As the plane touched down in Chicago, the sharp contrast between the warm Jamaican sun and the biting cold of a Midwest winter hit Olivia and Fitz like a wall.

"Why did we leave paradise again?" Olivia groaned, pulling her coat tighter around her as they made their way through the jet bridge when it was their turn.

Fitz laughed, though he shared the same sentiment. "Because we have to, I guess. But yeah, I miss the beach already."

"Chicago is not playing around with this cold!" Olivia shivered. "How long until summer?"

Fitz pulled her close, rubbing her arms to warm her up. "A few months, but we'll survive. Just think, the twins will be born then and we'll have so much fun."

That thought perked Olivia up. She could only imagine them as a family of four, and it made her smile. It carried her through the long TSA line and back to their parked car in the parking garage.

When they arrived home, they made a beeline for Teddy's house after dropping off their bags to grab Bubba. Olivia couldn't believe how attached she had become to the dog. He was just as much hers as Fitz' teen greeted them with Bubba wagging his tail frantically behind him.

"How was he?" Olivia asked.

"He's been good," Teddy said, smiling as Bubba bounded out to greet them, his excitement palpable as he jumped up to lick Fitz and Olivia. "But I think he missed you guys."

"We missed him too," Olivia said, laughing as she tried to calm the hyper dog. "Thanks for watching him, Teddy. We really appreciate it."

Fitz handed over some extra cash and the souvenir they had gotten him from Jamaica. "Here, for the great job you did."

"Thanks, Fitz!" Teddy replied, grinning as he pocketed the money and the keychain with the word Jamaica.

Once back in their cozy home, Olivia felt a wave of contentment wash over her. As soon as they were settled, she reached into her purse and pulled out a set of magnets, each representing a piece of Jamaica—the vibrant colors of a sunset, a tiny carved replica of Dunn's River Falls, and of course, a magnet shaped like a bowl of oxtail.

"This one's going front and center," Olivia said, sticking the oxtail magnet on the fridge. She took a step back, admiring her growing collection of travel keepsakes.

Fitz smiled from across the kitchen, watching her. "I love that you do that. It's like we bring a little bit of everywhere home with us."

Olivia glanced back at him, her eyes soft. "It's a small thing, but I like the idea of looking at our fridge and remembering all the places we've been. Especially with the twins coming, we'll be so busy. It's nice to hold onto those memories."

"I agree. You're going to be the coolest mom," Fitz said, walking over to her and wrapping his arms around her from behind, his hands resting on her belly.

Olivia smiled and responded, "I love you," melting further into his arms. She was truly grateful for this man.

"I love you, too"

Even though it was cold outside, it felt good to be back in their cozy home, filled with love and warmth.

The following evening, Olivia and Fitz's home was filled with the scent of roasted chicken and spices as they prepared for their friends, Stephen, Tina, and her 8-year-old son, Michael. Fitz was in the kitchen, basting the chicken, while Olivia put the finishing touches on a salad, glancing out the window where the last light of day was fading into the Chicago winter evening.

"Do you think tonight's the right time to talk to them?" Olivia asked softly, her back to Fitz. There was a hint of hesitation in her voice.

Fitz paused, considering her question, before shaking his head. "I think it's too soon. Let's just enjoy the night, okay? We'll find the right moment to ask them when it feels natural."

Olivia nodded, though she couldn't help but feel a little nervous. They were still thinking about asking Stephen and Tina to be legal guardians for Maya and Maddox, but it was a big request, and she didn't want to pressure their friends but they couldn't see anyone else fit for the job.

Before they could delve deeper into the conversation, the doorbell rang, and Olivia put on a bright smile. "They're here!"

Fitz opened the door, revealing Tina bundled in a thick coat, with Stephen behind her, holding Michael's hand. Michael, full of energy as usual, immediately ran inside, shaking off the cold as he looked around.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Michael shouted excitedly. "What's for dinner?"

Olivia laughed, ruffling his hair as he ran past her. "Roast chicken, salad, and mashed potatoes—your favorite, right?"

Michael's eyes widened. "Yes! Mom, did you hear that? Mashed potatoes!"

Tina smiled, stepping inside and pulling off her scarf while pulling Olivia into a hug. "You're spoiling him, Liv."

Olivia shrugged playfully. "Well, he deserves it. Plus, we've got dessert, too—chocolate cake."

"Yay," Michael said, pretending to swoon dramatically as he plopped down on the couch.

Stephen chuckled, hugging Olivia. "Sounds like a feast. Looks like Jamaica treated you well, you are glowing!"

Olivia grinned, guiding everyone to the dining table once they'd finished with their greetings and removed their shoes. Fitz returned to the kitchen to grab the rest of the food to place on the table.

Once seated, she said, "Jamaica was amazing. We had massages, lounged by the beach, and ate like kings and queens. And I even learned how to make authentic oxtail!"

Tina's eyes lit up as she took her seat. "I'm so jealous! You have to make it for us sometime, Liv."

"That's the plan," Fitz added, coming over with the bag of souvenirs they'd brought back. "But first, we got you all something."

He handed out small packages, starting with a brightly wrapped box for Michael. "For the young man, something I think you'll like."

Michael tore into the package, finding a hand-carved wooden toy shaped like a little Jamaican boat. "Whoa, cool! Thanks, Mr. Fitz!"

"You're welcome, buddy," Fitz said, patting him on the back.

Olivia passed Stephen a small bottle of locally made hot sauce. "And for you, Stephen, something to spice up those boring dinners you always complain about."

Stephen raised an eyebrow, inspecting the fiery red bottle. "Oh, I'll definitely put this to use. Maybe I'll finally impress Tina with my cooking skills."

Tina laughed. "Don't hold your breath, Finch. He still manages to burn toast." Everyone burst into laughter.

Stephen pretended to be offended. "That was one time."

"Uh-huh," Tina said, rolling her eyes playfully. "And I can't wait to see what's in here." She unwrapped a set of handcrafted earrings, admiring their intricate design. "Oh, these are beautiful, Liv. Thank you!"

Olivia smiled warmly. "You're welcome. We just wanted to bring a little piece of paradise back for you all."

As dinner was served, the conversation flowed easily. Stephen and Tina asked for all the details of their trip, and Olivia and Fitz happily obliged, painting vivid pictures of sunny beaches, the warmth of the island, and the delicious food they enjoyed.

"So, did you two do anything besides eat?" Stephen teased, taking a bite of his chicken.

Fitz smirked. "Hey, we did plenty of relaxing amongst other things. But yes, there was a lot of eating."

"Can you blame them?" Tina asked, shooting Fitz a knowing look. "Liv's eating for three, after all."

Michael, who had been busy with his food, suddenly chimed in. "How come you're having two babies at once, Mrs. Olivia?"

Olivia chuckled, glancing at Fitz. "Well, it's just how things worked out, Michael. We're having twins—a boy and a girl."

"That's a lot of work," Michael said seriously, his brows furrowed as he considered it. "You're gonna be busy all the time!"

Stephen laughed. "See, Liv? Even the eight-year-old knows what's coming."

Olivia winked at Michael. "Yeah, I think you're right, Michael. That's why I'll need your help sometimes, okay?"

Michael nodded, puffing out his chest. "Okay! I can help. I'm good with babies."

Tina leaned over and kissed the top of Michael's head. "You're sweet, kiddo."

Olivia caught Fitz's eye across the table, sharing a silent understanding. Maybe one day, Michael could be a big brother figure to Maya and Maddox. She quickly pushed the thought away, not wanting to ruin the light mood with the weight of the decision they had yet to ask.

After dinner, they moved into the living room, settling on the couch with cups of hot cocoa for the adults and chocolate milk for Michael. Fitz pulled out his phone, showing Stephen and Tina pictures from their trip, filled with pictures of the beaches, their resort, and Olivia's excited face during the cooking class.

"Aww you guys look so adorable with the matching outfits," Tina cooed, loving them in their green swimsuit ensemble. "The beach looked so serene"

Olivia laughed softly. "Thank you! Yea, if I could've stayed at that beach forever, I would. "

"You can't hide in paradise forever," Stephen teased, then pointed to a picture of Olivia in the middle of her oxtail lesson, her face focused as she stirred a pot. "Liv, this one's my favorite. You look so serious."

"That's because I was serious," Olivia shot back, grinning. "I needed to learn that recipe for survival. Oxtail is life, after all."

"You're ridiculous," Tina teased, rolling her eyes. "But I'm here for it."

Michael glanced over, clearly interested. "What's oxtail? Is it made of ox?"

Fitz laughed at the innocence of the question. "No, it is not, Michael. It's the tail of a cow but it's really tender and full of flavor. You'd probably like it."

Michael wrinkled his nose. "I don't know. It sounds weird. But maybe I'll try it if Mrs. Olivia makes it."

Olivia patted his shoulder. "Deal. I'll make it for you sometime, and if you like it, you have to be my taste-tester for all my new recipes, okay?"

"Okay!" Michael agreed, giving her a thumbs-up.

Tina smiled, watching the exchange. "Look at you, making friends with my son."

"Well, he's a charmer," Olivia replied with a wink. She glanced at Fitz again, seeing the same thought flashed across his mind. They'd be perfect for the twins. But she pushed it aside, focusing on the joy of the night instead.

As the evening wound down, Tina and Stephen helped clear the table, while Michael ran off with Bubba, playing a game of fetch in the hallway.

Stephen turned to Fitz, a grin on his face. "I gotta admit, man, I'm jealous. You got this beautiful house, babies on the way, and a trip to Jamaica. You're living the dream."

Fitz shrugged, but there was pride in his voice. "It's a lot, but we're lucky. And hey, you and Tina aren't doing so bad yourselves."

Tina glanced over, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, we're taking things one step at a time. Speaking of which, Liv, you should have seen Stephen trying to assemble Michael's new desk last week. It was like watching a giraffe try to use a screwdriver."

Stephen put a hand to his chest in mock offense. "Wow, no loyalty, huh? Just throwing me under the bus again?"

Olivia laughed, shaking her head. "Well, if you ever need help, you know Fitz has all the tools."

Stephen smirked. "Might have to take you up on that. But seriously, it's good to see you two so happy. You deserve it."

Olivia felt a pang of emotion, looking at their friends. They had been there through so much—good times and bad. She wanted to tell them right then and there about being the twins' guardians, but the words stuck in her throat. She glanced at Fitz, who shook his head slightly. Not yet, his look seemed to say.

"Thank you," Olivia said instead, her voice sincere. "We couldn't do it without you guys."

Tina smiled back warmly. "Well, you're stuck with us, so don't even try."

As they all settled back on the couch, Michael returned with Bubba, catching his breath from playing. He squeezed in between Tina and Stephen, resting his head on Tina's shoulder.

"Mom, can we come back tomorrow?" Michael asked, his eyes already drooping with sleep.

Tina chuckled. "I think they need a break from us, buddy. But we'll definitely have to plan another dinner soon."

"Yeah, especially if there's more of Mrs. Olivia's cooking," Michael added with a sleepy smile, snuggling closer to his mom.

"Don't worry, there will be plenty of dinners to come," Olivia promised, exchanging a look with Fitz. She squeezed his hand, both of them feeling grateful for the support system and village they had in Stephen, Tina, and Michael.

As their friends left soon after, Fitz wrapped an arm around Olivia's shoulders, pulling her close as they watched the taillights of Tina's car fade into the distance.

"We'll talk to them when the time is right," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Olivia nodded, leaning into his warmth. "Yeah, when it's right. For now, we just enjoy what we have."

And with that, they closed the door, grateful for their friends, their future, and the adventure they were about to embark on together.

The next few days settled into a familiar rhythm. Fitz returned to work, it was business as usual at the firehouse. He felt refreshed, but the weight of what was to come—fatherhood—was always on his mind.

On one of the days, Olivia had her seven-month check-up that they went to. As she sat in the doctor's office, Fitz beside her, they listened intently to the heartbeat monitor. The rhythmic thump of the twins' heartbeats echoed in the room, a sound that always left them in awe.

"Everything looks great, Olivia," the doctor said, smiling. "Both babies are growing as they should be. You're doing a wonderful job."

Olivia breathed a sigh of relief. "And what about the delivery? Do we know if I'll be able to do a vaginal birth yet?"

The doctor took a moment to review the charts. "It's still possible. Both babies are currently in the correct position, but as you know, that can change. We'll keep monitoring as you get closer to your due date, but for now, everything looks promising."

Fitz squeezed Olivia's hand. "You're going to be amazing, no matter what happens."

Later that day, Olivia had her first therapy session. She wanted to make sure she was emotionally prepared for the arrival of the twins, knowing the potential challenges of postpartum life. Her therapist, a kind woman named Dr. Ross, welcomed her with an open heart.

"How are you feeling, Olivia?" Dr. Ross asked, leaning forward in her chair.

"A little overwhelmed," Olivia admitted. "I'm excited, of course, but there's this constant pressure—like I need to be perfect for them. And I know that's unrealistic, but it's hard to shake."

Dr. Ross nodded, her voice gentle. "It's completely normal to feel that way. You're about to enter a new chapter of life, and it's okay to have mixed emotions. We'll work together on managing those expectations, one step at a time."

Meanwhile, Fitz attended his own therapy session, a decision he had made during their babymoon. Sitting in the therapist's office, he felt an unexpected wave of vulnerability as he began to talk about his past.

"My parents," Fitz began, his voice slightly hesitant, "they had a rocky relationship, to say the least. My mother had an affair when I was younger, and my father… well, he wasn't the most emotionally stable person. It messed me up for a long time."

The therapist listened quietly, nodding as Fitz continued.

"I always thought I'd end up like him," Fitz admitted. "Emotionally distant, messing up every relationship I had. I used to avoid commitment like the plague—slept around, kept everything casual. It wasn't until I met Olivia that I started to feel like maybe I could change. But with the twins coming, I can't shake the fear that I'll screw it all up."

The therapist leaned in slightly. "It sounds like you're carrying a lot of fear around being a father. What if, instead of focusing on your past, you tried to focus on what kind of father you want to be?"

Fitz thought about that for a moment. "I want to be there for them. I don't want to be the distant father I had. I want to show them love, be involved… make sure they always know I'm there."

"That's a great starting point," the therapist said with a reassuring smile. "The fact that you're aware of your fears and that you're here, working through them, shows how committed you already are to being the best father you can be."

As Fitz left the therapist's office, he felt a little lighter, knowing that he was taking steps not just to deal with his past but to build a better future for his family.

That night, Olivia and Fitz sat together on the couch, wrapped in a blanket with Bubba resting at their feet.

"How was therapy?" Olivia asked softly, her hand resting on his leg.

Fitz smiled, his hand reaching over to cover hers. "It was… hard. But good. I talked about my parents, and how that messed with me for a long time. But I think I'm starting to let go of that fear—at least a little."

Olivia squeezed his hand. "You're already the best partner, Fitz. You're going to be an amazing father too. You're doing the work, and that's what matters."

Fitz leaned in, kissing her gently. "I'm just trying to be the best man I can for you and our kids."

As they sat there, their hands intertwined, they both knew that the journey ahead wouldn't always be easy. But together, they were ready for whatever came next. They've been through so much and have overcome it.

Two Weeks Later

Olivia sat cross-legged on the living room floor, surrounded by baby clothes, folded blankets, and tiny socks. Nesting had hit her hard in the last week, and she was in full organization mode. The nursery was almost complete, but there were still a few odds and ends scattered throughout the house, and she was determined to get everything ready for Maya and Maddox's arrival.

As she sorted through an old basket of laundry, she came across one of Fitz's shirts—one that had seen better days. It was faded, with fraying edges and a few small holes near the hem. She frowned, holding it up to inspect the damage.

"Fitz, seriously?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head in disbelief. He can't still be wearing this.

Without hesitation, Olivia tossed the shirt into the trash bag sitting next to her. She continued sorting, feeling accomplished as the basket of laundry dwindled and the nursery supplies became more organized.

A few minutes later, Fitz walked into the room, wiping his hands on a towel after finishing up some DIY work in the garage.

"Hey, you've been busy in here," Fitz said, glancing around at the piles of neatly folded clothes.

Olivia replied with a grin. "I want everything perfect for when the twins arrive."

Fitz sat down on the couch, his eyes scanning the room. "Looks great, babe. You're really getting everything together."

Olivia smiled proudly as she stood up, holding another trash bag filled with old, worn-out items. "Yep, just doing some final touches. I've even been throwing out some old stuff we don't need anymore."

Just as she was tying up the bag, Fitz's eyes fell on a corner of the room where the trash bag sat open. He spotted something that made him pause—a familiar piece of fabric peeking out from the top of the bag.

"Wait a minute," Fitz said, his brow furrowing as he stood up and walked over to the bag. He reached in and pulled out the old, distressed T-shirt Olivia had tossed. "What's this doing in here?"

Olivia glanced over at him, nonchalant. "Oh, that? It's old, Fitz. It has holes in it. I figured it was time to let it go."

Fitz's expression shifted, clearly bothered. "But this is my shirt, Liv. I've had this for years."

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Exactly. You've had it for years. It's falling apart, Fitz."

"It's not that bad," Fitz argued, holding the shirt up in defense. "I like this shirt. It's comfortable, and it's got sentimental value."

"Sentimental value?" Olivia repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Fitz, it's practically a rag."

Fitz crossed his arms, clearly not backing down. "It's not just a shirt, Liv. I've had this since my high school days. It's been with me through a lot."

Olivia sighed, trying to be patient. "I get that, but we're about to have twins, Fitz. I'm trying to get everything in order. We don't need old, ratty shirts lying around."

"But this isn't just any old shirt!" Fitz countered. "I wore this the day I made varsity. I wore it when we went on that spontaneous road trip to California. This shirt has memories."

Olivia softened a bit at his words but still felt it was time for the shirt to go. "I get it, Fitz, really. But it's time to move on from some things. We're starting a new chapter, and we've got to make room for all the baby stuff. Plus, you have plenty of other clothes."

Fitz shook his head, clearly frustrated. "It's not about having other clothes, Liv. It's about what this shirt represents to me. You can't just throw it away without asking."

Olivia paused, realizing that maybe she hadn't considered how important something so simple might be to him. "Okay," she said slowly, "I didn't think it was that big of a deal. But I can see it is for you. I'm sorry I didn't ask first."

Fitz looked at her, his irritation starting to fade. "I know you're nesting, and I appreciate everything you're doing to get ready for the babies. But I've had this shirt forever, and it's part of my past. It's like throwing away memories."

Olivia nodded, her hands resting on her hips. "Okay, I get it now. I wasn't thinking about the sentimental part. I was just trying to declutter, but I'll leave your special stuff alone."

Fitz gave her a small smile, his shoulders relaxing. "Thanks. I just don't want to lose parts of me in all this chaos, you know?"

Olivia stepped forward, placing a hand on his arm. "I understand. And I'm not trying to take anything from you. I just didn't think an old shirt would be part of that. But now I get it."

Fitz chuckled, pulling her into a hug. "Guess I'm more sentimental than I thought. Sorry if I overreacted."

"You didn't," Olivia said, her voice muffled against his chest. "We're both stressed, trying to get everything perfect before the twins arrive. I should have asked you first."

He kissed the top of her head. "Thanks for understanding."

Olivia pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a grin. "But seriously, Fitz. It's hanging on by a thread. Maybe we can retire it to the 'memory box' rather than the dresser drawer?"

Fitz laughed, holding the shirt up again. "Fine. I'll let it live out its days in the memory box. But I'm keeping it."

"Deal," Olivia said, rolling her eyes playfully. "Now, help me with the rest of this baby stuff before I throw out something else you're attached to."

Fitz laughed, but the sound was warm and full of love. He wrapped his arm around Olivia and led her back to the mountain of baby clothes that had yet to be folded.

"You're lucky I love you," he teased, sitting down on the floor next to her.

"You are lucky," Olivia shot back with a smirk. "And when you see how organized the nursery is, you're going to be even more in love with me."

Fitz leaned in, his voice soft. "Already am, Liv. Already am."

They spent the rest of the afternoon sorting through baby clothes, organizing the nursery, and making final preparations for Maya and Maddox's arrival. Every so often, they'd pause, exchanging stories about their childhoods, dreams for their family, and their hopes for the future.

Later that evening, as they curled up on the couch with Bubba nestled at their feet, Fitz glanced over at Olivia, his eyes soft with gratitude.

"You know," he began, "even when we argue, I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else. You keep me grounded, even when I'm being sentimental about a beat-up old T-shirt."

Olivia smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "Same here. Even when I'm nesting and losing my mind over organizing the house, I know we've got each other."

Fitz pressed a kiss to her forehead. "We're a good team, Liv. And soon, we'll be an even better one with the twins."

Olivia smiled, feeling a sense of peace settle over her. "Yeah," she whispered, "we really will."

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