Chapter Twenty-Two

Olivia looked at her calendar in her home office and she couldn't believe that Christmas was a week away. It seems like the second half of the year had gone by so quickly. The house was unusually quiet considering Fitz and Mira decided to have a daddy-daughter day which Olivia was very supportive about.

There have been so many changes in Mira's life that Olivia and Fitz both wanted her to know that Fitz will always be there for her. Mira would always come first and they had set out a time every week where they did some kind of activity together. The empty house also gave Olivia the ability to wrap up some more presents.

She finished reviewing the last couple little assignments that her students have done. She was really proud of how far her students have come with their letters and it's what she liked about being a teacher. She sighed and got up from her desk. She walked over to the closet and pulled out some unwrapped presents.

Majority of it was clothes for Mira as if she didn't have enough already but she had gotten Fitz an engraved Rolex watch that had their anniversary date and their initials. She was still trying to figure out one more gift for him and she was running out of time.

She walked into the living room to find the big Christmas tree they put up the same week she moved in. She looked up at the star that was on top of the tree and thought about that day.

"Daddy can I put the star on now?!" Mira asked impatiently. They've been putting the tree up for the past hour and Mira was ready for the last part.

"Lovebug can you give us ten more minutes. We just need to put the final ornaments on. How about you give us a hand with those and then you can put the star on," Fitz replied.

Olivia held her giggles in. She knew Mira was ready to just be done with this and go eat the cookies they had baked earlier.

"Sweetie come help me on this side."

"Okay mommy."

Mira helped Olivia finish up her side while Fitz finished his. The tree was well put together and a little taller than Fitz which was perfect.

"Okay Mira we're finished and NOW you can put up the star," Fitz grabbed Mira and put her on top of his shoulders. Olivia handed Mira the star so she could place it on the top.

"How does it look mommy?"

"It looks perfect honey."

"Babe can you get the lights please?" Fitz asked.

"Got it." Olivia plugged in the cord and the Christmas tree lit up beautifully.

"Wow, it's beautiful," Mira said.

"It really is," Liv said.

The three of them stayed in their spot for another minute. Each of them enjoying the magic of this year's Christmas.

Olivia smiled at the memory and got to wrapping everything up. Fitz and Olivia had decided on buying Mira the dollhouse and bike she had been bugging Fitz for which were both hiding out at Abby's place. She couldn't wait to see the look on her little girl's face when she saw the gift.

About fifteen minutes later, she finished the last gift and she heard Fitz's car pull up into the driveway and into their garage. Perfect timing, she thought. She got up from the floor as she heard the door open.

"Mommy I'm home," Mira said walking through the door.

Olivia laughed, "I see that. Welcome back. Did you have fun with daddy?"

Fitz walked in right behind Mia with shopping bags.

"Yeah we ated lunch, we went shopping, we got nails done, see look!" Mira was going a mile a minute and shoved her hand into Liv's face.

Liv quickly moved her head back and grabbed her hand.

"Wow very pretty! You guys definitely had a fun time!"

"Next kid has to be a boy or else I'm going to need another job," Fitz said as he sat down on the couch.

Liv laughed and her heart burst every time he talked about their next child. She didn't think it would happen any time soon but she was happy to know he was already thinking about it.

"Well since you guys already ate, why don't we watch a movie?" Olivia suggested.

"Yes!" Mira responded, jumping up and down.

"Okay! Why don't we go upstairs to put these things up and daddy can set up the movie for us?"

"Sounds good to me. What are we watching?"

Both of them turned to Mira who had her thinking face on.

"Umm how about The Little Mermaid?"

"Perfect choice baby. Now let's go upstairs and put your things away."

Liv grabbed her hand as well as the bags that were brought in. About fifteen minutes later the trio was all settled on the couch watching the movie. It was moments like these that they lived for.

"I'm so sorry I'm late Abbs!" Olivia said as she sat down in front of Abby. The two of them decided to grab brunch that Sunday morning.

"It's okay. I haven't been waiting too long," she said.

"It's been a crazy morning. So tell me how are you?"

Before Abby could say anything else, a waitress came by to take their order.

"I've been good! Business has been keeping me so busy. Stephen has finally finished unpacking all his stuff. He says I have too much stuff but he should really be looking at himself."

Olivia laughed at her friend's dramatics.

"But do you like living together?"

"Yeah I do. It's been great. I didn't think I would like sharing a space with a man after David but Stephen is completely different. It's like he belongs there you know."

Liv knew exactly what she was talking about.

"I feel that exact way with Fitz and Mira. I just belong there with them."

They didn't have time to say anything else before their food arrived. They quickly dug in and continued their conversation. Before they finished, Olivia was starting to feel really nauseous. She had been feeling off the past couple of days but never to the point where she felt like she was going to throw up.

"Wait Abbs, I'll be right back."

Liv quickly got up from her chair and went to the bathroom where she barely made it into one of the stalls. She threw up everything she just ate. She took a moment to just breathe and calm her stomach down before she washed up and went back to her table.

"You okay Liv?"

"I'm not sure. I mean I just threw up my entire breakfast. I mean I've been feeling off lately but I'm sure it's just stress. I don't know what else…"

Abby looked at her confused, "what else what Liv?"

Olivia didn't answer instead she grabbed her phone and looked at the date. It had been almost two months since she got her period. How did I miss this, she thought.

"Oh god, you're pregnant aren't you?" Abby asked.

"I don't know…maybe…I didn't even think about it until now. I can't be pregnant Abby," Liv looked up worryingly.

"Why not? Liv, you have a magnificent boyfriend who worships the ground you walk on and a sweet girl who I'm sure is dying to become a big sister," Abby said lovingly.

Liv's eyes started tearing up and she knew Abby was right. Everything in her life couldn't be going any better and if she was pregnant, this new baby will be a part of her growing family.

"I guess I need a pregnancy test, don't I?"

Abby chuckled, "yeah you do my friend. Why don't we head out and stop by the store to get one? I'll be there every step of the way."

"I don't know what I would do without you," Liv said appreciatively.

Abby smiled and the two of them walked out arm in arm. Olivia knew that whatever came next, she was ready for it. She just hoped Fitz would be too.

An hour later the duo were in Abby's house waiting for the timer to go off. They had stopped at the closest pharmacy and went straight over to Abby's house. They had been putting it off but Olivia decided that the waiting had to end.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

The two of them jumped from their spot on the couch and Olivia quickly grabbed the test. She took one deep breath and looked at the test. Her heart dropped.

"Liv, what does it say?!" Abby said impatiently.

"I'm pregnant," Liv responded and started to cry .

"Oh Liv!" Abby went over and hugged her friend. The two of them cried in each other's arms for a moment.

"Abby I'm going to be a mom."

"Aw Liv, you're already a mom but now times two!"

She laughed, "you're right. Now I have to find a way to tell Fitz he's going to be a dad for a second time."

"I'm sure you'll find a special way to tell him."

The two of them smiled at each other and at the news that life was changing once again.

One week later…

"It's Christmas! Mommy! Daddy! Wake up!"

Liv and Fitz groaned when they heard Mira at their door. She knew better than to barge into their door if it was closed. So she was knocking very loudly and excitingly.

"What time is it?" Liv asked.

Fitz looked over at the clock.

"6:30"

"It's too early but I guess Mira couldn't wait any longer."

"Mommy, daddy, can I come in?" Mira asked.

"Yes sweetie come in."

Mira opened the door and went straight into the middle of her parents' bed. She looked up at her mom and dad.

"Is it time for presents?!"

"How about we sleep for another hour and then presents?" Fitz asked.

"But Santa came!" Mira said pouting at her dad.

"Sweet pea let's watch some TV and then go downstairs." Liv said as a way to compromise.

"Okay and then presents?"

"Yes and then presents."

Ten minutes later, Mira went back to sleep. The trio slept for another hour before making their way downstairs. Presents were spilling from under the tree. Fitz had set up the dollhouse and bike late last night after Mira had gone to bed and were front and center for her to see.

"Oh my god," their little girl ran to her presents and was in awe.

"Do you like them?" Fitz asked.

"I love them!" she went back to Fitz and Olivia to give them a hug.

"Best Christmas ever!"

She went back to her to start playing with her dollhouse. Fitz and Liv sat on the couch and watched Mira have the time of her life.

"Okay let's open some more presents," Liv said.

They gathered themselves around the tree and Fitz started to pass around gifts. Of course some of Mira's gifts were labeled from Santa as well as gifts from Grammy and Aunt Charlie. The little girl was very loved.

"Mommy this one is your gift! It's from me!" Mira gave Liv a small box. She smiled and hugged her little girl.

She opened the box and it was a little heart charm that said mom. Olivia held back tears knowing that she was truly blessed to be a mom to this little girl who had a heart of gold and now was going to be a mom again to this new baby.

"Oh sweet pea this is beautiful! Thank you!" Liv pulled her into a hug and she gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"And I think that charm will match perfectly with this," Fitz said as he handed her another small box.

She took the box from him and smiled. She opened it to find a beautiful platinum charm bracelet that already had a puzzle piece charm on it. Liv looked at him confused.

"I picked a puzzle piece and this might be a little cheesy but I don't care. I picked it because you are the missing piece of this family and every time you look at it I want you to remember that you are a part of this family."

This time Olivia couldn't stop the tears from coming. This man is perfect, she thought. She made her way to his side to give him a kiss.

"I love it and you. Thank you baby."

He cupped her face and brushed the tears from her cheeks.

"No, thank you. I love you forever and always."

"Forever and always."

With one last kiss, Olivia moved away from Fitz to grab her gift to him.

"Now I feel like I didn't do all that great with your gift," she laughed as she gave him the gift.

"Babe whatever you got me I'm going to love," he said. He opened his gift to find the Rolex watch he had been eyeing for months.

"Turn it around," she said with a smile.

He looked at her confused but did it anyway. It was engraved with their anniversary date and initials.

"Like I said it's nothing compared to –"

"Babe stop it! I love it. Come here," he pulled her back into him and gave her a kiss. They couldn't go any further because they could hear Mira giggling in the background which caused them to laugh.

"Come here lovebug," Fitz said opening up his arms to pull her into the family hug.

"Definitely best Christmas ever!" Mira exclaimed.

Later that evening, the trio was pulling up to Katherine's house where they will be having Christmas dinner. It was a tradition that continued on even with both kids are out of the house. Christmas was a big deal in the Grant household even after Fitz's dad died. Both Charlie and Fitz never wanted their mom to feel alone so they made sure to make this day their day no matter what.

"Mom we're here!" Fitz announced when he opened the front door.

"I'm in the kitchen. Come on in."

"Katherine, did you need any help?" Liv asked when they walked into the kitchen.

"Don't you worry about anything! You can just set the table. Charlie and Alex should be here soon so we can eat."

"No problem."

Fitz and Mira made themselves comfortable on the living room couch while they waited on dinner. Fitz looked down at his little girl and couldn't believe how lucky he was to have a daughter like the one he had. It's been a lot the past couple of months but his child was clearly unaffected by it.

"You good lovebug?"

"Very good daddy."

"Hey anybody home?" Charlie said as she walked through the front door.

"Aunt Charlie!" Mira got up and ran to give her aunt a hug.

"Hey baby girl! Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!"

"Oh good! You're right on time! Dinner has been served," Katherine said when she heard Charlie's voice.

The table was beautifully set with a red tablecloth, candles, and all the food in the middle. Everyone took a seat in their designated spots and Katherine said the blessing. Olivia was trying to hold it together because she was starting to feel nauseous being surrounded by all the food. She didn't want to ruin dinner nor did she want to cause any suspicion before she could tell Fitz.

Everyone took turns passing around the dishes while Liv also helped Mira put food on her plate. When it got to the macaroni, Olivia couldn't handle it anymore and quickly excused herself to the bathroom. Fitz was about to get up before Katherine stopped him and she decided to check on Liv herself.

"Liv you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah…I'm fine," she responded back.

"Can I come in?"

"Umm…yeah come on in."

Katherine slowly opened up the bathroom door to find Olivia sitting on the toilet seat taking some deep breathes. She grabbed a washcloth from the cabinet, wet it and gently placed it behind Liv's neck.

"So how many weeks are you?" she asked.

Liv looked up with eyes open wide.

"How did you know?" she asked.

"Well first you are absolutely glowing and second I've had two kids who then have given me two grandkids so I can see all the signs. I'm guessing Fitz doesn't know about this."

Liv laughed, "No he doesn't. I'm planning on telling him tonight after Mira goes to bed. I saw my doctor the other day and I'm four weeks."

"Oh honey congratulations. Fitz is going to be thrilled. Thank you for making me a grandmother."

Katherine pulled her up from the seat and into a hug. Liv started to cry thinking that her own parents aren't going to be here for this moment but was extremely thankful at how welcoming Katherine has been with her.

"Now let's go out there before Fitz sends out a search party."

They both laughed and went back to the dinner table to finish eating.

"You okay baby?" Fitz asked when she returned.

"I'm perfect now just really hungry so let's eat." She gave him a peck on the lips and started eating.

Dinner continued on without another interruption filled with lots of laughter and love. It was truly a perfect Christmas.

XXXXXX

It was 9pm when the Pope-Grant trio made it back home. Fitz carried Mira up to her room; clearly the little girl was exhausted from today's activities and was ready to just sleep the night away.

"I'll get her settled Liv and you can get ready for bed," Fitz said.

"Thanks babe," Liv said and placed a kiss on top of Mira's head. Olivia went to their bedroom to get her present set up for Fitz. She was starting to get really nervous. She wasn't sure how he was going to react but she hoped that he would be happy. She had a little gift box with a small onesie that said I love daddy and the ultrasound picture that the doctor had printed out for her.

She sat on the bed patiently waiting for him to come in. She was already tearing up thinking about his reaction but she had to get it together.

"She went down without a fight. Poor girl is exhausted. Liv, you okay?" Fitz asked when he saw her face.

Liv quickly wiped her tears, "yeah I'm fine just thinking about my parents."

"Aw Liv I didn't even think to ask about how you felt about your parents not being here."

He rushed to her side and pulled her into a hug. Liv took a moment to breathe him in and get the strength she needed.

"It's okay but now I have one last minute gift for you. I would've given this to you earlier but I wanted this moment to be for the two of us."

She handed over the box to him nervously. Fitz eyed her and her movements. She gave him a small smile and a little nudge to open the box.

It felt like time slowed down in that moment for Olivia and she saw the moment Fitz realized what the box contained. His eyes teared up and he looked at her.

"Liv… are you… are we…"

"I'm pregnant. You're going to be a dad again. Merry Christmas," she said and tears started to fall down her cheeks.

"Baby…I…this is incredible," he started to cry along with Olivia and pulled her onto his lap.

"We're going to be parents again," she said.

Fitz's heart burst even more so. He loved how much she considered Mira to be her own and now they were expanding their family in the best way.

"I love you, Olivia Pope. Forever and always."

"I love you too, Fitzgerald Grant. Forever and always."

AN: Our babies are having a baby! Time to place your guesses on the sex of the baby. Thank to everyone who is still reading and reviewing! Until next Monday.

XOXO