The rest of the summer was an adventure for the family. The wedding planning was on, and their wedding planner was working on designs for their wedding as well as possible locations.
The couple was also house hunting. After the engagement party, her mom told her that she planned to reduce her schedule even more in the coming year. Elizabeth was already visiting a lot, and Marian had come a long with her for several of the visits. They wanted them to have the apartment. They were also looking for a home in California so Andrew's family could sell their home.
The kids spent a majority of the remainder of the summer in California with family. They attended a camp, and Karen and Olivia sat down with her team to discuss their new book.
In additions to getting started on the new book series with Karen which was slated for release Christmas of the following year she was putting the final changes on her now edited book. Her next book would be released the following spring.
Fitz was on top of the world. Not only was he marrying his soulmate, and they had two happy and stable children for the first time he felt successful in his own right. He had recently won a half billion-dollar settlement for a group of women who were fired or passed over for men who were less than qualified for the position they were in. He had sat down for several interviews, and for the first time no one mentioned his father. It was about him, the lawsuit, and his fiancée which he could deal with.
For the first time, the kids experience open house with parents. It was different having both parents involved. It was something that a lot of kids took for granted, but for them it was another step towards normalcy.
The next couple of months was about getting into a routine with school, work, and activities. It was an adjustment, but after some time they found a great balance.
The holidays were coming up. They decided they would head to California, and spend Thanksgiving as one big family. This year for Christmas it would be just the four of them.
The family headed to California after the kids got out of school. Olivia had wrapped up her meetings, and the business that Fitz had remaining he would be doing from California.
Two days before Thanksgiving the couple headed to the country club that both of their families were members of to meet with their wedding planner.
After going over the options of the wedding she gave the couple some time to think.
Olivia looked at Fitz, "What do you think?"
"I think that you have known what you wanted for some time, but you are scared to tell me because you think that I might not want the same thing."
Olivia should be over him knowing her so well, but she wasn't. It was annoying every now and again, but for the most part it was comforting to have a partner that she was in tune with.
She thought about denying it, but knew it was pointless.
Fitz grabbed her hand that was on the table, "We don't have to give her all the answers today Livvie."
She smiled because she knew what he meant.
She finally looked at him, "Is this what you want? Do you think that your mom will be upset?"
He shook his head, "I am more than okay with what you envision for our wedding. As far as mom is concerned she won't be upset Liv. You have allowed her to be a part of the process. The fact that we don't want to have a huge grand ceremony with lots of people that we don't know is not what she wants. Just talk to her."
Olivia nodded.
When the planner came back Olivia gave her their decision, "We are going to go with a destination wedding. With us getting married on Valentine's Day I want our wedding to be about our love, but intimate for those who are there as well. Also, I just don't want three or four hundred people. Most of them that I either don't know, or I have only met them once or twice."
The planner smiled, "I think that it is the right choice for you guys. I will email you more details about the locations that I think will fit your needs. Although you don't have to decide today I would say we need to in the next couple of weeks so I can ensure that the things you want I will have enough time to order and get shipped. Also, to make sure that we can meet the requirements of you getting married."
Olivia nodded, "We will probably know within the week. I just want to step away for a moment, and not make an emotional decision. I also want to talk to our moms about my decision as well."
"Not a problem. I am sure that Fitz said this, but I believe that Elizabeth will be happy with your decision. Big Jerry tried to hire me to do Fitz's wedding to Mellie, and she put her foot down. Every amount that that he offered to pay she would offer more for me not to do it. At first, I was confused, but I could tell that this wasn't about control. She just knew she wasn't right for Fitz, and as friends she didn't want me involved in the mess. Big Jerry was a friend by default so I pulled my name from consideration. With you she called me, and she didn't care the cost she just wanted me to take care of you."
The couple smiled hearing the story especially Olivia.
After the planner left the couple stuck around to enjoy lunch, and discuss the locations for their wedding. Things were coming together.
They were in their own world when the door opened. When they looked up they were face to face with Big Jerry.
Olivia had saw the man in passing, but this was their first official meeting. As she looked him over she could tell that her fiancée looked a lot like his dad. He was a good-looking man for his age. If his attitude didn't suck he would looked better.
Fitz looked up at his father. He avoided him at all cost, and had not personally saw him in more than a year. He knew the time was coming. He was expecting it. They were expecting it. It was just a matter of when and where. He knew it would be public, because his father thought he would have a chance to embarrass him.
Fitz rolled his eyes at his father thinking he still ruled something, "Big Jerry is there something that we can help you with? We are kind of in the middle of something."
"You are not going to introduce me to my future daughter-in-law?"
"Nope…"
"Well I guess I will have to do it myself."
He turned to Olivia, "Hello, my name is Fitzgerald Thomas Grant II affectionately known as Big Jerry. I am also Fitz's father. It is nice to meet you."
His hand was stuck out. He was shocked when Olivia didn't acknowledge him.
Big Jerry finally pulled his hand back, "Well son you know how to pick em."
Before Fitz could say anything, Olivia said, "You are right. When he doesn't have you to worry about he knows how to pick a woman who loves him. He knows how to pick a woman who won't use him. He knows how to pick a woman who won't abuse their children. Most importantly he knows how to pick a woman that will never get in bed with another man other than him."
Fitz shouldn't have been shocked that she was so feisty. After all she was the daughter of Maya Pope. He inwardly smiled as he saw the shock on his face.
"I see you been listening to the lies."
"Maybe, but pictures and videos don't tell lies. Let's be honest you think everyone is beneath you especially people of color. You do a good job trying to hide it, but it doesn't make it any less true."
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"I am talking about your subtle digs in the newspaper."
Fitz looked at Olivia who didn't look at him. She looked at Big Jerry and smiled.
Olivia stood up. She quickly looked over at Fitz to let him know she had this, and then she would allow him his moment. She just needed to lay the ground work to show him that he didn't rule shit when it came to their relationship.
She turned back to Big Jerry, "The mistake you made was thinking I was just some author. I understand that you didn't have all the facts. After all, when Hal couldn't deliver you went to someone else, but he is nowhere near as good as Hal. See I am more than an author I am an educated author. My parents taught me well. You don't think I didn't figure out that you were behind the pictures of Fitz & I on dates, or time with the kids being leaked to the press. You learned how much I value my privacy, and you thought I would get irritated with my life being public now that I was with Fitz."
"I am not sure what you are talking about. Fitz, you need to control your woman."
Fitz stood up, but Olivia put her hand on his chest to let him know that she was fine and had this.
She looked at Big Jerry and said:
5- I am not a dog. He nor any man will ever put me in place like they are trying to tame a dog.
4- If you have something to say to me you say it to me not my fiancée. I can hear and speak perfectly fine. I do not need a translator.
3-Before you put your mouth together to speak your next words be mindful who you are talking you, and where you are. You never know when a reporter is sitting around enjoying dinner looking for the next scoop.
2-The next time you want to come and speak to Fitz & I don't. We have nothing to say to one another ever again.
1-If I recall Elizabeth made it a condition of your divorce that you stay away from Fitz. If I were you I would abide by those terms because my mother will be the least of your concerns when you come for me and my family. By family I mean my fiancée, and children. So, make this the last time I ever speak to you about this.
It was silent in that room. It was hard to see who was more shocked Fitz or Big Jerry. He had never seen Olivia this mad or emotional before. It turned him on.
Fitz finally composed himself, "I think that my fiancée has covered it all, but just so we are clear you don't run shit anymore Big Jerry. Mom told you to leave me alone, and you didn't. I know you are confused so let me clear it up. You love to call me stupid, because I didn't do the things you wanted me to do and the way you wanted me to them, but I am far from it. You violated the divorce terms. Mom could take you to court, but I have a better idea."
Big Jerry looked at his son, "What are you talking about?"
Olivia was curious too.
"See my new investigator found your new off shore account that included the money from the settlement, and the money that you are earning now. Well I wouldn't say that you are earning it all. After all blackmail is not earning money. Since you want to meddle in my life I'll meddle in yours. The teen shelters in California will be calling you to thank you for that five-million-dollar donation."
Big Jerry screamed, "What?"
Fitz smiled, "After all you are a nice man. You hired Mellie a new lawyer to try and get her sentence reduced. You hired Hal to look into Olivia and her family as well as meddle in our lives. Since you are such a nice man I thought I would find a way for you to give back."
Big Jerry was ready to scream. Now Olivia was the one turned on. It looks like she wasn't the only one looking out for their family.
Fitz stepped up to his father, "There will be no more surprises from you. Whatever hole you were in you can crawl back in it. You will stop paying for Mellie's lawyer, because if you don't then the kids and I will sue you for everything you are worth, and I will leak information about those off shore accounts to make sure that after I take your money I put you in a cell beside her. This ends today finally. Are we clear?"
Big Jerry took a moment to compose his thoughts. He knew that he was cornered. The scary part was by both. No matter which way he turned he had no way out. The jig was up, and he was officially throwing in the white towel.
He nodded, "Understood…"
He turned around and walked out the door.
The couple took a moment before they sat back down. They took a moment to gather their bearings before looking at each other.
At the same time both said, "Huck…"
They each nodded.
Olivia said, "I knew that my life would change when we got together. Both of us are famous, but with what was going on with the kids and your family's name I knew the media would want a piece of us. That was not what bothered me. I knew that some of the pictures out there were personal, and that wasn't normal paparazzi pictures. My gut told me that it was your dad. He knows how much I value my private life, and if the media was getting a front row seat I would get annoyed and leave you is what he wanted to happen."
Fitz said, "After speaking with your mom I hired Huck to handle our investigations. I needed someone I could trust, and I know that your mom is slowing down. I owed him, and between the contracts we gave him in addition to the contracts that he was given after Hal was fired he is set. I also knew my dad. He is like a rabid dog. He doesn't stop, and I knew he would come back. The first sign was when Huck found out he was blackmailing Hal to get information. Right before coming here I found out about him still helping Mellie. He was doing a good job of hiding it, but Mellie's impatience helped. If she had stayed under the radar we might not have caught on until she was already in court."
Olivia grabbed his hand, "Thank you for loving me so much, and protecting our family."
"I should be thanking you. Other than my mom no one has ever stood up for me like that, and no one has ever done it in such a sexy aggressive manner."
Olivia laughed, "He pissed me off talking down to you."
Fitz was now laughing, "I love you so much. I can't wait to marry you."
"Ditto…"
Thanksgiving was special for the Grant/Pope household. It has been a long time since they had all been together. The kids were excited to see their uncles who enjoyed spoiling them rotten. Fitz smiled as he watched Olivia run into Harrison's arms.
Marian, Maya, and Olivia did most of the cooking. Elizabeth wasn't the best cook, but she could bake so she made several cakes and pies.
Since most of the food was done that morning they decided to do a light breakfast, and eat dinner at one.
Olivia noticed how excited Fitz & the kids seemed to be. She was a little confused considering he said it was the one time of the year they all came together.
Olivia was looking out the window. He was playing tag football with the kids. Harrison and Ethan were outside with them.
Elizabeth walked over. She leaned into Olivia, "We got together for Thanksgiving, and dare I say we were even civil with each other, but it was nothing like this where we laughed and talked and enjoyed being with each other. Fitz never experienced this until now, and I am glad that I am alive to see it."
Olivia turned and hugged Elizabeth, "You made some mistakes, but what parent doesn't. All I know is that you did more right than wrong. I am head over heels in love with your son, and I know that his father had nothing to do with that man outside. We have a lot of joyous moments ahead so let's enjoy them."
Elizabeth nodded, "I agree. I heard that you decided on a destination wedding."
Olivia got nervous.
Elizabeth smiled and looked Olivia in the eye, "Olivia, I don't care whether you want a large or small wedding. I don't even care if you said you don't want me involved. I just want to be there for my son and you on your special day."
Olivia was relieved to hear her say that, and she knew she meant it. Olivia grabbed her hand, "Thank you for being so supportive. I honestly love our planner, and I want you and mom involved. We have narrowed it down to three destinations, and we want to talk to the family later, and get your opinion before we make the final choice."
"Whatever you need honey."
"You and my parents are doing so much. I really appreciate it. Promise me you will fly out to New York when I have my dress fittings. I don't want to it without you or your mom."
"I will be there sweet girl."
"Good…"
Dinner was a wonderful affair. They each took a moment to share what they were thankful for. The kids sat between their parents, and relished the environment.
Afterwards the family watched some football. Fitz leaned over and said to Olivia, "I have something I want to show you."
Olivia nodded.
Once the first game ended the couple told their family they would be back. Fitz grabbed a golf cart, and they began exploring the property. Olivia didn't realize how expansive the property was.
They came to this house that was maybe a mile or so away from the main residence. The main house was massive, and opulent. This house was everything that she would ever want. It was a French farmhouse. It was big, but not overwhelming.
Olivia looked at Fitz, "This is the kind of house that I was looking for us to have here in California. Do you have a key? I want to look on the inside."
Fitz smiled and nodded.
Olivia walked through the house and fell in love. It was as if the house was built and designed with her in mind. She found out the house had seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms. Olivia felt like she was in a chateau in the south of France. The house even had the white oak hardwood floors that she wanted.
As much as she loved the inside of the house it was outside that really took her breath away. The entertaining area included a pool, spa, and Ipe deck. Olivia didn't think it could get any better until Fitz showed her the private beach.
She turned and looked at him, "I love the house Fitz. It has everything I want and more. I want big homes for our families, but I want them to feel like home. When I look at this home I feel like someone looked into my mind, and made it a reality."
"It is a reality Livvie…"
"What do you mean?"
"This house is yours. Well ours. This is our home in California if you would like it. I inherit all the property once my mom dies, but I talked to her and she was more than willing to allow me take over some of the land to have this home built. I knew you loved the farmhouse style, because that is what your old home here was. You just wanted it bigger, and I listened to all the little details you wanted. I purposely asked the realtor to show us houses that I knew you wouldn't be sold on to give the builder enough time to get the house finished."
"How long have you been working on this?"
"Since you moved to New York. We both gave up our homes here, but we needed a home in California. After our first showing I knew the best thing was to build, but I wanted us to be close to our families. With your parents, not far from mom the best solution was to build on the estate property. Mom gladly signed over for me to receive a couple of acres now, and the rest is history. The contractor only worked on our house, and I paid him double to make sure that it was finished by the time we got here. There are still on contract for another month so if there are any changes that you want to make we can call them. Mom said she will be more than happy to oversee it for you."
Olivia walked into his arms, "The house is perfect. I don't want to make a single change. It is better than anything I envisioned. Thank you for loving me so much, and taking care of me."
"I love you too. I have never been happier. Money is great, but has nothing on love, happiness, and peace of mind."
Olivia agreed.
