Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
LUCA
After reading fifteen blog articles, four Reddit posts, and one book—okay, he’d skimmed the book—Luca still wasn’t sure he was going to do a good job explaining his relationship with Olivia to Annabelle.
He and Olivia had prepped, discussed boundaries of what to do and not do in front of AB, how she’d handle any parenting-adjacent territory if it came up. She’d never dated someone with kids, and he’d never dated someone since he’d had one.
Had a whole fucking rule about it and everything, like an idiot. He wiped a hand down his face as he watched Olivia nap on the couch in the living room.
He sighed at how much he fucking loved this woman. He needed her in his bloodstream—scent, taste, all of it.
The books all said to wait until the relationship was solid to introduce them.
That ship? Sailed. Trusting the new partner with the kid? Done. Ensuring the kid likes the partner?
Sometimes AB likes her more than me.
It would only get harder to hide their relationship now that Olivia was staying and he was a giant fucking sap for her.
Cracking his neck, he knew that the time had come. AB was up in her room, and now was as good a time as any.
I can do this.
He knocked on the open door, and AB looked up from her coloring. “Hey, goob. Have a minute to talk?”
She held up two papers. “I made this one for you, and this one for ?Livia.” His paper was a house and car, all black. Olivia’s was two blob figures holding hands with a little blob.
Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.
“Thank you, these are great.” He patted her bed, and she scrambled up next to him. “You remember how I said Olivia was going to move away for a job?” AB nodded, looking a little sad. “Well, things have changed. Olivia is going to stay in Fairwick Falls.”
AB’s face lit up, and she popped onto her knees with excitement. “Will she be my babysitter still?”
“Good question.” He held her still while she bounced on the bed with growing energy. “That’s what I wanted to talk about. Olivia and I are dating.” Oh god. Do kids even know what dating is? “We, uh, like like each other.”
AB bounced harder, completely unfazed. “Will she still be my dance teacher?”
“I’m not sure; you can ask her.”
“Is she moving in?”
Oh god. “No. Maybe someday, but not right now.”
AB frowned. “Why not?”
He sighed. Investigative journalism, your brightest star is six years old. He pulled her into his lap. “We want to take things slow. We both love you a lot, and we want to make sure there aren’t too many changes at once.”
“That’s dumb.” Her you’re an idiot scowl nearly made him laugh.
“Your opinion is noted, thank you. Do you… have any questions?” This seems too easy.
“When do we get a baby?”
Holy fuck. He blinked hard, hoping he’d misheard her. “…What now?”
AB shrugged, as if it was obvious. “Harper’s getting a new sister because her mom has a boyfriend.”
“Oh, it’s… uh… not a package deal for everybody.” This seemed to satisfy her for now. “Olivia and I might hold hands sometimes and hug. Is that okay?”
“Ewwww.” AB squirmed but looked happy about it.
Luca laughed with her. “We don’t have to.” At least not around you, kid.
AB shrugged, now looking grown-up. “It’s okay. Are you in looooove?” AB teased him, but he could see a question in her eyes.
He swiped a hand along AB’s hair. He was so lucky to be her dad.
“Yeah, I am in love, kid. I love Olivia a lot. I love you a lot, too, and that won’t change, ever. No matter what happens with Olivia and me. Okay?”
AB’s happy smile started to look overwhelmed. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to smile through them.
“Hey.” He was caught off guard. “What’s wrong? Talk to me.”
Her mouth turned into a frown. “I wanted her to stay really baa-aad.” Her voice cracked into a cry on the last word, breaking his heart.
“Oh, kiddo.” He gathered her up, and her cries turned into big, full-chested little-kid sobs, with big gasps in the middle.
What is happening? He patted her back as he stood, rocking her. “Olivia is staying,” he clarified, making sure she understood.
Her sobs turned to wails.
Are these… happy tears?
He kissed her temple and rocked her. He tried to untangle what was happening in her head. “Were you worried she’d leave?”
AB nodded against his shoulder, her face a red mess of snot and tears. “I wanted… her to… sta-aa-aa-aay,” she ugly sobbed through hiccups.
His heart ached. God, this whole time he’d been in his head with his own stuff, and she’d been worried. Still fucked this up even when I tried to protect her. “Honey, I’m so sorry you were worried. That must have been really hard.”
She nodded, her sobs quieting down.
“And you’re… happy she’s staying now?” he clarified, to make sure he followed.
A pitiful, ragged “yeah” broke his heart.
Olivia burst through the open door, arms reaching out for AB and sobbing twice as hard. “I was eavesdropping, I’m s-s-sorry.”
Annabelle immediately reached out for Olivia, who took her from him.
AB ugly sobbed into Olivia’s neck, wrapped tight around her. “I’m so sorry you were worried, sweetie,” Olivia whispered through hiccuping sobs as she swayed back and forth, soothing Annabelle. “But I’m so happy I’m staying and I still get to see you. I’ll be right next door.”
AB wailed harder in, apparently, happy tears.
God, he’d fucked this all up. Even though he’d tried to protect her, AB had been worried for weeks, maybe months, and could finally show it.
Poor, sweetest girl of his.
Luca blew out a long breath, looking at the two crying hearts outside his body, hysterically sobbing with joy as they clutched each other.
He was going to need more tissues in this house.
I’ll just have to make it up to AB and marry Olivia as soon as I can.
* * *
OLIVIA
The Barre’s studio party, celebrating their performance at the festival, was underway. Olivia weaved through students and their parents, all enjoying snacks in the studio as they played games.
Luca and AB walked in, with Luca holding a gorgeous, big bouquet.
“Hi, you two.” She hugged both of them, having not seen them for an entire day, prepping for the party. “Nice shirt, sweetie.” She winked at AB, who giggled.
Olivia had figured out a way to thoughtfully add more material in a contrasting color to the sleeves, length, and width of AB’s favorite teal unicorn shirt. Now it had sort of a vintage striped vibe, and AB wore it constantly. “These flowers are gorgeous. For moi?”
Luca smiled indulgently at her; she’d never get tired of looking at his handsome face. “Sorry, Liv. These are for the most important woman in my life this year. Georgia.”
Olivia was confused, but then gasped, following his logic. “Oh my god, you’re right. If she hadn’t conned me—convinced me,” Olivia corrected with a glance at AB, “then…”
“I’d still be looking in the diner for you,” Luca said with a wistful sigh.
Olivia’s face turned pleading. “Put my name on the card?”
Luca squeezed her waist as he passed. “Already done.”
Georgia fluttered and flirted outrageously across the room with Luca when he handed her the flowers.
A dance party broke out as the music turned more upbeat into holiday music, and the students coaxed her into dancing with them. She bounced and jumped, swinging her arms with theirs, looking silly and not caring even a little.
She was having fun.
Georgia winked at her from across the room, seeming to understand the realization Olivia’d had. “He’s mine now,” she mouthed to Olivia while pointing to Luca, and Olivia belly-laughed so hard she almost took out Sophie when she bent over laughing.
What a difference two and a half months could make.
She’d agreed to teach at The Barre for one more semester as she got herself organized to take a gen ed class at a community college and try her hand at more sewing. Georgia had insisted that she continue to house-sit until she and Luca decided everyone was ready to try living together.
As the afternoon party wound down, Luca managed to untangle himself from Georgia and the other parents and helped Olivia start to clean up.
One by one, Olivia waved goodbye to her students and promised she’d see them in January for the next round of classes. Luca, AB, and Georgia all helped her clean and lock up.
“Hey, I need to stop by your mom’s house. Mind if we make a detour?”
Olivia shrugged as she squeezed his hand. “Pop will probably make us eat dessert,” she said, rolling her eyes at AB comically. “Oh nooo, how terrible.”
AB giggled in the back seat.
Luca drove down the familiar cobblestone streets as warm, cozy lights glowed from the houses on both sides.
How different life seemed from the first time she’d driven down the street after coming back. Each bump had felt like failure, dread sloshing in her stomach. Now she couldn’t wait for each day, spending it with her favorite people.
The street was unusually full of cars, but Luca managed to find a parking space. Maybe the neighbors are having a family thing.
As they walked up the stone steps to her parents’ house, she realized the noise was coming from inside.
“Is your mom throwing a kegger?” Luca asked.
Olivia snorted. “Honestly, it wouldn’t be the first time.” But then he turned, and she saw the way his eyes danced. Wait a minute…
They walked in the door, and all her favorite faces—Lily, Georgia, Pop, her mom, Pearl—turned to clap and yell, “Surprise!”
What the f—
More heads popped into view from the adjoining rooms—Reed, Lily’s sisters, Nash, her mom’s friends, and Allison all shouted, “Surprise!” at her with bright, happy smiles.
Utterly baffled, she looked between Luca and her mother for an explanation.
“Because you finally chose where you wanted to stay, dear,” her mother said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “So, we’re throwing you a welcome-home party. Finally.”
Olivia was overwhelmed at the happy faces smiling at her, giving her hugs.
“Are you so surprised?” Lily said, bouncing with excitement. She wrapped her in a tight hug. “I can’t wait to see you any time I want.” Olivia settled into her friend’s hug.
Everybody looked at Olivia as her mom raised a glass to toast her. “For the incredibly kind, smart, talented girl who had to leave too soon, may the rest of your days in Fairwick Falls be as happy as we are when you’re here.”
Olivia sucked in a ragged breath and hugged her mom, trying not to cry.
“Speech!” Pearl called from the corner, and Allison elbowed her, laughing.
“Can’t take her anywhere,” Allison said with an eye roll.
“I… I just forgot how good it felt.” She looked at her friends.
“To be with people who were kind, and loyal, and considerate.” She saw her mom, Pop, and Georgia.
“Who looked out for me and loved me despite me not being perfect.” Finally, her eyes landed on Luca and AB.
“Who made me so happy, just by being themselves. I forgot how happy I could be until you helped me remember.”
“You’ve got gifts!” AB shouted. They cheersed, and AB dragged her to the table. Olivia was blown away. A gift card to Fox & Forrest cafe, chocolates from Bloom, a “Come & Get Your Beaver Wet” t-shirt from The Thirsty Beaver—from either Pearl or her mother, it was anyone’s guess.
A framed photo of her and Lily as kids stood at the back, beside a physical calendar with festivals circled on it and the committees she’d be joining (ah, that one was from her mother). Luca handed her their gifts.
“Just a little something I thought you’d like,” he said, looking nervous. It was a framed black-and-white photo of her mom and Pop watching at the Pittsburgh performance. The awe and pride in their faces made Olivia’s eyes mist. “Since you couldn’t see them,” Luca said.
She hugged him, and he squeezed her tight. “I love you so much,” she whispered.
“I love you the most,” he whispered back into her ear, and she nuzzled against him.
“I have a present,” AB said politely and handed her a picture.
It was a crayon drawing of what Olivia imagined was the three of them between two houses, and a heart over the top.
She hugged Annabelle tight. “Don’t tell the others,” Olivia said in a whisper, “but this one is my favorite.” AB giggled.
Olivia stood and met Luca’s eyes, who bit his lip. Putting a hand over AB’s eyes, he pulled Olivia in for a kiss, firm and claiming. A wolf whistle sounded from somewhere, and Pearl yelled, “Get a room!”
“He has one!” AB yelled back as Olivia pulled away and Luca finally removed his hand.
Everyone laughed but, thankfully, went back to their conversations.
AB got distracted by completing her complicated handshake with Reed, and Luca pulled Olivia into a hug.
“This okay?” he asked, rubbing her back but checking in.
Olivia laughed, still surprised with the turn her life had taken.
“A man that smells like my personal catnip loves me, more friends than I can count, Pop’s apple-pie pancakes are over there in bite-sized servings so I can have as many as I want and no one will know.
” Luca laughed, his eyes dancing as he held her face.
“And I’m in love with the hottest man in the room.
I have literally—quite literally—never been better. ”
Olivia Maroo spent the rest of the night—the first in what would be a decades-long string of nights—surrounded by people she loved and who thoroughly loved her back.
Just as she was.