Howard Calvert stared open-mouthed at Olivia's graceful and calm exit out of his office. His eyebrows arched acrobatically. He shook his head and tried to find his voice, as he turned his head in Fedor's direction.

'You have been my client for many years Fedor. I have never seen you allow anybody to walk all over you! And people have labelled me by some choice words like cantankerous, bad-tempered, granite prick, but Ms. Chadwick was immune to shall I say our lack of charm!'

Fedor chuckled as he stood up and walked to Howard's drinks cabinet and poured out two equal measures of scotch into glasses. He handed one to Howard, indifferent to the early hour of the day to be having drinks, but then he'd been up at his computer since five in the morning. His day had started many hours ago.

'Glad you have a sense of humour this morning Fedor!'

'She's feisty, is she not? And so damn beautiful.' Fedor swallowed his drink in one gulp.

'Feisty and beautiful she might be,' Howard conceded. 'I was blind-sided by this email Fedor, but we can still win in court. We can have her tied up in ongoing litigation, until she eventually caves in.'

'There will be no court case,' Fedor brought the bottle to the table and poured himself another drink.

Howard directed a surprised look towards his client and watched as Fedor finished his second drink, in the same manner as the first.

'You heard Ms. Chadwick. She is not going to allow you access! Her words are you are an unsteady influence! She is going to convince the court your globe-trotting will affect the stability of any relations with your child and the court will conclude that, that is not in the best interest of your child. I must caution you, your response to her was scathing. We have to do damage control. Care to inform me, what possessed you to issue that reply to her.'

Fedor inhaled heavily. 'I didn't believe she was really pregnant. I foolishly drew the wrong conclusion as to why she emailed me. Let's just say my conscience and my ego were doing battle and my conscience did not win on that day.'

'Perhaps the baby is not yours. You should do a paternity test!'

Fedor shook his head. 'Rebecca is mine. When I look at her, I see myself at three years old in photo albums back home.'

'Then you have to draw up a legal agreement Fedor. I have handled many a case where there were regrets in hindsight.'

Fedor stood up. 'Draw up the agreement,' he scribbled an amount to pay to Olivia.

Howard nodded. 'That is a fair amount to pay annually.'

'No, monthly.'

Howard balked. His eyes widened to saucer size.

'That is my child. Money is not an object, and I am a billionaire,' Fedor grinned.

'That ___ That is excessive!' Howard gasped.

Fedor shrugged. 'Olivia has not once asked me for any financial assistance, not even when she went into labour, nor has she requested me to procure private health care.'

Howard continued to stare at Fedor.

'Have that delivered to me. I shall take it to Olivia myself.'

'You seem to gleefully relish the task!' Howard stated uncomprehendingly.

'I'm going to marry Olivia.'

'Fedor! I insist you first have a prenuptial contract in place!'

'Sure,' Fedor grinned. He picked up his belongings and departed.

      For the next week Olivia was a tad nervous and suspicious about Fedor. Whist they worked, he was polite and courteous. He did not badger her at all, even though at every turn she had suspiciously expected him to be at her shoulder, but he had not confronted her about any personal matter. All their communications and interactions had been solely work related. She was confused and anxious. She kept getting death glares and attitude from Luba, but Olivia dismissed her nemesis. If Fedor kept his distance, then she could handle Luba quite effortlessly.

It was Saturday morning. Olivia chose to have a picnic breakfast with Rebecca in their garden. On the menu was hummus, baby carrots, slices of green apples, finger sandwiches with ham, lettuce and tomatoes and Rebecca's favourite tea sandwiches of fig jam. They had a jug of orange juice to wash down with. Olivia had spread out a blanket. She was engrossed in a suspenseful psychological thriller, with one eye on Rebecca, who was kicking a plastic ball about.

'Dawg,' Rebecca pointed to the neighbour's barking dog that she could see through the steel fence at their gate.

'Come back here, darling,' Olivia smiled at Rebecca. Setting her book aside she picked Rebecca up and brought her back to the blanket.

'Dawg mum.'

'The dog is beautiful. I know, but we cannot have a dog, just yet, okay.' Olivia poured Rebecca some juice. 'Dogs need to be fed and walked and taken care of. It's too much to ask of Sophie. Will you be a little patient?'

Rebecca nodded, not really understanding her mum's reasons for her not getting a dog. Still she drank her juice and decided to do some gardening. She picked up her plastic bucket and spade and began filling her bucket with soil.

'Mum come.' Rebecca called to her mum as she enthusiastically filled her bucket with soil. Olivia laughed and walked over to her daughter.

'Where are we taking the bucket to Rebecca?'

Olivia smiled, seeing Rebecca holding onto the handle with her two tiny hands. Rebecca began trotting towards some rose plants. Olivia helped with the bucket, adding her one finger to the handle to ease the weight. Rebecca squatted near the rose plants and using her toy spade, began emptying the bucket.

'Mind the thorns on the tree,' Olivia murmured, as she knelt down, holding the bucket for Rebecca.

'Hi there.'

Olivia spun her head around to see Fedor standing in their garden, looking very gorgeous in blue jeans, a white formal shirt and very expensive looking tan shoes. He had a shopping bag in one hand, holding what looked like stuffed toys and books. Though he smiled in a self- assured manner, Fedor was not inwardly all together confident that Olivia may not ask him to leave. She looked sexy in a sunny floral dress and a hat as she and their daughter, in a matching hat, was engaged in gardening chores. Olivia was distracted by Rebecca taking the bucket from her and emptying it over the rose plants.

'Hi.' Olivia stood up. Surprised at Fedor's uninvited visit, considering he had given her a wide berth in the last week. Her eyes lifted to his, but his attention was focused on Rebecca, busy turning the soil with her plastic spade. His eyes were drawn back to Olivia. He smiled again.

'I bought Rebecca some ___ stuffs.' He looked at Olivia awkwardly.

Olivia's heart tugged at his awkward stance. She slowly walked to him, to inspect the contents of his purchases. In the bag were numerous stuffed toys, similar to Zonk, Rebecca's current favourite. There were about four story books as well. Olivia removed one of the books and read the title.

'The shop assistant told me these are popular with three-year olds.'

Russet brown eyes met mesmerizing hazel ones. Fedor stopped smiling. Olivia inhaled heavily. She looked down and removed the books from the bag.

'Pick one,' she murmured softly. Her eyes quickly looking over her shoulder to check on Rebecca

'Excuse me?'

'I'll accept the books. Thank you, but that is too many toys for Rebecca. She will not respect the value of gifts if she is given too much, too often.'

'Oh. Okay,' Fedor nodded, appreciating Olivia's wisdom and good parenting.

Olivia observed Fedor as he studied what was in the bag. He removed a bear that resembled Zonk, tucked it under his arm and placed the bag on a nearby table.

'I shall take those back with me and bring them ___ on future visits.'

'Uninvited visits, you mean,' her eyes met his meaningfully.

He smiled charmingly. 'May I?' He pointed to the bear under his arm.

She smiled, nodded and allowed Fedor to hand his gift to Rebecca.

'Hi Rebecca,' he called out to his daughter.

She looked up from her bucket and smiled at Fedor. His heart stopped. He wanted to gather her in his arms and embrace her.

'Onk,' Rebecca came running towards Fedor and removed the bear from his hand. 'Tank you.' Rebecca grinned adorably.

Fedor heaved heavily. He smiled at Olivia, as Rebecca took his hand and lead him to the blanket.

'May I?' Fedor asked over his shoulder.

'You're already here, aren't you?' She questioned wryly.

Rebecca patted the blanket for Fedor to join her. He looked at Olivia before joining Rebecca. She opened the container, removed a slice of fig jam sandwich, handed it to Fedor and bit into one herself. Olivia looked curiously at Fedor, with her arms folded, wondering what he was going to do with the sandwich. She was stunned when he bit into it heartily, as if it was his first meal of the day. Rebecca continued eating her sandwich, clinging to her new toy, talking to it as if it could understand her. She pointed to the juice, asking Fedor to pour some for her. As if he did this every day of his life, Fedor reached for the jug, poured some into a plastic cup for Rebecca and another for himself uncaringly. He did not seem to mind his designer trousers getting dirty, nor was he uncomfortable drinking from Rebecca's plastic cup.

'Would you like some coffee or wine?' Olivia offered, fascinated by the interaction of her daughter with Fedor.

Fedor looked up at Olivia, surprised that she was being hospitable. He expected her to ask him to leave after handing Rebecca the gift.

'Some coffee please. Thank you.'

Olivia nodded and went inside. She saw Rebecca running behind her thinking Rebecca was uncomfortable being alone with Fedor, but she was surprised to see Rebecca going to her drawer, removing Zonk and some other toys. As Olivia was busy with the coffee, she watched Rebecca running out again to Fedor, with her arms full of toys.

When Olivia went out with the coffee, she found Rebecca on Fedor's lap. She was brushing Fedor's very short hair, with her toy hairbrush. He had his head down, smiling, patiently allowing Rebecca to be his stylist. Olivia giggled. Fedor's head shot up. Rebecca looked up at her mum smilingly. She was murmuring to her mum unintelligently. Olivia handed Fedor his coffee. Rebecca seemed to become bored with grooming Fedor, she picked up her bucket and spade again. Olivia reluctantly sat down on the blanket next to Fedor and sipped on her coffee.

'She is delightful,' Fedor mentioned.

Olivia looked at Fedor with mixed emotions. One part sad that he had missed all of Rebecca's memorable milestones, and another part confused, as to what percentage of his time, would Fedor allocate to Rebecca in her future. She could not have a part time father in her life, nor was it healthy for Rebecca to be bonding with a man who could not be a permanent feature in her life.

'What does Rebecca do, whilst you are at work?'

Olivia smiled. 'She spends time with Sophie her care-giver, doing picnics like this, or drawing, painting or watching movies. Her favourite is Pingu.'

'Pingu?'

Fedor's accent was hilarious. Olivia laughed. 'A penguin family living in the South Pole. Pingu is the adventurous son.' She turned her head to Rebecca, giving Zonk a gardening lesson.

'I've forgotten how beautiful your laugh is.'

Olivia's face froze. Her eyes met Fedor's. He looked adorable. She ached to kiss him, to be in his arms. She wanted to go to bed with him, wake up with him. She shut her eyes momentarily, then stood up and walked to Rebecca, who was having an animated conversation with her new toy bear. Rebecca lifted her arms to her mum. When Olivia picked her up, she rested her cheek on her mum's shoulder.

'Are you tired darling?'

Rebecca nodded, closing her eyes. She clung tightly to her toy bear, snugly up to her mum. Olivia took her in, placed her on the bed, with her toys and covered her up. She was shocked to see, Fedor had followed her and was standing at the door of her bedroom.

Fedor was impressed with the large bedroom. The duvet was bright blue with nautical images, with matching pillowcases. One side of the room was filled with dolls, teddy bears and various toys. The other side of the bed side table held a clock and a novel, and an antique lamp stand. The walls and ceiling were an arctic white, lending the room a clean, appealing look.

'I have something for you to look at,' Fedor extended to her some documents.

'I'm not interested,' Olivia walked out brushing past Fedor.

'You have not even looked at it!'

'Is it the parenting plan your attorney was so enthusiastic for me to sign?'

His eyes held hers. Legal arrangements are convenient Olivia. It avoids unnecessary complexities.'

'If you stay the hell out of our lives, we will have no need to enter into any contracts!'

'I want to get to know Rebecca. I want her to know I am her father.'

'No!' She paced about her lounge, needing some space from Fedor.

He gripped her arm, forcing her to be still and meet his eyes. 'Give me one valid reason,' he hissed.

'You're a globetrotter! Rebecca needs stability. She cannot have a father who is here one night, gone for three weeks, then sees her intermittently as his schedule allows!'

'If you marry me, we can travel together, as a family. Rebecca will see me every night. You will also enjoy me, exclusively every night.'

Her face burned crimson. Yes she had enjoyed him every night whilst they were together in the past. Her relationship with him was the most amazing part of her entire life, without a shadow of a doubt. But to marry him, when he did not love her and to be his kept woman. It vehemently clashed with her independent spirit. She could not live off a man, she just could not.

'I can't live off you Fedor.'

This is good. She is not saying no.

'Then you can continue to do adhoc work if you must. On the occasions when I will travel for more than a week, I can let you know in advance, so you and Rebecca will be with me, when I travel. In that way my absence will not be disruptive to Rebecca ___ or you,' he added belatedly, with a smile. 'You already know I am a one-woman man. I also respect the institution of marriage. You will never need to doubt my loyalty to you or our marriage if you marry me.'

He was saying all the right things. Rebecca would benefit from the emotional stability of a home with a mother and a father, but should she marry a man who does not love her? Because he obviously, is only proposing marriage purely for Rebecca's sake. If he had loved her, he would have told her when they were in a relationship. If she had been important to him, he would have come after her when she'd walked out on him, confessed his love for her and pleaded with her to return to him, instead, he had uncaringly returned to Russia and was bedding every sexy socialite, clearly relegating her to a closed chapter of his past. She ripped open his document and studied the contents. He was proposing to see Rebecca every evening, if Olivia agreed. Alternatively, three times a week and for him to have Rebecca stay over with him on alternate weekends. Olivia balked at the sum of money he was proposing to pay as child support. It was almost double her monthly salary.

'You can't be serious about this sum of money! I mean it does not cost this much to feed and clothe Rebecca!'

'Olivia you know I don't care about whatever sum of money needs to be paid for my child. You also know, that it is hardly a dent to my finances,' he added without any arrogance.

She nodded. She also knew he was a philanthropic individual. He supported a few orphanages in Russia. He had established development academies for youth in some sport and technological sectors. He was a good man. A decent, sexy adorable man. But to marry without love, was like being a charity case. She couldn't do it.

Fedor could see she was about to reject him again. He knew he had to play it slow. One of his strengths was his patience. He would wine and dine and court her for however long it took. She will be his. She will be his wife and his child will call him Papa.

'Don't answer me today Olivia,' he placed his hands gently on her shoulders. 'Just ___ don't shut me out completely,' he murmured huskily.

She looked away, anywhere was safer than his eyes, because he was too close. Her hands longed to touch him, to embrace him. Her lips longed to press against his. She shifted away, nodded.

'Bye,' she replied dismissively. 'I shall see you on Monday morning.'

He had hoped to return the next day. Had hoped perhaps she would agree to a family lunch at a restaurant, but he won't push it. He smiled, accepting her dismissal. Fedor removed another envelope from his pocket with a wad of notes. He placed it into her hand. 'Give Sophie a bonus. Take Rebecca for a fancy meal,' he smiled. 'Take Rebecca somewhere unforgettable,' he shrugged. 'Just have lots of fun.'

From the feel of the envelope, it contained a lot of notes. It was clearly more than sufficient for more than just one outing. She didn't want to bruise his ego any more than she knew she already had, she nodded again, and placed the envelope on the counter.

'Does Rebecca need ___ anything,' his cheeks blazed red. 'I failed to contribute when she would have needed a cot, baby pram or other significant purchases that babies need,' he looked away.

'We are not destitute Fedor. We live comfortably. You have nothing to worry about,' she offered consolingly.

He felt reassured that Olivia and Rebecca both looked healthy and well fed. Neither looked under nourished or disadvantaged in any way.

He nodded again. 'Goodbye Olivia,' his eyes met hers and he rather reluctantly, dragged himself away.

    
        On the Monday morning, Olivia was at work, bright, early, punctual as was her habit. She waited as both the delegations were reminiscing about their respective weekends. She smiled as the Germans were relaying anecdotes from a new bar they had discovered and how pleasantly they had enjoyed the beer on tap. Olivia was surprised that Fedor was late. Fedor disliked tardiness, inefficiency and people who were not punctual riled him the wrong way. If he was not punctual, he had a valid reason. She was pleased a little later to see Fedor make his blustery presence, striding in with his briefcase and jacket in his hand. Instinctively he looked up to where she was seated. As he walked to their meeting tables, he greeted his team, then tapped the head of the German delegation on the shoulder and whispered in his ear. The German glanced at his watch, nodded and smiled at Fedor, who dumped his belongings on his table and was surprisingly rushing up to where Olivia was seated.

'Good morning,' he greeted Olivia with a huge smile.

She shifted her headphones away slightly. 'Morning,' she murmured. 'Why aren't we starting?'

He chuckled mischievously. 'I told the colleagues, we are ready to start, I just needed a minute with you.'

She shifted her eyes away from him. 'Whatever for? Can we just get going please!'

'Olivia will you have dinner with me tonight?'

'Fedor!' She threw her hands in the air. 'We are here to work! You could have asked that during lunch or after work.'

'Is that a yes then?' He offered her a devilish grin.

'Fedor. You arrive here late! You are wasting everybody's time. Clearly you ___'

Olivia did not get to finish her sentence, as she and Fedor were interrupted by the loud gasp behind them. Olivia and Fedor turned to see Luba staring at them with her mouth wide opened.

'Who are you?' Luba spat venomously. 'Fedor is never this polite or accommodating with anybody else!

'The mother of his child.'

           -end chapter seven-