Protecting Olivia

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

LIVY

It took me forever to fall asleep, my mind would finally relax when images of Ethan hurt would pop into my head and wake me up like a siren. Hours of drifting in and out were finally overcome by my extreme fatigue, I could feel sleep start to grip me when a crashing noise followed by a series of curse words sounded from inside of my house.

Springing out of bed, I ran out of the room, scared for Matthew, and for myself. Flicking on the lights, I freeze as I take in the scene before me.

Matthew stands shaking with his cricket bat above his head, the decorative vase that was on the side cupboard is in shattered pieces on the floor and Ethan is gripping his arm with a look of pain on his face.

It takes me a moment for my mind to register, Matthew and I both frozen as statues until it finally hits me. Ethan. My legs move me towards him as the sound of the cricket bat hitting the ground and Matthew's voice permeates my ears.

"Dad!" Matthew throws himself into Ethan, who barely manages to stay on his feet before I barrel into the two of them, feeling Ethan's arm around me as I'm pressed against both him and Matthew. His chuckle sounding magical to me, as tears form in my eyes and I don't stop them from falling.

"I hit you," Matthew mumbles into Ethan's chest earning another chuckle.

"That's okay," he says quietly, his hand coming up to ruffle Matthew's hair. I pull myself back to look at him for the first time in months, taking in the dark circles under his eyes, his unshaven jaw and exhausted expression. His blue eyes meet mine, tugging me closer and pressing his lips to my forehead. "I missed you both." He mumbles, making me grip him tighter, still not fully comprehending that he is actually here. It feels like a dream that I never want to wake up from.

It's Matthew that pulls away first, sniffing back tears from his eyes and clearing his throat. He puffs out his chest, trying to appear as if he wasn't the child greeting his dad after his time away, instead the nonchalant pre-teen he tries to be. I find myself fighting a grin as I watch him.

"it's good to have you home," he says, sounding incredibly formal for the situation at hand, I chew on my lip to stop the giggle that prepares to escape, finding it hard to take his stance seriously with his superhero pyjama pants that he's wearing.

"I'm glad to be home," Ethan ruffles his hair again, his other arm still firmly tucked around me, keeping a tight hold. Not that I had any intention of moving away, though I doubt I could if I tried. "You should go get some more sleep."

Matthew looks unsure for a moment, no doubt wanting to spend time with his dad, but knowing it's the middle of the night.

"I promise, I'll be here in the morning," Ethan tells him, earning a short nod before Matthew turns on his heel and mumbles a good night, disappearing into his bedroom with the door closed.

I'm pulled around until my chest is flush with Ethan's, I barely have time to look up before his lips are crashing on mine with a force that takes my breath away. I let go of my hold around his torso, running my hands over his shirt clad abs and chest before wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling myself up onto my tip toes, kissing him back with the same force.

Ethan's firm hands run down my back until they reach my thighs, in an instant I'm hoisted up, my legs wrapping around his waist as he walks us to my bedroom, his lips not leaving mine for a second. It's only when my back hits the mattress that we come up for breath, Ethan moving away to pull off his boots and shirt before crawling back over me.

He places a soft kiss on my lips, hovering over me to look at me, his eyes studying my face as if committing everything to memory.

"You have no idea how much I missed you," Ethan whispers, his eyes not leaving mine. I run my hands through his hair, pulling him down to crashing my lips to his, the urge to feel every inch of him becoming overwhelming, despite mine and his obvious exhaustion.

It doesn't take long before our clothes have disappeared and we are bringing each other to the brink in slow deliberate movements. I savour this moment with him, feeling all of him and the love we share.

After, he holds my naked and sated body to him, his hold so tight as if I could disappear at any moment. I rest my head on his chest, but not before placing a soft kiss to his tattooed pec, my eyes closing as I hear his breathing steady. A soft smile on my lips, sleep finds me easily this time.

*

Matthew sits at the kitchen table, devouring his breakfast as if he hadn't eaten in months. Which I know for a fact is a lie, the amount he eats now is bordering on ridiculous, but I know he must be going through a growth spurt, so I just keep the pantry well stocked and pray he doesn't send me bankrupt.

Ethan is still sleeping in my bed, I didn't have the heart to wake him, despite wanting to see his blue eyes, hear his voice and just be in his presence, I know how exhausted he was when he got here last night.

I busy myself with cleaning the kitchen and getting everything prepared to make Ethan breakfast when he does wake up. Being a Saturday, we don't have anywhere to be until mid-morning when Matthew has a football game, right now it's just after seven, so we have plenty of time.

Turning my back to Matthew, I flick the kettle on and grab out a couple of mugs from the cupboard, hearing footsteps behind me and Matthew's mumbled good morning with his mouth full of food, I'm not surprised when strong arms wrap around my waist and lips meet the side of my head, earning a disgusted groan from the eleven-year-old boy in the room with us.

"Good morning," Ethan murmurs in my ear before I spin in his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck and placing a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Morning," I smile, unable to contain my happiness at such a simple thing, but having him here, waking up next to him and seeing him first thing in the morning brightens my day. I realise that I whole heartedly want this, Ethan, every day.

"What's your plans for today?" he asks as I drop down to my feet, his arms still firmly wrapped around my waist.

"I have a game this morning," Matthew states as he pushes his now empty plate away from him. Ethan looks to him and nods his head in acknowledgment.

"I'll try and make it to see you play, I have to go to the base in an hour to have our formal debrief." He tells him. Matthew just shrugs his shoulders, though I know he is hoping he will be there. "But I'll come straight there after that." Ethan assures him before looking back at me, pulling me tighter to him.

"Then I'll have to go home and grab some things," he tells me, though the question in his eyes is asking if its okay that he stays another night. I chew on my lip, knowing what I want but not knowing how to ask, instead my mouth moves before my brain.

"Why don't you bring everything over?" I ask, feeling the blood rush to my cheeks with how forward I was. I watch as a small smirk forms on Ethan's lips as his eyes scan over my face.

"Why, Miss Livy, are you asking me to move in with you?" he teases, causing the blush to turn brighter, but there is no backing out now.

"Yes," I breathe out, looking into his eyes as I gaze his reaction. The smile that appears tells me everything I need to know. He presses his lips to mine in a brief kiss, all too aware of Matthew sitting at the table.

"Okay," he presses his lips to my forehead as he pulls me impossibly closer to him, before turning his head to Matthew. "Are you okay with that?"

Matthew simply shrugs his shoulders again before standing up from the table.

"I don't care," he mumbles, though I see the smile fighting behind his cool nonchalance. He turns away to walk back to his room, but stops just outside the door. "Dad?"

"Yeah?" Ethan asks, his eyes not leaving Matthew.

"I am sorry for hitting you with the cricket bat." He mumbles, earning a chuckle from Ethan, as Ethan's arms release me and he turns to fully face Matthew.

"I'm not mad," he tells him. "You heard someone in the house in the middle of the night, and you did what you thought you should to protect your mum. I am proud." Ethan shrugs. Matthew simply nods, though I see the smile he tries to hide, and the way he stands a little taller after hearing his dad is proud of him. Matthew turns away and disappears into his room.

Shaking his head, Ethan turns back to me, amusement in his eyes. "When did he become a teenager?"