"Olivia, Mrs. Saxton is testing my patience." Quinn said entering Liv's office.
"What happened Quinn?"
"Why can't she just let us do our job and plan her damn function. I get it, she's the client and she should be involved but she's never satisfied with anything. Why hire professionals if she's just gonna act like we don't know what we're doing."
"You've dealt with difficult clients like her before Quinn."
"But she's the worst one."
"So what's her problem?"
"I don't think she likes me."
"That's ridiculous."
"I'm serious Olivia. Maybe Charlie should take the lead on this one, I've noticed her whole attitude change when he's around."
Amused, Olivia laughed. "Look, you can't let her get to you."
"I'm not but I do think it'll be better if Charlie takes over, or at least just deal with her personally if we want this function to pan out perfectly."
"Okay. If you think that's the best solution then go ahead. Just remember that this is a big contract for us Quinn."
"I know and thank you."
"Sure. Anything else?"
"No, that was it."
"Alright." Liv said as Quinn left.
Just as she was about to get back to work her phone rang.
Smiling at the name flashing across the screen, Liv answered, "Hi."
"Hi. What are you up to?"
"Working." She answered with a smile in her voice.
"Any clients giving you a hard time?"
"No.. What about you, are you taking a break now?"
"Not exactly. I'm about to do a little presentation on oral hygiene at the local children's home. We'll be handing out some oral care kits and doing free check ups then I'm going back to work."
"Oh that's super kind of you Fitz."
"Well we do it every year and I love it. I mean it's not much but these kids really appreciate it and it feels good to be able to give back. I'll send you a few pictures if you want."
"Yes, I'd love to see it."
"So, you've got a birthday coming up soon. Any plans?" He asked cheekily.
"I will most likely be working." Liv answered honestly.
"What? You can't go to work on your special day."
"I guess that's the downside of having your birthday on valentine's day. We've pitched for two big functions and managed to secure both of those so we're gonna be pretty busy. All hands on deck and whatnot."
"Livvie no." By his tone she could tell he was wearing a pout on his lips.
She giggled, reclining comfortably into her office chair. "What?"
"You gotta take the day off."
"And why's that mister?"
"I might have plans for you. .for us."
"Oh really?"
"Yes."
"What kind of plans?"
"Not telling you. Just take the day off."
"Is that an order?"
Fitz laughed heartily. "No what that was, was a very polite request."
"Nice save Doctor Grant."
"I miss you."
"It's only two days until the weekend, keep it together." Liv said playfully but deep down she missed him too.
"And how am I supposed to keep it together when I'm randomly receiving cute ass selfies from you? You don't play fair Livvie."
"Oh stop it, you'll survive. So anyway, I was thinking, maybe we should tell Alli about..you know..us."
"Oh. ."
"What? Do you think we should wait?"
"No no the timing is good. I want that. I wanna tell her, but only if you think it's the right time and you're absolutely ready." Fitz then chuckled faintly and added, "It's kind of exhausting at times to sneak around just to get a kiss from you. It'll be nice to be able to be more free."
On some occasions Liv would let Abby take Allison for a few hours, citing she's got work to catch up on. When really, she used those few hours to get it on with Fitz.
She loved her daughter unconditionally but with her being around she would never get some alone time with Fitz.
"It's been just over a month now. I know there's no reason to be but I don't want to be negative and wait for things to go south between us. I like the place we're in right now. I'm happy. You've been nothing but amazing and I want Alli to be part of our little bubble."
"I hear you. What do you think her reaction will be? Will she be okay with us being together?"
"I honestly don't know what her reaction might be like but she loves us both so it can't be too bad right?" Liv replied hopefully.
"Right. Hey, I gotta go and get busy. I'll call you tonight."
"Okay."
"Bye Livvie."
"Goodbye Fitz."
xxx
Olivia left Allison in the bathtub to go downstairs and answer the door.
Fitz grinned as the door swung open. "Hi beautiful."
"Hi, come on in. I told you, you don't have to knock."
"Next time I'll just barge in then." He joked.
Liv tilted her head to the side. "Don't I get a kiss?" She asked cutely.
"Well--"
"It's okay. Alli's in the tub."
Fitz stepped forward, his arms looped around her waist and he dipped his head to kiss her.
As the kiss became more passionate and sensual Olivia moaned softly while her hands roamed his muscular frame.
Fitz continued to kiss her hungrily and pressed their bodies closer together.
In a matter of seconds their heated moment was interrupted by Allison's voice calling for her mother.
With foreheads resting together, they stared into each other's eyes.
"I love you. Go, our princess needs you."
Liv chuckled and turned to make her way up the staircase.
"Mommy you gotta rinse my hair. Did you forget?"
"No baby, I didn't. I just went to answer the door. Your dad's here."
"Well hurry up and finish, I wanna see daddy."
"Okay, okay. Tilt your head back." Liv instructed and began rinsing her conditioned hair.
Olivia towel dried Allison's hair and got her into her pajamas. She just went to retrieve the brush and hair moisturizer when the little girl took off to see her dad.
"Allison." Liv hollered but her daughter was on a mission.
Fitz was on the couch when Alli came leaping onto his lap. "Hi daddy!"
"Woah hi cutie." He greeted her with a kiss and a hug.
"Why are you so late?"
"I had to take care of a few things back at home." Fitz said brushing her spiralling curls out of her face.
Olivia came to stand in front of them with a scolding look on her face. "Allison Pope, I'm not done with your hair. Why did run off?"
"I wanted to say hi to daddy."
"Okay but I gotta finish your hair."
"But you'll take too long and then daddy will leave."
"Alli it won't take that long and he's not gonna leave right now."
Allison looked at her father and he gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll be reading you a bedtime story so I'm not leaving just yet. Go on, let your mom finish your hair."
"Okay."
Liv mouthed a 'thank you' to Fitz.
Moments later, with her hair styled into rows of neat looking braids, Allison hurried over to her father's side.
"Look at you, the prettiest girl in the world."
Gasping, Allison replied, "What about mom? She's pretty too."
Fitz shot a quick glance in Liv's direction before focusing back on his daughter. "She is. You're both very pretty."
"Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"Why can't you come and live with us?"
"With you and your mom?"
"Well, yes. A long time ago, but not that long, we had to make a drawing in class and tell a story so I drew a picture of you with mommy and I, and told everyone how cool you are but some kids said I just made it up 'cause they've never seen my daddy at school." A long time ago was actually just last week.
"Sweetheart those kids are just being mean. Don't listen to them."
"But they think I was lying."
Olivia took a seat next to Fitz on the couch. "Alli, who are the kids that said you don't have a dad?"
She knew it just had to be one of the 'gossip girls' children. There were this clique of four moms at school who thought they were better than everyone else. They would always talk down on other parents and their kids. The four moms were all about money and luxury.
They always wanted to be involved in everything at the school and threw money at the school board for favoritism. They would gossip about every other parent and it was noticeable that their children had adopted that 'elitist' behaviour of their parents.
"Maggie and Sarah told the whole class that I was making up stories, that I don't really have a dad."
Yes, of course. Olivia's suspicions proved to be correct. Maggie and Sarah were the twin daughter's of Laurel and Hank. Laurel was one of the 'gossip girls'.
Liv was upset. Obviously those little kids heard that from their mother. No innocent child would be so..heartless.
"Maybe if daddy took me to school then they'll believe me."
"Alli why didn't you tell me this before?" Olivia asked gently.
"Because when it happened it hurt my feelings and I didn't wanna talk about it 'cause I was sad."
"Baby girl you know I always tell you to talk to mommy when someone has been nasty to you or hurt you in any way."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Hey, don't be."
Fitz pulled their daughter into a loving embrace. "Let them think what they want. You know you have a dad that loves a whole lot." He said and pressed a kiss into her hair.
"So why can't you come and stay with us?" Allison asked quietly.
"Well..."
"Is it 'cause you and mommy don't love each other in a special way like the other mommies and daddies?"
"What? No. Alli I do love your mom, just like I love you." He glanced at Liv and she tossed him a tender smile.
"But you never give mommy hugs like you give me hugs and you don't like, buy her ice cream and stuff."
"Hey, would you like to know a secret?"
Alli nodded and Fitz leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"I really love your mommy. I wanna give her all the hugs and buy her ice cream and stuff but first I gotta know if that's okay with you. Would you be okay if I wanna love your mommy in a special way?"
Allison reach over to cover his ear with her hand and whispered back. "Like kisses and stuff? 'Cause my Auntie Margo and Uncle Harry kisses all the time."
"Yeah, kisses and hugs. I want to love your mommy like that. Is it okay with you?" He continued their hussed conversation.
They were really good because Liv only caught a few words here and there.
"Does that mean you'll stay with us?"
"Don't tell your mom but pretty soon I'm gonna move here then you'll see me all the time and I could take you to school."
Allison jerked back, excitement etched on her face. "REALLY!?"
"Shhhh." Fitz chuckled. "But yes, really. You gotta keep it a secret though. Think you can do that?"
"Uh huh. I'm the best at keeping secrets."
Olivia cleared her throat to get their attention. "Excuse me, do I get to be in on this secret of yours?"
"No." Father and daughter replied quickly with identical expressions.
"Why not?"
"Uhhh 'cause um, 'cause it's not for your ears. Right daddy?"
"You're right." Fitz confirmed, suppressing his laughter.
"Allison we don't have secrets, remember?"
The 5-year old's face lit up as she giggled. "Momma you just can't know."
Liv's jaw dropped and her hand shot up to her chest, feigning shock and hurt.
"You heard her Liv, just let it go. We'll tell you when we're ready."
With a fake pout and puppy dog eyes, Liv said, "That's mean."
Fitz and Allison's joint laughter continued until the latter got a bright idea.
"Kiss her." She whispered in her father's ear.
Now that he's gotten their daughter's approval, he tugged Olivia towards him.
"Fitz wha--"
He cut her off by pressing a brief kiss on her lips.
"Alli told me to do that."
"Oh she did huh?"
"Yep. She also told me that since I love you I gotta give you more hugs and kisses. Oh! And ice cream and stuff, right princess?" Fitz said while Olivia grinned widely.
"Yup. Do you love daddy too momma?"
Liv rubbed her thumb over Fitz's hand. "I do." She said and kissed his cheek.
To say Allison was happy was an understatement. She responded with unbridled jubilation and did her best to throw her little arms around both of them in a hug.
"Hey Liv, since we both love this girl over here, we should probably give her some kisses as well." Fitz suggested in a playful, lighthearted manner.
"Oh definitely. You ready?" Liv asked Fitz and with a nod they started peppering their daughter with sloppy kisses, making her squeal with laughter.
Later that night with Allison in bed, sound asleep, Fitz got up and bid Liv goodnight.
"What are you doing?"
Bemused, Fitz answered. "Going back to the hotel..?"
"No you're not." Liv said matter-of-factly.
"I'm not?"
"No. Our daughter gave us her approval didn't she?"
"About that. I know you wanted us to tell her together and I sort of went ahead and--"
"It's okay. Maybe she needed to hear it from you."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well with the whole thing that happened at school and her wanting you around more.. I guess you telling her that we're together gave her hope and made her feel a little less insecure about your role in our lifes. She has a sense of certainty now that you'll be around."
"And I will. I'm not leaving you again. Never. I promise."
"I believe you. Come on, you can sleep here."
"Are you sure?"
"I wasn't asking you, I was telling you. So yes, I'm sure."
"Wow, you can be really bossy you know that?"
Liv smirked. "And what about it?"
He dropped his head, laughing. "You better lock that bedroom door once we get upstairs and I'll show you exactly what about it."
"Good. Let's go, it's been two weeks since our last time and pleasing myself before I go to sleep at night only made me crave you even more." Liv confessed, slightly blushing.
"Then I've got some work to put in." He scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom.
They were happy and at ease and Olivia liked that.
