Keeping Love

Chapter 11

While Olivia and I went to pick up the fish and chips Carol went to wake up Joanne.

When we arrived at the shop Eimear was behind the counter.

"Olivia!" She shouted excited running around to greet her with a hug, "Alex said you were visiting.  I was wondering if I'd get to see you!"

Olivia hugged her friend. They spent 20 minutes chatting before I reminded them we'd come here for food.

"Sorry sorry!" Eimear said grinning at me, "what can I get you?" She went back around the counter and we placed our order.

We continued to chat with Eimear until our food was made.

"Come see me again before you go away!" Eimear made Olivia promise before we left the shop. 

When we got back to the house Joanne and Carol were sitting in the kitchen. They were both crying.

"I told her." Joanne said.

Olivia rushed to Joanne's side and hugged her.

I hung back awkwardly holding the food.

"It's alright. We'll figure it out." Carol said.

Dinner was an awkward affair.

After dinner Joanne said she was going to see James. To tell him about the baby.

"Do you want us to come with you?" Olivia offered, "or only me or only Joe? Whatever you want."

Joanne shook her head, "I want to go alone."

Olivia nodded. I was secretly glad. I didn't want to go. I didn't know how I'd react when I saw James.

Joanne left and we stayed with Carol.

"What can you tell me about this boy James?" She asked once her daughter was out of the house, "is he one of your friends?"

"Kind of." I answered. I wasn't sure I'd call James a friend right now.

Olivia rolled her eyes, "he is." She answered, "he was my brother's best friend basically from the day they bet."

"So is he a good lad?" Carol asked.

"He's a bit of a lady's man. Or likes to think of himself as one." I said.

Carol didn't look pleased with this answer.

"He's a nice guy." Olivia said, "maybe a bit immature at times but he's a good person."

She looked slightly more pleased with this answer. Only slightly.

"And what is he doing with his life? Does he have a job? Is he going to university?"

"Umm no. He's not really doing anything. I'm sure he'll get a job now. But he's not going to university."

Carol looked less and less pleased.

We sat with Carol trying to think of nice stories to tell about James until Joanne came home.

She didn't come home alone. She brought James with her. I thought this was a very brave move.

She walked into the kitchen with her head held high and said, "this is James."

"Hi." James said looking between all three of us.

I just looked at him. I still didn't know how to react.

"Sit down both of you." Carol said. She then turned to Olivia and me, "can I have a minute with these two?" She asked us.

"Sure." I nodded taking Olivia's hand we left the room and went into the front room.

We stayed quiet trying to hear something but we couldn't hear a thing. That meant there was no yelling.

Half an hour later Joanne and James came and sat in the front room with us.

Olivia put her hand on my leg as if to hold me back from attacking James. I wasn't going to attack James. I didn't mind her hand on my leg though.

Neither of us said anything we just looked at the pair of them as they came in and sat down.

"She's pregnant." James said breaking the silence.

"We know." I said. Did he think this was funny?

"I'm going to do the right thing." James said.

"What does that mean?" He didn't mean marry her, did he?

"We're going to get together and raise the baby together." He said. Of course he didn't mean marry her.

"Good." I nodded.

The four of us stayed in the sitting room until late into the night. James was freaking out about telling his parents but it was agreed no one else needed to be told until Joanne had been to see a doctor which according to Carol probably wouldn't be until next week. 

As we were leaving I kissed Olivia goodnight and James kissed Joanne.

Once we were out of the house and walking down the street I said to James, "listen mate. I know you think everything in life is one big joke but this isn't. That's my cousin in there and she might not always show it but she's really scared. And she doesn't have a dad or a brother to tell you to get in line so that falls to me. If you mess her around I won't be forgiving. Understand?"

James nodded, "look man. I've got a child now."

I couldn't imagine what James must be going through. This was a lot for him as well as Joanne but I had to look out for Joanne first. I just nodded as we continued to walk down the street.

The next day we had a pretty chill day relaxing at Joanne's house. She didn't want to go out but she wanted us to stay with her. Both Olivia and I were happy to do whatever she wanted. We still got to spend time together.

James surprised everyone at midday by showing up and asking how Joanne was. He spent the rest of the day with us.

At the end of the day I kissed Olivia, "I'll see you tomorrow." I said to her.

She looked around and we were standing alone in the doorway of my aunts front door so she pulled me down for a more passionate kiss, "I'll see you tomorrow." She grinned when she pulled away.

"Can I bring you back to mine with me?" I asked keeping my arms around her.

She bit her lip and shook her head, driving me crazy, "don't think so."

"You torture me." I said leaning down to kiss her again.

"Sorry." She said when we finally broke apart.

"Don't be." I said directly into her ear and she pressed herself more tightly against me. I smiled.