Chapter 47 Ollie
ollie
After a morning filled with laughter, wrapping paper strewn across the living room, and watching Scarlette chatter excitedly on the phone with Granny and Pops, I found myself feeling something I hadn’t expected: peace.
Living here, away from everything I’d ever known, wouldn’t be as hard or scary as I briefly thought it would be.
“Are you doing okay?” Nova’s voice broke through my thoughts as she snuggled closer to me on the sofa. Her eyes searched mine, soft and full of concern.
“More than okay.” I pressed a kiss to her lips. “One of the coaches from the team sent me a text this morning. Wished me a happy holiday and welcomed me to the team.”
Her face lit up. “That’s amazing.”
“Did Iris text you?”
Nova’s brow furrowed slightly, her smile dimming just a little. “She’s been busy with the game in a couple days, but I texted her. That’s all that counts.”
I nodded, though I still didn’t—and probably never would—fully understand their relationship.
Nova idolized Iris, looked up to her in ways I couldn’t quite grasp.
Where Nova was all warmth and empathy, Iris was cold and clinical, driven by sharp edges and an unwavering focus that sometimes felt more alien than admirable.
Yet Iris was always there for Nova, especially when we needed her the most.
“Are you ready to leave?”
I chuckled and whispered so no one else could hear us, especially Scarlette, who hadn’t stopped talking to me about her dad.
“Am I ready to meet your ex-husband and his wife?” I narrowed my eyes at her, and she grabbed my forearm.
“You’ll do great.”
“Mum, Ollie, can we get dressed so I can show Dad my new toys?”
Hearing the word Dad come out of Scarlette’s mouth hit me like a punch to the gut. It was hard—really hard. No matter how much I prepared myself for it, the sound of that title, one I’d never claimed for myself, being given to someone else, left a hollow ache in my chest.
Nova’s fingers squeezed mine and her soft smile told me she understood exactly what I was feeling without me having to say a thing.
I cleared my throat, shifting uncomfortably as I looked back toward Scarlette, who was already spinning in circles with excitement over her new toys.
The hollow ache twisted again, but I forced a smile. “Of course, sweetheart,” I said, my voice as steady as I could manage. “Let’s make sure we pick out your favorite ones to take.”
Nova’s hand lingered on my back as I stood, her silent support steadying me as I prepared for what was sure to be an emotional day.
“Are you really bringing alcohol to an alcoholic’s house?” I asked, my tone sharp as Luna held up the bottle with a gleeful grin.
“Well, we’ll know for sure if he’s sober or not,” she retorted, clearly reveling in her mischief. “Dirks said it was okay.”
Dirks had to stop by his house first before he was to meet us here. It was a bit odd seeing the guy who stole Luna’s heart away and one of the whole reasons we moved out here. It was nice having my best mate and my girl’s best mate as a couple, so it was another thing to get used to.
“That’s the worst idea ever,” Nova huffed.
Scarlette had already bolted out of the car, standing at the door and ringing the bell excitedly.
“I’ll ask him if it’s okay.”
Nova exhaled slowly. “Thanks. I . . . don’t want to make things harder than they need to be.”
I turned to Nova as we trailed behind, her shoulders tense, her hands fidgeting at her sides. “You ready, love?” I asked softly, catching her hand in mine.
She shook her head, her voice trembling. “No. I’m terrified you’re going to hate this, see it as baggage, and leave.”
Her words stopped me in my tracks, and I turned her toward me, cupping her face gently. “I know people you love have left, whether by choice or by nature. I’m not them. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Her eyes filled with unshed tears, and she nodded slowly before wrapping her arms around my neck, holding me tightly.
“Marry me,” she murmured, the words so quiet I almost didn’t catch them.
I froze for a moment, her words hanging in the air between us, but I managed a small chuckle, shaking my head.
“Don’t ask me to marry you in front of your ex’s house.” I brushed my thumb along her cheek.
She laughed, the sound light and soft, resting her forehead against my chest. “You ask me again,” she murmured.
I tilted her chin up so her eyes met mine, my gaze locking onto hers. “I’ll ask you, love,” I said firmly, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Been waiting almost five years to ask again.”
She gave me a soft smile and nodded, her eyes glistening as she tightened her fingers on my jacket.
“Come on,” I whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Let’s survive this dinner first.”
I walked up to the door and stood next to Scarlette, grabbing her hand. “You’ve been standing here for a minute, what’s taking—”
The door opened, and immediately, the man who answered crouched down. “Hey, Scarlette. You made it. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.” She tugged on my hand. “This is my Ollie.”
Austin stood, his blonde hair catching the light from the open doorway. The first thing I noticed was his eyes—bright blue, the exact same shade as Scarlette’s.
As he straightened to his full height, I sized him up instinctively. He was a little shorter than me, leaner, but there was a sharpness to him.
This was the man who had hurt Nova.
A bitter taste rose in my mouth, my hand instinctively tightening around Scarlette’s. Every part of me wanted to grab her and Nova, to turn around and walk right out of there, to take them somewhere safe and far from him. And to think Nova didn’t think I was possessive over her.
She’s mine, my mind screamed, the words clawing their way to the surface. Scarlette is mine. Nova is mine. You cannot have them.
I swallowed it all down, forcing myself to stay rooted in place. This wasn’t about me. This wasn’t even about Austin. This was about Scarlette, about what was best for her.
This was better, I told myself. Scarlette deserved to know where she came from, to have all the pieces of her puzzle.
It was okay. It had to be.
I held out my hand, a peace offering.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Oliver—or as my girls call me, Ollie.”
I had to add my girls because they were mine, and I needed him to know.
Austin nodded and shook my hand. “Austin.” Austin turned to the woman next to him, his expression neutral, but his tone holding a note of pride. “This is Charlie, my wife.”
“Hi. Come in. Let’s get you settled.”
Austin’s wife had long, golden blonde hair. She looked cheerful and . . . normal. Their house was massive, so both of them must’ve done something right financially.
Nova stepped inside first, and my attention was drawn to her. I loved her straightened hair. She flicked her gaze to me, scanning me as though she were trying to read my mood. I nodded and followed her in.
Charlie grabbed Nova’s coat from her and they exchanged words. I couldn’t catch what they said from where I was standing, just I saw Nova’s hands up in the air and heard some awkward laughter.
Behind me, Luna barreled in. “Thank fuck the weird shit’s over with.”
“Luna.” Nova chastised her, but Luna only shrugged, tossing her white coat onto the counter in the kitchen without a care.
She held up the bottle of wine. “Hart. Is this cool?”
He nodded, then turned his attention to Scarlette and me. His expression shifted slightly, softer as he looked down at her. “Can I grab your coat?” he asked, his voice steady but polite.
I nodded, shrugging out of it and handing it to him. Scarlette was already eagerly chattering about all the gifts Santa had brought her for Christmas, her excitement infectious and uncontainable.
“I, uh, Charlie and I got you a few things under the tree. We can open them later if you want.”
Scarlette’s eyes lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically before skipping off toward the other room to examine their tree.
“Thank you—for being Santa,” he said, his tone quieter now, almost hesitant.
I shrugged, keeping my voice casual. “It was all Nova this year.”
His lips pressed into a thin line, and he looked at the floor for a moment, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Yeah, but . . . for all the years before.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions, but before I could form a response, Scarlette’s voice called out from the other room.
“Dad! Ollie! Come look.”
Both of us turned toward her voice, and I gestured for Austin to lead the way.
“Hey Scarlette, do you like watching your Ollie play rugby?”
“Play?” Scarlette scoffed and threw her hands on her hips. “He doesn’t play. He’s a coach, and now he’s going to be the first coach, and he told me I can tell all the boys what they’re doing wrong on the pitch.”
I couldn’t help but recognize that Austin used “your Ollie” when talking about me. It was nice and appreciated.
Austin laughed and turned to me. “I’ve never been to a rugby game before, maybe we can go see him coach in a few months.”
“And I haven’t been to a hockey game,” I admitted.
Austin laughed. “I’m sure we’ll remedy that soon, too.”
“I’m such a bad mom.” I heard Nova’s voice, so I turned, and she was rushing over to us with Charlie in tow. “I never introduced you to Scarlette.”
She leaned down and turned to Scarlette. “Scar, this is Charlie—”
“I know, Mom,” Scarlette interrupted. “ She’s the one from the play. She’s Dad’s wife.
My heart ached as Scarlette said it again, so casually, so naturally.
Dad.
Austin seemed like a decent guy—attentive to Scarlette, trying to connect. I couldn’t fault him for that, even if it felt like a knot tightening in my chest.