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.

6. Chapter 6

Minutes blurred into hours as they drove seamlessly passed various landscapes of lush green. The hot summer breeze tasted almost delightfully salty and provided an equal sense of peace to Olivia as they continued down the road in silence, soaking up the view ahead. The sound of the radio playing softly in the background is almost inaudible to hearing, as the lyrics are all gone to the wind. But more than anything, all of this: the breathtaking glow of the sun losing it's bright golden complexion as it dips behind the horizon, the voluminous sound of the wind whooshing at forty five miles an hour and the sight of nature in all it's glory- they all had one purpose and one thing in common only. They were all a much too welcomed and desired distraction for Olivia. They offered her a sense of release from the swimming pool of recent events that kept playing in her head over and over again like a broken record.

Much too soon, they reached their destination and Olivia is brought back to the present when she felt Fitz's hands reaching for her own.

"We're here." He said.

Here was the beach and slumbering in it's blue-grey robe was the majestic ocean. The brisk summer breeze washed over Olivia, hitting her skin with a fading resilience, releasing an unknowing secret in the air. She watched almost blissfully as the waves of the ocean meet the silver-warm sand in fleeting glances. In long cleansing breaths, Olivia admired the two, passing messages to each other in secret as if in a forbidden affair. The wistful sound of waves splashing against the rocks coupled with the screaming of seagulls wrote symphonies and released the tunes into the summer heat as a selfless gift. Looking back at Fitz, Olivia's heart soared. She didn't know how he knew, but this is exactly where she needed to be right now.

"Come here." Fitz extended his hand in offering and without hesitation, Olivia took it. Fingers entwined, he tucked her at his side as they begin to walk, in search of the perfect spot to just relax.

They still don't talk about any of it when they found the perfect spot in the shades under a tree. Instead, they silently sat and watched an interesting, ongoing volleyball game being played by a few college students. Olivia sighed when she felt Fitz's lips grazing the crown of her head. She knew it was his way of being there for her without pushing her.

"I'm okay." She finally offered.

She though he deserved at least that.

Fitz nodded. "I know."

Olivia bent her head back against his chest to look up into his eyes and for the first time in a few hours, a smile graced her lips. Albeit small, it was something and it brought a lightness to Fitz's heart.

"How's that?" Olivia asked.

Fitz shrugged, a grin forming on his lips too. "Cause I'm okay too."

"You're so full of shit." Olivia teased.

Gasping dramatically, Fitz poked her side. She was definitely in a better mood now. "Am not." He argued.

"Then how come I can hear you thinking of murder?" Olivia asked.

She wasn't too far fetched about that. Fitz was ready to tear up into Edison and wipe the floor with his remains. The asshole had hurt her… more than once both emotionally and physically and the knowledge of that pain was enough to make Fitzgerald see red. He was glad that he'd chosen to come to the beach because being able to take a step back from it all and breathing a breath of fresh air was as much for him as it was for Olivia too because there was no guarantee that Fitz wouldn't have killed Edison back there if Harrison hadn't been there also. He would have killed Edison in a heartbeat. Well maybe not in a heartbeat. He'd very much enjoy delivering him a slow, painful death- drag the bastard's last final moments as much as possible and watch him suffer. In Fitz's book, that was the only way to redemption for men life Edison.

"Livvie…"

"It's okay, Ace." Olivia reassured him. "I mean it's somewhat my fault." She began.

Fitz shook his head. "Stop."

He wouldn't let her do this. He wouldn't let her blame herself for this.

"I mean… how could I have chosen so wrong this time?" Olivia continued on, even with his protest and Fitz could clearly see that although, she was trying to be fine, she wasn't. She'd come here to the Hampton for a good time and to visit her parents and somehow, it all turned into a shit show.

"Olivia, listen to me." Turning her around, to face him, Fitz leveled with her, his eyes staring into her soul and when he spoke to her again, his voice was firm. "I don't wanna hear you say that any of this is your fault." Olivia glanced down and he cupped her face in his hands to get her attention back. "Look at me." Fitz demanded. It took a few seconds but she did look back into his eyes. "People make their choices and it's not your place to take the burden of others on your shoulders. What Edison did today is on him and Olivia Pope, I swear to God, I'm not gonna sit here and let you blame yourself for that sorry son of a bitch. You hear me?"

Smiling at him, Olivia nodded. "I hear you." She said.

"Good. So cut it out, okay?"

"Okay." Olivia agreed.

"Come on." Fitz stood up and beat the sand off his shorts before offering Olivia a helping hand up. "Let's go for a walk."

They walked around the shore of the beach and got their feet wet in passing of the waves washing up the sand. He told her a few corny jokes and even got her to laugh once or twice. When they returned back to their tree much later, the sun was long gone, dipped behind the horizon and the sky was taking up a darker shade. A lot of people were still around. It seemed that a beach party was ongoing because a bonfire lit up as high as the sky and a bunch of half naked, drunk college kids took turns making s'mores while drinking cheap beer from plastic red cups like the amateurs they were.

"Wanna get some ice cream?" Fitz asked.

Olivia nodded all too eagerly.

They came back with hands full. Olivia carried their slices of pizza and more ice for her face. Fitz trailed behind her with the sundae boats he'd gotten them. They sat back down under their tree just in time to watch the drunk college kids start playing with cheap explosives.

Though blazing loud, the fireworks were beautiful. Olivia listened to the roaring sound of excitement from children perched on their parent's shoulders as the sky bled the radiant flames of red, white and silver. Patriot colors. Viva America! Soon, the sky was illuminated with more colors and the sounds of the explosives were becoming almost deafening but Olivia didn't mind it as she ate her pizza. She ended up eating most of Fitz's ice cream because she thought it tasted better than hers. He'd gone with vanilla while she had chosen strawberry, not wanting to be plain. Still he didn't mind because it made her happy in the end. It's all Fitz really cared about when it comes to her. In whatever form that happiness was presented, even if it cost him his favorite indulgence.

"Let me see." Fitz lifted the ice pack she held against her cheek and examined the bruise.

The bruising was a pale blue but the swelling had gone down considerably. Smiling, he leaned in and placed a kiss on her cheek. "You look kind of badass." He said.

Enough time had passed for them to kind of joke about it.

Olivia chuckled. "You're an idiot." She told him.

"And you're still pretty damn cute." He kissed her cheek again before Olivia settled against his chest again to watch the fireworks.

They were real pretty.

888

By the time they'd gotten back to Olivia's parents, the barbecue had long come to an end. Most people made their exit in fashion with leftovers and the promise to see each other again soon even though the majority had no intent on keeping that promise.

Now the only two left were Olivia's mom and dad after Mrs. Robinson and her husband called it an early night. Through the glass door that led to the backyard, Olivia stood and watched as the most beautiful scene unfold before her very eyes and instantly, tears filled up behind her orbs as an overwhelming feeling of joy washed over her, causing her heart to swell up, almost ready to burst out of her chest.

After more than two decades of marriage, seeing her parents still so very much in love with each other was enough to bring Olivia to her knees and thank God for giving her such great examples to look up to. Her parents were dancing in their garden underneath the stars and silver moonlight, looking and smiling at each other like they've known each other their whole lives, but yet, they still managed to hold that glow in their eyes as if they were just meeting for the first time again and getting to know each other. She had the perfect example of what love is suppose to look like and yet, for some reason, she couldn't seem to quite get it right for herself, if her records of past relationships and more recent ones were any indications to follow by.

Bitter sweetly enough, in that moment, Olivia found herself recalling the night she met Fitz. Much of their conversation that night on his bed still lingered in her mind from time to time. She had asked him that night if he believed that the once-in-a-lifetime kind of love could really exist between two people and she remembered his honest response to that question even as drunk and pitiful as she was then.

"I don't know, fireball." He'd said. "But I like to believe that it does."

And now, looking at her father serenating her mother with his smooth voice and swaying her in his arms- no doubt still very much in love with her as the day they laid eyes on each other, Olivia knew that, that once-in-a-lifetime kind of love does truly exist. She might act cynical and seem indifferent to the idea at times, but that was only a mask to cover up the hurt she's suffered while on the quest for that same feeling. At times, she felt kind of pathetic for still yearning for that forever kind of thing. But then she often takes a step back and realize that maybe, she's not the only pathetic person in the world who wants love. Everybody wants love because honestly, who wants to go on living life never knowing what it's like to experience that feeling of impossibility?

It was never a matter of believing that love truly does exist for others out there. It was a matter of believing that it existed for herself. That part is the one Olivia was struggling with the most. Her track record with the men she's been with doesn't exactly incline her to have much faith in ever finding that one person that makes the stars align and make the universe seem like paradise instead of the cruel place that it can be sometimes.

Wiping the tears at the hollow of her eyes, Olivia turned away from the glass door only to find Fitz standing right behind her. There's no saying how long he had been standing there for but judging by the sympathetic look on his face, Olivia knew that he understood exactly what she was feeling. With that unspoken understanding between them, Olivia headed up to her room for a shower and a change of clothes.

…

When Olivia came back down nearly thirty minutes later, she's met with the booming sound of laughter coming from her parent's kitchen. Instinctively, she decided to follow the echoes and there, clad in a pair of grey sweat pants and a cotton white t-shirt was Fitzgerald Grant, in all his beautiful, charismatic glory cooking up something undoubtedly delicious in her parent's kitchen. Glasses of wine were being sipped on and from her post at the kitchen's entry, Olivia listened in awe, hanging on to his every words as Fitz told her parents the corniest stories that had them doubling over in hysterical bouts of laughter.

Not wanting to interrupt the moment, Olivia leaned against the wall and crossed her arms over her chest. And for what seemed to have been hours, she listened and witnessed her parents interact with this man they've only just met but for one reason or another, seemed to be completely charmed and fascinated by him. It absolutely blew Olivia's mind how normal and real it all felt. There was no suffocating tension, no need to prove anything to anyone, no need to impress, no need for a charade. He was just Fitz and her parents absolutely adored him.

It was then Olivia Pope knew it for sure- a revelation; almost an epiphany that was very much predictable but mind-blowing nonetheless. Just like love, Olivia realized that people like Fitzgerald Grant only came once-in-a-lifetime. He was special and there's nothing she wouldn't do to keep him in her life. She deserved him and he deserved her.

At some point, Fitz must've felt her presence in the room because when their eyes met, his lit up like the brightest star in the sky and his lips stretched into the most beautifully thin smile. It nearly took Olivia's breath away.

"Hi friend." His gaze said.

And in return, hers bid back: "Hello friend."

… Back to the beginning. Any of this sound familiar?

The spell was soon broken by Maya when she realized that Fitz's attention was completely captivated by something… or rather someone else and the look in his eyes accompanied with the heart fluttering smile on his beautifully handsome face was enough to tell Maya just who their intruder was. And sure as day is clear, when Maya turned around, there stood her daughter leaning against the wall at the entrance of her kitchen, mirroring the same exact look Fitz had with an even brighter smile. Seeing that look in her daughter's eyes being directed at a man like Fitzgerald Grant brought great joy to Maya Pope's heart. She wasn't born yesterday. She's been around the block a few times in her youth and only once in her lifetime has she looked at a man with the intensity that glowed in her daughter's eyes now. Maya knew what that look was. She now had a sliver of hope because her baby girl hadn't completely sworn off men and give up on the idea of love like she said she would the last time they saw each other.

Already busted, Olivia decided to join the trio. She thanked God that she was cautious enough to cover the pale-blue bruise on her cheek with some makeup. The last thing she wanted was to have to explain to her parents what happened to her face and she wasn't sure she could lie her way out of that done.

As Fitz reached up in one of the kitchen's cabinets for a clean glass of wine, Oliva took the opportunity to be enveloped in a warm hug from her dad. They hadn't had the chance to talk much since she got home but she planned to spend the whole day tomorrow, catching up on father-daughter time with her dad.

"God, I missed you, puppy." Her dad whispered, kissing her forehead repeatedly.

Olivia smiled- her heart swelling up again. Puppy was a nickname that only her father could get away with calling her and just now, she realized that no matter how much older and grown she thinks she is, deeply in her heart, she'll always be a daddy's girl.

Blinking through the pool of liquid that blurred her vision, Olivia inhaled through her dad's shirt and sighed. She squeezed her dad around the waist a little bit tighter and held him just for a little bit longer. In return, he happily obliged, doing the same. Cuddled up in his big arms, it was the safest Olivia felt in a while.

"I missed you too, dad." She finally replied.

Dominic smiled and rubbed his hand up and down Olivia's back, holding her just as tightly as she was holding him. Joy overwhelmed his heart, nearly close to bursting heart. "I know you do, puppy." He said. "But you're home and we'll catch up, yeah?"

Finally letting go, Olivia pulled away to look up at her dad and smiled. She couldn't help but marvel at how handsome he still was. Time and aging has been nothing but graceful to him because in his mid-sixties, he looked twenty years younger. They say that black don't crack and if that ain't the most truthful saying, Olivia didn't know what was.

"Promise." Olivia vowed.

Her dad let her go with a nod and Olivia moved onto her mother to get showered with twice as much affection. Being an only child, she couldn't help the fact that she was spoiled and if she was being completely honest, she didn't mind it too much. In fact, she loved it.

Soon, she bid her parents a goodnight, with the promise to be of help tomorrow during Sunday dinner prep. But between them, they knew all too well that she wouldn't be much help at all. If anything, she'll be doing more eating of the ingredients and getting popped on the hand and yelled at by her mother and Mrs. Robinson.

Then, there were two…

As soon as her parents were out of sight, Olivia turned to face Fitz and he welcomed her with a glass of Malbec. With a thankful smile, Olivia took the beverage from him and brought the glass of wine to her lips for a long, healthy sip; moaning with delight at the after taste of robust grape that lingered on her tongue.

Setting her glass down on the counter, Olivia sighed and then finally, she gazed up at Fitz, allowing herself to get lost in the familiar eccentric blue of her eyes. If only for a minute.

"Hi." She whispered.

Fitz took a step forward and gently grazed a lone finger down her face. With a lot of ice, the swelling on her face had gone down rapidly and now, the makeup she wore was doing a good job of covering up the pale blue bruise. Even so, he still thought she was the most beautiful woman he's ever known. Fitz could feel her start to retreat; effectively shying away under his penetrating gaze and that had not been his intention at all. He let his hand drop in front of him, slowly inching towards hers until their fingers found their respective homes in between the empty spaces of each other's hand.

"Okay?" He asked, lowering his head so he could see into her eyes.

Olivia looked at him and nodded. "Okay." She replied in the faintest voice. Exhaustion a clear evidence.

With that said, she came willingly into his arms and melted into the comfort of Fitz's warm chest. Olivia took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of his shirt. A mixture of soft detergent and pure male flesh filled her senses, causing her to sigh again. So good. So heavenly. Just right.

It was then that Olivia smiled again. Edison could kiss her entire ass because he didn't win today. She didn't allow him to. Despite how terribly this night should've ended with him deciding to make an appearance where he wasn't wanted or invited and making a damn fool of himself and hurting her once again, everything was okay on her end. She couldn't say the same for him though.

Choke on that Edison.

…

Later found the duo in the backyard laying in the giant hammock swing tied up to a large tree.

"God, that feels so good!" Moans of pure bliss escaped Olivia's lips as Fitz's hands continued to work on her feet. She had no idea he was so good at this.

She had been sipping on her wine and complaining about how badly the balls of her feet hurt when he pulled her legs onto his lap and started to rotate her ankles and pulling on her toes. Using his thumbs, he applied pressure at the soles of her feet, working up all her pressure points and bringing her the sweetest release.

His hands were something induced with magic. They were so big, so manly and so calloused, yet they were able to provide so much relief and pleasure. Fitz's hand coupled up with the slight midnight breeze and the smell of lilies from her mother's garden filling up her nose, Olivia was sure that she had reached heaven.

"I think you would excel as a masseuse." Olivia told him.

Fitz chuckled. "And here I thought we had plans to pull America's next biggest heist together." He said, referring to the conversation they had that night they were fake breaking and entering into his gym.

"Oh that's still on." Olivia reassured him, smirking. "But I still think you could excel at both. With hands like yours, you could con a person into confessing murder while telling you all their bank account information at the same time." She said. Then suddenly, her eyes grew wide as saucers as if she had just gotten the most brilliant idea. "Maybe that's our cover after we pull it off. Who would think to come after two people who make a living rubbing people's feet? "

Laughter boomed from Fitz's chest. "I'm slightly concerned with how knowledgeable you are when it comes to this stuff." He said. "You got something you wanna share with me, Livvie?"

There he goes calling her that sacred nickname again. Olivia didn't know what to do with herself when he called her that. Pulling her legs towards herself, she thanked him for the massage. And as if Fitz knew something in the mood had changed, he simply nodded and rotated so he could lay next to her.

"C 'mere." He spoke softly.

They shared a blanket so Olivia had no other choice but to oblige. She scooted closer to him until she couldn't even feel the wind blow between them. She used his muscular bicep as a perfect pillow beneath her head and reveled in the feeling of his fingers playing in her hair. She loved that it was this natural, almost subconscious thing to him. Normally, Olivia would mind very much for someone, anyone to start touching her hair without her consent, but with him, she didn't mind it much. It was soothing, almost loving if she dared to say so.

They don't say anything for the longest time. They just stared obliviously at the sky, admiring the midnight glow and in the midst of the darkness, the moon and the stars are perfectly aligned. Words failed both of them to describe exactly how beautiful this moment was so they just let the silence fill in the void that words couldn't.

When the silence ran its course, it's Olivia who spoke first. "What do you want out of life, Fitz?"

She wasn't sure why she would ask such question. She could blame it on this moment looking up at the sky so plainly and wondering what the hell kind of meanings hid behind all those stars and that vibrant silver-crescent moon. It could also be that she's had too much to drink or maybe too much time to think. She spent time at the beach today and she was surrounded by people who made life seem truly beautiful. She almost voided the question, and chalk it up as a result of too much of everything that this day entailed but as soon as she opened her mouth, Fitz answered.

"What everyone wants." His answer was so simple yet so complex.

Olivia rolled on her side until she was face to face with him. "And what is that?"

"To live the American Dream." Fitz replied.

"But that looks different to everyone else." Olivia said. "What does it look like to you?"

He was quiet again. Olivia could see him in deep thought, working the question over in his head, in search for the perfect response. She could tell that Fitz has never really allowed himself to think about this kind of stuff. It might have to do with a lot of different factors. From her knowledge and understanding of him, she knew that he's lived a very distinctive life and maybe because of his experiences and past relationships with people, he's never really dwelled on this particular question.

So Olivia decided to be less general. "Scratch that. Where do you see yourself in ten years?"

Fitz sighed. He's never been much of a fan of time frames. Usually, he sets goals for himself and watch them play out over a period of time. As a firm believer of the saying "Man plans, God laughs,' he doesn't really allow himself to think this far ahead about his future. He doesn't have the answers to the question she just asked him because he's never thought about it but for Olivia, he'll make the exception. He'll humor her.

"Ten years from now, I'm the proud owner of three businesses…" He begin.

"What kind of business?" Olivia interrupted.

"I already have the gym so maybe a club in Miami and a restaurant here in New York." Fitz replied.

"Nice." Olivia smiled. "I'm sorry… continue."

"… I don't know." Fitz added. "I can only hope to have a big family."

"How big?" Olivia asked.

Fitz shrugged. "As big as possible. Maybe six kids. Although, I suppose I can settle for four."

Olivia smiled. She didn't have to ask why he wanted so many kids. Knowing him, it was pretty self explanatory. Any idiot could guess why.

"I pray God have mercy on that woman's vagina. Whoever she might be."

At that, Fitz laughed. It's so contagious that Olivia can't help but join in on it with him.

"You're mean." Fitz said.

"Hey, I'm just saying." Olivia chuckled. "What else do you want?"

"I guess that's about it." Fitz responded. "It'd be nice to travel too. I hope to make it to Italy and Greece one day. If and when it happens, I hope to be as in love with the woman I marry as the day that I first laid my eyes on her." Something about the way he looked at her when he said that last statement sent a shiver down Olivia's spine and set her skin on fire. She quickly had to remind herself that this was all hypothetical. Just crazy talk that could only occur at this time of the night.

"Anyways, what about you?" Fitz asked.

Olivia looked into his eyes. They looked more like a stormy shade of grey under the lighting of the moon than the cerulean blue she's recognized them to be in pure daylight. They were still the most beautiful eyes Olivia's ever known though. No matter what their shades.

"Some days, I think I want the whole nine yards." She told him. "And then there are other days when I just want adventures."

"Why don't the two collide?" Fitz asked. "Why can't you have both?"

Fitz waited for her response with more anticipation than he'd care to admit. She offered him a sly smile before giving him the most incredible reply. "One is sure to be painful, difficult, devastating, life changing and extraordinary. The other, well, it's just normal, easy and simple. Who in their right mind really wants to make a choice between the two?"

Fitz was too momentarily speechless to follow up on any of it.

…

It was maybe a quarter past two o'clock in the morning when they finally made it back inside the house. The night breeze had become too cold for the thin blanket to absorb. Plus Olivia's grumbling stomach was somewhat problematic also. Fitz led her inside, making sure all the doors were locked before meeting her in the kitchen.

"Want me to fix you something?" He asked.

Olivia's almost hesitant. Her stomach was persistent with making its unhappiness at being empty known but Olivia didn't know what to eat. Sensing her internal battle, Fitz opened the fully stocked fridge in the Popes kitchen and looked around for suggestions. "How about some sliced apples?"

"Sure." Olivia nodded. It sounded good enough.

Fitz picked out three gala apples and made a show of juggling them in the air. Olivia watched him do so with an almost child-like fascination and when he caught her staring, he was all smug about it.

"See something you like, pretty?" He asked.

Instant déjà vu.

Olivia rolled her eyes at him. "Don't flatter yourself, cowboy." She replied. "Nobody likes a show off, Fitzgerald. And besides, you weren't even that great." It was a damnable lie. He was great but telling him that wouldn't be too good for his overly large ego, now would it?

"Then how come you were staring so intently?" Fitz questioned, his tone filled with immeasurable sass.

"Maybe cause you looked absolutely ridiculous doing it!" Olivia replied.

Fitz chuckled, not missing out on the déjà vu that just occurred. "You're still one feisty little lady." He said. Turning around, he turned on the faucet under the kitchen sink and washed the apples before setting up a small cutting board and a knife on the counter.

Once again, Olivia watched him perform the art of slicing all three apples with expertise knife skills in no time at all. She wondered how he learned to get so good with a knife. So much of Fitzgerald Grant was still a fascinating mystery to her but it was kind of hard to believe that to be true when some days it feels like she's known him her whole entire life.

"Do you want peanut butter with it?" Fitz asked.

Olivia shook her head as she reached for a slice of the crispy, sweet apple. "No. Thank you." She popped the slice in her mouth and moaned at the burst of juiciness and sweetness that burned her tongue. It tasted so organic, so delicious that Olivia was sure they were from her mom's garden. She made a mental note to herself to steal some in a bag before she leaves.

"Water?"

Olivia nodded and Fitz tossed a bottle at her across the counter.

They ate in silence. The crunching sound of the crisp apples the only audible thing. After they finished, Fitz rinsed up the cutting board and the knife then wiped the counter with some paper towels.

When they finally headed up for bed, it was closer to three in the morning. They didn't do the whole charade of going to their respectful rooms down the opposite halls from each other. There was no way and besides, if anyone had something to say about it, they could argue that they were grown. So, when Olivia entered her room, Fitz followed right behind her.

"Whoa, nice room." Fitz commented.

It wasn't like anything he'd expected. Nothing made too much sense about the décor of the room and it threw Fitz off a little bit. Everything was mismatched but it still held this aura of warmth and welcome to it. Fitz guessed that was what made the room look so cool. The walls were a soft beige with hand painted patterns in peacock blue. Her closet doors were a vivid red and had a lot of signatures on it printed in silver-permanent marker. She had a tall shelf that occupied a lot of records and books. Custom nightstands and mirrors contrasted fairly with her Adras Ikat print pillows and pistachio colored linens. Even cooler was the bright orange chaise longue with the throw pillows that sat right by her window. She had the most beautiful view of her mom's garden from that angle. Fitz could picture her as a teenager perched up on that chair listening to music obnoxiously loud while doing homework.

"Thanks." Olivia said, pushing the comforter back on her huge, queen sized mattress. "It wasn't always this cool." She admitted. Over the years, she's changed the appearance of this room multiple times. She kind of grew into this room come to think of it because as she aged and became more mature, so did this room. "It used to be super girly with posters of naked boy bands and literature. The walls also used to be obnoxiously purple but don't hold that against me. I was sixteen then and I didn't know any better."

Fitz chuckled as he jumped into bed with her. Her bed and pillows were very comfortable. By the time she'd gotten around to shut off her lamp, he was almost asleep. A muffled cry stirred him awake.

"You heard that too, right?" Olivia said, looking at him for confirmation.

Then it was a loud moan before they both could hear the sound of a headboard banging against a wall. The unmistakable sound of Maya's voice begging "don't stop" caused Olivia to sit up straight in her bed.

"Is that-"

"My parents fucking like jack rabbits? Yes." Olivia looked absolutely horrified and Fitz couldn't for the life of him contain the laughter that burst out of him. Holy shit! They were loud.

"So much for sleeping, right?"

By the sound of it, it seemed that her parents were just getting started. Olivia grabbed a pillow and pressed it over her head to release a loud groan. It was gonna be an even longer night.

888

Even though they didn't get to bed until the wee hours of the night, the next morning around ten o'clock, Olivia woke up feeling refreshed and well rested despite having to wait out her parent's loud marathon of wall-banging. She had expected Fitz to still be in her bed but the cold sheets on the other side of her bed told her that he must've sneaked out some time this morning. Giving a loud yawn, she begin to stretch out of bed.

Olivia wasn't very surprised to find that Fitz had taken over her parent's kitchen once again this morning to serve breakfast. Now more than ever, he was earning good points with Mrs. Robinson who looked a little more than pleased to hand over her throne as the Pope family's chef over to him.

"Morning everyone." She announced her presence.

All heads snapped to her and once she was within reach of her dad, he pulled her to him by wrapping his arms around her waist. "Morning daddy." Olivia smiled.

"You slept well, puppy?"

At that, Olivia glanced over at Fitz behind the counter and they both grinned at each other- knowing all too well that sleep didn't really come easy after hearing her parents fucking like animals throughout the wee hours of dawn. It was then too that they both silently agreed that they were going to give her parents a little bit of hell over that as soon as they all sat around the table to start breakfast.

"Want some coffee?" Fitz asked.

Olivia shook her head no. "Tea." She replied.

"You got it boss." Fitz said.

Then Olivia turned her attention over to her dad again and finally answered his question. "Slept like a baby." She replied grinning before she leaned down and pressed a kiss on his forehead.

Separating from him, Olivia then gave Mrs. Robinson a morning kiss on the cheek. "Morning Mrs. Robinson." She said. "How are you this fine morning, beautiful?"

"I've been kicked out of my own damn kitchen by a gorgeous young man." Mrs. Robinson replied, a smile on her face and her islander accent as thick as ever. "I've never been better, sweetheart."

Olivia smiled and took her seat next to her dad at the table. Noticing that her mother hadn't shown up yet for breakfast, Olivia frowned. "Where's mama?" She asked her dad.

And as if on cue, her mother came strolling into the kitchen. Her normally straight hair was a hot mess of curls this morning. She had a glow to her skin and she walked a little funny. She had that througouhly fucked look.

Oh. This was great. Olivia wasn't going to miss the opportunity to tease her mother. She was going to enjoy this.

"A good morning to thee, Mrs. Pope." She flashed her mother a smile. "I'm gonna go ahead and say you had an aaaah-ma-zing night since I beat you to breakfast on this holy Sunday morning?"

"Fuck's sake, Olivia." Knowing exactly what her daughter knew, embarrassment flushed Maya's face as she ran her fingers through her wild curls.

"Ooh, your majesty curses? On the good Lord's day of all days?" Olivia continued to tease.

Maya rolled her eyes. She reached her husband at the table and leaned down to press a sound and sweet kiss on his lips. Their little PDA didn't totally disgust Olivia. She didn't get people who felt sick to their stomach when their parents showed affection publicly. She loved that. Something about her parents still being affectionate with each other after being married for so long killed the myth that all the passion that started a marriage between two people who once upon a time loved each other, withers with time and age. Olivia liked knowing the fact that her parents still got their freak on because how many children today whose parents have been married as long as hers have can proudly admit that their parents still loved each other in that way?

"Tell your daughter to leave me alone." Maya pleaded to her husband as she took a seat at the other head of the table where she occupied and ruled for decades as the Queen of the Pope household.

"Oh, so you didn't have an aaaah-ma-zing night?" Dominic teased too. He too knew what his daughter knew and he didn't really mind the teasing much. He was a sexual being and still after this many years, he found his wife hot enough to make love to her. There was still fun and pleasure to be found with her. She still turned him on and there was no shame in that to him. "And here I thought I'd given you my best moves, baby." To that, the table burst into laughter, even Mrs. Robinson did after she caught up to what was going on. Olivia high fived her father and Dominic smirked when his wife covered her face with her hands in annoyance and embarrassment.

When Maya finally found the courage to look back up, Dominic blew her a kiss and winked. "Chin up. It'll be over Monday."

"I'll kill both of you by then." Maya said.

Shortly after, Fitz served breakfast and the four settled around the table to eat.

"Thank you, honey." Maya said when Fitz poured her a glass of Orange Juice.

Nodding, Fitz blushed. "Welcome Mrs. Pope." After having heard Maya's scream of pleasure last night, Fitz wasn't sure he could really call her by her first name anymore.

"Oh you too?" Maya gaped.

"You were… kind of loud." Fitz admitted.

The rest of breakfast went smoothly. Olivia continued to mercilessly tease her mother as her father completed the morning paper's puzzle.

"Ro," Maya addressed Mrs. Robinson. "How come Eli didn't join us for breakfast?"

"Oh he went out of town." Mrs. Robinson replied. "With Olivia home for more than a few hours, he figured today's Sunday dinner should be special."

"Can you pass the milk?" Olivia asked.

The milk was next to her mother and it was too far for her to reach so Fitz stood up to get it to her. "I got it." He grabbed the pitcher and begin to pour the liquid slowly into Olivia's cooling cup of tea. "More?"

Olivia decided she wanted to get under her mother's skin some more so she nodded. "Yes baby. Don't stop." She moaned, throwing her head back in mocked ecstasy. "Always more." Taking the newspaper next to her father, she begin to fan herself as she looked at her mother who wasn't the least bit pleased about any of it. And it was taking everything Fitz had in him not to spill the milk as he begin vibrating with muffled laughter.

Dominic could only sit back and smirk at his daughter's antiques. It served them right. He knew that he and his wife wouldn't get away with their recklessness that easily after having been heard so he was more than willing to take in the incessant teasing. He had a thicker skin than his wife who looked ready to pop a vein across from him at the table. "Breathe baby. It'll be over soon." He offered.

This time, there was no threat of murder.

Breakfast ended thirty minutes later. Mrs. Robinson helped Fitz clean up as Olivia continued to moan or whimper everything she said to her mother.

Finally having had enough, Maya pushed back her chair at the table and stood up. "I swear y'all ain't shit." She said, her pointer finger going back and forth from her daughter to her husband.

"I love you, momma!" Olivia shouted after her mother.

In the kitchen, Fitz could hear Olivia dying of laughter as Maya left the dinning table. Popping her head into the kitchen for a brief second, Maya called out to Fitz.

"Thank you for breakfast, Fitzgerald. It was lovely."

Fitz winked at her. "It was no trouble at all." He replied, taking a clean bowl from Mrs. Robinson to dry up.

A permanent smile plastered on Fitz's face long after Maya left. He peaked at Olivia through the kitchen and smiled. He loved how free and at home she looked. He loved that breathless smile she had on her face as she talked to her dad. He loved that beautiful, unique laughter that escaped her lips when her mother told her she wasn't shit in regards to her merciless teasing. He loved that she had such a great family and he loved to see her this happy.

Fitz had never felt more grateful in that moment to be a part of such an unforgettable moment. Never been more grateful to be surrounded by so much realness and normalcy. Never been more grateful to be a witness to something so wonderful. He was glad that he decided to join Olivia when she had asked him.

Unbeknownst to him, while he was standing in the middle of kitchen with heart eyes, Mrs. Robinson was studying him the whole time. Once he managed to snap out of it, he realized that he'd been caught.

"You love my Ollie, don't you?" It wasn't even a question. Hell, it wasn't even a statement.

It was kind of a known fact almost. As sure as the sky is blue to human eyes, and as sure as rain is clear. It was then that it dawned on Fitz. Like an epiphany, as well as all those other facts held true, Fitzgerald Grant knew that he loved Olivia Pope. And for the first time since he knew; that very first night when he woke up to find her wrapped up in his chest, breathing his scent… for the first time since then, Fitz felt brave enough to admit his secret to someone else out loud. "Yes. I do." He replied.

He felt that it would be insulting to lie to Mrs. Robinson's face. Fitz could tell that she was a no-non-sense kind of woman. She could see right through people's bullshit and the greys in her long, natural hair told him that she's seen some shit in her days and therefore, she could be pretty intuitive. There was no use in not being truthful with her. Besides, she kind of reminded him of someone he used to know.

"Why don't you tell her?" Mrs. Robinson asked curiously.

Fitz shrugged. Everything good that he's ever had in his life never lasted long. (i.e., His parents, Voight, ex-girlfriends etc…) With Olivia, he's been given another opportunity at something great again. Her pureness, the way she laughs and loves fiercely, the way she smile and weaken him at the knees, the way she spoke and listened to every word when spoken to, the way she treats and care for people, strangers or familiar… it was rare. She was rare, one of a kind and Fitz intended for her to last longer than those who never stayed too long. He didn't want to do anything rash that could potentially annihilate this effortless rapport and connection that's built between them in such a short period of knowing each other.

"It's not the right time." Fitz answered.

And to that, Mrs. Robinson laughed. The sound almost soulful to Fitz's ears. "Every once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, this thing call love comes around unannounced, knocking at your door when you're least expecting it to deliver a little something called fairytale. It's never quite like the movies or romance novels. That crap is more for entertainment. You see, the real thing; real love, it's messy and it will never be easy. Hell child, I can almost guarantee you that it will rip a part of your soul before it's even done with you. It tends to suck that way but it's the best, most exhilarating feeling in the world and without it, we're all just existing." Mrs. Robinson continued on without missing a beat as he watched Fitz hang on to her every word with a glow in his blue eyes. "You seem like a wonderful, young man, Fitzgerald so stop simply existing, honey. Start living. You're catching my drift?"

Fitz gave a nod in understanding.

"So you tell her, alright? Tell her now because there's never gonna be a right time. Tell her now before it's too late." Mrs. Robinson said.

Fitz didn't get a chance to reply because he heard footsteps coming and before he could guess who it was, Olivia's head popped into the kitchen. With Mrs. Robinson's back to her, curiosity caused her to frown as to the nature of whatever conversation she's sure she just interrupted. Looking at Fitz, she mouthed to him: "What's going on?"

'Wouldn't you like to know?' Fitz thought, shrugging back at her with a smile.

The glow in Fitz's blue eyes told Mrs. Robinson exactly who their intruder was and she turned around to face Olivia.

"Am I interrupting a life changing speech or something?" Olivia asked all in good humor and Fitz chuckled at that.

If only she knew…

Mrs. Robinson was kind of notorious for her wisdom and speeches. It's one of the many reasons why Olivia loved her and respected her so much. Sometimes, the elder woman reminded her too much of her Nana Giselle whom she used to go to for everything when she was still alive.

"We were just discussing a menu for dinner later." Mrs. Robinson told a little white lie. "I'll go call that husband of mine while he's still in town to make sure he's bringing all the ingredients." Passing Olivia, Mrs. Robinson stopped just long enough to admire Olivia's beautiful face. "God, you remind me so much of your grandmother." She said, a hint of sadness in her voice as she pushed a stray of curls behind Olivia's ears.

Olivia bent her head down a bit to receive the gentle kiss that was place on her cheek. "You've been gone too long, Ollie. I forget how beautiful you are. Fitz outta come visit more often if it means I get to see your face."

Before Olivia could say anything, Mrs. Robinson was gone.

"I don't know how you do it, Ace." Olivia said to Fitz.

He clenched his eyebrows, acting clueless. "Do what?" He asked.

"You got Mrs. Robinson to like you." Olivia whispered, as if to let him in a secret. "She never likes the men I bring home. Friends or not."

"Maybe I'm just that charming." He said in a perfect British accent.

Olivia chuckled. "No one likes a bragger, Fitzgerald." She scolded.

"Well in that case, I suppose I won't let that be my downfall." He said.

Olivia looked at him, smiled and shook her head. She couldn't believe how unbelievably normal it felt to have him here in her parent's house. He didn't have to pretend to be someone he wasn't. He was just himself. He didn't have to fight to blend in… he just did as if he belonged here all along. It's never been that way with anyone she ever brought home. Not even with Edison who her parents moderately tolerated.

"What?" Fitz asked approaching her, effectively closing the distance between them.

"Nothing." Olivia replied.

When he was within her reach, he grabbed her hand and entwined their fingers. "Oh, no it's definitely not nothing." He said, pointing out subtly just how well he knows her. "You got a look on your face, Miss. Pope."

Olivia looked into his eyes and sighed. "It's just…" She struggled to put into words how good it felt to have him here this weekend around her family. With her. "Thank you for being here with me this weekend." She settled on those words instead.

Fitz threw an arm around shoulders and tickled the back of her neck. Before they both knew it, she was in his arms, wrapped up in a hug. He kissed the crown of her head. "Thanks for inviting me, Fireball. It feels good to be here."

The moment however lasted very short because Olivia's dad came running in the kitchen all excited about something. Their bodies parted but their fingers were still very much clasped together like magnets.

"What's up dad?" Olivia asked.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to go to the ranch. Spend some quality with your old man for old time's sake." Dominic said, a smile on his face. He always had a smile. It was his temperament. Hardly was he ever in a foul mood. He was such a peaceful man and he believed that as long as one had something to do, something to look forward to and someone to love, there was no reason for you to be unhappy. And with his wealth, his fulfilling job as a husband and father, and a family like his, he had so much to be grateful for every day so he was always a happy man.

"Sounds good, dad." Olivia nodded.

"Okay, puppy. Let me know when you're ready to go."

After her father left, Olivia extended a silent invitation for Fitz to join her at the ranch with her father. Fitz politely declined her invitation because he didn't want to intrude on her time with her father. He was a big boy, he's sure he could find ways to keep himself entertained without her around for a couple of hours.

888

At the ranch…

"You're doing alright, puppy?" Dominic asked. "Your mother told me about you and Edison… how things ended. I'm sorry I didn't contact you sooner to talk. I know how you are. I wanted to give you some space to yourself."

All Olivia could do was smile as she leaned her head on her father's strong arm. She was tired of Edison being in every conversation she's had this weekend. She didn't want thoughts of that asshole pestering her while she was out with her dad on such a beautiful piece of land, staring at green pastures and the work of God and nature. She's already given Edison too much of her time for him to come in between her time with her father. It's already been way too long since she's hung out with her dad solo and truly talk about things. Once upon a time, they used to be pros at father-daughter time and if she was being honest, Olivia longed after those days a lot. Especially now with him telling her that he misses not seeing her so often anymore back at the house.

But the day for longing was long gone because today was a brand new day and life was affording them the opportunity to create new memories together. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and the weather was more than fair in the high seventies. The trees were greener and more alive than they were the day before, the air smelled almost clean and the sun was shining brightly. It was a great day for a nice long ride and a delightful picnic with her father. Just like the old days.

"I'm fine, dad." Olivia replied smiling as she snuggled deeper into her father's arm. "Today's gonna be a great day and I don't wanna spend another second talking about Edison Davis." His name sounder more bitter than usual on her tongue and it rolled off her tongue with an uneasiness and clogged her intestines. It might've had something to do with him coming all the way over to her parent's home, drunk off his ass and assaulting her physically. Then again, it could be the simple fact that he was a shitty human being and Olivia absolutely hated him. Take your pick.

"Okay." Dominic agreed. "You won't believe your eyes when you see Belle. That old' broad's all grown up."

"Do I hear nostalgia in your tone, old man?" Olivia teased as she looked up into her father's golden hazel eyes.

"Of course it is!" Dominic replied shamelessly. "When we got Belle for you, you were thirteen and I could swear you spent most of your time talking to that horse than actual human beings."

Olivia chuckled, remembrance washing over her in a peaceful wave. "Horses are very trustworthy and I had to tell somebody all my secrets." She said.

"That's right." Dominic smiled. "And now my puppy's all grown up. I miss those old days."

It wasn't cold enough to blame her misty eyes on the harsh winters that the east coast usually harbors so Olivia had to make up something about dust falling into her eyes in order to hide her sudden emotional outburst. Truth is, no matter how old she gets or no matter how long of a fall out she and her father had during her rebellious age, deep down, she'll always be a daddy's girl. And only God knows how grateful she is to have the man she calls her father be the kind, gentle, forgiving and loving human being that he is. She seriously lucked out.

"Nothing's changed." Olivia promised. "I'm still your puppy. I always will be."

Dominic leaned down and a placed a kiss on his daughter's forehead. She was wrong. Everything had changed but somethings still remained the same. His Vie would forever be his little girl and he'll forever love her. Nothing would ever change that. Not even time.

"Ready for a fun day?" He asked.

The stable finally came into view and Olivia could see the shiny blue coat of her father's stallion, Heath doing laps around the ranch. Several feet away, she spotted Lady, her mother's beautiful brown broad and Heath's soulmate being fed an apple by one of the trainers/workers at her father's ranch.

Olivia smiled as memories of her teenage years came flooding back at her in strong waves. This place was one of the many places that brought her some of the greatest memories. And at the moment, she couldn't think of a better way to spend her Sunday.

888

Around six o'clock that evening, Olivia came home running. She almost felt like her ten year old self again, racing home before her dad after dance recital or piano lessons to see what mom had cooked for dinner.

"Slow down, puppy!" Her father shouted after her. "It's not really fair if you're off like a cheetah. My old bones can't handle that kind of speed."

This all fell to death's ears as Olivia bolted through the front door.

"I'm here!" She announced.

When the only sound that came back to her was the echo of her voice ringing throughout the house, Olivia frowned as she marched deeper into the house. And once in the kitchen, she could hear the booming sound of laughter coming out from the yard. Smiling to herself, Olivia thought about how much of a factor that laughing has been since she showed up with Fitz. Clearly, that couldn't be a coincidence.

"Where's everyone?" Her dad's almost breathless voice came behind her seconds later. Olivia turned her head to see him chugging a bottle of water.

"You are getting old." She teased before sliding open the glass door that lead to the backyard. Her dad followed after her.

Both Popes came to a startling stop at the sight presented before them at the backyard. Soft music was being played through the speakers as Fitzgerald Grant charmed Mrs. Robinson's panties off with his dance moves. On the other side of the yard, Maya's head was thrown back in laughter. She sat on a lounger by the pool, the setting sun bouncing off her golden brown as she sipped on a fruity beverage of some sort. Mr. Robinson was sitting next to her looking just as amused and entertained as he watched his wife being wooed by Fitz. In the pool, someone was doing laps at the speed of a shark. Olivia couldn't tell who.

"And here I thought we were late for dinner." Olivia said, announcing her presence.

She watched her dad skip to her mom's side. Scooting over, Maya made room for her dad who then joined her on the small lounger. His head instantly took shelter against her mother's chest after he greeted her with a kiss on the lips.

"Hey baby!" Her mom shouted across the pool to her and blew her a kiss in the air. The woman was clearly blissfully tipsy.

Olivia stared down at an approaching Fitz who wore a guilty smirk on his face. Without needing to ask, Olivia knew that he was the host of this little party that she was very uninvited to.

"You're responsible for this, aren't you?" Olivia asked.

Fitz continued to smirk as he pulled her into his arms for a hug. His hand somehow found its way through her messy hair and he scratched her scalp before placing a kiss at the crown of her head. "I don't know who you take me for, but I never kiss and tell, Miss Pope." He whispered in her ear.

Olivia smiled; pushing at his chest. "Fine. Play coy."

A body finally surfaced from the bottom of the pool and up came Harrison's head, wiping off the water in his eyes as he heaved breathlessly for oxygen. Olivia was taken aback but she couldn't deny that it was a welcomed surprise to see her cousin, although she was questioning the nature of his visit. Harrison probably hasn't showed up for a Sunday dinner at the Pope's residence in about as long as Olivia. Even longer than that maybe.

…

Inside, Olivia met Cece who had been hard at work, consulting a co-worker on a case over the phone when she arrived. Though she wouldn't admit it aloud, Olivia was kind of glad to see the girl again, as she had taken a liking to her over the little time they've spent getting to know each other briefly the previous day. Olivia had never before taken to any of Harrison's little flings because most of the time, their inner beauties didn't match what was on the outside. Most of them were usually downright ill-mannered and felt entitled to Harrison's time. It was one of the main reasons why that the two cousins had lost touch over the years because Olivia couldn't stand to be around the women that Harrison usually went for. Cece however, Olivia liked her just fine.

Once inside, dinner prep was in full swing. Everyone got a job to do. Even Harrison who's no good for nothing in the kitchen got something to do. Mrs. Robinson was in charge of the greens and tenderloin while her husband catered to roasting the vegetables. Maya was hands deep in making her famous cornbread while Olivia and Cece worked together on the salad alongside Harrison who was responsible for the dressing. Fitz was on dessert duty. He had proudly volunteered to be in charge - promising everyone a treat that would be out of this world delicious. No one doubted his abilities. Dominic's only job was to pour a bottle of chilled wine into a pitcher. After deeming his task the manliest of the jobs, he got kicked out by his wife and the man more than obliged, skipping off to the living room hopping to catch a game of college football.

After fulfilling her duty on salad prep, Olivia washed her hands under the sink in the kitchen before she started to annoy her mother. The delicious aroma of the cornbread her mom was making was causing her stomach to growl.

"Can I have some, mama?" Olivia asked, wrapping her arms around her mom's waist.

"Soon." Maya replied.

Impatient and honestly not satisfied with the answer she got, Olivia whined. "How many minutes is soon?"

Maya couldn't help but chuckle. Entwining her fingers with Olivia's, she craned her neck to place a gentle kiss on her daughter's cheek. Memories came flooding back at Maya in powerful waves and she got teary eyed when she realized that her Livia hadn't changed much over the years. The same thing that Olivia was doing now- standing by the stove while she cooked and begged incessantly to be fed before the meal was ready- Olivia used to do the exact same thing as a kid. Maya was just grateful that she could still have moments like this with her only child.

"Not too long, baby." Maya assured her.

Olivia still groaned. She knows that she'll only be eating that cornbread at the dinner table, just like everybody else when it was ready and not one minute before. But she did it to humor her mother because she knows how much the little moments meant to her. How much she treasured them and Olivia wanted to give her the gift of as many as possible.

"Fine." She kissed her mother's cheek before she left the kitchen.

She had to get away from all that mouthwatering food or there was no guarantee that she would wait for dinner to be served.

Olivia had only gotten as far as the hallway leading to the living room when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning around, she was not surprised when she saw that it was Harrison trailing after her.

"Hi Lili." He smiled.

Olivia smiled back, knowing that her only called her by that nickname when he wanted something from her.

"Whatchu want from me, Harrison?" She asked.

Harrison frowned. "Can't a man just wanna hang out with his favorite cousin?"

"You're so full of shit." Olivia said, shaking her head. "Come on. Lead the way."

They raced upstairs to the attic and then climbed a ladder which brought them to the very top of the house on the roof. Their spot. It's where they often came to clear their minds without worrying about being bothered. They came up with some of their greatest ideas and created some of their best memories up there as children. It's always been where they told each other their deepest secrets. It's always been where they could escape to smoke a blunt or two, feel the wind beating on their faces and look at the world together as teenagers. They never needed a reason to come up here. It's always been theirs.

"I wish we had a blunt right about now." Olivia confessed; reminiscing about the old days.

"Shit, me too." Harrison agreed, laughing.

Though the floor was guaranteed to be filthy, neither cared as they lie down next to each other and just stared up at the sky, letting the cool breeze of the evening graze against their cheeks and whisper in their ears. The feeling of peace that came with it very much welcomed.

"You need to ask, so ask." Olivia said after a few minutes.

Harrison thought that they could ease their way into the conversation but as usual, there was never a need for sugar-coating anything with his cousin. She was a straight shooter in that sense.

"What happened with you and Edison?" Harrison asked.

Just the mention of his name was enough to anger Olivia all over again and her get blood boiling. She didn't understand how it was possible to have such a profound dislike for someone she thought she used to love at one point in time. Collecting herself, Olivia took a deep breath before answering Harrison.

"He cheated, I left and now he's drinking himself to a liver failure."

"That mother fucker!' Harrison seethed. "I should've fucking killed him yesterday."

"And what? Have you go to jail?" Olivia questioned. "Trust me, Edison is not worth all that trouble. I'm over him and I'm over what happened yesterday."

"Okay." Harrison wasn't completely convinced that was the truth but he had to admit that Olivia was doing better than he had expected after what happened yesterday. Olivia often had a tendency to shut down and keep to herself when she was hurt. It's exactly what happened after their Nana passed away and though Harrison knew that what occurred yesterday varied in contrast to the death of their grandmother, he still didn't want to take any chances. He'd be lying if he said that the reason he showed up to aunt Maya's today for dinner wasn't specifically to make sure that Olivia was doing okay. Being as honest as possible, he wasn't looking forward to another episode of Olivia hitting rock bottom. The first time was bad enough. Only he knew what it did to him to watch someone he loves so much go through so much pain all by herself and after the last time, Harrison had promised himself that he would always look out after his cousin. He sure as hell wasn't going to let an asshole like Edison be the reason why his cousin sank into a period of deep depression or even worse because he had the audacity to put his hands on her. Now more than ever, Harrison is thinking that he should've fucking buried Edison yesterday! And as upset as he was at the moment, he wasn't sure if that wasn't going to be his first order of business as soon as he got back to New York.

"What's the deal with you and Fitz?" Harrison asked.

Olivia shrugged. "Nothing. We're just friends."

"Hmmm…" Harrison muttered.

He wasn't going to be the one to call bullshit on that statement because he knew Olivia. After Edison, she needed time to herself before she was even open to the possibility of dating again but Harrison knew. There was definitely no "just friends" where Fitz and Olivia was concerned. He only spent five minutes in their presence the previous day before he was able to see it and he's sure that anyone with a pair of eyes can see a mile away that they weren't going to be "just friends" for much longer. Not with the way they looked at each other like they were the only two that existed whenever they were in a room together.

"I like him." Harrison told her. If it was a matter of opinion, he was for that relationship. He was rooting for it hardcore and he didn't even know Fitz as well as he should. Who knows? Maybe it was being with Celery but he was definitely getting soft around the edges when it came to all his cousins and men sniffing around them.

Plus, he didn't miss the little smile that blossomed on Olivia's lips when he voiced his approval of Fitzgerald. She was such a goner and homegirl didn't even know it yet. God bless her soul.

"I like Cece. She's good for you." Olivia then told him.

This pleased Harrison very much. Olivia might not know this about him but even though he acts as if he doesn't care about anyone's opinion when it came to the matter of his personal life, he cared what Olivia thought deeply. Given that they weren't very far off in age, Olivia was kind of like the bigger-little sister he never got. She drove him up walls as kids and he looked forwards to the ass kicking she delivers to him every once in a while whenever he's in desperate need of it. She keeps him in line so while Harrison might not give a fuck what anybody else's opinion of him and his lifestyle, Olivia Pope was the exception and it hasn't been easy to live up to her expectations. Not that he has to but he fought hard to try to.

Olivia's hated every single woman he's introduced her to and she was never shy about voicing her dislike to the women out loud but out of the whole bunch of them over the years, Celery seemed to have been the lucky one because Olivia didn't shred her to pieces and have her running for the hills already. Although Harrison was still threading on pins and needles, waiting for the shit to hit the fan so to speak, he thought it was pretty safe to say that he was sort of in the clear when he watched Cece's interaction with Olivia just minutes ago when they were downstairs making the salad. They truly had a liking to each other and that was important to Harrison. He didn't even know when he decided that Cece just might be the first woman he brings home for Thanksgiving dinner this fall to meet the whole Lewis-Pope-Wright squad. Though he can't say that he was looking forward to that day with too much excitement, he was willing to go through it because of Cece. He loved that girl so for her, he'd do anything.

"You'd better like her." Harrison said. "Cause I think I'm gonna marry that girl one day soon."

At that, Olivia sat up abruptly. She thought she must've heard wrong because she could've sworn she just heard Harrison utter the word "marry" as finally growing the hell up; as in finally ceasing to be such a "commitment phobe", as in finally settling down in a white picket fence, (well maybe not white picket fence. Maybe a penthouse,) with 2.5 children and a golden retriever.

Olivia never thought she'd live to see the day this startling development occurred.

"Are you serious?" She asked.

Harrison nodded, still laying down. "As a serious as a heart attack." He answered.

Olivia lie back down next to him and let those words settle for her. She could only come with one word for how this all felt and sounded to her: Wow.

Just wow.

A few minutes later, Olivia was still in shock but she thought she should probably say something.

"I'll do a little bit of detective work for you." She volunteered. "I'll find out her taste, what her style is in regards to things like that so that when you're ready to pick out a ring, you won't be totally clueless."

'Always doing the Lord's work' Harrison thought. He bumped Olivia's shoulder before wrapping an arm around her neck. "I always did like you." He said.

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Or maybe you're just full of shit." She said. "Try not to fuck up between now and then."

Harrison gave her a sure nod. "I'll try not to but I can't promise anything. I'm only human."

They both laughed.

Minutes passed again before Olivia's stomach started to growl again. This time, it wasn't a warning. This was the real thing. It was either feed her or somebody was going to pay the wrath of that hunger. It also didn't really help that she could smell all the delicious foods being cooked all the way up there on the roof. Deciding that she wasn't going to waste another second hungry, Olivia begin to stand up. "Come on, let's go!" She snapped her fingers at Harrison to hurry it up. "Food's calling my name."

"Fatty." Harrison teased.

Olivia kicked his leg. "Asshole."

This was more like them. And Harrison knew then that his cousin was going to be just fine.

…

Dinner was served at eight-thirty. After everyone had cleaned up and settled around the table, Mrs. Robinson insisted that they said a prayer and Harrison being the youngest one at the table obliged. He kept his prayer brief with a simple; "For good food and those who prepared it, we thank you, Lord. Amen!"

Olivia was entirely too grateful.

The Caesar salad was passed around first and over that, they chose to discuss politics and the upcoming election. Olivia chose to not say much during that conversation, only nodding when she agreed with a statement because she was extremely apolitical but between us, if it's a matter of honest opinions, Olivia thought that both Hilary and Trump were a pair of ain't shit, ain't never gonna be shit candidates. Although, it was interesting to hear what everyone else at the table had to say. By the time they got to their entrees which consisted of cornbread, spinach stuffed tenderloin, collard greens and roasted veggies, only moans of gusto could be heard for a long while by all members at the table.

Clean up was done fairly quick with the help of everyone and soon enough, they all moved to the living room to await Fitz's delightful dessert. It was also then that Maya got the brilliant idea to pull out the photo albums. Olivia shook her head. Oh no! She didn't approve. Behind every picture, there was always a story to be told by her mom or dad. Photo albums only served to embarrass her and suck all the joy out of her life.

"Mom, please don't!" Olivia begged.

Maya laughed at her daughter's all too sudden state of distress. "Why not?"

Olivia pouted and crossed her arms over her chest, much like she used to as a child. Nothing's changed at all. "You know why!"

Just then, Fitz decided to emerge from the kitchen carrying a large tray of their desserts. Olivia buried her hands in her face and the urge to scream wasn't too far behind. Of course he'd be present to witness one of the many embarrassing moments of her life created by Maya Pope. Of course.

Harrison who had been in the kitchen, offering him a helping him followed right after Fitz. The two had really taken a liking to each other after beating into Edison's face the previous night and then spending all afternoon together today.

As soon as Harrison saw the photo album though, his face grew into a wide smile as laughter started to groan from his chest and then booming out of his lungs. "Oh, this is going to be good."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "I don't like none on y'all." She said.

Fitz on the other hand was very much interested in finding out why Olivia was so against the photo album being seen.

"Think of it as payback for this morning." Maya said.

Olivia fought to say something; looking back and forth at Fitz and her dad for some kind of rescue but neither offered any help. Instead, they both wore similar grins on their faces as they shrugged at her. Realizing quickly that she had no defense or ammunition, Olivia's shoulders sagged. Karma is one little hairy bitch and it's come back to bite her back in the ass. She was just gonna have to suffer through an hour long of those embarrassing moments of her life.

"Thanks for nothing, Ace!" Olivia said.

"Curiosity killed the cat." Fitz blew her a kiss across the room as he settled the tray in which their desserts awaited. "Sorry babe. I'm only human."

The desserts on display served as a minimal distraction. Olivia was plotting on snatching the album and running away with it but it wouldn't really be much help. There was more where that first one came from and she knew that her mom had no qualms about pulling out all five.

"These look delicious, Fitz." Cece commented.

On the tray, the affogato trifles looked mouthwatering- made just right with layer crushed biscotti, two scoops of softened vanilla ice cream, a cloud of whipped cream and a shot of strong, hot espresso. The choice of chocolate or caramel syrup was drizzled over the ice cream. A pinch of cinnamon powder was dusted on top of the sundae for a hint of sharpness that balanced very well with all the sweetness.

Olivia couldn't resist taking a picture of the dish. She couldn't wait to brag to Abby about being the master chef behind the dessert even though she knew there was no chance in seven hells that the redhead would believe her.

"Send that picture to me." Cece requested. Before midnight hit, it was going up somewhere on social media. Something as delicious looking had to be shared with the world. It would be a crime not to.

It could be said for everyone that the first bite was like a taste of heaven. Moans of delight come flying out of everyone's mouths and every bite served as an added layer to everyone's life. Way too soon, the photo album is opened and Olivia can't even be mad when the laughter starts at her expense as her mother told the story behind a picture of her at two years old, with her body covered in butter and flour. By the fifth picture, everyone is too delirious with laughter to be bothered with her so she takes the opportunity to sneak off to make a phone call. After the second ring, Abby's voice filled Olivia's ear.

"Here I thought you forgot about little ol' me." Abby answered.

"Never." Olivia said smiling. "I miss you gingersnap."

Abby sighed. "I miss you too." She said. "I should've came with you."

Instantly, Olivia knew Abby's somber mood definitely has something to do with Deborah. So she asked. "Why? What did Deborah do?"

An aggravated growl came from Abby's lips. "I hate her, Liv."

Olivia chuckled. This promised to be a great story. "No, you don't."

"Fine, I don't," Abby agreed. "But I have a very deep dislike for the woman."

"What did she do?" Olivia asked again.

"So my mother's a hoe." Abby begin.

Abby hadn't even started yet and Olivia was already laughing. She felt as if she needed to sit down for this story so Olivia slid down against the wall in the hallway and sat on the floor- the phone to her ears ready to get her life from this story.

"How so?" She probed.

"… Okay. This is what happened." Abby eased into the story with much needed dramatic effect. "Y'know how Deborah was pretty adamant about spending quality mother-daughter time with me?"

Olivia nodded. Forgetting that the redhead couldn't see her. "Yep."

"Well, here we were Saturday evening at the farmer's market having mother-daughter time when Deborah's cougar eyes landed on Mr. Sollon Jackson. Their eyes met and suddenly, it was as if I didn't even exist. One minute we were fighting over whether or not we needed sweet peppers, the next my mom was agreeing on a date on some boat with Mr. Jackson, all the while blushing like a fifteen year old teenager. It was the most hysterical thing I've ever seen in my whole entire life."

Olivia was too busy doubling over and dying of laughter on the floor to hear the clear frustration in Abby's voice. Knowing that she would be just obnoxious if the situation was reversed, Abby waited out Olivia's laughter until it subsided to somewhat of a chuckle.

"So here I am on a Saturday night- The Fourth of July of all days, alone in my apartment in my pajamas at eight o'clock, face deep in a tub of double fudge chocolate ice cream; flipping back and forth through bad reality TV shows, wondering what my life had become." Abby continued. "And the thing is Liv, I can't even be mad at her." The redhead sympathized. "I mean you should've seen SJ. For forty-six, he's got those fucking mack truck arms… dude! And welp, he's sexy as all hell. Fuck, I'd leave my mother for him too but that's kind of besides the point. My dad's been dead for what… almost fifteen years? This is the first time in almost fifteen years I've seen my mother give another man the time of day. She has to be lonely."

"That right there is exactly why you're a great daughter. The fact that you're able to understand that and sympathize." Olivia told Abby. "I'm sure Deborah appreciates your understanding."

"She'd better." Abby said, her voice filled with sad.

"I'm sorry, babe." Olivia offered kindly. "What time did she come back?"

"Oh, that's the best part!" Abby was entirely too happy to provide this piece of information. "She hasn't come back yet. She called me twice- last night and then again this morning to inform me that she hasn't been murdered with an ax. How fucking nice of her?"

Olivia laughed just a little bit harder this time. Abby was so good at exaggerating everything. It was such an amazing talent and Olivia wished that she possessed it some days.

"Well, if it's of any consolation to you, I heard my parents fucking like jack rabbits last night." Olivia said.

Now it was Abby's turn to die of laughter. "Nooo!" She drawled dramatically.

Olivia cold just picture the redhead perched up on something, her jaws going slack and her blue eyes wide the size of saucers. It made Olivia smile.

"I hope you gave them a lot of shit for it." Abby said.

"All throughout breakfast." Olivia informed proudly.

"My girl!" Pride enlaced the redhead's voice and Olivia had a feeling that if the were in close enough proximity, they'd be high-fiving each other.

Abby was the only person missing to make this weekend truly something special.

"What else is new in Popeland?" Abby probed further.

Olivia almost forgot the best tea of all and it was with a lot of elation that she poured this piping cup to Abby. "Harrison has a girlfriend!"

A gasp. "Stop!" Abby exclaimed.

"… And she's not a skank!" Olivia added.

A bigger gasp followed by: "SHUT UP!"

To further scandalize the whole thing, Olivia dropped the biggest bomb of it all. "He's thinking about putting a ring on it."

No gasping came this time. Just dead silence and for a second, Olivia thought that she was responsible for an impending heart attack.

"Abigail-" Olivia said, currently on high alert.

Seconds passed before Abby spoke again. "I'm still here." The redhead assured her best friend. "I'm just thinking about how I'm never going to forgive Deborah for making me miss out on this weekend."

Aw.

Trying to make the redhead feel better, Olivia said: "You didn't really miss much."

Abby gave a scoff and Olivia could just picture her rolling her eyes.

"Fine. So it was a little it eventful."

Though Abby's absence this year truly saddened Olivia, she struggled with feeling guilty. Olivia kept thinking that if Abby had been able to come, she would've never asked Fitz to join her and they would've never have created those memories they did this weekend. She would've never gotten the chance to see how well Fitz interacted with her family and vice versa. With Abby, it's different. In some ways, they're entwined to each other forever because they've known each other so long and Olivia didn't see that bond breaking any time soon. They were sisters and no amount of missing DNA in their veins could tell them other wise.

But Fitz was something different and new at the same time. He meant something different to her in terms of what Abby did. And whether or not Olivia admitted it aloud to anyone yet didn't change the fact that she now thought of Fitz as her family as well. He deserved her. He deserved her people and they him. Abby will always be here but this year, she needed to make space for someone else and fate made that possible however necessary. All in all, Olivia felt more glad than guilty.

"Can you coerce Maya into making a pan of her famous baked mac-and-cheese so you can bring it for me?" Abby asked, her tone almost pleading.

Olivia smiled. "I'll tell her." She knew how much the redhead loved her mother's cooking. Hell, it was one of her many weaknesses too.

"Thanks. What time do you think you'll get back tomorrow?"

Olivia wasn't sure. She wasn't in much of a hurry. Unless something changed, she thought that her and Fitz would hit the road again for their return back to the city sometime after lunch. The rush hour traffic might be a bitch but Olivia was convinced that they could power through it and have a lot of fun together.

"I don't know. Maybe late afternoon." Olivia finally replied.

"Okay," Abby yawned over the phone. "Let's schedule our girl's night the coming Saturday."

And so they did just that. The two best friends stayed on the phone together for a little while longer, making plans for when they next see each other again- this time hoping to make it a threesome with Quinn hopefully joining them that evening. They made a few jokes about trivial things before hanging up with I love yous and the promise to talk to each other as soon as they were in the same city again.

…

When Olivia returned back to the living room, both Mrs. Robinson and her husband had gone home and her dad had called it an early night to his study to get some reading in before bed, leaving just her mom, Fitz, Harrison and Cece. Apparently, they were now flipping through album number three because Fitz had enjoyed the first two so much. Olivia honestly hated those pictures. As a baby, she did things and it could be considered cute but she still gets embarrassed when her mom tells the stories. But then there were the pictures of her during that awkward stage. Thirteen through sixteen is what she considered the worst years of her life. She had braces, wore glasses. God hadn't blessed her with the glow up yet. It was weird to see herself now and reflect back how much she had changed both physically and mentally.

The picture that was currently being showed was one of Olivia with extremely long hair. She was sitting on a stool in front of one of her aunts and her hair was parted in half. One part straight, the other straightened to show the difference in comparison to another picture. It was one of those then and now things. When Olivia had gotten braces, she decided that she was going to grow her hair out. It was the only way she thought she could survive having to wear those damnable things for two miserable years. Over those two years, her hair had grown so long, when straightened it flowed like a veil and stopped on her hips. And when curled, it was this huge afro that framed her face perfectly.

"Oh, I love that picture!" Fitz gasped.

Maya had turned the page and it was Olivia post braces and glasses. In that picture she wore a spaghetti strap white sundress with floral details on it and silver keds with purple laces. Her hair was curled straight, falling beautifully at her hips and her nude painted lips has been stretched into the biggest, widest and brightest smile. The awkward phase gone and the glow up extremely on point. It was her Junior year individual pictures. It was also one of Olivia's favorite pictures because Junior year of high school is the year that she felt like God finally listened to her prayers. She was the "It Girl" at Princeton Private Academy and with Abby by her side, they stunted on every bitch at Princeton Private Academy that year because even then, her and Abby did everything together so when she had decided to grow her hair, Abby made the decision to go through the journey of hair growth and surviving through the "awkward phase" with her too. By the end of it, they were hated my many but wanted by plenty! It had all been so well worth it.

"It's a great picture isn't it?" Maya smiled.

Harrison had dozed off into a light sleep on Cece's lap with her fingers tracing the shape of his face. It seemed to have been a long day for everyone.

"Do you mind if I get a copy?" Fitz asked

Olivia almost screamed no from where she stood watching them in the living room but the deep adoration displayed on Fitz's made it kind of difficult to deny him something as simple as a photograph of herself.

"I'm sure that I have smaller sizes of this particular one hidden in a box somewhere." Maya said. "I'll dig e'm out tonight just for you."

Fitz nodded. "Thanks."

Finally, Olivia cleared her throat- announcing her presence. When Fitz raised his head to meet her eyes, he wore a smile.

"Hi, Zelda."

Olivia rolled her eyes, knowing very well why he decided to call her that after seeing her pictures. Zelda is commonly used as a nickname for Rapunzel and in the Disney Pixar movie Tangled, she's kind of famous for her extremely long hair. Olivia wouldn't say that she's every been on Rapunzel's level in hair perfection but she had to admit that the nickname was enchanting even as she acted annoyed.

"If I'm Rapunzel, does that make you Pascal?" Olivia joked.

Both Cece and her mother laughed as Fitz did his best wounded face. Lips poking out, his blue eyes soft with faux-sadness and his hand over his chest.

"What? Pascal was very smart, loyal and sweet!" Olivia said. "Some people might agree those are very good traits to have."

"Did I say Pascal wasn't great?" Fitz argued, raising his eyebrows.

"Your face did." Olivia scoffed.

"I think Pascal was a great little guy." Fitz said as a matter of fact. "And I'm only slightly offended that you compared him to me."

Olivia crossed her arms over her chest, smirking as they stared one another down. "Why's that?"

"Well…" Fitz smacked his lips; pouting again. "I was under the impression that I'd been promoted you know, from being a frog after all these years? I mean I couldn't be Prince Charming but I thought I'd at least made it to Romeo's level."

Olivia burst into laughter. The most beautiful kind. The head thrown back, twinkle in the eyes and deep aching in the belly kind. "Let me live okay, Fitzgerald?! Let me live!" She cried.

Outside of that little ongoing bubble sat Maya and Cece wearing almost identical looks on their faces as they watched the two "best friends" banter. They were witness to a chemistry so deeply personal and intimate between the two that they felt like intruders in that moment in the presence of Olivia and Fitz. For God's sake, as soon as they acknowledged each other's presence, it was almost as if nothing and nobody else mattered. The world be damned. It almost felt rude to be an audience to something so palpable and beautifully unique between two people.

Maya chanced a glance at Cece to see if the young woman could see the same thing that she was seeing also, and when they shared that nod together, they both knew. These two were destined for each other and anyone or anything that tried to mess with that will be met with and dragged through the inevitable wrath of fate.

It was then that Maya Pope swore, if these two don't get out of their own way soon enough, she was going to have to take matters into her own hands. Her daughter had tunnel visions at the moment and understandably so, considering that she had just ended a relationship with a man whom she thought she loved and was faithfully committed to for two whole years. Olivia got a pass and Maya believed that in time, when she was ready - because Olivia Pope was just as stubborn as her parents. She dealt with things in her own timing and not one minute before - When she was truly ready, she will act on those feelings if they are still present for her. Though what Maya was curious about was Fitz's hesitation to come right out and say how he feels. Perhaps it's how deeply connected he actually is with Olivia and therefore is able to understand that at the moment, what she needs is time to herself to figure out things for herself instead of plunging head first with no shield and risking getting her head cut off by jumping into something different and never before known to her.

Holy shit!

That might've been the most preposterous thought Maya's ever had but she couldn't help but to question herself. Could two people actually be this crazily entwined to the point of knowing one another's necessities to this extent? It's complete horse-shit, right? Has there even been any scientific research on that kind of stuff and if there has been, can she see the receipts? Maya was absolutely mind-blown. These two have to end up together. The universe couldn't be so cruel as to not let something so meant to be just be.

Shaking her head, Maya snapped out of it and decided to excuse herself. She had to speak to her husband about this. She had to make sure that she wasn't just being biased because she was a mother. After all, don't all mothers want and/or wish for their child/children to actually experience that of once-in-a-lifetime, intense, heart tickling, can't breathe, can't think, can't eat, can't sleep, I-can-but-I-don't-want-to-live-without-you, kind of love? Hell doesn't everyone want that for themselves? Maya had to get a second opinion and Dominic Elliot Pope was her most trusted confidante on this earth. After talking to Dominic, she was gonna ask for a third and fourth opinion just to be entirely sure. But she knew already. She did. Her gut is never wrong.

Maya had to go and the most subtle way she knew how to do that without making Olivia suspicious of her was to tell Fitz that she was going to try and find the picture that she promised him before calling it a night. Maya knew exactly where those pictures was. It wouldn't even take her two minutes to find them but sometimes, lying doesn't have to be this huge, punishable sin. Everyone tells a little white lie every once in a while. She was human and not that much different from everyone else.

"You're welcome to finish looking through the album." Maya said.

Fitz smiled. "Thank you. I think I will." He replied. "Do you mind if I take it up to my room?"

Maya shook her head. "No. Not at all, dear."

"Thank you, ma'am." Fitz repeated once again, nodding.

It was that charm and sweetness that made Maya like him so much. Like an underlying hum that could never be quite heard, but was somehow very melodious and soothing, Fitzgerald lulled people in and once you found him and could hear it- the source of that hum, there was no going back. No sane person would ever dream of such a thing.

Standing up from her spot on the couch, Maya took his much bigger hands in hers and gave it a powerful squeeze for someone as petite as she was. "It's been an absolute delight having you here in my home." Maya said sincerely. "And I know I've already said it several times in the past hours but thanks for dessert. It was wonderful. I hope you don't mind if I ask for a swiping of recipes."

Fitz bowed as best he could still seating. He was more than happy to oblige. "You got it, Maya-Amazing." He said.

Tears threatened to fall from Maya's eyes. Any other person who dared to call her anything other than the name she was given to at birth would've gotten the read of the century from Maya Renee Lewis-Pope. This one though, she didn't mind it so much? How could she when it sounded so endearing, so special and so sweet. Maya-Amazing. Say it fast enough and often enough, it just might start to sound like my amazing.

Words failed Maya so instead of trying to put into words what she knows deeply in her heart already, she leaned down and did something so completely out of character to her. Something that she would never have dreamed of doing to any of the boys Olivia's brought home to meet her before. Maya Pope leaned down and pressed a loving maternal kiss to Fitzgerald's forehead because he wasn't just some boy and he certainly wasn't just a bump in the road like the others had been. Fitzgerald Grant was her son-in-law.

Being on the sidelines and witnessing this moment, Olivia's brain was like a machine operating on extreme voltage and she had lost control of it because her emotions was sky-rocketing through the roof at what she jaw saw. Her jaw almost hit the floor when her mother leaned over and kissed Fitz's forehead. Like… what?! WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED? Seriously. What is life?

"Alright children," Maya's back straightened, standing tall again as she moved to the couch that Cece occupied with Harrison still on her lap, softly snoring. "Oh that nephew of mine." Maya shook her head. "Aren't your legs tired, honey?" She asked Celery.

Cece looked down at Harrison and chuckled. It's kind of hard to feel pain when love was literally laying on one's laps. "Would it be weird to say that it's actually kind of comforting?" Cece replied.

Fitz, Maya and Olivia both smiled and shook their heads as if they understood just fine.

"Sonny."

Only few people were ever allowed to call Harrison by that nickname. Actually two people come to think of it and only one of them was still alive. The nickname Sonny was specifically reserved for his Nana Gigi and his aunt Maya so even in his deepest sleep, Harrison could hear it and almost immediately, he was conscious again.

"What?" He mumbled sleepily.

"You have to go to bed, sunshine." Maya said. "Your big head is gonna break the poor girl's thighs."

Harrison groaned in annoyance. He was actually having a good dream. A great one if he dared said so himself and it featured him, Cece in one of the many sexy outfits she owns and a smoking red race car. Only his aunt could ruin such a good thing for him.

"Fine." Harrison sat up a little bit too quickly which caused him a bit of temporary dizziness.

"Careful babe." Cece jumped quickly to his aid.

Most men would feel like a little bitch about that small little gesture, deeming it as almost emasculating but not Harrison Wright. This was just another proof to him that he could trust this girl who chose him and who he chose in return.

He leaned over, still very much half asleep and pressed a sleepy kiss to Cece's plump pink lips. "Bye. I love you."

A blush creeped up on the girl's cheek, not really used to this much affection from Harrison being displayed in front of people that were family to him. This was kind of one of those first for them and inside, Cece was bursting of joy secretly. "Love you too. Bye!"

Harrison attempted to get up a second time only to almost fall back on his ass, still disoriented from sleep. It was then that Fitz decided to step in and offer a helping hand. He actually liked Harrison and he'd like to see the man make it up the stairs without any injuries.

He gathered the photo album under his arms before wrapping Harrison's arms around his neck. "Alright buddy. Let's go."

"You're my hero, Fitz." Harrison said. Then he kissed Fitz's cheek.

Okay, so Harrison was either extremely drunk or sleepy but either way, they were there already, deep into the bromance of things.

Fitz laughed softly to himself as he guided Harrison up the stairs. "I'm happy to be of service, Captain."

"Bye, Lili!" Harrison shouted to Olivia almost at the top of the stairs.

"Aren't they so cute?" Maya clapped her hands together, a grin on her face. "Alright, I'm gonna go now. You beautiful babies have a great rest of your night. These old, tired bones of mine however need rest." She kissed Cece's cheeks before marching towards Olivia who was staring at her with a look. Like a "mother, what the fuck are you on right now," kind of look. Maya almost couldn't resist rolling her eyes. Olivia wouldn't be her daughter if she didn't question her behavior for the past few minutes. But to be coy, or if pushed into a corner, she could always say it was the wine at dinner- although that was almost three hours ago. Oops. Better come up with a better white lie.

"You kids don't stay up too late, okay?" Out of the corner of her eyes, Maya saw Cece nod. "Any later and y'all won't make it to breakfast." At that, she gathered Olivia in her arms for a goodnight hug and though Olivia obliged, Maya could feel her trying to take her temperature in a not so very subtle way, although Maya could bet she thought she was. "Oh stop that." She popped her on the hand with two fingers.

"Can you blame me?" Olivia questioned. "Are you on something? Was it the wine? Are you alright?"

Maya shook her head, amused. "I love you, Olivia. Goodnight!" She pecked her daughter's cheek and was on her way before she was further questioned.

Maya only made it to the fourth step and she could hear Olivia still questioning her very odd behavior tonight. Though, she really wouldn't be her only daughter if she didn't get the last word. When she'd gotten to the sixth step, Olivia shouted to her: "Goodnight! Don't engage in any sexicular activities with Dominic tonight! Remember those old bones need rest so y'all don't have the energy to be fucking like it's nineteen-ninety-nine!"

Maya almost tripped off the steps laughing too damn hard. And since she can be about as much of an asshole as her daughter can, she decided to annoy the living hell out of her. "Does oral count?"

The bloody murder scream that followed suit told Maya that she had won that round. She'd be sleeping well tonight for many reasons.

"She has no chill!" Olivia complained to Cece. "I can't believe she just said that."

Cece was too busy dying of laughter on the couch. She liked the Lewis crowd. A whole lot.

888

About an hour later, Olivia retired to her room. She was surprised to find Fitz comfortably lounging in her bed with a pillow behind his back however, she wasn't all that much surprised to him really finishing looking through the photo album like the dork he is.

"Hi Zelda." He greeted upon her entrance without taking his eyes off the picture he was looking.

Olivia briefly went to the adjoined bathroom to perform her nightly routine of teeth brushing, flossing and moisturizing. She tied her hair in a bun on top of her head after slipping on her pajamas. Deeming herself ready for bed, she walked back into the room and this time, Fitz had finally finished looking through the photos and she had the impression that he might've stolen a few favorites to keep to himself. Olivia found that she didn't really mind the idea of him having her pictures as much anymore.

Pushing the covers back, she climbed into bed and fixed her pillow before turning to face Fitz on her side.

"Hi, Romeo." She smiled.

He did too. Brightly.

And for a few minutes, those were the only two words settled between them.

"Good day?" Fitz asked a bit later.

Olivia nodded against her pillow, hand curled at her chin. "Great day." She replied.

"Yeah?"

Another nod. "Yeah. I went to the ranch with my dad and rode on my horse for the first time in a while." She couldn't keep the smile on her lips at bay when she told him about her afternoon.

"I got your mom very tipsy on bloody maries and Mrs. Robinson taught me how to dance. Kind-of-sort-of." He grinned, also giving her a recap of his time apart from her. "I like your family." Fitz admitted. "They're good people."

Olivia smiled. "They're alright, aren't they?"

"They're more than alright." Fitz said, pulling her into his arms.

Olivia didn't fight it. She just came to him because that's what felt natural. His chest served as the best pillow that unfortunately no money could buy and Olivia's eyes shut as she breathed into his scent. Good. So good. If Heaven has a smell, this was it.

Stretching his free arm, Fitz his arm out and flicked off the lamp on the nightstand. He took a deep breath and let serenity wash over him. Good. So good. So heavenly.

Few minutes later, "I'm driving The General back to New York and don't you dare try and touch that radio, Fitzgerald."

The ugly laugh that escaped Fitz was unstoppable. He thought she had fallen asleep only for her to utter something this hilariously serious when it was so dark and quiet in the room, a dropped pin could be heard.

… and The General. Fitz had always secretly been one of those people who fantasized about naming their car. Could you fault him? The truck was his baby so obviously, he'd want to name it but he always felt as though the car was more a she. Like he'd refer to it as: she has a pretty sick engine. She has nice wheels. But hearing Olivia refer to it as The General felt so fitting and final. Like that's the perfect name for the car. It's twenty-sixteen. A she can be The General as well. Screw sexism.

Fitz chuckled as he shook his head. "Done and done."

A sigh from her let him know that they were in agreement and as such, they were set to fall asleep. Warm, safe, and content.

"Goodnight, Ace." Olivia mumbled.

…

…

…

"Goodnight, Zelda."

…

…

…

"Hmmm," Olivia sighed. "I think I liked Fireball better. It was starting to grow on me." She shrugged.

Fitz smiled. He was in such deep shit and he saw no way out. How fucking sway.

…

…

…

"… Goodnight, Fireball."

888

The next day when Olivia awoke, she wasn't too surprised to find Fitz gone again. Knowing that he was probably just downstairs, cooking up a storm in her parent's kitchen again gave her a surprisingly calm peace of mind.

Now, flash forward twenty minutes later when Olivia went downstairs for breakfast to find Fitz nowhere in sight in her parent's massive mansion that they call a cottage.

"He dragged your father and Harrison for a run this morning." Her mom informed her after Olivia searched every room in the damn house.

"Oh…" Olivia said.

She must've looked like a crazy person opening and slamming doors but truth is, she didn't really have an excuse to get herself out of that one so "Oh" would have to do.

"You two are really attached to the hips, aren't ya?" Her mom hands her a cup of freshly brewed tea exactly how she likes it before signaling her to sit down.

"Where's Cece?"

"She's still upstairs in her room." Maya replied. "She was down for a few minutes earlier but she went back to finish a work related thing on her laptop."

Olivia nodded. "And Mrs. Robinson?"

"She sends her goodbyes." Maya answered. "She took the day off so she could give us time together."

Olivia was seriously bummed. Mrs. Robinson and her husband didn't feel like employees of her mom and dad. After this many years, it certainly stopped feeling as such when they became more of an extended family. Older aunts and uncles and everyone in the Lewis family viewed them as such. Anything other than that would have disappointed Nana Gigi.

Maya ached to ask Olivia about Fitz. Their relationship and deep connection to each other but just like she knew last night that Olivia wasn't ready, she knew it now too. A few hours of sleep didn't make a damn difference although she wished it had. So instead of pushing it, Maya thought best to make the last few hours they had with each other before she left worth another memory she will cherish close to her heart for the rest of both their lives.

"Wanna help me bake my famous mac-and-cheese?" She asked.

Olivia heaved a deep breath and threw her head back in relief. "I thought you'd never ask, Maya-amazing."

Whoever said nicknames can't be catchy?

Maya chuckled as they both stood up together. "Come on, smarty-pants."

…

Four large hotel, disposable pans of mac-and-cheese under the oven later, the boys returned from what seemed to have been a goddamn marathon judging by their breathlessness and profuse loss of body fluid.

"What y'all two hooligans tried to give my ol' man a heart attack?!" Olivia yelled at both Fitz and Harrison as she tossed bottles of water at both of them. "And dad, what the hell were you thinking? You're like eighty!" Olivia scolded as she lead her father to a nearby chair to sit his aging ass down.

Perched up on his weak knees, Harrison poured the bottle of water over his head in the middle of the kitchen. His aunt could body slam him or whoop his ass later but for now, he thought death might come soon after this goddamn workout Fitzgerald Grant had put him through. The man swore up and down that he despises running but for some reason, unknown to Harrison, he was the only one out of the three of them that didn't seem close to a heart attack.

His calculations are saying he's been played.

"Dominic don't test my ass on this beautiful Monday morning!" Maya also scolded, passing Olivia a cool towel. "Fuck around and have a heart attack, I'll revive you just to kill you myself."

Dominic almost coughed up a lung trying to laugh at his wife's threats while still out of breath. Meanwhile, Harrison had completely given up on life and decided to lay on the pool of water on the floor. Fitz came in his line of sight and Harrison frowned as the world spun with him.

"Man, how the hell are you still standing?"

Olivia rolled her eyes. "You idiots! He does this like every day. He's used to it." She smacked Harrison with the towel.

"Ow! What the fuck, Liv?!" Harrison cried.

The stingy feel of a wet, heavy towel on his bare flesh was not something he wanted to feel after running ten miles in this heat outside. Not fucking cool.

Olivia did it again. "Respect your elders." She said.

Harrison kicked. "You're like two days older than me!"

She did it again. "Don't be a liar."

"Owww! Auntie make her stop!" Harrison pleaded.

"You should get up dude." Fitz said bemusedly munching on a power granola bar as he sipped on water. "You're gonna cramp up real bad. Come up. Up and at e'm, sir." He snapped his fingers and turned to Dominic. "You too, Dom."

The look he was met by when he addressed a still struggling for breath Dominic was enough to send Fitz running in heels- something he's never considered doing before but with Olivia seething "I will murder you, Fitzgerald!" at him, he was pretty sure there was about a small percentage of things he wouldn't do in order to get as far away from her as possible.

Long after Fitz dipped up the stairs, taking the steps by threes to go shower, Harrison still resided on the floor. His breathing was back to normal and for the most part, he had cooled down but it was his damn legs he couldn't feel. They were so numb!

"Celery come save me!" He yelled. "No man should ever have to suffer this much." He mumbled to himself.

"Oh, grow the fuck up!" Olivia smacked him with the towel again.

888

The last few hours in the Hampton could only be described as bittersweet.

After packing and having a late brunch, Olivia had snuck off to the garden with Maya and Cece to pick fresh, organic fruits while the men stayed cooped up inside drinking expensive bourbon and listening to old records in her dad's man-cave.

By twelve-thirty, the bags were packed, two and a half trays of mac-and-cheese were loaded into Fitz's truck as well as their snacks for the road. And then when the time came for them to leave, the river of tears started.

"Oh, shit." Olivia cursed, resigning herself to that being a curse. Every goddamn time! "Mom, don't cry."

"I wouldn't if you'd bothered to visit more often." Her mother replied hysterically.

Her mom always made their goodbyes seem so final as if they lived on the other side of the world from each other instead of the three hours drive that it was.

"Jesus…" Olivia mumbled under her breath. "Come here, mom."

She gathered the petite woman into her arms in a hug. Olivia let her hands run up and down her mother's back in this soothing motion as she looked at her dad with sympathetic eyes.

"Sorry." Olivia mouthed to her dad.

Dominic winked at her. "S'okay, puppy." He mouthed back.

If there was one thing the two had in common and also disagreed about was the sight of Maya crying. It made their hearts hurt and at the moment, it wasn't really making Olivia feel any better that she was the reason for those damn tears now.

"Look mom," She pulled away to look at her doppelganger. "I'm gonna make a promise to you and work really hard to keep it okay?" Maya nodded. "Stop crying first, though."

"I swear after twenty four years, I still can't decide whose daughter you are." Her mother complained as she wiped the tears.

Olivia smiled. "I used my chips accordingly but I'm still a mix of the both of you." She said. "Anyways, I'm gonna try to show up here again sometime at the end of this month. Or maybe early August. Definitely before teaching starts again, but I promise it won't be during a holiday. Sound fair to you?"

Maya shrugged. Why did her only baby girl have to grow up? She swears that every time Olivia comes home for a visit and leaves days later, it feels like she's running off to college all over again. Maya didn't like it.

"Weekly calls are back on. It's the only way I'll compromise." Oh she could play dirty too.

Olivia groaned. "Fine, woman. Fine!"

In the back Fitz, Cece and Harrison chuckled. Olivia threw the three of them the middle finger as she hugged her mother again.

"Don't worry, Maya-amazing. I'll make sure she keeps that promise." Fitz said.

At that, Maya let go of Olivia to turn to Fitz. "Oh Fitzgerald." She said, absolutely astonished by the young man. "It was so good to have you here, honey. You're welcomed back anytime, alright?"

Fitz swallowed the lump in his throat that formed as a result of those kind words and such deep acceptance of who he was. "Thank you, Mrs. Pope. I definitely will." He promised.

"Great." Maya nodded before pulling him for a hug.

On to the side, Olivia was saying goodbye to her father and it was a lot less dramatic compared to Maya's - though she knew the emotions ran probably at the same level. Dominic just knew how to get a lid on his better. Something about being a man or whatever but Olivia knew later, as soon as she left, they both will be crying together about her leave in each other's arms. Her parents were big saps and babies that way.

"I love you, daddy." Olivia smiled.

"I love you too, puppy." Dominic replied.

After a lot of long hugs and kisses to her parents, the cousins finally said goodbye promising to keep in better contact in New York. Olivia made plans with Cece for the upcoming Friday for a shoe shopping spree date at DSW. They exchanged all possible contacts with each other. Harrison and Fitz did the same. Fitz promised to give Harrison a discount at the gym if he survived three rounds in the boxing ring with him. Harrison ever the so confident type thought he could take Fitz on, not knowing that he may just as well have signed off his death sentence.

"See you on the flip side."

Once the cars were boarded and Olivia's parents were waiving at them, it started to dawn on Olivia just how overwhelming this all really kinda felt. After two wholesome days home and getting into the grove of things and being around her parents again, she understood the bitter-sweet feeling. She felt it too.

"I love you, mama!" She yelled out the window.

"Till the sun don't shine, baby!" Maya shouted back.

And so they left, passing miles of beautiful landscapes as they left home behind. One hour in, Fitz made the mistake to touch the radio and so to torture him, they listened to Lemonade the whole entire ride. Track three and four were Olivia's two personal favorites. By the time they got back home in New York, Fitz knew Hold Up by heart.

He'd definitely be down to doing this again soon.