Thanks for all the review I got for the last chapter! :D they make me smile :D This one isn't as long! Haha please review! :D
Reference: Peter holding Olivia's hand to relax her (Bad Dreams), "…way you are with Ella…" (The No-Brainer)
Chapter 30 – Happily Ever After….
Shifting in bed, Peter groaned at the feeling of just how tired he actually was but it wasn't the sort of tired that was just because of lack of sleep, it was the sort of tired that he hadn't felt in a long time, and it hurt. His back was sore, his legs, if he was honest with himself, his whole lower half of his body hurt. It wasn't until he could feel warmth that didn't belong to him that he decided it was time to open his eyes. They darted around the room for a few moments, taking in where he was and remembering how he got there. That's when he felt it, a small hand curling into his chest, making a fist and the soft moan entering his ears. Looking down Peter noticed the same blonde hair that had haunted his dreams for so long, not believing that it was real, he held onto Olivia tighter, not wanting to let go in case it was a dream.
Although when a small gasp came from Olivia's lips and her body trembled slightly in his arms, he knew that it wasn't a dream, that she was really with him, naked and curled up on his chest, seemingly having a nightmare, haunted by some fear that was unknown to him. Bringing his lips down to her forehead, Peter placed a gentle kiss there, whispering soft words in her ear, helping her calm down, reaching for her hand her touched the top lightly, taking her hand in his and feeling her instantly calm under his touch. "You're alright sweetheart…you're gonna be ok…" As her moans turned into a sigh and her body rested again against him, Peter just ran his hand over her arm, taking in the feel of her skin, the smell of her hair and the memory of their night together.
God, he had never felt as alive as he did the night before, being with her, inside of her again, it was like a dream come true, finally being able to tell her he loved her, hold her close and make love to her. Snuggling a little further down in the bed, Peter turned on his side so that Olivia was wrapped in his arms, her chest facing his. He was just enjoying the warmth, the safety and the feeling of home being in the same bed as her but as he did the annoyance of the buzzing was back, the same sound that had interrupted them the night before. Groaning gently Peter reached for his phone quickly, trying not to wake Olivia, knowing that she needed the sleep, answering it before she could move anymore than she already had from the infuriating buzzing.
Hoping with all he had that it was not Walter on the other end of the line Peter closed his eyes and spoke gruffly into the receiver, "Bishop…" although the voice on the other line was not one that he was expecting, a sweet female voice answered his greeting, "Peter? What are you doing answering Liv's phone?" his eyes opening suddenly, shocked that Rachel was on the other end but also kicking himself for not realising that it was Olivia's phone that had been ringing. "Oh hey Rach…she's asleep at the moment, I didn't want the phone to wake her up…" He heard a short laugh on the other end of the phone causing his brows to crease together confused. "Right, well considering it is now almost 10am and Liv never sleep's later than 8 if she can help it, I would assume you both didn't go to bed until late last night…" When her statement was met with Peter's silence she laughed again, "It's ok Peter. I'm just glad that my sister is happy again. You are and were the best thing that ever happened to her…although there is a real reason I am ringing this early in the morning…"
Peter's cheeks reddened slightly at the thought that Rachel was imagining what they had done together the night before because to him, she was still the 13 year old he knew from high school. It was then he realised that she had continued to speak, although he had feared he had missed most of it, "Sorry, Ella needed me for a sec…like I was saying, Liv was supposed to be home about fifteen minutes ago to look after Ella today while I am at work as apparently your boss has given you both the day off. But considering she is still asleep and probably won't be here anytime soon, could you let her know I have dropped her off at the apartment down the hall? She can pick up Ella when she gets in…" It suddenly struck Peter as to what Rachel was talking about; baby-sitting Ella, the little girl who had him wrapped around her little finger already.
Glancing at the time behind Olivia's still sleeping form Peter smiled to himself, "You know what Rach, just drop Ella off here and me and Liv can look after her here for the day. I mean Walter should be home around lunch time so we can have the whole day here." He listened, as she was silent for a moment, almost as though she was contemplating saying no, "Are you sure Peter I don't want to put you out or anything-" Cutting her off suddenly, Peter spoke, "You won't be. I would love to have her here and I know Liv will enjoy spending the time here with her." After arrangements were made as to when Rachel would be over to drop Ella off, Peter dropped the phone on the bed again, taking the chance to have a few more peaceful moments with the love of his life before he pulled himself from the warmth of the bed and Olivia's arms to shower and wait for Ella.
Glancing down at Olivia, he noticed that she still hadn't moved from her laying position, she was dead to the world, showing Peter that she really had been sleep deprived for the last week or so. He brushed his hand over her hairline, moving any stray pieces of hair off her forehead before his eyes focused on the cut on her forehead. It wasn't as bad this morning, it looked worse last night but he still blamed himself that she got hurt, that he wasn't able to hold Loeb back enough so he didn't get away from him. Shaking his head slightly to rid those thoughts from his mind, Peter huffed, placed a feather light kiss on Olivia's lips, which she returned albeit still asleep, before leaving the bed he planned on staying in all day.
Slipping from the bed, Peter made his way towards the joining bathroom, stepping into the shower after letting it run for a few minutes. As the water rippled down his back, Peter let his mind wander. It had been a crazy week. Catching Loeb, finding out his wife was involved, having her try and kill Olivia…he didn't really know how much more of this stress he could take but then he thought of Olivia, the stress she must have been under and the strength that she had to rise above the pain that had been caused to her, she really was the strongest person he had ever met. Resting his head against the cool tiles, Peter let the water to run down his face, spluttering the water away from his mouth as he breathed out, his body did ache, not just from the activities of the night before, but the bruises on his arms and chest showed that the fight with Loeb at the FBI building had actually hurt him.
Suddenly finding that the water was turning cold, and wanting to leave some hot water for Olivia when she got out of bed, Peter switched off the taps, groaning slightly as he pulled a towel around his sore body, more bruises were coming up as he looked over his body, although he did notice the four nail marks in his arm and he smiled, he would gladly take the pain if it was Olivia who was causing him pain like that. He didn't even bother to look in the mirror as he dressed, letting the moister to drip down the mirror before opening the door, letting out whatever was left of the steam in the bathroom. Stepping back into his bedroom, he smiled when he noticed Olivia still asleep on his bed. Her bare back facing up and her arms out stretched to her sides; she really was dead to the world.
Gently walking over to her, he dropped down to the bed and placed a gently kiss on her check, watching as a small smile and sigh came from her lips as he did. Glancing at the clock, Peter reached for his phone, making sure it was his this time, before stepping back into the rest of the house and down the stairs, intent on making some coffee before Rachel dropped off Ella.
Sitting at the kitchen bench, Peter inhaled the deep smell of the coffee in his cup, the warmth of the hot liquid spreading through his palms as he held onto the steaming cup, occasionally raising it to his lips and letting the scorching liquid to warm his whole body. It was unusually quiet in the house, although he was thankful Walter wasn't there, it was still strange for him to wake up and not have to worry about if Walter had set anything on fire or tried to kill him in his sleep. Hearing a knock at the door, Peter padded his way, barefoot, through the house to the front door, briefly taking in his sweatpants and black t-shirt as he was wearing as he passed a mirror. Opening the door slowly, Light shone through the doorway and entrance hall blocked only by a mother carrying her child.
"Peter, hi. Thanks so much for looking after Ella today. It'll really help me out..." Rachel moved into the house, stepping over the threshold carrying Ella in her arms, the little girl curling into her mother's arms a little more until she saw Peter smiling back at them, with that she all but launched herself into his arms, giggling and smiling at him. "Peter!" Ella's arms small arms went around his, squeezing with all her strength. "Hello Sweetheart, how are you?" Ella replied with a simple good, but her smile said she was happy to be where she was, "Aunt Liv?" Ella's eyebrows raised at her question, searching behind Peter for any sign of her Aunt coming to great her. "She is still asleep sweetie. We can wake her up later if you want…" Ella nodded her head fervently in agreeance, sending Rachel and Peter into laughter.
"The way you are will Ella…you've really got a way with kids, you know that right?" Rachel's eyes twinkled as she noticed the way Peter was with kids, wondering and hoping that one-day soon she would become an aunt herself. Catching onto the look she was giving him, Peter allowed his former con man side take over and still his face, "Oh we just understand each other, don't we?" he looked towards Ella who smiled and nodded her head.
"So is Liv's still asleep?" Remembering Peter's words about her sister Rachel's eyes darted around the entrance, trying to work out which room was Peter's. Knowing what thought were going through Rachel's mind Peter covered for her sister, wanting to spare her any embarrassment she may receive the next time the two sisters were along. "Yea, she hasn't actually slept in the last three days so she is out like a light still. We've had a fair amount of stuff happening at work." he smiled when Rachel nodded, not completely believing what he was saying, "Ok well, tell her I said hi and bye and I'll see you three when I get back from work." she leaned in to give Ella a kiss, which she gladly returned, "Be good El. Bye Peter!" Giving Peter a cheek to cheek kiss as a thanks she turned her back to Peter and Ella, Rachel left the house in a rush, realizing she was already late.
As Peter made sure to place the bag Rachel had given him down carefully, Ella's hand reached up and grabbed onto the collar of his shirt. Looking at the girl in his arms Peter smiled, "Yes Ella?" She blushed slightly before wriggling in his arms, her arms out stretches and her smiled wide. "Pancakes!" her voice echoed through the entrance and Peter had to laugh. She was a very smart girl. "You want pancakes? Obviously Aunt Liv has been teaching you these things...come on, let's have some fun!" he placed the girl on the floor and watched her run off on him, not realizing she didn't know where she was until she stopped suddenly in the lounge and looked around. "Ella, over here!" Peter called from the doorway across from her and smiled when she bolted straight into his legs. He steered her, with a hand on her head, towards the kitchen before lifting her up and sitting her on the bar stool across from where he was sitting originally.
Opening the fridge he stuck his head inside and had a look around, he really needed to go shopping for supplied but found that there would be enough to make pancakes so he turned to his little apprentice who was now leaning over onto the counter top to be able to see what he was doing. "So, what should we make? Chocolate or strawberries? OH! How about spaghetti flavour?" He turned to find Ella with her face scrunched and her tongue poking out. Laughing her shrugged, "Fine, not spaghetti…what flavour should we make?" He turned back to the fridge for a second before looking back towards Ella who smirked at him, "Chocolate!" her little voice echoed around the kitchen as she yelled and bounced on the kitchen stool. Smiling at her, Peter reached for the chocolate pieces as well as the other ingredients for the pancakes. Placing them on the counter, Peter turned back to Ella who was waiting for him expectantly.
Reaching for her, Peter lifted her from the chair, dragged the chair to the other side of the counter where the food was and then placed her on the stool, "Now be careful Ok Ella? I don't want you to hurt yourself…" She nodded and leaned over onto the bench like she had done on the other counter, Peter realising it was to keep herself steady on the chair. Wanting to play a little game with her and wanting to see how much she knew about the world around her, Peter started reaching for items on the counter and asking Ella what they were. "El, do you know what this is…?" Rolling her eyes, much like Olivia does in true Dunham fashion, she nodded, "Milk." She looked pleased with herself when Peter smiled and nodded, "Very good." This continued for a while, him asking about the window and the fridge, her favour food or her favourite doll. As they talked to each other, Ella struggling sometimes but Peter encouraging her, Peter mixed in the chocolate and the eggs, milk and flour. Stirring and folding as Ella watched.
They sat in silence as Peter concentrated for a moment on what he was doing, making sure there were no lumps in the mixture. Though the silence was broken by a child's voice yelling, "SNOW!" and a small thump on the side of Peter's head, his vision blurred by white powder. Turning slowly he saw the same cheeky smile on Ella's face as he had seen on Olivia once or twice and her hand covered in flour. Wiping his hand across his face, Peter brushed off the flour and looked down at Ella, who had suddenly turned her smile upside down and looked terrified. "Did you do that Ella?" he tired to keep his voice stern but the look of sadness in the child's eyes caused his straight face to crack and he reached for her, lifting her above his head and laughing, "What are we going to do with you, monster? Huh?" Ella giggled loudly as Peter held her higher in the air, his mouth going to her neck and pretending to bit her, making strange noises at the same time.
"Down…DOWN!" Ella cried as she was swung around so Peter was holding her upside down, her arms dangling downwards as he walked towards the couch, dropping her unceremoniously, albeit very carefully onto the couch, his fingers finding her sides, tickling her, sending her legs and arms into fits and her high pitched squeal echoing through the room. Slowing his movements, Peter looked down to make sure she was ok, but her laughter continued as she leaped into his arms, sending him crashing to the floor, the back of his head hitting the hard wood floor with a clunk. He sat up suddenly, as if a reaction from the hit and still Ella's attempts to tickle him. Dropping his head forward, Peter touched the back of it, feeling around for a forming lump or any actual pain, but finding none he looked back up at Ella who was watching him with intrigued eyes. Her brows knitted together, a trait of a child much older than she was, she reached out and touched Peter's cheek, his eyes finding hers, "Ow?" Her face was downcast, almost as if she expected to get punished for hurting him
It was a simple question that showed that Ella understood more than anyone would think, she may have been about two years old by now but she did have the Dunham smarts. "Oh princess, it's ok. It's just a bump. I promise. See I'm ok…" he leaned forward until he was sitting with his back straight, Ella on his lap and it only took another moment of her watching him closely did she tightly wrap her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist and bury her face in his shoulder. Stunned for a moment, Peter wondering what was wrong with her but instead of pushing it, he wrapped his arms around her small body, hugging her to him.
Unknown to the both of them, Olivia stood in the doorway, resting her shoulder on the wood of the archway with her arms crossed over her chest. A smile plastered on her face as she watched on. She had been woken up by the coldness of the bed and also the sound of squealing coming from downstairs. Deciding she should investigate, considering Peter was no where to be found, she came upon the scene, Peter tickling Ella and then them hitting the floor. The small conversation between the two and the hug. She could really see herself having children with this man. He was kind and gently and loving, everything she remembered him being as a teenager.
A review…maybe? Anybody thinking this fic is almost over?