A/N: Sweet16017, yes, everything has come full circle and it's time for everyone to move on. We'll soon find out why Kelly seems to vacillate about Asha and Cena's relationship. Emma, Marion has evolved a lot. Let's see what Ty Granger has to offer when he arrives in Church Falls. Also, remember Gwennie's advice to Olivia not to over-commit to Kelly. They come from a tradition of helping others but sometimes you have to wait until people ask for help. Coralsue3, hmm, an interesting rationale for why Cena might be culprit. Let's see if the captain can really do it all. Guest 1, I'm glad you're enjoying the story. What do you mean you didn't review the last two chapters? LOL. You're right about Marion. She isn't pregnant. Remember, she promised Ben that she would cut back on her drinking. She wants things to work out with Ben. It is a big step for Kelly to allow the Grants to watch Asha three nights a week. But, like Gwendolyn says, mothers do what they think is best for their children. I guess she was reflecting on her choices as a mother. Olivia and Fitz have grown a lot. They'll be able to handle whatever comes their way. It's time for Calvin and Gwendolyn to move on. Guest 2, no cop out. We cannot forget that Fitz is a conservative Republican, and as such, his socio-political views are different than his wife's and her parents. Recall, Olivia tried to correct her mother for misquoting Fitz about the immigration issue. She knows what kind of man she has married. Also, as a man, Calvin knows he needs to allow space for Fitz to be the man of the house without being concerned about offending his in-laws. I appreciate your take on the scene, though. Guest 3, Fitz is not denying Olivia a housekeeper. He plans to serve in that role. He knows Olivia cannot do it all since she is pregnant with twins. Let's see if Fitz is being unrealistic about his ability to take care of the children and manage the household. Keep in mind, after Hildie, protective Fitz is reluctant to bring another stranger into their home.
Sorry for the late update, between work and traveling two weeks in October, I did not have time to edit this chapter. I hope you and enjoy. Tell me what you think – either way. Here we go!
Chapter 58. Gender Reveal
Another heat wave looms over the region, causing even the most intrepid lovers of the outdoors to seek shelter inside to escape the sun's blistering rays, including Fitz and the girls. When he opens the front door, the promise of one of their mother's popsicles and a cold glass of lemonade send Cena and Jolie dashing down the hall to the powder room to wash their hands. Fitz frowns as he enters the family room, thinking he will have to clean up the newspaper and bubble wrap that is scattered over the floor. His frown transforms into a smile when he sees his wife walking from the kitchen carrying a box.
"You're back early", Olivia says, brushing her lips across his. "You're flushed, babe. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. The girls were getting tired and hot - so we came back early."
"It's hot out there, Fitz. You should've stayed in today. Where's Jo and Cena?" She asks, looking around the room.
"They're washing their hands. I promised them one of your popsicles and a glass of lemonade."
"Are you hungry?" She asks, setting the box onto the coffee table.
"No - we ate lunch at the park", eyeing the box she sat onto the coffee table. "What are you doing?"
"What do you mean? You know I'm packing up a few things to donate to mom and dad's village."
With brow furrowed, he takes a few quick steps toward the box. "Are those my pots and pans? You're not giving away my pots and pans, Liv."
"Fitz - you never use them."
"Well it's not that I never use them – "
"When was the last time you used this one?" She asks, holding up the three-gallon copper stock pot.
"I am the president of the city council - I haven't had time to cook." Olivia rolls her eyes as he takes the pot from her hands. "I'll be home all summer - I'll have more time to prepare meals."
"Fitz, please - it's for a good cause."
"You're not giving away my pots, Olivia. It's taken me forever to collect the ones I need", returning the three-gallon copper stock pot to the box.
"You're kidding me – right?" Glaring at him with arms folded across her chest.
"What are you donating?" He asks, glancing around the room at all the boxes piled high in the room.
"What?" Olivia replies, taken aback by the question.
"You heard me. What personal items are you giving away? And I don't mean Cee and Jo's things."
"What do you mean? I hardly have anything to give away."
"That's not true, Liv. You have a lot of stuff stored down in the basement that you never use. Don't think I don't know about it", carrying the box of precious cookware back to the kitchen.
"Have you been snooping through my things?" Her voice now a full octave higher as she follows him into the pantry.
"No – I was looking for my set of weights and I stumbled across your stash. You have a problem, Liv."
"I have a problem? Says the man carrying a box full of pots that he never uses."
"I'm done talking about this", carefully returning his prized cookware to the pantry shelves.
"Fitz - we're not getting anywhere like this."
"My pots are staying here — in the United States", he says with finality.
XXX
Mimicking her father's posture, Cena sits cross-legged on the floor as she plays her favorite board game with her father and grandfather. It has been a while since the entire family has spent a leisurely evening together.
"I win again", Cena yells, displaying a broad snaggletooth grin through the laughter. Fitz and Calvin smile at each other, silently acknowledging they have allowed her to win again.
"Well, Fitzgerald – my granddaughter is proving once again to be a tough competitor. I can never seem to win a game", Calvin groans as he lifts his old bones from the floor. "I guess you'll have to beat your mother and father in this fretful game when your Nana and I return to Senegal."
"Why do you have to go back to Senegal, GranPop? I want you and Nana to stay here forever", Cena says with the innocence of a seven-year-old.
"Your Nana and I have some very important work we need to finish in Senegal. Many people are counting on us."
"We count you, too, GranPop. Right mommy?" Cena asks somberly. Fitz looks over at his wife who is fighting back the tears as she rocks a sleepy Jolie in her arms.
"Aww - that's so sweet of you, Cena. But you and Jolie and your mommy have your daddy to count on. You know you can always count on your father - right?"
Cena looks up at her grandfather and nods her head up and down. "My daddy is the best daddy." Fitz smiles.
"He certainly is. Your daddy is a good man", Calvin says.
"I'm going to miss you GranPop and Bowtie is going to miss you, too." Calvin clears his throat and struggles not to roll his eyes at the mention of the family's mongrel. He will never like dogs.
"Well you won't have to miss me for very long — your Nana and I will be back in a few months — before Christmas." He says cheerfully, and Cena's eyes light up.
"Really?"
"Really. And guess what?" Calvin says with a broad smile.
"What?" Cena's eyes are wide with anticipation.
"I'm going to bring back something special — just for you", tapping his granddaughter on the tip of her nose.
"Yay", Cena screams, running over to her grandmother. "Nana - GranPop says he's going to bring me back something special from Senegal."
"I heard - and I won't let him forget", hugging her granddaughter and kissing her on the cheek. "Livvia — why don't I give the girls their bath tonight? I won't have many more nights to do it."
"Of course, mom. I'll bring up Jo in a minute", smiling down at her daughter who is slowly losing the battle with sleep.
"Come on, Cena — let Nana give you a bubble bath tonight."
"Can I have the blue bubbles tonight, Nana?" Smiling up at her grandmother and revealing the gap created by the loss of the latest tooth from the bottom row.
"You can have whatever you want", Gwendolyn says as she leads her granddaughter from the room by the hand.
XXX
"I think Cee is going to need braces, babe", Olivia says, breathing through her mouth as she performs her nightly routine.
"Why do you say that? I think it's too soon to tell", Fitz says as he walks from the bathroom and over to his dresser. "Dr. Shipley didn't say she would need braces when she had her checkup last month."
"Those permanent teeth don't seem to be coming in straight, babe. I needed braces - didn't you?" Watching him dig into the drawer for his pajamas.
"No", he says in a matter-of-fact tone. "My teeth were always straight", pulling on his pajama bottoms.
"Perfect teeth. Perfect hair", she mutters under her breath.
"Did you say something?" Pulling the tee shirt over his head as he walks over to the bed.
"No — nothing", waving her hand dismissively as she looks down at the tablet screen.
"So where is Kelly working? What's her second job?"
"I don't know, babe. It's none of my business. Agreeing to watch Asha a few nights a week doesn't give us the right to ask about all aspects of her life."
"It was just a casual question, Liv. I wasn't trying to be nosey", plopping down onto the bed. Olivia rolls her eyes but does not bother to admonish him again for jumping onto the bed.
"By the way - Kelly is okay with you teaching Asha how to swim", lifting the glass of seltzer from the night table.
"Terrific. How about I teach you how to swim tonight?" Smiling impishly and as he slides down her nightgown straps.
"Fitz —" She whines as he kisses her hungrily.
"Hmm?" Moaning as he spread her legs and wondering why she is wearing panties.
"Fitz — no. Stop. Please —"
"Liv —"
"I need a minute", she insists as she tries to escape his overtures. He expels a heavy sigh of frustration and drops his head to her thigh. "I'm sorry, babe. I know it's been a while", running her fingers through his hair. He rolls onto his pillow and stares up at the ceiling.
"I'm sorry, babe. It's just –"
"I understand", he says dejectedly as he rolls out the bed.
"Where are you going?"
"To take a shower."
"You just took a shower", she says in disbelief.
"I need another one. A cold one", frustration filling his voice as he closes the bathroom door.
Olivia pulls his pillow over her face and screams out her frustration. The babies are draining all her energy and desires for the things she enjoys.
XXX
The daily bus ride from her Springfield Heights neighborhood to the downtown business district gives Marcella thirty-five minutes to quietly reflect on her life. As the bus rumbles over the smooth asphalt streets she thinks about how disconnected she has been from the city she has lived in most of her life. Actually, she never felt like she belonged downtown with the people who worked in those tall buildings or in the upscale shops. She felt less comfortable as the city became more gentrified. The only times she ventured to the downtown area was to protest at City Hall with her bullhorn, or much later, to set up shop at Mr. Grant's offices to help with his campaign. The city's downtown business district is so different from the surrounding neighborhoods. Downtown is filled with an energy of possibilities that she does not feel in Springfield Heights. She now understands why Marcus wanted to move down here and away from the old neighborhood.
Marcella enjoys the ten-minute walk from her bus stop to the foundation. Over the past few weeks she has gotten to know the owner of the flower shop because once a week she treats herself to a bouquet of flowers for her office. She never thought about buying flowers for that closet disguised as an office at the community center. She has also gotten to know the owner of the bakery she passes on the way to the foundation. A few days a week she stops in to buy pastries for her and Mona. The days she does not stop in the bakery, the owner will motion for her to come inside and sample his treats for the day. She swears she has gained five pounds since she started working downtown.
XXX
Bowtie scampers across the hardwood and jumps onto the sofa, trying to escape Jolie's prying hands. The beleaguered dog knows his torturer cannot climb onto the sofa, so he takes refuge on the large firm seat cushions and stares at the little girl as she walks toward the sofa. Lately the little girl finds it amusing to pull the dog's tail and try to climb onto his back.
"Jo, what are you doing in here?" Olivia asks as she walks from the kitchen and sees her little one trying to climb onto the sofa. Jolie points to the frightened dog and laughs and Bowtie looks at Olivia for help. "You're frightening Bowtie again", picking up the little girl and taking her into the kitchen. Olivia sets Jolie in the high chair and resumes preparing her special food. All morning she has been cooking food for Jolie and storing it in various containers. She still insists on preparing Jolie's food weekly because she is not willing to risk Jolie having an allergic reaction to something that Fitz fed her.
XXX
"While you and Cena were shopping for bathing suits at the mall this morning - Jo was terrorizing Bowtie again", Olivia says as she screws the lid onto the skin caviar and tosses it into the night table drawer. Fitz looks over at her with concern.
"Are you feeling all right? Do you need some tea — seltzer?"
"Babe - you sound like a flight attendant."
"Pretzels or peanuts?" Turning his head toward her with that crooked smile spread across his face.
"Everything I like just smells awful. That skin caviar makes me want to gag."
"Aww, I'm sorry. It won't be like this much longer", trying to provide his grumpy wife of late some degree of comfort. Unfortunately, his words have the opposite effect. Her head whips around and she glares at him with fire in her eyes, and he immediately realizes that once again he did not choose his words wisely.
"How would you know?"
"What do you mean?" Not sure what he has said wrong this time.
"How do know how long my symptoms are going to last? When was the last time you were pregnant?"
"Liv — I was just -"
"Are you nauseous all the time?"
"Liv –"
"Are you tired all the time? No. You're none of those things. So - you don't get to tell me how much longer I'm going to feel miserable."
"I'll tell Jo to leave Bowtie alone", trying to shift to a safer topic. Olivia glares at him for a few moments before turning off the lamp and giving her pillows a few solid punches.
Fitz looks skyward and shakes his head. Lately, his wife has been over-reacting to everything he says, and he knows it is not just because she is nauseous or tired. Her parents are returning to Senegal tomorrow and she is not taking it well. He glances down at the floor at the gift bag filled with the new set of skin caviar he bought while he and Cena were at the mall. He will hide the ridiculously priced creams in the closet until his wife is feeling better. He makes a mental note to tell Cena not to mention the surprise to her mother.
XXX
The day has finally arrived for the Popes to return to Senegal. The house is abuzz with frenetic energy as the Calvin and Gwendolyn check and double-check that they have packed everything. Calvin reads off their list and Gwendolyn verifies whether they have packed the item in the bags they will check at the airport or if it is in their carry-on bags. Assured that they have not forgotten anything, Calvin, Fitz, and Cena put the last of the luggage into the rental car as Olivia and Gwendolyn say their good-byes.
"Well— I guess that's everything", Gwendolyn says, holding Jolie in her arms as she looks around the foyer.
"I'm going to miss you, mom", Olivia says tearfully.
"I'm going to miss you, too, baby. But we'll be back in a few months - when my new grandbabies are born", giving her daughter a reassuring smile. "I need you to promise me something, Livvia."
Olivia looks at her mother and swipes the tears from her eyes. "What is it, mom?"
"I want you to promise me that you will take care of yourself — that you won't take on too much – and not get overly stressed."
Olivia nods.
"I want you to promise to call me if you start to feel sad — or if you just need to talk. And - if you need me to come back here — I will. Okay, baby?"
With lips trembling, Olivia slowly nods her head.
"But first I want you to talk to Fitzgerald - tell your husband if you start to feel sad. Fitzgerald needs to know immediately, Livvia. He cannot read your mind. That man loves you more than anything and he needs to know how to support you."
"I will. I promise."
Gwendolyn places Jolie in Olivia's arms and mother and daughter hug one last time.
"Bye-bye, Bowtie", Gwendolyn says, rubbing the top of the dog's head as she walks down the wide concrete steps.
"Mom – let us know how the people in the village enjoy the gifts." Gwendolyn smiles and nods her head as she walks to the car.
XXX
Although it has been only a few hours since the Popes left for the airport, the house feels a bit more calm. The nervous energy that filled the air earlier this morning while Gwendolyn and Calvin were preparing to leave has dissipated. Fitz smiles inwardly as he glances around the room at his family. Cena and Jolie are playing together on the floor. Bowtie is sleeping near Cena, and Olivia is staring at her tablet. It feels like their lives are back to normal.
"I'm going to start dinner now", Olivia says, standing from the sofa and setting the tablet onto the table.
"I'll do it. It'll give me a chance to use my pots and pans", Fitz says, trying to lighten the mood. Olivia smiles at her thoughtful husband.
"I'm good, babe. I really am", giving him a genuine smile before walking into the kitchen. He hopes that she is all right. He will watch her closely over the next few days. He does not want to miss any signs of depression.
Olivia picks up the index card that is laying on the granite island top and smiles when she sees her mother's handwriting. The recipe for ginger tea. The secret ingredient is mint. That is why her tea never tasted as good as her mother's. She will have to go to the grocery tomorrow to buy fresh mint leaves.
XXX
Two weeks have passed since the Popes returned safely to Senegal, and the Grants have begun to settle into their routine. Fitz seems to be doing a good job managing the house and taking care of the girls while Olivia works on developing the implementation plan for Bryson Foods philanthropy program. Everything is back to normal, except in one area. Items continue to disappear from around the house and Olivia and Fitz do not have a clue who is taking them.
"Dammit", he growls, stomping toward the kitchen to look for his favorite ink pen.
"Mommy - daddy's being a grumpy pants again", Cena says as she rests her chin on her mother's lap.
"Daddy's just a little tired, baby", Olivia says, running her fingers through Cena's hair.
"Cena — have you seen daddy's ink pen – the one I always use?" Walking back into the family room, his eyes quickly scanning every surface.
"No, daddy", Cena says quickly, her wide eyes following her upset father's movements around the room.
"Liv — odd things are happening around here. First it was my car keys - now my ink pen is missing", he says, looking under the sofa. Cena peers over the edge of the sofa at her father who is down on all fours.
"No – first it was my reading glasses. You didn't believe me when I told you that things were disappearing around here. I'm holding on to my last pair for dear life", touching the eyeglasses she propped on the top of her head.
With hands resting on hips, Fitz looks back and forth at Bowtie, who is stretched across the large area rug. He looks at Jolie, who is playing with her toys on the floor across the room.
"Do you think Jo is taking our things?" Staring at his Angel as she rolls her favorite red ball toward Bowtie.
"Don't be ridiculous, babe. Miss Jo can't do anything with all those things. Besides - where would she put them?"
He eyes Bowtie closely. "What about Bowtie — maybe he's taken to hiding things?"
Olivia looks over at Bowtie. "Maybe so. I've heard that dogs like to chew things. Maybe he chewed them then hid them? But he's never done anything like that before. Why would he start now?"
"Bowtie — come here – boy", Fitz commands.
With dog tags jingling, Bowtie slowly walks over to Fitz. "Have you seen my car keys and ink pen? Are you taking things?" Fitz asks gruffly with his face close to Bowtie's. Bowtie looks at Fitz with his sad brown eyes.
"Aren't you going to ask him about my reading glasses?" Olivia giggles. Fitz looks at her and rolls his eyes.
"This isn't funny, Liv. Bowtie— where is my ink pen. Go get it, boy." Bowtie gives him a clueless look.
"Leave him alone, babe – he doesn't understand what you're saying."
"Bowtie doesn't talk, daddy", Cena cups a hand over her mouth and giggles, too.
"This is ridiculous", he says with frustration as he stomps down the hall toward the study.
XXX
Tomorrow is the gender-reveal party and Fitz is exhausted from cleaning all morning and preparing the food. He sighs as he flops down onto the sofa and stretches his long legs across the coffee table. He wants to search the internet for a few simple recipes for appetizers.
"Daddy – somebody's at the door", Cena announces when the doorbell chimes. Fitz looks down at his watch then sets the tablet onto the table next to the sofa. He stands to answer the door with Cena, Jolie, and Bowtie following close behind.
Nora smiles nervously when the door swings open. She has not been to her brother's home since Jolie's birthday party, and she certainly has not been alone with Fitz in forever. When he called a few days ago to ask her to decorate the house for the gender-reveal party she was beyond surprised, but she was also ecstatic.
"Aunt Nora", Cena screams, pushing past her father when the door opens. Nora glances nervously at her brother, silently seeking permission to touch her niece. He nods.
"Hey, Cena-girl", setting down the huge canvas bag to scoop up Cena with her thin arms. "How are you doing? What are you doing with your summer?"
"Aunt Nora, daddy and I go swimming every day and he's teaching Jo how to swim, too. You wanna go swimming?"
"Maybe some other time", smiling at her snaggletooth niece. "I'm going to help your daddy to decorate for the party. Do you want to help?"
"Mommy is having two babies", Cena announces, and Nora looks at Fitz with wide eyes. The secret is out.
"Cena – that was supposed to be a secret — until the party."
"Oh", Cena says, placing an index finger to her lips.
"Don't worry – I won't tell anyone. Hey, Jo. I see you're walking really well now", Nora says, tousling her niece's hair as she walks toward the family room.
"Thanks for coming over to help me, Nora. I wouldn't know where to start. I have the food thing under control – but decorating – well that's above my pay grade."
"Any time, Fitz", smiling internally at how domesticated her traditional brother has become.
"Liv is at work. I didn't want her to have to do anything for this party. The twins have her exhausted these days."
"I'm sure."
"Aunt Nora - do you have paint? Can we paint?" Cena asks excitedly.
"We sure can. How about we get set up out back?"
"Daddy – I'm going to help Aunt Nora paint."
"That's good, Princess. I'll take Jo in the kitchen with me - keep her out of the way."
"That's not necessary, Fitz. Jolie can help as well."
"Are you sure?" Wondering if working with two little girls will be too much for his sister.
"We'll be fine. Right Jolie?" Jolie smiles when she hears her name.
"Can I get you anything – something to drink?"
"I'm good, Fitz - thank you."
"Do you need help setting up out back?" Fitz asks, looking at the huge canvas bag.
"No - I'm good." Nora says, grabbing the bag and walking toward the doors that lead to the deck. Cena and Jolie follow their aunt outside.
A few hours later, Nora has transformed the family room and living room to reflect the old nursey book where the stork delivers the baby. She painted three different images of a stork, each carrying a different color sack in its beak. One blue. One pink. One yellow. Colorful chicks anxiously follow each stork down a road to find out if their new baby is a boy or a girl.
"Wow", Fitz exclaims as he looks around the family room. "This is –"
"Do you like it? I can change it if you don't like it", Nora says nervously.
"Like it? I love it. It's beautiful, Nora. Liv is going to love it. Thank you", giving his timid sister a hug.
"I didn't want to paint your walls – so I created three panels that tell the story of the Stork and the Baby. I put two panels in the living room. I know that's where you and Liv usually open gifts.
"JoJo and I helped too, daddy."
"And you both did a terrific job", Nora says, smiling down at her nieces.
"Nora – I sometimes forget how talented you are. This looks fantastic."
"Thank you", Nora says, smiling sheepishly. "We made these eggs out of papier-mache'. The secret eggs are in the yellow one. I'll put them on the table in the living room as well", Nora smiles, enjoying that she knows the secret.
"Are you sure you don't want lunch?"
"I'm good. I'll hang the rest of the decorations in here and then I'll be going", she says quickly Her older brother always makes her nervous.
"Don't go – not yet. I would like for us to catch up. Wait while I give Cee and Jo their lunch."
"Okay", carrying three large pastel-colored eggs to the living room.
After putting the final touches on the decorations, Nora sits on the sofa in the family room and tugs at her sleeve. She looks up when her brother returns to the room.
"I'm always surprised how much two little girls can eat", Fitz says, sitting in the chair across from his sister and crossing his legs.
"They're really getting big, Fitz. You must be excited about the twins – you've always wanted a lot of children. Five - right?"
Fitz nods and Nora begins to shrink under his gaze. He looks just like Gerry with those piercing blue eyes. He even crosses his legs like Gerry.
"Nora – I know life has not been easy for you. You've been cheated out of – well out of a lot. I also know that you and I have not always gotten along – and I want that to change. I want you to be a part of my family's lives. I want my children to really know their aunt – their only aunt. Would you like that?"
"What about, Liv?" Nora asks meekly as she looks down at her lap.
"Look at me, Nora. Would you like to be a part my family again? I'll handle Liv."
"I wish I could get a do-over, Fitz - rewind the clock and do it all over again. I'm almost 30 freaking years old and I still live at home with mom and dad. I've been fired from the only real job I've ever had - and I have no freaking clue of who I am and what the hell I want to do with my life. You and Liv gave me a chance and I blew it. I embarrassed Liv – and for that I will always be sorry."
"We've all done things that we're not proud of, Nora. But we – you cannot let past mistakes hold you back – stop you from moving forward. You only hurt yourself when you choose to stay in the same place. While I'm not suggesting you deny what happened to you as a child - but you have to decide if you want to pack up your pain and put it aside - so you can move on with your life. You'll never find happiness until you decide to move forward."
Nora tugs at her sleeve for a few moments, then looks up at her brother with tears in her eyes.
"Whatever happens moving forward, Nora - is no longer on mom and dad — it's all on you."
"I would like to come here to visit with Cena and Jolie – you and Liv, too", she adds quickly. "I would like that very much."
"Consider it handled", standing and opening his arms to hug his sister. She returns the hug and he is astonished how frail she is. "And - I would like to have my annoying kid sister back", he says with a smile.
"Fitz – thank you for asking me to decorate for the party. You'll never know how much it means to me."
XXX
Marcella was excited when she received Mrs. Grant's invitation to attend the gender-reveal party. But over the past few weeks, her excitement has shifted to nervous anxiety.She has never been to any of the surrounding suburbs, and she certainly has never been to upscale Church Falls. As Mona steers the car across the city limits and crosses into the suburbs, Marcella gawks at the huge homes with manicured lawns and arrays of beautiful flowering trees and bushes. She feels like she has just entered an alternate universe, which heightens her anxiety. Although she knows that Mrs. and Mr. Grant are good people, she has not socialized with them and their family and friends. She is not sure how she should act around rich people.
With each corner that Mona turns Marcella's breathing becomes shallow. The GPS says they should be arriving at the Grant's home in a few minutes. She presses the button to roll down the window. She cannot breathe.
"Isn't it exciting — Olivia and Fitz are having another baby. I hope it's a boy this time — that'll be the perfect family — two girls and a boy", Mona says in a sing-song tone. Marcella remains silent, wiping her clammy hands onto her skirt, trying to get rid of the sweat. She knows she will have to shake hands with Mrs. and Mr. Grant, and probably the hands of many other people she does not know.
"I'm nervous, Mona", Marcella finally admits as they stand on the front steps of the massive house.
"Nervous – about what?" Mona asks, giving Marcella a curious look.
"I've never been to a house like this – around people like this", glancing around the well-kept property.
"You know Olivia and Fitz. They're not like that", Mona says, trying to reassure the nervous young woman.
"I know – but I've never been to their home – around their family and friends."
"Stick by me and you'll be fine. In time you will see that these people are no different than anyone else."
Mona's pep talk does little to quell Marcella's anxiety. When Mrs. Grant opens the door, she gulps a lungful of fresh air to steady her nerves.
"Mona, Marcella – I'm so happy you could both come", Olivia says, hugging both women. "Come in – please."
Marcella's eyes almost bulge from her head when she steps inside the massive foyer. The house is more beautiful than she could have imagined. She prays she does not look like a hillbilly.
"Where should I put these?" Mona asks, holding up the gift bags.
"In the usual place, Mona", Olivia says, pointing down the hall.
"Of course," Mona says, jogging down the hall toward the living room. Marcella looks at Mona as she turns into a room off the hall. She wonders how she is supposed to stick by Mona if she has gone off to who knows where.
"Marcella – thank you for coming. It means so much to Fitz and me that you are able to share this day with us."
"Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Grant", Marcella says with a shaky voice.
"What did I tell you about that Mrs. Grant business. I'm Olivia", smiling kindly as she takes Marcella by the hand and leads her down the long hall. "Come with me - I have some people I want you to meet. They're in the kitchen."
Marcella tries her best not to stare, but each room they pass through is more beautiful than the last.
XXX
Marcella knows her eyes are bulging when they walk into the huge kitchen, but she has never seen a kitchen so big in her entire life.
"Marcella – this is my mother-in-law, Fitz' mother, Maura Grant."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Marcella", Maura says, standing from the chair and shaking the young woman's hand.
"And you as well, Mrs. Grant." Olivia and Maura laugh and Marcella wonders if she has said something wrong.
"Marcella – there will be three Mrs. Grants here today – so just call me Maura." Marcella smiles and nods with understanding.
"And you know Nora", Olivia says, looking over at her sister-in-law who is clearly embarrassed to see Marcella.
"Hello, Nora. It's good to see you again." With downcast eyes, Nora nods and mumbles that it is good to see Marcella, too.
"And this is Marion – my brother-in-law, Ben, lady friend", Olivia says, smiling at Marion. Marcella immediately recognizes the city's Director of Public Health.
"It is so good to meet you, Marcella. Olivia has nothing but wonderful things to say about you."
"It's good to meet you, too", Marcella says, smiling nervously. She does not know if she should call the woman Dr. Harris or Marion.
"Have a seat, Marcella. What can I get you to drink?" Olivia asks. Marcella is still nervous, so she responds too quickly, forgetting that she hates cranberry juice.
"Okay, cranberry juice it is", Olivia says, opening the refrigerator and returning with a carafe of cranberry juice. The doorbell rings as Olivia fills a tall glass with ice and cranberry juice.
"I'll get it, babe", she calls to Fitz, who is sitting on the deck with Ben and Gerry.
XXX
"Keeping secrets again. Why am I just finding out that you're pregnant? How many times have you been to my home?" Abby says, looking Olivia up and down.
"Hello to you - too, Abby", Olivia says, giving her very pregnant sister-in-law/friend a hug. "Come on in. Where are John and Ethan?"
"Getting the gift out the car for the baby I knew nothing about", Abby says grumpily as she steps into the foyer. "And what's wrong with your hair? How long are you going to wear it like that? I hope not for long."
"It's my natural hair, Abby. Go in the kitchen and have a seat. I'll let John know the men are out back."
XXX
Abby frowns when she enters the kitchen and sees Marion taking drinking glasses from the cabinet. She does not like the woman – no – she detests the woman. She wonders how long Benjamin is going to pretend to care for her. After all, she is nothing like Olivia.
"Good afternoon, everyone", Abby says as she walks over and kisses Maura on the cheek.
"Hello, Abigail. Pregnancy looks good on you", Maura says, lying with a straight face.
"Hi, Abigail", Nora says timidly. Her sister-in-law always scares her.
"So - you decided to show up?" Abby says, looking at Nora with disdain.
"Hello, Abigail – it's good to see you again", Marion says with the perfect smile. Abby ignores the greeting and takes a seat at the granite island top.
"Hello, Abigail", Mona says.
"Hi, Mona. Did you know that Olivia was pregnant? I knew nothing"
"It was a surprise to me as well. Abigail, this is Marcella. She works with me at the foundation."
"You and your friends worked on Fitzgerald's campaign", eyeing Marcella closely and wondering why she is here.
"We did. Mr. Grant fought a tough fight."
"Yeah – against that crazy Charlie Barber. Thank goodness that lunatic is dead", Abby says with a wave of her hand.
"Marion – I understand Benjamin is finally getting a chance to use the cookware I bought for him", Maura says, wanting to change the subject.
"He certainly is. Ben loves to cook — that is when his schedule permits. I'm glad he enjoys it because I don't cook at all. If Ben didn't do all the cooking - we would have to order take-out."
"Pfft", Abby sniggers. Marcella glances at Abigail thinking she is not a nice person.
"Marion — you must tell me how you get your man to do all of the cooking. My Tom can't boil water. The man would starve if I didn't cook for him", Mona chuckles.
"Same here, Mona. Men of Gerry's generation think cooking is women's work."
"I never learned how to cook. We had a cook when I was growing up", Marion says, immediately regretting that she revealed that part of herself. "Really - I never had time to learn while I was in school. Medical school is demanding", she adds quickly.
"Prima donna", Abigail snarls under her breath, but loud enough for everyone in the kitchen to hear.
"I ate a lot of Ramen noodles while in college. I'm not the best cook either", Marcella chimes in.
"What did you eat while in college, Marion? You said you don't cook", Abby asks as she leers at the woman.
"Just the usual stuff kids eat in college", unwilling to play Abigail's game.
"I'm sure Olivia and Fitzgerald miss Hildie's help around here", Maura says. "While Hildie and I didn't see eye to eye on many things — especially when it came to the kitchen — I must admit she ran an orderly house."
"Olivia says Fitz has decided to care for the children and manage the house while the council is on hiatus. With the new baby coming and her parents back in Senegal — he wants to give Olivia a break. I think Fitz will find out rather quickly that taking care of two children and a house is a bit more challenging than leading the city council."
All the women except Abby chuckle at Marion's remarks. Instead, she stares at Marion, thinking Olivia did not tell her that Fitzgerald was going to play at being a house husband.
"How would you know?" Abby asks, glaring at Marion. She is jealous that Olivia is sharing information with Marion before telling her.
"Excuse me?" Marion says, looking over at Abby. Abby ignores the woman and walks over to the refrigerator and pours a glass of orange juice.
"Hildie wasn't everything she pretended to be, Maura. Many people aren't for that matter", glancing over at Marion.
"What do you mean, Abigail?" Maura asks with interest.
"It's not my story to tell, Maura. I'll leave that to Olivia. I'm just saying — you have to be careful about letting strangers into your life." Marcella wonders if Abigail is referring to her because she assumes that all the ladies are either family or friends. She feels so out of place.
"Well the house looks absolutely fabulous", Mona says. "That fairytale scene with three different storks carrying a baby in the diaper with their beak is just adorable.
"I wish I more time to – "
"Don't start your whining, Nora. Nobody wants to hear it", Abby snaps, preventing her timid sister-in-law from finishing her thought. "We've all had it bad — some of us more so than others. But what we do every day as big girls is we get up - put on our goddamn lipstick - and move the hell on. Where I come from people would trade their first and second born for the life you have. So - suck it up, buttercup." Abby unleashes her vitriol onto the weak.
"Abigail – you're being inappropriate", Maura snaps in defense of her daughter.
"You baby her too much, Maura. Nora's a grown woman. It's time she acts like one", Abby says without remorse.
Marion looks at Nora, who is staring down at the floor and tugging at her sleeve. The poor woman looks like she wants to crawl into the nearest hole. Marion looks at Abby with disdain.
"Hurt people hurt people", Marion says, setting the drinking glasses onto a silver tray.
"Excuse me?" Abby says, looking Marion up and down with contempt in her eyes.
"You're mean, Abigail – a bully. You're mean because you're hurting - and frightened - I get that. But that does not give you license to inflict your pain onto others – onto Nora."
"So - is that how you think you're going to snag Benjamin – by protecting his little sister? I'm sure Olivia might have something to say about that", Abby says with a smirk of satisfaction.
"Abigail", Maura yells, her feeble attempt to quiet her daughter-in-law's poisonous tongue, but Abby ignores Maura and continues her rant.
"That's quite all right, Maura. Ben and I are good", Marion says, staring at Abigail.
"Humph. You might have the rest of the Grants fooled with that silver tongue and expensive clothes – but I see right through people like you – always have. By the way - who comes to a gender reveal dressed like that."
"I think we ought to start setting Fitz' wonderful food onto the dining room table", Mona says, delicately trying to end the bickering.
"I've known women like you all my life - I didn't like them back then and I don't like them now. You're a fake — a fraud. Maura, you'd better tell Benjamin to run away fast from that one."
"And I've known women like you all my life, Abigail. Hurt. Insecure. Mean. Bitter. Always wanting the world to pay for their emotional wounds. Loathing me won't heal your pain, Abigail."
"How dare you", Abby snarls, but Marion dismisses her protests.
"No – how dare you. How dare you hurt Nora. You're insensitive to the pain you cause others because of your own deep pain."
"You don't know what the hell you're talking about", Abby bites back with the best response she can muster. She underestimated Marion. Abby is tough, trailer park tough, but Marion is a different kind of tough. At a young age, both women had to learn how to be tough – learn how to protect themselves from their environment.
"I know exactly what I'm talking about. Your emotional pain limits your capacity for empathy and self-awareness. You are probably unaware that you hurt Nora's feelings. You are probably unaware that you are ruining this special occasion. We are all here to celebrate Olivia and Fitz' new baby – but you want to make it about you and take jabs at me. Don't think I didn't hear them - everyone heard them."
All the women silently agree with Marion.
"You don't have to measure who has had it worse - we are all wounded in some way, Abigail. I had to let go of my bitterness because it was destroying me – destroying everything that I wanted. I suggest you do the same."
"You can take that psycho-mumble-jumble back to whatever fancy rock you crawled from under", Abby says, wagging her head from side to side.
"If you want to discuss this further – we can – but it won't be here – not today. I won't get down in the gutter with you, Abigail", Marion says, unknowingly touching Abby's most tender nerve. Face reddened with anger, Abby's chest rises and falls as the two women glare at each other.
Marcella stares down into the glass of cranberry juice, shaking her head and thinking rich people are no different than everyone else. She realizes that Abigail's slur was not directed toward her - but intended for Marion. She silently agrees with everything that Marion said because she recognizes bits of her old self in Abigail – insecure and angry. She remembers behaving like Abigail the first time Mrs. Grant showed up at the community center with ideas she had never considered. And like Abigail, she tried to publicly humiliate Mrs. Grant, but she simply made herself look foolish and small in front of the people she claimed she wanted to help. Over time, and with Mona's help, she came to realize that she was not angry with Mrs. Grant, but angry with herself for feeling inferior to the articulate and well-dressed woman.
"Is everybody ready for the reveal?" Olivia says excitedly, standing in the doorway rubbing her hands together.
XXX
A slight smile plays on Olivia's full lips as she sits at her vanity table in the brocade upholstered chair staring at their reflections in the mirror. She is thinking how perfect — well almost perfect — the gender-reveal party was earlier. She was not sure if her husband could pull off such a major event, but he proved her wrong. The house was clean, the girls' hair was combed, and they were dressed in appropriate outfits. And, of course, the food was wonderful. She taps her index finger to her lips thinking he might be a capable stay-at-home daddy.
"Ouch, Fitz — you're being too rough", scrunching her face as she glares at his reflection.
"I'm not. I'm doing it the way I've always done it. You just have so much more now — and it's dry."
"Then put more moisturizer on it", her face twisted in annoyance.
He nods as he picks up the spray bottle from the vanity table and sprays the mixture of grapeseed oil and water onto her hair.
"You throw a mean party, babe. Everything was perfect. You didn't tell me that Nora was going to help you to decorate the house", watching as he glides the wide-toothed comb through another section of her hair.
"I didn't do a thing — the girls helped her while I prepared the food."
Olivia crinkles her brow and sits up straight in the chair. She did not realize he left Cena and Jolie alone with Nora. She watches how intently he is focused on twisting another section of her hair and decides to hold her tongue for the night. So - she leans back against the chair. She does not want to ruin a beautiful day.
"Well they did a beautiful job. The house looked like a virtual storybook. I don't know how Nora did all that work in one day. Those three giant eggs she made were a fantastic idea. Everyone was wondering why three huge eggs were sitting on the table. One blue. One pink. One yellow. You told Nora."
"Cena told Nora."
"And when Jo smashed the yellow egg and two smaller eggs rolled onto the table - pink and blue …. Babe — did you see your father's face? I thought Ben would have to perform emergency heart surgery on Gerry", she laughs lightly.
"A boy and a girl", he smiles proudly, as he sprays more moisturizer onto her hair and Olivia cradles her stomach.
"A boy and a girl", she repeats in a dreamy tone.
"Nora is going to start coming over to visit – to spend more time with her nieces. I want her to get to know the girls better and I want the girls to know her."
The slight twitch at the corner of her mouth is quick, imperceptible to the untrained eye. But he always sees when she is unhappy when he says something that she does not like.
"She's my sister, Liv."
With arms folded across her chest, Olivia stares at her husband in the mirror. One day of decorating is fine, but she is not sure if she is ready to allow anything more.
"I need to do this, Liv. We need to do this. Nora deserves our grace – our compassion", he says with intensity.
Tension fill the air as they stare at each other's reflection. She is torn between wanting to protect her daughters and wanting to support her husband.
"I won't let anything happen, Liv. I promise." She studies his pleading eyes for a long while, then slowly nods her head up and down. It is time to move on.
"I have to make an appointment with James. I can't do a thing with my hair and apparently neither can you."
"I like your hair natural. You should wear it like this all the time", twisting another section of her thick, coarse locks.
"Abby doesn't like it natural. Did you hear that comment she made about my hair?"
"Abigail needs to learn how to control that tongue of hers. The woman doesn't have a filter", he says, twisting another section of hair.
"She certainly doesn't. But I think she's finally met her match. Mona says there was a real showdown in the kitchen."
"I heard. John was annoyed. He apologized to Marion and Bennie for Abigail's behavior. I don't understand why she dislikes Marion", carefully gliding the comb through another section of hair.
"While I understand Abby – lately she seems to be more — more — I don't know —"
"Toxic", providing her with the appropriate word. Their eyes meet in the mirror again and Olivia nods, agreeing with his choice of words.
"She talks badly about other people all the time. The people she talks about are our family and friends. It seems like every discussion we have these days turns negative. Honestly - sometimes she can be draining and exhausting."
"You don't have to tolerate that, Liv."
"Marion represents everything Abby dislikes — everything she hated as a child. Abby can't seem to get over her past."
"Hmm", he says, focused on twisting the last section of her hair. "You have split ends, Liv. You need a trim."
"Who are you — my new James?"
"I can trim it. I've trimmed Cee's hair before."
"I've seen how you've trimmed Cee's hair, babe. You won't be bringing your scissors anywhere near my hair."
"Cena did not complain", sliding the plush towel from around her shoulders to wipe his oil-covered hands.
"You're out of practice, babe", frowning in the mirror at her loosely twisted hair.
"I'm a wounded man, Liv", tossing the towel onto the vanity table on his way to the bathroom.
The faint sounds of water beating against travertine shower walls flow into the bedroom as Olivia carefully wraps the silk scarf around her head. She stares at her reflection for a moment, thinking about what he said. She slides the scarf from her head and smiles at his best effort to help with her hair situation.
XXX
"Hi", stepping into the shower and closing the door behind her.
"Hi", he smiles, unconsciously licking his lips as eyes linger on her full breasts.
"What can I do to heal your wounds?" Reaching for one of the many knobs to turn up the cold water. He likes the water too hot.
His smile broadens with anticipation as she slow walks him backward, gliding her tongue over his parted lips. She stands on her toes and roams her tongue inside the wet cavern of his mouth, ignoring the taste of toothpaste. He massages her round ass and she moans as his tongue circles the tender brown nipple. She winces from the pleasurable pain as he suckles.
She slowly lowers herself until she is eye level with his hardness. The move is natural and effortless. Gazing up at him with desire in her eyes, she licks her lips and he closes his eyes. With knees close to buckling, he stumbles back against the wall, gasping from the feel of her warmth wet mouth gliding up and down. He needed her. He has missed her.
"Livvie — Livvie — Livvie", he moans as his head rolls from side to side against the slippery wall.
She gently massages his hard sac as her tongue circles the bulbous head. He cups the sides of her face and slowly pumps into the depths of her mouth.
"Oh god, Liv. Oh, god", running his fingers through the drenched twists that have begun to unravel.
He quickens his thrusts and she smiles inwardly. He is close. He slides from her mouth and pulls her to her feet. They stare into each other's glazed-over eyes.
"I need to be inside you", pressing her against the glass wall. She nods, lifting her leg, and planting her foot onto the smooth travertine bench.
He strokes his throbbing hardness then glides it up and down her opening. He kisses her hard as he slowly slides inside. He waits for her to adjust to him again, and when she nods, he wraps her in his arms and pulls her close. His heart melts at the feel of her protruding belly pressing against his. She is his wife and she is carrying two more of his children and he could not love her more if he tried. He kisses her lovingly and tenderly as he slides in deeper. He rides her slowly and with purpose.
"Right there, Fitz. Right there, baby."
She juts her hips upward needing to fully enjoy him. She has missed him, too. Faster and faster they ride each other until her screams reverberate against the stone walls. She smiles and covers his wet face with kisses.
Face set hard, he wraps her leg around his waist and pumps with abandon. With each thrust, his biceps swell and a web of veins bulge in his arms and neck. He is lost in ecstasy. He tosses his head back, reveling in the sensations filling his loins. His stomach muscles are taut, and she holds him tight. He is close. Deeper and deeper. Faster and faster. His buttocks contract and he stiffen, dropping his head to her shoulder as he flows like the Columbia River. As the water rains down on them, he slides out and they kiss, slowly and sloppily.
"A wounded man, hunh?" She says, slapping his butt before reaching for the large block of lavender and charcoal soap.
XXX
John watches his wife stomp back and forth from the bedroom to the bathroom Fitz and Olivia's house. He has tried to calm her down, but she ignores his rational thinking, and continues to rant. Marion triggered something in her and somebody has to pay.
"Stop walking", John yells and Abigail swings around, glaring at him with her wild green eyes. "Abigail - you have to stop! You – we - cannot go on like this. I love you. I love your potty mouth. I love your brashness. Hell – it turns me on. But you have to stop fighting with the world."
"What are you talking about, Jonathan?" She growls, preparing for battle.
"You know what I'm talking about. You have a chip on your shoulder and you and I both know it's origin. At some point you have to let it go – move on. Your behavior is self-destructive and it's beginning to ruin our marriage."
"Ruin our marriage? What the hell are you talking about?"
"What is it going to take for you to get over your past? What the hell is it going to take?"
"My past doesn't have a damn thing to do with that uppity bitch your brother is screwing. She has you Grants fooled. Mark my words - Benjamin is going to rue the day he ever met that quack. And Olivia – well she's mesmerized by her – too. Just like she was charmed by that smooth-talking Hildie. I warned her."
"This is not about Bennie and it certainly isn't about Marion. This is about you not letting go of your past – dealing with your fears — your pain. You're becoming a bitter woman, Abigail - and I don't want a bitter and angry mother for our children."
"You Grant's make me sick – always pretending to be so high and mighty – pretending you're the perfect family. But I know better. You're no better than the people I grew up with. Money can't fix a fucked-up sister. Money can't fix a meek and docile mother stays with a man because she afraid that she cannot make it on her own. And money certainly can't fix the hate you secretly harbor for that fucking Big Gerry."
John stares at his wife, slowly shaking his head from side to side. He knows that his wife fights dirty, but this time she has crossed the line. The vicious words cannot be withdrawn and this time he will not pretend he did not hear them.
"You're going to alienate everyone you claim to care about, Abigail. At some point you're going to have to let go of your shame and believe that you are good enough."
He walks across the room, and with a hand resting on the oil-bronzed doorknob, he turns and looks at his wife.
"And you're right — we Grants are just as fucked up as everyone else. Nobody gets a pass on experiencing pain - not even 10-year-old little girls."
"Go to hell, Jonathan."
"No — I'll just go down the hall. I'll be sleeping in the guest room tonight. You need to get your shit together, Abigail."
Abby does not know how long she stood in the middle of the luxurious bedroom staring at the closed door before she finally climbing into bed. She is exhausted — emotionally and physically drained. It is becoming increasingly difficult to stop her inner pain from spilling out into the world. It is becoming more difficult pretending to be tougher and stronger than she really is. She lies on her side, slowly rubbing her stomach as she stares at the plush Egyptian cotton towels hanging from the towel racks in the huge bathroom. She thinks about that dreadful day many, many years ago.
XXX
Abby Whelan was a scrawny little girl with long stringy red hair who secretly hated living in the overcrowded house trailer with her parents and three siblings. They were poor – dirt poor. In fact, everyone who lived in that trailer park was dirt poor. Every night she wished that she could be magically swept away from the disgusting trailer and transported to one of those big fancy houses across town where the rich girls lived.
Every Monday, at lunch in the cafeteria, Abby would half listen to her friends bemoan their miserable existence while she eavesdropped on the rich girls' conversations. They would go on and on about the fun they had at some fancy party or other social event over the weekend. Every Saturday there was a party at the members-only country club. And every Monday, Abby would hope to be invited to one of those parties. Of course, deep down she knew that someone like her would never be invited to such a fancy place.
A few weeks later, while the rich girls reflected on another wonderful weekend at lunchtime, one of the girls noticed that Abby was listening to their conversation. She smiled politely and invited Abby to her upcoming swimming party at the Club. That is how the rich people referred to the country club – the Club. Abby was so excited about being invited to the Club, she ran all the way home to tell her mother. Her enthusiasm was quickly dashed when her mother said she could not go. She told Abby that fancy places like the country club were not for people like them.
Always headstrong, on the day of the party, Abby ignored her mother's command and sneaked out of the house wearing her bathing suit under her thin yellow sun dress. She rolled the large towel she found in the bathroom and stuffed it into her schoolbag and skipped happily down the trailer park's unpaved road toward the Club. As soon as she walked through those big white doors she knew that she did not belong there, and everyone else, including the help, knew she did not belong there. When she finally reached the pool house, the girl who invited her and all the other kids laughed and mocked her cheap bathing suit and the frayed beach towel, which really was not a beach towel, but the large towel her family used to dry their bodies when they stepped out of the bathtub.
Abby ran from the pool house and hid behind the huge pink rhododendron bush, until she was sure the party was over and all the children had gone home. During those hours she dried her tears with the coarse bath towel and vowed to make those girls pay for publicly shaming her. Angry and humiliated, on that summer day, little Abby Whelan became a mean girl. She rallied other hurt girls to beat up the rich girls – the kind of girls who look and talk like that snooty bitch Marion. Whenever she and her ragtag friends caught one of those rich girls alone, they would beat the crap out of them and rip their fancy dresses. She showed those girls who had the last laugh. She showed them that she was better than them – tougher than them. A tear rolls down Abby's cheek as she stares at the towels and thinks about her 10-year-old self.