It's a beautiful Saturday in Spring. And it's Olivia's favorite day of the week because it's her solo day with her Gigi. A spread is laid out on a blanket in the middle of the garden and Olivia sits with her legs crisscross, in a flowery sundress with a matching hat. After a whole day of shopping, gardening and dancing with her grandma, they finally sat for the picnic she was promised.

Biting into a big juicy, organic strawberry, Olivia hums at the burst of sweet flavors dancing on her tongue.

"Nana?" Young Olivia looks up at her grandmother with an important request, "Can we plant these every year?"

Her Nana laughs. That hearty and amused laugh that only Olivia can elicit from the woman.

"You like e'm, Vie?" Gigi asks.

"No Nana, I love them!" Olivia corrects.

Gigi pulls Olivia onto her lap for a hug. She comes willingly and Gigi bites her chubby cheeks gently. Olivia hugs her back and continues to chew, completely unbothered.

"Nana will plant you a whole field next year, then!" Gigi proclaims.

Olivia's eyes widen, picturing what a whole field of berries might look like. The thought excites her and makes her feel special. "Hopefully I have all my teeth by then." She jokes.

Gigi laughs again, finding her granddaughter's cheekiness completely amusing. "You will babe." She picked up another strawberry and presents it to Olivia. "Want another?"

"Well yes." Olivia bites it from her hand. She chews for a while, sucking at the juices and swiping her tongue across her lips to lick off any residue. And without missing a beat, she reveals something completely heartwarming. "You know something Nana… you're my favorite person."

Taken aback by her granddaughter's confession, Gigi fought back tears of joy. "Yeah? How come?"

Young Olivia shrugs. She didn't think it was some big secret. She would tell anyone who would listen, how she favors her grandmother to almost anyone, all the time.

"Well firstly, we have the exact same birthday, January 31st. Best day ever!" Olivia states. "But also, I like to spend all my time with you." She goes on to list all the activities she enjoys doing with her Nana. "We draw, we bake, we garden, we dance, we play dress up. You let me try on your shoes and eat candy. We do all sorts of fun stuff together. You just make sense to me, Nana." She finishes.

As she listens, tears begin to wet Gigi's lashes. She is so fond of her granddaughter and to hear that the child loves her and enjoys spending time with her just as much, brings her so much happiness.

"Oh Nana, please don't cry!" Olivia panics, noticing the tears in her Nana's eyes. Quickly she wipes them.

She didn't like it when her grownups cried. It made her sad. She certainly didn't mean to make favorite person cry. She thought she was saying nice things.

Gigi kisses her forehead. "Oh baby, sometimes it's okay to cry. Especially when they are happy tears." The elder woman reassures. "I love you so much. You're Nana's favorite too."

Olivia gawks, not expecting to hear that. "Even more than Harry and Kemmy and Isaac?"

Oh she couldn't wait to taunt her cousins with this newfound information. Especially since she knew it would make them crazy.

But Nana doesn't satisfy her with a verbal answer. Instead, she winks and that was all the confirmation Olivia needed.

She gives her Nana an eskimo kiss and whispers, "It's okay. It's our special secret."

Gigi bursts into laughter again. She couldn't believe her grandchild at times. How cute and smart and lovely she was. And how lucky she is to be her grandma.

"You're so smart, Vie."

Olivia smiles, showing her missing teeth. "You always say that. And I believe you, cause guess what?"

"Tell Nana…"

"I know my nine tables!" Olivia said.

Gigi gasps dramatically, "You do?!"

Olivia nods giddily. "Yup. Nine times nine equals eighty-one."

"Good job!" Gigi encourages, "And what else?"

Olivia thinks pensively. "Well, I know two times six. And I also know my threes and five tables. I think I'll be a teacher when I grow up."

Gigi kisses her forehead, so gently, so proudly. "You'll be brilliant at whatever you choose, Vie. I know it."

"Sure will." Olivia says with all the confidence in her little body.

The child was fortunate to have parents who constantly told her she could do anything. A grandmother who believed in her abilities without doubt. So overtime, she has grown to believe that not only could she have the world, but that she could also rule it, if she wanted.

Giselle shakes her head in awe. Most days she was floored by Olivia's spirit in the best way possible. Her granddaughter was undoubtedly something special, and she couldn't wait to continue watching her grow. She looks forward to fostering more of that confidence in her and inspire her to dream bigger than she and their ancestors ever did.

"Atta girl."Gigi boasts proudly.

Olivia reaches for a different snack on the platter. She pops a chocolate covered almond in her mouth, chewing on the side of her mouth carefully. "Umm, Nana, how come you call me Vie?" She asks.

Gigi smiles. She always wondered when she would get that question from Olivia. Switching to her native tongue, she responds. "Parce que tu es ma vie."

Olivia looks at her puzzled. So Gigi translates, "Vie means "Life" in Nana's first language. And Livvie, baby, you are the greatest love of my life. Is it okay that I still call you that?"

Olivia nods frantically. Even at seven years old, she understood perfectly the significance behind her grandma's sacred nickname for her. She understood it to be something special. So much so, that Olivia's lips begin to quiver with the intensity of her grandmother's love for her.

"Oh Nana, I think I might cry too." Her voice cracks.

Gigi hugs Olivia. Tighter and longer than she ever remembers being held by her. "My sweet angel. How I love you."


Olivia jumped out of her all too real dream with a start. Her heart was racing and she felt the unwavering need to burst into tears. Dreaming of her grandma wasn't something that happened too often anymore. But dreaming of a memory that's happened already left her feeling vulnerable in a way she hasn't felt in a while. Like a wound reopening and she found herself unable to breathe.

As she lay next to Fitz, recalling the memory, a solemn smile etched across her lips. "She called me Livvie."

And then she really couldn't stop the tears from falling. All this time when Fitz called her Livvie and she would find it hard to breathe, she never knew why. Until now. Him and her grandmother were the only people on Earth to ever call her that. The thought rendered her incapable of speech.

Slowly and carefully, she slipped out of bed, not wanting to wake her sleeping boyfriend. She needed a minute to process and actually cry. Going into the bathroom, she locked the door behind her and stood at the vanity, looking at herself in the mirror. She shook her head. What were the odds? That she was in a new relationship. Hers and her grandma's birthday was coming up in three short days. And she was having dreams about her again after all these years.

"Okay Nana." She said out loud. "I'll see you soon."

Knowing that going back to bed would be damn near impossible, Olivia decided to just brush her teeth and wash her face to get the day started. By the time she exited out of the bathroom, Fitz was wide awake. She smiled.

"Morning." Olivia greeted.

Fitz stretched his arms out in the air, letting her know he wanted her to get back in bed to cuddle with him. She does just that, slipping under the covers and laying her head on his chest. He pressed a kiss on her forehead.

"You're up early." Fitz rasped, looking at the time on their Hatch sleep device.

"Yeah, woke up to pee, couldn't go back to sleep." She fibbed. Choking back tears, she kissed Fitz's chest and inhaled his scent for comfort. "Hey baby…"

"Yes my love?"

"Think you can pick me up from work today?" She asked, "I want to show you something."

"Sure thing." Fitz nodded without hesitance.

He could sense she was a little somber this morning. Normally when she's up before him, she's usually jumping his bones already. He knew something was on her mind. But he also knew that she would tell him when she was ready. The best thing he could do right now was give her space and comfort.

They still had another hour before they needed to be on the move to really get their day started. But for the moment, he simply focused on holding her, caressing her, kissing her whenever he felt like it. And for now, that was enough.


Since today was his late day, Fitz dropped her off at work as usual. He kissed her goodbye in the parking lot and told her he'd be there to pick her up in the afternoon at 2:30. After he dropped her off, he headed to work too to get an early start on the pile of paperwork on his desk that he let accumulate while he's been playing party planner.

Her birthday was T-3 days away. He, along with their community/friends have spent all month thoughtfully planning a surprise birthday party for her. The setting stage was going to be his loft in Brooklyn. He was barely using it these days as it was set to be up for sale soon. Most of his things in storage, so the place was basically empty. So when Abby suggested that it would be the perfect venue to throw her an intimate dinner with friends, he was instantly for it.

He'd been checking things off his list all week. Themes were picked out. Decor and activities were planned. Catering was finalized by Abby and Cece. Mike was supplying all their booze. Quinn curated a nice playlist, and a tear-jerker video filled with nice, heartfelt messages from friends and family. A thoughtful birthday gift registry was set up for her. All and all, they were on track to surprise her nicely this weekend.

The hardest part was left to him. Which was to trick her into going to the apartment without raising suspicion. The conundrum - he was a terrible liar, so the group chat was going off with suggestions on what he should say to her.

Looking at the latest text in the groupchat with their friends, Fitz laughed to himself as he responded to Abby's asinine idea.

Fitz: You're banned from giving me ideas. I'm definitely not doing that.

Quinn: Abby be so serious. We're not trying to give her a heart attack? Why would he tell her he amputated himself?

Abby: Hell. I tried. Godspeed.

Harrison: You can always tell her you've fallen and you can't get up…

Abby: LMFAO. Good one!

Fitz: Fuck you, Harry.

Cece: Only I get that privilege, thank you!

Cece: She'll believe something true, so stick to reality maybe?

Fitz decided to silence his notifications and threw himself into work. He had a bunch of calls to make and paperwork to complete in order to kickstart the renovations in 2 weeks. He's been dragging his feet on them. He spent the next hour approving payroll for the duration of the renovations. He made a few phone calls to his contractors and the bank. He also finally scheduled the stupid building inspections that's been giving him hell.

By the time he came up for a break, his first client was already at the desk, asking for him. He completed his hour training with them and then hit the showers. Pretty soon, it was time to pick up Olivia. He checked his phone, only to realize that she actually texted him to check in. He messaged her back that he was on his way.


Traffic was hellacious but thankfully, he made it on time to pick her up. She looked more tired than usual.

"Hi buddy!" He smiled at her when she got in the car.

Olivia chuckled. "Hi. I missed you." She leaned over and pecked his lips.

He grinned against her lips. He'll never get tired of their hellos to each other after a long day. It always made him glad to have a partner like her. One who was always happy to see him and missed him when he was gone. Cause he sure as hell felt the same about her.

"Missed you." He pecked her lips a couple times before pulling back. "So where are we off to? You've been very hush-hush."

"First we go to Target. Can we find one with a Starbucks in it? I desperately need a tea."

Fitz nodded, pulling out his phone to put the GPS. Olivia buckled her seatbelt on and off they went.

"So how was your day dear?"


At Target, Olivia picked out some fresh flowers. She bought a few different bouquets to make a beautiful arrangement of pink lilies, white lisianthus, roses, snapdragons and small sprigs of greenery. The lady at the flower department took great care in arranging it for her. She thanked her profusely.

Next they got her a hot chai tea and a black coffee for Fitz. He paid the total and then they hit the road again.

It was another hour and a half of driving, very little conversation and silence being filled with soft music when they arrived at their destination. Fitz raised his eyebrows when he realized he was making a final turn into a cemetery. They went up a nice steep hill and then drove down a secluded pathway before Olivia told him to park.

Olivia got out of the car with a sigh. She hated being here. She hated that it's been almost two years since she's paid her respect. She hated that her Nana wasn't here. But there was no time like the present.

"Ready?" Olivia looked at Fitz who was now by her side.

"Sure…" He responded, sounding the complete opposite. He hated cemeteries too.

Flowers in hands and an arm looped through Fitz's, Olivia began to guide them. They walked maybe a solid ten minutes before they found the marked grave they were looking for. As soon as Olivia saw it, she burst into tears.

Fitz read the headstone. It was beautiful and it was very clear that there were no expenses pulled when they chose it. She had a beautiful antiquated picture on the stone, with carved lilies and beautiful words inscribed.

Giselle Eloise Lewis

January 31st 1944 - August 19th 2010

"Do not fear, for I am with you." - Isaiah 41:10

"Fuuuuuck!" Fitz thought internally as he held Olivia. He had no idea they had the same birthday. He pulled her body fully against his and hugged her tightly as she sobbed in his neck. He didn't have the words, so he simply comforted her with silence and soothing circles to her back until she was all cried out.

When Olivia felt better, she pulled away from Fitz and faced the headstone again. Even after all these years, she couldn't believe it. This should not be so. With a deep breath, she gently laid the flowers she brought for her Nana.

"Hi beautiful. Guess you missed me, hunh? I know it's been a long time. Hope you're not too upset with me."

Now it was Fitz's turn to lose his shit. His hands were shaking as he held Olivia's tightly. His throat felt tight as he listened to Olivia talk to the grave.

"Things have been really good. Mom is doing well; she is smiling again these days. Harry is doing fantastic. He has a girl that he's crazy about. It took us a while, because you really broke our hearts leaving us like you did. There isn't a day that goes by…" Olivia felt tears coming again and she shook her head, refusing to cry any more. "I miss you. I did become a teacher. It's my third year of teaching. You made me believe I could do it, and wow, do I love it. God, I miss you so fucking much! Every. Single. Day."

She talked for a while, each sentence wrecking Fitz some more. Silent tears rolled down his face but he didn't bother wiping them. Their fingers remained interlocked as he listened to her have a one-sided conversation with her Nana. The wind blew past them every now and again. It was so soft, like a maternal caress against their cheeks, drying up the tears.

"I know you're going to chastise me for being rude so before you do, I wanted to introduce you to someone very special…" Bringing Fitz's trembling hand to her lips, she kissed his knuckles and glanced at him. He offered a small grin back. "This is Fitzgerald Grant. Most days he calls me "my love", "love of my life", "Fireball", "mama", but sometimes… he calls me "Livvie" just like you used to."

"Holy fucking Christ!" Fitz gasped. As soon as he registered what came out of his mouth, he slapped his hand over his mouth.

Olivia burst into laughter. It was perfect. "As you can see he's very, very dorky. And well, he's the one. You would've loved him." Looking at Fitz, she shrugged. "Baby, do you want to say anything?"

Fitz cleared his throat loudly. "Um... uh. Hi, Mrs. Lewis..."

They stuck around a bit longer. Just talking, laughing and drying tears until eventually, complete darkness was upon them. Before she left, Olivia placed a kiss on the stone and whispered. "Happy Birthday to us, Nana. I love you, always."


They were back on the road for a solid twenty-five minutes before Olivia finally spoke. After the last hour, they were both too raw to jump right into conversation. And personally she was too drained as well.

"I dreamt of her this morning." She shared. "It wasn't really a dream. More like a memory of one of the perfect days we had together when I was younger. She felt so real that when I woke up, it shook me. I've been avoiding coming to see her back there for so long. Cause it's just too painful you know? But I guess she misses me too, and wanted to let me know."

Fitz squeezed her hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss. "Thanks for sharing with me. And for bringing me along. Sounds like she was an incredible woman. I wish I could've met her."

Olivia squeezed his hand back and looked at him in the driver's seat. "She would've loved you."


On the way home, they stopped at a Popeyes drive-thru for dinner. Once they got home, they devoured the six piece meal and then shortly after, began to get ready for bed. A quick joint shower later, they were getting into bed, feeling completely spent from the day's events.

"I love you." Olivia said, facing him.

"I love you more." Fitz replied.

"That's impossible actually." Olivia countered.

Fitz chuckled, "Wanna bet?"

Olivia conceded with a giggle. "Not really."

"Good." Fitz drew her lips in a soft kiss, smiling. "It's almost your birthday." He whispered.

"Mmm. Did you get me anything good?"

He rolled on his back and tucked her at his side, under his arms. "You'll have to wait and see." He replied. "Goodnight my love."