Chapter 52

"Olivia, it's good to hear your voice. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever hear it again. I must tell you that it wasn't a great feeling not knowing if my daughter would ever speak to me again. Your father and I have been waiting for this call. I was praying for this call. We both love you very much. I'm hoping that you never lose sight of that fact. Your father is here with me. Do you mind if I put you on speaker?"

"I don't mind at all. Uncle Jim is part of this. He can never be excluded again. Momma, I've had a lot on my mind. To be honest, there was too much on my mind. I was trying so hard to fill in spaces about things that I hadn't any knowledge about. I had gone on to assume things of which I truly know nothing. You and my father, Uncle Jim, are the only ones that can fill in those spaces. I was experiencing anger and hurt. It cut me to the bone, your deception. I lost all composure. I became someone even I didn't recognize. I've come to realize that my reaction wasn't all it should've been. I can't be angry and unreasonable about something I truly and surely know nothing about.

Fitz has been very instrumental in getting me to see that I need the full story of what happened in the past in order to move forward in the future. I'm been living a lie for all of my life. I want you to tell me why."

"I had always intended to tell you the truth Olivia but there was always some complication that held me back. I want to tell you everything. I must tell you everything. It's a long and complicated story extending back even before your birth. The lie you have been living is entirely my fault. When you hear the entire truth, please don't blame James. He only found out he was your father days before you did. He was denied the truth as well."

"I don't wish to hear this long and complicated story over the phone even though it's a secure line. I want to talk to you face to face Momma, you and Uncle Jim. I was calling to invite you to come over to the penthouse in the next few days. Actually, Sunday would be an ideal day. As you know Fitz is here with me. He left his job to be here with me. He was right to come. I needed him.

He was instrumental in getting me to curb in my anger and seek answers. I need to talk to both of you. I understand that you have renewed your friendship. I now realize that the two of you have always had feelings for each other, so I know this hasn't been easy on either one of you. Twenty-five years is a long time to harbor this type of secret and live with such a huge deception."

"Yes, it's a very long time. Too long. James is standing right here beside me. It's a place that I hope he never again vacates."

"Good afternoon, Olivia. As your mother said we both have been anxious to hear from you. We have both loved you since the day you were born. As you have said you were quick to assume things without hearing things that must be said. Your mother loves you, Olivia. Regardless of what has been said and done, I pray that in the future you remember that. Her life hasn't been easy. Thomas Pope…"

"James, we aren't going to discuss this over the phone. We will present ourselves on Sunday and discuss our situation from top to bottom. Olivia has already said that her hurt and anger got the better her. She's now willing to talk to us. That's all that is important right now. She has called us and will hear us out. I know you feel the need to defend me but it's not necessary. I'm fine."

"No Tessa, you aren't fine. I've been here with you and I know the turmoil you've experienced. You've been through hell these past few days. And regardless of how much you want to take the total blame for this situation, I won't let you. The blame is not all yours. I was part of this whether unknowingly or otherwise. It is necessary that I defend you Tess, I love you. Olivia, we will see you on Sunday. Give our best to Fitzgerald."

"I will. We will see you on Sunday."

"James Lockheed, I love you. I have always loved you. Having you by my side right now, I can't tell you what it means to me. Even with all that I have taken from you, you stand by me, you defend me. Sometimes I wonder if I deserve your love and devotion. I can't wait to marry you."

"As I have said before, I should have stopped your marriage to Thomas Pope all those years ago. My lack of courage was inexcusable. I failed you then but never again. I can never allow you to be disparaged again, not even by our own flesh and blood. Olivia is our daughter. The love we had for each other is why she exists. You have taken nothing from me. You have given me the greatest of gifts, my own child. Do you not understand that Olivia has always been mine in my heart?

Olivia is a combination of us. She's stubborn and headstrong. She's still reeling from the years of deception. I don't expect her to forget but Olivia has a forgiving heart. She will come to understand all that happened between us. Trust me on this Tessa. I understand why you worry but I believe you worry for naught. We will settle this thing with our daughter and then we get on with our dreams!"

"I believe in our dreams Jimmy. We are destined to have a life together. They will happen and hopefully our daughter will be happy for us. I think of Tommy too. He has to be told everything. So much is going on, I can't help but worry. Even after we have put all this behind us, Thomas Pope awaits us on an island in the Caribbean. I can't imagine that my life will be ever be worry-free but I will know happiness by your side as your wife."

"Yes, you will. Come on. We are about to visit historic Boston, Massachusetts. I believe there is much to see."

"I didn't mean to sound put offish, but apparently, I did. Uncle Jim jumped in to defend my mother. He means to protect her even from me. I don't want to hurt either one of them. It's going to be hard to express what I'm feeling without hurting them. Honestly, I don't want to do that. At first, I think I did want to hurt them both. I think I even blamed them both. Which is really foolish. Uncle Jim hadn't any idea I was his true daughter until days ago. Fitz, I love them both. I just want to get through this and move on with our lives."

"And you shall. On Sunday your mother will tell us everything and we can put this episode of our lives behind us. Until then we are moving on. Remember?"

"I do. This was simply an interlude to our plans. The next few days are to be for us, about us. I see you have started cooking the bacon. It smells delicious. What are we having? Breakfast or…"

"You asked for anything with bacon. I decided to go for an all-American lunch of soup and sandwich. A fresh lobster bisque and BLTs are coming up. Does that meet your approval?"

"You made a convert out of me with your BLT. It's the absolute best. Bacon and more bacon."

"Chef Stoney made fresh bread last night. I have the lobster shells simmering in a seafood broth as we speak. This is a quick and easy soup Maman used to make for me and Dad all the time. Come and talk to me while I finish our meal. I heard your side of the conversation. I didn't feel it was off-putting at all. You let them know that you are now ready to listen to them. This is simply a bump in the road Olivia. Your familial ties are too strong for any type of sustained breech. Don't fret it Sweetheart, all will be well.

"It's just that I could tell that Uncle Jim wasn't happy with me. I felt it. He's already forgiven my mother. He's not the least bit perturbed that he was lied to for twenty-five years! It doesn't seem to matter that he and I were deprived of a father and daughter bond."

"Were you really Olivia? Was there a time in your life that Uncle Jim didn't treat you as a daughter? Do you honestly believe the man could've loved you more? When he accosted me in his resort to inquire of my intentions towards you, he spoke as a father. For him, the sun sets and rises with you Olivia. He's as proud of you as any father that I've ever seen.

Isn't it possible that your mother became secure in the fact that James Lockheed was in your life. He was in fact an undeclared father-figure. He was an influence in your life more so than Thomas Pope ever was. Your mother was in a very bad place Olivia. Living through spousal abuse has to be very debilitating. You can't put a meaningful perspective on it unless you have lived through it. I suspect James Lockheed knows your mother's full story by now. You must assume that he does and knows much more of the situation than you at this point. Most importantly, James Lockheed loves your mother, Olivia. Expect him to defend her."

"Yes, I think that's the gist of it. He loves her so deeply he's chosen to overlook her flaws and her sin against him and against me. I want to have a heart big enough to forgive her as well. I do love my mother Fitz. I love her very much. I don't know why I won't take Uncle Jim's lead and let it go!"

"Olivia, you have a big heart. It's filled with love and empathy. You've been very hurt and disillusioned. I can't even imagine the things you must have felt learning your entire life was lived under an umbrella of lies. However, you must remember you still don't have the full story. After you have heard your mother out, listened to what she wants to tell you, then your heart will tell you what to do. Doesn't that sound reasonable?"

"It does. Very reasonable. Your voice is the voice of reason. I realize that. Thank-you for being here with me. For listening to my thoughts and allaying my fears. I think the fear of what I don't know is what has me on pins and needles. With you standing with me helping sort through this, I will make it through. Enough on that subject. We are straying from our pact. Let's get back to us. Me and you, remember? The next few days is to be about us. Fresh bread and homemade soup, it sounds delicious. I know you. Dessert is lurking back there somewhere. What's for dessert?"

"Actually, I didn't make a dessert. There's some apple pie and of course there's a freezer full of delectable frozen delights. After my huge dinner last night, I never got to dessert. The pie looked delicious though."

"I really don't think I'll be able to eat a dessert. I've had your BLTs, remember? They are a true form of art. Laden with bacon and other savory delights, it's a sandwich like no other. With soup, there's no way I'll need dessert. I was teasing anyway. When I spoke of dessert, I wasn't thinking of earthly delights like apple pie or ice cream. I was thinking of you as dessert, Chef Grant. You will get to make your own whipping cream so to speak. I want to take you to bed and have my way with you. You had the reins this morning. I want them this afternoon. Will you give them to me?"

"You drive a hard bargain, Ms. Pope, but yes, the reins are yours. Let me complete the bisque and our sandwiches. Lunch has suddenly become all the more inviting. I suddenly feel the need to devour it, rather quickly."

They both dug in with gusto. The soup tasted fresh from the sea. It was creamy, touched with just the right amount of seasonings. The butter in the soup wasn't subtle. The lobster was directly from the Boston Harbor and obviously superb quality. To this point in her life Olivia had never had a better BLT thanks to Fitzgerald Grant. The chipotle mayonnaise and thin avocado slices only added to the allure of the sandwich. Crusty fresh bread was grilled after being slathered with the mayonnaise. In addition to the avocado, the sandwich was loaded with thick crispy slices of bacon, thick slices of red ripe beefsteak tomatoes, and fresh romaine lettuce.

The meal was too delicious to not savor it. There was really no need at all to rush to their bed. They had made a commitment for a lifetime. So, they momentarily put aside talk of sexual delight. They talked of other things. One subject brought was their wedding next year. Olivia had been serious. On the anniversary of their engagement, they would set a wedding date. She had nixed a long engagement. More than anything she wanted to become his wife!

Fitz couldn't be happier. It was what he had wanted from the moment he had known that Olivia was the woman of his dreams. He had been looking for her all of his life. He would never let her go.

"Well then, Christmas can't arrive soon enough. You choose the date darling, and I promise to be there."

"I know what we already share is wonderful. Your moving here was a tremendous gift to me. I love you so much for changing your life for me. I don't believe most men would have done it."

She reached across the table and picked up his hand. Placing a sweet kiss atop of it. She looked directly into his eyes. They were changing in color. They were still blue but darkening. She wondered if her eyes darkened when passion began to rise in her. Her thoughts had gone to need and desire. He had promised she would get the reins this round. And she would have them. Her tongue darted out of her mouth to dampen her lower lip.

"I would do anything for you Olivia. Moving here is a very small sacrifice. I would walk through fire for you. In eight short months you have given me so much. Nothing in this world can compare to the gifts you have given me, nothing."

"Come with me. Make love with me."

They walked hand in hand to the west wing of the penthouse. They went straight to their bedroom. Olivia was the first to speak.

"Take off your clothes."

Fitz got on the bed, turned on his side and propped his head up with one hand. He was gloriously nude. His eyes were stormy gray. His ears were noticeably red. The evidence of his desire for her a sight to behold! He watched her undress and stand nude before him. Her hands went to her breasts. She held them up while her thumbs slowly circled her nipples making them pebble hard. Her tongue slowly circled her lips. She did this with her eyes focused on his manhood. It had become magnificent, long. hard, and pulsating. She knew it was all for her! Her next move was pure fire. She inserted a finger inside herself her eyes still on him. Her finger came out glistening and wet. She tasted herself.

He couldn't help himself. Her actions made him burn! His own hand encircled his hardened flesh. He slowly began to stroke up and down his shaft. He was burning so hot. He needed her. Finally, Olivia got on the bed in the position she wanted.

"Lie down. Let me do that."

Her hand replaced his with the same stroking motion. His eyes closed and he sucked air into his lungs. He reopened them quickly. He was watching her intently anticipating her next move. He knew what was coming. He wanted to savor it. Olivia looked down at her prize. With her free hand she pushed her hair back from her face. She bent her head to taste and tantalize.

Security knocked on the door promptly at two. They were visiting several spots this afternoon. After a bit of sightseeing, they were returning to the suite to refresh themselves and then they were having dinner to be followed by dancing and cocktails. Tessa was excited. Sightseeing and then a dinner date.

When was the last time she had gone out anywhere without being on display as Thomas Pope's trophy wife. She had been a woman on display to be seen. She was in the frocks and shoes he had chosen. She wore the pieces of jewelry he suggested. She rarely even mumbled a word at those functions. Thomas was there to be the center of attention and she was his handmaiden. There was nothing about those outings she could describe as enjoyable.

Today, she sensed would be different. She was actually with a man that cared about her and her well-being. Excitement was an understatement in reference to her date with Jimmy! There was other excitement as well. Olivia had finally called and they were to go over to the penthouse on Sunday. Another day of reckoning was here for her. She would finally get to tell her daughter about her life. This time she would hear a truthful version. Finally, Olivia would know the story of her existence. The story was a long time coming but it was now going to be told.

Their first stop was a guided tour of the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. They were here in this American town and actually knew little about it other than it was where their daughter studied medicine. Tessa had been outside of the Caribbean twice. She was beginning to see that Thomas had kept her world small on purpose. What a fool she had been as Mrs. Thomas Pope. Thomas had done more than stifle the life from her. He had stripped her of her sense of self. She was so lucky to be given a second chance at life and love.

Jimmy held her hand as they walked within a group tourists. They were on an authentically restored ship from that era. The Boston Tea party had kick-started the American revolution! The floating museum was amazing. You were actually transported back in time as you interacted with the crew. A short film depicted Paul Revere's midnight ride. The tour guides were in character so you felt that you were part of this thing. Participants actually got to throw tea into Boston harbor!

Like mostly everyone on the planet at one time or another they had watched the iconic TV show Cheers. They learned that the Cheers bar didn't exist. It had been a façade. The actual bar was a place called The Bull and Finch Pub. They filmed the legendary opening of the series outside of the pub with the famous Cheers sign replacing the pub sign. The rest was done on a Hollywood set. Eventually the Owner of the pub renamed his bar Cheers and the rest is history.

Tessa was enjoying herself and Jimmy was pleased to see her mind on something else. This thing with Olivia had been hard on her, therefore it was hard on him. This tour today hopefully would keep her mind off of the obvious. They did the ninety-minute tour of Fenway Park home of the amazing Boston Red Sox. Jimmy tried a famous hot dog while hearing the tales of the famous sluggers that called the place home. Jimmy loved baseball and some of his idols had played the game here. Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez to name a few. The tour ended with a panoramic view of Fenway and amazing view of the Boston skyline!

They decided their three adventures was more than enough for today. They returned to the Bostonian to unwind and relax. They ended up having dinner in the suite. Maybe dinner and dancing tomorrow. Tessa decided to relax in the jacuzzi after dinner. James didn't join her. To join her would be another test of his resolve to remain true to a vow of celibacy.

They already slept together every night both with heightened libidos. Tessa had promised she wouldn't throw further temptations in his path and she hadn't. She had done her part to keep their pact intact. Their current relationship was lovingly platonic. She went into his arms every night, closed her eyes, and willed herself to sleep. James welcomed her there but he lusted for her like nobody's business. The feel of her plump breasts and other parts of her body against his intensified his need for her. He could swear that her skin was as smooth as a baby's bottom. She also smelled so damn good! What in the hell was that scent she wore?

Since moving in with Tessa, James went to bed every night with "blue balls" and he awakened the same way. He was doubtful he was this randy even in his teens. It had been almost a year since he'd been with a woman. He wasn't a monk. He hadn't lost interest in sex. He had engrossed himself in his business and pushed sex aside.

When he got the urge, which hadn't been often, he would take care of it. Clinical high-priced sex was easy. It was nothing more than another business transaction. You paid for your pleasure. Your indiscreet sexual partner was part of that business transaction. She was disease-free and more than likely you would never see her again. He wasn't necessarily proud of his actions but he had done it.

He decided after his only other relationship after Tessa went south, he was done with relationships. When he felt the urge for sex he dialed a certain number. Years ago, when it became obvious to Etta that he wasn't going to marry her; she had cut him off. She wanted marriage. He didn't. Sex, she thought was her bargaining chip. It wasn't. Etta had been many things but she wasn't Tessa Adderley.

Now, he had what he desired most in this world, Tessa back in his bed. He had showered while she bathed in the tub. He was done. He now stood in the doorway watching her, wanting her. She knew he was there night after night. She wanted him too. She had memories probably more vivid and raw that his. She would be so glad when all their problems were sent out to pasture. This Sunday would be the starting point of their new future. Turning around to acknowledge his presence, Tessa rose from the water like a Nubian queen.

She reached for the big fluffy towel he held out to her. Meticulously, she dried herself off. The big towel touched her everywhere he desired to touch. He swallowed hard when she let the towel drop to the floor. Jesus she was still so very beautiful! She had shaved herself down there. There was a very small amount of hair on her pubic mound. It appeared to be sculptured to form a small triangle. It was sexy as hell. Her breasts were still positioned high on her chest. Her stomach was flat with one or two barely noticeable stretch marks. She was a petite woman. He had stood more that a foot taller than her. He remembered everything about her, about them!

They had fallen in love and she had become engaged to another man. He hadn't taken her engagement to Tommy seriously. She had lain with him freely and given herself to him. It was true he hadn't busted through her maidenhead but he had possessed in almost every other way possible. How could she marry anyone else after all they had shared? He'd been a fool once and he had lost her. Another man had fathered her children or so he had thought. Turns out he was the father of one of them. Olivia was his! Tessa was free of Thomas and they were free to start a future!

Tessa slipped the beautiful black silk nightgown over her head. It stopped just above her knees. The material flowed around her body except for where it clung to her breasts. She was aroused; at least her nipples said she was. They stood firm behind the diaphanous material. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Ready for bed?"

"Yes, I'm ready for bed and much, much more. I sure as hell hope that we come close to ending this family saga this weekend. I'm hornier than a raging bull. Come here let me touch you for just a moment."

She stepped up before him. Without a doubt she was aroused. He reached out to palm her breasts. Gently he lifted each one as if to weigh it while a thumb gently rubbed across the hardened tips. Her head tilted back and he trailed kisses along her neck to her mouth. His kiss at first gentle grew hungry as he pulled her in close. His erection lay rigid against her belly. His hands lowered to her buttocks and crushed her to him. Their tongues danced to a tune older than time. They were in heated engagement. He would have to stop them. Tessa would not.

When he ended the kiss either one of them could have started a conflagration. They both were on fire. His chin rested atop of her head. His breathing was labored. His hands still held her bottom molding her to him. She moved her head back to look up at him. Her eyes were filled with love and longing but she said nothing.

"God give me strength to complete my quest. I want you so much Tess. I do, but I pledged to honor you this time with marriage before we once again begin carnal relations. I introduced you to the pleasures of the flesh and I should've married you when that happened. It's a matter of honor, Tess, yours. We will see this through. It won't be for much longer. We leave for Las Vegas after our talk with Olivia. Our daughter is a woman grown. She will see all of this through a woman's eyes. All will be well. You'll see."

"We will see. Let's go to bed. It's been a long day."