Protecting Olivia

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT

LIVY

My cheeks hurt from grinning like an absolute idiot on the car ride home, luckily, Ethan had the same goofy smile on his face, so I didn't look too ridiculous. Well, at least not on my own. When we enter my house, Matthew makes a beeline for his room with his bags in tow. I place my keys and bag down on the side table when strong arms wrap around my waist, lips connecting to the skin of my neck. I can't help but lean back into his embrace, tilting my neck to expose more skin to him.

Smiling, I turn in his arms, reaching up to wrap my arms around his neck. Ethan doesn't hesitate to capture my lips with his, a soft kiss full of promise. I can feel his smile that no doubt matches my own. He pulls away, looking into my eyes, his are full of happiness and peace and I'm reminded of the tattoo on his chest. His peace, his calm in the storm of his life. Pride swells in my chest as I realise that I provide him that. He pecks my lips again before pulling me tighter to him, a soft sigh escaping him.

"You have no idea how happy I am right now," he mumbles quietly, his head buried in my hair. I pull back slightly and capture his lips again, pulling away only the smallest distance, feeling his breath caress my skin.

"I think I do," I whisper back, smiling as his lips find mine again. A door opening has us pulling away, a reminder that our son is present, I step back from Ethan slightly as Matthew leaves his room and walks into the loungeroom. Ethan chuckles quietly as his arms disappear from around my waist and he joins Matthew, taking a seat next to him as Matthew flicks on the TV with the remote. I watch for a moment as they sit next to each other, their small movements seemingly in sync, reminding me of just how much Matthew is like Ethan.

I walk around the back of the couch and take a seat opposite them, a smile permanently glued to my face, pulling my legs up under me, I watch as Ethan turns his body towards Matthew, clearing his throat softly to get his attention.

"There's something I needed to talk to you about," Ethan states as Matthew turns in his direction. "We have a date that I will be deployed, it's before your birthday." Ethan continues making my heart deflate. I know how excited Matthew was to have Ethan there for his birthday, and I also know that Ethan didn't want to miss another one, but it seemed he would no matter what.

"Oh," Matthew pauses, looking down for a moment before shrugging his shoulders and looking back at Ethan, the disappointment evident on his face. "Okay."

"I'm sorry Matt, I really did want to be here for it," Ethan sighs, running his hand down his face. I can tell he is struggling, wanting nothing more than to make Matthew happy, but knowing that this is completely out of his control. Matthew's brow furrows as he looks down at his hands before he looks up, a small smile on his face.

"Maybe we can have my party before you leave?" Matthew asks with hope in his voice. With Matthew's actual birthday falling on a Saturday, he was excited to be able to celebrate it with his friends, but that thought appears to have gone out the window at his suggestion.

"Are you sure?" I ask him, earning an eager nod.

"Yeah, I'd rather Dad be there." He tells me, before turning back to Ethan. "Can we?"

Ethan chuckles and nods his head. "Of course, we can, I'd love that." Matthew jumps in excitement, before going off in a ramble of what he wanted to do. I sit back and watch as they discuss his birthday plans, Ethan encouraging his more reasonable ideas while steering him away from his more ludicrous requests. Every now and then, they ask my opinions which I happily give, though I'm more than content watching them converse, my heart full at their strong relationship.

*

Ethan cooked dinner for us later that night, pushing me out of the kitchen, adamant that I should sit down with a glass of wine and relax. Instead, I'd sat up at the kitchen bench and watched as he moved around my kitchen with ease, my thoughts going to what it would be like if he was here permanently. I let myself imagine, not pushing the thoughts away like I usually would, allowing the feeling of bliss to wash over me as I envisioned a future with Ethan.

It was a simple spaghetti bolognaise, but delicious all the same, maybe because it was Ethan who made it and with the level of happiness I was feeling, there was nothing in this world that could tarnish that. After dinner we watched a movie together as a family, the small act something that we had done before, but with Ethan and I now moving forward in our relationship, I couldn't help but revel in its simplicity. I could tell Matthew liked having Ethan around, it had been only us two for so long, having his father here was something that Matthew cherished.

Matthew tiredly took himself to bed once the movie ended. I said goodnight as I snuggled into Ethan's side, his arm wrapped around me, holding me to him. As Matthew's door closed, I felt a lingering kiss being placed on the top of my head.

"As much as I'd love to stay..." Ethan trailed off and I finished his sentence for him.

"We should ease Matthew into this," I state, pushing myself up to be able to look at Ethan, immediately missing the warmth of his body. He lets out a disappointed sigh and nods his head.

"He seems fine, but it would still be an adjustment for him." I nod my head in agreement, enjoying the feel of Ethan's thumb running lazy circles over my hip.

"I know," I say, unable to hide the disappointment in my tone at the thought of not being wrapped in Ethan's arms.

"I'll be back tomorrow though, Matthew is determined to have everything planned for his party before school on Monday," Ethan states with a grin. I smile back, knowing that both of them are happy with their plans.

Ethan leans in and presses his lips to mine, my eyes fluttering closed as I move my lips against his. It's sweet and soft, full of emotion that we both feel. He pulls away and rests his forehead against mine, his mouth opening as if to say something before closing and pressing his lips to mine again.

He moves away from me, grabbing his shoes that were placed beside the couch and slipping them onto his feet. I stand up as he does, not at all liking the fact that he is leaving. He pulls me into him, wrapping his arms around me and I rest my head on his chest.

"I better go," he states, though doesn't make to move away from me. I nod against his chest, hugging him tighter before pulling away. It's just a few hours until I see him again, I tell myself, just one night and I'll see him in the morning. He kisses me softly before stepping back.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he says and I nod my head.

"Tomorrow," I reply as he turns away and walks out the door.