Un-Break My Heart {Olivia}

[brendan]

Monday, 5th October, 2009

Brendan had been working from home a lot recently, taking a more relaxed role at The Chronicle ever since his split from Stacey. He had taken it very hard, probably because he had truly believed her loved her, and then he found out the baby she was carrying wasn't his. It was a severe blow to the stomach. That very day, he had packed Libby off to visit his parents in Texas, while he had begun to go on a downward spiral out of control, getting himself into a very drunken state in the company of his newfound brother Grayson.

He knew Gray didn't think much of Stacey from the moment he had met her, he seemed to have taken an instant dislike to her, which Brendan could never figure out why, but he wasn't about to lose his brother over Stacey and decided it would be best not to say anything about it to either of them, and it seemed to go well, because he had asked Gray to move into one of his many spare rooms in Vegas. It was good for Brendan to have his brother around, especially when he'd grown up all his life thinking he only had a sister. Of course he thought the world of Debbie and that would never change, but it was so good to have a brother, manly talks and naturally a drinking partner.

The night he had got out of his face, was also the night that his old flame Megan had come into The Corinthian, a face he hadn't expected to see ever again. She was looking as beautiful as he had remembered, but she had moved on with her life, much to his happiness. At least he hadn't broken her heart completely, unlike Brendan, whose heart was so broken he wasn't sure it would ever be mended.

Megan and Grayson had both told him, he had to get over it, he had Libby to think about. He knew that was true, but it didn't stop it from hurting like hell. He had thought he was going to be a daddy all over again, get to go through the whole thing he had missed with Libby, but it wasn't to be. He might have been able to just about cope with the news, if it hadn't been for the fact the baby's real father was that bastard Jake Hanniger whom he had got put in jail. Brendan had risked everything to get him put down for spiking Stacey's drink. If he had been put into jail himself, he might not have Libby in his life now.

Of course after a couple of days of self wallowing, he got Libby back home, realising just how much he missed having his little Kitten around him. But he was still very much a broken man, and wasn't sure if he would ever get over what Stacey had put him through. Now almost three weeks since the disastrous day had happened, Brendan was getting ready to collect Libby from her swimming class at the local leisure center in Las Vegas.

She knew how to swim, but she didn't know how to swim well, and so she asked if she could go to the leisure center to learn how to swim properly and maybe enter competitions. Brendan was all for it, what with money not being an issue per say. Now it was time to go and collect her, as her first class would be almost over. It was a nice evening for the time of year, and as the leisure center wasn't too far away from his home, he decided to walk there, thinking that he would take Libby into MacDonald's for her dinner on their way home, to save him having to cook something.

About twenty minutes later he had reached the leisure center, and as he opened the door, someone on reception asked if they could help. Once he explained what he was there, he was pointed in the right direction, and he stood with his arms folded against his chest, as he watched Libby do a last couple of rounds in the pool, along with a couple of other kids who were obviously on the same lesson time.

He was paying more attention to his gorgeous daughter, that he hadn't really noticed who the instructor was, until they spoke. He was sure he recognised the voice. Then he began to look closer, and focusing, just as Libby was getting out of the pool, he realised who it was. He actually couldn't believe it. Olivia Torres. He then shifted his position and made his way up to her. He couldn't help doing what he did next, he put his hands over her eyes, something he used to do a lot when they were at high school together in Texas. "Guess who Livvy? Damn well don' believe yer the one whose helpin' ma daughter how to swim!"

He left it at that, hoping that Olivia would remember him, like he had remembered her, but it had been quite a few years since they had last seen each other, so maybe she wouldn't remember him, but they had been so close at school he couldn't really believe that she wouldn't remember him.

[olivia]

"Left, right, left, right! Good Libby, now onto your back!" Olivia sat on the edge of the pool, her whistle on a long, thin black rope around her neck. Her legs were content, flowing in the water. But she wanted to get in herself, and swim until her heart was content. She preferred the sea though, swimming with the wildlife, touching the ocean floor without equipment attached to her, dragging her down. It was a freedom like no other. She smiled at the thought and kicked her legs gently in the water. "That's it Libby doll!" Olivia grinned, her smile making a couple of her colleagues stare at her in awe.

"Heya fellas!" She shouted across the learning pool, waving one of her arms frantically. One of them laughed, while the other turned around nervously as if he had been caught peeking in the girls locker room. Olivia's group of girls stopped swimming and looked at the cute young lifeguards. They all giggled, except Libby who continued swimming. She only had a group of five, for special tutoring. These girls were the new advanced group, in between the beginners and experts. Olivia giggled along with the girls then blew her whistle, dropping from her mouth so it hit her chest again. "Alright girls, a few of your parents are turning up, want to show them what you can do?" Olivia stood up from the pool and stretched her arms high above her head.

A wolf whistle came from somewhere in the learners pool. It was really like a leisure pool in itself, over thirty foot long and five meters deep. And it had it's own stands, where the parents were sitting now. "Miss Torres why's that lifeguard still staring?" One of the girls asked. "It's because she's got big boobies!" The other girls started laughing hysterically... except for Libby. "Well that's rude!" Olivia acted as if she was angry, but then winked at Libby as she walked past. "Right girls five laps, up and down, whoever finishes first gets these..." Olivia pulled a pair of brand new goggles from the towel rack. "Ready, set... go!" The girls began swimming as hard as they could.

As the girls nearly finished, Olivia looked at the parents, four couples. Now where was the last... One of the girls shrieked and Liv quickly looked to see Libby had won. But it wasn't her who was shrieking, "That's not fair miss! She cheated, she's got longer legs than me!" Olivia chuckled, "The more you swim, the faster you'll get." She walked happily to where Libby was getting out and handed her the goggles, "Well done Libby doll! You'll be up and down the adult lanes in no time!" Someone then started walking around the pool, the other parent most likely. She turned and placed a towel around the last girl's shoulders and then felt a pair of hands over her eyes. "Jacob? That better not be you, you're like fifteen, ew!" But it wasn't, she recognised the voice almost immediately.

Livvy spun and her whole face lit up. "Brendan oh my gosh! How are you?! Who's your daughter, it has to be Libby! Oh I should have known!" She was grinning so much, that she could barely contain herself. She couldn't. Olivia jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck and kicked her legs up behind her as she clung to him. "I can't believe it Bren! I haven't seen you in years!"

[brendan]

Brendan had been standing watching Libby in the pool with her instructor for a few minutes at least, seeing how well she was doing. He was really proud of how she was coming on. Of course when the instructor had spoken, he realised he knew the voice, and then when he had looked more closely he realised it was one of his old friends who he had been to school with. Olivia Torres. Not being able to stop himself, he had gone up to her and put his hands over her eyes. Before he got a chance to say anything she had said it had better not be Jacob, as he was like fifteen. Brendan had to stifle a chuckle, before he'd said guess who Livvy.

Olivia spun round almost immediately and saw the bright smile on her face, which cheered Brendan up. He hadn't been doing too badly since Grayson and Megan had told him to buck up his ideas, but sometimes he still felt a little lonely. She then asked how he was and who was his daughter, but then answered the question anyway, saying she should have known. "Yeah, am alrigh' I guess Livvy, how's yerself? An' yeah Libby's ma daughter." With that he wrapped the towel he had brought with him around Libby's shoulders. "Away an' get yerself changed then, I'll be here waitin' fer ya." Libby looked up at her dad and smiled, "Alrigh' ain' believin' ya know ma swimmin' teacher." She then rolled her eyes and began to laugh as she went walking off to the changing rooms.

Brendan shook his head slightly, "She's a bit old fer her age ya know, tha' kid." He couldn't stop grinning though, it felt so good to be back in Olivia's company again, he'd missed her over the years since he'd moved to Las Vegas. The next thing that happened, Olivia had threw her arms around his neck and kicked her legs up exclaiming that she couldn't believe it and how it had been years since she'd seen him.

Brendan wrapped his arms around her waist and swung her round gently, "It's great to see ya again Livvy, an' ya couldn'a come into ma life at a better time." He swung her around again, before putting her back down onto her feet, but keeping one arm around her waist firmly. Knowing Olivia, what with him having a daughter, she'd think it was happily married or something, when that couldn't be further from the truth. Then again, for all he knew, she could be happily married herself, or at least have a boyfriend or something. Not being able to contain himself, he just had to find out, or at least find out in a round about way.

"So, how's Livvy doin' these days?" As he said that, with his arm wrapped around her, he pulled her close to him in a hug as he waited for her reply.

[olivia]

Olivia couldn't believe it was Brendan. One of her best friends in high school, one of the only people who ever understood and enjoyed her complete and utter madness. "I'm... incredible. Just moved here from Cali, better pay, better people from what I can gather." She grinned widely at him. California was always so superficial; you always had to look a certain way, act a certain way even become a certain way to fit in. She hated it, she hated being glared at because she actually had hips and a bum, rather than just bone. Vegas was different, everyone accepted you no matter what. You could be a pirate, a dancer, a billionaire, a swimming instructor. She smiled at the thought.

Brendan wrapped a towel around Libby's shoulders and told her to run along and get changed. She rolled her eyes at her father and walked along to the changing room. Olivia still couldn't believe it. Brendan Harris, now looking better than ever with what looked like a family. He deserved all of it. “You got a beautiful little girl there. Only one who ever listens all the time, and she's so polite and happy.” Olivia sighed, she had never had children and it seemed she never would either. Brendan said Libby seemed older than her years, “Yeah, she doesn't get that from you... you were always a big kid.” Liv grinned at him.

It didn't take long for Olivia to jump up into Brendan's arms, she had missed him, it was only natural. Not to mention she was really friendly anyway. She felt Brendan wrap his arms around her waist. It was just like the way they used to hug, including the swinging around. “Really Bren? Something bad happened?” She sounded automatically concerned, well it was Brendan. He swung her around again before placing her gently on her feet. Livvy grinned at him.

She expected him to be married with a beautiful daughter and a loving family. He seemed eager to know what she was up to nowadays. Olivia felt him wrap an arm around her waist and swimsuit. “Oh you know this and that, living alone in an apartment on the Strip... swimming a lot.” She smirked, wondering if Brendan ever did figure out her ability. “And you Bren, what you been up too other than having Libby in your life?”

[brendan]

Brendan was completely blown away with bumping into Olivia Torres, they had got on so well in high school, but of course lost contact after school, like can sometimes happen. So right now he had the biggest grin on his face which would be showing off his gorgeous dimples in the biggest way. The grin only became bigger when Olivia said she was incredible and spoke of her move from California to Las Vegas, mentioning better pay and better people from what she could gather. Brendan wasn't exactly big headed, and knew she was talking about the people in general, but he couldn't help but tease her.

"If ya class me as better people, then yeah, guess it has better people." He chuckled then, shaking his head, still finding it difficult to believe that Olivia was here standing in front of him, talking to him, helping his daughter to swim. "Am glad yer well, an' ya couldn'a moved to a better place." He winked at her and continued to grin showing off his powerful dimples. Brendan had then given Libby a towel and told her to go and get changed and he'd be waiting for her. So, with Libby away doing just that, getting changed, Olivia said he had a beautiful girl and she always listened and so polite and happy.

"Thanks Livvy, she's a great child, love her to bits, as ya can imagine. An' yeah, she definitely don' get the grown up attitude from me." He chuckled, and then grinned showing off those dimples again. "She only came into ma life in June this year though. Never even knew she existed afore then. Her mom never told me she got pregnant and she was killed, an' somehow they managed to find me. Ain' regretted it since." There was a mixture of emotion to Brendan's voice then, happiness at having found his daughter, or his daughter finding him, whichever way you wanted to look at it, and the sadness over Faith, Libby's mom being killed. No child should have to witness their mother lying dead, especially at Libby's age.

It wasn't long after that, they were hugging like they used to do in school, and he swung her around. Of course Brendan had said that Olivia couldn't have come into his life at a better time. He could hear the concern in her voice when she replied. After swinging her around one more time, Brendan placed her back on the ground gently. He sighed a little, running his hand messily through his hair, wondering if he should tell her what had happened. It didn't take him long to make up his mind, he knew Olivia would want to know and she'd only beat it out of him anyway. "Yeah, ya could say tha'."

He left it at that for now, not really wanting to bring their conversation down so soon. He had then tried to find out in a sneaky way if Olivia had met someone, if she was married, had a family of her, so asked how she had been doing. He couldn't help but raise his eyebrows at the 'alone' part of her words, as she spoke to him. "Ya ain' married or anythin' then?" He had to ask, he just couldn't help himself. He was grinning at her like mad, still so happy that Olivia was here, in Las Vegas, his best friend from school, and hopefully best friend again, maybe even something more, hell he wasn't about to stop it moving further. He had fallen in love with Olivia as a friend back in school, and he still loved her now as a friend, just maybe now, that love he feels for her, could be stretched further than just that of a friend.

Then Olivia turned his own question to her on himself, to ask what he had been up to, this was when he would finally have to spill it all. "Well, as ya already know now, Libby ain' been in ma life fer long. However, jus' afore she did come into ma life, I had met an' fell in love with a woman called Anastacia, an' I did love her Liv, asked her to marry me an' everythin' hell she was carryin' ma baby, so I thought." Brendan stopped for a breath then, his face falling as he remembered that day.

His eyes grew dark as did his voice, although he felt terrible for bringing their conversation down, "Then at the first scan, found out she was further on than she should'a been if I was the father. Turned out the baby wasn' mine, an' she never even told me it was possible. Made me believe fer months it was mine. It was hell Liv, fell outta love with her tha' day." Brendan couldn't hold his emotions back any longer, and Brendan, being a guy, wasn't exactly one to cry, but even his emotions could get the better of him now and then. He felt a tear escape, and then immediately brushed it away, and mumbled, "Sorry Liv." He sighed, gaining his composure, and then gave her a weak smile, "So yeah, tha's been ma life recently, joyful huh?"

[olivia]

It was amazing. Never did Olivia think she would see Brendan again, it was as thought fate had brought them together. It thrilled her in so many ways to have her old best friend back. Not to mention living in a new city was kind of lonely, despite the attention she got from males and the like. Now here he stood, looking amazing and as handsome as ever. It made her have butterflies in her stomach, as if she was in high school all over again. Amazing how one person could do that to you just by standing there.

Livvy listened to Brendan speak about how Libby came into his life, how her mother died and how the social services managed to find him so he could take care of her. He certainly had grown up since she last spoke to him. He was a rebellious teenager at the time, being sexy and badass. Now, she could see the difference yet the sexyness was still there. "Wow Bren, you've been through a lot. Yet now you seem better than ever." She smiled at him, her olive skin glowing as the pool water reflected light. The mixed emotion in Brendan's voice didn't go unnoticed however. But she chose to leave it for now.

Then they were hugging like they used to. Brendan swinging Olivia around while she kicked her legs up off the ground. She then asked what had happened, as it seemed he had something on his mind. He placed her gently down again and she placed her hands on her hips. She waited for him to answer but he skipped over it just being casual. It was totally like Brendan to hide his feelings, he hated bringing others down with him. Then he brought up the topic of a partner. "Married? Me?!" She burst out laughing and grinned widely at him. "Come on Bren, you know I'm fussy about men." The only man she had ever genuinely liked was standing right in front of her. She had managed to hide those 'feelings' well.

Then Livvy flipped the question to him, this time he had no way of ignoring her. He had to answer. She listened carefully, her smile fading at every word, until she stood, her eyes upset and her face saddened. She noticed Brendan's eyes grow dark, and his voice growly. She noticed a tear fall down his stubbled face. "Oh sweetie." He apologised and Liv's mouth dropped open. She slapped his arm. "Don't you dare apologise love, it's not your fault! That witch! Sorry but... how could she?" Olivia was furious, she was tapping her foot against the tiled floor, she wanted to swim, more than ever.

Then he said that had been his life recently. Olivia stopped tapping her foot and stood on tiptoes, wrapping one arm around his back and one around his shoulder. She placed her hand on the back of his head and stroked his shaggy hair softly. "Bren, you're amazing. Don't let some witch get you down. I know that's hard to believe, but you're the most amazing man ever. Any woman would be the luckiest gal on Earth to have you." She pressed her soft pink lips lightly against his cheek and whispered into his ear, "Let's go for a muffin." She grinned and bit his ear lightly. She used to do it in high school to cheer him up whenever he seemed down.

[brendan]

Brendan gave Livvy a warm smile when she spoke to him after he explained about how Libby came into his life. “Yeah I guess I been through a lot, but she’s amazin’ ya know? Wished I’d known afore, things migh’a turned out different.” He was referring to have missed out on seeing Libby grow up, but knew that one day he would get to witness all of that with a new partner, well hopefully, if he was to ever get a new partner and they were happy to carry his child. When Liv added he seemed better than ever, he shrugged lightly, “Ah, well tha’ migh’ have somethin’ to do with Grayson. Got maself a new brother an’ all ya see. Jus’ somethin’ else tha’ happened, ya could say the Harris’ are one dysfunctional family, but we’re all blood related, so ain’ tha’ dysfunctional really, we jus’ didn’ know about one another from the beginnin’.” Now that he was talking to someone about everything which had happened to him in the past few months, he could see just how much had changed for him. He had a brother and a daughter, now all he needed was the woman, and a damned good one at that.

After they had hugged each other like they used to do back in school, Brendan had asked Olivia about her life and if she was married at all. Not that the intention was there to suss out if she was single or not, but he couldn’t help but grin when he heard that she was indeed single. Brendan had always had a bit of a soft spot for Olivia Torres, but had put it down to the fact they were just really good friends. But after everything he had been through in the past few weeks, and looking at her now, and seeing how stunningly beautiful she still was, and how much fun he had remembered her to be, he knew that he couldn’t do much wrong with Olivia. He mentally slapped himself for allowing his thoughts to trail off. “Yeah, well I sorta remember ya havin’ issues, but come on, look at ya, wha’ man wouldn’a snapped ya up by now, they gotta be freakin’ crazy.” He grinned at her as his head tilted to the side, making his hair flop over his eyes, and then he winked at her. Alright, was that just a flirt he did with one of his best friends from school whom he hadn’t seen in years? Maybe it was, and he wasn’t even embarrassed about it.

It was soon after this, Olivia then asked him about his life, being married and all, which he had earlier tried to avoid, but knew now the question was directly asked to him, he couldn’t really back out of it. So, he naturally poured his heart out, even though it hurt to do so. He saw her smile fading at every word he said, which made Brendan run his hand messily through his hair a couple of times. Really, he had gotten over the worst of it all now, his anger was gone, now he was just disappointed, because Libby almost had a mother figure, and once again she was down to just having him. The whole thing had led Brendan to allow a tear to fall, with his built up emotions, but he had soon wiped it away and apologised. However, Olivia was quick to tell him he didn’t have to apologise, blasting Stacey out in the process. He wasn’t annoyed at that, because, really, what Stacey had done was sort or horrible, even if she said she didn’t think for one moment the baby wouldn’t have been his. “I know Livvy, but am sorta jus’ abou’ over it now, still hurts from time to time though. Was so over the moon at the idea of finally bein’ able to see a child of mine grow from tha’ first moment, everythin’ I missed out on with Libby ya know? Still, time enough yet fer tha’ I guess.” He really didn’t want to stay too down, not now Olivia was back in his life, she had always been a good friend to him, and hopefully she always would be.

Once he had said that had been his life recently and hadn’t it been joyful, the foot Olivia had been tapping stopped, and she went up on her tiptoes, to wrap an arm around his back and another around his shoulder. Then one of her hands, started ruffling the back of his hair, and she whispered that he was amazing. Her words were rather comforting, but he was now a little bit confused, because of his own earlier feelings which he had mentally slapped himself over, he now didn’t know if she was just saying those as a friend to a friend, or if there were underlying feelings with Olivia for him, but it wasn’t as if he could just blatantly come out and ask, was it? “Tha’s real kind of ya to say tha’ Livvy, but if I were tha’ amazin’ I’d have someone by now, but then, yer pretty amazin’ an’ all an’ ya ain’ got nobody either, so guess we’re maybe jus’ meant fer each other.” Oops, did those last few words actually just come out of his mouth? He could have sworn he’d thought them, damn it he thought. Oh well, but then she pressed her lips against his cheek and whispered into his ear about going for a muffin and then bit his ear lightly. Now if it weren’t for the fact he remembered Liv doing that to his ear back in school as a way to cheer him up, he might just have took that gesture the wrong way.

However, he couldn’t let the line go, it was too good an opportunity to miss. “Ya know Livvy, tha’ migh’ jus’ have been the best offer I’ve had in years, but wha’ muffin are we talkin’ abou’? Cause ya know Libby is here, there’s jus’ some things I can’ get maself into righ’ at this minute.” He then laughed out loudly, it was so good to actually enjoy a good laugh, and it had been something he hadn’t been able to do very easily since the whole Stacey thing. He then playfully slapped Olivia’s backside, something he used to do a lot when they were at school, in fact, when you think back, it was amazing they hadn’t become a couple back then, so what was to stop them from becoming a couple now?

[olivia]

Olivia grinned right back at Brendan. She had offers, many in fact. But no-one was ever perfect enough. No-one compared to... Brendan himself. Ever since she was teenage Liv found Brendan to be the perfect guy; he was handsome, thoughtful, cheeky yet cute, hard working and a damn good person to be around. She never knew if he felt the same. It scared her sometimes that she thought about him. A few nights ago she had been laying in bed wishing he was next to her. Olivia whacked herself mentally, what silly thoughts, Brendan could have any woman he wanted. Why would he want her?

It didn't surprise Liv that he was so down about the baby. It made a knot twist in her stomach to know he had been through so much. But, he seemed to have a good bunch behind him; Libby for one, a daughter who was an angel, Grayson, a newly found brother whom seemed like a right one to look after his own, and of course Debbie, someone Olivia had always loved and admired. It made her smile thinking about it. "Yes, you have time! Babies are miracles, I'm only saddened I haven't had a couple myself." It hurt her in fact. Livvy had always wanted to be a mother, she saw herself holding a baby. She always thought she would have a boy.

It wasn't long before Olivia wrapped her arms around Brendan's neck, embracing him as if a wife was embracing her husband. But it felt so natural, so right. Butterflies swarmed her stomach as Brendan said maybe they were just meant for each other. "Well we did make that pact in high school, if we weren't married by the time we were thirty we'd get married." She grinned widely, biting down on her lip slightly. She then bit his lip and unwrapped her arms from him. Of course she wasn't just going to let him disappear, they needed to go and talk more, and of course Liv wanted to spend more time with him.

Then Brendan was back to his cheeky and wonderful self. She burst out laughing, startling several of the swimmers in the pool. She slapped his chest lightly and continued giggling, wiping the tears away from her eyes. "You never change Brendan Harris! I'm utterly disgusted!" But she couldn't hold a straight face and continued giggling. Brendan then slapped her butt, and she burst out laughing again. "Stop it! You're daughter is around! What'll she think of us canoodling in front of her?!" Livvy grinned at him and watched as Libby came running out all dressed and ready.

"Well... vanilla latte and blueberry muffin for me, what about you Lib?" Olivia smiled widely at her, the slight dimples in her cheeks appearing again.

[brendan]

When Olivia grinned, Brendan felt his heart melt. He always had loved that grin of hers, but for some reason, it seemed to be having an effect on him, which had never quite happened before. Oh, her grins always lit up his day, but this new feeling, this melting of the heart feeling, what was that, and why was it happening with his best friend from school? Could it be maybe, that Olivia was more than just a best friend and maybe a soul mate? He couldn’t help but chuckle to himself for thinking like that. They had always just been really good friends, but looking at her, he couldn’t deny she was stunningly beautiful, even more so now than she was back in school if that was even possible, because she was a damned stunner back then too.

Talking to Olivia about the baby that never was, had got him a little down, like it always did, and naturally Olivia had understood, in fact she had been pretty damned angry, but then, so had Grayson. It really was only to be expected, how else were close friends and family to react, when they find out the baby he thought was his, wasn’t? Brendan had ended that conversation with saying he guessed there was still plenty of time for babies yet. Truth was, he was thirty, soon thirty one and in reality he was getting on a bit. He wanted to enjoy his children, while he was still young and had the energy for it. True he had Libby in his life, but he had never got to bring her up from a baby, he so wanted to do all of that. He wanted to go through the first of everything with a new baby. He wanted to do it with someone he loved, he wanted to do it with Ol....he stopped his thoughts from going any further.

Was he just about to say Olivia, he wanted to have a baby with Olivia? That couldn’t be right, could it? Olivia was his friend, Olivia was his friend who loved his humour, whom he teased and joked with during school, whom he slapped on the ass, Olivia was the one he had always had a soft spot for in school, even though they never dated. Olivia was the one. Maybe it would never have worked out with Stacey anyway. Wait, Olivia was the one? Olivia’s words soon came crashing into his thoughts, and it brought him back to reality. He smiled deeply at Olivia, “Well, migh’ jus’ hafta to do somethin’ abou’ tha’ then.” He wasn’t even aware of what he had said, at least, not at first. Then he winked and chuckled, as if he was teasing her slightly, but in truth, he was beginning to realise that maybe having a baby with Olivia wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

The embrace Olivia gave Brendan was amazing, pretty much like some of the embraces they gave each other at school. Back then Brendan never really thought much about them, but now, now it was different. Brendan felt his heart skip a beat at the embrace, something which had never happened before. He could only put his feelings down to one thing, and this time they were definitely different to how he felt around Megan and Stacey, they were stronger, more passionate, had he just been kidding himself with the both of them? Had the woman he truly loved, the woman he truly belonged to, been in his life for years and he had failed to realise it? Of course Brendan had then let some words out, which he was sure he had said in his thoughts, but when Olivia replied to them, Brendan couldn’t help but grin.

He remembered that pact they had made, but he honestly had never thought it would come to fruition. Then he went back to what he had just been thinking about, maybe they had made that pact, knowing full well, neither of them would be married by the time they were thirty, thus marrying each other. It certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing; nobody could know Brendan more, other than his own family of course. “Olivia Torres, ya call tha’ a proposal? Wait, it ain’ a leap year is it? But ya jus’ migh’ be onto somethin’ there Freckles.” There went the nickname, one he had always thought about, but never called her, back in school it had always been Liv, or Livvy, but there were no mistaking the light dash of freckles across her nose and cheek, and that’s what stuck with him. She did that grin again, which made Brendan smile deeply once more, making his eyes twinkle as well as bring out his ever cute dimples, and then he caught her biting on her bottom lip slightly. That was such a cute move. He didn’t expect her to then lean in and bite his lip, and made to unwrap her arms from around him, but his hands instinctively reached up to stop her from moving them.

“If ya really wanted to know how I tasted, ya only had to ask, cause ya know, I don’ think its righ’ ya should know how I taste an’ I don’t know how ya taste yerself.” With that he closed the gap between them, and gently teased at her lip, before, opening his mouth up over her own and kissing her softly with a bit of passion behind it. The kiss felt so good and so right, Brendan knew the woman for him was now in his arms, he just hoped, what he had done, wasn’t about to render him a slap across the face, but with the teasing from Olivia, with his ear and now his lip, he didn’t think that would happen.

When Olivia had spoke of going for a coffee and a muffin, Brendan couldn’t help himself but get very rude with the muffin, almost as if he was back to his old self. It was like Olivia had unleashed the Brendan he always was. Brendan continued to laugh as Olivia laughed, and noticed a few of the people around them seem to be staring at them. She then slapped his chest lightly, and wiped tears away from her eyes, as she continued to laugh, he just laughed all the more at her words, when she said he never changed and she was truly disgusted. He leaned into her ear, his hot breath breathing into it, “Sure ya are, ya never complained afore.” He then licked the top of her ear, being unable to hold back his affections for Olivia any longer.

Brendan had then playfully slapped Olivia’s ass, and she then told him to stop it, his daughter was around and what would she think of them acting like that. “She’ll love it, she’s been havin’ to look at ma face all down, it’ll be a change fer her to see it so happy.” He was sort of messing around with that, because ever since Grayson had picked him up over Libby not being around, he had managed to be as cheery as he could be for his daughter. Just at that point Libby came running up to them, and Brendan wondered if she had indeed caught them, or had she missed it all.

Libby just looked from Olivia to her daddy, and then back to Olivia, she wasn’t stupid, in fact, Libby was quite mature for her age, “Ya migh’ as well jus’ tell me wha’s goin’ on, cause I know somethin’s goin’ on.” She then noticed her daddy had his arm around Olivia. She looked at him, “Are the two of ya gonna start datin’?” Brendan couldn’t help but chuckle, and then looked at Olivia, feeling like teasing, and putting Olivia on the spot, “I don’ know, are we Freckles?” He asked Olivia as he winked at her, before Olivia said what she was wanting and asked Libby what she would like. Libby looked at Olivia and smiled, “Strawberry milkshake an’ a chocolate muffin.” Then Libby really looked at Olivia and then back to her daddy again, “Ya know, Olivia’s real nice daddy, I wouldn’ mind her bein’ ma new mommy.” She then giggled as she squeezed herself in the middle of Brendan and Olivia, “So where we goin’?” That was a good question; Brendan looked at Olivia as he took Libby’s hand, “Where are we goin’ Freckles?”

[olivia]

It never occured to Olivia that Brendan would like her as much as she liked him. She had been too scared to pursue it as a teenager, not wanting to lose her best friend. But now, it was so much different; she loved him. She always had done. Why this sudden feeling now though? Before they had been buried away, incase she hurt him or he hurt her. Losing a friend like Brendan wasn't worth it. They were older now, more wiser with love and feelings. It made her warm inside thinking about it.

"No Bren it's not a leap year, the proposal is all down to you sweet." She grinned at him, her heart beating so fast now she could barely think. Liv slapped him playfully when he said if she wanted to know how he tasted all she had to do was ask. "Cooties!" She shrieked, laughing loudly as she did. But before she could say anymore Brendan closed the gap between the two of them, teasing her with his lips before embracing her fully. That single moment, everything clicked into place. She felt whole for the first time in a long time. Liv finally pulled away, her eyes still closed. "Hidden feelings Bren? You surprise me." She grinned and opened her eyes staring up at his wonderful face.

It was then Brendan mentioned the 'muffin' something that would probably remain in Olivia's mind forever. Brendan licked her ear. "EW!" She shouted, wiping it away quickly. "You gave me a wet willy with your tongue! That's just cootie central!" She giggled and wiped it away with her hand. Meanwhile Brendan slapped her ass, making her jump forward. "She may love it, but she won't appreciate seeing daddy smack swimming teacher's butt. You always did have a thing for my bootay." She grinded down to the floor dancing and shaking it. Her giggles were loud and wonderful, just like always.

Libby then showed up, all dry and beautiful. Livvy looked at her with wide eyes and a wide smile, seems she was the smartest little girl. She figured them out immediately. Olivia felt Brendan's arm around her waist, she sighed happily at the feel of it. "Dating? Hmm. Well it's always customary for the guy to ask the girl out first Lib, you remember that sweet!" Olivia winked at Libby and smiled. She then asked Libby what she wanted from the diner. "Oo that sounds good sweet! I love milkshakes, I might have one too! And what about you Bren?" She unwrapped his arm from her and grabbed her towel, she would have to change before going out. Libby squeezed herself in between them and told Brendan quietly she wouldn't mind if Liv was her new mommy. Olivia's heart sunk, she felt loved, so wonderfully loved. "Well you guys wanna go there and order? It's just outside, the trailer diner. Don't worry it's beautiful inside. I'll meet you in let's say fifteen minutes?" She grinned at them both and bent down, kissing Libby on the forehead before walking away from them both.

"Oh Bren..." She shook her ass as she walked away, laughing to herself. Liv turned around and winked at him as she walked into the staff room.

[brendan]

Brendan couldn’t help but chuckle at Olivia’s response when he teased her about it being a leap year when she spoke of them getting married to each other if neither of them had by the time they were thirty. Brendan had almost forgotten about that little pact they had made, probably because at school he hadn’t thought for one minute they meant it, or that the both of them would still be single when they were thirty. He saw that grin of hers, and he couldn’t help but grin back at her, dimples out in full force, “Well, ya best start behavin’ then, an’ maybe ya migh’ jus’ ask tha’ question sometime.” He winked and laughed out loud. Maybe his proposal to Stacey was wrong because deep down he knew she wasn’t the right one for him? Maybe it was just as well the baby she was carrying wasn’t his, if this was the way he was feeling about Olivia, a woman he had thought of only as a friend.

When Liv shrieked out the word cooties, Brendan couldn’t do anything but laugh out loud, and then hushed her down with a shake of his head. They were in a swimming pool full of young kids, honestly. However, it would seem Brendan didn’t give the kids thing another thought as he closed the gap between them and kissed Olivia. Something he didn’t think he would ever do, when Liv finally pulled away and then commented about hidden feelings, Brendan chuckled slightly, with his eyes sparkling. “Maybe; Actually, I dunno abou’ hidden, think they’ve always been there, it jus’ took ya comin’ back into ma life to get them out there, I guess.” Was Olivia the one for Brendan? Had she always been the one for him? It felt that way, but then it had felt that way with Stacey too and look what happened there.

When Brendan had licked the tip of her ear with his tongue in what he thought was a rather sexy way, she shouted out that he had given her a wet willy and it was cootie central. She did giggle after it and he watched as she wiped it away. “I thought it was rather sexy maself, but if tha’s wha’ ya wanna think, then fair enough.” He grinned at her before tilting his head to the side and giving her a wink with his floppy hair falling over his eyes. Brendan had then slapped her ass playfully, and when she commented about Libby seeing, he said she would love it. She then said Libby wouldn’t appreciate seeing him slap her teacher’s butt. “Dunno abou’ tha’ one ya know, she’s got an old head on them shoulders. She’ll probably jus’ think it’s awesome, ya should see her with ma brother Gray, honestly, the two are thick as thieves.” Brendan chuckled, and then laughed out loud when he remembered once again, how she came running in that night using one of Gray’s phrases about Brendan hanging him by the balls. “An’ damn righ’ I always had a thing fer yer butt, it’s a mighty fine one.” Only now it meant a whole lot more to him, than it did back at school.

It wasn’t long after that Libby came back, all dried, and had sussed him and Olivia out almost immediately and then mentioned about them dating. Brendan had put Olivia on the spot by asking her. Her reply just made him chuckle all the more, “Ya got a point there I suppose. Well then, Freckles...” He bent down a little, and then looked up at her, chuckling, “Would ya do me the honour of comin’ out with me on a date?” He then looked at Libby and winked at her, and she giggled, then she jumped up and down, “Say yeah Olivia, say yeah, please?” Brendan’s heart skipped a beat then, it was almost as if Libby was looking for a new mom, pleading almost, she must have taken it really hard when suddenly there was no mother figure in her life when he broke up with Stacey.

Olivia then asked Brendan what he would like, “I’ll probably jus’ grab a cappuccino thanks Freckles, maybe a muffin too.” He raised his eyebrows a couple of times at that, and then smirked a little, being in Olivia’s company it was being right back at school with the cheeky innuendos. Olivia then removed her arm from around Brendan as she got her towel, and that was when Libby squeezed in between them both and told Brendan that she’d like Olivia to be her new mommy. Libby had then asked where they were going and Brendan asked Olivia. Soon she was telling them where they were to go and she said she would meet them in fifteen minutes. “We can do tha’ sure.” He stood there grinning from ear to ear as Olivia went off to get changed, but she turned around and winked at him, and Brendan couldn’t help but do the same thing back followed by blowing her a kiss. Maybe his luck was about to change? Grabbing Libby’s hand he went out to the trailer with her, and went inside, and sure enough it was lovely on the inside. Brendan got them a table, and then once Libby was sitting down, he went and placed their order, he was told it would take about ten minutes. Brendan nodded and paid for their orders, and went back to the table, waiting on Olivia to return. “Well, with a bit of luck, our order will be ready jus’ as Olivia arrives. Am real glad ya like Olivia, Kitten.”

Libby looked at Brendan, “Yeah, she’s real nice daddy, ya deserve to be happy, an’ I reckon I could call her mommy.” Brendan ruffled the top of Libby’s head, “Well tha’s real nice Kitten, an’ am sure Olivia would love it, but one step at a time eh? Don’ wan’ either of us gettin’ hurt again.” Brendan wasn’t sure he could take getting his heart broken again in such quick succession, first with Megan, thanks to his mom, then with Stacey, it would kill him if it all went pear shaped with Olivia too.