A/N: I own absolutely nothing related to the television show called Scandal.
Cleo, cannot believe you were feeling sorry for Victoria – if only for a hot minute. No one else's car was towed because they knew where to park. The intent was to show Fitz' lack of familiarity with the city norms and how people refer to them as visitors from the suburbs. Wilson hasn't slept with Victoria. He and Janice simply use her as a tool to achieve their goals. They used her to bring down Darius –stopped him from running for mayor. That rotten kitty cat line is too funny. SweetOlitz, Liv wants the girls to be more than visitors in the city, she wants them immersed in the city's culture - daily. Conwun, Fitz is trying to be open to moving, but the prospect of doing is challenging him. Don't you think Liv has to be flexible too? Guest 1, Chapter 42 seems like such a long time ago and I honestly cannot remember using either terms. Therefore, I don't know the context in which they were used, but I will take your word. The grammar check is always appreciated. Also, you didn't miss anything, Mellie was not mentioned in earlier chapters. Her appearance was intended to provide more insight into who Fitzgerald Grant was while living in California. We won't see Mellie again.
Here we go! Tell me what you think.
Chapter 44. Cleaning Day
Darrin loves his job, in fact, it would be the dream job if it were not for that bitch Victoria making his life a living hell. The woman is a callous and malicious viper and he despises her more than anyone on the planet, in the universe really. He knows he was being reckless when he started visiting his special websites at work – he owns that - but sometimes his urges get the best of him. And, therefore, the woman should hold his weakness against him, yet that is exactly what the low-level worker is doing. The glorified typist has made him her bitch, using his Achilles heel as a weapon to wield against him whenever she has the inclination to do so. The assistant is treating him like her assistant, and his pay grade is higher than hers because he checked. She makes all kinds of demands on his time, during and after business hours. She orders him to dig up dirt on public officials and, on occasion, she has had the gall to ask him to run personal errands, like picking up her dry cleaning or a bottle of nail polish from the local pharmacy because she chipped a nail while typing. No task is too demeaning for her to dole out to him.
For now, Victoria gets to treat him like dirt and walk around City Hall as if she is descendant from royalty, but he has her number. He has researched her background, and she hardly hails from royalty, not even close. The woman is nothing more than a common slut who slept her way down to the secretarial pool. He wonders who she had to screw to get the plum job as the council president's assistant. With folder tucked under the left arm and holding the ever-present phone in his right hand, Darrin walks in a rapid pace to the council president's office. Mr. Grant wants copies of the city's public health reports for the past year and he wants them by nine o' clock this morning. He inhales deeply before entering the lioness' den.
"I have the research Mr. Grant requested", Darrin says tersely and without salutation.
"Good morning, Darrin", the saccharine greeting dripping with condescension from her red lips. He sighs, juts out his chin, and stares blankly at the poster hanging on the wall behind the snake's desk. He just wants to get past her for once without being demeaned and deliver the reports to Mr. Grant, but her ice cold eyes dare him not to return her greeting.
"Good morning, Ms Sanchez", returning the witch's greeting with the enthusiasm of a man being water boarded in the bowels of the Pentagon.
"Now that wasn't too difficult - was it?" She says, holding his gaze until she decides to dismiss him. "Now you can go in - and knock before you enter", she warns as she reaches across the desk to straighten the errant pencil holder. She dislikes when things are untidy. A cluttered space is a sign that you are not in control.
Humiliated and filled with anger, Darrin stops outside the office door and takes a deep breath. He wants to regain his composure before meeting with the council president. He cannot wait until that bitch gets what coming to her. She might have the upper hand for now, but Victoria Sanchez is going to get what she deserves, and when she does, he wants to be around to dance on her grave.
XXX
Give Fitzgerald the attention he needs. Make him happy. A man needs that, baby.
Gwendolyn Pope's advice, no, her warning, rings in Olivia's ears like the bells of Triumph Tabernacle tolling before the Sunday morning service. Her mother's words, intentional or not, have provoked her to do a lot of soul searching over the past few days. Olivia is rethinking everything she had settled neatly in her mind; she just needed to get her husband onboard. She now wonders if moving to the city is really the best choice for their family. She wonders if she should have accepted the new job so soon after the near-death car crash. She is even reexamining her burning desire to have another baby? Everything she was so sure of has been thrown off balance by a handful of carefully worded sentences.
That man loves you and will do anything to make you happy.
Shifting the box in her arms, Olivia shakes her head, trying to reconcile the competing thoughts. She is not sure if what will make her happy will also make her husband. And if he is not happy, then what is the point.
XXX
As her well-manicured red fingernails tap lightly on the keyboard, the council president's self-described pit bull and dragon slayer glance at the time displayed in the bottom-right corner of the monitor and smiles, it is 11:20, almost time for lunch. Since their first lunch together a few weeks ago, Victoria has been scheming to find a way for them to dine together again. She really enjoys their alone time together. So, she hatched a plan to insure he will be available for lunch. She rearranged his schedule for the day, shifting all of his morning appointments to the afternoon, mitigating the risk of her plans being disrupted by a morning meeting that might spill over into the lunch hour, or some old fogey hijacking him for lunch. Today is going to be their day. Perhaps they can go to a restaurant rather than eat in that old stuffy office. Getting moist at the prospect of spending time away from the office with him, Victoria crosses her long legs and squeeze her thighs together. She closes her eyes, sliding her tongue across her red lips.
The clickety-clacking sound of heels striking against the marble floor shake Victoria from her reverie. She looks up from the marked up report positioned on the typing stand and prepares to send away whoever is coming to the office without an appointment. She rolls her eyes when she sees Olivia Grant approaching the reception area carrying a large cardboard box. Victoria detests the woman. Maybe in another life they could have been friends, but in this life Olivia Grant has something she wants, so friendship is not an option.
"Phew!" Olivia exhalesas she sets the box on the edge of the immaculate desk, inadvertently bumping the pencil holder from its assigned spot. Olivia has carried the heavy box all the way from the parking garage and she needs to take a minute to catch her breath. "Good morning, Victoria", smiling politely and thinking the attractive woman looks like she put extra effort in getting dressed today.
"Good morning, Mrs. Grant", slowly uncrossing her legs. "I didn't realize you were visiting this morning", forcing a smile as she reaches across the desk to return the pencil holder to its designated position. "I'll let the council president know -"
"No need for that, Victoria", lifting the box from the desk and continuing her trek toward her husband's office. "I'm his wife - remember, you don't have to announce me." The pit bull is reduced to puppy status.
XXX
Leaning back in the chair with legs stretched across the desk, the hems of his pants ride slightly above his crossed ankles as he reads one of the public health reports Darrin delivered earlier. Olivia smiles when she sees he is wearing the navy blue socks with the embroidered red elephants she bought while they perused the shops along the waterfront on Valentine's Day night. She wonders why she did not notice him putting them on this morning.
"Liv?" Crinkling his brow when he realizes his wife is standing in the doorway holding a large box.
"Fitz?" Mimicking his tone as she kicks the door close with the side of her shoe. Victoria rolls her eyes again. Lunch will have to be the canned soup she stores in the bottom desk drawer. She wants to scream.
"This is unexpected", tossing aside the report he has been reading for the past 45 minutes. The document lands on top of the piles of papers and folders scattered over the desk. Somewhat recovered from the surprise visit, Fitz smiles as he walks around the desk to give his wife a proper greeting, only to be blocked by the cardboard box. He settles for a kiss on her cheek instead.
"It's cleaning day, babe", setting the box onto one of the chairs situated in front of the desk.
"What?" Watching as Olivia drapes her navy blue jacket over the arm of the chair.
"I told you we were going to get this desk in order when you finished your legislation. The agenda is done –it's time to get to work on your office." With mouth hanging open, Fitz watches her pull a white paper bag from the box and toss it at him. His lips slowly spread into a smile when he catches the bag.
"Moe's", gingerly caressing the bag as if its contents are a precious commodity.
"Moe's. You didn't eat breakfast this morning. Sit down - eat - while I clean up this mess." Trying desperately not to laugh at his eagerness to bite into the corned beef special sandwich, she starts gathering the papers from the desk and returning them to the folders.
"Yes, ma'am – you don't have to tell me twice", peeking into the bag as he walks over to the conference table.
"Where's my diet cola, woman?" Grinning as he slides the giant delicatessen delight from the bag. Olivia pulls the large Styrofoam cup from the box and walks it over to where he is sitting. With a hand resting on her hip, she bangs the Styrofoam cup onto the table.
"Your cola", playfully glaring at him with an arched eyebrow.
"You bought me Moe's – you love me", pulling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms around her waist, and she makes a feeble attempt to peel away his arms.
"I love you – now eat", pretending to be unfazed by the attention he is giving her.
"Kiss me first", not loosening his hold on her.
"Babe, I have work to do", she whines unconvincingly.
"I said kiss me, woman." Olivia pecks her handsy husband on the lips and he turns the peck into a real kiss, and she responds in kind. "Now go – get to work - so I can eat my lunch", he says with a chuckle.
"You're being silly", swatting her playful husband on the shoulder before walking back to the desk. "Babe, I really don't know how you let this desk get so out of control. This is not like you."
"I told you – I've been busy", preparing to take another bite out of the sandwich.
"We can't let this happen again, Fitz. I can understand having a few papers on the desk - but this is ridiculous. No wonder you can't find anything", thinking about the lost message for him to pick up Jolie's prescription. "Where do you want these?" Holding a folder in the air. Fitz motions his head toward the file cabinet as he chews the layers of corned beef, cole slaw, and rye bread. She shakes her head, because the old metal file cabinet reminds her of the one she had in her office at the foundation, before the flood. Opening and closing the drawers, Olivia quickly file away all the folders in a matter of minutes.
"Where's your lunch?" Moaning with pleasure as the wonderful intermingle in his mouth. He swears the joy he gets from eating Moe's corned beef special is second only to making love to his wife.
"I'm not hungry", removing the rest of the items from the desk and setting them onto the credenza.
""I'm willing to share - come take a bite", grinning as he holds the sandwich in her direction.
"No thanks, babe. I don't want to come between you and your foodgasm", collecting the pens and pencils from the desk.
"What's that?"
"Furniture polish", spraying the cleaner onto the desk then rubbing the cotton cloth over the wood.
"I think you missed a spot", grinning as he points a long index finger at the imaginary overlooked spot on the desk. He tries without success not to laugh out loud when she turns around and gives him another threatening glare.
"You're in a good mood today", quickly swiping the cloth over the desk.
"I'm always in a good mood when my wife surprises me with lunch. What else do you have in that box?" Watching as she pulls another cloth from a plastic bag and sprays it with the glass cleaner. Olivia quickly wipes the glass of the framed wedding and family pictures before placing them back onto the desk.
"Should I take some of these older pictures home?" Assessing the array of family pictures on the credenza behind the desk.
"No - leave them. I want to keep them all here", leaning back in the chair and biting into the dill pickle. Olivia nods, removes all of the frames from the credenza, and piles them onto the desk.
"Babe, this Second Empire-style furniture is rich with history and should be treated with care – respected. It's been in this office for decades – you have to take better care of it. And, you definitely shouldn't put your feet on it." Fitz nods with little to no interest as his wife finishes dusting the frames and returns them to the credenza.
"I'm going to put these extra pens and pencils in your middle drawer – okay?"
Gripped by fear, the playful smile fades and he stops chewing. He holds his breath as she slides open the drawer. He wracks his brain trying to come up with an excuse to explain why the brown plastic bottle of pills is in the desk drawer. He slowly exhales, running his fingers through his hair, when she drops the pens and pencils into the tray and closes the drawer. Secret kept.
Olivia pulls two picture frames from the box and holds them up for her husband to see.
"When did you frame those?" Looking at the pictures they took in the photo booth at the Kidchella festival. The façade remains in place.
"You're not the only one who knows how to print pictures, babe. I might not post our every moment on Instagram like someone I know, but I do enjoy printing and framing them", carefully setting the new family pictures onto the credenza next to the old.
"I married a very smart woman", smiling as he sucks the diet cola through the straw.
"This looks much better, babe", glancing around the room and inspecting her handiwork. "Don't let it get messy again or I'll be back", she says in a terrible Arnold Schwarzenegger voice. He nods and stuffs the last morsel of the sandwich into his mouth. "Babe, don't forget Asha is spending the weekend. Cee really likes her – they're BFFs", smiling at their daughter's description of the little girl in her dance class. Fitz rolls his eyes.
"Well I hope Asha doesn't become her new Deon", shaking his head and frowning.
"What do you mean?"
"All Cena talks about these days is Asha. I think she's getting too attached, Liv."
"She's six, babe. Plus, she's excited about the dance recital."
"I just don't want her to get too clingy to anyone", balling the paper napkin and tossing it onto the table.
"Except to you – of course."
"I'm serious, Liv. That part of her concerns me - she won't be a little girl forever. She'll be in college soon."
"College?" Looking at her husband as if he has lost his mind. "Can we get her through elementary school first?"
"She needs more friends - a broader social circle."
"Social circle?"
"Asha became her best friend right away and she only sees her a couple hours a week. Why doesn't she have more friends at school? Maybe we should schedule play dates."
"Play dates?"
"That way she'll always have other children to interact with."
"Babe, scheduling play dates can be complicated; they usually have to be planned a week or more in advance. Besides, friendships can't be planned - they have to happen organically – in school, on the playground, in the backyard – not that we have young children in our neighborhood." He frowns as he watches her pull a glass jar and sticks from the box. He still does not like that his daughter has become fixated on one person again.
"What's that?"
"A diffuser – in the same scent as my body butter. You'll never be able to get away from me", she says, sliding the reeds into the jar and setting it onto the credenza next to the picture frames.
"Never – ever want to", walking over to the desk and dropping the trash into the waste bin.
"Remember to flip the reeds every few days, babe."
"Mhm", wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. She knows he will not remember. "That was really good, Liv."
"Well, that's your last one for the year. If you keep eating those things you're going have to start running around the park with Geoffrey again."
"Thank you", wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close.
"For Moe's?" Smiling at him playfully.
"For Moe's."
Kiss
"And, for cleaning my desk."
Kiss
"While I appreciate you coming here and getting me organized - it's not necessary. You have better things to do with your time. You are a busy executive – you shouldn't worry about cleaning my office. I have staff to do that. Victoria could've have done it."
"I just want to make sure you're okay – that you're happy", she adds softly. "Are you happy?" Her mother's words still ringing in her ears.
"Of course I am? Why would you ask such a thing?"
"You - we've been so busy lately - I just don't want us to drift apart", resting her hands on his shoulders.
"Well you don't have to worry about that happening. You and the girls make me happier than I ever imagined", kissing the tip of her nose.
"You know I love you more than anything", studying his eyes for any signs of discontent.
"I love you, too", wrapping his arms around tightly. "Now that I've made it over the first hurdle, I'll be better organized going forward. Let's go away for a long weekend", running his tongue down the side of her neck.
"That sounds tempting, babe - it really does - but I have to work on my recommendation for Fred. I'm going to need every spare minute I can find." He gives her his best pouty face.
"Don't give me that look. Under normal circumstances it would work – but I have so much to do over these next few weeks. Rain check?" She gives him her best pouty face.
"You owe me - big time", pressing his forehead against hers and caressing her bottom.
"Then I must pay", standing on her tip-toes and running her tongue over his parted lips. Exploring each other's mouth, they moan with pleasure, getting lost in the moment. The two quick knocks on the door jolt them from their make-out session and they both look over at the door. Fitz expels an audible groan.
"Yes, Victoria", he calls out with frustration.
"I'm so sorry to interrupt, sir, but your next meeting is scheduled to start in 15 minutes", quickly sweeping her eyes over the intertwined couple then the pristine desk.
"Thank you, Victoria. I'll be out shortly." She nods and walks from the office, leaving the door open.
"I better let you get back to work, babe", trying to unravel herself from his embrace. "And, I need to get over to Bryson's to set up my office. I'm sure Deanna has all of the basics - but I want to add a few personal items for the days that I'm there."
"One more kiss", smiling mischievously as he pulls her back into his arms.
"Fitz, I have to go."
"I said kiss me, woman", leaning in and pressing his lips against hers. She returns the kiss, scraping her fingernails through the fine hairs at the nape of his neck. Feeling they are nearing the point of no return, Olivia pulls away and fans herself. Her husband still has that effect on her.
"I better go", sliding on her jacket. She hooks the purse over her arm and lifts the box from the chair.
"Let me carry that to the car", reaching to take the box from her arms.
"I got it, babe. You go brush your teeth – nobody wants to smell Moe's all afternoon at your meetings", pecking him on the lips one last time before turning to leave.
"You owe me", he calls as she walks from the office.
"Yeh, yeh", smiling as she walks through the reception area. "Have a good afternoon, Victoria."
"Mrs. Grant", Victoria says. She is still seething.
XXX
Stocked with cleaning supplies and expensive toiletries, the housekeeping attendant pushes the cart down the slate floor, toward the executives' restrooms. She cleans these restrooms twice a day – the women's first then the men's. This is the second and final cleaning for the day. The night crew will clean them again after hours. Every time she enters the luxurious restrooms she thinks about how the bathroom in her tiny apartment pales in comparison. In fact, these restrooms are almost as large as her entire apartment.
When Olivia exits the elevator on the 46th floor of Bryson Foods headquarters, she hurries toward the women's executive restroom. Digging in her purse along the way for the access card, she wishes she had taken the time to go to the bathroom while at City Hall. The attendant stops abruptly when she sees the woman waving her access card in front of the door lock; she will clean the men's room first this time.
"Housekeeping", she calls out, waiting a few seconds before propping open the door with the cart.
She slaps the placard on the door to indicate the space is being cleaned then cautiously enters the room. She peeks around the corner where the showers are located, checking that fat ass Carlson is not lurking around in his birthday suit. He might be a senior vice president, but he is also a disgusting and creepy pervert. She knows he pretends not to hear when she knocks on the door. He gets some sort of sick pleasure from seeing her jump when she sees him strutting around with that fat belly and everything else exposed. She usually tries to find out his whereabouts before making her rounds to clean the bathrooms.
It is a mindless and routine process, taking no more than 20 minutes to quickly clean the urinals, shower, mirrors, countertops, damp mop the floor, and restock the shelves with toiletries and plush Egyptian cotton towels. During that time, she thinks about getting to her second job on time and worrying that she is not being a good mother. When she has finished cleaning, she flips the reeds in the diffusers, pulls the plastic gloves from her hands, and tosses them into the clear plastic trash bag attached to the cart. As she pushes the cart down the hall, she prays the women's restroom is now vacant. She knocks on the door.
"Housekeeping", she announces, waiting a while before entering. She exhales in relief and quickly repeats the cleaning process in the women's room.
XXX
Olivia is immediately drawn to the floor-to-ceiling wall of windows behind the desk when she walks into the bright and airy office. The room is more than twice the size of her office at the foundation. She smiles as she looks out the window. It is a clear and beautiful Washington day and she can almost see the Space Needle in Seattle. She admires the décor, thinking Deanna definitely did not spare any expense in setting up the office. She has every office supply imaginable on the oversized glass and chrome desk, with extras stored in the armoire. On the other side of the room, a large rectangular glass and chrome table hosts a fully stocked beverage bar. Every type of coffee and tea imaginable, including creamers and sweeteners are on the table. And, a mini refrigerator and wine chiller are tucked under the rectangular table. A round glass and chrome conference table is placed in front of the other set of floor-to-ceiling windows adjacent to her desk. The office looks like something in Architectural Digest.
"Olivia", Deanna says, walking into the office with a big smile. "I'm so sorry I wasn't at the reception area to greet you."
"Hello, Deanna", Olivia says, still wearing her big smile as well. "This is such a beautiful office. The view is to die for."
"Mr. Bryson wanted you to have this office with that wonderful view", smiling as she glances out the window. "Are you finding everything you need?" Deanna is confident that the office will meet Olivia's needs, after all, she selected the décor and inspected the office earlier to make sure the housekeeping staff had set up the office according to her specifications.
"Yes - you have clearly thought of everything, Deanna."
"Well, we want you to be comfortable in your new space, Olivia."
"Thank you. I'm sure I will. I've bought in a few personal items", pulling the framed photographs from the tote bag.
"Of course. Well don't hesitate to ask if you need anything. I'll make sure housekeeping gets whatever you need."
"Thank you, Deanna", setting a photograph of her and Fitz on their wedding day at one end of the desk. Then, she sets one of the pictures they took at the Kidchella Festival on the other end of the desk.
"You have a beautiful family, Olivia", smiling at the family pictures with Cena and Jolie. "May I?"
"Of course. They're everything to me."
"As they should be. When it's all said and done - a woman needs more than her career", she says, and Olivia thinks she heard a tinge of regret in Deanna's voice. She glances at the family pictures one last time before walking toward the door. "You do remember where the restroom is – right?"
"Already found it", she chuckles.
"And if you ever misplace your executive key just let me know or you can contact housekeeping directly."
"Thank you, Deanna."
"Would you like me to order lunch?"
"No – thank you. I'm not hungry."
"Okay – just let me know if you change your mind. I'll send up I-T a little later to set up your laptop, tablet, and phone – get you access to our intranet. You will find the company's directory on all of your devices."
"Thanks, Deanna. By the way, this orchid is absolutely beautiful", looking fondly at the flower placed on the desk. The tall bright yellow blooms speckled with red dots complement the large buttery soft yellow leather chair.
"I'm glad you like it. You'll receive a new one every two weeks."
XXX
"Babe, you have to come see my office at Bryson's. It is absolutely breathtaking. It sort of reminds me of your offices at Grant Enterprises – so contemporary", dipping her fingers into the jar of body butter.
"You deserve it, Liv", laying his head on her lap.
"Fitz – I have cream on my hands", holding her hands away from him so the cream does not get on his tee shirt.
"I enjoyed you surprising me with lunch today."
"Well don't get used to it. I have a lot going on, babe", rubbing her hands on his arm to rid her hands of the excess body butter.
"That jar does smell like you."
"It's called a diffuser, babe. Don't' forget to flip the reeds every few days", hoping the second reminder is the charm.
"I thought about you – us - all afternoon."
"I thought you had meetings."
"After my meetings." She nods, waiting for him to continue. And after a few moments of silence, he says what is really on his mind.
"I love this house, Liv - I love living in Church Falls."
There it is, this is what he really wants to talk about. She hears her mother's warnings again, and knows she needs to let him talk. She needs to really listen to what is on his mind.
"It's a wonderful place to raise children. It's safe, Liv. I need you and the girls to be safe." She kisses the tip of his nose, encouraging him to continue.
"We've made this our home - we have our fingerprints on this house. When we moved here seven years agowhenall we had were wedding gifts, the same last name, and a few days' worth of experiences together."
"It's called a honeymoon, babe."
"Our family was brand new - it was just the two us. Then Cee came along and she changed everything for us." Olivia nods in agreement, as she strokes his hair.
"This is where Cee took her first steps, said her first words, and dented the wall in the family room when she bumped her head at two. This is where I taught her how to swim, Liv. And, this is where we made Jo." She nods, because that is definitely true. He was traveling a lot at the time, and every time he came home, they would spend every night experiencing each other like it was their first.
"Over the years we have filled our walls and bookshelves with pictures and memorabilia of experiences we've shared together and with our families. Seven years of family get-togethers and celebrating holidays and birthdays are here. Our family's identity is here, Liv. This is who we are – this is us."
"I know we've had some tough times here as well – but this is where we overcame those tough times. Do you remember the time we lost power and -"
"We cooked dinner over the fireplace", laughing at the memory as she grazes her fingernails across his scalp. "And, the next day you went out and bought that huge generator that we have not used since."
"I'm not getting rid of that generator, Liv." She has been pestering him for years to sell it or give it away. It takes up too much space in the garage, along with all the other equipment he rarely use.
"I just want to do what's best for our family, Liv. I also want you to be happy."
"Babe, we've created a lot of wonderful memories here - but we've had so many wonderful experiences outside of our home: our wedding, our honeymoon, the hospital where our children were born, our vacations ..."
"I know."
"And the one thing all of those experiences have in common is that we were together. It doesn't matter whether we are here or someplace else - we will always create new memories", caressing the side of his face.
"I know", turning on his side and wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Babe, I don't want you to feel like I'm pressuring you about moving. We don't have to anytime soon – not until you're ready. Okay?"
He nods, feeling somewhat relieved.
"But, babe, do you think you could be happy in another house - make new memories elsewhere?" He sighs, presses his lips against her nightgown, and thinks about the question. "Fitz, I believe our best memories are ahead of us - no matter where we are."
XXX
When Olivia opens the door, Cena and Asha push past her, drop their bags onto the floor, and run toward the staircase. The two girls have been waiting for what seems like forever for the Friday, for the sleepover to begin.
"Show Asha her room, Cee", and the two little girls take off running toward the long staircase before Olivia could finish her instructions. "Wait – wait. Take your bags with you."
Cena and Asha run back to the foyer to collect their bags. Cena grabs her gym bag that contains her dance leotards and shoes. Asha grabs her gym bag and the overnight bag covered with Minnie Mouse.
"Dinner will be ready in 30 -", Olivia calls out, but the girls are already halfway up the long staircase. Bowtie runs from the family room and up the stairs, too, and Olivia sneers at Fitz and Cena's dog.
"In here, Asha. Mommy said this is your room."
Asha's big brown eyes stretch wide when she enters the bedroom that will be hers for the next two days. She has never seen such a big bedroom. The bed is so big she thinks she might get lost in it.
"The bathroom is over there", Cena points in the direction of the en suite bathroom. Asha eyes get wider, if that is even possible. She has never seen a bathroom in a bedroom.
"Let's play in my room, Asha", Cena says excitedly, grabbing her BFF's hand and pulling her from the room and down the hall. Bowtie scamper down the hall behind the girls.
"Wow", Asha says, flabbergasted by the bedroom that is befitting a real princess. "Your room is so pretty, Cena."
"Look at my dolls, Asha. My Nana bought them from Africa."
XXX
Fitz smiles when he enters the house and hears the laughter of two little girls flowing down into the foyer. He sets the briefcase onto the floor then hangs his coat in the closet. Shaking his head at the rapid-fire pace at which the girls are talking, he wonders what has them so excited. When he walks into the family, he picks up Jolie from the play mat and she quickly reaches for his nose. He stuffs her hand into his mouth, pretending to gobble it, and she squeals with laughter.
"I hear our guest has arrived", pecking his wife on the lips as she stands at the stove reheating the food Hildie prepared for their dinner.
"They've been chattering nonstop since we got here – before we got here, really. They've been talking since we left dance class." Fitz nods as he bounces Jolie in his arms, still reaching for her father's nose.
"Babe, can you watch the girls for a few hours in morning? Mona wants me to meet her at the foundation."
"On a Saturday?"
"It's the only day we are both available."
"Okay. I have some work to wrap up in the morning. I'll take the girls to the park in the afternoon."
"They'll love that. Won't you Miss Jo", kissing the drooling baby on her lips. "Babe, can you get the girls – tell them it's time for dinner. And make sure they wash their hands." He nods, following the sounds of the giggling coming from Cena's bedroom.
"So what is so funny", he asks, standing in the doorway holding Jolie tight to prevent her from jumping out of his arms. She wants to get on the floor with the big girls. Cena runs over to her father for a hug and Asha watches the tall man pick up Cena and kiss her on the cheek.
"Daddy – daddy. Asha is here", stating the obvious.
"Hello, Asha", Fitz says to the little girl who has gone silent.
"Hello", Asha says softly.
"Why don't you girls go wash your hands then come downstairs for dinner."
"Yay", Cena yells, climbing down from her father and skipping over to Asha. "Come on Asha, we have to wash our hands", guiding her friend to the en suite bathroom. Another bathroom Asha thinks as she follows Cena.
XXX
Cena is so excited that her BFF is sleeping over, she has hardly touched the spaghetti and meatballs Hildie made as a special treat for their guest. She chatters incessantly and seems oblivious to Asha's quiet demeanor, who has been tight-lipped since they came down for dinner.
"Do you like spaghetti, Asha?" Olivia asks with a smile when she notices the little girl has barely touched her food. She knows Asha likes spaghetti and meatballs because she asked Kelly for a list of Asha's favorite foods, and if she had any allergies.
"Yes", Asha says in an almost inaudible tone as she glances over at Cena's father then quickly looking down at her plate.
"You can have something else if you want", Fitz chimes, smiling at the bashful girl. Asha slowly sides the fork into her mouth. Fitz looks at Olivia wondering if the little girl is homesick.
"Cena, eat your dinner so you and Asha can have ice cream for dessert", Olivia says cheerily. Cena nods her head and starts shoveling food into her mouth at the prospect of having ice cream. Asha follows suit.
"Then we can play a game after dessert", Fitz says with the same level of enthusiasm as his wife.
"Can we play Chutes and Ladders, daddy?" Cena asks excitedly.
"Maybe we should let Asha pick the game tonight, sweetheart."
"Asha, do you want to play Chutes and Ladders?" Looking at her friend and nodding her head up and down. Asha nods her head, too.
"Asha wants to play, daddy."
After the ice cream is eaten, Fitz joins Cena and Asha on the floor in the family room to play Chutes and Ladders. After two games of raucous competition between father and daughter, Olivia announces it is bath time.
"Babe, can you get Cena set up for her bath and bathe Jo while I help Asha?"
"Okay. Let's put the game away girls - then you can get ready for your baths", Fitz says, standing from the floor and picking up Jolie, who is gnawing on one of her rubber toys.
"Daddy – can Asha have bubbles?"
"Would you like bubbles in your bath, Asha?" Fitz asks, smiling down at the shy girl.
"Yes", Asha says softly.
"Then bubbles it is", Olivia says with gusto, taking Asha by the hand and guiding her upstairs.
XXX
"Okay girls – time for bed. Asha, would you like to sleep in your own room tonight or would you like to sleep with Cena? You can sleep wherever you want", Olivia adds quickly, smiling at the adorable little girl who is dressed in pajamas covered with Minnie Mouse and holding her teddy bear.
"With Cena." She is afraid she might get lost in the big bed.
"Yay", Cena squeals and the two girls giggle as they jump onto the Princess' bed, kicking their legs in the air.
"What's so funny?" Fitz asks as he walks into Cena's bedroom carrying a freshly bathed Jolie. Asha looks down and holds the bear tighter.
"Asha's going to sleep with me, daddy. Can you read our bedtime story now?" Continuing to kick her legs up and down with excitement.
"Goodnight Moon it is", he says, setting Jolie onto the bed then walking across the room to retrieve the book from the shelf.
"Well that's my cue. I only do this when absolutely necessary", Olivia says to her husband with a wink and a smile.
"Party pooper", Fitz says, which elicits giggles from the girls.
"Daddy you said pooper."
"Pooper, pooper, pooper", he repeats, and they all laugh out loud. Jolie laughs, too, because everyone else is laughing.
"Goodnight, Cee", Olivia says, kissing her daughter on the cheek.
"Goodnight, mommy."
"Goodnight, Asha", tousling the girl's long braids and pecking her on the cheek.
"Goodnight", Asha says quietly.
"And goodnight, Miss Jo", kissing the drooling baby on her cheek.
"Goodnight, Fitzgerald", giggling as she walks from the room to take a hot shower. It has been a long day.
Asha's big brown eyes follow Cena's father as he walks across the room and slides a book from the shelf. She looks down at her bear when he walks back to the bed.
"Scoot over girls. It's story time."
As usual, Cena curls into her father's side and Jolie crawls onto his stomach and rests her head on his chest. Bowtie takes his position at the foot of the bed and Asha sits up straight, holding onto her bear. Cena listens intently like it is the first time she has heard the story. Jolie has already fallen asleep and Asha continues to hug the bear as she listens to the timbre of the man's voice. Midway through the third reading Cena and Asha are both fast asleep. Fitz climbs from the bed with Jolie and returns the book to the shelf. He pulls the covers over Cena and Asha then gives both girls a kiss before turning off the light.
"Goodnight, Cena. Goodnight, Asha", smiling at the two sleeping girls before walking from the room. Bowtie jumps from the bed and takes his position in the hall as Fitz walks to the nursery.
XXX
"My daddy makes the best panny cakes", Cena says, promoting her father's cooking skills. "We can make a face with fruit. Okay?" Cena says emphatically as she looks into Asha's wide eyes.
"Okay", Asha says, glancing over at the stove where Cena's father is preparing breakfast.
"May I get the fruit, daddy?"
"Yes you may", he says, flipping another pancake. Cena slides the plastic containers of fruit from the refrigerator shelf and sets them onto the island top – two in front of Asha and two in her spot.
"Open it like this, Asha", Cena directs, sliding her finger under the plastic lid the way her father taught her long ago. "Okay?"
Jolie bangs a hand on the tray and the two girls look over at the baby stretching a hand toward them.
"You can't have fruit, JoJo." Cena knows her sister is allergic to certain fruits and dairy products. Jolie bangs her hand on the tray again.
"Eat your Cheerios, JoJo", Cena directs again. "Eat like this", Cena pretends to put Cheerios into her mouth and Jolie, who tries to copy everything her big sister does, picks up a few Cheerios with her chubby hand and stuffs them into her mouth. She begins to laugh when Cena applauds.
"Ready for pancakes, girls?"
"Yes – yes", Cena yells.
"Would you like pancakes, Asha?" Fitz asks, holding the frying pan in a glove-covered hand.
"Say yes, Asha. My daddy makes the best panny cakes."
"Yes", Asha says softly.
"Okay. Two pancakes for Asha and two pancakes for Cena", sliding the hot cakes onto the girls' plates.
"Does anyone want bacon?" He teases.
"Daddy, I love bacon."
"I like bacon, too", Asha says. Fitz smiles at the little girl and she smiles at him.
"Okay – bacon for Asha and Cena."
Fitz gets the syrup from the pantry and walks back into the kitchen. "Who wants syrup?" Holding the bottle in the air.
"I do- I do."
"Okay – syrup for Cena. Does anyone else want syrup?" Smiling again at Asha.
"I do", she smiles.
"Daddy, may we have cream to make a beard?"
"Just for today because we have a very special guest", he says, walking to the refrigerator to get the can of whipped cream.
"My daddy says you're special, Asha", and the little girl smiles again.
"Asha, do you like whipped cream?" Fitz asks. Asha does not know if she likes whipped cream or not because she has never had it. She looks down at her plate.
"It's good, Asha", Cena says, giving her friend a reassuring nod.
"How about I put a little on a spoon so you can taste it? Okay?" Fitz asks cautiously.
"Say okay, Asha. It's so good", Cena says, coaxing her friend to taste the cream.
"Okay", watching with great curiosity as Cena's father takes a spoon from the drawer.
Fitz squirts a little of the whipped cream onto a teaspoon and hands it to Asha. He, Cena, and Jolie all seem to hold their breaths as they watch Asha stare at the white cream before slowly sliding the spoon into her mouth. She smiles when the fluffy sweet cream connects with her tongue.
"She likes it, daddy", Cena yells excitedly.
"So what do you think - do you like it, Asha?" Fitz asks, holding the can in his hand as he waits for her response.
"Yes. I like it", giving Fitz her biggest smile of the morning.
"Okay, beards for Asha and Cena."
"Let's make our fruit faces, Asha", Cena says, pulling fruit from the bowls and placing the blueberries, strawberries, and cantaloupe onto the top pancake. Asha nods and follows Cena's lead. Jolie watches as the two girls make fruit faces on the tops of their pancakes.
"Do you like milk, Asha?"
"Yes - please."
As if on cue, Jolie turns her sippy cup upside down and laughs hysterically as her milk flows onto the floor. Cena and Asha begin to laugh as well.
"JoJo, don't pour your milk on the floor", Fitz says, dashing across the room to retrieve the cup from his laughing daughter. He pulls the towel from his shoulder and wipes the milk from the floor.
"Good morning, Fitzgerald", Calvin says. "I see you're praying early this morning", chuckling at his son-in-law who is on his knees wiping milk from the floor.
"Good morning, Calvin – Gwendolyn", standing from the floor and looking at a laughing Jolie.
"Don't cry over spilled milk, Fitzgerald", Gwendolyn laughs. Fitz looks at his mother-in-law with furrowed brow because she rarely makes a joke.
"And who is this pretty little girl?" Calvin asks, looking at Asha who seems to be shrinking again from the presence of two new adults in the kitchen.
"GranPop – this is Asha - my BFF."
"Ah – the BFF. Good morning, milady", Calvin bows and extends his hand to the little girl.
"Good morning", Asha says shyly, shaking the strange man's hand.
"Her name is Asha, GranPop – not milady."
"Good morning, Cena", pecking his granddaughter on the cheek and shaking his head.
"Good morning, Cena.
"Good morning, Nana."
"Good morning, Asha. We've heard so much about you. I hear you're a wonderful dancer", Gwendolyn says.
"Good morning", looking at the woman's jingling bracelet.
"I can't wait to see you girls on stage", Gwendolyn says, pecking Cena then Jolie on the cheek. She strokes Asha's back.
"Can I get you some breakfast, Calvin?" Calvin looks at the girls' half-eaten pancakes covered with fruit and whipped cream and thinks about his stomach. Then he looks over at Jolie's tray, which is covered with soggy Cheerios.
"No thank you, Fitzgerald. I'll just have coffee and toast this morning."
"Gwendolyn - breakfast?"
"No thank you, Fitzgerald. I'll just have my usual ginger tea and toast", she says, walking over to the refrigerator to retrieve the ginger root.
"And where is Livvia this morning?" Gwendolyn asks.
"She had to meet Mona at the foundation this morning."
"We also have a few errands to run this morning. Maybe we'll be back before she returns."
"Daddy – may Asha and I play in my room?" The two girls look up him expectantly.
"Yes – but don't forget you have to practice before we can go to the park to ring the rocks." The two girls take off running from the kitchen and Bowtie runs after them. Jolie looks as they all leave the kitchen and starts to cry.
"Aww, don't cry, Jolie", Gwendolyn says, lifting her crying granddaughter from the high chair. "You'll be able to keep up with them soon."
XXX
After playing in Cena's room all morning, the two girls came downstairs in the afternoon to practice their dance routine. The recital is next week and they need to make sure their routine is flawless. For the past hour, they have been bouncing around the family room practicing Miss Ebony's routine, giggling and laughing each time they make a mistake. Hearing the girls laughing, Fitz decides to take a break from working in the study and to get another cup of coffee. He picks up Jolie from the playmate and walks into the kitchen to refill his coffee mug.
Leaning against the doorframe that leads from the kitchen to the family room, Fitz holds the mug of coffee in one hand and Jolie in his other arm as he watches Cena and Asha practice. He frowns and shakes his head.
"That's not quite right, girls."
Cena and Asha stop dancing and look up at him curiously. "That's not quite how Miss Ebony taught you."
Fitz knows every dance routine that Miss Ebony has taught them because he often sits on the same hard metal chair every Tuesday and Friday watching the class practice. He knows what he is talking about when he says they are not performing the routine correctly.
"Show us, daddy", Cena says, skipping over to her father.
"Whoa - whoa. I don't really dance. I just know how it should look."
"Show us, daddy. Pleeease?" Giving him that look she knows he cannot refuse.
"Okay – okay", setting the mug onto the table and standing Jolie on the floor in front of the sofa. "Start the song over, Cee." Cena runs over to her tablet and taps the song, and the music flows through the speakers.
"Show us", daddy.
"Okay, but you have to watch carefully." Cena and Asha nod their heads up and down as Fitz demonstrates Miss Ebony's dance routine. With hands on hips, he kicks a leg in the air, taps the foot on the floor, then spins around. "You have to remember to tap your foot on the floor before spinning around. Okay?" With mouths hanging open, Cena and Asha nod their heads in amazement. "Start the song again, Princess, and let's all do it together."
Cena runs over to her tablet and presses the song again and they all line up to start the routine. Fitz looks over at Jolie and shakes his head. She looks like one of those weightlifters, squatting up and down to the beat of the music.
"Now tap", and the girls, with hands on their hips, extend their right leg and tap their foot onto the floor.
Olivia stands in the doorway watching the scene before her. She cannot believe she is seeing her husband shaking his hips in the middle of the afternoon.
"Now turn", he says, spinning around and stopping abruptly when he comes face to face with his disapproving wife. He is flush with embarrassment. With arms are folded across her chest she shakes her head from side to side.
"You're doing it wrong", Olivia says flatly. Cena and Asha stop dancing and look back and forth between the adults. Jolie did not get the message so she continues squatting and standing to her own beat.
"This is how you do it", Olivia laughs as she shimmies her way into to the room, performing her version of Miss Ebony's dance routine.
"What's going on here?" Calvin asks, watching his daughter dance around the room.
"We're dancing, GranPop", Cena says, jumping around the room.
"Dancing - without us? Come on Gwennie, let's show these young folks how it's really done." Calvin steers his wife onto the dance floor and they dance to the beat of whatever music is playing.
"Look mommy, GranPop and Nana are dancing", Cena giggles as she and Asha bounce up and down, trying to emulate the grandparents.
"You didn't know your GranPop knew how to dance – did you?" Looking at his giggling granddaughter as he dances around the room with his wife.
"I taught him everything he knows", Gwendolyn says, holding her husband's hand as he spins her around the room
"Livvia, play that Marvin Gay song, Come Get to This. You remember we used to dance to that song for hours?" Olivia hurries over to Cena's tablet and starts the song. Gwendolyn and Calvin start to Bop. Cena and Asha try to do the unfamiliar dance.
"Come on, babe, let's show them how to do it", extending her a hand to her husband. Fitz takes her hand and moves his feet the way she taught him years ago. The room is filled with music and raucous laughter as everyone Bop to the song. Gwendolyn is just getting warmed up when the song ends.
"Livvia, play The Temptations, I Want a Love I Can See", Gwendolyn calls out and Olivia quickly searches Spotify for her parents' favorite Cha-Cha song.
"Nice", Calvin's says with a smile as the rooms fills with the rhythmic sounds flowing from the built-in surround sound speakers. "You know your mother couldn't dance a lick when I met her", beginning to Cha-Cha."
"Not true", Gwendolyn says, dancing back in forth with her husband.
"Babe, they always argue about who taught who how to dance", Liv says, dancing with her husband.
"No argument here. Liv taught me everything I know."
"Not bad, Fitzgerald, not bad", Calvin says, admiring his son-in-law's foot work. "Now switch."
Fitz is now Cha-Cha-ing with Gwendolyn and Olivia is dancing with her father. Cena and Asha are dancing with each other and Jolie is still dancing with the sofa. When the song comes to an end Olivia starts another song.
"Line dancing time" she yells when Wobble begins to play. They all form a line and dance in sync.
"I always loved to dance. I couldn't listen to this kind of music when I was growing up", Gwendolyn says as she turns and lifts her leg to the beat. "My mother was not going to have the devil's music in her house." Olivia is shocked by her mother's admission.
"One more", Olivia yells, searching for another song. Beyoncé's Single Ladies starts to play.
"Queen Bee", Asha yells.
"And not the hair braider, Calvin", Fitz laughs out loud.
"Well, I guess we have to sit this one out, Fitzgerald. We're neither single nor are we a lady."
Calvin picks up Jolie who is struggling to keep pace with the other dancers and Fitz sits on the sofa watching the ladies do a bad job imitating Beyoncé. As the song comes to an end everyone is laughing and sweating from the impromptu dance concert.
"We should do this more often", Calvin says, bouncing Jolie on his lap."
"Maybe we'll dance at Jolie's birthday party next month", Gwendolyn says. "Our baby might be walking by then."
XXX
When Fitz finishes reading the popular bedtime story, he looks down and sees that the three girls and Bowtie are fast asleep. He returns the tattered book to the bookshelf, lifts Jolie from the bed, and kisses Cena and Asha good night. He pats Bowtie on the head and the dog jumps down from the bed and follows Fitz over to the door, waiting for him to dim the lights, and Asha smiles in her sleep.
Over the past few days Asha has gone from being mostly silent to totally involved in the Grant family life. She likes when everyone sits around the large island in the kitchen talking nonstop about anything and everything. She likes when they all cuddle in Cena's big bed at night, with all the colorful fluffy pillows surrounding them as they listen to the nightly reading of Goodnight Moon. She really likes being here and is going to miss everything when she goes back home tomorrow.
XXX
"You have a lot of stuff, Cena", Asha says looking around the room as they sit on the red bean bags playing with the dolls, after they finished eating another wonderful breakfast prepared by Cena's father.
"Like what?" Cena asks, looking at her friend curiously.
"I don't know", Asha says, shrugging her shoulders "Just stuff. You have your own room, a lot clothes, and books and toys", Asha says quickly.
"My mommy and daddy buy me stuff", repeating Asha's description of all the beautiful furniture, clothes, and toys she has.
"I don't have a daddy", Asha confesses sadly.
"You don't?" Asha shakes her head from side to side and Cena's eyes are close to bulging from her head. She cannot imagine not having her daddy. She thought all children had a daddy.
"Why not?" Cena asks, fascinated by Asha's revelation. Asha shrugs her shoulders again and starts to cry. Cena leans over in her bean chair and pats her friend on the back, trying to comfort her.
"Don't cry, Asha. My daddy can be your daddy, too."
"He can?" Asha says, looking up at Cena with her big brown eyes. Cena shakes her head up and down.
"My daddy can be my daddy, JoJo's daddy, and your daddy, too. Okay?"
Asha nods her head and the tears stop flowing because she is finally going to have a daddy. Maybe her new daddy can call her by a special name like he calls Cena and Jolie. Maybe her new daddy can pick her up and carry her around his neck like he carries Cena. Maybe her new daddy can love her too and give her hugs and kisses like he gives Cena and Jolie.
XXX
With a finger pressed to his pursed lips, Fitz shakes his head as he studies the budget cuts Mayor Wilson is proposing for the School District. He is proposing a ridiculous reduction in funding for the city's schools. Wilson is playing politics with the lives of the children who live in the city. The public hearings are scheduled to begin in June and the reductions to the School District's budget will surely be hotly debated, and he can understand why.
As he rereads the last paragraph of the budget, Cena and Asha walk into the study holding hands. Well, Cena is actually pulling a timid Asha into the room. The two little girls stand in front of the big desk watching Fitz frown as he reads the book in his hand. Sensing he is being watched, Fitz looks up and smiles at the little girls.
"Hi, Princess. Hello, Asha. Did you want something?" Looking back and forth at the two girls. Cena nods her head up and down.
"Use your words, Princess. What do you want?"
"I want you to be Asha's daddy. JoJo and I don't mind sharing", she adds quickly.
Over the past 10 years, Fitz has made a lucrative living using his verbal skills to negotiate some of the most complex corporate acquisitions, but right now the famous negotiator has been rendered speechless by his six-year-old daughter. He shifts uncomfortably in the chair, seemingly unable to find his voice. He hopes his face does not reveal his uneasiness. The two girls stare at him, waiting patiently for the answer. He looks into the eyes that match his, then at Asha, whose big brown eyes seem to have grown even larger in anticipation of his answer.
He wonders why his wife is taking so long at the mall. She and Gwendolyn left hours ago to buy Jolie a new pair of shoes. How long does it take to buy an infant a pair of shoes anyway? And why does Jolie even need shoes when she is not walking? And why did Calvin have to drive them? All of these questions swirl in his head while under the hot gaze of the two pint-sized jurors.
"Daddy, Asha doesn't have a daddy - so can you be her daddy? Pleeease."
He is still trying to formulate a response that would sound somewhat acceptable to two six year olds. Finally, he discovers his voice and clears his throat before presenting his argument to the jury.
"Well, sweetheart, I'm sure Asha's mother would have something to say about that", giving them a smile he hopes will send them away, but the two girls are unmoved. They continue to stare at him, waiting for him to come up with a better answer, so he continues. "Why don't mommy and I talk to Asha's mommy about this - okay?"
Cena looks at Asha and the two girls nod their heads in agreement. They know adults always have to talk to other adults about kid stuff.
"Good. Why don't you girls practice your dance one more time before mommy comes home - okay?"
"Yay", they squeal, running from the room chattering and laughing. Crisis averted. Bowtie lingers in the study and gives Fitz a sympathetic look.
"Man's best friend, hunh? You could've warned me", he says, chastising the pooch. Bowtie stretches his body across the floor and whimpers.
XXX
After Fitz puts Jolie in her crib, he hurries down the hall to their bedroom. He has been waiting all evening to talk with his wife.
"Liv", he calls in a whisper as he rushes nervously into the room. He does not notice she is wearing the almost-sheer nightgown that signals she is ready for adult play time.
"Why are you whispering?" Smiling seductively as she wraps her arms around his waist. "Are the girls asleep?"
"Cee and Asha are out like a light - Jo is sleeping, too", he says anxiously, running a hand through his hair.
"Good – I'm ready to pay", standing on her tip-toes and sucking on his ear lobe. Preoccupied by what happened earlier, he does not get the reference. Olivia kisses down the side of his neck.
"Something happened earlier - while you were out", he says in an urgent whisper as she tries to capture his lips.
"Stop. Talking", trying to slide her hand inside his sweatpants.
"Behave", swatting away her hand and looking over his shoulder at the door.
"What's wrong with you? What are you looking for?" She asks in frustration.
"Liv, this is important."
"Okay, but please stop with the whispering. You sound like you're in some sort spy movie."
"We have to talk", walking over to the door to make sure it is locked.
"What's wrong with you? Why are you acting so weird?" Folding her arms across her chest.
Fitz pulls her over to the bed by the hand and squats in front of her. She starts to panic because his eyes reveal that something is terribly wrong.
"What's the matter? What's wrong?" She asks anxiously, and he looks over at the door again.
"Fitz –"
"Cena wants me to be Asha's father", he says quickly, looking at his wife with panic in his eyes. Olivia's eyes widen and her mouth falls open. Then she begins to laugh.
"Is that why you're whispering?" Falling back onto the bed and laughing hysterically.
"This isn't funny, Liv", pulling her upright so he can continue sharing the predicament in which his Princess has put him. "Apparently Asha's dad isn't around - in her life, and Cee told Asha I could be her father", looking into his wife's eyes for a life line. Olivia tries to put on her most serious face, but the panic in his eyes cause her to start laughing again. Annoyed because she is not taking the matter seriously, Fitz stands and starts pacing around the room.
"Babe, I'm sorry. I just think it is so sweet. I told you Cee has a big heart", walking over and caressing his panic-stricken face, trying to salvage the evening.
"This is serious, Olivia", stepping back and folding his arms across his chest. She groans silently because when he gets fixated on something he is not going to let it go until the matter is resolved.
"So what did you say?" She asks, knowing she will not be getting any loving tonight.
"I said we would have to speak Asha's mother", still whispering. "You have to handle this, Liv", looking at her in desperation.
"Me? Why me? Asha isn't looking for a mother, she wants a father, babe - and that would be you." She walks to the closet to find a warm pair of pajamas. He has another thought, so he follows her to the closet.
"Do you think they might forget? They're young, Liv. Cena forgets things all the time."
"Babe, children don't forget things that are important to them", she says, yanking the flannel nightgown over her head.
XXX
Olivia frowns as she watches her mother drop the grated ginger root into the pot of water simmering on the stove. She cannot understand the pleasure her mother gets from drinking the spicy tea. The only time she drinks the awful tea is when she is pregnant and needs something to settle her stomach. She wonders if her mother is pregnant. Of course she is being silly, considering her mother's age, but she finds the thought of her mother being pregnant to be absolutely hilarious. So, she continues to play out the scenario in her mind. If her mother is pregnant, that means she would have a brother or sister who is younger than her own daughters. And, Cena and Jolie would be older than their aunt or uncle. The whole thing is absolutely comical and she places a hand over her mouth trying to stifle the laugh.
"So how is my Jolie doing this morning?" Gwendolyn asks as she opens the refrigerator and slides the loaf of sprouted multigrain bread from the middle shelf. She lifts the jar of peach preserves from the shelf on the side door and she thinks about her mother. When she was a little girl, she sat on her knees in the kitchen chair and watched her mother make preserves from peaches and strawberries.
"The teething is causing diarrhea. This is the second time I had to change her this morning."
"It's just a phase, baby. She'll be all right", dropping the bread into the toaster then walks over to the stove with the boubou flowing around her. "Tea, Livvia?" Lifting the pot of simmering ginger root from the stove.
"No thanks, mom", scrunching her face at the thought of drinking the spicy tea. She does not which is worse, the ginger tea or her father's Café Touba. "Fitz and I are thinking about moving to the city", pouring a few more Cheerios onto Jolie's tray.
"I heard you were thinking about moving to the city", Gwendolyn says as she fills her mug with tea.
"I think it's best for the girls, mom", trying to entice Jolie to drink the Pedialyte to rehydrate her from the diarrhea.
"I see", Gwendolyn says, squeezing fresh lemon juice into the mug.
"I know that tone, mom. Say what's on your mind", looking over at her mother who is stirring honey into the tea.
"Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons—and your husband is okay with it." Olivia sighs, thinking here we go again with the motherly advice.
"Mom, when I look at Cena's classroom pictures she is the only child of color in those pictures. Children don't get to make decisions about where they live or go to school, mom. Parents have make sure their children have a balanced experience."
"Moving out doesn't mean moving down."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Looking at her mother as she spread the peach preserve on the toast.
"It means you and Fitzgerald are still going to be wealthy, even if you move to the city. You are going to live in an affluent community with people who are going to be like you and Fitzgerald – socioeconomically that is. You're going to be one of those people your father rails against – the gentrified." Olivia mouth twitches.
"Gentrification separates the haves from the have-nots, baby. If you move to the city, Cena and Jolie will end up living around children who are all alike - privileged. So you have to know what you mean by a balanced life", sipping her tea.
Olivia frowns.
"You know, Livvia, the problems in the city you want to fix with Bryson's philanthropy program are as real today as they were when your father's company relocated us here 20 plus years ago. Back then your father and I chose to live in Church Falls - living in the city just wasn't an option. Although there was a lot of love and sense of community in many of those neighborhoods – there was also a lot of crime – and the schools weren't very good. As adults – your father and I could handle the city – but we did not want that for you. Yes, things have gotten a little better for a few – but the same kinds of problems persist." Olivia listens intently as her mother shares why they chose not to live in the city. Something she has wondered since they moved here.
"Mom, Church Falls had it problems back then, too. I was tolerated – not accepted at school name. Until Ben and I became friends, I had no friends in school. No one knew how to interact with the different girl. I don't want that for my children."
"We chose the lesser of two evils, baby. Or maybe the lesser of disappointing options."
"Well, I want real choices for my children – I want better for them", she says defiantly.
"Livvia, every day we all make compromises. And we do it with mature acceptance that that's how life is. We don't get everything we want, baby. Your father and I knew Church Falls was – is not the most diverse town in America – but it was a safe place to raise you. We knew we could provide you the rest – expose you to broader views elsewhere."
Olivia expels an audible sigh. She just wants her children to be, and not have to think about how to be because of who they are.
"Livvia, you have to accept that Cena and Jolie are going to be different wherever you live. Your job as their mother is to make sure they know who they are - whether you live here in Church Falls or someplace else. You have to know why you want to do this, Livvia. Is moving about Cena and Jolie or is it about you? Are you trying to fix the past – because that's not possible?"
Gwendolyn closes her eyes as she takes a bite from the toast. Not as good as momma's. Tired of the discussion, Olivia offers Jolie the cup filled with Pedialyte. Jolie pushes it away and shakes her head no. She has had enough of the drink.
"Asha wants Fitz to be her father", she says, wanting to change the subject.
"Aww – that's so sweet. She's such a lovely girl. How does Fitzgerald feel about it?" Raising the mug to her lips.
"Of course he was thrown off - totally unprepared for two six year olds to make such a request."
"It does take a village, Livvia."
"Asha has a father, mom, although it doesn't appear that he is in her life."
"Livvia, society has a shared responsibility for successfully raising all children."
"I'm sure Fitz will be fine with being a male figure in Asha's life – I just doesn't want to confuse her."
"Livvia, in Senegal there is a word for non-family males who have an active role in a child's life."
"Really?" Looking at her mother with interest. "I was thinking perhaps she could call Fitz uncle, but that also implies direct family ties. I'm not sure that's a good idea."
"Children in Senegal call these men Baaba."
"Baaba", Olivia smiles as she tests the word on her tongue. "I like it - but I have to speak with Kelly. I don't want to overstep."