Exceptionally, Liv was in charge of bed time, having insisted on leaving him to his own thoughts, letting him process what transpired during the day. She could almost hear the wheels turning under that full head of hair. He would have preferred being splashed with soapy water than alone overthinking but at least it gave him time to think what he needed to tell her through. The microwave's beeps snap him from his thoughts in time for him to grab the wine bottle and her signature glass; his way of gently bribing her.

While filing up the ridiculously big wine glass, he steals a glance towards the bar, where the scotch bottle sits. Before, whenever she had her nightly drink, he'd fix himself a scotch- neat. It had been a few hours since he took that pill earlier but it had also been a few years since he last had even a drop of alcohol and he wasn't sure how his body would react. He puts the cork back into the wine bottle just as he hears the third step of the staircase slightly creak- he had meant to fix it but tonight he's grateful for it. It gives him a few seconds to compose himself. He grabs the bowl from the microwave, still steaming, and pours himself some of his son's apple juice cutting it with water. It could do the trick.

The smell of clean baby products surrounds him before her arms get a chance to snake around him. Her skin against his, her cheek against his back, the soft strokes of her fingers against his stomach. She surrounds him in the best ways. He smiles.

"He's finally down for the night," she sighs, clearly tired from the day's events.

He raises an eyebrow, surprised, almost amused.

He gently grabs her from the elbow, manoeuvring her around so she's standing between him and the counter, trapping her "he gave you trouble?" when she nods, "I think he clearly favors me," he winks, lightening the mood.

"By all means, be proud of yourself. I told you he has you wrapped around his little finger"

"He does not"

"He clearly does," she replies, smiling softly, reaching for her glass and taking a small sip, "even before you were deployed, he had it figured out that mommy says no daddy says yes," she continues imitating their child's voice and he laughs. He looks at the red liquid and ponders once more.

She looks absolutely adorable, she involuntarily scrunches her nose and he can't help but laugh. He shakes his head. Maybe, just maybe, he does cave more than she does. And maybe their four year old had figured it out but it was worth it, especially considering the bond he had with his son. That was priceless given the childhood he had himself. He wanted his children to feel safe enough to confide in him. He instilled the respect towards the elders but he kept a safe space for discussion- no matter the subject. He wanted a relationship with his kids like the one he had with his mother, like Olivia had with her parents.

Her voice burst his bubble.

"C'mon Grant, we earned the movie night"

"Is that so," he replies, grabbing his drink of choice. He makes his way, following her to the sectional, his free hand grabbing the soft blanket from the basket at the foot of the couch, he pulls the recliner up, resting his feet up as she curls into him, "you're sure you don't want to finish your wine first? You fall asleep within 5 minutes of the movie starting"

"I so do not," she feigns insult as she reaches for the remote. She knows he's right. She may admit it, but it's more fun to pretend she's hurt. As if he can't see right through her. As if one look from him and she isn't stripped naked instantly. She settles on their trusted movie, they know it by heart. They used to throw marathons watching it, Harry Potter. Tonight, it seems like the perfect background noise.

"Livie, I carry you upstairs almost every movie night," he snorts

"I don't hear any complaints"

"I'm not"

"Good," she smiles, "maybe I learned from our son how to get you to carry me," she raises her eyebrows at him, "maybe I just never want to let go," she adds softly.

"I don't want you to either," he kisses her temple, lingering for a little while before resting his cheek on top of her head.

It's as if she can hear the wheels turning, she presses mute, turns to face him, there is something occupying his mind and she intends to confirm they're thinking about the same thing, "Hit me with it Fitz, what's going on in that mind of yours?"

He opens his mouth, before closing it back, biting his lower lip and letting out an exhale.

"You know nothing is off the table," she reminds him encouragingly

He's looking at the distance, gathering his thoughts but there are only so many ways he can start the discussion, "maybe Gerry is right, i need to get back to work"

She takes a mouthful of the wine, of course she expects that to get back on the table.

"And how do you define work?" She inquires cautiously, an eyebrow raised

He is taken aback, clearly, the way his eyes slightly widened. He was expecting her to flat out kill the subject, not invite in the discussion.

"Fitz, you're not four like your son, it's not a yes or no question."

"No, it's not that," he starts, stumbling on his words, "It's not how I thought the conversation would go"

"Clearly," she snorts, "if you're about to tell me you're thinking about going back to the military-" she continues cautiously

"No," he says immediately effectively cutting her- he's quick to reassure her, and he can see it in her demeanor, even if it's slight, even if she's trying to keep face- be brave, take everything in, do not show him you're scared shitless," No, I'm not that much of - no; I was thinking about volunteering first, I'm not exactly sure where but I think it might be a good way for me to be surrounded by other people, get back in the world- somehow, somewhat, it would be a way to give back- i don't know" at this point he's clearly wandering around. And she finds it cute- the way he's trying to finds the right words, the way he's sharing his ideas with her, discussing, suggesting, building up a plan with her, the way he's staring out at the distance, the wheels in his mind going crazy, trying to find the appropriate words- she's smiling. She rests her hand on his thigh, the contact breaking his thinking process- the smile on her face is the reassurance he needs to let out the sight he's been holding. Both their bodies relax and they finish up their drinks before snuggling into one another.

Everything will be just fine, is all they can think about.

Then, her voice breaks the comfortable silence, she needs to know.

"Do you know where you'd want to volunteer?"

He sighs, rubbing his forehead, "I was thinking about the military, I think I can really make a difference. Talk to those guys about what military training is like, what they should expect, with all the training and preparation in the world sometimes we had to fend for ourselves. I'll have to talk specifics with Henry but it will give me something to do. I love Ryan to pieces, I really do but-"

"You want to feel accomplished," she finished for him

"Get out of my head Pope," he teases jokingly

"It's Grant now," she winks, her smirk matching his.

A/N:I know I said I'd post this a few weeks back- sorry. Time flew by, no joke. If what's stated in this chapter is false, Google assured me it was possible. Basically this is my idea to get Fitz back into 'society', he'll pick up his life piece by piece at least that's how i envision it but it's not going to be easy. As for those of you who ask about my other story 'love at second sight' I have to admit that one I'm very touched, really, and two I haven't opened that story since I last updated it I mean I started a new chapter 9 years ago but haven't touched it since so I can't make any promises. Anyway, I truly hope you enjoyed :)