The lights were dimmed so the technician could see the screen with ease. Olivia laid impatiently on the examination table. For the last twenty minutes, they have been trying to discover the baby's gender, but because her baby is a spirited wee thing and likes to play games. They have their backs turned the entire time, and every time the technician moves the wand across her stomach, trying to find a different angle. They shift the opposite way.
After the 5th attempt, the technician hands Olivia a napkin and tells her to follow her. Olivia and Angela proceed to follow the woman into the hallway. She tells Olivia to walk up and down the corridor, and they'll give the ultrasound another try. So she follows the instructions and can start to feel the baby moving as if her walking has somehow disturbed them.
"Okay, lie back, and let's hope the little one is in a cooperating mood." she spreads a spiral all over Olivia's paunch and begins moving the wand, hoping this will be the BINGO they've been waiting for.
Angela wiggles anxiously in the chair. "Boy or girl quick, Liv."
"What?"
"What do you think it is, I say, boy, so hurry. What's your guess?"
Olivia stares at the ceiling for a moment, then said, "Girl. My aunts think I'm having a boy, but that's because all of them had boys; I am the only girl, So a girl." smiling, self-satisfied.
Angela nodded at the answer and looked back up at the black and white image. Only a few minutes later did the technician turn to the pair and say.
"Are you ready to learn the sex of your baby?" she says smiling, politely.
All that walking must have worked. At Olivia's nod, she announced.
"Congratulations, it's a BOY!."
"A boy" Olivia is dumbstruck with joy, she unthinkingly caressed her belly, and some of the gel got on her hand. "Angie, you were right."
"Now we can go baby shopping." Angela squealed. Shopping is her absolute favorite hobby. It isn't shocking that she's thinking about that.
"Would you like copies?" the woman asked while handing Olivia another paper towel.
"Yes, please, and thank you. I was worried the baby wouldn't move, and we'd have to reschedule or something."
"It's my job. I'll be right back with those prints."
Olivia couldn't stop gazing at the sonogram. A boy. She still couldn't believe it. A mini male version of her would be running around soon. After they left the hospital, the mall was the next destination. Despite the rain, it's been raining off and on all week, like it does every November. California weather doesn't know how to make up its mind, raining one day then sunny the next. Other than the slippery roads and wet grass, Olivia doesn't mind the rain too much. It's rather calming at night, listening to the rain on the roof and watching it roll down the glass.
As soon as they arrived at the mall, Angela found a Carters within minutes, and the fun began. A galore of tiny clothes and adorableness. Olivia couldn't restrain herself, and she nearly bought every onesie and pajama set she saw.
"Thanks for coming with me to the appointment," said Olivia as they were walking out of Carters with several big bags.
"You don't have to keep thanking me. I wanted to be there. Tell me what's on your mind?" Angela asked in response to her friend's dejected face.
"I was thinking about Will and wondering if he would be excited to have a son."
"Liv, don't go down that rabbit hole. It's not worth the stress."
"I'm not; it was just a thought," she said huffily.
Angela decided not to press further; she didn't want to upset Olivia. They silently loaded the bags into the trunk. And afterward dropped Olivia off at home.
Delicate arms curled around his waist, hugging him close. Jenny grinned up at him.
"Where are you off to next?" Fitz asked, leaning in closer to the point their lips were almost touching.
"New York, then I'll be home with you."
He liked the sound of that. Fitz is happy that they're finally giving their relationship a shot. After being friends with benefits for some odd years, it feels long-awaited and reasonable. His feelings for Olivia (whatever the truth might be) haven't dissipated. He just found himself in an awkward position. Discouraged by Olivia's pregnancy, he doesn't have the will to compete with her high school sweetheart and newly baby daddy.
Fitz has struggled with this for some time, battling himself.
On the one hand, Jennifer and I have a strong connection through sexual intercourse. And it's not rebounding if I am attracted to the woman. Then, on the other hand, there's a level of regret for not ever taking a chance and simply asking Olivia out. It was almost becoming pathetic, crushing on the pregnant woman living in my house who's having another man's baby.
This won't be solved in a day, but I sure as hell won't spend the rest of my life pining after Olivia Pope.
At least those were the everyday things bothering him.
"I'll be looking forward to it," he said, smiling. They kissed one last time before he boarded the plane.
XXXX
Water poured incessantly from the darkened cloudy skies. There was a light wind blowing raindrops into his face as he rushed into the house. It's well after midnight in California, and his plane landed over an hour ago. But finding a cab in this weather wasn't as easy and picking hanging fruit.
Finally, inside, he toed off the wet shoes and hung his coat on the hook by the door. At his feet, Milo buffets his head against his legs.
"Hello kitty-cat, missed me, huh?" Fitz said as he bent down, picking the feline up and scratching behind his ears.
"Your home late..." Olivia said, thus scaring the living daylights out of him. She was actually surprised to see him. After he didn't come home after the four weeks, she rightfully assumed that his tour was extended. "Finally."
"Livvie, you're up later than usual," She must've come from the kitchen, he thought, eyeing the tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream in her hand. It was the first time seeing her in weeks, and her stomach had expanded quite a lot for her petite frame. Before the trip, Olivia's belly was maybe the size of a volleyball, but now it's as big as a basketball. Any change or accentuation in her body he always noticed.
He had to bring himself back to reality because right now, he's ogling her exposed thighs. The long t-shirts she's wearing looks an awful lot like one from his closet, but he couldn't be mad because she looked so damn sexy in it.
Look at the floor, look anywhere but at her.
"I got hungry. The rain is a bitch when you get caught in it." commenting on his wet clothes and sockless feet. Fitz let the cat down, and it ran off towards Olivia's room.
"How many weeks are you now?"
"22 weeks, and I'm having a boy. My family is gonna be thrilled. Just one more boy to add to the Pope family." Rolling her eyes and smirking.
"Nice, have you thought of any names?"
"Actually, no, I've been waiting, but I still don't have a clue; I'll think of something, though."
Fitz leaned on the counter, noting the time flashing from the stove. He was already yawning, so he didn't want to carry on a long conversation. He offered his compliments on the news and went to his room shortly after.
You have to stop this, man. You have a girlfriend.
The sun seeping through the bedroom curtains shone on his face. He turned over, trying to escape the brightness. And was met with an annoying loud ringing. It's his cell phone.
"Ugh, turn it off," Fitz growled at the device. Even in a sleep-fog, he managed to grab the ringing demon and clicked the answer button. "Hello," said gruffly.
"Is that any way to greet your old man" dad boomed in a playful manner. "I hope you're not still laying in bed."
"I just got in from a month-long business trip," Fitz replied. "And I would like to sleep another hour or so."
"I thought you were coming up here to help with the setup for your brother's engagement party?"
"Dad, I'm coming. I didn't forget."
"Alright, I'll see you in a couple of hours" big Jerry was skeptical of his youngest son. The boys rarely showed interest in each other's personal lives. Thus he had solid reasoning for thinking so.
No, Fitz hadn't misremembered the date. However, he had expected to be home weeks earlier. Of course, he didn't account for Jenny urging him to stay an extra two weeks.
But you weren't complaining.
He didn't have time to argue with himself today. Fitz tossed the phone on the bed somewhere and went to the bathroom. First to relieve himself, then to shower and get ready for the day. While in the shower, he had time to gather his thoughts, not that they were so helpful.
Maybe suggesting to Olivia that living somewhere else would be a better fit. And then you aren't a douche bag boyfriend.
Aren't I already a douchebag? Lusting after my pregnant college crush, who could care less about me?
Perhaps you should ask Olivia to move out; things might become complicated and ruin your relationship with Jenny. The voice repeated.
And that would make me a horrible friend. Kicking her out because I can't check my feelings for her.
He pushed the annoying voice out and finished the shower. Then he got out and went to find some decent clothes for this afternoon.
"Livvie?" he called out softly.
"Yeah," Olivia replied, although he might not have heard. Because she was squatting at the foot of the bed trying to get this damn fitted sheet on. But once she would get one side down, another side would pop undone. It was getting frustrating, and she started to think she picked up the wrong size.
Fitz entered, looking around confused. He knew he heard her voice, despite how quiet it was. She bobbed up, sighing and wiping a sweat droplet from her forehead. "What's up?
"Should you be squatting like that?"
"Oh, that's nothing. The real issue will be when I can no longer get up from that position" She smirked. "Did you need something?"
"I was gonna ask if you were busy today, my brother is getting married, and today is his engagement party. So I was wondering if you wanted to come."
"Um, that sounds fun but isn't this more of a family event?"
"No, not at all, I bet he's invited a bunch of his friends, and my dad probably has too." Before she could accept his offer, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, it's a long drive. You probably don't wanna spend an hour in the car."
"Well, it'll be something for me to do, so yes, I just need to find something to wear. Have you been outside yet?"
"Yea, it's damp, but the sun is out."
"Okay, give me fifteen minutes, and I'll be ready" Olivia smiled a dazzling smile that made his palms sweaty. He left to give her some privacy.
XXXXX
The drive from Beverly Hills to Santa Barbara is pleasantly filled with chatter and music. Fitz even belted out a few times when his favorite songs played on the radio. The sun shone brightly, and it was warm enough to drive with the windows down. Olivia isn't nervous about being around his family. She had met his father a few times while in college. Big Jerry is a kind older man; he mostly keeps to himself and builds birdhouses. A gentle hobby, just not one she could see herself doing.
When they drive up the path to the ranch, Olivia is utterly speechless. The scenery was magical; trees arched over the road, forming a canopy of leaves. A delightfully small Spanish-style home sat nestled in a majestic grove of mature oaks overlooking the water.
Olivia was a little offended that Fitz had never brought her here.
"This is your dad's house?"
"Yeah," Fitz said as he steered the car into the garage, next to his father's Ford Ranger. "It's all he wanted in the divorce. My mother, of course, took our family home. It's a couple of miles up the road there," he said, almost bitter.
"Are there any animals on the farm?" Fitz was already out of the car, jogging to the passenger side. "Thank you, kind sir," Olivia said as he helped her out of the vehicle.
Staring with cow eyes, Fitz politely picked his jaw up off the ground. The blue skirt of her sundress was molded to the soft curves on one side of her body by a breeze. But her beautiful belly stole the show. It wasn't lost on Fitz how much more he found himself attracted to her lately. Her flawless skin sparkled under the sun. She was positively gorgeous without effort.
He eventually found his voice "No, my mom doesn't do animals, plus there were only horses and cattle, but she got rid of it all."
Dad and buck were standing on the porch, gleaming with gladness. Getting his son up to the house was more challenging than capturing lighting in a bottle, almost impossible. Especially with Fitz always out of town. The black and white border collie Buck hurled down the stairs to greet Fitz and his guest.
"Olivia, darling, you're are even more beautiful than I remember," Jerry said as he pulled her into a sweet hug. "Fitz told me you were expecting, but I didn't expect you to be this radiant. Isn't she beautiful, son"
Way to put me on the spot, dad.
"Yes, she is," he said, and Olivia felt a blush working its way up her neck.
"Thank you, Jerry. You know how to flatter."
"Just the truth. Why don't yall come around back. We have the tent set up for dinner, and I believe Lisa and your knucklehead brother are there too."
As the trio approached the north side of the house, they could distinctly hear Andrew's fiance shouting and Andrew struggling to defend himself. Whatever the disagreement was, she didn't look happy, and his brother looked thoroughly defeated.
"Let's give them a minute," Jerry told the couple, and they detoured into the house but not before watching his heavily pregnant fiance stomp off in the opposite direction.
Fitz, Liv, and Jerry gathered in the kitchen, talking over a glass of lemonade and cookies. Something light before dinner. Olivia filled Jerry in on her new studies and some personal things she was comfortable with. It was a friendly get-together, then Andrew appeared in the kitchen looking for some guy time with his brother.
Fitz reluctantly agreed, not certain about leaving his father with Olivia. Worried about what embarrassing things he might reveal.
"Oh, Andy, this is Olivia, a friend from college."
"Nice to meet you, Olivia, a friend from college. Congratulations," he said, nodding his head at her protruding belly.
"Thank you, congratulations to you also."
Andrew thanked her then he and Fitz went outside, where he lit up a cigarette and leaned against the house. Obviously distraught over the events of earlier. Fitz tried to seem interested in his brother's quandaries, but they have separate lives for a reason.
"So what was that about?"
"Oh, she's mad because I said I didn't want to married next month. We just got engaged...I'm not going anywhere, so I don't see the need to rush." Andrew confessed. "I thought women were reasonable. I suggested a year from now, and she's all upset. It's not like I said never," he scoffed, flicking the butt.
"I don't know, man. Maybe you should just give her what she wants." Fitz rebutted, nonchalantly
"We don't have the money, and I keep trying to get that through her thick skull," Andrew admitted, despite the embarrassment.
This is Fitz's cue to change the subject. The expenses came out of his bank account whenever money or financial trouble was discussed between the two, followed by promises to return the favor. Although he and his brother aren't close, he still feels a responsibility to help him. And it always lands him in the position to keep helping. So this time, he won't even indulge Andrew.
"We should go check on Liv and dad. She really shouldn't be standing for long."
Andrew agreed. They were walking back towards the tents when they saw Olivia and Lisa fonding over each other. Probably revealing pregnancy secrets. Lisa and Andrew already have a 3-year-old daughter, Lizzie. So this isn't their first merry-go-round.
Out the corner of his eye, a healthy built woman is approaching. And Fitz immediately glared at his brother. Andy was an idealistic mamas-boy. He never wanted his parents to get a divorce, so every chance he gets. He tries to get Jerry and Elizabeth in the same room, expecting them to rekindle. Fitz, on the other hand, accepted the change right away.
"What's our mother doing here?"
"Dad said I could invite her if she stayed out of his way. We can manage that."
"Nope, I prefer if she stays away from me too."
One can see who's side he took in the divorce.
"Livvie, can you help me with something in the house" Without thinking, he grabbed her hand, and he smiled inwardly when he realized she hadn't let go.
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders; it is just like Fitz to hold a silly grudge.
Fitz successfully evaded his mother for the entirety of dinner. However, when he went to his car to find a sweater for Olivia to wear. His mother cornered him in the garage.
"Fitzgerald, who is that girl out there?"
Fitz tried to walk around the woman with one of his old cardigans draped over his forearm, but she was unrelenting, not moving until he talked to her.
"A friend, her name is Olivia." Finally, answering her question.
"Are you and her together? Are you having a baby? Because if so, why haven't you told me?" Elizabeth pressed.
"We're not together; her boyfriend is in miliary. Is that all?" Impatience and irritability laced Fitzgerald's words.
His mother had her own questions about why Fitz was here, parading that girl around to family and friends, but those would have to wait. She wanted to get to the bottom of his attitude towards her.
"What have I done that's got you so angry with me? It's not the divorce that was 5 years ago- I sold your horse, nope you're a grown man. So what have I done that's so awful?" Elizabeth asked, more exasperated than before.
"Mom, this isn't something that's going to be solved by talking about it, so please move."
Elizabeth can hear the shakiness in his voice and decides to let him be. She'll revisit this at another time.
Fitz exhaled sharply. The little boy in him wanted to tell her that he hated her for always siding with Andrew. Still, the adult in him wouldn't allow himself to be vulnerable, not with the woman who so many times has broken his trust and violated personal boundaries.
When Fitz made it back to the tent, dessert was being served. He gave Olivia the sweater and sat back down beside her.
"There were lemon tarts, but I thought you'd prefer chocolate cheesecake," Olivia whispered into his ear.
"Thanks," he responded dryly. And she could tell he wasn't interested in the cake.
"Fitz, is something wrong?"
"No, everything is fine" If only he knew his facial expression is showing his true thoughts and irritation. "Did you see my dad leave?" Just now, noticing the older Grant is no longer seated at the large round table.
"No, I think he left when you did-"
Suddenly a slew of profanities emerged from the darkness. Everyone in the tent had to hear; it was unmistakably Jerry and Elizabeth having it out.
Just leave him alone. You always do this, Liz. Jerry's voice echoed. You're just a miserable old witch.
Oh, you use any excuse to take his side, don't you? It can never be his fault.
You're the parent, but you wouldn't know a thing about that, would you? You were too busy cheating on your husband to be a mother to your children.
Andrew abruptly stood up and announced to his guest that evening would have to be cut short. Then he and Fitz worked to usher folks out and say goodbye for the night. Even though they'd already heard an ear full. Olivia, however, was sitting stunned; she'd never heard gentle Jerry swear, but tonight he behaved like a sailor.
After the non-familial guest was gone, Fitz went to find his father. Elizabeth was long gone. After the arguing ceased, she got in her car and sped off down the road. Jerry was very forthcoming with him and explained how the argument began. He hadn't appreciated the way his ex-wife spoke to their son, so he stuck up for him like many times while Fitz was growing up. Jerry was going into the house when he heard the crude way she spoke to Fitz, brushing off his feelings like it was a piece of lint. Fitz thanked his father and apologized on behalf of Andrew for inviting her and ruining the night's mood.
Olivia was inside, dozing off on the couch, and it didn't help that the thing was incredibly comfortable and the house was warm. Fitz kneeled, tapping her leg gently to wake her.
"Wake up, Livvie. We're going home," Fitz whispered soothingly.
Olivia stretched her arms above and yawned. "Did you check on your brother and Lisa?"
"Yeah, they already left. My dad packed us some cake and other goodies." Fitz pushed up on his knees and held his hand out. She took his hand and used her other to push herself into standing. "Sorry about the family drama."
"You don't have to apologize; I understand."
Fitz couldn't sleep, hence why he was in the kitchen finishing the cheesecake from earlier. Leaning on the counter eating while talking to his girlfriend.
"I miss you too. How much longer are you gonna be in New York?"
"Another month...you know this long-distance thing is harder than I expected. But I'm making myself busy, and Lewis Murphy is quite a guy."
"The crime author? wow, I am impressed" Fitz heard her yawn, that was their cue to end the call for the night, "Goodnight, babe."
"Try not to sleep so good without me," said Jenny, and he knew she was smiling. They concluded their phone for the evening, and Fitz went back to his dessert.
He listened to the soft pitter-patter of Olivia's feet against the hardwood. This was the fourth time within the last hour that she had used the bathroom.
"This baby stays on my bladder." Liv voiced from behind him, "What's your excuse?" she asked while opening the fridge to get a bottle of water.
"Girlfriend."
"I didn't know you had a girlfriend." She closed the fridge door the way one does when one finds out something shocking. "Why have you never introduced us?"
"It's kind of new, we've been knowing each other for years, and we finally just stopped kidding ourselves and decided to be together."
That revelation felt like a punch to the gut. He basically described their situation; she wondered if he needed his head checked out. Olivia couldn't express how she felt about Fitz because it's complicated. But she certainly felt a pang of jealously when he mentioned a new woman in his life.
"Goodnight, Fitz," Cupping her belly as she waddled down the hall, still wearing his writer's convention t-shirt.
I have no words. She thought on her journey back to bed.
Author note
I can almost predict what the reviews for this chapter will read. But don't be discouraged; I still want to hear your thoughts.
Q: Did yall see it coming. Fitz and his mother's strained relationship?
Love and light- Skye-Anne
