Party Prep

"Fitz, all I'm saying is, I don't understand why you asked her to arrive so early?" Anne disproves; busy stirring her big pot of chilli con carne on the stove, whilst simultaneously keeping eye on the rice and beans…

"Mum, trust me, Olivia getting here before the others is a good thing… there's less pressure that way, compared to her walking in on a full house, with all eyes staring…"

"Eyes will stare regardless Fitz…"

"Well they've all been told she's coming, so hopefully they won't be too shocked to see her in person…" Fitz counters, reaching up and pinning one end of Joshua's birthday banner up over the door. Apart from blowing up a few more balloons, the majority of party decorations were already up, setting the Superman theme perfectly…

"Joshua's going to be thrilled when he sees this!" Fitz grins, impressed with his efforts… He looks over at the clock, "In fact, shouldn't they be back by now?"

"Well, the shop we ordered the cake from, is on the other side of town… so I'd give them another, 20 minutes or so…" Anne replies, before motioning towards the pile of presents lying on the floor… "Seeing as you've almost finished with the decorations, can you arrange the presents at the end of the table please… and then see to it that we have enough paper plates! I sent your father out to get some earlier, but you know how domesticated he can be…"

"Sure thing mum."

Bless her, he could tell she was starting to get frazzled; always the hostess, she would have preferred everything to be ready before her guests arrived, or more precisely Olivia, but seeing as she was scheduled to turn up in the next half an hour a so, that was never going to happen… He was also aware; although she was trying her best not to show it, that a lot of her frustration now stemmed from the sheer anticipation of being around Olivia again… When he had run the idea past his parents a few weeks back, she was not exactly keen on the idea, understandably so, considering all that has happened, but nevertheless, she agreed and got Jerry to do the same.

The truth was, there was still a lot of hurt lying around… Olivia walking out the way she did, had as big of an impact on Jerry and Anne, as it did on him and Joshua. From his parents point of view, not only had their son's heart been broken, and their grandson had been left without a mother, they too had a lost a daughter… Olivia was as much a part of their family as anyone else… And as much as they didn't want to let on, wanting to remain strong for Fitz and Josh, they had grieved for Olivia too. Although over time, much like himself, sadness eventually turned into disappointment and resentment; and in his mum's case, she became even more protective, whereas Jerry became unforgiving. But regardless of how they might feel about Olivia, both of them agreed that her being back in Joshua's life was a good thing; and no matter what, Fitz and Joshua would always have their support.

In afterthought, Fitz asks… "Mum, Dad will be nice, won't he?"

His expression of hopefulness mixed with a tinge of doubt is priceless, and it causes her to giggle… "Of course son, he will be on his best behaviour… Although, If you should worry about anyone, it would be your cousin Mellie, seeing as your father invited both her and Teddy along too..." She teases.

"Mum, that's not funny…"

"Sorry, I'm only pulling your leg… Relax, your father's had a long conversation with Mellie, and she understands that today is not about interrogating Olivia… It's to celebrate Joshua's third birthday and nothing more!"

"I hope so, because we all know what she's like mum; speaking her mind is kind of her forte…"

"Indeed, but your dad assures me, she has nothing to say to her; literally NOTHING…"

Oh gosh… Fitz thinks bleakly. At least Abby and David would be coming to help balance the odds. Abby and Olivia were once very close, and although Abby did not agree with her leaving, she always protested that Olivia must have had just reasons behind her actions. He hopes that Olivia will appreciate having a friendly face amongst the crowd.

With the table set and superman paper plates all accounted for… Fitz returns to balloon duty, whilst Anne moves on to desert… She's making Joshua's favourite; blueberry muffins; which is also Olivia's favourite too. It's crazy how these things work out, as it so happens Joshua seemed to inherit the majority of his traits from his mother… His looks, his mannerisms, likes, dislikes- all of it was Olivia, and yet she hadn't been around to influence half of them. There was no doubt about it, Joshua was every bit hers, as he was Fitz. These past few weeks, two months even, had more than proved that… Watching them interact, talk and play with each other, it came so natural to them, like they were kindred spirits or something. For one, Joshua couldn't get enough of her. He'd come home after a visit, and it would be "Ms. Olivia this… Ms, Olivia that…" Even his mum and dad had noticed it.

Then again, what's not to like about her? She was young and fun, pretty too, and within reason she would do anything for him. She didn't have to discipline him, or tell him off either; their time together has been so regimented, that it didn't really afford her the opportunity to deal with the grumpy and stubborn side of Josh… Come to think of it, maybe it was time to test her mothering skills, beyond the playground setting, to see how she faired then? He was going to propose some changes to their visitations anyway and honestly, from what he has witnessed so far, she was more than ready… And if not, then he'd soon find out, especially if today was anything to go by.

Yes, once Joshua's birthday was out of the way, he'll discuss the necessary adjustments with her.

Right on schedule, just as Anne had predicted Jerry turns his keys in the door… "Hey guys…" Jerry greets them from the door, holding the big cake box out in front of him; blocking their view of him and of those behind him… "Look who we found outside…?"

Then, as if on cue Joshua announces brightly…"Ms. Olivia!"

Neither one of them failing to notice Joshua's hand still happily glued to hers; beaming from ear to ear.

"Hi everyone."