A/N: sorry this has taken so long everyone. I've been swamped at work and am dealing with 'long covid' symptoms so I'm pretty sluggish. Hopefully I'll update my other story shortly too (working on it now actually).
This chapter was one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy this & it's part I of date night! Also, there's an old school remedy for teething. Yes it's a real remedy and my mom definitely used it on me.
Her knuckles shook as she lifted her fist, poised to knock. Fitz had offered to pick her up, but she'd said no. There was something about knowing her car was available whenever she needed it that gave her comfort. While she didn't think Fitz would hurt her, she still needed that extra level of reassurance. If she was being honest with herself, the idea of date night terrified her.
She hadn't gone on a date with anyone besides Curtis in a few years. Despite having known Fitz in another life and the fact that he knew about what'd happened to her, the nerves were still there.
Finally, she knocked. She could hear the wail of a child coming near. When the door swung open, she was thrown off to see Fitz covered in throw-up, his dapper suit dulled under baby vomit. He bounced a crying Karen in his arms.
"Shit, I forgot to call," he said. Karen pulled at her cheeks. "She's getting her molars in and it isn't going well. I'm afraid I'll have to cancel our date."
Olivia tugged at the hem of her dress, unable to hide her frown. The frown was short lived, though, as a screeching Karen held out her chubby arms towards Olivia. Confusion colored Olivia's face as she glanced over at Fitz who seemed just as confused.
"I think she wants you," Fitz spoke.
Olivia's eyes moved from Fitz to Karen. The toddler's shaky hands were still outstretched as she began to cry harder. Fear flickered through Olivia; she didn't know how to interact with babies even when she was one. It was one of the pitfalls of being an only child.
Fitz pulled Karen back prompting her to let out a piercing howl. "No, Kare Bear, Livvie doesn't want your snot all over her pretty black dress." Again, Karen screeched. She tried to throw herself out of Fitz's arms causing Olivia to hold out hers. Seconds later, there was a baby (well, toddler) pressed to Olivia's chest.
"I'm sorry. She's usually not like this. Come on, Kare." Fitz tried. He held out his hands.
Karen's face pressed against Olivia's chest. Her tiny fingers curled against the sleeve of Olivia's chest. She was hot and snot now dripped down what little cleavage Olivia put on display.
"Karen, come on baby," Fitz said again.
Olivia's eyes moved from father to daughter. Half of her wanted to drop Karen and run, the other half, the half that seemed to be winning out, tugged Karen closer. The purse that swung from Olivia's arm slid to the crook of her elbow as she began to rub small circles on Karen's back. Fitz held his arms out again and Olivia shooed him away. She stepped around Fitz and headed into his apartment to find it in disarray.
Toys stretched throughout the living room along with dirty tissues and food wrappers. Karen sniffled against Olivia's chest. Together they made a beeline for the couch. "Do you have any whiskey," She asked. Hopefully her mother was right.
"Whiskey?" Fitz asked.
"Just trust me," Olivia whispered despite not truly trusting herself. "I need barely a drop; also do you have any popsicles? Frozen yogurt?" she asked. "Oh, and a toothbrush."
"Whiskey and popsicles, I'm pretty sure I ate that in undergrad," Fitz remarked. He moved towards the kitchen, opening and closing cabinets.
Karen's soft sobs turned into slow sniffles. Olivia could feel one of Karen's pudgy hands thread through her heat-straightened hair as the toddler shifted to get comfortable. "I know it hurts," Olivia whispered. "I was nineteen and twenty-six when my wisdom teeth came in. I wouldn't do that again for anything in the world." Karen's grip on Olivia's hair tightened. "Just don't rip my hair out, Kare Bear."
Moments later Fitz returned with everything Olivia had asked of him, including a full tumbler of whiskey. "Dip the toothbrush in the whiskey," she instructed to a skeptic Fitz. "Please. I'm not going to kill her." Hopefully she wouldn't. Maybe she should've asked Google first if this was a good idea or just an old wives' tale.
Fitz did as he was instructed and handed the toothbrush over. Olivia took it with her free hand, letting her purse slide off her wrist and clunking to the floor. She shook off the excess liquid and slowly coaxed Karen to open her mouth. In one quick swoop, she ran the toothbrush along Karen's gums before handing it back to Fitz. "Now give me the popsicle." Fitz unwrapped it and handed it over.
Olivia held it out for Karen to suck on and just like magic, Karen did. Cherry popsicle slid down Olivia's shoulder. It soaked into the top of her dress, but the feel of Karen breathing against her stopped any and all annoyance. While Olivia hadn't dealt with babies before, she seemed to be a natural.
An exasperated Fitz fell back on his heels. "Thank you," he spoke. "I'm so sorry. I should've called…"
"Shhh," Olivia whispered again, "I think she might be falling asleep." Sure enough, still snuggled against Olivia's chest, Karen's eyes fluttered open and shut. It was clear the toddler was fighting her sleep, but sooner or later she'd be out.
"Thank you," Fitz mouthed.
/
She was sticky and they'd missed their dinner reservation, but Karen was asleep. It was a small victory in the scheme of things. Sooner or later the exhausted toddler would wake and the pain would return. Still, small victories were a thing to celebrate, especially for a woman who had no child experience. Usually, she balked at the mere thought of holding someone's child; they always felt breakable.
"You were a natural with her," Fitz said as he handed Olivia an oversize t-shirt with Navy emblazoned across the chest and a pair of sweat pants. "I'm sorry about the popsicle . . . and the vomit. You looked really nice tonight. I just wish you would've gotten to see what I'd planned for dinner."
Olivia shrugged. Yes, she had baby vomit on her sweater – poor Karen – and yes this wasn't what she'd hoped for on their first date, but it could've been worse. She'd had worse. "You were there for your daughter," she said, "you don't have to apologize for that."
He chuckled softly, "You were amazing with her. Whose children have you been watching? Or are you hinting at a Curtis Jr.?"
"Curtis Jr.? So, my son can have a complex? I don't think so." Olivia stood. There was a splotch of vomit on the front of her dress. Thankfully it hadn't been an expensive buy. Just a simple scope neck with a diamond back that sat just above her knees. Now if Karen had gotten her shoes, the all-too expensive splurge buy from Louboutin, then Olivia would've cried.
"A complex, really?" Fitz asked. He moved around the living room and small dining room and collected toys.
"Yes, Fitzgerald Grant III." She smiled, both eyebrows raised, daring him to say different.
He was on a fishing expedition to see where she stood with Curtis which was something Olivia didn't even know. They were friends. Former lovers. Maybe more currently in Curtis's head. Curtis had been a source of safety for so long, but Olivia needed to step away from that; no she needed to step away from it.
"Touché." Fitz responded. He gave her a partial smile. One that she immediately returned.
"I'll go put these on and head out." She held up the clothes.
/
When she emerged from the bathroom, dress in hand, she was surprised by the dim candle light that filled the room. On the kitchen island sat two plates of microwavable chicken nuggets and fries.
"I know this isn't what you planned, but I'd still like to have that dinner." Fitz gestured to the gourmet feast in front of him. "Dino nuggets are all Karen will eat, though."
Olivia looked down at the sweats that dwarfed her. It felt nice to wear his clothes, it felt right. In law school he'd given her his hoodie and she'd never felt safer. Well, until everything that had happened. So much time had gotten away from them. "I don't know what a dino nugget is but I'd love to share some with you."