Chapter Two: Coffee & Morning Kisses
The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifts through the house as Fitz moves around the kitchen, pouring dark liquid into two mugs. The early morning light spills through the windows, painting the wooden floors in golden streaks. Vermont is quiet, still wrapped in the hush of dawn, and for the first time in years, there are no schedules, no meetings, no motorcades. Just this.
Just them.
Olivia shuffles into the kitchen, still wrapped in the soft throw blanket she stole from the couch last night. Her hair is mussed, her eyes heavy with sleep, and Fitz thinks she's never looked more beautiful. He lifts one of the mugs to his lips, deliberately stealing the first sip.
She narrows her eyes, voice husky with sleep. "That's mine."
Fitz smirks. "Finders keepers."
Olivia sighs, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around his waist, pressing her face against his chest. "I love this," she murmurs, her voice muffled against his shirt. "Being here. Being with you. No alarms, no security details—just this."
His hand slides into her curls, fingers threading through them as he presses a kiss to the top of her head. "Me too."
At their feet, Artemis, their golden retriever, stretches lazily, her tail thumping against the floor. She settles next to Olivia's feet, letting out a long sigh of contentment as if she, too, knows they are finally home.
Fitz hands Olivia her mug, watching as she takes a slow sip, her eyes fluttering shut in appreciation. He smiles, drinking her in the way he always has, with quiet reverence.
"Marry me again," he says suddenly, the words slipping out before he even thinks about them.
Olivia looks up at him, amusement flickering in her gaze. "We're already married, Fitz."
He grins. "Then let's do it again. Right here, in Vermont. Just us, the kids, and Artemis as our witness."
She tilts her head, pretending to consider before leaning up to brush a soft kiss against his lips. "Let me finish my coffee first."
Fitz chuckles, pulling her closer. "Take all the time you need, Livvie. We have forever."