Hiii *covers face* it's been awhile huh?Thanks to those who's still here and interested in my stories even though I've been absent from here for..what has it been 6-7 months? Anyyywayyy, I don't have as much free time to write anymore. But I won't be going anywhere either. I still want to give you guys updates and new stuff to read because shit, Olitz still owns me. I don't know when the next update will be but for now I hope this little chapter isn't too bad. (p.s. I need to get back into rhythm because this chapter alone took me wayy too long to put together. I literally had to motivate myself to write.) Until next time..
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The sun was out. The roads were bustling as people were starting their day. Ah..just another Monday morning.
Allison and her dad were on their way out the front door when the little girl stopped dead in her tracks.
"Oh no!" She exclaimed, wide eyed.
"What's the matter sweetheart?"
"Daddy where's Ellie The Elephant? I can't go to school without it daddy I'll get in trouble."
Ellie the Elephant, a plush toy, was the class mascot and each kid had gotten the chance to take Ellie home with them for one day. The responsibility that came with it all stirred much excitement amongst the young ones.
"Didn't Ellie sleep in your bed?"
"No. Daaddd I don't want to get in trouble, we have to find it."
"Well can you remember the last place you put it?"
"Umm. .well. . Oh! I know! I had it when we watched the movie last night."
"Alright then let's go and take a look in the living room."
The duo looked everywhere in the living room but failed to find the plush toy.
"Daaaad. . ." She was definitely worried now.
"Hey don't worry, it has to be here somewhere and I'm sure we'll find it."
"Call mommy." Allison pleaded with slumped shoulders.
Fitz smiled and pulled out his phone. "Great idea."
"Hey babe I can't really talk right now, is this important?" Olivia answered.
"Sorry I know you guys are super busy but this is kinda important. Please tell me you know where Ellie The Elephant is. Alli and I have turned the living room upside down but couldn't find it."
"It's on the chair in her room next to the laundry basket."
"Are you sure?"
On the other end of the line Olivia sighed, "Yes Fitz of course I'm sure. How did neither of you two see it there?"
"Probably because she came crawling into our bed some time after you had left and I dozed off as well then we almost overslept so we had to get ready in a bit of a rush. It was a little crazy this morning." He rambled off.
"Ugh. Remind me to never leave for work early again. Did you guys even have breakfast?"
"Yeah just cereal."
"What about her hair?"
"She's sorted out, don't worry."
"You usually need to take your time to do her hair babe. Are you sure--"
"I just tied it up in a ponytail and she's okay with it."
"Fine. Please just make sure she's not late for school."
"Will do. I love you."
"Love you too, bye."
As soon as Fitz ended the call Allison looked expectantly up at him. "Does mom know where Ellie is?"
"Yep. On the chair in your room. I'll go and fetch it."
"Hurry daddy."
Later that same day Olivia picked Allison up from school and together they went to meet Fitz for lunch.
"Is daddy inside?" Allison asked, skipping alongside her mother to the front entrance of a popular local restaurant.
"Yes, he's already waiting."
"I can't wait to show him my painting."
Olivia smiled proudly. "He's gonna love it sweetie."
Once inside, the girls both exchanged loving hugs with Fitz.
"My best girls." Fitz said with an affection smile.
"Daddy I have to show you my painting I did in class." The little girl started rummaging through her backpack with excitement.
"Ohh I bet it's super nice."
"Fitz do you know what you're going to eat?" Liv asked flipping mindlessly through the menu.
"Uhm.. I think I'll just have the ribs with fries and no onion rings."
"Okay."
Olivia studied the menu further to decide what she wanted to have while hearing their daughter animatedly explaining her artwork to Fitz.
"Allison can I order you some mac and cheese or would you like to have the chicken nuggets?"
"Oh umm.. the nuggets please. And a milkshake!"
"Nice try sweet pea. Water or juice. Choose one."
"But moomm.."
Liv shook her head. "Those are your options."
Allison turned to her father. "Daddy are you gonna order a milkshake for yourself?"
Their slyness never slipped past Olivia.
"Fitz, don't even." She laughed.
"What? Why can't I order a milkshake?"
"You two are trying to be slick."
"But--"
"Water or juice. And now that goes for both of you."
Father and daughter had matching pouts and it was melting Olivia's heart to no end.
"Water." They replied in unison.
Olivia wasn't necessarily a health freak but she didn't want Allison to get used to too many unhealthy eating habits. Too much junk food and sweet treats has never done anybody any good.
"Mommy can I go play?"
The kids' play area was well within sight from where they were seated so Olivia didn't have a problem with it - as long as she had an eye on Alli.
"Okay baby, but only until the food gets here then you gotta be back. Got it?"
"Got it!"
Allison removed her shoes at a rapid pace and bolted off.
"Fitz I have to attend a conference for work next week with two of my colleagues. It's being held in Pittsburgh."
"I see. When do you leave?"
"Wednesday and I won't be back until Friday. Will you be okay on your own with Alli?"
"Wait, this Wednesday? As in the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes.. I know, it's short notice and i'm really sorry. I tried to get out of it and get Margo to go instead but she's busy putting together a pitch for a huge contract we're trying to secure."
"Hey no I didn't mean it like that, come on, this is your job. And yes, Alli and I will be fine."
Olivia smirked. "Are you sure? Because I left a little earlier this morning and you literally overslept babe."
He laughed. "Almost overslept. We just woke up slightly later than usual that's all. Anyway, we'll be fine, really. Don't worry."
"What does your work schedule look like for those three days?"
"Well my patients usually start coming in at around ten so that's fine but if I have any appointments during the time to fetch Alli from school then I'll move those. It's not a problem."
"Okay. And you can just drop her off at my mom's place after school if you have to get back to work."
"Livvie?"
"What?"
"Please stop worrying. I can take of her." His voice was gentle and sweet.
"I'm not worried, I know you can take care of her. You're an amazing dad. But I do know that she'll be trying to take her chances while I'm away because she knows daddy can't say no to her."
"How are you literally immune to thosd puppy dog eyes of hers though?"
His question gave Olivia a genuine belly laugh. "I'm truly not, I just don't let it get to me...for the most part. Because sometimes she'll catch me off guard and I'll be a sucker but that doesn't happen too often."
"Well it's a little more difficult for the rest of us. Consider yourself lucky."
"What are talking about? You're her favourite person mister so you have absolutely nothing to complain about."
Several minutes went by until Fitz went to get Allison from the play area.
"Daddyyy I'm not hungry right nowww." She nagged as they approached their table.
"Baby you can go back to playing after you've sat down and had your lunch." Olivia said gently.
"But momma I just made new friends and they're still playing. I just want to play with them."
"That's nice and of course you can play with them but only after you've had something to eat. Come here, let me put some sanitizer on your hands before you touch your food."
Allison was being stubborn.
"Alli, are you being difficult right now?"
"I just wanna go and play mommy please." The little girl begged in a sad voice.
"And what about the chicken nuggets mommy ordered for you?"
Fitz was eating while watching their exchange until he finally decided to jump in. "Hey princess why don't you just have a quick bite. You can't play on an empty stomach otherwise you won't have that much fun."
Alli eyed her dad, looked at her food, then over to her mom. "Okay."
Fitz tossed his daughter a smile. "Thank you."
She gobbled down two of the nuggets and a gulp of water before she shot off towards the play area again, leaving her parents amused.
"She's gonna fall asleep in the car on our way home then she'll wake up later being grumpy because she'll be hungry."
Fitz chuckled, shaking his head. "That's our Alli."
"So babe, how's your mom?" Liv asked, changing the subject.
"She's good. We still talk a lot on the phone but she mostly just asks about Alli."
"Will she be visiting again anytime soon?"
"It is something we've talked about and I've told her that she's welcome here anytime."
"I really want Allison to have a good relationship with her. Even if she can't visit or we don't have time to go over there, then a phone call every now and then will also do. As long as they keep in touch by talking to each other and bonding."
"You're right. And of course it's unfortunate that we're so far apart."
"It is.. Does she miss you though?"
Fitz laughed quietly before answering, "I don't think so. I think she's more content and at ease knowing I'm right where I want to be. With the two people I love and adore the most."
"You're sweet." Olivia smiled and got up. She left a chaste kiss on Fitz's cheek. "I'm gonna go get our kid."
"Okay, I'll get the bill."
The family of three made their way out of the restaurant as Fitz walked his girls to their car.
"Bye daddy!"
Fitz gave his daughter a forehead kiss after placing her securely in her booster seat. "Bye princess."
He shut the door and pulled Olivia into his arms. "See you tonight. I love you."
They shared a quick kiss.
"Love you too. Now go on, you gotta get back to work Dr. Grant."
"Wait wait wait!"
"What?"
He pulled her back in a playful nature. "Give me one more kiss."
"For you, anytime." She giggled and cupped his face in her small hands as their lips connected.