Chapter Four: Tired

Olivia woke up alone in the guest bedroom where she continued to sleep. She woke the kids up, got Kayla changed, and Mason to the bathroom, before he had an accident. Then she would get all four kids downstairs for breakfast. Fitz was either still be sleeping, or he was in his office, most likely on the phone with Cyrus.

Olivia was beginning to hate that old man. It was like her husband was having an affair with Cyrus. Cyrus was officially Fitz's work wife.

"Mommy?" McKenzie asked, as she sat at the bar eating her banana muffin and fruit, as Olivia stood behind her brushing her hair into two braids. Kendall sat next to her eating the same breakfast, waiting for Olivia to do her hair as well. The rest of the girls had all been picked up earlier that morning by their parents, Kendall was going to church with Olivia and Fitz, and her parents would pick her up from there.

It was Sunday morning, so they were up bright and early to get ready for church. It didn't start until 11:30 and it was only nine, but on most mornings, Olivia needed all the extra hours to get the kids and herself ready for the day.

"Yes baby?"

"Can I wear my jean dress to school tomorrow?" McKenzie was way too excited for her first day of kindergarten. She'd been talking her parents head off about it all month long. "Kendall has the same jean dress, and we want to match on our first day of kindarten."

"Kindergarten honey."

"Kin..der..gar..ten. We want to be twins, so can I wear it mommy? Please?"

"We'll see babe, it's supposed to be cool tomorrow morning."

"Is daddy still taking me to school?"

"Yes he is. So when I come to wake you up in the morning, you better not lag around or you'll be late for school."

"I won't mommy. I can't wait to go to school. Anna is in the first grade, and she says kinder...garten is so cool! She said we get to paint with our hands! And the playground is so cool. And Anna said Ms. Nichols's class even has a pet hamster."

"That sounds like fun." Olivia hoped that hamster never found its way to her house. Olivia swept Kenzie's last curl behind her ear, before moving on to do Kendall's hair the same way. Those two loved to be twins whenever they could. They thought if they dressed alike and had the same hairstyle, that it would be hard for their parents to tell them apart. Olivia loved how innocent children were.

"Kendall are you ready for kindergarten?"

"Yep! But my mommy said that daddy's gonna cry when he has to leave me at school. I don't want daddy to cry."

"I'm sure he'll be just fine."

"Will Uncle Fitz cry?"

"Maybe, because your uncle Fitz is a big old teddy bear when you squeeze him." Olivia tickled Kendall's side, making her giggle.

On cue, Fitz walked into the kitchen. "Good morning everyone."

"Morning daddy!"

"Good morning sweet pea."

"Daddy are you going to cry when you take me to school tomorrow?"

"I will be bawling like a big baby." The girls giggled.

"Me and Kendall got the same class."

"Kendall and I have the same class."

"Daddy!" McKenzie growled. She hated when her parents or any other adult corrected her when she spoke. It was too annoying.

"Alright girls, I need you to go wash your faces, brush your teeth and put on your dresses for church." Kenzie and Kendall ate one last bite of food, and hoped down from their chairs. "And McKenzie put on your tights, they better not mysteriously come up missing."

"Yes, ma'am."

Olivia cleaned up the girls' mess, while Fitz made his breakfast plate. They hadn't spoken to each other yet, and Olivia was getting sick of the silent treatment. The funny thing is, she didn't know if he was giving her the silent treatment or if she was.

"I need you to watch them while I get in the shower." Olivia said, pointing to Mason and Kayla who were happily eating raspberries and bananas.

Olivia didn't wait for a response, and just walked off towards the stairs. She took a quick shower, washing her hair and taking extra time to just let the hot water beat down on her back. When she got out, she put on her bra and panties and laid her outfit across the bed. But before she got dressed, she reached into the back of her nightstand draw and pulled out the box of Newport's and the small lighter she kept in the back.

Olivia quit smoking years ago, but she was just way too stressed these days. She stood on her balcony in their bedroom, resting on the rails. Olivia felt like she was about to crash. Between work, taking care of the kids and taking care of the house, she was beyond overwhelmed. She couldn't remember when she'd started doing things all by herself. She had a husband, but she still felt lie a single mother. Maybe today at church would be just what she needed to get her spirits back up.

X

After church, Fitz Olivia, the kids and Olivia's parents went out to eat for dinner.

"I love when you wear your hair like this." Pam pulled on a few of Olivia's springy curls, watching them bounce back into place. Olivia hadn't bothered to straighten her hair after her shower. "It brings back so many memories of when you were a little girl." Pam hugged Olivia to her side as they walked into the restaurant. And as she did, she couldn't dismiss the distinct smell of cigarette smoke on her daughter. "Is that cigarette smoke?"

Olivia sighed, she knew she should've smoke that cigarette before and not after her shower. Her mother's nose was like a bloodhound's. "Ma." Olivia pushed her mother's hand away.

"What happened to quitting?"

"I did." Olivia darted inside the restaurant, before her mother could quiz her anymore.

"So Fitz, how's work coming along?" Ben asked, after they'd been seated at their table. They decided to eat at a family style Italian restaurant not too far from the church.

"It's going great. We've just had the opening for the Miami location and things seem to be going fine so far.

"Well don't forget to take a break every now and then. You seem like you're working so hard these past few weeks. Don't forget to take a moment to enjoy your hard work."

Olivia wished Fitz would listen and take her father's advice. If he wouldn't listen to her, maybe he'd listen to her father.

"Yes sir, I won't."

"Pawpaw I go to kindergarten in the morning!"

"I know that kiddo. Now you're gonna be even smarter."

"Like mommy?" Kenzie asked, and Olivia's heart swelled.

"Just like mommy."

X

Later that night, Olivia was getting the kids bathed and ready for bed. She had Mason on the bed, in his pajama bottoms. Mason was just like his father, and didn't like to wear a shirt to sleep. Whenever Olivia would put one on him, he'd wake up with his shirt crumpled in a ball somewhere in the room.

Mason as watching Zootopia, while Olivia tried to wrangle some clothes on a very energetic McKayla.

"Kayla stop it now, I mean it." Olivia popped Kayla's hip, but it didn't do much to calm Kayla, who obviously was not ready for bed.

"I'm on my way now." Fitz walked into the bedroom in a rush, with his phone glued to his ear. "See you soon."

"Who was that?" Olivia asked, wondering where her husband was about to go at nine o'clock at night.

"That was Cyrus." Fitz answered as he dashed in the closet, coming back out with his small duffel bag.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"That was Cyrus, there was a break-in at the restaurant. It doesn't look like anything was missing or damaged. The alarm must've scared the guy off."

"Okay so what does that have to do with you packing a bag?"

"I have to go to Miami tonight."

"Excuse me?"

"Cyrus is waiting for me at the airport now."

"Fitz you are not going anywhere."

"Olivia don't start. Someone broke into my business."

"And didn't steal a thing. So what are you going to do that you can't do from over the phone? You're not a cop. Let Cyrus go."

"Olivia It's my restaurant."

"Jesus Fitz!" Olivia yelled, startling both Mason and Kayla, both whom Olivia had forgotten where even in the room. "I am so sick and tired of hearing about your damn restaurants. It's like that's all you care about now."

"Olivia what do you want from me?"

"I want you to keep your ass home!"

"Olivia I need to go okay, I'll be back as soon as I can be."

"And what about McKenzie?"

"What about her?" Fitz was getting exhausted with the conversation, as he continued to pack for his impromptu trip. He'd just thrown a few t-shirts into his bag.

"Did you forget already? She starts school tomorrow Fitz. And you promised her you would be the one to take her. She's been waiting for this for weeks."

"I'm sorry alright. I'll try to be back to take her okay, but I have to go."

"You are seriously delusional if you think you'll be back in time."

"It's only a three hour flight, I'll be back."

"You really think an open flight is just going to pop up out of nowhere?" Olivia asked. "And what happens when you don't make it back in time."

"Then I'll just make it up to her."

"Oh, so to hell if she wakes up tomorrow morning heartbroken because you're not here."

"Olivia please stop being so dramatic."

"I'm not dramatic Fitz, I'm angry. Angry that your career has somehow taken a backseat to your career."

"That's not fair. I work hard to make sure you and the kids are taken care of."

"Fitz look around. How much more do we need? You and I could never work another day and we'd be fine. This isn't about money or taking care of us. This is about you not wanting to be with your family."

"What?" Fitz was thrown back. How could she possibly think that? Fitz loved his family. He would do anything for his wife or kids. He worked hard to provide for them, to make sure they never wanted for a thing in life. Sure, that meant late nights and unfortunately business trips took him away from home more times than he would like, but he was doing it all for them. How could she not see that?

"You heard me. All these business trips, leaving for days sometimes weeks at a time. What the hell are you doing anyway?"

"Working. I'm getting real tired of having this conversation with you Olivia."

"And I'm tired of playing second fiddle to your job. I'm tired of going to sleep alone. I'm tired of taking care of our kids by myself. I'm tired of seeing my kids sad all the time, because you're not here. And now you're making me do it again. McKenzie is going to be so heartbroken when she wakes up tomorrow. What the hell am I supposed to tell her?"

"Dammit I will be back Olivia!"

"No, you won't! And then it'll be my job to wipe her tears away."

"Olivia, I need you to stop be so dramatic." Fitz went back to packing his bag, turning away from Olivia. She was having none of that. She grabbed his arm, turning him back to face her.

"I'm not being dramatic. You're just not here to see the meltdowns that come from you leaving. And you act as if you don't even care. Like you don't care that her feelings are hurt. It's like you don't even care about her-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Fitz had grabbed her by the arm, yanking her closer to him. He pointed his finger in her face, "Don't you ever say that to me again. I love my daughter."

Olivia snatched her arm out of Fitz's tight grip. "Then fucking act like it."

X

The next morning, Olivia woke up with a terrible headache. After last night, Olivia's emotions were still on high and she was still reeling from her argument with Fitz last night. She went to sleep with tears in her eyes. When she woke up, she couldn't help but hope that Fitz would magically be downstairs. Maybe he decided not to leave after all, and came back home last night and was waiting to surprise her. Or maybe by some magical turn of events, he'd gotten a flight back before he had to take Kenzie to school.

After a few minutes of laying or her back, staring up at the ceiling fan turning in circles, Olivia finally made herself get up. It was 6:30 in the morning, and she was surprised Kayla wasn't up yet. Oliva knew she needed to get up now, because she had to key Kenzie up, showered, dressed, fed and ready for school. She also knew she would need extra time to get Kenzie's inevitable meltdown out the way, if Fitz wasn't downstairs.

After she brushed her teeth, and washed her face and used the restroom, Olivia headed downstairs to make breakfast. The entire trip down the stairs, Olivia was praying that she would find Fitz sleeping on one of the couches in the den, or the living room or find one of the guest room doors open. When that came up empty, she thought maybe he was already in the kitchen, maybe he was cooking breakfast for Kenzie's first day of kindergarten. That hope was smashed too, when the only thing she came face to face with was a pristine clean kitchen.

"Goddam you Fitz."

X

Meanwhile, back in Miami Fitz was feeling like the biggest idiot alive. When he and Cyrus got to Miami late last night, they'd gone straight to the restaurant. Officers were at the building, light flashing, but there really wasn't anything for them to do. A quick check around the building had already been done. They didn't find any type of damage or anything missing, everything was in it's place. They didn't find anyone hiding or lurking in the shadows. It was as if nothing had even happened.

When Fitz and Cyrus arrived, they spoke to the officers, but they didn't get any new information, it was mostly just a repeat of what Cyrus had told him over the phone, from when he spoke to the officers earlier that night. When they were finished with their questions, they gave Fitz their card and told him they would be in touch, and to call if he needed anything.

Olivia was right. That wasn't anything that he couldn't do over the phone back at home, Cyrus could handle this. After a few hours they spent at the restaurant doing nothing but watching the workers do their jobs, Fitz decided to call it.

"Cy, I need to get out of here."

"Yeah, you're right. Let's check into the hotel get a night's sleep and deal with this in the morning."

"Hotel?"

"Yeah, I got us two rooms at the-"

"No Cy. I can't stay."

"What do you mean you can't stay. How can you just leave?"

"Cy I need to get home. There's nothing more we can do here."

"There's plenty to do. We have to call the insurance company, we need to install new security measures, we have to inform all the employees to not come in. And we need to go to the police station in the morning."

"Cy that is all things we came do in DC. And why do we need to go to the station? They've asked us all their questions, we've already filled out the police report. The cops think it was some kids or homeless people looking for food. Whoever it was got scared by the alarm and ran off. Nothing is missing or even out of place I'm not even sure if there's a point in investigating this. There's nothing more we can do right now. Now we just need to let the officers do their job and catch the guy who did this."

"Why are you in such a rush to get back?"

"Cy I have a family in DC. So do you might I add."

"Jesus Fitz, when did you get so blinded? I swear that woman has your priorities all fucked up."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Olivia. Ever since you met her, you've been neglecting the number one priority, the job. You haven't been giving it you all, your one hundred percent and full attention. I use to have to drag you out of the place at night, because you wouldn't leave. Now I have to drag you in."

Fitz was so confused. Now he wasn't working enough? Between Liv and Cyrus, Fitz was sure to go insane. "Cy I don't know what you're talking about. My dedication to the job is the same as before. I just have more priorities now. And those priorities include Olivia and my kids." He was saying all the things Olivia wanted to hear from him. "Now look Cy, you're more than welcome to stay here, but I have to leave."

"What the hell is important?"

"I promised my daughter I would take her to her first day of kindergarten."

"Are you shitting me? Fucking kindergarten?"

"Like I said Cy, this is important."

"No, what's happening here, right fucking behind us, is what's important."

"Cy look, we can talk about this later okay. Maybe I can come back in a week or something, but I have to go. I if miss Kenzie's first day of school Olivia is going to kill me."

Fitz didn't wait for Cyrus response, he jogged back over to the awaiting car that he came in and hoped in. It was times like these, that Fitz wished he had splurged on that private plane a years ago.

X

It was seven in the morning, and Olivia was sitting in McKenzie's room sitting on the edge of her bed. She'd been watching McKenzie sleep for about ten minutes now. She didn't want to have to wake her up and tell her Fitz wasn't here to take her to school. She was dreading the sad tears and crying. But Olivia knew she had to wake her up soon, because she needed to get ready for school.

So after another minute of quiet, Olivia gently shook her daughter awake.

"Hey kiddo." Olivia smoothed Kenzie's hair from her face. During the night, her bonnet slipped from her head a little. So now she had a few curly tendrils framing her face. "It's time to get up baby, time for school."

McKenzie whined, but rolled over onto her back. She squinted up at her mother, barely awake. "But it's still dark out."

The sun was barely shining through the blinds into Kenzie's room. "I now, but you have to get up so you can shower and get dressed, mommy has to do your hair. And you need to eat breakfast, so we gotta hurry."

Kenzie sat up, and swung her legs over the edge of her bed. "Is daddy awake?"

Here it comes. "No baby. Daddy… daddy had to go to work, so he isn't here right now. But he's gonna be here when you get home from school."

McKenzie face scrunched up. "But, he was supposed to take me to school."

"I know Kiddo, but something came up and-"

"But he promised! You can't break a promise."

"McKenzie honey I'm sorry okay, but daddy isn't here. So I'm gonna take you to school."

"I want daddy." The water works were starting, and Olivia really didn't have it in her this morning to deal with it. So next came the bribing. "Kenzie honey please don't cry okay. Listen how about we go to the doughnut shop before we got to school and grab some doughnut holes for breakfast?" Olivia could tell
Kenzie was enticed.

"And since you're such a big girl now, mommy will let you pack your own lunch for school today. How does that sound?" McKenzie only shrugged. "Is that a yes?" She shrugged again.

"Well I'm going to take that as a yes. And if you want those doughnuts, then we need to get moving." Olivia picked Kenzie up off the bed, and she wrapped her legs around her mother's waist with her head on her shoulder. McKenzie was getting older, but she was still a short little thing, that Olivia had no problems still carrying her around. "You my dear need to get in the shower. You can't be a little stinker on your first day of kindergarten, now can we?" Olivia poked at her sides, trying to get McKenzie to laugh, and she was glad when it worked.

After she dropped Kenzie off at the bathroom and told her to take a bath, she went to get the other two up. Her mother in law was coming to take the kids to daycare, although she didn't think they'd actually get there. She was more than certain that Paula would just keep them for the day. She got both the kids up and changed and downstairs for a quick breakfast.

Just as she was pouring some cereal in two bowls for Mason and Kayla, her doorbell rang. She knew it was Paula. She hurried off to answer the door and was pleased to see her mother-in-law on the other side of the door. She'd been such a huge help with the kids.

"Paula thank you so much for coming. I know it was last minute."

"Oh honey please, you know I never give up an opportunity to spend time with my grandbabies."

"You have perfect timing really. Mason and McKayla are in the kitchen and I need to go make sure McKenzie is taking a shower and not just playing in the water. I also need to shower and we need to get out of here."

"You go take care of McKenzie, I got the other two."

"Thank you so much Paula."

Olivia dashed up the stairs, and wasn't surprised when she caught Kenzie in the shower with her mouth opened under the faucet. Olivia quickly bathed her and sent her to her room to get dressed. She already had her school uniform laid out for her. Olivia then took a quick shower herself, and was getting dressed, when her cellphone rang. She was half tempted to know answer when she saw who was calling.

"What?" She answered very coldly. She had it on speaker phone so she could continue getting dressed.

"Liv."

"What do you want Fitz, I'm busy."

"Liv, I'm sorry ok. I tried to make it back in time, I really did."

"Well trying and being here are two drastically different things now isn't it."

"Liv-"

"I have to go." Olivia hung the phone. She wasn't in the mood, nor did she have time to listen to his half assed apology. After Olivia got dressed in the scrubs, she took a quick glance at herself in the mirror. She looked like shit. Not just because of her overly wrinkled clothes and unkempt looking hair. But just her over all appearance of looking tired and worn out. She looked like she was about to give out at any moment.

"Kenzie, honey are you dressed."

"Yes mommy." Kenzie came dashing in her room a moment later dressed very adorably in her school uniform. She had on her blue, white and grey plaid skirt, black tights and white collared shirt. Olivia let her pick out her own shoes, and Kenzie chose her second favorite pair of cowgirl boots. Olivia didn't really care, at least they were black and kind of went with her outfit.

"Great, go grab your sweater, it's chilly out. Then get you bookbag and let's go."

"But what about my hair?" Kenzie pointed to the bonnet still on her head.

"Shit right."

"Ooh, you said a bad word."

"You want doughnuts or not kid."

After sweeping all of McKenzie's hair in a bun, they were finally ready to head out the door. Olivia grabbed all her things, double checked that McKenzie had all her stuff, kissed the kids goodbye and they were out the door.

X

"Damn, you look like shit."

"Gee thanks." Olivia plopped down behind the front desk in one of the many rolling chairs. She leaned over, put her head on the desk and closed her eyes. She was already tired, and she hadn't even started her shift yet.

"Why do you look like hell?" Ryan, a co-worker of Olivia's, asked as she placed a coffee beside Olivia's head.

"Do I look like shit or hell?"

"Right now, both." Ryan sat in the chair beside Olivia's swinging her fire red hair across her shoulder.

"You know I red isn't your color at all." Olivia said.

"Well fuck you. Don't get mad at me because you look like terrible." Ryan laughed. "Now come on, what's wrong? Trouble in paradise? Don't tell me Mr. Sexy is acting up"

"You know Ryan, I am not fond of that nickname for my husband."

"Well you should've married an ugly guy. Now spill bitch, I have patients to check on."

"Nothing I'm fine. I'm just tired."

"Oh honey you look it too. Tell Mr. Sexy to work you over good tonight, and knock your ass out." Olivia laughed despite herself. "I'm serious. A good sex coma would do you good."

"I'm sure it would. But he's cut off from the nookie."

"So there is trouble in paradise."

"He's just been working too much lately. Leaving on all these business trips, leaving me at home to take care of his three big headed kids, whom I love."

"Of course."

"But I'm tired. I'm overworked and he doesn't seem to notice."

"Well honey the man's gotta work."

"I'm not saying I don't want him to work. I'm just saying he needs to prioritize more. He doesn't have to go on as many trips as he does. His restaurant all have highly qualified managers and staff running that place. And he has Cyrus." Olivia sighed, drinking some of the coffee Ryan had gotten her. She hoped it would help wake her up and put a pep in her step. "And we're arguing all the time, it seems we have more bad days than good and just feel like I'm about to crash."

"I'm sorry honey. You and Fitz just need to sit down and talk."

"I've tried that. All our 'talks' turn into arguments and then one of us end up sleeping in one of the guest bedrooms."

"Okay, then maybe you need to talk to a professional."

Olivia shook her head. "Fitz doesn't believe in therapy, unless there's something wrong with me. We have an appointment this week, your guess is as good as mine to see if he'll show up."

"Well shit, then I don't know what to tell you maybe you two just need to bang it out one good time."

"What is your obsession with my sex life with my husband."

"I just want to see it. How big is it? I know it's a monster."

"Ryan, please don't make me kick your ass in front of all these kids. I love my job."

X

Fitz finally made it back to DC around eight that night. He'd called Olivia, but she didn't answer any of his call or return any of his texts. He figured she was still mad at him, and he'd talk to her when he got home. But before he made it home, his mother called to tell him all the kids were at her house. Fitz changed his plans, and drove to his mother's house to get the kids.

When he got there, he took out the bag of gifts he'd gotten the kids and a bouquet of flowers for Liv. "Hello?" Fitz didn't bother knocking. He heard the TV going and chatter coming out the den so he headed that way.

"Fitz, hey son." Gerry was the first to realize Fitz was there.

"Hey dad." Fitz sat all his stuff on the couch and picked Mason up off his grandfather's lap. "Hey buddy."

"Truck." Mason held up his bright blue truck proudly and showed it to his dad.

"Yeah, that is a truck. I think you're gonna like what I brought you." Fitz sat on the couch next to his mother, kissing her on the cheek. "Look what daddy got you." He took out a bright red firetruck with all the bells and whistles. Olivia was going to give him hell for bringing home another noise maker. "Fat mama come here." Kayla smiled and toddled over to her father. Fitz took a bubble gun out of the bag and squirted bubbles in her face. Her eyes lit up and she started bouncing around trying to catch the bubbles above her head.

"You know, books are always a great gift to give." Paula said, shaking her head at her son. He was always bringing the kids toys. They had an entire room full of toys, they didn't need anymore.

Fitz waved his mother off dismissively. "They've got enough books at home that they don't read."

"Fitz they're two and a year old. You have to read to them."

"Liv reads to them at night." Fitz pulled out a Moana themed coloring art set. McKenzie had moved from the spot on the ground and was now sitting on Big Gerry's lap staring intently at her father. "Come here." McKenzie shook her head no. "Kenzie come here."

"No."

Fitz was trying to coax her off her grandfather's lap, but it wasn't working. She was still clearly upset with him for missing her first day of school, and wasn't letting him off the hook so easily.

"I got something for you."

"I don't want it."

"Well that's a lie. Because this is the exact coloring set you ask mommy for last week."

"I don't want it anymore!" McKenzie hoped off Gerry's lap, but not to go to Fitz. She stomped her little feet all the way upstairs and to the playroom Gerry and Paula had for the kids. Gerry couldn't stop laughing.

"I swear it's like Olivia is just speaking through that girl when she's mad. She acts just like her mother." Fitz said, putting the coloring book back in the bag.

"Well as bratty as it was, she has a right to be upset with you right now."

"Mom please don't start okay. I've got enough to deal with, and I haven't even talked to Liv yet."

"Well that's not going to be an easy talk. You though Kenzie was bad, you just wait."

Fitz sighed. "I know." Fitz grabbed the bouquet of flowers. "Is she upstairs?"

"No, she's back at your place. I assume she's sleeping. When I brought the kids back home earlier, she just looked so tired and worn out bless her heart. I brought the kids back over here so she could get some rest for a few hours."

"Thanks mom."

"If you want my opinion, I think you should've brought back something a bit shinier. Them flowers ain't gonna do a damn thing."

X

When Fitz got home later that night, he got all the kids tucked away in bed, which wasn't hard. They were pretty tired after a day with their grandparents. After getting them settled in bed, Fitz headed off to his bedroom to find Olivia. She hadn't come out of the room since he came home. When he opened the door, the first thing he noticed was how incredibly dark it was. All the lights were off and the curtains, which were normally opened, had been shut blocking out any moonlight. He opened the blinds to let in a little like without turning on a lamp.

Fitz sat the flowers on the nightstand, and sat on the edge of the bed. Olivia was sleeping with on her stomach, with both her arms tucked underneath the pillow. Her mouth was hanging open and snoring lightly. Fitz didn't want to wake her, but couldn't help but reach out and stroke her cheek with his finger.

It wasn't until now, that Fitz noticed how tired Olivia looked. Now he knew what his mother was talking about. She had dark circles under her eyes, her skin looked slightly pale and she just looked worn out. Fitz felt terrible for not noticing how tired she looked and obviously was.

He was just about to go take a shower and let Olivia sleep some more, when she woke up startled.

Olivia had a feeling someone was watching her, and she jumped up out of her sleep. She was momentarily confused in her sleepy and drowsy state by the figure sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Hey." Fitz spoke.

"Where are the kids?" Olivia asked instead of greeting him. "Have they had dinner?" Olivia was about to get out of bed, but Fitz gently held her in place.

"They've already eaten. My mom made her famous spaghetti and meatballs. Their stuffed, knocked them right out."

"What are you doing here?"

"I live here." Fitz answered smartly, turning on the bedside lamp.

"Cute. Why are you here Fitz? I thought you were needed in Florida." The sarcasm wasn't lost on Fitz.

"Well turns out, I wasn't much of a help or really needed at all to be honest." Olivia rolled her eyes. She could've saved him a trip. She'd only said the same thing before he decided to take off.

"What'd the cops say?" Olivia didn't want to care, but she couldn't help but care.

"Nothing really. Nothing was taken or damaged. They think it was most likely some kids messing around or some homeless people looking for food. Whoever it was got scared by the alarm and ran off. And it just so happened that our cameras were down that night, so we have nothing." Olivia decided not to respond to that. "I'm sorry Liv."

"For what?" Fitz didn't answer. "Don't just say you're sorry if you don't even know what you're apologizing for."

"Well why don't you just tell me what I need to apologize for."

Olivia sighed. "I'm not doing this with you Fitz. Not anymore. I'm too tired to keep up this back and forth crap with you. I've said my grievance and you clearly haven't listened to a thing I've said, so I'm done. So you just keep doing you Fitz, while you're wife grows more and more frigid." Olivia smacked Fitz face twice, not hard, but it was harder than a few taps. Then she turned the lamp back off, rolled back onto her stomach and went back to sleep.

His mother was right. Flowers were most definitely not going to work.

X

Until Next Time...