Wait No More

Part Twelve

The idea of them being alone for her birthday weekend had played over and over in Olivia's mind. Ethan opens the door to the hotel room that they would share for the weekend, and a rush of excitement surged through her. The air was filled with the scent of fresh linen and a hint of jasmine from the candles flickering on the bedside table. Olivia stepped inside, her heart racing at the thought of spending uninterrupted time with Ethan.

The room was beautifully decorated, with soft lighting and a cozy ambiance that instantly made her feel at home. There was a small balcony that overlooked the city skyline, and she could already envision them enjoying a glass of wine there later, sharing secrets and laughter under the stars.

"Wow, this is amazing!" Olivia exclaimed, spinning around to take it all in.

Ethan walked in behind her, a broad smile on his face. "I thought you'd like it. I wanted this weekend to be really special for you."

She turned to him, her heart swelling with affection. "You've already made it special just by being here. I can't believe we're finally celebrating my birthday together."

Ethan stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Happy birthday, Liv," he whispered, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on her forehead. "This weekend is all about you."

Olivia felt a warmth spread through her as she looked up into his eyes. "I can't wait to see what you have planned."

He grinned, his excitement palpable. "We've got a whole itinerary. Dinner at that new rooftop restaurant, a spa day tomorrow, and then I thought we could explore the art district. There's a gallery opening I think you'll love."

Her eyes widened in delight. "Ethan, that sounds incredible! I can't believe you organized all of this."

He shrugged, trying to play it cool, but she could see the pride in his eyes. "I just wanted to make sure you had the best birthday ever."

"Trust me, it's already one of the best," Olivia said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. "Just being here with you means everything."

They settled in, unpacking a few things while chatting about their plans for the weekend. Olivia felt a sense of peace wash over her; this was exactly what she had hoped for when she imagined celebrating her birthday with Ethan.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow through the room, Olivia suggested they step out onto the balcony. They leaned against the railing, sipping on champagne and taking in the breathtaking view of the city below.

"This is perfect," she said, closing her eyes for a moment to soak in the moment.

As they stood together on the balcony, the city lights twinkling like stars below, Olivia felt a wave of happiness wash over her. But beneath the surface, a nagging feeling began to creep in, the kind of emotional conflict that had been stirring in the back of her mind for weeks.

Ethan, with his easy laughter and warm presence, represented everything she had ever wanted: love, companionship, adventure. Yet, as he turned to her, his eyes sparkling with joy, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was standing on the precipice of something monumental, something that could change everything.

"Liv?" Ethan's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "What's going on in that beautiful mind of yours?"

She hesitated, unsure of how to articulate the turmoil she felt. "It's just... this feels so perfect," she started, her voice wavering slightly. "But what if it's too perfect? What if we're building something that can't last?"

Ethan's expression shifted from joy to concern. "What do you mean? Are you worried about us?" He stepped closer, his brows furrowing with worry.

Olivia took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I guess I'm just scared. What if we're rushing into things? We've only been dating for a few months, and here we are spending a whole weekend together. What happens when the excitement fades, or if we discover things about each other that don't fit?"

Ethan looked taken aback, his eyes searching hers for understanding. "Liv, relationships take time to grow. Of course, we're still learning about each other, but this weekend isn't about forcing anything. It's about enjoying what we have right now."

"I know, but..." she trailed off, feeling the weight of her emotions. "I've been hurt before, Ethan. I've had relationships that started out strong, and then they crumbled. What if I let myself fall for you, and you decide you want something different?"

Ethan stepped back slightly, creating a space between them that felt heavy with unspoken fears. "I'm not going anywhere, Olivia. I care about you, and I wouldn't have planned all of this if I didn't see a future with you."

"But what if that future looks different than what we imagined?" she pressed, her voice trembling. "What if I'm not enough for you, or what if I change?"

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration mingling with passion as he faced her. "Olivia, please," he said, his voice firm yet pained. "You're not just enough for me; you're everything I've been looking for. I'm not here to rush you or put pressure on our relationship. I just want you to embrace this moment with me, without the fear."

Tears stung her eyes as she fought to maintain her composure. "It's hard for me," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I want to be here with you—I do—but I can't help feeling like I'm standing on a tightrope, balancing between wanting to dive in and being terrified of falling."

Ethan's expression softened, and he stepped closer again, closing the gap between them. "I get it. I really do. I've had my own fears, my own doubts. But I believe we can navigate this together. You don't have to carry this alone."

His sincerity wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, yet the conflict inside her continued to swirl. "What if I mess it up? What if I ruin this?" she asked, her voice breaking.

"Then we talk about it. We figure it out together," he replied, his gaze steady and unwavering. "No one is perfect, and no relationship is perfect. But I want to try, Olivia. I want to see where this can go. You're worth that risk."

She felt the weight of his words, resonating deep within her. Part of her ached to let go of the fears that had held her captive for so long. But the other part, the part that had been hurt, was still cautious.

"Ethan, I've built walls to protect myself," she confessed, her voice trembling with vulnerability. "It's hard to let someone in when you've been hurt before."

"I'm not asking you to tear down those walls overnight," he said gently. "Just let me in a little at a time. Trust that I'm here for you, that I want to understand you, even the parts that are scared."

Olivia looked up at him, her heart pounding. The love she felt for him was undeniable, yet so was the fear of what it meant to fully open herself up. "It's a leap of faith, isn't it?" she murmured.

"Yes," he replied, his eyes locked onto hers. "But I promise I will be here to catch you. Always."

In that moment, she felt the tension between them shift.