It was now late October and things have been going smoothly for Fitz and Olivia. They have found a new balance between school, work, her mother, his father and of course each other. The couple tried to have dinner with one or both of their parents on Sunday nights. Big Jerry and Maya, along with Dominic, had met soon after Olivia and Fitz's small rough patch and Jerry had recovered. When possible they would all enjoy Sunday dinner as a group but occasionally one parent couldn't make it but it was progress none the less. They were beyond excited to enjoy real family time together, especially blending their two families so well.

Dominic and Jerry acted as if they had been friends their entire lives. They shared many common interests, both huge college football fans although they supported rival teams, loved good scotch and are both avid golfers. The duo had even hit the course for a few rounds on their own, and a few times they even invited Fitz along. In addition to common hobbies, Jerry and Dominic were genuinely interested in each other's line of work. The two could talk for hours about a never ending list of topics. Fitz and Olivia never would have dreamed of this type of family unit.

Although things were going well with Maya and Jerry, Olivia was struggling to get through to her own father. Eli was a busy man, she understood that, he always has been. She had called him several times trying to set up a dinner. She was making a honest effort but Eli never had more than a few minutes for her over the phone, and never face to face. Most times she ended up reaching his secretary when she called the office, it never failed he was in a meeting, conference or "out of the office". When she did get through to him on his cell, she never made if far enough into the conversation to even mention dinner before he had something come up that required his immediate attention.

After countless attempts, Olivia had begun to feel defeated. Following her latest attempt of a phone call, which lasted a grand total of 47 seconds, she decided to ask her mom fo help. Who better to help her than the woman who had been married to the man for fifteen years? Maya had spent years protecting Olivia from stories about her father, but when Olivia showed up to her childhood home in tears over the man, Maya decided it was time to have a real heart to heart. Olivia may not like what she has to say but at least she would know the truth and could possibly move on.

"Mom I just don't get it, I have tried to set up a dinner with dad for weeks. The longest he has given me on the phone is two minutes. TWO MINUTES! That's it! Is his work THAT much more important than me?" Olivia vented to her mother as they sat on the couch, Olivia's head on Maya's shoulder. Not only was she frustrated with in her inability to reach her father, she was hurt he didn't care enough to have a real conversation with her, even by phone.

"Livvie, what I am going to tell you isn't meant to hurt you. Promise me you know that?" Maya was enjoying having her daughter in her life again and didn't want to risk losing her. Maya's past with Eli wasn't something she was proud of but it did give her Olivia, so she was thankful for that.

"Well that worries me. But at this point I just want to know if I am wasting my time"

After a moment of deep thought Maya begins to explain her relationship with Eli from the beginning. Eli and Maya had never been in love. Maya confessed that she had been with Dominic before Eli. They had gone through a bad break up and Eli happened to be there when she was attempting to pick up the pieces. He wasn't bad looking and he was nice enough. After a month of dating, Eli brought up the subject of marriage. Sure things weren't hot and heavy or fairytale romantic but he was a stable man with a good job. Maya could picture a simple, uncomplicated life. What she didn't know at the time was that Eli was using her as a prop for his career aspirations. He was trying to impress the board of his company, show them that he was the total package. They thought he was too much of a playboy and Eli figured if he got married he would show them his ability to commit and prove his playboy days were over. He would come off as the hard working, intelligent man who had it together at work as well as his personal life.

After a year of marriage, Maya became pregnant with Olivia. Eli wasn't excited, if anything he was annoyed that it was now one more thing he had to worry about and provide for. He hasn't treated Maya like his wife. She was someone he came home to and not much else. After Olivia was born, he worked even more, rarely present and far from a doting father. He never cared much about their child, missing milestone after milestone in Olivia's life. He did what he wanted when he wanted. Even though they were married, Eli never gave up his playboy ways. He was constantly with other women, just more discretely than before. Maya accepted the arrangement for what it was after a while. As longs as she stayed Olivia would be taken care of financially and that was all that mattered at this point.

Over the years Maya was able to build a career for herself. When Olivia was thirteen Maya knew she had to do something. Eli was no longer discreet. He became blatant about his relations, being bold enough to parade a few in front of Maya, as well as an unknowing Olivia. She told Eli to leave, she was done. When he tried to fight her on it, but she threatened to air his dirty laundry to anyone who would listen.

Unwilling to let his public image suffer, he gave in but demanded joint custody of Olivia, not because he wanted her but because he refused to look like a dead beat dad. Even if it was true.

Maya went on to admit that she started dating again and failed to be there for Olivia when she needed her most. Maya, having tasted freedom from Eli, got caught up in the social scene and essentially abandoned her daughter. It wasn't until a few years ago when she ran into Dominic again that Maya began to pick up the pieces. Dominic asked Maya to marry her within months of dating, he claimed they had lost enough time together. Maya had tried to reach out to Olivia but at the time Olivia hadn't wanted to speak much with her. Maya couldn't blame her, so she waited until Olivia eventually reached out on her own terms.

Maya told Olivia she could try with Eli but at the end of the day, all Maya and Olivia were to him were strategic pieces to climbing the corporate ladder.

"Baby you can try, and I won't stop you. I just want you to know what you're getting into. I don't want you to put yourself out there without the whole picture."

Olivia stared off into space. Her mother's words hurt more than she thought they could. At the same time, so many things made sense. Why Eli was never present for her. Why she never felt close to him. Why he was always so far out of reach.

"I'm glad you told me Mom. I just need some time to sort this out." She gets off the couch and kisses Maya on the cheek before quietly leaving the house.

When she reached the apartment, Fitz was there preparing dinner. "Hey baby! Dinner is almost ready, I can't wait for you to try it. I got on Pinterest on your iPad, don't judge me but I saw some recipes that looked good, so I thought why not." Fitz rambles before looking up from the stove. He instantly knows something is wrong.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

Olivia shrugs in response. "we can talk about it over dinner" she walks up to him, latching onto his body in a comforting hug. She takes in his scent and his muscular arms wrapped around her. She instantly feels better, her worries fade and she thanks God himself that she will never live a life like Maya. Trapped in a marriage to a man who never loved or appreciated her. She knew her future was within her arms and it was perfect.

She kissed Fitz's chest and pulled way. "Can I set the table?" She smiles up at him. He simply nods in response and she sets to her task.

They spend the evening eating and discussing her mother's words. Fitz hated Eli for what he put Olivia through and he too realizes its not something that will ever be corrected or even apologized for. He lets Olivia decide how she wants to proceed from here and will support her one hundred percent.

After talking to Fitz, Olivia decides the effort isn't worth it in the long run. If Eli wants to be a part of her life she will listen but she isn't interested in fighting for someone who doesn't want her. She has Maya, Dominic and Big Jerry. That's all she needs. Well and Fitz of course but that is a given.

That night as they cuddle in bed, Olivia feels a peace she has never felt. She is truly content with every aspect of her life and she was happy. She wouldn't let Eli ruin it. Fitz was beyond proud of her and made sure she knew it. Fitz too now had a peace he had never known.

AN: thanks for sticking with me while I was in a bit of a slump! I am trying a new approach to writing. Hopefully it will crack down on my god awful typos, but it also means it will take more time between updates.

In no way am I excusing Maya's behavior from the past but I am hoping you can see why Olivia is the way she is, she is a product of her environment. One of my goals in this story is to show her growth, we can overcome the struggles of our past. Next up is Halloween! Always love some holiday Olitz! Also I am currently working on a new story! I know I should focus on this one but I can't get this idea out of my head so why not share it with everyone? I really hope you all enjoy and as always thanks for reading! Please review, it truly helps me with motivation and even direction sometimes! You're all the best