Chapter Five

DreamInColour © 2004

 

“You haven’t told the hobbits yet?”

“I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact myself.”

“So instead you’re going to have them over and say ‘oops did I forget to mention I just found out I’m a father’? You could buy one of those signs that says, It’s a Girl.”

“Come on Vig, what would you have done if you didn’t get to be involved with Henry until he was eight months old?”

“I’d be pretty pissed,” Viggo Mortensen consented, “But I still would have told people.”

“I didn’t even know she existed,” Orlando sighed and then smiled, “And I did tell people, I told you and Liv.”

Viggo pulled into a parking spot at the airport and slapped his friend’s arm with a grin, “Liv was mighty pissed that you wouldn’t let her come.”

“I figured you’d be overwhelming enough for Mia, besides Liv could draw attention, she’ll get to meet Cassia in due time.” Orlando wrung his hands, “I don’t even know how to do this.”

“Which is a good thing to hear.”

“Explain?” Orlando raised an eyebrow.

“If you were familiar with showing up to meet your best friend who has your baby I’d be worried.”

He actually blushed, “Good point.”

They entered the airport and looked around for the monitors that would tell them when and where Mia would be.

 

Mia was being accosted.

“I’m serious I’ve never had a baby behave so well on a flight before.” The flight attendant, Patty, gushed as Cassia played with her necklace.

“And I’ve flown around the world,” A gentleman, Mark, said over her shoulder, “I can’t believe after that many hours that she’s so content.”

Mia smiled, “I’m definitely lucky.”

“Yes you are, it’s been a pleasure Mia.” Mark waved, “I hope you enjoy New Zealand.”

“Thank you,” She said.

“I don’t want to give you back,” Patty was saying to Cassia, “You are just the cutest baby I’ve ever seen,” Cassia giggled.

Mia kept smiling; this was a good way to start her trip, although she anticipated it going downhill from there, “Ask her for a kiss.”

Patty laughed, “She gives kisses?”

“If you don’t mind some slobber it’s rather cute.”

Patty was hardly paying attention already asking, “So give us a kiss Cassia.” She cooed.

The little girl complied by opening her mouth and planting it on the woman’s cheek, while simultaneously grabbing a large chunk of her hair.

“Oh I’m sorry,” Mia exclaimed gently pulling the hair out of Cassia fingers.

Patty was too busy laughing, “I think I’m in love,” She said reluctantly passing the little girl back to her mother.

“She tends to have that effect, I think she got it from her father.” Mia mused.

“I beg to differ, her mother can tend to have a lasting effect as well.” A voice said over her shoulder. He had watched the whole encounter and fell in love with Cassia immediately; the jury was still out on what his feelings really were for Mia.

“Well I should go, it’s been a pleasure Mia,” Patty graciously took her leave, “Bye, bye sweet pea.” She pinched at Cassia’s cheek.

“Bye,” Mia whispered staring at Orlando while Cassia wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck.

“Hi Mia I’m Viggo.” The gentleman standing with Orlando extended his hand; “If you’ll just tell me what your bags look like I’ll get them for you.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Mia said while shaking his hand.

He smiled at her, which was somewhat daunting, “Maybe not but I don’t mind,” He leaned in to smile at Cassia whose eyes were closing, the excitement becoming a bit much for her. “Nice to meet you too Cassia.”

Mia handed him her boarding pass, “The baggage numbers are on there.”

“I’ll meet you by the car,” He said, “Oh yeah and this is Orlando, I’m sure you remember him, he has been known to speak from time to time.”

Mia smiled, “We’ve met thanks,” she shifted Cassia to one hip and swayed from side to side as the baby fell asleep. “So we’re here,” She finally said.

He just watched them and couldn’t believe it, there they were, there she was, his daughter, he couldn’t believe this was happening.  Reaching forward he gently ran his finger down Cassia’s face, “Yeah,” He breathed, “You’re here.”

“Would you like…I mean do you want to hold her?” Mia asked her heart was racing so fast she was sure it would wake Cassia up.

“I, well, sure if it’s okay.”

“Oh yeah, she’s so exhausted as long as I’m around for her to look at if she wakes up she’ll be fine. Besides my arms are killing me, I’ve been holding her for hours now.” Mia gently lifted Cassia up and passed her to Orlando.

He gingerly took her and brought her to his chest. She nestled into his neck and sighed gripping his shirt in her little fist.  He looked down at her and forced himself not to cry, “It’s nice to finally meet you Cassia,” He whispered.

“I’m sorry Orli,” Mia watched him and instantly regretted not telling him about the pregnancy as soon as she found out.

He didn’t really look at her just took the diaper bag and put it over his shoulder, “Let’s not talk about it here.”

That stung, Mia thought, I thought I was taking his feelings into account, but maybe I wasn’t.  She’d never felt this awkward around him, even at the Christmas that seemed so long ago.

“I can’t believe how beautiful this country is,” Mia marvelled staring out of the front seat window.

Viggo smiled at her as he drove toward Orlando’s home, “I still can’t believe it either.”

Orlando was in the backseat watching Cassia as she slept in the car seat he’d purchased the day before. He wasn’t paying attention to anything except her, he marvelled at how long her eyelashes were, how much hair she had and it had that wave in it, just like his.  She also had Mia’s full mouth and nose. Mia, right, Mia he looked up front where she was talking to Viggo about mountains and sunrises.  He was mad at her, yet not completely, there were so many emotions going through his mind at that point he didn’t know which one he wanted to latch on to more.

“And here is our elf’s home,” Viggo said pulling into the drive, “And apparently he has a guest.”

Orlando looked over at the car parked in his drive and smiled, “Liv.”

Mia looked between the two men and gaped, “You mean Liv Tyler?”

“He didn’t tell you she was in this movie?” Viggo asked as they piled out of the car.

“He did, but I certainly didn’t expect her to be here.”

Orlando walked around the vehicle to open the backseat and retrieve his daughter who seemed oblivious to the change in scenery. “She’s the only other person I’ve told so far, she helped me make up a room for you both.” He explained as he gently undid the seatbelt and pulled the car seat out.

“Hello!” Liv called from the front door, “I made coffee and tea figuring you’d be tired.” She walked down the front path and extended her hand to Mia, “You must be Mia, I’m Liv, I have to admit it’s going to be nice having another female around these parts. I was starting to drown in the testosterone.”

“You love it.” Viggo laughed and leaned down to kiss her cheek, “Now be useful and grab that duffle bag for me.”

“Listen I have enough years on you your majesty so don’t boss me around.” She said with a laugh as she hoisted one of the bags over her shoulder. She took Orlando’s free arm and squeezed it affectionately as she looked down at the still sleep Cassia, “oh she’s an absolute cherub, let’s get her inside I’m sure she’ll sleep better in the play pen we got.”

Mia felt instantly relaxed, Liv had this breezy air about her and seemed to take control of the situation right away. She let Viggo guide her into the kitchen and fix her some tea while Orlando and Liv went to the bedroom he’d set up for her and Cassia.

“Don’t worry he’ll come around.” Viggo said sitting next her on the loveseat in the living room.

She gaped at him, “How did you…I mean.”

Viggo laughed, “I’ve spent a little too much time with the elf lately and while I haven’t known him as long as you, I can assure you he’s not going to be mad at you forever. He’s just had a lot to take in these past few weeks.”

Mia nodded, “I really should have told him shouldn’t I?”

“It doesn’t matter what you should have done,” He smiled, “What matters is how you deal with it now, you’re here and that’s a big step. He’ll come around eventually, he’s a resilient fellow.”

“He’s amazing,” Mia sighed.

“So how long have you been in love with him?”

“Oh probably since I was six, although I think the first time I realized it was when I was fifteen…” Mia stopped, “I can’t believe I told you that.”

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me,” He assured her, “I think he needs to take these things one step at a time.”

“Right,” She said into her mug, “One step at a time.”

 

“She’s absolutely beautiful,” Orlando sighed looking down at his sleeping daughter.  He ran his hand over her face and down her back nestling it just above her diaper. He watched her inhale and exhale slowly the breath leaving her lips that were slightly pursed.

Putting a hand on his back Liv rested her chin on his shoulder and smiled, “So is her daughter.”

Looking over at Liv Orlando raised an eyebrow, “Liv, don’t, Mia and I, we’re complicated.”

“She came out here Orli, she’s trying.”

“I know, I know, but why did it take this long? For 14 months she knew and she didn’t tell me. How can I trust her again?”

“Try thinking about her motives Orli, I don’t think she did it for malicious reasons.”

He shook his head; “She doesn’t have a malicious bone in her body.”

“Then remember that when you talk to her.”

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.”

“You’ve known her most of your life, draw from that familiarity and go from there,” Liv suggested, “Like I said, she’s here, she obviously wants to talk.”

“Yeah I guess I could do that.”

She kissed his cheek and reached for his hand, “Come on, let the little elfling sleep.”

“I’m afraid if I leave her she’ll disappear.”

“She’ll be here Orli.”

Reluctantly he let her pull him out of the bedroom and into the living room where Mia and Viggo were talking.

“So we’re leaving?” Viggo asked.

Liv nodded, “Yes we are, we’re shooting that dream sequence in a couple of hours and I haven’t slept from my sword training.”

“It was a pleasure meeting you Mia,” Viggo said sincerely, “I hope Orlando brings you to set one day, I’m sure Fran and Philipa would love to see the little elfling, not to mention the hobbits.”

Mia smiled at him, “I really, REALLY need to read these books, I have no idea what a hobbit is, and frankly didn’t know an elf looking like Orli till he got the part.”

“So then you have no idea that this man is king.” Liv grinned linking arms with Viggo, “My very own king.”

Mia looked confused so Orlando explained, “Liv and I are elves, Arwen and Legolas, no relation, Viggo is the king of Gondor, Aragorn. Arwen and Aragorn are in love.”

“Yes that we are.” Viggo put a hand on Liv and smiled, “and on that note we must go to work.”

Mia followed the group into the foyer. After waving bye to Viggo Liv turned around before following him out the door and gave her a hug, “I’m glad you’re here and he is too,” She whispered into Mia’s ear.

Stunned by the contact Mia returned the hug, “I hope he is,” She said back.

Liv pulled back and smiled, “He is.”

“See you at work Orli.”

“Bye Livvy.”

Then there they were, Cassia deeply sleeping in another room, the two of them stuck there unsure of what to say or how to say it.

 

Mia decided to go back into the front room. She tucked her feet under her as she sat on the sofa and stared out the window at the beautiful scenery. “It really is gorgeous here,” She said knowing Orlando had followed her.

“Yeah it is.” He agreed.

Sighing she looked over at him, “Please don’t hate me.”

He walked over and sat next to her on the sofa, “I don’t hate you Mia. I just have a lot to process now,” He put an arm up behind her.

She curled into him and laid her head on his chest, “As long as you don’t hate me.”

He pulled the blanket that hung over the back of the sofa over her and kept his arm around her. Kissing the top of her head he sighed, “I could never hate you.” He whispered.

 

Home               Story Index                  Chapter Six