This is just a little something I found on my laptop. I forgot I even wrote it. I thought I'd post it and see if anyone's interested. I hope you enjoy!

He's married! He has children! How could I have been so stupid?! The thoughts of Olivia Pope. Those and...

"Hey honey...I know, I'm sorry...I lost track of time. I'll be home soon. Let me just finish up the rest of my work. I'm almost done...Half an hour to an hour tops, alright...I love you too and give the kids kisses for me since I won't make it home in time to do it myself...bye."

...his side of the conversation with his wife playing on a continuous loop in her head.

In life, people capable of doing so, have the ability to make their own decisions. Some good, some bad. The bad are considered mistakes. Tonight was a mistake. Fornicating with a married man was a mistake, one she regretted dearly. In her defense though, she had no knowledge of his marriage or children until after the crime of adultery had already been committed because he failed to mention those important details about his life to her during the various conversations they had over dinner and before Olivia started riding him in the front passenger seat of her parked vehicle.

They had barely gotten off when his wife called his phone, questioning his whereabouts. He did what any man in his position would've... he lied, straight through his teeth. He told her he was working late, which was very common in his profession. He was a lawyer who recently became employed at the same firm Olivia worked for. Curtis Pryce was his name. He was the three A's- arrogant, assured, and attractive. At least that was how he was perceived. Maybe he was a nice guy buried deep inside trying like hell to get everyone to notice him or maybe him being a pompous asshole was just a front he put on at work. There could be a millions reasons for his behavior.

Olivia thought differently about him after the way he acted one night when the two of them along with a few of their colleagues went out for drinks after work. Curtis was down to earth and surprisingly had a sense of humor. He loosened his tie, rolled up his sleeves, and mingled with the common folk. His personality did a complete one-eighty. Olivia wasn't repulsed by the very sight of him anymore. Instead, she was eager to see him. Their arguments were no longer arguments but banter between two enemies turned friends, later with benefits. Later came and went like a thief in the night. Their little fling didn't even last a week. Embarrassed, ashamed, and angry beyond words, Olivia sped home.

"Well that was quick. I wasn't expecting to see you until tomorrow… much later tomorrow." Abby commented as Olivia made her way into the living room where her best friend was reading some foolish romance novel and nursing a healthy glass of red wine.

With a scowl on her face, Olivia grumbled, "Neither was I."

She took a seat on the opposite end of the same couch Abby was sitting on. Abby immediately picked up on her somber mood. Her smirk was replaced with a frown.

"Uh oh. What happened? And don't tell me nothing. You look pissed. Something had to have happened. Was the date a bust? Did you guys fuck? Oh no, don't tell me, the sex was horrible? Bummer, all that handsomeness just to be lousy lay."

Olivia shook her head.

"No, the sex was fine, great even. That's not why I'm...did you know he was married and had kids?" Olivia blurted out. The question was rhetorical, not at all an accusation.

"HE'S WHAT?!" Olivia immediately shushed her, reminding her of the little girl, who should be fast asleep, down the hall. "Sorry...he's what?" She whisper yelled with fury in her eyes as red as her hair.

Scoffing in disbelief, "He's married with kids, can you believe that?"

"What a dick. How did you find out about his family?"

The two women, who more like sisters than friends, faced each other as they conversed.

"His wife called him." Olivia buried her face in her hands. "I can't believe I was so stupid. I fell for yet another douchebag. Why can't I just find a man, one man who genuinely likes me for me and not just for my looks? One man who would love Laila like she was his own daughter?" Olivia asked no one in particular, however, Abby still answered.

"He's out there somewhere, you just gotta believe it."

Olivia sighed, "I know, I know but it's so hard to when I keep getting involved with loser after loser. It's been a revolving door of them since Jake."

Her deadbeat baby daddy.

"I know babes. Just keep looking. I'm sure you'll find the right man someday."

"Yeah, maybe."

She wasn't convinced. Abby made it sound so simple but finding her knight in shining armor was proving to be anything but that. It seemed like it wasn't going to happen...ever. Olivia felt like her chances of finding Mr. Right were slim to none and her patience was wearing thin. She was considering giving up men altogether. Love, romance, fairytale endings, it was all bullshit to her. It didn't exist and she was witnessing that firsthand.

Abby, ever the optimistic, "That's the spirit."

Olivia offered her a weak smile. At least she hadn't fully given up yet. There was still some fight in her. As long as the light, although dim, was in her eyes, Abby wasn't worried. She closed her book and stood up. "Well, I'm gonna head home now."

Olivia stood also and embraced her.

"Thanks again Abby for watching Laila tonight."

Abby waved her off, "You know I'll always jump at the chance to spend time with my goddaughter."

"I know." Olivia walked her to the door. "Give David my love."

"Will do."

They exchanged farewell hugs and heartfelt "I love yous" before Abby departed. Olivia downed the rest of the wine Abby was sipping on, afterwards placing the empty glass in the sink. She'd wash it in the morning. After turning off all of the lights, she made her way to her daughter's room, stopping briefly in her own to kick off her heels. Although her night didn't end how she quite envisioned it would, that didn't necessarily mean it would end on a bad note either. Being able to kiss her daughter goodnight or simply be in her presence was both a privilege and blessing for Olivia.

As quietly as she could, she opened the door to Laila's imaginative room. Walking through it was like walking through a minefield with all of the toys aimlessly thrown all over the floor. Olivia had to be cautious. She carefully watched every step she took because one wrong one would result in pain for her and possibly waking up her daughter who sleeping peacefully like the little angel she was.

Safely making it to the twin bed her daughter was resting on, she watched the six year old snooze without a single worry. Olivia wanted to keep it like that forever if possible. The world was a cruel place filled with sin and she wanted to protect Laila from it. She never wanted her daughter to experience hurt, disappointment, or heartbreak, especially heartbreak. Laila was too pure for that - too precious. Of course Olivia was bias but what parent wasn't when it came to their child/children?

However, Olivia would admit her daughter had only one flaw...leaving her toys out all over the place despite being told numerous times a day to clean them up. Like right now...almost all of her dolls were littered around her room. Olivia picked each of them up and put them where they belonged.

The only doll she left be was the one Laila was clutching to her chest. It was Laila's favorite doll, a Mellie doll. Mellie was the new and improved Barbie that came with a fashion line and too many accessories. Her two-story house costed almost the same amount as a real life one. Mellie's counterpart was a doll named Fitz, the new and improved Ken. He too, had his own fashion line and an abundant amount of accessories to choose from. They were the two dolls every four, five, six, seven, eight, and maybe nine year olds just had to have. Stores couldn't keep them in stock.

Fitz was the last toy that needed to be put away. Olivia hesitated with him in her hand. There was something about him that was...captivating. Maybe it was his deep blue eyes she was having trouble pulling her doe ones away from. Whatever it was seized her attention. Olivia remembered all of the hype that surrounded his doll. She remembered seeing ton of promotions all over the toy store Laila often begged her to take her to and on TV spots. He was advertised as every girl's dream guy. He was the perfect gentleman. He was supposed to be a role model - an example of how a male should treat a female. Words like ideal, refined, gracious, dashing, charming, sensitive and plenty of others were associated with him.

If only Olivia could find a man in real life that have the same attributes like the piece of plastic she was holding in her hand. She wanted a Fitz, not the doll but a Fitz.

"I wish I had a man like you."

It just so happened when she made that unwitting wish a shooting star flew across the night sky. She chuckled at herself. She thought she was pathetic and desperate for being interested in an inanimate object. With a shake of her head, she set Fitz in the driver's seat of his white sports car.

"Goodnight baby girl. Mommy loves you always."

Olivia placed the softest kiss on her daughter's forehead before leaving the room. She took a shower and then went through her nightly routine. She was brushing her teeth when she heard a loud thud come from Laila's room. She rinsed out and wiped her mouth before she went to find out what that noise was.

"Lai, you up?" She asked through the door.

When she received no answer, she opened the door. Olivia instantly went into momma bear mode at the sight of a tall and broad figure standing in the middle of her daughter's room. From what she could make out in the light coming from the night light projector, the person was a man. He had his back to her. Her first instinct was to attack or call the cops. She was unarmed so attacking him without a weapon could be dangerous. She could grab a pot or a pan from the kitchen but that would require her to leave the room and there was no way in hell she was leaving her daughter alone in a room with a complete stranger, a male one at that.

Before she could make up her mind about what she should do, the mystery man turned around. He was staring at the ceiling of multicolored stars with fascination. Olivia was stunned. He looked just like Fitz, from his short trimmed hair to his casual clothes to the shoes on his feet. He even had the same eyes. The same ocean blue eyes she got lost at sea in less than an hour ago. The eyes that lit up with excitement when they fell upon her person.

"Hi!" He said excitedly, having no regards for the sleeping child he had yet to notice.

Olivia was in complete and utter awe. Shit like this only happened in movies.

"No way."

Author's Note: I'm stopping here for now. I know it wasn't long at all. I'll continue it if anyone's interested. I hope you enjoyed and MERRY CHRISTMAS!