Chapter 1
The Reaping
Olivia considered her reflection in the mirror above the double vanity. She was clothed in Fitz's blue terrycloth robe. During her last trimester, she began using his robe in lieu of her own. Even though it pooled around her feet making her look like she was playing dress up with her parents' clothing, she could close it over her massive belly with ease. She removed her shower cap, releasing her thick mane to cascade around her shoulders. She opened the robe and let it fall off her shoulders and to the floor. This was her morning ritual, a surveying of her changing profile. As she ran her hands over her distended belly, marveling at the two babies growing inside her, she breathed a sigh of contentment.
"You little onion rings have completely taken over. Where did you put my body because I am ready to take it back." Olivia smiled as she remembered the origin of their nicknames, a healthy craving for deep fried onion rings in her 5th month of pregnancy. This was a craving Olivia tried to keep secret since she constantly lectured her family about healthy eating.
One afternoon, Karen and some friends from school happened upon Olivia at The Varsity, Atlanta's historic drive-in. Karen found her there hunched over in a booth, alone, devouring an order of onion rings and a large orange soda. From that moment on Karen started calling the babies, "The Onion Rings." Fitz, Gerry, and everyone at OPA followed suit.
"Good morning, beautiful." Fitz stood in the door admiring her.
Olivia looked at his reflection in her mirror. "Good morning, hon. What are you doing awake? Aren't you still jetlagged from your trip?" Forgetting about her girth, Olivia bent her knees in an attempt to retrieve up her robe, but gravity and her lack of equilibrium worked against her. "Would you help me get my robe, Fitz."
He walked over and stood behind her. "Your robe? This looks like my robe, so nope." They both smiled as he pulled her hair back and began peppering kissing along the side of her neck.
"Fitz, you need to rest, and I need to begin my project." His kisses were already having an effect on her.
"And what…project is…that?" He inquired punctuating his words with dewy kisses. His hands smoothed over her shoulders, breasts, and down to her belly. "I was in France for seven whole days. I didn't see you or my little onion rings. It's so early on a Saturday morning. Come back to bed."
"Operation Get These Babies Out is my project. I am determined to give birth this weekend...by Sunday or Monday. I'm 39 weeks! How many women carrying twins go this long? I need to get them out. I can't do anything anymore without help. I haven't seen my feet in months. Karen was a sweetheart last night. She polished my toenails for me. When Mom was here yesterday, she suggested I go for a long walk. According to her, I was late and walking was the catalyst for her labor. I'm willing to try anything. I am going for a walk and I am not stopping until I feel some real contractions. My waddle is slow. I need to get an early start."
Fitz laughed. "Livy, I am sorry you are uncomfortable." He took a seat on the vanity stool and turned her around to face him.
"I know of some…other ways to hasten your labor. I read a magazine article on the plane ride home. Guess what else can help induce labor?" Fitz commenced kissing her stomach.
"What?"
"Lovemaking." He pulled her down to sit in his lap. Tilting her had back he kissed her deeply.
"As good as that sounds, Fitz, I don't feel or look very sexy. I am bloated and…very full. I can't move worth a damn. There is no room for you in there, babe." Olivia pecked Fitz on the nose. "You get some rest and I'll wake you when I am ready to pop these babies out."
"Livy, please. We can at least try…and then I'll go with you on your walk." Fitz put on his best pleading face.
She looked into his eyes and then let her eyes travel over his face, taking in his features. He took a deep breath and she felt the soft tickle of it on her nose. His thick hair was mussed from the pillow. Her hands of their own accord reached up to caress his tresses, but got sidetracked on the way. The square line of his jaw distracted her so that is where her hand stopped.
"How can I say no to this face? But…you will have to do all the work. I need to save my strength for the walk later."
Fitz carried Olivia back into the bedroom, smiling triumphantly.
"It is a beautiful day to go for a walk. I wish Olitz and Cleo could have come too." Olivia and Fitz walked hand in hand down a wooded trail. It was 10:00.
"Karen and Gerry will walk them later. I need all my attention focused on you since you are so determined to walk yourself into labor." Fitz said.
It was unseasonably warm for an October morning. Tom and Agent Samantha McGillis walked behind them. Each had put in a bid to be assigned to the Grant Family security detail. When Tom had asked him about it, Fitz had been sure he wouldn't be granted security. After all, he had resigned the presidency after only for serving a couple of months. To his surprise, Congress approved the detail.
Tom and Samantha were especially keen to spot paparazzi. A picture of an ex-president and his pregnant girlfriend could garner a healthy payment from any news outlet.
Since Fitz's resignation the public was hungry for any and all information about the couple. In his resignation address, he had painted himself as unfit to serve because of the problems in his personal life. He announced the impending divorce as if it were Mellie's idea. He had hoped this would curry favor with her so that she wouldn't contest the divorce. He also lauded Sally Langston as a worthy President who would lead the nation to a new zenith. He assured everyone that the transition of power had been seamless and that America was secure. He had apologized and asked for everyone to respect his family's privacy during this difficult time. He hadn't mentioned the leaked photo or his affair with Olivia. Protecting her and his unborn from scrutiny had been his reasoning. Despite his explanation, the press nor the public believed him. Speculation about Olivia Pope started to heighten again.
Mellie's interview with Oprah Winfrey only made the public more insatiable for information. During the interview, she had gone along with Fitz's line about her initiating divorce, but she wouldn't give the reason for her decision. When Oprah presented her with the leaked photo of Olivia and Fitz and the text of Mellie's postings from the fan social media website, Mellie lost her composure.
"Did you post on this website as 1600BigBallerShotCaller?" Oprah inquired. Oprah began reading the posts. Mellie was blindsided by this information, having forgotten about her postings she had hastily sent during a moment of weakness. Finally, she admitted that the reason for their divorce was the affair. In her anger, she painted Olivia as the aggressor and that her aim was to bring down the presidency. Mellie also revealed Olivia's pregnancy. Public outrage was so severe that Fitz moved everyone to Roswell, GA, a suburb on the outskirts of Atlanta.
"Tell me about Paris. Did you get the funding you needed?"
"Yes, I did. I shouldn't have to travel again for a while. I have enough capital to begin hiring staff. The Grant Center for Global Advocacy is now a reality." Fitz stopped when he saw Olivia grab her belly. "Are you okay? I can have Tom bring the car."
"No. Feel this. They must be doing cartwheels or something." Olivia placed his hand on her belly. "See? The Onion Rings are going crazy in there."
"Wow. Any contractions yet?" Fitz pulled her over to sit beside him on a nearby bench.
"No. Aside from them wrestling around in my stomach, I don't feel a thing. Maybe I should talk to the doctor about inducing. I have an appointment on Monday. I need a sip of water and my pillow." Fitz grabbed both from his pack. He helped place the pillow behind her back and opened the water for her. It was then that he spotted her bare ring finger. He reached for her left hand and rubbed the area where the ring should be resting. "Where is your engagement ring, Livy?"
"It is such a beautiful day. You know Autumn is my favorite season. I love the harvest festivals, the food, and the colors. I am glad the babies will be born in Autumn." Olivia breathed in the crisp air and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Olivia, where is your ring?" There was an edge in his voice that signaled the stirrings of his anger.
"We can't be engaged until your divorce from Mellie is final. She continues to stall so you are still a married man, Fitz." Olivia lifted her head and took a long draw on her water bottle.
"Where the hell is this coming from? You never had a problem wearing it before. It's your mother, isn't it? She said something to you about our engagement."
"She does have a point, Fitz. The ring is null and void as long as you are married. I am not wearing it until there is a clear path for us actually getting married." Olivia started to feel herself getting angry. Her back was beginning to hurt.
"So our children are null and void too? I can't believe you let Mildred call our relationship…our unborn children…illegitimate. Whenever she visits, you let her fill your head with nonsense, Olivia! I wish you wouldn't let her do that."
"She never said those words! She was admiring the ring as she always does when she visits. She asked me if Mellie had signed the papers yet. Then she said it seemed silly to wear such an impractical ring when I wasn't even truly engaged. I told her it was a family heirloom, passed down for generations in your family. She asked why you didn't give it to Mellie when you all got engaged." Fitz looked at Olivia for a long time. "Why didn't you…give it to Mellie as an engagement ring?"
His eyes fell and they lost some of their fight. "Just forget it. I don't want to argue about this anymore. Wear it. Don't wear it. Are you ready to resume Operation Get These Babies Out?" He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
She reached out and touched his cheek. "I'm sorry, Fitz. I'll wear the ring."
He covered her hand with his and kissed her softly on the lips.
They resumed their walk.
"I think I know why Mellie is stalling. She is trying to wait the babies out. If she signs the divorce papers before the babies are born, we will not be able to get married and give them the Grant name as a married couple." Olivia stopped walking as she considered her theory.
"But the babies will have my name regardless." Fitz added.
"But I won't…not until you two are divorced. It is her final poke in the eye to us. It may sound ridiculous and trivial, but this is Mellie we are talking about. She wants to make it hard for us for as long as she can. I guess I don't blame her. She lost the life she had always wanted. She will sign the papers soon." Olivia continued walking again. Fitz took her hand as they navigated a slight hill over a rough patch of terrain. Olivia stood still, doubling over as much as she could, considering her abundant midsection. The sharp intake of breath let him know she was in pain.
"What is it, honey?" Fitz said in concern. Olivia squeezed his hand hard and leaned into his side. She squeezed her eyes shut and moaned again, louder this time. He picked her up and walked back to the bench."
She smiled weakly at him as the pain subsided. "I think it is time."
Fitz's eyes widened. He looked back and yelled, "Tom! Sam! Get the car! I think Olivia is going into labor."
He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialed home. After four rings, he hung up and tried Gerry's cell phone.
"Hey Dad. What's up?" Gerry said.
"Where are you and Karen?" Fitz said.
"We are taking Cleo and Olitz for a ride instead of a walk. What's wrong?"
"Take the dogs back to the house. Grab Olivia's bag and meet us at Northside Hospital. Olivia's in labor."
"Finally! Whoo Hoo! Hey Karen! Liv's in labor. Turn the car around. We gotta go back home and get her bag."
"Wait, what did you say, Gerry! Is Karen driving? She doesn't have a license! Of all the idiotic things to do...stop the car and take the wheel. I'll deal with you two later!" Fitz disconnected the line, but not before hearing Karen call Gerry, "Diarrhea mouth."
"Fitz, aren't you going to call Dr. Carson?" Olivia managed to say between her breathing.
Sam drove the SUV up to the road by the trail's path. Tom had stayed with Olivia and Fitz while Sam collected the car. Fitz bent to pick Olivia up to carry her to the car, but she stopped him.
"Fitz, I can walk. It doesn't feel good being carried when the pain hits. Let me walk."
"It will be faster if I carry you!" She shook her head in protest as another painful contraction overtook her. She squeezed his hand and grabbed hold of Tom's forearm. Tom mouthed a silent, "ouch" as her nails bore into his arm through is light jacket.
They finally made it to the vehicle, and Fitz lifted her inside, into the back seat. As they sped off, Fitz's phone rang. He recognized the number. It was Demarchelier, and knew he must answer. Demarchelier never made social calls.
"Yes." Fitz whispered.
"Nathaniel Wright is back."
"When?" Fitz tried to keep his voice even and calm.
"He entered the United States when you left for France last week. He is five months early in returning to the states. He wasn't supposed to come back until twelve months had past."
"It is okay. As long as he doesn't um…reopen the account this should be an non-issue." Fitz hoped Olivia wouldn't ask about this phone call. The car was quiet accept for her breathing and his phone conversation.
"Unfortunately, he has uncovered the truth. He knows who you really are. We think he will try to, as you say, 'reopen the account.' I assume you can't speak freely now so if reopen the account means contact Ms. Pope, then we think he plans to make contact with her in order to share what he has discovered about you."
"Where is he now?" Fitz asked. He grimaced a little when Olivia squeezed his hand again to manage a contraction.
"We don't know, sir."
Fitz remained calm. "Find it. Contain it until I can attend to the details. Olivia is in labor and we are headed to the hospital. Text me in lieu of calling if anything transpires."
"Congratulations, sir."
"Thanks." Fitz disconnected the line.
"What was that about?" Olivia asked.
"Just a little snag with the organization. Nothing I can't handle."
"Really? Sounded pretty intense to me. Anything I can help with?" Fitz smiled at her question.
"I think your hands are pretty full right now. I know you can't wait to move the OPA office to Atlanta. We'll have to text Abby with the news when you get settled in at the hospital." Fitz hoped this would deter her from asking further questions.
"Fitz, you can still use me as a sounding board. What is the snag? I can…" Olivia closed her eyes as another contraction overtook her body.
Fitz coached her through a breath as he wondered what he was going to do about Nate. The information he had discovered could threaten his new life with Olivia.
Dear Penpals,
"Harvest" is the sequel to "Going in Circles." If you haven't read GIC, you should wait until I post it all to understand what's going on, who Fitz really is, and all the other details.