Chapter 10: Home for the Holidays

December 11, 1976

Olivia was jolted away from her focus on reading when she felt a slam on the table where she was studying. She looked up at Fitz who slammed the book down in front of her, startling her.

"What's this?" she asked, regaining her composure.

"Art law," Fit said matter-o-factly, flipping to the cover of the book to show Olivia. "It's a particular field of law that deal with-"

"Let me guess, art?" Olivia interrupted him.

"Well, yeah," he said taking a seat next to her. "I found this in the library, and I thought you might want to read it. Maybe it will help your explore what particular part of law you want to go into."

"You're saying this just because you know I like art."

"Because I know you like art, and because being an attorney pays the bills, which is important to you," Fitz smirked and pointed to a chapter that highlighted the salary.

"Glad you remembered my priorities," she giggled. "How did your final paper go?

They were nearing the end of the semester, which meant a boatload of studying for exams and trading in hours of sleep for hours of writing.

"I finished the class with a B+," Fitz shared, smiling at Olivia.

"Oh my god, that's great! I'm so happy for you!" Olivia wrapped him in a friendly hug. Over the past couple of months, Olivia kept true to her word of helping him with his papers, and the two immediately went back to the friendship they had years before. If anything they felt a lot closer as friends now that they were in the same level of school and in classes together. The age gap at this point felt miniscule.

"I think I have you to thank for that," he stated.

"So when are you going to California?" Olivia asked curiously.

Fitz raised an eyebrow at her in confusion, "California?"

"For the holidays," Olivia clarified. "I'm sorry, I guess I just assumed that you usually go to your extended family in California, but what are your plans?"

"Oh," Fitz breathed out. "…Christmas plans…I-I don't really do Christmas much these days."

Olivia scooted her chair back in surprise, "No!"

"Come on, Liv. It's not that big of a deal."

"So you don't have any Christmas plans at all? What about your birthday? It's a couple days before?"

"You remember," observed Fitz, feeling somewhat warm by Olivia's concern for him.

"Fitz, for real...what did you do on Thanksgiving?" Olivia asked.

"I ate Chinese food with Stephen and watched football," he said smugly. Olivia gave him a glare. "What? It's not like Thanksgiving is a Scottish holiday. I wasn't keeping him there or holding him hostage."

"Oh my god, Fitz…had I have known that I would have invited you to Thanksgiving at my house," Olivia said sincerely.

"Livvie, that wouldn't have been necessary," Fitz assured her. Still, Olivia couldn't help but feel bad for not checking in with Fitz at that time. She and Stephen were probably the only people that knew about his family situation.

"And are you and Stephen also celebrating Christmas together?"

"No, he's going to be going back to the UK this year. His parents are covering the flight costs," Fitz explained.

"Come home with me for Christmas break," Olivia quickly offered. She didn't want Fitz to be spending his birthday and the holidays by himself.

"Liv, I can't."

"Why not?" she pressed.

"Well, I-I-um," Fitz wasn't exactly sure what he was trying to say. "You don't have to invite me to your house."

"I want to," she insisted. "It would honestly be no trouble at all for my family to include an extra seat. And you've seen my house; we have plenty of spare guest bedrooms."

"I-I don't know," he sounded still unsure.

"My family would love it if you came!" she tried once more to persuade him. "Every time I call them they ask for updates about you."

"They do?" he asked in a surprised tone.

Olivia nodded, "they'd love to have you, Fitz. Think of it as a way to thank me for tutoring you this semester."

"Livvie, don't…" she was making big puppy dog eyes at him that he just couldn't turn down. "Ok fine."

"Yes!" Olivia cheered. "My mom and Cyrus are going to be so happy to hear!"

ooo

December 18, 1976

The following Saturday Fitz came to pick Liv up from her apartment. She didn't own a car, and was originally planning on taking the bus back to Virginia, but Fitz had his own car and offered to drive her instead. They had a four-hour drive ahead of them, and they're plan was to make it there by lunchtime, so Fitz swung by pretty early and knocked on Olivia's apartment door.

He waited a bit until a tall redhead, he presumed to be Abby, opened the door.

"Um hi," he said. "Is, um, is Liv ready?"

"She's still packing, but she'll be done soon. Do you want to come in?"

Fitz stepped into the apartment and stood awkwardly at the door.

"You can sit down if you want," Abby suggested, pointing toward the couch.

"Oh right, s-sorry," he replied and took a seat at the end. "I'm Fitz…by the way."

"I figured that much," Abby laughed. "I'm Abby, Liv's roommate."

"I picked up on that. I've uh…heard a lot about you."

"Likewise," she admitted. "I'm about make some coffee, do you want some too before your drive?"

"Yes, that'd be nice. Thank you."

A few minutes later Abby came back with two cups of coffee.

"Thank you," Fitz said, taking the cup of coffee for himself.

"So is Edison going to be driving home with you guys?" Abby asked, trying to make conversation.

Fitz looked flustered, he didn't remember Olivia saying anything about driving Edison, but he knew that he also lived in the DC area, "Um…I-I-"

"No he's not," Olivia said, coming into the room with her suitcase in hand. "He has work until the 22nd."

Fitz let out a sigh of relief and then rushed up to his feet, "Do you need help with your bags?"

"I'm good, thank you though. Are you ready?"

Fitz nodded, quickly finishing the cup of coffee to give him some energy and then followed Olivia out the door. As they approached his car, he swiftly grabbed the suitcase to lift it into the trunk, and went around to open the passenger door. Olivia had to admit she was impressed with his gentlemen-like behavior. Edison didn't do those kinds of things.

"Still opening the door for passengers? I see not much has changed since high school, huh?"

Fitz laughed and got into the drivers seat of the car. He briefly looked at her and smiled.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing, it's just…driving you, feels like old times, lowrider" he reminisced.

"We're back to lowrider? Seriously? Does your car have radio?" Olivia asked as they started driving.

"Yes ma'am," Fitz replied. "You can be in control of it if you'd like."

Olivia immediately turned the radio on, staying on the station that it was originally set at. Oncee that song was over Olivia heard the beginnings of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John and Kiki Dee.

"Oh, I love this song!" Olivia chimed, turning the sound up, and began singing along.

"Don't go breaking my heart. I couldn't if I tried. Honey, if I get restless. Baby, you're not that kind."

Fitz grinned, hearing her sing when he felt a light punch against his arm, "What?"

"Your turn. I'm not going to sing a duet alone over here."

"No, Olivia. I don't sing," he countered.

"If my memory serves, you did," she fought back.

"Yes, 'did,' as in the past tense," Fitz pointed out.

"Come on Fitzgerald!" she urged.

"Nope, not gonna happen," he said a little later. Olivia frowned and leaned her head against the window looking defeated. He didn't like her looking that way. Fitz shook his head and exhaled, knowing he was about to make a complete fool of himself with the higher notes. "Ooh-hoo, nobody knows it."

He continued singing, shocking Olivia, "When I was down-"

Olivia then joined for her part of the duet, "I was your clown,"

"Ooh-hoo, nobody knows it, nobody knows. Right from the start,"

"I gave you my heart,"

They then joined in together as Fitz made his way onto the highway, "Oh oh, I gave you my heart."

ooo

Fitz drove into the driveway feeling an overwhelming sense of nostalgia and homesickness. It had been over seven years since he was last in this neighborhood, yet everything looked the same.

"Are you okay?" Olivia asked, notiving him tense.

"Ye-yeah…it's just been…awhile."

Olivia realized now why it was that he was so hesitant. Before she thought she was doing the right thing. It didn't cross her mind to put herself in his position, having left behind his entire childhood, and attempted to forget his past only to be dragged back into it for the holidays. She was worried that he would regret his decision.

"Are-are you sure Mellie is going to be okay with m-me being here?" Fitz asked, clearing his throat to try and cover his nerves.

"Absolutely," Olivia insisted, trying to make him feel better. "She won't even be here until tonight for dinner with Marcus. I already talked to her. Everything that went on between you two is now water under the bridge. I think you guys would do much better as friends, anyways."

"You did always say that…"

"Come on, my mom and Cyrus are so excited to see you again!" Olivia hopped out of the car eagerly compared to a much more slow-moving Fitz. Olivia went to the back of the car to get the bags.

"Liv, I'll get it!" he said, running around and grabbing a hold of the bags before Olivia could even have a chance to.

Olivia pushed open the door that was left unlocked for her and stepped into the house. She was immediately followed by Fitz who stepped inside, feeling intense déjà vu as he walked into the house that he hadn't stepped foot in since 1969.

"Mom, Cyrus, we're home!" Olivia announced as Fitz put their bags down. Cyrus and and Maya walked out from the living room with huge, elated smiles on their faces. While of course they were excited to see their daughter as any parents would be, they were absolutely thrilled to see Fitz in front of them for the first time in years.

"Fitzgerald Grant, as I live and breathe," said Cyrus, pulling him in for a hug.

Maya quickly pushed Cyrus aside so she could get in, eager to talk to him again.

"Fitz! We are so happy you're here, honey," she exclaimed while hugging him. She pulled back from her hug after a moment gripping his muscular arms in her hands, "Wow, look at yourself. The Navy really toughened you out."

"Uh, thanks," Fitz replied awkwardly. "It's great to see you both, Maya and Cyrus. I really appreciate you two and Liv for extending an invitation to celebrate the holidays with you."

Maya looked at Fitz slightly puzzled. "Extending an invitation?" It seemed so formal. Didn't he know that he was basically family? She knew it had been some years though. It would take a little bit before he felt familiar with them again like he had when he was a teenager spending every afternoon with Mellie and Liv.

"You remember where the guest bedrooms are?" Cyrus asked. Fitz nodded a response.

"I think so. They're both on the second floor?"

"Yep! Why don't you two go put your stuff down and then come back downstairs to the living room? We'd love to catch up and hear about what you've been doing."

Fitz and Olivia both bent down to grab their bags when they were interrupted by the familiar jingling noise of dogtags. Fitz looked up to see Louie running down the stairs at what appeared to be his new full speed, which was much slower than Fitz had remembered. He shot right past Olivia's legs straight to Fitz and jumped onto him with the enthusiasm of a young puppy.

"Hey old boy! You're still here," Fitz said, picking him up and playing with Louie as he squirmed in his arms trying to attack his face with kisses. "I'm surprised you even remember me."

"How could he not?" Olivia said, appreciating the adorable view in front of her. "You were one of the first people he met."

Fitz smiled sheepishly and put the dog down. He then went to Olivia to enthusiastically greet her as he always did every single time she came home to visit. Olivia and Fitz picked up their bags and headed upstairs. Both of the guest rooms had been made for him, and with a choice of either having the guest bedroom next to Mellie's room of the guest bedroom next to Olivia's room, Fitz's opted for the latter.

Olivia put her things away and went to the next room to check on Fitz before heading downstairs. She noticed it was awfully quiet when she came in. She saw him staring intensely out of the window.

"Fitz?"

The more she approached, the more she could see what he was staring at. The window held a view of the backyard where the now rundown and washed out tree house stood. Not too far from the base of the tree house were Olivia's neighbor's who had replaced the Grants.

"Are those your new neighbors?" Fitz asked with a melancholy looked.

"Yes," Olivia nodded. "They're the Richter's."

"Cute kids," Fitz spoke again, watching the young parents chase their nine-year-old son and seven-year-old twin daughters around the background. "What are their names?"

"The boy is named Ethan, and the twin girls are Claudia and Molly," Olivia promptly answered.

"No one's been taking care of the tree house?" Fitz asked, though he knew the answer just by looking at it. His voice didn't sound angry, just dead.

"Neither Mellie or I used it again after…it just kind of got worn out over the years," Olivia explained, putting a consoling hand on Fitz's shoulder.

"Sorry, I just-I haven't been back here in a while, and it's weird to see how things are different now."

"I know," Olivia said earnestly. "How about we head downstairs? My mom and Cyrus can probably fill you in far more on the changes in McLean than I can."

They both went back downstairs and sat on the couch in the living room with Maya and Cyrus enjoying snacks and making small talk in the mean time. Fitz briefly caught them up with everything. He talked about the Navy and going to Vietnam, though he did not go into nearly as much intimate detail as he did with Olivia. He talked about his time at Stanford, moving to New York with Stephen, and starting law school. The hours seemed to slip by as the four of them made conversation. It almost seemed just like no time had passed at all. About an hour before dinner they heard another car pull into the driveway.

"That must be Mellie and Marcus," Cyrus said, getting up to greet them at the door.

Fitz and Olivia both stood up nervously, worried on how the first encounter in seven years would go. On the phone, it seemed like Mellie was fine with the idea of Fitz being there and staying at their house over the holidays, but Olivia was still cautious. Their nerves were quickly put aside when Mellie pranced in with a smile beaming on her face.

"Fitz!" she nearly screamed and ran over giving him hug. "Oh my god! It's so good to see you! When did you guys get here? Was the drive ok? Are you finding everything alright?"

"Um…uh hi Mellie. It's nice to see you too."

Mellie released Fitz and looked at him sincerely, "Fitz, I hope things aren't too awkwa-"

"N-no," he interrupted before she could finish. "I mean I just hope you don't mind me staying here with you guys."

"Of course not. You're practically family," she said, giving him another brief hug. "We were all so excited when we found out Liv and you reconnected."

"Yeah?" he said, smiling at Olivia.

Mellie summoned Marcus to come over to them, "Fitz, I want you to meet Marcus, my fiancé."

"So this is the guy that had you first?"

Fitz fidgeted slightly, "Uh…Um-I…"

"No worries, man. I'm just messing with you. Come here," Marcus gave Fitz a pat on the shoulder and a friendly handshake. Olivia smiled seeing Mellie and Marcus interact with Fitz. It seemed like things would remain perfectly fine between them, and hopefully drama free.

"Liv, always lovely to see you," Marcus said, bringing his future sister-in-law in for a hug. Fitz knew that Marcus was Mellie's fiancé, and the hug was familial in nature, yet for some unknown reason he felt himself grow a little tense seeing them together, and he was unsure why. Fitz shook off the feeling, considering it to be ridiculous and silly.

ooo

The dinner went well beyond anything Fitz had expected. Maya, Cyrus, and Olivia quickly put any tension that Fitz was worried about at ease. He felt foolish for being so concerned about staying with the Beene's. Like Mellie had already mentioned, he was practically like family. Fitz felt a strange enjoyment being in their company again, almost bittersweet.

Dinner wrapped, and after more conversation everyone eventually made their ways to their bedrooms. After showering, Fitz changed into his boxers and got into the guest bed that Maya had prepared for him. He laid down next to Louie who was snuggled by his side and was about to turn off the lamp at his bedside when he saw a large shadow approaching his doorway.

"Did you steal my dog?" Olivia asked coming into the doorway and seeing Fitz lying in bed with her beagle. Olivia couldn't help but stare at his body with his torso on full display. She didn't expect to catch him shirtless. She could tell he was strong and muscular, but seeing his bare chest and abs in person was unlike anything she had imagined. He was chiseled like no other man she had ever seen. She made a conscious effort to look away so she wouldn't be caught staring.

"Steal your dog? I did no such thing," mocked Fitz, purposely petting the dog next to him. "He chose to be here."

"Yeah? Well, he always spend the nights when I'm home with me on my bed," she said, coming over and picking him up from Fitz's grasp.

"Really?" Fitz said sarcastically. "You can't let your dog go for one night when you're home?"

"You're making fun of me," she said as a statement not a question.

"Kind of," he smirked. "I think you're being a little bit ridiculous. Does it really matter if your dog doesn't sleep with you for one night?"

"Yes!"

"Well then I have a solution."

"What?"

"Why don't you sleep here with me tonight?" Fitz spoke in a seductive voice to a confused Olivia. Half a second later he was filled with regret, "I mean-um…if you want to…just-just for sleep. But I get tha-that-never mind."

"Um…that's ok. I think I'll just go to my room. You can, uh, have Louie for tonight…" she replied awkwardly and backed out of the room.

"Ugh! 'why don't sleep you here tonight' – so stupid!" Fitz thought out loud, smacking himself in the forehead.

Little did he know that just on the other side of the wall in the other room, Olivia was smacking herself up the head too.

"Oh my god! He asked you to sleep with him, and you said no! Ah why are you such an idiot!" she got into her bed and moaned in frustration at herself. "No Olivia…you have a boyfriend…you can't…"

ooo

December 20, 1976

Fitz woke up the morning of his 26th birthday with a huge grin on his face. Memories from yesterday immediately filled his head. He, Olivia, Mellie, Marcus, Maya and Cyrus all spent the day together playing board games and doing puzzles. It was surprisingly extremely fun, and exactly what he needed to mend over any bumps that still existed between him and Mellie. Olivia was definitely right when she said that they were better off as friends. Thinking of Olivia, Fitz hopped out of bed to look for her. He was excited to be spending his birthday with her…and the rest of her family of course. He threw on some clothes and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

"There's the birthday boy!" Maya gleamed. "Do you still like waffles?"

"I still love waffles!" Fitz responded, emphasizing the "love."

"Good because I made them special for you," Maya said, handing Fitz a plate.

"Thank you, Maya. You are too good for me," Fitz laughed and took his plate down to the breakfast nook and sat across from Mellie and Marcus at the table.

Mellie and Marcus both wished Fitz a happy birthday and started to dig in.

"Where's Liv?" Fitz asked halfway through his breakfast, noticing she hadn't come down yet. Fitz saw Mellie and Maya stiffen up slightly. "What is it?"

"I don't think she'll be coming down, sweetie," Maya said.

"Why not?"

"Because this morning her and Edison got into another one of their fights again," Mellie said dimly.

"Mellie!" her mother chastised.

"Sorry, but it's true. Those two fight worse than Fitz and I back in high school."

"What was the fight about? Is she ok? Should we check on her?" Fitz shot through his questions with genuine concern.

Maya shrugged, "She's fine. She just needs some time to herself right now. They usually make up within a few days anyways."

They finished the rest of their breakfast in silence. Mellie and Marcus headed out of the house in order to do some last-minute Christmas shopping downtown. Fitz stayed in the kitchen to help Maya clean up.

"Fitz, you don't have to be doing the dishes. Not on your birthday," she insisted.

"No, it's okay. I-I uh actually wanted to ask you something…"

"Yes?"

"I know you said that Olivia needs some time to herself right now, but I was wondering-well I was…I was thinking about visiting the cemetery today…and I was thinking about having Olivia come with me…but if she's not in-"

"I think that's a great a idea," Maya interrupted before he could finish his question.

"Are you sure she would be alright wi-"

"Absolutely! You should ask her to go with you. In fact, why don't you ask her right now, she could probably use a little bit of company. I'll finish up in here."

"Are you sure? Thanks!" Fitz ran out of the room and went upstairs. He braced himself and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" he heard her call from the other side.

"It's me."

In less than five seconds the door opened, and she playfully punched his shoulder, "happy birthday you big lug!"

Whatever upset feelings Maya had hinted towards were not visible at all right now. To Fitz she seemed radiant and energized.

"Thanks, Liv," he said. He shifted his feet some, thinking of how to phrase his next question. "So, what are you up to today?"

"Nothing. I'm completely free. So however you want to celebrate today, just let me know." Olivia saw him gain a more serious look in his eyes and got scared. "What is it?"

"You don't have to say yes, but um…I just-I haven't gone to the cemetery since…and um," Olivia noticed Fitz's voice began to crack. "I-I was thinking maybe I should go and visit today…And I was w-wondering if you'd come with me?"

Olivia saw the sadness in his eyes. It dawned on her how tough it must have been for Fitz the past couple of days to return to his hometown after everything that happened before he left.

"Of course I will."

"Great! I can go as soon as you're ready."

Olivia got ready for the day, grabbed her purse and met Fitz downstairs. After bidding her mom and Cyrus goodbye, she got into the passenger seat of the car next to Fitz and they began their drive.

"So…" Fitz tried to make conversation noticing she was being pretty quiet.

"Sorry, I'm not exactly in the best of moods this morning," explained Olivia.

"Mind telling me what's going on?" he turned his attention to her to show that he was there and actively paying attention.

"Nothing. It's stupid. Just me and Edison got into a fight this morning."

"Was it that bad?"

"No it's just annoying. It happens every year for the last three years. We fight about the holidays. He always wants me to be spending the holidays with him and his family, but when I extend an invitation for him to join me, he always turns it down, and then he gets mad at me for not wanting to join him. Like doesn't he get that I too have a family I want to be spending time with. I want to be spending the holidays with my mom and d-Cyrus," Olivia quickly corrected herself.

"Have you guys thought about working out some kind of schedule and then switching off so you spend time with both his family and your family?" Fitz suggested.

Olivia slowly nodded her head up and down, "Oh believe me, I've tried. He's far too stubborn and unwilling to compromise."

Olivia looked down at her thumbs and contemplated whether or not to continue, but she knew she trusted Fitz more than anyone to talk with, "he justifies it by saying that he has an actual family, and mine is really just me and my mom because having a stepfather and a stepsister doesn't count."

Fitz clenched his fists onto the steering wheel. How dare Edison insult Olivia and her family like that! He breathed deeply, angry that anyone would try to undermine Maya and Cyrus' blended family as something less. Before he had a chance to speak up and voice his opinion on what he truly thought of Edison's comments, they pulled into the parking lot of the cemetery.

He hesitantly got out of the car followed by Olivia, who stayed close to his side as he walked. He remembered the route. Despite not being there for seven and half years, it was muscle memory to him from the first and only time. He tried to stay focus and look ahead, trying not to let Olivia see the grief that etched onto his face the closer they got. Finally, the reached the two plots for Fitzgerald Thomas Grant II and Margaret Bethany Hollister Grant.

Olivia stayed back, allowing Fitz to have the space to approach their plots by himself. She stayed close by and watched as he stood there staring. She knew he was talking to them or saying something. She saw his mouth move, but couldn't hear a voice.

Olivia was surprised to see how well he was taking it, visiting his parents' grave for the first time. She was worried in the car on how he would handle it.

Olivia spoke too soon however as she watched Fitz fall to his knees, and could now hear him crying. Olivia rushed to his side and kneeled down. She wrapped her arms around him, and his breaths became more regular feeling her around him.

"I-It's my f-fault," he mumbled once he gained the strength to speak.

"Not it's not," she continued to try to soothe him.

"They wouldn't have been driving to Rhode Island if it wasn't f-for me. I got them killed…I got them killed, and I got Stephen shot. I-I killed my parents and I paralyzed my friend."

"No you didn't, Fitz. It wasn't your fault. That wasn't you. Both your parents and Stephen made a choice. They could have rescheduled going to Brown, and Stephen could have gone on a different path to find help, you said so yourself. But they chose not to. What happened were both just terrible, horrible accidents. But it was just that Fitz, accidents."

Fitz stayed mute on his knees in the grass.

"We can stay here however long you need," Olivia gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Take all the time you need, ok?"

Fitz just simply nodded, and stayed on the ground a little longer until he finally found the strength to stand back up with Olivia's help. She helped guide him to the car since he felt somewhat in a daze.

"Where are the keys?" Olivia asked. Fitz raised an eyebrow at her.

"The keys?"

"I think it might be better if I drive for now," she said lightly, trying to gauge his mood.

"Yeah, you're probably right. That's a good idea," he said handing her the keys from his pocket. They switched seats with Olivia taking the driver's seat and Fitz sitting shotgun. He watched her and smiled as she adjusted his seat to be as close to the steering wheel as possible for her short frame to reach the pedals. He was still emotional from earlier, but he was also a little bit excited to be seeing Olivia drive him for the first time. It felt kind of funny in a way.

"What?" Olivia asked, seeing him staring.

"Nothing, just thanks for coming with me, Livvie. I really appreciate it."

She beamed a smile and put the car in drive, heading toward their home. When the road to go back home came up she whizzed past it.

"Um, you missed the turn there, Liv," Fitz pointed out.

"I know that's because we're not going home yet."

Fitz looked around trying to get his bearings of where in the town they were and where he thought she would be headed, "and where are we going?"

"The Busy Bean," Olivia said slyly, remembering it to be Fitz's favorite café. She remembered him driving her and Mellie there a few times when she was younger.

"What? Why?"

"I thought that was your favorite café?"

"It is, but I also thought that you didn't like coffee?"

"I didn't, but I was also twelve years old at the time."

Fitz chuckled remembering Olivia's sour face when she tried the bitter hot liquid for the first time. Olivia pulled into the parking lot and got out of the car.

"I thought we could both use a cup of caffeine."

"Well, I won't argue with that," Fitz responded, getting out of the car and walking into the café behind Liv.

The café was exactly as Fitz remembered. A bar for your order, tables and booths set up around the entire place, and a small area with a mic and piano for anyone who wanted to participate in impromptu open-mic sessions.

"Now this place hasn't changed at all."

Olivia and Fitz ordered their drinks, and Olivia once again caught Fitz staring.

"What is up with you?"

"I'm sorry," Fitz apologized. "It's just seeing you drink coffee and drive it's…"

"Are you forgetting that I'm 21 now? I'm an adult. I'm in the same year as you in law school."

"I know that. It's just…we're really a ways away from our piano and French tutoring days, aren't we?"

"Well no need to completely abandon those days," said Olivia looking at the empty piano bench. "Why don't you go play something for us, great piano master."

Fitz laughed at the new title she gave him mockingly, "I don't think I'm as much of a master as I used to be."

"They don't have pianos on aircraft carriers?" she said teasingly.

"Mmmm there was one but it was out of tune," quipped Fitz.

"Darn shame."

"Really quite unfortunate," he played along. "I guess I could fit a keyboard or something in my apartment back in New York, but I just haven't looked into it."

"Well now's your chance to get some practice for free to see if you've still got it before making a big purchase," she said, pushing him toward the piano bench.

"Whoa, n-no Liv. No. Don't," he whined as he was getting pushed closer and closer. "Liv, i-it's been awhile, seriously don't make me do this. Livvie, s-seriously there are other people here. Liv!"

"You made me get back into drawing again, so I'm going to make you play," she pointed out, seeing it as a fair deal for each of them to attempt their old childhood passions now as adults.

"Nope, that's not fair. I paid you to draw for Stephen and I," refuted Fitz, who was now sitting on the bench, gathering the attention of those around him.

"You gave me a penny."

"At your request," he said frustratingly.

"Just one simple song," Olivia pleaded. "I'll even help you out and get you started."

Olivia stood behind Fitz and picked up both of Fitz hands by their wrists. She curled his fingers for him so just the pointers were pointing out, and then guided his hands to the keys. She controlled his hands, playing the beginning notes of Heart and Soul.

"Seriously, Liv? You couldn't think of a more challenging song?" Fitz teased as he continued to let Olivia hold and control his hands.

"Hey it's been a long time for me too," she laughed with him. After a few more bars she let go of Fitz's hands that continued to play the easy beginner song.

She was well aware that the people in the café were staring at them for choosing to play what was considered a piano song for children, but she ignored it. Instead she sat down on the bench and accompanied Fitz for the duet part of the song.

For the next two minutes the customers at The Busy Bean were forced to listen to the repeated tune of Heart and Soul until they could stand it no longer. Olivia and Fitz continued to play laughing as they watched all of the customers eventually leave feeling annoyed by their performance.

"I think we just ran everyone out of this café with our playing," Fitz observed, laughing.

"It's okay. It's your birthday. You get a free pass to be annoying."

"Really? Well, that's good, because I plan on annoying you the rest of the day."

ooo

December 31, 1976

"Happy New Year, Livvie," said Fitz as he took his place on the couch next to her. The past couple of days and the Christmas holidays had bonded them even more. Though he was nervous at first, he now was thankful that Liv invited him to join her family for the vacation. He was enjoying his time, and trying not to think about what would happen once they returned to New York. He was just focused on spending time with her now.

"Happy New Year, Fitz. Glad you came down to join the rest of us."

The entire family sat in the living room, glued to the TV watching the Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve special.

"I would never miss the ball drop," he said exaggeratingly. "But I'm going to get a drink, do you want something?"

"Yes, could you bring out some Champaign?" she requested.

"One bottle of Champaign coming right up," Fitz retreated off to the fridge in search of some celebratory drinks.

"Looks like you guys are low on drinks. Do you want me to grab some?" Fitz said coming out of the kitchen.

"Oh yes please, I don't think we can ring in the New Year without some Champaign and liquor," Mellie put in her two cents.

"Ok, I'll head to the store."

"Marcus, why don't you go with Fitz," Mellie suggested.

Marcus looked at her slightly puzzled, "oookay…"

Marcus got up and put on his shoes and coat, following Fitz to his car.

"What was that?" asked Olivia.

"Nothing, I just think they needed to bond some more and get over the awkwardness, and I'm hoping that this will help by giving them time with each other. I'm assuming Fitz is going to be a regular now for all the holidays, and Marcus is too, so…"

"Well, I don't know if Fitz will be a 'regular.' He still has a lot of relatives in California." Olivia actually spent the last couple of days thinking about that. Christmas with Fitz had been so fun, and she hoped that maybe she could convince him to spend Easter with her family too. She liked the idea of him being a regular at their house. It reminded her of old times. But she was in no position to be forcing him to do so when he had relatives across the country.

Olivia's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. She looked at the clock, seeing that it was past ten at night and wondered who would be knocking on her house this late.

"I'll get it," Olivia rose to her feet and approached the door. She looked through the peephole and was shocked by who she saw on the other side.

"Edison?" she questioned him, pulling open the door partway.

"Hi Olivia, happy New Year," he said in a slightly nervous tone, one that Olivia was certain she had never heard before.

"What are you doing here?" she said with an ounce of hostility toward him. They hadn't spoken since their fight a little over ten days ago. She wasn't going to make any effort.

"I-I miss you," he pleaded.

"Edison…"

"Can we just talk outside for a minute? Just talk," he continued. He quickly peered in and saw Maya coming toward the door, "hello Maya."

"Well Edison, isn't this…a surprise," Maya slightly cringed at her horrible attempt to seem excited.

"We're just going to go and talk outside for a little bit," Olivia told her mother.

"Alright then."

Olivia went out the door onto her front porch and closed the door behind her, "what do you want?"

"I want to apologize."

"Edison no, it's the same thing every year. We do this every year."

"Baby, please I am so sorry. I promise it will be different this time. I know your family is important to you, and I'm sorry for insulting it. I wasn't thinking clearly," Edison inched closer, grabbing hold of her hand. "I know I messed up, but will you give me another chance?"

"And what? We'll finally actually switch off the holidays we spend with whose family?"

"If that's what you want to do, I'm willing."

Olivia pondered Edison's plead a little more.

"If it helps at all, my parents are always excited when they see you, and they just always want to have you around. I'm sorry to have insulted you and your family at all…it's just that my family…well they really like you…"

"Aw, that's actually pretty cute of them," Olivia mused.

"I always want to have you around too," Edison flirted slyly. "Will you at least join us for New Years, if not for me, then at least for them? My mom has her leftover seven-layer dip."

Olivia stood still contemplating her next move, "ok fine, but you got me with the dip," she said jokingly.

ooo

About fifteen minutes later Fitz pulled his car into the driveway with Marcus. They managed to snag some Champaign that was still available at the store, some margarita mix and tequila for Mellie, and a pack of beer for himself and Marcus to split.

"We got drinks!" Marcus chimed, carrying the bags inside. They came into the living room with their drinks in hand.

Fitz looked around noticing that there was one less person.

"Hey, where's Livvie?"

"She went with Edison to his family's house for New Years," Mellie said smugly.

"Edison? I thought they were fighting."

"You missed it. He came by apologizing, and she took him back…as usual." Mellie replied and Fitz noticed that everyone had rolled their eyes.

"So she just left?" he said in a slightly shaky voice that had him confused on why it changed.

"She'll be back tomorrow, sweetie," Maya piped in, trying to lighten the situation.

Fitz felt the same tense feeling he had when he saw Marcus hugging Olivia when they first arrived for the holidays, only this time he recognized it for what it really was. He was jealous. He couldn't deny it anymore at this point. He was falling for Olivia Pope.

A/N: This one was pretty long but it covered a lot of intense moments and growth between Olivia and Fitz. It's still going to take some time, but at least one of them is coming to the realization about their feelings for now. The next chapter is going to be a lot of fluff between the two of them covering a large portion of time as they get closer and closer as best friends. Let me know what you think! Hope you all have a great weekend and I'll try to update soon.