Love Like This

Growing Pains

A/N: Seems like a good day for angst, don't you think?

Olivia glanced at the clock, making sure she was reading the time right, before sighing. Spencer was late, again. She knew that adjusting to his new schedule with the Rams would take some time, but she didn't know that they'd be sacrificing their weekly date night for it.

They had picked Wednesday because it was a day when they didn't have much to do. For the past year, Wednesday nights were date nights, and after missing that date night three times this month, it looked like Olivia would be solo again tonight. They had decided to stay in and have a quiet dinner together but that was supposed to happen at seven and it was almost eight thirty. Liv stood, putting the food away, and washed the dishes, giving up on any chances of a romantic night with her man. Her phone rang, it was Jordan, and she answered, trying to hide her displeasure.

"Hey sis, did Spence make it home yet? We had a late film session, but I forgot my keys in the locker room and wanted to know if he grabbed them."

"He's not here." Olivia said softly. "Try calling him."

In the background on Jordan's side of the phone Simone could be heard asking "isn't it Wednesday?"

Liv sighed, even her sister-in-law knew that it was date night, and her own husband was late and hadn't called.

"I think I'm going to call it a night a little early. I'll talk to you later J." Liv rushed out before hanging up the phone. She finished cleaning the dishes and then wrote a note for her husband, leaving it on the counter before making her way upstairs.

Spencer had just walked into his house when he noticed how dark it was. Liv was a night owl and normally waited up on the couch for him to come home. A slip of paper on the counter caught his attention and he made his way over to read it.

"Your plates in the fridge. It's Wednesday, by the way."

Spencer's jaw dropped. He missed date night. He quickly pulled his phone out and turned it back on to see the missed calls and texts from his wife. Instantly, guilt spread throughout his body as he quickly made his way up the stairs to their bedroom.

The door was still unlocked which was a good sign, maybe she wasn't upset with him. The bathroom door opened and out walked Olivia, freshly showered and ready for bed.

"Baby, I'm sorry. We were watching film and the-"

"Just stop." Liv cut him off softly. "I'm tired Spencer, I don't want to argue. I just want to go to bed."

Olivia grabbed a t shirt from her drawer and pulled it over her head before slipping into a pair of shorts and pulling the blankets back.

"It's fine. It's just one night, Spencer. There's always next time."

Spencer was taken back at the way she didn't want to talk about this. Normally, they talked about everything, it worried him to think that this situation was changing that.

"We don't have to argue but let me explain." Spencer said, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at his wife with sad eyes.

"I just want to sleep." Liv whispered out, sounding defeated. "We can deal with this another time."

Spencer watched as she turned off her lamp and laid down, attempting to get comfortable enough to sleep. His heart broke a little watching her turn so her back was facing his side of the bed, as she sighed.

"Goodnight, Spencer." Liv left no room for argument or discussion; she was going to sleep.

"Goodnight baby, I love you." Spencer whispered as he pressed a kiss to her forehead since the blankets covered every other part of her face.

Olivia sighed, "I love you too." She returned softly, biting back tears that she wouldn't let fall until Spencer was in the shower.

Spencer made his way into the bathroom, knowing that he messed up, and he needed to make it up to his wife.

He woke early the next morning and prepared her favorite breakfast. He knew she had to go into the office today so he hoped that this breakfast would be the first step in a peace offering.

Liv came down the steps offering a soft smile before grabbing her morning coffee.

"Good morning." She greeted, without any attempt of offering physical affection.

Spencer knew she was still upset but he gave her that same smile that she'd fallen in love with before wishing her a good morning in return.

"I made French toast; I know it's your favorite." Spencer said as he placed the food in front of her.

"Thank you."

"Can we talk about last night?" Spencer asked as he attempted to make eye contact with her, not surprised at all when she refused to look at him.

"I'd rather not. I have a busy day today and I don't want to go into it upset."

"But you are upset Liv. You're clearly upset with me, and I want to talk this out." Spencer said he took the seat next to her.

"I have meetings for the rest of the week, you have an away game on Sunday, Coop's party is on Monday, I leave for Arizona on Tuesday, and I don't get back until Saturday." Liv rattled off their upcoming schedule. "We agreed on a night in yesterday so we could spend some time together before I left."

Spencer rubbed his head in frustration, he knew where this conversation was headed, and he didn't like it.

"Was I upset last night? Absolutely. I had plans for you Spencer James and you flaked on me with no notice. Am I mad at you? No. I know that you're still trying to figure out this new schedule and I can't really be mad at that. But I am disappointed." Liv explained, still not making eye contact with Spencer. "I really wanted us to have a nice night and we didn't get to do that. You've flaked on me three times this month Spencer. I'm allowed to be upset about that."

"I'm sorry. I just want to make this right." Spencer said as he held onto her hand. "You won't even look at me. You're saying you aren't mad but last night was the first time in years that you slept with your back towards me. Let me fix this." Spencer said, hoping she'd finally give him the chance he needed to show her he was sorry.

Olivia's brown eyes finally locked onto his and his heart started to crack even more at what he saw. She looked tired. Her eyes had always told the stories that never came out of her mouth and her eyes were saying she didn't have the room to fight. She didn't want to talk about it because she didn't want to cry and looking at her husband right now, that's all she could do.

Liv quickly turned her head away and stood to grab her stuff, she needed to get to work.

"Baby don't leave like this." Spencer said as he thumbed away the single tear that had fallen. "At least let me drive you there. I don't want you driving while you're upset."

Oliva took a step back, creating more distance between them, and finally brought her eyes to his.

"I'll see you tonight at my parents place for dinner." Olivia said, turning to head to the door.

Spencer shook his head and followed behind his wife to their front door. He opened the door and moved to stand in front of her.

"I love you." He whispered before placing a kiss to her cheek.

"I love you too."

Spencer stayed in the doorway until he could no longer see her car. He knew one thing for certain, he needed to fix this, and fast.

Part Two, coming soon.