**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
Ken and Kevin rushed in, their eyes widening when they saw the ring on my finger. Ken squealed in delight. "Yay, Mom and Dad are getting married! Finally!" he said."Congrats, when's the wedding?" asked Kevin, who seemed almost as excited as Ken. I felt speechless. I wanted to be happy and excited, but I couldn't find the words. Ellis answered for me. "I think two months will be a good time, just enough time to get everything ready." The words hung in the air, and I felt a weight descend in my stomach. Could I really get ready in that short of a time to do something so big and life-changing? Could I forgive Ellis for all the lies? I would need to seriously think this over. Ellis seemed to understand, and he lightly touched my arm. "It's okay," he said quietly. "You don't have to decide right now. Take your time and think it over." I nodded, feeling relieved. I looked out the window, my thoughts taking me far away. I thought about the past few months, about all the secrets, the d
Ellis grabbed me from behind. Since everyone was asleep now, I could feel Ellis push his body into mine. "I want to enjoy you while we're on a cruise ship." Hearing those words made me quiver with desire. Goosebumps formed on my arms and a chill went up my spine. Ellis grabbed my body and carried me to our room placing me on the bed. I giggled as I reached for him. My fingers crept up his thighs, playing over his skin until I could grab hold of his shaft. Feeling his muscles tense and hearing him moan made me also moan. My hips bucked forward, and the shaft moved under my hand.I felt his hand on my chest and one of the cups of my bra moved down. His fingers dug into my breasts and pinched my nipples. My other breast sprang free, and the air moved across it like waves on the ocean.His tongue darted out to lick his lips as he backed up away from me. I pulled him toward me with my hand on his shaft. For several long moments, Ellis explored my body with his hands and mouth. I wiggled u
On the day of the wedding, the island was alive with excitement. The weather looked perfect for this special day. No wind or rain would ruin this special moment for me. I felt thankful for that. Ellis and I were finally tying the knot! It felt like we’d been together and engaged forever without any progress. Now our families and friends are here to witness the special moment. I wore the stunning white wedding gown with golden design on it. Everyone could see my bare shoulders since it would be off-the-shoulder, which I loved since you didn’t see off-the-shoulder dresses that often. Seeing Ken and Kevin go down the aisle made me smile wide. They both looked good in black and white tuxes. I walked down the aisle with my father. It felt so special to me. Once I stood in front of Ellis, I could see him dressed in a classic black tuxedo. The vows came now and I held my breath as I heard Ellis speak loudly and clearly. “My dearest Olivia, we have been through some rough times. Again, I d
**Ellis POVThe last leg of our journey home was a flight that felt longer than the entire cruise. It probably didn't help that it was the middle of the night. Everyone looked exhausted as we all sat in the plane. I dozed off from time to time. Holding Olivia’s hand as much as possible the entire way. It felt nice to finally get into the limo and see the familiar surroundings. It was nice to be back in Boston. The ride from the airport to the house didn't seem to take all that long. Once the limo stopped in front of the Peterson mansion, I sighed with relief. Everyone climbed out and rushed inside.As soon as we stepped inside, we were greeted by a familiar face. My grandfather, Herman, held out his arms wide with a bright smile. I smiled happily at him and set our bags down for a moment. “Welcome home,” Grandfather Herman greeted us. He was beaming with joy. “Did you have a wonderful wedding trip? I’m sorry I couldn’t make it, but I’m so glad you’re here now.”“We’re glad to be home
I got a call a few days after our wonderful time of settling into the estate. A call I didn’t expect. It was the Mayor. I found it surprising that he would be calling me."So, what’s up, Mayor?" I asked."I was interested in talking about your proposal for urban and suburban development.""Oh, okay sure. Did you want to talk in person about this?" I asked."Sure, whenever you can get here." "I will be on my way." I hung up and hurried out of the mansion. I arrived at the Mayor’s office a few minutes earlier than he probably expected. I was expecting a warm welcome. But I was wrong. Dead wrong.As I waited for him, I could hear the Mayor was on the phone, speaking in hushed tones. I couldn’t make out everything he was saying, but I instantly sensed something was wrong when I heard the name Bennett Klein. The Mayor hung up the phone and called me in, his face a mask of solemnity. “Bennett Klein is missing,” he said. “He’s a fugitive from justice,” the Mayor replied grimly. “He fled th
**Olivia POV The next several weeks seemed to drag on for me. Same thing every day. I was so bored all the time. Since the weeks were piling up, my body started to show more and more. I know it's a blessing to have kids. Especially when some women can't have them. My chest grew more and felt harder and filled up. My face looked a little puffy too. Even my thighs started to puff up.With the baby growing, it started to feel heavier on my small frame. So, now my back started to hurt more often. I hated the aches and pains. Ellis was up at the Crack of dawn and went to work. The two boys started school. Both of them seemed excited about it. Especially Ken since he would get to meet new kids. But that meant it would be just me at home in the humongous mansion with Grandpa Herman staying mostly in his room. I felt so lonely.Morning came around again, I noticed the school bus out front. So, I rushed towards the stairs. “Ken, Kevin! Bus is here!” I yelled loudly.I watched Ken rush down t
Suddenly, the front doors flew open and a wisp of cold air rushed inside the living room. Ken leaped up and yelled, “Daddy!”“Ken, Kevin, are you two okay?” Ellis asked loudly as he came running over.“Yeah, we’re fine. Did the school call you?” Ken asked.“Yes, so I rushed home to check on you,” Ellis said with a nod.“Well, everything’s fine, Daddy. Can you stay home with us now?” Ken asked.“Sorry, buddy. I can’t. I have meetings in about an hour. I had just enough time in-between to come check on you. Why didn’t anyone call me about you guys coming home early?” Ellis asked as he looked at me.“Sorry, Ellis, they just got here within the last two hours or so. Besides, you’ve been busy with work. I know working with the Mayor is important to you. So, I didn’t want to bother you when it wasn’t an emergency. You haven’t been home much lately anyways.”“That’s no excuse, Olivia. I’d still like to know when something important happens to the boys. There was plenty of time to call me, Oli
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