41. Chapter 41 #3
After a minute or two, I hear the sound of expensive shoes, doing their best to quietly squeak against the floor, approaching us with caution.
I slowly look up to see Oliver now standing a few feet away from us.
Standing there in a chequered charcoal grey suit, a black turtleneck tucked into his slacks and his old but still fresh white Air Forces - his idea of casual attire.
His auburn curls sprouted in his usual high-top style, apart from one piece defiantly hanging over his forehead, a sight he usually hated but I always loved. His piercing light brown eyes were tired, but filled with a sense of relief.
The only part of him that is different is the bottom half of his face; instead of his typically clenched jaw, the muscles in his face are relaxed, and his mouth is pulled into a small smile. The instant cause of my heart going haywire.
I look away from him and back at Theo as he pulls away from our hug. I bring both hands up to wipe away the last of his tears and allow his heavenly smile to heal the crack in my heart. Bringing my forehead and nose to match his, and we close our eyes.
“You have no idea how happy I am to see you,” I exclaim to Theo as we open our eyes.
“Ditto!” he replies in his loud yet enthusiastic tone. I can’t seem to break my smile, hearing him use a word I taught him to use.
“Are you hungry, sweetie? Everyone just sat down for lunch.” I ask, rubbing his shoulders and down until I take his hands in mine.
“Is Mei here too??” Theo squeals with eyes blowing up like balloons at the possible sight of seeing the other person he missed dearly.
“She’s there too.”
“I’ll be right back, okay?” he reassures me, then takes off, only a few feet away, before pulling me into another tight hug.
“…Do you mind if we talk?” Oliver asks gently as Theo runs off in search of his friends.
“Outside?” he adds, offering his hand to help me up, but I straighten up without it.
“…let me get my coat.” I nod, turning to go get it. Apart from acknowledging each other earlier, I’m not ready to touch him or look him in the eye.
****
Five minutes later, Oliver and I stood at the bottom of the steps leading up to the care home.
Neither of us had dared to say anything, but I forced myself to be the first. Because after all this time, despite the mess I’ve made today, I have to show him I am still the strong person who took the initiative to leave him back then.
“So, you’re back,” I suggest. He offers a nod in response, shuffling a pebble back and forth on the gravel.
“H-how have you been?” he asks, gazing down at me, but I do everything I can to avoid his gaze.
“Great.” After begging the universe to have Oliver back, I have no idea how to feel now that my wish came true.
“And your Gran? I hope she’s doing well. LJ and Macy, too. How’s the baby doing?” he offers.
“What do you want, Oliver?” I question with a bite in my tone.
“Luna,” he whispers, taking a step towards me, but I take one backwards. His shoulders droop in response.
“I know I’m later than planned, but if you got any of my emails, you’ll know I meant every word. I came today to reunite you and Theo…and to tell you that I’m willing to do whatever it takes for you to give us a second chance,” he recites, burning his gaze into my neck.
“So, what? A couple of months of pointless emails and therapy, and you think that’s enough to fix what you broke?” I snap, before I can stop myself.
“I deserve that,” He nods in agreement. “And so much more, because you’re right.
What I do from this point might never be enough,” he agrees, taking a step towards me, though this time my body won’t let me step back, and he cradles my face in his hands; the heat from his skin warms my cheeks as he tilts my head up so our eyes meet.
I can see the tired look in his eyes clearer now and…something. Something new. The grey clouded gaze behind his eyes is gone. I don’t allow myself to believe there is a change in him; I can’t. Because if I do? It’ll shatter what’s left of my pride.
“But I will never stop trying,” he states, searching my eyes one at a time, then his gaze dips to my lips for just a second before flicking back up. “Because you are worth waiting for, Luna,” he adds, gently wiping away a tear I don’t remember permitting to fall down my cheek with his thumb.
“God, I missed you so much,” his voice breaks as he plants a kiss on my forehead. The moment he steps away, my skin aches at the loss of him, but I hold his gaze.
“My journey back to you has only just begun, but I promise not to overwhelm you all at once. So, I’ll leave you with phase one for today.” With that, he turns to walk away.
“Wait,” I call out, and he turns to me.
“Phase one, what’s phase one?” I ask, and he offers me that same smile that makes my heart hammer against my ribcage.
“I told you, reuniting you with Theo. I’ll be back to collect him later. You two have fun,” he hums with a soft smile and heads down the road. I look away for a moment, and I realise Oliver didn’t drive here…then I turn back to watch him disappear into the distance.
When I can no longer see him, I head back inside, with no time to process what he meant by ‘journey back to me’, cause I’m tackled by the very person I was about to search for as he hugs my waist in excitement and tugs me towards the playroom.