Liv woke up around 11 am with an urgent need to use the restroom. After she came out, she heard noise downstairs and decided to investigate. She entered the living room to find Kat sitting in her recliner and Fitz bringing in boxes from the front porch.
Kat smiled when she saw her come into the room, "Hey sweetie! Did you have a good nap?"
Fitz looked to see Liv standing there against the wall as she responded to his mother, "Yeah, I did. I probably would still be sleep if one of them hadn't decided to dance on my bladder." She looked at the boxes in the living room, "Have you decided to move or something?"
Kat stood up and laughed at her, "No these are some more things I have purchased for the twins. I kept them in the garage and I asked Fitz to bring them inside so we can look through them when you woke up. I bought you some food also. Come sit down. You need to rest your feet and back."
Liv waved her off and shook her head, "No I can get it. There is no need for you to fuss over me. We are here to help you get through this weekend. So you just sit down and I can warm up my own food in the kitchen. Besides I have all of next week to rest."
She walked to the kitchen where she found a carry out plate with pancakes and sausage. Fitz walked into the kitchen as she was placing her food in the microwave.
He stood in the background watching her move around. He could tell that she was uncomfortable and in pain by the way she slowly moved. She went to reach in the cabinet to get a glass but he beat her to it and got it for her. She took the glass and filled it with juice.
Unable to take the silence anymore, he spoke, "Are you going to ignore me the rest of the day?"
She turned to look at him. Her tone was soft but void of any emotions, "I'm not ignoring you. I really have nothing to say to you. There's a difference between the two."
His voice full of remorse, "I wish you would say something. You can yell at me, curse me or whatever you want. You have my permission to hit me. Just tell me how you are feeling. Tell me that you hate me for making you worry. Tell me that I am the biggest jerk you ever dated and you regret marrying me. Tell me anything because nothing you say to me will make me feel any worse than I feel right now. Please talk to me, Livvie."
She grabbed her food out the microwave shaking her head, "That's rich coming from you. That sounds like the exact same thing I asked you to do with me last night. Do you remember me almost in a panic asking you to talk to me? You walked away from me like I wronged you or something. After spending the night in jail, you want me to talk to you. No because if my feelings mattered to you last night as much as they do right now, you wouldn't have had to spend the night in jail."
He became frustrated with her, "I was defending your honor."
She started getting emotional, "And I thank you for doing that. I can just imagine the awful things he said to you for you to beat him like that. I truly appreciate you standing up for me. But I would have appreciated you staying here and talking to me last night more than having to pick you up from jail this morning."
Feeling bad for upsetting his wife, "I'm sorry, Liv."
Grabbing her things, "Do me a favor and stop doing things you have to be sorry for."
She joined his mother in the living room to look at the baby stuff. Fitz was going to join them when his phone rang. The caller ID read 'Stephen.'
"What's up?"
Upset and angry, "Man where the fuck have you been? I have been calling you all night."
Fitz walked out on the back porch, "Look dude I have had the night from hell and I am not in the mood for anymore drama."
Yelling into the phone, "I had a night from hell. Thanks to you and your big mouth, Abby left me last night and tore up my apartment in the process. She called all kind of names. She hates me and it's all thanks to you."
Finally being fed, "ABBY HATES YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE A CHEATING BASTARD! THAT'S ON YOU NOT ME! RIGHT NOW I AM MOURNING THE ONE ANNIVERSARY OF MY FATHER'S DEATH WITH MY WIFE AND MOTHER WHO ARE NOT SPEAKING TO ME AFTER I SPENT A NIGHT IN JAIL BECAUSE I NEARLY BEAT A MAN TO DEATH! MY LIFE IS SLOWLY FALLING APART AND I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR SHIT!"
He hung up on his friend. He stayed outside a few minutes to calm his nerves. The last thing he wanted to do was to take his anger out on his mother or wife.
He walked into the living room and joined them as they gushed over the baby stuff. They both were excited and fawning all over everything.
They talked and carried on as if he wasn't in the room. His mother carried the conversation, "So Liv, what are your summer plans?"
Eating her food, "Rest is the first thing. Then we have a two-week East Coast road trip planned."
Sounding impressed, "Wow. Where States are you traveling to?"
"We wanted to start in Maine and work our way down the 13 original colonies but we can't do that in two weeks. We are going to Pennsylvania, DC, Virginia, Maryland, both Carolinas and Georgia."
Kat was impressed again, "Mmm. That sounds exciting. Any particular reason you picked those areas?"
She took a swallow of her juice before responding, "Yeah, I love history and Fitz wants to visit football stadiums. I think we will see about 5 stadiums on this trip. I personally want to visit the historical places that shaped this country's way of life."
Folding up some baby items and placing them back in the box, "Are you going to Boston? It is filled with historical sites. Big Jerry took me there a few times and we loved it."
Liv shook her head, "No, we won't have the time. We have to travel and be back so that Fitz can go to work. I do plan on going there when we get the time. I probably will spend the rest of my summer house hunting and hopefully moving in before school starts back up."
Liv had told them about the record company buying them a house at dinner. She didn't mention the truck for Fitz because she wanted it to be a surprise.
Kat finished putting everything away, "That is an amazing deal you got. Not having to pay a mortgage will help you out tremendously. You can save for your kids' college fund or whatever your heart's desire."
Liv finished her breakfast and moved to clean up her mess. Fitz stood up, "I'll take it for you, babe."
Declining his offer, "That's okay." She walked past him headed towards the kitchen.
Fitz looked at his mother who was staring at him, "Are you guys really going to pretend like I am not here?"
Shaking her head, "Of course not. You wanted time to yourself last night and that is what we are giving you. How you choose to spend it is on you."
He sighed, "I'm sorry about everything. I don't really know what to do anymore."
She folded her arms, "You should have talked to your wife when she tried to get you to open up. That's what married couples do. They communicate with each other. When my parents died, your father was there to talk to me about what I was feeling. I wish he was here now so that I could talk to him."
Liv came back in oblivious to their conversation, "Kat, I am going to change my clothes and then I will be ready to go shopping."
Putting a smile on her face, "Okay, dear. I will be here waiting."
Liv went upstairs to change her clothes leaving mother and son alone again. Fitz sighed, "Do you want me to drive you guys around? Or would you rather not be bothered with me today?"
She shrugged, "It's up to you. This is your time to do what you please. I will say this. For some reason or another, she loves you. Even after every stupid thing you have done and put her through, she still loves you. I know because when she talked about her vacation, she kept saying 'we.' She spoke about things you wanted to do and getting back so that you can go to work. She has two whole months off to do whatever she chooses but she realizes that it's not just her anymore. I truly wish you would wake up and realize that as well."
Fitz sat down on the couch and took a deep breath, "I'm going shopping with you guys because those are my kids too."
His mother sipped her coffee and secretly smiled, "Suite yourself."
X X
They went to several baby boutiques in the area. Fitz graciously drove them around wherever they wanted to go. He pushed the shopping cart and held bags when needed. He offered his opinion on various things even when he felt like it didn't matter. He remembered what his mother told him after he left her at the doctor's office, "She knows that you are there."
He let her know that he was there. He would periodically rub her back which he knew she loved because she never told him to stop. He would escort her to the restroom and wait for her outside whenever she had to go which was often. He played the perfect husband and father-to-be.
After walking up and down the mall, Liv's exhaustion started to take over. She sat down on the bench by food court. Fitz massaged her shoulder while his mother went into one last store.
He saw how tired she looked, "Are you okay?"
She nodded her head, "Yeah, I am fine. A little tired but other than that, I am fine."
He looked to see if his mother was coming out of the store, "I can go tell her to hurry up if you'd like."
She shook her head, "No, let her do what she wants. This has helped take her mind off of your father for a few hours. She just needed a little retail therapy."
He looked at her as she leaned slightly back and closed her eyes, "What do you need?"
Speaking softly, "This weekend isn't about me and my needs. This was about you and your mother dealing with what this weekend represents. After we take her home and we leave for home ourselves then maybe I can think about my needs or wants. Right now none of that matters."
He took her hand, "It always matters to me."
"No it doesn't, Fitz. If what I wanted or needed mattered to you then you wouldn't have left last night because I needed you. I wanted you. I have always wanted and needed you. I feel like there is a small corner of your heart that you won't let me in. You are keeping a piece of you away from me and I can't deal with that. I want all of you or none of you."
He kissed her hand, "You have all of me, okay. You are my world. I haven't had anyone care and love me like you have. I am used to taking care of other people and worrying about their feelings that I don't think about mine. When I do, I get scared and run. I just needed some time to think."
"You could have done that without leaving. I was up all night worrying and wondering where you were or who you were doing."
He kissed her jaw, "I know and I hate myself for putting you and our babies through that. But I'm trying really hard. It's like we learned in church that we will fall down plenty of times but as long as we get up and continue to fight then that's what matters. I am trying to get back up because I never want to see the look you had on your face this morning. I never want to spend a night away from my family if I don't have to. I'm sorry and I will try to think before I act. Please bear with me because I am a work in progress."
She looked him in the eyes so that he would know that she was serious, "The next time you decide to stay out all night and not come home, don't worry about ever coming back because you won't have a home to come back to. Do I make myself clear?"
In a somber tone, "Crystal. I promise that will never happen again."
The corners of her mouth twitched into a smile, "It better not. Next time, I won't be this nice."
He laughed, "Wow, if this is nice then I definitely don't want to see what next time will be like."
Pulling his shirt towards her, "Yeah, yeah. You haven't kissed me all day."
They shared a quick kiss as his mother finally emerged from the store, "Okay, lovebirds, I am ready to go. I think I have overspent on my babies already and they aren't even here."
Fitz pulled Liv up to stand, "Nonsense. The more the merrier. Just want until they are old enough to walk, I am shipping them to you so they can tear up everything I wasn't allow to touch."
She hit him, "You are such a big baby. My grandkids can do whatever they want at Nana's house."
Fitz grabbed the bags as they walked out the mall, "I swear it's getting lonely back here on the backburner."
Liv laughed the loudest at their inside joke.
X X
Around 6 pm, after getting his mom settled and packing all of the boxes his mother purchased in the car, Fitz and Liv got in the car to head back home. Before hitting the highway, Fitz decided to make an impromptu stop. It was still daylight and Fitz wanted to go while he still had the nerve. Liv was shocked when they turned into the cemetery where his father was buried. This was the first time Fitz had been there without his mother. The car came to a stop and he got out. Liv didn't move because she wasn't sure what to do. She was going to let him have his moment and go at his own pace. It shocked her when he came around and opened her car door.
Together, holding hands, they walked towards his father's gravesite. When they reached it, they stood side by side looking at his headstone. Fitz gripped her hand tighter as if he was gathering his courage from her. When he couldn't stand strong anymore, he dropped to his knees and completely broke down. Liv managed to get down on her knees with him and allowed him to cry on her shoulder. She held onto him and gave him assurance that everything was going to be okay. He cried for a few minutes before being able to regain his composure.
He stood up then helped to pull her up beside him. After dusting the dirt off of both of them, he spoke to her in a soft voice, "I'm sorry about everything. I'm sorry you had to see me cry like this."
She put her hand on his cheek, "You never have to apologize for crying in front of me. I don't see this as a moment of weakness. I see this as a moment of strength. It took courage for you to come here. These emotions have been bottled up inside of you for so long and they needed to come out. So don't ever apologize for letting me love all of you."
He kissed her forehead as he grabbed her by the waist, "I really don't know what to do. I feel like I should talk to him but I don't want to look stupid talking to grave."
She put her arms around him with her baby bump in between them, "Just talk to him as if he was sitting in front of you. There is nothing stupid about it. This is all in the process of grieving and healing. Tell him what's in your heart. There is no right or wrong. I can wait in the car if you feel better doing it alone."
He tightened his grip on her, "No, I need you. You are the only person that knows what I'm going through right now. Can you just stand here with me?"
She kissed his cheek, "For better or worse, remember?"
He smiled at her then turned his attention to the headstone with his father's name. He cleared his throat, "Um-Hey dad. It's me, Fitz. Well you probably know it's me. I'm sorry that I haven't visited you, but I want you to know that I kept my promise. I am taking care of Mom. She is doing better. She has her good days and bad days. She misses you a lot but she is strong. It was touch and go at first with her. She has some spark back in her life and she is doing what you told her to. She is living her life to its fullest."
He paused looking at Liv and then turned back to his father, "This is my wife, Olivia. I know it's hard to believe that I got married. I remember that time we were driving in the truck together going fishing and you said we had to be back by one because Mom wanted you to do something for her. I told you that I was never going to get married. No woman was going to tell me what to do. You told me to just wait until I meet the right woman. I remembered thinking that you were crazy but you were right. She is the right woman. I have done some bonehead things and she is still with me. Either she truly loves me or she is crazy. Ow." Liv pinched his side causing both of them to laugh.
"Ok, I guess she loves me. We are having twins. Faith and Fitzgerald are their names. Mom has gone overboard with the shopping for them but it makes her happy so that makes me happy." He started getting emotional and Liv tightened her hold on him, "I wish you were here to meet them. I have no doubt that you would spoil them to. But I know this was all a part of God's plan for my life. It just doesn't stop it from hurting."
He wiped his eyes, "Well, I need to get my wife back home so that she can rest. I promise that I won't wait another year to come back here. From now on my goal is to be a better husband, a better son, a better father and a better man because you taught me how to be all of those things. I won't let you down."
He looked down at Liv as she looked up at him. She gave him a kiss on the lips, "I'm proud of you."
They walked back to the car and finally got on the highway headed back to the city. Liv wasted no time falling asleep. Her body fought the exhaustion for as long as it could. Fitz woke her up as they pulled in front of the apartment. He carried the boxes and luggage upstairs. They opened the door to find Abby sitting on the couch eating ice cream watching a chick flick. Liv had told her that she could stay there after she left Stephen. Abby promised to only stay for at least a week until she found her an apartment.
Liv joined Abby on the couch consoling her friend. Fitz made a few more trips to the car before finally parking it in the parking garage. When he came back upstairs, he told Liv he was going to take a shower. She and Abby talked about what happened when she confronted Stephen. Of course he denied it. After she revealed her source, the look on his face gave her all the information she needed. She packed what she could and trashed his place in the process then left. He has been calling her nonstop asking to talk but she told him that she was done.
When Fitz got out the shower, he stayed in the bedroom. Liv told Abby goodnight as she joined Fitz in the bedroom. They both were mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted.
They climbed into bed and held each other as if the other person was the source of oxygen needed to breathe. Liv kissed his chest, "Are you okay?"
He sighed, "Yeah, I'm fine. I got my wife in my arms. Nothing else matters right now."
She mumbled into his chest, "Stephen is probably going to call you soon."
Rubbing her arms, "He already did. He wasn't happy with me and I wasn't happy with him. I told him that I have my own problems and didn't really care about his." He kissed her head, "I don't want to talk about Stephen or Abby or anyone else that has nothing to do with you and me."
She nodded, "Okay. What do you want to talk about?"
He spoke with a concern tone, "How is your back feeling? Does it hurt?"
She shook her head no, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
He knew she was not being truthful because she avoided looking at him. He grabbed her chin and raised her head to make eye contact, "Be real with me. If you are hurting, then I want you to tell me. Where is your back hurting you?"
Speaking softly, "In my lower part."
Moving out of her hold, "Turn on your side." He reached into the nightstand and pulled out some massage cream he had bought for her. He sat up and rubbed some on his hands then he proceeded to massage her lower back. His hands felt like magic as they kneaded her sore areas.
She moaned, "God that feels good."
His voice was deep, "I'm glad you are enjoying it. You deserve to be pampered especially after everything I put you through."
She groaned, "Baby, will you stop beating yourself up? I forgave you okay. Let's move past it."
Continuing to massage her, "I am going to book you a pregnancy massage this week and order one of those body pillows. I read that they will help you sleep comfortably."
Moaning in ecstasy, "You are all the body pillow I need."
He chuckled, "I know but I would feel better if you had a backup because I am not here during the day. I want you to rest as much as possible."
"Yes dear."
After massaging her a few more minutes, he stopped, "Okay. Kick counts!"
She laughed as she rolled over in position, "This is your favorite part of the day isn't it."
Rubbing his hands excitedly, "Yes it is. Okay, so who is first?"
She threw a hand up shaking her head, "I don't know which is which. They have been moving all weekend. I think one is on the side or something."
He put his hand on her stomach, "Okay, let's see if we can get them to move for daddy." He poked her stomach causing both of them to move. After completing their counts, they laid down in the spoon position with Fitz hand over her stomach.
Liv could tell by his breathing that he was deep in thought. She stroked his hand over her belly, "What's on your mind?"
He sighed in her ear, "Do you remember the exact moment that your life got turned upside down?"
Liv paused for a moment before she spoke in a somber tone, "I remember it like it was yesterday. I was in the 8th grade. We were living in France at the time. I was in Calculus class learning the basic derivatives rules when the principal came to get me out of class. I walked to the Counselor's office where two uniformed guys were waiting for me. I knew then that something bad had happened. It felt like all the blood had drained from my body. I remember them telling me that my mother was dead. She died instantly. She didn't feel any pain. I remember them telling me that my father was shot in the chest and he was in critical condition. After that, I couldn't tell you what they said to me."
He rubbed patterns on her stomach, "Did you get to see your mother and father?"
She nodded her head, "Yeah, they were both flown back to France after my father was stabilized. I got to see my mother when she was in the casket. She really didn't look like the person I remembered. They took me to see my father in the hospital but the minute I saw his eyes; I knew he was no longer the father I remembered. I knew then that I had lost both of my parents. After a week, all of our belongings were packed up and we flew to Connecticut. We buried my mother and settled into a house. My father refused to admit that he needed help to cope with my mother's death. I didn't push him. I let him grieve in his own way mainly because I was angry at him for not protecting her. So to answer your question, I definitely remember the exact moment my life got turned upside down."
He blew his breath through his teeth, "My moment was after I left the city to go home. I got a call that father was in the hospital and I needed to come home. I thought he had pneumonia or bronchitis because of his asthma. I figured I would go and check on him. They would say he has to stay a couple of days then he would be good as knew. I was more focused on hoping I would make it back in time to go to some stupid party with Stephen. But when I got to the hospital and saw him, I need it was serious. It felt like all of the air had been sucked out of my lungs when he told me he had stage 4 colon cancer. I thought my father was a superhero. I thought he was invincible. He was my father and he was tougher than anybody I knew. It was in that moment that everything changed for me. He didn't want to die in the hospital. He wanted to die at home. So we took him home. He got private care but I stayed there to help take care of him. He had got too heavy for my mother to lift so I had to help lift him and move him around. He lost weight and slowly the man I knew as my father disappeared before my eyes. We talked sometimes late into the night. He told me about life. He made me promise not to waste my life waiting for the perfect time to live my life. He felt like that's what he did and that was his one biggest regret. He told me that his greatest accomplishment was being my father. That was my moment life as I knew it ceased to exist."
She turned to face him and cupped his face, "Do you want to know the moment when my life turned right side up?"
He nodded his head yeah.
She smiled, "When I walked into Stephen's apartment and saw my handsome future husband getting something out of the refrigerator."
He chuckled, "Well, what do you know, Mrs. Grant? When I turned around and saw you standing there looking at me, everything definitely changed for the better for me."
She pulled him into a kiss. Pecking his lips softly, "You are my world."
Kissing her back, "You are my life. I love you so much."
"I love you too baby."
They shared a slow sensual kiss then she turned back into the spooning position and they both went to sleep. Both grateful to have the other one in their life.
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