A/N: This chapter surrounds Liv and Fitz. Hope you enjoy it!
"Fitz, are you going to tell me where we're going?"
"Nope, just walk with me," he replied, squeezing her hands tightly as they continued to walk the sidewalks of downtown Chicago.
Olivia's mind recalls the previous night's activities that led to this moment. After they'd joyfully delivered the toys anonymously to the families on their list last night, Fitz had told her he has a special Christmas present for her and that she needed to be ready by 8 for him to pick her up. All day she kept bugging him for clues via text messages and phone calls but he wouldn't give any information to her, so she waited impatiently all day.
"Livvie, we're here," the sound of his deep voice breaks her reverie.
Olivia looks up at where here was, the place looked like a hole in the wall bar, there wasn't much to see from the outside of the building except for a partially working bar sign. She watches as Fitz knocks on the door, only to have one of those old fashion peephole slide across the top part of it. She watches bemused as Fitz say the password, "Wicklow" when asked for it. Now she was curious as to what lies behind the door. The rusty door swings open for them; Fitz ushers Olivia in first before following behind her, he hands the older burly man the two tickets that he'd searched high and low for.
Walking down the sketchy corridor, Olivia tried not to cringe. She wondered what this place was but she kept her mouth shut, giving Fitz the benefit of doubt.
Before they entered through the main door that will lead them to their event, Fitz stops her and turns her around. Cupping her face with large hands, he whispers, "I promise you'll like it." He watches as she gives him a sweet smile. "Merry Christmas, sweet baby. These past few weeks with you was truly beautiful."
"I feel the –." She was cut off when he plants one of his skillful, toe curling kisses on her lips; he possessed the power to turn her brain into mush with a simple swipe of his tongue inside the crevices of her mouth.
Pulling apart joined lips, Fitz holds onto her hands as he opened the door for her.
As soon as the door was opened Olivia did a double take as the melodious voice of a familiar singer greets her, eyes grew wide in disbelief; she asked, "Is that him?"
Fitz nods his head yes. He was tremendously happy that he could've made her happy; the smile she wore on her face was worth the trouble he went through to make tonight possible.
Olivia's grip become tighter and her other hand was covering her anxiously blushing face, she couldn't believe that Fitz had bought tickets for them to see Hozier in concert. This was one of the best presents that she'd ever received.
She looked around the medium sized room, noticing that it couldn't hold much people, approximately 70-100 people were in attendance. This was more than likely a private showing; she was overwhelm with happiness as she sees the man behind the soulful, blues, indie rock voice on stage. It took her everything inside of her not to squeal aloud.
Turning her attention towards Fitz, she hugs him tightly to her body. "Thank you so much," she murmurs against his bundled up chest.
"It's my pleasure," he whispers against her temple.
After the element of surprise had worn off a little, they found a decent spot to stand amongst the crowds.
Olivia stands in front of Fitz, all night they swayed to the live performance of Hozier. The moment felt so right, so perfect, and so beautiful that she didn't want it to end. Her knees almost buckled when Fitz started singing along to one of the songs in her ears. She felt her body growing warm, her heart fuzzy within her chest. For the first time in a long time she was truly happy. She closes her eyes as his strong arms wraps tighter around her waist, leaning against his chest; she allows his baritone voice to serenade her.
I will not ask you where you came from
I will not ask and neither should you
Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips
We should just kiss like real people do
I knew that look dear
Eyes always seeking
Was there in someone
That dug long ago
So I will not ask you
Why you were creeping
In some sad way I already know
Fitz knew in his heart that he loved this woman, but he was afraid that it was too soon. He was afraid that karma was coming to get him for all the bullshit he did in his past. He was afraid that Liv wouldn't want him after she finds out about his sordid past. He prayed that he was wrong, he hopes that she feels the same way too. Shaking his head, he blocks out all anxious thoughts from his mind as he continues to sing from his heart. He'll let the lyrics speak for him.
So I will not ask you where you came from
I would not ask and neither would you
Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips
We should just kiss like real people do
I could not ask you where you came from
I could not ask and neither could you
Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips
We could just kiss like real people do
Olivia hadn't realized that tears were trickling down her face as his words had truly touched her. They both could sense that each other had a past that hurt them, making them so afraid of the present and future. But she hopes in time that they'll both let go and let each other in.
They enjoyed the remainder of the show in solace. After a great performance, Hozier bid them all a wonderful night and a Merry Christmas before he disappeared backstage. The couple took it as their cue to leave; they walked silently to the parking garage where Fitz' truck was kept.
"Thank you for tonight...that was beyond anything I could've experienced," Olivia could feel herself growing emotional as she spoke. Certain types of music strips her away from the pain she feels, while other types brings the pain to the surface and tonight she felt the pain at the surface.
Fitz squeezes their joined hands tighter, silently telling her that she was welcomed.
"Anything for you," he murmurs against her leather gloved hands after he'd brought it to his lips for a kiss.
They comfortably sat in his truck allowing it to be warmed up before pulling out of the parking garage. The two had agreed that they would spend Christmas over at Fitz' place, neither wanted to be alone. Olivia was grateful for the small reprieve; she'd packed an overnight bag with a change of clothes and undergarments along with his Christmas present. She only hopes that he will like it.
The second shift was lucky that this year they were given both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off in the place of working on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Everyone looked forward to spending the time off with families and friends as last year they'd worked on Christmas Day.
"Why did you use the word Wicklow at the door?" She asked, breaking the quiet stream of thoughts.
"That's because Hozier is from Wicklow County, Ireland," he answers with a smile.
"Oh, wow, I never knew that."
"And here I was thinking he was one of your favorite musicians."
Olivia laughs, "That doesn't mean I know everything about him."
"I see. Hopefully, you know where I'm from," he leers.
"Of course, Cali boy."
Fitz gives her a deep throaty laugh in reciprocation.
Comfortable silence fell for a brief moment before Oliva asks,"If you don't mind me asking, how did you know that he was going to be in Chicago for a concert? Much less to get tickets?"
He shifts gears before replying, "I have my ways."
Olivia playfully roll her eyes at him, knowing that prying information out of him was harder than taking a piece of candy from a baby.
"Seriously, Fitz."
"Seriously, Olivia," he copycatted.
"You're a pain in the butt. You know that?"
"As long as it's your butt I'm good," he quipped.
She sucks her teeth before erupting into laughter. The two of them could be serious one minute and the next act like complete children.
Fitz joins her in laughing before he finally confessed, "I heard of it through Stephen and then he referred me to a friend of a friend. Not going to lie, it was a tedious process to land tickets for a secret concert but it was worth it," he drops his voice an octave, looking at her for a brief second before saying, "you're worth it."
In that instant she felt the tight chains in her chest broken, freedom was given to her. She leans over the console and kisses his cheek as his eyes remained focused on the road.
"You're worth it too, we're worth," she speaks with enough conviction for the both of them, confidence she didn't knew she possessed.
Fitz sincerely smiles at her, finding her words comforting.
Twenty minutes later they arrived at his house, Bubba was waiting for them by the door, once him and Olivia was reunited, he returned to the kitchen where his bed was. Fitz shakes his head at the sight of them in front of him.
"I wonder how he knew you were coming here tonight."
"Oh, you didn't know that we have conversations behind your back? Do you think you're the only man that is fond of me?" She teased.
Fitz advanced to her, standing a hairsbreadth in front of her face; he begins to slowly undo the buttons on her wool peacoat. With each button being undone, he says, "I'm...a man...that...doesn't...share... You got that?"
Olivia was unable to speak as the Grant charm had her spellbound; she simply nods instead.
"Good," he smiles down at her - licking his lips before removing his body from her personal space, leaving her affected. "Do you want some hot chocolate?"
Olivia shakes her head no. Collecting her wits, she says, "I'm going to go up and get ready for bed."
"Ok, see you soon," Fitz responds, rummaging through his cupboard for a pack of hot chocolate.
Olivia didn't know how the sleepover arrangement would work out, it wasn't as if this was their first time they'd shared a bed together or a couch. However, this was her first time sleeping over at his place and she was slightly nervous.
When she was finished getting ready for bed, she sits at the foot of the bed waiting for Fitz. A few minutes later he walks into the room.
"You look nice," he smiles, taking in her silk nightshirt and her colorful headscarf.
Feeling self-conscious Olivia pats the top of her head and laughs.
Fitz gives her a simple smile and small head shake before retreating to the en suite bathroom to change.
Minutes later he returns wearing a plaid pajama bottom and a simple white long sleeve shirt.
Wordlessly, they got underneath the covers and lie facing each other.
They were silently taking in each other's features and committing it to memory.
"You're so beautiful," he whispers. Olivia could smell his minty breath from the close proximity of his face and the faint cologne that he wore. She smiles at him, feeling contented in the moment. They were satisfied with simply lying in the same bed without having sex.
Breathing in sync Fitz asks,"What's your favorite childhood Christmas memory?"
Olivia ponders his question for a few seconds before recalling one particular Christmas with her mother. "I remember this one Christmas when I was eight years old when my mother took me ice skating for the first time. She wasn't really up for those kind of things but she eventually give in when I kept pestering her." She chuckled lightly as she remembered that memory. "The great thing about the entire moment was when she presented me with the cutest pair of white ice skates that she'd secretly bought. Growing up there wasn't room for a lot of extra expenses," she pauses for a few seconds before continuing, "my mom pretty much was the only one providing for me, but I will never forget the sacrifice she made in buying me my own skates while she had to rent a pair."
Fitz looked on in wonderment as he saw a plethora of emotions moved across her beautiful face. The sadness in her eyes broke his heart; he gently reaches for one of her hands and holds it in between their bodies.
Feeling comforted by his presence, Olivia allowed herself to open up to the pain that she kept buried. "I was ten years old when she died...when they both died." She took a deep breath to control her wavering emotions from spilling over. "They died in a fire, that's the real reason why I want to become a firefighter."
Fitz was in shock, he never knew this about her, well that was to be expected when they rarely ever spoke about their families.
"What...what was the cause for the fire?" He stuttered out.
"Back then they told me that a candle was the source but I really didn't believe. My gut told me it was more. I remembered waking up to a house filled of smoke when someone grabbed me and passed me through my bedroom window into the arms of a firefighter. I was so confused by what was happening so I turned around and looked at my house and watched as the lower floor was blazing with fire. I immediately cried out for my mother because her room was on the first floor. A paramedic tried to calm me down as another one checked me for burns," she stops and turns her back to him. Slowly lifting up the fabric of her night shirt, she shows him some spots on her lower back. "I can't remember how I got them but those were the only burns found on my body." She feels his fingers caressing the marks at the top of her panty line and she sighs in relief. Eventually, she turns around to face him.
"Anyway, over the years I've learned that the candle was indeed the source but it was by the hands of my evil father. He was the one who took her away from me," she sobs. "He was trying to take us both away but she fought him for me."
"Oh, God," Fitz gasped in horror, without hesitation he brings her into a tight embrace, holding onto her tightly. He couldn't fathom the pain she has been living with. How could a father be so evil? Oh yea, he knows about evil fathers.
Fitz hugs her to his chest and allows her to cry.
This was the first time she had ever broke down in front of anyone. She would normally do so behind closed doors. Her hands clutched onto the front of his shirt as her body wracked with tears. She cried for her mother whom she misses daily. So many unanswered questions she has. Why didn't she leave him? Why did she had to die? Why was he so evil? The list goes on but it was futile asking any of them because there wasn't anyone to answer.
"I'm sorry," she hiccupped up into his chest. She didn't mean to break down in front of him.
"Shhh, it's ok, baby. You don't have to be sorry," he consoled.
A small smile splayed on her face as she revels in his warm and comforting touch. She snuggles deeper and allows herself to succumb to sleep. Shortly after, Fitz joins her in the land of dreams; his heart aching and broken for her. He promised to treat her the best way he can, she deserves even better than him but he'll do his best by her.
Olivia wakes up the next morning to the sound of Bubba's heavy breathing, she opens her eyes to see the dog staring at her sleeping face from the side of the bed, sitting up on the floor. Immediately breaking out into a smile, she rubs his head while saying, "Good morning boy. Merry Christmas to you."
Bubba simple growled in delight at her comforting touch. "Where's Fitz?" The dog shakes his head to the floor, Olivia laughed and give him another pat before getting up from the bed.
With morning comes clarity, she felt a load removed from her shoulders in light of her confession. She only hopes that it wasn't too much for Fitz, fearing that he wouldn't be able to handle her emotional baggage. Deciding to put aside those unpleasant feelings aside, she decides to be happy and revel in the moment. After all it was Christmas morning and with it comes some cheers.
Once her bladder was relieved and her teeth brushed, she undoes her head scarf and fluffs out her curls. She makes her way to her overnight bag and grabs the small box with the gift she got him.
Making her way downstairs, she hears Christmas music. She smiles widely and sings along to one of her favorite songs.
I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
With Bubba hot on her heels, she makes her way into the kitchen to see Fitz standing at the stove preparing what she presumes was breakfast. She smiles at his back, enjoying seeing his domesticated side. He looked so comfortable manning the spatula that she didn't want to interrupt him, but then Bubba growls and he turns around to look in their direction. The breathtaking smile he gives her, was enough to almost make her knees give out.
Pancakes forgotten, he saunters over to her and kisses the radiantly beautiful woman standing in his kitchen with her emerald green nightshirt on. She was the only festive looking thing in his house, well except for the matching Charlie Brown tree she'd decorated for him. One morning when he'd picked her up for work, she'd gifted him it and ever since it took home on one of the side tables in the living room.
"Merry Christmas, Livvie," he greets her with a hug and sweet kiss.
"Merry Christmas to you too," she murmurs against his lips. "For you," she extends the gift box to him.
"Thank you," he gratefully accepts.
Wrapped up in each other's arms they reveled in the moment.
"Did you have a good sleep?"
She smiles before answering, "The best."
"Good, because I have a lot of things plan for today."
"Oh really?" She raises an arched eyebrow.
"Really," Fitz extracts himself from her arms and gives her a peck. While he was walking away he felt her dainty hand smack his bottom.
He laughs, caught by surprise; throwing her a pointed look over his shoulder, he says, "I'll get you back for that."
"Ooooo, I'm shivering in my boots," she jests, shaking her legs for dramatic effect.
"So full of sass. I have half the mind to stop cooking breakfast and put you over my knees and spank you."
Olivia opens her eyes widely while smirking at him, "I won't complain."
Fitz' mouth drops open by her candor, she was so full of surprises and he loved it. He stores that piece of useful information at the back of his mind for future purposes. Even though they'd both decided to take things slow, they were ready whenever the moment presents itself. Both of their blood work was good and she was on the pills. Albeit Fitz' wild past, he was always sure to protect himself.
"You're a naughty girl," he said, shaking his head.
"Only one way to find out," she flirted before heading towards the kitchen table and setting it for breakfast.
A few minutes later Fitz delivers a heap of red and green pancakes. It took her by surprise but she thought it was cute. However, nothing prepared her for the red eggs and green bacon he brought next; she almost fell out of her chair laughing– everything within her being tried to keep the laughter constricted inside of her chest.
Fitz looks at her amused expression and feigns hurt by asking, "what's wrong?"
His question accompanied by his boyish charm made her let go of the reins and she burst into uncontrollable laughter. He too laughs at the odd appearance of the food. What was he thinking when he googled Christmas recipes and picked the one that suggested coloring the food festively?
"I'm so sorry, it looked a lot better when I saw it online. We don't have to eat any of this," he said in between laughs.
She was moved by his mindfulness, it was very cute. "It's ok, I don't like green eggs and ham, Olivia I am," she jests.
Fitz laughs at her Dr. Seuss reference; and together they sat and ate their first Christmas breakfast together. Fitz opens his gift and smiles at the Fitbit Surge she got him, he was meaning to get one for himself as it was a great way to track his workouts. He gives her a heartfelt thanks and also produces a small box. Olivia gasps at the Michael Kors rose gold plated stainless steel bracelet watch he got her. She marveled at his taste and told him that it was something she would've picked for herself.
When they were finished with breakfast, Fitz looked at the time and realized that they only had a few minutes to arrive at the location before it was too late. He told Olivia that he would like to take her somewhere but they needed to leave fast, quickly they bundled up into winter clothes before heading out the front door and into the truck. The snow was falling heavily but that didn't deter them.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the Wimbledon park where a lot of people were already there holding up balloons in their hands. Great, we made it on time.
He attaches the leach onto Bubba as they made their way from the parking lot through the snow.
"What is this place?" She asks as they made their way to the crowd of people.
"Every year people come here to release balloons for love ones that are no longer with them. The year my mother died, I found out about it by one of the nurses and I went that Christmas but I've never came back. Last night after you told me about your mother (he refuses to acknowledge her poor excuse of a father) I thought maybe it's a good idea for you to remember her this Christmas." He pauses and points his finger to the right before continuing to speak, "Over there we can get balloons and write their names and a special message on them and then join the others in releasing it."
Olivia didn't know what to say, she was overwhelmed with emotion that it rendered her speechless. Her eyes watery but the tears didn't spill.
Fitz looks on expectantly, holding his breath – hoping that he wasn't pushing her too far, until she said, "I would like that. I would like that a lot." He finally breathe easy
He hugs her with one arm and together they made their way to the person selling the balloons. Well it was more of a contribution rather than a sales, all of the money would go towards cancer research.
Olivia got a white balloon, her mother's favorite color and Fitz got a red and green one, keeping up with the Christmas theme. They both writes their mother's names on it along with I love you and miss you. Olivia smiles through the entire process, feeling somewhat connected to her mother today. She didn't feel like the ten year old child that had to put on a brave face because her grandmother always demanded that she fix it properly. She felt free in the fact that it was ok to miss and long for her mother, she wasn't weak for wanting her back but only human. All thanks to this sensual, compassionate, thoughtful man beside her, who'd enabled her with courage to fully remember her mother.
As they stood in that moment, surrounded by hundreds of other people, she looks up to the bleak skies and whispers an, "I love you, mommy," before letting the balloons go. Olivia stares at the balloons until she could no longer see them, her eyes swimming in tears.
She finally looks down to see Fitz staring intently at her. His face wearing a foreign look.
Out of the blue he murmurs, "I'm falling in love with you, Olivia."
Her heart skipped a beat, her body trembled as the weight of his words impact her. She opens her mouth and replies in a faint voice, "I'm falling in love with you too."
Fitz lets go of the breath he didn't know he was holding; just like before he brought her body flushed against his, and squeezed her like his life depended on her touch.
Bubba's bark broke them out from their reverie.
Olivia laughed, "I think someone is ready to go."
"Ok, boy we're going now."
They walked out of the park, replying to the Merry Christmas greetings that were spoken to them on their way out.
Once they were back in the truck, Olivia's cellphone rings, confused by who would be calling her she answers it.
"Hello," she answered the private number hesitantly.
"Hey Olivia, its Chief Beene, Merry Christmas."
Olivia smiles, "Merry Christmas to you too chief."
Fitz gives her a befuddle look, like why was the chief calling you on Christmas morning?
"Really...? Oh my goodness that's great... What's the address...? Can I go now...? Yea... Thank you so much chief... I truly appreciate it..."
Olivia hangs up the phone with a beam. Without having to ask what's up, she tells him what the phone call was about. "He got the foster care address for Sarah. Is it ok if we went over to see her now?"
"Of course," he agrees. He knows how she feels about Sarah and he wouldn't deny her from seeing her.
"Wait, crap, I don't have any gift to give her."
"Open the glove compartment."
She opens it to see a Barbie doll, a yoyo, a twenty piece puzzle set and a red bouncy balls. "You're really Fire Clause," she teases, grateful that he had extra toys because most stores were closed on Christmas Day and she didn't want to show up empty handed.
Fitz starts the truck and says, "That's why you're Fire Clause 2.0. You complement me."
She smiles absorbing his kind words, she could honestly see them together for the long haul. Something she'd never wanted with any of her exes. He complements her in a way that makes her a better version of herself. Was this what true love does?
A/N: it's been awhile but I hope you enjoyed it. Was going to upload yesterday but that thing that women experiences every month got the best of me :( anyways I made it.
Song : Like Real People Do by Hozier
Was it too soon for them to admit that they're falling for each other?
We got some backstory on Liv's past and it's sad. We'll also get into Fitz' story another time. BTW, do you want Big Jerry to be dead or alive? If he's alive that means Fitz is estranged from him. I can swing it both ways.
How sweet of him to take her to the park to release balloons for her mother? So I know most times events like that happens during the summertime when there are clear skies but this is fan fiction, most things goes lol.
Don't worry y'all they'll be getting down and dirty soon ;)
Like always, thank you for reading and reviewing this story.
Until next time,
Xoxo
