Olive's P.O.V. Dad had called, but I ignored it. I didn't want to talk to him right now, especially not by mom. It's his fault I missed all these years with her. It's his fault that she had to run away. How could he ever hurt her like that? I watched mom sleep, wondering how she endured him for 10 years. She was strong in her own way.I decided to use this time to call my doctor and get myself checked. She placed an order with the hospital I was at, to take my blood and have it tested. I would have the results in two weeks, and we'd talk about options once she had them. She then scheduled me for a breast screening at the end of the month. I checked in on mom again, seeing she was still asleep."Sorry to bother you, Nancy." I spoke to the nurse at the round desk. "Can you please let my mother know that I went to get my blood drawn if she wakes up wondering where I went?""Of course, darling. No problem." She answered in her sweet southern accent. I'd only ever heard it in movies, havi
Olive's P.O.V."A month later, mom left us. She didn't take me with her and she never contacted me again, until last week. Dad raised me from the age of 10 until the second I turned 18. He taught me to fight and he taught me how to be safe, but the man never showed any affection. Not a single hug or a simple I love you. He was cold and for the first few years he was determined to find my mother. I had to take care of myself since he had turned into an alcoholic. Eventually, he realized he wouldn't find her and gave up. Which only dove him deeper into the alcohol." Leo and Lucas were so quiet, they were listening attentively. Leo looked at me with deep concern while Lucas had his hands fisted beside him, looking mad as hell. "My 8th grade year a teacher noticed my giftedness and had me apply for a scholarship to a private high school that had a high rate for getting kids into Ivy League colleges. Dad started to sober up around then, realizing he was failing as a father. He had to dri
Lucas' P.O.V. I couldn't get my thoughts straight ever since Rose told us her story. I was glad that I tagged along. It never crossed my mind that she had such a sorrowful story to tell. She's so resilient. I think I understand why she's like that now. I wanted to be angry at her mother for abandoning her, but how could I be? Her mom is a victim too, and now she's dying. The only person to be pissed at is her father, and I plan to find out who he is exactly. I'll rain hell down on his life for what he's done. Rose stood before us. She held her head high, but her eyes were on the ground. She was thinking. About what? I'm not sure. Leo was the first to speak. He had been through hell these past couple of days and being with Rose was the first time I had seen him relaxed. "Thank you for tonight, Liv. Know that I'm here for you, whatever you need. We half orphans gotta stick together." I know he was trying to be funny, but it was poor timing. Her mom wasn't dead yet, and bringing it
Olive's P.O.V. I had a hard time going to bed last night. Lucas' texts had my heart racing with excitement. I had a stupid grin as we texted last night, which I later got onto myself about. I can't let myself get too attached. He doesn't want anything serious, and fooling myself into thinking he does, will end in my heartbreak. This is just sex. "Mom, this is Hailey." I had convinced Hailey to come up during her lunch time to meet mom. She of course accepted, excited to meet my mother. "She's my best friend and current roommate." "It's so nice to meet you!" Hailey smiled sweetly, giving mom an unexpected hug. Hailey has always been very affectionate. She attributes it to her being latina. She tells me Spanish is the language of love, and love involves a lot of affection. "Oh, it's lovely to meet you. Thank you for caring for my Livy." Mom spoke with her eyes still wide in shock. "It's no trouble. I very much enjoy having Liv with me. She's tons of fun, and like a sister to me. S
Olive's P.O.V.I came home around 6, spending all day with Mom. I quickly showered, not wanting to smell like the hospital when Lucas picks me up. I know I need to disclose that Leo and I will be going on a date tomorrow, but I wasn't sure exactly what I would say. How do I even bring that up? I don't figure I would just blurt it out, but at the same time I feel like that's exactly what I'll end up doing. I dressed in my cute matching lace set of black bra and underwear. I thought maybe Lucas would like it. I felt bad for turning him down to taking me somewhere for sex. It sounded exciting, but with Mom's declining health I couldn't get myself to agree to it. I am not exactly in the mood for something thrilling right now. I wore a simple blush pink sundress, just because I wanted to feel Lucas' hands sliding up my thighs from under it.Hailey was out with a study group right now, allowing me to get ready without her trying to doll me up more. I smiled, thinking of her excitable self
Lucas' P.O.V. I walked her to the shower, wanting to pamper her as best I could. I want her to see that I can do more than just sex. I need her to know that I can be that guy for her. I can be a guy that takes her on a date like Leo. He told me he was going to go after her, but it's still like a slap to the face to know he actually asked her out. She said yes, which only twisted my stomach further. I need to step up my game if I don't want to lose. I pulled Rose into the stream of the large double headed shower above us. I ran my hand over her face gently, pushing her hair back as it got wet. She was even more beautiful wet. Her ice blue eyes stared deeply into me. I felt like she was looking into my soul, trying to determine if I was good or not. I hope she sees that I can be. I want her to see me, to really know me. I feel like she would be one of the few to truly accept me for me. I ran my fingers through her hair, before grabbing her shampoo, lathering her beautiful red hair. "
Olive's P.O.V. It was time for my date with Leo already, and I had no idea what he had planned. I honestly was feeling odd about it. I kept trying to get my head into the right mind frame, but it somehow kept going back to Lucas. Last night's events kept playing in my head. He seemed so serious when he, in not so many words, said he'd change for me. I know that I was just reading too much into it. He just probably didn't want to leave. "You look cute." Hailey snapped me out of my thoughts. I had decided to wear a floral patterned, light pink dress with a small jean jacket and wedged sandals. Hailey had done my makeup giving me a more natural glow. She said I needed to look more of the innocent girl next door type for this date. I didn't see why. I should just be myself not some innocent version. I had to use a lot of makeup to cover up the marks Lucas had left as well. "I don't know Hails. Is this really okay?" I sighed, not feeling as excited as I thought I would. "Yes, go out a
Olive's P.O.V. "Clear!" I could hear the doctor's yell from mom's room. They had us wait in the hall right outside her door. All I could see through her room window was her limp hand dangling off the bed. Leo held me close to his chest as I cried, waiting for them to tell me she was okay. I knew her time was coming. I knew it would be before the end of the week, but for some reason it still shocked me to get the call. I watched as the doctor shook his head, calling her time of death. I turned, burying my face in Leo's chest. I couldn't look anymore. It wasn't enough time. This week was not enough. "I'm so sorry, Liv," Leo whispered to me as he rubbed my back soothingly. I couldn't speak, all I could do was silently cry. Even though she has been gone for half of my life, she was still my mom, and getting to know her again, this past week, has only made the pain worse. I wish I had more time with her, but cancer is a scary and unexpected thing. Leo led me away, telling the nurses t
Olive’s P.O.V. “We have to wait until he leaves, and then we can go in through the back. There’s a window that never locked and I’m pretty sure he never fixed it,” I instructed Daisy and Lucas. Little David sat in Abi’s car seat in the back, peacefully sleeping while we adults felt like we’d received adrenaline shots. Joe had called me yesterday to tell me that Daisy had showed up at his door. She’d lost my number but remembered where he worked. She had David in one arm with the other cradled to her chest, broken. According to Joe, and now I see for myself, she had a black eye and a cut on her eyebrow. I know dad is going insane searching for her and David right now. I was glad that she didn’t leave David behind the way mom left me. Of course, David is only a small baby, and maybe that’s why she couldn’t leave him. I know it will complicate things, but since Joe took her to the police station to press charges, it will make things easier on the David custody front. Lucas is hiring on
Olive’s P.O.V. **Song Suggestion: To Build A Home by Holly Henry** “Can I open my eyes yet?” I asked Lucas, feeling so impatient. I wanted to know what this surprise was. When we arrived home from our honeymoon, he said we had one stop before we were going to get Abi. I was ready to see my daughter, but he said this couldn’t wait. He tied a tie over my eyes. I’m pretty sure it was the tie he wore at the end of the aisle as he waited for me. I will forever remember that moment, when our eyes met and the rest of the world faded away. My husband. “Almost,” he said with his hands on my hips as he guided me. I could see cobble stone steps through the small slit left between my cheeks and the tie. Where are we? He finally stopped pushing me forward. I could feel him step around me and stand before me as he slid the tie off my face. My eyes squinted as they got reacquainted with the light. “I had this made for us when I found out you were pregnant. I used what I knew from your jou
Lucas' P.O.V. **Song Suggestion: Only You by Julia Westlin** I felt so antsy as I waited for my Rose at the end of the aisle. Everything looked spectacular, the flowers in the garden were vibrant and beautiful. Their floral scent was carried in the cool September breeze. Mom was holding Abi in her arms sitting in the front row before me. Abi's strawberry blonde hair was almost hidden behind the large white bow she sported. The white dress almost swallowed her whole, but she looked so adorable. My Rose bud has stolen my heart completely. She and I have late night talks as I work and rock her back to sleep. Her mother and she are everything to me. They are the sun that I revolve around, the lights of my life. I am the luckiest man on the planet. I know this, and right now I'm the luckiest man, waiting for his beautiful bride to emerge. The music began to play and everyone stood as Rose came into view. My heart stilled and raced all at the same time. My eyes misted as this moment too
Olive's P.O.V. "You need to sit, Rose. The doctor said to sit and elevate your feet. You're starting to swell around your ankles again," Lucas reminded me as I waddled around the flat trying to get last minute things together. The bassinet was put together and sat beside the bed. The bottles were sanitized and put away already. All the clothes were washed, folded and organized. My hospital bag was ready to go, along with Abi's. I packed her the cutest take home outfit. I love all the frills, laces, and colors on little girl clothes. Of course, I bought a shit ton of bows that are way too large for her head, too. I have those neatly organized as well. I still feel like I'm forgetting something, or missing something, but I'm not sure what. Daisy had my baby brother a few months ago, and according to Joe everything is still going well. It made me wonder if Dad really had changed, but then I remembered that he's dad and it's only a matter of time until his ugliness resurfaces. I hope
Lucas' P.O.V. I finally finished her journals from junior year of college. This was it. I was finally getting to her journals about me. At the beginning of all this, I wanted to only read the journals about me, but I'm glad that Rose made me work for it. I have such a better understanding of her now that I've read her innermost thoughts about her past. She was a cherry tomato red as she handed me these journals this morning. She asked that I not read them while she's awake. Her embarrassment was adorable, but completely unnecessary. She was currently asleep beside me, lightly snoring with her peacefully beautiful face. Rose is tired from interviewing around town, trying to find an engineering job for experience until the place she really wants is hiring again. I wanted to use my connections to help her, but she told me if I did, she’d be really mad at me. She wants to get her job from her own hard work. I find it very noble, but I wish she’d let me help. I placed my hand over our Ab
Olive's P.O.V.Olive: You're coming to my graduation, right?#1 Best Friend: I wouldn't miss it for the world.Ian's reply made me feel better. He and I hadn't spoken much since Christmas. I know he meant it when he said we were still friends, but he needed time to get over me. We text every now and then but it wasn't daily like it had been before Christmas. It made me a bit sad, but I know it's for the best.Hailey on the other hand, texts and calls multiple times a day and drops by every other day with something new. Yesterday it was a little red bracelet that looked like it was made of yarn. I'm meant to put this on our child when she's born. Hailey made me swear, so I did."I've been thinking a lot about what we should name our little Rose bud," Lucas said, as he rubbed his hands over my growing baby bump. He'd been reading my junior year journal of college. He's just a couple of journals away from the one he's been desperately wanting to read…his journal."Okay, what have you come
Olive's P.O.V. The morning sickness has been easing as time passes. I wake every morning and stare at the now outdated ultrasound pictures. Today we are going to a ultrasound place that does gender reveals. We'll get to see our little bean again. I wonder what it'll be? Boy or girl. "I can't wait to see my little bud again." Lucas smiled at me. I nodded, leaning against him, feeling the same excitement. "What do you think, boy or girl?" I asked him. "Girl. She'll be my little Rose bud." He nodded looking only at the ultrasound picture held onto the fridge by an old floral magnet. "I say Boy. He'd be my little knight," I countered with a smile. We walked hand in hand towards the shop that does the gender reveal. The place felt like an overly decorated doctor's office with pink and gold frills. They seemed to want to freeze their clients stiff as I froze my ass off waiting to be called. Lucas held me close, providing me with some warmth. About 15 minutes later we were called to f
Lucas' P.O.V. Christmas was more than I could have asked for. She had said yes, and despite Dad's threats, I've been on cloud nine ever since. I need to get back to work before Dad discovers I'm trying to marry Rose. I get the feeling he'd try to stop it by any and all means necessary. He doesn't need to know until it's done and over with. I won't put Rose, or my bud, through any unnecessary stress. "Good morning, my future wife." I kissed her forehead as I woke her. She says she's not a sleepyhead, but she most definitely is. "Today's the day." Sleep evaded me last night, even with Rose in my arms. I was too excited for today. It's our first doctor's appointment for our bud. We'll get to see our growing baby on an ultrasound today, and be sure of Rose's due date. I've been giddy all night. "Today's the day." She smiled as her eyes opened. That had been the fastest she'd ever woken up, aside from the time she had to bolt to the bathroom to throw up. She is excited too. I can only
Olive’s P.O.V.“Are you okay, my Rose?” Lucas asked as we finished cleaning up the place. Everyone was long gone now, but the evening was spectacular.“Yeah, I’m fine, just thinking,” I answered, grabbing a cup off the coffee table that had only been half drunk. The marshmallows had disappeared in the heat of the coco, leaving this sort of froth at the top.“What about?” He asked, taking the cup from my hands and washing it.“I think I need to read Ian’s letters,” I admitted, biting at my cheek. “I need to know what he said.”Lucas went silent, which only made me nervous. He turned the sink off, facing me. He dried his hands as he held my gaze. When he approached me, his eyes softened, feeling sympathy for me. He pulled me into a tight hug, kissing my forehead.“I’ll go see my mom for a little while. I am sure she’s still awake. Text me when you’re done,” he said, letting me go.“You don’t have to leave.”He shook his head no at me before speaking.“You should read them alone, Rose. I