Mama

She was running round like a headless chicken, trying to get the place just right. Today would be the first time that Fitz and Joshua would be coming round to the flat and she wanted to make a good impression. It was fair to say that she didn't have much; the little furniture she had, had come with the flat, and the rest-a few keep sake items she had brought along with her. The set up was rather basic, but she was proud all the same… It was hers, and she had worked hard to get it and that's all that mattered, and she was now in a position where she could share it with her son.

Her son… In less than an hour's time she would finally be able to say those words out loud. She's been pinching herself all morning, just to make certain that this was actually happening, and that she wasn't dreaming. Being able to tell Joshua that she was his mummy, not only makes her heart soar in anticipation, but it was also another huge and significant step forward in rebuilding back her life.

When it came to Joshua, everything seemed to be falling into place.

Fitz rang her last night to confirm that they would be telling Josh today; together. He had originally suggested that she come over to their place, but she told him in all honesty, that considering what took place the last time she was in the flat, she wouldn't feel comfortable doing it there, frankly she didn't want any of the painful memories seeping in and overshadowing a single second of her happiness today.

Fitz didn't argue, in fact he understood perfectly well and funnily enough, he was the one to propose that he and Josh came to hers instead. She couldn't have been more grateful.

A ring of the doorbell, now signalling one of the most pivotal moments in her life… They were here.

Joshua gives her a toothy grin as soon as she opens the door to them, looking absolutely adorable; somehow Fitz had managed to get him out of his superman t-shirt and he was wearing khaki pants and a black cargo top. Fitz was also dressed rather appealingly too... It was clear that some thought had been put into their attire this morning, which secretly pleases her, because that meant that Fitz recognised the importance of this moment too, and had therefore made the effort to dress accordingly.

Joshua instantly reaches up for a hug, and Olivia picks him up for a more than welcomed squeeze too. "Hey gorgeous boy". She kisses him on the cheek and he tightly squeezes her back.

"Hi Ms. Olivia," he sing songs back. She internally cringes at his use of Ms. Olivia, but quickly shakes it off; hopefully, if it all works out well, it will be the last time she'll ever have to hear him call her that.

"Hey Fitz, come on in... make yourself at home..." She encourages gently, before placing Joshua back down... "I've prepared some lunch, which will be ready in a bit..."

He looks at her incredulously, "You cooked?" The words escaping his mouth unbidden, although she takes them in good nature and laughs... "I know, I even shocked myself" she tells him, and then goes on to relay the menu. Fitz is impressed… "Sounds great".

She then turns to Joshua, who has already begun to busy himself with the toys that Fitz had brought along… "Joshua sweetie, would you like something to drink?" He looks up at her, drawn in by the promise of juice… "Yes pleeeease!"

"Fitz?"

"I'll just have some water thanks".

As she goes off to sort out drinks, he takes a quick look around the flat… Considering what she had to play with (which was very little), she had somehow made it her own and very inviting. It's true what they say, a woman's touch went a long way… It was something that was sorely missed in his home; he and Josh were definitely living in a bachelor's pad now. He walks over to her bed, having a nosey by her bedside table… He spots a Bible and picks it up; curious (Olivia had never been the strictly religious type) he opens the page marked with a folded edge… immediately drawn to a passage she's highlighted in yellow…

"But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.""

Huh? Why that verse...? Normally that passage referred to the death of a child? He looks over at Joshua, happily playing with his cars, and then back to the passage again... Trying to make sense of it... It's at that point that Olivia walks in with the drinks... He quickly closes the leather bound book and places it back on the night stand... A puzzled expression painted on his face.

Olivia asks, "You alright?" As she offers him his glass of water. He takes it from her, and nods his head... "Yeah... I... I noticed the Bible?"

"Yeah I know, it's helped a lot..." She enlightens him.

"First cooking, now religion... Have you got anymore surprises in store?" He jokes, although he is seriously beginning to wonder...

She hesitates slightly... "No, apart from Joshua's, there's no more surprises..." She smiles, in a bid to deflect from the sudden influx of thoughts about the baby, that she has yet to tell him about. No, now was definitely not time to bring that up; not that there would ever be a right time, she thinks.

Fitz doesn't fail to notice the slight inflection in her voice, but for now he doesn't comment on it. Instead, he focus back on Joshua's surprise... "Speaking of which, shall we wait until after we've eaten to tell him?"

"Sure thing; well in that case let me put a light fire on under the stove to heat it up!" She replies excitedly, turning and heading into the kitchen, as he watches on intently... He can't quite put his finger on it, but his gut was telling him that something was slightly amiss...

Joshua had the appetite of his father. He had finished his plate with gusto, everything gone including the vegetables. "Good boy!" Olivia praises him, after he triumphantly places his spoon onto his empty plate-finished. He smiles, enjoying her applause as he reaches for his juice, ready to finish that off too.

Genuinely, "Olivia that was delicious, thank you", Fitz complements her, on behalf on them both; his plate also thoroughly cleaned off.

Flattered, it was now Olivia's turn to smile.

"Right, I'll wash up..." he offers.

"Fitz, you don't have to do that, I can…"

"No, no, no… I insist, you and Joshua go and relax for a bit… I've got this."

She was hardly going to argue with that… So she leaves Fitz to it, and instead helps Joshua down from his makeshift high chair, as both then head over to the sofa.

Joshua, as keen as always, starts to talk and show her all the toys he's brought along…

"Oh I like that one!" Olivia exclaims, as Joshua presents to her his new favourite car…

"It's a police car, like Papa Jerry's!" He explains… "And it makes sounds too…" He demonstrates by pressing the siren button… "See, neenoooor, neenoooor…" He mimics, as he excitedly starts to run it over the wooden floor in the pursuit of his "invisible" robbers. She marvels at his energy and enthusiasm, for everything he does, he does with passion; it's what she loves most about him and hopes that when he finds out that she's his mama, he'll take to the idea with just as much fervour.

Not before long, Fitz joins her on the sofa. They both look towards their son, lost in his play, totally unaware that life as he knows it is about to change forever. Fitz slowly turns back to Olivia… The love and anticipation he finds shinning in her eyes for their son, speaks volumes. And so, all his doubts, worries, and earlier unease is momentarily pushed aside, as he realises the time is right.

Impulsively, he takes her trembling hand in his; stilling her nerves… "You ready?" he ask softly.

She nods, tears brewing in her eyes… "More than ever." She tells him with conviction.

It's all the conformation he needs… "Pass me that bag," he directs her, before calling Joshua over.

"Son, put that toy down for a second please and come over here, Olivia and I have something to tell you…"

Obediently, Joshua walks over, leaving his toy behind and reaches for his dad's outstretched hand. Fitz lifts him up and onto his lap, as he encourages Olivia to take the very same photo frame that she had given Josh on his birthday out of the bag.

Fitz begins. "Joshua, do you remember when Olivia gave you this for your birthday…?"

"Uh huh, it was wrapped up in my superman costume…" he recalls in detail.

"That's right, and do you remember what you asked Olivia, when you saw it?"

He nods, looking from Fitz and back to Olivia again… "I asked her if the baby was her baby… but she told me it was me."

"Now son, I know I've asked you before, what do you think that means, but you wasn't too sure, were you Champ?"

Joshua shakes his head, still looking at bit miffed by it all, so Fitz presses on… "So today, Olivia and I have decided to explain it to you properly, so that you can fully understand…" Up until now, Olivia had let Fitz take the lead, but now he's giving her the signal she needs to carry on…

"Josh, that picture was taken in a hospital… Do you know what a hospital is?"

"Yes, it's where daddy works and helps sick people…"

"Correct sweetie, and hospitals are also where mummies have their babies, did you know that…?"

"They do?" He asks intrigued, absorbing every single word.

"Uh huh, yes they do…" She pauses… "You see Josh; this picture was taken the day you were born in the hospital…" She lets that settle in a little… fighting back the tears threatening to spill, chocked up with emotion as she finally proceeds in telling her son the truth… "And the reason why I'm the one holding you in that picture is because… Joshua sweetheart, I'm your mummy."

Almost comic like, Joshua's eyes grow as big as saucers, as Fitz holds him closer in anticipation of his response…

Eventually, carefully, and a little unsure too… "You're… you're my mummy…?"

"Yes Big Guy…" Now drawn to his father's voice, he takes his eyes from Olivia and looks up at Fitz, as he gives him all the reassurance that he needs… "Olivia is your mummy."

"But, but… you said mummy had gone away, and wasn't coming back…?"

"I know I did, but I was wrong son, because mummy did come back… and she's here now…" He stares over at Olivia as he says this, as does Josh-mirroring his father's actions; as Olivia finishes off emotionally… "And I'm never going to leave you again!"

Joshua's reaction is priceless.

He just smiles at her. And sparing no time to think it over, instinctively, he leans forward, from his father's lap and towards hers, moving in for a hug. Instantly bringing forth her tears, as her heart simultaneously swells and bursts wide open… Overwhelmed, "Oh my boy, my sweet, sweet boy…" She cries softly, rocking him against her and squeezing him ever so tightly.

And that's when he completely finishes her in, as he whispers into her chest… "It's alright mummy, don't cry."

Moved beyond words, Olivia is not the only one with tears in her eyes, as Fitz finds himself blinking away a few of his own too.