A/N-First of all I want to thank everyone for their well wishes. It is nice to know that you are thinking about me as well as the stories. I am working on New Beginnings and I Want to Be a Mother, but it will take me a little longer to post those updates because I'm still researching. I don't want any of the weddings to be the same in my stories. I'll get it out. The next updates are not the weddings, but I need to know what direction I am going before I write the chapters. FYI, in this story Fitz will be 40, and Liv will be turning 30.
Fitz's Perspective
From the outside looking in people would think that he had a great life. He had served in the Navy, and has received accolades as a stellar pilot. He had graduated from Harvard Law, and was an accomplished lawyer for a while. He had been Governor of California which led him to serve two-terms as President of the United States, and it meant nothing to Fitz.
He was looking at the orchids at his Vermont estate. He built the estate after talking to his former Communications Director Olivia Pope. One night they were sharing their hopes and dreams, and he was standing in Olivia's hopes and dreams, but she was nowhere to be found.
The one thing he was happy about is his divorce from Mellie. They were married for twenty years, and the only good thing that came out of that marriage was his children. Jerry was turning16 soon and Karen was 14. Mellie was evil inside and out. She was the female version of his deceased father. The only think Mellie was good for is looking out for herself. Even their kids didn't matter to her unless she wanted them to look like a wholesome family.
When he decided to run for President, Mellie insisted that they send the kids to boarding school, and although he was reluctant he went along with the idea, but when he ran for his first term he kept them around until close to the end of the campaign before they went away to school. Once he was in office he tried to get them to move into the White House with them. The kids were brutally honest with him when they told him that although they didn't care for boarding school anything was better than living under the same room as their mother.
The only motherly figure they had was Olivia which was kept a secret from him for a long time. Till this day he is not sure why.
He had never stepped outside of his marriage. He knew that he loved Olivia, and was in love with her. He refused to make her a mistress. She was better than that. He could admit that he had an emotional affair with her over the last eight years, but nothing physical until the divorce was final.
The kids came home one weekend to visit their parents when Karen walked in on her mother giving Andrew a blow job.
Karen ran straight to the Oval office and told her dad. She also told him that he needed to divorce her. They were sick of boarding school, but they didn't want to live with Mellie. Mellie had numerous affairs including sleeping with her father-in-law. At one point she thought that Jerry may be Big Jerry's son, but thankfully test told otherwise.
When Mellie & Andrew came into the office they were red from embarrassment. Fitz & Karen looked at them and doubled over laughing. Fitz had every intention to divorce Mellie, but he was biding his time to get out of the marriage without a long and tedious divorce, and Mellie just handed it to him.
Mellie tried to speak.
Fitz shook his head, "You don't get to speak. For the last eight years you have thrown in my face the feelings that I have for Olivia. While I won't and have never denied them I had enough respect for you not to have an affair. You however don't know how to keep you panties on and your legs closed. That's fine because you are going to give me a divorce, and I make the rules."
Mellie scoffed, "In your dreams."
Fitz jumped around the desk so fast that everyone in the room jumped back. Karen had only seen her dad angry a hand full of times, and when she did he was a tornado on feet. Mellie knew she had crossed a line.
Fitz walked up to Mellie and spoke with pure venom, "Your problem is that you think your shit don't stink. You think you run this show and this office, but the fact is that you run nothing. I have the means and power to reduce you down to an ant on the road. Since I am officially sick of your bullshit I will be happy to do it. You forget I have a little over a year left in office. I don't care about saving face, but I know that you do. So if you want a chance to have your political career you will shut the fuck up, sit your lying cheating ass down, and listen to what the fuck I am saying. You have no say anymore, and before you decided to open up your mouth think carefully. I have Olivia on speed dial. I will pay her or anyone to ruin you. I will put all of your affairs on front page news. Although I don't condone using children in adult problems I will make an exception to get you away from us. We all know that you are a shitty parent so you know that you won't get their support so what do you say."
Lauren had called Cyrus to tell him what was going on. He had practically ran to the office. He opened up the door as Fitz came around the desk. Anger didn't began to describe the President, and although he wasn't afraid of anything or anyone he was nervous at the moment.
Mellie knew she had no cards to play, and if she was going to get out of this unscathed or with minimal damage she had to play by his rules.
Eight months later Mellie was gone. She was no longer the First Lady. She was required to go back to her maiden name of Hollingsworth. Fitz wasn't going to allow her to use the Grant name to pave her way. Although she was entitled to only a million dollars due to her infidelity Fitz gave her a little more in addition to two homes of his choosing and two vehicles. He would have full legal custody of the children. If she tried to defame him in the future they would be penalties.
Fitz left for Vermont as soon as his term ended. He had been in Vermont for a week, and had not left the home. The kids were supposed to be transferring to a private school in Vermont in two months. Until then he had nothing but time on his hands.
The kids were worried about him. They knew why he was sad. They had over heard a conversation. Now it seemed like he was depressed. He wasn't talking much, they had to force him to eat, and he never left the house.
Something had to be done so after much debate the kids typed up and email and sent it. They could only hope for the best.
Olivia's Perspective
Olivia was staring out her window looking at the White House. Her ex-fiancée Edison Davis was now the President. He tried to convince her to give them another shot, but Olivia would rather starve herself than be with Edison again.
For a black woman who was turning 30 in a couple of months she had accomplished quite a bit. She had graduated first in her class at Harvard Law. She worked at an accomplished law firm for a couple of years before she joined Cyrus on the first campaign for Fitz.
Fitz was everything that any woman would want except for Mellie. Mellie was a breed that she would never understand, and she gave up a long time ago trying to figure her out. What pissed her off the most was how she treated her kids. Fitz was a grown man. He could handle his own. The children were another matter. She had very little use for them unless it was something for her benefit. Her dad was like that so she understood the kid's pain.
Over the last nine years Olivia remained in contact with the children. Once she accepted that she was in love with Fitz she decided to leave the White House. She knew if she stayed they would have slept together. She didn't want to be that woman, and she didn't want to do anything that would make it harder on the kids than it already was. She started her own crisis management firm, and was very successful. She & Fitz kept in touch, and whenever he needed her she was there.
Olivia knew she wanted Fitz, but she still felt that couldn't have him. She also still felt guilty for dating and sleeping with his friend Jake Ballard. Although Jake was no Fitz she accepted it. She liked him, and for a while thought they had something going on, but Jake was elusive when it came to talking about his past. She had Huck to look into him. That is how she found out that Jake served with Fitz. Jake was kicked out of the Navy after they found out he lied on Fitz. He was jealous of what Fitz had so he tried to sabotage him. He told his superiors that Fitz was having an affair. In the military you can get punished for that. When the investigation found that Jake made it up his was dishonorable discharged. She was being used.
Olivia told Fitz and together they destroyed Jake, but she still felt guilty at times although Fitz never once showed her that he placed any blame on her.
The biggest shock happened when Fitz announced he was divorcing Mellie. He would not allow her to be involved. He told her it was his mess to clean up. To this day she didn't know the specifics that led to the divorce.
The divorce scared Olivia because in her mind that was what kept them apart. That was going to change, and change it did.
The night his divorce was final he arranged for them to spend some time at Camp David. For a week Fitz wined and dined her. It solidified that this was no crush. She loved that man. On their second night there they finally had sex for the first time, and she was hooked. It was one thing to look like a Greek god, but then to know how to use that body in the bedroom was out of this world. Olivia was ruined for any other man.
Olivia should have been over the moon, but she wasn't. She was allowing fear to still control her life. She was still allowing her dad and how he treated her determine how she handled other relationships. Then two months ago around Thanksgiving the game changer happen Olivia became pregnant.
She was torn. Deep down she wanted the baby, but she wasn't sure about giving up her career to be a mother. She was scared to commit to Fitz. She knew he loved her. She knew in her heart he would never intentionally hurt her, but she wouldn't allow herself to go there.
She sat Fitz down and told him that she was pregnant. She expected him to be hesitant, but no. He pulled out a folder and showed her the dream. It was a house in Vermont. It was her dream. Down to the very last detail. It overwhelmed Olivia. No one ever did anything like that for her other than her mother who was gone.
Olivia killed his soul when she told him that she couldn't keep the baby. She wasn't ready to be a mother, stepmother, and be with him. He tried everything he could to get her to change her mind. She wouldn't budge. '
Before she left he told her he was going to Vermont for a little while before deciding if was going to put the house on the market.
She had scheduled to have the procedure to end her pregnancy, and she was beginning to get the feeling that this is not what she wanted.
Present Time
Olivia was sitting in her office at home when she got an email. She opened it. What she read shocked her.
It was the email from Karen & Jerry. The email read:
"Hi Liv. Jerry & I decided to send you this email. We want to be clear that dad knows nothing about this so if you get upset we are the ones that you need to be mad at. First of all we want to tell you that we know that dad is in love with you. Our guess is that you feel the same or close to it. You are the only one that ever got us and dad. We could be ourselves with you. Before you ask, no we don't think that you got to know us because of dad. We would love for you to be together, but we know that it is not our choice. We also know that you are pregnant. We don't know the plan, but it must not include dad. Since he arrived in Vermont he has sunk into a deep depression. He barely eats, he won't leave the house, and he doesn't talk much. We are not mad at you. We don't know everything, but just wanted you to know that he is not doing well. We also want you to know that we love you. I know that we are baggage, and we can respect that you don't want to deal with us full-time. Thank you for everything that you have ever done for us. We were going to move to Vermont with dad, but we think that is up in the air. Take care and be happy. Love your kids from another mother."
Olivia laughed at the ending. It was their thing. Her laughter turned into full-blown sobs. Abby who was staying the night to take her to the clinic in the morning came in and held Olivia.
When Olivia calmed down Abby looked at her, "Are you ready to face that you really don't want to do this?"
Olivia nodded.
Abby looked at her, "If your father really loved you he would see you as a smart and brilliant woman. A person who makes a way out of no way. Just because he is an ass, and left you hanging to navigate the real world doesn't mean that is how everyone will treat you. You have a group of friends that you have kept at length for years. You have a man who is in love with you. He respects you. You & I both know that you don't have to give up your career. Open up a second location in Vermont. We will run the one here. You can fly here to D.C. anytime. He has a jet. It is an hour flight. At some point you have to stop running. You will eventually run out places to go. You have a chance to be happy with a man who loves and respect you for who you are. He just wants you. His kids love you. You have been a mom for eight years. I have seen you in the middle of a case stop and help them. You have traveled to their games, plays, and parent weekends when Fitz couldn't. They were children who are now great teenagers, and you had a hand in that. Now you have a chance to mold your own from day one. Show them what family is. Be a good mom like yours was. He is miserable and so are you. I'm your best friend. I'll do anything you want."
Olivia looked up at Abby. It took her a moment to process everything, but she knew what she had to do.
Olivia said, "I need you to handle the office for at least a month or two. I need some time with him. The kids are supposed to move to Vermont. I need to make sure that happens. I need to find a doctor to treat me during my pregnancy, but I'll talk to Fitz about that."
Abby smiled, "Consider it handled"
Olivia was still frowning, "Abby I am sorry for the way that I have treated you guys. I love all of you, and I know that you guys would do anything for me especially you."
Abby hugged her, "We know Liv. Just put one foot in front of the other. Stop looking back. Write a new book on your life. You make the rules."
Olivia nodded.
She went back in the office. She arranged to fly out tomorrow morning, but she had to make a stop.
She was going to call the kids, but she decided to wait and talk to Fitz first. She also needed to talk to someone else before she left. She headed to her room to pack a couple of suitcases. She was flying out the next morning at ten.
Olivia woke up early. Today was going to be a long day, and she was sure stressful. She had to remember that she was pregnant. She cancelled her appointment at the clinic, and then she went over to her dad's house. She only showed up on Sunday for dinners that were filled with talk of nothing but bullshit.
When he opened the door she could tell that he was surprised to see her. He let her in and started talking about nonsense.
Olivia stopped him, "Dad I don't have a lot of time so let's stop the bullshit. Since you are my father I thought that I would respect you enough to say good-bye. Let's not kid ourselves I know you know that I'm pregnant. The only reason that you haven't said anything is because you knew of my plan to get rid of the child. I know that Fitz doesn't meet your standard, but he meets mine. You however don't meet my standards."
Eli had to admit he was surprised. Eli had to compose himself before he spoke, "Olivia remember who you are talking to."
Olivia laughed more liked cackled, "I know who I am speaking to. My father, my sperm donor, the most selfish man I know. What I can't figure out is why I have tried to hold onto this relationship. Oh, I know. It is human nature to want to have a relationship with your parents, but mine only cares about the republic. That is fine. I just wanted you to know I am done. Our relationship is over. I am keeping the baby and I am going to be with Fitz. You will never meet your grandchild. I won't taint them. "
Eli was mad now, "Who do you think you are..."
Olivia equally as pissed, "I am that woman who is supposed to be your child. I am the person that you should love above all else. I am the person that should be able to come to you for anything. Whether you like it or not you would guide me and support me not break me down. Not throw me away and think money can make it all better. I am the person that you should have lifted up, but you tore down when I didn't do things exactly how you want. I graduated first in my class in high school, college, and law school. I made a name for myself as a lawyer. I helped run two successful presidential campaigns, and then I opened up my own successful crisis management firm. All on my own. I was twice as good, but that wasn't enough. So I'm done. I'm tired"
Eli sat down as he soaked in the rant that his daughter just laid on him. He couldn't deny that she was right.
Eli asked, "What do you want?"
Olivia looked him dead in the eye, "From you I want nothing. You take nothing else from me. I am going to reunite with the man who has always accepted me for me. I never have to pretend with him. I am going to continue to mold his two children and be a supportive mother figure. I am going to live my life the way I want. I forgive you, because I can't let you take anymore from me. I know you are sitting there acting as if what I am saying matters to you. We both know that is a lie. I will say that being twice as good allowed me to think like you. Just in case you try to sabotage Fitz or our relationship I am ready to burn your house down. I will gleefully destroy you, but if you care about me at all you will leave me alone. I know you have eyes. I can't stop them from looking. I just better not ever find them. Good-bye dad. I wish you well."
Olivia walked out the door without looking back. Deep down he knew that Olivia would someday push back, but not like this. It was clear that she was broken. He had broken her to some extent. She was done. Maya always told him that at some point he would lose, and that seemed to be the case.
They knew that Eli could cause them some problems, but he wasn't. He had done enough damage. He would never see his daughter again. He would never hold his grandchildren. He had to live with his sins.
Olivia made it to the air strip after a quick meeting with her team to tell them what was going on. Like Abby said they were really supportive of her. They assured her they would be fine, and if they absolutely needed her they would call.
A little over an hour later Olivia was in Vermont. She pulled up to the house that he had built for them. It looked better in person. For the first time in a while Olivia smiled. It might take some time, but they would be okay.
Tom met her at the door. She could see the relief on his face. It told her everything.
Olivia asked, "How long?"
Tom said, "He hasn't left the room since the kids left."
Olivia nodded. She went and fixed them some lunch. Tom showed her where their master bedroom was.
Before she went in Tom touched her shoulder, "I'm glad you are here. He really does love you."
Olivia smiled, "Thanks, I know. I love him too. We are here to stay."
Tom smiled. He realized that she kept the baby.
Tom said, "Consider it handled."
Olivia walked in. Their master bedroom was massive. She would explore later. Right now she was concerned about Fitz.
She made it over to him. He looked like shit to say the least. He looked liked he was 10 or 15 pounds lighter. Surprisingly he wasn't drunk. There was no alcohol anywhere. He kept his promise to her to not drink when he was angry or hurt.
Fitz knew that he was losing his mind because he smelled Olivia. He missed her so much. He wanted their baby, but he wanted her more. He wanted to live the dream with her. He wanted to be happy with her.
Olivia caressed his face. He sat up and looked at her. Fitz was going crazy. Now he was imaging Olivia in the bed with him.
Olivia gently kissed his lips, "Baby you are not dreaming. You're not crazy. I'm here. I am really here."
Fitz finally realized that he wasn't losing it, but the fact that she was there was overwhelming and he broke down. She consoled him.
He finally got himself together. He looked at her. He kept touching her to make sure that she was there. He was trying to find words, but nothing came to him. He finally said the only thing that he could think of, "Hi"
Olivia grinned, "Hi