Chapter Eight
Tom Pullings finished setting the table and glanced at the clock for the fourth time in ten minutes. Olivia had left over an hour ago to pick up her paycheck from the bar, a task that usually only took her about fifteen minutes.
He sighed, taking the chicken out of the oven and turning off the timer. Over a month had passed since the 4th of July when he had revealed his talent for cooking, and Tom had soon found that all meal preparations had fallen to him. Olivia was far too busy, running from one job to the next, and Tom was more than happy to help. They usually alternated nights to clear the table, a task that was made very simple by that marvelous dishwasher contraption. In fact the entire apartment was kept surprising neat and orderly for a place housing five people, a true tribute to naval tidiness and efficiency. They had fallen even farther into a routine, busying themselves keeping the place clean and running smoothly for Olivia, who had enough to worry about paying all the bills. However, despite her busy schedule Olivia was usually home on Thursday nights. She never worked the bar this night. Where was she?
He was worried to be sure, and very tempted to check for her car once more, but resisted that urge to avoid the critical looks from the Captain and Doctor in the front room, who thirty minutes ago when he checked had told him he was paranoid. They had not seen or had any trouble from this Gary man since July, and the police had found nothing in Olivia's room, so after a tense period of looking over her shoulder, Olivia had relaxed, however Tom was not so comfortable.
With a grumble about Olivia not calling the apartment to let him know why she was so late he went to put the food on the table. He wanted to wait for her, but had no idea when she would return, and besides the food would go cold and he was hungry.
"Gentlemen, dinner is served." He announced as he set the last of the food on the table, glancing once more at the clock.
"Miss Corin has not returned?" Stephen asked as he came in and sat at his usual seat followed by Jack and Blakeney.
Tom was just about to answer when the telephone rang. He jumped and rushed over to answer it, hoping it was Olivia. "Hello?" He answered as he had heard Olivia do so a hundred times at least.
He was correct. "Hi, Tom it's Olivia." She sounded like she was standing in a crowded room, lots of shouting and carrying on in the background.
"Where are you? Shall I hold dinner?" He asked.
"No, no don't bother. Listen, I got roped into picking up Lorrie's shift here tonight, so I won't be back until late, sorry." She sounded tired, he could tell just by the tone of her voice.
"Alright dear, pay it no mind. Do be careful though, you know I am not fond of you being out so late alone." He said, feeling awkward talking on the phone. He never liked the machine, feeling disconcerted that he could not read an expression when speaking with her.
"Yes, yes, I know. I have a favor to ask, dear." Olivia said, sounding rushed. "My Aunt caught me on my cell earlier. Turns out my Uncle is surprising her with a trip just the two of them tomorrow for a week, but forgot to find someone to watch their two daughters, so they're going to stay with us next week and are being dropped off tomorrow, can you make sure the apartment's clean please?"
She said all of this very quickly, without a pause or a breath, and so Tom only caught the main idea of it all. Something about children coming to stay with them and the apartment needing cleaning.
"Of course, dear, of course." He replied.
"Okay great. I have to go, break's over. Love you, bye." With that Olivia hung up on her end.
Tom hung the phone up, relieved to know where she was and slightly curious. Relatives of hers were coming, and this could prove interesting, to say the least. Intrigued, he went and joined the others for their meal.
The next morning Tom awoke to the sound of Olivia blasting the music she always played when she was cleaning. It was a type of music that he supposed was a developed taste for he found it strange and loud. Olivia called it rock, Tom called it noise. Blakeney however, much to the alarm of the others, had taken a shine to it, and Olivia saw nothing wrong with the young man wearing her headphones and blasting music so loud he could not hear anything else. Why not? After all, she did it all the time.
Tom groaned and rolled over on the futon, he had been up late waiting for Olivia to come home from work. When she had finally come in she was exhausted and positively reeked of alcohol. Apparently there had been quite a few spills, drunken men, and suggestions that a lady ought not repeat, and without giving him any more details she had jumped in the shower and collapsed into bed without even saying goodnight. In fact by the time he realized she was out of the bathroom she was fast asleep. The poor thing was exhausted and had not even bothered shutting her door or drying her hair like she usually did. He had watched her for a moment, in the doorway, with an amused smile on his face, before finally retiring himself to his own bed.
With a sigh Tom decided to get up and see what Olivia was up to cleaning at this hour. It was unusual for her to show her face before eleven on days she did not have to be up. Normally she would still be asleep and quite cross if she were waken for anything short of a fire or natural disaster.
For being awake at seven in the morning on one of the rare days she could have slept in Olivia was in a surprisingly good mood. She was mopping the kitchen floor, something Tom had done the night before, spinning and dancing to the music with the mop handle as her partner. It was an amusing sight to be sure, and Tom stood in the doorway watching her, trying not to laugh to remain undiscovered. Finally, the temptation was too much. He snuck up behind her careful not to make a sound, and grabbed her around the waist, surprising her.
Olivia jumped a foot at least and let out a cry in surprise, spinning around. "TOM!" She choked, whacking him playfully on the shoulder.
Tom merely laughed, "Good morning, dear." He said innocently with a smirk. "Did I alarm you?"
Olivia merely gave him her 'don't you ever do that again look' and turned back to her moping in a huff. However, Tom could tell that pouting did not quite reach her eyes. She was playing at being difficult, and he had come to know her well enough not to fall for it.
"You know, I did clean that floor yesterday." He pointed out, stopping her motions by hugging her from behind, teasing her.
"Yes but my aunt is coming and I need this place to sparkle so she won't have anything bad to tell my mother and grandmother. It was hard enough explaining you four, and I'll not let her add that I'm living in a pigsty to boot. Now shoo, Tom Pullings or I'll run away with the mailman." She jerked out of his hold, with a teasing toss of her head, continuing with her work.
"Isn't the mailman over fifty?" He asked with a laugh.
Olivia looked up, a teasing gleam in her eye. "Yes, but he has a really hot-"
"I get the point." Tom cut her off quickly, not wanting to hear the rest, holding up his hand to call a truce.
Olivia merely smirked and went back to her cleaning with surprising enthusiasm. "I have to work today, you don't mind watching the girls do you?" She asked.
Tom froze. "Watch….little girls?" He repeated slowly as the color drained from his face. He was terrified by the very idea. "Olivia, I have positively no idea what to do with little girls."
"They're just kids Tom." Olivia replied casually. "Just keep them from jumping out the windows or breaking any bones and you'll be fine."
Tom licked his lips, worried about the idea of keeping two little girls entertained for an evening. "But what if they… if they… need something… a woman issue?"
Olivia raised an eyebrow, amused at his sudden fear of little girls. "Tom, they're five and seven. Both completely potty trained and both nowhere near that age. The only thing you have to worry about from them is that they tell others everything that is said around or to them." Olivia laughed to herself, "In fact you'll probably hear some interesting stories about me."
"Oh really?" Tom was interested by the prospect to say the least, but he was still uneasy at the idea of taking care of her little cousins. "I still don't know, Olivia, I have no experience with children."
"Please Tom?" Olivia turned, her eyes taking that innocent pleading look as she attached herself to his waist. "For me?" She asked.
How could he resist when she was giving him that look? What man had the strength to say no when his lady was staring at him with big pleading eyes? Tom sighed, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face and gently kissing her. "How is it you can make me agree to anything by looking at me like that?"
Olivia grinned wickedly, "Feminine charms." She answered sweetly, kissing him again. "And don't worry, the girls will have toys with them I'm sure. They're great kids, my favorite cousins, and trust me I have a lot of cousins."
"I'm looking forward to meeting them." Tom said earnestly. "And your aunt." It was true, he was rather curious about this family of hers. Olivia so rarely mentioned them and of course, Tom knew she was not close at all to her parents, so when Olivia announced her aunt would be coming by he was curious.
Olivia smiled and went back to cleaning again, "Aunt Alida is a good place to start. She's one of my only relatives who is somewhat sane."
"Oh?" Tom raised an eyebrow, moving about the kitchen to make breakfast. "Does madness run in your family?" He asked casually.
Olivia turned suddenly from her cleaning, her mouth agape, she raised an eyebrow and just gave him the "you should not have said that" look.
Tom cringed the second he realized what he just said. He had not meant it as an insult or to be offensive, in fact he had not thought at all of what he was implying by his statement, and now judging by the look he was getting he was in trouble. "I should rephrase that…"
Olivia nodded slowly, an amused smile spreading across her lips, "You think?"
Tom smiled, relieved to see she was not angry. "I'm sorry, dear, I meant to ask about the rest of your family, I never meant to imply you were insane."
Olivia laughed, "Oh really? Because I think I'm downright crazy."
"Well, then I hope you never become sane, dear, for I love you just the way you are." Tom said sweetly.
"Nice try, but you still have to watch my cousins." Olivia replied, going back to her mopping without another thought.
"Damn." Tom swore, ducking as she swung the mop at his head teasingly. "Where are the Captain and good Doctor this fine morning?" He asked, knowing that they usually objected to her choice of rock music for cleaning, rather preferring her classical and opera selections.
"Out for a walk. The minute I put in the Moody Blues they bolted." Olivia replied. "Blakeney's down by the pool. He says he's swimming but I think it's because there are some girls sunbathing down there." Olivia rolled her eyes, amused. "Boys."
"Well, can you blame us?" Tom asked with a cheeky grin.
Suddenly Olivia paused, as if she just realized something, and an enlightened expression appeared across her face. She dropped her mop and in one graceful sweep bounced across the kitchen to Tom, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Tom, do you know what I just realized?"
He blinked, surprised suddenly moment of clarity. "What?"
"We're alone in the apartment. We haven't been alone in the apartment since July." Olivia said, leaning closer, tracing his jaw delicately with her fingers. "Shall we pick up where we left off?" She asked innocently.
Tom gave her a knowing look, "Olivia, dear, I don't think now is the time for…" He sighed as she trailed kisses down his jaw, skillfully making him forget his protests, if only for a moment. "Olivia, the others may be back at any moment." He pointed out.
"So?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at him suggestively.
"And your aunt will be here with your cousins soon." He added.
"And?"
"And we really do not have time." He argued.
"We'll be fast." Olivia replied, her green eyes shining mischievously.
Tom laughed, "Olivia Corin! That is hardly proper."
"Have you ever known me to be proper?" She asked, kissing him once more.
Tom returned her kiss, holding her close, running a hand through her hair and enjoying having her so near. However there was no time to do what he was quite certain she wanted to do. Not to mention he felt the need to attempt to be proper. "Olivia, we can't. Not now." He protested, determined to be firm, and stepped away from her embrace, using all his willpower to do so.
Olivia sighed, frustrated. "Why not?"
"Because!" Suddenly Tom was at a lose for words. He stared at her a moment, he loved her and wanted to be with her, but this wasn't the time for it. She deserved their first time together to be, well, special. He wanted their lives together to be perfect, and a quick romp on the kitchen table just was not what she deserved. He sighed, but how to make her see that…
"Olivia." He took her hand, staring into her beautiful eyes. She could melt his heart with those eyes of hers. "I love you, and I want nothing more than to be with you, you surely know that, but not like this." He felt his face grow hot, and felt rather stupid stating his thoughts like this, but he continued. "I want the first time we're together to be… to be… well, special."
"Tom-" She started but he held up a hand, interrupting her.
"I want to take my time and memorize you. I want to hold you afterwards and sleep blissfully with you in my arms. I want to wake to see those beautiful green eyes of yours as a greeting." His words flowed, tumbling out his desires like poetry, and he was surprised to see tears coming to her eyes. He gently wiped them from her cheek with his thumb. "I'm sorry, love, for being so entirely selfish."
Olivia laughed aloud, "Oh Tom…" She threw her arms around him in a hug. "You're not selfish at all. That has to be the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me in my entire life. And what makes it even more amazing is that you mean every word of it." She looked up at him, her eyes shining. "This is one of those times I think you're too good for me."
"Never." Tom grinned, leaning down to kiss her again, only to be interrupted by a sharp knock at the door.
Olivia jumped, her eyes widening, "They're early!" She hissed, quickly running a hand through her hair and glancing around the kitchen wildly for anything out of place. "Do I look okay?" She asked, quickly stashing the bucket in a cabinet.
"Olivia, you always look lovely." Tom told her, watching her rush about the kitchen in a tizzy.
"Okay, don't look at me as my future husband, look at me as my biggest critic. Do I look okay?" She asked, stomping her foot in frustration as the mop fell out of the closet as she attempted to put it back in a rush.
"Yes, love, calm down." Tom said as a second and louder knock came at the door. "Do you want me to get that?" He asked.
"No, no, I should." Olivia straightened her top and subconsciously pulled up her jeans before heading to the door, and opening it with a smile.
"LIVIA!" Two little golden haired girls bounded in and tackled Olivia both jumping and grinning ear to ear.
Olivia laughed, hugging them and kneeling down to their level. "It's the midgets!" She teased ruffling hair.
"Where you been Livia? We haven't seen you in AGES!" The taller girl exclaimed, putting her hands on her hips and pouting in what appeared to be a scold.
Tom watched the scene lingering in the background, a smile playing at his lips as he watched Olivia being scolded by her young cousin.
A middle aged woman appeared in the doorway, carrying suitcases and appearing out of breath. "Thank you girls, for leaving me with all your stuff in the van." She said to the children. "And Livia, can you breath with Katalin wrapped around your neck like that?" She asked.
Olivia grinned, standing, lifting the girl attached to her neck, Katalin, with her. "I don't know. Katalin, are you trying to choke me?"
"Uh huh!" Katalin proudly declared.
Olivia's aunt chuckled and gathered up the suitcases again. Tom quickly stepped forward and collected them from her with a shy smile. "Allow me, ma'am." He volunteered.
Her aunt smiled warmly, "Thank you." She glanced at Olivia then back at him, giving him an appraising look. "You must be Tom."
"Yes, ma'am. Tom Pullings, pleased to meet you." He smiled, determined to make a good impression.
"Oh. Is this your boyfriend, Livia?" The older girl asked, exchanging a look with her sister, who turned to also appraise Tom, with a grin.
Katalin, the younger girl, looked from Tom to Olivia and a decided look appeared upon her face. "He's got funny hair." She declared, rather bluntly.
"Katalin!" Both Olivia and her Aunt scolded at the same time, as poor Tom's face turned a dark hue of pink.
"What? It's longer than mine!" Katalin defended herself.
"Why don't you and Maria get your bags from Tom and take them back to my room? You're going to sleep in there." Olivia said, fighting an amused chuckle at her youngest cousin's bluntness.
"Like a sleepover?" Maria exclaimed, jumping up and down. "Okay!" She grabbed her things from Tom, nearly knocking him over in her rush and dashed down the hall, her suitcase bouncing along behind her.
Katalin followed with less enthusiasm, her suitcase being nearly as big as she was it made it rather difficult for her to run, but she did manage to drag it down the hall, shouting at her sister to wait and not take the good side of the room without her say so.
"You've got your work cut out for you this week Livia." Her aunt sighed. "And Tom, I'm sorry about Katalin, she doesn't think before she speaks."
"She's young, ma'am." Tom said, offering her a smile. "I took no offense."
"Oh please, enough of this ma'am business. It's Alida, and if you marry my niece, it'll be Aunt Alida. If you don't mind my asking, how serious are you two anyway?" She raised an eyebrow, looking at Olivia for an answer.
"I told you he's living here, Aunt Alida, what does that tell you?" Olivia replied.
"Well, I never quite know dear, I mean, you have so many flings."
"Aunt Alida!" Olivia exclaimed in horror. "I haven't had any 'flings' in over a year, and besides, none of them ever lived with me!"
"Oh of course, dear, of course." Her Aunt quickly retreated off the subject. "Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to get home and finish packing to catch our flight. Girls! I'm leaving!"
This created a flurry of motion that Tom was quite lost in. The two girls came tearing down the hall at speeds that made him think these little girls would make excellent powder monkeys. Everyone was talking at once and hugging and saying last minute goodbyes and instructions. While watching all this he wondered to himself why Olivia did not just tell her Aunt they were getting married. It certainly would make his living there seem slightly more proper, and show that they were, as her Aunt said, serious. Why didn't she share her engagement with her family? It was a mystery to him, but one that he would have to address later. Now, with two little girls running about, certainly wasn't the time.
Finally, Olivia's Aunt left, waving out the car window at her daughters who were standing at the landing looking over the parking lot. Olivia ushered them back inside and into the kitchen. Maria was talking rapidly the entire time, half of which Tom did not even quite make out what she was saying exactly, while Katalin sniffled, on the verge of tears, curling up in a chair at the kitchen table.
Tom noticed and glanced at Olivia, who seemed busy listening to Maria. With hesitation he decided he ought to find out what was troubling the younger girl, so he sat down next to her. "Katalin is it?" He asked, making sure he at least at the name right.
Katalin nodded and sniff, looking up at Tom with wide eyes, her thumb straying to her mouth. She was quite adorable, despite her tear streaked face and trembling lower lip, staring at him in surprise.
"What's the matter?" He asked. "Are you hurt?"
Katalin shook her head, "I miss Mommy!" She declared.
"Oh." Tom froze. This was the type of situation he was no good with. He'd dealt with his fair share of homesick young lads, squeakers on their first voyage to be sure, but this was an entirely different situation. This was a little girl. He had absolutely no idea what to do or say, so with a deep breath for confidence, he took a stab at it. "Well, you get to stay with your cousin while your Mother is gone, won't that be fun?"
Katalin shook her head again, and took her thumb out of her mouth. "I want my Mommy!" She declared loudly, bursting into violent sobs, the likes of which Tom had never heard.
Tom's eyes went wide in shock as the little girl sobbed her poor little heart out. He had no idea what he did but he was quite certain it was his fault she was so upset. "Katalin, please don't cry!" He begged, casting a desperate look at Olivia, whose conversation with Maria had paused when Katalin interrupted them with her tears.
Olivia quickly intervened, coming over and hugging her cousin, sitting down and allowing the girl to climb into her lap. "Oh Katalin, it's okay. Mommy will be back in seven days." She said, holding up seven fingers. "We'll go to the park and have so much fun before you know it," Olivia quickly counted down each finger, rocking the cry, who had stopped sobbing loudly, but was now hiccupping and sniffling pitifully. "She'll be here to pick you up."
"I still want Mommy." Katalin replied stubbornly.
"I know you do." Olivia kissed the top of her head. "But Mommy and Daddy are taking a boring big people trip, and they thought you'd have a much better time here with me. And I wanted to see my favorite cousins. Is that okay?"
Katalin nodded, slowly. "I guess so."
"Okay, great. I'm glad." Olivia kissed the girl again, smiling over her head at Tom, giving him the 'you didn't do anything' look. "Now, who wants ice cream?"
"I do! I do!" Both girls became extremely excited by the prospect of sweets before lunch and came to life again, giggling and bouncing cheerfully about the kitchen.
"Okay, why don't you two go watch TV and Tom and I will bring the ice cream in to you?" Olivia suggested, setting Katalin on her feet and standing up herself.
"Okay!" Maria grabbed her sister's arm and they both raced out of the room, plopping on the sofa and turning on the television without a single pause in the action.
Tom sighed heavily, standing also. "I told you I've no idea what to do with girls." Tom said miserably. "I made Katalin cry, I'm sorry."
"You didn't make her cry, Tom. She always does that when she gets left here, even for just a few hours. She's one of those overly attached kids who doesn't like to be left behind. Once you get her distracted your good to go." Olivia said, getting out the ice cream and bowls. "You want any?"
"But we haven't had breakfast yet." He argued.
Olivia held up the ice cream with a grin, "Breakfast." She declared.
"Oh… all right." He shrugged, much more concerned at being left with her cousins rather than what he was going to eat. "When do you have to leave again?"
"After lunch, for just a few hours to get some work done at the theatre, I somehow managed to get out of my shift at the bar tonight. I wouldn't have gone in to the box office today but we've got some group coming in to use the stage tomorrow and are horribly unprepared. I may have to help out in the shop today, so don't be surprised if I come back sneezing and covered in sawdust." Olivia said, scooping ice cream out into bowls. "I promise I'll come back as soon as I can."
"Good." Tom said, still not convinced, and not really paying attention to much of what she said, past the part about leaving after lunch for a few hours. "Are you sure-?"
"Tom." Olivia interrupted. "You'll be fine. You can lead grown men but you can't handle little girls?"
"The crew doesn't burst into tears like Katalin did, dear." Tom pointed out.
"She won't do that again." Olivia assured him, handing him a bowl of ice cream.
"But…. But what if they don't like me?" He asked, timidly, not wanting the few members of her family she was on good terms with to hate him.
"They'll like you." Olivia reassured him, handing him another bowl. "Just take them those bowls of ice cream and you'll be their new best friend." She collected her bowls and kissed his cheek, offering him a rather charming smile. "Consider this a challenge."
"A challenge?" Tom could not help but smile. She seemed to trust him to keep the girls, perhaps she was right. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad after all. "Well, when you put it that way." With a deep breath and an overdramatic motion of collecting his strength he gave Olivia a bold look. "Then onward I go." With that he turned sharply with the bowls of ice cream, followed by a very amused Olivia, into the next room where the two little girls were waiting impatiently to face what may be his doom.
A/N: Awww… Tom gets to babysit! Bum bum bum! So not much in this chapter besides we now know that Tom is cooking all the meals and cleaning while Olivia makes the money… haha gender role reversal anyone? Hey, it's the 21st century! I also introduced little kids. Who are two of my favorite characters because little kids are such fun! They lighten the mood, which is always a good thing. The next chapter will hopefully be a ton of fun (evil grin). One of the ideas that's been cooking for a long time. So stay tuned!
Also, note that while writing the majority of this chapter I was sick and possibly running a fever… so if it's a tad off that's why! Leave it to me to get sick over spring break. I was so dead to the world I didn't get half the writing and work done that I wanted. Sigh. Oh well. The good news is I'm feeling much better. So hopefully these last few days of break I can um…. write stuff that makes sense? Do I ever do that anyway?
And don't worry, I haven't forgotten Gary the stalker. He'll turn up later I promise!
The lady of the shadows: Welcome m'dear! To what appears to be my continuous torment of the one they call Pullings. I was very flattered by your review. Thanks for such kind words and taking the time to read all this stuff! I update as soon as I can, though unfortunately real life often gets in the way (stupid life), but I try to ignore it as often as possible! Hope you enjoyed the new chapter and thanks for the review!
Frannypants: Hiya m'dear! Let's see… the rose. That'll probably come up vaguely in future encounters with Gary, though it's really not that important. It's more like a calling card of sorts. I'm glad you enjoyed the first story! And I hope you enjoy this one too! Hope you liked the update and thanks for reviewing.
Adena27: Haha yes Olivia is slightly messed up. It's more fun that way. I don't know anyone Hungarian. I don't quite remember why I decided to make Olivia's mother's family Hungarian… it might have something to do with a paper I wrote on European languages for a geography class last year… I don't know, this story is a long time in the planning. I just want her family to speak a language to confuse and make the guys uncomfortable… in future chapters of course. As for Blakeney, his time is coming… eventually. Perhaps he'll get a girlfriend…. mwahaha perhaps not. Haven't decided for sure yet. We'll just have to see where the story goes eh? Thanks for reviewing and hope you enjoyed the new chapter!
et-spiritus-sancti: Haha how can you not want to hug him? He's such a puppy! And everyone loves puppies! I'm glad you agree with me that us ladies are allowed our mood swings! Tom ought to buy Olivia chocolate don't you think? Someone ought to tell him about Family Dollar having huge bags of good candy for only a dollar! Sorry this chapter took longer than expected to get out… but illness got the better of me and I ended up having to delete and rewrite half of it because I think I was really not with it when I wrote it, seriously, I didn't even understand half of it. Fevers, dehydration and writing really don't mix well! But I hope it was worth the wait and thanks for sticking with me!
ClaireRickman: Stephen hasn't come back yet… and there are some animals missing from the zoo… I'm terribly concerned… okay not really concerned but he has my mother's brownie pan and I want her to bake me something before I go back to school! Olivia is very weird. But writing normal characters isn't as much fun as messed up ones! I like angst. I'm addicted. And mental drama is fun to write. So there you have it! Most of what I write will turn out strange messed up characters… unless I'm writing something short and purely cute, which I do sometimes. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter and thanks for the review! If Stephen ever gets back I'll send you cookies.
Anyana: Haha swings rock! I'll admit I still play on the swings. I'm proud of it. It's good exercise! Hope dinner turned out delicious, as I'm sure it did! As long as you don't ask me to cook… I'm hopeless in the kitchen except when it comes to chicken and dumplings and tuna fish casserole. Hope you enjoyed the update and thanks for the review!
Miss Flossy: Tom dreams about babies but is afraid of little girls. Haha, don't worry though, he'll get over it real fast I promise you. Well, I didn't tell you what Olivia's dreams were about when I divulged information from the almighty purple folder so I won't tell you now :-P Mwahahahaha. Of course, she's not telling Tom anything either… so you'll know when he does I suppose. You really nailed exactly what I wanted people to get out of this chapter on the head with the whole vulnerability but doesn't like to think she is thing. Well done. I don't know where the heck I got the idea for Aubrey's perspective on Tom's relationship with Olivia, but it just sort of happened. I'm glad I did it though! And as for Tom finally getting laid… yet again it didn't happen. But it was totally his fault! He's showing restraint! Where's this coming from? I think reading your story over my shoulder rattled him a bit TOO much! But what he said to Olivia in this chapter I think ranks way up there in the sap factor. In fact it made me laugh while writing it. I kept thinking "Oh man is this sappy! I think I may be sick!" Haha well… I'm updating so that means you have to update again! It's the rule… apparently. Or rather I just really really want you to update! But hey, if you can be patient with me I'll be patient with you. Thanks for reviewing m'dear! Hope you enjoyed the chapter and happy writing!
ArcherofDarkness and Callie: No Gary in this chapter, but don't worry, he'll show up again. This stalker disappears and then resurfaces rather than constantly harassing all at once. That way I can drag out Tom's being a worrywart twice as long! Sorry about my slowness… illness stopped my plans for writing a ton over my spring break. Stupid illness. Hope you enjoyed it regardless of the wait and thanks for reviewing!
Eldarwen999: Is Olivia going to tell Tom about her childhood? Hm… well she hasn't yet. And as she said she doesn't like to talk about it… we'll just have to wait and see won't we? Mwahaha. Poor Tom. I keep tormenting the boy. As for Gary killing Tom, yet again I'm being illusive! That's how I keep you reading mwahahaha! You'll just have to wait and see won't you? Gary is not a nice fellow once he resurfaces I will tell you that. Thanks for sticking with the story and hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Wing Pikepaw: I'm glad you liked the last chapter. The dream part was to introduce the freaky messed up side of Olivia's character that she doesn't like people to see, for obvious reasons. They'll be more of that later just to warn you, though it'll be less of a surprise when it happens again. Haha I usually don't have dreams that scare me either, though I do wake up and get an uneasy feeling to the point where I have to turn on the lights and not go back to sleep. It's very odd. Thanks for reviewing m'dear and hope you enjoyed the belayed update!
Angel of the Night Watchers: Haha I'm glad you enjoyed all the fluff! There was a bit more in this chapter for you too! I'm not Hungarian, nor do I speak it or any language other than English. My French that I had to take to the 202 level is appalling. I'm not quite sure where I got the idea for Olivia's grandmother to be Hungarian, but it's probably from my World Regions Class last semester when we were covering Europe. The class was easy so my mind wandered a lot and I got probably got a ton of ideas in there. I can't wait to write the wedding scene either. Hehe anything in particular you want to see? I have some ideas for the wedding myself but it's fun to brainstorm! As for Tom beating the crap out of Gary, Gary has to quit hiding and resurface for that to happen! He will though eventually because a stalker has too much fun potential! We'll have to see how that confrontation goes… mwahaha. Anyway m'dear thanks for the lovely review and I hoped you enjoyed the newest chapter! Cheers!
Thanks for reviewing guys! And I welcome all review, always, actually I beg for reviews! Good or bad. Even if you just say "meh" I'd love to hear from you! So please please please review? I'm still fighting my illness so reviews will cheer me up and force my sick bum out of bed to the computer to write! Until next update m'dears, happy reading!