Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN SCANDAL

Since Olivia and FItz had arrived home from their trip for their birthdays they had been inseparable, even more so than before. Olivia felt like she couldn't love anyone anymore than she did him. In the short months that they had know each other they he had become such a irreplaceable part of her life. At the same time she was still learning things about him and he was still learning things about her.

When he told her that he didn't celebrate Christmas she thought that he may be joking but when he went on to explain that he didn't do anything for the holiday because he had never had anyone to share it with broke her heart. After twisting his arm for a week straight she had finally convinced him to put up a Christmas tree and have Jake help him with it. When she arrived at his house later that day she hadn't expected the tree to look like it did, like two three year olds had decorated it, and although she fought hard she couldn't contain her reaction which Fitz didn't appreciate at all.

"Fitz!" She squealed when he picked her up and started tickling her. "Stop, stop!"

"Say you're sorry first."

"But I'm not." She laughed out.

Fitz pouted a second before tickling her again, "You are going to pay for that." He straddled her waist and lifted her hands above her head with one hand, using his free one to tickle her underneath her arms in her most ticklish spot.

She couldn't take it anymore, he wasn't playing fair and if she didn't get him to stop soon she was sure she would pee on herself and he would never let her live that down. "I- I give. I'm sorry."

He popped his head up and placed his chin on her stomach and looked at her, "What was that?"

"I'm sorry babe, I am so so sorry. Do you forgive me?"

"Much better." He kissed her quickly before pulling her up from the couch and wrapping his arms around her from behind. "Now tell me honestly..is it really that bad?"

She bit her bottom lip and scrunched up her face a little bit as she looked at the tree. "Umm..well.."

"Livvie.." He turned her in his arms to face him.

"It's..not that bad.."

"Really?" He said excitedly as he turned her back to face the tree and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Me and Jake did it all by ourselves without any pictures."

"I can tell." She giggled.

He squeezed her playfully bit her neck, "Be nice."

"I messing with you babe. I think it is great for your first time." She turned in his arms tugged him closer by his sweater. "Plus, Christmas istomorrow and then...we get to take it down." She leaned up giving him a quick kiss before taking off running.

"Livvie! You are so going down!" Fitz yelled as he took off after her.

"Livia? Did you hear what I asked you?"

"Huh? What was that dad?" Olivia shook her head and tried to focus on her parents across from her. It was hard because all she could think about was getting dressed and going over to Fitz's house to spend the rest of the day with him and their friends.

"I asked if you were inviting Fitz over for dinnertonight?"

"Dad, I told you earlier that we were all going to get together at Fitz's house and spending Christmas day there."

"Yes, Christmas day but what about dinner?" Maya asked.

"Mom, we are going to eat there too."

"I don't like this at all Livia, we spend every Christmas together and we will spend this one together too." Her mother stated definitively.

Olivia rolled her eyes at her parents and sighed. "This is basically his first Christmas mom, why can't you just let me do this for him? I am here spending the morning with you guys and I will be back later."

"That isn't the same and you know it. I don't think-"

"Maya." Her father interrupted and they both turned to look at him as he sat at the head of the table. "I think we should let her go. She is an adult now honey and we both know how much Fitz means to her and I think it is pretty sweet what she is doing for him."

"Eli-"

"No Maya, let the girl go. We can get dressed and go see that new Tyler Perry movie that you want to see."

"But you hate Tyler Perry movies."

Eli smiled as he drank his orange juice. "Well, the things you do for the people you love." He slid his hand over Maya's and squeezed it gently. "Let her go do what she wants and we can have some us time." Maya smiled at him unable to resist his charm and gave Olivia a nod of approval.

Olivia was shocked that her father was on her side, and not only that, he had convinced her mother to let her go as well. She knew he liked Fitz but this was something totally new for her. She didn't even want to think of what he meant by their "us" time she would take her victory and leave it alone.

"Thanks Mom and Dad! You are the best!" She jumped up and gave them both kisses on the cheek before grabbing her plate and washing it in the sink.

"Be home by nine Olivia!" She heard her mother yell in the distance and she decided not to protest the earlier curfew since she was already treading on thin ice.

"Yes, Ma'am." She yelled back before moving up her stairs.

As soon as she was alone in her room she pulled out her phone and called Fitz, disappointed when he didn't answer. What could he be doing?

"Hello?"

"Liv! Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas Abby!"

"What time are we all meeting over at Fitz's house? I just finished breakfast with the parents."

"I don't know, I just called him and he didn't answer but I would say.." She looked down at herself and how she hadn't even started to get ready yet. "Yeah..at least a few hours from now. I am nowhere near ready."

"Ok, what are you wearing? I was thinking a nice little dress plus some cleavage."

"Abby you know I told everyone that they should wear some type of Christmas sweater and it is what my family usually does and you can't change it now because everyone already knows. Plus It is something cute that I can hang out in all day and be able to cook in just in case Fitz actually lets me help him." She knew how he got when he cooked and if he was cooking any part of the meal he would only allow her to make the dessert.

Abby chuckled, "You know Fitz is not letting you lift a finger to do anything ever."

Olivia smiled as she thought about Fitz always fussing over her, "You are probably right. Alright, so I have a cute purple, blue and green 'Bill Cosby' style sweater that I will wear with dark jeans and my black knee-high boots. Are you going to wear that red and green sweater that I helped you pick out last week at the mall?"

"I guess since you are forcing this stupid dress code on us, I'll call you when I am done. See you soon. Bye."

"Bye."

Olivia hung up with Abby and immediately dialed Fitz again.

"Hey sweet cheeks."

Olivia burst out laughing at the voice on the other end of the phone. "Where is my babe and why are you answering his phone?"

"Merry Christmas to you too Liv."

"Merry Christmas Jake, now where is Fitz?"

"Oh he just went to take a shower, he went for a run." Jake shrugged to himself as he laid out on the couch.

"A run, on Christmas morning? What happened Jake?" She knew Fitz and she knew that they only reason he would go on a run when he wasn't trying to stay in shape was if something was bothering him.

"Liv it's nothing." Jake said hoping she wouldn't press the issue.

"I can tell when you are lying you know that right?"

"It really isn't my place, just talk to him when you get here. He told me to tell you to come over whenever if you called while he was in the shower and that's it."

She sighed knowing that she was probably never going to get anything out of him. "Fine. Tell him we will be over in a few hours. See you later."

It had been a hour and Fitz still had not come out of his room to get his phone. After the fifth time his uncle had called he gave up waiting and went to give Fitz his phone.

"Bro, your dad won't stop calling."

"Why don't you answer it? That is why I gave you the phone." Fitz grumbled as he continued to stare up at the ceiling.

Jake threw the phone on his chest. "You need to handle your father, I can't do that for you. I don't know what went on between you two but I'm not playing the middle man."

Fitz started to reply but Jake was already out of the room and his phone started ringing seconds later. "What?" Fitz asked irritably.

"Why haven't you been answering the phone?"

"I've been busy. Did you want something?"

"When I call you answer the damn phone you understand?!" Big Gerry yelled into the phone.

Fitz took a deep breath and decided not go at it with him again today. "Yeah I got it."

"Good. Now I have some good news, College Hoops is doing a high school edition for the upcoming National championship and since you are the number one player you get to be on the cover. I am proud of you son."

"You..you are?" Fitz's ears perked up as he sat up on the bed to make sure that he had heard his father correctly. He had never outright said that he was proud of him before. Yeah sure he had said he had done a great job or had had great games but never that he was proud of him.

"Yes, well I mean once you bring home that championship." Fitz's hopeful expression quickly faded at his fathers words. "This win will solidify your high school legacy. That is what you need to focus on, not on trying to play baseball this year."

"I told you earlier that I want to play. I can't let my teammates dow-"

"Enough! You aren't playing and I don't want to hear another word about it. I try to have a civil conversation with you but you make it so difficult with your constant whining about what you want to do. It is time to man up and face the fact that basketball is your life, it has always been your life and you no longer have time for other sports. Have I not allowed you to try enough sports throughout your life?" He didn't wait for Fitz to speak because he had already come to his conclusion. "The games are over now Fitz. The photo shoot is this Saturday in LA so that means you need to fly out by Friday night. You know the routine."

"Dad, that is the day Olivia has her swim finals from her AAU tournament, I already promised her that I would be there."

"Look Fitz, you know I love Olivia, well as much as I can love anyone that is not related to me, which isn't much but she does not come before your career. You will be at that photo shoot this weekend if I have to drag your ass there kicking and screaming you will be there. I let you run around and do what you want so long as you do what you are supposed to but all that can change in an instant, don't forget that."

Fitz' free hand was now clenched into a fist, his jaw locked and teeth grinding against each other as he listened to his father talk about him like he was just some pawn in a big game. He didn't care about him or what he wanted to do. He couldn't even say he was proud of him without a caveat, yet he still sought his approval, his attention and he felt less than without it. What was it about him that no one wanted him, wanted to stay around for him.

"I can hear you sulking like a child over the phone, you need to get out of your feelings. What, are you going to cry because daddy won't let you play baseball this year? Or because you can't go to some swim thing for your girlfriend that you see every damn day? Go ahead, cry like a baby but if you mess this up and embarrass this family because you don't have your head in the game you will be crying for a hell of a lot more. LA Saturday 8am sharp, I will be there and maybe we could even get lunch after if don't find a way to mess that up."

Fitz heard the harsh click of the phone and deafening silence filled the room. He took in deep breaths as he paced to calm himself down, he felt like he as was suffocating in his emotions and he couldn't breathe. He went to throw his phone against the wall but he remembered how upset Olivia was the last time he had did that. He didn't want to think about the disappointed look that would be on Olivia's face when he had to tell her that he couldn't make it to her swim meet. She had been the only one there for him lately and now he couldn't even do the same for her. The anger he was feeling towards his father at the moment was unhealthy and his hands wouldn't stop shaking. He willed himself to calm down but it wasn't working and before he knew it he was throwing his phone anyway but before he made a mistake and punched the wall he grabbed his headphones, picked up his phone that had only suffered a small nick on the side from his throw, and made his way down stairs to their gym and went to work on his punching bag.

"You know waiting for you for ten minutes in my car never gets old." Olivia said sarcastically as Abby closed the passenger door.

"Whatever Liv, you should know by now to text me when you are thinking about leaving so that won't have to wait."

"Or maybe you could just be ready when I tell you to be." She snapped back.

"Oooh someone is being a little crabby." Abby turned her head toward Olivia and gave her a look. "You look cute."

"Don't try to distract me Abby, you really need to be a little more considerate."

"I love your hair in those curls like that too."

Olivia sighed and rolled her eyes, "Thanks Abby. You look good too." She knew she was fighting a losing battle with Abby and decided to let it go.

They pulled into Fitz' driveway ten minutes later and Olivia used the remote that he had given her to open the gate and pull up to the garage. She let herself in and walked around to the livingroom where she found Jake laid out on the couch watching Sportscenter. Abby motioned for her to keep quiet and she snuck up behind Jake and yelled Merry Christmas.

"Holy shit!" Jake yelled as he fell off of the couch onto the floor. "You better be lucky that I like you two or I would kick you out."

They were both hunched over laughing at how shook up he was. "Where is Fitz you goofball?" Olivia asked when she was finally able to contain her laughter.

"He is upstairs, where you should be and not here harassing me."

"Don't blame me, blame Abby." Olivia set the bag she brought over on the floor next to the couch and made her way to the stairs.

She opened the door quietly, peeked her head inside and saw that he was laying on his back like he might have been sleep. She tiptoed inside the room wanting to surprise him but before she made halfway through the room his head popped up freezing her in place. She was surprised by how unready he was, his hair had obviously air dried and was a mess of curls on top of his head and all he wore was a pair of basketball shorts with no shirt.

"Liv?" He looked over at the clock on his night stand and realized that he had completely lost track of time. "Shit, Liv! I should have been up, just give me a minute to get ready."

"Fitz.." She said softly as she walked towards him.

"I know..I'm sorry-"

She placed her finger over his lips to stop him from apologizing, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm good." He said as he averted her eyes hoping that she couldn't see right through his lie, the worried expression she wore was sure to break down his walls if he continued to look at her. He had been looking forward to their day together and didn't want to be a downer for her today. If only he had been dressed when she got there, he would have been able to hide his emotions better.

She grabbed his hand and led him back to the bed and pushed him to sit down. She unzipped her boots and set them next to the bed then climbed up past him and sat against the headboard. "Come here." She patted the spot on the bed next to her.

He ran a hand over his face and sighed heavily, "I'm good Liv, let me get ready and we can go downstairs and join everyone else." He started to stand but she grabbed his arm stopping him, he stayed seated but didn't look back at her.

"Talk to me. I can't make things better if you don't tell me what is wrong." He still refused to look at her so she let go of his arm, scooted over to sit behind him and wrapped her arms around his torso as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Please babe? Is it the whole Christmas thing? We don't have to do this if you don't want to and I know that I kind of forced this whole thing on you but if you are not up for it we can always do something else-"

"Don't." He turned around and picked her up placing her sideways on his lap as he scooted back against the headboard. "It's not that baby I promise. It's..it's just that.." He leaned his head back and took a deep breath. "I don't know why I even try with him Liv, I really don't."

She knew that it had to be his father that had him this upset just by the broken tone in his voice but she wouldn't push or interrupt him, she laid head on his shoulder and ran her fingers slowly through his hair the way she knew he liked and waited for him to continue.

"Every time is the same and every time I say I am done giving him chances but I never stick to it...I can't help but want him to be proud of me..to see me. I called him this morning to tell him that practice was starting for baseball soon and he completely tore into me for even mentioning it to him. How was I supposed to know that he didn't want me to play this season when he doesn't even talk to me for weeks? I didn't know and if I had I would have told everyone before I called a team meeting to go over the strategy of this season." He shook his head at how angry his father was with him this morning for no apparent reason.

"Anyway, I told him I still wanted to play and I had already made the commitment but you think he cared about that? No, of course not. He basically told me to stop being a girl and man up and worry about myself. I just don't understand what it is about me that makes him hate me, hate talking to me or being around me, hate any idea that I have.."

"Fitz..I don't think he hates you."

"He does and it's so fucking frustrating not knowing why." He stood up and paced trying not to allow himself to get all worked up again. "I do everything he asks and I excel at every task he gives me yet he can be so condescending and mean without a second thought. Maybe all I am is basketball..I know you probably think I'm weak for even letting it bother me and going on and on about my 'daddy' issues and I know you didn't sign up for this.." He stopped with his back to her because he couldn't take the look that was probably on her face, a look of pity probably. He felt her hands wrap around his waist and he let out a breath; her touch had the ability to change every feeling that he had in his body and make everything better.

"Look at me." She whispered as she looked up at him and she waited until he obliged before speaking. "I do not think you are weak, you are one of the strongest people I know Fitz to have become what you have become despite the way you were raised. I love that you share what you are thinking with me and I know it is hard for you but don't ever be afraid to do that no matter how big or small you feel it might be. I am here..I am always here for you." She brought her hands up to his face and brought his lips down to meet hers as she kissed him fully before pulling back. "He is wrong you know…you are so much more than what he tries to get you to believe. You are an incredible person, you are smart, considerate, loving, humble and your loyalty to the people you love is unmatched. Promise me won't forget that."

"How do you always know the right things to say?" He asked, embracing her into a tight hug he leaned down and whispered in ear, "I promise I won't forget, thank you."

"For what?"

He smiled down at her, she was could sometimes be so oblivious to the affect she had on him. "I wish I had met you sooner.."

"We met when we were supposed to." She stated simply.

"Yeah you are probably right..I love you so much that I don't even think those words are enough to express my every feeling, which makes what I have to tell you even harder." He felt her tense and try to back away from him but he held her in place in his arms as he broke the bad news. "When I talked to my dad earlier he told me about a photo shoot that I will have to do for the cover of this sports magazine…The bad news is that it is Saturday morning in LA and I will have to miss your swim meet.."

"That is great news Fitz! I'm so proud of you babe!" She said as she hugged him tighter and stood on the balls of her feet to shower his face with kisses.

"Wait, aren't you upset about me missing your swim meet? I promised that I would be there."

"Upset? No..do you want me to be?" She asked confused.

"No, no, not at all. I just don't like to disappoint you Liv and I want you to be able to depend on my word. If I say I am going to show up for you I want you to know that nothing else is more important than that to me but dad all but outright threatened to come back here and cause problems for me if I didn't do this.."

She hated how much he seemed to stress himself out over how he thought she would take the news of him breaking a promise to her and she was ready to take his mind off of all of it. Today was supposed to be a happy day not a stressful one. She stepped back out of his arms and walked over to his closet, "Come on lets get you dressed."

"I'm serious Liv."

"I know you are and I hear you Fitz, I do but come get dressed and lets go enjoy making our friends and uncomfortable with our public displays of affection." She laughed, she turned to look at him giving him a nod and a playful shrug to let him know they were good.

He instantly perked up and joined her in finding his clothes for the day. Maybe today would be a good day after all.

"I don't want to watch the game, I want to watch A Christmas Carol."

"Liv, baby, I love you but we have already watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Home Alone. I can't take anymore and plus the game is on." Fitz reasoned as he changed the channel to the Miami Heat vs L.A. Lakers game.

"You play this game everyday, do you really need to watch it too?" She whined.

"Liv.." Fitz wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into his side as he leaned back on the couch. "Stop pouting please..I can't concentrate on Lebron with you pouting."

"He is a sellout any-"

"Whoa, it is Christmas and it is a happy day so don't ruin it by starting this argument."

"Liv please do not get him started on LeBron you know he will go on and on about it." Jake pleaded from the other end of the couch.

She sat up and folded her legs under her as she zeroed in on Fitz. "Kobe will always be greater than Lebron." She said taunting him.

He knew she did it on purpose, she wanted to distract him from the game but he couldn't let her get away with such an outlandish comment. He cracked his knuckles and stretched his neck side to side like he was getting ready for battle. "You want to go Liv? Let's go."

She suppressed the smile that was creeping up because of her victory over Fitz and his stupid basketball game and they went to battle over statistics, team loyalty and championships. By the time they were done with their debate the living room was empty and it was just them. Without notice he pulled her into his lap and kissed her senseless only stopping when they heard someone clearing their throat.

"You drive me crazy woman but I love how you don't back down." He leaned in and kissed her again. "It is so damn sexy."

"Enough of that, the pizza is here and we are waiting on you two so that we can eat. Abby is already upset that Fitz didn't cook like he said he was so let's go before the food gets cold and she murders us all."

"Alright, alright we are coming." Fitz stood with her in his arms carried her into the kitchen sitting her down on one of the bar stools while he made her plate. "Sorry I disappointed you Abby but at least I offered to still make dessert."

"Yeah whatever. Lets eat." She grumbled and the rest of the group laughed.

After lunch Fitz went to work on the dessert and asked Olivia to play a game of UNO with Harrison to try and get her to loosen up around him but she became annoyed with him very quickly, especially when he started to go on and on after the first two games that she lost. She wanted to strangle Fitz for even asking her to entertain him.

"So she does have a weakness!" Harrison yelled when her beat her a third time. "I thought you were supposed to be great in everything?" He teased.

Olivia rolled her eyes and pushed off of the floor completely ignoring him, she made her to the kitchen where Fitz was checking up on the dessert. He was dancing and singing along with the Motown Christmas cd that she had told him to download off of iTunes and it was the sweetest thing she had ever seen. "You are so cute."

"Liv! Woman would you stop doing that?" He walked over to her and placed his hands on the counter on each side of her body. "You know I hate when you do that."

She bit down on her bottom lip in anticipation as he leaned in to kiss her but he stopped and pushed away. "Tease."

He chuckled as he grabbled the peach cobbler out of the oven. "I can't burn the dessert- Ouch, dammit!" Fitz yelled as he set the pan on top of the stove.

She was by his side in an instant. "Are you ok? Let me see." She grabbed his hand gently kissed his reddened finger where he had burned it.

"This is your fault you know." He said with a half grin.

"What happened in here?" Harrison asked when the rest of the group came in the kitchen.

"Liv pushed me and I burned my hand on the pot."

"Olivia!" Abby and Quinn said together and Olivia's face turned a deep red.

"I did not!" Olivia said as she shoved Fitz's shoulder. The rest of the group eyed her suspiciously and she raised her hands in defense, "What? I didn't! If you guys really think that then I'm leaving."

Fitz grabbed her hand before she got too far pulling her back into his arms and whispering, "Stop being so sensitive, I'm joking." He looked at the group and laughed, "Guys of course I am joking. My hand slipped off of the towel that I was using and I burned my finger."

"Oh so you are fine then? You trying to play some Call of Duty before we eat it? I gotta leave soon." Huck asked.

He looked to Olivia to see if she minded and she shrugged. "I don't care. Me and the girls are going to watch This Christmas in the den."

"Ok" He gives her another squeeze mouthing "I love you" before releasing her. "Guys are you sure you want to play Call of Duty over 2K15?"

Olivia shook her head as she watched them leave, "Come on girls lets go fawn over Idris Elba's fine ass."

"Fitz are you sure you don't want us to wake her up?"

"Yeah, I got her. Jake you don't have a problem with dropping Abby off do you?" Fitz asked as he walked them to the garage.

"What kind of question is that? I'll see you later, me and Abby are going to the movies while it is still kind of early." Jake gave Fitz a pound and opened his car door for Abby.

Fitz nodded and walked back in the den to where Olivia was sleeping and picked her up carrying her to his room laying her on his bed. He removed the dark green matching sweater that Olivia had picked out for him and switched his jeans for sweats. He was surprised by how much of a deep sleep she was in when she hadn't woken up when he changed her out of her clothes and into one of his t-shirts. She had only stirred a little when he lifter her up to move the blanket from underneath her. Once they were settled underneath the blanket he pulled her closer to him resting his hand on her stomach.

"I love you." He whispered into her hair before drifting off himself.

Fitz's alarm sounded at seven thirty on the dot and he groaned as he leaned over to turn it off. He wanted to curl back up with his Livvie and go back to sleep but then he remembered that she should probably start getting ready to go see her parents.

"Liv, Liv." He called as he shook her lightly.

"Mm. Not right now." She said as she turned away from him.

He smiled and moved to her, spooning her from behind and started to kiss her neck. "Wake up baby, open those beautiful eyes..I miss them." He ran his hand up the inside of her thigh until he reached her thong and eased his fingertips inside of them, pressing circles into her wet hot flesh. "You feel so good..I bet you taste good too."

Olivia couldn't help the involuntary moan that left her mouth at the feel of his big strong fingers slowing entering her. She arched into him, trying to get his fingers to go deeper but he pulled them out of her instead and rolled on top of her. He leaned down to kiss her and she pouted turning her head to the side, "You are a tease."

"I just wanted to give you a chance to taste how sweet you are." He lifted his fingers, covered with her essence, to her pouty lips and waited for her to open her mouth, she took two seconds too long and he moved them to his mouth sucking them clean just as she was opening her mouth. "Too late." He smirked at her pissed off expression. She is so cute when she is mad.

"I hate you."

"You know I don't like it when you say that." He said seriously. "I love you..say it back."

"No I'm mad at you."

He grabbed the bottom of his shirt that she was wearing and slowly removed is from her body licking his lips as her nipples hardened in front of him. He stood off of the bed and kicked his sweats to the ground leaving him completely naked. "Take them off or I will rip them in half." He demanded as he stood over her.

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest ignoring him. She yelped when he ripped her thong off and threw the piece of fabric across the room. Her body betrayed her when it shuddered as he blew his warm breath over her core causing her ache for him to intensify and her legs to open wider for him.

"I love you." He repeated as he kissed up her body. He kissed the valley in between her breast and looked up at her. "I said I love you. It is rude not to say it back."

"I heart you." She said with a smirk.

"Mhmm." He said, sucking her lips into his mouth he pressed himself deep inside of her in one motion. Heaven. The connection that they shared was one that he knew he would never feel with someone else and his thoughts were affirmed every time they completed each other through their lovemaking. Lovemaking. He had always thought that word was so corny until he met her. Then, suddenly he understood what all the movies were trying convey about the power of love, about having a connection so deep with a person that sex was no longer a option, instead love filled every stroke, kiss, touch, and every breath. Breath, was he breathing? He felt her pull his head back as she turned her head to break their kiss so that she could catch her breath and from the heaving of his chest he obviously need to breathe too.

"I'm sorry." He panted as he placed his hand gently around the side of her neck, his thumb resting right above her collarbone as he kissed it with an open mouth.

"Mmm, so good." She moaned, enjoying the slow rhythmic wind of his hips, and the feeling of his tongue on her neck. When he unexpectedly lifted one of her legs to his shoulder she came undone, crumbling into a million pieces in his arms. At the present moment she couldn't remember a time when she felt better than she did now.

"Damn Livvie.." He grunted into her neck as he followed her lead and finished with her, his grip tightening as he did. Realizing he was probably squeezing her a little too hard removed his hand from her neck to her waist, digging his fingers into her hips as he slid in and out of her a few more times as he emptied himself inside of her.

"God I love you."

"You better." He said before he kissed her like they might not ever kiss again stealing whatever breath she may have had left after their intense love session. "You know.." He breathed against her lips, "This was the best Christmas I have ever had."

She arched her eyebrow at his statement, "You mean the only one that you have had?"

"True but I have a feeling that even if I had had done something like today with family or other people without you there that it would not have been the same. So I'll repeat it, this was the best Christmas that I have ever had. Thank you…for everything."

"You are very welcome but don't look at me like that..you are going to make me cry."

"Like what?" He asked as he nibbled on her bottom lip.

"I don't know..like..I don't know.."

He smiled. "Like you are the most important person in my life? Or like there's not a time when I picture my life outside of these walls in the future that I don't see you in it? Doesn't matter which one you choose because both are true. I'm sorry if that scares you but I can't turn it off, I don't want to be able to turn it off. It's real, it's forever..it's us."

And that was her undoing as tears of happiness flowed down her cheeks, she chuckled when he kissed her nose as he wiped them away. "I could live with forever."

"Good, because I don't think I could live with anything less."

A/N: So I have finally found my way back to this story. I hope you guys don't mind me wrapping it up. There are only about 3 more chapters left until it's completed and I almost decided to just leave it unfinished but I started reading it and I fell in love with them all over again. Thanks for reading and if you haven't checked out the sequel to this Even When Expected yet please do! As always, please let me know what you guys think! Until next time...