Chapter 17
Friday
3:03 a.m.
Olivia felt her wife pressing against her back, her arm wrapping around her and she smiled, inching her backside closer to the blonde. She moaned and felt her hand now, pressing flat against the front of her chest before gently holding her left breast, feeling her forehead against the back of her neck.
But this wasn't Alex.
It didn't feel like Alex.
It didn't smell like Alex.
It wasn't even the same breathing pattern as her wife.
Her eyes popped open now, realizing where she was, and she froze, a small squeaking grunt from Princess on the bed.
Taking a small, slow, silent breath she carefully clasped the hand that was holding her tenderly and removed it slowly, placing it behind her.
She nudged Tony now, carefully, giving the younger woman the benefit of the doubt and thinking that she might have been unaware of what she was doing. "Tony…" she said softly.
A moan behind her and then a gasp.
"Oh, my God, Olivia...I'm so sorry." Antonia moved away quickly.
Olivia only lay there, eyes wide open now, not saying anything. It wasn't OK and she wasn't going to tell her that it was.
"God, I'm really sorry…" Tony whispered.
Olivia sat up now, and swept the covers off of her body, placing her feet on the floor.
"Olivia?"
The brunette detective stood now and moved to grab her robe from the foot of the bed, placing it on hastily. "Don't worry about it, Tony."
As she exited the bedroom, from the corner of her eye, she saw Tony sitting up in the darkness, now on the extreme opposite side of the bed.
She made her way down the short hallway to the spiral staircase and began descending until she reached the bottom, her mind hazy from sleep and the too-fast circular motion down the steps.
She entered the kitchen and stood, bringing both hands to her face and rubbing it vigorously before scratching her scalp with her fingernails and shaking it off.
She hadn't known what she was doing, but that didn't mean it didn't bother Olivia. It actually wasn't the first time Antonia had unknowingly gotten a little too close while sleeping.
Stepping to the refrigerator, she opened the large door and stared inside, looking for something small to nibble on. Fresh pineapple chunks sounded good. There was also some turkey and Swiss that she could make a roll up from. She moved some things around and found some fresh plums and mangoes. She opted for a plum and, after taking one she deemed ripe, she closed the door and moved to the sink to wash it.
"I'm really sorry, Olivia." Tony's voice now, along with the tiny toenailed paws of Princess scampering behind her.
Olivia closed her eyes from washing the fruit and swallowed. "Like I said...don't worry about it. I know you probably forgot where you were."
She turned the sink off and reached for a paper towel before beginning to dry it off and turning to place her backside against the white marble of the sink counter.
"I did," Tony said softly.
Olivia took a bite of the sweet, dripping fruit, watching as the younger brunette moved to open the refrigerator, looking inside, the glowing light brightening her sleepy face in the darkness. She pulled out a small wrapped bowl of some leftover tofu and rice stir fry they had made three nights prior and lifted the film. She tossed the plastic in the trash and moved to get a fork, nudging the drawer closed with her hip and digging in immediately.
The fact of the matter was, Olivia didn't want company right now and she didn't want to hear another apology. She was tired, she was anxious about the party, and she was, as she had been from day one, guilt-stricken about sleeping in the same bed as the young agent.
Now wasn't the time for a late night girl talk.
But how could she get out of it without being rude.
It had been an accident and there was nothing to talk about.
"You're not gonna heat that up?" Olivia asked.
Antonia shook her head, chewing. "It's good cold. Even better, actually."
Olivia made a face and took another bite of plum.
A silence now, both standing and eating.
"I'm gonna watch some TV for a little while. Maybe I'll get tired again. It's too early to wake up." Olivia moved now, with her plum, and entered the living space, sitting on the edge of the long part of the C-shaped sectional, and reaching for the remote and turning it on. The screen came to life and an episode of King of Queens was on. She lowered the volume almost to zero and sat back and bent her knee and tucked her left foot beneath her right leg.
And she heard Tony enter as well, sitting on one of the smaller sections, her fork hitting the ceramic bowl intermittently.
Olivia's gaze remained on the screen, the laugh track overly jovial, fake, as she neared the end of the fruit.
"Olivia…I'm..."
Olivia raised her hand. "Not another apology, please...I don't want to be rude but I think I need just a few minutes of space." She looked at the younger woman.
Antonia nodded, looking down into her bowl, moving some food around. "I've been told that I don't know when to leave people alone before...when to know to leave them alone, when to stop talking…when to let something go..."
Olivia waited.
"Having four brothers...they were always telling me to get lost or leave or leave them alone. It seems I don't really have a radar for that."
Olivia wrapped the pit inside of the paper towel, still listening. If this was going to be an Antonia Berlusconi soliloquy, she was only going to be the silent audience of one. Maybe the younger woman was working through something that she had never dealt with before, and as always, it pulled at the brunette detective's emotions, her ears perking up at any sign of past trauma or divulgence.
"So, yeah, Olivia. I will give you your space. I thought I was home, in bed with Bea, my girlfriend. But I do want to apologize once more."
Olivia only nodded, watching as Antonia stood now, taking the bowl back into the kitchen and disappearing from sight.
The brunette closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She moved to lay down the length, her head on a couple of throw pillows, hearing as Antonia ascended the stairs behind her.
Within moments there was no noise in the space, save for the muted laugh track and witty and biting lines from the comedic actors. She pulled the throw from the back of the sofa onto the lower part of her legs and closed her eyes.
9:07 a.m.
Olivia opened the front door to find the FedEx envelope that she was told would be coming. She bent down and lifted it, tearing the flap open as she shut the door behind her and removed the contents.
They were told that the caterers would be there around five, complete with servers and bartenders, and this envelope held the photos and descriptions of the guests that would be in attendance that evening.
She entered the kitchen, shuffling through around twenty 8X10 glossies with names on the front and descriptions on the back, much like headshots.
The guests were plain clothed law enforcement, all hired to become Easthamptonites for the night and were presumed to be friends of she and Antonia. She placed the papers and envelope on the kitchen table and then moved to the stove where she had a pot of piping hot oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon already cooked.
"Good morning," Antonia said, entering the space.
Olivia turned from stirring. "Good morning."
The brunette detective had awoken on the sofa around seven and had gone for a quick swim in the ocean, showered and changed into a black spaghetti-strapped pant jumpsuit, made coffee, fed Princess, and was now cooking breakfast. She had washed her hair and let it air dry wavy, but she knew that for the evening party, she would be straightening it to achieve her normally sleek nighttime look.
All in all, it had been a productive morning and, at some point before the evening, she was going to Facetime with her wife and kids. And she couldn't wait.
"Are those the guests?" Antonia asked, reaching into the cabinet and taking a mug down.
"Yeah…" Olivia pulled two bowls from the counter toward her and began scooping the hot oats into them. "We need to go over them and memorize names, faces, history of how we know them."
"Memorizing…" Antonia began.
"Yeah…" Olivia handed the petite woman a bowl and placed a spoon into it, "...every detail."
"Thanks. Good thing I have a pretty photographic memory."
Olivia smiled, taking her own bowl to the kitchen table, thinking about her wife who was always reciting cases and years and names and who could tell her actors and actresses names even if she had never seen them act in anything.
"I think it comes with the profession," Olivia commented. "That and attorneys."
They both sat now and Olivia immediately dug in, blowing on the steam before taking a bite into her mouth.
Antonia took a bite as well and nodded, "Mmmm, really good, Olivia."
Olivia only smiled. "I say we spread these out along this massive table and just start reading and quizzing each other." She looked up from scooping another bite and raised her eyebrows at Antonia.
"Absolutely."
Tony was still not dressed for the day and was still sporting her tank and shorts with a thin robe over it, but Olivia supposed that was part of her age. As the brunette had gotten older, and had begun having children, she had increasingly found the need to do everything early and be ready for anything the day might bring.
And in this particular circumstance, doing that was absolutely critical.
They had to be ready.
They had to be alert.
Olivia eyed Antonia. "You're kind of a late riser, aren't you?"
Antonia only looked at her, chewing.
"I didn't mean anything by it…" Olivia backtracked.
"I am. I guess being single, being here at this house...I think I'm allowed?"
"You're allowed." Olivia blew on another bite.
"Am I forgiven?" Antonia asked.
"For the waking late thing?" OLivia furrowed her brow.
"For everything, Olivia."
Olivia only looked at her. She had definitely hit a nerve with the younger woman, which was not her intention.
"One day, I hope to have my shit together, like you do. Like I've said over and over again...you inspire me, Detective."
Olivia swallowed and looked into her bowl, finding a few plump raisins for her next bite before looking back up. "I don't want things to be tense...now more than ever. Tonight, we have to appear to be in love and I'm prepared to go above and beyond to show Camila and her wife that you and I work really well together."
Antonia nodded slowly, her gaze not leaving the older brunette. "I am, as well."
Olivia nodded. "Good. So...what do you say, we get started with this so we can just worry about looking our sexiest tonight?" Olivia smiled.
"Sounds like a beautiful plan, as always."
12:05 p.m.
Alex sat on the beach lounger, in her red bikini, watching her father and mother in the ocean water with her three babies. Isabel and Grace were on a crocodile float while Cathy Cabot pushed it around, little white bucket hats on, pink t-shirts to cover their bodies and protect their fair skin from the harsh sun. And Bill Cabot was dunking Theo up and down in the water, her little boy giggling and laughing from the action.
They hadn't been out here long but, knowing that they would be put down for a nap after getting tired out, and knowing that her wife was calling at any minute, filled the blonde with a certain anxiety that she wasn't sure where it was coming from.
Her cell rang now, to her right on the small beach table. She lifted it, seeing the Facetime call from Olivia, and she declined it, closing her eyes, wondering if this was the right decision.
The Facetime call ring began once more and Alex declined again.
She held the phone to her chest, watching her father looking over at her from the water. She only smiled.
Then, her regular ringtone from a regular phone call and she slid to answer it.
"Hey, Liv," she smiled.
"Hey, Al… why didn't you pick up Facetime?"
Alex looked out at the kids. "I'm not sure it's a good idea, Babe."
A silence now.
Quietly, Olivia said, "Why not?"
Alex swallowed. "Because of Theo."
"What about Theo?"
Alex took a deep breath. "He's been wondering where you are and...I'm afraid if he sees you, he's gonna wonder even more why his Mama isn't here. The other night, when he realized you weren't here, he wouldn't stop crying and asking for you..."
Another silence now.
"Liv?"
"Come on, Alex...please…"
The pleading in her wife's voice killed her, she felt her eyes begin to mist now.
"I want...need to see them. I need to see you, Al. Please," she said softly.
And Alex broke at that moment, feeling a tear roll down her right cheek. She swiped it away and took another deep breath, nodding. "OK."
She stood from her lounger and moved out into the sun, moving closer to the water and the light waves at the shore. "Olivia's gonna call and Facetime…" She waited for her parents' reaction.
Within seconds, they had the kids out of the water and they were brought to her. She sat back down and held Theo on her lap, her parents sitting on either side of her with a twin on each of their own.
"OK, call now, Babe," Alex said softly before disconnecting the call and waiting. "Your Mama's gonna call guys." She looked at all three of them.
"Mama?" Theo looked up at her with those big blue eyes, wonderment filling his face.
"Yeah, Baby. Mama."
Under the safe shade of the tent, she looked down at her phone, waiting to poise it toward the four of them, waiting to hear the sound of the incoming call.
It rang again and Olivia's face was on the screen. And God did she look beautiful. But Alex could see the emotion there. The slight rejection. The worry now. All because of the blonde's decision.
"There she is, guys," Alex said cheerfully.
Alex shifted to place her back against the back of the lounger, her parents moving out of the frame, her three babies now climbing all over her to look at the screen and be seen by their brunette mother.
"Oh, my babies," Olivia whined, covering her mouth.
"Don't, Liv. Let's make this happy," Alex managed.
Olivia composed herself and uncovered her mouth. "How are you guys? Theo, how are you, my boy?"
Theo looked up and behind him at Alex. "Mama?"
"Yeah, Baby. It's your Mama."
Theo looked around the phone now, looking for his brunette mother. "Where Mama? You come here?"
Olivia brought her lips inward. "No, baby, this is the phone. I'm on the phone with you."
Alex looked down at the twins. Grace seemed to be quietly mesmerized and Isabel was now climbing on Alex, her attention lost to the phone call.
"They don't get it, Liv…" Alex offered.
Olivia's face twisted briefly before she composed herself. "I just...it's good seeing you, Babe. Seeing the kids. That's all I wanted. You look…" She shook her head, "...so beautiful, Babe."
Alex smiled at that. "You're looking pretty good, too, Babe. But you do look tired."
Olivia laughed lightly. "I haven't been sleeping well, Al. Not without you…"
"Mama?" Theo questioned.
"Yes, baby boy?" Olivia managed.
"You come? You come here?"
Olivia shook her head. "No, Theo. In a few days, my love. I promise."
And Alex knew that their children didn't understand what was happening. Seeing Olivia would most likely cause more harm than good. The blonde would be mending illusions today, comforting their son and his confused emotions after this call.
"Theo…" Olivia sniffed. "You be a good boy for your Mommy and I'm gonna see you soon...I love you…" She looked at all of them now. "I love all of you very much." She smiled broadly.
But Alex could see the hurt, the pain in her wife's eyes.
"OK, say goodbye to Mama…" Alex said to the kids.
Theo immediately began the fast heavy breathing that the blonde knew would lead to a full blown sob.
"We'll talk later, Liv?" Alex asked.
Theo began squirming, as well as Isabel now, both trying to get off of her lap.
Olivia nodded. "OK, Al. I love you...I love you babies…"
And Alex smiled and ended the call, letting the kids down, her parents approaching to relieve some of what had just happened. Alex closed her eyes and sat, leaning forward on the lounger, her face in her hands, the phone against her forehead, and just cried.
7:47 p.m.
Caterers were set up, chafing dishes set up along the kitchen island and table. Candles were lit-hurricanes outside in the pool area and tapers all around. Michael Buble crooning on the speakers inside and out, and everything was ready.
The guests would arrive any minute and she and Antonia had spent most of the day studying the characters that would be there.
And now it was time for the show to begin.
The doorbell rang and Olivia jolted slightly, looking at herself in the downstairs, guest bathroom mirror.
Hair sleek, parted in the middle and down, a fuchsia, form-fitting dress on, along with a pair of tan, Louboutin pumps that, at the moment, felt pretty comfortable. Her make-up was pristine and her Cartier gold jewelry immaculate.
She closed the light to the bathroom and headed out to greet their first guest. Antonia entered from the kitchen wearing a tan, off-the-shoulder, ruffle top bodycon dress, her hair in a low chignon. And she looked amazing.
She smiled at the younger woman. "You ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," she commented.
Olivia moved to the door and opened it to find Fin dressed in a black suit, blue tie and sunglasses on, a large black duffel over his arm. He smiled at her.
"Malcolm," she smiled.
"Olivia…" Fin entered and they hugged.
Pulling away, they looked at each other, holding elbows. Fin looked at Antonia and the two embraced as well.
"Hey, Tony…" his deep, smooth voice sounded.
"Hey, Malcolm." Antonia smiled.
Fin looked back at Olivia. "You ready?"
Olivia nodded. "Waiting for you to bring on the party."
Fin squinted. "Is that Buble you playin', Liv?"
"For now...just waiting for our DJ. You got your gear?" Olivia smiled.
Fin patted the bag on his arm. "Two turn tables and a microphone."
Olivia grinned broadly. "Oh, yeah. Bring on the party."
A/N: And...I won't even mention a review, but you know how much they're appreciated. I would love to hear from you!