Chapter 23: Getting Back to Normal
(Narrator POV)
Two weeks had past since the incident. Edgar broke the news to his family and Olivia told Noah. Noah was very upset but got over it soon after. After they told everyone about what happened it felt like Olivia could breathe. Olivia stopped having nightmares and flashbacks of what happened. She has returned to work. She thinks about the baby but she doesn't feel the need to cry anymore. Everything is just like a breath of fresh air. But that wasn't the reality for Edgar. He was having a hard time getting over what happened with the baby. He had bottled up his feelings for Olivia's sake but now it is really hard to not release them. He was so excited about the baby. He was finally gonna be a father. He wasn't Noah's real dad yet. This baby was gonna make him a true father, and now it's gone. He feels hopeless. He goes to work... he thinks about the baby. He takes Noah to the park... he thinks about the baby. He sleeps... he thinks about the baby. That's all he can think about and it's driving him insane.
"Mr. Goodwin it's time for your 1:00 meeting with Morgan Steziak. Did you forget? Edgar?" His secretary tried to get his attention.
"Uhh yes. I was just on my way."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I'm sorry I was just... thinking." He moved past her to the meeting room where he met La'Mai, one of his workers, and few of the members from the other law firm. "Sorry I'm late gentlemen. I'm Edgar Goodwin." He shook their hands.
"It's alright. I'm Mark Morgan and this is my partner Thomas Steziak."
"Pleased to meet you sir." Thomas spoke.
"Pleasure is all mine." They sat down. "Shall we get started?" The men started making their marketing pitch to join Edgar's firm. This was the fourth one in the past three months. And quite frankly he was tired of it. But his mind wasn't there. It was thinking about the baby. La'Mai could tell he was off, he wasn't looking at the power point or asking questions like he usually does. It was honestly a bullshit pitch but he needed to at least listen. She nudged his leg a few times to get him to refocus and eventually he did. He just couldn't seem to get himself together or focus enough. His mind would just revert back to where it was. La'Mai did all of the talking, while the men were presenting Edgar was staring directly at them not necessarily hearing or paying attention to them; which made them nervous. The only time Edgar said anything was when they stopped talking. "Well thank you, gentlemen. You will hear from us soon. Have a good rest of your day." He couldn't take it anymore he needed to let his feelings go. He rushed out of the room as fast as he could to his office. He closed his blinds, with tears in his eyes. He was about to lock the door when La'Mai barged in.
"Hey, you wanna tell me what's going on with you?" He turned around, La'Mai saw the tears in his eyes. "What's wrong?" She was very worried.
"I can't, I can't take it anymore." He was breathing fast yet very deep. He yanked his tie off and pulled his jacket off.
"You can't take what anymore?" He just fell on his couch and broke down crying. La'Mai didn't know what to do or what to say. She didn't know why he was crying. She moved to sit next to him. "What's going on, Edgar?"
"I've tried to keep myself in tacked. But, it's so hard. All I wanna do is cry. It's unfair! I've kept myself together for everyone else but now it's all too much. It's not fair!" La'Mai still was confused she ran everything through her head trying to see what he was talking about. He held himself together for everyone else? It's not fair? Then it hit her.
"You're talking about the baby." She rubbed his shoulders.
"Yes! God, why did this happen?" He cried harder. "She didn't deserve that. I don't deserve this. I was finally gonna be a dad."
"I know it's not fair. And I can't tell you why this happened. When was the last time you went to church?"
"I don't know three weeks. Something like that. But why?" He stood up. "It's not like God is looking out for us! I pray everyday that he protect her from violence and this happens!"
"I think you need to calm down. Sit down and listen. God works in mysterious and strange ways. But it's always for a reason. He is doing something for you in your life, in your family's life that you can't see, a blessing in disguise if you may. But what you can't do is turn you back on God. Trust in him, you need to more than ever right now, just have faith. If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, he will move mountains for you. It's according to what you say and believe. Whatever you want from the Lord he'll give it to you."
"I want my baby, yet he took that away!"
"I know you do but you just trust and believe, and when you ask you shall receive. I'm telling you, you can't find help no where else. He will bless you all it takes is a little prayer and faith. And everything will be alright. Can I ask you a question?"
"Shoot."
"Have you prayed at all during this time?" He shook his head. "That's exactly what I thought. Pray, and when you get home to Olivia pray with her. You both need this healing, as fine as she seems there is still that hole in her heart." He nodded his head.
"You're right. Thank you La'Mai. I've been driving myself insane, but now I will pray about it."
"And you better be a church on Sunday."
"I will. I can't I said all of those things about God."
"Let me tell ya, if Mama G heard you talking about the Lord like that..."
"She'd commit my ass."
"In a heat beat!" They laughed and hugged. "I love you, man. It'll all get better. Did you and Olivia make up?"
"Love you too, sis. Yes I'm surprised she didn't tell you yet."
"That's good because I would have personally beat your ass if you guys didn't."
"I know I have received these same threats from Amanda and Morgan." They both laughed and started talking about their family's and childhood memories.
"It was good to just sit down with you and talk about this. Nice catch up time. We should do this more often but with Christian and Morgan." Edgar said.
"Yes we should do that one day."
"Anything I need to know or some advice?"
"Yes... for my sake please take your girlfriend on a date or have a nice dinner with her. She talks about all the time it give me a headache."
"Will do." They stood up and hugged again. After La'Mai left his office he texted Olivia, 'dinner, tonight, my place? Italian or Burgers?"
"Sure, and definitely burgers." She walked into his office.
"Oh wow. I wasn't expected you to be here or say burgers." He walked up to her and put his arms her waist, then kissed her.
"What can I say I really want a burger." She laughed and looked in his eyes. It looked like he had been crying. "Why were you crying?"
"Can we talk about that later at dinner?"
"Yeah sure."
"So what ya doing here?"
"One of your employees, Peter Burgess."
"What about him?"
"We needed to pick him up. His sister was raped yesterday and he is her next of kin. And we need to interview him. And I just the messenger that he is gonna need time off. I also came up here to see you. Fin is somewhere looking for him, he's gonna come by when it's time to go."
"Wow. Okay well thanks for telling me. How's your day been?" He said pulling her to his desk chair where she sat on his lap.
"It's been good not much stress... yet."
"That's good. Tonight do you want me to make the burgers before you come or we do it together." She turned to look at him.
"Together. But are you sure? Because yesterday someone said that I wasn't great at cooking."
"Oh please you know I was just joking." They laughed.
"I know. But-" Fin knocked on the door and opened it.
"We're ready Liv. Sup Edgar."
"Okay." They both walked over to the door.
"What's going on, man." It was more of a statement than question. They did their little handshake.
"Alright I'll see you tonight 8:30?"
"Sounds good." They left. Edgar had some more paperwork and La'Mai came in again. She just peeked her head through the door. "Don't forget to call Morgan Steziak."
"And say what?"
"I forgot you weren't paying attention, as usual. It was horrible. So say what you want with that information."
"Alright thanks." He called the company and in a nutshell just told them no. He did some more paperwork until around 6:00 then he went to the store and got stuff to make the burgers, fries, chips, candy, and ice cream. Which took him about 45 minutes. Then he went home put his blankets and sheets in the washer machine. While those were being cleaned he hopped in the shower himself. Putting the bag over his boot was always a pain in the ass but he had to do it anyway. After he got out and dressed he switched his bedding into the dryer. It was 7:52now and while he waited for his things to dry he set the kitchen up. In the meantime he turned on some tv he looked for what they should watch tonight on Hulu there was Last Holiday, Men in Black, Grown ups, and Meet the Browns. He heard the dryer stop, he went to his room and put the bedding back on just in case for later. Before he knew it olivia was here. He opened the door.
"You're early... and you brought Noah!" He said halfway excited.
"Yeah but he ate at home and is sleep so can I lay him down he's heavier than he looks."
"Yeah, sure." She took him upstairs to the guest bedroom. He wasn't gonna wake up it was his bedtime. He was out like a light. As she came down the stairs she saw Edgar picking out a movie to watch. "Meet the Browns."
"Got it."
"So are you going to tell me why you were crying earlier?
"Yeah, it was about the baby."
"I knew it. From the day you said you would handle it on your own I knew you weren't. You should've talk to me."
"I know that now because La'Mai talked to me and calmed me down. But I feel better now and I think we can move past this."
"I know we can." She kissed him.
"Also you wanna come to church with me on Sunday?"
"Sure is it a special occasion?"
"No I haven't been in a while and I just wanted to know if you wanted to join me."
"Okay well I'm hungry so let's cook!"
"Can you season the meat while input the fries in the fryer?"
"Yup." After he got done with putting the fries in he looked Olivia and smiled. He turned on some music. It's Alone Together by Daley feat. Marsha Ambrosius. "You turned on music. I don't think I know this song."
A deafening silence
You're almost exactly what I need (almost everything I need)
A definite maybe
Is sure to entice my curiosity (you're exactly
what I need)
"It's a good song." He got behind her and helped her mix the seasonings in the meat.
I can't help but think that this doesn't add up
I'm trying to separate the facts from all the fiction
We're living in a world of contradictions
And if baby you're the truth then I'm lying next to you
"You're right it is... so far." She smiled. He kissed her neck lovingly.
You're the desert sand, I'll be your water
And you're the perfect plan I never thought of
I don't wanna do this on my own (on my own)
And you shouldn't have to be alone (all alone)
I would rather be alone together
Be alone together
"We should start rolling them out now." Still kissing her neck.
"Okay. That feels nice." She moaned. She loves it when he gets like this.
Well my heart's been racing, chasing after you
You're the sweetest dream my incredible new
You're a star so bright, you're eyes the lightest blue
I can't help but stare at you
"Okay we gotta put them on the grill now." She turned around with the pan of meat, he was still stand over her. They looked at each other. And her kissed her very passionately.
"I got it." He turned around to the stove and put them on the grill. While Olivia wash her hands.
So soft your lips, the wind blows in my hair, yeah
Come closer let me whisper in your ear
'Cause what will be will be (be), every chance you give to me (me)
You will see yeah yeah
You're the desert sand, I'll be your water
And you're the perfect plan I never thought of
I don't wanna do this on my own (on my own)
And you shouldn't have to be alone (all alone)
I would rather be alone together
Be alone together
Edgar washed his hands. Grabbed Olivia hips and place her on his island counter
I'll always keep you safe in my arms
I will guarantee that I will never break your heart
I will always put you first cause you deserve
the world
I wanna know you (know me baby)
I wanna hold you
I wanna show you (show you baby)
I wanna take you (I wanna show you), by the
hand and show you
They started making out.
You're the desert sand, I'll be your water
And you're the perfect plan I never thought of
I don't wanna do this on my own (on my own)
And you shouldn't have to be alone (all alone)
I would rather be alone together
Be alone together
You shouldn't have to be alone
I would rather be alone together
Be alone together baby
She stopped kissing him. "You're gonna burn the burgers." She said with her lips against his.
"Maybe I should let them burn because I like this... fine!" He flipped the burgers. While Olivia put in more fries in the fryer. The next song that came on was A Couple of Forevers by Chrisette Michele. He turned to her and as soon as she finish he picked her up, set her on the counter to finish what they started.
I see it clear, my heart is here
We got each other and let's take it from there
And if I could I'd love you a forever end time
What we've been through, no one else knows
'Cause all that matters is how far this goes
And it will go until it starts again
"I can't wait until I can have sex with you again. I love you." Olivia said.
"Just one more work and then I'm ready when you are. I love you too!"
Me and you, I look like I might
Nothing can stop love from love
And our love
You know I'm not asking for much
Just a couple of forevers
A couple of forevers
I'm the only one, you're the only one
Together 'til never
I'm talking 'bout forever
Just a couple of forevers
I'm the only one, you're the only one
Together 'til never
"Can you give me the cheese, honey?" Edgar asked.
"Sure but I need a kiss first." He leaned in to kiss her and she slid a piece of cheese between their lips.
"Seriously." Olivia was laughed so hard she was crying. "That's not funny." He laughed. "Give me the cheese." He took it from her. While she was still dying of laughter.
It can get hard, damn it gets rough
It can get crazy, but not for us
'Cause we gotta struggle just to stay apart
And me and you are, built like armour
Nothing can't stop love from love
And our love
And I'm not asking for much
Just a couple of forevers
A couple of forevers
I'm the only one, you're the only one
Together 'til never
I'm talking about forever
Just a couple of forevers
I'm the only one, you're the only one
Together 'til never
Never, never
She finally stopped laughing and took the fries out while Edgar finished the burgers.
Can you see it, oh oh ooh oh
Can you see the signs from above
It's so blinding, there's no denying you and me
Olivia start cutting the lettuce, tomato, and onions.
You and me are built like armor
Nothing can stop love from loving on us
And I'm not asking you for much
A couple of forevers
Ever, Ever
"Hey Olivia? I'm the only one, your the only one, together til never." He said it along with the song.
I'm the only one, your the only one
Together til never
Some more music played in the background while they are. They had light conversation as they ate but they were both so hungry they barely said anything. After they ate the went in his room to watch Meet the Browns. She cuddle into him. "You smell so good right now."
"Thank you?"
"You know that Harry guy in the movie looks a lot like you."
"Really because I thought I was more good looking."
"You are but you guys do look alike. You are just cuter." The movie finished and Olivia went to check on Noah one last time. They went to sleep some of the happiest people on earth.