The first rays of morning light filter through the windows, but the house is already alive with energy. Teddy's excited footsteps echo through the halls, his voice carrying down the stairs as he calls out, "Santa came! Santa came!"
Fitz groans playfully from the bed, burying his face in the pillow. "Too early," he mumbles.
Olivia laughs, nudging him. "You were the one who wanted the full Christmas experience. Get up, Mr. Grant."
Downstairs, the smell of cinnamon and pine fills the air. Karen and Gerry sit curled up on the couch, sipping hot chocolate from mismatched mugs, their faces still soft with sleep but lit with quiet amusement as they watch Teddy tear into his presents.
Wrapping paper flies, and Teddy gasps, holding up a wooden ornament he painted himself. "Look!" he beams, showing it to Olivia and Fitz. It's a little heart with the wordsMom & Dadcarefully scrawled in glitter.
Olivia's breath catches, her fingers brushing over the small ornament as warmth blooms in her chest. She looks up at Fitz, eyes shining.
Fitz grins, taking the ornament from Teddy and holding it up. "I think this belongs front and center on the tree."
Teddy nods enthusiastically, running over to find the perfect spot. Karen and Gerry exchange a knowing glance but say nothing, simply smiling as the moment settles around them like fresh snowfall.
Later, with stockings emptied and presents unwrapped, Olivia steps into the kitchen to refill her coffee. She doesn't make it far before Fitz catches her beneath the mistletoe, pulling her in close.
"You planned this, didn't you?" she teases, arching a brow.
He smirks. "Maybe."
His lips brush against hers, slow and sweet, as the world outside remains still, blanketed in the quiet beauty of Christmas morning.
"Best Christmas ever," Fitz murmurs against her lips.
Olivia smiles, resting her forehead against his. "Yeah. It really is."