"What's this?" Olivia asked still feeling struck as Bette handed her a cup to hold.
"Tea, with a little extra to get you back on your feet." She giggled.
"Oh God Bette are you trying to poison me? This smells like horse manner!" Olivia was feeling she could throw up, her voice still shaky.
"Na na toots, drink it, that's a good girl, all the way down!" Bette encouraged her. "That's a little special mixture, with a little med from Tyus and an extra large portion of love from moi." She laughed as Olivia sketched a smile.
"Thank you Bette...for everything. I mean if it wouldn't have been for you...I would be..."
"Don't even think about it! Boy I really don't know what was going on in Coles head."
"I can tell you what! That child isn't his and he tried to keep that secret a secret at all cost!" Olivia was angry.
"So you saw it? Black on white? Is little snooks Greggys son?" Bette was excited.
"No, I couldn't see anything, before I knew it he tossed the paper into the fire..."
"Oh brother..."
"...but, but why else would he have done this to me? He said this wasn't his truth Bette. That must be it!" Olivia explained.
"Olivia, I'm so sorry... I wish you knew for real so that you can move on with your life once and for all." Bette was feeling for her.
"I don't know how we are going to be able to move on...what must Caitlin be going trough right now? It's so horrible!"
"I've heard that Caitlin tried to go and see Cole at the police station...but..."
"But what?"
"...he rejected her visit."
"He did what? Oh bloody bastard! He doesn't even know what he's putting her trough! She is carrying his child and he doesn't even know it...my poor baby..." Olivia cried.
"Come on, calm down. They will get past this. The question is: will you press charges against Cole?"
Olivia looked startled for a minute.
"Well...I...i don't know.." she was unsure.
"You do realize that he just tried to kill you...?"
"Bette...that dark place he is in right now, that wish, of a huge dark hole to just swallow him up and make everything disappear, I've been there...I know how he feels and why he did it."
"Ok, your brain definitely missed too much oxygen! Hellooo? Toots, the difference is that you didn't walk around strangling people for heavens sake!" Bette couldn't believe Olivia.
"But just think of what this would do to Caitlin! She's expecting a child. His child!"
"Livvy, if you don't do anything about this...Gregory sure will. He'll destroy Cole for this. But you see, he still has Francesca's blood on his hands, he can't go mental on Cole now!" Bette tried to make Olivia understand.
"...Gregory..."
"Ugh...Livvy!"
"You know, I had the strangest dream...he was here and he was telling me that Trey was our son and that he loved me..." she smiled. "It felt so real..."
"Yeah, cuz it was real toots! Gregory is here, in the lobby!"
"What?!"
"Yeah, he was here earlier."
"No! God no!"
"Why? What?"
"Oh Bette...in that "dream", I told him that I loved him too!" Olivia was angry with herself.
"So?" Bette lost her.
"So?! I can't...I cant go back there! I was so sure he was dead, I was sure I've lost him, but then he just popped out of that Tobias costume and he was imprisoned, I again thought I've lost him...he..."
"But he didn't die. He is here, sitting on a chair in that lobby, worrying about you! What do you actually need to stop running away?"
"Oh Bette, you don't understand!"
"Then make me understand!"
"We divorced to avoid a disaster..."
"Yeah, that worked well." Bette was sarcastic.
"...we ruined the lives of our children! And if, if Trey is his son, I can't let us do this to him as well."
"But you won't, you've both changed. Look at Greggy, I haven't seen him so changed, ever. He knows what's at stake. He loves his family."
"People don't change, Bette! We just, we do what we think we have to do...to get what we think that we want. But what we think that we want isn't always what we should have. Not at any cost..."
"Olivia, listen to me. If you chose to fight your feelings for him for the rest of your life, this is going to mark Trey worse than anything you could ever do to him. Do you want him to grow up like this? Gregory will always be around one way or the other. Can you put up with it? Can you play a role for the rest of your life?" She tried while Olivia cried.
"I can't go back Bette. That is the only thing I know right now!" She said determined as Gregory walked in smiling.
"Olivia, you are up. Let me call Tyus." He was nervous.
"No, please Gregory, not now."
"Okay..." he moved forward. "Bette, can I have a moment alone with her?"
"Sure." She stood up, patting Olivia's hand. "I'm going to speak to Tyus and let him know you're better."
"No, Bette please, I don't feel like going trough another examination again."
"Well I'm sorry, you will do exactly what the doctor's telling you, capiche?" Bette shut the door while Gregory made himself comfortable at her side.
"She is right, you know. You should be checked." He said soft.
"Well...I guess I can't argue with her stubbornness. Or yours as a matter of fact!" She looked angry.
"Mine? What ever do you mean?"
"This!" She pointed at him. "Why are you still here? Your hearing is tomorrow morning. Who even allows you to be here?"
"Ricardo did. He knows I wouldn't be able to stop worrying about you...how much it would hurt not to know what's going on with you..."
"Since when did Ricardo turn into your personal nanny? Someone should give that man a medal for what he's putting up with!"
"Olivia...why are you so annoyed? What's bothering you?"
"You! You are bothering me! Why can't you just leave me alone?"
He sighed looking to understand her reaction.
"Olivia, a few hours ago you took my hand, you gave in to my embrace, God... you cried telling me Trey has to be our son and! You told me that you love me...and now this?" He was at a loss for words.
"I was sedated, okay? I was delirious. I didn't know what I was saying!" She failed horribly at lying.
Gregory laughed and grabbed her face.
"You really are a tortured soul you know that? You can heal from this..." he looked at the red marks on her neck, "...awfulness that happened today, you can heal from any physical wound...but your soul will never heal if you don't let it." He kissed her firmly as she just closed her eyes.
"You don't allow me to heal Gregory! You never did!" She started crying. "You tortured me after our divorce trying to take Trey away from me, you rubbed your indifference in my face by marrying Annie, you were dead for heavens sake, but still giving me glimpses of the man I used to love trough Tobias...or at least your act as Tobias...to then come back from the dead...and what are you doing now?..."
"I am showing you my love, I am trying to get back what's meant to be by my side, my family, you!"
"No, no...you are not letting me heal! You are determined to break me Gregory!" She continued crying. Gregory let go of her face and stood up.
"I am willing to believe that all this...talk is due to your meds...I am not going to stand here and listen to anymore of this. I just hope than one day, you will come to understand why I did what I did..." he turned around to leave as she watched him with eyes filled with tears. "Because it had nothing to do with trying to break you!" He turned around gesticulating "it was never about breaking you! If you are broken, I am broken! If you hurt, I hurt! If you smile, my heart smiles no matter how miserable I am!" He paused watching her cry. "I told you, when I was taken under arrest, that day...that you were the only obstacle I couldn't overcome...and here you are now, again being an impossible obstacle and what for?" He exploded. "What for, hm? You see, hah," he laughed. "Liv, if I didn't know better, I'd say it is you ho tries to break me at all cost..."
"No..." she protested.
"I am sorry Liv... because I am cursed to love you for the rest of my life. But I won't and can't keep up with you. Maybe Alex was right, maybe the climb isn't worth it anymore..." he finished as Tyus and Bette walked in to find them in an awkward silence.
"Gregory, I will have to ask you and Bette to leave the room. I need to examine Olivia."
"I am done here anyway!" He said walking out of the room as Bette followed him concerned.
"Whoa, wait a minute Greggy! What just happened in there?" Bette followed him around.
"Nothing!"
"Yeah, right! Livvy crying, you looking like you could explode, that was nothing?"
"Bette this is none of your business. I suggest you go home and rest. Tomorrow is going to be a rough day."
"Whatever you say big guy..." she shook her head watching him and Ricardo leave.
Oh for gods sake, here we go again... Bette thought and sighed heavy.
"Gregory, we need to go now." Ricardo said impatient.
"Yes. Thank you again, Ricardo. I owe you one."
"One?" Ricardo laughed as they left the hospital.
Caitlin walked in the lobby of the hospital some minutes later to find Bette sitting on a chair thoughtful.
"Aunt Bette..." she looked totally devastated.
"Beauty! Oh come here!" Bette was happy to see her.
"How is mom? Can I see her?"
"Tyus is examining her right now, but she's fine sweetheart. Don't worry!"
"Aunt Bette..." Caitlin started crying. "Did Cole really do this to mom?" She was looking for answers.
"I'm afraid he did...I'm so so so sorry!" She emphasized.
"But why? Why would he do this? I don't understand what's happening anymore. First AJ tries to kill daddy and now Cole tries to kill mom...I never thought he would be capable of something like this..." her tears were running down her face.
"Oh Caitlin...listen to me. He was...he was out of his mind...the happenings of the past few weeks have been hard on each and every one of us."
"That's true but...still, I don't understand what pushed him to this desperate act. Do you know anything?" Bette gulped knowing very well what was going on, that Trey was probably not Coles son after all...but she didn't want to interfere and wished that Olivia would be the one to tell her.
"Beauty...I think I know why..."
"Well then tell me!" She demanded.
"Honey, I really think it's not my business to tell you this...you should talk to Olivia about it..."
"What do you mean? Does mom know why Cole did this to her?"
"I think she does..." she patted Caitlin's shoulder.
"Dr. Robinson! I demand you to sign the release papers right away! I have to go home!" Olivia barked at Tyus who denied her the release.
"Olivia, for the last time! You are still under the influence of the sedatives. Your blood pressure is very low, I need to have that settled before you leave this hospital." He tried to convince her as he had the door a crack open.
"I am perfectly fine! I just want to sleep in my own bed tonight! Besides, I am not alone at home! Please Tyus! Gregory's trial is tomorrow... my children need me..." She begged from her bed as Tyus looked at Caitlin and Bette in the lobby.
"Olivia..." he sighed, "alright...but please promise to take care of yourself. And stick with your friend and daughter!" He finally gave in thinking nothing could happen to her at home.
"Thank you, thank you Tyus!" She stood up from the bed all ready to get dressed and leave.
"Mom!" Caitlin ran into the room and hugged her. "Mom I was so scared that you.."
"Oh honey, don't be afraid, I'm alright!" Olivia tried to calm her down as Bette watched from the door.
"I can't believe Cole would ever do this to you! Oh mom..." Caitlin cried on Olivia's shoulder who eyed Bette worried. "Aunt Bette said you know why mom...why did he do such an awful thing?"
"Oh sweetheart! I..." Olivia was devastated to see her daughter like this.
"Please, why won't anyone tell me? Cole didn't even possess the guts to look me in the eyes and admit what he has done! Bette won't tell me! Please, mom! What is going on?" She begged.
"Caitlin, come here. Please, sit down. Bette, would you please close the door?" She asked. The three of them sat on the hospital bed while Caitlin was anxious to know. "Caitlin, I am so sorry that you have to find out about it like this!"
"Find what out?"
"Caitlin...Cole has recurred to this, this drastic action...because Trey most probably isn't his son after all." Olivia finally let out while Caitlin was in a state of shock.
"What are you talking about?"
"Look, please, it's all so complicated Caitlin!"
"Mom what are you saying? Oh...wait, I understand." She started laughing between sobs.
"You do?" Bette was wondering.
"Yes, you see..." she stood up and started walking trough the room, "I should have known it. She is trying to get Cole in trouble again!" She shouted while both Bette and Olivia couldn't believe what they were hearing.
"Caitlin!" Olivia tried to explain.
"I can't believe that you would do this. Again, mother! You drove Cole to madness, you want to drive everybody crazy again with Trey! Didn't enough happen already?!" She screamed.
"That's not what this is!" Olivia objected.
"Beauty, you should listen to your mother..." Bette tried.
"Listen to what? To her delusion of Trey being daddy's son? That she can't let go of that? That you had to probably get back at Cole for whatever sick reasons? Why mom? I thought we were past this! Even I try to come to terms with the fact that my mother has a son with my husband! Why can't you for gods sake!" She continued shouted.
"Because Trey is not Coles son!" Olivia shouted back.
"Oh please stop it mom! You are just looking for a reason to press charges against Cole and lock him away! Gosh I can't believe you!" She cried running out the door while Olivia started crying.
"Hey, toots, it's okay. She will come to see the truth once this is all over with. Let's get you home..." Bette was comforting.
"Home? You don't really think I can go home to...to that!" Olivia laughed in sorrow.
"Are you staying here then?"
"No! No...I am going home alright!"
"You are not making any sense." Bette was again losing track.
"Bette, you and I, we are going home. Home at One Ocean Ave." Olivia said determined as Bette only eyed her curious.
"But...but...what? How?"
"Bette, I'm going to ask you to drop me at the house so that I can get the keys from Tobias and ask Rose to prepare some things for us."
"Olivia, you should be in bed sleeping, resting, recovering! Not moving in and out of houses!" Bette was appalled.
"Bette I am perfectly fine! I will walk out of here and into my house! And I will get this whole mess straightened out! Now please, are you going to help me?"
"Oh...this is just..."
"Bette!"
"Oh alright! But I'm telling you! This is not going to solve anything. You're making things worse! God, if Gregory finds out about this! Oi oi oi!" She muttered while giving Olivia time to change.
"Alex, thank you for coming..." Gregory sighed and looked at Alex smiling and greeting her in the court room.
"Oh Gregory, don't thank me! Nothing could keep me away from being by your side in a time of need!" She answered as they hugged.
"It really means a lot to me. I think I never thanked you enough for everything you have done for me throughout the years..." he remembered smiling again.
"No, I have to thank you for always being there for me. For your support during my divorce from Casey's father, supporting my work, giving me every chance to make it big...I never thanked you enough!"
"You know, I am happy that you and I have such a history, Alex. I love having you around, talking to you about so many things..." he was kind and she felt her heart melting.
"Gregory...let's make sure you get out of here first. Then we can talk about whatever is on your mind."
"On my mind..." he sighed. "I don't think I should do this to you, telling you what really is on my mind..."
"Let make take a strong guess: Olivia?" She asked while he kept quiet. "Is she alright?" She asked knowing about the incident.
"Yes, she is recovering but that's not the problem...she...she keeps shutting me out... I know why, God I can even understand her but...on the other hand I know that she still has feelings for me..." he was tormented.
"Gregory, listen. A lot of time has gone by. You and her, you are not the same people anymore, none of us are. Maybe you need to accept that she doesn't want you in her life anymore. To tell you the truth...maybe you should consider the fact that your life would be much easier without her." She said while he looked startled. "Yes, think about it! Think of all the horrible things that happened to you and to be honest, it was all because of her! What I'm asking you is: do you really think it's worth it? Do you want to fight every day of your life loving and hating her? You need to find some peace for once."
"Alex... I..." he was confused but thinking hard about her words while Annie spotted them from a far away corner.
"Look, all I am saying is that you should think about yourself for once. Get trough this trial today and make peace with yourself, with the past and start new. Olivia needs it, you need it. Let things happen without forcing them." Alex advised as Tobias joined them.
"Oh, Gregory there you are son! Good day Mrs..."
"Mitchum. Tobias, let me introduce you to my wonderful friend: Alex Mitchum. Alex, this is my uncle Tobias, he is staying here with us. " Gregory made the introductions as Tobias was mustering Alex head to toe.
"My, it's my pleasure madam." He was being the usual gentleman. "Gregory, I wanted to talk to you before the trial starts..."
"Well, I'm listening."
"This is private, son. I'm sorry I don't intend to be rude mrs. Mitchum!" He said gently.
"Tobias it's alright! Alex is family. Whatever you have to say you can say in front of her." Gregory grabbed Alex's shoulder.
"W-Well...I-I wanted to inform you that aaa, that Caitlin and Sean are going to be here soon." he started uncomfortable around Alex not wanting to say what was actually on his mind. "Your attorney is already outside talking to the DA, I saw a lot of people here today..." he explained waiting for Gregory to ask about Olivia but he was fighting his own mouth by keeping shut.
"A-and giving the time," Tobias looked at his clock, "we should be starting anytime." He continued.
"Well, it's about time to get it on." Gregory said while Bette walked in the court room eyeing them.
Both Tobias and Alex were looking at Bette, waiting for Olivia to follow her. They have all gotten used to the picture of Bette and Olivia being inseparable lately.
"Bette! My dear, come here!" Tobias invited.
"Uncle Toby! Greggy! Alex..." she greeted.
"Now where have you left your better half, love?" Tobias asked on purpose.
"Oh, she is still outside talking to your attorney ." She looked at Gregory. "I was afraid we'll be late but giving all the stress yesterday, I think we sorted things out just fine." she continued leaving Gregory wondering as he couldn't keep his interest hidden anymore.
"What do you mean stress? Did anything happen?" He asked while Alex was sad looking at the floor.
"Oh...Greggy, Greggy," she started laughing, "well you know Olivia when she puts her mind to something...let's say that...she decided yesterday, after convincing Tyus to release her, that she and I should move out. There she is, sedated and hurt, the next thing you know she's moving in and out of houses." She laughed watching Gregory's reaction who's face was crumbling.
"Everyone, please take your seats. The hearing is starting now!" Ricardo announced wich left them with no time to talk anymore.
Gregory sat down, as Duke and the DA entered the room, followed by Olivia.
Gregory turned around and gave her a long look, feeling like he could explode but yet again, she was out of his reach. He noticed her appearance was filling the room, everybody staring at her as she made her way to her place. She was pale but the look on her face exhaled pride and strength. She had covered the marks on her neck with a black silk scarf, a thoughtfully chosen Topas holding it together, going hand in hand with her eyes.
Alex was hurtfully watching Gregory, as he was lost in his thoughts about Olivia. Bette and Tobias knew they managed to get Gregory worked up again and smiled at each other hoping it did the trick.
Annie also sat down, looking curious at Olivia, Gregory and Alex as she figured out what was going on.
That woman never got over Gregory...she couldn't be more obvious! Annie thought watching interested. Her glance drifted fro Alex to Gregory as she couldn't get his words out of her head, how he told her he never loved her. Jude caressed her hand as she was ripped out of her train of thoughts.
Ben and Maria walked in and took a seat next to Olivia and Bette this time as Maria was catching up with them. Ben turned around and looked at Annie, watching her look at Gregory.
Annie, I hope for your own sake that you will do the right thing today...Maria is counting on you! We all are..." he thought.
The stress level was high with everybody, so much was happening and this day would mark the lives of so many.
"All rise!" The bailiff started again as everybody followed the order.
