Part 36

Ultimatums

It had taken Fitz a few good days to cool off before approaching his folks, in particular his mother. Luckily his shift and his mother's shift had not changed, which meant there was no chance of him bumping into her at the work. After Olivia left, they had arranged their shifts so that when he was on, she was off and vice-versa to work around Joshua's schedule. Despite his anger, he realises that he owes his parents a hell of a lot for what they've done, in terms of support over the last two years; and it stands without reason that he couldn't have got through that period of time without them. However, it does not give his mother a free pass to force her opinions on him and make decisions on his behalf. Yes, he appreciates her reservation, for he too had once shared the very same reservations she had, but things changed when Olivia came back and he started to look at his life from a different perspective- through Olivia's perspective. And at the end of the day, whether Anne likes it or not- this was HIS life and she needed to let him live it as he deemed fit.

He had called Jerry earlier that morning to see if it was alright to come round after work, Jerry wanted to discuss things further over the phone, however Fitz did not; preferring to talk to him in person, although from the short conversation they did have, he was soon to discover that Anne had found out about Olivia's abortion after snooping in her private medical records, and to put it mildly he was livid! So much so, that the knowledge of his mother's actions play heavily on his mind for the rest of his shift...

As far as he was concerned his mother had gone too far this time, with her violation of patient privacy- he had every mind to report her, but the fact that she was his mother, and the knowledge that the medical board had strict policies regarding this matter, he chooses to refrain from doing so- Yes, he was angry, but vindictive he was not.

Dr Anne Grant should count herself lucky.

However, by the time he arrives at their apartment his temperament is volatile, not exactly how he intended it to be; he wanted to maintain a cool composure throughout their exchange. But considering all that has happened in the last 24 hours, it was safe to say that his plan was well and truly out the window.

Jerry opens the door to him. "Hello Son".

"Dad… Where is she?!"

Instinctively, Jerry raises his hand, blocking Fitz from passing through… "Son you need to calm down".

"I AM CALM!"

"No… no you're not!" Jerry retorts firmly, stepping out into the hallway and closing the door behind him, providing a further barrier between Fitz and his wife. "Believe me son, I'm not too happy with your mother either, but I will not let you come in here and face her whilst you're like this… So I suggest that either you rein it in before entering, or go home to cool off further."

"She went through Oliva's file!" Fitz justifies, fuming with contempt and immense disappointment too.

"I know son, she was completely and utterly wrong for doing that… I've had strong words with your mother about it too; because she had no right to violate Olivia's privacy like that!"

"Dad you should have heard her, so self-righteous in her tirade, yet the way she went about acquiring her facts…" Fitz trails off, visibly hurt by his mother's actions.

"Your mum should have known better, you and I both know that, but when it comes to you and Joshua, she becomes so fiercely protective of you two, that she often doesn't see straight!"

"I know that dad, but she needs to realise that by eliminating Olivia from the equation, she's not protecting us, if anything she's working against us, because like it or not, Olivia is very much part of our lives!"

"I hear you son, I really do… And that's why I think you need to remain calm and collected, whilst you tell your mother exactly that, because flying off the handle is not going to translate that message in quite the same way!"

Fitz nods… "I know, I know…" he breathes.

Jerry gives him a few minutes, before giving him a reassuring pat on his shoulder… "You good now?"

"Yeah dad, I'm good…"

"Okay then, let's get this show on the road…"

xxxxxxxx

"She may be your wife and the mother of your son Fitz… but that means nothing without trust!"

"You're a fine one to talk about trust mum, after what you did!" He barks back.

"Well I did what I had to, to keep you and Joshua safe, and I would do it again if I had too!" she defends. "Olivia is nothing but trouble, but you're too blind to see it… Even now, knowing she killed your baby behind your back, and let's not forget the reason she left in the first place-because she nearly harmed Joshua, her words not mine... Yet here you are, still willing to forgive her and forget? I don't understand you?!"

"I trust her, you've seen her yourself, what she's like with Joshua, she would never harm him; she adores him. And Joshua loves her too… I LOVE her mum! Of all the people in the world, I thought that you, at the very least, would be able to understand what it's like to love someone unconditionally, even if the odds are stacked against you!"

She shakes her head... "Fitz, your father and I are a different kettle of fish!"

Jerry intervenes at that point. "Not that much Anne, there was a time when your parents felt the same way about us, and yet look at us now!"

"We were young and inexperienced when we got together Jerry… These two however, are old and wise enough to do better…" She turns to Fitz again and questions… "Tell me, what guarantees do you have that in a years time Olivia won't get depressed again and leave you and Josh behind? Or what if she gets pregnant, and decides she can't cope…What then?"

He is galled. "Do you regards us so little, to think that Olivia and I have not discussed all the possible scenarios already? We realise that nothing is for certain, but God help us we are going to try our best to make the right decisions for us and to keep our family together… And if that doesn't sit well with you, honestly I don't give a DAMN!"

"Fitz!" Jerry warns.

"I'm sorry dad, but it's true… Olivia is a part of our lives now, we come as a package, and therefore mum can either take it or leave it!"

Stubborn to a fault, Anne replies gravely… "I know how this will end, despite what she's been through, a woman that can do the things that she's done in the past, will only hurt you again! And I for one will not stand by and watch her destroy you and Joshua for a second time round, I just can't, I'm sorry…"

He swallows. "Fair enough… But know this! I will not let you come in between us again, no matter what… And if you dare to pull another stunt like the one you did with Olivia's medical file, I will not hesitate to take action this time!"

Fitz turns to his father… "Dad, I'm sorry it has to come to this- but I have a choice to make, and I chose my wife and son."

Jerry's eyes fill with tears… "Anne is my wife, I have vowed to stand beside her throughout the good times and the bad, but I also refuse to lose out on having you and Joshua in my life, surely we can work something out?!"

"Dad, you can see for yourself, mum will NEVER accept Olivia! And as long as she feels that way, I can see no other option; because I won't let her ruin my chances of a future with Olivia and Joshua. So if severing all ties is the only way forward, then so be it!"

Desperate to keep his family together, Jerry pulls Fitz's aside, lowering his voice he pleads to him..."Let me talk to her Fitz, let me help her to see reason, you know how stubborn your mother can be…"

Feeling hurt, Anne interjects... "Leave him Jerry! He's made his decision, and so have I!" She voices aloud; her tone void of emotion, although secretly she is falling apart inside.

Fitz takes his cue all too well, and now looks at his father, with his resolve firm… "She's right Dad… I'M OFF!"