Olive's P.O.V.Julius answered the phone almost immediately."Liv, baby. Thank God you came to your senses." Julius' voice actually sounded relieved. "I certainly came to my senses tonight." About what a fu.cking liar you are. "Come to my place and let's talk about it, Liv. I love you. It didn't mean anything. I swear. I only want you." Julius was making this so easy. "Julius, I want to make something very clear. You are not the man I thought you were. You are a disgusting pig who has no respect for me, or our relationship. I will never, never, Julius, get back together with you. We are done. There is no us. I am not your girl nor will I ever be again. I called to tell you that I will be blocking your number. Don't try to find me, and if you see me on campus, avoid me." I hung up before he could say anything, blocking the number. "Damn, Rose. That was hot." Lucas smirked at me, moving my hair back over my shoulder. His fingers tickled my exposed skin, making me flush again. Clov
Olive's P.O.V."Hailey?" I called out to her as I approached the bomb that must have gone off in the kitchen. The house was a complete disaster. "Hailey, did you try to cook again?" Hailey cannot cook to save her life, but she still tries anyway. She swears she just needs more practice, but I think she's cursed because everything stops working when she touches it in the kitchen or starts working in a weird way. I narrowly avoided being splattered down on by some odd substance that clung to the ceiling. Lucas was suppressing his laughter behind me, picking up what looked like an attempt at brownies, maybe? He eyed it curiously, looking at me with pressed lips. He was trying to be polite by not laughing, but he couldn't hold it in anymore. His laughter filled the apartment and my heart. It was the best sound I had heard in a while. His laugh was perfect and fit him exactly right. It was contagious too, making me laugh alongside him. Hailey stepped out of her room, with a towel on her
Lucas' P.O.V.Rose finally turned to look at me, her beautiful clear blue eyes captivated me even more. I smiled down at her, excited to see her fight. She took me somewhere I'd never been before. I was surprised she knew of such a place, and by the looks of it, they knew her well."Who is it?" The man I'm assuming is Davis, came over the walkie talkie. "Twinkle Toes." Carter's smile widened with excitement. Twinkle toes. I wonder how she got a fighting name like that. Doesn't sound very aggressive, but it seems she's respected enough to be known by these men. With an excited response like that, she must be a good fighter. My Rose has pricklier thorns than I thought. "No fu.cking way! I'll be right there." Davis sounded just as excited as Carter. Rose squeezed my hand, turning to me again. "I hope you don't mind that I leave you for a little bit tonight. I wanted to show you somewhere special to me." She explained, making my heart swell. Fu.ck I really like this girl. "I don't
Olive's P.O.V. Lucas froze stiff behind me as we both stared at the tall blonde in his recliner. The woman had on a trench coat, and I'm positive there was nothing beneath it. Her features were stunning, sharp with wide eyes. She exuded confidence by lifting her head. It did not embarrass her to be sitting there, in just a trench coat, in front of me. She displayed her long legs by crossing them. She was like a model in her beauty and perfection. "Janessa." Lucas let her name slip from his lips. My chest tightened. I was an idiot to think he liked me. He has options and I'm just one of them. I had opened up to him today, letting myself feel so alive with him by my side. Being back in the ring was amazing, and I had been riding that high since we left the warehouse. Reality slapped me hard in the face in the way of a stunning woman. She got up, her eyes assessing me, not impressed by what they found. Even though I felt like an ugly toad beside her, I held my head high, refusing to s
Olive's P.O.V.My dad's name continued to flash across my screen as he called. I was surprised to see him call me so late. It wasn't really like him to be up this late. The timing caused me to worry, making my mind race with worst case scenarios. I swiped the green receive button as I entered the building."Hello?" I answered."Livy, are you okay?" His voice sounded so concerned."What? Yeah, I'm fine." I furrowed my brow in confusion as I pushed the elevator button. "What is it? What's wrong?""It's your mother." I froze stiff at the mention of her name.I understood why she had left dad, but I never understood why she had left me too. She never called, sent letters, or even tried to visit me. She abandoned me like bad luggage, which I guess to her I was. The mention of her made my chest tighten."What about her?" I bit my cheek nervously, as the anticipation built inside me for his answer."She's sick, Livy… cancer." He sighed. "She called me, wanting to speak with you. She's in a h
Olive's P.O.V. The man that makes you scream: What is my Rose up to today?I have yet to reply to his text. I had been staring at it for hours, deciding on whether I should respond. I had ignored it earlier because I wanted to focus on mom. Now that I am back at Hailey's penthouse, we are weighing my options. "He could very well like you. I mean, look, he's texting you the very next day." Hailey argued. She was obviously team get-together-with-Lucas. "I don't know, Hails. I feel like I should just avoid him right now. Between school and my mom, now isn't the time for a boyfriend." I sighed. "Fine, no boyfriend, but you can still sleep with him. Didn't you say he was the best sex you'd had?" She tapped her elbow on me playfully. "Yes, but I'm worried I'll get too attached. I keep hoping there will be more, but it really shouldn't be. It's just complicated with him, and I don't need that." I shook my head. "Well, uncomplicate it. Do what you did the first night, make it only about
Lucas' P.O.V.Lucas: It is like all you want me for is sex. 3:)It slightly hurt me by how quickly she had turned my invitation down for dinner. If Janessa hadn't interrupted yesterday, we could have spent all night together. I longed to have her near me when I woke up again. Noting Rose's unease with Janessa, I backed off. I didn't think chasing after her would be the right move, because I doubt she would have believed a word I said. Rose: You catch on quick. Now I feel like I made the wrong choice. I feel her pulling away from me. I'll have to work my way back, but the only way to do it is to do her. So I'll give her what she wants, and then I'll give her more. Lucas: My apartment, 8 o'clock. Wear something easy to slip out of. Rose: See you then. I texted Janessa last night and broke off this long-standing friends with benefits. It slipped my mind that she was stopping by last night, and it messed up everything. I won't let something like that happen again. Besides, Janessa ma
Olive's P.O.V.I over-thought my outfit about a million and one times. Not wanting to dress up just for a hookup, but also not wanting to look like a slob. Deciding on something to wear felt like an impossible task until Hailey entered the room. She gave me a sweet, sleeveless, dark blue sundress that was both cute and casual. It was just right.There seemed no need for me to do my makeup, since all we would do was have sex. I kicked myself in the ass when I realized I had showed up early. The traffic was lighter than I thought it would be, causing me to be early. Lucas opened the door, shirtless, with damp hair, clearly having just showered. He looked hot as hell as usual.I caged my bottom lip between my teeth, admiring his chiseled abs and tattoos. The heavens must have sent this man down because of how damn handsome he was. That sexy smirk of his was ever present as he reached for my hand, pulling me into the apartment. The moment the door closed behind me, he pinned me against th
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