I did not have the time I wanted or needed to get this done before Christmas. But, I did have some time, so I was able to write this up.

Chapter 2: New Beginnings

Olivia paced around her apartment, dreading what she had to do. And, she didn't know why. Well, she did. She didn't want to end her relationship with Eric over the phone. She felt that he deserved a face to face conversation, but she couldn't wait for that. She wasn't scheduled to go back to Chicago until the spring. It was her way of proving to herself that she could make it alone in the city. And, she certainly wasn't going to schedule an impromptu trip to have a conversation with a man who wouldn't make a trip to spend time with her. And, she wanted that relationship over so that she could be fully invested in Fitz and the promise of the relationship with him. He had been such a breath of fresh air. In less than twenty-four hours, he had given her a glimpse of what a relationship with him would be like. And, so far, she liked what she saw. And, she wanted more. He made her feel special and wanted. And, he had already proved that he would go out of his way to make her happy. So, why was she dreading this phone call?

The doorbell rang, pulling her out of her thoughts. She smiled, knowing it was Fitz with breakfast. But, she also promised him when he got back, she would be a single and available.

"That was qu-" She swung the door open and saw Eric of all people standing there with a suitcase and some roses.

"Hey babe," he grinned. "Surprise."

"Eric."

"Are you going to let me in?"

She couldn't believe that he was there. And, she felt like shit as she stepped aside to let him in. He had been planning a surprise trip to see her while she had been cheating on him, because she felt neglected.

"I didn't know you were coming," she said as he placed the roses in her hand.

"That's kind of the point of a surprise, Liv," he said as he kissed her.

She only allowed a peck, because she was feeling a mixture of guilt for cheating on him and no guilt at all.

"Man, I've missed kissing you," he said, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her to him. He paused and looked at the confusion etched across her face. "You really are shocked."

"I just...you gave no indication of coming to visit when I talked to you. In fact, you were being a total ass. A straight up dick."

He grinned. "I know. And, I'm sorry. When you wouldn't take my calls, I knew you were really pissed with me, and I was going to have to go above and beyond to make it up to you. So, I called my mom to see if she had any idea of what kind of gift I could get you that would say sorry for being a jerk. I was going to call Abby, but she doesn't like me that much. Anyway, my mom suggested that I just come see you, because that's what you wanted the most."

Olivia took a step back out of his embrace. "So, you weren't planning to come see me until your mom suggested it."

He shrugged out of his jacket. "I was coming. Just not this soon. But, she reminded me that you are a beautiful and intelligent woman," he wrapped his arm back around her. "And, if I didn't watch myself, some man was going to come steal you away from me. So, I'm here to make sure that doesn't happen."

"I don't believe you," she said as she stepped away from him and threw the roses on the couch.

"What?" Now he was the one confused. "I thought you wanted me to come visit you."

"I did. But, I wanted you to come because you missed me, and you needed to see me. Not to keep some man from stealing me away." She paused as tears filled her eyes. "Don't you miss me?"

"Don't start that crying shit," he said when he noticed her tears.

"Just answer the question," she said as she wiped her tears away.

"What question?"

"Didn't you miss me?"

"I'm here, aren't I?" She could tell he was getting annoyed and frustrated with her. And, she realized that was how he usually was when they were together. Normally, she would stop with this line of questioning and kiss him to keep the peace. But, they both had to be uncomfortable and continue having this conversation so she could free him from her life.

"Because your mom told you to come visit me," she reminded him.

"Does it matter who told me to come visit you?"

"Yes," she exclaimed. "Don't you get that?"

Before he could respond, the doorbell rang, and she knew it was Fitz.

"I hope whoever that is can get you to calm down some so that you can stop tripping over nonsensical shit," Eric said. "And get rid of them quick. You know I can't be around you and not want you. Even when you are being crazy," he said with a smile.

She opened the door a crack, not yet wanting Fitz to see Eric. He deserved to know what he was walking into, and if he wanted to walk into it.

"Hi. What's wrong?" Fitz asked noticing her tear stained face. "Are you okay?"

"Eric's here," she said quietly.

"Oh."

"I understand if you want to go," she whispered.

"Do you want me to go?"

She shook her head no.

"Then, I'll stay." He placed a comforting kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you," she whispered, and opened the door wider so that he could come in.

"Who is this?" Eric wanted to know.

"Fitz, this is Eric. Eric, this is Fitz. The man who stole me away from you," she mocked.

"The fuck," Eric exclaimed.

Fitz quietly placed the bags he had on the table and took off his coat, just in case he had to fight.

"Liv, what the fuck is going on?" Eric wanted to know.

Olivia knew he needed more of a complete answer. And, she was prepared to give him one.

"We're breaking up. I was going to call you and do it, but you showed up, so…"

"What do you mean we're breaking up?"

"Just what I said. I don't want to be with you anymore. I want to be with Fitz," she explained.

"So, when did this happen?"

"Last night."

"What? But, when did you meet him? Is this why you moved here?" He asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

"I met him last night."

"How the hell do you know you want to be with him, if you just met him? Have you fucked him?"

"Yes," she said, nonchalantly.

"Whore," Eric spit out.

"I've been quiet," Fitz started. "Letting Liv handle this the way she wants. But, I'm not going to let you call her a whore."

"This ain't got shit to do with you," Eric said, taking a step towards Fitz.

Olivia stepped between both men, even though she was almost certain it was unnecessary. Eric was 5'7" and Fitz towered over him. So, she was sure that Eric wasn't going to try to hit Fitz.

But, Fitz stepped around her, putting himself directly in front of Eric. "It does," he told him. "That's what she's been trying to tell you. What you had is over. She's with me, now."

"Your mom was right, Eric. A girl can only take so much neglect," Olivia told him.

"And, I can promise you that I will never neglect her," Fitz added.

"This is some bullshit," Eric said, taking a couple of steps back. "I didn't come all this way for you to tell me you're fucking somebody else."

"Eric, I don't want to be in this relationship anymore. It took me a while to realize it, but you don't put the same effort in this relationship that I do. You've taken me for granted too many times," Olivia explained. "If the roles were reversed, no one would have to convince me to come visit you. I would've been here with you, because I missed you. I need to be with someone who will miss me when I'm hundreds of miles away. And, that's obviously not you."

Eric stood there huffing for a while, and Olivia knew he was trying to decide if he was going to fight for her or not. And, she knew his answer before he did.

She wasn't even surprised when he said, "This is bullshit." He grabbed his suitcase and left, slamming her door on his way out.

Olivia sighed loudly and collapsed back against Fitz. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight to him.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. That was just exhausting."

Fitz kissed the top of her head. "Tell me what you need," he said softly.

"Spend the day with me," she requested.

"I was going to ask if I could, anyway."

She turned around and faced him with a smile on her face. "Do you want to go home and get some clean clothes?"

"Wasn't planning on wearing any. However, I would prefer if we spent the day at my place."

"Why?"

"Because you don't have any food," he said and gave her a quick kiss. "So, until I go grocery shopping and fill your fridge and pantry, we're going to spend our days at my place."

She laughed. "Okay. And just to be sure, you did say that you were going to be the one to go grocery shopping."

"Yes," He laughed. "So, pack a bag. I want to wake up next to you in the morning."

They had barely spent any time apart since their first night together. They had gone on multiple dates, and gotten Olivia acquainted with the city. They also split their time between her apartment and his. He had kept his word and filled her pantry and fridge so he wouldn't starve when he was at her place. Sometimes, she would work, and he would do some research. There were a couple of nights when he had to leave to perform an emergency surgery. Other times, they would just spend time together like they were doing at that moment. It felt like they had been a couple for years, instead of a couple of weeks. And, it was nice. He absolutely adored her, and the feeling was mutual.

"Where did you learn to cook," Olivia asked. She was sitting on the counter wearing one of Fitz's button up shirts as she watched him maneuver his way around the kitchen, putting finishing touches on Christmas dinner.

"My mom. You know I told you she has her own restaurant. My sister and I were forced to help out. What I considered torture as a young boy turned out to be a lifelong skill. And now," he said, placing a small green bean in her mouth. "A way to keep my girlfriend fed."

She grinned. "That's delicious. What is it?"

"Sesame green beans."

"And, did you just call me your girlfriend?"

He had been so certain when he said it, that he didn't stop to think about it. And, she didn't say anything at first, so he thought maybe she didn't hear him. Now, he was filled with uncertainty. "Too soon?"

"Too perfect," she said and kissed him.

He rubbed his hands along her thighs. "My shirt looks good on you."

She grinned. "It does. And, that feels good."

"Does it," he whispered as he moved his hands further up to her hips.

She moaned. "Yes. But," she moved his hands. "We're supposed to be starting Christmas traditions."

"This could be a new tradition," he said and kissed her neck.

"Didn't we just make this a tradition a couple of hours ago. Besides, you promised that you would watch It's A Wonderful Life with me while we drink hot chocolate.

I did," he said and lifted her off of the counter.

"Yes," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "So, do I get homemade hot chocolate?"

"Do you want homemade hot chocolate?"

She smiled. "I do."

"Then, you shall have homemade hot chocolate," he said and got the chocolate out of the pantry.

"I'll get the movie started," she said and went in the living room to start the movie.

A few minutes later, Fitz brought in the cups of chocolate and they snuggled together on the couch, watching It's A Wonderful Life.

"Fitz, are you crying?" Olivia asked when the movie ended.

"So are you," he told her.

"I told you I was going to cry. But, you were trying to hide it. Oh my," she said and grabbed his face and kissed him. "You're so cute."

"Because I'm crying?"

"And, trying to hide it," she said and wiped his tears.

"So, you don't think seeing me cry makes me weak?"

"No. Of course not. You cried in front of me. That means you feel comfortable enough to do something you consider weak in front of me. Granted you tried to hide it, but you didn't deny it. Plus, I know that it actually takes strength to cry in front of someone," she said.

He kissed her. "You're amazing. And, it only makes me want to give you your present. So, I have another idea for a Christmas tradition," Fitz said as he looked at the time on his his phone.

"What's that?"

"Let's open gifts at midnight."

"Okay," she said, getting his gift from under the tree.

"I hope you like it," she said as she gave it to him.

"It's from you, so I'm going to love it," he said as he opened it.

She watched with apprehension as he opened his gift.

"Do you hate it?" Olivia asked as he looked the Movado watch. "You hate it, don't you?"

"No. I love it," he said, putting it on his wrist. "And, it's just what I need. But, I never took the time to get one."

"Great," she said. She had called Abby about the whole gift thing, and she had given her the idea.

"Abby, I don't know what to get him. Should I get him anything? We haven't even been dating a full week. But, I'm pretty sure we'll still be together for Christmas. And, Christmas is a couple of weeks away." She was frenzy with worry about how to approach Christmas with a brand new relationship.

"Yes, you should get him something. Because, from what you've told me about Fitz, he's definitely getting you something. What does he like?"

"Cooking. Being outside in nature. We're going hiking soon."

"You're going hiking?" Abby asked with disbelief.

"Yes," Olivia said with exasperation. "I still don't know how or why I agreed to it. "

"Ooh girl. You're falling hard."

"I know," Olivia admitted. "And it's so nice. Abby, you never know what you're missing in your life until you meet someone who gives you everything you were missing. He does that. Everything that was missing in my life…" She sighed. "He fulfills me."

"Damn. Does he have a brother?"
"Abby, you're in a relationship," Olivia laughed.

"It can end," she said, casually.

Olivia continued to laugh. "And no. A sister."

"I can do a girl. Remember that time in college," Abby began.

"She's married with kids."

"The good ones usually are."

"You're crazy."

Abby chuckled. "I'm happy for you, Liv. I've wanted this for you for a long time. And, I have to say, even though my trip there was cancelled, because of him."

Olivia cut her off. "You cancelled your own trip," she reminded her.

"Because I didn't want to accidentally see or hear you having sex. I"m not coming to visit until you've been together long enough that you've gotten used to each other, and you can survive without spending every waking minute together," Abby told her.

Olivia laughed. "I don't know if that's ever going to happen. I love spending time with him."

"Give it some time," Abby told her. "But, like I was saying, even though my trip there was cancelled because of him, I like Fitz. You are happy."

"I am. I don't know the last time I was this happy in a relationship."

"Just get him a watch," Abby said. "And, next year, you can put some real thought into it."

"Great idea. I noticed that he doesn't really wear a watch. He checks the time on his phone," Olivia said.

"Well, there you go," Abby said.

"And, this is for you," he said, offering her a gift box.

She opened it and saw a 14k white gold 4 carat diamond tennis bracelet. "Wow. I don't know what to say."

"Don't say it's too much," Fitz said. "Because you deserve it."

She looked up at him and then back at the bracelet. "It's beautiful," she said. "I love it."

"I was hoping you would like it," he said as he placed it on her wrist. "My life is so much better because of you. Before I met you, I was kind of just existing. Now, I'm living. My life has meaning. I'm living and truly enjoying life because you're in my life. There's not really a gift that says that. So, I decided to go with priceless."

She smiled. "I know the feeling. You know how much I hated it here. I don't anymore. This feels like home. You feel like home," she said with a smile as she stared in his eyes. "I think…" she paused as she continued to stare in his eyes.

"What?" He searched her eyes.

She cleared her throat and glanced away. "Are we moving too fast?" She asked softly and looked at the floor.

"Do you think we are?"

"I don't know. I…" she looked back at the floor, but he placed a finger under her chin and gently lifted her face so that she could look in his eyes.

"I think I'm falling in love with you," she said and cast her eyes down. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but he heard her.

He caressed her cheek. "I'm falling in love with you, too. Is that wrong?"

"No. It feels right. But-"

"No buts. You said it feels right. So, let's just let it happen. Let's get out of the way, and let what's happening with us happen. Okay?"

She nodded her head. "Okay."

He brought her face to his and planted soft kisses on her face. Her forehead, the bridge of her nose, the corners of her mouth, her upper lip and then he captured her mouth with his.

His hand found their way under her shirt to her waist. His fingers toying with the lace on her panties. She lifted her body slightly, allowing him to pull them off. Breaking their kiss for a moment, Olivia grabbed the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head. She caressed his massive chest and abs and placed soft kisses on his body as she moved her hand inside his pants, massaging him as she felt him harden in her hand. He quickly pushed his pants and boxers down.

She looked at him and smiled. "Anxious?"

He grinned. "A little bit." He pulled her back to him and kissed her again.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and slid forward onto his lap, as their tongues met. Her fingers caressed his hair at the nape of his neck. He moved his kisses to her neck as he started unbuttoning her shirt, gliding his lips along her collarbone and shoulders as he pushed the shirt from her body. His fingers igniting flames of passion every time he caressed her. He moved his hand to her center, gliding his fingers between her wet folds as she moaned and gripped his shoulders. He moved a finger inside her, followed by a second as he massaged her clit with her thumb, stroking and caressing her until she came, biting down on his shoulder. He waited until her body stopped shuddering and she started kisses him softly on his neck and stood with her in his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to his bedroom. He placed her on the bed and got a condom out of the nightstand and put it on.

He climbed back on the bed with her, positioned himself between her legs, and slowly entered her, moving deep inside her as he gazed in her eyes. She closed her eyes and threw her head back at the pleasure of him being inside her. She gripped his back, feeling the deep muscles underneath her fingertips.

She moaned. He was so deep inside her the pleasure was almost unbearable. "You're so deep,"

"Too much?"

She shook her head. "Never."

They had a rhythm that was all their own where they each felt like they were consumed by each other, but it was so delicious that they never wanted it to end. But, the pleasure was so intense, it was inevitable. The heat flooded through her body as she cried out in ecstasy, and Fitz was right there with her. He rested his forehead on hers. She reached up and kissed his lips.

He grabbed a Kleenex and disposed of the condom. He rolled onto his back and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her with him.

She held her hand up and looked at the bracelet. The light from the moon danced across the diamonds.

"It really is beautiful," she said. "But, the best gift is you, and what is happening between us."

"I agree." He pulled her closer and kissed her. "Spend New Year's Eve with me."

She looked up at him. "Where else would I be?"

"I wasn't sure if your job was having some kind of New Year's Eve thing."

"They're not. Even if they were, I want us to spend New Year's Eve together," she told him.

And that's exactly what they did. Fitz cooked dinner, and they enjoyed a quiet evening together.

"So, how do you usually bring in the New Year?" Olivia asked.

"At the hospital."

"Do that many people need heart surgery?"

"Not just heart surgery," Fitz said. "I operate on lungs, the esophagus, you know whatever is in the thoracic cavity. I also do tests to see if surgery is needed."

"I see. That has to keep you pretty busy."

"It does."

"So, the nights when you leave to perform an emergency surgery, it isn't always heart."

He shook his head. "No. So, what about you?"

"Parties with my friends."

"Do you miss them?"

"My friends? Yes. The parties? No. I only went so that I wouldn't be alone with...Eric. And, Abby has a way of making everything okay. At least for the moment."

"She sounds like a great friend," he noted.

"She is."

"I can't wait to meet her."

"She feels the same way about you. But, she says she's not coming to visit until we can stand being apart for an extended amount of time," Olivia told him.

"That's a shame," Fitz joked. "I was really looking forward to meeting her."

"My sentiments exactly," Olivia said. She smiled and leaned across the table to kiss him.

"Come on," he said. He took his napkin out of his lap and placed it on the table. He took her hand and led her out to the balcony. "It's almost midnight," he said.

"I still can't get over how beautiful this view is," she said, as she looked over the city.

"Wait a minute." He went inside and turned on the radio.

"They listened as the radio announcer started the countdown and when he finally got to zero, they kissed as fireworks went off all around them.

"Happy New Year, Livvie."

"Happy New Year, Fitz."

"I can't wait to start this new year with you," Fitz said.

"That makes two of us," Olivia said. "I'm so excited to start this year with the man I love."

"Did you just say you love me."

Olivia smiled. "I did. I do," she confessed.

Fitz smiled. "Good. Because I love you too."

And no, I haven't forgotten about First & Goal. It's just that those chapters are longer, and take way more time. And, time really isn't something I have a lot of lately. Plus, I've kind of lost my writing mojo. Writing this helped get it back. So, I will be able to update First & Goal soon.