So I got a mix of positive and negative reviews, which was expected. But I got more positive than negative so... yay. Most of the comments were the same, everyone was just pissed at Fitz, of course. It was kind of funny to see what you guys wrote about him. I was going to continue with this story no matter the reviews, but it's nice to know that the majority of you guys are enjoying it so far. Let's hope its stays that way... Last thing, I know I said the next thing I posted would be the first chapter in the Unconventional love sequel, but I seem to have hit a small wall with that story. I have the ideas in my head, but they keep changing, so the story keeps changing. So right now, it's a matter getting my thoughts together so I'll be able to write a the story. But there will be a sequel, that I know. Now enough of that, here's chapter two...
Chapter Two: We Meet Again
The smell of breakfast and the sound of music filled Olivia house early this morning. Olivia was busy scrambling her eggs, and flipping the liver mush in the pan; while she danced to En Vogue's Free your Mind.
Today was the day of Abby and Stephen's rehearsal dinner and also her date with Blair. Olivia wasn't nervous or anything, because this wasn't their first date. They had been on plenty of dates before, and they went well Olivia thought. Blair was smart and charming. He could hold a conversation without spacing out or shifting the attention back to him. He was cultured and had an appreciation for art. And the most important to Olivia, was that he wasn't intimidated by her success. She could count on two hands the number of men she went out on a date with who had a problem that she was a successful and independent black woman. She wasn't one to cower and sit in a corner or be told to stay in her lane. The last man that told her to stay in her lane earned himself a glass vase to the back.
So no, she wasn't nervous about seeing Blair. But she was nervous about seeing Fitz again. The two had barely spoken in the last two years, and now they were going to be around each other a lot more than usual. She could handle it, there was no doubt about that. But how would she feel seeing him again? Would she feel sad, because she no longer had him? Or would her anger she thought she dropped a year ago suddenly resurface. Whatever She thought. It wasn't worth worrying about. He wasn't worth worrying about.
Liv was platting her breakfast, when her doorbell rang. She had a pretty good idea who it was, because no one else bothered her this early in the morning.
"Hello." Olivia greeted, the unexpected visitor. Since she knew who it was, she didn't bother closing her short silk robe. "What did he do now?"
A guilty looking Abby stood at Olivia's front door, "I may have overreacted this time. Just a little." Her hair was wildly braided into a single French braid. She still had on her floor length fuzzy cotton robe, and a pair of black TOMS.
"Just a little huh? What'd you to fight about this time?"
"Nothing, it was something stupid and I don't even want to talk about it." Abby walked in the house, and straight for the kitchen. "I'll apologize when I go home."
"And when will that be?"
"I don't know, I just need a little time."
"You know Abby, you and Stephen need to have a serious talk. I mean you two already argue like cats and dogs over the dumbest and smallest things." Olivia followed her into the kitchen. "What are you going to do when you get married? Because trust me honey, there's going to be much bigger things you are going to disagree and fight over. And if you are already cracking over the little things now, then you're gonna break when those big problems come along. You don't want to be already cracking, before you even get married, because you won't make it."
"You know I hate when you psycho analyze me." Abby playfully rolled her eyes.
"I'm not analyzing you. And even if I was, I only do it because I care. But seriously, maybe you and Stephen can go to some couples therapy?"
"Ugh! Enough, I didn't come here so you could tell me the same thing he's been saying for the past two months okay. I came here to eat your food and to keep my mind from my problems."
Olivia laughed and got up to make Abby a plate. "I don't have pancakes, this morning." She sat the plate down in front of her, filled with liver mush, eggs, and buttery grits with tomato slices.
"You are so country Liv. No one I know eats like this, except you."
"And yet you come here almost every day to eat my food. You know the only person I would accept here every day would be Erika. Considering she only lives next door."
"She lives five houses down."
"Whatever." Olivia sat her own plate down, and poured them both some orange juice and French vanilla coffee. The only coffee Olivia drank.
"Don't you have any other coffee?"
"You know I only drink French vanilla. I don't buy any other kind, because it would go to waste."
Abby was reaching for the salt and pepper when Blue, Olivia's dog, jumped on her arm scaring her half to death. "Goddamn that stupid dog! I swear I gonna kick it one of these days."
Blue was Olivia's old, but very energetic French bulldog. She and Fitz had gotten her while they were still dating. A woman was giving away kittens and puppies at a street market and Olivia just happened to walk by. Blue was the only full grown dog among all the other puppies. And while most of the people wanted either a kitten or puppy, Olivia wanted the dog.
"Abby you kick my dog, and I'll kick your scrawny white ass." Olivia lifted the dog off the table and kissed its grey furry head, before putting her back on the ground. Olivia didn't know how, but Blue managed to always find some sort of object to jump onto, just so she could get to the table when people were eating. She was a little smaller than the average full grown French bulldog, but still no one wanted a dog sniffing around their cornflakes. Olivia was the only one who found it funny. It was mostly her fault too, since she kept giving Blue table food or scrapes, whenever she begged.
"Isn't that thing supposed to be dead?" Abby asked annoyed.
Olivia actually had no idea how old the dog was. The lady she got it from, said she just happened to wonder onto her porch one day. The dog didn't have a collar and looked like it had been wondering for a while. And since the lady knew what happened to most dogs in the pound or shelters, she kept her.
"You've had her for ten years Liv, and it's still moving around like it's a damn puppy. You need to give it away."
"I'll never give my dog up. She's gonna out live us all."
Flashback
"Baby come over here, I want to get some fruit." Olivia was holding Fitz's hand, dragging him up and down the street market. They had already made three trips back to the car, because Olivia kept buying too much to carry.
"You know Livvie, we could've just went to the grocery store if you wanted fruit."
"Where's the fun in that? Plus this stuff is fresh and naturally grown in someone's back yard." Olivia picked up a plump strawberry from one of the stands. "See, have you ever seen a strawberry that red." She bit into it, and held the rest out for Fitz. "You can't get that in a grocery store." Olivia bought a half pound of strawberries and some other fruit, before walking on to see what else she could find.
There were a couple of booths selling antiques and t-shirts. She was walking past the shirt booth, when she saw a bunch of kids hovering around a pin full of kittens and puppies. She couldn't help but stop, when she saw a full grown dog running around the pin with the puppies. It was the cutest thing she'd ever seen, the dog was acting more like a puppy than a dog. The kids weren't really paying attention to the dog, mainly just the cute puppies.
"How much for the dog?" Olivia asked, she could see Fitz face rise up in surprise. They were supposed to be window shopping to start with, now they had a trunk full of things. And now she wanted to get a dog. That definitely wasn't on the list.
"All the animals are free." The lady said. "My cat and my dog both gave birth a little while ago. Unfortunately, I just can't keep all of them."
"It this your dog?"
"Uh no actually. This one just happened to wonder on my doorstep. Now I might have kept her too, if she wasn't so energetic. I have no idea how old she is, but she moves like she's still a puppy."
"Livvie we didn't come here for a dog."
"I know, I never said I was getting it." Olivia said between laughs, as the dog snuggled up to her and licked he face. It was just so soft and fluffy. Olivia had the biggest smile on her face, as the dog rubbed up against her. Purring in appreciation to Olivia rubbing her belly. Its bright blue eyes just melted away at Olivia. Fitz knew by the look on Olivia's face, that they were not leaving this market without that dog.
Present
"Olivia hello?" Abby snapped her fingers in Olivia's face for the third time, this time effectively knocking her from her thoughts. "Where the hell did you go?"
"I'm sorry, what'd you say?"
"I said what are you doing today besides the rehearsal?"
"Oh, well first I'm going to the salon. I need to get my hair trimmed or cut, I haven't decided yet. Then I'm getting my nails done for my date tonight and do a little window shopping before your rehearsal. You should come with me, maybe you'll find that blush rose color you were looking for your nails."
"No. I need to go home to my future husband. We were supposed to have brunch together anyway."
"Well then what the hell are you doing here eating my food then?"
"I don't know, avoiding the inevitable."
"Yea, and it's time to stop. You need to go take a shower and change into one of the many outfits you have in my hall closet. And go apologize and make up."
"I will. I'll probably just go suck his dick and call it a day." Olivia spit out the orange juice she had just drank, and almost choked on her laughter. "What? It always makes him forget about whatever he just said. Don't tell me you've never done that before. Not even with Fitz."
"Well with Fitz I didn't have to do all that, he got turned on by just about anything. All I had to do was bite on his ear a little, or take off my shirt and he'd be putty in my hands."
"So you've never…"
"Oh all the time. It was one of his favorite things. Not to say that I didn't enjoy myself as well. I loved having that power over him."
"I know what you mean. Nothing like bringing a man to his knees, and making him stutter."
"Stephen stutters?" Olivia laughed. "So does Fitz! Li-li-liv-vie!" Both the ladies cried out in laughter over their present and former lovers. "I had that man whipped." Just then, Olivia's cell phone began to ring and Abby picked it up off the table.
"Speaking of pussy whipped men, Mr. Blair is calling." Abby gave Olivia the still ringing phone.
"Not yet, I haven't given him any. Hello?" Olivia smiled, when Blair started talking. "No I haven't forgotten."
"Good, because I can't wait to see you tonight."
"Me either."
"So what are you going to do today, while you impatiently wait to see me?"
Olivia laughed, "Well isn't someone is full of himself this morning? If you must know, I am going to pamper myself today."
"Pamper I like the sound of that."
"Oh I'm sure you do."
"I just wanted to call to see how your day was going and to say good morning."
"Good morning to you too, but isn't that a little late in the conversation."
"Perhaps, but it's just polite. I'm a polite guy. But I have to cut our talk short, my class is about to start."
"Oh well, okay I'll see you tonight."
"I'll see you later beautiful."
"Bye."
X
"Nine year old involved in a head on collision, wearing a seat belt. Trauma to the head and chest, possible collapsed lung, crashed twice on the bus." The young EMT rolled the gurney into the emergency room, carrying an unconscious nine year old boy. He was covered in blood, and his clothes were torn and ripped. He had on a neck and chest brace, and multiple IV and cord connected to his small body.
"What's his name?" Fitz asked.
"Uh his bead bracelet says Diego."
"Diego? Diego can you hear me buddy?" Fitz flashed his light in the boy's eyes, and got no response. "Alright I want a CT stat. He has a possible spine injury and the left leg has a compound fracture, contact ortho. Dr. Jackson I want you to take lead on this. Let's move people!" Fitz gave out the orders, and the people quickly scrambled. He was following behind the gurney, a woman ran up behind him in hysterical tears. "Can I help you ma'am?"
"That's my son!" She cried out on tears. "Is he okay? Where are they taking him?"
"What's your name ma'am?"
"Loren, Loren Rojas and that's my son Diego."
"Okay Loren, Diego has some pretty serious injuries right now, and he's going to need emergency surgery right away. You can't see him now, but you can wait in the waiting room, and I promise I will come update you as soon as I can."
The woman nodded her head, "What- What about my husband? My husband was taking him to a birthday party. Where's my husband."
Fitz didn't have any knowledge of her husband. He had only been notified of the son, so he pointed her in the direction of the front desk. If the father was brought to the hospital they could tell her where he was. The nurse told them that Mr. Rojas was brought in, but that he had died on the scene. Mr. Rojas wasn't wearing a seat-belt and was thrown from the car on impact and died instantly.
"No!" Loren collapsed into Fitz arms. Her son was in surgery with a low chance of survival and she was just informed that her husband was dead. This was not how this beautiful Saturday morning was supposed to start.
X
"Dammit." Fitz spilled his soda over on his desk, soaking the papers he was reading. "Shit." It was almost 11:20, which meant he needed to be leaving soon if he wanted to be at the rehearsal on time. He did not want to make Abby upset, especially after already having a shitty day.
"Knock knock." Amanda, and nurse in the pediatric department, walked into Fitz's office. "Doctor Grant?" Fitz hadn't looked up yet.
"Nurse Tanner, hey." Fitz finally looked up to see who was at the door, and he saw Amanda holding some files. "Sorry, I'm just a little distracted at the moment."
"It's okay, I totally get it. I was actually here to give you this patient files. Chief wants you to look over them and tell him what you think. This kid has a tumor the size of a tennis ball. The parents wanted a second opinion after they were told it was inoperable." Amanda put the files on the desk, but made no attempt to leave. It was obvious to everyone, but Fitz, that Amanda had a crush on Fitz. But he would never give her the time of day.
"I'll get to these tonight, I actually have to get going though."
"Oh off so soon?" She sounded disappointed, "I thought you don't go back to the practice until later."
"Yes, but I have a previous engagement to get to." Fitz gathered his papers to gather, putting them into his briefcase. "Was there something else you needed?"
"Oh no sorry. I'll just leave." Amanda smiled one last time, before leaving and shutting the door behind her.
Fitz personal phone started ringing in his pocket, and he answered on the fourth ring. "Hello?"
"Fitz man its Stephen."
Fitz rolled his eyes, knowing exactly why he was calling. "Stephen I'm leaving the hospital now. I'll be there in like thirty minutes." Fitz hung up the phone, before Stephen could say anything else. And he thought Abby was a bridezilla. Stephen was turning into a groomzilla.
X
"Was that Liv?" Quinn asked a frantic looking Abby, pacing back and forth on the small bridge. Abby's wedding location was at one of her favorite places she use to come to with Stephen. It was a very public park, but there was a secluded place with just a field of wild flowers. The place they were getting married was near this bridge with a calming stream of water, a nice quiet place. Perfect for the simple and intimate wedding Abby wanted.
Abby hung up her phone, "Yeah that was her. There was a big wreck or something, and she got detoured. She said she's only a few minutes away though. So we're okay." She didn't sound very convinced. Every else had already arrived, the groomsmen and bridesmaids, the ring bearer and flower girl, who were Quinn and Huck's seven year old son Javier and their four year old daughter Isabella.
"Abby calm down honey, this is not the wedding day. It's only the rehearsal. Just relax." Erika gave her a bottle water. "You can't stress this hard over the rehearsal honey. How are you gonna be on the actual day? You have to save some of the crazy."
"I don't want to think about that right now."
"Olivia!" Quinn spotted her walking over with a box in her hand. "Thank God, Abby she's here."
"Olivia!"
"I am so sorry! I left the salon on time, but that freaking wreck had traffic backed up so bad. Then I had to take a detour, and it took me in the opposite direction before it took me back. But I'm here now. And I have the bouquets." Abby wanted some mock bouquets for the rehearsal, so she could see what they were gonna look like.
"Liv you cut your hair!" Abby said, eyeing the now short cut bob Olivia was rocking.
"What? I told you I might cut my hair this morning. Do you not like it?" Olivia subconsciously brought a hand up to her hair. She was a little apprehensive at first to cut her hair. She'd had long hair since she was fifteen, and she'd never had it this short.
"No I love it."
"Really? I wasn't gonna go this short at first, but Anita had this picture of Taraji P. Henson on her mirror, from think like a man. And I just thought what the hell."
"And what is this dress about?"
"What?" Olivia asked innocently. She knew what she was doing, but she had to look good for her date right? Her dress was a burnt orange color that made her caramel skin glow. It was an sleeveless dress that connected around her neck, with a thin single strap going down her spine of her bare back, stopping dangerously low, for the warm weather. She had on a pair of open toe, two strap gold high heels. Gold chandelier earrings and a few small gold bangles on her wrist.
"Don't what me. Don't you know you're not supposed to upstage the bride?"
"Whatever Abby. Here guys take your bouquets." Everyone grabbed their bouquets and went to stand at their spots. "Oh and Abby I found that nail color you were looking for. I went to like three different nail shops, but I finally found it."
Abby gasped in excitement, when Olivia showed her the bottle of polish. "Thank you thank you! This is the exact color. That last color that trick put on my nails looked like someone puked Pepto-Bismol all over my hands."
"Guys Olivia's here now, we can start!"
X
Fitz was standing with the guys, the groom and the groomsmen, when he heard someone say Olivia's name. As if on cue, Fitz whipped around in that direction to see Olivia smiling and walking down with the women across the bridge. Was it possible that she looked even more beautiful as time went on? Fitz didn't feel like he was looking at his old Olivia. Not only had she cut her hair shorter than she'd ever worn it with him. But there was just something about her that was different. Her presence. He didn't know if it was a bad thing yet, that she had changed. He did feel a little pang of something that she had maybe changed for the better without him though.
Fitz continued to watch her, as she walked closer. He noticed that she was awfully dressed up for a wedding rehearsal. The dress she had on was for more than a simple rehearsal outfit. Fitz knew that Olivia loved to dress up and look good for anything she did, but this was a little over the top. It stopped conservatively below the knees, but the missing back was just sinful. Her bare caramel covered shoulders glowing under the sunlight and her short hair only displayed them more. Fitz just wanted to bite her she looked so good. How the hell did she still have this effect on him? He hadn't seen her truly in over two years, nor had he spoken to her in those two years. Well you were married to her for ten years.
"Fitz man you alright? You've been stuck for like two minutes." Stephen pat Fitz on the back, breaking him from his gaze on Olivia. Well sort of.
"Yeah, yeah I'm good."
Huck looked in the direction Fitz was stuck on and saw he was staring at the women, but more specifically Olivia. "Oh please don't tell me you are still stuck on Olivia."
"What?" Fitz finally looked away from her. "No, of course not. I just haven't seen her in a while. She looks good."
"Yeah she does, and none of it is for you." Stephen smacked Fitz's shoulder. "Eyes back in your head."
"Fellas Liv's here, someone go get the pastor." Abby shouted. Huck volunteered, and went off to find the pastor. "Ladies you remember Harrison, Harrison you remember the girls right?"
"Of course. A man could never forget so many beautiful faces."
"You do realize that I'm marrying one of those beautiful faces you're flirting with don't you." Stephen said.
"And what a lucky man you are." Harrison greeted each of the ladies, saving Erika for last. "Hello again."
"Hi." Erika said shyly, blush rising on her cheeks. Luckily Huck saved her, by coming back with the pastor before Harrison could say anything. Fitz and Olivia had yet to say one word to each other. And Olivia was actively avoiding just looking in his direction. Fitz was about to greet her, but his attention was pulled away when Huck came back with the pastor.
Abby, wanted to introduce Liv to the pastor. "Pastor Dodgers this is the Olivia I was telling you about. This is my best friend and maid of honor."
"It's nice to meet you Olivia. Abby and your father have told me so much about you."
"I hope it wasn't all bad. My dad has a tendency to tell people all about my horrible days. And believe me, he likes to embellish." Liv said, making him laugh.
"Oh don't worry baby girl, I think I left a great impression." Curtis Olivia's dad said, as he joined the group. Curtis was there because he was going to walk Abby down the aisle. Curtis had known Abby since she was eight years old, when he first moved his family to California. Their families were neighbors and had children around the same age, and grew close instantly. When Abby was fourteen, her father had his last battle with cancer, and passed away shortly after her birthday. After his death, Curtis became a second father figure to Abby, and he loved her like a daughter. It only made sense to her for him to walk her down the aisle.
"Hey daddy." Olivia gave him a side hug, and he kissed her forehead. All the while she could feel Fitz's eyes on her but she chose to ignore it.
"Where's momma Adelle?" Abby asked. Ever since they were little girls, Abby and Olivia both had gotten into the habit of calling each other's mothers momma.
"She was having another one of her migraines again, she's gonna sit this one out." Curtis answered.
"When did you talk to momma?" Olivia asked. Her parents had been divorced since she was seventeen but they never acted like it. Yes their divorce was amicable, and they were still friends after the divorce, but Olivia felt like they never divorced in the first place. Her father never seemed to be at his own home, and was always at her mother's or vice versa. And although she moved out before Olivia went off to college. They were constantly going to dinner together, or just having a lazy day inside.
"Last night, she called and asked for ice cream." Curtis explained.
"She calls you for ice cream?" Olivia asked with a suspicious raised eyebrow.
"And what's wrong with that?" Curtis asked, and Olivia decided not to answer. Instead turning her attention to the pastor.
"Alright so first, the groomsmen and bridesmaids should pair up with each other. Do you already have that figured out?"
"Yes." Abby answered. "Erika is with Harrison. Huck and Quinn, and Olivia and Fitzgerald." Fitzgerald? Since when did she start calling me Fitzgerald? Fitz thought. "So you all would come in from across the bridge. But the men enter from the right and the women from the left, you meet in the middle and then walk down the path."
"Great." The pastor said. "Then the ring bearer and your flower girl would walk down, followed by the bride and the father of the bride." Abby smiled over at Curtis, and he kissed her forehead, just as he'd done Olivia. It made Olivia happy, that her father could be here for Abby since her real father was unable to. "Then when you walk down, I will ask who gives the bride to this man, and you will then say 'I do' then take your seat and the ceremony will start. Sounds simple right? Let's do a run through now huh?"
After being given their directions, everyone went to their perspective places to start. Fitz ended up walking next to Olivia, but the both of them were silent. And when he finally did get the nerve to say something to her, they were splitting on their sides of the bridge. It seemed as if the universe didn't want him to talk to Olivia, considering he was interrupted every time he tried.
The pastor started the music, the song was gonna be sung by one of Abby's cousin on the actual day. Erika and Harrison walked out first.
"You look lovely today Erika." Harrison spoke in a hushed tone, so no one could hear him talking down the aisle.
"Thank you." Erika said just as quietly, but hung her head in embarrassment.
"You are a shy one aren't you. I guess I'm just gonna have to turn my charm up to break through that shy barrier of yours."
"I'm not shy, I'm just quiet."
"Well what if I were to take you somewhere, where it would be just you and I and a nice dinner. Would you be more inclined to talk to me then?"
"I might."
"What about Dilly's Italian restaurant? Tomorrow night, you and me a corner booth, low light, some candles and really great wine."
"I'd love to."
"Perfect." They stopped at the altar, and both went to the bottom of the steps on their side. Abby and Stephen were getting married under the gazebo.
Huck and Quinn were next to come down the aisle. "Did you remember to close the garage when we left?" Quinn asked, the though just popped into her head. Now that they were married, these were the type of conversations they had with one another.
"Yes, Quinn I shut the garage."
"I'm just asking, because last time you forgot to shut the garage all those damn dogs from the neighborhood got in the garage. They got in the paint and left footprints everywhere."
"Paw prints, and yes Quinnie I shut the garage okay." They reached the gazebo, and Huck helped Quinn up one step up from Erika, and did the same on his side.
Fitz and Olivia were the last ones to walk down the aisle. They had met in the middle as they were told, and locked arms. Fitz was trying to make this an awkward less as possible, but Olivia was being difficult. She was determined to ignore Fitz at all cost, and make this sort of a strict business arrangement. But it was a fairly lengthy walk across the bridge and to the alter, and Fitz was determined to get Olivia to talk to him. This time she wasn't going to be able to run away.
"So Olivia how have you been?" Fitz asked.
Why is he so determined to talk to me? Can't he see this entire situation is making me uncomfortable? "I'm fine." Fitz gave her a look, expecting her to say more. "Um okay, just busy work and… work stuff you know." She said awkwardly.
"That's great. I feel like I haven't talked to you in years."
"Because you haven't Fitz." Olivia had a little attitude in her voice. "That's sort of the point when people get divorced. They don't see each other anymore."
"Yeah, but it doesn't have to be that way. I mean look at your parents."
"So what Fitz, you want to be like my parents? You want me to come over for movie dates? Want me to call you for ice cream and go to dinner three times a week, and pretend we're still friends?"
"We are friends." Fitz insisted.
"No Fitz we're not. Why do you think I haven't spoken to you in two years?
"Olivia why are we being like this? Why are we acting like we weren't married for ten years? We are not strangers."
"Because it's easier." Olivia answered. "It's easier to forget or pretend to forget, it's easier. For me at least. This way I don't have to rehash and un-bury the past, along with old feelings. So I don't become some emotional mess in front of you." Olivia paused. "So I don't remember I use to hate you."
Fitz stopped in his tracks, and few steps away from the alter. He stared at Olivia with pain and confusion. Olivia kept her head straight forward avoiding his stare. Hate? She hates me?
"Olivia? Fitzgerald you guys can't just stop!" Abby yelled from the bridge after a minute past and Fitz had yet to move. "Fitzgerald!"
Fitz cleared his throat, and continued walking with Olivia, who still hadn't looked at him, nor said another word. He walked her up the next step up from Quinn and took his spot in front of Huck. Just as they stood on their spot, the pastor changed the song on the CD, and Javi started walking, before Bella got to the top of the bridge, carrying the rings clipped to the little pillow he was carrying. They weren't using the real rings today, just some costume jewelry Olivia brought with her. Bella walked down next, with her white flower basket. It was cute and funny how she just walked down the aisle, not caring to stay on beat with the song. She was just happy to be the flower girl. Quinn would have to help her with her walk later. Once Javi and Bella were at the altar standing on their perspective aisle, Pastor Dodgers made the motion for the nonexistent crowd in the audience to stand, and Abby and Curtis made their way down the aisle.
"Thank you again for doing this for me."
"You don't have to that me Abby. You know you're like a third daughter to me, so you don't even have to ask." Curtis said.
"I just-"
"I know. You wish your father was here. But he is here with you, and has been your whole life. Watching over you, he's never left. He may not be here with you physically, but he will never leave your heart. Remember that okay." Abby put her head on his shoulder, and continued walking down the aisle trying to hold her smile.
X
"Alright guys that was a great rehearsal, but we can and will do better. Just in the future, no talking going down the aisle, and absolutely no stopping before you reach the altar. That's number one. But anyway this is supposed to be a toast. So here's to all of you, my family and friend..." Fitz knew just who the friend was. "… I just want to thank you all for being here to share in the special moment between Stephen and I. All your love and support is what led us here. Cheers."
Everyone at the table clinked their glasses together, and took a sip of their champagne. Well all except Olivia who drained her glass, motioning the waiter for another
"You okay?" Abby asked. They had been at the restaurant for all of five minutes, and Olivia was already on her second glass.
"Yeah, I'm good." Olivia was glad to not be sitting anywhere near Fitz right now. She was sitting near the head of the table with Abby at the end, Quinn was in front of her, and Erika was beside her. Stephen was at the other end, with Fitz, Huck and Harrison. Curtis and Elizabeth went home, and Elizabeth took Javi and Bella with her. Quinn didn't want them out too late.
"You sure?"
"Yes Abby, why do you keep asking me that?"
"Because you've been acting strange since the rehearsal." Quinn answered for Abby.
"I'm fine guys really. Never been better. Now changing the subject, I need one of you guys to drive my car home. Blair is coming to get me, and I don't want to leave my car in this parking lot."
"I'll drive it home." Erika volunteered. "I rode with Fitz anyway." It really made sense since she only live five houses down from Olivia, she could just walk home. The walk also gave her a chance to clear her head.
"Thanks." Olivia gave her the keys, and saw she had a missed call from Blair and a text message. "Oh wait, Blair just called I'm gonna go call him back. I'll be right back."
X
"Fitz dude really, stop staring at her." Huck said for the fifth time that night. But Fitz couldn't help himself. And it wasn't just that she looked so beautiful tonight, but the fact that she told him she hated him. Did she really mean that? How could she hate me?
"I can't. You know she told me she hated me. How could she hate me?" Fitz said.
"How could she not hate you?" Huck answered, to be honest, Huck was upset with Fitz as well about how he handled his marriage. Olivia, Abby and Erika were like sisters to Huck and he protected them with a fierceness. And when he saw how Fitz broke Olivia's heart all those years ago, he wanted to kill him. It took him a while to let it go. "You left her after ten years because she couldn't have kids. Something she had no control over. That was a dick move man. Shit I hated your ass for a little while too."
"Huck enough alright, I know what I did."
"No seriously man." Stephen said. "You never saw the aftermath. The night you left, she came to my house and cried hard on Abby's shoulder, until she cried herself to sleep. She couldn't even tell us what happened, because she was so hysterical. You broke her man."
"What is this fucking piss on Fitz day? I know what I did, I don't need you giving me a fucking play by play. I've tried to apologize to her, but she won't give me the time of day. For the past two years all she's done is duck and dodge me every chance she gets."
"Can you blame her?" Huck said.
"Fuck you." Fitz said, just as Olivia came back to the table. He couldn't tell what she was saying, but he could see she was getting her stuff together to leave.
"What do you care anyway? You're dating that red head chick Jenna or something."
"Jeanine, and we're just friends." Fitz corrected.
"Well maybe you should let her know that you're just friends."
X
"He's a little early, so I'll see you later." Olivia bent and kissed Abby's cheek.
"He's here? Where I want to see him." Abby asked.
"By the front entrance." Olivia discretely pointed to the front door. "Don't be so obvious Abby damn." Abby tried to discretely look at the door, but she could never be discrete.
"Damn Liv who you dating Denzel, and why didn't you tell me he had a bald head?" Quinn said rather loudly.
"Jesus Quinn you think you're loud enough?"
"What are they all looking at over there?" Harrison asked, back at the end of the table. All the guys turned their heads towards the ladies, and then towards the door. They saw a rather tall man dress in a black suit, a crisp grey button up shirt holding a bouquet of white roses.
"Who the hell is that?" Fitz asked, getting angry when he saw Olivia leave the table and go over to the man at the door. And his anger on intensified, when he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her in front of the entire restaurant. It was like he knew Fitz was there and just wanted to piss him off.
"Who the fuck was that?"
"How the hell should I know?" Stephen said, "She doesn't tell me all her business. You have to ask Abby that."
"Suit wearing asshole." Fitz growled. "She doesn't even like roses, her favorite flower is tiger lilies."
"Fitz calm the hell down okay. You two are not married anymore, she can do whatever she wants."
"I know that, you think I don't know that?"
"The way you're reacting, no I don't. You're getting all worked up over a kiss and some flowers, calm down."
"I am calm." Fitz drunk the last of his drink.
X
"Thanks for coming guys." Abby waved to Quinn and Huck as they left. It was around ten o'clock and they had finally decided to call it a night. Erika had already left in Olivia's car, and Harrison left shortly after her. Stephen was pulling the car around.
"Nice night Red." Fitz walked up beside her.
"Yeah, Fitzgerald nice." She responded back in a clipped tone.
Fitz sighed, "Abby what's wrong? You use to love me. Now you're calling me Fitzgerald, referring to me as your friend."
"I still love you, I'm just upset with you right now."
"What did I do to you?"
"Not to me, to Liv. My best friend." Abby turned to him with her arms crossed. "You broke her heart Fitz."
"Yeah, I know."
"You know?! That's all you have to say for yourself 'I know'?"
"What do you want me to say Abby? What do you want me to do? I know what I did, and I can't go back and change the past."
"If you could would you?"
"What?"
"If you could go back to that night, that night you left your wife crying on the living room floor. Would you have stayed, knowing that two years later, you still wouldn't have the perfect kid that you left Olivia for?"
Fitz thought for a moment. No one asked him that before. Would he decide to stay knowing what he knows now? He still wanted a child of his own, but he only wanted that child with Olivia. To him, no other woman was the right one to birth his children. But could he have stayed, knowing she couldn't have kids. Raising a child that wasn't his biologically? He knew that there was adopted children out there, being loved by their parents. But could he be one of those parents?
"You're not even going to answer huh?" Abby dry chuckled. "You know what Fitz it doesn't even matter, because I know the only reason you came over here was to ask me about Olivia. And more specifically the guy she left here with, because you're jealous and have no right to be."
"Who was he?"
"You know what, I shouldn't tell you a damn thing, but I'm enjoying the pained look on your face. That was Blair; Olivia's boyfriend."
Boyfriend? When the hell did she get a boyfriend? And why am I the last to know about it? "Why did I not know she had a boyfriend?"
"You don't get it do you? Because you two are not married anymore Fitz. Olivia is a grown woman and she can do whatever the hell she wants, and you no longer have a say so over it. Just leave her the hell alone Fitz. She's finally over you, and she's happy. Let her be." Just then, Stephen came around with the car. He hoped out and opened the door for Abby, and she walked away without another word to Fitz.
X
"Mmm. This is so good." Olivia put the last stuffed mushroom in her mouth. She and Blair were still at Savoy and neither knew when they were going to leave. Neither of them were really hungry for a meal, so instead they kept ordering glasses of wine, and different appetizers, just trying them all.
"I told you. Now try this one." Blair picked another mushroom off the platter. "This one is spicy, they put every pepper you can think of in this thing, plus a few extras. Then they topped it all off with cheese and bacon, which of course is a huge plus." Blair held it to her mouth, and Olivia obliged and opened her mouth for the mushroom.
She kept her eyes on him, as he put the mushroom in her mouth. He slowly slid his finger out her mouth, and she sucked on it lightly until he pulled it all the way out.
"Good?" He asked, trying to calm himself.
"Amazing." She took a sip of her wine, to calm some of the spiciness of the mushroom.
"You want to dance again?" Blair asked, with his hand outstretched.
Olivia cleared her throat. Something she did, whenever she was about to talk about something serious. "I would love to, but can we talk for a minute?"
"Sure. But your face is telling me that this won't be just chitchat. You look like you have something specific in mind."
"Yeah, I do actually. I'm not trying got put a damper on the mood or anything, but we really need to talk about this."
"What's wrong Olivia?"
"Do you remember what I told you about, when we first started dating?" Blair nodded, knowing just what she was referring to. "Look, I can tell that this is a little uncomfortable for you, but it needs to be addressed before we go any further with this, and our relationship. I'm not asking you to assume responsibilities for this child okay, the child would be mine. And I'm not asking you to be daddy either. I just need to know if you are okay with dating a woman with a child. Most men would not fine my situation ideal, and I need to know before this goes any further. Because I am doing this, I'm adopting a child and that's not going to change for anyone."
"I'll be honest with you Olivia I was a little taken back by what you said. That was not at all what I thought you were going to say. I didn't really respond right away, because I didn't want to say the wrong thing and upset you." Blair reached out and held Olivia's hand on top of the table. "I'm not gonna lie, it's not going to be easy for me. I've never dated a woman with kids before, I've never really had that much interaction with kids besides my nephews and they live in Boston. So even though this will be a new challenge for me, I'm willing to try to make it work for you. I want to make it work." He kissed the hand he was holding.
He felt good about this, he knew he was doing the right thing. Like he said, this was going to be a hard adjustment for him, but for Olivia he was willing to do it. Because even though they had only known each other for a few months, he was already falling for her. She was a special kind of woman and he was willing to do just about anything for her.
He was saying all the right things she wanted to hear. She wanted to believe him she really did, but she felt she wouldn't be satisfied, until he was face to face with the problem. When there was an actual baby involved, would he be singing the same tune?
"Can I have that dance now?"
Olivia shook her head, "No." She whispered and leaned in, kissing him on the lips. "Take me home."
(^_^)