Epilogue 2

Summary

Chapter 10 ends with the trip to Disney Land. In epilogue #1, the Disney Land trip continues and we learn that Olivia was pregnant. At the end of epilogue #1, there is the counseling session six months prior to the trip and that's where we left off. Epilogue # 2 starts nearly two years after the Disney land trip. Hope it's not too confusing. If it is and it's been a while since you read this, just go back and read from chapter 10 on forward.

In any event, I did edit the last epilogue a few days after posting and added some details so go back one chapter if you did not read edited version.

Fitz's POV

Life in the Grant household was good. Eight months ago, the family of three had become a happy family of four with the birth of a healthy baby boy. The baby's birth had been a much anticipated event, as the new baby represented a new beginning for Fitz and Olivia.

For Olivia, dealing with a newborn had been remarkably easier the second time around with extra pairs of hands available. Fitz was home more often during the first few months and Jessica took her role of big sister/mother's helper quite seriously and was always eager to assist in feeding her little brother or even in changing his diaper. Even the grandparents pitched in now that the rift had healed between Olivia and her mother-in-law.

Today was Sunday, and like nearly every Sunday, Fitz headed for the park with Jessica and eight month old son Xavier for part of the afternoon. Olivia usually came along too but today she'd decided to stay home resting; she'd been up most of the night with Xavier. He still was not sleeping through the night and to top it off, he was also teething.

As soon as they got to the park, Jessica raised for the swings. Fitz sat down on a bench and pulled the stroller around facing him. He looked into his son's eyes—a reflection of his mother's and smiled.

"How old is he?" Asked an older woman who sitting beside him with her grandchildren.

"He's eight months."

"Oh, my goodness. I love those loose curls! Oh, look at those lashes! So long and pretty! He's gonna be a heart-breaker one day."

Fitz laughed and he and the woman made small talk until it was time for her to go.

When Fitz turned to look at Xavier again, he was sound asleep.

"Hey, sleepy head. We're at the park. Wanna go on the slide?" Fitz grinned. It never failed. Every time they took Xavier out for a stroll or a ride in the car and his eyes would get droopy and fall asleep. If he only slept so well in his own crib at home. "Okay, little guy, sweet dreams," he mumbled as he carefully lowered the stroller to a horizontal position while holding on to the baby's head.

A peaceful calm settled around him as he watched his daughter swinging. Jessica was growing up fast and he was thankful that she was still a very sweet child who did not seem in a great hurry to become a teenager. She' d been a good sport when it came to her little brother even though her life had been turned upside down.

Life with a young baby who had trouble sleeping through the night had been a little chaotic but he wouldn't trade it for the world, Fitz thought.

Parenting had many rewards and he was thankful for his family. Xavier's birth had strengthened his marriage to Olivia. This time around, he was fully committed to being there for his family. This time around, he thought of time as a precious commodity. And he wasn't taking anything for granted. Oh, yes, time does indeed fly and most importantly, they don't stay little forever.

Sometimes, he got a bit nostalgic thinking about the passage of time. It seemed like only yesterday that they'd brought Jessica home from the hospital.

This time around, however, he was going to enjoy every minute of life with Xavier, he decided. The first time around he'd been too nervous and inexperienced but now life with a baby was so much better. He'd found himself being more relaxed around Olivia and the baby. As a result, they both took turns with daily parenting duties and they both enjoyed taking pictures of the children together and separately. He'd even started appreciating Olivia's passion for the field of photography. He'd asked questions. He'd taken a few pictures himself. And he'd come to appreciate her quest to obtain the 'perfect shot.'

Minutes later, Jessica returned to the bench with her new friend. Fitz said hello to the girl and she gave him a shy smile in return.

Jessica came to stand by the stroller and turned it so her friend could see the baby. "This is my baby brother Xavier. I babysit him all the time. I even know how to change his diapers."

"He's cute," the other girl mumbled.

"He's sleeping right now. But if he could talk he would tell you how lucky he is to have a twelve year old sister like Jessica. " Fitz said smiling at his daughter, not wanting to miss the opportunity to build up his daughter's self-esteem. Indeed, Xavier clearly adored his big sister especially when she played games and sang and laughed with him.

"Daddy, is so hot today…can we go for ice-cream afterwards?"

"Sure. We'll go and pick up your mom first."

Olivia's POV

Olivia was happy in her marriage. Right after that fateful day at the counselor's, she and Fitz had a heart to heart talk. They discussed their feelings at length.

She'd told him she understood his fear of being displaced by the baby and assured him that things would be different this time. This time she would consider his needs, this time she would encourage him to become more involved in the baby's day to day care. And she promised him they would continue going out on dates on a regular basis for the sake of their marriage.

Fitz had agreed to make their weekly dates a priority. He told her that when they first had Jessica, he thought they had all the time in the world. But as the weeks and then the years went by he'd become less cognizant of time. He regretted becoming so involved in his work to notice life passing him by. It wasn't until Olivia asked him for a divorce and then he'd wondered where all the time went-he'd been shocked to realize that his baby girl was no longer a baby but a child of nine.

Things were different now. Olivia felt their marriage was solid marriage and that when it came to parenting , they were a team.

At Dairy Queen

They arrived at the ice cream parlor late in the afternoon and sat at a table of four. Jessica hurried to get a high chair for Xavier.

They talked for a while before ordering. Jessica talked up a storm while Olivia and Fitz listened, asked questions and exchanged smiles.

A few minutes later, Fitz asked Olivia what she wanted.

"Just the usual for me." She replied while retrieving a toy rattle for Xavier.

Fitz and Jessica went to place their order at the counter. Jessica ordered a chocolate Sundae with extra fudge. Fitz got a vanilla and cookies and cream and a rainbow sorbet for Olivia. Both Olivia and Fitz were planning to share some of their ice cream with the baby.

Minutes later they were back with their tray. Xavier waved his arms excitedly.

"Look who's happy to see us," Fitz said in a playful tone, pulling his chair closer to his Olivia's "Well, don't get any ideas, young man. Good looks and a baby smile are not gonna get you more than your share of ice cream."

Olivia and Jessica laughed. Xavier waved his arms again and made little smacking sounds with his mouth.

"Hungry for something sweet, aren't you? Olivia Cooed, tying a bib around Xavier's neck.

"He's got a sweet tooth!" Jessica giggled. "Well, that's what grandma always says about me."

Jessica and Fitz ate several bites in a row of their ice cream while Olivia took her time savoring the first bite. She closed her eyes in absolute bliss and stole a glance at Fitz, and found him watching her. His gaze lingered on her lips, down her graceful neck and then down to her cleavage. Without words he was telling her he still found her quite attractive.

Olivia smirked back at her husband and for a moment forgot the children were there. But of course, Xavier had to steal the show.

"Eem!" Xavier shrieked his little hand stretched out pointing at the ice cream in his mother's bowl.

Olivia got a spoonful of her sorbet and brought it to his mouth. Xavier's eyes widened surprised at the coldness and sweetness of the treat. Then, he smiled the cutest toothless smile ever as his tongue got to fully savor the ice cream. "Eem!" He exclaimed again.

"I think he wants more mommy," Jessica giggled looking at Xavier affectionately.

"Oh, my goodness!" Olivia turner to the baby. "Did you just say ice cream?" Her glance shifted to Fitz. "Can you believe it? He said his first word!"

Fitz smiled, his gaze shifting between his wife and his children, happy that he'd been here to witness Xavier reaching an important milestone. He reached out for her his wife's hand and she clasped his, smiling. They were both fully in the moment. All his life he'd thought happiness was a temporary elusive feeling. But now he knew that true happiness was made of moments such as these.