My phone buzzed loudly seconds later. I didn't expect to hear it inside my hospital room, especially since I didn't even know what had happened to my phone. I looked at Ellis and arched my eyebrows in confusion. I pointed to the sound of the buzzing.Ellis let go of me and hurried to grab the phone. "I found your phone. Brenda and Joan kept it hidden. You should take this call." He handed it to me.I looked at the screen. It showed up as a name I knew well. It was Jenny! I put the phone call on speaker."Hi, Jenny! How are you?" I said happily."How dare you ignore my calls! Why did you ignore my phone calls? I've been trying to reach you?" Jenny scolded me."I-I-I am sorry, Jenny! I just have been busy," I stuttered."Well, I've been worried. You normally answer my calls. Or at least call me back. But you never did. What the h*ll is wrong?""N-n-nothing. Just busy, that's all.""Well, I've missed you. When are you coming back?""Not sure.""Something wrong? You seem off.""I've jus
I raised my hands up and my mouth dropped open in shock. Ellis put Ken down and Ken ran toward me. He came to me as I was standing right by the couch. Before I could sit down, he jumped right into my arms."Easy boy!" Ellis pulled Ken away. "You need to be gentle with your mommy.""How did you get here? Where are your grandparents? Is everything okay?" I asked, looking between Ellis and Ken for answers as I sat down on the sofa.Ken sat beside me on the couch. Ellis still stood by the couch and I looked up at him. My eyes widened and I arched my eyebrows anxiously."Your parents are fine, Olivia. I realized that it has been a while since we saw Ken. I talked with him while you were in the hospital. He missed us both so much and wanted to come here, so I asked Luke to bring him here. I just didn't expect them to show up and surprise us like this today. I figured he would arrive tomorrow or in another couple of days. Surprise!" Ellis exclaimed loudly with a wide smile.Seeing my son aga
**Olivia POV"I wish we could have stayed in the villa," Jenny said with a pout on her face as she came rushing into the kitchen."That's only because you want to be close to Gordon," I teased her."It's all because of Jesse. He is the one who ruined it!" Jenny exclaimed loudly.Jesse walked into the kitchen just then and she pointed her finger toward him. "You're the reason we have to be in this mansion and not the villa."Jesse's mouth dropped a notch at the comment. After that, he pointed to himself and said, "Me? Of course, it's not my fault! Ellis practically begged me to come over and cook for Olivia. He said that Olivia was now pregnant and craving my cooking.""I didn't crave for–" I started to say.Jesse winked at me while I talked and then interrupted me. "Just admit it. My cooking is the best. Isn't that right, Jenny?"I didn't say anything. Staying silent would probably be the best choice. I didn't laugh either, unlike Jenny and Jesse. I don't know why, but I began to feel
There were guns trained on me, and I knew that I had to remain calm and try my best to think my way out of this situation. One false move and I would be facing a bullet. I had just gotten my memory back, and I had a second child on the way. I couldn't leave Olivia alone now, not after everything we'd already been through. I took slow and steady breaths and looked each of the gunmen in the eye, speaking in a calm voice."I am going to turn around and talk to Bennett. Is that alright with you?" I asked them.At first, they seemed baffled that I would ask them, but then they nodded. So, I turned around and put my hands down to my sides. I stared coldly and hard at Bennett."Aww, what's wrong, Ellis? You're staring at me like you have something to get off your chest. Consider your next words carefully. They will be your last." Bennett laughed at his own comment."You a
"Let Ellis go, now!" a male voice yelled loudly.I looked up to see Jesse! "Jesse! Just in the nick of time. Thank god!" I said with a sigh of relief."Yeah I know, you bastard. If I would've been a few minutes later, you would be dead, Ellis." Jesse said sternly."Drop your guns!" one of the policemen yelled out.Bennett shook his head in disbelief. "Why are you guys here? Nothing is wrong here, officers." Bennett said softly to the policemen."Shut up, drop your weapons!" a male police officer yelled out.Bennett cocked his head in confusion. "Umm, I'm not sure what the problem is here, officers. But you do realize who I am, right?""Yeah, we know who you are, Bennett Klein. That doesn't matter to us. Now hands up!" the officer yelled."My family works well with the police force. We help deal with the black market. Why are you guys here bothering me now? Why today?" Bennett asked as he held up his hands."You're under arrest, Mr. Bennet Klein!" another officer yelled out.I flipped
**Olivia POVMy heart thumped loudly inside my chest, racing a mile a minute. My body started to feel really warm and then I could feel sweat start to form on my forehead. Chills went up my spine as I felt the color on my face drain rather quickly. My face must have looked as white as a ghost. My mouth gaped open in fear and in shock.I saw that gun pointed at me and fear grew inside me. I didn't know whether Nancy would really pull that trigger or not. But I didn't get to see much else after I heard gunshots since Ellis covered my eyes. My whole body shook as I felt the trauma unfold before my eyes.I felt nervous and scared to death about the whole thing. As Ellis held me in his arms, my mind began to wander. I wondered what would have happened if I had been just a little bit too late. Questions ran through my mind. Would Nancy really pull that trigger on Ellis? I couldn't imagine that horror. As Ellis started to whisper inside my ear, I felt speechless. I couldn't talk and I felt
**Olivia POV"Morning, baby. Are you ready to go visit Herman?" Ellis asked me as soon as I opened my eyes."Sure. Do you think he will like me? Do you think he will accept me and Ken?" I asked nervously as I sat up in bed.Ellis nodded at me. He smiled from ear to ear. He said, "Of course he will, baby. He's a loving guy."I nodded. I didn't know what to say. I felt Ellis rub my back and it soothed me. He also kissed my neck, which gave me chills up my spine. Feeling his tongue on my neck made me quiver with desire. It also made me forget about my nausea."Mom, Dad! You're awake!" Ken yelled loudly as he came rushing in.Ellis hurried to remove his mouth from my neck. I could feel he was disappointed that he couldn't continue. But he also did enjoy seeing his son. "Hi, buddy!" Ellis said happily.I saw Ken jump onto the bed. The bed bounced and made my stomach churn and do a flip-flop. More nausea hit. I put my hand on my stomach and rubbed it lightly. I hated waking up in the morning
**Ellis POV"What's going on? You're not spending time with Olivia?" Jesse asked me.I was sitting at the bar and drinking a beer. My friend Jesse had just opened a new Red Sea in Boston. I felt happy for him. It was what he really enjoyed. I could see Jesse smile a lot while he helped other customers.I took another drink and shook my head. I liked hanging out here because it wasn't very full of people. Plus, I didn't have to enjoy anyone's company here except for Jesse. I like to enjoy being around only a few people at a time. "My house is full of people now, Jesse. It feels crowded.""Hey, you should be happy that Herman is back at the mansion." Jesse reminded me of the good news."I am happy. But it just feels overly crowded, with not enough time to go around to enjoy everyone's company," I complained and then took another gulp of the beer."Besides, you made Olivia's day when you invited her mother to come to stay at the estate. She was missing her family, you know. It makes you l
Ellis POVI sat in the executive chair in the office, getting work done as well as I could under the circumstances. Even with the new legal troubles, some things never changed. “And tell them if they don’t they will have to answer to me,” I said. “Got it,” my project manager, William, said, looking a little shaken. Handling contractors came with the job, and was mostly a matter of patience, and being commanding. Much the same as handling a child having a tantrum. I relaxed a little as the call went away, taking more of the immediate problems with it. There were other problems hanging over my head that I didn’t like to think about. A little annoyed and very tired I loosen my tie, which had come to feel like a noose. After the house arrest, theoretical as it might have been, I hardly wore one anymore.I felt Olivia’s absence in my chest, like a weight. One I tried to lighten with another drink. Sipping lightly from the tumbler of rum, careful not to get drunk. I wanted to be alert
**Olivia POVI woke up still groggy, the world going from a dark blur to a light blur. Everything that had happened slowly rearranged itself in my mind.Pain came back along with the memories, if in a reduced form. With a wince, my head turned just right, and I saw Ellis seated by the bed, where he’d always been before getting arrested and would always be if I had anything to say about it.Ellis looked troubled, something I rarely saw. He was always so capable and in control of himself if not the situation. I reached out to him instinctively, and Ellis took it tenderly.“Can you be here?”“Of course,” he said.“No, I mean your house arrest.”“That is taken care of. Even if it wasn’t, I think this counts as compassionate grounds.”I relaxed a little, letting out a breath. Then I remembered what happened with the baby.“How is she?” I asked.He squeezed my hand, letting me know something was wrong, no matter what he might say.“She will be fine,” he said, “I’ll take you to the NICU to se
**Olivia POVI’d always heard bad things about hospital food. Fortunately, this proved not to be true. Everything Amber brought was great. I started to feel stronger just from the diet alone.If it wasn’t for hospital policy, I probably could have walked on our twice daily outings onto the hospital grounds. The baby seemed better too, moving even more than before.I started to suspect Nurse Anderson might have cooked the meals at home and smuggled them onto the hospital plates.I was near the end of my bacon and eggs, when a familiar face peeked in through the door.“Mom!?” I asked, more delighted to see her than I had words to say.“Hey, baby.”Mom came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek, like she used to do when I was little and feeling sick.“Me or her?” I asked, patting my belly.“Both of you, really,” mom said with a rare smile.Mom put her hand on my belly and felt it as the baby moved again.“Hello, little one, it’s Grandma.”I was surprised to hear her use the term. Something
**Ellis POVI paced the hallway, resisting the urge to hit something. The control I showed in most situations was carefully built up over years. There were times I worried about Ken and his potential impulse control. Then again his mother was so patient and gentle, except when truly riled, it could be her genetics that might win out. I went to the door again, just to see if I could hear what was being said. The wood was too thick and all I could hear was muffled hums. “You know you could just go in right? You’re on the list.”Spinning on my heel, resisting the urge to yell in fright, I saw Nurse Anderson with a food tray. “I can’t actually.”“Why? Is the door locked?” she asked, testing the knob. “Yes, but that is not the biggest problem.” “Oh, how so?” Nurse Anderson asked. “It was locked from the inside,” I said.“Yes, that is how it works.” “By someone else, on purpose I mean.” “Who?” “Some Fed, I think he said his name was Smiley.” “Agent Smiley?” Nurse An
**Olivia POV Ken came out of nowhere. The only warning of his arrival, an excited shout echoed down the hall. He still hadn’t got the hang of his ‘inside voice.’ Like a shot he was in the room, shattering the quiet solitude. I couldn’t have been happier. Kevin was more subtle, coming in behind and waiting to be beckoned before coming forward. There was something about hospitals that made him less than comfortable. “Mommy,” Ken cried, up on the bed like a shot. “Hey, baby,” I said, as he took me in a near-choking hug. “Hi,” Kevin said, quietly, keeping his wheelchair near the door.. “Get over here,” I said. Kevin came up beside the bed, not needing to be told twice. From my bed I hugged Ken and held Kevin’s hand tightly, tears started to roll with little choice. “Mommy?” Ken asked. “Happy tears, baby,” I said. “Oh.” The room felt smaller all of the sudden and all I wanted to do was go outside with my boys. Pressing the button to page her, Amber appeared in no
**Olivia POV Day came again even as I was sitting on the plane back to New York. It had been a dream, and Ellis was still there, looking deeply worried. “How are you doing?” he asked with a smile that once melted me. “Fine and only getting better. As soon as the doctor gives me the all clear I’m going home with Ken.” “Ken is at home,” Ellis said. “Not your home, my home,” I said. I could see the words cut deep, and almost felt sorry for him. Second thoughts were just coming up when the doctor came in, his expression grim.I instinctively reached for Ellis’s hand. Bad news no doubt on the horizon. “It can’t be that bad,” Ellis and I blurted at once. “It can actually,” the doctor said, looking at the chart. “How so?” Ellis butted in. It didn’t really concern him anymore, but he was the sort to think he needed to be the center of attention in any situation. He must have been a joy at funerals. “You are severely dehydrated, Mrs. Peterson. The amniotic fluid is mu
**Ellis POVI held her hand in the back of the ambulance, never letting her go again if I had anything to do about it. I had gotten far too close to losing her. “We’ll be there soon,” I said, minding the volume. She flinched at the smallest noise if it was unexpected. God only knew what the sick f*cks had done to her, and it was best not to think about it. Anytime I did, the urge to kill them rose. I didn't want to kill Carl, no matter how much of a f*ck up he was.No matter what he did he was still my son. People like us had other ways to deal with our kids when they got off the track. Military service was one popular option, as well as “career opportunities” in another country. Olivia stayed silent, her head lolling to the left before she closed her eyes. “Everyone is excited to see you again,’ I tried, “especially Ken and Kevin.”Olivia winched at the mention of their names. It was probably a touchy subject, after she’d been away for so long, not sure if she’d ever get ba
**Olivia POV“How are you doing, honey?” I asked, rubbing my belly. The baby didn’t move, but she could have been asleep. Apparently, they did that a lot. Resting up for the rest of their life. Bethany and Carl were down there for a few hours. Mostly quiet but with the occasional argument. Things shifted and I heard steps coming towards the attic. I held my breath hoping everything would be okay. I wasn’t sure I’d done the lock up right, and hoped they wouldn’t notice if they came back. It would be an obvious sign of what I’d done, and the punishment could be awful. There was no telling what Bethany might do. She could be merciful and just break my ankles. Or my wrists, to stop me from getting the lock picked again. It would make Ellis really mad, but it didn’t sound like they were planning to stay around, after everything. The clock clicked open, making me flinch and the baby move. I nearly cried to feel her again but had to hold it together. If we were going to get out of
**Olivia POVI felt a thrilling chill run over my body and the baby moved in response, celebrating in my womb. The door was open and we were close to freedom. I rubbed my belly, calming her down. I would need all my focus for the next part. Carl and Bethany could have been back at any time, and I had to be gone before then if there was going to be any chance of getting back to the boys and Ellis tonight. I cracked the door open slowly and I listened to the deafening silence. All was dark but I could just make out the staircase below the door. There was no light from below, so I had to try to get down blind. A little at a time, always sure to hold something, down I climbed. Getting one foot down on the stairs and then the other. Holding the sides of the steps in a death-grip, I finally reached solid ground. The floorboards down below creaking like the ones up above. There was another door at the base of the steps and my heart sank to think that I might have to work to pick another l