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

Pt 10/Epilogue: "The Calm After the Storm"

Despite its nickname of "The Sunshine State", Florida actually gets less sun during the average year than "The Lonestar State" or even "The Golden State." Heat and humidity though are never lacking. Yet, this week has been different. The sun has been out daily, strong and proud in the blue sky. There has been a steady breeze, not too strong but just enough to make the 80-degree temperature in Bal Harbour bearable.

Gregory keys into the sprawling hotel suite and heads for the bedroom. After a full morning of golf, the icy blast from the air conditioner is a welcome relief. He enters the bedroom and is immediately taken back by the pitch-black darkness that he faces. Leaving the door open allows light from the suite to tumble in and he feels along the wall for the switch that lifts the sun barrier on the windows. After a moment, he finds and presses the button until the film of frost recedes and the natural sunlight bleeds into the room.

As Gregory's eyes adjust to the amount of light present, he sees Olivia sprawled face down across the California king with only a thin satin sheet draped across her body. Her hair fans out across the pillow, her normally straight locks form into loose curls. Which isn't surprising, Gregory thinks. We worked up quite a sweat last night.

He leans onto the bed and places his hand lightly on her back. Frowning at the lack of response, he bends down and blows a stream of air softly into her ear. Olivia shifts her body ever so slightly, but that is the extent of her movement. He blows into her ear again, a bit stronger this time, as he whispers, "Good morning, love."

After a moment, Olivia's face moves from the peaceful repose of sleep to a slight frown. "Oh, Gregory," she groans softly, "I am too exhausted after last night to make love right now."

Gregory chuckles as he lies down on his side next to Olivia and stares into her face. With a gentle touch, he runs his finger across her forehead in an attempt to smooth out the frown lines. "No, no," he says softly. "Last night was tiring…but highly enjoyable. When was the last time we made love all night long?"

Olivia yawns, covering her mouth with her hand. She rolls over onto her side and folds one of her arms underneath her head. "I don't remember but judging by last night, it must have been too long." She opens her eyes a crack and takes in Gregory's appearance. He's wearing a polo shirt, wet with sweat, and khaki golf shorts. "How could you muster the energy to get up early and golf after last night?"

"Oh, I don't know. The same way, I imagine, that you'll muster the energy to come golfing with me this afternoon," he teases.

Olivia scrunches her face in disgust. "Darling, what I do when I come with you isn't 'golfing.' I just sit in the cart and read a magazine."

Gregory laughs and places his hand on her shoulder before gently running it down the length of her arm and resting it on her hip.

"What time is it?" she asks.

"Almost noon," Gregory says after stealing a glance at the gold watch on his wrist. "Why?"

"We should call the children," Olivia yawns. "Make sure they haven't trashed the house by hosting a party or gotten into any other kind of trouble."

"Very cute…You do this on purpose, don't you?"

Olivia smiles coyly. "No, darling. I think it's rather sweet that you were worried about the children and didn't want to leave them alone."

"Well…" he trails off in embarrassment.

She reaches out and places her hand on Gregory's cheek. "Oh darling…" she laughs softly. "Bette promised to check in on them at least once a day."

"That makes me feel a hell of a lot better," he retorts sarcastically.

Olivia opens her eyes all the way and moves closer to Gregory, to the point where the tips of their noses touch. "I could get used to this new side of you."

"And which side is that?" Gregory asks as he places a light kiss on her nose.

"The 'mother hen' side."

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but don't expect any repeat performances of it."

Olivia drapes her leg over Gregory's and smiles as the hair on his legs tickles hers. "Then don't disappoint me," she whispers as she draws herself even closer to him. "Things have been so wonderful lately," she says as Gregory reaches around and teases her back with his fingers. "As close to perfect as they've ever been."

"The calm after the storm," Gregory suggests as he rolls away from Olivia and sits up in the bed.

"What are you doing?"

"We're calling the children."

Olivia sits up and draws the sheet up closer to her. She leans into Gregory and rests her head on his shoulder as he holds up the phone in between them.

After several moments, Sean's voice crackles out of the receiver. "Hello?"

"Oh, Sean. We didn't wake you, did we?" Olivia asks.

"Hey Mom! No, I was already up. How's Florida?"

"The weather is lovely and it's not too hot out, which is good for your father because he's been getting a lot of golfing in."

"Is Dad there now?"

Gregory glances at Olivia. "I'm here, Sean."

"Hey Dad…Everything's good down there?"

"Things are going well and your mother and I have been…relaxing."

Sean coughs uncomfortably. "Yeah, uh…So, you two still coming back at the end of the week?"

Olivia rubs some sleep out of her eyes. "Yes, Sean. Is Cait there by chance?"

"Well actually, Cait and I were just leaving. She's waiting on the patio for me. I just came back to answer the phone."

"Where are you two going?" Gregory asks.

"The beach. Casey came over for dinner last night and he offered to teach Cait and I how to surf."

"Well, that's wonderful, darling. Please be careful though."

"Don't worry, Mom. Casey will take care of us."

Olivia looks at Gregory and smiles. "You two have fun and we'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Ok…Bye Mom."

Gregory reaches for Olivia's hand and squeezes it gently. "Send Cait and Casey our love and tell them that we'll see them both when we get back."

"Sure Dad. Love you guys."

"We love you too."

"Bye," Sean says before hanging up his end of the line.

Gregory hangs the phone gently back onto the receiver as Olivia gets up from the bed and wraps the sheet around her body like a dress.

"The three of them certainly have hit it off in just a few short months," Olivia notes as she turns to face Gregory. He shrugs his shoulders noncommittally. "You know they have…And you know what else? I think it's been wonderful, for all of them."

"You think so?"

Olivia nods and sits on the edge of the bed next to Gregory. "Casey's been a good influence on Cait and Sean. And, I think he enjoys spending time with them." She puts her hand on Gregory's knee and strokes it with her forefinger. "You certainly can't deny that you and Sean have been getting along better."

Gregory smiles and nods. "Sean…he's-, he's a good man."

"He is," Olivia agrees softly. She walks her fingers up his thigh and stomach before resting her hand on his chest. "What time did you want to go golfing later?"

"Well, it depends."

"On what?" Olivia asks with a frown.

"On how long we'll be at the shops."

Olivia's face bends into a frown of confusion. "I didn't know we were going shopping. Why are we?"

Gregory's covers Olivia's hand with his and pats it lovingly. "When was the last time I took you shopping?"

"Probably around the same time we made love all night long," Olivia answers with a small smirk. "Darling, I don't need any-"

"Consider it a small attempt to make up for all the stress of the last few months."

"Gregor-"

"Olivia," he interrupts. "The last few months have been immensely difficult for you. First it was Del's murder, then Caitlin's business with Cole, Sean's surgery, and then Alex's news." Olivia looks away and he touches her chin to get her to turn back to him. "And you've taken it all in stride. You've even welcomed Casey into our family, all without losing it."

"Greg-"

"Thank you," he interrupts again. He strokes her chin and then allows his finger to drift upward slightly and trace over her lips. "Thank you."

Olivia places a small kiss on his finger. "How have the last few months been any easier on you?" She sighs and rubs his chest. "You always try to be so strong, for me and the children. The last few months were hell…for everyone. I-, I couldn't have done any of it if I didn't have you."

Gregory gathers Olivia into his arms and kisses the top of her head. "I need you too, Liv…more than you know." He squeezes her tightly to him. "I need you too."

Olivia sits up and kisses Gregory softly on his lips. "We are going to be ok, aren't we?"

"Yes," he replies as he kisses her back. "We are." Her smile of relief attacks his heart and he struggles to return her smile. "Come on," he urges with a false joviality. "Let's go shopping."

She stops him from sitting up. "I love you…very deeply." She brings her finger to his lips and silences him from interrupting. "Why do you blame yourself?"

"I don't."

"You do," Olivia insists softly. "I can see it in your eyes." She narrows her eyes for a moment before continuing, "I don't blame you for anything. Neither do the children. What are you torturing yourself over? Is it Alex?"

'I needed to trust that things really have changed and that we are going to work through our problems together. I needed to trust that you would talk to me'…She said that the night I confessed Alex's secret to her, Gregory thinks to himself. All she wants is honesty…

"Please…Talk to me. Let me help you…" she pleads.

'No, Olivia. Don't pull away. Not now, not now. Olivia, tell me what's wrong. Let me help you. Come on…' When did our roles switch?, he wonders. He looks into her concerned eyes and finds his hardened resolve melting away. "I always manage to hurt you."

"Darling," Olivia gasps, "I'm fine."

Gregory shakes his head. "This thing with Alex could've turned in-"

"That's just it!" Olivia interrupts. "It could've turned into something. But it didn't!" She leans closer to Gregory. "I'm fine. You haven't hurt me. I'm still here. After everything, we're still here." She smiles and repeats, "We're still here together."

Gregory places his hand on her bare shoulder and allows the warmth from her skin to radiate into his hand. "I…" he trails off with emotion.

Olivia leans in and kisses his cheek. "I know, darling. I know." She wraps her arms around him and rests her head on his shoulder. "It's alright." She tightens her grasp on Gregory when she feels his body shudder. "I'm here," she whispers. "And I always will be."

"I don't deserve you," he whispers back.

Olivia sits up quickly, grabbing Gregory's face and forcing him to look at her. "What are you saying?" she asks forcefully. "Who does then, if you don't?" She sighs and releases her hold on his face. "No one has ever made me has happy as you do. Through the good times and the bad times." Gregory hangs his head and Olivia leans hers down to rest against it. "We've hurt each other," she offers. "But that's in the past. So," she sighs, "let's leave the past in the past. We'll bury it and leave it where it belongs, in the-"

"Past," Gregory interjects as he leans up. He lies back down on the bed, taking Olivia with him. She curls up against his side. "So, a new beginning then?"

Olivia nods. "A new beginning for a new family." She looks up at Gregory and smiles. "I think we can manage that."

"As long as I have you, I can manage anything," Gregory says softly. He allows his finger to play with a lock of Olivia's hair. "I love you, Liv."

"I love you too, darling."

End