The holidays had rolled around and even though Parisians did not celebrate Thanksgiving. The Pope Grant household did and James was their special guest this year, even though he always came every year. But this was going to be special because it was going to be the first year as a family that they would be celebrating. Olivia had told James about everything that had happened since the interview with Teddy. James was looking forward to seeing everyone and his grandson, and to see how he has blossomed as a now three-year-old.
Olivia picked up James from the airport and they drove back to her apartment.
"How are things with you and Fitz, mon ami?"
"Things have progressed and I can really say that I've forgiven him. That's not to say that I haven't forgotten. That part of me I would like to let go of."
"Have you spoken to Fitz about how you feel?"
"No. We have been getting along so well that I really don't want to make waves for us. I want us to move forward."
"Telling your partner how you think or feel should never be suppressed. It's part of being a couple. How is he suppose to allay your fears if you don't' tell him what they are?"
"I know, I know. I just don't want to break the magic that is us. I know that sounds childish, but everything is really good."
They stopped at a light.
"Olivia, life is not a fairy tale. It's messy and ugly at times and the only way you two are going to survive is to allow each other to know who you truly are and not hiding how you feel. You told me that he said you allowed him to see his true self. Now it's time to let him see you."
Olivia and James drove home in silence not in anger but in thought. James was right and she was going to have to break the bubble and allow them to be who they truly are to each other, good or bad.
Gabe was so happy to see Grandpa James that they felt like he would jump out of his little body with joy. Gabe was like his shadow. James could not move without Gabe in his tracks. This gave Olivia an idea.
"James I forgot a few ingredients for our meal tonight and of course some more wine. Fitz and I are going to walk down to our market for a little bit, is it ok that I leave Gabe with you?"
"Are you kidding? I would love to have kiddo all to myself. Go, go! We will be ok."
Olivia put on her coat as well as Fitz. Fitz knew they had everything they needed for tonight, but he felt she really needed to talk to him. As they got down on the street. Fitz grabbed her hand and gave it a little squeeze in assurance.
"I needed to talk to you about something Jame said to me in the car."
Fitz shook his head and lead her over to one of the many benches in their neighborhood.
"Fitz, I'm ready to take the next step with you, but I need to let you know how I'm feeling and why I've been reluctant to fully make that move."
"I know, I could feel you holding something back, but I wanted you to get to it on your own. I'm not going anywhere."
Olivia kissed him sweetly.
"When I told you that I'd forgiven you, that part was true. But in reality, I'm still holding on to the memory of how you hurt me and I think that is what's keeping me from fully committing to us again."
Fitz took her hands in his and looked in her eyes.
"Is this what you and James talked about in the car?"
Olivia shook her head yes.
"I'm glad, I'm assuming he told you to talk to me about it. Let me ask you a few questions first."
"OK."
"Do you think I'm the same man you met three years ago?"
"Part of you is, but a lot is new to me. I felt like you only showed parts of yourself and my gut was telling me that you weren't fully telling me the truth at the time."
"What does your gut tell you now?"
Olivia thought for a minute.
"It tells me your a great father and you love that little boy to death. That for the first time, I'm actually seeing Fitz fully formed as his own person. That you love me with an intensity that I've never felt before and if I would allow us to truly commit to one another that I would not be disappointed."
"Kinda answered your own questions hasn't it? I love you Olivia and if you will have me, I want to be your husband. I want a lifetime with you. I'm not perfect and I will disappoint you again, probably not as big as before, but I'm human and there are no fairytales here. It's just us and our beautiful baby boy and hopefully more of those to come."
He grinned.
"How about we take a walk to your favorite grocery store so Gabe won't be so suspicious about our whereabouts so you can take in all we've said today."
"Sounds like a plan."
It took them about forty-five minutes to get to the store and back and get dinner ready. They all had a great time around the table laughing and catching up on their lives. James announced that he was seeing someone by the name of Michael and that he was aware that Cyrus had been the love of his life and that he was still getting over him, but he was OK with moving slow.
The visit with James had been so beneficial to all of them that they were sad that Thanksgiving week had come and gone and they were trying to decide what they wanted to do for Christmas and New Year's Eve.
On the last possible day to decide where to go, they sat down on a Saturday and talked it out.
"Liv, how about we take Gabe home to Connecticut to meet my family. The best part, Gabe will get to meet his cousins and play in the snow. What do you think?"
Olivia was a little apprehensive to go to Connecticut due to the last time she was there and what happened, but it was time for her and Gabe to stop hiding and integrate into the Grant clan. After all, Gabe was a Grant.
Olivia looked at Fitz then Gabe. "Let's do it."
Gabe stood up in his chair and yelled and jumped a little with his hand over his head. Gabe was very social and he liked the idea of other kids that he was related to, plus his Daddy had told him a lot of stories about how he grew up.
So this was the first real big trip for Gabe and he was so excited. Fitz let his family know they were coming for the holidays. Everyone was so excited to finally meet Olivia and Gabe. But first, they had to experience traveling with a small child. On the day of travel, Olivia came out from the bedroom to find Fitz looking like a pack mule with a backpack his laptop bag and a snack bag for Gabe. She started laughing.
"Fitz! Do you really think we need all that stuff?"
"Olivia, it's better to be prepared than not. I have the laptop with Gabe's movies downloaded, a few extra clothes if we have an accident and some of his favorite snacks."
"OK, but I don't think he will make that much of a mess and there will be snacks on the plane and a meal."
"True, but you've eaten plane snacks and they are small and very artificial. At least my snacks are healthy and won't have him bouncing off the plane walls. Plus you know we are going to get the side-eye in first-class, to begin with."
Olivia threw up her hands and said ok.
Much to Olivia's ego, Fitz was right. The movies on the plane didn't pique Gabe's interest and the snacks were not that great or healthy. Since Gabe was not hopped up on sugar he took a nap after he watched one of his favorite movies. When they were getting off the plane everyone was complimenting Olivia about how good Gabe had been. Fitz winked at her sitting in the aisle seat across from them.
After they finally made it through customs and headed toward baggage claim, coming down the escalator they saw someone very familiar smiling at them.
"Teddy!" Fitz yelled. Everyone turned around just in time to see the identical twins hug each other. Fitz had Gabe in his arms and he just looked back and forth to his father and Uncle.
"Say Hi to your Uncle Ted."
Gabe just put his head on his father's shoulder and looked at Ted. Teddy smiled.
"Hi, Gabe. I know you're confused but it sure is nice to me you bud."
Gabe smiled and said hi.
Teddy turned toward Olivia and gave her a big hug. He whispered in her ear, "thank you for giving my brother another chance. I owe you one."
Olivia pulled back and said, "no I owe you one for encouraging me. We both could have lost a lot by not taking that chance."
Teddy smiled. Then clapped his hands together.
"Alright guys, let's get the bags and get to the car. By the look of all this stuff, my brother already has, you may have to stand out on the curb and I'll go get the car."
"Sounds like a plan Ted. Help me pull our bags off." Fitz gave Gabe to Olivia.
"Hey baby, are you scared of your uncle Ted?"
"No, but he looks like my Daddy."
"I know, kinda weird, huh?"
"Yep."
"Are you looking forward to meeting your cousins?"
"Yep."
"Are you going to say yep to everything?" As she tickled him a bit.
"Nooooooo Mommy!"
They moved over to a little bench and waited for Fitz and Teddy to come back. After they got everything in the car they drove out of the airport and you could hear Gabe oohing and ahhing all the way to the house. They finally pulled up to a huge gate with a G on it and Teddy let his window down and punched in a few numbers and the gate started to open. From his booster seat, Gabe's eyes got really big.
He squealed, "Mommy did you see the big gate open!"
Everyone laughed at his excitement.
"Yes, baby I saw it."
The main house sat at least a half-mile from the gate. Teddy told them that his parents and everyone were at the main house. They would be staying in the cottage down the other side of the property. The same one Fitz stayed in the last time Olivia was there. He was going to drop them off, put their bags in the cottage and then join them at the house. Fitz got out first and opened the door for Olivia and then got Gabe out of his seat. He put him on his hip.
"You ready to meet everyone?"
"No, but we can't run now." He laughed and took her hand as the walked up the stairs.
Don't kill me, but this chapter was getting too big.
