Here it is lovelies. It's basically mostly fluff, just because I finished my exam and had all this extra adrenaline and happiness. Fitz and Zoey bonding time. I hope you'll enjoy :)
He is walking towards the restaurant where they're meant to meet and his legs feel wobbly, like a toddler taking its first steps. He can't remember the last time he was this nervous. Meeting presidents and prime ministers, interviewing war-lords and criminals, it all fades in comparison to the tightness of the knot in his stomach because of this particular nine year-old. He has kids, he's great with kids, kids love him. But she's not just any kid. From what he could tell she's wise beyond her age, she's perceptive and vocal, outspoken. She's not a nine year-old, she's a mini version of Liv, minus the filters that come with age. She could rip him to shreds if she doesn't like what he says, and she'd probably be right. Just about every time. He's terrified. He's terrified of a nine year-old. Liv thinks it's hilarious that he called her three times to ask what to wear, and if there are bands he should know, movies to talk about. She thinks it's hilarious, because Zoey already likes him and there's nothing to worry about, it's just a lunch. But here he is anyway, wobbling towards the restaurant, completely terrified. He sees them sitting at the table near the window. They're laughing. The kind of laughter that makes them close their eyes, throw their hands up over their mouths and makes their bodies shake; the kind that makes their stomachs hurt, a reminder to return, back to reality. But they don't, they never stop, they just carry on laughing. But then, Liv sees him and waves; he's going in – to sink or swim.
Zoey's looking at the tablecloth, feigning shyness, but stealing glances; looking at him under her lashes.
"Hey Zoey. Thanks for letting me crash your lunch." And she looks up, there's a light in her eyes, a weak smile – she approves of this recognition, of significance he attributed to her opinion.
"That's OK. It was my pleasure." And the weak smile is replaced by a wide, beaming one, stretching across her face, lighting up the entire place. It makes Liv laugh, but he's too busy being charmed.
"So, Fitz, mom said you have kids." It's not a hostile, or disapproving; it's actually quite moving, she seems to want to know more, about him, about them; she's looking for a way to connect, to find a common ground. So he talks about them for a little while, and she asks questions, not because she has to, but because she wants to. And then she tells him about school; and how she can pirouette; and there's a boy she likes – they shared lunch; and she talks about books, her other world, wonderful, but not quite as good, as this one. Liv lets them talk, occasionally joining, but mostly just enjoying, taking it in.
"Fitz…" And suddenly the confidence is gone from her voice, and she sounds like a child, like a little girl, for the first time since they've been introduced. "My birthday is in a few weeks."
"So, I've heard." And he's smiling, encouraging her to go on.
"Well, I was just wondering…" And now she's looking at Liv, who's nodding reassuringly. "Would you like to come to the party?"
And now his smile is wide, and so very child-like, Liv can't remember seeing him this excited. "I'm invited?" And she is nodding her head viciously, but never breaking the eye contact. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
And as suddenly as it was gone, her confidence is back; she's back to her usual self. "OK. But it's a theme party. So you have to come dressed up." And Liv can see him panicking, it's enchanting.
"Zo, why don't you tell Fitz what the theme is. I think he's freaking out." And both girls laugh.
"You have to come as your favorite iconic person." And there's a sigh of relief; this could actually be pretty fun.
"So who are you going as?"
"Rosa Parks." And she says it like it's the most obvious thing in the world; but he's taken aback, he was expecting a pop star, or a princess from centuries past, but not a nine year-old who wants to be Rosa Parks.
"Wow." Is all he can mutter. He's lost a beat, but she doesn't seem to notice, no, she's in her zone.
"Yeah. Mom got me this book of iconic women of twentieth century for my birthday two years ago. And she's my favorite. I think. Although I really like Amelia Earhart as well."
"What do you like about her?"
"That she could fly. She wasn't afraid to go all the way up to the sky." He's completely lost in the little girl's voice, in her mind; overwhelmed by the fact that Liv brought her up, all alone, on her own.
"Zo, we should head to the fair. It's getting late." And he doesn't want to go, doesn't want this to end. But he doesn't want to push, he's letting her set the pace. But then Zoey chimes in, saving him.
"Can Fitz come with us?" And they're both looking up, all-puppy-eyes; tyring to break her down.
"I'm sure Fitz has things he needs to do." And it's not a question, it's a warning, but he chooses to ignore it.
"No actually, I don't have any plans." And she shoots him a look, but then she smiles; deep down she's actually glad.
As the winter day winds down, and the sun sets, they walk hand in hand, flashing fairy-lights reflected in their eyes. They stay out well into the night, and as they're heading home he picks her up, and she falls asleep in his arms. And Liv is walking next to him, her hand brushing his cheek; she's in love with this, she's in love with him.
"So who gets their eight year-old a book about iconic women of the twentieth century?"
"She was upset she didn't get cast as the princess in her ballet recital, so I got her the book and explained that princesses get saved, and it's so much cooler to be the one that does the saving." And the thing is, it's such a Liv thing to say, such a Liv thing to do, to fix a problem by opening up a whole new world. He's been in love with her forever, since he can remember, but today, seeing her, seeing the little girl, he knows – this is it, for him, from now to eternity, this is everything.
And he lowers Zoey slowly onto the bed, but she never awakes, just slightly shuffles and sleepily says, "Thank you. You're OK." And Liv smiles at him, it's a compliment, he passed the test. They tuck her in and leave the room, her hand around his waist, her head against his chest.
"I should go." He wants to stay, but he can't, it would be too much for one day.
"You should." And she wants to say stay, but she can't it would be too much for one day.
He picks up his coat and heads for the door, but then she pulls him back, "One minute." He nods his head, and they stand, just stand. For a minute they're alone in the universe, for a minute they're in a perfect place, for a minute their love is the only truth, for a minute they're each other's world. And then he leaves, but it's OK, because they have a lifetime of minutes waiting for them.
"So the party is tomorrow at 4, right?"
"Yes, at the park, so we have to be there early to set it up."
"I have a surprise for you. Well for Zoey really, but you can come too."
"What is it?"
"Do you not understand the concept of a surprise?"
"Fitz…" And he stops her with a kiss.
"I'm not telling you."
He picks them up at 10 the next morning. Zoey runs into his arms, leaving Liv, feigning offence, behind.
"So where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
"But can't you just…?"
"You're just like your mother, anyone ever tell you that?"
"All the time." And there it is, her signature smile.
They drive for a couple of hours, the roads getting narrower and trees getting thicker, until finally they're in the clear. And Zoey sees it first, and there's a gasp and a wow, and "It's a plane!"
And she's jumping out of the car, before they're even fully parked, and Liv is trying to catch up, trying to get her to come back; but Fitz catches her first, lifting her off the ground, spinning her around. Liv is finally there, and her hand is playfully covering Zoey's eyes as she kisses him, she can't believe he did this.
Suddenly Zoey asks, all panicky, "But where's the pilot."
"Oh, we don't need one."
"So we're not going to fly?" And she's trying to keep up the smile, but he can tell she's trying not to cry.
"Of course we are. We are going to fly." She looks confused and Liv jumps in, wanting to bring back her grin.
"Zo, Fitz is a pilot. He was in the Navy before law school. He can fly." And with that the little girls eyes are three times their natural size and her affection for him reaches new heights, he's superhero material now.
He takes her little hand in his, and guides her to the cockpit. "Let's go Amelia. Today you get to touch the sky."
They're taking off, and flying up, flying high. Below them specs of life, looking so orderly, so perfectly clear. And in that moment it is: he's her it, from now to eternity, this is everything. The sky is magical, the way clouds dissolve, the way they pass, the way they come together again, changed, yet somehow the same.
The rest of the day is great. She tells everyone about their flight, she tells everyone she's touched the sky. She's a ten year-old someone cared enough, loved enough to show that it's possible, that it can be done. And she asks him to tuck her in, and she kisses his cheek – he's everything her dad couldn't be; he's everything she's dreamed. And Liv can see, she can see her daughter falling for him. She's happy, but she's also scared – what if they make a mistake and it breaks the little girl's heart. She pushes the thoughts away, he's here to stay, he's not going away, this is not a mistake.
"I should go."
"You should…" And she takes a breath; this is it, the final step of letting him in, "you should stay."
"Are you sure?" And she nods her head, takes his hand and walks him over to their bed.
The next morning they're making breakfast. His hands are around her waist, he's kissing her neck, she's playfully pushing them away. And she realizes Zoey's there, and she freezes for a second, maybe she was wrong, maybe she should have let him go; but then the girl smiles, and it's a smile that reaches her eyes. And with that they start the first morning of the rest of their lives.
I hope you liked that. Thanks for the reviews and your support and interest in the story, seriously it's amazing and SO inspiring. The next chapter is a bit more angsty, so get ready for the ride. Until next time :)