Olive's P.O.V.
Ian's familiar Dutch colonial styled, white house with red shutters and bright red door came into view as I reached the end of the dirt road path. I missed this place with it's lush green grass, no matter the time of year, such soft grass you'd think you were walking on clouds. I parked, taking a deep breath, and calming my twirling stomach. I don't know why part of me was scared of entering that house. I was scared of the feelings it would stir inside me again. The want for a normal family, for the loving embrace of a nice family.
I headed towards the door, knocking on the thick cold metal. I could hear Ian yelling "coming" as he approached the door. It swung open to reveal his tousled hair and kind smile. A smile that wrinkled the sides of his eyes in merriment. He was happy to see me.
"Welcome back to my humble abode." He gestured with his arm to come in. I stepped past him greeted by the toasty heat. Mrs. Daniels always kept it warm in here during the colder months. The familiar scent of lavender and fresh linen hit me right in the heart. I had missed that smell. I took a deep breath trying to fill my lungs with it.
"Oh Livie! You've grown into such a beautiful young woman!" Mrs. Daniels rounded the corner with her gorgeous golden hair tied up in a large bun with some loose curled strands.
She held her arms open wide for me to hug her as her grass green eyes scanned my body. I leaned in, giving her a hug back. I didn't realize how badly I needed a hug from her. She was like the mom I had been missing this whole time. She grabbed my face with both her hands, kissing each cheek before letting go.
"I'm so happy you could make it. We've missed your beautiful face over the years," she complained, side-eyeing Ian like it was his fault she hadn't seen me.
"I've missed you too." I smiled back at her kind eyes. Mrs. Daniels had a sculpted face like a model without the resting bitch face. She had a face that radiated warmth, and all that was good in the world.
"I'm making your favorite, at least I hope it is still your favorite." She smiled.
"Your lasagna rolls?" I almost jumped in excitement when she nodded. She made the absolute best spinach and ricotta cheese lasagna rolls I'd ever had. She's always said it's because of the Italian in her. "I can't wait! Thank you, Mrs. Daniels."
"Oh, honey, no. You're a grown woman now, call me Caterina," she scolded me with a flick of her wrist.
"Okay, Caterina." I nodded, feeling odd saying her first name. She's always just been Mrs. Daniels.
"I better head back to the kitchen. Come help once you've said hello to Donald."
I nodded my head, watching her walk through the swinging door to the kitchen in the back. She was a sight for sore eyes, if there ever was one. I was happy to be able to see her again. This whole family actually.
"Come on, Dad's this way," Ian said with a smile as he took my hand and dragged me to the study.
He slid the French doors open, showing his large father standing, looking over his desk. His light brown hair had grayed a bit in certain areas. He'd gained some weight, but still had his athletic physique. He was like a large teddy bear with a great big beard. He smiled real wide when he noticed me.
"Liv! Long time no see! So happy you could join us. Cat has been non stop about how excited she was to have you over. It's like she forgot all about me coming into town." He laughed his big barley laugh that caused me to smile wider. I'd missed that laugh too, the one that lightens your heart by just hearing it.
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to take the attention away from you," I apologized, feeling bad for him.
"Ah, it's alright. When you've been married for 25 years you get to know each other too well. I know my Cat loves company, and she most especially loves company she hasn't seen in a while. I'm glad you two reconnected. Ian was such a mess when we first moved. The boy moped around the house depressed for a whole damn year." Donald shook his head in disappointment, crossing his arms. There was still a look of amusement on his face though, like he found it funny.
"Dad!" Lucas scolded him. "I didn't mope." He turned to me this time.
"Good to know," I giggled.
"It's nice to see you again, Liv." Donald beamed a smile at me as I gave him a small wave.
Ian slid the doors closed behind us with a mischievous grin.
"Follow me, I wanna show you something." He walked ahead, going up the large stairs. He waited for me on the landing as he noticed I wasn't immediately following. He arched a brow at me. "What are you waiting for?"
"Just wondering if it's a good idea for me to follow."
Probably wouldn't be cute for Lucas to hear that I went upstairs to Ian's room with him.
"Of course it is. Now come on." He waved me over with his hand pleadingly.
"Fine," I heaved, deciding I'll go up the stairs, but not into the room if that's where we were headed.
The stairs creaked in their familiar complaint. It seems even they missed me, too. Ian was silent and didn't look back as we climb further up the stairs. He didn't turn right towards his room like I thought he would either. Instead, he turned left and then opened the door to the guest bedroom. He stepped inside the room, and disappeared on the other side of the bed as he knelt down.
"What are you doing?" I asked from the doorway.
"Just getting something." His tone told me he was up to something, but I had no idea what.
6 years can change a person a lot and I know Ian isn't exactly the same and neither am I. So there really is no telling what he's about to do. He stood back up with a triumphant haza. In his hand was a little box, that seemed old and dusty. He brushed it off as he walked back over to me.
"I never got a chance to give this to you before I left, since I was picked up at school without warning. I was going to give this to you that day when you came over to say goodbye."
He handed me the box, and at first I just kind of looked a it. I imagined what it would have been like to get this that day. I slowly opened the box, peering inside with deep curiosity. There was a rose gold ring that looked almost braided. I picked it up noticing there was something engraved on the inside.
9/10 BFF
It was the date we had met, September 10th. I gave him a sad smile, another pang of bittersweetness swept through me. Our time was cut short. I placed the ring on my right index finger where it fit perfectly.
"Thank you, Ian. It's very sweet."
Ian surprised me with another hug. I forgot how much of a hugger he was. His arms felt familiar, felt safe. I'd missed this too.
"I better go help your mom before she finishes," I said, pulling back form his hug. I heard him sigh slightly, but then he nodded.
"You better wash up first. Use the guest bathroom here." He pointed behind him to the bathroom.
I stepped through admiring the ocean themed bathroom. Over the toilet tank was a little woven basket with toiletries for women, pads and tampons both. I thought it was sweet of Caterina to have a basket like that for her female guests. I was washing my hands with warm water when I started thinking of the date.
Holy fuck, I'm late!
The water continued to pour over my hands as I stood there frozen. I ran through the dates in my head again, but every time I did I came up 5 days late now. How did I not notice?
Could I really be pregnant?