Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Green-Eyed Monster
Weeks Later…
"You must be so excited about your wedding."
"Oh you have no idea. I can't wait. A week in Italy with my family and then we're ditching you all for our honeymoon." Erika replied. She and Harrison were having an engagement/reception for all their family and friends who weren't able to make it to the wedding. Erika understood that having a destination wedding meant that not all of their family and friends would make it. But she liked the thought of a smaller intimate wedding anyway.
She was having the party at her house, or soon to be her and Harrison's house, he's already started moving his things in. Erika had made it very clear that she was not moving out of her home into his bachelor pad condo.
Her home was filled now with people who couldn't make the wedding and those who were making the trip. For some of them, this was an excuse to go on a vacation. Who could pass up Italy?
"I'm excited to go to Italy, I've never been before. Honestly, I've never been out of the U.S. before. And Abby showed me some pictures of your wedding venue, it's gorgeous." Claudia gushed.
"You have no idea how grateful I was when she finally found that place." Harrison said. "I couldn't look at another church, reception hall or flower field." Claudia and Fitz laughed. "But then she wouldn't stop talking about it until Olivia talked to Adam."
"Oh?" Claudia asked confused.
"Yeah turns out Adam owns this place, we really lucked out. I mean what are the odds." Harrison said.
"And then the fact that it's where Fitz and Olivia honeymooned." Erika said. Harrison had purposely left that part out, and by the look Fitz's face, Erika should have left it out as well.
It was obvious Claudia was unaware of the fact by the look on her face.
"Really?" Claudia replied with a strained smile. "Fitz didn't mention that."
"Yeah, honeymoon plus a few anniversary trips. It's the craziest thing, we never would have gotten this place otherwise, the application and reservation process is wild. And Adam also waived the fee for us which is so nice and amazing, because I don't think I've ever seen so many zeros all together before. Fitz how much did you and Liv pay for your honey-"
"You know what babe, I think your mother is trying to get your attention." Harrison pulled Erika away, before she could say anything else. She clearly was not picking up on the vibe.
Claudia and Fitz stood silent for a moment after Harrison and Erika made their exit. Fitz was the first to speak.
"So I was thinking-"
"Why would you not tell me?" Claudia cut him off, no way were they going to just have a casual conversation now.
"What?"
"Don't act dumb Fitz. We're going to your honeymoon destination with Olivia."
"Claudia."
"Oh and let's not forget the anniversary trips."
"It's not a big deal."
"It's not a big deal? Are you serious? You're taking your girlfriend to-"
"Claudia look this is why I didn't tell you okay. It really is not big deal. Yes, Olivia and I honeymooned there, but it was over ten years ago. It's not a big deal to me or Olivia, she gave Erika her blessing. She's fine with it."
"And if you really think she's 'okay' with this than you're clueless." Claudia huffed. "I'm not comfortable with this Fitz."
"Claudia, it's my sister. I'm not going to tell her she can't get married somewhere because I had it first. I'm sorry if it will make you uncomfortable to be there, but you don't have to come."
"So now you don't want me to come?" Claudia looked offended.
"That is not what I said. You're the one that said you weren't comfortable. I'm telling you you don't have to be uncomfortable."
"So I don't go and then I look like the insecure girlfriend?"
Well that's certainly the role you're playing now. Fitz didn't dare say that out loud. "Look I don't know what to tell you. In three weeks my little sister is getting married in Italy. I would like for you to join me, but I understand if you aren't there."
"Oh I'm going. I won't give Olivia the satisfaction of thinking I'm bothered by this."
But you are. Again, Fitz kept his thoughts to himself. "Satisfaction? What are you talking about? And what does this have to do with Olivia? Why are you acting like this is a competition?"
"Oh Fitz please stop acting like you don't know Olivia doesn't like me. She has made that evidently clear every time I come around. With her snide little remarks and don't think I don't see the faces she makes when I talk."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Well maybe that's because you're too busy staring too hard at her and Adam."
"What?" Now Fitz was thrown off. "What are we even arguing about right now? Where is this coming from?"
"I'm not an idiot Fitz. I see how you look at them, mainly her."
"Claudia now you're just being ridiculous."
"Am I? It's bad enough that every time I'm around her she makes me feel small. But to add on the fact that you can't keep your eyes off her mouth when she speaks or always watching her backside when she walks off is just too much."
"Claudia-"
Claudia walked off before Fitz could finish. He followed her out the living room and down the hall to the bathroom, where she promptly shut the door in his face.
Harrison and Erika were across the room watching their exchange.
"Now look what you did." Harrison said. "Why would you tell her that? Did it not seem obvious that I left the whole honeymoon part out on purpose."
"What?" Erika asked innocently. "I didn't know that he hadn't said anything. I didn't know it was supposed to be some big secret. What's the big deal?"
"Erika stop, you know what you did. Look I know you don't like her but-"
"Wait, I never said I didn't like her."
"Erika you didn't have to say it, you've made it painfully obvious. You constantly bring up Olivia, last week you told her how Fitz and Olivia met."
"No, I was telling her how I met Olivia."
"And yet, most of the story was about how Fitz was making googly eyes at Olivia the whole drive. And how he went back to next day-"
"Okay. So maybe I overshare sometimes." Erika admitted. She thought back and knew Harrison was right. She didn't like Claudia. Not because she wasn't a likeable person, just simply because she was dating her brother. Erika always thought Olivia and Fitz would get back together one day, and she was still holding onto that hope.
"Look I'm not saying you have to be besties with the woman, but cut out all the Olivia talk and the backhanded remarks."
"I don't do that."
"Last week you called her shoes old and ugly."
Erika snorted. "Now you're just making things up, I did not."
"Oh I love your shoes Claudia, so vintage and sensible. I should get some for my mother." Harrison imitated Erika.
"What?" Erika laughed. "They were very sensible, and mom has something just like it."
"Aka you have the style of a seventy year old woman." Erika laughed again but tried to hide it. "You get that from Olivia by the way. Hiding all your snark behind an overly sweet tone."
"I am not snarky." Erika smiled.
"You may be an angel, but you've got two little horns poking out too."
"Whatever." Erika laughed as Harrison pulled her in for a kiss.
X
Olivia sighed for the fifth time in two minutes. She was still at the office, trying to get some last-minute paperwork done. She was annoyed with herself, because she was supposed to have this done last week but didn't get to it. Now she was stuck at the office getting carpal tunnel from all the paperwork she'd gone through. Plus her eyes were beginning to water from staring at her computer screen for so long.
Erika had been calling her on the hour every hour asking her had she left yet, and every time she'd tell her just a little while longer. Then she'd look up and another hour had passed. She was ready to get out of the office, but she wasn't in a hurry to get to Erika's party. She really just wanted to go home, cuddle her babies for a while and then pass out. But the kids were with Mrs. March and Erika was expecting her maid of honor to be at her party.
The truth was Olivia knew Fitz and Claudia would be there and she was not looking forward to being in the same room as the two of them. Luckily, she only lived a few houses down from Erika so she could make her escape swiftly to the comfort of her own home. Olivia has been avoiding Fitz lately, which is not an easy thing to do. You can't avoid the father of your children, when he's at your home basically every other day. Whenever he would come by to visit, Olivia would do anything to keep herself busy and out of whatever room he was in. The last time he came over, Olivia conveniently remembered she needed to clean out a closet in her basement.
They haven't spoken abut their last interaction together, of course. That's what they did now. They held things back, and kept their thoughts and feelings to themselves until one of them exploded on the other. Olivia still thought about her talk with her sister, she knew she was right, and she was still being childish, hiding in her home every time Fitz came over. But she didn't know what else to do. She had made her decision and now she had to live with her decision. But that was harder said than done.
"Boss lady." Daniel, Olivia's assistant, knocked on her office door. "You've been here for hours."
"I know, this paperwork is killing me. But I'm almost done."
"Maybe next time when I give you some papers and tell you it's important you will listen. Scratch that, I'll make sure you listen."
"What are you still doing here? You can go home I don't want to keep you out this late either."
Daniel shook his head. "Absolutely not, I'm not leaving you here by yourself. I'll leave when you leave. Besides, I'm not in any hurry to get home. My soon to be ex-boyfriend has really been getting on my nerves lately. I'd rather stay here and binge watch law and order on your dime." Olivia laughed, but she knew he was serious. "You've got thirty minutes and then I'm dragging you out myself. Erika has now begun calling the front desk number."
"Half an hour is all I need."
Exactly half an hour later, Daniel was walking back through her office door ready to drag her out if need be.
"Time's up."
"I'm almost done, just let me send off this email."
Daniel started gathering her things as she sent off her last email. He grabbed her purse and briefcase and turned of all the lamps in her office. "And Adam is here. He showed up about forty minutes ago."
"Why didn't you let him back?"
"Because you needed to finish without any distractions. I told him you wouldn't be long."
"What is he doing here anyway?" Olivia asked mostly to herself. Olivia and Adam had gotten back into their regular routine after the I love you incident and Olivia avoiding Adam. She'd called him over to apologize. She told him that she was caught off guard and a little scared when he told her he loved her. Adam was very understanding, and he told her he didn't want to pressure her. But Olivia could tell that he was hurt that she didn't reciprocate an I love you. Just as she saw the disappointment every time after when he said those same three words and she would only smile or kiss him. But despite everything, he still wanted to be with her.
Daniel draped Olivia's briefcase on her shoulder as she stood and they walked out the office together.
Adam stood when he saw them coming down the hall. "Hello beautiful."
"Hey." Olivia accepted his quick kiss and hug. "What are you doing here? I told you I would just meet you at Erika's."
"I know, but then I thought about you being here by yourself this late and then driving home, and I came right over." Olivia smiled; he really was thoughtful. "Ready?"
They all walked down to the parking garage together. Olivia rode with Adam and he would bring her back in the morning to get her car. Olivia had already yawned four times during their drive.
"I know I'm showing up very late, but I hope Erika doesn't expect me to stay long. I am beyond tired." Olivia said, leading back against her seat. "You don't mind if we leave early do you."
"Of course not. I'm surprised you're still going."
"Yeah well if it was anyone else, I wouldn't be. We just have to get the kids from Mrs. March when we leave. Hopefully they stay asleep. Oh and get prepared to be bombarded again." Olivia was speaking of Erika. Ever since Adam agreed to let her use his hotel for the wedding, every time she saw him she thanked him until she was blue in the face.
"I'm prepared." Adam laughed. "But when do you think she will finally stop thanking me every time she sees me?"
"Not anytime soon that's for sure. But I do want to thank you again for doing this for her, and for not charging her. You really didn't have to do that."
"I was trying to impress my lady and get some brownie points."
"You made my sister happy; you've definitely earned some brownie points. You really made her day."
"And it really doesn't bother you that she is getting married at the same hotel you and Fitz honeymooned at?"
Of course, it does. "I'll admit I was caught off guard, but It's Erika. I'd do anything for her. What about you? Does it bother you?"
"Well I have to burn the honeymoon suite down to the ground, possibly." Olivia chuckled. "But in the end, I've got the prize."
Olivia smiled, leaned over and kissed him. He really was a good man.
"You're too good for me."
Adam picked up her hand and kissed it, then held it on his lap. "Now who's looking for brownie points."
Olivia smiled. She really did feel that Adam was too good for her. He may not have been her first rebound, but he was definitely a rebound. And as much as she liked him, she still thought about another, and had strong feelings for her ex. And knowing how he felt about her, Olivia knew it wasn't right for her to be stringing the man along, but at this point in her life, she didn't want to be alone anymore. So even though she had no idea where this relationship was heading, she was going to keep him around. Her only hope was that maybe in the future she could finally get over her feelings for Fitz and truly be committed to Adam. If she couldn't have the one she wanted Adam wasn't a bad replacement.
But do I really want to settle? Olivia thought to herself.
X
"I just find it funny that I live almost thirty minutes away from here and made it on time, early even. And you literally live five houses down and still couldn't make it on time." Quinn said, purposely irritating Olivia.
"Shut up." Olivia playfully smacked Quinn's arm. "I had to work late."
"Sure."
"Leave me alone." Olivia smiled. "Where is the blushing bride anyway?"
"She's been dragging poor Harrison around this house all night. I don't think she's stayed in one place more than two minutes." Stephen joked. Just then everyone turned to see Erika dragging Harrison by the hand across the room.
"We need to hurry up and get that girl married." Abby said laughing. "I swear if she calls me at six a.m. again with another 'wedding emergency' I'm going to scream."
"Now you know how we felt."
"I for one can't wait for this wedding." Althea said. "Jason and I desperately need a vacation."
"Mmm, the only thing that would make this better is if the kids were staying here." Jason said.
"Oh I feel you. The only reason mine are going is because their in the wedding."
Erika asked Quinn, Althea and Olivia for their kids to be in the wedding. Jason Jr., Javier and Jackson were going to be the ring bearers and they were going to pull Noah and Jonah behind them in a wagon. And Isabella, Alecia, Hannah and Sophia were the flower girls. Hannah and Sophia could walk down the aisle, but they had a wagon for back up. The girls didn't always act right when asked. A lot of people preferred a child-free wedding, but Erika wanted this to be a family affair. And she considered Quinn, Althea and Olivia's kids all her nieces and nephews.
"Hello everyone."
Olivia failed to hold her sigh in, when Claudia and Fitz joined their group. Olivia had noticed them both when she arrived, but she didn't make and effort to speak. And she was grateful that Claudia and Fitz had kept their distance up until now.
Fitz had purposely stayed clear of Olivia since the moment she arrived. After that little argument with Claudia earlier, he wasn't going anywhere near Olivia. He thought for a while that he was in the clear, since Olivia hadn't shown up, he thought maybe she wasn't coming at all. But no such luck. He watched her walk hand in hand with Adam earlier, smiling. He remembered what Claudia said, and looked away quickly. He could feel her watching him, just waiting to call him out for staring at Olivia. His plan was just to stay on the opposite side of the house from wherever Olivia was. And it was going fine, until Claudia lead them directly to Olivia. At first he was confused, but then he thought 'this must be a test. She's been watching me all night long. Now she's testing me.' Well Fitz was going to make sure he didn't fail this test.
Everyone said their hellos, except Olivia who kept sipping her drink. "Olivia." Claudia smiled but wasn't genuine.
Olivia replied flatly, "Claudia."
"So what are we talking about?"
Abby answered. "Well these two are complaining about having to bring their kids to Italy." She laughed. "They were hoping for some adult time."
"Do you know when the last time we had a kid free vacation was?" Althea asked. "Cause I sure don't"
"You know baby I don't think we've had a kid free vacation, not since or honeymoon." Jason said, making everyone laugh.
"Oh same here." Fitz said. "I'm not looking forward to it either."
"Oh? Why not?" Claudia asked. "You've already experienced your adult vacation there right? You and Olivia both."
It was evident to Olivia that Claudia was bothered, but Olivia could be petty too. "Quite a few times actually. A lot of long, late adult nights."
"Oh well I don't know how many of those we'll have." Claudia said with a sweet smile. "Afterall we'll have our hands full with three kids."
"Hm, well I, their mother, will be there so you won't have your hands full with anything." Olivia said just as sweetly, but seething with venom within.
Quinn cleared her throat. "You know I'm going to try to squeeze in some riding time. I saw they had horses." Quinn said, trying to break up some of the awkward tension Claudia started.
"Oh really?" "That sounds fun." Abby and Thea chimed in.
"The stables really are beautiful." Olivia said. "And the sunrise view is amazing from there. You remember it right Fitz? After we had a little too much to drink and ended up spending a very eventful night-"
"Well Fitz and I will just have to see that for ourselves." Claudia cut her off. She knew what Olivia was referring to and it pissed her off to no end. Claudia had never met a person that got under her skin as much as Olivia did. Claudia had no idea what it was about this woman that brought out this foreign side of herself.
"Oh please do." Olivia wasn't done. "And while you're at it, you should rent a boat. We rented one on an anniversary trip. Chrystal blue days and starry nights."
"Hmm."
"Yeah, I love sailing. Swaying with the water, there's nothing like a good, hard-"
"You know Olivia I don't think we'll have time for all of that." Fitz cut her off quick, not knowing what the next words out her mouth were going to be.
"Hey everybody." Adam finally rejoined the group. He had stepped away a while ago to take a phone call.
The spectators all looked relieved that Adam had returned, thinking he could put a lid on Olivia. This had turned into a very uncomfortable conversation the minute Claudia opened her mouth. Olivia's friends knew she wasn't one to back down to anyone.
"Sorry it took so long." Adam spoke into Olivia's ear.
Olivia and Adam shared a small moment and Claudia cut her gaze to Fitz. He was watching them and the second he noticed Claudia watching him, he looked away.
"So what were we talking about?"
"Global warming." "Movies." "Beyonce concert." Quinn, Abby and Althea all answered all at once.
X
Olivia found herself by the food table alone, picking through the hors d'oeuvres. She'd left the group and then ditched Adam with some old man talking about fishing, she wasn't interested. And after that awkward interaction with Claudia, she was steering clear of her and Fitz. That woman got under her skin like nobody's business. Was she really expecting Olivia to back down when she mentioned the villa? If anything it showed Olivia that Claudia was the one bothered by the entire situation.
Olivia knew Claudia was somewhat intimidated by her, it was obvious every time they met. She just seemed to be in her own competition with Olivia. Olivia had her own reasons for not enjoying Claudia's presence, but what was Claudia's reason? Was it just simply because she was the ex-wife? Admittedly, Olivia didn't make their first meeting a great experience. It was rather rushed, Olivia said a quick hello and was practically out the door the next minute.
But Olivia never had any intentions of making Claudia a part of her friend circle. Claudia was the one seeking some type of friendship, and now she was shooting little jabs at her. Well Olivia could most definitely hold her own, it was Claudia who should back down.
"Well that was interesting."
Olivia jumped, clutching her necklace. Althea had popped up out of nowhere. "Jesus you scared the hell out of me."
"Oh really? I didn't think the evil queen scared so easily."
"Evil queen?" Olivia repeated, and Althea made a face like she knew what she was talking about. "She started it. I'm telling you every time I see her now she's always making these little catty remarks. Remember last week? Oh I Fitz and I took the kids to the museum. Everyone thought we were the cutest little family. Oh Fitz is just the best dad, I can tell he's going to want more one day. But I'm gonna need a ring on this finger first ha ha ha. Fucking bitch thinks she's the next Mrs. Grant, well jokes on her because I happen to know that Carol hates her."
"And how do you know that?"
"Oh please, everyone hates her!" Olivia said a little too loud, but no one reacted. "She tries to act all sweet and innocent Oh, I'm so pure. I don't eat flesh. I'm just a dainty little woman that floats around singing to birds. She can play pretend all she wants, but people can smell a bullshit from a mile away. Oh and I'm pretty sure I saw her phony ass at In-N-out last week."
Althea laughed, shaking her head. "Olivia what are you doing? I thought we talked about this. About you growing up and moving on. What is this?"
"She started it. I was keeping my distance, they came over to me."
"The both of you are being ridiculous. Besides, you came here with Adam. I figured you had made your decision."
"I did."
"Then Claudia should not bother you this much."
"Oh this has nothing to do with Fitz. That heifer thinks she can replace me and rub my face in it. But I tell you one thing, I don't care what she and Fitz do, my family will never be hers."
"Do you hear yourself? I can not believe you right now, you sound like you did in high school with Jennifer Jackson."
"That whore tried to take my boyfriend and my spot on the cheer squad." Olivia swelled with anger remembering the green eyed skank that tried to steal her spotlight.
"Okay, I feel like our first talk didn't do the trick and we need another."
"No we don't. I'm just a little annoyed and more than a little buzzed." Olivia put her plate on the table. "I'm fine." She walked off towards the upstairs bathroom. She needed to get away from everyone for a moment. She found herself in one of Erika's spare rooms. She was laying on the bed gathering her thoughts, when someone knocked on the door. She didn't respond, and a moment later the door opened.
"Thea I told you I don't need another talk."
"Talk about what? Me?" It was Fitz.
Olivia flopped back down on the bed. "What are you doing in here? I came up here to avoid you."
"Why are you avoiding me?" Fitz lay down beside her, both of them staring up at the ceiling fan twirling.
"I'm avoiding you and the girlfriend."
Fitz sighed. "Yeah I don't know what that was all about. She gets all on my case about staring at your mouth when you talk and then she… I don't know what that was about."
Olivia laughed. "You do do that you know."
"What?"
"You stare at my mouth when I talk. You've always done it."
"Hmm." Fitz thought Claudia was being ridiculous earlier. Did he really just stare at Olivia all the time? He guessed he'd been doing it for so long now, he didn't even realize he when he was doing it anymore.
"Yeah. Listen I need you to watch the kids for me this weekend."
"Big date?" Fitz asked, somewhat hoping she would say otherwise.
"Something like that." Olivia sat up to leave. She didn't know how much longer she could lay beside Fitz in a bed and behave.
"Are we not going to talk?" Fitz asked her before she could leave.
"Talk about what?"
Fitz gave her an annoyed look. "Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about." He stood up in front of her. "You said I wish-"
"Fitz we really don't have to talk about this."
"But I want to Olivia. I was caught of guard the day, but I'm not now."
"Fitz."
"Are you having second thoughts? I told you months ago that I wanted to be with you again and you told me no. Now it feels like you're second thinking that decision."
"I'm not." Olivia lied.
"Then why are you so nervous right now?" Fitz began walking towards Olivia, causing her to take some steps back. Eventually she would be backed against the wall. "Olivia why are we still playing these games? After all these years you think you can still lie to me? Why are you playing house with the hotel mogul when you know he's not who you want?"
"Oh you're one to talk. What about the vegan? She's practically picking out engagement rings. And if she alludes to being my kids mother one more time, all hell is going to break loose."
"Are you jealous Olivia?"
"Stop it." She tried to stay firm, but her voice was shaky.
"Why are you jealous if you've got your millionaire tycoon downstairs." Fitz took the last steps towards her, making her hit the wall. He didn't stop until his chest was against hers. "Stop lying to yourself Livvie."
"You have a girlfriend."
"And you have a boyfriend. Which is why you don't want me to kiss you. Because of him?"
"That's not-"
"This is interesting."
"Fitz."
"No really, it is."
Olivia didn't know how much longer she could hold out. Having him this close to her, feeling his breath against her lips. His chest pressed tightly against her, so much that she would feel his heart beating. He was an intoxicating man and she sure as hell knew it.
"You don't know what to do, do you? You know you still have feelings for me, but you feel disloyal to him. I can see it all on your face Livvie. I told you, you can't hide from me, no matter how hard you try."
"Okay, just stop it."
"Kiss me."
"What?" Olivia looked up at him, which was a big mistake. Now she had those piercing blue eyes tearing a hole through her façade.
"I said kiss me."
"Let's go back down-" Olivia turned away from him, but she couldn't go anywhere because he still had her pinned to the wall. He'd trapped her without even using his hands.
"Look at me." Fitz commanded and she listened. "We're alone. Shut doors, no wondering eyes, you and me. Everything that has happened, everything that will happen, Claudia, Adam, right now none of it matters. No consequences, this one's free, it's just you and me." They were practically already kissing. Fitz was so close to her now, that every time he spoke his lips brushed against hers. "Kiss me Olivia. You know you want to." And she did want to, dammit she wanted to. And she did.
Fitz sighed in relief when Olivia finally gave in and he felt her lips on his. It was like a sweet reunion every time he kissed her. The warmth of her plump lips between his. The way she sighed and moaned into his mouth, when he caressed and squeezed her backside. Her hands in his hair, pulling him even closer. Grinding against one another, desperate for every part of their being to be touching. This was not going to solve anything, but like Fitz said, it was only him and her in this moment. He would worry about consequences later.
Just as Olivia lifted her leg and began curling it around Fitz, he palmed her face in both hands and pulled back. It took Olivia a second to register that he'd stopped kissing her and opened her eyes. She was breathing heavy, starring up at him with dark, lust filled eyes. And he was smirking. That knocked Olivia out of her haze enough to push off him and open the bedroom door. She walked briskly down the hall towards the steps. She stopped abruptly and turned around as Fitz followed her.
"You don't go this way. Go another way."
"We're upstairs Livvie, there's only one way."
She was still breathing heavy, then turned away and continued down the hall and down the steps.
When she got to the bottom, she ran into Althea. "There you are, Adam's been looking all over for you." Althea noticed Olivia's breathing.
"Where is he?" Olivia asked. She needed to leave, now.
"I don't know he-" Althea stopped talking when she noticed Fitz coming down the stairs as well. He looked in their direction once, before heading in the opposite direction. Althea looked to her sister for an explanation, but Olivia was mute.
Luckily for Olivia she spotted Adam before Thea could say anything. Olivia quickly said her goodbyes to Erika, and practically rushed out the door.
X
"Soph are you going to share?"
Sophia looked down at the doughnut hole in her hand and then up at Gerry. You could see the contemplation on her face. She thought for a moment more, then raised her hand up for Gerry to bite it. Gerry pretended to take a bite and then lifted Soph in the air. He didn't think she was going to share, he was just teasing her. One thing Sophia didn't play with was her snacks.
"Gerry Fitz just called he's on his way." Carol said disappointedly. Olivia had dropped the kids off with them earlier that day. Fitz was watching them for the weekend, and he was going to pick them up from their house. Gerry nor Carol questioned why Fitz couldn't just pick the kids up from her home, like he normally did, they were just happy to get some alone time with their grandbabies. Whenever they were around the whole family, everyone was always competing for the babies.
"You should have told him we weren't home." Gerry said.
"I almost didn't answer the phone." Carol admitted. "He's bringing that girl with him. I heard her in the background."
"Carol." Gerry sighed. He knew his wife wasn't fond of their son's girlfriend. And the honest, Gerry wasn't too fond of her either, but she was who Fitz chose to be with, so he respected it.
"I just don't understand what he sees in her. I mean they could not be more opposite. And don't think I don't see right through that little nice girl act she puts on. And if she mentions one more time that she's vegan and that meat eater are murders…"
"Well, that is annoying. Remember when they came over last week, she told me my burger had a mother." Gerry laughed and rolled his eyes. "She's not the worst girl Fitz could have brought home."
"She's not the best either."
"Carol you just don't like her because she's not Olivia." Gerry said, and Carol knew he was right.
"I just don't understand why Fitz doesn't get back together with her."
"I don't think it's just up to him sweetheart."
"Oh please, Olivia still has feelings for him. These two boys are evident of that." Carol sat down on the couch, watching the boys scoot around on the floor. Noah was headed towards the window, he love to pull on the curtains. They were getting better with their crawling, but most times they preferred to still scoot around. Olivia was also working on getting them up and walking. Jonah was making a little more progress than his brother. Yesterday he was holding onto the table and just let go. He didn't do anywhere, but he wobbled and balanced himself for a moment before he plopped back down on the floor.
"They were perfect together Gerry. Olivia is sweet and warm, but she's got that spunky attitude. She's smart, got a great job, and when she came over for dinner, she actually helped me and didn't sit in the corner judging me for using non-vegan mayonnaise." Gerry laughed, just rocking in his chair allowing his wife to vent.
"Erika loves her like a sister, my mother loved her, you love her, everyone loves her. Your stupid son just had to go a ruin it."
"You do know Olivia is seeing someone."
"Adam is a nice man, but he isn't my son."
"What are you going to do, play matchmaker?"
"If I have to."
"Carol Fitz is a big boy. We can't make decisions for him or live his life. If he's happy then we should just let him be."
"But he isn't happy Gerry." If Carol thought her son was truly happy, then she would let it be. But she knew her son and she could tell that he may have been infatuated with Claudia, but she didn't make him happy. And lately, it has become more evident. Carol had noticed lately that when Fitz was around Claudia his mood damped. They barely spoke, hardly ever touched one another and he just seemed disconnected.
"I know my son Gerry, and I know when he is unhappy. And trust me he is unhappy. I don't know what attracted him to her in the first place, but whatever it was is gone. You know what he was like with Olivia. They sat hip to hip on every couch, he was always touching her in some way. The little forehead kisses, always watching her mouth when she spoke. Our son was sprung."
"Yeah he was."
"Just see for yourself when Fitz gets here. He treats Claudia like a friend not a girlfriend."
"Mom, Dad?" Fitz called out.
"We're in the living room."
The second Sophia saw Fitz, she squirmed off Gerry's lap and ran towards him. "Hey turkey." He tossed her in the air and she squealed, dropping drool on Fitz's forehead. "Hey pops. Mom." Fitz kissed his mother's cheek and then sat down on the floor with the boys. They both started scooting towards him and smacking on his legs.
No one had acknowledged Claudia, so she took it upon herself to be recognized. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Grant."
"Oh Claudia, I didn't even see you there." Carol said. Gerry subtly shook his head, while Fitz didn't pay them any mind. "How are you?"
"I'm great thanks."
The room grew quiet. Claudia was standing at the living room entrance almost as if she was waiting for an invitation to sit down. Fitz was playing with he kids and Carol and Gerry were in their own conversation.
"So what do you guys have planned this weekend?"
"Oh we-" Claudia started to speak but Fitz cut her off.
"I'm just going to be hanging out with these three all weekend." Fitz said, tickling Sophia's belly.
"All weekend?" Claudia repeated. "I thought we were only watching them for the night. You and I were going to see that play I told you about."
Fitz had forgotten Claudia had mention a play to him last week. Fitz didn't recall agreeing to go, but now that was off the table. "I'm sorry Claudia, but I've got the kids this weekend." Fitz didn't want to go to some amateur play anyway.
"Well what about our plans? Can't someone just watch them for one night? Maybe your parents can-"
"Oh no we can't." Carol quickly said. "Gerry and I are spending the weekend with Olivia's parents." Claudia rolled her eyes at the mention of Olivia's name. "Curtis and Adelle invited us up to their winery for a little weekend relaxation."
"That's alright mom." Fitz got up from the floor and started gathering the kids things. He tossed the bag at Claudia, catching her off guard. "Catch." Claudia wasn't ready, and the bag ended up hitting her in the face. "Ooh shit, my bad."
"Well don't toss the bag at her son." Gerry scolded his son.
"Sorry." Fitz handed Claudia the next bag, and she roughly snatched it away.
"It was nice seeing you." Claudia mustered up a smile before she made her way to the door. She was beyond annoyed.
"I'll see you later." Fitz let Gerry and Carol say goodbye to the kids one last time before he followed Claudia out the door.
"You see what I mean?" Carol said once they heard the front door shut. "I mean he literally hit her in the face with a diaper bag."
Outside, Fitz was trying to get the kids in their car seats while Claudia sat in the front with her arms folded, and pouting. After he finally got all three strapped in and not crying, he got in the driver seat and pulled off.
"So my weekend is ruined."
"Claudia I told you days ago that I was watching the kids this weekend."
"No, you said Saturday. You said you were watching them Saturday night. Meaning Sunday we could go to the play."
"I don't even remember agreeing to go. Besides, who goes to see a play on a Sunday? Who shows a play on a Sunday."
"Fitz!"
"Claudia what do you expect me to do? I have kids, you're dating a man with kids. You knew that from the beginning."
"Why are you always watching them when she needs a sitter?"
"I'm not a babysitter, I'm their father."
"Okay and Olivia loves to remind me she's their mother, why is she never with her own kids?"
Fitz stopped at the stop sign and looked Claudia dead in the eye. "Do not talk about Olivia that way." Fitz wouldn't stand anyone slandering Olivia about being a mother.
"Are you defending her now?"
"Yes I am. Olivia is a great mother, who has our kids 90% of the time. So if she needs a weekend off, as their father I will always step in. My kids will always come first Claudia and you have to be okay with that and get use to it."
Claudia huffed back in her seat, staring out the window the rest of the way back to Fitz's apartment.
X
"I've been wanting to come see this concert for a while." Olivia smiled.
"I know." Adam kissed the side of her head. "You know I do listen to you when you talk. You've been talking about this concert for weeks now. I would have gotten us to a show earlier, but they've been sold out for a while."
"Thank you."
Adam moved a stray piece of hair from Olivia's face. "I'd do anything to keep that smile on your face."
I'm a horrible person. That thought ran through Olivia's mind pretty regularly lately. Ever since that kiss at Erika's party. She couldn't believe how reckless she was acting. It was only a kiss, but if Fitz hadn't stopped it, Olivia wasn't sure she would have. Adam didn't deserve that. And one of these days it was going to catch up to her. Althea was right, their talk wasn't effective. She was still acting like a child.
X
"Fitz I've looked three times I don't see it."
"Claudia I said look on the third shelf in the back."
"What do you think I'm doing? I'm not an idiot I heard you and I looked and it's not here."
Fitz sighed. He was trying to make dinner and Claudia called herself helping, but she was only slowing him down and complaining about all the ingredients. Fitz tried to be sensitive to Claudia's dietary needs, but he wasn't a vegan and had no plans of going vegan. So his kitchen was filled with products made from or made with animal products. Every time Fitz picked up a new ingredient, Claudia had some snide comment. Now Fitz needed the sugar that he knew was on the third shelf of his pantry and Claudia for whatever reason was having the hardest time finding it.
"Just let me get it."
"By all means."
Fitz walked in the pantry and right on the third shelf in the back, he found the bag of sugar. He held it out for Claudia to see.
"How was I supposed to see that? You had it shoved in the very back. I can barely see on the third shelf."
"Sorry." Fitz apologized to avoid talking about this any longer. He went back to the pantry looking for a box of pasta. He thought he had another box, but couldn't find it. "Dammit. I'm gonna have to go to the store. I need pasta. I don't want to take them out again."
"Just leave them here with me." Claudia offered.
"Oh that's…"
"What you don't trust me?"
"I didn't say that."
"Fitz the corner grocery if literally a three-minute walk from here. I can watch them, I herd animals all day long."
"They're not animals Claudia."
"I know that, that's not what I meant. Just- They will be fine Fitz just go to the store."
Fitz was hesitant, but agreed. The store was only a few minutes walk and he would be right back. "Alright, fine. I'll only be a few minutes."
"I know. And please make sure it's a vegan brand."
X
It took Fitz even less time to get back because he was power walking, basically running, to the store and back. He got the pasta, and knew he was going to catch hell since the store didn't have any vegan pasta. Lately Fitz had become more and more annoyed with Claudia. It seems like everything she did and said just got on his nerves. In the beginning, Claudia was a pleasant woman. She was sweet and kind, someone he got along with. Nowadays it seemed that all they did was argue.
Fitz rode the elevator to his floor. He heard some yelling and the closer he got to his door the louder the yelling got. Then he recognized the voice and knew it was Claudia. He broke out in a sprint and hurriedly opened the door. When he opened the door, Claudia was on the ground kneeled over something. She was crying and screaming frantically. Sophia was standing against the wall screaming and Jonah was crying in the playpen.
"What's going on?!"
Claudia turned when she heard Fitz's voice, and when she did, she revealed what she was leaning over. Fitz's face grew pale. Noah was laying on the floor turning blue.
"Fitz I'm so sorry!" Claudia was crying, holding her phone in her hand, the 911 operator was still talking. "I'm so sorry."
"What the hell happened?!" Fitz rushed to Noah, picking him up and checking for a pulse. It was faint, and his breathing was shallow. Noah was visibly gasping for air. Fitz checked his mouth thinking he was choking. "What happened?!"
"I don't know. I was eating and he started whining so I gave him some."
"Gave him what?" Fitz flipped him over on his arm to give him the Heimlich."
"I'm sorry-"
"What the fuck did you give him Claudia?!" Fitz shouted.
"Apples! Apple slices but they were thin. And peanut butter."
"What?!" Fitz stopped, he knew then that Noah wasn't choking on some food. He rushed over to the diaper bag.
"It's vegan!"
"He's allergic to peanuts Claudia!"
Claudia covered her mouth with both hands. "Oh God! Oh God I forgot!" Fitz and Olivia had an allergy test done on all the kids. And found that Noah was seriously allergic to peanuts, really all tree nuts. They were given epi pens, both Olivia and Fitz had one at the houses and they kept one in the diaper bag. Fitz told Claudia about the kid's allergies trying to avoid a situation like this.
"Why didn't you give him the epi pen?" Fitz found the pen in the bag and quickly shot Noah in the leg.
"I forgot. Oh my God." Claudia was still crying, ignoring the lady on 911.
"Come on buddy." Fitz rubbed on Noah's chest, but he wasn't responding. Fitz could still feel a pulse, but Noah wasn't getting enough oxygen, he was still gasping for air. "His throat must be swelling. I gotta get him to the hospital!"
"I called 911!" Claudia said shaking her phone in her hand. Yes she had called, but she didn't tell them any information. Not an address, name or even what was going on. She'd been too hysterical.
"It'll be quicker if I take him!"
X
"You know you don't have to lie for me." Olivia smiled. She and Adam had left the concert and were walking to a restaurant for dinner. Olivia had asked Adam what he thought about the concert, and he was fumbling with his words to say how much he enjoyed it. "You're allowed to say you didn't like it." Olivia laughed, which made Adam laugh.
"I didn't want to hurt your feelings or insult you taste or nothing." Adam sighed in relief, shaking his head. "It wasn't for me."
Olivia nudged his shoulder. "Yeah I could tell. But thank you for taking me anyway, and for at least pretending to enjoy it while we were there. And I promise I won't be blasting it from the radios in the car or anything."
"Sounds good to me." He leaned down for a quick kiss before they kept walking hand in hand down the street.
They were almost at the restaurant when Olivia's phone rang. She was it was Fitz. "I'm sorry, it's Fitz he has the kids." They kept walking as Olivia answered the phone. "Hello?... What?"
Olivia stopped walking, and Adam looked back and immediately knew something was wrong. He'd never seen the look on Olivia face before.
"What is it?"
"We have to go."
Fifteen minutes later, Olivia was bursting through the hospital doors. She went right past the front desk and to the elevators. She knew pediatrics was on the fourth floor. She didn't even remember the car ride to the hospital. The last thing she remembered was Fitz telling her he had to rush Noah to the hospital. She had a mix of fear, panic and rage. And all she needed right now was to lay eyes on her son to know he was okay.
When the elevator doors opened on the fourth floor, Olivia stepped out with Adam following close behind her. Olivia had managed to give him the short story of what happened and he was just as worried as she was.
"Nancy!" Olivia spotted a nurse she knew well at the front desk. "Nancy where's Noah? Where's my baby?"
"He's in 410. Come on." Nancy had been on the clock when Noah was brought in.
Olivia was hot on her heels as she led her to Noah's room. She went straight to Noah's crib, ignoring everyone else in the room. "My baby." The tears Olivia had been holding in poured out when she laid eyes on him. She hadn't seen Noah like this since he was a newborn in the NICU. He was sleeping on his back in nothing but a diaper. He had an oxygen tube in his nose and was taped to both cheeks. He had little electrodes taped to his chest and a monitor wrapped around his foot.
"He's stable now." Nancy said. "We gave him some anti-inflammatories to stop the swelling. Thanks to Mr. Grant the swelling had already begun going down considerably. Dr. Marshall wants to keep him here overnight just to make sure his oxygen levels stay normal. But he's confident that he'll be able to go home in the morning." Nancy made a quiet exit, giving them some time alone.
Olivia rubbed her finger against his cheek, he twitched smiling in his sleep. Olivia's nerves were beginning to settle, knowing he was okay and now her emotions transitioned to rage. She looked up and finally took note of the rest of the room. Jonah and Sophia were sleeping on the couch against the wall. Fitz was Standing with his hands in his pockets, with a look on his face, waiting for Olivia to explode. And Claudia was sitting timidly in the chair behind him, purposely not looking up.
And she should be glad she hadn't. The look on Olivia's face was enough to kill man. No one in history has every scowled as hard as her face was in this moment. Olivia locked eyes with Fitz and then walked out the door, Fitz knew to follow her. She didn't want to have this conversation in the room and wake the kids. She walked to the end of the short hallway and stopped in front of the window. Claudia and Adam trailed behind.
"What the fuck happened?" There was nothing but venom dripping from every word she spoke.
"Olivia calm-" Fitz was just as upset, but he was trying to keep a lid on his emotions. Olivia didn't give a damn.
"Don't you dare tell me to calm down right now. Why the hell is my son in a hospital bed."
"I was only gone for a few minutes Olivia."
"You left our kids alone with her?"
"I was only gone for a few minutes Liv. I thought it would be okay."
"Does it look okay Fitz? Does he look okay to you?!"
"I'm so sorry Olivia." Claudia spoke up from behind Fitz. She'd stood behind him trying to shield herself from Olivia's fury.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"It was only a little bit I swear." Claudia cried.
"All it takes is a little bit you dumb bitch!" Olivia lunged at Claudia, but Adam held her back and Claudia hid behind Fitz. The staff at the nurses station were starting to notice them, along with everyone else in the hallway.
"I'm sorry, I forgot. I wasn't thinking."
"You're damn right you weren't thinking. You just sat there watching him gasping for air, there were two epi pens there! And why was she alone with my kids anyway Fitz?"
"They're my kids too Olivia."
"THEN WHERE THE FUCK WHERE YOU?!" Olivia was now screaming.
"The corner store is only a few minutes walk Liv! I thought they would be fine."
"Well clearly you thought wrong. I hope you know she is never coming near my kids again."
"Liv."
Claudia stepped from behind Fitz. "Olivia I am truly so-"
"You know I think its best that you stay far away from me and not say anything else to me. I don't even know why you're still here."
"I'm just trying to-"
"Leave!" Olivia looked to Fitz. "Get her out of my face." Fitz knew by the look on Olivia's face that it was best to get Claudia out of there. He grabbed Claudia's arm to lead her away, but she was still talking.
"Claudia let me walk you out."
"Olivia-" Claudia barely had time to get her name out.
"I said get the FUCK OUT!." Adam was no longer holding Olivia, and she took the opportunity to deliver a clean right hook straight to Claudia's face. No one saw it coming. Claudia screamed out in pain as she fell to the floor. Olivia reared back to hit her again, but Adam pulled her away. Fitz grabbed Olivia's legs, because she was trying to kick her.
"Olivia stop it!" Fitz yelled. "This isn't helping anything.
Adam picked Olivia up and carried her back down the hall to the boys room. Everyone in the halls scrambled back to their business.
"If my son is getting a hospital visit, that bitch is getting one too!"
Someone had called security, but she was just standing to the side not knowing what to do. Most of the nursing staff knew who Olivia and Fitz were, and they were all just pretending to minding their business.
"Oh my God, I think she broke my nose." Claudia was still on the floor crying and pinching her nose. Fitz kneeled down beside her and moved her hand so he could look at it. Fitz took one look and knew something was definitely not right.
"Nancy is Hellen on call tonight?"
"Uh I believe so. She's down in emergency."
X
"Ow!"
"I really need you to sit still please."
"That hurts!"
"Claudia if you don't sit still it's going to hurt more." Fitz was beyond annoyed. This entire situation has brought him from fear, anger and now annoyance. Fitz was so relieved that his son was okay. And at first he was so angry with Claudia, and honestly he still is, but he understands that this was a mistake. A mistake that could have happened to any of them. He understood why Olivia was so upset, but he couldn't condone her just going around breaking people's noses. Olivia did always have a fiery side to her. Fitz had seen it plenty of times during their marriage.
"Alright all done." Hellen a fellow doctor and friend of Fitz's had come from her shift in the ER as a favor to Fitz. He could have checked Claudia out himself, but he didn't want to.
"So is it broken?" Claudia asked the doctor.
"Yes. You have a nondisplaced nasal fracture."
"What does that mean?"
"It's a good thing, it means the bone cracked, but not all the way through. The bone is still intact, you don't have any disfiguration. I'm going to write you a prescription for some pain meds, but you should heal up just fine in a matter of weeks."
"I cannot believe she hit me."
"Hope you feel better." Hellen cleared her trash and threw away her gloves. She stood close to Fitz and spoke so only he would hear her. "Is it true Olivia knocked her out."
"Hellen."
Hellen laughed to herself, walking out.
"She broke my freaking nose Fitz."
"I told you to go."
"What? That's all you're going to say? She attacked me."
"She's upset Claudia, her son is in the hospital and you put him there." Fitz's frustration was beginning to show.
"That was an accident Fitz. I feel terrible, but it was a mistake."
"I told you about his allergies. I told you about all Noah, Jonah and Sophia to avoid a situation like this."
"I know, I forgot."
"This isn't something you can just forget Claudia. And then you didn't even use the epi pen, he almost died."
"I was flustered. The kids were crying and I was hysterical, the 911 lady was asking me so many questions it was just a lot going on." Claudia got off the bed to stand in front of Fitz. She was hesitant at first, but then hugged him, which he did not reciprocate. "It was an accident, you know that right."
A knock on the door broke them apart.
"Hey Fitz." Stephen stepped through the door. He was on call at the hospital tonight. He'd heard about the altercation upstairs. Nurses loved to talk. "I heard Noah was in the hospital. What happened." That wasn't all he heard and judging by the bruises already forming on Claudia's face, what he'd heard was accurate.
Fitz told Stephen to give him a minute. "Claudia just take my truck and drive yourself home. I'll figure something out to get back."
"I can stay."
"No. Just… this situation has already gotten out of hand and Olivia is not going to calm down anytime soon. It's just best that you leave."
"Are you mad at me?"
"Claudia, I don't have time for- you know what yes. Yes, I am mad. Mad at you, mad at the situation, mad at everything. But this is not about your right now. I need to go be with my son and I need for you to go home. Please."
Claudia hung her head. "Okay."
Fitz told her he would call her, but he honestly didn't know when later would be.
"What the hell happened?" Stephen asked once Claudia was out of ear shot. "Nancy said Olivia knocked the Mario coins out your girl."
Despite his mood, Fitz couldn't stop his chuckle. "Nancy did not say that."
Stephen laughed. "Word for word I swear."
X
Fitz filled Stephen in on everything that happened on their way back up to Noah's room. Even Stephen was pissed off with Claudia. Yes he understood it was an accident, but he also understood why Olivia hit her.
After Stephen left, it was just Adam and Olivia in the room. Olivia was sitting in the rocking chair with Noah. Nancy told them it was fine to hold him, just be mindful of the wires.
It was silent in the room for a long while after Stephen left.
"Olivia." Fitz broke the silence, but was hesitant to. "Claudia feels bad about what-"
"Don't mention that name around me."
"Olivia. She feels bad."
Olivia snapped her head up at him. Is he serious? "How do you think our son felt when he couldn't breathe? He's covered in red splotchy rashes, and you think I give a fuck about your girlfriend's feelings?"
"You broke her nose."
"I don't give a fuck about her nose either. She's lucky that's all I did, besides it's a hairline fracture, she'll live."
How did she know it was only a hairline fracture? Fitz thought. These nurses talk way too much.
"I think who you're really angry at is me and-"
"No. I'm furious with her, but you're right I'm pissed at you too. I left them with you Fitz. I trust them with you, not her. You know there's only a short list of people I will even allow to be alone with them, and your girlfriend is not on that list."
It was obvious they needed to talk about some other issues, and Fitz couldn't do that in front of Adam. "Adam do you mind giving us a minute?" before Adam could answer, Olivia answered for him.
"He doesn't have to go anywhere."
"But Claudia did?"
"He's not the one that almost killed Noah."
Adam spoke up then, "Liv it's alright, really." Adam knew they needed to talk, and this was between them. "I'll call you later tonight to check up okay?" He kissed Olivia goodbye and rubbed Noah's head.
"Can we talk now?" Fitz asked after Adam had gone.
"I don't think we have anything else to talk about."
"Livvie I'm sorry." Fitz apologized. He felt some responsibility in what happened. Olivia was right, she left the kids in his care, she trusted him. Fitz wished he would have followed his instinct and just took the kids with him.
"I take responsibility for what happened tonight. Please believe me, I'm not taking this easy either. When I saw him just laying on the floor… he was blue Liv. And then when I picked him up, he was just limp in my arms. I haven't been that scared since the day…" Fitz didn't finish. He was going to say since the day he thought Nora had killed Olivia.
"He's already been through so much. I never wanted him to have to see the inside of a hospital again." Olivia stroked Noah's cheek. It was still red and covered in hives. "I was so scared." Her voice was small and shaky. "I was in a daze the whole way here. He could've died Fitz."
"I know." Fitz took Noah from Olivia and put him back in his crib. "But he didn't and that's what we should focus on now." He took Olivia's hands and pulled her up from her chair. Olivia fell into his embrace, resting her head on his chest. She spoke, but it was muffled by Fitz's shirt and he didn't hear her. "What did you say?"
Olivia lifted her head up, looking straight up at him. "It's not your fault." Olivia knew Fitz was beating himself up with guilt. And as much as she wanted to blame someone, she couldn't kick Fitz while he was down.
Fitz was relieved hearing her say that. Although he knew that she still blamed him somewhat and he was fine with that, because he blamed himself too. He'd already told himself that he would never make the mistake of trusting the wrong person with his kids again, accident or not.
They stood in silence holding each other. Olivia rested her head back on Fitz's chest, gripping the back of his shirt. And Fitz rubbing soothing circles on her lower back with his head resting on top of hers. Both of them using each other for comfort and security. Neither of them thought about moving or letting go, but the decision was made for them when the door opened.
Fitz and Olivia separated, as Erika burst through the door with Harrison following behind her.
"Oh my God!" Erika was already in hysterics when Olivia called her to ask could she take Jonah and Sophia home. Olivia wanted them to sleep in their own beds instead of a couch in a hospital room. "Poor baby." Erika passed the two parents and went straight for the crib. She was going to pick Noah up, but saw that he was sleeping so peacefully and she let him be.
"Thanks for coming E."
"Oh of course." Erika hugged Olivia, and spoke so only she could hear her, being mindful that Fitz was still in the room. "I can't believe that bitch almost killed my nephew." She spoke lowly in Olivia's ear. "Nancy told me you broke her nose."
Olivia pulled back. "Hairline fracture, but it still counts." Erika laughed.
"So how's he doing?" Harrison asked.
"A lot better." Fitz answered. "His face looked like a red beach ball when I brought him in. But his swelling has gone down, his breathing is back to normal. Now we just have to get rid of these rashes."
"You two just wait until your mother's hear about this." Erika said. "They'll probably curse you two out first for not telling them sooner."
Erika didn't stay long, because she wanted to get Sophia and Jonah home. She and Harrison were going to spend the night at Olivia's house so that they could sleep in their own beds. After she left, the doctor came back in to check on Noah. Someone would come in ever so often, check his vitals and then leave again. Olivia let Fitz have the couch for the night, and she slept on the recliner chair.
Noah did great throughout the night and the next afternoon, he was able to go home. Fitz had Stephen to get his truck for him, so that he could drive Olivia and Noah home. As soon as they made it in the driveway, they were bombarded by their mothers. Erika was right, Adelle and Carol were red hot that they didn't know Noah was in the hospital sooner. Fitz and Olivia didn't even get a chance to talk, because they were being scolded. Gerry and Curtis were upset as well, but they let their better halves do all the talking.
The grandparents stayed for quite a while, not wanting to leave. Olivia appreciated the helping hands. While they were there, her laundry was washed, dried and folded. Her house was cleaned, and dinner was made. Olivia wasn't sure who did any of it, but she wasn't complaining.
After a while though, all the excitement of the past two days got the better of her and she crashed hard on the couch. Fitz took it upon himself to carry Olivia upstairs to her bedroom. He scooped her up effortlessly and carried her off. When he put her in the bed, she naturally snuggled up to her pillow and sighed. Her cellphone rang on her nightstand and Fitz picked it up before it could wake her. He saw Adam's name pop up and he silenced the phone, letting it go to voicemail. He put her phone back on the nightstand and then pulled the duvet over her.
Fitz gazed down at her for a while. Her blackout curtains were closed, but the glow from her lamp was making her look angelic. It took everything in Fitz to not climb right in the bed with her. Instead, he simply kissed her head and shut off the lamp. He stood in the doorway, taking one last look at her sleeping before shutting it. They were definitely going to have to talk and soon.
X