Request Granted

*Trigger warning – domestic violence*

All four Grant brothers were standing in a little huddle on the other side of her living room door. They were grinning like fools, poking each other in the ribs, and trying their best to act right. Throats were cleared and hands went abruptly down to their sides when the door was opened. They looked like perfect gentlemen. But Liv knew better.

"Hey, Liv!" Jenson said in his friendliest tone, being the first one to break the silence on their side of the door. He leaned in and gave her a warm hug. "Are you busy?"

"Not even a little bit," she replied as she pulled out of the hug, still wondering what they were all doing here.

"You got a hot date tonight?" Hollis asked, wiggling his eyebrows. He too opened his arms for a hug.

She couldn't help herself and chuckled at his shoulder. Her eyes wanted to dart over to Fitz, but she kept her eyes on Hollis' face as they parted and said, "absolutely not."

"Have you eaten dinner yet?" Fitz asked quietly. He didn't want to assume she'd want anything from him, least of all a hug, but damn it, he wanted one. Giving her a shy smile, he was given one back. That was all it took for him to take a step closer to her and gently pull her in. Their hug lasted a little longer than the previous two, and he rubbed her back as his other hand held her close.

"I'm really sorry about the last time I saw you." She whispered into his ear.

"Don't even worry about it." his low baritone replied.

"C'mon dude." One of the brothers groaned.

"Cut the shit, Fitz." Another snorted.

"He is soo annoying." The third agreed.

It was a wondrous thing to Olivia. To be back in Fitz's arms felt right. Like a little piece of her life just fell into place. Clearing her own throat, she reluctantly pulled away from him and tugged the bottom of her shirt down over her waist. "I was just about to go make something when the four horsemen of the apocalypse rang my doorbell."

The four males grinned wickedly, and Olivia knew something was up. "What's going on?"

"We're on a mission." Hollis declared triumphantly.

"A mission?" Liv repeated, as her eyebrows raised slightly.

"Yea, and it's perfect!" Jenson chimed. "Mom sent us over here to bring you to the house for dinner. She said, and I quote, if you come back without her, don't come back at all. End quote."

"Oh, I couldn't possibly." Olivia began.

"You don't have a date." Fitz said with a faint smile.

"And you haven't eaten yet." Jenson added with a broad grin.

"And you're not busy." Hollis piled on, giving her a defeated look.

"What about you, Luke?" Olivia began as she eyed him suspiciously. "You're not going to point out how pitiful my life is right now too?"

Hollis held up a hand. "Liv, we didn't mean to..."

With a slight shrug and a flashing grin, she said, "I'm kidding. I'd love to. Besides, as much hell as you four gave me growing up, I'd love nothing more than to get a little vengeance..."

"Soccer ball" Jenson said while coughing into his hand through a laugh.

Olivia pointed a finger at him and said, "you! Quiet!"

"Yes, ma'am." He said, still laughing.

"What about a soccer ball?" Hollis asked full of confusion.

Changing the subject, she told them, "I'd hate to be the reason all of you missed one of your mother's meals."

"It's pot roast too."

That made Olivia forget the soccer ball and caused her belly to rumble. "Mmm, that sounds amazing."

"She puts potatoes, and carrots in it." Hollis said.

"With the brown gravy." Jenson added.

"I feel five pounds heavier just thinking about it." Fitz chuckled.

"I'm so in! Let me grab my shoes."

"Really? You don't have anything better to do than hang out with us losers?" Hollis asked.

"We've got to get you out on the dating scene." Jenson said, slinging an arm around her neck.

Fitz cleared his throat. "Can we come in for a minute before we kidnap you for dinner?"

Her cheeks were beginning to hurt from smiling so much. Tilting her head towards the living room, she took a step back and watched the men trail inside her house. Once the five of them were sitting down on sofas or chairs, she remembered one of them had been silent.

"What's going on with you, Luke? No hug. No okay?"

Giving his brothers an agonized look, Hollis reached over and cuffed him on the back of the head and jerked his head to Liv.

"What's going on guys?" She asked, looking at them one at a time.

Luke's voice cut through her curiosity. "Liv, I wanted to say I'm sorry."

"For pulling my hair a hundred years ago? We were kids. I forgave you for that just last night." She chuckled softly.

For the first time in a long time, Luke smiled at her. "The night you first got back and came over to get some coffee, I was rude to you. Or so I was told. I don't remember much of that night because I was drunk. We were all at mom's house for...

One of the three other siblings cleared his throat loudly. Olivia didn't catch who it was because she was intently listening to Luke. When she did look up, three hardened faces were looking at the floor.

"It doesn't matter why we were there." Luke said quietly. "Whatever I said to you, I'm really sorry."

She waved her hand away dismissively. "It's okay, Luke."

Looking at Fitz she waited until he met her gaze before she continued. "We all say things we don't mean in the heat of the moment." Glancing back at Luke she added, "drunk or sober. Are we still friends?"

She held out her hand for him to shake it, but instead, he got off the sofa where he was sitting and knelt in front of her with open arms. "Everybody else got a hug."

Nodding, Olivia pulled him in for a tight bear hug. She even kissed his cheek.

Fitz watched the two of them and envied Luke for that kiss.

"Were the two of you ever friends?" Hollis pointed out.

"Good point." Fitz chimed in. "He was always getting his ass kicked for doing mean shit to you."

"Because you made us!" Jenson shot back to his older brother.

"Shut the hell up you guys!" Olivia and Luke said in unison.

She hugged Luke once more and he pulled her to her feet. "Go get your shoes so we can get the hell outta here."

"Yea, I'm starving, Liv!"

"I'm getting the first piece, dickheads." Jenson claimed, getting to his own feet and moving to the door.

"You'll be lucky to get gravy and a roll." Fitz laughed.

"In your dreams. You might be the tallest, but I'm the quickest." Hollis taunted, heading for the door.

"Yea, but I'm mom's favorite!" Luke added with a superior look.

The other three Grant brothers stopped in their tracks and turned to stare daggers at their youngest brother. "He's got a point."

"Let's go, Liv!" Jenson demanded.

"Now! Before that pig eats everything." Fitz said laughing.

As she slipped into her flip flops, Olivia was smiling. The happy sound of male banter, sibling rivalry, and general sneaky chaos that was the Grant brothers was melodious to her ears tonight. It was light and easy to slide into. A much needed deterrent from the heavy, hard to hear things she had learned and read over the past few days.

She had friends in D.C., but these men...

"Liv!" Hollis yelled impatiently, snapping his fingers. "Come on!"

Putting her house key into her shorts pocket, she made a face at him and said, "you know, I was just thinking how cool you guys are."

"We already know that." Luke said, throwing his hands up and giving her a look.

"Have you met us?" Jenson added, grinning like an idiot.

"We're the shit, Liv!" Fitz said in a serious tone. He opened the front door and with a sweeping motion of his hand, added, "let's GO already!"

Being the first one to step outside, she stood by the door to lock it after the last one left. Her eyes landed on the porch swing and she remembered that she had never thanked 'her favorite' for the wonderful gift.

Not wanting to get lost in the shuffle again, Fitz immediately followed after her. She had a big smile on her face as her beautiful brown eyes looked up into his. "What's that look for?"

Instead of using words, she kissed his cheek softly and said, "thank you for the porch swing. I really love it."

Squinting down at her, Fitz looked past her shoulder and saw the swing. "Umm, that wasn't me."

Now she looked like someone had just slapped her across the face. "What? Yes, you did!"

"Someone gave you a porch swing?" He asked.

By now the rest of the brothers were on the porch with them, everyone was quiet. Frowning, Olivia looked to Jenson. It had to be him. "Jen! You remembered that from our dinner the other night? That's very..."

"I remembered, but I didn't give it to you either."

"Are you screwing with me right now?" She put her hands on her hips and dared him to say otherwise.

Putting his hands up defensively, Jenson said, "I swear. I'm not. It wasn't me."

Her eyes darted over to Hollis.

"Don't even look at me! We both know I'm not that nice."

"That's true." She sighed.

"Rude!" Hollis shot back.

Luke stood there with his arms crossed in front of his chest with a smirk on his face. When Olivia's eyes landed on him in question he nodded slightly.

"You?" She said, a little too forcefully. "You bought me a swing?"

"No."

"Then where in the hell did it come from?" None of the other three Grant men were even making eye contact with her, with the exception of Luke.

"It's from me. But I didn't buy it. I made it."

"Shut your mouth!" She shot back, but there was no heat to it.

"You shut your mouth, Pope." he said, sticking his tongue out at her.

"You really made this? How?"

"Yanno, with wood and nails." He was grinning at her. God, she was so easy to make crazy.

"But...But...The note you left attached to it?"

"What note?" Jenson asked.

"You left a note?" Hollis scoffed. "You're such a girl."

"You left her a note?" Fitz asked, stepping a little closer to his little brother.

"You got a problem with it?" Luke tried.

"Maybe I do." Fitz challenged.

"You're both ridiculous." Olivia chuckled and stepped between them, facing Luke. "How did you know I wanted a swing?"

"Jenson might have mentioned it."

"And you just made me one?"

"Yea? I make furniture for a ?"

"You do? Really?"

"It's one of my many talents."

It took a moment, but the second two and two added up, her face softened. "You put in the note to let the wind blow in my hair."

Fake gagging noises surrounded them.

"Was that because you used to pull my hair as a kid?"

He sighed and shrugged as he'd seen her do. "Maybe."

"Admit it."

"Okay, yes. But to be fair, I only pulled your hair as a kid because I wanted to know what it felt like. I wasn't trying to hurt you."

"Are you buying this crap?" A brother asked.

Ignoring the question, she asked Luke, "you also put in the note that the swing was from my favorite."

All hell broke loose on Liv's front porch!

"What the hell man?" Jenson shouted.

"Are you kidding me dude?" Fitz demanded.

"You're not even close to being her favorite" Hollis laughed.

Olivia left the other three to their madness and hugged Luke tighter than before. "Thank you. That is truly one of the sweetest, most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me."

Luke held onto her just as tightly and smiled into her hair. It was softer than he remembered as a kid. His brother's eyes bored evil little holes into him, so just to add insult to injury, he took her hand and led her to the swing. The two of them sat side by side as his bigger feet moved the swing.

"I really do love it. It's beautiful, and I love the cupholder! Brilliant!" She gushed.

"It was really brilliant how you thought any one of these three assholes would bring you a swing too."

"I'm sorry, Luke. Our relationship in the past didn't leave much room for me to think you would do something like this for me."

"We're friends now, right?"

"Oh, come on!" Fitz yelled.

"Can we turn off the Lifetime movie of the week now?" Jenson asked loudly.

"I can't listen to Olivia sing the praises of Luke anymore." Hollis spat out.

"I know that isn't my four boys yelling like idiots across the street right now acting like hooligans!"

"Oh hell!" Hollis whispered.

"You happy now? You made her mad!" Jenson said even more quietly.

Fitz froze in place, and in a quiet tone angrily said,"you dipshits never learn!"

Luke laughed loudly. "Hooligans! Who says shit like that anymore?"

The other three brothers couldn't contain their own laughter and very quickly their laughter grew louder.

"Get your four asses over here and I'd better not hear a peep from any of you." She threatened.

"Peep." Someone whispered chuckling.

"Mom! Hollis said peep!" Luke reported.

"Damn narc." Fitz whispered, lightly punching him.

Olivia giggled, but brought her hand up to cover her mouth. They were all laughing together as they crossed the street. It stopped abruptly when they reached their mother's house.

Hollis got their first. "Hey mom. I sure did miss you."

"You didn't miss anything but the back of my hand." She cuffed his head and he went through the door.

That brought on more laughter from the happy group.

Next in line was Jenson. "Sorry, mom. I told them to be quiet. To respect the neighbors."

"You're not fooling anybody tonight, Jenson. I heard you cursing all the way over here."

"But..."

"But nothing." She cuffed his head and he quietly walked into the house.

"Sorry, mom. They are easily excitable. What happened was..."

"You are the oldest, Fitzgerald." She began

Olivia covered her mouth with both hands to keep the laughter inside. He was being called by his whole first name. This was serious. Kinda.

"You know better than shouting like a dumbass..."

"Didn't you just smack Jen for cussing?" He asked with a grin.

"Get your ass in the house and mind your own business." She cuffed his head and watched him disappear into the house.

"Hey, momma."

"Don't hey momma me, boy. You might be the youngest, but you are also the loudest. Take the hit and get inside."

Chuckling, he kissed her cheek and muttered, "yes ma'am."

He got a lighter cuff on the head than his brothers and that had him turning around from inside the safety of the house and flashing Liv a wicked grin.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Grant. We were being so loud."

Ruth waved her hand in front of her face and shot Olivia a grin. "If I don't give themhell every so often, life would be boring."

"Your secret is safe with me." she told her, clamping her lips together, turning the imaginary lock, and throwing it over her shoulder. "They are really good men. You did an amazing job with them."

"Thank you. You know you've turned out pretty good yourself. All grown up, beautiful, and teaching kids. Your mother was so proud of you, Olivia."

"Thank you. I miss her. More now than before I got here."

"Maybe that's because she's gone?"

Olivia smiled. "That has something to do with it, but I flew back to D.C. to have a little chat with my dad a few days ago."

"Ohhh, so that's where you were." Ruth put her arm lovingly around Olivia's waist.

"I learned some things about my family that weren't great."

"All families have secrets. Some are just better at hiding them."

"But your family is..."

"Broken. Let me tell you something those boys of mine never will, no matter how close you get to them. My husband used to hit me."

"What?" Olivia gasped. "I had no idea!"

"When Fitz was old enough, he started breaking it up. He got a few black eyes for it over the years, but it always was blamed on a football injury to other people. One night, he confronted his father and told him if he laid another hand on me again, he would put him behind bars. Eddie must have not believed him so he threw me down on the floor not too long after that and started slapping me. Fitz came out of nowhere and beat his ass."

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry Ruth."

"Don't be. Fitz had called 911, told them what was going on and where, and left the phone on the floor of his bedroom before he came downstairs. The police had to pull him off of his father. He insisted on pressing charges and Eddie went to jail. The night you came back, we found out he'd been sent to prison for doing the same thing to another woman he was living with.

Olivia's mind was spinning. That's why all of the boys were at their mother's house when she got here. That's why Luke was drinking and forgot about being mean when she asked for coffee. She wondered why Fitz hadn't shared any of this information with her. Probably because she'd been immersed with her mother's death and everything that went along with that.

She laid her head on Ruth's shoulder and slipped her arm around her waist. "I'm so glad he was there to take care of you and keep you safe. He slipped up once when talking about his father to me, but he never elaborated on it and I always wondered why. Now I know."

"Now you know. All families have secrets, Liv. You gotta stick together to get through the hard things."

"Not to change the subject, but those sons of yours are awfully hungry. If there's any food left when we get inside, I'll be surprised."

"Those four sons of mine know better than to eat before I get to the table."

Olivia pulled her arm from Ruth's waist and looked up at her. "You're a terrific mom. It's obvious that they love and respect you a lot. I love that for you."

"Thank you for saying that. Your mom was a terrific mom too, Liv, and I know you loved and respected her too. Parents want to know they raised a decent human being."

Leaning closer to Ruth, Olivia whispered, "your boys are decent human beings now, but when I was a kid, I couldn't stand them!"

Ruth chuckled. "From what I saw and heard; it wasn't all of them you couldn't stand."

Her surprised look said it all.

"Ruth winked at her. "Come on, let's go eat."

The four grown men sat at the rectangular wooden table talking easily amongst themselves. Olivia was kind of surprised to see that not a single plate had food on it yet, even though the meal was sitting on the table. Various sized bowls were sitting around the star of the meal. The pot roast. Everything smelled divine.

Ruth cleared her throat and shot her eyebrows high onto her forehead as she met the questioning gaze of her four sons. The second she jerked her head toward their guest, all four Grant males scrambled to their feet to pull out her chair for her.

Jenson quickly pulled a chair out and shoved his brothers away with a proud smile. "Sit down, Liv."

"Okay, you've got to teach me that trick, Ruth. I have never in all my life seen the four of them move quite as fast as that!"

Ruth chuckled and sat beside Fitz when he pulled his mother's chair out for her. "It wasn't always easy, but they are good fellas. I'm very proud of them. Don't give them too many compliments though, Liv. It goes straight to their heads."

"Ohhh, I'm well aware of this group of...what was it you called them? Hooligans?"

The brothers laughed in unison; hearing Olivia use their mother's ridiculous word.

"I was your first friend." Jenson said smiling proudly.

"I was niceto you at the grocery store the other day." Hollis reminded her.

"I made you a swing. Booyah, boys!" Luke stated triumphantly.

The other three brothers rolled their eyes at him. "We are never going to hear the end of that one, guys." Fitz said.

"What about you, Fitz?" Ruth asked. "How have you been nice to Olivia?"

The room was completely silent. Everyone around the table snuck glances at Fitz and Liv, and each other. There were some snickering and kissing sounds. One of the brothers made a heart with his hands, which forced the trio to laugh even more.

"I...uhhh, haven't really had much time. School is almost over and it's been keeping me busy."

"Not too busy to take the trash to the curb without a shirt on." Jenson muttered.

"Where are your kids, Hollis?" Liv asked, changing the subject.

"Nice try, but that's not what we were talking about." he flashed her a sweet smile.

"Jenson, what were we talking about?" Hollis asked, propping his chin on top of his palms, as his elbows rested in the table. He looked sweet and innocent, and Liv assumed that was where Luke had learned it as a kid. "Oh, that's right! We were talking about what Fitz has done for Liv since she got back. Tell us a tale big brother. We're all in eager anticipation to hear it."

Instead, Fitz looked at his mother and said, "why didn't you stop at one son?"

"Because the house needed some awesomeness!" Luke declared.

"You see what I mean?" Ruth asked Liv from across the table. "Now, all four of you shut the hell up and let's eat!"

Eight hands moved fast as lightning, grabbing serving spoons and loading food onto their plates by the mound. Just when Olivia was thinking of excusing herself to leave the food to them and eat a pb and j, Ruth whistled loudly. "Knock it off guys. Save some food for Liv. Lord knows she needs to eat."

"Sorry, Liv. We aren't used to having decent company over."

All four males laughed, but didn't scoop out as much food. When there was no sharp words of warning or smacks doled out, they guessed they were in the clear with their mom over the comment. So naturally, they pressed it.

"Should I curtsey or something?"

She's not royalty, you dumbas..." Luke began. His mother shifted slightly in her chair and he chose better words. "Save me a roll, Hollis!"."

"Who is doing the dishes tonight? Not it!" Hollis called.

"Not it!" Jenson chimed in swiftly.

"Nope!" Fitz declared loudly.

"Nahhh, aww hell! Come on guys! I get stuck with washing the dishes almost every time!" Luke sulked.

"That's because you're too slow little brother." Fitz said chuckling.

Giggling at their playful banter, Olivia casually offered, "I'll help you with the dishes, Luke."

His head jerked to her in genuine shock. "You will? Really?"

Nodding, she said, "besties for life, right?"

"Awwwww Luke's got himself a bestie guys."

"That is so precious." Fitz sighed, and then went back to laughter.

"You gonna marry her or what, Luke?" Jenson teased.

These men were relentless with each other at every turn. It was the most fun she'd had at a dinner table in a very long time. Knowing how to get some of that vengeance, she sweetly added, "after we're done doing the dishes, we can go over to my house and have some coffee and cookies and sit on the beautiful swing you made for me."

"You made cookies?" Fitz asked.

"Who are you right now? Betty Crocker?" Hollis snapped. He wanted a damn cookie.

"I wanna come over too." Jenson whined.

"Nope," she said, turning him down. "Just me and Luke and my snazzy new porch swing. Unless someone else wants to do the dishes?"

"I will!" Fitz pounced.

"Great! You can wash the dishes while Luke and I eat cookies and drink coffeeright after dinner. Thanks, Fitz." She shot him a superior grin.

Ruth slapped the table and began laughing loudly. "That was really good. I believe the two of us could learn a lot from each other about dealing with these sons of mine."

Chuckling softly, Olivia raised her glass of tea towards Ruth and said, "I believe we could."

"Sneaky, Liv." Fitz said nodding.

The rest of the meal was more of the same loud playful conversation. The brothers teased each other, enjoying every minute of it, but the love they had for each other was clear. When everyone had eaten way too much, Fitz leaned back in his chair and said, "another amazing dinner mom. Thank you for cooking."

"Thanks, mom." Hollis began. "It's nice when we are all together for a meal."

"You outdo yourself every time." Jenson agreed, leaning back in his chair too.

"Thanks, mom." Luke added. "Nobody makes a pot roast better than you do."

"The training I've given you all has finally kicked in, or the four of you are up to something devious." Ruth said, folding her paper towel, and then her arms across her chest as she looked to each one of them.

"I can't speak for the guys, but honestly, it's always nice when we're together." Fitz tried. "We appreciate you."

"Not buying that." Ruth stated.

"Mom, we're trying to give you a compliment. Learn how to..."

"I'd choose your next words very carefully, Hollis Grant." She threatened.

"Yes' ma'am." He meekly replied.

"We're just trying to love you the best way we know how." Jenson pled.

Olivia and Ruth doubled over in laughter together. "That's horse shit if I ever heard it."

"I can't." Olivia said through her tears of laughter. These four were not good liars.

"Fine." Fitz said impatiently. "We really do appreciate you cooking dinner for all of us. Honestly."

"That I buy." Ruth said.

"And we love you more than life itself." Hollis added sweetly.

"It's going downhill fast, fellas." Ruth said, shaking her head back and forth.

Olivia began to laugh a little louder. She tried whispering I'm sorry, but the words couldn't come out coherently through her laughter.

"Mom, we're grown ass adult men." Jenson started.

"I owe you a cufffor that curse word, Jenson." Ruth said, shooting him 'the look'.

"Fine!" Fitz finally said. "We love spending time with you, and we love eating dinner with you. You're an amazing mom."

"I feel a 'but' coming on." Ruth said blandly.

"But," Fitz added, after getting slight nods from two of his brothers in encouragement. "After I wash the dishes, Jenson, Hollis, and me are going to Liv's for coffee."

"I don't recall Olivia inviting anyone other than Lukey."

"Thank you, Ruth." Liv said, meeting the gaze of the other three Grant siblings. Luke was all smiles as she did so. "That's what I recall too."

"Well, you both need to get your recallers checked, because she invited all four of us over." Jenson said, making sure not to add another curse word. He'd make up for it when he was at Liv's house.

"That's what I recall." Hollis stated, staring Liv in the eyes boldly.

"This is bull..." Luke cut his eyes to his mother's and finished, "crap!"

"Funny, I recall the very same thing, Hol." Fitz declared.

"Well, I guess they are your problem for the rest of the night, Liv." Ruth said getting to her feet. "I'll wash the dishes so you kids can go bother the hell out of her instead."

"No ma'am. I'm washing the dishes." Fitz picked up a dirty plate from the table.

"Fitz!" She warned.

"Mom, I'm at the very least clearing the table. That's final!"

"Somebody put their big boy pants on today." Ruth said mildly, but went to sit in the living room.

"Thanks, Fitz." Jenson said, clapping his oldest brother on the back.

Fitz wiggled his shoulder to get Jen's hand off and shot him a disgusted look. "Get your ass up and help."

"That's a cuff, Fitz."

Now the oldest Grant brother shot his other two siblings a death glare. Whispering he said, "get up and help me, assholes, so we can get over to Liv's faster."

"That's two." She warned from the living room.

"There ain't anything wrong with that woman's hearing." Hollis whispered back.

Once the table was clear and the dishes were quickly loaded into the dishwasher, each of the three grown men kissed their mother and told her goodnight. Fitz said he'd be back in about an hour, but Ruth knew better.

"You five have a good time." She said, waving from the front door.

Once the three brothers had crossed the road they walked past the black gate and ontoOlivia's porch. "Where the hell are they?"

Fitz shrugged. "Inside maybe?"

They turned to look inside the large living roomwindow and saw their brother in the kitchen with Olivia, talking and laughing together like old friends instead of enemies. "What is this shit?"

"Probably waiting for the coffee to finish brewing." Hollis guessed.

"Who would have ever thought that Liv and Luke would end up actually being friends with each other?"

"Not in a million years dude."

"You still in love with her, Fitz?" Hollis asked quietly.

He could lie to his brothers, but he didn't want to. The older they got, the closer they seemed to be getting. "Yea."

"Does she know?" Jenson asked.

"I think she knows I did when we were kids, but she's got too much going on right now for us to have a serious conversation about it."

"That's true. You're not as good lookingas you were when you were younger."

"Asshole."

"That's a cuff." Jenson warned, mimicking their mother.

"She lives to cuff us on the back of our heads, doesn't she?" Hollis said.

The three of them burst into laughter. They were so preoccupied with their own conversation that they were startled when the door opened and Liv said, "are you peeping Tom's coming in or what?"

When they simply stared at her, she added with a smile, "I could use some really good company tonight since tomorrow is mom's memorial service. Can you guys handle entertaining me for an hour or so?"

"Is that question even real?" Hollis scoffed, standing up and walking into the house like he owned the place.

"Seriously. It's like you don't even know us." Jenson said, giving her a mock hurt look before disappearing into the house.

Fitz stood in front of her and simply smiled. She was beautiful without even trying to be, and she blended in with his family better now that they were adults than when they had all been kids. It was nice to have her back. He wondered how long she'd stay after the service the following day, and then decided that tonight he wasn't going to swell on negative things. Liv needed friends and laughter tonight. It was the least he and his brothers could do.

Reaching his hand to her face, he pushed a stray strand of curly hair away from her gorgeous face. His fingers lingered on her cheek as she stared up at him. Her eyes searched his for the answer to whatever question that seemed to be going through her mind at the moment. He wanted to kiss her more than anything at the moment. "You know, you fit in just like a Grant tonight at dinner."

One of his brothers shouted at one of his siblings from inside the house followed by male laughter. Realizing it wasn't the right time, he dropped his hand and went inside.

She let out a shaky breath once he was away from her. Her nerves were running amuck from his touch and, as much as she hated to admit it, she wanted more. Once he had reached his brother in the kitchen, she whispered to herself, "I've thought about that more than you'll ever know, mister."

A/N - I wanted something light & funny after the drama. This was easy to write. I love to write people talking & sarcasm. It's comfortable. I hope you enjoyed it. Already working on the next chapter. Thanks for your patience with me.