Sunlight filtering through the curtains, and the smell of bacon and eggs, greeted Olivia when she opened her eyes. It took a few seconds for her to realize she was in Fitz home. There was a tray on the nightstand with a glass of orange juice. She sat up and looked around. Fitz was standing next to the window. Was this how she was going to start every morning? Her clothes were still in a chair.
"You are gorgeous."
Olivia didn't have a mirror, but she knew she wasn't presentable for anyone. She didn't wrap her hair, and she needed soap, and a toothbrush. Fitz was waiting for her to move from under the sheet. He wasn't getting sex. Seeing her so bare in the morning was a treat for him.
"I need to go home."
"Your food is still hot."
"I don't eat breakfast this early."
"You can't take your pills with an empty stomach."
"I'm fine. I need my phone. Did Mila call?"
"No, why would she call when she knows we're together?"
"Bring me my phone."
"Get up and get it."
Olivia looked at her purse and clothes in the chair next to the window. He wanted her to walk to him.
"Do you want me to come to you?"
She laughed softly and fell backwards on the pillow. "You don't give up."
"Livvie, why are you really afraid...You said because you think it will hurt, but it has to be more than that."
"I had sex once, and I hated it. I think I'm asexual."
"It was at a party?"
"A cramped closet. It was dark, we were drunk, and I was pregnant four weeks later. My whole life fell apart when I had sex. The guy refused to speak to me. I couldn't go through with the abortion. I lost everything. My mom told me I couldn't come back to her house. I lost my friends. I couldn't balance my classes and OBGYN appointments. My grades dropped. I was depressed for a long time. I had Mila alone. No baby shower, colic, teething. I didn't have anyone."
Olivia took a deep breath to hold back tears. "I called myself stupid every day, and I promised myself I wouldn't get pregnant again. I found a job cleaning houses, and I could bring Mila to work. I was able to sign Mila up for daycare after working a few months. I started working as a secretary in the day, and I took Mila to my night classes. I could only afford to attend part time. I finished my degree and moved to DC. I know I don't have a reason to be afraid anymore."
"I will never hurt you."
"I tried really hard to balance work and being a mom." Olivia shrugged, "I hope I succeeded at that. I gave up a lot for Mila."
"I'm sure Mila is very proud of you. I wish I could say the same thing about Karen. I let her raise herself when she started high school. I would call and ask if she was coming home, and I told her to be safe. For me, money was never the problem. I was always missing something. I never felt good enough for anyone. I was given everything out of pity."
"You are good enough for me. I'm here with you."
"I'm seeing a therapist with Karen. We are healing together."
"I want to talk to Karen. I want her to know that I wanted to be there for her 18th birthday."
"She's 19."
"Okay."
"Are you going to eat your bacon?"
"Do you want it?"
"You can have it."
"I hope you don't mind grocery shopping with me today."
"No, you cooked breakfast. I can cook dinner."
Fitz smiled, chewing the bacon. Olivia didn't think about his reaction to her next move. She put his face between her hands and leaned forward for a kiss. He wasn't expecting that, and he almost choked.
"I taste better than bacon."
She let him go and fell backwards again kicking the sheet off her legs. Olivia raised one leg and put it over his shoulder.
"Do you want me?"
That was it. He lowered his head and closed his eyes. He wanted his Livvie. The second his lips kissed her softly Olivia moved backwards and pushed his head.
"Wow, that is really sensitive."
He followed her movements until she was backed against the headboard and couldn't move away from his mouth. Olivia moaned loudly and squirmed trying to get away from his wet tongue. Fitz held onto her hips pushing them downward. It took less than a minute for her to throw her head back and let out a loud scream.
"Please stop. I can't take it!"
Fitz smiled and let out a soft laugh. He came up for a kiss. "Do you want this again later today?"
"Yes."
XXXX
Fitz let Olivia lead the way into her house. Olivia couldn't hide her embarrassment when she saw Mila snoring at the kitchen table in a hoodie and sweatpants. A pizza box and textbooks were on the table. She dropped a book to get her attention.
"I'll have it in your office before noon."
Mila lifted her head and opened her eyes. She looked around and realized she wasn't on campus."
"When was the last time you went to sleep?"
"What's today?"
"Saturday."
"Thursday."
"You need to get some sleep."
"I am sleeping."
"Not in my kitchen."
"I have to finish this assignment today."
"Get some sleep, and you can work on it later."
"I'm going to the movies. I can't be here all day sleeping and doing this assignment."
"Stay here or you're grounded."
"You can't boss me around. We're all adults here."
"Do what your mother says or you won't get your allowance next month."
"Okay whatever." Mila put the books in her backpack.
"Clean up this junk before you leave the kitchen."
"Fine I'll take the pizza box to the garbage. Are you still going to help me get an apartment today?"
"That will have to wait until next weekend."
"You promised."
"Are you 18 or 8?"
Mila didn't give Olivia a response.
"Crumbs on my table and dishes in the sink. This is embarrassing. We've been having the same conversation for 10 years. How many times do I have to say Mila clean up after yourself?"
Olivia dried her hands on a dish towel. "At least I'm not tripping over Legos anymore."
Fitz laughed.
"Seriously I was so tired of the Lego forts all over my house. And the Barbie dream house. And the Barbie pool party that flooded my kitchen."
Olivia flipped through the rental application and smiled at Fitz. "I guess I don't have much to complain about. They grow up so fast."
Mila came back into the kitchen and grabbed her backpack again.
"Wait. I need to talk to you."
"What do you have to complain about now Mom?"
"Are you okay with me not being here every day?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm moving in with Fitz."
"Wow okay. Does that mean you're giving me the house?!"
"No, it means I won't be here every day. You should be okay with that because you'll have your own apartment."
"You are always welcome at my house Mila." Fitz said.
"Alright. This is cool. I'm going to have my apartment and this whole house to myself. That's awesome."
"That doesn't mean you can have parties at this house. You can invite your friends to your apartment. I don't want anyone hanging out here."
"Okay I can agree with that."
"Thank you."
Mila left the kitchen with a smile. Olivia wrapped her arms around Fitz neck and stood on her tippy toes for a kiss. "Now you can read a book or watch TV. I'm going to shower and then we can start packing."
"I like the sound of that. Can I join you?"
"Not yet."
Olivia smiled and broke their hug when someone rang the doorbell. "It's probably one of Mila's friends. No company today. She needs to finish that assignment."
Olivia looked out the window. She didn't recognize the car in the driveway.
"I'll get the door. You can go upstairs and wait for me." Fitz said.
"Okay."
Fitz wasn't expecting to find an elegantly dressed woman on the other side of the door. She was not a friend of Mila's.
"Hello, does Olivia Pope live here?"
"Yes, and you are?"
"Maya. Can you give her this."
"Are you a friend? You can come in and wait for Olivia."
"I'd rather wait at my hotel. This is an invitation to my wedding. I hope she accepts it."
"Okay, I'll make sure she gets it."
"Thank you mister?"
"Fitzgerald Grant."
"Nice to meet you. Looks like Olivia has done very well for herself. I'm proud of her."
"Excuse me what's your last name?"
"Pope. Maya Pope."
"Who's at the door?" Mila yelled.
She ran back down the steps expecting to see a friend. Her face dropped when she saw the woman standing outside.
"Oh shit please tell me you're not someone from admin. I did not plagiarize anything."
"She's here to see Olivia."
"Really? My mom doesn't have any friends. Who the hell are you?"
"You must be Mila."
"Okay, you know who I am so why are you here?"
"I'm here to see my child."
Mila looked at Fitz confused. "What the fuck is she talking about?"
"Can you please stop talking like you were raised by a drunken sailor. You are worse than Olivia."
"Mila send your friend home!"
Olivia didn't want to keep Fitz waiting. So she took a quick shower and walked in her huge closet with a toothbrush in her hand. It was much shorter than her usual morning routine. She could hear Mila talking loudly to someone.
"Mom someone is at the door for you!"
"Who's here to see me?"
It didn't take long for Olivia to put on jeans and a sweater. She was expecting to see one of her co-workers. It was nice to know that someone besides Steven wanted to make sure she was okay after not coming to the office for a month.
Olivia joined Fitz and Mila at the door, and her smile faded.
"Mom?"
"Hello Livvie."
"Are you fucking serious? This is your mom."
"Yes, this is my mom. You're really here."
"It's good to see you again. I missed you."
Olivia's lip trembled. She was overwhelmed with emotion. "Are you staying in DC?"
"I am moving here."
"Wow."
"Oh hell no. You can't throw my mom out and show up 18 years later and want to be friends."
"Mila stop talking. Please stay with me for a few hours. I really want you here."
"That sounds like a great idea. Mila and I are going to lunch. I'm sure you and Olivia have a lot of catching up to do."
"I'm not going anywhere Daddy Warbucks. I'm supposed to be sleeping and studying."
"Let's go Mila or you won't get an allowance next month."
"Thank you." Olivia said to Fitz.
"Your happiness will always be my priority." Fitz said kissing her on the cheek.
"You have a lovely home. I wish I could say the same thing about your child."
"Mila is very outspoken."
"Why does she talk like that around you?"
Olivia shrugged her shoulders. "That's how we talk to each other."
"I'm not here to criticize your parenting. I'm here because I miss you and I owe you an apology. I should have never threw you out. I want you to know that."
"Thank you."
"I'm also here to give you an invitation to my wedding."
"You're getting married?"
"Yes."
"Congratulations."
"Is Fitz your husband?"
"Yes, we are married."
"I'm happy for you Livvie."
"I want you to have my number, so we can talk more often. I really have to get back to the hotel. I have a meeting with the wedding planner."
Olivia quickly jotted her phone number on a notepad.
Maya texted her phone number to Olivia. "I don't know if you still have my number."
Olivia smiled "This is the same number I have in my phone for you."
"I thought you erased me from your contacts."
"No, I was hoping you would call one day. My husband and I will be at your wedding, and I'm bringing Mila. I'll make sure that her language isn't so crude around you."
"Thank you Livvie."
"Wait, before you go. I need to know how you've been for the last 18 years besides getting married. Do I have any siblings? Are you still a teacher?"
"I am still teaching. I don't teach high school anymore. I earned another degree in my field when you moved out. I was offered a teaching job at GWU. That's why I'm moving here. You don't have any siblings. You were enough for me."
"Okay, I'll call you in a few hours. If that's okay with you."
"I'll be waiting for your call Livvie."
XXXX
"I bought a wedding gift for your mom."
"What is this?"
Olivia opened the gift bag. "A poop emoji."
"She's full of shit."
"You can't give this to my mom. She's not like me. This will not be funny."
"It's not sarcasm. You are being too kind."
"I want her here with me."
"Would you throw me out and stop speaking to me if I got pregnant right now?"
"Why are you asking me that? Are you pregnant?"
"Nope, are you?"
"No."
"Good."
"Why are you being so hostile?"
"Because I don't want her to hurt you twice."
"I can take care of myself."
"I don't think you should give her so many of your emotions. Let her prove herself. My standards are high. I can thank my mom for that."
Olivia smiled at the backhanded compliment. "You should really get some sleep. Your assignment is waiting for you. Fitz and I are going to the grocery store. I'll call you in a few hours."
"She can join us for dinner. Maybe we can invite Karen."
Mila didn't want to be rude to Fitz. He was such a chill guy, and she wanted to keep her problems with Karen out of their marriage.
"No thanks. I'll get something from a restaurant."
"Okay, are you ready Livvie?"
Fitz had spent the last hour packing Olivia's clothes, and her luggage was in his SUV. He left a few things so the closet wouldn't be completely empty. So far, this was the happiest day of his life. They would be together every day.
"Yeah."
"Awww my mom is all grown up with her own life. What am I going to do without you?"
"I'm still going to call you every day. You're not getting rid of me that easily."
"Okay. Take care of my mom Fitz."
"I will. Always."