Wait No More

Part Thirty-Two

The next morning, sunlight filtered gently through Olivia's bedroom window, painting the room in warm hues. She stirred awake to the familiar sound of her phone buzzing on the nightstand. Rubbing her eyes, she reached for it and saw Ethan's name flashing on the screen. A smile broke across her face as she answered the call.

"Good morning, Liv!" Ethan's voice came through, cheerful and familiar. "I just wanted to let you know I made it home safe. The drive was long, but I'm back now, and it feels good."

"Good morning! I'm so glad to hear that," Olivia replied, her heart swelling with warmth. "How was the drive? Did you get stuck in any traffic?"

"Not really. Just the usual bumps, but nothing too bad. I can't believe how much I miss you already," he said, and she could hear the playful tone in his voice. "So, what's on the agenda today?"

"We're heading to the farmer's market with my parents. It's our little family tradition," she explained, feeling a flutter of excitement. "I'll have to pick up some fresh produce and maybe grab some flowers too. It's one of my favorite things to do."

"Sounds like a blast! I wish I could join you. You'll have to take lots of pictures and send them to me," Ethan said, his voice full of enthusiasm.

"I will! I'll make sure to capture all the colorful fruits and veggies," she promised, laughing lightly. "And maybe a few of me trying to carry too many bags at once."

"Definitely do that," he chuckled. "I miss your goofiness already. But I'm glad you're spending time with your family. You deserve to enjoy every moment."

"Thanks, Ethan. I'll catch you later, okay? I can't wait to tell you all about it."

After hanging up, Olivia felt a pleasant warmth in her chest. It was nice to have someone who cared about her and wanted to share in her life, even from afar.

She hopped out of bed, quickly changing into a comfortable sundress that flowed with her movements. After brushing her hair and applying a light touch of makeup, she admired her reflection in the mirror. "Not bad for a day at the market," she said to herself, feeling a little more confident.

As she made her way downstairs, the smell of coffee and pancakes filled the air. Her mom was bustling around in the kitchen, flipping pancakes with practiced ease.

"Good morning, sweetheart!" her mom called out, glancing over her shoulder. "You look lovely! Are you ready for our market adventure?"

"Thanks, Mom! I'm all set. Just need to grab my bag and I'll be good to go," Olivia replied, pouring herself a cup of coffee. The rich aroma wrapped around her like a warm hug.

Her dad entered the kitchen, tugging on his favorite sun hat. "I hope you're ready to haggle a bit! Those vendors are notorious for trying to charge too much for their strawberries," he joked, a playful glint in his eye.

Olivia laughed, imagining the lively atmosphere of the farmer's market, filled with laughter, chatter, and the vibrant colors of fresh produce. "I'll make sure to sharpen my bargaining skills. You know how serious I take my strawberries."

After breakfast, the three of them gathered their bags and headed out. The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky, a perfect day for a market trip. As they pulled into the parking lot, Olivia's excitement grew. She could already see the colorful tents set up, each one promising a bounty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and homemade goods.

"Alright, team," her dad said, clapping his hands together. "Let's split up a bit. We'll meet back here in an hour. I'm going to hunt down the best tomatoes!"

"I'm on the lookout for flowers," her mom announced, already scanning the area for blooms. "Olivia, why don't you see what catches your eye?"

"Sounds like a plan!" Olivia said, waving them off. She stepped into the bustling market, the sounds of laughter, music, and lively conversation surrounding her.

As she wandered from stall to stall, Olivia took in the sights and smells. The vibrant colors of ripe fruits and vegetables dazzled her senses. She sampled juicy slices of watermelon and sweet peaches, chatting with vendors about their farming practices and learning about the local produce.

With each step, Olivia felt a sense of joy and connection to her community. She spotted a stall filled with sunflowers and couldn't resist the urge to buy a few. Their bright faces seemed to mirror her mood as she placed them in her bag.

After a while, she found herself at a booth selling handmade artisanal bread. The warm, crusty loaves were impossible to resist. She struck up a conversation with the baker, a kind older woman who shared stories about how she started her bakery from her home kitchen. Olivia listened intently, captivated by the woman's passion for her craft.

"I love the way you can really taste the difference in homemade bread," Olivia said, picking up a loaf of sourdough. "It reminds me of the ones my grandmother used to bake."

The baker's eyes lit up with recognition. "Ah, that's the magic of it! Each loaf has a story, just like every family recipe. You can really feel the love in each bite."

After deciding on a couple of loaves to take home, Olivia made her way to the next stall, where a vendor was showcasing vibrant organic vegetables. She couldn't help but fill her basket with fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, and some unique heirloom varieties she had never seen before.

As she continued to explore, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw a message from Ethan: *"How's the market? Found anything delicious yet?"*

She grinned and quickly typed back, *"It's amazing! Just picked up some fresh bread and colorful veggies. Wish you were here!"*

Just as she was about to send the message, she spotted a familiar figure across the market. Her parents were at the flower stall, her mom animatedly discussing blooms with a vendor while her dad inspected a bunch of bright zinnias. Olivia felt a rush of warmth at the sight of them, enjoying their time together.

After sending Ethan the message, she wandered over to join them. "Look at these flowers, aren't they beautiful?" her mom exclaimed, holding up a bouquet of mixed wildflowers.

"They're perfect! You should definitely get those," Olivia encouraged, admiring the vibrant colors.

"And look at these tomatoes!" her dad chimed in, holding up a basket filled with plump, juicy specimens. "I think I've officially found the best vendor in the market."

"Alright, let's make sure we get everything we need before we head home," Olivia said, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her. The market was bustling with energy, and the simple pleasure of spending time with her parents filled her with happiness.

After gathering their final items, they regrouped and made their way to the parking lot, each of them carrying bags filled with fresh produce, flowers, and baked goods.

As they loaded the car, Olivia's phone buzzed again. It was Ethan: *"Can't wait to see what you bring home! Let's FaceTime later so I can see everything!"