Hey everybody, y'all all right? I'm still here...writing. Honestly, I'm not sure how I want to end this story so I'll just keep churning out chapters until it's done. Thank you all so much for your patience and your encouraging words. Your reviews and PMs are always read and appreciated. This was one long chapter so I broke it into two. It's kind of choppy, but I hope you'll enjoy it anyway. Let me know. Enjoy.

Happy reading,

TBOT

XXX

The following afternoon...

Fitz and Olivia arrived at her doctor's office, and he took a seat while she checked in. The waiting room was almost empty since Olivia's appointment was the doctor's next to last. Although she knew Dr. Goodrich would be discrete, she had agreed to sign an NDA stating that neither she nor her staff would leak any details regarding Olivia's pregnancy, or the baby's birth to the press. Since the Super Bowl and Fitz being named MVP, the media constantly hounded him about his NFL future, and his personal life. He hadn't made any public statements about their relationship since the Super Bowl, and he wouldn't start by revealing that Olivia was pregnant. He wanted to shield her for as long as he could from his world because he didn't want her stressing for any reason.

He stared at his beautiful fiancee across the room where she stood laughing and talking with the doctor's staff at the front desk. Olivia had pulled her braids into a ponytail and they hung down her back. She was glowing, probably from the pregnancy, and also from the tan she'd gotten in Maldives.

Fitz sat thinking about their last day on the island. After brunch, he'd stood in their bedroom for at least five minutes, staring out at her as she sunbathed on a lounger by the pool in a white string bikini and dark aviators. Her stomach was a little puffy, but not by much. It was the only sign that she was pregnant. She looked so content. He still couldn't believe she was his, sometimes. That she loved him…unequivocally. He would spend the rest of his life earning that love.

Olivia had drifted off but still managed to feel the movement next to her. She opened her eyes to the blinding sun, and Fitz standing above her.

"You okay, Livvie? Are you hungry?" he asked sitting on the lounger next to her.

She shook her head. "I'm fine, babe. Just relaxing. And no, I'm not hungry."

"How's my son?"

Olivia lifted her sunglasses and turned to her love. The smirk on her face sent him into a fit of laughter.

"What have we talked about, Fitzgerald?"

"I know, I know. But I still think it's a boy."

"Well we'll find out in a few months," she said, her hand automatically going to her stomach.

Fitz stared at her hand before reaching over and covering it with his much larger one. "And I can't wait."

Olivia turned over on her side. "You know what?"

"What?" he asked, staring at her beautiful, tanned face.

"I am scared shitless. I mean, Fitz you know I can cook but until I met you, I existed on wine and popcorn," she sighed. "How am I going to take care of a baby? I can't even remember to eat more healthy foods, sometimes."

"Livvie, sweetheart, it will come naturally. Don't worry. I am going to be there too. I'm not going anywhere. I'm in your life forever. And between me and Bert, you will have healthy food choices every day. Don't worry about your eating habits, or anything else for that matter."

She squeezed his hand and smiled. "I know. And I love you."

The couple spent the rest of the day by the pool, eating and eventually making love under the stars on their private beach. Hours later, their vacation in paradise ended and they were boarding the Grant jet, headed back to D.C. and the real world.

Olivia finally excused herself and walked back to where Fitz was sitting. She sat next to him and he took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Are you nervous?" he asked.

Olivia glanced at him. "No, not at all." Her hand went to her stomach, which she'd been doing more and more since they'd found out she was pregnant. She smiled. A baby was there.

"Well I am."

Olivia frowned. "Why?"

"I just want everything to be okay with you and our baby," he admitted.

Earlier that morning, before dawn, Fitz lay next to Olivia watching her, excited as a kid on Christmas Eve, too wired to sleep. He couldn't wait for her OB/GYN appointment later that day. He lay there thinking about their future with their baby. When he closed his eyes, he could see his baby lying so peacefully in his arms. He quietly leaned down and kissed her stomach.

"I'm so happy you're coming," Fitz whispered softly, trying not to wake Olivia. "You are already so loved and I can't wait to meet you. I promise you, I am going to be the best daddy. I love you so much…"

Olivia awoke but didn't say a word.

"…I am so excited to be your daddy. Right now nothing means more to me than you and your mother. In just a few months we'll all be a happy family." He kissed her stomach again before slowly and quietly standing from the bed. He glanced back to see Olivia looking at him.

"You're awake?"

Olivia nodded. "I'm sorry."

Fitz frowned. "For what?"

"For ruining your moment with the baby."

Fitz sat back down on the bed next to Olivia and took her face in his hands, and kissed her. "You didn't ruin anything, Livvie, you only made it better."

He kissed her again, longer, deeper, while his hand moved to her stomach. Their kiss broke and he leaned his forehead against hers. Slowly he reached down and lifted her pajama top, exposing her bare stomach. Gently, he ran his fingers across her smooth, tight skin before lowering his head and kissing it right above her belly button.

"I love you, Baby Grant."

He looked up at Olivia again with a huge smile on his face. "Every day I fall more and more in love with you, Olivia Pope."

Tears filled her eyes. "I love you, and our baby, Fitzgerald Grant."

He kissed her lips. "Not as much as I love you." He gave her that lopsided smile. "It's early. I'm going to work out. Why don't you lie back down and get a little more sleep. Bert will be here in another hour."

Olivia nodded, knowing she was too excited about her doctor's appointment to sleep. But she would lay there and rest a while until Fitz returned…or until morning sickness sent her scrambling to the bathroom.

Olivia squeezed his hand, and smiled reassuringly. "It will be." She kissed his cheek.

"Miss Pope." The nurse called her name and they both stood.

Fitz took Olivia's hand and they followed the nurse. They stopped at a scale and she took Olivia's weight. She'd gained two pounds since last week. Next she took her vitals and drew blood, before handing her a cup and showing her to the restroom. When Olivia finished, she led the couple to an examination room, and handed Olivia a gown. "Undress and change into the gown. Dr. Goodrich is finishing up with another patient and will be with you shortly."

"Thank you," they said at the same time.

Fitz helped Olivia undress and they sat holding hands, talking quietly. His forehead was resting against Olivia's when Dr. Fatima Goodrich breeze into the room with a huge smile on her face.

"Good afternoon, you two."

"Hello," they responded.

"How are you, Olivia?"

Olivia chuckled. "I hope you can tell me."

They all laughed.

Dr. Goodrich extended a hand to Fitz and introduced herself. "Dr. Fatima Goodrich."

"Fitz Grant."

"Oh I know who you are. Pleased to meet you. Congratulations on the season, by the way. My husband and my father are season ticket holders.

"Thank you, Dr. Goodrich."

There was a knock on the door and a nurse entered and handed the doctor a tablet before leaving again. Dr. Goodrich scrolled through the information before speaking again. "Well Olivia, I was surprised when I saw you on my schedule." She looked up at the beautiful but anxious couple. "Your annual isn't for another four months."

"I know."

She continued to scroll on her tablet before looking up again and smiling. "Congratulations. You're pregnant."

The couple looked at each other before Fitz let go a loud yelp, jumped up from his seat and hugged the doctor, then turned to his beautiful fiancée. "Oh Livvie, now we know for sure that we're having a baby. I love you so much." He sat down again and kissed and hugged her, then turned to the doctor. "Thank you, Dr. Goodrich."

The doctor laughed. "I didn't do anything. You and Olivia should be congratulated. You did all the work."

Olivia was quiet. After three positive tests, she still needed a minute to take it all in because it hadn't quite soaked in yet.

"Dr. Goodrich, we're still kind of stunned," Fitz said.

"Would you like to see the test results?" she asked with a chuckle.

"No. But how could this happen?" Olivia asked, finally finding her voice, which reflected her disbelief.

The doctor chuckled again and pointed. "There's a chart on the wall behind you that explains everything."

They all laughed again.

"I mean, I'm on the Pill. I haven't missed one." Olivia held up a finger for emphasis. "I set my alarm so I don't forget. I take it at the same time every night, as suggested. I know it's not one hundred percent effective, but I'm still surprised."

Fatima smiled at her patient. "I know this is a shock to you, but as you stated, no method of birth control is one hundred percent, only abstinence. The Pill is ninety-eight percent effective, and you just happen to fall into the other two percent."

"Lucky us," Fitz quipped and Olivia shot him a look. He shrugged, grinning, and she rolled her eyes.

"Seriously Dr. Goodrich, I even took the damn things when I was sick with strep."

That got the doctor's attention. "What? You were sick with strep?" She asked scrolling on the tablet in her hand. "That's not in the notes."

"Yes. It was the week before the Team's first playoff game. So the second week of January," she said glancing at Fitz, who nodded.

"Did you see your PCP?"

Olivia nodded. "I did."

"Did she prescribe any meds?"

Olivia nodded again. "Yes. Amoxicillin. Is there a problem?"

"Well I think I know why your birth control failed."

"What? Why?" she asked feeling Fitz's hand gently squeezing hers.

"The antibiotic you were prescribed significantly lowered the effectiveness of your birth control. There should have been a warning on the label to use an additional form of protection while you were taking the meds."

"I vaguely remember that."

Dr. Goodrich chuckled, shaking her head. "Did you get a period in January?"

Olivia nodded. "Yes. The week after New Years, January 8th. It was the last time I used my period tracker."

"But you didn't get a period in February?"

Olivia shook her head. "No. And I didn't get one this month either and it's almost over."

"Well that helps. You haven't had a cycle since January 8th.

Fitz sat silently listening to the conversation. He watched as the doctor removed something that looked like a wheel from the pocket of her white coat. "Your due date is around October 15th. That's about six and a half months from now. I still need to perform an exam. Okay?"

Olivia nodded. "Okay."

The doctor set the tablet on the counter, and washed and dried her hands. "So, are you ready to see your baby?"

"Yes," they said together and laughed.

Olivia's stomach had butterflies dancing inside, or was it the baby. She couldn't tell anymore because the morning sickness was such a regular occurrence. Fitz helped her stand and then up onto the examination table.

"Mr. Grant you can move your chair closer if you'd like," the doctor said.

"Thank you. And it's Fitz."

He looked at Olivia, wearing a blue gown and covered from the waist down by a flimsy blue paper blanket. Every part beneath the blanket was bare. Fitz tried not to think about that little detail. Instead he squeezed her hand tighter.

"You look beautiful," he whispered near her ear.

Olivia smiled at him.

He watched as the doctor prepared Olivia for an ultrasound.

"We don't want to know the sex until the baby is born," Olivia said. The couple had decided that they wanted to be surprised.

"No problem. I'll place a note in your file. It's still too early to know anyway."

Olivia shivered a little and Fitz leaned down. "Are you okay, Livvie? Do you need a blanket?"

She shook her head. "I'm just a little nervous." She took a deep breath and turned toward him, and smiled. "I know I said I wasn't, but it's about to get real."

Fitz smiled at his fiancee and silently nodded his head.

"I warmed the gel so you'd be more comfortable," Dr. Goodrich said, as she squirted the substance on Olivia's exposed stomach and then took what looked like a large computer mouse and moved it along her belly. As she did this, the monitors showed images as she continued to move the transducer.

Fitz sat watching, fascinated. He watched as the doctor then reached for the ultrasound probe and placed it inside Olivia's vagina. He'd read about this procedure so he wasn't shocked.

"Alright, this probe will send the images to the monitors in just a few moments. What I'm looking at is your cervix, the fetal heartbeat and the placenta for any abnormalities. You will also be able to see your baby."

Fitz and Olivia looked up at one of the monitors suspended from the ceiling.

Dr. Goodrich studied the computer screen, while moving the probe slowly.

A few seconds later, Fitz took in a breath. A grainy black and white image appeared on the screen, and he saw the beginnings of a perfectly formed shape of a tiny human. Honestly, the baby looked a lot like an alien to him, but he could still make out some features starting to develop: eyes, a nose, a mouth and ears.

His child.

"Fitz, do you see our baby?" Olivia asked, excitedly.

"Yes," replied, awestruck. "It's beautiful."

Mesmerized by the image on the monitor, he squeezed Olivia's hand again, without taking his eyes from the screen.

"Let's see if we can hear a heartbeat today, shall we?"

Fitz's eyes widened. "It's not too early?" he asked.

"No. And we should be able to determine how far along Olivia is." She reached over and turned up the volume on the ultrasound machine.

Olivia turned her head toward Fitz. She held his eyes and they both held their breath as the doctor watched the monitor and moved the transducer.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere they heard the most wonderful in the world.

The sound of life.

"There it is," Dr. Goodrich murmured softly. "There it is."

To Fitz, the baby's heartbeat sounded like a galloping horse. It was so profound that it moved him to tears.

He saw the tears in Olivia's eyes, too, and leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. I wish we were alone right now, he thought.

Dr. Goodrich removed the probe and the room went quiet. Fitz and Olivia were both quiet as they tried to save the sound of their baby's heartbeat memory.

"Everything looks and sounds good," the doctor said as she removed her gloves, tossed them in the trash, and washed her hands. Picking up the tablet she typed in a few notes. "I'm sure you both have questions and concerns you'd like me to address. So Olivia, get dressed, and I'll see you guys in my office." With that, she turned and left the room.

Almost an hour later, Fitz waited for Olivia to exit the restroom. He stood when she walked out and took her hand. "Let's get out of here so we can celebrate my new baby." The proud smile on his face was wide. Although the three tests Olivia had taken were positive, hearing the doctor confirm it and hearing their baby's heartbeat made it all so very real.

Olivia returned his smile and wrinkled her nose. "You mean our new baby."

"You're really having a baby, Livvie" he shook his head in awe.

She nodded. "Yes, Fitz, according to Fatima, I'm having a baby in about six months.

Fitz was so happy. Grinning, he pulled her into his arms. "I love you so much." He lifted her shirt and rubbed her bare stomach. She placed her hand over his, moved as always by the simple gesture. "Thank you."

Olivia's heart swelled and she moved her hand to his cheek. "Let's get out of here."

XXX

One week later…

The following week, the couple finally ventured out of Great Falls into the city to have dinner with Joey and Julian, at Joey's place. It was the first time they'd seen anyone since returning from their vacation. Nausea and morning sickness were still kicking Olivia's butt, so they were staying close to home. But since she was having a good day, when Joey extended the invitation, they accepted.

Olivia had had to pass on a lot of her favorite, aromatic dishes that Bert prepared, which is how the older woman found out she was pregnant. She kept getting nauseated at the idea of eating eggs Benedict, made with Canadian bacon to reduce the sodium, a food she loved and that Bert prepared for her at least twice per week. Bert's feelings had been hurt when Olivia's breakfast went untouched and she and Fitz decided they should share their good news. Neither was surprised by her reaction. She was excited about the impending addition and, along with Fitz, had began to hover over Olivia, telling her to put up her feet, and making several meals until she found something Olivia and Baby Grant could eat.

"Wow, you two look well-rested and you're both wearing golden tans. That vacation was obviously needed," Joey said as they sipped their drinks at the island in the kitchen.

Julian walked in from the patio at that moment, the distinctive aroma of grilling meat following him. "The food's almost ready. Whoa, baby sis you are positively glowing."

Olivia and Fitz looked at each other and smiled, and Olivia gave him a subtle nod, which didn't go unnoticed by Joey.

"What? What's going on? What's with all the smiles?" Joey asked.

Fitz grinned and then pointed at Olivia's stomach. "She's eating for two."

Joey squealed and jumped from her seat. "Oh my God! Oh my God! You're having a baby?! I can't believe it!"

Olivia nodded vigorously, and she answered her question.

"Yes…are you happy for me?"

"Are you kidding? My sister-bestie is having my first niece/nephew/godchild. You bet your tiny pregnant ass I'm happy! I love you, Liv," Joey said excitedly. She walked around the island and pulled Olivia into her arms while Julian and Fitz did that man hug thing. "You are going to be a great mom."

"Thank you, Jo."

"Congratulations to you both. I can tell you're excited, and I'm excited and happy for you too. I'm going to be an uncle!"

"Thank you, Julian," Fitz said.

"How are you feeling?" Joey asked, glancing up and down Olivia's body.

"Let's just say today's a good day. I've been suffering from morning, afternoon and evening sickness. But I was able to eat breakfast and lunch today, and the smell of grilled meat hasn't sent me to the bathroom, so I'm counting it as a victory."

Everyone laughed.

"Well you look fabulous, absolutely radiant!" Joey gushed. "Pregnancy certainly agrees with you."

Either that or the two orgasms Fitz gave me earlier, Olivia thought.

"When are you due?" Joey wanted to know.

"I'm due around the middle of October."

"Have you told the grandparents?" Julian asked.

Fitz pulled Olivia into his arms and protectively placed his hand over belly. "No, not yet. You two are the first to know."

"Well we're honored," Julian said. He reached out and pulled his sister to him. Leaning down, he gently kissed her forehead. "I can't believe my baby sister is having a baby. He could see the joy on her beautiful, glowing face as she looked up at him.

"I know. I can't believe it either, but it's true. We saw the baby on the ultrasound. Everything in our life is about to change.

He hugged her to him. "You're going to be a little mother," he said again in awe.

"And she's going to be the most beautiful mother in the world," Joey added.

"Now maybe Mom will leave us alone about giving her some grandbabies. Thanks little sister."

He hugged her close and they all laughed again.

"So when can I plan the baby shower? I'm so excited" Joey could hardly contain herself.

"I think it's a little too soon, Jo."

"Oh well. I guess I'll have to wait. Congratulations. I love you guys."

Olivia and Joey sat at the table on the large covered stone patio talking while Julian finished grilling the meat. Fitz insisted on helping and brought out the side dishes and beverages to the already set table. Once they finished, dinner was finally served.

"Liv you know Mom's going to be insufferable over the next few months."

Olivia chuckled. "I know. Please don't remind me."

"When do you plan to tell them?" Joey asked. "Maya and Constance are going to be so excited."

"My parents will be in town Friday for T.C.'s birthday before she leaves for Barcelona to spend the summer with my brother. They'll be joining us for Sunday dinner at the Popes, so we're going to tell them all together."

"I can't wait to see their reactions," Joey said. "They are going to be ecstatic."

"Neither can I, but honestly Jo, I'm more concerned about fitting into the dress we chose for your wedding."

Joey waved off Olivia's words. "Don't be. If it doesn't fit by the end of the month, we'll just find another one."

For the next few hours, the conversation flowed from the upcoming De Matteo-Pope nuptials, Fitz's decision to play or not to play another season, and of course, Baby Grant."

XXX

Sunday dinner…

Dinner at Chez Pope was lively as usual, and the conversation flowed easily.

Constance Grant turned to her hostess. "Maya, this prime rib is excellent."

Maya Pope nodded in agreement. "Mrs. Pitts outdid herself as usual."

Everyone agreed and the conversation continued…without Olivia. Maya observed her daughter being noticeably quiet, but chose to wait until after dinner to ask if everything was okay.

Later, after dessert and coffee were served, Olivia excused herself from the table, saying she had a surprise for their parents. As everyone tried to guess the surprise, Olivia returned to the dining room with four small white gift bags. Handing a bag to each of their parents, she finally took her seat next to Fitz again. He placed an arm over the back of her chair, leaned down and kissed her curls.

They each reached inside their bag and pulled out a fragrant, bright yellow lemon, and turned to Olivia with surprised and confused looks on their faces.

"Did you grow this yourself, baby girl?" Eli asked, laughing at his own joke.

"I am. But you're going to have to hold the lemon for now," Olivia said, answering her father's question.

"Is this your way of telling us when life gives you lemons...?" Constance's voice trailed off, still confused.

Fitz chuckled. "Would you like a hint?"

"Yes!" Constance, Eli and J.R. shouted in unison.

Olivia looked up at Fitz before she spoke. "Well right now, your gift is the size of a lemon."

Constance, Eli and J.R. still wore perplexed looks, but Dr. Maya Pope knew immediately what her daughter meant. Shaking her head, she looked at Olivia.

"Don't play with me, Olivia Carolyn. Do. Not. Play. With. Me!" she shouted.

The other three grandparents-to-be were still lost.

"Everybody, what could possibly be the size of a lemon right now that Olivia's growing?" Maya asked excitedly.

Constance's eyes grew wide. "A baby?!" she screamed.

"What!" Eli said. "Are you serious? You're having a baby?" He stood from his chair and rounded the table. "My baby's having a baby?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! I'm going to be a grandfather!" J.R. shouted excitedly.

Maya stood as well and reached for her daughter. Olivia stood and went into her mother's arms. Maya hugged her baby tight before finally pulling away from the hug and taking Olivia's hands in hers.

"Olivia, baby, are you having our grandbaby? We're going to be grandparents?" Maya asked.

Olivia nodded as tears flowed freely from her eyes. Fitz stood next to his fiancée and reached into the pocket of his jacket, removing the copies of the ultrasound photo they'd received from Dr. Goodrich. He handed a copy to each of the grandparents which only made Maya cry harder.

"Yes Maya, we're having a baby in about six and a half months," Fitz confirmed.

Eli looked at the grainy picture and then pulled his daughter into a hug. He was soon joined by his wife. No words were needed as the three of them stood wrapped in each other's arms.

Fitz walked to the other side of the table where his father was consoling his mother. "Congratulations son, I can't wait to spoil my grandchild. What about you, honey?"

"Are you kidding? I'm excited beyond words. Fitzgerald and Olivia have made me very happy."

"Thanks Mom, Dad."

Constance hugged her son before walking over to Olivia and pulling her into her arms. "Thank you, Olivia. Thank you."

"Fitz, Maya and I love you like one of our children. I know that you will be a great father and Olivia will be a great mother. That is, when you get a chance to keep the baby." Everyone in the room laughed while also nodding their heads. Baby Grant was already loved.

"Thank you, Eli. I love you guys like my parents. I couldn't ask for better in-laws." Fitz hugged them both before reaching for Olivia. He wiped her tears and then kissed her softly on the lips.

Julian and Joey sat quietly, observing the celebration going on around them. Neither of them mentioned that they already knew that Olivia was pregnant, and no one else noticed that they hadn't congratulated the happy couple. Finally, Eli brought out a magnum of champagne, and sparkling cider for Olivia, for a celebratory toast to the impending arrival of Baby Grant.

The rest of the evening was spent answering most of the questions the grandparents-to-be asked, and they had many. Maya Pope was so beyond excited, she didn't ask one question about Olivia's and Fitz's wedding, and for that, Olivia was grateful.

XXX

Olivia was roused from her musings by her son's little voice.

"And Daddy said, he ofen, fro the ball!"

"That's he's o-pen, throw the ball, bud. Okay?"

"Uh-huh," he said nodding his head.

Taking his face in both her hands and she kissed his forehead.

"What else did daddy feed you today?"

"Hey bud, don't answer that," Fitz said placing a finger over his lips. "We can't tell mommy all our secrets."

Cruz giggled at his father and placed a finger over his own little lips.

Fitz grinned sheepishly at his wife of three years as he walked farther into the kitchen toward her and their son. Reaching out, he cupped her chin and leaned down, placing a hot, possessive kiss on her lips, and curling her toes.

"Hello, wife," he murmured against her lips.

"Hello, husband," she chuckled and he broke the kiss. "Are you going to tell me why you've been feeding our children junk food?" she asked as Cruz wiggled from her lap and ran away, with Seven on his heels, to the children's play area off the kitchen.

She gave him that look. The one that always meant he was in trouble. But this time she let it go and instead smiled at their daughter, eighteen-month-old Immanuelle Carolyn Grant, or Elle-Carolyn, as she was called, who was in her father's arms. The baby stared at her mother through the pink, soft and flexible wraparound eyeglasses she wore to help strengthen the vision in one of her eyes. Like her big brother, the little girl was her mother's twin, and with the same silver gray eyes, and blonde and brown streaked curly hair. Again, Fitz had been completely erased from the equation. Father and daughter also wore Stanford tees and jeans. The baby's face was covered in an orange substance, and milk from the sippy cup she held had stained the front of her shirt.

"What have you been feeding our children, Grant?" she asked again, reaching for her daughter. The toddler wrapped her arms around her daddy's neck, and Olivia shrugged, not in the least bit bothered. Like her mother, Elle-Carolyn Grant was a daddy's girl through and through. She preferred her father until she was sleepy and wanted to nurse then all she wanted was her mommy.

"Aww come on, Livvie, it's football Saturday. We're tailgating, we're supposed to eat tailgate food. I ordered a few things and the kids and I had a party while we cheered on the Cardinal."

Olivia pursed her lips. "A few things like what?"

"Pizza, wings and French fries, loaded nachos, and warm baked cookies for dessert," he gave her that lopsided grin and tried to kiss her but Elle-Carolyn reached for her daddy and puckered her little lips for her own kiss.

"I can't believe you put all that stuff in your body and still look the way you do," she said, shaking her head at him and her jealous baby.

It was true. Fitz still worked out, lifted weights, ate healthy food, most days, and running behind two toddlers also helped. He had even gained a little weight, but because he was always in such good shape he just looked bulkier. He was still her sexy quarterback, fans still loved him and the major brands continued signing him to endorsement deals, with print ads and commercials.

Retirement hadn't been an easy transition for Fitz at first, even with a wife and a new baby at home. He went into a funk after announcing to the world that he was ready to call it quits. Olivia could relate because she'd also gone through the same thing. She was lost without her career. So she gave him the space he needed to figure it all out, and when he was ready to talk about it, he would.

It took a month before Fitz was finally ready to talk to his wife about what was going on with him. He explained that he'd spent so much of his life focused on football and being the best, who would he be if he wasn't a quarterback? He always thought he'd be lost if he couldn't play. But then Olivia had come into his life and he knew that he could exist without football. He retired because he didn't want to take any more risks with his life, and because he now had a family to consider. Olivia and Cruz were the reason he was able to walk away, and he would stop looking back.

Fitz had also kept his promise and stepped up to care for their son so that Olivia could resume her career. She was currently a legal analyst for MSNBC, which she loved because she was able to tape segments from her home office, and a Howard University Law School Adjunct Professor and Supervising Attorney in the law school's Civil Rights Clinic.

The clinic trained students in all aspects of appellate advocacy and litigates significant civil rights appeals in state and federal courts. After seven years, day after day in courtrooms, prosecuting mostly drug cases with trial team AUSA, and sending young Black men to prison, she had to do something different. But now she knew she needed to go through all that to take the next step and pivot to Civil Rights. She also knew that what she was doing may not change a lot of hearts and minds, but she wouldn't give up easily.

"Livvie, I suggested chicken tenders with broccoli bites, but Cruz said he didn't wike it."

Olivia chuckled. "Since when has he not liked chicken tenders, or broccoli bites? He's been going through a phase of wanting nothing else for dinner every day."

"Maybe that's why he doesn't wike it anymore," Fitz said laughing.

"Mama!" The baby yelled, surprising both her parents and reaching out for her mother. Olivia pulled her girl into her arms. She kissed her daughter's forehead before sitting her on her lap and reaching for the wipes again, wiping the orange substance from her face. When she finished, she straightened one of Elle-Carolyn's curly puffs.

"Daddy did a great job on your hair, sweet pea."

Fitz grinned. He usually just added products to his daughter's hair to enhance her curls, and then finished with a hair band. Today he'd taken the time to part her hair down the middle and secured ponytail holders on each puff. It wasn't perfect, but he was learning. "I'm getting better. She actually sat still long enough so I could finish."

"You did good, babe."

"Thank you," Fitz said, taking a seat next to his wife and daughter. They had a clear view of their son playing with his Smart Wheels racetrack. He leaned over and tried to kiss his wife again, and again, Elle-Carolyn Grant wasn't having it. She placed her little hands on Fitz's face and turned his head toward her to give him a kiss. Olivia rolled her eyes and chuckled. Their baby girl loved her daddy. She loved her mother too, but when Fitz was around, it was all dada, dada, dada! Fitz placed kisses all over her now clean little face, causing her to giggle, before he was finally able to kiss his wife.

"So how was the spa? You're absolutely glowing by the way," Fitz said as he put an arm around her shoulder.

Olivia shrugged. "The glow is from happiness, and the spa was great! Mom, Joey, Aunt Z and I had a ball. The only person missing was Constance."

"I got a chance to FaceTime with her and T.C. earlier. They were going to meet Ty's parents for lunch."

Three years. T.C. and Ty were still going strong. He was the starting quarterback for the Arizona team now, and T.C. had recently finished grad school. The elder Grants had traveled to L.A. with their daughter for Sunday's matchup between the NFC L.A. team and Arizona.

"Of course she had to see her grandbabies, and T.C. had to talk to her girl. Elle just squealed at screen over and over."

Olivia chuckled. Their children were adored, and spoiled, by both sets of grandparents, and their T.

"After lunch, Joey and I did a little shopping for the kids."

Fitz laughed. "You hear that, Elle? You and your sister-cousin are going to have just as many clothes as your mothers."

Sofia Grace Pope was the daughter of Julian and Joey Pope, and she was all Julian. She had Joey's wild hair, eyes and strong personality, but she looked like her father, aunt and cousins. She was a month younger than Elle-Carolyn, and their mothers loved dressing them alike. When people saw them together, they assumed the little girls were twins. Those two were going to be besties, just like their mothers, whether they wanted to be or not.

Olivia laughed along with her husband because it was true. She loved shopping for their children.

Elle-Carolyn climbed down from her mother's lap and her parents watched as she toddled over to the play area with her brother, and Seven.

"I saw Lars Nilsson jogging with the twins on my way home."

"Yeah, we talked earlier. He invited us all to the Caps game next Saturday."

Olivia grimaced. They'd taken the kids to the Football Team's home opener a month ago. Cruz loved being with his father and his godfather near the field, but Elle-Carolyn couldn't be bothered with any of it. Olivia had spent most of the game on the concourse running behind their toddler until she finally fell asleep.

"That was nice of him. I'll check with Jo and J to see if they're available to babysit. We both know Elle's not ready for another crowded, busy, loud event. And, she can't sit for fifteen or even thirty minutes, much less two or three hours."

"And she shouldn't be expected to," Fitz said defending his baby.

"Simmer down there, Papa Bear." Olivia stifled a laugh. It was cute that he felt the need to defend his daughter. Well, it was cute now. But once their strong-willed daughter got older, they were going to need a lot of patience.

"It's not funny; it's my job to protect and defend her, well both of them." He couldn't help the smile spreading across his handsome face.

"I love seeing this sexy smile, babe." Olivia ran a finger across his bottom lip. She knew he was protective of his children.

"Did you pick up India's gift?" he asked, changing the subject.

Olivia nodded. "I did. It's the large, wrapped box in my truck. Will you get the other bags for me, please?"

"Of course." He kissed her briefly. "I still can't believe Dre and Jada are hosting a birthday party on a Sunday during the season."

"I don't think it was Dre's decision, babe. But you know he'll have the games playing on multiple televisions."

Fitz still liked to watch football and attended an occasional game, but his priorities were now his family first, his new business venture and then maybe a little football. He loved being retired, and being able to do things with his wife and kids. He'd formed a venture capital limited partnership, and their mission was to assist athletes who wanted to expand their portfolios. They represented several athletes who trusted Fitz because he wasn't in it for the money. He just wanted to look out for others who hadn't been as fortunate as him, and so far they'd been very successful.

Fitz went into the office three days a week and spent the rest of his time home with his daughter. He read to her, they played educational games on his tablet and of course his favorite, tea parties. He loved it! It was all Daddy and Elle-Carolyn time before they had to pick up Cruz from pre-school. He was also an "assistant coach" and the loudest cheerleader, along with his wife, for his son's soccer and biddy baseball teams. Fitz was adamant about his son not playing football, and Olivia agreed.

"Oh I know he will, but I'm going to be too busy chasing Elle."

Olivia chuckled. "You know your daughter very well. There will be too much going on for her to sit still."

"Don't I know it."

"No!" Their son's scream was followed by their daughter's high-pitched screech. "Stop it, Elle!"

Fitz and Olivia quickly stood to their feet and rushed over to their children and the barking dog. Elle-Carolyn had collapsed to the floor in a tired, cranky, tantrum heap, while her brother stood over her clutching the toy car she'd tried to take from him.

Olivia lifted her hysterically crying baby into her arms, and Elle-Carolyn laid her head on her mother's shoulder. It was then she realized that her baby probably hadn't had a nap today. She was tired and irritable.

"Fitz did they nap today?"

"We were too busy tailgating, Livvie," he responded, looking contrite while holding their tired and sleepy son.

Unlike her brother, who had excellent sleep habits, Elle-Carolyn needed consistent nap times. Without that structure, she tended to fall apart. Like now.

Olivia narrowed her eyes at her husband, allowing her irritation to show. "So no, they didn't nap."

Fitz shrugged, unable to keep that grin from spreading across his face.

"You're lucky you're so handsome, and I love you."

"I know Livvie," he said wrapping his arm tight around her, their almost sleeping children in their arms, and looking into her beautiful doe eyes. "I was a lucky man the day you agreed to marry me. If it were possible, I'd marry you all over again." He kissed her lips softly.

Olivia's heart melted but she couldn't help herself. "Once was enough, Grant."

Fitz threw back his head and laughed, and Olivia shushed him. "You're going to wake the kids."

"Well I would in a heartbeat, Olivia Grant."

She nodded. "I know. And so would I."

Taking her hand in his, he led her to the stairs in the kitchen so they could go up and lay their children down for their late afternoon naps, and maybe get in a quickie.

XXX

Three years and four months ago…

After the happy couple revealed their news to their parents, the next few weeks were spent preparing for the De Matteo-Pope wedding, and Olivia finalizing plans for Joey's bridal shower. They also made a big decision that would affect their family's future. Fitz had decided to return to the Team. Well, they'd made the decision together since it wasn't solely his to make and he wanted to be fair and objective. They'd discussed his return at length with her understanding that there was a possibility that he could be away when she gave birth. She would also be doing most of the parenting during the season.

Olivia was well aware of the pros and cons, but she also wanted Fitz to defend his title without wondering what if. He confided to her that he wanted their baby to see its father play although he knew he or she wouldn't remember it.

"Is this what being married to you is going to be like? Stress-inducing?"

Fitz chuckled. "But I promise you the absolute best stress relief," he said seductively.

Fitz had indeed reduced her stress level by sending his wife-to-be on a three day getaway to the city where she was treated to a weekend of blissful pampering at a spa, and all she did was sleep and eat. After the last few weeks of her life, she was exhausted and needed a time out. Not to mention the incessant lovemaking. Fitz had made love to Olivia, albeit gently, more times than he thought was healthy but his fiancée's hormones were kicking into overdrive and Fatima assured them sex wouldn't harm her or the baby. He was leery of her being too far away because of her pregnancy and for once she agreed with his over protectiveness. D.C. was as far she could go without him. He'd joined her for dinner on her final night.

"You're not slick, Fitzgerald Grant."

"What?" he asked with that grin.

"You couldn't wait for me to get home to get at me."

"Actually, I'm trying to get in you, Livvie, not at you."

Olivia quickly looked around the restaurant, hoping no one heard him. "Must you be so nasty?" she asked but grinned back at him. "Despite that fact, I still think I'll keep you Mr. Grant.

"Thought so."

"So what about that stress relief you promised," she whispered.

He'd fulfilled his promise, as always, and relieved her stress later in her hotel suite where he'd also reminded her of how much he loved and cherished her, and their baby.

Two days later, she joined him in Ashburn, where he'd signed a three year contract worth one hundred fifty million with ninety-five million of it guaranteed. They were financially set for life.

XXX

Fitz's next order of business was marrying Olivia before the start of training camp. Although they'd agreed not to make any plans until after Joey and Julian's wedding, they only had a month and a half to plan and execute their big day, but Olivia wasn't really feeling it.

"Fitz the thought of planning a wedding while I'm pregnant isn't appealing to me at all. Plus who plans a wedding in a month?" she asked one evening as she lay on his chest.

"Livvie I've told you, I have a team that can make anything happen, including planning a wedding in a very short amount of time. You don't have to do anything but show up in a beautiful dress. Can you do that?"

Olivia sighed. Fitz knew she really wanted to be married before the baby came, and he was going to make it happen.

"Okay." She really was perfectly content to spend her time just loving Fitz while he planned their wedding, and she prepared for their baby.

"Good," he said kissing her forehead. "Let's look at the calendar and choose a date and you leave the rest to me."

XXX

Say 'Yes' to the dress…

Olivia thought dress shopping for her own dress would be easy, but she hadn't factored in her ever changing body. It annoyed her that she was gaining weight quickly, and had no control of her emotions, while Fitz was still as handsome, in shape and calm as ever.

She knew she had to be hormonally imbalanced when she invited her mother join her in shopping for a wedding dress, along with Joey. Her bestie tried to keep the peace because Olivia's emotions were all over the place and she was cranky, irritated and over it after three days of nothing. But to her and Joey's surprise, Maya Pope was encouraging.

"You'll find what you're looking for, Olivia Carolyn."

And she had. "She'd finally found the perfect dress while shopping with her mother. Olivia knew it was the one when she walked out of the fitting room and the usually stoic and opinionated Maya Pope could only nod and wipe her tears. It was a strapless, silk faille Amsale ball gown with a hand beaded crystal and pearl hand-folded neckline. Most importantly, the fit of the gown camouflaged her baby bump perfectly...for now. It wasn't the dress she'd imagined whenever she did think about getting married, but it was everything she'd hoped for, and she loved it.

Maya stood and walked over to her daughter. "My baby," she said. "You are beautiful, Olivia Carolyn," she said tears rolling down her cheeks.

Olivia took her mother's hands in hers and smiled. "Come on, Mom, no tears. What are you going to do on my wedding day?" she said laughing softly, trying to keep from crying herself.

"Olivia Carolyn, I am so extremely proud of the woman you've become. I know we've had our issues in the past but I am so grateful that you allowed me to be here to share this moment with you today. I love you, baby."

Their relationship had evolved. They'd been through a lot and had still managed to not kill each other. It was as if an invisible wall came down after Olivia began dating Fitz. Maya Pope was more like the mother she'd always wished for: funny, engaging and less intense. She actually enjoyed spending time with her now, and looked forward to their new dynamic once Baby Grant arrived.

"I love you too, Mommy," Olivia said sounding like a little girl again, sobbing.

Reaching for a tissue from one of the many boxes scattered around the room, Maya wiped her daughter's tears. "Oh baby, don't cry. This is a happy occasion because you finally found your dress. This is your dress, right?"

Olivia chuckled and nodded her head. "Yes, Mom, this is the dress."

TBC