"Yeah, they both are okay. They put the baby in an incubator and are keeping her under observation. She has machines helping her breathe and she’s pretty tiny. But the doctors are optimistic that she’s going to be all right once she gets a little bigger," Derrick said smiling.
Olivia closed her eyes and let out a long breath. "That's really good."
"Rachel has to be in observation for a few hours also before she can have any visitors. I guess that’s protocol after a C-section. She can have visitors once she is moved into a regular room if, of course, she feels up to it. It's 3am. Do you want to go home for a little bit?”
Did she want to go home to a bed? Was that a question he really needed to ask? "Yes," she answered standing up.
“Let’s go home and get some rest,” he murmured, wrapping an arm around her waist. She laid her head back on his shoulder as they made their way to the elevators. She was tired, but not so exhausted that she didn’t catch onto the word they’d both used. Home.
***
Olivia was thankful they were the first ones to arrive at the hospital. Marc had deliberately planned it so she, Derrick, and Jace would arrive before anyone else. Running into Derrick's family wasn't something she wanted to do again, but it would happen eventually. She was sure of it. Elliott was still up in the air. Olivia liked to think the best about people, but she didn’t want to do anything to upset Derrick. Elliott had seemed genuine and, honestly, what sibling wouldn’t want to work out things with the other? She ran a hand through her hair. Right now, she needed to think about Rachel.
They continued down the long white hallway until they stopped in front of Rachel's new room. Jace knocked on the door. Rachel’s muffled voice called out to them and Jace pushed the door open for them.
"Good morning big sister you look lovely," Jace smiled.
"Oh shut it," Rachel growled. "Yesterday you told me I look like crap and today you tell me I look lovely when I feel worse than I did before."
"So touchy. I'm sorry," Jace said holding his hands up in defeat.
"How are you Rachel?" Olivia asked as Derrick sat down and pulled her into his lap in one of the chairs next to the bed.
"All right I suppose. I went to see Ava earlier. She's so beautiful and perfect. The doctor said she is doing really well and hopefully can come off the ventilator in a few weeks. Maybe less. Right now, I’m just so thankful she’s alive and going to be okay.”
"That's great. It sounds like she is strong, like her mother," Olivia smiled, relieved that everything was going so well.
"Ava?" Derrick asked.
"Yes," Rachel grinned. "It's classy and elegant, and the only name Marc and I could agree on."
"Where is Marc? He didn't run off already did he?" Jace asked.
Rachel narrowed her eyes at him. "Oh shut it, Jace. He went to get me something decent to eat. This hospital food is so…bland and disgusting."
"Well if you’re not going to eat it, can I?" Jace asked. "Derrick and Olivia forgot to feed me this morning," Jace joked looking at the untouched tray of breakfast foods.
"If you want," Rachel said indicating it with her hand.
"So are we allowed to see Ava?" Olivia asked curiously. She would love to see the baby, but wasn't sure what the hospital policy was since Ava was in the NICU.
Rachel sighed. "Only parents are allowed in the NICU, but Marc has some pictures on the camera over there." She said pointing to the table.
Olivia jumped up, heading to the digital camera, and brought it back. Sitting between the two brothers, she turned it on. A dark haired baby girl greeted her. "Rachel, she's beautiful," she gushed.
"Yes, she is," Derrick agreed looking down at the camera. He had to admit that babies terrified him. But Ava didn't seem so scary—at least not in the photo. She was beautiful and peaceful as she slept in the picture. He could see hints of both Marc and Rachel in her. Olivia flipped through the pictures and he couldn't help but notice how excited she was by it. She was going to be a great aunt and would be a great mother some day.
"How are you holding up with all this?" Olivia asked looking up at Rachel suddenly.
"Okay. I guess," Rachel sighed. "I know she has to stay in the incubator and hooked up to the machines, but it’d be nice to hold her—to touch her without gloves,” she replied, her voice growing thick with emotion.
Derrick wasn't use to seeing Rachel so emotional. Tears streamed down her face and she grabbed a tissue from the nightstand to dab at her eyes. Olivia stood up and hurried over to Rachel, pulling her into a hug.
"Hey," Marc called as he came into the room. He carried a large white sack in one hand and a carton of drinks in the other. “I got us some burgers and fries from the little diner on the corner, since it's getting closer to lunch time and I brought you some snacks from the convenience store."
"Thanks," Rachel sniffled.
"Everything good here?" Marc asked looking around the room.
"Yes, Derrick and Jace have never bothered me Marc," Rachel assured as she grabbed a tissue and blew her nose.
"Just Olivia then?" Marc jested. Rachel glared at him. "You didn't include her," he shrugged laughing.
Rachel rolled her eyes. "Olivia doesn't annoy anybody."
"Did something happen?" Derrick asked concerned. If his parents—if anyone hurt Rachel, he would see to it that it didn’t happen again. The same went for Olivia. No one messed with them.
"It's nothing really," Rachel sighed.
"It was enough to upset you." Marc reminded her.
"Just dad made some nasty comments is all." Rachel replied irritated.
"About?" Jace asked.
"Us not being married," Marc supplied. He popped open the bag and set a burger, fries, and a drink in front of Rachel.
"Yes, why is that exactly?" Jace asked leaning forward studying Marc.
"Ask her," Marc said indicating Rachel with his hands.
"I didn't want to get married just because I was pregnant," Rachel huffed. "Now can we please talk about something else?"
Olivia got up and came back over to Derrick. She plopped down in his lap and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. She relaxed back into him and rested her head against his.
The hospital door swung open and Derrick stiffened as the rest of his family sauntered in. He groaned and closed his eyes. He didn’t want to leave his sister yet, but he didn’t want to stay either.
"How are you this morning Rachel?" Elliott asked breaking the silence that had engulfed the room.
"Fine," she answered curtly.
"And Ava?" Elliott asked.
"Doing better," she said some of the edge leaving her voice.
Derrick swallowed hard and wrapped his arm tighter around Olivia. He didn't like the way that his parents were looking at them. They could say or do whatever they wanted to him, but he’d be damned if they ever hurt Olivia. She was a kind, loving, beautiful woman, and he would never let anything happen to her.
"Do you want to leave?" Olivia whispered quietly into his ear bringing him back into the present.
He blinked realizing he had completely zoned out. He looked around the room and noticed that the rest of the visitors had started making idle chitchat with each other, though his father was still glaring in their direction even though he was speaking to Marc.
"Derrick?" Olivia asked again.
"I'm okay. Do you want to go?" he questioned. He could stick it out her for Rachel.
"Nope all good," she smiled as she entwined her fingers with his.
"What do you think Olivia?" Brandy asked.
They both turned confused, obviously having missed whatever had just been said.
"Oh, you'll have to forgive them. They like to have their own private little moments from time to time," Jace laughed.
"Brandy was just asking if Olivia could organize a small gathering in a few weeks for Ava. A welcome home party," Elliott said placing his hand on Brandy.
"Um," Olivia said looking to Derrick
then towards Rachel. "I guess that would be up to Rachel and Marc. Ava will still be really little and just out of the NICU. Do you want a bunch of people over so soon?" Olivia asked her brow furrowing.
"We'll have to think about that," Rachel said with a small smile of what Derrick assumed was thanks as she looked at Olivia.
"Oh, I was just trying to do something nice," Brandy shrugged. "I figured all your friends would be eager to meet Ava and you would like to be able to see them in the comfort of your own home. Although, I'm not a mother yet so I guess I don't quite understand."
"Yet?" Rachel asked curling her lip up.
"Well, we weren't going to say anything, but we are expecting," Elliott said happily as Brandy beamed.
"I’m going to have two grandchildren. How exciting," Patrice approved clapping her hands together.
"Yes…that's wonderful news,” Arnold said plastering a smile to his face. "How wonderful to be a grandparent…again."
Derrick frowned. Maybe his parents didn’t like Brandy as much as he thought they did. Of course, Elliott was their golden child and could do no wrong.
"You two aren't going to drop the baby bomb on us too are you?" Jace asked turning to Derrick and Olivia.
"No," they both said at the same time.
"Darn,” Jace teased.
"Yes, well I'm certain Derrick is far from ready to be a parent yet," Arnold said spitefully.
"Maybe, but I think he'd do a great job," Olivia defended squeezing his hand reassuringly. Well, at least one of them had confidence in him.
Arnold opened his mouth to say something else when Jack and Elena came into the room holding hands. "Hi," Elena smiled looking shyly around the room. "I hope we're not interrupting."
"No, come in please," Marc said getting out of his chair and sitting on the bed with Rachel.
"Thanks," Elena said taking Marc’s vacated seat as Jack stood next to her. "How are you doing?" Elena asked looking at Rachel.
"Tired," she answered.
Olivia shared a look with Derrick, and they both stood up. "We are probably going to get going." Derrick said glancing at Jace, who stood up as well. "We'll see you in a little bit," Derrick promised quietly.
"Join us for dinner this evening Derrick," Elliott said looking between the two of them.
"Yes Derrick, come to dinner," Patrice invited. “Your father and I found this lovely Italian bistro just down the street from Rachel’s apartment.”
"We'll think about it," Derrick responded. He’d thought about it and the answer was no.
***
Olivia sifted through her clothes in the closet looking for a shirt to wear. Derrick’s apartment might be better for the two of them to stay in, but his closet space sucked.
“You going to be ready to go? Jace will be here in about ten,” Derrick said, popping his head into the closet.
"I can't find the top I want to wear," Olivia grumbled pushing through the clothes. "I think it's back at my apartment."
"Just pick something else out," Derrick suggested as he started buttoning his shirt. "Or bring all your stuff here, then you won't have to worry about it."
"What, like move in?" She asked turning towards him. Was he asking her to move in with him? They already ‘lived’ together in the sense that she stayed here every night. It would be nice to make it official.
"Yeah, if you want to. I want you here with me," Derrick replied.
"Move in," she repeated quietly thinking about it and then smiled. "You know I already live here anyway right?"
He grinned. "I know. Is that a yes?"
"Yes," she whispered happily.
He dashed into the closet and drew her into a tight hug. He tilted his head and captured her lips with his. "If you don't put something on, I don't think we'll make it out of the front door," he murmured against her lips as he pulled her against him.
"I'd be okay with that, as long as Jace knows we aren’t going to dinner with him," Olivia murmured between kisses.
"Well why don't you put this on," he said handing her a silky nightie, "and I'll go make sure he doesn’t bother us," he said kissing her again.
"Okay," she laughed as Derrick ducked out of the room. “Make sure you finally get his key back from him,” she called out. Tonight was a night to celebrate and she didn’t want any interruptions.
Chapter Twenty
Olivia yanked two hampers out of the elevator toward Derrick’s apartment. Almost a year ago the thought of moving in with Tyler, whom she had been with for several years, scared her more than anything. Yet, here she was happily moving in with Derrick, not a worry in her mind. Derrick had offered to help her today, but she had wanted something to do while he went out to meet with his client. He'd given her the keys to his SUV, and she’d set to work on moving the important things into his place.
She turned the corner heading to Derrick's apartment and froze when she saw Patrice standing on the other side of the closed door. She paused and ducked back around the corner. What is she doing here?
"Olivia?" She froze as she heard Patrice’s voice just inches behind her. The thought of running for the stairs crossed her mind, but she would never make it. Closing her eyes and sighing, she turned around.
“Hi,” she murmured forcing a smile on her face.
Patrice arched a brow at her as her gaze fell on the hampers. "Please allow me to help you with these," she offered.
"Um…" Think Olivia. Think. There was absolutely no way in hell she was going into that apartment alone with her. What trouble is she trying to cause now? "Ok…but I just realized I must have left the keys in the back of the SUV…I uh set them in there to get these out," she rambled as she backed toward the elevator again.
"Oh sure. Where is Derrick? I would think he should be helping you with this. I certainly taught him to be a gentlemen," Patrice explained stalking after her.
Olivia’s phone vibrated and she pulled it out of her purse. Derrick was on his way here. "He should be home any minute. He had a meeting with a client today," she held up the phone for her to see.
"Glad to see he is doing something with his life," Patrice replied.
"Yes, well, he is very talented," Olivia said turning to push the button on the elevator.
“He’d be a talented lawyer. He certainly is stubborn enough to be one,” Patrice retorted.
“Yeah. If that’s what he wanted to do.”
Patrice scoffed and shook her head. “You kids have no idea about the real world. You—”
“Really?” Olivia interrupted. “Your son is starting his own company. He has clients and is following his dreams. As a parent, I would think that would make you proud.”
“What would make me proud is him—”
“Being a lawyer?” Olivia cut her off again. “Being something he doesn’t want? You can’t force him to do that. He is his own person, and you need to respect that. Do you even care that you’ve driven him away? He’s your son and he can’t stand to be in the same room as you because of what you’ve done, because of how you’ve treated him. You should be ashamed,” she interjected. “Now why did you come here? Because if it’s to antagonize the man I love, then you can show yourself out.”
Patrice glared at her a long moment. She swallowed and shook her head, averting her gaze to the floor. “I haven’t spoke to him in five years.”
“Phones don’t work in L.A.?” Olivia questioned, crossing her arms over her chest. Patrice had struck a nerve. What was wrong with this woman? Who blew their child off for five years? Even her dad, who would never win father of the year, called her every so often.
“I can see why the two of you get along. You’re very similar to Derrick,” Patrice replied. “I think I may have misjudged you.”
Olivia frowned, taken back by her comment. What was that supposed to mean?
“Tell Derrick to call us at the hotel,” Patrice added. “Please.”
“Tell me yourself,” Derrick growled as he approached them.
“
Derrick,” Patrice smiled with a sigh.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, meeting Olivia’s gaze.
“Perhaps we could take this inside?” she asked, her eyes flicking to the door.
“Fine.” Derrick grabbed both of Olivia’s hampers and led the way to the apartment.
“Moving in I see,” Patrice mentioned.
“You’re not going to criticize us,” Derrick instructed.
Patrice opened her mouth, but then closed it and nodded.
Olivia took out her keys and unlocked the door for them since Derrick had his hands full. She held the door open allowing Derrick in first.
Patrice stood in the entryway, her eyes roaming over the apartment.
“What did you want?” Derrick asked.
Patrice swallowed and Olivia frowned as the older woman sighed heavily. She crossed the threshold into the home, giving it another appraising glance before turning to her son. “It’s been five years, Derrick. I never thought it would go this far. I never imagined you would leave and not come back. That your father would all but banish you from the family,” she stuttered her voice thick. “We’re leaving in the morning. There is a large case that your father and Elliott must take. I just…I wanted to see you before we left.”
“Well, you came and you saw,” Derrick replied.
“Derrick,” Patrice whispered.
“What do you want?” he asked through clenched teeth.
Olivia licked her lips as she looked between mother and son. Why the sudden change?
“To be a part of my son’s life. I was numb. It was easier when I didn’t see you. But now I have and I can’t do it again. I’m sorry. I may never understand, but I want us to try and work through this. Please,” she reached into her purse and pulled out a card. “My cell number. Please call. Sometime. Whenever.” She nodded and then backed to the door, setting the card on the table.
“And how does Dad feel about all this?” Derrick questioned.
Patrice pursed her lips. “You know your father. You’ll never change his mind. Just consider what I said.”
Pretty Young Thing: a new adult romance box set Page 49