Chapter VI

A/N: Looks like the idea of a time jump has worked somewhat. The story is now in January-February 1995. You'll be meeting some more of Olivia's family members. Some good, some not so good. The towns in Maine are for real. I know nothing about the geography of Maine beyond what you see on a map. Many thanks go out to cowgirlbookworm. I don't know what I'd do without her. :) Looking forward to seeing what you all think! SSD

Deirdre Lovett nee Wilkes watched her grandchildren and granddaughter in law sleep in the car on the way from the airport in Augusta to Belfast. Brock was driving as none of the younger ones were in any condition to drive as both Olivia and Octavian had consumed copious amounts of alcohol on the flight and Esperanza was too nauseous to drive.

Her grandson and Esperanza clearly were not ready yet to tell anyone their news, but she looked forward to being told.

Even in the far back seat, Olivia tossed and turned in her sleep. As the wedding approached and seeing her dreaded family members again, her granddaughter's sleep grew erratic and got to the point where she was only sleeping a few hours a night.

Deirdre had no idea how to greet her daughter Vivian. The last time she'd seen her, was for Charles's funeral after Olivia had punched Tristan after having been baited for hours. Vivian and her son in law David had suggested calling the police and arresting Olivia. To which David's father Dorian had replied that Tristan would also have to be arrested for his involvement in Charles's death. Stuck in a bind, they did nothing. But their initial desire to arrest Olivia, was only another sign of their clear favoritism to their golden child Tristan.

Ever since the children were small, Vivian especially played the children off each other. Any time Octavian and/or Olivia came to say Tristan had broken or taken something of theirs... Deirdre shuddered at the memory of those years and it got worse as they got older.

"Ma, you aren't to blame for how Vivian turned out. Or how she treated Octavian and Olivia. Some people are just born that way and are good at hiding it," Brock squeezed her hand in comfort.

"I should've seen it sooner. Then maybe Octavian and Olivia... " she trailed off.

"They got out and have careers. And have us, Esperanza, her family, and Dorian. And each other. They got that without them. Which pisses Vivian and David off to no end!"

Olivia was almost done putting on her armor so to speak. Her dress was a black silk v-neck, with a slit up to the middle of her left thigh, black ties on her shoulders to hold it in places. Her back was bare, stopping at the small of her back.

On her wrists were gold bracelets, inlaid with opals. They were her only jewelry. Her shoes were black flats to complete the ensemble should she choose to dance before she got completely plastered at the open bar. Olivia was forgoing earrings for that reason.

"Olivia you really should consider not..." Will trailed off.

Olivia turned around to see Will. The glow was dimmer, his eyes darker, and he'd seemed to have caught himself reaching towards her.

"You alright Will? What were you saying," she smoothed her skirt.

He regained his composure, soon the glow was back to normal. "I was just saying that your dress is entirely inappropriate. Black to a wedding? Ghastly."

"I'm in mourning," she drawled.

"For whom? The bride," her Scotsman snarked back, eying her legs.

"My grandfather Charles who Tristan killed in a car crash," Olivia tamped down the memories of how her beloved grandfather had looked in the ER.

"Was this a recent event? Holding a wedding so soon after such an event is rather tasteless," Will inquired, leaning on a wall.

"No it was six years ago. Tristan was never properly held accountable for his actions, so the black is also making a point," she answered.

"So you don't hold him in high regard then?"

"Obviously. And we'd been on thin ice for years," she growled.

"Would you like him to have nightmares for a while? I can arrange that," Will had a grin that made him look devilishly handsome.

Tempting. Oh so tempting!

Idiot! You were about to paw at her like a rake! Will berated himself as he prowled the reception.

Oooh, so many of Olivia's relatives were making rude comments about her dress. Her sister in law's dress was catching it's fair share of rude comments, but mostly Olivia. These people would fit right in with the first-class passengers he'd had to deal with.

He couldn't think about or look at her, for if Will did that, he'd become visible again, and that just wouldn't do. For the love of God, she was utterly indecent in that dress; Will wanted to look his fill but now was not the time!

"I cannot believe she showed up like that! So low cut and no back! Olivia will haul one of the groomsmen off you'll see! And she's drinking even more?! What did I do to deserve a daughter like her," Olivia's mother moaned at another woman who sympathized with her.

Will turned towards the woman. How Olivia's grandmother had birthed that woman he couldn't imagine. Or how Olivia and her brother had come out of her!

Focusing on the wine glass, it soon shattered with very little of Will's effort. Sadly it didn't get on the hag's dress, but on the white tablecloth.

When the bint got up, her heel caught on the nearby rug, which made her trip. Clearly she didn't handle her wine as well as Olivia did her whiskey.

Who should he snoop on next...

"She's been in college for far too long. If she'd done as I said, and just found a husband..." her father growled.

"You daughter never listened to you David. What made you think she would for college? Both her grandfathers indulged her and the... incident with your father-in-law and Tristan only made her and Octavian hate you even more!"

The more time passed, the more things stayed the same it seemed. Perhaps a couple of whacks to the head would suffice?

After leaving the man twisting, turning, and rubbing his head, Will turned towards his final target: Tristan. What would the arsehole do?

Soon he was within earshot of the young man who was laughing, "The reason Livie didn't come with a date is because she didn't want to piss off her girlfriend!"

Will saw red. As his mind cleared, Tristan had been blasted 5 feet into a table full of champagne glasses. He hoped it hurt.

People surrounded the groom, then noticed the shards of glass in his back. He'd be spending the night in the hospital, not with his bride. His blue eyes were wide and was muttering "This place is haunted" over and over again.

"Aww, is ickle Tristan still scared of ghosts," Olivia mocked as she walked forward giving Will a wink and mouthing "Thank you"

It was whilst he was smirking Will noticed Cecily's grandfather Dorian looking right him. Seeing him the way Olivia did.

He was in trouble.

"I'm not going to drink like this ever again," Olivia moaned as her stomach began to rise.

"At least make it to the bathroom. The floor is tile and is easier to clean," her uncle muttered as he hauled her into her room.

Olivia shimmied out of her dress the moment the door was shut, threw on an oversize Phoenix Coyotes jersey then splashed some water on her face in the bathroom.

When she came out of the bathroom, the dress was neatly folded on a chair.

"You know, I'm in the mood for a chat. Will, are you around?" Olivia flopped onto the bed.

"You're well aware of my presence. What would you like to talk about?" Will slid into the room.

"I want to know what is wrong with me. First guy I dated in high school was only dating me on our parent's orders, so I ditched him right after I found out. Next guy was someone I met through the travel hockey teams. That one was only trying to get into my pants. Dumped him like a hot rock, then Octavian and I beat the living daylights out of him the next time we played his team. Nearly got ejected from the game for that one. Pretty sure he hasn't been able to have kids. My last and most recent romantic endeavor led me to take a break from dating all together," her eyes were beginning to droop.

"Why can't you be real," she mumbled before drifting off.

Dorian let Olivia sleep in. Though now it was 1:30 in the afternoon, it was time for her to get her hungover ass out of bed.

And explain how she had a ghost with her.

With a bottle of water and 4 Advil, he went upstairs. Dorian also watched for her ghostly friend.

Once he opened the door, he saw his granddaughter staring, glassy eyed at the ceiling, yet was awake.

"Take the Advil. And drag your ass downstairs. I'd like to talk to you about last night. Shower if you want," Dorian ordered.

About 15 minutes later, a bleary eyed Olivia ambled into the living room, decently dressed.

With her spectral friend walking behind her.

"Olivia, please sit down before you fall down. Shortly after Tristan... fell backwards into the champagne flutes, I saw you talking to someone who looked a bit out of place shall we say?"

Before his granddaughter could speak, Dorian continued, "Since he's in my house, who is he?"

Sitting up on the couch, Olivia said, "Why don't you guess for yourself?"

"I could start shouting to torture you," Dorian grinned evilly as Olivia paled. Loud noises were not something she needed after last night's drinking.

"There's no need for shouting," the specter explained.

"Ah, Scottish. Given where you've been and what you've been up to with your Uncle Brock, I have a good idea where you picked your friend up. Judging by the way he is speaking and standing he's in a position of authority. Not too many Scotsmen in positions of authority on board the Titanic, right Mr. Murdoch," Dorian inquired politely.

A/N 2: Don't worry, everything with Dorian is fine. He's no jerk. He only threatened to shout because she was drunk. I just wanted to establish that seeing ghosts is a family thing. So what did you all think of the wedding? Charming family members aren't Olivia's parents and brother?

Next chapter is back on the Keldysh.

Casting:

Grandpa Dorian: Christopher Plummer as he was in his cameo in National Treasure.

Grandma Deirdre: Olivia de Haviland.