Birthday Plans
Out of sheer charm alone, Joshua had somehow managed to cajole both Fitz and Olivia into the sand pit with him to make sand castles… Only now, barely a few minutes into it, it appears that the novelty has already worn off, as he gets up and leaves them to their own devices, preferring a little wonder around the playground instead. Fitz had half expected Olivia to go after him, but instead she stays behind…
He looks over at her… Despite himself, he finds he can still read her like a book; something was off with her today, he's sure of it…
She looks at him apprehensively, "So, Fitz…"
He thought as much…
"I was thinking; its Joshua's birthday next week… and I don't know if you've already made plans, but it would mean a lot to me if I could get to spend some time with him on his big day… Maybe have some cake with him, watch him open up a few presents, that sort of thing?"
He doesn't know whether he should be surprised or impressed that she's remembered, considering that this will be the first birthday she's ever been around for. Funnily enough, he had planned to bring it up with her later that week, but seeing as she's beat him to it, he'll share his plans with her now…
"Well, Mum and Dad are having a little party for him at their place on Thursday, family and friends have also been invited… They were thinking a superman theme would be fitting, seeing as Joshua is completely obsessed at the moment!"
She giggles as she looks over at Josh, poignantly sporting his superman t-shirt for the second week running… "He won't take it off, will he?"
"Nope!" Fitz chuckles with her, sharing in on the joke… "I've lost count of how many times I've washed it this week."
"I bet!" She laughs along with him.
He pauses. "Olivia, would you like to come to his party?" He asks suddenly, effectively putting her on the spot; their easy banter from mere seconds ago quickly evolving into something a little bit more serious.
Not expecting that at all, her brow creases as she considers his incredibly generous offer…"I'd love to be there Fitz, there's nothing I want more than to celebrate Joshua's birthday with him" she confesses, but then adds honestly… "But I doubt I'll be welcomed… your parents…"
"My parents will deal Olivia, it's Joshua's birthday, they won't cause a fuss…"
She's torn, because she's sceptical of the reception that Fitz presumes she will receive if she dares to turn up. She knows for a fact that deep down Jerry wouldn't want her to be there; Anne would probably tolerate her… but what about the others? She wonders who else will be coming… just the thought of seeing all these faces from the past, people who she has not spoken to since she left, who, more than likely would have formed an unfavourable opinion of her; it will make her attendance to the party feel something akin to walking into a lion's den... Which hardly sits easy with her… Although, having said that, if this was the only way she was going to be with her son on his birthday, then she wasn't about to turn down the offer either; for Josh's sake, she would just have to put up with whatever they'd choose to dish out.
Mind made up, she tells him that she'll go, but on one condition… "As long as Jerry and Anne are in full agreement too, if not… then I will just have to accept it for what it is, and see Joshua on another day."
"Olivia, I've already spoken to them and its fine." He assures her.
Wow, she can't help but be pleasantly surprised at the fact that Fitz has already run the idea of her coming past his folks, that was extremely thoughtful of him... but as for them being totally fine with her coming? She highly doubts that, however seeing as they've already agreed to it, then she will go… "In that case, you can count me in, I'll be there."
"Great…" to her ears he almost sounds pleased… "Joshua will be glad to have you there" He conveys sincerely.
Her face softens with a smile. "Thanks Fitz, I'm glad I can be there for him too…"
With that said; and the plans for Joshua's birthday finally set in motion the pair of them suddenly find themselves engulfed in silence. She had also planned to speak to him about the possibility of telling Joshua who she really was as well... Or more precisely, how much longer will she have to prove herself trust worthy, before he decides to tell him? However, seeing as she had such a positive result on the birthday party, she puts that conversation on pause for now.
Feeling awkward, Fitz clears his throat, breaking the silence Taking that as her cue, she excuses herself… "Let me go and see what Mister's up to…" and promptly heads over in the direction of her son.
Truth be told, her head was reeling and she needed space… She can't lie, the thought of going over to Anne and Jerry's and possibly placing herself in the firing line terrifies her, yet on the other hand she couldn't be more thrilled at the prospect of being there, because at the end of the day it means she will be with her son on his third birthday, and that's all that matters.
As she approaches the little tyke in question, she stops and stares at him briefly; amused, as she pays witness to his playful interaction with another little girl… She marvels at how easy it comes to him, being sociable… and at the same time how incredibly gentle he can be too.
He would have made a wonderful big brother; she can't help but think…
Sensing her eyes upon him, Joshua turns from his newly found friend on the merry-go-round and simply dazzles her with one of his cheeky grins, happily waving at her… "Ms. Olivia, Ms. Olivia…"
Compelled, she jogs on over… "Yes Tiger?"
"This is my friend Mary!" He introduces… Olivia smiles as his pig-tailed companion, "Why hello Mary…"
"Hi…" She replies shyly, before Joshua eagerly intervenes… "Ms. Olivia, we can't move it… can you spin us around pleeeeeease?"
Okay, so it was official; Dr Synnaire had been right all along! Fact, every ounce of her strength and determination was invested in this little boy… but what she wasn't aware of, until right now, was that she was also completely at his mercy too…
Bottom line, when it came down to it; be it big or small, there was nothing she wouldn't do for him.
"Anything you wish; my superman!"