Chapter 8

The day before meeting Olivia

Knowing his daughter was soundly sleeping in her bed, Fitz finally got to settle down for the night, or what was left of it. He clicked his phone display to shine in the dark room and clicked the calendar. He took a deep breath; tomorrow was December first. He had a two, almost three year old in there expecting the world from him and he wouldn't disappoint.

Things were going so well at work. His profits were nearly doubled from last year, and the news outlets had him at 10 on the Forbes "one to watch" list for 2023. Why then was he feeling such a void?

He looked over at his nightstand. When Fitz had finished painting the rainbow name mural in Noelle's room, she stood under it. Although he tried to get a picture of her looking at camera, it was useless. She was mesmerized by the colors, and she looked up at it continuously, so he snapped it.

It came out so cute, regardless, Fitz had a 5x7 made and placed the frame by his bed. There wasn't a room in the house that didn't have a picture of Noelle in it. He never knew a love so strong in his heart like he had for his daughter.

What began as confusion, doubt, and unacceptance has grown into clarity, certainness, and unconditional love. There was nothing he wouldn't do for that little girl, and he wanted her to understand and have the best life, with a good heart.

Taking weekends off for him was difficult. He had worked, usually 342 days a year, only taking a break the last ten days of the year and beginning a non stop cycle of work after New Year's Day. That cycle had been broken since Noelle came into his life, and honestly it made him a better person.

He worked harder, focusing more on his companies knowing the weekends were hers for now. He was building an empire now so when she did begin school and started other activities he could be there for that also, still something was missing.

Before placing his phone back down on the nightstand, he looked at the calendar. 2 weeks out of spending the weekend, a long weekend at the inn upstate. It was Noelle's favorite place, a place where she was known and loved. Then it dawned on him, he was missing his "Estelle", his love, a would be soulmate.

He took a deep breath. He had so much to give. He blinked in the darkness now, ready to begin the Christmas season, Noelle's birthday, and the new year head on. He turned, yawning, to his side. He had four hours of sleep coming his way, and he wasn't going to waste it on hoping he would one day find the love that he needed to fill the void in his heart.

The Penthouse

"Merry shitty Christmas to me. Why did I go and do that?" Olivia just slammed the office phone and held her head in her hand. She shrugged. "Can't undo it now," she whispered. The renovation company just called. The penthouse was ready to be moved in to and everything was brand new. December should be giving her a feeling of holiday cheer, instead she was dreading the month ahead.

Liv had an extra room added to the penthouse. It came with a package deal, it was cheaper to have the extra room put in, never understanding why she didn't just settle for a one bedroom condo. Now, she was the owner of a three bedroom condo, the penthouse, no less. She had something to prove to Russel or was it herself. After decorating the whole house she shared with Russel last year for Christmas, she didn't have one decoration for her new place this year. "So much for the Christmas spirit."

When he showed her that house, it was extravagant. Her only hope was one day she would be able to afford a home like that, with or without him. With the promotion and the bonus given from Fashion Magazine, she could now and she let the clouds fog her eyes. "think of it as a self proclaimed Christmas gift." She tried to make herself feel better.

Harrison was outside her office, she peered through the glass window. Her trusted, loyal assistant, he never turned away when she needed a friend. He had been staying with his relatives, but they welcomed her openly until her place was finished. Now that it was, she made a note to at least send them some nice holiday gifts.

Offering Harrison a condo in her building, he refused. He wanted to spend as much time with his family as he could. Being in California took him away for so long, and he missed them. Liv could understand. It was selfish of her to want him in the same building. She was just offering so she wouldn't be so lonely. She never did spend a Christmas alone, well, if you count what Russel did to her, she was alone.

What was she going to do with herself? Her computer flashed an email, and Liv opened it to find out that Harrison had screwed up an account. "Shit." Liv didn't need this being new to the job. What had gotten into him? Her anger consumed her, and she went outside the office. Not even thinking for a moment, he was worried about her, about her state of mind, and it was a terrible mistake on his part, one he didn't even realize he made, she had to make a spectacle.

Just being angry with the whole situation of living alone, breaking it off with Russel, and the upcoming holiday season she wasn't ready for, she yelled, loudly, at Harrison. It was in front of the office staff and Liv immediately felt horrible after doing it. What kind of reputation was she making for herself?

It was in that one minute scolding all the staff made a judgement about Olivia Pope, she was not a nice boss. Liv looked around, took a deep breath, and retrieved herself back to her office. What would she do now, how could she fix this?

She turned in her leather swivel chair looking out to the Manhattan daylight. Is there someone out there for her? Would the season of miracles work a miracle? Russel was given so much love from Olivia, genuine empathy, and he threw it away. Her heart ached and she would do anything for it to be mended again.

Without any further thought of something she couldn't change, she hoped the condo building would at least be filled with nice people, nicer than her anyway. Before she tried to get the account back that Harrison messed up, she looked at the empty corner in her office.

"Wouldn't be a terrible spot for a bed."

Present Day

Fitz watched as Liv's head lifted up to see what the weight was on her legs. When she realized it, she smiled and put her head back down on the pillow. She blinked into the glow the Christmas tree lights were giving off into the room.

"This is why I make strict rules she sleeps in her own bed." Fitz's baritone whisper startled her just a bit.

She turned her head to see him looking at her. Lying on his side, his hands tucked under his cheek. "Hi", he said.

"Hi" she said back. "It's fine."

"She's a bed hog, always all over the place. For a tiny human, she can sure take up a huge amount of space." Fitz smiled. "I love watching you sleep."

Noelle's head was on Liv's lap, and her legs were across Fitz's. It looked like the most uncomfortable position, but Noelle didn't seem to mind, she was soundly sleeping. Her UNI dropped off to the side, just in between Liv and Fitz.

Liv rubbed his cheek, her eyes squinting at him. "I'm sorry to see the weekend come to an end. I am going to have to check my phone to make sure Harrison didn't try…"

"No need to explain." They were both whispering. "I'm sure he has been wondering if you're alright, or what you have been doing."

Liv took a deep breath through her nose. "I was falling in love." Her eyes began to water as Fitz drew closer. Her arm now around his shoulder blades as he buried his lips onto hers. Their head in movement with the kiss as they melted into each other.

Fitz stopped, looking down at her. Her eyes glistened with the colors of the lights. "You're so beautiful. This weekend has been everything I dreamed it would be. Thank you for being a part of it with us." His finger went down her cheek and he stayed above her, looking into her eyes.

"You really believe in the magic of the season?" Liv asked.

"Don't you?"

She shrugged. "When I was younger, maybe up until I lost my mom, there was something about the start of December that gave me a feeling. Kind of like something new was going to happen, something unexpected, but good."

Fitz put his head on the pillow. Still no movement from the bed hog, so he was careful not to move his legs. Turning towards Liv he whispered. "Christmas never meant too much to me. I liked it as a decorative holiday. I was always looking forward to just being somewhere quiet and watching blinking lights. Since it's always cold where I am in December, I liked the warmth surrounding the lights." He shrugged. "Then Noelle came into my life, and it had a whole different meaning to me."

"The passed three years were miserable. I tried to make the best of the holiday being it was something that I once loved. I tried very hard to make it special with Russel. Thinking back now, I gave so much of myself, of my time, for nothing. It broke me, and the last one was really the last straw. I thought I would hate the holiday, the time up to it, for the remainder of my life."

Fitz looked down at Noelle, feeling movement. All she was doing was straighten out a bit, not waking up.

"Then I saw her." Liv looked down at Noelle. "That first night I met her with Tiffany in the elevator, she changed my whole outlook. The way she was so giving to Fabian. It was just natural to her, she didn't even realize the happiness she brought to him, and it was so enlightening."

Fitz smiled. "I'm glad she understands the giving part of the holiday."

"Then she looked at me on the elevator. Ovivia. She said it with such pride, that she knew my name, and my heart just melted."

"Her squeaky voice right." Fitz squished his eyebrows. "That voice gets me every time. She can get anything she wants when she uses that voice on me. When she first opened her eyes after she was born and they connected with mine I knew my heart would never belong to just me again."

"That must have been so hard for you, to find out she was your daughter the same night you met her. You are raising her to be a wonderful person, Fitz. She's just a great child." Liv smiled. "I am going to miss being around you every day when we get back to reality."

Liv brought her head down now to his and connected her lips again. Her hand gently rubbing the side of his chest. In the middle of the deep kiss, they heard laughter. It was tiny little giggle. "Daddy, you're kissing Ovivia again." Noelle's head popped up and she was sitting up with the biggest smile.

Liv's head rested on his forehead. "We have to stop getting caught." She whispered.

Fitz quickly sat up and scooped his little girl into his arms. He began to tickle her a bit and she began laughing. "Daddy, no." She began to squirm away.

He let her go, in between them now. He pinched her nose. He looked at Liv and then whispered something in Noelle's ear. Liv saw Noelle clap her hands together nodding her head.

"What now, you two?" Liv asked. "I'm going to start getting a complex if you're always whispering about me, or maybe." She began to tickle Noelle. "I can get the secret out of you like this."

Noelle kicked her feet. "No, no Ovivia, please, no. It's waffles, waffles at the Christmas waffle place."

"Sold out by my own kid." Fitz threw his hands up.

"My favorite place." Noelle said. "They make shape waffles."

Liv looked at Fitz. "Christmas shapes, for the season. Don't believe what Noelle says, she only goes for all the different flavors of syrup they have."

"Hey." Noelle said crossing her eyebrows. "That's not true."

Liv laughed. "Maybe a little true."

"Syrup is sticky, right daddy."

"Yep, sticky. Let's get that bed hair brushed and controlled. It's the last day of our weekend."

"Boo" Noelle said. She looked towards the kitchen. "What's that Ovivia?"

Liv looked over and almost forgot the gift she had made for Fitz. "That's for your daddy. It's a surprise. I want him to open it on the car ride back home."

"Pretty paper." Noelle walked towards it. It was wrapped in a glittering gold wrap. She rubbed her hands over it. "Daddy will love it." She continued to stare at it.

"Thank you." He gave Liv a little kiss. "You didn't have to."

Liv fiddled with her snowflake necklace. "Neither did you, but you did."

"Fitzgerald! It is so good to see you again. Where is Noelle?" Lindy was looking at Noelle, but still asked the question.

"I'm here." Noelle waved. "See, it's me."

Lindy put both her hands to her mouth. "Oh my goodness, you got so tall, I never would have recognized you." She went down and pulled Noelle to her arms. "I missed you little lady, how are you? Is Santa going to be good to you?"

Noelle nodded. "But first birthday."

"Oh yes, birthday. You're going to be three. Oh, and look over there." Lindy pointed to the box.

"Wow!" Noelle ran over to it. It was the toy drive box, the one in honor of her mom and it was filled with two more piles stacked next to it. Noelle was looking at all the wrappings that were donated too.

"Lindy, meet Olivia. Olivia, this is best waffle maker on the east coast, Lindy Monroe."

"Smells heavenly in here. Do you make your own syrup?"

"Yes, all 10 flavors. Welcome." She rubbed Liv's hand. Lindy turned towards the register.

"Buzzing." Noelle pointed to Fitz's pocket.

Surprised he had his phone with him, Liv gave him a curious look. "Just some things from what happened from the other night, go on, I'll sit with you in a minute."

Lindy watched as Fitz walked away, confused on what to do. Then, looking at Lindy's face, Liv remembered. She shook Noelle's hand distracting her from wondering why her daddy took a call during breakfast and their giving game.

"A number Noelle, you need to pick a number right?" Liv looked down at her. Noelle smiled.

"You remembered. Can Lindy play?"

"Of course." Liv looked at Lindy who was quite impressed Liv knew about the little game they played.

"I'm picking 3 today because I'm almost 3." Noelle said proudly.

"9 for me Olivia said." She was upping the ante with Fitz taking that call.

"5" Lindy said. "It's half of the 10 flavors we make in syrup." Lindy smiled, rung up a gift card, and would put it on Fitz's bill. She walked them to a quiet table in the corner. "You're perfect for him, Olivia." Lindy smiled.

Together, Liv and Noelle watched as the first customers walked in after them. Lindy handed them a gift card, to be used towards their meal today. Liv high fived Noelle. "We make a good team." Noelle nodded.

Fitz came over a few minutes later. "How about that box of toys, huh Noelle, that's impressive. Next weekend we will deliver all the toys. I have a truck coming here tomorrow to get them. Fitz nodded towards the box and the one from Franny's store too. They love you here Noelle."

"mm hmm" Noelle looked at Lindy ready to take their order.

"Christmas tree waffle, green please." Noelle said, not needing a menu read to her.

"I'll have the candy cane shaped waffle." Liv said.

"The peppermint syrup goes great with that one." Lindy informed her.

"And I'll have the Santa shaped waffle, blueberry so it looks like he has freckles."

Noelle giggled, and Liv shook her head. He couldn't help himself.

"What kind of syrup do you like, Noelle?" Liv asked.

"That one, that one, and that one." She pointed to the jars sitting on the tabletop.

"All mixed together?"

"Oh yes, so good!"

Fitz rolled his eyes. "And sticky."

They weren't lying to Liv, the food was beyond delicious and the syrup made it even better. Liv tried what Noelle tried, putting different syrup flavors on the waffles. Afterwards, she had the pleasure of taking Noelle to the bathroom to wash up the stickiness.

Liv was eye level, drying Noelle's hands, and Noelle reached out and hugged her. "Will you keep making daddy smile?"

"I hope so." Liv wrapped her arms around Noelle. "Why are you asking?"

"You said you're going to miss us every day." Noelle gave a pat to Liv's back.

Liv put her in front so she could look at her. "I meant when you are with Tiffany and me and daddy are at work. I love the weekends we have together."

"Oh, ok. Every weekend with us?"

"I hope so, Noelle, two L's." She took her hand and rejoined Fitz.

Liv looked around the Inn, taking one last look at the pictures above the fireplace, and watching the flicking lights of the village, while Fitz made sure everything was packed up from Noelle's room.

Noelle was going through some snacks to choose for the car and just like the first night there, Fitz walked over to Liv looking at the village. He gave a small kiss on her neck. "We'll be back."

Liv held his hand, interlocking her finger with his. "I know." She pulled his hand around her waist. "I was just thinking about Sal and Estelle how much love they put into this place. It really has been a wonderful weekend."

"Ready." Noelle called from the kitchen. Fitz switched off all the lights and led them out to the car before he locked up.

As the car was in motion, Liv looked over at Noelle. She had her mittens on again and was pretend puppet playing with them when she saw Liv take the gift out of her bag.

"Daddy's gift." Noelle reminded herself.

"Daddy's gift." Liv nodded.

Fitz couldn't contain his smile. He was usually the one giving the gifts. He wanted to be a kid again and rip the paper into shreds to open it, but he gently unfolded the sides carefully taking off the tape.

He pulled out what was two gifts, wrapped as one. He looked up at Liv, eyes wide. "Livvie, this is beautiful, thank you so much." He tilted his head to get a better look, and he held up his new ornament.

"Look, Noelle, a new ornament for our tree." It was a double sided picture. In the shop where she had the gift made there were souvenirs of the town for tourists. There was a picture of the Inn when it was first built and Liv had "Sal and Estelle" engraved on that side on the top. On the bottom, just the word "family."

Turning the ornament around, the current picture was one that Liv took with her phone. It was brighter and a bit more modern, and the owner of the shop was able to put them back to back. Liv had that engraved on the other side. "Fitz and Liv." On the bottom on that side: Noelle.

Fitz couldn't stop twirling it, he loved it and if he could he would've pulled Liv into his arms and kissed her until they arrived at their condo building.

"What else?" Noelle was pointing to the gift he had on his lap.

It was a collage of pictures from last weekend and just a few from this weekend, since she hadn't had that much time to take more. On the top it said "A rainbow of love inside a rainbow design: Fitz, Olivia, and Noelle." There were pictures of the ice skating from last week, Fitz's tree from his condo, and a few from inside and outside the inn.

"So pretty." Noelle was rubbing the rainbow after Fitz handed it to her to look at the pictures. Noelle was examining each one, pointing to them. "There's Ovivia holding daddy on the ice. There's me looking at the tree, there's daddy sticking out his tongue." She giggled.

Fitz didn't say anything, but he didn't need to, Liv saw it all over his face. She turned away from Noelle and looked out the window. Tears began to fill her eyes. She truly did love every minute of this weekend, and as the dusk began to settle in as they got closer to home, Liv felt a different kind of ache in her heart.

Noelle went into her father's arms outside the building as she climbed out of the car. Fabian was holding the door of the car opened, and Noelle looked up. "Fabian look." She pointed at the sky. Fabian looked up.

"I see, so many stars." He agreed.

"That one is mommy." She looked at Fitz. "The one I saw first." She looked at Olivia and smiled.

Fabian saw the way Fitz was looking at Olivia. "Hey Noelle, want to go hold the door for those people?" Fitz put Noelle down and she walked with Fabian towards the building.

Olivia couldn't look up; she didn't want to fall into his eyes. She felt his finger on her chin as he lifted her head. His lips gently covering hers, and she was lost, wrapping her arms around him and rubbing his curls.

"Text me, ok."

Liv nodded, "on the way to work, at work, on the way home from work, and before I dream of you at night." She smiled. "I have to go into the office now, though, Harrison is there, we're working on getting a huge account. It can't wait until tomorrow."

Liv woke up the next morning, alone in her bed. She missed his touch, missed his smell, just missed him, so much. Not arriving back until well after midnight, she sent a quick text and fell asleep after her shower.

"Hope you're sleeping."

Looking at her phone now, he texted back, at 4:12 am.

"I was just going to sleep." The message contained two attachments. One was a picture of Noelle hanging the Inn ornament on the tree, the second was the picture hanging on the wall below Noelle's same dress pictures. Liv rubbed the phone smiling and got ready for her long day. The account wasn't a wrap yet, and landing this deal would put Fashion Magazine at the top.

"Just walking into the building, wish I was walking into your arms. Mondays suck." She hit send, smiling, then put her phone away. She absorbed herself with the executive staff and scheduled meetings around the clock with Lotion Last promoters, Liv really needed this client.

Harrison noticed her difference when she came in the office on Sunday night. "You're in love."

She took him around the waist and began slow dancing with him. "I am in love."

Harrison smiled. "Liv, you deserve it. I've never seen you glowing like you are."

She looked over to the darkened offices around her. "Harrison, turn on the Christmas lights, come on, Tis the season."

Tuesday now, 48 hours without seeing him, and Liv was using every restraint in her body not to pound on the door when she arrived home after midnight the passed two nights.

Tuesday, just before taking a break, a buzz came through. "Buzzing." She heard little Noelle's voice in her head and she grabbed the phone.

"Staring at the big shiny meeting table in the conference room. Daydreaming of you naked on it, and me, rubbing that beautiful skin. I miss you Livvie."

Liv felt beads of sweat on her forehead. Her eyes were closed. She didn't notice Harrison standing in the doorway. "Liv, you alright?"

He was looking down at the phone. "You didn't get bad news did you?"

"Oh, no, not at all." She took a deep breath, "what's up?"

"Liam wants a meeting, 6 am tomorrow." He clapped his hands.

"Thee Liam. Thee. Very. Liam?" Liv repeated. Liam was CEO and owner operator of Lotion Last. "That's it Harrison, we got it." She jumped into his arms.

He was spinning her around. "We got it!"

She joined the office staff out front. They gathered around, and she shared the news. "If it's what I think it is, Friday is off again. So, keep your fingers crossed, and thank you all for your hard work and long hours these few days." Liv looked at her watch. "11pm, the earliest we're leaving this week. Go enjoy yourselves, by getting sleep and being here at 6."

Fitz got into the car. Gil shook his head. "No sir, not yet, still have not picked her up." Fitz looked down at his phone. She had sent three flames after his text about the table. He didn't know how much longer he could go without seeing her. This love thing was taking it's toll. This was the third night she would be getting in after him. His phone buzzed.

"I think we got the account, I'll know more in the morning. If we did get it, then you're the one who gets to enjoy my happiness, maybe on a conference table?" It was followed by two heart eyed emojis.

"Noelle, why are you still up?" She was holding a book reading it when he went to check on her that night.

"I want to see you." Noelle said, putting the book down and standing on her bed.

"Ok, but you should be asleep. It's late."

"I miss Ovivia." She hugged him. "Tiffany tomorrow."

"That's right." Tomorrow until Friday morning, Tiffany and Lauren took Noelle for a sleepover at their place. They take her shopping, the works, all for her birthday.

"I'll miss you too, daddy."

"I know, but on Saturday, maybe even Friday." Fitz stopped.

Noelle put her hands under her chin. "Ovivia and surprise?"

Fitz kissed his daughter's forehead. "Olivia and surprise." He repeated.

Noelle clutched UNI and Fitz covered her up. "I'll pack your bag for Tiffany's. Have a good time."

The cork on the champagne bottle popped and Olivia stood on a chair in the middle of the office. "This belongs to all of you, outstanding work people, amazing! I am so proud of all of you." Harrison was pouring champagne at 9 am in the morning, all to celebrate the multi million dollar they just landed for their magazine.

Liv turned to see Grace one of the long time emplyoees just behind her. "Grace," Liv nodded.

"I'll be honest, the way you yelled at Harrison that first week or two you were here, I was ready to resign. I didn't need to work for a Grinch. Then, something changed in you, suddenly you were always smiling, and I thought maybe it was the miracle of the season. Whatever it was, I've never been happier working here, and thank you for not being the monster I thought you were."

Liv almost choked on her champagne as she was taking a sip when Grace said that. "You're welcome and thank you for your loyalty and patience." As she walked away Liv whispered, "and thank you Noelle for softening my heart and helping me meet your daddy. Love can do that."

Everyone had gone for the day and because of the long hours worked, Olivia had everyone starting at noon the next day. "Rest up, get some much needed sleep, spend time with your family, whatever it is, I'll see you here at noon tomorrow."

On her way home, the first time before midnight all week, she stopped to get something at the store. She really couldn't go another minute without seeing Fitz, and she wasn't going to wait. Gil nodded to her as they began their way home. He knew what she didn't, Fitz was already there, and he sent a text to him that Olivia was on her way.

Fitz grabbed the lighted wreath he had for her to hang in the penthouse. Her balcony doors looked bare and he wanted to surprise her with the wreath. It had unicorns on it and their horns lit up. Noelle loved it. He put it around his neck, corny that he is, just so he could see her smile. He also grabbed a wrapped box from the table and he pushed up for the elevator to take him to greet her in front of her door.

Liv held the gift wrapped box in her hand, having wrapped it in the back of the car. She was going to leave it for Fitz to open when he got in tonight. She wanted to see Noelle anyway, so when Liv got on the elevator, she pressed 8, not realizing Fitz was already waiting outside her door by the penthouse.

When no one answered her knock Liv figured Tiffany may have stepped out for a bit, perhaps taking Noelle shopping. Liv looked at the door, all lighted up for the upcoming holiday. She gave a small, disappointed kick, and turned to go up to her lonely penthouse.

Fitz called down to Fabian. "I thought you said she was on her way up."

"She was, about ten minutes ago, I don't see her in the lobby." Fabian thought maybe she took a phone call.

Disappointed and confused as to where she could be, Fitz pushed the elevator to head back down to his place. Maybe she'll text him in a few minutes.

The elevator headed up to the penthouse, being that was the button pushed first. As the doors opened to the empty box shaped space, Fitz stepped in, still with the wreath around his neck. He pushed 8 not knowing the elevator was stopping there anyway.

Liv heard the ding of the elevator. She watched as the doors opened, and almost bumped into the figure ready to step out. Their eyes met each other, and Liv couldn't hold back another moment. She pushed the P and pushed him back to the wall at the same time.

Their lips ambushed each others, just using their bodies to hold each other, because they both had something in their hands. When the elevator doors opened to the penthouse, Fitz pushed Liv backwards out the door, finally letting their lips go so she could open her door.

She stopped. Looking at him, she laughed. "You have a wreath around your neck." She pointed.

"I know, I wanted to surprise you and decorate your bare glass balcony door." He pulled it off and when the door to her penthouse closed they just looked at each other after he tossed the wreath onto the couch.

"Where's Noelle? If you're home, why isn't Noelle there?" Liv was calming her body down from that kiss.

"Spending the night at Tiffany's. I took the day off tomorrow." Fitz leaned in to her now hoping she would say the same.

"Not exactly taking off, I'm doing that on Friday, but I don't go in until noon."

His lips found her neck. "mmm," He groaned. "We have all night and all morning."

"I bought this for you." She handed him the box.

"And I bought this for me." He handed her the box.

"Then why are you giving it to me?" She laughed.

"Because it's for me, but it's for you, too."

They opened it together, and they both fell into uncontrollable laughter. They were holding identical boxes of condoms. Liv looked at both boxes. "A total of 72, hmm, I hope that's enough for tonight and the morning."

Holding both boxes now in her hands, she felt herself get lifted. Fitz carried her to the bedroom, where just the glow of the small tree on the nightstand was shining its lights. He placed her on the bed and just looked at her. Placing both boxes on her nightstand, he began caressing her face with his gentle hand.

"The Christmas season, Livvie, the most beautiful surprise I could have ever asked for right in front of my eyes." Their tongues bypassed each other's lips, as they danced together, and Liv could feel the chills go up her body. They were in no rush, and they both had the same thing on their minds.

With the glow of Christmas lights giving a calming glow, they slowly undressed, feeling each other's bodies, slowly becoming one with each other. For the next several hours, they would make love, and continue to fall in love, the season bringing them what they both wished for just a few short weeks ago.