Beach Side Romance

Chapter 12: Carnival

Olivia POV

Mrs. Willis made plans of her own to keep herself occupied for the day while we were out. She dropped Brandon off at an hour early and just walked me through the contents of Brandon’s bag before she left. She was helping out in Hale ‘Aina today that had a private party this afternoon, so Lizzie and Luca were staying behind too because they had to start packing and help out with the function. 

Brandon sat down on my couch having some juice and cookies watching some Paw Patrol, while I got ready. I don’t think a dress was appropriate, but I didn’t want to be too casual either since it was a date. I decided on that. Right. I settled with some pinstripe shorts, a black tank top and some white sneakers. I had a weaved tote bag that held my essentials, and I threw in a cardigan in case the weather gets cold. When I finished, Brandon was still watching Paw Patrol, I quickly cleaned him up, and filled his bottle with some water. He ran to the bathroom to pee, and washed his hands before going back to sit at the dining table. “Have you ever been to a car-naval, Owi-vya?” He asked me as I put his bottle into his bag. “No, buddy I haven’t. It will be my first time,” I said. “Nonnie said I am a chopper today, because you and Juwyan would be going on a date and I will be there.” He shared as I sat him on the counter top so I could do last minute clean-up. “Did she now?” I laughed. “Yea! What’s a chopper?” He asked, confused. “It’s ‘chauffeur’ or ‘chaperone’ buddy, but you’re not that. A chopper is a small plane though. And we’ll all be there to have some fun.” Soon as I placed the last plate in the dishrack, the doorbell rang. I put Brandon down from the counter and he ran to open the door. 

“Hi Juw-yan! I’m a chopperoo today!” Brandon greeted. Seeing Julian’s confused face, I laughed, “buddy, it’s chaperone, and hello. You’re early,” greeting as I walked towards them. Julian was wearing some khaki shorts, a black golf shirt  and some white sneakers holding a bouquet of flowers in his hand. “Ah, chaperone. I must be on my best behavior then, little buddy.” He chuckled, ruffling Brandon’s hair, and gave me the bouquet. “For the lovely lady, a little thank you for sparing me anxiety and letting me know if this was a date or not.” He added. I smiled and took the bouquet from him inviting him in. He sat in the breakfast bar as I got a vase for his flowers. “What car did you bring?” I asked him as I settled the vase on the countertop, “the Z4, I figured Brandon would find it cool.” He said looking at Brandon who sat back again on the couch continuing his Paw Patrol. “Mhmm. Impressing my ‘chopperoo’ already,” I teased, making him chuckle. “For as long as it will work, why not,” he responded.

The drive was refreshing, the sun was shining and the breeze was nice. Brandon sat at the back behaving like a big boy. He was enjoying himself also with his little blue shades on and just pointing around and saying “look you guys”, every 2 minutes. Santa Catalina was beautiful the first time I saw it, but it became more vibrant now that the carnival was set-up. I hopped off the car and helped Brandon off his seatbelt. “So buddy, listen. Just let us know where you want to go okay? If you want to eat something or go pee-pee all you have to do is tell us.” I reminded Brandon asking him to repeat what I said just to be sure. “Yes, Owi-vya, I’ll hold your hand or Juw-yan’s. I will tell you if I need to pee-pee, and I point to what I want to eat or dwink (drink).” 

We bought tickets to enter and headed straight for the merry-go-round. There weren’t a lot of people yet, and the ticketbooth said that it would flood with more people tomorrow. There’s also a fireworks show later, which Brandon wanted to wait for. I realized Santa Catalina was bigger than I thought, the carnival scoped a big area and apparently I’ve only been to one side of it. Julian who was standing beside Brandon’s horse was holding him by the waist making sure he didn't fall, and I was in a horse behind them just taking in the view of the whole pier. Julian took Brandon on the airplane ride and the bump cars, and I was taking pictures of them especially Brandon to show Mrs. Willis later tonight when we got home. Brandon seemed to be enjoying it so far.

After some rides, the game booths were our next stop. I tried my luck with the ring toss and got Brandon a squirt gun. Julian had better luck in darts. He won a little stuffed penguin that he gave Brandon as well. Walking around with Brandon holding my hand, he pointed for the ice cream, “can we get some?” He asked. “Of course buddy, what flavor would you like?” I asked him “Vanilla with chocolate drizzle puh-lease!” I nodded and walked with him to fall in line the ice cream truck. I gave him the exact money to pay. Julian lifted him up to the counter to pay and asked Brandon to say thank you before receiving his ice cream which he said, “thank you! This is my favorite”, making the vendor smile back at him.

Sitting at a bench nearby, I was watching Brandon eat his ice cream and quickly got his water bottle out so he could drink some after when I noticed Julian out of sight. “Where’d Juwyan go?” Brandon asked. I was about to call him when he reappeared with caramel popcorn and what looked like some other food. “I hope you’re not tired of Fish and Chips just yet”, he smiled pulling out 2 boxes of food. He got Brandon a kiddie sized meal, and the other box was for 2 to share, I’m assuming for us both. “It was a bundle for couples with children, so that’s what I got,” Julian said taking out the food from the bag. Brandon finished his ice cream and diligently ate his fish and chips too while sipping on some of his water. He was such an easy kid to bring along, and I was happy that he was enjoying his time here.

“Do you think he’ll pass out anytime soon?” Julian asked wiping his face with a napkin. “I think it would just be exactly when we head home. He’s probably gonna feel a sugar high soon” I said, taking a chip out of our box. “Yeah definitely, but he seems to be very happy.” He added, “yeah he does.” After eating the Fish and Chips, Brandon wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel before the fireworks started. As assumed, he was on a sugar high, and wanted to eat more of the caramel popcorn Julian bought. Once we were all settled into a cart, Brandon ate the popcorn happily while looking out to see the view.

Julian POV

Brandon was such a great kid to bring to things like this. He always held either my hand, or Olivia’s, pointed out where he wanted to go, or what he wanted to do. I saw Olivia having fun while watching us play and inside the rides, and taking pictures. We were now in the Ferris Wheel and I realized Brandon and Olivia don’t have pictures yet. “Olivia, have you taken a picture with Brandon yet?” I asked her, she shook her head and pulled out her phone, “can you take a picture of us? I wanna show it to Mrs. Willis and my mom” she asked. I gladly took her phone and snapped a couple of pictures of them. When she wasn’t looking, I took a couple more of her but using my phone now remembering to mute the shutter now. “You guys are awesome. My Nonnie will be happy to see pictures from today!” Brandon said as we were about to go down from the Ferris Wheel. “Thanks, buddy, did you have fun being a chaperone today?” I asked. He nodded as I lifted him out of the cart.

We walked to the dock-side for the fireworks show, and Brandon was starting to slow down. He was walking with Olivia hand in hand and I was holding Olivia’s bag since she was with Brandon snapping a quick picture. We settled into a good spot, and people were crowding around. We couldn’t sit since all the benches were full, but it was starting to get a little cold. Olivia asked me to get Brandon’s jacket from her bag so she could put it on him, just in time when she was able to put it on him, the speakers went on to say that the fireworks would start very soon. “Can we all take a picture together? I wanna show Nonnie!” Brandon asked as Olivia now carried her on her side. “Sure buddy! Do you mind?” Olivia asked me. I pulled out my phone and took a selfie of us three, all smiling, and with funny faces. As soon as that was done, I offered to carry Brandon so she wouldn’t get too tired. She happily agreed to it and I lifted Brandon on my shoulders, “wow it’s so high up here” he laughed. Olivia took a picture of that too. 

The fireworks started 7PM sharp, and ended about 30 minutes after. The arrangement was beautiful, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t take pictures of Olivia on her side profile smiling in awe of the fireworks. We waited for the crowd to go before leaving the dock. True enough, Brandon was passed out while waiting for the crowd to die down. “Thanks for today. I know it wasn’t an ideal date with a little chaperone, but I appreciate it a lot.” Olivia said as we were walking back to the car. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I did too, and our little chaperone is more than okay to tag along in the future.” I said. s**t. I wasn’t supposed to say it really. “In the future?” She asked, a bit surprised. “Yeah, well of course, if you’d like that.” I said. “I suppose so,” she whispered.

We drove back with the soft-top up. Olivia insisted that Brandon sleep on her, so she sat in the back with Brandon’s head on her legs. As soon as we arrived at her place, I carried Brandon into the living room trying not to wake him up while waiting for Mrs. Willis who arrived 5 minutes after we told her we were already back. “Thanks again, you two. You made my grandson very very happy today, I could tell. I have some Pizza and Pasta here for you both, enjoy the rest of your night.” She said as she walked out of the door carrying Brandon in her arms.

“So, what pictures did you take today?” I asked Olivia as we sat down for dinner at her breakfast bar. “Oh, I took mostly candid shots of you and Brandon while you guys were on the rides.” She said, showing the camera roll on her phone. I was looking at it and saw a candid photo of me playing the dart game earlier. “How about you? What photos were you able to take?” She asked me. I fished out my phone from my pocket and opened my camera roll too. She looked at it smiling at the photos, “these are mostly me…” she commented. “Yeah, mostly you.. it’s nice to see your carefree side in pictures as much as it is nice to see it in real life.” I admitted making her look at me. “Let’s put it all in one album, here. Airdrop it all to my iPad. I want to see what I can send Mrs. Willis too.” She said opening her iPad so I could send it over. We continued our dinner just talking more about Lizzie’s project, and what Andrea would say if she saw photos of Brandon with Olivia in the carnival. “Oh I’d think she’d be jealous. Andrea is very possessive and protective of me from people she doesn’t know or like. Well, I think you already knew that based on, uh.. recent events.” She continued to share more of her family, and possibly slipped that Amber was the one to thank for letting me know if it was a date or not.

She sent her mom some pictures of today which Amber quickly reacted towards and said, “won’t show Andrea, but your dad thinks youlook good, sweetie. Say hi to Julian for me. ”

I helped her wash the dishes after our dinner, and clean the area before calling it a night. “Thanks for today really, I enjoyed and appreciated your company.” She said walking me to the front door. “Well, it really is my pleasure. I hope to take you on a chaperone-less date sometime, if that’s okay.” I said before walking to my car. “Of course, have a good night, Julian.” She said tiptoeing to kiss me on the cheek. “Good night too, Olivia.” I answered, before getting in my car and driving away. A great night, a promise of a next date, and a kiss on the cheek. Damn. Life is good.