A/N: Another chapter, another slow burn. This weekend getaway at the tiny Inn will prove the love the season was meant to bring. Hope you enjoy and enjoy the slow moving of the story. Good news is we'll get another chapter, keeping the season alive. Can't wait to read the reviews. Happy reading.

Chapter 6

2022-Two months ago (October)

Noelle was staring at the television screen. Her favorite show was on. She was only allowed an hour of TV time and Tiffany noticed how engrossed she was in the show.

She heard the giggles coming from Noelle. Tiffany didn't think Noelle understood the concepts, but she laughed when the characters laughed. "Mommy," Abigail said, "Why do polar bears like the cold? Do both you and daddy know?"

Noelle stood up and walked closer to the television that was high up on the wall. She looked up, now with her eyebrows crossed. "Why mommy?" Abigail said again.

"Come here, Abigail, let mommy give you a big hug, then you can go ask daddy." Tiffany watched Noelle cautiously, ready to be asked a question.

The little girl looked at her, curiosity filled her blue eyes. "Noelle, are you ok?" Tiffany asked her.

Noelle put her little finger under her bottom lip. She was tapping it with the tip of her finger. Her eyes moved again to the screen, but she didn't turn completely towards it. "What's mommy?"

Tiffany bit her bottom lip. She was dreading the day this was going to be asked, she only wished Fitz was here. Tiffany pinched the bridge of her nose. "Maybe you can ask your daddy later when he comes home." Tiffany wasn't avoiding her; she just didn't think it was her place.

Noelle shrugged. "Abigail's mommy." She turned now and pointed to the screen. Abigail and her mommy weren't even on there anymore. "Abigail's daddy. I have daddy. Are you mommy?" Noelle's face scrunched with the question.

Tiffany clicked the TV off. She swooped Noelle into her arms, tickling her tummy. "No silly, I am Tiffany, not mommy." Noelle was laughing too hard now to ask another question.

"How about we get dressed and go to the playground, the one with the climbing bars? Would you like that?" Tiffany was doing everything to avoid the topic.

"UNI?" Noelle asked.

"No, you know daddy said UNI stays home when we go out. It's too special in case you lose UNI."

Noelle took a deep breath. "Snacks?" She pointed to the cabinet.

"That we can do. Goldfish, cut up orange, two apple juice, and…"

"Ice cream." Noelle finished.

"Hmm." Tiffany thought. "We can't bring ice cream, but we can buy it, from the ice cream shop. Sprinkles?"

"Rainbow." Noelle nodded, as Tiffany put her shoes on, and they were heading out the door.

Tiffany watched Noelle run to push the down button on the elevator. She dodged the question for now, but Fitz would have to know. She watched as Noelle pointed to the elevator when the down light dinged. It was only a matter of time she would begin to ask; she couldn't blame the young girl.

Hey Mr. Grant, everything is fine. I wanted to send you a text with a heads up. Noelle was asking about a mommy today. I was able to change the subject and take her mind off it, but I wanted you know. We are at the playground now, heading home in about an hour. First, though, some ice cream.

Tiffany's phone didn't take long to vibrate back. Thanks Tiffany. I knew the day would come, just didn't think it would be this soon. She's still so young. We'll talk when I get home. Tell her to enjoy the rainbow sprinkles, and rainbow sorbet, it's all she ever gets.

Fitz rubbed his hand over his face. He looked at the picture of Noelle on his desk. Her smiling blue eyes sitting on the couch of their home. She was wearing her Easter dress from earlier in the year. She had on her little white hat, with a pink bow around it.

The smile on her face was priceless and her blue eyes were glistening. Fitz snapped the picture to send to Jay, but he loved it so much he had it made to a 5x7 so it could sit on his desk. He never wanted to see his daughter without that smile.

Man, Fitz, there is no way Jacqui could have hidden the fact she was yours. Turner would have had to play dumb or be a dang fool. This picture is all you. Thanks for sending it, she is absolutely beautiful.

That was the text Jay sent after he got the picture. Fitz had also had a 5x7 made for him and sent it in the mail to his current address at the time. He put his head down now.

Jacqui, he thought, looking back at the picture. "How am I going to explain her to you, my little precious?"

"Hey boss, problems in Beijing, the bank is on the line." Lauren opened his door, letting him know.

He made it a point to be home earlier that night. He needed to talk to Noelle, and he didn't want her asleep. Fitz opened the door and he saw her jump from Tiffany's arms on the couch. Tiffany was reading a book.

Noelle jumped into Fitz's arms. "Daddy, you're home." Her tiny arms went around his neck, and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I missed you."

Fitz gripped her in the hug, kissing her cheek. "I missed you too. Did you brush your teeth yet? I don't think so because I see a rainbow sprinkle on one."

Noelle giggled and pulled her head back looking at him. "No." She laughed.

"No." He repeated, "but go, brush your teeth."

He looked at Tiffany. "I'm open to suggestions."

"Honestly she just asked what a mommy was. I don't know if you should go into so much detail. Some children have only mommy's, some only have daddy's, some have both. At two years old, she'll shrug and accept it."

Fitz nodded. "Yeah, she is only two. The more point blank I am, the better."

Tiffany agreed. "Exactly, she's too young right now for details. I'm thinking you have a few more years for the truth to come out. Right now, it's just curiosity, like a word she doesn't understand."

"Thanks Tiffany. Have a good night. Gil is waiting downstairs with the car. See you in the morning."

After their talk, that's precisely what it was, another word in Noelle's vocabulary. She didn't have a mommy, much like she didn't have a puppy. That's what she said. "Some kids have a puppy."

"Yes." That was a subject Fitz wanted to avoid also.

"I have a daddy. I love daddy." Noelle put her head on her pillow. "Will I have a mommy?" She yawned, and closed her eyes, not waiting for an answer as sleep overtook her.

"And I love Noelle." Fitz watched her drift off to sleep. Perhaps one day he would fall in love with someone who could be a mommy to Noelle. Of course no one to replace her real mommy, but someone to love her like her own child.

2022—Two months ago (October)

Cold. That's all Olivia could think of, cold. Her bed was cold, the sheets, cold, the atmosphere, cold. She couldn't remember the last time she was wrapped in Russel's arms. She didn't want to be anyway, but she still felt cold.

Her arm was folded, resting on her forehead. She had made her decision, and she was going to tell Russel in the morning. She looked over to his empty side of the bed. Her phone buzzed.

Hey baby, stuck at work. Thought the one game was completed, but of course so many glitches because I have to do everything around here. Don't know what time I'll be home. Hope to see you maybe tomorrow for dinner. Unless you take a Friday off, then we can have the day together.

Liv rolled her eyes at the message. No way she was falling for that again. She didn't even answer him back. She wasn't taking a Friday off, not for him, not for anyone. She thought, instead, of the conversation she had with Wilson that afternoon, the owner and CEO of Fashion Magazine.

"Olivia," he said as he entered her office. Harrison was sweating in the corner. He thought they were both getting canned. "I've waited about two years now for you to accept the New York position. Chad asked, Hilary asked, Nelson asked, now I'm in person asking."

Liv really had no idea what he was talking about. She remembered Chad mentioning New York to her briefly, but it was never brought up again.

"Mr. Walters, I had no idea you wanted me in New York so badly." Liv played along. "Is it to assist the Chief Editor there?"

"Olivia Pope, I would never send you there for assistant. I want you Editor in Chief. Nancy is retiring, in fact, she's already retired. I needed you there yesterday. So, Pope, you want to stay Junior associate here, or…."

"I'm there." She looked at Harrison now who was about to cry. Harrison was a train wreck when she met him, sitting in a police station ready to be jailed. She couldn't leave him behind.

"I'll give you two months to get yourself settled. It's not easy to move cross country, so take the two months. I cannot wait to see the magazine thrive with you heading it over there in New York. Of course it comes with a hefty bonus, and money down for the residence of your choice for at least a year."

"Mr. Walters, that's all too much."

"You have taken this magazine to the next level with your knowledge of fashion, your ability to check articles, and the haste in publishing the articles and being the first to break the newest trend in the fashion industry. If you ask me, I'm getting a bargain. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Liv nodded at Harrison. "Can I take him with me? That's if he wants to go." Harrison loved Olivia. She spoke to the cop that arrested him; he was the brother of Olivia's childhood friend. The cop, after two hours of talking to Liv, dropped the charges, and Harrison got away with a misdemeanor. "I could use an assistant."

"You got it. Harrison." Mr. Walters looked at him. "You want to move to New York, son?"

"Yes sir. It would be my honor." Harrison smiled at Liv. "I have family that live there, so I won't be needing my fancy place like Liv over there."

"Ok, you two work out the details, and by January, I look forward to see the profits going up." He wished Olivia luck with the move, and that was it.

Not waiting up for Russel, Liv fell asleep and when she woke up, she found him asleep on the couch. She left for work and would meet him by his job when she finished up hers. She would tell him tonight, as they headed home for the last time, or one of the last times together.

Looking at him on the couch, now, she took a sigh. Maybe she wasn't being fair. Perhaps she could convince him to move his company to New York. He would profit from it. Russel was a genius when it came to gaming, but did she want to put so much energy into the relationship anymore?

She left without ever thinking what would truly transpire that night. After her LA office was packed up and she said her good byes to her staff, she headed out towards Russel's work building. She looked up at the dingy brick building.

Looking around the neighborhood, Liv shook her head in misunderstanding. This was one of the worst parts of LA and he only worked out of the building because it was dirt cheap. Liv entered the lobby and saw Russel playing a video game with three of his friends. She also overheard their disgusting conversation.

"Dude, Russ, I can't get why you're still here. You have a hot ass woman at home waiting for you. Go home, take what's yours. You're always here, damn bro, go bang her, like you should be making a baby and shit."

Liv was very uncomfortable hearing one of Russ's friends talking about her like that. She could only imagine how pissed Russ would be. "Greg man, come on." She heard Russel say. "I can get that hot ass whenever the hell I want. She knows who she belongs to. You ever get a look at her skin? Yeah, it's just as sexy as the ass. Now look at the score, you thinking of my woman, causing you to lose." He began laughing, then his smile disappeared as he glanced over to the lobby. Not knowing if she heard him or not, he jumped up.

Oh she heard him alright, and now had no regrets about her decision. She deserved someone who respected her, respected her body.

"What's this, Baby, why you here?"

"I figured we could go home together. I have news for you." She turned away from him.

He looked around at his three coworkers. They all shrugged. Greg shook his hand up and down. You in trouble. He mouthed. "Do whatever Russ, we're fine." They went back to playing his game.

As they exited the building, Liv saw a family, a mother and two kids sitting against the building. She held a sign "Will work for food to feed my kids."

Liv looked in her direction. "Can't you give her a job? Even if it's just getting food for you. Maybe she could do some clerical work." Liv looked at Russ.

"Hell no. I don't take in the homeless." He put his arm around her shoulders. "Let's go."

Liv shrugged his hand off her shoulder. Liv looked as the young mother smiled at her as a thank you for trying. Her children were leaned up on either side of her, just looking at the people passing. Liv walked over to her. Reaching into her purse, she took out all the cash she had on her.

"There's about $300 dollars there and a business card for the building I work in across town. They may need a cleaning lady, or perhaps you're qualified for something else, but whatever, I wish you luck. Tell them Olivia sent you."

The woman took the money, now with tears in her eyes and wouldn't stop thanking Olivia. The two children watched their mother cry and asked if she was alright.

"We'll be fine." She reassured her children.

"Why would you do that?" Russ interlocked his hand with hers as they walked away. "That was your hard earned money, giving it away like that. What the hell is wrong with you? You really want someone like that working in your office building? Come on."

That night Liv slept at Harrison's after Russ tossed her up against the wall and threatened her. She went back the next day packed her belongings and never saw Russ again.

Present Day—December

Warmth. Was it a dream? It had to be a dream, because she was sleeping. Why was she so warm in her dream? She felt a hand go down her bare back. Her back was bare. She blinked, once, twice, and her brain brought her back to where she was as she smelled the fireplace again.

His arms wrapped around her as they lay chest to chest. When Liv's eyes finally opened, she smiled. Her nose nuzzled into his chest. "I'm so warm right now." She gave a laughing sigh. "What time is it?"

"4 a.m." He shrugged. "It's Friday, I'm usually at work, Tokyo stock markets closed an hour ago." He smiled. "Did you sleep ok?"

She rubbed his bare back, their arms interlocked around one another. "I did. This little Inn, the town, the company, it's all so perfect."

"Good, I'm glad you relaxed. Did you even realize it was Friday?"

She shook her head honestly. "I thought it was Saturday, I haven't taken a Friday off, not in three years at least anyway."

"Russel was that fun to be around huh?" He bumped her forehead with hers.

"Franklin Russel could never compare you, Fitz, not by a longshot. How long before we hear pitter patter of little feet?" Her head nodded up towards where Noelle was sleeping.

"Maybe another hour. Tiffany says she usually wakes up between 530 and 6, she's an early bird like her father."

Liv's hand went to her collar, she felt, and honestly forgot, the necklace she had fallen asleep with around her neck. Her two fingers pinched the snowflake charm. "So, do I have to dress today for a snow activity, or….I know it's a surprise."

"Snow tomorrow. Today, it's casual." He looked at her, pulling her in with his eyes.

Her lips met his. He closed his arms tighter around her, his hand making his way to her gorgeous breast. She rolled so she was on her back now, and he was on the side of her, rubbing down to her stomach, and back up to her breast again.

Liv was finding it extremely difficult to pull away from the kiss. She moved to his cheek, kissed his neck, with the remnants of Creed still on his skin, and she put her head back as he kissed her neck. He stopped by her ear.

"You are so beautiful Olivia, your skin, your body, everything about you." He pulled her into a hug. He took a hard swallow. "Maybe you want to go upstairs, this way Noelle…"

"Doesn't see me topless. That sounds like a good idea." She smiled. She looked around the room again, and brought her head back down. "So who is Sal and Estelle?"

Fitz sat up now, against the couch, like they were last night. "They owned the Inn, it is a town staple. This place is loved by everyone in this town. They were 76 years young when Noelle and I met them and they were ready to sell the place."

"You bought it? Were they ok with that?"

"The whole town was. They thought if the Inn closed, the town would begin to fall apart, into the hands of greedy developers. So I bought it, and Sal and Estelle retired. They were married for 50 years at that time, and they were as in love with each other, if not more, as the day he married her. He told me about his love at first sight. Honestly, now I can relate." He rubbed her hand smiling.

Olivia sat up next to him. "That's a love story, did you change much at all to the building?"

"Not a thing." Fitz said looking around. "The lighted village you admired when you came in, that was Estelle's, she gave it to Noelle as a keepsake. The staff decorates this room for me on December 1st. I bring Noelle here once before her birthday and once during the summer."

"Traditions being made. She loves it here you could tell." Olivia smiled. The tree lights still on and it was all the light the small room needed. "So the staff are local residents?"

Fitz nodded. "Yeah, Sal and Estelle took their family that maintained the place with them. I hired anyone in town that didn't have a job. One father was about to be evicted with his two young sons. Their mother had left them, and he was down on his luck."

"Fitz, that's so nice of you."

He shrugged. "Really, it was a bargain for me. He manages the place now and his son's help with labor. Needless to say, they still have their house, and he hires anyone who may be financially strapped."

She gave him a hug, resting her forehead on his shoulder. Maybe he could be her Sal, she thought. "Thank you for telling me the story of Sal and Estelle, maybe it's the beginning of our…" she stopped.

"Our love story." Fitz said, smiling.

"Our love story." She agreed. "I'm going to get ready. Is my bag?"

"It's upstairs, the room next to Noelle's. Master bathroom is in the room across from that." Liv grabbed Fitz's dress shirt, putting it on, smelling the Creed on it. As she walked up the stairs, she was suddenly thankful Russel never put the cologne on, it wouldn't have the meaning, the sensual meaning to her as it does with Fitz.

"Five", Fitz said as he handed her a plate with pancakes.

"Six", Noelle said back, looking at the plate.

"Four", Fitz said back, "and no more than that." He knew his daughter didn't quite yet know that four was less than six, but he wasn't giving in to six squirts of syrup.

"Ok, four." Noelle watched as her daddy put the syrup on. She was still in her rainbow pajamas.

"Ovivia sleeping?" Noelle looked around downstairs and pointed upstairs.

"She's getting ready. Then you get ready, and…."

"Surprise. Birthday surprise? Christmas surprise?" Noelle shrugged.

"How about some of both?"

Her mouth went wide open. "Ok." She picked up a piece of pancake with her tiny fork. Chewing on the piece, his phone began to buzz on the counter.

"Buzzing!" She pointed to the phone. She looked at the display. She knew the first letter. "J", she said. "Uncle Jay?"

"Yes ma'am." Fitz took the phone. "Hey, you isn't it like 4 am there?"

"Something like that. I'm on the road already. I'm heading to Utah again. The place there is thriving. I'm thinking about expanding. How have you been? I've been watching the stocks; you're killing it Fitz."

"Honestly Jay, it's been great. I'm thinking about something on the west coast too. Maybe you can head to California one day for me?"

"Sure, I have a pop up going live in LA. Maybe about four weeks. What did you have in mind?"

"Not sure yet, I'll get back to you."

"Just say the word. How's the niece? She must be getting big."

"She is. She's just finishing her pancakes." Fitz pulled the phone away. "Go up and wash your hands and face, they're all sticky, then you can talk to Uncle Jay."

"How's the Inn? Still standing?" Jay laughed.

"Yeah, standing, decorated, bringing in mad profits. Look Jay, I met someone, I wanted you to know."

"Hot shit," he said. "It's about time. She doesn't know how rich you are, does she?"

"It doesn't matter, not to her. She's…" Fitz looked up at the ceiling, then faced the Christmas tree.

"Uncle Jay on the phone." Noelle said to Liv as she came out of the room. "Good morning, Ovivia."

"Good morning, Noelle."

Noelle held up her hands. "Sticky pancakes, no huggie yet." And began washing as Liv headed downstairs.

She stopped short on the stairs, listening to Fitz.

"She's so perfect. Jay, man I'm telling you. Remember those satin sheets when we crashed the penthouse suite at that hotel in Venice when we were in college?"

"Smooth as silk, man, hell yeah I remember."

"That's her skin." Fitz closed his eyes. "Just satin silkiness." He took a deep breath.

"Ok, go on." Jay said.

"She has these chocolate drop eyes; they just melt you away. Jay when I first saw her, I was hypnotized. Her voice, as calming as the setting sun." He stopped.

"Ok, you're in love. Wow, good for you."

"We'll send a picture in a bit. Here comes the little unicorn now." Fitz turned to the stairs.

Noelle had taken Liv's hand on the stairs. It looked like they were coming down together, so Fitz didn't know his words had her frozen on the stairs. "Come Ovivia."

Fitz handed the phone to Noelle. "Here you go."

"Uncle Jay." Noelle sat on the couch. Liv and Fitz were behind her in the kitchen.

Liv was wearing a perfect fitting dark gold sweater that brought her eyes out to the glistening point. She had on denim black jeans, form fitting her shape to perfection.

"Would you like some pancakes Ms. Pope?" Fitz kissed the top of her head. "You smell heavenly by the way."

"I'd love some and thank you." She turned to Noelle.

"Unicorn ear mittens. I have warm ears. Yes, Ovivia. She's so pretty. Uh-huh, yes. Ok, ok, ok, uh huh. Rainbow please. I love you too."

She walked to Fitz and handed him the phone. He plated Liv's pancakes and walked by the fireplace to say goodbye.

Noelle sat on the chair next to Liv. She looked at Liv's necklace. "So pretty." The tip of her finger touched the snowflake. "Sparkly."

"Your daddy gave that to me. It's beautiful."

"You like snow?"

"I will after this weekend, right?"

"I don't know." She shrugged. "It's a surprise." Liv couldn't help it. She swooped her up and just gave her a hug and about a dozen kisses, listening to her giggle.

Their first stop was a tiny toy store run by Meghan, but everyone called her Meggy. Meggy smiled as Noelle walked in. "Two L Noelle, come give Meggy a huggie."

Noelle ran to her. "I get a birthday toy."

"You do? Well, back there," Meggy pointed to a tall shelf. "That's just birthday toys."

"Hey Meggy, meet Olivia, Olivia Pope. She just moved to the east coast from LA."

Liv smiled, "Pleased to meet you. This place is so nice, like a Santa's toyshop." Liv said.

"Thank you, yep year round, I'm an elf alright, ain't I Fitzgerald?" She looked back to Liv. "Very nice meeting you. That necklace is gorgeous, by the way."

"Thank you." Liv looked at Fitz as he pulled her close.

Fitz nodded to the direction Noelle was. "How much is this going to cost me?"

"I pointed her to the most expensive direction."

"That's what I like to hear." Fitz looked at Liv. "Whatever Noelle buys, I double the price and the money gets donated to town families in need of some extra help this Christmas."

"You would be amazed how many families benefit from his generosity." Meggy looked back at Fitz. "Everything on that shelf is unicorn by the way."

His mouth dropped open. "Meggy."

"Chill, guy, only kidding. I know how you love unicorns."

The bell chimed signaling another customer. "Let's go help her out." Fitz took Liv's hand heading towards Noelle.

"I try to let her get the least amount of merchandise that costs the most. Does that make any sense?"

"It does when you're doubling down on what she spends and saves you from having a house full of toys."

"See, we do think alike." Fitz kissed her forehead. "Hey Noelle, check out this dollhouse, I bet Meggy made it herself."

Heading out of the store now, the damage wasn't that bad at all. Having shipping paid for and included in the doubling of the donation, Noelle was going home to a birthday tricycle. It was purple with a rainbow seat.

The dollhouse was a Christmas gift, and it was indeed hand made by Meggy. Much to Fitz's frown, Meggy was going to paint a unicorn on the roof, then ship it off.

Noelle had Olivia pick out two dolls for the house. She picked out two other dolls herself. While Noelle walked by Fitz to pay for the merchandise, Liv picked out a small baby stroller for one of her baby dolls as a birthday gift.

"I'm going to take Noelle to the bathroom Liv." As they walked to the back Liv took a moment to talk to Meggy.

"He's just so wonderful, I know he's successful, but what is something I can surprise him with, would you know?"

"Anything with Noelle on it. He loves pictures, especially of his daughter."

That was something Liv could agree with. "I have an idea. Is there anyone here in town that could…." Meggy listened to Liv's idea and assured her it would be taken care of, and would be ready in two hours. She pointed her in the right direction.

Their next stop was in front of small building marked "Theatre". Liv looked a the sign in the window. It read: "Afternoon Matinee The Nutcracker."

Noelle's hands went over her surprised mouth. "Dancing?" She looked at her father.

He picked her up above his head, bringing her down to his nose. "Dancing, my girl, ballet. It's all the school children putting on the show."

He put Noelle down as she ran into the building. "The school puts on a weekend production of The Nutcracker. I think she's old enough to understand it more

now. It's all kids too, so she should be interested. Do you mind?"

"Not at all, this is wonderful. The Nutcracker is one of my favorite Christmas stories."

"Ok, well it's full of kids and families, so control the urge to make out with me in the theatre."

Liv began laughing, interlocking her arm in his and meeting Noelle near the popcorn and snack stand.

It was one of the cutest things Olivia ever got to see. The children were so talented for being so young. Judging by the audience, every parent had taken the day off to watch the first performance of the show. Noelle kept clapping through it, her eyes fixated on the stage the whole time.

During the curtain call, Noelle stood up and bowed with the cast. The cast all held hands, and together in unison, they said. "Happy Almost Birthday Noelle." Noelle stopped mid bow and looked up then turned to Fitz. "Daddy"

She jumped into his arms. "That was a surprise." Her daddy gave her a kiss on the cheek and a big hug, holding her into his shoulder. Fitz smiled. He looked at Liv and winked. Liv shook her head looking at them lovingly. There truly wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his daughter.

By the time the show ended, it was early evening and they headed to a small café for some dinner. The small place was crowded but there was a table for three near the door and next to a table of a family of four.

Fitz shook hands with the father and introduced Olivia. He was Dennis and he was the only plumber in town. Fitz used his services numerous times with the inn being so old. Dennis introduced Gemma, his wife, and Nicky age 7, Samantha age 4.

Liv sat and looked out the window. She saw the lights still on in the place Meggy had suggested and remembered her order was ready. "Fitz, I'll be right back. I want to take a quick look at that store before it closes."

"Sure, can I order for you?"

Liv looked down at the menu. "Chicken Caesar salad, dressing on the side, thank you."

While Liv was gone, Fitz was in deep conversation with Dennis, and Noelle waved to Samantha. "I'm 4." Samantha said.

"Almost 3." Noelle said.

"Where did your mommy go?" Samantha asked as she saw Olivia leave.

Noelle's eyebrows crossed. "Ovivia." Noelle said to Samantha.

"Oh, my mommy is named Gemma." Samantha said.

Now Noelle was more confused. Was Olivia her mommy now? She saw Samantha tap her mommy.

"You're Gemma, right?" Samantha smiled. "My mommy."

Gemma reached over and hugged Samantha. She continued to listen to the conversation between Dennis and Fitz.

Once Liv came back and dinner was served, they went on talking about the show and the toys Noelle got. "Did you get anything in the store?" Fitz asked her.

"Well, now it's a Christmas surprise." She looked over at Noelle, but Noelle was staring sadly out the window, not having touched her food. "Noelle, are you alright?"

Her eyes filled with tears. "I want to go." Fitz looked over at her.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

She jumped in his lap and buried her head in his shoulder. "Want to go." She said again. "Please."

Liv waved for him to go with her outside. He said goodbye to Dennis and the family and Liv took care of the bill.

They arrived back at the room, a bit more somber than the arrival the night before. Even all of the Christmas decorations around the town and in the room couldn't cheer up an always cheerful Noelle.

"No bath, please." She looked over at Fitz with the saddest blue eyes.

"No bath." He agreed.

"Buzzing!" Noelle said as Fitz's phone made a rare vibration on the table. He looked at the display, then at Liv.

"It's fine, Fitz, I'll get her ready for bed."

"Thank you, it's Marcus and he only calls for emergencies, so." Fitz took the phone and walked to the area by the tree.

Noelle didn't say much at all as Liv helped her into her unicorn pajamas. Noelle wanted to say something to Liv, but she wasn't sure what. Her young mind was just confused. Liv handed UNI to her, and Noelle buried her face into the plush toy. "I love you Ovivia."

Liv froze before walking out of the room and walked back to Noelle's bed. "And I love you Noelle." She kissed her cheek and for the first time in a few hours, Noelle smiled and turned to face the wall.

Hearing Fitz still on the phone, Liv went to her room and was reading a book on her bed. After a few minutes she heard footsteps and Noelle was standing at her door. She was clutching UNI under her arm. "I come in?"

"Sure, come in."

Noelle climbed on the bed and faced Olivia. Her small hand caressed Liv's face, her cheekbone. "You're so pretty Ovivia."

"So are you, Noelle. You're pretty and smart and so many other things."

"Are you mommy?" Noelle's big blue eyes blinked with watery tears waiting for Liv to answer. Her mouth turned down in a frown.

Liv pulled her close to her chest, just hugging her close. She remembered Samantha and the interaction Noelle must have seen tonight. She took a deep breath.

Downstairs, Fitz was rushing Marcus as much as he could. There was a problem with a computer hack and the IT guys were on it, but in the end the company could lose close to a million if it wasn't caught in time.

Fitz was going over passwords and formulas, all the while his heart pounding worried about his little girl. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Liv had her, she would be fine. He focused more on what Marcus was saying so this mess could be cleared up.

At the end of the conversation, Fitz remembered one more thing. He looked over at the stairs to make sure Liv wasn't coming down. "I need everything you can find on a Franklin Russel from LA. If he's a business owner, I want to buy it out, anonymously, if he owns a building, buy it, immediately, make an offer they can't refuse. Get back to me on Monday with all the information."

After a half hour phone call, he began to head upstairs. He wondered what was going on with Noelle. This was so out of character for her, and after such a good day. She would normally be talking non stop about it.

He checked her room to find it empty. He saw the light on in Liv's room and he stopped at the doorway. Noelle was wrapped in Liv's arms, facing away from her. Noelle's back was up against Liv's chest, and Noelle was sleeping, clutching UNI. Liv was sleeping also, her forehead resting against Noelle's back.

Fitz's heart melted right then, and he knew he would never want anyone besides himself to be as close to Noelle as Olivia had become. He didn't know what happened tonight, he was sure he would find out in the morning, if not sooner.

For now, he wanted to join the two people he loved in that bed and hold them, safe from the rest of the world. He climbed in, behind Olivia. He put his arm around her and it reached to Noelle. Liv cuddled a bit closer to his chest but didn't wake up.

There they slept, three of them. To a stranger, it would look like a little family, father, mother, daughter. To them a love was just beginning. They were coming into an understanding of their lives so they could make it together in love. So far, it was working.

Call it chance, call it the miracle of the season, whatever you choose, it cannot be denied that each surprise brought them closer together. Now, as they sleeping wrapped together, Noelle will wake up to a new surprise of the day her daddy has planned, and a new understanding of the word mommy. Fitz will wake up to a surprise Liv bought for him, and Olivia, well she will wake up to a surprise that Russel chose a road for himself that hit a closure. It couldn't have come at a better time, as Russel was determined to get Liv back in his life.

That same morning around the time Liv woke up warm in Fitz's arms, Russel arrived at the Fashion Magazine's office building. He knew Olivia would be the first one in, she always was a workaholic. He arrived as early as he could.

He was holding a brand new 5 carat diamond necklace, an apology for how he treated her. He was getting low on money, and this would set him back, but she was worth it. One look at this, she would be on a plane with him back to LA. He couldn't wait.

Outside the dark offices now, he was surprised to see Harrison enter. Harrison knew Olivia gave them the day off, but Harrison needed some things from his office. He wanted to make sure all the ads for the next issue were up to date also.

"Man, you don't get it." He laughed when he saw Russel. "She isn't here, she's gone for the weekend. She took off today."

Russel pushed Harrison with both hands. Harrison went back a few steps but didn't fall. Harrison pulled his arm back about to punch him but stopped. "You're not worth it. Go back to LA, Olivia is happy now, she doesn't need you."

Realizing he was serious, that Olivia wasn't coming in, Russel stopped Harrison from walking by him. "Man, you touch me again, I am going to fucking lay you out." Harrison warned.

"She what?" He squinted at Harrison. "Took Friday off?"

"Yep, she's away, maybe until Monday, maybe won't be back until Tuesday. Better go back to your dungeon in LA, she's done with you Russel. Looks like you need her more than she would've ever needed you. Merry Christmas, asshole."

Russel waited around a few more hours outside the building just to be sure. By 10 am when there was no sign of Olivia, he decided it best to head back to LA and try to save his company. He walked by a few homeless people on the street and was hoping now that wasn't his fate.

He wasn't aware that in less than 24 hours, he would get the phone call that would change his life. His company would be sold out from under him and there would be nothing he could do about it.