Chapter Text
Olivia was grinding her teeth in frustration as she listened to Albert singing in the shower. He was loud and off-key, and even in the bedroom with the door closed, she wasn’t safe from his caterwauling.
Somehow, a week had passed and Albert was still occupying their guest bedroom. Olivia and Gust had been determined to sleep in and snuggle, but once again, Albert interrupted with his singing. Olivia buried her face in her pillow and groaned.
“I don’t want to say I told you so, buuuut…” Gust smirked at her.
“I can’t take it anymore! He broke the arm stretcher I was making for Remington, we haven’t had any time alone since he moved in, and he keeps starting fires in my kitchen!”
Gust stroked her hair and attempted to calm her down. “I know, I know. I’m going to talk to him today and see if he’s even tried to talk to Sonia to work things out.”
Olivia turned over and snuggled into Gust’s bare chest. “He’s gonna have to go. Because I reeeeally want you to fuck me.”
“What if we do it quietly?” Gust began kissing her neck.
“We can try.” She threw a leg over Gust.
Things were getting hot and heavy when the door was flung open.
“Guys, I made brea-WHOA!” Olivia shrieked and tried to cover herself up as quickly as possible.
“FOR GOD’S SAKE ALBERT, KNOCK BEFORE YOU COME IN!” Gust shouted at him.
Albert had clapped his hands over his eyes but was still standing in the doorway. “I didn’t see anything! Much of anything, anyway!”
“Get OUT!” Olivia launched a pillow at his head and he finally left.
Gust got up and slammed the door shut and leaned against it. Olivia was gathering her scattered clothes from the floor and cursing.
“That’s it! Final straw! He has to go!”
“Let me talk to him, Liv. He’s got nowhere else to go.”
“Are you telling me that Albert doesn’t have any other friends?”
“It’s Albert, what do YOU think?” Gust dodged a pillow that Olivia launched at his head. He shrugged into a clean shirt and some pants while Olivia brushed her hair, a glare still present on her face.
Gust exited first, and sighed as he went into the kitchen. Albert was putting out a small fire on top of the stove. He really hoped it would be out before Olivia saw.
“Albert, we need to talk.”
Albert jumped and turned around. “Mate, I’m so sorry! I didn’t think you’d be the type to get it on in the mornings, so I thought I’d see-”
Gust held up a hand to stop him. “First off, please don’t ever mention that again. Secondly, if the door is closed, do not let yourself in. And finally, have you reached out to Sonia?”
Albert didn’t meet Gust’s gaze and shrugged. “I tried, she still doesn’t want to see me. I don’t know how long this is going to go on.”
Olivia entered the kitchen. Albert looked up at her “Liv, I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have come in.”
Olivia just grumbled and headed towards the coffee pot. “Can we just forget that ever happened?”
“Right, right, of course. Just one thing. How long have you had the ass tattoo?”
Gust caught Olivia and restrained her as she whirled around to attack Albert.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Just trying to lighten the mood!”
Olivia sighed and composed herself. “Albert, as much as we love having you here, I really think you should try to patch things up with Sonia. She’s your wife and she’s carrying your child.”
Albert sighed. “I know, I know. I’ve just gotta figure out how to win her back. Gotta think of some romantic gesture or something.”
Olivia gave Gust a meaningful look and mouthed “help him!”
Gust picked up on it, and said “Albert, why don’t I help you come up with something?”
Albert smiled. “Yeah, mate! That’d be wonderful!”
“Well, I have to drop off a commission this morning, so I’ll leave you guys alone to figure something out.”
Gust suddenly looked panicked. “By yourself? You don’t think I should come with you?”
Olivia gave him a look, and said “actually, let me get your opinion on this before I drop it off.” and motioned for him to come outside.
They shut the door and Gust grabbed her arm. “Don’t leave me with him! He’s driving me crazy!”
“I know, me too! That’s why I’m going to talk to Sonia. Keep him here and keep him occupied.”
Gust sighed and smiled at his wife. “God, you’re smart. One of the reasons I married you.” He pulled her in for a hug and kissed her forehead.
“Make it up to me later. The sooner I talk to Sonia, the sooner he’s out of here.” She gave him a quick kiss and practically ran towards town.
Sonia was standing outside the Round Table at her usual spot by the drink stand in the mornings. She smiled as Olivia approached. “Hey, Liv! Here for a rainbow lemonade?”
Olivia smiled tensely at her. “Not today, I actually need to talk to you about something. Can we go inside?”
“Sure! I’d like to get off my feet for a bit anyway and it’s slow this morning.”
The entered the Round Table and Django smiled widely at Olivia. “Ah, Miss Olivia! Good morning! I’m afraid you’re a bit early for lunch!”
“Sorry, Django, I need to borrow your waitress for a little bit, if that’s ok?” She gave him her sweetest smile.
“Of course, Miss Olivia.” He gave her a small bow and went behind the counter.
“He’s such a sucker for you.” Sonia chuckled as they sat in a nearby booth. “So what’d you need to talk to me about?”
“Well, first off- oh, thanks Django!” Django smiled and sat a rainbow lemonade by her, as he knew it was her favorite drink. She waited for him to walk away before continuing. “You’ve gotta take Albert back.”
Sonia looked taken aback. “How do you know about that?”
“Because Albert has been living with Gust and me and he’s driving us crazy.”
Sonia crossed her arms and looked at the table. “So that’s where he’s been. I didn’t know where he’d run off to. We had a stupid fight, I told him to get out, and I haven’t seen him since then.”
Olivia looked confused. “Wait, he hasn’t tried to talk to you?”
A tear ran down Sonia’s cheek. “Nope. He just walked out on me. And I wasn’t telling anyone, but…I’m pregnant.”
Olivia squeezed her hand and gave her a sad smile. “First off, congratulations. You’re going to be a great mother. Secondly, Albert told me he’s been trying to apologize to you and you wouldn’t see him. So I’m going to kick his ass.”
Sonia laughed and squeezed Olivia’s hand in return. “He’s such an ass sometimes. He’s arrogant and says the stupidest things, but he can be so sweet and loving. I didn’t know where he’d gone. I thought he was just shacked up with someone.”
“No worries there, he’s just been on our couch, lounging around and starting fires in my kitchen.”
Sonia laughed again. “He’s a terrible cook.”
“Yeah I know, he’s going to be buying me some new pans that aren’t scorched.” She smiled sweetly at Sonia. “I don’t know if he’s just being a prideful idiot, or if he really thinks you didn’t want to see him, but it’s going to work out. That idiot loves you. When I left, he and Gust were thinking of some grand romantic plan to win you back. He’s been head over heels for you the entire time I’ve known him, and besides,” she smiled again. “You guys have made a new life together. And that’s amazing, and he’d never walk out on you and a baby. Albert is a lot of things, but he is a loyal, caring man.”
Sonia sniffed. “You’re right. Maybe I should go apologize to him.”
“Don’t you dare!” Olivia said. “That man should come to you on his knees and beg you to take him back after the shit he pulled. Let me go straighten him out.” Both girls stood and Olivia pulled Sonia into a hug. “Everything is going to be ok. I promise.”
“So I’m thinking fireworks, yeah? And maybe a parade?” Albert thought out loud.
“I don’t think there’s even enough people in Portia to form a parade.” Gust added.
“Right, right. Back to square one, then.”
Olivia opened the front door and crossed her arms and glared at Albert.
“Albert. We need to talk.”
Albert chuckled. “Uh-oh! That’s never good coming from a woman, but it’s your wife so I’m not sure if I’m in trouble.”
He was still sitting on the couch when Olivia strode over and stood over him, looking down at him with her arms crossed. Though she was short in stature, she was an imposing figure when she was angry. Albert felt himself shrink back into the couch.
“Why the FUCK have you not even attempted to apologize to Sonia?”
Albert’s mouth opened and closed as he tried to figure out what to say. “I told you, I tried and she wouldn’t-”
“Save it. I just talked to Sonia. She thinks you abandoned her and the baby. She’s devastated. She didn’t even know where you went. She thought you were shacked up with someone.”
Gust gaped at Albert. “You didn’t try to talk to her?”
Albert opened his mouth to speak but Olivia cut him off. “Nope. Not a word. And you have no excuse. You are LUCKY that a woman like Sonia married you. Not only that, she’s carrying your child. And she loves you and wants you back. Frankly, if it were up to me, I’d send you packing for good, but she’s more forgiving than I am. You have put that woman through HELL thinking you’d abandoned her and the baby. So you better get your ass over there and beg her to forgive you.”
There was a painful silence until Albert cleared his throat and looked down. “It’s stupid, but…I got scared. All of a sudden, I’m this adult that’s married and has a baby on the way and I panicked. It felt like Sonia gave me an out, so I took it. But I was going to go back, I swear! I just…” he sighed before continuing. “I like living with you guys. I get to hang out with two of my best friends and not talk about things like baby proofing the house or the benefits of breastfeeding versus formula. I panicked and I ran, but I’m sorry. I love you guys.”
Olivia’s expression softened. “Aw, Albert.”
“That’s bullshit!” Gust said.
“Gust!” Olivia chastised him.
“You don’t run away from your pregnant wife because you’re scared. You talk about it like a grown up and face it. Do you want to be a dad?”
Albert nodded his head. “I do.”
“Then act like one. Go apologize to your wife. Take responsibility for your actions. And talk about baby proofing and breastfeeding and all of that stuff, because you two made a baby together, and you’d better do everything in your power to make sure that you’re ready for that baby so that you can be the best damned father you can be.”
Albert nodded. “You’re absolutely right. Thanks, mates. And thanks for letting me stay here.”
“You’re welcome, Albert.” Olivia hugged him. “Now go apologize.”
Albert nodded again and stood up and opened the front door. Sonia was there with her hand raised to knock.
“Sonia!” Albert said breathlessly.
Sonia looked at the ground. “Albert.”
Albert dropped to his knees and pressed his face into her stomach. “God, I’m so sorry I acted like an idiot. I can’t wait to raise this baby with you and I’m sorry for everything I put you through. Please, please forgive me, love. I was scared and I just panicked and ran away.”
Sonia pushed him back and looked at him. “Don’t you think I’m scared, too? I’ve never had a baby. This is new to me, too. But we’re going to figure it out together. And that means you can’t go running off as soon as things get scary.”
“I know that, Sonia. I’m so sorry. Would you please forgive me?” He looked up at her hopefully.
She smiled down at him. “Alright, Albert Junior and I forgive you.”
He smiled widely and stood up. “Albert Junior?”
Sonia nodded. “That’s what I want to name him if it’s a boy.”
“I love you so much.” Albert pulled Sonia into a hug and had tears running down his face. He turned to face Olivia and Gust. “Thank you so much for putting up with me. I know it wasn’t easy. And I’m sorry about the ass tattoo comment.”
“The what?” Sonia asked and looked at him.
“Nothing. Anyway, can I come by later and pick up my things? Right now I need to go make things up with my wife.” He scooped Sonia up into his arms and carried her off while she giggled.
Olivia closed the door and sighed as she flopped on the couch next to Gust and leaned into his arm. “At least that’s over.” She looked up at him. He had a serious look on his face. “What’s up with you?”
He turned to look at her. “Do you want one of those?”
She frowned. “An Albert? Hell, no. We just got rid of him!” She chuckled.
“A baby. Do you want to have a baby with me?” He studied her face intently.
She looked at him, wide-eyed. “What?”
He took her hands in his. “I love you so much, and I want to take the next step, Olivia. Let’s have a baby. If you want to, that is.”
Olivia grinned at him. “You want to have a baby with me?”
He nodded at her, never breaking her gaze. “More than anything.”
She grinned wider and laughed. “Then let’s go make one, then! To the bedroom!” She laughed as she ran to the bedroom and Gust chased after her. Gust grinned to himself, glowing on the inside. He was ready to be a father.