Unrequited

Chapter 9

Olivia studies her appearance in the mirror for a few minutes. Her hair pulled up in a messy bun, dangling silver earrings and a purple wrap dress with black heels. It's simple but nice enough for the occasion although it was the first dress she found in her closet. She hadn't had time to search through for the perfect outfit because she was already running late and honestly she just didn't feel like putting that much effort into her appearance for the date. There was a goal in mind.

Answers.

And hopefully she could find a way to get them and put her mind at ease about everything...or at least some things. Where it all went from there she wasn't sure.

"How does mommy look?" She asks Noah who sits in the middle of her bed focused more on his blocks than her posing in front of the mirror.

"Preddy," he giggles and smiles in return. Somehow she managed to bathe him, jump in the shower and get ready in under 40 minutes. A new record.

"Ok little man Lucy should be here any minute." Gathering his toys off the bed, she picks him up and walks into his nursery to entertain him for a few minutes when she hears the knock on the door. "And there she is. Come on sweetie." He walks closely behind her as she checks the peephole and verifies that it is her babysitter.

"Who is that?" She asks the toddler as she opens the door.

"Lucy!" He squeals and runs into her arms. Of course he can't help but be crazy about the young brunette since sometimes he sees her more than he does his own mom. A sad fact that bothers her but she can't afford to think about too much in that moment. She's had one meltdown already. She doesn't need another one.

"Hey there little guy. Are you ready for bed?"

Noah immediately shakes his head and they both laugh.

Picking him up, she walks with him back to his room, his little legs wrapped around her waist. "A few more minutes up Noah and then it's time for bed ok?"

"Ok mama," he sighs sadly and it breaks her heart just a little. Not unusual for his age, he's always over dramatic about bedtime as if he's going to miss something.

Olivia sits with him in the rocking chair and runs her hand through his hair, her other hand caressing his back over his Ninja Turtle pajamas. The simple gesture always seems to calm him.

"Liv it's your phone. I think your date is here." Lucy hands her the ringing device.

"Ok sweetie," she places a kiss on his forehead. "You be good for Lucy ok? I love you."

"Love you," he mumbles back giving her a quick kiss.

She hands him over to Lucy and grabs her coat and keys.

"I shouldn't be too late."

"Take all the time you need."

Trust me I won't need much, she's dying to say out loud but keeps it to herself. As soon as she opens the door she is startled by Ed.

"Hey what are you doing up here? I thought I was going to meet you downstairs."

His jaw is tight, hands clasped in his coat pocket. "It's a date Olivia I thought I could at least meet you at your door."

His mood throws her off for a bit. If anything she expected to be the one with a little attitude all things considering. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine just rough day at the office. You ready?" He checks his watch. "We're already running late for your reservation."

Furrowing her brow at his curtness, she walks down the hall alongside him a bit perplexed. She knows how she can be after a hard day. Her previous breakdown in the car a reminder of that so she loosens up.