The assignment is due Monday. There is a batch of fresh cookies in the cookie jar. Have a great weekend:)
"Hey, I thought you stood me up. Are we having nachos or popcorn?"
Violet frowned. This was her second time disappointing her stepdad Jake this week. He was trying really hard to be dad of the year. Unfortunately, she would be grounded the whole weekend if she wasn't at her real dad's house by 4pm sharp.
"Sorry Jake. You know how strict my dad is about being late. I'll be home Sunday night."
Violet deleted the text message and tucked her phone in her pocket. Her mother would turn into the green eyed monster if she saw the text message. For all the reasons her parents hated each other, they were so much alike. They treated her like she was a piece of property. She wasn't allowed to be happy with anyone else.
"Do you need a ride over there?"
"No, my dad will flip out if he sees your car."
"How was school?"
"Great, Mellie has cookies waiting for me. She's going to be out of town this weekend."
"I guess that's one of the perks of your teacher being your stepmom."
"It is. I'll see you later Jake."
Violet hoisted her backpack on her shoulders and turned when she heard a car in the driveway.
"Mom's home."
"Yeah. She has to run a few errands before dinner. Maybe she will give you a ride to your dad's house."
"I don't want to bother her."
"What are you still doing here?"
"I'm leaving now."
"Get in the car. I have to speak with your dad about your school work."
"Why?"
"You're failing math."
"I have a B average."
"That's not good enough. Mediocrity is not an option for you."
Olivia greeted her husband and gave her daughter a stern look.
"Get in the car now."
Violet was shaking like a leaf. She hated when either of her parents raised their voice. They were both intimidating. Olivia Pope was the former chief of staff, and Fitzgerald Grant was the 44th president of the United States. They had impossible standards.
Before she was born, her parents had a whirlwind short marriage. The marriage lasted a few months. They were the ultimate power couple. They hadn't had a conversation in months and Violet didn't want to see another fight. To her surprise, her mother seemed quite calm in the car. There was a slight smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. As if she was lost in a daydream. Her dad was waiting in the driveway with his hands in his pockets. Violet was expecting to be greeted with a frown. Instead, he was trying to hold back a smile.
Olivia opened her car door and slowly made her way to her ex-husband. He took a few steps closer to her and Violet nervously grabbed the door handle. She paused, and her mouth dropped, when her dad opened his arms. Her mom stepped into his welcoming embrace. His chin rested on her head for a few seconds before pulling back.
"Hi." He uttered in a near breathless sigh.
Olivia looked up at him and smiled.
"Hi."
Violet blinked and turned her attention elsewhere when her dad looked at the car. Olivia took a step back and pulled herself together. When she came back to the car, she wasn't smiling.
"Your dad doesn't have anything cooked for dinner. Go upstairs and start your homework. The food will be ready in a few hours."
"You're having dinner with us?"
"No, I'm cooking. Why are you still in the car?"
Violet scrambled out of her seatbelt and rushed past her dad.
"Are you looking forward to Sunday?"
Olivia laughed. "My dad hates my husband, and my mom thinks I'm too tough with my daughter. I'm trying to find a way out of our weekly dinner."
"Both of them are right. You should leave Jake, and you should be nicer to Violet."
Olivia scoffed. "Our daughter is constantly bragging about your perfect wife. You should understand why I'm annoyed with Violet."
"I use my superpower on you at least twice a day and you're jealous of my wife."
Olivia smirked. "I should really start cooking."
"We do need to talk about one more thing."
"What?"
"You're late."
"Excuse me?"
"You're one week late."
"I'm not pregnant."
Fitz reached in his pocket and pulled out a pregnancy test. "Take this before you go home."