34 weeks

Olivia messages circles in Fitz's scalp as he lies in her lap. His glossy dark brown curls are becoming long and unruly, she thinks. Fitz is enjoying the pampering, flipping the page of the book he's reading. Since he'd gone back to work, he's continued their ritual of reading to the baby every night. They're old books from his nursery, ones his parents used to read him and Sarah.

"I love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living my baby, you'll be," he recites.

"Fitz, this story is depressing," she complains.

He frowns and closes the hardcover. "How?"

She stops rubbing his head and starts telling him why. "Did you look up the author- he and his wife had two miscarriages. The story is heartwarming, but after reading that fact, that's all I think about when you read it."

Now raising on his elbows, "Oh, well, I'll take it off the shelf." Fitz kisses her belly and drops the book on his night table.

"How was work?"

"It's work, nothing special," he says as he gets up walking to the kitchen. Fitz looks down at the unused potty training pad. He'd already told Olivia coco wouldn't use it. He's accustomed to doing his business outside in a patch of grass or on a red oak tree. Giving his pooch a sympathetic smile, Fitz grabbed the lease and beckoned coco to the elevator.

"Fitz?" Olivia heard the bell chime, but she wanted him to grab a snack from the fridge. She realized he was gone and got up.

Balancing a bowl of chocolate ice cream and a cup of sprite, she made her way back to bed. Setting the treats down before climbing under the blanket, Olivia mixes the odd ingredients and starts munching.

Crinkling his nose in disgust. What the hell was she eating, "What's this?" Fitz asked, looking in the bowl of melting ice cream drowning in lemon-lime soda.

"It's a root beer float without that nasty soda and chocolate ice cream- I hate vanilla." slurping the remnants of the concoction.

"Is that right" with a smug grin plastered on his face.

"shut up," she giggled, handing him the dirty dishes for him to take back to the kitchen.

"Give me a kiss" Olivia gave him a light kiss, unable to resist.

XXX

In the morning, the couple skipped breakfast because it's thanksgiving day, and Abby promised to host. So they're in for a treat. Fitz took full advantage of Olivia's snail pace and took coco for a walk.

She wiggles her toes before stepping onto the scale, Olivia's eyes fill with tears. Stepping off and back on to confirm her weight. Once again, the tiny screen lit up, 185lbs. Rationally she knew it was baby weight, but that didn't stop her from crying. A few minutes later Fitz, brought coco in and gave him some water and food.

Standing in the door frame, Fitz gazed. She'd just gotten out of the shower, the cotton towel wrapped around her plump breast, and her hair was free, the long curls cascading down her shoulder. His pants felt tighter. As he moved closer, he noticed the dried tear stains. "Liv?"

"I'm fat," she said weepily.

Then Fitz looked down at the number, and he grabbed her hands, leading her off the machine. "You're not fat- you're pregnant."

"I'm so hungry...all of the time" Liv leaned her head on his shoulder, and he encircled his arms around her.

"That's normal, and I wouldn't care if you had horns- I would still love you." She giggled, looking at him with tears forming.

"Really?"

"Yes." He nodded and then kissed her forehead "let's get you dressed; I know Maya won't appreciate tardiness."

"Abby says she already there, so we have our answer." Fitz swiped his thumb over her eyes and kissed her deeply.

"No more crying," giving her his signature charmed grin.

Meanwhile, at the Finch residence, Maya and Abigail floated around the kitchen diligently. They were preparing staple meals that hold traditions in each other's cultures. Maya smile proud at Abby, watching her clean and season the greens.

Being in the kitchen with Maya Pope is nothing new to Abigail. It's where her love of cooking was born. Every Saturday, when Olivia was down in the basement with Eli, Maya and Abby would be making treats for everyone. And like today, Harrison would be on the couch, waiting for the spread.

"I thought you and Stephen would be expecting," Maya says, out of the blue.

Abby pauses, looking at her second mother "yeah, me too, maybe in a year or so. Although he's ready now," resuming her movements.

"Don't rush it, baby," she said endearingly.

"Thank you" her mother hadn't even offered that advice. She sided with Stephen, using the old wives tale "the clock is ticking."

"I didn't think I would have to tell Livia that, but it's no hurry. You guys are twenty-seven- I didn't have Olivia until I was thirty-six. My mother wouldn't have it any other way." Smiling, thinking about her late mother, "she pushed me to get my degree first, but I had Harrison in between and finished just before I got pregnant. But of course, I had Eli- you'll be ready in your own time, and if it never happens, that's okay too."

Abby couldn't stop herself from embracing the wise woman. Extremely grateful to have grown up around her. "Thank you- I love you."

"Oh, you gonna make me cry," she chuckled, tapping Abigail's arm.

Stephen went to get the door; Olivia and Fitz smiled and hugged their friend. Fitz wasn't the only guy in need of a haircut.

"Are you sure you won't give birth today?" a senseless joke made by her annoying brother. Fitz started gesturing behind Olivia for Harrison to cut it out. Until this morning, he didn't realize she was insecure about her weight. "Kidding," Harrison played off, pecking her cheek. "I see you brought mom's arch-nemesis," referring to coco.

"You can put him upstairs or in the backyard. It might be too cold for him," Stephen chimed in.

"Thanks," Liv says, handing Fitz the lease.

"Hey man," The men slapped hands and gave side hugs. Olivia went to find the other ladies.

"Hi mom, Abby," she beamed, waddling across the kitchen. A fresh baked sweet potato pie sitting on the counter attracted her. She broke off a piece of crust and stuck it in her mouth.

"Did you have breakfast, Liv? I made strawberry tarts," Abby says, bringing the platter up to her nose.

Olivia forgot all about her weight crisis this morning and grabbed one, "I need to sit down,"

Abby rounded the counter and touched Olivia's protruding belly. "Where's Sarah?"

Glancing over her shoulder at Fitz, who was settled on the couch watching the thanksgiving football game. Knowing he was occupied, Olivia turned back, "she went to Santa Barbara- Fitz isn't ready to...holidays aren't gonna be the same without his father, so he stayed here."

"He seems better, less stressed," Maya assessed

She nodded. "He's back at work. And he's still seeing Dr. Bradshaw."

"I'm happy for him."

"Me too," Abby says.

Dinner was ready by three O'clock, and the mixed family sat down for a memorable thanksgiving. Regaling the year. Filled with unwavering gratification that they were able to be here today.

By seven-thirty, Olivia was yawning and dosing off on the couch. Fitz and the guys were enjoying beers outside, wondering if Washington would be graced with snow this year. It's a bit early for snow, but it isn't unheard of in November.

Maya stepped onto the patio, "I think you better get Livia home before she falls asleep. You know she sleeps like the dead."

"Right...the baby is claiming all her energy nowadays," Fitz quipped; he poured out the remainder of his beer. And continue inside.

"Fitzgerald," Maya called him over to the kitchen

"Yes,"

"I just wanted to say I'm glad you were here today. Thanksgiving is essential in the Pope home."

Awe, his heart jerked when she revealed that. Olivia was right; she just needed a little time "thanks, Maya, I'm glad too," his grin wide; he excused himself and got coco first and then Olivia.

The group met in the foyer, saying their goodbyes and hugging goodnight. The expecting couple left first while Maya and Harrison stayed and helped to tidy up.

Once Fitz and Liv got home. She was defeated, the day was a success, and the evidence was her deep slumber. Fitz helped undress and redress her in pajamas. Before he got relaxed, he took coco out one last time then turned in for the night.

35 Weeks

The popes didn't bother Black Friday shopping, and the grants never had time. Their schedules wouldn't allow them the tradition. But selecting the perfect Christmas tree was something they both had in common. And this year, they'd be harvesting two trees, one for Abby and Stephen and The penthouse.

The five-some piled into Fitzgerald's Kaikoura stone Range Rover and set out for the adventure. Maya volunteered to stay and prepare lunch for their return. Ten minutes later, the group pulled up to a tree lot, cover in faux snow and rows of trees—a bedecked Christmas tree and stalls selling eatables added to the ambiance.

"Ok, we meet at the netting station," Fitz announced. It wasn't a competition per se but whoever came back with the best tree is the winner. Harrison went with Abby and Stephen.

Fitz was a couple of paces ahead of Olivia, grinning like a starstruck schoolboy. Olivia wasn't complaining, but she hoped he'd find a tree fast, they'd only been at this for five minutes, and her feet were already throbbing.

"Liv?" turning around, Olivia completely disappeared. As their due date crept up on the couple, Fitz found himself more anxious than usual. Fearing she would go into labor when he's at work or like now. "Olivia?"

"Over here," she called from the next row over.

"Did you fall on something? Are you alright?" the questions poured out. Bent down on one knee Fitz examined her.

"I'm fine- I call myself resting on this log, and it rolled from under me," Olivia says, chuckling at her boyfriend's horrified expression.

Abigail's green orbs bludge when she finds the source of Fitz's hollers. "Liv?"

"I'm fine, the baby's fine" He planted his feet firmly and made ready to spring. "Let's go home," Fitz quips. His excitement faded into concern for his pregnant girlfriend. He picks up a random tree, not giving much thought to the bush.

Stephen and Harrison were at the netting booth during the commotion.

"I guess we won," They cheer in unison.

"Only because Olivia fell back there," The redhead says, ruining their victory.

"I didn't fall; I rolled," clarifying.

"Still, you were on the ground," Fitz snaps.

On the way home, they stopped at Target to pick up ornaments. This would their first year decorating a Christmas tree together. This year was full of firsts for the couple.

Overprotective as ever, Fitz decorated the majority of the spruce. She could understand him not wanting her on a ladder, but he even had his qualms with her hanging lights. His reason: she could get tangled up, and it could shock her. By the end of it, Olivia had her feet kicked, watching her big strong man do all the work. While sipping on virgin eggnog.

"Liv, c'mere-hold this" he handed her a baby pink ornament that he picked out special for his suspected baby girl.

"So you're gonna take a picture as if you actually let me help?" She shook her head, smiling, and stood next to the luminous spruce. She was posing with one leg up and leaning to hang the embellishment.

"Yup, say cheese" snapping four or five pictures, Fitz gazed at the love of his life. Entranced in her beauty and she wore pregnancy so well. He couldn't promise that their eldest would have an age gap with the next kid. "Come to me" He reached up and grabbed her by the arms, pulling her up into his lap kissing her hungrily.

It's Thursday afternoon, and it's his first day back since their holiday break. Fitz entered the space, wearing a wide smile. Thanksgiving was eventful, and it wasn't spent sulking about his father. It was filled with laughter, love, and peace. This is the first time he's smiled, and it was genuine.

Dr. Bradshaw prompted Mr. Grant to sit. Today would also be a rather eventful day. "Let's talk about your father," she says. The smile fades, his crystal blues avert, and his jaw clenches tight.

It's been a minute, between school and work. I've been insanely busy. I hope you all enjoy it, and like always, leave a review. have a nice night or day and stay safe.