Hey everybody, y'all alright? I know, I know, it's been a month of Sundays since I updated this story. I'm sorry, I'll try to do better. I've been thinking about a new story, but I know I need to finish this one first, and I will. In the meantime, enjoy more fluff.
TBOT
XXX
Three days later Dr. Goodrich confirmed what four home pregnancy tests had already revealed: Olivia was almost four months pregnant. According to the information she'd given the doctor and the ultrasound, which measured fetal growth, she was due in mid-April, although they all knew the baby could decide to come when it was ready. They were happy and excited that their love had created another life, and joked that Baby Deux was the best souvenir they'd brought home from their vacation.
The couple kept their news to themselves just as they'd done when they found out she was pregnant with Cruz. And just like the first time, Bert knew something was amiss when Olivia requested only dry toast for breakfast and lunch. They finally shared their news with her and as expected, she was over the moon about another baby in the house.
Everyone else would find out on Thanksgiving Day. Eli and Maya were hosting dinner, and Constance and JR, along with Joey, Julian, T.C., Ty, and Zora and Michael de Matteo would all be in attendance.
XXX
Thanksgiving Day…
When the Grants arrived at the Pope's Crestwood home, Maya opened the front door before Olivia could ring the doorbell. "There you are, and there's my baby," she said reaching out and taking Cruz from his father's arms. She peppered his little face, that was so much like her own, with kisses until it spread into a huge smile around his binky. He loved his Lovey Maya.
Olivia chuckled. There was a time when she was the baby in her mother's life.
"Come on in everyone, it's cold out there," Eli said as he greeted Olivia, Fitz, Constance, JR, T.C. and Ty. There were hugs and kisses all around as a member of the staff hired to help took everyone's coats. "We're all in the family room."
Maya removed Cruz's beanie and coat. "Oh my goodness, look at you!" she exclaimed. He was beyond adorable in a navy Janie and Jack blazer, a birthday gift from his GG, white shirt, jeans and navy leather lace-up booties. He looked like such a big boy. Who said dressing boys wasn't fun?!
"Constance, this jacket is just perfect! He's so precious."
"Thank you, Maya. When I saw it, I knew I had to get it for my grandbaby." The two women walked off together toward the large family room talking, and doting and cooing over their grandson. They were followed by their husbands, and T.C. and Ty.
Fitz and Olivia stood together in the foyer watching their parents fuss over their grandson.
"How are you feeling?" he asked when he noticed her furrowed brow.
"I'm fine, now." She'd thought she was going to become ill the second she crossed the threshold of her parent's home. The different smells coming from whatever the hired chef was preparing in the kitchen almost set off a wave of nausea. She just hoped she could make it through dinner without spilling her guts, and their secret.
No one could tell she was pregnant just yet because she'd been pretty good at camouflaging her small bump until they were ready to share their news. She was already having difficulties closing the zippers on her skirts, slacks and jeans. But she definitely looked pregnant when she was naked, and Fitz touched and stroked her stomach as often as he could with a big, goofy grin on his face. He was so excited she was pregnant again. She smiled when she thought about the conversation they'd had that morning, standing naked in their bathroom. He'd walked up behind.
"I'm so ready for you to really look pregnant, Livvie. I want everybody to know that my wife is having another baby. And that this…" He placed his hands on her bump. "Is all me."
Olivia let out a soft, scoffing laugh. "You're my husband, babe. They'll all know that 'this,' as you put it, is all you."
"Damn, right," he agreed, grinning.
Olivia laughed at her husband. "Well the most important people in our lives will find out today."
"And I can't wait to see their reactions," he said, kissing her neck before leading her into the shower.
Today she wore black Ralph Lauren jodhpur stretch skinny pants with brown leather patches, long brown leather boots and a peplum blazer that she could still button across her belly.
"I want you to let me know the moment you're not feeling well, okay?"
Olivia nodded. "I may not have to tell you," she said looking up at him with a strained smile on her face.
"Well let's just hope it doesn't come to that." He leaned down and kissed her lips then laced his fingers with hers, as he led her to the family room to join the others.
XXX
Olivia and Joey sat together on a sofa before dinner watching the others in the room. T.C. pushed Cruz, along with his Bubby, around in a Radio Flyer push wagon, while Fitz, Julian and Ty sat watching a football game on the mounted television. Fitz and Julian were sipping cocktails, but since Ty was still playing, he didn't imbibe. The elder Popes, Grants and the de Mateos occupied another sofa and chairs on the other side of the room talking and laughing together.
Joey had been uncharacteristically quiet since they'd arrived, which was definitely not like her. Since they were now both married and busy in their careers, and Olivia was a mother, they didn't have as much time to spend together, so they relished times like these. Both their lives had changed tremendously, but today Joey seemed preoccupied. Olivia looked at her brother, who kept glancing at his wife sitting next to her. They smiled at each other as if sharing a secret only they knew, and Olivia was struck by the love and devotion in those glances.
"I don't know how I ever missed what was going on between you and J. I've never seen a man so crazy about a woman in my life! Well maybe my husband." She smiled at her best friend and nudged her shoulder.
Joey smiled dreamily and looked over at her handsome husband. "Yes, he is. And I'm crazy about him too." She turned to look at Olivia. "But trust me Liv, Fitz is completely, truly, madly and deeply in love with you, too."
Olivia nodded, agreeing with her friend. Her grandmother, Carolyn Lewis, once told her that there were people in the world who had a passion for each other. She described it as being so in love with someone that it was nearly obsessive. Olivia thought, good or bad, that was the relationship between her and Fitz. Their love was passionate and intense.
"Yes, he is" she said as she gave Joey a high-five.
They laughed and a teary eyed Joey laid her head on Olivia's shoulder. Olivia saw the tears and became concerned. She was about to question Joey when the chef walked into the room and made the announcement that dinner was served. Joey quickly stood, ignoring Olivia's questioning look. Julian walked over and wiped her tears with the pad of his thumb, He took her hand and they left the room together.
Fitz walked over to his wife with their son in his arms. He helped her stand to her feet, then slid an arm around her waist.
"Is everything okay?" he asked. He'd noticed Joey's tears as well.
Cruz chose that moment to spit out his binky. "Ma!" He squealed, jumping in his father's arms, while his parents laughed.
Olivia leaned over and kissed her baby, and smiled at her husband. "Yes. Everything is perfect."
Fitz nodded, took her hand and they followed everyone into the Pope's large and beautifully decorated dining room.
XXX
After Eli said the blessing, dishes were passed around and the conversation flowed smoothly from one topic to the next. Fitz kept an eye on Olivia throughout dinner. There wasn't a lot of food on her plate, and so far she'd been able to keep what she'd eaten down. She'd learned that eating small amounts helped, and also what foods were least likely to cause nausea.
"You're not drinking, baby girl," Eli commented. "This '96 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon is excellent."
"No, thank you Daddy, water's fine." Olivia went back to helping her son feed himself one of his favorite foods, sweet potatoes. She ignored the glances from the others, particularly her mother, at the table. It wasn't like her to pass up a glass of fine wine, especially now that she was no longer nursing. She kept her eyes on her son, who was sitting in a portable high chair between her and Maya wearing a t-shirt, jeans and socks. She'd had to remove his jacket, shirt and shoes long before they sat down to dinner.
"Maybe later," he said.
"Maybe." She smiled and winked at her father. Olivia hadn't had a full glass of wine since they'd left Spain. The last time she tried it, at the McWilliams' annual Labor Day cookout, it smelled and tasted terrible, and she couldn't finish it. Of course now she knew it was because of pregnancy hormones, which now caused her to hate foods that she normally loved, or enjoy foods she normally didn't like. They'd had several questions for Dr. Goodrich during her appointment and she assured them that a few sips of wine wouldn't harm their baby, but absolutely no more until after she gave birth.
She was glad when the conversation changed to the Team and all eyes moved in Ty's direction. They were struggling this season without Fitz but he didn't seem to care one way, or the other. Ty had moved up the depth chart and was now starting due to the starting quarterback's season ending injury. They were six and nine, and had won Ty's three starts. He was trying to turn things around. Drew and Jake were now team co-captains but Lauren had no desire to lead the Wives Club because she was too busy being a new mother, and since Benny's business had taken off, she didn't have time. The group was now being led by three veteran's wives who'd stepped up, and Benny agreed to help them if needed. Olivia knew all of this because of Lauren. Fitz rarely talked about anything related to the Team. He was too busy being a super dad and husband.
He had agreed, however, to attend Sunday's home game because his parents were going, to support Ty, and because T.C. had practically begged him to go. He'd invited everyone to join them and only Eli and Julian had taken him up on his offer. No offense to Ty, but they wanted to see Philadelphia's young Black quarterback in person. Ty wasn't offended at all. Fitz was also taking Cruz which would give him an excuse to leave early if he needed to. No way was Cruz Grant going to sit and watch a football game for three or more hours. Olivia was just happy she wasn't expected to go.
XXX
The wait staff moved quietly and efficiently, removing the dessert dishes and refilling coffee and other beverages, while Maya Pope finished feeding her grandson his dessert, Orange Creamsicle Frozen Yogurt. The baby was babbling and hitting the table with a feeding spoon, as other conversations were going on around them.
"Julian and I are having a baby!"
The room slowly grew quiet as side conversations dwindled to silence. The only sound was Cruz still banging his spoon.
"What did you say, Josephine?" Zora de Matteo asked. She wanted to make sure she heard her daughter correctly.
"I said, Julian and I are going to have a baby."
Julian squeezed his wife's shoulder and smiled at her. "My wife is pregnant, and we're due in May."
The room was quiet again after Olivia took Cruz's spoon and gave him his sippy cup.
Eli looked at his son while Maya's eyes filled with tears. Zora and Michael de Matteo were speechless for almost a full minute. Their only child was finally going to make them grandparents.
"Oh my God! Thank you!" Zora shouted and her eyes filled with happy tears. She jumped up from her chair and hurried to hug her daughter and son-in-law.
"I love you so much, baby." She pulled her daughter into her arms.
"Congratulations you two," Michael said. "We have been waiting and praying for this day. Thank you." He didn't try to hide his tears as he hugged his daughter and his wife hugged Julian, while Eli and Maya waited their turn.
"We're so happy for you both." Maya kissed and hugged her son and then did the same to her daughter-in-law.
"I am so proud of you, son. You're going to make a great father."
"Thank you, Pop." Julian became emotional, as did his parents.
There were congratulations, smiles and well wishes from the others at the table. Olivia began laughing as everyone took their seats, drawing stares and questioning glances from those around the table.
"We've been best friends for far too long," she finally said, shaking her head and looking at her ride-or-die since grade school. Tears began to fill her eyes and she wiped at them. "We've been inseparable ever since we met on the playground in first grade. Then we got into a lot of trouble together as teenagers." There were a few chuckles, probably from their parents. Joey nodded. "We went away to Spelman together as undergrads, and joined the sorority sisterhood together, which brought us even closer. We returned to D.C. to attend Georgetown Law and we graduated together, and we were engaged at the same time." She tried to continue, but her voice caught. Finally, she choked out her words. "I just could have never dreamed that we would be pregnant together."
There were a few gasps in the room.
Joey's eyes were wide as saucers and tears flowed freely down her cheeks. "What…are…you…saying?" she asked.
Olivia was unable to speak. Fitz draped an arm around his crying wife's shoulders and answered. "What my beautiful wife is trying to say is, we're pregnant too. And we're due in mid-April."
Constance almost dropped the delicate coffee cup she was holding. She gasped, her hand covering her mouth in genuine surprise. "What?! She screamed.
"You're pregnant, too, Olivia Carolyn?" Maya asked softly.
Olivia nodded, and her mother's eyes quickly filled with tears again. She was mildly surprised that her mother didn't comment that Cruz was just a little over a year old, and surely they weren't expecting again so soon. But she shouldn't have been. Her mother didn't say one negative word over a year ago when she found out her only daughter was pregnant, without the benefit of marriage. There was no worrying about what her friends would think or say, she'd only offered love and support.
Maya Pope was a changed woman. Gone was the snobbish and demanding woman whom her daughter could never seem to please. She'd been replaced by an unpretentious, down-to-earth, adoring grandmother who was crazy in love with her grandson. Of course she still had her moments, but she and her daughter now had a beautiful woman-to-woman relationship that neither took for granted. What a difference a year, a baby and a lot of communicating made.
"We're getting another grandbaby?" Constance finally found her voice again.
"Yes, Mom, you are," Fitz answered. He leaned down and softly kissed Olivia's temple. His smile was as wide as Julian's.
"Oh, Olivia!" Constance burst into tears and stood to hug her daughter-in-law, then her son. She was followed by JR, who could barely contain himself because he was so happy. After Cruz was born, he'd considered cutting back and spending more time with his wife, and their son's family in Virginia. Now that another grandchild was on the way, he was ready. When his children were young, they didn't see him a lot because he'd allowed work to consume him. By the time he left the office, they were in bed, and he was up and out before they sat down to breakfast. He knew he couldn't make it up to them, but he'd promised Constance that it would be different with their grandchildren.
His nephew had worked his way up in the Grant organization, and at thirty-five, was ready to move into the CEO position. It would probably take a year for him to gain the confidence of the employees, leadership and the board of directors, so JR would need to be available to act as consultant and confidant until they were, but he would do whatever it took if it meant spending more time with his grandbabies.
The entire room erupted into cheers again, even Cruz, while Maya and Constance hurried to embrace one another, before pulling Zora into a group hug. Joey met Olivia halfway around the table, and the best friends tumbled into each other's arms, hugging and jumping up and down with excitement. They pulled away, grinning widely.
"I don't believe it," Joey said, wiping her eyes. "You're pregnant too!"
Olivia nodded. "Yes. And we get to experience pregnancy and becoming moms, well again for me, together. Our babies are going to be one month apart, and just as close as we are."
"And since this is my first pregnancy, you can share tips since you've been through this once before." Joey smiled tearfully. "I thought I was going to have to do this alone, and I was so terrified."
"Well now you won't have to. I love you, girl."
"I love you too, Liv."
Eli walked over and shook Fitz's hand, then moved to the other side of table and pulled his beloved baby girl into his arms. He gazed lovingly down at her and smiled, tears in his eyes. "So this is why you declined a glass of wine with dinner."
Olivia nodded.
"I'm so happy for you, baby girl. You're already such an incredible mother."
Always a daddy's girl, Olivia laid her head on Eli's chest and hugged him tight. "Thank you, Daddy. I love you."
It wasn't often that Eli Pope got teary eyed like he was now. He kissed his daughter's forehead. "I love you too, baby girl."
Olivia savored in the comfort that she would always be her father's baby girl. "Have I told you lately you're my favorite father?" she said, grinning up at him.
Eli's laugh was loud. "I'm your only father!"
He hugged her again and then turned to his son-in-law. "And Fitz, fatherhood looks good on you."
"Thank you, Eli."
"I can't believe we're getting two new grandchildren next year," he said, looking around the room. "This is the greatest of blessings."
"Well believe it, Joey and I are both pregnant," Olivia said. She smiled at her best friend, who was currently in Julian's arms, and she returned the smile.
"I'm excited to raise my son or daughter and his or her cousins together," Julian added, winking at his sister.
"Me too, big brother," she winked back. "And it's about time. You two have some catching up to do. Fitz and I can't be the only ones producing grandchildren. You know our mother doesn't seem to think one is enough."
"Alright you two," Maya teasingly warned, while everyone else got a good laugh.
"Well Josephine and I wanted to wait a year before we started trying."
Eli stopped a passing server and whispered in his ear. He nodded and left the room. A few minutes later he returned carrying a bottle of chilled champagne, wrapped in a napkin, and sparkling cider for Olivia and Joey. He was followed by another server carrying a tray of fluted champagne glasses. They set the bottle and glasses on the table and quietly returned to the kitchen.
"This calls for a toast," Eli exclaimed. He popped the cork and expertly poured a splash of bubbly into each glass, and then cider for the moms-to-be.
"To Julian, Joey, Fitz, and my baby girl." He looked dotingly at his beloved daughter, who shook her head, mocking embarrassment. "The greatest love you'll ever know is for your children."
His words earned him agreeing nods from the other parents at the table.
"On this day I am thankful as always for family. Family is the heart of everything. You don't have to be blood relatives to be family, and I'm happy to call you all family." He looked around at all the smiling faces.
"Julian and Joey, you might feel nervous and unprepared for this journey of a lifetime, but you have everything you need right there in your hearts, and in this room. We will be there to help whenever you need us."
Olivia smiled and winked at Joey. She understood what her father meant. It was not lost on her that her life would look very different without her husband, the grandparents and the village of support holding her up. She'd always done things on her own, but she was learning that she couldn't work, follow her dreams, and be a good wife, mother or anything else without help. It had taken a while, but she had slowly come to terms with that fact.
"Fitz and Olivia, your family is growing. Another grandchild is the best thing we could ever hope for. We're all just happy you're making us all grandparents while we're still young enough to enjoy them." Everyone laughed. "Thank you for the gift of my grandson, Elijah Fitzgerald, whom you named after JR and I, and whom we all cherish." Eli glanced at JR Grant, who nodded, and then at an oblivious Cruz who held his cup in one hand, drinking its contents, and played in his blonde and brown locks with the other. That was usually a tell; he was getting sleepy.
"Please raise your glasses high and toast with me to Julian and Joey, and Fitz and Olivia, and our new grandbabies; may they be healthy and happy." Everyone raised their glasses and joined Eli in toasting both couples.
"Here, here." They all touched glasses and took a sip of the crisp champagne.
"Did you hear that, Cruz?" Maya cooed, smiling at her grandson. "You're going to be a big brother, and a big cousin."
Cruz's response was to whine and try to climb out of his seat. Maya removed his silicone bib, unstrapped him and lifted him into her arms. It took less than a one minute for the baby to try and wiggle out of her lap. That's when his T stepped in.
"I'll take him," she said, reaching for her favorite tiny human in the entire world.
Cruz practically leaped into her arms.
"Come on, Bub. Let's go and play with some of those toys your overly indulgent grandparents can't seem to stop buying for you." There were chuckles around the room because it was true. The Pope's large sunroom had been turned into a playroom for their grandson, and it was filled with toys. The indoor slide was his current favorite.
"He probably needs a diaper change, T," Olivia called out to her. "His bag is on the bench in the foyer."
"On it," she said as the two Grants, followed by Ty, disappeared.
After dinner, everyone gathered in the family room again where the conversation shifted between the upcoming Christmas holiday, and the newly announced pregnancies. They all had so much to be thankful for.
XXX
Saturday morning Fitz and Olivia continued their tradition of having breakfast at the small out-of-the-way diner with their son, and then on to Centreville, Virginia to the Christmas tree farm to pick out a tree. This time a bundled up Cruz rode on Fitz's broad shoulders as father and son once again followed Olivia around as she searched for the perfect tree. Several people noticed the retired quarterback and his family, obviously, since he wasn't trying to be inconspicuous. After being with Fitz for almost two years, Olivia had become accustomed to the stares, and the occasional interruptions. Of course that didn't mean she liked them. Fitz ignored the looks because his family was his focus, and thankfully they weren't disturbed.
Olivia finally found a perfect ten foot Fraser Fir just in time because their son was growing impatient. After the tree was cut down, they agreed on a delivery time and the family left to visit a few small shops in Great Falls. Olivia wanted to shop for a first Christmas ornament for Baby Deux, and a few others.
Later, after purchasing ornaments for her children, Olivia sat on a bench, people watching, while Cruz sat in his stroller, looking out at a manmade lake, watching a family of ducks, a mama duck and five baby ducklings. They were quacking and swimming around in circles. Olivia laughed when her son tried to make the quacking sound too. They were waiting for Fitz who'd gone back to retrieve Cruz's sippy cup. It was taking longer than expected, and when he finally returned, she understood why.
Fitz stood grinning at his wife with the cup in one hand, and a leash in the other. At the end of that leash was a beautiful, golden English Cocker Spaniel, wearing a colorful bandana, and sitting obediently at Fitz's feet with a happy doggy expression on his face. Olivia eyed her husband and the dog warily but then started to laugh when the dog actually looked at her with pleading eyes, just like the man holding the leash was doing.
"What are you up to, Grant?" she asked. "I thought we agreed that we would revisit the dog conversation when Cruz was older, like six or seven years from now," she chided him.
"Come on, Livvie," he pleaded, and handed her the cup. "This little guy and two others are up for adoption. We're lucky because this breed is usually for sale, not adoption. They were rescued from a breeder." He knew that springing this on his wife was not necessarily a good idea, but the dog was available, and perfect for their growing family.
By now Cruz was reaching for the dog and straining to get out of the stroller. The dog continued to sit while Olivia freed their son. Cruz immediately reached out to grab the dog's nose but Fitz lowered his large body to his son's level and showed him how to gently pet him with gentle strokes. The dog licked Cruz's hand and the baby squealed, and stepped back giggling. Then, it turned into a game between the two as Cruz moved closer and the dog tried to lick him again.
Olivia chuckled.
"Woo!" Cruz said, and his parents laughed.
"Yes baby, woof. Can you say dog?" Olivia said.
"Daww," the baby responded.
"Good job, bud!" She cheered, and kissed his hat covered head.
Their son seemed to be fascinated by the dog, who gave an excited bark, causing Cruz to squeal again. Most toddlers were a bit cautious around dogs, which was a good thing. Not Cruz Grant. They would need to teach him how to behave around the dog, and teach the dog how to behave around the toddler.
Olivia glanced at her husband. "Fitz, where did you find this dog?"
"I heard barking when I left the last store we were in. That's where I found Cruz's cup by the way. The barking continued and I followed it. They're having an adoption fair in the shopping center next door.
"And they just allowed you to walk away with it?"
He grinned again. "I'm Fitz Grant, baby," he said with a shrug. "They know how to find me if I don't bring him back."
Olivia smirked then stared at the dog, who was allowing Cruz to hug him, his tail wagging. He was beautiful. He briefly looked between her and Fitz and she knew she didn't have the heart to be upset, or deny wanting to keep him.
"Can we keep him?" Fitz asked again.
When she hesitated, he quickly started singing the dog's praises.
"Livvie, Cocker Spaniels are known for being gentle, easy-going and affectionate. They're good with children and are non-aggressive. They also like to play and with a toddler around, so he'll get plenty of exercise. The vet tech said he's well-behaved, and won't require much training. This dog will be the most loyal best friend Cruz will ever have."
Olivia nodded absently while watching the dog with her baby. He was already so gentle. She bent down to pet the dog and he immediately started to lick her hand.
"Easy Seven, we want her to like you."
"Seven?" She looked up at her husband, lifting a brow. "Why on earth would anyone name a dog 'Seven'?"
"His name's Brady but there's no way we're keeping that name," Fitz scoffed, shaking his head, and causing Olivia to laugh, loudly. "Seven is the number I wore in college and in the League. It was my number when I met and married you, and when I became a father for the first time. It's brought me a lot of luck," he grinned. "Lucky Seven."
Fitz watched the look on his wife's face soften. He knew he had her.
Olivia chuckled and shook her head while Fitz lifted a protesting Cruz into his arms.
"So can we keep him, Livvie?" he asked yet again with pleading eyes. Even Cruz seemed to be pleading. How could she resist?
Olivia sighed deeply. "Okay," she answered with a laugh, but also gave her husband the eye.
"Good boy," Fitz said as he petted the dog's head and grinned at his wife. He'd won her over.
Reaching inside her tote, she removed a pack of wipes and wiped Cruz's hands and then her own. "He will stay off all furniture, and the first time he chews anything in the house, especially my shoes, the two of you will be sleeping outside."
Fitz laughed. "Aww Livvie, I'll replace your shoes."
"That's not the point and you know it, Fitzgerald Grant."
"I know. There's a three day waiting period before we'll be able to bring him home. I'll let him get acclimated to the house and the surrounding property for a few days before he begins obedience training. He'll stay there while we're away for the holidays."
"You have it all figured out don't you, Mr. Grant."
"Of course I do, Mrs. Grant." He grinned, then leaned down and kissed her lips.
"Good. I hope you've also figured out how you're going to tell Bert that we're getting a dog. Now, let's go and fill out the paperwork."
Brady, soon to be called 'Seven,' barked his approval.
Olivia walked away pushing the empty stroller while Fitz stood staring after her with Cruz in his arms, and holding onto the dog's leash.
And that is how Seven Grant became a member of their family.
XXX
As Christmas approached, Olivia well into her second trimester. She was on a holiday break and would return to MSNBC in mid-January. This was her happy season and she was giddy and ready to project all her unhealthy Christmas obsession onto her son, who was a little older but still not old enough to really understand all the excitement around the holiday. As usual, Fitz enjoyed indulging his wife's every holiday whim just to please her.
They'd attempted to decorate the tree together as a family, but their busy toddler tried to remove the ornaments as soon as they put them on the tree. They finally gave up and waited until he was asleep to finish. Fitz decorated the top half of tree, while Olivia took care of the branches at eye level. No way in hell was he going to allow his fearless wife to climb the ladder and risk injuring herself or their unborn child. They finished by creating a barrier of large empty boxes around the tree in order to keep their curious toddler at bay.
They had also taken holiday family photos the week after Thanksgiving and used the best, the one with an uncooperative Cruz lying on the floor with his Bubby, as their Christmas card, and baby announcement. At least he'd stopped screaming. The photographer made sure that her burgeoning belly was well displayed, and as expected, congratulations, well-wishes and many laughs started to pour in from family and friends.
Olivia had also finally revealed her pregnancy to Josie and she seemed genuinely happy for her client. "We'll figure it out, Olivia," she'd said, and they had. She was currently busy fielding opportunities, and moving things around on Olivia's schedule. Her client would be busy at the beginning of the year, and would slow down the closer she got to her due date. Olivia and Fitz agreed with the arrangement, and she would decide when she was ready to return to work.
XXX
Fitz, Olivia and Cruz were spending the holidays in New York City with Fitz's parents, along with T.C., Wyatt and Enrique. Two days after Christmas, they would be flying to St. Lucia for a seven day babymoon, without their son. His GG and Poppy, along with his aunt and uncles would be caring for him until his parents returned. It had taken a lot of pleading and convincing from Fitz for Olivia to agree to leave her son for a week. But she'd finally relented after he reminded her that this was probably the last kid free vacation they'd get for a while. She laughed when she realized she'd been pregnant during each of their vacations.
In the weeks before they departed for New York, Julian hosted an intimate dinner for Joey's birthday, and Olivia and Fitz attended the MSNBC office Christmas party, and missed the Mayor's Holiday Ball for the first time since they'd been together, but they had sent a sizeable donation. They were also busy with Christmas shopping and holiday outreach through Fitz's foundation. Olivia had even volunteered with the Wives Club, making gift baskets for the women in a domestic violence shelter and wrapping toys for their children. She was surprised at how happy she was to see most of them, old and new. They all fussed over her and her bump, which surprisingly didn't annoy Olivia, making sure she didn't overdo it.
XXX
Christmas in New York…
Fitz, Olivia and Cruz arrived in New York City a few days before Christmas, and were met with a blast of frigid air. Olivia finally admitted that she was ready to get to the Caribbean island, away from the cold and snow in the northeast, and onto the beach in one of the many bikinis she'd packed. They'd had a trace of snow in Virginia, but New York City was digging out from almost a foot, and would have a white Christmas for the first time in years. They couldn't wait to see Cruz's reaction to the white, fluffy stuff.
As expected, Wyatt and Enrique were very happy to see Cruz, and paid a lot of attention to Olivia's pregnant belly. Both men agreed with Fitz that Olivia was carrying a little girl. She laughed, shaking her head, and reminded them that they had four and a half months before they would find out for sure.
No one was surprised that the moment Cruz was placed on his feet in his grandparent's foyer, he made a beeline for the large Christmas tree. The eight foot Norway spruce covered with hundreds of priceless fragile glass ornaments going back several centuries was the focal point of the twenty foot ceiling in the living room. There were neatly wrapped gifts beneath the tree, but the toddler couldn't get close because Fitz's beloved Lionel train set, which had once belonged to JR, encircled the base of the tree. Cruz squealed when he saw the shiny toy, and reached out to grab it but his father quickly lifted him into his arms and sat on the floor with him on his lap. Together, father and son watched the train as it circled around and around the tree, and several of Fitz's childhood memories came flooding back. He was happy to share this moment, and this tradition, with his son. Surprisingly Cruz sat still with his head against his father's chest, captivated.
Olivia stood in the room's entrance, quietly watching before she finally moved closer and sat next to her guys, laying her head on her husband's shoulder. From the looks on both Fitz's and Cruz's faces, the train set would be going back to Virginia with them.
XXX
Constance and T.C. had made a list of everything they wanted Olivia and Enrique to experience while they were in the city for the holiday season, and Fitz and Wyatt were going to make sure they did as much as they could. It was Enrique's first white Christmas, and his and Olivia's first holiday in the city.
The five Grants enjoyed exploring New York City at Christmastime. They'd started early one morning with a trip to Rockefellar Center to view the epic tree so they could scratch it off the list. There had also been outings to see The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, and of course The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. JR and Constance had taken their children to see the ballet every year until Fitz and Wyatt were no longer interested. Constance and T.C. still went every year. It was their tradition, and they were happy to include Olivia and Enrique, along with Wyatt. Fitz and JR stayed home with Cruz.
The trip to view the window displays on Fifth Avenue also served as a shopping excursion for Olivia, Enrique and T.C. They spent a fair amount of time in the stores, especially Olivia's favorite, Barney's. There had also been trips to Serendipity for frozen hot chocolate, a holiday-themed cruise to view the city lights from the water, and finally, a Rangers game for Fitz, Olivia, T.C., Wyatt and JR. Enrique wasn't interested in hockey and hung out with Constance and Cruz.
Fitz, JR, T.C. and Wyatt took Cruz to the park to try out the brand new baby sled JR had bought for his grandson. Fitz and Wyatt were excited because when they were boys they went sledding in that same park. Wyatt had even brought out one of their old toboggans from storage, waxed it and tried to convince Enrique to join them. The three Grant spouses declined the invite, but Olivia made them all promise that they would keep her baby safe, and take lots of pictures.
"Be careful with my baby, Fitzgerald Grant," she'd warned him, "or else." Fitz had laughed but all four Grants swore to protect Cruz with their lives. And they had, especially if the pictures and videos were any indication. Cruz Grant had a ball!
The morning of Christmas Eve found Fitz, Olivia, T.C., Wyatt and Enrique at Wollman Rink in Central Park, for ice skating. It had been a Grant sibling tradition when T.C. was a little girl until Fitz went away to college. He'd had to give up the activity because he couldn't risk an injury. They'd invited their spouses along, while Cruz stayed home with Poppy and GG. Olivia obviously wasn't skating because she was pregnant, and Enrique just didn't want to. They sat bundled up in cozy scarves and coats, drinking hot beverages and watching the siblings skate around the ice teasing and laughing at one another.
Later they would all attend the Grant Christmas Eve Celebration at the home of one of Fitz's uncle. It was Olivia's first and definitely a reprieve from the non-stop outdoor activities they'd engaged in since they'd touched down, and after almost two weeks in frigid New York City, she was ready to lie back and enjoy the sun and the beach.
XXX
Christmas morning…
The smell of bacon and coffee wafted through the living room of the Grant home. Fitz, Wyatt, Enrique and T.C. were in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Constance Grant moved around the room picking up pieces of wrapping paper that had been left after all the gifts were opened. Most were for Cruz, who had had more fun ripping up the paper and playing with the boxes.
Olivia sat on the sofa, absently playing with one of her gifts from her husband. He'd given her a flawless, two carat, Astor cut round diamond pendant on a platinum cable chain. She'd argued that it was too much, but he'd told her that the women in his family had impressive jewelry collections, and he was adding to hers. She knew he was telling the truth because she'd seen the array of large stones in the ears, and on the fingers, wrists and necks of the Grant women at last night's Christmas Eve celebration.
The pendant matched the diamond bracelet from his aunt's collection that he'd gifted her the previous evening before they'd left for the party. There were other pieces that had once belonged to Immanuelle Bennett, and had been willed to him, that he would eventually give to his wife.
"Christmas is my favorite time of year," Constance said, interrupting her thoughts and taking a seat on the sofa next to Olivia. "It's a time for family and giving."
"It's mine too, ever since I was a little girl. I love being with family; the traditions, putting up the tree and other decorations, and buying and wrapping gifts. It means even more now that I have a child."
She smiled as she watched JR pushing Cruz around the large room on his new red tricycle. It was a gift from his grandparents, complete with a very loud bell, and a tiny helmet.
"Thank you, Olivia."
Olivia turned to her mother-in-law. "For what?"
"Thank you for loving my son and making him so happy."
Olivia's eyes filled with tears. "He's done the same for me. I mean, I had my doubts and fears in the beginning, but once I opened my heart and allowed him to love me, my life changed. I just love him so much."
Constance reached out and squeezed her hand. "I know you do. And that little boy over there means the world to us. He is just a bundle of happiness and love, and the light of all our lives."
Olivia could only nod. She felt the same way.
"And now we have another grandbaby on the way to spoil," she smiled and glanced at Olivia's growing belly. "We have been extremely blessed."
"That we have, Mom," Fitz said as he walked toward his wife and his mother with a huge grin on his handsome face. They hadn't heard him enter the room. "Breakfast is ready," he said and helped his mother stand to her feet. "And it is exceptionally delicious, if I must say so myself."
Olivia and Constance laughed.
"Now do you see why I didn't want to like him?" Olivia asked, looking at her mother-in-law.
"That's alright, Livvie. I'm hard to resist."
Olivia rolled her eyes as Constance laughed again.
"Thank you for breakfast, Fitzgerald," she said and kissed his cheek. They watched as she left the room, followed by JR and Cruz, still on his tricycle.
Fitz grinned at his wife, who had a smirk on her face.
"Hard to resist, huh?"
"Please, Livvie you blew my mind the first time I saw you, all gorgeous and sexy."
His words made her heart swell, as they always did, and she knew there was no other place she wanted to be than with Fitzgerald Thomas Grant, III.
Fitz reached out and pulled her to her feet, and into his arms. His hand gently touched her belly and their child growing inside its mother. The look on his face grew serious.
"This," he said, "is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. You, are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. The sight of you, pregnant with our child."
Olivia stared at her husband before he lowered his head to softly kiss her. Sighing in contentment, he spoke.
"How are you, Livvie?"
"I'm fine, babe, just hungry. I think I want waffles, a little of that delicious frittata Enrique is making, and maybe bacon, and definitely your delicious cheesy eggs."
Fitz threw back his head and his laughter filled the room. "Anything else? I mean, that's some list but you know I can make whatever you want."
Olivia playfully poked his hard chest. "Never tease a pregnant woman about food, especially when she hasn't eaten, and is hungry for anything."
Fitz kissed her lips again and whispered, even though they were alone.
"I'm hungry for you."
Olivia gave him a secret, sexy smile and stood on her toes. "Feed me and I'm all yours." She kissed him on the lips.
Fitz pulled her against him, as close as her growing, pregnant belly would allow, and slid his hands to her hips, smiling into her beautiful, glowing and upturned face. "I'm going to hold you to that…later."
His hands moved from her hips down to her ass and squeezed gently before moving back up to her belly. "Now come on, let's get you and our baby fed." Slipping his arm around her burgeoning waist, they left the living room to join their family for breakfast.
XXX
The next day...
"Your apartment is beautiful, T." Olivia stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring down at the traffic and people who looked like miniature toys. It was the day after Christmas, and New Yorkers were going about their business as usual. There was a panoramic view of the East River bridges connecting Manhattan to the other boroughs. She loved this city, and loved seeing where her husband grew up but she wasn't sure she could live here.
T.C. had been begging Olivia to visit her place for brunch, and much needed girl talk, before she returned to Virginia. The apartment had been a gift from her parents. She'd informed them that she didn't want to live at home after her graduation from college, especially now that she had a serious boyfriend. When Ty came to town, he stayed with her. They'd chosen a secure Grant luxury high-rise, not far from their home, and paid for the minor renovations along with the decorator and the furniture. The result reflected T.C.'s laid back style.
"Thank you, Liv. It's the best Mom and Dad's money could buy," she said with a hint of sarcasm.
Olivia turned, giving her sister-in-law a warning look.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. That was bratty of me. I know I'm fortunate to have parents who could even do this for me."
Olivia nodded. "Yes you are, T." Walking away from the windows she took a seat on the the sofa. "I see you're wearing the earrings."
T.C.'s hand immediately went to the diamond and sapphire stud in her left ear. Sapphire was her birthstone and the earrings had been a Christmas gift from Ty.
"They are beautiful," she responded, taking a seat next to Olivia. "I'm just happy there were earrings in that box."
"Yeah, I saw the look of panic flash across your face when you saw it." Ty had given it to Fitz to slip into her stocking. "And then I saw a look of relief after you opened the box. Why? Did you honestly think your boyfriend would give your brother an engagement ring to give to you?"
T.C. chuckled lightly. "Ty said the same thing when I spoke with him last night. She expelled a sigh. "We've...well he's been talking about marriage a lot lately."
"Really? So he's ready to get married?"
"He says he is."
"And you aren't?"
T.C. shook her head. "I'm not ready to take that step yet. I'm twenty-two, still in grad school. I mean, my dad still pays all my bills. He's twenty-three and a lot more mature. He's experienced a lot more of life than I have. He's also established in his career. I want the same for me before I think of becoming someone's wife."
"Does he know that?"
"I've told him that I want to finish grad school first."
"He's not giving you an ultimatum, or pressuring you, is he?"
"No, Liv. Ty's not like that."
Olivia nodded. She knew Ty was devoted to T.C. because whenever they were all together, it was in his eyes and his body language. And T.C. was very much the same, always getting a school girlish look and tone whenever she was talking to, or about Ty. It was the voice of a woman who was loved by a good man. Olivia was quite familiar. She'd been the same way with Fitz, still was. Ty loved T.C. and he wasn't afraid to show it to the entire world. Fitz had commented that he'd changed since he'd been in a serious relationship with his sister. The young man also knew that he'd have to deal with her older brothers if he went out of his way to hurt her. And he did not want to have to deal with Fitz or Wyatt Grant.
"I'm not even sure I want to get married after grad school, but I know I love Ty, I'm in love with Ty, and I want to be with him."
"But you're not ready to take the next step."
"Nope. He says he wants a life with me. And that I might think it's too soon, but he knows what he wants and that's me by his side as his wife. But he won't propose until he knows I'm ready to say 'yes,' and have no doubts that he's the man for me. When he knows that I feel safe with him, and trust him as much as I love him, he'll ask me to marry him."
"You don't trust him? What's going on, T?"
"You know Ty has a past. It's why Fitz was so against us dating."
Olivia nodded. "But you have to trust your instincts, T.C. Has he been anything but respectful to you?"
T.C. shook her head. "No. But I'm not sure I can trust my instincts, Liv. You know I don't have a lot of experience with men."
Olivia nodded. She knew. T.C. had come to her when she decided to go on birth control, because her relationship with Ty was moving in that direction. She wanted the name of Olivia's gynecologist. They'd had a long conversation to make sure she was ready, and Olivia had even accompanied her to her appointment.
"T, before your brother, neither did I. But I have no regrets." Olivia smiled, thinking of those early days of dating her husband. "I let my guard down and openly expressed my love for him. I also no longer had any negative feelings whenever I thought of anyone from the past. Those distant memories and old insecurities are long gone."
"But what if he breaks my heart."
"He could, but I don't think he will. It's okay to love him, even if it fails."
"I think I know that."
"Then what's the problem?"
"I guess in the back of my mind, I'm waiting for the fairytale to end, for my Prince Charming to turn into a frog, for him to realize he's bored with me and move on to the next woman. They're always around."
"Oh, I know. I endured drama when it came to other women. But I also knew your brother loved only me, wanted to be with only me, and our love only grew stronger."
"I remember that. My brother loved you even when you wouldn't even tell him your name."
Olivia laughed. "I loved him too, but I tried to fight it."
"I love him so much, Liv." She teared up just thinking of the depth of emotion she had for him. "He makes me laugh, and I can be myself around him. He's my first and only love."
Olivia reached for T.C.'s hand. "You deserve Ty, T, and he deserves you. But also know that he will mess up, and so will you. Relationships last because the couple knows how to handle problems, not that they don't have any."
T.C. sighed. "I think I'm finding problems where there aren't any. I know Ty loves me, he respects me and the fact that I'm not ready for marriage, and he's willing to wait for me to be ready. But doubt still creeps in sometimes."
"You're human and it's okay to have doubts. Ty probably has them too. It's a perfectly normal part of any relationship. The problems come when you avoid resolving them. But I think you and Ty are doing the right thing by communicating with each other. Just keep talking, you'll be okay."
T.C. grinned at Olivia and it reminded her of her husband and son. "Thank you, Liv. I love that I can talk to you about anything."
"I've told you more than once, you can come to me and talk about anything."
"I know."
"Good. Are you and Ty going to be okay?"
"I think so. We have an unspoken agreement that we will simply focus on being in love, building our relationship and learning more about each other. And he's agreed to not mention marriage."
Olivia chuckled. "Now that that's out of the way, where's that brunch you promised me? Your niece or nephew and I are starving."
T.C. laughed and stood from the sofa. She extended a hand to Olivia and helped her to her feet. "Right this way."
XXX
St. Lucia…
Two days after Christmas, after several rounds of tearful hugs and kisses for Olivia, Fitz and his sobbing wife took the Grant jet to St. Lucia for a week of rest and relaxation. Fitz had reserved an ocean front villa with a private pool, gym, theatre, cleaning service and chef. They did rest, but they also danced on the beach at night and, swam naked in the private infinity pool when the sun set, shopped, enjoyed spa treatments, and laid out soaking up the sun. Her honey brown skin was now a deep mahogany.
Fitz kept his wife busy so she wouldn't spend all her time on her phone FaceTiming their son. When they did check in with Cruz and the family, he didn't appear to be missing them at all. That was probably because the other five Grants were spoiling him beyond belief. GG and Poppy's house was the house of yes! They both missed him, but they also needed this vacation, alone. It had been a wonderful week of calm, quiet, no phones, internet or television, just the two of them. It was exactly what they needed, just fun and sun.
Fitz took pictures of his pregnant wife when she went swimming in the sea in the early morning. The water was still, and no one else was around. He said he couldn't help himself because she looked so radiant and sexy in her skimpy bikinis, showing off her rounded belly. Olivia loved wearing the barely there bathing suits when she was pregnant, so she could see the miracle of life growing inside her. She'd never felt more confident in her body, and more beautiful, than while she was pregnant. Fitz joked that she looked as if she'd swallowed a basketball. From behind, she looked the way she always had, but when she turned to the side it was obvious she was pregnant, and sexier than she had ever been. The sun had darkened her skin and lightened her hair. She was absolutely gorgeous.
Olivia had enjoyed watching Fitz's bare chest glisten with water as it trickled down to his trunks. She couldn't take her eyes off the area between his washboard abs and the happy trail of soft, silky hair which led to that part of him that she had to have a few times per day. He was more than happy to oblige his wife because he also knew that the third trimester was going to test his patience. His wife's moods, temperament and sex drive were definitely going to change. So he let her have her way with him, especially when she was wearing one of those bikinis that barely covered her essentials.
He'd learned during her first pregnancy that his wife was sexually hyperactive during the second trimester. Once the nausea faded, her sex drive increased, and they'd made wild, crazy love at every opportunity. She'd teased him that she'd read some husbands couldn't keep up, but he'd given her that lopsided grin and told her she had nothing to worry about. To prove it, most mornings they almost didn't leave their bedroom because of her chosen attire, or lack thereof. A man could only take so much.
Olivia even ate everything the chef prepared. With all the morning sickness and a queasy stomach, she hadn't been eating much during her first trimester, and what she was eating their baby was getting. She was finally feeling better, now that the morning sickness had finally passed, able to eat a meal and keep it down. Her current favorite meal was the strawberry and banana pancakes, and Pepperpot, which she requested for dinner, several times. Fitz was just happy she was eating almost everything in sight. She had lost five pounds during her first trimester, but Dr. Goodrich had told her not to worry, she'd gain the weight back, and he was going to make sure she did.
XXX
New Years Eve…
Fitz and Olivia decided to get dressed up for dinner a restaurant recommended by their chef, and he was able to secure a reservation for his clients. They'd planned to bring in the New Year at the party hosted by one of the hotels on the island, but decided at the last minute to celebrate privately. After an exquisite meal, the couple chose to enjoy the bright moonlit night and take a walk on the beach before returning to their villa.
Olivia removed her shoes and Fitz picked them up. Hand in hand they strolled along the soft sand path, her head resting against his hard bicep. There were other couples scattered over the beach, some sitting in the sand, others were walking along the surf, but Fitz and Olivia paid them no attention because they were wrapped up in each other. They walked farther down the beach to a spot where the sand was untouched, and away from everyone else.
"I'm so happy right now." Olivia said.
"That's all I want to do, Livvie, make you happy." And he meant it. In his wildest dreams he never thought he would meet someone he could be so weak for. His love for his wife was so deep and true that he would do anything to keep the satisfied and content look she currently had on her face.
Olivia nodded. "You do most days, babe, which is all I can really ask for."
He looked at her with that smile that could light her darkest day and brought her hand to his lips. She knew she was so very blessed to have this man be so in love with her. And he was just as blessed to have her.
They continued in comfortable silence until Olivia spoke. "We needed this vacation to unwind and relax, and I'm so glad you suggested it."
"It isn't Maldives, but we only had a week."
Olivia looked up at him. "It's beautiful here."
"You're beautiful, Livvie."
She blushed. This man, she thought. This man who loved her with every ounce of his being and who she loved in return. "Thank you, baby."
Fitz kissed her lips. "I'm glad you're enjoying it."
"We'll have to come back next year, with both kids."
He reached out and caressed her belly. "That can be arranged."
"But I'm still ready to get home to see my first baby."
Fitz laughed. "We'll be leaving in two days, Mrs. Grant." He knew Olivia was missing their son, so was he. "Come on, let's get in the water." Before she could protest, he lifted her into his strong arms and walked toward the sea's edge.
"Fitz, don't drop me! And don't throw me in the water," she said around peals of laughter.
His only response was to pinch her ass.
"Ouch! Fitz, stop it!"
Fitz grinned at his wife before lowering his head and kissing the pout away from her lips.
Olivia sighed. She knew her husband wouldn't toss her in the water, but she still warned him. "I'm carrying your child, mister. Do NOT throw me in the water."
"I don't plan to Livvie." He stopped at the water's edge and lowered her to her feet. Olivia watched as he dropped her sandals in the sand, and then removed his jacket and loafers.
She poked his hard chest playfully. "You do know that I would've hurt you if you got me wet."
"Really?" he said, gazing into her beautiful doe eyes and moving his body closer to hers. "You usually like it when I get you wet." He said, in a low and sexy voice.
Olivia laughed and rolled her eyes. She stood on her toes and kissed his chin then turned around and together they stood silently staring out at the blue black sea. Their feet were now wet and covered in sand. They breathed in the heavy sea air as the salty breeze blew Olivia's curls around her face. Fitz stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her growing belly, spreading his fingers over it. She put her hands over his, entwining their fingers together, and rested her head against the strength of his chest.
A few moments later, they felt the baby began to stir. Baby Deux had started moving around a few weeks ago.
"She's moving more often now," he whispered near her ear.
Olivia chuckled softly, shaking her head. She still wasn't as convinced as her husband and their families that she was carrying a little girl.
"I guess the baby is giving its approval for the great job you did planning this babymoon."
They stood together for a few moments, feeling their baby moving, and swaying to the music in the distance.
"Oh, heaven must have sent you from above. Oh, heaven must have sent your precious love."
Fitz sang along to the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell classic near Olivia's ear. It wasn't long before his lips moved down to her bare shoulder then slowly up to her neck.
Olivia closed her eyes and her entire body reacted to the feel of Fitz's lips against her skin. She could also feel him growing hard against her back, and couldn't stop herself from responding. She turned around to face him then reached up and grasped the back of his head, bringing his lips closer to hers. She kissed him slowly and skillfully. Putting her arms around his neck, Olivia moaned when Fitz deepened the kiss. She brushed her fingers through his hair, as he tenderly kissed her face and down to her neck. Olivia lifted her head to expose more of her neck to her husband. She sighed dreamily as his lips moved to the tops of her full breasts. Here they were on the beach in St. Lucia, with their feet in the water, making out like teenagers, where anyone could come along and see them. Her eyes flew open.
"Fitz! Fitz baby, stop!" She knew she'd gotten through to him because he raised his head and looked at her with heavy-lidded eyes. "We can't do that here."
Breathing heavily, he buried his face in her fragrant curls. "I'm sorry, Livvie."
Olivia pressed her fingertips to his lips, and shook her head. "Don't apologize, baby."
Fitz gave her that grin, and she smiled, reaching out and pushing a curl off his tanned forehead before running a forefinger down the length of his straight nose. "There's probably at least one person out here who recognizes you and would love nothing more than to get a photo of us having sex on a public beach.."
Fitz looked around at the few people and nodded. "Yeah, I don't want to wake up tomorrow and find both our naked asses all over social media." Olivia laughed at the grin on her husband's face. "Come on, let's…" He was interrupted by the ringing of his phone with a FaceTime call. Reaching into his shirt pocket he removed the device, then looked at the screen and smiled.
"It's T."
He answered and Cruz's little face filled the screen. The baby grinned around his binky.
"Dada!" he squealed, reaching for the device.
Fitz chuckled. "Hey, bud. What are you still doing awake?"
It was ten-thirty in New York and St. Lucia. They could hear T.C. laughing but couldn't see her.
"He took a late nap, but he's finally winding down again and should be asleep in the next ten minutes." She finally appeared on the screen wearing a fully made-up face and curlers in her hair. She was apparently getting ready to go out.
"What are you two up to?" T.C. asked, trying to keep the phone away from Cruz.
"We just had dinner and now we're taking a walk on the beach," Olivia answered.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma!" Cruz screamed when he saw his mother. He'd only recently started trying to say 'mama.'
"Yes baby, it's your mommy. I miss you so much and I can't wait to see you." She touched the screen, tracing her son's little face.
"Olivia, are you crying?" T.C. asked.
"Is that a man bun on my baby's head?" Olivia asked, ignoring T.C.'s question.
T.C. laughed. "Yeah, I was playing in his curls earlier. Isn't it the cutest?"
Olivia nodded, her tears falling silently.
Fitz looked at his wife and saw the tears on her cheeks, then smiled.
"They're happy tears, T." He leaned down and kissed her curls. "Where is everybody?"
"Mom went to get Bub's milk, and Dad stepped out to take a call. Wyatt and Enrique went to dinner with friends and then they're going to a party. I'm getting ready to go out with a few friends."
"Be careful out there tonight, T," Fitz warned.
"Bub has been so much fun all week," T.C. said, quickly changing the subject and putting an end to the lecture she knew was coming from her big brother, before it could even begin. "We all visited the aquarium today, and then went to Uncle Paul's and Aunt Abby's. Their grandchildren were there and he had a ball running behind them. He refused to take a nap and finally fell asleep in the car on the ride home. He slept almost three hours until I woke him up. That's why he's still awake." She leaned down and kissed Cruz's head, while he tried again to grab her phone.
"He can be stubborn when he's fighting sleep." Olivia responded.
"Yeah, we've experienced it," she said. "That's why we've been allowing him to stay awake as late as he wants."
"T.C.!" Fitz and Olivia said in unison.
"I'm going to see what's taking Mom so long. Say goodbye to your parents, Bub. Happy New Year, guys. We'll see you in two days." She quickly ended the call.
Fitz and Olivia stared at the black screen, before looking at each other and breaking out into loud laughter, drawing the attention of two or three people milling around at a distance.
"Do you think she's telling the truth?" Olivia asked, as Fitz put his phone back into his pocket, then pulled her into his arms.
"Knowing my family?" Fitz said. "Absolutely!"
They laughed again.
"His sleep schedule is probably all over the place," Olivia said, shaking her head.
Fitz looked down at his wife. He stroked his thumb over her cheek. "I want you so bad, Livvie." He kissed her forehead.
Olivia sighed and stepped out of his arms. She stood in front of him, his large body dwarfing hers, and blocking her from view. She looked around to see if anybody was watching, then reached under her dress.
Fitz's eyes grew wide, and he quickly looked around. "Livvie, wha…what are you doing?"
"I'm giving you something to hold you over, until we're back at the villa."
She stepped out of her lacy panties and tossed them to him. With his sharp reflexes, he caught them effortlessly, of course, then put them to his nose and inhaled, breathing in her scent.
"Let's go." She moved around him, stopped to pick up her sandals then kept walking toward the hotel.
"You're playing a very dangerous game, Mrs. Grant," he called out from behind her. Olivia could feel his eyes on her, but she kept walking.
"I like the games we play, Mr. Grant." She finally glanced at him over her shoulder.
Fitz had slipped back into his loafers and was carrying his jacket. He didn't speak, but the grin on his face spoke volumes. He caught up to his wife and placed an arm around her shoulders.
"I said you were playing a dangerous game, Livvie…my game. The game of seduction."
Olivia laughed and looked up at her love. "So I can't seduce you?"
"Oh you can." He lowered his head and whispered near her ear. "But I'm better at it, baby, and you know it."
Her core clenched at his words, proving his point.
"Now come on, let's get out of here. I want to be alone, and inside you when the clock strikes midnight."
XXX
The car had barely come to a complete stop before Fitz quickly assisted his wife from the backseat. Thanking the driver, they quickly made it to the front door. Fitz hurriedly unlocked the door, opened it and allowed Olivia to enter first before deactivating the alarm and closing and locking the door again. Turning to his wife, he knew they were both thinking of nothing but finishing what they'd started on the beach. He reached out and pulled down the top of her strapless dress, freeing her breasts. He knew they were sensitive so he was gentle. Her nipples were darker and swollen. Ever so lightly, he touched the areola, making it pucker, and making Olivia whimper with desire. He leaned down and kissed her again, while continuing to fondle her breasts with care. Olivia whimpered again deep in her throat. She wanted her husband so badly.
"Fitz…"
He ended the kiss, lowered his head to her breasts and kissed one, then the other, before closing his lips around one of her nipples and tugging gently, prompting Olivia to cry out.
"I want you so bad, babe," she said breathlessly.
Fitz broke the kiss and stared down into his wife's beautiful face. Her eyes were closed, and her lips were slightly parted. Without saying a word, he reached out and finished removing her dress, pulling it down her body and helping her step out of it. She stood before him wearing her strappy sandals and nothing else. Her panties were still in his pants pocket. Bending, he removed her sandals and then stood again. His eyes roamed the length of her petite body and he grinned slowly. He loved staring at her breasts and her rounded belly.
Olivia appreciated his perusal, but he was wasting time. She stepped closer and began to unbutton his shirt. Gradually his hard chest and defined abs were revealed. Olivia kissed his chest as her hands moved to his belt. Urgently she unbuckled the belt, unbuttoned his pants and pushed them along with his boxer briefs down his long, muscular legs to the floor, freeing his very large erection. He kicked them away and stood gloriously naked, all six-foot-four inches of sculpted magnificence, before her. She couldn't get enough of him, loved every inch of him, and was still happily addicted. Looking up into his face with a sly grin, she reached out and touched him, stroking his thick, hard inches. Fitz's breathing quickened, and his moans grew louder, which only made Olivia move faster, until he grabbed her hand.
"No, Livvie!" he sounded hoarse. Acting on impulse, Olivia held on to her husband then bent her knees until she knelt before him on the floor. She wrapped her small hand around the thick base and took the tip of him into her mouth, her tongue swirling around him. His sharp intake of breath had her glancing up into his face, which was tight with tension. His legs trembled and his fingers tangled through her wild and loose curls as she sucked and licked with fierce enthusiasm.
"Fuck! Stop…Livvie, if you keep doing that I won't…" Right when she thought he was about to come, he pulled out of her hot mouth, eliciting a gentle popping sound.
He reached down and lifted his wife into his arms. "Come on let's try that sex on the beach you talked about."
Olivia laughed softly. "I was only kidding, babe."
Fitz gave her that grin. "I wasn't."
She nodded and put her hands around his neck, wrapped her legs around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. Quickly, he carried her toward the back of the house, to the patio. Clumsily, his fingers fumbled with the lock, but he managed to open the sliding glass pocket door walking past the pool, where they'd already had several rounds of hot sex, and down to the private beach. It was dark, and somewhere in the distance she could see lights, probably from the many yachts on the island. She was grateful they couldn't be seen by anyone from that far at sea.
They finally stopped at the secluded cove along the beach where they'd watched the magnificent sunset the previous evening, and where she'd joked about having sex.
Still holding his wife in his arms, he squeezed her ass, dipped his head and plunged his tongue into her mouth for a deep kiss. "I love you, Livvie," he murmured into her mouth.
"I know." She said, panting. She was already turned on and ready for more.
"We're going to get sand in places sand should never, ever be."
Olivia chuckled, placing kisses all over his face. "But it will be so worth it."
Fitz agreed. He loosened his grip around her and she slid down his body until she stood on shaky legs. He kneeled down until he was eye-level with her core. She swore he licked his lips before he grinned up at her.
"Look at that. So pretty…and so wet."
Olivia felt no shame. "Why don't you have a taste," she whispered.
"I think I will."
His hands cupped her butt, supporting her as he pulled one leg over his shoulder, exposing her to his mouth. He slid a finger inside her, causing her to moan, and ran his tongue over her lower lips and between the folds of her core. Olivia's body stiffened and her breathing became shallow.
"Oh, Fitz." She bit her lower lip.
"Hold on to me."
She did as he asked and grabbed on to his broad shoulders.
Before she could draw her next breath, his lips were attached to her clit, licking her slowly and methodically, giving her the gift of pleasure.
"Fitz. Please."
Fitz licked and sucked and Olivia's hands moved from his shoulders to his head, running her fingers through his soft curls. As his licking became more concentrated and faster, the intensity of her building orgasm caused her to squirm and attempt to get away from her husband's lethal tongue. This only made Fitz tighten his grip on her thighs to keep her in place. It was like a game. She would try to move and he would chase her, his tongue never leaving her center. Finally he looked up and asked, "Where are you going?"
"Fitz!" She yelled in a shaky voice. "It's too much. I can't take it."
"Yes you can." And with that he dove back in, capturing her clit between his lips. He increased the force of his tongue causing Olivia to moan louder, wondering when the torturous pleasure would end, but not wanting it to end at the same time. This man is driving me insane, she thought.
"Fitz! Oh my God!" She groaned and Fitz knew she was coming. "Fitz."
Fitz continued to taste his wife until she whimpered and came really hard with his name on her lips. He watched her body shudder, as her orgasm took over her body.
Olivia was still coming down from her orgasm high, and her grip was still on Fitz's hair when he stood and pulled her to him as he lowered himself down to the sand pulling her on top of him. She lay down across his body, pressing her breasts into his chest despite the bulge of her pregnant belly and deeply kissed him hard and passionately for several minutes. She could taste herself on his face and his mouth.
She finally sat up, straddling his large body, and looked down where his dick pressed low against her. It was rock hard and ready.
"Fitz, I want you now."
"Then take me, Livvie."
Olivia reached between them and took his hard inches in her hand and pressed it to her slick entrance. Fitz lifted his hips slightly, and she slowly lowered her core over him and he eased inside her inch by inch. He was big, but she arched and took him deeper until he was fully inside her body. She remained still for a moment and stared at her husband. He stared back, waiting to see what she would do next. She slowly started to move against him. Fitz moved with her, slowly and gently, always mindful of Baby Deux. Their eyes remained locked on each other as she increased the speed while moving on top of him.
Fitz reached out and ran his large hands through her hair, then over her shoulders and down to the small of her back where he stroked his hands up and down her back, then moved them to her breasts. Olivia placed her hands on his hard abs and leaned over, her pregnant belly pressed into his stomach, to kiss him. He lifted his head and covered her mouth with his, kissing her deeply.
Olivia sat up again, panting. Her breathing was erratic and her moans grew louder as she rolled her hips sensually. Fitz looked into her face. Her eyes were closed and her bottom lip between her teeth. She was always beautiful, but in that moment, she was ethereal.
"Oh sh…, oh shit. You feel so good, baby," she murmured. She thrust herself onto him, meeting every thrust of her husband's with her clit grinding against his pelvis.
"Livvie! Oh…oh…Oh Livvie…damn, you feel amazing" he cried out as she squeezed his dick with her inner muscles. "I'm going to come!" Fitz said in a strained voice. He gripped her hips and gently bounced her up and down his length, moving her quicker and faster up his inches before bringing her back down again. His hips thrust up into her, the sound of their labored breathing and their bodies slapping against each other were the only sounds around them as she rode him with her head tossed back and her eyes closed.
Olivia let out a low moan at the feel of him growing even bigger inside her even though that seemed impossible. Fitz held her hips as she rode him and it drove her out of her mind. He pounded his dick into her until he felt that familiar tingling sensation in his groin building up signaling he was close. He thrust harder and faster as Olivia's moans of pleasure urged him on.
Seconds later, Fitz felt her body stiffened and he kept driving into her harder and harder. Her orgasm crashed through her hard, and she completely lost control, while he let out a low growl and gripped her hips tighter.
Revelers somewhere in the distance yelled Happy New Year, and the boom of the fireworks above them drowned out their screams as they came in an orgasm so intense, so powerful, that they cried out together.
TBC