Saturday morning, Gaius demanded that Livia come to his office. So, Livia woke early, pushed her way through the basilica crowds, and up to Taurus House office. As she stepped out of the elevator, someone carrying stacks of paper bumped into her.

White sheets scattered across the floor, several flying into the air. Livia blinked as she watched them settle back on the carpet. Finally, her eyes landed on the person responsible for this mess.

He wore slacks, a buttoned-up shirt, and nice leather loafers. A single strand of his slicked-back hair had defied the pull of his woody-scented gel and hung down in the center of his forehead.

“O rem indignam,” he muttered in Latin. His brown eyes looked up at Livia. “Sorry—”

Then he did a double take. “Livia.”

Livia wondered if she should know him. He looked familiar. She’d seen those features somewhere. She remembered. She’d seen him on a video call with Corvin. He was the one Pinaria had betrayed to elope.

“Are you Ancus?” she asked.

He grinned. “You know me.”

“You know me,” Livia countered.

He rolled his eyes, grinning. “It’s impossible not to know you. Bellatrix.”

Livia ducked her head, abashed. People were making too big a deal out of the snatching of the Sabines' fight.

“How did you recognize me?” Ancus asked.

“I was there when Corvin called you about Pinaria.”

Ancus’ face fell. He turned to pick up the papers. “Oh.”

Livia knelt down and started straightening the stack of paper nearest her. “What happened, anyway? Was she banished?”

“For a year,” Ancus sighed. “Benedict wouldn’t see reason.”

“Is she okay?” Livia asked, concerned.

“We got her to California. She and Spurius are both working full time and claim to be the happiest they’ve ever been—”

“You doubt that?” Livia asked.

“No, not really. I can’t imagine it being as smooth a transition as she claims. But she chose her lot. Not my problem anymore. You must not listen to any gossip—I thought everyone knew.”

“I avoid Tabula,” Livia said. “And…well…people don’t talk to me.”

A flash of empathy crossed Ancus’ face. “Well, I’ve tried it and found it enjoyable.”

“What enjoyable?” Livia asked, confused.

Ancus gave her a soft smile. “Talking to you.”

Livia felt a blush come to her cheeks. She doubled her efforts to collect scattered papers. There was a single one left. She and Ancus reached for it at the same time. Livia withdrew before their hands touched.

Ancus stilled and looked at her. He spoke low, his voice a soft murmur. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I’m not scared,” Livia snapped.

Ancus lifted a skeptical brow and stared her down.

Livia sighed. Rattus were perpetually irritating. She straightened the papers on her lap, preparing to hand them over to Ancus.

“What are you doing here this morning?” Ancus asked.

“I have a meeting with Gaius,” Livia explained.

“And does your Paterfamilias treat you well?” Ancus asked.

“He treats me fine,” Livia said.

“Fine,” Ancus repeated. “That’s not a glowing recommendation.”

“Stop trying to analyze everything,” Livia snapped. “It’s fine.”

“Fine,” Ancus repeated again, hesitant as if he didn’t believe her.

Livia was even more irritated than before. “Ancus, I’m not lying. He’s fine. I’m fine. Everything is fine. Nobody is hurting me!”

Ancus’ gaze pierced her. “But is anyone helping you?”

Livia huffed and slammed her papers on top of the ones he’d already stacked. She hesitated a moment to ensure they’d stay stable when she let go. “Corvin helps me. I’m going to be late. Be more careful around elevators.”

Livia stood, stepped around Ancus, and strode to her Taurus House office without looking back. Gaius’ secretary sent her straight in to meet with him. Gaius looked irritated at the stack of papers in front of him.

“Livia…” was the sum of his greeting.

“Gaius.”

“I’d like an update on the status of the matched papers. We should get the bulk of the work done before the holidays—”

“Right.”

“What progress have you made?”

“I’m still thinking.”

“What can I do to help you progress past that stage?”

“I-I don’t know.”

“Figure that out,” his clipped words conveyed his annoyance.

“Is…that all?” Livia asked.

“Yes.”

Livia slipped out of his office, feeling guilty for not working on the papers harder and for inconveniencing Gaius with her indecision. To stave off a spiral of self-recrimination, Livia determined to finish the match papers this week. She parked outside Hyrum’s house. Livia remained in her car and stared at her phone. It might be a good time to call Tavian and ask about match contracts.

After the drama with Salina, Livia wanted her match proposal to be perfect. If she worked hard and offered a good proposal, Corvin would be pleased, and this match would go through, no matter what Salina or Irene said. Livia shoved away her fear and pushed the call button. Tavian answered right away.

“Livia?”

“Hey, you said that thing where I could call to chat—”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“You’re not busy?”

“Nah, chat me up.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Livia laughed. “I’m in this surprising situation.”

“Oh, do tell.”

“I’m…sending a match proposal to Corvin.”

Tavian made a cheering sound. “Really?”

“Yeah, but I’m not sure I’m doing this the right way—”

“I am not an expert, Liv,” Tavian said. “But I can give you a general perspective. Well…general perspective of a Rattus.”

“What do Rattus House people put in them?” she asked.

“For matches? Hmm, there’s always the gift clause, the length of the contract, what conditions make the contract void….”

Livia knew all that already. “What about children?”

“Oh, that illegitimate clause? Those are controversial. If you can leave them out, it’s better.”

“Epiphany had one—”

“Yeah…” Tavian drawled out. “Lars is Patrician and Paterfamilias. He probably has solid opinions on the matter. He won’t want a grandchild that can be used to manipulate him.”

“What do I do?” Livia asked, realizing she was way out of her league. Gaius was trying to influence her to back off match papers altogether. Still, Livia didn’t think retreating from the reality of the situation was going to help her case. In fact, it made it critical that she faced the issues head-on to protect herself.

“What do you want?” Tavian asked.

“Most definitely never to have an illegitimate child.”

Tavian laughed. “That’s a good solution. Until it’s not anymore.”

“Really, you’re supposed to help me here, Tavian.”

“Okay, well, you know the whole birth contr-”

“Yes, Tavian! Yes, I don’t need that lecture.”

He laughed. “Okay, well, list the options. Get married. Share custody with Corvin. Put the kid up for adoption.”

Livia noticed immediately that Tavian didn’t list abortion as an option. That really shouldn’t surprise her. She knew how Arik felt about these things. She always considered Tavian different, but apparently, he was not.

“Do people abort or share custody and pay child support?” she asked.

“If Corvin has any say about it, he won’t agree to an abortion,” Tavian said. “I can tell you that right now.”

“Okay, so custody arrangements? That’s a lifelong nightmare.”

“Can be,” Tavian said.

“What would you do?” Livia asked.

“Best case? Get married. Worst Case? Deal with the custody arrangements,” Tavian said.

“Really?” Livia asked.

“Worth it in the end,” he said.

Livia didn’t automatically believe that. Some custody situations were brutal. “So, would you be anxious about paying child support?”

“No. It’s a kid. Kids cost money. The state of your relationship with your partner comes secondary to the kid’s needs. Corvin would say the same thing.”

“Okay,” Livia said. Tavian spoke awfully confidently about how he’d deal with difficult situations. Livia didn’t feel any of that confidence. Indeed, his easy assurance made her feel awful for not having any stronger conviction beyond doing what was needed to survive.

“You don’t agree?” Tavian sounded surprised and even offended.

“I am just thinking about everything right now. Haven’t come to any conclusions,” Livia said.

“You know you can request copies of any match contracts over two years old, right?” Tavian asked.

“Seriously?” Livia asked. “How?”

Tavian gave her instructions on how to get to the archives and request public information.

“Alright, I’m going to do that,” Livia said. “Thanks, Tavian.”

“Nice to chat with you, Livia,” he said.

Livia ended the call and rubbed the back of her neck. Was she ready to do this? Shouldn’t she feel…something more than this urgent sense of self-preservation when discussing things like this? Remaining in her car, Livia looked up the archive office on her phone, verifying Tavian’s instructions, and discovered they wouldn’t be open until Monday morning. She sighed, frustrated at the delay. She exited the car and walked into Hyrum’s house.

Hyrum was in the kitchen with Caecilia when Livia walked in. They had their heads huddled together as they studied a notebook on the counter in front of them.

Hyrum asked, “Livia are you making a pie for tomorrow?”

They were planning the dinner with Justin Aurelius. Livia had received a text message with a list of Aquila senators Hyrum needed to invite. She wasn’t familiar with the men, but the list excited Hyrum.

Livia answered, “Yeah, Lemon meringue. I’ll do it tomorrow morning.”

“Okay, so the budget vote is on the 31st,” Hyrum said to Caecilia. “Since we made the dairy deal with Lars, he quoted a lower price to the senators. I’m excited because it has a real chance to pass, especially if this meeting with Justin goes well. It was only voted down by a dozen votes last time. Gaius is staying here, so he’ll actually vote. After I talked to him like Lars asked, he agreed to vote in favor.”

Caecilia looked relieved. “Hyrum, this is the best chance that Lupus House has had to pass the welfare reform budget. I hope you’re right about getting it passed.”

“So, Cil,” Hyrum rubbed his hands together. “What are we going to feed these senators—”

Livia slipped over to the counter to join the conversation about dinner with Hyrum and Caecilia. Her phone pinged right as she got there. Corvin had texted.

Want to come to a family dinner tomorrow night?

Livia looked up at Hyrum with panic. She hadn’t seen Corvin all week since she worked during the day and he worked at night. Today, he’d taken his sisters out Christmas shopping for his parents. “Corvin invited me over to dinner at his house—”

“You should go,” Hyrum said without hesitation.

Livia shook her head. “But you need my help.”

“You can help with the pie and some honey rolls in the morning. There’s no need for you to stay,” he said.

“But—” Livia looked at Caecilia. “Will Justin be offended if I’m not here?”

“Just ask him,” Caecilia said simply.

“Ask him?”

“Ask him if he’d prefer you to be here or to spend time with Corvin’s family,” Caecilia said.

Livia texted Justin. Do you want me at the dinner Hyrum set up?

Justin: Do you have a conflict?

Livia: Corvin invited me to a family dinner.

Justin: You shouldn’t turn him down. Go to the family dinner.

Livia: But we arranged this first.

Justin: It’s fine. Please tell Corvin about the meeting while it is happening. That would be convenient.

Livia: Why?

Justin: I can prevent him from interfering without making him think I prevented him from interfering.

Livia: Why would Corvin interfere?

Justin: They are people he won’t compromise with.

Livia: Should I tell him who is at the meeting?

Justin: Yes. Just stay at Lars’ house. Don’t bring him to Hyrum’s.

Livia: Please, explain why this is a thing.

Justin: I’ll let history stay history.

Livia frowned. She wasn’t sure if she was going to like this mission. She looked up at Hyrum and Caecilia. “Justin told me to go to Corvin’s and tell him about the meeting while it is happening.”

Caecilia nodded. “Classic move. Make it so he can’t interfere but also can’t complain he was left out of the loop.”

“Why wouldn’t he want Corvin interfering?” Livia asked.

“They got history with the founding of TARP,” Caecilia said. “They criticized the program with ad hominem attacks on Corvin ‘cause he’d just finished rehab.”

“Rehab?” Livia asked.

“Oh,” Caecilia's face fell. “You didn’t know.”

“What?” Livia demanded. “Know what?”

“He’s been sober five years this fall, Liv,” Caecilia said.

“Sober from what?” Livia asked.

Caecilia looked over at Hyrum briefly. “Alcohol.”

“No,” Livia said. “No. No way. I can’t do that. Never again. I have to text him now and….”

“Livia,” Hyrum spoke sharply. “Calm down. He’s not Dad.”

“That’s not guaranteed!”

“Livia,” Hyrum repeated. “He. Is. Not. Dad.”

“Hyrum, you think I should keep dating him?” Livia asked, shocked.

“Liv, I’m not saying you shouldn’t discuss it. It should be a conversation, but at least hear him out. Give him a chance….”

“Give him a chance?” Livia looked at her brother like he’d grown two heads. “You’re the one that made us all swear that stupid oath never to drink so we all didn’t become like Dad—”

“He’s not Dad!” Hyrum snapped.

“But—”

“Livia, do you want a husband that wants to drink a beer to chill every night? Would that make you more comfortable?”

Livia hadn’t ever thought this out before. She had asked Arik not to drink in front of her, and he’d always respected that. But he didn’t often drink enough for it to become a problem. He’d go out with friends twice a month. Livia recognized that his habits were tame by Caesrean standards.

“No, I wouldn’t like that,” she whispered.

“Then, you’ll fit better with Corvin. He’ll respect that you won’t want a drop of alcohol in the house.”

“And the guy never gets pregnant,” Caecilia joked. “So you’d never stop arguing about it.”

Livia’s eyes pinged between Hyrum and Caecilia. “You fight about this?”

“I try to tell Hyrum it’s not reasonable to ban alcohol from the house—”

“You can go out and drink at places that have alcohol there.”

“Then how will I drive?”

“You can make arrangements for a ride beforehand,” Hyrum said.

“Hyrum,” she said, irritated. “Tha—”

“We don’t have to talk about it until after the baby comes and you’re done nursing,” Hyrum interrupted.

Caecilia looked angry, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she walked out of the kitchen and stomped up the stairs.

Hyrum sighed. “She doesn’t understand how upset it makes me.”

“The smell,” Livia nodded. The smell of alcohol could set off days of horrible flashbacks. Livia hated it.

“And our kids. I don’t want them to drink. If she excuses the behavior, they’ll likely think it’s not a big deal. Caecilia's mother is basically an alcoholic, but since she only gets sleepy, they all ignore it like it’s not harmful. People are so stupid, Livia.”

“Yeah, I know, but…Caecilia, is that unhappy about it?”

“I’m trying to be reasonable. I don’t say she can’t drink occasionally. At least when she wasn’t pregnant. I just don’t want the stuff in our house. Caecilia doesn’t want to drink in public—”

“Maybe she doesn’t feel safe. I mean, getting drunk in public is more dangerous for a woman,” Livia said.

Hyrum’s eyes widened. His eyes shot to the stairs. “Damn. I never realized….”

Hyrum sighed heavily. He pinched the bridge of his nose between his finger and thumb. “I hate feeling this stupid.”

“Sorry, Hyrum.”

He put down his hand and looked at her. “No. I’m glad you said it. I just hate that we can’t find a way to compromise on this issue. I’ve tried, but she just doesn’t get it.”

Livia had no idea what to say. “I’m going to text Corvin back, I guess.”

“What are you going to say?”

Livia sighed. “I’ll hear him out, Hyrum. I guess… we’ll see.”

Livia texted Corvin. I’d love to come over for dinner. But we need to talk.