AN: Story is wrapping up in Chapter 39, guys, so two more chapters to go! Hope you guys enjoy them. Oh, and there's two slight time jumps in this short chapter.

Olivia's POV

"It's four carat gold," Abby gushes, holding out her pale hand for me to and Fitz to further inspect.

"Wow," Fitz feels compelled to say for the hundredth time. I grin and pat his knee under the table for being such a good sport. Even though David just proposed to Abby yesterday, and I only moved in with Fitz four months ago, it feels like Fitz and I are the married couple. We're sitting on the same side of the restaurant booth, his arm casually but firmly wrapped around my waist and me slightly leaning into him.

Abby and David, on the other hand, are like bouncy, jumpy teenagers who can't get their hands off each other.

"It's pretty, huh?" David sheepishly asks and we nod in agreement.

Abby squeezes him into a huge hug and he blushes. "It's gorgeous, David!"

Fitz looks at me, smirking quietly. I sigh and shake my head at him. Stirring my raspberry iced tea with my straw, I manage to smile at the couple in front of me. "It's beautiful, guys. When's the wedding?"

"About that," Abby straightens her back, finally peeling her eyes from her fiancé. She looks at me, a nervous smile plastered on her face. "The wedding is next month."

I raise my eyebrows. "Abby!"

"I know it's quick," Abby begins. "But we've waited so long for this - after the breakup, of course. And we're hoping y'all can come. With the girls, obviously."

I can't help but smile at her. I know a thing or two about rushing into weddings after being engaged right away. But David and Abby are not me and Jake. They're stronger. And they really, truly love each other. They have been together for six plus years. This really is gonna work out for them - I know it. I look at Fitx and he's beaming. He knows it too. I look back at Abby, smiling confidently. "Of course we'll be there."

"Great!" Abby squeals. She squeezes David so hard that I think the poor guy loses his breathing for a minute there. "Liv, I'm so happy. I really want Savannah to be the flower girl. And of course Karen will be there too, right Fitz? I would love to meet her."

Fitz smiles. "I'm sure Karen would be happy to come."

This and only Fitz and Abby's second or third time meeting but Abby is absolutely head over heels for Fitz. They first met three months ago and Abby was still reluctant. She thought Fitz was hot but she also believed it was too early for me to get hurt again, even though she wasn't judging me. She met Fitz was absolutely infatuated with him. Needless to say, she approves and trusts him completely. Initially, she was just worried. But I'm happier and more taken care of than I ever have been. This is where I belong. And she sees it.

"Yay!" Abby grins.

David clears his throat. "Isn't there something you're forgetting to mention, babe?"

Abby's smile fades a bit. "Well, um...there's just a tiny thing. The wedding? It's gonna be held in California."

"What?" Fitz asks in awe, after practically choking on his Dr. Pepper. "Are you serious? We can't go..."

"Why not?" I look up at Fitz and tease him. "It's not like you're working or anything."

"Haha, very funny," Fitz sticks out his tongue at me before turning back to Abby and David. "I guess we can go. I mean, we would love to. It's just short notice. Why California? I mean, I grew up there and it's a beautiful state. But I'm just curious."

"We love it there," David speaks up. I have noticed that even though Fitz doesn't have a lot of friends, David is someone he can count on. I guess the whole 'getting him out of jail' helped with their relationship. It's cute though. They're like brothers. "Which is why we're moving there after the wedding."

Now it's my turn to choke on my drink. I look up at Abby, frowning. "Abs...tell me your fiancé has no idea what the hell he's talking about."

Abby laughs softly then gives me a sad smile. "I was going to tell you, Liv. We've been talking about it for a while. I'm sorry. I never wanted you to be alone." She looks up at Fitz. "But I guess you're not alone now."

Fitz tightens his grasp on me and I look up at him too. He looks down so our eyes are locked - his ocean blue ones into my brown. She's right - I'm not alone. I'm going to miss Abby. She's my best friend. But I'll be fine. As long as I have Fitz? As long as I have my family? I'm perfect.

Fitz smiles softly and leans down, our lips meeting.

"Ew," David exclaims.

I pull away and roll my eyes as Fitz laughs. "Come on, David. It's not exactly like you and Abby have been lacking in PDA."

I look at Abby. She's truly like my sister And I'm gonna try to be happy for her. "I'm gonna miss you, Abs."

She reaches out and takes my hand. "Oh, Liv. I'm gonna miss you too." She grins tightly and for a second, I think she's gonna cry. Then, she turns to Fitz and sniffs. "You better take care of her, man. I'm not even kidding. If I hear one complaint, I'm dragging her ass down to California to stay with me and David. Take. Care. Of. Her."

Fitz grins. "You have my word."

"Good," Abby nods, then lets go of my hand.

She grabs a napkin off the table and dabs it at her mascara caked eyes. I can tell she's really crying and that makes me feel horrible but it's not a necessarily bad type of crying. It's like a revealing crying. We're at a crossroads. Everything is changing. It's good, but different. Abby nestled back into David's open arms and I do the same with Fitz's.

X

"What do you think about this dress?" Karen nudges the iPad on her Dad's thigh.

Fitz puts the sleeping Savannah on the other side of his lap and absently analyzes the dress on that Karen is showing him. I walk over and sit next to Karen on the long couch where now we all are in.

Ever since we told Karen that we're going back to California for a wedding, she's gone crazy - in a good way. She's so excited to see her friends again and even more excited to pick out a dress to wear to the wedding.

"Hm," Fitz picks up at iPad and squints his eyes at the turquoise dress on the screen. "It's pretty. I like the little sparkly stickers on it."

"Dad!" Karen sighs like that's the worst thing he's ever said. "They're called sequins!" She turns to me, exasperated. "What am I gonna do with him, Liv?"

I laugh. "When you find the answer, let me know, because I've got nothing."

Over these past couple of months, besides the constant teasing, Karen and Fitz's relationship has gotten so much better. Hell, this whole family's relationship has gotten better. Karen is more trusting and respectful. I'm more responsible and mature. Fitz is more open and rational. And Savannah? She's just even cuter and sweeter, if possible. I don't know what it is, but things just shifted over time. It feels right. Being here, with my two girls and my Fitz just feels like fate. Like it was supposed to happen all along. Like all we had to do was wait until all the bullshit moved over.

Fitz and I aren't really working at the moment. I plan to go to work really soon, but I don't need to. Financially, we're more than okay. And I think we're just indulging in the much needed family time. And I think all four of us deserve that. When I'm with Fitz and the girls, I am just so utterly, unconditionally happy.

"Okay," Fitz sighs, wrapping his arms around the napping five year old on his lap. "When y'all are done bullying me, you can go ahead and get my credit card, Karen. Pick out whatever dress you want."

Karen picks up the iPad off his thigh and plops it on mine. "What do you think, Liv?"

I pick up and genuinely look at the dress. "Hm." I scroll down. "The dress is pretty, Karen, but not for a wedding. It's more of a dance dress. The color isn't right. What you need is a lilac or lavender. And you can't go wrong with a baby blue. Or even light pink. It'll look good with your hair."

Karen listens intently, like I'm telling her exactly what she needs to know. "I see what you mean."

I hand her the iPad. "Go get your Dad's wallet and we could look together."

Karen hops off the couch and when she does, Fitz extends his arm and pulls me closer to him. I laugh and cross my legs on the couch, resting on his chest. I stroke Savannah's cheek with my finger.

"So," Fitz murmurs against my hair. "Tell me. What would I do without you?"

I laugh softly and keep tracing gentle, small circles on Savannah's cheek. She's resting so comfortable in his arms. "Sh. You're gonna wake up Anna."

"Hm," Fitz lowers his eyes and his voice to Savannah. "Do you think she loves her Daddy?"

I look up at Fitz and smile softly. "As much as I love him? No."

He looks at me and returns my smile before leaning down and giving me the softest, sweetest kiss ever. I put my hands on his shoulders and kiss him slightly harder, opening my mouth a little bit. When I pull away, we're both still smiling. "So, about Abby and David."

"What about them?" Fitz whispers, leaning to kiss me again.

I pull away slightly, not being able to hold my laughter. "I'm serious, Fitz. Do you think we're like them?"

"What?" Fitz wrinkles his eyebrows and grins. "No. We're much cuter."

I grin too, but I'm serious. "Honestly, Fitz. Do you think that's gonna be us one day? Getting married?"

"I hope so, Livvy."

And I smile and kiss him again. Because I do too.

Fitz's POV

"Mommy," Savannah holds out her arms for Liv and I obey, handing her off across the three aisle seat.

One of us had to have the aisle seat and Liv doesn't do window seats, so she took it. But I guess now, Savannah is getting cranky and she wants her mom. So Liv accepts with an apologetic smile to Karen, who she's hovering over to grab Savannah. I take a second to just look at Liv. She, again, looks so pretty so effortlessly in a red Harvard t shirt and navy skinny jeans with black sneakers. Liv is the only girl I know who can rock sneakers so sophisticated.

When she settles back in her seat, I look out the window. It's so beautiful. You look out the window and all you can see is the snow blanketed fields of Virginia, where we're flying over. I turn to Karen and put my arm over her. I know she gets anxiety flying and I hope she's okay. "You good, sweetheart?"

Karen brings her legs up under her and nods. "I'm fine."

I pull up the metal hand rest between us and pat my lap, indicating that she can put her legs on me. She does so and she exhales quietly. She offers me a small bag of pretzels before softly wondering, "Can I ask you something, Dad?"

I accept the pretzels and pop two in my mouth. "Yes?"

"Do you miss California?"

I smile and take a moment to think about my answer because I honestly don't know it. I miss the sunny days, beach houses and palm trees. And I miss Gerry. But I don't miss feeling alone and angry and resentful towards Mellie. I don't miss jail. And I definitely don't miss Big Gerry. "I don't know, baby girl. Do you?"

"Yes," Karen admits softly. She absently tugs at her light brown, long ponytail. "Are we gonna stay in DC forever?"

"I don't know," I reply honestly.

DC has been shitty on some parts and amazing on others. I hated the whole political part of it and I loved building and growing my family there. These past few months have been, literally, the best of my life. And honestly, some parts of LA were great. Particularly meeting Livvy for the first time, even though it was under crappy circumstances. That seems like a century ago.

I miss it, you know? Getting completely wasted and having sex in a dirty motel shower? Granted, our relationship now is slightly better but if that was our love forever, I wouldn't mind. Five and a half years ago was crazy. I was crazy. Towards the end, I was so depressed. I didn't think I would see Karen again, let alone Livvy. I was trying to make it day by day. Thanks to David, I had another chance. If I hadn't reunited with Livvy in that bathroom five months ago... I don't even know. I don't know where I would be right now. I don't know where Karen would be, since Liv has seriously helped her.

The other day, Karen came up to me and quietly told me she would agree to therapy, since it's something I have been badgering her about. It's not like I think Karen has serious problems or anything, especially since she and Liv have such a trusting, open relationship. But, and I will say it again, I will do whatever is absolutely best for my family.

I look over at Liv across the aisle. She finally got Savannah to calm down and take a nap. She's seated on her lap and Liv is sitting, eyes closed, running her hand gently through our daughter's hair. I'm realizing now that in the end, it doesn't matter where we are. As long as we're together.

X

"Fitz!"

I look up and there he is. He looks really good. He still has the same glasses though - I don't think he would be Evan without them.

I interlock Liv's finger with mine and nod at Evan, who is still across the cafe in Pacific Hills. She noticed him and smiles sweetly. He approaches us, beaming and without hesitating, bear hugs me and hugs Livvy too, kissing her on the cheek.

"It's so good to finally meet you," Liv smiles genuinely. "Fitz talks endlessly about you."

"Are you serious?" Evan demands, grinning. "For the past few months, all I have heard is 'Livvy' this and 'Livvy' that. It's so strange to meet you in the flesh. Fitz went on and on about how pretty you were, but can I just say, you're gorgeous?"

I look at Liv. She is gorgeous - especially this morning in her white, strapless, floral sundress. The wedding is later this afternoon and Karen and Savannah are resting up in our room upstairs.

Evan actually got released two weeks ago and we planned this visit. And here we are now, meeting for breakfast.

We all sit down. I still can't believe I'm seeing him. After practically six years, I'm seeing one of my best friends, who also happens to be an ex felon.

"Thank you," Liv chuckles, toying with the bracelet on her hand. Savannah made it for her and even though the neon pink and lime green beads don't match her dress, she wears it anyway, which is the cutest thing in the world. "But I'm the one who's had to deal with all those late night phone calls."

I laugh. "I take full responsibilities of those." I turn back to Evan, who im still in a pleasant shock to see. "How are the kids and your wife?"

Evan shakes his in awe. "It's been so long. And seeing them again in person was so surreal. And amazing." He looks at both me and Liv, a serious aura in his light green eyes. "Let me tell you guys something. Family is so important. It's everything. Never take it for granted. And when you love, love with your whole heart."

I feel Liv's hand go on top of mine under the table and I smile. He's right. Not surprising me, Evan is one hundred percent right