Author's Note: Hi everyone! So sorry it took me long to update than I thought it would. I hope to get a couple more chapter out this week with the break. (I hope, I hope!) Thanks to those who are reading/following/favoring my story! A special to those who are reviewing:
Tonya: Thanks for the suggestions. I actually thought I had added something like that but I guess I must have deleted it at some point before I posted the chapter. Anyway I went ahead and included that in my last chapter. (The "I am a weirdo" suggestion.) I'll see what I can come up with, with including the dark humor. Thanks again! If you do get time to create an account please do send me a PM. I hope you'll like this new chapter. Its a little more 'romantic' so I hope I presented in a way that isn't to annoying/OOC. :D
forgetmenotflowers: haha! Love it! We get a little more romance in this chapter. I think you'll like it. Love your reviews. They always make my day! :D
PlaguingYourDreams: Here's your update! Thanks for the review! :D
EleanorBlythe: I think you'll like the end of this chapter. It's a bit more romantic. Jonathan is trying to build her up but in a way that suits him, not Olivia. Thanks for the review! :D
Hench-Girl95: Hi girl! Thanks for the review! I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. :D
Decepticon-Silverstreak: Thanks! I'm glad that you enjoyed it. I hope you will continue to enjoy my story. :D
xxyangxx2006: Haha, thanks for the review. It made me smile and laugh. We get a little more romance in this chapter. I hope you'll like it. Thanks again! :D
I think I got everyone. I hope you will enjoy the chapter. Please leave a review if you have a moment. Constructive criticism is always welcome! Thanks again!—Lin
…..
"Just to warn you my brother is a bit of a jerk." I told Jonathan while we waited for Karl to bring my family to my apartment form the airport.
"I'm not worried about your brother." Jonathan informed me. He was as calm and cool as ever.
"Well I hope he won't be mean to you. Oh, another warning, my grandmother is also coming. She's a little boy crazy. So don't be surprised if she tries to set us up or if she flirts with you. She'll probably do both."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I don't know why, but when my grandmother sees me a round a cute guy she always tries to get me to go out with him."
"Ah, you have one of 'those' grandmothers." Jonathan commented. I nodded. I was nervous but I seemed to always be nervous. I hated it. I mean this was my family. I shouldn't have to nervous around them. I was grateful to Jonathan for being willing to come tonight. For some reason his presence seemed to slightly calm my nerves.
"So you think I'm cute?" Jonathan questioned, while sending me an impish smile and wink. I returned the smile as we both let out a soft laugh. He was such a funny guy. I went to reply when we heard a knock on the door.
"I better get that." I told him before walking over to the door.
"Hey Karl." I greeted my cousin.
"Liv." He nodded and smiled before coming into the apartment.
"Where is everyone?" I asked. He had volunteered to pick up my parents, brother and our grandmother from the airport. I had figured the family would be with him.
"They should be right behind me." Karl said before he saw Jonathan.
"Dr. Crane? Are you making house calls now?" Karl asked Jonathan. I hadn't spent a lot of time with Karl since I started to hand out with Jonathan outside of school and work. Karl didn't seem to like that I was spending so much time with my boss/therapist.
Jonathan opened his mouth to reply when my grandmother pranced through the door. Grandma Vera had dark brown eyes and white curly hair. She walked over to me at a brisk pace and gave me a small hug.
"Livy, dear; it is so nice to see you again." Grandma Vera smiled after the hug.
"Hi Grandma." I said returning the smile. She went to say something when she noticed Karl and Jonathan watching our little reunion. I could almost see the wheels in Jonathan's head turning. He was planning something. I wish I could read his mind.
"Who's that?" Grandma Vera questioned looking Jonathan over.
"Oh, Grandma this is Dr. Crane." I introduced the two.
"Ma'am." Jonathan nodded to my grandmother. My grandma had an impish smile as she looked him over. Grandma Vera returned the nod before turning back to me.
"He's cute." She "whispered" loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Grandma!" Karl exclaimed slightly embarrassed. Our grandmother had never lived with his part of the family so he wasn't used to her flirtatious ways.
"What it's true?" Grandma Vera shrugged before winking at my boss. I honestly had no idea why my grandmother was like this. She was seventy years old and still acted like a teenager. She wasn't a typical Grandma but she had been a lot of fun to grow up around…even if she had chased away the only boyfriend I had, had from high school.
Jonathan shot me an amused smile. I wasn't sure if it was because my Grandmother thought he was cute or if it was because of the horrified look Karl had on his face. I wondered if I would ever meet Jonathan's family and what they were like. What kind of childhood had he had? I went to say something to Jonathan when we heard some bustling by the door as my mother, father and brother emerged.
"What a trip…" my mother sighed as she set down a box and looked around the room. Her eyes met mine and she smiled. "Olivia; it is so good to see you again." She said as she came up to me and hugged me. "I can't believe you didn't tell us you had your own apartment. The deal was you would live with Karl while you were here." She continued to say.
"Hi mom. Yes I know but I needed my own space." I greeted her. After hugging my father and acknowledging my brother, I introduced Jonathan to my family. They seemed to welcome and accept him into the family gathering willingly.
Jonathan's P.O.V
Olivia was right. Her grandmother was boy crazy. I felt like she was a vulture staring at its prey. She was hilarious but somewhat creepy as she winked at me. I looked away from "Grandma Vera" and focused on Olivia and her parents. I watched their interactions throughout the feast Olivia had insisted on cooking.
They spoke as a warm family would and seemed to welcome me into their family gathering as if I were a close friend or family member. This was something I wasn't used to. I didn't really have a family growing up. My father left before I was born, my mother abandoned me right after I was born and my great-grandmother was a fanatic, who viewed me as nothing more than a burden.
"You're looking well, Liv." Mrs. Higham complimented her daughter. I wasn't sure why Olivia had been so nervous. Her family didn't seem abusive or unkind, which would make it harder to turn her against them. Her father had made several comments about the possibility of her moving back to North Dakota but she tried to make it clear that wasn't going to happen for a while. I needed to make sure that wasn't ever going to happen.
"Yes she's starting to fatten up nicely." Her brother, Brian, commented. I didn't care for Brian. He hadn't said much but when he did say something it seemed like he was trying to undo everything I had done in Olivia's therapy.
He made fun of her OCD, her fear of human interaction, her cooking and her eating disorder. That wasn't going to help her with her psychological problems. In fact it would only make things worse. That meant he was making my job as her psychiatrist harder. This little twerp was pissing me off with his rude and arrogant comments. On the other hand, his immature behavior could help with my experiment. His comments could help me turn Olivia against her family.
"So Dr. Crane," Mrs. Higham turned her attention to me, "Has Olivia told you about the time she broke her leg?"
"No I don't believe she has." I said. Mrs. Higham proceeded to tell the family the story while Olivia sat there in embarrassment. If nothing else I could probably get a lot of interesting stories about Olivia out of these people.
….
Olivia's P.O.V
I let out a sigh. I loved my family but I was glad for a little break from them. They were still at my apartment while Jonathan walked the streets of Gotham with me. I needed the fresh air.
Between my brother's comments, my grandmother trying to set me up with Jonathan and my dad insisting I go back to North Dakota with them, I felt a little suffocated. They were wonderful and loving parents. However, it felt like they wanted me to stay in their protection forever. I loved them but I didn't want to have to hold their hands anymore. I didn't want to seem ungrateful to them. They had done a lot of for me. I just wanted to control my own life. I didn't want to be a burden to anyone. Plus my family seemed focused on embarrassing me in front of Jonathan, that wasn't a lot of fun.
Jonathan was quiet as he walked next to me. I wasn't sure where we were going but I enjoyed the fresh air. I had spent the last few days trying to make my apartment suitable for guests and cooking for our Christmas dinner.
"Are you alright?" Jonathan asked after a few minutes. He watched me closely.
"Yeah I'm fine. Thanks for coming with me. You could have stayed there if you had wanted. …." I trailed off.
"No, I think I'd rather hang out with you." Jonathan admitted. We walked for a few more minutes before his hand lightly touched mine. Our fingers intertwined as we continued our walk.
"I can't believe you jumped off your playhouse roof." He teased me a bit about how I broke my leg.
"I was 10! The trampoline was right under me and I had seen Brian do it several times." I laughed. I didn't know why my mother insisted on telling such funny stories about me. I was young when I jumped off on the playhouse roof. I had barely missed the trampoline and landed on the ground. That wasn't a very fun day for me.
"You know, when you told me your brother was a jerk, I didn't realize how big of a jerk. Does he say things like that to you often?" Jonathan inquired. I'm sure he was trying to assess my family to help with my therapy.
"Not since I moved out here. I don't see or talk to him very often now." I told him. Jonathan nodded.
"That's probably a good thing. He doesn't seem very supportive of your recovery." Jonathan observed.
"I don't know why he says things like that. I think, he thinks I'm ungrateful to our parents. I know something my previous psychiatrist would tell me and my family that I was "lucky". He would always tell us that I was lucky the rapist hadn't killed me. I was lucky the rapist hadn't been caught so I wouldn't have to relive the rape while testifying. I was lucky….Brian thinks I should just listen to that advice and 'get over' the rape." I told him, looking at the ground.
"Damn, I really don't like your past therapist. If I could, I'd get his license revoked. He clearly shouldn't be working with rape victims." Jonathan commented. I look up to him and our eyes met for a moment. I agreed with him.
"So what did you think of my grandmother?" I asked trying to lighten the mood. Jonathan let out a small chuckle.
"I don't think she has any idea that she's seventy and not seventeen. I've never met a woman her age who is that boy crazy. My great-grandmother wasn't like that at least." Jonathan assessed. My mind perked up a bit. He hadn't mentioned anyone from his family before.
"Are you close to your great-grandmother?" I questioned, hoping he would tell me more about his family.
"No. She raised me but we were never close. She's dead now." He answered. His eyes had darkened and his body seemed to tense up.
"Where was your mother?" I asked, hoping I wasn't overstepping my boundaries.
"I don't know." Jonathan answered as we came reached once of Gotham's many night clubs. "Do you want to grab some drinks, maybe sneak in a couple of dances?" he asked as we heard the music blaring. He was clearly trying to change the subject so I nodded. My heart jumped slightly. I was nervous but excited to dance with him again. I wasn't sure what I had felt the first time and I was conflicted. I wanted to feel it again but I didn't at the same time.
Jonathan smirked as he held the door open for me. I smiled at him before walking into the club. My excitement quickly left as there were several people inside the club. I was surprised the club was even open on Christmas Eve and that so many people would be here. Jonathan's hand grabbed mine again. I looked from the crowd of people to Jonathan. He gave me a reassured look before I continued to walk up to the bar.
After we had ordered our drinks and talked a bit more about my family, he asked me to dance. I smiled nervously. My heart started to pound as it always seemed to do in these situations. Jonathan's hand rested on my hip as the other hand took mine and he started to lead me across the dance floor.
There was something about his eyes. They captivated me, holding my stare. I couldn't and didn't want to look away from him. Jonathan's arm tightened around my waist as he pulled me slightly closer to him. His face inched a little closer to mine. I was starting to panic. I wanted to run but stopped myself. There was something about him that attracted me to him. Our lips almost touched when the slow song had stopped and a much more upbeat song began to play. I snapped out of my trance and moved a little further away from him.
Damn it, I have a crush on my therapist!
Jonathan's P.O.V
'Damn it! That was so close.' Scarecrow said, frustrated.
"I know. I'm making great progress with her." I answered. Olivia looked nervous. She had been afraid when she thought we were going to kiss and it turned me on. Her feelings had changed and she was starting to bond to me nicely.
…..
Olivia's P.O.V
"So you and Dr. Crane were out late." My mother commented. Jonathan and Karl had gone home while everyone else went to the hotel. My mother decided she wanted to spend the night at my apartment so we could have some mother-daughter time. I heard her but my mind was concentrating on the kiss Jonathan and I had almost shared.
"Liv?" My mother said trying to getting me out of my thoughts. "Liv!"
"Hmm?" I said snapping out of my thoughts. We were sitting on my couch drinking some hot apple cider.
"You and Dr. Crane seem to like each other." She hinted, trying to get a conversation going.
"We're friends." I shrugged. I wasn't sure what I felt for him other than I knew I really, really liked him.
"Just friends?" she inquired. Again I shrugged my shoulders. I wasn't sure where our relationship was at this point. "You two seem to really like each other."
"What do you mean?" I asked, wondering what she had noticed.
"Just the way you two act around each other. The long glances you give each other, like you two know something that the rest of us don't know. The fact that you actually smile around him proves something is going on."
"I smile around you guys."
"Yeah those small forced ones. You seem to give Jonathan….sorry "Dr. Crane" your real smiles." She observed.
"Mom, he's my boss, my psychiatrist. Its inappropriate for there to be anything romantic between us."
"That doesn't seem to be stopping you from spending so much time with him. Come on Liv gossip. This is the first man you've had any interest in, in a really long time. Talk with me." My mother insisted. She smiled and was clearly interested.
"Well, what do you want to know?"
"What do you two do when you're together?" she questioned, getting into the conversation. I hadn't seen her look so excited about something before.
"Work, watch horror movies, dance, hold hands." I starting listing off the things Jonathan and I would do together.
"Dance and hold hands? You two so like each other." She happily chirped. I smiled at her enthusiasm. It had been a long time since we talked about boys with each other.
"Mom, its…"
"Don't say it's nothing, because it's not. I can tell when two people are starting to fall in love. I have this love-radar thing. This is a good thing for you Liv. You need to move on with your life. Don't get me wrong, I wish you would have found someone back in North Dakota that you really liked but at least you found someone."
"He's still my therapist."
"Find a new therapist if that bothers you."
"I don't want to find a new therapist. I think it bothers Karl."
"Then don't find a new therapist and at this point who cares what Karl has to say. Give Dr. Crane a chance Liv. I think you may be happy with him."
…
"Thank God that is over with." I told Jonathan as I washed dishes and he dried. I wasn't sure why he had agreed to help with this chore but I appreciated it. I hated washing dishes but with my OCD I could never just leave them in the sink.
Christmas Day had come and gone. Jonathan had joined the family for our family festivities as I had invited him to do. My parents had, for the most part been gracious. My father clearly wanted me to go back to North Dakota with them.
My mother and grandmother managed to tell me several times that I needed to go out with Jonathan. 'It would be nice to have a doctor in the family. Plus you need to get over your fear of relationships.' Grandma Vera had insisted all in front of Jonathan. He seemed amused by my grandmother's attempts. Brian managed to call me a leech and several other things during the day but Jonathan was close by and tried to contradict everything my annoying older brother had said.
"Your family seems like nice people; well except that brother of yours." Jonathan commented.
"They are." I agreed. "Brian's just a 'scrooge'."
"Your parents seem a little overbearing though." He continued. He was right; my dad had actually gone as far as to offer to move out here with me, while I was working on my degree. I thanked him but I didn't want him out here all the time. Between Jonathan and Karl, I would have help if I needed it.
"They can be. They're not bad people. They just have a hard time accepting that I'm not their baby anymore." I told him. The conversation with my mother the night before kept going through my head along with the "almost" kiss. "So I was thinking, we've been watching a lot of horror movies lately. What do you say we watch one of my movies after we're done with this?"
"Crap, you're not going to make me watch one of those idiotic chick-flicks are you?" Jonathan asked.
"No, I was thinking a comedy or something like that." I answered.
"My horror movies have comedy in them." He muttered to himself. I smiled and looked at him for a second before going back to our chore. I wish I could read his mind. I wanted to know what he thought about me and our 'relationship'.
"Thanks for all your help. I've really appreciated having you here." I thanked him. I didn't know why but his presence really seemed to help make the family gatherings easier on me. My mind wandered back to my conversation with my mother the night before. Maybe she was right.
"No problem. It sure beats staying home and working on lesson plans." He smirked. "When will your family go back to North Dakota?" he asked.
"Tomorrow evening. I'll probably see them tomorrow morning and Karl will drive them to the airport about five."
…..
After 10 minutes we had finished with dishes and were settling down on my couch to watch some random chick-flick.
"I can't believe you're making me watch this. My horror films are far more entertaining and educational than this." Jonathan groaned half-way through the movie. I smiled and laughed.
"How are people's heads being ripped off by zombies educational?" I questioned, wondering what he would say.
"Well maybe not that educational but it's still more entertaining." He commented before he rolled his eyes at my movie. I let out a small laugh before moving a little closer to him. I was nervous. I hadn't initiated any form of touch since the rape. I leaned my head against his shoulder and put my hand on his lap. My heart started to race. I wasn't used to being so close to anyone much less a man.
Jonathan seemed surprised by my actions but he wrapped his arm around me. There was a side of me that wanted to jump up and run but at the same time the touch felt… nice. We sat there for a few minutes. I was no longer interested in the movie. I looked from the TV screen back up to Jonathan. My eyes met his. He had that same mesmerizing look in his eyes. My heart pounded. Our faces inched closer together until our lips met in a kiss.
