*taps the mic*
Is this thing on?
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Previously:
Is she willingly to lose everything she has worked for?
He waits for her response for what felt like an eternity, waiting for her to stop thinking of the several moves that will lead her to the answer she is searching for.
Her hand trembles as she holds his hand in hers.
"Win or lose, I am with you." Her voice breaks a little, as she makes her own sacred vow to Fitz.
"We're in this together?" Fitz whispers to Olivia
"We're in this together."
X
"What are you doing for Christmas?"
With her phone tucked between her ear and her shoulder she bends her knees and unlocks her apartment door, her hands are full with cases and folders all of which has kept her insanely busy but she always makes time when it comes to Fitz.
"Working."
"Working?" he looks at the phone with disbelief.
"Yes. Working. Christmas is for kids, Fitz. Grown-ups have to work."
"You will not be a grown up on Christmas. That is not acceptable and not the family way."
"I'm not a big fan of family." Olivia quips and she's not. There hasn't been a holiday she enjoyed since her mother died and her family soon after became irretrievably broken. While all of the kids went home for the holiday's at boarding school, Olivia opted to either stay at her dorm or be forced to go to dinner with her friends or boyfriends all of which promised Olivia a place that she could call her own but none ever felt like it, she felt like a guest visiting which wouldn't be a problem except all it did was remind her of the family she lost.
She would watch mothers smile at their kids, fathers dote on their daughters, she would witness love and affection time after time, and every once in a while a bit of sadness would creep inside and remind her of what she lost. Where was her father? Why did he never want her? She would never tell anyone this but she waited for his cards, hopeful that maybe he would bring her home for the holiday's and they could share it together but he never did and Olivia stopped looking.
Olivia doesn't like families, she doesn't like the commotion that surrounds them during the holiday season. How traffic becomes even more atrocious than usual, how sensible adults run around like children looking for gifts. A holiday for Olivia consist of her fireplace burning, a glass of red and bowl of popcorn.
"I know, you hate the holiday's." Fitz remembers "but this is different."
"How?" She throws her papers on her table and plops on the sofa, enjoying more than anything listening to the sound of his voice.
"Because we are together and we are a family now."
Olivia looks down at her ring and sighs heavily. "Fitz, I hate the holiday's."
"I know you do, but when we have kids you are going to have to celebrate the holidays and you will love it."
Olivia smiles softly at Fitz mentioning kids "what makes you think I want kids."
"Oh you want kids, you want my kids."
Olivia laughs loudly "Why your kids?"
"Because they would be made out of love and then you would be the creator of lover boys and wonder girls."
"I think one is enough."
"I am okay with that for now because I don't think I would like sharing you with anyone at this time, but we are having babies, Liv. And I'm thinking two."
Olivia smiles on the phone, his voice could lull her to sleep.
"So for Christmas we are going to Stephen's, Abby will be there and you can invite your friends if you want but we will be there and be there as a couple which means you have to bring one of your expensive wines as a gift and then afterwards we come to my place exchange a few gifts and start are own Christmas traditions."
"Our own Christmas traditions?"
"Yup, because we are celebrating our six month anniversary and Christmas together."
"I can't wait." Olivia whispers and she can't. She has hated the holidays because it has always been a constant reminder that she is alone but for the first time in her life she feels happy, joy and though she isn't whole inside she feels that vacant space in her heart closing up. Olivia wants the holiday's, she wants the Christmas traditions, and she wants to kiss Fitz under the mistletoe. For the first time in her life, Olivia wants memories, she wants traditions, she wants a life filled with happiness and sappy songs but she's also ready for the hard and difficult decisions that will come her way because she knows with Fitz beside her there is nothing that they can't overcome. She wants to experience Christmas with him, and every holiday after.
"Me too." Fitz smiles at the phone "and if you are naughty Santa might have to come out and punish you."
Olivia laughs once again "you are shameless and Santa doesn't punish."
"Why do you think those elves are there at the north pole? They aren't there working night and day for fun."
"Fitz, the elves are Santa's helpers."
"Exactly, helpers."
Olivia sits up from the sofa "Fitz, the elves work with Santa to bring toys to young girls and boys."
"The Elves do the hard work and Santa gets all the praise, sounds like slavery."
Olivia turns her head to the side slightly shocked but oddly satisfied about the radical side of Fitz's persona. "What do you know about slavery?"
"I have never experienced slavery but I know my privilege as an old, tall, rich white man."
Olivia's silent.
"No, remark?"
"Nope, I think your assessment might be fairly accurate although I disagree with the term 'slaves'."
"I didn't call them slaves, I implied that Santa may not be all that holy."
"Well, this is a great way to start our Christmas tradition."
Fitz laughs loudly, slapping himself in the face for being stupid. The entire point was to make Olivia excited about spending the holiday's with him but instead he is bringing up Santa being a crook.
"Yeah, that might not have been the best way to bring in the Christmas spirit." Fitz laughs.
"I love it." Olivia answers honestly and she does, she loves debating; and arguing about Santa is incongruously satisfying.
"Babe, there will not be a boring Christmas as long as we are together."
Olivia smiles "what's that in the background?" Olivia swears she can hear music faintly.
"My music is playing."
"You are listening to music during parent teacher conference's?"
"Yeah, they put me in the jolly mood of ruining Christmas for the kids."
They laugh together but eventually silence fills the phone and it's not the awkward silence that must be filled with words but a comfortable silence, until finally Olivia speaks "I miss you."
Fitz looks up and turns around at the large building "I miss you too."
"I feel like I haven't seen you."
"I've just been a little busy with work, but that will be over soon."
"When will you be done with the meetings?"
"I don't know." Fitz turns around staring at the building, ashamed to be lying to Olivia. "Hopefully not too late."
"You can come by afterwards and sleep here." Olivia says hopefully wanting any excuse to see Fitz. It's been a couple weeks since she's really spent any time with him.
"No, baby." Fitz shakes his head turning away "I don't want to disturb you from getting some sleep."
"Fitz…"
"Listen, a parent just walked in so I have to go but I will talk to you when I can, okay."
"Okay." Olivia says disappointedly
Olivia hangs up, and all Fitz can do is sigh heavily with such despair that a great conversation could end on such a sour note.
He walks into the packed club making his way to the bar.
"You okay?" Stephen asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Fitz says getting back to work and ignoring his best friend and his all-knowing stare.
"Did you really have to invite Abby here?"
"She's my girlfriend."
"Yeah well my girlfriend doesn't know that I am working here."
"That's your fault."
"It's temporary and I don't want her getting worried. I have a plan." Fitz said filling Stephen's drink up.
"And what's that."
"I am fine, don't worry about me."
"Liv, would have understood."
"No, Liv would have made me quit and would try and take care of me."
"She makes a lot of money, let her."
"I'm not intimated by her job, her money, or her power. But I will not be her client. She will not fix me."
"She won't do that."
"Yes, she will. She fixes. That is her job, and it's in her nature and she's very good at it but I am not her job and I won't let our relationship be something that she controls."
"She's like every girl, Fitz. She worries and she cares about you."
"I know she loves me."
"But she hasn't told you?"
Fitz turns away from Stephen, grabbing a bottle as he pours drinks around him. "She doesn't have to tell me that she loves me…I know that she does."
"That's some strong feelings."
"Olivia, doesn't talk, she acts. She shows her love by doing, not by saying. Words have failed her before in the past but actions prove their depth."
"I understand but sometimes we need to hear those words too."
"Olivia, will say them when she is ready. I'm not going to force her, I know where her heart lies."
"And what if she doesn't?"
Fitz stops what he is doing and looks at Stephen "then that would be fine with me."
"Sorry, I'm late. Olivia was on the phone and I couldn't get her off."
"That's fine." Stephen says turning to give Abby a kiss, as she moves to stool next to him at the bar.
"Is she okay?"
"Yeah, she's just talking about Fitz. Her gut is telling her that Fitz is hiding something from her but she can't figure out what."
"Well her gut should play the lottery." Stephen says pointing to Fitz from across the bar.
"What's he doing?"
"He's working?"
"I thought he had a teaching job."
"He does, and he still works there too but won't say why he is taking this job as well."
"This explains why Olivia was complaining about not seeing him."
"Fitz, is working too much."
"Obviously," Abby whispers to Stephen "I wonder why?"
"I don't know, maybe he will tell us now that he knows Olivia is upset."
Abby waves Fitz down and slowly, Fitz makes his way down to them. He was hoping to avoid them and having to talk to them, because in truth all he wanted to do was go to Liv and tell her he was sorry and just go to sleep with her in his arms.
"Hi Abby." Fitz reaches over the bar to kiss Abby on the cheek.
"Hi Fitz, pretty shocking seeing you here."
"Nice to see you too."
"Why are you here? Do you know that I was on the phone with your girlfriend for over an hour as she complained about you?"
"What did she say?"
"That she feels like you are hiding something from her but she can't figure out what it is. She feels that you are slipping away from her."
Fitz's head falls in shame. "I know."
"What's going on, why are you working here?"
"My teaching job will be over once the new year begins, I've been offered another position there at the school but I don't want to do that. I'm going back to criminal law."
"Fitz…" Stephen warns but Fitz ignores him.
"I have somethings that I have to finish, and I want to make a difference so I'm going to get my hands dirty once again which means I will be out of a job….but that is not why I am doing this."
"Why?"
"It's Liv and I's six month anniversary and also Christmas…we are celebrating both together and I've been struggling with what to get the girl who has it all but I figured somethings out and that's why I am working. To buy her a gift that she can put to use and also to save some money for our future."
"Fitz, Olivia would understand." Abby's voice softens, feeling horrible for making Fitz feel bad about Olivia.
"I know she would but she would tell me not to buy her something but…I want her to have this. I think it's important that she has something that is meaningful."
"What's this about going back to criminal law? Are you trying to practice again?"
"Maybe? Possibly…my mother's death lit a fire inside me and I am taking down my father once and for all."
"Fitz…"
"Stephen, I am doing this. I am not going to coward away like last time. This is it. Winner takes all."
"Fitz…this won't end well."
"It will. Because I am not scared anymore. I've been hiding and avoiding my truth but this is something that is bound to happen one way or another. They will burn for what they have done."
"Fitz, you are in a good place. You need to reconsider this."
"I won't'." Fitz shakes his head "it's done."
His phone rings and he sees Olivia's name. Quickly he runs outside far away from the noise.
"Hi."
"Hi."
"This is a late call."
"It is because I am on my way to your apartment."
"What?" His heart drops
"I am coming over to seduce my boyfriend." Olivia says as she walks to her car. "and you better be naked when I get there."
"Yes ma'am." Fitz responds looking back at his watch and flipping his hair with frustration.
Fitz runs back to the bar.
"Is she okay?" Abby and Stephen look at Fitz concerned
"She's fine. She is on her way to my place right now which means I have to go and beat her there."
"Fitz, you are running yourself thin."
"I'm fine."
Fitz walks over to his coworkers, says a few words, grabs his bucket of tips and leaves.
He makes it home with a few minutes to spare, for a quick shower.
He opens the door and finds himself tangled between Olivia's legs as she jumps him, her kisses leaving him slightly disoriented as he locks the door. Somehow she slides off him and pushes him on the couch.
For the first time since Olivia came to his place, he has the chance to look at her. Wearing a brown trench coat and long brown riding boots, he can see clearly that Olivia came to him with the clear intentions of seducing him.
"Ms. Pope, are you trying to seduce me?"
"Yes. Is that a problem?" She stands in front of him.
"No ma'am." He smiles earnestly
With a twinkle in his eyes, Fitz slowly begins untying Olivia's coat. "It's not even Christmas and I'm already unwrapping my favorite gift."
Olivia doesn't respond, she is far too deep with desire to speak.
A gasp escapes her lips as he caresses her breast, gently rubbing her nipple with his thumb and index finger before guiding her to his lap, where she mounts him.
Fitz takes control, he holds her face in his hands as he kisses her thoroughly, sensually so she knows just how much he has missed her as well.
"Baby." Olivia whispers as she begins rocking herself on Fitz's hardened member still constrained by his sweatpants.
"Quiet." He hushes her once again as his lips dance along hers.
"I thought I told you to be naked." Olivia whispers on his lips as she drags, Fitz's hand to her hot center.
"Is that what you wanted?"
"Get naked now." Olivia commands, somehow finding the strength to remove herself from Fitz as he too stands from the couch.
"Take it off." There he goes, giving his signature smirk that leaves her swooning and unbelievably saturated.
Olivia gives a coy smile of contemplation before reaching being down and sliding Fitz's pants off.
Fitz isn't quite sure what caused him to fall on the couch, was it Olivia's lips blessing him that caused him to lose his balance or was it because he wanted the uninterrupted view of watching the women he loves please him in a way that no man deserves but God does he appreciate it.
He stops her before he could finish, hating the idea of doing something to disrupt her perfection.
"Fitz, I want too." Olivia pleads as Fitz carries her to the bed.
"I don't want you to do that."
"Why not?" She's hurt
"Because I don't want you to feel that you have to please me that way. It's not you."
"But I want too, I like please you that way." Her brown doe eyes shine under the amber lights
"And I like it too but next time " He spreads her legs apart as he climbs on top of her.
"No." Olivia closes her legs, defiantly. "You don't think I can do it."
"I do."
"So why won't you let me?" She's clearly bothered how Fitz can please her all the time yet he always stops her from doing it to him
"I love it but I just want to cum inside you" He says sheepishly.
Olivia lifts his head wanting to look into his eyes, his tender gaze warms her. She spreads her legs once again, guiding his hardened member to her entrance.
He enters her and the world suddenly dissipates. All he can see is her, her perfect smile as he moves on top of her as he brings her closer to climax. All he can taste is himself merging with her, how if his tongue caresses the roof of her mouth he can taste the hint of berries from her wine she consumed earlier. But it's her voice that opens the gateway to heaven, at least his heaven.
She whimpers in his ear when he hits the spot that has her seeing stars, she moans his name loudly when he reaches deeper inside her hidden crevice, and when the sensation reaches its climax, she talks to him.
Her legs tighten around his waist as she squeezes his ass for more "Deeper, baby." She whimper in Fitz's ear as she pushes against him, meeting him blow for blow.
She sucks his reddened ear, as she tells him things that only he can be privy to know. He finds himself on the verge of combusting, as she whispers things inside his ear to draw him further into her. She scratches his back, drawing his face back to her lips as she feels her inside throbbing around him, he pushes forward, fighting his orgasm. he moves inside her harder, faster, deeper. He watches her cum, watches her eyes close tightly in concentration until finally euphoria comes and her face relaxes and after a few seconds she opens her brown doe eyes and smiles at Fitz with a look that can only be described as serenity.
The after effects of her orgasm, reminds him of his own impending trip to paradise. He moves once again, finding the perfect amount of friction as she's clenching around him involuntary, he moan's loudly, his mouth opening as she pulsates around him.
Fitz doesn't see it, but Olivia was watching his every move. Watching his ears turned darkly red, how his mouth stretched open when she would squeeze him, but her favorite thing to do is watch Fitz cum. His face is always of deep concentration until he combust and Olivia has the uninterrupted view of watching him come apart, how his bottom lip trembles when he cums inside her, and his entire face contorts to something magical.
"That was amazing." Olivia huffs
"It was." Fitz responds sleepy, as he rubs Olivia's back.
"What brought this all along?"
Olivia moves closer to Fitz's side "I've missed you…" she whispers "I felt like you've been hiding from me." She plays with his chest hair, anything to avoid looking at him.
"Liv. I've been working at the bar."
She turns to him, startled by his revelation "why? What happened?"
"Nothing happened. I still work at the school, but by next year, she will be back which means."
"You will need a job." Olivia cuts him off
"Exactly. They offered me a position, but I turned it down…I told you my plans were to take down my father, and I plan on doing so."
"Are you going back to law?"
"I don't know just yet, I just know that I was meant to do more, and taking down my father and his goons is what I have to do."
"But why are you back bartending then?"
"I am saving money, but also your Christmas gifts."
"Fitz…"
"I know you don't want me to spend a lot of money, and I'm not but…I want you to have something that came from me."
She pursed her lips, trying to think of something to say. "Fitz, I don't want you to be struggling."
"I'm not. I'm okay babe.."
"But why lie to me?"
"I don't want you to see me as someone that needs to be saved or helped."
"Fitz, I can help you with the rent."
"No." He shakes his head firmly "I am doing fine. I have enough saved."
"Fitz, it's okay to ask for help."
"I know that and I will when I need help."
"I'll take care of you, Fitz." He closes his eyes, his lips kiss the crown of her head.
"Is this why you are tired?"
"Yes." He whispers sleepy "but also because you leave in the middle of the night."
Her heart drop, she feels suddenly exposed.
"I have to go home." She says using that as her excuse to leave.
"No, you don't. You don't have to keep running from me. I have everything you need here."
"I don't have clothes here."
"Just stay with me." Fitz turns to his side and Olivia follows his lead. "What are you afraid of?"
Her eyes fall down to their conjoined hands. "Fitz…"
"What?"
"If people love me then why do they always leave me?"
"I won't."
She rolls her eyes.
"Hey. I mean it."
"Fitz, you can't promise something like that."
"I will always love you, and I know this and I know you know this. If I were to leave you, then you must know it would not be my choice."
She's silent.
"The more you run, the farther I will go."
Olivia's heart sinks into her chest "I'm cold…" she whispers to Fitz who turns around and grabs a shirt.
"You love that shirt." Fitz remarks watching the word 'navy' cover Olivia's chest.
"I do." Olivia inhales his scent as she moves closer to Fitz and his warm embrace.
"I'm not letting you go tonight."
Olivia doesn't say a word, but she tightens Fitz's arms around her.
/
He's happy. Him and Olivia talked about their issues and in two days he would be off for the Christmas break which means he would no longer be working here.
The staff here is amazing, and kind. They threw him a party, gave a few speeches, and plenty of hugs. His desk was empty except for a few things like his pens, pencils, notebooks and his own personal drawings that he always took with him.
"Hi." There's a knock on his door.
"Hey, Mellie." Fitz watches her walk inside his room with her lunch in hand. He was surprised that she still wanted to have lunch considering they just had a party earlier in the day for him. The party was short but the food was plenty.
"Is it okay if I still have lunch in here with you?"
Fitz smiles and points to one of his elongated tables "by all means."
Mellie smiles graciously as she begins to take out her lunch, she begins eating but notices that Fitz is still not joining her. "You aren't eating?"
"I'm pretty full from earlier."
"How about you just play with your food that way I don't feel odd eating in here."
"Of course." Fitz grabs his brown paper bag and sits across from Mellie who smiles gently at Fitz for being kind.
"I'm going to miss you."
"I will miss everyone here." Fitz says kindly "but I can't wait to be with my girlfriend more."
Mellie looks at Fitz "I thought you guys broke up?"
"Never." Fitz shakes his head taking a bite out of his PBJ sandwich "I'm marrying, Liv."
"You proposed?" Mellie choked out
"No. We aren't ready yet, but she's going to be my wife."
"How do you know that?"
Fitz simply shrugs "you just know."
"I hope I'm not late."
Fitz jumps at the sound of Olivia's voice. "Liv!" Fitz yells running to her as he picks her up and kisses her soundly on the lips. "Babe, what are you doing here?!" he's so excited to see her that he can't seem to contain his joy.
"Well, you told me that the staff was throwing you a going away party, and I knew I missed that even though I did try to come early. I just couldn't get out of that meeting fast enough. Which is why I came with food. " Olivia lifts the bag of Chinese food to prove her point.
"It's perfect."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I'm happy you are here now and that way I get to spend time with you, alone."
Olivia smiles at Fitz, touching his cheek before pecking his lips.
"Also, happy six month anniversary." Olivia smiles as Fitz takes the bag of food and walks Olivia to the table.
But he stumbles for a split second, he forgot all about Mellie.
"I'm sorry for not introducing you. Mellie this is my Liv."
The ladies exchange pleasantries but Olivia is far too smart to see Mellie's pretense as being sincere. She knows why Mellie is here.
Though she plays naive, Olivia knows all too well what Mellie and the other ladies have been doing. They threw a party for Fitz as if he was a long term staff member, and on top of that they bestowed gifts to him like he's been there best friend's.
Olivia doesn't blame Fitz, he is far too kind and what she has seen in him, others have as well. But still it does not sit well with her, and more importantly Mellie's presence. Instead of leaving like a normal person would, she's picking her battle to stay and observe their interaction as Olivia does the same with her.
"How long have you two been together? Fitz talks about you all the time?"
"We've been together for six months tonight." Olivia turns to Fitz.
"Wow."
"I'm a lucky man." Fitz smiles as he eats the snow peas Olivia picked off her plate and gave to him.
"Olivia, I know it can be nerve-wracking when your boyfriend is at a school with mostly women but I can say that he loves you and he makes it clear that he is a taken man. So you have nothing to worry about."
"Why would I worry?" Olivia stares at Mellie, watching the fake laugh fall from her lips.
"Is this the after party?" Olivia asked Mellie jokingly though the question was anything but, she refuses to be coy with her questions, she was never the jealous type but she is territorial, and right now she wants to know why this women is eating lunch with her boyfriend. What kind of games is this women playing?
"No." Mellie giggles "Fitz and I would have lunch duty together so we obviously ate together and it just became our thing."
"How convenient." Olivia smiles appropriately
"For some reason, Mellie and I were always assigned together so we just started eating in here since we had lunch duty."
Fitz watches Olivia from the corner of her eye but he doesn't say anything.
"I should get going." Mellie jumps from the chair already feeling the unease tension between her and Olivia. "But I wanted to give you this." She hands Fitz's a gift.
"Mellie…I didn't get you anything." Fitz sounds positively crushed.
"You did." Mellie shakes her head wanting Fitz to see her and understand what she feels for him.
"It was nice meeting you Olivia."
"You too."
Fitz looks at the gift for a second before setting it down and finishing his lunch.
"You don't want to see what your girlfriend brought you?"
"Nope." He reaches over to Olivia's plate eating her leftover rice. "And she's not my girlfriend."
"She likes you."
"You are jealous." Fitz smiles
"I am not jealous. I just know women like Mellie and she wants what she wants."
"And she wants me?" Fitz looks at Olivia
"Yes." Olivia exclaims "I don't trust her." Olivia shakes her head, she doesn't trust that women if her life depended on her.
"How about me? Do you trust me?"
Olivia stares at Fitz, first looking at his lips and then his eyes "yes."
He smiles pleased with the answer "Good. Then you know that I am in love with one women, and her name is Olivia Pope."
"You didn't open your gifts." Olivia whispers to Fitz, taking note of the gifts on the large table behind them.
"I figured we can open them together, and you can keep whatever you want."
"I'm certain most of the gifts would be better at your place, then mine considering I'm never there." Olivia retorts
"You want me to spend the night at your place?"
"Yes." Olivia smiles
"Okay." Fitz kisses Olivia on the lips
"That's it?"
"Yup." Fitz stands up "I don't need much. I'll just pick up some clothes and head to your place afterwards."
Olivia looks at him, she wants to tell him that maybe he should leave a bag of clothes at her place but she's scared. She's never allowed her boyfriend's to leave any of their belongings at her place, it felt like an invasion of privacy. Her once sacred place would then be distorted by others who could observe her and the thought of opening that door frightened her.
When Olivia left the school, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She always wondered about the school and how Fitz has fit in there and it was just like she imagined, he was perfect as usual. She likes the stability of this job, she likes that Fitz had a decent pay check every two weeks and that he was with her for the weekends but she sees now that if Fitz had chosen to stay, Mellie and the other ladies there would have made it their mission to break them up. Though she knows Fitz would not allow it, she knows someone like Mellie would not give up quickly, she's cunning, clever.
And Olivia doubts she has seen the last of her.
/
They spent Christmas eve together, watching Christmas movies, walking through the city like the thousands of other people. For the first time since her mother died, Olivia feels like celebrating, she has a reason to celebrate. She would never confess this to Fitz or anyone for that matter but she was looking forward to Christmas, she lied to Fitz when she said she had plans for Thanksgiving, it's not that she didn't want to be with him but the overwhelming fear of wanting more of him, to depend on someone, to love someone. She can't risk the pain.
Yet something came over her, she was counting down the days where she could have the excuse to kiss her boyfriend under the mistletoe, to watch Christmas movies, and more importantly to share Christmas gifts. Her heart palpates slightly at the thought of what Fitz has bought her; She knows him, he's romantic and poetic, but she prays he did not spend a fortune on her.
"Merry Christmas baby." He whispers in her ear, spooning her.
Olivia pretends to be asleep, wanting the full effect of the holiday spirit running through her.
"Baby." Fitz kisses Olivia's ear "it's Christmas." His large hands cover her stomach as he kisses along her neck.
She moans involuntary at the contact before stretching to receive him "Merry Christmas, Fitz." Olivia kisses him slowly as he lifts her leg and enters her from behind.
"Christmas tradition." Fitz says coyly as he watches Olivia cling to the pillow in front of her.
"I like it" she breathes out
"I'm the gift that keeps giving" Fitz jokes as he kisses Olivia once again
"Don't stop." Olivia says sincerely with the double meaning subtle yet Fitz understands clearly.
"Are you making pancakes?" Olivia asked excitedly loving Fitz's blueberry pancakes more than life itself.
"Do you want them?" he turns to Olivia who sits on the counter beside the stove
"Yes." She pulls him between her legs and kisses him once again.
He pulls back from the kiss, looking at her lips curved upward, to her giggling nose and finally her bright and shinning eyes.
She's happy.
This was what Fitz wanted for the Holiday's, to watch the women he loves be happy and carefree.
"What is it?"
He shakes his head softly before tracing her lips with his thumb "I got what I wanted for Christmas."
"What's that?"
"You."
Her eyes softens and she tries not to be affected by his words but they move her as they always do, her arms cover his neck, bringing him closer towards her warmth.
"I got what I wanted too, Thank you Fitz." She smiles at him
"Why are you thanking me?" he's shocked, no one has ever thanked him before, not for something he hasn't done.
"For loving me." She smiles at him with moist eyes "because you love me, I feel that I am beginning to love myself."
He doesn't say anything, just letting her words sink in.
"Fitz?"
"Yes?" he comes back from his momentary daze
"Does this mean I get extra blueberries?"
Fitz laughs "yes, you can have extra blueberries."
/
"Fitz I want you to open my gift first!"
"No… ladies first."
"Fitz…"
"Okay" Fitz gives receiving the wrapped gift from Olivia.
She squeals excitedly from the seat on the couch next to him .
"Wow." Fitz stares at the acrylic notebook knowing that this cost Olivia over hundred dollars.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it." Fitz opens the book and gently touches the paper "but this is expensive."
"It's not." Olivia says "I always see you drawing in your notebook and I just thought you could have a new one when you finish that one."
"I will definitely be needing this considering I finished my notebook. Thank you. I love it." Fitz kiss Olivia once again.
Fitz proceeds to open a few more gifts several shirts, pants, and Olivia practically bought him a new studio. Paints, canvas, pencils, paint brushes, she spared no expense even the Nikon D850 which cost over three thousand dollars.
"Liv. I can't keep all this."
"Yes, you can." Olivia grabs the camera "one of my friends told me that this is best camera out there, and I see you taking pictures with yours."
"This is too expensive." Fitz stares at the camera dejectedly knowing he didn't spend even half that amount on Olivia
"Fitz. Don't do this."
"I didn't spend this much money on you." His voice breaks and he's clearly upset which makes Olivia regret the idea of even being excited.
"Fitz, don't do this." She pleads once again "this is my first Christmas that I am excited about, and I went overboard shopping but it's because I have someone now that I want to shop for."
"I just don't want to disappoint you."
"Fitz, whatever you give me I will love."
"Please don't make me sad on Christmas." Olivia begs
He turns to Olivia who looks unbelievably young at this very moment. Her straighten hair covers her back, the strap of her crème night gown slides down her shoulder and her face is pure and bright, without any makeup on.
"I love everything and I'm sorry. I just wish I did more."
"You did." Olivia promises kissing Fitz on the lips "look at your camera!"
And he does, it's beautiful. "I can't wait to take pictures of you."
Olivia giggles "not me."
"Who else?"
"The people."
"I'm still taking pictures of you." Fitz smiles "I'll have my own personal collection."
Olivia slaps his arm "I'm not posing."
"You will." Fitz remarks
"If you take pictures of me then I get to take pictures of you."
"Deal."
Olivia smiles at Fitz as she takes a sip of her tea. Never confessing that she would gladly allow Fitz to photograph her, she can only imagine how he must act when focused.
After Fitz opened all his gifts, it was now Olivia's turn, with sweaty palms, Fitz looks at Olivia as he moves her gift into the living room.
"Open your eyes."
"What is this ?" Olivia whispers
"That is your dresser." In the middle of the room, sits a large white dresser with a vanity on top. It's exactly Olivia's style. Classic yet with a modern flare.
"Why…"
"I know we aren't ready to move in together but I felt this is a good next step."
She wipes the single tear quickly not wanting Fitz to see her cry.
"I bought all of your hair products, and toiletry items. They are in the restroom. I even I got you a few things inside there." Fitz points to the dresser " Go look."
It takes her a minute to stand up but she manages to move to the dresser. The large oval mirror sits on top of the dresser, her fingers glide across the white finish. It's beautiful.
With a deep breath she opens the first drawer and finds Fitz's navy shirt tucked perfectly inside the drawer. Fitz doesn't see her but she touches his shirt gently, almost afraid of ruining it.
"There's something else in the next drawer."
She opens the drawer and she doesn't see it at first, but a reflection hits her eyes, with shaking hands she picks up a key. His key.
"I struggled with what to give the girl who has it all. And I remember us talking about the thing you were deprived as a child; a home."
"I know you have a place of your own, but I just wanted you to know that you have a place with me as well.." He smiles at Olivia, feeling unbelievably exposed and vulnerable.
She stares at him for a minute in wonderful stupor, but finally her legs begin to move and she crawls in his lap and he holds for what feels like forever.
No words spoken.
"Where did you get that?"
"I made it."
Her eyes grow in size, she's shocked. "How?"
"I would go to Stephen's place." Fitz smiles "he has all the tools but doesn't know how to use them."
"I can't believe you made this for me."
"I bought the wood, the paint and the mirror…it took a few times but I finally got it right."
"It's perfect." Her voice fades away as she looks at her dresser. No one has ever made her anything, all of her past boyfriends would buy her these extravagant gifts but they all felt commercial, insincere.
"That's not it." He puts Olivia on the couch as he turns around.
Quickly Olivia unwraps the gift. It's Fitz's notebook.
"I'm sorry, that I don't have the money to buy you the most expensive gifts. I would love nothing more than to buy you something nice, but what I have for you is real and genuine. "
"Fitz, I love what you have given me more than you can ever know ." she opens the notebook and is met with lovely portraits of herself. Some are black and white and others are filled with a kaleidoscope of color. The drawings are almost life like, she knew Fitz could draw but never to such exquisiteness . The portraits are not all entirely of her, some are of kids laughing, flowers swaying in the wind, abstract doodles that stimulate his brilliant mind.
"Fitz. This is beautiful." She flips through the pages and finds poems. Poems about his day, poems about life, and poems about her.
"You greet me with a morning kiss,
and I sigh with heavenly bliss.
Oh, how your existence has ignited my soul,
the object of my affection you are my most prized goal.
Touch me tender
so I may die relishing in your sweet splendor.
My light and my muse
it is you who I must infuse."
She finishes the poem, and turns to him with such tenderness. Her eyes close as she nuzzles his neck, inhaling his scent that smells like home. Her fingers ghost around his face, his once smooth jaw has small stubbles growing, his left cheek has a small indention from his dimple. She has memorized his face and body without sight.
"I have one more thing." He whispers in Olivia's ear.
"Fitz, I don't think I can handle anything more." Olivia laughs softly though she is being serious. The emotional rollercoaster Fitz has put her through has left her spent and her heart growing far too big for her to comprehend.
He carries a large canvas to the room, an abstract painting that starts with horizontal black strokes that evolve to gray and a lighter gray as his brush strokes become more pronounced and extravagant until finally the light emerges in the center of the canvas, separating night from day; light to dark. The pale off white color tone is luminous creating the perfect imagery of a sun rising and beneath that light is pale blue tones blending together with gray streaks. Olivia marvels at the purpose of his brushstrokes, how the contemporary painting looks like paradise.
"It's lovely." she smiles at the painting loving it. "I can't wait to put it in my office."
"You would?"
Olivia looks at him "Of course, it's beautiful and I love art."
"I'm glad you like it." Fitz smiles happily
"No. I love it. Thank you for giving me the best gifts ever."
"Like wise." Fitz says with a genuine smile. Truly happy that he was able to give Olivia something that he believes she would love.
/
Fitz stops her before they walk inside Stephen's place.
"Mistletoe" he blushes as he reaches down to kiss Olivia sweetly on his lips.
Olivia lets out a happy sigh, of contentment. She walks into a room, holding her boyfriend's hand and she feels like she belongs. She's not alone, she's not the outsider looking in. She's sitting at the table next to him, laughing , joking, exchanging stories both old and new. He kisses her palm and her heart flutters all over again, a sense of ease washes over her; everyone is talking and laughing and though she only has Abby here that she knows personally she doesn't feel uncomfortable.
Olivia feels at peace. This is what she was supposed to do. He is who she was supposed to celebrate every day with.
"Fitz, is a great singer!" Stephen shouts slightly drunk as they had finished Olivia's wine and was on to their second bottle as Fitz still nursed his tumbler of scotch.
"Ohhh!" The group yells causing Fitz to blush slightly at the attention.
"I can't sing." Fitz shakes his head.
"Yes, you can" Olivia moves forward to the table "Fitz, was singing last night."
"Ohhh"
"Olivia, had you singing last night Fitz?" A young man named George said sitting beside Fitz.
"Alright, Olivia." Abby joked.
"What did Olivia have you singing last night, Fitz?"
He looks to Olivia who stares at him, trying her hardest not to smile. With a sly grin Fitz croons "fly me to the moon. Let me play among the stars."
Everyone laughs loudly even Olivia who is always composed manage to laugh loudly as the guys began elbowing Fitz.
"Fitz, how's the teaching job?"
"It was great but that time has passed and I've decided to go back to criminal law."
"That's incredible! Congratulations."
"Thank you. It won't be easy but I am going on a new journey and I think it will be an exciting one." He entwines his hands with Olivia's and the sentiment is not lost on her or anyone in the room.
They move to the living room where all the couples are spread out on the couch or floor. Everyone is slightly inebriated except for Fitz.
"Fitz, why don't you drink so more?"
"I have to take us home, which means I have to be sober."
"You guys can crash here!" Stephen tells Fitz and he's right, there's plenty of room for them all to sleep. There was already one couple that agreed to spend the night.
"No. I need to be alone with my women." Fitz smiles at Olivia who was talking with Abby in the kitchen.
"Olivia, you are so happy. I've never seen you like this before especially during the holiday season." Abby gushes as her and Olivia make coffee for the guys.
"I have a reason to be happy." Olivia replies subtly not wanting to be one of those ladies who has to constantly boast about her love life.
"You are in love."
"I love him." Olivia looks at Abby and smiles softly "and I'm trying not to be one of those girls who constantly has to gush about her boyfriend but I am. I am now officially one of those girls. It's disgusting."
"It's cute." Abby laughs
"How is Fitz handling the Christmas holiday without his mom?"
Olivia shakes her head "he's doing better than I expected but Fitz is also very good at pretending. He's keeping himself busy, but he misses her."
"And Daniel hasn't called you?"
Olivia sighs "He asked me what I was doing a few days ago after the meeting, and I told him it was none of his business."
Abby rolls her eyes "he was probably thinking you would want to spend Christmas with him because of the holiday's."
"That's exactly what he was thinking. He hasn't called me since his mother died and I keep our conversations to a minimum. I think he's moving on." Olivia answers honestly.
"What did Fitz get you?"
A smile rushes to her face as she looks at him "he gave me everything."
"What?"
Olivia turns to cut a piece of rum cake.
"You aren't going to tell me, are you?"
"No." Olivia answers with a smile as she walks to Fitz who welcomes her with open arms.
/
"Have you heard from anyone?"
"No." Fitz walks out of the restroom after brushing his teeth.
"Not even your father?"
"Definitely not him." Fitz says softly with a laugh.
"You miss her."
Fitz moves to his side of the bed and looks at the ceiling "I miss her."
Olivia moves towards his side of the bed, wanting to comfort him knowing how painful this can be. "you can miss her."
"How are you so strong?" he looks at Olivia seeing that maybe the answer is in her eyes but she falters, nervous about his penetrating stare.
"I'm not."
"You are the strongest person I have ever met. Do you miss your mother and father?"
"I miss her, and my father is dead to me. Normally the holiday's remind me that I am alone, but this time. Today, I didn't feel that way."
His index finger glides down her nose before caressing her cheek.
"I loved spending Christmas with you."
"Me too." Olivia whispers
"I can't wait to spend every day with you." He confesses
Her eyes become softer as she kisses his hand tenderly.
"Can you read me one of your favorite poems that you wrote?"
"Is that what you want?"
Olivia nods her head.
Fitz gets up from the bed and walks to Olivia's dresser that's now catty corner in there room. She finds herself marveling at him, wearing only his pajama bottoms, he looks perfect and more than that, he is. She can watch him do the most mundane things and still find him to be the most incredible man she has ever met.
He moves back to the bed and this time he puts his reading glasses on that he hates to wear but Olivia finds them utterly attractive on him.
He turns on the nightstand light, and Olivia's head falls on his shoulder as she waits for him to read.
"There are truths still left untold.
Like how my love for you continues to unfold.
I was on the brink of sinking
feeling the enormous weight of my dreams leaking.
Waiting day after day while life flew away,
Floating absently into disarray.
I became one with the sea,
Oh how sanctified is thee.
The serenity that lies beneath the shore,
My heart began to beat once more.
A shooting star flew over me, like the speed of light
and I began to see my inconsequential plight.
The troubles of our past do not always have to last.
So I read you this poem in hopes that yours too shall pass.
The world is yours to take,
so create the world you wish to make.
Hold it firmly and use your power
And know that you are my light in my darkest hour."
Olivia becomes quiet for a minute, drowning in the depth of his words and the meaning of it.
"It's lovely Fitz."
"Thank you."
"Can you tell me about?" she ask softly
"Of course" he smiles at her, turning more towards his side so he can look at her better "it's about me, wasting all the opportunities life has offered me. I was drowning though self-induced, but then I met you and I began to see that the trajectory of my life. This time of my own accord. I just wanted to tell you how much I love you."
She's beaming at him like he hung the moon and stars, her eyes misty with the overwhelming emotion moving through her. She buries her face in his chest, kissing the breast bone that contains his heart.
"I love you." She tucks his unruly curl behind his ear, her fingers trail down his neck until her palm rest on his heart, feeling it beat in sync with hers. "I am in love with you too, Fitz."
He feels her body relax in his arms, he kisses the top of her head hoping to comfort her, knowing just how difficult it is for her to share.
"And I love you."
Buckle up, Gladiators...
I know some follow me on twitter but I wanted to let everyone know that this story will be coming to a close shortly.I am saying that it will end at chapter 25 but it may be sooner.
*And yes Fitz painted Olivia's picture that is in her office.
Until next time...Muse