It had been two months since they had returned from Napa Valley. When they saw Olivia they were happy. You could see it in her eyes that she was almost back. You could tell that she believed in herself. She believed that things would be okay. Everyone could not have been happier for her and for their relationship.
Olivia was able to admit that she was happy. She had some minor setbacks. Some nightmares or situations that would take her back. However she continued to work with Dr. Sherry. Fitz allowed her space anytime she had an issue. They had continued with their couples counseling. Fitz also had some individual sessions with Dr. Sherry. He had some nightmares from seeing her that night. He also had some concerns about making sure that their relationship did not cause Olivia any setbacks. Dr. Sherry had helped Fitz understand that he had to trust Olivia. If she said she was fine he would have to accept that. He has to trust her. Jake never trusted her. She was like a slave to him. She needs Fitz to believe her and take her word. He did especially after talking with Dr. Sherry.
The trip to Napa Valley had been a turning point in Fitz & Olivia's relationship. They came back different. They were happier. They were determined. They were in love.
When they got back they had a dinner party. Everyone came with their significant others. They invited Stephen & Georgia. They wanted to see how they got along with Huck, Abby, and Harrison. It was like they had all been friends for years. Everyone liked Stephen & Georgia. They were easy to get along with, but smart and determined.
Olivia was even happier about their decision to move to California. Since the team was aware that Fitz was presenting this option to Olivia it was a matter of seeing what Olivia wanted.
When they returned they set a time frame to be moved to California within the next year. They worked out a contract for both Stephen & Georgia. If they remained with them for five years they would be allowed to buy in. Stephen was going to working full-time and Georgia part-time since they still had their dog breeding business, and still helping her parents out.
Olivia & Fitz began to take on clients in the West Coast. Considering that California had a lot of celebrities and a lot of million and billion dollar businesses they received request from several for their help. Many of them had business that they needed help with image and branding. Olivia & Fitz were turning out to be one of the best on the way to being the best. They wanted their services.
They had traveled a bit for the last couple of months. Sometimes they would fly the client to them. They explained that they would be in California within a year. No clients complained.
Stephen & Georgia began to take over handled their current cases in the D.C. office. They decided that they would let the four of them decide what cases they wanted to take. If it was a large case or client they would bring Fitz & Olivia in to decide if they would take them on or not. They assisted them as they were transitioning themselves out of the clients they had on the East Coast.
Some clients did not want to switch and understood that Fitz & Olivia would be in California. They had informed them that was fine. They would travel there if need be. One of those clients was Jeffrey Ballard. He kept WWG on retainer. His nephew was Andrew Nichols. He was a smart young man and had turned the company around with his uncle's help pretty quickly with the assistance of Olivia. Anything she told them to do they do.
Andrew had called her a couple of days after they received notification of the changes. He wanted to discuss it with Olivia.
Olivia answered her phone, "Olivia it's Andrew. I just got your email and wanted to talk to you for a couple of minutes if you have time."
"Sure Andrew what's up?"
"I received the email and while I am happy about you expanding and moving to California my Uncle and I don't want anyone other than you and Fitz to handle us."
"I understand Andrew but we will be on opposite coast and I don't want to inconvenience you in any way."
"You won't. We typically handle everything over the phone or teleconference now. Should something need a in person meeting I will come to you or pay you guys extra to meet me."
"If that is what you want them we will keep you and move you to our office in California."
"It is. I know that we let you down before. It eats at me all the time. You didn't have to help our family after what Jake put you through. Fitz was kind and respectful and once you came to work you were the same. You never held it against us. Although we do especially my uncle. It eats him alive."
"Andrew, it was the right thing to do. I would never have someone to suffer as payback. Things happen but I am okay or I will say that each day gets better. I will make sure that your company remains okay. I'll call your uncle and talk to him. I don't need him to get sick over his son's actions."
"Thanks Olivia. You know in a couple of years he will get out. They say he will not serve the full-time. I'll have to figure out a job for him. I'll have to manage our reputation with him working for us."
"When they times come we will figure it out. He runs nothing. I will make sure that your hard work remains in tack."
"Thanks again for everything Olivia. Keep us posted on when you get married. I expect it will happen soon. I am glad that you are finally getting everything you deserve.
"Thanks Andrew. Will do."
A month after they got back their office Olivia began to receive calls, well wishes on her Facebook and Twitter accounts. She finally received a link and pulled it up.
Kerry had sent out a message thanking her for her support for Purple Purse. She thanked Olivia for being brave and coming out on top. A purple purse was being sent to her for her bravery. Kerry wished her well and stated she hoped to work with her in the future.
Olivia laughed as that was a shout out without letting on that they were friends. They had spoken several times since she their trip. Olivia loved Danny. She had given him a lot of creative control. She hired him to design both the house and their office. Both were coming along well. Kerry would text just to see how she was doing. Olivia would check in with her. It was funny that she was the same person that you seen on TV as far as fun, nice, and kind. However you could tell that she was from New York. She could be loud and her humor was to die for. It was nice to have friends again. Something that Jake had taken from her. Something she thought she would never have again, especially her friends from college.
Olivia wasn't up for all the attention but if it put the light on an important topic then she could deal with it.
It was the end of October and her life could not get any better if she tried. She was head over heels in love with Fitz. He made her love life again, he made her want to be better, he made her want to give her all.
She got home from work and took a shower. Fitz was a better cook than her. He had to go out-of-town for business and had been gone for two days. The first night he was gone she went in the kitchen to find that he had cooked for her so all she had to do was warm up the food. He made her smile. She was still not comfortable cooking. She was always afraid that Fitz would not like it and he would yell or hit her. Realistically she knew that would never happen, but it was her life for so long. When she told Fitz he made sure to handle most of the cooking. He would get her to try it every once in a while to show her that it was fine. He didn't push her.
She missed Fitz. He would be back home tomorrow. He kept asking her what she wanted for her birthday. She wasn't sure what she wanted. She felt like she had everything considering what her life was like this same time last year.
She lay in the bed with Pransome thinking about her life now. It was funny how much freedom meant. It made her realize why people do the things they do to come to the United States. She lost her freedom for a while and now it was back. Honestly she just wanted a future with Fitz. She fell asleep thinking about Fitz.
Meanwhile Fitz had been in New York. He had informed Olivia that he had to meet with a client that he had worked with in the past.
He was actually in New York putting a plan together for the holidays where he planned to make big moves.
On his first night in New York he called Maya.
Maya answered the phone, "Hi Fitz. How are you son?"
Fitz smiled, "Hey mom. I'm okay I am in New York working on something?"
"Really what's that?"
"Well before I tell you I need to ask you something."
"Sure Anything!"
"I want to ask your permission to marry your daughter."
"Oh my God. You know the answer to that."
"Well I hope so but it is important for me to hear it."
"Well my son I am telling you that it will be an honor for you to become my son officially."
"Good that is the plan on New Year's Day."
"What?"
"I am in New York meeting with David Tutera. We are all going to Fuji for Christmas my expense. I plan to propose to Olivia Christmas Day at midnight. You know we use to always open up one gift at midnight years ago and hers will be her engagement ring this year. Hopefully she accepts and we will start the New Year by getting married. David & I are handling everything. He is going to bring six wedding gowns for her to choose from. I had Abby to talk to her and she wants the wedding to either be pink and white or lavender and white. I went with lavender so he will bring six different style bridesmaid dresses for her to choose from. I would suggest you and mom select your dress before we leave. We will have a seamstress on hand at the resort."
Maya was stunned. It meant everything to her to see her daughter treated with the love and respect that she deserved.
"Mom, Mom"
"Sorry honey I was just thinking. I think that this will be the time of everyone's life. It is a vacation. We will be all together. You guys will finally get married."
"Do you think I am rushing things?"
"No honey. I think that you guys have waited long enough for this moment. I've talked to Liv and I can guarantee you that she wants this. She looks at that promise ring everyday. She's not scared Fitz. She wants this. She wants you."
"I want her to mom. I want this moment. I want it to intimate and special. It is why I am only inviting our close friends and family. Nothing big but something she can look back on. Lots of pictures and video for her to look back on. "
"Do you need me or your mom to help you pay for anything?"
"No I have more than enough money. You know we never just waste money on unnecessary things so we are more than fine and business is good. It will only get better once we are in California."
"I know and I need you to know that your mom and I are proud of you. I am proud of how you have handled everything. I'll be honest I was always rooting for you guys. I would have been happy if you had moved on and found someone, but I'm glad that your heart waited for Olivia."
"It was never a choice. I tried to move on, but my heart has belonged to her for so long."
"I know honey. I'll let you go. You do your thing and let us moms know what you need from us. I have time and it may be easier for me to fly to New York if you need me."
"Okay mom. I'll probably take you up on that. Besides you have better taste than me. Although David is really good at this."
"Okay honey I love you."
"Love you to mom."
Fitz and David had been hard at work. Fitz wanted to make sure that he got their licenses for their wedding. He had chosen the site for their wedding. He had picked the resort. All of their friends and family were coming. Fitz was footing the bill for everyone. He wanted their to be a rehearsal dinner. Erin was coming. She was going to bring her dresses for their rehearsal dinner. Although no engagement post were going out Fitz wanted them to take engagement pictures of Christmas day so Erin was bringing a dress for their photo session. She was going to work with David on which wedding dresses to bring for Olivia to choose from. He called Kerry. She was going to arrive the day after Christmas as a surprise. It would be the first time they will have seen each other since they met during the getaway weekend.
David was easy to work with. He had told him that he was going to send Olivia's mom for the decisions on food, flowers, and decor. He thought she would be better at that and he would not have to come up with an excuse to fly down. They could always call him if he was needed.
They finished things a little earlier so he decided to go ahead and fly back home that night and surprise Olivia.
He got home and the house was dark. It was only ten so he was surprised to find no lights on. Pransome came to greet him. He looked and found Olivia's car in the garage. He had used a car service which is why he had to look and see what cars were there.
He walked in the room and what he seen made him smile. Olivia was in their bed with his shirt on. She was on her pillow with one of his pillows under her. She still did not like to be closed in so he was not surprised to see all the doors in the house open. All the lights in their room was on which meant she had no plans to leave the room for the rest of the night. She slept with the lights on when he was not home which he made sure was not often. He had upgraded the alarm system to make her feel safe. He even got her like a panic button when he was gone that she could press if she needed help. She was not as jumpy as she had been eight months ago, but there were still moments.
Fitz got out of his clothes and climbed in the bed. He moved the pillow and put her head on his chest. He began to place soft kisses on her head and cheek.
Olivia thought she smelled Fitz but it couldn't be him because he was not coming back till tomorrow.
Fitz never stopped kissing her. Finally she woke up. She looked at Fitz. She closed her eyes thinking she had really lost her mind.
Fitz laughed, "Honey its me. I'm here with you."
Olivia jumped him. She missed him. They made out and enjoyed being back together.
Olivia laid on his chest, "I missed you"
Fitz smiled, "I missed you too"
"I am glad that you are back home with us. Pransome kept going to the door thinking you were coming home."
"Too cute. Did you decide what you wanted for your birthday?"
"You"
"You have me."
"I want us to have time for us. I want us to celebrate just the two of us. Hopefully by the end of the night my last gift is me getting lucky."
Fitz was shocked. They had some heavy make out sessions over the last couple of months. He had more than taken care of Olivia on several occasions. She had even recently returned the favor a couple of times. He wanted her, but only if it made her happy too.
Fitz smiled, "What my baby wants is what my baby gets. I promise you will enjoy that day. Is there anything else that you want?"
Olivia paused, "To become your wife."
Fitz sat up. He was shocked yet again. He had never recalled a time that she was this forthcoming.
Fitz turned to Olivia, "Are you serious?"
Olivia climbed in his lap, "I am. I just want you to know that when you are ready I am ready. Time heals all wounds. Almost a year has gone by. I don't want our life together to be on hold until I am 100% over Jake. I am not sure that I will ever be completely over the things he did. However each day allows me to put that life in my rear view mirror. I really want to look ahead instead of behind. You are ahead"
Fitz smiled, "That's good to know. Hey I was talking to a friend and I was thinking that for our first Christmas together that we head to Fiji to fulfill another dream of yours. Bring our friends and family and have a good time. You never know next year you may be pregnant with child plus we will be in our home in California and running a business."
Olivia smiled, "I would love it. I told you in college that I always wanted to go. Do you remember everything I say?"
Fitz smiled, "Most of it. I got your text stating that Danny had sent over some designs and items he wanted to buy and you wanted to show me so let me get a quick shower and we can sit down and look at everything.
Olivia kissed him and said okay.
They went their separate ways. Olivia had no idea that in two months she would get her wish. She would also get her wish in two weeks. He just had to make sure that it was a special night for them both.
A/N-So now you see where their relationship is headed. The next installment will include birthday, Christmas, and wedding. I hope that you enjoyed it. For some this may seem slow paced, but I want to try and be real about the issues Olivia is dealing with. Every person heals differently some faster than others, but I want to respect that domestic violence changes people. I don't want to completely gloss over it to bring Olivia & Fitz's love story.