"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Olivia. Happy birthday to you" Fitz came in singing, holding a mini chocolate cake.

Olivia was nursing baby Joseph, lying against the pillow looking beautifully exhausted. She's 10 hours postpartum, and it's her 28th birthday. Joseph was the best gift liv could've asked for.

Before Maya left to get some sleep, she braided Liv's hair in two French braids.

She smiled sleepily "awe, thanks, you guys" Harrison was right behind Fitz with burgers from her favorite restaurant. Olivia sat up slightly, winching from her stitches.

"Happy birthday, Lil sis," Harry says

"Thanks, baby."

"No, thank you- for him." Leaning down to kiss her then he placed the cake on the side table.

Joseph stopped suckling, so she buttons her shirt. "We did it together," Olivia said as she put joe over her forearm and patted and rubbed his back, coaxing little burps from him. He was awake, surveying the room. Not even a whole day old, but he was curious about everything.

Joseph burped twice, and Olivia brought him back to her chest and laid him there.

"We got you a bacon burger."

"Oh, give it to me," Olivia says, reaching for it. Harrison replaced the burger with his nephew. He walked around, swaying lightly.

"Fitz, you should eat while Harry's here because we're spending another night here, and we'll have our hands full," she tells him in between bites.

"Yea, I will- how do you feel?" Fitz asked before biting into his burger.

"Better now that he's here. Complete in a way...I can't comprehend how much I love him." Liv says sweetly

"I know the feeling."

"I want one now," Harrison chimes in.

"Not with Kayla," Liv said quickly.

Harrison rolled his eyes, shaking his head. He smirked at Olivia. He was proud of her. She'd come a long way. He doesn't worry about her as much now.

Fitz took a couple of bites of his food, washed his hands, and took joe.

"I think you should slow down before you choke- what kind of cake is this?" Opening the box just a crack, her brother says.

"Chocolate, Liv hates vanilla," Fitz says without looking up. A slight smile on Joseph's pouty lips. It's his dad. He's smiling at Fitz. "I think I just got the first smile," he says proudly, beaming. The nurse explained that he is just flexing his jaw, and it might not necessarily be a smile. However, Fitz ignored that and enjoyed the baby's show affection through his features.

Olivia stopped chewing and twitched her lip at him. She wasn't gonna tell him that while he was out, Joseph was smiling all morning. "He loves his daddy" she stuffed the last bite in her mouth and wiped her hands. "They wanna know if we're going circumcised him." she slipped in casually.

"Woah, Woah, Woah" Fitz and Harrison say in unison, followed by groaning.

Olivia tried not to laugh because of her stitches, but the look on their faces was priceless "what?"

"He's gonna be traumatized," Harrison says, and Fitz was nodding his head, agreeing.

"It's literally so fast- they're literally gonna just pull it up and-" Liv starts explaining but got cut off.

"Please, Liv, I'm gonna be sick" a look of horror on his face as he crossed his legs.

"I'll have the nurse explain the benefits of it, and we'll decide before I'm discharged." She cedes

"Let the boy keep his skin," her brother quips.

"I had a 6-pound baby cut out of me, and you're queasy because of a little skin," scoffing playfully, she laid back with her arms open, welcoming her baby boy into her embrace. "Your daddy and uncle are Scaredy-cats," Liv chuckles, and joe flutters his dark lashes.

Harrison turned to Fitz, and they both frowned. Soon he went home, and it was just Liv and Fitz.

"Hi, Mom and Dad." The nurse greeted with a smile entering the room. "It's bath time for the little one."

"Oh, ok," Olivia hands joe to Fitz.

"I will show you first, and then when you get home, you'll know the process," she tells them. "Although at home he won't need many baths not until he's mobile. So twice a week is more than enough, and it'll ensure his skin doesn't dry out." She explained.

Both nod and Fitz hands the baby to the nurse. She unwraps him and gently washes his face and behind his ears. As she does this, she's explaining everything.

When the nurse started washing his hair, he began crying. Olivia just wanted to pull him away. He didn't cry much, but when he did, her heart sank a little. He cried so hysterically his little body started to shake.

"Give him to me, please," Olivia says, panicked.

The nurse kept washing away "it's normal, but I need to finish." She said nonchalantly.

Fitz wanted to take him and give him to Liv, but the nurse was right. They gave him a few hours to sit in remnants of the amniotic fluid because it contains essential nutrients. And Olivia knew he needed a bath. It's just that her maternal instincts have set in.

"It's okay, baby," Liv coos. She scooted to the edge of the bed to watch the nurse more closely.

"All done." The nurse diapered and swaddled joseph up, then gave him to Olivia. "Have a nice night. I'll be here if you need anything."

"thank you," Fitz says for him and liv.

"I don't like her, and before you say it, I know he needed it. I don't like seeing him in distress."

"I wasn't going to say that, you're his mom, I understand- I didn't like it either," sitting at the foot of her bed, Fitz smiled. Olivia was covering joseph's face in kisses and cooing softly. "I was thinking about taking some time off and staying home with you guys," he announced.

Olivia pulled her shirt down and popped her nipple in joes mouth. The nurse told her to feed him about every two hours. "I would really like that," the corners of her mouth tugging upwards.

"he's so calm. I expected a crier." he brushed his finger across his chubby cheeks.

"I didn't" she shrugged "I wanna ask you something serious, don't laugh, or I'll take it back," giving him a stern look.

"Ok, I won't," he promises.

Olivia looked at him with doe eyes that started to water. "Will you marry me, Fitz?" she asked sincerely. "Can we get married?"

his eyebrows raise with bemusement, then a great big smile forms, Fitz leans forward, kissing her like a starved man. "Yes, I'll marry you," and Olivia throws one of her arms around him without smushing little joe. "Although you should have gotten down on one knee," jokingly, he's been around Harrison too long she thought.

"Never mind, I changed my mind." feigning annoyance Olivia rolls her eyes and pushes his shoulder.

"Kidding, kidding- but are you serious because I'll call the wedding planners right now."

"Yes, I'm serious. Last night when you were keeping me awake, it clicked. I want to be married to you. You guys are my life, and I want to marry you. I don't have to be afraid anymore because this time will be different."

"Did you not think I would purpose again?"

"I wanted to beat you to it." she simpered, feeling pleased with herself.

"Well, I'm glad you did," Fitz said with a yawn as the night caught up with him. He wasn't looking forward to sleeping on that couch another night, though. she would have happily invited him into her bed, but that on-call nurse kept popping in and out, making it clear that only liv should be in bed. So another night of suffering for Fitz.

The next afternoon.

"Knock knock," Mary grant stuck her head in the room. Olivia was up gazing upon her child. Fitz has been knocked out since last night. She's excited to go home, and Fitz will be too. That lousy couch is bound to give him back problems.

"Mary, When did you get here?" Olivia beams, hugging her soon-to-be-mother in law.

"Couple of hours ago, you didn't think I'd miss this?" mary says, equally excited. "May I?"

Olivia smiles "of course," Mary cups her hands under his head and bottom.

Gently swaying, Mary tried blinking back a tear, but it escaped and slid down her cheek. "Fitzgerald is sleeping as if he did all the work." She chuckled, lightening the mood.

"Have you talked to Sarah? She hasn't been by yet?" Olivia reveals.

"I told her I was coming today. She said she'd wait to see the baby and relay her congratulations."

His mother walked over to him and tapped on his legs, waking him up so she could sit down. Fitz sat up straight, still exhausted; he didn't even see his mom sit down.

"Good morning, babe."

"Hello, Fitzgerald"

"Hi, mom," he responded, opening his mouth wide, yawning, "I would have picked you up?"

"It's alright. I went to see Sarah we had breakfast. So what's his name?" She asked.

"We named him Joseph Gerald Tomas Grant," Olivia answers. With knitted brows, Mary turns to Fitz, looking somewhat hurt.

"I thought we were getting a fourth. Your father-"

"We decided that it doesn't fit him," Fitz says, a bit irritant.

"Oh," she utters quietly.

Fitz sighs, "mom, it isn't like that. I want him to have his own name."

Mary stands, placing Joseph in Fitz's last arms. "I have to get going. I'm going to stop by the firm. Congratulations, you guys," she says in a shaky voice.

He would go after her, but it wasn't something she'd get over in a day. So he stayed put. They shared the same sad expression. Then joe coos break the silence.

"We should have told her before-" Olivia began, giving him a sympathetic nod.

"We didn't know until the night before. My mom and sister both have their issues with me. I can't do much about that," he confesses. "But you should get some rest. We'll be going home later.

"Do you want me to take him?"

"No, we're gonna have a little father-son time."

Olivia yawns, "okay."

XXX

Fitz loads the trolly with their belongings. Olivia is sitting in the wheelchair, with Joseph cuddled in the crook of her arm.

"We're going home, bub," Liv says as she tucks the blanket under his chin.

"It's just gonna be us livvie." Fitz realizes.

"I feel like I'm dreaming."

"Want me to pinch you" Fitz chuckled.

Olivia swatted his arm, giggling. "Look, Fitz; he's smiling again."

A proud dad smile spread across his face then the nurse led them out of the hospital.

Her eyes widen as they fell on the dark blue Prius parked in front. It was precisely the one she wanted.

Olivia laughed somewhat nervously. "Fitz, you bought me a car?"

"Yup, it's safer." He answers cheekily

While Olivia safely strapped Joseph into his car seat, Fitz loads the trunk. There's a cloud of anxiety over the new parents. Olivia is snuggled in the back, and Fitz is in the driver's seat. They sat in the loading section of the parking lot for an extra ten minutes. Before Fitz gathered the courage to start the car. The only thing racing through his mind is how bad he wants to get his new family home in one piece. It hadn't occurred to him until now; their lives changed dramatically within 65 hours.

Fifteen minutes later, They're home with the newborn. Fitz decided to leave Coco at the dog hotel an extra day to let Joseph settled in.

She carries the baby to his nursery. "Look, Joseph, this where you're gonna sleep, maybe not tonight because I miss you so much, but someday." She looks down at her tiny baby, and everything inside of her is telling her she needs to protect him with her life. Olivia makes a silent promise to herself and Joseph.

Leaning against the doorway, Fitz pops his head in. Motherhood has come naturally to Olivia; she knows when he's hungry or wet. When he wants to be held, he can't wait to develop a bond with his baby boy.

"I changed the sheets and started washing. I'll start cooking soon- any requests?" He asks

"You choose, I could eat anything at this point. Do you wanna hold joe before his feeding?" Holding the baby out to him, Fitz took Liv's spot in the chair.

"I'm gonna shower" Olivia kissed the top of his head, and then joes. "I'll be quick."

"Take your time; the nurse packed your breast milk in the cooler."

"Ok, cool" as she was leaving, she turned back, "don't forget to warm it up."

Fitz cocks his head, smirking. "Jojo, would I give you cold milk? No, no, I wouldn't" he lowered his head to nuzzle his nose. Joseph gives him a blank stare, which was followed by a loud 'FRAAAP.'

"Aw man, you waited for me to be holding you, huh?" Fitz frowned. "Bubbly butt," he snickered.

Olivia finished her bath. It was refreshing to washing the day off. She didn't spend a long time in the bath, but she took care of herself. Then she met her man and child in the kitchen. Buoyantly floating around the kitchen, with the baby cutely tucked in the crook of his strong arm. She stood there with a proud smile on her face. Fitz recognized she was standing there and shot her a billion-dollar grin before beckoning her to sit.

"Your mother beat me to dinner, looks like she cooked and froze enough for the entire week."

"She's sweet when she wants to be. What's on the menu tonight." Olivia took joe so Fitz could use his other hand. "Why was he crying?" she'd heard his cries from the bathroom, though she trusted Fitz would soothe the boy, which he did eventually.

"You know he doesn't like cold stuff on his butt, so he cried until I was done cleaning him up. At first, I thought he just did like to be touched by the nurses, but he doesn't like it at all."

Olivia chuckled, smiling at her son. "You're too slow that's his way of telling you to hurry up. Isn't little man? Did he pee on you?"

"The rug," he snickered softly. He set his and her plate on the table and dropped into the chair. "Here, let me take him." Fitz beckoned while joe was still asleep so Olivia could at least try to finish a whole meal uninterrupted, unlike in the hospital, and tonight wouldn't be any different. Midway through dinner, Joseph woke up hungry.

Olivia agreed with Fitz when he suggested Joseph spend the night in his crib to get used to it. However, when they finally laid him down, they didn't even get down the hall good before his whimpers began. No parent can stand the sound of their child crying, so Olivia brought him to their bed.

XXX

The sky still had it's navy blue shade when Olivia rolled out of bed. Joseph wasn't crying, but the light fussing and coos made her get up. She wondered if Fitz actually got any sleep last night. He was nervous about rolling on the baby, so every little wiggle and sound Fitz was up watching.

"Hi baby," Olivia scooped him up, and brought him to his changing table, and swapped out his dirty diaper for a fresh one. "Are you hungry, Sweet baby?" She'd read all about failed latching and is glad Joseph didn't struggle with it. She smiled and began to hum, ever so quietly.

Soon she made her way back to bed; Fitz was sound asleep, snoring very loudly. "Daddy's a bear; let's not wake him." Then Olivia fell back asleep with Joseph attached. When she woke again, the curtains were drawn and the clouds covered the skies. Also Joseph was gone, Olivia didn't sleep that hard to where she would have dropped him.

Olivia frantically searched the bed, thinking he might've rolled off her chest. Feeling slightly relieved when Fitz was gone too, he must've taken him.

"Look, we gave mommy a heart attack" he smiled over his shoulder. He had heard the patterns of her footsteps approaching.

"I thought I dropped him, and he rolled under the bed...not cool" Liv pressed her lips to joes rosy cheek. "How long have you been up?"

Fitz never took his eyes off Joseph. His little eyes were open, so he looked at everything. "Twenty or thirty minutes, we made you breakfast because we appreciate you...don't we, Jojo."

"Thank you, baby," Olivia leaned over the sofa and pressed a gentle kiss to his waiting lips. He'd been up longer than thirty minutes because he had time to cook breakfast, feed, and change Joseph. Now little joe was content in his father's arms while mommy ate the spread his daddy fixed.

Waffles, over-easy eggs, and three strips of bacon. Her stomach growled, letting Fitz know he did everything right. Olivia wolfed down her breakfast, then sat beside Fitz and snuggled into his left side. "I keep saying this, but we have a baby." With stars in her eyes, Olivia spoke softly. Reveling in the perks of motherhood.

"With everything that has happened, I'm so happy to be here with you right now."

Olivia twirls one of Joseph's curls around her finger. "Do you want another?"

Fitz nods, smiling. "Yeah...later, let's take advantage of the sleep we're still able to get with this one. I didn't want to gross you out while you were eating, but his umbilical cord fell off when I was changing his this morning, and I was thinking of going to get coco today. I don't want him to feel unloved. If that's the case, I could have left him at the ranch." He finishes

"No, go get him. You should take one of Joseph's blankets. it'll make coco familiar with his scent, and he'll protect him."

"Well aren't you the dog whisperer" he teased

"Well I was kinda nervous about bringing a baby a around a full grown pet so I read about dogs and babies. Seeing how he was when I was pregnant, he's bound to love and protect him, but dogs can be territorial. He has to know that Joseph isn't a threat"

"Smart and beautiful."

She rolled her eyes teasingly, "isn't that why you love me?"

"Among other things, yes"

XXX

The majority of her day was spent catering to the baby and the other half was gawking at him while he slept. He's already so tiny, but he scrunches his legs and his mitten clad hands are above his head, like he's riding a roller coaster.

Hearing the elevator ding, Olivia shuffled from their bedroom towards to living room. Bouncing lightly, Joseph had just gone down for his nap, which was whenever he decided. Olivia didn't know just how much babies slept, but she was glad because she hated hearing her baby cry, so sleep was his best friend for now.

Her eyes widened when Sarah stepped off of the car. "Hi, Liv," her friend smiled, shifting her purse from one hand to the other.

"Sarah, we've missed you. But I'm glad you're here- you just missed Fitz. He ran out to get coco."

Olivia and Sarah moved over to the sofa. Sarah grinned at the sleeping infant but did not attempt to hold him.

"I know. I didn't come to see him. Mom showed me pictures, but I had to see him with my own eyes."

"Do you wanna hold him?" Olivia held Joseph out, and Sarah took him without hesitation.

"He's lovely, just perfect. And you look great, by the way. Mom said you had a C-section, so no kitty stitches" she chuckled light.

Olivia snorted and shook her head, still the same ole Sarah,"I have stitches but I guess that better than where they would've been." the lighthearted snickers and snorts resolved. "I'm sure Fitz would have loved to see you," Liv says, watching little jo stir in his aunt's arms.

"I'm not ready to forgive Fitz yet," she spoke candidly, her shoulders fell, and her mood seemed to change. "Mom says you guys decided against jerry." Sarah mindfully changed the subject.

An exasperated sigh escaped Olivia's lips. She didn't like having to handle Fitz's family without him around and even though she and Sarah have been friends for years. This is not the conversation she wanted to have.

"We decided for our baby," she emphasizes. "He needs his own identity. I hope you guys can accept that"

"Mom is torn about it; I like it, and I'm proud of you too." Sarah smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

The two share a look, and Sarah offers Joseph to her, and she takes him. Next thing Sarah is heading for the elevator, leaving. Fitz and Sarah have always had a strong bond and it's bothering Olivia to see how far they've grown apart. She hopes they can mend their relationship before it's too late.

Not even an hour later, Fitz is exiting the same elevator talking with coco. He's telling him about the new baby, and even though coco can't speak, he seems to understand what Fitz is saying.

"Livvie?" Fitz calls, and coco barks, helping him locate Olivia and Joseph.

"What took you so long?" She raises, crossing her legs. Olivia put a hand up, stopping coco from jumping on the bed so that he wouldn't startle Joseph. So he circled the bed, jumped at the foot, and walked up to Liv, sniffing around her. "Coco, this is the baby; he's here now" Olivia smiled when coco turned in circles and plopped down beside her.

"I went to the dog place; then I ran around the mall looking for a toy. Finally, I stopped and bought my little man a portable bed. This way, he can sleep in here with us. And I don't have to worry about squashing him. I also brought you these" he held out a bouquet of orange and white daisies.

"These are beautiful, and you are so thoughtful" Her lips curled into a smile, and she puckered, awaiting Fitzgerald's lips. "I love you."

"Love you too, so Sarah was here?"

"How did you?"

"Security" he admits "she's still avoiding me, after we can home I tried to reach out but she's angry and I don't blame her, I just wanna fix what happened" he say genuinely

"I know. She looks good, healthy. Didn't stay long bit it was good to see her."

Joseph stole their attention with his sudden breath (hick-) spasm (-up) of his small diaphragm.

"Do you think it annoys him as much as it does you?"

"Maybe" but he didn't seen to bothered a little startled by the sudden jerk buts he's fine.

Today baby Joseph is 11 days old, and it's Christmas morning. Light snow had begun to fall as the couple made their way over to the Whelan-Finch residence. Their newborn was bundled up, sleeping harmoniously, and coco was standing guard. He was just as protective over Joseph as he was when Olivia was pregnant with him. Stephen and Abby offered to host everyone again; she loved to cook, and fortunately, they all loved to eat.

This past week has been a dream. Olivia and Fitz have settled into parenthood quite well. There is still much more to learn along the way, but they have each other, and this is just the beginning of their tiny family.

"Babe, we haven't talked about the wedding yet. So I think it's best if we wait before we tell your family," Fitz insisted.

Mesmerized by the beautiful scenery of decorated houses and snowfall Olivia only heard the last of what Fitzgerald said. "I can't wait to decorate our house like this during the holidays. Next year Joseph will be up and walking. He'll love it."

A cute smile spread across his face when he glanced at Liv. She was gorgeous, 12 days postpartum, and still had her glow. Maybe she didn't feel like it, but he thought she was sexy. "I'm sorry you were saying something?"

Eyes focused on the road, Fitz repeated his earlier suggestion. "I just mean until we're ready, of course. I know you've done this before, but not with me, so I want us to get it right."

"Ok," in many ways, Olivia hated the reminder that she prematurely married a man she didn't love. She's expressed many times that she wished she'd waited for Fitz. Now they don't have to; they've found each other.

"Did Sarah call?" Fitz asked, pulling into the second spot in Abby's driveway.

Olivia nodded before opening her door and retrieving their son. He grabbed the carseat, knowing it was heavy.

"So what did she say?"

"She wished us a Merry Christmas and told me to expect something for Jojo soon." She told him hesitantly because of the look on his face. He knew Sarah didn't acknowledge him, but Olivia didn't have the courage to admit that to him and ruin their first Christmas together.

"If you talk to her again, tell her I miss my little sister."

"She knows, and in her own time, she'll be ready to address what happened." Olivia rubbed his shoulder.

"Yeah..." Abby met them at the door, a steaming cup of hot chocolate in one hand.

"Get in here. It's freezing. Here take this, and I'll take him," Abby chortled, handing Fitz the mug while she took hold of the car seat. "Hi, little man, it's your aunt, Abby."

"We know, it took you long enough to open the door," Liv teased her best friend.

Inside was warm and homey; the sweet smell of gingerbread and pine made her inhale deeply, enjoying the aromas. As they entered the living room, Fitz's eyes widened, seeing his mother sitting near the open fire conversing with Maya like they were old friends. After the hospital visit, he thought she'd returned home.

"Mom!" He hugged her and kissed her temple.

"Hello Fitzgerald, Merry Christmas, Olivia."

"Merry Christmas, we thought you returned to California."

"I did, but Abigail invited me back. I tried to get Sarah to come, but she's as stubborn as your father." Fitz nodded, at the sudden mention of his father and didn't touch on the Sarah topic.

"Abigail, bring my grandbaby here," Maya called to her.

Stephen and Harrison were setting the dining table. Dinner would be ready soon. It was a nice surprise his mother being here, but he still missed his father and Sarah. The family gathered around the table. Everyone wore a smile and was grateful to be here today. Olivia knew it'd be a minute until the next time she'd see her mother. After the holidays, they'd all return to their respective lives and wait to see each other again.

"Merry Christmas, Family" Harrison announced smiling.

I know know it's almost summer but I couldn't resist and Christmas chapter. I hope you all are safe and healthy. Leave a review and wait for the next chapter, many things are happening in the coming months for our Olitz family. This is pt 2 of the birth chapter. But the next two chapters won't be far behind.