Fitz sat in his mother's kitchen trying to calm her down. The tone of her voice was upsetting Karen.
"I want to go over there and have a talk with Olivia. How dare she not allow you to take your child to her great grandmother's 100th birthday party."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Karen is your child!"
"Olivia is her mom."
"I don't care what any adoption paperwork says. Karen belongs to you and the woman that brought her into this world. You should thank Olivia for taking care of Karen and move Karen into your home. She belongs with her family. Not Olivia."
"Stop saying mean things about my mom."
"I'm sorry. I'm upset with Olivia."
"Why?"
"She doesn't want you to go to Scotland for the party."
"I don't want to go far away without mom."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm scared."
"You don't ever have to be scared with me Karen. Mom, we're going to leave now. It's getting late, and Olivia will call me if I don't bring Karen home before dark."
When they were in the car, Karen was quieter than usual. She wasn't laughing or asking for anything.
"Are you okay?"
"I want mom."
"I'm taking you home."
"Am I going home with mom?"
"Yes, do you want to live with me?"
"No, I want mom."
"You're overwhelmed with everything. I understand."
"What does that word mean?"
Fitz didn't answer Karen's question. For the first time since finding out about her existence, he was thinking that Olivia might be right. Maybe he was moving too fast. He was ready for Karen to meet their family in Scotland, but maybe it was too soon. She was only six years old, and she had only been away from Olivia for the one day she was in the hospital.
"Do you want me to read Goodnight Moon?"
"Why doesn't mom read to me anymore?"
"The baby makes her tired."
"Mom doesn't like me anymore. She's getting a new baby."
"The new baby can't replace you."
"Then why am I getting a new grandma and a dad? I'm not going to have a mom anymore when the baby gets here?"
"You will still have Olivia. She's not going anywhere."
"Will the baby be brown or peach?"
"I don't know yet. Maybe the baby will be yellow like Big Bird."
Karen laughed, "The baby won't have feathers."
Fitz was happy to get a smile from Karen. He would have to talk with Olivia. Karen didn't understand her pregnancy fatigue. His mom and grandma would be upset that Karen wouldn't be flying to Scotland, but they could slowly get to know her. He wasn't going anywhere for longer than a week. He was going to be a good dad. Even if that meant taking a step back and letting Olivia take the lead.