Against All Odds

Chapter Four

The drive to Virginia's is quiet, not uncomfortably so, but enough for my headache to start to act up.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Ollie asks me once we pull into his grandama's driveway. "We can always just go back."

Shaking my head, I look over at him, the worry in his eyes making me feel a bit better. "No, it's fine, Ollie. You know that she'll just come to us if we leave now."

He gives a small nod. "True."

Giving him a smile, I go to open my door. Virginia is already waiting for us, the front door opening before we even make it to the first step.

"Oh, there you two are!" she says, a wide smile on her face, the warmth of her house creeping up from behind her. "Come on in before you two freeze out here."

Ollie gives her an exasperated shake of his head but does as she says once I step inside. "Grandama, it's only fifty degrees out here."

"Too cold," she calls behind her and she moves into the kitchen. "Now, close the door, Ollie, before you let all the heat out."

He mumbles something under his breath but does as she says. It smells amazing in here, just as it always does. It has been a while since I have been here, too preoccupied with trying to get pregnant. The guilt creeps up. This woman has always been nurturing, going against the alpha stereotype of being harsh.

It smells amazing in the kitchen. Apple-bacon sausage is cooking on the stove, along with some eggs. A bowl of fruit is sitting on the counter, along with a steaming hot container of coffee. "Ollie, go ahead and set everything on the table." When her eyes land on the pan her grandson is holding, she looks over at me with a wide grin. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Sure is," I say, not able to hold back my own smile.

"Milo, you didn't have to bring anything, but I am happy you did. Thank you, dear," she says, coming over to give me a tight hug. She pulls away slightly, brushing away a few strand of my hair, her eyes roaming over my face. "You go sit down, you look like you could use some rest." She gives my hand a squeeze. "And then you're going to tell me what has you so down."

Knowing that it is useless to argue, I just nod my head, letting Ollie lead me over to the table. It is made of old wood, the stain rubbed off in some sections. But Virginia cherishes the thing, seeing as it used to be her own parents' before they passed it down to her.

By the time breakfast is finally all set out on the table and everyone is sitting down, my stomach is rumbling. Everything smells amazing, and I have only had coffee today. To say that I am hungry would be an understatement.

We are quiet as we all dig in, but Virginia finishes first, having only eaten half of what Ollie and I are eating. "Now, Milo, what has been going on with you. How is Aaron doing?" Her mouth twists at his name. She has never liked him, sharing the same views as Ollie.

"Grandama, not right now," Ollie whispers harshly, his eyes flicking over to me in worry.

Shaking my head, I set down my fork. "It's fine, Ollie." He looks worried but doesn't say anything else. "We have decided to get a divorce. Things haven't been working for a while, but the stress of the failed fertility treatments was the last straw. He's getting his stuff tonight."

"What? He is?" Ollie asks.

"Yeah."

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have prodded." Virginia's mouth is turned down, her hands gripping her coffee cup tightly.

"It's alright. I know you worry." Letting out a sigh, I grab my own coffee cup, grateful for the warmth. "Now it's time to just move forward. I can't keep letting myself dwell in the past."