Chapter 15

It was still dark out, but that didn't matter one bit to Fitz. It was his little girl's third birthday and he felt as excited as she would be in a few hours. He looked over to his right. He smiled as he felt the presence of Olivia in his bed.

Although it was 4 a.m., being up this early never phased Fitz. He was usually out the door and to his office at this time. He quietly picked up his cell phone and sent a text message. A thumbs up came back a few moments later and Fitz quietly got out of bed.

Creating surprises wasn't always easy and sometimes he had to rely on others to get things right. It's the one thing Fitz didn't like doing, but he had no choice. He didn't know Olivia would be in his life this year so he planned this the best he could over a month ago.

Fabian and Gillian, his two most trusted door workers wouldn't be around, never were around during the holiday week, usually beginning on Noelle's birthday, so he would have to count on whatever temp was working the door and lobby. He would hide his delivered surprise in the lobby closet and get it delivered to his condo while Noelle was sleeping. He called down to the lobby to let the temp know he was ready.

He walked to the door, heard a very faint tap and opened it. Standing there was the lobby worker. In his hands were a bunch of balloons, various round birthday helium ones, and one huge number 3 in the middle.

In a wagon, being pulled by Barry, the temp, were a pile of gifts wrapped in unicorn paper. The only thing not wrapped in the paper was the purple tricycle Meggy had sent from the shop by the Inn. It was purple and Meggy put a small unicorn basket on it.

Fitz tipped Barry way too much, but Barry didn't mind, and Fitz went about doing his ritual of setting up Noelle's gifts on the small island in the kitchen. He lost himself in the glow of the Christmas tree lights, still not believing three years have gone by.

Pulling the balloons into his bedroom, he let them float to the ceiling and took a moment to look at Liv. She was lying on her right side, her hands tucked under her cheek, covers up to her stomach. She looked so peaceful, and Fitz couldn't get the overwhelming feeling of love he had in his heart for her. It was a feeling unfamiliar to him, but so welcoming.

He sat on the bed right next to Liv and used the back of his finger to go gently down her cheek. He gave her a very soft kiss on her cheek, and Liv stirred just a bit. She gave a brief moan, and Fitz could feel his body respond, but he didn't have time for that. He couldn't believe he was telling himself this.

As he motioned to get up, he felt his hand get pulled and he turned back towards Liv. "I didn't mean to wake you." He whispered.

"It's fine, are you ok?"

He paused. Not being sure how she would react, he took a deep breath. With a cute little smirk, he looked at her. The only reason she could see him was because of the Christmas lights he had shining from the balcony door.

"I have this thing, the past three years, I usually stay up all night on Noelle's birthday, waiting for the morning light to come in through her window and hearing her little voice say good morning."

"I kept that from you this year, didn't I?" Liv sat up now, but her head went down feeling a bit of guilt.

"No, Livvie." He moved her chin towards him looking into her eyes. "You didn't keep anything from me. Actually, it felt weird doing it at all. But I will still be in there when the morning light appears, with those." He pointed towards the ceiling where the balloons were.

"How in the world?" Liv thought, no she was certain they weren't there when they fell asleep after the love making. "They weren't here when I fell asleep."

"No, they weren't. I have my ways." His eyebrows went up and down. "Her gifts are set up also out in the kitchen. That's when we go, and I make her birthday pancakes."

"Any magical powers in those birthday pancakes?" Liv laughed.

"Well, I tell her she isn't officially three until she eats one pancake, it makes her a year older. Last year she ran to the mirror in her room to see if she looked like she was two." Fitz smiled.

Liv went to get out of bed. "I'll leave you to celebrate her birthday morning with her." She stopped when Fitz's hand held her shoulder and her in place.

"No, please stay. I know she will be looking for you. She is so excited to spend her birthday with you today, please don't go." Fitz pleaded.

"I don't want to impose on your…"

"You're not imposing. Don't you get it Livvie? We want you as part of our lives. We just.." He stopped. He didn't know how to convert his feelings to words. He took a hard swallow. "Please, just stay."

"Okay, how about this? I run upstairs, get a change of clothes and the gift I have for her, and I'll come right back. I'll shower and get dressed later here." Liv assured him.

"Perfect, but I'm going to time you. Five minutes should give you plenty of time." Fitz smiled.

"How about 7 minutes, just in case the elevator isn't on time." Liv said.

"Ok, 7, but no longer than 10." He handed her one of his dress shirts and Liv slipped on her jeans.

"I can take my sweater."

"Oh no." Fitz warned. "This stays with me. The softness, the beauty of it, I want it here, for whenever I need to feel you near, and for you to begin keeping things here too."

Liv walked to the kitchen and sure enough there was a pile of gifts, but the tricycle is what caught her eye. She stared at it and rubbed her hand over it. It brought her back to Meggy's shop, where her and Fitz picked it out for Noelle.

Looking at the basket, that wasn't there when it was picked out, Liv smiled. Fitz could say all he wants how much unicorns bother him; he loves his daughter enough to have them part of everything because she loves them so much and he loves her so much.

Coming up from behind, Fitz wrapped his arms around her, interlocking his hands on her stomach. He used his lips to brush back some hair and whispered in her ear. "You're down to six minutes, Livvie."

She felt the chills begin on her neck and work their way down her spine, making her weak at the knees. God, what his voice does to her. "Ok, ok, I was just admiring the tricycle. I remember that weekend, the weekend I fell in love with you, and it just all came back to me." Liv pulled back, turning to look at him, seeing a huge smile on Fitz's face.

Liv pulled something out of her pocket. She held it up and put in on the table next to Fitz's door. "A spare key for my place." She turned to him and gave him a soft kiss on his lips. She was surprised when Fitz pulled it deeper, slipping his tongue into her mouth, just to hear her moan again.

Liv stepped back, her body now up against the door, her hands rummaging through his hair, and her chest rubbing his, as she fell into the kiss, not wanting it to end. She heard his breathing getting heavier, and he let the kiss go.

Fitz unbuttoned the top button of the shirt he had put on Liv. He exposed her one breast, and cupped his lips around it, circling her nipple with his tongue.

Liv could feel nothing but the ache in her core, as she pushed his head holding it. The sensation of his lips on her breast ran through her body. "Fitz." She whispered, and she felt his lips leave her breast, replaced the lips with his hand, and continued with another deep kiss.

She couldn't deny she wanted him to take her right up against the door, God how that would feel. With the knowledge they both had of Noelle in the next room down, they wouldn't take the chance.

"I want you so damn much Fitz. That would be my Christmas present, just for you to take me up against a wall. How hot that would be."

He pulled away from the kiss, moaning, and Liv rubbed her hand around the hard erection she caused him. "Livvie."

"I know, we can't. Noelle is…"

He stopped her words kissing her, then he got close to her ear. "I'll get you up against the wall yet, Livvie, I promise you."

"You do to my body the same thing I do to yours. Now I think I need a new 7 minutes."

"Go, before we start something against this couch again that we will be forced to finish. I'll be in Noelle's room when you get back. Take your picture frame with the picture up with you. I'll hang it up the next time I'm there, but at least you can have the picture." He handed her the frame.

Fitz had put the picture of the three of them from Noelle's photo shoot in the nurse's dress in a picture frame. It was the same one hanging in Fitz's living room and Olivia was so happy to have her first picture for her penthouse wall.

Before she walked out the door, she turned to him curiously. "How did you get those gifts in here?"

He tilted his head with his eyebrows raised. "Livvie."

"Ok, I'm out." And with that the door closed and she headed up to her penthouse.

Liv set the picture on the stand right next to the couch. She had it facing the door for now so when she walked in it would be the first thing she saw. Before heading to the bedroom to get her things, she heard her phone buzz.

"Five minutes and counting." Fitz texted her.

Liv had to give a laugh. Again, not too sure what they were doing, she dressed casually. How fancy can a three year old's birthday outing be? Liv thought to herself. "But then again he did have a limo pick them up on their first adventure." She said out loud, looking in her closet.

She finally decided on her black jeans and a pull over sweater, gray. It wasn't as soft as the lavender one Fitz took his time taking off her last night, but it crossed over in between her breasts, and she was sure Fitz would love this. She could still feel his lips on her breast.

Grabbing things for her hair and some make up, she was about to head out when she remembered the gift for Noelle. What kind of person would she be if she didn't have a gift for the birthday girl?

Reaching in the closet, Liv pulled out the box she had delivered a few days ago. Noelle was so in love with her new baby dolls, but they had separate strollers. Liv had picked out a double stroller so Noelle's dolls, Jilly and Kelly, could sit together as sisters in the stroller.

Liv reached up to the top shelf and grabbed a gift bag. Inside the gift bag were two baby blankets for each of Noelle's dolls. One blanket was purple with unicorns on it and the other was pink with rainbows on it. She figured she would show Noelle how the sisters could share blankets.

Feeling she had everything, being in a rush, she heard her phone again. Buzzing, she thought, shaking her head. She was sure she was running low on time. This time it was a phone call, not a text.

"I know I know", she answered not even looking at the display. "I'm late, but I'm on my way." She began walking quickly to the door, holding the phone against her ear with her head.

Liv froze in her tracks when she heard the voice. "Baby, you never could stop working. It's what, like 5 a.m in New York and you're heading out. I knew you wouldn't change."

At first, Liv wasn't going to answer him at all, but she did. "If it's 5 a.m here, it's 2 a.m there, isn't it passed your bedtime? Why are you calling me Russel? I thought I made myself clear with our last phone call."

"I'm just getting in, Baby, I thought you may like to know, I doubled my profits this month, my money is coming back. I may be buying the house back, it's still on the market."

"Russel, I don't care, not one bit, please don't call me again, it's over."

"Baby, all the Christmas stuff around, it reminds me of how hard you tried. I can't get over how I treated it. Please, Baby, just come back over the New Year, I'll make it all up to you." Russel was trying to sound as sincere as possible.

"Goodbye Russel, no more, knock this off, please. It's over, I forgive the way your treated me, I forgive the outburst, just move on, because as I've said, I am moving on."

"You don't mean this, Baby, please, one more chance, please?"

Liv didn't hear the last sentence. She was a bit shaken, and she took a deep breath as her phone buzzed again in her hand. "I'm getting worried. Did you fall asleep? I'll wake Noelle and come up."

This time it was a text.

"No, Fitz, I'm just getting her gifts together, I'm walking out the door now." She assured him. Taking a long, deep breath, she closed her eyes and tried to forget the phone call. There was something in Russ's voice though that was off.

She was on the elevator and before she could even knock, Fitz opened the door. Taking the things from Liv and placing them by his gifts, he wrapped her in his arms. "I missed you." Both his hands were on her ass as his lips kissed hers.

Liv rested her forehead on the bridge of his nose. She smiled taking a deep breath. "It was only ten minutes."

"You said 7. Come sit with me in Noelle's room."

She looked up at him, surprised. "Fitz, no, that's your tradition with her." Her hand went down his chest.

He pulled her closer to his body. "I want you in there and it would be the best birthday surprise to her to see you there when she wakes up."

There really was no arguing with him. He had a way of winning. She looked at his eyes. Should she tell him about the phone call? No, she wasn't going to ruin today. With a nod of her head, she said "Fine, but let me put on a t shirt I brought, Noelle shouldn't see me in your shirt."

"Fair enough and thank you."

They sat quietly by the window in Noelle's room. The blinking lights from her Christmas tree gave the room a colorful glow. Liv looked over at Fitz who was deep in thought looking out at the lights of the city.

"It was about as dark as it was now outside, three years ago. I was so jet lagged from being in Europe for eight months. I was so tired and all I wanted to do was go home. I had paid a company to decorate this condo I just bought, but I couldn't leave Jay in DC. I knew he was all alone, and he had the most devastating thing happen in his life." Fitz whispered, never taking his eyes off the window.

"You flew right to DC from Europe?" Liv asked.

Fitz shrugged. "I mean, I wasn't even going to answer the phone. I thought Jay was inviting me to spend the holidays with him and Jacqui. I still couldn't believe I slept with her. She was married, I just.." His voice trailed off.

"We do stupid things when we're drunk, we don't think right." Liv rested her hand on his.

"Fitz, there was a car accident, Jacqui is dead." He just shook his head in disbelief. "How could I not offer to come to him?"

"You did what any loyal, good friend would do. You did it without even having the news of Noelle."

"Jay has always been so good to me. We met our senior year in high school, both with big ambitions. We went on to college and we are doing exactly what we set out to do. The only thing different, I'm a father." He took a deep sigh, rubbing his thumb over Liv's hand.

"And keeping him in Noelle's life shows you aren't bitter." Liv smiled.

"No, I couldn't be bitter. Really, I wanted to punch him when he first gave me the news, but how could I? The man just lost all his family, and here I thought he gained a child. I almost fell over when he told me."

"They did a paternity test?" Liv asked.

"Yeah, I fell asleep waiting for the results and when I was nudged awake the nurse was standing over me with a baby wrapped in a pink blanket and a tiny Santa hat on her head." Fitz pointed up to one of her shelves.

Liv looked over and saw the hat. It was so tiny. "Do you keep it out year round?"

"Yeah, I do. I looked up at the nurse and she said, "Congratulations Mr. Grant here is your daughter, Noelle". Fitz's voice cracked a bit recalling the memory and Liv could feel her eyes fill with tears.

"Fitz." She whispered, rubbing his back to comfort him.

"Daddy!" Noelle sat up in her bed. "Ovivia here?"

"Yes, Olivia is here sweetheart, and look." He pointed to the ceiling.

"Balloons?" Noelle clapped.

"Happy Birthday my love!" Fitz scooped her our of the bed and kissed her cheek several times. "Daddy loves you more than all the water in the world."

Noelle covered her mouth and giggled. "I love you daddy." She turned to Olivia. "I three!" Noelle held her fingers up, much like the first time Olivia met her.

"You are three, buttercup. The best three year old in the world." Olivia reached up and kissed her. "Happy birthday princess."

"Ovivia stay?" Noelle asked.

"Yes, ma'am, I'm staying."

Noelle looked back at her father. She rested her head on his shoulder giving him a hug. "Birthday surprise today."

Fitz lifted his daughter high in the air. "So many birthday surprises today." Noelle was able to touch the balloons.

"Look, three." She said pointing to the number three balloon. "Pancakes."

Fitz shook his head. "Nope."

Noelle's mouth opened in shock and even Liv looked a bit confused. Fitz said he would make her pancakes. "Boo", she said sadly. "No?" Her lip came out a bit with a pout.

"Birthday special pancakes." Fitz said as he let her grab the bunch of balloons and put her down to walk to the kitchen.

"Ovivia come." Noelle said, waving her hand to follow.

"I'm right behind you, birthday girl."

Liv heard the balloons hit the ceiling and saw Noelle's hands cover her mouth in surprise. "A bike?" She rubbed the handlebars and the basket. She sat on it with ease and put her feet on the pedals. She fit on it perfectly and Liv smiled when Fitz put his hand on the back and gave it a little push.

"Weeeee" Noelle said giving one pedal and moving the tricycle a tiny distance on her own. She pointed to the basket. "Unicorn."

"You have other gifts here, want to open them while I make the pancakes."

"Ovivia help?" She took Liv's hand and walked with her over to the island with the gifts.

Liv held the gift while Noelle was taking the paper off. It was a baby doll play set. It was complete with a play pen, a diaper bag, bottles, and a feeding set.

"For Jilly and Kelly." Noelle grabbed the next two boxes. She opened one at a time.

The next one she just looked at with wide eyes. "Oh, wow daddy." It was a unicorn costume set. It was for Noelle to play dress up. The dress was pure rainbow colors on the skirt with a big purple bow in the middle. It came complete with a unicorn necklace, bracelet, and two clip on earrings.

"Ovivia dress?" Noelle asked.

"Maybe after your birthday surprise today?"

"Yay!" She went to the last box before Liv's bag was revealed. The stroller was hidden behind the couch where Noelle hadn't seen it yet.

The final box Fitz had gotten for Noelle was honestly the most adorable little purse Liv had ever seen. She looked over at Fitz. "Unicorns annoy you huh, Mister."

Fitz flipped a pancake and shrugged. "Sometimes, but not today." He smiled, oh that beautiful smile.

"A purse." Noelle said holding it up and looking at her pink purse. It had three little unicorn horns and a face on the front. "Make up?" She looked inside.

"Umm, no." Fitz chimed in. "Not until your 23, ok."

"Ok, daddy." Noelle had no idea what she just agreed to.

"You want to eat your magical birthday pancakes before you open the gifts I have for you?" Liv asked.

"Syrup?"

"All the syrup you want today my precious." Fitz put the plate down in front of her and gave her a kiss on the nose. "Remember you're not three until you eat one special pancake."

"Yay." She said again, as she watched Fitz open the syrup and give a generous squeeze onto the pancake before cutting it. After eating one, she jumped down and ran to her room. Coming back out, she said, "I look three now?"

Fitz watched at Liv placed her hand over her mouth, laughing. "Yes, you look three now, princess." Fitz assured her.

After the pancakes, and a very good hand and mouth washing taking away all the stickiness, Fitz brought Noelle back out to open Liv's gifts.

Noelle pulled the two baby blankets out of the bag and looked at them. "Oh, rainbows and unicorns." She admired them as if it was her first time ever seeing unicorns and rainbows, and that's what Liv loved about her. Everything was so special, no matter what it was.

Liv took Noelle's hand while she was still holding the blankets. Fitz led the way around the couch and sat down in front of the double stroller.

Much like Noelle had done so many other times, Liv covered her eyes and guided her to the stroller. When Liv took her hand away, Noelle saw the strollers. She handed the blankets to Fitz and clapped once. "Oh, for Jilly and Kelly. They sit close?" She looked at Liv.

Liv nodded with a smile. "Yes, they do, they sit next to each other like best sisters."

"Ovivia show me?" Noelle walked to the back of the stroller and put her hands on the handles watching Liv take Jilly and Kelly out of their individual strollers. Fitz just watched the whole scene, understanding why his little girl looked at Liv like a mommy.

"I'm so sorry to wake you, Jilly." Liv said to the doll, "but we have a surprise for you." She turned to Noelle. "Can you hold Jilly while I get Kelly?"

Noelle folded her arms like she was accepting a newborn. "Uh huh" she said to Liv's question. "I careful." Her lips were closed tight as if she was concentrating and when Liv put Jilly in her arms, Noelle rocked her a bit. "New seat." She whispered, leaning down to Jilly's ear, "and new blankets. I'm three."

Liv looked over at Fitz with Kelly in her arms replica of how Noelle was holding Jilly. She smiled at Fitz, who was just shaking his head with a pure smile across his face.

Noelle watched as Liv placed Kelly down on the right and strapped her in. Noelle followed with Jilly, giving the doll a kiss before putting her in and trying to snap the strap, but again needed help. "Mommy help." Noelle said to the doll, and Liv froze.

Fitz noticed but Noelle didn't. Noelle turned to her daddy. "You cover." She said as she pointed to the blankets Fitz was holding. "Jilly unicorn one."

Liv took a hard swallow and closed the strap. She watched now as Noelle guarded Fitz as he was covering the dolls. First Jilly, then Kelly. "Daddy cover." Noelle took the handles and turned them towards the Christmas tree. "Watch the lights." Noelle said.

She ran to her room to get UNI and sat next to the stroller with her dolls. She began telling the dolls all about her birthday and how they would be leaving soon to her surprise. Then she mentioned Uncle Jay.

"Daddy. Uncle Jay present?" Noelle asked. Her Uncle Jay had always given her a birthday present.

"Hmm, I don't know. I'll call him later, ok?"

Liv turned to Fitz. "Is it concerning that Jay didn't send anything?"

"No, sometimes he's in areas of the country where mail could be slow. Hey, are you alright? Ever since you got back from upstairs, you seem, I don't know, off a bit. Is Noelle spooking you with the mommy stuff?"

Looking at Noelle, Liv noticed Noelle didn't hear what Fitz said. "No", Liv shrugged, "I'm fine. I'll have to go up though later. I want to spend all tomorrow, Christmas Eve with you two and I need to pack for the cruise."

Fitz moved closer Liv now putting his arm around her and pulling her to him. "I can't wait for that. We're going to have Ocean much fun." Fitz laughed at his little pun. "Get it" he said "Ocean much fun, not oh so much fun. Ha." Liv just looked at him. She couldn't help it as she tried to hold in her laughter but couldn't.

"You know, it may be a Santa Cruz, get it Santa Cruise, but Santa Cruz, like the…" He stopped as she patted his shoulder.

"Don't hurt yourself Fitz, I wouldn't want you to pull a muscle laughing at all of these." She just smiled and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. "I'm going to get ready; I'll leave you to babysit."

"Ovivia go up?" Noelle asked sadly.

"No, it's your birthday, I'm getting ready here. Then, birthday surprise."

"Yay" Noelle said again.

Walking towards the shower, Liv tried to shake that phone call, but she couldn't. She didn't, no she wasn't going to ruin today and tell Fitz about it. Today was special for him, it belonged to his little girl, and she couldn't cloud his thoughts of Russel.

Finally, all ready to go and head out for her birthday surprise, Noelle asked if she could bring Jilly and Kelly. "They come?"

Fitz squished his face a bit, not really wanting to say no to Noelle on her birthday, but not wanting to take the dolls with them.

"Noelle, look." Liv pointed at the stroller. "They're both sleeping. Remember we woke them up to put them in the new seats?"

"Don't wake up?"

"No," Liv said, "don't wake them up. They are tired and want to have cake later."

"Ok, mommy say no," she said to the dolls." Ovivia was their mommy, so Noelle was answering for them. Noelle ran to push the elevator button.

"That's the second time, Fitz, what should I do?"

"It's all related to the dolls for now, so I just think she's answering for them, calling you mommy for them. Are you ok with it?"

Liv put her forehead on his chest, walking towards the elevator. "I'm ok with it, as long as you are also."

"Nothing I want more, Livvie."

As the elevator opened to the lobby, Noelle went to run out by herself to greet Fabian or Gillian. Fitz's arm quickly locked around her waist. "Woah, easy there Noelle," he said as he scooped her up. He saw the door wasn't even closed and Noelle could have easily run right out to the street without any guidance.

Fitz looked around and the temp door person was chatting with some young lady not watching anything at all that was going on in the front. "Hey, buddy, you want to get over here and man this door. Anyone could have come in and kids could run out, do your job." Liv never heard Fitz so angry and annoyed.

The temp jogged over to the door. "My mistake, I thought it closed before…"

"Yeah, well it didn't." He stepped outside still holding Noelle in his arms. She had her head rested on his shoulder because even she wasn't accustomed to hearing her daddy so mad. He took out his cell phone. "Denzel, come and run a security check in my building, please. We have temps here manning the door and they're incompetent."

"Denzel?" Liv looked at him curiously.

"Head of my security team. He's available to me 24/7 and I pay him well enough. He's worth every dime, trust me. I'll feel a lot better knowing someone isn't creeping around on floors checking if doors are unlocked. He'll give it a thorough scan."

"Fitz, you alright?" Liv asked, rubbing his arm as the car pulled around seeing how flushed his face was.

"I don't like incompetence. Incompetence can have damaging or fatal consequences, and that was incompetence." Fitz took a deep breath. "They have temps while the regulars are on vacation. They never hire anyone competent enough to do the job. I bought the condo for security; they should have a good temp agency. First thing after the holidays I'm going to buy the temp company. I'm so over this." He leaned in to put Noelle in the car seat and then let Liv get in first.

Liv couldn't argue with that. Fitz was right. Residents were paying money, a large amount of money, for door services. The temp company should be diligent. She was just surprised to watch him lose his temper, as she never saw it either.

Denzel was a single guy, good looking, strong as an ox, and a former Green Beret in the Army. Fitz had hired him seven years ago to build up a security team for his building. Fitz put Denzel in charge, and Fitz never regretted it.

Denzel, when Noelle was born, knew that Fitz would be in overdrive to protect his little girl. Sometimes Fitz had competitors, being as successful as he was, and Fitz wasn't taking any chances.

It wasn't uncommon for Fitz to call Denzel and do a scan of his building. Fitz could never be too careful, especially when he just bought out a major company, overtook a slum lord's building, or just pissed off the Wall Street world.

Denzel had nothing to do. It was the holidays, when Fitz was away, he would take his break, but right now his boss needed him, and Denzel would do exactly what his boss asked. Denzel heard of Olivia through the office grapevine.

When Fitz confronted him a few weeks ago, Denzel was told to not only keep an eye on the eighth floor, but closely pay attention to PH3. Denzel wasn't sure why until he learned it was Olivia's condo and she had an aggressive ex-boyfriend.

In the past few weeks, Fitz had been different. The glow in his eyes had always been for his daughter, but anyone, including Denzel, could see how in love Fitz had fallen. If Fitz wanted the building watched while he was out, the building would be watched.

Denzel had no way of knowing that while the door was not watched when Fitz had noticed it, Russel had already entered the building. While one elevator was on the way down holding Fitz, Liv, and Noelle, the other was on the way up, carrying Russel to the penthouse floor.

Russel couldn't wait for his surprise for Liv. She had tried to surprise him so much during the holidays and he never cared. He took her for granted and he realized that now. He knew the rules about keeping his business, no trips to New York, but he had to come to her, just once, and try to win her back.

When he called her office, he was told she would be gone on vacation for two weeks. Having her address where he forwarded her the paperwork for the house, he decided to go there first. If she wasn't home, he would wait for her.

Imagine her surprise when she opened the door to him? He knew one look and she would forgive him, and she would be his again. He wiped away the memory of that kiss he saw her with that guy in her office. Knowing Liv, it was just a fling to get her over her real man.

Russel saw the decorated door of PH3. He smiled knowing that was all her, she loved her Christmas, and he was so sorry he took that from her for the years they were together. Not getting an answer, he found the stairwell door, and decided to wait for her to get back.

He traveled this far, an extra few hours would be nothing. Russel had no idea what a poor decision he was making on his own behalf.

Fitz didn't want the surprise to be ruined in any way, so he shook off his anger and began asking Noelle questions.

"Do you feel three?"

Noelle shrugged. "I think so." She nodded.

"Do you want Olivia to wait in the car while you go to your surprise?"

Noelle shook her head. "No way, Ovivia surprise too."

"That's right, Noelle, you tell your daddy." She nudged Fitz.

"Here we are." Fitz looked out the window. "Recognize this place, Noelle?"

"Inside park?" Noelle clapped. "For me?"

"For you, for one hour. Then a little cake in a small room." Fitz smiled admiring his little girl's reaction.

When they entered the indoor play area, Liv looked all around. It was any little girl's dream, especially a little girl who loved unicorns and rainbows.

There was inflatable rainbow slides, a huge ball pit with a unicorn overlooking it, trampolines, a rock wall, and off to the side, a small room decorated with unicorns and rainbows with a cake in the middle.

"Wow, Fitz, you outdid yourself for this one." Liv said quite impressed.

"I wish she had little friends, but I've kept her so isolated. I just want her to make the best of it for now."

"I jump?" Noelle asked pointing to the ball pit.

"Be careful, there may be someone hiding in there and grab your legs. Maybe baby shark." Fitz laughed.

"Daddy, no." Noelle giggled. She jumped in, and she screamed when someone did pop their head out. Then she stopped and jumped into the man's arms. "Uncle Jay!" She hugged him tight as he lifted her into his arms.

"I closed my eyes, and wished a magical unicorn would take me to your birthday surprise. Then I was riding this beautiful unicorn and it was flying. It dropped me down right into this ball pit and here you are." He kissed her cheek. "You got so big, Noelle." He picked up a ball and plucked it at her.

She got down and threw one at him. This went on for a few minutes before Jay got out and talked to Fitz. "You really do know how to spoil her huh?"

"Oh, don't even." Fitz said, shoving him. "This guy wanted to do something in upstate New York at a castle." Fitz assured Liv.

Jay shrugged. "Another time. So good to see you Fitz, and she's amazing." He watched as Noelle was amusing herself in the ball pit. Jay turned and looked at Olivia.

"You must be Olivia. As beautiful as Fitz described, only more than that. Pleasure to meet you."

Liv smiled and nodded. " Thank you. Pleasured to meet you as well. Noelle was asking for you this morning."

"Yeah, she loves my presents, they aren't boring like her dad's." Jay winked.

They watched Noelle climb out of the ball pit and onto the trampoline. Once she was bouncing up and down, Jay screamed "INCOMING" and dove headfirst in there, jumping up and down while Noelle sat being bounced around. Her laughter was echoing through the empty play area.

Fitz was right, Jay was a fun guy, and he adored Noelle. Upon finally seeing him in person, Liv did notice Noelle had some of his features, especially his smile, no doubt inherited from his sister.

Next up was the rainbow slide, where Fitz and Jay both chased Noelle up and down. Liv never heard Noelle laugh so much, and the two men in her life made sure her special day was just that, special. Liv also got to witness the friendship bond Fitz had with Jay, and it was strong.

A few times while Liv was playing with Noelle, she noticed some chatter going on between the two of them, seemed as though things only the two of them would know.

It was time for cake and in the small private room, Noelle was trying to describe her birthday surprise Ovivia had for her the day before. She was talking and talking, as if she was trying to catch Jay up with her whole year.

Jay took some cake and he put whipped cream on his nose. He turned and continued to listen to Noelle, but Noelle couldn't talk, she was laughing. "Uncle Jay." She pointed at his nose. "Silly"

"What? Go on with your story Two L Noelle."

Fitz shook his head and leaned towards Liv. "What do you think of Jay?"

"I think he's amazing. You have quite the bond with him."

He rubbed his nose against her temple. "He's staying over tonight, Noelle is going to love that. She doesn't know that."

"Good, he'll keep you company while I can pack." Liv pecked his lips.

"OOOH, they're kissing." Jay said and Noelle covered her mouth.

"Ovivia likes daddy." Noelle said.

"Yeah, and daddy likes Olivia." Jay winked at Fitz.

"Trust me, his company will not be as good as yours." Fitz said.

"Ok, Noelle, birthday surprise over for now." Fitz picked up his little girl.

"Boo" Noelle said.

"Did you have fun?" Fitz asked.

"So much fun, and Uncle Jay."

"Yep, Uncle Jay was part of the surprise. One more surprise. Uncle Jay is coming over."

"You sleep over?" Noelle asked wide eyed.

"Yes, I am." He poked her nose.

"Castle?" Noelle asked. Jay had built a fort with her blankets, and she called it a castle.

"Yes, of course. But I have to leave early tomorrow."

"Boo." Noelle said again. "Ovivia play?"

"I have things to do in my place Noelle, but I will be back tomorrow."

"Ok Ovivia."

While the four of them were on their way home, Denzel had searched up to the eighth floor including the basement and the stairwells. He headed back down to the lobby to be sure the temp was doing his job before heading up to the other floors.

Denzel sat in the lobby for ten minutes, checking the temp was doing things correctly. When he was satisfied with what he saw, he was about to head up to finish the remaining floors when Fitz walked in.

He shook hands, gave introductions, and Fitz asked him to follow them up to his condo. Liv picked up Noelle who was getting tired on her feet. "Did you have a happy birthday?" She asked.

"The best." Noelle said, hugging her and putting her head on Liv's shoulders.

Liv pushed P and Noelle pushed 8, and they headed up.

As they got off at 8, they said good night to Olivia as the elevator was taking her to the penthouse floor.

Before entering the condo, Denzel told Fitz he was heading to the stairwell and checking the ninth floor and above. Fitz stopped him. "No need, Denzel, it's fine, I think I was overreacting. Go on home, get some rest. Sorry I wasted your time."

"You sure, boss, I have no problem."

"No, it's fine. Thanks so much for coming and entertaining my dumb instinct."

"Never too careful with this little one." He gave Noelle a high five. "Happy birthday Noelle."

While Noelle picked out her pajamas, Fitz was in his room chatting with Jay. He was also packing a small bag.

"What the hell you doing?" Jay asked laughing.

He pulled a condom out of the box and put it in his jean pocket. "You're here, spend some time with Noelle, I have to help someone pack." Fitz smiled.

"Man, you are down bad." Jay said. "I've never seen you like this."

"Yeah, well she is something."

Jay shook his head. 'I am beyond happy for you. How long before Noelle calls her mommy?"

"She's said it a few times, how do you feel about that?"

"Man, you keep Jacqui's memory alive with the toy drive and I know when Noelle is old enough for the truth, she'll get it, it's fine. You three are so happy together."

Noelle walked into the room. Fitz's phone was on the bed. "Buzzing." Noelle said pointing to his phone.

"Go on, do what you need to do. I got this." He patted Fitz on the back and tended to took the call out in the kitchen.

"What the fuck to you mean he's gone?" Fitz took a hard swallow talking to David Rosen on the line. Russel wasn't anywhere.

Fitz hung up and dialed Denzel. "How far are you from the building?"

"About five minutes, what's up?"

"Get back here, right up to the penthouse floor." Fitz hung up the phone. "Jay, I'll be back in a few."

Fitz bolted out of the condo, grabbing Liv's key but leaving his bag there. He just took the stairs, skipping two at a time to get upstairs as fast as he could.

Liv arrived on the penthouse floor. She smiled as she saw her door, she always did. "What a great day." She said out loud, rubbing the Christmas lights on the door. Turning her key as the lock unbolted she heard a familiar voice.

"It's about to get better, Baby." Russel pushed her into the condo as her door was opening, and Liv didn't have a moment to react.

Russel heard the familiar ding of the elevator. He watched for several hours as people came and went, but never Olivia. Finally, his wait paid off, and there she was.

Although she was pushed into the condo, she didn't fall. She turned as the door slammed closed and Russel bolted it. He was looking at her now licking his lips. "Baby, you look so good."

Liv was just in too much shock to say anything, still not comprehending what had just happened. She put her hand up as he stepped closer to her. "Russel, don't."

"Look at this place, all decorated. I always knew how much you loved…." He stopped in his tracks and saw the picture of Liv with Fitz and Noelle.

With his attention deterred for a moment, he grabbed the frame. "What the fuck is this?"

"Russel, you shouldn't have come here. You're going to lose everything."

"Who are these people?" He pointed down to the picture before he dropped it on the carpet. "You know you still love me, right."

Liv tried to get to the door, but Russel put his arm out wrapping her waist and pulling her to him. "I never loved you Russel, I tried, but I could never love you like I love him."

Russel could feel the anger rise to his face. Olivia could feel his body tense. His hand slid up her arm to her neck. "You don't mean that Baby right. We can make this work."

Liv was trying not to cry, trying to be strong. She looked down and saw Noelle's smiling eyes from the picture. Liv closed her eyes. "Russel, you have time to just go, don't make this worse."

"NO! I will never be over you; you know that right. Just come back to LA for me, look at the empire I am growing."

"You're not growing any empire. You've been bought. Everything is just a deterrence, and you are losing everything by being here."

Liv heard the bolt on the door turn, and the door flung open. "LIVVIE!" She heard Fitz's voice and Liv breathed a sigh of relief.

"You're going to want to take her hands off her, NOW!"

Russel dropped his hands off Liv. "She's coming back with me to LA." Russel said confidently.

"Like hell I am." Liv said. "He's lying, Fitz."

Fitz looked at Liv then saw Russel take a lunge at him. Fitz's left hand went up, and he swung harder than he swung at anything in his life. When his fist connected with Russel's jaw, Russ fell face first on to the floor, out cold for the moment.

Before Fitz could make his way over to Liv, Denzel showed up at the door. "Boss, I'm so sorry." Denzel saw Russel stirring on the ground, and he walked over, placing his foot on his back. "He's not getting up, don't worry."

"I need you to get him to the airport, my plane is waiting. Take him back to LA, and you'll have further instructions from David Rosen when you land. Can you do that for me?"

"It would be my pleasure." Denzel said. He pulled Russel up and walked him out the door, where he would handcuff him and be on his way per his boss's orders.

Liv was standing now against the wall next to the door as she watched Russ being carted out. It would be the last she would ever see of her ex-boyfriend, and she didn't care one bit. She looked at Fitz.

There was only the glow of the Christmas lights coming from the tree Fitz had set up for her. She put her head down as he began walking towards her. "I should've told you he called me; I knew something was off."

"It doesn't matter." He rubbed both his hands down her cheeks, cupping her face. "Are you hurt?" He pulled her forehead to his, giving it a gentle kiss.

"I'm fine." She gave a small smile. "What's going to happen to him Fitz?"

"Some jail time, loss of business and property, trespassing charges, breech of contract. Don't worry about it, ok."

"You punched him."

"I promised Noelle three years ago in a hospital chair that I would never let anyone hurt her, the same goes for you, no one will ever hurt you Livvie."

She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Thank God you came up. Why did you come up?" Her head was still resting on his shoulder.

"Well," he shrugged. "Jay is watching Noelle, and", he reached in his pocket and pulled out the condom. "You promised me wall sex. But after what happened tonight…."

She pulled him to her, devouring his lips. She didn't know if it was relief or the fear, but she wanted him so bad right now, and although it could have been worse had he not showed up, she needed Russel out of her head.

Fitz didn't hesitate. His hands went down, and not realizing there was button holding the V shape sweater, he ripped it, but kept going until it was completely off, with her bra and her breasts exposed.

He pulled his shirt off, pressing his chest to hers as he kissed her hard, her body only having the wall as leverage. He pulled his jeans off, his erection upright, waiting to enter her. He put her arms above her head, holding them there as he kissed her, and he could feel the chills on her body.

Fitz kissed his way down to her stomach, letting her arms go to get her naked, and worked his way back up with his mouth to her chest. He put his warm lips on her breast, and as a repeat of this morning, she fumbled his curls, her head up in ecstasy. She was lost in him right now.

Slipping the condom on, he raised one of her legs and rested it on his hip. His head dipped to her neck, as he nibbled on her shoulder and thrusted his body up. "Fuck, yeah." He looked at her, her eyes closed and her hands grasping his shoulder blades, as her body was pushed up against the wall.

With each push, he was further in her and her other leg went up. Fitz had his hands on either side of her head, as he mercilessly penetrated her body against that wall, breathing heavily into the climax he was ready to feel.

Her body was only held up by his, and Liv scratched his back slightly as the moan came out. His thrust was so hard, and her head fell weakly onto his shoulder. She didn't have to make a sound for him to know she was coming. Her legs were rubber hanging over his hips.

"No. One. Will. Hurt. You. Ever." He pushed her head with his shoulder and found her lips. His tongue opened her mouth, and he pounded the wall with his hand, as he filled the condom, continuing to kiss her in glow of the Christmas lights.

Their bodies a sweaty mess, Fitz just held her upright, as they both came down from the powerful orgasms. He let Liv's legs down gently and held her face again in his hands.

Liv could see tears in his eyes. "What if I lost you tonight, Livvie? I just found you, I can't lose you."

She wrapped him in her arms. "Fitz, I'm ok, you're not losing me." His head rested on her shoulder as she rubbed his hair. "I knew you would come up; Russel didn't stand a chance." She looked at his left hand. It was beginning to swell a bit.

Picking it up, she pulled it to her lips, where she kissed it gently. "Let's not think about it for the next hour. Our favorite shower is waiting for us." She pulled him, leading him into the glow of the constant Christmas lights shining in her bedroom as he sent Jay a text that he would be busy for the next few hours.