"Unexpected"

Chapter 7

"Olivia, we'd love it if you'd take the job," Rosalind said, extending her hand to Olivia and flashing a closed mouth smile.

Olivia glanced at the eager faces around the long rectangular meeting table in the conference room of the Community Improvement Initiative. Her brow furrowed in confusion when her gaze rested on Jake's self-satisfied expression. She sensed he had something to do with the job offer. Olivia felt blindsided and totally unprepared for this turn of events. Her unpreparedness extended even to her attire. With the intention of spending hours bent over a computer and attached to her phone, Olivia had dressed down in well-worn jeans, an orange hoodie emblazoned with the community center's logo, and a pair of Fiona's orange and white checkerboard Keds, long discarded because they were, 'so lame.' Her twists were pulled back in a high ponytail.

With the expectation of hiding in her small office, she had avoided her coworkers so as not to be distracted with small talk, requests for help, or questions about her projects. She'd come in this Saturday to work on several time sensitive projects that she knew wouldn't get done if she only worked within the confines of her part time hours. Clarissa's knock on her office door an hour into her labor caused mild irritation that soon turned into confusion when she announced that the executive board wanted to see her in the conference room.

Jake met her at the door and ushered her to the seat at the head of the table opposite him. He launched into a presentation about the center. Still confused, Olivia listened intently until her mind started to wonder to the work she'd left on her desk. Her mind refocused on his presentation when she heard him list off past projects she'd completed. Then he began expounding on the qualifications of the perfect candidate for the Director of Community Partnerships position that had recently been created after an infusion of cash from a successful grant. The new position caused a buzz of excitement in the office. This expansion signaled the success of the non-profit in a precarious economy, but mostly, it piqued the interest of many of the veteran staff that saw it as an opportunity to advance. Olivia shared in this excitement and even imagined herself in the position, but she'd pushed that thought away since her recent part time status, she reasoned, didn't even put her on the radar screen of possible candidates.

Over the 4 months since she'd tried to leave Fitz, so much had changed for the better in their marriage. Nothing was perfect, but regular visits to Dr. Giovanni had opened up their communication. When a part time program assistant position opened up at the center, Olivia had jumped at the job with Fitz's encouragement. Jake still remained a point of contention between them. When he was promoted to Executive Director, his increased travel became the impromptu remedy to this problem. Even though Olivia and Fitz explored their relationship, identifying the signposts that may have led them to their marital wows, Fitz was adamant that the 'wedge issue,' as he called it, was Jake. Olivia wholeheartedly disagreed, pointing instead to their miscommunication, long held notions about each other, and their history. After awhile, they no longer spoke about Jake nor brought it up to Dr. Giovanni. Out of sight out of mind was the realm he had been relegated to in the past weeks.

Now, she sat there at the table, nervously swiveling her wedding ring set around her finger as she heard Jake say, "As the board narrowed in on whom they wanted for this position, your name kept coming up, Olivia. Many on the board thought you were a regular employee and not a volunteer because of the tremendous work you've done here. You are a champion for the center, passionate about its work, and committed to its mission. There is only one choice for the Director of Community Partnerships."

That's when Rosalind chimed in with the offer.

Olivia pulled at her earlobe and squeezed her eyes shut in an effort to gather her thoughts. "I-I don't know what to say. I'm flattered, but there are others that have been at the center longer than I have…"

Even as she voiced her concerns, a rush of excitement filled her chest as she imagined ways to facilitate partnerships between community stakeholders.

"Olivia, everyone who works for CII believes in doing what is best and in the interest of furthering our mission. It has been decided that you are the best," Rosalind said, her smile now revealing her teeth. "It is good practice to take 24 hours to consider offers such as this, be assured that while the salary is not as much as we'd like it is generous and comes with it other benefits. You'll have access and proximity to the movers and shakers in this city. Don't answer now. Think about it." Rosalind pushed a blue folder to Olivia.

"This is our offer and job description. Should you take the position, we want to know your thirty, sixty, ninety day plans. Let Jake know what you need as you'll be working closely with him," Rosalind said.

At her last comment, Olivia's eyes met Jake's. She had an uneasy feeling that this was a ploy to win her affections. But it can't be. Why would he go to such lengths when we were never anything but friends and not even close friends? Olivia thought. She pushed her thoughts away.

"I'm a little speechless right now. I'll take this and leave so I won't embarrass myself. Work to do, but I'll give the offer serious consideration and get back with you as soon as possible," Olivia said. She stood and shook each person's hand before backing out of the room. The board members chuckled as she left.

Olivia released the door and headed back to her office. Sitting down in her office chair, she didn't remember how she got back to her office. She'd literally lost 5 minutes of her life trying to figure out what had happened in that conference room. Aside from a couple of interviews in her teenage years for jobs to make extra money, her college entrance interview, her interview with Fitz to work at The Dish, and her interview to volunteer at community center, Olivia was relatively inexperienced with interviews. But then she realized that this hadn't been an interview. It was more like an announcement of intentions. She smiled as she thought how similar it had been to her faux interview with Fitz years ago when he'd offered her a job and asked her out all in one sentence.

Olivia peeked inside the folder. Her eyes scanned the contents. She closed it quickly and set it aside.

"I can't think about this right now," she said aloud, with a touch of her mouse pad to bring her sleeping laptop to life.

"You can't think about what right now?" Clarissa said. She stood at Olivia's door with her neck craned around the door. "They offered you the position didn't they? You bitch! You are my program assistant and now you're going to be my boss? I'm mad as hell!"

Olivia knew Clarissa well so she ignored her expletives. She knew Clarissa wasn't really mad. They worked well together and enjoyed a genuine collegiality and commitment to their work at the center. Of all the staff, Clarissa never expressed interest in the position. She was that rare person who was completely satisfied with her job as Program Administrator, never desiring to advance.

"Clarissa, please let me work. My asshole of a boss, translation, you, has given me an impossible amount of work that can't possibly be done by a part time worker, but yes they did offer it to me."

"I knew it, Liv! You have to accept." Clarissa crossed her arms and leaned against the door.

"Why? You could easily do that job, not to mention you are better qualified…"

"But I don't want it, Liv. I'm content just where I am. I'm not the partnership making, people person type…that is you. Now you know you'll have to help me find someone to fill your position."

"Clarissa, I haven't accepted it yet, but thanks for the flattery. There's a lot of that going around today…"

"Jake, are you sure you had nothing to do with this?" Olivia said as Jake accompanied her on the short walk to her car. It was late afternoon on Saturday. Olivia had made some headway on her projects, but the job offer continued invading her thoughts. One thought led to another until she was daydreaming about what she could accomplish in that new job. She'd think of an organization she could work with, visit their website, and follow a tangential thought that would lead to another website. This snowballed until she lost two hours of work time. By 3:30, she decided to call it a day and go home.

"If by that, you mean did I wholeheartedly support you as the perfect candidate for the job, then yes," Jake said. "What are you really asking, Olivia?"

She stopped at the passenger door of her car and watched as two young girls walked by with their heads bent over a smart phone. Olivia wondered when they would look up before walking into someone or something in their path. The girls reminded her of Fiona.

"Jake we haven't really talked in months so I could be reading too much into this. A couple of months ago you wanted…you pursued more between us and I wanted to make sure this wasn't—"

"I don't mean to interrupt you Olivia, but I must interject. You're asking if I am trying to curry favor with you by convincing the board to offer you this position so we can get closer...have an affair?" Jake said. "With all due respect, don't flatter yourself. I don't chase married women and I certainly don't go around using my job, which I care deeply about, as a tool to bring us closer. Rosalind actually added your name to our list of candidates. I was just as surprised as you were that they would want to consider you since you really don't have the credentials aside from your volunteer work and recent part time work. I did give my opinion that I had faith in your abilities, but I didn't manufacture this. So you can attribute this opportunity to the realm of a blessing, fate, the fruit of your labor…however you make sense of life. If you decide not to take the job, please let us know as soon as possible. It's great to see you as always," Jake said, stoically. His smile reached his eyes, but Olivia knew it wasn't genuine.

"Okay…" she said.

"Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Olivia, and give my regards to your husband and family," he said. He touched her shoulder and walked away.

"I guess he told me," Olivia said aloud to herself as she unlocked her car and watched him walk away.

"Have I told you that you are a superb husband, Fitz?" Olivia said. She took a sip of of Pinot and savored it on her tongue before letting it slide down her throat. Her Saturday had turned out to be full of unexpected surprises, now sensual delights.

"The way you've been screaming my name and pulling my hair is enough appreciation, Livy," he said. He kissed her on the cheek and pulled her closer. Olivia had been expecting to come home to a house full of bored and hungry kids. Fitz was working from home on this Saturday which enabled her the freedom to work all day. They only let Fiona babysit for an hour or two, never for an entire day. Instead she'd entered a house devoid of children. The dining room table was set for two, the scent of spices wafted from the stove and rose petals littered the floor leading to the bedroom. She'd followed their path to the bathroom where Fitz sat by the tub in the red silk boxer shorts printed with "Mr. Good Bar" candies she'd given him years ago on Valentine's Day. It was a gag gift they'd laughed about for months. When she saw them, they made her giggle until he started undressing her.

Fitz had arranged for Gerry, Binti, and Bakari to spend the night at his sister's house. Fiona was spending the night at her best friend, Pearl's house. Their therapist had encouraged them to plan time to be together as a couple. They had been good about complying, but lately they hadn't been making love as much. Olivia's new part time job and Fitz's increased travel coupled with the regular responsibilities of parenthood and home didn't leave much time for an indulgent sex life.

His plan had almost been thwarted when Olivia told him she was going to work all day Saturday. It was partly his fault for assuming she'd be home instead of asking her about her plans earlier in the week. Assuming usually got him in trouble he learned in therapy. But he still found it hard to ask Olivia about her plans when he was so used to her plans chiefly involving all things family with the occasional blip of volunteering and an occasional drink with a college friend who passed through town.

Olivia sighed and smiled. "My body is buzzing, Fitz. It feels like a long time since we had that much time with each other. Let's run away and make love across these contiguous 50 states."

Fitz laughed deeply. "Now I know you're drunk, Livy. I wish I could take you up on that. It brings new meaning to coming across state lines."

They convulsed in laughter again as Fitz began to tickle Olivia. After their shenanigans, Olivia settled on his chest. "Thanks for this, honey. We'll have to schedule a love fest for at least once per month with the children safely away. I love my babies, but it's so hard to be adventurous knowing that there can be a knock on the door at any moment."

"Yeah, baby. We have to make a point to create time for this." He reached for one of her flyaway twists hanging haphazardly from her head and twirled it around his finger. "So did you get much work done at the center today?"

Olivia's carefree feeling vanished as she remembered the job offer. She wasn't sure how Fitz would take the news. While he supported her part time job, she wasn't sure how he would react to a full time job that would, no doubt, require much more time than she was giving, which still was a great deal of time. She considered whether or not she should mention it and threaten to derail their almost Zen state of bliss.

"No. I got distracted today."

Fitz gave a contented sigh. On the exhale she felt his manhood stir under her thigh. She ground her hips slightly into him aware that she might welcome his arousal as a way to delay a conversation about the job offer. "Really?" Fitz asked. He lifted up on propped elbows and kissed her lips. "What distracted you?"

"The…executive board…came…by…" she explained punctuating her words with kisses down his chest.

"Mmm hmm," he said closing his eyes and placing his hands behind his head.

"They…offered…me…the…Director of Community Partnerships position," she said. By now she was ready to take him into her mouth.

"Sounds nice," he mumbled.

Olivia smiled and wrapped her fingers around him.

"Wait, Livy. What did you say?" He threw back the sheet and pulled her up to face him in the bed.

Olivia pursed her lips and gave him a summary of the day's events.

"So you are considering it…taking this job?"

"I haven't really had time to think about it yet. It was just this morning. I, of course, want to talk to you about it first. I'd be facilitating collaboration between community stakeholders for their support of different needs in the community. There's a little travel and some after hours work hobnobbing to get money, but not too much. What do you think?"

"Why would they offer you that position when you've been a volunteer for only a year. It's been less than two months since you've been working there part time. It doesn't make sense."

"Well thanks for the vote of confidence, Fitz." Olivia felt anger rising in her chest. "I'll have to ask them why they offered it to someone so grossly under qualified as me."

"Livy, I didn't mean it like that. Come on!" He pulled at her but she snatched away and jumped off the bed in search of her robe. She stopped, spun around, and glared at him, unconcerned about her nakedness. "How the hell did you mean it then?"

"As someone who has a lot of experience in hiring staff, I was wondering why they made that particular decision since the job seems like a senior position. You've had less than two years experience so I was just curious. You're great at organizing and strategizing so it's…" Fitz attempted, trying to smooth it over.

"Organizing carpools and strategizing for PTA fundraisers, right? It's a good thing Jake and the board have faith in my abilities." She walked into the bathroom and snatched her robe from the overhanging door rack.

"Jake? Jake! I should have known! He is behind this isn't he? I thought he was out of day-to-day operations. So he gave you this job? It's obvious why when you aren't qualified." He stood on the other side of the door waiting for her to appear. When she did, he said, "You can't take that job, Olivia. He's using this job to try to get close to you. It's obvious he'll do anything."

"You are a rare piece of work. You think Jake created some job just to get in my pants! He and the executive board recognize my value. They see me as more than simply something to acquire. They want me because I have the skills and the knowledge to take the Community Improvement Initiative to the next level. In their eyes, I am brilliant enough, smart enough, skilled enough to do that. I am…enough! Period! You've never given me any credit except for what you were trying to get from me. Even when you hired me in your restaurant, you did then what you are accusing Jake of now. You gave me a job with ulterior motives!" She walked past him.

Fitz grabbed her arm. "Livy, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to imply that you wouldn't do a good job. It's just that opportunities like that don't happen in a vacuum. There's a reason. I think that reason is Jake. I love you, Livy. Come on…stop twisting my words."

Olivia decided to let go of her anger, but she held on to her hurt. "Let me go, please," she whispered.

He dropped her arm.

"I am not going to argue with you about this. I am taking the job. You can choose to accept that or not. I don't care." She scooped up their dirty clothes hamper and walked to the laundry room. She needed a mundane task like the laundry to help her calm down completely.

"How do you want your hair, Fiona?" Pearl asked.

Fiona looked up from her cell phone and considered the mess of hair around her head. "You decide, Pearl. Your creations are always better than anything I can think of."

It was Saturday night and Fiona was content. Sleeping over at Pearl's house was always preferable to staying at home. When her dad had suggested she spend Saturday night at Pearl's so he and her mom could have a date night, she'd been elated. It beat watching her brothers and sister when they went out on a date. Fiona scoffed at them and their date nights. It seemed so fake to her.

"Okay. How about I give you a series of cornrows to the back. When you take them out tomorrow. You'll have nice waves," Pearl said.

"Whatever, Pearl," Fiona said absently swiping through her phone. "I wish Jason would stop asking me out. He's friends with Dean and I think that would be gross don't you?" Fiona rolled her eyes and laid her phone on the dresser. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of Pearl brushing her hair.

Fiona and Pearl had been friends off and on since fourth grade when Pearl's family moved to the neighborhood. Her parents were from Monrovia, Liberia. Her mother was a hospital administrator and her dad worked for the WHO. He often traveled from the US to parts of West and South Africa for his job.

Their initial meeting hadn't been a good one. Fiona had been part of a group of girls who had teased Pearl from the moment she entered Mrs. Blake's fourth grade class. She was tall, skinny, dark-skinned, with a shock of short of hair. Later Pearl admitted that her mom had taken her to a salon for a permanent that had relaxed most of her hair straight out of the follicle.

Fiona led the effort to make Pearl's life as difficult as a fourth grader could. Mostly she'd meet her on the playground and call out taunts, "Hey African booty scratcher. Why are your knees so ashy?" or "You are so black that it turns to night when you go outside." Fiona's taunts grew more vicious when Pearl refused to respond. She'd just stand there and rub on her cowrie shell necklace. After about two weeks, Fiona grabbed Pearl's necklace trying to get a rise out of her. It worked. Pearl flew into Fiona's body and started pounding her relentlessly. Fiona was no match for her targeted pounding. Pearl was suspended since no one admitted to Fiona's relentless bullying. After Fiona confessed this to her mother, Olivia phoned her mom and arranged for Fiona to apologize. In lieu of apologizing, Fiona gave Pearl her favorite Fun Time Fashion Barbie. From that day on they formed a friendship.

"Jason seems nice and cool. Why don't you at least talk to him? He's cute and smart and not a total dog like Dean," Pearl said. Pearl's phone rang at that moment and she stopped doing Pearl's hair to answer.

"Hey. Nothing. I'm thinking about you too, Kwam. Okay, that sounds good. I'll see you at the library tomorrow. Bye…You hang up first. Bye," Pearl smiled.

Fiona rolled her eyes as she took in Pearl's side of the conversation. She didn't really like Pearl's boyfriend. Kwame Jefferson. She even hated his name. Pearl really liked him so Fiona was forced to endure him.

"What does Kwame want?" Fiona asked after Pearl hung up.

"I'm meeting Kwame at the library tomorrow. You want to come?" Pearl asked. She resumed styling Fiona's hair, focusing on getting the part straight for the first cornrow down the middle of her head.

"I thought we were going to study together at Starbucks? But never mind. He is your boyfriend so whatever. Just be careful so you won't end up like my mom." Fiona's eyes trailed down Pearl's neck. She wished she had Pearl's long graceful neck. She also wished for the washboard flat stomach she knew lay under Pearls fitted V-neck t-shirt emblazoned with a familiar logo of Michael Jackson's black loafers balancing on tip toe. They had become real fans after his death. Fiona also noticed Pearl's small perky breasts and erect nipples pushing against her shirt. They were both dressed in their t-shirts and panties. Fiona knew that Pearl often lamented about her rail thin frame, preferring more voluptuous curves like Fiona's.

"What do you mean, Fiona?" Pearl asked, with a frown.

"I found one of my mom's diaries. She has diaries from high school if you can believe that. My mom is such a cornball. She tried to get me to keep a journal. I wouldn't dare write down anything because then she'd have something to be snooping around for. You know how she overreacted when she found that paper in my jeans pocket." Pearl continued frowning at her words. She never spoke badly about her own parents no matter how mad she was at them and she didn't like it when Fiona did so.

"I think your mom and dad are the coolest, especially your mom. She's so fun. I wish my mom could do to all those cool things your mom had done for us with PTA and your birthdays and stuff. It's like she's the perfect mom," Pearl said.

"Why does everyone say that? My dad is great, but my mom is… well I wish you'd take her. I'll take your mom. We can trade."

"I'm sure she'd love to send you back sometimes Fiona. You're not the easiest person to deal with most of the time!"

"Ouch! Shit, Fi! That hurt and it proves my point," Pearl said. She rubbed the butt cheek that Fiona had just slapped.

"Sorry, Pearl," Fiona laughed. "Let me kiss it all better."

Pearl moved away from her and plopped on the bed. "Just spill the beans or I'm going to leave you with your hair not even half way cornrowed. What did the diary say and what does that have to do with Kwame and me?"

Fiona swiveled around and straddled the chair to face Pearl. "Apparently, I was conceived miraculously, I'm practically like Jesus. What would that make me? The daughter of God?" Fiona looked into the distance in faux contemplation.

"What? I don't get it. Please tell me and stop joking!"

"I found an entry in my mom's diary where she writes about the first time she and my dad first did the deed. He goes down on her first then he puts his thing in her but he doesn't put it all the way in. He rubs the tip up and down the opening of her pussy," Fiona said, using hand motions.

"Eww, Fiona. How can you talk about your parents like that? I don't want to think about my parents and their private parts. Yuck! I want to think that there is nothing down there. I know about biology and everything, but I can't…" Pearl said, twisting her face.

"It is no big deal to me. I don't care. But in another entry, she writes how she goes to the doctor and the pregnancy is confirmed. Volia! Nine months later I'm on the scene. Isn't that crazy? I was a miracle or a horrible mistake. I think my mom believes the last thing."

Fiona lowered her head and tears began to well up in her eyes.

"Fiona. Stop it. Don't cry. Your mom doesn't think that…" She stood up and pulled a sobbing Fiona to her bed that held an overflow of stuffed animals and pillows.

"Fiona, you are a miracle," Pearl whispered. "You're my best friend."

"Lock the door, Pearl. I don't want your idiot brother to see me crying," Fiona said. Pearl complied but they both knew that wasn't the reason Fiona wanted her to lock the door.

Pearl returned to the bed and wiped away Fiona's tears. Fiona loved no one they way she loved Pearl. Three months ago when the rumors started spreading around school that Dean was hooking up with Debbie Benton behind the bleachers, Fiona ignored them. When a video circulating around school confirmed it, Fiona had been devastated. She'd refused to have sex with Dean, a vow that was easy to keep when her parents wouldn't let her go out with him. She had been forced to see a therapist to deal with whatever issues her mom thought she had based on the doodle she'd found in her jeans. When Fiona been particularly depressed after an argument with her mom about what she thought was an infringement on her privacy, she'd convinced her dad to let her spend the night with Pearl. It was that night that her friendship with Pearl became intimate.

Pearl had been working extremely hard to cheer Fiona up and pull her out of her depressed demeanor. Fiona shot down her attempts. That eventually made Pearl cry which increased the emotional intensity to a fevered pitch. Overcome by Pearl's tears, Fiona began to console her. Soon they were kissing and touching, and exploring each other's bodies. They never discussed it, but every time they spent the night together they would eventually end up naked writhing against each other.

Fiona always felt better after being with Pearl. She didn't think she was a lesbian, but she knew she loved Pearl and hated that Pearl had a boyfriend.

Tonight was just like all the others. After they locked the door, they had permission to be together. "Thank you for making be feel better Pearl," Fiona whispered.

Pearl smiled at her. Fiona smiled back. She pulled her t-shirt over her head, releasing her ample breasts, breasts she knew Pearl loved to the point of worship. She stuck her chest out as Pearl marveled at them. Then they both stood and dispensed with the rest of their clothing and jumped under the covers, giggling as if they knew a delicious secret.

"Keep it down in there!" Zwange yelled banging on the wall from the next room.

"Shut up Zwange!" they yelled in unison, convulsing in more giggles until their giggles turned to kisses.

Fiona pulled back first. "Pearl, I found this video online of these two women doing it. I want to try it to see if we can have an orgasm. It'll be fun. Wanna try?"

"I don't know… I don't…If you want to," Pearl said.

There was something in Pearl's voice that made Fiona pause. "Pearl, do you love me?" Fiona asked.

"Yeah, Fiona. You're my best friend."

"I mean do you love me, love me. Like you would love a boy, like Kwame?"

"I don't know, Fiona. I just love you."

Fiona was silent. "Are you getting mad?" Pearl asked.

"Do you like it when…we are…together?" Fiona asked.

"I like it because it makes you feel good, Fiona. I mean it's okay. Kissing Kwame is different. It makes me feel different. Don't be mad, Fiona. I don't like girls like that. You don't either. We're just being…close."

"Whatever, Pearl. Forget it. Let's just go to sleep. I'm sorry I brought it up." Fiona turned and faced the opposite direction, cocooning herself in the bedclothes.

After they lay there for awhile, Pearl turned around and released the sheet that was tucked around Fiona. She pressed her body to hers. Fiona stiffened, her body straight as a board. Pearl grabbed her breasts from behind and squeezed her nipples as hard as she could.

"Fiona, you are such a brat sometimes, but you are my brat. Get your damn phone and show me that video. I call dibs on the first orgasm. If it is anything like what they say it is, I'd love to have my first one with you," Pearl whispered in her ear.

Fiona began to let her body relax, but she wouldn't turn around. Pearl slid her fingers between Fiona's legs rubbing back and forth, hoping to quell her anger. Not quite knowing what to do. Fiona started to feel a sensation build that she had never felt before. When the sensation fanned out she felt like she'd been pushed off a cliff and needed to reach for something to hold on to as her body jerked at the unfamiliar, but pleasing feelings. She moaned too loudly.

"What the hell was that, Fiona? Did I hurt you?" Pearl asked frantically.

"No, Pearl," Fiona said, trying to catch her breath. "That felt like. I don't know. So good. I think it was an orgasm."

"Really? I'm glad my mom isn't here. You screamed like I just stabbed you or something," Pearl said.

Fiona jumped on top of her and slid down between her legs. "Pearl. I have to try to give you one. It feels so good. Forget the video."

There was banging on the wall. "Shut the hell up you two!" Zwange yelled. "What the hell are they doing in there?" He increased the volume on his iPod.

Come on, Livy.

Please talk to me.

I love you.

I'm sorry.

I'm stupid.

I want you.

Olivia groaned at Fitz's texts. He'd been texting her for the last hour after their argument. By the 25th text, she started to lose her resolve. This time a picture appeared with the text. It was a picture of his penis and a message scrawled on a piece of paper: "I'm with stupid. Don't punish me because he is stupid."

Olivia burst out laughing until she started crying while laughing. She unlocked the door to the laundry room and let him inside.

"Fitz you are…stupid. I am still mad at you, but that was funny." Olivia continued to chuckle. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the family room.

"I am sorry for everything I said. I felt threatened when you told me about the job so I said those things…questioning your brilliance and qualifications. I am so sorry, honey. I don't like Jake, and I never will, but when I heard you mention his name, it made me feel more threatened. I am not used to sharing you with the world in this way. I know that sounds backwards and like I am a Neanderthal. Please don't shut me out. I want to support you. I'm sorry."

Olivia looked into his eyes. "Have you been drinking?"

He shrugged. "Yes, but only a couple of beers. I needed something to calm me down," he said. "But I mean everything I said, Livy. I apologize."

"I felt disappointed and hurt when you said those things because it brought back all those bad feelings I held on to for so long about how I thought you felt about me. So I lashed out too, Fitz. Thanks for your apology. I accept your apology." She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed as tightly as she could.

Later after they basked in the glow of passionate make up sex, Olivia yawned loudly.

"How was Fiona today? I think Dr. Giovanni is really helping her work through her anger. She seems happier, don't you think?" Olivia asked.

"She was fine when she woke up. Excited about staying over at Pearl's house. I'm so glad she has a friend like Pearl whose not the typical, angsty teenager," Fitz said.

"I love Pearl. She's smart and just a nice young girl. She knows how to talk to adults. I never worry when I know Fiona is with her. Now, her other friends… I am not convinced. I thanked God when she stopped talking about Dean," Olivia said, yawning again.

She looked over at Fitz who was now snoring lightly. Snugging closer to him, she smiled and closed her eyes just as the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Olivia?"

"Yes. Esther? Is that you? Is everything okay with the girls?" Olivia sat up in the bed. Fitz stirred beside her.

"No, Everything is not alright. You need to come and get Fiona. Now, please," said Esther.

"What's wrong, Olivia?" Fitz could tell something was wrong by the expression on her face.

"I don't understand Esther? Are the girls okay? What's going on?" said Olivia.

"I want your daughter out of my house. I know she is the cause of this. My Pearl, she's not like…please just come and get your daughter, please," said Esther.

"Okay, I'm on my way, Esther. Hopefully we can talk about…"

"Olivia, what's wrong? What did Pearl's Mom want?" said Fitz.

"I can't believe she hung up on me." Olivia hopped out of the bed. "She is demanding that I come get Fiona now. She wouldn't tell me why. Then she just hung up on me…"

Fitz picked up his cell phone that was now alerting him to a text.

I want to come home. Pick me up now.

"That was Fiona. She wants to come home," he said.

"Tell her okay and ask what happened….no scratch that…just say okay and let's get dressed and go," she said. "Maybe she and Pearl had an argument and Fiona crossed the line."

They dressed hastily and left for Pearl's house.

Next, "Down for the Count," but probably not today. Wish I could for Halloween! I'm updating in alpha order...