When Olivia changed from her scrubs she rushed quickly outside. It was foggy and dark and just after 6am. She walked down the parking lot, looking for the black shiny Mercedes. As she walked a pair of headlights flashed on and when she looked towards it Fitz opened the car door and stood with a smile.
She smiled and walked to him.
"You're here. I almost expected you to get out of dodge."
He laughed and walked to her, "leaving is your thing, isn't it?"
She blushed and looked away.
Fitz pulled her chin to him and kissed her lips, "come on, we have a flight to catch."
Olivia walked with Fitz to the passenger side of the car and he opened the door and let her in then went to the driver's side.
"Was everything okay today?" he asked.
"I realized two minutes after I changed into my scrubs that I don't have your phone number."
He chuckled, "I guess we should fix that. You need a phone, don't you?"
"I'm using my old one, you know after you lost my other one."
Fitz pulled out of the lot.
"Lunch was good and so was dinner. I ate so much I got lethargic and fell asleep in my on-call room."
"What exactly is an on-call room?" he asked.
"It's a little room they give me to sleep and eat in so everyone knows where to find me when I sleep in case I miss my page. It has a little twin bed."
"What's the longest you've worked?"
"My residency program is one of the hardest in the country. I've been there for three and a half days before. "
"Woah- why?"
"We had a bad winter storm a couple of years ago and then a cold front. The black ice on the highway caused a multi-car pileup and then people were getting into car accidents all over the city. There were a lot of people suffering from hypothermia and there were some bad heater fires and a boiler explosion. It was just an all-hands-on-deck situation."
"That's the craziest it's ever been?"
She nodded, "there have been other crazy, chaotic times but that one was the longest."
"What's your day like from start to finish?"
He merged onto the expressway toward the airport that was only about 12 minutes away now.
"I get in usually at 6 am now because that's my schedule since I've been back but sometimes I'm called in if they need me otherwise. I change into my scrubs and lab coat in the locker room then I meet with my attending and the surgical staff for the day to go over any planned procedures we have. About a third of my time is spent doing paperwork, planning surgeries, and researching and studying, and the other two-thirds is spent assisting surgeries, performing smaller surgeries myself, and interacting with patients pre and post-op."
"Do you only do brain surgeries?"
"No," she said with a chuckle, "It's my third year so this is my last year for rotations. After your intern year, at my hospital program, you rank specialties by preference and then you rotate to become well-rounded in each of them until your fourth year then you focus on only one and officially declare it. I'm technically a neurosurgery resident because that's my first preference but my second is cardio-thoracic and my third is general. It used to be pediatric but I had a tiny breakdown and the chief of surgery thought it was best I step back."
"A tiny breakdown?"
"The dead children got to me."
Fitz nodded and reached over and rested his hand on her knee.
It was a quick drive and when Fitz parked in the lot at the airport and paid for a 48-hour space it occurred to Olivia that she didn't have her passport.
"I don't have my passport-" she said, "I forgot it but I have my driver's license."
"That works."
Olivia was surprised at how many security procedures they could bypass when traveling on a private jet. It took them just 20 minutes to get to the plane.
It was just Alesander and 2 other men that were on the plane. He didn't travel with his usual entourage. They both sat quickly and strapped in and after the pilot, co-pilot, and flight attendant came back to the cabin to greet them, they took off a few minutes after.
"Are you tired?" Fitz asked Olivia.
She nodded, "a little, I slept today but I woke at a little after 10 and I was too anxious to sleep again so I pretty much worked since then."
Fitz unlocked her seatbelt. "Come on."
He unlocked himself and stood. Olivia followed him towards the room in the back. When she stepped into the room there were a few shopping bags on the floor. Fitz closed the door behind them.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I had my sister send some stuff for you."
Olivia looked down at the bags on the floor that read "Saks Fifth Avenue."
"You have a sister?"
Fitz laughed as he kicked off his shoes, "of course that's what you hear."
"You didn't tell me you had a sister."
"Well, I do."
He pulled off his pants and plopped down on the bed. "She called the shopper yesterday and had them drop off the stuff at the hotel for you. I don't know if it'll fit."
Olivia slipped off her shoes.
"Thank you. What's the weather like in Santa Barbara now?"
"60s, maybe a little warmer or colder."
Olivia pulled off her jeans and Fitz realized she was wearing underwear now.
"Where did you get panties from?"
"I have a change of underwear in my locker and I showered at work. Why do you know this?" she said with a chuckle.
Fitz laughed but didn't respond.
Olivia jumped into bed with him and laid against his chest. She was there for a minute before she gave up. "I have to see what you got me," she said excitedly as she got up from the bed.
Olivia sat at the edge of the bed and picked up her first shopping bag. She pulled out the white tissue paper and inside was a large shoebox. It was white and read "JIMMY CHOO". She smiled and opened them. There were a pair of croc skin black heels boots. They were gorgeous and she tried to hide her excitement but couldn't. She found herself clapping excitedly, like a child.
"Are you okay?" Fitz asked.
She still had her back turned to him so he couldn't see her face.
"I'm fine, they're just really nice."
"Okay, that's good."
Olivia rolled her eyes at herself, "no, they're not just really nice. I love them. I absolutely love them."
She placed the box on the ground and slipped the boots on her feet. There wasn't a mirror in the bedroom so all she could do was look down at her feet. The boots reached just below her knees. She stood so Fitz could see them.
"Look."
Fitz leaned up and looked then he smirked and reached for her at the edge of the bed and lifted her in his lap. "I need some."
"Some what?" she asked, confused.
Fitz turned her under him and then leaned up between her legs then he pulled her panties off over her boots.
Olivia smiled, "I'm guessing you like them?"
"I might love them more than you," Fitz teased.
Olivia looked down at him as he opened her legs wide and laid between them. He kissed down her thigh and already Olivia was curling her toes in her boots. He wrapped his arms around her thighs and she felt his breath down there.
Then she felt his wet tongue at the rim of her ass and her body reflexively arched. She locked her legs and scooted away. That wasn't what she was expecting.
Fitz tore them open and laughed, "come on, don't tell me you're afraid of getting your ass licked."
"It feels so good I-"
Fitz licked her again.
"Oh god-" she said with a sharp inward breath.
Fitz slid his tongue up to her clit and swirled it around her pearl. Olivia closed her legs again. Fitz sighed and leaned up.
"No, don't stop-" Olivia said with wide, doe eyes.
Fitz chuckled and turned her around on her belly and then raised her hips so she was on all fours. She realized he did that so she couldn't close her legs anymore.
He opened her legs from behind and squished his face into her, flicking his tongue maddeningly against her clit.
Olivia grabbed a handful of the sheets and buried her face into the pillow. His tongue was soft and long as he rubbed it up and down her pussy. It was a light touch at first, teasing her and giving her time for her pussy to salivate.
He dipped the tip of his tongue inside her and traced it around the edge of her hole. He could almost feel the fluid flowing into his mouth.
She tasted fresh. He relished and then realized he needed more.
Fitz moved up to her ass and spread her cheeks wider then flicked his tongue against her rim.
Olivia purred into the pillow.
Fitz slid his long middle finger into her and thrust it back and forth.
Olivia leaned up for air.
"Oh my godddd-" she moaned. "Yessss."
She was so tight she felt like his walls were sucking his fingers in. He needed to feel it around his cock.
Fitz leaned up and pulled off his shirt then pushed his underpants down and slid his hard cock into her. He stroked her slow and deep, slapping her ass and grabbing the flesh.
Olivia's legs felt weak and she collapsed under him. Fitz fell behind her but continued riding her from behind as he clasped their hands together.
Olivia bit the pillow to quiet herself. It was intoxicating. Somehow he could make dirty places sweet and sweet places absolutely dirty.
Fitz felt his stomach burn. It was intense as if everything inside him would explode into her.
Olivia rolled her hips against him and then screamed as she came. She felt Fitz's hand on her ass holding her steady as he came inside her. He let out a loud growl and threw his head back as his seed drained from him.
When it was over he was weak at the knees and grinning.
He pulled out slowly and laid beside Olivia. Her eyes were closed and she was still hugging the pillow.
"Whew," Fitz breathed out.
"Kiss me," Olivia said softly, breathlessly, with her eyes still closed.
Fitz pulled her closer and kissed her lips then slid his tongue into between them. Olivia caressed his cheeks and kissed him back then sighed when he broke the kiss.
"Are you hungry?"
She nodded with her head against the pillow, "but I'm too tired. Please help me talk off my boots."
Fitz leaned up and lifted her legs one at a time and slipped off her boots leaving her in just socks and her sweater and bra. When he moved back up to her she was asleep.
When Olivia woke it was bright in the cabin. The small oval window was open and she closed it immediately. Fitz was gone. She sat up slowly and stretched and yawned.
She saw her panties at the edge of the bed and reached for them but then she felt in between her thighs it was soaking wet with cum and fluids. She felt raw as if she's had sex minutes ago and no hours.
Fitz walked in.
"Hey, you're up."
She smiled, "yeah and I feel much better. What time is it?"
"You slept the entire flight. We're landing in 30 minutes."
"Oh… I need the bathroom. My vagina is wet and disgusting and I need to wash it or wipe it or something."
"A wet vagina is never disgusting but sure."
Fitz walked to a small closet by a flat-screen embedded in the wall and took out a bathrobe and handed it to Olivia. She stood and pulled it on then walked to the bathroom.
Inside, there were some small hand towels folded beside the sink. She took one and wet it under warm water then wiped her vagina until it no longer felt sticky and slippery then she went back to find Fitz.
"Are you hungry now?"
She nodded "yeah, something light so I'm not full when we get to your parent's house."
"MOIRA?" Fitz called.
Moments later a flight attendant knocked on the door. Fitz didn't bother opening it.
"Bring food and something to drink."
"Yes, Mr. Grant."
Olivia smirked.
"I don't know why she calls me that," Fitz said.
She took off her robe and slipped on her underwear and jeans.
"Will I get a chance to shower?"
"Yeah, told my mother to start dinner a little later since you won't have to rush back to make it to work at 6 am Friday."
"Okay, that's good." Olivia sighed, "are you sure your parents will like me?"
"I wouldn't put you in this position if I wasn't sure."
Olivia nodded.
"So you have a sister...what's she like, you haven't told me about her?"
"You'll meet her," Fitz said, "she's the only one I'm not sure will like you. She either really loves the person I'm with or really hates them. If she really loves them, she gets too attached and if she really hates them she stays away. It's a win/win either way."
Olivia chuckled and took a breath, "I'm nervous."
Fitz walked to her and pulled her to him. "It'll be fine." He kissed her shoulder and took her hands in his. They were small and boney and dry, the dryness he assumed was from how much she washed her hands as a doctor.
Olivia watched him stare at her hands and then she felt conscious and pulled them away. Fitz watched her walk to her bag and search through it until she found a pill bottle.
"I need to take my prenatals."
Moira knocked on the bedroom door.
"Come," Fitz said.
She opened the door with a tray of sandwiches and fruit, orange juice, and water. She placed it on the bed. "We'll begin landing protocols in about 10 minutes," she said then walked out.
Olivia opened her pill bottle and took two tablets out and swallowed them with water to wash it down.
Fitz handed her a sandwich, "Eat something."
Olivia took the half club sandwich and bit into it.
There were still two other shopping bags that Olivia hadn't opened. She walked to them with her sandwich in one hand and pulled the tissue out of them with her free hand. She lifted out a silk slip dress. It was a cream color with an asymmetrical cut. In the other bag was a cream wool coat.
"How much did this all cost?" Olivia asked.
"How the hell am I supposed to know?"
"How much money do you have that you don't have to keep track of stuff like this? These boots-" Olivia reached for them and looked at the side of the box, "are $1500." Olivia looked at the dress tags and the coat. "The dress is $1200 and the coat is $1500." Olivia lost her breath, "this is too much. This is $4200 for an outfit. That's how much I make in a month from the hospital."
"I thought you liked it?"
"I- I do but-"
"You know this is kind of annoying right? Like it's a little bit amusing but mostly annoying."
"What?" Olivia asked.
"This thing you do where you act like things are too good for you. It's annoying."
Olivia frowned.
"How much money do you have?"
"Ask me again in a couple of months, okay."
Olivia stuffed another bite of her sandwich in her mouth.
"You're killing me."
"Let me just tell you this now so we can avoid a fight later. I paid off your loans so it's done."
"Fitz-"
"By the way, let me tell you- before you freak out- I used the money your dad paid me back so I guess technically it is my money but I was thinking that would make you feel a little better. I did kidnap you for it so…" Fitz stopped speaking and smiled, teasing her.
Olivia opened her mouth to speak but then the pilot began to announce they would be landing soon and everyone should sit and strap their seatbelts on.
Olivia opened her mouth again but Fitz stopped her.
"You remember yesterday when we agreed you'd let me help."
Olivia looked up at him.
"This is that time, okay?"
Olivia nodded.
"Great," Fitz said. "I have to do it this way, if I asked you before I did anything you'd say no."
They'd been picked up by a car service and were on their way to Fitz's parents' house. They hadn't spoken to each other since they left the bedroom of the airplane. Now that they were alone with all of Fitz's guards left in the plane Olivia decided to talk.
"Look, I'm not ungrateful- "
"I don't need you to be grateful," he said with a smile. "Also, if I wear anything less than a button-down to dinner, my mother will be in tears. She likes us dressed up."
"Don't smile at me. I can't be serious when you're smiling at me."
"Fine," Fitz said with another smile.
Olivia chuckled, "when my mom left my dad he did everything. She was a stay-at-home mom, she didn't earn any money, didn't have a college education, her entire life revolved around taking care of me and him. She found out what he did and then she left him. She had nothing and she was too proud to take anything from him even for me. Every chance she gets she tells me not to end up like that. That I should work for everything I get and not let a man do it for me. It's great that you do all these things but-"
"-But I'm gonna stop you. It's not a good thing your mom was so stubborn she decided to make your childhood harder and have you straddled with almost half a million dollars of student debt because she refused to let your father take care of you. You're not your mother, you're a surgeon and in a few years you'll be making more than enough money to buy yourself and our kid whatever you want without me."
Olivia smiled at Fitz's reference to their child.
"There's nothing noble about working harder than you need to. It's dumb and a little self-hating so just stop okay."
"Okay but I can't just stop- and still almost $5,000 for an outfit for one day, is a little ridiculous."
Fitz shook his head and smiled, ignoring her. "What do you plan on doing when you get back? Are you going back to your apartment with your mom?"
The smile from her lips fell and she didn't respond.
"Olivia, you have to answer me, truthfully, what do you want?"
"I don't want to live with her."
"I figured, we'll find another place."
"It's not that simple, I can't just move out-"
"When we get back, we'll find a place for us. It would've happened eventually and it makes sense. I can't exactly come to see you at your apartment now, can I? I don't want to stay at a hotel for months-"
"-What about my mom-"
"I'll chip in the other half of her rent, just don't tell her it's me."
Olivia took a deep breath, "that would make me happy but let me pay her rent, I'll still pay my half and I can do that now since I'm not paying my loans anymore."
Fitz decided not to fight her on it, "that's fine."
"Okay," Olivia said with a smile, and then she leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips.
After a 15 minute drive, they were out of the city and approaching the beach.
"So your parents live by the beach," Olivia said.
Fitz nodded.
Olivia looked down at his fingers and inspected his tattoos then she smiled.
The car came to a stop. The driver hopped out from the front and opened the door for them both. Fitz stepped out first and then helped Olivia out after. She fixed her hair nervously. She could see the beach and hear the waves from where she stood. The house was massive and secluded in a large chunk of private land on the beach.
The house was almost 3 stories high. It was mostly wood and glass windows and very rustic. Olivia saw an older strawberry blonde-haired woman walking hurriedly to the front door that was made of mostly glass with wood edges. A taller man was behind her. This hair was mostly brown and grey and he towered over the woman.
She opened the door.
"Fitzy-" she screamed excitedly.
"Do not call me that," Fitz said.
She ran to him and hugged him then kissed his cheek, "oh, I've missed you so much." After a few moments, she let go and turned to Olivia.
"Olivia, this is my mother, Catherine Grant."
Fitz's father was behind his mother.
"My boy-"
"Don't call me that either," Fitz quipped.
His father laughed and hugged him, running his hands through Fitz's hair and ruffling his curls.
Catherine reached for Olivia and hugged her. "Oh Olivia, it's so nice to meet you," Catherine said. "I was so glad when Fitz told me he was bringing someone."
Fitz's father let him go and stepped to Olivia and took her hand in his. "It's nice to meet you, Olivia. I'm Gerry."
Catherine inspected Olivia, "oh gosh, she's a baby."
Fitz rolled his eyes, "she's not a baby. She's 25."
"Oh gosh, I'm sorry, you just look so young. Anyhow, you're gorgeous."
Olivia blushed, "thank you. It's so nice to meet you."
"Fitz-" Olivia heard a woman's voice coming from the balcony.
They all looked up and it was another strawberry blonde-haired woman. She waved with a wide smile. Fitz fanned her away and she flipped him off.
Olivia gasped then smiled.
"Come inside, dinner is almost finished and I can't wait for us to all get-together," his mother said.
The driver carried Olivia's shopping bags and Fitz's duffle inside then the group followed.
The foyer was huge with a large staircase leading upstairs. The same woman from earlier was jogging down the stairs.
"Fitz," she said again, excitedly.
"This is my sister Arianna," Fitz said.
She reached the bottom of the staircase, "Olivia, right?"
Olivia nodded and Arianna greeted her with a hug, "Come on, I'm getting and you can get ready with me."
Olivia's eyes opened wide as Arianna took her hand and pulled her up the stairs.
"Bring the bags up," she said to the driver.
"No- bring her back," Fitz said, "you're not stealing her."
"Already did," Arianna said.
Olivia chuckled as they both ran up the stairs.
"They're fine, go get ready honey, dinner is in an hour."
Fitz walked up the stairs and headed to his sister's room. Olivia was standing at the door and he scooped her up and she fell back into his arms with a yelped.
"Fitz-" Arianna complained.
He walked away with Olivia and headed to his bedroom then closed the door behind him. Olivia smiled as he let her down.
"You stole me?" Olivia complained.
"Wouldn't be the first time," He teased as he pulled her to him and kissed her lips.
Olivia looked around his bedroom. It was filled with too many trophies and awards to count. There were so many high school and college pictures of Fitz on the basketball court.
"Come on, get ready, god forbid we're late for this fucking dinner."
"My clothes are in your sister's room."
"I'll get them, go hop in the shower."
Olivia nodded and headed to the bathroom across his bedroom. She slowly closed the door behind her and undressed and waited for Fitz. He was there moments later to gauge the water for her. Olivia stepped into the shower.
"Are you coming?" Olivia asked.
"If I come in there you'll be screaming in about two minutes-"
"Okay- no-no-no," she said with a chuckle. "I'll be right out."
An hour later Olivia was dressed and so was Fitz. He wore a black button-down with black jeans. Olivia wore the outfit Fitz bought her minus the jacket and wrapped her long curly hair up with a banana clip and left some loose strands out to frame her face.. She had mascara and lipgloss in her back and that was enough to freshen up her face.
They made their way down to the large dining room that sat in front of a clear glass wall with a view of the sea. It was set beautifully with a large roasted turkey at the center and autumn floral arrangements. One noticed a lot of baked goods, pies, a cake, and a few types of cookies then she remembered Fitz said his mother had a bakery. Arianna, Gerry, and Catherine were already seated.
Fitz's father stood when Olivia approached and pulled out a chair for Olivia before Fitz could.
"Thank you," Olivia said with a smile before sitting down.
Fitz sat beside her and Gerry took his seat as well.
"Oh my sweetheart, you look so beautiful," Catherine said with a smile. "Dig in."
"This looks lovely," Olivia said.
"Thank you and I wish I could take credit but I had someone come in to cook it all. It can be very overwhelming. I just take care of the baked goods. I'm the only one in my house that's allowed to touch the oven for baking."
"Fitz told me you owned a bakery."
"Yes, and I set aside some treats for you two to take with you."
"Thank you," Olivia said.
"Come on, dig in," Catherine said again.
They all took turns filling their plate with food and then began eating.
"So, how did you meet my son," Gerry asked.
"-Long story," Fitz interjected.
"Well, I think she's a gorgeous girl but then again you always date gorgeous girls," Catherine interjected. "What do you do Olivia?"
Fitz smiled as he turned to Olivia.
"I'm in my third year of surgical residency at Massachusetts general hospital."
"Wow- you're a surgeon? That's very impressive-" Catherine said as her eyes lit up.
"-in training," Olivia interjected, "umm...I won't be board certified until at least my fifth year."
"Any type of surgery in particular?" Gerry asked.
"Neurosurgery but I've been giving a little more consideration to cardiothoracic surgery lately."
Fitz's father pat him on the back, "you brought a surgeon in here. That's my boy."
"Well I thought you could use some good genes," Fitz said.
"What do you mean?" Olivia asked.
"He means I'm dumb," Arianna said with a grin.
Olivia gasped and could barely keep the smile from her lips.
"Mhmm, I'm hoping if we get some actual smart people in the family then we could avoid another bimbo like Arianna."
His sister grabbed a bread roll and flung it at Fitz's head but he ducked before it caught him.
Olivia giggled, amused.
"Can you imagine dealing with this fighting in the house Olivia, for their entire childhood."
"How far apart are you two?" Olivia asked.
Arianna looked like Fitz. She had his angular face and his blue eyes.
"I'm 3 years younger than my brother," Arianna said.
"So you live in Boston Olivia,?" Catherine asked.
Olivia nodded, "I grew up in Brooklyn but for undergrad, I attended Harvard and then Harvard medical school, and when I got my residency spot at Mass Gen and so I've been in the same area of Boston for a little over 10 years now."
"How do you feel about children?" Catherine asked, "do you see yourself with children in the near future?"
"Honey, she's a surgeon, she's probably not thinking about that right now."
Olivia looked to Fitz, wondering if he would tell them.
"Mom, please stop with the babies," Arianna said.
"I'm sorry, I was just curious- Fitzy honey, you're almost 30 now, I mean, don't you want to have them when you're still young and you're doing so well and you two make such a gorgeous couple but fine, I'll let it go," Catherine said then stuffed a piece of turkey in her mouth.
She wore stunning diamonds in her ears and around her neck. She was beautiful and she carried her years gracefully.
Catherine chewed for a moment then sighed, "I'd like grandchildren. Fine, I'm done, I won't mention it again."
They ate silently for a moment then Catherine began again.
"Honey at this point just tell me if you don't want children. I can handle it, you know I wouldn't be happy but I can't force you to do anything. You know, there's Arianna-"
"Jeez, thanks mom," Fitz's sister quipped.
"Oh, I love you, sweetie," Catherine said.
Olivia looked at Fitz and saw a grin on his lips.
"Fitz-" she whined.
"Make them sweat-" he said with a chuckle.
"What's going on?" Gerry asked.
"Tell them," Olivia said.
Fitz laughed, "Olivia is pregnant. We're having a kid."
"What?" Catherine screamed.
She hopped off her seat and ran around the chair to Olivia.
"Oh that's such great news," she said excitedly. Olivia stood as Catherine pulled her into a hug. "I hope you don't feel like I'm objectifying you or your uterus but I'm just so ecstatic," Catherine said almost in tears then she turned to Fitz, "and you. How dare you not tell me the minute you got here." She slapped his arm, then hugged him and kissed his temple. "God, finally using your penis for good."
Olivia gasped then smiled.
"We all know you've been around the block dear, since high school," Catherine remarked, "I have to call Beth-ann and Liz to tell them the news." She hurried out of the dining room.
Gerry pat Fit on the back, "you're gonna be a dad. It's about time," he said with a smile.
"I'm happy and all but why do I feel like a failure for not having an unplanned pregnancy?" Arianna teased.
"How do you know it's unplanned?" Fitz asked Arianna.
"Was it?" she asked.
"It was," Fitz said with a chuckle.
Olivia smiled.
"I'm gonna be an aunt. I have to get my life together," Arianna wondered aloud.
"- a brain surgeon, Liz, and she's gorgeous to boot," Catherine said as she walked back into the dining room, "one sec, I'm sorry Olivia, how far along are you?"
"6 weeks," Fitz answered before Olivia could.
"6 weeks," Catherine repeated into her cell phone as she walked off again, "I know- I'm so excited, I can hardly believe it…"
"I'm sorry about this, she'll calm down in a couple of hours," Fitz said to Olivia.
"No, this is-fine, I'm glad she's happy," she said with a smile.
A few minutes later Catherine returned and sat at her chair then took her husband's hand.
"We're so excited to have you as part of the family," she said.
"I definitely feel welcome," Olivia returned.
They sat eating and talking for a while longer until Fitz's phone vibrated in his pocket. He ignored it at first but then it rang again and he pulled it out and looked at the caller id.
"I have to take this," Fitz said as he stood and headed for the glass doors that led to the ocean.
"Oh no- remember my rule, no phones at the table-" Catherine said.
Fitz continued walking until he reached outside then answered.
"He's mastered the art of ignoring me," Catherine said with a smile.
"How was he as a baby?" Olivia asked.
"Oh," Catherine gushed, "he was the sweetest little boy. Gave you kisses anytime you asked for it, he would share, he was smart, a little spoiled but he was our first- well, Arianna was even more spoiled than Fitz but she was our girl…I think maybe we just raise spoiled children."
"I think your right-" Gerry interjected. "At least until we lost all our money then I was a little harder on him than I should have been. I still think he resents that a little but he won't tell me," Gerry said with a soft smile.
"I mean look at him, he's doing so well, he's so focused and so disciplined. Olivia dear, did Fitz tell you he used to play basketball?"
Olivia nodded, "yes and I saw the trophies in his bedroom."
"He was so good, just like his father."
Gerry smiled, "Yeah, he's my boy."
Fitz returned, "what did you guys tell her?" he asked as he sat.
"Nothing," Catherine said with a cheeky smile.
Fitz knew his mother well enough to know that wasn't the case.
"Did Olivia tell you guys she started Harvard at 15? She's a little genius."
Catherine gushed, "I might kidnap her so I can show her off to my friends."
Fitz laughed and looked to Olivia who was laughing as well. He took a breath then stood, "I'm gonna show Olivia the beach before it gets too dark." Fitz took her hand and helped her up. "It's a little chilly outside so let me grab your coat from upstairs."
"Thank you," Olivia said.
When Fitz returned they headed towards the back porch. It was huge and lined with wooden panels. There was an infinity pool by the railing.
"It's gorgeous out here."
Fitz stepped in front of her and lowered himself, "get on my back, you can't walk in the sand in these shoes."
Olivia climbed onto this back and held him tightly as he walked her down two flights of stairs to the sandy shore. The sun was setting and the sky was a mix of orange, blue, and violet.
"Your parents are great. Your sister too, she's funny in a self-deprecating kind of way," Olivia began.
"They weren't overwhelming?"
"No, not at all. I don't know if you can tell but I've come to like being fawned over, especially for an unplanned pregnancy. This has been great."
Fitz chuckled, "told you they'd like you." He walked further to the beachfront.
"Does it make you more excited, because they're happy?"
"In a way, knowing my kid will have good grandparents is a plus."
"I think my mom will come around," Olivia said, "I hope."
"I think she's just having a hard time not having you all for herself anymore."
Olivia nodded, "I never thought of it that way. Still, I need some time from her, maybe until the baby comes. I don't know."
He let her down from his back and pulled her in front of him and wrapped his arms around her.
"Who called you earlier?"
"Huh?"
"You heard me," she said with a chuckle.
"It's nothing," Fitz said as he leaned down and kissed her lips.
"FITZ-" the heard Gerry called from the deck. They both turned around and saw Gerry waving his hands from afar. "Come on back," he shouted.
Fitz sighed and spun Olivia around on his back again, "still think they aren't overbearing?"
"Oh shut up! They just missed you, that's all."
He walked them back to the deck where Gerry waited.
"I've got a bottle of scotch with your name on it, son, let's celebrate my grandkid." Fitz let Olivia down as Gerry threw his arm over his shoulder. "Sorry I have to steal him from you Olivia but I can only get him to visit about twice a year."
"It's okay," Olivia said as they all stepped inside.
Catherine came to her, "Olivia, can I offer you some black forest cake or chocolate chip cookies, apple pie, anything?"
"Cake sounds good."
"Great, let me get you a slice," Catherine said with a smile. Olivia followed her to the dinner table as Catherine cut her cake. "How has it been going in your pregnancy? It's still so early, have you had any sickness?"
"A little bit of sickness so far. I threw up twice yesterday at work. I've also noticed that I'm a lot more tired but I think it's because I can't drink as much coffee as I'm used to."
"I can imagine you work a lot of hours, just make sure you take care of yourself and more importantly let Fitz take care of you. Don't let him off the hook, pregnancies are hard. I think I sat on my ass for about 8 months of each of my pregnancies. I had Gerry wait on me hand and foot."
Olivia chuckled, "Fitz has been really sweet so far. I've only known for a few days now so it's still an adjustment. It obviously wasn't planned."
"With an unplanned baby, the horror comes first and the joy comes second. With a planned baby the joy comes first and the horror comes second. It's really all the same." Catherine handed Olivia the cake, "just don't hesitate to call me if you need anything. I'll have Fitz give you my number."
"Thanks, that means a lot."
Olivia saw Fitz and Gerry out on the deck, deep in conversation and sipping scotch. She took a seat at the table and enjoyed her cake while Catherine kept her company. Arianna had stepped away. There were a few workers in the house.
When Fitz returned almost a half-hour later, he rested the glass on the table.
"Alright, I think we're gonna head out now," he announced.
Catherine gasped, "no!"
Fitz chuckled, "yes!"
"Honey, you've barely been here for a few hours, at least stay the night."
"No, we have to go," Fitz said. He walked to his mother and kissed her cheek, "I'll try to come for a couple of days after Christmas."
"You always try to come but you never make it here," Catherine griped.
"I'm sorry, I'll come, I promise."
Catherine smiled, "Good. I'll get your treats."
Arianna had returned and was sitting across the table, "so you're in Boston now right?" she asked Fitz.
He nodded.
"Can I fly back with you? I'll hang out with you two for a few days then fly back to New York."
"No."
"Oh come on, I won't be annoying, I swear and I won't ask for any money-"
Fitz raised an eyebrow.
"I probably will," Arianna said with a chuckle. "But come on, I haven't seen you in months, don't be a dick."
"We're staying at a hotel-"
"So what, I'll sleep on the couch-"
"I think you're missing the point of what I'm saying."
Catherine laughed, "I think he's avoiding a disruption in his sex life, Arianna."
Olivia turned her face away.
"I'll get a different room-"
"-Fine, fine, fine."
"Oh, you love me," Ariana teased.
Olivia smiled and stood, "it was so nice meeting everyone. I really had a great time."
Catherine stood and kissed Olivia's cheek, "it really was good to see you too and even better to get the news that you're carrying my grandchild. Welcome to the family."
"Thank you."
Gerry walked over and kissed Olivia's cheek, "welcome. We want to see you again soon, okay?"
Olivia nodded.