Chapter 57

'Nathan can't make it?' Tamara asked, seeing the disappointment on her friend's face.

'No... He has to cover another doctor's shift at the last minute.' Olivia replied, slipping the cell phone back in her purse.

'Looks like you're leaning closer to Dr. Gorgeous than Tony Montana.'

'Let's not talk about him if you don't mind.'

Tamara's eyebrows went up. 'You still don't have feelings for that guy, do you? Olivia come on...'

'I don't know what the bloody hell's wrong with me, all right?' Olivia hissed, not wanting her brother, Brady, Phillip and Max standing not far away to overhear. 'After what I said to him that day I thought it would be easier for me to shed off whatever I feel but...'

'What happened?'

Olivia narrated the dream she had but Tamara scornfully dismissed it. 'Means nothing. Are you going to let something like that let you decide who you really want to be with?'

'Of course not, you know me better than that!' Olivia snapped, affronted.

'Then forget the damn dream and focus on Nathan. Oh, I forgot... you still don't know if you love him or not.'

'Sometimes I hate myself.' Olivia muttered.

Tamara winced, suddenly feeling sorry for her. 'Don't be that way now. You didn't ask for this problem.'

'Somebody's going to get hurt... I just know it. Suppose EJ finds out that Nathan's in love with me and does something to him? Or worse, tells Nathan?'

'Sweetie, as long as you didn't promise him anything you got nothing to worry about. Maybe you should talk to Aunt Lexie, she'll straighten him out good... they're pretty close.'

Olivia shook her head, vetoing the very idea. 'I'm still capable of fighting my own battles, thank you very much.'

Tamara glanced over her shoulder. 'Well, get ready to put the fighting gloves on... Pretty Boy EJ just walked in.'

Sure enough Henderson was ushering him in; his cool eyes scanning the room before going over to Victor.

'I'm going to strangle Victor! What the bloody hell was he thinking inviting him?' Olivia said angrily as the two men shook hands. Everyone else in the room was already looking stone-faced, except Lexie who went across the room to greet her brother. 'And him... he knows quite well I never want to see him again.'

'Apparently you weren't convincing enough.' Tamara said dryly. 'Which probably explains why he's heading this way.'

EJ hoped the expression on his face was neutral as possible as he walked up to Olivia. She always looked beautiful but seeing her for the very first time in a dress was like looking at a rare exotic flower just bursting in full bloom. He prayed he'll be able to control himself.

'Good evening, Tamara.' He nodded at her briefly before turning to Olivia. 'Hello, Olivia. Just when I thought you couldn't look more beautiful you prove me wrong.'

'What are you doing here?'

'Well I'm not gate-crashing if that's what you think. Victor invited me as a thank you.'

'Throw that in her face, why don't you?' Tamara said sarcastically.

EJ glared at her and she glared back. Despite Lexie's efforts they've never gotten along and Abe flatly refused to encourage any friendship between them. Before he could think of a suitable comeback, someone spun him round roughly from behind. 'Didn't I tell you to stay away from my sister, DiMera?' Shawn Douglas spat.

'No, no!' Olivia firmly pushed herself between the two men. 'You're not doing this again!'

'Perhaps you need to take something for that serious paranoia of yours; I was invited fair and square.' EJ retorted.

'Boys!' Olivia snapped. 'Let's not have a brawl here of all places, all right? Shawn D calm down, he was invited and we have to put up with it. Please... people are staring.'

Shawn Douglas opened his mouth to protest further but Bo and Carly suddenly appeared through the French windows. 'What's going on here?' Bo asked, his brown eyes glancing at his children sharply.

Shawn Douglas hesitated only for a second then shook his head. 'Nothing.' Was the gruff reply, to Olivia and Tamara's relief before walking away.

'Good evening Commissioner Brady; Dr. Manning.' EJ swiftly greeted, turning on the full charm on Carly especially, seeing where Olivia got her exquisite looks from.

Carly inclined her head politely but Bo only narrowed his eyes as they shook hands. 'Fancy seeing you here. But then I guess it's a good time as any to say thank you for saving my daughter's life.' Seizing the chance to escape, Olivia moved away with Tamara at her heels to where her cousins and brother were.

'I just happened to be there that's all and I'm glad I was able to help.'

EJ did have designs on Olivia, Bo realised. He hadn't been quick enough to mask the burning look in his eyes before she'd walked away. Brady was right after all.

'Well thanks for your help, but understand that it ends here. She's under no obligation to you and you're to stay away from her from now on.'

I should have known he wouldn't mince words, thought EJ ruefully. How on earth had he guessed or did she tell him?

He forced a laugh. ' I don't know what you mean...'

'Let's not do this, DiMera.' Bo's tone was hard and resolute. 'I'm only saying it once, I don't want you near my daughter at any time.'

EJ shook his head, raising his hands in mock surrender poise. 'I really don't have any intentions towards her, Commissioner Brady.'

'For your sake you better be telling the truth. I'll be watching you from now on.'

Carly gripped Bo's arm as they walked away from him. Stefano's son strongly reminded her of Lawrence and it gave her an uneasy chill. After all, she hadn't been that much older than Olivia when she'd first encountered Lawrence as James. She'd seen the look too, surely EJ wouldn't dare try anything on Olivia with Bo around?

Bo read her thoughts clearly and slipped his arm around her. 'Don't worry Princess, history's not going to repeat itself.'

Carly could only hope he was right.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

'Before we all go in to dinner, I want to say something.' All eyes reverted to Victor, who raised his glass. 'Family's always been the most important thing to me. And that feeling's more emphasised after the near tragedy we almost had.' He looked at Olivia then at Carly. ' Some of you have probably thought I've been hard hearted the whole Vivian episode which is one of the reasons why I hosted this party, to clear the air and show my beautiful granddaughter here how much I love and appreciate her. Olivia, having you in this family is like having your Aunt Isabella back. I'm more than happy you're a part of us and I hope 16 years isn't too late for us to have the relationship that we were denied.'

Turning to Carly, he said with a faint smile. 'And Carly. Having you back was an even bigger surprise. I know we've had our differences but tonight I want to put an end to all that and do what I should have done a long time ago; extend the hand of lasting friendship and formally give you and Bo my fatherly blessing. Here's to Olivia and Carly and the new chapter of your life together.'

'Hear, hear...' everybody said in unison, raising their glasses. That is, everybody but Bo. Carly who was standing next to him was startled to see his face was a mask of pure fury.

'Bo?' she took his arm. Everybody turned to look at him, astonished at the look on his face. 'Bo, what's wrong?'

Bo shook his arm off. 'How...dare... you?' he said, his voice shaking.

Victor stared at him. 'What are you talking about? Why are you looking at me that way?'

Bo flung the champagne flute on the floor where it smashed into pieces. 'How dare you say all that bloody crap about family after what you did to Olivia and Carly, you despicable, double dealing bastard!'

Everyone gasped at his words, gasping even louder when Bo pulled out his gun; aiming it at Victor.

'Bo, don't!' shrieked Carly in horror. 'What are you doing?'

'What I want to do now is nothing compared to what Victor did... the whole time he was Vivian's accomplice!' he spat. Everyone turned to Victor's direction in askance.

Victor's blood went cold. Vivian's goon had talked after all. But he wasn't prepared to go down like that, the best weapon in this situation was total and complete denial. There was too much at stake.

' I don't know what you're talking about.' he blustered. 'And put that gun down, I'm not about to tolerate this sort of behaviour in my own house!'

'Bo...' Roman said in his most persuasive tone, 'put the gun down, whatever Victor's done, it can be handled legally... come on.'

'Come on son, don't do this.' Caroline pleaded. 'What is this about?'

'Bo, you better have a good reason for this huge insult.' Victor said coldly, relying on his experienced skills of manipulation to get out of this situation. Inwardly he cursed himself for not making sure he was covered.

'Dad, what's this about?' Olivia demanded. 'What did he do?'

Bo moved nearer to Victor, gun still aimed at him. 'Tell them what you did.'

'Bo, cut it out!' Abe snapped, really appalled.

'Tell them what you did!' Bo barked, not heeding his friend. 'And maybe I'll be able to spare what's left of your miserable life! Tell them how you were in cohorts with that bitch, how you knew all along she poisoned Olivia but you kept quiet about it because of what she told you about her and Carly.'

Carly blinked hard, very confused. Victor's face was still unyielding. 'Whatever that thug of hers told you was a lie.' He muttered.

Bo's eyes narrowed into slits. 'Don't make me pull this trigger, Victor.'

'Bo...' Carly pleaded.

'I have nothing to say. If you can't see that man wants to pin something on me to save his own skin... fine pull the trigger. You're bluffing anyway!' Victor retorted.

'The technician who ran that DNA test on me and Olivia... whose results made you change your mind, are you going to call him a liar when I call him to back up my story?'

'DNA test?' Carly asked sharply. 'What DNA test?'

'Wait a minute-' Victor began.

' You want me to do your dirty work for you... fine! Carly, Vivian convinced him that Olivia wasn't my daughter; that you used her to get back with me, that's why he defended her when she was accused.' A loud murmur like the sound of angry bees from the family.

'Hold on, that's not true!' Victor barked.

' I don't believe you!' Bo shook his head in utter disbelief. 'You seriously think you can get away with this, by lying? I know everything Victor! A more than reliable source saw you at the lab. You gave the technician a strand of Olivia's hair... and mine, the one you managed to get when you came to our house looking for Carly!'

Max's mind swiftly went back to that fateful day. He'd told Victor Carly wasn't home. Victor had asked to use the bathroom and went upstairs...

'What were your words Victor... "I need to be sure, make sure you're thorough"' . Bo went on relentlessly. 'I also went through some documents I found in Vivian's suitcase. She made you believe a Catherine Francesca Alamain was my real daughter and Olivia was a result of an affair and that Carly was using her to easily worm her way back into my life.'

'What?' Olivia cried, enraged. 'You actually believed that about my mother? Vivian dodged arrest the whole time because you fell for her nonsense?!'

'Catherine was Vivian's daughter.' Carly said with deathly calm, unable to fully catch on with what she was hearing. 'She was stillborn... she was born four years after I had Olivia, how did Vivian ...'

'She changed the date on the death certificate then had a false report about you having an affair with Catherine's father to make her lie completely plausible printed out.' Bo supplied. 'Vivian lied to him to use him as a shield... to justify to him why she poisoned Olivia.'

He finally lowered the gun, his face white with anger. 'Need I say more?'

'Bo,' Victor tried to gather the last shreds of his dignity. 'Let me explain...'

'Explain what? You can't deny any of it.'

'Yes, Vivian lied to me. She convinced me that Olivia was not your daughter but then I happened to see the Kiriakis birth mark on her left wrist. I overheard Justin and Phillip talking about it and I... I went to the hospital and saw it for myself.' Victor swallowed. The game was up. 'And to make double sure I took a strand of her hair... and yours.' Looking at Olivia imploringly he said, 'you have no idea how I felt when I realised my huge mistake.'

'Huge mistake?' Olivia shouted. 'What do you then call condoning with Vivian to bury Mum alive?'

'No, I swear I didn't know she was going to do that!' Victor protested.

'You can't expect any of us to believe that!' Patch cut in. You must have known she was going to do something to hurt Carly and you weren't going do anything about it because of what Vivian told you about her. You were totally convinced she was lying to us, and you were prepared to let her die and be out of Bo's life for good.'

'Oh no... Victor didn't need any convincing.' Bo objected. ' Ever since Carly left him, he never stopped hating her for it. It was so easy for him to condone with Vivian's plans. He believed Vivian because he wanted to, because he still hates her.'

Carly shook her head slowly, tears rolling down her cheeks.

'Bo...'

'Twenty years ago, Carly almost died because you tried to kill me,' Bo's voice was cold and harsh. 'And I came this close to losing her and my daughter because of your jealousy and vindictiveness.' He faced his children and their cousins who were standing in stunned silence. 'You lot might as well hear this now. Victor manipulated Carly into marriage. My fault because I was too stupid... and afraid of my feelings. When we finally found each other Victor refused to accept it, did all sorts of things to break us up, including murder. Shawn D; that elevator accident Carly had was no accident, Victor had it rigged up as a death trap for me.'

Shawn Douglas' eyes flashed with anger as he faced his grandfather. 'You tried to kill my father?'

'I would've preferred it was me and not Carly.' Bo's voice shook. 'But Carly walked into the trap meant for me and I almost lost her that night.'

'And when that didn't work he faked his own death and framed Carly for it...and went scot-free, manipulating his own daughter who tried to testify against him.' John added bitterly. 'Pleading insanity got him off.'

'Oh my God!' Brady exploded.

'You bastard!' Olivia was beside herself. 'You vicious, two faced, vindictive bastard! You had the audacity to throw this damned party to exonerate yourself but the whole time you were harbouring this secret almost too disgusting to be true! I wish to God Dad wasn't related to you, because that would give me the excuse to kill you myself! I want nothing to do with you, you hear me? You are dead to me, DEAD!'

She marched away from the room; Carly, Shawn Douglas, Tamara and Max hurrying after her. The silence in the room was ominous. Victor turned away, unable to make eye contact with anyone. Caroline was trembling, her face white. 'I caused this.' She whispered as she left the room. 'I caused this.' Kayla and Patch followed her.

Roman turned to Bo. 'What do you want to do, make an arrest? Say the word.'

Bo glanced at Abe who shrugged. 'No.' He shook his head. 'I prefer a punishment he'll never be able to escape from, one that will last him for the rest of his life. Victor.'

Slowly, the old man faced him.

'As of now, consider yourself disowned. I don't want you anywhere near my children, my granddaughter, my mother, my sisters, my brothers... no one. You won't be invited to any family gatherings; you'll not be welcome to our homes, not even the Pub. Should you dare try to manipulate your way back in, you'll spend what you've got left in prison.'

Bo left the room, slipping the gun back into his jacket. Phillip and Brady gave Victor looks that said it all as they took their leave, Stephanie and Arianna clinging to their arms. One by one, the guests left; leaving Victor alone, sitting on the armchair, alone and broken.

The only person left in the room, who'd arrived unobserved during the whole drama, was Hope. She'd heard the whole thing and she was still trembling with shock.

'How could you bring yourself to do what you did... believing Vivian's lies?' she burst out at last.

Victor raised his head, his face pale. ' I honestly don't know.' He mumbled.

'You don't know...' Hope shook her head. 'Just like you didn't know why you did all you did to break up Bo and Carly while I was gone, huh? Your own son, you tried to kill your own son!'

'Carly left me!' he cried, sounding demented. 'She ran around with Bo like our marriage never existed... she made a fool of me...'

'If she left you,' Hope shouted, 'it's because you didn't deserve her! Just how the hell did you go through each passing day living with the truth of how you tricked her? How could you bring yourself to actually plan Bo's death? You and Lawrence Alamain... you're both sick men, filled with obsession and the misguided notion that you have the right to steal people's lives... My God!' Hope shook her head in shame. 'to think I blamed Carly for my failed marriage, to think I listened to the crap you told me about her... how could I have been so stupid? Why didn't anyone tell me what Bo and Carly went through because of you?'

In her heart, she knew the answer. She wasn't told because she hadn't been prepared to listen. She'd resented Carly for taking her place in Bo and Shawn D's lives while she was gone; believing they'd lived in total bliss. But Victor, as well as Lawrence Alamain had used all the means in their disposal to ruin their happiness. Victor... his own father.

Hope quietly let herself out of the mansion, her mind filled with thoughts.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Carly was very surprised to see Hope at her doorstep. 'Can I come in?' Hope asked quietly.

'Uh, of course.' Carly made way for her, closing the door behind them. ' Bo's upstairs, I'll go get him...'

'No. It's you I actually came to see.'

Carly looked at her warily and Hope shook her head. ' I didn't come here to fight with you. I came to apologise. I'm... so sorry for the way I acted at the wake. Not just that, I'm also sorry for blaming you for something you had absolutely nothing to do with.'

'Hope...'

'Please Carly, let me do this.' Hope raised her hand. 'I did know all along you weren't to blame. But I was so angry and jealous after I heard all about you... this woman who's everything I'm not that I went ahead and cited you as the reason why my marriage ended the way it did. You wouldn't have made all the mistakes I made and that made me more angry and unreasonable and the idea of you and Bo the whole time I was gone... then tonight I found out what Victor did to you both... it was because of me he didn't want to be with you at first wasn't it?'

Carly had no choice but to nod her head. Hope chuckled mirthlessly. 'Maggie told me that ages ago but I didn't believe her. Bo and I had our downs as well as ups even back then, you know. When I first found out about you I was like... Bo and his Countess, living the perfect life, no fights... no tiffs. None, because you both went through a whole lot worse! But you got through it...' she regarded Carly solemnly. 'And thinking over what Maggie told me I now see that Bo wouldn't have left you when I came back. No man in his right mind would give you up.' Hope moved closer, extending her hand and Carly took it.

'I'm sorry... for everything. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me and believe me when I say you have my blessing?'

Carly's fingers enfolded hers. 'There's nothing to forgive and thank you... that means a lot to me.'

Hope inclined her head. 'Good night, Carly. And please tell Olivia I'm sorry as well.'

'I will. Thanks again.'

A night full of surprises, Carly thought as she locked up. First the shocking truth about Victor, now Hope's sudden epiphany. It had taken a long time coming but all the same it was a relief knowing Bo's ex-wife no longer hated her. As for Victor, he was beyond redemption; she'll never ever forgive him for what he did.

Bo was lying on their bed, arms clasped at the back of his head. Carly got into bed, sitting crossed legged beside him. 'Why didn't you tell me all this when you found out? I can't believe you kept it all to yourself.'

'Because I wanted to expose Victor the way I did tonight. And I didn't want you and Olivia to be upset so soon after leaving the hospital.'

'You must have been so angry.'

Bo shook his head. 'More than angry. Stunned, furious... shocked. After all this time, his jealousy springing up and I came this close to losing you and Olivia because of it.'

'But what I don't get is ... how come he didn't confront me? Didn't Vivian think he would come to me and I'd tell him that Cathy was her daughter? Or that he might tell you?'

'Victor knew I wouldn't believe you'd actually pass off another man's kid as mine and she probably convinced him you were better off dead.' Bo's tone was bitter. 'And it would be better for us all if he left town for good because I never want to see him again.'

'It's easy to blame Victor for what he did to us in the past,' Carly said quietly. 'But it's my fault- I chose to marry him and for the wrong reason...'

'No you don't!' Bo sat up, pulling her against him. 'If there's anyone to blame it's me. I was so stupid and I handled the whole thing so badly... I should have just come to you instead of sending that damned note through Emmy...'

'But...'

Bo's hand closed over her mouth. 'No buts, princess. I messed up, I'm the reason Victor became obsessed with you. If I'd had the guts to make you mine sooner, he wouldn't have chased you at all and do all he did to keep us apart. But he's never, ever going to do that again. I've made sure of that.'

Freeing her mouth, he touched every part of her face, his brown eyes meeting her green ones. 'This is our new beginning, Princess. No Victor, no Vivian, No Larry- no lies, no secrets. Just you and me and Olivia, Shawn Douglas and Ciara.'

Carly's eyes filled with tears. 'Oh now... no tears.' He brushed them away. 'Don't cry. Now we can really be happy and face the future... our new chapter.'

'I'm crying because I'm so happy.' Carly pressed her face against his, sobbing. 'I love you, I've always loved you!' Raising her head she added, 'You're the love of my life.'

Bo pulled her into his arms and they kissed passionately for a long minute. Ending the kiss, he pulled her tank top over her head and tossed it aside before unhooking the front hook of her bra, wasting no time after tossing that as well in taking her breast into his mouth, torturing the other with the back of his thumb. Carly closed her eyes as warmth spread through her body, her heart racing as she gripped his hair. Lowering her on the silken sheets Bo slid his tongue down her stomach, savagely pulling her sweat pants down and over her legs, tossing them on the floor with the other pieces of discarded clothing. He unsnapped his pants and removed them before resuming his sensual exploration of her body. Carly moaned and shivered as his fingers found her core and touched her intimately before burying his head between her legs.

'Bo! Oh God...' she cried out, arching her back and clutching the bedspread beneath her as his lips and tongue tormented her and she gave herself over to complete and utter abandonment. 'Now... Please now...'

Suddenly he was over her, on her, deep inside her. She clutched at him, fusing her mouth with his as the primitive rhythm began; slowly, gently then faster and wilder.

'I love you,' he rasped in her ear. 'I want you!' He dug his fingers in her hips and her nails left pink trails across his back. He suddenly flipped her over and she rode him fiercely, bringing them to earth shattering climaxes. Carly gasped and shivered, beads of sweat on her forehead as she savoured sweet fulfilment. Bo raised himself up, pressing his face against her breasts panting and she held him for a while; both exhausted and sated. Pulling her back down, he lifted the covers over them and she snuggled against him as he held her tightly in his arms, savouring the blissful night ahead.