After a peaceful and long walk around the mansion, Olivia felt her body giving in to exhaustion. She settled herself comfortably on the lawn, her gaze drifting toward the clear blue sky. The cherry blossom trees swayed gently with the wind, their delicate petals floating down in soft cascades, creating an almost magical atmosphere.
Ethan, noticing her fatigue, gave a knowing nod to Emma and Alex, signaling them to take a moment to themselves. He then quietly made his way to Olivia, sitting down beside her. Without saying a word, he lifted her feet onto his lap and began gently massaging them. His fingers worked expertly, easing away the tension in her tired muscles.
Olivia let out a soft moan, her body visibly relaxing under his touch. "You're spoiling me way too much, Ethan," she murmured, half-scolding but fully enjoying the soothing relief.
Ethan chuckled, continuing the massage. "I'm just taking care of you. And our little one," he added, his tone gentle but full of affection.
Olivia closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the warmth of his hands, the light breeze, and the peace of the moment. "I don't know how I got so lucky," she whispered, a small smile tugging at her lips.
After a moment of silence, Ethan cleared his throat. "I wanted to talk about tonight. Just a few warnings…" His tone was soft but serious, and Olivia opened her eyes, giving him her full attention.
"First off, Martha and Jenna. You know they'll try to get under your skin. Don't let them. And if they bring up anything about the baby—"
"Ethan," Olivia interrupted him, squeezing his hand. "We've been through this. I know how to handle them. I won't let them get to me, I promise." She smiled warmly at him. "Everything's going to be fine."
Ethan's brows furrowed slightly, still anxious. "I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable or stressed. Especially now."
Olivia nodded, understanding his concerns but refusing to let them dampen her spirits. "You're right. But we've got this. And hey, I've got my secret weapon—you." She winked, trying to lighten the mood.
He finally let out a soft sigh, his tension easing a bit. "Okay. But let's make sure we're fully prepared. I was thinking we could grab some gifts for Aunt Linda and Grandpa Henry, just to show our appreciation for tonight."
Olivia's face lit up at the suggestion. "That's a great idea! And how about lunch at the sushi bar? We can pick up the gifts afterward. It'll be a nice break before dinner."
Ethan smiled at her enthusiasm. "I like the sound of that. A little distraction before the inevitable drama."
He stood up, offering Olivia his hand. She took it, allowing him to pull her to her feet. Together, they made their way back to the mansion, where Emma and Alex were chatting by the entrance.
"We've got a plan for the afternoon," Ethan announced, sharing the idea of lunch at the sushi bar and getting gifts for Aunt Linda and Grandpa Henry.
Alex nodded approvingly. "Sounds good to me. We'll come with you. A little sushi before family drama never hurt anyone."
Emma laughed, clearly excited about the idea. "Plus, shopping for gifts sounds like fun."
Olivia smiled, feeling a bit of excitement return despite the looming dinner. With Ethan by her side and their close friends supporting them, she knew they could face whatever came their way later that evening.