Chapter 8

Olivia and Fitz helped Leo and Liliana out of his SUV. He looked at Olivia. He said, "You're nervous."

Olivia said, "A little. I don't know why, but yes."

He took her by the hand and lead them all to the front door. Fitz walked in calling out, "Party people, we're here!"

At that moment a thin dark haired beauty came into the foyer. She was wearing a bright smile that put Olivia at ease immediately. She knelt down in front of the twins. She said, "Hi, My name is Alexandria. I'm his little sister. You can call me Aunt Alex. You must be Leo, and you must be Liliana?"

Leo nodded liking the pretty lady. He said, "I am Liliana's little brother, but we are the same age. Are you the same age as Mr. Fitz?"

She smiled at the handsome little fellow. "Unfortunately no. I'm three years younger than him."

Liliana said, "You're pretty, and you smell pretty."

Pinching the little girl's cheek gently, Alexandria said, "Aww, and you're very cute and very sweet."

Standing Alexandria turned towards Olivia. She said, "You must be Olivia?"

Olivia nodded with a smile. She extended her hand for a handshake, and Alexandria pulled her in for a hug. "No need to be so formal. You're practically family. My brother never brings anyone he's dating around here."

Olivia lifted a brow. She asked, "You've never met anyone he's dated?"

Looking at her brother Alexandria said, "Not on purpose."

Olivia tossed Fitz a look, and he shrugged. Alexandria said, "Everyone else is out back. Do you guys know how to swim?"

The twins nodded with big smiles. Liliana said, "We do, but we didn't wear our swimming suits."

Alexandria looked at her brother. She said, "You didn't tell them about the pool?"

He said, "I knew I was forgetting something."

"No worries. My mom and I went shopping earlier, and we purchased suits for you just in case," Alexandria explained.

The twins said in unison, "Yay!"

Olivia asked, "What do you say?"

The twins said, "Thank you!"

Alexandria said to Olivia, "I have some brand new unused suits you can choose from if you want to swim too."

Olivia smiled, "That's very kind of you. Thank you."

Alexandria took the twin's hands saying, "I'll go get them changed. Fitz knows where my suits are, and he can show you where to change."

Olivia and Fitz walked into a room next to the patio door. He opened a drawer to show her the suits Alexandria had mentioned. He walked over to another dresser and pulled out a pair of swim trunks.

Olivia said, "Your sister is very nice. Is it true you never bring your girlfriends here?"

Fitz began changing. He said, "Liv…"

Olivia started undressing. She said, "What? I think it's a legitimate question. Why don't you bring your girlfriends here, and what makes me so special?"

Fitz watched her as she changed into a yellow Dolce Vita Ribbed Strappy-Back High-Cut Cheeky One-Piece High-Leg swimsuit. Fitz groaned, "No, I have never brought my girlfriends to meet my family. You're special because you're you, and you're my future."

Olivia winked, "Now, that wasn't so hard to admit was it."

Olivia turned and chose a sarong to tie around her waist. Fitz walked up behind her and kissed her neck. "No, that wasn't hard to admit. I have other things that I can admit, but I'm not sure if you're ready to hear them."

They stared at one another without speaking for a few moments. Olivia thinking that she was more ready to hear what he wanted to admit than he expected. She was also thinking that she was just as ready to admit the same.

Fitz said, "We should get out there before they start speculating about where we are."

As soon as the exited the room they ran into Alex and the twins. Liliana looked adorable in a princess Tiana one piece. Leo was handsome in Lightning McQueen swim trunks. Olivia said, "Don't you two look ready for some fun in the sun. Alexandria, you wouldn't happen to have any sunscreen, would you?"

Alexandria smiled, "It's all outside. We have some for adults and children."

They all exited the house. Fitz walked them over to the covered area of the back yard where he helped Olivia put sunscreen lotion on the kids. His mother, Suzanne came over. Fitz stood giving his mother a hug. He said, "Mom I would like you to meet my Olivia, and these two adorable faces are her daughter and son, Liliana and Leo. Liliana and Leo this is my mom. You can call her Ms. Suzie."

Suzanne leaned down. She said, "It's so nice to finally meet you. My son talks about you all the time. You don't have to call me Ms. Suzie. You can call me Nana Suzie. You can call my husband Papa Jerry."

Lili said, "I never had a nana before. I have a grammy."

Suzanne asked, "What do you call your daddy's mom?"

Leo said, "My daddy don't have a mommy and daddy. They went to heaven in a plane crash. My daddy went there with them. I'm not posed to be sad cause now his mommy and daddy not lonely."

"Aww, I am so sorry to hear that, but it's ok. I will be your Nana," Suzanne said sweetly.

An older gentleman walked over. "Suzie, who do we have here?"

Turning to her husband she said, "This is Olivia, Liliana, and Leo. Oh, and of course you know our oldest son, Fitz."

"Well it's certainly nice to have you all here. Please make yourself at home, and please don't become a stranger. You all are welcome here anytime. Even if he doesn't bring you," Jerry said.

Patrick was the last to make his way over. He said, "You must be Olivia. I can tell because he didn't lie about how beautiful you are. You two must be the twins Liliana and Leo. Who is who? It's always so hard to tell twins apart. I'm Uncle Pat."

Leo and Lili giggled. Leo said, "We aren't the same twins. She is a girl, and I am a boy."

Everyone laughed at Leo. The rest of the evening went on without a hitch. Leo and Liliana were on cloud nine playing with Fitz, Pat and Alex in the pool. Olivia enjoyed getting to know both of Fitz's parents, but especially his mother.

"Olivia it's refreshing to see my son so happy with someone like you. He's completely enchanted with you, and your children. You did a great job raising them. Oooh, you three have to come for the holiday. You can bring your parents I would love to meet them," Suzie exclaimed!

Olivia smiled, "I would love to, but Independence day is the twin's birthday. I'm having their party that day. It'll be at Splash Mountain. You all are more than welcome to come if you don't already have plans."

Suzie sipped her lemonade. She said, "That sounds like fun. I would love to come. That's a great place to see the fireworks that night."

By the time they left Fitz's parent's house it was was late. On the ride over to Olivia's house Fitz asked, "So how was it? Was there any need for you to be nervous?"

Olivia pinched his arm. "I didn't say that I needed to be nervous. I just was. It didn't have to turn out so well. Your sister, or your mom could have hated me. We didn't all have to get along so well. Anything could have happened."

Holding her hand Fitz said, "Did you forget how amazing you are? It's hard to not love you."

Wait, did he just admit to loving me, Olivia thought. Shaking her head. She said, "I know that I am amazing, and completely loveable, but I also know that not everyone loves me."

Fitz asked, "So mom said that you invited them all to the twin's party."

"She invited us, and the my parents over for the fourth. I told her that the twin's birthday is that day, and extended the invitation. Is that ok," Olivia asked?

Fitz nodded, "Oh, it's more than fine. I just worry because I know that you had to have a minimum of twenty people to have the party at Splash Mountain. I also know that there is a twenty five dollar charge for any person over twenty. I really wish you'd let me help pay for their party. Especially now that you have added my four family members to your guest list."

Olivia sighed, "Fitz. I am more than capable of taking care of my children, and that includes throwing their birthday party."

"I'm well aware of that. I just want you to know that just because you can do something doesn't mean that you have to do it. You don't have to take everything on by yourself anymore. I am here to help however I can. Be it paying for their party, or picking them up when you're running behind schedule. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere," Fitz stated.

Olivia smiled, "I appreciate all of that. I really do, but we've only been dating for a few weeks. I don't expect you to come in trying to be a father figure to them. I-"

Fitz cut her off saying, "I am not trying to take your husband's place, but I am trying to fill in for him. I hate to say this, but he's gone Olivia. He's not coming back. They'll have whatever memories they have of him, and that's it. I don't have to step up, but I want to. I want to because they deserve a father figure, and you deserve a husband."

"That's just it, Fitz. You're not my husband. Right now you're simply the man that I am dating. You may love the twins, you may care about their well-being, but they are not your responsibility," Olivia said in a loud whisper so as not to wake the twins who were sleeping in the back seat.

Fitz pulled into her driveway saying nothing. He helped her get the children out of the car and into bed. Once he was done he went downstairs. He grabbed a bottle of water out of the refrigerator, and then went to wait for her in the family room.

About fifteen minutes later Olivia came downstairs dressed in her pajamas. She saw Fitz and said, "Oh, you're still here?"

He gave her a quizzical look. He asked, "Where else did you expect me to be?"

She shrugged, "I thought that you had left for home."

"In the middle of a discussion," He asked?

Olivia came into the family room and took a seat next to him. She asked, "What more is there to say?"

"What you said is true, for most people in most relationships; however, our relationship can't be compared to most relationships with widowed/single parents. We didn't date and get to know one another, and then you introduced me to your kids, and I am now trying to get to know them. I met you and your son. Then I met your daughter. I started dating and getting to know all three of you. I did so with the intention of taking on the responsibility of being your man, and the man who looks out for, and takes care of them," Fitz explained.

Olivia nodded. She said, "That's great. I appreciate that, and in the future you may have that responsibility, but right now this is too new. We've been together, what two months? I don't expect you to come in here playing Mr. Dad. It's like you tell me all of the time, we're not going anywhere. All of that will come in due time. Don't rush it."

Draining his water bottle he said, "We are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. I'm all in, and I think that I should be able to show just how all in I am."

Olivia asked, "What's the rush? What are you trying to prove, and who are you trying to prove it to?"

Fitz stood. He said, "I'll talk to you tomorrow. There are obviously some things that you haven't learned about me yet."

When Fitz left Olivia sighed. She went to the door locking it, and setting the security alarm.

That next two days were busy ones. The fact that Olivia and Fitz were still at odds didn't help things. It only made those two days seem so much longer than they were. It wasn't that they were missing one another. They spent the evenings together, but it wasn't exactly time spent together as a couple. It was more along the lines that they were spending time with the twins together.

Olivia had tried to reinstate some normalcy, and some romance, but Fitz seemed resistant. She was getting annoyed with him. She had a children's party that she had to make sure was perfect. She didn't have time to deal with his pissiness.

Because Independence Day fell on a Wednesday Olivia had decided to start her vacation a few days early. So her work days were full trying to get her office together so that things ran smoothly in her absence. It was a lot to handle because it was her first vacation since the merger, and Fitz had decided to take vacation with her too. She didn't like the idea of them going on vacation at the same time, but that's why you had associate doctors, and nurse practitioners. Plus if they were to eventually marry then they would be taking vacation together. So it couldn't hurt to get into the habit now.

It was Tuesday night. She and Fitz had taken the twins to get their photos taken. Olivia loved having professional photos of her babies taken each year for their birthday. They went to dinner, and came back to the house. Olivia had given them a bath and now Fitz was reading them a bedtime story.

The were all in the living room. Liliana and Leo were cuddled up with Fitz on one end of the sofa. Olivia sat on the opposite end going over her checklist for the party the next day.

Tomorrow was going to be long and eventful. All she wanted for tonight was to end the night in her boyfriend's arms, but she wasn't too sure that was going to happen.

Fitz finished the story, and Olivia heard the twins begging Fitz to read them another. Olivia said, "You two need to go get into your beds. Tomorrow will be long and fun. You need your rest."

Liliana crawled into Fitz's lap and grabbed his face. She gave him an eskimo kiss and asked, "You're coming tomorrow, right?"

Fitz tugged at the little girl's curls. He said, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

The twins exchanged kisses with both her and Fitz and then ran up to their respective rooms.

Fitz stood to leave. Olivia said, "You want a glass of wine?"

Fitz shook his head. He said, "You know that I don't like to drink and drive."

Olivia said, "Ok, then stay."

"I need to go home to get my things ready for the party tomorrow. I uh, I know that you don't want me doing anything for the twins, but do you need me to pick up anything for the party tomorrow? Do you need me to do anything, because I don't mind," Fitz asked?

Olivia rolled her eyes. She said, "Babe, really? Stop being like that. You know that isn't what I meant. Stay the night. We owe each other kisses. I'll give you unlimited kisses for the next two hours. I miss you."

Fitz said, "I don't know how you can miss me. I've been here."

Olivia said, "You've been here for them. Not for me. Let me ask you a question. If I didn't have them would you still be in this with me? Or were you looking for a ready made family?"

Fitz scoffed, "That's a stupid question. Of course I would still be here. I love you. I love them because they are extensions of you. I'm all in with them because I'm all in with you."

"You love me," Olivia asked with a smile on her lips and tears in her eyes?

Fitz's eyes flew to Olivia's as it dawned on him what he had just confessed.

Olivia repeated, "You love me?"

"You had to have known," Fitz said.

Olivia said, "I only know what you tell me. I love you too, Fitz."

Olivia launched herself into his arms devouring his mouth. She whispered between kisses, "Stay."

"Baby, I want to, but I really do need to go home and get things ready for tomorrow," Fitz explained.

Olivia said, "Do it in the morning."

Fitz chuckled setting her on her feet. "Tomorrow will be busy. I need to handle these things tonight. I'll stay over tomorrow night, and we'll celebrate our love."

With that Fitz gave her another kiss and then left.

The next morning Fitz came over bright and early. Olivia had forgotten that they had plans to wake the twins to a few gifts, and balloons before breakfast. She was still asleep when her phone rang.

"Hello," Olivia answered?

Fitz chuckled. He said, "Ah, you're still asleep."

Olivia rolled over looking at the time. She said, "Shit! I forgot. I was so tired. I'll be right down. Give me five minutes."

Olivia ran to the bathroom using it in a hurry. Then hurriedly washed her face and hands, and brushed her teeth. After rinsing her mouth with mouthwash she stood straight as a wave a nausea hit her. Shaking it off she ran downstairs to open the door for Fitz in ten minutes instead of the five she promised. He stood there with two huge gift bags, and two balloon bouquets.

Olivia said, "Oh goodness, Fitz. What did you buy them?"

Smiling as he entered the foyer he said, "Just a thing, or two. Let me spoil them today. It's their fifth birthday."

Olivia mumbled, "You spoil them everyday, though."

Fitz chuckled letting her know that he had heard her. Olivia said, "Leave the balloons, and their gift bags at their seats at the kitchen table. I'll go grab my gift bags and start breakfast. You can go up and get them and bring them down."

While Fitz was upstairs she went out to the garage and grabbed the two gift bags. The larger gifts had been wrapped and put into Harrison's SUV so that he and Abby could bring them to Splash Mountain.

Olivia put a pan full of turkey bacon into the oven. Then started making batter for pancakes, when Fitz came into the kitchen with a twin in each arm. Olivia and Fitz started singing, "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday thing one and thing two. Happy birthday to you."

Olivia took her son from Fitz arm and gave him a kiss before setting him on his feet beside his chair. Then she repeated the actions with Liliana.

Liliana squealed and she said, "Presents!"

Olivia went back to the island and continued making the pancake batter as she watched Fitz help them pull out their gifts.

Olivia had bought them matching outfits for the day. The outfits consisted of a custom wetsuit that said I'm five. They also had matching water shoes. Liliana's outfit was pink, and Leo's was blue. The also had matching goggles.

Fitz had purchased the twins a set of walkie talkies and a night light that projected stars and had different light settings. He got Liliana a mermaid blanket, and a princess makeup kit. He got Leo a ninja turtle blanket, and a outdoor exploration kit.

Olivia's heart totally melted from the pure joy on her children's faces.

They ate breakfast and then Fitz helped her get the children ready. Everyone was meeting at Olivia's house. They were leaving from there and making the almost three hour trip to the amusement park.

The twins had known that they were having their party. They had one every year, but they hadn't known that they were going to Splash Mountain until their friends from school, and their family members showed up. Harrison had forgot that it was a surprised and he had accidentally spilled the beans when he asked the twins, "Are you ready for an exciting day at Splash Mountain?"

Abby had been been more upset with Harrison than Olivia was about him ruining the surprise.

When they made it to the water park Olivia had went to the window to pay the remaining balance, and to check them in. Olivia had added on all of the add-ons because she never held back when it came to the twin's birthday celebrations.

The attendant said, "So after deducting your hundred dollar deposit, your remaining balance is one thousand fifty dollars."

Olivia reached into her Prada belt bag for her Amex when Fitz walked up and slid the attendant his. When Olivia realized what he had done she glared at him. She opened her mouth to scold him, but before she did Fitz kissed her. Then he said, "I love you, remember? So shut up. Money isn't a big deal unless you make one of it."

Olivia rolled her eyes. She said, "We'll discuss this later."

Once they got settled in their private hut everyone took off to enjoy a day in the sun. Everyone had a ball especially the twins. They eat, laughed, and played water games, and mini golf to their heart's content.

When it was time to sing happy birthday and cut the Splash Mountain themed cake the twins were all smiles from all the love and attention they were getting from their classmates, the parents of their classmates, their grandparents (both Olivia and Fitz's parents) and their aunts and uncles: Abby, Quinn, Harrison, Pat, and Alexandria.

They opened their gifts and the twins were completely miffed. Liliana was completely in love with the fully furnished Barbie dreamhouse that Fitz had purchased for her. Olivia had rolled her eyes and shook her head when she realized he had purchased the gift.

For Leo Fitz had purchased a workbench/utility bench playset. The little boy told Fitz that he was going to build a lot of things with his new tools.

They stayed late enough to see the extraordinary fireworks show. When the got back to the car everyone was exhausted including Olivia. She fell asleep along with Leo and Lili not long after they got on the road. She fell asleep before she even had the opportunity to scold Fitz for paying for the party, and the expensive gifts he had showered the twins with.

Fitz knew that Olivia may have feelings about all the money he had spent on her children, but for Fitz it was nothing. They were great kids. They deserved it all, and then some. She could complain all she wanted, but he wasn't going to stop spoiling them, or her either.

He had some ideas on how to spoil Olivia on their upcoming vacation.

She was just going to have to learn to deal with the fact that this is who he is. He was generous with his money when he wanted to be. He wasn't trying to buy her, or her children. He knew that he couldn't do that. However, he wanted them to all know how much they really meant to him.

They meant the world to him, and there was nothing in the entire world that he wouldn't do for them. They were his family. He had always told himself that when he had a family of his own that he would spoil them. Olivia would get used to it over time. Or maybe she wouldn't. Either way he had no plans on stopping.

The saying went it's my party and I can cry if I want to. Well Fitz had a new saying, "It's my family, and I can spoil them if I want to."