A/N: It feels weird writing about Christmas in February, but it feels right because it's about Olitz. Still interested? I hope so. Slow burn, so I hope you enjoy. If you're not a slow burn reader, I get it. If you are, patience, it'll be worth it. Happy Reading and I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Chapter 7

1 month ago

Fitz was staring out at the darkness still overtaking the city. He wondered if leaving for work so early would soon take its toll on Noelle. He thought of his little girl, his whole world, and he thought giving her every minute of his time on the weekends would suffice for now while she was still so young.

The empire he had built didn't come from slacking on the job. Many head honchos he met couldn't understand how Fitzgerald Grant was so successful. His father, having nothing and living on the streets for many years, opened a small corner store, after meeting his mother, and worked every day from 5 in the morning until midnight.

His father worked so Fitz would be able to be something himself, and when Fitz had made his first sale and within that same year hit the millionaire status, he knew all the hard work his father put into that tiny store finally paid off.

He had wished his mother, who died when Fitz was 13, would have been there to see his first sale. He promised his mother he would take care of his father, and Fitz kept true to his word. The only problem, his father was afraid to stop working, and sadly never did, not even when Fitz could have bought him a mansion.

Walking into that store the day after gaining his status, he offered his father a life of retirement to anywhere in the world, but his father wouldn't fathom it. The neighborhood still needed him, and Fitz could do nothing but respect that. The store had grown to be a piece of his father, and Fitz couldn't take that away from him.

Receiving a call while he was in Atlanta, overseeing management of his new firm, Fitz was given the news his father had collapsed in the very place he held dear to his heart, the store, behind the counter, being as generous as always.

When Fitz arrived at the hospital, his father was already gone, still breathing by way of a machine, but the man Fitz knew was gone. "Sir, we kept him alive so you can say goodbye, but too much oxygen was lost, and sadly he is brain dead. I am so sorry for your loss."

Fitz looked in at the bed. Big Gerry, as he was known in the neighborhood, looked peaceful, finally at rest, after working so hard for so many years. Fitz sat next to the bed and held his father's hand. His eyes filled with tears and he felt he was cheated out of time with his father, all so Fitz wouldn't have to struggle in life. He vowed to never lose himself to work like his father did, even if it was for his own benefit.

As hard as his father did work, Big Gerry always made sure Christmas Eve and Day were his time with Fitz. This time of year always made Fitz feel a bit more emotional. Fitz promised his father, as he watched him taking his last breaths, that Christmas would always be a day special for him. He would never work on Christmas, and he would always be as generous as his father was to his neighborhood.

He bowed his head, placing his father's hand onto his own cheek. "Dad," he whispered. "If I am fortunate to become a father one day, I hope to mirror you. I don't regret the time we didn't spend together because I know it was done out of your love for me. I'll always love you, dad, go and rest now."

With the machine being disconnected only a few minutes ago, Fitz heard the dreadful sound of a flatline as the little life his father had left in him exited his body.

"Sir, would you like to stop for some coffee?" Gil was never sure, as Fitz changed his mind each day.

"No, Gil, I'm fine, right to the office please." He blinked looking up at the lighted buildings that made New York's skyline so famous. He nodded, smiling thinking of his father and how he shaped his life to be a father to Noelle.

At the drop of a dime, Fitz would be there for his little girl. Days he left early, weekends he took off, and surprise outings, were just a few little things he had hoped would take her mind off of not having a mother in her life. The memories he was building he was hoping would be enough for Noelle.

As he entered his dark office, always the first one there and he contacted his guy in Tokyo, he looked at the picture on his desk. "One day, Noelle, maybe daddy would be lucky enough to find someone you can call mommy."

The phone stopped ringing on the other end, and Fitz was consumed, at the early hour of 4 am in conversation about the dropping stocks in Tokyo. It was only Monday, but Fitz was already thinking of the weekend, and the surprises he would have for his little girl.

2 months ago

Liv sat on the plane, alone. Harrison was clearing a few things at the LA office and would meet her in NY in a week. As the plane took off, Liv reached into her carry on bag. Lifting her book from it, her keys fell out and crashed to the floor.

The older woman sitting next to her reached down and picked them up, handing them to Liv. First, though, the woman saw the keychain picture she had of her with Russel. The woman tilted her head looking at the photo.

Reaching for the keys and thanking the woman, Liv noticed the woman looking at the picture. She looked back at Liv, then back at the picture. "You don't look happy with him. That's a forced smile, young lady, I hope you aren't on your way back to him."

Liv gave an agreeing sigh. "Just the opposite, I am on my way far away from him. It just wasn't right."

"Amen that you were able to walk away, not many women have that strength. Best of luck to you dear."

Liv turned and focused her gaze out of the plane window again. She took a long, deep breath. She had given all she had to Russel. With more time to think, it pulled at her heart strings. Giving everything in her to make that relationship work, it drained her, made her turn into a zombie at work.

The worst part wasn't even the angry time bomb he was that punctured Liv's heart. It was the nights of giving him all of her in love making and waking up to an empty bed.

After Liv's mother died, she was so alone and she was sure Russel would fill a void, but he didn't. Waking up and having no one to hold, no one to just feel a part of, that is what Liv kicked herself most about. After that first Christmas, she was so stupid to think it would work, and she's only sorry now it took her years to realize it.

She pulled the picture out of the small frame, the picture the woman just looked at, and Liv, hands covered in the bag, tore that picture to tiny shreds. "I don't think I'll ever have a person to take a picture like that with again." She was so sure Russel ruined love for her. She took a deep breath and continued her thinking again.

Liv didn't love Russel, never felt that feeling of needing to be with him, needing to see him, and wanting him in a way that consumed her, yet, she still gave all of her to him. Hell, she never even told him she loved him.

Why was she feeling so guilty? Russel wasn't a bad guy, despite what he had done to her, he was just a lost soul and the more Liv was one with her thoughts, the more she realized she was with him out of sympathy, not out of love.

Russel only wanted money. He wanted to impress, to be around the big boys in the gaming world. In his quest to accomplish that, he lost sight of who he was, Liv didn't even care that he lost sight of her. After that dreadful Christmas on the cruise, she should have walked away, but Liv thought he would be the one.

"Find someone, love him, marry him, have babies with him." She whispered to the window. "Olivia Pope you're better than that." Somewhere, sometime, maybe she will meet someone, but for now there's a new beginning. She could only wish the best for Russel now and hope he finds his fortune, but most of all, hope he finds his way. He just needed some guidance, but she couldn't be the one to give it to him.

Present Day

She saw Noelle's blue eyes gleaming in the sunlight. "Ovivia", Noelle's contagious laugh echoed in the room. "Don't let go Ovivia."

"I got you Noelle, you can trust me." But Olivia felt Noelle slipping out of her grip. The weight of the little girl now being taken from Olivia's arms, and Olivia jumped up out of her sleep. "Noelle!"

"Shhh. Livvie, it's ok. I'm just bringing her to her bed." Fitz's soft, yet deep voice spoke as he picked up Noelle. "I'll be right back." Her love for Noelle didn't go unnoticed. She was so protective of her, and it's one of things that made Fitz fall so fast in love with Olivia.

Liv nodded, feeling a chill go up arms. She had fallen asleep right after Noelle did, still crying in Liv's arms. Liv hugged herself, rubbing both her forearms in hopes the chills would disappear. Did she do the right thing when she talked to Noelle?

Knowing the feeling all too well of waking up alone with no one next to you, someone you just gave your heart to, was a terrible feeling. Although Noelle was just barely three, she felt her being taken from her arms, she didn't want Noelle to have a feeling thinking Liv wasn't there for her when she woke up. Fitz walked slowly back into the room looking so lovingly at her, and she gave a casual smile.

"Hey, thanks for taking care of her." Fitz came back in the room. "Livvie, you cold?" Noticing she was rubbing her arms, he looked down at his sweatshirt. As he was asking, he was taking off his Grant Enterprises sweatshirt and putting it over her head. "There you go, that better?"

The oversized shirt consumed her, it smelled like him, and she was in heaven. She looked up at him, his chest just staring back at her. He was beautiful and as he made his way back into the bed, both her hands rubbed his chest, and their lips found one another.

Fitz pulled the covers up now, to their shoulders as they lay facing each other. "Is Noelle alright? Did she tell you what was bothering her?"

Liv's hands went to his face, she caressed his cheek. His hand went over hers, as he smiled, pulling her hand to his mouth for a soft kiss on the top.

"She asked what a mommy was, asked if I was her mommy." Liv went tight lipped, with a pout. "She was so confused, Fitz, so sad. I think Samantha asked where her mommy went when I left the table at dinner tonight, and that confused Noelle."

Fitz took a deep breath, his shoulders lifting in the process. "I'm sorry Liv, she has been on and off questioning it, I just didn't know what to say, I don't want to scare her with the meaning of death."

"Noelle told me about seeing Abigail on tv with a mom too, then she mentioned Samantha's mother." Liv told Fitz.

"When Noelle turned one, I honored Jacqui by doing the toy drive in her name. The foundation is through Noelle's name, I guess maybe it's time she knows who Jacqui is. How did you answer her?"

"When you look at the stars at the night, Noelle, mommy is there. I can't explain how but she is there, so the first star you see each night, that's mommy and she sees you." Liv shrugged one shoulder. "You can't see her face, but she is looking at you through that star and she's shining because of you."

Fitz's eyes began to water up. "Liv, I don't…wow…thank you. Did she respond?"

"Why can't I call someone mommy? She's so curious for such a young child, Fitz, you really are amazing in raising her."

"Thank you. What did you say?"

"If you ever feel comfortable calling someone mommy, it has to be someone who takes care of you with so much love, like daddy. Right now, that star is watching to make sure you're happy. Even though you don't see stars during the daylight, they are there, continuing to watch."

"You're amazing, Olivia Pope." Fitz gave a small kiss to her forehead. He interlocked his hand with hers.

"She was drifting off to sleep at that point. Fitz, she told me she loved me before I left her room, straight out an I love you Olivia. The love I have for her, for you…" Liv stopped burying her face in his chest. "I didn't think I could feel this again."

"Well, she's never told Tiffany she loves her." Fitz smiled. "I know she does love Tiffany, but it's not something she says to just anyone, so…"

"So, she melts my heart, and her father makes my heart pound." Liv smiled, looking up at him bring his lips down to hers. "You are bringing out feelings in me I never knew I had."

He rested his head on hers. "Ditto, Livvie. Let's rest up. Surprises in the snow tomorrow."

Surprisingly, Liv woke up first. She was able to go to Noelle's room, just to check on her. With her UNI held in her arms, the rainbow blanket up to her chest, Noelle's eyes were still closed breathing lightly, in a calm sleep.

"You're worried about her." Fitz's hand went on to Liv's shoulders.

Liv nodded. "I didn't want her waking up thinking I brought her in the room because she bothered me." Liv put her head down. She looked back up watching the small tree in the room blink it's colorful lights.

"I don't think she would ever think that of you. She'll be fine. Let's get ready so I can get her ready and we can be on our way."

As Liv was looking at the lighted village downstairs, Fitz was upstairs getting Noelle ready. Liv was dressed, in layers, because playing in the snow you had to keep warm, Fitz advised her. She stared at the lights of the village thinking of times her mother would tell stories of a winter wonderland.

"Ovivia!" That little squeak voice Liv could never get enough of. Liv turned, Noelle jumped down from her father's arms, and outstretched them for Liv

Kneeling and giving her a big hug, she asked "How is my girl today?" Liv looked up at Fitz, a small smile as he watched the interaction.

"Look" She spun around so Liv could see she was in layers. "We have to be warm in the snow." Her eyes twinkled with happiness.

If Noelle had any thoughts about last night, they weren't consuming her happiness today. "Ready Ovivia?"

"Umm, breakfast Noelle, two L's." Fitz said holding up a banana and a yogurt.

Noelle took a deep breath. "A fast breakfast."

Fitz cut the banana up for Noelle. "Banana, yogurt, banana, yogurt. They take turns, and guess what, it's a fast breakfast."

Noelle sat down to eat as her father had asked, watching the lights from the village. Fitz and Olivia behind her, and Fitz peeled the other banana he had, putting the tip by Liv's mouth.

Liv put her lips on the tip first, slid her mouth down a little, and took a soft bite of the fruit. Fitz leaned up against her ear. "That was, by far, the hottest thing I've seen."

Liv's head tilted towards his words. She pulled his cheek to her lips. She then whispered in his ear, "you are, by far, the hottest thing I've seen." She rubbed his ass in the snow pants he had on.

"Finished!" Noelle brought them both back to reality. "Let's snow!" She laughed. "Get it, let's snow, not go." She giggled again.

Liv shook her head looking at Fitz. "She is definitely your daughter. We're going to have snow much fun. Remember that line."

Fitz shrugged. "What can I say? I crack myself up." He scooped up Noelle, "off to snow much fun."

"Mr. Grant." A middle aged gentleman greeted them at the snow sledding/tubing hill. "So good to see you again, and you Noelle." Fitz had walked in carrying Noelle in one arm and his other arm around Liv's shoulders.

"Mac, I'd like you to meet Olivia Pope, she'll be joining us today. Olivia, this is Mac, he owns the area."

"Thanks to you, Mr. Grant." He smiled at Olivia. "So nice to meet you, you two look very happy, and you look more amazing as a family." He nodded. "The hill is all yours for an hour, enjoy. Leslie is waiting outside with all the equipment. Then, over there to warm up."

Liv looked to see where he was pointing. There was a wood burning fireplace on blast and a sitting area. Looking up at the large screen TV the picture was frozen to a picture of "Frosty the Snowman" to be watched as they warmed up.

"Frosty!" Noelle said pointing to the screen. "That's my favorite." Noelle smiled.

"That's what I heard, Miss Noelle, it'll be ready after your adventure."

"Thank you, Mac." Fitz guided Liv towards the door.

"You have the whole place for an hour." Liv looked at him.

"Did you want the whole day? I could change it." Fitz asked.

"No, I just can't believe, it's just us?"

"Just us, and," Fitz watched the girl coming their way. He put Noelle down, and she ran to give her a hug. "Leslie."

"Hi Leslie. This is Ovivia." Noelle turned in Leslie's arms pointing to Olivia.

"Hello, nice to meet you. Have you ever been snow sledding or tubing before?"

"I haven't." Liv shrugged.

"Well, you're in for a great time. These two are champs at it. Right Noelle? You ready?"

"Can I go?" Noelle looked at Fitz.

"You want to go with Leslie first? You can show Olivia how you come down the hill, then I can go with her."

"Ok." Noelle took Leslie's hand as they headed to the top.

Fitz stood behind Liv. "They get the easy part, the sled is up there already, we carry ours up." Fitz put his warm lips on her neck.

"She is so happy, Fitz, so excited." She turned to face him. "You make her love every minute of being with you. I love every minute of being with you." Even though they weren't there anymore, she felt his warm lips on her neck, but now she had them on hers, as she kissed him, resting her forehead on his shoulder before facing the hill again.

"Here they come." Fitz nodded to the sled coming down.

Liv had to admit, she was jealous she wasn't first to go up with Noelle. "That looks amazingly fun." Liv heard Noelle squeal as the sled came a stop and she rolled out. Being a child, she took an extra roll in the snow.

"So fun!" She picked up some snow, formed a snowball and threw it at her father, hitting him in the shoulder.

Fitz's mouth dropped open. "Oh, no you didn't." He looked at his shoulder. "No. You. Didn't."

Noelle's laughter echoed, loud and adorable. "I did."

"You did?" Fitz's eyes grew wide. He ran towards Noelle, who was trying to get away, but had too many layers on. He gently tackled her into the snow and held her down with his hand as he used other to pick up some snow. He formed tiny snowballs, maybe about six of them.

"Ovivia, save me!" Noelle reached out, laughing almost uncontrollable now.

"Save you from what?" Liv was watching the scene and Noelle's laughter had herself cracking up.

"From incoming!" Fitz yelled, and he threw down, gently, all six snowballs he made onto Noelle's snowsuit. He folded both his arms like a body builder. "I am champion."

No sooner were the words spoken, a snowball hit him clear in the stomach, and before he went down he looked up and pointed. "Traitor." And Fitz fell flat on his back.

Liv ran over to Noelle, "did I save you?"

Noelle couldn't stop laughing now. She nodded. "You did." She barely got the words out.

"Come on, let's check on him." Liv helped Noelle up from her laying position.

Fitz was flat on his back, and Liv scooped up Noelle. "Did we hurt him" She bent down for a closer look.

"No, Ovivia.!" Noelle tried to warn, but it was too late.

Fitz gobbled them both up and pulled them down with him. Noelle was sandwiched between them and he pulled her to his left side. Liv fell to his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. "Snow angels, we're making snow angels, follow my lead." He tossed her off to his right side.

"Ready?" Fitz asked.

"Ready." Noelle said.

Liv saw them both moving their legs and arms, and did the same. "One, two, three." Fitz said.

"Up." Noelle said.

All three jumped up and turned. Liv covered her eyes, pure happiness overtaking her. In front of her in the snow were three perfectly formed angels, a tiny one on the left, a bigger one in the middle, and her body form one on the right. "That's amazing!"

Leslie came over and snapped a picture of the angels they had formed, and handed Fitz the sled. "Ready Livvie, I'll race you to the top." He nudged Liv's shoulders as he jogged to the hill, and Liv wasn't going to be outdone, so she chased him trying to catch up.

Leslie picked up Noelle to walk her to the watching area. "You like her Noelle, you like Olivia?"

"No." Noelle shook her head.

"She's nice, why don't you like her Noelle?" Leslie was curious.

"Because I love her." Noelle turned to watch her daddy come down the hill with the woman he loved as much as Noelle loved, but Noelle didn't understand that, yet. "She makes my daddy smile."

Up at the top of the hill, Liv wrapped her arms around Fitz's waist. "Don't go too fast Mister, you hear."

"Full speed ahead." The sled began to move, and he felt her grip tighten around him. He would never let anything happen to her.

Her eyes closed tight, as she felt the fall of the sled glide down the hill. "Fitz." She said excitedly.

"Hold on Livvie." They were going fast, and when they reached the bottom, Fitz couldn't get a smooth stop and both him and Liv fell out of the sled, Liv one way Fitz the other.

Fitz jumped up and ran over to her. "Livvie, Liv, you ok?" Liv was lying her back, eyes closed. "Did you hit your head? Liv." Fitz bent closer and she pulled him down on top of her.

Noelle ran over and pelted him on his back with twelve small snowballs, doubling what she got hit with. Liv held him place with her arms firmly around her back. "Ambushed!" He yelled. He rolled off of Liv. "I surrender."

Liv stood up quickly and grabbed Noelle moving her away from Fitz. Noelle put her head on Liv's shoulder. "We did it!"

Fitz stood up and took the sled. He handed it to Liv who handed Noelle to Fitz. Together, the three of them climbed the hill for one last ride together down the hill. It was the best one yet and with the sled being heavier they were wet with a bit more snow.

The three of them wet with rolling so much in the snow and red, cold cheeks from being out so long, walked back into Mac's building. He handed Fitz an envelope and looked at Olivia.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, I hope you enjoyed."

"Every minute, thank you, it was wonderful meeting you as well."

"Merry Christmas Fitz." He shook Fitz's hand and gave Noelle a big hug. "I hope Santa brings you what you want Little Miss Noelle, and" He turned and got a box in birthday wrapping. "Happy early birthday."

"Thank you so much, Mac."

"Enjoy." He nodded over to the seating area. It was a windowless room, and the darkness brought an extra coziness to the room.

Once again the crackling of the fire, the glow of Christmas lights, and the warm arms of Fitz around her, had Liv's heart in overdrive. She watched as Noelle took a big stuffed Frosty out of her birthday box.

"Daddy, look." She held the Frosty in the air. "I can hold him and watch."

Sitting between the two, Noelle happily watched the cartoon. Liv and Fitz's arms were behind her and their hands interlocked. Liv looked at Fitz. Thank you, he mouthed to her.

She shook her head, thank you, she mouthed back. Looking at the screen but not paying attention, Liv realized she didn't look at her phone or worry about work once. In fact, she didn't even bring her phone, remembering she never took it out of the charger.

They finished the day out at Franny's store. The hot chocolate she promised them was delicious with the creamiest whipped cream on top and peppermint candy spoons to stir in flavor and then let them melt inside the cup.

"I take it Mac took good care of you up on the hill?" Franny said as she cleared the table.

"Best day ever." Noelle said.

Fanny looked at Liv and Fitz. They were lost in each other's eyes, as Fitz was putting the candy spoon into Liv's mouth. "Noelle, come help Franny with the cups and show me your gift." Noelle took Franny's hand and walked with her.

Liv slid over filling the spot where Noelle was. "Did you have fun, Livvie?"

Liv put some whipped on a peppermint spoon. She guided the spoon to Fitz's mouth. He took the whipped cream, getting some on his upper lip, and took a lick of the spoon.

Looking at his lip with the whipped cream, "Best day ever." She said as her mouth met his licking the whipped cream off, and giving him the most passionate kiss, because she was just falling more and more lost in this beautiful man.

Olivia's head was resting on Fitz's shoulder as he told her about his father and how his mother passed when he was young. Liv had tears in her eyes when he told her about his father's last breath.

"God, Fitz, he would be so proud of you with Noelle, I never heard a child laugh so hard as she did today."

"You're a big part of us now, Olivia." She picked her shoulder up off his head, looking in his eyes. "I love you Olivia."

Her eyes closed. She damn well could love again, Russel be damned. "Fitz, I."

"See, Franny, she likes my daddy." Noelle came back to the table.

Liv took a deep breath, looking over at Noelle. "And daddy likes her, right."

"No." He shook his head.

Noelle's eyebrows crossed. "You don't like Ovivia?" The saddest voice Liv heard from her.

"I love her."

Noelle smiled. "Me too." Noelle slid back into the table and Liv put her arm around her.

"I love you, too." She said but was looking Fitz right in the eyes. As she pulled Noelle a bit closer to her, she gave Fitz a kiss and Franny looked on in pure delight.

Could I be in love with him having never made love to him? Liv thought, but it was feeling in her heart she couldn't explain, and she was sure she loved him and that would make their first time even more special and more explosive.

"Truly a Christmas Surprise for all three of you to find love. Have a good night." Franny leaned into Fitz. "I am beyond happy for you and Noelle. She's the one Fitz, I'm sure of it. Your dinner was delivered to the inn, hope you enjoy it."

After dinner and chasing a naked Noelle around the place for ten minutes, they were finally able to get her into the bath. She begged to sleep downstairs by the glow of the Christmas lights. Noelle wanted her last night at the inn to be in front of the big tree.

There would be no love making tonight and that was fine. Once Noelle fell asleep between them on the big plush rug, Liv told Fitz how she never even looked at her phone, or took it out of the charger.

"You don't think you missed anything important, do you?"

"It can wait until Monday." Liv smiled.

Just to be certain Fitz asked. "No missed calls from Russel you think?"

"Number blocked. He's probably gaming it up in California anyway. He'll forget my name soon enough."

As Liv closed her eyes, it was exactly what Fitz wanted, for Russel to forget her, because he knew how he had hurt her and he wanted her to forget him, that's why Fitz did what he did, and it wasn't a bad thing.

He looked at his two girls sleeping side by side. He kissed his daughter's forehead. "The star is shining for you Noelle. Maybe that star will guide Liv to be the one you call mommy." He got up and made the phone call to go ahead with his plan.

"They what?" Russ was rubbing his forehead, rushing through the airport. Olivia the farthest thing from his mind.

"They sold the building, what can I do?" Greg asked.

"Just stay there. I'm boarding the plane now, I'll be there in a few hours."

He sat in the plane replaying Greg's words over in his mind the entire flight. "Some guy, David Rosen, came in. He put his hand out and said Franklin Russel, I work for the new owner of the building. We'd like to do business with you."

Russel's mind was all over. He didn't pay rent in the building, if it was sold, he could be asked to leave. This was his whole life. He took deep breaths. He looked to the small screen in front of him, it was fixated on a blinking Christmas tree. "Fuck this season." He thought of Olivia, then he stopped. "Fuck Olivia too. I should've never left to try to ..." He stopped as he realized he was talking out loud.

"80-20" Russel heard the guy say.

"Say what? There's a catch."

David shook his head. "No catch, my boss says 80-20, you get 80 and the 20 goes to renovations for the building. The bottom floor is yours, set up your gaming whatever, make your money, and you can stay, but the profits go 80-20."

Russel looked at Greg, his partner. "What the hell, Russ, take it."

"Just like that, you're saying I can stay, you'll build a state of the art gaming studio and offices to work out of, there's a catch, what's the catch, and who the hell is your boss?"

"He's going to remain anonymous, just know the stockholders are counting on you." David pulled out the paperwork for Russ to sign.

"Sign it, for God's sake." Greg said.

"What's the catch?"

David took a deep breath. "Your business is to stay here, strictly here. You took a trip to New York?"

"Nah, not business, that was stupidity. So, the catch is I operate out of where I live?"

"That's it, and 80-20" David put his hand out and Russ looked at it.

"Shake the man's hand, damn Russ, will you." Greg was going nuts. He would have signed but it was made clear only Russel, he was the gaming whiz.

"Look, Franklin, your skills come highly praised from someone my boss respects, so he's giving you an opportunity to expand, to use your talents." David looked at the deteriorating building. "Doesn't look like you're doing too well now. All the homelessness, get them in apartments upstairs, hire some of them, teach them the ropes of gaming, make this work for you. 80-20."

"Fine, deal." Russel signed the lease, handing the building and his gaming skills profits over to Fitzgerald Grant Enterprises, though Russel had no idea. "You'll be overseeing the building and all?"

"That would be correct, and I'll handle the distribution of the 80-20. Pleasure boys." David walked out and sent a text to Fitz, it was early Sunday in New York and Fitz was not to be bothered with phone calls on weekends. "Done, Fitz, you now own Franklin Gaming."

Fitz, was awake although it was early, his internal clock always having him up. He heard the text come through and he smiled. Despite what Liv told him about Russ, she still cared that he was successful, now he was, and Fitz was quite sure he wouldn't think of Liv again.

Liv opened her eyes to the glow of his cell. "Everything ok?"

"Yeah, fine, Livvie, just another Christmas surprise."

Liv closed her eyes. It was Sunday morning, meaning the weekend was coming to an end she didn't want. She didn't want to think about it, for now, she felt Noelle move closer to her with UNI and she fell fast asleep again, as Fitz planned their last afternoon at the cozy little inn.