Swings
Alex sighed as she walked into the apartment. Evidence of Olivia's path of destruction was all over the floor. "Liv?" She asked, praying the answer came from the bedroom, where Liv was supposed to be resting. Instead, the answer came from the kitchen. She sighed wondering what was facing her this time. She hated being a nanny, but she also hated the fact that Olivia didn't take care of herself. Considering how badly Olivia wanted to go back to work, one would think she'd be more careful. Alex dropped her briefcase with a heavy sigh. Trying to get Olivia to follow doctor's orders was like getting water to flow upstream.
"What are you doing?" she asked, as she walked into the room.
"What?" Olivia asked. Alex looked at her, shaking her head. She was standing in the kitchen, using her braced leg as she walked gingerly across the kitchen.
"You're not supposed to be walking on that." She said pointing to the splint, crossing her arms across her chest preparing for the onslaught.
"Oh for Christ's sake, Alex. It's fine. It doesn't even hurt that bad." Olivia answered trying very consciously not to limp, but knowing that she wasn't entirely successful.
"Olivia, if you want it to heal right,"
"Alex, shut up." She snapped.
"Olivia?" Alex asked, surprised at her sudden anger.
"What?" She asked frustrated.
"I'm just trying to help you." Alex sighed. She rubbed her temples as she watched Olivia continue to walk around.
"I don't want that kind of help." She complained.
"Liv," Alex said, as she tried to step closer to Olivia who leaned herself against the counter. "Come on," She said, reaching her arm out to give Olivia support and get her to the table.
"Get away from me! I don't want a mom, Alex. I know what I'm doing." Olivia said pushing her back.
"Fine," Alex said. "I won't mention it." Alex said, turning around and leaving the kitchen.
"Great," Olivia said, as she walked carefully back across the floor. The angry thoughts flew through her head. She slammed her fist down on the counter, and she heard Alex gasp in surprise. That sound, the sound of Alex's fear made it all drain out of her. Slowly, she turned around and looked at Alex. "Baby, let's not fight." She whispered.
Alex looked at her with surprised eyes. She was used to Olivia's temper—not her apologies. "Okay," she said slowly, not sure if this was a trick or the truth.
"I just wanted to surprise you." Olivia said, with a real smile.
"With?"
"I made dinner." She said with a proud smile.
Alex looked at her skeptically. "You made dinner."
"Uh huh." Olivia said with a smile.
"You." Alex, said, pointing at her.
"Uh huh."
"What'd you make?"
"Well, I just started. Kind of." Olivia said. "I got the salad mix out of the fridge and put it next to the bowl."
"Oh, I see," Alex said with a smile.
"And I put water on the stove, and turned it on. I think."
"Did you get something out to put in the water?"
Olivia smiled and showed her the box of raw pasta.
"You could be the next Emeril." Alex walked across the kitchen and looked at the stove. She smiled as she turned the burner on and turned the oven off. "Would have been a long wait, sweetheart."
"I'm still learning," Olivia said with a smile. Alex gave her a kiss and Olivia wrapped her arms around Alex's waist.
"How about I do the cooking part and you can help by sitting down and watching?" Alex asked.
"Okay," Olivia smiled. "Sorry Alex."
"For what?"
"Yelling at you, I just," Olivia said, looking down.
"I know." Alex said, quieting her with a kiss. Alex didn't want to talk about it. She didn't want to take the chance of the anger coming back. She hated the fear she felt and she hated that she let it control her. She was so happy with this Olivia, the one that she loved so deeply. She was willing to give up whatever part of herself she needed to keep this one around. She closed her eyes tight and pretended that everything was how it used to be. For a moment, she almost believed it
To Be Continued…