Chapter 71

Carly didn't look up from the file she was studying when she heard the knock on the door. 'Come in.' she said, making some notes. The door opened and closed. 'Hello, Dr. Brady.'

She looked up, stunned at the sight of the young man in front of her. 'Nathan? What are you doing here? When did you get back?'

'Uh... last week actually. I caught a cold so grandma kept me tucked in bed.' Nathan smiled faintly, trying to cover his nervousness. 'Um.. How've you been?'

Carly leaned back in her chair, looking at him squarely. 'I'm fine, thanks. Considering I spent months consoling my daughter who you regarded as a distraction to your illustrious career.'

Nathan's face reddened as he bit his lower lip. 'I've felt so bad for calling her that, believe me. I never meant to hurt her.'

'Well you did, Nathan. And not only that, you weren't here when she needed you the most.'

'Grandma told me about the accident.' Nathan said in a low voice, sinking into the chair Carly pointed to. 'And you can't call me anything I haven't called myself since I heard about it; why didn't anyone call me then?'

'Because Bo asked us not to and he made it expressively clear he never wants you around our daughter again. I'm sure you should be able to comply with that, right?'

'No, Dr. Brady, I can't.' Nathan said gravely. 'I came back for her. I realised my mistake and I want the chance to show her how much I really love her.'

So she was right all along. 'Why now? What made you suddenly think of Olivia if you still love her?'

'I never actually stopped loving her. But... I just wanted to prove I could be a great physician like Great-Grand Dad was so I...'

'Decided not to be your own man and take orders from others instead!' Carly said sharply. 'When I first met Dr. Horton I was a young intern; a year older than you. I admired him, I followed his guidance and advice but not for one minute did I expect to be exactly like him! Every physician just strives to be the best they can be... to their patients; that's the real achievement, Nathan! Your sentiment only made you appear selfish to the family and Olivia got heartbroken in the bargain. Bo's very angry with you; I hope you're aware of that.'

'I can imagine he is... and he doesn't want me anywhere near Olivia, you probably don't either but I'm asking you for another chance, not just her. If you could help me talk to her I'll really appreciate it.'

'No Nathan, I can't do that.' Carly said firmly.

'Dr. Brady, please.' Nathan pleaded.

'Listen, nothing personal. It's just that one; Bo's been very touchy about Olivia since the accident so I don't think he'll be ready to listen to you. Second; if you want our daughter back, you'll have to talk to her yourself. She's her own person and if she wants to be with you so be it and Bo might calm down after a while. If she doesn't, you will respect her wishes and leave her alone. Do I make myself clear?'

Nathan nodded, feeling like a chastened child. But he vowed to do all he could to get his beautiful Olivia back, see her sparkling green eyes look into his again. 'I understand. And thank you.'

'Don't thank me just yet, Nathan. You'll have your talk with her when she gets back from her trip.'

Nathan looked both startled and disappointed. 'Trip?'

'She and Tamara Carver are away for the summer.'

'Where? I... I can go over there.'

Carly looked up again to stare at him coldly. 'I'm not at liberty to tell you that. You want her, you wait for her. Now if you don't mind, I'm rather busy here.'

'Yeah sure... I'm sorry.' Nathan rose. 'I'll see you later then.'

Carly nodded, waiting for him to go before reaching for her cell.

Bo picked up his phone after two rings. 'Hey, princess. What's up?'

Carly didn't mince words. 'Nathan's back.'

'What?' Bo asked, infuriated. 'You didn't tell him where Olivia is, did you?'

'Of course I didn't but honey... he's still in love with her.'

'Says him. I don't want him around her, I told you that. If he comes sniffling round her again...'

'Bo, Olivia's a very mature young woman; she's more than capable of making her own decisions, you know that. You can't forbid her not to see him if she wants to, she'll only resent you and that's the last thing you want.'

Bo sighed heavily. 'No... Of course I wouldn't want that. But Nathan...'

'Is a selfish, ambitious brat... I know. But he's back now and the only thing we can do is sit back and see how Olivia acts around him. If she decides to give him a chance, we got to accept it.'

Bo scowled. 'I'm not happy with this at all, princess. I don't want my little girl hurt again.'

'If he does hurt her again, be free to put his neck in traction. But for now...'

'I get it, I get it... we'll do it your way.'

'Thank you, honey.' Carly smiled, visualising the scowl on his face. 'I know you're trying to be protective but you need to loosen up a bit in that area.'

'Yeah, like I can ever do that.' Bo replied sarcastically. 'Nathan just better watch his step this time or he's going to find his jaw right under my boot.'

'Come on Bo, underneath you're a big puppy dog; you don't mean that.'

Bo sighed, taping his desk with a pen, smiling ruefully. 'Maybe not but nobody can blame me for being a tad touchy about my little girl.'

'I don't. But letting Olivia make the ultimate decision herself will show her that you're treating her like an adult.' She turned as she heard a knock on the door. 'Hang on... come in.'

A nurse appeared, holding a bouquet of lilies. 'These just arrived for you, Dr. Brady.'

'Thanks, put them down here.' Carly pointed to her desk.

'Any way... change of subject, are you getting home anytime soon? I'm off for the rest of the day.'

'I have about an hour left. Why?' Carly asked, pulling off the small envelope attached to the bouquet, drawing out the card.

'Does a man very much in love need a reason to want to be with his wife?'

She frowned at the message on the card, not replying.

'Princess, are you still there?'

'Yes...' Carly replied absentmindedly.

'Is something wrong?'

'No, honey- nothing's wrong. You know what? I'll see if I can get somebody to take over the time I have left and I'll be home in let's say 20 minutes, okay?'

'More than okay! Don't take too long, love you.'

'I love you too.'

Carly hung up, staring at the message on the card: A token of esteem from an old friend.

Who sent it?

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

'EJ DiMera, don't you dare... arrrgh!' Tamara looked up as EJ jumped into the pool with Olivia in his arms. 'Christ...' she said, shaking her head.

Spluttering, Olivia reached out to slap EJ but he grabbed her hands and kissed her hard. Olivia's arms went round his neck instead as she hotly kissed him back.

'Will you two kids take that inside because you're really starting to gross me out!' Tamara yelled humorously. They were now in Acapulco; staying at a rented beach house. EJ had insisted on paying the rent and stocking it, which Olivia objected to at first but Tamara convinced her to just let him do it. The whole time they were together, Tamara had spent most of the time watching them silently. Olivia looked so happy but EJ was the real surprise; these days he wore an expression on his face she'd never seen before, the hard planes of his face completely softened, his eyes warm and glowing. He truly loved Olivia, treated her like an equal despite the 14 year gap between them and always solicitous and sweet; the man even cooked for her. Sipping her iced tea now, Tamara watched them as they frolicked in the pool, laughing and grinning at each other in between kisses. They were living their love now but what was going to happen when they got back to Salem? How were they ever going to see each other without Bo finding out and Bo was definitely going to find out somehow and that would be serious trouble for EJ. Not to mention Olivia being forced to choose who to be loyal to, an even worse scenario. She'll have to discuss it with her. Sighing, she got up and went inside to refill the jar.

'Stop it... I'm very ticklish... EJ stop!' Olivia wriggled, shaking in helpless laughter as EJ tortured her ribs under the water with his fingers. Grinning, EJ grabbed her before she went under, arms firmly locked round her slim waist.

'Mmm... You know what I love most about you, angel... your laugh.' He smiled. 'That very day I passed your family's pub and I heard it and I peeked in and saw you for the very first time; the most beautiful rose I've ever seen.'

'What is it about English men and the need to flatter?' Olivia mocked.

'I'm not English, I was just raised in England. How did you get your own accent?'

'Here and there.' Olivia stroked his wet hair. 'I'm very cultured.'

'Yes and beautiful, funny, sexy, adorable...' he nuzzled her neck, turning her around in his arms to kiss her back, touching her tattoo then noticed something that made his smile vanish. 'Angel...' he said, running his hand down the fading scars. 'What are these?'

Oh no, Olivia winced. 'Umm... the scars?' she asked.

'Yeah, where did...' a thought struck him and he turned her round to face him again, his eyes troubled. 'Your stepfather?'

Olivia nodded soberly. 'With a whip.'

'Oh my God...'

'EJ, it's in the past and scars fade, they will fade eventually. Don't get upset about it.'

EJ shook his head. 'My God Olivia... how did you and your mother live through all that?'

'We had each other. And after she told me who my real father was, I suppose it gave us something to live for, that we'll get out of that place eventually and I'll finally meet my family.'

EJ abruptly let her go, swimming to the edge of the pool and levelled himself up to sit on it. Olivia followed and he took her hand, pulling her up to sit next to him. 'EJ, what is it?' she asked.

'Kate heard from Will about what happened to you and your mother and I kept thinking about what you two went through with Lawrence Alamain, how much he abused you both and kept you from your family for years. I kept thinking... what sort of man would do that. And then I realised what a hypocrite I was.' He looked at her, his grey eyes troubled. 'I'm no better than him, Olivia. I did things in the past that I'm not proud of, including kidnapping my own daughter just to hurt Sami for lying to me. I'm been ruthless, cruel and a complete bastard.'

'The EJ DiMera who twice saved me from death, the one who sat on a park bench with me eating ice cream and hotdogs, the one who asked me to asked me to search my heart and who left his work behind just to be with me is the one sitting next to me now, the one who loves me and the one I love very much. The EJ you just painted... I don't know him and I never will because he doesn't exist anymore. Am I right?'

He nodded, eyes fixed on her face.

'EJ, you can't rewrite the past any more than I can. I went by what other people told me about you and yes... you did remind me of Lawrence for a long time.' she touched his cheek, moving down to his neck. 'I waited for you to give me more excuses to hate you. But after you let me walk away the day I told you I was in love with Nathan, I realised you weren't him. You truly wanted me to be happy, the last thing Lawrence wanted for my parents.'

'I do want you to be happy, angel.' EJ said emotionally, slipping his arm round her. 'And more than ever make you forget what happened to you. I'll do away with anybody who dares try to hurt you again and I'll never... ever hurt you like Alamain did.'

'I know that.'

'No, I need you to believe that Olivia and it's true. The only way you could stop loving me is if I go back to what I used to be and that will never happen. I'm a better man for loving you and I don't ever want to lose you.'

'You'll never lose me, EJ because I love you.' she whispered, pressing her face close to his.

'Oh God... I love you so much, angel-girl.' He hugged her tightly, stroking her wet curls before kissing her passionately; his mouth moving over hers, tongues rubbing against each other. Olivia sighed as his mouth moved down her neck, her hands moving over his bare chest; aware of the heat rising through her body. It was getting harder and harder to ignore it any time EJ touched her, she badly wanted him. Raising his head up, she kissed him again, unable to get enough of his lips. Growling, EJ kissed her breathless, caressing her bikini clad body, trying to suppress the burning need for her in his loins. It had been his idea for them to wait a while before they eventually made love but sometimes he felt like tossing caution to the wind and succumb to the intense feelings. But he'd meant what he said... he wasn't going to treat her like the other women in his past.

Tamara came out, a glass jug of ice tea in one hand chilled lemonade in the other and the pair broke apart, suddenly aware they weren't alone. Pulling Olivia to her feet, EJ grabbed a towelling robe, wrapping it round her before reaching for one himself. 'Enough swimming, time to fire up the grill and barbecue us some steaks... how does that sound ladies?'

'Sounds great... Tamara and I will rustle up a big bowl of salad.' Olivia replied, vigorously drying her hair.

While EJ took charge of the steaks outside, the two girls washed and chopped vegetables in the kitchen. 'He's really got it bad for you Olivia.' Tamara commented as they worked. 'For the first time since I've known him his eyes are actually twinkling.'

'No more doubts about him then?' Olivia smiled.

Tamara shrugged. 'What did I tell you back in Cancun, stranger things have happened. I never thought EJ DiMera to be capable of true feelings for anybody and I never thought I'd be supporting you being with him. You're very happy with each other... and I'm glad to see it. But what's going to happen when we get home? How will you be able to keep this up without people knowing, especially your parents? You know how word spreads fast in Salem.'

'I'm more than aware of that, Tam; I'm not a fool. It's not going to be at all easy for the two of us, we'll just have to be extra cautious.'

'Not just about not being seen with him, Olivia. If Bo ever finds out you two are together, the first thing he's going to demand to know is if EJ had sex with you and you'll have to be able to truthfully tell him that you didn't by not sleeping with EJ just yet. So you two will gonna have to exercise major self-control.'

'It's that obvious?'

'Are you kidding? Most times I want to reach for a hose to cool you down!' Tamara chuckled then sobered. 'But seriously...'

'There's nothing to worry about in that area. EJ and I have already talked about it and we're not going to sleep each other, not for a long while at least. And it's more because he's thinking of me, not himself.'

'Now that's really a man in love, I'm impressed. You've really reformed that scoundrel. And somehow he's made you softer.'

'Stuff and Nonsense; I'm still the same Olivia Brady, thank you very much!'

'Yeah right. Anytime you look at your boyfriend, it's like you're seeing him for the first time; your face goes red and shy whenever he looks at you; I'm telling you girl... you've grown softer, less cynical and blunt.'

Olivia swatted her friend on the arm, making her laugh. Shrugging she looked at EJ through the window as he turned the meat with the long fork. He caught her eye and grinned, winking. 'I guess he just brings it out in me.' she said, smiling back at him.

:::::::

The flowers disturbed Carly, the words on the card more so. Who could've sent her such a cryptic message? Not Victor, he would make sure she knew it was him, he was sneaky, not mysterious. After thinking it over, she decided that it was probably a patient she had treated and was probably too shy to put in a name. There was no need to tell Bo, he would only worry.

'Bo?' she called as she closed the door behind her, taking off her coat and placing her purse on the foyer table. Phoebe came to meet her, wagging her tail. 'Hey you... where's Bo huh?' she asked, patting her.

He wasn't in the kitchen but she saw takeout boxes of Chinese food on the counter. Smiling, she went upstairs to their room, yelping as a pair of hands grabbed her from behind. 'Bo! You scared the...' his mouth hotly descended on hers, a hot, hungry kiss that conveyed his intense desire for her and she immediately clung to him, straddling his hips when he lifted her. She left his mouth to plant kisses on his neck and shoulder, damp from the shower; inhaling his scent. Meeting each other's eyes they smiled, as usual no words needed. Within minutes, her dress and underwear were on the carpet, followed by his robe and they were entwined on the bed. Bo made sure not to press his weight on her stomach, ever mindful their child was nestled within her. Stroking and kissing the now rounder and fuller breasts; he moved back up to devour her mouth with his, murmuring with pleasure when he felt her hand stroke and fondle him. Gently pushing her hand away, he raised her arms above her head, entwining her fingers with his as he filled her. Carly moaned, wrapping her legs around him; their slick, heated bodies moving fiercely together. Bo lightly nipped her earlobe, his breathing rough and unsteady as he plunged deeper and faster within her burning, scotching hot flesh; moving his lips over her soft skin, savouring the scent and taste of her and the breathy gasp of his name.

'Come with me...' he said hoarsely, frantically kissing her neck as he felt himself reaching the peak and he wanted her with him. 'Come with me princess... now.'

The intensity of his orgasm pushed her over the edge and she gasped her own release against his damp shoulder, shivering and shaking in his arms. Trembling as well, Bo buried his face against her neck; barely able to breathe for a while as they savoured after glow. Rolling off her, he pulled her into his arms, her thigh moving up to rest over his, his fingers rubbing her back.

'At the risk of sounding like a gloating high school jock... what a blast.' He said softly.

Carly giggled, turning her head to kiss him repeatedly, which he returned. 'What you must've been like in high school.' She murmured.

He smiled, stroking her hair. 'Don't even get me started on that.'

'I won't; I can only imagine... very clearly too.' She sighed, contently. 'I love our moments together...coming home after a long day's work and we make love.'

'It's always been our thing, back in the day I'd wait for you on the boat, remember?'

'Mmm... you'd carry me into our room and I'd find it already lit with candles. And I was never too tired.' She chuckled, stroking his chest.

'In a way I'm glad Olivia's away on vacation... I get to have you all to myself for a while.'

'Speaking of Olivia...she hasn't called us for a week now. I hope she and Tamara are okay, I'm beginning to feel worried.' Carly said.

'Come on... the girls are obviously having a very good time, they are bound to forget the outside world. But I bet you we'll hear from her today or tomorrow, don't start worrying about anything all over again, you promised.'

Carly thought about the mysterious, unsigned note again. Though she'd convinced herself it was probably from a patient who wanted to remain anonymous, it gave her a rather bad vibe... she hated mysteries, because there would come the nagging need to solve it. She mustn't think about it, it wasn't worth pondering over.

'Yeah, I know... I'm sorry honey.' She kissed his chest. 'And you're right, Olivia's always shown responsibility... she might call any time soon.'

'There you go... we'll just wait.'

They had a short nap, afterwards Bo went downstairs to heat the Chinese food he'd bought; they ate then made love all over again.

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

'You sent them to Bo's wife?'

'Yeah, at the hospital this afternoon and I put the message you wanted.'

'You did good Tanya. Hang tight... I'll be with you soon; just be patient.'

'I can't wait to see you again Dean.' The young woman said emotionally. 'In the mean time you take care, okay?'

'You got it baby. I'll call you soon as I can.'

Dean hung up, smiling broadly and went back to the cell he shared with Patrick.