Chapter 8

Friday morning, just as they had finished breakfast Michael received an unexpected phone call from Bernard Markham. "Michael sorry to bother you so early, but Roman asked me last night to give you his cell phone number to pass on to Ivan in case he might like to make contact with him any time, particularly when he finally moves to Miami, which he has now definitely made up his mind to do. After you left yesterday he coincidentally received an offer on Zaleskys apartment and no chain involved either, the buyer paying whole amount up front and wanting to move in fast."

"I sincerely believe Roman would like to be friends with Ivan. We were ironing a few things out last night and he seems much more positive since meeting him. In fact he was more animated than I have seen him for some time, and it was not just the sale of the apartment. For some reason Ivan got through to him; that meeting definitely did some good Michael."

"Okay Bernard, I'll pass his number on immediately, Ivan is still here at the moment. We leave for the airport in about thirty minutes, and thank you once again for arranging the meeting yesterday, because it helped Ivan tidy up loose ends."

Then noting the number Bernard gave him Michael closed the call; gave it to Ivan and informed him of Bernard's comments, and Ivan immediately sent Roman a text message thanking him for his number and thereby ensuring Roman now had his as well.

Three hours later after fond farewells Ivan was in the air on his way home. Michael had driven him to JFK airport in time for him to catch his scheduled flight at 1:30 pm and which departed on time.

When Michael returned home from the airport he phoned Horatio who picked his call up immediately "Horatio is it convenient to talk, while you are at work? I'm taking Maeve out tonight otherwise I would have called you at home. And I want to give you an update on Ivan's visit."

"Go ahead Michael I'm in my office at the moment."

"Well in my opinion Horatio, the trip has been successful in every way possible for him, he is on his way home as I speak and in a mentally happy place now."

"The information I held back from telling you last time we spoke Horatio, was the fact that one of Jordan Kings team did discover who had taken a bribe to stop searching for Zalesky aka Abramov and got a result, none other than a police commander. That helped Ivan to know though no one could discover how his brother got involved with Zalesky in the first place. One of those mysteries gone to his brother's grave with him. This happens sometimes."

"Thank you Michael, that was most kind of you to take him under your wing and for letting him stay with you and Maeve."

"He was actually good company, and Maeve liked him so it worked out well. And the timing was good as I didn't have anything on this last week, but will be extremely busy now for a while. As it turned out it was gratifying to me to watch him clearly looking better as each task was accomplished. He wanted to go to church after visiting the cemetery and had a chat with Jerry which seemed to go down well. I'm convinced that it was as he was sitting in the church that total peace finally descended on him."

"Ivan is easy to like Horatio. I always think of Russians generally as being a bit tough and brusque in nature, but he is the epitome of good manners, and is really a gentle kind man. All of us involved up here are glad he can now get on with his life."

"Did he get to see Olivia Patterson?"

"Yes he did, but I roped John in for that one, as I've never met her...apparently they hit it off and she has agreed to go to the wedding. Ivan is going to sort all the arrangements out for her."

Horatio chuckled, "She will certainly liven things up a bit, he had a good idea in inviting her as a surprise for Suzie and Madison I am sure they will be delighted to see her."

"Horatio, you should know that we also met Roman Stanislav at Ivan's request, and we learned he has nearly cleared up Vadim Zaleskys affairs, and wants out of New York. Bit of a story and Ivan will no doubt tell you all next time you see him, so will leave that story for him. Will just say the meeting started a bit testy on Romans part, because he didn't understand why Ivan wanted to see him, but it all ended well and it wouldn't surprise me if they become friends when Roman moves to Miami, which is on his agenda Horatio."

"I have to tell you that Roman Stanislav spoke well of you during the meeting, he knows full well that he owes his life to you and his freedom. He seemed very sincere in his remarks."

"Thank you for telling me Michael. He wasn't a bad man he just lost his head for a while."

"Ivan told us about adopting Madison Horatio, are you easy with that? He said you were."

"Yes, Michael I have no qualms about that whatsoever."

'Okay Horatio better let you get on now, talk to you again soon."

"Michael I hope you and Maeve enjoy your evening out. Is it a special event? Have we forgotten something? "

"Just taking her out as a thank you Horatio she has been a brick the whole time Ivan was here."

At that point they ended the call, and Horatio leaning back in his chair had a look of satisfaction on his face as he thought all looked bright for Suzie and Madison's future now. Well it had been ever since Ivan had been there for them but now it would be an even happier future for all of them with Ivan in a happier frame of mind now.

When he arrived home he updated Aileen on the good news.

Elsewhere Ivan arrived home on his front door step at 6:15 pm and Suzie who had been watching for the cab to arrive opened the door for him, and greeted him warmly as he smiled broadly at her, and then hugging her he said, "I have missed you." He gave her a long lingering kiss and then said. "All went well Suzie and all I want now is for both of us to look forward to our future together."

Then seeing Madison appear he added, "A future with you included Madison." and gave her a gentle hug when she moved close to him. She was smiling, she knew Ivan loved her Mom dearly and that she would never have to worry about her Mom again, she was in safe hands and she knew she was as well.

That evening Ivan told them both every detail of his trip , except about his visit to Olivia, and Saturday afternoon he phoned Horatio, telling him much the same as Michael had, but added the reason why he had seen Roman Stanislav. And like Michael, Horatio thought how kind it was of him to think of Helena Belinsky.

Ivan returned to work at the Port Authority on Monday, February 2nd. He never found it a struggle to go into work, he was happy there, and they had been good to him. When the day was finished, instead of going home he went to see Helena Belinsky, he had phoned her ahead to say he wanted to visit. He had also asked Suzie if she would like to go with him, but she had declined, explaining that while she understood that Helena was not to blame for anything she would feel uncomfortable with her in the light of what she had seen her husband do in assisting Zaleskys violent attack on Malcolm Trent resulting in his death. He completely understood; although Suzie was in a good place now, there would be some things she would never forget.

He arrived at Helena's at 6.30pm; she invited him in and said, "Better come through to the lounge Ivan, while the kids are eating in the kitchen."

"I won't keep you long Helena."

Then he presented her with Roman Stanislav's cheque for $75,000 explaining briefly that he had met Roman Stanislav, Vadim Zaleskys cousin on a recent trip to New York and that when he learned she had three children he wanted to help. She was so overcome with his generosity that Ivan was really happy he had mentioned her to Roman. Looking at the cheque in her hand Helena said, "I don't know what to say Ivan, this is so generous of him...do you have an address for him so I can write and thank him?"

"No, but I have his cell phone number. I can try and make contact with him now if you like and you can speak to him?"

Helena nodded her head and asked, "Should I speak in English or Russian? "

"English is fine Helena."

Then getting through to Roman immediately Ivan said, "Roman, I am with Helena Belinsky as we speak, and I have just handed your cheque over to her, and she would like to thank you personally."

"There is no need for her to do that Ivan."

"She wants to Roman."

"Okay, put her on."

Ivan handed his phone over to Helena who said, "Mr Stanislav - Thank you so much for your generosity. This means my children will not go without necessities now. God bless you for your kindness, and may life be good to you."

"You're welcome Mrs Belinsky, but you know you really have Ivan to thank, he told me about your situation."

"Thank you for telling me, but you listened and acted though you didn't have to Mr Stanislav and I will never forget your kindness."

Taking his phone back Ivan said. "Thank you for giving Helena your time Roman."

"No problem Ivan, I'll be in Miami within the month now, and I am serious about meeting up for a drink."

"Okay, just let me know when you arrive."

Then Ivan left but not before Helena also thanked him for his part in her receiving a cheque.

During the next two weeks Ivan had booked and paid for Olivia Paterson's air flight to Miami with American Airlines for Sunday, 22nd February and after discussing it with her on the phone and telling her she could stay as long as she liked, and as she had never been to Miami she had suggested two weeks if he was happy with that; he confirmed he was so had booked her return flight for Sunday. March 8th. He had given instructions that her tickets were to be sent to her direct, so she did not have the hassle of walking around JFK to pick them up at their collection desk. Olivia had since confirmed she had received them and understood that he would pick her up from Miami International Airport on her arrival. He had questioned how she would get to JFK, but she told him not to worry she would get a cab, and would be just fine.

He had collected his new navy blue made to measure suit, and he and Suzie had collected their matching wedding rings. They had their marriage licence safe...they had applied for that the week before he went to New York, and Suzie had confirmed she had all she needed for the day as did Madison.

It was going to be a quiet wedding, with no major fuss. Suzie had convinced him this is all she wanted, which is why they had booked the room at the Biscayne Court House for their marriage ceremony. Apart from him, Suzie and Madison, the other people present at the ceremony would be Horatio and unknown to Suzie at the moment Olivia Patterson. But there was to be a party in the evening at the Casa Tua, a Mediterranean Villa Restaurant on recommendation from Horatio and Aileen who had used it more than once for celebrations.

In addition to Horatio, Aileen and their family including Kyle and Amy they had invited Yelina, her son Raymond and Colin Johnson, all of them now considered as family arising from their connection to Madison. Aileen's father Daniel Conlon had also been invited. He had made them so welcome at his thanksgiving party back in November that they felt they wanted him present at their celebration. So all together there would be a party of 13, but 14 including Olivia.

So by the end of the two weeks Ivan and Suzie were both happy in the knowledge that all that could be arranged had been and with a few days to spare which suited Ivan nicely as Suzie would have plenty of time to spend with Olivia before the wedding. Madison would be at school, but still plenty of time in the evenings for her to catch up with Olivia. All he had to do now was pick Olivia up

On Sunday morning, 25th February even though he hated not telling Suzie the truth Ivan told her he had to go into work for a special job to be handled at 2:00 pm and he would be home around 5:00pm maybe a little later. She accepted this without question as he did sometimes have to go in on the odd occasion on a weekend. He left the apartment at 1:30 pm drove to the airport and parked in the lower level of the short term car park, where you were charged every 30 minutes up to a limited stay time of 3 hours. He was safe enough here as he knew Olivia's flight had left on time he had checked that out before leaving home. He made his way to the Terminal Building and mooched around for a bit, had a coffee, and then made his way to the arrivals area when he heard her flight had landed at 3:30 pm.

When the gates opened it was five minutes before Olivia appeared and she looked perky as she came through the arrivals gate smiling immediately as she saw him. He moved across to her, gave her a gentle hug, and asked, "Did you have a comfortable flight Olivia?"

"Yes Ivan, very comfortable, thank you." Then she added, "John Kelly drove me to the airport and stayed with me until I had to go through to the departure lounge. He asked me a few days earlier when I was coming down to you, and he immediately offered to run me to the airport and said he will pick me up when I return. Horatio has such a lovely circle of friends Ivan."

"Yes he does. As you know I have also had enormous help from them."

Then Ivan taking her trolley from her and holding his right arm out so Olivia could take hold of it, they made their way to the car park. Olivia didn't need to hold his arm, but she rather enjoyed the fuss all these men in her life now seemed to want to make of her, in fact, she was tickled pink. On reaching the car, Ivan placed her two pieces of luggage in the trunk, parked the trolley in the collection bay and then they were on their way.

Olivia was excited, she had never been to Miami before, and was looking all around her with keen interest. On route Ivan told her that Horatio lived in a different direction to him, but that his son Kyle lived only fourteen apartments away in Collins Avenue.

As he neared his apartment he said, "Somehow, I have managed to keep your visit a surprise. Suzie has no idea she will be seeing you in a few minutes, she thinks I'm at work."

"I hope it will be a nice surprise for her Ivan, it might just be a horrible shock."

Ivan chuckled, "Don't worry Olivia, she and Madison love you. Believe me it will be a lovely surprise for both of them."

As Ivan pulled into Collins Avenue from where you could get a view of the ocean he pointed out where Kyle lived. Olivia exclaimed, "OH MY - This is so beautiful, what a wonderful area to live." Olivia was mesmerized by the colorful flowers and shrubs in the sidewalk verges and the palm trees dotted every so often, and all the apartments were pleasing to look at as well, and most seemed to be two storeys in design. She was entranced and added, "Ivan I have never seen so many flowers in one area and at this time of the year. It looks so beautiful everywhere."

Ivan smiling glanced at her sideways and responded," We get flowers here of one type or another all year around because of the mild climate."

Pulling into his drive and parking in front of his garage just a few minutes after 5:00 pm Ivan smiled as Olivia said, "Suzie and Madison have found a gem in you Ivan Vetrov, and I mean that sincerely."

Ivan stepped out of his car and walking round to her side of the car opened the door for Olivia and helped her out, just as the front door opened and Suzie rushed over to them saying, "OMG Olivia how wonderful to see you." Then embracing Olivia and glancing at Ivan over her shoulders she grinned and said, "So apparently not at work?"

"Got me ...I wanted to surprise you, Olivia is here for two weeks. I met her in New York to see if she would like to come for the wedding and here she is."

Suzie wrapped her arms around his neck, as she said, "Thank you so much Ivan...I love you."

"And so you should Suzie...this man is a keeper," said Olivia with twinkling eyes.

Then all of a sudden Madison came dashing out, she had been on the deck at the back of the apartment and hearing the noise had come to investigate. She flew across to Olivia and gave her a huge hug as she looked at Ivan with questioning eyes, and he told her the same as he had just told Suzie.

Five hours later at 11.00 pm and well after Olivia had been shown around the apartment, and Madison had helped her unpack in the spare bedroom, they had eaten and sat outside on the deck talking and relaxing for a while until it turned chilly, then had moved inside and into the lounge, and following a chocolate night cap Olivia retired for the night, she was now feeling very tired, it had been a long day for her with the traveling as well. She prepared herself for bed, but sat in the bedroom wicker chair looking out of the bedroom window for a while, entranced at the sight of the moon glistening on the ocean. Then as she finally crept into bed, she smiled as she nestled down feeling happy she had come to visit. She was going to enjoy being a part of this wedding in a few days time, and she was so happy that both Suzie and Madison were going to be so well cared for. Ivan was clearly demonstrating that he thought the world of them.

TBC