Another update :) this one may be my favorite chapter...for reasons hehehehe ;) I do not own theses characters, all for Shonda Rhimes!
Happy Reading!
The next few days were hectic, with rehearsals, homework, McKenzie seemed to be getting the start of an ear infection, and all she wanted was to sit in Fitz's lap. On Wednesday, Olivia took both girls to the doctor as a precaution. McKenzie was given antibiotic for her infection, and Alyssa was given a clean bill of health. Olivia handed the prescription to Quinn to go fill while she discussed another matter with the doctor. She had the doctor quickly swab the girls' mouths and had him order a DNA test. She may not have Fitz with her to verify parentage, but if the test showed these two girls were related, that's all the evidence they'd need.
Olivia met Quinn at the drug store, and the women took the girls out for ice cream afterwards. By the time they arrived back home, McKenzie was once again screaming for her daddy. As soon as they walked through the front door, she ran into the office and climbed into his lap. Quinn took Alyssa upstairs for her nap while Olivia went into the office to try to pry the toddler away from her father. As she reached the door, Fitz had stopped working and was rocking her and singing softly, trying to lull the child to sleep. "She should go right to sleep, Honey, she just had Tylenol and an antibiotic."
"So you were right, it was an ear infection? What about Alyssa?"
"Lyssa's fine, she's upstairs asleep already. Fitz, I had the doctor do the DNA test today."
"Don't you need me for that?"
"Not necessarily. If the test shows the girls are related, then we'll know for sure."
"Yes, I suppose we will."
"Are you O.K.?"
"Yes, Darling"
McKenzie looked up at her father. "Ya sure?"
"Yes, Sweetheart, I'm sure." The toddler wrapped her arms around him and planted a wet kiss on his cheek. "Love you, Daddy."
"I love you, too, Kenzie." He held her tight as his eyes filled with tears. "I don't give a DAMN what those tests say! These are MY children, all of them, Livvie."
"I know, Sweetie, I feel the same way. I just wanted to know, in case, God forbid, we need her blood type for a transfusion or something."
"He drew their blood?" He held the child closer.
"No, I only let him scrape their cheeks. If the test shows they're sisters, we'll know the documents that we got from Jake's parents were accurate."
"How long before we know?"
"The doctor said two to three weeks. He could have put a rush on it, but there's really no hurry. The results aren't going to change anything."
"No, they won't." He saw Olivia smiling at the baby in his arms. She'd finally fallen asleep. "I'll go put her in bed."
Olivia sat on the leather sofa and put her feet up, closing her eyes. When Fitz came back, he slid onto the sofa next to her and pulled her close. "Fitz, how can we leave her tomorrow night?"
"Babe, it's a mild ear infection, she'll be fine. She'll be here with her sisters and brothers and her nanny, she won't even miss us."
"She won't miss ME. You know, when I was taking her for ice cream she was just fine, but let us get into the car coming home, she's screaming for her daddy. Maybe I should call Tammy to come over tomorrow night."
"Won't she have a date? It IS Valentine's Day."
She laughed. "This is TAMMY we're talking about. I don't think she's had a date for Valentine's as long as I've known her.
"Well, give her a call, then, maybe McKenzie will feel better with her Aunt Tammy here."
"She'll feel better with her daddy here."
"Well her mommy and daddy will be out to dinner and dancing, Baby. She's almost three years old; it's time she stopped these tantrums."
"I can't believe Alyssa never had them."
"No, she just withdrew, that is, until you started spending extra time with her."
Olivia yawned and laid her head on Fitz's chest. "I wish McKenzie would watch her big sisters and learn how to behave."
"She will, Darling, you'll see. I think she's just reacting to all the moving from house to house that they've been doing."
She yawned again. "I'm sure you're right."
"Why don't you go upstairs and take a nap? I have some paperwork to finish up before Abby gets back from the agency, the children won't be home for a couple of hours, and the little ones are sleeping. You've been awfully tired lately; I don't want to see you get sick, too."
"You're right, I think I will go up and take a nap. Are you sure you can't join me?"
"As much as I'd love to, I really need to get this done. I've cut the weekends out of my work schedule, and started working shorter days, so I need to make the most of the time I DO work."
"All right, but if you change your mind, I'll be in the first room at the top of the stairs, the one with that huge bed." She looked at him and grinned. "Wha? It's more comfortable, and I love the way the pillows smell."
He stood up and helped her up. "Have a good nap, I'll come and wake you just before three, unless you'd rather sleep."
"No, no, I want to be up when the children come home, Fitz." He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply.
"Sweet dreams."
"Well, since I only dream of you, my dreams are always sweet." She kissed him softly and headed up to his room for her nap.
When the children arrived home, Olivia took them into the kitchen and helped them with their homework while she fixed dinner. Tom sat in the living room pouting when the family took over his kitchen. Inwardly, he was smiling, his family was finally happy. HE was finally happy. Abby arrived from the agency while Tom was relaxing on the sofa with a brandy.
"Oh, look at you! Did Olivia throw you out of the kitchen again?"
"Yes, she did. She's helping the children with their homework, and making spaghetti. Can you just see the dining room after little McKenzie finishes with spaghetti? I have an idea, how'd you like to go out for dinner, Whelan?"
"Well, I DO have a lot of work today, Tom." She saw the smile on his face fade as she was turning him down. "Well, if we don't stay out too long, maybe a quick dinner?"
"That sounds wonderful; I'll run up and change while you tell Mr. Grant."
She smiled as she headed into the office. "Fitz, here are the contracts for the clients, and the agreements. I need to go out, but I'll be back in a couple of hours."
"You're not staying for dinner? Liv's making spaghetti."
"Fitz, as much as I love Olivia and adore your children, I've gotten a better offer. I'm going to dinner with Tom."
"With Tom, eh?" He took off his glasses and stood up. "You've been spending quite a bit of time with him lately, haven't you?"
"Do you have a problem with it, Fitz? I work hard; I'm entitled to have some fun."
"I can see you've been listening to Olivia again. I'm glad to see that, Abby, you DO work hard, and it's nice to see you relax. Livvie and I are looking forward to tomorrow night."
Abby laughed. "She told me about Kenzie's ear infection. I'm surprised you're getting her out of the house."
"It was an argument, but we're still going."
"You two argued? I can't believe THAT!"
"Well, argued isn't really the word for it. We actually discussed it, and we decided that she'd call Tammy to come over and help Miss Perkins."
"Good idea. I just don't see McKenzie letting YOU leave; Liv says she's become a little clinging vine where you're concerned."
"She certainly has. She'll be awake any time, and she'll be right back down here in my office, in my lap."
As if on cue, the office door opened and McKenzie's head poked around the door. "Hi, Aunt Abs!" She ran and hugged Abby, before heading for her father's lap. "Miss you, Daddy."
"I missed you too, Baby." He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a color book and a box of crayons. "Don't get any crayon on Daddy's papers, Sweetheart."
"Kay, Daddy." She pulled two crayons from the box and started scribbling in the book.
"I don't believe it, Fitz, crayons in your desk? You're turning into Olivia."
"You should see this drawer. I have crayons, toys, fruit snacks, small packages of cookies. I'm ready for any emergency."
"It certainly looks like it!" She laughed and put the stack of contracts on the corner of his desk. "I'll just leave these right here. Tom should be ready to go by now." She headed back for the office door. "We won't be long. See you in an hour or so. Bye, Kanzie."
"Bye, Aunt Abs!" She blew kisses as Abby vacated the office.
Fiyz stood up and carried his daughter with him. "Let's go find, Mommy, shall we, Kenzie?"
"Kay, Daddy." He carried her into the kitchen where Olivia was sitting at the table with the four other children and the nanny.
"Are you missing someone?"
Olivia looked up and smiled at her daughter. "Hi, Baby. No, Quinn told me her first words when she opened her eyes were 'where's Daddy?' I knew she'd be back in your office. She's really going to love it when I take her home tonight."
"Why don't you just leave her here?"
"Fitz, there is no way I'm leaving my sick baby here with her nanny. No offense, Quinn, but she needs her mother."
"Sweetheart, I was thinking that I could take care of her. If she won't leave me, how to you propose to get her to go home with you?"
"Simple; she's two, I'm her mother and she'll do as she's told."
"Liv…"
"Can we discuss this later?" She cast her glance at the other children. Fitz nodded. She had a point; it was not good to argue in front of the children.
After dinner, Olivia and the nanny took the girls upstairs for their bath, and let them play in the tub for a while. Olivia dressed them in their pajamas and got McKenzie's robe and slippers ready for the ride home. When she got downstairs, Tom and Abby had returned, and the boys had roped them into a rehearsal in the living room. She looked at her watch. "Bryce, it's time to go. Go get your coat and hat." She pulled McKenzie's robe on and looked over at Fitz.
"I'll go pull your car around and warm it up, Sweetheart. We'll try to make this as easy as possible."
She hugged her friend. "See you tomorrow, Abby"
Abby looked at McKenzie. "Is she going to be all right?"
"Physically, she's fine. She's just going to pitch a huge fit when she realizes that Fitz isn't going with us." She heard the horn of the Rover out front. "Bryce, go get in the Rover; sit in the back like your dad is going with us." She hugged the other children. "I love you; I'll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams." She scooped up her toddler and walked out to the Rover, putting the baby in her car seat. She climbed into the passenger seat and looked apprehensively at Fitz.
"Call me if you need me, Babe."
She nodded. "Hopefully she'll quiet down when she realizes not getting her way."
"If not, give me a call, I can come over until she falls asleep." He leaned over and kissed her softly. "I love you." He looked in to the back seat. He patted his son's leg and ran his hand over his daughter's head. "I love you two very much."
"Love you, Daddy."
"I love you, Dad."
"Mind your mother, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes, Sir. Good night."
Fitz opened the door and stepped out as Olivia slid over into the driver's seat. McKenzie immediately began crying. "Just go, Sweetie, she's going to be fine. I love you."
"I love you, too. Call me when you get home."
"I will, as soon as I get them in and settled."
"Drive safely." She nodded and closed the door. Ignoring her daughter's wailing, she put the Rover in gear and headed home. By the time she arrived at her townhouse, McKenzie was sobbing hysterically. She handed her son the keys to the door and pulled the toddler from her car seat. She locked the doors and followed her son into the house.
"Don't forget to call Dad, Ma."
"I won't, Baby. Go upstairs and start getting ready for your bath. It's a school night." She checked her watch. Thank goodness, time for McKenzie's medicine. She gave her the Tylenol and antibiotic and carried her upstairs to her room. The child continued to ask for her daddy as she was put into bed. "No, Kenzie, Daddy isn't here, you need to go to sleep." She sighed deeply. Maybe if she just let her cry for a few min, she'd fall asleep. When Olivia tried to leave the room, the screaming became louder, and the toddler sprang from her bed and threw herself at her mother's legs.
"Daaaaaadddeeeeeeee! Want Daaaaadeeeeeee!" This went on for another hour. Bryce had finished his bath and got in bed to read his favorite book. Olivia tried taking McKenzie to her bed, but the sobbing hadn't slowed down one bit. She finally gave in, picked up the phone, and dialed. Fitz answered, and heard the wailing in the background. Olivia didn't need to ask.
"I'm on my way, Livvie; I'll be there in ten minutes."
Olivia rocked her daughter and held her close. "It's all right, Baby, Daddy's coming." The tears were now flowing freely down Olivia's cheeks. Her child had now become totally dependent on the man she loved.
Fitz dressed quickly, and then stopped at Tom's room to let him know he was leaving the house. He descended the back stairs and headed for his office, then opened the safe and removed the small velvet box he'd bought the week before. He had so wanted to wait until the talent show to make this special, but he couldn't stand the woman he loved living apart from him any longer.
When he pulled up in front of Olivia's townhouse, he looked up and saw the soft light coming from her bedroom window. He could hear his daughter's screams as he opened the door. He threw his coat over a chair in the den and bounded up the two flights of stairs to Olivia's bedroom. She was sitting on the leather sofa, rocking their child, singing softly. He slowly entered the room and kissed her gently as he picked up the sobbing toddler.
"Everything's all right, Precious, Daddy's here." He reached down and caressed Olivia's cheek. "I'll see if I can't get her to bed." Olivia nodded as she wiped the tears from her face. Fitz carried the child down the hall toward her room. Her brother's door opened and Bryce stuck his head out.
"Please make her stop, Dad?"
"I'm working on it, Son, now go back to bed." He stopped and gave the boy a hug. "I love you."
"I love you, too. G' night."
"Good night, Son." Fitz smiled, thinking of how excited that boy would be if he knew what he had in his pocket. He looked at his little girl, who had laid her head on his shoulder and was finally quieting down. Fitz put her in her bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. He grabbed a book and read to her, then sang her a couple of songs before she finally fell asleep. He took a deep breath and carefully backed out of the room.
He made his way back down the hall, fingering the velvet box in his pocket. Olivia's door was still open. He put his head in and looked around the room. She was standing next to her closet in her night shirt. "My God, Olivia, you look beautiful."
She looked down at the floor, then back up at him. "Close the door if you're staying." He reached behind him, closed the door, and locked it.
"I didn't stop to pack an overnight bag."
"There's clean underwear and socks in the top drawer of the small dresser."
"When did you do that?"
She grinned. "The last time I was out shopping. You also have a toothbrush and shaving things in the bathroom."
He moved closer and took her in his arms. "Livvie, that's so sweet of you. I just don't know how much longer I can take this. I want to roll over at night and feel the warmth of your body, smell your perfume. I want to wake up in the morning to your smile. I want our children raised under one roof; you see what pulling them back and forth is doing to them. McKenzie is a mess, and the rest of the children aren't too far behind. The boys are going to kill me for this; they were so looking forward to seeing your face."
"Fitz, what are you…." He put two fingers to her lips to silence her, then reached into his pocket for the box, and dropped to one knee.
"Olivia, I love you. I've loved you since the first day I saw you. I know I can't make up for the time we've lost, but I CAN make the rest of our days together happier than you can imagine. I don't want to spend another day without you by my side. Olivia Carolyn Pope, will you marry me?" He pulled out the ring and slid it on her finger, then stood up just in time for her to throw herself into his arms.
"Oh, Fitz, I love you so much. Yes, I can't wait to marry you!" They shared a passionate kiss, and then Fitz lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. "Honey, what did you mean when you said the boys would kill you?"
"Oh, Babe, I had such a romantic proposal planned for you. We were going to sing our duet at the talent show, then during the presentations, the boys would tell the audience that I had a presentation, and that's when I was going to propose, in front of the children, your parents, our friends. I didn't want to wait that long, but I wanted it to be special. Tonight, with McKenzie so upset, I just couldn't wait any longer, I want our family together, we've wasted too much time already." He climbed into bed, taking her into his arms. "What do you say to a bit of house hunting this weekend? I've done a bit of research, and found some estate homes."
"How far away?"
"Only about thirty minutes or so. Sweetheart, these are large homes on several acres. We can build an apartment above the garage for Tom, get horses for the children, maybe that dog that Lyssa's been asking for. You know, there's one with eight bedrooms. That's enough for each child to have their own room, one for the nanny, and a guest room…or maybe a nursery."
She smiled and snuggled closer. "It sounds wonderful. Maybe we can go on Saturday while Tom is out with Abby."
"You mean you actually want to leave all the children alone with the nanny?" He kissed her nose as he teased her.
"I was thinking that we'd take them all with us. If we're uprooting the kids from the only homes they've known, don't you think we should let them help pick?"
"I can just imagine what they'd choose." Fitz frowned.
Olivia reached over and turned off the light. "Honey, they'll like anything we like, just you wait and see. Now, can we talk about this tomorrow?" She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his ear gently.
"What about the children, what are they going to say when I'm still here in the morning?"
"Let's see, McKenzie will scream Daaaaadeeeeee, and Bryce will probably say, YES! Actually, I was thinking that you could get up and go outside when the kids get up, and let them see you come in the door. They'll just assume you went home. Shit, did that sound as bad to you as it did to me?"
"How does the first of March sound?
"For what?"
"For a nice, simple family wedding at our larger house."
"Nice and simple, that sounds wonderful, Fitz."
"We'll call the priest tomorrow and get him scheduled, and then we can put together something simple, and have a nice family dinner afterwards."
"Fitz, maybe we should all go out afterwards, otherwise Tom will be doing all the work, and he's family, too."
"Whatever you want, Baby."
She pulled him closer to her. "I WANT to make love with the man I'm going to marry. God, that sounds wonderful."
"Which, the making love or getting married?"
"Both." The next couple of hours were spent re affirming their love for each other. They had just fallen asleep with a soft cry came over the intercom.
"I thought she didn't have nightmares when she was with me."
"She doesn't know you're here…and that isn't a nightmare. I'll be right back." She got up and slipped into her robe and slippers, then tiptoed into her daughter's room. "What's wrong, Baby?"
"Hurts, Mommy." She pulled on her ear and rubbed the side of her head.
"Oh, you poor thing." She sat on the bed and pulled her daughter into her arms. "Let's go downstairs and get some more medicine, all right?"
"Kay, Mommy. Go Daddy house?"
"Tomorrow we'll go to Daddy's house, Sweetie, it's the middle of the night, and we'll wake everyone up up." She picked up her daughter and wrapped a blanket around her before heading for the stairs.
"Er'one get mad?"
She laughed softly. "You know, at this hour, they just might, Angel." She clicked the light in the kitchen on and pulled the Tylenol out of the cupboard, then grabbed the antibiotic from the refrigerator. She sat the child on the chair in the corner.
"Two medicine?" She pointed at the bottles.
"Yes, Sweetie. This one is to make your ear not hurt so bad." She spooned the Tylenol into the toddler's mouth. "This one is so it will get better." She poured the thick, pink antibiotic and held the spoon out to the child, who slurped it quickly.
"Mmmmmm, good."
"You like that?" The baby nodded, her brown curls bobbing into her face. She reached up for her mother. "Where Daddy?"
"Daddy's in bed, Sweetie, and that's where you need to be." She scooped up the child and adjusted the blanket. "Ready to go back to bed?"
"Read book please?"
"Now why aren't you like this all the time?" She laughed as she carried the little girl up the stairs and plopped her into her bed. "Let's get these covers straightened out." She picked up the book that Fitz had read to her earlier and began to read. The child was asleep in no time. Olivia checked the blankets, slipped quietly out of her daughter's room, and hurried back down the hall to her bed.
"Who was that child?" Fitz was sitting up in bed waiting for her.
"You heard that? She's sick, and she's tired. It must have taken the fight out of her."
"Nice cover when she asked where I was."
"Well, you ARE in bed. I didn't lie to her." She looked at the clock. "Ugh, we'd better get to sleep, we have to get up early to get you downstairs before they wake up."
They snuggled down under the covers and made love one more time before finally falling asleep for the night.
The alarm clock woke them suddenly at six thirty in the morning. "I'm going to go wash up and shave, go back to sleep, I'll wake you when I'm done."
"Mmmmm, thanks, Honey." She turned over and immediately fell back to sleep. Fitz got up, pulled his new underclothes out of the drawer, and hurried to the bathroom to clean up and shave. He checked his son's door before emerging from the bathroom. The light was off and the door was still closed. He tiptoed back to the bedroom and put the rest of his clothes on, then woke Olivia.
"What time is it?" She stretched slowly.
"It's almost seven. I had a thought. I can take Bryce home with me; I'll say that I came to pick him up for school, because I wanted to check on Kenz."
She yawned and continued to stretch. "That sounds great, Honey. I guess I need to get up and make my fiancé some coffee."
"That would be nice, Baby."
She climbed out of bed and grabbed some lounging pajamas, then pulled on her robe and stepped into her slippers. "Let's go downstairs; I'll make the bed later." She pushed him gently into the hallway, and they headed down to the kitchen to make coffee.
"Is there time for me to take him to eat at the house with the other children?"
She looked over at the clock. "No, not really, not if you want to see Kenzie." She got the coffee brewing and looked at the clock again. "I'd better go wake him up. You don't have to go outside. I'll tell him you're already here. You need to call Tom and tell him our cover story, though."
"Good idea, I'll do that while you're getting the children up."
"Oh, I'm not getting Kenz up yet, I'm going to let her sleep as long as she can." She kissed him before heading up the stairs. "Help yourself to coffee when it's done, and if you feel like pouring me a cup, you can bring them both upstairs to the living room."
"I think I can handle that." He grinned as he watched her head upstairs, then clicked on the intercom to listen to her interact with Bryce. He loved to watch her with the children. She was such a loving and patient mother. He listened to the boy complain about getting up, and then Olivia played her ace.
"You have a visitor downstairs. He wanted to check on your sister, so he came over to take you back to the other house to ride the limo with Jer and Kare."
"Dad's here?" He jumped out of bed and started pulling his uniform on. "That was so cool of him to come over and take care of Kenzie last night. I wish we all lived together, Ma."
Olivia tucked her left hand into her pocket. Fitz had the proposal worked out with the children; it was only fair that he be the one to tell them their plans fell through. She didn't think any of them would be that upset, though.
"Are you gonna get Kenzie up to see Dad?"
"No, Honey, she's really not feeling well. She got up in the middle of the night with her ear hurting."
"I didn't even hear her!"
"She didn't cry very loudly. I took her downstairs and gave her more medicine, then read to her until she fell back asleep."
"I'm surprised she didn't scream for Dad. That's all she ever does anymore."
"I know she does, Honey. I'm hoping it's just a phase she's going through."
"Like terrible twos?"
"Exactly like terrible twos."
"Well, don't worry, Ma, she's almost three, she'll stop then." He smiled and patted her arm. "How do I look?"
"Handsome, like always. Go comb your hair and come downstairs for breakfast."
"I'm not eating at Dad's?"
"No, I'll feed you both here. That way he can stay in case Kenz wakes up before you have to leave. Do you have any requests for breakfast?"
"Can I have.." He sighed. "Sorry, MAY I have waffles?"
"Sure, Sweetie, I'll be downstairs. Come on down when you're done. Don't forget your back pack." She kissed his forehead and started down the stairs. "Do you want fruit with your waffle?"
"Sure, whatever you're having, Mom. You look kinda tired."
She looked lovingly at her son. He certainly was growing up. "Thank you, Sweetie, I am a little tired, but never too tired to take care of you. I'll see you downstairs." The smell of coffee drifted up the stairs, followed by another smell, what was that? Bacon? Fitz must be helping with breakfast. She bounded down the last staircase and into the kitchen.
"Bacon?"
"I thought I'd get things started. I know how much he loves bacon with his breakfast. He and Jerry always fight over the last of it."
"Aren't you a doll? He wants waffles, too."
"Sounds wonderful."
She assembled the ingredients and started mixing the batter, while Fitz finished the bacon and started cutting up the fresh fruit. "You know, Livvie, this isn't too hard."
"Honey, we're cooking for ourselves and one child. Wait until we have all five under running around underfoot, each one demanding something different."
That's why we have Tom and Quinn"
"That's why they need to learn to eat what's prepared for them. Once we get all five under one roof, we can't expect them to cook seven different things for each meal."
"You sound like you have this worked out."
"Mm-hmm. I was thinking; let the kids take turns planning a meal. We can teach them about nutrition, you know, picking a balanced meal, and they also will get what they want. The older ones can sit and discuss it, and even Alyssa is old enough to help. Kenz is too young to help plan, but she eats everything in front of her, anyway. She so much like my mother, which is another reason to teach them good eating habits now."
"Livvie, that's a wonderful idea, the children will love that."
"Love what?" Bryce appeared in the doorway and rushed to hug Fitz. "Good morning, Dad. It's so cool you came back for breakfast!"
Fitz looked over at Olivia and down at her hand, which was again hidden in her pocket. She shook her head at him to let him know she hadn't told him about the engagement. "Well, I was worried about your sister, and I thought this might be a good way to spend more time with both of you."
"Can I help with breakfast?"
"You can set the table, Sweetie, and take this plate of fruit into the dining room."
When Bryce was in the dining room, Fitz whispered in Olivia's ear. "You didn't tell him?"
"No, I thought you'd want to wait and tell everyone together. I can come over when the kids get out of school, and we can give them their Valentine's Day presents."
"I hadn't mentioned it yet, Darling, because I wasn't sure how you were feeling about it today."
She kissed his cheek. "I'm fine. I'm perfectly, absolutely fine with it. I think all the latest events made this day so much easier on me."
"I'm glad you're o.k., Ma. I was worried about you. I remember last year, you were so sad on Valentine's Day."
"Why wouldn't I be fine? I have a wonderful man who loves me, and five perfect children whom I love VERY much. I think I can finally put the past where it belongs, in the past."
He looked at Fitz and grinned. "That's really cool, isn't it?
"Yes, Son, very cool. Is the table set? We need to get finished with breakfast, or you're going to miss the limo for school."
"Honey, can you put the bacon and waffles on the table, and I'll get the butter and syrup?" McKenzie's soft voice came over the intercom. "I guess I'll go up and get McKenzie, too."
"Want me to get her, Ma?"
"Oh, Honey, that's sweet, but I'm sure she'll need to be changed, and you need to eat so you can go to school."
"Yuck, yeah you can get her if she needs changing. How come she's still in diapers, anyway?"
"She's still only two, give her some time, she's working on it. You two go ahead and start without me." She hurried up the stairs, got Kenzie out of bed, and gave her a quick bath before dressing her. When Olivia got to the bottom of the stairs, she put the toddler down. "Daddy's in the dining room, Kenzie. Do you want to go eat waffles with Daddy?"
"Daddy!" The child ran through the kitchen and into the dining room, leaping into her father's lap. "Hi, Daddy. Miss you." She hugged him tightly.
"How are you feeling this morning, Sweetheart? Does your ear still hurt?"
She rubbed her ear and nodded. "Hurts. Mommy, want two medicines."
"It feels like her fever's gone down a bit this morning."
Olivia nodded and smiled. "Yes, Angel, here they are." She spooned the two pink liquids into her daughter's mouth. "I'm SO glad she likes these. They're good, aren't they, Sweetie?"
The child nodded. "Want waffles with Daddy."
Fitz lifted her into her chair, while Olivia scraped some cut up waffle and fruit onto her plate. She picked up her fork and began stuffing the waffles in as fast as she could.
"McKenzie, slow down, chew and swallow first." Fitz pulled her plate away to allow her to finish what was in her mouth. "So, Darling, what's the plan for today?"
"Well, I have to bake some cookies for the party at the boys' school this afternoon, and then I was coming to your place after school to help the kids with their homework and to give them their Valentine's presents."
"Why don't I get Tom to bake the cookies?"
"Because Quinn is bringing Alyssa over and the girls are going to help with the cookies. Alyssa is old enough to spread the frosting on the cookies, and McKenzie will sprinkle the red sugar. Don't worry, Tom will be here to help, we'll be just fine. She looked at the clock on the mantle. "You two need to get out of here, or you are going to miss your limo."
"We won't make it back to the house in time, Liv. I'll take him to school before I go home. Are you just about done, Son?"
"Yes, Sir. You're taking me to school? Cool! Jerry's going to FLIP OUT!"
"Why's that?"
"Because you never take him to school, he always has to take the limo."
Olivia dishes more fruit onto her daughter's plate. "Well, Honey, I'm sure that's going to be changing soon, don't you think so, Fitz?"
He wiped his mouth and placed his napkin on the table. "I'm sure of it. Bryce, if you're finished, go brush your teeth, you don't want to be late for school."
"May I be excused, Ma?"
"Sure, Sweetie, you got enough to eat?"
He jumped up and headed for the stairs. "Yeah, I'm full, thanks, Ma."
Fitz stood up and helped Olivia clear the table, taking the dishes to the sink. "Will you be all right today? You still look rather tired."
"I am, but I'll try to get a nap in somewhere. I think I'll ask Quinn to run the cookies to the school, and keep the girls here for a nap. Then I'll get some sleep, too. I don't want to be tired for my big date tonight."
He took her into his arms. "Oh, you've got a big date, do you?"
"Mm-hmm, you might have heard of him, he's a handsome successful agent."
"As long as he doesn't try to steal my girl."
"There is NO chance of anyone eva doing that, Mr. Grant."
"Glad to hear it, Miss Not-for-long Pope." He kissed her softly. "Two weeks from tomorrow, you're sure you can be ready by then?"
"I'm ready right now." She lowered her eyes, realizing what she'd just said. "I'm sorry, I didn't even think."
"Well, I'm actually glad to hear that you're not thinking of him today."
She looked at the ring sparkling on her left hand. "The only man I'm thinking of today, or any other day, is you." She wrapped her arms around his neck as he leaned in to kiss her. As he deepened the kiss, they heard Bryce in the dining room.
"Kenzie, no NO! Ma is gonna put you in time out!"
"Uh-oh, we left her alone for too long." She pulled away from him and moved towards the dining room. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"I love you."
She smiled and kissed him softly. "I love you, too. Now let's go see what kind of crazy your daughter has gotten into." They hurried into the dining room, where the toddler had thrown her uneaten fruit all over the room, along with the waffles that were left too close to her seat.
"McKenzie Renee, what have you done?"
"Hi, Mommy! Done!"
She looked over at Fitz and tried not to laugh. "I should say you're done!"
"Sorry, Ma, I tried to stop her, but she just kept on throwing food."
"It's not your fault, Honey; we left her alone for too long. Are you ready to go?"
"Do you want us to help you clean this up before we go?"
"No, Sweetie, I'll get it. You get him to school." She kissed her son. "You go home with Jer and Karen today, all right? I'll be over about the time you get home."
"What about my cookies for the party?"
"Quinn will drop them off at lunch. We're making them this morning, so they'll be nice and fresh."
He hugged his mother. "You're the greatest, Ma!"
"That's because I have the greatest kids. I love you, Sweetie; have a good day at school."
"I love you, too, Ma. Bye, Kenz, I love you.
"Love you! Bye bye!"
Fitz looked over at Olivia. "Now comes the fun part. McKenzie, be a good girl for Mommy today, I'll see you after work, all right?" He kissed her and tousled her dark curls. "Bye, Sweetheart, I love you."
"Stay, Daddy. Make cookies."
"McKenzie, you're making cookies with Mommy and Alyssa."
"Lyssa coming?"
"Yes, Baby, Lyssa's coming."
"Lyssa coming soon?"
Olivia lifted her from her chair. "Yes, Sweetie, very soon. Now kiss Daddy goodbye, he has to take your brother to school. Do NOT get that look on your face, if you throw a fit, you will NOT bake cookies."
"Be a big girl for Daddy. Now, give me a kiss, I have to leave."
Her eyes filled with tears. "Bye, Daddy. Love you." She reached out for a hug.
Olivia wrapped his arms around the toddler. "What a sticky hug! Someone needs a bath!"
"ME!"
"Yes, you. Be a good girl." He kissed her again. "You be a good girl, too. I'll see you this afternoon. I love you, Livvie."
"Have a great day. I'll see you around three. I love you more!" She kissed him and walked up the stairs to the den where Bryce was waiting. She kissed the men she loved one more time, and watched them get into the sports car and drive off. She looked at her daughter. "Looks like it's just you and me, kiddo. Do you want your bath in the big tub?" The baby nodded her head up and down as Olivia carried her upstairs and began the bath. They had just finished when the doorbell rang. "That must be Quinn and Alyssa!" She pulled a towel around her daughter and carried her downstairs. Damn, what was she doing here?
OMG, he proposed! I could not wait to get to this part for you guys, I, nor Fitz, wanted to wait until the talent show! hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Who do you think is at Liv's door? Valentine's Day is next. It may be split into 2 chapters just FYI! telling the kids about the change of proposal and house hunting, more Tabby (yay!) comming up! Hope you guys are enjoying this story! Leave comments, thoughts, suggestions, ideas, w/e :)