"Do I have to take it off?"

"Yes. This isn't something I really want you to sleep in, okay?"

"But please Daddy! Livia, did you sleep in it when you were little like me?"

I didn't want to undermine Fitz, but I knew it was completely fine for CJ to sleep with the necklace around her neck. I had done it every day since I was five years old.

"You can tell me the truth, Liv. I'm just paranoid but if it's really okay..."

"I slept with it on from the time I was five years old."

"Yes!"

I watched Fitz roll his eyes and had to laugh. CJ knew she had won and moved further under her comforter with a large smile on her face. Her fingers were still on the small bumblebee shaped charm on the necklace. I still felt a small yearning to hold the necklace between my fingers but I knew that it would mean more for me to see her wearing it. When I'd given her the necklace just a few hours ago, I hadn't told her where I had gotten it or relatively anything about it, just that it was something I wanted her to have. She was ecstatic and loved it, smiling widely and hugging my neck tightly after I placed it around her neck. That was all I needed.

"Goodnight, CJ."

"Goodnight, Livia. Will I see you in the morning before school?"

"No sweetie but I'll come by tomorrow once you're home from school."

I hugged her one last time and waited outside the door as Fitz said his good night's to her. When we were back downstairs, I sat with Fitz in front of the fire we had built nearly two hours ago. It was my idea to make s'mores inside and CJ was more than happy to camp out inside the house.

"I don't think I'll be able to take that off of her ever again."

Fitz sat next to me and held open an arm for me to scoot under. I was instantly molded to his side in my favorite spot and his arm wrapped around my shoulder.

"I never took it off when I was a little girl."

"Was it from her?"

My body only stiffened slightly but I knew Fitz had felt it. It was obvious who the necklace was from and I knew he'd figure it out before I could ever bring it up to him. I nodded my head before resting it against his chest and he kissed my forehead, ending the subject.

The one thing I loved about being with Fitz is that there wasn't a need for words to be constantly spoken. We did talk when we were together and our late night calls for the past two plus months, gave us such an insight into each other's lives. We knew so much about one another, yet we learned something new about each other every day.

"What are you thinking about?"

I noticed that he always asked me that question when I became quiet. Him wanting to always know my thoughts was overwhelming in a way that I appreciated.

"Nothing really. Just being content. Happy to be here with you."

"Still finding it hard to believe?" He questioned.

"Still finding it hard to believe." I agreed. "What are you thinking about?"

"You."

"Me?"

"Yes you. I'm always thinking about you."

"That might not be the healthiest thing in the world. I don't know if I'm flattered or creeped out."

"Well I hope it's the latter or we've got trouble."

I laughed and I felt his hands move to my hair and he began massaging my scalp gently.

"What time is Huck coming to get you?"

"I told him nine-thirty."

"Nine-thirty? That's like in an hour, Liv. Why so early?"

"It's a school night for you guys. I don't want you to be tired getting up with her in the morning and going to work."

"You don't have to leave so early. I'll be fine in the morning."

"Tomorrow I'll stay later if you're sure."

"I'm sure."

Fitz POV

I was happy with her answer and squeezed her closer to me to convey my appreciation.

"I wanted to talk to you about something. Two things really."

"I'm listening. Although this doesn't sound good."

"It's good to me I'm just not sure how you'll take it."

"What is it?"

"My certifications have been renewed and I'm now able to practice criminal law again."

She tensed up immediately and I almost wished I didn't say anything to her. I could've just contacted Huck and kept the information between the two of us, but I wanted to be one-hundred percent honest with Olivia.

"I don't want you to be afraid something's going to happen to me or that I'll fail you."

"That's not what scares me. I just don't want you to put your life, your career on hold for my problems."

"Olivia you didn't ask me to do any of this. I decided to do it on my own and my career right now is the most tedious thing about my life. I want to sink my teeth into something that I'm passionate about and that something is your case,"

"I don't have a case!" She sat up and out of my embrace and at that moment, I felt our first real fight approaching.

" Exactly! I want to represent you, Olivia. You need a case to get rid of these charges. I trust myself to represent you and get this settled."

Olivia moved herself from the couch and began walking towards the kitchen. I assumed she didn't want our loud voices to travel up the stairs, so I stood and followed her immediately.

"Olivia, trust me to do this with you."

"We don't even know if it will go to trial at all, Fitz! Don't you see that?"

"Olivia you're not thinking clearly, of course it'll go to trial!"

"Just stop Fitz. Please, just stop."

"Stop what? Loving you? Caring about your future? Our future?"

"Stop planning for something that won't happen!"

I moved to grab her arms and she tensed up immediately. Her eyes focused on mine, pleading with me to listen to her, but I couldn't. There was something she wasn't telling me and I needed to know.

"Talk to me. Tell me what has you so scared, Livvie."

She kept her eyes closed but tears began escaping and spilling down her cheeks. I tried to move us to sit down at the table, but her hands tightened around my own and she didn't allow me to move her. Her silent cries turned into choked sobs after a moment and I pulled her into my chest.

"Whatever it is you can tell me."

She still didn't say anything for a while, but when she finally spoke, it reminded me of the day I had met her. Her voice had been quiet and fearful. It was the same this time except there was vulnerability added in as well. She was opening herself up to me and as much as I loved it, I still ached from her obvious pain.

"I can't go back."

It was on the tip of my tongue. Go back where? But I knew she would keep talking when she was ready. I couldn't rush her through this. I just had to hold her and wait for her to trust in me. Everything about what led us to this moment spoke volumes about my trust in her. Now I had to let her trust me at her own pace.

"If we take the case to court, I'll be in jail until the trial. I'll never make it to trial because he'll have someone hurt me. I can't do it."

"Livvie, I.."

"That's what's going to happen. The second I show my face or you file the motion, officers will bang this door down and find me."

"I would never.."

"Then they'll force you to tell them where I am. They'll arrest you and where would that leave CJ? She doesn't need to be in the middle of this Fitz."

"Stop it!" I didn't mean to yell, but I had to make her understand that nothing she was saying made me rethink my decision. "I am representing you. When the time comes to file the papers, I will motion for you to be released on bail and it will be granted. You'll be with me until the trial starts and until your name is cleared."

"You don't know that."

The tears were back.

"But I do, Livvie. I need you to trust me on this."

"But.."

"No buts. Do you trust me?"

"I'd be crazy not to."

I laughed at her words and pulled back to look at her before cupping her face and tilting it up.

"Do you trust me?"

"I trust you."

"Then let me handle this."

"Ok."

Liv POV- Two Weeks Later

"I'm not sure what you expect me to do, Liv."

"Well I expected you to say something. Have an opinion, give me a suggestion, something! Not just sit there speechless! Hell I even expected some complaining from you."

"You know I'll follow and watch out for you... Within reason."

"What does 'within reason' even mean?

"It means that I'll be invisible so it doesn't even matter."

"But do you think it's smart or stupid? There's been no word or tracking or whatever you call it that you've found coming up this way. You said they think I went west so that's where they'll look."

"I know what I said."

"So you really think it would be okay?"

I had never seen Huck frustrated and I wondered if I would finally see him express that emotion. I had been questioning him for just a few minutes but as he sat there before me, I could tell I was driving him crazy. The TV was always on mute while he watched it, and the radio was always scanning the fuzziest station I'd ever heard. He had a half eaten sandwich I had insisted on making him, and I knew I was disturbing his "Huck time" Everyday, all day was "Huck time" but right now soap operas were coming on and for some reason he always paid close attention to the silent dramas.

"Olivia, do you not want to go?"

I froze. Neither of them had asked me that question and I had been glad. All of the answers I had to anything lately came from a place of fear and this one was no different. Fitz had brought up the idea two days ago and told me to talk to Huck and just think about it. Although I knew what I wanted to say, I wasn't sure if that was the right answer.

"I want to."

"Then what's the problem?"

"I'm scared."

I hadn't been afraid to admit that anymore. It was as if it were my new factor setting. Fear.

Flashback

"What should we have for dinner tonight?"

"Whatever you choose is fine."

"No, no. You're not gonna do this every night. I don't like being the only one that decides on dinner. Let's ask CJ what she wants."

"Livvie, I'm telling you, the kid is gonna say pizza. Or Chick-Fila. If I let her eat it every single day, she would."

I laughed, believing him. "Then let's make pizza together. Do you have everything we'd need?"

"I'm sure I do. I'll stop and pick up some pepperoni and dough. We've always got enough cheese in this house."

"Good, then pizza it is. Do you guys usually make it or buy it?"

"We've made it a few times but usually we order from _"

"That's right. She won't be upset it's not from there will she?"

"No, she'll eat whatever kind of pizza there is. Sometimes I cave and buy frozen ones."

"Well that's disgusting."

"It kinda is, but trust me when CJ puts up a fight, it's best to pick your battles."

"I've noticed that at times. Sometimes you just fold like a napkin"

Fitz POV

Did she really just say that to me? I loved the sound of her laugh that came after such words because although I knew it was true, she was simply teasing me. She had begun to do that more often, knowing that I thoroughly enjoyed it. It proved to me how much she was opening up to me and I loved being able to tease her back, although I hardly did it. I didn't feel as comfortable with that just yet.

"I'm trying to not be offended by that statement."

"You should be. You're so soft."

"Olivia."

I said her name as a warning and that only sent her laughing. I knew it would and did it purposely because I've realized that I will do whatever necessary to see her smile or laugh.

"Come away with me."

"What?"

She was confused and I couldn't blame her. I blurted that out without thinking and her response let me know I did not play that calm and cool.

"I'm sorry. I.. I didn't mean to just blurt that out. Let me explain. I've been giving a lot of thought to the next two weeks and I trying to decide on how to bring up my proposal.."

"What's in two weeks?"

"Thanksgiving is."

"Thanksgiving?"

"Yes. It's a holiday that we never really celebrate, but."

"You don't celebrate it?"

"We do but it's never been anything great. It's usually just us going to my mom's, and eating with her church family."

"Well are you guys going to do the same this year?"

"It always feels like I'm intruding on someone else's family time and then my mom complains about it so I was going to propose something different this year... If you'll join us."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Just promise you'll keep an open mind, but if you say no, I won't be upset."

"Fitz, just say it! You're making me nervous now."

"Sorry. I don't want to make you nervous I'm just not sure what you'll say... I wanted the three of us to go out of town for Thanksgiving."

"Out of town?"

"Yea, I thought we could drive up to D.C. and spend Wednesday through Sunday in the city exploring and just being together. Or we could go until Friday or Saturday but I'm sure traffic will be hell coming back, but in willing to do whatever you're comfortable with, I just thought it might be nice to get away."

Olivia didn't say anything right away and I assumed she would reject the idea without a second thought. I half expected her to hang up the phone and just when I was about to apologize and tell her to forget the whole idea, her voice sounded.

"I want to go."

"You do?"

"I want to go, Fitz. I want to have a plan of course and be able to let Huck know everything to make sure D.C. is okay to visit right now, but I want to go."

"Livvie..."

I was speechless.

"Let's talk about it later, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you."

End Flashback

"Liv, if I didn't know it was safe, I wouldn't let you go there. You have to trust me.."

"I do trust you, Huck you know I do. It's not that. I just ...I just..."

"You just what, Liv?"

"I need to talk to Fitz."

Huck only nodded for a few seconds as though I he needed verbal confirmation that I had seen the nod. He did that when he was thinking and I'm not sure he noticed the habit.

"Talk to him tonight. I'll pick you up at ten instead of nine tonight."

"I meant to tell you, him and CJ are having dinner out tonight so I told him I'd come over for dessert and maybe I'd stay the night if that's okay with you? I don't want you to have to come back out so late to get me.

"That's fine, Liv."

"Thanks Huck."

"Not a problem. I'm still arranging things for your trip and I have all the dates so if anything changes, let me know."

"Everything's still in place but if there's a change after tonight, you'll be the first to know."

Huck nodded once and I went into my room and was left alone with my thoughts.

Fitz POV

Everything was set up the way I wanted it to be. We switched things up today and me and CJ went out on a daddy-daughter evening and Olivia would only come over for dessert. I hated that our time would be cut short tonight, but she had been adamant about not being over too late on a school night. I think she cares more about me getting a full nights rest more than I did.

My laptop was out on the table with the different places I was looking for us to stay and different web pages were open to places I wanted us to visit. CJ had written down five places she wanted to see in DC after I discreetly rented a kids book from the library on DC. She wasn't thrilled with the idea at first but then opened the colorful book and began pointing out places she'd like to visit one day.

"Daddy, are the cookies ready?"

"Not yet. Look at the timer. Did you put on your clothes like I asked?"

There was no way in hell she was dressed that fast on her own.

"Kinda. Where's Livia?"

I turned from my computer and looked at my half naked child with a chuckle. I was at least grateful she had on underwear and her bedroom slippers I insisted on her wearing now that it was basically winter. She was suddenly a hot natured person and hadn't worn any of the fleece pajamas I'd bought her last week. I tried to compromise and laid out a nightgown for her but apparently that wasn't happening without a direct order.

"Where are your clothes Ceej?"

"I'm too hot to wear the clothes, Daddy."

"Okay, so when you catch a cold, don't come whining to me to run your back and make it go away"

I tried my best to mimic her whinny voice but I know I failed miserably.

"I don't talk like that."

She walked over to me and made herself comfortable on my lap, mumbling the words she read from the page I had open.

"What a mon-new-ment?"

"Monument. It's... It's kinda like a statue of something and it symbolizes something else."

"What does that even mean?"

"It means that you are a nosy little Bug and need to go put some clothes on"

"Daddy, what does it really mean?"

Before I could answer, my phone and the oven timer went off simultaneously, making both mine and CJ's head turn in both directions.

"Cookies ready! Let me get em!"

I grabbed her by the arms before she could fully wiggle off my lap and lifted her easily onto my hip with her still facing outward.

"Since when are you allowed to get anything from the oven, Cassandra Jane?"

I didn't need to see her face to know that she had rolled her eyes before pouting. I just knew.

"I wasn't going to get it, I was just gonna grab the mittens for you."

"Yea well I can do that myself."

I walked her to the island and sat her down before grabbing my phone from the counter. I turned to shut the timer and the oven off nearly blindly as I unlocked my phone and read the text message from Olivia.

"Can I come through the garage, please? We just pulled up."

"Of course, come on in."

I wasn't sure why she wanted to go through the garage because she never had before. I took the cookies out and sat them on the back of the stovetop before I turned to look at CJ.

"Touch them if you want, you're gonna get burned. Don't move."

I left her sitting on the counter and opened the door leading to the garage before pressing the button for the large metal door to open. It was loud and smooth. As it slowly rose I could see Olivia's feet stepping out of the car and her making her way to the backseat for something. By the time it was fully open, my eyes were wide at her quick steps heading towards me, a duffle bag secure in her left hand.

What did that mean? Did she have something for CJ in the bag? Was it a gift? I watched her wave shyly at me as she always did before she simply sat the bag down next to my car and moved forward to embrace me. Her hugs were always the best. I enveloped her small frame and pressed my lips to the side of her neck three times before I pulled back and kissed her lips. I pulled back an inch and didn't waste any time diving back in, open mouthed. She didn't seem to be expecting that, but responded immediately and I felt her tongue insert my mouth for a brief second before she pulled away and cleared her throat. She was looking past me and I knew that could only mean one thing.

"The cookies are ready and I know CJ is ready to eat one. I think I'll give her an extra one because she's sitting patiently where I left her."

I immediately heard her scurry off behind me and Olivia's face lit up in a smile that I wanted to see every single day.

"What am I going to do with her conniving self?"

Olivia laughed and shook her head before kissing the corner of my mouth. That had become a weak spot for her and I was pretty certain that she knew that.

"Oh, hey what's with the bag?"

I went to pick it up, but she stopped me and moved in front of it.

"It's my things. Just a few things for me to stay over, if that's okay? Huck will come get me before you get up with CJ."

"That's more than okay. Let me bring it in."

"Let's wait till CJ is sleep. I don't want her to know I'm staying and come to expect that every time I come over."

"You're right."

I agreed and grabbed her hand before leading her inside and closing the garage doors. Inside the kitchen CJ was sitting exactly where I had left her as though nothing had happened, the smallest hint of a smile on her face.

Liv POV

"Livia!"

"Hi sweet girl, how are you?"

"I'm good! I missed you today!"

I moved to stand in front of her and went into her tiny open arms before hugging her to me.

"I missed you too. Where are your clothes?"

"Daddy put out hot pjs tonight. I didn't wanna wear them. Do you wanna help me pick out some pjs that won't make me sweaty?"

I was surprised but knew this was a way of getting me to herself for a moment and agreed.

"Of course I do, let's go."

"Carry me, Livia!"

Her arms reached around my neck and I laughed while sliding her small frame from the counter as her skinny legs wrapped tightly around my waist. As we headed out of the kitchen I felt a small pain against my ass and turned to see Fitz smiling suspiciously with a dish towel wrapped around his hand.

"Don't be too long" was his only warning and I rolled my eyes at his playful nature before going up the stairs and into CJ's room.

"Alright, not-so-warm-pjs is what we're looking for, right?"

I asked her and plopped her down on the bed.

"Uh huh!"

I expected her to join me in the search but instead, she insisted that I look through her clothes while she bounced happily on the bed. I scanned two drawers of pajamas before I found a pair of shorts and a tank top shirt that matched and held it out to her. CJ nodded her head vigorously, letting me know that she approved and I walked towards her. CJ smiled and immediately grabbed a hold of my shoulders, letting me know she wanted me to help her. She stepped into the shorts, and I could feel her staring at me the entire time. When she raised her arms to put the shirt on, we locked eyes ad before I could say anything, she'd leaned forward and placed a small kiss on my cheek.

"I really like it when you come over to our house."

It wasn't the first time she'd told me that, but it was the first kiss she'd ever given me. I'd kissed her head most nights if she insisted that I tucked her in, but this was her first time initiating that type of affection with me. It almost made me weep.

"I really like when I get to come over here, too. I enjoy spending time with you and your daddy."

"He likes it too. Can you do braids in my hair again?"

"I can do that. It might take a little longer than your Daddy expected though and the cookies won't be so warm and gooey like you like them."

"That's okay. I like when you do my hair."

She plopped down on her bed and I smiled to myself at her decision. She loved gooey, fresh out of the oven cookies, but was willing to give that up for more time with me. Now I had to stop myself from weeping. She had a heart just like her father's and I loved it. I went into her bathroom and grabbed the familiar items before coming back and parting her hair. It took a little longer than planned but two braids were successfully in her hair by the time we walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Fitz raised his eyebrows at CJ's new hair style and mouthed 'thank you' to me. I simply winked in return and moved to sit between the two of them as we enjoyed our dessert.

Fitz POV

I wasn't sure what was on Olivia's mind, but I knew there was something she wanted to talk to me about. I could always tell when she needed to gather her thoughts, or there was something she wanted to say but had no clue how to broach the subject. This was one of those times. CJ had been put to bed almost two hours ago and after straightening up the kitchen and lounging on the back porch, we grabbed her bag from the garage and went to my bedroom. When Olivia was changed, she climbed into the bed next to me and I was grateful the lap top was sitting atop my lap. My erection was growing by the second and I tried my best to think of something to make it cease. She was wearing the soft pajamas I had purchased for her way back when and I loved seeing her in them.

"What's all this?"

I cleared my throat before moving just a little closer so that our thighs were touching and scooted the lap top so that it was positioned on each of us.

"I was looking at our options for lodging while in D.C. and wanted to get your thoughts. I know we need to tell Huck some official plans soon, so I figured we could maybe decide tonight."

"Okay, what options do we have? Just hotel's right?"

"Well there are hotels and the company AirBnB is pretty decent so we could always go that route."

"I've heard of it but I'm not familiar with it at all really."

"Basically you can rent property while you're visiting wherever. Most places rent a room or two for people traveling and sometimes the owner is still there but stays out of the visitors business or you can rent an entire home or apartment and have that privacy."

"That does sound nice. Which one would you want to do?"

"I was leaning more towards AirBnB. It would be more ideal for us to have someplace to rent out without owners being in our business and also hotels have cameras and I don't want you to worry about security footage or anything like that while we're away."

She smiled and placed her hand on top of mine before leaning her head on my shoulder.

"Thank you for always thinking of me and putting my needs first."

"Anytime. You're a priority of mine now, Livvie."

I felt her shudder and turn into me. Her face pressed into my chest and her left arm reached and wrapped around my side.

"Livvie?"

She held onto me tighter and refused to budge when I tried to remove the grip she had on me. Understanding that she needed a moment, I began to rub gentle patterns on her back and left constant kisses to her temple hoping to relax her.

"One minute."

I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard her voice.

"Okay. One minute of what, Livvie?"

"One minute of honesty."

Liv POV

"Okay, one minute of honesty."

He agreed and I took a deep breath before I tried to explain myself.

"Us going away… planning a trip together for a holiday….. it's so normal."

"It's very normal." He agreed, somehow squeezing me tighter to him.

"Nothing in my life lately has been normal, Fitz. I know that I said I was all in and I am. I'm not changing my mind about that at all, I'm just scared. Fear is all I know and the hope you're always giving me is there too, but normal…. Normal scares me more than anything right now."

I was proud of myself for not crying. I'm pretty sure every time I saw him, I cried about something and I wasn't proud of that.

"I know that nothing's been normal for you and that I think that it's time we change that. That we embrace that. Once we get back, Livvie, I'm going to file that petition to the court and nothing will be normal after that. Things will probably get harder before they get better so I want to take advantage of this normalcy while we can."

"It's just been so long since I've felt normal."

"I kinda feel the same way. But I think it's due time, don't you?"

I finally released him from the grip I had. I took the lap top from our laps and moved it before swinging a leg over to straddle his lap. I felt his hands grip my waist and I leaned up to kiss him hard on the mouth. I hadn't planned on my lips being that demanding, but I couldn't stop myself. He always said the right things to me.

"I want to be normal with you, Fitz. I really do."

His smile was large and I laughed at how goofy it actually was and how crazy I probably sounded. I inwardly chastised myself when the tears gathered in my eyes and I prayed they wouldn't spill.

"Let's be normal together, Livvie."

I breathed deeply, forcing the tears away. He was looking at me with such intense love and I needed the goofy grin back instead or else I would be a blubbering mess. I cleared my throat and kissed him hard on the mouth once more before pulling back and smiling at him.

"But you know what they say, normal is so overrated."

And there was my goofy grin.