Chapter 2

2019

Before Fitz walked into the hospital lobby, he made a few phone calls. He wanted his condo to be decorated for Christmas. Not knowing how long he would be with Jay; he hired a few professionals to do it.

The condo he bought was in a secure building on the upper east side, so he had to get security clearance for the company to be let in. However long he would be in DC, he just wanted to go home to a decorated, well lit Christmas tree and lights all around.

Fitz ended the call and took a long, deep breath before entering the hospital lobby. Not having time to change from the meetings he ended in Italy, Fitz was still dressed in his DIOR gray suit. He felt over dressed meeting Jay on such a grim night. Fitz had no idea that would be the last thought he ever had again about himself only. The rest of his years would be thinking of the daughter he didn't yet know he had.

Jay saw him enter the lobby and stood up, giving a slight wave. Fitz walked over to him and could tell he had been crying. From the looks of it, Jay had been crying for hours. "What can I do to help? I have no words, Jay." Fitz's hand was resting on Jay's shoulder.

Jay gave a small smile. He gave a pat to Fitz's hand. "Fitz, you need to sit down."

Fitz looked at the chair. "Ok, what is it Jay, if it's money, don't even worry about…" Fitz took his seat.

"No, no, it's not money." Jay shook his head. "Fitz, Jacqui was pregnant." Jay sat facing him, now.

Fitz tilted his head in sadness. Even more family that Jay had lost. "Oh my God, Jay, I…I just don't know what to say."

"The baby is alive." Jay put his head down.

Fitz looked confused. "That's a good thing? Right? I mean it, the baby, being healthy enough to survive?"

"She told me, a little less than a month ago about your one night stand."

Fitz looked shockingly at him. Then, it hit him, like a truck, it slammed into him, and his stomach turned. "Jay, what the fuck are you saying?"

"Pending a paternity test, which I think is useless, the baby is yours." Jay looked up at him and took a hard swallow. "They were on their way to the hospital when the accident happened. She was in labor."

If his best friend hadn't taken such a loss tonight, he would've punched him square in the jaw. Instead, Fitz just sat with his head held in his hands. "Jay, tell me this is a sick fucking joke." Fitz couldn't even look up at him.

"Look, last month, not even, maybe three weeks ago, I was leaving to Utah, and she told me. I don't think you need the paternity test because I think she had one done on her own just to prove to herself it wasn't Turners."

"Was she not going to tell me?" He couldn't really be mad at Jay, could he? "Jay, you could've picked up the phone, you could've….." His voice drifted off; his body just numb. "I can't believe you would keep this from me."

"I would have eventually told you; I don't know Fitz. Then this, tonight. I just can't process everything. We need to go up to the nursery. They have to do the test."

He just stared at Jay. He took a deep breath. Jay didn't have to call him at all tonight. He could've taken the baby, just kept the secret. Fitz ran his fingers through his hair. He shook his head. "Christmas, always full of surprises."

Fitz sat with his arms crossed now, just staring at the lights flickering on the hospital Christmas tree. He closed his eyes. "Boy or girl?" He asked through grinding teeth.

"A little girl. Noelle. You can change the name if you want, it's what Jacqui had planned to name her being born so close to Christmas. Noelle Janessa, after our mom."

If this wasn't the biggest Christmas surprise of all in Fitz's life, a baby. Fitz didn't know the first thing about being a father. What the hell was he going to do? He wanted to run out of the hospital, forget this ever was told to him. Instead, he looked at Jay. "What floor is the nursery on?"

"Follow me." Jay said as they both stood up and headed to the elevators. Before they got on the elevator, Fitz looked in the all night gift shop. He saw a Christmas display of unicorns and he walked in and bought what his daughter would eventually name UNI. Holding onto the stuffed animal, the elevator took them to the nursery floor.

"Usually, a paternity test takes about 24 hours. Because of the severity of this case, we have contacted the lab and the results should be back within three hours." They took blood and they swabbed Fitz. All the time his big hand was grasping the unicorn. "Mr. Grant, did you understand that?" The doctor was talking to him.

Fitz shook his head. His body had hit the shock mode. "Yeah, I understand." He finally put the unicorn down on his lap and put his head in his hands. The hospital was quiet, despite it being a nursery and Fitz heard Silver Bells being played over the hospital radio. Jay sat silently by his side. He knew Fitz was a box of emotions and so was he, but they both knew they needed each other.

Fitz must have dozed off, because he felt a hand shake him and he jumped out of his sleep. The nurse he had met during his test was standing over above him. In her arms was a baby, wrapped in a pink blanket with the tiniest, little Santa hat on her head.

"Congratulations Mr. Grant, this your daughter, Noelle."

Fitz turned to Jay, who just patted Fitz's shoulder. "I'm going to make arrangements for Jacqui and Turner." He walked out to leave Fitz to his daughter blinking back tears he would let out when he was out of sight.

The nurse handed Fitz a small bottle. Fitz rounded his arm and Noelle was placed gently into it. Fitz wrapped his arm around the tiny body, and the nurse showed him how she would take the bottle.

Immediately, Noelle began sucking and Fitz looked down at her, watching her eat, and his heart melted in a way he never thought it could. "The most wonderful Christmas surprise ever." He whispered as the nurse smiled.

"Let her drink 2 oz, then burp her. Give her more only if she burps. I'll be back to show you how to change her." The nurse left and it was just Fitz left with this beautiful baby that belonged to him.

As Noelle was sucking down the formula, her eyes opened. It was still early in her life, but Fitz could tell she would have blue eyes. She looked at him as if she had known him, was expecting to see him, as she continued to suck.

It was at that moment anything Fitz had done in life would be in the past. The future was Noelle and, in this moment, he looked back at her. "I promise to make not only all your Christmas wishes come true, but we will get through it all together. Daddy will never let anything, or anyone hurt you." Fitz began to sob. "You, Noelle, will always be my greatest Christmas surprise." He rocked her in his arm as he continued to feed her.

It was one of the longest nights Fitz could remember. He didn't sleep a wink. The hospital, given the circumstances, let him stay in a room with Noelle. Fitz spent hours on the phone ordering baby things. He had a crib and about fifty outfits to be delivered to his condo for when he got home. He also ordered several cases of formula, bottles, and diapers to have there.

He ordered a car seat to have delivered first thing in the morning to the hospital. This wasn't easy being it would be Christmas Eve, but Fitz wasn't taking Noelle on a plane. He had a car ready to take them back to New York, and he planned on staring at her the whole drive up.

The nurses had been exceptionally helpful. They gave Fitz a few outfits so he could dress Noelle and had one to take her home in. They had chipped in together and bought Noelle a red dress with white fur. "She's a Christmas baby." The nurse looked at Fitz and smiled. "You'll make a fine dad, don't worry, ok."

All bundled up and ready to go, Fitz was a nervous wreck. The nurses who had guided him and greeted him all gathered around to say good bye. The third floor nursery and maternity ward had treated Fitz and Noelle so special and Fitz had to thank them.

Before leaving, Fitz nodded towards the entrance to the floor. In walked two "elves" each carrying two big Christmas bags. They handed them to two nurses and walked out.

"This is a thank you, a show of gratitude from myself and Noelle for the great care you have taken of us. I'll never forget you and I will send you updates on how she is doing. Merry Christmas and enjoy your surprises." With that he left, carrying a bundled up Noelle in her car seat.

The nurses looked in the bags, filled with gift cards to local restaurants, clothing shops, and baby stores. "Your kindness did not go unnoticed, please use these as needed. My best to all of you on the third floor, Fitzgerald Grant the Third and Noelle Janessa Grant.

There was a very small, solemn memorial for Turner and Jacqui at a nearby church. His initial anger subsided; Fitz walked in to see Jay sitting by himself in the small chapel. He placed the car seat down and took Noelle in his arms, handing him to Jay.

Jay held his niece in his arms, crying tears for the mother she would never know, his sister who raised him. "I'm sorry she had other plans, Fitz, but I don't think I would have been able to keep her from you." He rocked her in his arms.

"Jay, I don't have the first clue how to be a father. I'm going to try. Whenever you're close, let me know. I want her to know her Uncle Jay." Fitz walked with Noelle over to the picture of her mother. He closed his eyes, turned away, and left with Noelle, on his way to do his best to be something he'd never thought he would be.

2019

The cruise ship had come to a layover in Puerto Vallarta. Liv was getting ready to have lunch and enjoy a shopping day with Russel. It was Christmas Day and after receiving the diamond necklace, she wanted to do something special for him.

Liv lost her mother after a long illness about a year ago. She was happy to have been spending Christmas with someone, as she thought of her loneliness. She never spent a Christmas alone.

Liv opened the bathroom door to their cabin and was surprised to find an empty room. Up against a single rose lying on the bed was a note. "Gaming meeting on the island. Enjoy your shopping. Buy something nice. I'll be back before the ship leaves." Liv just stared at the note. Was he for real?

Liv spent Christmas Day walking around shops and eating at small restaurants on the island. She saw a small fiber optic lit Christmas tree in one of the shops. She had it delivered to their room in the cabin. She figured she would have a little Christmas with Russel even if it was only for a few hours.

She bought a small ornament, a Mexico vacation couple ornament, and had their names engraved on it. Feeling a bit bolder now, she bought a nice red teddy to wear to bed and a bottle of tequila. May as well make this a Christmas surprise he wouldn't forget.

Liv was waiting now, staring at the glowing tree in the room. She was on her third cup of tequila and getting annoyed. She had room service delivered, Russel's favorite, a New York Strip steak with a baked potato, loaded with bacon and sour cream. Liv had already devoured her shrimp and linguine dinner, not being able to wait any longer.

Finally, at 1130pm, Russel came into the cabin. He walked over to her. "Hey baby. Did you have a good day? Spend a lot of my money?" He smiled, kissing her, and stripped to his boxers. He lifted up the cover on the food dish. "Thanks, but I'm not hungry."

He looked over at the tree. "Cute. But Christmas is almost over." He fell into the bed, and within moments he was sleeping, not even noticing the ornament, how Liv was dressed, or having a drink with her.

"I didn't spend a dime of your money, asshole." She slammed her empty glass down and made it a point to sleep on the lounger in the room, she didn't want to be near him.

Before she fell asleep, she took the tree, ornament and all and placed it in the hallway with a sign that read garbage. She fell asleep thinking how this was the worst Christmas she ever had.

She felt him rubbing her cheek. She woke up and Russel was sitting next to her. He pointed to the tree, set back up in the cabin. He held the ornament up. "I'm sorry, baby. It was just a long day."

"It was Christmas Day." She looked away. "This was all supposed to be a surprise, a few surprises, don't you like surprises?"

"Surprises aren't really my thing, but I love all of this. Will you forgive me?" He looked at her.

"Will you go ice skating with me when we are back in LA? I love to ice skate during Christmas time."

"I don't know the first thing about ice skating or how to do it, but if that's what it's going to take to get you to forgive me, then ok." He was lying and he knew it.

She didn't want to forgive him, but she did. Once the cruise ship docked and they were back in LA, Russel, for not liking surprises, gave Liv one of her own. They never did go ice skating, but it became a blur in Liv's mind after what Russel showed her.

He led her to a brand new three bedroom house he had purchased just before the cruise. "I figured we'd get a jump start on our lives together, I don't know where this will go, but will you move in with me? Merry Christmas." He smiled.

Present Day

"Come with us." Noelle said. Olivia looked over at Noelle who was looking right back at her, finally letting her gaze go from the big tree.

"Noelle." Fitz said a bit stern. He looked at Olivia. "My apologies, she is…"

"Friendly, I know." Liv smiled. "I don't know where you're going, but I have work Noelle, I'm sorry." Liv knew damn well she didn't have work. She felt horrible lying to the little doll. She couldn't even look at Fitz, his eyes alone wouldn't let her go if she did.

Fitz knew Noelle was disappointed, but he didn't think she was as disappointed as he was. "Noelle, honey, not everyone has Saturday off from work."

"Christmas Surprise Ovivia, come with us." Noelle said again ignoring what both her father and Olivia had said. She wasn't taking no for an answer.

Liv took a deep, disappointed breath. She stepped up closer to Noelle. "You enjoy your Christmas surprise with your daddy, ok sweetheart." She turned and walked towards the door. Olivia didn't want to go, the last thing she wanted was to sit in a lonely office, but she couldn't intrude on the little family.

She stepped out into the chilly New York air waiting for her Uber to arrive. All the while thinking about what Noelle said. Christmas surprise. Why did she feel so drawn to her, and so (admit it Liv) attracted to Fitz.

She put her head down, shaking it, remembering the cruise. Christmas, she thought, she hadn't even bought any decorations for her place.

Noelle watched Liv walk away. She looked at her father and saw a sad look in his eyes. "I'm sad too, daddy." She wrapped her little arms around his neck and hugged him. "I like Ovivia."

Fitz rubbed his daughter's back. I do, too, he thought, but didn't say it out loud. He looked over at the entrance and saw Gillian working the door. "Noelle, honey, stay with Gillian for a minute ok, daddy will be right back."

Fitz approached Gillian. "Hey Mr. Grant, hi Little Miss Noelle, two L's."

Noelle waved at Gillian, showing her the unicorn mittens. "Gillian." Fitz said. "Could you just watch her for a minute, please?"

"Sure thing Mr. Grant." Gillian went eye level to Noelle to talk about her mittens.

Fitz saw a car pull up and just before Olivia opened the door, she heard her name being called. She looked over as Fitz was slightly jogging to her. "Olivia, wait."

Liv looked into the car. "Give me a minute." The driver shrugged and waited.

"Do you really have to work? I mean, I don't know what you do, but do you have to today?" Fitz looked at Noelle engaged in conversation with Gillian. "We have a day planned and that little girl would love for you to be a part of it, honestly, so would I." Fitz looked at her now, his eyes pleading.

Liv's head tilted not expecting those words. "I" she shrugged. Empty office or gorgeous man, she thought. She looked over Fitz's shoulder and saw Noelle looking at her. Noelle smiled and waved, holding her hand up covered with the mitten. "I guess work can wait." She said, defeated.

Fitz pulled out a fifty dollar bill. He handed it to the uber driver. "Thanks, buddy, she won't be needing you today."

Noelle saw them both approaching, and her arms went up in pure delight. She ran to Olivia, hugging her legs. She looked up at her new friend. "Ovivia, you're coming for surprises." It was more like she was telling her than asking her.

Olivia rested her hands on Noelle's back as Noelle kept the hug on her legs. "Yes, Noelle, I'll come for surprises." She felt Fitz taking her work bag from her shoulder.

"You can keep this in the trunk of the car. We'll have the car all day." Fitz nodded over to a stretch black limo that pulled up in front. The driver was about to get out, and Fitz stopped him. "I got it, thanks."

Equipped with a car seat for Noelle, Fitz strapped her in. He reached out for Liv's hand and waited as she watched him with her arms crossed. "Olivia, would you like to get in?" He asked, hand still extended.

Olivia was still shocked he had a stretch limo come to pick up his two year old daughter and himself. What kind of surprises did this man have in mind? She looked at his hand. "Sorry, yes, thank you." She grazed his hand as he let her step in. She wondered if the same bolt of electricity shot through him like it shot through her when she touched him. Never mind the smell of Creed having her crazy.

He sent a text before getting in. "Size 6, meet at the rink." He sat next to Olivia but gave her personal space, although he didn't want to. They were both facing Noelle.

"So, I am Fitz. That's short for Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald Grant the Third, I'm…."

"CEO of Grant Enterprises, wow." Liv looked away then back, a bit embarrassed.

He smirked. "Yeah, how did you know?"

"You advertise in my magazine. I'm editor in chief of Fashion Magazine. You're on the major ad list." She smiled.

"So, you really didn't have to work today, did you?" He side smiled at her. "Anyway." He looked at Noelle who was admiring the hustle of the city sidewalks. "This is Noelle Janessa Grant. Noelle, do you have anything to say to Olivia?"

"Thank you for coming. You found my mitten too." She smiled, the replica of Fitz's smile.

"You're very welcome." She poked Noelle, making her giggle and she turned back to Fitz. "I am Olivia Pope. I just moved here about two months ago. I spent one night in the building, had the penthouse renovated and just moved back in. Last night was my first night back. So, what's the surprise?"

"Ovivia." Noelle said. "It's a surprise, only daddy knows." Noelle looked lovingly at her father.

"I have this thing, ever since Noelle was born. Saturday and Sundays are always for her. We do things together or we do nothing together. Some days we are out until the evening, other days we are home all day just watching movies or playing, but work can wait again until Monday." That was a jab at her and she seemed to have known it.

Liv shook her head. "Fair enough, I'll play along." The car stopped in front of a small café. The driver ran into the café and came out carrying something. He opened the door and handed them each a Santa hat.

Olivia looked at them. "Do I have to wear this?" Noelle was struggling a bit to put hers on, and Liv reached over to help her, noticing her hair again. "Did daddy do your hair Noelle? This braid is beautiful."

"Yes, daddy always does my hair." She hopped out of her car seat into Fitz's arms. "Ovivia likes my hair." She whispered in his ear. He put his hand down for Olivia to come out of the car.

Olivia was not used to such chivalry. Russel never had it, that's for sure. He would let the car roll away before he took her hand out of it. Again, a jolt as she touched his hand, and they both stared at her, eyebrows up waiting for her to put the hat on.

"Ok, fine, you two win." She put the hat on, and Noelle clapped.

"So pretty, Ovivia, right daddy."

Fitz blushed; he could feel it. He looked at Olivia. "Yes, Noelle, very pretty."

"Hi blue eyed beauty, how are you today?" The woman behind the counter greeted Noelle in her father's arms. "Good morning Mr. Grant." She saw Olivia with them. "Table for three today?"

Noelle shook her head. "Ovivia found my mitten." She held up her mitten, pulling it off her hand.

Tiffany and Fitz were right, Noelle sure was a friendly little girl. Olivia smiled at the woman. "Good morning." She said back to her.

"Ask her please." Noelle said to the woman, name tag read Darlene. Noelle smiled at Liv.

"Ask me what?" Olivia looked at Darlene.

"Pick a number from 1-9." Darlene did as she was asked.

Liv looked curiously at Noelle and Fitz. "2, because Noelle is two." She poked Noelle's nose.

"And you, little lady?" Darlene waited for Noelle's answer.

"3, because I'm almost three." She kissed Fitz's cheek. "Right daddy?"

"Yep. I'll pick 8, because we live on the 8th floor." Fitz smiled. Darlene led them to their table.

Fitz cut up, into little square pieces, the French toast Noelle had ordered. He touched it up with a bit of syrup, and Noelle began to eat all the while watching what was going on at the walk up counter.

Liv had a cup of tea and a small plain croissant. She watched Fitz with his buttered bagel. "What was the number thing all about?" Liv kept watching Noelle who wouldn't take her eyes off the counter.

She poked Fitz's shoulder. "Daddy, look." She chewed on a piece of French toast, watched the customer go out smiling, and said "surprise." Only Fitz and Liv could hear it.

"Noelle and I have this thing. We pick three numbers. Darlene charges a gift card with that amount, that I purchase. Today it was $238 dollars. Every customer that walks in and orders, it's paid for until the gift card runs out. Noelle loves to watch the reactions of people who get their meals or drinks for free."

Liv couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Fitz, wow, that's just." She just didn't have any words. "I mean what if I picked the number 6, would you have gotten a six hundred dollar gift card?"

Fitz shrugged. "Yeah. I am very privileged, Noelle is also. I want to teach her to use that privilege right. She only began to understand this several months ago, and we've been doing it on most Saturdays." Fitz took a bit of his bagel.

Liv just looked at him, still processing what he just told her. This man can't be real. This had to be a dream. "Fitz, that is just amazingly heartwarming."

"Thanks. Ready, Noelle, we don't want to be late." He looked over at Liv. "Ready for the next surprise?" Fitz pulled Noelle down from the chair and put her coat on. Liv just watched how gentle and loving Fitz was with his daughter.

He grabbed Liv's coat, and did the same for her, holding her coat for her to put on. Liv felt a numbness go through her body as his hands grazed her back. She didn't need the coat, as she was beginning to sweat. "Thank you", was all she could say.

Liv wasn't expecting Noelle to slip her hand into hers, but she did. Liv looked down at her and smiled.

"Ovivia, you're so pretty." Noelle said it again. She swung Liv's hand a bit. She poked Liv to show her that the mittens were in her pockets. "I have them." Noelle told Liv as if Liv was worried about them.

"Smart idea to put them in your pocket. Who taught you that?"

"My daddy." Noelle said, looking at one bare hand.

Liv looked up at Fitz, he was watching for the car to come back. "An old trick. My grandmother used to put my gloves in my hat and my hat in my coat sleeve so I would know where they were in the morning." Fitz turned towards her gorgeous brown eyes. "This is us."

Before the car came for another stop, Fitz pulled out his cell phone. "Do you have a phone number? We're going to a crowded place, just in case we get separated." Fitz looked at Liv waiting.

Liv couldn't remember a time the cell phone wasn't glued to her hand. She took a shocked breath, shit, was work trying to contact her. But then she remembered this had been the first time in years she hadn't thought about work. Every hour of every day was her thinking of work, but for the past two hours, it was just Fitz, Noelle, and Christmas surprises.

Looking at the display, she saw three missed calls from Harrison and a text. "Everything ok, Liv, it's not like you to miss calls, text back."

"Busy today Harrison. I'll talk to you tomorrow." She looked up. As Fitz recited his number, she called it and they both had each other's numbers, just like that.

The car stopped and Noelle said "Ovivia, you like to ice skate?" Noelle was pointing at the rink at Bryant Park. "Daddy is not good, he falls." She giggled.

Fitz shrugged. "She's right, I'm not. Usually I'm holding on to her aid she brings on the ice."

Olivia smiled. "This is nice, but I don't have…"

The car door opened as the driver handed Fitz three pairs of ice skates. "I figured a size 6?" He handed Liv a new pair of brown velvet ice skates.

Liv squinted. "Yeah, size 6." What else did he think he knew the sizes of, she wondered. He licked his lips as she took the skates. "Thank you." She said, with what little breath she had in her.

Christmas music blaring in the air, Noelle pushing along her ice aid, and Olivia right next to her, skating as happily as she was. "you're good at this Noelle."

Noelle nodded. "Thank you, Ovivia. I like the music." They stopped when they came back around to Fitz. Noelle held her hand up and Fitz took it. She held her hand up to Olivia and Noelle took that. Then, Noelle connected their hands as she grabbed hold of her aid.

The song "Where are you Christmas?" blared over the rink as young Noelle saw something on her father she hadn't seen much, smiles. He always smiled at her, but to other people he rarely did. Today Noelle counted 20 smiles, because 20 was the highest she could count to.

Noelle loved when her daddy smiled, and she was beginning to love Ovivia making him smile. She didn't know what attraction was between two people, but if she did she would know, as Fitz and Olivia continued to hold one another's hand, there was an attraction there, and as much as they both were fighting it, there was no denying it.

"Skate daddy, Ovivia will help." Noelle pushed her aid in front of the two of them. Fitz looked down at Olivia, tightening his grip on her hand.

She looked at him, her heart beginning to skip a beat. "Yeah," she said in a whisper. "I'll help."

Fitz took a hard swallow. "Ok, let's skate. I don't really do this, don't know the first thing about skating. Tiffany usually brings Noelle. For you, though, Olivia, as a thank you for joining us, I'll skate."

And, unlike the empty promise made by Russel, having never gone ice skating with him, Liv held Fitz's hand a bit tighter also. "I won't let you fall." They began gliding to keep up with the little skater, gliding with her unicorn ice skates, in front of them. Noelle was smiling at everyone that passed her and Olivia was so happy she decided to share in their Christmas surprise day.

After skating, shopping at the small shops in the Bryant Park Winter Village, and eating a friendly dinner, their day of surprises was ending.

Liv couldn't remember a time she was so care free, not thinking one moment of the work she was missing. She noticed, after getting her phone number, Fitz never even looked back at his phone. He was focused on what was in front of him, her and Noelle.

If a CEO of one of the nation's most successful companies could ignore work, Olivia could also. They were sitting in the limo now, all exhausted, but satisfied. The darkness was falling over the city as the lights glistened in.

"Ovivia did you have fun?" Noelle yawned, clutching on to a unicorn poster Olivia bought for her. "Thank you for my unicorn."

"You're welcome, Noelle, two L's. Thank you for my rainbow necklace." Olivia grabbed the charm and swirled it around. "I love it."

Noelle nodded, as her head fell limp and she was sound asleep with the motion of the car. Liv turned to Fitz and she boldly grazed his hand.

"Thank you, today was just wonderful. I honestly can't remember the last time I had so much fun."

Fitz smiled. "You're welcome. I'm glad you decided to join us. You're welcome to join me at my place after Noelle is in bed for the night." He grazed her hand also, but then interlocked his fingers with hers. "I'd love to get to know you better." That was hard for him to say, but he said it.

Liv smiled, looked away, clearly flattered and looked back at him. "Nothing I would like more."

The car pulled up to the building. Fitz looked up at the well lit building. "Christmas, full of surprises." He stepped out of the car with all the bags, placed them down on the curb and was ready to turn to get Noelle.

Fitz didn't have to. Olivia had taken her out of the seat, and Noelle was sound asleep, still, her head resting on Olivia's shoulder. Fitz looked at the scene, he had never seen his daughter in the arms of anyone else, not even Tiffany held her while she was sleeping, yet this looked so perfect. He took her work bag from the driver who had taken it out of the trunk.

"Olivia, are you sure you have her." Fitz didn't know how to feel it had always been him and Noelle for so long.

"You didn't fall ice skating did you, Mister?" Liv smiled as the three of them entered the building passing the wide smile Fabian had on his face.

"Evening folks, have a good night, " as he held the door opened.

Because of Noelle wrapped tight in Olivia's arms, she was unable to notice her cell phone ringing in her purse. The display said "Russel", and as Olivia was just ending one of the best days she's had in her life, the last thing she needed to know was one of the worst mistakes she made in her life was trying to contact her.

The look in Noelle's eyes when Olivia said she would go to work tore at Fitz's heart strings. He knew he had to find a way to get Olivia to come. Whatever transpired the night before in the elevator, Noelle took a liking to Olivia. The sadness he never wanted to see in his daughter's eyes gave him the boldness he needed to ask Olivia to come.

Ever since the day he found out about Noelle, Fitz secluded himself and his daughter from letting people in their circle, but for now, he's glad to welcome Olivia in, and hoping this year the Christmas surprise will be more of Olivia in their lives.