Waking up wrapped in Fitz's strong arms was one of the best feelings she's ever experienced. Olivia had slept like a baby with him holding her tight, it made her feel so safe and secure, she couldn't fight the smile off her face if she tried. As she laid in bed thinking back on the previous night, she knew she had made the right decision with being truthful with herself and with Fitz– everything had turned out so romantic and so beautiful.
Fitz had been the perfect gentleman, he didn't try to push up on her to have sex or anything. All he had wanted to do was talk and cuddle, and they had eventually fallen asleep together with a few plans of their future in place.
She slowly and carefully pulled out of his embrace so she wouldn't wake him, then she went into the bathroom. Without any of her personal hygiene products present, she did as much as she could like brush her teeth with the new toothbrush Fitz had given her last night, and she washed her face with one of his steamed towels. After she finished in the bathroom, she went downstairs to prepare breakfast served with some OJ for her man.
While cooking and humming a few tunes, Olivia suddenly heard the doorknob begin to rattle on the front door, like someone was trying to break in, with her heart pounding in her chest, she grabbed a knife as a weapon of defense. The door swung open and the person came around the corner quickly causing Olivia to scream as she held up the knife, "Get ou-"
"What little jezebel? Liv?! Olivia is that you?"
"Mama Grant?!" Olivia exclaimed.
"Girl, get yourself over here and give me a hug, I haven't saw you in years! I thought Fitzy had some little random hoochie woman in here!" Barbara laughed waving Olivia over.
Olivia placed the knife down and rushed over to miss Barbara. They swayed from side to side as they hugged tightly and laughed together. After releasing one another, Barbara looked Olivia up and down with a smirk, giving her a knowing look. "Oliviiiaa.." She sang.
"Oh no, it's not what it looks like! Fitz just allowed me to borrow his shirt last night to sleep in, but nothing- you know- nothing happened," Olivia quickly explained as she tugged on the shirt self-consciously.
"Oh I know, because all of that beautiful hair is still in place. Where's my Fitzy anyway?"
Olivia giggled. They both knew how much he resented that name. "He's upstairs still sleeping. I decided to come down and make breakfast before he woke up. Have you eaten anything, mom? I can make some for you too."
Barbara smiled approvingly and patted Olivia's arm. "I don't see why that boy hasn't married you yet, Liv. Excuse me while I go wake his behind. You keep doing what you're doing and I will take some of whatever you're making, sweetie."
"Yes, ma'am." Olivia smiled.
One thing about Miss Barbara was that she was going to say whatever was on her mind, and Olivia absolutely loved her for it. She reminded her so much of her own mother.
X
Fitz was waken by the sound of women voices and he nearly ran out of his bedroom thinking Mellie had somehow gotten into his house, and now she and Olivia were going at each other. Well, that was until he realized that the voices were just his two favorite women. His mother's and Olivia's. He smiled just thinking about how excited they were to see each other, and on top of that, they both could be quite animated at times.
"Fitzy, do you have clothes over the little guy before I walk into this room," Barbara asked, standing outside of his bedroom door. She knew he was already awake. She'd heard him shuffling around in there.
Fitz chuckled and shook his head. His mother was a character and it's where he got his sense of humor from. "Well, it isn't exactly 'little' anymore, mom. But sure, you can come in."
"Oh, I see someone has jokes this morning," Barbara said, walking into the bedroom. "But I'm sure if you're as blessed as your father was down there, then I can guarantee that Olivia isn't going anywhere, because I sure as heck didn't." Barbara hummed making Fitz scowl and shake his head.
"Come on, mom! I really don't want to hear that! Please keep that kind of stuff to yourself! And what makes you so sure Olivia has seen what I'm working with?"
Barbara gave him a sideways look then rolled her eyes. "Psh, Fitzgerald, you aren't fooling anyone with that. I am very sure that Olivia has seen it all." She chuckled and waved him off. "Anyway, when are the two of you getting married?"
"Whoa, what?!" Fitz exclaimed. He was genuinely confused and thrown off by his mother. How could she just jump to a topic like that? Barbara folded her arms and looked at him. "Son, she is downstairs cooking breakfast for you in your t-shirt! They don't get any better than that, especially with these young girls today! Most of them don't even know how to cook! And I want more grandchildren."
"You have another son, mom."
"Yes, but I only have one Fitz and one Olivia for an in-law, so make it happen." Fitz laughed, shaking his head. His mother was such a handful. "I believe I'll have to talk this over with Olivia first, mom. I can't believe you're up here making plans for her uterus without discussing it with her first. You know what Felix and Teddy would call that? 'Trapping'."
Fitz and his mother walked downstairs to find Olivia setting the table with the three plates. Fitz couldn't resist himself after watching her move around in his t-shirt, he moved in behind her and grabbed her by the waist causing her to stop and turn around in his arms. Once they locked eyes, they shared a smile and Fitz bit his bottom lip before leaning down and capturing hers.
Olivia softly moaned against his mouth then parted her lips, allowing him to slip in his tongue. Their kiss was becoming more heated as Fitz grabbed a handful of her ass, before he could get too carried away in front of his own mother, Olivia pulled away and winked at him. She then took her seat and Fitz sat next to her while his mother sat across from them and cleared her throat. "Ahem. Well, I feel like I should've paid to see something like that," Barbara said teasingly as she fanned herself. Olivia blushed, casting her eyes down at her hands shyly. She wasn't sure what had gotten into her just then.
"So, when did this happen," Barbara asked, pointing between the two of them with her eyebrows raised. "I think the last time I saw Olivia, you two were in denial and only referring to each other as your 'musical husband and wife'."
"Actually, Livie and I just made it official last night." Fitz grinned, gazing over at Olivia. After all they'd gone through, it felt so good to say that. "We had planned to tell the family as a whole a little later on, but now you're the first to know."
"Well, it's about time." Barbara smiled warmly. She was happy for her son. She knew how much he loved him some Olivia. When the girl had gotten engaged, she thought Fitz would never recover. Fitz had come to her, crying and expressing his love for Olivia, and that's how she knew they'd been intimate and their relationship was a lot more complex than what they'd been letting on.
Olivia smiled. She already knew that she would have Fitz's mom approval, but it felt good to hear it anyway.
"Thank you, Barb. I know that...Fu- Fitz is the only man for me," Olivia said as she tried to keep from moaning. Then she glared at Fitz after fumbling over her words. She couldn't believe he had the audacity to put his hand in her underwear while his mother sat directly across from them!
She quickly pushed his hand away, making him chuckle. "Fitz, stop it" she discreetly mouthed to him and pinched his arm making Fitz wince.
After breakfast, Barbara and Fitz cleaned up and spent some much needed time together while Olivia left in his car to go home and wash up, then she was going to get her sons from their cousin's house. While Liv was gone, Fitz explained how his relationship with Olivia came to be. Barbara had much to say, but in the end she let her son know that she was proud of him. "And you better treat Olivia right. She deserves it. Do not string her along, Fitzgerald," she said sternly. Fitz definitely took heed to her words. He loved how fiercely his own mother took up for the woman he loved. "Oh, I plan on making an honest woman out of her. She will be Mrs. Grant."
After his talk with his mother, he phoned Ashlin and Mellie to bring his kids over so they could see their grandmother. When Mellie arrived with Katie, she could barely even look at Fitz. She was so disgusted by him, and rightfully so, but Fitz could no longer find it in him to feel sorry. He had apologized profusely, but he had his Livie now, and that's who he has always wanted.
Mellie didn't stick around for much longer, she and Barbara never really got along and with Fitz's first wife being there, who actually did get along with his mother, made her feel uncomfortable and out of place. So she left, however, Ashlin stayed and she chatted with Barbara for a decent amount of time before waving goodbye to the kids, Barbara and Fitz.
"Felix, Teddy, you boys are growing like weeds!" Barbara exclaimed as she hugged her tall and lanky grandsons making them chuckle. Barbara was a pretty tall and slender woman herself, but her grandsons stood much taller than her. The were almost the height of their father who was taller than them all.
"What about me grandma? I'm five now!" Katie beamed making Barbara and the rest of them laugh. She was just a little ole thing for now.
"I know, ladybug! You're just growing up too fast for grandma!" Barbara said. She always knew how to make Katie feel good about herself.
"So grandma, how long are you staying with dad," Felix asked.
"Oh, it probably won't be for long, sweetie. I came here on a whim to surprise your daddy, however, I was the one that was surprised.. I got here and Miss Olivia was here," she said, smiling. Fitz had already given her the ok to mention Olivia to them so she knew she wasn't overstepping.
Felix and Teddy smirked. "Wait. You and Liv are talking again, dad?"
Fitz chuckled and nodded his head. "Yes, we are. We actually have some news for you guys when she gets back. She's gone to get Nolan and Asher now."
"Cool." Felix said. He wondered if Olivia was maybe pregnant.
X
After giving the Grant family some family-time, Olivia and her boys went back over to Fitz's place. Their kids were pretty excited to see each other, and also very anxious to know the news.
"Fitz, can you please tell us the news now," Nolan begged. His mom hadn't given them any hints on their way over and he couldn't wait any longer. The poor kid's nerves were bad. He seriously thought he suffered with PTSD because of the news Jake had dropped on him months ago.
Barbara chuckled at the overly excited kids. She was glad she already knew the "news" or she'd probably be begging them just as much as the kids were. "Fitzgerald, Olivia, stop torturing these poor children and tell them!" She playfully scolded.
"Go on, Fitz." Olivia nudged him with a smile.
"Boys, and Katie...Livie and I are officially dating," Fitz said. His eyes quickly flicked to each child's face, trying to gauge their reactions.
"Aw man, so that means I don't have a chance with her?!" Felix playfully exclaimed making Olivia laugh loudly. She pulled him into her arms and kissed his cheek. Felix was like her first baby. "No, but you'll always be my first baby," she told him and he smiled brightly. For some reason hearing her say that really made him happy. Although he was pretty young when she stopped coming around, he remembered being quite attached to her. Much like Katie was now. Olivia had such a genuine soul and she was such a likable person.
"Asher, pay up! What did I tell you," Nolan said through laughter as Asher shook his head. "No! I told you, bro! You pay up!"
"Wait.. What's going on," Olivia asked, looking between her sons.
"We kind of already knew you guys would start dating, so it's not a big deal to any of us really. But Asher and I made a bet in the car that this would be the 'news' you had to tell us involving uncle Fitz." Nolan answered, making sure to put emphasis on uncle as he smirked.
Fitz chuckled nervously. "So, Nolan, Asher, are you guys ok with it," he asked. "You can be honest. I won't be upset."
Nolan nodded excitedly. "Yeah, we're ok with it! As long as you keep our mom happy, then we'll be happy."
"Aww, my mature boys!" Olivia gushed, hugging her own sons then she looked at Katie who had been mostly quiet. "Katie, are you ok with it? Your daddy and I will be together a lot more now. We'll be like a family," Olivia said, trying to explain in simple terms what a relationship meant. Olivia knew firsthand how girls often acted when they find out daddy's dating someone other than their mom.
Olivia just hoped Katie wouldn't give her too much of a hard time, like she and her sisters had done to their father's girlfriends.
"Hmm... One thing," Katie said, holding up her pointer finger.
Barbara chuckled at her granddaughter. "Oh lord, here comes her Mellie side.."
"Mom.." Fitz chuckled and shook his head at his mom's remark before encouraging his daughter to say what she wanted. "Go on, baby."
"I call Livia mommy now," she asked sweetly.
Olivia's heart melted as she bent down to be eye level with the little girl that had stolen her heart. "Aww, Katie. Baby, that is really sweet and I would love that, but I'm not too sure your real mommy, Mellie, would be ok with that, ladybug." Olivia explained, then she looked over her shoulder at Fitz for some backup but he just shrugged, he didn't care. And of course he didn't, it was different for a woman, and Olivia knew that.
"Pweaseee." Katie begged while giving Olivia the puppy eyes. Everyone knew she would cave in then. How could she not? Katie was too adorable.
"Ok, ok! You can call me mommy," Olivia answered with a smile. Katie smile triumphantly. She definitely knew how to work those big, blue eyes to her advantage. "Yes!"
Olivia just hoped that she didn't overstep and that Mellie would be understanding.
X
Later the same day, Fitz decided that he was going to barbecue since the kids were eager to get in the pool. Luckily, it was April and California's spring weather permitted it. After talking it over with each other, Fitz and Olivia decided to invite Liv's family over to his house so they could share the wonderful news with everyone else since Barbara was already in town and he had all of his children there with him.
They knew they were probably being a bit over the top and it wasn't like they were getting married or even announcing that she was pregnant, but to them, this was just as important as those things would be too. Their families had been rooting for them for a long time and they wanted to share their excitement, and not only that, but this was also a way to reconnect while Barbara visited. Olivia knew her family would be excited to see her. Especially her mother. When those two get together, it's almost like being at a comedy show.
For years their families had gotten along great and this was the perfect occasion for a reunion.
"Livie, I am so happy for you and Fitz."
"Thank you, Barbara. Having your approval and the kids approval really does mean a lot to me," Olivia smiled.
"Honey, after having Mellie as a daughter-in-law, I would probably approve of anyone other than her."
"I heard she was a handful," Olivia laughed. "Barbara, do you think I overstepped? With Katie?"
"Honey, you don't know the half of it. And me, personally, I don't think you did. But that doesn't mean Mellie won't.. And if you plan on being here for the long run, I do believe you and Fitz should certainly have a talk with Mellie."
Before Olivia could respond, she heard cars honking and she just knew it was her sisters. "Well, they're here." Olivia laughed peeking out of the curtains to confirm. As her sisters and mother climbed out of their vehicles, she rushed to the front door, opened it wide and did a little dance in the doorway.
"Livie, what's gotten into you!" Maya laughed.
"More like who has gotten into her, mama.." Grace cackled.
Olivia was just happy to see her people again. Family meant everything to her. "Not answering that!" Olivia snickered. "Now chop, chop! Get in here!"