A/N: Thanks to all of you have read this story and left reviews. I've received some messages about this story and I want to thank those for the encouraging words. I hope you enjoy the latest update. Please leave your thoughts.
As Fitz settled on the couch, Olivia went to grab their mugs of coffee off the island. Bringing them, she sat them down on the coffee table on top of coasters. Looking at Fitz she said "Are you ready to talk?" Fitz gave her a nod and started to speak.
"Olivia, Liv, Livvie, the time I spent with you in Seattle left me feeling alive. It was only three days, but they were the best three days I have had in a long time. My ability to talk to you about any and everything. Finding out we had so much in common. I want to make it clear I do not see you as my little sister's best friend. I see you as Olivia Pope the grown woman whom I would very much like to get to know more about. The woman I would like to date. I am not getting younger; I do not have time to play games. I am making it clear what my intentions are here. I do not see myself casually dating just to date. I am dating with a purpose. Finding my life partner. If that is not something you are interested in let me know. Because I honestly feel like that could be you. I hope my feelings don't' scare you."
Olivia watched as Fitz kept talking without taking a breath. She finally found an opening when he said he hoped that did not scare her to respond.
"Your feelings don't scare me. I want to make my intentions with you clear. I am glad you do not see me as just Abby's best friend. While there was a time when I was the young girl with a crush on my best friend's older brother that is definitely not who I am now. I am a woman in search of love. I want to find my other half to share my life with. Those days in Seattle where you let me lean on you as I spoke about the immeasurable pain I felt at the loss of my grandmother. You did not look at me with pity. Instead, you looked at me with eyes that were so comforting. The in depth conversations we shared about life and our dreams were amazing. I'm very interested in seeing where this could go."
Fitz smiled his amazing smile at her. He pulled her into his side and as he reclined his body on the arm of the couch she nestled into his side. He held her close and they laid like that in silence for a minute just holding each other. Both thinking about how this relationship could last a lifetime. Neither brave enough to voice it. After a minute of silence Olivia spoke.
"You know Abby is like a dog with a bone. She will be questioning what is going on between us." Olivia released with a sigh.
"Do you think she'll have a problem with us dating? I can talk to her if you'd like." Fitz replied. He was not about to let Abby interfere in this.
"To be honest, I don't' think she will have a problem. I just know she'll be mad if we keep this from her."
"Well then if we are sure we want to pursue this maybe it's time we had a talk with Abigail Grant Whelan."
They decided they would have a talk with Abby soon, but right now, they were content to be in their own little world. They spent about another two hours lounging at Olivia's. Fitz showed her a few of the smart home features they put into her home and she was pleased with how these would save her money in the end. They also spent some time cuddling, and sharing sweet kisses. Fitz could not get enough of her soft lips and Olivia could not get enough of being in his embrace. It felt like home being in his strong arms. A little while later he has to leave to get ready for his Brother and his family to come into town. Fitz had agreed to host dinner for the family this evening and he had to get ready.
A few hours later Fitz was out back on the deck grilling steaks for the family while his brother Bobby looked on. They were discussing relationships and he asked him if he was seeing anyone. Fitz let him know recently he found someone he was interested in dating. Bobby asked him to tell him more about the girl who put a smile on his face. Fitz described all the things he found amazing about Olivia, never using her name. Bobby listened to his brother and was left to wonder why she was not at dinner tonight.
While they were still outside the sliding glass door opened and out walked their brother in law Stephen. Bobby rose giving Stephen a hug. Then Stephen made his way over to Fitz. Checking out how he was manning the grill. He took a swig of his beer and asked how the walk through with Olivia went. Fitz said things went well. She was pleased with all the new upgraded technology that was put into her home.
Bobby's ears perked up. "Olivia bought a house? Where?"
"She inherited Nana Pope's flat after she passed away. Fitz and Abby took on the project to update the space." Stephen replied.
"Well I'm sure everyone is happy to have her back. I know Abby is over the moon." Bobby expressed.
"Yes, everyone is happy to have her back here. Right Fitz." Stephen said.
"Sure. Yes it's great to have Olivia home." Fitz rolled his eyes.
Bobby watched the interaction between Stephen and Fitz. That is when it clicked. Could Olivia be the woman Fitz was talking about? Judging by the smirk on Stephen's face there is a story there. He will talk to his brother later. He knows how he gets and it will take some tact to approach this subject. Fitz asked one of the fellas to take this grilled vegetables inside and he would be in with the steaks on in a minute. Stephen took the veggies and Bobby patted Fitz shoulder giving him a sympathetic look.
Dinner with the family went great. Lots of chatter and catching up. Fitz looked around the table and smiled. He loved having a large family. His dining room was seldom used except for when hosting a party or guest. He looked forward to a day when it would be filled with his own family. He had a moment of envisioning Olivia and two kids sitting at the table. He closed his eyes trying to clear the thought. He did not want to get ahead of himself. Then he felt a tug on his shirtsleeve and a little voice saying Uncle Fitz. He smiled and look to the left to see a little boy grinning at him with his front tooth missing.
"Yes B.J. (Bobby Jr.), what can I do for you snaggatooth." Fitz replied.
"Can we have a slumber party at your house? I want to build a fort like last time." The little boy snickered.
"I think that is possible. Let's see what your mom and dad have to say about that." Fitz eyed the parents sitting across the table. His sister in law was cradling their 6-month-old baby. She had a look of thanks on her face. His brother Bobby made a face like he was thinking about it. Little B.J. look at his dad and said "Please" causing the table to laugh.
"Okay Okay. Who can resist that adorable face?" Bobby replied.
Fitz high fived his nephew. Therefore, B.J. spent the evening with Fitz. They built a fort in the living room. They watched a kid's movie and B.J. fell asleep in the middle of the movie. Fitz decided to give Liv a call before going to bed. They spent about 39 minutes on the phone. Towards the end of their call, B.J. woke up. He had to use the bathroom. When he finished the game over and sat on Fitz lap. He wanted to know what he was doing on the phone. When he looked at the screen, he saw Olivia's face.
"Hey Livvie, what are you doing?" B.J. asked.
"Oh, I was just talking to your Uncle Fitz, but it's his bedtime. I am going to let him go to sleep. Hopefully I'll get to see you soon B.J"
B.J. waved as Liv said good night to both the Grant males.
A few days later…
Not only had Bobby and his family come into town. Samantha and her family had arrived. Therefore, both the Popes and Grants had full houses. Normally the neighborhood would do a block party. Just to have something fun to do. It was not holiday themed because the different ethnicities. It was just nice for the block, which consisted of families that had been there for years to come together. Since their street ended in a cul-de-sac where it was not a through street they would get the permit to block off their one block.
Fitz had talked to his father two days ago to go over an idea with him. Since they were not going up to the snow this year he wanted to bring the snow to them. He had arranged for a snowmaking machine to be brought in and early this morning they had pumped snow onto the small neighborhood mini park. There had been a small fence draped with a tarp blocking the view to the park so no one could see what was done there yet. The block party would begin at 8am. Breakfast was set up to be served. Coffee stations where set up and of course there was hot cocoa and apple cider for the little ones. Fitz reminded the Grant kids to dress warm. After everyone had gotten breakfast… most of the neighborhood headed to the park for what they thought would be fun and games.
When the gate was opened, the screams of the children could be heard. There were gasp. Lots of jumping up and down. Fitz stood at the entrance and made sure every kid had on a hat, gloves and warm coat. If not, they had to go home and put those on. He let kids in one by one with their parents' permission. The kids picked up the snow. Some seeing it for the first time. It was cute to watch the kids play. Some small children not knowing what to do with the snow. Christopher came and patted Fitz on the back. This is amazing. He smiled watching Samantha his wife and their two children making a snowman. Wait until Olivia sees this. He looked around realizing Olivia was not there. He wondered where she was.
Olivia had gone in the house to get a scarf for her neck. The wind was blowing and she did not want to get sick. While she was inside, she heard the squeals of the children. She couldn't' for the life of her figure out what had them so excited. As she made her way over to the park, she could tell the kids where having lots of fun. Even adults could be heard laughing. As she stepped inside the gate Sophia, her niece ran and crashed into her legs. Olivia's eyes were taking in what she saw. There was a winter wonderland. Snow covered the s mall mini park. Olivia loved snow. Show always wished for a snow day. It never came to San Francisco sadly. That was until today. She then saw Abby hit Fitz with a snowball while he tried to use B.J. as a shield.
"Come on Aunt Liv, let's go help Aunt Abby. It's a boys against the girls." She reached and pulled Liv by the hand. As they made their way out there, BJ hit Sophie in the back with a small snowball. She took off running leaving Olivia.
Abby came over to Liv giving her a hug. As they released each other, they heard Bobby call their names. Both Liv and Abby where his simultaneously with snowballs. Both Fitz and Bobby stood there grinning that was until Abby and Olivia took off chasing them. Liv got close enough to push Fitz and he lost his balance falling in the snow. Liv jumped on his back and whispered in his ear he was going to pay for that. She picked up a hand full of snow and smashed it on his cheek. You could heard Fitz scream because of how cold it was all over the park. He quickly flipped over and that caused Olivia to fall into the snow next to him. He looked over at her and laughed. They laid there in the snow with their hands clutched together enjoying the moment.
Abby came over and dropped snow on both Fitz and Liv. With her hands on her hips, she told Liv. "No francizing with the enemy. Stop the googly eyes Fitz." They both laughed and not attempted to get up as Abby marched away.
"Well I guess we don't have an Abby problem after all." Liv said. Fitz just nodded and pulled Olivia closer to him. He did not care who saw. She was his.