Olivia watched as Fitz paced back and forth in the waiting room. They arrived at the hospital two hours ago. Fitz was informed that his father had been hit by a drunk driver on his way to the golf course. All they told him was that Big Jerry had some internal injuries as well as several broken bones. He was already in surgery when Fitz and Olivia arrived. She had refused to let him go alone. Fitz and Big Jerry didn't have the best of relationships, she has no idea when the last time they spoke was but she knew this would be hard for Fitz.
Olivia has been fortunate to repair her relationship with her mother and she knew Fitz wanted to make peace with Big Jerry but hadn't worked up the courage to approach it yet. Fitz had been nervous his father would blow him off, so he hadn't put himself out there. She made a mental note to bite the bullet and confront her relationship with her own dad when given the chance.
Fitz continues to pace, raking his hands through his hair. Olivia has never seen him this upset. Sure he has been worked up before, especially over things he was passionate about but this was different. He looked lost, his eyes were bloodshot and sweat glistened on his forehead. For the first time in their friendship, Olivia was unsure of how to approach him. She said a silent prayer for both Grant men.
"Fitz, baby why don't you come sit down." She patted the seat next to her. He looked at her with sad eyes, she wasn't sure he would but she waited patiently not wanting to push him. After a few seconds, he made his way to the chair and sat down. Olivia began to rub his back, trying her best to calm his nerves. His body began to relax a little not completely, but the tear he fought so hard too hold back began to fall.
"Liv, what if he's not okay? I never took the time to talk to him. I have thought about it a thousand times in the last few months but have been too scared. What if I missed my chance?"
Brushing his curls back, she holds his face in her hands. "If it comes to that, we will work through it together, but I have a feeling in my gut that he is going to make it. And what is my gut?"
A small smile spreads across his face whispering "always right"
"Right. My gut is always right." She kisses his nose sweetly.
At that moment, a nurse walks into the waiting room asking for the Grant family. Fitz jumps up, "thats me. I'm Fitzgerald Grant."
The woman looks at him confused, doubling checking her chart.
"Oh um, I'm Fitzgerald Grant the third. My father is also Fitzgerald Grant."
The nurse nods, now understanding why the man in front of her was claiming to be the same person as her patient. "Well Mr. Grant, I am happy to tell you your father in out of surgery and in recovery. He will be here for at least a week or two but then he should be well enough to go home. I will warn you, he will need a lot of assistance for a while. He has several broken ribs, a punctured lung and his left leg and arm are both broken. He also has several deep lacerations, he lost a lot of blood but luckily most of his injuries were easily fixed. He will be in a casts for six weeks and will need help getting around due to his other injuries as well."
Fitz entire body falls in relief, he has been rigid since the moment he answered the phone call. "Thank you. When can I see him?"
"Once he is settled in his room, it could be thirty minutes to an hour. Don't be surprised if he doesn't wake up for a few hours though." She pats his arm and makes her way back out of the waiting room.
Fitz turns and takes Olivia into his arms, hugging her tightly. "See, my gut is always right." She kisses his cheek. "This is your second chance. Everything you wanted to tell him you still have the opportunity. It's up to you if you take it. But I will tell you in my experience with my mother, its worth it Fitz." She pulls him closer, burying her head into his shoulder.
Fitz just stands there, holding her. She was right, he can't let this opportunity pass him by. He made a promise to himself to fix his relationship with his father. He wouldn't waste time. He already lost his mother, he needs his dad. Even if he is a grown man, almost done with college, he now understands the importance of family. He has Olivia to thank for that. They are in the journey together. He has been there for her, witnessed how much better her life has been since her mother came back into her life, and he wants that for himself. He wants that for their future children. He wants them to have grandparents that love and dote on them.
They continue to wait to be taken to Big Jerry, for the first time in years Fitz can't wait to see his dad. He is a little ashamed it took him almost losing his father to feel that way but as Olivia has said on many occasions, "the lord works in mysterious ways". After another half hour of waiting, they are taken to Big Jerry's room. As they walk in the door, he takes in Big Jerry's appearance. As he had been told, there were cast on his left arm and leg, as well as bandages and cuts sporadically over his body. Fitz takes his place next to his father's side where he waits. Olivia takes a seat in the corner, out of the way but still close enough to support Fitz.
Nearly four hours later, Fitz hears a moan come from his father. He turns to see Jerry waking up. After a moment of disorientation, Jerry lands his eyes on his son. "Fitz? What's going on?" His voice gruff and tired.
"You were in an accident, a drunk driver hit you. You have some internal injuries and a broken leg and arm. There are quite a few cuts and bruises. The good news is, they said you're going to be fine. It may take a while but you'll be good as new. You gave us a scare Dad".
"Us?" Fitz moves to the side, clearing the path for Jerry to see Liv, who was sleeping peacefully in what looked like an extremely uncomfortable position. "Is that little Olivia?"
"Yep, we are um, kind of together now." Fitz blushed slightly. He has never talked to his father about his relationships and Olivia isn't just any relationship.
"Well I feel like there is a story there." he looks down "I would love to hear it son" Jerry adds quietly.
"We have a lot to talk about Dad, but first let me get the nurse, they need to know you're awake." He pats his father lovingly on the shoulder before leaving the room. Walking down the hall, Fitz can't help but feel anything but grateful and his heart filled with hope.
AN: Let me know what you think!