A/N: To my wonderful readers. Over this past week I had a life threatening medical emergency in the family. Things are still touch and go. I meant to have this finished for Christmas, but that isn't going to happen, as I have to put writing on hold for a bit. I had this ready to go for Thursday, but that is when it the emergency hit. I hope you don't mind if I finish this after Christmas (obviously), but I will finish, I just don't know how long it will take. Thank you for understanding and may all your Christmas wishes come true.
Chapter 4
2020
Fitz had become accustomed to being a father. To be completely honest he was totally lost the first two months of Noelle's life. Sure, he had changing, feeding and dressing her down to a science, but he was petrified to let her out of his sight.
Once their first Christmas was over, he asked his confidential secretary, Lauren to come to his place. He would be working from home until the month of February, and he needed her to set up things so they were easily available to him.
He also called Marcus Walker in from his Atlanta headquarters. Marcus ran operations there, but he was now going interim in New York, Fitz needed him here. It was a good time for Grant Enterprises. Business was booming, all their stocks were skyrocketing, and Fitz was in the middle of a hiring boom when Noelle came along.
Realizing work had to be his second concentration to Noelle, he had to let people he trusted in on the news.
"So, it's going to be tough. I was told I was a father and handed a baby all in the same night. She is my priority right now. You know I don't have family and anyone who could stay with her, so New York operations will be out of here for now." He spread his arms out to his condo.
He looked over at Marcus. "I'll need you on the inside at the Wall Street firm, being my eyes and ears until the end of February. Choose someone you seem fit enough to lead the office here on the upper east side. I could check in on them easier"
Marcus nodded. "Sir, but what are you going to do in March, bring her to the office."
"I don't know Marcus. Right now, I'm just taking it day by day." He watched as Noelle stirred a bit in her cradle, but not waking up. He put her UNI next to her and gently rubbed her head.
"Mr. Grant, if I may." Lauren said quietly. "My daughter Tiffany would be more than willing to help out if you'd like."
Fitz looked at her. "Like a babysitter?"
Lauren shrugged, "Even more than that. She is trained in CPR, took early childhood courses, and has daycare experience. Currently her college is on hold until our finances go up a bit."
"Done." Fitz said.
"Pardon me?" Lauren looked at Marcus who was smiling. Marcus pointed to his ear and back at Fitz.
"I'll pay for her college if she could watch Noelle during the day, five days a week. Does the college offer weekend courses?"
"Uh, sir, that isn't what I was…"
"Weekend courses?"
"Yes, they do."
"Good, set it up. Have her come once week, then twice, then three times, until the end of February. I'll see how Noelle is with her, and she's hired. She'll get a salary as well."
"Oh no." Lauren shook her head. "She couldn't possibly.."
"Marcus, first up?" Fitz waited, not listening to Lauren
"We have Bound Brook Gardens in Staten Island. The place is falling apart and the tenants are scrambling to keep the place structurally sound. 250 families destined to lose their homes."
"Ok, see what offer we can make, get it fixed up, and we'll go from there."
A small squeal came from the cradle. "If you don't mind, I need to take care of Noelle. Thank you both for helping me and for keeping my confidence in you. Lauren, I look forward to hearing from Tiffany and get that bill to me for the classes."
Tiffany arrived the next day. She walked around the place getting to know the condo and took swift action in changing Noelle's diaper. She also dressed Noelle in a small pink dress with a white unicorn on the front.
"Noelle is just a beautiful little girl, Mr. Grant, she looks just like you." Tiffany was talking to Fitz, but looking at Noelle who was smiling at Tiffany's voice.
After five hours of interaction, changing, feeding, playing, Tiffany more than convinced Fitz she was qualified for the position. "Are you sure you don't mind? Some days I may not be home until late."
"Not at all Mr. Grant, I would be happy to take care of her full time. You have been more than wonderful to my mother, she speaks very highly of you, it's the least I can do. I will only take the salary though, you don't have to pay for…."
"Nonsense, just come back here on Monday, enjoy the rest of your weekend, ok. Then we will sit down and make a schedule."
2020
"Ok, so I'll need to have the new fashion line by Friday, at midnight, if you want it to be considered for the summer issue." There was a pause and Liv looked up in her office. Russ was standing there, his arms folded, leaning up against the door frame. He licked his lips and smiled at her. Liv put her finger up, pointing to the phone on her ear.
"Yes, that's the best I can do. Good, send it to me by Friday. No need to thank me." Liv looked at Russ again. He pretended he was sleeping, and when her voice stopped he opened his eyes. He lifted his shirt to show his impressive abs and then proceeded to take his shirt completely off.
Liv's eyes went wide. "New York?, seriously, I would consider it, but I don't know. Ok, look, Chad, I have to go. I look forward to seeing your work. Ok, yeah, yeah, got it. Goodbye."
She jumped from her desk and pulled him in her office. She quickly closed the door and pulled him out of sight from the glass windows. "What the hell are you doing? Are you out of your mind, put your shirt back on."
He kissed her cheek. "Come on baby, I needed a distraction for you. I miss you."
Watching him as he put his shirt back, praying no one in the office saw that, she headed back to her desk. "You're the one that leaves every hour after being home, so I decided working late at the office would keep me from being lonely. After all I thought you bought the house for us, not just me."
Liv sat in her chair, making changes to some articles on her computer. He went behind the chair. He kissed her neck. "Come on, turn off the computer, put your work to the side for now, let's go home."
"For six months I've been waiting for you to come home." Liv put her fingers in quotes as she said the words come home. "I'm getting tired of this Russ, truly, it's exhausting."
"Aww baby, come on, it's Thursday, take tomorrow off and let's begin a long weekend." He swerved her chair so she was facing him now.
"Promise?" She folded her arms waiting for an answer.
"Promise." He used his finger to make a cross over his heart.
Liv was too excited to remember Chad's proposal to go to New York and start a position there. Liv forgot about it because Russ finally gave her an entire Friday, but Russ didn't forget. He got a hold of Chad right away, while Liv was in the shower. He made it clear to him that Liv was not interested in New York, but she didn't know how to break the news to him, so Russ was doing it for her.
Waking up on Saturday morning to an empty bed after a day and night of love making was not something Liv was happy about. Another one of Russ's notes, one she didn't even read, and Liv was off to spend yet another weekend working.
Present day
"Ovivia likes the pancakes." Noelle looked up at her father smiling.
"Do you think she knows?" Fitz asked his young daughter.
"Nope" Noelle said and continued chewing on the piece in her mouth.
Liv squinted at them both. "Know what?"
Noelle's fork dropped onto the plate, and she covered her mouth laughing. "They are magic pancakes." She said in between laughs.
"Magic?" Liv looked surprised. "And what's so magical about them?"
"Noelle." Fitz said, pretending he was mad. "You can't tell the secret." He said with grinded teeth whispering.
Liv played along. She crossed her arms. "Ok, no way, nuh uh, I'm done. If I don't know what magic I will have I cannot continue to eat the pancakes."
"OK"! They said it together, and their forks went on to Liv's plate and they fought over the pancake.
When Noelle "won" the battle, Liv looked shocked. "Did you just trick me so you could take my pancake?" She scooped Noelle into her lap and began to tickle her. "I think the pancake gave me tickling powers, now what?"
Noelle laughed so hard; her unicorn earmuffs fell off. Liv looked down at the floor then back up at Fitz who was staring at them both, lovingly. His folded hands were in front of his smiling mouth.
This was so perfect, he thought. He never saw someone so comfortable around Noelle as Liv was. She didn't wear kid gloves, she wasn't intimidated by her, and she seemed to share the same sense of humor. The only other person was Tiffany and she had been with Noelle for two years.
Noelle, on the other hand, never made a connection to anyone like she did to Olivia. It took her several weeks to comfort up to Tiffany, and even now as she was a bit older, she always shied away from anyone in Fitz's office or his friends.
"Well, looks like I win." The two of them watched as he took all the pancakes from Noelle's plate and began having his feast.
Noelle covered both her eyes with both her hands. "Oh no Ovivia, we lost."
"Hmm" Liv said patting her chin with her finger. "Maybe we didn't." Liv pulled the rainbow bagels out of the bag. "Remember we have the colors of the rainbow."
Noelle's mouth went open. She shook her head in excitement. "And rainbows are magical of all"
"And the evil troll ran away crying." Fitz said, crying. "Realizing his pancakes weren't magic after all." He ran to the living room and fell onto the rug.
"Daddy! It was just a game, don't cry." She walked over to him, and he grabbed her, holding her high above his chest as he still lay on the rug. She giggled and giggled.
Liv stood and watched in awe how loving and playful he was with Noelle. She had seen father/daughter love before, but the two of them had a special bond. He truly did make her the happiest little girl.
He turned her body towards the bare tree. "You know what magic unicorn; this tree isn't decorating itself. Are you ready?"
For the first time in her life, before she answered him, Noelle looked for someone else's approval. "Ready Ovivia?"
Liv's head went back as surprised at the question as Fitz was. "Uh," she tossed her hands up in the air. "I am ready. Where do we begin?"
Before Fitz let her go, he whispered something in Noelle's ear. Noelle nodded in agreement. She ran to the bedroom and came back out with her and Fitz's Santa hat from yesterday. "Ovivia your hat."
"Oh, I left it at my place." Liv looked at Noelle.
"Daddy, Ovivia's hat." Her pleading eyes looked at Fitz.
"I have no problem going to get it if you trust me in your place." Fitz looked at her.
"Absolutely." She handed Fitz the key and he was out the door in a flash, and Liv realized he was going to see how unprepared for Christmas she was.
"Ovivia, look." Noelle began holding up ornaments that went on her tree. "See?" Noelle pointed up to the picture of when she was one pointing to the unicorn ornament. "And see?" Noelle was holding the same unicorn ornament in her hand.
Liv looked down at her after looking at the picture. "The same ornament. Is that one your favorite?"
She nodded her head staring at the ornament, holding it above her eyes. "Here." She handed it to Liv.
"Oh, Noelle, it's your favorite, you hang it on the tree." Liv didn't want to be the one who hung up their first ornament, especially Noelle's favorite ornament.
Before she had to let Noelle down, Liv heard the door open. Fitz held her Santa hat in his hands. "Santa hat delivered." He said as he saw Liv holding the ornament. "Noelle, no."
Liv thought Fitz was upset she had the ornament in her hand. "Fitz, I'm sorry, I was trying to explain….
"Noelle, you have to hang your ornament and Liv has to hang HERS, then I'll hang mine."
Noelle crossed her eyebrows in confusion. "Ovivia's ornament?"
"Yeah, it's not fair if she doesn't have her own for our tree, right? Just like Tiffany. Tiffany will hang her ornament when she comes tomorrow."
Liv smiled, looked at Noelle, then up at Fitz, "but I don't have an ornament."
"Remember Ovivia, magic?" Noelle watched Fitz walk out of the room and back in.
His hands were behind his back and Noelle ran behind him. She covered her mouth in surprise and went over to Liv. She raised her arms up so Olivia could be holding her when she saw the gift Fitz had gotten her. Liv picked up Noelle, snuggled her nose with hers and said "What is it, Noelle, two L's?"
"Christmas surpriiiiiiiiiiiise." Noelle said holding that I sound nice and long.
Liv couldn't contain her heartbeat. This moment was just so perfect. It seemed silly, but Noelle was so excited to see her get a surprise from her daddy, her very attractive daddy, Liv even felt guilty thinking that.
"Fitz, you didn't have to."
"I know." He said in a baritone voice that did pleasure to her ears. "It's your first Christmas in New York and you should remember the first thing we did together, right Noelle."
"Yes." Noelle said and excitedly gave Liv a big hug. For that moment, Liv lost herself in the softness of the hug snuggling her nose into Noelle's neck.
Liv closed her eyes, feeling a teardrop. Could it be possible she loved this little girl already, and even more surprisingly that she wanted to love Fitz?
"Open your hand, Livvie." Fitz walked towards them.
With one hand holding onto Noelle on her hip, Liv opened the other hand.
"And close your eyes, Ovivia." Noelle said watching her with a big smile.
Fitz placed the ornament in her hand. He took Noelle from Liv as Liv opened her eyes, looking down at the ornament.
"You're sad?" Noelle looked at Olivia concerned as she saw Olivia cry.
"No, honey, not at all, these are happy tears." Liv was looking at an a red ice skate ornament. On the ice skate in white lettering it said "Bryant Park '22." On the ice skate blade was her name in white beautiful print. "OLIVIA." The only time Liv had something given to her so personal with her name on it was when she ordered that ornament in Mexico on that dreadful cruise. This just filled her with a happiness she had been missing for a long time.
Beaming at the ornament, she smiled. "Thank you Fitz, I just get a bit emotional." They looked at each other with what seemed like a full minute, and Liv swore if Fitz didn't have Noelle in his arms she probably would have shared a very passionate kiss.
"She likes it." Noelle said to Fitz.
"I think so." Fitz put Noelle down. "Go ahead, Liv, put it on the tree."
"Well, shouldn't Noelle put hers up first?"
"You first." Noelle agreed with Fitz.
Liv hung the ice skate watching it dangle from the branch in the middle front she chose. Noelle put her unicorn one just below Liv's and Fitz put his #1 dad ornament next to Noelle's.
After an hour of putting up the ornaments, mostly rainbows and unicorns, Fitz put Noelle on his shoulder and she sat the angel atop the tree. It's wings were fiber optic rainbow, and when it lit up, Noelle clapped.
Fitz pulled Liv closer to him, his arm around her shoulder as they just looked at the creation they had just finished. Liv caught a glimpse at Fitz still holding Noelle. She didn't know when it would happen, but that first kiss they shared was going to be fire, she could feel it.
With Liv's heart pounding, she heard the bell from the front lobby ring in. "Mr. Walker is on his way up, Mr. Grant."
Noelle jumped down from Fitz's arms and she ran to the door waiting for the knock. Fitz turned to Liv. "We have a toy drive at work and various companies donate. The toy drive is in Noelle's mom's name, she doesn't know it yet, that it's her mom's name. It's the Jacqui Tatum toy drive. She just thinks it's a drive. Noelle comes with me to the children's hospital during Christmas week to deliver the presents. We go once every night to a different children's hospital."
Noelle swung the door opened, barely hearing the knock. "Noelle, two L's. Hey girly girl."
"Hi Marcus. WOW!" She watched Marcus wheel in two wagons filled with toys.
"Yes, little miss, these are just from this weekend." Marcus stopped talking when he saw Fitz standing in front of the tree with his arm around Olivia.
"Marcus Walker, this is Olivia Pope, Olivia Pope, Marcus Walker." Marcus nodded.
"Wait, like Olivia Pope as in Fashion Magazine Olivia Pope?" Marcus looked star struck.
Liv looked down a bit surprised and embarrassed that Marcus knew her. "Yes, I'm her. I take it you read the magazine?"
"Read it and make sure this guy has his ad in on time for every issue. Pleased to meet you."
Now Fitz felt embarrassed that he didn't know her or hear of her. "Best money Marcus is spending that I don't know of, then." Fitz smiled and nuzzled his nose into Liv's temple, making her giggle a bit.
Liv walked over to Noelle. "Noelle, I had the best time ever decorating your tree and I love my ornament, but I have to go."
Noelle hugged Liv, putting her small arms around her neck. "And I love you Ovivia" Noelle said without hesitation.
Liv put her forehead to Noelle's. "I promise so see you soon." Liv didn't break promises, she knew the feeling of them being broken on her.
She was about to go and Fitz went to her. "I'll walk you up." Fitz looked at Marcus who nodded.
"Noelle, let's look at all the toys we got ok." Marcus took her hand and watched Fitz leave with Liv.
Outside her penthouse door they just faced each other. "It's nice in there, but you need to get in the Christmas spirit Scrooge."
Liv laughed. "I know, I haven't had time with the renovations and work and just…I will get some things."
"I could." Fitz started.
"No, Fitz, you've done so much for me already." She looked in his eyes, taking a deep breath.
"And I want to do so much more, for you, and to you." He looked back down at her eyes with the cutest smirk Liv ever did see.
She slowly lifted her chin, as he brought his lips down. Now, feeling one another's breath, they finally connected, as his one hand rested on her back, he felt her hand rub his curls, and it made him melt more into her.
Feeling a bit more daring, he pushed her lips open with his tongue and his other hand rubbed the back of her neck as they slowly made out in front of her door.
When Liv's heart couldn't take the pounding anymore, she pulled back, biting the corner of her bottom lip. She took a slow, steady breath in that came out slowly as she exhaled. "Good night, Mister Grant."
"Good night Livvie. I'll see you Thursday." The elevator opened, as if programmed, and Fitz smiled as the doors closed watching her go in.
Wait, what did he mean Thursday? Liv was still reeling in from the kiss she didn't realize his words until after he was in the elevator. Liv's fingers traced her lips as she smiled putting her shoulders up. "As amazing as you thought it would be." She whispered to herself.
Her smile faded as her phone rang and it was Harrison. It brought her back to the reality that she had work in the morning. "What?" She answered.
"Russel."
"Stop, you said too much already, I don't care." Liv said.
Knowing not to test the waters, Harrison changed the subject, he'll just tell her when he sees her. "When you get in tomorrow, the new line for the March cover will be on your desk, I left it there yesterday thinking you would be in."
"Well I wasn't." Liv slumped her shoulders, she had to be nicer. "I'm sorry, Harrison, it's just I don't want to hear his name."
"I got it Liv, no need to apologize. Can I do anything for you?"
Liv was about to say no when she thought of Noelle. "Yeah, Harrison, make a flyer for a toy drive for the office."
"A what?" Harrison heard her, but she never was one to be in the Christmas spirit, especially after that cruise with Russ.
"A toy drive. Donations of new toys, unwrapped to be donated to the Jacqui Tatum Toy Drive on behalf of Grant Enterprises."
"Grant Ent…do you know Fitzgerald Grant? Is he ok with you using his name? The man is worth 2.2 billion dollars, Liv, you don't want a lawsuit."
"2.2…" she stopped. Why the hell was she living in the penthouse with him being worth that much? She laughed. "It's fine, I'll see you tomorrow Harrison."
Fitz stopped just shy of opening his door. He rested his forehead on it first. He licked his lips, still tasting her. He took a slow exhaling breath thinking of her soft lips, her smell, her everything. He had to get back into daddy mode now, as he opened the door and Marcus was hanging his "coolest dude" ornament. It was a guy in sunglasses with a leather jacket smiling, pointing straight out.
Fitz had to laugh, Noelle picked it out last year and said "Marcus" as she handed it to Fitz not having the slightest clue what it said but thinking it looked like Marcus.
Seeing the ice skate wiggle from side to side as Marcus finished hanging his ornament, Fitz thought of Liv's reaction when he gave that to her.
Noelle ran to her room. "UNI playtime." Noelle had enough decorating and would play in her room for a bit before bed. Marcus looked at Fitz and smiled.
"Someone's in love." He sang in a quiet voice.
"Shut up, Walker, you're fired, get out." Fitz stared at him.
Marcus's face drained all blood flow and he just looked sadly at Fitz. "Seriously, I was just joking."
Fitz laughed, hard, for that matter. "So was I, Marcus, lighten up, what the hell?"
Marcus had worked for Fitz for six years, he never knew him to be the joking type or the smiling type and he's done both in the past hour. "She makes you smile."
"Yeah, that's what Noelle said too, is that a good thing?"
"Well, you don't do much of it, so yeah, it's a good thing. Hope it works out, you deserve it."
"Marcus, I'm going to need you in the office on Friday, in charge, I'm taking Noelle on a long weekend."
"You got it Boss, I'll see you Thursday for a wrap up?"
"Yep. Thanks again for bringing the toys."
Marcus was in charge of the Upper East Side office now and Fitz took over his rightful place at the Wall Street office. He thought about the words Noelle and Marcus said, that Liv makes him smile. Maybe he did need to smile more. After the news of Noelle, he just thought he had to be serious, all the time.
"NOELLE" Fitz yelled. "BATH TIME, don't you run away." Noelle came running out of her room, naked no less, screaming.
"BABY SHARK DO DO DO, BABY SHARK. Shark in the bathtub, daddy,"
"No!" Fitz grabbed her, "flying" her head first towards the bathroom. "Noelle in the bathtub with the baby shark."
"Ahh." Noelle pretended. She just loved pretending with daddy, he made her so happy.
"Would you like Olivia to come to our surprise again this weekend?" Fitz asked as he rinsed the soap off her hair.
Noelle didn't let Fitz finished. "Oh, yes, Ovivia makes me happy."
"Me too." He scooped her up with a towel and began to put his daughter down for the night. He let her fall asleep on the couch as he read her favorite story "Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great." Noelle fell asleep as the glow of their Christmas tree filled the room.
Fitz put her to bed, letting her clutch UNI. He was going to be working from dawn to dusk until Thursday and he didn't know how much he would see of Noelle. "I love you beautiful girl." He kissed her as she stay asleep, tired from her busy day.
Fitz cleared up the house, leaving instructions for Tiffany for the toy pick up. Before he unplugged the tree, he looked at Liv's ornament again. "Goodnight Livvie."
Liv walked out into the cold December air, not thinking she would get used to this cold. She was going to her office for the first time from her place on the train, or subway, or so she thought. She didn't want to continue taking ubers, she wanted to get used to what the city life had to offer.
Little did she know that wasn't happening today either, or any other day. "Ms. Pope?" Liv heard Fabian's voice. "Your ride is waiting for you."
"I didn't call for a ride, Fabian, I'm sorry for any confusion."
Fabian smiled. "Compliments of Mr. Grant." He held his hand out, leading her to a black town car and opened the door for her. "Have a good day." Fabian said as he closed the door.
She found a note on the seat. She gave up reading notes with Russel, but this kind of note that Fitz left, she would read every day.
Livvie,
I leave very early for work and come home very late. It's the price I pay for having weekends off to spend all the time with Noelle. Please accept this ride as a thank you for giving Noelle and myself a most memorable start to our Christmas. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday. Oh, and this car is for the week, so you're all set. Enjoy all the decorations as Gil drives you to work."
FTGIII
Liv took a deep breath. "Hi Gil, I'm Olivia."
"Pleasure ma'am. Fashion Magazine offices?"
"Yes, thank you." Liv looked out the window, looking at all the busy people running to work in front of the unnoticed decorations. She smiled anxiously waiting until Thursday to see Fitz again. She thought for a second then pulled out her phone. Maybe I won't see him, but I can text him.
Fitz,
Thank you so much for the ride, I truly appreciate it. I had more than the best time ever spending the weekend with you and Noelle. See you Thursday?"
Livvie
She had to laugh at how she signed it and yes, she meant to put a question mark because she had no clue what Thursday was all about.
Liv walked into the office doing something she'd never done before, smiling, saying good morning to everyone and getting the most curious glances.
On the way into her office she heard laughter. Her office, located behind Harrison's desk, was filled with laughter, and she heard a Christmas jingle coming from Harrison's desk. Everyone scrambled as Liv entered, and she turned towards Harrison, clearing his throat.
He tried frantically to pull the device making the music from his desk, but Liv said "Leave it." She watched it and laughed, much to the surprise of everyone around.
It was a dancing Santa with no shirt. He swayed his hips from left to right slowly as the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" played. Liv watched it then looked at Harrison.
"See if you could get a nice fashionable top for Santa there." She walked into her office for the first time in two years having no clue where to begin.
By Thursday, Tiffany had heard all about Ovivia and the weekend she shared with Noelle and Fitz. After hanging her "Tiffany" ornament on the tree Monday, a college student holding books with Tiffany written on one of the bookends, Noelle showed her Olivia's ornament.
Shopping with Noelle and buying something from the little miss to everyone she knew in the building, including Gillian, had Tiffany an expert on Olivia and she didn't even know her. Everyday, though, they left one decoration outside of Liv's penthouse, as per Fitz's request.
Monday, it was lights, Tuesday it was a candy cane for the door, Wednesday it was a tiny Christmas tree for her end table in the living room. Each day a note from Fitz was attached, and a picture from Noelle was left with the gift.
Wednesday night, as Tiffany was leaving, she reminded Fitz she didn't have a gift for Olivia's place for Thursday. "Did you want me to pick something up?"
"Thank you Tiffany, I will see Olivia tomorrow. You get the day off, with pay, of course. I'm taking Noelle to work with me to sort some toys, and we're off for a long weekend. You enjoy yourself too, the semester is over right?"
"Man, is it ever, this semester kicked my butt."
"Well, get your much deserved rest, see you Monday."
"Have a great time, Mr. Grant."
Fitz spent the next hour packing for his getaway with Noelle, and hopefully Olivia. Sure, she wouldn't be packed like them, but whatever she needed or wanted they could get at places where they were going. Fitz looked anxiously at his phone more than usual this past week.
He loved texting Liv in increments during his work day. He looked forward to reading her words and imagined her beautiful lips saying the words as she typed.
Once he was all packed, the jewelry box with Liv's necklace on top, he went to see Noelle. She was sleeping, her back to UNI, not cuddling it. "UNI must be in the doghouse." He said out loud.
"Daddy." Noelle sat up, putting her arms out. She hugged him when he sat on her bed. "I missed you. Ovivia tomorrow."
"Yes, Olivia tomorrow. My office first then Olivia, then…'
"Surprise." She whispered. "I love you." Noelle grabbed UNI and fell right back asleep as Fitz rubbed her hair away from her face.
Because you actually had to turn from behind a wall to see Harrison's desk before Olivia's office, no one saw the little girl kneeling behind the wall getting her Christmas toy ready to surprise Olivia Pope. The same Olivia Pope who was their cut throat, no mistakes tolerated boss, Olivia Pope. Had they noticed, they may have stopped the cute little girl, but since she went unnoticed, her employees got to see a side to Liv they rarely saw: Happiness.
She was leaning against her outside office wall when she heard a tune and a little girl singing with the tune.
"I'm the happiest Christmas Tree, ho ho ho, hee hee hee
I got shiny bells that jingle
And tiny little lights that tringle
Whenever anyone passes by
I blink my lights and I wink my eye
Oh I'm the tiniest Christmas tree."
Liv looked down to a tiny Christmas Tree on wheels come wobbling towards her, and she smiled from ear to ear seeing Noelle following it crawling after it. Noelle looked up and saw Olivia.
"OVIVIA!" She jumped into her arms. Her famous Noelle hug with her arms around the neck. "I missed you."
She gave Noelle a small kiss on her cheek. "I missed you too. Look." Liv pointed to the box, filled with toys.
Noelle's mouth opened in surprise. "For my toy drive?"
"Sure is. Go take a look." Liv put Noelle down, watching her run to the box as Harrison joined her.
Liv's breath stopped as she saw Fitz turn the corner, all dressed in his DIOR suit. "Oh my" she said under her breath. She didn't think he could look sexier than not having a shirt on, but he did.
"Hi." He said, kissing her forehead, not caring about the stares from her workers.
"Hi" Liv said taking a hard swallow and looking around. Everyone put their heads down or looked the other way.
"Who's that?" Fitz asked cautiously watching Noelle talk to Harrison.
"He's my assistant. Harrison." Liv said it loud and Liv gestured for him come over.
"Harrison Wright, meet Fitzgerald Grant." Liv watched as Harrison shook his hand star struck, much like Marcus did to her when she met him.
"Wow, Liv. Noelle is your daughter, she's adorable." Harrison said.
"Thank you."
"And she spells her name with two L's, she told me." Harrison laughed.
Noelle took Liv's hand. "Harrison no interruptions." She was about to guide them into her office, but Noelle noticed the no shirt Santa.
"Look, daddy, no shirt, like you." Noelle covered her mouth and laughed.
Harrison pushed the button and Noelle giggled, making Harrison laugh as she watched the shirtless Santa dance. "That's funny." Noelle said. She picked up the Christmas tree toy and followed Liv to her office.
"Christmas tree, daddy." Noelle reminded him.
"Oh, right." He swung the door opened. "Harrison, could you go just beyond the wall, I left a small tree there, please."
"Sure thing." As Harrison bent to pick up the tree, he noticed some commotion going on down by check in. He handed Fitz the tree and headed towards the commotion.
Russel was tired of being ignored. He didn't care what it cost to get to New York during the holidays he would swallow the loss and claim Liv back. She had no right to up and leave him. He couldn't believe she signed the papers so willingly and so quickly.
Arriving at La Guardia and heading straight to Liv's office was his plan. Then, he remembered she liked surprises, so a surprise she would get.
He had a custom made sash done at one of the kiosks at the airport. It was red and in neon green writing he had, in glitter, FROM ME TO YOU:
Russel planned to walk into Liv's office, no shirt, with sash around him. He would have her favorite flowers, carnations, no wait, roses, were they daisies? Shit, he'd have the florist make a bouquet of everything, but he'd have a rose in his mouth for when she saw him.
That was the commotion going on. Russel asked to see Olivia Pope and he was told no, by appointment only, and Russel began yelling. Harrison, after handing Fitz the tree headed to calm things down.
Liv was behind her closed office door. Noelle was on her lap, drawing on a paper on Liv's desk. Liv looked up at the tree. "Noelle, did you pick this out?"
"Yes, it's pretty, like you." Noelle didn't look up from her drawing.
It was a rainbow colored small desk tree with a unicorn head on the top. It really was adorable. "Brings color to your office, Livvie." Fitz set it down and walked behind Liv's chair.
In a soft whisper he said in her ear. "I've missed you." Feeling his breath on her neck, and it did things to Liv it shouldn't do to her as she was holding his daughter.
"Fitz." She whispered. "Noelle."
"She's fine, and you lied to me at the skating rink." He kissed her neck now. Liv tilted her head toward the tickle of the kiss.
"I lied? When?"
"When you said you wouldn't let me fall. I'm falling, Livvie, falling hard."
Liv wrapped her arm around Noelle's chest, from the back, so she wouldn't turn around. With her other hand she cupped Fitz's cheek, and locked her lips with his, devouring his lips, using every ounce of restraint not to moan.
Harrison tried to stop Russel, but Russ pushed passed his hand, shirtless now with the sash and turned towards Liv's office. He stopped dead in his tracks with what he saw.
Liv was kissing, no not kissing, devouring this man's lips, with her arm around a little girl on her lap, like a little family. "What the fuck?" Russ slammed down the bouquet as the little girl looked up and saw him.
Her loud giggle startled Liv and she was about to turn, but Fitz brought her back to his lips. He smiled during the kiss. "Don't stop. Noelle, what's so funny?"
Seeing the little girl laugh, pointing towards him, thinking the two adults were watching the same scene.
Russel let his guard down enough for Harrison to lock him under his arm and drag him out right to security's arms. "Get him out of here, stay away or I'll press charges."
"No shirt." She said, and when the man left Noelle continued coloring.
Fitz pulled his kiss back, finally, and said, "come with us for the weekend. Take tomorrow off."
Liv cleared her throat, caught her breath, and said "Noelle, I told Harrison to find Santa a shirt."
"No, the walking one." Noelle said.
Liv had no idea what Noelle was saying. "Fitz, I haven't taken a Friday off…"
"Good, then we'll go now."
"Go where?" Liv wasn't going to say no, not by a long shot.
"Ovivia." Noelle reminded her, "Christmas surprise."
Not knowing at all what happened outside her office with Russel, Harrison intended to keep it that way. He hadn't ever seen Liv this happy, and nothing was going to ruin that. The three emerged from the office, looking like a little family.
"Harrison, I'm out of the office until Monday." Liv watched Harrison's mouth drop open. "And you all have off tomorrow, with pay." She shouted.
As she headed out, she had no idea where they were heading. Fitz knew they were going to a small town in upstate New York. He had the biggest room reserved at the Inn, the decorations were to die for, and there was snowboarding nearby. Fitz couldn't wait to sit with Liv near the fireplace on the warm blanket over the soft rug.
All Olivia thought of right now, holding Noelle's hand, as the happiest little Christmas tree was being sung through the office, and her little voice lit up the once grim place was what Fitz said. He was falling, those were his words, and to be honest, so was Liv, in fact, she is certain she already fell, as Fitz interlocked his hand with Liv's. Off they went to another Christmas surprise.