Fitz was downstairs in his office taking an important phone call but the second he heard Olivia shouting his name in distress, he tossed his phone and rushed upstairs like a madman. Phone call be damned. Nothing was more important than she was. His adrenaline pumped with every step he took. "Olivia," he called upon entering the room. His eyes wide and searching for his love. The moment Olivia's sad eyes landed on him, she flew into his arms just as her dam broke and her tears began to flow. Soaking Fitz's white t-shirt.

Fitz was so confused, but he held onto her and consoled her anyway. She was sobbing full on now, and he had no idea why. "Livie, calm down. What's wrong, baby? Talk to me," he'd say. His heart was breaking for her. He wanted to fix whatever was causing her this anguish.

It had taken Fitz at least thirty minutes to get Olivia to completely calm down and explain what caused her breakdown. Her response was not at all what he was expecting to hear but he understood her reaction a lot better. Running a hand through his curls, Fitz sighed. He felt like an idiot. He should've stayed in the car like Liv had asked him to. But his ego had gotten in the way, and when he heard Curtis shouting at Olivia, he just knew he had to make his presence known to rub it in the guy's face. But was it really worth it now?

"Shit, Liv. I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. You shouldn't be going through any of this. I crossed the line. The day I first saw you and find out you were married I should have never-"

Olivia whipped her head around and held up her hand to him. "Fitz, I swear if you finish that sentence, I will never forgive you. We crossed that line together-"

"And look where we are now, Liv!" Fitz irrupted with a shout. "This isn't how it's supposed to go. You've been through enough. I just wanted to make you happy, but all I've done is cause trouble."

"When have I ever said any of that, Fitz," she asked. "Baby, listen to me, you have made me the happiest I've ever been. I am so happy with you, Fitzgerald. I can't express that enough."

"Do you regret it," he asked timidly.

"No," she immediately answered as she shook her head from side to side. "I would cross that line again in a heartbeat."

Fitz pulled her into his arms and held her tight, his nose buried in her hair. Fitz's intentions were never to damage the relationship she had with her son. Honestly, and obviously, he hadn't cared much about how their entanglement would affect her marriage, but he had hoped to at least have a decent relationship with her son in the future. Now those plans seemed to be shot to hell.

"Livie, I'm really sorry. Had I just stayed in the car things we would be a lot less stressful right now."

Olivia sighed, wrapping her arms around his waist as she looked up at him. "It's ok, Fitz. We can't change what happened, but we can control how we move forward. Besides, I was going to tell Curtis about you, and I would've eventually introduced you to Isaiah too. We are going to be a family one day."

Fitz smiled at the thought of them being a happy family. He couldn't wait until all their dreams started to come true. "I hope he doesn't hate me."

"Well, right now let's just hope that he doesn't hate me. I'm praying that he was in bed when we got there and he didn't see or hear anything."

"Me too, baby. Me too," he murmured, kissing her forehead. "You really should freshen up and go see them, Liv. You need to make sure everything's ok." Fitz advised and Olivia nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Can I drive your car?"

"'Course, baby." Fitz nodded.

Olivia took Fitz's advice and went to freshen up. After showering and throwing on a pair of sweats, she put her hair in a low, side ponytail then grabbed her phone, Fitz's keys and her purse.

"Do you need me to come with you," Fitz asked as he stood behind her, holding her. Olivia turned in his embrace to look up at him. She frowned and shook her head no. "No, I don't think that'll be a good idea considering.. Besides, I'll be fine, and I'll call you when I first get the chance to."

They shared a long, hot, opened-mouth kiss before Olivia parted from him with a soft moan. "Sss- ouch! Fitz! That hurts!" She whined after he smacked her butt a little too hard. Fitz only smirked as they headed downstairs.

"Be safe," he said, and she waved goodbye as she climbed into his car.

X

As Olivia drove to the house she shared with her husband and son, she had the chance to really think about how messy her situation truly was and how immature she had behaved when it came to dealing with her issues with Curtis. Curtis was not a bad guy, and over the years he had taken very good care of their family. Sure, they had had some petty fights and silly arguments, but that came with every marriage, or relationship. He certainly didn't deserve the way she had treated him and now she realized that.

If regret was a person, it'd be her.

Olivia had allowed her unhappy emotions to fester up and when given the chance to feel superior to Curtis, she leaped at it. For years she had been unhappy, and although Curtis was great on paper, he just wasn't the man Olivia felt complete with. That feeling came when she met Fitz.

Gosh, her Fitz. Fitz was such a sensitive, sweet man, and when it came to their complicated relationship, she knew he already thought she regretted it, but she didn't. Not even a little bit. He made her so happy and feel so loved. He brought out a new side of her. She felt bolder with him. So how could she regret that? Curtis was fine with the simple, mundane life and in a way Olivia had been too, but she's always wanted more. And Fitz, he gave her that.

"You got this, Olivia." She told herself as she parked the car in the driveway of the little home they've lived in for five years.

She used her key to unlock the front door. When she pushed the door open, she immediately took notice of how quiet and dark it was inside. "Curtis," she called out as she began walking around and looking for him. When she didn't receive a response downstairs, she continued her search upstairs checking the three bedrooms.

"They're not here," she said aloud and in defeat.

Olivia felt the hot tears coming on as she reached into her back pocket to pull out her cracked phone. As she carefully scrolled through her contact list for Curtis's name, she heard the front door open, then light footsteps.

Rushing to the railing of the stairs, Olivia looked down and could see the top of her baby boy's curly head moving about and she immediately smiled with relief as she began to walk down to surprise him.

"Mommy?!" Isaiah shouted.

"Isaiah!" Olivia skipped the last two steps and grabbed onto her crying son. She kneeled down in front of him as he bended at the waist and cried on her shoulder. "Oh, baby. I am so sorry. I'm sorry." She repeated as she consoled her favorite boy.

"I missed you," Isaiah cried. Olivia smiled as she gently lifted his head from her shoulder to see his beautiful face. She wiped his tears with the pads of her thumbs and kissed his cheek. "I missed you too, sweetheart. Are you ok?"

Isaiah nodded and licked his tear off his lips. Olivia wanted to grimace but she held back and shook her head. Kids. "Where did you go? Did you go to aunt Abby's," he asked. Olivia nibbled on her bottom lip, wondering if he had seen her leave with Fitz. Thinking it's better to tell him the truth, she shook her head no then answered him. "No, I wasn't with Abby. Mom was out with another friend."

"What other friend," Isaiah asked curiously. Olivia felt relief wash over her. If he had seen Fitz, he would've certainly said something about a man. She had to thank her guardian angels for working overtime. "I saw you go, but dad said you would come back. I just missed you, mommy. I cried seeing you leave me."

Olivia felt awful at his confession. She hated that she had hurt her baby. If she had known he was home, she would have never even walked inside her house in that state. "I'm sorry, Isaiah. Mom's sorry for leaving you without saying anything to you. I thought you were still at grandma's."

Right before Isaiah could respond, Olivia's twin brother, O'Shea walked in. "Liv! Whose car is that out there? I know your broke ass can't afford it," O'Shea laughed.

Olivia rolled her eyes and sighed. Deciding to ignore his remark. She asked, "O'Shea, why are you here? Where's Curtis?"

O'Shea shrugged. "He called me over this morning to watch little dude. Said you were with Abby, and he needed to get to work. I was free so it wasn't a problem."

Isaiah frowned. "You said you were with another friend, mama."

Olivia looked down at her son and smiled. Of course he'd catch onto that. He was so attentive. "I was, sweetie," she answered.

"Who? What other friend, Olivia?" O'Shea smirked making Olivia roll her eyes again and give him a look. He knew exactly who.

O'Shea was the type of brother you could rely on for anything. He was annoying and quite childish sometimes, but he was his sister's best friend, and her protector. So of course he knew about her Fitz.

"Shut up, O'Shea. Baby, go upstairs to your room while mommy and your uncle talk," she said to Isaiah who gave her a skeptical look and gripped her hand tightly. Sensing that her son needed some reassurance, Olivia smiled sweetly and said, "I'm not going anywhere without you. I promise."

Isaiah nodded with a smile which was identical to his mother's, then he did as he was asked and went upstairs to his room.

"You went with Fitz," O'Shea asked the second his nephew was out of earshot.

Olivia nodded. She gestured for her brother to follow her and they went into the living room where she told him the full story. O'Shea was blown away, but he knew his sister, and regardless of if she was intoxicated or not, Olivia could be brutally honest. He hated it sometimes because he was the sweeter, softer twin.

"You really told him that, Liv?"

She nodded. "Yeah. It was a shitty thing to say, huh? But I've been unhappy for years and last night, I just couldn't hold back anymore, Shea."

O'Shea listened to his sister. He knew she was unhappy in her marriage. Often times Liv would put on a fake smile for her son and members of their families, but he could always see through that. She was his womb-mate after all, when she hurt, he did too.

"You know, one of the few reasons why I never judged you after learning about Fitz is because I knew how unhappy you were. I could see how sad and depressed you were too. For seven years you've been this caring, giving, selfless mom and wife, and I'm proud of you for that. But you deserve to be happy too. I'm not saying what you did- or doing is right. Cheating is not right. But when we were sixteen and mom made you marry Curtis, I knew it wouldn't work. Curtis is a good dude, but he's not the one for you sis, and after witnessing you after you've been out with Fitz or even just talked to him, I'm doubling down on that Curtis is not the one for you. We're still all young with so much life to live. For once I want you to do something that'll make you happy. And know that I got your back, Livia."

Olivia smiled as tears slid down her cheeks. She looked to her twin and said, "Thank you, O'Shea. I love you so much. And it feels good to know that I have support from at least one person. I never meant to hurt Curtis. All I want is to be happy, loved, and give Isaiah a good life. That's all."

"I believe you're going to have that and more, soon. So, what's your next move? You've broken up with Curtis, how is this going to work with Isaiah? Where are you going to live, sis?"

Olivia sighed. "It's so much to think about, Shea. But the first thing I want to do is see Curtis. I need to have a real conversation with him, and I want to apologize. Then, I'm moving out- with Isaiah. I'm sure that's when the real drama will unfold, but wherever I go I'm taking my son with me. Once that's settled, I'm going to file for divorce so the process can began as soon as possible. Hopefully Curtis won't fight too much against me."

"Sounds like you've got it all figured out, but you know this stuff costs money, right? Liv, you're broke as hell." O'Shea joked.

Olivia snorted. "I am not broke! I don't know why you keep saying that! I have money because unlike you I know how to save every extra penny I earn. Isaiah and I will be fine. Plus, Fitz has offered to help with any expenses.."

"You're going to get your boyfriend to pay for your lawyer and buy you a house?" O'Shea raised his eyebrows as he stared at his sister.

Olivia shrugged as a small smile played on her lips. "Maybe," she answered. There was no way in hell she was going to ask Fitz to do any of that, but teasing her brother was just too fun.

"I've gotta meet this dude. He's whipped, but he also sounds loaded."

"Oh, he's definitely whipped. Your sister knows how to put it on him." Olivia giggled as she moved her hips seductively. O'Shea quickly turned his head from her view and fake gagged. "Liv, stop! I don't ever want to hear about you putting it on anyone!"

"Oh please!" Olivia laughed swatting at her brother. He could be so dramatic. But his dramatics were just what she needed to lift her mood. They fell into a comfortable silence for only a moment before O'Shea spoke up. "Have you spoke to Curtis since last night?"

"I haven't, and I really want to. I texted him just a while ago saying that we needed to talk but he hasn't responded. I'm not sure if he will. But I'll be here until he comes back."

Like clockwork, the front door opened and Curtis walked inside. Olivia shot up and she and Curtis came face to face. The look on Curtis's face sent an eerie feeling down Olivia's spine.

X

At Olivia's request O'Shea had taken Isaiah to the park across the street from their house so that Curtis and Olivia had the privacy to talk. He didn't leave without warning Curtis to not cross a line with his sister though. Always her protector.

Once alone, the two sat in silence on opposite ends of the couch. In that moment they gathered their thoughts— really thinking about what they wanted to say to each other. This wasn't a light topic, and they both felt the weight.

Olivia started, "Curtis, I want to start off by saying that I'm sorry for my behavior the other night, it was completely uncalled for, and you did not deserve that. You've been a great provider for our family, but for the last seven years of my life I have been so unhappy." With a sigh, Olivia pressed on. "I want a divorce, Curtis.. For seven years I've been trying to fall in love with you, and trying to please you and everyone around me so much that I had began to lose myself. I can't do that anymore. I want to be happy. I deserve to be happy too."

Olivia wiped the tears from her face. Curtis sat in silence as he soaked in her words. His silence was uncomfortable and Olivia needed to hear him say something.

"Curtis-"

"How long have you been sleeping with him?"

"What?"

"Olivia, how long," Curtis asked as he sent a glare so cold that it shook Olivia to her core. "Six months," she answered softly.

Curtis shook his head as tears filled his eyes. "Don't you know I love you, Olivia?! For seven years of my life I've been nothing but good and faithful to you! For seven years I've worked my butt off to provide for you and our son! If it was any other guy, I'm sure he would've left you the moment you said you were pregnant, but I maned up and stuck around! I've put up with your ungrateful ways since the beginning! How could you do this to me?"

"I'm sorry, ok?!" Olivia cried. "I am so sorry. And you're right, you have been a great man and a great provider but I just don't love you the way you love me. I'm sorry that that hurts you, but it's my truth. I tried loving you, I tried making this work! Shouldn't that count for something?"

"Hell no it shouldn't! You're supposed to work through it! What about Isaiah? Have you had Fitz around my son?"

Olivia immediately shook her head. "What?! No! Isaiah and Fitz have never met!"

"But that's the plan right? You want to leave me, run off with my son and start a life with Fitz. Acting as if I don't exist, that's your dream right?"

"Of course not! I wouldn't dare try to keep Isaiah from you, Curtis. I am not that type of person, and you should know that."

Curtis laughed bitterly. "I should- I should know that? Olivia, I don't know you at all! The last six months of my life has been a great big lie because of you! I don't know shit besides that you're a fucking whore!"

Before she could even stop herself, Olivia laid a piercing slap on Curtis's cheek. The silence in the room after the hit was almost deafening. But did she regret it? Hell no. How dare he?

"I'm not anyone's whore. Instead of trying to hurt me with your words, try understanding me for once! I got pregnant at sixteen and was forced to marry the boy that impregnated me. My teenage years and college dreams were snatched from me all because you claimed you knew what you were doing! As bad as I want to, I know I can't place the blame entirely on you because I climbed into that bed with you even though I knew better.

During my pregnancy I was so miserable and after having Isaiah I struggled with postpartum depression, but you never even took notice. Did you? Curtis, there were days when I wanted to kill myself because I felt so tired and so trapped. Yes, you've been there since the beginning, but I've always been expected to do more for our son, and for this marriage than you ever have. When Isaiah has doctors appointments or dentist appointments, I'm always the one to take him- by myself. When he's sick or hurting, I make him better. When he's hungry, he'll walk right by you to come to me because he knows who really takes care of him. Curtis, truthfully, you're just financial support. Even today, you didn't take time to be with your son, instead you called my brother to watch him. And during our marriage I felt that same neglect, so much so that I had to find someone else. I tried loving you. And at times I thought I finally did, but it was merely appreciation. I'm not blaming you for my actions. What I did was wrong, I know that, and I apologize for being disloyal to you because I took vows to always be. But I'm not sorry for finally finding happiness and wanting to be with someone that I love, and that loves me."

"Olivia, I love you!" Curtis stressed.

Olivia shook her head sadly. "Do you really," she asked. "Because I feel like you're just comfortable with me, Curtis. You thought you didn't have to work to keep me anymore because you knew -or at least you thought- I wouldn't go anywhere. I showed all the signs that I was desperate for something from you, and you never paid attention. If you really loved me like you claim, you would've known, Curtis. You would've known, and you would've put more effort into us."

"I am not some mind reader, Olivia! You could've told me how you felt! You think I've been happy every day in this marriage? No, I haven't, but I have been faithful!"

"I told you plenty of times how I felt, Curtis! Yeah, you would fix the issue that day only to turn around the very next week and neglect me again! I can't keep living like this, and I won't have Isaiah growing up to think that behavior is ok. Our son deserves better, and so do we as individuals. We're not meant for each other and that's ok. We created a beautiful boy and I believe that was our only purpose, Curtis."

Curtis paced the floor as Olivia went on. "I'm moving out and I'm taking Isaiah with me. Please, for the sake of Isaiah, don't fight me on this. You can visit him whenever you like, but this is happening. I'm tired of pretending."

X

"I'm not happy about this, Olivia, and I think we can still make this work. Let's work it out, baby," Curtis pleaded as she packed a few of Isaiah's things. Few of her bags were already downstairs by the door.

"Curtis, please." Olivia grimaced. She couldn't stand being called "baby" by him, and she certainly did not want to hear it right now. "There is nothing to work out. I'm not happy here, and you're only holding onto me because I'm what's comfortable to you. It's time we move on. We're not sixteen years old anymore and our parents aren't forcing us to be together. I refused to die, unhappy, in this marriage when I know that there's a man out there for me."

"You really love him, Olivia? This Fitz guy? You've known him six months and you love him, but you're saying that you can't love me when you've known me longer?"

Olivia took a moment. She stopped in her tracks thinking about what he'd asked. Curtis thought he had her there, but she smiled and nodded. "That's exactly what I'm saying. What I had for you was merely infatuation. I liked the idea of being with you because my mom said I couldn't date and sneaking around was fun. But I was never in love with you. When I thought about my future, it wasn't with you. I didn't feel some spark or deep connection with you the first time we had sex, or the times after. All the things I had hoped to feel for you at some point never came, not even after Isaiah. But it came like second nature with Fitz." Olivia smiled with a far off look. "I love him. I am in love with him. The time he and I have known each other has nothing to do with anything because twenty years from now, I'll still be in love with him. Time truly means nothing when you've find the one."

Curtis was defeated. He knew she was a goner. He had never in his life heard Olivia talk about him the way she just did Fitz. He wanted to fight for her, but she wasn't willing to get in the ring with him to fight for them. They were on two different pages in life, and what she had said did have some truth to it. He was comfortable. He wasn't hands on with their son. He had neglected them, and now he realized that, but it was too late. Olivia was ready to move on with her life. Curtis knew he had held her back long enough. It was time he did something for her.

Clearing his throat, Curtis said, "Have the courts draw up the papers and I'll sign them. I'm not asking for anything besides weekend visitations with Isaiah."

Olivia looked over at him with tears in her eyes. Was he serious? Was it really going to be that easy? "Curtis, you know you can see Isaiah more often than that. I don't want to keep him from you, or anything that you may want."

"What I want, I can't have. So I'm only asking for weekends with Isaiah." Curtis dug into his pockets and pulled out his keychain. He removed his house key and tossed it onto the bed. "Unpack you and Isaiah's things. This is a good neighborhood for you and him. I'll have my things out by the end of the week. I'm sorry I wasn't good enough for you, Olivia. You were a good wife and you are a fantastic mother. I should've appreciated you more. Fitz is a lucky man. I hope he cherishes you and continues to make you happy. All the things I couldn't do."

As Olivia stared at Curtis, she felt a tug at her heart and tears well up. She was all he'd known for several years and now that was ending. But, she couldn't allow that to stop her from moving forward with her life- not that she wanted to anyway. She also caught onto the animosity in his words. Choosing to ignore his odd behavior, she picked up the key and held it tightly in her hand. "Thank you, Curtis."

Curtis nodded but said nothing more. Olivia wasn't sure if now was a good time to include Isaiah, but she didn't want him to be left out for too much longer, this situation would affect him too.

"Should we tell Isaiah what's happening," she asked hesitantly.

"Not today, Olivia. I'm beat and it's getting kinda late. He has school tomorrow. We should wait."

Olivia shook her head. Of course he didn't know their son's schedule. "Actually, he's out on break. But I agree, it is getting late and we should wait."

Both Olivia and Curtis agreed that he should stay one more night at the house and when morning come, they would head to the courts to get started with their divorce papers then come back to explain things to Isaiah before Curtis moved out.

X

O'Shea had gotten Isaiah home safely, and after spending hours at the park playing basketball with his uncle, and hide-and-seek with his neighborhood friends, the child was worn out.

Being the big, independent seven year old that he was, Isaiah took a shower without being told to do so, and even brushed his teeth right before climbing into bed. This night, his mom and dad tucked him in. Isaiah took noticed of that too, but he was too tired to ask any questions. But it was such a rare thing to happen so it had him wondering for moment.

But just for moment because the second his light switched off, Isaiah was sound asleep.

As Olivia walked her brother out to his car, she told him about her talk with Curtis and all that they had agreed upon. O'Shea was happy to know that everything was going to go smoothly for his sister and nephew. They deserved it. After hugging goodbye, Olivia headed back inside as O'Shea drove away.

She said goodnight to Curtis and settled in the guest bedroom. That's where she wanted to sleep tonight. Now that the day was over and she knew her happy ending was just around the corner, Olivia smiled as she pulled out her cracked up phone. She had overreact for nothing. Isaiah was fine and hadn't heard a thing, and everything was going to be ok. She couldn't wait to tell her lover that.

She felt bad for just now taking the time to call him at eleven pm, but she knew he would understand.

The phone rang a few times and when their lines connected, Olivia couldn't help but to smile. "Hi." She heard him say.

Her grin become even wider as she repeated him. "Hi."

Well, things are certainly looking up for Olivia, and aren't we all happy to know that she did not abandon her baby boy?! Ha! Some of you were really stressing about that!

I'd like to know your thoughts on Curtis?

And I do hope that you enjoyed!