To all my Readers,
I'm sorry that I haven't updated in a while, I've had a lot of things to contend with over the last few months, including the death of my grandmother, which has been very difficult for me to deal with.
Thankfully, I'm on Summer holidays now, so I have a bit more freed up time on my hands, I'm not going to promise an update every week, but I will try to keep them flowing as much as I can. Thanks for your continued patience.
Part 52
The rest of their week together goes by without incident. Liv had remained a good patient, much to Fitz's relief. He thought she would have put up more a fight, but it seemed the welfare of their baby outweighed any desires she had to regain more of her independence. Instead, she spent most of her days reading, or talking to Abby and Quinn on the phone. Quinn had proved very helpful in finding Liv a respectable counsellor, to help her to come to terms with the aftermath of her attack. However due to doctor's orders, she had to wait a couple more weeks before she was able to start her sessions, but Liv was just grateful to get the ball rolling. She was determined to put what had happened behind her, and focus on the future instead. Fitz was extremely proud of her for making this first integral move forward, especially because he knows it won't be easy for her; she was still having the nightmares; although maybe not as frequent as they had been the first couple of nights, but they made an appearance all the same. It was horrible watching them unfold, the fear that grips her prone little body, as her subconscious mind unmercifully subjects her to the horrors that took place that night. Not a day goes by that he doesn't wish that he had come to her rescue sooner. But thank God for Eli, he thinks.
Fitz had just set her a bath, using her favourite jasmine scented bubble bath- which she had starred on the shopping list a few days ago as one of her essentials, before handing it back to Fitz with a couple more key items added on. He had simply smiled at her, before heading out and leaving her in Huck's watchful care. Tonight however, he could tell that she was feeling rather apprehensious about the approaching weekend, so he prayed that the calming aromatherapy of the Jasmine would have the desired effect and help her to unwind. He understood why she was worried, but there was no need. Karen and Little Jerry were going to fall in love with her, just like he did.
"Here, grab my arm… that's it- take your time baby,"
Gently, he helps her out of the bed and onto her feet. She holds on to him tightly, for she is still a bit wobbly on her feet. "Thank you," she breathes out, concentrating on every step, as he slowly guides her to the bathroom.
"Can you help me with my robe please," she asks innocently, genuinely requiring his assistance, as she holds onto the sink for support. He helps her out of her robe and then her nightie, leaving her body naked before him. Even with all the fading bruises that mar her velvety skin, she is still the most beautiful women in the world, her silhouette from behind reminds him of an slender hour glass, her tiny little waist, leading down to her her hips, that he can't help but notice have started to spread to accommodate for their child, to her peachy buttocks and perfectly shaped thighs; Liv was beauty personified. Laid bare before him, she can't ignore her immediate reaction to him either, for she craves his touch; she's been so long without it. For obvious reasons, other than hugging and holding each other, they have refrained from all other forms of intimacy. She simply isn't ready, and he is acutely aware of this too, but nothing can seem to temper the desire they still have for one another.
As he wordlessly helps her into the bath tub, she silently wonders to herself, when they will be able to get back to normal?
With his assistance, she carefully sinks into the warm water. A sigh of great satisfaction slipping from her lips; the water feels wonderful against her delicate skin. "There you go…" He adjust some towels, arranging them into a makeshift pillow, in order for her to rest her head back. "That's it, relax and enjoy baby…" he tells her, before rising to his feet and making his retreat to afford her some privacy- however she has other ideas and instinctively reaches for him instead, halting him in his tracks. "Don't go," she pleads gently, then adds almost shyly… "I want you to join me."
He looks at her incredulously, "are you sure baby?" He has to ask, not wanting to push her into anything she's not quite ready for, but there's no hesitation in her response, as she tells him openly, "I just want to feel you against me, that's all… please".
Her use of the word "please," is enough to render him to his knees; a willing slave to her every demand; as his blue piercing eyes now refuse to leave hers as he starts to undress. She watches on intently, taking in every inch of his masculine frame. Agonisingly, he slowly exposes himself to her greedy view. A tinge of recognition, starts to beat between her thighs, causing her to flush all over. He truly was the beautiful one.
Once he's fully undressed, carefully, she scoots forward, providing him with enough space to slip in behind her. As soon as he sinks in, she rests back against him, closing her eyes, as he wraps his strong arms around her. "Does this feel okay?" he questions tentatively.
"Perfect", she sighs.
For a while they just sit there still, both revelling in their closeness. It feels like a lifetime since they been able to be like this, and she cocoons herself in him. Eventually, he stretches forward reaching for small flannel, and uses it to gently wash her body. He starts at her neck, before slowly moving down to her breast, now pebbled and awaken to his soft caress. Like her hips, they speak of her pregnancy too, now fuller, with her areolas darkening in colour. They look glorious, but yet nothing can compare to the slight swell of her belly, because she is beginning to show. And it's in that very moment that he realises nothing else matters. "I love you," he whispers into her ear.
"I love you too," she replies dreamily, melting beneath his touch. This was everything she needed and more, after a whole day of worrying and feeling anxious, she finally feels at peace. And she realises that no matter what happens, even if his children don't warm to her immediately, with his unfailing support they will find a way through it.
Xxx
With impeccable timing as always, Anne rings the doorbell at exactly 12 noon, with both Karen and Jerry in tow.
Always one to be extra cautious Huck had gone to meet her and the children at the station, just to make sure that she wasn't being followed. They couldn't afford for the media, or worst, any other person that may wish to harm them, to find out their location. The entire family's safety depended upon them remaining hidden. After making sure the coast was clear, Huck loaded up his van with their luggage and drove them to the house.
Walking up the pebbled drive, Anne couldn't help but be impressed with the house and its extensive grounds, it was simply idyllic. She could see why Fitz had chosen it, for one, it was rather secluded; it seemed their nearest neighbours were miles away, which would provide them with the privacy they needed, and two, being surrounded by the all this lush woodland, open space, fresh air and nature, it was a feast for the imagination; the perfect place to raise children.
As she rings the doorbell, she endeavours to keep an open mind. This would be her first encounter with Olivia, and although she could see that her son was truly smitten with her, under the circumstances she really doesn't know what to expect of her. Although, she suspects that Olivia might just feel the exact same way about her. She looks down at her grandchildren, who are looking up at her wide eyed and innocent, having no idea that life as they know it, was going to irrevocably change. She just hopes and prays that Fitz's is not making a huge mistake by moving them all out here.
God knows it wasn't going to be easy.
With that lingering thought, Fitz open the door to them, grinning brightly… "Mum, kids…" Jerry and Karen run towards him and latch on to him instantly. "Daddy, we missed you," Karen squeals, as he peppers her's and Jerry's face with kisses. "I missed you too." He declares, incredibly happy to see them and have them here. After showering them with lots of love, he rises up and places a kiss to his mother's cheek. "Thanks mum."
"Don't mention it, you're my son and I love you, I will do whatever I can to help…" He smiles at her gratefully; she had been a Godsend in the midst of this madness.
Sensing it was becoming all too serious, and wanting to keep things light, Anne quickly changes up the tone, by asking humorously… "So, are you going to let us in or are we going to stand outside on the porch all day?"
Briefly, forgetting himself, he moves aside allowing her and the little ones access… "Of course," he beams. "Come on in!"
Huck, not wanting to intrude on their moment, exits from the car as they head inside the house; he then takes one last measured look around, before grabbing the bags and dutifully following behind.
"Wow, this place is something else…" Anne exclaims, although not fully furnished or decorated yet, she can see that the house had huge potential. "It's massive." She looks around taking it all in… "How many bedrooms?"
"Five, although I plan to extend into the loft, making it 6 maybe 7, we'll see!"
"Exactly how many children are you planning on having Son?" She asks with a slight catch to her voice. It's not that she disapproves of them having a big family, quite the contrary, in fact she loves the idea of her growing old, rocking in her rocking chair, with loads of grandchildren and great grandchildren surrounding her, however, being very much a realist, she can't help but worry about the difficulties they will face, having to raise bi-racial children in world filled with so much prejudice and hate. This was not going to be an easy feat.
"I suppose it depends on how many God is willing to grace us with. This is going to be a difficult pregnancy for Olivia, so we'll see."
"Yes, Olivia… Talking of which, where is she?"
"She's upstairs, she's still bed bound; I was waiting for Huck to return to assist me in helping her downstairs."
"No, no need for that, if the doctor says she needs to remain in bed, then that is where she shall stay… I'll go up to see her."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course…"
"In that case, kids would you like to go out explore the garden for a bit?"
"Yes please", they sing song back- eager to get outside and play, considering that they have been cooped up in a train for the last few hours. Huck, gives him a look to say, don't worry I'll keep an eye on them. And feeling rest assured about their safety, Fitz leaves them in Huck's more than capable hands and leads his mum upstairs… "Follow me mum".
He knocks on the door to announce their presence. "Liv?"
"Come in," Liv replies meekly, somehow managing to mask the nervousness that she's actually feeling. Anne follows Fitz into the room, and is immediately taken back by the warm smile she is greeted with, despite the contrasting cuts and bruising that have only just started to fade on Olivia's face. She's been through the ringer, that much is obvious, and from the perspective of a mother; understanding the lengths that Olivia would have taken to save her baby, as well as herself from that vicious attack, she can only feel a great deal of empathy towards her.
With one hand covering her mouth, wordlessly she walks straight over to Olivia, and with her other hand she reaches over and takes Liv's hand into her own. "My God, what did those animals do to you?"
Unfazed by his mother's reaction, for Anne was well known for speaking her mind, he joins his mother's side, who has now perched herself on the bed next to Liv. He rests his hand on her shoulder as he formally introduces them. "Mum this Liv, and Liv this is my mum Anne."
"It's nice to meet you Anne," Liv offers sincerely.
Anne gives her a wan smile, "If only it were under different circumstance, my dear, but yes, it's nice to finally meet you too."
After a moment's thought, Anne then turns to face Fitz, ready to dismiss him, he can tell. "Fitz, why don't you go and get us something hot to drink and something to eat wouldn't go amiss either, that way it will give us ladies a chance to get to know each other better. Wouldn't you agree Olivia?"
"Totally… Go on Fitz, we'll be fine", she assures him.
"Are you sure?"
"I am…"
"Yes Fitz, we are both quite sure, thank you." Anne adds teasingly… "Oh, and I'll have 2 sugars in my tea today, I believe I'm going to need it."
With Fitz out of the room, Liv can't help but feel a little bit vulnerable under Anne's close scrutiny. Although she is conscious of the fact that Anne has been nothing but supportive thus far, she however is also aware that Anne is not entirely in favour of how they came together. Much like her father, Anne came from an era that would frown upon adultery.
"Olivia, please relax, believe me I'm not here to grill you. Although, I cannot say that I approve of my son cheating on his wife, however I do appreciate how unhappy he was in that marriage, and how happy you make him feel, despite all that has happened."
"Anne I would be lying if I said I didn't care that Fitz was married, because I do, believe me I would have never intentionally pursued a man that belonged to someone else, but with Fitz it wasn't like that at all… We never planned on any of this happening… By the time I could even admit to myself that what I felt for him was more than attraction, it was too late- I tried to fight it initially, I did, but there was no use, I had fallen for him hard. And he had fallen for me too. And then it seemed everything else spun out of control. For example, before Fitz, I never even thought about starting a family- I've always been so career driven, children had never even entered my head… And now…"
"Now, you're affectively a mother of two, with one on the way…"
She nods. "It's overwhelming, not to mention that in all the ways that matter I have lost my father's support, and then when you take into consideration that this whole time Jerry and Mellie have been plotting to have me killed…" she starts to tear up, the realisation of her words are really too heavy to bear.
Anne's heart is full too, she can see the pain and sacrifice that this girl has been through. "Oh Olivia… it's going to okay, they can't hurt you now." She reassures soothingly. "What they did, not even the law can turn a blind eye too. Attempted Murder, I knew Jerry was ruthless, but to actively plan to have someone murdered, that reaches an all-time low in my books. He deserves everything he gets. And Mellie- well don't get me wrong, after years of having Jerry cheat on me, I had often fantasied about exacting my revenge on the women that had caused him to stray, but that's all it was, thoughts, never in my right mind could I actually bring myself of commit murder. I had my son to think about, what kind of mother would I be, if I got myself locked up in prison. Mellie's so selfish, I have to seriously wonder if her children even entered her mind, when she decided to conspire with Jerry."
"Maybe, she thought that what she was doing was in their best interest too." Olivia counters, trying to at least give her the benefit of the doubt.
"Oh I doubt it, Mellie's all about Mellie, she knows Fitz is not like other guys; those who feel it's their God given right, as a man to play the field… It's not in his nature to cheat, therefore it could only mean that his affair with you was based on something more than him meeting his physical needs; he was emotionally invested too, which therefore made you a huge threat to Mellie, and her future plans of one day becoming the First Lady. Trust me, Mellie would have stopped at nothing to achieve her goals, even if it meant committing murder."
"Those poor kids". Liv empathises. "Regardless of what she's done, those children are going to find it hard growing up without their mother."
"Well of course they will, that goes without saying, and they do miss her, because whilst Fitz was away working all the hours God sends to fulfil his father and Mellie's dreams, which I might add were never his own, the only parent they've really had around is Mellie."
She ponders, "When my mother died, my father never remarried, and I was glad that he didn't; not that he didn't deserve to find happiness elsewhere, but I knew that no other woman could even begin to compare to my mother, let alone play the part as one… And now with Karen and Little Jerry, here I am; in their eyes nothing but a stranger, and yet somehow I'm supposed to step into Mellie's shoes and be their mum… When in fact I'm part of the reason she's no longer here… It's like I've failed them before I've even begun…"
"Liv, if you don't mind me asking, how old were you when your mother died?"
"I was 12 years old".
"Well, there you go, Jerry and Karen are both under the age of 5, whereas unlike you, you lost your mum at the age of 12, they are still young enough to adjust; and I suppose, when the time is right and they are old enough to comprehend what their mother did, and understand how her actions caused things to turn out the way they did… then it's up to them to formulate their own opinion on the matter. But right now, as long as you are willing to care for them and provide for them, as a loving mother would for her own children, then you will have nothing to worry about. They're good kids, easy to love, with plenty of love to go around."
"But I'm nothing like Mellie, we're from two different worlds."
"As in she's white, and you're black".
"Exactly, what if they grow to resent me, not only for losing their mother, but for the fact that their father had left their mother for a black woman".
"Those babies don't know the difference between white and black, not yet, and it will be up to you and Fitz to make sure that they grow up to see the world though eyes that are not prejudice to race or skin colour, and you will have to do the same for this baby too, and any others that you may have together. Not that I'm saying it's going to be easy, because it's not, which I appreciate that you and Fitz are fully aware of. I mean, just look at how much you've had to sacrifice and endure, just to be with my son."
"I know it's going to be difficult, but we have come too far to give up now. We love each other Anne, as hard as that may be for some people to except. But it's real, and that's never going to change, and hopefully it's the strength of that love that will help us all to get though this… I can only pray that it's enough."
"Me too Olivia, me too… And I want you to know, like I've said to Fitz, I will do whatever I can to help".
"Thanks Anne, you don't know how much that means to me, to the both of us."
"I can see why he loves you," Anne adds with a new insight, "You've got a big heart Olivia; brave too… And although you might not feel like it right now, but you are a very strong women." She pauses, giving Liv an encouraging smile, before telling her with no uncertainty… "You and Fitz will be okay, I think the worst has passed."
And in that very moment an unspoken alliance was made, between the two women who truly held Fitz's best interest at heart.
The knock on the door, and the sound of Fitz clearing his voice for good measure, lets the ladies know that they are no longer alone and both turn and look towards the door…
"May we come in, I have two little helpers here with me too, carrying a plate of scones to go with your tea."
Anne squeezes Liv's hand, and whispers to her… "You can do this."
Liv squeezes it back, grateful for her support, before finally calling them in.
