TO HAVE & HAVE NOT

55

Johnny

Lily and Jack had come to stay with me for a few days, and I was thrilled to have the company. I had invited Christy as well. One of the things I was most excited about was the opportunity for Olivia to finally meet Lily and Jack. As I busied myself preparing snacks in the kitchen, I heard the unmistakable sound of a knock at the door. A wave of happiness washed over me, eliciting a wide smile, as I instantly recognized that it was Olivia.

"Lily, would you get the door for me?" I called out over my shoulder, pretending to focus on chopping vegetables.

"What? Why me? Why don't you have Jack do it?" came Lily's immediate protest. Ah, the familiar teenage defiance—I half-expected it.

"Come on," I whined. "Do it for your dad who loves you so much and does anything you ask him to."

"Fine," she said with an exaggerated sigh, making her way towards the door while mumbling something about "where Hilda?" as she passed by. I couldn't help but peek my head out from behind the counter as Lily opened the front door. Her eyes went wide in shock, and I barely had time to react before a loud scream escaped her lips.

Seconds later, Olivia let out a shriek of excitement, matching Lily's energy. They dashed towards each other, and before I knew it, they were wrapped in a tight hug, giggling as if they had known each other for years. I leaned against the wall, grinning from ear to ear, completely entertained by the joyful scene unfolding in front of me.

"You didn't tell me Olivia Moore was coming, Dad!" Lily shouted playfully, turning her attention from Olivia to me, a smirk on her face.

With a light-hearted shrug, I laughed and said, "I wanted to surprise you, and yet you were giving me such a hard time about answering the door."

"I'm sorry," Lily said, her tone turning sheepish, as she rushed back over to me and threw her arms around me in gratitude. "But thank you!"

"You're welcome, doll," I replied, planting a soft kiss on the top of her head, cherishing the affection and the moment.

Olivia walked over and wrapped her arms around me as well. "It's so good to see you! I feel like it's been ages since I last saw you," she said, her face lighting up.

My hand gently rested on her lower back while the other was placed comfortably on her waist as I smiled back at her. I knew we had just seen each other last night, but her enthusiasm was infectious. "You just can't stay away from me, huh?" I teased.

"I don't think so," she shot back, a playful grin spreading across her face as her arms draped over my shoulders, reminiscent of the warmth we often shared.

"Good," I replied softly, "keep it that way."

"Dad! She's here for me, not you! Don't be greedy!" Lily exclaimed, bouncing back into the conversation from behind us, and I couldn't help but chuckle as Olivia took a small step back, playfully acting like she was trying to fend off Lily's good-natured jealousy.

"I'd just like to know why I don't receive the same reaction when I knock on the door," I mouthed to Olivia as I put on an exaggerated look of despair. "I'm Johnny Depp, for crying out loud!"

"In this house," Lily cut in, hands on her hips, "you're just dad."

"Old news, Johnny!" Christy called out from the corner of the room, thoroughly amused by the banter. I laughed, waving her off playfully, thankful for the lively atmosphere that filled my home.

Lily was completely infatuated with Olivia, her bright eyes sparkling with admiration as they reveled in each other's company. The two of them giggled by the pool, the sound of their laughter mingling with the gentle splashes of water, creating a symphony of youthful joy. It was as if they had known each other for years, their instant connection was easy. They chatted animatedly about fashion trends, exchanging tips on style; life in France, their conversation peppered with tales of romantic getaways and rich cultures; and movies that made them swoon or laugh until they cried.

I sat nearby, enjoying the refreshing sensation of ice-cold water as I sipped thoughtfully from my glass. Jack was next to me, his gaze fixed on the book in his hands. Suddenly, he broke the comfortable silence, turning to me with a smirk that implied mischief. "She's so much hotter in person," he remarked, and I could feel my brows shoot up in surprise as his teasing gaze met mine. A laugh escaped my lips, uncontrollable and genuine, because it was true—Olivia radiated beauty and charm.

"Hey, don't talk about her like that," I said, attempting to maintain a facade of seriousness, even though a smile threatened to give me away. I playfully tapped his arm, trying to keep the mood light.

Jack chuckled in response, seemingly unfazed. "I'm sorry. She's your girlfriend, isn't she?" he asked, his voice tinged with playful incredulity.

I paused for a moment, the weight of his question sinking in as I contemplated how best to respond. "I don't know yet. How would that make you feel if she were my girlfriend?" I countered, testing the waters, genuinely curious about his perspective.

Before I could even finish my thought, he answered me quicker than I expected, "Weird," he shot back, his tone suggesting that he hadn't even thought twice about the implications.

"Weird?" I echoed, intrigued. "How?"

His expression shifted slightly, and he regarded me with a knowing look. "Dad," he said, eyeing me with sincerity, "she's hot. And she's going to be my stepmom? It's a lot to process! But I think I'll get over it."

I rolled my eyes, feeling amused by his antics. "Well, she's not even my girlfriend, so the idea of her as a stepmom is not even on my radar," I replied, trying to defuse the situation.

Jack looked at me earnestly, shaking his head slightly. "I don't care who you date, Dad," he sighed. "Don't worry about me. I'm cool with whatever you do. It's honestly Lily you've got to worry about. I may have the hots for her, but Lily's obsessed with her," he said, his gaze drifting towards where Lily and Olivia were sitting, clearly lost in their own world of laughter.

As I watched them, a sense of warmth washed over me, and I chuckled softly. My eyes met Olivia's, and for a moment, I felt a surge of happiness that was difficult to define.

"I love her, Jack," I confessed, surprised at my own vulnerability, the words slipping out before I could think twice. "I haven't loved anyone besides your mother in a very long time."

"Yeah," Jack nodded knowingly, squinting against the glaring sun as he processed my admission. "I know."

"You know?" I repeated, narrowing my eyes in disbelief. "How?"

Jack nodded, his expression earnest. "If you love her, you should be with her. Why would you not be with someone you love?" he said simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"That's a great question," I remarked, struck by the clarity of his insight. "How did I ever get so lucky to have you as my son?"

A smirk spread across Jack's face, and he shrugged with an air of mock humility. "Good genetics, I guess. Fate probably played a good role in it too," he quipped.

I couldn't help but toss my head back and laugh heartily. "Okay, I give you an inch, and you take a mile," I teased, shaking my head at his playful attitude. Each moment spent with Jack brought a renewed sense of appreciation for our father/son relationship, and I realized how lucky I was, not only to have a great son but also to have someone like Olivia who could potentially become a significant part of our lives. The current happiness I felt swelled within me, leaving me eager for what the future might hold.