Hello everyone! Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews and comments on here and on Facebook and Twitter! I'm glad all of you are enjoying this story as much as I am writing it. The last chapter as most of you mentioned was difficult to read about Liv and James. 100% agreed! That was a hard one to write. Thank you for sticking with it and going through it with me. That all being said, here's the next chapter!

"What's your plan for Christmas? Did you get something for Fitz yet?"

Jerry helped Olivia get the table set for dinner while Fitz, Verna, Huck, Kim, and Javi sat in the living room watching another Christmas movie. One week before Christmas and still no plans had been made on what to do for anyone.

"I have everyone's gift but his. And the only thing he wants is something I can't get for him. It's infuriating me to no end. What do you get the man who has everything or can get it himself?"

"With all the money you have, there's actually something you can't get? What the hell is it?"

"A signed divorce decree. Last I knew, that's one that can't be bought. At least with this prick judge. I don't know why he's holding out on him for so long. It's been five months already. Richards is just doing this to piss me off." Olivia sighed and shook her head before setting the plate of food down in the center. "Fitz is getting annoyed with it too. I can't do anything to help him. I've never felt so useless in my job before."

Rounding the corner to her, Jerry wrapped her in a hug and rubbed her back gently. "You're anything but useless, Livia. Anyone here will agree with that. Richards is going to be an ass about it and there's no way to change his mind. But I do agree with Fitz, just let him handle it. Stay out of the divorce. I know you want to help but I think that's just going to hurt the situation more. Richards wants to see you suffer so he's going to drag it out as long as he possibly can."

"I'm not taking the bait. Fitz doesn't want me involved with the divorce so I'm staying out of it. I don't touch it at all. Even though I'm pretty sure that if I gave in to James all of this would be done by the end of the week."

"Olivia, stay away from him." Both Jerry and Liv turned to see Verna standing not to far away from them. "It's not going to do you any good to see him. Emotionally or mentally. You'll get worked up again and have another episode of rage. Just keep doing what you're doing at the office and stay in your lane. Fitz can handle James himself. I have no doubt about that." Verna watched Liv nod and agree before going to the kitchen.

"Aunt Livia! I'm starving! Could we eat now?" Javi ran up to her once the movie was over and flung himself into her arms.

Gathering everyone at the table to eat, Liv tried to think of something she could get Fitz for Christmas. He does like the cars. Maybe I should get him a Ferrari? I could get him that and she'd take that too. I need something she can't take from him. I should…no wait! I've got the perfect gift! I'll get it tonight! Mentally making the plans, she had to make a reminder to talk to Jerry before she did anything.

After a while, everyone started to get a bit tired after the day of shopping and cooking and taking Javi to see Santa multiple times because he forgot to ask for something.

"We're going to Vermont right, Aunt Livia? Mommy says I can ski this year because I'm old now. And Santa's going to meet us there, right? He meets us there every year," Javi questioned beyond excited.

"This year might be different though, Javi. Aunt Liv might want to spend time with Fitz instead. But we could go skiing here," Kim tried to help giving Olivia an out if needed.

Picking Javi up to her lap, Liv smiled and tickled him. "I think Fitz and I need to talk about it but even if Fitz and I don't go to Vermont with you. Mommy and Daddy can take you if they want to," Liv looked at Kim and Huck, "you know you can always go up to the house anytime you want. Just let me know and I'll have the housekeeper get it ready for you."

"PLEASE MOM! We go every year! Christmas isn't the same. And Santa won't know where to find me if I'm not there."

"As long as Aunt Liv says we can use the house then we can go," Kim smiled and started to clear the table.

Fitz sat beside Olivia piecing together what Vermont was. "Is this some place you guys rent or something?"

"No, silly," Javi laughed, "we always go up to Aunt Livia's house in Vermont. Papa, Nana, Mommy, Daddy, me, Aunt Livia. And now you! We have Christmas there together. Santa comes to the house there instead of here. It's a closer trip to get to me when I'm there. It's where Aunt Livia hides all my presents too! Nana makes dinner on Christmas Eve and then we go to church. And then Papa reads the Christmas Eve book before I go to sleep. Then Santa comes with presents and eats my cookies and the reindeer have their carrots and whatever I leave for them. And when I wake up, I wake up Mommy and Daddy, but they always make me sleep in bed with them for a bit before I get to wake up Aunt Livia."

"That's a lot for a four-year-old, Javi. Think you can do it again this year?" Fitz loved the way Javi explained how their traditions worked for Christmas. With this being the first Christmas, he knew Liv for, he wanted to keep it normal for her. For him, his Christmas was always spent arguing with Mellie and going into the office.

"I have to! Christmas isn't the same if I don't."

"Tell Fitz about the snow and the house, I need to talk to Papa for a minute," Liv told him and set him on his feet. Taking Verna and Jerry into the bedroom, she closed the door so they wouldn't be heard. "I think I came up with a perfect gift for Fitz for Christmas, but I want you two to be okay with it first. Like Javi said, we have our traditions, and I don't want to break them, but I need to think of Fitz too."

Telling them her thoughts, Jerry's eyes got wide and turned to Verna.

"I think it's a great idea, Liv. Fitz will love it," Verna smiled giving her approval.

"Are you insane!" Jerry shouted at her. "He'll never go for it. SHE will never agree to it. That's never going to happen. There's absolutely no way we can do that. She hates me. We haven't spoken in at least ten years. Since he married that woman! Probably even longer!"

"Oh, calm down, Lily isn't going to kill you. She'll most likely ignore you. She wouldn't be coming out to see you and besides that, the house is big enough that you wouldn't even see each other if you don't want to," Liv rolled her eyes at him.

"She will if Fitz is joining in on everything. Lily will want to be around her son and her son wants to be around you who is going to be around Javi and he's going to be around me. Wrap it all up with a big bow and you get this clusterfuck Christmas plan you just thought of. And all of that is going to ruin Javi's holiday. You really want to do that to the kid? Can't you just wait until I'm dead to invite her to anything."

"Fitzgerald Grant!" Verna stood up from her seat on the bed and yelled at him. "Think of what you just said to her."

Jerry shook his head, rubbing his eyes. "I heard it. I'm sorry. That's not what I meant, Livia." Taking his voice down several notches to remain calm and that no one would walk in, he continued. "Livia, it's just not a good idea. Lily hates my guts and she's not very fond of Verna. Maybe you could invite her for after Verna and I leave from Vermont. Then she can have time alone with you and Fitz. I'm only looking out for Javi."

Stepping beside him, Verna patted his upper arm and looked at Olivia. "Invite Lily and George to Christmas at Vermont for the entire time we're all there. I'm sure Fitz would love to see his mom. Jerry will be on his best behavior and get along with her, no matter what."

"If you two aren't comfortable with it, then I won't invite her out. I just thought it would be a good present for Fitz. He hasn't seen Lily in almost three years. He wanted to go visit her after the new year, but he's got so much court cases that he must be here for. Why not combine the two? Christmas and a visit from his mom. Besides, he's the only one out of our little group that hasn't been involved in our Christmas traditions. I don't want him to feel left out."

"Oh great, she's guilt tripping me!" Jerry sighed and threw his hands up. "Fine. Fine. Fine! I'll never win that battle. Invite Lily and George but don't plan on this being the best Christmas you've ever had. It's just going to get messy and loud."

After everyone had left, Olivia laid in bed with Fitz listening to him sleep for a while. When she heard him snore a bit, she made her move and took his phone from his nightstand going to the living room and dialed Lily.

Sitting on the porch with her husband, Lily saw the screen of her phone light up with Fitz's name on it. Smiling as she answered. "Hey sweetheart, how's everything there?"

Taking a moment to think, Olivia shook her head and replied to her. "Mrs. Foster?"

Surprised at a woman's voice from Fitz's phone, Lily sat forward and grabbed George's hand. "Yes, this is Mrs. Foster, Lily. Is Fitz okay? What happened?"

"Oh, my goodness, I'm sorry."

"What?!"

"No, no, no, Fitz is fine. He's perfectly fine, Mrs. Foster. I didn't mean to worry you. I wasn't thinking. This is Olivia. Fitz is asleep."

Lily fell back in the chair holding her heart, as though she was trying to keep it inside her body. "Olivia, dear Lord, don't scare me like that. Sweetie, call me from your phone next time. You nearly gave me a heart attack."

Olivia smacked her head with her palm, "I apologize, I didn't think about that. Calling from Fitz's phone. Stupid move. Not the best way to start a conversation either."

"Olivia, it's alright, lets just not do that again," Lily laughed. "Well, Fitz is asleep, so what can I do for you? Does he know you're calling me?"

"No, he doesn't. I'm working on his Christmas gift."

"Oh, Olivia! His Livie. You're Fitz's girlfriend. Wonderful to finally get to speak with you dear. Now, tell me all about this gift you're working on. Do you think he'll like it?"

"I hope so. I just scared his mother for it. I'm hoping you'll help me with this one though. It's got a lot to do with you. See, I'm taking the family to Vermont for Christmas week, and I would like to fly you and George out to spend the week with us." Liv waited for a few moments for a response but wasn't hearing anything. "I'm so sorry, I know it's sort of last minute. I didn't think of it sooner. If you can't I'll understand. I thought Fitz would like to see you and he keeps talking about flying out with me to meet you but I'm not great at flying and it's a lot for me. Selfishly, I don't want to do that if I don't have to but I will because he's Fitz and if he wants to come out to see you, and wants me to come with him then I'll come with but he knows I hate flying and he's Fitz so he wouldn't even ask me. And there's a lot coming up after the new year. I'd like to give him a present that he'll like but if you and your husband don't want to fly out, I'll completely understand."

Laughing a bit, Lily had a hard time understanding what she was saying. "Olivia, you're rambling, dear. George and I would love to fly out to Vermont for Christmas. Now you said family, you're talking about your nephew and his parents? Fitz told me about Javi and Kim and Huck. They sound wonderful."

"Well, yes but there's a couple others as well."

"Jerry and Verna, I'm aware."

"Fitz told you?"

"There's very little that Fitz's keeps from me. I believe he said that to have you meant having Jerry as well, you two come as a package deal."

"If you aren't comfortable being around Jerry and Verna, I understand. I know there's a bit of history there, but I've spoke with both of them, and they are okay with it. But if you aren't I'm sure I can find some time for Fitz to come out to you."

"Olivia, sweetie, I heard you. It's alright. George and I will be fine seeing Jerry and Verna. So much time has passed since all of that happened. We're both happy now. I hope Jerry can find his happiness with Verna again."

"So, you'll join us in Vermont?"

"Absolutely!"

"Perfect! I'll handle everything and be in touch soon. Again, so sorry for scaring you!"