"I'll see who it is," Charles said, "Why don't you head to the living room and I'll be along as soon as I see what they want and send them on their way."
Kellie looked a little hesitant.
"I'll let you know if I need assistance dispatching a foe," Charles said, "But I doubt the guards are about to let anyone unfriendly just knock on the door."
Kellie nodded and went to the living room. Charlies waited a moment to compose himself and then opened the door to find Olivia standing on the porch holding several casseroles.
"Wow," Olivia said, "Sorry I knew I'd see you. I guess it still feels so unexpected."
"It's alright, Olivia," Charles said, "What brings you by?"
"I know I probably shouldn't have just shown up," Olivia said, "But I figured you could use some decent homecooked meals. I just wanted to drop them by and I'll be out of your hair."
"Well, thank you," Charles said, "Let me take those and I'll get them in the fridge."
Charles grabbed the casseroles from Olivia.
"Kellie's actually here right now if you want to say hello," Charles said.
"I'll do that," Olivia said, "Are you and her doing okay?"
"We're getting there. Nothing I didn't really expect from her," Charles said, quietly, "It was a bit like she was sixteen again and trying to push me away. I honestly wasn't sure for a moment if I'd be able to get through to her."
"But you got through to her," Olivia said, "And that's the only thing that matters."
"And Monica, how is she?" Charles asked, "Does she know? I would assume she knows something."
"That you're alive, she knows," Olivia said, "As for how she is, I'd suggest you ask her yourself. Monica said to tell you to reach out to her when you're ready."
"I'll do that eventually," Charles said, "It might be a few days. I still have to settle some things with the WSB.
"I'll mention it to her," Olivia said, "So why don't we get the casseroles in the fridge and I'll leave you and Kellie to catch up."
Olivia followed Charles who pointed her to the living room while he took the casseroles to the kitchen.
Kellie looked up, hearing footsteps enter the room, and was surprised to see Olivia.
"Mom," Kellie said.
"I just brought some lasagna and a couple other casseroles for Charles," Olivia said, sitting on the couch, "I had to pry Charles's location out of your Uncle Lorenzo though."
"I'm sure Charles will appreciate that," Kellie said.
"How is it having him back?" Olivia asked.
Kellie shrugged unsure how to answer.
"Good, I would hope," Olivia said.
"It is," Kellie said, "I just kind of trainwrecked things for a moment."
"Sounds like things are back on track right," Olivia said.
"They are," Kellie said, "They are it's just…I don't know."
"You don't know or you're refusing to talk about whatever's going through that gorgeous mind of yours," Olivia replied.
"When we found Dad, Sonny, in Nixon Falls," Kellie said, "I had this idea or this hope of what I thought him being back would be like, memory or no memory. Then it didn't pan out because Sonny was well being Sonny. Now this here with Charles back, it feels like what I'd hoped for with Dad last year. It…"
Kellie trailed off, holding back.
"Honey, It's okay to admit that Charles being back feels more like getting a father back," Olivia said, "Cause that's kind of what it feels like doesn't it?"
"I guess so it's just I'm not sure if that's actually right to feel I guess or I wasn't expecting it," Kellie said as Olivia realized Charles had stopped outside the room having heard some of the conversation, "Can we please just change the subject."
"Honey, I will drop the subject, but let me just say this," Olivia said, keeping Kellie's attention on her and away from Charles, "We both know your relationship with your father is complicated and well difficult. I don't know exactly what drove the current rift between you two or if or when that can be fixed. What I do know about it I understand your disappointment with Sonny. Lord, I knows I wanted to wring his neck a few times on your behalf last year. You know what, that's beside the point. You lucked out in the father-in-law department with Charles and have always had a great relationship with him. Don't let your disappointment with Sonny take away from how happy I know you must be that Charles is alive."
Kellie nodded, tearing up, as Olivia hugged her. Charles waited a few more moments before entering the room, carrying the hot chocolate mugs as Kellie and Olivia composed themselves.
"I think that is my cue to leave," Olivia said as Charles set his mug on the coffee table and handed Kellie the other mug.
"I'll walk you out," Charles said, "I'll be just a moment, okay, Kellie."
"You wouldn't want your hot chocolate to get cold now," Olivia said, moving before Charles could protest, "I can see myself out. Remember to get in touch with Monica."
Author's Note: As a reminder cause I know the Olivia/Kellie relationship can be confusing. While Olivia is not Kellie's biological mother, she is a mother figure to her and sometimes Kellie does call her mom.