Chapter 75

Caroline threw a welcome home party for Olivia and Ciara at the Pub a few days later and every one turned up, pleased to see the two girls again and enthusing over Olivia's very becoming tan. Bo knew Caroline's other motive of throwing the party; to distract Carly and he was very grateful to her for it. Carly understood the need for caution but she also hated not being able to go to work and topped with the stress of morning sickness, his poor princess has been rather cranky lately. But surrounded by family members and party food and her husband giving her so much attention, she was smiling again.

'Dance with me, princess,' he said, holding out his hand. She took it immediately and he led her to the middle of the room and to everyone's delight danced a two-step with her.

'I swear those two are amazing.' John remarked to Caroline. 'Who would think that this time last year, none of us knew that Carly was alive? Or that they were without each other for so long?'

Caroline shrugged, smiling at the couple indulgently. 'They're simply just blessed, John. Fate separated them and just at the right time brought them back together again. And this time, they're older and wiser.'

John smiled back, watching the couple who obviously only had eyes for each other.

'Lovely; it's my party and my parents steal the show.' Olivia said, amused.

'Your parents always stole the show back in the day, trust me.' Roman said dryly, remembering the intense way they were always all over each other, even with people present. He was happy for his brother of course but a part of him was very envious too. Several years apart from Carly and Bo had her again; a grown daughter and twins on the way. Since Marlena and Kate, he'd had no significant other.

'Uncle Roman, will you dance with me?' Olivia asked, breaking into his moody thoughts.

'Now how on earth can I turn down an invitation like that?' he said, taking her slim hand.

'Cradle snatcher!' John called out humorously as Roman led his niece to the dance floor, his remark making every one laugh, including Carly.

'It's great hearing you laugh again, princess.'

'I'm sorry I've been a pain lately,' Carly apologised.

'Come on. With Dean out there stalking you, it's understandable. But he's not going to get anywhere near you, I swear.'

'Hope's stumped about the whole thing,' Carly said. 'She still doesn't understand why Dean would chose to stalk me instead.' More flowers for her have shown up, the box left on the steps. And to Carly and Olivia's horror and Bo's fury; along with it was a black silk teddy. Dean obviously was harbouring some sick sexual fantasy. He couldn't wait to catch him and beat the crap out of him before sending him back to prison.

'The criminal mind is hard to get sometimes but don't let's talk about him right now, this is a family party and I want you to relax and enjoy yourself for once.' Brushing her lips with his, they went on with their dance.

'So, little girl; how many hearts did you and Tamara break in Mexico?' Roman asked. Tamara was sitting at the bar, talking to Caroline.

Olivia chuckled, thinking of EJ with warmth. 'None.'

'Come on... a sensational young lady like you? Give... anybody new? Did you guys promise each other undying love, tell me.'

Like she could possibly tell him the new man in her life was his ex-son-in-law and they were very much in love. When they were finally ready to tell the family, how would her uncle react? He would no doubt take it worse than her parents would. Olivia put on her brightest smile. 'If I had someone new, you'll be the first to know Uncle Roman.'

'So, no chance for Nathan?'

Olivia sighed. 'No chance at all, I'm completely over Nathan Horton; seriously. I'm over him and I'm not looking back.'

Bo and Carly overheard their daughter's words. 'She sounds pretty definite about that, doesn't she?' he said.

'Yeah, it's weird. She goes to Mexico and then comes back, completely over Nathan. I thought she was just still mad about the break up but it looks like it's more than that. I think...' Carly added slowly, 'I think Olivia's in love with someone else.'

'You think so?'

'What she said and the way she said it. Maybe she met someone in Mexico, someone pretty amazing for her to get over the same Nathan Horton she's been pining over for months.'

Bo frowned. 'If you're right, she's hiding it pretty well. I mean, most teenage girls go about all starry eyed about a new guy. I know, I know...' he added wryly when Carly was about to open her mouth, 'our girl's not like most teenage girls; no need to remind me of that.'

Carly shook her head. 'You keep saying you're okay with that but I know it drives you nuts sometimes.'

'That my sixteen year old little girl's a woman mentally, I'm making my peace with that. Which is why I'm not going to invade her privacy by asking her who the lucky-and I sincerely hope decent – guy is; instead I'll let her tell us when she's good and ready. But that doesn't mean I'm not curious. And a little worried, I don't want Olivia getting involved with a fortune hunter or some guy that would turn out to be an obsessive creep. Look at Sami, getting involved with a DiMera.'

'Well all's that past tense, she's with Rafe now. And I got involved with Lawrence when I wasn't much older than Olivia; and I'm glad to see that she's smarter and a lot more mature than I was. If I'm right about her being in love with someone else, then it's probably someone wonderful.'

Bo shrugged in reply then saw Hope entering with Nathan who had a bouquet of yellow roses in his hand and a determined look on his face. 'Look who's here.'

Carly turned, her eyebrows rising. 'Olivia's not going to like this.'

Bo looked at Hope who was pointing at Olivia's direction and turned to see his daughter's reaction. Olivia's face was already wearing a look of fury, especially as everyone's eyes were on her and Nathan who walked up to her. Ciara rushed across the room to greet her mother.

'Hope, what are you doing?' Bo admonished in a low voice. 'Olivia's clear about not wanting to see him again.'

Hope was undaunted. 'Olivia's just angry, Bo. Once she sees how really sorry he is and how much he still loves her, she'll be willing to give him another chance.'

'I sincerely doubt that.' Carly said.

'Well, let's see for ourselves, huh?'

'I cannot believe this,' Olivia said in a low voice, angry and embarrassed at so many eyes looking at them and at the same time pretending not to. 'Didn't you hear a word I said the other day?'

'I heard. Now I want you to hear me out.' Nathan said, his voice low but tone firm. 'I did a bad thing, I'm more than willing to admit that and do anything to make up for it and show you how much I love you and need you in my life. Please Sweetness, don't write me off.' He held the flowers out to her.

Damn it! Why did he have to put her in this difficult situation, handing her flowers for all to see? If she didn't accept them, everyone was going to think her petty and heartless. And she didn't want to humiliate him either.

Swallowing, she took them from him, allowing him to kiss her on the cheek. Somehow she had to find the time to sit him down and let him know once and for all that she wasn't in love with him anymore. She didn't want to hurt him but he was getting a tad too persistent for her liking.

'Yay!' Ciara exclaimed and everyone applauded; smiles on their faces. Bo and Carly however watched their daughter anxiously.

'See, what did I tell you?' Hope said triumphantly.

'I think you've done more harm than good.' Bo replied crossly.

'Sure… Olivia finally forgiving him is wrong now? Face it Bo, those two are meant for each other. Nathan wouldn't step up like this if he really didn't love her. Lighten up, will you?'

'Shit!' Olivia muttered as she laid the flowers on the counter. 'Tam, what am I going to do?'

'Should I get you a baseball bat?'

'Tamara Carver, so help me…'

'You can't do anything right now, not in front of the family. Just go with it and give him a good talking to later.' Tamara was just as annoyed with Nathan for displaying himself so cleverly in front of everyone; knowing very well that Olivia wouldn't be able to tell him to get lost.

Resignedly, Olivia allowed Nathan to lead her to the dance floor. Nathan placed his arms round her, eyes locking with hers. Once upon a time, those eyes and handsome face sent her heart and stomach fluttering; now she was trying to figure out the best way of letting him know things could never be the same again.

'Nathan, listen to me.' She said. 'We have to sit down and seriously talk about us.'

'You still won't forgive me?'

Olivia sighed. 'This is not about whether I've forgiven you or not. Actually, there's nothing to forgive. It's just…'

Nathan cut off her words by kissing her.

'Oh hell…' Tamara murmured. Nathan was unknowingly making things a lot worse.

'Wipe that look off your face, Bo Brady.' Carly warned, seeing a dangerous glint in Bo's eye.

John, Roman, Steve and the other men grinned and gave wolf whistles while the women smiled indulgently.

No one saw EJ staring through the window at the couple; his face a mask of utter fury and pain.

::

'Knock, knock…' Carly entered Olivia's room. 'You left this on the kitchen counter.' She held out Olivia's new iPhone.

'Oh, thank ma.' Olivia put down the sweater she was about to hang up and took the phone from her.

Carly hesitated then decided to ask. 'Do you want to talk about it?'

Olivia made a wry face. 'About Nathan or about the kiss everyone's probably still talking about?'

Bo was still trying to forget seeing his young daughter being kissed so no problems at his end; Carly thought, still amused over his reaction. 'Actually, your father and I are a little confused about something.'

'I can imagine and I'm clearing that up right now; Nathan and I aren't back together. He caught me by surprise and it not like I could embarrass him in front of everyone after that stunt he pulled with the flowers.'

'That was diplomatic of you, considering how uncomfortable you must have felt.'

'I don't want to hurt Nathan, Ma.' Olivia said earnestly.

'I know, I understand.' Carly replied. 'it's going to be hard telling him the truth but it's best he hears it from you.' She longed to ask Olivia if she had someone else in her life but at the last minute decided not to invade her daughter's privacy. As she turned to leave the room, her eyes fell on something on Olivia's dressing table.

'Kitten, who drew this?' she asked, picking up a framed sketch of Olivia. Whoever did it was definitely a very good artist, capturing Olivia's beautiful features and vivid eyes exactly.

'Oh, um… it was a beach artist Tam and I ran into in Mexico.' Olivia lied. 'He saw us and offered to sketch me so I posed for him. It was so good that I had it framed.'

'I'm glad you did, it's really good.' Carly said, admiring the drawing, not noticing Olivia's blushing face.

After Carly left the room, Olivia picked up the sketch, staring down at it and smiling as she thought of EJ; his pencil moving over the paper, intense eyes glancing at her as he worked on the drawing. It still amazed her how so much has changed between them…

Her iPhone rang and she picked it up, smiling when she saw who it was. 'Hello, my darling, I was just thinking about you.'

'We have to talk,' was E.J's cold reply. 'Can you meet me down the lane?'

Olivia frowned. 'Of course… but is something wrong?'

'Just meet me, now.' He hung up.

Olivia was baffled at EJ's cold and abrupt tone. What could be wrong, what happened?

She found her denim jacket and slipped it on, then put Phoebe on a leash and left the house. The guards posted outside waved to her from the police car and she waved back, hoping it won't occur to them to follow her.

EJ was leaning against his car when she finally found him but to her confusion and dismay, didn't smile at her.

'What's the matter?' she demanded. 'You sounded so strange over the phone.'

EJ stared at her, arms folded; forcing himself to curb his anger. 'I saw you and Nathan Horton this afternoon, at your family's pub. I was passing by and I saw you through the window.'

'Oh no…' Olivia blanched, understanding immediately.

'That's right. Horton obviously came back for you; that's the reason why you neglected to tell me he was even back in Salem.' EJ bit out.

'No, you've got it all wrong!' Olivia protested.

'Oh I'm sorry, unless my eyesight's beginning to fail; I think I saw my girlfriend being kissed by her ex and her whole family cheering!'

'EJ, stop that right now.' Olivia snapped.

'Olivia, you should've had the decency of being honest with me about having unresolved feelings for Nathan.'

'No, EJ; I don't. It's all over with him. He was kissing me all right but he took me completely by surprise and in front of my family too; I couldn't as well humiliate him in public by shoving him away.'

EJ shook his head. 'Come on Olivia, credit me with more intelligence.'

'EJ DiMera, I happen to be telling the truth. The kiss meant nothing to me; I felt nothing, nothing at all. Don't be like this, love.'

'So, have you told Nathan all this?'

'No, not yet…'

'Of course!' EJ interrupted harshly. 'Because it's much too complicated! I thought you were different, I thought you now knew where your heart lay!'

'What are you saying?'

'I'm saying that I can't be with you if you're still longing for Nathan! And why wouldn't you? He's closer to you in age, he's one of the exalted Hortons and it's obvious that your family would gladly chose him over me; the son of the infamous Stefano DiMera.'

'I can't believe I'm hearing this.' Olivia was now as angry as he was. 'What is this about, lack of trust in me or sudden insecurity? Everything we talked about in Mexico; that doesn't matter to you anymore?'

EJ turned away from her. 'Olivia, I've been disappointed in love… twice. Sami and Nicole weren't the women I thought they were; they lied to me, they hurt me. I don't want to believe that you're like them.'

'I'm not like them!' Olivia hurried to him, placing her arms round his waist from behind. 'I love you. You're a huge part of my life; you're my life! Come… look at me.' She turned him around to face her, stroking his cheeks with both hands. 'I could never, ever do anything to hurt you or make you doubt me. Don't do this to us, not when we've just begun.'

EJ bit his lip then moved her hands away. Olivia stared at him, her heart sinking. 'EJ…'

'I'm sorry, Olivia.'

Don't beg, don't you dare beg; Olivia told herself sternly even though her lips were trembling. How could EJ do this, over one kiss that did and meant nothing to her?

'I thought you loved me, I thought you trusted me.' Her voice shook with pain. 'One kiss and I'm suddenly not your golden girl anymore? I think that's your trouble, EJ; the need for utter perfection in your women!'

Too proud to let him see the tears suddenly springing from her eyes, she called to Phoebe who had wandered off, grabbed her leash and strode away from the man she loved, back straight but her heart now as heavy as a ton of bricks.

EJ stopped himself from calling her back, already regretting what he'd just done. He loved Olivia more than he'd ever loved anyone or anything, so when he saw her in Nathan's arms he was immediately consumed with jealousy and a surprising heavy sense of insecurity. After all she chose Nathan over him the first time and pined for him for months after his departure; what woman wouldn't turn to another man out of loneliness and being on the rebound?

'Damn it!' he whispered, staring after her retreating figure; feeling more alone then he'd ever been in his life.

Back at the house, Bo and Carly were in the living room watching T.V so Olivia avoided them, going straight up to her room. Sensing her mistress's distress Phoebe whined, pawing at her as she sat on her bed, covering her face with her hands as she wept quietly. One moment she was happy, now her happiness has ended up in flames by a quick and abrupt break-up.

Furious, she rushed to the dressing table where her framed sketch lay to break the frame and tear the paper to pieces. But at the last second she found that she couldn't do it. Tears still falling down her cheeks, her fingers gripped the sides of the frame as she stared down at the cleverly drawn likeness of herself; drawn with skill and so much love…

'EJ… how could you?' she whispered, holding it to her chest.

EJ somehow managed to drive back to the DiMera mansion and the first thing he did was pour himself a stiff drink.

'I haven't seen you touch that for a very long time.' He turned to see Stefano watching him. 'Not even during Olivia's accident.'

EJ gulped down his brandy in silence, scowling at his father.

'What's happened, Elvis?'

'I don't want to talk about it.'

Stefano of course chose to ignore that statement. 'Well?' he insisted.

'Father, I have a right to privacy and I'd much rather you respect it.'

Stefano watched EJ pour himself another drink, baffled. Since his relationship with Olivia Brady, his son has shown the signs of a man determined to turn his life around, less cynical and smiling more; even leaving his work to join her in Mexico. Now he was surly and moody all over again. Did he get into an argument with her? If EJ won't tell him, maybe he'll ask the child instead.

::::

'How can I lose EJ when we've just found each other? Just like that Tam, he said it was over between us… just like that!'

Olivia thought she was done with tears after crying herself to sleep the previous night but more tears poured down her cheeks as she narrated what happened. Tamara Carver consoled her best friend as best as she could. She knew how very jealous EJ could be but never expected him to make such a rash move, considering how long he'd waited to earn Olivia's love.

'But you did explain the situation?'

'I did, for all the good it did. EJ just wouldn't believe me…' Olivia wiped her tears with the back of her hand. 'He was so cold and hateful Tam; I just can't believe it's over between us. After all we planned and promised each other...' she covered her face with her hands again.

Sitting next to her friend on a bench at the docks, Tamara hugged Olivia, stroking her ringlets. 'I'm so sorry sweetie, very sorry.' She murmured sadly. 'Don't cry; it's going to be all right. Listen, I'll talk to him.'

'No, no… don't do that.' Olivia raised her head. 'I won't crawl to EJ DiMera. He's the one who decided to call it quits; if he believes I'll cling he can think again.' She wiped her eyes impatiently.

'What will you do now?'

Olivia laughed mirthlessly, a harsh sound. 'What else can I do? Pick up the pieces and move on.'

Tamara dared to ask, 'With Nathan?'

'Down with Nathan and every man on the face of the earth; I don't even want to hear the word love again.'

'Maybe it's for the best.' Tamara squeezed her shoulder. 'I know you loved EJ, still love him, but think about what you two would've faced from everyone about your relationship… your parents, your Uncle Roman- they wouldn't have accepted EJ being in your life, never. Can you imagine how Uncle Abe felt when he found out Lexie was a DiMera?'

'But they got back together.'

'Yeah, that amazed everyone; including me. He didn't want to have anything to do with his "DiMera wife" but it turned out his love for her was far stronger than her pedigree; for him and for her friends. EJ…' she shrugged, 'he's changed a lot since he met you; that's the reason why I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.'

'Something he has trouble of giving me.'

'A guy in love with a girl that's been beyond his reach is more jealous than a guy who's been married for more than a decade. Not that I'm defending what he did, mind, he was being a shit thinking that way about you.'

Olivia smiled faintly at her loyal friend, even though she sorely felt like bawling all over again. But Olivia Brady was no weakling. She would get through this; come what may. And she was being selfish, crying over a breakup while her beloved mother was being terrorized by some cowardly pervert. Carly needed her more than ever and Olivia was going to put in her time of protecting her.

'Thanks, Tam.' She hugged the petite young woman warmly. 'You always say the right things. It's going to be hard but… I'll be okay eventually.' She suddenly frowned over Tamara's shoulder. 'What the hell is he doing back here?'

Tamara turned to see the portly figure of Victor Kiriakis coming up to them. And the old son of a bitch was smiling at them as though they've forgotten what he'd allowed Vivian Alamain to do.

'Olivia, fancy running into you. How've you been, my dear?' He nodded at Tamara who only gave him a look that could peel paint. Bo's revelations at the memorable dinner party was still fresh in everybody's minds.

'Right now, about to lose my breakfast. Why are you back in Salem, to atone for your numerous sins?'

Her harsh words wiped the smile off her grandfather's face. 'Salem's my home and it's not like I can hide away forever.'

Olivia scoffed. 'Oh… but you were ready to do that years ago after you framed my mother for,' raising her hands to air quote with her fingers, 'murdering you. And that was after you tried to kill my father because she rightly dumped you. You hated her so much since then so no wonder that witch was able to convince you I wasn't your granddaughter. You knew she was planning to do, the whole time!'

'Olivia, I promise you…'

'Don't start that over again, Victor. I care more about what Vivian did to my mother; what you allowed to happen to her!'

Victor gave her an impassive stare. 'I guess we can't make peace, like I hoped we would.'

'That's right. I can never, will never, forgive you for covering up for Vivian. Just like I'll never forgive you for the horrible things you did to my parents.' Olivia said, her expression hard. 'And from now on, when you see me on the street, pretend you don't know me! Tamara, let's get out of here.'

For the umpteenth time, Victor Kiriakis was left to stand and watch as a member of his family walked away from him.

:::::::

'Let's grab her tonight.' Dean said.

Patrick shook his head. 'Not now.'

'When?' Dean demanded angrily. They were in a rented cabin several miles from town. It was secluded, the safest place to hide and the perfect place to keep their quarry. No one would be near enough to hear her yells for help and it would be no point her escaping… on foot anyway.

Patrick smiled, his eyes dancing with mischief. 'Before we nab her, I want Bo to suffer emotionally. When his precious little girl's gone, believe me… he'll be pretty broken.' Since his decision to nab Olivia Brady instead of Carly Brady, he'd followed the young woman, heavily disguised. The times he did, she was never alone; she was with a family member, the mayor's niece or with Ciara, whom he could care less about. But then, he'd seen the most unlikely person with her and he still hadn't gotten over it.

Dean's eyes widened as his partner told him who the person was and what he intended to do with the precious weapon at his disposal. 'You're one mean, clever son of a bitch, Lockhart!' he laughed loudly.

Patrick shrugged modestly. 'Part of my charm, partner; part of my charm.'

::::::

Olivia closed the front door behind her and was about to climb up the stairs when she heard Carly's voice from the living room. 'Olivia, is that you?'

'Yes, Ma.' Olivia entered the living room. Carly was sitting on the couch, looking very pale; her eyes fixed on her daughter.

'Ma, what's wrong?' Olivia asked immediately. 'Is it the stalker? Did he call again? What did he say?'

Carly said nothing.

Olivia hurried to her. 'Ma, don't worry, I'm here for you; anything I can do for you, you know I'll do it.'

'That's good to know.' Carly said, her voice quiet. 'Because right now, I want you to explain this, before I show it to your father.'

She held something up in her hand. It was her precious sketch, only it was no longer in its frame.

'My sketch! Ma, what the hell?' Olivia exclaimed in surprise and anger at this invasion of her privacy.

Carly turned it round to show Olivia what was inscribed at the back. "To my Angel, from E.J"

Carly put the paper down, eyes not leaving Olivia's face. 'I'm waiting for an explanation, young lady. And I want the truth.'

Olivia stared at her, dumbfounded.