Liv had a million things to do, starting with getting Dawson up and ready for school. The entire week had been a blur; and though she and Fitz had decided, for the time being, to cease the sleepovers, their schedules were intertwined. Liv took Teddy to swimming and Dawson to dance. Liv was also being fast-tracked to becoming partner, a responsibility she wasn't even entirely sure she wanted. She was more than ambitious, and she'd worked harder than anyone else in her department, but with all of the issues she had going on, and the additional time with Fitz and Teddy, Liv wasn't sure how she'd manage it.

Liv twisted her mouth in irritation as she tried on yet another pair of the work slacks she'd picked up in a hurry from Macy's during her lunch hour the previous day. She hadn't had time to try them on, as she'd had to grocery shop for the dinner for her step-mother and sister. Now that she had them on, she realized that she'd picked up a size too large in one of the pairs, and the other pair she was nearly swimming in. Liv had bought the pants so that she wouldn't have to do any of the laundry that had been overflowing from her wicker hamper, but it seemed inevitable.

Giving up on the slacks entirely, Liv pulled a pair of cable-knit stockings and her favorite black cotton dress, which somehow fit her like a glove and managed to flatter her nearly as much as it comforted her. Liv noted that she'd turned the dress inside out on the hanger, to indicate that she'd already worn it, these were the little reminders she left for herself. Ignoring that the dress had already been worn, Liv pulled it on and checked her reflection in the mirror.

At least it looks clean, Liv rationalized as she twisted a handful of her two day old twist-out. She typically had cooperative hair, and while she straightened it, sometimes daily, she couldn't manage to stretch a twist out beyond two days.

Whatever. Liv scowled, starting a thick braid at the edge of her hairline, and braiding it across to form a crown. Liv secured the braid on the other side with a bobby pin and pulled the curlier portion of her hair into a low ponytail.

Rolling her eyes at her reflection, Liv left her room, deciding against putting on her stockings; Dawson's nails need to be clipped, Liv remembered, she should have done it over the weekend, but she'd been less focused lately. Dawson had ruined her share of Liv's clothing, whether it was the chance nosebleed on her favorite ash-colored sweater, or the trail of green snot on the only clean pair of light wash jeans she'd owned at the time. Dawson's nails could be lethal, and Liv really didn't have time to go deep diving in her hamper.

Liv leaned in the doorframe of Dawson's bedroom and grinned, crossing her arms as she watched her favorite person sleep. Dawson was intertwined in her sheets, reminiscent of a cyclone, her appendages splayed in every direction. One of her plump Bantu knots had unwound in her sleep, resulting in a curly tendril that appeared electrified, as it stood at attention. Dawson's room was still dark, and despite the leaks of light, Dawson slept almost as soundly as she would have in the dead of night.

"Babe." Liv called, walking over to her daughter's bed and sitting on the edge. Liv kissed Dawson's forehead and watched her eyelids flinch slightly, but she didn't stir, her plump lips parted slightly, as her breathing continued to deepen.

"Love, love. It's time to get up." Liv smoothed the soft hairs at Dawson's hairline, and finally Dawson opened her eyes, squinting up at her mother blankly, not quite coherent.

"I don't feel good." Dawson grumbled, pushing her lower lip out and rocking backward to lay on her back.

Liv mirrored her expression.

"Awe. Lovie. Is it your stomach?"

Dawson shrugged and crossed her arms.

"I just don't feel good. Do I have to go to school?"

Liv crinkled her brow in surprise, Dawson rarely wanted to miss school. Most recently, Dawson had all but pitched a fit when Olivia had kept her home from school for a day because of her ankle sprain. Dawson loved to learn, and she liked seeing Teddy and Fitz every day.

"Is it that bad? What hurts?"

Liv pressed, hoping Dawson would tell her what was really up, but Dawson just avoided her eyes and instead looked up at her ceiling, where she'd stuck tiny luminescent stars.

"Mostly my head."

Dawson finally admitted. Liv stared at her for a long moment.

"You have a headache? Or are you dizzy?"

"Dizzy." Dawson replied firmly.

Liv knew that Dawson was lying, but she couldn't understand why. They were already going to be late for work and school, and Liv had several meetings, the first starting at ten. She couldn't possibly take Dawson to work, but sending her to school wouldn't work either, she'd just complain to Fitz.

"You want to stay home?" Liv guessed. Dawson reacted slowly, as if she was agonizing over the decision. Tentatively, as if she was only really agreeing to appease Olivia, she shrugged.

"Can I go with you?"

Dawson asked this hopefully, but reigned in her interest.

"Babe. I have a lot of work to do today. If I take you, you'd have to be really good, and you'd be resting on the couch in my office, you can't run around to all the receptionist's desks or anything like you normally do when you're there. You'd be resting."

Dawson looked away from Liv, her eyes bugging out as if she was alarmed.

"Can I bring the iPad?"

Liv rolled her eyes. She was a sucker, and Dawson knew it.

"Yes, you can bring the iPad. But you need to sleep some too, since you're so sick."

Dawson nodded shortly, as if saying that she accepted the offer.

"Do I have to change?" Dawson asked next, motioning to her lilac purple jersey pajamas.

"Put on your heavy socks and UGGS. And you can stay in your PJs." Dawson grinned, a spitting image of the Cheshire cat.

Liv had been conned, but she reasoned with herself that Dawson could really be sick, at least slightly. If she felt off enough to speak up about it, it was possible that she was really feeling sick. If Dawson was completely faking it, at least she got to spend the day with her daughter. She missed that. Fitz and Teddy were more than pleasant company, but Liv didn't want to forget their little family; it was little but it was great.

"Ten minutes, babe." Liv warned, standing and walking to the doorway. "Be ready."

Dawson nodded seriously and threw her legs over the side of her bed.

Liv hurried back to her room and continued to dress, sitting on the chaise at the foot of her bed and pulling on her stockings. She stood and debated with herself for at least a minute and a half about wearing the stilettos she normally wore with the dress. She would have to tote her six-year old around on her hip, just so Dawson could keep up with her charade, and she knew it. Liv didn't like to coddle Dawson by carrying her too much, but she was so small that carrying her now barely differed from carrying her at age four. Liv pulled her stilettos on anyway and shoved her diamond studs into her ears. She didn't have time to apply mascara or do anything more spectacular than spritzing some perfume on.

She'd given up on being camera ready long ago, as Dawson appeared in her room, in her small dark brown UGG boots and charcoal gray jacket. It was the middle of November, and while it wasn't so cold outside that Liv would insist on making Dawson wear her parka, she was concerned that her PJs were too thin to brave the 40-something degree weather outside.

"Get the iPad please, and your headphones." Liv requested, pausing in the middle of her room, trying to mentally track down her briefcase.

"And the charger?" Dawson asked, one foot out of the door.

"Nuh-uh, missy. Whatever battery life it has is what you've got. You're sleeping some of the time, remember?"

Dawson shrugged.

"Are you going to call Mr. Fitz?"

Liv cursed to herself.

"I'll call him on the way."

"Okay. And Mommy?"

"Yes, babe?" Liv asked, scanning the room, wondering if she'd forgotten anything.

"Are you going to get me breakfast on the way, or…?"

Liv shot Dawson a serious look; breakfast had slipped her mind. She'd been planning on fixing Dawson some quick Cream of Wheat, because it was a chilly morning, but Dawson being sick was not part of her plan.

"We'll pick something up on the way, I promise. Get your things together."

Liv checked her rearview mirror and noticed the time, in green pixilated font: 8:15. They weren't making bad time, she'd have some time to get Dawson settled before she had to go off to her meeting.

"How does a breakfast sandwich and a water sound, babe?"

Dawson smiled encouragingly, but didn't reply verbally, as she kicked her legs in her car seat.

"Mommy?"

"Yes?"

Liv asked, pulling into a spot outside of a convenience store close by her work.

"Do you think I'm small?"

Liv's eyes widened in surprise as an awkward silence settled between them.

"Babe… why are you asking? Did someone tell you that?"

Dawson blinked, not answering.

"I'm small too, for an adult, you know."

Liv offered, trying to understand her daughter's question. She'd probably forgotten about the doctor's appointments Liv had made, when she turned four and she still hadn't grown much. Liv was afraid that Dawson had a bone deficiency or rickets. However, Dawson's pediatrician had assured Olivia that Dawson was normal, in every development. She wasn't deficient in any minerals or bone density, and while she was short for her age, he saw no reason to run more tests on her.

"Are you?"

Dawson asked weakly.

"Yes, Mommy's only 5'2. That's small for an adult woman. Most adult women are 5'5 and taller. So I'm small too."

Dawson twisted her mouth, clearly in inner conflict.

"Did someone make fun of you, Daws? You can tell me, you know."

Dawson paused, then started trying to unbuckle herself, Liv unbuckled her own seatbelt and went to the backseat to help Dawson out. As soon as Liv released her, Dawson jumped into her arms, burying her head in the crook of Olivia's neck. Liv melted instantly, hugging her daughter back tightly, and shutting the back door. Liv took her purse and locked the car as she walked into the store with Dawson welded to her. Dawson didn't raise her head as Liv pulled two bottles of water out of one of the refrigerated cases. Liv asked Dawson if she wanted cereal and fruit instead of a sandwich, and she agreed. Liv pulled down a container of apple cinnamon oatmeal and a small cup of pineapples for Dawson and a sausage, egg and cheese sandwich and a pack of grapes for herself.

As Liv payed, Dawson lifted her head slightly and kissed Liv on her jawbone.

"I love you, Mommy. I'm glad we're both small."

Liv held Dawson tighter as she replied.

"Me too, babe."

Liv payed for their breakfast and carried Dawson back to the car. Dawson went into her car seat willingly.

Liv pulled out of the parking lot, and drove down the street and into the parking garage for her office building.

They arrived on the floor of Olivia's office, Dawson clung to Liv again, her bag containing her iPad, headphones, baby pillow and prized elephant strapped to her back securely. Normally, visiting Liv's office was a treat for Dawson; she loved to interact with Olivia's co-workers, and most everyone had time to devote to Dawson and her prying, but endearing questions. Olivia's secretary, a middle aged woman, with a granddaughter on the way, Ivy, doted on Dawson more than anyone else in the office did. Ivy was more than surprised to see Dawson fastened to Liv's front.

"Well, hello Miss Dawson."

Ivy cooed, standing from her desk that was situated in front of Liv's office.

Dawson pulled her head up from her mother's neck as Liv turned Dawson to the side, so that she would be face to face with Ivy.

"Hi, Ms. Ivy."

Dawson replied, her voice almost lackluster. Ivy frowned at Dawson and looked up at Liv.

"Is our girl alright today?" Ivy asked.

Liv hoisted Dawson up, as she felt her legs sliding down her waist, despite how tight Dawson was trying to hold on.

"Dawson's just feeling a little out of it," Liv assured. "She's going to be resting in my office for today. I was just going to ask you if you'd mind looking in on her while I'm in the meetings I have this morning. She should be alright, she has her iPad and she needs to rest, but…"

Ivy had started to wave off Liv's request impatiently.

"Of course I'll keep an eye on her. Hopefully she rests up, maybe it won't be so hard for her to get back to sleep since she's only been awake for a bit."

Liv nodded, Wishful thinking.

"I just have a few things I needed you to take care of for me,"

Liv started, motioning for Ivy to follow her. Liv opened her office door and immediately shut the blinds, the brilliant sunshine of the morning being replaced by a moody ambiance.

"I wanted you to call Fitz. Can you tell him that Dawson is sick today? I had planned to call him once I was out of the meetings, but I don't want him to worry until then. Also, I marked on your call sheet the clients that I need to bring in for another evaluation. And my step-mother and sister are coming for dinner tonight, can you confirm for seven thirty?"

Liv finished, feeling the slight twinge of guilt that she always did when giving Ivy her morning orders. Ivy was a godsend- she was a wizard with doctor's appointments, organizing travel plans and kept Liv's professional life in order via her own color coded system, so that Liv would know at a glance what her days would consist of. Ivy made her job almost a hundred times easier.

Ivy nodded, not even taking down notes.

"I just wanted to confirm that you'll be out of the office early on the 6th?"

Ivy asked, clearly not on solid footing with the mysterious out of office notification that Liv had sent her more than a week ago. Liv was more than candid about most things, and she rarely hid anything from Ivy. But telling Ivy that Edison was taking her to court on December 6th was not going to happen.

"Yup, I'll be out all day. I could do an early meeting the next day, if absolutely necessary. But the accounts I've been working with will be long over by then."

Liv confirmed, setting Dawson gingerly down on the suede sofa. The office had come with a leather sofa, but Dawson hated it, and Liv found it far too pretentious for her needs, and had it replaced with the suede one that Dawson preferred much more.

"Are you eating now, Daws?"

Liv asked, setting the food down on her dark wood coffee table. Dawson slid forward and took the cup of pineapples. Liv nodded as she picked up the cup of oatmeal.

"I need to run to the kitchen to make this for her,"

Liv told Ivy, starting toward the door, but Ivy took the cup before she'd gotten too far.

"Don't worry about it, you get ready for the meeting. I meant to tell you that I had Dawson's comforter dry-cleaned; it was a little musty."

Liv smiled in appreciation.

"Thank you, Ivy."

Ivy nodded and left with Dawson's oatmeal as Liv crossed her office to retrieve the comforter she'd bought from the Walmart across the street in a pinch when Dawson had needed a blanket.

Hot or cold outside, Dawson always slept with some kind of blanket.

"Here's your blanket, Daws. I'm going to get eat and get ready for my meeting. Ivy's coming back with your oatmeal."

Dawson nodded, absentmindedly kicking her UGGS off and leaning back with the cup of pineapples still in her clutches.

Liv highlighted her recommendation for the clients that she would be dealing with in the meeting; she'd recommended that one of her clients not go forward with the acquisition they'd been pushing for, it was too risky and Liv knew she'd have a tough time trying to make them see what she saw; the potential for failure outweighed the potential for success.

Ivy returned as Liv was scribbling talking points in the margins of the briefing document she'd reviewed dozens of times since receiving it.

"And here is your oatmeal, be careful it's hot,"

Ivy told Dawson, setting a napkin, one of Dawson's baby spoons and the oatmeal on the table.

"Let it cool down, babe,"

Liv called, moving on to review the second set of briefing documents.

"Okay,"

Dawson squeaked, watching the steaming cup of oatmeal carefully.

"Liv? I wanted to let you know that Fitz called before I had a chance to. He said he'll be looking forward to your call after your meetings, and that he's noted Dawson's absence."

"Thanks, Ivy,"

Liv replied, twisting her pen in her fingers anxiously, her stomach jumping at the thought of Fitz.

Liv wasn't someone who moved fast, in anything. Whether it be acquisitions or relationships. Which weren't that different, Liv rationalized.

Liv looked at her relationship with Fitz from each of its sides: they each had children from previous marriages, they each had their share of issues with their ex, and though their physical and emotional chemistry spoke for itself, it was still surrounded by all of their issues. If Liv had to make a decision about whether or not to go forward or "all in" as she called it, she would have decided not to. Just by the facts on paper, the potential for failure outweighed the potential for success.

It's a good idea this is about emotions, and not money. Liv thought to herself. Money is easy, nearly black and white. You either lose it or you gain it. Emotions have levels, and each of those levels have a sub-level. Nothing about feeling is easy.


"Okay, PB&J."

Fitz handed Teddy his sandwich, smiling at how eager Teddy was to get his special sandwich cut into the shape of a Ninja Turtle- he had lucked out in the clearance section at Michael's.

Fitz glanced at the rest of his class, making sure everyone was eating peacefully at their rounded tables. Fitz had bought two dozen aprons, and had the kids decorate them with their name and their favorite things. Each child wore their apron as they ate; not only did it make an awesome art project, but it kept the kids clean during meals and snacks.

Teddy's hair was getting too long, Liv had commented on it, and Fitz had wanted to get his hair cut the previous morning, but Mellie had called and wanted to see Teddy; he traded her his Thursday night for her Saturday night. They'd spent it over with Liv and Dawson. Of course Fitz hadn't provided an explanation beyond the surface, and Mellie hadn't taken the time to ask. Teddy was mostly cared for by Jerry and Karen at Mellie's anyway.

Teddy's freckles were generously sprinkled over his cheeks and nose, and though he'd insisted on wearing the two sizes too small sweatshirt that Fitz's parents had gotten him from Tennessee (simply because it had 'T-Town' emblazoned on the front) he managed to look well put together.

"Is Dawson coming after lunch?"

Teddy asked, halfway through eating the Ninja Turtle's head.

"No, bud. Dawson's sick, remember I told you? We're having dinner with Mom, Jerry and Karen tonight instead of seeing Liv and Dawson."

Fitz felt his own words dampening his spirits. He agreed with Liv that they'd been much too fast to have consecutive nights of staying together, but he needed some middle ground. He didn't want to let go of the small amount of time that they'd all been together.

Of course he was looking forward to seeing his older children, who called him frequently enough that he felt like they missed him in some capacity, however he could have done without seeing Mellie. She was more than wrapped up in her own life, and while Fitz supported her career and her lobbying to be a one of the senior partners in her law firm- as she was only junior partner, he knew that their children came at the expense of her hectic work schedule. But, Teddy only spent the night with her a few times a month, and she'd been religious about keeping their weekend lunch dates, so Fitz didn't have any complaints in that area. That was almost the only area that he was content with when it came to Mellie.

"Are you cooking?" Teddy asked almost innocently. Fitz chuckled.

"Karen's going to help me. I was just planning on making some chicken stir fry."

"Can you make the pie that Liv made?"

Teddy inquired, licking his jelly off of his fingers.

"Hey. Use your napkin,"

Fitz scolded, smiling at Teddy's snaggletooth-ed grin- he'd lost another baby tooth at Liv's house over the past weekend.

"So can you?" Teddy pressed, smushing his napkin to the front of his face and rubbing it all over before dropping it quickly.

"I guess I could. I'd have to ask Liv the recipe, I don't know that all she put in it."

"Okay," Teddy agreed, pulling the top piece of bread off of his sandwich and leaning forward to eat the sandwich with no hands.

"Ted, stop being silly," Fitz laughed, scanning the room again, to see Hadyn Klein starting to mimic Teddy, eating her own egg salad sandwich with no hands.

Fitz shook his head as he tried to be stern with Teddy and Hadyn, but couldn't control his amusement.

"Chill out you two." Fitz told them in a mock authoritative voice. "We have ten more minutes of lunch."

Fitz addressed the rest of his class, as conversations resumed. Fitz stood and walked away from Teddy's table, preparing the materials for their last activity of the day. After their nap, they'd be making masks to resemble different types of flags. Fitz had come up with the idea after seeing Teddy's sneakers with the Spaniard flag's colors on their laces.

Fitz had assigned each of his kindergartners with a country, and would supply each child with those colors to decorate a mask as they wished.

Fitz leaned against his desk as he spotted Teddy leaning over into Dawson's empty chair. Teddy missed her, and it hadn't even been a day.

Fitz crossed his arms as he watched the last moments of mealtime tick away.

"Naps!"

Fitz called, clapping his hands as it officially became naptime. Fitz made sure he had his lucky number of students- 15 that day, since Dawson was sick.

Fitz corralled the kids into the nap area, and lined them up, giving each child a mat that would go on the frame of their cots. He then started giving each child their blankets and watched each of them struggle, pulling off their shoes or grumbling about not being tired. Fitz watched as one by one, they settled into their mats and started to grow quiet.

Teddy had chosen the cot closest to the exit of the nap area. Fitz had tried his best not to treat Teddy any differently from the other children, but he had slipped up a few times, including rocking Teddy to sleep during nap time. One kid, Isiah had woken up and thrown a fit over the special treatment. Now, Teddy had to sleep in his cot like everyone else.

Fitz left the nap area and headed back to his desk quickly, making sure his sightlines to the children were clear as he returned the empty lunchboxes to their rightful cubbies. He rehung their meal aprons and finally settled in his seat. He pulled out his phone and was disappointed to not have any texts or missed calls from Olivia.

Deciding to be proactive, Fitz dialed Liv and waited for her phone to go to voicemail, as it had at that time before.

"Fitz,"

Liv answered on the fourth ring. Fitz was pleasantly surprised; Liv was normally busy until the very last minute in the office.

"Liv. I was just going to leave you a message, I didn't think you'd answer. Didn't you have meetings today?"

Fitz heard Liv's exasperated sigh.

"I did, but I got through with them early, and now I'm just in my office with Dawson, trying to figure all this out."

"Figure what out? Everything alright?"

"I mean… yeah sure everything's cool. I'm just going to be rewriting my decisions- which won't change- in more defined terms since this client thinks I'm being too conservative in my renderings."

Fitz chuckled at how stressed Liv sounded; he admired how much she dug her heels into every project- she took no decision lightly.

"Well that sucks," Fitz sympathized.

"Yeah, you don't care." Liv chuckled. "I'm sorry, I'm just irritated, it's already been a long day; thank goodness we're out of here in two hours."

"Leaving early today?" Fitz inquired.

"Yeah, I haven't even started on dinner. I bought everything my step-mother likes, but I'm still really iffy about what to make. Cooking for you and Teddy is easier."

Liv added, her voice melting into the phone. Fitz grinned.

"Teddy'll follow you anywhere if you have a plate of your Shepard's pie," Fitz commented.

"I bet," Liv replied dryly.

"God, I miss you,"

Fitz told her, pressing his phone into his ear harder, trying to hear her reaction to his words.

Liv barely made a sound, but Fitz could tell that she said her next words with a smile.

"I miss you too. These last few days… have been…"

"Hell? Yeah, I know."

Fitz heard Liv's pout, and felt himself wanting to kiss her gently, he wanted to unravel her lips, to kiss her and feel her soft skin under his fingertips.

"I hate being an adult," Liv added. "We agreed to spend more time apart, and I know the kids are annoyed, but I'm beginning to get that way too. Who are we really trying to appease here?"

Fitz shrugged, grinning to himself as he realized that Liv couldn't see him.

"I guess it seems reckless to jump into family life with someone who's mostly unknown to you."

Liv snorted, and Fitz's smile widened, his attention broke from the phone as he saw a child stirring, and paused, watching him settle back down before continuing his conversation.

"That's a cute way of saying 'stranger'"

Liv pointed out.

"I'm not a stranger to you, though, am I?"

Fitz wanted to know.

"Of course not," Liv assured him in a hurry. "I feel like I learn more about you every time I look in your eyes. Maybe that's just poetry, but it's true for me. I know a lot about you."

Fitz looked out of the large window where the small potted plants the kids had decorated were stationed.

"Liv I hate that we're trying to be conventional, when we're not. We're both adults, and we like each other enough to date seriously. Our relationship is not rooted in sex, and we're responsible. We won't fall off the rails if we decide to put more weight on this thing. I want to be with you, hold you at night. And I want to do the right thing here, but who's to say that this isn't right for us?"

Liv was holding her breath, and Fitz could tell. She was clearly on pins and needles.

"I think that I want that too. But it's sudden. And… we would burn out a lot faster in close quarters than we would if we were living separately."

"I'd rather do this thing fully than half-assed. I want this. You do too."

"I know," Liv answered. "What about your ex and your other kids? They haven't even met me. They don't know me or Dawson, and you expect them to be okay with us moving in together?"

"Why don't we introduce everyone tonight? We can get together at my house, and I'll cook. We'll just let everyone know what we're doing, and it's a one stop shop."

"Fitz…" Liv trailed in thought. "How is that going to work?"

"We can make it work if we want it to. We'll tell everyone tonight and it will all be okay. Once everyone knows that we're serious, they'll all have to get on board."

"When has this sort of thing ever worked, Fitz?" Liv questioned.

Fitz didn't answer, and Liv hadn't expected him to.

"I'll… tell my step-mother and sister to meet at your house… okay? I'll go for this. But I'm not an optimist." Liv warned.

"And for some reason I enjoy that about you," Fitz joked.


"I texted her the directions, and she responded that she got them and they were on their way, I don't understand what's taking them so long,"

Liv told Fitz, anxiously pacing in his bedroom. Liv had rushed home to get herself and Dawson showered for their dinner at Fitz's. Dawson had made a miraculous recovery about ten minutes after Liv had told her about their new dinner plans. Liv had only been outside of Fitz's house, the night they'd gone to get his and Teddy's PJs. She'd been impressed by the Colonial style home on the outside, and the inside did not disappoint either.

Fitz had revealed to Liv that he'd had his cousin Thomas come in to advise him on décor. Thomas's advice was put to good use; Fitz's home was crisp and modern, and though each and every room had a smattering of Teddy's toys, it had a dream house feel. Liv had admired Fitz's deco for about ten minutes before she'd started freaking out. Mellie, Jerry and Karen were due any moment, as well as Liv's family. She'd let Fitz talk her into the dinner without fully thinking it through, and while it seemed like a good idea on paper, Liv didn't expect smooth sailing by any stretch of the imagination.

"Liv, they're coming. They're all coming. Soon most of our family will be under one roof. And, after we blindside them, we will feed them, and we will carry on about our lives because this is just a courtesy, remember? We're adults, and we're not hurting anyone by wanting to be together. And our children love each other already, and they're going to love spending more time together as a family. It's already done, you just have to relax."

Liv tried to slow her breathing, inhaling and exhaling while keeping her eyes on Fitz.

"I just want this to go well. Jerry and Karen are teenagers, they're bound to have some negative reaction towards this. And my step-mother is an airhead… but she's very critical. It's not like I care what they think…"

Liv trailed off, looking at Fitz's knowing smile. He knew that she wasn't being truthful.

"Of course you care. You care about what they think because maybe if people think this is wrong, it's okay for you to think this is wrong. It's like you want an out. Do you want out?"

Liv gripped Fitz's button down shirt, grasping the material in her hands. She peered up at him, embedding her answer in her eyes.

"Then let's do this."

Fitz affirmed, kissing Liv's lips lightly before pulling away from her.

"Hopefully your Dad and the kids got the Shepard's pie out of the oven with no trouble."

Liv smiled weakly as she watched Fitz leave his room. She hated that she still felt anxious. Jacqueline and Emma had never directly made Liv feel inferior, but she had recognized how much they analyzed her actions. It was almost as if they were waiting on her to slip up. Liv was always on presentation mode, there was no room for error and there was no room for her to look like she couldn't handle it all.

Jacqueline had been a big fan of Edison, and when Liv ended up in the hospital, Jacqueline had almost made Liv feel like it was her fault. Almost. It was as if Liv was almost at odds with her, almost inferior and almost a letdown. Liv hated the blurry line that Jacqueline created, but she rarely interacted with her, and their limited reactions were the only reason that their relationship wasn't yet strained.

Trying to calm her nerves wasn't easy, and as Liv left Fitz's room, she wondered how she could stay composed. Mellie, Jerry and Karen, Liv would and could handle, but the fact that Liv's almost critical stepmother was probably five minutes from where she stood was affecting her.

Liv descended the elegant cherry oak wood staircase and spotted her daughter bouncing around Fitz's open concept kitchen. Dawson was carrying the bowl of salad, clearly excited to be helping out. Being a teacher made it easy for Fitz to be un-patronizing toward children, especially Dawson. Dawson considered herself a mini adult, and while she was far from grown, she was very in tune with her emotions, and she hated to be underestimated or made to feel smaller than she was.

Liv took her time with the stairs, smiling as she noticed Fitz stretching his long arm easily to grab a stack of plates from the top shelf. His stone gray t-shirt rose to reveal a toned slice of his belly. Liv found her gaze lingering, her foot hovering slightly off of the last step as she turned her head to get a better angle of his toned body. Fitz's stomach disappeared as he closed the cabinet and walked toward the long table that Dawson was placing the bowl of salad on. Fitz set the plates down, and Teddy started distributing them. Fitz smiled at Teddy, then glanced up to see Liv, still transfixed. Liv smiled weakly as she realized that Fitz had caught her checking him out.

Dawson and Teddy finished setting the table as the doorbell rang. Liv smiled a nervous smile at Fitz and watched as he returned her smile, though his was sure and stable.

"Dad, can we answer the door?"

Teddy requested, jumping at Fitz's leg. Dawson smiled up at Fitz as Teddy continued to jump. Fitz broke his eye contact with Liv and smiled down at his son.

"Sure, bud. You and Dawson go to the door together, okay?"

Fitz answered, as though they were going on some sort of extended excursion rather than twenty or so feet across the house.

Teddy took Dawson's hand and pulled her in the direction of the door, as Fitz walked over to Liv, helping her down the last step.

"I'm nervous."

Fitz cradled her face in his hands gingerly.

"Don't be. It's already over," He coaxed.

"Where's my Dad?" Liv asked, not seeing him anywhere.

"In the den; he found my TV and the celebrity poker tournament is on," Fitz chuckled.

Liv nodded, forcing a smile as her eyes darted toward the door; the security system that Fitz had installed also had a camera that pointed at the front door. From her place at the stairs, Liv could see who she assumed to be Mellie and two dark haired teenagers, Jerry and Karen.

"Mom!"

Teddy announced, excited. He unlocked the door and stepped back, as Dawson watched his mother and siblings enter the house, bringing in some of the chilly evening.

Mellie was taller than Liv, with generously curly dark brown hair, pale skin and bright green eyes. If Liv had pictured her, based on Fitz's descriptions (which she hadn't) the Mellie who was showering Teddy with kisses would not be it. Mellie looked like a living embodiment of Suzy Homemaker. In fact, the only deviation from this was her crisp pantsuit, which fit her well but was a serious shade of gray.

Jerry and Karen could have been twins, they were nearly the same height, with slender figures and complimentary features. Both were pale, and both had chestnut brown hair, like Teddy. Karen's eyes were her father's blue while Jerry took his mother's green. Like Mellie, Jerry and Karen regarded Dawson as everyone did- with absolute adoration. Karen particularly fawned over her, and asked to pick Dawson up, which Dawson allowed, but clearly only to be polite. Dawson cast a glance at Liv, and soon, so did Mellie, Karen and Jerry.

Mellie stepped forward, her smile uncomfortably sunny.

"Fitz," She managed through tightened lips. "Who is this?"

And, it seemed Jerry and Karen wanted to know the same.


Okay. So I'm double updating today! This is the first chapter and the second will see a couple of things we've been building towards. First, at the very end of this chapter, Liv and Mellie finally meet. This is gonna be good. Their relationship will be interesting and dynamic, as it should be in this situation that they're in. More things that happened in this chapter: we have some Fitz POV, with Fitz pushing Liv to look outside of tradition. Olitz seems to be taking it snail slow in terms of their physical relationship, but that will soon change!

Dawson wanted to stay home from school: why? We'll find out next chapter. Also, Liv is feeling more nervous about seeing her stepmother than meeting Mellie, Jerry and Karen. We get to see some of Liv at work, and how much success she has (enough to have her own secretary!)

Fitz's idea to have an all-inclusive dinner could either be the best thing he's ever come up with or it'll blow up in his face. Yay! Love those odds.

We'll have the dinner next chapter (should be out tonight!) as well as the real reason Dawson wanted to stay home from school. There will be some Edison talk, but no actual Edison (YAY) and also we'll have a little domestic fluff.

-Avis