AN: Thank you so much for reading my story and leaving reviews. I loved that everyone was surprised by Fitz's appearance at the graduation. I couldn't have my girl moping around on what's supposed to be one of the best days of her life. Hope you enjoy this chapter too! :)
Between sleep and wake all he heard was ringing and more ringing in his muffled sleep. Fitz rolls over to grab his phone only to see ten missed calls from his mother. "Shit" he muttered in a sleepy tone. He rubbed his eyes and checks the time which was already 9 in the morning. He can't believe he had slept that late. He was tried after performing at the wedding last night in combination with all the traveling and then talking to Olivia until 3 in the morning. She'd waited up for him until he was home, it touched Fitz that she cared so much to ensure that he was safely tucked into bed before she was able to sleep. Even though they're several miles between they always tried to be there for each other. Quickly stretching his s body and yawning he dialed his mother's number.
Janet had wanted to talk to Fitz since last night due to something she saw on twitter. She'd called him but his manager had told her he wasn't available at the time. Sitting at home in her rocking chair she sipped on her decaf coffee. Big Jerry was still asleep and she'd came downstairs to call Fitz before he was up. Sipping her coffee she went through a stack of magazine that was spread on the coffee table, settling on the Health and beauty one. As she read through different articles her phone began to ring.
"Good morning Fitzy" Janet fused with a sweet voice.
"Good morning mom. How are you?"
She placed the magazine gently on the table. "I'm doing fine, son. How are things with you?" She paused, "anything new going on?"
Fitz shook his head knowing that she found out about Olivia by her tone. She only asks that question when she already knows the answer. He'd wanted to ensure that things were serious between him and Olivia before he told his parents about her. He was even planning on asking Olivia to accompany him to New York next month when he visits them for Cousin Carl's wedding. Well today was the day he'll be sharing the good news with her. Fitz had only taken home his high school prom date and his girlfriend of 2 years during college to his family. But Olivia was different he could actually see a future with her. Joining back the conversation Fitz smiled with genuine happiness as he spoke with his mom.
"I'm glad to hear you're doing fine mom. As long as you're happy I'm happy."
Janet was growing out of patience with him delaying what she needed to know with all his niceties, so she asked directly. "Who's Olivia Pope? Is this your girlfriend Fitzgerald?"
Without hesitation he replied, "Yes, Olivia is my girlfriend. We've been dating for about a month now."
"What? And you had your mother find out about this from the internet?" Janet was appalled.
"Mom, it's not like that I wanted to ensure that things were serious before I told you and dad" Fitz, tried to reason.
"I can't believe that my only son withheld such an important piece of news from me. I was on your twitter page last night when I saw pictures of you and Olivia kissing at her graduation. Is that anyway to treat your mother?"
Janet can be fun but she had a flair for the dramatics. Sometimes she could exaggerate a situation which could either make you mad or laugh at the semantics.
Fitz spoke in an apologetic tone, "Mom, I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner but I really wanted to ensure that things are serious between us. Which, they are. By the way you saw a picture of us mentioning Olivia's name in the tweet?"
"Yes, her name was in the tweet. I think someone even tagged her in it. It could've been one of the students. How does she handle the media attention?" Janet inquired, trying to figure out if the girl was a suitable match for her Fitzy. She was clearly gorgeous from the several pictures she saw. The picture that was posted with her and Fitz emphasized her beauty as both looked extremely happy in each other's presence.
"Shit!" Fitz muttered.
"What's that I hear Fitzgerald?" Janet scolded. "No swearing!"
Fits stuck his tongue in his cheek and apologize, "Sorry ma'am. I have to tell Livvie about this. TMZ had only caught us once coming out of a bar but they didn't know who the girl was and now her name is out there." He ran his hands through his hair trying to relieve the anxiety he was feeling. He promised Olivia that he would try to ensure that they have a normal relationship. He wouldn't like the media bombarding her everywhere she went.
Janet listened at her son's slight panic over the situation and the endearing tone that he'd spoke Olivia's name in. At that moment she had to meet the woman that was getting or already has her son's heart. She knows Fitz and knows that he only worries this much for the people he loves. She stored that information in the back of her mind and returned to their conversation. "She knows dating you would eventually mean putting herself in the spotlight? What were y'all hoping for son?"
Fitz sighed, "I don't know but I did promise her to try to make our relationship as normal as possible."
"And try you will. Fitz if you're serious about her and she's serious about you I don't see any reason why you both can't try to keep your relationship to yourselves away from the media. Son, just live your life. You can be private about your relationship but don't allow the media to control the way you live or place you in a box. Talk to Olivia about this and once she's on board I don't see what's the problem" Janet spoke trying to ease some of his worry.
Fitz heard her loud and clear and she was right. He was never a fame whore and he refused to become one now. He'll have to talk to Olivia; because it's time the world knows that Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III is no longer available. He smiled at that thought, "Thanks mom, you always knows what to say."
Janet smiled, "I'm your mother what else can I say. Oh, when are you bringing Olivia to New York?"
Fitz looked up at the ceiling of his room, "I was hoping to ask her this weekend about accompanying me next month. If she says yes, you'll be seeing us then. "
"Sounds great, can't wait to see the woman that has caught my son's attention. So tell me how did you guys meet?"
Fitz went over the story of how he and Olivia met. His mother laughed when he mentioned Olivia stepping on his shoes. She was quickly warming up to this Olivia as she seemed like an honest and sweet person but that can be the case because the descriptor is biased.
Fitz answered all her questions about Olivia. Even went as far to tell her that, Olivia makes him happy. He'd asked for his father but Big Jerry was still asleep.
"Ok mom I have to go, I have something's to do before I head to Seattle this afternoon."
Janet replied, "Ok but don't be a stranger to my phone. Please past on my congratulations to Olivia and you be safe! Love you Fitzy."
He always laughed at his nickname Fitzy that they'd given to him as a little boy. "Ok ma will do, love you too!"
Fitz disconnected the call and decided to take another nap before calling Olivia.
xxxx
Olivia woke up to the smell of breakfast being prepared and smiled at how much her mom pampers her whenever she's near. Olivia had slept in that morning after staying up until 3 to ensure that Fitz was safely home, she couldn't sleep unless she knows he's home and tucked into bed safely. Olivia felt unbelievably happy as she stretched her body before getting out of bed. She grabbed her silk kimono robe from the hook over her bathroom door. I'll text Fitz later so he can sleep in. She made her way to the bathroom, took care of her morning needs before heading out to meet her mother.
Alexis, woke up about three hours ago willing her body to sleep. The time difference always messes with her sleeping pattern, with Seattle being three hours behind Florida she always woke up extremely early. After tossing and turning for what seemed like eternity she decided to get up and start breakfast. She loved spoiling her daughter whenever she could, even though she tries to give her space she misses her daughter terribly. The two of them were inseparable when they lived together. It was never a relationship where the mother forces the daughter to spend time with them. Olivia had grown to love and appreciate their mommy and daughter times. She thanked God for the way Olivia had turned out, being a single mother from the time Olivia became 5 years old she had no idea how she would've done it. Losing the love of her life in a car accident and raising a child some days all she saw was darkness but she'd made it, her daughter made it and for that she was happy. Alexis was pouring the pancake batter into the pan when she heard Olivia entered the room.
"Good morning Livvie. How was your sleep?"
Olivia stretched as she made her way to kiss her mom on the cheeks, "mmmm it was good. Thanks for letting me sleep in."
"No problem baby. Heard you and Fitz on the phone at God know what time talking. You guys talk that late every night?" Alexis probed while flipping her pancake.
Olivia blushed; hoping her mom didn't hear the contents of the phone call as some pretty sexy words were exchange between the two parties. To test the waters she replied, "uh huh, not so late but we always talk to each other lastly before sleeping."
Alexis placed the pancake onto the plate, "Oh, that's sweet. How was his concert last night?"
"The wedding reception" Olivia corrected, "he said it was fun. He said the grandmother of the bride was trying to pinch his butt cheeks all night" she finished with a laugh.
Alexis laughed at the joke, while pouring out orange juice for both of them. "Well I can't say that I blame her, have you seen him? You know what don't answer that. You've seen too much of him. "
"Mommy stop!" Olivia whined before bursting into laugh. Olivia made her way over to help her mom bring the hearty breakfast to the table. There were eggs, fruits, blueberry pancakes, bacon and orange juice.
"Mmmm, mom you sure you don't want to move Seattle?" Olivia joked while inhaling the delicious food.
Alexis took a seat at the breakfast nook which had a beautiful view of a park. "As much as I love you, I don't think I could live with your behind" she quipped.
"Yea whatever mom, you know you love me."
"Yea yea yea, now say grace before the food gets too cold." Alexis responded.
Olivia said grace and the two dug into their breakfast with comfortable chatter. Once they were finished eating, Olivia volunteered to clean up the kitchen.
Once all the chores were completed they both went back to bed in the guest room. Olivia brought her new MacBook in with her as she was personalizing the settings using her iCloud account. As her mom lay on her back looking at the Prices Right she decided to check her twitter account.
Olivia saw that she have over 100 notifications and just the same amount of new followers. How the hell did I get so popular? She thought. Olivia clicked on the notification and saw a picture of her and Fitz kissing at her graduation with the caption, "III Legend and girlfriend Olivia Pope at her graduation." "Shit!" Olivia exclaimed.
Alexis quickly diverted her eyes from the television to her daughter wondering what has caused her distress, "What is it Olivia?" She inquired.
Olivia wordlessly turned her computer around for her to see.
Alexis, looked at her with a confused look on her face "What's the matter didn't you expect to see a picture of you and Fitz kissing on the internet?"
Olivia didn't understand why her mother was so calm about it. "No, mom I don't want to see any picture of me and Fitz on the internet." Feeling even more agitated at her mother's raised brows, "Don't you see this is my life and I want to keep it private!" Olivia shouted trying to get her mother to see her point.
But instead Alexis laughed, when she was finished she asked, "Are you serious Olivia? Do you know who you're dating?"
Olivia looked at her with wild eyes, "Yes, I'm dating Fitz."
Alexis sat up in the bed and face her daughter. She shook her head as she spoke, "honey to you he's Fitz but to the world he's III Legend and it would be foolish of you to think that no media coverage would be on you. What you have to ask yourself is, if he's worth your life being exposed for public viewing? Is he?" She asked questioningly.
Olivia sat staring at her mother mulling over what she'd told her. She was right it was impossible for her to be with Fitz without also being in the spotlight. She didn't like it, but Fitz is worth it right? At least he told her that he would try as hard as possible for them to have a normal relationship and so far he'd living up to the promise. Olivia sighed knowing that this is something she and Fitz have to talk about. And in the end he was worth being with even if the media would be scrutinizing her every move. He had to be worth it. Getting back to the conversation after a long pregnant pause she told her mom, "He's worth it. I believe he's worth it."
Alexis, looked at her encouragingly and said, "You and Fitz needs to talk about this. I would advise that y'all acknowledge your relationship in public. Whether, y'all want to tweet a picture of the two of you together with him acknowledging you as his girlfriend or whichever way. Just let the world know. You do not have to live your life for those people and I will say don't let those people define the way you live your life. Go out there and live life the way you choose to. I always talk to you about the power of choosing. So baby girl if you choose to be with him you also choose to deal with the things that accompany him. And if this is what you want I believe you can do it."
Olivia listened to what her mom had to say and she was absolutely right. With that she jumped off the bed and hugged her mother tightly. "Thanks ma you always know what to say. I'm going and call Fitz now" she said while skipping out the room.
"Tell him hello for me" Alexis called after her.
xxxx
Reaching for her phone Olivia called the number she'd probably called a thousand time. Fitz sleepy voice answered her, "Wake up sleepy head!" She shouted causing him to groan. "Fitz, baby wake up it's already noon."
In a groggily voice he replied, "Good morning baby."
Olivia listened to his yawns as he was probably stretching in his bed. Once he was finished she asked, "Are you done?"
Fitz chuckled at her, "Yes, I'm finished. How was your night? Did you dream about me?"
"Of course I did, I only dream about you" she admitted while twirling her hair with her finger.
"Mmmm what did you dream?"
"I dreamt that you were here and you ran a bathe for me with lavender oil "
Fitz liked this dream so he said "mmmm mmmmm" to get her to continue.
Olivia smirked knowing where his mind was already at, so she continued "and you stripped me naked and put me to sit in the tub."
"And then I got naked too with you?"
"Haha you wish. I'm a lady and ladies don't share bathe tubs with gents. All you did was scrubbed my skin for me" she teased.
Fitz groaned and with a pout he replied, "That's a lame dream. I don't want to be in that dream."
Olivia laughed at his disdain for her platonic dream about him. Once she was finished laughing she spoke about the matter on hand. "Did you see twitter?"
Fitz felt his heart racing not knowing how she would take this news. With a steady breath he replied, "Yes and I'm so..." Before he could've gotten the words out Olivia interrupted him.
"It's ok babe."
"It's ok? I thought that you didn't want to be out in the media" he spoke feeling slightly confused.
"Oh, I definitely don't want the media to be all over me but since this is part of the package when it comes to you, I guess I'll have to take it. Because let's face it I want the entire package. And I don't want to share any of you. So the sooner these heifers know that you have a woman the better." Olivia sassed.
Fitz laughed at her being possessive, he liked that she wanted to claim him publicly. "Wow Livvie, I'm surprise by everything you just said. Pleasantly thou. I was nervous because I didn't know how you would take this but I'm glad you're ok" he let go of a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Well you're not the only one that was freaking out. Thanks to my mom who pretty much knock some sense into my head" she admitted while laughing. "Oh by the way she said hello, she sure is fond of you."
Fitz smile at that, "Well I have my eternal gratitude to extend to her and please do return a hello for me. I can't wait to see her when I come to Seattle and I think I'm way fonder of her" he replied.
"Well that's good to know. I'm glad that my two favorite people like each other" she confessed.
Fitz smiled loving that she's happy with her mother's and him new bond. "So I have some news for you Livvie."
Olivia raised her eyes in suspicion, "What sort of news? Good news or bad news?"
"Well I would hope that it's good news. I told my parents about you well actually my mom found out about you from twitter, you didn't want to hear the yell I got for that." Olivia chuckled and he continued, "Anyways they would love to meet you and I would love for you to meet them too. I'm going to New York next month for a cousin wedding and it would be my greatest pleasure if you can come with?" He hoped that she would say yes.
Olivia thought about it and she was nervous to meet Fitz's family but she did want to meet them. With a smile she said, "It would be my pleasure Grant. However, I can only go for four days, so would leaving on a Wednesday evening and coming back a Sunday in time for work be ok?"
Fitz was overjoyed that she would be coming with him, "That'll work. We'll get to spend some time with them, go to the wedding on Saturday, do whatever you want and make it back on Sunday. And oh, don't worry about anything I will look after it."
Olivia rolled her eyes knowing that he was talking about the travel arrangements. "Thank you even though you know ..."
Fitz smiled knowing that she wasn't comfortable with him spending money on her and he interrupted her before she was finished. "I know babe but just let me do this for you. It's nothing" he coaxed her.
"Ok, so you'll let me know the dates and so on? By the way what time are you coming to Seattle? Quinn, Abby and some other people from SU are planning on celebrating at the Baltic Room tonight. It would be nice if u can come. I promise it would be fun" she begged hoping he would say yes.
Fitz didn't want to intrude on Olivia when it came to her hanging out with her friends but he didn't want her going clubbing without him. "Are you sure? I don't want to interrupt anytime with you and your friends"
Olivia shook her head, "No no that's fine. I want you there and plus I want you to get to know my friends. Besides whom am I going to dance with when you're not there?"
"Mmmm you have a point there little lady because I won't take it kindly if you were dancing with some other guy. So I'll be there, text me the address. Do you want me to pick you up?" He asked.
"No that'll be fine. I'm heading over to Abby's apartment later to meet up with her and Quinn. We're going to dress from there" she answered
"Ok sounds like a plan, I'll just meet you guys there. I'm off to go brunch since it's already too late for breakfast. Talk later sweet baby, I love you."
"I love you too baby! Now go eat because I plan on using up your energy later."
With that Fitz jumped out of bed with enough strength to run a marathon, "you're killing me Livvie. I'm going and eat. Thinking about making some protein shakes to help strengthen my muscles so I. Can. Handle. You."
She laughed remembering her earlier text to him. "You're so silly, I'm hanging up now. Talk to you later, love you!"
"Love you too!" And with that they both disconnected the call.
Olivia went to her closet looking for something sexy to wear that would make the night interesting.
AN: Hello people! Lol. So many things happened in this chapter. How spot on was both of their mothers? Olivia was crazy to think that she wouldn't be in the spotlight when she's in a relationship with Fitz. So after talking to their moms, they've decided to take theie relationship public! Woop Woop. What do you think of Fitz's mom? Leave your reviews and tell me what you think. Until next time, XO.