Everyday is a Winding Road

Olivia pulled the cover to her neck, turning her head and squeezing her eyes shut, trying to tune out the persistent feel of Fitz's kisses. She had stayed up late, going over plans for the cosmetics company she wanted to start and the plans for moving Isabelle to the States. It was well past three in the morning before she had finally crawled into bed beside an already snoring Fitz. Fighting to pop one eye open, she glanced at the alarm clock. 7:45. Groaning, she rolled over onto her stomach and pulled the cover up over her head. Sighing, Fitz stood from the bed and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Isabelle stood in the setting room, putting the finishing touches on her braided hair. She wore a yellow, lace skirt and a white, chiffon blouse. Overall, the outfit was springy and modest although Fitz did frown at the sight of the strappy, brown heels on her feet. His paternal side was already beginning to rear its head. Reaching for the black beret on the sofa, Isabelle pulled it over her head, adjusting her black, large-frame glasses.

"Olivia is still in bed. I'll take you to school."

"What time did she even go to bed?" Isabelle grabbed her black, leather satchel, dangling it against her leg.

"I'm not sure," Fitz admitted, walking toward the door and holding it open for Isabelle. Patting his pockets to make sure he had the room key, he let the door close behind them. Silently, they walked down the hall and to the elevators, riding them down to the lobby. Outside, Fitz held the door of the Rolls-Royce open for her, letting her climb into the back before getting into the passenger seat. After telling the driver where they were headed, Fitz settled into his seat to watch the passing buildings.

"Liv is so happy with you."

Fitz twisted in his seat, glancing behind him at Isabelle. "I'm happy with her."

"Olivia needs that. She needs someone to love her and believe in her." Isabelle was quiet for a moment, staring out the window before whispering, "And not judge her. She needs to be happy."

"I think she is. She's definitely a lot happier now that you're in her life again."

"I don't blame her."

"Huh?"

"I know my sister. She probably blames herself for leaving me, but she won't ever admit it to me because Olivia doesn't talk about what's wrong. She avoids it and buries it until it becomes a problem she can't run from. I don't blame her, though. Olivia isn't very strong. Not when it comes to my parents. She had to leave. For her sanity, she had to leave."

Fitz was silent, mulling over Isabelle's words. When they finally arrived at her school, he spoke as she was exiting the vehicle, "You're a perceptive kid, Isabelle. Olivia's lucky that you're her sister."

"I'm the lucky one," Isabelle asserted, closing the door behind her and waving at Fitz, "I'll see you guys at 4:30."

/

"Did you finally decide to wake up?" Fitz teased, entering the hotel room to find Olivia dressed and picking at a light breakfast of fruit and yogurt.

"Was Isabelle mad?"

"No. It gave us a chance to get to know each other. Now, she might be mad if you skip out on picking her up," Fitz smiled, stopping beside the table and bending to place a soft kiss on her lips.

"I won't miss that," she giggled, "Do you want to go look at the house today? I really hate staying in a hotel."

"I would love to, but I think we should include Isabelle when we go. It's going to be her home, too. Today, I was planning on meeting with the realtor to go over the paperwork for the building we were looking at."

Olivia smiled to herself. He was already thinking of her sister in terms of their future. Pushing what little was left of her breakfast away, she stood from the table. Walking toward the coffee table and grabbing her purse. Slinging it over her shoulder, she turned to Fitz, "I'm ready."

"You're awfully eager," he chuckled.

"This is the beginning of our future. Why wouldn't I be?"

As they walked around the top floor of the skyscraper Fitz had just officially placed a bid for, Olivia excitedly pointed out which room she thought should be used as her office. Fitz laughed as they entered the spacious, airy room. The entire western wall was lined with floor to ceiling glass windows, overlooking the city of Paris. The walls were a stark, clean white - a colour Olivia stated would have to be changed. It was all very modern and fitting for the title he planned on bestowing on her once she was finished with school and working full time with the company. Which reminded him…

"Liv, are you sure this is what you want to do? It's a pretty far cry from working with animals."

Olivia nodded, a bright smile covering her face as she glanced down at the streets. "I've actually been thinking about that. I love my zoology classes and I'm going to keep taking some, but I'm changing my major to business administration. I love this stuff. I didn't think I would, but then I started helping you some and this is what I want to do. Not the scary stuff that you do," Olivia giggled, holding a hand palm out and allowing a faux frightened look to cover her face for a moment, sending Fitz into a fit, "but stuff for women. I want a cosmetics, skincare, and fashion company that can rival the biggest names in the industry. And I want it all to be vegan, cruelty-free, and earth friendly. I want to challenge what businesses do and head a company that can lead us into the future."

Fitz smiled at the passion in her voice. Sure she loved animals and always talked about zoology with a certain degree of passion, but this was new. She believed that she could do this - and he damn well was going to support her in her endeavor. If she believed she could, then she would. He just knew it. Crossing the room to stand by her in front of the windows, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"You're going to be a force to be reckoned with, Livvie."

/

"Can I ask where Isabelle's biological father is?"

Fitz and Olivia sat across from one another at a small table, eating lunch. Olivia glanced up from her plate, fork paused midair.

"Henri is listed as her father on her birth certificate, so the courts aren't going to look elsewhere for a father. As far as they're concerned, Henri is her father. I don't know who her biological father is - I honestly don't even know if my mom knows. She's never talked about him. If he's still alive, I doubt he even knows he has a daughter."

"Would you look for him?"

"Why? I thought you were okay with Isabelle living with us."

Taking a sip of his water, Fitz was quick to clarify his question. "I'm more than happy to welcome Isabelle into our family, Liv. But does she want to meet her father? Does she even know she isn't Henri's?"

"She knows."

"Has she ever mentioned wanting to find him?"

"No," Olivia sighed, placing her fork on her napkin and reaching for her glass of wine, "But if she asks, I'd help her find him."

"You don't think we should try to find him anyway? You saw how much it hurt your dad not to be part of your life. Imagine what this guy is going through. He doesn't even know he has a daughter."

"He might not know he has a daughter. I don't know who he is or what my mother has told him. But, because I know you probably will anyway, you can ask Huck to look for him. Not a word of this to Isabelle though. Not even if you find the guy unless I've met him first."

Fitz nodded, chuckling. She knew him well. Lifting his wrist, he checked the time. They still had four hours before they had to pick Isabelle up from school. His attention was drawn to Olivia when her phone began ringing. Frowning, Olivia reached for the slim device in her purse and glanced at the number, her brows furrowing. Sliding her finger across the screen, she answered.

"Hello?"

"May I speak with Olivia Lewis?"

"This is her."

"Ms. Lewis, my name is Detective Anselme Bellamy. Do you have a moment to speak in person today?"

"What time?"

"1:30?"

"Okay."