Hey guys! Sorry it took me so long to post, but this is the longest chapter I think I've ever written. I just kept coming up with ideas and had to fit them in. So I hope you enjoy. I do not own any Scandal characters.
Just as Olivia predicted, between Fitz going to visit homes she saw online to finally choosing a place and starting to ship things out she would need. A month flew by. When Fitz arranged his flight to go back East he had an interesting visitor in his office. Teddy asked if he could go back East with his Dad and help Olivia pack up. They would be gone for four days, but Teddy could miss school for that long, he was an A student and on track to be Valedictorian of his class. It blew Fitz away that he wanted to come, but he was curious why he wanted to go.
"I'm really happy you want to go with me son, but why?" Of all his children Teddy was the most logical and had a heart of gold. He remind him a lot of his mother.
"Well...I want to get to know Olivia by myself before she gets swamped with everyone else. I just need to get to know her on my own terms without everyone else offering up opinions. I already know when you've talked to her, I've never seen you light up like you do after you've spoken to her. If and when she becomes a permanent part of our lives, I want to know for myself that she will make you happy for good. Plus it's a free trip to New York!" He smiled.
Fitz chuckled at his second son's last statement.
"I will tell Olivia your coming to help. Since you are chipping in helping to pack up her home, maybe we can do a few things you might like. Say going to the New York library or visiting some college campus's, you should always have options."
"Sound like a plan Dad." Teddy grinned from ear to ear. He would look at colleges, but they would never have the one thing he needed and that was his brother.
Fitz and Teddy flew in on a Thursday and Olivia was there to pick them up. Fitz felt like his cheeks would burst from how hard he smiled when he saw Olivia. Her coat was open and her little baby bump was showing. She was so petite and her belly looked so big, he wondered if she was carrying twins. He could only hope. He grabbed her around her thighs lifted her and spun her around as he listened to her squeal with laughter.
"Put me down Fitzgerald! Your making the baby kick like crazy!"
Fitz laughed as he set her down and hugged and kissed her cheek. He pulled back and admired her beautiful face before he introduced her to his son.
"Livie this is Teddy. Teddy this is Olivia Pope."
Teddy went to give her a hand shake, but she pulled him into a hug and kissed his cheek. Teddy was a little shocked he was always so reserved with everyone, when he pulled back he had the goofiest grin on his face. Fitz thought it was to funny.
"Come on you two the baby is hungry. You know you can never get between a pregnant woman and food."
Fitz slipped his hand into hers and off they went.
"So Teddy do you have any favorite foods or any restaurant you want to visit while your here?"
"I would like to try Katz's Deli. I hear the pastrami sandwiches are to die for."
"Ummm, you after my heart. I been craving a pickle all day. So Katz's it is."
They didn't even bother to drop their bags. She told her driver to park and join them for lunch after he dropped them off in front of the deli. They had a great time talking about the move, about what Teddy was going to do after high school, and stories about his brother's. It couldn't be a better start for them. Fitz just sat back and enjoyed the banter between Teddy and Olivia. He needed her not just for himself, but now he knew he needed her for his boys.
After they ate, they rolled back to Olivia apartment and just dropped onto her couch and loosened their pants.
"I don't know about you guys, but I could do with a nap. Me and pookie are tired."
Fitz lifted his head. "Who?"
"Pookie bear! That's what I've been calling the baby."
Both he and Teddy nearly fell on the floor laughing.
"Ok, Ok. I know you think it's hilarious, but pookie bear spoke to me."
Both Fitz and Teddy had tears in their eyes each time she said it."
"You two clowns are on your own. I'm going to lay down." She stomped off.
After they stopped laughing Teddy said, " you better go smooth this over Dad or your going to be in the dog house."
Fitz chuckled a little more, "I know. Let me show you your room and I'll go talk to Liv."
Fitz eased the door open and saw Olivia turned away from the door. He heard a little sniffle and he felt like shit. He laid down behind her, wrapped his arms around her and started to rub circles on her stomach to calm her down. He kissed her shoulder.
"I'm sorry Liv. I would have never laughed if I knew it would make you cry. I so sorry baby."
"It's ok Fitz. It's these damn hormones. I thought the name was so cute."
"Livie baby it is cute. It's just me and my son are both jackasses for laughing."
"You know we will know what the baby really is tomorrow."
"Oh shit! I almost forgot we get to find out the sex tomorrow. I can not wait. What do you think it is or what do you want?"
"I think you will be 0-5 on a girl. Another boy I'm afraid."
"Ten bucks says it's a girl. Right princess?" Fitz said to Olivia's stomach.
The baby started to go wild and Fitz felt it kick for the first time. "See."
Olivia laughed at his antics.
"Your on Dr. Grant. When you loose I won't tell you told you so, but I'll yell it out the window all the way from the doctor's office." She laughed.
"Aren't we cocky all of a sudden. We'll see. Go to sleep Livie, I'll stay until you go to sleep and then me and Teddy will get started packing things you have labeled."
Olivia turned over slightly and kissed him and then snuggle into him before she fell asleep. Fitz moved off the bed, but before he did he kissed her stomach again.
Olivia woke up after sleeping for three hours. She padded down the hallway to her living room and was astounded at how much Fitz and Teddy had gotten done. She was leaving her furniture, but she was packing up things that would make her feel comfortable in her new home. Things like linen, books, and extra kitchen utensils and plates. By the looks of things they were done. She went into the kitchen where Fitz and Teddy were sitting on a water break.
"I can't believe how much you two have done since I've been sleep." She went over and gave Fitz a kiss on the cheek and he put his arm around her waist and smiled.
"You can thank Teddy's logical brain for the speed at which we got everything together."
Olivia went over and gave Teddy a kiss, and he turned beet red. Fitz smirked at his son's reaction.
"Well this deserves a dinner in honor of you Teddy. Why don't you get your shoes on and walk me to the market to pick out something to eat for tonight. Fitz you and your old man bones can stay here."
"Hey! I resent that, but I will enjoy watching the game while you two are gone. Oh, Liv can you buy me the same kind of beer we had the last time I was here? Also, can you get some real snacks."
Olivia arched her eyebrow. "And just pray tell what real snacks are."
"Potato chips, pretzels, and peanuts."
Olivia shook her head as Fitz laughed at her reaction. She went over and kissed him on the lips and said they would be back in a while. Fitz was doubly happy that Teddy and Olivia would have a little alone time with each other while he watched the game.
They were not worried about how slow they walked to the market. I think they both wanted that time together to get to know each other. What Teddy didn't know was that Fitz pretty much had caught her up on everything that was going on in his kids lives.
"So are you looking forward to joining Gerry at Michigan next year?"
Teddy was a little surprised she knew that and thought of course she would know that. Any person who was getting involved with his Dad would have to know that his family was important to him.
"Yeah, I miss the day to day hanging out with him. We talk at least once a week and he kind of helps me to understand what Freshman year is going to be about."
"I know what you mean. I was like that for my brother. We are two years apart and I was really glad he joined me at Princeton. We both wanted an Ivy league education and not be so far from Mom after our Dad died."
"I didn't know that. I'm sorry for your loss. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, you can ask me anything."
"Dad has not really told us that much about you, so have you ever been married? I saw some pictures of a little boy but not of his father when we were packing up."
Lucky for them Olivia's neighborhood had several benches on route to the grocery store. She steered Teddy over to one of them. She knew this would eventually come up, but not this early. So she took a deep breath.
"I thought I was married to the love of my life for ten and a half years. We both grew in our careers, Me with my family business and Michael as an attorney. Almost two years into our marriage we were blessed with Daniel. He was everything and more I wanted in a child. He was a gentle soul."
"You said was."
Olivia held back her tears as best she could.
"Yes, two years ago Daniel was diagnosed with cancer. He lost his fight with the disease and I nearly lost my will to live. On top of that my husband blamed me for what happened and he left me. If my mother wasn't who she is, I'm sure I would have died too. She's the reason I was out at our house in Lake Tahoe. I don't know if you were raised religious, but me meeting your father when I did was an answer to a prayer to go on."
Teddy watched the tears slip down her face as he took in everything she said.
"We are religious family thanks to Dad and Grandma. Devout Catholics we are. Your the first person that has explained what we've been learning about asking God for what you need. I want you to know that now that you have explained everything to me. I know that you and Dad are meant to be together. Fate was at work this summer, and I'm not so young not to see what you and Dad mean to each other already. I wish I was going to be at home to see my sister more, but I have a feeling that you two will find what you are looking for in California or New York. Which ever you both decide to be."
Olivia smiled. "I see that your father had already expressed his feeling about what he thinks we're having. Thank you Teddy for listening to me and thank you for coming out to help with this move. I appreciate it more than you can know."
She kissed Teddy and like before he blushed, stood up and offered his hand to help Olivia up.
"So, what are we eating tonight?"
Teddy thought for a minute. "Soul food. Roz's mom makes a mean buttermilk cornbread."
Olivia laughed she was not prepared for that answer.
"Ok, we will have cube steak and gravy, candied sweet potatoes, rice, macaroni and cheese, and of course some hot water cornbread. Something that will make you smack your Ma. And for dessert we have to make a peach cobbler."
Teddy was salivating over the menu, and couldn't wait to for this to come together.
After they got back from the store, it was all hands on deck to cook the meal. It took them about two hours to get everything together and while the peach cobbler cooked in the oven they dug into the finest feast they had in their lives. After cobbler and ice cream, Fitz and Teddy were on clean up while Olivia was sprawled across the couch almost in a food coma.
"So how was your trip to the market? You guys were gone for a bit."
"It was all good Dad. I know and see why you love her already."
Fitz was taken back by what Teddy said. "Thank you son. I do love her and I want more than just sharing a baby. She's a little gun shy now, but I hope our year together in California will change that."
"I'm with you Dad, whatever you two need I'm there for both of you. She's kinda cool Dad. She's way more affectionate than Mother."
Fitz smile at his son's admission. It also made him sad to know that his boys were starved from a mother's affections.
"Well, we're done in here. I'm going to put Olivia to bed and turn in myself. Watch TV or not, let us know what you want to do after her doctor's appointment tomorrow morning and we'll do it. I love you son."
Fitz hugged his son and went and picked Olivia off the couch, and carried her to her bedroom, helped her get into her pajamas, then he went into the bathroom took off his clothes and put on his pj bottoms and a t-shirt and got in bed with Olivia. He had no illusions that his son would know that they were in the same bed, but he had to be close to her and the baby.
The next morning found them at Olivia's doctor's office about to find out the sex of their baby. Olivia was on the table in her gown with Fitz by her side holding her right hand and brushing his left through her hair.
Fitz whispered into her ear, "are you happy?"
She turned to look at him, "very." Fitz pecked her lips.
Moments after that exchange her doctor knocked as he came in the room.
"Hello Olivia."
"Hi Dr. Lorenzo. I would like to introduce you to the baby's father Fitzgerald Grant."
"Well that's a mouth full." He chuckled. "Nice to meet you Fitzgerald."
"Just call me Fitz."
"Good to know. Now lets get this show on the road. Do we have any predictions or bets?" He laughed.
Both Olivia and Fitz laughed too.
"Fitz thinks it's a girl and I think this is his fifth son."
"I will tell you that Mom's always know first, but they've been wrong before, but rarely. So lets see who's right."
When Olivia and Fitz came back to the apartment, you would have thought they had been sprayed with The Joker's laughing gas from the face splitting grins that were plastered on them.
Teddy sat across from them waiting for them to tell him. It seem like eternity before Fitz took Olivia hand and looked into his son's eyes with tears streaming down his face.
"It's a girl."
Teddy jumped off the couch and started to whoop and holler around the room at the news. Olivia and Fitz started to laugh hysterically at Teddy's antics. They were both so happy that they would be finally bringing a girl into their new family. When he finally calmed down he asked if they could call his brother's and tell them and Grandma the news.
"Sure! Let conference call in Gerry."
Fitz got his phone out and called Gerry first and put him on hold. He called the house and his mother answered and called Adam and Philip to the phone. It's was Fitz's weekend with Philip, that's why he was over.
"Everybody there?" He heard everyone answer in the affirmative.
"Olivia and I just came from her doctor's office and we now know that we are having a girl!"
All they heard were collective yells and screams. When he finally got them all to calm down they all started to talk at the same time.
"One at a time, one at a time."
"Dad this is the best news ever!" Gerry said.
"Thank you Ger."
"Is Olivia there Dad?"
"She is."
"Olivia, I hope to get to know you over my holiday breaks, and I hope you, Dad and the baby can come out to visit me sometime too."
"Thank you Gerry. I want you and all the boys to have as much access to your sister as possible. You are all welcome over to my house anytime you like. Adam and Philip since I'll only be two blocks from your Dad's house, I hope to see you a lot."
"You better believe it!" Teddy said.
"Mom, are you there?"
"Sorry Dad, she's over hear bawling like a baby. Give her a minute." Adam said.
"Oh finiscila! Can a grandmother's dream being realized not be ridiculed at this moment."
Everyone laughed.
"Mamma, how are you doing?"
"Mio figlio, you have made me the most happy woman in the world. Olivia my mio amore. I can not wait to meet the woman who has changed my son's life so much. I can not wait to see you and my granddaughter. Welcome to this family mia figlia."
"Grazie, non vedo l'ora che mi si sia. Hai sollevato un figlio meraviglioso e il padre ai suoi figli."
Adrianne was shocked at Olivia's perfect Italian. She was even more impressed with this woman. She couldn't wait to meet her in person. She might finally have a daughter-in-law worthy of her son.
"Ok kiddo's it's time for us to go. We should be home day after tomorrow. Be good for you grandma and Gerry you have a good week of school son."
They could all here the goodbyes from everyone on the phone.
They sat back and basked in the good news and everyone's reaction.
"So Teddy where do you want to go today?" Olivia asked.
He looked a little sheepish. "Coney Island." He smiled.
Olivia and Fitz both smiled too.
Olivia thought that although he was going to graduate he was still a kid.
"Only if you and your Dad win me a prize and I want a Nathan's Hot dog and a slice of cheese pizza."
It's a deal the both spoke.
Their day was filled with games, easy rides for Olivia and the baby and plenty of food. When they got back home they were exhausted but in a good way. Tomorrow would find them all on a plane back to California. But for tonight they would be having dinner at Olivia mother's house in two hours. They all took a nap, woke up, cleaned up and they were out the door. Olivia's Mom didn't live that far from her apartment in a large brownstone she grew up in. Olivia had been trying to get her to move out of that big old house for years now. It was so much to maintain four floors of home.
Fitz was a little nervous walking up the stairs to Olivia's Mom's house, and Olivia could sense he was when she reached out and grabbed his hand and squeezed it. He turned and smiled and squeezed it back before Olivia rang the door bell.
Simone the long time house keeper came to the door, let them all in and took their coats, and told them that the rest of the family was in the living room waiting. As they rounded the corner to Maya's expansive living room.
"Mamma! Olivia squealed. She was so happy to see her family and she couldn't wait to introduce her family to Fitz and Teddy.
"There's my lady bug." Maya hugged her daughter like she hadn't seen her in months, but that was how she greeted her children always.
"Mama, Gabe, and Tanya I would like you all to meet Teddy and Fitzgerald."
Everyone got up and shook hands, and of course like Olivia, Maya hugged and kissed both Teddy and Fitz. Which put Fitz at ease from such a warm welcome.
"Come, come have a seat. Let the grilling begin!" Maya pronounced and then broke out into such infectious laughter.
The conversation was easy and funny that before they knew it Simone came back in to announce that dinner was ready. After everyone settled into their seats and prayer said over the food, they all relaxed back into eating a delicious meal and great conversation. Fitz enjoyed knowing that Olivia had been a little troublemaker as a kid and a spit fire the moment she was born. Maya warmly remembered her husband seeing her for the first time, and how he was forever wrapped around her little finger. A little tear ran down Olivia's face remembering how much she missed her father. Fitz leaned over concern etched on his face.
She whispered, "just these dog gone hormones kicking in."
Fitz grabbed her hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. Little did they know that Maya observed how this man was so attentive to her daughter. He put her mind at ease that he would take care of his daughter and the baby. Olivia turned just at the moment and smiled at her mother.
"Olivia have you told Fitz and Teddy the news?"
"Oh shoot! My pregnancy brain has already kicked in." Everyone laughed at the table.
"Mamma is coming to California with us tomorrow. She will stay a month to get me settled before she comes back home. She will be back a month before the birth."
Oddly enough Fitz was releaved that someone would be with her the first month, to help her get acclimated to her new temporary life in California. If he had anything to do with it, she wouldn't be staying in that house for long. Fitz was on a mission to get her to stay with him and the boys before the baby came.
"Also speaking of pregnancy brain. We know the gender of the baby."
"Well don't keep us in suspense child!" Maya said.
"You are going to be the proud grandmother of a little girl."
Maya jumped up from the table and did her usual little jig when she got news of any of her grandchildren. Everyone laughed as she danced her way around the table. Teddy wished she was his grandmother and with a little hope and a lot of prodding on his Dad's part, he kinda knew that Maya Pope would be his step-grandmother soon.
The night ended with lively conversation and warm goodbyes. Olivia was a little sad to be leaving her brother, but he promised to come and visit with Tanya and their baby.
By the time they got back to the apartment it was late and everyone retreated to their rooms, got ready for bed and made sure everything was packed for the following day. Olivia was glad she chose to fly mid-afternoon. She felt a sleep in was due after their long day. They laid in bed together about to fall asleep.
"Liv, are you sure about all this. I don't want to take you away from all your family and your home."
Liv turned over to face Fitz and she made him face her.
"You will find as you get to know me better, that I don't do things I don't want to. I have worked this all out in my mind and I am fine with what we agreed on. If things change, I'll tell you, but right now, I feel like I'm on a great adventure and I can't wait to see where it takes me and you. Are you ready Fitz?"
She pulled her hand out from under the covers and lifted her pinky for a pinky swear.
"Oh, I'm definitely ready Livie!" He locked pinkies and bent down and kissed his baby.
They fell asleep in each others arms knowing that the greatest adventure of their lives were waiting for them in California.
