Blowing out a quick calming breath she unhooked her robe from the back of the door and slid it on over her underwear, tying the belt as she walked out of the bathroom. She padded down the stairs amidst the bustle and chaos. People were everywhere carrying drinks, food, centerpieces and all sorts of things. She headed for Theo’s studio knowing he wouldn’t like the crowds and hoping to find him there alone.
She wasn’t disappointed. He sat in the ratty old chair by the window, in his shirt and pants. The collar was open at the throat and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His bow tie hung over the back of the chair with his tux jacket. He had a sketch book open in his lap while he scribbled away with a stubby half chewed pencil.
‘Hey,’ she walked in quietly.
‘Hey,’ his face broke into a wide smile as he held up the sketchbook. ‘Louisa wouldn’t let me paint.’
Olivia laughed.
‘You know you shouldn’t be down here,’ he put the book down and rose from the chair wandering over to her. ‘I got a two-hour lecture on how it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.’
‘But you saw me at breakfast,’ she smiled.
‘That’s what I said, but she gave me that look.’
‘Oh I know the look.’
‘I decided at that point to shut up.’
‘Very wise,’ she snickered, ‘Louisa can be terrifying and efficient all at the same time. In fact, if I ever decide to invade a small country I’m having her as my general.’
‘You know if she finds you down here she’ll murder us both.’
Olivia smiled, fidgeting nervously.
‘What’s wrong Livy love?’ he frowned.
‘I have something to tell you,’ she breathed, ‘before we get married.’
‘Okay.’
‘I…it’s something good, something happy. Well I think it is, but I don’t know what you’ll think because it wasn’t expected and we’ve never discussed it.’
‘Livy’ he smiled slowly, interrupting her nervous babbling, ‘why don’t you just tell me what it is?’
‘I’m pregnant,’ she replied.
‘What?’ he whispered as his eyes widened.
‘I’m pregnant,’ she twisted her hands uneasily. ‘I know we haven’t discussed having children, I mean I don’t know if you even want kids but I…’
She was silenced when his mouth crushed down on hers and his arms wrapped around her tightly.
She pulled back after a moment and looked into his dark eyes.
‘So, does that mean you’re okay with this?’ she asked hesitantly.
‘Livy,’ he smiled as he pressed his forehead to hers, ‘we’re going to have a child?’
She nodded, ‘you’re going to be a father.’
He sank down to his knees wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his face into her belly.
‘Our baby’ he murmured, kissing her stomach lovingly.
Her eyes filled with tears again as she ran her hands through his dark locks of hair.
‘Ahem.’
They both turned their heads and looked across to the doorway to find Louisa, Roni and Tommy standing there.
‘You’re pregnant?’ Roni smiled.
Olivia nodded.
‘Alright,’ Tommy grinned. ‘Dude, high five!’
Louisa shot him a look.
‘Obviously not a high five moment’ he corrected himself.
‘Hey what’s going on?’ Jake walked past, carrying what looked to be a box of Wilkins Orchards cider. ‘Why is Theo on his knees? I thought he’d already done that part.’
‘He’s not proposing,’ Roni smiled.
‘He knocked Olivia up,’ Tommy told him.
‘Jeez another one?’ he looked at Roni in alarm.
‘Don’t worry, it’s not catching,’ Roni smiled in amusement.
‘You say that now,’ Louisa murmured.
‘What?’ Jake’s gaze snapped to his sister.
‘Nothing,’ she replied brightly. ‘Well I think congratulations are in order.’
They all filtered into the room exchanging hugs, while Theo stood with a beaming smile on his face.
‘I’m so happy for you,’ Louisa whispered as she hugged Olivia tightly.
‘I know’ Olivia smiled happily, ‘we can terrorize them all together with our scary hormones.’
‘It’ll be so much fun,’ Louisa laughed, ‘and you know what?’
‘What?’
‘I’m so happy our kids will grow up together.’
‘Me too,’ Olivia nodded.
‘Do you know how far gone you are?’ Louisa asked.
‘No,’ she shook her head. ‘I’ve only just done the test but I don’t know how long it’s been since my last period.’
‘Not to worry,’ she replied easily, ‘after the wedding I’ll get you booked in with my OB and we’ll get her to give you an ultrasound, to see how far along you are.’
‘God,’ Olivia blew out a breath as her eyes teared up again. ‘I’m a mess.’
‘You’ll get used to it,’ Louisa smiled. ‘I cried for an hour yesterday, at a toothpaste commercial.’
‘She’s not kidding either,’ Tommy replied, ‘an hour and forty-two minutes to be exact.’
‘Come on,’ Louisa rolled her eyes at her husband and took Olivia’s hand. ‘Roni you too, let’s go get dressed.’
‘Yeah you go,’ Jake grinned, ‘we’re going to get Theo a drink and celebrate,’ he slapped him on the back.
‘Don’t get him drunk,’ Olivia called out as she was towed from the room.
‘Does she think I’m a moron?’ Jake frowned, ‘now where’s that bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue.’
Olivia twirled in front of the mirror, the full skirt spinning out in a mass of tulle and lace.
‘You look beautiful Olivia’ Roni dabbed her eyes with a tissue.
‘So do you,’ she smiled taking in Roni’s pale blue chiffon dress.
She looked over to Louisa who was also dressed in pale blue.
‘Louisa…’
‘Don’t say it,’ she frowned, ‘I look like a whale.’
‘No you don’t,’ Olivia smiled.
‘What are you doing with that monstrosity around your neck?’
She looked at the compass which was laying on top of her lace bodice.
‘I can’t really take it off,’ she murmured, picking it up. ‘It’s kind of a big deal, I can’t just go leaving it lying around.’
‘But it ruins the whole look,’ Louisa complained.
‘She’s right you know,’ Roni agreed.
‘Maybe I can do something about it’ she mused thoughtfully, turning it over in her hands.
She could feel it pulse and throb against her skin. It had been like that ever since she’d unlocked it and created the portal. It was almost as if it was specifically attuned to her now. The metal felt warm beneath her touch, she held it out in her palm and watched as it began to melt. The hot liquid swirled in her palm much as it had the day she had stood outside the Beckett farmhouse, only this time it was a lot smaller, more muted. She built a picture in her mind and allowed the flowing metal to take shape. When it finally solidified in her palm she looked down. No longer a clunky, slightly tarnished compass it was now a delicate golden locket with intricate filigree and swirling designs on its face which resembled star charts. She pressed the tiny little button at its side and watched it flip open. Inside where there would normally have been a lock of hair or a photograph, there were tiny little cogs and dials which whirred and ticked like a little mechanical clock.
‘There,’ she closed the face with a little click and let the small oval locket rest against her breastbone. ‘Is that better?’
Louisa and Roni both stared at her.
‘Okay,’ she replied slowly, giving them a moment, after all they hadn’t even witnessed a fraction of what she was actually capable of.
&nb
sp; There was a sudden knock at the door and Louisa went to answer it. She exchanged a few muffled words with what sounded like Tommy and then turned back to Olivia.
‘Um,’ she chewed her lip nervously, ‘I have a little confession to make.’
‘Alright,’ Olivia replied warily.
‘I may have invited someone to the wedding,’ she grimaced slightly. ‘Please don’t be mad at me, but she’s important to you and no matter how mad you are at her, I think you’ll regret it if you don’t have her here.’
‘Okay?’ she repeated in confusion.
Louisa opened the door and an older woman stepped through, immaculate in a peach colored dress and matching jacket. Her hair was perfectly styled and small tasteful diamonds sat at her earlobes, she also wore a matching bracelet.
‘Mags?’ Olivia whispered.
‘Hello Olivia,’ she smiled nervously.
‘Why don’t we give you both a moment?’ Louisa motioned for Roni to join her and they both stepped out into the hallway and clicked the door softly shut behind them.
It felt like a lifetime ago since she’d seen the woman who had been a mother to her. The last time they’d seen each other was during the murders, when she’d learned the truth about her. Margaret Hale had been a lot of things to her, friend, confidant, mentor, literary agent and most of all family. When she’d had no one, when she’d moved from town to town unable to settle, unable to reconcile her past, it had been Mags who’d been there for her, who’d filled all the hollow parts of her life. It was only when she’d returned to Mercy that she’d learned who Mags really was. She’d always believed they’d met by chance but that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Mags had been intimately involved with her great aunt Evie, they’d been in love for years and when Evie couldn’t look after Olivia herself she’d sent Mags to do it for her. Only Mags had never told her the truth. When she found out she’d felt betrayed, fooled, lied to. At the time she’d been under so much stress after being accused of murder, she’d lashed out and said some pretty awful things to the one woman who’d always stuck by her.
They stared at each other in silence for a moment, neither knowing what to say until Mags finally spoke.
‘I hope you don’t mind me coming?’ Mags asked her quietly. ‘If you don’t want me here I’ll leave.’
‘No,’ Olivia shook her head, ‘I’m glad you’re here Mags, in fact I owe you an apology.’
‘No Olivia,’ she began.
‘I do,’ she cut off her denial with a wave of her hand. ‘I’m sorry, I should never have said all those horrible things to you. I was upset but that’s no excuse. You’ve always been there for me, been such a big part of my life and I’ve missed you.’
‘I’ve missed you too,’ she replied softly, ‘but I also owe you an apology. I never should have lied to you for so long. I knew it was the wrong thing to do, but Evie was so adamant and she was so bull headed when she had her heart set on something. But I should have stood up to her.’
‘No its fine,’ Olivia shook her head, ‘aunt Evie and I have settled our differences now.’
‘You’ve seen her?’ Mags’ eyes filled with tears.
‘When we have more time I will tell you the whole story. It’s very long and very complicated, but she asked me to tell you something,’ Olivia stepped closer.
‘What?’
‘She loves you,’ Olivia told her softly, ‘and she’s waiting for you.’
A tear spilled over followed by another as Mags dragged in a deep breath.
‘Her death must have been so hard for you, not being able to tell me the truth, not being able to grieve her openly.’
‘She was my whole world for more than forty years,’ she breathed heavily, ‘my only family.’
‘Not your only family,’ Olivia whispered, ‘you still have me.’
‘Do I?’
Olivia nodded and wrapped her arms around the older woman. Mags pulled her in tight and held her, the girl she had watched grow into a woman.
‘Besides’ Olivia sniffed pulling back, ‘I’m going to need someone to step in and play Grandma.’
‘You’re pregnant?’ she whispered smiling, as her eyes shone with tears.
Olivia nodded.
There was a sudden knock at the door and Louisa stuck her head around.
‘I’m sorry to interrupt, but it’s time.’
‘Well okay,’ she blew out a breath. ‘How do I look?’
‘You look beautiful,’ Mags smiled.
‘Why don’t I take you down and find a seat for you?’ Roni asked Mags as she stepped into the room.
Mags nodded, throwing Olivia one last smile before following Roni out the door.
‘Ready?’ Louisa asked, handing her a small bouquet of pastel colored roses.
‘Yes I am,’ she smiled, ‘let’s go have us a wedding.’
Louisa hooked her arm through Olivia’s and the two best friends walked from the room arm in arm. As she descended the stairs she caught sight of a familiar face and a mop of white hair. By the time she hit the last step she bypassed Davis and her gaze landed on another even more familiar figure, strikingly groomed and wearing an impeccably cut suit.
‘Dad,’ Olivia smiled as she crossed the distance and wrapped her arms around him.
‘Jelly bean,’ he crushed her to him and lifted her up so her toes were barely grazing the ground, sighing as he swayed her slightly.
‘Where have you been?’ she frowned, pulling back as he set her back on her feet. ‘I’ve left you messages.’
‘Sorry sweetheart,’ he apologized. ‘I didn’t have a signal.’
‘For six days straight?’
‘Yes.’
‘Where the hell were you? The jungle?’
‘That’s not far off actually,’ he replied candidly.
‘Dad, where have you been?’ her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
‘I’ll fill you in later,’ he brushed the question off, ‘just let me look at you.’ He held her hand and stepped back to get a better look. ‘You’re stunning.’
‘Dad,’ she flushed in embarrassed pleasure.
‘Well,’ he shrugged, ‘you didn’t think I was going to let anyone else walk you down the aisle did you?’
‘Um dad?’ she frowned, ‘not that I wouldn’t love you to give me away, but I have half the town out in my back yard and you’re still technically a wanted criminal. Not to mention the fact that I think Mac still wants to shoot you.’
Charles smiled slowly.
‘Trust me,’ he held his hands up to his face then ran them over his hair and down past his ears. As his hands passed over his skin his features changed, until the man standing before her bore a small resemblance to her father but no one would be able to pick him out of a line up.
‘A glamour?’ she raised a slender brow.
‘This way no one will recognize me and I still get to walk you down the aisle.’
‘Sure,’ she replied sardonically, ‘and no one’s going to question the fact that I’m walking down the aisle with a complete stranger?’
‘There’s still enough of a resemblance for me to pass as family,’ he chuckled. ‘Just tell them I’m a distant uncle or something.’
‘Fine,’ she rolled her eyes smiling, ‘you can walk me down the aisle.’
‘Good, then that’s settled,’ he grasped her arm and wrapped it over his, patting her hand gently.
Louisa stepped closer and settled Olivia’s skirt.
‘Hello Mr Connell,’ she smiled.
‘Hello Louisa,’ he smiled back, his eyes sweeping over her protruding belly in amusement. ‘You’re looking radiant.’
‘I look like a balloon and I still have two and a half months to go,’ she replied testily, ‘and you can stop smirking Grandpa, the radiance is catching.’
His eyes widened as he looked sharply at Olivia.
‘You’re pregnant?’
‘Surprise!’ she shrugged as she gave him a small smile.
‘That’s…great,’ he replied, ‘that’s really great.’
‘Jeez don’t strain yourself there Mr Connell,’ Louisa murmured.
For a moment Olivia could have sworn she saw a worried look pass over his face before it was replaced by a smile.
‘Are you happy?’ he asked Olivia.
‘Yes I am,’ she replied.
‘Then I am too,’ he nodded. ‘So I’m really going to be a Grandpa then?’
‘Yes you are,’ she grinned, ‘unless you want to be Pops?’
‘Pops?’ he smiled standing taller, ‘I like that.’
She laughed softly.
‘You ready?’ he asked.
‘Yes I am.’
‘Then let’s go get that boy to make an honest woman of you,’ he led her towards the door.
‘Right,’ her silvery laughter echoed throughout the room, ‘that’ll happen.’
The ceremony was beautiful. She walked down the aisle strewn with petals, to join Theo who stood with Jake at his side. His eyes widened when he saw her, then settled into a frown when he saw the stranger standing next to her. Smiling she nodded towards Davis who was taking a seat at the back. Figuring out who it was next to her she saw Theo visibly relax.
By the time she reached the alter she saw Temperance standing on the small raised dais, dressing in a gorgeous deep blue dress which hugged her body and swirled around her knees in a fluid shimmering material that looked as soft as a cloud. Roni and Louisa moved to stand the other side of her and the sun smiled down on them, highlighting the lake which lapped and glittered behind them.
Later she wouldn’t remember any of the words, only the way Theo looked at her. She wouldn’t remember the guests, only the kaleidoscope of butterflies that suddenly appeared dancing around their heads as they made their promises to each other. And as he slid the ring onto her finger she would forever remember the smooth metal against her skin and his soft lips against her own, as Temperance pronounced them as man and wife to thunderous applause.
The bright sunny afternoon gave way to the soft balmy evening. The canopy of lights twinkled like starlight above the dance floor as she made the rounds to speak with all their guests, her husband firmly planted at her side. The music played softly on the night air as they took the floor for their first dance as husband and wife. Every eye turned and watched them both, mesmerized as they twirled and swayed to the music lost in each other.
The Guardians Complete Series 1 Box Set: Contains Mercy, The Ferryman, Crossroads, Witchfinder, Infernum Page 156