Chapter Sixteen: Surprises Surprises
The next morning, Olivia sat out on the balcony curled in one of the overly stuffed chaise chairs. A thick blanket wrapped around her shoulders to fight off the chilly weather. She was becoming more and more comfortable being on the balcony. Mainly because Fitz loves to eat out there so often and he was determined to help her get over her fear of heights.
She was drinking warm tea with honey, sketching in her notepad. Her discarded breakfast plate sat on the small table bedside her chair. Pongo was lying across her legs, currently chewing into a toy. Olivia had taken her for her morning walk early that morning.
Olivia was normally a night owl, instead of the early bird. But this morning, she found herself just lying in bed watching Fitz sleep. He looked so sweet and innocent in his sleep. He was much softer, his features weren't as tense, she liked him this way. Although she had to admit, that his hard ass persona was a real turn on as well.
After a while of just watching him sleep, she deemed herself a total creeper and got out of bed. She showered and got dressed in the clothes he had of hers in his closet drawers. She picked one of her oversized shirts and a pair of yoga pants. He kept all the clothes she'd left and forgotten in his apartment whenever she stayed over. They were all clean and folded neatly inside the drawers. Olivia didn't realize she'd left so many clothes behind, it was enough to fill three small drawers in his closet. It also made her think about just how much time she had been spending with him at his home, instead of her own.
Around nine, Olivia head footsteps coming towards the balcony. She thought it was Fitz, finally awake, she was slightly disappointed when Tabitha showed instead of Fitz.
"Good morning." Tabitha smiled at Liv, fully dressed and carrying a plate of pancakes.
Shit, Olivia had forgotten Tabitha was staying with Fitz for a little while. She blushed crimson red, hoping that Tabitha was out last night or at least sleeping when she and Fitz got in. she blushed even brighter at the possibility that Tabitha could have overheard her and Fitz last night. Olivia knew she didn't make any effort to quiet her screams last night.
"Morning. I thought you were Fitz."
"He till sleeping?"
"Yeah, he's normally up by now. He always wakes up before me. Be we got in late last night."
"Hmm." Tabitha smirked, like she knew something Olivia didn't. "I love Ms. Betty's cooking. She makes the best pancakes, they're always so fluffy and crisp on the edges." Tabitha cuts a big piece of pancake, moaning as she slowly chewed, savoring the taste.
"Is that all you're having?" Tabitha asked, eyeing Olivia's plate quizzically.
Olivia had a half-eaten pancake on her plate. She'd only taken a few bites of her sausage links and the eggs weren't even touched.
"I don't really eat that much in the morning."
"Or ever." Tabitha said. "You eat like a bird. I saw you eating at the fundraiser, you barely touched your food."
"I'm just not a real big eater, I never have been. My momma would sit at the dinner table with me well after dinner ended, just to make me eat all my meat."
"I have never had that problem." Tabitha said, filling her mouth with pancake again. "I eat like a man twice my size, and I never gain a pound. It's a blessing really. I've seen so many other models eat, and then go stick a finger down their throats. I'm just like really?"
"Good morning ladies." Fitz came out onto the balcony, pulling a long sleeved shirt over his head. The quick glimpse she got of his chiseled abs sent Olivia squirming. Just a peak at the man and her body was already responding. Fitz kissed the top of Tabitha's head as he passed her. When he got to Li, he kissed her lips a little longer than Tabitha would have liked. When he released her lips, he scooped her up from the chair, taking her seat and putting her on his lap.
"Morning." He spoke against her lips.
"Morning."
"You two are sickening." Tabitha groaned. "I'm trying to eat."
"Have you eaten this morning?" Fitz asked Olivia, knowing she would often skip meals.
"I had some of Ms. Betty's pancakes."
"She had half a pancake." Tabitha corrected her.
Fitz spotted her plate beside her, and sighed. "You're not going to have more?"
"I'm not hungry. I wasn't really hungry when Ms. Betty gave me the plate." Olivia hadn't planned on eating anything this morning. But when she went into the kitchen for her tea, Ms. Betty put the plate in her hand. Ms. Betty was an older woman, opposed to Annie, who was relatively young. Ms. Betty reminded her pf her grandmother a little, so she took the plate without lip and ate as much as she could.
Annie came through the doors, carrying a silver tray with of food. She put the tray on the small table on the other side of the chair Fitz and Olivia were on. She poured Fitz's coffee, then took Olivia's plate before leaving again.
"What is that?" Olivia asked, noticing Fitz didn't have pancakes like everyone else.
"Eggs benedict." Fitz cut into the egg, letting the yolk spill out from the egg. "Want some?"
"No thanks. I prefer my eggs fully cooked, not runny." Olivia made a face at him as he ate him meal.
"Hey Liv, what you drawing over there?"
"Some old woman." Fitz answered in between bites of his food.
"Hey!" Olivia laughed, and elbowed him in the stomach. "That's my grandma. And if she was here to hear you call her old, she'd backhand you upside the head."
"Looks good. What made you start sketching her?"
Olivia shrugged. "I don't know, she was just on my mind this morning."
"So what do you have going on today Tabi?" Fitz asked, he could see Olivia was getting emotional over her grandmother so he to change the subject.
"I um… I'm going out to start looking for a place today. I can't stay with mom and dad forever, and I can't stay here either with this invader coming. So I called my realtor and she has already found two places she thinks I'll like."
"House?"
"Oh no, apartment. I'm not ready for a house yet."
"Why can't you move into an apartment in this building?"
"Fitz."
"What? There's a few open spaces available. Great round the clock security, and I can keep a better eye on you a floor down from me." Fitz was really letting his protective older brother show.
"Fitz I am not moving into this building just so you can keep tabs on me. You're just like daddy." Tabitha looked at her watch. "And speaking of moving, I have to go. I have to meet with my realtor at the first location." Tabitha got up from the table, leaving her plate, knowing someone would be by to pick it up.
"Do you have to go to the center today?" Fitz asked Olivia, who was still staring fondly at the sketch of her grandmother. "Liv?"
"Uh no, I don't. In fact, I don't have to go back until Tuesday." The center was opened on the weekends as a sort of kids club. There were no classes, the playgrounds and basketball courts were opened to the public. Olivia volunteered her weekends sometimes.
"I'm taking my older class on an after hour field trip."
"Where to?"
"Amelia's." Olivia answered, and Fitz's jaw tightened at the mention of him. "Marcus said it was okay if I brought in a bunch of my art kids to come tour the gallery. Some of them are really talented, and they want to be artist as well. So I thought they could get inspired by some of the art and artist. And hopefully it will be an incentive to keep them on the right track to their goals. So we're gonna tour the gallery for a few hours, and they'll get to meet some of the artist. Then we're gonna get dinner and head back to the center for pick up."
"Sounds great."
"Yeah, I hope they like it."
"Well since you don't have anything planned for the day, get up." Fitz swatted her behind, before getting up. "There's somewhere I want to take you."
"Where?" Olivia asked, looking up to him as he held his hand out to her.
"Surprise."
"You know I hate surprises."
"Tough." Fitz said, before grabbing Olivia and throwing her over his shoulder. "Shower so we can leave."
Olivia laughed as he carried her off the balcony and towards his room. "Fitz, I already showered!"
"Well I guess I'll just have to get you dirty again." Fitz swiftly smacked her ass, making her squeal in delight.
"I suppose this is a bad time for an unannounced visit."
Fitz stopped in his tracks, spinning around to find his mother and father standing in the doorway. "Mother." Fitz slowly lowered an embarrassed Olivia back down to her feet.
Olivia felt herself blush, for what felt like the tenth time just that morning. She was sort of hiding behind Fitz. He was now gad she decided to wear her yoga pants, and not the tiny boy shorts she had first picked up. Although, she still felt completely underdressed and out of place, with Fitz's mother looking like a movie star. Did she always have to dress for the red carpet? The woman had no normal clothes.
"What are you two doing here?" Fitz asked, walking over to kiss him mother on the cheek. Effectively exposing Olivia from her hiding place behind him.
"Your father and I came to have a chat with your sister." Marilyn said with a shocked yet amused look on her face. "But I see our timing isn't the best. Hello Olivia dear."
"Hello again Mrs. Grant." Olivia shyly waved, wishing she could race up the stairs to Fitz's room and hide.
"Well, your father and I didn't mean to intrude. So we'll just go and fetch Tabitha and get out of your hair."
"Tabitha isn't here mother, you just missed her. You probably passed her down in the lobby."
"You know I thought that lengthy girl in that black hat looked familiar. She passed by so quick I couldn't get a proper look at her. Why would your sister hide form her own mother."
Fitz opted not to answer that question. "I thought we agreed anyway, that you and dad would give her some time before you came by to see her."
"Well we gave her twenty-four hours, how much more time does she need."
"More than that, and it was barely twenty-four hours. Just give her a break, you know how Tabitha can get. And personally I don't want to come home to the two of you yelling at each other. That's not how I like to end a hard day's work." He'd much rather spend it with his head buried between Olivia's thighs.
"You just tell your sister to call me when she gets back in, or I will steak out this building all night long."
"Yes mother." Fitz said with amusement, knowing his mother was anything but joking. Marilyn would set up camp right in the lobby if she had to.
"Well your mother and I were going to take Tabi out for a late breakfast." Gerry, who had been quiet before now, said. "If you two aren't busy, how about you two tag along."
"Sorry dad, but Olivia and I already ate. Besides we have pans for the day, we were just getting ready actually."
Olivia took that as an opportunity for her escape. She said a quick goodbye to Mrs. and Mrs. Grant before she headed upstairs to get dressed. Before she made it all the way up the steps, Fitz told her to dress comfortably, making her even more curious about just what they were doing today.
As soon as Olivia was up the stairs and out of earshot, Marilyn backhanded her son in the stomach. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" She hissed at him, making sure to keep her voice low."
"What are you talking about?"
"Fitzgerald, do not play dumb with me. You know what I'm talking about, Olivia. What the hell are you doing with Olivia?" Fitz sighed, he really didn't want this lecture right now. "She isn't one of those fake blonde bimbos you're constantly sleeping with. She's not just going to disappear when you need her to, like the other ones."
"Mother please."
"No, don't mother me. Olivia is a nice girl Fitz. She's sweet and innocent and you are going to hurt her. This is not going to end well for her or you for the matter, I can see you're falling for her just as hard as she is for you."
"Mother please, can we store this unsolicited advice for another. Focus on Tabitha's life, mine is fine."
Marilyn sighed, "You know one day kids are going to wish you had listened to your mother."
X
"Are you really not going to tell me where we're going?" Olivia asked Fitz as she sat in the passenger seat and he drove his Bentley to some undisclosed location. She was trying to remember if she had ever seen Fitz drive before. Normally Tom did all the driving. But she figured Tom had the day off since Fitz was driving instead. Not that she was complaining, she liked being alone with Fitz. And although Tom never really spoke when he was around and he kept his distance, Olivia could still feel him around and it was a little weird.
Fitz looked good in this car, hot. She was never really a fan of fancy cars or even two door cars, and this one had both, but it was growing on her. She fell in love the moment she stepped in. The leather interior, the fancy looking high-tech dashboard. Olivia was like Denice the menace with twitchy fingers. She just wanted to push all the buttons, just to see what they did.
"No, I'm really not." Fitz smiled.
"I hate surprises."
"I can see that Ms. Pope." Fitz said, putting his right hand dangerously high on Olivia's thigh. She was thankful she was wearing jeans and not a skirt right now. Because if she was, she had no doubt she'd be making him pull over right now.
About five minutes later, Fitz was pulling into the parking garage at the GAI. He parked his car in his normal spot, and got out to open Olivia's door.
"What are we doing here?" Olivia asked, taking his outstretched hand. "You don't really know how surprises work do you?"
Fitz smirked, "Why don't you just cut the lip and follow me."
"Always so bossy."
Fitz led her to the elevator, and they rode it to the lobby. It was a little weird being there after hours. It was always so busy, now it was deserted. Olivia's hand was still clasped in Fitz's as they walked to the elevators. Fitz pushed the button for the top floor.
"Is this all some type of elaborate ploy to get me to work for you again?"
Fitz asked. "Well Ms. Pope, I actually love that you aren't my employee anymore." He pulled her closer, so she was standing in front of him. "It means I can take you six different ways on my office desk without HR giving me a call."
"How romantic." Olivia giggled against this lips, before he kissed her. It was a short kiss, as the elevator dinged a moment later on their floor. Fitz released her, and led her out to the left.
"Where are we going?" Olivia asked, since the offices were to the right. Fitz didn't answer her, and led her to the stairwell all the way up to the roof. "Fitz you have lost your mind if you think I'm going up there." She tried to pull back, but he had already pulled her through the door and onto the roof.
Her eyes bulged, when she finally saw what Fitz was trying to show her. She was already shaking her head, before she could get her words together. "No, no, no and no. N-O I refuse."
"Come on Livvie, it'll be fun."
"Fitz I am not getting in that thing." Olivia said, pointing to the helicopter in front of her. She didn't even know this building had a helipad. How had she missed a helicopter sitting on the roof all this time?
"Why not? You got on the plane."
"Yeah, only because I had to get to Paris. And that thing was a lot bigger than this is. I hate to tell you this now, but I'm claustrophobic as well and that is a small metal death trap that I refuse to get into."
"Olivia, this is perfectly safe okay. Claude here takes care of the maintenance and keeps the chopper in perfect shape." Only then did Olivia notice a small man standing next to the helicopter.
"I don't doubt that he is good at his job, but that still doesn't mean I'm getting on that thing."
"Livvie I would never steer you wrong. And you yourself said you liked to try new things. I was right about the octopus and you ate yours and mine."
"Fitz that was food, not me being suspended in the air."
Fitz gripped Olivia by her shoulders. "I would never intentionally put you in any danger. And I don't want to make you do something you don't want to. But I promise you, you will love it. But if you absolutely don't want to, then we don't have to." Fitz kissed Olivia's forehead sweetly, he knew what he was doing.
"Ugh! Son of a bee sting! Fine, I will get in your little death trap." Olivia finally conceded, with her arms folded. Fitz smiled, and quickly ushered her to the helicopter before she changed her mind again. Claude opened the door for her, and Fitz helped her climb inside. When she was seated, she sat back while Fitz strapped her in. He pulled two straps over her shoulders and one across her waist. When he was finished, he put a headset on her head and walked to the other side of the chopper.
"What are you doing?" Olivia asked, when Fitz climbed in beside her and Claude.
"What do you mean?"
"Aren't you going to sit in the back? I thought Claude was the pilot."
"He is, but not today."
"Fitz you didn't say you were flying this helicopter."
"Well I figured I would wait until I got you strapped in before I said."
"Fitz I'm gonna kill you, do you even know what you're doing?"
"Of course I do hon, they don't just let anyone fly helicopters without the proper training first." After Fitz strapped himself in, he powered up the chopper. Olivia held on tightly to the door handle as the blades began to spin and Fitz slowly lifted the chopper in the air.
"Relax Bambi. I got you."
X
"That was so much fun. I can't believe I flew a helicopter!" Olivia squealed, as Fitz helped her out the helicopter. They had just landed in some kind of airplane hangar in the middle of a field. There were only two other small planes and one chopper. Fitz explained that the guy who owns the hangar was a friend of his.
The ride was a lot smoother and more fun than she thought it was going to be. She peaked out the window a few times, and couldn't believe how beautiful the city looked from the sky. She couldn't imagine what it would look like in the night time. After she started to relax, she realized that it wasn't that bad, it was just like riding in the plane. Although neither one of them was something she wanted to do on a regular basis. Fitz even let her hold onto the stick on her side. All she had to do was hold it steady, as Fitz explained to her. Olivia had gotten so giddy over 'flying' a helicopter, although it was only for a few seconds. After a while, the buildings started to disappear, and more and more trees emerged. She knew they were leaving the city, but she still didn't know where they were going.
Now they were in the back of a car that Fitz had waiting for them when they landed.
"Where are we going now?"
"I told you it was a surprise Liv."
"Yeah, but I thought the helicopter was the surprise."
"No, that was part of it. We're headed to the second part and then later we'll go to the third."
"A three part surprise, you're killing me. Now I'm gonna be racking my mind trying to figure out what the other two are all day long."
"Well you won't have to think about number two for long, because we're here."
Just then, the car stopped. The driver got out to open Olivia's door, while Fitz got something out of the trunk. They were at some warehouse looking building. There wasn't much around but trees, Olivia noticed the buildings stopped a little while ago. She looked around for some type of sign on the building. Her excitement tripled the moment she found what she was looking for.
"Really? You're taking me paintballing?!" Olivia was excited. It was such a normal thing to do, but Fitz put his special touch to it with the helicopter ride. But still, it was a relatively understated activity. Normally, her date with Fitz were to some fancy dinner or a museum or a show. And not that Olivia didn't love all of it, she did. She was just glad that this activity didn't call for a ballroom dress and high heels. Instead, a pair of coveralls and her more comfortable sneakers.
"Well when you found my paintball guns, I remember you said you've never been before. And I haven't been here in a while, so I thought it'd be fun to bring you this time." Fitz came around the car with the back bag opened and took out to pairs of black coveralls and his two paintball guns. Olivia had only shot a paintball gun once, and that was when she found Fitz's. She shot at one of the blank canvases she had at his apartment. Now that canvas was hanging in the kitchen in her brownstone.
This was Fitz's favorite place, because it was all outside. That's why the building was sort of excluded, because the entire land was the course, it was huge.
"You ready?" Fitz asked.
"Yes, come on come on. I want to shoot someone!" Olivia pulled Fitz by his arm and into the building. She was still giddy, as the instructor to them all about the safety rules and the do's and don'ts. When he was finished, everyone was divided into two different groups. Olivia and Fitz ended up on two different teams and given bandanas to match their team color. She was team white and he was team blue. Their session was gonna start soon, so everyone was changing and putting on their coveralls and gloves. Olivia changed into the coveralls Fitz brought her, then braided her hair in two braids so she could get her helmet on easier than with a ponytail. She tied her bandana around her wrist, while Fitz adjusted her helmet for her then snapped it on and put her goggles over the helmet. When he was finished, he grabbed a pair of knee and elbow pads.
"Really Fitz?"
"What?"
"Hardly anyone else is wearing elbow and knee pads."
"Safety Olivia."
"Fitz I'm not a five year old learning to ride a bike for the first time." Olivia laughed, although he could tell Fitz was very serious. He could be a little much at times. "Baby I don't need all that padding, I'll be fine."
"Humor me. For my sanity."
"Fine." Olivia playfully rolled her and held out her arms, so Fitz could strap the pads on her elbows and then her knees.
"Prepare for war Ms. Pope."
"Watch your back Grant."
X
Two games later, an exhausted Olivia lay draped over Fitz in the back of their car while the driver drive them to their next destination. Her head rest in his lap, her legs curled up on the seat. She was slowly drifting off as he ran his fingers through her hair, softly messaging her scalp. She was bone tired from their games, but she had the so much fun that she didn't even care.
The first game, she kind of stayed in the shadows too afraid to get hit. She was kind of just running around shooting at anything since her aim wasn't all that great. Fitz on the other hand, was like a combat soldier. He and a group of three other guys, were amazing. If this was an Olympic sport, they would all hold the gold. It was amazing to watch Fitz like this, he was so sexy. And yet so playful at the same time. Fitz's team won got the other teams flag, and won the first game.
The second game, Olivia participated much more. Her team actually strategized this time, instead of everyone doing their own thing to get the flag. They strategically placed themselves all over the course, picking off the other team one at a time. Olivia was up in one of the hideouts, covered by some shrubs. She and another girl were supposed to keep the area cleared for the 'recovery' team to go and get the flag. Olivia noticed Fitz coming with two other guys and they opened fire. Olivia was proud to say she shot one guy once in the leg, and shot Fitz twice; once in the arm and once in the stomach. This was a very cathartic sport. She didn't think she would enjoy shooting someone this much. Her team won the second game and tied the score.
Now they were headed to another destination, where Olivia hoped she be able to get something to eat and maybe a nap. She'd worked up quite an appetite, and was slowly dozing off from exhaustion.
"I am so tired." Olivia mumbled into Fitz's leg.
"Yeah, all that running around will do that."
"And I'm a little sore already. I'm glad you made me wear those elbow pads now. I had to duck down real quick to keep from being hit." Olivia laughed, "I did some kind of sideways jump and landed right on my knees and my elbow. I didn't even matter though, because someone else shot me in the side. It was some kid with a purple spiked helmet on. I though he had a white bandana on though, I think we were on the same team."
"Yeah, I know who you're talking about. That's the little bastard that shot me in the neck." Fitz said grumpily, rubbing the side of her neck. "I shot him in the ass as he ran away."
"Fitz." Olivia scolded, but couldn't help but laugh. Her stomach growled, loud enough for the both of them to hear. "I am so hungry."
"I can hear. We'll be able to get something to eat when we get to where we're going."
"And where would that be?"
"My place." The car stopped, and Olivia sat up. They were stopped in front of a large brass gate. She could see beyond the gate, but all she could see was a long gravel road lined with tall, lush trees. Fitz rolled down his window, and typed in a security code and the gates slowly began to open.
"This is your house?" Olivia asked, as they drove up the long driveway. The house still hadn't come into view yet.
"Yes."
"Why so secluded?"
"I like my privacy."
"Do you have neighbors?"
"Yes. The next house I believe is maybe half a mile own the rode."
"Half a mile? I don't think they can be considered neighbors."
"Why such the fascination with my neighbors?"
Olivia shrugged, "I don't know. Curiosity."
"Well Ms. Curiosity are we going to get out of the car, or are we gonna stay in here all day talking about my neighbors?"
Only then did Olivia notice that they had stopped in front of the house, and the driver was holding her door open for her. Olivia took his outstretched hand, and climb out the car. Her breath was taken away, the moment she laid eyes on the house. She fell in love with it. It was huge, all stone and glass walls. She couldn't even began to describe it. She had always dreamed of living in a house similar to her parents. Smaller but not too small, cozy warm with a white picket fence out front. In one of those neighborhoods where all the neighbors knew each other. This was the complete opposite, but she could see herself in a house like this as well.
"You like it?" Fitz came up behind her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"I love it. It's beautiful."
"I worked with a contractor, architect, designer you name it. We worked for months until we came up with something I loved."
"You designed this house?"
"Sort of." Fitz led her up the stone steps to the glass front door. "I told them what I wanted. And told them what I liked and didn't like, until they came back with what I loved." Fitz unlocked the door, and pushed it open for Olivia.
"Wow." Was all Olivia could muster, when she stepped through the threshold. This house was beyond gorgeous. The outside didn't do the inside. This place was a lot different than Fitz's penthouse back in the city. The penthouse was sort of like a museum. It was sterile, although Fitz spent all his time there it didn't feel lived in. It didn't feel warm and cozy like a home is supposed to.
But this place, it wasn't a house it was a home. It had all the warmth and coziness for two. She expected the interior to be like his penthouse, but it was just the opposite. She was glad to see the inside wasn't stone as well. The colors were warm and inviting, unlike the penthouse. He still had his share of art displayed all over, but he also had some personal family touches. There were pictures hung by the fireplace, on the piano in the corner.
Olivia picked up one of the photos. She smiled down at the picture of a boy, around eight years old, in a cowboy costume. It was adorable, but Olivia couldn't tell if it was Fitz or Patrick, they looked so much alike.
"Is this you or Patrick?" Olivia asked.
Fitz looked at the photo in her hand. "That is Pat." He picked up another photo on the piano, this one of a boy around the same age in an astronaut costume. "This is me."
"Awe, you were so adorable!"
"Yeah yeah, and this is Tabi." Fitz picked up the photo of Tabitha in a very elaborate princess dress. "Of course she had to go as royalty. Although she got made whenever someone called her a princess, she said she was Queen."
Olivia laughed. "Who is she supposed to be?" Olivia asked, not recognizing the costume.
"Oh you won't recognize it, that is a costume princess gown for yours truly."
"Seriously?"
"What can I say, she's the baby. She gets spoiled even to this day. She wore a similar gown to her sweet sixteen party."
"How come you don't have any family photos in your penthouse?"
"I don't know. This place just feels like more of a home to me I guess."
"But you're rarely here."
"Yes I know, but I'm hoping to change the tin the future. Would you like a tour?"
"Of course."
Fitz took her hand, and led her throughout the house, starting with the kitchen. It was about three times the size of her kitchen at home. He showed her the entire downstairs, including two living room, plus a den. A very spacious dining room, Fitz's office, a mud room by the back patio and a ball room that Fitz said he hardly used. He said he let his mother use it once for a party she had. After the tour of the first floor, they toured the second floor. There was an upstairs library, another small sitting area and of course the other bedrooms. Fitz only really showed her his. He wanted to show her the bathroom, because he knew she'd love it. And love it she did.
Fitz's bathroom was the size of her bedroom alone. Marble floors and shower. When she walked in, to her right was a few steps leading to a spacious tub. As big as Fitz was, he definitely needed a tub that size to stretch out comfortably in. To her right, were these big glass double doors to the shower. She could just imagine what it would feel like to come home after a hard day, and let all those nozzles and showerheads beat down on her all at once. Shed definitely have to test that shower the nest time she came here. If he ever brought her back. She remembered him telling her he didn't often bring people here. As she passed both the shower and tub, it led her to double his and her sinks and vanities. A beautiful chandelier hanging down on her. She'd never seen a chandelier in a bathroom before. And lastly, two double French doors that led to a small terrace. This bathroom was gorgeous.
"I'm so jealous." Olivia said as Fitz came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "I want to sleep in that tub."
"Well we can test it out tonight after dinner." He but her ear, before sucking the sting away.
Olivia turned around in his arms. "What do you mean? We aren't leaving tonight?"
"I thought we could spend tonight and tomorrow here."
"In your house?"
"Yes."
"What about work? Don't you have to go in tomorrow?"
"I told you Jake is running things at GAI for now, and the store isn't even open yet. They can survive a day without me."
"But I don't even have a bag. I don't have any clothes."
"I asked you sister to pack you a bag and I had the driver bring our bags to the house when we were paintballing."
"So I guess you thought of everything."
"Yes, I did."
"Wait. What about pongo? You didn't leave her-"
"I had tom take Pongo to your sister, when he got you bag. Now, do you have any more questions or can we go downstairs and enjoy some dinner and then come back up to enjoy this tub."
"I'll take dinner and the tub."
Fitz pecked her lips quickly. "Thought so."
X
"That was good babe." Olivia pushed her plate aside. She left a small amount of her chicken Alfredo on her plate, opting to eat the last of her bread instead. "I didn't know you knew how to cook."
"Well I'm no master chef of anything, but I could survive without Ms. Betty." Fitz picked up her dish along with his, and carried them into the kitchen. Olivia stretched out on the bench in the breakfast nook, enjoying the view outside. The sun was beginning to set, and the sky was a beautiful mix of blues, pinks and oranges. She'd never seen a sunrise like this before.
Olivia noticed a rather large building outside, it was nestled in the trees. Fitz hadn't given her a tour of the outside yet. She wondered what was in the building.
"Hey Fitz?" Olivia called out.
"Yeah?" Fitz came out the kitchen, drinking half a bottled water in one gulp.
"What's out in the shed?"
"Not a shed. That's where I do my work, it's my studio. I thought about just converting one of the rooms downstairs into my studio. But when I started sculpting, I realized I needed more space. And being outside helps vent the dust out."
"Can I see?"
"What?"
"You said you would show me your work one day. You still haven't."
"I did say that didn't I?" Fitz smirked.
"Yes, you did."
Fitz finished the rest of his bottle, before crushing it and throwing it into a nearby trashcan. "Well then, by all means milady. Let's go have a look."
"Really?"
"Yes really, why so surprised?"
"Well because you're always so protective of your work. You've never let me see anything you're working on."
"That's because I am a perfectionist. I don't let anyone see something that is only have done. It has to be perfect before I unveil it."
"Well then in that case, let's go before you change your mind." Olivia slid out the chair and headed for the back door ahead of Fitz. They both walked to Fitz's studio. There was a combination lock on the door. Fitz put in the combination, took off the lock and pushed the door open for Olivia. The first thing she noticed, was several of paintings were covered with a tan cloth. She knew he must have had them covered for a reason, so she didn't bother with those. The building was a lot more spacious then it looked on the outside. Olivia walked from the front doors to the back, checking out every painting that wasn't covered. They were all of course brilliant. Some were nature shots that closely resembled the areas around his home. And others were of people. She wondered who they were, since they weren't any of his family and she'd never seen these people before. Some were old men a women, and others were of young people.
"Who are these people?" Olivia asked Fitz, who was still standing at the door.
"I have no idea. I suppose there could be some people out there who resemble them. Honestly, I just let the brush guide me. I don't paint that often, but when I do I have no idea what I'm going to paint beforehand. If I'm in the mood I'm in the mood."
"That sounds like me and my sketchpad." Olivia walked further into the room, and the paintings stopped, now there were a bunch of tall sculptures covered by tarps.
"Can I see these?"
"Sure." Fitz finally left the door, and walked back to where Olivia was. He first pulled a string above them, and a row of lights came on above them. "Some of these are quite old. This one is one of them. I sculpted this about five years ago." Fitz pulled the tarp off the sculpture, revealing half a lion.
"Woah." Olivia said to herself. She thought Fitz only sculpted people, she didn't know he could sculpt animals as well. The sculpture was of half a lion, with the front paws out and up. The head of the lion was in a growl pose.
"I didn't know you sculpted animals too." Olivia reached out, and ran her fingers over the details of the lion. It was obvious Fitz had spent extraordinary time making sure the features were perfect. It was so lifelike. That was true talent.
"It looks so real."
"Yeah. I sculpted a gorilla once."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It was a donation to an animal sanctuary in Colorado. They rescue injured animals from the wild, and release them back when they are well enough. I'm one of their main benefactors. I was so glad when I finished that thing, it took me forever."
Olivia smiled at him, pulling the cover off another sculpture. This one was of a woman sitting Indian style, with her hand resting palm up on her legs. Her eyes were closed and she had the most serine smile on her face. How does he do this? Olivia had only ever attempted a sculpture this size once. It had taken her years, and she still wasn't done. To be honest, she was starting to lose her passion for it altogether.
"How old is this one?"
"This one is only about a year old. I've been thinking about painting it, or adding clay over the stone to give it a more natural and warming feel. I can sculpt facial expressions with clay better than I can with stone."
"I think it looks great. I've only attempted something this big once and it's not going that great. I'm kind of losing interest in it." Olivia noticed another canvas still sitting on an easel table in the back. "What's that one?"
"Something I've been working on recently."
"Is it finished?"
"Yes."
"Can I see it?"
"Curious one aren't you." Fitz went over and grabbed the painting, and sat it up on an easel on the table. He pulled the tarp off, and held Olivia's small gasp. He wasn't sure if it was a good or bad gasp. He looked down at her, trying to read her expression. She looked both shocked and pleased. It was a while before she spoke, and when she finally did, Fitz almost missed it.
"That's me."
"Yes, it is."
"I look… happy."
"You were happy. That was one of the first weekends you spent with me. We spent that entire night watching every comedy movie we could find on demand. You were eating gummy bears all night and drinking that nasty smoothie you made."
"Hey, it wasn't nasty." Olivia swatted his arm, remembering that night fondly. They did spend all night watching TV and eating junk food. Olivia had made a smoothie and got Fitz to try some but he said it taste like grass.
"Whatever. For some reason that night, you were just giddy. You found everything funny and you couldn't stop laughing. And when we finally got to my bedroom, you decided to put on a show…"
"Oh God." Olivia groaned, getting embarrassed all over again, just from the memory of that night. For whatever reason, Olivia decided she wanted to dance that night. She was wearing Fitz's shirt and a pair of pajama shorts, dancing in front of his bed. Fitz had been on his bed, watching her and laughing. She had no idea he was creating a mental picture of this moment, so he could paint it later.
"It was a great show really. I remember you being so silly and carefree in that moment. You had this look on your face…it was so relaxed and beautiful. So I put it on my canvas. Do you like it?" Fitz nervously asked.
"Yes…you made me look so beautiful."
"I didn't have to make that Livvie, you're already beautiful."
Oh, that was the perfect thing to say Olivia thought, just as she reached up and lowered Fitz's lips down to hers. She only meant for it to be a small sweet kiss, but in an instant, their mood shifted. Fitz had Olivia backed up against a wall, and popped up on a table in a second. His hands gripping tight on her hips, he was sure to leave a few dime sized bruises on her skin. Olivia grip in his hair tightened, and Fitz groaned at the pain as she kissed him even harder. He had planned on a luxurious bath before he took Olivia to bed. Bu t it looked like his plans were being derailed at the moment, not that he mind though.
Without another thought, Fitz began unbuttoning Olivia's jeans. He was half expecting her to stop him, but he was thoroughly delighted when she didn't. He unzipped her pants, and begin pulling them down passed her thighs. Olivia lifted up on her hands so Fitz could wrestle her pants the rest of the wat down her legs. She now sat on the wooden table in her panties and shirt, although Fitz quickly took care of her shirt.
When she was down the bra and panties, Fitz began to undress himself, which took no time at all. He was back on Olivia in a second. His tongue twinging with her, her moans getting lost in his groans. Arms and legs entwined, those two forgot about everything around them.
Olivia didn't feel the tear of her panties, but she certainly heard it. When Fitz gripped the other side to tear, she felt it then. She jumped from the force. Fitz pulled her now torn underwear out from under her like a magicians trick. She didn't even remember him taking off his boxers or spreading her legs. But the next thing she knew, her legs were as wide as they'd go and Fitz was pounding to a steady rhythm.
Olivia tossed her head back, griping onto Fitz's arms. Her legs in the crooks of his arms, keeping her on full display for him. She loved how Fitz could be so gentle with her in one moment, and then turn around and become this animal in the next. She'd never connected with a man on the level before. Physically or emotionally, and she hoped she never would.
Her cries of ecstasy grew louder and louder as Fitz carried them bother over the edge. On his last thrust and swivel of his hips, Olivia finally gave in and exploded violently. Her body was still shaking as Fitz finished a moment later.
The both of them sat still in place, both wrapped in the other's arms. No talking, no moving. Just the sounds of their hearts beating back to normal and their breath evening. They'd had some pretty magnificent sex in their short time together, but nothing of this magnitude. Olivia could only imagine just how much better it could get. It seemed impossible.
X
Olivia leaned further back into Fitz's chest. The warm water slowly melting away the aches and pains in her muscles. After their activities in Fitz's studio, Fitz carried Olivia back into the house and straight up to his room. Olivia sat on a small, circular ottoman in the bathroom while Fitz made them a bath. She watched in fascination as he made sure the temp was just right. Made sure he put the right amount of oils and bath salts into the water. She'd never seen anyone put so much work into a bath before. But oh was she grateful for it, when she finally lowered her body into that hot water. The combination of the hot water and being wrapped in Fitz arms, was gradually putting Olivia to sleep.
"Can we sleep in here tonight? I don't want to get out."
"Wait until you try the shower. Then you really won't want to leave, which might not be such a bad thing." Fitz kissed the side of her head, his fingers still skimming across her belly.
"Fitz, why don't you have people here? Why only your family?"
"Because this is my escape. When I need to get out of the city and clear my head for a few days this is where I come." Fitz answered. "Patrick, Tabitha and I have always gotten a little extra attention from the public because of who our father is. And wherever he is, you can trust there will be a camera or two. I don't want this place to become another hot spot for the media."
"Is that why you said you didn't date?"
"No. I didn't date because I didn't want a relationship."
"And those women were fine with that?"
"Why the sudden fascination with my past Olivia?"
"Because I want to know."
Fitz sighed, "They didn't care, because when they saw me all they saw were dollar signs. All they wanted was to spend my money, and get a little fame."
"Well if you knew that, then why would you entertain them?"
"Because I didn't care Olivia. They got what they wanted, and I got what I wanted."
"You don't see me that way do you?" Olivia spoke so lowly, that Fitz almost missed it.
"Is that was this is about? I thought we settled this in Aspen." When Olivia didn't answer him, Fitz turned her around on his lap so she was straddling him and he could see her face. "I thought we settled this already."
"We did." Olivia answered.
"Then what was with the Q&A?"
Olivia shrugged, she honestly didn't know. They had settled this in Aspen. And even before then, Fitz had told her about his past…'relationships'. He told her that it meant nothing but sex for him. She honestly didn't know why she was bringing it up now. Maybe those small insecurities she had would always stay with her.
"I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told you in Aspen. 'We are not like my past. And no, you are not like those other women. And don't ever compare yourself to them again'. And then, I think I did something like this." Fitz grasped Olivia's waist and lifted her, then swiftly sat her down on his now hard penis. Olivia gasped, she wasn't prepared to be filling in such a way. Her head fell forward, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"And then I said…"
"Do you feel that?" Olivia finished for him.
"Do you?"
"Yes."
"All for you Livvie."
X
The next morning, Olivia woke face down in her pillow. She could feel her hair was all over the place. The thin sheet was draped across her lower back and legs. She reached over, and was disappointed when she felt the cold sheets beside her, instead of Fitz's warm body. Olivia groaned, and stretched out, trying to convince herself to get up. She was still feeling the evens from last night, as she sat up. There was a sinful ache between her legs, and her legs were killing her from the many ways Fitz had her bent like a pretzel last night.
Olivia finally swung the sheet off of her and swung her legs over the bed. She definitely had to get one of these mattresses for herself. That was the best sleep she'd ever had. As she walked into the bathroom, to burhs her teeth and face, the small purple bruises on her hips and thighs became more visible. They no doubt came from the tight grip Fitz kept on her last night. She was sure he'd have some love making marks on his body as well. Most likely scratch marks and her nail indentation on his back and chest. Olivia brushed her teeth, then washed her face and brushed her hair back to relative normal.
When she was finished with her morning routine, she headed back into the room for some clothes to wear. She shouldn't have been surprised, when she opened her bag and found nothing but her silk nightwear that she never wore. She should've known that's what Alex would pack. Thankfully though, Alex had packed Olivia some jeans to wear home. Although they weren't the comfortable baggy jeans she loved, but the skin tight jeans Alex had her to buy.
Sighing, Olivia took out one of the silk nightgowns and matching robe. The nightgown itself barely covered her thighs, but she was grateful that the robe traveled all the way to her ankles. Olivia had to admit, she didn't feel sexy in this silk. She felt like one of those fifties housewives in the movies. All she needed was some pearls and she'd be good to go.
As she was tying the knot to her robe, when she finally noticed something. Something she should've noticed when she first woke, but didn't. On her right ring finger was a diamond ring. Olivia held up her hand, staring in awe and confusion. The ring was beautiful, it was in the shape of a flower or a star bursting. It caught the light in every direction. Obviously Fitz had put the ring on her finger, but why. And more importantly where was he now?
"Fitz?" Olivia called out. "Fitz what-" She turned to leave the room, but she stopped when she say Fitz standing in the doorway. He was leaning against the wall, screwing the top back onto his water bottle. He was wearing his workout clothes, with a towel thrown over his shoulder. He must have been out on one of his morning runs.
"Do you like it?" He asked, still standing by the door.
"What is this?"
"A ring." Fitz said with a smirk.
"Don't get cute, of course it's a ring. What's it for?"
"A gift."
"Gift for what?"
"Just a gift Liv." Fitz walked into the room, stopping directly in front of her. "Can't I just give a gift to my girlfriend."
Oh she loved when he called her that. "Of course you can. But this, this is too much I can't it."
"Do you not like it?"
"Of course I do, but-"
"Then what's the problem?"
"Fitz, I don't need you to buy me expensive things. I don't want to feel like those other women."
"Well here's the difference, you didn't ask me for this. I gave it to you. You didn't expect it. Liv you don't have to be skeptical to accept gifts from me."
"Fitz this is too much really." She didn't even want to know how much this ring cost.
"It isn't. Trust me Olivia, I can afford this ring." Of course he can afford this ring. "I was walking in the jewelry store, to get my watch repaired and I came across this ring as I was waiting. And I thought of you, and how much you would love it. I remember it resembles that necklace you have."
"You remember what my jewelry looks like?"
"I try to remember everything about you."
"Thank you Fitz. It really is beautiful. I don't want to take it off now."
"Well take it off for one second so I can show you something." Olivia held her hand out, and Fitz slid the ring off her finger and held it up to her. "I had it engraved." On both the inside and the outside of the ring, Fitz had Bambi engraved into the ring.
Olivia laughed, and smiled sweetly up at him. "You know, I think that's my favorite nickname. It definitely beats Cheeks."
"Glad to hear." Fitz leaned down to kiss Olivia, and just like their time in the studio. The atmosphere changed in an instant. Fitz gripped the back of Olivia's neck, walking them both blindly to the bed. When the back of her legs hit their target, Fitz leaned over and fell on top of her on the bed.
Fitz untied the knot on her robe, enjoying the feel of the silk on her skin. Both as soft as the other. If he had his way, this is what she would wear on a daily basis. Nothing but the softest silk with pearls and diamonds around her neck.
His lips trailed wet kisses down her neck, as his hand slowly travel up the short nightgown she wore. He was more than please to discover she was bare underneath that nightgown. Olivia spreads her legs and Fitz skims his fingers over her sex. His fingers running along the slit of her folds.
"Goddamn Livvie. What do you have between these legs?" Fitz expectantly plunged his middle finger deep inside of Olivia. She arched up off the bed, and Fitz added a second finger. "I can't get enough of you baby."
"Good." Olivia moaned. "I don't want you to."
Fitz covered her body with his and they both got lost in each other. Picking right up where they left off last night.
X
Catch You Later…