Ladies and Gentlemen! I am not dead! Here is a much overdue update! Hope you all haven't given up on me!
Chapter Fifteen
Tom Pullings was sleeping quite happily with his lovely future bride in his arms, when he was pulled out of his pleasant dreams by what seemed to be a body jumping onto the bed and flopping down between him and Olivia.
"LIVIE!" Tom opened his eyes, jerking awake in shock, to see a young man tackle Olivia.
His first reaction was protective of course, and he immediately moved to pull the man off her, jerking him rather roughly up by the trousers and pushing him to the floor with a crash. "I say sir! Explain yourself!" He was up immediately ready to defend her with his life, and was startled to hear her laughing. He turned to see her green eyes shining as she doubled over in mirth at the sight, and upon getting a better look at the 'attacker' he could see something very familiar in the young man's face...
"Jesus Livie, you're boyfriend a green beret or something?" The young man complained, rubbing his head and glaring at Tom with an insulted look.
"Just a sailor, Danny, and that serves you right, you should knock." She replied, grinning. "Tom, it's okay, this little weirdo is my baby brother."
"Oh." Tom wondered what on earth a grown man could be thinking, bursting into a lady's room and tackling her in the wee hours of the morning, but these people seemed to do strange things, and so he offered the man a hand up. "My apologies sir, I thought-"
Danny accepted his hand up, grinning cheekily, "Good to know my sister has such a bodyguard." He said, plopping on the bed and looking up at his sister. "You're bed is way more comfortable than mine."
"Then why don't you just move in here, Danny? It's not like I live here or anything." Olivia asked, poking her brother in the ribs and sitting up.
"Pshpt. You think I want to live in this house with Grandmama-wacko, mother dearest, and step-daddy who was my sister's former boyfriend? Naw, I'm much better off at the lodge." He gave his sister a grin. "I can have as much sex as I want there."
Tom blushed at the comment, so ungentlemanly of this man to bring up such matters to a lady, especially his sister, but he had heard Olivia and her friends enough to know that this sort of talk was hardly unusual.
Olivia rolled her eyes, "Just promise me you won't get some stripper pregnant will you? This family could already be a whole hour on Dr. Phil."
"Two hours. In fact Livs, I think mom's new marriage could give us a week long special." Danny rolled his eyes.
"Ug. Don't remind me." She groaned. "Jordan Killigan…. I can't believe it."
"Yeah Livie, please tell me you didn't sleep with him? Because if my sister lost her virginity to my step-father…"
Olivia froze for a second, and Tom could tell that comment did not go over to well due to the past abuse she had suffered at the hands of one of her mother's previous husbands. Danny obviously took know notice of this and he looked at his sister with a raised eyebrow, "Oh geez, Livs, please tell me you and Killigan didn't-"
She smacked him with her pillow. "No Danny! Geez!" She rolled her eyes. "That's not to say Killigan didn't try, the pawing little weasel, but I wouldn't let him go very far." She smirked at her brother. "I'm a lady."
Danny blinked then cracked up laughing. "Yeah sure you are Olivia. Guess what, you're from Ellison Heights, West Virginia. You may try to play the elegant, snooty, opera diva, but I know you better." He pinched her cheek, and she smacked him upside the head.
Tom watched the exchange between brother and sister feeling somewhat on the outside. He knew Olivia had always protected her brother when they were children, remembering what her Aunt had told him, and he was not entirely sure what to think of Daniel Corin at the moment.
Danny looked up at Tom a moment, "So…. who's your boyfriend?"
"I emailed you, butt-face. What, you have a short-term memory or something?" She poked her brother hard in the side.
"Oh, the English dude… I thought you dumped him." He said with a shrug. "You go through them so fast."
"You're one to talk. And I'll have you know Tom and I are in a serious relationship." She smiled, reaching out and taking Tom's hand, which he gladly gave her and sat down on the bed next to her, grinning stupidly. "Very serious in fact." Olivia leaned over and kissed now blushing Tom, who smiled at this announcement in spite of his embarrassment at the showy public display of affection in front of her brother.
"Eww… gross… Livia, I just ate!" Danny groaned. "Break it up!" He wedged himself between his sister and Tom. "I thought you were a lady so big Miss Bigshot?"
Olivia laughed at her brother's over-dramatic reaction. "We're in love, Danny. Ever been there? Or do you prefer to stick to the one-night-stand-oh-my-gosh-I-would-never-touch-you-sober relationships?"
"Those work well for me, thanks sis." He rolled his eyes. "So you guys really are serious?" He said, looking from Tom to his sister with a suspicious eye.
Olivia paused a moment, glancing at Tom and then to her brother. "Danny, can you keep a secret?"
"You're pregnant, aren't you?" He said, quite seriously with a heavy sigh. "I knew it… I just knew that would happen to you."
"God Danny! No I'm not pregnant!" She slapped her brother upside the head again. "Why does everyone think that? Do I look fat?"
"Well you are an opera singer." Her brother gave her a vicious poke, looking relieved to hear she was not pregnant.
"Of course not!" Tom protested, ignoring her brother's teasing. "There's not an extra pound on you, my dear. If anything, you're too thin because you never eat proper meals unless I force you." Olivia's busy schedule often was so hectic that she forgot to eat, and Tom worried about her health constantly, fussing at her to eat at least a proper dinner that he was more than happy to prepare.
"You force feed my sister?" Danny raised an eyebrow, giving Tom a dark look.
"He's just trying to make sure I don't forget to eat and collapse from starvation, Danny, calm down." Olivia poked her brother, getting his attention again.
"Whatever Livs." Danny turned back to her, studying her carefully. "So what's this secret?"
Olivia smiled, reaching across her brother and taking Tom's hand again. "We're going to get married." She announced.
Tom smiled, exchanging a look with her over Danny's head. This was the first person she had told about their engagement and he was pleased to hear her announce it. Although he would not admit it, the fact that she refused to tell anyone about their impending wedding bothered him. He feared deep down she truly did not want to marry him and was looking for a way out. Hearing her announce their engagement to her brother was a start and he positively beamed at her, smiling like a schoolboy.
"You're what?" Danny sat up straight staring at his sister. "What are you, mom?"
"That's low, Danny." Olivia replied. "You know I'm nothing like Mama, and I wouldn't get engaged unless I'm sure."
He studied his sister a moment, Tom shifted nervously. "I assure you my intentions have been nothing but honorable in regards to your sister, sir."
"Uh huh." He sat up, looking Tom over with an appraising eye before turning his attention back to his sister. "Livs, Mom wants to see you downstairs."
"You are such a liar, bro." Olivia rolled her eyes. "You just want me to leave so you can give Tom your "you hurt my little sister I'll kill you dead" speech."
"Yeah, now go away." Danny said, giving her a teasing shove, but his grin did not quite reach his eyes.
Olivia lazily stretched, yawning, "Fine, fine. Tom, he's going to give you this speech eventually, may as well let him get it over with. Just smile and nod so he can feel big." She joked, pulling her bathrobe over her usual sleepwear.
"Goodbye Olivia." Danny said, shoving his sister out the door.
"Play nice!" She called over her shoulder, smiling to herself as she headed downstairs.
Danny immediately became serious and Tom stood to speak with the man, feeling awkward. From what he heard Olivia's brother Daniel would be the head of the household and he felt guilty for not asking for her hand properly.
"So let me get right down to it." Danny looked him over again, his eyes narrow. "Are you serious about my sister? Or just playing her?"
"I assure you, sir, my intentions are honorable, and I have nothing but respect for her." Tom assured him, desperately wishing he was at least dressed for this conversation and not still in his bedclothes. "And I do want to marry her, more than anything."
His expression changed for a moment as he apprised the man who had his sister's affections. "You know, my sister's never had it easy. She's got a lot of issues going on there. More than meets the eye."
"I know." Tom replied. "Or rather… I am learning."
"She does like you though, she sounds happier than I've heard her in a long time." Danny admitted.
He blushed slightly, smiling a little. "I want her to be happy."
"You hurt her I'll kill you and make it look like an accident."
Tom blinked, he had not expected that. "What?"
His expression went from dead serious to a wide grin. "What? Come on, I was kidding." He laughed, slapping poor Tom on the shoulder. "Lighten up, man!"
Tom offered him a weak smile, "Very amusing." He managed, deciding Daniel Corin was highly unstable.
"Yeah it's amusing, it'll be amusing when I blow your head off." He replied, seriously again.
Tom looked back at him dumbfounded, wondering if this man was touched in the head.
"I got you again, Tom!" He laughed. "It's funny! Yeah it's funny… it's funny that I have a gun and-"
"DANIEL CORIN!" Olivia's voice rang out from downstairs, interrupting her brother. "QUIT THREATENING TO SHOOT TOM AND ALL OF YOU COME TO BREAKFAST!"
"Always so polite, my sister." Daniel rolled his eyes, turning and heading downstairs.
Tom paused for a moment to reflect on what just happened. He truly now believed Olivia when she made questioning comments on her family's sanity. Daniel Corin, he perceived, was highly unstable and an odd young man.
Tom headed down the stairs and followed the sound of voices into the already crowded kitchen. Everyone was already there, the Captain and Doctor were seated at the table in the corner trying to eat their food politely, complimenting the cooking of an elderly woman who was glaring daggers at everyone in the room and muttering under her breath. Blakeney was trying his best to go unnoticed, watching all commotion with wide eyes looking very lost and confused.
Olivia was arguing with her mother while angrily stirring something on the stove. She obviously was not paying attention to what she was doing for she was splashing whatever it was everywhere. Danny was seated at the table while his mother set a plate of eggs in front of him, not appearing to pay much mind to whatever she and Olivia were arguing over.
"Ma! I'm not wearing that dress!" Olivia said, turning to glare at her mother.
"Why not dear? Danny-love, you want some juice?" She asked.
"It's pink!" Olivia replied. "Tom, you want some biscuits and gravy?"
"Certainly, thank you." He smiled at her before turning his attention to her mother, and the elderly woman he amused was her grandmother. "Good morning ladies, gentlemen." He greeted, trying to sound cheerful.
He received a critical eye and a grunt from the grandmother, and a smile from the mother, who did not reply but instead turned her attention back to Olivia. "But Livia, you look so good in pink!" She gave Tom a smile that was positively simpering. "Doesn't she look lovely in pink, Tom?"
He froze, glancing from the smiling mother to Olivia who was glaring and looked quite grumpy. There was absolutely no good way to answer that question, but from the silence in the kitchen it was apparent that he would have to try. "Um… well…. she looks lovely in everything." He managed.
Danny snorted as he took a sip of his juice. "Good one."
Olivia promptly turned and smacked her brother with a dishcloth. "Smartass."
"Olivia Corin don't hit your brother!"
"Ma! Livia's abusing me!" Danny whined, teasing his sister.
"Olivia, I dislike that language! Mind your tongue, girl!" Her grandmother commanded from her seat. Her voice was low, and her accent made it so Tom had to concentrate to understand her, but the cold scolding was evident.
Olivia sighed, "I was only joking Grandmother." She defended herself.
"Mind your tongue." She repeated, going back into her silent scowling in the corner.
"Olivia, don't upset your Grandmother. And it's too late to get new dresses. You'll have to wear what I have. Be thankful we can have such nice things." Her mother scolded.
She rolled her eyes, setting her own plate down and pulling up a chair. "Fine." She was in a bad mood, that much as evident, and Tom made a mental note to tread carefully today. "Is there a rehearsal dinner tonight, Mama? Or have you done this enough you could get married in your sleep?" She snapped.
Everyone at the table stopped moving and all present stared at Olivia. Her tone had been sharp and had a razor edge to it and no one could mistake the malice behind her words. It was suddenly very quiet and Tom awkwardly gave her a sideways glance to see that she was glaring across the table at her mother with the coldest look he had ever seen on her face.
"Do you got something to say to me, Olivia?" Her mother asked, breaking the awkward silence at last.
"I got plenty to say, Mother, but you never listen." She answered, her green eyes flashing a warning of her temper.
Suddenly, her grandmother piped up, causing everyone at the table to jump in alarm. She shrilly jumped to her feet and began shouting at Olivia in rapid Hungarian. Tom's eyes widened as she went on and on in a high pitched cackle, and had absolutely no idea what she was saying but he could tell it was certainly not positive.
Olivia jumped to her feet as well, her self-control gone and her temper flared up in a way that Tom rarely saw. Her Hungarian was somewhat slower, obviously she had to put a bit more thought behind it, but from the look on her mother and brother's faces, it was probably not polite. The shouting match continued until they both suddenly turned and stormed from the room. Olivia out the back door and her grandmother out of the room and back into what Tom assumed to be her bedroom, slamming the door with Olivia's mother hot on her heels.
"What the devil was that?" Jack exclaimed after a moments pause to recover from the shock.
Daniel rolled his eyes, "The preferred method Livia and our Grandmother use to communicate. Yelling and cursing in Hungarian."
"If they cannot solve their differences in a more civilized manner can they at least do it in softer tones and in English?" Stephen asked, rubbing his ear as he had been seated next to the old woman.
"Grandmother can yell faster in Hungarian, and as for Livia, well, I'm not sure she knows any Hungarian but insults and swear words." He joked lamely before turning to Will, who was doing his best not to laugh. It was rather amusing in a way, seeing an old woman scream and yell and wave her arms about like a deranged chicken. "Can you pass the butter?"
"You don't seem terribly upset by all this." Tom observed of Daniel.
"Who me? Naw… Livs and Grandmother do that all the time. Ever since Livia was like, twelve and started standing up for herself they get into fights. Just be thankful you don't know what they were saying, trust me, it'd make a sailor blush." He replied, taking the butter and slathering it onto a piece of toast.
"Where did she go?" He asked, getting up to look out the window to see if he could spot her.
"Back upstairs probably. The place has a front door you know." Daniel shrugged, seemingly uninterested. Sure enough they soon hear the slamming of a door and the pounding of forceful footsteps on the stairs.
Tom hesitated, unsure if following her was a good idea but hating the idea of her being along when she was upset. With a sigh he briefly fanaticized of the days before he knew of her confusing past and strange family members and her mood was far more cheerful and less, well, sulky. He knew it was an awful thought to even admit having, and he still loved her dearly, but handling her temper and breaking through her shell to get her to talk to him was exhausting work, and he was not sure he had gotten enough sleep that night to have the energy and quickness of mind to deal with her.
He slowly sat back down at the table, deciding to at least give her some time to cool off before speaking to her again. He looked around the table, receiving questioning glances from all present, except Olivia's brother, who was chuckling at the comic strip that involved a fat cat and a man who seemed to have horrible luck with the ladies, and gave them all a tight smile, "Sir, could you kindly pass me the-"
He never had the chance to finish asking for the butter, for a large crash upstairs caused them all to jump. This was quickly followed by a string of swear words from Olivia. "FUCK! GOD DAMN IT! THAT HURT!"
Daniel glanced up, laughed a little, and went back to his reading. "She is such a drama-bitch." He declared to himself.
"Mr. Pullings, perhaps you ought to make sure Miss Corin did not er…. seriously injure herself?" The Doctor suggested, cringing at the lady's choice of words.
Tom paused, "Forgive me sir, but you have medical expertise, perhaps you should go?" He knew it was horrible, but he honestly did not want to get the front blast of her wrath at the moment.
"You're her betrothed." He pointed out, smiling a little at the man's obvious fear of the woman when she was in a mood.
"Damn." Tom muttered, finally rising from his seat. "Very well gentlemen." Another series of crashes and swear words followed and he cringed again. "Wish me luck." He sighed once more.
"You're gonna need it." Daniel muttered.
Tom chose to ignore that and slowly headed up the stairs, knocking on Olivia's door cautiously. "Olivia? Dear? Are you all right?"
There was no reply, and the room was eerily silent. He knocked again, "Olivia, may I come in?"
"Yes." Her reply was soft, but her mood had certainly not improved.
Tom pushed the door open and saw her seated on the bed, now dressed for the day and cradling her hand. The table beside the bed had been pushed over and he could tell that was the source of the crash. "Dear, are you all right?" He asked. "What did you do to your hand?"
Olivia looked up, quickly wiping her eyes in an attempt to hide her tears. "I mashed it in the closet door. Stupid of me really."
"Let me see." He came over kneeling before her and taking her hand. Tom gently ran his thumb over her knuckle, noting her fingers were showing signs of bruising, glancing up into her face to try to gage what was in her head. "Are you all right?"
She sighed, shrugging her shoulders. "They get to me. I know it shouldn't bother me by now, and I know it's never going to change, but they still get to me." She looked away, out the small window at the trees blowing in the wind outside, as if gathering her thoughts. "Every time I come here I hope things will be different this time, you know? But it never changes. It's always the same thing. My mother is always going to hit on and marry any man in sight, and my grandmother is always going to despise me simply for being."
He had no idea what to say and so he just sat there, listening, giving her time to voice her thoughts.
She took her hand back and crossed her arms in front of her, assuming her ever protective stance. "You know," She said with a short bitter laugh. "When I was little I used to play house, and I'd pretend I had the perfect family. You know, the mother and father and two kids with a dog, and everyone got along and no one fought or hurt each other. There was a family like that in town, living in a pretty little house with a white picket fence all around, I used to go there when, well, when things got bad around here, and I'd hide in a tree behind their backyard and watch, pretending I was a member of their family and they were wondering where I was." She shook her head, "Stupid I know. No one is perfect."
Tom watched her, quite frankly confused out of his mind. This woman was the most complicated creature he had ever met and the more he knew her, the more layers were revealed. She was strong, that much was clear, but she was also fragile. Everyone had their breaking points, and obviously hers were caused by her family. "No, it's a beautiful dream." He told her earnestly.
Olivia studied him a moment, "I've run from my past for so long, but I always somehow end up back here." She rolled her eyes, looking away again. "One of my brilliant therapists I used to go to once told me I carried my baggage around and used it like a shield, or an excuse to hold myself back. Maybe that's true, I don't know, but he also told me I hide from myself, and that is true. When I'm singing, when I'm on stage, I'm not me at all, but someone else. I know it sounds stupid."
He smiled slightly, reaching out and taking her hand, "Why would you want to be anyone but my Olivia?"
"And do you know who I really am, Tom? Truly?" She asked quite calmly.
"I…." He was honestly confused by her question, and he knew this conversation was quite serious and did not want to say something foolish. She needed reassuring right now, he could tell, and so he caught her chin and turned her face back to him, cupping her cheek in his hand. "Olivia Corin, you can be stubborn, vulgar, emotional, and quite frankly love, a pain in the arse at times. You push me to near insanity and fits of jealousy I never knew myself capable of."
She raised an eyebrow, listening intently, surprised to hear him naming off her flaws that she was very much aware of having and hated herself for.
"But…" He kissed her forehead, lingering a moment. "You're also kind, confident, loving, and capable of a passion I have never once seen in a single soul. You have friends who adore you, talent that is, if I may say so, a gift from the Almighty, and I love you with every breath of my body. I wish I could give you the world, you deserve every inch of it, and I wish I could make all the past troubles disappear, but I know I cannot do either of those. And honestly, love, I wish I could challenge your step-fathers to a duel and settle revenge in an honorable fashion but I-"
He stopped as she laughed, throwing herself forward into his arms. He held her tightly for a moment, feeling some of the tension dissolve from her body as she melted against him, and he smiled, kissing her hair and rubbing her back soothingly. "Everything will be fine, sweetheart, you'll see."
"As long as you're with me I know it will." She whispered. "What would I do without you?"
"Eat nothing but frozen and canned foods for one thing." He teased.
"Hey!" She protested. "I can cook breakfast, you know. Eggs are my specialty!"
"Oh really?" He let go of her a little to meet her eyes, a smirk forming on his face.
"Really!" She raised her chin, returning his smile. "I'll make you breakfast sometime and prove you wrong mister."
He gave her a mocking little bow. "I look forward to is, miss."
Olivia rolled her eyes, standing up and stretching. "All right, what do you say we go for a walk around town and see where we end up? Get the others, they can come too as I think leaving home with my mother and my grandmother is not a wise idea."
Tom tilted his head to the side, confused. "I doubt they'd try to argue with them, dear." He pointed out.
"No." Olivia sighed. "I'm more concerned about my mother hitting on them."
Tom paused, knowing that the Captain did not exactly have the best record for celibacy in the navy. "Lovely." He muttered. "Yes, dear, I think that would be wise." He admitted. "You wash up." He kissed her again. "I'll go get them."
Olivia nodded, "All right. Thanks Tom, for everything."
"Of course, dear." He said, as if everything he had said was nothing. She watched as he left to go back downstairs, smiling to herself, knowing that at least one choice she had made in her life was the correct one, and she was learning that more each day.
When Tom arrived in the kitchen he found that Olivia's grandmother had returned and now was speaking to Daniel in Hungarian again, then occasionally would turn to Jack or Stephen and say something, as if asking a question. Stephen was watching and listening with mild interest, while Jack on the other hand looked quite annoyed.
"Mr. Corin, would you kindly tell your Grandmother I have absolutely no idea what she is saying?" Jack asked, still smiling through gritted teeth trying desperately to be polite.
"I think she knows, dude. She's mocking you." Daniel said with a grin, amused by his Grandmother's rather warped sense of humor.
"I say! That is terribly rude!" Jack grumbled, in a huff, annoyed at the world. He hated the room they were staying in. He hated how rude Miss Corin's grandmother was being, the eggs the mother made were burnt, although granted Mrs. Corin, or whatever last name she went by, he could not quite recall because from what Olivia had told him earlier the woman had been through several husbands already, was a rather attractive woman who had been quite attentive and greeted him most kindly, he still could not help but feel that an engaged woman ought to behave with more…. well… modesty.
Tom silently joined them at the table after pouring himself a cup of coffee, taking a sip he found it to be far too weak, but he had a feeling he was going to need it so he continued to drink, watching the conversation in silence, not wanting to call the wrath of Olivia's grandmother onto him.
Jack Aubrey glared at the old woman, who was still talking to her grandson, then looked at Tom, quite cross. "I must ask, Mr. Pullings, are you sure you want to marry into this family?"
The elderly woman froze and stared at Mr. Pullings, her eyes going wide, as did Daniel, but more with an amused smirk than the glare his grandmother was giving him. Tom choked on his coffee, his eyes going wide. His first thought was, 'Oh dear Lord, Olivia is going to kill me.' He looked up slowly, setting him cup down, wondering whether he should deny their engagement, or confirm, and so he chose not to say anything at all.
"You…." The elderly woman struggled for words. "You going to marry Olivia?" She asked, finally switching to her heavily accented English.
Tom paused, licking his lips, well it was out there now, no use lying about it now, though he was sure this was not how Olivia had been planning on telling her family. "Yes, ma'am, I am."
She studied him coldly a moment, as if assessing him, sizing him up. He stared back evenly, refusing to be intimidated by a small elderly woman. Suddenly she let out a shriek that echoed through the entire house. "ILONA!" And with that she stormed off in search of Olivia's mother.
Daniel whistled, "Good job, Pullings. Grandmother doesn't like you."
"I highly doubt that woman likes anyone." Jack grumbled bitterly. "Though, Tom, I am terribly sorry. I know you and Miss Corin were trying to keep things quiet."
"Oh I don't mind, sir, they were going to find out eventually anyway. Though… I do think Olivia will be quite annoyed, perhaps you should apologize to her."
"OLIVIA MARIE CORIN!"
They all froze as a woman shouted from somewhere in the house, and Jack felt extremely guilty. Daniel on the other hand, snickered. "Oooh is she gonna get it!"
"Get what?" Stephen asked curiously.
They all looked at him blankly a moment.
"I am serious gentlemen, get what?" He asked, scowling.
"I believe "it" is an expression, sir." Blakeney offered an explanation with an amused smile. He was learning more about these expressions from school, and was beginning to use them more in his daily life.
The Doctor never got the chance to reply, for Miss Corin entered the kitchen looking utterly perplexed.
"Would someone please tell me why my Grandmother is threatening to send me off to a convent?" Olivia asked, glancing from one face to the next, arms crossed.
Daniel got up from his seat, leaning over and giving his sister a peck on the cheek. "Words out on your little engagement, Livs. Good luck, big sis." With a grin he practically bounced out of the room.
Olivia raised an eyebrow and turned to Tom. "What did you do?"
"I'm terribly sorry, Miss Corin." Jack rose from his seat, apologizing. "I am the one to blame. Mentioned your betrothal in passing and your grandmother heard."
"Oh for the love of Pete!" Olivia groaned, sinking into a chair.
Stephen raised an eyebrow, observing the conversation around him. "Who, pray tell, is Pete?"
Olivia turned to give him a look of mixed amusement and annoyance. "What?"
"Who is Pete?" He repeated his question, curiously.
She rolled her eyes, ignoring the question. "Anyway…"
"No, Olivia, who is Pete?" Tom asked, wondering himself.
She sighed, trying to control the pounding headache that was forming from all the drama and strange questions. "No one, it's just an expression."
"I thought you knew a young man named Pete." Tom pointed out, frowning.
"Tom! Seriously! It's an expression! Next time would you rather I say 'for the love of Tom'?" She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, clearly agitated.
He smirked slightly, amused despite himself. "I might."
"Tom, be serious." Olivia sighed.
"They were going to find out eventually, sweetheart. I really don't see-"
At that moment her mother stormed in, eyes blazing wildly as she glared at her daughter. Olivia glared right back and the tension in the room was enough to make anyone squirm. Tom noted just how much their glares were similar, and could see the family resemblance quite obviously at that moment, but chose not to comment as he doubted right then it would be appreciated.
"Olivia, I called you." Her mother snapped, arms crossed defensively in front of her as she attempted to stare down her daughter.
"I heard you." Olivia replied, coolly.
"Why must everything be about you, Olivia? Answer me that." She demanded.
Olivia's jaw dropped in shock, "About me? Mother, when has anything ever been about me!"
"I think I'll go… away… come Jack, Blakeney." Stephen wanted to be anywhere but there right at that moment, and he imagined the others felt the same way but were too shocked to take action, so he herded them out of the room like sheep, leaving Olivia alone with her mother and Tom.
"Oh don't give me that shit." Her mother rolled her eyes. "I've seen this act, Olivia, the whole 'oh look at me I'm such a poor little abused child' act. It's getting old. I've done everything I could to try to make it up to you."
"Oh yeah Mom, that's real great. Ice cream makes up for the fact that your second husband tried to kill me, and for what Jim did, and for your mother making me feel completely worthless my entire life!" She shot back.
"That's not-!" She took a deep breath, calming herself to not yell. "That's not the point. The point is what do you think you're doing, getting engaged to a man you barely know."
"I've known Tom a Hell of a lot longer than you knew half your husbands, Mom." Olivia pointed out. "Don't you dare try to pull that one."
"You're abandoning your family!" She shouted, her face turning red. "Think of your brother, think of me, Olivia. You walked out once already, going off to that fancy school of yours, and barely looking back. What, do you think you're better than this? Do you think you can run away from your roots, your family, your life? You think you're better than me?"
Olivia raised her chin a little, her lower lip trembling slightly. "I am better."
Quick as a cat a hand lashed out and struck Olivia hard across the cheek with surprising strength. Tom, who had been standing quietly behind Olivia, observing the scene before him, now stepped forward, shielding Olivia protectively and now glaring at the woman. "Restrain yourself, madam."
Olivia's mother ignored him, glaring past him to her daughter with pure malice. "Don't you ever say that to me, Olivia Corin. Your father was worthless, and you're turning out to be just like him. Your place is here, and one day you'll realize that." With that she stormed off again, tossing her head and leaving an obviously shaken Olivia in her wake.
"She's wrong." Olivia said softly, watching her go, and rubbing her sore cheek.
Tom studied her carefully, and was surprised at how calm she seemed. "Dear, are you all right?" He asked.
Olivia nodded, "She's the only person I know who can turn my being engaged into an argument like that." She observed with a little laugh. "Could have been worse."
"Somehow I don't think she gave us her blessing." Tom pointed out.
"I don't need it, even if she does." Olivia smiled, taking her hand down and sliding under Tom's arm to embrace him warmly. "I'm marrying you because I love you, not because she wants me to. If I listened to my mother I'd be working at the lodge, married to some drunken redneck looking after three or four kids and telling my ex-husband why our four-year-old shouldn't go hunting with him, using very, very small words. Not exactly my idea of the future."
"And what is your idea of the future?" He asked, amused.
Olivia shrugged, "I don't know, but you're in it, and we're not here."
Tom laughed, "You are hardly particular, my dear." He teased.
"Beggars can't be choosy." She replied, casually. "Now, let's get out of here before my mother comes back, or my grandmother comes in. I want to go into town and see some people. And since word of our engagement is going to be out in about ten minutes through word of mouth and a tearful phone call by my mother, I'd like to introduce and show you off."
"Is that all I am to you, Olivia Marie? A prize?" He teased, using her middle name quite effectively.
"Best prize ever." She shot back, now laughing. "And use my middle name too much and you won't even be that." She joked.
He laughed, taking her hand and following her out the door, curious at what awaited them in the town.
A/N: Yes I know this took me forever to write. And I hate to say I think it will be equally as long until the next update. Quite frankly, I'm taking way too many classes and am shocked I have time even to post this. It's a pretty long chapter though. And confusing. Not my best work, sorry. Basically, the main idea of this chapter is Olivia has one messed up family. But we've already known that. Again, I apologize for the sap and Olivia's incredibly mood swinging. She's my ultimate "PMS" character I think.
Anyway, despite the lateness and lack of um… writing skill… in this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. And I assure you I am still here, mucking through life. And I'll keep working on this story, albeit very slowly. Please keep your faith in me! I promise I'll post another chapter!
Sfinx: Reread while waiting for updates? Haha how many times did you have to reread while waiting for this one? I'm so sorry to keep you waiting so long! I agree this story is really hard on the guys, and Olivia's patience. And Tom officially drools in his sleep. Hehe. Hope you enjoyed this long overdue update! I'll try to do better in the future… but no promises.
Wing Pikepaw: Well they've been there a night and disaster has already occurred. Yes, Olivia's mother's wedding is going to be good for some entertainment. Just wait until you see what I have in store for the reception… mwahahahaha. I'm glad you enjoyed the Blakeney chapter and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. And again I'm so sorry it took me so long. Believe me I'd rather be working on this story than writing briefs for con law.
Lily: Hello m'dear! Haha I haven't had a chance to talk to you in a really long time. I told you I'd update eventually though didn't I? Well, here it is, take it or leave it. I'm a bit disappointed but it'd be cruel for me to redo it and make people wait another two months. Hope you enjoyed it anyway! Stephen was confused hehe. Again, sorry about the lateness of this update, and hope you enjoyed the new chapter, despite the lack of love interest for Stephen. Thanks for reviewing!
Mary Anne Talbot: I know, I know, I haven't emailed you back yet. I'm sorry. I figured I could either answer my emails or update tonight. Figured you'd rather have the update rather than my rambling emails. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, despite my abuse of the Hungarian language. Haha the whole Olivia's grandmother talking about Jack and the others in Hungarian while they're sitting there not understanding what she's saying is based on an experience I had in England where I was waiting for the bus and talking to the Austrian students and we'd be having a conversation in English then they'd turn to each other and talk in German. Made ma paranoid. That's an awkward feeling right there so I felt the need to make Jack uncomfortable. Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter and sorry it took so long to update!
ClaireRickman: What is the guy Olivia's mother is marrying thinking? He's a guy. They don't think. I'm convinced of that. Haha yes I tortured Stephen with carsickness. Strictly because I'm mean. Hope you enjoyed the update m'dear and sorry it took so long to update! Thanks for reviewing.
Franypants: I'm continuing I promise! It's just going to take me forever to finish… but hey, that means you have many months to look forward to right? Yes Tom is horny. Poor guy. I'm so mean in not letting him get laid. But they need to learn self-control. Haha your review made me laugh. Especially the part about Tom ripping through his pants and Olivia's. Haha thanks for that and thanks for reviewing. Sorry the update took me so long but I hope you enjoyed!
Ancatgaelige: Flossy's still around as far as I know. Just probably busy, like the rest of the world these days it seems. She was sick a while back too. Poor thing. Though we tend to update around the same time so keep a look out! If not we should all attack her because we all need our dosage of Pullings torture!
Eldarwen999: Haha yes Olivia's mom marrying her old prom date is seriously messed up. Wait until you meet the guy. The family members have many more tricks up their sleeves and will now be a recurring problem. Like Gary the stalker. Sorry this update took so long and thank you for reviewing! Hope you enjoyed!
Anyana: Hahaha Pullings the musical. LOL he should do Titanic or HMS Pinafore or something. Hehehehe. Oh dear. That's funny. Anyway, sorry the update took so long and thanks for reviewing! Hope you enjoyed!
ArcherofDarkness and Callie: Mmm grapes. I hope you love this chapter too. Sorry it took so long. This semester is trying to kill me. Seriously. I should just give up and accept less than perfection but I won't because I'm determined now. And the mother marrying the prom date is so very wrong, but so very amusing. Hope you enjoyed and sorry it took me so long again! Thanks for sticking with me here!
Angel of the Night Watchers: Haha you read my update through the pain of contacts. I'm honored! Olivia's mom marrying her prom date is indeed screwed up. Haha her family just keeps getting weirder and weirder, poor girl. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and weren't in pain while reading this time! Sorry it took so long and thanks for sticking with me!
Norma Jean the Dancing Machine: Haha Pullings abuse is fun. It should be an Olympic Sport. I think I'd get the silver because I'm not nearly as cruel as Miss Flossy! Another Blakeney chapter? Um…. maybe eventually? Haha I'm not sure where I'll throw one in but it'll get there eventually. I hope you enjoyed the much overdue update! Thanks for reviewing!
Now.…… per request….. Tom Pullings the Ballerina!
Tom: I'm not coming out!
Me: Yes you will.
Tom: No I won't!
Me: You have to. I left my lovely readers whom I adore hanging for over two months and it was mean of me! Now I have to make it up to them so get your butt out here or I'll kill you all off!
Tom: (sigh) Fine…. comes out wearing a white feathered tutu and crown
Me: I give you…… SWAN LAKE!
Tom: This really is humiliating. (dances…. Stumbling around and falling on his face… then runs off the stage crying)
Sigh. Such a drama queen. Anyway, again I'm so sorry this took me so long! Take it up with my professors! Please please review and let me know you guys are still out there and haven't given up on me! And I'll keep Tom dancing. I'm taking requests for his next performance! Until next time guys, happy reading!