CHAPTER 3

Olivia was surprised to see her knees were wobbling and hoped her father hadn't noticed.

'Do I look alright? Not too punky?' she asked anxiously, tucking at the black denim jacket she wore over a white top with big red letters emblazoned across the front, a long leather skirt and matching boots that screamed Prada. No jewellery except tiny diamond studs in her ears, the St. Barbara medallion round her neck, Carly's Claddagh ring and a simple black watch.

'You look beautiful and you have nothing to worry about, they'll love you.' Bo assured her as he opened the door to the Brady pub.

'Shh, they're coming!' Caroline silenced everyone. They all held their breath as Bo entered, leading the teenage girl by the hand. Like he'd described over the phone, she favoured Carly, yet the family was startled at the uncanny resemblance. There was no way anyone could take a look at the girl and not immediately know Carly Manning was her mother. They had the same chestnut tresses, vibrant emerald-green eyes, the same shape of mouth and nose, sharp cheekbones, even the same tapered hands with long slim fingers. She blushed red at the many pairs of eyes staring at her.

'Everyone,' Bo pulling her forward proudly, 'this is Olivia.' Inwardly, he vowed to talk Carly into changing their daughter's name to Brady once she was up and about. Olivia may have inherited Larry's money but he'll be damned if she continued bearing that bastard's name.

Caroline was the first to give Olivia a bear hug, kissing her on both cheeks.

'My God, you look just like your mother.' Caroline said tearfully, pushing back curls from Olivia's forehead, holding her face between her palms for a closer look at the lovely granddaughter she never knew she had, a granddaughter she was more than proud to claim. 'Even her eyes. I'm Caroline, your grandmother.'

Olivia nodded, blinking back tears and hugged her back. Everyone gathered round and she received hugs and kisses as they introduced themselves to her. Shawn- Douglas, who'd flown in from Chicago, held her the longest, kissing her soft cheeks like Caroline had done and stroking her hair. No words were needed as the two siblings stared at each other; a play of emotions crossing their features. Shawn-Douglas clearly saw Carly in her and she saw their father in him.

Taking charge, Caroline sat her down next to her and Olivia was immediately served with home-made treats and bombarded with questions from all sides. She answered them all, nodding and smiling at everyone. Years of captivity made her rather awkward around people but the warm hearted, friendly family soon put her at ease. They in turn were more than anxious to make her feel part of them.

'How's Carly now?' Roman asked, entranced by his newly found niece.

'She's still in a coma, but the doctors are certain she'll wake up any time soon.' Olivia replied, praying they were right. They'd assured her over the phone that the swelling in her brain was going down. Any time from now she would regain consciousness. Then extensive physiotherapy would follow.

'She's been in our prayers since Bo told us the whole story. Have faith dear, she'll be back here with us before you know it.' Caroline consoled her.

Olivia nodded soberly. To divert her from sad thoughts, Shawn Douglas swiftly engaged her in conversation and in minutes she was smiling again as she chatted with her half-brother. Abe Carver took Bo aside.

'So, what do you think?' Bo asked, proudly.

'She's going to break a lot of hearts. She's amazing and beautiful. I'm really happy for you.' Abe clapped Bo on the shoulder, wondering where the sullen, mopey man Bo had been weeks back had disappeared to. His handsome face was illuminated with smiles and he kept glancing at Olivia, watching her every move, hanging on to her every word- obviously taken in by his lovely daughter. Abe also couldn't help but wonder if also discovering Carly was alive played a major part in the sudden change in his friend. There was no question that he loved Hope in spite of their problems but Abe clearly remembered how inseparable Bo Brady and Carly Manning were back in the day. Their love had spoken volumes; many times they'd narrowly escaped being arrested for indecent public behaviour. But everyone knew it been more than sex and passion. They'd brought out the best in each other, had stood by each other during the rough times, had been blissfully happy during the good times. Their being different in terms of background yet complimenting each other so perfectly had made Lexie to compare them with Ying & Yang. What was going to happen, Abe thought, when Carly finally woke up? He had a feeling that Salem was going to witness the showdown of showdowns. Because for all her bravado, he knew very well that Hope Williams Brady didn't really want a divorce. The present situation was nothing more than another rough patch; a rough patch that will once again be overcome and forgotten. Bo and Hope have been married long enough to know that it would be foolish to end it all now, especially with Ciara to consider. No, Abe convinced himself. Things weren't going to change just because Carly Manning turned up alive or Bo discovering a daughter he never knew he had. Bo's time with Carly was over a long time ago.

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Thousands of miles away from Salem, the slim fingers of Carly Manning Kiriakis Brady Alamain's bandaged hand moved. The eyelids fluttered but didn't open. Carly felt herself growing younger. She was twenty six again, back in Mexico, back in his arms...

"Enjoying the show so far?" Bo asked, nuzzling her ear. She laughed, awed at the illuminated El Castillo.

"Oh yes, it's beautiful!"

"Not half as beautiful as you.' Bo murmured, his lips moving up her cheek, holding her closer against him

"It's so magical, being here. Seeing a place like this from a distance... after everything that's happened... it's almost as if it were all a dream."

"It is a dream, one we'll never wake up from." Bo said, kissing her neck. From the distance, the voice of the lecturer to the tourists boomed, ''these Mayan structures were built to last for thousands of years."

"Just like our love." Bo whispered in her ear.

She turned to him and he captured her mouth immediately, his arms holding her in a vice-grip. She clung to him, feeling safe and loved like always whenever he held her.

The dream fragmented into hundreds of tiny pieces as Cary's mind returned to oblivion.