This was a joke, a façade, sitting here with Mellie and their newborn unnamed son in front of a photographer acting like the model family. Where were Karen and Jerry to share in this beautiful moment? Off at boarding school where Mellie insisted they stay because it was "what's best for them honey."
Fitz couldn't wait to unscrew the fake smile from his face and get as far away from Mellie as possible.
When the last picture had been snapped and Mellie called for the nurse to come get their son Fitz was on his feet and standing by the window. The woman couldn't even hold her son two minutes after taking a portrait with him. It disgusted him that this woman was his wife, the same woman he'd stood next to and exchanged vows of sickness and health, for richer or poor, till death do them part. That's exactly what it felt like to him, death; to be away from Liv was a slow and painful death. Ever since meeting her three years ago something inside him had been woken up and he could live again, but after being separated from each other enough was enough.
After the infant was taken from the room Fitz broke the silence.
"I want to spend time with my son."
"He's right here any time you want to see him." Mellie replied with a bit of annoyance in her voice.
"I mean after the divorce, I want to be clear that I want to spend time with our children after the divorce." Fitz turned away from the window to face Mellie and make sure she fully understood him.
What did he expect her to say after declaring a week ago that he wanted a divorce? Mellie Grant wasn't the type to take things while lying down.
"What makes you think I will ever agree to a divorce?" Mellie asked only slightly raising her voice.
There wasn't going to be an easy route to take here but Fitz was determined to win this battle.
"Let's be amiable," he responded.
"I married you for better or for worse, through sickness and in health, till death do us part. There will be no divorce honey." The last word was dripping with sarcasm.
If that was how she wanted to play the game then, game on.
"Do. Not. Push. Me." Fitz took a step toward her with every word until they were almost nose to nose.
"Or what Fitz?" Mellie knew all the right buttons to push and what made her husband tick. She'd play on his weaknesses until he backed off this stupid idea of a divorce.
"I'm the President of the United States don't you think I have resources at my disposal? Not only that I'm a man with nothing to lose anymore I was shot multiple times and survived I'm tired of playing games Mellie. So give me my damn divorce or it will get uglier around here."
Fitz was calm the entire time and didn't show any signs of wavering.
Taking a deep breath Mellie tried to compose herself before speaking.
"I see you're standing firm on this and are leaving me no choice but to retaliate," Mellie took a few steps back and straightened out her jacket before turning to leave the room.
Fitz could only imagine the lengths she would go to make this divorce not happen. It was a good thing he was prepared and also had a fixer on his side.