Fitz paced the bathroom struggling to comprehend what he was reading. None of it was making an ounce of sense. He was no accountant and wasn't particularly good when it came to numbers and math. If his suspicions were correct, Jeff would have a lot of explaining to do. However, before jumping to a conclusion, he wanted to consult the only person he's ever trusted with his finances.

After Fitz left the bathroom, he thanked Lori for securing the paperwork, and then he headed down to the garage. Something in his gut was telling him that this was more than numbers.

He dialed Olivia's number.

"Hey, baby. Yeah, everything's alright. Just calling to see if you and Sydney want to spend the night. Well, I have another stop to make. But you can head over and make yourself comfortable. Do you still have the key- alright, well, I'll see you in a bit." he dropped the phone into the cupholder and made his descent.

XXXX

Olivia had been at home all afternoon. Sydney would wake up for a few minutes, crack a smile, eat, then go back to sleep. He was a pretty easy baby to please. All he ever wants is to be held, either by Olivia or Fitz. When Fitz isn't around, he's crankier than usual. But then Fitz will pop up at her door with take-out or some cheesy movie, and the air in the house gets lighter. And both Olivia and Sydney are happier.

Following her phone call with Fitz, she packed an overnight bag for her and the baby. Making sure to bring all his essentials. Just as she got outside of the door and her key was in the lock, she realized she'd forgotten Sydney's special rabbit. She opened the door, sat the car seat down, and dashed to the nursery for it.

"Don't worry, sweet baby. I wouldn't have forgotten it." She smiled, adjusting the hat on his head.

By the evening, Oliva was curled on the couch, conversing with her mother. The baby was sleeping on his baby pillow. He was still so tiny. His birth weight was five pounds and fifteen ounces, but after three months of mommy's milk, his weight shot up to eight pounds and fourteen ounces.

"Your father wants to know when you plan on coming home, just for a visit, Livia," Her mother says.

"I want to, I really do. But I start school in another month. And I have to find childcare for Syd. It's a lot right now, mom."

"You're not actually considering sending the baby to daycare? I haven't heard good things about those places." There's worry in Maya's voice. "Why can't Fitzgerald watch him while you're busy with school and the internship?"

Olivia froze at the proposition. She couldn't ask that of him.

"Because he's busy himself. And you forget it's not his responsibility."

"Well, it was just a suggestion. I know how good of a friend he's been to you. I wouldn't dare admit this to your father, but I believe Fitzgerald could be a good role model to Oliver. He's kind, loving, and just a strong man all around. And I think he has a bit of a crush on you…."

Olivia blushes at her mother's observation. She couldn't be more right.

"...but hey, you didn't ask me." She punctuates by laughing, and Olivia laughs too.

"Mom, I promise me and Syd will be there for the holidays. Tell daddy I love him. Also, check the mail because I mailed some more pictures."

"Woah, there nelly. It feels like you're rushing me off the phone."

"Sorry, but the baby is starting to wake up, and I want to get him before he gets started," Olivia says. Maya agrees, and they end the call for the night. Olivia was rushing to finish the call. It was exactly what her mother speculated.

Because the front door just opened and shut. Fitz was home, which would have been the worst way for her parents to find out she was dating again. But that's neither here nor there. She will tell them when the time is right for her. As for now, she's just riding the wave.

As Fitz comes through the archway, Olivia comes up, greeting him with a conservative peck. She wasn't lying about the baby being awake, though. He was up and looking right at Fitz, smiling a gummy smile.

"Honey, I'm home… I've always wanted to say that." He kids before gathering Sydney into his arms. Giving the baby many kisses. "How's your day so far?"

The trio head back over to the couch. Olivia contours her body with his laying her head on his shoulder. She sighs. Sydney is too taken with Fitz to care about anything else.

"My mom thinks you have a crush on me."

"I've got news for her then." he cracks a small smile.

"I feel bad about not telling her, and my dad constantly wants me to come to visit, which I will, but I literally have no time and no extra money to spend on a trip. Actually, scratch that. I don't have the energy either." She's spent; he can see it in her expression.

"Rough day, sorry, baby. If you want, you can go sleep for an hour while the little guy and I make some dinner. What are you in the mood for?"

"I don't know, something light. I don't wanna be fat and lazy."

Fitz scrunches his face, and he swears Sydney is mimicking him, but he ignores it for now. "Hey, hey, what are you talking about?"

Olivia pushed off the couch, starting towards the bedroom. "I'll only be an hour or so."

He turned to the baby, and they both looked puzzled by her mood. For now, he would let her sleep while he started dinner. Fitz stood from the couch, walking to the kitchen. He set Sydney up in his adjusted highchair. It was a conscious purchase. The only reason he considered it is because it has six different modes. For example, the chair transforms as the baby grows. For now, Syd can just lay back and watch Fitz cook.

An hour passed, and Olivia was walking into the kitchen, rubbing her tired eyes. The nap felt terrific. Sixty-eight minutes of uninterrupted sleep is just what she needed to get her thoughts together. She had so many conflicting problems, and it seemed like the pile just kept getting higher and higher. When she's with Fitz, some issues disappear, and others become more patent.

"Hey, sleepyhead." Fitz was putting Sydney down in the portable bassinet as she appeared in the dining room.

"-Hey. Dinner smells delicious; what is it?"

"Baked fish, yellow squash, and rice. I thought about making dessert, but he lost his patience, so I guess we have ice cream." Fitz told her.

"That's fine. I don't need to be eating any sweets anyways," she says dismissively. Peeking over at Sydney, she missed his furrowed brows and incredulous expression. "And Fitz, you don't need to keep buying baby stuff."

"Livvie, is there something I'm missing? Since when are you opposed to dessert?"

"No. I just don't want dessert," she said. And he leaves it for now.

Dinner was quiet except for when the baby woke in the middle needing a diaper change. After he was changed, he didn't fall back asleep like they expected, so he stayed up, making his little sounds and giving out giggles. The food wasn't extravagant, but it was appreciated. After they'd eaten, Olivia cleared the table, and Fitz did the dishes. So she started a bath for Sydney.


Olivia had been watching the baby sleep for a few minutes now. Fitz was asleep on her right, so she thought. By the 20th minute, she decided it was time for her to get some shut-eye, except she couldn't sleep. Envying both her man and baby for sleeping peacefully. As she turned over, wiggling her body, trying to find some comfort, Fitz stirred, rolling closer, his eyes still shut in the darkness. He puckered and pressed a kiss to her cheek. Startled initially then she smiled.

"Have you been awake this entire time?"

"Nope. Have you finally decided to stop stalking the baby in his sleep?" He said quietly

"Ut, you have been up. Faker."

He hooked his arm around her waist and heaved her forward. She stifled a giggle out of fear of waking the sleeping three-month-old. Pinning her down with his weight, Fitz kissed up the path of her neck, eliciting soft moans, nipping at the sensitive flesh, making her squirm. Continuing his exploration of her upper body, his hands kneaded her cuddles, and she immediately stiffened.

"Fitz, stop. You're going to wake the baby," But he silenced her by plunging his tongue into her warm mouth, kissing her determinedly, sucking and nipping her tongue. He ground his pelvis into her, swallowing the whimpers that followed. Fitz looked at her in the darkness, smiled, then began forging a path of kisses until he got to her neck. Inhaling her natural scent, he groaned. Starting slow and deliberate, pecking the flesh here and there. Suddenly, he bit her, not hard but good enough to make her buck, grinding her hips into his. His tongue was sending her into orbit. She couldn't focus worth a damn. Her eyes constantly rolled back as he tongued the tender area after each bite. Kiss. Bite. Suck.

A familiar whirling began in her lower belly. It felt like she was on the brink of an orgasm. "Oh my god, your tongue." she moaned.

"You like that, Olivia?" he crooned, repeating the act,

"Stop, we're gonna wake the baby," she shuddered, slurring her words. She could barely think straight, but if they continued, they'd surely wake the baby.

"Shh, just let me" A shriek ripped out of her as his warm, wet tongue found its way into her ear. Darting his tongue in and out in a thrusting motion. Soon enough, he was nibbling on her lobe.

Whatever resistance she was using failed totally. She succumbed to his pleasureful tongue and screamed without thinking of the consequences. A loud cry rang out. Stopping Fitz in the act, his hand was so close to slipping underneath the t-shirt she wore.

"I told you!" Olivia rolled her eyes. A lazy smirk spread across her face.

"He'll put himself back to sleep. Just give him a minute."

Olivia popped the pacifier back into the infant's mouth. Both watched as he wiggled a bit then descended back into dreamland. Fitz was right. However, Olivia had been against that method.

One time thing she told herself.

Amidst their midnight rendezvous, Fitz thought better of getting himself, and Olivia riled up again. Especially with that little cock blocker here. It was the middle of the night, but he didn't see himself going back to sleep anytime soon. Olivia had crept up the side of him, contouring her body with his.

"What's been bothering you, Liv?" It was a loaded question, one he might not get a complete answer to. But what better a time to ask than right now.

"Nothing. Just tired. I can feel myself getting back into school mode."

"You know that's not what I mean. I'm talking about you dictating what I can and cannot buy for Syd. Talking about you all of the sudden not wanting dessert. Absurd comments about being an overweight sloth. So talk to me."

"I- as far as the baby goes, I don't want you buying excessive stuff he'll grow out of. We're not here 24/7, so buying baby gadgets doesn't make much sense. I appreciate everything you do. I just don't want you to feel obligated to do those things. For example his rabbit, it's small and inexpensive. I don't mind those gifts." She finished.

The room fell silent momentarily.

Then "What else?"

"There's nothing else, Fitz. I just wasn't in the mood for dessert. I don't get why you're making such a big deal."

He decided to let it go for now. It was apparent she wouldn't or couldn't tell him what else had bothered her, and it did no good to speculate—racking his brain, trying to read her mind.

"I have a favor to ask…" she hummed, telling him to go on. "I need you to look at my finances. I normally wouldn't ask, but I need someone outside of my agent's grasp." Fitz says, fighting off a yawn.

Her face creased with worry, and she looked up at him in the darkness. "Is he doing some shady shit?"

"I don't know. Hence why I want you to look at it and tell me I'm wrong because I don't want to believe that he is or would do something like that to me."

"Okay."

Olivia snuggled her body closer into Fitz, letting her eyes fall shut. But just as that first wave of sleep hit, Sydney's shrill cries had her back on her feet, tending to the fussy baby. Fitz raised on his elbows, sighing.

"What you thought he was already sleeping through the night." She would have laughed, except she was genuinely tired.

- The Morning

Olivia yawned big and wide. The aftermath of last night catching up with her this morning. Given there was no adult action. She and Fitz had the pleasure of entertaining a growing baby. At three-and-a-half months, Sydney wasn't even close to sleeping through the night, often waking for a helping of breastmilk or a change. And sometimes, he just liked the sanctuary of his mother's arms. Either way, Olivia wouldn't be getting much sleep.

This was Fitz's first sleepover with the baby, so the following day he dragged himself to the kitchen looking like he'd just crawled out of a grave. He'd never been so sleep-deprived. Being with Olivia meant embracing every part of her, including a noisy baby and sleepless nights.

He brought her piping mug of tea as she perched on the couch, her legs crossed, and Sydney snuggled in the middle. Peering at his mother but sometimes getting distracted by Fitz or Milo passing by.

"This is the most and least caffeine, so he won't be bouncing off the walls because daddy spiked mommy's tea." he chuckled, plopping down beside her.

"Thank you. Did you eat? Just because I'm nauseous doesn't mean you should starve."

"I brought the docs I received from our accountant. She's been trustworthy as long as I've known her- then again, she's Jeff's number one. Don't know how much I'm trusting him these days."

They did an even trade, his financials for the dozing baby.

At first glance, it was not hard to point out the abnormalities. Given they weren't the most significant mistakes, but enough to raise brows. Small, considerable amounts were showing on Jeff's documents but didn't match Fitz's bank statements. Of course, it looked like nothing to an untrained eye.

"Is that how much you got on your advance for your latest book?" Pointing to a large number on the page.

"Livvie, I didn't get an advance. That's what is strange about this."

Her face scrunched, eyes darting back to the papers. "You're saying you never got any of this? How did you say you got this again?"

"The company accountant."

"Do you have a calculator around here?" she asked without even looking up. The gears in her head were turning; she was adding this up, trying to make it make sense. He returned shortly with a low-grade calculator. Still, she could work her magic with it. She got up and went to the kitchen, snagging a pen and some notepaper.

After ten minutes or so, Olivia popped back in on them. Her face was deep with trepidation.

This couldn't have been good.

"Unless he's got a storage room full of new designer suits… which I highly doubt. You need to contact the police, Fitz. There's at least 50 grand unaccounted for, and that's stretching just over last May till now." Olivia said.

"You're sure?"

"You would've asked if you didn't think I'd find something." She replied, giving him a sympathetic but positive nod.


Anger hadn't even begun to form. He was still holding onto the bond they had: Father, son. Jeff once told him. Screaming from the pit of his gut, Jeff didn't deserve the benefit of the doubt. The look on Olivia's face told him everything. He just had to ask for himself. Testing the so-called father, son relationship his agent claimed they had.

Claire, Jeff's assistant, had already told Fitz it was clear to go in. But he was stuck, his hand hovering over the handle. Beads of sweat broke out across his hairline.

Finally, he walked in.

Jeff smiled big and hung up the landline. "Fitz, I assume you're here because you've chosen a title for our newest masterpiece. Or maybe you want to dedicate it to me." The man chuckled. Fitz hadn't altered his expression once.

"Are you in debt? Gambling my money away?" There wasn't any time given to answer or react before the next questions shot out. "I just keep thinking about that...goddamn craps tables in Vegas. You remember, Jeff. You took me there when I'd turned 21 'you're only twenty-one once,' you said. That entire night you just kept rolling and rolling you couldn't lose. And even when I was ready to go up to the hotel, you were still playing. Couldn't lose."

Fitz sucked in a long breath. Jeff was suspiciously quiet. Probably contemplating how he could talk his way out of this.

"It never occurred to me that you're a fucking gambler. An addict. Not in a million years would I have suspected anything, but your hysteria couldn't have been for nothing. Imagine my surprise when I found that the man who calls me his son is stealing from me." A tightness in his throat cut off his words.

"I'll put it back; I have for years. I've always put it back. I just need time."

Shaking his head, Fitz scoffed, staring at the disgraceful person before him "It doesn't even matter."

"Fitzgerald, listen to me. I. Will. Fix. This."

Swift is what he was in seconds. His hands were at Jeff's throat, pushing him against the window. If the glass were flimsy, he would be plummeting to the ground right about now. Clenched teeth and tears threatening to crack his hardened exterior, Fitz tightened his fist. Then let go.

Jeff fell off the window, doubled over, gasping for air and holding his neck.

"I'm done with you," Fitz said

XXXXX

Later that evening, Fitz, Olivia, and their son cuddled on the couch. "Los Angeles', highest-paid publishing agent's perp walk" was plastered on every news channel. The media couldn't get enough of it. It would be talked about for a long time.

"It'll be alright, Fitz," Olivia said, smoothing the hair on the back of his neck down.

"Okay"


Author note

Well, let me have it. I want every thought and feeling going through your minds as this chapter unfolded. Short? Yes, but there was a lot here, under the surface.

I laughed so hard at Winesogood's review. I think you have your fics mixed up, hun. LOL! No Camilia here.

As for William's race, he's white and Black. His mother is the white one. So technically, Sydney has white in him, just a tiny percentage (not enough to change his genes)

Any questions?

Love and light- Skye- Anne