Chapter Forty-Three

Olivia drummed her fingers on the table nervously. She hadn’t seen Owen since the night they slept together, and although she was eager to spend some more time with him, she felt really anxious now. There was so much she needed to tell him, but with Jude’s surgery taking priority in her life, she knew this was not the right time for them to have “the talk.”

She looked at her watch. According to Dr. Roberts’ predictions, it would still be an hour until Jude’s surgery was done. She grabbed her cup and took a sip of the warm coffee. She closed her eyes for a moment and savored the delicious taste. It helped to calm her nerves instantly.

“By the dreamy look on your face, I assume coffee is good here.”

Olivia opened her eyes to see Owen standing beside her. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek before pulling up the chair next to her.

“I took the liberty and ordered your favorite one too,” she said, gesturing towards the other cup on the table.

“Thank you, darling. I could use one now.” Owen picked up his coffee and carefully drank a sip. “Still too hot, but I was right; it is great coffee.”

Olivia smiled. “Did you see Soonja?”

“I just left her room. She fell asleep. Any news from Jude?”

Olivia shook her head. “Not yet.”

Owen took her hand in his and squeezed it lightly. “It will all go well. Jude is a tough guy.”

“I’m so worried about him, Owen,” Olivia said, her eyes tearing up.

Owen put his arm around her and pulled her closer until Olivia rested her head on his shoulder. He started rubbing her arm soothingly. “I’m sorry I left you alone, my love. I meant to come earlier, but it has all happened at once — us, grandma’s fall, me almost losing a major contract — I’m sorry, I just had so much to take care of.”

Olivia lifted her head and looked at him. “You’re here now, though. That’s all that matters.”

Owen kissed the top of her head, and although in a weird position, Olivia snuggled a little closer to him. “There’s something I need to tell you, but I know it’s now the right time.”

Olivia sighed. “Yeah, we’ve left so much unsaid. I don’t know where to begin.”

“Well, I do. I love you, Olivia. And after what happened on Saturday night, I just know I am not going to let you go again.”

“Owen…”

“Please hear me out before you say anything.” He tenderly tucked a loose tuft behind her ear and caressed her cheek. “I have decided to confront Jillian and make her admit the truth. I really don’t think she is pregnant or if she is, I don’t think it’s mine. I will put an end to this right away. It’s you I want to spend my life with, Olivia. It’s you I love.”

Olivia sniffled. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Whether from her hormones going crazy due to pregnancy or pent-up anxiety, she started crying uncontrollably.

Owen shifted in his chair and hugged her closer. Aware that they were still in a public place, she buried her face in his chest to hide from people’s eyes.

“Calm down, my love. It will all be all right. I’m here. We will get through this together.” Owen kept whispering soothing words to her, all the while rubbing circles on her back with his fingers.

Once Olivia was calm enough again, she lifted her head and looked at him. Owen grabbed a napkin from the table and wiped her tear-streaked face.

“Thank you,” Olivia said. She sat straight on her chair and took another napkin to blow her nose. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what just happened.”

“No need to apologize to me, Olivia. After all, it’s understandable. You’ve been bottling it all up for so many days.”

Olivia nodded. “I made a mess of your shirt, though.”

Owen snorted. “It’s just clothes, babe. I don’t care.”

“That’s not what you said the first time we met,” Olivia teased.

Owen leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I’m sorry I was such a jerk to you, my love. I promise I will make it up to you every day for the rest of my life from now on.”

Owen’s phone rang then, interrupting their sweet moment. He looked at the caller’s ID on the screen. “Shit! Sorry, babe, I have to take this.”

Olivia grabbed her bag and took out her little mirror. Her face was a mess. She fumbled in her bag for the packet of wipes and then quickly cleaned her face until she was happy with her reflection again.

“I’m really sorry, Olivia,” Owen said once he hung up. “It’s that important client I told you about. I really can’t miss my appointment with him. I hate to leave you now, but…”

Olivia put her finger on his lips to stop him. “No need to worry about me. Go take care of your work. Come back later.”

Owen gave her a quick peck on the lips and got up. “I’ll be back as soon as possible. Please give me a call when Jude is out.”

Olivia nodded. “I will.”

Once Owen was gone, Olivia looked at her watch. Almost time for the end of this ordeal. She drank the rest of her coffee just to give herself time to be totally composed before she headed back to see Jude. She needed to appear strong and calm in front of him.

***

Olivia paced the corridor outside the surgery room. Soon it would all be over and, hopefully, her little brother would be safe. She knew they would still have a long road to recovery, but she didn’t care. She would do anything for Jude as long as he was healthy.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the creaking of the double doors opening. Her heart raced faster and faster with every step it took Dr. Roberts to walk to her.

“It all went well. Jude is fine now.”

Without thinking, Olivia threw her arms around the doctor and hugged him tight. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she kept saying with tears in her eyes.

Dr. Roberts gave her a friendly pat on the back. “It’s all over now, Olivia, you can calm down.”

Olivia released the doctor and took a step back. She smiled at him timidly. “Sorry, Dr. Roberts. I’m just overwhelmed.”

He nodded. “It’s okay. I understand. After all, I share your excitement. I am relieved everything went according to plan.”

Olivia closed her eyes for a moment and send a silent “thank you” to God for protecting her brother. “Can I see him?”

“Not right now. We will still keep him sedated for a few hours, otherwise, he will be in great pain. Why don’t you go home for a rest? There is no need to wait out here.”

“I do need a change of clothes, to be honest,” Olivia joked.

“Go. I’ll call you if anything comes up.”

***

A few hours later, fresh and feeling more like herself, Olivia was back walking the corridors of the hospital towards Soonja’s room. Since Dr. Roberts hadn’t called her, she knew Jude wasn’t awake yet and so she decided to visit Soonja first to give her the good news.

She knocked and slightly opened the door. “Can I come in?”

“Do you have to ask?” Soonja said with a bright smile.

Olivia walked in and stood by Soonja’s bed. “You seem better now.”

“I was just about to say the same for you.”

Olivia laughed. “Yeah. Went home for a bit, took a shower and changed clothes. I do feel more like a human being now.”

“By your uplifted mood, I gather we have good news?”

“Indeed. Jude’s surgery went well. Dr. Roberts assured me Jude will be fine from now on.” Olivia took Soonja’s hand in hers. “I could never thank you and Owen enough for saving my brother’s life.”

“Not me, darling. It was Owen’s money, but I would have done it myself anyway, if you had asked me first. I love that kid.”

“He loves you too.” Olivia smiled. “He never met his own grandparents, and he considers you his granny now.”

“And I am more than thrilled to fill that role in his life. Especially now that you and Owen are back together.” Soonja squeezed Olivia’s hand. “Won’t you sit? Do you have time for a chat?”

Olivia took a step towards the chair, but she felt dizzy and paused for a moment.

“Are you all right, Olivia?” Soonja said, worried. “You’ve gone pale.”

Olivia covered her mouth with her hand and rushed to the bathroom without a word. When she returned after a moment, she filled one of the plastic cups on Soonja’s bedside table and drank some cool water. “I’m okay now. Don’t worry.”

Soonja stared at her for a long moment. “Olivia, are you hiding something for me?”

“Well…”

Soonja gave her a beaming smile. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

Olivia just nodded.

Soonja squealed. “If I could get off that stupid bed, I swear I would be dancing right now.”

Olivia laughed. “That means you approve?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I don’t think my Owen could have found a better partner than you. Does he know?”

“Not yet, but I will tell him shortly. Please don’t tell him if you see him first.”

“Oh, I really hope it doesn’t slip out of me. I am so happy right now. Come give me a hug.”

Olivia carefully put her arms around Soonja. “I will need help, you know. You are the only mother I can go to now.”

Soonja gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I will be there for you every step of the way. I can’t believe I’ll be a great-grandmother.”

“You certainly are too young for that.”

“You’d better not tell Owen how excited I am, or he will not stop calling me great-nana.” The ladies laughed in unison.

Olivia pretended to zip her lips. “Not a word, I swear.”

She checked her watch. “I think it’s time I go back to Jude’s room. I’ll visit you later.”

“Give him a kiss from me. Unfortunately, I can’t get off this bed yet.”

“I will,” Olivia said, and walked out of the room, happier than she had been for days.