C. 4

Fitz's house

Fitz had just gotten out of the shower and was trying to figure out what to wear, he wanted to look nice without overdoing it. He needed to impress Olivia and also win over her father at the same time. He had a uniform at his old school so he had a few pairs of jeans, shorts and some he brought from California. His mom had helped him pick out some new clothes that would be more appropriate for his new high school but he wasn't sure if he should go with a v-neck, a henley or a button down shirts. He thought the baseball t henley was too casual, but couldn't choose between the other two. He had a light and cobalt blue v-neck he could choose from, they fit snug showing off his chest muscles or a blue plaid button down, which he could roll up and make more casual. He stood there in his cargo shorts struggling with the decision, when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," he said.

"Fitz, the Popes are going to be over here soon, you need to get dressed and still haven't done your hair. What's going on?" His mother asked giving him a strange look.

"I don't know what to wear," Fitz felt embarrassed to admit this, girls were supposed to be the ones who took forever to get dressed, and there he was ready to turn 19 in a few days and he couldn't even dress himself. " I want to look good, without trying too hard to impress Livie," he said in a defeated tone. He had filled his mother in on his crush on their neighbor and how he thought she felt the same way.

"Fitz, Olivia will like whatever you wear, but if you want to impress her wear the button down and go cut some fresh flowers for her out of our flower garden in the back, I'll put water in a vase for you. But please hurry they will be here soon." She smiled at her son, glad that their relationship was starting to be rebuilt and he felt he could confide in her. She left the room and headed downstairs to finish the side dishes and make sure the steak and salmon were ready to go on the grill.

Fitz obliged and put on the button down, and decided to leave the top three buttons undone. He went into his bathroom and grabbed the pomade out of the drawer placing a little bit in his hands as he ran it through his hair. He had to admit it had gotten out of control this summer and he was glad to have it shorten, especially since he'd be wearing a helmet for long periods of time next week. Most of the length was taken off, but he kept it longer on the top and a medium length on the side. The pomade help calmed down the curls some but he needed to part it and comb it into place. He couldn't get the front to stop going into a Superman curl that drove him nuts but for some reason all the girls loved, he shrugged his shoulders and figured he'd accept it and hopefully Livie would like it too. He should've shaved before he put his shirt on, he wouldn't have cared but meeting her father made him want to be clean shaven. Edward had instilled that clean shaven was a more respectable look, it must've been his military attitude, so Fitz did this quickly then went outside to cut flowers for Olivia.

Olivia's house

Olivia wanted to look nice but not too revealing, but she felt she was showing some skin. Olivia in short lavender shorts, and a white tank top that exposed the sleek muscles in her back and shoulders. Show wore her hair natural, it was big and curly so she put a headband on in the front. She usually didn't wear her hair like this often, and opted to straighten it for school, but thought it was be a good look for tonight. instead of her natural makeup look, she thought she'd surprise Fitz with a smokey eye look. She always liked the look and it did make her feel more bold.

She looked at her phone and saw it was almost time to leave. She walked over to grab her gold gladiator sandals and looked out the window to see Fitz in his family's backyard flower garden. She noticed he had gotten a haircut and couldn't wait to see it up close. She had thought he was cute with his own curly version of a Harry Styles's hairdo, but did prefer a more cleaned up look. He must be getting some flowers for a centerpiece, his mother had a great eye for decorating and she was sure she would have the dinner setup perfect.

Olivia made her way downstairs to the presence of her brother, mother and father. She hadn't seen him in almost two days because he was on his late shift and had slept most of the day. He was off for the next two days and she was glad to see that her father would meet Fitz, she was sure he would like him, unlike his ideas about Brody.

"Hello darling, you look wonderful," her father said as he made his way over to hug her. Then went to grab two bottles of wine from their wine cellar.

Jackson laughed to himself.

"What's so funny?"

"You getting all styled up, I can't remember ever seeing you look like this for what's his name…. oh yeah Brody. I never thought he was good enough to get glammed up for, half the time he looks like he barely tries when he picks you up," he said in his sarcastic tone.

Olivia glared at him, why would he mention his name. Olivia had not thought about him at all today and now was definitely not the time she wanted to be reminded of her boyfriend who would be coming home in two days.

As if he knew what she was thinking. "Oh chill out drama queen, go have fun with Fitz, we'll deal with the douchebag when he gets home"

His mother smacked him "Jackson, your language please!"

"Hey! I only speak the truth."

Eli returned with the bottles, and the four of them made their way out the door to the anticipated dinner at their neighbors.

dinner

Fitz was sweating profusely and couldn't sit still, he really wish he could indulge in a beer, or some of Edward's scotch to calm his nerves, but he knew that definitely wouldn't fly in this house. The doorbell rang.

"Fitz, will you please let them in, Edward's manning the grill and I am finished up the bruschetta."

Of course you are he thought, he knew she planned it so he would be forced to greet their guests. Fitz made his way to the door and opened it, Jackson came in first and smacked him on the back and made his way towards the bar area where Fitz' mother had prepared appetizers. He was followed by Maya, Olivia and Eli. If it wasn't for her dad being behind her, Fitz is sure his mouth would have been hanging open, as he checked out Livie, who somehow looked better than she had ever before. Unfortunately, he couldn't take the time to fully appreciate her, as her mother and her made their way into the kitchen carrying the bottles of wine leaving Fitz with Dr. Eli Pope. He immediately stuck out his hand to introduce himself.

"Good evening sir, I'm Fitzgerald Grant, Michelle's son from California, I just relocated here about a week ago. I've enjoyed spending time with family and look forward to enjoying your company tonight as well" he gave Eli a firm handshake. He may have been laying on the charm too much, but it wouldn't hurt to charm her dad, since he already knew her brother and mother liked him.

""Well young man, if you are Michelle's son I should expect to hear a lot of good things about you in the future. I hear you're going to be our new quarterback, Jackson is quite impressed with your skills, although I don't think he's the only one impressed with you. I also look forward to enjoying your company." Eli smiled and continued his way out to the back patio to help Edward grill and drink scotch.

Fitz smiled to himself then remembered the flowers he had cut for Olivia. He sprinted up to his bedroom to grab the vase and returned to an audience in the kitchen. Olivia was alone by the bar pouring some lemonade, but still in clear view of the moms and Jackson. He walked up behind her, placed the flowers on the bar in front of her and his hand on her left hip. "I cut these for you, although they aren't nearly as beautiful as you look tonight," he whispered softly into her ear and he notice the way it affected her as goosebumps appeared on her arms. He had the urge to kiss her right there in front of everyone, but didn't want to have an audience for something he wanted to be intimate.

Olivia could feel his hot breath on her neck and breathed in his scent. She had never been given flowers for no reason, they usually were a makeup gift when Brody had seriously messed up. She turned around facing Fitz and gave him hug without thinking about who all would be watching. She could feel the individual muscles in his back and his strong arms tighten around her. He lifted her off the ground and she looked him in the eyes, moving towards him to kiss him. The moment was ended when Jackson whistled and their mothers gave an awwwww.

Olivia and Fitz broke apart and were both blushing.

Fitz ran his hand through his hair and proceeded to leave the kitchen to go outside with Jackson following him. They talked to Eli and Edward for awhile, Fitz was thankfully neither of them had seen what happened in the dining room and that Jackson kept his big mouth shut. Eli asked Fitz about his old school, his favorite subject and what field he'd liked to go into after high school. Fitz told him he wasn't sure what he would major in, he knew being a doctor would be a lot of schooling, but he also thought of going to a military academy, he saw the benefits being an officer were for Edward. Eli wanted to see Fitz arm and encouraged him to toss around the ball with Jackson. Both adult males smiled as Fitz threw with velocity and precision, knowing that there were many reasons it would be good for Fitz to become the new quarterback.

Olivia decided she'd just pretend that didn't happen and help her mom and Michele in the kitchen, although they were both smiling at her making it hard to not feel awkward.

"Your flowers are beautiful Livy."

"Yeah, that was really thoughtful of him," her blushing was not going away.

"He was very concerned about impressing you tonight, I didn't think he would be ready in time."

"Really?" Liv tried to hide her excitement about Fitz wanting to impress her.

"To be honest, I think my son has developed quite the crush on you."

The three smiled and changed their conversation to the upcoming school year. Liv helped them set up an extravagant spread of fresh bread, vegetables, and summer salads as sides. Olivia thought it was a little over the top, especially for seven people, but figured that Fitz' mom wanted to impress him with the dinners she could cook, since she wasn't always home from work everyday to spend dinner with him. She was a great cook and Olivia always loved when they had dinner with them. The men came back in after about fifteen minutes with a tray full of grilled meats and vegetables.

Fitz had forgotten how nice it was to share a meal with people, especially family. When he lived in California the only time he didn't eat by himself was when he went out with friends or there was a dinner party at his house. His father didn't have time to eat with him and neither of them wanted to bond over dinner nightly, so he usually grilled some type of meat and ate it with vegetables. He wasn't a bad cook, but his food definitely wasn't this good.

Jackson was the first to get up. " Well that was an outstanding dinner, thank you so much for having our family over, but I promised Marissa I'd pick her up from work and we'd go to the movies. She was disappointed she couldn't switch shifts and join us, she always loves coming over for dinner. I'll see you all later," He gave both mother's a kiss on the cheek and Fitz a fist bump, and was out the door before anyone could respond.

"Do you need any help cleaning up ?" Fitz asked as he began to clear the table.

"Oh no honey,we'll all sit here and drink these bottles of wine, you and Olivia should take my car and go have fun," his mother replied.

"Yes you need to enjoy yourselves, because once school starts your lives will get pretty crazy,"Maya chimed in.

"You heard her, enjoy the night. That means something coming from the principal" Olivia smiled at Fitz.

They both got up from the table, and headed out the door. She didn't know why, but she felt the need to touch him, and looped her hand around his arm.

"Thank you again for the flowers, it was really thoughtful."

He smiled down at her and wrapped his arm around her kissing the top of her head "You're welcome." He left his arm linger around her as he walked to her side and opened the door.

He sat in the driver's seat and looked at her smiling and putting on his sunglasses.

She couldn't get over how handsome he was and how much she was attracted to him.

"Where do you wanna go?" Fitz asked starting the car then slipping his hand in hers.

"I have a special place in mind I want to show you," Olivia responded and kept her hand there, although she knew should have removed hers from his.

They both smiled looking down the road ahead of them.