AN: Please read the author's note at the end, it's a bit long but it's sorta important. Thank you. Hope you enjoy the new update!
After Olivia had sent Iya to her room she was left standing in the middle of the living room looking down at the school's official letterhead on the paper. Sighing heavily she folded the letter and replaced it inside of the white envelope.
"Mom!" Tommy called, breaking her stupor. He was dressed in simple black basketball shorts and green Ninja Turtle T-shirt.
"Yes," she answered, walking towards him, as he descended the stairs.
"How are you?"
Olivia gave him a quizzical look before answering. "I am fine…"
"Are you sure?" He came to a stop in front of her and looked her square in the eyes with knitted eyebrows above his.
"I am. Why do you ask?" She laughed internally, peering down at his little face. He acted like a little grown person sometimes, she mused.
"I think you're upset with me and Iya. I'm sorry, please forgive me." His gray eyes looked intently into hers pleadingly.
Olivia's heart melted a little at his apology. He was too sweet, even when he was bad, she thought.
"I forgive you, sweetheart, but you and your sister are grounded for a week. And no more sweets until I think you've learned your lesson."
Tommy poked out his bottom lip slightly at her words. "But I've learned my lesson. No more sneaking behind you and dad's back. I promise I won't do it again."
"That's good to hear. But they're consequences to your actions, little man."
"I guess…" he mumbled and she ruffled his curls and planted a chaste kiss to his forehead.
"Where's Mia?" He asked, his tone much lighter and excited, as the thought of greeting his little sister plagued him.
"She's sleeping," Olivia answered.
"She sleeps a whole lot," Tommy stated, spreading his hands wide apart for emphasis.
"Well she's a baby and that's what they do."
"When is she going to grow up and play with us?"
"Next year she'll be able to walk and talk some."
"Mmm," he mumbled, plopping his bottom on the last step. "Was I like that when I was little?"
"Like what?" Olivia asked, taking a seat next to him on the stair and placing an arm around his shoulder.
"Cry-ey, poop-ey and sleepy."
Olivia laughed out loud and said, "yes you were and so was your big sister."
"Iya is still cry-ey," he laughed.
"Nah uh." Olivia shook her head.
"But it's the truth, mom. She was crying all the way home from school."
At his words she was reminded of what her daughter had gotten herself into. The thought made her clear her throat. For now she was allowing her heated blood to cool off before addressing the situation. It was best that she did.
Olivia was in the kitchen preparing an early dinner, trying to get it out of the way before Mia woke up. In the middle of making her macaroni casserole Mia had awaken, so she stopped what she was doing, turned the stove on low and went upstairs to grab her. After feeding and changing her she brought her downstairs and placed her in her bassinet and carried it into the kitchen, where it was settled next to the breakfast nook. Tommy who was sitting there reading a storybook since he wasn't allowed to watch TV, immediately began talking to her.
From the stove Olivia looked on at the duo and smiled but her smile faltered when she realized that not all of her children were present.
Setting the wooden spoon back into the cast-iron pot, she said, "Tommy can you go get Iya, please?" He nodded and in one fluid motion rushed out of the room to do her bidden.
A few short minutes later Tommy and Iya entered the room, with Tommy leading the way.
"Yes, mom." A sad, anxious face Iya walked up to her mother and humbly said. She too had changed from her school uniform and was dressed in a spaghetti strap, green dress. Her cheeks still bore tears stains and her normally clear eyes were red.
Olivia's heart softened at her and she exhaled. "I'm going to need you to keep an eye on your baby sister while I'm cooking, please. Can you do that?"
"Yes, mom," she answered and retreated towards Mia and Tommy before Olivia could say anything else.
By the time dinner was finished preparing the room was much lighter and Iya's mood had improved, thanks to the company of her little sister and brother who had her laughing at his silliness. She'd forgotten her earlier words about not talking to him. She was just glad that she had him to talk too.
Olivia ushered everyone upstairs for an early bath because it was going to be an early bedtime. When they were all dressed in their pajamas including her, they returned downstairs for dinner. She plated four plates of macaroni casserole, three for them and one for Daniel in the security room whose shift was coming to an end. Huck would be coming to stay overnight. Fitz made sure of it.
"Mom, where's dad?" Iya asked timidly, unsure if her mother was speaking to her.
Shit! She'd forgotten to tell them that he wasn't going to be home for a few days as the day's events consumed her thoughts. "Dad is in California, he had to fly out earlier today for an emergency meeting with an artist."
"Oh… I was wondering where he was. When is he coming back?" Tommy chimed in. He too was confused by the fact that he hadn't seen his father as yet.
"I'm not sure. Maybe on Sunday or Monday."
"So long…" Tommy whined.
Olivia nodded her head as she picked Mia up from the bassinet and cradled her in her arms, trying to get her to fall asleep. She was fussing after her bath; so it was only a matter of time before she entered into the land of dreams.
"Can we sleep with you tonight?"
"What's wrong with your bed, Tommy?" Olivia returned.
"Nothing. Dad said that when he's away I'm the man of the house." He puffed his chest out and hit it proudly. "And the man of the house sleeps in the master bedroom."
Olivia laughed and shook her head; no doubt he'd thrown in the last part. They continued eating and talking, mostly about small topics. Olivia was glad that their first night alone wasn't a total disaster.
It was approximately around 6 PM on the west coast and Fitz was waiting on his wife's video call. He'd called her earlier but she'd told him she would call him back after she was finished making dinner for the kids and getting them ready for bed.
He was currently stuck in his hotel room with no headway on changing Rihanna's mind from walking out on her contract. He couldn't even get a meeting with her because she was, and he quoted, "busy." It was frustrating having to deal with an artist who didn't respect your time. He'd much rather be home on the east coast with his wife and kids instead of having to be in LA.
Fitz was in the process of uncorking the lid of his smart water when he heard the familiar sound of his FaceTime ringing. Immediately he sat the bottle on the nearby table and grabbed his phone from the back pocket of his jeans.
He clicked on the green button on the home screen and waited for the video call to connect; and when it did, the familiar faces of his wife and daughter's flooded the screen. He could tell that they were seated on the couch in the living room. Iya was dressed comfortably in one of her blue and purple pajamas and he noticed his wife wearing one of his sleeping T-shirts. He smiled internally at that.
"Hi," he greeted them with a smile, bracing himself against the bedhead.
"Hi," his girls replied simultaneously.
"The little ones asleep?" He asked, trying to make small talks before moving on to meatier topics.
"They are. Mia tried to put up resistance but I got her down, eventually…"
"Good," Fitz smiled at his wife, his eyes sparkling with admiration and deep-set appreciation for all that she do. He then turned his attention on his daughter who looked uncharacteristically petrified as she sat next to her mother.
"You ready to tell us what happened today?" He asked her.
Iya nodded her head and clasped her hands tighter together that were rested in her lap.
"Ok, what happened?" Fitz' voice was calm and even.
She took a deep breath and began talking. "Tiffany, Zoey, Kendra and I were in the lunch line when Tiffany saw Niketa coming and she said, here comes chinky eyes, and we all laughed." Iya recounted, remorseful.
Olivia rubbed her left-hand over her left eye in an attempt to relieve some tension building up there.
Turning towards Iya, Olivia asked, "Do you know the meaning of chinky eyes?"
Iya shook her head no.
"What do you think it means?" Fitz added.
She hesitated before replying, making sure to think over her answer. "I think it means another word for tiny or small."
Fitz and Olivia met each other's eyes through the screen before looking at their daughter.
"It definitely means small and it's a form of insult, a mockery to Asian culture," said Fitz. He paused for a few seconds before continuing, "you might not have spoken the word directly, but the fact that you laughed makes your mother and I concern. We're not raising you to become a bully, whether by association or freewill. "
"What do we tell you when it comes to peer pressure?" His words were concise but not brash; his eyes were cooling yet intense, as he peered into his daughter's gray orbs.
Iya wiped at the fallen tears that escaped her eyes, the intensity of the moment overwhelming her. "To be a leader and not a follower," she recited.
"Exactly, sweetheart. I know that this time in your life you might feel that your friends have a great influence on you and they do, but you're an individual. It's ok to be the odd one out when you're standing up for what is right. Because at the end of the day you're responsible for your actions and you face consequences for said actions."
"Yes, Dad." Iya said, letting her father know that she was listening and she heard him.
From their interaction Olivia's heart softened a bit, she didn't feel as angry as she did when she first found out; she was glad that she allowed herself time to cool off, instead of speaking in haste.
Silence fell upon the trio as they absorbed the words spoken out loud.
Moving her hands from off of her lap, Olivia grabbed her daughter's dainty ones and squeezed it. Getting her attention, she said, "you remember when we were in Miami around Christmas time and that old lady from the mall called me a dirty word?"
Iya nodded.
"You remember how upset and hurt I was on my way back to Grandma's house?"
Iya nodded again.
"I can assure you that's how Niketa felt when she was called that word, it not only insults her but her entire culture."
"Mom, I'm sorry for laughing. Whatever I need to do I'll do to make it up to her. I feel so horrible. I'll never do it again," Iya wailed, unable to hold it any longer, and the memory her mother conjured heaped upon her like hot coals.
Olivia wrapped an arm around her small shoulders and brought her into her side; her slender body racking with tears as she comforted her.
Fitz looked on as his wife consoled their daughter as she cried her eyes out. No doubt she was remorseful for her actions and likely wouldn't repeat her mistake again.
When her tears had quieted and it was only sniffles, Olivia placed her hand underneath her chin so that she could look into her eyes and said, "I want you to write a letter to Niketa apologizing for your behavior and asking for her forgiveness. In addition, going forward we hope to never receive such a letter from your school. No more bullying. If your friends are bullies, you might want to reconsider having new friends. You got that?"
"Yes, Mom."
"And you're grounded for two weeks." Fitz jumped in.
"Ok." Iya wiggled her mouth.
Silence ensued for a few seconds and Olivia broke it by leaning forward and planting a loud kiss on Iya's cheek. "We love you, Sweet Cheeks, and we want you to be the best version of yourself. Kind, loving, nurturing, empathetic, brave, bold, courageous… You get my picture?"
"I do," Iya smiled for the first time for that evening.
"I love you, sweetheart," Fitz chimed in, blowing her a kiss and making her laugh in the process at his silliness.
"I love you too," she finally returned to both of her parents.
"Well… that wasn't so bad." Olivia breathed out an hour later after seeing Iya to bed and having a brief talk with Huck about tomorrow's plan. She'd ended the FaceTime with Fitz earlier and had reinitiated a new one when she got in bed.
"Not bad. I think she learned her lesson," Fitz replied.
"Me too. I miss you," Olivia jutted out her bottom lip at the screen.
"I miss you too," he sighed, running a hand over his face. "Are you holding up on your own or do you need me to see if mom can come over?"
"If I didn't know that suggestion came from a place of love, I would take serious offense right now," Olivia laughed.
"Why?" He grinned.
"Which woman on earth would like their mother in law to know that they can't handle their kids alone? None."
Fitz laughed at her answer, he found it ironic that she would say that when they had a full time nanny, but he didn't dare voice his thoughts.
Sobering up from her laughter, she asked, "So, how's everything going on your end? Did you get to meet her?"
Fitz sighed and wiped his mouth with his free hand.
"No… I swear I could just… just forget about her and move the hell on. I don't like working with people who do not respect time."
"Then drop her," Olivia said matter-of -factly.
Fitz chuckled at her brusqueness. "I can't just drop her. I need her to-"
"No you don't. You don't need her for anything. You're III Legend, four time Grammys' winner. Why do you think you need her? Don't you think you've been doing a good job on your own as a music producer?" Olivia asked seriously.
Fitz shrugged his shoulder and sighed. He took a few seconds to think before he said, "I don't know. In this business you always have to stay at the front of everyone else and these days I feel like I'm behind. I'm not singing anymore and this is pretty much the only thing I do and I need to be successful."
"You are successful," Olivia reminded.
Fitz gave an impatient grunt. "I know that but in this… you won't understand." He gave up trying to put into words what he really meant.
"Help me understand, baby," she softened the tone of her voice.
Fitz hesitated before speaking, "I just don't feel so young anymore. I'm getting up there in age and this business likes when you're fresh face. Maybe she doesn't want me to product her album because I'm an old man with no freshness?"
Olivia kept herself from laughing out loud, not that she didn't empathize with him but that she found him cute fussing over something that probably wasn't relevant to his current distress. Instead of immediately responding she took a moment to kill the bubbles of laughter threatening to rise up.
"First of all, forty-two doesn't make you an old man. Last time I checked you were as agile as a thirty year old." She winked before continuing, "Sweetheart, I know that you're concerned about this contract but I'm telling you that you don't need her to be successful when you already are. Age brings experience, and plenty of that you have. She would be lucky to have you as a producer for her new album."
"You're right," Fitz conceded after a beat. "If she doesn't cooperate by tomorrow, I'm ending it and booking a flight home, to my kids and you…" He ended softly, placing emphasis on you. Olivia rolled her eyes while blushing.
The couple spent a few more minutes on the phone before Olivia yawned a good night and I love you, as slumber took over her body. She wanted to get enough sleep so that she'll be prepared for tomorrow's activities. But the minute she closed her eyes the wailing sound emitting from the baby monitor alerted her of Princess Amia's awakening. Grumbling to herself she walked towards the nursery where she retrieved the infant and carried her to her bed for the rest of the night.
The next morning Olivia arose before everyone else and made her way downstairs to begin breakfast. They were running on a tight schedule since Tommy had to be at soccer practice for ten. On her way down Huck notified her that he was going to drive them to soccer practice, because Daniel wasn't coming in till afternoon and Tom was in California with Fitz. She gave him her approval and retired to the kitchen where she quickly prepared a hot breakfast for her and the kids. By the time she had finished it was almost 8:30. Before leaving the kitchen she plated their breakfast and sat the plates around the breakfast nook.
She first went to Tommy's room and woke him, which he grumbly did but got up nonetheless. Then she went to Iya's room; she was surprised to see that she was already up and sitting at her desk writing something.
"Good morning, Sweet Cheeks." She greeted, as she made her way further into her room.
"Good morning, Mom." She stopped writing and gave her mother her undivided attention.
When Olivia got closer to her desk she noticed that she was writing on a piece of pink paper, probably tore it from her journal, she thought. Nearby was her dictionary and she had all colors of markers splayed across the desktop.
"What you up to?" Olivia asked, already guessing what it was.
"I'm writing Niketa's letter."
"Oh ok. That's good. Are you finished with it?"
"I think so. Can you read it and check my spelling, please?"
"Sure." Olivia accepted the letter from her daughter and read it in her head.
Dear Niketa,
I'm very sorry for laughing at you in the cafeteria on Friday. I'm normally a very polite and kind person. On Friday I had a laps in judgment. My parents talked to me and told me that the words Tiffany called you are an insult to your culture and I'm very sorry that she used it. I didn't know that but it still is not an excuse for laughing. You see, my mom and I have experienced name-calling before and it is not nice. So I'm so so sorry for what I did. I hope that we can be friends because I would like to be your friend.
So so sorry,
Iya Grant
Olivia stared at the designs she'd drawn on the page; there were flowers and hearts in all colors filling the empty spots on the pink paper. When she was finished taking in the artistic design on the page, she looked up at Iya who was looking at her nervously.
"Good job," she paused. "I hope she'll accept your apology." Olivia browsed the page again and said, "laps in judgment should be spelled l-a-p-s-e. Other than that your spelling was good and your grammar, too." She handed over the paper to her.
"Thank you," Iya mumbled, collecting the piece of paper from her mom before making the corrections.
"You're a great kid, and I'm lucky to have you as my daughter." Olivia leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. It was no denying that she loved her kids even when they messed up she loved them.
Iya smiled brightly and reveled in her mother's affection. She couldn't ask for a better mother, actually… better parents.
The clock struck 9:30 and it was full mayhem in the Grants' house. They were supposed to leave fifteen minutes ago but they couldn't find Tommy's soccer cleats and he couldn't remember where they were last stored, so they were on a hunt for them.
"If we're going to make it a little on time we'll have to leave now, we'll just grab a fresh pair on the way," Olivia said impatiently after they still hadn't locate the pair of black cleats.
"Oh… no," Tommy sang, hitting his forehead with a palm. "My soccer cleat is in dad's jeep." He now remembered leaving them there after last week's practice.
"Ok, we'll still have to buy a new one because his jeep isn't at home." Fitz and Tom had left his jeep at the airport. "Alright people, let's get going. Chop, chop!" she ushered them down the stairs.
Huck had already carried out their lawn chairs and a small umbrella to shade Mia in particular. A small cooler filled with water and juice, and a large diaper bag was also stored in the trunk of the SUV.
They managed to securely sit in the large SUV within five minutes before driving out into the busy streets of Manhattan. Luckily they were able to access a mall that had a sporting goods store not too far from them. Olivia told Huck to stay curbside while she quickly dislodged from the vehicle and brisk walked into the mall and grabbed a new pair of juniors' soccer cleats. On her way out of the mall she was bombarded by paparazzi flashing their cameras at her. She ignored their shouting and quickly climbed back into the dark SUV with tinted windows that securely shielded her children from their inrtusion.
"Everyone good?" she asked out of breath, looking back to see their alert faces after buckling up. Tommy was seated at one end in his booster seat, Iya on the other end, and Mia in the middle in her car seat but she couldn't see her face because of the infant style car seat.
"Yea but your hair is not," Iya returned with a grin.
"What's wrong with my hair?" Olivia self-consciously touched her hair. Since her tapered cut from several months ago, her hair was still growing out and it was in an awkward stage. She thought she'd secured it neatly in a low ponytail but that wasn't the case when she checked her reflection in the compact mirror to see that most of her hair was sticking out.
Olivia groaned, she needed to do something with her hair. She hadn't done anything but washed it occasionally after removing the box braids a month ago. With the baby and working out she truly didn't have time to do much to it.
"Lose the ponytail and let the curls go free… like me…." Iya squealed, touching her curls that were roaming freely around her head and shoulders. She was in a particularly good mood.
Olivia accepted her advice and pulled off the small elastic band that was securing her hair. With her fingers she ran it through her kinky curls to elongate them. When some semblance of order had taken place with her hair she stow away the mirror.
The car was filled with lively chatters as Huck navigated the SUV along the busy roads. At 10:30 AM they finally made it to soccer practice. Tommy who was already dressed in his soccer uniform (black shorts and yellow and black jersey) and the new pair of cleats leaped out of the SUV and ran towards the group of little boys and girls that were already assembled together. Coach Bright had known they were running late because Olivia had called him on their way over, so he accepted the little boy with no disapproving frown.
In the meantime Huck carried the portable lawn chairs and umbrella close to where the other parents were sitting and some standing. Iya followed after him with the small cooler in hand and Olivia not too far behind with Mia wrapped securely in the Moby baby wrap on her chest while toting her diaper bag.
The minute she arrived at the small makeshift sitting area some of the women came up to Olivia and began fawning over the new Grant and old alike. Olivia laughed and indulged in conversations with them while Iya blushed at their comments of how much she's growing up.
Meanwhile Huck was looking around in all directions to maintain the safety of the Grants.
"Sean, it was so good seeing you and I appreciate the strings you pulled for me while I was out here. Thank you so much," Fitz said before pulling his friend into a manly hug.
"You don't even gotta say thank you but you're welcome, anyways." Sean patted his back and Fitz smiled. "So, you're heading back east already?"
Fitz nodded. "Yes, sir. Going home to my family."
Sean smirked, "who would've thought you would've been this family man? I certainly did the minute I saw you with Olivia."
Fitz laughed before adding, "well before her there wasn't much of anyone."
"I hear you. I'm just happy to see that after all these years you two are still as in love as the first time you brought her for dinner."
"I would say it got better. Not a bed of roses but better." He admitted truthfully.
"I'll have to bring the wife to New York to see the new princess since the pictures you sent weren't enough."
Fitz laughed and nodded. "Please do, my home is open to you two."
"Thanks, son. You finish packing and go home to your wife and kids."
The men shook hands and hugged again before Fitz watched as Sean climbed into his Mercedes Benz. They'd just had breakfast together and Fitz was returning to the hotel to pack and head back east.
Olivia, Iya and Mia were all seated at the sideline cheering on Tommy whenever he had the ball while Huck stayed standing vigilant. Tommy looked so adorable running around with his other peers, his curly hair held back with a thin headband. Even Mia seemed to enjoy it as she gurgled along instead of crying.
Olivia's phone began ringing and she quickly answered it before the sound could upset Amia. She did so without even looking at the screen.
"Hello," she answered.
"Hello, is this Olivia Grant?" She heard a female's voice over the phone.
"This is she," Olivia replied, removing the phone briefly to check the number but it was private.
"Hi, I'm Niketa's mom, Jia Long."
"Oh, hi!" Olivia's voice took on a cheery tone. "Thank you so much for calling me."
"I was given your phone number by the school's secretary yesterday," Jia replied evenly.
"Yes, I asked Ms. Conway to do that for me. I wanted to personally reach out to you from one parent to another to apologize for my daughter's behavior. I understand what it's like to send your child to school, a place where it should be a safe haven for them but they get hurt, be it physical or emotional. I share in your pain and I'm deeply sorry for the words spoken to your daughter and for the part my daughter played. I've asked her to write a letter to Niketa, which she has; and I hope that it would be ok if she gave it to her?" Olivia stopped from talking so that the other woman can speak. She looked around to see if anyone was listening in to her conversation but most people were busily looking at the first and second graders on the field.
"I appreciate that, Mrs. Grant-"
"Olivia, you can call me Olivia," she interrupted.
"Olivia. Thank you for apologizing, and whether or not my daughter will accept your daughter's letter is completely up to her. I hope you will understand when I say, I in no way am judging your daughter but she may want to reconsider who her friends are. From what my daughter has told me, she's the only one in the group that is normally nice to her. She was even shocked that she laughed when the slur was spoken. From one mother to another I thought you might want this insight."
Olivia looked over to Iya who was playing with Mia's naked toes; she hadn't bothered to put socks on her feet as it was bit hot. Was her company really that bad? She asked herself. The last thing she wanted to do was tell her that she could no longer be friends with them anymore, but on the other hand she didn't want to see her child become rotten by bad influence.
"Thank you for saying that." Olivia eventually snapped out of her thoughts and spoke. "How's Niketa doing?"
"She's good. Believe it or not, this isn't her first trip to the rodeo where this is concerned. She's a tough girl because that's the only way she can survive in a world that can be cruel."
Olivia noticed that Mrs. Long wasn't one to mince her words and she for one liked her no nonsense persona.
"I hear you. Is there anyway you would agree to maybe lunch or dinner as a family with my family, a peace treaty?"
Jia sighed before saying; "I'll have to discuss this with my husband but thanks for the offer."
"Fair enough. Well, you have my phone number; call me if you ever decide to take me up on that offer. I appreciate you calling me today and for listening to me. Please extend my apologies to your daughter and I'm sure my daughter will do the same when she sees her at school."
"Will do. Have a good day, Olivia."
"You too, -" the phone was disconnected before she was finished speaking.
A few seconds had barely passed when her phone began ringing again. This time she looked at the caller ID and saw that it was her husband, she answered.
"Hey, baby," she answered sweetly.
"Hey…" his deep baritone voice rumbled and it gave Olivia unexpected Goosebumps. You would think that after being together for over eleven years she would be use to his charms.
"We're at the park for Tommy's soccer practice." She went into to tell him how chaotic it had been to get there with not finding the little boy's cleats.
"I'm so sorry I'm not there." He genuinely was.
"It's ok. You had important things to take care of. How is that coming, though?"
Fitz chuckled dryly as he recalled last night's events. "She was bullshitting me all this time, she had no real plans to back out. Apparently, this is her shitty way of testing people she works with. Something along the line of, people who go the extra mile to get their work done is the kind of person she wants to work with."
"So it was a secret test?" Olivia asked annoyed. Seriously… who did she think she was? She didn't like this woman demanding so much from her husband but she decided to push those feelings away.
"It was and I passed. We'll start recording in the new week."
"That's good…" Olivia said, partially enthused and partially annoyed so her voice came across flat. "When are you coming home?"
"Already on my way to the airport," he answered, gleeful.
It was incredulous that she felt a rush of relief from his words. It hadn't even been a full 24 hours since he'd left and she was happy to hear he was on his way home.
Smiling widely, she said, "yay."
Fitz chuckled in her ears, "I'll see you soon, honey. I just got to the airport and the papz are out in full force."
"Be safe, love you."
"Love you too, Livvie. Tell the kids I love them and will see them later."
"Will do."
They stayed on the phone for a few more seconds before disconnecting it.
Fitz and Tom were walking through the entrance of the airport, unfortunately where all of the paparazzi had gathered. They were flashing cameras and loud shouting. For the most part Tom and Fitz were moving through the swarm with ease until Fitz heard a question that piqued his interest.
"III Legend, III Legend, is it true you and your wife are heading for a divorce?"
The Fuck! Why would they say something like that? He thought. Fitz was going to leave it alone but sometimes when rumors go unanswered they create havoc.
Briefly turning his head to the paparazzi that shouted the question, he said, "No." A simple word, complete in its own essence.
"Why were you seen leaving Rihanna's Malibu house around two this morning?" The same paparazzi questioned and he stared blank faced.
After practice a sweaty Tommy ran up to them and they all gave him high-fives for his work on the field. Shortly after, they packed up their belongings and reloaded the SUV. On the way out they recounted the game, even Huck pitched in on how good Tommy was playing.
On their way home they ordered Chinese takeout.
When they arrived home everyone freshened up, and Olivia put a tired Mia down to sleep after she'd fed, changed and wiped her off with baby wipes. With the other two kids up they ate an assortment of Chinese food in the living room. Olivia had almost turned on the television but quickly remembered that Tommy and Iya were grounded from watching, so after lunch she suggested that they read a book or go take a nap. Surprisingly, Tommy took up the offer to nap, claiming that he was tired from his practice.
With just her and Iya in the living room, Olivia thought it was a good time to bring up her conversation with Niketa's mom. She started off by telling her about their earlier conversation, recounting what they talked about. In closing, she asked her, "Do you think your friends are badly influencing you?"
Iya was sitting in the chair across from her mother with her feet underneath her, she didn't reply immediately. Instead she swished her mouth from side to side in thought.
"I don't always agree with everything they do," she offered as an answer.
Olivia nodded, thinking over her answer. "Is it often that you disagree with them?"
Iya gestured with both hands that it was in the middle.
"Ok. So what do you do when you disagree with them? Stand for what you believe in or go with the crowd?"
"Both. Sometimes I don't follow them and sometimes I do."
Olivia accepted her answer as a rational one. After all she was once a young girl and had undergone the same behavior, so she sympathized.
"In life it's important that you think for yourself, I'm not saying that you won't have moments where you follow the multitude because you will. I have, but the main thing I hope you do, is pave your own path."
"I know mom. Be a leader and not a follower," she recited.
Olivia smiled and gave her a nod.
A few seconds passed them in silence before Iya broke it.
"Mom, can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Olivia was secretly enjoying this one on one time with her daughter, if she must confess.
"Were you and dad having sex in the kitchen the other night?" Iya's face was contorted to display her discomfort with the question.
Olivia almost choked on her own saliva. Her mouth opened and closed as she vehemently gasped for air. Holding onto her chest in panic, she spoke in short spurs, "oh my god… oh my god. Did you… did you see something?"
Iya shook her head no.
"So why do you ask that?"
"I heard you making funny sounds and dad was…" she trailed when the memory of the night was roused in her mind.
"Ok, ok, you don't have to say more." Olivia put both hands up. She too couldn't stand the recollection of that night being told from her nine years' old perspective. She took a deep breath to calm her beating heart and somersaulting stomach. She had nothing to be ashamed of, right? But yet she felt exposed that somehow their daughter was privy to the sound of their lovemaking.
Immaturely covering her face, Olivia laughed into her hands. She couldn't believe the moment she was in. Fitz was really lucky that he'd missed all of this.
Composing herself, she looked into her daughter's curious but also uncomfortable eyes. "Well… your father and I do have sex, that's what mature adults, preferably married couples in love do." Olivia didn't confirm whether they did or didn't on the night she overhear. She also threw in "married couples" knowing that Fitz would've said it.
"In the kitchen, though? What happen to your bed?" Iya squished her face and Olivia's became heated with embarrassment.
Great! Just freaking great. She wasn't ready to talk about this right now, she had a difficult 24 hours and it was getting even more so unusual.
"I'm not going to answer that," said Olivia with a small headshake and chuckle in her voice.
"Ok…" Iya trailed before getting up to her feet. "I'm going to go up to my room now, and read."
"Ok." Olivia watched as Iya hastily began walking out of the room and when she was just about to enter the hallway, she called after her asking, "do you have any questions about sex?" It was the adult thing for her to ask even though she really wasn't mentally prepared to go there that day.
"Uh… not right now." Iya scrunched up her face, shaking her head.
"Ok, have fun reading," Olivia breathed a sigh of relief.
"Mmmhmm," Iya hummed before heading to her bedroom.
When she departed Olivia took that moment to completely spread hers limbs on top the oversize couch. She was in need of a glass of wine.
Around 4 PM, Fitz was walking through the front door. He entered the foyer and to his surprise the house was awfully quiet. With his suitcase in hand he first walked to the living room but it was empty, then he moved to the kitchen (the second most popular room in their house) but he found no one. Daniel made his way out of the security room, a small room next to the kitchen that they'd constructed out of Fitz' office, to briefly greet him.
Wanting to surprise his family he didn't call out their names but instead stealthily moved up the stairs. The minute he arrived on the second level of the house he heard lots of laughter flowing from the ajar door of the master bedroom, straight down the hall. Fitz followed the sound until he came to a stop in front of the door.
Peeking around the door he saw a glimpse of Tommy and Iya dancing to Omi's Cheerleader, playing from their mother's phone. Slowly pushing the door he was able to see them more visibly, Tommy break dancing and Iya doing some new age dance he wasn't quite familiar with.
The creak of the door alerted them of his presence and they all stopped what they were doing.
"Daddy!" Iya and Tommy called in unison, rushing towards him. Fitz' face broke into a wide grin as he scooped them up into his arms. Their slender arms wrapped around him tightly, as they soaked in his affection.
Pulling apart from what felt like an everlasting hug, Fitz cast his eyes on his wife sitting against the bedhead with a bright-eyed Amia holding onto her index finger.
"You're back so soon?" Iya asked, looking around him to spot his suitcase at the door.
Towering over them by several feet he nodded his head. "Everything went smoothly so I got to leave early."
"Yay! Dad, you should've seen the goal I made today!" Tommy interrupted.
"That's awesome. Bring it here," Fitz said, giving him his palm for him to smack, which he did with his little hands.
"Anything else happened since I left?" Fitz asked, looking between the two faces.
Tommy said nothing but turned his attention onto his sister, as if to silently say that something happened with her.
"Nothing that you don't already know about dad." Iya vocalized with a small smile.
"Ok, just checking." Fitz raised his eyebrows and smiled.
Finally moving pass them he made his way to the bed on the same side Olivia and Amia was on.
"I thought you'd forgotten about us," Olivia jested.
"Never," he whispered, bending over to plant a chaste kiss on her lips that was a little longer than intended.
"Ewww… Tommy let's go." Somewhere in the room Iya said after witnessing their kiss. She still had mental scars about hearing them so she didn't want to see.
With the kids dashing out of the room at the speed of lightening Fitz pulled apart laughing. "What's that about?" he cackled, kissing the cheeks of their infant daughter.
"That is a child who has heard her parents frolicking in the kitchen."
Fitz still laughing didn't fully get what she was saying. "Good thing she only heard and not seen."
"You find that funny, huh?" Olivia slapped his arms to get his attention. "It was traumatizing and mortifying when she brought it up."
"Brought what up?" Fitz stopped laughing and gave her his undivided attention.
"I said, Iya heard us having sex in the kitchen one night and the poor child is scarred for life and so am I." Olivia dramatized.
Fitz' mouth fell open and his eyes almost protruding out of his head at the full realization of what she'd said.
"What! How?"
"That's what our risqué behavior gets us. From now on no more sex outside of the four walls of our bedroom."
"That's boring," Fitz quipped.
"You should've thought of that before you decided to have kids."
"True. Can we undo that decision?"
"Shut up!" Olivia laughed and playfully swapped him again.
"I'm serious, woman," he said cheekily, taking Amia from her arms, contradicting his words as he lavished more kisses onto her plump cheeks.
The couple caught up briefly about their day before moving the party downstairs to join the other two Grant children that were playing board games. For two kids that were grounded they were creating a lot of fun without the use of technology. Fitz joined in the fun while Olivia and Amia looked on from their seat on the couch.
While looking on at the heated game of Sorry, Olivia's phone chimed, signaling an incoming message; she looked at the screen and saw that it was from an unknown number, so she opened it. It was a lone picture of Fitz walking out of what was labeled as Rihanna's house, wearing a wide smile. The titled was, "What is III Legend doing coming out of Superstar Riri's house at 2 in the morning?"
Olivia looked up from her phone and cast her eyes on her husband who was engrossed in the game with their children. Her mind told her not to jump to any hasty conclusions, he had to have a reason for this, she thought. She trusted him, right? He wouldn't do anything to hurt her, right? But the image of him smiling while walking down the short walkway from the house left her befuddled.
The Grants had a nice relaxing dinner; Fitz offered to cook his infamous spaghetti and meatball that the kids absolutely enjoyed. Their meal flowed with endless conversation, so by the time he had volunteered to get all the kids ready for bed they were all worn out and made his tasked easier, including Mia. Fitz was also able to talk to Iya while he tucked her into bed about the incident and was confident that she wasn't going to make the same mistake again, she assured him and he believed her. He kissed her along with the other two good night before retiring to the master bedroom.
Walking in preppy stepped, he was in a good mood and was even in the mood to show his wife how much. But instead of finding her already between the sheets she was sitting on top of them while furiously swiping the screen on her iPad.
"What you got there?" Fitz asked, moving closer to her.
Wordlessly she lifted up the iPad and turned it around for him to see.
Are the Grants heading for Divorce? Some say yes, while some say no. III Legend was seen early this morning coming out of R&B and Pop Singer, Rihanna's house while his wife, Olivia, was seen on the east coast looking a bit disheveled while taking care of their three kids. Do we sense stress and tension between the couple? Is this the end for the two?
Below the dreadful paragraph were the pictures of Fitz walking out of Rihanna's house, the one that was taken with Olivia exiting the mall they'd stop at to grab a pair of soccer cleats for Tommy (her hair was a bit unkempt in the photo hence the use of the word disheveled), and the last picture was of her and the kids at Tommy's soccer practice.
"I'm not going to jump to conclusions but I need to ask, why were you at Rihanna's house, especially so late?" Olivia asked in an even tone, setting the iPad on the nightstand next to her.
Fitz plopped down on the bed at her feet side, gently placed them into his lap and began massaging her soles. He did this for a minute before he began talking.
"After we spoke last night, I was waiting for a call from Sean because he'd received word that she was heading to a club. Initially, I was planning to go there and confront her, but I decided not to when I found out it was a BDSM club."
Olivia's eyes widen. He thought right, she mused.
"Long story short I was going to throw the towel in and forget about the whole contract, but then I got a call around midnight from her saying that she wanted to review the contract. So I hopped on the opportunity and went to her place. And before you ask, no… I wasn't there by myself. Tom was with me but of course the paparazzi would cut him out of the picture. He was at the front and I was walking behind. Anyways, I got to her house and we did went over the contract along with her manager and that's when she told me this was all a test, blah blah."
Fitz finished with an eye roll while his hands continued to skillfully massage her feet.
"I swear I don't like her demanding your time. I'm the only woman who should be in that position," Olivia said haughtily and Fitz chuckled.
"Don't worry about her, Babe."
"I'm not worried about her but I'm keeping my eyes on her. I'm watching her like a hawk," Olivia confessed, gesturing with her index and middle finger, pointing at her eyes and then at him.
Fitz squeezed her feet into his hands. "We'll deal with the media's scandalous and trifling attempts at making our lives miserable but right now, I just want to take care of my wife. "
"How do you plan on taking care of me?" She asked sultry.
"You stay here," he said, gently lifting her feet from off of his lap and resting it on the bed before moving into their en suite toilet and bath.
Twenty minutes later, she was soaking in their oversize bathtub although she had showered earlier, with her head rested against his shoulder. She felt peaceful and tranquil enveloped in his arms, surrounded by warm, sudsy, sweet smelling water.
"We need a vacation, just the two of us," Fitz said, breathing in the coconut scent of her hair.
Olivia hummed her agreement. It had been years since they were on a vacation by themselves, always choosing to tag their children along, not like they had a problem with it. Where they go there children also went. But, it would be nice for a change where it was just the two of them, rekindling the fire and love they have for each other. Although it burned daily, sometimes it was good to add a little gasoline to it and set it ablaze, scorching themselves in the process.
"Where do you want to go to?" Fitz placed a soft kiss on her neck.
"Some place I've never been before," she answered.
"That's a difficult feat since we've been to most places."
"Most… not all," she reiterated. "Surprise me."
Fitz took that opportunity to suck on her earlobe while simultaneously moving a hand from her waist to cup one of her luscious breasts.
Olivia knew that the night had turned for the better and she allowed him to fondle her breasts and kiss on her neck. She could already feel the evidence of his arousal on her backside and it increased the flow of wetness already present at her center.
Taking his other hand he moved it between her legs and she opened them wider to grant him access. His skillful fingers began playing with her lips before spreading them apart to expose her engorged pearl. The minute his index finger made contact with it she let out a long moan.
"You're so wet," he groaned, feeling the stickiness on his finger although they were immersed in water. His finger began tapping rhythmically on the tip of her clit, sending enough pleasure of wave through it.
"Fitz…" Olivia hissed, bucking against his hand but he kept her up by the lone hand between her two breasts.
She cried and pealed as he played with her clit like a fine tune key on his piano until he brought her to an orgasm, squirting even. Panting and gasping for air, she was powerless underneath his touch. After years of lovemaking he could blindly make his way around her erogenous spots. He knew what she needed and how much pressure to apply to leave her a quivering mess in his arms and he did just that, with a simple strum of varying frequencies to her clit.
"Let's get out of here," his deep voice rumbled from behind her. Olivia didn't think she could walk, her legs felt like jelly, but he gently eased her up by the waist and she climbed out of the bathtub and he followed after. She grabbed a towel as she watched him let out the water. The rippling back muscles undulated with each movement he made, accompanied by the taut muscles on his ass cheeks and when he turned around his erect member was a vision to behold, sticking out fully hard and veiny between his strong thighs.
Olivia gasped feeling her arousal heightening again, a fresh coat of moisture flowed out of her. He sauntered over to her and grabbed the towel she was using. Standing an inch or two in front of her, he pat dried his skin with the same towel while staring hungrily into her eyes. When he was finished he dropped the towel between them and lowered his mouth to hers. He kissed her hungrily and passionately, pushing his tongue into her mouth without waiting for an invitation.
Seconds passed like this where he devoured her mouth before pulling apart.
"Get on the bed on all fours," he rumbled in a low tone.
A spark of excitement ran through her body at the thought of being thoroughly fucked. Like she'd thought earlier, after years of being intimate with him he knew exactly what she needed and how. And right now she wanted to be fucked, after a stressful ordeal that was always her preference when it came to their lovemaking. So being the attentive lover that he was he knew exactly what she needed, her brains needed to be turn mush and she welcomed the experience.
The minute she turned her back to him a sharp spank landed across her left butt cheek and she moaned aloud, not even bothering to repress it.
She did as she was told and clambered onto their king-sized bed, propping up her elbows onto two of the Siberian down pillows. The anticipation of what was to come left her dripping and the minute she felt his weight sunk onto the bed she almost orgasm from that alone.
Fitz admired her luscious ass sticking up in the air and also the wetness of her pink center. He had to have a taste of her; he couldn't pass up on the opportunity.
Spreading her legs wider he laid his head onto the mattress between them before lowering her onto his face, where he devoured her until she was a limp body on his face. He rose from between her legs with her cum all over his face but refused to wipe it off. Moving his body up to lie next to her head he kissed her softly. Her eyes were fluttering; she looked half asleep.
"You good, babe?"
"Mmmhmm,"she yawned.
Fitz gulped audibly knowing that he wasn't going to get his release that night. He could tell that the two-earthshattering orgasm had tired her out. And before he could resign to his fate small cries began sounding on the baby monitor.
"Your turn," she mumbled sleepily before turning her back on him and falling deeper into sleep.
Fitz chuckled to himself and shook his head before moving to their bathroom, where he took a quick cold shoulder and got dressed. By the time he got to Mia's room she was full-blown into tears so he took her out of her cradle and carried her over to the rocking chair where he began singing the same song he sang to Iya when she was her age.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you,
Please don't take my sunshine away
By the time he was finished with the chorus she was fast asleep. Instead of immediately returning her to her cradle, he kept her a bit longer in his arms, reveling in her softness and smell.
AN: I hope that this chapter was enjoyable. I know that it was hella long but I had to make it up to you. I will be going on a summer hiatus; I will try to update my other stories before I officially start it. I have family coming in from overseas for a while and plan to spend as much time with them, but writing would get in the way of that hence the hiatus. This is just an FYI so you won't think I've disappeared like in the past. LOL.
Onto the story, quite a few things happened. Iya has learned her lesson and have also written a letter to Niketa in hopes that she would forgive her. Niketa's mom left it completely up to her daughter to accept. Do you agree with her choice to not meddle in the affair or she should've been more assertive with it?
Tommy as always is the cute and thoughtful one, asking his mommy if she was ok and saying that he was the man of the house when dad is not there. HA! I must say, I truly enjoy writing him.
Iya did confront her mom about the kitchen sex but it was an awkward conversation, Olivia was completely blindsided which we all could understand. Hopefully, in the future they're able to have a more fleshed out conversation about sex. I wanted to keep the moment realistic and not perfect because I feel sometimes I can write them that way. I gave them both spaces to react naturally to the topic, so I hope I was able to bring that across.
Fitz was caught exiting Riri's house but he had good reason. Did you think Olivia handled it well when she saw the picture?
I would love to read your comments about this chapter. I appreciate them ALL.
When I get back from my hiatus I plan on doing a time jump. What would you like to see going forward? Leave suggestions.
Until next time,
XOXO.
PS: enjoy your summer!