anything that's happened to that little girl, but I have to at least try."
"But I don't understand what you're expecting to find. Within days of that Hannigan fiasco, we contacted the FBI and they couldn't come up with anything immediate."
"I just can't believe there's no information. We have their names and we know they died in New York. At least it can be assumed if the authorities knew where to find Annie."
"Even if we can track down their records, why would we want to show Annie?"
"I'm not looking for records. Not now. She won't understand them. I want to figure out her history. Like I said, she deserves to know what her parents looked like at the very least."
"Grace…" he said, reaching up to touch her arm. "I admire your determination. I really do… but you're fighting a losing battle. You have no clue what these people looked like. You don't know if there is even a photograph. I'm afraid there won't be some magic answer."
"But we have the other half of the locket. There was a box. The police wouldn't have bothered bringing her a lone necklace, never mind a broken one. Somewhere there was information on Annie. I'm going to assume a will. That could let us know most of what we need."
"Wait a minute," he said as he stood. "We have the other half of the locket?"
Having forgotten she'd kept it a secret from him, she tried to backpedal. "Oh, that. Didn't you know? At, um, in New Jersey. The locket was there." It wasn't a complete lie.
"How did you get it?"
"Miss Hannigan gave it to me." Again, not a lie.
"When was this? You were with me the entire time."
"Was I? Oh, it's all such a blur by now."
Unconvinced, Oliver said, "Yet, you remember receiving the locket."
"Oliver, this isn't important. My point is that there is at least a box that belongs to Annie. I intend to find what's rightfully hers, even if it is a lot of junk."
"It is important. You've got the same strange tone you've spoken with whenever you return from those long outings of yours. I'm starting to think you're keeping something from me. Last night I boiled it down to you needing space. Now you're telling me this isn't the case. You've never lied to me before. Why now?"
"I'm not…" she paused. As much as she tried to convince herself her going behind his back with these matters wasn't a lie, she couldn't stand here and claim she'd been truthful. One way or another, lies began, even if they were harmless enough. "Oliver," she started again, "if you really want to know where I've been going I will tell you. But before I do, I want you to promise you'll hear me out before reacting."
"What's going on, Grace?"
Avoiding his eye, she answered, "It's really nothing earth-shattering. More awkward I'd say. Or unusual."
"You're stalling."
With a sigh, Grace said, "I have been going to the orphanage… but I've also been to see Miss Hannigan."
Oliver wasn't sure what to do with this information. He remained quiet for several seconds, trying to keep his tone acceptable so he could get a reason out of her before anything escalated. "Why?" he questioned at last.
"I knew, like it or not, she could tell me the most about Annie. She was there when Annie arrived. She told me when her parents died a box of things that made it through the fire was brought to her. Don't you see? If the police knew where Annie was, that means that somewhere there's at least a note. There must be more to it that was overlooked."
"I understand that part. It does make sense. What I don't understand is why you keep going back and more importantly why you felt the need to keep it a secret from me."
"I was afraid of your reaction. I know I have no business associating myself with that woman. I hated going there. But the more I talked to her, the more I believe she truly is sorry for what she did."
"Are you saying you two are friends now?"
"I wouldn't say that. I haven't gone on social visits. I could never trust her outside these matters."
"And why do you think she's telling you the truth about Annie?"
"She gave me the locket all on her own. It was all she had from that box with the original birth certificate. All the records have been moved around by now. It doesn't help she never kept track of them to begin with. But she told me there might be a photo album. It's all I have to go on."
By now Oliver was again sitting again. Still unsure of what to make of all this, he said, "So, you're done with her now, right?"
"Miss Hannigan?"
"Of course Miss Hannigan."
"Well… she might remember something else. I can't very well quit now."
"Remorseful or not, I don't like the idea of you spending time with her."
"I'm not spending time with her, I'm trying to get information. I'm not going to be rude to her, but it's not by any means a social visit."
"I don't care, Grace. You know very well the hell she put Annie through even before the kidnapping. In fact, you should know better than anyone else."
"I know what she did. Annie knows I've been to see her. She wants to know who her parents were and she understand, like it or not, Miss Hannigan is our best bet getting that information."
"You're telling me I'm the only one who didn't know? Annie knows, The Asp knows? Who else?"
"It's not like that. I was going to tell you. These last couple days just haven't felt like the right time. There's no pretending there hasn't already been a strange air about us. We're both trying to make sense of everything all while making sure Annie is content. I was afraid to taint any of the time we have together. But I swear, I was going to tell you sooner than later."
Oliver scoffed. "Yet you chose to stay home over spending time with me."
"You know it's not as black and white as that. I wanted to be done with those things and you know it. The sooner I find some answers the sooner I can be done with this project."
"You seem to think this is a matter like a scavenger hunt. You think this handful of answers will be found within one area. This kind of thing takes time, Grace. Sometimes years, if ever. Are you telling me you're going to dedicate your life to this until you find what you're looking for?"
"I'm not saying that at all," Grace replied, growing defensive. "I'm aware of the fact I might come out of this with nothing. But I owe it to that girl to try. I know I'm bound to hit a dead end. Once it gets to that point I'll sit back and let the authorities do what they can. Instead of you undermining me, why not try and help out? It would nice to have a little bit of support instead of being made guilty."
"Because I have work to do. I need to think about the lives of my workers so they don't end up like Annie's parents. I can appreciate where your heart is but there are priorities. I've been working twice as hard to catch up on everything that's been going on even before the events with Annie. On top of that, I now have to make time for you both. I've gone from working dawn to after midnight to nine to five. Since then two more factories have started to go under and the daily paperwork has near tripled. There are errors in documents from being rushed and distracted and important phone calls are being forgotten. I can't afford one more distraction."
"Is that all we are to you?"
Swiping his hand along the length of his face, Oliver said, "That's not what I meant."
"It sure sounds like it."
"I don't mean to say it hasn't been worth it, but you need to understand that it doesn't come without a cost. The changes need to slow down. I would love to drop everything to help you, however, I need to keep my priorities straight. And before you quip at me, you and Annie are among my priorities. But the only way this is going to work is if you meet me halfway."
Grace looked back and forth between him and his desk a few times before turning around. She meandered around with room with no particular destination all the while staying quiet.
Oliver watched her for a while before deciding to get back to some paperwork - or trying anyway. He said all he needed to say. She didn't look particularly upset by his words… solemn, but not upset.
Eventually, she sat down on one of the armchairs near the door. Oliver looked up when she heard her footsteps in that direction, undecided if he was relieved or irritated she hadn't left. It was hard to focus on anything but the silence.
"You're allowed to sit closer," he said in the most lighthearted tone he could manage.
"I know," she replied softly.
Giving into her lack of words, whatever the reason may be, Oliver said, "My intent was not to upset you."
"I know that, too."
"Then why haven't you spoken."
"… Because I haven't wanted to admit you're right."
"I am?"
"Yes," she answered as she stood again. "Work can't stop for this. I should be more help."
"You know… this is something I've wanted to discuss since everything," he started. "I was never sure how to bring it up. I suppose as we're here now it's as good a time as any."
"What is it?"
"I realize I've already said the changes need to slow down, but this is something I've considered that could very well benefit us all. I haven't wanted to go forth with it without talking to you about it first."
"What is it, Oliver?"
Standing and walking over to where she'd frozen, he took her hands and led her to the chair in front of the desk. After gesturing to the seat for her to take, he continued. "What if I hired a new secretary? That way you'll be free to tend to Annie and take on these projects without worry to either of us."
"Please, Oliver. I know I've let my mind wander again but I promise to stay focused. I'll keep anything extra aside for the evenings. And I promise I won't let it interfere with any of our time together, either."
"Grace, this isn't a punishment or reprimand. I've been thinking about this for a while. With things the way they are now there's no need for you to keep working."
"But I like to work."
"All right then, maybe the arrangement doesn't have to be permanent. I can hire a temp while things settle down."
"I'd really rather not."
"How come?"
"Because… it's already questionable that we're living under the same roof now that we're romantically involved."
"Not so much when there are a couple dozen other people also living here."
"But they are your employees. If I'm working for my keep, it doesn't feel as strange. Under different circumstances, I wouldn't be living here rent free."
"So what if it appears unusual? We both know our situation. Think of it as a paid vacation."
Grace shook her head. "It still feels strange to me. I'd feel too much like your wife."
A strange look crossed Oliver's face which Grace half expected.
She continued. "I'm at a loss for further words as I'll either sound too eager or uncaring."
"I can't think about marriage right now," he said.
"I know and I'm not asking you to. That's why it's best I keep working. It leaves a distinction."
"Then what if I hire extra help? Not for the mornings but for the afternoon? That way you can come and go with Annie."
"Training someone new will only be a distraction."
"Any more a distraction than now?"
Knowing arguing his point was a losing battle, Grace sighed and admitted, "I like working with you. I don't want someone else in the mix."
"Do you mean to say you'd be jealous?"
"Maybe I am… Oliver, it's all so new. Down the line I'll feel differently, I'm sure. But now, I suppose a part of me is still worried you'll choose someone else."
"I could never."
"You don't know that."
"Sure I do. Until now I never planned on anyone. You of all people have the right to bring me a poisoned drink. You've put up with so much from me and yet you're still here. And I never worry it's for money or status. You put me in my place and even though I grumble, I'm better for it. I know it's because you care for me."
Wrapping her arms around him, Grace said, "I do care — so much."
"And I you."
"I promise," she started as she tilted her head back, "I will be more responsible with work. Please don't hire someone else."
"We'll see how it goes. But if I do it will only be for the minor, tedious tasks. And I'll hire a man if that makes you feel better."
"A little bit."
"… Can you promise me something?"
"What's that?"
"Don't go see Miss Hannigan again."
"But Oliver, she's the only one who-"
"You're a better person than I. I can't forgive her for what she's done. I don't want her to have any connection to Annie."
"Annie isn't in any danger with my going to see her. I'm not there to socialize, either. I have nothing in common with the woman. All I want is to find out all I can about Annie."
"Tomorrow morning I will get in touch with the FBI again. It will take time but they will find everything there possibly is to know about her and her parents eventually. It won't be in time for her project but you'll hopefully get the answers you're looking for."
"All right…" She knew she had no right to argue the matter after he compromised with her, still, she had to ask, "Can I just run over tomorrow? I just need to ask her a couple more questions. Besides, I feel rude suddenly disappearing."
"I don't feel bad," Oliver said as he let her go. "She nearly killed Annie."
"It was technically her brother."
"I don't care. She was an accomplice and while I can appreciate she ultimately helped keep her away from the worst of the danger, I still don't want any of us to associate with her. I showed my gratitude by helping her on her feet. I don't owe her anything and neither do you."
Grace nodded, though she still felt bad. However, she valued her relationship with Oliver and wasn't about to risk it anymore with this goose chase she'd set herself on.
"I won't see her again," she finally said.
"Thank you…" Kissing her cheek, he hugged her once more, holding on to her tightly. He couldn't shake the unsettled feeling at the moment, but he was glad to finally have some answers himself.
