Chapter 11

Fitz awoke on Friday morning around 9am. He'd spent most of Thursday night cleaning and organizing the house in anticipation of Kara's arrival. He'd stocked the kitchen with fresh groceries, had the basement fireplace serviced, the carpet professionally cleaned, and the garage cleared for items Kara may want to store. Fitz even pulled out old family photo albums in the hopes that Kara would feel as sappy as he felt and want to take a trip down memory lane and her childhood.

He went through his morning routine, then moved to the kitchen to fix himself breakfast and read his newspaper on his iPad. When Fitz spoke with Kara the night before, she told him that she'd begin her drive around 5am her time, and she sent him a text confirming that she left around that time. He anticipated her arrival around 4:30 or 5pm his time. Kara was always one to stop only for gas and a quick pitstop at a restroom. She'd bring her own snacks and water for the long drive. Fitz decided to give Mellie a call to touch bases with her. They were always on the same page when it came to their children, although he was way more of a worrier than Mellie who took on a laid-back approach to her adult kids. Her phone rang twice before she picked up.

"Well good morning, Fitzgerald. How are you on this fine Friday morning?"

"I'm good Mels. How is everything with you?"

"Just splendid," Mellie answered, paused, sighed and began again, "She's fine, Fitz. Kara's a very good driver, I taught her myself. Well, I paid for the best driver's ed course available."

"I know, I just wish that she would have let me come get her. I've missed her these past six months. I'm just really looking forward to having her here to live."

"Is everything ok with you and Olivia? You're still together, right?" Mellie asked with genuine concern.

"Everything with us is great! She's amazing in every way. I can't wait for her and Kara to finally meet. Kara is making us dinner on Sunday. Did she tell you?"

"Wow. She's eager to make a good impression with your girlfriend. Impressive!" Mellie laughed. "So, you're not used to living with an adult child, Fitz. Have you thought of house rules?"

Fitz thought for a few seconds, now realizing what Mellie meant. "Um, not really. What do you suggest I do?"

Mellie guffawed as she rolled her eyes in disbelief of her naïve ex-husband. "It's your house, Fitz. And she's a grown woman. The only advice I can offer you is to at least have a conversation with her about both of your expectations. I'm pretty sure you will continue to entertain Olivia. How will that play out when Kara's there, rhetorically speaking."

Fitz nodded as if Mellie could see him. "I guess it's time for me to accept that we have adult children. They are adults in every way. They still need us, but not like before. I took out the old photo albums for us to look through, I mean, if she wants."

"Oh Fitz."

"I know," he said, understanding her sentiment. "I'll be working from home today, and I have some things I need to take care of this morning. Thanks for putting up with my whiny dad shenanigans. Tell Mike I say hey."

"Anytime. Give my best to Olivia as well."

XXX

Olivia was having a good day at work. It was fairly quiet, and their workload focused mainly on transactional cases. Wes was proving to be a great fit for the firm. His Zennial knowledge of technology played well with Huck, who actually liked having someone in the office who understood his obsession with all things tech. Harrison was on vacation and Quinn settled in to handle his cases.

Fitz had called Olivia mid-morning to drag her into his anxiety and excitement around Kara moving in with him. His conversation with Mellie made him think about how he and Olivia would handle their intimate time together. He was concerned that she wouldn't want to come over as often, or she'd feel less comfortable staying overnight with him. Olivia reassured him that whatever he felt comfortable with doing was the answer. She also reminded Fitz that she lived alone, and he could always spend the night with her. He invited her to come over to his place that night, but she felt that Kara probably expected to have her dad to herself for her first night back home. Fitz was a little sad, but he understood. He and Olivia agreed that Friday and Saturday would be his time to spend with Kara, and she'd see them on Sunday for dinner.

Olivia texted Angela to see if she was available for a last-minute dinner date. It just so happened that Marcus was working late with the skeleton crew, so her Friday night was wide open. They agreed to meet in two hours at their favorite food spot. Olivia went home to change into casual clothes. She texted Fitz to let him know that she was going out with Angela and that she'd call him when she returned home. She made her way to the restaurant which was fifteen minutes from her home. She arrived there before Angela, but her bestie arrived five minutes later.

"You are a site for sore eyes. How was your day, lady?" Olivia asked.

"It was hectic, but at least it's Friday. How are you?" Angela asked giving Olivia a light hug.

"Oh, I'm good. Curious about what's happening at Fitz's tonight."

"That's right! His daughter is moving in today! Are you nervous about meeting her? What's her name again?"

"Kara. And I am a little nervous about meeting her. I'm not too worried about us getting along or anything like that. Fitz is really excited to have her move in with him. He was lonely for a long time, and then this year happened to him, and he gets himself a whole girlfriend and his grown daughter moves back to town to live with him and possibly work for him."

"When will you be meeting her?"

"She's making us dinner on Sunday. I hope she can somewhat cook. I haven't discussed with Fitz how I should act if it's crap," Olivia giggled.

"Have you two communicated in any way at all?"

"No, but I have spoken with the ex-wife," admitted Olivia.

Angela was just about to take a sip of her water when she sat her glass back on the table. "Explain?"

"When we first started dating…it seems so long ago but hasn't even been a month. Anyway, I was at his house one Sunday morning and that's when they usually talk. He put her on speaker, and we chatted briefly. She's a hoot! I like her, and I see why they remain friends. I'll meet her and his son in person Father's Day weekend."

"That's right! The whole family will be here."

"Yep, and I'm staying with him that weekend too. My folks will be away that weekend."

"What are you getting him for Father's Day?"

"I don't know yet? What do I get a man I don't have children with for Father's Day?"

"I don't know either. I don't have that issue with Marcus since he's not a dad. You should ask Michaela. I'm sure she has ideas."

"Enough about me and Fitz. How are you and Marcus? What's the tea on your front?" Olivia asked Angela.

"We are good. I think he's in a nesting phase. He's been looking into buying a house, but he keeps asking me what I would want in a house. I told him I just want a house that comes with a housekeeper and personal chef." The ladies laughed, then Angela continued, "I'm not sure if he just wants me to like it or if he wants me to live in it."

"Have you two talked about moving in together?" Olivia inquired.

"We haven't talked about it, but we spend at least five nights a week together. I think he wants more, but you know me, I'm good as long as he's faithful and puts real effort into the gifts he gives me."

"So, you think he's ready to get married?"

"I think he thinks a lot about it. I'm not against it. We've been together for almost two years. We spend most of our free time together, and we have keys to each other's homes and cars. I love him madly, and he treats me like a queen. If he were to ask, I would say yes."

"I'm sure you two won't be dating for a third year. He's definitely going to lock you down within the year. My gut is telling me so," Olivia assured Angela and the two toasted their water glasses.

Their server came by to take their order and the two friends continued to hold each other captivated by the latest workplace gossip and other spilled tea. Their time together was always filled with laughter and comfort. And although they loved spending time with their respective significant others, they honored the unspoken rule between them that their friendship was to have a place of priority in both of their lives.

XXX

Fitz anticipated Kara's arrival at any moment. They had spoken to each other a couple of times while she was on the road, her letting him know where she was in her journey. He's cooked some bacon, sliced a large tomato, and chopped some lettuce in preparation for them to have BLT sandwiches upon Kara's arrival. He splayed himself on the family room sofa and read a few chapters of James Baldwin's Go Tell It on the Mountain. After forty-five minutes of reading, he heard a car pull up in his driveway. Fitz hurried to open the garage door. When he saw Kara through the windshield, he beamed with excitement and directed her to park in the garage. Once she put the car in park, he yanked her door open and pulled his daughter to her feet for a long-awaited hug.

"I have missed you so much, Missy! How was your drive down?" Fitz finally let go of his daughter and walked her towards the entrance to the house.

"It was fine. Traffic wasn't as bad as I was anticipating." Kara took a step back and looked at Fitz, "You look terrific, dad! Is this the look that finally got you a girlfriend?"

"I think I got the girl first, and I like her so much, I need to look this good to keep her," Fitz reasoned. "I've got BLTs in the kitchen. Let's eat and then we'll get your stuff from the car after you rest a bit."

"That sounds perfect. Plus, I need to use the bathroom. I only stopped once for a bathroom break. I also need to call mom and let her know I've arrived safely," Kara noted, removing her large suitcase from the car which Fitz took in the house and down to the basement bedroom. He and Kara met back in the kitchen fifteen minutes later where he placed all their food, drinks, and place settings in the nook. They each made their sandwiches to their liking and ate and chatted for the next ninety minutes before they unloaded Kara's car.

Kara noticed how much her dad had changed in the six months since she'd last seen him. He was much more relaxed, and he had a sense of levity to him that she'd never seen before, even when he was married to Mellie. Kara couldn't help but to come right out and ask her father, "Dad, you're in love with Olivia, aren't you?"

Fitz sat quiet for several seconds before looking her in the eye, cracking a slow smile, and giving her his reply, "Yes."

"What does that mean for you? Would you ever get married again?"

"I hope so. Your mom is a great person, probably my best friend, but we just weren't right for each other. We did get you great kids out of a bad marriage, but I want to get love right. I want to spend my life with someone, and Olivia is an incredible woman." Fitz took a deep breath and thought for a few seconds before continuing, "I see her in everything I do. I want her with me all the time. When I get dressed in the morning, I think 'what would Liv think of what I'm wearing today?'" He shook his head in disbelief, "Is that creepy?"

"Does Olivia seem bothered by your wanting to spend time with her?"

"No. I temper my need for her down. I try to cool it around her so that I won't scare her away. She has become my world, but we've only been together for under a month. I'm 54 years old and in love for the first time in my life. I'm dating again as a middle-aged man. I feel vulnerable and admittedly scared."

Kara reached over to take her father's hand, "Love suits you, dad. I believe in the love you have for Olivia. Does she feel the same?"

"We haven't talked about our feelings. We've just focused on getting to know each other and spending time together. I hope her feelings match mine because I don't want to think of a life without her."

XXX

Olivia had just stripped her bed of its linens when her phone rang Saturday morning. She expected it to be Fitz but was surprised to see that it was Michaela.

"Good morning, Sis. How are you?" she answered.

"Liv, I've got Ange on the phone too! Ummmm, ladies, why didn't y'all tell me sooner?"

"I'm lost. What are you talking about?" Olivia inquired, sitting down on her bare bed with her sheets waddled up in her arms.

"My husband's little jaunt to the strip club, that you suggested I support. I SUPPORT! I SUPPORT! Girl, when Russell got home, he was a little tipsy and totally turned on. Usually he's so sensual and romantic, but last night, he was, to use your word Liv, A BEAST! Oh my god! He wore my ass out in the most delicious way. Should I suggest he go back again tonight?"

Olivia and Angela couldn't stop their laughter at Michaela's new-found appreciation for her husband visiting a strip club.

"Never doubt the wisdom of aunties," Angela finally got out of her mouth once she caught her breath.

"If it wasn't for the fact he had to open the bookstore this morning, he'd still have me in bed. Wow!" Michaela finished by rolling dramatically on her back.

"Well, I'm glad we could help. I'm glad you two had a great night and discovered a new avenue to your relationship," Olivia offered.

"Thank you. I just wanted to let y'all know you were right. I'm going back to sleep to get some rest before he comes home this afternoon. Bye, ladies."

"Bye, girl. I'll talk to you later Liv," Angela responded.

"Bye, mamas." Olivia concluded the call and got back to her Saturday morning chores.

XXX

Olivia awoke late Sunday morning feeling a few butterflies in her stomach. She hadn't been nervous about meeting Kara until now. She took a long shower, taking extra time to wash her hair and shave and sugar-scrub her body. After her shower, she wrapped her hair and sat under the hairdryer, painting her finger and toenails while her hair dried. Olivia thought about what she wanted to wear but had not yet decided. She figured she'd put on something on the simple side, not wanting to come across as trying too hard to impress Kara. She thought about what to bring to the Grant's, but the bakery was closed on Sunday, and she was unsure if Kara liked plants. Olivia decided to bring pound cake, fresh strawberries and whipped cream for dessert. At least she knew Fitz would like that.

Olivia sat under the hairdryer for another hour, playing a couple games of sudoku on her iPad. After giving it thought, she decided she'd wear her dark wash skinny jeans and a fuchsia dolman top. It was simple yet comfortable and the color suited her complexion well. She checked her hair to make sure it was dry before coming from under the dryer. Olivia made a shopping list and put on some sweatpants and t-shirt and made her way to the grocery store. She finished her trip in under an hour, which gave her about two and a half hours before she needed to be at Fitz's. After putting her food away, she washed and cut up the strawberries and lightly sprinkled them with sugar to create the juice that would be drizzled over the dessert.

Olivia curled her hair using her large hot curlers, then moved forward with doing her makeup. She finally put on her clothes, jewelry, and shoes, packed up the dessert and her purse, and left for dinner with her boyfriend and his daughter.

When she arrived at Fitz's place minutes later, she noticed his truck parked in the driveway signifying that she should park in the garage, which was open. Fitz heard her car approaching up his driveway, and he greeted her in the doorway to his house as she turned off her car.

"There she is," he said opening her car door and gently pulling her to him for a long hug.

"Hey handsome," Olivia greeted him and pulled his face down to hers for a kiss.

"I've missed you these past few days. I'm so happy you're here. Where's your bag? Please tell me you're staying with me tonight," Fitz quietly pleaded.

"I'm sorry. I figured you'd still be anxious to spend more one-on-one time with Kara. I'd just be a third wheel," Olivia rationalized.

"Are you sure it's not because you may not feel comfortable spending the night with me with Kara here?" Fitz inquired.

"I admit that is something I have to get my head around," Olivia said as if it was no big deal.

"Well get over it because I've missed holding you in my arms while I sleep."

"Point taken, Mister. I brought dessert." Olivia reached back in the car to retrieve the dessert and her purse. Fitz took the dessert from her hands and ushered her into the house. The two headed to the kitchen where Kara was moving items from the stove onto the counter. Olivia thought to herself that dinner smelled pretty good, although she couldn't determine what was being served.

"Missy?" Fitz called to Kara to get her attention. The nickname didn't go unnoticed by Olivia.

Kara set the hot cast iron skillet down on a trivet before looking up in their direction with a wide grin on her face. "Olivia! It's so nice to finally meet you. You are a legend in this house already," Kara said as she winked at her father and held out her arms to embrace Olivia who accepted her hug.

"Nice to finally meet you too! Fitz talks about you and your brother all the time. He's been on cloud nine since finding out you were moving back."

"Olivia brought dessert. By the way, what is it?" Fitz asked.

"Strawberry shortcake."

"That sounds awesome. I hope you like lamb chops. It's one of the few things I cook fairly well," Kara admitted proudly.

"I love lamb chops, and to think of it, I haven't had them in a very long time. A few years at least," Olivia tried to remember when she last enjoyed them.

"The chops will be accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, fresh sourdough bread."

"That's an amazing menu, Kara. I hope dinner is almost ready because I'm ready to eat after that rundown," Olivia said with wide eyes as she rubbed her hands together. "Is there anything you need for me to do?"

"Nope. Everything is just about ready. We'll be eating in the dining room, and everything is already set up in there thanks to dad. You two can head on in there. I'm just going to transfer the chops to a casserole dish. Go ahead you two. I've got this," reassured Kara.

"Thanks. I'm going to go wash my hands and I'll meet you in the dining room," Olivia looked at both Fitz and Kara before heading to the bathroom to freshen up. One minute later, she entered the dining room to find Fitz pouring wine into each of their glasses. He pulled out a chair for her to sit just as Kara was carrying in the dish with the lamb chops. Fitz had set the table simply and he sat at the head where he could have each of his girls on either side of him. He pulled Kara's chair out for her to sit, then sat himself down, ready to finally enjoy the dinner his daughter prepared for him and Olivia.

"Missy, this looks amazing. Where did you learn to cook like this?"

"Last year, I took a cooking class where I learned to do a few fancy dishes. I realized after graduation that I was too old for trying to survive on pizza and burrito bowls." The three of them began to eat, both Olivia and Fitz sincerely congratulating Kara on a meal well done. They truly enjoyed each dish, and Fitz was pleasantly surprised at how good a cook his daughter turned out to be.

"Kara, you really did a fantastic job on dinner! I hope this won't be the last time you invite me over for a home-cooked meal," Olivia raved.

Kara beamed at the compliments. Now that it was established that dinner was a hit, the three of them dived into conversation. "Olivia, dad tells me you met at his distillery event a few weeks back. You knocked the old man off his feet," she teased.

Fitz looked over at Olivia with a look of remembrance on his face. "That she did. Dressed in marigold," he added, never taking his eyes off her.

"Your father was looking quite dapper himself. You know, Fitz, blue is really your color."

Kara sipped her wine as she looked back and forth between the lovebirds who couldn't seem to get enough of each other's faces. "I can't believe he made the first move. He's usually so shy with people he doesn't know."

"I'm just glad he did." Olivia said smiling, then finally pulled her eyes away from Fitz and engaged with Kara again, "How have things been for you these past couple of days?"

"Things have been good. It feels amazing to have room to move around. My apartment in Chicago was 500 square feet with a window that looked into an alley. It's nice to have a full-size bedroom, a soaking tub, a whole kitchen, and outdoor space. I forgot what the suburbs sounded like, or better yet, what they don't sound like. The quiet is nice, but I'm sure I will miss the hustle of the city soon enough," Kara explained.

"And she's been keeping me company too," Fitz chimed in. "Have I told you today how glad I am to have you here?"

"Not since this morning, dad," Kara rolled her eyes and shook her head in faux frustration.

"You have your own law firm, right?" Kara inquired of Olivia.

"Yes. What we call boutique, a euphemism for small. I do estates and tax law. In addition to being an attorney, I'm a certified public accountant. It probably sounds boring, but it's quite interesting, especially when I get a rich client who's trying to play funny with their money," Olivia chuckled.

Genuinely interested, Kara asked, "Does that happen a lot? Do you, like, hide money in off-shore accounts?"

Olivia laughed out loud and shook her head, "I'm too good at what I do to need secret international accounts. I've learned how to work the system using its own rules and loopholes."

The trio continued to eat, each of them enjoying seconds of the delicious dinner, all the while never stopping the flow of conversation where Kara and Olivia learned more about each other and realizing they genuinely liked one another. Fitz could feel his heart beating out of his chest with relief that his love and his daughter were getting along so well. He never doubted they would get along; he was just happy to get over the hump of the first introduction of Olivia to his family.

"Are we ready for dessert? I can go prepare it," Olivia said as she arose to head to the kitchen with a stack of dirty dishes in her arms.

"That's a good idea. In the meantime, I'll clear the rest of the table. Dinner was wonderful, Missy. You get to relax for the rest of the night. I'll get things cleaned up in the kitchen."

"Thanks, dad. I appreciate that." Kara enjoyed the last of her wine and sat in the dining room alone, giving her dad and Olivia time alone in the kitchen. Fitz stacked the dishwasher while Olivia put the few leftovers into containers in the fridge before getting three bowls to construct the strawberry shortcake dessert for them. Ten minutes later, Olivia and Fitz reentered the dining room, Fitz placing one of the two bowls he was holding in front of Kara along with a spoon.

They continued to have easy conversation, much of it spent in laughter and the women teasing Fitz. He loved every minute of ribbing he received from them. After a great night of food and conversation, Kara decided it was time for her to part ways from the couple to give them the rest of the night to themselves.

XXX

"Your daughter is a lovely young woman, Fitz. I really like her, and I think she and I will be good friends moving forward."

"Thank you. She is a great girl, well, young woman. She was always a sweet little girl. Loving and compassionate, as well as funny. I love having her around. This weekend has been great for us, being able to reconnect."

"It's obvious how much your daughter loves and adores you. It's a sign that you have been a great dad to her, and it shows."

"She also knows how to make a graceful exit," Fitz chuckled at Kara's attempt to give them privacy. They shared a kiss before taking the dessert dishes to the kitchen to complete cleaning for the night. Once they returned the kitchen to its spotless condition, they went into the family room and cuddled on the sofa sharing more kisses. "Are you sure you won't change your mind about staying tonight? I want to sleep with you just like this," Fitz pulled her tightly to his chest.

"This does feel nice, but I didn't bother to bring a bag. And I'm also on my period. Things could get a bit messy if we were to fool around."

"I don't care about that. That's what towels and showers and baths are for," Fitz told her with an unbothered expression. "And I'm sure Kara has stuff if you need anything."

Olivia looked at Fitz with disbelief. "I'm not asking your daughter, whom I just met a couple of hours ago, to spot me some period products! Are you crazy? Besides, I have plenty on hand. I just didn't prepare anything else for an overnight with you."

Fitz kissed her tenderly on the lips and whispered, "Just lay with me here for a little while."

Olivia held him tighter and nestled into his chest, drifting off to sleep in a matter of minutes.

Just after midnight, Olivia awoke, slightly discombobulated from the fact that she wasn't sure where she was at first. She raised her head to see Fitz asleep with his arms still gripping her on his couch. She raised her hand to his cheek and stroked it to gently wake him. Fitz finally opened his eyes and took a deep breath, himself realizing they were still on the couch.

"I'm going to go now. Walk me out?" Olivia asked as she pulled herself up from the couch and stretched.

Fitz looked at his watch, noted the time and shook his head, "It's late Livvie, just stay. You can even stay in one of the guest rooms if that will make you feel more comfortable."

"Fine, and I'm staying in your room. Let's get to bed before my sleepiness wears off and I change my mind," she told him.

"You go ahead. I'm going to check the doors and set the alarm. I'll be right behind you."

Olivia made her way to Fitz's room, did as much of her nighttime routine as she could without her preferred toiletries and retrieved one of his more worn t-shirts to sleep in. Fitz entered the room just as she was climbing into bed. He went to his closet to undress, made a pit stop in the bathroom to relieve himself and brush his teeth, and finally joined Olivia in the bed, happy to again have her sleep in his arms.

XXX

Wednesday had been a normal workday for Olivia, but it seemed like a long one. She was going to make her way over to her parents to spend time with her dad before her parents left on their trip. She had a Father's Day card for him, but still hadn't gotten him a gift. It then hit her that he liked a good bottle of whiskey, and she knew a whiskey maker. Olivia left the office early to head over to Defiance. She texted Fitz that she was going to stop by to get a bottle of his finest whiskey. When Olivia arrived, Fitz was waiting for her in the parking lot, but in front of Building C. They greeted each other with a hug and quick kiss, and Fitz led them into the building where the whiskey was process.

Olivia had never been in this building before, as this is where the literal heavy lifting took place, and for safety reasons, Fitz only allowed authorized people to enter. Olivia was in awe of what she saw. The building had a beautiful industrial design. Close to the entrance were large display barrels that were cut in half and converted into shelving units to display pictures of the distillery's early days and plaques with narratives of its history. Olivia took her time to look at the pictures, many of them of Fitz. She wondered for a moment what it would have been like to have known him in his thirties.

Fitz led them to a side room that was locked. He unlocked the heavy outer door, which revealed a vestibule to another inner room with a keypad. Fitz punched in the code, the door clicked, and the lights slowly illuminated the space. They walked into the once dark room lined with shelves that housed bottles of Defiance's various whiskies, all in bottles that looked like they only belonged on a bar's highest shelf.

"Take your pick," Fitz told her.

"Have mercy, Fitz. I just wanted to get a regular old bottle of the Remington, but these look like limited editions," she told him turning in all directions, inspecting each row of whiskey.

Fitz walked over to a row of Remington in a beautiful crystal-like bottle, basically a decanter, with Defiance Remington etched on the bottle instead of a glued-on label. He picked it up delicately as if it were a newborn baby and held it out for Olivia to take.

"I think your dad will like this."

"Oh, he'll love this. I'm sure I didn't bring enough cash for this, so you'll have to take plastic or funds transfer."

"Absolutely not! I'm not taking your money. Take it and give it to your dad."

"Fine, but I want you to come with me this evening to give it to him."

Fitz was shocked by her request but he didn't hesitate to accept. "I'd love to. I've been wondering when I'd meet your folks," he said as he put his hand on her lower back to direct her out of the whiskey vault and back into the common area of the building. Closing the doors behind them, they locked automatically. Fitz walked to a closet and retrieve a dark navy box with an interior that was a perfect fit for the limited-edition bottle of whiskey. They walked to Building A so that he could tie up his loose ends for the day. Fitz agreed to drive them, and they headed to the Pope's home.

Less than thirty minutes later, they had arrived at Olivia's childhood home. By the time she'd grabbed her bag and the now-ribboned draped gift box, Fitz had opened her door for her. Maya liked it warm and always waited until near 100-degree days before turning on the air conditioning. The screen door was locked, but the front door was open to let the warm air in the house. Olivia rang the doorbell and three seconds later her father appeared at the door to let them in.

"Hey dad, I figured I'd come by before you leave me for the weekend," she said as she and Fitz crossed the threshold. "This is Fitz Grant. Fitz, this is my dad Elijah Pope."

"Nice to meet you. Call me Eli," the older man said extending a hand shaking.

Accepting the handshake, Fitz replied, "Nice to meet you too."

"Where's mom? Oh, and by the way, we come bearing Father's Day gifts, well a gift," Olivia handed Eli the box.

"Fixing dinner. I convinced her to make meatball subs, with ground beef and not that crap turkey substitute. Come sit down," Eli insisted as he turned toward the sofas and sat readying himself to open the box. Fitz and Olivia sat next to one another and watched as he father unwrapped the box and revealed the whiskey. "Oh wow! This is the good stuff. Defiance…top shelf bourbon. I've had this one time at Mitchy's. He's on my bowling team," Eli clarified for Fitz. "Someone gave it to him for his retirement. Aged and smooth, a lot like me! Thank you! This is a great gift," he told is daughter with what looked like misty eyes.

"Are you going to have some tonight?" Olivia asked.

"Oh yeah, I even have the perfect cigar to smoke as I sip my new fancy bourbon. You two are staying for dinner, right?"

"Meatball subs with real ground beef? You don't need to ask me twice," Olivia answered.

"You better get in the kitchen and say hello to your mother. I'll go set the table for two more," Eli said getting up with his gift and heading to the dining room. He didn't bother to ask questions about the man with his daughter. He'd always known Olivia to tell what she wanted about her private life and he never prompted her to give up more than she was ready to share. He also knew that she must like this guy to bring him by before ever mentioning him.

Olivia led the way into the kitchen where they found Maya stirring marinara sauce over a low fire.

"Hi Mom. Dad invited us to stay for dinner."

"Who is us?" Maya turned to look at Olivia and the guy standing next to her. "Oh, a man."

"Yes, a whole man mom. This is Fitz Grant. Fitz, this is my mom Maya Pope."

"Well hello Fitz," Maya said wiping her hands on a dry dish towel and offering up a handshake. "Call me Maya. Have a seat, you two. Dinner is almost ready. Livvie, take the salad out of the fridge and put it on the dining room table please." Olivia did as her mother said.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Fitz offered before taking a seat in the breakfast nook.

"The next time you come for a meal, I'll put you to work. You get to be a guest today. Do you eat red meat? I usually make turkey meatballs, but since this will be the last meal I make before our trip for Father's Day, I'm using ground beef per my husband's request."

"Yes, I eat ground beef. I'll eat pretty much anything anyone puts in front of me," Fitz answered. "And dinner smells amazing. I'd have brought a bottle of wine if I knew we'd be staying. My apologies for coming empty-handed for the host."

"Don't worry about that. I've got wine here if you want it," Maya told him. Olivia reentered the kitchen and sat across from Fitz in the nook.

"That smells so good. I haven't had your meatball subs in probably twenty years. We really lucked out tonight!" Olivia said to Fitz nodding.

"Okay, the sauce is ready. Livvie, will you please take the rolls out of the oven," Maya ordered her daughter as she poured the marinara sauce in a serving dish. The meatballs were in a serving dish resting on the counter. There was also a plate with slices of mozzarella and provolone cheese.

"I can start taking some things to the table if you like," Fitz again offered to help. This time Maya took him up on his offer and he carried the meatballs and cheese to the table, followed by Olivia with the bread. Everything they needed for a simple dinner was ready for them to enjoy.

The foursome settled in at the dinner table, each fixing their food to their liking and enjoying the savory meal. Maya started up conversation by asking about her dinner guest, "So, are you two a couple or friends or trying to figure it out…?"

Olivia looked at Fitz and smiled before adding, "We are a couple, yes."

"How'd you two meet?" Eli asked.

"About a month ago, I attended the Defiance Distillery Bourbon Festival. Did you know their distillery is down the road from my condo?"

"I knew they were local, but not that local. Is that where you met? The Bourbon Festival?" Eli directed the conversation back to his original question.

"Yes," Olivia smiled a wide smile before dropping the bomb on Eli. "Angela's boyfriend, Marcus works at Defiance Distillery and he invited Angela and me to the festival as VIPs. Then the owner," she paused and looked at Fitz, "pulled me aside and gave me a personal tasting of all the bourbons."

"You own Defiance Bourbon?" Eli asked in shock.

Fitz giggled and affirmed, "Guilty. You should come by sometime and hang out in the clubhouse. Most of the staff unwinds there. This one had a good time when she visited," he pointed his thumb in Olivia's direction.

"Clubhouse. Do you have backgammon?" Eli enthusiastically inquired.

Fitz rapidly chewed the bite he'd just taken and swallowed, "Oh yeah. Chess, darts, pinball, a pool table, Pac Man. Dozens of decks of cards for your game of choice. We also have a fully stocked bar as well."

Eli's eyes lit up and he began to nod his head as if he were hearing music. Maya just looked at her husband and shook her head at his enthusiasm for playing games.

"Do you two have anything special planned for your trip? Any interesting excursions?" Olivia asked of her parents.

"Just beach and sand and sun. I am going to just park myself under my umbrella and enjoy the soothing sound of the waves. What do you have planned this weekend?" Maya asked the question of her daughter.

"I'm hanging with Fitz and his family for Father's Day weekend. His two grown kids will be there, as well as his ex-wife and her husband."

"My family likes to convene at my home, and I love having them there. My daughter, Kara, just moved in with me. She was living in Chicago and decided to come live with me. My son, Jared, lives in Philadelphia. Their mother and her husband live in Las Vegas. We all try to get together at least once a year."

"Your family sounds lovely. I hope you have a wonderful Father's Day," Maya offered.

They continued to eat and have pleasant conversation. Once dinner was over, Olivia cleared the table and Maya put away the food. Eli and Fitz went to the back porch where they planned to enjoy a glass of Remington and Eli could smoke his cigar. Although Eli was savoring each sip of bourbon, Fitz reassured him that he'd provide him with bourbon whenever he wanted. They talked about sports, a subject that Fitz hadn't had the opportunity to discuss with anyone who was as passionate as Eli. He enjoyed the conversation and the relaxing feeling he got being around Olivia's parents. She and her mom packed away the food and cleaned the kitchen, which gave Olivia the opportunity to choose what food she wanted to take with her. Maya packed both Olivia and Fitz some of the leftover meatballs and cheese to have for lunch the next day.

After being with the Popes for a couple of hours, Olivia and Fitz both accepted their doggie bags and prepared to head home. Olivia hugged both her parents, followed by Fitz hugging Maya and affectionately shaking Eli's hand. Maya invited Fitz to return and visit with them soon, while Eli opted to walk them to the car.

"I'm glad you stopped by today. We won't see you for at least a week. Thanks for the gift. I really enjoyed it!"

"You and mom enjoy your trip. I'm still not over you choosing to spend Father's Day away from your only child, but Happy Father's Day anyway. Be safe and call me when you arrive to your hotel," Olivia said as she lowered herself into the car.

"Happy Father's Day Mr. Pope."

"That's Eli, son," he corrected Fitz.

"Happy Father's Day Eli. Enjoy your trip. My family and I will take good care of Liv this weekend."

"Enjoy your Father's Day as well," Eli said smiling at Fitz, then bending down to take one last look at Olivia through the car window and waving goodbye.

Fitz got in the car, buckled in, and started the engine and pulled off slowly. "That was painless. I envisioned meeting your folks as being some kind of event. They are lovely people."

"What do you mean event? Like some bad rom-com?" Olivia chuckled.

"Well, yeah. I was waiting for the third degree, but instead I got a wonderful dinner, by the way, that meatball sub was epic. And we got to take home the leftovers. I mean, your mom gave me a whole pineapple," Fitz beamed with newfound love for who in his mind were his future in-laws.

"Mom doesn't like for food to go to waste. She told me to take whatever I wanted from the fridge and freezer while they're away."

"Were they always that laid back, especially while you were growing up?"

"Pretty much. Mom, as you can probably tell was more the disciplinarian. Dad had his moments, but he got me, understood me, so he gave me more leeway to figure things out. But I was also a good kid. I didn't get into trouble, so they didn't have to hover over me for fear that I'd make big mistakes being that I tended to make good decisions."

"I can totally see that in you. Totally. Too bad they're leaving town this weekend. I'd love to have them over with the rest of the family," Fitz admitted.

"What about your parents, your dad? Are you planning on spending any time with him this weekend? Did you invite your parents over?" Olivia asked.

"I'm hoping the lot of us can make a trip to their house on Sunday. I don't know if Jared and Griffin will want to come. Dad has made some disparaging remarks about Jared being gay. J keeps his distance, understandably," Fitz said with sadness and disappointment.

"If Jared and Griffin don't go, I think it may be best if I hang back too," Olivia said curtly.

Fitz took her hand understanding her position, "I'd love to have you with me, but I want you to feel comfortable. I won't feel slighted if you choose to not go. I do love my parents, but I do tend to go to their home more as an obligation. My son is my priority, but I still have obligations to them as their only child. I guess it's a real rock and a hard place."

"I don't envy you there. I do, however, admire your commitment to your family," she told him giving him a look that radiated tenderness. "You mind if I pack a bag and stay at your place tonight?"

"Livvie, you never have to ask me that question. The answer is always yes."