(See first part for disclaimer, notes, spoilers, etc.)

Chapter 40
The four members of the Richards family sit around the table at an elegant restaurant in Hanover, New Hampshire. From a distance, they appear to be the perfect family. Father. Mother. Daughter. Son. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

Gregory watches Olivia out of the corner of his eye. He can't help but admit to himself that she looks wonderful. Her eyes are bright and her cheeks have color in them, a stark comparison to the way that she looked when she lived with him. Is Douglas right?, he wonders, Is Olivia happier with him? She certainly looks better.

Sean watches his father watching his mother. Man, some things never change, he thinks angrily to himself. The great Gregory Richards, always wanting what he can't have.

"If you'll excuse me, I see Dan, the guy I roomed with, and his family. I'm going to say 'hi'," Sean says as he pushes his chair away from the table.

"Is that his older brother?" Caitlin asks. Sean nods. "I'll join you. Excuse us."

Olivia smiles at the children as they walk across to the other table. Her smile fades as she realizes that she is alone at the table with her ex-husband. With a trembling hand, she reaches for her water and takes a sip.

Gregory clears his throat and asks cautiously, "How have you been?"

"Oh…fine, I suppose."

Gregory looks over at Olivia. "You suppose?" he asks.

"Wonderful is actually more like it," Olivia responds quickly. Pull it together Olivia!, she thinks. Keep your guard up! "Geneva is beautiful and it's a nice change from Sunset Beach. It also gives me an opportunity to speak French."

"That's right. You're mother was French; I forgot she taught you the language," Gregory says. He leans closer to her and whispers, "Do you remember our honeymoon in France?"

Olivia smiles wistfully as her memory takes her back to the weeks they spent in the south of France…

July, 1976

Olivia stares in awe at the majesty that is their hotel, Dolce Fregate. Gregory looks over at his new wife and smiles.

"You'll have to get used to it…From now on it's nothing but the best for you," Gregory says as he pulls Olivia to him for a kiss.

"Not here," she squeals and pulls away, "everyone is looking at us!"

"Of course they are," he says as he pulls her into the small elevator. "You are so beautiful, they can't help but look."

Olivia laughs softly and wraps her arms around Gregory's neck. He kisses her lips tenderly and pulls back.

"I love you."

Olivia smiles and whispers, "I love you more."

Gregory nuzzles Olivia's throat and raises his hand to massage her breast. Olivia sighs softly. Their caresses cease as the elevator comes to a stop. The doors swing open and Olivia pulls Gregory out by the hand, leading him down the hallway to their room. She keys in and Gregory pushes her into the room. The door closes and the newlyweds collapse onto the antique bed, tugging off the other's clothes…

…Later, as night falls on Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer and the scent of jasmine perfumes the night air, Gregory and Olivia lay tangled together on the bed.

Gregory's hand runs through Olivia's hair and he whispers, "If there is ever a time in the years to come, when you doubt my love for you, remember how we are right now."

Olivia looks up and rests her chin on Gregory's chest, "I'll never doubt it. I love you more than anything."

Olivia then snuggles back into the protective embrace of Gregory's arms and rests her head on his shoulder.

Within moments, both are fast asleep.

…Olivia comes back to the present and meets Gregory's eyes with hers. He reaches over slowly and covers her hand with his.

"What are you doing?" Olivia breathlessly whispers as Gregory begins to massage her hand. She shifts uncomfortably in her chair as his eyes stay locked on her.

Gregory rubs her ring finger and says with dismay, "You took off your rings."

"I was leaving you…They were your mothers," Olivia says, stumbling over her words as her body begins to respond to Gregory's massage. "Shouldn't the children be back now?"

"Forget about them for a minute," Gregory whispers as he moves closer to her. He smiles as he breathes in the scent of his beloved Olivia. "These past months, without you, I've realized some things. The most important is that…My god Olivia, I love you."

Olivia gasps and feels extremely lightheaded. "Gregory…," she mumbles.

"No!" he interrupts. "Let me finish. This has to be said." Gregory clears his throat and looks up to ensure the children aren't on their way back. After confirming they aren't, he continues, "I love you. You are the love of my life. The house has been dark and empty without you. I've been dark and empty without you." He pauses when he notices that Olivia looks pale, very pale. "Olivia? Are you alright?" he asks worriedly. "Here drink something."

Gregory holds a glass of water to her lips and cups her chin, forcing her lips to open and accept the drink.

"Good girl," he says as Olivia swallows some water. "What have you eaten today?"

"I, uh, had a croissant and fruit with coffee for breakfast," she replies softly.

"I'll get the children back here so we can order," Gregory says.

"No!" Olivia says quickly. "I'm fine!" She looks at Gregory and says, "I'm just…shocked."

Gregory looks down and says, "Why? Because I admitted my feelings for you?" He looks back up, "Olivia, I've had plenty of nights without you in my bed to think about what caused you to leave. I realize that I was a bad…terrible husband. And, I treated you very badly."

Olivia raises her hand to her eyes and wipes a tear out of her eye.

Gregory reaches into his jacket pocket and passes her his handkerchief. As Olivia reaches out to take it, their fingers touch and a bolt of electricity passes between them.

"You…you still love me?" Olivia asks.

Gregory reaches over and brushesa tear off Olivia's cheek. "Very much," he whispers.

Olivia feels her heart start to beat very quickly, instinctively knowing what will come next.

"Come home Liv," Gregory pleads softly as he leans in and kisses her lips softly. "Come home."

Olivia touches the side of Gregory's face and takes a shaky breath. "Gregory," she starts to say.

"I'm starving….Let's order," Sean says as he slides back into his chair. "Is everything ok? You look kind of pale Mom."

Olivia pulls away from Gregory as if he was a hot fire. Gregory sighs with disappointment and glares at his son.

"Mom's sick?" Caitlin asks as she rejoins the table.

"No, she isn't," Gregory answers. "She hasn't eaten since breakfast." He looks up to the waiter and indicates that they are ready to order.

A silence settles over the table as they order one by one. Gregory looks to Olivia and checks that she is still breathing. She dabs at her eyes and sniffles, but the color was slowly returning to her cheeks.

Caitlin looks questioningly at her father but he shakes his head to indicate that now is not the time. She clears her throat and says, "I'd like to propose a toast…To Sean, on his graduation day, and to the start of more dinners like this."

Gregory clinks his glass with Olivia's and thinks, Soon Olivia. This is just the first step.