A/N: Here's the last chapter. Thank you all so much for reading!
Amanda lost track of time, feeling fully at ease until she heard a snore. She stilled her hand and glanced down at Olivia. Her head was resting on her crossed arms on the tub's ledge, and her breaths were soft. As much as Amanda didn't want to wake her, she knew she couldn't let her sleep there; she would surely wake up even more stiff and sore than she already was. Reluctantly, Amanda leaned over to wake her, gently rubbing her shoulder and calling her name.
Olivia blinked as she drifted back into consciousness. She peered up at Amanda and smiled. Amanda smiled back, realizing that was one of the first genuine smiles Olivia had ever given her.
"Do I have to get out?" Olivia whined, sinking back into the lukewarm water.
"No, you can stay," Amanda conceded, "But if you're staying in then I guess I'll have to drink all the tea by myself," Amanda mused.
"Tea?" Olivia perked up. "What kind." she questioned, trying to decide if it was worth leaving the comfort of the bath for.
"I don't remember," Amanda said, "I guess you'll have to get out to find out." She cajoled, watching the indecision flicker across the brunette's face.
"Fine, I'll get out," Olivia announced dramatically. Amanda mentally applauded her persuasion skills, but the victory was short-lived as Amanda tried to solve her next problem. How was she going to get Olivia out of the tub without getting the towel or herself wet.
She seemed okay now, but Amanda knew firsthand how fast that could change. Deciding to err on the side of caution, Amanda stood, rolling up her pajama sleeves as far as they would go just in case Olivia needed help. Amanda started to ask Olivia if she thought she could stand by herself figuring she could just hold the towel open for her while she got out; however, Olivia answered Amanda's question before she get the words out.
Gripping the grab bar with one hand and the other resting on the edge of the tub, Olivia struggled to her feet. With orange suds tracing a path down her skin she turned to face Amanda, who stood rooted to the spot. Amanda's eyes widened at the sight. She hadn't expected Olivia to get up so suddenly, but now that she had Amanda found herself unable to look away.
Olivia was unperturbed by Amanda's staring, too focused on brushing the remaining bubbles off of her. Amanda tried to keep her eyes from wandering, but her brain wasn't cooperating and her gaze dipped lower. She shamelessly appreciated the brunette's curves until her thoughts were interrupted.
"Amanda, can you hand me a towel," Olivia innocently asked, shivering slightly as the cool air graced her skin. The words filtered through Amanda's distracted mind and she snapped back to her senses, her cheeks heating up. She started to stammer out an apology while moving swiftly to grab a fluffy towel from the stack, but Olivia wasn't listening. From the corner of her eye Amanda saw the movement and found herself hurrying to Olivia's side before she even registered what was happening.
Amanda reached Olivia just in time as the brunette abruptly pitched forward, heading straight for the ground. Amanda grunted from the force of Olivia's body colliding with hers but she managed to regain her footing, keeping them both upright.
"Liv, are you okay," Amanda worriedly asked the brunette, who had apparently lost her balance while trying to step out of the tub.
"I'm dizzy," Olivia whimpered, winding her arms around Amanda's neck and resting her head on her shoulder.
"Okay, then let's get you out the tub so you can lie down," Amanda soothed, wrapping her arms around Olivia's waist for support while Olivia gingerly stepped over the rim. Olivia stayed pressed against her while Amanda awkwardly bent down to retrieve the fluffy towel she had dropped in her haste to catch Olivia. She draped the towel over Olivia's shoulders and did her best to dry her off when she sensed that Olivia had no intention of letting go of her.
As they trudged to Amanda's bedroom with Olivia's bare skin pressed against her, Amanda acknowledged how futile her attempt at rolling her sleeves to stay dry had been. She could feel the dampness of her pajamas beginning to seep through to her skin and after depositing Olivia on the bed, Amanda went to her drawer to find new sleepwear for both of them.
It then occurred to her that she should have had Olivia pack a bag while they were at her apartment, but at the time it clearly hadn't crossed either of their minds. Amanda set aside another flannel set for herself and rifled through the drawer looking for a long sleeved shirt and her favorite loose fitting sweatpants thinking Olivia could always roll up the sleeves and pant legs if she got too warm.
"Can I wear that?" Olivia asked, halting Amanda's search. She pointed to the Atlanta Braves nightgown Amanda had tossed out of the drawer. It had been a birthday gift from Kim. Amanda didn't even follow the team, but for some reason her sister seemed to think it was the perfect present for her. Amanda knelt to pick up the short gown wondering why Olivia had chosen it, but decided not to ask as she handed it to her. However, Olivia answered her unasked question for her.
"It reminds me of you," Olivia said aloud, although she seemed to be speaking to herself. Amanda looked up in surprise, but Olivia ignored her as she ran her hands over the soft garment. Trying not to dwell on Olivia's words, Amanda quickly stripped off her wet clothes and slipped into her dry ones with her back to Olivia.
When she turned back around Olivia was still undressed, having made no motion to put on the gown or even cover herself as her towel was haphazardly draped across her where it had fallen when she lay down.
"Um, Olivia," Amanda interjected, "Do you want to get dressed now?" she trailed off when she realized Olivia hadn't heard her.
"Olivia," Amanda called speaking louder.
"Huh," Olivia mumbled opening her eyes, having apparently dozed off. She stretched, trying to alleviate the stiffness in her joints when her hand brushed against the gown and she pulled the fabric to her. Olivia made a motion to sit up, her arms shaking with the effort the simple action had caused. Amanda gently placed her hands on Olivia's back, pushing her up the rest of the way.
Olivia attempted to pull the gown on, but she struggled with getting her arms through the sleeves, eventually giving up and letting it pool in her lap. Noticing Olivia's frustration Amanda sidled over to her.
"May I?" she asked, nodding at the garment. Olivia wordlessly handed Amanda the gown, appearing relieved by Amanda's interference. Amanda guided Olivia's arms through the sleeves, drew it over her head and tugged the gown down as far as it would go in one fluid motion.
Realizing how close she was to Olivia Amanda started to back away, but Olivia caught her hand and stopped her movement. Olivia gently pulled her closer and Amanda relaxed next to Olivia, feeling content as Olivia rested her head on her shoulder. A comfortable silence descended over them until Olivia's stomach rumbled, ending the moment. Olivia jumped, startled by the noise, and Amanda chuckled.
"I think that means it's time for dinner," she commented. "How about I make us some soup?" Amanda proposed, getting to her feet.
"And tea?" Olivia prompted, having not forgotten her reason for leaving the bath as she scooted to the edge of the bed.
"And tea," Amanda promised, unconsciously reaching for Olivia the moment she pushed herself up. The gown, Amanda noticed which fell to mid thigh on herself, barely covered the tops of Olivia's as it slipped down. Amanda tentatively placed her arm around Olivia's waist and smiled when Olivia leaned into Amanda's touch without hesitation as they walked to the kitchen.
Settling into a chair, Olivia watched Amanda make quick work of heating the soup and retrieving tea cups from the cabinet. Amanda set the table and placed the bowls of soup in front of Olivia, letting her decide.
Amanda watched with mirth as Olivia carefully surveyed her choices with the scrutiny of someone making a far more important decision than what to have for dinner before settling on the chicken noodle. Amanda carried the other bowl to her seat then went back to the counter to retrieve the tea cups after filling them with the hot water. She set them, along with the box of tea on the table and sat down next to Olivia.
Curiously, Olivia picked up the box.
"I didn't know you liked this type tea too," Olivia remarked, opening the box and taking out two bags, placing them in the cups "It's my favorite," she revealed with a grin.
"I know," Amanda confessed, fiddling with her soup spoon. "You mentioned it was your favorite so I thought I'd give it a try." she conceded with a shrug.
Olivia seemed surprised that Amanda had known that and Amanda ducked her head, keeping to herself that she really wasn't much of a tea drinker and the only reason she bought the tea was for the off chance that Olivia ever came over. It had been during one of her deeper moments of pining and she gave in to the impulse.
They ate in silence, blowing on the soup and taking small spoonfuls while enjoying each others quiet presence. When the tea had steeped long enough Olivia passed a cup to Amanda and waited with anticipation for her to try it. Not wanting to disappoint her audience, Amanda bravely took a sip. For a second Amanda thought it wasn't so bad, until she swallowed and the aftertaste hit her. Trying not to grimace at the bitter taste Amanda set the cup down, unable to understand how anyone could possible like plain tea.
"Do you like it?" Olivia earnestly inquired, calmly sipping her tea.
"No, it tastes like wet leaves," Amanda blurted out, shoving a spoonful of soup in her mouth to rid herself of the taste. She rose from the table and returned with a container of sugar. She mixed a heaping amount into the cup and took another sip.
"Much better," Amanda declared, swallowing the sugary liquid and grinning at Olivia's look of disapproval.
She had a few more sips of the enhanced beverage before Olivia broke the silence.
"Do you like me?" Olivia abruptly asked, glancing at Amanda.
"Of course I do, Liv," Amanda immediately responded to the out of the blue question, wondering why Olivia had felt the need to ask her that. "You're a good boss," she assured, assuming Olivia's question had stemmed out of concern about her leadership. She thought her response would put the brunette at ease, but instead Olivia looked dispirited.
"No, I mean-" Olivia furrowed her brows, searching for the right words, "Do you like me as more than your boss?" she clarified, setting down her cup and watching Amanda, nervously waiting for her response.
The question caught Amanda completely off guard and she chocked on her tea, having chosen the wrong moment to take a big sip. She sputtered on the hot liquid as she comprehended what Olivia had really been asking. YES, she wanted to shout, not needing to give the question another thought, but she forced herself to temper her response not wanting to scare Olivia off.
"Yes, Olivia, I do like you,"Amanda confessed, her heart pounding in her chest as she spoke, "As a lot more than my boss," she emphasized, deciding she may as well be completely honest. Amanda looked Olivia in the eye, feeling extremely vulnerable as she admitted the truth she had done her best to keep secret for all this time.
Amanda let out a shaky breath. Part of her felt light and airy, like a heavy weight had just been lifted off of her now that Olivia knew how she felt. There was a certain freedom in confessing that made Amanda wish she told her sooner. However, the pessimistic part of her, which was larger than she would have liked, felt that she just made a huge mistake.
Amanda couldn't shake the feeling that she had ruined everything and Olivia would insist that she take her home right now. Amanda's mind was screaming at her to try and take her words back to salvage what remained of the night and ultimately their already fragile relationship.
Yet Amanda said nothing, frozen by indecision and anxiety. Reaching for her napkin, Amanda begin shredding it into tiny pieces, needing something to do with her hands while she waited to see how Olivia would react.
The seconds dragged into minutes as Olivia absorbed the meaning of Amanda's words, her face betraying nothing. The napkin pieces became a small mountain and just when Amanda didn't think she could endure the silence for another second Olivia spoke.
"Oh," Olivia finally replied, seemingly in shock by the confirmation; as though she hadn't believed that Amanda could possibly feel way about her. Olivia broke their eye contact and stared down at her tea, swirling the liquid around in the cup.
"I like you too," Olivia confided, a small smile forming on her face as she glancing up to meet Amanda's gaze, her voice hardly more than a whisper. Amanda strained to hear Olivia, but when she did she swore her heart skipped a beat.
"A lot," Olivia added, almost as an afterthought, but with enough intensity that Amanda knew she meant it. Olivia's words played on a loop in Amanda's head and she was tempted to pinch herself, just to make sure she really heard what she thought Olivia said.
Amanda couldn't contain the smile that stretched across her face, her most unlikely dream had just come true. Olivia had feelings for her. Amanda's mind was beginning to race with possibilities and wondering where they would go from there when Olivia brought her back to the present.
"Amanda," Olivia called, sounding amazed. "There are frogs swimming in my tea," she marveled, staring wide eyed at her cup.
The bizarre statement firmly snapped Amanda out of her daydreams as she regarded Olivia with concern. Thinking about what came next could wait Amanda realized. Olivia was still sick and right now taking care of her was her only priority.
"And on that note, I think it's time for bed" Amanda announced, rising from the table and easing the cup from Olivia's hands. Olivia stared quizzically at the cup, but didn't protest when Amanda took it.
After putting their dishes in the sink Amanda came back to help Olivia to her feet. Once standing Olivia immediately settled against against Amanda as was becoming their habit and walked with her to the bathroom. Amanda rummaged under the sink and triumphantly produced a new toothbrush which she gave to Olivia. Amanda hovered beside Olivia while she completed her nightly routine and escorted her to the bedroom when she was done.
Olivia paused when she reached the bed staring at it in contemplation.
"Which side do you want?" Olivia asked, turning to face the blonde. Amanda faltered at the question, she had been planning for Olivia to take the whole bed while she slept on the couch.
"Neither, you get the whole thing" Amanda announced, flourishing her arm over the bed, "I'm going to sleep with Frannie on the couch," Amanda told her; "if she shares," Amanda added under her breath, knowing her dog's tendency to sprawl out and somehow take up much more space than her size justified.
Amanda was unprepared for the sorrowful look that appeared on the brunette's face.
"You're leaving me?" she whimpered, sounding on the verge of tears.
"No!" Amanda proclaimed, instantly changing her plans. Gently embracing Olivia, Amanda slowly ran her hand up and down her back, soothing her.
"I'll come to bed later. I just have something I need to finish first, but then I'll be right here" she reassured, remembering the soiled laundry she still had to tend to.
Olivia pulled back slightly to look Amanda in the eye, "Promise?" she asked, needing Amanda's vow.
"Promise," Amanda solemnly replied. She reached down to pull back the thin sheet and waited for Olivia to crawl into bed. A sigh of pleasure escaped her lips the moment her head rested against the pillow and Amanda smiled. She pulled the lightweight cover over Olivia, loosely tucking her in, and knelt to place a soft kiss on her temple. Olivia murmured a sound of contentment as her eyes fluttered closed.
Amanda moved away from Olivia and started quietly gathering up her discarded, damp pajamas from earlier while letting her mind wander. Of all the times she had dreamed of Olivia sleeping in her bed, she never once imagined it would happen like this.
As she picked up Olivia's towel Amanda was suddenly immensely glad that she talked Olivia into staying with her. Considering how disoriented and off-balance Olivia had been at times Amanda didn't even want to think about what might have happened if Olivia had been alone.
While Amanda wished she could take Olivia's sickness away, she couldn't suppress the smile that came every time she thought about Olivia's confession; knowing that it wouldn't have occurred had it not been for the fever-induced moment of vulnerable honesty. She knew they would have a lot to discuss when Olivia was better, but Amanda would deal with that when the time came. For now she was content to reminisce on the revelations the night had brought and treasure how close they had been.
Amanda headed for the door and smiled as she heard the soft sound of snoring before she left the room.
