‘Well it certainly did get a bit wild,’ Theo replied.
‘A bit wild?’ Olivia repeated. ‘A bit wild? Theo, Fiona streaked naked across the shore of the lake.’
‘Yeah,’ Theo laughed out loud in remembrance.
‘Tommy and Jake were having a medieval joust using traffic cones as lances.’
‘I know,’ he smiled, ‘I think that was my favorite part.’
‘I don’t even know where they got the damn traffic cones from in the first place and they were using two of the other guests as horses.’
Theo chuckled and scratched his jaw thoughtfully.
‘Well they did all drink Dionysus’ wine. It was bound to get a little rowdy.’
‘A little rowdy?’ she repeated slowly. ‘Mrs Bailey dirty dancing with the God Hephaestus isn’t something I can ever unsee.’
‘Yeah,’ Theo snickered, ‘I can’t believe Louisa got that on camera.’
‘You know, now I understand why the Ancient Greeks’ parties were considered debauched and wild. I’ll bet they were all on Dionysus’ wine.’
‘Probably,’ he replied. ‘I think at this point we should just be grateful it didn’t degenerate into an orgy.’
‘You know I was expecting a few people to maybe get a little tipsy, but I certainly didn’t expect Hades to show up with a bunch of drunk, dead Greeks.’
‘Can immortals really be considered dead?’ Theo wondered.
‘I think you’re missing the point,’ she laughed, unable to help herself.
‘What does it matter? They all enjoyed themselves and I had the best time ever,’ he pulled her in close and kissed her. ‘And now I have the most beautiful wife in the world and we’re about to have a baby. Things just can’t get any better.’
‘Espresso?’
‘I stand corrected,’ he grinned as they passed by the pub.
Olivia suddenly stopped and glanced across the street, her eyes narrowing.
‘What is it?’ Theo asked.
‘Nothing,’ she murmured after a minute, ‘I just thought I recognized someone is all.’
‘Who?’
For a second she could have sworn she’d seen a woman who looked just like Tituba.
‘No one,’ she shook her head and smiled. ‘Come on let’s get that coffee or we’re going to be late for our appointment.’
Taking her hand, they set off once again toward the coffee shop.
Jackson looked up from the bar as the door opened and a beautiful woman with skin the color of cocoa walked in. There was something about her, an air of confidence that made her own the room. Her long wild corkscrew hair fell down her back like a wild waterfall and she wore an expensive, deep blue pantsuit with really thin, spiky yet elegant heels. Her eyes immediately locked on Jackson as she headed his way and slid onto a stool at the bar.
‘Afternoon darlin’,’ he smiled at her.
Her ocean blue eyes glittered and for just a strange, brief moment Jackson could’ve sworn he heard the waves crashing on the shore and smelled the briny tang of salt water.
‘Good Afternoon, Mr?’
‘Jackson,’ he offered his hand.
‘Mr Jackson,’ she replied.
‘Just Jackson,’ he smiled, his gaze dropping to her throat where the strangest necklace lay. It was a small blue sphere, suspended from a leather thong and for a moment it looked like a tiny spike of lightning was trapped in its crystalline depths.
‘Cally Atlass,’ she offered in return.
‘Stopping or passing through?’ Jackson asked.
‘I’m staying for a while, I’m here to see a very old friend…’ she smiled slowly. ‘She and I have unfinished business.’
2.
Theo held the door open for Olivia to step through, following in behind her before he took her hand again.
‘Olivia, Theo!’ Sachiv waved, ‘great wedding!’
‘Thanks,’ Olivia chuckled, glancing up at Theo who seemed just as amused.
Taking the elevator up to the third floor they stepped out and headed to the reception desk.
‘Olivia Beckett-West,’ she told the short, red haired receptionist as she glanced up from her magazine questioningly. ‘I have an appointment with Doctor Wilson.’
‘Okay,’ she turned to her screen, tapped a few keys and then handed Olivia a clipboard and pen. ‘Fill in your details honey and take a seat.’
Before long they were sitting in an exam room. Olivia, dressed in a thin hospital gown, sat on the edge of a bed swinging her legs absently, while she watched her husband. Theo was fascinated. First he stared at the medical diagrams mounted on the walls, each showing a fetus at a different stage of development. Then he moved on to the anatomically correct 3d model sitting on a nearby surface, which showed an almost full term baby nestled inside the womb.
They both looked up as the door opened with a quiet click.
‘Sorry to keep you,’ a dark haired woman entered the room holding Olivia’s notes, pushing her dainty glasses back up as they slid down her nose.
‘That’s okay,’ Olivia smiled nervously.
‘So you’re Olivia then,’ she held out her hand. ‘Louisa’s talked about you.’
‘Don’t believe a word of it,’ Olivia’s mouth curved.
Dr Wilson laughed as she turned to Theo and held out her hand to him.
‘And you must be Theo,’ she shook his hand firmly. ‘Newlyweds?’
‘That’s right,’ he smiled back.
‘It was a hell of a wedding from what I’ve heard,’ she rolled a stool over and sat down next to Olivia.
Theo chuckled as he moved closer.
‘So, I’ve been going over your notes,’ Dr Wilson looked down to the clipboard in her hands. ‘The nurse took your bloods and checked your blood pressure I see.’
Olivia nodded.
‘Not sure on the date of your last period?’
Olivia shook her head.
‘No, I have irregular periods,’ she lied easily. ‘We’ve been out of town for a while and I accidentally missed my last contraceptive shot.’
‘It’s not a problem,’ she placed the notes down on a nearby trolley and stood. ‘If you want to just scoot up the bed and lay back for me.’
Olivia did as she was asked, while Theo hovered anxiously. Dr Wilson covered the lower half of her body with a sheet and pulled the gown up, folding it and tucking it neatly under her ribs.
‘Any sickness?’ she asked.
‘Some,’ Olivia nodded. ‘I thought it was food poisoning.’
‘You wouldn’t be the first,’ she smiled as she pressed down on Olivia’s belly, feeling for the expansion of her womb. Seemingly satisfied she wheeled over the ultrasound and picked up a tube of gel.
‘Okay let’s have a look shall we?’
‘You’re going to do a sonogram?’ Theo asked curiously as he leaned over the bed beside Olivia.
‘That’s right,’ she nodded as she squeezed the cold gel onto Olivia’s stomach. ‘We can get a good look at your baby and should be able to see how far along you are.’
She ran the sensor over her belly pressing firmly, suddenly the room was filled a loud whooshing sound.
‘What’s that?’ Theo looked at the doctor.
‘That’s your baby’s heartbeat,’ she smiled.
‘It’s so fast,’ he breathed in wonder.
‘That’s perfectly normal,’ she reassured him, turning back to the machine.
She clicked several keys on the keyboard and the grainy grey image sharpened. Olivia sucked in a sharp breath as a small figure appeared, curled up contentedly.
‘There we go.’ Dr Wilson swept the pad across her belly, taking measurements. ‘Can you see the heart beating?’
Olivia nodded silently, not trusting her voice. She watched the little valve opening and closing rapidly and her eyes filled with tears.
‘Theo,’ she whispered, ‘that’s our baby.’
>
He leaned in close and took her hand, squeezing gently, no more able to form words than she was.
‘So it’s looks like you’re about twelve weeks along, that’s the first trimester done,’ Dr Wilson told them.
‘Can you see this here?’ she ran the sensor along what looked like a little string of pearls. ‘That’s your baby’s spine.’
‘So tiny,’ Theo whispered, ‘so perfect.’
‘Oh,’ Dr Wilson tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she moved the sensor again, this time pressing even more firmly into Olivia’s skin.
‘What?’ Olivia asked worriedly, ‘what is it?’
Dr Wilson, turned the monitor more fully toward them both, so they could see better.
‘See here,’ she pointed with her free hand, ‘just behind your baby…there, we have baby number two.’
‘Two?’ Theo’s eyes widened as she took more measurements.
Olivia stared at the screen, her heart jolting as she looked at her babies.
‘Congratulations, you’re having twins,’ Dr Wilson smiled, printing off several pictures.
‘I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, after all it does run in my family,’ Olivia laughed nervously.
‘We’re having two babies,’ Theo leaned down to kiss Olivia’s lips softly.
‘Yes we are,’ she murmured against his mouth.
‘Okay then,’ Dr Wilson sat back, taking a handful of tissue and wiping the excess gel from Olivia’s belly. ‘So everything is looking great. There’s just a few things you should know.’
Olivia pulled her gown down and sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Dr Wilson rolled the chair back and grabbed some boxes from the counter.
‘These are your pre-natal vitamins, it’s very important you take them,’ she handed the boxes to Olivia. ‘As we’re dealing with a multiple birth you’ll probably find you start showing early, so I’d make sure you buy some loose and comfortable clothes. Multiple pregnancies have a higher rate of premature births, so we tend to allow for any time after 29 weeks. We would consider 37-38 weeks full term, if you’re lucky enough to get that far, rather than the 40 weeks for a single birth. We’ll monitor you frequently and if you have any concerns or questions don’t hesitate to ask.’
‘Thanks Doc,’ Olivia replied.
‘No problem,’ she handed Olivia the pictures. ‘I’ll let you get dressed now, but make sure you book in your next appointment before you leave.’
‘I will,’ she nodded.
Before long they were stepping back onto the street in the late afternoon sunshine.
‘I can’t believe it,’ Theo shook his head. ‘Two?’
‘You should worry, you’re not the one who has to give birth,’ Olivia frowned.
Theo chuckled as he dropped his arms around her shoulders.
‘Are you hungry?’
‘Not at the moment,’ she shook her head, ‘but since we’re here I’d love to stop in at the museum, see what Roni has done with the place.’
‘The museum?’ he shook his head in amusement. ‘You just can’t help yourself, can you?’
‘No,’ her mouth curved, ‘it’s a disease.’
‘Let’s go see Roni then,’ he tugged on her gently to get her moving. ‘We’ll pick something up to eat on the way home, unless Roni and Jake want to join us.’
‘We can ask them,’ she shrugged, as they strolled leisurely down the street.
The heat had cooled off some in the late afternoon sun and a welcome breeze tugged at Olivia’s hair. Main St. was still a bustling hive of activity with kids streaking past them, laughing and racing their friends to Miz Willows for ice cream. Once upon a time that had been her, so young and carefree, racing down the street with Louisa and Jake. Soon enough, she realized with a jolt, that would be hers and Louisa’s kids. A new generation she frowned unconsciously, wondering if they would have the chance to grow up as carefree as she did. Well… she thought ruefully, at least until she was eight years old. After that her life could hardly be described as carefree.
Her thoughts were once again drawn back to her children. She wasn’t surprised that she was carrying twins and after the initial thrill of being pregnant had subsided, the stark reality was beginning to set in and the first licks of unease began to sit like lead in her chest. Any other time she would have been thrilled and already picking out colors and fabrics for the nursery, but underneath it all she wasn’t so sure. It wasn’t that she didn’t want the babies, she did, she wanted them desperately. She loved them already with every fiber of her being. But the cold hard fact was, she and Theo couldn’t have picked a worse time to have a baby, let alone two.
Her mother was on the loose and mad as hell. The demon Nathaniel was free and stalking through their world in his true form. They both thought she knew where the Hell book was hidden and the truth was she didn’t have a clue. Sooner or later they would come looking for her and when they did, both Theo and their babies would be in danger.
‘What is it?’ Theo asked quietly, interrupting her thoughts.
She glanced up at him, his dark eyes hidden behind his sunglasses.
‘I already have a pretty good idea what’s bothering you Livy, so you might as well get it off your chest.’
She let out a frustrated breath, damn it, he knew her too well. If she had any hope of keeping anything from him she was going to have to up her game.
‘I was thinking about my mother,’ she replied.
‘And?’
‘You know that sooner or later she’s going to show up back in Mercy.’
‘I know,’ he answered, ‘and we’ll deal with that when it happens. But the truth is Livy, I’m not too concerned with your mother.’
‘You’re getting very blasé.’
‘Not at all,’ he shook his head, ‘it’s just… I don’t think she will hurt you.’
‘You don’t know that,’ Olivia sighed, ‘she’s much more powerful now. This is the closest she’s ever been to finding the book and getting everything she’s ever wanted. Somehow I doubt she’s going to let me stand in her way. She’ll run straight over me.’
‘I don’t think she will,’ he replied.
‘No offense Theo, but you don’t know my mom.’
‘Neither do you Livy,’ he told her gently. ‘All you have are the memories of a child who loved her mom and lost her. Ever since she came back into your life, all you know are the terrible things she’s done. You don’t know why she did…’
‘I know exactly why she did those things Theo,’ she interrupted him angrily. ‘She murdered those innocent men to further her agenda of gaining the book. It’s all about the damn book.’
‘Yes and I don’t disagree with you,’ he replied carefully, ‘that is her end game. But the point I’m trying to make is that, you don’t know what brought her to this point, you don’t know what set her on this path and why. You don’t know her mind and you don’t know for certain how she feels about you. Until you do, you can’t possibly predict what she’s going to do next.’
Olivia’s mind was cast back to the woods in Salem, to her mother trying to explain why she wanted the book and trying to explain her relationship with her own mother. The mother who hadn’t wanted her because of her lack of power, the same woman who had spoiled Olivia outrageously.
It was hard, looking back into the past without the filter of childhood. Now she was looking back through the eyes of an adult, picking apart not only her relationship with her mom but also her grandmother, a woman she had loved desperately, and as much as she didn’t want to admit it, it made for uncomfortable viewing.
She didn’t want to understand Isabel West. As far as she was concerned, her mom was a murderer. A cold hearted bitch, who’d abandoned her own daughter.
Except, she thought in confusion, she hadn’t exactly abandoned her. That night, the night of the fire, if she looked back she now knew that Aunt Evie had been attacked too. While sh
e lay dying in her house, her mom had killed her grandmother, the woman who had neglected and emotionally abandoned her mom, if she was to believe her side of the story.
But what had her plan been that night? She’d been asleep in her bed until the argument had woken her. Her father had then arrived home unexpectedly; a struggle had ensued during which her mom had been stabbed. After that he’d taken Olivia and fled with her into the night.
What would have happened if her father hadn’t come home early that night? Would Isabel have hidden her mother’s body and pleaded ignorance? Would she have taken Olivia and fled with her? Or had she intended to creep into Olivia’s room and kill her while she slept? She didn’t want to believe her mother could be that cold blooded as to have murdered her in her own bed. But, she frowned, Theo was right, she really didn’t know her mother at all.
‘Olivia,’ he sighed, ‘I know this is hard for you. Believe me I don’t trust your mother anymore than you do but…’
‘But?’ she prompted as his voice trailed off thoughtfully, as if he wasn’t quite sure how to phrase what he wanted to say.
‘But you didn’t see her face,’ he shook his head, ‘back in the woods in Salem, when she held you. She saved you from being crushed by that falling tree, and then she healed you, saving you again. You were dying Livy.’
Olivia abruptly stopped walking and stared at him as he removed his glasses so she could see him clearly. She remembered nothing from the moment Nathaniel burst free of his human body, the shockwave of that event causing her to be thrown from her horse, to the moment she woke up in her mother’s arms. Had she really been that close to death?
‘Why though?’ Olivia frowned. ‘Why would she save me?’
‘Exactly,’ he replied softly, ‘and she’s done it more than once. In fact, all along she has done nothing but protect you. When she freed Nathaniel from the devil’s trap she gave you the same protection that she had, so that Nathaniel couldn’t harm you. She shielded you from the falling tree. She healed you when your body was so damaged your heart was failing.’
The Guardians Complete Series 1 Box Set: Contains Mercy, The Ferryman, Crossroads, Witchfinder, Infernum Page 158