A/N: I have an off day so since I have nothing else to do I decided to give you guys another chapter. Other stories are coming as well, so don't worry. Thank you so much for your kind reviews.
"Your giving me the #24 jersey?" Karen asked shocked. She watched the tapes from last season and one of their best players wore the 24 jersey.
"Yes, I am. Now this doesn't mean I'm giving you the starting position. It means that jersey belong on you." Olivia said with a smirk.
"YAAAAAAA!" Ethan screamed of excitement and everyone laughed.
"I tream pleaseeeeee! (Ice cream please)." Ethan asked as he wasn't getting what he was promised yet. Olivia laughed and shook her head. Times like these it made her miss her sister so much.
The little boy reminded her so much of Sam.
"Well we shouldn't keep the little prince waiting, should we?" Fitz smirked and started to push Ethan to the ice cream line. Karen was nervous to talk to Olivia about this, but she decided to hell with it. She ordered her ice cream and thought of the best way to bring the topic up. Olivia went to pay and Fitz tried to beat her to it.
"Oh no! My treat!" Fitz pulled his wallet out.
"Nope! After what you've done for Ethan, it's at least I can do!" Olivia pulled her card out.
"Please let me pay." Fitz looked at Olivia and it felt like he looked into her soul.
"Ummm okay….I guess." Olivia finally said and Karen could tell she blushed a little. She prayed that her dad saw what was in front of him. She wouldn't mind Olivia dating her dad. Yeah, she's a tough coach and it annoyed her sometimes, but she's still a good person from what Karen could observe. They all walked back to the table and got seated.
"Are you happy now, buddy?" Karen asked as she took a bite out of her ice cream.
"Yeahhhhhhh! Soooo haaaapeeeee! (Yeah! So happy)." Ethan responded as Olivia fed Ethan another bite.
Usually Olivia would let Ethan eat it himself because his OATs have made special utensils for him. But, today Olivia was pressed on time so she forgot. Ethan was pretty independent, which helped a lot. She loved watching over him while Sam was away. Her and Ethan were a team.
"So, Olivia how long have you been the coach of the team?" Fitz asked.
"It's going to be five years next month." Olivia smiled.
"What made you want to be a coach?" Karen asked.
"Well, I started playing basketball when I was four. I loved every minute of it. My family is very military heavy so I also wanted to join as well…
I played all throughout middle school and high school. When it was time for college, I still wanted to play but wanted to be a marine. So, I decided to attend The Naval Academy." Fitz and Karen rose their eyebrows at that. They never expected Olivia to be a Marine. But, it does makes sense she was always on time. Always put together and when she walks into the room she demanded respect.
"I took them to win three national championships. At the end of the day I wanted to be a Marine. So, when I graduated I was fully commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine…...I gave them almost five tours…...Then things happened and I was medically discharged…...Lost myself for a while, but now I am so much better and finally found my peace."
"Wow….Thank you so much for your service…..We both appreciate what you've done for this country…" Fitz said and Karen nodded her head in agreement.
"You don't need to thank me for doing my job…..I loved almost every moment of it….." Olivia responded and she zoned out. Fitz could tell there was more behind the story that she wasn't telling, but knew not to push. He has no idea what she has been though, but from what he can observe: Olivia's been through hell and back.
"We thank you anyway because your job entailed of protecting us. All of us." Karen smiled.
"We go over there so they don't come over here." Olivia smiled.
"Do you miss it? Being a Marine?" Fitz asked.
"Everyday…...I miss being a leader, I miss my fellow Marines, and I miss the code we all were taught to follow." Olivia spoke honestly.
"But, I am happy where I am and how hard I worked to get here."
"That's amazing Olivia."
"Hallloowwwwww! (Hello!)" Ethan said as Olivia was not feeding him, his melting ice cream.
"Oh, sorry my love!" Olivia laughed and fed Ethan.
"Can I feed him?" Karen asked.
"Yeah, sure. Just be careful you don't do it too fast." Olivia responded. Karen, wanted Olivia and her dad to bond more, so she decided to focus on Ethan. Karen got to know Ethan and it seemed her dad and her coach were hitting it off. Both laughing and asking each other questions.
This is someone that is pure. Olivia was perfect for her dad. Karen haven't seen her father this happy. His eyes bright again, after they died because of her mother's death. Everyone was enjoying the company until, someone walked in that would ruin it all. Mellie had a tough day at the gym, so she decided to stop for ice cream and what better place than De Dees. When she walked in she did not expect the sight she saw. Fitz, his daughter, and Olivia all being chummy and having ice cream, together. Mellie went over to the table and plastered a fake smile on. Fitz was having too good of a time with Olivia that he didn't even notice Mellie.
"Well, isn't this cute." Mellie said as she gave them a fake smile.
"Mellie? What are you doing here?" Fitz asked.
"I'm here to get ice cream. What else would I be doing here babe?" Mellie responded and Karen rolled her eyes.
"Hello, Karen." Karen responded with a obvious fake smile of her own.
"Fitz! Care to buy me ice cream?" Mellie asked. More like told Fitz.
"Ummmm yeah….Let's go get in line….." Fitz cleared his throat and got up.
After they left Karan let out a dreaded moan.
"Ugh! I hate her. I actually hate her." Karen banged her head on the table.
"Oh come one Grant I'm sure she's not that bad." Karen just responded to Olivia with a knowing look.
"Okay, maybe she doesn't like me, but you should give her a shot if your dads dating her."
"I swear I don't know what my dad sees in IT. She is so fake, I don't buy it at all." Karen sighed.
"Just make the best of it for your dad, Grant. And if you need anyone to talk to….I'm always here." Olivia rubbed Karen's arm and gave her a supporting smile.
"There is something I do have to ask you for…...Well…..I need help…..I need help with my catch and shoot. To be honest I suck at it. I've been trying to work on it, but no success. Also, my three point shooting is not too hot…"
"Oh, I know." Olivia agreed and laughed.
"Okay, ow! That hurt." Ethan and Olivia both laughed.
"Will you help me? Please….." Olivia looked at the girl. Filled with hope and dreams. She sighed.
"Be at the gym 5am sharp."
"OH MY GOD! THANK YOU SO MUCH!" Karen got up and hugged Olivia.
"Sorry….I'm a hugger." Karen sat back down.
"It's okay." Olivia laughed. Soon Mellie and Fitz came back. Fitz went to go get Mellie a chair, but Olivia stopped him.
"Actually, Ethan and I are going to head out…..He's got to get dinner and bathed." Olivia rubbed the back of her neck. She felt so awkward right now.
"No, Coach! Don't leave me!" Karen protested.
"I'm sorry, Grant! I gotta get sleepy home." Olivia responded. They said their goodbyes and Olivia left. After Olivia left Mellie smiled uncomfortably. She knew Karen Grant did not like her.
"Well, that was nice." Mellie smoothed her shirt.
"More like you drove her away." Karen murmure. That got a kick under the table from her dad. It was safe to say everyone was uncomfortable.