AN: Thank you for all of the wonderful reviews that you gals continue to leave me overtime. They're very much appreciated. Hope you enjoy this new installment. Also, check out my new short story "Everything is Not what it Seems." Enjoy!
For the past one and a half weeks Olivia felt as though someone had taken over her body. She was stressed, hardly eating and sleeping. She'd probably lost some weight if the loose fitting jeans she currently wore were any indication. The revelation of what she'd learned 9 days ago plagued her mind incessantly. Occupying her thoughts in every woken moment. To the point where she couldn't enjoy the saucy romance novel perched in her hands, a frivolous attempt to keep her mind occupied for the four and a half hours flight. But, it didn't stop her mind from wandering.
"Livvie, do you want anything to drink?" Her husband's arm gently touched hers, startling her out of her thoughts. She looked across at him and saw the friendly flight attendant patiently waiting for her drink order.
Clearing her throat, she answered, "I'll take some water, please." The flight attendant poured some water into the plastic cup half filled with ice and handed it to her. Olivia mumbled a thank you before sipping the water, leaning most of her weight onto Fitz' side since she was stuck in the middle seat.
When she had her fill of the cool liquid she rested the cup onto the food tray in front of her before leaning her head on Fitz' shoulder. She was going to try and catch some sleep, knowing that as soon as the plane landed in California she was going to need her energy to deal with what lied ahead.
|~}*******{~|
Fitz wrapped his arm around his wife's sleeping body. He felt horrible for inadvertently putting her through stress. He knew it was for him that she was wearing a brave face while secretly crumbling inside. For the past 9 days he apologized profusely, saying sorry for his past ways, even though he had no idea that it would come back to smack them in the face. He apologized till he was blue in the face. But, at the end of the day his apology only did so much. It didn't get out the worry line marrying her beautiful face or the anxious feeling he felt in the pit of his stomach. The only way he could help them was by attacking this head on and that was exactly what he was doing.
After telling Olivia about Tiffany's phone call the couple decided their best recourse of action was to call a family lawyer. Stephen referred Fitz to Dale Johnson after he'd confided in him a day later about what had him in a funk the night at the bar. Stephen unsurprisingly, had been in a similar predicament. Fitz contacted the lawyer the next day, wanting to get over with it as quickly as possible but that wasn't the case. It wasn't happening as quickly as he would've liked. He and his wife desperately needed answers so that they can either move on with their lives or make adjustments to it. If Fitz was being completely honest, he hoped that they would be given the option to move on with their lives. If the latter was the case and he turned out to be the father, then he was going to be a father to him. In a matter of 24 hours he would find out the truth. Earlier in the week he'd went to the lab to provide DNA samples that were sent to a Santa Barbara paternity lab for testing. He'd done his part and Tiffany had begrudgingly done hers, so it was all left up to science.
Instinctively, his hand squeezed onto Olivia's sleeping form tighter; this happened more frequently as of late. He didn't know what would happen between them if he was the father. Would that be the true test for their very short marriage? Would it all be too much for her? Would she end up leaving him since he denied all requests for them to be parents? God, this is just… I don't know how to explain the anxious feeling running through me right now. I really need your help. Please God... please don't let my past screw up the best thing that has happened to me. I know I messed up before but I'm a changed man. I just need your help right now. I desperately need your help right now.
He looked down at his wife with tears gathered in his eyes, in a plane full of people, silently praying for a second chance to undo his wrongs. As horrible as it might sound, he hoped the poor innocent child wasn't his.
After touching down in Santa Barbara, the couple took a taxi to the Marriott hotel where they would be spending the weekend. This trip was solely for the purpose to appease Tiffany, as she'd requested the paternity results be read in front of her and they begrudgingly complied. It was the only way to get her to agree to the paternity test to begin with.
By the time they got to the hotel it was already night so the first thing they both did was shower. When they'd changed into their nightclothes they ordered room service and got settled on the bed to watch an overpriced pay per view movie; both needing the mindless distraction. When their food arrived, Fitz got up and went to retrieve it at the door and tipped their server.
"Dinner… is served," he said with extra flare, holding up the food tray on one palm.
Olivia smiled and sat up in bed, fixing the spaghetti strap on her camisole that fell off her shoulder from her lying position. She was only donned in a pink camisole and yellow and pink cotton boy shorts for the night.
Fitz occupied the spot next to hers and placed the food tray in between them. They'd each ordered a fattening Marriott burger aka cheeseburger. They dug in, mumbling between bites and sharing a bottle of coke that Olivia had purchased at the airport, in which she'd only taking a sip of and had retired to the small room refrigerator to chill.
When they were finished eating, they lay out on their backs, fully contented. Their eyes trained above, looking at the bright shiny light. Until, the urge to be closer plagued them and they intertwined their fingers.
For several minutes only the rhythmical sound of their combined breaths and the low humming of the TV could be heard.
Fitz subsequently broke the silence and asked, "How are you doing, Livvie?"
She let out a muffled sigh in response before saying, "I'm fine." But, he didn't buy her answer.
"No you're not. Talk to me, Livvie. What's going on in that pretty head of yours?" He queried insistently, removing his eyes from the ceiling and turned his head to study her.
Taking in a deep breath, she answered truthfully. "I'm scared."
Fitz touched her face while wearing a pained expression. "Me too."
More silence ensued as they stared longingly into each other's eyes.
"Promise me one thing, Livvie?" He asked in a low voice.
"What's that?" she whispered.
"Promise me you'll let me know if this all becomes too much for you. Please let me in, I don't want to lose you. It might be selfish of me to ask you this because you didn't sign up for all my baggage. But, I need you in my life; I can't live without you. You're the best thing that has happened to me," his voice cracked a few times as he spoke.
Olivia reached a hand out in reaction and began caressing his cheek. "I'm not going anywhere. When I was out of it you stuck by my side and now it's my turn to stick by you. As much as it pains me to think that this little boy might be yours, and if he is, I'll be here with you. For better of for worst, we promised each other, right?"
Fitz nodded and brought his forehead to rest on hers. "I love you so much, Olivia. This feeling in my heart intensifies with each passing day. And I want you to know that I won't take you for granted. The courage, love and acceptance you show me, consume me and makes me want to be better. I want to always make you happy; even though I know that it's a hard feat; I'm going to try. The only tears I hope to see fall from your beautiful eyes are ones of joy."
Olivia smiled, absorbing his comforting words into her soul. She knew that he didn't intend for them to be there, in a hotel room in California the night before meeting with one of his former hook ups to find out if he's the father of her child. But, alas… there they were.
"I love you too, baby," she uttered, cupping his strong jaw with a palm. In a blink of an eye an urgency came over her body to become one with her husband. Maybe it was the vulnerability they were both feeling and needed each other to feel grounded and secure; a happenstance that everything was going to be all right. Whatever it was she embraced it.
Maybe they were no words to properly solidify how much they mean to each other and how they would be there for each other. However, if there weren't any words for that she was keen to show him with her body. From her position beside him she gently moved her limbs to straddle his lower body, where the beginning of an impressive erection can be felt. Grounding her hips into a comfortable position atop his lean, muscular body she began placing small kisses on his upper torso after the gray T-shirt was haphazardly shoved away.
She was in her own world albeit also in the moment, pleasuring her husband. She swirled her warm tongue around each erect peck while tracing his chest tattoo with her fingertips, outlining each letter. The contended and satisfying moans spilling out of his lips abetted in the gentle flow of wetness seeping onto the seat of her undies. But, she ignored her own pleasure as her kisses moved south. Her hands moved with her lips across the sinewy muscles of his body, paying special homage to the V that lead to the promise land. The flow of her own wetness increased as she anticipated the taste of the weighty member pressing into her hand. Seconds later, deft fingers pushed down the band of his boxer brief and allowed his member to spring free. She scooted her body lower onto his thighs so that her head was comfortably aligned with his member.
Before lowering her head Olivia removed her camisole and cast it on the bed while ignoring the smoldering gaze casted upon her. Smiling salaciously she focused on his member loosely wrapped in both of her hands. She licked her lips first before lowering her head a hairsbreadth away from his erect cock and began blowing warmth air on the sensitive tip, sending small waves of tremors throughout his body – eliciting deep groans from his mouth. She smiled confidently while snaking out her tongue to taste his precum. It was salty and him; everything she'd hoped it to be.
Her confidence was through the roof the minute she took him fully into her mouth and began moving slowly up and down his full length. The sounds leaving his mouth turned her on even more. He felt so good in her mouth. Her tongue tracing along the length of his bulging veins while her inner cheeks suctioned around him. She alternated between slow and fast rhythm, taking him as far back as her throat would allow while playing with his balls. Her lower half reflexively began humping his naked thigh, creating a delicious friction against her swollen clit. The more she pleasured him the more pleasure she received.
They reached their breaking point a few minutes later.
Fitz' hands were buried in her fro while his hips pistoled in and out of her mouth; if it wasn't for her hands holding onto the base of his cock, controlling some of the pace she was sure he was going to puncture her tonsils. He'd lost all rationality and was only moving on primitive need as he felt his balls drawing into his body. A breathy warning of impending cum was given before his body went rigid and his seed squirted out the tip of his penis, landing all over Olivia's neck and breasts when she pulled back.
She cried out as well from the sweet sensation rolling through her body when she too, reached the mountaintop. They lay breathless and tangled in bodily fluids and sweat until Fitz reached for Olivia and pulled her up his body. He rolled on top of her and immediately began kissing her, tasting him on her lips. He would've much rather her taste but his would have to suffice for the evening, as he eagerly wanted to sink his regrown member into her slick pussy. He needed to feel her and be one with her.
As he made loved to her mouth, he moved one of his hands between them and roughly tugged her undies down, and she kicked it off the rest of the way. His fingers slowly played with her wet folds to rouse her again. And it was working, especially when his index and middle finger took ahold of her pulsing clit and rubbed delicious circles into it. He had her mewling and her hips bucking for more. And he was going to give her more but, in due time.
Fitz rolled off of her and she groaned at the lack of his touch. He urged her to sit up with him and scooted them back to the bedhead. Fitz positioned himself to sit with his back bracing against the bedhead and beckoned with his hands for her to occupy residence on his lap and she quickly obliged without sitting directly onto his hard cock.
Staring her directly in the eyes, he began praising her beauty and whispering how great she made him feel while palming and squeezing her breasts. Olivia was fully riled up and ready to go.
When they both couldn't deny each other anymore, together they joined forces to become one. Olivia sank slowly onto his cock while clenching her inner walls in the process. She knew it would make him feel good and his moans were confirmation. When she was fully seated and impaled by him, they began a slow rhythm, savoring the concentrated feeling of intimacy. Her legs wrapped around his lower waist, digging into the taut muscles of his ass cheeks as he flexed up and down to hit her sweet spot.
They were making love unhurried; slow gyrating hips, small kisses and nips settling on the flesh close to their necks and chests. Fitz occasionally slurped one of her taut nipples into his mouth, causing her to arch her back in the process. The intensity of their lovemaking was on a new level as they clung to each other, giving each other their outmost best and fully participating in the mind, body and soul experience. With each swivel of her hips her engorged pearl made connection with the base of his stiff penis and it stimulated her oversensitive body, bringing her one step closer to her orgasm. And his sweet nothings were extremely precious and cherished in the moments where they were just two people, and nothing or no one else mattered.
One, two, three… thrusts later, carried them jointly to a vast climax, clinging bodies convulsed almost violently, releasing the seed and essence of their love. In the aftermath of their culmination they stayed enveloped in each other's arms.
The following morning the couple quickly got up, showered and dressed in modest business casual clothing before leaving their hotel room for a quick complimentary breakfast in the hotel's dining area. When they were finished eating, they walked to the front of the building where an Uber was called and got into the awaiting car. Their fingers never parted on their way over to the medical office. When they finally arrived to the building where the meeting was held, Fitz paid the driver and opened the door for him and Liv.
Before walking in the two-story office building, Olivia accosted Fitz in the parking lot by wrapping her arms around his neck. Her brown eyes penetrating his blue ones as she spoke assertively, "No matter what the results say, we'll get through this. Together." A supplement of new strength was awoken in her.
Fitz nodded his head briefly and pecked her lips. "Thank you," he breathed in relief.
They stayed joined in their own world for a few more seconds before breaking apart and entering the building.
The receptionist greeted them and quickly showed them to an office where the lab technician would arrive momentarily and go over the results with them. Fitz and Olivia occupied two of the four chairs in the room while they waited for the rest of their party to arrive.
"How are you feeling?" Olivia tested quietly, observing the anxious drumming of his fingers on his left knee.
Fitz took a deep breath and let out a nervous chuckle. Before he was able to reply with words the office door opened and a white middle aged man walked through.
"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Grant, I'm one of the senior paternity technicians here, Dr. John Paul," he greeted warmly. They watched as he briefly looked around the room. "I see that Miss Lawrence hasn't arrived as yet," he mentioned mostly to himself.
Fitz and Olivia returned his greeting with warm smiles but didn't acknowledge his observation. It was already five minutes after and Tiffany wasn't there.
"We'll just have to wait for her to get here," Dr. Paul said as an afterthought.
As they waited for Tiffany's presence they spent quite a portion of that time conversing about small topics such as, the weather, certain topics in the news, varying questions about paternity tests, etc.
It wasn't until twenty minutes later that they heard a knock on the door before the friendly receptionist who announced Tiffany's arrival opened it.
This was the moment that made Olivia completely anxious. She wasn't only worried about the child being Fitz' but also the relationship he had with the mother. Was he still going to feel some kind of way for her, especially if the revelation of the paternity was true? Was she more beautiful than her? Did she possess something in her that Fitz loved or liked that she didn't? They were all stupid and pointless questions so she kept them reserved in her mind, dare not voicing them. Without a doubt, she knew that she was greatly loved by him. So, when her eyes landed on Tiffany she tried to force down all of her insecurities.
Tiffany was sporting skinny light blue jeans, a tight white button up shirt that was undone too far, her lips a shade of scarlet red, her nails painted in a dazzling bright pink color, her platinum blonde hair shone in an asymmetrical bob and her nude stilettos were sky high. She looked good albeit a little put out there and screaming, "I'm TRYING TOO HARD" Olivia duly noted. The woman of the hour initially caught her eyes for all of one minute when her attention moved to the cowering figure behind her. It was the boy. Right there, on the spot, Olivia felt like she was going to have a heart attack. It was specifically stated in their agreement with their lawyer that they would only come into contact with the boy if he is Fitz' son. So why did she bring him to the appointment? Olivia felt sick to her stomach and was about to excuse herself when Tiffany spoke.
"Ethan, come see your father."
The room grew eerie quiet from her announcement and even Dr. John was in shock.
Olivia felt Fitz' hand tightening around hers, no doubt he was furious that she didn't adhere to their conditions. What kind of game was this woman playing? She thought with contempt, steeling herself against her watchful gaze before ignoring her altogether and taking in the appearance of the little boy. He looked so scared and unsure next to his mother. He was a handsome child with a head full of dark curly locks, tanned skin with dusted freckles on his face and a pair of clear blue eyes. His appearance rattled Olivia and the insistent urge to throw up return but she forced herself to remain calm. She wouldn't give Tiffany the satisfaction of looking anything less than poised in her presence.
Clearing his throat, Dr. John said, " thank you for joining us Ms. Lawrence, please take a seat. I don't have a fifth chair but I can go grab one for you." He left the room and the four occupants to themselves. Aside from Dr. John no one else spoke a word.
Tiffany however, was waiting for the opportune time to address Fitz and the mystery woman in the room. "Hello, Fitzgerald," Tiffany snarled. "Is this the new flavor of the month? You did quite have a thing for chocolate."
Instantaneously, Olivia's blood became hot and before she could reply Fitz had already started to.
Fitz fought the urge to let loose his tongue in the presence of the young boy. Tiffany wasn't in the room for a full five minutes and she had already managed to make him very livid. But, he kept a level head as he replied to her crass comment.
"You come in here already violating our written agreement and now you're behaving disrespectful to my wife. I would very much appreciate if we have no verbal exchange before the test results are read, Tiffany."
Tiffany rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth, meanwhile pulling the boy from behind her to stand in front of her.
Disregarding his statement, Tiffany turned her attention on Olivia and asked, "doesn't he look like a Grant?"
Olivia wanted to scream a big fat NO although he did look like he could pass as a Grant but, refrained from getting into any verbal altercations with her. It was the wise thing to do although she felt like strangling her.
Tiffany chuckled aloud while twirling the end of her hair between her fingers. "Fitz, you found a good one, nice and submissive. You probably enjoy-"
Olivia interrupted her by slamming a hand down on the edge of the desk, rattling the baseball in the display case and cup of pens; she'd had enough of her spewing bullshit. Glaring at her, Olivia said in a low deathly tone, "If you can't sit here like you got some damn sense and home training and shut your trap up, then maybe you should leave and get a copy of the results on your way out."
Olivia didn't back down from her stare, she was furious and she prayed to God even more that Fitz wasn't the father. She couldn't bear to have her as a constant presence in their lives. It would be hell.
At that moment, Dr. John returned with the extra chair like he'd promised, inadvertently breaking up the staring match between the two. He settled the chair on the opposite side of his desk before gesturing for the two to sit and returned to his seat at the back of the desk.
|~}*******{~|
Fitz tried to breathe but was having a hard time doing so the minute Dr. John opened the envelope containing the test results. This was it, the moment of truth they were all been waiting for. At first Dr. John hesitated to read the results with Ethan in the room but Tiffany insisted and he eventually obliged.
Dr. John's voice was even as he read the paternity results, "Based upon our rigorous testing we found that Fitzgerald Grant III is excluded as the father to Ethan Lawrence. The probability for paternity is 0%."
Relieved… wasn't beginning to express how he was feeling. Again, if it did turned out that he was the father he was going to step up to the plate and be the best darn father he could be. But, the fact that he was given a second chance once again, he felt the weight leaving his body, floating away like a cloud in the sky.
"I don't understand. How could this be? I swear he's the father" Tiffany's baffled face asked, interrupting his internal celebrations. He looked over at her distressed face; no longer was the cocky woman that came in earlier. He almost felt sorry for her. He no doubt felt sorry for the little boy that was dragged into this mess.
Dr. John gave her a sympathetic look and went into a thorough layman explanation on how the paternity test works and what compatibility they look for in order to make a connection between the two DNAs. In the end, he further reiterate that they could not find a match between Fitz' and Ethan's DNA. He then asked if they were any questions and they all declined.
On the outside of the building, Olivia's head was swarming with liquid relief and her entire body felt at ease. For days she finally felt like she could breathe. She and Fitz left the office before Tiffany and son, with whom they only shared parting words. Fitz tried to extend an olive branch to Tiffany but she quickly shut that down. Olivia on the other hand didn't care to build a bridge where none was present to begin with, and was more than anxious to leave the room and put it all behind her.
As they waited for the Uber to arrive Olivia and Fitz were enveloped in a tight embrace despite of the hot California weather.
"This is our do over, our chance to become first time parents together," Fitz murmured against her temple and Olivia smiled in elation.
AN: That will be all folks, where it comes to Tiffany and her mess. I hope you liked it? And for those who thought the child would be Fitz', never would I put my Livvie through that! To the guest who shared their comments about being in a similar predicament I thank you, because this chapter was based on your revelations.
I hope I did good by highlighting the internal struggles of not wanting something while at the same time mentally preparing if it should happen. Let me know what your thoughts are on the chapter. From here onward our couple will progress forward like they always do. *hint hint*
Thank you for the reviews I'm sure you're going to leave ;)
SN: This is probbaly not how a paternity testing is done but, for the sake of the story this is how I wrote it.
Until next time,
XOXO
*PS don't forget to check out my new short story*
