Chapter 13
Brielle nervously looked around. She gave a small smile to Abby, Quinn, and Huck who had two empty chairs next to them. Where was her family? Was everything ok? Brielle had a bit of an ache in her stomach. She always worried a bit too much, that's what her mom always told her.
Abby knew all too well how much Brielle was worried, and she gave a gesture with her hand to calm down. She turned and pointed to the entrance, and Brielle's smile grew wider as her father, holding Soriyah, walked in and a very pregnant Liv interlocked arms with him and made their way to the seats.
They waved to her in unison and Liv pointed so Soriyah could see her big sister up on stage ready to perform in her school Christmas pageant. "Beeeeeeallllll" Soriyah said, very loud and it echoed the quieting gym.
"Shh." Fitz bounced his one and a half year old little girl. Soriyah put her finger to her lips and nodded her head, knowing the meaning of shh, her sister had taught her well.
"What happened?" Abby asked as Liv sat next to her, "I thought Brielle was going to have a full blown panic attack up there."
"I thought I was having contractions. I had to rest for a bit before walking in."
"Oh, my God." Quinn overheard. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, fine, let's just focus on this show ok, let's make this about Brielle."
She felt Fitz's free arm go around her, his other arm wrapped around Soriyah who was sitting on his lap turning pages of her cardboard Christmas book. She pointed to a picture. "ta, ta, ta." She looked up at her father. "dada, dada, ta, ta." She pointed back to the book.
Fitz looked down seeing his daughter pointing. "Yes, that's Santa, let's listen to Brielle now, ok?"
Brielle walked stoically over to the podium. She was the narrator for Christmas show. She would tell a story that would lead into the songs each class would be singing. The only part she wouldn't narrate was when it was her class's turn to sing their rendition of BINGO but spelling Santa instead.
Three Weeks Ago
Liv got a phone call from Brielle's first grade teacher. "I am being honest, Mrs. Grant, she is truly the best reader in the school. Our school only goes to third grade, but she has so much confidence in her reading. Her comprehension is off the charts, and she has a soothing fluency when she reads the words. The administration really wants her to narrate the show."
Liv spoke to Brielle when she came home from school that day. Liv doesn't think Brielle realized at first how much reading would go into it. She didn't want to discourage her daughter from doing it, but it was a big responsibility and it took bravery to be up there reading in front of so many parents and adults.
Brielle shrugged. Her big brown eyes looking at her mom, shining and smiling. "That's way cool. I would love to do that." Brielle hopped off the couch and sat next to Soriyah. "You want to hear me read at school?"
"Beeeeal?' Soriyah looked at her sister handing her a stuffed elf toy. "F, F, F." Soriyah was pointing to the toy.
"Yep, that's an elf. Come Soriyah, I'll read you a Christmas story." Soriyah took her sister's hand and just like that they had left a pregnant Liv sobbing on the couch. When did her daughter become so grown up?
Liv had been worried that Brielle would freak out over the request and here she was embracing it, anticipating it. Her teacher was right, she did have confidence. "You're such a little Fitz, you know that Brielle." Liv was looking up at the Christmas picture they had just put up of the two girls.
PRESENT DAY
Brielle was wearing the same dress she was wearing now for her show. It was a glitter red dress, with a small red bow on the front. The fur around her wrist area of the sleeves was also red and you could see the sparkling B necklace Fitz had given her for her birthday a month ago in November along the fur of the collar of her dress.
"Bells," Noelle began reading. "The bells chimed all throughout the North Pole, signaling the sleigh was all ready and Santa was making his way through the square. All the elves stopped talking and listened to the bells. You could only hear the bells if you believed, and every single elf heard those bells. They were magical jingle bells, and so the elves began to sing."
Brielle stepped away from the podium and gave a shrug and a smile to her family sitting watching her. She made it though her first reading, with five more to go. The class on the stage began their singing of Jingle Bells.
Liv rested her head on Fitz's shoulder watching their little girl with all her confidence. Brielle was watching the class sing; she didn't notice the proud smile Liv had or her father still hearing the clear fluency of the words come out of his seven year old's mouth. "That was amazing." Fitz whispered.
Even Soriyah had stopped what she was doing when Brielle began reading. She recognized her sister's voice. It was the voice that read to her every night, and Soriyah sat still, listening and even giving a smile. When the students began singing, Soriyah began to clap along with the music.
Abby leaned over to Liv and Fitz. "I don't think I could read like that until I was in fourth grade, what do you to her at home?"
Huck nudged Abby. "Hey, shh, this is my favorite song." Huck was singing along.
"Anyway," Abby rolled her eyes.
Once the show came to an end, the students were directed to where their families would be waiting. Brielle spotted Fitz; Huck was holding Soriyah who was pulling at his beard questioning if he was Santa. "ta?" "ta?"
"No, I'm not Santa." Huck laughed bouncing her.
"Daddy!" Brielle ran into her father's arms. She wrapped her arms around Liv. "Mommy! I was so nervous when you weren't here." She put her head onto Fitz's shoulder.
"Aww, Brielle." Liv rubbed her daughter's back. "We stayed in the car for a bit, I didn't want to walk in with all the crowd. It's hard for mommy to move. Your baby brother is kicking to come out."
"You were amazing Brielle, the best reader for sure." Fitz gave her daughter a kiss on her cheek.
"No arguing that, kid, you are spectacular and these are for you." Quinn handed Brielle a bouquet of red roses.
Brielle took a sniff. "So pretty, and they smell beautiful, thank you."
"Next time you sleep over, kid, you are reading me the bedtime story." Abby scooped her up and kissed her. "I am so proud of you, so confident."
Brielle nodded. "Thank you Aunt Abs."
Huck handed Soriyah over to Fitz and scooped Brielle from Abby's arms. He flew her around in a circle and then rested her on his hip. "After the New Year we are going out and celebrating with ice cream, more ice cream, and then, some ice cream. I'm going away for a few days, so I'll see you when I get back. You did great, Brielle."
Two Days Later
Fitz and Liv woke up to the soothing sound of Brielle reading to Soriyah through the baby monitor. The monitor was coming from the one in Brielle's room, so she must have brought Soriyah there to her bed.
Liv was laying, her back to Fitz's chest. His arm wrapped around her, massaging her big belly carrying their baby boy. He leaned in and kissed her cheek then whispered in her ear, "I could listen to that child read all day."
He felt Liv smile, rubbing her hand on his. "Listen to Soriyah responding, though, she tries to say every word. It's funny." Liv turned her head to give him a morning kiss.
"So I think now is a good as time as ever we go tell them we're heading to the house in Virginia for the holiday. Quinn and Abby will be coming late Christmas Eve and my mom and dad will be surprising the girls. We can leave some parts out." Liv said getting up slowly from the bed.
"I'm still a bit nervous Liv, what if you go in to labor?"
"I've already had talks with Dr. Declan, she is ready. She's talked to Dr. Lee here, there's nothing to worry about."
Fitz took a deep breath getting up from the bed also. "You've had a good pregnancy. This isn't anything like what you went through with Soriyah." Fitz agreed.
"That child was torture on my body. Girl is still as feisty as they come. Nah, this little guy is all gentle on his mama." She circled her stomach, 'aren't you my little boy?"
"Just like his daddy. I'm always gentle with you." His arms wrapped her up to him from behind as he rubbed her ass. "Your ass is still perfect, though, I miss being inside you." One more kiss to her neck and she pulled away, moaning.
"It's just uncomfortable, you know how much I can't resist you Mister." They interlocked hands and walked into Brielle's room.
Three days before Christmas and they were all packed up to head out on the road and get to their Virginia home. Brielle sat up when she saw her parents. "Good morning, I was reading to Soriyah, but she got bored." Brielle shrugged, pointing to the corner with her stuffed animals.
Soriyah was interested in the animals until she saw her daddy. "Daaaaaadeeeeee" she squealed. Although she had no difficulty getting up by herself and walking around, when she saw her daddy she always reached her arms up so he could pick her up.
Today was no different and he scooped her into his arms and brought her to the bed with Brielle. "Hey Little Princess, sit with your sister for a minute, ok?"
"Beeeeal." Soriyah picked up the book. "Bk, Beeeeeeal , bk, peez" Soriyah gave up and began looking at the colorful pages herself.
"Why is my suitcase out mommy?" Brielle pointed to the closet, noticing some clothes missing and her suitcase stuffed.
"Well, we're heading out in about an hour. We are going to the Virginia house to celebrate our first Christmas there."
Brielle's brows crossed in confusion. "But how will Santa know which house we are in? This one is all decorated for him and the reindeer to find. What if he gets confused?"
Soriyah looked up, almost as if she was concerned also. "Ta?"
"We have it all covered." Fitz assured her. "Last weekend when I wasn't home I was at the Virginia house. I decorated that whole house. I even met three neighbors on the block, and guess what."
"What?" Brielle's brown eyes wide with curiosity.
"Two families have children your age. The family across the street has twin girls who are seven and the house right next to us has a son who is eight. That's exciting right."
Brielle nodded now with a bit of wonder. "What if mommy wants to get the baby out? How is the doctor going to take care of her?"
Liv gave little laughing sigh. "Just like your daddy." Liv said ready to answer.
"Daddddeeeee." Soriyah said. Then she heard her mother's voice and crawled over to her on the bed. "Maaaaama" climbing into her lap and Liv adjusted her to be comfortable.
"Well, I have a doctor there also, so if your little brother wants to come out a bit early, we'll be ready for him, but let's just hope he stay s in. He's not supposed to come out until January 3rd."
"Ok," Brielle said with authority, as if the trip wasn't going to happen if she didn't agree to it. "This sounds like fun. Can I bring some toys and books that I don't have there?"
"You sure can." Fitz said as he took her hand to get her out of bed. "Come to the kitchen for some breakfast while mommy gets Soriyah ready."
"Daddy," Brielle began as they were eating some oatmeal. "If I tell you something do you promise not to tell mommy?"
"As long as it's nothing to be concerned with. Some one isn't bothering you at school are they?"
"Oh, no, nothing like that. I put a secret note on my list to Santa."
"Secret note huh? You're going to share what that secret was to me?" Fitz asked.
"Uh huh." Brielle said while chewing her cereal. After she swallowed, she began, "I asked if I could have my little brother for Christmas, like before January. Now what if that happens and we aren't home?"
Fitz paused. He didn't want to give the myth of Santa away by any means. He thought about it for a moment. "You know, Brielle, I think there are some things Santa doesn't have control over. He sticks with the gifts his elves can make at the North Pole."
Brielle thought for a moment. "I guess you're right. He must think I am weird then, asking that, huh?"
"I'm sure he gets very strange requests from many people. Hey, you know what I have a secret to share with you, can I trust you?"
"Oh of course, daddy." She put her hand to her chest, "with all my heart."
"Well, you know I am on vacation until after the baby comes. I am not going back to work until February. But, what your mom doesn't know yet is when I go back it's only for two days a week. Three days I'll be working from home."
"REALLY? OH DADDY THAT'S GREAT NEWS!"
Fitz covered his mouth. "Brielle, lower your voice."
Brielle covered her mouth too, "Oops."
"What's great news?" Liv put Soriyah down in her seat.
"Eat, eat." Soriyah said.
"Yes, clear as day, she says that word. What news, Boo?"
"That we have the inflatables at the house in Virginia, out on the lawn, daddy said."
"Oh yeah, and we have the Grinch too." Liv's nose went to Soriyah's, "you hear that Muffin, the Grinch."
"Eat, peez?"
"Yeah, yeah, daddy is getting your food." She kissed him on the cheek. "I'll only be a bit and then we can head out on the road. I'll take some cinnamon toast with me."
With so much singing of Christmas songs going on in the car, Liv was surprised she was able to close her eyes for a bit during the car ride. Fitz and Brielle singing away while Soriyah clapped and squealed with them.
Several hours later they arrived at the house and even Liv was impressed with the decorations on the outside. "You did well Admiral Grant, this looks great."
He rubbed her hand. "Anything for us to have a great Christmas."
"I just wish we had you around more. I know how important that job is. Like just because the President relies on you, whatever, Mr. hotshot." She rubbed his curls, "I'm just happy we're going to have this time here." She pulled his head closer to her. With the music still going she whispered in his ear. "That's my Christmas wish, to have you around more my Mister." She kissed his cheek as they got out of the car.
That night they headed up to the boardwalk. The rides were all decorated with Christmas lights. They weren't in operation, but they had the blinking going to the music that was playing throughout the walk. They sat, drank some mint hot chocolate and ate some peppermint bark.
Going to sleep in a strange bed may have been difficult for some children. Sure they had slept here a few nights back in the summer, but it was still different. Not for the Grant children though. They had excitement, singing, and so much driving without a nap, they fell fast asleep.
Liv and Fitz were now sitting on the couch, Liv's legs up and her head tilted on Fitz's shoulder. They watched the fireplace glow up the living room in sync with the Christmas tree lights. With the sound of the wood crackling, Liv closed her eyes.
She spoke softly, almost fast asleep. "Those two little girls love their daddy with all their hearts. Did you see their eyes light up when they saw the light decorations outside?" Liv yawned.
"I did. I loved doing it all. What you said before, I miss being around too, seems like they are growing and I am missing half of it."
Fitz heard Liv's rhythm of breathing slow down and he knew she was asleep. "Don't worry, Livvie, we're going to have so much more time. Us and our soon to be three amazing children."
Fitz let Liv sleep for a while longer. He clicked on the television and put C-Span on, reading the captions as to what was happening in his political world. After an hour of boring talk on non important issues from the commentators, Fitz nudged Liv.
As she lifted her head and brought her legs down, she froze up. "Fitz." Liv began to take deep breaths, cringing a bit in pain.
"Liv, what is it?"
"I think it's a contraction. Probably just Braxton Hicks" She began to concentrate and several minutes later she looked at Fitz. "It's fine, I'm fine, I think I moved too fast."
"Well tomorrow, no doing anything, Mrs. Grant. It's Christmas Eve, Abby and Quinn are coming for a reason."
"Yeah, I'm paying them good money to drive you insane."
Fitz rolled his eyes. After putting out the fire and turning off the lights and TV, he scooped Liv up and carried her to the room. Kissing her forehead and putting her in the bed, she looked at him smiling.
"What?" Fitz smirked. "I'm not letting my wife do anything, not for the next seven days."
She cuddled her head onto his chest, rubbing it slowly and giving it a small kiss. "Whatever you say Admiral." She fell fast asleep with Fitz right with her.
Christmas Eve was going so fast. There didn't seem to be enough hours in the day. Fitz headed out early to get Olivia's parents from the airport. The girls had no idea their grandparents were coming. The last time they had seen Soriyah was when she was 7 months old.
This was going to be a welcoming surprise. Liv was in the kitchen getting last preparations on lunch when a jolting pain hit her again. She grabbed the counter and stood with her hand under her belly.
"Hey, little guy, you still have a week to go in there, what's going on with you?" The pain lasted about a minute, and Liv stood straight up, only to get the next pain several minutes later. "They're not contractions, they're not contractions," She kept telling herself.
"Ma, ma, nana, peez, nana, peez." Soriyah was tugging at Liv's pants holding up a banana.
"Hey muffin, are you hungry, you want a banana?" She took the fruit from her girl and went to sit at the table, Soriyah wobbling behind her. "Boo, are you hungry, do you want a snack." Liv said weakly, but loud enough for Brielle to hear.
"Be right there, Mom." Brielle was in her room wrapping her gifts to her parents. The school had a little Santa shop, but she didn't let her parents know about it. Brielle wanted to be able to get them gifts that were a surprise. She used her own money she had been saving from doing her chores.
She was just finishing wrapping the last gift, her daddy's travel toolbox. She knew they had this new house and she wanted him to have tools to be here. They were miniature tools and on the cover it said "Dad's Little Fix It." She put in a pile along with the other two.
She had gotten her mom a mirror that stood up on the nightstand. It lit up and when you turned off the light, there was shadow that said "mom" in fancy handwriting. Finally, for Soriyah, she bought her a Paw Patrol book. It was cardboard and her mom had told Brielle cardboard books for Soriyah so the pages wouldn't rip.
Brielle was looking forward to tomorrow morning when her family opened the gifts from her. She would read the book to Soriyah. Oh, Brielle was so excited.
As she sat now next to her sister, eating a banana also, she asked Olivia if she could mail a card to her Nans and Pops. "I haven't seen them and they send a gift, I would like to send a card I make."
"That's good, Boo, but I sent them the pictures of you and Soriyah, the same ones we have hanging up."
With a knock at the door, Brielle saw it open just in time to Abby and Quinn jump in with a sack of wrapped gifts. "Surprise!" They yelled in unison and Soriyah jumped down and ran to Quinn.
"in, in, hol, hol." She reached her arms up to Quinn who scooped her up. "in, in." She gave Quinn a hug.
"What are you doing here, hey Aunt Abs, look at those gifts."
"Oh, yeah, well Santa said to give this to you. He usually leaves things at our place and he knew we were coming here, so surprise." She turned to Liv while Brielle inspected the bag.
"Thank God you two showed up, I need to go lay down." Liv gave Abby a slight hug. "I don't think they are contractions, but you need to be on call," Liv whispered so the girls wouldn't hear.
"Wait, are we talking a Christmas baby? I thought you said January 3rd. " Abby looked concerned.
"Well, the birth isn't something I can control, I can't tell him to stay in there." Liv sighed, "Besides I think they are just Braxton Hicks. "
Before Liv could take step to the room, more excitement as Fitz came in. "Hey girls, mom and dad have a surprise for you." He looked around. "Hey Gabby, Lindsey, Fitz nodded at them smiling."
"Some things you need to get over." Quinn rolled her eyes as he still called her the faux name she used when Liv met him.
"And you know it's Abby, Admiral Thomas." Abby sat now next to Liv who got comfortable on the couch.
Fitz waved to the door and in walked Eli and Maya Pope. "Oh my goodness!" Brielle squealed. "Nans, Pops." Brielle ran to give them both a hug.
"Look how tall you got." Eli picked up his granddaughter, "and your mother's eyes, you are just beautiful Brielle." She hugged him and he handed her to Maya.
Soriyah seeing the strange people jumped into Fitz's arms. "Da" She rested her head on his shoulder. Fitz rubbed her back. "It's ok princess, this is Nans and Pops, can you say hi?"
Soriyah put her finger under her lips and looked at them. She smiled and put her hand up. "Hi", clear as day. She jumped from Fitz's arms and got a banana to offer to them. Raising it up to Maya she said "na na."
Maya picked her up, "close enough, I'll take it." Laughing at the similarity to her grandma name.
Leaving Fitz and Liv alone for a while, they took the girls to drive around and see the lights then one more walk on the well lighted boardwalk before Santa made his arrival.
Fitz found Liv doing some final wrapping on a few gifts and sat back on the bed, rubbing her forehead.
"Liv, you alright?" Fitz sat on the bed rubbing her stomach. "Pains again?"
"A bit, I don't know, could be I'm just imagining it. I just want Christmas to go ok, everyone here, our first try celebrating here."
"Hey." Fitz comforted himself next to her. "Don't worry, it will be fine, ok." He put his arm out and she rested her head on his chest. "I'll take care of everything tonight. Why don't you get into your pajamas and I'll get the girls ready for bed and have them say good night to you, ok."
Liv nodded, rubbing his chest even though his shirt was on. He gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead, and she looked up at him. "Just have a bag ready for the hospital, ok." She lifted her head and her lips met his, as her nervousness was relaxing while she was kissing him.
Her hand reached down and she felt his erection. She pulled back with a slight laugh.
"What's so funny, Mrs. Grant.?"
"I'm nine months pregnant, about to go into labor, and you still don't disappoint."
"You're beautiful in every way, my love. There's never a time you won't do this to me. When do we work on number four?"
"FITZ!" Liv said shoving him. "Let me give birth to number 3, ok."
"So it isn't a no?"
Her eyes danced with his. "I'd never say no to another child with you, but let's see how I deal with being home with 3 of them, ok."
"Maybe Santa can bring something to help with that." He reached down and continued to kiss her as she massaged his bulging erection.
"Let me take care of my husband," Liv said as she set it free, and began to gently stroke it, kissing his neck, then nibbling on his ear .
Fitz's head went back slightly with the touch of her hand, and she pulled him back down to whisper in his ear. "I can't wait until this is inside me again." She began to breathe a bit heavier. "I miss you so much Admiral." Her tongue went into his mouth as she felt him pull her closer, deeper into the kiss, making her stroke him a bit harder and faster now.
"Don't stop, this feels so good." His lips went to her neck and she felt his body stiffen as his warm sperm flickered out of him. "Livvie, what you do to me. I owe you." He handed her a tissue, before he went to get a warm cloth and clean up.
"I'll tell them you're napping and I have the bag ready, just in case." He gave her a kiss on her forehead and went to do some last minute prepping.
Eli was holing a sleeping Soriyah as they came back in the house. "Pretty sure she's out for the night." He handed her to Fitz who took her to the room to get her changed.
"two,da, two, peez." She was half asleep but asking for her Tigertwo. "One second, Princess, let's get you in Christmas pajamas. Santa will be coming."
"Ta?" She fell back asleep as Fitz handed her the Tigertwo and she was done for the night, no understanding of the morning ahead just yet.
Brielle was excited making cookies with Abby while Quinn was setting up the gifts under the tree they had brought in. Maya and Eli getting their room set up for the week, and Fitz checking in on Liv.
Brielle gave a slight knock and sat on Fitz's lap on the bed. "Is she ok, daddy? I'm worried."
Fitz hugged his oldest daughter. "She's ok, Brown eyed girl, she's just having a bit of pain. Remember when Soriyah got too big to stay in mommy's belly, it's the same with your little brother."
Liv moved her head and opened her eyes. "Hey Boo, shouldn't you be asleep, you're holding up Santa."
Brielle went to give Liv a hug. "We just set up cookies and milk for him and some carrots for the reindeer. Mommy, are you ok?"
"I'll be fine, Boo, don't you worry. Did daddy read yet?"
"No, I wanted to say good night to you." She put her face in the crook of Liv's neck. "I love you so much mommy, you and my little brother. Please be ok.' Liv could feel the tears wetting her daughter's eyes.
"Hey, Boo, look it's fine, ok. Aunt Abs, Quinn, Nans, Pops, they are all here for you. If mommy needs to go the doctor, your family is here for you, ok, don't be nervous. Besides you have Santa with a great big pack upon his back filled with things for you and Soriyah."
"That's from the Christmas song." Brielle began to sing. "A great big pack upon his back, and lots of presents for you and for me."
"So leave a peppermint stick for ol Saint Nick, hanging on the Christmas tree." Fitz finished the words to Brielle's giggle.
Liv gave her daughter a big kiss. "Go on, get to sleep. I love you Boo with all my heart."
"Love you too Mommy, I can't wait until Daddy gives you his gift."
The finishing touching before Fitz made it to bed around midnight was Brielle's brand new bicycle. She had been hinting she wanted to learn how to ride a bike and get her training wheels off, so they decided to get her a new one. It was sparkle purple and had tiny rainbows on the bars.
Eli had spent a half hour putting it together in the garage while Fitz set up all the other gifts, including a barbie car for Soriyah. He could just hear his little girl now. "Car, da, car, da." He laughed looking at the set up.
Liv reached over and felt the emptiness of the bed. Looking at the time it was just midnight and she had to desperately go to the bathroom. Standing slowly, she felt that jolt again, the strongest one yet, and this time it wasn't like the others, this was the real deal.
She still tried to walk to the bathroom and just as she entered the room, she felt it. Her water broke, and then the pain hit her again. She didn't have to call out to Fitz as he opened the door. "Fitz! My water. It broke. She took quick deep breaths."
"Ok, ok, umm." He hooked his arm into hers and took her to the living room to sit her down. He ran to Abby and Quinn's room. Maya and Eli were exhausted from their trip, he would have Abby and Quinn tell them.
"Abby, ABS, wake up."
"Yes, six pack abs, Santa." Abby turned still sleeping. Fitz took a deep breath, rubbing his face. "For Lord's sake, Abby, Olivia's water broke, wake up."
"No water thank you, I'll have a tequila." She felt a shake again. "ABS! Forget this."
Abby opened her eyes as Fitz turned to a sleeping Quinn. "Quinn, Liv's water broke, wake up."
Quinn sat up, synchronized with Abby. "What's going on?"
"Liv's in labor, I'm taking he to the hospital. You two are in charge of Christmas." Fitz couldn't wait another minute. Before running back out to Liv he turned, "you two are the weirdest people I know."
Fitz wheeled Liv into the quiet hospital, like they were the only one's there. He greeted a nurse at the station. "Merry Christmas, my wife is in labor."
"Olivia Grant?", the nurse looked at the computer. "The team is all set, let's get you set up."
By the time Liv made it into the room, her contractions were two minutes apart. She was surprisingly quiet, just trying to breathe. It had been an easy pregnancy, she was hoping for an easy delivery.
The doctor came in, Fitz rubbing the sweat from Liv's brow as she interlocked his other hand. She felt him put a kiss on her forehead. "It's been an hour, Liv, I don't know if you're ready."
The doctor looked up at them, "Oh, she's ready, he wants to be a Christmas baby." The doctor set herself and told Liv it was ok to push, which she did, several times.
After the fifth push, she looked at Fitz, tears streaming down her eyes. "I can't Fitz, I can't." She closed her eyes, and she heard his soothing voice.
"You can Livvie, you got this, one more big push, ok, squeeze my hand with all your strength."
She closed her eyes tighter. She saw the faces of her two beautiful girls and she gave a screaming push, sitting up while doing it, and her head fell back to the pillow. She heard the tiny cry of a baby and Fitz's forehead met hers. "You did it, Livvie, you did it. I love you so much."
Liv took a deep swallow. "I love you too." The nurse walked over, putting the tiny baby, wrapped in a Christmas blanket onto Liv's chest.
"Congratulations, he's perfect. 7lbs, 6oz and 19 inches. Born December 25th, 2023 at 2;08 a.m. Do you have a name for him?"
Fitz and Liv smiled at each other. They both nodded together and Fitz looked at his son. He rubbed his hat covered head and said "Tyler. Tyler Thomas Grant. " Then he kissed his son for the first time. When Tyler felt his father's lips body twitched. He opened his eyes as if to say hello, then turned his head to snuggle closer to his mother.
"Admiral, you need to fill out some paperwork while the nurse works with Mrs. Grant for Tyler to latch."
Liv gave Fitz a long kiss before he left. "Our son, our Christmas baby." Liv smiled at him, tears filling her eyes. She looked down at him, rubbing her finger down his tiny cheek. "You are perfect, little Tyler and you have two big sisters who will be adoring you in a few hours."
The new parents were enjoying the alone time with their newborn son for the last few seconds. The door would open and two eager little girls would come in with two more eager aunts and loving, doting, grandparents.
Right on cue, they heard Soriyah's voice "bee, bee,?" Then, Brielle's voice, "baby, Soriyah, say baby."
They climbed onto the bed with Liv and Fitz and looked at their sleeping little brother. Liv tilted him a bit in her arms. "This is Tyler. Tyler meet your sisters, Brielle and Soriyah." Tyler opened his eyes to his mother's voice.
"Oh look, mommy, brown eyes, like me." Brielle took his little hand. "Hi Tyler," she kissed him gently. She looked over at Fitz. "Santa read my note."
Fitz remembered she had wished for a Christmas baby. He smirked. "I guess he did." Fitz shrugged.
"He's wrapped in a Christmas blanket, almost like a present." Brielle said. "The best present ever, right Soriyah?"
"Baby." Clear as can be came from Soriyah's mouth.
Liv smiled as Fitz scooped his little girl in his arms. "That's right, baby, baby Tyler. So did Santa come?"
"We didn't open any gifts, but I saw a bike, daddy, a purple sparkling bike, and a Barbie car for Soriyah."
"car, da, car, peez?" Soriyah clapped.
Fitz and Liv looked over to the others. "Thank you so much for taking care of them for joining us for Christmas, this is just perfect." Liv said as she handed Tyler over to his grandmother.
"Now we have a week to celebrate, as a full family."
Liv and Fitz watched as the grandparents took some much needed time surrounded by all their grandchildren now.
"So, what's this gift Brielle was talking about?" Liv turned to Fitz.
"I'm limiting my time at the Pentagon. Beginning February 1st, I'll be home three days and in office two days. Then I'm going to gradually downgrade to one day, and by the end of next year I'm going to retire. I want to spend every waking hour with my family."
Liv pulled him down for a kiss. "As if this day could get any better. Merry Christmas Admiral Grant. I love you."
"And I love you, Mrs. Grant. Merry Christmas and thank you for the best gifts ever."
A/N: MERRY CHRISTMAS
