Consequences Pt. 11J

I sent David a message saying, 'I hear you may have located a potential site, can I help?' and he replied. "Good idea, contact Jane, I'll let her know and she'll organise it for you. Ruth and Rachel are coming perhaps you guys could work it together. There's two sites that look good and I need your recommendation. They have all the information on the realtors and the sellers, if you can make a unanimous decision let's get this one going.

I feel like a changed person. It's so good to be part of the team and my heart is lighter, I deserve a night out unless the plane leaves today. I wonder if my first love is in town.

********************************************************************************

David

Late that night a message was sent to David while he was in transit to Ohio so he did not see it until later in the morning. The message said, "Olivia visited the home of Brian Johnson formerly from Ohio." It seemed that David was in the right place at the right time. On arrival he went straight to the site and he was in no mood for pleasantries, he was not taking prisoners and ensured that the people responsible for the delay no longer worked for him. From there he drove to Olivia's parent's house, when they opened the door they could immediately see he was in a foul mood. Welcoming him in, they asked what they could do to help. He didn't mince words "Who is Brian Johnson?" Both of her parents' faces fell.

I repeated, fighting not to lose my temper, "Who is he and where is he?"

They were obviously affected by my demeanour because they quickly said "He was her first real boyfriend, they were very close but he had to leave and she was distraught."

"And you didn't think it was important to tell me when I made it clear I needed to know everything, where did the boyfriend go?"

"Somewhere on the east coast."

"Don't you hold out on me she's been seeing him for a long time, if I don't get the answers I want I will take my revenge, do you understand me?"

"You have already divorced her, what more can you do?"

"Well first of all that was your fault, if you had told me the truth we could still be married, it was all the lies and tricks, and I can see where she got it from," I took a deep breath.

"Secondly don't you think her continued future won't depend on me. So where is he? I know he is within driving distance of my home and if I have to waste more money on investigators I will be looking for recompense."

They still refused to help.

"Clearly you thought she married me for my money and didn't love me so you thought it was funny that she could live off me while having a sex with this other guy, ha, ha, ha, you must have thought that was very funny"

Their faces said it all and nothing.

I looked at my watch and walked out of the house running my car keys all along his prized car paintwork."

I message Aleesha, "It's him, find out all you can before I get back and then forget you had anything to do with it."

"OK, will do. Take care love, I will be worrying about you."

"One thing, check whether the man has a family, wife, children, parents."

"I will, it's top of our list."

I contacted Jane, "Please don't book Olivia to Kansas there's been a change of plans"

*******************************************************************************

Olivia

I told my love that this had to be the last time, it was too risky. He wouldn't understand the risk involved and I couldn't convince him. It's late and there is no information from Jane, I message her and there is no reply. I message David, he doesn't reply. I am frightened.

I have slept fitfully. Something has happened I am sure, I can't eat. I've had a message from David addressed from his office, they have decided there will be a change of plan. The phone rings, it's my love, he is frantic, he's been called in to see his boss, cutbacks they say, and his wife has changed the locks. I ring home, David has promised revenge. They blame me, people have been covering us and he will be punishing them.

I ring my love, "I warned you and now we have to leave town."

"Go away, " he says, "I am in enough trouble."

**********************************************************************************

David

Finally it's going to be over, processes are underway to discredit Olivia's first love and his connections. Aleesha has advised his wife what has been going on and photos will be going to Dads friend, Arthur, to pull out as much evidence as he can, I am sure it will be there. I will rest now and let the destruction happen.

Now I must decide what to do with Olivia. I could easily fire her and she has been trying to contact me, she is a great asset professionally but where could I put her away from me. I rang Dad's friend, "How would you like some company of the female kind?"

"It's been a long time," he jokes.

"I need somewhere to put my ex-wife if I am to continue to employ her, what would you say?"

"I would need to meet her first of course."

"No problem, she will be arriving as soon as I can arrange it, let me know when you've decided."

I call Jane but they are already on their way to me. It's down to me. I email Olivia, "You have one final, final chance, you will go to Kansas as planned and meet up with Rachel and Ruth then you will go to this address to live in future, take it or leave it." I sent her all I had, then rang Lauren and asked her to arrange someone to pack up Olivia's things from my house and estimate the cost of food there. "Take the food home in a box and the clothes waiting for further instructions. All being well she will be staying with someone in Kansas and we will be sending her stuff on and some money to cover the food, I'm just waiting to hear."

"Is it all over David?"

"It is my darling, all bar the tidying up of her lover's family, employers and friends which is happening as we speak."

"No children involved I hope."

"There is but we'll be making sure they are ok apart from losing their scumbag father."

"I'm glad to hear it's over, I'll need a special hug when you get back."

"That's a promise, I'll be looking forward to it."

While I was waiting for Jane and Bree, I chatted to Aleesha about the wife and children. She agreed that we should try to offer the retreat if she is taking it badly.

"I could ask Tania and Christina to approach them, what do you think?"

"I don't know them well enough David but if you think they have the right approach then it's worth a chance."

I rang Tania and we talked it through. I explained that I wouldn't want them at our Retreat too long because of the connections but if they could build up a relationship it might pave the way to another of their planned retreats. I leave them to think about it.

Jane and Bree arrive knowing nothing of what has happened and I want to show them I have missed them first. I have brought some vibrators with me with every intention of an all-night session. The following morning they made me an extremely happy man, during which time I would have told them anything. As it happens they aren't in the least bit surprised so we went back to bed. I indulged in watching them pleasure each other before once more I gave my all; it gave me hope for the future. Before long we would have a creche of screaming babies and I couldn't wait.

The following day Dad's friend rang me and said, "It's a good thing you told me all about her beforehand, she could easily beguile a statue; but I have her number thank you."

"That's just what I was hoping to hear, what's the decision?"

"I'll tell her you have instructed me that she is to live and work from my home until further notice."

"That was what I was hoping you would say, otherwise I had to throw her to the wolves."

"I am delighted to help, altogether it's making an old man happy when I thought there was nothing in my future."

"We could involve you in other ways if you're interested later down the road?"

"Just ask me lad and if it's within my powers I'll do what I can"

"Great," I say, "I'm so glad we've met, I wish it had been earlier in my life."

"Thank you Son, I appreciate it."

"Please carry on with your research for me. I need to make sure there's no more scumbags out there."

"I understand, you'll be hearing from me."

**********************************************************************************

Olivia

Ruth and Rachael seemed to know nothing so we just get on with the work, both potential sites look good and we started the research to take it to the next stage, Ruth started collecting information on the competition for Hotel, Golf and Fitness/Health centres, Rachael went off to talk to the authorities about what might be possible and I set up to draft plans that would suit each site. We would reconnect again later and make amendments dependent upon the outcome of their enquiries. Before I started I went along to the library to check for news items on divorcees or women suffering, then I went along to the police headquarters to speak to the chief about his take on the need for a Retreat facility like ours. All in all I came away with the feeling that we would get support. Next I had to visit this man as David had ordered.

He was in a wheelchair and I followed him into an office full of equipment and paperwork. He quickly tidied and directed me to a seat. We chatted for a long time and he seemed kind and thoughtful although perhaps a little guarded. "I expect you're wondering why you are here," he said. I nodded, it was high on my list of questions. "If you and I get along, David would like to base you here, to live and work. We are fairly central and he was looking for someone trustworthy to look after you. Would you like to see the house?"

I nodded dumbfounded.

"You look surprised? Has he not informed you?

I checked my phone again and there was a message while I was busy. 'I know now you have loved someone else all these years so you will live as far away from me as I can make it. The man you are visiting might offer you accommodation, if you want to continue the job you will stay away from me.'

I am in a daze, my world has changed in such a short time, his voice brought me back to reality, "You will have all the upstairs rooms for obvious reasons." Arthur says, "why don't you take yourself up and look around."

Upstairs I found three good bedrooms, an ensuite and a single bathroom. And I wondered how flexible the situation would be. Downstairs again, he said, "I figure that we could share a kitchen for the time being so that we keep in touch but later maybe we could convert a bedroom to your kitchen if you would prefer. For now we can put everything you will need for an office in one of the beds and in no time you will be good to go. For the short term at least I would rather you didn't bring anyone home. What you do outside is up to you but your ex-husband is a tough man and I don't want to have to tell him any more bad things about you."

"He is," I said, nodding acceptance of what he was saying.

"I hope very much that we can be friends, I have been very lonely for a long time and I imagine that is how you feel about now." Again I nodded. I was numb.

"Good, so let's get things organised and you can get back to work. I believe the clothes from your house are on their way and no doubt you will have more elsewhere.

That night I cried myself to sleep in my new home.

**********************************************************************************

Christmas

There is great excitement at the Retreat, not only is the Christmas celebration just a few days away but so are the babies. David and Michael have decided to close the office for the Christmas through to the New Year period so that friends can join us for the celebrations. Monica, Dee and Aleesha are staying at the Reserve as will Ruth, her husband and the other special friends after celebrating Christmas day with their family.

Some of the residents are also visiting with parents over the holiday too. Jane, Bree, and Jo are all due to give birth within a few days of each other and Jo is bursting with excitement. David had a paternity test at the local hospital and it will have been sent to Kansas where Olivia is also due any day. Olivia has settled very well in her life down there but knows the outcome of the baby's test could be vitally important.

Olivia's baby is born in the late hours of Christmas eve and the blood test proves it is David's baby as Olivia had always maintained. Jane followed by giving birth at the Retreat on Christmas day, Bree two days later and Jo on January 2^nd. A nurse had been hired to take care of the birth and to stay with the mothers and babies for the duration; grandparents arrived soon after their water's broke. Olivia sent David a heartfelt message after her birthing, pleading that she and the baby come home and after much deliberation and discussion with the others he agreed and also invited Arthur, his father's friend.

So by January the Retreat was full of residents, friends, family and babies and the place rang to the warmth of friendship for a celebration. Searching the visitors David found Tania and Christina watching on with joyful but slightly melancholy eyes, perhaps wistful was a good word too. David stepped up beside them and quickly observed, "Thinking about having babies yourselves?" They flushed at him having got it right the first time but unwilling to admit it.

"We would have to have a sire first," they said.

"When shall we start?" He teased.

They looked at him first in shock, then annoyance at being discovered so he walked away but looked back later to see them in intense conversation and he wondered, two autumn babies would be very nice he thought and maybe Ana, then he scolded himself for silliness.

David's mum came over. "Is that your friend from our holiday before you went to University?"

"Yes that's her, it was the holiday that you and Dad tried to make me a little brother on the beach."

His Mum looked shocked, "David what are you saying?"

"Ohh nothing except I love you guys and I am so pleased you are my parents, particularly at that time."

His Mum hugged him very tight and his Dad, spotting what was going on, thought he ought to be getting in on the act so arrived with a question written across his face. His Mum said, "Your son says we tried to make him a baby brother on the beach!"

"So we did and afterwards, I remember that with great pleasure, in fact it's giving me ideas about tonight."

"Ohh you!" said David's Mum, slapping him on the shoulder.

"It was quite the eye opener." David continued the tease, "the beginning of my education."

Jane appeared at his shoulder catching some of what David had been saying and added, "You must have been superman in bed."

His father blushes but doesn't argue the point. His Mum has just thought about what her husband was suggesting for that evening and has decided he had better stay sober.

"I also heard you later the same night Mum, are you sure I don't have a secret younger brother or was the old man firing blanks."

David also gets a whack, except somewhat harder so that he finds himself rubbing his arm.

David wandered off to make a naughty suggestion to Ana and left her and Zoe in deep discussion, he then did the same to Ruth. Jane who was watching him decided that he probably had had enough to drink and headed him off before he propositioned any of the others with the idea of having a baby, She and Bree weren't finished with him themselves yet.

Olivia standing to one side beside Arthur watched on, she couldn't stop her eyes following David, how each of the women spent time touching him, teasing, and making naughty suggestions if his reaction was anything to go by. Each one received a brilliant smile from him and a kiss or two to remember before they went off to circulate with all the others. Erika was at home for the holidays and held onto him like he was going to run away and Olivia understood her. A voice she didn't recognise said quietly into her ear, you love him desperately don't you? And all she could do was nod shamefully; Arthur looked up to watch and listen with great interest. It was Tania and she continued "My husband was everything to me, he had my heart and then he tore it in two and I will never recover or forgive him, do you think you did that to David?" Once again she could only nod, her eyes still watching him. "Why did you do it Olivia?" There was silence for a moment that she needed to gather herself, "I have absolutely no idea except that I am a very sick and stupid person."

Tania shook her head in sadness, exasperated by the stupidities in life, and recalling how stupid she had been to give her heart to a heartless man. Maybe she could feel some sympathy but who deserves it the most? She wondered.

Arthur was wondering about the shocking things he had seen involving Olivia and trying to equate them to the person he knew. At first he had been taken aback by the ferocity of David's retribution against each new person he identified but then as he learnt more he couldn't understand how she could behave that way, not the person he knew anyway. So his own sense of righteousness took over and he revelled in David's revenge against those who had despoiled his wife. Even now that his work was finished he still felt the anger deep inside and his sympathy for David was boundless. David came across and drew him away and introduced him to Tania and Christina. Arthur was not surprised to find himself facing women of ethereal beauty where David was concerned, but with these two, he bathed in their attention. David introduced them and began to elucidate "Tania and Christina are funding two of the retreats and want to be involved in setting up a central point of contact and information centre for women who need us, we fear reprisals from certain types of husbands, fathers, or friends so we want to be able to relocate them if necessary. To do this we need a support service carrying out immediate background investigations, we are already working with a firm of investigation and security experts but there is a limit to the support they can give."

David could see Arthur becoming excited even though he was trying hard to suppress his feelings. Obviously Tania and Christina are going to be busy enough so they would like someone who could head up that side of the process with an expertise in background searches on anyone who needs to access the estates. Arthur could see there would be more work involved than he first realised.

David continued "I believe you have the expertise from your time with the police and I have seen your work with new technology. Obviously you may not want to be tied down to this forever but I feel you have the right credentials to set this up, get the right systems and processes in place, select staff and train them, what do you think?"

"Where would you expect me to be based if I take up the role?"

Tania took up the question "Initially we would hope you could stay in close contact with us while we are building up experience from the new sites coming on stream, then once the network is established I imagine it would be up to you to decide where would be the best fit. We would make sure there could be onsite accommodation available for you wherever you choose as best."

"I'm a bit overwhelmed." he said, "the idea sounds great in principle. As to location I would enjoy being closer to my old friend and I also now feel that I have a duty to David and by extension to Olivia for whom he has entrusted me to care for. Right now I think the best place for her is close to the family that is here to care for the baby and since it is David's child I don't believe he would allow her to take the child away. So it sounds complicated, but the long and the short of it is that somewhere here would be ideal."