Swimming Home

-Brian's POV-

I never imagined that my life would turn out this way. I had everything I ever wanted. My dream job, my beautiful wife, amazing friends and family, and a daughter on the way. The day Olivia was born changed me. I was a father. I was responsible for another human being. One that I helped create but as happy as she made me I knew something was wrong when doctor's and nurses pushed me out of Michelle's room.

A nurse escorted me out to the waiting room where our friends and family were located. They were all celebrating the birth of my daughter while I stood there scared of what was happening behind that door.

Minutes seemed like hours before the doctor came out. He stopped right in front of me and the look on his face told me everything.

Michelle had died.

I gained a child but lost my wife in the process. For the longest time I wanted nothing to do with Olivia. The only thing I did was name her while everyone else took care of her. She just reminded me too much of Michelle and I hated it. I hated my own daughter.

But that changed the first time she got sick. It was the middle of the night and flashbacks kept running through my mind. I could not lose my daughter like I had lost my wife so I rushed her to the doctor. From that day on Olivia has been my number one. Nothing was more important than her. She was my reason for breathing.

Olivia is almost four now and I can't imagine my life without her. She's so full of life and is the reason I wake up every morning.

I had been holding her off on going to pre-school because I had a hard time trusting people with her. I was the overprotective parent that was scared something would happen to her but I realized that I couldn't be like that with her. She needed to go to school. To make friends and get an education so I pushed my issues aside and enrolled her. She couldn't wait to go.

I got up early to make sure she had everything she would need. She was very independent and had picked out what she wanted to wear. I didn't mind. It was one less thing I had to do.

"Olivia Michelle Haner it's time for breakfast." I yelled up the steps. She was so hard to get out of bed something I knew she got from me. I was not a morning person at all and I was quickly realizing that she wasn't either.

I heard the pitter patter of little feet and smiled when Olivia came down the steps. She ran into the kitchen and climbed up into her chair where her plate was waiting for her. I kept it pretty simple by making scrambled eggs, sausage links, and splitting a banana with her. I had filled her purple Little Mermaid cup with milk while I had coffee.

After we ate I left the dishes on the counter and followed Olivia up to her room to get her ready for school. I brushed her teeth then grabbed the clothes she had picked out and changed her. She wanted her hair in pigtails so I grabbed her hair brush and did her hair. Once she was satisfied she put her shoes on while I grabbed her backpack and we headed out the door.

I knew I was going to have a busy day so I had made an arrangements with her school for her teacher to stay with her until I could pick her up. She had morning pre-school but since I wouldn't be able to pick her up until around one she'd be staying there and I knew she'd be in good hands. The school had nothing but good things to say about her teacher.

Olivia was babbling in her car seat while I drove to her school. She was telling me how excited she was but the second I parked my Escalade she became quiet which was rare for her. Looking back at her I could tell she was nervous. She wasn't used to being with people she didn't know.

"It'll be okay sweetie I promise."

That seemed to do the trick and before I could even get out of my truck she had already unbuckled herself and climbed out of her car seat. She jumped into my arms as soon as I opened her door and I couldn't help but smile.

She refused to walk inside so I carried her and all of her things into the building. This school had three pre-school teachers because there were so many kids. I set her on her feet and noticed she was frowning.

"What's wrong Liv?" I asked kneeling in front of her.

"Don't go." She said softly as her eyes met mine.

"I hate to baby but I won't be long. I'm sure your teacher will make it fun for you okay?" I pulled her into my arms and kissed her head. "I love you Livy."

"I love you Daddy."

My heart melted every time she said that to me.

"You must be Olivia."

Looking up I saw her teacher for the first time and I was surprised I didn't pass out right then and there. Back in high school I had dated the hottest chick on the planet but by the time we graduated I had broke up with her and hadn't seen her since. I had always thought about her and wondered where she was now.

I just got my answer.

"Jenna?"

She looked at me and I saw her freeze. Never in a million years did I expect to see her again but there she was standing only a few feet away from me.

"Brian.."

I couldn't help but to take in her appearance. She was even more beautiful now than she was before. I also noticed she didn't have a ring on her finger which meant only one thing. She wasn't married. I was a bit surprised. Jen wanted to settle down and start a family at a young age. I couldn't believe that neither had happened for her. She'd make an excellent wife and mother.

She knelt down and smiled at Olivia who was latched onto my arm. "Hi Olivia. I'm Miss Jenna your teacher."

"Hi." Olivia said quietly never letting go of me.

"It's okay Livy. Miss Jenna won't hurt you."

She slowly let go of me and looked at Jen. "You're pretty."

Jen smiled at her. "Thank you. You're very pretty too."

Before I knew what was happening Olivia had taken Jen's hand and was trying to drag her into the classroom.

"Bye Daddy I love you."

I watched as they disappeared into the room and the door shut. I sighed sadly before heading out to my car.

"I love you too Princess."