[Chapter 35 : Ready? ]

Chapter 35

Brian followed Olivia as she exited the elevator into the hotel's lobby. Brian knew just how important this trip out was and thus he vowed to himself that he would do whatever he could to make this a successful time out. He could already see that Olivia's body was beginning to tense up.

Olivia walked towards the reception desk and waited to be helped.

'Ah, Miss Carlson.' Dianne said with a big smile on her face.

'Morning Diane.' Olivia smiled knowing full well that Dianne knew her real name.

'I'm stepping out for awhile and I thought it might be nice for the staff to get into the room?'

'I will certainly organize it and everything will be ready when you return.'

'Thank you Dianne.'

As soon as Olivia turned around after her exchange with Dianne, Brian was by her side.

'You ready to go?'

Olivia smiled back bravely.

'Yip.'

Brian opened the door and allowed Olivia to step out into the street for the first time in over a week.

At first she just stood there. For just a moment she was stunned as the noise, smell and activity assaulted her senses. These were the streets she worked, streets where she kept others safe and now suddenly she felt unsafe and vulnerable. Brian stepped up next to her and just gave her time. His proximity would let her know that he was there. Finally she looked up to him with an uncertain look.

'It's ok. I'm here. Just feel your feet on the ground. Take your time.' He coached her. He knew that going back into the hotel would make Olivia feel very defeated so he had to encourage her to stay out and achieve the objective she had set for herself.

'I'm. . . I'm okay.' She said, her voice getting stronger with every word.

'Yes you are. We are going to have a lovely day out. Just let me know when you are ready.'

After a few more seconds she looked up to him and nodded.

'Ready.'

Brian slipped his arm under Olivia's and hooked in before start off at a slow pace.

Olivia was so thankful for Brian's attentiveness and patience. Without his support she would have probably turned around as soon as she had stepped out of the hotel. She had thought going out for the first time might be difficult but it had been a long time since she had felt so uncertain, maybe even a bit scared. But Brian had been there and she had felt his presence while she had found her feet. Now walking down the street she felt herself gain ground, not only physically but mentally as well.

Suddenly Olivia stopped in her tracks.

'Liv? You ok?'

'Yeah, lets eat in here.' She said smiling.

If Brian had any doubts at all about coming out today, seeing Olivia smile like that again was all he needed.

'Ok.'

Olivia had chosen a small café and Brian chose a table in the corner. The couple sat down and ordered their drinks. After the waitress had left them, Olivia busied herself by looking through the menu. Brian peered over his and saw a slight tremor in Olivia's hand that held the menu. Another piece of his heart broke. He put his menu down.

'Liv.' He said before he reached for the hand that had caught his attention.

'Yeah.' She said as she lowered the menu.

'We can order just now. How you doing been out? And please don't say fine.'

Olivia took a minute to think.

'It's good to be out the hotel.' Olivia started. 'Not easy. I'm glad that I'm not alone.' She smiled.

'But you ok so far?'

'Ok, yes not fine yet.'

'That's understandable. It will take some time.'

'Yeah I suppose it will. Thank you for coming with me.'

'Liv, you know I will be here every step of the way if you allow me to be.'

'I know and Brian, you'll never know how much it means to me.'

'Just let me know if you need to go back to the hotel at any time and we will go. Ok?'

'Ok, let's order.'

They had an easy and quiet lunch. Brian just enjoying seeing Olivia enjoy some sense of normalcy and Olivia enjoying gaining that sense of normalcy with every moment that she was out. Just as they were about to leave, Olivia made another request.

'Brian, I need to get some more personal items before I head back to the hotel…'

'Ok, that's fine. Where are we heading?' Brian answered before she could finish her sentence. He knew how difficult it must be for her to ask for him to accompany on errands which she would normally do own her own. So he tried to make it easier on her by answering before she had actually asked him.

Brian patiently followed her around the shop while she did what she needed to. The only time he backed off was when she entered the ladies department to look for some personal clothing items. He felt a bit uncomfortable browsing in the underwear section so he hung back allowing Olivia some space. But even though he stayed back he made sure that he stayed in Olivia's line of sight so that she could see him at all times.

Olivia was so proud of herself when they arrived back at the hotel. She had successfully negotiated her first day out without any major incidents. Brian had been so supportive the whole day. Olivia approached the front desk with some of her parcels in her one hand and the rest been carried by Brian.

'Welcome back Ms Carlson.' A desk clerk smiled. 'Your room has been cleaned and it is ready for your arrival.'

'Thank you.'

Olivia retrieved her room key and went back up to her room with Brian.