Protecting Olivia

CHAPTER FORTY SIX

LIVY

I had never seen Ethan so nervous before. He usually has that cool, calm and collected exterior showing no matter what, so to hear him stumble over his words was adorable. Even more adorable was the flowers he'd obviously stolen from the gardens nearby, it meant so much more to me than if he had bought them, knowing that he went out of his way to find them for me.

I knew where we were going before, we'd left the cabin, there is only so many places in this small town, and I knew that Ethan would be taking me to the restaurant we saw on the first day we were here. Ethan led me down the main street, his hand firmly gripping mine as we made our way to the pier.

We entered the dimly lit restaurant, the warm air hitting us as soon as we stepped through the door. The walls were stained timber, the lighting creating a perfect ambiance. The tables were adorned with white table clothes as music played softly in the background. It wasn't the most modern place, but it had a nice feel and I was more than grateful that I was experiencing this place with Ethan.

A waitress greets us as we walk through the door, she would only be around eighteen years old with long blonde hair and a kind smile.

"Hi, we have a reservation under Collins," Ethan states earning a wide smile from the waitress.

"Sure thing, right this way Mr and Mrs Collins," she states and turns on her heel to lead us to a table. I look to Ethan quickly after hearing what she called us, he simply smirks, making me blush. I don't say anything, though I'm pulled back to a time when I was crushing on Ethan and could only dream that one day, I would be Mrs Collins, it was a thought that hadn't entered my mind in the last decade. I hear Ethan chuckle at my reaction, earning himself a light slap to his bicep.

We follow the waitress to a table that overlooked the ocean, taking our seats the waitress left us with our menus. Conversation flows quite easily between us, it always had. We talk about Matthew and our friends in Perth, he shares some more stories from our years apart. We don't discuss him leaving, which I'm grateful for. I don't want to think about it, instead wanting to be in the moment with him. If all we have is Port MacDonnell, then I want to appreciate every second of it.

We both try the rock lobster, though I'm not the biggest fan of seafood, I enjoyed every bite. Afterwards we walked along the pier, which was deserted and gave us a sense of seclusion, which isn't hard to find in such a small town.

The night ended back in the cabin, enjoying each other to the fullest. I still wasn't sure what would happen when we were back in Perth, and as our departure from Port MacDonnell came closer, the more it played on my mind. I wanted Ethan, pending deployment and all, I wanted to know that he was coming home to me. I wanted the family that we could be with Matthew. And though I was quite sure that Ethan felt the same way, that insecure part of me was afraid I had it wrong.

After our date we spent one more day in Port MacDonnell, catching up again with Martha and Donald who were lapping up the information about their great grandchild. They started making plans to come over to Perth to meet him, I couldn't contain my happiness at the thought of Matthew having some great grandparents in his life. He didn't have grandparents as it was, and the fact that they wanted to be apart of his was more than I could ask for. I'd exchanged numbers with Martha, knowing that Ethan would be on deployment when they made it to Perth, I promised to keep them updated on both Ethan and Matthew.

We left Port MacDonnell early in the morning, making the long drive back to Adelaide. Ethan didn't let go of my hand the entire way, at one point making me wonder if he was as worried about what would happen between us once we were in Perth. I know we should talk about it; I know I should ask the question, but fear keeps me from it.

The trip went too quickly, our flight landing in Perth just after 10 o'clock at night. I wanted to see Matthew, to hear about his stay at Lucy and Seb's, but I didn't want to leave the plane, which was saying something because I hated flying, though I think I hid that quite well. To say I was relieved when Ethan kept his arm around my waist through Perth airport was an understatement. I had in my head that he would pull away, not want to be seen with me where our friends are, I cursed myself for being so insecure. I know Ethan has feelings for me and I should trust that, I just need to convince my mind to behave itself.

We collected Ethan's car from the airport parking, Ethan driving back to my place. Matthew would be picked up in the morning, knowing he would be in bed by now. As Ethan pulls up into the driveway I chew on my bottom lip. I want him to stay with me tonight, I'm not ready for us to be apart just yet, I need the reassurance that this isn't just Port MacDonnell.

"Livy..." Ethan's voice pulls me from the stare I'm giving to my house. I look over to him to see that adorable nervousness I'd seen at the start of our date. A small giggle leaves my lips, earning a mocking glare from Ethan. "Can I stay tonight?" he asks and I swear if there was better lighting, I would see a blush on his cheeks. I smile and nod, earning a relieved sigh in return. Ethan turns off the car and we both get out, collecting our bags from the boot and making our way to the door. Excitement bubbles up inside me of the night to come, of the fact that this isn't over, and hopefully won't be anytime soon.

*

I wake up wrapped around Ethan, my head on his chest, hand laying over his heart and leg over his, his arm laying on my waist holding him to me. I'd never really been one to snuggle while I'm sleeping, sure I'd fall asleep in such a position but would wake up on the other side of the bed. But I guess even in my sleep I want to be near Ethan. I can hear his steady breathing, knowing he is still fast asleep. I have no intention of moving anytime soon, instead revelling in the feel of his arm around me.

I find my fingers tracing over the tattoo on his pec, still completely intrigued by the delicate feathers and intricate detail. Whoever did it, was certainly talented. I can draw and paint, probably better than the average person, but compared to this my artwork looks like a five-year-old drawing stick figures. Starting at the tip of the wing closest to me, I trace over the outer feathers, loving the way the artist seemed to go in random directions yet in a pattern I could never really recognise. It's when I get to the bottom of the wing that my hand freezes, the pattern I'd just drawn so incredibly familiar.

I go back to the start, tracing the large circular feather and flowing into the straighter one next to it, propping myself up, I stare down at the tattoo as I continue to trace over the feathers, the pattern I couldn't see before becoming so clear. Three letters on each wing, hidden in the soft detail. Tears prick in my eyes as I remember Ethan's words, a reminder of his peace, his calm. A tear falls from my eye and drops on the letter V as my fingers finish tracing the last letter. I didn't realise Ethan was awake until I feel his thumb run under my cheek, wiping away any remaining tears.

Looking up, I meet his blue eyes, filled with so much love I feel like I can't breathe. I push myself up and crash my lips with his, pouring every emotion I have into the kiss.

The tattoo he'd gotten six years ago, when he hadn't seen me in five years, yet I still had his heart.