The house that we built
CHAPTER 1: ON MY MIND
THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO #GLADIATORS EVERYWHERE! I LOVE OUR SCANDAL FAMILY! XX
These walls put up by hand, each brick placed with hope. The fire place laid with bewildering expectation. Each element crafted on dreams. Dreams of Vermont… and the house that love built.
Fitz sat behind his desk in the oval office and watched as his gorgeous wife waddled towards him. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of a heavily pregnant Olivia Pope; her small frame supporting the new life they had created together.
Olivia caught him staring at her and stopped in her tracks; one hand resting on her enormous baby bump, the other on her hip. "Fitzgerald Thomas Grant the III, didn't anyone tell you it's rude to stare?" Fitz chuckled, smiling even wider than before. He pulled himself out of his chair and walked over to his wife. "Yes… but I'm allowed a little leeway because I'm the leader of the free world and my pregnant wife if gorgeous."
He knelt down in front of her and placed both hands on her belly; delighted when he felt little feet kick out at him. Olivia ran a hand through his hair as he spoke to her stomach. "Hey there buddy, that's a pretty mean kick you got there. You know mommy and I can't wait to meet you." Olivia smiled, watching Fitz talk to their unborn child. He was so happy; happier that she had ever seen him.
She lifted his chin towards her, motioning for him to stand up; he obliged, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. Smiling, Olivia side stepped past Fitz but not quick enough. Fitz grabbed at her, wrapping his arms around her; placing his hands on her belly and gently nuzzling her neck. "And where do you think you're going?"
Olivia smiled and intertwined their fingers. "Fitz… I have some news…" He kissed her cheek, 'Okay… good or bad?" Olivia turned in his arms, her enormous belly cresting a barrier between them; "well I think it's good news.." Fitz frowned a little, "you dont seem so convinced… Liv? what is it?" Liv fiddled with the lapels of his suit jacket. "You said things were going to be different than how they were with Mellie right?"
Fitz nodded and pushed a strand of hair out of her face. "Liv, I love you, your the love of my life… that in itself makes things completely different… but yes everything is different… why? what's wrong?" Olivia planted a surprise kiss on Fitz's lips. In that moment all of the pain and heartache of the past melted away. She released his lips and looked into his eyes.
"I went to the Dr. today." Fitz frowned; panicked. "Are you and the baby okay? What happened. You should have called me." Placing a finger to his lips to silence him, she pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and gave it to him. "I wanted to surprise you." Fitz took the paper from her and stared at it in amazement. "Is… that?"
He looked up momentarily to catch Olivia nodding, "Yes… and I know you usually find out the sex of the baby in an interview or from the Drs, but I wanted this to be our moment, we can release a statement later ob but I…" Fitz stopped her from saying anything else. "I love you…. Thank you for being you.' Olivia smiled. "I would totally understand if you dont want to know.
Fitz shook his head, "No I wanna know…" He placed both hands on her belly again… "Okay, are you sure Fitz?" He kissed her lips, "I have never been more sure about anything." She nodded, "In just over 3 months we will be welcoming a baby…."
Fitz snapped awake, alone in bed. He rubbed his weary face with his hands and sighed. He stretch out his arm across the empty side of the bed; stone cold. No one had been there in a while. His moment of thought was interrupted by the phone on the night stand ringing, causing him to jump a little. "Hello?"
It was Cyrus. His very unwanted wake up call.
Fitz felt deflated; it had all been just a dream. He sighed, sitting up, swinging his feet over the edge of the bed and onto the floor. Today was gonna suck. Cyrus had informed him of what his day was going to look like; all Fitz knew was that his mind wouldn't be on any of it. He would spend the day trying to recapture the images and feelings of his dream. It had been nearly an hour since Cyrus had called and he made his presence known once again with a knock on the door. "Mr. President?" Today was going to suck.
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Olivia closed her eyes and tried to will herself back to sleep. It wasn't working of course but she thought she should try. She didn't usually give into fantasies, especially ones that involved a certain high powered politician, but the dream she had abruptly woken from had been nothing short of amazing. There was no doubt that it would be lingering in the back of her mind. She sighed heavily as her phone rang on the night stand. "Olivia Pope". She listened to the voice on the other end of the call, sitting up she began to get ready. The day was starting early.
Olivia phoned the others on her way to the office and filled them in on the next "scandal" they were taking on. The elevator door opened in front of her and she stepped off, catching a glimpse of the plaque that emblazoned the door in front go her; Olivia Pope & Associates. It was her family; these people she had found along there way had become her people. She pushed the door open and stepped into her domain. Waving at Huck who sat furiously typing on his computer, Olivia made her way to her office. Abby joined her on the way, handing her a folder of information. "The others should be ready in a few minutes, we're set up in the conference room". Olivia nodded and closed the door behind them as they entered her office; she hadn't said a word. Abby eyed her suspiciously; she could tell something was bothering her friend and it was never good when Liv wasn't on top of her game.
Olivia had sat down at her desk and begun scanning the folder. She must have zoned out and came crashing back to reality when Abby placed a hand on her shoulder. "Liv?… Are you okay?" Olivia shook her head and looked up at Abby, "I'm fine, the other's ready?" Without waiting for a response, she sprung from her chair and headed for the conference room; Abby close behind. Huck and Quinn looked up from their respective laptops as Liv entered, "Where are we?"
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After a lengthy rant from Cyrus about the importance of punctuality, Fitz had finally made it to the Oval Office. Removing his suit jacket, he slumped down into his chair. He had a few moments to sit in silence before the barrage of the day would begin. He peered at the framed pictures on his desk; Karen, Jerry and baby Teddy. He stopped at the frame closest to the middle of the desk; it was a picture of him and Liv while they were on the campaign trail, they were both pointing to something out shot. They were happy; together. Fitz picked up the frame and thumbed the glass. His moment was broken by the door opening and Cyrus walking in. He placed the frame back on the desk and looked at Cyrus expectantly, "what's first?"
Cyrus could tell something was up with Fitz from the moment he had given him his wake up call, and walking into the Oval Office just now had confirmed what the problem was; Olivia Pope. He eyed the president cautiously, trying to decide the best way to approach the situation. He walked over to the desk. Cyrus decided it was better to leave the situation for the moment. "You have a meeting with the joint chiefs on the "flightzone" issue, then we need to get you to the hill to the senate announcement." Fitz ran a hand through his hair, "so an easy day then?" Cyrus cocked his head to the side and chuckled, "aren't they all?"
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"Congressman Trey Jackson., 35, hails from Missouri, lives right here in D.C. Youngest man to obtain a congressional seat. Fights for stricter drugs laws, supports underprivileged youth and according to essence magazine he looks good doing it; voting him #5 in the hottest 100 of 2013. Your regular boy scout; that was until last night when he was accused of sexual assault by one, Scott Williams." Olivia listened intently as Abby rattled off the key points of the case. She nodded as Abby concluded, 'okay. What do we have on his accuser Scott Williams?"
It was now Quinn's turn to deliver, 'Scott Allen Williams, 30, graduate of Georgetown, majored in political science, works for the office of congressman Jackson. Hasn't been in any serious trouble, a few parking tickets but thats it. He's pretty clean. Huck stood up and handed Olivia a piece of paper, 'I looked into his financials. He's doing pretty well for a congressional aide. No student loans, drives a 2012 E-Class, black. Has a few G's in the bank".
Olivia frowned. "No loans and how much is a few G's?" Huck shrugged, "no loans and from the bank accounts I could find he's got exactly $47,342.69". Liv looked at the board infront of her; photos, bank statements and other information. 'Get the congressman in here. I want all the details. Huck see if you can get into his email and social media accounts, I need more on Mr. Williams. Abby, Quinn, find Mr. Williams and had a chat with him; low key, we don't want to tip our hand just yet.
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Fitz could feel himself dozing off in his meeting with the joint chiefs. Normally he would have loved to hear all about the problems with the fly zones set up by the UN but today he just could deal with it. He raised his hand, stopping a general in his tracks, "gentlemen, I know protecting our skies and the pilots flying through them is important, I do. I just seem to recall hearing all of this last week. can you all honestly tell me that you've come up with nothing to fix these problems since then?" The room remained silent; feeling like a chastised child. Acknowledging this Fitz continued, 'since that is the case I'm going to leave you all to think of something, if you can't come up with some solutions, I might have to consider that you are not after all the men for the job!" With that he stood, the rest of the room following suit "Mr. President." Fitz nodded and left the room. Cyrus gathered his papers, "I suggest you all come up with something… quickly". They all nodded and watched him leave; the door clicking closed softly behind him.
NOTE: There's chapter 1 done and dusted. Hope you all like this story. reviews, favs and alerts mean a lot. please dont be afraid to tell me what you think or where you might like the story to go. much love XX MEL XX