You Get It

Combust, Part 1

3 days. 72 hours. 4320 minutes 259,200 seconds. That was how long it's been since she watched him walk out the door. How long her heart had been felt like it was taken out of her body and smashed without hope of ever being whole again. She hadn't understood why it had gotten so bad. It was completely beyond what they had ever dealt with and she wasn't sure if it was the gravity of the argument or the fact that they had been together so long and since they were so young. All she knew was that she was going through her days like a zombie and the guilt and pain she felt was almost unbearable.

What had started as something so simple had gotten out of hand and within these past few days since- it felt like there wasn't ever going to be a way back. She had sent Spencer a message about the parent orientation at Madelyn's new pre-school and it later turned into blown into a full on war about the dynamics of their life together. She knew he cared and was an amazing father to Madelyn, that was never questioned. The commitment he had to staying focused on family as his star was rising in the NFL was what she began to worry about. In their almost 10 years together, she had never once felt like any move he made wasn't with the goal of providing for his loved ones. Until that day when she felt like it was looking at her father rather than the man she loved and that was a hard pill to swallow.

-------Flashback to three days ago-------

Olivia was in the middle of finishing an article and saw the time. Knowing he would be busy with practice she decided to just send a text reminder to Spencer about the meeting they had later. She was trying to not seem overbearing or make him feel guilty. They had bickered a few days before about having to reschedule a date due to him staying late to study film with the rest of the offensive line so she was trying to tread lightly.

Don't forget we have to be at the school for 5:30! Maddy is going with my mom so we don't have to worry about chasing her around...or her scaring the teachers off before she even starts.🥴 I'll meet you there, I love you🖤

After about 30 minutes with no response she again decided to chalk it up to him being in practice before she heard her phone ding. Looking she saw he finally got back to her.

Bet. I think she gets that attitude from you though so maybe we should let them know what they're dealing with early on.

Have you met your daughter? Do you want her to actually get in?

Good point. I will meet you there. I love you, girl.

Sounds good. I love you too

Locking her phone with a satisfied smile, she walked over to the playroom to get Maddy ready to go over to the Baker household. Hoping this was a new leaf and that maybe the bickering had caused a needed shift back to what really mattered- them. Their family.

She felt good on the drive over to her parents and after assuring Maddy that it wouldn't be long and yes, Daddy will tuck her in tonight and do their special handshake she made her way to the pre-school.

A little off put by the outside, she decided to go in and give it a shot. It's for my baby she had to remind herself as she looked around the flashy and clearly for display rooms.

"Mr. & Mrs. James, for Madelyn James?" a very serious tone called out, knocking Olivia out of her thoughts. Olivia looked up to see an older, serious faced woman in a cream colored pantsuit standing in front of her. Her sleek hair cut just above her shoulders and an expression that did not seem warm.

"Hi, that's us. Well, me. But my husband should be here any second, he must be running a little late, I'm sorry"

"Not a problem, Mrs. James. We'll give him another minute or two and then we can begin."