Through The Dark

Olive

"Are you sure you're okay with this?" I ask Sam as we walk down the stairs. I hold Olivia against my chest. Visitors were coming to meet her today, and it was going to be a very busy day for all of us. I kiss the top of her head and place her on Sam's lap once she gets settled on the couch.

"I really want everyone to meet her. Who's coming first?" She asks and I look down at my phone.

'On our way, kids are with mum. Who also wants to meet the baby.' I read Harry's text. I sit next to Sam and we both look down at Olivia. We kept everything a secret about our baby. I guess they will all just find out the same way we did. Surprise. They don't even know her initials.

"Sam...look at her little head." I rub her cheeks and pull her little green hat back down. "Look at her tiny fingers Samantha..."

"I know....all ten fingers and toes." She smiles.

"She looks like an olive." I whisper and Sam giggles. "What?? She's all plump and in her green jumper I-"

"Let me guess....you could eat her right up..." She says in a hushed tone and lays her head on my shoulder.

"Yeah...She's my olive." She wraps her fingers around my pinky. "God, I love her so much."

We sit quietly, admiring our baby, for another five minutes before the gate buzzes. "It's Harry..." I stand up. "I'll be back." I press the button in the kitchen and watch as his Rover slowly rolls up the driveway. I meet them at the door and show them in. "They're in the living room..." I direct them quietly and we round the corner. They sit down, their eyes stick to the baby as their smiles grown. I pick her up and place her in Madi's cradled arms. "Olivia...this your Aunt Madi and Uncle Harry...."

"She's a girl! I knew it!" Harry looks up with a cheesy grin. "I called BS on your whole boy theory from day one." He stands up and steps closer to me. "Hug me Niall." He wraps his arms around me. "Proud of you. You hold on tight to Sam."I feel my throat get tight as I look down at Sam and Madi as they whisper about our baby.

"So damn lucky." I huff under my breath and the gate buzzes again. Liam's silver truck pulled up. I stand at the open door as he hurries through the cold rain.

"Hey lad, so you had a baby!" He smiles and hugs me.

"Yup, two day old baby in my living room....Made her myself." We walk into the living room.

"Excuse me. Who grew the baby for nine months?" Sam looks up and I kiss her forehead.

"Fine, 99% of the credit goes to Samantha." I smile. "Olivia, this is your Uncle Liam. Liam, this is Olivia." I hand her over and she begins to squirm. "Shhh...." I rub her back and she cuddles into Liam's chest.

"She's cold Ni." Sam starts to stand.

"I got it! Stay there." I run up the steps and grab the blanket the hangs the back of the rocking chair. I race back down to Sam, who has Olivia held against her chest. "Here you go Olive." I lay the blanket over them.

"I'm here!!" Louis says as he walks in the door. "Also, you left the gate open." He takes his coat off and kicks his shoes off. "Well, where is your son?" He follows me into the living room.

"Louis, this is my daughter, Olivia." I sit down next to Sam. Louis is quiet again as he takes his spot on the other side of her.

"You had a girl? You had a girl." He looks up at me. "Niall..." He smiles. "I honestly can't believe it. I was so sure. Can I hold her?" He asks and Sam slow hands her over. "She is so little..." He looks up. "She looks like you Sam."

"Really? I see more Niall." She says and puts her feet up on the coffee table. We sit in the living room in silence. The rain became more intense as it drums against the window. I the wind howls ad I look over at Sam, who's asleep with her head against my shoulder.

Suddenly, there is a knock on the front door. A black car, with the words UK Enterprise written on the passenger door, sits in my driveway.