A Night In
Fitz finished preparing the drinks just as Olivia called from the hallway, "Babe, they're here!" He could hear the excitement in her voice, a familiar warmth he cherished deeply. He took a deep breath and steadied himself. They were having dinner with Nicole and the new guy she was dating, Adrian. While the dinner was mainly for Nicole to introduce Adrian to her sister, it was also about mending bridges with Nicole. He had avoided her for as long as he could while rebuilding his relationship but he knew that sooner or later they would've had to talk. Things were solid between him and Olivia, but Nicole's approval—or, at least, her acceptance—was still something he hoped for since Olivia and her were closer than petals on a blooming flower, always intertwined and inseparable. You hurt one you hurt both.
When he stepped into the entryway, he saw Olivia embracing Nicole, who looked as stylish as ever in a sleek black jumpsuit and heels. Beside her stood Adrian, tall and broad-shouldered, with an easygoing smile that put Fitz at ease.
"Hey, Nicole," he said, offering her a warm smile when he realized she didn't motion to hug him back. "Glad you guys could make it."
Nicole gave him a polite nod, her smile polite but reserved. "Thanks for inviting us."
"Hey, Fitz, right?" Adrian said, shaking his hand with a friendly grip. "Good to finally meet you. Nicole's told me a lot about you."
Nicole shot Adrian a quick look, her smile never fully reaching her eyes. "All good things, of course."
Fitz felt the underlying chill but gave Adrian an easy smile. Ignoring the exchange, Fitz returned, "Nice to me you, Adrian. Hope you came hungry. I've been told I make a mean steak."
Adrian patted his belly in response and they all grinned.
As they moved into the living room, Fitz continued to feel Nicole's distant energy. Olivia, ever the host, moved quickly into conversation, asking Adrian about his work in architecture and encouraging Nicole to share the story of how they met. But whenever Fitz joined in, Nicole's responses were curt, her gaze shifting back to Adrian or Olivia. He let it slide, knowing this wasn't about him; Nicole had every right to feel the way she did.
They were in easy conversation when Fitz returned to the kitchen to finish the steaks. He could hear laughter from the living room, Olivia's warm, familiar laugh standing out above the rest. It was music to his ears and it warmed his toes. When he glanced over his shoulder to look at her beautiful face, he caught Nicole's cool gaze fixed on him instead. Taking the opportunity, Fitz gestured toward the hallway, she quickly excused herself and followed him to a quiet corner, away from Olivia and Adrian who were in deep conversation.
Nicole crossed her arms, giving him a pointed look. "So, what's up, Fitz?"
He exhaled, meeting her eyes, unflinching. "Nicole, I know I don't deserve your approval after what I put Olivia through. I can't tell you how sorry I am for hurting her. I thought the world of her from the moment we met, and I let her down in ways I'll never be able to undo."
Nicole's gaze softened slightly, but the hardness in her voice remained. "You have no idea, Fitz. You broke her. I saw her at her lowest, and it killed me because I thought you were different." She paused, her voice thick with emotion. "She adored you. I thought I could trust you with her heart. I trusted you like family, Fitz."
Her words hit him hard, and Fitz felt a deep pang of guilt settle in his chest. "Nicole, you're right. I broke her trust, and I broke yours too. And I hate that I put you both through that. I never wanted to hurt her, let alone make you feel like I wasn't the man you thought I was."
Nicole studied him, her gaze steady, probing. "Do you really understand what it took for her to trust you again? To come back here and give you another chance?"
He nodded slowly. "I do. And I'm not taking it for granted, Nicole. I'm putting in the work, every single day. I want you to know that I'm here for the long haul—no more lies, no more carelessness. I love your sister, and I'm doing everything I can to be worthy of her again."
Nicole's expression softened a fraction, her arms uncrossing as she sighed. "She sees something in you, Fitz. Something worth fighting for, and if she's willing to give you another shot, then I'm willing to try too. But if you hurt her again…" She let her words hang in the air, her gaze unwavering as she gestured her index finger across her throat in a cutting motion.
Fitz gave a small, solemn nod. "You'll never have to worry about that. I promise."
For the first time that evening, Nicole's lips curved into a full smile. "Good. Don't make me regret it."
Nicole rejoined Olivia and Adrian, the tension between him and Nicole a little less charged. Fitz returned to the kitchen, plating the steaks alongside roasted potatoes and asparagus, and when he brought them to the table, he caught Olivia's smile—knowing, encouraging. He returned it, feeling a sense of calm settle over him.
"So, Adrian," Fitz said as they settled around the table, "Nicole tells me you're into restoring historic buildings. That's impressive. I love the mix of tradition and modernity in that kind of work."
Adrian chuckled, taking a sip of wine. "It's definitely my passion. Right now, we're renovating a building downtown. Nicole's already heard enough about it to write an article," he joked, glancing at her warmly.
Nicole laughed, a genuine smile crossing her face. "Trust me, I've heard more about this building than I'll ever need to."
Olivia jumped in, her tone playful. "And you both met in an elevator, right? Sounds like fate."
Nicole rolled her eyes playfully, nudging Adrian. "Don't get him started. He loves that story."
The conversation flowed easily after that, a genuine warmth settling over the evening. By the time dessert arrived—a delicate fruit tart from Olivia's favorite bakery—Fitz felt a sense of relief, a feeling that maybe, just maybe, they were all heading in a good direction.
Nicole took a sip of her wine, glancing at Fitz thoughtfully. "Thank you for dinner. It's been a while since I've seen Olivia look this happy."
Fitz nodded, his gaze holding hers for a moment, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. He knew he had a long way to go, but tonight felt like a step toward rebuilding the bridges he'd broken. And as they clinked glasses, he felt a renewed sense of hope—of family, of forgiveness, and of making things right.
As Fitz cleared the plates, Olivia felt a bubbling excitement. Tonight had gone even better than she'd hoped, despite Nicole's initial coolness. She could feel her warming up to Fitz by the end of dinner, a small but meaningful shift she had hoped would come.
"Alright, I vote we start a game of charades!" Olivia declared, clapping her hands.
Nicole raised an eyebrow, giving her a playful smirk. "You always want to play charades, Liv."
"That's because I'm good at it." She shot a teasing look at Fitz, who chuckled, already reaching for the game box on the shelf.
"Alright, charades it is," Fitz said, handing Olivia the box. "We'll team up. Ladies against the guys?"
Adrian leaned back, laughing. "I like that. Brings out a bit of competition."
Fitz nodded, nudging Adrian. "Brace yourself. These two are ruthless."
Olivia laughed, opening the box and shuffling the cards. "Well, we'll go easy on you this time."
"Oh, sure you will," Adrian replied, his tone amused but a little wary.
The game began with Olivia drawing the first card. She flipped it over, and with exaggerated hand movements, she pretended to pull on a hat, exaggeratedly stomped her feet, and then did her best to look somber.
Nicole's eyes lit up as she called out, "Abraham Lincoln!"
"Yes!" Olivia said, throwing her arms in the air. Fitz and Adrian both groaned, and Nicole high-fived her, the two sharing a triumphant laugh.
"Alright, let's see what the guys have got," Olivia teased, tossing the card aside.
Fitz stood up and gave Adrian a smirk. He cracked his knuckles and took the next card, a mischievous glint in his eye. Without hesitation, he bent over, pretending to hold a steering wheel, his face exaggeratedly focused as he "drove," jerking the wheel suddenly, as if avoiding something. He then leaned back, his mouth opening wide in a silent scream.
"Titanic!" Adrian yelled, laughing so hard that he almost toppled off the couch.
Fitz shot a finger gun at him and grinned. "Bingo."
Olivia shook her head, laughing. She leaned into Nicole, feeling a lightness that had been missing for months. There was so much laughter filling the room, and Olivia felt a warm glow of happiness.
The game continued, and the stakes grew higher with each card. Olivia and Nicole threw in increasingly creative interpretations, while Fitz and Adrian matched their energy, with Fitz even attempting to mimic a ballerina at one point. It was hilarious, and Olivia's stomach ached from laughing by the time they declared a tie.
As Adrian and Fitz cleaned up the snack plates, Olivia and Nicole slipped over to the cozy corner by the large windows, sharing the view of the city lights and the night's calm.
"Adrian seems like a great guy," Olivia said, nudging her sister gently. "I like him for you."
Nicole's cheeks flushed as she took a sip of her wine, glancing down. "He's… he's a good one. Different from anyone else I've met. He makes me feel so at ease, Liv. Not to mention, he's genuinely interested in who I am. All of me." She gave Olivia a soft smile, then added, "And you know I don't say that lightly."
Olivia smiled, reaching out to squeeze Nicole's hand. "I can tell. He's good for you. And you deserve that."
They shared a quiet moment before Nicole's face grew a bit more serious. "I, uh, also had a talk with Fitz."
"Oh yeah?" Olivia asked, bracing herself, her gaze steady. She knew her sister disapproved of giving Fitz another chance and sometimes she felt like maybe she is judging her for being too weak but she chalked it up to her insecurities.
"Yeah." Nicole glanced over at the guys, who were laughing about something as they put away dishes. "I know I was cold at first. I just…" She paused, looking for the right words. "It was hard seeing you go through all that. I thought Fitz was… I don't know. Almost untouchable. He always seemed so strong and together, like he'd never mess up like that." She sighed, her gaze softening. "It broke my heart, Liv, watching you hurt. And I was so angry at him."
Olivia took a slow breath, processing her sister's words. She had known how much the ordeal had affected Nicole, but hearing her say it so openly brought a lump to her throat.
Nicole continued, her voice softer. "But he apologized. And he was sincere about it. Said he knew he hurt not just you but me too, that he understood why I was mad. And I believe him." She paused, her lips curling into a small smile. "I told him I'd put it behind me. But I also warned him that if he ever hurt you again, I wouldn't hesitate to cut him."
Olivia laughed, dabbing at her eyes. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."
Nicole chuckled, giving her a light nudge. "Someone has to keep him on his toes." Then, her gaze softened. "But, Liv, I can see how much he's changed. And he's really trying. It's in everything he does—how he looks at you, talks to you, even how he handled me tonight. I know it took a lot for him to let his guard down with me."
Olivia glanced over at Fitz, who was now refilling their glasses, his expression warm as he looked back at her. She felt her heart squeeze, the familiar pang of love and gratitude washing over her.
"He really has," she said quietly. "We've both been working hard to get here to trust and respect each other again. It's not easy, but he's been so patient. And hearing you and him talk tonight… it means a lot, Nic."
Nicole squeezed her hand. "Then I'm glad we talked. And I'm glad you're happy. That's all I want."
Fitz and Adrian returned, carrying the wine glasses, and Fitz handed Olivia hers with a soft smile. She could feel his fingers brush hers, a subtle gesture that spoke volumes. It was as if he could sense her gratitude, her love, even without words.
"Alright, one more toast?" Fitz suggested, ever the sentimental, raising his glass.
They all lifted their glasses, and Adrian gave Nicole a warm smile before speaking up. "To family, to new beginnings, and to people who make us better."
Their glasses clinked, and as Olivia took a sip, she caught Nicole's eye, the two of them sharing a silent promise. Tonight wasn't just a step forward in her relationship with Fitz; it was a healing moment for her family.
As the night wrapped up and goodbyes were exchanged, Fitz and Olivia stood at the door, watching Nicole and Adrian disappear into the elevator. Fitz slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close, and she rested her head against his shoulder, feeling the steady beat of his heart.
"Thank you for tonight," Olivia murmured, looking up at him.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his voice gentle. "Anything for you."
They stood there for a few moments, wrapped in each other's warmth, before turning back inside to a home that, once again, felt like a true haven.
As the door clicked shut behind Nicole and Adrian, Fitz let out a contented sigh, slipping an arm around Olivia's waist as they turned back toward the living room.
"I really like Adrian," Fitz said, his voice soft and thoughtful. "He's grounded, easygoing, and you can tell he genuinely cares for Nicole. I hope things work out for them."
Olivia glanced up, her eyes warm with agreement. "I could tell he made her feel safe. And she deserves that, you know? Someone who sees her for who she is."
Fitz nodded, pulling her closer, his hand slipping to the small of her back. "She does. I think Adrian gets that. Watching them together tonight… I really want that for her, to see her happy. I know how much she means to you."
Olivia's heart softened, hearing the sincerity in his voice. There was a gentle warmth between them, one that had blossomed and deepened over the weeks as they'd rebuilt their bond. She placed a hand on his chest, her fingers tracing light circles as she gazed up at him. "Thank you for making tonight so comfortable for her. I could see it meant a lot to Nicole."
Fitz held her gaze, a gentle smile playing at his lips. "It was important to me, too. I knew that bridge wouldn't be easy to cross, but… I'd do anything to make sure she knows I'm here for you both."
Olivia felt a thrill of affection, of something deeper than just love, pulse through her as she watched him. With a smile, she took his hand, her fingers lacing through his as she led him toward their bedroom. The evening had been full of connection and laughter, a night that had drawn them all closer together, but now she wanted him, to be with him in the quiet of their own space.
When they entered their bedroom, Fitz closed the door softly, the familiar warmth of the room enveloping them. He took her hand and drew her close, brushing a gentle kiss across her forehead.
"Thank you," he whispered against her skin, his voice filled with quiet reverence.
"For what?" Olivia asked, her voice barely above a murmur, her hands resting on his shoulders.
"For staying with me, for trusting me again, even when I made it hard. Every moment with you, Livvie feels like a gift I don't deserve," he said, his thumb tracing a line along her jaw.
Her gaze softened, and she leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that was soft, unhurried, but filled with all the unspoken words she had held onto. She wanted him to know how deeply she felt this moment, how grateful she was for the love they had fought so hard to keep.
Fitz's hands slipped to her waist, pulling her close as the kiss deepened, their breaths mingling, slow and intense. They were no longer in a rush, no longer hurried or desperate. There was something beautifully measured in the way he touched her as if he wanted to savor every inch, every moment.
As his hands moved up her back, her fingers found their way to the buttons of his shirt, one by one, taking her time as she unfastened them. She slid her hands over his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin, the strong, familiar beat of his heart.
He leaned in, pressing soft kisses along her jawline, moving to her neck, his breath hot against her skin. She felt her pulse quicken, and a soft sigh escaped her lips as his hands found the zipper of her dress, easing it down slowly.
When they were finally skin against skin, Fitz took a step back, his eyes meeting hers, a look of profound affection mixed with desire. "You're beautiful, Livvie. More beautiful than I could ever deserve."
She shook her head, smiling softly. "We're here, Fitz. We deserve this—both of us."
He gathered her in his arms, and as they sank into the bed together, every touch and kiss carried with it a depth of feeling, a tenderness that left no room for doubt. They moved in perfect harmony, each moment a silent promise, each touch a reminder of the love they had fought so hard to preserve.
Afterward, they lay tangled together, their breaths slowing, hearts beating in rhythm. Fitz traced soft patterns along her shoulder, his hand a gentle, grounding weight against her skin.
"Tonight was perfect," she whispered, resting her head against his chest. "I never thought we'd get here again, but… I'm so glad we did. Better than ever."
He kissed the top of her head, his voice filled with warmth. "So am I, Livvie. So am I."
AN: Don't forget to leave a review. FYI this story is wrapping up. It was never meant to be one of my longer stories. -_^