Saving Lotte Sullivan | Collingwood/Carlton

140: The Trials and Tribulations of Danijela Krivac

A/N - specific themes in this chapter revolving around Krivac's terrifying upbringing. Viewer discretion is advised - or please just jump to the next chapter. These themes are things sadly connected to the author's/my childhood and I do not wish to explain any more than that.

...

'MON!'

Monique Cripps jumped out of her skin, spinning around, hand over chest, terrified - wearing an angry expression.

'Where did you come from?' She asked, horrified - while standing at her airport gate, ready to fly back to Northern Queensland.

'I booked a flight to Malaysia, and Jack got me a flight back to Melbourne while I was in the air, on my way. It was MUCH cheaper. Are you about to board?' Lotte Sullivan asked, absolutely exhausted and a hot mess - still wearing the hoodie and leggings she'd left Croatia in. Long hair thrown up in the messiest high ponytail.

'Yes, uh...I wasn't expecting you...thank GOD' Monique exclaimed, relieved as she passed Layla and Oscar's bags to their seemingly absent mother. 'I'll send you the invoices for the tickets' she added, handing the double pram over to Lotte.

'Thank you SO MUCH. I can't believe I managed to catch you! Believe me, I ran like anything through the international airport once I'd passed customs, and then into this airport. I'm exhausted!' Lotte exclaimed, immediately getting on her knees and checking the twins were okay. She sighed relief. Thank goodness they were.

'Here's my keys - I'm parked in the first class airport parking area - both of their car seats are installed' Monique said, passing Lotte her Hyundai keys, before waving. 'I've really gotta board, sorry!' She called out, running while waving. 'Call you later!' She added, and then she disappeared through her terminal gate, and onto her plane.

It had taken Lotte HOURS to find the said parking bay, to even remember what Monique's car looked like - and the registration plate. The only clues she had to go by? A Hyundai, with two child seats in the back.

'I'm sorry you guys had to cancel your flights, but I'm really grateful the timing worked out so you could help me' She said, struggling to open the car boot. Oliver Henry ran around her, doing it himself. She gave him a smile as she loaded Layla and Oscar's shared suitcase into the back, Oliver lifting her own heavy suitcase in, after it.

'Where'd your partner go?' Lotte asked naively, realising the blonde had disappeared. Ollie shook his head, knowingly.

'He's still trying to find flights. He'll probably have to go on his own, Blitz has already left and I'm not allowed out of the country, now. Ollie won't give up. He can't' he explained, taking Lotte's other bag and putting it in the back.

'Oh, that's a shame. Is this to do with the ongoing lawsuit your brother was telling Krivac about?' Lotte asked, opening the back doors and carefully placing Layla in her car seat - Layla, who seemed to be in a pretty deep sleep.

'Yeah, something like that' Ollie said, smile never fading.

He watched Lotte as she grappled with a crying Oscar, who was FAR from impressed about going back in the car. 'It's okay, Osc. It's okay! I'm here, I'm back now. Shh shh' she mumbled, hugging the one and a half year old, wishing he'd calm down. She smiled at Ollie, rolling her eyes.

'I'll just put this in the back' he said, folding up the pram like he'd done it a million times, carefully placing it in. He glanced through, noticing Lotte had finally gotten Oscar secured in his car seat, and the relief on her face. Lastly, she placed their nappy bags behind the front seats, followed by her handbag.

'Want me to drive?' Ollie asked, watching her yawn and almost fall asleep standing up. She regretfully nodded, passing him the keys.

She'd fallen asleep in the car, long before she'd had the chance to tell him her address - and either of them. He'd pulled over and texted Jack, asking if he knew - Jack who never bothered replying to his messages. Ever.