NOTE: CHAPTER ONE has been REVAMPED (updated). PLEASE READ IT BEFORE READING THIS ONE. I UPDATED IT TODAY 10/17/24, so you haven't read it yet. Read it FIRST. While the basic storyline remains the same, it's written differently, and I've added other important details that make a big difference. If you are a returning reader, let me know what you think, please.

Also, I changed the song for the first chapter.


Chapter Six: The Reason.

Today's song mix: The Reason by Hoobstack, Perfect by Ed Sheeran & The Last Worthless Evening by Don Henley.

Fitz POV

He'd learned of Liliana's pregnancy one awful morning a few months ago, during the time when he and Olivia had been apart. The psychiatrist at the mental institution had called him for a meeting per Liliana's request. She had wanted him to know. Fitz was in shock as to how this could have happened as Liliana was on birth control. And so, he requested DNA testing to confirm paternity. The test confirmed he was the child's father with 99.99% accuracy.

Days later, he'd met with Liliana's parents, Sarah and Doug Williams who had agreed to schedule a termination since their daughter's mental instability proved she was in no condition to become a parent. Her parents had become her legal guardians and thus had the power to make medical decisions on her behalf.

He saw no need to tell Olivia any of this. After all, his divorce from Liliana was final, and she was scheduled to have an abortion.

But that was over now. Olivia had opened the door for him one day when she replied to his message. He'd texted her regarding Of Mice and Men. This was his second time reading it. He was curious to see what she thought of the book. Yes, she'd promptly replied. She'd written a book report on Steinbeck's masterpiece as a high school junior; it had left a strong impression on her.

FITZ: I don't think George should have killed Lennie... it was cruel. It wasn't his only choice.

OLIVIA: I agree. Even if it was a mercy killing, it was still the ultimate betrayal.

FITZ: We got to give George credit for wanting to spare Lennie a gruesome death. He wanted Lenny to die happy. I'm playing devil's advocate here. George was both cruel and kind to Lennie.

OLIVIA: I don't know. I feel that George could have done more to protect Lennie before he committed the murder.

FITZ: I think he did everything he could. Lennie was a loose cannon that belonged in a mental institution, but you have to consider the times.

They went back and forth on this. In the end, they did agree that letting Lennie be tortured and slaughtered by a mob would have been inhumane.

Over the next few weeks, Fitz and Olivia developed a texting relationship. Thrilled that she had begun replying, Fitz did his best to keep their interactions casual.

Even though he wanted her badly, he knew better than to rush into things. He really messed up big. He waited patiently until she finally said yes to his invitation to dinner and a movie.

"I'm glad you came," he said.

The way she smiled at him, he'd never forget.

The conversation flowed easily, and they got to know each other better.

A month later, Fitz was happy to see Olivia stop fighting her feelings, the walls she'd erected crumbling like a deck of cards.

"You're the one," Olivia," Fitz told Olivia, and he meant it one hundred percent, "you're the one that I love."

He loved her truly, madly, deeply. And so he waited patiently for their friendship to turn into love again. And when they made love again it was the slow and leisurely type that was all about the journey and that delicious sense of building like a beautiful musical crescendo.

And I've been around this block

A time or two

And I made some big mistakes

But girl, I promise you, I promise you

This is the last worthless evening

That you'll have to spend

Just gimme a chance

To show you how to love again

This is the last worthless evening

That you'll have to spend

'Cause I'll be there

Now that your broken heart is on the mend.

Three months later, Olivia moved into Fitz's grand penthouse. At first, Fitz noticed it was hard for her to get used to his wealth. He thought it was cute how she insisted on paying her way at restaurants. And how uncomfortable she was whenever his staff catered to her every need.

Eventually, she grew accustomed to the royal treatment. However, she never took anything for granted and treated every one of their servants kindly.

It was around this time that Fitz got to meet Olivia's parents. The couple lived in a small duplex outside the city limits, straight across an RV park. The home's interior was modest with sagging sofas and full of religious imagery. The walls were dominated by paintings depicting the Madonna and Child.

As it turned out, the Popes (true to their names) were staunch Catholics. They greeted Fitz politely under a painting of Jesus, arms outstretched. At once, he realized the couple wasn't used to smiling as their smiles looked a bit ill-fitted.

After spending the day in her company, Fitz's dislike for the Popes grew. Elijah was a stern man with a cold look in his eyes he found unenerving. Whenever he spoke, Maya jumped to do his bidding. However, underneath Maya's obedience lived a disturbed woman who was permanently angry at everyone and everything.

Fitz hated the way her parents scrutinized him as if he were an exhibit at a museum. He was used to such reactions from people and the questions that came with the territory. Pesky questions such as the scarcity of EV charging stations for the public required long and detailed explanations.

Maya prepared fettuccini alfredo and meatballs for dinner. Olivia repeatedly offered to help her with the meal preparation or washing up and then looked crestfallen when she told her she didn't need her assistance.

While they waited for dinner, Olivia gave Fitz a tour of the place, which took about five minutes. Fitz had never been in a home so tiny.

"And that's Saint Clare, Patron of laundry and television," Olivia said with a straight face.

Fitz, who had been walking around with a cup of iced water, nearly choked on his drink.

Why would laundry need a patron saint?

"Not kidding you," Olivia said, a small giggle escaping her lips.

Wildly skeptical, he goggled Saint Clare at his first opportunity. He couldn't help but let out a spontaneous chuckle.

...

Then, it came time for Fitz to introduce Olivia to his only living relative. And so they traveled to Colombia, where his adopted sister Alina and her husband Jed lived. Alina was the ambassador to the US. Embassy in Bogota. A few years older than Fitz, Alina was quiet and reserved. She and her husband had just welcomed their first child, a little boy named Trevor.

Fitz noticed Olivia's smile whenever she held his three-month-old nephew. And while there was a twinge of tenderness, it was also mixed with regret. It didn't take a genius to figure out she was thinking about what could have been.

It was clear that Olivia loved children. And while she was a bit disillusioned with her job as a second-grade teacher. More than once, she'd told him how frustrated she was with the number of students in her class. For one, she couldn't pay enough attention to the children struggling with reading. Secondly, she often wished she could spend more time in class encouraging her students to read for enjoyment rather than covering the standard drills.

...

Liliana's parents, Sarah and Douglas, dropped the bomb one evening when they invited him to their house for dessert. He went to meet them out of curiosity and lied to Olivia about working late at the office.

He'd known the William family practically all his life. And while he didn't feel compelled to visit his ex-wife at the mental institution, he was still interested in her well-being.

"Liliana had the baby," the pair informed him. "Her name is Grace, and she's four months old."

Fitz furrowed his brow and ran his hand through his hair. He felt like ripping out every single strand. How could this have happened?

"Liliana changed her mind. And we've been keeping the baby ever since. That's why we called you here, in fact. We want to adopt her. Our daughter agrees with this...although it is just a formality since legally she has no rights."

Initially, Fitz heard the first two sentences. His thoughts were all about his wife. Knowing about Olivia's regrets regarding the abortion ( yes, he had seen it in her face sometimes), how could he possibly expect her to accept this child...a child he had fathered a child right after she terminated her own pregnancy? And after all the speeches he'd made about not wanting children? The timing between the two pregnancies was so wrong.

"Fitz?" Douglas said, bringing him out of his reverie. "Do we have the agreement? Would you like us to proceed with the adoption?"

"Would you like to see Grazie first?" Sarah asked.

"No, that won't be necessary. I don't need to see her."

...

Fitz tried his best to forget to carry on with his life and forget about Grace. She was in good hands with her grandparents. They promised to keep him posted if she ever needed anything. Not that he expected them to contact him again. He had signed away all of his legal rights.

He debated with himself for a long time whether he should tell Olivia. And then he was notified that the adoption had come through without a glitch.

Shortly after that, Fitz popped the question one evening at a fancy restaurant with a live band playing instrumental music amid the hoops and cheers of the staff and other diners.

He'd been nervous about it. Part of him had expected her to refuse.

"I don't know, Fitz," Olivia hesitated.

"Liv, my love. I'm not a perfect person. There are many things I wish I didn't do. I've found a reason for me to change who I used to be

A reason to start over new. And the reason is you."

Olivia smiled. Nonetheless, he felt something else was clearly bothering her.

"Fitz. It's not that. It's about you marrying Liliana. You married her and then divorced her, and that's done."

Fitz cocked his head, listening intently.

"I've already forgiven you for that. It's just...what you've told me about not wanting children."

"And you want children," he said more a statement than a question. "And this means a lot to you."

Olivia nodded. Her inner goddess was glad he understood.

"How about this...we agree for now that perhaps one day we might have one or two children," he conceded, nervous he might lose her if he was too radical in his response. "Can we agree to revisit it again in say, five years?"

Olivia mulled it over. "Okay. That seems fair. No children for now...but we agree to reconsider in five years. A lot can change by then."

Fitz smiled. Although he doubted he would ever change his mind about having children, he was happy with their compromise.

Ten Months Later

Their wedding was a truly unique unforgettable experience. It took place overlooking the beautiful sandy beaches in the Vomo island in the South Pacific. The island was so exclusive it only had twelve villages and two private residences. Only the couple's closest family and friends were invited to attend. Taylor was the best man, and Abby was the maid of honor, which was perfect, as the two of them were now a couple.

A catholic priest conducted the ceremony. While Fitz didn't care much for organized religion, Olivia had wanted to be married in the church. The first time around, she had a civil ceremony, which had infuriated Mama and Papa Pope. He suspected deep down she was looking for their approval, as in the past, she'd mentioned she didn't consider herself a practicing Catholic.

Fitz would never forget Olivia's smile as she walked down the aisle clad in a beautiful off-the-shoulders sweetheart neckline gown meticulously crafted with beading from head to toe.

Alina, Jed, and baby Trevor had flown in for the occasion. Guests had been invited to prolong their stay in private bungalows along the island. The couple declined as they had work-related obligations.

Maya and Eli had flown in as well, dressed to the nines. Ever since they heard of their daughter's engagement to Fitz, the pair had dropped into their lives, dropping hints here and there about money. Tired of listening to their tales of woe, Fitz decided to bestow them a generous monthly allowance.

Olivia had been unhappy when she first found out about the allowance. She'd even said she wouldn't be upset if her folks missed the wedding. The popes were a complicated family, Fitz thought.

"Daddy would probably get on everyone's nerves with his hour-long sermons," Olivia had said, half-joking, half-serious, "not kidding, Fitz, you will never hear anything like it."

And that was not all, Papa Pope had also drilled into Olivia the relentless striving for perfectionism. As a result, Olivia had once confessed her allegiance to a toxic mantra the man had drilled in her head, something about expecting her to be twice as good as others to get half of whatever they had.

Just as Olivia had predicted, Elijah Pope took the floor at the wedding reception with an air of superiority. He delivered a long dissertation about the sanctity of marriage quoting scriptures. He punctuated his speech with a few sentences singing his daughter's praises.

Olivia listened, wide-eyed, cheeks blushed. She later told him she'd never heard her father approve of anything she'd ever done. Marrying Fitz, however, was a first. His approval was bittersweet as it had little to do with her own merits and everything to do with her relationship status.

Maya did not give a speech. In fact, she'd said very little, content to play the role of the invisible partner in the relationship. So Fitz could not form an accurate opinion of her except to say he thought she seemed to prefer her daughter to stay at a respectable distance.

Fitz shook his head at this, partly wishing his own parents had lived to see him get married to Olivia. His real parents, of course.

Ed Sheeran was the VIP guest of the evening. Fitz would never forget the look on Olivia's face as they danced for the first time as husband and wife to the melody of PERFECT.

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark

With you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass

Listening to our favorite song

When you said you looked a mess

I whispered underneath my breath

But you heard it

Darling, you look perfect tonight.

As they danced, Fitz frowned during the next stanza. While it was true that he'd found a woman stronger than anyone he'd known, he didn't like the part of the song that referred to carrying secrets and children in one run-on sentence.

Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know

She shares my dreams. I hope that someday I'll share her home

I found a lover, to carry more than just my secrets

To carry love, to carry children of our own.

He thought of Bella while they danced. Keeping her existence a secret was eating away at him; the weight of his own deception was tightening around his soul. He'd tried rationalizing it, telling himself he was a good person. He'd done the right thing, Grace was with family.

He should have told her early on in their relationship. But then again, he'd waited so long to tell the truth; the more time went on, the more difficult it became.

He was starting to feel a bit like a criminal concealing a crucial piece of evidence. Even though, in his own defense, he had given away his parental rights, and that meant he no longer had any legal responsibility for his child. Yet, he struggled with this, dreading the day he was forced to admit he hadn't been entirely honest with her. He knew the day was coming, but... when?

And how would Olivia react?