A/N: Hope there is still interest in this story. Work has been busy and I have not had time to update. Thanks for all of the reviews, I really enjoy reading them. I also appreciate the favorites and follows. BTW, we won't find out where Olivia is and why she left until Chapters 9 and 10. So let's see what the newlyweds are up to in this chapter. Here we go!
Chapter 6. Inseparable
Olivia reclines in her chair at The Pope Foundation and rests her feet on the wastebasket, finally giving up on trying to focus on the document displayed on her laptop screen. She has reread the same sentence over and over because her mind keeps drifting to her handsome husband who is coming home tonight from his trip to South Dakota. She smiles broadly when she says the word 'husband'. Four months into their marriage and she is still in total bliss. Everything is perfect between her and Fitz and she cannot imagine life getting any better than it is right now.
Many have warned her that the first year of marriage may not always be easy and as wonderful as the honeymoon. In fact, they cautioned her to expect the first year to be downright challenging. But from where she sits, everything about being married to Fitz is perfect. They are ridiculously happy and inseparable. They want to spend all of their time together, whether they are simply sitting around the apartment discussing their day or walking through the nearby park to feed the ducks. It does not matter where they are or what they are doing as long as they are together.
Most nights they fall asleep entangled in each other's arms, and in the mornings when Fitz is home they have a leisurely breakfast together. Their careers are keeping them quite busy. Fitz travels often and Olivia frequently works late at the office. They both agreed, however, not to let their work interfere with them staying connected. Fitz promised to travel only when absolutely necessary and Olivia promised not to work late when he is in town. When Fitz is not traveling Olivia makes it a point to get home early from work to prepare dinner. Marriage is everything she imagined it would be and so much more.
Fitz hates that he has to spend so much time away from his new wife so at times he tries to convince her to join him on some of his business trips.
"Come on, Liv. Come with me this time. Your meeting has been cancelled and Mona can handle everything else at the office. Besides, you know how I hate going to these kinds of dinner meetings alone. Everyone usually has their spouse with them."
He gives her that look that she has not yet mastered resisting, and quite frankly she does not want to resist him, not this time.
"OK", she says simply.
"So you'll go with me?" He asks in surprise.
"Yes, yes, yes", she squeals happily.
XXX
A week later Olivia and Fitz arrive at his client's mansion in Silicon Valley with little time to spare because Fitz likes to have lots of sex. After their third round of passionate lovemaking, Olivia convinced her husband they needed to get dressed for the dinner party if they were going to make it there at a decent hour.
As they stand outside of the home waiting for someone to open the door, Fitz sneaks another kiss from Olivia.
"I love you, Mrs. Grant", he says grinning happily.
Before Olivia can respond, a man they assume is the butler because of the clothes he is wearing, opens the door and escorts them into the home where the host, Oscar Treadwell, is interacting with a few guests.
"Fitzgerald, I am so happy you were able to make it", Oscars says in a booming voice as he extends a handshake.
"It's good to see you again, Oscar", Fitz says with a slight smile while shaking Oscar's hand.
"I assume this lovely young lady is your wife?" Oscar asks, smiling politely at Olivia.
Fitz introduces Olivia to his client, the software titan, and the other men who are standing with Oscar. And Oscar introduces Fitz and Olivia to his son Brendan, who holds on to Olivia's hand a little too long after kissing it. Olivia smiles graciously as Fitz eyes the young man.
"Olivia, you are married to a brilliant negotiator. The deal he worked out for our company's latest acquisition was nothing less than brilliant."
Olivia smiles proudly at her husband as the other men nod in agreement.
"Fitzgerald, let me take your lovely wife to meet my wife Amanda, she should be around her somewhere", Oscar says as he quickly scans the large room while hooking his arm through Olivia's arm.
Olivia glances around the well-appointed space as the man navigates them through the phalanx of guests who laugh loudly as they sip their drinks and graze on appetizers the waiters are serving.
"Your home is absolutely exquisite, Oscar."
"Thank you dear, but this is all my wife's doing. If I had my way I would still be writing software programs in the garage of our former ranch home in Encino."
Olivia smiles as she listens to the billionaire pine for the good ole days. Oscar's face brightens when he spots his wife chatting with a small group of women near the door that leads out to the gardens.
"Amanda dear, this is Olivia – Fitzgerald's wife. I thought I would save her the pain of listening to a bunch of stuff shirts discuss business so I brought her over to meet you and the girls."
"Oscar, how many times have I told you it is no longer politically correct to refer to grown women as 'girls'?"
"I'm sorry dear", Oscar feigns remorse. "Ladies, I meant no disrespect", bowing gallantly then pecking his wife on the cheek before rejoining the menfolk.
Olivia spends the next 15 minutes chatting with Amanda and the other ladies, all the while feeling like someone is watching her. She rubs the back of her neck nervously as she tries to stay engaged in the conversation. After a few minutes Amanda excuses herself and the small group of ladies slowly drift off to other groups standing around the room.
Olivia takes a self-guided tour of the public areas of the home's first floor, admiring the vast and eclectic collection of artwork of famous and not-so famous artists from around world. As she walks toward a hall, she catches the man across the room staring at her again. She wants to escape the uncomfortable glances from the man who is pretending to be engaged in the rousing discussion with Oscar and the other men so she walks outside to admire the gardens. She looks around at the opulence and thinks how the community she serves would benefit from a fraction of the money spent maintaining the beautiful gardens. She feels a little guilty about enjoying being in such a luxurious environment.
As she stands in the gazebo holding a glass of red wine, Olivia inhales deeply, filling her nostrils with the intoxicating aromas the foliage is generously releasing tonight. She gasps and stiffens when she feels the lips on the back of her neck.
"Shhh", the voice whispers gently.
"My husband is inside", she says harshly, trying to pull away.
"I'll be discrete", pressing against her back and running a hand slowly up and down the thigh exposed by the deep slit in her midi skirt.
"We shouldn't. Not here", she says unconvincingly.
"We should", he says seductively.
She leans into him slightly and closes her eyes as he trails wet kisses down her neck. She moans softly, squeezing the bowl of her wine glass to the point of shattering.
"But my husband -."
"He'll never know", glancing around the area before caressing her breast.
"Fitzgerald - Olivia", Amanda calls from the doorway. "Dinner will be served shortly."
The couple burst out laughing at their game playing.
"We'll finish this later when we get back to the hotel Mrs. Grant", giving her another kiss on the lips.
Olivia smiles expectantly as Fitz grabs her hand and walks them toward the house.
"By the way", stopping short of the door. "I told Brendan to keep his lips off of my wife."
Olivia looks at her husband in disbelief.
"Fitz, Brendan is all of 13", emphasizing the boy's age to demonstrate the ridiculousness of his statement.
XXX
Olivia has begun to learn what it means to be part of the sprawling, close-knit Grant family. Sometimes the Grants' togetherness can be a bit suffocating, while at other times she really enjoys hanging out with the family, especially on game night. Since the Grant children were young, Gerry has designated the third Friday of the month as the night when all available Grants come together at the family home for dinner and several rounds of board games. Gerry believes this tradition is one way to keep the family close. While game night is intended to be a fun and relaxing family event, it can also become quite competitive, especially because of Rule #1, which states the person who wins the most games gets to choose the games the family will play the next month.
Now that Fitz and Olivia are married they have continued the tradition in their own home. Tonight is their game night and since Olivia won the most games the last time they played, she has the privilege of selecting the game for tonight. And of course she selects Scrabble, her favorite board game. She loves the game so much she bought the super-sized, limited edition version where the board and all the pieces, including the hourglass, is exponentially larger than the regular size game. Fitz thinks it is really ridiculous how big everything is as he picks up the Hefty bag-size sack to retrieve his seven tiles.
Fitz usually hates playing Scrabble because he rarely wins, but tonight the tide has finally turned in his favor. He is way ahead of his wife in points and he only has three tiles left on his tray and sees where he can place them all on the board for the win. He smiles triumphantly because for once victory is well within his reach.
"I'm tired, Fitz. I'm going to bed."
"Why do you always do that?"
"Do what?" Not sure what he is talking about.
"Why do you always suddenly get tired when I'm winning?"
"That's not true", Olivia says as she stands from the floor.
"It is true - not that I win very often."
"Prove it", she demands, looking down at Fitz with a hand on her hip.
Sliding his phone from the coffee table, he smiles and stands from the floor. Olivia folds her arms across her chest and eyes him suspiciously.
"See", pushing his phone screen in her face. Her eyes grow wide and her mouth falls open.
"You didn't", she says in horror when she sees what is on the screen.
"I did", nodding with a smile of victory spread across his face. "Whenever I knew I was going to win I would videotape you and the board. Look – look at the date stamp for each video", pointing to the screen. "Listen to what you say each time."
Fitz presses the PLAY button and the first video starts.
'I'm tired, Fitz. I'm going to bed.'
Then he plays the next video.
'I'm tired, Fitz. I'm going to bed.'
"Is that not you?" He asks grinning, confident he has sufficient evidence to bust his competitive wife.
Stunned for a moment when she realizes her husband has been sneakily videotaping her, Olivia quickly regains her composure and pushes the phone away from her face.
"That proves nothing", gathering their leftover snacks from the coffee table and walking toward the kitchen.
"What do you mean it proves nothing?" He is hot on her heels, following her into the kitchen. "I have the proof right here", shaking his phone in the air.
"You have nothing but some videos that obviously have been Photoshopped." Olivia sets the dishes in the copper farmhouse sink and turns on the faucet.
"Photoshopped? I don't even know how to do that. You're a sore loser, Liv."
"How can I be a sore loser when I haven't lost? The game isn't over."
"Well let's finish the game", he insists.
"I'm tired." She flips her hair and starts washing the dishes.
Fitz grabs his wife around the waist, pulls her close, and kisses down the side of her neck. He rests his chin on her shoulder and smiles.
"I never knew you were such a sore loser, babe. But I love you anyway", grinning at her serious profile.
"I'm not a sore loser, I'm just tired", she says, smiling to herself.
XXX
When Fitz returns home from a business trip he likes to take Olivia out for a fun date. He usually plans the date before he returns home, which might include a movie, dinner, dancing, or any other activity he thinks Olivia might enjoy. This has become their routine for the 10 months that they have been married. However, now that they have begun to settle into what some would call a normal life, Olivia told Fitz not to feel guilty about traveling for business. She reassured him that she understands the traveling is only temporary, until the business is more established and he has a broader portfolio of clients. But, if Olivia were to be completely honest, she would admit that she sometimes enjoys when Fitz is out of town for a few nights because it allows her time to work late at The Pope Foundation and grow her own business.
Fitz got home really late last night from his trip to Chicago and he is exhausted. In fact, they both have had an incredibly busy and demanding work week and they are tired so they decided to forego their usual date night and just stay home to catch up on some household chores and relax. Olivia has to do the laundry because Fitz has a pile of clothes that need to be washed. She also has to sort his suits and shirts so she can drop them off at the dry cleaners tomorrow.
As Olivia walks toward the laundry room carrying the laundry basket on her hip she hears a raucous coming from the living room. She wonders what the noise is all about so she takes a detour through the living room to see what has her husband so excited. She stops in her tracks when she sees Fitz jumping up and down and emulating whatever is on the TV screen.
"How could I not know this about you?" She asks, looking at her animated husband.
"What?" Not bothering to turn around because he is fixated on the screen.
"How could I not know that you are a fan of wrestling?" She asks in disbelief.
"I don't know. I'm sure I told you. You must've forgotten." Fitz sits onto the sofa and dips a tortilla chip into the bowl of cheesy mixture.
"You never once mentioned it in all the time we were dating. I would have remembered something like that, Fitz" Olivia grimaces at the TV screen when a man slams another man's head into the turnbuckle.
"Yes!" Fitz yells as he jumps up from the sofa again.
"You're kidding me, right?" She persists.
"What do you mean?" Still not turning away from the TV screen as he sips the beer.
"You do know it's all fake, don't you?"
Well she might as well have just told a five-year-old boy there is no Santa Claus, no Easter Bunny, and no Tooth Fairy. Fitz turns and glares at his wife while slowly setting the bottle onto the coffee table.
"No it's not. Why would you say such a thing?"
"Come on Fitz, everybody knows it's not real."
She does not realize she is trampling on a sacred family pastime and he will not tolerate it so he goes into lawyer mode.
"Who's everybody? Do you now know everybody, Olivia?"
"Fitz, don't get so serious. It's just –"
"It's just what, Olivia? Answer my questions."
"I'm not going to argue with you about a silly –"
"Now my watching a sport I enjoy is silly?"
"Fitz, it's hardly a sport."
"Then what is it if it's not a sport?" He glares at her again.
"Just forget what I said. I'm going to do the laundry so you can have clean clothes for your trip next week."
As Olivia walks from the room she frowns when she notices the cheese dripping from the bowl and onto the glass coffee table and tortilla chip crumbs on the floor under the table. While loading the washer she thinks about the strange encounter she just had with her husband. She cannot understand how a graduate of the US Naval Academy, a Captain in the Navy with a law degree, and one of the best and highly sought after business negotiators could believe that such silliness is real. She shakes her head when she hears the whooping and yelling resume in the living room.
XXX
A week later Fitz meets John for dinner and drinks because Olivia is working late again. As they sit in the booth reading the menu, the brothers discuss Olivia's questioning the legitimacy of one of the Grant men's favorite pastime.
"Some women just don't get it, bro. I wouldn't worry about it too much if I were you. We know it's not fake - that's all that matters", lifting the beer bottle to his lips.
"I just hate when she gets all judgmental. We've been going to wrestling matches since we were kids. Dad took us all the time."
"Has Liv ever been to a match?"
"No, she's never even watched one on TV. The reason she's never seen me watch it is because I travel all the damn time trying to get my business going. I know I told her it's one of my favorite sports. She just doesn't remember."
"You should take her to a match sometime. Let her get bitten by the bug."
Fitz nods and sips his scotch as he thinks about John's suggestion.
XXX
Olivia sits with Mona in in her office at The Pope Foundation discussing the small tiff she and Fitz had last week about the authenticity of wrestling."
"Olivia, my husband watches that mess too", Mona waves her hand in the air dismissively.
"Really?" Looking at Mona in shock.
"Lots of people watch it. Ted and I had a big fight early in our marriage because I said it was fake. Kind of what you did to Fitz."
"So how do you handle it – handle him watching it knowing that it's not real?"
"Girl, I let him have his fantasy. To keep the peace in my house I watch it with him sometimes, and even go to an occasional match with him."
"What?"
"Olivia, when you've been married as long as I've been married, you learn how to compromise. What's a couple of hours here and there if it makes him happy and it keeps us close?"
Olivia looks at her assistant thoughtfully and nods.
XXX
Fitz is astonished as his seemingly out-of-control wife yells words he has never heard her use. Words he did not know were in her vocabulary.
"Bash his head in. Kick him in the nuts", Olivia shouts as she stands from her seat at the arena.
"She's a newbie, hunh?" The man sitting next to Fitz whispers into his ear.
Fitz smiles and nods.
"It only takes one time", looking over at his equally out-of-control wife.
"Break his neck", the woman yells.
Olivia's adrenaline is still pumping as she and Fitz leave the arena. She wipes the sweat from her brow and shakes her head.
"When is the next match, Fitz? We have to come back to see if Madman Mayhem regains his title."
XXX
Olivia is running late for church because her husband was feeling particularly amorous this Sunday morning. Fitz is leaving this afternoon for a four-day business trip to Tampa and he wanted to spend some quality time with his wife over and over and over again before he leaves. After two years of marriage he still likes to show his love for his wife in one of the ways he enjoys most.
As Olivia slides into her seat next to her friend and mentor, Councilwoman Marla Briggs, Rev. Walker glances at her from the pulpit and the people in the row behind her huff because her big white hat is now obstructing their view.
"Running a little late this morning are we?" Marla whispers as she continues to look straight ahead at the choir.
"Fitz is leaving on a business trip this afternoon and I needed to help him pack", Olivia whispers.
"Mhmm", Marla says, clapping her hands to the choir's rousing rendition of Glory Glory, Hallelujah.
After church services are over, Olivia and Marla plan to have lunch at Restaurant 52, the Councilwoman's favorite dining establishment. As they make their way out of the church Rev. Walker calls to Olivia and she and the Councilwoman turn around at the same time.
"Olivia, I'm so glad you were able to join us this morning – although a bit late", looking over his glasses at her.
"Good morning, Rev. Walker. I hope you're doing well today."
"I am blessed and highly favored", Rev. Walker smiles serenely. "Your attendance has been spotty as of late, Olivia. Don't let married life prevent you from worshipping the Lord and fellowshipping."
"Not all Rev. Walker."
"And tell Fitz there is always a seat for him here too."
Olivia smiles politely.
"We'll see you next Sunday, Olivia. And Marla, I'll be calling you on Tuesday. You ladies have a blessed day."
"You knew he wasn't going to let you out of here without giving you the talk", Marla says as they strut down the hall.
"I know. I know."
XXX
For the past 30 minutes Fitz has been pacing around the living and glancing at his watch every few minutes because he is waiting for Olivia to come out of the bathroom so they get going. He is growing more and more annoyed with each passing minute.
"Come on Liv", he yells down the hall in frustration. "All of the best spots are going to be taken by the time we get there."
"Coming", she says as she flushes the toilet in their master bedroom suite.
Olivia walks over to the sink and rinses her mouth for the third time this morning. She feels like crap and looks even worse she thinks as she stares into the mirror. She takes another swig of mouthwash then fixes her bun that has fallen out of place while she was hanging over the toilet.
"Olivia!"
"Coming", she yells from the bathroom.
"You said that 15 minutes ago. There won't be any point –"
"You can stop yelling, Fitz - I'm right here. Sheesh, I didn't realize you were such a yeller before we got married. Do you have the picnic basket?"
"It's in the car. It's been in the car for like a half hour", he says annoyed.
"Get in the car, Fitz. I'm just going to run to the kitchen and get a bottle of seltzer water."
He rolls his eyes and looks at his watch as he goes out to the car.
XXX
Olivia wears her wide-brim straw hat and large round sunglasses as they trudge across the grass with all of their gear to the area Fitz has deemed as the perfect spot to set up for the all-day concert.
"See, we got a good spot", Olivia says, carrying the tote bag with all the gear they are going to need for the all-day outdoor concert. "It's still early. Hardly anyone is here yet."
"That's the point in getting here early", he remarks as he sets up their fortress.
Olivia looks at her husband thinking he spent too many years in the military, always so organized.
"Fitz, I think we brought too much stuff", looking around at their chairs, umbrellas, water cooler, blankets, and picnic basket. We're going to have to carry everything back to the car tonight when the concert is over and more people are going to be around then."
"John and Bennie will help us."
"You mean they're joining us?" She asks in surprise. "You didn't say anything about your brothers coming. So are Nora and your parents coming too?" She is now annoyed and being a smartass because she wants to spend time alone with her husband. Besides, she's not feeling that great and is not in the mood for his family.
"No, Nora and my parents aren't joining us, Miss Smarty-pants."
"Well I didn't pack enough food for John and Ben."
"They're bringing their own grub", looking around and assessing their layout. "Okay, we're all set up. Do you want something to eat – something to drink?"
"Just another seltzer babe", she says sitting in one of the lawn chairs."
"You've been drinking a lot of this stuff lately", he says, digging into the cooler for a bottle of seltzer. "We better buy some stock in this company", handing her the bottle.
She rolls her eyes behind the dark sunglasses as Ben and John walk up with all of their gear.
"John, Bennie – I'm glad you got here early. Liv was taking so long at home I thought we were going to be late."
"This is a great spot, Fitz. We'll have a good view of the stage from here", John says as he surveys the space.
"That's the point of getting here early", Fitz says, looking over at his wife.
Olivia rolls her eyes again behind her sunglasses.
"Liv, it's good to see you. You're looking wonderful as usual" John says as he walks over to his sister-in-law and gives her a hug and a peck on the cheek.
"It's good to see you too, John. Hey, Ben." Olivia says to her friend who is home for the weekend.
"How's it going, Olivia?" Ben asks unenthusiastically.
"Great. We have to catch up before you go back to North Carolina."
Ben nods and continues to unpack his and John's gear.
"It's going to be a hot one today", John says. "I hope you have lots of water."
"More like seltzer water", Fitz remarks. "Where's the beer?"
Ben tosses his brother a beer and opens one for himself while John rubs down with suntan lotion. He has always been the practical one.
"I feel like I'm going to get lucky today", rubbing the lotion on his long legs.
"What do you mean?" Fitz asks, sitting next to Olivia and draping an arm around her shoulders.
"I think I'm going to find my future wife here today", screwing the top back onto the bottle of suntan lotion. "The love of my life."
"Well, I already found the love of my life", Fitz says, kissing Olivia deeply.
As the concert-goers begin to fill in around them and various bands come and go off the stage, Fitz and his brothers chow down on the food like vultures. Olivia looks at them wolfing down food and beer and shakes her head in disgust.
"Eat something, babe", Fitz says, pushing a forkful of potato salad toward her face.
"I'm not hungry right now, Fitz", turning her head and pushing the mayonnaise-covered potatoes away from her face.
"I haven't seen you eat anything all day. You've only been drinking that seltzer."
"I'm just not –"
Fitz begins to whoop it up when one of his favorite bands begins to perform.
"I really missed these concerts. Being in the Navy all of those years I hardly got a chance to go to concerts like."
"Well you're the one who decided to join the Naval Academy and then put in eight more years", John says.
"I love our country John and I wanted to serve it the best way I knew how", Fitz says seriously.
"Calm down. You don't have to get all patriotic on me. You know you're more like dad than Bennie and me in that way. I guess it now makes sense that you are Fitzgerald Thomas Grant the Third."
"I'm so proud of you babe for serving our country – for keeping us safe. Now pucker." Olivia pecks Fitz on the lips which he quickly turns into a tongue fest, causing her straw hat to fall backward and onto the ground.
"Whoa, whoa", John says, standing from his lawn chair. "I've seen enough of you two. It's intermission so I'm going to find my wife. You coming Bennie?"
"Yeah, I guess so", following behind his oldest brother thinking he might get lucky and find his future wife too.
"I think we ran them off, babe", Olivia says, smiling at her husband.
"I don't care. I love you Liv and I don't care who knows it." Fitz picks up the hat and haphazardly plops it back onto her head.
She smiles and gives her husband another kiss, running her fingers through the hairs at the nape of his neck.
"I love when you do that", smiling as he stares into her eyes.
"Do what?"
"Run your fingers through my hair whenever we kiss and do the nasty", he smirks.
"I have no idea what you're talking about", she says seriously.
"Liv, you do it all the time."
She gives him a confused look because she really does not know what he is talking about."
"Watch", giving her another passionate kiss and her right hand instinctually flies to the hairs at the back of his neck.
"I see you two are still at it", John says as he stands in front of the lip-locked couple with Bennie standing off to the side. A tall, red-headed woman stands to the right of John carrying a large canvas tote bag on her shoulder. Fitz and Olivia look up at the trio.
"Abigail, this is my brother Fitz and his wife Liv. Fitz - Liv, this is Abigail – my future wife. "
Everyone except Abigail burst out laughing until Olivia begins to vomit the seltzer she has been drinking all day. And the laughter stops as quickly as it started.
"Liv. Livvie. Baby are you all right?" Fitz asks, stunned by his wife's sudden change in demeanor.
"Lay down on the blanket, Olivia", Abigail says quickly. "I'm a nurse. Get me some ice, Benjamin. It's hot out here."
Bennie rushes over to the cooler to get the ice while Fitz lays Olivia onto the blanket.
"Fitzgerald says you haven't eaten anything all day. Is that right, sweetie?" Abigail asks.
Olivia nods slowly. She is still feeling queasy and light-headed, and the blazing hot sun is not helping matters.
"Wrap that ice in a towel Jonathan and give it to me."
Abigail places the ice compress on the back of Olivia's neck as a crowd begins to gather around them.
"How are you feeling, sweetie? Any better?"
Olivia nods.
"I just want to go home, Fitz", Olivia whines.
"Maybe we should call the paramedics – take you to the hospital", he says anxiously.
"No, I just need to go home."
"You men pack up all of this stuff. And you gawkers back up and give her some breathing room. There's nothing to see here", Abigail shouts. Fitz, however, is hesitant to leave his wife.
"Go help your brothers, Fitzgerald. I'll take care of Olivia. She's going to be fine."
Fitz looks at Abigail, uncertain if he should leave his wife with the stranger.
"She'll be fine - I promise", softening her tone when she sees how worried the man appears to be.
As the men pack up the gear, Abigail continues to nurse Olivia.
"Sweetie", Abigail begins as she strokes Olivia's forehead with a cool towel. "Are you pregnant?" Looking at Olivia with her piercing green eyes.
Olivia nods and begins to cry.
"Does he know?"
Olivia shakes her head from side to side.
"You're going to be just fine. I'll go home with you to make sure you get settled in. Okay?"
Olivia nods and mouths 'thank you'.
"You men hurry and get those things packed up. We have to get Olivia out of this heat", Abigail barks out another command.
"That's my future wife", John mumbles under his breath and smiles proudly.
XXX
When they all get back to the apartment Abigail and Fitz get Olivia undressed and tucked into bed. Although she is still a little weak, she no longer feels nauseous or light-headed.
"Fitzgerald, go make Olivia a cup of clear chicken broth. You do have broth don't you?" Abigail asks demandingly. Fitz looks at Olivia because he has no idea what foodstuff they have in the apartment.
"In the pantry babe, with the soups on the second shelf, to the right – next to the tomato sauce." Fitz nods and walks out the bedroom.
Abigail rolls her eyes because Olivia has to be so specific for her husband.
"Fitzgerald", Abigail calls after him. "Bring in some crackers, hot tea, and a bottle of seltzer or ginger ale."
Fitz' eyes grow wide at the order he was just given and he looks at Olivia because he does not know where any of those things are, except the seltzer, which is in the refrigerator. Olivia begins to speak but Abigail stops her.
"Have your brothers help you find everything, Fitzgerald", Abigail frowns and shakes her head.
Fitz nods and walks down the hall to fulfill the tyrant's orders.
"Men. Helpless. Useless – except for getting us knocked up", Abigail says half-jokingly and Olivia laughs.
"Sweetie, how far along are?"
"About two months - I think."
"Have you been to the doctor yet?"
Olivia shakes her head no and the tears start to flow.
"Aww, what's the matter sweetie?"
"I'm scared. I've never been pregnant before and I don't know anything about taking care of a baby."
"Aww, you'll be all right Olivia. There is so much information out there and you'll have a lot of support. And you can always call me. Okay?" She says soothingly.
"But Fitz doesn't know anything about taking care of babies either."
"Then he'll just have to learn", Abigail says tersely, not at all sympathetic to Fitzgerald's lack of baby knowledge.
"I'm going to the kitchen to see what's taking the Three Stooges so long. You try to get some rest until I come back. Okay?"
"OK", giving the bossy but comical woman a weak smile.
XXX
After John, Bennie, and Abigail leave, Fitz walks down the hall to the bedroom to check on Olivia. He opens the door slowly, being careful not to wake his wife.
"Fitz?" Olivia groans, turning around in the bed to face him.
He rushes over and sits on the side of the bed next to his wife.
"How are you feeling?" Looking at her sympathetically and stroking the side of her face.
"Where is everyone?" She asks, sliding up in bed and reclining against the headboard.
"Everyone has left. Abby, or should I say Abigail, said she will call you tomorrow. She's a strange one Liv. She insists everyone call her Abigail. And she calls everyone by their formal name – Jonathan, Benjamin, Fitzgerald", he says mocking the woman's voice.
"She's not so bad, babe. I kind of like her."
"So how are you feeling? Do you want to go to the hospital?" Looking at his wife nervously.
"No, I'm feeling better actually."
"Do you want more seltzer or ginger ale?"
"No, I can't drink any more of that stuff", she says, scrunching her face.
"So why do you think you got sick? You didn't eat anything today that could upset your stomach."
"Abigail is a nurse."
"Does she know why you got sick?"
"I think so", looking nervously into his eyes.
"What is it, Liv? You're scaring me."
"Well Fitz, I – Abigail thinks I might be pregnant", she says quickly.
Fitz looks at her somewhat confused because he is not quite sure what he is hearing.
"Fitz, did you hear me? Say something, Fitz."
Suddenly he jumps from the bed and starts jumping around the room.
"Woo, woo. I'm going to be a father. One down and four to go!"
XXX
A few days later Olivia and Fitz sit in Dr. Perry's office waiting for the results of the pregnancy test. Although Fitz ran out to the pharmacy the same night she told him that she might be pregnant and bought five different pregnancy tests, which all came back positive of course, they still needed official confirmation from Dr. Perry.
"Well Olivia and Fitz", Dr. Perry begins, looking down at Olivia's chart. "It's seems like in seven months you're going to be first-time parents. Congratulations." He reaches across the desk and shakes Olivia's hand then Fitz' hand.
A huge grin spread across their faces.
"Do either of you have any questions?"
"Is Olivia okay?" Fitz asks nervously.
"Olivia is fine. The internal exam and the ultrasound indicate a normal pregnancy so far."
Olivia smiles brightly. Although she feels awful because of the morning sickness, she is so excited about becoming a mother.
"Is there anything that Olivia should not do? Does she need to stay in bed – stop working?"
Olivia looks at her husband like he has lost his mind. She cannot stay in bed and she certainly will not stop working. Dr. Perry smiles at Fitz because he will never tire of hearing the questions of first-time parents.
"Fitz, Olivia can continue all of her normal activities. However, she should get plenty of rest, eat a healthy diet, limit the stress as much as possible, and take her prenatal vitamins every day.
Fitz nods.
"Olivia, do you have any questions?"
"I am so excited Dr. Perry, but I wonder when the morning sickness will stop."
"Well, the duration of morning sickness varies from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy. Sometimes it subsides by the end of the first trimester, sometimes later, or it can last throughout the pregnancy."
Olivia frowns because she cannot imagine going seven more months feeling this way. It seems like any kind of unpleasant odor sends her to the nearest wastebasket.
"When you come back for your next appointment in two months give me an update on your morning sickness, if it still persists. But Olivia, you don't have to wait for your scheduled appointments to call me with your questions, that goes for you too Fitz. This is your first pregnancy and I'm sure you two will have lots of questions over the next seven months. Okay?"
The couple nod at the same time.
"Janice has a first-time pregnancy packet for you at the front desk. It contains a lot of information about what to expect physically and emotionally. You should read it together and call or email me with any questions. Okay?"
"Thank you Dr. Perry", Olivia says.
"Yes, thank you Dr. Perry", Fitz says smiling as he extends a handshake.
"Congratulations again. Stop at the front desk and make your next appointment and pick up your packet. The prescription for prenatal vitamins has already been sent to your pharmacy. And Olivia, remember it is very important that you take your vitamins every day."
"She certainly will", Fitz interjects.
XXX
Olivia's morning sickness has finally ended and she is thrilled because she was tired of the seemingly unending bouts of vomiting and relegated to eating dry crackers and drinking ginger ale and seltzer water. Now she is feeling more energetic and really enjoying being pregnant. Everything is perfect. She and Fitz have started buying a few things for the baby, in gender neutral colors of course, because they do not want to know the sex of the baby until they actually deliver. Fitz has become even more protective of her, if that is at all possible. He rarely lets her lift anything around the apartment. He makes sure she has taken her vitamins and when he is not traveling for business he brings her a healthy lunch to the office.
Shortly after they found out they were pregnant, Fitz wanted to move out of their apartment immediately and buy a single family home in a safer community. Olivia was not sure if they really needed to move because their apartment is large enough for two adults and a baby and their neighborhood is definitely safe. But over the next two months they looked at more than a dozen beautiful houses, all located in the suburbs. However, none of the houses they toured seemed to satisfy Fitz' tastes until one day Joan showed them a 5200-square-foot, five bedroom, four-and-a-half bathrooms colonial on a cul-de-sac in a new community. The house was the builder's sample home and had most of the upgrades anyone could ever want: hardwood floors throughout, a study off the foyer, a living room, family room, and dining room. The kitchen is a chef's dream with granite countertops, espresso-colored cabinets, and high-end stainless steel appliances. Fitz fell in love with the house immediately. He liked everything about it; the location, the size, and the floor plan.
"Wow, Fitz. This house is absolutely beautiful, but it's so big. Do you think it's going to be too big for just three people?"
"Liv, we're going to have more children - four more if I recall. I don't want to have to find another house in a few years when we have more kids."
"How much does this house cost, Fitz? I'm sure it's pretty expensive."
"Don't worry about it - we can afford it."
She shakes her head because her husband is so excited.
"It's also a bit of a distance from my office, babe."
"Liv, I checked the crime reports and this is the safest neighborhood in the area. I travel a lot and I want my family to be safe."
"But Fitz, it's going to take a lot of work to maintain this big house", looking around at the high ceilings and wide rooms.
"You can do it, Liv. My mom did it for years - still doing it as a matter of fact." He grabs her hand and leads her to the massive deck out back.
"But Fitz your mother has never worked outside of the home. I have my business to run, and with the baby coming I just think it might be too much."
"Come on Liv, don't be a wet blanket, this house is perfect for us. Say yes, please."
He wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her close as they stand on the deck listening to the birds chirp in the background. She rolls her eyes because he is giving her that face she still finds so difficult to deny anything.
"Okay, but you're going to help with the upkeep, Fitz. I mean it."
"You know I don't know how to do any of that stuff. Come on, let's find Joan and tell her this house is ours", he says excitedly.
XXX
Olivia and Fitz have been living in their big, beautiful new home for three months and she has grown to resent the monstrosity. She resents the daily 45-minute commute to and from work. She resents coming home to an empty house most nights because Fitz is usually out of town. She resents the never-ending task of cleaning. There is just so much more to do now than when they lived at the apartment. And being seven months pregnant and still working long hours do not help matters either. As Olivia stands in the luxurious spa-like bathroom she wonders how she is going to handle it all once the baby comes in two months. She has been feeling overwhelmed and anxious lately. She feels like she is being pulled under water, like she is drowning.
Looking into the full-length mirror she begins to cry because of the image reflected. Like the house, everything about her body is huge. Her breasts. Her hips. Her butt. Her face seems much fuller than it was just a week ago and she is beginning to have breakouts. She has never had a problem with acne, not even as a teenager. She no longer feels attractive and she is sure her husband no longer finds her attractive. She and Fitz have always had an active sex life but he has hardly touched her in the past month, not that she has any desire for sex. She sits on the stool in front of the mirror and wonders if Fitz is really away on business when he is gone for days at a time. She wonders if he is seeing someone else who is not fat and ugly. She wonders what she will do if he ever left her. These thoughts have been playing on a loop in her head for the past few weeks. Olivia wipes the tears from her face, grabs her robe from the floor, and pulls it around her body, trying to avoid the mirror as she walks into the bedroom. She crawls onto Fitz' side of the bed and buries her face into his pillows, inhaling his scent. She wonders why he has not called her all day. Once again she falls asleep wondering if her husband is going to come back home this time.
When Olivia awakes in the morning she is surprised to feel her sleeping husband's arm draped over her hip and his morning wood poking her on the butt. She lays perfectly still because she does not want to wake him, she does not want to have sex. And, she no longer wants her husband to see her naked. Fitz begins to stir and Olivia closes her eyes tight as he pulls her close and kisses down her back. She feels the mattress shift as he discards his underwear and tee shirt.
"Liv", he whispers, running his tongue around the rim of her ear. "Wake up, baby."
He pushes down her panties and begins to stroke her. She tries to keep her legs closed but he does not relent.
"I need you, baby. It's been so long. Open your legs." She opens her legs reluctantly and he slides in from behind because she is now seven months pregnant.
"Oh Livvie, you feel so good. Move with me baby. Move." And she obliges, moving with each stroke. And with each stroke she wants to scream.
He gently massages her breasts and pulls her closer as he pumps slowly, taking his time to enjoy the sensation. The feeling is almost unbearable and she fights back the nausea and bites down on the blanket to muffle her crying.
"Tell me you like it, Liv. Tell me it feels good."
She manages to croak out a yes because she wants to please her husband. She does not want him to seek his pleasure elsewhere. Finally he releases and collapses against her back and his softening penis feels disgusting so she closes her eyes and allows the tears to flow onto the pillow.
"Mmm baby, that was so good. I love you, Liv. I miss you so much when I'm gone", kissing her neck and rubbing her huge belly.
Fitz rolls onto his back and pulls Olivia close, unaware that his wife is ashamed of her body and disgusted by his touch. Unaware she thinks he might be cheating. Unaware that she is losing herself.
"You were knocked out when I got home. Did you have a rough day at the office yesterday?" He asks kindly as he strokes her hair.
"I did", she lies effortlessly. She has not been to the office since he left four days ago. She has been in bed the entire time with the drapes pulled closed, blocking out the sunlight.
"Well Liv, we need to start thinking about when you're going to stop working. Maybe it's about time for you to slow down."
"Don't start again, Fitz. Dr. Perry said I can work up to the end."
Fitz sighs and closes his eyes because he does not want to have another fight about an old topic. They lay in silence for awhile.
"Sweetheart, can you get me some breakfast? I'm starved. I haven't eaten anything since I left Seattle."
She nods and rolls out of his arms and makes her way to the bathroom to freshen up. She avoids the mirror.
XXX
While Olivia is downstairs preparing breakfast Fitz takes a long shower, letting the hot water pulsate over his achy muscles. He smiles when he recalls the day Olivia finally agreed to buy the multi-setting shower head. Olivia did not think they needed the fancy shower head, but after several hours of debating the pros and cons of the gadget, Fitz was able to convince her how much fun they could have testing all of the different settings. As he rinses the conditioner from his hair he regrets they have not been testing the device too much lately. He regrets he is hardly home to enjoy the new house with his wife.
Fitz sits on the side of the bed and slides his phone from the nightstand to review his upcoming travel schedule. He frowns because he has two more out-of-town trips over the next three weeks. He is happy the business is growing but the flying back and forth across the country is beginning to take its toll on him physically. And, he does not think Olivia likes it so much either although she has not complained. He runs a hand through his damp hair when he thinks about the amount of time he is away from home, especially with Olivia being so far along in their pregnancy. That is why he took the red-eye flight last night from Seattle, to be home in case she needed him. That is why he has cleared his work schedule for the last month of their pregnancy, to be certain he is home when Olivia goes into labor.
Although Fitz enjoys the work he does and likes being his own boss, he really works hard so he can provide the best for their growing family. He loves his wife more than anything and does not want her and their children to ever want for anything. At some point he wants Olivia to stop working and stay at home to take care of their children and home.
XXX
Abigail Whelan glances at her watch for the second time in the past 15 minutes as she waits at Restaurant 52 for Olivia to arrive for their lunch date. She has not seen her friend in several weeks and has begun to grow concerned about her well-being. She knows Olivia has been avoiding her, making all kinds of unconvincing excuses for why she is unable to get together. But today Abby was not going to let Olivia get away with avoiding her any longer. So she threatened to come over to Olivia's home and bang on the door if she canceled their lunch date today. As Abby looks up from her watch she smiles when she sees Olivia walking toward the table. Abby thinks her friend looks absolutely beautiful, the quintessential mother-to-be.
"Olivia, you look wonderful. Pregnancy certainly suits you", Abby says as she stands and gives her friend a hug.
"Thanks, Abby", Olivia smiles weakly as she slides into the booth.
"I will probably be a big fat, pimply-faced cow whenever Jonathan knocks me up."
Olivia has mastered the art of pretending, of displaying the face people expect a mother-to-be to wear. Everyone expects her to be glowing and happy all the damn time because she is bringing a bundle of joy into the world. But the fact of the matter is she is not happy and has not been happy for several weeks. She feels like she is unraveling and she does not understand why. Up until a few weeks ago everything in her life was wonderful. She has a handsome husband who everyone knows loves her deeply and she loves him just as deeply. They both have careers they love. They have a beautiful home, terrific friends and family, for the most part. And they are pregnant with their first of five children according to her husband. By all accounts this should be the happiest time of her life, but it is not.
After she got over the morning sickness at the end of the first trimester she really began to enjoy her pregnancy. She and Fitz started planning the nursery and shopping for baby clothes and furniture. They both liked how her body was changing, how she was becoming curvy. She had a voracious appetite and all sorts of cravings which her husband willing accommodated more than once by making 2:00 am runs to the local convenience store. And their sex life was the best it has ever been since they first met. Life was good.
But now that she is in the long stretch of her pregnancy something has changed. No, everything has changed. No one, including her husband, knows that she spends most of her days in bed with the covers pulled over her head. And when she has to go out in public, like today, it takes her three or more hours to get out of bed and dressed. And she has lost her desire for just about everything. For socializing. For food. For sex. This morning she felt obligated to fuck her husband, and after the torturous act was over she had to crawl out of bed and make him breakfast. And today she knows she has to meet Abby for lunch because her friend is beginning to get suspicious about of all the cancelled engagements. And, she knows Abby was not in the mood today for any more of her feeble excuses.
'If I don't see you at 12:30 today at 52 I'm coming over to your house, Mrs. Grant.'
So as she sits across from Abby, well-polished, she pretends to be the happy and glowing mother-to-be. However, Abby is smart and perceptive. While she has only known Olivia Grant for five months, she has learned how to interpret her friend's moods. And she knows something is not quite right with the smiling woman sitting across from her.
"Spill Olivia. What's going on with you? And don't tell me nothing", Abby says sternly.
Olivia begins to cry before the words finish rolling off of Abby's tongue.
"Aww sweetie, what's the matter?" Abby softens her tone and slides her hand across the table to still Olivia's shaking hand. "Is it the hormones again?"
"I don't know, Abbs. I just don't feel like myself these days."
"You're pregnant, Olivia. It's going to be a while before you start to feel like your old self again and before your body gets back to normal. But you better get used to being pregnant because Jonathan tells me that Fitzgerald plans on knocking you up at least three or four more times." Abby says as she digs into the french fries Olivia has yet to touch.
After a moment of wondering if she should come clean with Abby, Olivia decides to open up and tell her friend everything that she has been experiencing over the past few weeks. She inhales deeply before starting but the tears begin to flow again. Realizing that something is seriously wrong with her friend, Abby stops dipping the french fries in the ketchup and looks at Olivia carefully.
"What's the matter, Olivia? What's going on?"
"That's just it, Abby. I don't know what's wrong. I feel like I've been walking around in a fog lately." Olivia glances nervously around the restaurant, hoping no one can see that her mask has slipped from her face. "For the past few weeks I've been feeling – well I've been feeling blah."
"Say more - tell me more", Abby says with concern.
"Well, before I turned seven months everything was fine." She shakes her head from side to side as if she is trying to dislodge whatever has her stuck. "Fitz and I have been shopping for the baby and getting the nursery ready, but now I no longer feel like myself. I feel like I've lost myself – like I'm losing my mind."
Olivia stops talking for a moment to see how Abby is processing what she just shared. Abby nods for her to continue.
"It's not just normal pregnancy stuff either, Abby", rubbing her stomach absently. Most days I can hardly get out of bed and I have no interest in doing anything. This morning I had to force myself to have sex with my husband and it felt horrible, and I love Fitz with all my heart."
Olivia grabs the linen napkin from the table and wipes the tears that are streaming down her face.
"After Fitz leaves for work in the mornings I crawl back into bed. All I want to do is pull the covers over my head and block out the world. Thank god for Mona, she's been handling everything at the office since whatever this is started." She glances at Abby again.
"And before Fitz comes home from work I order dinner and have it delivered to the house. Abby, I don't know what's happening to me, but I don't want to go on living like this."
Abigail's green eyes widen at her friend's confession and she moves over to Olivia's side of the booth and places a comforting arm around her shoulders. She knew something was wrong with Olivia but she had no idea things were this bad.
"Aww, sweetie. Have you told Fitzgerald about any of this?"
Olivia shakes her head no.
"He's so excited about the baby and has been traveling so much lately. I just don't want to bother him."
Abby rolls her eyes.
"Have you talked with your doctor about these symptoms?"
Olivia shakes her head no.
"I feel silly, Abby. I wouldn't know what to say to him."
"Are you eating?" Abby asks.
She looks at her plate of french fries and shakes her head from side to side.
"I don't have much of an appetite either, Abbs. And I know that can't be good for the baby." She wrings her hand in despair.
"You have to talk to your doctor, Olivia. You need to make an appointment with your doctor ASAP and tell him what's going on."
"I'm scared, Abby. I don't want anything to happen to this baby. Fitz will be so disappointed if something happened to the baby."
"Nothing is going to happen to your baby. In a few months you're going to deliver a beautiful baby boy or girl. And no matter what I think about helpless Fitzgerald, he is handsome and you two are going to have a beautiful baby."
"He's a good man, Abby."
"You need help, Olivia. You can't do everything now and definitely not after the baby comes. You have to teach him, Olivia."
"I taught him how to do some cooking when we we're dating, but Fitz is more of a traditionalist than I realized."
"Does he cook now?"
Olivia shakes her head no.
"Well he needs to become a non-traditionalist and start helping you around that big house he just had to have. Olivia, the man graduated from the US Naval Academy. He was a Captain in the Navy, commanding and organizing the peons for god's sake. You mean to tell me he doesn't know how to do anything around the house?"
"Not too much."
"Then you have to put your foot down, Olivia. You're not his mother or his maid. Those Grant men all like to be babied and that mother didn't do them any favors. She has ruined her sons for any woman. They are all smart and successful but they are useless around the house. They all think they should be taken care of. I see how that father sits around and is catered to by that woman. I told Jonathan I won't have any of it."
"What did he say?"
"He thinks I'm crazy and I want him to continue to think that", Abigail wiggles her eyebrows and smiles deviously.
Olivia bursts out laughing.
"But really Olivia, Fitzgerald is going to have to start doing more to help you. You're pregnant and he can't expect you to do everything and run your business too."
The waiter comes to their table to check if they need anything else.
"Yes, give my friend an order of the grilled chicken with the penne pasta", Abby says while grabbing the plate of french fries Olivia has not touched. "You have to eat and I mean real food, Olivia."
"Sounds like things have gotten really serious with you and John."
"He can be such an ass sometimes, but I think I love him. He thinks I'm crazy because I don't take any of his crap. I told him I'm not like his mother so don't expect all that coddling shit from me."
Olivia holds her belly with her left hand as she laughs and wipes the tears rolling down her face with the other hand.
"I don't think she likes me, by the way. Once John and I were over there visiting and the woman actually tried to put an apron on me so I could help her to bake John's favorite cookies. I told her I buy my cookies from the grocery store and walked out of that hot kitchen."
Olivia is in hysterics when the waiter returns and sets the entrée in front of her. Not realizing how hungry she was, she begins to devour the food.
"You're killing me, Abby."
"You know you're the only one I let call me Abby. I hate that nickname shit."
"Why is that?" Olivia asks while chewing a mouthful of pasta.
"Olivia, I grew up in a small town – very poor – dirt poor and nobody ever called anyone by their birth name. One day my mother took me to the dentist, which was a rarity, for a toothache and the receptionist called Abigail to come back to see the dentist and I didn't move. I just sat there like a clod. When the woman came over and asked me if I was Abigail I told her my name was Abby and everyone in the waiting room burst out laughing. One kid sitting there with his fat father said I was stupid because I didn't know my own name. Olivia, I was so embarrassed I just wanted to cry. But I wouldn't give those idiots in the waiting room the satisfaction of seeing me cry."
I'm sorry Abby. I'll call you Abigail from now on", she says, looking at her friend sadly.
"That's okay. I let you call me Abby because I like you", she says smiling softly at her friend. "You know I've only told that story to you and Jonathan. I love him but I still won't let him call me Abby."
Olivia shakes her head at the complicated woman.
"Now back to the Grants. That father, Gerry, well he rules that damn house. I told Jonathan I won't be calling him Big Gerry either."
"He can be a bit tough", Olivia says after chewing another mouthful of chicken.
"And what's up with you and Benjamin by the way?"
Olivia tenses slightly and looks blankly at the comical redhead.
"Don't give me that look. You know he has a thing for you." Abby dips more french fries into the ketchup.
"Nothing's up. Bennie and I have been friends since high school. We had the same circle of friends back then."
"Well you must be pregnant and blind because he definitely has a thing for you. Jonathan said Fitzgerald and Benjamin almost came to blows about it.
"I know nothing about that, Abbs."
"Mhmm", watching Olivia finish eating her lunch. "Well I'm glad you're now eating and smiling."
"Thank you, Abby. I really appreciate you listening to me. I'm feeling a little better now."
"Good, but I still want you to make an appointment with your doctor and I'll go with you. We have to get to the bottom of whatever is going on", Abby says firmly. Olivia nods, happy she now has someone to confide in.
XXX
Olivia lay on the hospital bed connected to a series of monitors while sucking on ice chips and praying desperately that she can survive the next wave of contractions. A lone tear rolls down her face when the next contraction grips her uterus.
"Aww, what's the matter sweetheart?" Fitz asks, rubbing her arm tenderly.
Why did he ask such a stupid question that undoubtedly was guaranteed to send his wife into a rage?
"What do you mean what's the matter?" She screams. "My uterus feels like an army of boots are trampling all over it. The contractions hurt, Fitz! That's what's wrong." She spews as the next wave of contractions hit her.
"I know you're uncomfortable, sweetheart –"
"Uncomfortable? Uncomfortable? I'm not uncomfortable. I'm in labor. I'm in distress. I'm in –"
Suddenly the monitors begin to beep wildly and the room fills quickly with medical personnel. The couple look at each other nervously.
"Get her into the delivery room, STAT", Dr. Perry yells.
XXX
"Isn't she just the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?" Olivia says looking down at their daughter who is nestled in the crook of her arm.
"She looks just like you, Liv."
"She does", Olivia agrees as she smiles at the sleeping baby. "But babe, she has your eyes and your hair color, and unfortunately your nose."
"Fitzgerald, she looks so much like Nora when she was born", Maura says.
"You mean I was beautiful from the beginning?" Nora jokes.
"Hold her, babe." Handing her husband their daughter.
Fitz' eyes brim with tears as he looks at the sleeping infant.
"She is absolutely beautiful. She's perfect", Fitz says while cradling his daughter.
"Well Fitzgerald, you and Olivia have done a fine job with this one. Four more to go", Gerry states and Abigail rolls her eyes at the ridiculous man.
"Well, we should leave the new parents alone so they can spend time with Cee –Cee", John says.
Everyone in the room turns and looks at John because of the nickname he just gave the three-hour-old baby. Abigail rolls her eyes again at the nickname.
"What?" John asks as everyone looks at him. "She looks like a Cee-Cee to me. I'm not going to call her Cena."
Fitz shakes his head.
"Olivia, I will stop by the house to make sure everything is ready for when your parents arrive later this evening. I'm sure Fitzgerald has not done a thing."
"Thank you Maura, but I already got everything ready for my parents' visit."
"Well I'm sure there is always something else that can be done."
Abigail rolls her eyes again and walks over to Olivia's bed.
"Olivia, Cena is absolutely beautiful. You and Fitzgerald did a terrific job."
"Thank you Abigail", Fitz says, looking up from the sleeping baby.
"I'll stop by tomorrow when I get off work to see you both."
"Thanks for everything, Abby", Olivia smiles at her friend with gratitude in her eyes.
"Come on Jonathan, let's go."
"Hey, why is it that Liv gets to call you Abby?"
"Because I like her. Now let's go."
XXX
Olivia and Cena have been home from the hospital for three days and the new parents cannot get enough of holding their newborn and staring at her. After Cena finally fell asleep, Olivia and Fitz continue to stand at the side of the crib smiling as they watch in awe their baby.
"She is absolutely beautiful, Liv. Thank you", he says, kissing his wife on the temple.
"She is. I'm so happy she is here with us. I just want to hold her all of the time."
"She's my little Princess."
"Aww, babe. Are you getting emotional again?"
"I just want the best for her, Liv."
"She'll be fine, babe."
"I just want to do everything within my power to give her the kind of life she deserves."
"You're a good man Fitz, and you're going to be a terrific dad."
He nods, wrapping his arm around Olivia's waist and smiling at his sleeping daughter.
XXX
Calvin and Gwendolyn Pope arrived three nights ago from Senegal and are staying with Olivia and Fitz for a month to help them with the baby and to spend more time spoiling their grandbaby. After a long night of helping Olivia to soothe a restless Cena, they relax at the kitchen island sipping their coffee.
"This is such a big house", Gwennie says, looking around the massive, state-of-the-art kitchen. "I don't know why they need so much house when it's just the three of them."
"It's much bigger than our former home", Calvin says, shaking his head in disapproval. "Our Livia was never so ostentatious. I hope she is staying true to her values and her faith."
Gwennie runs her hand across the island granite top and nods in agreement as Fitz and Olivia walk into the kitchen hand in hand.
"Good morning", the proud parents say in unison.
"Good morning and where is my grandbaby?" Gwennie asks.
"She's finally sleeping mom", Olivia says, taking a seat at the island.
Fitz walks over to the counter and pours a cup of coffee then sits next to his wife.
"I guess so since she was up a bit last night."
"She was?" Fitz asks in surprise.
"Yes babe she was and you slept through it all. It seems like she has her days and nights confused. She sleeps during the day and is awake at night. Was I like that?" Olivia looks at her parents.
"Yes", her parents say at once and chuckle at the memory.
"But some nights I would wake your father because I needed my sleep because I had to go to work in the morning."
"Well I had to work too", Calvin says, but we agreed to take turns getting up for your 2:00 AM feedings and diaper changes."
"So you two better cherish the times when Cena does sleep because it won't last for long."
"Babe", Fitz says. "Can you get me some breakfast? I'm starved."
"Sure", Olivia yawns as she walks toward the stove.
Gwennie and Calvin look at each other wondering why Fitzgerald cannot prepare his own breakfast.
"So Fitz, are you planning on taking some time off from work?" His mother-in-law asks.
"For what?" Looking at the woman curiously.
"Well, when we go back to Senegal Livia is going to need some help with the baby and everything", looking around the massive room.
"No, I hadn't planned on taking any time off. Liv will be home with Cena."
Olivia walks to the island and sets the plate of eggs, sausage and bacon, and home-fried potatoes in front of her husband.
"Thank you, sweetheart", he says, pecking his wife on the lips.
As Olivia starts to sit down when Fitz asks her for orange juice. Gwennie and Calvin look at each other with wide eyes as Olivia walks toward the refrigerator.