Chapter 45
"Momma, it's so good to have you here. Make yourself at home. I'm glad you decided to stay on for a few extra days. Even though we won't have much time together we will make it purposeful. As you can see the condo is basically shut down except for my bedroom as we continue to transition to the penthouse. Fitz and I are staying here until we are able to move in together. As it turns out that will be this weekend. I'm glad that I didn't have to convince you to stay on at the hotel. I didn't want you here alone at night while I'm working. I think you will find the hotel much more comfortable than being here especially with all the amenities at your disposal.
When Fitz arrives on Friday, we will spend the day together before we move into the penthouse. It's ready but neither one of us wanted to move in without the other. Saturday morning after I leave the hospital I will come here, shower and get ready for a momentous event in my life. In the light of day Fitz and I will move into our new home together!
He intends to pick me up and carry me over the threshold Momma. Finally, everything is in. The place is completely furnished. Fitz insisted on everything new. I didn't even attempt to talk him out of it. However, I am taking the furnishings in this bedroom. The things in here were my second purchase as an independent woman. They came with me from Atlanta. Fitz understands the sentimentality of it. Everything else is brand new. Having picked out everything together the place is a combination of both of our preferences. It's hard to believe that I will live in such a place. When money is no object your entire world changes. At least my entire world has. Fitz' world is now my world and I've made peace with it. To love the man, I must live in his world. I'm embracing it!"
"As you should Olivia. Being born into money is a blessing. And in the case of Fitzgerald Grant, money hasn't tainted his character. He's a fine young man and he's chosen you to share his life with. Love him well and enjoy all he has to offer you."
"I intend to enter into my life with Fitz with a most open mind. I have chosen to share my life with him as well. We're going to mesh our two lives together, love each other, and build a family. I'm so happy Momma.
Have you decided on what day you're going home? If you're still going to be here on Friday you can leave the hotel and spend some time with us at the penthouse. My schedule won't change but Fitz will be there all weekend and Monday morning. We would love having you there with us."
"I'm looking forward to seeing the penthouse. It's quite spectacular from the videos I've seen. I can't wait to visit you there. I haven't minded staying at the hotel at all. It's quite comfortable. And I've enjoyed the company of James. In fact, I've had breakfast with him for the last two mornings."
"You and Uncle Jim are still talking. I'm so glad Momma. I know you two will never be best friends but I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see you two conversing and being half-way friendly toward each other. I bet you're finding out that he isn't such a bad guy."
"Olivia, I've always known that James Lockheed was a good guy. He and I used to be friends before I married Thomas. It was only after I married Thomas that our friendship soured."
"It's great that you two are getting along. With Uncle Jim staying there as well, I won't worry about you while I'm working. You don't mind if I ask him to hang out with you, will you? I mean I know you aren't a child and Fitz' people are watching out for you but Uncle Jim is like family, you know."
"I do know. I wouldn't mind at all. I enjoy James' company. We've come to an understanding. We both have seen a way forward."
"You have? Oh my! Fitz said only the other day that you two seemed friendly, for devout enemies. Now I know why. You two have decided to let bygones be bygones. Uncle Jim knows Boston pretty well. He has visited several times over the four years I've been here. He knows his way around. We found this place together after only one day of searching.
Momma, you can't know how much Uncle Jim means to me. I could never discuss him before because of the mutual dislike going on between you. He's a very good man. He's been more of a father than a godfather if the truth is told. I've shared things with him a girl would normally only share with a father. He's been there for me and Tommy too. And now you two are hanging out? I can't tell you happy that makes me!"
"Again, I must say that I've always known your godfather was a good man. He stepped in and filled a void neither Thomas Pope nor I were capable of filling because of the twisted relationship we had. Thankfully that phase of all of our lives is over. You have grown into a mature woman that has her head straight on her shoulders. You are a scholar and doctor that will change the world in some capacity, I'm sure.
The fact that you've found love and happiness along the way is such a blessing. You have found a man that offers you love, happiness, and security for a lifetime. Your life is on a remarkable path Olivia. The influence and love that James Lockheed has shown you as a father-figure is mostly responsible for putting you on that path. I owe him a great debt for his devotion to you and to Tommy. I'm pleased that we are mending fences."
"What a great way to start this day with two of my favorite people reconciling. I'm free until six-thirty this evening. You've had breakfast, right?"
"I have, less than two hours ago. I couldn't possibly eat anything else right now. The food was positively divine. I think room service is still angling for a Grant-sized tip. We found out there's a Jamaican chef on staff. She prepared an excellent brunch with a Caribbean flair. I'm stuffed."
"I'm not really hungry right now either. Come, let's find a comfortable seat and sit. You must fill me in on the details of your divorce. You out-maneuvered Thomas Pope Momma. You freed yourself! Quite frankly I didn't think that you would. He had a tight grip upon you. You didn't open your mouth until he implied that you could. What changed? How did you break away?"
"You inspired me, Olivia. That day he dared to raise a hand to you opened my eyes. On top of that he banished you from your home just as he did your brother. Little did he know that I planned to go the day you flew the coop for good. My hope was to see you practicing medicine and able to care for yourself. Then you met your Mr. Grant and everything changed. It was a love match between you. I could see it right from the first. When the man presented himself to Overton Place to confront Thomas Pope and made plain what you were to him, I knew you would be well. I could go and reclaim myself and perhaps mend my life."
"I knew in my heart that you were only there for me once Tommy left. I'd been a buffer between the two of you from childhood. I had to let go Momma. You had to see that the life you led was not a life, but an existence. Father didn't value nor love you. He shamed us all with his unseemly behavior. I couldn't have done it, suffering in silence for years as he battered your body and your mind.
When Tommy first told me what he suspected and later found to be true I couldn't believe it. The fact that he is an adulterer was bad enough but to lay hands upon you. You hid it well Momma. When Tommy found out and confronted him father tried to brush it off. Tommy wouldn't let him. It was the beginning of the end for the two of them. When father interfered between Cassandra and Tommy that was a fatal blow to an already contentious relationship. Tommy wasn't going to allow him to decide the skin tone of his mate and neither would I. Our choices have cost us the attention of a man that was a father in name only. He's obviously a racist. I must say we are better off without him!
Father was also your husband in name only. No real husband treats a woman as you have been treated. I'm relieved that you left him. It was very cunning of you to save every cent that you could over the years to assist you in your flight from him. He undoubted expected you to run back to him penniless with nowhere else to go."
"Yes, I expect he did but once I set foot out of that door wild horses couldn't drag me back. Thomas Pope and I are done. In essence we should have never begun. It was a doomed pairing but that is a discussion for another day. Let's move on from this tedious conversation. Tell me more about your penthouse."
"So, Drey we are straight with the Thomas Pope fiasco?"
"Yes. That man is unbelievable Fitz. He was angling to make as much money as he could off of the transactions. I find it very hard to believe that the man I was talking to was Olivia's father. She's the sweetest girl, so unpretentious and loveable. That man on the other hand is pure scum! He was trying to up the price we had settled on continuously. He seemed to think because he was dealing with a woman, he could renegotiate the deal. The poor fool didn't realize that he actually got a break by dealing with me. You would've crushed him on the first phone call."
"This is true. The man makes my skin crawl. That's why I turned this project over to you. He abused his entire family. Mentally he abused them all but he had only physically abused Olivia's mother. And he thought to put his hands on Olivia. It would be my personal delight to destroy the man but he is her father. She wouldn't exist if not for his sorry ass. That's the only reason I haven't destroyed him. He didn't show up for Olivia graduation nor any of the events. It was for the best."
"The man hemmed and hawed for days before he realized that there wouldn't be any negotiation. The first offer I sent him was the only offer he was going to get and he finally realized it! The items have arrived and are at the penthouse."
"That's great. Again, thanks Drey for handling that situation. I could probably never explain to the woman I intend to marry that I've strangled the life from her father. Okay, fill me in on the Bryant case. Exactly where are we?"
Thomas Pope was planning to drop by Olivia's later today, actually tonight. He assumed Tessa would be there. He would finally get a chance to see her face to face. Hopefully all of this mess would be over by weeks' end. He still hadn't decided exactly how their reunion would go. He would want the entire island to know that they had reconciled. Presenting themselves around the island and attending a couple of grand affairs could accomplish that. He did intend to remarry the woman but not until she proved herself worthy of the Pope name.
That house and those cars would be sold. What need would she have for them once she returned to Overton Place? Once he got his money back, he would make a grand gesture of increasing her budget and pin money. He would allow her to update the style of Overton Place with all those fancy furnishings she had bought for that house of hers. Once things were as they should be they would be quietly remarried by one of his friends in the magistrate's office and this ridiculous episode in their lives would be over.
He had come to believe that Olivia and her wicked influence from living in America had played a part in Tessa becoming this new persona he had seen. With Olivia gone from the island and probably never to return, her influence would be gone. He could once again mold Tessa into the proper wife!
"Olivia, have a great first night as a doctor. I'm so happy for you. We've had such a great day. And this is a great way to end it. I had planned to return to the condo around the same time tomorrow. Why don't I wait until you call me? From what you've told me you haven't any idea how this first night of duty could be. You are working in an emergency department. You could be up the entire night!"
"You're right Momma, I could be. I anticipate being home by eight at the latest. But let me call you after I see how my night goes. Perhaps we will plan for an early meal before I leave for the night. Are you okay with that?"
"I'm perfectly okay with that. I just want to spend some time with you if I can Olivia. I was accustomed to you leaving for the states. After all I've seen you off for the last eight years. Only difference was I knew you were never coming back this time. Your father precipitated your early departure and we didn't have a proper goodbye. Today, we started to amend that. That's what we're doing Olivia, catching up and having a proper mother-daughter goodbye. We have a couple of more days together before Fitz gets home. I'm more than grateful."
"Me too Momma. Well, we are here. I'm so excited. People will be calling me Dr. Pope tonight. All night, isn't that wonderful? I wish Nana had lived to see this."
"She would've been so proud Olivia. I imagine she's looking down from heaven right now. Bye, my dearest daughter, I shall see you tomorrow."
"Bye Momma. See you tomorrow morning, Josh." With those words Olivia Pope exited the car door that had been opened for her. She looked up at the cloudy Boston skies and she smiled. She didn't see her precious Nana's face in the clouds but she heard her as clear as a bell when she spoke to her."
"Have a great day my darling girl."
Tessa returned to the hotel feeling very good about her day. Jimmy was waiting for her. They planned to talk to Olivia this weekend and they were getting on with their lives. Olivia was very happy. She was fulfilling her dreams. What mother wouldn't be happy for that. Now she was on a path to secure her own happiness. Jimmy had moved his things into her suite. Without a doubt as Jimmy had said, Fitzgerald Grant would be informed that he was spending his nights in Tessa's suite. Obviously, he hadn't told Olivia because if she had known she would've asked her about it. And if the truth be told, Fitzgerald Grant was a wise man not to tell her. Whatever story there was to be told concerning she and Jimmy was theirs to tell. Again, Olivia had chosen well!
"You're back. How was your afternoon with Olivia?"
"It was very nice. We talked the afternoon away. She was very excited to be dropped off at the hospital. I'm so proud of our daughter. She's going to be an excellent doctor. How was your afternoon? Did you finalize things about the condo? Are you selling it as you did the one in Atlanta?"
"No. I'm not selling it Tessa. Our daughter will be in this place for years as you know. We will want to visit her. We could stay with them as they have plenty of room in that penthouse of theirs, but we will be newlyweds ourselves when we return. We will want our privacy. I'm keeping it for us Tessa. When we return here you will get to furnish it as you see fit. It will be our first home together."
"Jimmy, that's a wonderful idea. I love it! Have you had dinner?"
"I was waiting for you. Are you hungry?"
"A little, Olivia and I only had small salads. Are you hungry?"
"Actually I am. I didn't want to eat in case you hadn't eaten so we could eat together."
"How sweet of you to wait for me. Are we dining out or in tonight?"
"Let's check out one of these five-star restaurants in the building. You choose one."
Thomas Pope had arrived at Olivia's gated community. He was betting on the entry code being the same as when he visited Olivia last. He pulled up to the side where visitors entered. He punched in the code. The doors swung open. He smiled to himself. He was so brilliant. He drove the rental car through the gate. He knew exactly where he was going. He drove straight there and pulled into the driveway.
Thomas Pope got out of his car and walked up to the door of the condo. He took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. He tidied himself and waited for Tessa to open the door. Suddenly he heard a male voice come through a microphone. It was cultured and clear but it wasn't Fitzgerald Grant. He would never forget that voice. This voice had been cultured as well but it was also harsh and menacing.
"How may I help you?"
"I'm here to see my daughter Olivia."
"Miss Pope isn't here."
"May I speak with her mother then?"
"You are Thomas Pope?"
"I am Indeed. Why am I being interrogated? Who are you?"
"Security Sir; Miss Pope isn't in residence. I need you to leave the property."
"What nonsense is this? I'm here to visit my daughter. There's no law against that even in America."
"No, sir there isn't. However, I've informed you that Miss Pope isn't in residence."
"Yes, but my wife is here and I'd like to speak with her. My daughter lives here and I have every right to visit and to see her mother, my wife if I choose to. Whoever you are, you have overstepped your bounds. Grant can't keep me off of this property. I know you are one of his lackeys. I demand to see my wife."
"Ms. Adderley, your ex-wife has retired for the evening Mr. Pope. Furthermore, you aren't on the list of approved visitors."
Thomas Pope was seething. Grant had done this and Olivia was complicit with it. They had conspired to keep him from Tessa. He said nothing further. He walked down the steps and back to the rental car. He was so angry. How dare Grant interfere with he and his family! He had Olivia completely under his control for her to agree to bar him from her residence. To be more exact, to keep him from Tessa. He was tempted to return here in the light of day when Olivia was here. How dare she attempt to keep her parents from reconciling?
He didn't want trouble while here in the states. His involvement with one of his classmates at medical school decades ago had involved an arrest. He had been charged with a serious crime. Luckily, he had persuaded the other classmate that was part of the encounter to tell the truth. He didn't have to force women to lie down with him! The lying bitch was forced to recant and tell the truth. Nonetheless he had been arrested and treated like a common criminal all on the word of a lying deceitful woman. Women were simply not trustworthy. Case in point, here he was forced to communicate with strangers in order to talk to his own wife! He would return tomorrow night and talk to Tessa!
"Good evening, Mr. Grant. I assume you were informed that Mr. Pope had shown up at the condo tonight. He claimed he was here to see his daughter and his "wife." I didn't get into semantics with him. I told him that Miss Pope wasn't in residence and Miss Adderley had retired for the night. No. He didn't show up at the Bostonian. He returned to his hotel.
I assure you sir; your fiancé and her mother are well protected. We have been monitoring the man since his arrival in Boston. As predicted, he tried to initiate contact with his ex-wife once Miss Pope had gone to the hospital. Miss Adderley was returned to the Bostonian as soon as Miss Pope was dropped off at Mass General. She was never in any danger as she was never planning to spend her nights here at the condo.
Upon returning to her suite at the Bostonian, once again Miss Adderley was joined by Mr. James Lockheed where he remained throughout the night. Since that one disagreement in the hallway a few nights ago, they apparently have resolved their differences. There's no need for concern. All is well here."
Fitz wasn't worried about Olivia nor her mother. There were orders in place. Thomas Pope wasn't to communicate with either one of them without his knowing about it. He knew the man was up to no good when he showed up in Boston and didn't attend his own daughter's graduation publicly but in the shadows. Now, he was presenting himself at the condo under the pretext of wanting to see his daughter. He knew Olivia wouldn't be there. He was trying to get to Tessa. The foolish man didn't heed his warning. Olivia and all that she loves and cherishes is under his protection. Tessa would never be available to him again!
He also wasn't surprised to learn that Tessa and Uncle Jim were involved. He had sensed it and observed a connection with his own eyes. Olivia was currently blinded by what she knew of their past history to the point that she was overlooking their current involvement. And they were involved! Uncle Jim had his eyes trained on Tessa when he thought no one was watching. Tessa's reactions to the man weren't as obvious but they were there. They had a connection! From a public hallway shouting match, they were now cohabiting in one suite.
He was going to have to tell Olivia about their liaison. It was possible Tessa would share the connection herself. If not, he would be compelled to do so. He had told Olivia there was something between them and he was right. In the meantime, when Olivia called tonight, he would tell her about her father.
"That was a wonderful meal. The lamb chops were delicious. I wanted to suck the bones."
"You should have Tessa. You can always be yourself with me. You know that don't you?"
"Of course, I do and I would have done so if we were in the privacy of the suite. I only gobble and gnaw in private. I suspect Chef Dominika had a hand in those chops. The seasonings paired with the searing in butter was excellent. How was your duck?"
"Do I really need to answer that? You weren't the only one wanting to suck the bones! The duck curry was incredible. Almost as good back home. And the wild rice wasn't simply wild rice. Wonder if I can tempt the chef to move to Caymans to cook for us?"
"It wouldn't hurt to ask. I was also totally impressed. Of course, the entire staff knows we are either friends or family of Fitzgerald Grant. I suspect they think we are all wallowing in money. Speaking of Fitz, the man has been so gracious. He has made the stay here in America an exceptional one.
My only other visit was like it never happened. When Thomas and I came to Atlanta we arrived the night before Olivia's graduation and left the next day. Thomas threw a fit about the celebration dinner remember? He wanted to have a celebration meal in a party room at a place called Golden Corral where everyone paid for their own meal. Thank-you for stepping in and providing Olivia with a proper graduation dinner."
"Nothing has changed Tessa I will still do anything for Olivia. Her graduation was a big deal. That little soiree in Atlanta was a very nice celebration but this one is one I shall never forget. I know that with a great amount of certainty. This celebration has brought us back together Tessa."
"Yes, it has. I'm praying that this weekend proves to be another positive for us. When our daughter learns the truth and the circumstance of her conception, I'm praying that she will forgive me. I must admit I'm a little worried. Olivia has always seen everything in black and white. Her scientific mind allows for little middle ground or a gray area. She may not understand where my head was back then. I was so alone. The only one I could truly trust was Aunt Naomi. And she was islands away. Olivia may see me as a manipulator and coward for staying in the marriage. Lying about her paternity for twenty-five years seems so wrong right now!"
"Tessa you are nervous because a day of reckoning is coming. It is to be expected. I can't say for sure that this situation with Olivia will turn out as we both hope. However, Olivia is a very intelligent woman. She's not a child. And despite being raised as Thomas Pope daughter she has a kind heart. I believe that our daughter will show you grace and forgiveness for what was done. Your actions weren't stellar but they were necessary for your survival and the welfare of her brother. Who knows what Thomas Pope was capable of at that time? She will be shocked at the news but she loves her mother, Tessa. She will forgive you just as I have done."
"I hope and pray you're right. I have you back Jimmy but I don't want to lose my daughter!"
"I don't believe you will. When you tell her the truth she will absorb it, analyze it, and accept it. We've all made mistakes in this situation. I will make sure she's aware of my part in this tangled web. I still say the fault mainly lies with me. I should never have allowed your marriage to Thomas Pope. It's as simple as that. When we tell her the truth of her parentage, I will make that plain. Don't hang on to this Tessa. All will be well."
"You have always been an optimist, Jimmy. Having you by my side will help a lot. I was so convinced that I was doing the right thing then. As I stand here now, I'm having all sorts of doubts."
"Again, you are nervous because you are days from divulging your secret of twenty-five years. It will affect all of our lives. It's a big deal, we know that. Take a deep breath and remember I will be right there with you."
"Yes, you will be. We will get through this together. Let me tell you about my day with our daughter. It was a great day all of it. We touched on many topics. It was good to know that we could start right where we left off on the island. She knows that I'm her number one advocate. And she's happy, Jimmy. I have to believe that she would want that same happiness for us, her true parents."
"Keep those thoughts in your head Tess. We are her parents and we have loved her all of her life. There will be astonishment and disbelief when she hears the truth. There's no doubt about that. I was reeling at first until my head cleared. Of course, Olivia was mine. She was born nine months after you left me and on more than one occasion, she has reminded me so much of my own mother. Not necessarily in appearance but mannerisms and actions. Once you told me the truth. It all became clear. And I still loved you, Tessa. You are the girl's mother. She won't forsake you. What time are you returning to Cambridge tomorrow?"
"Olivia is going to call me after getting home and taking a nap. We're spending the afternoon together again. I would ask you to join us but I want this time with Olivia. I've missed her so much. I hope you don't mind being shut out for a few days. This one-on-one time with her is precious to me. I hope you understand. My plan is to find out what day will be best for us to come over this weekend. Then the two of us will tell her about our relationship and that we are her parents. I think it would be the best approach."
"We're doing this the way you want it done Tessa. You're calling the shots. We know it has to be done and it will be. Let's shelve all talk about the "reveal" for now. Let's concentrate on us for the rest of the evening. It's too early for bed. We could get into all sorts of trouble going to bed this early. Any suggestions for the rest of our evening? It's cold as the dickens out there but I would brave the elements for you."
"I have no desire to go back outside. I can't believe it's so cold here this time of year. Let's see what the hotel movie collection has to offer. We can maybe watch a couple and then call it a night."
"Hi Sweet Baby, how are you? I was worried that you wouldn't get a chance to call me tonight. How are things going? Rough night?"
"I'm working the ED on a Tuesday night in Boston. According to the attending, Tuesday nights can be just as bad as a weekend night. It has been hectic but to be honest, I'm enjoying every minute of it. I'll tell you more when I see you Friday. How are you? I miss you so much. Friday can't get her soon enough. This is my first break. It's only for ten minutes. We'll get a thirty-minute lunch break sometime during the night. There are six of us here tonight. Only two of us are from Harvard. We are shadowing three ED specialists rotating every four hours. These first six hours have been nonstop and very fascinating. Interaction with emergent patients is much different than my free clinic experience."
"I'm glad you are enjoying it but it sounds like you've been at it for hours. It's two am Olivia. Are you alright? Did you eat something? How much time do you have to talk?"
"I'm fine Fitz. I had an early dinner with my mother. I know it sounds hectic but I really loved it. I have five more whole minutes. I just needed to hear your voice. I'm sorry to awaken you. I couldn't get away to make a call at eleven. It's the first time we haven't talked between eleven o'clock and midnight since we met. It so felt odd. I really miss you."
"I miss you too Sweet Baby. Friday can't get here soon enough. Do you have any idea what your weekend will be like. Will you still be on nights?"
"All weekend unfortunately nights are the deal. Day rotations won't start until September. However, I'll be home every day while you here. I promise."
"I know you will Olivia and I'll be waiting."
"What about you? How was your day?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary. I had morning court and spent the afternoon and a large part of the evening in the office. I have court tomorrow at nine."
"And here I am waking you up in the middle of the morning."
"Truth is, I was wide awake waiting for your call. I needed to hear your voice as well. At eleven o'clock I was waiting for our nightly call and by midnight I was in a full-blown panic. I'm going to have to become accustomed to you "working" at night. To be honest, I was worried. I don't want to alarm you Olivia but your father is in Boston. He didn't show himself but Security is pretty sure he was at your graduation on Sunday. And he came to the condo last night. I'm pretty sure that he knew you weren't there and he was hoping to see your mother. Exactly what he was hoping to accomplish other than accost your mother when she was alone, I don't know."
"What? He's in town and actually came to the house?"
"Yes. Security was on it of course but it's obvious he had a plan. Your mother doesn't know. I'm pretty sure he was expecting her to be there alone and vulnerable. I hesitated to bring this up tonight while you're at the hospital and upset you. But you need to know. That was a good suggestion that you had to have your mother remain at the Bostonian. They have their own security and Grant Global Security is still on the floor as well. And they will be there until your mother leaves to return to the Caymans. So, rest easy about the welfare of your mother. We both knew to a certain extent that your father would reach out to her at some point hoping to influence her back into his grip."
"Yes, we did discuss it but I had hoped that it was fallacy and that he wouldn't be so stupid. Especially to show up in Boston and try something. I need to contact Uncle Jim and tell him that my father is here."
"No Olivia. You don't have to do anything but concentrate on being a medical resident. I told you I would protect your mother and I will. Concentrate on what is expected of you at the hospital. Leave this to me. Your mother will be safe. I'm in communication with the security team. Your mother is safe in her suite. I intend to talk to Uncle Jim myself to advise him of the situation. Trust me Olivia all is well."
"Oh my god, Fitz! What would I do without you?"
"You are never going to know Olivia because I will always have your back. Your family is my family. Remember that and rest easy. I would never let anything happen you or those that you love, never!"
"Oh god, I wish I could see you, hold you, and tell you how much I love and appreciate you loving me. I'm the luckiest woman in the world. I have to get back Fitz but I don't want to!"
"I feel the exact same way but it's all normal what we are feeling. We're apart and we don't want to be. Now your father is in the mix. Knowing that your father is on the prowl only intensifies the distance between us. I've got this. You go back to work. Call me later today if you can. If I'm in court leave a message with Drey. If not, hopefully I'll hear from you at eleven. After I get the morning report from Security, I plan to give Uncle Jim a call. What I want you to do is not worry. Finish your shift and go home and rest. By noon tomorrow the issue of Thomas Pope will be behind us. Okay.?"
"Okay. I love you. I'll talk to you later."
"I love you more. Good night."
Fitz went to the contacts in his phone. He was looking for James Lockheed's phone number. The talk he intended to have with him this weekend would have to occur sooner rather than later. It was almost two-thirty in the morning. He'd leave a text for the man to call him first thing tomorrow morning. He wanted this thing with Thomas Pope nipped in the bud.
His text read: Uncle Jim, this is Fitzgerald Grant. Please call me tomorrow morning at your earliest convenience. Thomas Pope is in Boston and I'd like to discuss it with you. Please don't alarm Miss Adderley with this news. Olivia is already distressed about it. I'd rather not alarm her mother just yet if we don't have to. Call me when you get this text.
"I don't know when I watched two movies in a row. It's almost two o'clock in the morning. It was so much fun. That comedy was hilarious and that horror movie was scary as could be! I would never watch some so terrifying Jimmy. In fact, the last time I watched a scary movie was with you before Thomas came back. I didn't like them then either. I only watched them because of you. I loved being with you Jimmy. Every minute we spent together was absolute heaven for me. I hope you know that."
"My memories are vivid Tessa. I remember what our time was like together. Not a moment of it is erased from my memory. My greatest joy is going to be not reliving those memories but creating new ones. I've never stopped loving you Tessa, not for one minute."
They were standing at the entrance to the bedroom suite. They were going to sleep in each other's arms again tonight. They were both struggling with their need for the other. They had been separated for thirty years except for one glorious night. They had loved each other for hours and neither one of them had forgotten a minute of the tryst. They had stopped at the door.
Tonight, had been so much fun giggling at that first silly movie. And later Jimmy holding her tightly as she turned her head from the gore of the latest Scream movie. Now they walked hand in hand to a place where temptation was rampant. She knew his weaknesses. She could make him fail in his vow. She knew that. At first, she had been determined to make him break it. He had calmly and proudly told her why he was denying them both the pleasure they both desired and needed after being apart for so long. She could still hear his words spoken so solemnly and plain.
"I don't intend to know the pleasures of your body again Tessa, not until I marry you. The next time we make love we will be husband and wife."
She was shell-shocked of course. Most men rarely turned down a ready and willing woman. She had practically presented herself to him naked. Her short see-through nightie basically said, "Fuck me right now." She had thought of little else for months but lying down with James Lockheed again. The man had been reluctant and she had wanted to know why. Well now she knew, and she had promised herself she would wait with a smile on her face. Jimmy wanted them on solid ground. They had done things wrong before. In fact, more or less ass-backwards. What they were aiming for this time was the stars and forever. He was going to marry her and that fact made her smile with happiness.
Tessa looked up at Jimmy and her smile was dazzling. Jimmy's heart jumped in his chest. She was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Age if anything had made her more beautiful. Damn, he wanted her so much. He was remembering the way she looked underneath her clothing, the feel of her voluptuous breasts, the taste of her, and how it felt to be buried deeply inside of her. God, if she tempted him tonight, could he resist her?
She raised up their entwined hands and placed a gentle kiss on the back of his. She was going to ask a favor. Their movie night had been so perfect. They had ordered popcorn, cokes, and concession candy, the works. She had loved every minute of it. It was a grand thing, this night. It was so reminiscent of the Cayman nights they had shared before she had married Thomas Pope. With their eyes locked on the other, she spoke.
"I want a favor. I want a real kiss, Jimmy. I promise it's not going to lead to anything. We both have agreed to abstinence. What harm can a real kiss do?"
James untangled their hands and pulled her into his arms. He was looking at her as if he could eat her alive. There was fire in his eyes! He turned her and backed her against the wall. He placed his hands on the wall one on each side of her head. Damn, she was beautiful and he wanted her so much.
He moved his body into hers. James Lockheed worked out every day and it showed. In his fifties he was still mostly muscle and sinew. Right now, he was harder in some places than others. He fit his body to hers and ground his erection into her. He looked down at her and he wanted to devour her. He nudged his tongue at her lips and she opened her mouth. The kiss that followed was blistering. He plunged inside of her mouth and and she accepted him. Their tongues sucked, caressed, dueled, and mated. His hands left the wall and found her breasts kneading them roughly through fabric. Her hands were on his backside pulling him close. The kiss was hot and lasted for several exciting minutes. Finally, his lips left her mouth. He placed his forehead on hers. Tessa's heart was racing. His breath was harsh but his words were clear. It seemed as if they both opened their eyes at the exact same moment.
"Was that real enough for you Tess? Real kisses between us are going to be as fiery as they ever were. Not a damn thing has changed. Surely you know this! If there is any hope of me keeping my commitment not to have sex with you before we are married this time, our kisses can't be real kisses and we both know why."
Tessa was still dazed but her heart was beating fast. Her body was in a state she hadn't experienced in years. Jimmy was right. They shouldn't light fires that can't be quenched. She could only imagine what Jimmy was feeling right now. Her body had been rubbing up against what felt like pure steel. She could still feel it, feel him. He wanted her just as much she wanted him.
"I'm sorry Jimmy. I thought an innocent kiss…"
"Tess, the last innocent kiss between us occurred years ago. We haven't experienced one since the days we walked the beach and you only allowed a peck on the cheek good-bye. I know how quickly things can ignite between us. It seems you had forgotten. Is your memory any better now?
"Yes, it is. Our kisses always led to so much more. I'm sorry. I swear I wasn't trying to tempt you again. I simply wanted to kiss you."
"I know you weren't. I remember how much you liked kissing. You were just being you. A week to ten days is what I see ahead of us. After that I'm going to marry you and give you as many real kisses as you want in all the places you want. Let's get ready for bed my sweet, sweet Tess. And now could I ask for a favor as well?
"Of course. Anything."
"Could you wear the most unflattering thing you have in your wardrobe to bed tonight? In fact, did you happen to bring any potato sacks from the Caymans?"
