Hi readers, thanks so much for the response so far... Just a quick apology re. Frankie- it's a force of habit, due to someone I know and write to often. Apologies, I've gone back and corrected it- thanks for the heads up Cleo x

And for those who enquired about "I'm ready", I will be returning to it during the X-mas break. I had hit a mental block on that one.

Ms Olivia

She's a shaky mess. Nervous to meet a toddler… It almost sounds ridiculous, but she is, extremely so. She hopes he likes her, but above all she wants to make a good impression, not only for Joshua's sake but also for Fitz. The last thing she wants to do is give him a reason to back out of this arrangement. She suspects a lot of her nerves resonates from the idea of him watching her every move, which she can't help but find slightly unnerving. But despite it all; the nerves and the worries, one emotion outweighs them all, and that is of joy.

Her hearts so full it could burst.

After she left Washington DC, she had resounded to the fact that she would never see her baby boy again, but in less than 10 minutes time that was all about to change. It kills her that she can't tell him who she really is, she wants nothing more than to wrap her arms around him and whisper in his ear that his mummy loves him. But sadly she can't. She also knows she can't stay mad at Fitz for that either; she'd have some nerve to expect him to make things easy for her. God knows, if the shoe had been on the other foot, she would probably do the same.

She eventually spots them on the foot path, gradually making their way towards her. Her heart begins to speed up in anticipation, the moment she's dreamt of was finally going to happen. She literally has to swallow the lump building up in the back of her throat as she now fights to keep her tears at bay.

He sites her ahead shifting on the spot; nervous no doubt… To be honest, he was nervous too, because he realises that there is no going back after this. He hopes he's not making a huge mistake by letting her back into their lives, and even more so, he prays for her sake, as well as Joshua's that she will not let them down. Swinging his hand, Joshua talks to his animatedly, mainly about what he wants to play on at the park, totally oblivious to the pivotal moment that is about to occur. It saddens him, that when Josh finally meets her he won't really know who she is. Not that he's second guessing his decision, because he knows he made the right move on that front, but all the same, it was a sad notion to think that Olivia will be nothing but a stranger to him.

He knows for a fact that Joshua won't recognise her. For one, after Olivia left he had erased all memory of her from the apartment. Joshua was only 10 months old, he had been too young to remember her, and Fitz didn't want to be reminded of her; the pain was too acute. So he removed all her belongings, clothes, shoes, perfumes, even pictures of her… He recalls how the place had looked barren once her stuff was cleared out, symbolic really, as at the time it mirrored the exact feelings of his heart… Barren.

It wasn't until Joshua started nursery; where he met other little boys and girls, who spoke of their mummy's, did he grow curious and began to ask about his own. At first Fitz didn't know how to respond, but then he decided that the truth was the way to go, so he told him that his Mummy had gone very far away and sadly wasn't coming back. Joshua simply took it for what it was, and then dropped the subject all together.

Only thing was, his mummy was back now, and he had no idea how Joshua was going to react to that news.

They're bridging closer now, and Olivia starts to walks over to them too… This is it, he thinks, this is the moment of truth.

"Hi," she greets Fitz first of all, and then she looks down and gives Joshua her biggest and brightest smile, as she says a personal hello to him too.

"Hi", he replies shyly, as he looks from her and then back to his father again for reassurance. Fitz smiles at him, letting him know everything is okay, as he gently explains… "Joshua, this is Ms. Olivia, an old friend of mine. I haven't seen her in a long time, so we arranged to meet up here at the park…"

"I hope you don't mind Joshua?" she asks politely, causing him to smile back at her bashfully, "No I don't mind Ms. Olivia…" He replies, ever so sweetly, and then looks to his father…"But daddy, will you still push me on the swings?"

"Hey, I love the swings!" She tells him enthusiastically, drawing his attention back to her… "Me too, they're my favourite!" He shares with her, quickly coming out of his shell. As usual, it doesn't take him long to find his feet and settle in…

Fitz sees it as his cue… "Hey champ, I tell you what, why don't you let Ms. Olivia push you on the swings…?"

His suggestion however appears to momentarily back fire, as Joshua's face immediately scrunches up in disdain; not too keen on the idea it seems. Fitz had forgotten how particular he could be about such things… He senses that Joshua is about to protest, the words…"No, I want you daddy" are literally formulating on his lips, so he quickly puts heed to them, by driving a hard sale and stating… "From what I remember, Ms. Olivia is a pro when it comes to the swings!"

Luckily it works like a charm and despite his reservations, Joshua's big blue eyes immediately light up…"Really?"

"Oh yeah!" Olivia adds playfully, following Fitz's lead; crouching down and levelling Joshua with her eyes; her body language now oozing warmth and invitation, successfully disarming any uncertainty he has left, as she softly whispers… "I promise not to go too high!"

It's enough for him, as trustingly he places his tiny hand in hers…"Okaaay Ms. Olivia" and leads her straight to his favourite swing; with a confidence that belies his age.

Fitz is astounded, as is she. She, who suddenly finds herself in sensory overload… His gentle tugging, the feel of his hand gripped in her own; she follows him blindly; overcome with emotion; her heart swelling with adoration and pride; completely and utterly mesmerised by him, as he effortlessly draws her into his world.

It's almost too good to be true… Perhaps this was all a dream?

However, an angelic voice calls her from her musings… "Ms. Olivia, aren't you going to help me up?"

And she laughs, really laughs, for the first time in a long while it seems… "Sorry gorgeous, of course…" she chimes, lifting him up. At that precise moment the urge to shower his chubby cheeks with kisses is immense, but she refrains, knowing it's too soon… and instead places him securely on the swing.

No, this was not dream; this was the real deal… For it were a dream she wouldn't have had to hold back from kissing her son… but she refuses to let that thought ruin this precious moment, despite her restrictions she continues to beam brightly, leaning forward now, as she asks him… "You ready sweetie?"

She is met with a toothy grin, and an eager nod… "Uh huh, I'm ready!"

Wordlessly, Fitz takes a seat on a bench and watches on… She seems awkward at first; handling Josh with extreme caution and care, but not before long, eventually eases into it, laughing and smiling with him… It doesn't surprise him in the slightest that Joshua seems taken with her too. After all he was a sociable little boy, always had been… why would he be any different with her? He knew, the moment she smiled at Joshua, he would give in to her…

After all, her smile used to have the same effect on him too.

Stop it Fitz, stop it right there! He berates himself as soon as the thought passes; he will not do this to himself; not again! Their future was shot the day she emotionally closed him out, and walked out on their life and love. This arrangement was solely about Josh, and nothing more…

Even if his every waking thought was about her these days, now that she was back…

He looks down at his watch; unbidden thoughts now making him anxious to wrap this visit up. He had pre-warned her earlier that he wanted to keep the first meeting brief, which she had reluctantly agreed to over the phone…

It's been 20 minutes so far, 10 more minutes he thinks and then he'll make his way over…

Conscious of the time, regretful, she realises she's only got a few minutes left with him. She doesn't want it to end, but she knows she has to conform with Fitz's wishes, if she wants to secure future visits… But this was hard, so very hard on her…

From the corner of her eye, she spots Fitz getting up and making his way over… Joshua notices him too, and instinctively runs over to him… "Daddy, daddy… did you see me go down the big slide?" He relays excitedly… "Ms. Olivia helped me up the stairs!"

"I know son; that was very cool!" Fitz exclaims proudly, ruffling the unruly mop of curls on his head…

"I want to do it again!" Joshua announces running back to her… "Ms. Olivia, Ms, Olivia… can you help me up the stairs again, pleeeese…"

She looks over to Fitz; his expression says it all… Times up, she can't… "Aaaaaw Josh, I wish I could sweetheart, but I didn't realise the time, I need to make a move…"

"OOOooh!" He whines.

Firm, but without raising his voice, Fitz warns… "Now, now… Ms. Olivia needs to go, so we will have none of that Mister, okay?"

Pouting… "Okaaay daddy…"

"Good, that's my boy, now why don't you go and give Ms. Olivia a hug, and say goodbye, hopefully you will get to see her another day…" The prospect of seeing her again, quickly puts a smile back on his face again, as he now walks over to her arms opened wide.

She doesn't hesitate to swoop him up, hugging him close and breathing him in… "Goodbye sweetheart," She whispers to him, struggling to keep her emotions in check.

"Bye Ms. Olivia…"

She takes one more squeeze of him, savouring every second, before begrudgingly handing him back over to Fitz…

"We'll speak," Fitz tells her flatly; she nods in accord, unable to speak in fear of breaking down, unshed tears already threatening to spill, as she turns and makes a hasty retreat.