(See first part for disclaimer, notes, spoilers, etc.)
Chapter 52
Olivia scoots closer next to Gregory as he puts his arm around her shoulder. She leans her head on his shoulder and sighs softly.
Gregory presses a small button on the door panel and watches as the divider closes shut. He reaches down for Olivia's hand and strokes it gently.
"Are you sleeping?" he whispers.
"No," she whispers back, "I'm just resting. How much longer until we get back to the hotel?"
"Not very long…Del will be there though when we get there."
Olivia pulls out of Gregory's embrace and sits up straight against the back of the chair. "I know." She leans her head back against the soft leather headrest. "I have to tell him…"
Gregory's breath slows down and he stares straight ahead. "Tell him what?"
"I took you to be a smarter man," she says with a small smile. "You know what I need to tell him."
He turns his head slowly over to her and smiles. "I did know…But it's always nice to be sure that you are right."
The pair sits in silence for several moments.
"I never even asked-, well-, you see…" Olivia pauses to catch her breath as the words come tumbling out of her mouth. "When did you realize that you wanted me to come home?"
The words are out of Gregory's mouth before he realizes it. "As I stood at the airfield watching Del's plane leave with you on it."
Olivia looks at Gregory, the shock apparent on her face. "You were there? Oh, Gregory…I'm so sorry. If I had realiz-…"
"Olivia," he interrupts, "it's over. You're coming with me. That's all that matters." He reaches out and grasps her hand. "That and the fact that I love you….You're coming home."
"Home," Olivia repeats with a smile. She leans over and kisses Gregory demurely on the cheek. "How sweet it is."
Chapter 53
Sheriff Ed Jonston sits on a chair in the hotel restaurant and listens to Del demand that they locate Olivia immediately for what seems like the twentieth time. He pulls out a worn handkerchief from his pocket and wipes his forehead.
"Sir," Sheriff Jonston says carefully, "I fail to see what, if any, crime has been committed. All we have is a woman who failed to return to her hotel room. It's only ten a.m.; she hasn't been gone long enough to issue a missing persons bulletin. Also, we have no reason to suspect that she has met with foul play."
"Of course there's no 'foul play'," Caitlin insists. "She's with our father."
Sheriff Jonston turns to Caitlin and asks, "Young lady, would your father have any reason to want to harm your mother?"
"No! He…He loves her," Caitlin says quietly. She looks over at Sean, who sits silently with his hands in his lap. "Sean, you saw them yesterday! Daddy was happy to see Mom again."
Sean shrugs and says, "I guess."
"What do you mean by 'I guess', son?" the sheriff asks sharply.
"I mean…Well, you have to know my dad. He can be a real bastard and he could've been one yesterday. But he wasn't."
The sheriff nods and scribbles something in his notepad.
"Parents sometimes don't tell their children everything." Sheriff Jonston pauses while Caitlin and Sean consider this. "Now, all kids want their parents to get back together and I can understand you two wanting to defend their actions. But let's face facts. Your mother left your father for another man. You two are honestly going to sit here and tell me that your father isn't in the mood for a little revenge?"
"What the hell is going on here?" a voice behind them roars.
Del, the sheriff, Caitlin, and Sean swivel around in their chairs and see Gregory standing with his arm around Olivia's shoulder. Both are dressed in yesterday's clothing and Olivia has Gregory's suit jacket draped around her shoulders.
"Mom!" Caitlin sighs. Sean jumps up and envelops his mother in a hug.
The sheriff stands up and eyes the couple that stands before him. He takes in their appearance and chuckles internally, having a good idea about the activities that delayed Mrs. Richards. However, his work etiquette perseveres.
"Ma'am? Are you alright? Are you hurt in anyway?"
"Hurt? No, I'm fine," Olivia answers, confusion evident in her voice. Gregory tightens his arm around her shoulder. "What is going on here?"
Sheriff Jonston clears his throat and glances at Del, who stands with his hands in his pockets and a frown etched on his face.
"I received a call ma'am from Mr. Douglas early this morning. He reported you missing."
"Missing!" Olivia exclaims. "Del, are you insane!"
"Insane? INSANE?" Del explodes. "Ten o'clock comes and goes with no Olivia. I see your kids in the lobby at five this morning and they tell me that they haven't seen you since dinner. WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO THINK?" He runs his hand angrily through his hair and sighs deeply.
"Calm down sir," Sheriff Jonston orders Del. "Calm down. Mrs. Richards is safe and back here at the hotel. She says that she is not hurt. As far as I'm concerned, the matter has been resolved and my work here is done." The sheriff plunks his hat on his head and nods at Olivia, who remains next to Gregory's side.
"Well," Gregory says as the sheriff walks away, "here we all are."
Del snorts with disgust and mutters something under his breath.
Gregory looks at his children. "Caitlin? Sean? Would you excuse the three of us for a moment?" He watches as they glance at each other unsurely. "You can wait for your mother and I in my suite."
"I would like to speak to Del by myself Gregory."
Gregory's head whips around as he stares at Olivia in shock. "What?"
Olivia looks at Gregory pleadingly, her eyes saying more than she is willing to speak aloud. "Please? I need to do this."
Gregory reaches out and allows his hand to brush against hers. He sighs deeply and glances suspiciously at Del. "Alright," he grudgingly concedes. "I'll wait for you in the lobby." He leans forward and whispers into her ear, "Don't be too long, Liv…And don't leave this dining room with him for any reason."
Olivia nods and watches Gregory follow Caitlin and Sean out of the hotel restaurant. She turns around to face Del. "Del, we need to talk."