CHAPTER 10

By the time he got to the door of the Brady Pub, Bo's anger had died down and just as well; he would have taken it out on anyone who'd dared ask what was bothering him. The scene with Hope proved that they were simply not emotionally connected anymore and it was time to call it a day. He probably would have taken the step if Hope hadn't filed first. All they did these days was fight and fight some more. His mind went back to Carly and he relaxed. Back in the day they'd had their tiffs but once over, neither of them referred to it again. No arguments of who was right or wrong, they simply... settled.

Bo shut his eyes, praying she would come out of the coma soon. If he was going to go ahead with the divorce, he needed to know she would be there for him. With this positive thought, he entered the pub.

'Hi Brady, Arianna.'

'Hi. Are you ordering?'

'Coffee, for now.' The young woman bustled away.

'So, where's Her Serene Highness?'

'Don't call her that.' Bo snapped crossly.

'Hey, I didn't mean any harm. Isn't that her title now that she's the new ruler of Alamainia?'

'Technically it is, but she's not the ruler of Alamainia. It's run by a Prime Minister now; the monarchy system was dissolved about fourteen years ago but Larry was allowed to retain his title since his ancestors were the founding fathers and then he got heavily involved in politics. Besides, Olivia's not going to use her title and once Carly wakes up and comes back home, we're going to have a serious discussion about her last name. Thanks,' he said as his coffee was placed in front of him.

'You do realise Olivia's going to be the target of gold digging leeches; she has looks and pots and pots of money. You're going to have to be extra careful. '

'One of the many reasons why I'd rather she had nothing to do with Larry Alamain's money but I can't wish Nicky back from the grave, poor kid. And as for being careful, you don't have to tell me twice.' He sipped his coffee.

'I can think of someone who'd be more than happy to get his paws on her.'

'Who?'

Brady leaned forward. 'E.J DiMera.'

Bo looked at his nephew sharply but Brady's face held no trace of a smile. 'You're kidding, right? Olivia's just fifteen.'

'Girls from Stefano's country get married at 15 and Olivia can pass for 19. E.J and his old man are loaded but she's worth five times more. And you know how Italians love old money, lineage and all that crap.'

'There's no way that going to happen. The Bradys and the DiMeras have been at each other's throats for years.'

Brady shook his head soberly. 'Uncle Bo, you still don't get it. Even after Stefano finds out the whole story about Olivia, he's going to put the fact she's half Kiriakis, half Von Leuschner into consideration and encourage that opportunist to make the moves on her with his charm and smooth talk. And he most definitely will, Olivia's very beautiful and all.'

'He'd better not so much as pat Olivia's shoulder,' Bo's voice was ominously low, 'or l'll kill him right there and then.'

Olivia was mature and tough enough not to be manipulated but Bo was still determined to keep a closer eye on her. The son of the other resident gangster of Salem had caused more than enough havoc on Sami's life and both families had been relieved when they'd parted ways. Olivia could most likely be his next prey.

That son of a bitch touches her, he'll be more than sorry, Bo thought darkly. I'll make sure of it.

'It won't happen, Brady.' he said, aloud. 'Because I won't allow it.'

Brady nodded and wisely changed the subject. 'Any good news about Carly?'

Bo hesitated. 'So far, no.'

'You know, Dad pulled out some old albums, showed me photos of Mum and Carly and you together. Wow.'

'What did you think?'

' Let me put it this way...If I was this age back then, I'd given you a run for your money, man. She and Olivia's eyes are way too green to be legal.' Brady leaned forward confidentially. 'What was she like? You know...'

'Absolutely none of your business!' Bo said with indignation.

'Come on, you're killing me here.' Brady protested. 'Dad and Marlena talked a lot about you two the whole time we looked at those photos- it's like... like... the princess and the stable boy in a Barbara Cartland story. Love between two people so different in class makes it all the more consuming, more passionate because in the eyes of the world it's kinda forbidden. It was like that between you and Carly wasn't it?'

Brady's assessment was so almost accurate that Bo was silent for a while. When they'd been together, he'd sometimes marvelled over how lucky he was to have the beautiful young doctor in his life; the same girl who'd run away from her family's estate rather than go through with an arranged marriage. If they'd met back when she was Lady Katarina Von Leuschner, they would've definitely been forbidden from seeing each other and would've had to sneak around just to be together, like they did when she was in the middle of the annulment of her marriage with Victor. He and Hope had dated over Doug Williams' objections and Hope was easily manipulated by her father through emotional blackmail and if it hadn't been for her open minded and kind grandparents, they never would have made it to the altar. Carly would have run away with him without looking back, thumbing her nose at her family and Lawrence Alamain.

'It wasn't the class difference, well at least not just that. I almost lost Carly because I kept pushing her away; I guess John and Marlena told you about that?'

Brady nodded.

'The fact that we almost lost a chance together drew us close, very close. I never wanted her out of my sight; I thought about her all the time- my heart always gave a rush whenever I looked at her or hear her voice whenever she read to Shawn Dee. Sometimes, I'd even be a little jealous whenever she would fuss over him and I wanted her whole attention. She's... her type of woman is rare, you know. I guess that's one of the reasons Victor was obsessed with holding on to her.'

'Like Lawrence Alamain?'

Bo snorted in derision. 'Carly's marriage with him was arranged when she was eight. When they were adults, he had to assume a fake identity to make her fall in love with him and it worked until she found out the truth and saw the evil, twisted bastard he was. She ran from one place to another, just to get away from him. When we got together, Larry was always sniffing around her, upsetting her and making me mad. She was a trophy to him, something he couldn't have and didn't want anyone else to have. He couldn't stand or wouldn't believe the young countess arranged for him was in love with an average Joe. Just thinking about him makes me wish over and over I'd been the one to kill him.'

Brady shook his head. 'She's really something, your Carly. Dad also said she helped deliver me and she's my godmother.'

Bo nodded. 'Yeah, we were named your god parents. Izzy had another reason for doing that, though.'

'Oh?' Brady sat straighter, interested. 'What?'

'The period you were born was a tough one for Carly; she'd been told she couldn't have kids and we'd just found out that her supposedly dead baby had been sold in the black market. Turned out later, the buyer was Larry's aunt, Vivian, who'd paid Carly's doctor to lie to her.'

'God, that bitch has a lot to answer for!' Arianna, who'd been listening closely behind Brady's chair exclaimed.

'You said it, kiddo.'

'That's why you're so attached to Olivia, isn't it? Not just because she looks like her Mum.' Arianna deduced softly. 'She's the child you and Carly thought you'd never have. She's your miracle baby.'

'Yes.' Bo said softly, unable to deny it. She was their miracle baby; coming into his life like spring time after winter. Carly's dream child, born from their love.

::::::::::::::::

'There she is! Caroline exclaimed as Olivia and Shawn Douglas entered the Pub fifteen minutes later. She moved towards them, affection and warmth surging as she hugged her granddaughter tightly. 'Oh, we really have to fatten you up; you're so thin!' She fretted, making everyone laugh.

'I'm in your hands, Grandy. Hello, Dad.' Olivia said as Bo hugged her as well, rubbing her back. Everyone had seen how his eyes lit up as soon as she'd entered the room.

'Did you guys have fun?' he asked as Shawn Douglas took her jacket.

'Shawn Douglas took me sailing, he even let me steer the boat.'

'And handled it like a seasoned pro. We'll make a sailor out of her yet.' her brother grinned at her. Bo saw that being out on the boat had done her a lot of good, her cheeks were rosier and her eyes glowed like emeralds.

'Here, Olivia- come sit by me.' Brady patted the chair next to him.

'I'll go see to lunch.' Caroline moved to the kitchen. As Olivia walked towards the table, Bo noticed that she had a larger tattoo, this time on her right shoulder blade. Although half hidden by the strap of her top, he recognized it as a Celtic Knot Work; symbolising the endless flow of the life force of the cosmos through birth, death and rebirth and the interconnectedness of all things. No, she isn't Her Serene Highness, Princess Olivia, Bo thought to himself. By blood, spirit and soon by name, she was Olivia Gwyneth Brady through and through.

Brady poured his young cousin a glass of iced tea from the jug Arianna placed on the table, passing it to Bo. Bo filled Shawn Douglas' glass before his.

'If you don't mind, I'd like to make a toast.' His children and nephew turned to his direction, their glasses in their hands.

'To Olivia- my beautiful wonderful daughter; whom I'm eternally grateful for, brought back to us by Fate and today, God Willing, the first of the many happy days we'll all have with her.'

'Hear, Hear.' Shawn Douglas and Brady chorused.

'Second,' Bo continued, 'to Carly, who we all wish recovers soon and comes back to Salem where she rightfully belongs.'

As far as Olivia was concerned, she'd shed more than enough tears, which was why the only facial expression on her face was a faint smile and the only words that came from her mouth were, 'Thanks, Dad.'

'To Olivia and Carly,' Shawn Douglas said. The three glasses clinked together.

::::::::::

'Hope, I'm about to ask you a question and for the sake of our long term friendship, I need you to be honest with me. Do you or do you not want this divorce?'

Hope folded her arms, her head bowed.

'Your silence says it all, you don't. I never believed it for a second.'

'Abe, you wanted me to be honest, the truth is... I'm not sure what I want anymore.' Hope mumbled. She got up and began to pace.

'I think you do, you want Bo back. You're jealous of a memory.'

'She's NOT a memory, Abe!' Hope snapped. 'She's alive and kicking or will be once she wakes up, waltzes back to Salem and she and Bo will ride off into the sunset!'

'And you've reached the absolute conclusion that what's going to happen?'

'She was that special that Bo had to block her out of his mind, never said a thing about her after we got back together!' Hope insisted. 'He loved her very much, far more than he loved Billie Reed and probably more than me.'

'That's what you really think? More than two decades of marriage and three children, and you're basically saying you've been living a lie.' Abe shook his head. 'I can't believe what I'm hearing.'

'I know he's your friend but even you have to...'

'If you want to finish that sentence with "agree", forget it, because I don't. And I want you to listen to me and listen hard, Hope Brady. Bo loves YOU. Yes, he and Carly were very tight; they were very much in love, he moved on when you were gone but that's hardly a crime just as not mentioning her to you all these years. He'd buried her memory and gave all his love to you, Shawn D, Zach and Ciara. One of the reasons why it hurts to watch you end a very good thing. Don't you think you should reconsider going ahead with this divorce?'

'There's nothing to reconsider, Abe. I made the decision and I'm going ahead with it. I'm just mad at Bo for keeping Carly a secret, that's all.'

No, that's not all, Abe said silently. You're also mad that the woman who replaced you may replace you again. You're afraid Bo might fall in love with her all over again.

'If you want to go ahead with it, that's your choice. But stop fighting with Bo over Carly. Remember that poor woman has gone through hell for a long time; her life is hanging by a thread right now. Olivia is just starting to pick up the pieces of her life and getting to know her father, don't resent her over that. And another thing- even if- and I'm sure that's what you're thinking, Carly may still be in love with Bo, it doesn't mean Bo feels the same way. He only had three years with her, he has 25 years with you and he didn't spend every one of them thinking about her. I hope you know what you really want, Hope. Because if you still love Bo, my advice is to find a way of resolving your differences, forget the divorce and stop being angry about Carly. Or Bo and everyone else will start looking at you in a very bad light.'

Before closing the door behind him he turned to her, 'Ponder over what I said, Hope.'

Hope sank back into the chair, her confused mind filled with thoughts.

:::::::::::::::::::::

In the bathroom, Olivia examined the wide stain on the front of her top before pulling it over her head. Shawn Douglas had accidentally swung his fork at her direction while sharing an anecdote and she was waiting on Arianna to arrive with a clean shirt.

She thought about her mother, willing for Bo's prayer to be answered very soon. It's been almost seven weeks now, why hasn't she woken up- unless there was something Dr. Simpson was holding back... brain damage? Olivia made a mental note to give him a call in the evening; or better yet, shorten her trip and go back to Paris. Much as she loved being with her Dad, who was more than kindness itself and her wonderful family, Ma came first, always. Their relationship was deeper than that of mother and child, more like a relationship of equals- born from the years of abuse. They'd long since realized they had to be strong for the other and show no weakness of the sort; or Lawrence would immediately use it to his advantage. Her mother's greatest fear had been dying at Lawrence's hand before she could send word to Bo about her. Olivia would never forget the fateful day Carly had told her the truth...

'That's what happened, kitten. I've been living a lie all these years, we both have. See...' she pushed the crumpled square in her hand. 'The man in the photograph, that's your real father.'

Olivia stared at the handsome man in the photograph, whose arm was round Ma's shoulders. She'd never seen such warmth and love in a man's eyes before. And Ma looked so happy.

'This is my Dad... this man?'

'Yes!'

'The little boy is Shawn Douglas, my brother... I actually have another brother?'

'Yes, and he's a wonderful wonderful boy, not that he's a little boy now... he'll be all grown up...' Carly's eyes filled with tears as she took the photograph from her. 'Oh, my God... how on earth could I have forgotten them all these years?'

'You didn't Ma, you had amnesia! But what do we do now? That man is not my father, he can't continue keeping us here! Let's contact my real Dad!'

No, we can't.' Carly got up, pacing the room. 'It's not as easy as that; Lawrence hated your father, probably hated him more after you were born. I can't run the risk of him harming Bo or his family. Lawrence will have them all wiped out by a snap of his fingers.'

'What do we do now?' She asked desperately. The revelation of her biological father has lit a fire under her and more than ever she wanted to escape this prison they lived in. 'Isn't there anyone that can help us?'

Carly patted her lips thoughtfully with a finger. 'I could contact my brother... but I have no idea where he is... and Lawrence will hurt him definitely.' She suddenly turned to face her, her eyes bright. 'I know who can help us!'

'Who?' Olivia jumped from the bed. 'Who?'

'He handled some legal work for your grandfather a long time ago; I saw an ad in the papers this morning, advertising his Law Firm- Naveen and Associates. He should be close to seventy now.'

'He's going to get a huge shock, you realize that.'

Carly shook her head. 'Only my friends and family at Salem think I'm dead. Omar has no idea I've been living here in Alamainia- we're not allowed outside these walls remember? If he'd seen me... heaven knows if my memory would have returned earlier than this!'

'Okay, I'm with you so far... how do we get in touch with him under fath... I mean Lawrence's nose? How can he help us escape here?'

'I have to work it out bit by bit, there are many things I need to take care of before we get out of this place.' Carly walked to her, her palms holding Olivia's face. 'You've been more than brave and strong all these years, kitten. There are many things to arrange and a very large web to untangle before we finally leave this place. It's going to take a very long time but I need you to be brave some more until that day comes. Can you do this?'

Olivia thought of how she'd long resigned herself with the fact that there was no way out of these walls. But knowing she had a father who was nothing like Lawrence , gave her hope for the future.

Biting her lip, she nodded. 'Yes, Ma.'

'Good girl.' Carly whispered, holding her tightly and kissed her forehead.

' We'll be strong for each other. We'll be out of here one day, kitten. I promise.'

The knock on the door pulled Olivia from her thoughts. Caroline came in, a blouse in her hand.

'Here, Arianna managed to find a green one.' she said holding it out.

'Thanks Grandy.' Olivia turned then flinched as Caroline cried out. 'Oh, my God!'

'Grandy, what's wrong?'

Caroline grabbed her arms, turning her around. 'What are these marks on your back?'