Part XIII

Olivia remains in the courtyard, stunned.  She gathers her composure as Harley approaches.  She stands next to Olivia and speaks.

Harley: You know they were married here?

Olivia quickly turns to face Harley as she looks towards the trees.

Olivia: Excuse me?

Harley: Josh and Reva.  This is where they were married.  Well the wedding they had last year anyway.

Olivia: I suppose this is your cue for the standard lecture on Josh and Reva.

Harley: Well actually, no.  Obviously everyone else has covered the bases.

Olivia: That couldn't be more true.  So Harley, apparently you have something to add.

Harley: I was there.

Olivia: There?

Harley: I was in Florida when Reva drove her car off that bridge.

Olivia: Why were you there?  Just… Nevermind… this has nothing to do with me.

Harley ignores Olivia's comment and lets a bittersweet smile cover her face as she recalls the past.

Harley: My marriage had just broken up and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life.  Reva offered me a job.

Olivia: A job?

Harley: A nanny job.  For Marah and Shayne.  Josh was horrified at the idea but Reva insisted and he eventually agreed to it.  After Reva drove off that bridge he was even grateful. (chuckling) Josh was afraid I'd kill Marah I think… bossy little thing.

Olivia: She's still bossy....

Harley: I think we were in shouting matches more times than not...

Olivia: Not to spoil your trip down memory lane but is there a point to this?

Harley: (still remembering) I watched Josh dive in and out of the water for hours searching for Reva - desperately hoping that he'd find her alive in spite of everything. You know he locked himself in his room for days and refused to see anyone? I didn't think he'd ever come out.

Olivia: Why are you telling me this?

Harley: He did come out eventually.  And I thought he had moved on with his life, until…

Olivia: Until?

Harley: Billy.

Olivia: Billy?

Harley: Billy saw Reva on some travel video about Italy.

Olivia: What?

Harley: He told Josh he saw here and Josh went nuts.  He broke off his engagement to me and moved to Italy to find her.

Olivia: Wait a minute.  You and Josh?

Harley: Just more of his past he must be pointlessly trying to forget. The moment he heard that there was a possibility that Reva was alive, he took off to find her.

Olivia: Well she is alive now and obviously he doesn't want to be with her.

Harley: I don't think obvious is quite the word.  He says he wants to move on... he may even believe it... but you have no idea how far he'll go to keep her in his life. (enigmatically) No idea.

Olivia:  I'm sorry, Harley, but this time it is different.  I don't need yet another one of his ex's trying to ruin my life too.

Olivia turns and quickly walks out of the courtyard.

Harley: Well, don't say I didn't warn you.

Reva quickly moved across the country club floor oblivious to any and all in attendance.  Several people noticed her agitated state, but before they could articulate concern, she was out of sight.  Billy so much as grabbed her to stop, but she pulled away as he tried to get through to her.  Reva soon found herself at a dead end.  In a far back hallway corner, she attempted to get a grip on her surroundings.  She laid her head upon the wall catching her breath.  As her body relaxed, sadness begins to flood her yet again.  She gave into the emotion, as the wall became her only means of support.  As she remained a prisoner to her feelings, she felt a hand on her shoulder.  It was warm and reassuring.  "Billy", she thought.  No matter how much she wanted to shut the world out, she ached for comfort.  She let his hands guide her into his chest and arms.  His body was warm and loving, but Reva quickly opened her eyes.  This wasn't Billy.  This was a body she knew better than her own.  She paused and pulled away for a moment.  She refused to look into his eyes for fear of what her heart might do.  He gently pulled her chin up forcing her to look at him.  Josh didn't have to say a word.  The love and compassion in his eyes made her world go round.  She gave in and fell back into his arms.  His touch was the one thing that could provoke any emotion in her and right now she needed his consolation.  She could feel his breath on her.   The rhythm of his heart seemed to match exactly with hers.  If only they could block out the past or at least move on with the present.

She seemed to be calming down.  As much as she hated the control that he had over her, she could hardly think of it any other way.  Unconsciously, she held onto him even tighter.  He began to stroke her hair and rock her in his arms.  As much as he was the one consoling her, having her in his arms gave him indescribable joy.  No matter what had happened, this was the woman he loved, his soulmate.  Nothing could change that even if they tried.  The problem was getting past this seemingly insurmountable obstacle.  Never in their entire lives had they been at such a point.  What they needed now was a way out. Or perhaps realize they needed one.

It was so secluded in the hallway.  The sounds of the party were so distant it felt as if they only two people in the building.  Oh how they both longed for that.  To be the only two people in the world for that matter: husband, wife and children.  Selfish, yes; but deeply longed for.  Somehow people always seemed to come between them.  Ironically, it was the two of them that involuntarily cleared the way. 

Neither of them wanted to let go.  Being in each other's arms was the safest place in the world.  In each other's arms, they were even safe from themselves.  Several moments passed when the urge to speak lingered in the air.  Still clinging to one another, the silence was broken.

Josh: How do we keep ending up in places like this?

Reva: I think we only have ourselves to blame.

Josh: I don't know, Reva.  Things are so out of control this time.  Sometimes I wonder if we are just kidding ourselves.

Reva: (breaking away from the embrace) What do you mean?

Josh: I… I don't know what I mean. 

Reva: Yes you do.  You sound like you are giving up.  Completely giving up on us…

Josh: That's not what I said, Reva… I…

Olivia: Is everything all right?  I was looking all over for you.

Josh drops his head to his hand.

Josh: Everything is fine, Olivia.

Olivia: Well, if everything is fine, could we possibly get back to the party?

Josh: Well not quite yet.

Olivia: Okay, well, why not?

Josh: There are just a few more things we need to discuss…

Olivia: What things, Josh?!  You came to the party with me.  Surely you could find another time to plan your next rendezvous.

Josh: Olivia, that's not it…  it's…. it's… the kids.

Olivia: Oh, well, of course, you need to make sure someone is watching your precious children while you two shack up.

Reva rolls her eyes in amusement as Josh tries to interject.

Josh: Olivia, please…

Billy: Everything all right here, kids?

Josh: (agitated) Yes, Billy, everything is fine!

Billy: (with a knowing grin) Well, in that case, could I borrow you for just one second little brother.

Josh: Billy, this really isn't…

Billy proceeds to pull a reluctant Josh away from the two women.

Olivia: (to Reva) Well if you need a babysitter, I'm sure I'll be available to watch the little hell-raisers.

Reva: Excuse me?

Olivia: What?

Reva: What did you call my children?

Olivia: You heard what I said, Reva, they're hell-raisers, schemers, or would delinquents be a better word.

Reva: How dare you insult my children like that?

Olivia: I honestly don't know what part of Josh is in their genes.  They are 100% Reva… manipulative and out of control.  Maybe that explains it… maybe they aren't even Josh's.

Billy and Josh are a few steps away.

Billy: What the hell is going on, Josh?

Josh: I can handle this Billy; just let me get back to them before someone really gets hurt.

Josh walks away.

Billy: Way too late for that, little brother.

Reva: You lying sack of…

Reva raises her hand to slap Olivia when Josh intercepts.

Josh: Reva, please, stop it.

Reva: Joshua, did you just hear her?  She had the nerve to imply that…

Josh: Reva just let it go, please.  (His eyes pleading)

Reva: Let it go?  You're going to stand her and actually defend her.

Josh: I'm not defending her.

Olivia: Oh, thank you for your support Josh.

Josh: That's not what I meant, Olivia.

Reva: What exactly do you mean, Josh?

Josh: Reva, I know you're upset.

Reva: You're damn right I'm upset.  Did you hear what your little toy just said about our kids?

Josh: I'm sure she didn't mean it… we are all just a little tense tonight.

Reva: A little tense?  (livid)  Oh Josh, you don't know the half of it.

Josh: Reva, the kids have been a bit hard on her, so naturally she would…

Reva: They are hard on her because they see her for the bitch she really is…

Josh: Reva…

Olivia: 100% Reva.  Josh, have you ever really had a paternity test for the two of them?

Josh: (appalled) What?!!

Reva: Oh my God!  I can't…. you are….

Reva freezes from anger, unable to speak.  Josh is in complete shock as to what Olivia has inferred.  Olivia realizes immediately that she has stepped over the line.  Josh slowly looks up at Reva and watches a familiar sight… her transformation from being upset to wanting revenge.  Josh quickly tries to stop the explosion he knows is about to occur.

Josh: Reva…

Reva doesn't say a word and moreover, she doesn't have to.  Josh knows where he stands.  Reva stops abruptly, wipes her eyes and gains her composure.  Slowly, meaningful, she turns to face both Josh and Olivia.

Reva: You know, Bud… this scene looks so familiar

Josh: What are you talking about?  Reva, I…

Reva: Don't you remember the Cedars ball?

Josh: Wha… yes, of course… I…

Josh thinks back to their passionate kiss atop of the lighthouse.

Josh: (straightens up) Yes, I remember.

Reva: You had Annie hovering over you.  She thought if she misplaced you at the party, she would lose you for good. Olivia seems to be the same way.

Josh: Reva, just listen to me…

Reva: No, Josh. You've said quite enough, it's my turn.

Reva grabs a drink from the nearest waiter as her voice begins to increase in volume.

Reva: You know, Josh… as ironic as this may seem, there are times that I wish Annie was still around.  Even though she tried to kill me more times than I can count, at least I knew, deep down, that mistress of yours had a heart.  Something I can't quite say for this latest acquisition.  How is it, Josh, that you, a man with the biggest heart I have ever known, could fall for someone as cold as Ms. Spencer?  Makes you wonder, doesn't it?  Maybe she got a hold of some of that mind-control drug? Hell, maybe she is Annie… of course, minus the heart…

Olivia: How dare you…

Reva: How dare I?  Honey, you ain't seen nothing yet…

Reva walks away, immediately commanding the room.  Josh is silent; he knows that pleading will get him nowhere.

Reva sees Edmund and raises her glass to him as she toasts him out loud.

Reva: To my former brother-in-law… planning to smother innocent children or chain anyone in a cave to drown? I hear you are working for the Spaulding's.  You should fit right in.  You take one step near my children or me and I'll kill you.

Edmund: Mrs. Lewis, I assure you, you and your children are in no danger from me.

Reva (practically spitting it out): Mrs. Lewis? You killed Mrs. Lewis when you left me shackled in a hole in a cave to drown.

Edmund: Certainly not Catherine again?

Reva: You threw her "back into the ocean where she was found" remember? You sent her back to die, and that she did.

Edmund: Now Princess, you more than anyone know that I was far from well.  The doctors have assured me that I now present no danger to anyone.  I would never attempt to hurt Jonathan, Reva… he is of my blood: my nephew.

Reva: That's what I told Marissa when I took Richard to see Jon… but you see, if I believed that entirely… my son… my son would be here.

Olivia (interrupting): I was right… you can't make up your mind about anything.  You still want Jon back and you'd take him in a heartbeat if…

Reva: If what?

Olivia: If only you could.

Reva (calmly): I could take him back, Olivia, and in that heartbeat you're talking about.

Richard: (after pausing for a moment) What do you mean, Reva?

Reva: I spoke to a lawyer, Richard.  I explained everything to him.  His response was very interesting.

Richard: (impatiently) And?

Reva: He said if I were able to bring Jon to the States there would be a good chance that I could get sole physical custody of him.

Olivia and Richard (together): That's impossible, how could they?

Richard: He's my son… and Catherine's. 

Reva: You see Richard; that's just it.  Legally he isn't your son.

Richard: What are you talking about? Of course he's my son you were my wife and you bore my son!

Reva: And therein lies the rub, Richard.  We were never legally married.

Richard: I was married to you... to… to Catherine.

Reva: Catherine never legally existed, Richard.  I was however, married to Joshua.  And in the eyes of the law... Jonathan is his son.

Josh's eyes widened as Reva and Richard continue to talk.

Richard: DNA tests would prove that I'm the father.  Besides that, what kind of a judge would give custody to a woman who couldn't remember even having the child until last year?

Reva: I wondered about that myself.  But on the same token, what kind of judge would give a child to you?  A man who would marry a woman with no memory without making every effort possible to find out exactly who she was?

Richard: I made every effort to… A judge would not rule on the basis of such a thing!

Josh, finally starting to understand what Reva is saying gives a questioning look to Ross who slowly nods in confirmation of her theory.

Reva: This is ridiculous.  Jon is where we both decided he should be.  I have no intention of denying who he really is to you.

Richard: Then why did you bring it up? Why did you even speak to a lawyer about this in the first place?

Reva: Protection - for Jon and for myself.  And as for why I brought it up now…ask your ex-assistant. Jon is where he needs to be…the right decision was made there no matter how much I miss him.

Reva pauses as Olivia, Richard, Edmund and virtually the everyone in the room are silent.  Josh's eyes are on her as his expression is one of mixed emotions.  Quickly wanting to leave his gaze, and encouraged by the commanding stillness, Reva promptly changes her attention to other members of the party…

Reva: So Phillip, I hear you gave Edmund a job so he could grace all of us with his presence.  Better keep a tight eye on Zach and Lizzie - never know what he might do. Alan, of course, will recognize a fellow shark.  He may even decide to adopt him and name him heir.  Wouldn't a Prince, even one in exile, be the perfect new head of Spaulding?

Phillip: (dryly) Given my father's constant meddling to keep me in the business I doubt I have to worry there.  And for that matter, he seems to be grooming Lizzie for his own royal heir.

Reva raises her glass to him and notices Cassie out of the corner of her eye.

Reva: And Cassie, (raising her glass to her) I hear you are responsible for sending Edmund to town.  The man that tried to kill your nephew and me. Such a loyal sister you are.  I hope you will be as safe and happy as I was in San Cristobel.  Has Richard taken you to that fateful cave?  Maybe he can let you spend a day there with the tide coming in, begging God for one more chance to be with your husband and your kids.

Cassie's eyes begin to tear as her head slowly drops.  Reva gauges her sisters reaction and realizes she may have gone too far.

Reva: Believe it or not, I am happy for you.  Richard is a good man, despite that controlling nature.

Reva turns her attention to the prince and again raises her glass.

Reva: Richard, so good to see that your willing to let bygones be bygones with your brother.  Sure, he tried to kill your son and your wife but you did have to keep the crown safe at all costs, right? Wouldn't want your country to find out that you were either clueless or blind to your brother's ambition to get rid of the competition to the throne… even if the competition was a helpless baby.  You better keep a closer eye on your new bride though: he might decide he doesn't like her either... hope those shackles are gone. Funny isn't? Your firing squad almost executed my friends on mere suspicion of "killing royalty" and meanwhile your brother's punishment is a full pardon to my hometown.  If you hated me so much for sending Jon away there are easier ways to kill me.  Olivia would have been more than happy to help, I'm sure. (turning towards Olivia)

Olivia is weary as she sees that her earlier comments has stripped Reva of any desire to even play civil…even in public.

Reva: And to Olivia… the woman with too much nerve on her side.  It really has been good to see you again.  There was something I was meaning to ask you though.  When you were snuggling next to Richard at night, did it ever occur to you that you could ease his pain by letting him know that his son was alive?  After all, he was mourning the child that you had given your own sister to raise.  Or maybe you thought starting your own family would make him forget Jon.  Of course, when I came to San Cristobel and begged you to tell us where he was, did sending us to a gravesite prove you loved Richard? Did helping me get him away from the palace and away from Edmund prove your love for Richard? 

Richard looks on confused. 

Reva: Oh yes, Richard, she helped me.  Didn't she tell you?

Richard is silent and contemplative.

Reva: I see she didn't.  Maybe you can send her back to San Cristobel and put her in front of a firing squad.  (Reva looks back to Olivia) Oh and now you're with my husband.  Good to see you're still after my sloppy seconds. (Reva gives Josh a significant look) Richard wasn't enough for you? Would you like a list of all my ex-husbands and lovers? I wouldn't want you to miss any of them in your quest to get back at me.  After all, it is my fault that you didn't become royalty.  Oh but wait, you're with Josh because you love him? (Josh flinches at Reva's mocking tone) Have you said those three magical words to him yet? Or do you just care for him deeply? (Gauging Olivia's expressions as proof that she is right Reva continues her verbal assault) So you have told him you loved him. Is that it, Olivia?  You just couldn't resist the lure of another man whose heart I trampled on so carelessly and deliberately? Is that it? Did you whisper in his ear how wonderful he was and how I didn't deserve a great guy like him? When exactly did you begin to put your claws in him?  Did you wait until you came to Springfield or was it soon after he came to rescue me in San Cristobel?  I bet you were there right away with a shoulder for him to lean on and a warm body to be with while I was figuring out who the hell I really was. The thing is, Olivia, I know exactly who I am it just took me a little while to remember that's all.  You may think you did him a good deed by being there… but all you did was help him bury his feelings.  Something my husband is the master at.  It will come back to haunt you though.  You take a close look at the man you're sleeping with. (Olivia looks at Josh who can't take his eyes off Reva). He loves me and he can deny it till the day he dies - he's stubborn enough where he might do that. I just want you living with the knowledge that he settled for you because he is too big of a coward to fight for what he truly wants.

Reva: Oh and Bud, don't worry; I saved the best for last.  I was wondering if you were going to show up with everyone's loyal friend, Olivia, on your arm. She must be an invaluable asset to you. I know Richard found her to be most useful. Her allegiance is unwavering once she's on your side.  (Reva's does a fair imitation of Olivia's voice) "You can trust me."

(To Olivia) That is what you told Catherine at one point wasn't it.

Olivia: (coldly) That was a long time ago. I kept my promises to Catherine. I protected her son.

Reva:  We can discuss your trustworthiness or lack thereof at some other time.  I'm talking to Josh now.

Josh (finally speaking up): Reva, not in front of everyone…its not the place for this…

Reva: This is the perfect time and place... it's a party, Joshua, time to cut loose. Why are you are looking so tense Joshua? Aren't you enjoying yourself?

Josh: (angry) You know I don't enjoy this. I never have…not knowing what to expect…what you'll do next.

Reva: What's wrong, Bud? Afraid of what I'll do? Maybe Billy would be willing to do another tango with me?? I'm sure there are lots of men here that I can flirt with. Or wait, maybe I'll dance on tabletops again? Are you expecting me to take my clothes off and baptize myself in the fountain again? (Reva notices the worry and anger on Josh's face and laughs). Don't worry, Bud, I won't for Marah's sake. The days of me playing town tramp to get your attention are long gone.  Besides I think I'm passing the title onto you, Bud.  How long after you left our house did you sleep with Olivia? Did you even wait a day? a week? a month?   The fountain is still out back, Joshua, go baptize yourself. You'll have quite an audience.

Josh (softly pleading): Reva please stop this.  It won't help anything.

Reva: God, (laughs) "this won't help anything", doesn't that sounds familiar?  Those words were used just the other night: the night that I ended up in your bed.  I was right it didn't help anything. 

Reva smiles as she sees the look of pain on Olivia's face and continues: 

Reva: But it did create something, didn't it?

Josh: (pleadingly) Reva, what are you talking about?

Reva pauses… savoring the silence for a moment before continuing.

Reva: New lives, Joshua, it created new lives for all of us. (Raising her glass)  Lets all drink to new lives… to mine, to yours… to ours…

Reva brings the glass to her lips to take a drink but is distracted.  She slowly scans the room, not surprised that every eye is on her.  The faces range from pity to admiration.

Josh: What are you saying, Reva?

Reva ignores the question and leans in to whisper in Josh's ear

Reva: Chew on this, Joshua. When I was in that cave believing that I was going to die, you were the one I yelled for. Always, Bud.

The room is absolutely quiet as Reva suddenly kisses Josh long and hard on the mouth.

He is stunned when she pulls away from the kiss as suddenly as she started it.  She abruptly turns on her heels and walks away.