A last minute thing. It isn't much, but it made me smile. Happy New Year! Thanks for sticking around. xo
Christmas Eve
Olivia longingly glanced out the car window; a coat of pristine snow was covering the ground. It was a far cry from California, where December 24th usually meant beaming sun rays and a "cool" temperature in the high 60s. Now, she was bundled up in a winter coat and making sure the heat was directed her way, by inching the knob a little more to the right.
It was a cold start to the first Christmas she and her husband Fitz were going to celebrate together. During the two years they had been a couple, their winter holidays were split between work projects, their immediate families, and a getaway vacation in the Caribbean, where he proposed. Their engagement was short because honestly, they couldn't wait long to not be married.
Thanks to Fitz's promotion at one of the country's largest television stations, the Grants moved to the East, and found a luxurious home outside of New York City. When Fitz accepted, Olivia immediately made moves. She secured a position at a local college, and began teaching a few weeks before he started his new job.
It was a major adjustment for both, still being newlyweds, living so far from their home base. The response wasn't as positive as they liked; still hopeful in their decision making, Fitz and Olivia were going to make the most out of it.
After visiting two parties and shipping off the last of their gifts in Manhattan, it was time to return to the house and begin celebrating. For the first time, in both of their lives, it would just be the two of them, which was the last thing Olivia wanted.
Taking a moment to stir up conversation during their thirty minute commute, she decided to ask, "Have you heard from everyone?"
"Mmhmm."
"So it's definitely just us."
Fitz gave her a puzzled look as he answered. "Yeah… I'll have the computer set up so we can FaceTime or Skype in the morning. Well, around 10am with your family and then noon with my parents."
Letting out a sigh of disappointment, Olivia turned away, as she remembered the previous Christmases when she visited her family in California and Texas. So many siblings and cousins and extended relatives, filling the house to capacity. That was all she knew; everyone gathering from far and near to celebrate. Traditions were strong in both the Pope and Grant families.
Unfortunately, with the limited vacation time the Grants had as new employees, plus the short notice of finding the house, Olivia's parents informed her a visit to NYC would not work out, and it would be beneficial for their daughter to make new memories with her husband. Understandable, but knowing she wouldn't be home for Christmas still hurt.
The silence shouldn't been normal, but in her mind, there was nothing else to talk about.
"Honey."
"Yup?"
Fitz ignored her short response. "Tell me what's wrong."
"Don't worry. It's not your fault."
"That's not what I asked," he answered, glancing over at her, knowing how well she was able to hold a grudge. "We need to get to the bottom of this."
Olivia mumbled, rubbing her temple, "I'm homesick. We haven't been home since the summer. I wasn't expecting this to be so hard. But if it's cool with you, I'll fly them in during my spring break so they can see the house."
"Of course."
The car was stalling at a red light. Starting on their fourth date, Olivia and Fitz had a ritual of holding hands for up to a minute, so they could be in the moment and reset, no matter what was going on. That included arguments or incredibly sad times.
Holding tight, they shared a flirtatious exchange of smiles. Before the light turned, Olivia brought his hand to her lips, so she could kiss his knuckles, "I'm sorry. I love you. We are going to have a great time together. The start of a Grant Christmas tradition."
Fitz nodded, "Yes. Tonight will be amazing."
Hearing him make a promise, stirred butterflies inside of Olivia. Maybe this Christmas would be a precursor of things to come. The combination of loneliness and realizing how anxiety could steal so much from one's life had been overwhelming, and she wasn't always able to express how she felt. But leave it to Fitz, to help when she needed it.
Turning into the neighborhood, Olivia noticed all the creative decorations and light fixtures. A week before, with the help of their neighbors, Abby and David, the Grants placed some lights and a fun snowman scene in the front lawn. It looked like they belonged here.
The garage door lifted as the car turned into the driveway. When Fitz turned off the ignition, he looked at Olivia.
"Hi."
"Hi,"
"You ready?"
Olivia unbuckled her seatbelt. "Yes."
"Good," Fitz answered, reaching across the console to promptly kiss her. Feeling his lips on hers, allowing his tongue to sneak into her mouth, created a desire to want more, but that would have to wait. The thought of taking off any layers while in a frigid garage, was a moodkiller.
"Mmm, Fitz," Olivia painfully broke away. "I'm getting cold."
He rubbed his chin mischievously, bringing to attention his strong, chiseled jaw. "Right. Let's go."
Olivia opened the side door, turned on the lights, then off to wash her hands, and preheat the oven.
"I'm going to change and start with dinner."
After he saw Olivia slip off her four-inch stilettos, Fitz came over to kiss on the cheek. She sighed as he wrapped his arms around her waist, rocking her back and forth, inhaling the sweet perfume that lingered on her skin.
"I'll boil some pasta, and maybe you could make your famous marinara?"
"Sure," she breathed, leaning back, thoroughly enjoying the closeness. "This feels good."
"Hey, I know we weren't going to give our gifts early, but I have something for you upstairs."
Playfully side-eying her husband, Olivia left to find whatever he had for her. Checking the guest room and her office, she couldn't find anything.
"Where, Fitzy?"
He exclaimed, "Bedroom!"
A box was on Olivia's nightstand, with a card on top. Of course, he wrote "Livvie", his favorite nickname for her.
My beautiful Livvie,
I know it's been difficult with the move, being so far away from our families. But your determination and hope for our new life together has been encouraging. Look inside. This may brighten your Christmas.
I love you, Professor Grant.
Yours always,
Fitz
Olivia carefully untied the gold ribbon. She found a white bathing suit, sunscreen, and two plane tickets to Texas and California.
"Is that okay?"
She turned around; Fitz was leaning against the wall, watching the scene unfold. It didn't take long for her to approach him with an all-consuming hug.
"Thank you," she cried.
"Thank you for believing in me. In us."
Olivia sniffled as she read the details on the tickets, "But Fitz, you have work on these days."
Kissing her forehead, he confirmed, "I know. But I can't let you just sit here by yourself. So on Thursday, I'm going to drive you to JFK. You'll have quality time with your family. Then, on Monday, I'll join you and we'll spend the rest of our break in sunny California."
Unraveling her arms from his neck, Olivia's eyes widened, and pinched Fitz's side.
"You bastard! You had all of this planned!"
Fitz laughed, keeping his beautiful wife close. "I didn't meant to torture you, but to see the look on your face, seeing you smile like this. It was worth it."
Being the passionate lovers that they were, it didn't take long for their sweet kisses to escalate. Hands being greedy, finding favorite places to hold or touch. A short, high-pitched moan escaped from Olivia's lips as Fitz nipped at the tender spot right about her collarbone.
"Ooh. Let's make dinner first."
"Whaaat?"
Olivia corrected Fitz, wagging her finger. "Trust me."
"Hardy har har!"
With some of their beloved holiday music playing in the background, they created a simple pasta dish. Sitting at the table with a few candles and two glasses of wine.
"Sooo… I have a New Year resolution."
"What's that?"
"I should probably give this up."
She watched his eyebrows knit.
Confused, Fitz asked, "Excuse me?"
"Mmhmm," Olivia stabbed at some penne and meat. "Maybe for a little while."
Fitz placed his hand on her forehead, "Are you sick? What did the doctor say?"
"I just think I need to scale back. I can find other ways to decompress."
"Why?"
Olivia shrugged, winking at Fitz. "New environment. No need to stress any more than I have been."
Christmas morning
The day started with Olivia stretching like a cat, with her eyes slowly opening, realizing that she was still in New York. But the thought of her surprise warmed her immediately. Fitz was still out like a light, looking incredibly handsome. One of the few days that she was able to do this; being in bed after 6 o'clock, watching her Fitz sleep beautifully. Not having any rush to go anywhere. It was perfect.
She dragged her fingers, up Fitz's back, and eventually kissed his bare shoulder, singing, "Merry Christmas, baby."
Fitz opened one eye, smiling. "Hi. Good morning, Merry Christmas."
"I was thinking that maybe before we greet everyone, we could have quality time right now," Olivia inquired, with a sly grin on her face.
Fitz laughed, shaking his head in amusement. "Is that so, Mrs. Grant?" With his sweatpants casually sitting low on his hip bones, he turned over, sprawling across the bed. Olivia couldn't help herself become so turned on by seeing him just waiting for her.
"Yes, this is very important," she breathed, moving close to him; her skin begin to pebble as Fitz gently pulled at her clothes.
"Olivia, I love you. Thank you for being here for me," he spoke in that husky voice she couldn't stop dreaming about. Eyes darkening as time went on, Fitz made the first move by kissing her, pushing his tongue through the barrier of her lips.
She let herself be overcome by Fitz's touch as the love they shared grew. Soon, their bare bodies, arms and legs quickly intertwined as they got into a rhythm that moved from slow and sweet to fast and raw. Laughs, moans, and sighs filled the room as Fitz continued to move in and out of Olivia.
Fitz cupped her face and sweetly kissed her. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," she replied. Her back arching every single time, while he grunted and filled her constantly. Grasping onto Fitz's hips with her legs, her fingers clawed on his back, shoulders, or anything that could steady her. Watching his muscles tense with each thrust, followed by a series of kisses and gentle exchanges made her heart swell. Feeling him this close to her made all the difference.
"Oh my God, Olivia," he groaned into her shoulder.
Finally, they couldn't hold out any longer and finally reached their completion. Thankfully with no one in the house, Olivia and Fitz were able to vocalize as loudly as they could. As the grandfather clock in the foyer chimed, they held onto each other as as they came down from their intimate high. They waited in silence, holding hands, not minding that their skin was flushed and extremely sweaty. Just relishing the special moments they just shared.
After a relaxing shower, their gift exchanges, a few cups of coffee, and in between their Skype calls, they cuddled on the sofa, in their new pajamas. Fitz laid his head on Olivia's lap, while she played with his beautiful hair that was starting to curl.
"I was thinking…"
"Hmm?"
Continuing to massage his scalp, Olivia casually stated, "We should try."
Fitz cocked his head to the side, "Try what?"
"To have a baby," she whispered nonchalantly. After staring at each other for five seconds, Fitz jumped on the couch.
"What?!"
"Honey," she yelled, looking up, very amazed that her husband was able to launch himself from a sitting position so quickly, like some kind of energetic ape. "What are you doing?"
Fitz couldn't control his long limbs, waving his arms, mouth open.
"Olivia! You want to have a baby? When did this happen?"
Seeing his face light up in euphoria, was a memory Olivia would never forget. "I've been thinking," she nervously answered, holding back a few giggles, "You know, since we're finally settled. I think this could work for us, at some point in time."
Fitz finally sat down, taking her hands, mirroring the joy in her eyes, and tearfully said, "Absolutely. Whatever you want, Livvie."
"Whatever we want."