A week had passed since Fitz had been in Atlanta and he had been in contact with Liv everyday since. Wether through text or phone calls.
They had been getting to know each other better each day. Sharing their likes and dislikes.
xxx
At 3:30pm Liv made her way home. She had been busy all day at both of her LA based boutiques. So to say she was tired was an understatement.
The minute she got home she changed into some shorts and a tank top - barefoot. Her hair was tied into a bessy bun.
Oddly there was a knock at her door, who the hell could that be. She viewed her security camera and saw that it was her parents.
Making her way to the door she yelled, "coming!"
Opening the door her stood there smiling widely, "Surprise!!"
"Mom, Dad! What are you doing here!? Come on in." She said joyfully.
As they made their way into the living room her father said, "I took a couple days off from work. So we decided to come visit you. We miss you sweet girl." He said as he and Maya took turns hugging their daughter.
"Well this is a nice surprise. But you could've told me you were coming, I would've arranged a car to pick you up at the airport." They sat down.
"We wanted to surprise you though." Maya said.
"You definitely did just that." Liv said as Pikachu came trotting in to the sound of the different voices.
"Pika look your grandma and grandpa came to visit!" The dog's tail wagging with excitement.
"Come here Pikachu." Oscar said petting the dog who rolled over on his back in front of him.
"Have you guys eaten yet?" Liv asked her parents.
"No not yet. Are you making lunch?" Maya asked.
"I'm drained mommy I've been up and down between boutiques. I'll just order us some chinese, is that okay?" She asked stretching out on the couch.
"Yeah that sounds fine." Maya nodded.
"Alright. Be right back, lemme just go grab my phone." Liv went to the kitchen where her phone was charging.
Joining her parents back in the living room they chatted for a few more minutes until their food arrived.
"Great. Lets eat!" Liv said as the trio moved outside to the backyard patio.
"So how's work? You designing new stuff yet?" Maya asked her daughter in between bites of the delicious food.
"It's great. Yeah I'm working on my new men's range. It's been a great experience so far." She said sitting back drinking her juice.
Then her phone rang. Olivia's face lit up which didn't go unnoticed by her mother.
"Hi.." She said casually while her parents engage in their own conversation.
"Hi." He said sounding a little different than usual.
"What's wrong?" She frowned.
"What makes you think somethings wrong?" He murmurs.
She got out of her seat and went to sit by the poolside - her feet dangling in the water.
"Fitz...what's wrong??" She asked concerned. She's never heard him sound so down. He was always upbeat.
"Umm well i had a pretty shitty day." He sighed.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
There was silence on his end but she could hear him breathing.
"I got a call this morning. My dad is in the hospital. He um..he might not make it they say. He's seemingly been sick for a while now but never said anything to anyone. Kept it all to himself. My uncle was just as shocked when he phoned me. But the thing is..I don't know how to feel. The man was a terrible father but he's still my dad you know.." He spoke softly.
Olivia felt sorry for him, "Fitz.. I'm so sorry." You could hear the care in her voice.
"Apparently he's requested to see me. Fuck! I wanted to go out and get drunk you know..to get him out of my head," He snorts. "But I decided to call you instead. Figured your company would be a better distraction."
She smiled. Then an idea hit her. "Hey lemme hang up for a second. I'll facetime you right back in a minute."
He didn't question her and simply agreed.
Olivia got up and walked over to her parents. "Mom, Dad would you excuse me for a few minutes? I got something to take care of."
"Of course baby. Take your time." Her dad said.
"Alright. Pikachu?! Come here boy, come on." The dog followed her into the house.
She went up to her room, got comfortable on her bed with Pikachu nestled in her side.
Facetime'ing Fitz he answered almost immediately. And when he saw the sight on his screen he couldn't help but instantly feeling a little better.
"Look Pikachu it's your best friend uncle Fitz!" Liv pointed him to the phone screen.
"Pika! Buddy how's it going. I miss you." Hearing the familiar voice Pikachu started barking up a storm, then sitting propped up against Liv with his head tilting slightly to the side.
"Aww it's good to see you too buddy." Fitz laughed at the dog's reaction.
"I'm kidnapping him when i get back. He's definitely staying with me all of next weekend." Fitz said sounding a lot better than he did before during their phone call.
"I'd have to check his schedule. He's a busy dog." Liv joked.
"I don't doubt he'll make some time for me." He snickering. "Hey thanks for this. You are easily the best friend I've ever had."
"That's what friends are for right. To cheer you up whenever you need it." Liv smiled sweetly at him.
"Are you two gonna nap again? You sleep a lot you know." He said noticing that they were on her bed.
"No we're not! And what's wrong with taking a nap every now and then?!"
Fitz laughed leaning back on his couch. "Nothing! I'm just teasing you. So what are you up to?"
"My parents surprised me by showing up here earlier. We were having a late lunch when you phoned."
"That sounds nice. I bet you were very happy to see them?"
"Yes. It was a nice surprise."
"Well let me not keep you. You guys has some catching up to do. Thanks again for listening - allowing me to blow off some steam." He said sincerely.
"No problem. I'm kinda flattered you chose my company over booze and and possibly a strip club" she laughed at that last part.
"Who says i would've went to a strip club?!"
"Isn't that what guys do when they're feeling down?"
"I guess.. but that's not me anymore. Trying to be better remember..?" He said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah and i respect you a great deal for that. It can't be easy."
"With you as a support system, it kinda is." Fitz said nonchalantly.
Liv's heart rate sped up a little. Did she really mean that much to him?
"Bye Fitz.." she said in a whisper.
"Bye Liv.." The screen went blank.
xxx
When Olivia made her way back outside to the patio, looking to be in a very happy mood, she sat down in her seat receiving an weird look from her mother.
"What mom?" She asked tucking her feet underneath her.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes." Liv shrugged.
xxx
The next day Olivia spent the entire day with her parents. Taking them around Santa Monica. They had fun.
Olivia, Maya and Abby were now at a seafood restaurant for dinner. Her dad decided to stay home. Giving them a little girl time.
The three of them were talking about anything and everything. Then her mother asked, "So baby, is there anyone special in your life yet?"
"No mom unfortunately there isn't. You know I would tell you if i met someone who swept me off my feet." She says taking a sip of her wine, they had a driver for the night they could enjoy their alcohol.
"Please don't take this the wrong way but don't you get lonely in that big house. I mean yes you have work and your dog and your friends but at the end of the day don't you want to go home to someone special and share your days highlights with them and complain to them about silly things and get a goood foot massage" Maya and Abby chuckled slightly at that last part.
"Mommm" she groaned inwardly.
"I like being independent. By myself...it's not so much of an investment then being with someone."
Abby spoke up, "Liv no offense but it's not like you are soo busy that you don't have time for someone. You deserve someone to make you happy and to love you."
"Yeah you shouldn't allow the way that idiot Edison treated you to stand in the way of your happiness." Maya added.
"Your mom's right Liv. That was what? 5 years ago? And yes you've dated a few guys since but you broke up with them the minute they got a little too close. Not every guy wants to use you and treat you like crap." Abby said.
Olivia just sat there, taking it all in. And yes they were right. She was completely and entirely over Edison -don't get it twisted- but he did hurt her deeply.
She sighed then said, " I hear what you're you're saying. And yes i do sometimes wish I had someone to love and to be loved in return. But I'm fine waiting for the right guy to show up. And when that happens i won't freak out okay, I promise." She laughed.
"That's more like it." Maya said causing more laughter to erupt at their table.
Olivia's laughter subsided when she heard her phone ring. A facetime notification. Fitz.
She panicked a little. Should she answer? Her mom and Abby was sitting right across from her. But he's just her friend so what's the big deal right? Still, her mother will probably probe her with questions afterwards and Abby is still a little wary of her friendship with Fitz.
But she's not ashamed of their friendship though so what the hell..
She decided to answer.
"Hi!" She said happy to see his face.
Olivia didn't even realise that she's been looking forward to his phone calls each and every day.
"Hi. A bird pooped on my face today." He said so randomly.
Olivia almost spit out her wine. "What?!" she laughed.
"Yeah we were filming, i look up and BAM! poop running down my cheek." He said look at her adoringly. He loved seeing her so happy.
"Ewww! That's disgusting." Liv said forgetting for a moment about the two women sitting acroos from her until Maya cleared her throat. They could clearly hear the male voice on the other end of the line
Olivia glanced up from her phone and looked at Abby smirking and her mom's confused expression.
"Olivia does your friend on the other side of your phone know you're in a company of other people." Abby continued to smirk.
Liv threw her a look saying shut up.
During their stare down Liv heard Fitz's baritone voice coming through her phone, "Was that Abby?!"
Liv looked at the screen. "Yes. I'm at dinner with Abby and my mom. You wanna say hello?"
Fitz's eyes grew wide, "Are you sure?? What if Abby manages to kill me through the phone?" he joked.
"Don't be so extra Fitzgerald!" Abby said loudly.
"Okay. I think i can say hi real quick." Fitz says looking at Olivia. She was so beautiful. He cleared his throat trying not to make it obvious that he's staring again. He does that often. Staring at her. Admiring her beauty.
Olivia turned the phone until the two women came into view for Fitz to see.
"Hello Fitzgerald." Abby said.
"Hey Abby. Um good evening Mrs. Pope. I'm Fitz. Olivia's friend." He smiled and waced awkwardly at the woman. Olivia definitely was a reflection of her mother he thought.
"Hi. nice to meet you Fitz, I'm Olivia's mother, Maya." Maya greeted pleasantly.
Olivia turned the phone back on her, "I'll talk you later."
He smiled. "Sure. Enjoy your dinner. Bye Liv"
"Bye." she said in a soft sweet voice.
"Why does your friend look so familiar, I could've sworn I've seen his face before.." Maya asked her daughter.
"Oh Fitz is an actor." She said nonchalantly.
"Oh yes of course! I knew his face looked familiar. Your nieces are always gushing over him. Fitzgerald Grant right?"
"Yes..um i think I'm ready to leave." Liv said.
"This was fun. Thank you ladies for a nice evening." Maya says to Abby and Liv.
xxx
Back at home, after dropping Abby off, Liv and her mom enjoyed a cup of tea as a nightcap.
"So Fitz seems like a nice guy. You've known him long?" Maya enquired
"We actually went to high school together." Liv giggled.
"But we moved in different cliques back then. We sort of just hit it off at the reunion 2 months ago. He's been a good friend." She smiled into her cup.
"That's good to know. At least i now know if Abby can't look out for you, you have Fitz."
"Mom stop it. I'm a grown woman. I'm pretty sure i can look after myself."
"I know you can. But sometimes we can't and then we need someone to do it for us."
"Okay. Anyway I'm gonna go to bed. I have a few meetings tomorrow. Goodnight mom. Love you." she hugged her mother.
"Night baby."
By witnessing Olivia's interaction with Fitz at dinner, Maya didn't know wether or not her daughter was aware of the fact that she might have already found her someone special. She's never seen Liv so happy and at ease with any other guy before. They might just be friends...but clearly they shared a deep connection.
