Page 61 of Pieces Into Place

I am shocked at the power of her words. She speaks with such a forceful conviction, and it’s clear that her heart is pouring out into her words.

“One last thing,” she says soothingly. “Olivia, from the bottom of our hearts, and I speak for my entire family, and Theo’s family, too – no one blames you for anything. None of you. Not you, your mom, or your grandparents. It’s time to let it go.”

I feel my shoulders slump and the tears that had been pooling in my eyes overflow down my cheeks. This was the absolution I hadn’t even known I had craved for so long. I wrap her tightly in a hug, feeling the warmth emanating from her body, and will myself to hold onto this moment forever.

Kane

Dad and I enter the house with two heaping bags of groceries. As we step into the living room, a wave of warmth washes over me; sitting side by side on the couch are Mom and Olivia, engrossed in flipping through my childhood photo album.

“Oh, come on!” I protest with a smile, taking a seat alongside Liv. “At least show her my football pictures or something where I look tough.”

“I particularly like this one of you, Marcus, and Callan dressed as Ninja Turtles.” Liv laughs.

“Hey, those costumes were a hit that year,” he says with a chuckle.

“It’s a right of passage for a mother to show her son’s girlfriend baby pictures,” Mom adds with a grin. Suddenly, a wave of guilt crashes over me; here is Olivia being happily whisked down the memory lane of my life, having lost all traces of her own childhood year in that devastating fire. There is nothing I can do about what she’s already lost, but I can make up for it moving forward – starting with this moment.

“Mom, can we go to the beach tomorrow? I’d like to take some pictures,” I say, a smile spreading across my face.

She smiles knowingly before answering. “I think that’s a great idea,” she replies.

“We can invite more family if you’re up for it,” she says to Olivia.

Olivia smiles brightly before wrapping her arms around my waist in a tight embrace. I have no idea what they talked about, but whatever it was has clearly reassured her of her place in my life.

Since our return from Tahoe, Olivia has been living with me. We were able to salvage very little from her apartment, with the exception of one slightly chipped coffee mug that has a heart on it and is inscribed with the words “cup of love.”

Dante offered to help her out in any way she wanted, though she graciously declined. I can understand why she didn’t want anything to do with him. He often operates on the wrong side of the law now, and it’s probably better for both of them if they keep their distance. As for me, I’ll always be grateful to him for helping her be able to live freely.

Her plan now is to save money by living with me before eventually moving out into her own space. But as far as I’m concerned, that isn’t going to happen. The three of us, Liv, Annie and me, have created a life, a home, and family; and I have to admit that our furry daughter is a lot less destructive with two parents around to shower her with adoration and belly rubs.

With how much Olivia has come to care for my dog, plus how enthusiastic she is about our amazing sex life… I’m fairly certain that Olivia is here for good.

We hated each other at first, then came the threat on her life, a reluctant friendship, mobsters, and a serial killer uncle, and despite all of that, the love between us is undeniable. Though our love story is an unusual and complicated one, it is ours. We embrace and nurture our connection, like two pieces of a complicated puzzle finally fitting together.

THE END.

Epilogue

Olivia

3 Years Later

Kane carefully places the bright orange carrot in the middle of the snowman’s crotch, a vegetable phallus sticking out for the world to see, giving me a suggestive smile.

“You really are a pervert,” I joke, shaking my head in mock disapproval. Kane grins as Marcus adds his two cents worth. “While you’re at it, use those rocks for his balls.”

I laugh as I brush the icy crystals from my gloves. “The carrot is for his nose,“ I say.

Marcus bounces Callan’s baby in his arms. She is sweetly bundled up, snugly in a white snow suit and blue beanie with a fluffy pom-pom on top. Her chubby cheeks are stained pink from the frosty air. She might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

“You guys are like teenagers,” I playfully scold Marcus and Kane who are standing in the snow with their beers and making funny faces the baby. Callan is the only one acting his age as he shovels snow from the walk.

“Nah,” Callan chimes in, “We were way worse at fourteen.”

Kane chuckles knowingly, his dark brows knitted together as he starts sharing stories from their days at Camp Happy Bush. Tales from this trio are legendary in and around Sierra Falls.

As if answering a silent call for chaos, Annie charges across the snow-covered ground and rips the bright orange carrot right out of the snowman’s groin with her pearly fangs. She sprints around Marcus, Kane, and James, Marcus’s wife, who has come to stand beside Marcus and Iris. Iris, her wild violet eyes wide and observing cries, “Daddy! Annie is going to eat the snowman penis!”