A/N: it's been so long! Im sorry I haven't been updating regularly. There's been just much going on in the world, in my life, with the show. It's not really giving me much to work with. I hope some of you guys are still reading and will enjoy this. Picking up right where i left off, Harrison and Olivia getting news about his mom & uncle. Let me know what you think.
"I'm fine. I actually came looking for you, Harrison, I came as soon as I could, I've been trying to call you. There's been an accident."
"An accident? What kind of accident?"
"It's your mom...the house," he tried to explain sensitively. "There was a fire and your stepfather...he's dead. Your mother's in the hospital, alive, but she's in bad condition."
Harrison got the wind knocked out of him for the second time that day. "Darryl? He's dead?" Harrison repeated after him carefully.
"Yeah, Darryl. He didn't make it."
Harrison stood there shocked, his eyes wide and his mouth gaping open. Olivia stood beside him mirroring his expression.
"But my mom, she's still alive, right?" He reiterated.
"Yes, she's alive. Her condition is listed as critical."
Harrison inhaled sharply and closed his eyes.
"Harry, you okay?" Huck asked. "You look a little-"
"Yeah, I'm fine, I just...don't know what to say," his voice was flat monotonous and Olivia knew he was anything but "okay."
"Do you want to call the hospital to try get more information?" Olivia asked in an attempt to be helpful.
"I don't know," he answered, rubbing his temples.
"Do you want to go home?"
"I don't know, I really don't know, I just need a minute. I need some fresh air," Harrison huffed, halfway sprinting out the back door.
Huck turned to Olivia. "Do you think he's alright? Maybe you should go after him."
"I'm not sure. I guess as okay as we should expect him to be after he just found out his mother is in the hospital and almost died. I think he just needs a moment to process. I'll go after him if he's not back in five. Huck, when did this happen?"
"Last night. I've been busy with work and stuff for the last couple of days so I just got a moment to check my alerts and stuff."
"What else do you know so far?"
"Only the basics. The local paper reported this morning that the fire started in the master bedroom. Apparently a curling iron was left plugged in on the vanity overnight and caught fire to some papers and spread while they were asleep. Thanks to the fire alarm Harrison's mom was able to make it out just in time, but her husband was passed out drunk and she couldn't wake him. Smoke inhalation is the official cause of death."
Olivia's heartbeat quickened. "That doesn't make sense. I've never known my aunt to do her hair at home, not ever. She was in her beautician's chair every Saturday morning faithfully when I lived there, Harrison and I even used to joke that she doesn't know how to wash her own hair. Honestly, she only wears one style, and she never curls her hair. Not to mention the fact that she would never leave paper laying out on the vanity top. Darryl hates clutter and is very demanding about cleanliness. I mean I could be wrong, maybe after all these years, things changed..."
Olivia tried to rationalize, but her internal alarm was going off. Her conversation with Rowan earlier rang in her ears. His choice of words, 'past wrongs will soon be made right,' had seemed odd to her even then, but they were downright eerie now. If there was one thing she did not want to be right about, it was this, but she couldn't ignore her gut feeling. "Huck, do you think it's possible for someone to have set the fire and made it appear accidental?"
"Anything's possible," Huck admitted. "As of right now, nothing is being reported about the fire having suspicious origins, but the investigation is still in its preliminary stages. A person would have to be an extremely skilled arsonist to fool the Fire Marshall because of the technology they have at their disposal. Any accelerants will be detected and they can even pick up fingerprints if any were left behind."
"And the article didn't mention a single thing about any of that?"
"No. But we do have to take into consideration the fact that the police could be purposely holding back information from the press to protect the integrity of the investigation. If we really want to know nitty gritty details of the findings, we're going to need access to the official report, any and all red flags they picked up are going to be compiled there. Only thing is, I won't be able to get my hands on that report until it's filed in the system and that could be a few days, maybe longer, depending. You think Rowan is behind this," Huck stated simply.
Olivia exhaled. "I don't have any proof except an intuitive feeling and something weird he said to me, but yes, I believe so. I doubt he wouldn't do it himself, he doesn't seem like the type to get his hands dirty, but he had it orchestrated. I know it. The timing of his trip and our conversation is too much for me to think otherwise."
"Okay, let's say you're right. The fire was purposely set. Who do you think was his main target? Maybe the idea behind it was really only to take care of Darryl and Harrison's mom was just collateral damage," Huck theorized.
"Collateral damage, maybe, but also possible witness. Whatever discussion they had when he visited must not have gone positively and she's going to put two and two together and connect the dots back to Rowan. He won't want to chance her hurling accusations at him for this, even if she has zero concrete evidence, it doesn't look good. It doesn't look good at all."
"He's going to want to make sure she stays silent."
"Possibly permanently," Olivia added.
"Likely sooner than later if the idea is to keep her from talking. And if Harrison is in the vicinity, there's a possibility he could get snagged in the crosshairs. I can't allow that," Huck concluded quietly.
"We need to figure out a plan."
Harrison was sitting atop a conveniently placed red cooler with his head buried in his hands when he heard footsteps approaching.
"Too many beers, huh Har?" Stephanie asked cheerfully.
When Harrison only grunted in response, she stepped closer and rubbed his head. "Come on Harry, I know you hear me talking to you. I know you're a little upset with me about the conversation we had on the way over here earlier, but I thought you were a better man that than to be petty about it. I'm really trying here."
Harrison's head snapped up, his eyes blazing with fury. "For your information, my entire world does not revolve around you Stephanie, so please stop flattering yourself so much. On the contrary, I have real life shit going on that really doesn't concern pining hopelessly over you. Get over yourself."
He watched the shock register on her features and immediately kicked himself and wished he could take back the words. Bracing himself to be cursed out thoroughly, Harrison waited for the harsh words to spill from her lips as she pursed them thoughtfully and then promptly opened her mouth to speak.
"Like what?" Was all she said.
"Huh?" Harrison tilted his head, genuinely confused by her.
"You just said you have 'real life shit' going on that you're very obviously stressed about, so what's up? Talk to me," she insisted, sliding into the small space he'd left at the edge of the plastic surface.
Harrison inhaled and exhaled into his hands and clasped his fingers under his chin before turning to look her in the eyes. "It's my mom. There was a fire at my house back in Ohio and I'm a little in shock right now. Things don't sound good. I'm sorry for tripping out on you just now, I shouldn't have snapped like that. I didn't mean what I said or to disrespect you, there's no excuse for it, but I literally just got the news a couple of minutes ago so I'm on edge. Don't hate me."
"Harrison, please don't even worry about my feelings right now. I poked, not realizing I was treading in on a serious moment. You have nothing to be sorry for. Back to you. A fire at your childhood home? Oh my goodness, I am so sorry to hear that. Please tell me everyone is safe and accounted for?"
"My mom's status is critical and her husband is dead," Harrison informed her flatly.
"Oh my god no," she took his hands in hers, "I'm so, so sorry Harrison. Were you two close?"
Harrison grimaced, but decided now wasn't the right time to delve into that topic. "No, we weren't close."
"Still, I'm sure it's quite a shock. I know I sound like a broke record, but I'm truly sorry for your loss and I'm going to keep your mother in my thoughts and pray that her condition improves. How did you hear?"
"Huck is inside, he swung by to tell me. Thank god for him, no one from the hospital or police department has even called to inform me that my own mother is laid up in the hospital, possibly dying. We're not on the best terms, and that's putting it mildly, but it's not like I'm not still her son. I should have been informed right away."
"You're completely right but until you get there, I wouldn't jump conclusions and take it too personally. It's highly probable that you're just not documented as her next of kin since most married people have their spouse listed. She may not be conscious enough to request that you be notified yet."
"I don't know, Steph, I don't know. I was just inside and Liv and Huck were asking me what I want to do, and who I want to call, and if I want to go and I don't even know how or if should. The last time I was face to face with my mother we exchanged some very unpleasant words and she pretty much told me she wanted nothing to do with me, so right now I'm at a loss for what to do. Even still, with all that being said, every part of me wants to go make sure she's okay. But what if she wakes up and doesn't even want me there? I don't know if I could handle my own mother turning me away like that."
"Harry," she squeezed his hands, "she wants you there. You're her son, her only child. No matter what has happened in the past. She just experienced something extremely traumatic, has lost her husband and possibly her home. She is going to need as much support as she can get. Who knows, maybe this experience will even open her eyes as far as healing your relationship. Life altering events have a way of changing us, of making us appreciate things we didn't before, so there's a great chance she will want to make amends with you."
"There's also the chance that she won't," Harrison countered.
Stephanie nodded, acknowledging the possibility. "There's a chance of that, too, you're right. But if you don't go, you will always wonder and you will never know. And if by some chance, she doesn't make it through, you'll regret not going. You only get one mother. This is a chance to start a new chapter in your story with her, who knows when or if you'll get another one."
Harrison paused thoughtfully and considered the statement. Growing up, all he'd ever from his mother was to have a loving relationship like they had shared that until she married him. He'd spent many a night wondering how different their life would have been, how much happier it would have been, if she had never gotten trapped in Darryl's web. The dysfunction of their relationship overshadowed everything and made home life unbearable. Over the years, the seeds of resentment bloomed like dandelions inside of him until it was at the point that he seldom spoke to his mother unless he absolutely needed to because it always devolved in a verbal altercation.
Nevertheless, that fact that didn't stop her from calling regularly to invite him home and most recently, showing up for his graduation. He couldn't deny that her support of him, at least educational and financially, had been unwavering. Even though he'd picked up odd jobs here and there of his own volition, his mother had foot the bill for all his academic expenses, paid for his car, his insurance and always made sure that he had extra money in the bank.
It was far from the idyllic mother son relationship, but it was enough to let him know that she did care and want the best for him. In spite of her shortcomings in his eyes, it was a sign to him that maybe, just maybe, their relationship was salvageable, especially in light of his stepfather passing away, whose presence was a major point of contention in their relationship. Maybe this tragic accident could have a silver lining in the form of reconciliation between mother and son.
Harrison nodded vigorously, his mind essentially made up. "You're right, I have to go. No matter what's happened in the past, she's my mom. For better or worse, I only get one.i have to do this, not just for her, but for myself. Either a door will be opened or I will be shutting one behind me and not looking back."
Stephanie nodded, "That's right. And you know if you need anything, someone to vent to, or to take your mind off of things, or anything, I'm always here. You can always call on me. Don't forget I know what it feels like to have a parent in the hospital. It's hard. But you have a lot of support, you're not going through this alone, remember that."
Without thinking, Harrison pulled her into an embrace and sighed. "Thank you. That means the world to me."
She hugged him back, both arms around his neck as their eyes met in an unexpectedly heated gaze. She grazed the outline of his jaw with her palm and Harrison gulped conspicuously. It was moments like this, when their bodies were insanely close and she looked at him like he was the only man in the world, that left him wholly convinced that she felt the same fire for him that he felt for her, regardless of what she said verbally.
"You don't have to thank me."
Just as Harrison opened his mouth to insist that he did, Stephanie leaned in, her lips pressing against his chastely, so quick that he wasn't sure if she had truly kissed him or if he had daydreamed it. A lopsided grin spread across his lips as she beamed at him, her eyes glimmering with something he couldn't quite find the word for. Before Harrison could gather his senses enough to speak, the door to the house swung open and Olivia crossed the threshold.
A surprised expression covered her features for a moment before she recovered. "Oh, uh, hey, sorry," she giggled awkwardly and Harrison had to stop himself from cracking up. "I was just coming to look for you, Harrison, but I'll give you guys a minute though."
Stephanie spoke up before Harrison. "No, it's fine," she offered, standing and withdrawing her touch. He instantaneously felt the warmth leave his body. "I'm sure you guys have a lot to do right now so I won't hold you up. Harrison come see before you leave, if you can," she requested pleasantly, already smoothly descending down the stairs into the throes of the backyard party.
"What?" Harrison asked as Olivia peered at him curiously, wearing the telltale look that meant she had something she wanted to say, but was holding back.
"Oh, nothing. Sure you didn't need a little more time with your friend?"
"No, I don't. I made up my mind. I'm going to Ohio ASAP. I don't know what's going to happen, but it's the right thing to do. I'm hoping maybe now that Darryl is no longer in the picture, things can be different. Maybe. That doesn't mean I've forgotten or condoned the things she's done or allowed in the past, though," Harrison rushed to explain, following Olivia back into the kitchen.
"I totally get it, Harry, I do. She's your mother, it's only right."
"Thanks for understanding. I should go let Joe know what's happening real quick so I can head back to the house and start making arrangements for this impromptu trip, which includes looking for the a flight out, maybe a red eye. Oh and a room, since I'm not sure what the condition of the house is."
"Pack your bags and call your job, don't worry about the flight or room. I'll take care of everything," Olivia declared, taking charge.
"I can take care of it on my own, really," Harrison insisted. Although he appreciated the gesture, he couldn't accept it. It seemed to him all summer Olivia had been throwing good money after bad at him, from expensive graduation gifts, to bailing him and Abra out of jail, to having his car fixed. She was expecting a baby and undergoing so many life changes, he didn't want Olivia to feel like she always had to step in to save him. He didn't want to be burdensome.
"I know you can, but I want to. You have enough on your plate at this moment. Huck and I were talking, and figured you would want to leave as soon as you could, but what do you think about us coming with you?" Olivia proposed.
"Are you forgetting about your internship that you have to report to first thing Monday? You also know damn well that Fitz isn't going to let you go anywhere without him, so he'll need to take off as well. No way."
"Harrison if you need me, I will be there," she pledged earnestly.
"Liv, it's fine. Let's not forget that the last time we were all together, my mom was pretty terrible to you. The last thing I expect is for to you to be grieving and putting your whole life on hold for her."
"Be that as it may, I'm not a cold hearted person. While I definitely won't grieve for her husband, I've never wished ill on your mom, you have to know that. And it's not even about her, it's about you. I can put certain personal feelings aside to be there for you just like you would for me. Like you have been for me," Olivia emphasized.
"Thank you for that Liv. I love you and the offer is tempting, but I can't let you do that. Stay here and take care of business, I'll be fine. I promise if I need you I'll call. Deal?"
"Deal," Olivia acquiesced. "But that means I'm taking care of your accommodations."
"Fine," Harrison relented.
"And I'm coming," Huck chimed in, looking directly at Harrison. "I have something I need to check out that way, so it makes sense."
"Fine," Harrison repeated. He highly doubted that huck had something to "check out" in Ohio all of a sudden, but he didn't have it in him to argue. Furthermore he knew his friend, and he wasn't the type to bother with back and forth once he already had his mind made up, whether Harrison liked it or not. "If you want you can go ahead of me, I need to go say a few good byes first."
Huck nodded, "I'll meet you at the house."
Once he was gone, Olivia followed Harrison out of the back door and down the steps. Her eyes immediately began scanning the yard for Fitz as Harrison went his own way to locate Joe. She found him not far from where she had left him before she slipped into the house, now chatting amiably and sharing a beer with two men she had been briefly introduced to earlier. He looked so content and at ease that she wished she didn't have to interrupt this relaxing afternoon with such disturbing news.
Olivia sidled up to him quietly, wrapping her arms about his waist. Fitz glanced down at her with a smile, moving his arm from his side to wrap around her. Noticing a slight difference in her demeanor, he remarked, "You were gone awhile. Feeling okay? Is it too hot for you?"
She shook her head and smiled in spite of herself, touched by his attentiveness. "No, it's not too hot. I'm fine. Are you having a good time?"
"Yeah, definitely. I'm glad we came," he kissed her brow.
"Me too and I hate to be a bubble burster, but I think we're going to have to head out a sooner than we originally planned. Huck just came by with some alarming news that requires Harrison to make a last minute trip to Ohio and he's going to need some assistance getting ready."
"What's going on?" Fitz asked seriously, concern lacing his tone.
Olivia took him by the hand and led him slightly away from the group before filling him in all the details she had, minus her hypothesis about Rowan's involvement. Fitz went wide eyed at the news but stayed quiet until she finished recounting all that Huck had shared with her. Just as she was finishing up, Harrison found his way over to them. He was wearing a much more serious expression than she was accustomed to seeing on him, but it was fitting. Olivia knew intimately the pain of losing a parent and never wanted to witness him experiencing that, especially not with herself being the root cause. She was willing to do anything in her power to prevent that from happening.
Rowan was in a foul mood. It was written all over his face and evident in his body language for as much as he wished to conceal it. His knuckles gripped the stem of his chalice so tightly his fingers began to perspire and his brows remained knitted as he watched the caterers and waitstaff bumbling about as they rushed to finish the dinner preparation before the guests were due to arrive at his Cape Cod summer home. If this were any other day, he would not be standing idly by, either he'd be busying himself goading the help to go faster or going over last minute research on the dinner attendees he didn't know as well, instead his mind was fixated on replaying an incident from two weekends prior.
*2 Weeks ago*
His gleaming, black Lincoln town car slowed to a stop in front a stuccoed tan house with powdery blue accents adorning the windows and doors and Rowan felt déjà Vu creeping up on him. He had come here, to this very place, in a car much like this one, on a warm, summery day over ten plus years ago. His primary mission then had been to make sure the living quarters were suitable. He had found them to be acceptable at the time, but Rowan could admit that in his haste to get things settled quickly, he may not have done his due diligence by only meeting with Olivia's aunt and neglecting to meet the husband. At the time, privacy had been his utmost concern in an attempt to protect his career, family and reputation. The less people aware of his secret connection to the orphaned child, he had figured, the better. For him, at least. But at what cost to his child?
Tiffany had been sure to send him regular updates on Olivia's academic progress and evidence of the many accolades she accumulated in swimming and debate and other scholarly endeavors, thus proving that she was well adjusted and happy. In return, Rowan made sure she was compensated handsomely for her role in stepping up to the plate and providing a home for his child when he couldn't.
Clearly she hadn't been wholly forthcoming in her reports, leaving him in the dark. Rowan didn't like being left in the dark, and he certainly didn't like being made to look foolish. He considered himself something of a master at detecting lies and manipulation, so it really got under his skin that he could have missed something. Had he really been so wrapped up in his own world that he overlooked red flags?
He wouldn't have believed it possible if he hadn't seen the pain in Olivia's eyes for himself. No one could fake emotions that viscerally, he had been around the block long enough to know. Now, he was here for answers.
Rowan stepped out of the car and looked himself over, brushing the imaginary dirt off of his linen shirt and the seat of his khaki pants. He presented himself demurely enough, though he meant serious business. He rang the doorbell just once and less than five seconds later he was greeted with Tiffany's warm smile, almost as if she had been crouched behind the door awaiting his arrival.
"Rowan," she ushered him in quickly, "how was your flight? Good, I hope. It's been so long," she chirped, bursting with nerves.
"That it has," Rowan pulled his lips taut in an almost smile as he took in her appearance. He hadn't seen her in person since the year Olivia had graduated from high school and the years showed on her face. While she was still well put together and trim, but underneath the made up exterior, Rowan could perceive the tiredness in her appearance, the exhaustion. "How has life been treating you?" He inquired politely.
"I guess I can't complain, and yourself?"
"Same."
"Well I know you wanted to sit and talk, so have a seat. Let me get you a refreshment, what would you like? Tea? Coffee? Juice? Water?" She rattled off the options excitedly.
"Coffee will do," Rowan chose quickly. He wasn't particularly in the mood for the jolt of caffeine, but he hoped it would give him a minute to look around while she was preparing the drink and once it came he could sip at his leisure.
"How do you take it?"
"Black. One sugar. Splenda if you have."
"As you wish. One black coffee with a dash of Splenda coming right up. Make yourself comfortable," she urged, disappearing into the kitchen.
As soon as she disappeared through the swinging doors Rowan was up on his feet taking note of everything. He found it a bit strange that although there were many family photos adorning the walls in various frames of various shapes, not one featured Olivia. He found that extremely curious and stored the tidbit into the back of his mind. Walking over to the china cabinet, he rifled through a few drawers until he heard the click clack of Tiffany's heels headed back in his direction, prompting him to rush back to his seat.
She reentered the room none the wiser to his snooping, placing a small porcelain teacup and an accompanying saucer on the table before him.
She settled into a the chair adjacent to the sofa he sat on. "So, Mr., it's been years since I've seen you last, needless to say I was shocked when you rang up to say you'd be in town and stopping by. You've never made it a point to swing by like this, so please, do tell me what I've done to earn this pleasure?"
Rowan brought the hot drink near to his lips, his eyes piercing through her over the gilded rim before taking a quiet sip and placing the cup back on the glass table. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat when almost a minute passed and he sat still staring and unspeaking.
"While I'd love to dive right into the heart of things, Tiffany, I thought I had made it clear to you that this was a conversation that needed to be had with you, your husband, and myself."
"Oh I heard you loud and clear, believe you me, but sometimes life has other plans. It just so happens that Darryl woke up this morning feeling a little under the weather. He suffers from migraines, especially in the dry heat like it's been lately, so he's been napping since lunch. I figured we could talk, just the two of us, like we've always done, instead of having you reschedule your whole trip," her smile was saccharine sweet but her tone held a bit of edge to it.
Rowan folded his hands in his lap and leaned back in his seat. "Do you think I came all this way for bullshit excuses?"
"No, of course not, and it's not an-"
"Because I did not," he cut her off. "I'm here to discuss a serious matter and all parties concerned need to be present. This includes Darryl. So that means his presence here is not optional, it's mandatory."
"I really wish you would just tell me what this is all about."
"Go get him Tiffany, and be quick about it," Rowan snarled. "Or I will."
"Fine. I'll go fetch him, but I hope you'll be understanding when he's not in the best mood."
"I really don't really give a damn about his mood. If he were a smart man, he would be worried about mine."
She cast a glare at him before scurrying up the stairs to the second floor, heeding his advice not to keep him waiting long. Rowan heard the man before he saw him, his heavy, languid steps echoing off of the carpeted staircase one by one. When he reached the bottom of the landing, Darryl stopped and looked over Rowan's person without bothering to try to conceal his bored contempt.
"Look here man: whatever you selling, we ain't buying."
"He's not a salesman, sweetie, he's family. I've been telling you we expecting company, haven't I?" Tiffany clutched his bicep.
Darryl shrugged her off, stepping a bit closer as he looked Rowan up and down, the look of displeasure still written on his face. "Don't know about you, but he ain't no kin of mine that I know of. If he is, why am I just now meeting him? No, he can't be nobody of too much importance." The man asked and answered his own question.
"He's my sister's old beau," she coughed nervously and then clarified, "Olivia's father."
Darryl cocked his head and assessed him with renewed interest. "Well in that case I guess the pleasure is all mine," he smirked and moved closer, offering a large hand for Rowan to shake. "You're a few years late though, brother. That girl don't stay here no more."
As Darryl closed the distance between them Rowan felt compelled to stand, not wanting to allow let the man's six foot plus frame hover over him. He swallowed a grimace as the man gripped his hand roughly with unnecessary force. The tone of the meeting was quickly being set and Rowan knew this was likely the first of many attempts to assert his dominance and steeled himself for the possibility.
Darryl was a veteran of the army service and the fact was was evident his appearance, tall, broad and brawny. Not the kind of man one wanted to go up against in hand to hand combat, but Rowan never intended for it to come that. Where he may have had brute physical strength, and domineering personality that intimidated most, Rowan had superior intellect and calculated cunning to his advantage, that much he could be sure of. He would not be rattled, he would do the rattling.
"I know Olivia no longer stays here, that's not the issue at hand."
"So if you know that, then what are you doing here?"
"Honey, I told you-"
Darryl's neck snapped sideways at breakneck speed and he fixed an angry glare at his wife. "Was that question directed to you?"
"No, I-"
"And don't you see two men talking?"
"Yes, and I'm sorry but-"
"So you just gon keep interrupting me?" He challenged, waiting a few pregnant seconds, as if daring her to respond before adding, "I know what you told me, but I want to hear the man tell it for himself. He looks capable enough of doing that without your assistance, ain't you man?" He asked with a devious smirk, clapping his hand on Rowan's arm with more unnecessary force. Rowan knew right then he was dealing with a cruel man, one who ruled for those weaker than him with an iron fist and found great pleasure in it.
"Yes, I believe so."
"Then have a seat. Talk. Tell me what brings you out this way after I ain't never not once seen you before and that girl ain't been seen round these parts in years. You just tell old Darryl what's on your mind," he finished as he flopped into recliner across from him, his hands folded his lap and a mirthless grin playing on his lips.
"I've come today to clear the air," Rowan stated authoritatively. He already knew no such thing was going to happen, but since he was already there he decided to see the thing through. He wanted to push the man's buttons and see the true character that lie waiting to spring up from just beneath the surface. Darryl was used to doing the telling and not being told, so Rowan knew it was just a matter of time.
He continued, "Olivia and I have recently been reunited and have had a chance to talk about a few things, the past being one of them. Now while I was under the impression that she was flourishing under your care, she believes otherwise and that does not please me. Now I know teenagers can be a handful, so I chose not to rush to judgement. Instead, I've come get your side of the matter so that we can move forward and ameliorate the situation. You are the only real family she has left on her mother's side and I would hate for there to be discord when it can be avoided."
Tiffany looked nervous, but didn't speak. Darryl scoffed into his hand. "Ameliorate, huh? And how exactly do you see us doing that? Ameliorating, I mean."
"Well first would be the acknowledgement of wrongdoing, and then would come the apology, before the healing could truly begin," Rowan suggested firmly.
Darryl furrowed his brows and sniggered with a roll of his eyes. "Now I see where she gets the haughtiness. She just got it honest, she really couldn't help herself."
"Excuse me?"
"You're excused, motherfucker," he snapped. "And if that's what you came over this way for, you can turn your ass around and go right back where you came from."
"No need for hostility, I just came to get to the bottom of what all happened."
"What all happened was, you sent your little brat here that you clearly didn't want for yourself and she didn't have no home training. She must not have known what it meant to live in a household where the man is the head of the household and everybody else has to fall in line, so you know what? She got her little ass disciplined. I whipped her from here to there and back," Darryl pointed around the room for emphasis. "And I'd do it again if need be. I refuse to allow the back talking and sassing and cutting her eyes at me, switching her hips with her nose up in the air. I won't abide it. And you know what, I dare somebody to say some thing. Now you got something you want to say?"**
Rowan was broke out of the reverie of his flashback daydream by the chiming of the grandfather clock in the foyer. It reminded him that guests would be arriving in the next fifteen to thirty minutes and he needed to mentally prepare himself. Tonight he was hosting a small dinner get together for a select few well to do political couples who were summering in and around The Cape under the guise of social purposes, but the true goal was to forge bonds in hopes of securing future support for a major move that was currently in the works, moves that could give him access to the power he craved and thrived on.
He knew this night could make or break him and it was crucial that he don his imperceptible mask of merriment, the one that allowed him smile and make nice on the social stage all the while pulling the strings behind the curtain. It was the only way to survive in politics.
But as fate would have it, the timing of tonight's event coincided with one of his worst moods ever. If there was one thing that was always sure to put a dark cloud over his head, it was failure, no matter how small or large the loss. He wasn't sure yet which category his latest failed bid for revenge would fall in just yet, large or small, but he was hellbent on mitigating his loss as much as possible. With that so heavy on his mind, he was finding it difficult to slip into the proper disposition for friendly wheeling and dealing. He needed to tie up loose ends first.
Rowan crossed the room to the kitchen for the door that led directly down to the garage where his navy blue S-class was parked. He slid into the driver's seat reached between his legs for his briefcase. From a hidden compartment, his removed the small burner phone that he only used privately and replaced every three months. If he could get this issue cleared up now it would free up his mental space for more important things. He hit the send call button on Anonymous contact one and let the line ring.
Three full rings in a man answered the phone. "Jack's Hardware, how can I help you?"
"Finally you answer my call. I'm calling to check on the status of my order, can you help me with that?"
"Ticket number?"
"Ticket forty-two twenty."
"Sir, your ticket has been closed and your order is complete. Would you like to place another order?"
"No, no! How can the ticket possibly be considered closed when the job is only half way finished? I said I wanted them both dead, dead I tell you! And she's not-"
"Hey, watch it!" The man snapped. "Are you fucking brain dead?"
"It's a burner, it's secure, so can we drop the pretenses for a fucking minute? I grow weary of talking in code. You did a half ass job."
"Let's see if you grow weary of the penn before they fry you in the chair, you idiot. Look, I asked you specifically if you wanted your fish well done. I told you, if you wanted a sure thing we'd need to boil 'em first before roasting 'em to make sure they were fully cooked. That's the chance you take. You wanted to make it look like all natural and that's the cost of appearances."
"One of the targets is still alive. I paid you and-"
"We've established this already. Look, you're not getting your money back. I wouldn't even be dealing with you right now if it wasn't for who referred you."
"I don't want my money back, I wanted the job finished. Properly," Rowan added emphatically.
"Going back in now would be risky, and that's going to cost you," he warned.
"I don't care how-" Rowan stopped short and jumped at the sound of rapping at his window. "I have to go. We'll have to finish this later. Answer your phone and have scenarios in mind when I ring you," he concluded hurriedly, closing out the call before the person on the opposite end could respond.
"Camilla I was just on my way back inside, it wasn't necessary for you to come fetch me," Rowan rolled down the window and greeted his wife gruffly.
"What are you doing out here in the first place?"
"I had make a call, business to attend to," he explained vaguely. "I was tying up loose ends."
"Everything alright?"
"Oh it will be soon enough," he smiled, slipping into the mask. He breathed a little easier knowing Tiffany's days were numbered once more. Darryl had paid the ultimate price for his violations and as far as Rowan was she was just as guilty, if not more, for her role in enabling it to happen under his nose. He wouldn't allow her to escape her fate, no matter what it cost.
By the time Olivia and Fitz made it back to their own apartment the sun had long set and Olivia was drained. The couple had escorted Harrison home, helped him pack, make preparations and shared dinner before leaving him to rest a bit prior to his four a.m. flight out. She could feel every muscle in her back aching and had her heart fixed on setting it right with a hot bubble bath before bed.
She headed straight for the bedroom with Fitz hot on her trail. Olivia flipped on the bedroom light and instantly began discarding all of her clothing, purring a sigh of relief when she finally peeled off the bra that she was practically bursting out of before shimmying out of her skirt and underwear.
"You don't waste time, do you?" She heard Fitz tease as he flopped onto the bed, his hands clasped behind his head and his eyes roaming her body unabashedly.
"Nope. Got a problem with that?" She sassed, turning around to face him with one hand on her hip.
"Not at all," he grinned his most dazzling grin. "In fact I quite enjoy that about you."
Olivia shook her head with a chuckle. "I really need a soak. Take a bath with me?"
"Sounds like exactly what the doctor ordered," he winked at her, his fingers already deftly working at the buttons of his polo shirt that his muscles were struggling against dangerously.
Olivia went to get the water running while Fitz removed the rest of his clothing, stopping only to take his phone out of his pocket before joining his wife in the next room. Olivia was perched on the edge of the porcelain tub dropping a peach colored bath bomb into the steaming water. Fitz reached into the cabinet under the sink to retrieve the small wireless speaker they kept stored there for times like this and connected his music library through the Bluetooth.
"What do you want to hear?" Fitz asked as he set up the device on the counter.
"Surprise me."
"Okay," he agreed, hitting the shuffle button. The melodic sounds of Miles Davis' "Blue in Green" filled the room. He turned to Olivia, watching as she tested the temperature of the water with her fingertips, her hair piled up into a messy bun at the top of her head, giving him unfettered access to her neck which he wholly appreciated. Fitz placed his hands on her shoulders and she leaned her head back against his thigh as he put pressure on all the right places in her shoulder muscles.
"Is the water ready?" He asked, his voice husky.
"Umm-hmm," she answered dreamily, her eyes still closed.
"Come on, let's get in," he urged, withdrawing his hands to his side. She pouted up at him with a doe eyed look that usually ensured she got her way with him.
Fitz smirked. "Trust me, there's more where that came from."
She slipped into the water soundlessly and he followed close behind as she scooted up to make room for him. She leaned back against chest once he was fully immersed, his legs cradling her body on either side. They sat in tranquility for a few minutes, enjoying a moment of solitude and calm as Fitz gave her shoulders the special attention he had promised, his fingers expertly applying pressure to her skin until she felt like she would melt. Even though she tried to contain them, soft, breathy moans escaped her lips as he massaged her, accentuating his touch intermittently with light kisses.
He cupped her shoulders and she leaned back, opening her eyes with a slight grin on her face. He gripped her chin with his soapy hand and held her in place for a kiss, his other hand resting on the slight swell of her belly before snaking upwards to her breast. His thumb was teased circles around her chocolate areolas, caressing the sensitive skin there until her nipples were stiff against his fingertips. She wanted more, he could tell by the fervor with which she deepened their kiss, her tongue skating over his teeth and the roof of his mouth.
Olivia threw one arm around his neck and turned her body so that she could fully face him and link the other one behind his head, pushing her breasts against the well defined muscles of his bare chest. Fitz kissed a trail up the inside of her arm, his tongue darting against her skin until he reached her shoulder and moved center to suck at the hollow of her neck. His teeth gently torturing her sweet flesh until a red blemish appeared under his lips and he felt her pulse point quickening underneath his tongue. Olivia jerked her chest towards him, wordlessly telling him what she needed and Fitz obliged, covering her aching peaks with the heat of his mouth.
Olivia slid her fingers into the nape of his curls, trying in vain to bring him impossibly closer as his stiffening mast stood erect and straining turgidly between their bodies. She whimpered and trembled in his arms as his tongue followed the pattern behind his teeth, her eyes squeezed shut and her lips slightly parted. Fitz loved to see her like this, her face contorted in ecstasy, sensual moans emanating from her beautiful lips and at his complete and utter mercy.
Just as he let go of her pebbled peak to capture her lips, she took hold of his cock, her digits closing around his throbbing shaft glistening with precum. She gripped him with long, languorous, strokes, back and forth, her thumb teasing the swollen head of his manhood, squeezing him with just enough pressure to drive him crazy, but not enough speed to make him cum.
"Livi, oh, ah, faster," Fitz groaned, his eyes hooded in euphoria as he murmured against her lips. She pulled his bottom lip into her mouth with her teeth, her tongue running over it once before she began sucking it tantalizingly.
"Baby, please," he was begging now, his hips moving in tandem with her hand to bring himself even closer to paradise. He covered her smaller hand with his own larger one and moved it to his chest. Before she could object, Fitz gripped her slippery hips and lifted her body slightly out of the water before settling her dripping center atop his hardness.
Her wet fingers slipped from his chest and grabbed hold of his shoulders, her nails puncturing his skin in an attempt to gather her bearings, creating just the right amount of pain to go along with the pleasure of being fully embedded inside her hot, creamy walls. Neither of them moved for awhile, their heavily lidded eyes focused on one another, brown orbs locked on blue.
Fitz lost his breath momentarily when he felt her constrict around his member, gripping him relentlessly. He slid his fingers in her hair wildly, sending the tie that was holding her hair up flying into the water, her curls the perfect anchor to hold onto as he began thrusting rhythmically. Olivia matched him stroke for stroke, their eye contact never wavering sending every nerve in his body was buzzing with electricity.
He held her hips tight to keep her in place, and as the pace of his pounding increased her high pitched moans intensified. When her eyes fluttered and then stayed shut too long for his liking, Fitz roughly tugged at her hair and they flashed open.
"Look at me," he demanded. "I want to see you." Their sex was always amazing, groundbreaking even, but when they utilized a position that allowed him to look into the windows of her soul and witness the exact moment when she fell over the edge, that was the pinnacle for him. The soul shaking connection they shared in intimacy was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
His insides began to quiver with an intensity that signified he was close, so very close. Not wanting to release before she dead, he reached for her bundle of nerves, slick with the essence of their lovemaking. When he pressed her pearl it was over, she went limp in his arms with a groan as he shot his hot load inside of her.
The couple clung to each as their bodies recovered from electric lightning of their physical uniting. Fitz wasn't sure how long they had been sitting that way before Olivia lifted her head from his neck, at least two songs had gone by.
"We should probably actually bathe before the water gets too cold," she remarked.
"I guess we should, huh."
Forty-five minutes later the couple was bathed, rinsed, dried off and laying comfortably in bed. Fitz laid flat on his back, naked except for a pair of gray boxer briefs and Olivia tucked beneath his arm. The tv was playing quietly but the sounds barely registered in his consciousness, the feeling of Olivia toying with dark hairs on his chest lulling him in and out of slumber.
She kissed his chest suddenly and called his name softly, "Fitz? Are you asleep?"
"No," he lied, clearing his throat, "I'm up. What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just was wondering your opinion on something?
"Such as?"
She overlaid her hands on his chest and rested her chin on them. "Where do you think people go when they die?"
His eyes flashed open and he immediately lost all semblance of sleepiness. "I don't really know, babe. That's sort of random. Why do you ask that?"
"I know you don't know, no one truly knows. I just want to know what you think." She asked, looking at him expectantly. When he still looked puzzled after almost a minute she retreated, turning her attention back toward the television. "Nevermind, go back to sleep, Fitz."
Fitz turned her face back to him with his hands. "Don't be like that, Liv. I'm not avoiding the question, you just caught me off guard and I actually was halfway sleep. Not to mention, it's not something I try to think about too much. To be honest, out of all the ideas and theories out there, I think I like reincarnation the best. It's a little comforting to think that even if I mess up this go round I may get another shot at it."
"So you think you've been here before? You've lived other lives?" She inquired curiously.
He shrugged. "I'm open to the idea. It would explain why I get déjà Vu so much," he joked. "It would also explain why when I first laid eyes on you my whole paradigm shifted. It wasn't the normal feeling of being attracted to a beautiful woman that I was interested in getting to know, it was like watching the stars align right before my eyes. I just knew in my heart that somewhere, in some other life, we'd known and loved each other, but for some reason couldn't be together. Now, we're fulfilling everything we couldn't so we can rest peacefully together in the afterlife."
The corners of her mouth turned up into a smile and Fitz couldn't resist leaning in to kiss it off of her lips. He kissed her until he needed air and she looked up at him starry eyed.
"Do you really believe that?" She asked hoarsely, searching his eyes and he could tell there was something tugging at her.
"I do."
"You're so corny," she teased.
"I like to think I'm romantic," he joked back. "Tell me what's really on your mind." He urged. He had so feeling that her question wasn't simply philosophical. She seemed to be taking the news of her uncle's death in stride, but he knew it had to unearth some feelings or memories she had long buried and he wanted to be the one she shared her deepest emotions with.
"Just thinking, that's all." She answered evasively, giving him a false smile and half shrug that he saw right through.
"Liv?" he questioned, deciding to push gently. If she insisted she didn't want to talk about it, he would drop the subject, but he figured since she woke him she was clearly in the mood for a discussion.
Olivia broke eye contact, choosing to drop her eyes to focus on his chest instead, tracing the line that divided his six pack with her fingertip. "I...I hope he burns in hell, Fitz. I really do. I know it's wrong to rejoice in someone's death, but I'm glad...Does that make me a bad person?"
"Livi, no. No, definitely no, it doesn't. That man deserves nothing less and I want nothing more than for him to suffer for all eternity for what he put you through. Don't feel guilty for feeling that way, you have every right to feel relieved that such an evil man no longer walks this earth."
"Fitz, I have to tell you something and I don't know how you're going to feel about it. I think...I think this happened because of me."
"How could this be because of you, Olivia? What would make you even think that?"
"Remember the conversation I had with Rowan? I told you what he said, clear as day, 'past wrongs will be righted.'"
"Okay, and? Honey that's not exactly a confession, nor a threat."
She shook her head, "You're not getting it, Fitz. When he and I had lunch, I mentioned to him, without going into detail of course, that Darryl mistreated me. He said he planned to talk to him and my aunt and he actually flew out there a couple of weeks ago."
"Liv, I don't know. I do I see how you could make the connection, but it could very well be unrelated."
"In my gut, I know it Fitz. You know I'm usually right about these things. Rowan is responsible for this."
Fitz knew he couldn't deny that. "Even if you're right then what?"
Olivia sat straight up. "If I'm right, I have a feeling that my aunt is in danger. He meant for them both to die in that fire. He's going to make sure the job gets finished before she starts recovering and making accusations. We have to stop him."
"Liv, as cold as this may sound, this is not our problem."
"I never said it was our problem."
"Well let me be clear, it's not your problem either. Harrison's mother doesn't need you to protect her. When you needed her to protect you, she didn't do a very good job of it." He reminded her.
"You think I don't know that? I know that. But I'm not like her, and in spite of everything I do care, even if it's just for the fact that she's Harrison's mother. You should have seen his face when he found out she was hurt. He was devastated. Harrison wants to fix things with her, needs to even, and he won't be able to do that if she dies. I won't be able to live with myself knowing I was the cause of that and didn't even try to stop it."
"Babe, I love that you're so kindhearted, it's one of the most beautiful things about you. Nevertheless, realistically speaking Liv, what do you think you can do to stop that man if he feels he has some score to settle with your aunt? Don't forget, I met him, he is not the picture of amiability and I don't see him being open to persuasion. It's not wise to put yourself in the middle of this when you don't need to. Don't make yourself his target. Especially not for someone who wouldn't do it for you."
"But Fitz,-"
"No, Olivia, no buts this time. I'm serious! If you think she's in danger, then we can contact the police and put them on alert."
"Huck is already looking into it. He's better than the police and you know it. I can't just leave him high and dry to fix this on his own."
"Well I'll talk to him about turning whatever he finds over to the cops, they can do a lot more than you guys can in this situation. If he decides to go further with this I can't stop him, I can't really stop you either, but I hope you'll respect my wishes Olivia .I've been trying to be as supportive and understanding as I can, as far as you dealing with this man since you believe he's your father, but I'm not going to endorse you putting yourself and our unborn child in harm's way for no good reason. You don't know how he'll react if you accuse him of conspiring to have two people murdered. He is not going to voluntarily confess to you information that could land him behind bars, you'll only put him on alert by asking. He has a very high profile job that he's willing to go to the ends of the earth to protect, we both know this. That makes him capable of doing unthinkable things. Please listen to me and do not get involved with this, Olivia. I don't want to have to hurt this man."
Olivia sighed, knowing he was right. She didn't think Rowan would hurt her, but she couldn't be sure how he would respond in the face of accusations, accusations that could surely sink his career.
"You're right I just...I don't want Harrison to hate me. If he sends someone to hurt her and I could've stopped it... He'll never forgive me."
"Harrison would never hate you, he couldn't. You are in no way responsible for anyone else's actions besides your own, and maybe mine sometimes, " Fitz teased. "If Rowan took something you said and turned that into a basis for hurting people, that was of his own accord, not yours. But you don't even know if that's actually the case, and there's no use in getting people riled up for nothing. The fire department will determine if the house was set on fire as an act of arson and take it from there. Let's just focus on what we have going on here. We have plenty of things to do this week, like find a time to start looking at furniture for the new house, for the baby's room especially, we have our class this weekend and we still haven't done our homework, and can't forget our very important doctor's appointment on Friday."
Olivia smiled brightly. "Yeah there is a lot coming up and going on. I can't believe we get to find out the sex of the baby, officially," she added before he could exclaim that he already knew, like she knew he would.
"Three-thirty this Friday," Fitz practically sung. "Lauren has already blocked the time off in my calendar."
"This feels so fast. I'm nervous."
Fitz brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them. "You have no reason to be nervous. You've been following the doctor's instructions and doing everything right. Josie's doing great, I know it."
Olivia nodded, "I hope you're right."
"I know I'm right."
Olivia suddenly asked, "Hey, do you absolutely have to go back to work after that?"
"Don't think so, why?"
"Well neither do I, so maybe we could do a little shopping afterwards and knock a few things for the nursery out of the way. When I was out this week I noticed a baby boutique with the most beautiful crib in the window. I think it might be perfect for her room."
Fitz beamed watching her eyes light up with excitement. "Sounds like a great idea. No way I'd rather spend my Friday afternoon."
"So it's a date then?"
"Only if you let me take you to dinner afterwards," he smiled, pecking her lips, his fingertips drawing light circles on the small of her back before settling on the curve of her ass.
"Okay," she laughed, agreeing, "it's a date."
A/N: thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed, let me know what you think. If you were Harrison would you drop everything and go to you mother's side? Do you think Olivia should get involved and try to stop Rowan from finishing Harrison's mom off, or should she listen to Fitz and mind her business? Even if it means Harrison could possibly get caught in the crosshairs? Was Rowan wrong to exact revenge for Olivia's past so many years later?