LIV POV

I was nervous. No, nervous was an understatement. I was basically terrified. Had I made the right decision? Was this all just something that would blow up in our faces? Were we both that naive and only deep down thinking of ourselves and not the situation as a whole? I fought as hard as I could to rid my mind of these thoughts but it wasn't working. If I had more time to prepare, I would've been fine, but since Fitz sent that text yesterday, I had been a nervous mess.

Can we see you tomorrow?

I accepted the invitation immediately. How could I say no after declaring to him that I was all in? Scratch that. How could I say no after prompting him on being all in with me? I couldn't. It's not like I wanted to now, I could just feel my stomach turning since I responded to the text message.

Of course. I will have Huck drop me off in the morning if that's okay? How about nine? IS IT MONDAY OR SUNDAY?

Huck was up before I was and as I made myself a cup of tea, I saw that he was already dressed. He was the most patient man I had ever met and I wondered if he would stick around forever if he thought I needed him.

"I'm ready whenever you are, Liv."

"Thank you, Huck."

I continued to stir my tea as the honey I added blended with the camomile flavor. He stayed sitting at the table with a lap top in front of him as he typed away. I had to know.

"Is there any type of update you can give me, Huck? Anything? Is my face out on the news? Have Jake or Russell moved towards this direction? How are you able to track them so well?"

"Liv.."

"Am I being stupid? Getting closer to them, I mean. Should I have kept them at a distance?"

I had asked him all of these questions at least every other day and I wondered if my repetition drove him crazy.

"You're not stupid. I told you he's good for you. And I know you, Liv. You're a good person. Let this play out and see where it takes you. I'll be here."

"What about an update, Huck?" I hadn't forgotten my original question and I needed it answered.

"Russell is still chomping at the bit to find you. But nothing's different. They're not closer at all to finding anything out. They've pulled two bank jobs in recently which tells me he's running low on money."

"What happens if he runs out of money?"

"It's not a question of if, but if when. He will run out of money and when that time comes, when he has no more cards left to play, I'm gonna end him."

"End him? Huck I can't ask you to do that! His blood will be on my hands and I can't..."

"This wouldn't be me doing this for you. I have my own agenda, Liv and it's going to end with me making sure Russell never hurts someone like he's done to you."

I couldn't hold back my tears as I rushed to Huck and wrapped my arms around his neck tightly. He had moved mountains to make sure I was and I would be forever grateful to him. He was like the big brother i always wanted but never had.

"Thank you, Huck."

The Night Before- Fitz POV

Today had been fun. I refused to eat the practically processed food at D&B, so we picked up dinner on the way home. I was lucky enough to have a daughter that started her first birthday eating everything in sight, so she ate mostly what I ate. I picked up a large salad and three salmon filets from the central market that was near our house. She reminded me to get extra parsley dressing and I thanked her for always remembering.

Later that night, after having dessert together, we cuddled on the couch and watched How the West was Fun. She hadn't seen this one and smiled when I tossed the box at her to read over.

"Daddy, how come in the twin movies they aren't like real life?"

"What do you mean, Ceej?" I knew she was referring to the Olsen Twins movie. That's what she called them.

She simply shrugged and I assumed it was because she didn't know how to explain what she actually meant. That happened a lot. Some days her thoughts came faster than her brain could comprehend.

"Daddy, I should have a twin."

"Why do you say that, Ceej?"

"Well if I can't have a mommy, I can have a twin. Like Mary-Kate and Ashley do. They don't have a mommy either. In some movies they don't have a daddy too."

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair before cursing inside. She had a point. These damn movies usually only had one parent in them and it usually was the dad with the mom nowhere to be found. Not to mention her new obsession with Full House. It annoyed me because this was the first time she had ever mentioned anything like this and I wondered what other type of connections she was making in her mind.

I paused the tv and turned her around so that she was facing me, her little legs straddling my waist.

"Bug, I really wish I was able to give you everything you want in a family."

"Why can't you?"

"Well, the things you want, can't come from just me."

"Do you need a wife?"

"Well, that would be good to have. The thing is Bug, I can't give you a Mommy until I fall in love with someone."

"But I thought you fell in love with me?"

"I did. I fell in love with you the first time I got you to sleep on my own. But it's a different kind of love I need to have with a woman for her to be your Mommy. There's a lot I have to be sure of first..."

"Like what?"

I expected her to interrupt me with that question right away and had to only think for a moment before answering.

"Well I need to make sure that she loves you with everything in her like I do. She has to be someone that I can completely trust to be with you and that will always take care of you and put your needs and best interests first. She has to be kind and giving. I want you to have a Mommy that will fight for you like I fight for you and never give up or walk away from you."

"What if she walks away from you though, daddy?"

"That's a tough one Bug. If she walks away from me, then I would be hurt because that would mean that I loved her very much, but as long as she never walks away from you and out of your life, then I would be okay."

She leaned forward and molded herself into my chest like she used to do when she was a baby. CJ was affectionate but only on occasion. She wasn't a kid that needed tons of cuddling at night or multiple kisses before I left, but there were moments that she took care of me in ways I didn't know I needed. She could always read me and in that moment she knew I needed a break from our conversation and that a hug would do me wonders.

"I don't have to have a Mommy. I just need you, Daddy and I'll be ok."

I held her tighter at those words. She was right, she didn't have to have a Mommy, but I wanted her to have one. I wanted that more than anything.

"Bug, how would you feel if we had a friend come over tomorrow?"

"We don't have friends over."

I laughed at the statement and chastised myself for allowing us to stay so secluded in our bubble for so long. That wasn't fair to her at all.

"Well, what if we start having a friend over?"

I felt her shoulders shrug against my chest.

"I dunno. It might be fun."

"It might be." I agreed.

"What will we do with them? Will we go outside to play?"

"No, with this friend we would just stay inside and play and spend time together. Maybe we could eat dinner outside, but that's a maybe."

"With all the funny sheets you put up? Can we take them down now?"

"No, we're gonna leave those up, Bug. They give us privacy and I like it that way."

"Why do we still need privacy? We never had privacy of our backyard until... "

She sat up from my chest with a gasp. Her eyes grew big and I knew she'd figured it out from the excited smile on her face.

"Is its Livia?! Is she coming tomorrow, Daddy?"

I smiled, happy to see her mood instantly change.

"Yea, if it's okay with you, she's gonna come over and spend some time with us tomorrow. Would you like that?"

Her head nodded up and down before her words were able to follow.

"Yes! I would like that a lot! Does she want to see me again? Is she coming here to be my friend or your friend?"

I wasn't exactly sure how to answer that, but I tried anyway.

"She's going to be both of our friends."

"Is she gonna be a friend that you can fall in love with different from me?"

I knew that conversation was one she wouldn't forget and she'd have that in her Arsenal for a while.

"Let's finish your movie okay? Olivia is gonna be here in the morning, so we have to get lot's of rest for tomorrow."

"Okay." She turned herself around on my lap and reached for the remote before handing it to me. "Play it, Daddy."

She was fidgeting, her tell that she was more than excited for tomorrow morning.

I was excited too.

"Is she gonna knock, or ring the bell?"

How in the hell did my lazy daughter wake up so early this morning? It was Sunday and unless she was at my moms and went to church with her, she always slept in. I had been looking forward to Olivia arriving and having some alone time with her before CJ woke up to join us, but I should have known better. It was quarter to nine, and here my daughter was, dressed in leggings and a light blue shirt, sitting crisscrossed on her sink counter as she forced me to fix her hair. She normally just wore her wavy hair down in tangles until I all but forced her to let me tame it, but today, she was ahead of me by leaps and bounds.

"She will probably text me and then I will go and open the door for her."

"Do you have your phone?"

"I'm pretty sure it's on my bed. Can you hold still so I can finish?"

"You won't hear the text when she sends it, Daddy! Ugggghhh!"

Her groaning made me roll my eyes and I jogged into the bedroom to slip my phone in my pocket before coming back. She wanted a little ponytail on the side of her head while the back was still down. It was her 'special' style that she only allowed me to do when there was something exciting going on; my mother on the other hand could do it whenever she wanted.

"Bug, look at me." I turned her around and she moved to her knees so that she was closer to being eye level with me. "She's going to be here in a few minutes and we will both get to spend a lot of time with her."

"But what if she changes her mind, or if she only stays a little while then leaves again?"

"Do you wanna know who made the choice for Olivia to spend more time with us? It was hers. She told me that she wanted to spend time with the both of us and she wanted to get to know you. She's just not gonna leave, Bug. Do I lie to you?"

She shook her head and I leaned down to kiss her forehead before lifting her in my arms. I walked into my room and sat her on the bed before going into the bathroom and freshening up. My plan today was to allow CJ to soak up as much attention from Olivia that she wanted because I knew that's what my daughter needed. My other plan was to sneak in as many kisses as I could whenever I had a moment alone with her. I honestly wasn't sure how this was going to play out. My lips were already tingling at the thought of kissing her again, but I had never shown a woman affection in front of my daughter and I wasn't sure if I wanted to so soon.

It was the sound of my cellphone going off that made my daughter's eyes grow two times bigger than their normal size. Her gorgeous brown eyes were glued to mine and I saw the question she was dying to ask. I knew as excited as she was, that she was also a bundle of nerves and it would take a few minutes for her nerves to settle down once she saw Olivia.

"Let's go, Ceej."

I hoisted her onto my hip and walked down the hall while reading the text on my phone.

I'm here

I wanted to take the steps two at a time but I'd never chance it while carrying my daughter. Even though I've carried her up and down the flight of steps more times than I can count, if I fell holding her and she was hurt, I'd never forgive myself. Mistakes happen, but that one wouldn't.

I reached the bottom step and CJ's arms were suddenly wrapped around my neck and her face was buried right along with it. I expected her to act as such and planned on taking full advantage of it. I opened the door and watched as Olivia stepped out of the SUV before quickly making her way to my door. I took a step back and allowed her to walk past me before closing the door and locking it.

When I turned around to see her, she took my breath away. Her hair was pulled high into a bun on the top of her head and she looked so beautifully casual and comfortable as she smiled at me. I wasn't sure if she expected it or not, but I immediately invaded her personal space and brought my lips down to hers in a soft kiss. I knew I had to get in as much as possible because once my daughter got over her initial shock, I knew she would hog all of Olivia's attention for the remainder of the day. I brought my free hand to her right cheek and allowed my thumb to move freely over her chin when I deepened the kiss. My lips licked at hers and she opened her mouth for just a second before pulling back.

Dammit! I hadn't even gotten a taste of her sweet mouth.

I knew she pulled away because CJ was between us and it probably made her feel uneasy to be kissing with her there to begin with. Her eyes immediately gestured to CJ with a silent question and I rubbed my little girl's back subconsciously.

"I think someone that was very excited, in fact so excited that they woke me up at the crack of dawn, is now they're being a bit shy."

Olivia brought her hands to her face and hid her smile at the words I'd spoken. When I didn't feel CJ budge, I continued to goad her.

"Yea. Someone's being shy. You might as well go back home, Livvie. I mean no one here is excited to see you. Too busy being shy."

"I'm not shy!" Her small demanding voice crooned in my ear as she wiggled angrily. It was almost as if she were trying to hurt me and I laughed at her failed attempt.

"Then turn around and say hi to Olivia. You wanted her to come so bad, but now you're scared of speaking to her?"

"Daddy, stop embarrassing me."

Her voice was a whisper and from that alone I could tell that she really was nervous. I soothed a hand down her back before reaching over and grabbing Olivia's hand in mine. I walked us over to the couch and pulled her down next to me. She snuggled closely to me and looked up at me with creased eyebrows and worry etched on her face.

I watched her face as she looked from CJ to me and silently mouthed three words that cut me deep.

I. Can. Go.

Liv POV

Maybe this was a mistake. It felt right, but CJ refused to even look at me and it made me wonder if we didn't think this through. I knew he read the words on my lips and his head moved from left to right a single time before I read his expression. He was offended by my suggestion and I looked away so I wouldn't have to see his disappointed frown. He assumed I was giving up, but it was the farthest from the truth.

"I don't want to make you so uncomfortable, CJ. If you want me to leave and we can try to spend time together later, that's fine sweetie."

My hand cautiously went to her back and I sighed in relief when she didn't pull away or tense up. But she also didn't speak. My eyes filled with tears as we both took in her silence and I decided to speak before my voice would be flooded with emotion, leaving me unable to talk.

"Fitz..." I cleared my throat, the strangled whisper that escaped my lips, surprising even me. "I'm gonna go. I'll have Huck come back and..."

"Don't go!"

I'm not sure if it was her loud voice, her small hand gripping my hand, or her steel eyes boring into mine that made me freeze, but i didn't dare move another inch. Her demanding voice was clear and with the grip she had on my hand, and her piercing stare, I knew she was not going to change her mind.

"Hi Livia."

Her voice wasn't as strong. In fact, it was soft, almost as if she was trying to build up to what she wanted to say.

"Hi sweet girl."

I slid a finger down the bridge of her nose and her eyes crossed as she watched my finger.

"Sometimes... Grandma says sometimes people have a lot of emotions in my heart and we can't understand them all at the same time."

"I understand that. I feel that way sometimes too."

"You do?"

I nodded and felt Fitz's hand move to my shoulder. He pulled me in so that I was resting my head on the other side of his chest as CJ and I continued to talk to one another.

"Grandma says it's okay to feel that way and that I just have to sit and think about what I'm feeling."

"She's right. Did you figure out what you're feeling now or is it still kinda hard to tell?"

"I know now. At first I was excited because I wanted to see you really bad. Then I was scared that you weren't gonna come. Then I was axn... Daddy what's the word when you're scared of something that didn't happen yet?"

"Anxious, Bug."

"Yea, I was anxious you were gonna come and then when you left I wouldn't see you anymore."

I traced a finger over the curve of her cheeks a few times before responding to her. I too had a lot of feelings jumbled up in my heart.

"I'm sorry all those feelings were jumbled up inside your heart sweetie. But I can promise you that I'm gonna keep coming back for as long as I can, okay?" I watched her nod before I asked her one last question. "Do you know what you're feeling now?"

She nodded her head and let out the tiniest of smiles before she spoke in her soft tone once again. "I feel happy."

"I'm kinda happy too."

I watched Fitz lean down and kiss CJ's forehead before I felt him do the same to me. I wondered what was going on in his head right now as he watched and felt us cuddled face to face in his embrace. I had to fight back the tears threatening to fill my eyes just knowing that this was taking place so I could only imagine how good it must've felt for him to witness it firsthand.

I had come to know Fitz, and knew this moment meant a lot to him. It meant a lot to me as well.

"Have you had breakfast yet?"

"No. Daddy was being a lazy bones this morning."

"Hey now! I am right here you know!"

"I can't just lie cause you're here, Daddy. No lies, remember?"

I laughed at their banter and sat up before holding my hand out in front of her.

"Do you wanna help me make some breakfast for all of us?"

She was off of Fitz's lap and grabbing my hand immediately.

"I bet since you're here, Daddy won't say no to cupcakes or pop tarts for breakfast!"

I laughed at her conniving little self. I had a feeling this would be a day I would remember forever.

Fitz POV

It was like magic. Watching Olivia, whom I've decided was the actual love of my life, and CJ, the reason for my existence, interact with each other was something that took my breath away. It wasn't like something out of a storybook, it was just something that was real. They were talking, and laughing and CJ felt comfortable telling jokes to Olivia and she never did that with people other than me and my mom. Everything was falling into place with authenticity and I couldn't be happier for what I saw in our future.

Once breakfast was over, I reminded CJ that she promised to show Olivia her bedroom. She loved the idea and took off up the steps saying she wanted to make sure it was cleaned first. I assured Olivia that I would never allow her to leave if this is how my daughter would act. She never willingly cleaned her room. I had taken advantage of her disappearing upstairs and for the six minutes she was rummaging through her room, I held Olivia to my chest and kissed her. To be honest, we straight up made out. There were no soft, cautious kisses, instead we both fed each other, wet, tongue-tied kisses that caused shuddering. I made sure I had some of the tea available that she liked to drink and I could still taste it on her tongue as we kissed. Coming up for air wasn't a big necessity for me, and each time she would force me away for a second, I'd dive back in for more. Her laugh was contagious as I moved down to her lavish her neck in attention and I could tell she was ticklish there.

When we heard CJ's footsteps we moved apart and followed her back into the room. She was excited to show Liv all her games and the only stuffed animal and doll she owned. They were special to her and she made sure to tell her that she didn't really like dolls or stuffed animals but those two were special to her. They were the ones she'd had since she was born and it made me feel good that she loved them so much.

We played a couple of games and I could tell Olivia was surprised and impressed to see that CJ was completely okay with losing. I watched Olivia hold her breath as she jumped CJ's last red checkers piece but I knew my little one wouldn't flip out. We'd finally gotten past that stage months ago and now she understood the rules of being a good sport.

"Good game, Livia."

She had stood up and reached her hand out to shake Olivia's hands before turning to me with an arrogant look on her face. She was so my daughter.

"Let's go play in the front with my sidewalk chalk, Livia!"

That's when everything changed.

Liv POV

CJ was an amazing kid. Today had been great and I had been praying that nothing would change it.

"Let's go play in the front with my sidewalk chalk, Livia!"

I knew it wouldn't take long for me to disappoint her.

Everything she wanted to do today so far had been perfect. We were inside cooking together, exploring her room, completing puzzles, and getting to know one another. But now she wanted to leave the sanctity of her home and it was something I couldn't do. Even for her. I knew her statement was directed at me, but i was grateful when Fitz spoke up for me.

"Ceej, we are gonna stay in today. What else do you wanna do? How about a movie?"

"I was talking to Livia. Let's go outside."

She dismissed his suggestion immediately and I saw him tense up at her words. I normally would've thought that was disrespectful for a child to say to their parent, but knowing their open and straight-forward relationship, I knew she was just speaking as a matter of fact.

"I know that you were talking to her but I'm gonna be the one to answer. We aren't going outside."

"Livia, do you wanna go outside with me?"

"Cassandra Jane!" I'd never heard him use that stern voice with him and I watched as CJ dropped her gaze from mine and turned to look at Fitz. "I won't say it again..."

"She's not a baby, she can answer for herself."

Her words were muttered and I saw Fitz's eyes cut to mine. They were full of an apology knowing the subject wouldn't be dropped until Olivia gave CJ an actual answer of her own.

"CJ, I'm sure it would be a lot of fun, but I would rather stay inside today. Is that okay?"

I tried to keep my voice from shaking and was proud of myself when the words finally came out. She sat still staring at me for just a few more seconds before she turned and walked towards Fitz.

"Can I paint?"

Fitz turned to look at me with an expression that I wasn't completely able to read. He nodded his head to CJ and we both watched as she went to the bottom drawer of her dresser and pulled out a light blue shirt that had paint stains on it.

"I'll go set up your easel in the kitchen." Fitz said standing up.

"I want it on the back porch."

"Ceej, let's do it in the kitchen. That way we can all paint with you."

She ignored Fitz and went into her bathroom down the hall. When she came out seconds later, she walked into her bedroom and tossed her shirt back on the bed before she turned to go downstairs. She hadn't even glanced in my direction and I wondered if she would demand to paint outside knowing that I wouldn't go out there with her.

I followed Fitz down the steps. My hand was intertwined with his and he squeezed it a few times, comforting me in the process.

"She's just stubborn, Livvie. It's not you."

"But it is. I can't give her what she wants."

"Stop."

He physically stopped me from moving any further from the stair's landing and when I finally locked eyes with him, he leaned in and kissed me softly.

"She's stubborn. You being here is giving her what she wants. What I want. I don't want you to doubt that, Livvie. She'll be fine. I can talk to her. I almost got on her case because she knows how to purposely be rude, but I know that this is all new for her and it's gonna take some getting used to. She sees this as a privilege to have you here, so she just has to realize she can't get everything she wants from you."

I nodded and pulled him to the kitchen. We both noticed that she had completely disregarded Fitz's instructions and was standing out on the back patio with her arms crossed, facing away from the door.

"I wish I could give her everything she wants."

Fitz POV

"Just give me a minute, okay?"

I kissed her forehead, partially because I wanted to comfort her and partially because I hadn't found a way of leaving a room without doing so, and slid open the glass door that led to the backyard.

"Unfold your arms."

"But Daddy.."

"Unfold them now. Look at me, Bug. What is it that I won't tolerate?"

I sat on the chair in front of her and she turned around with her arms now by her side, and her eyes averted.

"Lying and bla.. bla.."

"Blatant" I spoke, helping her with the word she still had trouble with.

"Blatant disrespect."

"Lying and blatant disrespect. Being respectful of someone is accepting when they say no, and you know that CJ. Olivia doesn't want to be outside because she wants privacy and we need to respect that. I don't want you ignoring her because you can't get your way."

She fidgeted under my warning and I knew she was feeling only somewhat remorseful.

"I just don't understand."

"And what have we talked about before? It's okay to not understand why someone does something. It's not our business and that's okay. But no matter what, we will show respect. Capisce?"

"Capisce."

I took her hand and walked us back inside to see Olivia sitting at the table checking her phone.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes, it's fine."

I went into the garage and pulled out the large easel along with some paper and brought it into the kitchen. I always set it up near the door and I sent CJ a look when I noticed her about to complain about the different setting. I clipped a few sheets to each side and grabbed two small plastic cups from the cabinet and put water in them before setting them next to the water paints on the easel's shelf.

"Which side are you gonna paint on, Ceej?"

She was silent and walked over to one side before she opened the paint tray and began painting. Still keeping quiet, she reached for a second paintbrush with her left hand and blindly handed it to Olivia before going back to her painting.

"Thank you."

I nodded for Olivia to go to the other side and she opened her paint tray and began her picture with soft black strokes. I watched her closely and although I couldn't tell what she was drawing, I saw the look of concentration on her face and knew it meant something to her. There was black everywhere, never presenting itself in the same manner.

"What are you making, Livia?"

I could tell that Olivia was surprised to hear CJ speak to her, but I wasn't. Kids had a pretty good bounce back and my daughter was no exception. She wasn't one to hold a grudge unless it was with me.

"I really don't know. Just kind of messing around. What about you?"

"I'm making a picture for you to take home with you. You have to leave later, don't you?"

"I do and I'll be happy to take a picture with me."

"What color do you think is best for flowers, Livia?"

"Whatever you choose will be perfect."

"But what is your favorite color?"

Olivia didn't answer right away. She looked at me and after a few moments passed, she answered without breaking gaze. "Blue."

She reached behind her and grabbed a pen that was sitting in the designated area I kept our mail, and scribbled something at the bottom of the paper before sitting it on the counter to dry. I watched as she moved the chair she had been using next to CJ's chair and I smiled when she began telling Olivia what she could help with her. It was almost as if nothing happened, but I knew that Olivia telling CJ 'no' was something that my daughter wouldn't forget. They spoke animatedly with one another and I took a moment to glance at the picture Olivia had set aside.

Black strokes of paint going in any and every direction. Smudges here and there. It looked like pure chaos and destruction. Like sadness and pain. But it was the words she had scribbled at the bottom that made me understand why she drew it.

See the white spaces? There, lies hope.

Liv POV

Dinner was fun. The fallout from earlier had been forgotten and I was happy to be a part of putting CJ to bed. I had done it the one time, but sitting here today, that felt like a lifetime ago. After she was given a quick shower by Fitz, CJ begged me to french braid her hair. I didn't know how to french braid and I felt horrible admitting that to her. I honestly didn't want to tell her 'no' for a second time that day. I knew it was something I would eventually have to do because she couldn't get everything she wanted, and I wouldn't always be able to give things to her, but two in one day wouldn't be ideal for me. CJ settled for the simple two braids I was able to put in her hair and she made it a point to tell Fitz that I should be the only one allowed to do her hair. When her hair was complete, CJ suggested that I lay in bed with her as we read two books together. The original plan was for her to read one, while I read the other, but when she yawned for the fourth time in the middle of reading, I asked to take over. I noticed her nodding off by the time I was in the middle of the second book and before I was done, CJ was asleep with her head against my chest.

"You know I could get used to this."

I looked up as Fitz strolled in the room looking completely gorgeous. He scowled at me when I'd whispered that into his ear earlier, finding it feminine somehow. I didn't care though because it was true. His sleeves were rolled up just over his elbows and his jeans had teased me all day long with how they fit snug around his thighs and ass.

"Get used to what?"

"Seeing the two of you snuggled in bed together. It's something I would've never wished for until I met you."

"Will she wake up if I move?"

I chose not to respond in any kind of way to his comment. It was too much to think of. I had dreamed of moments as such for so long, but in the past year, it was something I had written off. Until Fitz. That's what a lot of my thoughts centered around lately. I would never see myself settling down, until Fitz. I would never see myself actually being able to have a loving family, until Fitz. I never thought I'd find my real smile again, until Fitz. He was already giving me so much and moments like these would probably become my favorite.

"She won't. Until she's ready to wake up on her own, she'll sleep like the dead."

He walked closer and watched us as I moved from the pillow I was on and slid CJ onto it. She turned into the pillow a little and just like Fitz said, continued to sleep. I carefully climbed out of the bed and took a hold of Fitz's offered hand as I stood up straight. He wasted no time wrapping his arms around me and pulling me flush against him.

"I have fallen so in love with you, Olivia."

To say I wasn't expecting that was an understatement. His words always had the ability to catch me off guard in the best way possible.

"I didn't think it was possible for me to fall in love with someone that would love me back."

Fitz POV

If there was one thing I would be sure to do, it was to make Olivia realize how important her very existence was to me.

"It's more than possible. It's a reality now and it will be this way forever."

It was later that night that I was climbing into bed after throwing a load of clothes into the dryer. I didn't care that they would be wrinkled the next day once I got them out. I just wanted to get it done. CJ had been asleep for at least four hours and I had cleaned up everything after I had gotten off the phone with Olivia. Now I was ready to pass out. It was a draining day, but it was one of the best days I'd had in a while. I had just reached over to plug my phone up and double check that my alarm was set when the screen changed to a black screen with the word "Unknown" as my phone rang. I knew it was Olivia. It was very strange for her to call me this late, especially since we had already spoken for over an hour just a bit ago. I immediately expected that something was wrong.

"Livvie? Is something wrong, what's going on?"

"No, Fitz I'm okay. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. Did I wake you?"

"No, I was just climbing in bed. What's up?"

I breathed a sigh of relief and I noticed my heart rate slow down significantly.

"I wanted to know if I could bring something for CJ tomorrow when I come for dinner?"

"Like a gift you mean? You don't have to do that, Liv."

"I know I don't have to, but after today..…. I just really wanted to do something special for the next time that I saw her and I think I found something perfect. At least I hope it is. I could show you first if you want, but it's kind of a big deal to me, so it might be too soon to do it. I don't know, I could be doing all of this babbling for nothing. I just…"

"Livvie, relax. The answer is yes. I'm sure she will love whatever you have for her."

"I'm sorry. I must sound like a crazy person."

"You don't sound like a crazy person. You sound like you're very nervous about giving my daughter a gift that clearly means a lot to you."

"It does. It really does. And it's probably too soon to do this and maybe I shouldn't do it, but I got home and just knew I didn't want to leave tomorrow night without giving her something."

"I understand. Can I ask what it is?"

Olivia didn't answer right away, but I knew her sudden sniffing meant that she was either holding back tears, or that she was crying.

"It's okay, Livvie, you don't have to say anything. I'm sure whatever it is, CJ will love it."

"Maybe you could see it tomorrow before I give it to her? Let me know if it's something she'd like?"

"Of course. Do you want to give me any clue as to what it is? You've kinda got me intrigued now, Livvie."

"It's a piece of my heart."