LIV'S POV
"Liv?" Kate knocked on my door. We hadn't talked other than hello and goodbye's in front of the Grants since the park. I didn't like Mellie and Kate deserved a better friend than Mellie.
"Yeah?"
"Can we talk?"
"Sure" she stayed at the doorway as i sat on my bed.
"I've never had a sister before. Tripp and Teddy Bear are all i've ever known and i'm sorry for yelling at you when you were just trying to tell me how you felt, Mellie's my friend but you are family and i'm sorry"
I looked down at my hands wondering how this family could open up to me so quickly and make me feel more loved than i ever had felt.
"Thanks for your apology, i'm sorry too" i walked over and hugged her quickly.
"So, what's up? Met any boys? I heard Henry's asking you out soon"
"Yikes" i laughed "i'm just trying to enjoy summer, not hook up with anyone"
She nodded and we spent the next hour catching up on everything.
(Break)
"Fitzgerald!" I groaned as he laughed helping me. He asked me if i knew how to drive stick and after many sessions of him talking me into learning i finally gave in. We were on the long road approaching the estate and the car kept jerking forward.
"You're doing good, come on you can do it"
"FITZ!" I screeched sending the car forward. I started laughing loudly as he looked scared for his life and helped me with the steering wheel.
"Jesus Liv don't kill us" he chuckled. It scared me that he trusted me so quickly, he wasn't really speaking much to anyone but me though he wasn't rude anymore he really just kept to himself.
"Look we have an audience" he laughed as he pointed towards the house where Teddy, Kate, Abby and both of his parents were laughing watching us.
"No pressure" i continued down the road until we reached the house.
"First lesson complete"
"I hate you" i mumbled as Emily and Big Gerry came towards the car.
"I've never seen such a .. Troubled driver" Big Gerry laughed helping me out of the large truck. Emily laughed but hit him on his arm playfully.
"I wouldn't dare even try to learn, great job Libby"
"Thanks" i smiled
"We're going to visit Pops, want to come?" Teddy asked
"You guys should have some time with him, alone" i offered
"Fitz told you?" Emily asked as the rest of the Grants loaded the SUV and Abby headed into the house
"Uh, yes. I won't tell anyone-"
"No it's not that.. It's nevermind" she smiled "We might be gone for a while so there's money on the counter if you get hungry"
"You didn't have to-"
"I know" she smiled "see you later"
"Bye"
Abby stayed for a couple of hours and we went to the mall, when she dropped me back home the house was empty and dark. I turned on some music and started making pasta until i heard a chair shift and looked up to see Fitz watching me.
"Hi" i whispered still scared turning down my music
"Hi" he nodded
"You okay?"
"Sorta"
"Want to talk about it?"
"Not right now" he smiled "Everyone decided to sleep over"
"You didn't want to?"
"I don't think i would have done much sleeping"
I nodded "You hungry?"
"Sure"
I finished cooking the sauce before putting in the noodles. We sat in silence as we ate and i got up to clean the mess i made sticking the dishes in the dishwasher and came back to the table as he sat in silence with a pain expression.
"Want to watch a movie?"
"Not really" he mumbled "I think i'm just going to go up to bed"
"Okay, Goodnight"
"Night Liv"
Eventually i headed upstairs and started to read until he knocked on my door.
"Come in"
"Can i sit?"
"Of course" i moved over and surprisingly enough he laid down beside me. He kept his distance and stared at the ceiling.
"How's your dad?"
"He's um, he's alright"
He stared at me "How did i not notice he was sick? I mean you say him. He looked fine but now he just looks weak, he keeps coughing. His hair is coming out"
"You didn't want to believe it" i set down my book "Did you two talk?"
"Not really, i mean i spoke to him of course but no we didn't talk alone"
"How long?" I whispered
"Less than 4 months"
I grabbed his hand and felt the tears forming in my eyes. I squeezed and kept holding on as he looked at me.
I woke up in the movie room after hearing the doorbell. I groaned, Fitz and i had stayed up talking and watching movies. I looked over to see him snoring on the other couch. I quickly got up and went to answer the door.
"Henry" i stood shocked "What's up?"
"I wanted to see if you wanted to go to the movies"
"Oh um, look Henry i like you but i don't know you and right now i'm not looking for anything and even if i was i need to stay home today so.. I'm sorry" i ripped off the band aid and watched him nod slowly.
"I'll see you around then?"
"See you" i closed the door and turned around to see Fitz staring at me.
"You didn't have to stay home because of me"
I rolled my eyes " i can't leave you in your time of need" i smiled
"I win, yet again" i said as i took all of Fitz's oreos and snuck another one into my mouth.
"You can't keep eating my money!" We were using oreos as chips and i was cleaning his butt in poker.
"My money" i corrected as my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Liv? It's Jessica"
"Is he okay? Did something happen?"
"No, just giving you a weekly update. Sorry if i worried you"
"That's okay jess" i sighed in relief
"he's doing a bit better than last week"
"Good and his the cheque went through?"
"Of course"
"Good, thanks for calling Jess"
"Of course" she said goodbye and hung up.
"Everything ok?"
"Everything's fine" i said in a clipped tone. Fitz and i might have grown closer but there was only one person i would talk about my dad with and it was Teddy. He nodded and looked away and i knew i hurt him.
"I'm going to head out, i'm spending the week at Pops"
"Have a good time" i sat there as he left.
FITZ'S POV
"Night pops" i said as i pulled his door shut. It was 3 in the morning and i heard him cackling with his cough so i got him some water and made sure he was alright. It was a day of hell, i hated seeing him in so much pain. He had asked to have a talk over breakfast tomorrow before i went back home since i had been gone for a week. Teddy, Kate and i were taking turns. Next was Kate. I tried to go back to sleep but i kept tossing and turning. I texted Liv surprisingly asking if she was up. We hadn't spoken in a week and she had pulled away when i asked about her dad. I put my phone down of course she wasn't awake it was almost 4 in the morning i thought until my phone started vibrating.
"What's wrong? You okay?" She sounded fully awake.
"I couldn't sleep"
"Oh" she sighed "how's pops?"
"He's okay"
"Good"
"Why are you awake?"
"I could ask you the same thing" she countered back
"He was uh choking in his sleep"
"Sorry" she sighed "And i'm sorry about being rude to you earlier in the week"
"That's okay"
"I'm forgiven so easily? Teddy makes me cook for him for a week"
"That's because Teddy can't cook"
"True" she laughed "Tomorrow night i am summoning you for a night out"
"Where?"
"Abby's having a party. We're all going"
"We?"
"All the Grants and me"
I chuckled "you're practically an honorary Grant"
"It's an honour"
"You're a real dork" i chuckled
"Whatever" she yawned
"Go get some sleep"
"You sure?"
"Yes, i'm fine. Thanks for calling me"
"Of course, night Fitz"
"Goodnight Liv"
(Break)
"Fitzgerald!" Abby grinned as I opened the door to her house. It was packed and the large foyer had turned into a dance floor.
"Hey Abs" i took in the large party and internally groaned. I hated large groups.
"Teddy and Liv are in the kitchen"
I nodded and made my way in that direction.
"Come on Liv, one dance" Henry drunk slurred as i walked into the kitchen. Liv was dressed in tight jeans and a grey v-neck that revealed her toned stomach. Her hair had been curled. She slapped his arm and rolled her eyes.
"So you can grope me? No"
He groaned as she started to walk away with her beer.
"Fitz!" She grinned and surprisingly hugged me "i'm glad you came!"
"You okay?"
"For sure" she laughed "i can handle drunk boys"
I nodded "where's Teddy?"
"Teddy is dancing with Lex"
"His latest conquest?"
"No, she's cool" she shrugged and we made our way over to Teddy who was sitting on the steps with a brunette.
"Look who finally made it!" he smiled and tipped his beer towards me "Fitz, meet Lex. Lex this is my older bro Fitz"
We both said our hello's until Abby dragged Liv out on the floor and i watched as the theme changed to old school hip hop. Liv laughed as her and Abby danced around each other until the song changed to an old Jlo song and i watched Liv grin as she approached us quickly.
"You should ask her to dance after" Teddy said
"After?"
"Watch"
"Lex, i hope you don't mind if i borrow Teddy?"
"Of course not" Lex grinned and i watched Teddy grin before taking a swig of his beer and letting Liv take his hand.
Once the beat started they both moved their hips in sync as if they danced to the song every day. Liv laughed as Teddy swivelled his hips and mouthed the words to her until the chorus came on and she swivelled hers back and grinded against him. It wasn't in a dirty way, it was over quickly and they pulled apart as the chorus came back on and i found myself staring at her hips as Teddy turned her around. Her ass moved to the exact beat. I watched in awe as they danced around each other as the lyrics stopped for a few beats and suddenly there was a circle forming but neither of them noticed and Teddy jumped as the chorus started again. Liv looked up when the song finished and snickered into Teddy's arm as she noticed the crowd. They made their way back over and Lex smiled
"You two were amazing"
"Thanks" Teddy laughed "That's one of Liv's favourite songs. Whenever she's sad i always play it and she perks right up"
"I mean who wouldn't" Liv laughed "i think that was our best yet though"
"Oh for sure" Teddy laughed "Lex?" He stuck out a hand to her. Lex took it and they left.
Liv sat down beside me on the step.
"You are a woman of many talents"
She smiled "thank you" i nodded and handed her back her beer. She took a few steps and after a while i groaned as i saw Mellie approaching us.
"Hi Fitz!" She grinned "hello" she practically glared at Liv. Kate sighed and sat down on top of Liv's lap. Liv smiled and started chatting to her but i watched in awe as her hand crept up to my thigh. If it wasn't so dark everyone could probably see how red i was turning. Mellie's eyes zeroed in on Liv's hand and her mouth gaped open.
"Hi Mel" i choked out
"Kate, let's go" Mellie snatched Kate's arm and i watched they both ran off. Liv bursted out laughing.
"Oh come on, you looked like you were having a nightmare"
I chuckled "you're a wild woman"
(Break)
"Mrs. Grant!" Liv shrieked as i dragged a passed out Kate into the house.
"Seems like you two are the only responsible ones in this house" she glared at Teddy. "And Liv, i told you it's Emily"
Liv nodded "Where's Teddy? Do i want to know?"
"No" I chuckled as i carried Kate upstairs. Liv took off her shoes until mom came in the room and handled Kate.
(Break)
"Wake up!" A pillow came down onto my face the next morning. I rolled over groaning.
"Why?" I asked as Liv sat down on the bed beside me. She had the biggest pair of brown eyes and she looked so happy.
"Look at this" she held her phone up to me. I watched squinting at the screen as someone choked on the cinnamon
"No" i stated
"Fitz! Come on! "
"I am not-" an hour later i stood in the kitchen with Liv holding a spoon full of cinnamon towards my mouth.
"Do it" she dared me "Fitz please"
I sighed and opened my mouth. She watched me with excited eyes as she held her phone recording. For the first few seconds i was okay until i swallowed and it started to burn and felt so thick. She roared with laughter as i choked and spit out the cinnamon in the sink.
"Your turn"
"No way!" She shook her head "i just wanted to see if you would do it"
"You little-"
"You two are something else" Mom came into the kitchen laughing "i can't believe you got him to do that"
Liv smiled brightly "I was going to ask you out for lunch" she looked at Liv "but if you have plans-"
"No, i love lunch" Liv said nervously "i mean i'd love to go to lunch"
"We can leave in an hour?" Mom asked and left the room.
"I love lunch?" I teased Liv. Colour rushed to her cheeks
"Shut up" she mumbled and left the kitchen.