Chapter 49

Tessa was trapped in her own little world of concern. She and James had talked late into the night about Olivia and the current situation. It was now another day. Olivia would be home from the hospital. Had Fitz already talked to Olivia about her Big Lie? If so, what had been her reaction? Of course it was possible he hadn't spoken to her yet. Olivia wouldn't just walk through the door and Fitz would bombard her with the news. He was much too sophisticated for that. At least she assumed he was. He had wasted little time telling them of his own plans!

She wouldn't have the luxury of telling Olivia the truth herself. Her fiancé had arrived in Boston with one purpose; Olivia would get the news from him! He had left his high-powered job and his New York life to come here and tell Olivia "HER" news. James had warned her the man would take matters into his own hands. Men with power backed up with billions of dollars, went through life using an entirely different playbook. She had taken a chance anyway. She had wanted Olivia to have someone to help her get through this revelation about her true parentage. Fitz was the logical choice to be by her side to comfort her. That wasn't enough apparently. Waiting until this weekend wasn't an option for him. He had flown in on his private jet to tell her himself!

Was she bitter? Was she angry at the man? Of course he was! The talks she and James had until the wee hours of the morning has eased the sting some. It had opened her eyes a lot. Fitzgerald Grant loved her daughter. The relationship he had with her was everything to him. Not telling Olivia the truth as soon as he knew it was out. To not tell her would put a wedge between them that he wouldn't allow. James told her that he would've done the same thing himself. Lies from the past had kept them apart. He asked her to look at the situation through eyes other than her own. Most of all, he asked her to think of Olivia first, even before her own feelings. Everything that was going on right now was about Olivia!

James realized the turmoil running through her. He realized that she had a plan she wanted to execute but it wasn't going to happen. From his perspective, any plan that told the truth was a good thing. Who delivered the truth was irrelevant. He asked her to put everything on the back burner but Olivia. If she would make this entire thing about Olivia, her thoughts, her dreams, her reactions, and her needs; her own journey would become secondary! He had been right. This entire thing was all about Olivia. She needed to know a truth long withheld from her. To create a breech within their families because of how she learned the truth was meaningless.

The morning light was here which surely meant that Olivia was home. In her bones she knew that her daughter now knew of her deception. Tessa was very nervous and afraid. She had toiled away and accepted the vilest forms of mistreatment for years in a loveless and cruel marriage. She had the love of her children and at one time she had thought it enough. Maybe it had been when they were actually children and needed the little love and protection she offered. The sad truth was as much as she had loved them; she hadn't protected them. Their childhoods had been warped and bizarre. She wasn't a good mother!

Trying to step up now and be the "good mother" was never going to work anyway. Just as Fitzgerald Grant had not so subtly implied, her job had been to step up years ago. More and more she was beginning to feel that Olivia was going to flat out hate her for this. She was going to reject her! She might have even destroyed the chance for James to establish a real father-daughter relationship! Fitz was angry with her. He hadn't said it out loud but she could feel it. He would blame her for any pain Olivia suffered from this. He was the most loving man on earth when it came to Olivia. However, she sensed that he could be hard and unforgiving.

James was fast asleep. He hadn't lost one moment of sleep over this thing. What will be will be, he had said. He wanted her to believe in their daughter. It was true Olivia had loved them a day ago without reservation. That was when she thought her mother was a woman recovering from a bad marriage and her god-father was a family friend seeing to her welfare. She now knew that they were her true parents. she imagined that Olivia was stunned at the revelation!

Tessa's eyes had been glued to the phone Fitz had sent them. She was willing it to ring. Her heart was in her throat. She was so frightened that all she had hoped for was going to come crashing down around her. She was going to lose her daughter. James was going to lose what relationship he had with Olivia and never establish a true father-daughter bond! Then her life with him would become forfeit. This newfound love of theirs would turn to shit and she would have nothing! God! She couldn't bear it! She couldn't! She couldn't lose Olivia and James! Why won't Olivia call them, dammit! Ring! Why won't the damn thing ring?

She got up from the bed and walked to the window. She pulled back the curtain just a little. It was raining. It was going to be an awful day in Boston. It would match the awful day in her life. Tears that she could no longer hold back flowed from her eyes. She closed the curtain and just stood there. The tears continued to flow uncontrollably. She shook her head and started to weep. At first her weeping was silent but eventually she was sobbing. She couldn't hold it all in anymore. She bent her head and let it all come out.

James immediately awakened to the pitiful sobbing. It was Tessa. The dam had finally broke. She had held in so much sorrow in her life. He wondered if she had ever really let herself go, cry it out. Abuse can take so many things away from you. It doesn't matter what the type of abuse is. The damage is physical and psychological. Tessa still had two sides to her. There was the broken humiliated side that Thomas Pope had controlled for years and there was the strong resilient side that had broken free. He loved her and every facet of her. He would see her put back together again. He would love her so much. His love and the counseling they both had agreed they needed as a couple would mend the heartbreak from her years with Thomas Pope.

He knew she was afraid and frightened that Olivia would reject her for her duplicity. Which could very well be true. However, he didn't see Olivia as vengeful and spiteful. He simply couldn't see the young loving woman he had known since her birth in that light. Her love for her mother and him would see them through this. He got up from the bed and went to her. Her sobbing made him want to cry himself and he hadn't shed a tear since Tessa had gotten up from his bed and returned to her husband twenty-five years ago. He composed himself and walked up to her. He embraced her from behind.

"It's just me Tessa. Let me hold you. Shed all the tears you want. I'm here. You're safe. I can't take away the pain of your past but I'm here. No matter what happens in the next few days, I'll be here with you today and in the future."

His words gave her the will to cry it all out. She cried with him holding her whispering words of love and encouragement for at least ten minutes before she turned in his arms. She still wept but the full all-out wailing had stopped. With tears steadily flowing from her eyes she finally spoke between broken sobs.

"Why doesn't the phone ring, Jimmy? We both know that he's told her. I knew she would be hurt and disenchanted with me but I'm still her mother. Doesn't she want to know why I did what I did? Won't she even give me a chance to explain? He's turned her against me!"

"Tessa, I know you are seeking someone to blame for your sorrow right now. It shouldn't be Fitzgerald Grant. He's not the blame for where we are right now. He isn't. If you seek a scapegoat, choose me. I should have married you myself all those years ago. We should be happily into three plus decades of marriage. Both Tommy and Olivia would be mine. We would have probably had even more children. We both wanted lots of children, remember? I failed you Tessa, not Grant. I know you are hurt and angry but don't point your anger where it doesn't belong."

"He could've let me tell her. I wanted to look her in the face and tell her you were her father. It would've been better if I told her. I wanted to do it! He wants to control everything."

"Tessa, the time had passed for you to tell Olivia the truth. She's not a child. She's not a girl. She a woman grown! You must accept that he had a right to step in and take the decision out of your hands. You gave him the right when you told him."

"I told him because I wanted him there for her. She would need him there to steady her and…"

"Tis done Tessa. You can cry about it, but it's done. Olivia is our daughter. We made her through the love we had for each other. She's the best of us. You know that. Trust her. She will come through this and so will we. We are her family. She will remember that."

"I hope you are right, Jimmy. I didn't sleep a wink last night. This horrible scene of Olivia refusing to even speak to us is playing over and over in my head. And that damned phone will not ring. I'm so afraid of losing her. She was all that I had for so long. It was me and Olivia strategizing how to keep the peace on Overton Place. God knows I should've told her years ago but I never saw myself here with you. I never thought I would get a chance to tell you the truth let alone Olivia. I hadn't developed a backbone then. I was a broken woman."

"You're not that woman now Tessa. You're yourself again. I know that. You will summon up the strength to get through this. You needed to shed these tears and wash recrimination from your soul. You were a victim Tessa but you aren't any more. You could've taken the secret of Olivia's paternity to your grave but you didn't. You're a brave and honest woman Tessa. You stepped out of the shadows and told the truth. I'm grateful for that. I love you more for that."

"I'm so glad that you do Jimmy. You could've turned your back on me. You could've stopped loving me."

"Never. And neither will our daughter. This is a life-changing event. Why do you think a hot shot New York City attorney has cleared his calendar and is here Boston? He had to come here and he had to tell Olivia. He loves our daughter Tessa. Loving and protecting her is now his chief priority. He will do it as automatically as he breathes."

"Yes, he will. I'm so sorry for this breakdown. I couldn't come up with any other reason for not hearing from Olivia other than she has chosen not to forgive me. The thought broke my heart to pieces. I found myself weeping uncontrollably. I'm sorry for you having to wake up to that."

"Tessa, your pain is my pain. I shall always be here in the future offering you a shoulder to cry on. I love you. I always have, always will. Do you want some breakfast?"

"I can't eat right now. Order you something if you're hungry. I need that phone to ring."

"It will ring. Give it time. In the mean time, you're going to eat something."

"Okay. Order for two. I promise to eat something."

Tessa's daughter had shed tears this morning as well. As the tears had streamed down Olivia's face. Fitzgerald Grant had meticulously kissed them away. It had hurt his very soul to watch Olivia cry over this thing. If there had been another way, he would have used it. Being straight and upfront was the way he lived his life. It was how he operated his business. It would be how he and Olivia would live their lives. The truth always was the way.

He had told Olivia the truth about her parentage. She now knew who her actual father was and that her mother had been lying to her throughout her life. It was shocking transformative news. It had rocked Olivia's world in a negative way. And for that he was sorry. Seeing tears streaming from her eyes had literally stopped his heart. She shouldn't have to cry about anything in this life. Ever! His anger at Tessa was up and down. He knew that the woman was caught between a rock and a hard place. When one is faced with unimaginable choices, bad choices are usually made. He had to show her some slack and Olivia was going to have to, as well.

However, he wanted her to come to that conclusion herself. He wouldn't add to her distress right now by hanging her mother out to dry. That wasn't his job. He was here to love and support Olivia.

"I know you are hurt Olivia. Your tears are painful to see. I'm deeply affected by your feelings. All of them good or bad. It's going to be alright. You will get through this. I'll be right here with you.

Olivia sniffed into the napkin he had given her. She'd had a good cry sitting in his lap. Fitz had held her throughout the episode telling her everything would be a fine. Nothing between them would change. She had loved her mother and her godfather last night when she left them after dinner. She still loved them. She was seeing them through a different prism. She had to accept that and learn to live with it. Did she plan to never speak to her mother again? Knowing that Uncle Jim was her actual father did it diminish her love for him? Of course not, was the answer to both questions.

"Talk to me and tell me what you're feeling. Let me help you wade through these troubled waters. I can. All you have to do is let me."

"What in the world would I have done without you here? I would've faltered Fitz. I know that with certainty. How did you manage to get off from court in order to be here with me? I know you should be in court right now. Drey has worked another one of her miracles, right?"

"Right! I'm tentatively here for the next two-weeks. If I need more. I'll take more. There's nothing or anyone more important than you Olivia. I knew you would need me here with you as you process this. I found a way with help from Drey and my team. I'm the boss Olivia. I run things in such a way that even when I'm gone things are supposed to run smoothly. That's the earmark of a well-run business and an office manager worth her weigh in gold! I would never have you alone at a time like this. Again, I need you to talk to me, Olivia. How are you really doing? What are you feeling right now? What can I do to help you?"

"You sound like Uncle Jim. He loves to throw spitfire questions just like that. I have often called him Perry Mason. What in the world will I call him now, Fitz? He's been Uncle Jim my entire life. I think I'm okay. What I feel right now is sort of helpless. I don't want to believe this thing but I know in my heart it's truth. Just be here for me Fitz, just be you. As long as I have you, I know I'll be alright."

"You will always have me, Olivia. Never doubt it. As for James Lockheed, he's your father, Olivia. One half of your existence is because of him. He's loved you everyday of your life like a father. What would you like to call him? What do you think he would like for you to call him?"

"I don't know. Honestly, he's been the father that I've always wanted. Uncle Jim has never once failed to be what I've needed him to be. I don't think I can ever call Thomas Pope, Father again. Nor do I want to call Uncle Jim, Father. To be honest I want to retire the word from my vocabulary."

"Do it then. Retire the word. You and Uncle Jim can up with a new moniker for him. Daddy, Papa, Dada, mon Pere, Poppi or you could continue to call him what you always have. I doubt he will care what you call him Olivia, again the man loves you. You've had a life changing revelation but somethings about your life will never change. I believe the love Uncle Jim has for you is one of them.

I know you are hurt and disillusioned right now but don't lose the perspective of truth in all of this. Don't let this family deception take you to a dark place. Yes, it's a breach of trust. It's hard to believe and to accept but you know these people, Olivia. Do you believe they would purposely hurt you? I don't think so. As much as I find fault with your mother's actions, I can't hold her totally responsible. Like you, I haven't heard a full accounting of what happened all those years ago but Tessa seemed to be a desperate woman at the time. Desperate people do desperate things. You deserve real time answers. And you must demand them, Olivia. You can't do that by throwing up a wall."

"I didn't say I wouldn't see or talk to them ever again. I simply cannot face them today. I don't want to. I do love them both. They are my parents. You're right, I wouldn't exist without them. But these lies and deception makes me wonder if I even know them at all! I'm basically simmering right now with a rage that I didn't know I was capable of! I've been lied to my entire life. I feel like such a fool."

"You're not a fool Olivia. You've had your entire life thrown off of its axis. You're spinning right now with so many emotions. You have every right to be angry and upset, you're hurting. None of us look for betrayal from those that are supposed to love us. It's not supposed to happen but it does. You must come to grips with the situation by facing it head on. I'm here beside you. Let me help you. Talk to me. Tell me what you're feeling."

"Honestly, I want to scream to the heavens. Every time I think about it my eyes fill with tears. I don't want to cry for another minute about this. I'm so sorry to have put you through that. Crying like that is a new experience for me. I did feel better letting out all those emotions. Thanks for just holding me and letting me cry it out."

"You have a right to cry Olivia. No one can be strong everyday of their lives especially when hit with news such as yours. You've cried and now we're talking. You are talking. That's a step forward. I know it's still early but I'm worried for you having to go into the hospital tonight. I know you've told me they expect residents to show up even dead but are you sure you'll be up for a twelve-hour shift tonight. I'm thinking ahead Olivia. This is emotional trauma that you have just experienced. Is it possible to call out sick a shift?"

"I have to be up for work, Fitz. It's my job. I'm not sick, I'm emotionally disturbed after finding out my entire life is a lie. I have to be able to process this emotional trauma and still move on with my life. The pain of it won't go away overnight. It could take days, weeks, months, years even, before I can fully process this news. In the meantime, I can't stop living. I'm a doctor. I have to respond like one."

"Olivia, you can't equate this to some everyday event in our life. It's not. I know that you're strong and resilient but you can't minimize this. You don't stop living nor being a doctor but you can't brush this aside like dust on a pane."

"You're right of course. I'm not actually trying to minimize it. I'm trying to understand it. What was my mother thinking to do such a thing? She wasn't a Caribbean debutante caught in a teenage to do. She was a woman grown. She was educated, married with a child. Why not practice contraception if you are cheating? I know my mother. She has hidden it well but she is a very smart woman."

"I believe she is Olivia. That's why you must talk to your mother and ask her the tough questions that only she can answer. I heard a short story of Tessa and Uncle Jim's involvement and to be honest I didn't hold on to it. The news of your true paternity was a very shocking revelation. I remember little of what was said before or after it was made. I don't want to misconstrue anything. You must talk to your mother and to your father."

"I intend to, when I don't know."

"You do agree that she and Uncle Jim deserve a phone call? They knew that I intended to tell you this morning Olivia. They will be filled with worry and dread. This is a delicate situation and everyone is on edge. Are we in agreement to a phone call?"

"Sure, call them but I'm serious Fitz. I don't want to talk to either one of them right now."

"Okay, but I'm calling on your behalf. What would you have me convey to them?"

"Call them Fitz. Let them know that I'm frazzled but I'm alright. I simply need time to sort things out. I will talk to them soon as I can. I won't be rushed on this. I've waited almost a quarter century to find out I'm not who I thought I was. They can wait to hear my response to it."

"I understand. I'll call them and tell them that you know and you'll get back to them. I'll keep it simple."

"Great. Call them."

The phone rang and Tessa almost jumped out of her skin. She had been waiting for the phone call and James was trying to draw her attention to other things. It had not worked. She was very worried. It was almost noon. Olivia would have gotten home almost four hours ago. Things had gone poorly and she knew it. Olivia would be devastated at the news but she would also be angry. This was deep deception. She was beginning to think that her deception may well become an unpardonable sin.

Olivia was her daughter. She was feisty and stubborn. She also had her temper. It hadn't been on display often, she suppressed it. Olivia had despised Thomas Pope's displays of bad temper. She didn't want to be like her father. Tessa imagined that her daughter was in a temper and undoubtedly exposing a side of her that even Fitzgerald Grant hadn't seen.

They both looked at the ringing phone. It was the phone Fitz had given them so they were both sure of who was calling and why. James held both of her hands in his. He was looking into her eyes. They had a pained look in them. He was sorry for what she was going through but he couldn't do anything about it. The ball was in another court.

"It's them Tessa. Shall I answer it or do you want to answer it?"

"I'm afraid to answer it, Jimmy. With it taking this long to have a response, the news can't be good. Would you answer it please?"

"Hello."

"Good afternoon, Uncle Jim. How are you and Tessa?"
"We aren't at our best. Tessa is on needles and pins. She worried that she hasn't heard from her daughter about the subject at hand. Olivia, as disillusioned as she may be, hasn't forgotten that Tessa is her mother, has she? And I may be new to the title but I am her father. Mistakes have been made but surely Olivia doesn't intend to reject us?"

"I don't believe it will come to that Uncle Jim. This has been a life-changing event for Olivia. The news shook her the core. We've been discussing it for hours. She's trying to piece it all together. I've told her that can't be done without input from all involved. That would certainly involve you and Tessa. I'm sorry to say that Olivia isn't ready to talk to you as of yet.

I know it's not a permanent decision. I believe she simply needs time to process the news. At this point I see no reason for panic from anyone. This is a family matter and we will work it out as a family. Keep in mind that there aren't any "sides" to this saga. However, Olivia is the main focus. For me she's the only focus. I'm encouraging her to give all her decisions great scrutiny. You need to give her time to process all that has happened."

''Her mother is very worried and in a state of permanent melancholy. I don't like seeing her struggle with this situation. True it's one of her own making, still I don't like seeing her hurting. Please do what you can to get Olivia to talk to her mother. I believe it would be helpful to them both."

"I agree. However, I won't pressure her. She's still determined to follow her schedule as a physician in all of this. She's going to the hospital tonight. I think it's too much but she's a grown woman that's working her way through, excuse my language, a pile of shit. She has to draw her own conclusions about this thing. None of us can make the call for her. I'm sure Olivia will get a grip on this. When she does, I'm sure she will call you herself. I will continue to urge Olivia to do what is best for us all. I will be talking to you, goodbye."

"Thanks for calling Fitzgerald. Please keep us updated until we hear from Olivia. Good-bye."

"She doesn't won't to talk to me, right?"

"Neither one of us actually. Fitz basically said she is angry, hurt, and frustrated. She's working on a solution for all that has happened. He's trying to get her to see that she can't work through this without our input. Perhaps when she realizes this, she'll contact us for the full story of why she is my daughter instead of Thomas Pope! I think we have to be patient. We have to give her time to work this through. It won't be forever, Tess. Let's give her time."

"How much time? Are we to hover here at the Bostonian forever. We need to get on with our lives too James. We are waiting to marry and everything else now on a schedule to be determined by our daughter. I know I messed up and I'm sorry. I didn't think she would blame you as well. This is all going so wrong. You're right about one thing. Fitzgerald Grant's hands are clean in this thing. I was the one that lied. The timing of when the lie was brought to light and by whom has little bearing.

Does he see Olivia forgiving me at all? I heard your side of the conversation. Does he sound like she will forgive me, ever? Why on earth is she blaming you as well? You were as aggrieved as she was. Doesn't she understand that?"

"What Olivia understands is pain and anger right now. I suspect it's what Fitzgerald Grant is seeing and he isn't happy about it. The man is unaccustomed to chaos and drama. The fact that Olivia is upset is unsettling to him. He wants a solution to this problem like yesterday. We can't push either one of them Tessa, or we will all lose. The best plan is to let Olivia work through this."

"What did they have to say for themselves?"

"I only spoke to your father. Naturally there's a lot of concern for you. They want to see you get through this thing and they want to help you. They can't do that if you won't let them. I've told them that you're not ready to see or speak to them yet. When you are, you'll call them yourself. The conversation seemed longer than it was. Your mother is distraught Olivia and that means Uncle Jim is distraught. To be honest, their condition isn't my concern right now. When you have figured out how you will move forward on this and have sorted it out, I'll be concerned about them.

We've talked about this for hours. We're changing the subject for a while Miss Pope. We're going to talk about Fitz and Olivia. They're moving today, to Boston. They bought a new home several weeks ago and its ready for them. Would you like to move in today? I would. Let's back off of this for a while. We'll come back to it when you're ready."

"Suppose I'm never ready, Fitz? What then? I have to find a way through this thing and I'm not sure I can. I don't want our lives ruined because of this. This entire thing is so unfair. We were so happy before all of this. We were happy every day. You're right we need a change of subject and venue. Let's move! Let's do it right now!"

"I want you to be happy everyday Olivia. The reason I exist is to make you happy. If I could change things for you I would. I would erase this day. Seeing you unsure and confused isn't something I'm unaccustomed to. I don't like it. I feel helpless right now. We're changing our focus. I insist."

"I want to change our focus. Let's go!"

"Harmon, please bring the car around we're leaving. There are still a few things left here. Please see that they arrive at the penthouse. Once they are out. You may close up here. Olivia what about the remotes and keys? Are you still giving them to Uncle Jim yourself?"

"No, I'll leave them here for him."

"I know how much this hurts you. If I could've spared you even a moment of what you are feeling right now, I would've moved heaven and earth to do so. It's a tragic tale of which you have only heard a small amount. Neither one of us knows the full story. Your parents, and they are your parents Olivia, they love you. I have deep feelings and reservations about this entire thing but Tessa and Uncle Jim, they deserve to be heard. Promise me that you won't shut them out."

"I'm not shutting them out. I need time to sort out my feelings. I will do that. I simply can't face them right now. I don't want to hurt them, Fitz. This isn't some type of punishment. I'm afraid that I if I face them right now, I will say things that I do not truly mean. That's not what I want. I want to face them with a cool head. I'm disillusioned but I do love them both. I promise. I'm just sorting, running this through my brain. I like your idea of simply putting it away for now. We're going to a happy place and we are going to stay there for a while. Let's go to our new home."

The loving couple held hands and talked of other things on their journey to Beacon Street. They were going to have dinner in their new home. The chef, in fact the entire staff was expecting them. Fitz had her smiling again and for that he was grateful. Olivia chimed in about her "day at the office." The story about the elderly woman that was a physician intrigued Fitz. The fact that Olivia had volunteered to be with the dying woman as she passed was typical and symbolic of this woman that he loved so much. Her loving and compassionate nature was one of the many things that he loved about her. It soothed him somewhat to see her animated and smiling again.

When they arrived at the penthouse, they had entered the penthouse elevator still holding hands. Olivia admired the inside of the elevator. It was special. She hadn't seen his New York place yet or she would've known it was an exact replica of the elevator at his New York penthouse. The mirrored walls were spectacular. The wood accents in the elevator were polished to a remarkable gleam. One could see your image in both the glass and wood. Olivia had asked if the glass was easily breakable? It wasn't.

Someday soon she would experience lovemaking in this very elevator. When it happened, he planned for her to remember it every time she entered the space. Still holding her hand, he brought it to his lips. He placed a sweet gentle kiss there.

"Are you just a little happy, Sweet Baby? I saw some glimpses of my Olivia as we were coming home to Beacon Street just now. I'd love to see her stick around for a while. Remember, Tessa news, is on the backburner. It's moving day and we are home."

"Fitz, I am happy. Never doubt it. There's no other place I'd rather be. This is our first home together. I'm the luckiest woman alive. You're here with me and I'm so glad. I love you so much."

"And I love you back."

They had arrived at their destination. Before the elevator door could open, Fitz reached back and pushed a button to keep it closed. Olivia looked a little puzzled but she wasn't naïve. Rich people made love in elevators all the time. If Fitz wanted her right now, right here, she was all in. She had realized about an hour ago while they were talking that for her to pull sex off of the table was ludicrous. A good romp in a bed or in a mirrored elevator was exactly what they both needed.

"Welcome to our new home Olivia. This has been an eventful morning but I was determined that we would share this homecoming. Thanks for seeing that this is just what we needed. Jump into arms my love. Let me take you over the threshold!"

Olivia's smile could've illuminated a small city. She was sincerely happy to be right where she was. Living in a house with Fitzgerald Grant was her dream. At this very minute, it was her only dream.

Just like in the movies her gorgeous fiancé lifted her up. His smile was illuminous as well. When she was securely in his arms, he bent his face close to hers and mouthed the words, I love you. He reached back and unlocked the elevator. The door opened. He did indeed carry her over the threshold. Olivia loved it.

As soon as he put her down, she moved into his arms. She needed to kiss him. She wanted to feel his lips on hers. It wasn't their first kiss of the day but it was their first kiss since he had delivered the unbelievable news. For now, all of that was forgotten. There was instant passion between them! Their response to each other had been profound and meaningful. The heat between them wasn't subtle. They burned for one another. They both were in a giving mood. Fitzgerald Grant was thanking his lucky stars. His Olivia was back, at least for now.

There had never been a moment, not one, since he had first seen her that he hadn't wanted her in every way. Her response was electric and his erection was rampant. Olivia had molded her body to his. The entryway into the penthouse was extraordinary. If you kept walking there was a huge oval window with the most beautiful panoramic view of the city. There was an array of extraordinary live green foliage. A brilliant chandelier hung from the upper landing. Contemporary paintings attributed to the masters lined the sides of both walls. You would see all of this and more if you kept walking. They had not.

They were lost in each other. They were close but not close enough. Fitz backed them into the elevator door. As soon as he did, Olivia broke the kiss and whispered to him. "Pick me up." He did and she immediately scissor-locked her legs around him. They resumed the kiss. Her coat hindered him a bit but not much. He reached under it and grabbed her ass. Dammit, she'd done it again! Her ass was bare. The purple frock was a dress for the occasion as it was now rucked up around her waist. They both were ready for the next step. Olivia's hands was on his belt and his were glued to her ass, anticipatory, when Fitz heard the first clearing of a throat, and then a second.

Damn! He broke the kiss and put their foreheads together and sighed. Then he whispered, "There's someone here. It's okay. Stand behind me." His hands dropped, her legs disengaged and she stood behind him. She pulled her dress down and smiled up at him. God, he loved this woman! He straightened his coat and placed a sweet kiss on her lips. This was his house, his woman, and someday soon to be his wife. He knew what one would see if one looked toward the front of his pants. That was unfortunate because he wouldn't try to hide the evidence of his ardor for Olivia. And there was much evidence. She was sure to be embarrassed but he was not. He turned to face the intruder.

"Bentley, how nice to see you. You weren't informed of our impending arrival this afternoon?" Bentley, the epitome of English service and decorum, had his eyes trained on the face of Fitzgerald Grant. He showed no signs at all of having seen his employer standing upright pressed against the door of the penthouse, with the legs of the mistress of the house locked across his back. Nor was he concerned about the front of Mr. Grant's pants, which could best be described as "bulging." He wasn't fazed in the least.

"I was, Sir. There was a mishap that required outside attention right away. There are two repairmen in service at this time. There is a high probability that the scope of the repair might extend to this area of the penthouse. Begging your pardon Sir, I was compelled to let you know. Please forgive the intrusion. The staff and I have been awaiting your arrival. We are all very anxious to meet Miss Pope."

Fitz didn't turn around before he spoke. His eyes on the butler.

"Olivia, are you prepared to prepared to meet Bentley right now?" She was. Fitz obviously thought she would be embarrassed to be caught practically in flagrante delicto. Six months ago, maybe, but not now. This was their home. She and Fitz could make love anywhere they should choose. She stepped from behind her fiancée the epitome grace and decorum.

"Good afternoon, Bentley. I'm Olivia. It's wonderful to meet you at last. You said the staff is waiting?"

"They are madame. May I take your wraps?"

The staff was awaiting them in the huge kitchen. They were a mixture of old and young, different colors, different races. They all appeared kind and eager to be in service. This was nothing like the cook/housekeeper she had known in the Caymans. These were highly skilled clinicians hired by Fitz to insure the running of this huge house. Bentley introduced each and everyone of them by name and position. After introducing the staff, he inquired how any of them could be of service.

"Do you need anything Olivia?" She shook her head indicating no. "We are fine then. We're going to explore the house. Neither one of us have seen all the completed aspects. What time would you like dinner Olivia?"

"I usually leave for the hospital at six-thirty from Cambridge. We are now ten minutes max from there. What about five-thirty?''

"We had a late breakfast. Five-thirty it is then." The staff dispersed and they were alone once again.

"The staff is very friendly. I like that."

"I'm glad you're impressed. They were hired following intense scrutiny. Come on. Let me show you your new home. I apologize for acting like a beast in the foyer. I saw you put aside your troubles and come back to me. I lost myself for a minute. Seeing you so unhappy this morning dismantled me. I didn't know how to help you. We both know that sex isn't the answer to everything but you felt so good in my arms. I didn't mean to pressure you even a little, forgive me."

"There's absolutely nothing to forgive. I wanted you just as much as you wanted me. I still do. I said we were putting this morning's new behind us for now. I meant it. Show me our home, from top to bottom. I want to see everything we might have missed. You're my personal tour guide. I know it's huge. So, let's save the master suite for last. If we have time before dinner, we'll continue where we left off in the foyer. I want your promise."

"I promise. Olivia, don't you know by now that I can deny you anything? Especially with you continuing that bad habit of yours of not wearing underwear."

"I know."

She looked up at him with love shining in her eyes and she seemed genuinely happy. His heart beat at a much more sedate pace. She was still sorting things out and she was mending. She reached out her hand and he took it.

"Come with me. Let's explore this place."

Tessa tried to hide her disappointment but she couldn't. She couldn't shake the notion that Olivia was so adamant about not talking to them right now. James had finally gotten her to see that it was futile to continue worrying about it. Until Olivia decided to talk to them there was nothing to do but wait. She walked up to James. He was standing at the window where she had stood crying her eyes out earlier today. She embraced him.

"I love you James Lockheed, I always have. You were right. We've wasted so many years apart. We've made some crucial mistakes in this love affair of ours. I pray that I haven't destroyed the beautiful relationship that you and Olivia have formed over a lifetime. I couldn't bear if she…" He turned around to face her.

"Tessa. Give Olivia some credit for being the brilliant woman that we know she is. She thinks in black and white. There aren't any gray areas. We are her parents. You and me. She knows that now. She will accept that fact and come to us when her mind is cleared from her sense of betrayal. Because she now sees us as a team, she angry at us both. I understand that. I know Olivia. When she has had time to think this through, she will come to us."

"I wish I was as confident about this entire thing as you. I'm imagining how betrayed she feels. I should have told her years ago just as I should've told you. All of that however is beside the point. We're not going to hear from our daughter today and possibly not tomorrow or the next day. This wait is going to drive me mad. We need distractions. Sex could be a distraction but you and I aren't married. Maybe we should go to Las Vegas while we wait for our daughter to call us!"

"That's a distraction I would welcome Tessa. Sleeping beside you at night and continuing to remain celibate is getting old. I want us to be married and quickly; but there's a three-day waiting period once you apply for the marriage license. Olivia is going to contact us and it will be soon. Do you want to be on the other side of the United States when it happens?

"Of course, not Jimmy. I was being facetious. We can't leave Boston."

"No, we cannot!"