It's Time

Everything is Perfect

Olivia's POV

I gulp as I prepare for the lecture from hell. What's done is done, and no amount of yelling from Billy Baker will change that. "Sure, dad. What's up?" I attempt to sound less panicked than I feel.

"We had Grace and D'Angelo over for dinner last night. They couldn't seem to stop talking about a little four-year-old named Jace. Do you happen to know him?" His sarcasm pierces through any courage I thought I had to get through this conversation.

"He's our son," I whisper.

"Well, that can't be possible." My dad laughs. "There's just no chance you would adopt a kid and not tell your mother and me. I'm certain of that, Olivia."  His disappointment is undeniable, and every piece of me is screaming to hang up the phone before things get out of hand.

"I'm sure you're angry, and—"

"Angry?" He cuts me off. "Angry doesn't even begin to describe what I feel right now. Was this Spencer's idea? This disastrous move has his name written all over it." He scoffs.

"No. For your information, Spencer was actually against taking Jace in initially. This was all me." I bite back a little harsher than I intend.

"That doesn't surprise me. You've never been able to think straight around that boy."

His audacity enrages me, but I try to remember that he's my father, and I should respect him as such.

"Cut the crap, dad. From the moment Spencer came into our lives, he's been your favorite kid, and it's not even close. So the 'that boy' commentary is completely unnecessary." Okay, maybe I let my anger get the better of me for a second, but my family likes to pretend that they didn't all completely worship the ground Spencer walked on.

"Spencer plays the Rams this weekend. I'd suggest you make the trip with him and maybe bring along this grandkid we didn't know we had." His tone is bitter.

"Are you suggesting or demanding?" I inquire, and he remains silent.

"I'm not interested in returning to L.A. right now, dad. I've invited you out to Chicago several times now, and you've declined each time. I've opened the door for you to be as involved as you'd like, but you and mom have yet to walk inside." My voice cracks as my anger transitions to sadness over the current relationship between my parents and me. Jace talks to Ms. Grace on facetime every day, and he could have that relationship with my parents, but they refuse to even acknowledge that I have a life here in Chicago. My dad won't turn the tables on me and make this all my fault.

"We honestly didn't think the move to Chicago would last, Livi. Do you realize what you've done? You're tied to Spencer for at least the next 14 years, and he's already proven he's unwilling to commit to you."

I stare down at my engagement ring and the tattoo poking its way beyond the band. If only he knew just how committed Spencer is to me. "Dad, you can continue to punish Spencer as long as you want, but just know, the longer you punish him, the longer you punish me. My invitation to come to our home in Chicago still stands, and nothing would make me happier than for you guys to meet Jace. The ball is in your court, dad, but I won't put up with the negativity. Spencer is as committed to our family and me as I've ever seen him. So, you either forgive him, or you don't. My life is here now, with him and our son."

"We'll be on the next flight out." He relents, and I drop my phone, completely shocked. I did not expect him to give in. I guess this is my reward for standing my ground.

"Oh... okay." My hand shakes as I hold the phone back up to my ear. "We're looking forward to it." I lie. It's the right thing to say, but the last thing I am looking forward to is a visit from my parents.