Part 4

Olivia drove with out a sense of direction. The twin toddlers howled in displeasure and the older twins were sulking in back over having to miss the end of the cartoon. Brandon stared out the window deep in thought. Where could she go? She had no real friends. All of her friends were business acquaintances of Grants. She didn't run in the same circle as those Moms did. She didn't have a nanny and a housekeeper and a gardener. The one time she had gone to a lunch with them, she felt out of place. Oh she looked the part real well. Luncheon dress, pearls, high heels. She just didn't feel the part. What they did on this trip and that trip didn't interest her. They in turn could have cared less what Abby said the other day or what Tyler batted in T-ball. The Moms that did the t-ball, soccer thing with the kids saw her as the rich lady who they had nothing in common with. They probably thought she was just like the other rich Moms. Nanny and cook and such. So, her world was her children. She spent her life with them. For them. They were the reason she was still with Grant. She had known for some time she would never love him. She stayed for the kids alone. She could never give them anything in life with out Grant. She was a nothing and a nobody. But with Grant he made her one thing. He made her a Mom. The one thing in life she wanted more then anything. So for her kids sake she suffered. Besides the only man she would ever love would never return her love. He left her alone to face her Father against marrying Grant. He knew her Father wanted her to marry Grant. He pushed them together any chance he got. Grant this, Grant that. Adam was the one she wanted. She went against her parents wishes and would have gladly left that all behind for Adam. But he rejected her. After attending yet another function with Grant at the insistence of her Father and spending the night fending off his advances, she had sought out the one thing in life she knew she could count on. Instead he was cold. He told her he never loved her. He pushed her away. She in turn had died inside just a little. He left town and never looked back. She found out she was pregnant. That same night she let Grant have his way with her. In the back seat of her fancy sports car she had gotten for her birthday. Just like now it was fast and over with before she even know what was happening. They had even used protection. Oddly enough, it was the one and only time they used a condom. Thank God Grant believed that it was not always 100% accurate. He was pretty angry when he found out she was pregnant. They had a quick marriage so the public wouldn't know for sure it wasn't just a honeymoon baby or in this case babies.

She drove in random circles. At one point she stopped at a gas station and ushered the kids into the bathroom so she could change poor Lindsey out of her stinky clothes. They all got a snack and she buckled them back into her van. Looking at her babies she knew one thing. She would protect them. They drove back towards the house and went past on a neighboring street. The limo was gone. Much to Olivia's horror though, Grant's car was in the driveway. It was 5 pm. He was never home now. Not ever in the past 7 years had he been home this early. He would be pissed when he saw the mess in the twins room from Lindsey's upset stomach. Instead of sympathy, Lindsey getting sick tended to make him angry. Then to top it off she drove off with the mess still there. How would she expain this?

She unbuckled the kids and let them out. At the sight of Grants car they grew quiet and walked silently into the house. They knew better then to yell or cry when he was home. They didn't even ask why he was here.

She sent the kids in to watch tv and walked the stairs to their bedroom. She walked in to find Grant packing. He was not the Grant she was used to seeing. He was all disheveled. His suit looked wrinkled. His eyes were bloodshot and he had dark circles under them. His hair stood out on end like he had been running his hand through it. Even at his worst drunken moments, she had never seen him look like this. He was mumbling to himself as he threw things into open suitcases on the bed. He looked up as she walked in and she saw hatred in his eyes. Pure and simple hatred. It faded and his usual annoyed look was there.

"What are you doing?" she asked him quietly.

"I have to leave on a trip suddenly." he snapped.

Grant often traveled for work. Often last minute. She had never seen him act like this. Heck, half the time he didn't even bother to tell her until he called from the local he was sent. Germany, France. Heck,half the time he didn't even come home to pack. He just bought new stuff and took it with him. Their closets and 2 spare bedroom closets were stuffed full of his suits and designer clothing.

"Ok," she said.


She knew she had to do it now or it might be too late and he would notice she was showing so she jumped in head first.

"Grant, you should know, we are pregnant again."

He looked up, anger flashing in his eyes.
"Isn't 5 enough?" he snapped. "You never lose all that baby weight afterward. Soon you will be so fat I will have to divorce you!"

She just took this.

"I didn't get this way alone" she reminded him.

He flashed her a nasty look.

"For all the good it does me. You lay there like a limp rag. If you were not so good for my career, I would have turned you in for a newer model. But for some reason, I just can't seem to yet."

"Could it be my parents money?" she snarked.

He looked at her long and hard. She never talked back.

"Well, God knows I didn't marry you for you brains." he slapped with his words. "You should know my dear, Daddy's money bought me a long time ago. A cool million to keep you away from your loser boyfriend. If I married you it would be 2 million. Heck, when he found out you were knocked up with those bastards, it quickly turned to 5 million."

She reacted like he had slapped her. He knew? All along he knew that Tyler and Sophie weren't his?

As if he read her mind he nodded and said, "Hell yeah I knew. They have his eyes you know. Your old man knew too. Thats why he gave me the extra 3 million to shut up and marry you fast. He has given me a million for every couple of months so I stayed with your sorry ass too." he growled.

Tears filled her eyes. No wonder he wasn't proud of Tyler. He was what he wanted. He was what he wanted Brandon to be. Smart, the athlete, popular, handsome. Still he never gave Tyler any time. Didn't care. The girls he never even talked to. He tried with Brandon, but Brandon was a dissappoinment. A book worm. Smart, but not an athelete.

"Are you leaving me?" she asked in a small voice.

He laughed. "No, just leaving for the moment. I have a bit of a problem, but I still need Daddy's money, so no, I am not leaving for good."

Her pride stung her. She knew she should stand up to him. Some part of her screamed to kick his sorry butt out to the curb and be done. Heck, she would get half in a divorce. If what he was saying was true, then she should be able to raise the kids ok if she got a job on her half in a divorce settlement. Should and could were far apart though. What if he didn't save a lot? He had a new car every year. He traveled. He paid all the bills. She had her account, but she never knew how much was in there. Only that she never wanted for anything. She was stupid and blind. She let her husband lead her life just like her Father before him. She went from being a possesion of her Father to being a possession of her husband. Heck, her Father basically sold her. She sobbed openly.

"Oh, shut up!" Grant snapped. "You don't know what real trouble is. All you care about is those stupid brats. It's all you ever talk about or care about.

She sat on the edge of the bed and he threw more things in the suitcases. He slammed them shut and lugged them off the bed. She sullenly followed him down the stairs to the front door.

"When can I expect you back?" she askd meekly?

"I don't know" he said. "This trip might be longer then most. Could be up to a year."

Shock shook her to the core. A year? What was going on. This was not normal. Grant was running scared. What had he gotten himself into. The rat man at the door with the limo suddenly came back to her.

"Does this have to do with Frank Loyd?" She asked him.

He froze at the front door and spun to face her.

"How do you know that name?" he spit.

"He was here a few hours back." she acknowledged.

The look of fear that crossed her husbands features scared her deeply to the core of her being. Something was really not right here. He dropped the bags and went into the family room. For a second she thought he might be saying goodbye to his kids, but he didn't speak a word to them, just grabbed a book from the bookcase and strode back over to the front door.

"I wont' be calling soon." he snarled to her. "Don't go calling Daddy on me. If he asks, I am on a business trip. I expect my allowence as usual. If you screw me over Olivia, I swear I will never let you live it down."

With that he walked out the door. The door slammed loudly and then another pop came. She stood confused. What in the world was that? She saw from the front window, the limo speed away. Hmmm she thought. She opened the door and a scream came flying from her mouth. Grant lay on the front walk. A small bullet hole in the center of his forehead. His eyes were open, but she knew the instant she looked he was dead. The kids were right there beside her. She tried to shut them away from seeing it, but they already had. The look in her eyes told them they had a perfect view of the actual shooting from the window in the family room. They had seen their father shot dead on their front sidewalk.

Across the street, Adam flew into action. It happened so fast. He had checked back to see if Liv and the family had made it home ok and saw that her husbands car was there. He was turning to leave when the front door flew open. He caught a glimpse of Liv's face and he was on alert. She had been crying and she looked stricken. Grant slammed the front door, took 3 steps and a shot rang out. He fell to the sidewalk as the limo from earlier in the day speed away. He watched in horror as Olivia opened the door and 5 kids peeked around her to the mess in front of them. He sprinted across the street. He pushed her back into the house and shut the door as he dialed 911 from his cell phone. He reported the shooting as a bystander walking past and they were sending police. Olivia was in shock. Her face was pale and her eyes haunted. The kids too were quiet and stood not moving. He ushed them all towards the back of the house where he had seen Olivia cleaning up the other night. He assumed that with all the toys he had seen her pick up, it must be a family or play room. It was a big open room with a large screen tv in the center. A large comfy couch and love seat were in front and a large fireplace with the mantle full of the kids pictures. To the right was a small library of sorts. Bookshelves filled the entire right side of the room with a comfy chair in the corner with a stand next to it. The older twins sat on the sofa and Olivia sat on the love seat as the two younger twins joined her. She cuddled them close. The small blond boy stood looking up at him. He didn't move. He looked distraught. Adam dropped to his knees.
"You ok partner?" he asked him.

"He took my book!" the little boy said. Tears welling up in his eyes.

"What book son?" he emplored him. It was obviously important to him.

"My whale book!" the child exclaimed.

Adam looked to Olivia for help. She called him over to her and pulled him onto her lap. He lay his head on her bossom and started to cry.

"What book did he take?" Adam asked again softly.

"Moby Dick!" the child sobbed.

He went to the front door and looked out. Sure enough, next to the dead body lay an older copy of Moby Dick. He frowned. He must have wanted to take a piece of his son with him if that book meant so much to his son. Without thinking it through, he walked out, grabbed up the book and took it in to the traumatized child. Brandon hugged it up and held it to him as if it were a stuffed bear or animal of some sort.

"It's his favorite book." Olivia supplied. "Is that ok you moved evidence?"

He didn't know. His Naval training told him no, his heart told him that as much as that book meant to the tot, it had to have been done.

"Yeah," he said. "We just won't mention it ok."

Olivia nodded.


The shock of Adam walking into her house shook her even more then the fact her husband had just been shot dead. Adam. The man of her dreams. The only man she ever loved. The man who had crushed her heart all those years ago was sitting in her home. Sitting next to his own children he never knew existed. The children he still had no idea were his. He stayed with them through the police and the talking. He told them what he had seen and even had the license plate of the limo. Then at his suggestion, she packed up some things for her kids and they went with him. He drove only a few blocks from the house and pulled into another driveway of a house very similar to hers. Victorian and spacious. Painted a jolly color of pink though.

"Whose house is this?" Olivia asked him.

"My parents." he said as he helped kids out of the car and retreived bags.

She didn't comment. She had heard his Father had done well. She just had no idea they lived so close to her. She loved this neighborhood. Grant had hated it. It wasn't rich enough for him. He wanted a mansion on the hill with a gate and butler. The only thing that kept him agreeing to live there was the fact the Mayor lived just a few houses down.

"What will your Mom think when you bring us all in here at 10 at night?" she asked quietly.

Adam quirked a smile at her. "This is MY Mom we're talking about." he laughed. "First she will feed you. Then she will smother you. She will settle you in and then corner me and interrogate me."

No sooner had they walked in the front door then Adams words became reality. His mother ushed the poor lambs as she called them into her front room and settled them in with a movie. Apparently Adams Mom babysat. She had toys and movies. Then she set to cooking. Adam encouraged her to sit with the kids when she wanted to help his mother in the kitchen. She sat limply in a lazyboy chair. She looked wrung out. Like she was holding it together by a thread. Obviously she was one strong lady. She would not let her kids see her break. The little blond boy, Brandon she had called him,was off in a corner reading the rescued Moby Dick book.

"Does he actually read it?" He asked her.

She looked up as if surprised to hear his voice. Glancing at Brandon and then back at him, she answered. "He reads it. If you don't believe me ask him to tell you what it's about."

"How old is he?" Adam questioned.

"5" she answered.

Adam raised his eyebrows. "Really?" he questioned.

He walked over to where Brandon was sitting and sat down next to him indian style.

"Hey," he started. "So, whats this here book about?"

For the next 15 minutes, the 5 year old told him the entire story of Moby Dick. The kid knew it inside and out. He was shocked and proud. Did Olivia realize how amazing it was that a 5 year old could read like this? He looked over to her and saw a puzzled look on her face. The older twins too had stopped watching to tv to watch him talking to Brandon. How very odd. One would think they had never seen a conversation between an adult and a kid.

His Mom called them out to the kitchen which was homey and warm. Olivia smelled fresh baked bread and there were eggs frying on the stove top. A giant griddle full of scrambled eggs and bacon. Adams Father sat at the end of the table looking grumpy. She supposed it was because of the invasion of the rug rats.

"Mr Farrell." she said sympathetically. "I am so sorry to invade you like this."

She had always liked him when she dated Adam in high school. He was always happy and so nice to her.

"Never mind Mr Grumpy pants" Adams Mom said. "He's just upset he can't have any bacon with the rest of you and none of this Mr and Mrs stuff.It's Carol and Mike."

The old giggle at the names slipped out. Carol and Mike just like the Brady Bunch. It had made her giggle back then, it still did today.

Mr Farrell, er...Mike glowered at his wife. "The old biddy is starving me to death!" he said emphatically.

"Now that is a lie!" Carol snapped. "You know what your Dr said. No fatty foods after that heart attack!"

Olivia hadn't heard Mike had a heart attack.

"I'm so sorry we have invaded you here. I had no idea you had been sick Mr, er Mike." she appologized.

"Please, this is a welcome diversion." Mike stated. He looked around at the small faces around the table. They all sat not moving or speaking as if he would jump up and bite them. This was a tough crowd.

Lindsey climbed down from her chair and went to climb into her Mother's lap. She kept a wary eye on Mike and Adam as she did so as if they might yell or jump up and yank her back into her seat.

Mike and Adam caught each others eyes. What was up with these kids? They were like they were on egg shells. They didn't speak, didn't even move really.

Mike went into action. He grabbed his stomach in agony. "Ohhhhhhh ohhhhhh me oh my. Old Biddy I order you to give me some of that there bacon or I shall eat YOU up!"

He got up to get some bacon and Carol playfully slapped his hand as he tried to steal some bacon. Instead of the giggles he expected, he turned to see 5 very scared faces and one sad Mom. These were not normal kids. The daycare kids would be in fits of giggles by now over his antics. These children looked as if the world might end right there. Carol spanked him with her spatula.
"Sit down you old coot!" She said. "Your scaring the lambs."

He sat down and promptly pouted. "Seeeeee!!!" he said to the kids. "She is starving me."
They all nodded very seriously.

Adam was in shock. This was not how kids behaved. He had friends with kids. They were tired he supposed and in shock at having seen their Father shot in front of them. They needed to eat and rest. His eyes went to Liv's. So did their Mom. She looked half dead. Dark circles under her eyes.

They ate as his Father regaled them with a story of when he was in the Navy and they were in occupied Germany and all they had to eat was bacon for weeks on end. He actually got a smile out of a few of the kids. Carol went up to make up beds for the kids and Olivia. With the big old house she had pleanty of rooms now. Heck, even in the old house with 2 bedrooms on the other side of the tracks, she would have found space for this lovley family. Something had happened to them and it didn't have all to do with today either Carol expected. After watching after kids for years, she knew that all was not good in the Spencer home. The kids were scared to death of Mike and Adam. This Grant Spencer was a dirty low down dog. She had known that for years. He humped anything that came within a few feet of him. He was a well known lush as well. He drank, saw wild woman behind his wifes back who he kept getting pregnant. It was also well known her Father had arranged the marriage. Now it was clear to Carol that he was a bad man to his family as well.

She came back into the kitchen. Mike stood up and growled at Carol. "There is the old Biddy! Quick, hide the bacon I was eating."

Lindsey threw up all over the floor and her mother. Abby burst into tears. The older twins started to wring their hands in fear and Brandon ducked under the table.

Carol went into Mother Hen mode. She scooped Lindsey away from her Mom Olivia and to the sink. She set her on the counter and cooed over her. "Poor lamb. The old coot scared the food right out of ya!" Mike grabbed towels and Adam took them to mop up the mess. Olivia was in shock. So were the other kids. No yelling. No fuss. Only action. Soon everything was right again. Lindsey was clean and had a popcicle to get rid of the yucky taste in her mouth. She had on clean jammys that Carol found in the suitcase and Olivia was wisked to the bathroom and handed a fluffy robe, some towels and the door was shut for her to shower.

The kids were sound asleep in the extra bedrooms when she got out of the shower. Mike was sitting outside the doors as if on guard. He stood up when she came out.

"They all settled right in and went to sleep" he reported. "This here is your room." he indicated pointing to the room across the hall. We put the suitcase with your stuff in there. Do you need anything else honey?" She suddenly felt so safe. She shook her head and smiled at Mike.

"You have no idea how much I appriciate this." she thanked him.

"Not a problem honey." Mike said and gave her shoulders a squeeze. "If you need us we are in the room at the end of the hall. Adam is next door to you."

Adams door opened and Carol popped out. "Oh sweety. How are you now?" she asked. "That must feel better to get cleaned up. I know when I was in your way, the mere thought of throw up made me queesy."

Olivia was in shock. Carol knew she was pregnant. She was bearly showing. Carol was a wonder to behold. How could she have guessed.

Carol read her mind. "I see that glow honey. That glow only an expecting mother can have."

Adam walked out to that statement. "Your pregnant?" he asked her. Olivia nodded in answer. About 2 months I would guess. I am not really sure. I mean, I don't keep track. Well, I mean we don't have it all that often and well, when we do, I, we..... She was babbling and mortified. Why would he care how often they did it. Or how pregnant she was. He was probably disgusted at the thought.

Carol hugged her as well and went off to her bedroom leaving them alone in the hallway. Adam's eyes were on her stomach. She had changed into her pjs which were a oversize shirt and stretch pants. "Is there really a baby in there?" he asked awe creeping into his voice. Olivia was confused. Why was he not disgusted?

"Yeah," she confirmed. "There really is. Actually, with my record, it might even be 2." She expected him to scream and run. Instead he came closer and continued to look at her stomach.

"Two?" he exclaimed."How will you know?" I mean, will two just pop out?"

She giggled. She couldn't help it. "No, the do a sonogram."

Duh, Adam thought. He sounded like an idiot. Of couse he knew they did sonograms and such. He didn't live in a cave. Though he had never been able to experience a pregnancy so close.

"You ok?" he asked her then looking into her eyes.

She nodded and then shook her head. "No" she whispered.

That was all it took. He gathered her into his arms and she couldn't hold back the tears anymore. She cried and cried. She drowned him in her tears. Even after she thought she could find no more tears, they continued. It was over an hour. He scooped her up gently and carried her into his bedroom. There was a sofa and he sat down with her in his lap and let her cry it out. He knew after the first few minutes, this was more then just todays events. She was crying for more. For what they had lost. For what had hurt her. For how HE hurt her.

When she finally took a deep shuddering breath, he pulled her back to look into her face.
"Better" he questioned.
Her lower lip wobbled.
"I guess so" she said.

Her heart raced. She needed to tell him. She needed him to know and know it now. The lie between was huge. Never had she felt bad for hiding the paternety of the older twins from Grant. Now, being here in Adam's arms. She had to let it go.

"Tyler and Sophie are yours!" She spit out fast before she chickened out.

His hand that had been rubbing her back stopped.

"What?" he said his eyes wide with wonder.

"That night we made love. In your bed at your old home. The only night we were together. We conceived Tyler and Sophie."

Adam set Olivia aside and stood up and strode over to the window in his room.

She wasn't sorry. He had to know. With her luck, Carol already suspected. She seemed to be intuitive that way.

He turned back to her and she saw he was crying.

"I didn't know." he said."Why didn't you tell me?"

"I would have she said, "but when I tried to tell you, you broke up with me. You told me to marry Grant, that you never loved me."

It was like a great punch to his stomach. That night he broke up with her, she had been carrying his babies inside her. They had made 2 perfect, beautiful children.

"I came to find you that night" he said, looking deeply into her eyes. I saw you making out with Grant boy. You were on the dance floor looking all lovey dovey. I knew then I didn't stand a chance with you."

He had seen one of Grants many passes at her. He was constantly all over her and kissing her and grabbing her breasts and trying to put his hand up her shirt or down her pants.
"I didn't invite that kiss" she said quietly. I loved you."

Part 3

She picked up the kids from Steve and Marys. As usual they had been well behaved and were sorry to have to leave. Only the promise of fun at the park got them moving. They piled into the van and she strapped in Abby on one side and then walked around to the other to do the same for Lindsey. Doing so made her realize that soon they would need another vehicle. This would be another fight with Grant. He would want the top of the line vehicle made for looks. She was more interested in the functionality of it. Tyler and Sophie sat in back with Brandon between them. She smiled back at them. They chattered about this slide and the ducks. She really was lucky to have such great kids.

"The park was fun Mommy!" Sohpie said as they packed up to leave hours later. They had walked to a corner market for sandwiches and fruit for lunch and had an impromptu picnic.
"I'm glad you had fun Sweety" Olivia said as she strapped in Lindsey.
"Me too Mommy!" Chimed in Tyler and then the younger twins too said "tanks Mommy." in their sweet toddler voices.
Brandon just caught her eye and she saw the twinkle. He didn't talk much. Not that he couldn't. He was normal in every way. He just chose not to. Somehow to her it made perfect sense. To Grant it was the unthinkable. He was weird. He didn't fit in to the "in crowd." He was forever disappointing Grant. While the other boys at parties ran off to play ball or tennis, Tyler included, Brandon would sit quietly and listen to adult chatter. Once they couldn't find him and searched the vast grounds of the estate they were on for the business party, only to find him in the study with the Father of the client playing a game of chess. The older man had raved how smart Brandon was, but Grant wouldn't listen. He had spanked Brandon and grounded him for weeks. She too had been frightened, but she knew it was not because he was scared when he couldn't find his son that Grant punished him. It was because he was not being a man. So sad. Sometimes she wondered if staying with Grant was actually the right thing to do. He didn't seem to want to be a father in any way but on paper and for the attention it got him from work when he brought his perfect family with him to events. His showpieces. Maybe she and Grant needed to sit down and really talk. With 5 kids and 1 maybe 2 more on the way, life was complicated. How could she live alone and support them all? She had not gone to college. She had babies and was a show piece. At best she could get a waitress job or a telemarketer.But could she support 6 or 7 kids on that? The answer was no and she knew it. Part of her knew that was why she stayed with Grant. Out of fear. Out of love for her kids and wanting them to have the best. Then that small voice in the back of her mind chimed in. Grant was no Father to them. He bearly even acknowledged them unless it was in his own best interest. Was this really nest for the kids? Her head hurt to to think about these things. Never mind what her parents would think or do to her. She knew 100% they would never support her. Disown her was more like it. If she ever left Grant, it would be all down to her alone. That thought terrified her and that thought was the very reason she pretended things were alright and she stayed with Grant.

He watched her from the trees loading her army into the gold mini van. He had to smile at them. He felt so odd following her around. First last night and then this morning he followed her to her husbands office and then home and to the park. He felt like a stalker. Heck, he WAS a stalker for all intents and purposes. At one point in the day the little blond boy had seemed to sense his presence. He sat away from the others doodling in the sand. He didn't play with the other kids. The older two found friends and the younger 2 kept Liv running almost from the moment she opened the van door. Adam was sitting back in the woods with a clear view of them. He only meant to watch for a little while, but ended up there for the entire day unable to leave. The blond boy stopped and looked right at him through the trees. He sat still and didn't move a muscle. They stayed that way for what seemed long minutes but was probably not quite that long. Then just like that, the little boy had gone back to his sand doodling. He watched until she loaded the kids up and drove off and then he slipped from his hiding place and walked towards his parents house.

At home, Olivia put the little girls down for a quick nap. Some days they didn't need one anymore, but today they seemed to want one as much as she needed them to take one. Brandon was in the corner nook sitting in his favorite chair. It was surrounded by books. He read anything he got his hands on and not just ordinary kids books like box car children or Harry Potter. He read those too. No, her son read Moby Dick. It was his favorite book. Grant had once laughed at him and told him he wasn't actually reading it. Brandon read aloud the passage he was on and that shut Grant up. The older twins settled in to a cartoon in the family room.

She sat down on the end of her bed to pull off her sneakers. She threw them towards the closet and laid back on the bed savoring the quiet. Maybe she would sneak in a quick bath she thought to herself.

"Mom!" Sophie called from the living room. "Someone is at the door!"

Sure enough, seconds later the bell pealed announcing the arrival of said person.
She jogged down the stairs and opened the door. A rather sour looking man dressed in a fancy grey suit stood in front. In back 2 larger men dressed in black with sun glasses stood in back, arms folded in front of them. The dark glasses hid their eyes from view, but she imagined they were not at all welcoming or smiling. She didn't know them. They were not someone her husband worked with. She knew all of them from parties and functions. These were strangers. They made her neck prickle when she saw them.

The man in the grey suit spoke. "Is your husband home?" He asked. His voice was harsh and sharp rather like his features. He almost seemed rat like. He narrowed his eyes when he spoke and he made her feel very uncomfortable.

"No, I'm sorry Mr?" She asked.

"Frank Loyd" he said. He didn't offer his hand to shake and she didn't think she would have done so even if he had. He gave her a bad feeling.

"When do you expect him?" He asked sharply.

Funny, she didn't know. She never knew when to expect her husband. She could tell him the truth. He might wander in around 4 am drunk as a skunk. He might not come home at all.

"I'm sorry" she said instead. "My husband is a very busy man. He is often not home until late. Can I tell him you called on him here?"

Frank Loyd looked angry then. It chilled her blood at the look he gave her. "Would you mind if I waited her for him then?" He asked her more like an order then a question.

Her mind raced. No way was she letting this man into her home. She glanced at the men standing behind him still in the same position not moving a muscle. She had to think fast.

"Mommy, Lindsey puked!" Yelled Abby from upstairs.

Normally a mother doesn't want to hear those words. This time she welcomed them, almost with glee.

"I'm so sorry, Mr Loyd." she said keeping her eyes on the men behind him."My daughter is sick. We were just on our way out." she lied crossing her fingers. Sophie who had walked up behind her gave her a funny look.
"We were?" Sophie asked surprised. She gave her daughter a hard look.

"Yes dear. Remember. We are taking your sister to the Dr. She is feeling sick."

She begged her daughter silently to just let it go.

Sophie shrugged her shoulders. "She does this all the time MOM!"

Olivia wanted to scream. Yes, Lindsey had always had a super sensitive stomach. She did often throw up. Had since she was a small baby. So much so that Grant refused to be in the same room with her when she was a baby.

"Please excuse my daughter" Olivia said with a tight laugh. "She is busy watching her cartoon and doesn't want to go." She prayed they would take the answer and go. Frank Loyds eyes narrowed to mear slits.
"Very well. I will be back."

She shut the door and watched them go out to a limo waiting at the curb. She gave a sigh of relief as they got in. The relief turned to horror when she realized they were not leaving. The limo just sat there and didn't move. She waited for 10 minutes watching them. In fear, she realized they were not going to be leaving until they knew she was. Something was drasically wrong. It just felt wrong. She didn't know why, but she knew she had to get away from this man as fast as she could. She was going to have to take the kids and go. She quickly rounded them up and got them all into the van protesting. They were all tired from the time in the park and confused.
"Mom!" it just got to the good part on SpongeBob!" Tyler protested.

"Yeah, it was where they were going to rescue the squirrel." Sophie added.

To add to that, the girls were crabby from having woken too soon from a nap and Lindsey still had an upset tummy. Abby was crying and cranky as she buckled her in.
"Don't wanna go Mommy!" Abby said slapping her hand away as she tried to buckle her in.
She had grabbed them both and rushed them out. Poor Lindsey still had puke on her from her episode upstairs. Olivia had managed to grab a pair of clean clothes before she hustled them out, but didn't want to stop and change them now. Something was driving her to get away. Some instinct told her to get out of there. Brandon who was usually very quiet and reserved was nervous and bouncing in his seat and shaking his feet. He seemed to sense something too. She knew it.



Adam frowned at the limo in front of Olivia's house. The hair on the back of his neck prickled. He had not followed them directly home. He had told himself enough was enough. He had gone to his parents house which oddly enough was just around the corner from the Spencer's. Though he had grown up poor, his father had been smart enough to jump onto the growing computer industry and had opened a computer store and then two and now a third was going to be opening soon. His wrong side of the track days were long over. He too had made quite a name for himself while in the Navy. He had pushed himself and made it into one of the most elite groups known to the world. Navy Seal. He was proud of himself as were his parents. He had seen and done some things he never dreamed he would. All the while his mind was never far from the dark eyed beauty he left behind. He gave his body to a few other woman, but they were nothing to him. His heart was and always would belong to Olivia. Even if she didn't want it, she owned it. His Mom begged him yearly to come home. To see the new house and the stores. Then his Dad had a heart attack a few weeks ago. He knew he couldn't put off his trip back home anymore. He swore he wouldn't see her. He didn't care. She had moved on in life. She had 5 kids with another man for crying out loud. But that night, he had come to see her and his love for her came crashing back. He was a stupid man. A glutton for punishment.

So here he came again to sit in silence and watch what he could never have. He frowned at the limo. Something didn't sit right with him. After his years in service, that feeling you got before something bad was about to happen was like second nature. Something was very wrong here. The garage door opened and Olivia's van came out quickly and she backed out and drove away a little more quickly then he thought necessary. The limo stayed for a second and then started and drove off making a u turn away from the direction Olivia went. If he were a smart man he would have just left it alone. It was probably her husband or a client of his. His gut nagged at him though and he ran around the block through yards and watched the limo as it went off back towards the business district. He then turned his mind back to Olivia. He had seen her face as she drove off and she looked worried. Scared almost. The two littlest girls had appeared to be crying and the older ones in the back looked peeved. He had not been able to see the blond boy. He seemed to be the one that drew his attention the most. Not because he was exuberant and loud, more because he wasn't. Where might they have gone? He jogged in the direction they had left. Letting his senses lead him.

story 2

Three figures crept into the room where their Mommy slept. Daddy was gone, so they could go in there now. Abby, Lindsey and Sophie. The boys were still sleeping. Silly boys. Sat meant fun day with Mommy. They spent all day playing or going to the park. Olivia woke to hushed giggles. That meant she had missed Grant. Oh well, she would tell him tonight. She rolled over and grabbed the nearest giggler and pulled them into bed with her. Most days began this way. Pretty soon the giggles would reach the boys and they would come sleepy eyed into her room as well. They would all curl up on the bed and turn on some cartoons. Until their stomachs told them they needed some breakfast that is. Then Sat meant pancakes. Lots of them with sausages and milk.

She stood at the sink washing up. She was thinking about Grant again. He had to know. She had been trying for weeks to tell him. More days then not lately he stayed out. It had been over a week since she had seen him. She couldn't get a word in when he got home drunk. She decided today she had to do it. She was going to go to the office and tell him. Meetings be damned. Her neighbors were a nice retired couple. They watched the kids for her when she had to run errands that didn't require so many extra helpers. They were in their 60s and had grown kids and grand-kids as well. Sometimes the grand-kids would visit and play with her kids. She had called them and asked them and they agreed. They always did.

She shivered as she walked into the office high rise where Grants office was. It was so auspicious. Large contemporary sculptures and black tile and walls and ceilings. She left like she was walking into a tomb. She took the elevator to the 8th floor. Grants' office. Funny how after all these years, this was one of the few times she ever entered here. It felt cold and unwelcoming. His secretary sat at a large oval desk in the center. She didn't even know her name. Funny how this part of his life was such a mystery to her. He didn't talk about the office or work. They didn't really talk at all. How different her life had turned out. She swore up and down she would not live like her parents had. Her Dad always gone. Her Mom busy with the ladies groups and volunteer work. She had never seen her parents in an embrace. To be honest she had rarely seen them at all. Now, all these years later, here she was doing her best not to raise her kids the way she had been raised, but still in a marriage that was not at all what she wanted. Her Dad had everything to do with that. If life had gone the way she wanted, she would be in a very different place now. It made memories of Adam come flooding back. His dark black hair and crystal blue eyes. His sharp features and the dimples in his cheeks when he smiled. Tyler and Sophie both had the dimples and the icy blue eyes. She lived her life how she wanted to, but with one thing missing. In her dream, the Dad was there beside her with her always. To be honest her dream man never looked like Grant either. Oh, there was no mistaking it. Grant was gorgeous. Blond hair, blue eyes. 6' tall, athletic build. He was every woman's dream. But the reality was not so handsome. He was smart and calculated. He knew he had a good catch with her. The richest girl in the city. The one everyone wanted to date and be friends with. Other then socializing at functions and events, they did nothing. She begged him in the beginning to come with them, just this once to the park or on a picnic. Grant was always to busy. He worked every day. Even Sun. She gave up asking after the first year. She was too busy then with the twins and one on the way. When she gave birth to Brandon, he had been away on business. He had also missed the oldest twins birth. His father had been ill and he had flown out to see him. Ended up being minor. Not that she wished her Father in Law ill. They were sweet. Unfortunately they lived in West Virginia and she and Grant lived in California. Grant was embarrassed by them. He had grown up poor. They did the best they could and he had been able to afford to move out to California to live his dream life. Then when the girls were born. He had a date to play golf. It was too important to miss. It was business. She understood right? She hadn't. Once again she was alone bringing her precious girls into life. He had come after his game and loudly voiced his disappointment over girls. He had drunk too many vodkas with his dinner she supposed. He hadn't even gone to the nursery to see them. To this day he barely acknowledged them. Oh, they were pretty and perfect for his picture to put on his desk. His happy family image. Not that she would change a thing. No, even in her unhappy life with Grant, she had 5 perfect beings. They were her everything. Soon to be more.

She was pulled from her musings by the Secretary clearing her throat.
"Can I help you?" she asked turning her nose up at her.

Olivia looked down at her clothes and then back up at the snooty woman. She was wearing jeans and a tee shirt with her children's school name printed on it and a cute pair of crocs. Not cheap, but not designer either. They were comfortable. Grant always complained she dressed so common.

"I"m Olivia Spencer." she said, watching the woman's eyebrows shoot up so far they almost got lost in her hair line.

Secretary lady was dressed to the 9s. Blue designer suit and a silk shirt underneath. Olivia owned one similar to it. Grant insisted and she relented. It made her feel like her Grandma in that thing.

"He's not in" the woman continued as her eyes swept over her in disdain. "He has meetings away all week actually. You didn't know?"

Olivia was suddenly ashamed of herself. She didn't know. She had no idea what her husband did or where he was when he wasn't home. They had grown so far apart over the years. It became routine. He brought home the money and she raised the kids, took care of the house and was his pretty decoration to take out to parties and events. She cleaned up nicely when she had to. Sad, how one got used to things that one became complacent.

"Oh, yes," she stuttered. "I knew that, I must have forgotten. Can you tell me where he is currently? I left my day planner at home."

Once again she was given the disdainful look. She flipped through a book in front of her on the desk. Her brown wrinkled. This was a big law firm. Over 20 senior lawyers, her husband one of 20 or so Junior lawyers. Confusion filled the secretaries eyes.

" I'm sorry Mrs Spencer, I don't know. It's usually written in my schedule, but it appears I have no other information."

Olivia left defeated. This was not what she planned. This wasn't what she wanted. She made up her mind on the way home to pick up her kids that she would talk to Grant tonight, drunk or not. He hated her pregnant. Then she was not her perfect self. She lost the weight after giving birth and worked hard on her figure. Heck chasing after 5 kids was enough exercise in and of itself. He still complained about her being fat sometimes. She never got back down to the size 6 she had been when they married. Laughing at herself, she patted her stomach. After 3 pregnancies, she never knew if it would be a single or double. Her track record was doubles. After two twin pregnancies and only one single birth, she wondered what her odds were. The doctor told her that it was just a fluke. That her first twins were fraternal and the second set identical. Oddly, she had a funny feeling that this too was twins. They couldn't tell yet when she had been to the doctor. Only confirmed what she already knew.

Story 1

He watched silently from the bushes. Unseen from anyone passing. He peered past the buses into the window of a cozy living room. She walked through the living room of the 2 story white Victorian house. She stopped here and there and stooped over to pick up a toy here and there and put it down in the far corner of the room. She had changed very little in the 7 years since he had seen her. Her hair was shorter for one. She had always worn it long and flowing to almost her waist. A beautiful chestnut brown. Naturally wavy and free. It was still the rich color, but it was cut to just below her shoulders. Still as beautiful as ever. She was medium height. Around 5'6. She had always been slim. Now her body had some very interesting curves that only added to her beauty. Her eyes were a rich chocolate brown. They turned an almost black color when she was angry or well, aroused.
He had known where she lived now for almost a year. Somehow he had not been able to bring himself back to see her. They had parted ways badly 7 years ago. He had hurt her. He knew. But he had done the best thing for her. She was the mayors daughter. The cheerleader, prom queen and most popular in school. He was the loser bad boy from the proverbial wrong side of the tracks. She had wanted to make her father mad. So she had dated him. Never loved him. When he broke up with her, she had only waited weeks to marry Mr Perfect. She quit college and settled down. Daddy paid for the rest of his schooling. Now he was a rich lawyer and they had kids. Not a kid, but kids. He had once dreamed of having kids with her. That they would live in the big old house and raise those kids and live happily ever after. Fairy tales don't come true for his kind. Thats what her father had called him..."his kind" He had offered him a million dollars to go away and leave her. He had insisted that she loved him. How stupid he had been. He had seen her kissing Mr Perfect that night. That night. That fateful night. So he did the only thing he knew how to do. He let her go. He told her he never loved her. The next day. Right after he signed with with the Navy. They sent him right off to training camp. He wanted to say he never looked back, but he did. He did often. His parents still lived in this town. He had not been back to see them in those 7 years but his Mom kept him up to date. Five kids. She had 5 kids! His Mom knew he had loved her. She seemed to think he cared what she did. Little did she know how much he cared. That Farrell kid as he was known around town was now Captain Adam Farrell. Back in town for a long awaited visit and one day back and here he was.

She walked around the living room picking up toys as she went. It seemed never ending. With five kids her house was rarely clean. Oh, they had a housekeeper that came twice a week. At Grant, her husbands, instance. "Olivia", he would say. "Don't you know how bad it looks when you won't hire someone to come in and clean? Everyone who is anyone has a housekeeper." Finally after the third pregnancy she relented. She remained strong on staying home to raise her kids though. No Nanny for her. She had a nanny growing up. Wonderful memories came back to her at the thought of Nana May. She had loved her very much. But, not even for someone like Nana May would she let her kids short childhoods pass her by. She stopped to look at the portraits hanging on the wall. Six year old twins Tyler and Sophie's' school pictures from this year. They had her brown hair. But the startling blue eyes were what caught your eye. They twinkled with happiness and mischief. Her oldest. Then there was Brandon. 5 years old and the spitting image of Grant. Blond hair and blue eyes. But he had her spirit. While the twins excelled at school and were into sports and boy scouts and girl scouts, it was Brandon who reminded her so much of herself. While he too was smart, he also was self possessed and so introspective and shy. Grant had been very disappointed with him. He called him a baby and a mamas' boy. Saying he lacked any boy characteristics. Yes, Brandon was shy and introverted, he was a good kid. Then her eyes fell to the bubbly faces of her second set of twins. Identical twin girls. Abby and Lindsey. Like Brandon, blond hair, blue eyes and the curls that made people exclaim over their beauty. They were three years old and full of anything they could get their hands on. The youngest. For now, she thought putting her hands on her stomach. Flat for now, but soon it would swell again in the now familiar way. Grant hated it, but he would be happy. Another try for a boy. The "perfect son." Every time she was pregnant, he always talked of "the perfect son" Tyler was so different then him. He almost never spent time with him. But then why would they have anything in common. Tyler was not his son. Not that he knew. No, she had tried to tell him numerous times over the years that Tyler and Sophie were not his. Each time he interrupted her or wandered away. After a few years and the rest of the kids, she stopped trying to tell him. It wouldn't matter. If anything it would make his relationship with them worse. He already had no time for girls. When ever they tried to talk to him or play with him, he would brush them off. They soon learned that Daddy didn't play. So, after a while they stopped trying. Even the youngest girls at 3 knew Daddy wouldn't play with them. No, in this house you didn't run and jump into Daddies arms. You politely said hello and then tiptoed around so as not to bother him. Oh, he didn't scream and hit them. No worse then that. He lectured them. If they didn't sit and listen to him, then he spanked them and sent them to bed without supper. They learned fast not to get on his bad side. She glanced at the clock. Grant was home late again. Nothing new really. Most days he left before sun up and then arrived back home sometime after 9 or so. Sighing, she tossed the last toy into the box in the corner and flipped the light off. She was tired. Tomorrow would be here before she knew it. Grant would wander in at some point. Probably drunk and horny as usual. That man did love sex. That would be why they had 5 kids. Well, in all honesty, the twins were not his. No, they were conceived before she gave herself to Grant. They were conceived the week before. The week before when she lost her virginity to the only man she ever loved. Would ever love. Oh she cared for Grant. He gave her 3 beautiful children and helped her raise the other 2. Now, they would share one more. Not that Grant was ever there for her anymore when she was pregnant then any other time. The Law firm came first. Always had. Really the only time they spent together anymore was at his required appearances at functions and parties. Those and in bed on the nights he came home. Lately he spent more and more nights away from her all together. She needed to tell him about her pregnancy. The sex between them was ok. It was always fast and she stopped enjoying it almost right after they were wed. Grant was rough and into his own satisfaction. It was her duty. One night after a rough session, she had called her Mom crying. Mom had informed her it was her wifely duty to please her man in any way. No sympathy from them. No, they were off jetsetting on some adventure all the time. She at the moment couldn't even recall where they were. Was it Greece or Italy? Where ever it was. They were not in contact with her. Rarely called. When she had given birth to Tyler and Sophie, she swore she saw a look come into her Mothers eyes the first time she laid eyes on them. She had looked at Olivia with what only could be described as fear. It passed quickly, but it stuck in her mind. Why that look? Did she suspect that Grant had not Fathered them? If she had nothing had ever been said. Her Dad was his usual self. Distant and tossing money about. He viewed his Grand kids the same way he had viewed her, as a possession.

She sighed and drifted off. She woke up to her nightgown being lifted and her legs being moved apart. Grant was home. He was drunk and horny as usual. He went about his business and with in minutes it was over. Then he fell over onto his side of the bed. He was asleep in seconds. She glanced at the clock. It was 4 am. At least he came home. She needed to tell him she was pregnant. He was busy with meetings at work. She tried to schedule time to see him there. She had been informed he was very busy. She wanted to wake him up and tell him, but so many times when he woke up again, he would start over and the second time around he liked to change things up a bit as he called it. Usually they ended up being painful. She decided to tell him when he got up in the morning.