Love Like This

Growing Pains II

A/N: I've kept you waiting long enough. Here's part two:

The Baker home was buzzing as the James, Baker, and Hicks families all came together for dinner. It didn't happen often but when they could, they liked to have everyone together to catch up.

Spencer sat at the table quietly, waiting for Olivia to arrive, and hoping that she'd be willing to hear him out when she did.

"Olivia just called, she's still in her meeting so she said we should start without her." Laura said as she and Grace started bringing plates to the table.

Spencer deflated even, not hiding his sadness well.

"You good Spence?" Jordan asked as he took the seat next to him. "You've been really quiet tonight."

Spencer sighed, "Yeah, I'm good."

Before Jordan could push for more answers, Billy had taken over asking about Dillon, shifting everyone's attention to Grace. Spencer silently ate his food, praying that no one would ask about his docile behavior, and wanting to smash his head against the wall when his mother called him out.

"Spencer, how's my daughter doing? I know she has that work trip next week, but I was hoping we'd get to see her before she left." Grace asked, waiting for her son to respond.

Spencer's guilt began to creep up as he looked at his mother, before he knew it, Spencer was telling them all that he messed up and Liv was seriously mad at him.

Surprising them all, Billy chuckled after hearing Spencer's story.

"She is her mother's daughter." Billy began, smiling at Laura. "How many times have you missed or canceled on date night recently?" Billy asked gently.

"In the last month, I've missed or cancelled on three." Spencer admitted, sinking into his chair at the look his mother shot him. "I know that I messed up and I'm trying to fix it, but she doesn't want to talk to me!" Spencer began to ramble. "She's never wanted to not talk to me. Well, there was one time when we were in high school but that was different. We're married and my wife can't even look at me!"

Mr. Hicks cleared his throat, causing Spencer to turn his head in that direction.

"Spencer, I've been married for a long time, and I know a thing or two about disappointing your wife. It's been my experience that she's upset because you always say the right thing but lately you've been doing something different. In marriage, you don't just vow to love each other, you vow to show up for each other. You promised to always be there for her, and in the last month, you broke that promise three times. You can't apologize to get out of this one, not with words alone."

Spencer nodded his head, taking in all that Simone's father had said to him. He never wanted to make Olivia feel like she couldn't trust what he said, and he realized that he was starting to do that. Spencer glanced at his watch seeing that Liv was almost an hour late to dinner and did what he should have done when Laura said that Liv had called, he stood up from the table and went to see where his wife was.

"Hey, I'm on my way. I should be there in ten minutes." Liv said, sounding much happier than she did when he saw her that morning.

"You deserve better than what you've been getting from me." Spencer said softly. "I've been promising you that I'll show up and then expecting you to be understanding when I do the opposite. I love you Olivia, and I know that saying that I'm sorry and that I'll do better isn't going to change the mess that I've caused. I just want you to know that you have never and will never be second to anything else in my life. Football is temporary, but I'm going to be with you forever."

Olivia listened to her husband as he poured his heart out to her. She could hear in his voice how serious he was about proving to her that he would do better for her. No matter how upset she may have been, she never doubted the love that Spencer has for her. She quickly parked her car outside of her parent's home and made her way to the front door. Before she could even try to open the door, Spencer had opened it and was pulling her into his strong arms. She allowed him to hold her, taking in feeling of his shirt against her cheek, his arms squeezing her tight, and the scent of her favorite cologne.