Life has been so wonderful for this family. Truthfully Fitz had no complaints, especially after getting Mellie and her boyfriend put away for child neglect and child abuse. The case had been a open-and-shut one, the evidence was there and Mellie had no solid ground to stand on. Plus, the Grants just knew people in some very high places. Fitz himself, he has never been the type of guy that did a lot of talking. He was all about action and getting things done, so when it came to getting justice for his daughter he made sure that things were handled his way and that neither one of her abusers would have the possibility of ever seeing the light of day again. With Katie now in Fitz's custody full-time, the family was able to breathe a little lighter knowing that she was completely safe.
On most weekends Felix and Teddy were over, and they'd have a full house.
There was none stop jokes, pranks, bickering, laughter and love for the family of seven, and Olivia and Fitz loved every minute of it.
Olivia and Fitz had been together for officially three and a half months now, but they'd just gone public with their relationship a few days ago. They received so much love and support, but of course with the love, came the hate. There were doubters and haters, but they paid it no mind; they were in a good place in their relationship and they were happy.
One thing they decided to keep private was Fitz being Nolan's father. They didn't think it was anyone's business and so they told Nolan that if he someday wanted to share that information, then they would support him. But for now, no one saw it happening any time soon. The people who needed to know, knew.
X
"Dad! Mom's throwing up again!" Nolan shouted from upstairs. Fitz rushed upstairs to the bathroom to find Olivia face down over the toilet and Katie standing next to her holding back Olivia's hair. Fitz would've laughed at the sight of his little girl having one hand on her hip while she held Olivia's hair with the other one and had her face turned away, but his focus immediately went to Olivia's needs. His poor baby hadn't been feeling well as of lately.
"Katie, go wait in your room. I got it from here, ladybug. Thank you," Fitz said, reliving her of her "duties".
"Is mommy ok," she asked. Fitz could hear the worry in her voice and he knew he had to put on his brave face.
As he looked down at his baby girl, he nodded with a reassuring smile. "Yes. She will be, baby. You should make her a get-well card," he suggested, then he kissed her forehead.
Katie smiled at the idea of making something for Olivia and quickly scurried off to get it done.
Just as the little girl left the bathroom, Olivia stood up, rinsed out her mouth with the minty mouthwash, then she held onto the counter with her head hanging low as she caught her breath. She felt Fitz's eyes on her and sighed. "Fitzgerald, I am fine."
"You're fine? Liv, how could you say that? This is the third time this week. Baby, put on some clothes, we're going to the doctor," Fitz said.
"Fitz! Seriously, I am fine." Olivia repeated. She absolutely hated going to the doctor's office, and she was sure that this bug that she had was almost over. "Do you need help finding something to wear," he asked, completely ignoring her protest and putting his foot down.
"I am not going." Olivia mumbled, rolling her eyes.
Fitz knew how much she hated going to doctor's office, but he couldn't help but to get frustrated with her. All he wanted to do was make sure that she really was ok and instead of complying, she had to be stubborn. "Olivia, I don't want to argue with you. Just put on some clothes. Please," he asked while trying to keep his temper in check. He knew if he lost his cool and yelled then she definitely wouldn't go.
"Fine, but when they send us right back out the door, don't even look at me because I'm telling you right now that there's absolutely nothing wrong with me." Olivia huffed as she went to go get dressed.
Fitz remained silent and went into the game room where the boys were at. In the middle of him telling them that he was taking Olivia to the doctor to make sure that she was ok, they practically knocked him over trying to go get dressed so they could tag along.
Once everyone was in the family vehicle, instead of going to the hospital, Fitz drove to a nearby clinic which eased Olivia a bit. Being at the big hospitals really spiked her anxiety.
"Do you need any help, Olivia," Felix asked, once they'd arrived.
Olivia smiled weakly and shook her head as she softly patted him on his back and followed him inside. "No, thank you, honey. I got it."
X
After getting checked in and only waiting for about twenty minutes, Olivia and her crew were taken into the back area.
The nurse had already came to check her vitals, take her blood and gotten a sample of her urine as well. As Olivia told the doctor her symptoms, the doctor pretty much came to a conclusion but Olivia's results would have to confirm the doctor's educated speculation.
"Everything is going to be ok, Livie," Fitz said as he massaged her shoulders. He saw her visibly tense up, then she relaxed as he kneaded her tight, knotted shoulders.
Katie crawled on her lap as she sat on the hospital bed. "Yeah, mommy! You're strong."
"Aww, thank you, ladybug. I really needed to hear that." Olivia chuckled and kissed Katie's cheek, holding her still in her lap.
She looked around the room and smiled. Felix, Teddy, Nolan and Asher were sitting and standing along the wall. Usually, no more than one other person was allowed into the patient's rooms but here she was with a full house. She loved her protective boys and her sweet girl, they obviously weren't going to let her out of their sight until they knew what the issue was as well.
She and Fitz, and even Ashlin, were doing a phenomenal job at raising some kindhearted kids.
The doctor came back into the room with the results and Olivia noticed the grin on her face which made her feel slightly better. She wouldn't be grinning if it were bad news, would she, Olivia wondered.
Before the woman could even get to her seat and say anything, Fitz asked, "Is everything good? Is she ok, Doc?"
"Yes, she's ok, Mr. Grant," The doctor chuckled before focusing on Olivia. "Everything is good, and congratulations are in order, Ms. Pope. You are three weeks pregnant," she said with a smile, then she flicked her eyes from Olivia to Fitz, then back to Olivia.
Teddy immediately turned to his brothers and held out his hand with a smug grin on his face. "Pay up boys."
"Oh my God!" Olivia cried as her hand flew over her mouth. "What? Are- are you serious?! You sure, Doc," Fitz asked.
The doctor chuckled and nodded her head. "Yes sir, I'm positive. The urine test confirmed the hCg hormone, as well as the blood test. We can do a sonogram right now if you'd like?"
Olivia quickly recovered from her initial shock and nodded her head. "Yes, please," she said, then she kissed Peyton's forehead and asked her to carefully step down so the doctor could check her tummy.
The doctor smiled at what a loving and gentle mother Olivia already seemed to be. Once Olivia laid back and lifted her shirt, the doctor rubbed the cold gel onto her stomach and grabbed the transducer to begin the sonogram.
"What's that? What's that noise," Katie asked curiously as the baby's heart echoed in the room. The doctor pointed to the monitor and everyone's gazed followed her finger.
"That's a baby." Olivia said through her sobbing. "You're going to be a big sister, Kat."
Fitz leaned down and kissed her lips. "I love you so much," he whispered. Olivia smiled through her tears and grabbed his face before kissing him back so tenderly. "I love you too, Fitz. Thank you."
X
The expecting family were now back home. After Olivia's checkup and receiving such wonderful news, they had gone out for a celebratory lunch. She was advised to schedule an appointment with her obstetrician as soon as possible to get started on her prenatal care and developmental updates throughout the pregnancy.
"I can't believe we're having another baby!" Olivia exclaimed. Fitz smiled, kissing her. He hadn't been able to keep his hands off her since the moment they found out. Olivia loved every second of it. "I know! I love you so much, Olivia. Thank you for giving me another baby."
Olivia giggled. He had probably told her that he loved her more times today than ever. "I love you too, Fitzy. So so much!" She happily replied.
"Is it going to be a girl," Katie asked, breaking the two from their bubble. "Well, we don't know that yet, sweetie. Why? You want a little sister," Olivia asked with a smile. She hoped that this one would be a girl. There was enough testosterone in her house already.
Katie shook her head before taking a moment to answer. "No. I like being the only girl."
Fitz chuckled knowingly. That didn't come as a as surprise to him. Of course she did, she was spoiled rotten by everyone. "Well, what if it is a girl? Will you be happy?"
"No. I want to be the only girl. The new girl will get all the toys and love and not me." Katie answered. For five years old, Katie was extremely intelligent and an articulate speaker. She knew exactly how to use her words to express her emotions. It was something Fitz always worked on with his children since their young age.
He couldn't stand that goo-goo ga-ga mess that most parents did with their kids, and so, he spoke to his own children like the little humans that they were and obviously, it paid off, with the help of tutoring.
Olivia sighed and pulled Katie onto her lap. "Listen ladybug, we could never forget about you. Yes, when the baby comes he or she will need a lot of mommy's and daddy's attention, but we won't forget about you. You have no reason to worry about that, and we will love you and the baby equally," Olivia said.
"Can you give the baby back to God? I don't want it yet," Katie asked innocently as she looked up at Olivia. Over lunch they had explained to her that God was the one who put the baby in Olivia's stomach and clearly, Katie hadn't forgotten that little information.
Olivia looked at Fitz and they both tried their hardest not to laugh. Olivia cleared her throat then she turned back to Katie. "No, sweetie. We can't do that." She snickered. "God gave us this baby for a reason and I think when the baby gets here, you're gonna love it so much and be the best big sister ever! And look on the bright side, you'll have someone to boss around."
A wide smile immediately spread across Katie's face, then she giggled. Olivia quickly reminded her that she still had to be nice to the baby and show them how to be sweet like she was. Katie was just happy to "boss" someone around. She jumped down from Olivia's lap and ran out of the bedroom.
"I think I just created a monster," Olivia said as she and Fitz laughed.
"You are so good with her, Livie. Watching you mother her is so sexy. And I know it isn't your responsibility, but thank you so much for being there, for explaining things so she can understand and not getting upset with her," Fitz said. Olivia huffed and wiped her eyes. "Fitz, stop it! Are you trying to make me do my ugly cry?" She laughed. "I love Katie so much and she is my responsibility, Fitz. I'm with you. You're mine and so that means your children are mine as well. You never have to thank me."
Fitz nodded and Olivia kissed him. They laid back in bed and watched The Cosby Show reruns. It was one of Olivia's favorite shows. It reminded her of her childhood. While growing up, she had wanted to be a Cosby kid so bad.
"What do you want the baby to be," Olivia asked as the tv went to a commercial break.
"A twin. A boy and a girl." Fitz quickly answered and Olivia's eyes widened at his response. "Oh hell no, Fitzgerald."
He shrugged, chuckling. "You asked and I answered. What would you like the baby's gender to be?"
"It doesn't really matter to me." Olivia smiled, rubbing her flat tummy. "I just want it to be healthy and chubby. That'll make me happy."
Fitz called bullshit as he laughed at her. "So, what you're really saying is that you want it to be a girl," he asked, and Olivia laughed too, nodding her head. "You know me so well, baby. I want it to be a little girl so badly. I don't think I can handle another boy! There's five of you already," she said as Fitz laughed.
"Well, if this one isn't a girl, we'll just keep trying until mama get what she wants."
Olivia smirked. Then, she leaned in to kiss his lips and murmured against them. "Mmm, daddy. Sign me up."
X
Three months
"Hi, dad!"
"Hi, kid! Wow! Look at you!" Eli smiled, taking his oldest daughter into his arms and hugging her tightly. "Three months, right?"
"That's right." Olivia smiled, cradling her three month old belly. At this stage, Olivia had the cutest little bump ever and if you didn't know any better, you'd think she just ate too much.
"Fitz, how are ya', man," Eli asked as the two men exchanged hugs.
"I'm great. I can't complain, Eli." Fitz smiled.
Olivia, Fitz and the kids were having Sunday dinner with Eli at his beautiful house. Olivia always tried to make time to spend with her father. She wasn't much of a daddy's girl, but she did love her dad and she enjoyed being around him, and so did her boys. Eli was a good father, but an even better grandfather. He was the sweetest when it came to all of his grandchildren and they could practically get the old man to do anything. His relationship with his own five girls wasn't so smooth and sweet, and it had almost been completely ruined when he stepped out on Maya during their marriage. However, Olivia had made amends with her father and forgiven him for his past mistakes. In a way, she was so much like him. The other four, they still had their reservations, but everyone was slowly but surely coming around. Even Maya Lewis.
"Dad, that food was so good," Olivia said as she stretched out on her back on her father's couch. "Thank you so much for inviting us."
"Mhm, no problem, baby girl. I'm just glad you all could make it. I really enjoyed the show." Eli chuckled, referring to the children, who had kept them well entertained during dinner.
"Eli, if you don't mind, I'm going to have to take me a plate to-go," Fitz said, chuckling.
"Of course not." Eli waved off. "Take as much as you like."
Just as the tv caught everyone's attention, Olivia gasped and tears welled up in her eyes, then she suddenly went quiet as her hand flew to stomach. "Oh my god.." She whispered.
"Livie, what's wrong? Is the baby, ok," Fitz asked, his voice was a little panicky as he stood up and went to her.
"I- I think I just felt it move," Olivia said.
"You sure it wasn't just a cramp, Olivia?"
Olivia shook her head no as the tears poured from her eyes. "No. I felt it move." She repeated.
"Why are you crying?" Eli chuckled looking at his daughter. Even after raising five girls and being around his granddaughters, Eli still wasn't used to the dramatics of a woman.
"Because I felt the baby! It's right here," she said, pointing to her tummy as the tears continued to fall.
Fitz pulled out his phone to do a quick Google search. "It says you can feel flutters as early as sixteen weeks, and she's sixteen weeks." He smiled, looking at Olivia.
"I told you," Olivia said as she began to sob harder. "I knew it was different from a cramp!"
Olivia cradled her stomach with both hands and stared down at her stomach with tears still falling from her eyes. "Helloooo! Can you hear me? It's me! Your mommy!" She sobbed.
Both Fitz and Eli cracked up as they watched her go through so many beautiful emotions. Fitz swore in that moment he fell deeper in love with her. She was the most amazing woman ever and every thing she did was just so heartfelt and beautiful. He had to wipe his own eyes to keep his tears from falling as well.
With a deep sigh and both hands over her heart, Olivia sobbed. "I'm happy. These are happy tears...These are such happy tears!"
No one else in that room truly understood Olivia's happiness in that moment. After having Asher, Olivia thought that she would never get to experience carrying a child again. It was like she couldn't get pregnant after having him, but here she was, forty years old and pregnant with her third child after eleven years of feeling less than.
"Ahh!" Olivia gasped as she held up her hands to cover her teary face. "Stop recording me, dad! I see you!" She loudly sobbed as everyone else around fell into laughter again.
It was a beautiful, family moment that no one would ever forget, and part of the reason why is because Eli Pope had recorded every second of it.
X
Five months
"Fitz, can't we just stay home, babe? I don't have anything to wear." Olivia whined as she eased onto the bed, rubbing her very round belly. She was tired of racking through clothes and coming up with nothing. "Everything that's in my closet is just too small."
Fitz sighed as he checked the watch on wrist. Once he realized that they were already late, he shook his head and groaned. "Liv.."
"…Livie, honey, please just put on something. You have so many options and it doesn't really matter what you wear, because you're going to be the most beautiful woman there."
Olivia glanced over at Fitz and gave him a teary eyed smile. "You're just saying that, Fitz." Fitz shook his head as he walked towards her and wrapped her up in his arms. "No, I'm not, Livie. You already look so beautiful, honey. Your makeup and hair is done so flawlessly and now you just have to pick out a dress to complete your look," he said, kissing her temple.
"Can't you find something for me?" Olivia asked with tears falling from her eyes. Fitz had learned early on in her pregnancy to not ask questions about the waterworks, so instead of acknowledging the tears, he smiled and nodded. "Of course I can, Livie."
With Fitz's help, Olivia's look turned out phenomenal. Fitz had chosen a dress that would finally showcase Olivia's growing bump. For five months they'd hidden her belly from the world, but tonight would be the big night.
With her skin glowing and her face a look of pregnancy bliss, Olivia's all white elegant look rocked the cameras as paps called her name from every direction, trying to get their money shot. She cradled her stomach and smiled brightly with Fitz by her side, then she took a few photos by herself.
"Alright. Thanks, guys. Olivia and I are heading inside now," Fitz said as he took his beautiful date by the hand.
"Congratulations on the baby!" A few photographers shouted. Both Olivia and Fitz smiled and said thank you before entering the restaurant.
With the beautiful couple seated at their table and their meals in front of them. Olivia said, "I'm sorry for being such a mess earlier, Fitz." She giggled as she thought about the fuss she'd made before he had saved their date night by finding her the perfect dress. "Thank you for putting up with me. You did good, babe."
Fitz smiled. "Don't mention it. You want to know why I really chose that dress?"
"Mhm. Why," she asked, smirking. "No. Wait. Let me guess, is it because it'll be easy to take off of me when we get back home?"
Fitz laughed as he nodded his head. "You are absolutely correct, gorgeous."
"Perfect!" She beamed. "Because I am so horny for you." Fitz and Olivia both laughed before they continued eating their meals and chatting over random things.
"I wonder what the kids are up to?" Olivia said, making Fitz chuckle. Olivia grinned as she looked at him, then she asked, "What? Why are you laughing, Fitzgerald?"
"Because I knew you were going to ask about them sooner or later."
"Well, that's because it's kinda weird being at a dinner table and not scolding anyone!" She shrugged with a chuckle. "I usually have to get onto at least one child during dinner."
"Yeah.. That is true, but I want you to forget about the kids for now, ok? Tonight is about you and I. The kids are away and I doubt they're thinking about us."
Olivia nodded. "Hmm, you're right. You're right. I'm sorry. I won't think about them. Just you. My sexy baby daddy."
Fitz chuckled and shook his head. "You are too much, Liv. But I really am enjoying my time with you. You know, you're my favorite person in this whole wide world."
"And you're my favorite person too. I love you." Olivia smiled. "So so much."
"I love you more, Olivia. I really really do."
X
Seven months
"Is Fitzgerald taking good care of you, Livia?"
Olivia laughed as she nodded her head. "Your son hardly lets me lift a finger these days," she said, adjusting the phone against her ear.
Barbara smiled approvingly. "Good. That's the way I raised him to be. You know, I don't want to be that overbearing mother-in-law, but with all the things exciting happening, I've been thinking about moving back to the west coast.."
"Oh, Barbara!" Olivia beamed. "That sounds wonderful. That'll make us all so happy!"
"Yeah, you think so? You won't find me to be the annoying mother-in-law?"
"Of course not, Barbara. I'd love to have you around more often and I know it would make Fitz happy as well."
"Then that settles it. I am moving home."
Olivia doesn't know why that triggered her, but hearing Barbara say those words really brought on the waterworks. Barbara laughed over the line and held her hand over her heart. "You sweet girl. I can't wait to hug you."
Olivia laughed through her sobs. "I'm sorry. I am such a mess, but you've just made me really happy!"
"And you've made me happy, darling. I'm not going to hold you any longer. I know you have important company coming over so I'm going to go and I will see you next month?"
"I'll see you next month, mom." Olivia confirmed with a smile. They both ended the call and not too long afterwards, Olivia's mother and sisters were making their way inside.
"Lib! Oh my gosh! You're so big!" Grace pointed.
"I know! I'm so over being pregnant." Olivia said, rolling her eyes. Then, she went to hug her mother who hugged her back and rubbed her belly. "Hi, little peanut!"
"Say hi to your grandma!" Olivia snickered. She knew how much her mother resented being called "grandma".
"I am not grandma! I'm 'Mother: The sequel'," Maya said.
"Mama, my baby will not be calling you that." Olivia laughed.
Olivia, her mother, and sisters left her house and went out for massages, manicures and pedicures. Fitz had spared no expense when it came to treating Olivia and the rest of them. Their baby girl or baby boy was due in less than two months and he wanted to make the last two months as easy as he could for her. She deserved it.
And while Olivia was out getting pampered, Fitz had the kids out on a lake and they were having tons of fun. They sent Olivia plenty of pictures and videos of them each diving off of the boat and into the clear, blue water.
And for that, Olivia was thankful. As long as her family was happy then so was she.