Protecting Olivia

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

LIVY

Every day that goes by where Ethan doesn't call is agony. I feel like I haven't slept since he left, too scared to sleep too deeply in case I don't hear the phone. Lucy told me that sometimes they can't call, that sometimes it could be months before we could hear from them. I'm in a constant state of worry, concerned that Ethan is hurt or worse.

The girls keep assuring me that we would know if something happened to them, that so long as the army is not knocking on our doors, then the team is okay. That's little consolation to me. Would the army even notify me? Ethan and I are still so new, I doubt they even have my information. They would probably call Kate, but I know Kate would let me know straight away, and that eases my mind a little.

I try and go about my life as if the man I love isn't in a war zone. I get up and take Matthew to school before going to work every day. I clean the house, do the groceries and run around after Matthew day in and day out, as if nothing had ever changed, but I feel like everything has.

Walking into work, Jane smiles at me over the reception counter, phone to her ear as she types efficiently, murmuring into the receiver periodically. I smile back, though I know it doesn't reach my tired eyes. I feel like a zombie as I walk down to my office, knowing I'm in desperate need of coffee but also knowing I don't have the energy to go and get one.

Collapsing in my chair, I turn on my computer and wait for it to load, making a mental list of all the things I need to get done today. A ringing noise coming from my handbag has me jumping out of my seat, my heart beating wildly as I fish around the compartments of my bag, trying to locate my phone, cursing myself for not clearing out the accumulated junk I carry with me every day.

Finally finding my phone, my heart sinks when I see Mia's name across the screen. Sighing I select the accept button and put it to my ear.

"Hey," I say into the phone as I turn back towards the computer and open up my emails.

"Now I know I wasn't who you wanted to be calling but you could at least pretend to be happy to hear from me." Mia admonishes earning a small smile to form on my lips.

"I'm sorry, you know I'm always wanting to speak to you," I state, knowing that she isn't actually insulted by my lack of enthusiasm.

"It's okay," I can imagine her waving me off, her mannerisms known to me as well as I know my own. "I called to let you know I'm flying back over to Perth next week."

"Really?" I ask, a true smile forming at her news. She was here only two weeks ago for Matthew's real birthday, so I wasn't expecting her to come back so soon. Though I do suspect that Brandon has something to do with it.

"Yes, really." I can hear the smile on her face, confirming my thoughts of Brandon. "I'm actually trying to transfer to the Western Australia Police, I have an interview next week."

"Are you serious?" I squeal into the phone, excited at the prospect of Mia being on the same side of the country to me.

"I am, I miss you and Matthew too much."

"Ah, so nothing to do with a certain federal police officer that lives in Perth?" I tease, knowing that Mia would have a slight blush on her face right now.

"Well, Brandon is a bonus, but not my primary motivator," she mumbles, and I know its partly true. Mia and I have been by each other's side for so long, that even after almost a year of living here, I still am not used to not seeing her every day. "Still, it's not an easy process and I have a lot of hoops to jump through, so I don't know when it will happen."

"I'm just happy it's a possibility," I tell her. When I'd moved over to Perth, I'd always assumed I would eventually move back to Brisbane, but now that I'm here, I can't imagine leaving. Mia was the only person tying me to the east coast, if she were here, I wouldn't even consider moving back.

We chat for a little while longer as I scan through my emails, making sure I'm not going to miss anything important. Although Mia said she would stay with me, I reassured her that I was fine with her staying at Brandon's. I knew she wanted to, and I wouldn't stand in her way. She was truly smitten with him and I was happy that my friend had found someone.

My mood had brightened after my phone call with Mia, some good news coming my way that momentarily took my mind off of missing Ethan. Now it was just a matter of getting through today, and the many days to come until he is home.