Hi Everyone! Thank you all so much for the overwhelming positive response to this story! Here is the next chapter, but I have to warn you that updates won't always be this speedy. The end of the semester is approaching and I have two big research papers due in the next 5/6 weeks... Neither of which I have started yet... Whoops. Also, the rating for this story is T for now, but will be changing to M in a few chapters. Without further ado, here is the next chapter! Please enjoy!
Oh, quick P.S. You might want to check out the songs referenced in this chapter just to get a sense of the mood :)
"Mmhmm.. Miss you too, babe… I can't wait to see you too… Alright. I look forward to it. Love you, baby… Bye, Ed." Olivia hung up the phone and flopped back on her bed releasing a sigh just as Maya Pope poked her head through the door of Olivia's room.
"Livia, pumpkin," Maya started as she walked further into the room. "Your father just called. He says he's sorry that he wasn't at home to greet you this morning, but he said to tell you that he and Big Jerry will be back from China early next week and he ordered me to give you a big hug and kiss for him." Maya leaned down and planted a kiss on Olivia's forehead and sat down next to her on the bed. Olivia hummed and a small smile crept onto her face.
"Thanks, mom" she said with her eyes closed.
"Was that Edison on the phone? How's he doing?"
"He's fine... missing me already he says, but what else is new?"
Maya's responded a small laugh. While she certainly wasn't as adamant about Olivia ending her relationship with Edison as her husband was, she never really cared for the boy. "I swear, that boy…"
"Mom, please don't" Olivia interrupted before Maya could get any further.
"How's the jet lag treating you, pumpkin?" Maya asked in hopes of changing the subject, regretting having brought up Edison Davis.
"I'm exhausted and all I want to do is sleep, but I promised Fitz that we would cook dinner together, so I'm going over there in a few." Olivia said, still laying on her bed with her eyes closed attempting to muster the motivation to get up, brush her teeth and throw on something other than her bra and underwear.
"I figured you two would be having dinner. There's a good chance that I'll be asleep when you get back, because I'm catching an early Jitney into the city for some events for the charity. I'll be gone until your father gets back. You'll be ok by yourself for a few days, right?"
"Of course. I'm a big girl now, remember?" Olivia laughed as she stood up and made her way to her closet.
Maya laughed too and stood up to make her exit. "Alright, Livia, have fun with Fitz, and I'll see you in a couple of days."
"Love you, Momma" came Olivia's reply as she walked over to her mom and enveloped her in the biggest hug that her tiny 5'4" frame could muster. "Travel safe."
Olivia pulled open the sliding glass doors that lead from the back patio and into the Grant living room and was immediately greeted by the distant sound of Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin playing over a loud speaker. She was dressed in a pair of Edison's large, grey 'Columbia Football' sweat pants, a tight fitting white tank top that hugged her petit yet curvy body in all of the right places, and a pair of flip-flops. Her hair, which was freshly washed was piled atop her head in a messy bun.
Leaving her flip-flops by the door, Olivia followed the sound of the music to the lavish, brightly lit kitchen, where Fitz was waltzing around, taking food items out of the stainless fridge and placing them on the granite counter while singing along loudly with Bobby Darin, oblivious to Olivia's presence.
I know beyond a doubt, my heart will lead me there soon,
We'll meet, I know we'll meet beyond the shore,
We'll kiss just as before,
Happy we'll be beyond the sea...
Fitz's soothing baritone voice boomed heartily, and Olivia couldn't help but laugh, finally alerting him of her presence. Fitz jumped at the sound and nearly knocked over the wine glasses he had just placed on the counter, causing Olivia to laugh harder.
"Livvie, how long have you been standing there?" Fitz asked, with his hand on his chest, trying to catch his breath.
"Long enough," came her reply accompanied by a wink. "I brought wine" she said as she walked further into the kitchen placing the 1997 bottle of Pinot Noir on the countertop next to the glasses. Olivia noticed that the house was quiet other than the music coming from the speakers on the counter. Fitz leaned over and lowered the volume slightly.
"Of course you did," he chuckled.
Olivia flashed Fitz a toothy smile and changed the subject. "Where's your mom? I haven't seen her since I got back," she inquired.
"She went visit Addie for two weeks." While Olivia was an only child, Fitz had an older sister, Addison who was a few years older and worked at a Public Relations Firm out in California. "And as you know, Big Jerry and Rowan are in China for the week, so you're stuck with me I'm afraid, madame."
"Kill me now" Olivia quipped, rolling her eyes.
"Ouch, that hurts. You haven't even been back for 24 hours and you're already insulting me."
"Get over yourself, Fitzy," she grinned, hopping up on the counter. "So what's for dinner, master chef? I'm starving."
"Well," Fitz began as he moved to the counter that was facing opposite the one she was sitting on. He crossed one barefoot over the other and then crossed his arms as he leaned against the counter. Fitz had on a soft white v-neck shirt and a pair of knee length, salmon-colored, Vineyard Vines shorts. His brown, wavy hair was still wet from the shower. "I was thinking baked salmon, spinach and goat cheese mashed potatoes. Sound good to you, Livvie?"
"Mmmm perfect. Let's get to it, then. And so that we can actually eat sometime in this century, I'm in charge, mister."
"You just called me master chef! What happened?!"
"Freudian slip," Olivia stated in a very matter of fact tone.
"I hate you."
"So be it," Olivia laughed as she hopped off the counter and began preparing things to be cooked.
Fitz reached for the speaker, turning the volume back up and Frank Sinatra's iconic voice sounded through the kitchen as the pair began to cook together. Working synchronously, within 20 minutes, Olivia and Fitz had boiled and mashed their potatoes, added goat cheese, set the spinach to boil and put the salmon into the oven. After pouring them both a glass of wine, Olivia returned to her spot on the counter. They sat in a comfortable silence sipping their wine and listening to the music that was still playing.
"Ahh I love this song!" Olivia practically yelled as Runaround Sue by Dion started playing. She jumped off the counter, ran to the speaker and turned the music all the way up. Olivia began dancing around and clapping to the beat while singing on the top of her lungs. She stopped in front of Fitz, who was watching, amused. She took his hands and forced him to start dancing with her. He was reluctant at first, but the beat was contagious and her happiness was infectious. Soon, the two were shimmying, playing patty cake and bumping hips. Fitz took Olivia's hand with the intention of twirling her once, but Olivia kept twirling until she was dizzy and she fell to the floor in a heap laughing hysterically. Fitz was also doubled over laughing. It took them 5 minutes to get over their incredible fit of laughter.
"SHIT. The salmon!" yelled Olivia as she flew off the floor and towards the stainless steel oven. She managed to salvage the fish just before it burned. He took the spinach off of the stove and dished out some onto each plate before putting a scoop of mashed potatoes. Olivia used a spatula to slide the still very hot salmon onto their plates. Fitz pulled two barstools to the counter and then refilled both of their wine glasses. Finally, the pair sat down to eat. As they ate, they began to discuss their annual end-of-summer party.
"So, I was thinking a tiki/Hawaiian theme this year. We did super heroes last year and Disney characters the year before, so this will be different."
"I like it. I like it a lot." Olivia smiled. "And when do we want to do this?"
"Hmmm… three days sound good?" Fitz asked taking a bite of his salmon. "That way, we can give the usual crew a chance to get here."
"Sounds perfect to me. Since we're having tiki theme, we should have it on the beach and get tiki torches and fun masks."
"Ahhh yes! We can have it here this year, since we had it at your place last year. I'll call our normal caterer and bartender and we should be all set."
"It's settled then. The Pope-Grant End of Summer Party has officially been planned!" Olivia made her way to the sink, taking her plate and Fitz's in order to wash up.
"Don't worry about it, Livvie. I'll get it. Let me walk you home… you look exhausted."
The full moon was out as they walked across the Grant property towards the Pope property in an easy silence.
When they reached they reached Olivia's back door, Fitz turned to go. "Night, Livvie"
"What? No hug? Was my cooking really that bad," she laughed.
"No! Of course not!" Fitz assured pulling Olivia into a bear hug and kissing her forehead. "Call me if you need anything. I live just next door you know" he winked.
She giggled. "Night Fitz."
Olivia watched him walk back towards his house before going inside, turning off all of the lights that her mother had left on for her, and going to bed.
Ahh don't you just love them?! They're adorable! Please review/comment and Happy Hump Day!
Until next time.
xoxo,
T.
