A/N: Hi everybody. So this is the second to last installment of The Summer of Love. I'm planning on uploading the final chapter and the epilogue together, since I think they will pair nicely. That will be coming out very, very soon. As for a sequel, I have been thinking and considering, but we shall see. I don't want to make any promises, because it's a commitment, but I've been toying around with some ideas.

Chapter 19: Welcome to the Family

May 6th, 1979

"No touching. Not until you've answered the question," she pulled back, standing up out of Fitz's lap. His exam was only ten days away, and she was taking her preparations to a new and ultimate level, turning their sessions into a little strip game. She stood up in only her lace bra and underwear, backing away from Fitz.

"Liv, please," he grumbled. "How the hell can you even expect me to be thinking about law when you look like that?"

"Well then, if this is too distracting, maybe I should cover up more," she teased and put her arms through her blouse that she took off.

"Wait baby, no!" Fitz begged. This session while albeit entertaining, was just torturous for him. She started taking off the blouse again, making Fitz audibly sigh.

"Then answer the question," she repeated as she slowly made her way back to Fitz. "What were the three cases of the Warren Court on redistricting and what were their effects?"

"Baker v. Carr, Wesberry v. Sanders, and Reynolds v. Sim," he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down desperately for a kiss only for her to pull back a few minutes later.

"And..the…afternmath?" she said between breaths.

"Created a standard of 'one man, one vote' for legislative representation in the House," Fitz moaned, and kissed her again, taking breaks to complete his thought while they kissed. "Every state had to redistrict…to ensure there was equal representation…because rural areas were…over represented…urban areas…were…under…"

"Good," she said huskily and led his hands to the back of her bra. He undid the clasp with a click, and held her tight before he pinned her down onto the couch, hovering inches above her.

"My god, you are evil, you know that right?"

"Hey, if you can answer fully while I'm undressing in front of you, then you can answer when being asked by your professor."

"I don't know, Liv. You haven't met my professor for this class. He's a hot 75-year-old man, white hair, balding, wears pants up to his collarbone."

Olivia laughed, "Are you saying I should be jealous?"

"Very. He's a total catch."

Olivia ran her hands down his shirt, "too bad, because he can never have you. This here is all mine."

"I'm all yours," he agreed, smiling into her deep brown eyes. He took his shirt off over his head and kissed her down her neck, just as she loved. Olivia and Fitz were like rabbits at this point, spending every single night together. Fitz loved learning what made her tick and squirm, learning what made her moan and scream. He loved getting her to call his name. And Olivia loved learning everything about him on a now physical level.

"What do you want?" he heard her whisper.

"Hmmm?" he moaned, looking back up at her.

"This is a reward. So how would you like to be rewarded? What do you want?" she ran a hand through his curls, and he felt his pants growing tighter around his bulge.

"I have a few idea in mind, but let me set the pace."

"Ugh, so controlling," Olivia uttered sarcatcally.

"Hey, it's my reward. But don't worry. I'm not going to leave you out."

He slipped her underwear off and pumped two fingers into her. He heard her let out a pleasured groan from his hand alone, and knew that this was going to be fun break for them both while he kissed her lower and lower and lower.

ooo

Three rounds of sex and a shower later, which led to a fourth round, and they were completely exhausted. She walked out of his bathroom in an oversized robe that she was practically swimming in. While it would have made sense for him to wear the robe and her to wear the towel, he just loved seeing her in it.

"So I'm thinking we just order in tonight? I don't know about you, but I'm too exhausted to cook anything…and I can't really cook anything even when I'm not tired so…"

Fitz laughed, "that sounds good. I'm down for anything."

"How about Thai?"

"Works for me. I'll meet you out in the living room. I'm going to put on some clothes."

"Lame," she retorted sarcastically, making him laugh before going out into the living room.

As Olivia approached the living room, she heard the phone ringing.

"Can you get that?" she heard Fitz holler from the other room.

"Sure!" she went over to answer it. "Hello?...yes, this is his residence…no he can't come to the phone right now… can I take a message… yes… yes… um… mhmmm… great…I will be sure to pass that along."

Fitz joined her to hear the tail end of the conversation before she hung up.

"Who was that?" he asked.

She turned around slowly with her hand nervously rubbing the back of her neck.

"That was, um, that was the office of the Governor of California…something about a job offer in Sacramento…"

"Livvie, I can explain," Fitz said, nearing towards her, trying to get her to look at him. "I was looking for a job in case I ended up ditching law school, and I reached out to one of my uncles a couple of months ago. He has connections with the Governor's office over there, and since I was thinking about dropping out of law school, I asked him if he could look into getting me something over there that wouldn't require a law degree, because I really thought that I was going to drop…Livvie, this was a while ago before you and I – back when we weren't even talking to one another."

"So are you not going to take it?" Olivia asked, standing as still as a statue.

"No," he said firmly. "Everything is different now."

Olivia thought to herself. A chance to work in the state capital of the most populous state in the country was a great chance to gain political experience. If Fitz wanted to go into politics and public policy like his parents, which she knew he did, it would have been the perfect place to start – especially with the way things were going in the country right now. The economy wasn't doing well with the energy crisis, and she sensed a recession coming in the next few months, finding a job would be extremely difficult come the fall, and lucky for them, they'd be graduating and having to search for jobs in the heat of a recession – woohoo. This was an incredible opportunity for anyone in general, let alone Fitz. Meanwhile, she herself had yet to find a job out of law school, and had no future plans come June. She couldn't deny him the chance like this.

"I think you should take it," she whispered softly.

"What?" he asked full of shock.

"I think you should take it, Fitz. It's an incredible opportunity, and you want to go into politics. Plus, you can see you aunts and uncles in Sacramento. If you can get them to delay your start date to after graduation, then I think you should go for it."

"But Liv," Fitz said sincerely. "After…after everything…I don't want to leave you again."

"You won't," she assured him. "This won't be like before. This time will be different. We're actually together now, and we can do long distance. I mean it's California, it's not like Vietnam."

"It's not," he agreed.

"Do you want this job?"

"I mean I do…but I also want you too, Liv. I need you," he said with a slightly shaky voice.

"Then, we'll make it work."

"We'll make it work?"

"Yes, if you love me even half as much as I love you, then we'll be able to make this work. We'll figure something out, and I can look for things in California," she thought out loud. After dragging Fitz into all of her family gatherings on the east coast, she figured she owed it to him to be spending time on the west, being introduced to his family. "Don't think you can get rid of me by running off to California," she joked.

"I could never, and even if I did, I'm sure you'd find me," he laughed along. "Ok, we'll make this work."

ooo

May 16th, 1979

Olivia paced nervously in circles outside of the auditorium in the hall where Fitz was having his final exam. They took it easy last night on the preparation to try and get him to relax and put his mind at ease. There was only so much she could do to help him until the time came. And now she stood outside, anxiously awaiting for him to come out with the results on whether he would pass and join her for graduation next weekend or not. She felt optimistic though, but the wait was just absolutely killing her.

"Olivia?"

She turned around seeing one of her professors coming out the door.

"Professor Harden, good to see you."

"Good to see you too," he said. "What are you doing here outside my class? Our exam was yesterday…"

"Oh, sorry I've just been pacing up and down the halls," she admitted, blushing. "I'm waiting for my boyfriend to finish his exam in auditorium D."

"Ahh, I see," said Professor Harden. "Well I'm actually glad to have run into you. I was hoping I could speak to you at some point if you could stop my office some time next week."

"Is everything ok?" Olivia asked, worried something had happened with her exam that she had just taken for his class.

"Yes everything is fine. I just wanted to have a conversation with you about future plans…" he said trailing off. Olivia just nodded and thanked him, telling him she'd stop by. Future plans didn't really matter to her unless they were in California at this point, but she figured she owed it to him to at least hear about it, and pretend to be interested.

Of course, if Fitz didn't pass…maybe he'd opt to take another semester at Columbia just so he could claim his degree, and choose to drop the opportunity in California. This would mean another semester in New York, and Olivia would benefit from hearing about Harden's opportunity – But no…she wanted Fitz to pass that was out of the question. She wanted him to pass, graduate, and begin his career, and if that meant moving, then as long as he was happy, she'd be too.

Olivia stayed pacing back and forth, waiting and waiting. She saw the door to the room fling open and he came out with a blank expression on his face.

"Hi," he said, completely toneless and unable to tell whether there was good news or bad news.

"Hi, how'd it go?"

Fitz sighed and looked at the ground nervously, tapping his toes. "I…um," he said gloomily as he reached into his bag to pull out the rubric and show it to her. "Got a C+!"

"YOU PASSED!" Olivia cheered!

"I passed!" He promptly lifted her into the air in a swirl and kissed her. "I didn't just pass, Livvie. I got above average."

"Wow, I am so proud," she giggled as he put her back down on the ground.

"So we've pretty much finished law school now…" This was his last final, which meant he was done, and Olivia had her last one this morning.

"We did…"

"What should we do now?"

"Well I don't know about you…" Olivia said with a hint of gleam in her eyes. She reached out and started caressing him through his pants. "But I was thinking of making some plans with my above average boyfriend."

"Livvie, we're in public," he moaned in complete ecstasy from the feel of her hand.

"And my apartment is only a ten minute walk away. Come on, I told Abby to spend the day at Stephen's and yours so we'll have it all to ourselves."

"Let's go!" he said urgently, not able to wait much longer. He grabbed Olivia's hand and they sprinted back to her apartment building.

Once in the elevator she reached up to him, violently kissing him and refusing to let go. They led their way down the hall to her door where she had to pull away to get her keys, but then immediately continued once the door was open. Fitz kicked the door shut with his foot, continuing to grab onto Olivia's waist and brought her close to him.

"I love you," she murmured into his mouth.

"I love you too, low rider," he whispered, and Olivia giggled.

"You have to come up with a different nickname for me. I'm more than a 'low rider.'"

"How about sweet baby?" he dipped his tongue into her mouth, and she bit it playfully, laughing. Sweet baby was something she could get behind. He unzipped her dress, making it fall to the floor, and she quickly took off her bra and stepped out of her panties. She made her hands go down to the hem of his vest.

"Ugh why are you wearing so many layers?"

"Patience, sweet baby," he replied seductively, and helped her take off his vest and top. She ran her fingers up and down his broad chest. Fitz couldn't help himself but flex a little bit when he felt her reaching out for his muscles as he fingers traced his front.

He lifted her again, completely bare, and had her legs wrap around him. He sauntered to a wall for additional support and pinned Olivia's back against it while he held her. She ferociously nibbled at his ear, a weak spot and watched them turn red with desire. Balancing Olivia onto his hips, and holding onto her, they used both their hand to undo his pants, letting them and his boxers drop to his ankles.

"Oh my god, Livvie…"

He delicately held her, making sure she was supported, as he lowered her right onto his member. He thrusted into her, making them both gasp. He continued pushing and pushing, pulling out and pushing back in again until Olivia came undone in his arms. He shivered slightly, feeling her juices coat him. She slid off of him and went to the floor, her legs too weak from her mind shattering orgasm to stand at the moment. She pushed him around her, so he was against the wall now, and kissed the head of his length, tasting herself on him. His hips flexed and jerked restlessly as she made love to him with her mouth. He exploded almost instantly at the feel of her taking him in all the way to the back of her throat. He took a minute panting, trying to regain his composure, but seeing the eyes she was making at him just made him quick to go again.

They were still on the floor, just on the other side of the front door. He helped her off of her knees and carried her this time to the living room where they couldn't last long before he had the primal need to be with her once again. He settled her on the couch, a much more easier option than against the wall. Would they even make it to the bedroom? Who knew?

ooo

"I can't believe we just had sex for six hours…" Olivia laughed sitting in the bathtub with her head against Fitz's chest, taking a relaxing bubble bath.

"I told you we were going to go for a marathon if I passed," he laughed, hugging Olivia close and tight to him and inadvertently splashing some of the bubble suds in her face.

"Hey, watch it. You'll ruin my hair."

"Oh sorry. Hang on, you have something on your face. Let me fix it." Fitz grabbed an entire pile of the bubbles and put them onto Olivia's face like a Santa beard. "Much better now."

She pulled away from him, going to the other end of the tub. "You're a child," she snapped at him and splashed him from the other side. "Have you always been this immature?"

"No, only when I'm with you," he teased and pulled her back to him, making a mess from the soap and water that spilled over the edge of the bathtub. They made out hot and heavy. Her hand reached between his legs to feel him under the palm of her hand. She caressed him soothingly, feeling him start grow once more until she heard the phone ringing from the other room.

"Mmm, Fitz?" she said, trying to get out of his embrace.

"Don't," he ordered, massaging her breast to get her to stay.

"It could be important."

"It's not," he insisted and proceeded to kiss her while massaging her, wanting her to stay in the tub with him.

When the phone stopped ringing and then immediately started again, she jolted up out of the tub and wrapped a towel around herself.

"I'll be right back," she promised, and Fitz leaned back in frustration, letting out a groan. Two minutes later she urgently returned, quickly handing him a towel so he could hop out. "Fitz, we have to go. Mellie is in labor."

ooo

They arrived at Innova Fairfax hospital a little after midnight. What was normally a four-hour drive Fitz did in only three, cruising down the highway to make sure they would get there as soon as possible.

"Cyrus?" Olivia called out as they ran to Cyrus who they saw standing outside the delivery room.

"She's in there with Marcus," he said, pointing to the door. "She's been asking for you, Liv."

"For me?" Olivia asked somewhat surprised to have learned. Cyrus nodded.

"She wants you in there."

Olivia looked at Fitz who smiled kindly at her, assuring her he'd be alright waiting outside with Cyrus. She went into the room greeted with screams from Mellie lying on the table.

"Liv!" she heard Marcus call her from Mellie's side. She started towards him when a nurse stopped her.

"Excuse me, ma'am, but we need-"

"SHE'S MY SISTER!" Mellie yelled fiercely in pain, at a volume that Olivia didn't even know Mellie was capable of. The nurse turned red and stepped aside.

She instantly ran over to where Marcus was, making sure to not get in any of the doctors or nurses' way. She grabbed Mellies hand from the other side, across from Marcus.

"Liv!" Mellie cried out.

"It's ok, Mellie. I'm right here. I'm not leaving."

"I'm going to need you to push," the doctor instructed.

"You got this, baby," Marcus praised, grabbing her hand tightly.

Mellie took quick breaths like she was taught to do and pushed again,

"AHHHH!" she screamed, squeezing Marcus and Olivia's hands so tightly that they both winced.

"You're doing great, Mellie," she encouraged her through gritted teeth as Mellie made another push, shaking and sweating as she gripped around Marcus and Olivia tightly for support. Olivia was certain her hand would be broken by the end of the night at this rate.

"Oh my god!" she sighed

"One, two, three, push," the doctor instructed again, and Mellie used all of her strength. An hour of more pushes and screams later the doctor informed them that she was close. "Just a couple more."

"You're almost there," Marcus said, kissing her forehead.

Mellie breathed deeply, calming herself for her next actions as she continued to push. Olivia saw the exact moment that Mellie's face instantly relaxed, feeling less pain. She looked over and saw the doctor wrap the tiny baby into his arms and heard sounds of crying.

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Walker, it's a beautiful baby girl. Dad, do you want to do the honors?"

Marcus looked at Mellie, both with tears in their eyes, and kissed her passionately. He walked over to the doctor while Olivia stayed, holding Mellie's hand. The doctor helped Marcus cut the umbilical cord and hold their baby girl while the nurses cleaned her up. He carried her to Olivia and Mellie so they could look at her, and he rested the baby into Mellie's arms, holding onto her still from underneath for support in case Mellie grew weak.

"She's beautiful," Olivia said in awe, staring at her niece for the first time.

"She's perfect," Mellie looked at her with pure love as she opened up her grey eyes for the first time. "Hi, little one. I'm your mommy. And this is your daddy."

"Hi," Marcus said, looking into her eyes.

"You want to say hi to your auntie Live?"

Olivia smiled, and waved hello. She felt a sense of warmth seeing Marcus and Mellie welcoming in their brand new baby. The doctor came up towards them with a bracelet for the new baby and paperwork.

"And what is this little princess' name?"

Mellie looked at Olivia and gave her a grave look filled with tears and emotion.

"Olivia listen I-"

"I know, Mellie."

"It's just…"

"I know."

"But it's just for you-I don't want you to-"

"I won't," Olivia shook her head. "She's your mother too."

"She was my mother too," she breathed, letting a few tears spill over. Olivia reached over and wiped her face for her.

"I know, Mellie. She was and still is your mother. I wouldn't want it any other way," she ensured her with a squeeze of her hand that it would be ok.

"Name?" the doctor repeated.

Mellie looked at Marcus and smiled, "Mia. Mia Claire Walker."

ooo

Fitz waited nervously next to Cyrus in his seat. Both men were tapping their foots simultaneously, waiting for any news to come out. They saw a series of doctors and nurses leave the room from afar followed by Marcus, and immediately stood up and walked over.

"How is she?" Cyrus asked nervously, having just loss Maya a few months ago, he couldn't bear the idea of losing Mellie or the baby too.

"She's doing just fine. It went smoothly. She's in there with our daughter now," Marcus informed them and saw a look of relief sweep across Fitz and Cyrus' faces.

"Daughter?" Cyrus asked with a gleaming face. "She had a girl?"

"Beautiful, just like her mom," Marcus smiled. "You can go in there if you want to. Mellie wants you to meet your granddaughter. Olivia is still in there too, icing her hand."

Both men looked at Marcus concerned for Olivia, wondering what happened.

"She's fine," he assured them. "Mellie just has a bit of a death grip. I think I may need to ice mine too."

He flexed his hand, trying to get feeling back into it. Cyrus cleared his throat and stepped aside from them, going into the room.

"Congratulations Marcus," said Fitz, who was taken a little aback when Marcus came over and gripped him in a tight hug.

"Thank you, brother. You know, I was wrong about you at first."

"What?"

"I was…I don't know," Marcus began, laughing a bit to himself. "When Mellie first told me you were going to be joining us for the holidays, I thought it was a little strange, but I was wrong about you. I get it now, though."

"I-um-" Fitz stammered, unsure on what there was to get.

"They're your family," he responded.

"Oh…yeah."

"Relax man, I'm just saying…I get it. I do. I lost my family too."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

"Not like that. When my family found out about Mellie, they…distanced themselves from me."

"I-I didn't know that. What-why?" Fitz asked. He hadn't at all made the connection that at every single holiday and family gathering he went to that Marcus was always in attendance. There was not one occasion he could think of where Mellie was gone because they had chosen to spend the holidays with Marcus' side of his family. He remembered seeing a few of Marcus' relatives at the wedding, but only a small number in comparison to all those that showed up from Mellie's side. "But your wedding?"

"A few came, but not many. My family didn't like the idea of me marrying a…woman of Mellie's complexion."

"I-I'm so sorry," Fitz apologized for both Marcus' situation and for being so focused on himself and Olivia that he never even realized this and asked him.

"Don't be, man. Mellie, Olivia, Cyrus, they're my family. And you and I, we're brothers, now," he said, gripping Fitz's shoulder.

"Still it must have been difficult to be put in that position and having to choose like that."

Marcus scoffed as he turned around to approach the door to Mellie's room, "Easiest decision I ever made in my life. Mellie has my heart. She is my family and my home."

Fitz took a minute to let Marcus' words sink in to him. Mellie was Marcus' heart and home, the only family that he needed. He breathed deeply thinking about Olivia. She was his, and he was totally and completely all hers. She was his heart, his family, and his home. She had been for years.

"What?" Marcus asked, noticing Fitz pause.

"Nothing," he said quickly. "I'm just glad that Mellie found you."

"And I'm beyond lucky to have found her," Marcus replied. "Now come on, Fitz. Let's go meet your goddaughter."