Chapter 27
Robbie
Waking up next to Olivia might be my favorite thing in the world. She’s a big cuddler, which I did not expect. I think physical contact might be one of her secret love languages, because even though she doesn’t seem to enjoy it from most people, she always melts when she’s in my arms. She spent the whole night cuddling me and, if my arm wasn’t in a sling, I would be spooning the heck out of her.
We were both so tired that we turned off our early alarms in favor of sleeping in. Even though that means our plans for the day are all jumbled, I don’t want to leave this bed. I get up to use the restroom and when I’m back, Olivia is still asleep, her head on my pillow. She has a small frown on her face and I trace my thumb against her forehead to smooth it out. I let my hand wander a bit, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and moving to her jaw. Her lips part and she lets out a soft sigh that makes me smile. She’s so perfect.
Looking at her lips reminds me of last night in the shower and how incredible her mouth felt on me. Just thinking about it makes me hard again, but as much as I want to spend all day learning every shape and part of her body, we don’t have a lot of time before we have to leave.
I gently wake her up and she blinks at me, then gives me a big smile. “Good morning, Olive.” I bend down and give her a soft kiss, but as I’m pulling away, she follows, nipping at my bottom lip. I chuckle and stand up, wrapping my right arm around her waist and pulling her up to me, peppering her face with kisses.
“Mmm, why are we not still in bed?” she moans against my neck.
“We need to check out and get some food before we leave.”
She sighs and looks up at me, stealing one more kiss. “So, we’re really going to do this? Long distance relationship and all?”
“I’m all in if you are.”
“Do I get to give you another nickname now?”
“Only if it’s cute and affectionate.”
“Oh yeah, like, baby?” she says, laughter in her eyes.
“Ugh, no. Never that.” I shake my head and shudder.
“Okay, love,” she says softly.
“Hey, that’s mine. Find your own,” I say and tickle her. She laughs and swats me away.
After a quick brunch, we go our separate ways and since she can’t visit me for Christmas, I won’t get to see her for another couple of weeks. Maybe this makes me a giant simp, but I already miss her. I only had her in my arms for one night, and it wasn’t anywhere near enough. I want so much more, but I need to be patient.
We spend the next week video calling every night and staying up way too late talking. She tells me about her day and how work has been, she catches me up on all the books she’s reading while she travels from one game to another. I tell her about how I missed two games, but have been playing better since my sling came off. And I also tell her about how the cats are doing and how my mom and Alice ask about her every time they get a chance to.
And yet, it’s not enough. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and as I watch her tired face answer my video call, I realize that I want to be with her right now. To be cuddled on a couch, drinking hot cocoa, watching a holiday movie together. I notice her living room still doesn’t have any Christmas decorations.
“Are you going to put up any garlands or a small tree or something?” I ask.
“No, I don’t really decorate. I’ll be spending Christmas Eve and Day at Grams’, so I guess I don’t see the point,” she says on a yawn. “I’d only be putting them up and then taking them down. I don’t get to enjoy them really.”
“Are you spending the night at Grams’?”
“No, I’m driving to her place for dinner tomorrow night, then back again for brunch the day after,” she says tiredly. Olivia is in her room now, laying in bed, one hand tucked under her head as she faces the phone. Her eyes are heavy and she looks like she might fall asleep at any point.
I glance at the clock and realize it’s past midnight. I know she had a long day, traveling by bus back from Ohio. “Hey, Olive?”
“Hm?” She mumbles back, opening one eye.
“Goodnight. I miss you,” I sigh and give her a small smile.
“Miss you too. I wish you were here.” Fuck, I want to be. As I watch her fall asleep, I keep thinking that maybe I can be there. I know she doesn’t want me to help her with money for tickets and that’s the main reason she didn’t come here for Christmas. But she didn’t say anything about me going to her. I think she just assumed I wouldn’t because my whole family is here.
I send my sister a text to ask her for a second opinion.
How mad do you think Mom would be if I didn’t show up for Christmas?
It doesn’t take her more than a minute before she responds.
Depends on the reason, I guess?
I should’ve known Alice was up at this hour, probably reading a smutty book.
Do you think it would be crazy if I got a last minute flight to Minnesota?
Before I can type out more, I have an incoming call coming from Alice.
“Hey,” I say as I answer.
“HOLY SHIT. Are you serious about going to Minnesota?”
“Yes. But I don’t want to overwhelm her. You two have gotten close recently. What do you think I should do?” I ask and bite my thumbnail nervously.
“Well, when we talked earlier today she seemed a bit sad, honestly. I don’t know how many people she talks to outside of you and me, but I got the sense she was feeling a little lonely, too.”
I bring out my tablet and start searching. “I found a flight that leaves at eight in the morning. It would get me to her house by eleven. Any chance you want to drive me and catsit for a couple of days?”
“I would never pass on the opportunity to leave my annoying roommates and this awful apartment. And to see my nephews.”
I sigh, exasperated and say, “They’re cats, Al. Stop calling them your nephews.”
“Well, until you marry Olivia and have kids of your own, those adorable fur babies are your kids, therefore, my nephews.”
“I just bought the ticket. I’m going to pack now.”
Alice chuckles and says, “Alright Roro, get a few hours of sleep too. Oh, and make me a fancy coffee if I’m going to drive that early.”
“Fine. But you gotta tell mom.”
“Yes, I got your back big brother. Always.”
“Thanks.”
When I land in Minneapolis, I am running on three cups of coffee and pure anticipation at seeing Olivia. I managed to make a reservation for a car rental before I left, so I throw my duffel bag in the backseat of the SUV and look up the nearest Home Goods store around. I grab every imaginable Christmas decoration, ribbon, and a small artificial tree to put up in her living room. Then I drive to the grocery store and get all of her favorite foods, because I know she’s just eating frozen dinners when she’s not at Grams’. And I won’t let my girl eat frozen pasta for Christmas.
By the time I pull into Olivia’s driveway it’s early afternoon, which means she should be awake by now. I load up my hands with as many bags as I can fit and head to the door. I ring the doorbell twice and hold my breath when it opens.
Olivia clearly does not expect to find me on her doorstep and after blinking away the shock, she breaks into a full grin and envelopes me in a hug. She’s a couple steps above me so I have to tip my head up for her to kiss me. Once she realizes my hands aren’t around her, she looks at the bags in my hands and her gaze flies back to me.
“Robbie, how are you here? What is all this?” she asks with excitement in her eyes. She looks like she just took a shower, her hair a little damp and she’s wearing her comfiest sweater and leggings. She’s so pretty, and soft, and mine.
“Merry Christmas Eve!” I say and she grabs a few bags from me and helps me bring them inside. I drop them by the entrance and run back to the car to grab my duffel and the small tree. When I close the door and put my items down, Olivia tackles me in another hug, and this time my arms close around her tightly. I breathe her in and feel myself relaxing. This is exactly what I needed. My girl.
We stand there hugging for a couple of minutes before she slowly pulls back and cups my face in her hands. “I can’t believe you’re here,” she says softly, her eyes intent on mine.
“Is it okay that I am here? It’s not too much?” Am I too much? I anxiously chew on the corner of my mouth as I wait for her reply. She’s going to tell me to go home, that she needs some space. That I’m too clingy.
Olivia drops her hands from my face and I screw my eyes shut. Fuck, maybe I shouldn't have come here and intruded on her space.