A/N-Thank you again for the support and reviews. Enjoy this chapter.
It took no time at all for D.C. to start talking about the arrest of Mellie. Unless Mellie had some serious dirt on someone she was going to spend the rest of her life behind bars. Her arrest led to questions being asked about the firm that she and her husband were running which of course is the firm that Fitz had just bought .
Olivia released a statement on behalf of the firm letting the public know that the firm was now owned by the Grant family. The Grant family had been in politics for years including Fitz's dad who was a House Representative for several terms. The statement stated that the firm would be renamed Grant & Associates of Washington D.C. While the firm would be retaining some of the lawyers they were changing the focus of the firm to crisis management. She listed herself as the managing partner of the firm.
Olivia was prepared. When the contract was written up for them to buy the firm Olivia had Huck to look into if and how much money had been stolen from clients. Huck gathered the information and the clients that they had taken from. From the information they found it looked like they had stolen around two million dollars.
Olivia had Fitz to restructure the selling price. She instructed him to let them know that if they were going to take on Mellie and the ramifications of Johnathan's actions then they wanted to reduce the cost of buying the firm.
Their lawyers had agreed to it. What they didn't know is that Olivia was working with the clients they stole from. They were reaching settlements with many of them. Some look to be involved with the laundering so in return for their silence they took a loss on the money that Mellie stole from them. Olivia was able to come to terms with the other clients. The biggest thing was that they didn't lose any clients. Olivia chose to drop some that she felt may cause them problems that she had no interest in dealing with, but otherwise they remained in tact.
The couple's hands were full. Claire & Marissa were the apple of their parent's eyes. Olivia was nervous at first on who they should tell the kids they were. Should they say their were Fitz & Olivia or Mom and Dad. Carolyn and Jackie told her she should teach them they were mom and dad. They were going to be keeping the girls.
She took their advice so when they talked to Claire they would say mommy and daddy. Marissa was 16 months and talking so teaching her and hearing her call them mommy and daddy never got old. The office had a basinet that could be wheeled around to any office for Claire. There was a play area in Fitz & Olivia's office. Olivia worked in the office a couple of hours everyday. Most of the time in the morning and head home to feed Marissa her lunch and put her down for a nap and work from home.
Claire was doing well on the medicine that she was given. She looked healthy and happy. They were thrilled to see her growing. It would make the surgery a whole lot easier. Marissa was eating well. They had to take her to the doctor once shortly after they got her. It seemed like she wasn't keeping anything down. Thankfully she just had acid reflux. A couple of small changes and she was fine. She was growing too. She was eating more regular foods each day. They were just happy children.
Carolyn had stopped by one afternoon the first week of March. Olivia opened up the door. She had a headset on talking with a client. Marissa was in her arms almost sleep. Claire was in her bassinet knocked out. Olivia was still dressed in her work clothes and five-inch Jimmy Choos. Carolyn had never seen a mother make motherhood and work look so good. She had to call Jackie and tell her about this.
Olivia finished the call and greeted Carolyn, "Sorry we have a client being a little difficult that I had to talk them off the ledge. Come in and make yourself comfortable."
Carolyn thanked her and sat down, "Thanks Olivia. I am required to do another home study as part of the adoption process. I never thought I would see the girls look this good."
Olivia smiled, "Thank you we are trying. They are our world. This one here is daddy's girl. They can watch Dora and Sesame Street all day and be fine. She wouldn't eat veggies one night until daddy ate his and told her how good they were for her."
Carolyn laughed, "That is great. Are you jealous?"
Olivia shook her head, "Nope. We knew she was going to be the daddy's girl, but Claire and I have a connection. She can lay with me and she is content. She'll grab a piece of my hair and play with it. The girls still love us both. Claire knows her daddy's voice. When she hears him and I say daddy she grins it is so cute. Fitz told me one night when I worked late that Marissa was looking for me. We try to tuck her in bed together. She loves her Pops which is our dad. She can't say PaPa yet for some reason."
Carolyn smiled, "Olivia that is great. I can tell they have adjusted well. They have grown since they have been here. There cheeks look like they have more color in them. Their doctor's reports have nothing but praise on your parenting. I understand that Claire will have surgery in two months when she turns six months old, right?"
Olivia got quiet for a moment. Tears formed, "Yes our Claire Belle will get her heart fixed so she can be normal. We know she is going to make it through, but she is our daughter now and it scary for us. At the end of the day we have to do what is best and what is best is open heart surgery."
Carolyn nodded. Fitz had called her and filled her in on some plans that he had. Carolyn really only use this visits to see the girls. They had no qualms about allowing the couple to adopt the children.
Olivia laid Marissa down on the chair and pulled her throw over her. She moved to the couch with Carolyn so she didn't disturb her.
Carolyn smiled, "I just want you to know that not only I am happy for these girls, but I am happy for you & Fitz. Every person we talk to had nothing but pleasant things to say about the two of you. I know that you are about to turn 34 and you have survived a lot. These girls were your saving's grace. Fitz emailed me pictures of the rooms when they were finished. I have got to talk to him once or twice. All he talks about is his girls. I have never seen a man who is happy to be in a house full of women and have no complaints."
Olivia laughed, "That's him. When I met him never did I imagine that he would turn my world upside down. Life has dealt me some pretty big blows, but when fate gave me him I realized it was all worth it to get to that moment. I know it sounds weird, but I'm glad I got cancer. God gave me a disease to fight so I could find my partner in life. I can't wait until he proposes and we get married. Thoughts like that use to terrify me, but with him I know he won't let me go."
Carolyn grabbed her hand, "It's coming I'm sure. I want to tell you this, because it has been on my heart. I have seen my share of bad parents. I have seen parents who were not so much bad as they were lost. In my life and career I have only seen a handful of people who I feel like they were born to be parents. When I look at you & Fitz it is just natural for the two of you. Your love for one another transcends to the girls. I can't wait to see them grow. I know that you desire to have your own, but selfishly I hope that you take in a couple more down the road."
Olivia nodded, "We plan on it. Even if we are have to have a biological child we think we will add at least one or two more down the road."
Carolyn smiled, "Good. Everything is proceeding. The girls should officially be yours in the next six months."
Olivia hugged and thanked Carolyn for everything. After she left Olivia worked a little longer when the door bell rang. She was surprised to see their dad at the door. She hugged him and asked if everything was okay. Her dad told her that Lauren called him stating Robert Francis was at the office pitching a fit and threatning Fitz. At first he was going to go, but decided for health reasons first but also he thought Olivia was the better choice to handle him which is why he was there to watch the girls while she headed to the office.
Olivia put her shoes on and grabbed her purse. She made it to the office in record time. She stepped in and the staff was huddled together trying to figure out what was going on. Abby was trying to hold Robert back while Stephen was holding onto Fitz.
Olivia heard Robert say, "Where is that stupid bitch of a girlfriend that thinks she wears the pants and can play a man's game. You are nothing but a punk bitch letting her run the show in the background."
Olivia began to laugh and that through everyone off including Robert. She looked at Fitz who was red as the bottom of her shoe. Stephen could barely hold him down after the last statement that Robert made.
Olivia walked around Robert. She went over to Fitz and she gently kissed him. The tension he was feeling from the moment was immediately gone. She looked into his eyes, and he knew she was saying I got it. He nodded.
Olivia turned to face Robert, "So you have the audacity to say my man is a punk bitch when you are nothing more than a bitch baby. You have spent years cleaning up the mess of your good for nothing daughter and the Hollingsworth family. Instead of you using your intelligence to pave your own way you bowed down to their demands. You bowed down to your daughter who was a whole, a liar, and a cheater just like your wife, but my man is a bitch baby."
Robert tried to talk. Olivia stopped him.
Olivia continued, "No it is my turn. You come into our place of business to show your tale which is only something a bitch baby would do. So let me school you on this game. Yes I had no intentions of keeping Mellie on. She has committed more felonies that she will probably ever be charged with. She defrauded clients for gain. Since you were friends with our dad I decided to make an arrangement that would give you plausible deny ability although I think you either knew or suspected what your daughter was up to. I saved you from losing everything because of your daughter. I am not a woman trying to play in a man's game. I am a woman who knows how to play the game."
Robert sighed and tried to speak again but Olivia cut him off once more with her hand.
Olivia continued, "Did you ever ask yourself why she chose the Grants to be the firm that bought you guys out?" Sure you were looking to sale to save the firm and not lose everything, but why us. You were friends with Big Jerry but you hadn't spoken to him in years. I bet your conniving daughter never told you how she tried to set Fitz up back in the day. Newsflash if you are going to pretend to be with child you should not openly drink and do drugs for everyone to see and report. Listen we have kids now so I get that you are her dad, but she is an adult and at some point you have to decide when it is what's going to happen is you are going to walk out of this office and out of our lives and never look back. This conversation never happened. You will remember that if you ever come near my man, my future husband, and the father of my children again I will cut you off at the knees and make sure that you becomes some one's punk bitch baby in prison. The only thing you can do before you leave is apologize to Fitz and this staff for showing your ass. Don't apologize to me because I just served your bull shit on a platter."
Robert was embarrassed. He should have never listened to Mellie. She had always been bad news, but as her dad he had saved her time and time again. She convinced him that he was being played. As it turns out the only one that was playing him from the start was Mellie. He had done. He was leaving the country. Whatever life he had left he was going to take care of him.
Robert sincerely apologized to Fitz and the staff. He looked at Olivia and she nodded. He put his head down in shame and turned to leave. He got to the door and turned around.
"For what it's worth Olivia you have more guts than most men including me. Had I ever had a fourth of the courage you have then I wouldn't be where I am now. I won't apologize. I will respect your wishes, but I will say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You & Fitz have been the only people to care about me. Thank you for stopping Mellie. Something I should have done a long time ago."
Robert left the office and got in the town car and drove off. Everyone immediately went back to their offices to work.
Olivia ran over to Fitz and he picked her up and held her. Stephen and Abby walked out and closed the door. Olivia was shaking. When she drove here all she could focus on was being there for Fitz. This was her future and she wasn't going to let anyone just come in and cause problems. Fitz had defended her honor on more than one occasion. When she heard Robert talking down to him it set her off. Now that he was gone she realized that it was kind of reckless, but she couldn't let Fitz fight and she knew he was close.
Fitz continued to hold her. Since they met they had defining moments in their relationship. Fitz knew that Olivia was the woman for him, but today solidified it for him. He had no idea why she showed up. He could be a macho man and say that he could handle the situation, but in truth it was special to have Olivia defend his honor. It was great hearing her accept and want a future with him.
Fitz took her over to the couch. Olivia looked at Fitz and he saw sadness in her eyes and he began to question what he thought he saw a few minutes ago.
Olivia grabbed his face, "I'm sorry for barging in here. I know it was reckless. I'm sorry that I took over like you couldn't handle the situation. Lauren called dad and he came over and I only meant to support you and..."
Fitz stopped her by kissing her. When they finally had to come up for air Fitz looked Olivia in the eye, "We are a team. You are my partner for life. I'm not mad at all. I'm happy that one you were finally able to get through to him. I was having no success, and two I loved hearing you defend me. No woman other than my mom has ever loved me enough to put themselves out there. It is a misconception that wealth brings happiness. I haven't met many people who truly cared about Fitz the man and not Fitzgerald Grant the millionaire heir to the Grant fortune. Stephen is rich as well and I value my best friend. It's just with you I get to be me. You don't require me to know it all and do it all. It's nice to have the money and do the things we do, but cooking dinner and doing the simple things in life have made me a better man. I am a better man because of you. I love you Livvie. Thank you for allowing me to be enough for you."
They held each other for a few more minutes, "You will always be enough for me and our family. I love you. Things are good. Carolyn said the girls should be ours in about six months. We are fine."
Lauren knocked on the door. She had never stepped out of line. She had worked for Fitz for close to five years. She had no idea what was about to happen to her. She wanted to get it over with.
Fitz told her to come in. He could tell Lauren was nervous. He needed to take her out of her misery now.
Fitz smiled, "Lauren everything is fine. Thank you for calling my dad who ultimately sent Olivia down. He didn't want to get too upset with his heart and thought Liv would be the best person to come down."
Olivia nodded, "Yes thank you. You are an excellent employee and more than that you are an excellent friend. Fitz told me that you recently completed school and completed your certification to be a paralegal. He thinks you feel torn between your loyalty to him and moving on to find a job with your degree. Is he right."
Lauren looked up in shock. First they were not mad at her at all but grateful and Fitz realized how she felt. She didn't know how to answer but decided to be honest.
Lauren nodded, "He is right. My mom was a single mother. I never met my dad. She was my everything. She was a diabetic and had heart disease. She died and I lost it. My will to live and my drive were gone. A friend of mine recommended me to be Fitz's assistant. She assured him that I could do the job. I had no experience. When I came in he asked me why I had no work experience or college education , but my friend said that I was capable of doing the job. I was honest and in return I was given the job. He is why I had the courage to go back to school so yes I am torn because without him I think I would have continued down a destructive path."
The couple smiled at each other. Olivia looked up and Lauren and smiled. She thanked her for being honest.
Olivia then said, "Well I'm sorry Lauren but you are fired. You are no longer Fitz's assistant. I hired my old assistant Quinn to take over."
Lauren gasped. What was going on? How could they smile while taking her job away from her. She was trying not to cry.
Olivia got up and grabbed her hand, "Yes, we just fired you from being Fitz's assistant, but you are hired as part of my team. Fitz shared that not only are you a certified paralegal, but you are an excellent researcher, good with clients, and handling multiple tasks. In crisis management you don't have to be a lawyer but knowing the law helps. I want you to have a big hand in transforming the D.C. office. Not only would you receive a significant raise, but you would be my number two for the D.C. office. Like Fitz I don't micromanage. We know what you are capable over, and we think that you deserve a chance. I believe rather we believe in taking care of our own first and then looking outside if necessary so what do you say."
Lauren looked at Olivia and then she looked at Fitz who was smiling. The tears that she had been trying to keep from falling came down. Olivia moved Lauren over to the sofa. She sat in the chair. They allowed Lauren some time to get her thoughts together.
Lauren looked at them, "Why me? What about the others who are lawyers? Aren't they going to be upset with your decision?"
Fitz spoke, "Why not you Lauren? Why should you stay in a position when you have worked hard on getting a degree and getting certified? I promise you that no one is mad. Abby is Olivia's second in command here. The staff we have here are happy with their positions. There are a couple that have interest in more responsibility and we are going to allow them to transfer to D.C. so we have staff there that we know and trust. Remember this office is going to focus primarily on crisis management so we won't need an office full of lawyers. At the end of the day we are making decisions that are good business decisions while trying to appease our staff as much as possible. We talked long and hard. If you are concerned about your relationship with Tom which is the worst kept secret we would say he has expressed interest in moving to D.C. We have no problems allowing that to happen. Olivia thinks it would mean that we won't have to go down there as much."
Olivia opened up the door and Tom came in. He ran over to Lauren and consoled her. The couple looked on.
Tom said, "You deserve this Lauren. We believe in you. I promise you Olivia wouldn't have presented this opportunity to you if she didn't think you couldn't handle it. Personally and professionally I think we have a chance to build. You always told me your mom said to never leave a chance at the door. Fitz has always been fair. Olivia has been fair with me. While Abby is her number two I'm not on the sidelines looking in. I do the same things I did under Cyrus. Actually I do more because Olivia trust my choices. She has taught me new tricks. It's your choice, but I don't think we will ever get a better opportunity."
Lauren nodded, "So you think we should move to D.C. as well?"
Tom shook his head, "I do. There is no need to commute. We will be working cases assigned from that office. We can fly up if we need to. I love you. I want a life with you. I want to do more in my job. This is that chance. Not only have we earned it, but deserve this."
Lauren nodded and smiled. She took Tom's hand and looked at Fitz & Olivia, "I accept. I want this. I believe that I can do it. Thank you not only for this chance, but for building me up. Never allowing me to accept what I had been enough. Thank you for teaching me. Most of all thank you for giving me a chance with my partner."
Everyone hugged it out. They agreed to discuss specific details later. Lauren had to train Quinn but since she was experienced it wouldn't take too long.
The couple was ready to go and hug their girls. This had been a grueling afternoon. They both wanted a quiet evening home in their sweats.
Fitz needed to place some calls to make sure that everything was in motion for Olivia's birthday. He hoped it was one that she would never forget.
A/N-I was going to write about Olivia's birthday but I didn't want to jump back and forth so I wrote this chapter first. Olivia's birthday is coming up next.