Fitz was genuinely confused. He racked his brain as quickly as he could within those quick few seconds. Each time trying to think of what could possibly have his wife on the verge of World War Three.
"I literally have no idea what you're talking about." His expression was honest as he held Jackson. He didn't understand the problem and was a little irritated at her accusatory tone.
"No idea? So, you have no idea about your itinerary for the next few months? Because, that's what I'm holding in my hands right now. When were you planning on sharing this information, Fitz?"
"Liv," he stood up and walked toward her, shifting Jackson so his head could rest on Fitz's shoulder. He stood close to her so he wasnt raising his voice across the room. His response was calm.
"That's why I don't want you looking at my work. This itinerary hasn't been solidified. It's just a basic layout of my options. And it's not even definite that I'll be the representation on those trips. We're using a team to figure out if and when anyone else can share some of the load."
"Again, when were you going to talk to me about it?"
"Again, when I actually had some plans set in stone," he said before letting out a sharp exhalation. "I feel like I'm getting in trouble, and it's not even nine in the morning."
"You're a grown man, Fitz. I'm your wife, not your boss. If you feel like you're getting in trouble maybe you've done something to feel that way."
She turned to put the papers back in the closet. When she walked back out she stood her ground again, directly in front of Fitz, still wearing one of his Georgetown tshirts that was long enough to reach her mid-thigh. Her arms were crossed in front of her body, only moving to make hand gestures that showed how furious she was. Between that and her neck moving every so often Fitz was getting the hint.
"I haven't done anything wrong," he said plainly. "You're freaking out over stupid pieces of paper that-"
"Can I ask you something?" Liv cut him off mid-sentence, not caring if it came across as rude or not. He didn't even bother responding the way he wanted to regarding her question.
"Do you think not telling your wife that she'll be home alone with your newborn son for weeks at a time is an issue? A tad bit selfish, maybe?" She asked him the question, her voice attempting to sound controlled but failing miserably.
He stared at her, his jaw tight as he fought back saying something stupid.
"Hello? Fitz? Honestly, I'm curious."
Jackson started to get restless and Fitz repositioned him as he cradled the baby in his harms. He was mad at Olivia for acting like this after the perfect night they had and their relaxed morning thus far. But, he made one more attempt to diffuse the fire.
"I was going to talk to you when I had something to talk about. If you weren't being Olivia P.I. we wouldn't even be having this conversation right now. That document was in my work bag. Which means you were going through it-not that I have anything to hide. Either way, your work is your business, apparently you think mine is too!"
His plan backfired as the words flowed out of his mouth with hints of sarcasm and aggravation. She stared at him, her anger written all over her face. They were both breathing deeply and each refused to back down from their staring contest.
"Give him to me."
"What?"
"Give me the baby," she said shifting her eyes to Jackson, putting her hands out and motioning towards herself. "He needs to be nursed."
"Fine. Come to the bed and do it in here."
"No."
"Yes," he said firmly, locking eyes with her to assure her that he was serious.
"No," she said in the sweetest voice possible,"I'm doing it in his nursery."
"So, now I'm getting punished," he said bitterly.
"Punished?!" The sweetness disappeared and the anger was back.
"Fitz, what else do you think- you know what. We need to do this when we're alone. I'm nursing him in his room." She cautiously grabbed Jackson from Fitz's arms and gently patted his back as he settled against her body. "We'll talk later." She turned to walk out of the bedroom.
"Then I'm going out."
She turned back around to face him, now separated by the spacious bedroom.
"Oh really?" She said, her facial expression daring for him to give the wrong response.
"Yeah. I can go workout, right? Is that okay with you? Do I need a permission slip for that?"
He was being a smartass and he knew it. The house they had just built was on enough property that they also had a personal gym. So, even though he was technically leaving the house, he was within short walking distance to his final destination, never having to leave the grounds.
Olivia rolled her eyes with disgust.
"Whatever. Do whatever the hell you want." She turned back around and walked down the hall with a clueless Jackson in tow.
"I will," he said under his breath out of Olivia's earshot, or so he thought.
"Go for it!" She yelled from the hallway.
"I will!"
After Fitz's extreme workout he was back in the house sitting at the island in the middle of the kitchen. He still wasn't completely over how their morning had gone. His cellphone was out as he checked emails and ate from the fruit bowl in front of him.
Olivia walked in moments later on her way to the laundry room with a basket of clothes. She had taken a shower and was wearing long black yoga pants and a fitted grey racerback shirt. Her bangs were swooped to the side, out of her face. She preferred them out of the way when she did house work. The rest of her hair was in a loose poinytail at the bottom of her neck and looked wavy, as it always managed to do on rainy days.
When she saw a post-workout Fitz sitting on one of the stools in the kitchen she couldn't help but put the basket of clothes down and walk over to him. He could feel her looming right behind him but made no moves to talk or even acknowledge her presence. So she stood there, inches from his back before she spoke.
"I wasn't going through your stuff. This morning, I mean. I was reaching for one of your tshirts, tripped over your bag, and some papers fell out. Your itinerary just happened to be on top."
"Whatever, Liv. That's...not even," he sighed and slowed his thoughts,"just forget it."
He took another bite from his apple still not moving from his place, refusing to give Olivia attention.
"Not 'whatever'," she said simply. "I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that-"
"I'm thinking that you jump down my throat about things before I even get to explain. I'm thinking that if I had information, I would have told you. And I'm thinking that I shouldn't have to tell you my every move."
Olivia stood in place and thought for a moment about what he had just said. She cautiously continued the conversation, accepting that she would be talking to his back until she apologized.
"Fitz, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for making you feel like I was jumping down your throat. I saw the dates with the words Honk Kong and Johannesburg and I flipped. And as far as the other thing, you know I'm not the type that wants to know you're every move. So that one isn't exactly fair."
"Maybe," he mumbled as he shrugged his shoulders defeatedly. He was worn out, mostly from his workout partly from their argument, but low on energy nonetheless. She just wanted to touch him, to make everything alright.
"Maybe?" Olivia closed the gap between the two of them and stood so her body was just barely touching his back. "You're not going to make this one easy for me are you?" She watched him for a second but when he didn't respond she delicately grazed her nails from his shoulders down to his lower back. When her hands were low enough she rested them on either side of his waist pressing her hips into him. His body didn't initially soften to her so she pressed her chest into his back and leaned forward laying a slow, sweet kiss against the nape of his neck.
"Come on, Liv, no. Don't kiss me like that." He spoke with a firmness in his voice but didn't make any physical attempts to get her to stop. Olivia pouted to herself at his stubbornness.
"But, I said I'm sorry," she said in a faint and whiny voice, laying another slow kiss against the same spot. She knew that each kiss was breaking down that walls that he had put up from the argument. When she noticed he wasn't pushing her away she kissed him again. This time angling her face so she was kissing him just under his ear.
"Liv, come on, stop." His tone was a little lighter.
"You stop," she said quietly as she gave one last kiss under his ear, this one with a tiny pull from her teeth before holding her mouth over the same spot with an open mouthed kiss.
Fitz's lips turned into a small smirk and even though he wasn't facing her she could tell he wasn't angry anymore. As she grinned against his neck he smiled a little wider. His arms lowered to rest against hers which were now fully wrapped around his waist. He let out a labored sigh.
"That itinerary you saw was a project for the interns. It was busy work. Yes, over the next ten to twelve months I'll be taking some big trips, but I'm in the process of getting it all figured out."
"Okay," she said, as if she hadn't completely lost it over the same topic just a few hours earlier.
"It's a really good scholarship, Liv. Under-privileged students from all over the world will have access to it. It's worth wherever I'll have to go. But, trust me, I'm making sure I won't be traveling the world while my family is here without me."
They remained together in that position for a moment of silence, Liv holding him as she rested her cheek against his firm back.
"Fitzgerald Grant?"
"Hm?"
"How is it that I can want to break your neck one minute, and want to make love to you the next?"
He laughed to himself a little.
"I don't really know. But trust me when I say I feel the same way."
She slapped him against his head playfully with her much smaller hand, still keeping one arm wrapped around his body.
"Ouch!" he said before he turned around and stood up in front of her. "Well, I don't wanna break your neck. That's something only thugs say," he teased and smirked at her as she mirrored his expression.
He kissed her forehead and pulled her body into his. Her head now rested on the front of his body.
"But you do drive me crazy, woman," he said, kissing her temple. His hands rubbed soothingly up and down her back as their bodies melded together.
"Somehow we make it work, though. Right?"
"Always."
Months had gone by and Olivia and Fitz were enjoying their life as a new family. Olivia contacted Stephen to make plans regarding her firm. The three of them set up a simple lunch meeting where plans were made to transition the company to Stephens ownership. It went smoothly as they agreed on a modest timetable to move Olivia out of the position as the official force behind Pope and Associates.
While solidifying Olivia's future business plans the Grant Trio decided to make a trip to visit Fitz's family in California. It was a peaceful vacation for everyone. Jackson was spoiled rotten as they newest addition to the family. Even Big Gerry, who never appeared to have a soft spot in his body, was infatuated with his youngest grandson. It seemed to be a badge of honor that he could bring his chunky, biracial grandson around with him to the social events and business affairs.
Genevieve Grant was especially smitten by Jackson. She was still suffering from sickness due to all of the treatments she was receiving since her cancer diagnosis. Her body was frail and her hair virtually nonexistent, but something about holding her happy and playful grandson practically gave her new life. Fitz would sit on the outside deck of the ranch and watch from a distance as his youngest enjoyed quiet moments with Grandma G, as she insisted on being called.
Fitz and Olivia had business to take care of back on the East Coast so the trip was short-lived. Once back home, they jumped right into their routine. Fitz working hard to keep things moving regarding the scholarship program, Liv using a day here or there to visit her office and tie up loose ends of paperwork.
The time had arrived for the first of Fitz's trips. A day before he left Olivia decided to spend time at the office, acknowledging the fact that she couldn't leave Jackson while Fitz was away. After a tiring day of paperwork and boxing old files, she finally made her way home.
As she walked in the front door she noticed that the house was eerily quiet. Everything was dark except for flickers of light that seemed to be coming from the kitchen. She walked towards the room and soon noticed that Fitz had planned a large dinner with candles as the only lighting for their meal. She smiled brightly and bit her bottom lip as she took in the thoughtfulness of her husband.
"What's this?" Liv asked as she walked into the dining room with her jacket on and bags still in tow. She took off her shoes and began discarding her items from the day in a pile by the wall. Fitz looked at her across the room and gave his famous charming smile.
"Just a little going away dinner for Mommy," he said as he placed the final dish on the table.
"You didn't have to do this," she said with a tired smile, walking closer to Fitz and Jackson near the wooden rectangular dinner table.
"We wanted to. Right, Jackson?" They both turned their attention to the plump baby.
"Is that so? How's my little boy?" she leaned down to the highchair and gave Jackson a kiss against his cheek.
"Mommy missed you like crazy today," she said as she lovingly cupped his face with her hands. She couldn't help but give him another kiss. His slobber was all over the place as he smiled widely and let out a high pitched squeal in excitement. Fitz and Olivia simultaneously laughed at him.
"Ahhhhh," Olivia pretended to mimic Jackson's reaction with a silly face and sound, which made him let out another squeal. She could play this game with him for hours, which she had done plenty of times before.
"Not to sound greedy, but can I get some smooches from Mommy?" Fitz asked as he stood behind her, gently rocking back and forth on his feet, with his hands now in his pockets.
"And how's my cute big boy?" She turned around and walked closer to Fitz, reaching up on her toes for a sweet kiss. He took his hands out to cradle Olivia's face gently.
"I'm just fine," he said against her lips.
"You're showing off with this fancy meal, Grant."
"Yup," he said, slowly breaking apart from her to pull out a chair for her to sit at the table. "We worked very hard on this dinner. Right, kiddo?"
The baby stared back blankly with his large light-brown eyes, sucking on Cheerios that Fitz had laid out on his highchair.
"That's his way of saying yes." Both of them laughed while looking at Jackson's expressionless demeanor at the moment.
They sat down to start eating. Liv had a feeling that Fitz was planning a big meal like this for his last night before his trip. She noticed random recipes all over the house throughout the week. And while she was at Pope and Associates that day, Fitz kept calling to see when she would be home. The three of them enjoyed the large meal, listening to music in the background and talking about Fitz's schedule for the next two weeks. After dessert the room quieted, everyone exhausted from the day.
"I'm going to miss you," she said with a sweet smile, reaching out to graze his hand with her fingertips. "We're both going to miss you."
He lifted his hand so their fingers could play with one another's.
"Me too. But, I'll be back before you know it."
She let out a sigh as she took a sip of her wine and stared at the glass. Fitz knew she was thankful for the dinner but as he watched her demeanor throughout the evening she looked a little off. Maybe she was just tired, he thought. He couldn't let his suspicions go until he knew she was okay. Just as he was about to ask her what she was thinking one of his favorite songs came one the speaker system.
"Hey," he whispered to catch her eyes. "Come here."
He stood up and extended his hand. She looked at his hand, with a sad look, but gave in by putting hers out. Fitz slowly pulled her up from her chair, closing the gap between their bodies. He held her tightly with one arm around her waist, holding her hand with the other, as he began swaying to the music playing. Her head immediately relaxed against the faint thump of his heartbeat.
"This is the perfect song to dance to tonight. You know which one this is?"
"Mmmmm. You're right. It is," she said against his chest.
He began singing to her in his baritone voice, his head lowered so she could hear him quietly against her ear.
I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summers day
I'll always think of you that way
"I love when you sing," she whispered as they slow danced in a circle.
He continued to serenade her quietly. Almost so faintly now that she couldn't hear him. They moved together gently, listening to the song until it was finishing. The last few lines were Fitz's favorite and always reminded him of Olivia.
I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
Ill be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you
She leaned back slowly causing them to halt their movements and become lost in one another's gaze. Fitz's hand on her lower back, his other hand intertwining their fingers near his shoulder. They stared at each other saying "I love you" and "I'll miss you" a thousand times over without actually speaking.
"You want to see something hilarious?" He said with a smirk on his face.
"What?" Olivia furrowed her eyebrows as she had no idea what he was talking about.
"Look at your son," he whispered closely to her face while grinning.
As she turned her attention to the high chair she couldn't help but laugh into Fitz's chest as her arms wrapped around his midsection.
"Jackson Grant, the party animal," Fitz laughingly joked as he planted a kiss atop Liv's head and squeezed her into him with both arms.
Their baby, who was usually full of energy and excitement, was slouched over to the side, almost lifeless, completely knocked out as he slept. He had his carrot sauce smeared all over his naturally tanned skin and simultaneous Cheerios stuck to parts of his face.
"He's like the poster-child for getting baby food wasted."
Fitz busted out laughing at his wife's joke, holding her tighter than before.
"I'll hose him down. You can take a shower if you want. Or go to bed. It's up to you."
"I'll grab these dishes first."
"Nope. I'm on dishes duty too. Just relax."
"Pulling out all the stops tonight, huh. In that case I'll shower. Then bed."
"That works."
"I want cuddle time, too."
"I'm on it. Give me thirty minutes. I'm in there like swimwear."
Liv gave him a look, embarrassed for him at his corny comment.
"No?"
"No."
During Fitz's first week away he was terribly busy with travel and work. Olivia wasn't sure if Fitz would get a chance to call each evening but to her surprise, halfway through his trip, he did. She was comfortably lounging in her bed, her back propped up by multiple pillows as she picked up her phone.
"What's my baby momma up to?" She smiled at his nickname for her before responding.
"Hi to you, too. And when are you going to stop calling me that?"
"Never," he said simply, his feet kicked up on the desk in his temporary office. "What are you doing?"
"It's after midnight here, so what do you think? I'm in bed reading. You know I can't fall asleep easily when you're not here."
"Aw. My girl misses me. And you're in bed. Are you naked?"
"Even better. Sweatpants, a tshirt, no bra, and a glass of wine. Your son is already knocked out. He looks so cute in his pajamas."
"You have him in our bed, don't you."
"He's adorably sleeping on your side, surrounded by pillows."
"That's not fair," Fitz complained.
"You sound like a whiny five year-old."
"Well it isn't fair," he protested, not caring if he was whining or not. "Why do you let him in the bed when I'm not there? As soon as I even mention letting him sleep with us you act like it's the unforgivable sin."
"Because you, Fitzgerald Grant, have no self-control. If I let him sleep in the bed for one night, you're going to push for two nights, then three. Next thing you know, we have an eleven-year old kicking me in my ribs at two forty-five in the morning. For that reason, these nights are saved for when you're gone. Special sleepy times for Mommy and Jackson."
"I want sleepy times right now," he said, feeling sorry for himself.
"Maybe when you get back we'll work something out."
"Good. But I'm also going to need dirty, naked times when I get back." Fitz just had to add that last special request.
"That can and will be arranged."
"Mmmm. I miss you."
"I miss you too. Shouldn't you be working? It's the middle of the day there."
"You're right," he said as he straightened himself up and placed his feet on the ground. "I just wanted to say goodnight to my girl and my boy. So, good night, Olivia Pope-Grant. And give Jackson a kiss for me. I love you."
"Love you more. Get back to work. I'll talk to you soon."
"Bye."
She ended the call and traded the phone for her glass of red wine and book from the nightstand. Just as she turned the pages to find where she left off her phone began buzzing. She looked at the screen and laughed as she answered.
"To what do I owe this more than late night phone call? Don't tell me you're backing out of the deal now."
"O-livia!" She snapped her head back at the unexpected loud voice on the other end.
"Stephen, why are you yelling?" She asked, slightly amused.
"I really don't know," he said, suddenly sounding exhausted. He cleared his voice and took it down a few notches. "Is this better?"
"Much."
"You missed the party," he complained.
Stephen had gone out to celebrate his official new ownership of Pope and Associates. He took everyone for food and drinks including the original crew from Olivia's firm, and also a few new lawyers he brought onto the team.
"Oh yeah. I forgot this evening was your big celebration. Sorry. You know Fitz is out of town. So I had a standing date with the munchkin tonight."
"Olivia Pope, the mum," Stephen said in the sweetest voice possible before switching to a serious voice, slightly slurring his words."You know, I could've used a beautiful woman like you by my side this evening."
"You're so drunk right now," she chuckled.
"Maybe I am. But it's true! These other girls could learn a few things from you."
"Yeah, okay," Olivia brushed off his comment, reaching to put down her almost finished glass of wine.
"They could, Liv! How to be smart, and off the charts sexy all in one."
"That's very kind. But, Stephen, you should-"
"Mr. President, over there, got lucky with you. He got the only good girl in town. If I was smart, and not so afraid at the time, I would've taken you for myself. Can't say I didn't think about it."
Olivia's eyebrows raised and her eyes went wide as she processed his drunken confession. It made her slightly uncomfortable, no matter how nonchalantly he was talking. Trying not to dwell on what he just said, she decided to let him off the hook before he truly embarrassed himself.
"Okay, I'm going to go now," she said in a friendly manner.
"No, Liv! Talk to me. How are you? What are you wearing? I'm sure whatever it is you look hot as hell, as always. Your ass in itself is-"
Olivia's entire body shot forward and she cut him off.
"Okay! I'm hanging up!" She didn't have the heart to end the conversation before making sure he really was okay. "You're in a cab, right? You better not be driving."
"I'm in a cab, Liv. You're too good to me."
"It's nothing. I'll see you and the rest of the crew later. Take it easy Stephen."
She tapped the red tab on her screen to end the phone call. Before she even thought of putting her phone down she texted Bradford.
OP: The most bazaar thing just happened
BE: Hmmmmm...OPG is texting me in the middle of the night...on a weekend...Is this a prank or real life?
OP: Real life
Her phone screen immediately lit up with a recent goofy picture of Bradford holding Jackson. He was calling her. Before she could even think of greeting him he began talking.
"And just when I start complaining to myself about my night being boring I get a cryptic text message from Americas number one fixer."
"You complain too much anyway," she fired back jokingly."And I used to hold that title. I'm sure some overeager protégé has claimed it by now."
"Its only been a few months. Don't make me start a list for you of your absurd cases. That would take hours of my life that I'd never get back." Liv shook her head and laughed to herself at his dramatic statement.
"Anywho, you have a story, remember?" Bradford's tone was dripping with desire for a piece of scandalous information.
"Right. Stephen just called me."
"Stephen called you. Thats your story? Somebody, stop the press!" he feigned urgency before using a lifeless, monotone voice. "Call me back when it involves drugs, sex, and/or rock and roll."
"You're very high maintenance, you know that?"
"I've been called worse."
"Back to my story, before I was rudely interrupted. I failed to mention he was drunk."
"Hmph. You don't say...And the plot thickens." Bradford took a second to think. Olivia could practically hear his wheels turning. "So, what? He professed his undying love for you?"
"Great. Not you too."
"My dear pal, Fitzgerald, picked up on it also, eh?"
"There's nothing to pick up on!" Liv sounded defensive, finishing off one last swig of her wine.
"Really? How about you finish this story then. Since there's nothing to pick up on."
"Smartass," she mumbled.
"Story!"
She replayed the random phone call in perfect detail for Bradford. As soon as she finished the play-by-play he was ready to give his two cents.
"Stephens going to get his ass kicked by that deliciously strapping, six-foot plus, world famous husband of yours. Believe that. I remember how possessive Fitzgerald Grant the Third gets of his little chocolate morsel."
Olivia let out a loud, uncontrolled laugh, forgetting that Jackson was sleeping right next to her. She abruptly halted her outburst with he hand over her mouth and looked over at him. As he fidgeted a little she watched to see if her obnoxious response had pulled him from his slumber. From the looks of it, he was still asleep.
"You laugh, Olivia. But you clearly don't recall that time, oh, I don't know, four or five years ago, when we went to that brand new exclusive lounge in DC. You were in that sexy white minidress that fit you like a glove. And we were in the top VIP, just having some drinks, looking posh, enjoying people watching."
"I remember that night quite clearly."
"That rich, incredibly sexy, tanned, tall, body of the Gods, smile of the devil, hands of an angel, legs of-"
"Brad!" She whispered curtly to get his attention.
"What?! He was beautiful...But, I digress. I'm referring to that Israeli oil tycoon...I can't remember his name. But he's an heir to his fathers oil business. Anyway, you walked by his table to use the bathroom or something and he reached out and touched you to get your attention. Clearly, the man had seen something he liked. But Lord, Jesus, I swear to all that is good and holy. Your sweet, ivy-league trained boyfriend flew across that room in a matter of seconds. I've never seen him so mouthy in my life! He practically jumped through that mans security detail to give him a piece of his mind."
"God, I was so mad at him for acting like that."
"I guess he was feeling daring. It was after his presidency and he had a couple drinks in his system. At one point during the altercation I think your blue-eyed stud actually believed he was going to kill that man."
"Fitz insisted that it was all a direct insult to him. First of all, that guy had no idea who I was. He just saw a new woman walk by and wanted my attention. And second, he was handsome but he wasn't my type, at all. Fitz lost his shit that night." She cringed at the fact that she cursed in front of Jackson, looking at him again with momentary guilt, but she quickly recovered after accepting that he was asleep and wasn't listening anyway.
"All I know is that you two left immediately. And when I came over the next morning for brunch you were walking with an extra hitch in your step and quite the smirk on your face. I remember in the kitchen," he laughed under his breath wickedly. "Oh lord, honey. I just KNEW that man must've worn you out the night before. Because I took one look at you while you reached up for a plate and it looked like a vampire trailed marks from your stomach, straight down to your-"
"Bradford,"she stopped him before he got too carried away,"I said I remember."
"Mmmhm. Then you remember that you couldn't keep your hands or lips off of him that morning. So I'm assuming after that quick run-in with Prince Alibaba the night before, Mr. President must have put quite the spell on you."
Liv bit her bottom lip as she laid back and allowed her mind to play quick flashbacks of that nights naughty highlights.
"You have no idea," she said, her voice having dropped a few pitches.
Fitz's large hands, his perfect mouth, his strong arms, and solid body. Possessive was an understatement for how he had reacted. The anger they both felt turned into one the most passionate nights they ever shared. She shook her head to focus back to her present situation.
"Back to my absurd phone call this evening. I'm not telling Fitz. I can't."
"What? Why not?"
"Because, as you so eloquently put it, Fitz will kick his ass. And who knows what else. He never liked Stephen."
"Sweetie, you are the smartest woman I know. Hands down. But, sometimes, your decisions baffle me. They truly do. However, and this might sound terrible but it's true, I don't want to be too critical of your not-so-smart moments. Otherwise, I'd have no bedtime stories to listen to."
"I'm glad my life decisions contribute to your daily entertainment."
"Me too, trust me. How's my godson, anyway?"
She looked over to Fitz's side of the bed where Jackson had made himself comfortable.
"He's in bed with me right now. Sleeping. Looking incredibly cute. And chubby. He wheezes in his sleep, you know. It's so funny."
"I gotta say, he is one hefty kid. What kind of milk has he been drinking that makes him so big? Your breasts must have special powers."
"My husband tends to think so," she grinned at her sassy yet true statement.
"Feisty. I like it. Good one, Pope."
"Thanks. Changing subjects. For Fitz's next trip, you're still coming to stay with me, right?"
"Yes, yes, yes," he responded sounding irritated. "How many times are you going to ask me? It's not for another couple of months."
"I was just checking. Jeeze! Okay, I'm going to sleep. Thanks for the chat."
"As always, my love. Goodnight. Give the ever so handsome Jackson Oliver Grant my best. Love you, Liv."
"Love you too. Night."
"Night."
Olivia sat and laughed to herself at yet another funny conversation on the books with Bradford. She tossed her phone on her bedside nightstand and looked down at Jackson who was still sleeping peacefully against Fitz's pillows. He was wearing a white tshirt and grey cotton pajama pants. She dressed him like Fitz for bed on purpose. It always made her smile. His dark hair just as soft and curly as his dads. He looked like a starfish with how he was sleeping on his back, all of his limbs stretched out. His little potbelly rising and lowering with every breath.
"Mommy's going to sleep," she whispered as she lowered her body to lay on her side next to him.
"Here's one kiss from me," she leaned over and kissed his chubby cheek. "And here's another kiss from Daddy. We love you. Sweet dreams, handsome boy."
Liv watched him sleep while she drifted off. She wasn't sure what her last thought was, but as she dozed her mind kept going back to one thing: that ridiculous phone call from Stephen Finch.
Gladiators! What is happening in the world?! I am too invested in this recent KW news, but I figured an update for this story might help. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your reviews! Seriously, thank you SO MUCH! I love knowing that people are looking forward to more chapters. As I always say, it inspires me to update regularly. So, until next time!