Epiphany

by NoLove10

Epiphany: They say it's the little moments in life, the ones you can point at and have absolute clarity of what was missing. Fitzgerald Grant knew all about epiphanies but the last thing he expected when he walked into Mike's Pub was to fall in love.

5. Chapter 5

Olivia woke up early Saturday morning on The Fourth of July feeling particularly chipper. With a smile on her face, she got out of bed and started her morning routines. With a full day ahead of her, she knew that she wouldn't have time to attend her regular morning pilates class so as she brushed her teeth, she did lunges all over her apartment in order to keep herself flexible and healthy.

By eight o'clock, she was running out of her apartment with her cup of veggie shake in hand, flagging a yellow cab to go meet Abby for breakfast at Le Petit Dejeuner, a french breakfast bistro across Central Park. She figured since she was leaving for the Hampton to her parent's cottage without her this year, the least they could is keep up with tradition. And every year, before they made the drive to her parent's they spent the better half of their morning until noon treating themselves. Breakfast was always a must.

When the taxi driver dropped her in front of the little restaurant, Olivia made sure to be generous with her tip, knowing how crazy it was going to get as soon as the city really wakes up. And if her tip could relieve this old man of his duties early to go home and celebrate with his family, then she could say that she had done one good thing for today.

As soon as Olivia entered through the double doors of the restaurant, her eyes landed on her little redhead friend. It was easy to spot her considering she was the only patron blunt enough take away the chef from his dues by distracting him with her flirtatious nature at eight o'clock in the morning.

Shaking her head, Olivia marched towards their table and politely interrupted. "Bonjour."

Turning his head, a huge smile graced their chef's face, his bright emerald green eyes shining with absolute joy and his dimples piercing, making him easily one of the most handsome man to ever walk the face of the earth with his light brown hair. James Novak Beene was the proud owner of Le Petit Dejeuner with his partner Cyrus Beene and together they've been running this very successful business for over twelve years and time has only brought them more fortune. And both her and Abby have been proud customers for at least six years.

But even though Abby knew that the man was as queer as a nine bob, that didn't stop her from shamelessly flirting with the man every time they saw each other.

"Olivia mon amour, ma cherie!" James greeted, absentmindedly throwing her arms around Olivia and planting sweet kisses on her cheeks. "Ça fait beaucoup trop longtemps que je ne t'ai pas vu. Comment ca se fait?"

Abby sat in her chair, totally forgotten by the two as they indulged in their own foreign conversation. "Bitch." She mouthed at Olivia.

James twirled Olivia like the pretty little thing that she is as he continued to gush over her. "Je suis jaloux." He admitted.

Olivia chuckled. "Mais, pourquoi?"

"Je suis jaloux de la beauté que tu obtiens à chaque fois que je te vois."

Blushing at his compliment, Olivia fanned herself. He was a sweet talker and it didn't hurt that he was really pretty also. And though she would never admit it, she relished in the fact that she could show off a little and keep up a conversation in French with him. Albeit short, it was always a thrill to speak to James. Even if James were straight, he still wouldn't be her type but she could appreciate a good looking man. And it surely didn't hurt because he really could make a girl feel special.

"Oh s'il te plait. Arrête." Olivia continued to blush. "I'm just trying to keep up with you. How's Cy?"

James sighed, rolling his eyes at the mention of his husband's name. "Vieux et grincheux."

That much Abby understood. "I'm telling the Beene flicking man." She chipped in, causing both Olivia and James to burst in a raucous of laughter.

They played catch up for a few more minutes before James pulled Olivia's chair for her. "Assieds-toi." He waited until Olivia did as she was told before planting a kiss on her cheek. Upon getting a serious pout from Abby, he shook his head, knowing that she was waiting to be dotted on also.

So he obliged and kissed the redhead's cheek too before making a polite exit to get them started on their breakfast.

Olivia couldn't help smiling. He was a very sweet man. And she was seriously starting to question why she stopped coming to his restaurant as often as she and Abby used to.

"I really want pigs to fly." Abby said randomly.

Olivia raised her eyebrows. "Okay." She snorted. "I've heard weirder shit come out of your mouth. But why exactly would you want pigs to start flying all of the sudden?"

"I don't know!" Abby replied exasperatedly. "Maybe then I can finally get my hands on this man's buns. I've been trying for six years."

"You do know he's gay right? And married also?"

"So what?" Abby shrugged. "I don't mind sharing with Cyrus."

Olivia shook her head, visibly shuddering. "You're shameless."

"Don't I know it." Abby wiggled her eyebrows.

Minutes later, a speeding rack was being wheeled to their tables and the delicious odor of French dishes filled the air and registered to their nose. Instantly, Olivia's stomach started growling. She hadn't realized how much she missed James's dishes until this very minute.

"This is too much." Olivia gasped.

James dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "Nonsense." He said, his French accent still very thick. "I take care of my girls."

But Abby ever the shameless redhead that she is simply rubbed her palms together as a grin graced her cheeks. "My body's ready James."

"Of course." James teased. "You girls holler if you need anything else."

Seeing as though it was beginning to fill up very quickly as people started to show up, starved for a good breakfast, both Olivia and Abby urged him to go attend to business. But he wouldn't let up until they promised to call him if they needed anything more.

But looking at the many wonderful plates in front of them, they were pretty sure there would be no need to inconvenience him. Still, they humored him and promised.

So as they dig into their breakfast, heavenly moans of delight escaped their lips and the two best friends took that time to simply catch up on and bring each other up-to-date on everything else.

"Has Edison called since what shall not be named?" Abby asked out of curiosity.

Olivia shook her head. Refusing to let Edison come between this glorious breakfast they were having, she settled for taking a healthy swig of her bloody orange mimosa. She indulged more than she should at barely nine o'clock in the morning, but she figured it was five in the afternoon somewhere around the world. So it was whatever.

"I haven't seen him or talked to him. And I'd like to keep it that way." She replied.

"Good." Abby nodded. "I was just checking."

"Everything's good in that area." Olivia promised. "How's Deborah?"

Abby groaned. This time it was her turn to take a swig of courage liquor. "She's been in town for barely two days and I wanna pull my hair, Olivia."

"You have no hair." Olivia reminded her, snickering when the redhead threw a strawberry at her.

"You and Deborah both suck the life out of me." Abby huffed.

"But you love us anyways." Olivia smiled.

"Yeah. Okay." Abby nodded. "You just keep telling that to yourself."

"Of course I will. Cause it's true." Olivia beamed. "What else is new?"

"Oh!" Abby exclaimed excitedly. "I finally got a new hire at the parlor. By the end of Friday nights, it's not gonna feel like somebody chopped off my fingers anymore."

"It's about damn time. That definitely calls for a celebration." Olivia grabbed her glass of mimosa on cue with Abby and they both click their glasses together in cheers before taking a sip. "So who is it?"

"It's a girl." Abby said. "Fresh out of NYU and she's crazy talented. Her name's Quinn. She starts on Monday and I think I'm gonna like her." The redhead continued. "She's kind of a bitch. Just like me. But I've seen the work she's done and I'm telling you, she's a little mini me."

Olivia chuckled. "Look at you go. Sounds like you found your match. At last."

"Are you jealous?" Abby teased. "Don't be jealous. You know you're always gonna be my main hoe."

Rolling her eyes, Olivia popped a grape in her mouth. "Whatever." She mumbled as she chewed.

Before she knew it, Abby was getting out of her chair to come annoy her in hers. She started by trying to pamper her face with kisses which Olivia tried to dodge at every attempt.

"Olivia Carolyn Pope! You better let me kiss you or I will make a scene."

"Okay. Damn!" Olivia exclaimed. "Why you gotta use my government name like that though?"

"Cause you're my day one ride or die bitch. And I love you!"Abby replied, planting a loud smacking kiss on Olivia's cheek before taking her seat again.

"You're odd." Olivia said. "Truly, truly odd. But anyways, I think me, you and the new girl should do a girl's night out soon so I can meet her and feel her out."

"Sounds good." Abby agreed. "Maybe end of the next week. I've got a full sheet after the holiday."

"Whatever works best for you." Olivia complied.

Huffing, they realized that they'd managed to clear off most of everything and they were both too full to function. But time was only moving faster and they had other stuff to do together.

"Should we get out of here?" Abby asked.

"Yeah." Olivia nodded. "And no matter what James says, we're paying for this breakfast."

"And yet you say I'm odd?" Abby scoffed. "If he wants to give us free food, why can't we just accept it?"

"Because it's not fair." Olivia argued.

The redhead had never heard anything more ludicrous. Why was accepting a free, healthy breakfast unfair?

"Why?" Abby asked.

"Because he fucking has employees he needs to pay. And yeah, we're his friends and he's always going to insist on our tab being on the house but at the end of the day, it doesn't change the fact that this is a damn business and people depend on him for their paycheck." Olivia explained. "Plus we're respectable women. You own a booming tattoo parlor and though I'm currently on a very long vacation, I'm very spoiled and rich. We can afford it, so we're paying the damn tab."

"Fine." Abby agreed. But she still couldn't resist. "Bitch."

...

The two split the bill and as expected, James fought them on it until eventually, Olivia made him see reason. It was the same dance every time so it was to be expected and every time, it warmed Olivia's heart to see how humble he truly was.

"Give our love to Cyrus okay?" Olivia said as she hugged him.

"You tell that husband of yours that I will gladly have my way with you if he ever gets tired of you."

James chuckled. "Oui, Oui, Abigail."

"I will hold you to that." Abby noted.

James turned to Olivia again and rubbed her arms as he hugged her. He was truly fond of Olivia. He loved everything about her. From her inward and outward beauty to her sophisticated sense of fashion and finally, her personality. And seeing her always brought a smile to his face.

"Don't be so long next time, yeah?" He asked. "Tu me manques beaucoup."

"We'll be sure to visit again soon." Olivia promised. "Hopefully you'll take a break from trying to be richer than everyone else in Manhattan and we can all have dinner."

"That'll be nice."

The trio shared final hugs at their departure after agreeing to their plans to get together soon. And before late, Abby and Olivia were in the streets, joining the hustle bustle of New York City, both enjoying the feeling of patriotism that The Fourth of July ignited.

...

They made it to Vanity Spa & Salon just in time for their appointment. Upon their arrival, they were treated with the utmost care. They were offered a room where the two best friends enjoyed the pampering of an hour long massage and avocado facials. Followed by that amazing treatment, they spent some time in the sauna, getting rid of all the toxins in their pores while keeping hydrated with refreshing, nourishing fruit and herb infused water. A long relaxing shower later, they both dressed before they headed to get started on their hair.

Time seemed to have float by as Olivia sat in her chair, enjoying the feel of fingers massaging through scalp as her hairdresser thoroughly washed through her hair. Between that and the very soft, quiet classical music playing in the overhead speakers, Olivia was nearly asleep.

This is as close to heaven as it gets. She thought to herself before letting herself drift briefly.

Next, they moved to the beauty salon where they spent the following hour getting their eyebrows done and nails expertly manicured. Nothing had ever felt more heavenly.

"The only thing we're not doing today is new tattoos." Olivia chuckled zen-fully as she looked at Abby next to her.

The redhead had an equally blissful look on her face and it made Olivia that much happier to see her relaxing. They'd planned this girl day for quite some time and she was glad that they got to spend this time together. If there was anybody that deserved all this pampering, Olivia knew it was Abby. Being the owner of a tattoo parlor may not seem all that stressful, but it was. She worked tirelessly to come up with her own designs. She was always fully booked and her tattoos took anywhere between two to five hours and that was just on a slow day and that was no small task. It's a lot of time to be holding a tattoo gun to someone's body, not to mention the concentration and patience that it required. So Olivia was really happy that they got to do this together.

"I got you if you need to get tattooed." Abby said.

It's been awhile since Olivia's been inspired to put more ink on her skin. But she knew that she definitely wanted new ink. Perhaps she'll be inspired sooner or later.

"Maybe soon." Olivia replied.

"Thanks for this." Abby said gratefully. "I really needed this."

"Day one right?"

The redhead smirked. "Day one riding hoes for life."

888

After a much needed run, Fitz busted through his loft breathlessly heaving for air. His lungs felt like they'd been set on fire and every muscle in his body ached but he had never felt better in his life. Having gotten the quick ten miles in was a daily achievement for him and he felt good about himself knowing that he was doing everything possible to keep himself healthy.

He allowed himself to cool down while draining a bottle of purified water. Finally feeling like a functioning human being again after a couple minutes, he made his way to his bedroom and started stripping out of his sweaty running gears, in desperate need of a shower to feel clean and refreshed. Fifteen minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom with a fluffy white towel wrapped around his bottom half. Droplets of water glistened his soft skin and hit the floor as he made his way back to his kitchen.

Not having to worry about being efficient and flexible, he took his time, enjoying preparing himself some breakfast. With all the festivities going on today, Fitz figured that nobody really wanted to bother with the stress of exercise because who wants to worry about counting calories and weight when burgers and corn and sausages is all that they will be smelling? Fitz wasn't even mad when some of his clients started canceling on their booked sessions with him and the other trainers. Besides it worked great in his favor so he opted not to open the gym at all today and gave his whole staff the long weekend off considering he was going to be out of town soon. Smiling to himself, he couldn't help the excitement he felt as he rummaged through his fridge to find something quick and easy to cook up for breakfast.

Deciding to pass on his usual dose of caffeine, he thought better to make himself a peanut butter protein shake to polish off with his smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel.

Still with much time ahead of him before he went to pick Olivia up for their trip, he decided to he was going to try and squeeze in a nap before hitting the road with her.

Just as he had been thinking about her, his phone started vibrating on the granite counter with her nickname flashing on the screen. "Speak of the devil." He mumbled before picking up the call.

"What?"

"Hey, be nice." Olivia chastised.

"In case you missed it, I was impersonating you." Fitz said.

"I don't answer the phone like that." Olivia replied defensively.

"Oh really?" Fitz teased. "Last week I called you, excited as hell granted that it was after midnight and you were like, 'What Fitzgerald?! There better be a damn good reason why you're calling me at this ungodly hour of the night.'" Then he continued. "The next morning I call to see if you want to do breakfast with me and this was you again," He put a pitch to his voice to perfectionate his imitation of her. "'What? Go away! I'm still sleepy. You kept me on the phone until three o'clock in the morning'."

"Okay fine!" Olivia laughed. "Point taken. What are you doing?"

"Breakfast." Fitz replied. "Missing you."

"You saw me three days ago." Olivia reasoned.

"Still too long without my fireball." Fitz said.

"Aww." Olivia cooed. "I suppose I miss you too. I'm excited about today. I'm just on my way home to grab a quick change of clothes and pack."

"Wait. Where are you?" Fitz asked.

"In a cab." Olivia replied. "I just got done with girl's day with Abby. Since she can't make it today, I figured we could spend the morning together before I was all yours."

"I like the sound of that." Fitz told her shamelessly.

"Of course you do." Olivia teased. "Pick me up in one hour?"

"Yes ma'am." Fitz replied.

"Alright. See you in one hour handsome."

Hanging up, Fitz put an alarm for a half hour nap before he made his way to his bedroom.

...

Half hour later...

Fitz woke up to the annoying beeping sound of his cell phone alarm. Though annoyed, he couldn't help the rejuvenating feeling that coursed through him as he stretched his body. Shutting off the alarm, he pushed the covers off him knowing that he had exactly half an hour left to go pick up the most beautiful girl in the world for a fun road trip to the Hampton.

That thought alone was motivation enough to get him up and out of bed.

Butt naked as the day he was brought into the world, he walked to his adjoined bathroom and looked at his disheveled bed hair in the mirror. He ran his fingers through the curls, trying to tame them down only to have them rise up again rebelliously. "Stupid hair." He huffed.

Five minutes later, he emerged out of the bathroom with minty fresh breath and perfectly combed hair. He made a beeline straight to his closet and started to pick out his clothes while keeping in mind the beautiful summer day outside. In less than fifteen minutes, he was casually dressed and ready to go. Fastening his duffel bag over his shoulder, he patted his pockets to make sure he had all his necessities. Wallet, check. Cell phone, check. Keys, no check. He spent another two minutes in the room frustrated to no end looking for the stupid keys before he remembered that they were in the foyer in the living room.

Lights off, place neat and organized, he gave a quiet nod of approval to nobody or nothing in particular before he grabbed his keys and set the security alarm system. And finally, he was on his way out.

A smile graced his handsome features at the roaring sound of his engine when he fastened the keys in the ignition. Seat belt on, he turned on the radio to the perfect song and put the car on reverse.

...

...

...

"I'm downstairs." Fitz said when Olivia answered the phone.

"What?!" Olivia exclaimed, sounding frantic over something that Fitz couldn't even begin to guess about. "It's time already?"

"It's time already." Fitz confirmed. "Should I kill the engine and come up? Do you need more time?"

He heard something fall in the background followed by, "Je-shit. Damnit!"

He chuckled. "Liv?"

No answer.

"Do you need more time?" Fitz asked.

"No. I'm literally locking the door right now." Olivia lied, if only to buy herself five more minutes.

Fitz sighed. Catching her in a lie that he found way too amusing. "Fireball?"

"Yes, Ace?" Olivia responded, a smile in her voice. She really loved it when he called her fireball.

"I can hear the water in the sink running, baby." Fitz said. "Take your time. I'll be downstairs waiting."

"Five more minutes. I promise."

"Yeah, yeah." Fitz replied.

"You're the best."

"I know." Fitz said before hanging up.

Sighing, he let the phone rest between his legs and killed the engine. "Women." He mumbled.

...

After what seemed to have been an eternity, Fitz spotted her out of his rear-view mirror coming out of her building. Duffel bag over her shoulder, he watched as she looked for his car momentarily. And when she spotted it, he watched as a huge smile crossed her face. Exiting the angry bird app on his phone, he got out of the truck to greet her halfway.

"Eighty four years later." Fitz teased.

Being up close to her, he couldn't help but see the change in her. The beautiful glow to her skin was apparent to him and he swore that she got even more beautiful every time he sees her.

And she was probably the only girl to him that could make casual look sexy. In American eagle high-waisted denim shorts paired with a Venus Red American flag loose tank top and bluefish linen sperrys' she was easily the most beautiful woman in the entire world. He could barely tell that she was wearing any makeup, save for a few coats of mascara, a swap of eyeliner and and cherry red sun kissed lips. Her silky, dark hair fell in a curtain of straight waves on her shoulders.

Tearing his gaze from her, Fitz put himself to work to keep occupied by grabbing her Nike duffel bag from her and throwing it next to his in the back of the truck.

"Jesus Christ, you packed potatoes in that bag? We're literally leaving for three days."

Luggage free, Olivia flashed him a smile and shook her head. "A girl needs what a girl needs. Now stop exaggerating and give me hug." Wide arms open, she beckoned Fitz to close the short distance between them and he gladly obliged, walking into them and hugging her to his chest as he placed a kiss to her temple. He couldn't help from thrusting his fingers in the thick silky texture of her and inhaling the intoxicating smell of her Dior perfume while she was still in his arms.

She's hot and she smells good. Damn God, let me live!

Pulling apart a few seconds later, they both matched each other's smiles.

"Look at you being all patriotic." Fitz teased, tugging on her loose tank top.

Olivia bit the inside of her mouth to keep from smiling and splitting her face in half. With a shrug, she thought better to play the nonchalant card. "Viva America, right?"

"Viva America, indeed." Fitz agreed. "The eighty four years wait is almost worth it." He teased further. "You look good. And I like your haircut."

Wide eyes, Olivia looked into the sea blue of his eyes. "You noticed." She said, almost as if she couldn't believe it.

And she didn't because she didn't expect him to notice every little detail about her. All she did was trim her split ends so the fact that he saw a difference at all made his compliment that much more thrilling yet surprising to her.

"Of course I noticed." Fitz grinned.

I notice everything about you- He wanted to add, but he thought better not to cross that bridge and make things awkward between them. They had a three hour car ride ahead of them. The last thing he wanted was to have some weird tension going on. This trip is supposed to be fun and he'd be damned if he did anything stupid to ruin it.

"Well thank you." Olivia smiled. "And you don't look so bad yourself."

Not so bad my ass. Olivia thought. His ass is fine as hell.

In tan khaki shorts laced with a dark-brown, woven leather belt, his long legs were in perfect view and the muscles of his shapely calves flexed under his weight. To match his casual look, he wore a round neck olive green t-shirt that clung to his broad shoulders and muscular chest. His tan double bottom fleece moccasins completed his outfit.

He looked delicious.

It was both unnerving and arousing to look at him. It should be illegal for someone to look that yummy. That hot. That distracting. And it bothered the living shit out of Olivia because it was literally taking all the self-control she had not to fan herself.

And to think that she's going to have to spend three hours in a car with him.

Have mercy!

"Thank you." Fitz smiled. Clapping his hands together, he quickly brought the tension between them to a playful mood. "Are you road trip ready?"

Olivia nodded firmly. "I'm road trip ready." She declared. "I even made us a mixtape that we can listen to."

Fitz watched in amusement as her 5'4 self rise on the tip of her toes to reach for her duffel bag in the back of his truck. And though he knew he should've been a gentleman and reach for the bag himself after her second attempt, the backside view of her body enthralled him.

He knows just how hot and beautiful Olivia was. That was no secret to anybody with a pair of eyes. But Fitz never allowed himself to ever truly, really look for much too long for fear that he might lose his control and act on his whore-mones. The last thing he wanted was to do something that they both couldn't take back and end up jeopardizing their friendship. That thought alone terrified him. He couldn't even count how many times he's had to convince himself that his whore-mones weren't worth it.

But today, as God is his only witness, he allowed himself a thorough look and what he saw more than pleased him if the sudden stretch in his pants was any indication. From bottom to top, his drawled his blue eyes over her curvaceous, sexy body; shaking his head to keep from hitting his jaw on the floor.

Though she was just about average in height, her nutmeg legs glistening in the New York City sunlight was a sight to behold. Strong, sexy and shapely in denim shorts by her gymnastic and swimming athletic background and what he guessed were hours spent doing hot yoga. A perfect butt - toned with a bounce and a round firmness that he could only dream of grabbing, squeezing and definitely would not object to bruising a little bit. Fitz didn't even want to guess how many hours of Pilates contributed in making her ass look so goddamn lusting. And if he closed his eyes long enough, Fitz could almost fathom being just a little bit worthy of wrapping her small, trimmed waist in his big strong arms and receive the gift of life from her luscious, swollen, pillowy lips.

He was thirsty as hell and there was no sense in denying it. But she wasn't his to touch. He didn't deserve her. A hundred lifetimes could pass him and he still would never be enough for her. Though that thought saddened him, some things were always better left untouched. She was too precious. He was bad news. Bad news as in basically the plague and it's a wonder to him that she's stuck around for as long as she has already knowing who he was and where he came from.

"I'm so going to hell." He mumbled.

"Did you say something?" She asked, still searching in her bag.

Fitz snapped out of it. You dumb idiot. He chastised himself. Get your shit together.

"Yeah. I asked if you found it." He replied, lying through his goddamn teeth.

Seconds later, she turned around to face him again with a victorious smile on her lips. "Got it." She said waving a CD in front of his face. "This is going to be great."

She was such a cinnamon roll. Too precious for the world and Fitz couldn't help but share her enigmatic spirit. It's like all the excitement and optimism she was feeling was projecting towards him and he couldn't help but feel and be in the moment with her. "This is going to be great." He agreed.

Finally opening the passenger's door for her, he stepped aside so she could climb in the truck. Before she hopped in, she surprised the hell out of him by brushing her soft, pillowy lips in a feather light kiss across his cheek. "Thanks, Ace."

He wasn't sure what she was thanking him about, but he would take the credit nonetheless.

---

There aren't many people in this world that Olivia would willingly endure a three hour car ride with, but Fitz was proving to be her absolute favorite so far.

It was a perfect Friday and the New York City July summer was absolutely beautiful at 76 degrees. Sunglasses on, windows rolled down, Olivia couldn't even begin to fathom a better ride as she and Fitz drove out of the city with her mixtape CD (which consisted of at least a hundred songs all ranging from different genres and eras) blasting through his truck's speakers.

Thirty minutes into their quiet and peaceful ride, Fitz subconsciously reached for Olivia's hand and automatically their fingers clasped together like magnets. And when he brought their laced fingers to his lips to kiss the inside of her wrist, Olivia thought that she just might melt in her seat.

Still, she continued to look outside the window, enjoying the windy breeze and finding beauty in nature and in people as they pass countless large, architectural buildings while being serenaded by Bon Jovi's Always.

"That was a great record." Fitz commented.

Olivia agreed with a nod of her head, mumbling the lyrics under her breath. "It was." She said.

"I didn't peg you for the type." Fitz said, honestly surprised by her taste in music.

"I listened to a lot of records growing up." Olivia shared. "And I also briefly went through a phase."

"Oh?" Fitz teased. "Care to share?"

"I had a crush on Jon Bon Jovi." She said blushing of embarrassment. "There. You heard it."

Fitz chuckled. "That's kind of adorable." He said. "And brave." He'd never admit to her what he did with his very first check from a paying job. At thirteen years old when he stopped thinking that girls were disgusting and accepted that they were pretty fine creatures with something between their legs that provided an almost Heavenly feeling, he bought a second hand playboy magazine from a street hustler. That magazine was his sanctuary for a long time until he finally got close to the real thing under that pier that one summer.

So he definitely had more embarrassing stories.

"Anyways, are you excited to see your parents?" He asked.

Olivia finally mustered up the courage to look at him after her revelation. And with a smile, she nodded. "Yeah. I am." She replied. "I lucked out in that area. Some people can barely stand to be in the same room with their parents for more than five minutes. But I get along just fine with mines." Then she added, "Though, my mom might give you a little bit of a hard time." She thought that the least she could do is give him a warning. Better he be prepared than walk into an ambush with Maya Pope cause God knows he will never live that down.

"Why?" Fitz asked, a little bit panicked. "Is it because I'm a guy?"

Olivia rolled her eyes at him. "No. Not because you're a guy." Then she caught herself thinking. Admittedly, him being a guy had everything to do with it but not in the sense that he might be inferring to. Her mother is not a man hater. "She thinks that we're sleeping together." She said barely above a whisper; hoping he wouldn't hear.

But when he slammed his feet on the breaks, nearly sending her flying through windshield, she knew he heard her.

"What?!" Fitz exclaimed. "Why would she think that? Did you tell her that we aren't? I don't want her to think that I'm taking advantage of you. Oh my God, she's gonna hate me. She's gonna think I'm scum. And your father might kill me in my sleep. Olivia!"

Olivia couldn't help the burst of laughter that ripped from her throat. He looked so pale and she knew she should feel horrible about it but for some reason all she could do was laugh.

"Stop laughing. That's not funny." Fitz pouted.

If anything, that made her laugh even harder. He was adorable. Leave it to her to find humor in this situation at his expense while he was freaking out.

"Jeez, calm down before you have a damn heart attack. It's not that serious." Olivia said, trying to calm him down after catching her breath. "You make it sound like it would be the worst thing in the world if we were in fact fucking."

"God, Olivia! Don't say that kind of shit." Fitz said. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks.

Don't give me hope. My weak heart can't handle it.

"Why?" Olivia questioned with raised eyebrows. "Because it would be so bad?"

She was doing a piss-poor job at hiding the hurt expression in her eyes. And Fitz couldn't handle that.

"No, not because it would be so bad!" Fitz said, quickly feeling the need to reassure her. "Just... I... Liv-" This wasn't fair.

Watching him struggle to find the right words to say evaporated the small little dent he caused to Olivia's ego. "Look, don't get your panties in a twist." She teased, trying to lighten up the mood again. "And besides, we'd have to actually like each other for something like that to happen, but you're not my type and I totally hate you. So relax, okay?"

Eyes on the road, Fitz finally cracked a smile. "You're such a tease." He said. "Though, I can infer that I've heard somewhere that hate sex is the best. Ain't nothing like it."

Olivia choked. Her eyes wide with shock. Payback's a bitch after all. "I hate you!" She shoved Fitz's arm as he burst into a fit of laughter barely controllable. "You're the worst, did you know that?"

One hand on the steering wheel, Fitz reached out with the other one to pull her at his side. When she didn't push him away, he smiled as he planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You totally don't hate me."

Olivia didn't even have to see his face to know that he was smirking. "Keep telling that to yourself, buddy."

"I will." He said, kissing her hair this time.

Inside though, Olivia couldn't help but feel all warm and tingly. It was a feeling that she wasn't quite familiar with but she didn't hate it too much. So, she stayed in his arms, her head safely tucked in the space between his neck and collarbone and she listened as Hozier's powerful yet melancholy voice take her to church and warm it's way to her soul.

"Have you ever done that?" Olivia only meant to think it but what she thought somehow made it's way out of her mouth and there was no taking it back.

"Fireball?" Fitz groaned.

"Yes?" Olivia answered innocently as she lifted her head from his shoulder.

"What are you asking me exactly?" Fitz asked. He had an idea but he wanted to hear her say it.

She had no idea what she was asking him, did she? It should be noted that when it came to anything sexual, Fitzgerald Grant had very specific preferences. In other words, he was a man of many talents and that also translated in the bedroom with him. He lived the lifestyle of a very dominant man so vanilla sex didn't exactly do it for him. Sure it was satisfying but not as fulfilling as totally having control of somebody else's pleasure; being submitted to; being trusted enough to know that though his foreplay might be deliciously agonizing, sometimes even bordering on torturous, the endgame was most definitely very rewarding. He liked to explore, he liked to learn and he liked to give. Some might even say he is very generous. So really, she had no idea what she was asking him. If he were to tell her the truth about what made him lose his mind in the land of pleasure, she would probably run away from him for good.

"Have you ever had hate sex before? Rough sex...to be specific." Olivia figured there was no point in playing coy with him. Her tongue was loose and had already betray her. And besides, they were two grown adults. Surely, they could have a grownup conversation about this.

But Fitz wasn't having it. "Why?" He teased. "Are you interested in my merchandise?"

Olivia blinked at him, totally oblivious to his cruel pun until the words settled in her head, followed by the obvious way his eyes settled on his junk after he said what he said. "Oh my God!" She slapped her hand over her eyes, blushing fifty shades of embarrassment. "Didn't we just establish that we hated each other?"

"We?" Fitz frowned. "You established honey. And that was okay until you asked if I've had rough sex. So are you interested?"

Hell yes! Fuck yes. You can get it any day, any way, anywhere. Those were just some of the things that some evil voice was echoing in her head but she was determined to ignore it. Ignore. Ignore. Ignore.

Olivia regretted asking. "Can you stop? Or at least pretend you're not enjoying this?" She begged of his smug grin.

She wasn't sure whether to slap it off or kiss it off.

Both would work. Ignore. Ignore. Ignore.

"Why do you wanna know?" He stopped smirking and actually sounded genuine about it.

Olivia shrugged. "I don't know. Just curious I guess." She replied.

Fitz shook his head. Not totally sold. "That's not good enough." He said. "If I'm gonna tell you all about my wild sex escapades, it better be for something more than just your curiosity, sweetheart."

"Fine," Olivia groaned. Swallowing her pride, she said to hell with it. Whatever. "What if I told you, it was for scientific purposes?"

Fitz snapped his gaze at her, gasping and totally letting her know he read through her bullshit. "Oh my God!"

"What?" Olivia asked.

"You're mungry." Fitz replied.

"I'm what?" Never having heard of that word, Olivia was truly confused.

"Mungry!" Fitz shouted. "Scientific purposes bullshit, my ass. You're man hungry!"

If embarrassment could kill, Olivia should be dead by now. It was taking everything she had not to open the passenger's door and jump out of the moving vehicle. "You're the absolute worst! And that's not even a word." Absolutely mortified, she hid her face in her hands, wishing she could either melt in her chair or disappear into thin air.

"It is now." Fitz said, chuckling.

"Says who?" Olivia argued.

"Says me." Fitz replied. "How long has it been?" He asked, glancing at her.

"Oh my God!" She screamed in her hand, wishing the earth would swallow her whole. "I'm not telling you that."

Too ashamed to admit just hot long of a dry spell she's been having, she turned around in her seat and resumed to staring back outside the window before they started this stupid conversation.

"Mungry!"

"Shut up, Fitzgerald."

Frustrated, Olivia realized then that she really needed to get laid. Preferably soon before she went insane. It couldn't be healthy for any woman to go that long on a man-cation.

"Livvie-"

Olivia snapped. "I swear if you say mungry one more time, Fitzgerald..."

Fitz chuckled. It was way too easy to punch her buttons. This having been his very first road trip since he could even remember, he could definitely say he was having a blast.

"I won't." He said.

"I swear-" Olivia begin to make another empty threat but he grabbed her hand again and brought it to his lips.

"I won't tease you anymore." He promised.

"Good." Olivia pouted. "Because bullies aren't cute."

"I agree." Fitz nodded. "So how long again?"

"Fitzgerald!" Olivia roared through gritted teeth- letting him know she's really had enough.

He chuckled again. "Can't blame a guy for trying."

...

They were officially an hour into their trip and the fun was just getting started. What started out as an innocent game of two truths and a lie suddenly took a quick left turn and became this brutal freak show where neither was playing fair.

"I'm currently commando right now. I've kissed a girl before. I've never had oral sex."

Fitz scratched his head. "This is tough." He confessed.

He didn't wanna picture her naked underneath those short shorts she was wearing because if he closed his eyes long enough, he can almost see it and the image was way too vivid and getting an erection in front of her was not a situation he wanted to be in at this very moment. But then again, so was the second image of her kissing a girl. It was just too much. And as for the third one, he refused to believe that no guy has ever been down on her because that's just crazy talk. What man in their right mind wouldn't want to lave at her sweet little pot of honey? Who the heck...? Nope. Just no. He refused.

Shit! Think of a dead old lady naked on her kitchen floor.

Normally that image was an instant boner killer. But not today.

He's had dreams about this... about being between her legs and just pleasuring her selflessly for hours until she couldn't take no more. And now she would go and spit out this bullshit to him about never having had oral. That wasn't fair.

So he refused to guess her lie. She was telling all lies as far as he was concerned.

She's a damn liar.

"I don't wanna guess." He said.

"You have to. That's how the game works."

She was pushing him. And he was gonna break. He was too weak.

"The second one." He stiffened. "That's your lie. You've never kissed a girl before." Better he had that one fantasy crash. No hard feelings.

She screamed, making a loud, obnoxious buzzing sound that was almost deafening to him. "Wrong!" She said.

Fitz winced. Then his eyes widened, his ears turned cherry red. She said wrong. Wrong! "You've kissed a girl before?!" He shouted.

She nodded. "Yep. Tongues and all. More like made out." She folded all her fingers in a claw and made them meet each other; her way of demonstrating kissing motions. In her mind, she was trying to disgust him but the tight grip forming in his pants said otherwise. "I think I even let her touch my boobs. I don't know. I was too drunk."

Fitz hit the steering wheel causing Olivia to chuckle.

"You've kissed a girl." He said again, still not believing his ears. "Where was I when that happened?"

Olivia rolled her eyes at him. "Pervert."

Then he started pouting again. Looking too damn adorable for words. "I don't wanna play this game anymore." He whined sounding like a little boy. "It's not fair."

"I don't wanna play this game anymore. It's not fair." Olivia mimicked him, smiling the whole time.

"Are you mimicking me?" Fitz asked.

"Are you mimicking me?" Olivia repeated.

Fitz shook his head. "I don't know who you're mimicking Ms. Parakeet but I don't sound like that." He said.

Olivia ignored his calling her a bird as what she assumed was supposed to be an insult and continued to tease him. "Oh you mean like a caveman?"

"No." Fitz chuckled. "I wouldn't feel offended if you made me sound like a caveman rather than a goddamn barbie doll."

The next thing he felt was a hot stinging pain in his right arm. It hurt.

"Damn it, Olivia!" He shouted. "Person driving here."

"That'll teach you not to be such a stronzo next time." She said.

"I have to stop teaching you Italian." Fitz smirked. "But seriously, can you rub it? It stings!"

"You're such a big baby." Olivia laughed.

"I am." Fitz admitted. "Now please rub my arm. Make it better." He pouted.

Olivia caved after his little pout and batting lashes. They were something induced with magic and his little pout was truly irresistible and before she knew it, she was smoothly rubbing his arm where it sting, all the while smiling to herself because she couldn't understand how a big, strong man like him could be such a baby sometimes.

"So which one of the three was the lie?" Fitz asked.

Olivia shrugged at him. "Your guess was wrong so I suppose you'll never know."

"Fine." Fitz said. "I'm fine with not knowing."

And he was because if she told him, no matter which was the lie of the other two, one will remain true and still shake him up. If she was truly commando in his chair right now, he couldn't look at her for the rest of their trip. And if she'd never had oral, he was pretty sure he would pull over the road somewhere and make damn sure he feast on her like a starving animal. That or either he'd go insane fantasizing about being her first and wondering how she's never had it.

Either way, he was fucked.

But this very tiny, if not very idiotic part of him wanted the first one about her being commando to be her lie so that the second one could be her second truth because then, maybe, just maybe not totally a possibility but a sure probable maybe that he might one day get the chance to have her come undone on his tongue.

That totally, very idiotic part of him had hope.

It was foolish of him, he knew, but still, sometimes hope can make all of the differences.

"There's a seven-eleven in two miles. Can you stop so we can get snacks?" Olivia asked.

Fitz nodded. "Sure. Qualsiasi cosa tu voglia."

"Thanks. I'm suddenly craving nuts."

Fitz couldn't help it. "That's what she said!" He erupted loudly, soon followed by; "That fucking hurts, Olivia!"

"I clearly didn't hit you hard enough before that." Olivia rolled her eyes. "You're nasty. And no, I'm not rubbing it this time."

Fitz pouted, furiously rubbing his stinging arm. "It's all red!" He cried. "You're so abusive."

"Clearly you like it."

"I'm telling Mama Pope just how mean you've been to me." He said.

Olivia chuckled, very amused at his attempt to blackmail her. "You know what nobody likes, Fitzgerald?"

"What?" He continued pouting.

"A tattletale."

...

Two miles up, Fitz pulled up in the parking lot of a seven-eleven gas station convenient store. Keys in hands, he got out of the car and went to open the passenger's door for Olivia.

"Thank you." She said, smiling.

He hadn't stopped pouting yet. And he was pretty sure she was gonna leave him with bruises. "You're not forgiven." He replied.

Still, that didn't stop him from wrapping his arms around her waist as they walked in the store.

"Grab a cart." Fitz said when they got inside.

"Why?" Olivia asked. "We're not buying a lot of stuff. We're only getting one item."

"Then grab a basket." Fitz said.

In his experience, one item never really means one item. He wouldn't be surprised if they walked out of the store with a cart full.

"Fine." Olivia groaned.

And so they went shopping. First item that made it in the little red basket was a fruit bowl. As they continued down the aisles, Fitz came across a rack of popcorn clusters and threw a few bags in the basket. Next were potato chips and hot Cheetos.

"Are you done?"

"No. We need something to drink." Olivia pulled at his arms and dragged him to the fridges where the beverages were kept cool.

On sight, Fitz grabbed a yellow Gatorade as Olivia continue to browse all the fridges, looking for something specific. Then she tossed two large bottles of Fiji water in the almost full basket.

"Yes!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Naked!"

"Ma'am, we're in a store. I refuse to get naked with you." Fitz couldn't resist making her miserable. And the priceless look he got from her as an elderly lady passed them sent him doubling over with laughter.

"Stop it." Olivia said, a blush of embarrassment creeping on her cheeks.

"It is my right to refuse to get naked with you in public. It's inappropriate." He continued. "It's a violation of my body and I won't stand for it."

Olivia couldn't have scurried away from him fast enough. With a roll of her eyes, she turned around and walked away. "I hate you."

Fitz chuckled, following her with the basket in hand. Furiously, she tossed more stuff in the basket as they went along. Oreos, Twizzlers, a huge bag of M&M, fruit gummies, whip cream.

"What do we need whip cream for?!" Fitz shouted after her.

"Why do I care? You're paying for all of this." Olivia replied.

Fitz smirked. This was her letting him know that he can be an asshole but his wallet was gonna pay for it. It's a good thing he was employed. He shook his head when he noticed a full basket in his hand and to think they only came here for peanuts. He went to the peanut aisle and grabbed a jar of honey roasted peanuts then he went looking for her where she was waiting for him at the checkout counter.

As they waited for their items to be ringed up, Fitz pulled her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Don't be mad at me." He whispered in her ear.

"Whatever. I'm not speaking with you."

"But I'm so cute." He pouted.

Not falling for it this time, Olivia rolled her eyes. "I don't care. You're an asshole."

"I am." Fitz said. "But you're my friend. Who else am I supposed to be an asshole to?"

Olivia smiled then. Shaking her head, she looked up at him, "You're such an idiot."

"Yes I am." Fitz agreed, if only to make her happy. "So forgive me."

"I'll think about it." Olivia replied.

"Okay." He could settle for that. There's no way she could stay mad at him through the rest of the trip.

When they finally got out of their own bubble, they looked up at the cashier who was smiling bashfully at them with a deep blush to her face.

"You guys are the cutest couple I've ever seen." She said.

Fitz smiled. But Olivia didn't think it was funny. First it was her mother who by the way hasn't even met Fitz but she already made up her mind about them sleeping together. Now it was a stranger who thought they made the cutest couple. What about them indicates that they were anything but friends?

But before Olivia could tell the girl there wasn't a chance in hell, Fitz beat her to it.

"Thank you." He replied. "I think so too."

After adding a tank full of gas to their snack purchase, Fitz fished out his wallet from his pocket for his debit card and paid their total. Then soon enough, they were back on the road.

"Why did you do that?"

Fitz smirked. He'd been waiting for her to say something about what that cashier said since they hopped back in the car. And after their ten minutes silence, he'd resigned to her not caring as much as he thought she would, but he knew better because he knew her and when something bothered her, she couldn't get comfortable until she got it off her chest.

"Do what?" Fitz replied.

"Tell that girl we were together." Olivia said.

"I didn't tell her that. She gave us a compliment and I simply agreed." Fitz explained. "Live a little, Olivia. It's not that big of a deal."

"Fine." She shrugged. "Do you want me to drive the rest of the way?"

Fitz shook his head, munching on a piece of Twizzlers. "Nope. Just sit here and be pretty."

For the first time since they climbed back in the car, she looked at him and smiled. "I feel special."

"Can you feed me please? I want some of that fruit thing you got."

"Okay." Olivia reached in the bag for the fruit bowl, a fork and the whip cream. Shaking the can as instructed, she squirt a good amount on top of the fruit before peeling off the plastic on the fork. "Open up."

Instantly, Fitz's mouth opened widely and Olivia fed him a forkful of fruit and whipped cream. "Thank you." He mumbled as he chewed.

"Mhmm..." She turned on the radio again and resumed to playing the mixtape. Uptown Funk blasted and Fitz watched with amusement as Olivia danced in her seat.

"Sing with me." She encouraged.

Fitz scoffed. "I'm not singing this ridiculous song." He replied.

"It's not ridiculous." Olivia said defensively. "It's a catchy song. You cannot not sing it when it comes on."

"Ridiculous." Fitz argued.

"You're just a boring old man." Olivia sassed. "If you don't wanna join in my party, shut up."

Fitz rolled his eyes as he brought his hand to the radio, changing the song that was playing.

"Hey! What the hell? I was listening to that." Olivia yelled at him.

He ignore her and continued to skip over the tracks until he found the perfect song. Not a Bad Thing by Justin Timberlake sounded through the speakers and he listened as the intro started. Quietly tapping on the steering wheel to get into the rhythm, he began to silently mouth to the lyrics under his breath.

Albeit small as a whisper, Olivia was startled by his beautiful voice. She watched as his lips moved and listened to his faint voice sing such personal lyrics. She turned down the volume, almost drowning out Justin's voice so she could hear his. Figuring if she joined him in a duet, that would encourage him to sing louder. Before she knew it, she was opening her mouth in tune to the next verse:

Now how about I'd be the last voice you hear tonight?/ And every other night for the rest of the nights that there are/

Every morning I just wanna see you staring back at me/'Cause I know that's a good place to start

Fitz smiled, completely amazed by the amazing sound of her voice. Together he knew that they could make this moment an epiphany for them. So as the pre-chorus begin, he allowed his voice to grow louder.

I know people make promises all the time/Then they turn right around and break them/When someone cuts your heart open with a knife, now you're bleeding/Don't you know that I could be that guy to heal it over time/And I won't stop until you believe it/'Cause baby you're worth it

Their voices merged together for the chorus and it was the most beautiful thing to Olivia's ears. Though still surprise about his vocal talent, she was even more shocked to find out how much she was enjoying being in the moment with him.

So don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me/ 'Cause you might fuck around to find your dreams come true, with me

Olivia shook her head at him, a smile still playing on her lips. He would choose to sing the more explicit version of this part instead of the clean one.

Spent all your time and your money just to find out that my love was free

Together: So don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me, me/It's not a bad thing to fall in love with me, me

Instead of ending with the last of the chorus, Fitz went back to the first verse just for her to hear the bits she missed and Olivia felt like she was about to turn into a puddle of chocolate as she realized that he was speaking those words to her for a reason. He wanted her to hear them come from his lips. And he wanted her to believe them.

Cause all I want from you is to see you tomorrow/And every tomorrow, maybe you'll let me borrow your heart/And is it too much to ask for every Sunday?/And while we're at it, throw in every other day to start

While he started the bridge, Olivia went solo with the chorus, performing her own acapella with each snap of her finger. She smiled and swooned, grinned and blushed. A really pretty man was singing to her. Oh dear.

She really wished they could have recorded this.

No I won't fill your mind/With broken promises and wasted time/And if you fall, you'll always land right in these arms/These arms of mine

So It's not a bad thing to fall in love with me

"Maybe you're not such a boring old man after all." Olivia said.

Fitz winked at her. "Anytime pretty girl. Anytime."

...

It was another long hour and a half drive in mid-day traffic up as they continued up north but they survived. Now as they pulled into Olivia's parents' driveway, she couldn't feel happier. The cars parked on either side of the street told her that a lot of guest had already arrived and if not that, then it was the smell of patties and sausages grilling in her parent's backyard.

"Looks like we're a little bit late to the party." Fitz said as he came around to open Olivia's door.

"A queen is never late." She told him. "Come on."

Fitz had barely gotten their bags from the back of the truck before she was tugging at his arm. Olivia entertained going through the back since that's where everybody else currently was but she had a lot of family that she hasn't seen in a while and she wanted to look more presentable when she saw them so instead, she rang the bell, hoping that someone would hear her over the loud blaring stereo.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Robinson came to open the door for them. Olivia almost didn't recognize her without her apron on. She's known Mrs. Robinson her whole life and she's never seen the woman look so formal and beautiful. She was in her sixties but you'd never guess it because she had the most beautiful dark brown skin that glowed with the youth of a woman half her age. Her suave salt and pepper hair was finally let down out of it's usual pin up style and they were left loose in long, beautiful curls. She wore a very pale blue dress with white open toe sandals. For a moment, Olivia thought that she was going to burst into tears because Mrs. Robinson was reminding her so much of her Nana Giselle.

"Mi sweet gyal!" Mrs. Robinson greeted excitedly as she pulled Olivia into a hug.

Though she has lived in the states for over forty years now, her Caribbean accent was still very thick. Olivia thought that it was pretty cool that her Jamaican accent remained when most people would've lost it by now.

"And wo ah dis handsome man yuh bring home?" Her kind eyes wandered up and down Fitz's tall frame.

Olivia was about to make the introduction but Fitz beat her to it. Always a charming gentleman, he offered Mrs. Robinson his most panty-dropping smile before extending his hand to her. "Fitzgerald Grant. Very nice to meet you."

Mrs. Robinson took his hand and he brought hers to his lips. Talk about laying on the charm thick. If Olivia didn't know better and that Mrs. Robinson was still very much in love with her husband of forty odd years, she'd say that she'd fallen under the spell of the panty-dropper.

"He's a ladies' man, hunh?" Mrs. Robinson concurred. Turning to Olivia, she smiled. "Mi laik him. Him gat manners."

Olivia shrugged as they were finally let into the house. Maybe she didn't have to watch out for him after all. He got past Mrs. Robinson, she was confident that Fitz could fend for himself against her mother and her dad.

"Is it okay if I get a quick change of clothes before I join the party?" Olivia asked of Mrs. Robinson.

The elder woman nodded. "But hurry. Yuh need to get someting to eat."

"Yes, ma'am." Olivia agreed.

Since he was still carrying their bags, Fitz thought that he could also be excused but apparently, the same orders Olivia got didn't apply to him also because when he went to make a beeline for the stairs like Olivia, he was stopped before he could even get a foot on the second step.

"You're coming wid mi." Mrs. Robinson told him. "We need ah man pon de grill."

Fitz looked at Olivia out the corner of his eyes for help. This wasn't the plan. They were supposed to face the Pope and Lewis crowd together as a team. Their plan didn't involve him thrown to the wolves by himself while she powdered her nose for twenty minutes.

"Smile, Grant. She likes you." Olivia winked before grabbing their bags from his hands and running up the stairs.

888

Olivia was upstairs in her childhood bedroom changing for the barbecue. Somehow, being in this room brought back so many memories of her childhood, most of them very good. You see, her parents didn't live in the Hampton's. She grew up in the heart of New York City but as a kid, she used to travel a lot during vacation and she can remember spending a lot of her time here in this house. She was very happy when her parents decided to retire here instead of halfway across the world. Originally, the plan was to retire somewhere in Europe or the south but apparently, the thought of being far away from her terrified them as much as it terrified her. She didn't know what she's do without her parents around to keep her grounded.

She was just about done and excitement was coursing through her veins. Even over the blasting music, she could hear a lot of laughter through her windows and it warmed her heart to know that it was coming from her closest friends and family. She couldn't wait to join him. Giving herself a once over in the mirror, she placed her final accessory on top of her head. A large white sun hat.

...

When Olivia opened the back door that led to the backyard, a huge sense of welcome rushed over her as she watched her people come together all in the same habitat to enjoy a family day. Right off the bat, she could make out some familiar faces that she sadly hasn't had the chance to see in a very long. Most of her aunts and uncles were in attendance. Some of her cousins and their young children were also of presence. Old neighbors and family friends that she's forgotten all about took the time to make an appearance also. Her backyard was so filled with people and it seemed like they were all having a good time. Some were in groups chatting and catching up while others were simply eating, dancing, drinking or in the children's case, wrecking some kind of havoc in her mother's beloved garden. There was so much organic happiness around and it felt truly genuine. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so consumed with good around her.

Instantly or rather subconsciously, her eyes looked for Fitz and Olivia gasped out loud to herself when she found him manhandling the grill with her father. Even stranger, they were laughing and drinking manly beverages like old pals. They were bonding.

"Smooth son of a bitch." She muttered.

Then she spotted her mother, the Queen of the party looking as beautiful and classy as ever in her white regalia. She had a glow about her that Olivia hasn't seen in a very long time and she guessed that it had a lot to do with being surrounded by so many familiar faces. Her mother like herself valued family a lot. It was something that ran in the Lewis blood. And now more than ever, she missed her Nana so much. But Olivia knew that she was with them in spirit and that wherever she was at the moment, she was smiling a damn proud smile down at them.

"Livia honey!" Maya screeched excitedly as she reached her daughter. "Bisou." She puckered up and kissed both sides of her daughter's face. "You look absolutely beautiful honey."

Oh, did we not go over what Olivia was wearing yet? Sorry.

Well, she was looking particularly splendid in a Kate Spade black and white crisscross-knotted bow back pleated dress that stopped just short of her knees. Her long legs left much to the imagination in a sexy navy blue platform pump with gold shackles and a six inch stiletto. Due to the summer heat, she thought it was best to keep her makeup minimal and simple. So a few coats of mascara and a melodious wine lipstick did the trick. Her silky hair hung on her shoulders with a white sun hat on top.

Simple, beautiful and classy. Like mother like daughter.

"Thanks mom." Olivia smiled. "But don't worry though, you still got it."

Her mother chuckled as she wound their arms together. "Let's go get you something to drink."

That's code for: we need to talk. And Olivia had a feeling about what exactly they were going to discuss. Or rather who as she met Fitz's oceanic blue eyes across the yard.

On her way through, she greeted a few aunts and uncles, gushed with a few cousins over fashion before her mother found a working waiter with a tray of rose champagne going around.

"So..." Her mother prompted.

Olivia sipped on her delicious beverage with oblivion. "So?"

"Why didn't you tell me he was so drop-dead gorgeous!" Her mother whispered. "You could've warned an old ladies's ovaries."

Olivia's head snapped and she nearly choked on her drink. "MOTHER!" She exclaimed. She must've been really loud because a few heads snapped back and they all raised their eyebrows at her. "We're fine." Olivia said. "Nothing unusual here. Just a daughter, having a very inappropriate conversation with a mother who's got no chill or whatsoever." She informed. People shrugged and went back to mind their own. This time, Olivia made sure she was quieter when she went back to scolding her mother. "Your ovaries? Seriously, have you no shame woman? What is wrong with you?" She whispered.

"Oh relax!" Maya smirked. "He's the prettiest frog you've brought to meet us. I'm allowed to appreciate."

And as always, Fitz had impeccable timing because he chose then to walk towards them, spotting his most charming smile. "I see where you got your looks from, Livvie."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Hi, Ace."

"Hey Fireball." He leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead.

Maya couldn't help but be in awe of them. She's only known Fitz for only about an hour but in the two seconds that she's seen him interact with her daughter, Maya was sold. Yes, Fitz was very handsome, in fact he might be one of the most beautiful creature of God she's encountered in her lifetime but until now, none of it really mattered to her. Even annoyed, Maya could pinpoint the exact moment something shifted in Olivia and it was when Fitz called her Fireball and kissed her forehead. To say that she was intrigued about the story behind Ace and Fireball would be an understatement but she knew she'd pry it out of her daughter before she left back for the city. For now, she excused herself, opting to watch the two from afar for a better understanding of what was between them. One thing was for sure though, Maya knew that whatever it is that was ongoing with them was going to last for a very long time and she couldn't wait to witness its growth.

"You kids are gonna have to excuse me." Maya smiled. "My husband looks like he's two seconds from having a heart attack with those rugrats running wild around him over there."

Before she left, Fitz grabbed her hand and kissed it gently. "Later Maya."

MAYA! He's on first name basis with my mother? The same woman who made Edison call her Mrs. Pope for two whole years was on first name basis with Fitz who's only been here for an hour? Olivia's eyes widen and her jaw went slack. Was he calling my dad Dominic now too?

Exactly how much has she missed in the past half hour that she was getting ready?

"Maya?" Olivia asked after her mom left.

Fitz shrugged. "She insisted." He replied. "You looked like you needed a little bit of rescuing for a while there."

"My hero." Olivia said sarcastically.

"Do you need a drink?" Fitz asked. "You look like you need a drink."

"My mother just mentioned you and her ovaries in the same sentence. I think I need more than just a drink." Olivia told him.

Fitz arched his eyebrows. "Come again?"

Olivia shook her head. "Don't ask." She replied. "How do I look?"

She watched as Fitz gave a long once-over, from head to toe and back again before he licked his moist tongue over his lips and nodded.

"You look good." He replied.

"Great. Now let's go mingle." Olivia grabbed his arms and begin tugging at his arm again. Fitz could only follow.

"Your ass looks good too." He added.

When Olivia looked back at him, he was smirking. "Pervert."

...

Sometime between all the mingling, they lost each other again.

While Olivia was doing surveillance to make sure none of the kids went beyond the safety end of the pool with one of her cousins, Fitz was across the yard talking to one of her uncles. Her favorite uncle.

"Uncle Harry and aunt Gina are here." Olivia said more to herself than her cousin Kemiline.

"Yeah. They got here about ten minutes ago." Kemiline said.

"So that means Harrison is here?"

Kemiline shrugged. "He should be." She replied. "Where are you going?"

"To find him." Olivia shouted over her shoulders.

Growing up, of all her many cousins, Olivia had always gotten along better with Harrison. Well, she could say that but if you ask Harrison, he was tortured by Olivia during his whole entire childhood all because he made the mistake of coming to the world one month later than she did. She's been making his life a living hell since he could even remember, starting with his toys as a little boy. And then as they grew older together, she only found more ways to torture him, starting with stealing his stash of weed and flushing it down the toilet. Pure evil!

Olivia exited through the back door of the yard and ended up in the parking lot. It was quiet as hell on the street, except for the two people she could hear going at it in the back of a black SUV. She shook her head with humor. "Of course it's him." She mumbled.

Remember that Olivia's job as an older cousin is to make his life miserable. Always has and always will be so it was to be expected for her to go and ruin what little fun Harrison was indulging in at the very moment.

Her heels clicked on the hard pavement until she was standing in front of the shaking car. Olivia guessed she should feel grateful that the windows were tainted because her ears didn't get much of the courtesy that her eyes had gotten. She could hear them and they were loud!

"Hey asshole!" She shouted, banging repeatedly on the tinted windows.

They were still going at it. Moaning and groaning and fucking. Loudly.

Obviously banging on the windows didn't help so Olivia went around the car and banged on the hood of the car which caused the alarm to go off. "Harrison Jr. Lewis-Wright!"

"SHIT!" She heard Harrison curse followed by the shuffle of clothing.

"YOU'RE NASTY!" Olivia yelled. "Last time I checked, public lewdness was still a punishable offence."

Harrison lowered a window about half way and Olivia came around that side. In the back of the SUV she could make out a girl quickly trying to get dressed and clean up as best she could for a person who was getting the life fucked out of her seconds earlier.

"Missed me, babe?" Olivia asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Where the hell did you come from?!" Harrison barked.

"You have exactly five minutes to get out of this car before I call everyone from the party to come catch you with your pants around your ankles." Olivia smirked mischievously.

...

When Harrison finally joined his family's cookout, he was seething. He wanted his cousin's head on a silver platter. His girlfriend wanted to leave the party because she was too embarrassed to face anybody in his family because his cousin had heard them going at it like jack rabbits in the back of his car.

He finally reached Olivia and she was talking to some white dude he's never seen before as if she didn't just ruin his fun a few minutes ago.

"Fitz, this is my cousin Harry." Olivia smiled upon seeing him.

Completely disregarding Fitz's presence, Harrison seethed, "Don't call me that!"

"You clean up nice for someone who was having a quick-"

"OLIVIA!" Harrison yelled.

"Oh relax." Olivia chuckled as she made the shadow of a girl standing behind him. She tried to get a better view of her face but the girl looked pretty determined on not being seen which Olivia thought was hilarious by the way since she's already heard worse out of her than she would care to admit. "You know I hate it when you seethe like that. Last time you worked yourself to an asthma attack, I couldn't come over to aunt Arianne's for a whole month so let's try to not do that again please?"

Harrison shook his head and gripped tighter at his girlfriend's hand. "I don't like you." He said.

"Nothing I haven't heard before." Olivia said dismissively. "Are you gonna introduce me to your freaky little friend?" She took a side-step and this time, Olivia was able to make out a pair of grey eyes. "You don't have to hide, girl." Liv chuckled. "I don't bite. At least not as hard as you probably do. I promise."

Both Fitz and Olivia thought this very awkward moment was hilarious but apparently Harrison didn't because he closed his eyes and started counting from ten backwards. Finally on her own will, the girl behind him showed her face and to say that she was beautiful was an understatement. But of course she had to be beautiful to be on Harrison radar. The only reason why Olivia gave Harrison so much shit is because he's a serial womanizer but for some reason he was acting weird when it came to this girl. He was being protective. It's something she's never seen before.

Harrison must've sensed that Olivia was onto him because right then, he started giving her a pleading look. One that he gave her when he didn't want her to earn him an ass whooping from aunt Arianne when they were younger. Hell even to this day. The look that said, "don't fuck this up for me. Please."

I'll be damned. Olivia thought.

She reciprocated Harrison's look. One that said she was gonna play nice.

"I'm Olivia." She offered a friendly hand to the brunette bombshell.

When the brunette spoke, she had an English accent and that's when Olivia knew what got Harrison trapped in the first place. She was his ideal girl.

"I'm Celery."

Olivia had been sipping on another rose and she spilled the liquid right back in the glass when she started choking. Fitz started pounding her back gently as he fought as hard as he could to keep from bursting into laughter himself. When he agreed to come on this trip with Olivia, he had no idea that he was in for such a treat.

"Come again?" Olivia asked when she finally managed to stop choking.

Harrison on the other hand looked like he wanted the earth to open wide and swallow him whole. His girlfriend on the other hand, well, she didn't find any of his hilarious.

"Okay. My apologies." Olivia said sincerely. "Can I call you Cece?"

"Sure." The brunette nodded.

"Okay. Good." Olivia smiled. "Let's go get you a drink so we can start getting friendly."

That terrified Harrison more than anything. He knew he'd never forgive Olivia if she fucked this up for him. He really likes Celery. She's different. She's good for him and he's never felt about anybody else the way he feels about her.

He was reluctant to let go of Celery's hand but she gave his hand a squeeze and his lips a peck. It was her way of silently asking him to trust her to look out for herself. So he let her go but not before slicing his fingers around his throat in a deadly motion to Olivia. And to that, she threw him the middle finger.

Now left alone with Fitz, Harrison looked up at the much taller man and puffed his chest. He'd never admit it to anyone because Olivia was a pain in his ass, but he cared and in every sense of the word he was kind of the little overprotective brother Olivia never had and as a result, he took the responsibility that came with that title very seriously.

"So..." He begin staring Fitz down hoping to intimidate him. But Fitz wasn't buying into his act. Instead, he was probably the most laid back guy Harrison's ever met. With his hands in his pocket, he stood there just waiting for Harrison to say something worth listening to. "Unless I'm hugely mistaken, you're not Edison."

That finally got Fitz's attention. He's been meaning to learn more about that cheating asshole. "No. I am not."

And so those two left too to go get a glass of manly liquor so they could begin on getting more acquainted with each other.

...

Olivia never thought she would see the day when Harrison actually found a good girl but then again, there was a first time for everything. In the past twenty minutes that she's sat in her parent's living room drinking martinis with Cece, Olivia's learned that the girl was damn near perfect. She seems like she comes from a great family. Grew up in London and came to the US when she got accepted into Harvard Law. Now she's twenty three years old working at one of the biggest law firms in Manhattan. She's also six months away from making partner at that firm from what Olivia's gathered.

Olivia found that she liked the girl just fine after getting an understanding of her. But she was sold on Cece being perfect for Harrison when the two found a common ground. Shoes and wine. Now, that was a woman worth being friends with. On their third glass of martini, they started chatting about everything from the greatest wine they've ever tasted to the latest pair of Miu Miu in their closet.

"You know, I have a friend who's been hounding me to make an appearance at fashion week-" Olivia had barely gotten the words out before Cece was squealing with excitement. At last. A girl after her own heart.

"If I can score a few tickets, do you maybe wanna come?" Olivia asked smilingly.

"Are you serious?" Cece replied.

Olivia nodded. "It'd be nice to go with somebody who gets all the hype of the fashion." She said.

God knows Abby doesn't. The redhead doesn't have a girly bone in her body when it came to fashion. She appreciates shoes and pretty clothes just like the next girl but that's as far as she went. She doesn't spend her time obsessing about Chanel bags or Christian Louboutin.

"Oh my God, yes!" Cece exclaimed. Then she smiled, "You know, contrary to what Harrison says, you're quite nice."

"Thank you." Olivia smiled back.

Just then, they heard the front door bell start to ring incessantly. Olivia frowned as she placed her martini glass on the tea table.

"Excuse me for a second." She said to Cece.

She had barely gotten up from the couch when loud banging joined the sound of the doorbell.

"I know this house is private property and I also know that my parents doesn't owe IRS dick so whoever you are, hold the fuck on!" Olivia yelled. Then she got to the door and flew it open only to become ten times enraged than she had started to feel when the banging on the door started. "Edison?"

"Hey, honey." Edison greeted with a lopsided grin.

Olivia turned back to make sure Cece was still in the living room and she was met by a puzzling look from the girl.

"Who is that?" Cece mouthed.

"My ex." Olivia mouthed back.

"Should I go get someone?" Cece asked.

Olivia shook her head. "I can handle him."

"Who's your friend?" Edison tried to poke his head in through the house but Olivia's feet were rooted to the front door and there was no way for him to get past her.

"None of your business." Olivia replied. "What are you doing here, Edison?"

"I came to see you, baby." He slurred. "Are you not gonna let me in?"

Olivia looked at him, squinting. He was drunk, she knew that much for sure. The smell of his skin and breath reeked of whiskey. That made Olivia's mind up instantly.

"No. You're not staying here." She told him seriously.

"Now, that's no way to talk to your boyfriend, honey." Edison said. That was before he kicked the door wide with the force of his foot and pushed through Olivia at the front door.

Olivia stumbled back on her six inch heels but fortunately didn't make the trip down on her ass thanks to a wall. She blinked for one second to get past her state of shock and to gather herself together but apparently, one second was all it took because in a flash, Edison was pressing her up against a wall and trying to kiss her with his nasty breath.

Adrenaline kicked in and Olivia shoved him hard, sending him stumbling off his feet and onto the floor on his ass. Olivia then looked at Cece and the girl nodded back at her. A little backup would probably do her a lot of good right about now.

He started laughing. Obnoxiously loud and hysterically, most likely a side effect of his drunk state. As Olivia looked down at him, she couldn't even see a hint of the man she used to think she was in love with. He was nowhere to be found. He'd gained weight, grew his hair out and a ridiculous beard. Sitting on the floor of her parent's living room, she saw a man who looked lost and unwell. She saw a man who let himself go down a dark road and didn't know how to find his way back. And then suddenly, it hit her: The drinking. Alcoholism ran deep in Edison's bloodline. His grandfather was a drunk. When he was just eight years old, his own father succumbed to the bottle and walked out on him and his mother, never to be seen again. She remembered how much Edison used to tell her he hated his father and that his worse fear was of becoming the man that his father was or is. Now it saddened Olivia that he was gonna look into the mirror one day and see his father's reflection staring back at him because he was on the fast lane of making his worse nightmare come true. The devil was plotting to snatch him and if he didn't stop before it was too late, there was no hope for him.

Just when she felt herself starting to feel bad for him, Edison stood up on his feet and was on her again at the same speed as before. This time, she couldn't shove him because he had her pinned good on the wall with her hands clasped tightly on his and his weight pressed on her.

"Let me go, Edison." She said.

Olivia's heart was racing and for the first time in her life, she found herself actually scared of a man. She spent two years with Edison but she's never been introduced to this version of him. She didn't know him pissed drunk and angry like this. She had no idea what he could do to her in the state that he was in and it was the most terrifying thing to Olivia.

"Let you go where, hunh?" Edison whispered. "You left me once already. I'm not letting you leave again."

Olivia moved her head to the side so her lips wouldn't be within his reach. "I left for good reasons, Edison."

"YOU DIDN'T LET ME EXPLAIN!" He slammed a hand over her head which caused Olivia to jump up with fear.

Before, she was doing a good job at hiding her fears from him, but this time, it showed and he saw it in her eyes. At that, he softened and dragged a lone finger down the slope of her jaw.

"You're scared." He said, almost fascinated by that aspect. "I won't hurt you, Olivia."

Olivia swallowed hard. Cece where are you? She thought impatiently. "Why are you here, Edison?" She asked.

"I'm here for you, Liv." He answered with an almost childlike smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I'm here to fix us. I'm here to get you back, honey."

Olivia cringed, a cold shiver running down her spine. How had she picked so wrongly this time? There was no fixing them, there was no getting her back. And it wasn't even because he cheated. No. It was because Olivia didn't see a soul in him. Olivia couldn't tell when exactly Edison picked up the bottle but judging by the shape he was in, if she was gonna guess, she'd have to say he started a few weeks ago. But time didn't make a difference for someone with the blood of an addict running through his veins, now did it? He'd already pumped bottles of that poison into his veins and his system was drinking at it like an oasis.

Just then, out of the corner of her eyes, Olivia could see both Fitz and Harrison running through the backyard's door into the living room with Cece hot on their heels. She almost gasped out in relief but that would've spooked Edison.

"I'm sorry." Olivia mumbled.

"Sorry?" Edison arched his eyebrows. "Sorry for what?" He asked.

"This..." She managed to twist in his arm just enough to create some space between them before slamming the sharp bottom of her heels hard on his foot.

Edison jumped, a scream of agony escaping his lips as the pain registered. "You bitch!" He threw his hand violently and the back of his hand met Olivia's left cheek before he felt two huge hands grab the back of his shirt and toss him against a wall. Hard.

Olivia was too in shock to follow what happened next after Harrison threw Edison against the wall. She heard loud grunting and punching but her mind just couldn't catch up. All she could feel was the burning feeling on her left cheek. He hit her. In the face.

"Let's get you some ice, honey." She felt Cece's arms around her shoulder guiding her to the couch.

"Is that who you're fucking now?!" She heard Edison shout after her.

She turned her head back just in time to see the blow Fitz delivered to his throat, followed by the one Harrison delivered to his stomach. They were roughing him up badly and not a part of her was registering any of it. She was shut down. Mute.

"This isn't over, Olivia!" He grunted.

"You stay away from my cousin, you understand me?" Harrison slapped him across the face. "If you ever go near her again and I hear about it, I will find you and I will turn you into a female."

"You always did have a sense of humor." Edison chuckled exhaustingly. Blood was squirting out of his nose and drooling from his mouth. Then one last time punch from Fitz over the head put him out of his misery, and out cold.

"Get him out of here." Fitz spoke, his eyes cold and his tone eerily as cold and empty.

Harrison nodded and fished his cell phone out of his pocket to call for a cab. As the phone rang in his ear, he begin to dispose of his bloody mauve dress shirt. And to make sure nobody could get in the house through the back door, he fastened the locks.

...

Olivia sat facing the television in the living room with an ice pack over her face and Cece's comforting arms around her shoulder. She was still shut down but all of the sudden, this claustrophobic feeling started consuming her and she couldn't breathe. She dropped the ice pack on the tea table and started making work of removing her high heels. Once that was done, she abruptly stood up from the couch to look for Fitz.

He wasn't far. He was leaning against a wall with bruised knuckles and a pissed off look on his brows. Olivia wondered why he wasn't hovering over her at the moment and then she realized that it was because he knew her and that she wouldn't want to be coddled. She's want space to herself. But she also gathered that it was because maybe he was just as pissed off as she was and needed some space to himself too.

"Harrison..." She called.

He turned around and in seconds he was next to her. "What is it, Liv?"

"This stays in between the four of us, okay?" She demanded.

Harrison begin frowning, a sign that said he didn't think it was a good idea to keep this from her parents. They might not have to tell her mom but he thought that uncle Dominic deserved to know what happened. But Olivia wasn't having it.

"This stays between us." She said through gritted teeth.

For whatever reason that Harrison couldn't understand, she was determined on keeping this a secret for everybody else who didn't know what happened in this very living room and her tone said that she wasn't fucking around.

"Okay." He agreed against his better judgement. "This stays between us."

"On Nana's grave." Olivia said.

FUCK! Now he definitely couldn't tell nobody.

"I don't like this Liv." He complained.

Olivia shrugged. She didn't care what he liked at the moment. All she knows is that she didn't want her business to become breaking news in the Pope household. If her mom finds out, she's never leaving the Hampton's but if her dad finds out, that's a whole other story. She didn't even want to begin to guess the many ways her father would kill Edison. She wanted to put this whole thing behind her.

"Say it." She demanded.

Harrison shook his head. They're so gonna go to hell, swearing on a dead woman's grave like that for horrible shit like this. He didn't like this, not one bit!

"On Nana's grave." He pledged.

Olivia nodded then looked up at Fitz. His face told her he didn't like her decision but he wasn't going to fight her on it at the moment. This was one of the things she liked about him... he knew when to speak up and when to mind his own.

"Do you have your keys on you?" She asked him.

Fitz nodded. "Yeah." He replied.

Then without speaking, she grabbed the ice pack on the tea table and headed for the door without taking a second glance at Edison's lifeless body on the floor.

Fitz followed after her but not before barking one last order at Harrison. "Take care of him or I will."

And for some reason, Harrison didn't think the man meant just a cab ride back to Manhattan.

---

Apparently the document was too big and wouldn't let me update the whole chapter all at once. Rest is coming soon.