Chapter 1

That following Saturday instead of spending time with Olivia and the children, Fitz was at his brother's house eating burgers and drinking beer. He had finally broken down and told Patrick what was going on. He also told Patrick about Olivia's pregnancy, and his brother had a lot to say.

Patrick asked, "Bro, you have to look at things from Olivia's point of view. She's not upset that you had a sex life before her. She understands that. Her problem is with you. She was presenting a united front when she told Mel that you wouldn't be agreeing to anything until paternity has been established. You broke that united front by shutting her down. Then you continually told her that it had nothing to do with the two of you, when in fact it does."

"It doesn't, Pat. Olivia and I are always going to be good if she allows us to be good, but she won't do that. She is making this about us," Fitz said in frustration.

Patrick said, "That's where you're wrong bro. This has consequences for you, Olivia, and the twins. I know that you said you always had safe sex with Melody, but check this out. What if her baby is actually yours. If Olivia is the woman in your life. She'll have to deal with that child, and she'll also have to deal with Melody, and she didn't sign up for all that drama, and trust me it'll be drama. I told you to leave that girl alone a long time ago, but your stupid ass kept saying she's harmless."

Fitz said, "Damn, I didn't even look at it like that. I had a conversation with myself before bed last night, and I told myself that I was done with Olivia, because she was always going to find a reason to pull back, but looking at things the way you put it, I can really see her frustration."

"Good, so that means you're not as dumb as I initially thought," Patrick taunted.

Shaking his head Fitz continued, "Damn, I have a good girl too. She was ready to support and defend me right away, but I was unappreciative. Even after all of this she hasn't kept her children away from me. She has allowed me to take them every afternoon this week after they got out of camp. She could've used them to hurt me, but she didn't."

Partick clapped his brother on the back, "Yep. You have a good one, and if you don't stop fucking around you are going to mess that up, and end up with no girl, and visitation rights for your own baby, and the twins."

Fitz sighed and ran his hand down his face. He knew that his brother was right. When it came to Olivia his first reactions were always emotional, because he loved her so much, but he had to stop reacting emotionally, and to think about his response if he wanted to have something more significant. Olivia was a hot head, but she her first reaction had been to be to stand up for him, not bash him for the life he had lead prior to her. He realized that he owed her an apology.

He said to his brother, "Damn, I really need to make this up to Olivia. I just love that girl so damn much. I don't think sometimes."

Patrick nodded. He could relate. He had loved his girl, but then she was ripped from him by a drunk driver. Shaking off the melancholy he asked his brother, "So Olivia is having your big headed baby? When are you two going to get married, or at least move in together?"

Fitz grinned. He said, "We have been talking about our future a lot since we found out. I don't know. I wanted to suggest that we move in together, because I know she's not ready to get married yet."

"How do you know that she's not ready to get married," Patrick asked?

Fitz said, "The night before we left for Cali I suggested that we get married in jest. We talked about it then. She told me that she's in therapy to help with the guilt that she feels for dating after losing her husband."

Patrick nodded before he said, "Well, things have changed now that you two are having a child together. She might be more open to the idea. Plus, when the new baby comes calling you daddy, the twins are not going to stand for not being able to call you that too. They're super possessive when it comes to you, especially Liliana."

Fitz laughed. He said, "I told Olivia I don't know what we are going to do if the new baby is a girl. She is not going to like the idea of me having another princess. She'll always be my first princess, though."

Patrick asked, "Have the kids noticed that things aren't right between you and Olivia?"

Fitz said, "Like I said, she still lets me see them, so when I pick them up from camp I don't think that they think anything of it. When I drop them off at night I still kiss Liv in greeting, and she asks if I fed them and things, so it's not like we're broken up or anything. Nothing that would alarm them. It's just a little cool. I feel like Olivia is holding her breath until I leave."

Patrick said, "You have a good thing with Olivia, please don't mess it up bro, and definitely don't go breaking things off with her. She's good for you. It's a good thing that she doesn't just take whatever you give her. The fact that she's a bit difficult is a good thing. It makes you a better man."

Fitz chuckled saying, "Here I was thinking I was already a good man."

Patrick playfully punch his brother in the arm. He said, "There is always room for improvement."

Over at Olivia's house Olivia was sick in bed. Abby had come over to check on her, complaining because she felt that Olivia should've called her baby's father over. Abby said, "Well, I know you're my bestie, but I'm going to continue to take Fitz's side until you tell me what is going on with you two."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "I feel like shit, and you're playing games."

Abby shrugged, "I am not the reason you feel like shit. He is the reason, so he should be here comforting you, not me."

Olivia threw her arm over her eyes. She said, "Well, I'm sure Quinn already told you, but this woman came to the office the other day and she was causing a scene asking for Fitz. Apparently she was someone that Fitz used to sleep with. She's pregnant, and get this she is saying that either Fitz, or her husband is the father of the baby."

Abby whipped her head around to look at her best friend. She said, "You're kidding. Fitz was running around with married women."

Olivia looked at Abby. She said dryly, "It wasn't like that. She was engaged when they met, but never told him. She got married, but still kept sleeping with him. When he found out he broke things off, and now she says she is pregnant."

Abby asked, "How do you feel about that?"

Olivia said, "I mean I want him to take care of his child if it is his child, but I have to consider if I want to deal with the drama. From what I can see this woman is a piece of work. I have two kids, and I am pregnant. I don't have time for unnecessary drama, but we both no how I feel about him. I'd go through anything just to be with him. I just need some time to process everything, you know?"

Abby nodded, "I get what you're saying. You don't really seem all that upset with him, so why yall acting like a divorced couple shuttling your kids back and forth?"

"I'm upset with him, just not about his past. I'm upset because I tried to stand up, show my support, and that he had me in his corner, but he shut me down. Not only did he shut me down, but he did it in front of that woman, and now she probably thinks that she can worm her way into our united front. Which after he shut me down probably looks less than united. Plus he keeps saying that this has nothing to do with me," Olivia explained.

Abby snorted, "Well he's wrong about that. It does have something to do with you, but Olivia do you think it was wise to insert yourself without discussing it with him first?"

Olivia nodded, "In hindsight I get that, but he didn't have to shut me down in front of her. He could've spoke to me later in private. Now that woman will think that it's ok to disrespect me."

Abby said, "Yeah, that probably didn't help things too much."

Olivia said, "Then he keeps comparing our situations. I had children, and he knew that when he began his pursuit. He had all of the information that he needed to make his decision. Plus, Lea and Leo don't come with baby daddy drama. The most drama they come with is a shell shocked widowed mother, and a super clingy five year old, but again he had the option to walk away."

Abby asked, "So if the baby is his what are you going to do?"

Olivia shrugged, "I don't know. You know how much I love that man, I'd probably... I honestly don't know. We need to talk."

Abby nodded, "Right, so why aren't you talking?"

Olivia said, "When I told him to leave that night he never tried to talk to me again. He calls and asks about the twins, or if he can get the twins. He kisses me when he brings them back, but that's it."

Abby said, "You are so childish sometimes."

Olivia said, "If I was childish I wouldn't let him see Lea and Leo, but I let him see them every time he asks without a fight."

"You're childish because you're waiting for him to come to you first to talk. Girl, if you don't talk to that damn man," Abby said with exasperation.

Olivia said, "I will I just want us both to cool off, and think clearly. I love him I won't shut him out forever."

Abby asked, "Where are the brats?"

Olivia said, "Don't call my babies brats. Fitz's sister asked if she could take them for the day. I wasn't feeling good so I was like sure. She came and got them just before you came."

"You should call your boyfriend and tell him to come over so that you two can talk," Abby suggested handing Olivia her phone as it started to ring.

Abby answered the phone. She said, "You have impeccable timing Mr. Grant."

Fitz said, "Hi, Abby. Where is she?"

Abby handed Olivia the phone saying, "I'm going to be nice and make you food. Invite him over."

Olivia took the phone and activated the speaker. She placed the phone on her chest. She said, "Hi."

Fitz was business as usual. He said, "I was calling about two things. One, I wanted to confirm that you'd be showing up for our commercial shoot?"

Olivia squinted her eyes. She asked, "Why wouldn't I show up for work?"

Fitz said, "I wasn't sure. We've only corresponded by email, and you didn't come to the meeting the other day. I had to ask."

Olivia said, "I didn't come to the meeting the other day because I was sick. I wasn't trying to avoid you."

"That's good to know. The second thing I wanted was to see if I could take Lili and Leo out for a little while today? I know it's an off day for you, and you might want to spend time with them yourself, but I'd take whatever you can spare," Fitz said.

Olivia said, "The twins are with Alex. However, if you're not busy I'd like you to stop by. I think that we should talk."

Fitz said, "I'd love to talk. I can be there in thirty."

Olivia and Fitz disconnected, and Olivia drug herself into the shower.

Afterwards she went downstairs dressed in a pair of black Nike Racer Dri-FIT cropped running leggings, a purple slate Nike Dry Element running top, and bare feet.

Abby was in her kitchen. She had made Olivia a bowl of soup with half of a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, and some ginger ale. She said, "Sit down, and eat. Is he on his way?"

Olivia sat at the counter saying, "Yes, Abby. He should be here soon."

Abby kissed Olivia on the cheek saying, "Great! I'm going home to snuggle up under my man. Play nice, and make things right. You two are getting so caught up in that possibility child that you are forgetting that you two really do have a child on the way, and you need to think about him/her, and what their life will look like."

Olivia rested her head on the cool marble saying, "Ok. Stop lecturing. I agree that you're right."

Abby grabbed her things, and headed for the door. When she opened it she saw Fitz coming up the walkway. She punched him in the arm playfully. She said, "Go make things right with your girl. I'm tired of trying to keep you all in line. She's in the kitchen. Oh, and she isn't feeling well at all today, so take it easy on her."

Fitz asked, "Is it the pregnancy?"

Abby nodded.

He said, "Why didn't she call me?"

Abby said, "Because she's just as stubborn as you are. You know she's pregnant, and more than likely she's sick. Why didn't you come over and check on her?"

He said, "Touche."

Fitz walked into the house closing and locking the door behind him. He went into the kitchen to find Olivia with her head resting on the counter. He said, "Baby, I don't care how big of a fight we're in the middle of. You should always call me when you're not feeling well."

Olivia opened her eyes. She said, "Fitz, I'm fine."

He shook his head. "No you're not."

Fitz lifted her from her seat and carried her upstairs to her bed. He kicked off his shoes and crawled onto bed with her. He just stared at her. After a moment Olivia said, "Kiss me, and I mean a good kiss. Not one of those chaste kisses you've been giving me all week."

Fitz didn't need much urging. He took her mouth and immediately started searching for her tongue. He was so caught up in the kiss that he didn't stop until the need for air made him stop. He pecked her lips once more for good measure then whispered, "I love you. I love you so fucking much."

Olivia smiled with her eyes still closed. She said, "I love you, too. So fucking much."

He asked, "I don't want to fight with you anymore, Olivia. We are on the same team. We shouldn't be fighting one another."

"So we are in this together," Olivia asked?

Fitz said, "Of course. Always and forever, babe."

Olivia said, "We have a lot that we need to discuss."

"I know, but none of it matters at this moment. You're not feeling well, and you probably haven't been feeling well all week. Regardless of what we had going on I should have been here with you helping you get through it," Fitz said softly stroking her flat stomach.

Olivia shrugged, "It doesn't matter. You're here now. That's all that matters. Fitz?"

He kissed her hair saying, "Hmmm?"

Olivia said, "I owe you an apology. I probably shouldn't have inserted myself into your conversation with Melody, but I just get so defensive when it comes to you. I also shouldn't have told you to leave when we argued that night. We are going to be married one day and I can't just push you aside when I don't like what you have to say. I should've expressed my feelings more clearly, and listened to yours more openly. All of this education we both have we know better than to behave so emotionally."

Fitz ran his hand down the side of her face. He said, "You know the only thing I heard was that we're going to be married one day."

Olivia let out a loud laugh before pulling his head down and kissing him.

Fitz pulled back saying, "I also owe you an apology too. I shouldn't have spoken to you in front of Mellie that way. Plus you were only trying to have my back, which is what you should do. I appreciate you so readily having my back, babe. I love you Olivia, and you're my equal, and my partner and I shouldn't have dismissed your opinions, or how this will complicate your life."

Olivia said, "It doesn't matter. We had a little hiccup, but we'll get through this together. I know it's not going to be easy, especially if she is carrying your baby, but I love you, and I think you're worth the obstacle."

"I don't think that I've been absolutely clear. I have never had unprotected sex with Melody. Not once. Which is why I highly doubt her baby is mine," Fitz said with finality.

Olivia said, "Which is why she wants you to say that you'll take care of your responsibility before she gets a paternity test. She trying to be sneaky. Wow, babe. Aren't you glad I came along? You sure do know how to pick them."

Fitz laughed, "As if you're sane. You can be a little crazy too, Livvie."

Olivia said, "Only because I'm crazy in love with you."

Fitz laughed, "Bey and Jay style?"

Olivia laughed out loud, "What do you know about Bey and Jay?"

Fitz said, "Don't sleep on me."

They laughed into a kiss.