A/N: Thank you for your understanding with my family situation. Things are still hectic, but writing calms me down a bit. This story is a dedication to one of my readers to make her feel better, I hope I am doing her justice. I was going to end at 5 chapters, but as long a you're willing to read, I think I can get a few more in. Just don't mind the slow burn. Happy reading and I love to read your reviews. I cannot thank you enough for the prayers and thoughts for my family.

Chapter 5

2021-

Ever since Noelle's first birthday last year, she had been walking. She didn't wait until she turned one, she was up and at it the beginning of December. It was her birth month, but she wasn't officially one.

Fitz was so nervous, calling Tiffany every other hour to make sure she hadn't fallen or walked into a piece of furniture. Tiffany kept reassuring Fitz Noelle was fine. She looked like Frankenstein with her arms out in front of her, keeping her balance.

Tiffany had to admit to Fitz it was a workout to keep up with her. Once they got in her room, Tiffany would put the gate up for a while and play with her in there until she grew bored. Then, she would tire herself out and go down for a nap in the afternoon.

When Fitz would come home, he would have the most amazing time running after her. He felt better being there with her, having be the one watching her every move. He was still afraid of a trip to the ER because of a fall and a lump on her head.

Now, almost two years old, not only was Noelle a walker, she would bolt out of her room, sometimes making a turn and fall right into the couch. She was as energetic as could be, but she was careful. "Daddy says slow down." She would run out of her room saying.

"Then why don't you listen to daddy?" Fitz would yell from wherever he was in the condo. Sometimes he would cut her off and grab her mid run, hearing her squeal with laughter, as he lifted her high above his head. That was music to his ears. He loved hearing his daughter laugh.

Noelle began to understand the world around her, identifying colors when Fitz asked them. Tiffany was doing an amazing job teaching her things and Fitz was so happy he made the decision to have her be Noelle's Nanny. She was talking so much more now also.

For her second birthday, they took a trip up to a small town in upstate New York. It was here she met her Uncle Jay for the first time. Jay was so good with her, and Fitz was happy to have him finally get to meet her.

Fitz had made the trip because of Jay. Fitz was thinking about expanding property up north so technically this was a business trip, but Noelle didn't have to know that. Jay had told him about the property.

They arrived in a comfortable looking town. He entered a tiny Inn, one that could be decorated straight out of a Christmas movie. When the door opened, a tiny jingle of bells would ring to signal there was a customer. "Wow, Daddy, the bells, like Silver Bells." Noelle said.

Salvatore and Estelle, the owners were both 76 years old. They had been married 50 years and they were finally closing the Inn, although reluctantly, but for good. When Fitz met them, he could only hope that one day he would meet his Estelle. After 50 years, the two of them were still so in love, and it showed. Fitz had heard about the town being upset about the Inn closing and the people were concerned it would be an invite for condo developers to ground break.

As soon as Fitz stepped into the small lobby, holding on to Noelle who was sticky from her rainbow candy cane, there was no way Fitz was letting this close. He was in love with it already and it brought back too many Christmas memories. The colorful, blinking lights, a toy train running under the tremendous tree, and the little skating village set up in the corner, warmed Fitz's heart.

After a little interaction with the two elderly owners, Fitz had to ask.

"How did you know you loved her?" Fitz asked Salvatore.

He gave a hearty laugh. "It took about a minute. I saw her standing across the school yard. I was 18, ready to break so many hearts, and there stood Estelle, this beautiful Goddess. I had to leave all those hearts for someone else to break. I found my heart with Estelle. We dated, went to college, and got married at 26. I am more in love with her today than the day I met her. Each day I fell in love all over again, plus some."

Estelle smiled lovingly at Salvatore. "Mr. Grant, I wouldn't change a thing about my life. You know when you meet the love of your life. You buying the Inn will give us happiness, knowing we're leaving it in good hands." She looked at Noelle, and poked her nose.

With Fitz spending the weekend there with Noelle, after speaking to Sal and Estelle, they invited the mayor and some prominent town folk to have dinner with Fitz. Pleased with the purchase Fitz would make, and no changes at all to the staff or to the Inn, Fitz was the humbled owner. Sal and Estelle could move away, having dedicated their life to the Inn and leaving it in good hands. Fitz could only hope one day he could meet his "Estelle". Could he love like that? Could someone love him having a daughter from a one night stand? Most of all, could that someone see past his money, and love him for him? Only time would tell.

Noelle loved the place also. It was close to a snow tubing hill and a snow boarding park. With just that one weekend visit, Fitz would build a lifetime with Noelle there, going every six months, once in the summer and once at Christmas. It was their special place and with Jay, it was a family place. Only people close Noelle would ever be with them there.

Salvatore and Estelle moved with their grandchildren in South Carolina immediately after the Inn was sold. They were comfortable with the fact that Fitzgerald Grant would keep the little Inn from going under. Thus began the tradition Fitz would keep of bringing Noelle up on or around her birthday.

2021-

OK, Liv thought, the past Christmas and the cruise before that was a disaster, but this year didn't have to be the same. She sadly felt her and Russel growing apart, and she wanted to make this work. She wasn't helping by spending endless days and nights at the office. At least, though, she was willing to try.

The winter fashion line was submitted, the Spring line had a deadline in a few days, after the holidays, she was determined to make Russel realize she was vested in this relationship, or maybe she was just trying to convince herself at this point. She took a deep breath holding her wrapped gift in her hand hoping he would like it as much as she did.

The newly bought Christmas tree had dim lights on it, and they were blinking slowly. Liv sat with instrumental Christmas music in the background to get the mood going. She was going to get him to dance with her, do some things they haven't done, and hopefully begin again with the new year approaching. She didn't know it would be the last few months she would spend with Russel.

Russel's voice was heard, loudly coming up the driveway. "I said no to the manufacturer, what don't you get Les? The answer is no! Because I don't like it, I am running the show, I don't like it, so call your contact, tell them no, and Merry Christmas, good bye."

The door swung open, and Liv was sitting on the couch, sipping a glass of wine. Russel looked around. "Why the fuck is it so dark in here?" He flipped on the light switch and looked at Liv. She leaned back on the couch, took a sip of wine, held the glass out and asked.

"Did you have a rough day?"

"Did I have a rough day, Santa Claus ain't coming here that's for sure. Christmas Eve, screw this holiday, I'm so tired of the incompetent people I have working for me." He took his shirt off and walked towards the bedroom.

Liv rolled her eyes, "Russel, do you not hear the music, dance with me a bit, it'll calm you down."

"No, what will calm me down is a hot shower and sleep, I am so over this."

"Wait, before you go in the shower, open this, maybe you could put it on when you come out." Liv hoped it would calm him a bit.

He took a frustrated breath and opened the gift. "What the hell, you saying I don't smell good?" He looked at the box of cologne marked Creed.

"No, silly, it's my favorite smell, I'd love to have it on you."

"Whatever." He tossed it to the bed. "At least I get to sleep late tomorrow."

"No, I have a snow boarding reservation and a small room reserved at a cozy place in Tahoe. We will have a weekend together. Snowboarding, fireplace, and some." She stopped and walked up to him and nuzzled her lips to his neck.

"Baby, not on Christmas, no, I'm just, no. We can stay here, ok, we'll find things to do here." He walked in the bathroom.

That was it, Liv was giving up. She sent a text canceling the days and nights at Tahoe, put the bottle of cologne on his nightstand, and went to sleep.

Russel had ruined her most favorite time of year, two holidays in a row, now three. Although she wasn't alone for the day, she may as well have been. It was that Christmas Eve night she was sure she would be leaving Russel in just a few more months.

The more she thought about it, the more she realized Russel wasn't going to go very far. He may have money now, but he takes no chances, does nothing for anyone but himself, and won't even buy proper office space to work his company out of. He rents in a building that could be mistaken for squatters to live in.

Liv closed her eyes trying to come to terms with the fact this would be her last Christmas with Russel. Until she had her priorities in orders she wouldn't tell him, when the time came, the right time, she would leave him. By then she hoped to be better in her career, moving up in the Fashion magazine company.

Not having much optimism about finding love in her life, she realized it was her career she had to focus on. She gave it a try, a dedicated try, but Russel wasn't it, and she didn't think she had the strength in her to try so hard for love again.

Present day

"This one tonight. This one tomorrow night. That one again. Maybe a new one for Sunday." Noelle was in her car seat. She had a small unicorn backpack next to it and several unicorn books inside. She was picking each one out one by one and handing them to Liv.

"Will you read them Ovivia, please? Sleepovers me, you, and daddy." She smiled the biggest smile Liv ever did see, her little blue eyes glistening.

Liv turned to Fitz, across from her, and saw him nodding his head. "You sure you're ok with this Olivia? You don't have to go if you really don't want to." Fitz said feeling a bit guilty pulling her out of the office like that.

"No, it's fine, exciting if you ask me, but if we are going away for three nights, I don't have any clothes or personal items, are we stopping at the condo?"

"Whatever you need, we'll get for you when we get there."

"Where is there?" Liv asked.

"Ovivia." Noelle said holding her forehead in her hands, "It's.."

"A Christmas Surprise, right, I keep forgetting." Liv touched the point on the unicorn earmuffs Noelle was wearing. "How long a drive?" She turned to Fitz, "is that a question that's allowed?" Liv smiled.

Fitz looked at his watch, again, Liv noticed, no cell phone to be found. Fitz took his time with Noelle seriously, it was all play, no work. She kept a tiny smile on her face, admiring him.

"If there isn't any traffic, it should be about two hours. It's going to be fun, but don't take my word for it, ask the upcoming birthday girl." Fitz winked at Noelle.

"Oh, Ovivia, my almost birthday." Noelle clapped. "December 23" she pronounced it two three, "I am going to be." She went to hold up the fingers, but her mitten was in the way again. She pulled it off, having it fall into Liv's lap.

"Three." She said as she held the fingers up. Liv gave the mitten back. "Thank you."

Noelle got lost in looking out the window at the moving scenery and Fitz turned to see Liv staring at him. "What?" He wiped his mouth. "Do I have something on my mouth?"

Liv laughed. "No." She shrugged. "You do this with her every year?"

"Yeah." He looked over at his daughter, she wasn't paying a bit of attention to them. "The first year, not when she was a newborn, just before she turned one, I had to get away. I just thought I was doing it all wrong with her, this whole father thing. Her uncle, her mom's brother, met us up here."

"You stay in contact with him?"

"Jay? yeah, he's a great guy, my best friend actually. He talked to me, stayed with us for the weekend. He made me realize parenting doesn't come with instructions, I make the rules, and so I did. I grew as a father that whole year. Jay met us last year too, but this year he's stuck in the Rockies. So, it's just us." He shrugged.

"I can't wait to see what it's all about." She looked down at the books she was holding. "This is quite the unicorn collection, Noelle, are all your books about unicorns and rainbows?"

"Some animals." She said and went back to her window.

"Bunnies, ponies, and puppies. I'm dreading the day she asks for one of each." Fitz smiled. "You don't have to read those; she tends to go overboard in requests."

"She asks so nicely, though. How could I say no?" Liv looked at Noelle, who had drifted off into sleep.

Liv took her seat belt off for the moment, then sat next to Fitz. He was admiring the window scenery and didn't realize she came next to him. "That was quite the kiss in my office." She whispered before moving over a bit to get her seat belt.

He smiled looking at her. "I believe you cupped my face; I was just following your lead. Don't think I'm complaining." He rubbed her knee. "So, I hope you like Christmas, because where we're going is very Christmasy."

"I think I'd love anything I get to do with you and Noelle. You bring out a side to me I lost a long time ago." She leaned her head to his shoulder. With the warmth of his body and the motion of the car, Liv felt herself drift off to sleep.

Fitz sat in the quiet darkness of the car. He looked over at his daughter, her earmuffs intact, one mitten on, one off, and her head to the side in her car seat. The child had grown an attachment to Olivia and Fitz was happy she did, because he did also. Could she be his Estelle?

He couldn't really see her as her head was on his shoulder, but he could hear her breathing. It was soft, a relaxing sleep, like she was comfortable the way she was. He looked out the window as the car drove through some towns.

Looking at all the decorations on main street, he was relieved they would get to the Inn while it was still daylight. He had Francine put some things aside for Olivia so they weren't shopping blindly. Liv would be all set for a weekend of snow tubing, snowboarding, and activities if that's what she wanted.

As the car began stopping at red lights, no longer at a cruising speed, Liv's face went into the crook of his neck. Feeling her breath on him did things to him and he had to calm down with Noelle in the car. She smelled so good though and he remembered those soft lips.

She moaned a bit as she opened her eyes and propped her head upright. She looked around out the window and looked at Noelle. "Welcome back." Fitz said.

Liv looked up at him and smiled. "Sorry I slept that long; I must have been tired. Did I hurt your shoulder?" She nudged him a bit.

"You could never hurt me Livvie." They were eye to eye now.

He was so gorgeous, he just made Liv melt. Without a thought about it, she reached in and kissed his lips, placing her hand on his opposite shoulder.

"Ovivia." Noelle giggled.

Liv pulled back, forgetting Noelle was there for the moment. She put the back of her hand over her lips, embarrassed, resting her forehead on Fitz's shoulder.

"You like my daddy?" Noelle asked, not thinking at all what she witnessed was bad in any way.

Fitz smiled. 'Yeah, do you like her daddy?"

Liv nodded. "I do, Noelle, I do like your daddy, is that OK."

"Oh yes." She said shaking her head. "He likes you too, right daddy."

Fitz's turn to be embarrassed. He felt his face flushed with heat. He looked towards the window. "And here we are."

"Franny!" Noelle was shaking her legs excitedly as Fitz undid her car seat. "It's Franny's store. Come on Ovivia!"

Noelle had entered the small store before Olivia, and figuring Noelle knew the people, she waited for Fitz to join them. "At least someone still knows I'm here." He interlocked his hand with Olivia's. "Let's get your first surprise."

Francine was a blue eyed, short brown-haired, middle-aged woman. She already had Noelle on her lap behind the counter at the store. Noelle was holding a ski jacket and she jumped up when Fitz walked in with Olivia.

"Daddy, daddy, look." Noelle was holding up a two tone pink and purple snowsuit with a huge unicorn on the back. On the front of the coat was her name in the right corner in rainbow cursive writing.

Francine looked at Fitz walk in and Olivia noticed her look at their hands. Francine's smile grew a bit wider seeing that and she stood, picking up Noelle in her arms, on her hip. "A new coat for my favorite girl, how are you Mr. Grant."

"You know it's Fitz, stop with the Mr. Grant. Francine, please meet Olivia Pope, Olivia, Francine Powers. She owns this gem, and she has a few things set aside for you." He took Noelle from her, standing her up and changing coats so she can put the new one on.

"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Pope, finally, someone for Mr. Grant, oh you two look wonderful together." She was walking towards a table with numerous items on it. "Please feel free to take whatever you want, and it's already taken care of." She nodded towards Fitz.

In front of Liv was everything you would need for a weekend getaway in a snowy city. There were ski jackets, boots, snow tubes, snow boards, gloves, sweaters, sweatshirts, the items went on and on. Noelle came running over.

"Ovivia, look." She spread her arms out for her to see the new coat.

"Looks beautiful Noelle and matches perfectly with your mittens and earmuffs. Can you help me pick out some things?"

Fitz was watching the exchange and Francine nudged him. "She's perfect Fitz, how long have you two been together. Noelle is so comfortable with her, look at them."

"That's just it Franny, I've only just met her, but I feel like I've known her a lifetime."

"Your soulmate, Fitz. For Noelle to love her like that." She nodded over.

Liv had her arm around Noelle's shoulder as she looked at each item Noelle pointed to. "Children don't grow an attachment like that to just anyone, especially Noelle, it's been just you and her."

"I know." Fitz agreed. "We'll see what this weekend brings."

Having gone from having nothing to having everything Liv needed, their next stop was the food store. Franny would see them on Saturday when they stopped in for some hot chocolate after snow tubing, giving away one of Fitz's surprises.

Noelle covered her mouth with her mitten covered hands. "Uh oh, that was a surprise."

"But I picked out a snow tube, Noelle." Liv reminded her, smiling.

"But, that could have been your bed for the weekend." Fitz laughed. Liv crossed her eyebrows and looked at him. "Not funny, huh?"

It wasn't, not at all, but Liv laughed, harder than she's laughed in a while. Noelle had no idea why, but she began laughing too. The short car ride to the food store was filled with laughter, and Liv was quickly forgetting the name Russel at all.

Fitz held Liv's hand as she held Noelle, guiding her into the room at the Inn. Noelle's little hand was covering her eyes, and Liv used her sense of smell to know there was a real wood burning fireplace in the room.

"I smell a fireplace." She said as she heard Noelle giggle. "And I still smell spaghetti sauce on your breath Noelle."

The food market, in the back, had a small dining area. Neville, the owner, knew they were coming and had a small table reserved for them. "He's Neville, with two L's, like me." Noelle said introducing Olivia. She received the same look of happiness Francine had given her, being with Fitz.

"Do you own property in this town or something Fitz? Everyone knows you, knows Noelle." Liv asked.

He shrugged. "Let's see what other surprises there are before I answer that."

After a delicious Italian dinner, they made their way to the small Inn. Now, entering the room with an obvious fireplace, Liv head Fitz walking around after letting her hand go.

"Wow!" Noelle said in a loud whisper. She uncovered Liv's eyes. "Look, Ovivia."

"Fitz." Liv was in a Christmas wonderland. "This is just, it's like a Christmas village."

A tree in the corner, decorated with red bows and a glowing star on top blinked with white lights. Below the tree, under it was train that circled around and around, it read Polar Express on it. Along the walls, never ending strings of lights, and in the opposite corner of the tree was a ceramic village.

Liv walked slowly over to it, almost magnetized to it. "This." She whispered. She felt tears fill her eyes. "This is exactly what my mom had for us when I was growing up. A light up village." She looked at the small replica houses, each one lit with a flickering light candle inside. She was a ten year old girl all over again.

She heard Noelle run up the stairs and felt Fitz's hands on her shoulders. "You ok, Liv?"

Looking around, up to see the stairs where Noelle went to play, her eyes focused back on Fitz. "Just so many memories came back in that moment, this place is perfect. Don't ever apologize for dragging me here." She hugged him, resting her head on his chest, and taking in his smell as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm glad you like it. I do own it, the whole Inn. It's the love story of Sal and Estelle I'll tell you about one day." He hugged her a bit tighter.

Suddenly, she felt chills, as he rubbed her arm, and she was looking forward to the next few hours sitting in front of the warm fireplace with him.

"Watch this." He said after an hour of playtime they had with Noelle. "Your little Angel Noelle will turn into a little monster fighting me about her bath, it's so much fun. Get ready to catch a naked two year old."

Liv folded her arms waiting for the excitement.

"BATH TIME, NOELLE."

'NOOOOOOO!" Noelle said as Fitz ran down the stairs after Noelle who was still too fast for him. "THERE'S A NORTH POLE BABY SHARK!" Liv heard Noelle's feet running around.

Liv saw Noelle pull off her shirt. "OVIVIA, SAVE ME PLEASE."

Liv scooped up Noelle, cradle style "no way Little girl, North Pole Shark is hungry, they want some cinnamon Noelle."

"Ahhh" She was laughing kicking her feet, as Liv brought her to the bathroom to a waiting Fitz.

"Ha ha ha." Fitz gave an evil laugh. "Two Noelle captors."

"Not fair." Noelle splashed the water a bit and began playing with her toys. "I'm happy you are here Ovivia. I'm cinnomen Noelle. Yay!"

While Fitz did his routine of getting Noelle ready for bed, she took the time to look around the place downstairs. She found some scotch and wine in the cabinets and took them out with two glasses. Looking around by the fireplace, she noticed a small table to set the glasses on.

Walking around near the fireplace, not yet going, she stepped on one the softest rugs she ever did feel. It was almost soft enough to think you would sink right into it. Looking up above the fireplace, there were two picture frames again.

One was a young looking guy with Noelle. Most likely, it was her Uncle Jay, squatting down, with Noelle leaning back on him pointing to the camera smiling. "Jay" had his hand wrapped around Noelle, holding her close, waving to the camera.

The other picture was Fitz, in a white t shirt and blue jeans, Noelle in the middle, white shirt and black jeans, and next to her "Jay" again, with a gray shirt and black jeans. The two men were holding her up and she had the biggest smile on her face. Both men looking up at her.

There was no doubt this little girl had to two wonderful men in her life that loved her above anything, and looking at Fitz in that picture, had Liv lose her breath for a moment. He had so much love in his heart, and he was teaching Noelle to be just as loving.

"LIV" Fitz called from upstairs. "Could you get UNI from Noelle's backpack down there, please?"

"Uh." Liv looked by the door seeing the backpack. "Yeah, I'll be right up." She felt the plush animal in the bag and pulled it out. Along with "UNI", Liv pulled out the book "Uni the Unicorn", figuring she would read the book to Noelle before bedtime.

Liv stopped before entering the room. Noelle was already dressed into her pajamas, rainbows, of course. She was looking into a small vanity mirror, sitting on a pink stool shaped like a mushroom. Fitz had a brush in his hand, brushing her hair back as Noelle watched.

"Daddy, can I have a bun?"

"Tonight, before bed? I was going to leave it down."

She shrugged. "Ok, but tomorrow?"

"Just let me make sure no tangles," One more brush, "and there you go beautiful, no tangles, time for bed." He scooped her up over his head and helicoptered her to the bed, spinning her down.

"Ovivia!" She screamed, holding her arms out. "Help me. I'm falling."

She landed in her soft bed, it was a bit smaller than what she had at home in the condo. "I have your UNI" Liv said, shaking the stuffed animal in the air. "And what about this book?"

"Yes, please." She took UNI and hugged it.

Fitz bent down. "I'm going to say good night now, I have some unpacking to do. I love you bug."

"Love you too Daddy." She hugged around his neck, and pulled him in to whisper. Liv wasn't supposed to hear it, but she did. "I love Ovivia here."

Fitz kissed her cheek then looked at Liv. "I'll see you downstairs. Be careful with the hard words." He winked.

By the middle of the book, Noelle gave a long yawn. "Thank you Ovivia."

"Oh, you're welcome." Liv thought she was thanking her for reading the book.

Her eyes slowly closing. "Daddy is so happy with you." Her head went to the side, and she was sleeping, clutching onto UNI.

Liv looked at her. So peaceful, so precious, and always talking of her daddy's happiness. Liv pulled up her blanket so it reached her shoulders. "Good night Noelle," she whispered. "Daddy makes me happy too."

There was a child's gate at the top of the stairs. Liv looked at it, not too sure how to click it open. Fitz came up the stairs, skipping one each step to get up faster. "Sorry about that." He opened the gate and bowed. "Your majesty," He swept his arm out, and Liv had to laugh.

"Hope you don't mind, I saw you took the bottles and glasses out, so I set up some drinks for us. He put his arm around her and Liv noticed the now crackling fire. Liv stopped, looked at him, and listened carefully into the air.

She heard soft instrumental Christmas tunes being played from the back of the room. It was dim and the glow of the fireplace and Christmas lights put a magical glow to the room. "Care to dance, Ms. Pope?"

He put his arms out, and smirked. How could she ignore an invite like that? "I would love to Mr. Grant." She bowed her head and joined his hands.

His hand on her back now, they began to sway to a piano playing version of "O Holy Night". They looked at each other together and smiled. "Hi Livvie." He whispered.

"Hi Fitz"

"Noelle fall asleep ok?"

"Just fine. Hugging her UNI."

"She loves that thing."

"Not as much as she loves her daddy."

Fitz blushed a bit. He rested her hand on his chest and stopped swaying. She looked at him, and he bent down clutching her lips with his.

Liv couldn't describe to herself the feeling she felt jolt through her body, and she couldn't stop her hand from cupping the back of his neck, pulling the kiss deeper, and began to sway again with him.

Kissing and dancing to the warmth of the fire, and Liv's body was a standing numbness. She pulled away and rested her forehead on the bridge of his nose. "What are you doing to me Fitz?"

He rubbed her back, and led her down so they were both sitting on the soft rug, facing the fire, leaning up against the couch. He handed her the glass of red wine. "Thank you." Liv nodded up. "Is that Uncle Jay?"

Fitz looked at the pictures. "That's Uncle Jay. He should be calling this weekend. He wants to talk to Noelle. Maybe we can send him a selfie of the three of us?"

Liv agreed with a nod. "That would be nice."

Fitz reached behind him. He pulled out the necklace box he had brought. It had a small pink ribbon around it. "Just a little something to remind you of this weekend. It kind of goes with the theme of the weekend."

This all brought back déjà vu from that last Christmas with Russel. The music, the drinks, and the gift. Liv covered her eyes to hide the tears. She was getting her Tahoe, but it was with someone she truly had feelings for.

"I didn't mean to upset you Livvie, I'm sorry."

"No" she said shaking her head. "I'm just thinking of my last Christmas in LA, it was disastrous."

"Because of Russel?"

"Because of Russel." She put her head down. "He contacted me the other night. I blocked his number, and…"She stopped. "I'm not ruining this with him." She looked at the box.

"Livvie", Fitz cupped her chin, having her face him. "Did he ever? He never put his hands on you did he?"

Liv took a deep breath. "I knew something was off with him. When I told him I was moving to New York, he went off, the time bomb went off, and he pushed me against the wall, but that was it, that was how far I let it go, and I left him that night. It's over now Fitz, I don't want to talk about it."

"I'll never hurt you Livvie, you know that right."

"I know." She held up the box. "You didn't have to."

"I know. I wanted you to have this though, besides I have to show Noelle up, she gave you a rainbow necklace, I have to one up her."

Liv laughed opening the box and covering her mouth in delight. "Fitz, this is gorgeous." She pulled the necklace out and held it up to the fireplace light. On a 16 inch chain hung a snowflake shaped diamond pennant. It was mesmerizing.

"We're going to have snow much fun." Fitz said.

Liv laughed. "You're so corny." She joked, laughing harder.

"I know." He shrugged, taking the necklace and putting it on her from behind. He kissed her neck after he clasped the necklace and she turned, kneeling up.

She grabbed the sides of his shirt and lifted it up above his head. She then pulled hers over her head, and he unsnapped her bra, rubbing the smooth skin on her back. She felt the heat from the fire as she leaned into feel the skin of his chest.

"What are you doing to me, Livvie?" It was his turn to ask. He kissed down her chest, cupping his lips around her gorgeous breast. He put his lips back up on her neck, as she rubbed his curls.

Back to kissing now, he pulled back. "Liv, I'm sorry."

"For what?" Her breathing heavy, hard to slow down.

He rubbed his neck with the saddest eyes. "I don't have… I didn't think…"

She swallowed. "Condoms? I'm on birth control."

He took a deep breath. Remembering the story of how Noelle was conceived, she realized Fitz would be more comfortable with a condom. "Liv, I'm just."

"No, Fitz, no need to explain, I understand. But can we lay like this?"

The rug needed no extra softness, and Fitz reached the blanket from the couch. They put their heads down together, kissing, rubbing each other's bodies, and holding one another close.

After some more serious talk about how life got them to this point, Liv put her head on Fitz's chest. "That little girl up there has stolen my heart you know, and so has her daddy." She put her head deeper in his chest.

"Hey," he whispered. "Franny told me today I've met my soulmate. Watching you with Noelle, I can't argue with that. Thank you for accepting her, and you Miss Pope let me just say. I have been all around the world. I own properties in Tokyo, Beijing, six countries in Europe, and three states here. I have never seen, or met any woman as beautiful as you, you truly take my breath away."

Liv looked up at him. He was dead serious, staring back at her. "The way I feel for you Liv, I think of you all the time, I watch you with Noelle, and I see how she loves you, and honestly, so do I."

Her shoulder cozied up to him now as she got the chills. She pulled herself up above his head, and looked down at him. "Then, we make this work?"

"We make this work." He smiled, pulling her down to a kiss.

They didn't make love that night, not yet anyway. Not knowing when it would happen, for now, they were two people afraid to love, but with the magic of Christmas surprises and the happiness of one little girl, they would gradually grow into a family.

Fitz put the fire out an hour later. When he pulled her back to his chest, her eyes closed, in the comfort of Fitz's arms. She secretly hoped this would be the same for many nights for many years to come. Sleep overtook her, as she dreamed of the magic Christmas is bringing her again.

Gobbling her small body in his arms, Fitz felt her melt into him. It had been a long time since he held someone like this, and it felt so good, so right. He kissed the top of her head, hoping that the magic of Christmas would find a way to keep Liv in his life, in their lives. He couldn't think of anyone he would want more to raise Noelle with him.

Maybe, just maybe they would one day have one or some of their own, and it would be a completion of a family Fitz had always dreamed to have. He closed his eyes, falling asleep with his Livvie close, safe in his arms. He had met his "Estelle" after all. Salvatore was right, love at first sight did exist.