Hello everyone, it's been a while. I hope this update finds you all safe and staying at home. Praying for all of your continued health and that of your immediate families.

Thank you all for your reviews and PMs. I'm so grateful to those of you who've stuck around, even though the story is still moving slowly. Nothing much going on in this chapter but I thought I'd write something since I now have time.

Enjoy,

TBOT

On a bright and beautiful late Sunday morning, Eli and Maya Pope hosted a brunch for friends and family. It was a way for everyone to meet the man who had stolen Olivia's heart and fathered Elliott, and his parents. About thirty people showed up, not counting children, increasing the noise and chaos levels in the house.

Fitz stood quietly between the indoor/outdoor patio, where the pocket glass walls had been opened so guest could mingle, and observed everything going on around him. Of course his eyes never strayed far from Elliott, who sat with her friends and cousins watching The Descendants on a television mounted above the outdoor fireplace. Seeing her playing with other children made him happy. He couldn't wait to watch her grow into a young woman every bit as strong and intelligent as her beautiful mother. She turned to look at him, grinned and waved, "Hi, Daddy," before turning back to the television.

He waved back. It never got old hearing her call him 'Daddy.' His heart soared, every time.

He knew a lot of the people in attendance, had actually seen many at Elliott's piano recital the previous Sunday. Cecily and August had greeted him with happy excitement and promises to talk later. He also wasn't surprised to see Harrison, his brother Hayes, their wives, parents and their children. Fitz and Harrison had talked and Harrison had explained that he felt that Fitz and Olivia had to find their way back to each other and, it wasn't his place to tell him about Elliott or get involved. Fitz didn't like his explanation but he knew Harrison was right, and he understood his position. They still had a lot of catching up to do.

Fitz knew that Garrett's parents would probably be in attendance but he hadn't expected to see their grandson. Every time he saw Fletch, he was reminded of the child's father and how he'd treated Olivia. It was amazing that Garrett could've fathered such a loving, kind child. He was currently parked in front of the television, sitting next to Elliott.

Across the room, Fitz's parents, the Popes, the elder Wrights and the Davis's were seated at one of the seven tables set up for the brunch, talking like old friends. He was happy to see both sets of parents relaxed and getting along. He watched them as they laughed and talked, clearly enjoying themselves.

The four of them had had dinner together the previous week and neither JR nor Christine had divulged what they'd talked about that evening. Not that he wanted or needed to know. But judging by the lively conversation going on, there was no hostility between any of them. And if he were being honest, he hadn't really expected any.

They all seemed to genuinely like each other. Each of them knew what they wanted to happen between their adult children, but neither had offered any advice. They'd all made it clear that they weren't going to get in the middle of whatever he and Olivia had going on. They all remained neutral and continued to spoil their only grandchild egg rotten.

Fitz had hosted dinner at his home the evening of Elliott's recital and invited Olivia's parents, her sister and her husband and of course his parents. Maya Pope had kept him company in the kitchen as he finished preparing their meal, and they'd talked about a myriad of topics.

"Do you know why Olivia didn't tell me about my daughter?"

Maya stared at him for a moment before answering.

"That's something you'll have to ask her because I decided four years ago not to interfere when it comes to my daughter's relationships. I will tell her if she asks for my opinion, but that's where it begins and ends." She stood and walked up next to him, "but I will say, I'm rooting for you." Maya squeezed his arm and then turned and left the kitchen.

Begins and ends. Fitz found the two words insightful. Their love affair had begun when he saw Olivia for the first time in six months at a basketball game and he hadn't wanted to believe it had really ended when he watched her car leave the driveway of the house in the Hills.

Olivia. The love of his life was currently sitting at another table feeding Drew, Harrison's infant son, and talking to Veronique, Harrison's wife. Fitz smiled as he watched her with the baby. Like their daughter, she wore pink. The dress was a floral print halter number and it was beautiful. She'd paired it with four inch brown strappy sandals and her hair was pinned on top of her head in a messy bun showing off her long neck, toned shoulders and back.

She'd taken his breath away with the vision she created the moment she opened the door to her home earlier. He smiled at the memory of his little girl's excitement when he rang the doorbell.

"It's Daddy, Mommy."

She was always so excited to see him. Hell, Fitz didn't think anyone, other than his parents, had ever been as happy to see him as his daughter always was. She'd told him on more than one occasion that she was happy he was her all day, every day daddy. He grinned, because he was. Being around his daughter had changed his life in the best way possible.

Olivia opened the door and Elliott was immediately in his arms. "Good morning, Daddy," she sang, looking at him with those big blue green eyes and wide smile.

"Good morning, princess. Did you sleep well?"

She nodded. "Uh-huh."

"Good," He leaned down and she smacked a loud kiss on his cheek. "Wow, that the best kiss ever, baby."

"I'm not a baby," she said automatically.

Fitz laughed. "No, but you will always be my little girl. Even when you're forty."

Her little face scrunched up. "That's what Mommy says, but I'm still a big girl. I'm going to kindergarten," she said matter-of- fact. He didn't want to think about that. He wasn't ready for her to grow up.

"Well no matter how old you are, you will always be your daddy's little girl." She seemed satisfied with that.

Olivia stood watching the two of them with an amused smile on her face.

Fitz moved his daughter to his hip and stepped closer to her.

"Good morning, Livvie."

"Good morning, Fitz," she said before he leaned down and kissed her cheek. The scent of her perfume seduced him. He inhaled it and recalled the first time he'd met her and how that same fragrance had captured him. Eau D'hadrien by Annick Goutal. He remembered.

"You look absolutely beautiful. That dress is very pretty."

She blushed. "Thank you."

"Do I look pretty, Daddy?" Elliott asked.

"Yes, princess, you look very pretty." She was wearing a pink and white stripe fairy print seersucker sundress. Her curls were pulled away from her face and secured with a large pink bow and as usual, she wasn't wearing shoes. But she looked adorable as she preened for him. He winked at her and she ate up the attention.

"You look pretty too, Daddy."

Fitz and Olivia laughed at their daughter's comment.

"Thank you, princess. You're good for my ego."

She grinned at him, eyes wide.

He looked at Olivia again over their daughter's head.

"Are you ladies ready?" he asked.

"Yes. Elliott just needs to get her shoes and backpack." She turned and walked towards the family room. Fitz set Elliott on her feet and she dashed off after her mother. He stood and watched as Olivia helped her put on a tiny pair of white leather t-strap Keds, which she'd insisted on wearing. When they were finished, Elliott jumped from the sofa.

"Daddy! She ran over to him. "Me and Mommy is ready to go."

Fitz laughed and lifted her into his arms. "Then we'd better get moving."

X

Fitz kept stealing glances at Olivia in the passenger seat as he drove the three of them to her parent's house. She was listening intently to their daughter's ongoing commentary from the backseat and wasn't really paying him any attention. No woman should be this beautiful, he thought, letting his gaze move over her. He couldn't help staring at her lips. Thinking of all the things she'd done to him with them. She looked so damned desirable he'd do just about anything to make love to her again. He shook his head, and had to bring his thoughts back to the present. Those memories were going to get him in trouble and that's not what he wanted. Not when everything was going so well between them.

The three of them had settled into a routine. Neither parent wanted to disrupt any part Elliott's life. They were a family of sorts even though they didn't live in the same house. Fitz arrived every morning at six-thirty to prepare breakfast for "his girls." Most mornings he drove Elliott to school, which allowed Olivia to go into the office a little later. He also volunteered in his daughter's classroom two days per week.

He then picked her up from school and took her home with him where her Grammy always had her afterschool snack waiting. She had dinner with him and his parents on Mondays and Tuesdays before he brought her home. This meant that Olivia saw him every morning and every evening. She didn't mind his presence and Elliott was in heaven, but by the time he left each night, she was wound so tight it took herculean effort not to jump him.

He'd made himself available to stay with their daughter if she wanted to go out with friends or on a date, but she'd quickly told him that she didn't date and hadn't since Elliott was born. He was actually surprised by her disclosure but didn't show it. They were having lunch after leaving her attorney's office.

"I don't date. That's why Elle reacted the way she did yesterday when she saw us embracing. I've never brought a man home to meet her."

"You haven't dated or been with anyone since we…?"

She cut him off. "I haven't asked about your sex life, Fitz, so please don't ask me about mine."

He lifted his eyebrows.

"Seriously, your sex life is no longer my concern. That ended a long time ago."

"It's not a secret, Livvie. Obviously I'm not involved with anyone right now. The only female in my life that matters is my daughter." And her mother, he thought.

"Why is this important?" She asked.

"Well, Elliott will be spending time with me, my family and my friends. Then she will no doubt tell you who I'm seeing and vice versa. Get used to it, darling. We have a child. We will be in each other's lives for at least fourteen years. Probably more. We have to get along, for Elliott's sake."

Even though she knew he was right, she didn't like his answer. She didn't want to stand back and watch him fall in love, marry and have children with another woman. The thought of her baby going to her daddy's house and having a good old time with him, his wife and possibly her siblings made her sad. Of course she could easily change that, but she was too afraid to give him power over her heart again. She wasn't ready for that, not yet. So she'd have to bite her tongue if that scenario ever came into play.

X

He stared at her as she placed the baby on her lap, leaned him forward and patted his back to burp him. Fitz couldn't help but think about the things he had missed out on. Things like watching her belly grow while she was carrying his child and being in the delivery room when his little girl was born. He wished he could have heard his daughter's first words and seen her take her first steps. But he knew he could never get that time back so he wouldn't dwell on it.

She must have sensed that someone was watching her because she looked up and their eyes held for a moment, then they both looked away. She still had that effect on him. It had been almost two weeks since that night he'd kissed her and she'd stopped him before things had gone too far. He'd gone home and sat up drinking another scotch, thinking about what had happened. The kiss. He'd meant it when he's said it couldn't go further, although he'd wanted to take her right against the front door with their daughter asleep upstairs. What had started out as a simple thank-you kiss had ended up being something like old times and he hadn't wanted to stop.

What had happened to his self-control? And to make matters worse, he was hard as a rock and he was sure Olivia had noticed too. It was then he realized that he was going to have to use common sense, think with his larger head and control his erections around her. Too bad staying away from her and still bonding with their daughter wasn't possible, but he would be fine as long as he kept his hands and lips to himself.

X

Fitz sighed before taking a sip of the Michelada he'd been nursing since they arrived. If only he understood what had made her change. Maybe then he could accept her reason, whenever she gave him one, for what she did, and all of this would make sense. What had stopped her from at least caring about him enough to call him four years ago?

She had once trusted and loved him enough to share her body. And she had given herself wholeheartedly, freely, holding nothing back. He had done the same, without fully realizing that by doing so, he'd allowed her to hold his heart in the palm of her hand. She still had it.

Fitz was still staring at Olivia when he felt a small hand on his arm. He turned and looked into the upturned, glowing face of an almost six months pregnant Cecily Pope. "Come sit with me outside, it's quieter," she said with an amused smirk. He followed her to the rattan seating group in a corner of the very large patio, away from the others. "I love my family, but sometimes…" Fitz laughed at what she was implying. He helped her into one of the chairs and then sat next to her.

Olivia saw her sister approach Fitz and say something to him before they disappeared out on the patio together. She breathed a sigh of relief that he was no longer staring at her. She couldn't concentrate on what Veronique was saying with him watching her as if he could see through her cool facade.

Every time she looked up, their gazes met, and each time, the look in his brilliant blue eyes made her breath catch. It was the same look of desire that she'd seen quite often five years ago. Of course she'd been slyly checking him out too. When her eyes would meet his, she noticed from the smirk on his face that he'd knew it too. Yes he needed to go, so she could continue to tell herself that her life was too full and too busy to get distracted by the man her heart had chosen for her.

Although she was happy he was no longer staring at her, she was still curious about what he and her sister were discussing. With Cecily, anything was possible. She knew her sister would never reveal what they'd talked about a few days ago, but she was still wanted to know.

She and her sister had met for lunch earlier that week, after Cecily's doctor's appointment, and she'd wasted no time telling Olivia what she thought.

"Girl, Fitz is still fine. Reminds me of the one time when you had great taste in men," Cecily said pointedly.

"Oh, you mean the type that professes his love and then moves on without a word? Yeah, great taste indeed," Olivia said, rolling her eyes.

"But…"

"Look, Cis…"

Cecily threw up her hands in surrender. "Lib I just want to know if the two of you have had that conversation that's five years overdue."

"I don't want to talk about this right now," Olivia snapped, then regretted her tone. It wasn't Cecily's fault that she was on edge.

Tired of Olivia's excuses, Cecily waited for her to finish her little tirade before she cut through all her of her sister's bs and spoke the truth.

"Lib, you need to tell Fitz that you went to LA to tell him about the baby and what happened after, whatever that is. What are you afraid of? That he won't want you? Or that he hasn't ever stopped wanting you? We both know neither is true."

"I'm not afraid of anything, Cis," she responded defensively.

"Then you have nothing to lose by being honest with him."

"You're wrong. I lost it all the day I packed up and left LA for good. I promised myself I would never look back. Of course I didn't know that my life would change forever two months later."

"But in order for you move forward, you have to look back. You and Fitz have a lot to discuss if you ever plan on having any type of relationship."

As usual, Cecily was right. She was sure Fitz had some things he wanted to air out as well. She needed to know why he chose his career and family over her and their baby. Of course she'd told herself she didn't need to know or want to know, but that was a lie. Fitz may have been a closed chapter in her lie the past five years, but his return had reopened the book.

"I know you two have called this tentative truce and are being civil for patootie's sake, but how much longer will it last? I've seen you together. You're polite with each other, maybe more than polite. You smile, you talk and you even flirt when you think no one's looking."

"I don't…"

Cecily waved off whatever she was about to say. "Girl, stop. I saw you two at patootie's recital and later at dinner. Neither of you is very good at hiding how you feel about one another. He's forgiven you and so have his parents. But there's still the elephant in the room that you can't ignore. It will always be there until you talk to him."

She sighed and reached for Olivia's hand. "Fitz is a decent, caring man, and you still have feelings for him. But you can't act on those feelings until you're honest with him and tell him everything. He deserves the truth every bit as much as Elle deserved to have her father in her life." Cecily looked at her sister before she continued. "Now what he does with that truth is up to him, not you."

Olivia sighed. "You're right. I owe him the truth."

"Does your hesitation have anything to do with the fact that you've never gotten over him? And that you're probably more in love with him today than you were all those years ago?"

"Sometimes I hate having a sister," she said with a chuckle.

Cecily laughed. "You do not. You love having a wise, yet sexy and pregnant sister who gives awesome advice."

She laughed because Cecily was right; Olivia did love having her around. "Irrelevant and you know it. Okay, so I fooled myself into thinking I could tolerate his presence without falling for him all over again."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to tell him."

Cecily had several follow-up questions but she was also very hungry, so she let it go. "Fair enough, but don't wait too long or do something crazy, like sleep with him, before you do. Now, let's order because we, she pointed at her round belly, are starving."

X

"Sooo," Cecily said, drawing out the word to five syllables, "how are things going?"

"What?"

"How are things going with you?" she asked again, not prying, just inquiring.

"Good, I think." And he believed so. "Livvie and I have a routine that's working for the three of us. I show up every morning to make breakfast and Elliott's lunch while Liv swims. She gets her dressed most of the time, but sometimes I get the honor. The kid doesn't like shoes." They chuckled. "I take her to school and pick her up. She's with me and my parents until I take her home in the evening."

She knew all of this. "You know you are your daughter's favorite topic of discussion. She never seems to run out of things to say about her daddy." Cecily said that last word in his daughter's voice, which made him laugh.

"I meant how are things going with you and my sister? What's going on?" she asked.

"Nothing." Fitz's expression didn't change.

"Nothing, my pregnant ass." Cecily shook her head and laughed. "You've got something going on."

"And you've got a vivid imagination." Fitz said as he took a sip of the water he was now drinking.

"Please. It doesn't take an imagination to see that there's something between the two of you." She leaned in closer. "It just takes eyes, Fitz. And my eyes tell me that the something is a possible relationship. You two still have feelings for each other."

Fitz sighed before taking another of sip of water. "We are just trying to co-parent a well-adjusted, happy child and leaving the rest alone. We both understand that she's affected by everything we do, from how we talk to each other, and how we interact with one another. That's all either of us cares about which is why neither of us is currently interested in a romantic relationship. We are former lovers, and now friends and parents of a little girl. Nothing more."

She nodded. "So do you think there will ever be a chance of a reunion?"

That was the question of the year. "Honestly, I don't know." And he didn't. But he would certainly be willing if she gave any indication that she wanted to.

Cecily reached out and touched his hand, wondering how much she should share. "I know my sister still loves you, Fitz. But she's having a hard time trusting you."

He wasn't surprised by what she'd revealed. He knew Olivia still loved him. "That's just it Cecily, I don't know what I did to betray that trust."

"I don't know either, but she has it in her head that she's the injured party in all this. Have you asked her?"

He shook his head. "Of course. On the day I showed up at her home and met my daughter. She didn't answer then and we've since skirted around any discussion about what happened after she left L.A. and why she never told me I had a child. I haven't brought it up again and neither has she. I'm trying to allow her to come to me and to tell me everything. Meanwhile, I'm just trying to be the best dad I can be to Elliott."

Cecily smiled at him. "You should see the way you look when you talk about her. It's so real and full of love."

He glanced at her and smiled back. "Thank you, Cecily. That little girl is the best thing to happen in my life. Olivia has done such an excellent job of raising her."

"Yes she has. But then again, that doesn't surprise me."

He nodded agreeing with her. They sat in silence for a moment.

"She's agreed to attend my grandfather's ninetieth birthday celebration next weekend in New York.

"Really?!" Cecily was genuinely surprised because Olivia hadn't mentioned it at all.

"Yes. We're leaving next Friday afternoon and returning Monday evening."

"Well good for you. I can't believe she's going."

"Believe it. And I didn't have to twist her arm. But my mother may have had something to do with her decision, she can be quite persuasive," he said with a light chuckle. "She can't wait to introduce her grandbaby to our family."

Fitz looked at Cecily a moment before speaking. "I just want her back, Cecily. I love her."

"And she loves you, so you're both on the same path. But you've got to talk to her, Fitz. Soon. I'm not blaming any of this on you," she held up her hand to stop him from responding. But Libby has a right to feel the way she does. You could've contacted her too, even if you didn't know she was pregnant."

Fitz looked at her for a few seconds, but said nothing.

"Don't pressure her. Go slow."

"Slow? It's been five years."

Cecily chuckled. "And you've been out of her life for five years. Don't rush it or I promise you'll regret it."

That was not what he wanted to hear. "Thanks, Cecily."

"Make her happy, Fitz. She deserves it."

Whatever he was going to say was cut short by the sounds of his daughter's voice. "Daddy! Daddy!" Elliott ran toward them, her little face flushed with excitement. "I want my backpack. I left it in the truck." She stopped in front of him and leaned on his knees.

He reached out and pulled her onto his lap.

Cecily attempted to push the little curl off of her forehead but it wouldn't stay. She looked at the two Grants and saw that they both had the same curl and laughed to herself.

"Hey patootie, you having a good time?"

She turned to look at her tante.

"Uh huh. I wanna show Izzy my new doll that Grammy bought me."

"Okay, let's go."

He set her on feet and then stood. "I've enjoyed talking to you Cecily, thanks. We should get together soon."

She nodded. Taking Elliott's hand, he led her toward the open doors.

Cecily watched father and daughter until they disappeared into the house. My little sister needs to get her act together and work out whatever she needs to, to keep her family together. And the three of them were definitely a family in every sense of the word, she thought. Give up those girlhood fairytales and expectations of the past that she'd had with the ex and work on understanding and forgiving Fitz for whatever she thinks he did. It was time to let go and move on.

Being an adult and being in love means you admit when you're wrong and fight for your love. That's why she'd advised them both to really talk to one another and listen. She just hoped they both took her advice.

X

Each day that followed lunch with her sister, Olivia told herself that she needed to confront Fitz about his choice to leave her and their child. But as each day passed, she admonished herself for not doing anything about it.

"I need to tell Fitz everything and get it over with," Olivia said to herself that Tuesday as she unlocked the door in her garage and walked inside her home. She slammed the door as if to release pent-up frustration before she deactivated the alarm.

She'd volunteered at the Pro Bono Partnership that evening and was grateful she could help, but she was also exhausted. Relieving herself of her things in a chair at the island, she washed her hands before reaching for a glass in the cabinet. She'd just poured her second glass of water when the doorbell rang. Taking a deep breath, she set the glass on the island and went to answer the door.

"Hi," she said after she opened the door to two identical, crooked smiles.

"Hi, Mommy." Elliott ran in, a wide grin on her small face. She hugged her mother's legs before Olivia bent down and gave her a hug and a kiss.

"Hi, sweet pea. Did you have fun with daddy?" Although her eyes were on her child, her awareness was with the man who'd quietly closed and locked the door.

"Yes! Daddy made tacos, and me and Grammy made peanut butter cupcakes." Olivia stood, looking down at Elliott. Her baby loved peanut butter.

"We brought you some, Mommy."

"You did?"

"Uh-huh," she said, nodding her head. "Daddy put them in a box for you."

"Yes. Thank you, sweet pea."

She glanced at Fitz, who held up a white box. "Seems like you all had a good time today."

"We did. How was your day?" Fitz asked.

"Busy. Yours?" Olivia, aware of Fitz's gaze on her, avoided making eye contact, keeping her eyes on their daughter.

"My day was great. I spent it with my parents and my daughter. Doesn't get any better than that."

She nodded, agreeing with him.

Did you eat?"

"I did," she said before taking their daughter's hand and walking with her into the family room. Fitz followed behind them. She knew she needed to tell him everything but she'd already decided that it wasn't going to happen this evening. Why was it so difficult?

When they reached the family room, Olivia took a seat on the sofa and Elliott climbed onto her lap. Fitz sat on the love seat across from them. "You have a good day at school, sweet pea?"She asked, caressing her daughter's cheek.

Elliott grinned. "I had fun. I got to be the center monitor and gave everybody thumbs up 'cause we put everything away the first time." She gave a thumbs up which made her parents laugh.

"Daddy helped me with my homework."

"He did?"

"Uh-huh."

"Yes, sweet pea."

Fitz, who had been quietly watching his two loves, finally spoke.

"She had two activity sheets, count and match and traceable numbers. We finished them while she had her snack."

"Thank you."

He nodded, but didn't feel a thank you was necessary. Elliott was his child, of course he would help her with "homework" and anything else she needed for that matter. It was a part of parenting.

"It wasn't a problem, Livvie."

"Good girl." Olivia leaned down and kissed Elliott's hair. "Why don't you take your things up to your room? It's time for your bath and then bed."

"Can I turn on the water, Mommy?"

"May I and yes you may. Go on, I'll be right up. Not too hot, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy."

"Give your daddy a kiss before you go."

Fitz stood while Elliott slid from her mother's lap and ran to him. She squealed when he swung her up into his arms. He hugged and kissed her before he placed her back on her feet. They both watched as she skipped from the room, backpack in tow.

Turning back to Olivia, he asked, "Long day?"

"Yes. Pro bono day is always busy but I love it. Anytime I can be of service to others is a win for me. And I get so much out of it."

Fitz smiled, looking at her. This was the Olivia Pope he knew and loved. She had a good heart and a caring personality.

"Did she behave herself?"

"Of course. Anytime I spend with my daughter is all good and you know her grandparents are enamored of her."

Olivia chuckled. She was quite familiar with enamored and indulgent grandparents.

"I'm not surprised," she said as she stood. "Excuse me while I check on her."

"Sure. I'll be up to kiss her goodnight," he said before grabbing Elliott's lunchbox and the box of cupcakes, before walking into the kitchen.

Olivia had just finished bathing Elliott when she glanced over her shoulder and saw Fitz leaning in the door.

"You scared me," she said.

"Sorry. How can you find her with all those toys?" he asked with that crooked grin.

"She insisted on all of them," she said.

"All done, sweet pea." She thanked Fitz as he handed her a bath towel. "You can stand up, Elle."

"I can't, Mommy. Daddy will see." She shook her head. "He's a boy!"

"Sorry. I'll wait in her room."

"Fitz, she's just not used to…"

"It's not a problem. I'll wait in here."

She watched as he walked into their daughter's bedroom. "Okay, sweet pea, stand up. "Olivia quickly wrapped her in the thick towel.

"Mommy, I hurt Daddy's feelings," Elliott whispered, tears filling her big doe eyes. "Is he mad at me?"

Olivia sat on Elliott's wooden step stool and pulled her daughter onto her lap and hugged her close. "No, baby, of course not. Your daddy isn't mad. He loves you very much. You know, when you stay overnight at your daddy's house, he's going to help you with your bath and get you dressed and undressed when you need help. Okay?"

"Okay, Mommy."

"Good. Now let's get you into your pajamas. It's time for sleepy little girls to be in bed."

Fitz was sitting in the rocking chair in Elliott's room when they exited the bathroom. She immediately ran over to him, climbed onto to his lap, and wrapped her little arms around his neck. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I love you."

Fitz swallowed hard as he hugged her tight, before saying, "It's okay, princess. I love you too."

Olivia watched as father and daughter slowly and quietly rocked in the big rocking chair where she'd sung Elliott to sleep on countless nights. As a mother she could say there was certainly a difference in Elliott since she'd met her father and began to spend time with him. Her gaze went to their daughter who was now half-asleep which meant there would be no bedtime story tonight.

"Poor baby, she's worn out."

Fitz looked down into Elliott's face on his shoulder. "I'll tuck her in."

He stood with her in his arms, and she relaxed against him, her head still on his shoulder. Olivia had already folded back the comforter and sheet on the bed. He laid her down and pulled them up and tucked them around her. When he finished, he leaned down and kissed her.

"Sleep tight, princess."

Before he could straighten up, she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck again. "Night, Daddy."

"Goodnight, baby. I love you." She didn't protest his calling her 'baby.' Yep, she was definitely tired. He kissed her again and watched as she wrapped her little arms around Bugsy, before he left her room.

Olivia left her daughter's room and went to her own to change out of her skirt and blouse. She freshened her lipstick and ran her fingers through her hair, then stopped, suddenly annoyed with herself. What was she doing? This wasn't a date. She quickly left her bedroom.

Fitz was dropping a tea bag into a mug of hot water when she entered the kitchen. The box containing the cupcakes along with two dessert plates and a mug of steaming coffee sat on the island.

He gave her that lopsided grin that she could never resist, when she walked in. "I thought we could enjoy the treat our daughter made."

"Thank you," she said and then walked over to the sink and washed her hands. She turned and watched as he placed a cupcake on each plate. Walking over to the island, she took a seat next to him. "They look and smell delicious. Did she have fun making them?"

Fitz laughed. "She and Mom took over the kitchen. I also learned that she can be very bossy."

Olivia laughed with him. "You're just noticing? I wonder where she gets it?"

"Don't start, Pope."

"You know it's true, Grant."

She grinned at him before taking a bite of the cupcake in front of her. "Oh wow, that is some tasty goodness."

"It is, isn't it."

"You haven't even tasted yours."

"Well, I ate one after dinner earlier," he said before taking a huge bite. "This is the second I've had tonight. I'll be in the gym later tonight and tomorrow after I drop Elle at school."

She gave him a sideways glance. He didn't need to work out. At all. He was still well built. His shoulders were broader than Olivia remembered. His huge chest, underneath the fitted black tee, tapered to a narrowed waist. His legs were powerful and well defined, even in the jeans he was currently wearing. Nope, two cupcakes were definitely not going to change any of that.

"You don't need to work out, you look fine." Very fine.

"With the way I've been eating our daughter's snacks, yes I do." He was also going to work off the sexual frustration that had been building up since the first time he saw her that Sunday, weeks ago.

She looked at him. "I don't even want to know what junk the two have been snacking on."

He laughed.

They enjoyed their cupcakes in silence, before Fitz finally spoke.

"My parents and I are returning to New York on Memorial Day weekend for my grandfather's ninetieth birthday celebration. He usually hates all of the attention but my father and his brothers insisted. Anyway, I want you and Elliott to come with me. We can introduce you both to my family."

Olivia was silent before she took a sip of tea and set the mug on the island.

Fitz took that as hesitation.

"I hadn't planned on going but since Ford won't be able to attend, I'm kind of obligated. I know Elle's stepping up ceremony is next Thursday and they have a half-day on Friday. We're leaving Friday afternoon and returning Monday evening. Should be fun; or, have you already made plans?"

She shook her head. "No, I don't have any plans for the holiday weekend. Elle's summer break usually doesn't begin until the second week of June so I rarely make any plans before then."

"So you'll go with me?"

"I don't know, Fitz, your entire family?"

"Livvie, they know all about you and Elliott and they're very excited to meet you both. And Mom can't wait to introduce her grandbaby to everyone."

Olivia chuckled. She loved Fitz's parents. She had been nervous about meeting them when she really didn't need to be. They both adored Elliott and had treated her with nothing but kindness and respect, despite what she'd done. At first she thought it was all because of Elliott, but now she knew they genuinely liked her.

Olivia saw the hopeful look he was giving her, and decided to put him out of his misery. She smiled. "Fitz your mother called me at my office two days ago to ask if there was anything special that Elle and I would need during our stay in New York. When I told her that I no idea what she was talking about, she apologized and told me that she'd assumed that you'd already spoken to me and that I'd accepted."

"Livvie, I'm sor…"

She held up her hand and stopped him before he could apologize.

"It's okay. I accepted your mother's invitation to the party and to stay at your parent's home. She gave me every single detail, including the nannies that will be on duty Saturday night during the formal party. I'm not so sure Elle will be comfortable with that since she won't really know anyone, so I'll have Harry and Veronique on standby for Saturday night. Your parents also want to take her to see Frozen on Broadway Saturday morning, but please don't tell her."

Now it was Fitz's turn to laugh. "I will be sure to keep it a secret."

"Your mother's so excited."

"Trust me, I know. That's all she's been talking about. And Livvie, you know you don't have to be nervous."

"I'm not." And she honestly wasn't. "Besides, your mother told me that I have nothing to worry about, and I know she meant it. Also, who's Lennore?"

Fitz laughed again and shook his head. He proceeded to tell her about his mother's and his aunt's love/hate relationship, including their grandchildren competition. "So you see Livvie, not only have you given her a grandchild to love and spoil, you've also given her a reason to gloat at Aunt Lennore, even though she currently has the lead."

Olivia laughed with him. "I love your mother." She picked up her mug and took another sip of her now warm tea. When she set it back down, he turned in his chair and looked at her.

Cradling her face in his hands, he kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Livvie. Thank you for doing this and making my parents happy. You know they think you walk on water."

She hit his arm and laughed. "Silly. You don't have to thank me, Fitz. I want to go and I want Elle to meet her family."

"Good." He kissed her cheek before standing and collecting their dishes. "Finished?" He asked, pointing at her mug. She shook her head and he took it to the dishwasher. She watched him as he moved around her kitchen like it was his own and it actually turned her on. Every moment she'd spent in Fitz's presence over the last two weeks made her all the more aware of everything she'd been missing since the last time they were together, five years ago. She knew he felt the same way.

The truth was in the extra-long stares between them, or the way they both hurriedly apologized after an innocent touch. They never came close to crossing the line, well if you didn't count the kiss a week ago, especially with their daughter underfoot but she didn't know how long they'd be able to keep playing with fire, before one, or both of them got burned.

"Livvie. Livvie? Olivia! Are you okay?"

The sound of Fitz's voice brought her wondering thoughts back to the present. Her gaze flew to his face, which was filled with concern. "Yes. Why do you ask?"

"You were staring off into space and I called your name several times. I thought something may be wrong."

"Just thinking."

"About what?"

She definitely wasn't going to tell him that she had been thinking about him. "Just about the things I need to get done before our trip to New York." She knew he didn't believe her but he kept his mouth closed.

He looked at her for a minute and then gave her a knowing lopsided smile. "Let me know if you need help with anything."

She nodded. "Sure."

"Well I'm going to go. There's a workout waiting for me," he said as he patted his washboard abs.

"Walk me to the door."

"Okay."

He helped her down from the chair and took her hand. They walked to the foyer and he stopped and pulled her into a hug. "I'll see you tomorrow morning." Without giving her a chance to respond, he quickly opened the door and closed it behind him.

She knew why, she'd felt it too. Even through his jeans. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she set the alarm and turned out the lights before going upstairs to take the edge off…alone…again.