A/N: This is not a drill! I repeat this is not a drill! It's actually a new chapter and I know it's been a long… time coming. I'm in the process of trying to wrap up my other stories so I can focus on this one. On Stage and Family First are my baby babies. The others are my babies too but I have a special place in my heart for this family I've created. I also want to thank all of the people who've stuck with me from since the beginning of m Fanfic writing career. LOL. You all know yourselves and you all are appreciated. Thank you!
I hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm beginning to incorporate more of Iya's POV into this story. Enjoy!
Don't forget to review.
"Iya," she heard her little brother whispered from somewhere in her room. She squinted her eyes at the pink alarm clock on her nightstand displaying the time as 11 PM. What was he doing up so late? On a school night to be exact. Way… past our bedtime?
She turned around to face her pajamas clad brother with messy bedhead barely visible in the night-light her parents insisted they have.
"What Tommy?" she semi-hissed, upset that her slumber was interrupted.
Tommy not deterred by his sister's grumpy attitude uttered one word, "Oreo."
"Huh?" She asked, sitting up and brushing back her wild curls.
"Your turn to get the Oreo," Tommy explained.
"Are you serious right now?"
Tommy nodded his head yes. "I got it the last time and I'm hungry. Please, Iya…" He clasped his hands begging.
Iya shook her head while rolling her eyes. She knew that it was her turn to "sneak up" a late night snack but didn't feel like making the long trek downstairs to do so.
Growling underneath her breath she pushed back her flowery comforter and slid her legs to the side of the bed.
"After tonight, I'm done sneaking up snacks with you." She pointed her dainty index finger at him.
"You always complain when it's your turn," Tommy quipped, upset that she was bailing out on him – even though knowing that she did it mostly for him since he was the one with a sweet tooth.
Standing up on her feet she stretched her limbs to her true height, towering over her brother by several inches.
"I'll be back," Iya said, before exiting her room. She tiptoed down the steps and was glad that Rex was unstirred in his doggie bed when she passed him in the hallway. Good doggie, she thought.
She was about to turn into the kitchen when she heard someone made a funny sound. It scared her into a still position in the semi dark hallway. Then she heard, "Fitz… Oh…" Iya's eyes bulged from her head at the realization of her mother's voice. She heard her father emit a low growl and it scared her into utter stillness. What were they doing? Her instinct screamed for her to turn around and retreat to her bedroom and she listened. The minute her back was turned she heard her mother squealing, "Yes, yes, yes." With each yes, her footsteps grew quicker; she almost fell on the steps by missing a stair but kept her balance with the trusty banister. With her heart hammering in her chest she rushed to her room and closed the door behind her.
Her quick movements startled Tommy who was waiting for her but eventually it morphed into annoyance at the sight of her empty hands.
"Where's the Oreo?"
"Mom and dad is downstairs," she quickly replied, wiping the small bead of sweat that formed on top her forehead with the back of her right hand.
Tommy frowned and huffed out a ball of hot air.
"I have starburst," she offered, remembering the pack she'd gotten from Kendra.
He smiled at his sister and followed her to the small desk that held her schoolbooks and other miscellaneous office things. Her purple and black backpack was slung over the back of the chair and she grabbed it, opening the outside pocket to reveal the half eaten candy. She gave him two pieces and returned the rest.
"Don't forget to brush your teeth," she warned. Ever after Tommy almost got busted for having a piece of candy stuck in his teeth she made sure he brushed afterwards. And besides, it was also unhygienic if he didn't.
"Yea yea…" he mumbled, busily unwrapping the candy paper. "Thanks." He began walking to the door.
"Good night," she mumbled back.
"Good night." He returned.
Iya returned to her bed; the earlier incident with her parents came to her thoughts. Her mind-invoked thoughts of what they could've possibly been doing and from the little knowledge she'd gained over the past nine years, the only conclusion was, sex. And the thought made her shiver with disgust. "Gross…" she muttered underneath her breath. She tried her damnedest to push the thoughts out of her head before succumbing to sleep.
Olivia woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. After finally getting a handle on her postpartum depression she finally felt good to enjoy the things she used to. And with feeling like her new self came exercising, looking after her kids as much as she can and only relying on the nanny when it was absolutely necessary. She was still very hands on in the care of her children and no amount of money could change that. Since school had recommenced the kids were back in their various after school activities; Iya joined the swim team in addition to her drama and dance classes. Tommy was getting acclimated to life as a first grader; he had shown interest in returning to soccer so they signed him up for it. And Miss Amia was staying home growing more beautiful and chunkier as the days go by. Even though the kiddies' list was filled with endless activities she was pleased and relieved that she didn't have to do it alone. She had an amazing husband who although was busy running a music studio – which includes but is not limited to writing songs for other singers, start a non-profit charity organization, performs occasionally at private events and the list goes, still takes the time out of his busy schedule to be there for his family. She was blessed and truly grateful…
Feeling his body stirred beside her she molded herself even closer to him. With her lips on his naked chest, she began planting soft kisses on it – leaving a wet trail of kisses in her wake. When she got to the crevice between his neck and shoulder she nuzzled her button nose and smelled him in. Musky, woodsy and all his natural fragrance…
"Good morning, sweetheart." She purred; details of last night came into her head. Their behavior had been risqué but she enjoyed the thrill.
"Morning, beautiful," his deep baritone voice crooned, as he kissed her hair.
"How was your sleep?" she asked, pushing up on her elbow to regard his now, restful face. For a man in his forties he was as yummy as the day she'd first laid eyes on him. Even after all these years it still blows her mind away that he first approached her.
"You know I always sleep well when I've been Poped." He chuckled deeply which brought out Olivia's laughter.
"Stop it!" she cried, laughing harder. His arms enveloped her and held her tightly underneath the fluffy white comforter.
"You know it's the truth. Last night was amazing…" he confessed. "Me, having you spread out on the kitchen island; the most opulent buffet while taking my time devouring you. Mmm…" he lightly smacked his lips together at the memory of her taste.
She felt the deep rumble in his chest against her breast and the feel of his morning wood becoming stiffer on her lower stomach. The apex of her thighs sodden with the wetness her center seeped.
"We could've gotten caught. That was risky."
"But, oh so worth it." Fitz stated, pressing his pajamas only clad erection into the satin covered material of her stomach.
"Don't even start it. Just now your kids will be up."
"My kids?"
"Yea, they're yours before sunrise." She quipped and got up from the bed in one fluid motion.
Fitz groaned, sprawled on his back with his legs and arms splayed across the California king bed.
"But, if you want to join me in the shower, we can…" she trailed, eyeing the tent in his pants.
Fitz jumped up from the bed in a blink of an eye.
Olivia not surprised by his action said, "Careful old man, we won't want you hurting yourself."
"I'll put a hurting on you for calling me an old man." Fitz smirked, as he followed her to their en suite master bathroom.
After finishing their early morning rendezvous the couple retreated to their designated closets to get ready for the day. It had only been two and a half month since giving birth and Olivia had lost some of the weight but not all. These days she wore mostly looser fitting tops to hide her higher than normally tummy and black jeans because it slimmed her wide hips. She was working out three times a week with a personal training, so she was well on her way to loose the baby weight but she wasn't pushing herself too much. After all there were only so many things she could do. Slipping on a midnight blue padded bra she looked down at her breasts and marveled at their size. Never in her life had she thought that her B cup sized breasts would one day turn a D cup. She probably would never be a size B again. Even though she frowned at them her husband seems to love the increased amount. More to love or some other jazz he normally says when she complains about them.
With just her undergarment on she moves over to his side of the expansive walking closet. "Oh, honey…" she called when she didn't see him.
"In here," he shouted from the section that held his jeans.
She made her way over in that direction and snickered when she saw him trying to button a pair of jeans that wouldn't button.
"What are you doing?" She asked her husband who was standing in front of one of many floor length mirrors.
"Why didn't you tell me I'm getting fat?" He fussed, trying even harder to pull the two sides of the waistband together.
"Fitz," Olivia laughed. It was somewhat a pleasant sight to not be the only person who doesn't fit their old clothes anymore.
"Seriously… Look at me," he palmed his abs, nothing but lean muscles on it.
"Babe, stop. You're not getting fat. Those jeans are over tens years old. I bought them for you when we first moved to New York. Why are you even wearing it?" She asked, closing the gap between them.
"I dunno. I saw them, they looked unfamiliar and I thought they were new. So, I'm not getting fat?" He turned around and pouted.
"No, I'm the only one with a love muffin."
"Sexy love muffin," Fitz added, moving closer to her.
"Hey! You're supposed to deny that I have a love muffin." She frowned, playfully.
"Sexy non love muffin."
"Good…" She pecked his lips that were too close in her personal space. "Oh… I almost forgot why I came in here to begin with; there's a gift in your underwear drawer for you. Check all the way in the back."
Fitz squinted his eyes at her, feeling his blood heated at the thought of her leaving one of her sexy numbers in his drawer. Without saying a word he moved to the wall that held the drawers.
Olivia watched him as he moved his hands through the pile of mostly black, navy blue, white and other neutral color underwear. She watched him pull the pamphlet out and raised his eyebrows questioningly at it. No doubt he was disappointed.
"What's this?" he asked, reading the cover. He understood what he was reading but he didn't understand why she was giving it to him.
"You remember that talk we had after we found out I was pregnant with baby number three?"
Fitz looked at her strangely, " I thought you were joking. You can't be serious."
"Oh, but I am, Fitz. I don't want to get pregnant again and it's time we take a more "permanent" approach for contraception. God knows the temporary ones "only" does so much with us." She air quoted with her fingers.
Fitz shook his head and chuckled, she's kidding, of course she's kidding, he mused to himself.
"You can laugh all you want, but I'm not. So, I recommend you read up all about a vasectomy because you will need that information for when you book your appointment."
Feeling like his hands were being forced, Fitz uttered without thinking, "I'm not having a vasectomy, Olivia."
"Then I'm not having sex with you." Olivia threw back and retreated to her side of the closet.
"Unbelievable," Fitz muttered underneath his breath while eyeing the pamphlet – Ten Things You Need to Know About Vasectomy.
The day had officially begun, the two older kids were up and getting ready for school while Olivia was feeding Mia her first meal of the day after changing her soiled diaper. If she weren't serious she would've found her husband's sudden petulant attitude funny. After feeding Mia she burped her and planted some soft kisses on her rosy cheeks before leaving the nursery. With the infant still clad in her footed onesie she carried her to her father.
"Good morning," he chirped upon seeing the contended baby in his wife's arms, his sulky mood forgotten. Olivia passed Amia over to Fitz and left him cooing over her, asking how she spent her night and if she missed him while she slept – were some of the things she heard as she exited the door of their master room.
She first checked in on Tommy who was being assisted by Mama Awa to don his school uniform. Since he was being assisted she made her way over to Iya's room. Knocking on the door, she said, "It's mom."
She heard a meek, "you can come in," and she entered.
Iya was already dressed in the school's standard white polo with the Léman logo and navy blue chino with her hair in a mass of curls flowing down her back.
"Good morning, sweet cheeks," her mother greeted brightly.
"Morning," Iya mumbled, busying herself with tying the shoelaces to her all black Nike sneakers.
"How was your sleep?"
"Fine," Iya answered, moving onto the second shoelace.
Olivia wondered what's up with the monotonous answers but chalked it up to morning grumpiness. Instead of saying anything else she waited for Iya to finish tying her shoelaces. When she was, she moved wordlessly to the chair in front of her vanity and sat for her hair to be combed. Olivia walked over to her and began the arduous task of grooming her hair.
"Anything exciting you'll be doing today?"
"No." Iya returned.
"Mmm."
They finished the process of styling her hair into two high buns quietly. When the task was completed Olivia gently turned her around by the chin to study the hairstyle against her oval face.
"Not bad. You like it?"
Iya nodded her head yes but kept her eyes downcast.
"What's wrong, honey?" She inquired. Her daughter's uncharacteristic shyness raised alarms.
Iya too embarrassed to look at her mom shook her head no. She didn't understand the full gravity of sex but she knew enough to make her feel shy in her parents' presence. It was like she was seeing them in a new light and it unnerved her.
"Ok," Olivia conceded, for now. "Double check your backpack for your homework and head downstairs for breakfast. Your father is making his famous pancakes," she added the last part to get her exited but she seemed unimpressed.
"Ok," Iya said and moved to her desk where she did as her mother requested. When she was sure her Math and English homework was securely inside of her backpack she slung it over one arm and exited her bedroom and Olivia followed her out.
When they reached the kitchen Amia was snuggled contently in her nanny's arms while Fitz was in the middle of flipping one of the buttermilk pancakes.
"Morning mom," Tommy called from the breakfast nook, already equipped with an eating knife and fork in hand. Olivia made her way over to him, planted a good morning kiss on his cheek and ruffled his unruly curls.
"Good morning, sweetheart. How are you?"
"Good," he smiled and she smiled back.
"Oh mom, Mia farted just now. It was loud," Tommy sneered.
Olivia turned to her youngest daughter and playful reproached her, "Aaamia!" And she gurgled loudly, as if she could sense she was the topic of conversation.
"That's her don't talk about me sound," Mama Awa said, smiling down at the half asleep baby.
Meanwhile at the opposite end of the kitchen, "Hey, sweet cheeks," Fitz said, turning from the stove to see Iya seated on a barstool at the kitchen island.
Iya had yet to say anything since entering the room.
"Hey," she returned meekly, her eyes on the apple she grabbed from the fruit bowl.
Unaware of her mood, Fitz asked, "You wanna help me serve?"
"Sure," she answered, returning the uneaten apple to the fruit bowl before sliding off the barstool to go assist her dad.
"Tommy's" he said, handing her a plate with a single buttermilk pancake with bananas and maple syrup on top. "And this is for your mom." He gave her another plate but this time it has two pancakes with blueberry toppings. She nodded briefly and carried the plates to the breakfast nook.
"Thank you, honey," her mother said when she delivered her plate.
"Thanks," Tommy mumbled, ready to dig in.
"Wait until everyone is seated." Olivia stated, regarding her son with stern eyes.
Tommy sighed and reclined in his chair. He fought the urge to pout knowing that his mother would disapprove.
Mama Awa left the room to give Amia her bath while the rest of the family gathered around the table to eat breakfast.
"Who wants to say grace?"
"Me," Tommy answered his father and then said a brief prayer. It literally was, "Bless this food. Amen."
They ate with light conversation. After breakfast they waved them off as they left for school with Huck.
"Is Iya acting weird to you?" Olivia turned to Fitz and asked when the kids had left.
"I noticed that. Unusually quiet."
"Mmm," they both said at the same time.
After Fitz left for the studio Olivia got herself and Amia ready for a day out. Olivia threw on a simple pair of fitted high-waisted black jeans with an oversize blue and white, lightweight sweater and a pair of red and white Nike trainers. Amia was adorned in a long sleeve, yellow onesie underneath a pair of soft denim pants. They were heading to the gallery for a brief visit. Her presence wasn't necessarily needed but that didn't stop her from visiting everyone.
Olivia and Amia were driven to the gallery by the new addition to their security team, Daniel. He was a tall, well built African American man, very polite and warm in his mannerism. Both Tom and Huck had vetted him and approved him as the new member to their team. During the week Huck normally accompanied the kids to school, while some days Tom accompanied Fitz to the studio – some days he went without security and relied on the security guards at the studio building. Daniel stayed at the house most times or wherever Olivia was.
When they pulled up to the building, Daniel got out and opened the backdoor of the SUV for them. Olivia handed him the diaper bag before climbing out with Amia securely wrapped in the Moby baby wrap against her chest.
"Thanks, Daniel." Olivia smiled, collecting the diaper bag from him.
"No problem, Mrs. Grant. You want me to hold onto the bag? I'll be back after I find parking."
"No, that's ok, thanks again." She said before walking the short distance to the entrance of the building.
Olivia made her way inside of the gallery for the first time since going on maternity leave. She admired the new pieces displayed on the walls that she'd only seen in emails. The soft music in the background give off a happy, light feel. It transports you to a happy place as you survey the vibrant to monotone colors on the walls. She missed this, she thought. Her own art world, a place where she gets to help upcoming artists and seasoned ones showcase their talent.
"Mrs. Grant," she was startled out of her reverie by Gao, the new member to her team.
"Hey Gao," she greeted.
"Let me help you with that." He grabbed the diaper bag from her right shoulder. Olivia was used to the extra weight so it didn't bother her in the least.
"Thanks." They began walking towards the back of the gallery. "Where's everyone else?"
"Samantha is in her office doing some paperwork and Henry is coming in at 1."
"Oh ok," Olivia nodded her head while smoothing her hands up and down Mia's back when she began whimpering.
"Where do you want this?" He asked, referring to the diaper bag.
"You can take it into Samantha's office, please and thank you."
"Sure."
They continued their trek to Samantha's office in light chatter. Olivia asked how he was finding his new job and he expressed that he was enjoying it just fine. Before the door to Samantha's office was opened Gao said, "I have something to proposed to you."
"Sure," Olivia paused at the door. She noticed he was a bit nervous but for the most part he appeared confident.
"Have you thought about offering photography classes here at the gallery?"
Olivia smiled at him because she had thought about it but never had the time or enough manpower to follow through.
"I have," she answered, simply.
Gao watched her expectantly in hopes she would expound further. "And?"
"I think it's a great idea. Of course we would have to work out the logistics of it and also look into accreditation for the classes. But, I think it's a great idea and it might be what we need to make The Experience a one of a kind gallery."
Gao smiled at her response, pleased with himself.
"So, as of right now I recommend that you draft a business plan for this venture and we will go from there. "
"Sounds great," Gao felt excited.
One thing Olivia admired about him was his passion for photography, the same one she has but has long since smothered. It's been awhile since she got truly excited about the subject, maybe it was time for a change.
They said nothing else to each other as they opened the door to Samantha's office. The minute the olive skin beauty laid eyes on them she immediately let out a low squeal and quickly got up from behind her desk.
"Mama!" Samantha greeted happily – happy to see her boss and friend, even though it had only been a month since they last saw each other face to face.
Gao rested the diaper bag on the two-seater couch in the corner of the room before wordlessly leaving the women to reunite with each other.
"Look at the princess, she's so beautiful." She cooed over Amia who regarded her with bright eyes. Olivia gently unwrapped the baby wrap and handed Amia over to Samantha's eager arms.
"Mama, she looks just like you," Sam said to Olivia. "The other two are Grants through and through, but baby girl is all you." Sam took in Amia's button nose that was identical to her mother's, same pouty lips and her eyes the same oval shape.
"Well, it's about time someone did," Olivia jested, taking a seat on the couch.
They spent the next twenty minutes catching up with each other, personal and business. When Amia became fussy Olivia took her from Samantha and fed her the bottle of breast milk she'd pumped earlier. After being fed Amia fell asleep contentedly in her mother's arms.
"It's almost lunch time. Do you want me to order in?"
"Sure," Olivia said. She could stay a little longer for lunch.
"What do you want to eat?"
A sudden craven for the BLT at a small bistro two blocks away came to mind and she relayed that to Samantha. When she'd gotten lunch situated they resumed their conversation.
"So… a little birdy told me that you've been dating D." Olivia spoke coyly.
Samantha rolled her eyes to the ceiling, a small smile formed on the corner of her lips. "Derrick talks too much."
"It is true?"
Samantha pursed her full lips but didn't sanction.
"Well…" Olivia waited for her to speak up.
"Just a few dates," she eventually confessed.
"What are a few dates? Two, three, four…" Olivia fished.
"Over ten. No big deal," Samantha answered, shrugging her shoulders.
"Ten!" Olivia whispered shouted, keenly aware of the sleeping infant. "Fitz and I weren't even into ten dates when were already exchanging I love yous."
Samantha chuckled at that. "You two are crazy," she teased.
Olivia brushed her comment off and asked, "So, what is Derrick like?"
"He's very kind and sweet, a bit impatient, very adventurous, loves to talk but overall a very nice soul."
"Aww…"
"Don't give me googly eyes."
"Why not?" Olivia asked.
"I'm taking things slow. For my sanity sake I'm moving slow. I'm checking and double checking before I make a move."
Olivia frowned because she knew that Brian and his craziness left these scars. They were sill coping and healing in the aftermath of what had happened so many months ago.
"I'm proud of you for even trying again. Like you, I hope that this time you would get your happy ending. You deserve to."
Samantha smiled wanly at her friend, "thank you. I hope so, too."
It was around 3 PM in the afternoon and Fitz was in his office talking on the phone with his cousin Carl. They were making plans to go see a basketball game at the Barclay center sometime next week for some much needed bro time. Somehow the conversation steered towards children. Carl inquired about the three musketeers and their latest ventures; like the proud dad he is, Fitz entertained him with stories about his children.
"What do you think about vasectomies?" Fitz asked, from out of the blue and Carl of course laughed.
"I think that I won't want one," he answered, laughing.
"Serious man… Liv wants me to have one."
"Oh…" Carl gulped.
"When we found out we were pregnant again she wasn't too happy to begin with, since then she wanted me to have a vasectomy but I thought she was playing. This morning she give me a pamphlet about ten things I need to know about a vasectomy." Fitz ranted.
Carl tried to hold in his laughter but was unsuccessful; he mentally dared Serena to do something like that.
"Dude, just do it. You know she's going to pull the plug if you don't."
"She's pulling the plug both ways. I don't know man." Fitz said, subconsciously looking down at his crouch as if to empathize with his penis.
At the same time another call was beeping in. Fitz quickly glanced at the screen and saw that it was his mother calling.
"C, we'll talk later. Mom is calling in. I have to take it."
"Tell Aunty Janet hello and we'll talk later, bro."
"Aight cool." Fitz said before switching over the call.
"Hey mom," he greeted.
"Fitz, hey. I hope I'm not interrupting your day –"
"No," Fitz quickly interrupted. "What's up?"
"Your father and I would like you and your sister over for dinner tonight. Can you make it?"
"Everything alright?" He asked, as he mentally checked his schedule in his head. He could make it.
"Yea, it's just something we need to talk to you two about."
"Ok. I'll be there. What time?"
"Is six too early?"
"No, that's fine."
"Ok son, let me not hold up anymore of your time. See you later. Love you."
"Love you too," he replied just in time before the dial tone sounded in his ear.
He called his wife and alerted her that he wasn't going to be home for dinner. She of coursed asked if everything was ok with his parents when he explained his reason for skipping dinner. He wasn't able to completely assuage her worry since he wasn't aware of all the details. They bid each other a see you later and I love you before ending the call.
Fitz arrived at his parents' home exactly at 6 PM. He saw that his sister's car was already in the driveway. He climbed out of his land rover truck and made his way to the front door. The doorbell had barely ringed when the door was swung open revealing his mother's poised figure.
"Fitzy," she called; her arms open wide for him to enter. He enveloped her in a warm hug and kissed her on the cheek. "Hey mom."
"How was your day?" She asked, closing the front door behind him.
"It was good. Kinda slow. How about yours?"
"A bit mundane but I'm glad you and your sister is here tonight," she finished energetically.
"Me too." Fitz smiled, inhaling the pleasant aroma that was wafting from the kitchen as they made their way down the hall towards the dinning room.
When they entered the dinning area Raye and Big Jerry were already sitting around the rectangle shaped dinning table.
"So glad you can make it, big head," Raye greeted from her seat.
"Mom, did the zoo forget to collect her again?" Fitz turned to his mother and she swatted his arm.
"Be nice, Fitzgerald," she scolded.
"She started it," he pouted.
"I swear for two grown people with spouses and children, you all are childish," Janet jested, knowing that they couldn't help themselves around each other.
Fitz ignored her statement and went to greet his dad. He hugged him in a bear hug before moving to the vacant place setting next to Raye. They looked at each other and scowled before bursting into laughter and then finally hugging.
"Was that so hard to do?" Janet asked from across the table. She was seated at Jerry's right side and he was at the head of the table.
"It's a process," Raye said and Fitz nodded his head in agreement.
Janet shook her head at the two of them and smiled. From there they talked about the grandkids, jobs, gardening, sports and other light topics as they enjoyed the grilled salmon with asparagus and baked potatoes.
When they were done eating and had retired to the living room, Janet stood beside Jerry as they delivered the news they hoped their children was ready to hear.
Big Jerry's deep voice spoke, "your mother and I have decided that we will be relocating to Florida permanently. The New York weather and hassle is becoming too much for us, well me... And we just need a slower pace."
Fitz and Raye's eyes were wide as they listened. They didn't expect this when they got to the house.
"Why?" Raye asked in a sad voice.
"We're not getting young, sweetheart." Janet answered.
"But you live in Long Island and that's slow compare to Manhattan. That was the whole point of you moving from Manhattan to here." Raye didn't mean to sound upset but she was. Why would they move away from them?
"Raye, your mother and I decided this was best for us." Big Jerry said a bit sternly.
"But what about us? Where are we going to go for Sunday dinners?" Raye began to cry.
Fitz sat in his chair taking it in. He never expected to see his sister become so upset. Although he wasn't happy with the move he respected their decision.
Janet moved to her daughter's side and began comforting her. She too was surprised by Raye's outburst.
"Honey, you can always visit us in Florida and we can come visit," Janet coaxed.
The room was quiet except for Raye's quiet sniffles.
Fitz sat up in his chair with his hands on his knees. "So, when do you plan on moving?"
Big Jerry cast him a glance. "Fall."
Now Fitz was distressed, "Dad, we're in fall."
"October month end," Jerry said specifically.
"Wow," Fitz exclaimed, realizing that was literally a month away.
Janet and Jerry exchanged glances, feeling sad that their kids weren't taking the news easy but this was something they were resilient in doing for themselves. The kids would just have to cope.
By the time Fitz got home the kids were already asleep and Olivia was preparing for bed. Early to bed early to rise was her motto, unless they were doing other things of course.
"Hey, how was dinner?" she asked, sitting in front of the vanity applying her face moisturizer.
"It was ok," he answered, leaning against the wooden furniture.
"Just ok?"
"Hmm mmm." He mumbled absentmindedly. Too caught up in the way she was skillfully massaging the white substance onto her face and neck.
"How are Big Jer and Jan doing?"
"They're good. Just packing to move to Florida." Fitz spoke casually.
"Oh right, I forgot they're snowbirds." Olivia snickered, always getting a kick out of calling them snowbirds.
"This time they're not coming back. They're moving permanently to the sunshine state."
Olivia's eyes widen at that news. "Since when?"
"Since however long they were planning to."
Olivia stood to her feet and moved to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, molding her body into his.
"How are you feeling about the move?" Her head rested on his chest, listening to his even heartbeats.
"I'm conflicted, I understand why they would want to relocate but I'm going to miss them."
"Me too." Olivia added softly.
Fitz sighed. "Raye was so upset she cried. I never expected her to be that upset. Damn…" He shook his head.
"Probably the hormones," Olivia mumbled underneath her breath.
"Huh?" Fitz asked, inhaling the scent of her hair.
"Nothing." She quickly said. Yesterday Raye found out she was pregnant and confided in her over a phone call.
"It's going to be ok," Olivia assured, smoothing her hand up and down his chest.
Fitz accepted her comfort and kissed her softly.
"I've been reading the brochure you gave me and… I think… maybe I could do it. I'm not committing yet."
Olivia smiled and pecked his lips again.
Fitz was unable to sleep. He tossed and turned his body all night, till Olivia elbowed him sharply in the rib. He had so much on his mind and sleep wasn't coming naturally. Taking a deep breath he carefully tossed the comforter from off of him and got up from the bed. He stretched his limbs above his head before pushing his feet into a pair of house moccasins he sometimes wore. His fingers itched to go play the baby grand piano to release some of the pent up emotions he was feeling. In just a pair of blue pajamas pants and a fitted white tee he exit their room quietly and moved stealthily towards the staircase.
He gingerly made his way through the dim lights and was walking towards the piano when he heard a loud bang coming from the kitchen. Alarmed by the sound Fitz decided to go see what was going on. He picked up a nearby ornament to use as a weapon and moved down the corridor. The closer he got he heard faint breathing and the rustling of plastic. With his heart hammering in his chest and the ornamental elephant perched in his hand Fitz flicked on the light switch to the kitchen.
Standing on a barstool in front of the pantry with a packet of Oreo in hand was a red face Tommy, looking like he had just seen a ghost.
"Tommy, what in the world… are you doing?"
Tommy looked at the packet of Oreo in his hand and back at his father. His goose was cooked.
A/N: I enjoyed writing this chapter and I would've written it longer if I had the time but I ran out of it. HAHAHA. I think I found my joy back for writing and it feels so good. :)
Ms. Iya heard her parents getting down, don't worry we will get back to that. LOL. And Fitz and Olivia are clueless as to why she's behaving shy around them. Smh.
Liv is still talking that vasectomy talk, we'll see if Fitz is going to do it. Should he?
Senor Grants are moving to Florida :(
Tommy got busted for his late night snack trips. LOL. Oh boy!
Let me know your thoughts on this chapter. I look forward to your reviews and here's to not waiting almost a month again to update this story. I'll try my best…
Until next time,
XOXO
PS: Checkout my one shot, Crazy in Love...