Olivia glanced across to her husband, noting the slight tightening of his mouth. She knew the picture Judith was referring to; it was the one Theo had painted of his mother and father, Emmaline and James. He’d painted it just before their wedding, his tribute to his parents. It was a way to have them there with them both, considering that his parents had been dead over three hundred years, having lived and died in 17th century Salem. There was no way anyone could know, of course; only a select few of their very close friends and family knew the truth about Theo, that he’d been pulled through time and dropped in present day Mercy.
When Judith had first mentioned to their friend Roni that she intended to hold an art exhibition at her gallery, showcasing local artists, Roni had directed her to Theo. Despite having no formal training, it had taken Judith exactly sixty seconds to figure out he was an incredibly talented artist. From the moment she’d seen his work, she’d known she wanted his paintings to headline her show.
Theo had taken a little more convincing.
Having been raised a farmer and a Puritan in a strict 17th century New England colony, he was having a little trouble realizing that his art could actually be a valid career for him. He’d always thought of it as an indulgence, so naturally he’d resisted. He simply couldn’t understand why anyone would be interested in his work, much less want to buy any of it. He’d eventually come round, but there was no way he was going to include the painting of his parents in the show. It was much too private and far too important to him.
‘That particular piece is my favorite,’ Olivia smiled easily. ‘I don’t want it leaving the house and Theo’s sweet enough to indulge his crazy hormone-fueled wife.’
‘Ah,’ Judith smiled in response, ‘say no more.’
Olivia’s gaze drifted over to Theo, as he mouthed a silent thank you over Judith’s shoulder.
‘Well,’ Judith slipped her arms into her heavy winter coat, ‘I should be getting back now. I still have a million things to do, but you’ll pack up the pieces we discussed, won’t you?’ she turned back to Theo.
‘Of course,’ he nodded, his voice deliciously low and gravelly.
He was a man of few words but his voice never failed to make Olivia’s belly curl in appreciation.
‘Excellent,’ Judith smiled, ‘I’ll have someone come by and collect them the day after tomorrow.’
Theo nodded, moving past Olivia, absently stroking her arm as he saw Judith out the door.
‘Are you okay?’ Olivia asked softly as he clicked the door closed and turned back toward her.
‘I should be asking you that,’ he stepped closer. Unable to stop himself, he traced her jaw softly with his fingertips and brushed his lips against hers gently.
‘We’re okay,’ she stepped back slightly, tilting her head back so she could look at him.
‘Did you find your father?’
Olivia nodded slowly, a quiet sigh of frustration escaping.
‘Yeah, I found him alright,’ she replied, ‘freezing his ass off in front of mom’s tree again.’
‘You need to give him time, love,’ he answered, ‘it’s a lot for him to take in. He’s spent the last twenty years believing one thing, only to find everything he thought he knew was a lie.’
‘I know,’ she shrugged miserably, ‘believe me I get that. I…I just don’t like to see him hurting, knowing there’s nothing I can do about it.’
‘He’ll come to terms with it in his own time Livy.’
Olivia nodded slowly.
‘Have you heard anything from Sam yet?’ she changed the subject.
‘No,’ Theo frowned, ‘I’ve tried everything I can think of, there’s no trace of him. I have to admit I’m getting really worried.’
‘I know, I am too.’
Their friend Sam had disappeared that fateful night in the woods. From what she’d been told, he’d accompanied Theo and the others into the woods, coming after her when she’d gone to confront the demon Nathaniel, and that was the last anyone had seen or heard from him.
‘There’s no way he would have abandoned us,’ Theo scowled, ‘certainly not in the middle of a fight. Something has to have happened to him.’
‘What?’ Olivia asked, noting his expression, ‘what are you thinking?’
‘Most of the woods burned that night,’ he replied reluctantly, almost as if he couldn’t bear to even contemplate what he was about to say, ‘you don’t think that he… I mean that he was…’
‘Killed in the fire?’ she answered for him.
He swallowed painfully and nodded. Over the past year and a half he and Sam had become very close, and the thought that he died that night and that none of them were able to help him, just destroyed him.
‘No Theo,’ she told him firmly, ‘he’s out there somewhere and we’re going to do whatever it takes to find him, even if I have to ask Hades.’
‘You think he’d help?’ Theo asked hopefully.
‘I think it’s worth a shot,’ she mused, chewing her lip thoughtfully. ‘I think we’ve just about exhausted all the other possibilities.’
Theo watched as she shifted uncomfortably on her feet, arching her spine and pressing her fist to the small of her back.
‘Are you sure you’re okay Livy?’ he frowned in concern.
‘I’m fine,’ she shook her head, ‘it’s just a little backach…’
He watched in alarm as she sucked in a sudden and sharp breath, the word dying on her lips as she reached unsteadily for the post of the staircase and gripped tightly. Her stomach suddenly tightened and her body tensed.
‘Livy?’ he stepped forward, reaching for her and holding her steady.
She released her breath, looking down as she felt a sudden warm gush of liquid between her legs which felt weirdly enough like it had a warm jelly-like consistency.
‘What is it love?’ he asked in concern.
She looked up at him as one arm wrapped around her waist, carefully holding her up, and the other hand held hers tightly. Her eyes were wide and filled with a mixture of apprehension, excitement and a good healthy dose of fear.
‘I think my waters just broke,’ she whispered.
3.
Louisa opened the bedroom door and her gaze immediately fell on her childhood friend. Freshly showered and wearing a huge oversized t-shirt, she leaned forward and pressed her face into the bedclothes as she kneeled on the floor next to the bed, with Theo beside her, rubbing her lower back.
Louisa smiled in sympathy; with her own labor still fresh in her mind, she didn’t envy Olivia having to give birth twice.
‘Hey sweetheart,’ she stepped into the room, dropping her bag down and clicking the door closed quietly, ‘how far apart are the contractions?’
Olivia groaned, and mumbled something unintelligible into the bedding.
‘They’re about five minutes apart,’ Theo glanced down at his watch.
‘Wow,’ she crossed the room, ‘these babies sure are in a hurry.’
Olivia let out a deep groan of pain, fisting the sheets and leaning back on her heels.
‘I know honey,’ Louisa kneeled down next to them, ‘just breathe.’
‘Where’s Tommy?’ Theo glanced across at her.
‘Downstairs with Jace,’ she replied, referring to her own baby boy. ‘Don’t worry about them, he has a beer and Jace has his milk. They’re watching Game of Thrones.’
Olivia lifted her head, dragging in a shaky breath, ‘I don’t think it’s very appropriate.’
‘Don’t worry, after his bottle he’ll be out cold,’ Louisa lifted a shoulder.
‘Jace or Tommy?’ Theo smiled.
‘Both probably,’ she chuckled, as Olivia let out another loud groan of pain. ‘Okay sweetheart, can you get up on the bed for me? Your labor seems to be progressing really quickly and I need to examine you.’
Theo wrapped his arms around her, carefully helping her to stand. Hit with another sudden and excr
uciating contraction Olivia cried out, gripping her belly as her legs tried to buckle. Fortunately Theo was holding onto her tightly, keeping her more or less upright as she panted her way through the pain.
‘Help me get her on the bed,’ Louisa told Theo as they managed to maneuver her carefully down onto the mattress.
‘Olivia, are you sure about this?’ Louisa frowned, ‘we still have time to get you to the hospital if we leave now, but your labor is progressing so fast that if we delay any longer we won’t have time.’
‘No,’ Olivia gasped through the pain, ‘no hospitals.’
‘Olivia,’ Louisa replied patiently, ‘I’m not an OB; my specialty may be emergency medicine but if something goes wrong we don’t have the equipment here to deal with a prenatal emergency. You’d be putting yourself and the babies at risk.’
‘No,’ Olivia shook her head stubbornly, ‘they are going to be born here inside the protective wards. There’s no way I’m giving the Veritas another shot at us, not to mention Sabine and Saffire. Those two demon bitches are still on the loose and they’d just love an excuse to get back at Theo for killing Zachary.’
‘That little bastard had it coming,’ Theo muttered darkly.
‘No arguments from me,’ Louisa frowned, ‘you’re absolutely sure about this?’
‘Yes I am,’ Olivia gripped Theo’s hand and squeezed her way through the next contraction, half growling and half crying with the intense pain. Finally the vicious tightening of her womb relaxed for a moment and she fell back against the stack of cushions, breathing heavily.
‘Holy hell, why would anyone do this more than once?’ she gasped.
Louisa chuckled as she pulled on a pair of gloves and quickly and efficiently examined her friend.
‘Well, good news is you’re pretty much fully dilated. Is everything ready?’ She glanced around the room; the fire was burning merrily in the fireplace, bathing the room in the soft gold glow of earth fire and filling the room with warmth. Two bassinets sat ready in the corner of the room, one with blue blankets and sheets and one with pink. There was a stack of towels close to the bed, and Louisa’s bag of medical supplies.
‘I think we’re as prepared as we can be,’ Theo replied nervously.
‘It’ll be fine,’ Louisa assured him.
‘Do you really think she’d be better off at the hospital?’ he asked her directly, his eyes dark with worry.
‘Don’t you dare even think about overruling me Theo,’ she growled, ‘I’m not leaving the house, our children will be born here.’
‘But…’
‘No, we need to stay here,’ she breathed heavily through another contraction.
‘She’s right you know,’ a new, unfamiliar voice intruded.
All three of them looked over to find a young woman with dark hair and wearing a flowing blue silken robe, standing by the fireplace.
Theo stood abruptly, his fist closing around the hilt of his blade, before he’d even registered the molten metal sliding down his arm as he placed himself protectively in front of his laboring wife.
‘Who are you?’ he growled dangerously.
‘My name is Eileithyia,’ the woman replied calmly, eying Theo’s weapon and defensive stance and seemingly unconcerned. ‘Stand down young warrior, I mean your mate and your young no harm.’
‘Then what are you doing here?’ he asked suspiciously, still not relaxing his stance.
‘I came to help,’ she answered.
‘Theo,’ Olivia drew his attention, ‘Eileithyia is the Goddess of Childbirth.’
‘Seriously?’ Louisa’s eyes widened.
‘She’s also the daughter of Hera and Zeus,’ Olivia added on a pained breath.
‘ZEUS!’ Theo’s expression hardened and his grip once again tightened, ‘did he send you?’
There was no love lost between Zeus and Theo, especially since Zeus had tried to kill Olivia to prevent her from taking possession of the Hell Book and becoming the Guardian of Infernum.
‘No,’ she replied, her eyes flashing momentarily, ‘I did not come because of my father. He doesn’t know I’m here and, believe me, he wouldn’t be happy that I was.’
‘Then why?’ Olivia gasped through another roll of intense pain.
‘My uncle asked me to come.’ Eileithyia eyed Olivia with interest.
‘Your uncle?’ Theo frowned in confusion.
‘Hades sent you?’ Olivia replied.
Eileithyia nodded, a small smile playing on her full lips.
‘Yes he did.’
‘Well why didn’t you say so?’ Olivia panted. ‘Get over here and help me get these babies out. It feels as if my insides are being squeezed in a vice.’
Eileithyia laughed lightly, her voice soft and melodic.
‘Shall we have some more light?’ she asked as she crossed the room to the bed.
Suddenly the room was flooded with the soft soothing light of dozens and dozens of candles, a hazy comforting scent filled the air and Olivia found herself relaxing back into the cushions and closing her eyes.
‘Here, drink this.’
She opened an eye to find that Theo had relaxed and joined her on the bed, stroking her belly in soothing circles as Eileithyia held a silver cup to her lips.
‘What is it?’
‘Something to help with the pain,’ she replied reassuringly.
Olivia took the cup and drank deeply. She’d expected it to be some sort of bitter herbal concoction but instead it was light and faintly fruity. Almost immediately she began to feel its effects; although she could still feel the sharp contractions, the strange drink had taken the edge off the pain.
‘I want you to take deep, relaxing breaths, Olivia,’ Eileithyia told her calmly. ‘Bringing your children into this world is the most natural thing, you just need to trust that your body knows what to do.’
Olivia could feel her body relaxing even as the Goddess continued to speak. Eileithyia laid her hand on Olivia’s belly and smiled.
‘They are strong and impatient to be born,’ she spoke softly, ‘it is time.’
‘I want to push,’ Olivia gasped.
‘Then go ahead,’ Eileithyia nodded, ‘your body is trying to tell you what to do, so listen to it.’
‘Theo!’ Olivia cried out, reaching for her husband.
‘I’m here.’
She couldn’t focus on him, couldn’t think of anything but the pain and the urge to bear down, but she felt him gather her up in his arms, holding onto her while she fought to bring their children into the world.
4.
Olivia gazed down onto the beautiful face of her daughter, snuggling her closer. She was transfixed by her tiny nose and her perfect bow-shaped lips. Her little fingers curled around Olivia’s finger as she blinked slowly, opening her mouth in a yawn. Olivia’s heart simply melted with an overwhelming sense of love and joy. Despite being exhausted and sweaty, she glanced up at her husband as he sat on the bed next to her, cradling their son with a similar look of wonder and love.
‘I can’t tell who they look like,’ she muttered.
‘They look like both of us,’ Theo smiled, as he passed the boy over to Olivia, settling him gently into her arms alongside his twin sister.
Olivia gazed down at them, unable to tear her eyes away from their beautiful faces as they blinked up at her curiously with serious eyes.
‘Aren’t they perfect?’ she murmured.
‘Yes they are,’ Theo wrapped his arm around both her and the children, tucking them in close to his side and placing a kiss on her temple, ‘you did incredibly.’
Olivia’s eyes filled with tears.
‘What’s wrong?’ Theo asked in concern.
‘I’m really happy,’ she choked.
Theo chuckled at his tired and over-emotional wife. He couldn’t blame her though, he knew what she meant. It was overwhelming, looking at their children sleeping in her arms, knowing that his whole world
was wrapped up in his arms in their bed. He was a father now. He looked down at his children again and swallowed hard. He couldn’t even begin to put into words the fierce emotions coursing through his veins and lodging in his throat.
He was so blessed and he owed it all to his friend Sam. If it hadn’t been for Sam pulling him through time at the last second, he would have surely died in that barn fire, he would never have met Olivia and he certainly wouldn’t be staring in wonder at their children.
His thoughts were suddenly drawn back again to Sam. He knew for certain now that something was wrong; there was no way Sam would have missed the birth of their children. No one had seen or heard from him since that night in the woods. He was worried, really worried, but was at a loss as to how to find him, knowing that with Sam he could not only be anywhere but could also possibly be stuck in another time.
‘What is it?’ Olivia asked, watching him curiously.
‘Nothing,’ he shook his head, not wanting to ruin the moment, ‘what should we call them then?’
‘I think we should call our son Logan James Beckett-West,’ she replied confidently.
Theo’s expression softened and his eyes deepened.
‘Are you sure?’ his voice was a low contemplative rumble.
She smiled and nodded.
‘I think it’s the perfect tribute to your brother and your father,’ she replied, ‘it’s a way to keep them with us. This way they’ll both live on in our son.’
‘Thank you,’ he whispered, pulling her closer and pressing his forehead to hers as he drew in a shaky breath.
‘I know that I didn’t get a chance to know Logan but I loved James too,’ she told him gently.
‘I know you did,’ Theo nodded, his gaze once again drawn to their slumbering children, ‘but what about our daughter?’
‘That’s the problem,’ she frowned, ‘the whole way through my pregnancy I knew what Logan’s name was going to be. I felt it right down to my bones and it felt right but with her, I just don’t know, every name I’ve come up with just doesn’t feel right.’
A Little Town Called Mercy Page 2
