Olivia slept for a few hours then awoke without reason. She went into
Lizzies' kitchen and made a snack.
She thought back to all the dinner parties she had thrown with her
friends, and how much she missed them all.
"I've gotta try to make this right." she said as she reached out and
grabbed the phone. She dialed Johns' number.
"'Ello?" John asked half asleep.
"John....it's Liv."
"Liv.How are you?"
"Fine. Sorry I woke you.I just really wanted to apologise to you."
"For what?"
"For all this mess.If I would have been myself we wouldn't be in all
this. I know Nick is furious with you.I hate that."
"Eh, well....he'll get over it. I told Kate.She's about as pissed as
Nick."
"I know.I'm so sorry.I know how much you care about her."
"I love her Liv. I'm just afraid I really fucked it up."
"Yeah...we made a right mess, didn't we?"
"I'd say. I'm sorry too, Liv. Still friends?" John asked hopefully.
"Of course we are,John." Olivia said with a smile in her voice.

"Do you think I should?" Liv asked Lizzie as they sat at the kitchen
table together.
"Couldn't hurt." Lizzie said as she tossed Liv the cordless.
"Thanks." Olivia said as she took the phone out on to the patio.
"Hello?" Kate asked.
"Kate. It's Liv."
"What do you want?" she asked curtly.
"To apologise."
"Really? How nice." Kate replied harshly. "Think you can just say sorry
and it will all be better?"
"No....I know. But I have to start somewhere."
"I loved him Olivia! And you loved Nick! How could you two do this to
us?" Kate screamed.
"I don't know. God....if I had been myself I never would have. But,
losing the baby really did something to me. I didn't care about
anything."
"Obviously."
"Kate...I really am sorry. I've hurt all of you so much.All I can ask is
for your forgiveness. I understand if you don't want to give it though."
"Liv...I want to....but I think I need more time."
"You got it." Olivia said humbly.
John arrived at the studio early. He entered and found Nick already at work.
"G'morning." John said.
"John." Nick acknowledged.
"Nick, I got here early so I could talk to you without a referee being here." John explained.
"Talk about what?" Nick asked.
"This, us, everything." John said.
"I don't think I'm actually ready to talk about it all yet. I need more time." Nick replied.
"I can handle that." John said.
"What's going on? You're not gonna try to kill Johnny again are you?" Simon asked.
"No." Nick chuckled.
"You ok, Rhodes?" Simon questioned.
"Yeah, why?" Nick asked.
"You're being almost cordial to John." Simon said.
*******************
"What'cha doing, Liv?" Liz asked.
"Looking at some pictures." Olivia replied.
"Mind if I join you?"
"No, come sit." Olivia said.
"Oh wow...where were these taken?" Liz asked.
"Ummmmm...Nick took these at Piccadilly Circus." Olivia answered.
"Liv, this is beautiful." Liz said as she studied a photograph.
"That's from when Nick took me to Paris." Olivia said.
"You two look so happy."
"We were. We had the best weekend there." Olivia said with a smile as she recalled their trip.
"Must be nice to be whisked off to Paris for the weekend." Liz said.
"It was... But, even if we hadn't gone, we would've still had a great time in London." Olivia replied.
"Liv, why don't you go back? Don't get me wrong, I love having you here, but you don't want to be here." Liz said.
"The time's just not right yet, Liz. Yes, I'd love to go back right now, but everyone involved in this needs time to heal. Nick and I weren't the only ones involved, ya know." Olivia explained.
"You've apologised to everyone and made peace with Nick." Liz said.
"Yes, I did apologise, and Nick, Yas and John accepted it, but Kate didn't. she needs more time. And Nick and John really need time to work everything out. I can't go back there knowing they're still on the outs. I want them to be friends again. I'm not saying everything will be like it was, but I want us to all be able to be in the same room together without Nick and John staring each other down. Nick has to trust both of us."
"You spoke to John?" Liz asked.
"Yes I did. I called him and apologised. This messed his life up too, he didn't do it by himself, I was there too. I just wasn't thinking straight, or I would've stopped it when it started. I wanted to make things right so we could remain friends." Olivia relplied.
"Good argument and point taken, counselor. Damn, you're good." Liz laughed.
"How else do you think I won all those cases?" Olivia chuckled.
*********************
"Hello?" Olivia asked.
"How are you, luv?" Nick asked.
"I'm fine, and you?"
"Just fine. Did you have a good day?"
"As a matter of fact, I did." Olivia replied.
"Did you work today?" she asked.
"Ummmm-hmmmm."
"How did that go? Simon didn't have to referee again, did he?"
"No. I spoke to John, but nothing deep. We're gonna have a lot to talk about....I'm just not ready for that yet." Nick explained.
"I'm so sorry Nick." Olivia said softly.
"Liv, you've already apologised to me. I accepted it and I forgive you, we can move beyond that now." Nick said.
"Beyond?" Olivia asked.
"Liv, are you planning on coming back to London?"
"Nick......" Olivia began.
"I'd like it if you would. I miss you terribly." Nick said.
"Nick, I miss you too, but I think it's still too soon. Everybody involved is still dealing with this, including you and John. I just don't want to rush into this before everything is settled. I want everything to be right--with everybody." Olivia explained.
"I understand that...I really do." Nick said softly.
"I hope we can all work through this.Nick, do you really think we can?"
"Yes, I do. Underneath it all, we still love each other don't we?"
"Nick, I love you with all my heart. Please believe that."
"Some how I do, luv."

Olivia spent several more weeks with Lizzie. It was good to be with
her...but she felt a constant pull in her gut. Her heart kept screaming
for her to go back to London.
She talked to Nick several times a week and knew that he and John had
slowly been talking and trying to repair their friendship.She was glad
that they had finally found a way to talk to each other.
She was still waiting to hear from Kate.Olivia had the feeling she would
be forgiven, she just desperately wanted to hear the words.

Olivia and Lizzie were finishing up dinner when the phone rang.
"Hello?" Lizzie asked.
"Hi. Can I speak to Olivia, please?"
"Who's calling please?"
"Tell her it's Kate."
Olivia took the phone from Lizzie.
"Kate, hi."
"Liv....I don't want to be mad any more. I forgive you. I'm sorry all
those terrible things happened to you and I can see where you might not
have been yourself."
"Kate I am so sorry." Olivia sobbed.
" It's gonna be ok now." Kate said trying to soothe her friend.

CHAPTER 54

"I'm sorry, Kate....I'm just glad that you called and that you forgive me." Olivia cried. "I'm glad I called too." Kate said. "Still friends?" Olivia asked. "Of course we are." Kate said with a smile in her voice. "Liv...phone for you." Liz called. "Hello?" Olivia asked. "'Ello, Liv. How are you?" "John! It's good to hear from you. I'm fine...how are you?" Olivia asked. "I'm doing fine. Nick and I are getting on much better." John said. "I'm glad. He told me that things are working out between you two." Olivia replied. "Hey, Kate told me she called you." "She did....she said she forgives me." Olivia answered. "Yeah, she couldn't stay mad at you." John said. "What about you? Are you and Kate going to be alright?" Olivia asked. "Well, she's forgiven me too. I told her how sorry I was and how much I love her. I think it blew her away." John chuckled. "I take it this was the first time you mentioned love to her?" "Yeah. I think she and I are gonna be alright. It'll just take some time for her to trust me." John said. "I'm glad you two are gonna work this out. I think it's great." Olivia said truthfully. "How about you and Nick?" John asked. "Nick and I are gonna be ok. He thinks we can really work through this and I believe we can too." "I'm glad. You know, Nick loves you more than anything in this whole world."John said. "I know. I feel the same....I can't imagine my life without Nick in it." Olivia replied. "I just wanted to call and say hi and see how everything was going with you. I'm glad things are working out for all of us." "Thanks, John. I'm glad things are working out too. Take care of yourself, ok?" "We'll do. Talk to ya later." "Bye, John." Olivia hung up and stood frozen with a smile on her face. "What is it?" Liz asked. "Nothing.....everything." Olivia replied. "You've lost me, Liv." "I'm just happy. Nick and I are working through this, John and Kate are working things out...Kate forgives me....everything's just working out." Olivia said. "Good. Everything's going the way you wanted it to. You've spoken to everyone, apologised and have gained their forgiveness." "Yes. I don't think I would've been able to deal with it if Kate hadn't forgiven me. She's my friend, and I'd like to remain friends with her." "Looks like it's all worked out for you." Liz said. **************** "Are you ready?" Liz asked. "Ummmm...yeah, I think I've got everything." Olivia called. "Are we gonna go already or what? You're gonna be late." Liz said. "I'm coming....Just meet me outside, ok? Hold the cab for a second, will ya?" "Ok.....You've got 3 minutes, Liv." Liz yelled as she walked out the door. Olivia ran outside and got in the cab. She told the cabby where to go before she sat back next to Liz. "You look fantastic." Liz said. "Thanks. Sorry it took me so long." "Will you call me when you get there? I wanna know you made it ok." "I will...I promise. I'll call you as soon as I get there." Olivia replied. "My God, that was fast." Liz said as they arrived at the airport. "Let's get you checked in, and you can get going." Olivia and Liz hugged at her gate. "Thank you for letting me stay with you." Olivia said. "Liv, you're my friend. I'm here whenever you need me." "Thank you for everything." Olivia said as she hugged Liz once more. "Bye!" Olivia called as she headed through the doors to board the plane. ********************* "I cannot believe I'm stuck here." Olivia said to herself as she sat in JFK airport on a layover. She walked around, checking out all the many restaurants in the airport, trying to find something to fill her time. "Liv?" a voice called. "Oh my God!" Liv said as she turned around. "What are you doing here?" she asked. "I'm going to see Kate...got stuck here for some reason." John replied. "That's great! She must be excited." "She doesn't even know...it's a surprise." John replied. "I'm sure she'll love the surprise then." Olivia said. "What are you doing here?" John asked. "Ummmm....I have a little surprise of my own." Olivia answered. "You're going to see Nick?" "Yes. I think it's time, and I wanted to just show up and surprise him." Olivia said. "I know he'll be happy to see you." John said. "I hope so." Olivia said. "Hey, were you going to get something to eat? Maybe we could go together...would that be ok?" John asked. "Actually, yes I was trying to find somewhere to eat. I'd love for you to join me...we are friends after all, aren't we??" "Yes, we're friends." John said as he hugged Olivia. ***************** Olivia arrived at Heathrow...it was semi-dark and raining hard. She collected her luggage and found a cab out front. She was waiting anxiously as the cabby filled the boot. She was ready to go....she wanted to see him now. She quickly gave the cabby Nick's address. She sat back and relaxed as they pulled away. Olivia was overcome with excitement and nervousness when they pulled up to Nick's house. She knew he wanted to see her, but she wondered how he would react to her just showing up. Olivia got out of the cab and walked in the pouring rain to his door. She drew in a deep breath before she rang his doorbell. Nick opened the door to find Olivia standing in front of him, soaking wet from the hard rain. No words were spoken as he wrapped his arms around her and hung on for dear life. "I love you." Olivia whispered in Nicks' ear, as they held each other in the pouring down rain. "What are you doing here?" he asked as he covered her face with kisses. "I've come home." she said, as Nicks' lips covered hers in a warm, tender kiss. John nervously made his way to Kates' front door. He was hoping this was the right thing to do. He found his nerve and knocked. Kate opened the door and stood stunned in silence when she found John in front of her, on bended knee. "John? What are.." "Shh...please. I came all this way. Let me do this." "Ok." Kate whispered with tears in her eyes. "Katie, I love you. I have been a right miserable bastard without you. And I want to spend the rest of my life making it all up to you." John reached in his pocket and produced a ring box. "So, whaddya say....be my wife?" John asked with a wiggle of his eyebrows. Kate burst out laughing."Now how could I ever resist that?" she asked as she bent to kiss Johns' lips. "Is that a yes?" John asked. "Yes!" Kate squealed as tears ran down her cheeks. "I love you, Katie." John said as he slid the diamond on her finger. "I love you, John.....it's beautiful." she said as she hugged him close. *************** Nick and Olivia held and kissed each other, not even noticing the rain or the fact that they were both soaked. "I've missed you so much." Nick whispered in her ear. "I missed you too." "I love you Liv. I love you so much." "I love you too, Nick." she said with tears rolling down her cheeks. "Let's get you inside luv, you're soaked." "We both are." Olivia laughed through her tears. Nick carried Olivia's luggage upstairs to their room. She entered his open arms and clung to him. "Welcome home, Liv. I'm so glad you're back." "Me too. It feels great to be back." Olivia replied. "I was miserable without you, luv." "I can relate." Olivia sighed. "Why don't you get out of those wet clothes, maybe get a hot shower and I'll get a fire started." Nick offered. "Ok...give me a few minutes and I'll meet you downstairs." she said. Nick kissed her gently before he went to start the fire. Olivia peeled off her wet clothes and stepped into the shower. Tears of happiness coarsed down her cheeks as she dried off and slipped into her robe. She joined Nick in front of the fire. He'd gotten out of his wet clothes and donned his robe. The soft glow from the fire lit his skin and made his magical eyes sparkle. "You're so beautiful." he said as he lightly ran his finger down Olivia's cheek and through her damp hair. "Nick...." Olivia said as a hot blush filled her cheeks. "Ah, I see you still blush when I compliment you." Nick purred. "Do I?" she teased. "You do, luv." he said before kissing her gently. "Mmmmm....I've missed you so much." " I missed you too, Liv." Nick said, taking her hand. "Liv.......you're still wearing it." he said, commenting on the bracelet he'd given her. "I never took it off." she replied. "I told you to wear it everyday when you had to go back to the States." he remembered. "Yes, and it's never been off....not once." Nick leaned in and took her in his arms before he kissed her. "I've missed your kisses too." She purred. "Have you now?" he asked. "I have." "Hmmmm...what else did you miss?" Nick teased as he gazed into her eyes. "I missed those amazing green eyes of yours and the way you look at me." He kissed her again, pulling her closer and hanging on tight, never wanting to let her go. "I want to make love to you, Liv." he whispered in her ear. "If you're not ready, I'll understand." "Yes...." she whispered. He kissed her gently and laid her back. The warm glow of the fire flickered on her skin as he opened her robe. Her skin felt like velvet as his fingers touched her. His full, soft lips covered her whole body, not missing an inch, before he kissed her sweet lips. He savoured her kiss, not wanting to stop. He kissed her harder as their hands roamed each other's bodies. Nick drew in a deep breath when Olivia's hand wrapped around his throbbing erection. Their rapid, ragged breathing was the only sound in the room. They stared into each other's eyes as he entered her. Nick let out a long moan, savouring the feel of her. Olivia arched her neck, allowing Nick to leave a warm trail of kisses. Her body arched against his helplessly, sending him to the point of no return. They held each other tight, still basking in the light from the fire, happy to be together. "I love you, Liv." he whispered as he stared into her eyes. "I lov you, Nick." "I'm glad you're home, luv....Please promise you won't leave again, I don't think I could bear it." "I won't. I want to be here with you forever." she said with tears in her eyes. "Good." he purred as he kissed her. ******************* Nick awoke still curled up behind Olivia. A smile came to his face when he looked at her face. He lightly kissed her cheek. "Mmmmm..." she mumbled as her eyes opened and a smile came to her face." "G'morning, luv." he said with a smile. "Good morning." You're up early, aren't you?" she teased. "Nah....couldn't wait to see you." he replied. "Nick...really." she blushed. "Anything special you want to do today?" he asked. "Ummm....Well, later today, I want to call Yas. But right now, I just want to be with you." "I like that. I'd love nothing more than to spend time alone with you." he said with a smile. "I love you, Nick. I love you more than anything." Olivia said as the tears ran down her cheeks. "I love you too, sweetheart. Why are you crying, luv?" "I'm happy, Nick. You truly make me happy." she cried as she wrapped her arms around him. "And I'm sorry I was such a damn fool. Not letting you be close to me was the biggest mistake I have ever made. And look what it almost did to your friendship with John." Olivia continued as Nick held her tight. "Shh...it's ok luv.Everything is working itself out. I forgave John...my friendship with him is still intact....and I have you here with me.You're home, luv." "Yes, I am." Olivia said as she laid in Nicks' arms and drifted off to sleep. "'Ello?" Yasmin asked "Hi!" Olivia squealed. "Liv!! How are you?" "Just wonderful.How are you?" "Great. Gee...you really do sound wonderful.The connection today is great...you sound so close.How is Chicago?" "Wouldn't know." Olivia said with a laugh. "Why wouldn't you?" Yasmin asked with a laugh of her own. "Because I am here...at home." "But...I thought Chi....wait....You are here?!? Like, with Nick?" "Um..yeah...this IS the only home I have." Olivia said in a fit of giggles. "Oh Liv, that is wonderful! Was Nick happy to see you?" "Well....why don't you grab Charley, and come over and ask us all these questions face to face! I am dying to see you!" "We are on our way!" Yasmin said as she hung up the phone. continued next page