Protecting Olivia

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN

ETHAN

I grab Livy's hand in mine as we walk towards Seb's front door, we are a little later than planned to pick up Matthew, having got a bit distracted this morning. I was nervous when she'd found the hidden name in my tattoo, designed that way so that no one would be able to see if unless they were studying it closely, like Livy was. It was put there for me, right over my heart where she belonged. It was all I could have of her at the time, and I'm grateful she didn't freak out finding her name tattooed on my body.

"I'm not surprised that everyone's here..." Livy mumbles, looking at the familiar cars parked out on the street in front of our friend's house. I would have been surprised had they not been here, we don't seem to go a day without being in each other's spaces.

The front door swings open before we even make it up the front steps, Matthew barrelling out and colliding with Livy. Livy drops my hand to wrap him in a hug, I chuckle at the sight, swearing that Matthew has gotten taller in the week we have been away. He lets go of Livy before embracing me, I accept him happily, knowing that in just a year or two he will be too "cool" to hug his parents, at least in public.

He lets me go and looks at both of us with a curious expression before his eyes meets Livy's.

"Did you buy me a present?" he asks making me and Livy chuckle.

"Of course, I did, but it's at home." Livy replies earning a large grin before he pivots on his heel and heads back inside. We follow along behind him, my hand resting on Livy's lower back, I'm not sure there will ever be a day where I can go without touching her in some way.

As soon as we step through the door, we are met with the eyes of all of our friends who are crowded in the loungeroom, the kids no where to be seen, but going from the noise, I'm guessing they are in the backyard. I feel like I've walked into an intervention the way they all peer at us, and I'm about to say something when Kaley jumps to her feet.

"I knew it!" she yells, fist pumping the air before turning towards where Lucy, Nicole and Jane sit. "You all owe me fifty bucks." I furrow my brows as I look to Livy who simply shrugs her shoulders, a similar look of confusion on her face.

"You two couldn't have held out until next week?" Lucy groans, falling back onto the couch dramatically. I look at Livy yet again, met by her reddening cheeks as she turns away from our friends.

"I hate them all," she grumbles making me chuckle as I come to the realisation that the girls bet on us. I rub her back and place a kiss on the top of her head, earning a whistle from I'm guessing Nicole.

"So, how was Matthew?" I ask as I guide Livy to the only remaining seat in the loungeroom, effectively changing the subject.

"He was great," Lucy says, seemingly over her dramatics from earlier. "He's welcome anytime, Matthew actually managed to get Hayley to clean her room!" I chuckle in response, knowing Matthew is a great kid like that, cleaning up after himself and helping out around the house.

Lucy fills us in on the week, though we had been checking in every day, that was more with Matthew directly. Livy and I tell them about Mary and who she was before she met Patrick, the familiar guilt trickling in when I think of her. I try to shake it off, remembering Livy's words of not owing her anything, and I know she is right, but it still doesn't take away the feeling that I should have done something after Patrick was gone.

I eventually leave Livy's side and follow Seb, Lance, Jordan and Brad out into the back yard where the kids are playing. I have no doubt Livy will be getting grilled by the girls and I can't help but wonder what she tells them. We haven't actually spoken about what is happening between us, or put a label on it for that matter. It's something I know I need to bring up sooner rather than later, especially with my deployment looming. I just hope that she wants the same thing that I do.

"So, you and Livy hey?" Lance wiggles his eyebrows, pulling me from my thoughts. I shrug my shoulders, not really wanting to give them too much information, not that I would anyway, especially if it concerns Livy. Beside me, Seb chuckles and slaps my back.

"I'm happy for you man, it's about time." I mumble a thanks before changing the subject to our deployment, learning from Seb the expected date we would fly out, if they don't bring it forward. We would be leaving a week before Matthew's eleventh birthday. The timing sucks, and I really didn't want to miss anymore of his birthdays, but I know there is nothing I can do about it. It's part of the job, I just hope that he understands.

The girls join us outside half an hour later, Livy's face red and flustered, making me chuckle when she comes to stand by my side. She glares up at me, though I can see the amusement in her eyes. I grin down at her, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her into my side.

"Have fun?" I ask, watching her cheeks get redder.

"Did I mention I hate our friends?" she grumbles again. Stifling a laugh, I kiss her forehead and turn back to the group, meeting the massive grins of Lucy, Nicole, Kaley and Jane. Kaley gives me two thumbs up, making me roll my eyes. I know they will get over it eventually, and I know I can't complain, I gave Jordan a hell of a time when he and Jane finally got together.

Just before lunch, we gather Matthew's things and head back to Livy's house. The drive is silent, Matthew sitting quietly in the back seat staring out the window. As we get closer to Livy's, Matthew moves from his position and meets my eye through the rear vision mirror.

"Are you staying with us now?" Matthew asks, making my jaw slacken as I look to Livy quickly and back to Matthew. "I know you're a couple now." He states after I don't give him an answer. I look to Livy, who looks back at me with wide eyes. It was obvious to anyone that something was happening between us, though we didn't take in to account what Matthew would think about that.

"Are you okay with that?" I ask him, though I know the answer from my previous conversations with him. He shrugs his shoulders, looking between me and Livy.

"Yeah," is his only reply. I look to Livy, hoping that she will answer the question too. She blushes slightly as she chews on her bottom lip, a small nod of her head has a smile forming on my face. I look back to the road, reaching my hand out for Livy's. She complies, her small hand fitting into mine. Bringing it to my lips, I place a chaste kiss on the back of her hand, glancing back at her, seeing a large smile on her face that no doubt matches my own.