#everythingchanges

And who I was has disappeared

Olivia knew she was not the same person she was two weeks ago. She was better now. Braver. Stronger. And she wasn’t alone in life. 

It doesn’t matter, now you’re here

She glanced back at the children again, smiling softly at their peaceful faces. 

So innocent

These children had seen horrors beyond belief and suffered tragedy after tragedy, but without consciousness, their faces were unburdened with the weight of their situation. Olivia made a silent promise to protect each and every child sitting back there from harm.

I was lost for you to find

Her gaze shifted to Jacques, his eyes concentrated on the road. She could barely believe that he was there, the man who saw her, who (dare she say it?) loved her. 

And now I'm yours, and you are mine

Olivia loved him too, she was certain. Despite the short time they’d known each other, she had felt a deep connection. She really had to thank Jacquelyn for handing the reins to Jacques when she showed up at Mr. Poe’s office. 

Jacques glanced at her, giving her a small smile that she returned. 

Everything changes

Two weeks ago, that smile would have been a forced one.

I didn't know, but now I see: sometimes what is, is meant to be

When the Baudelaires (and subsequently, Count Olaf) showed up at Prufrock, everything became a disaster. She had rushed away from her steady life, chasing after children that she barely knew. Olivia had to figure it out along the way, and now she realized that this was what was supposed to happen all along.

You saved me

No, she thought. I saved myself.

My blurry lines, my messy life,  come into focus and in time, maybe

Everything seemed to lock into place. Olivia’s life, recently imploded, was beginning to finally repair itself, just not with the original pieces. 

I can heal, and I can breathe

She could put her past traumas behind her, start fresh with the beautiful people in the car with her. 

'Cause I can feel myself believe

Confidence surged through Olivia’s heart. She knew, at last, that she was going to be happy.

Everything changes

Oh my heart’s at the wheel now

Olivia allowed herself to feel for the first time in years. Jacques had made her heart flutter and the children had made it ache before, but that was all involuntary. Now, she let everything through. A flood of mixed emotions— sadness, joy, grief, anger,— flowed through her, but the happiness shone through most.

What I thought was so permanent fades

In the blink of an eye, there's a new life in front of my face

Goodbye, Prufrock. Goodbye, unfulfilling life. Goodbye, old Olivia, she thought. She imagined physically throwing her past life away, making room for a new, better one in her mental shelf space. 

And I know in due time, every right thing will find its right place

Of course, there was the matter of a job and housing and all the complications of this, but she was determined to work it all out.

And I swear I'll remember to say we were both born today!

Olivia knew that a new life was ahead, but she was ready to face it with Jacques and the children by her side.

‘Cause everything changed

Olivia’s face burst into a huge grin. She was going to be happy, she’d make sure of it. And a little happiness was just what she needed right now. 

Everything changes

Author’s Note: The song I used for this fic was “Everything Changes” from Waitress the Musical. If you haven’t listened to it before, I would definitely recommend it— it’s a beautiful song, and Jessie Mueller has an amazing voice. Anyway, this was my attempt at a “Happy Olivia” fic. I listened to the song recently and just loved the idea of applying it to Olivia’s situation.