"Hey Liv, I thought I'd just check in." Gerry greeted as Liv answered her phone.

"Hey Slugger, how's campaign life treating you and your siblings?" Liv asked as she moved Bellie to her hip.

"You should remember from last time." He replied dryly. Olivia chuckled, she did remember. She almost always had them following her around like her little shadows. More often than not, wherever she was, so were they. She never minded as she adored them from the very beginning, that and having them around a lot made it easier to stay away from Fitz a lot longer than she thought possible.

"How's Bellie? We miss her, we miss you too." He added.

"She's good. She misses you guys too. We both do. Hang on, Bellie Boo say hi to Gerry." Olivia said to her daughter putting the phone on speaker. Isobel grinned at the mere mention if her older brother.

"Ger-Ger come?" She asked happily,

"Oh no little munchkin. Not today but very soon okay. Kare-Kare and I love and miss you little one."

"Love you" Isobel replied, which sounded more Lob you making both Liv and Gerry laugh a little.

"Aww it breaks my heart that we're here and not there with her. We miss her. I can't wait for college to start, you'll never be rid of me then."

Both Gerry and Karen doted on Isobel and spent every spare moment they had with her, but Gerry felt drawn and connected to Isobel in ways that none of them could deny nor understand and the feeling was more than mutual. Olivia suspected he felt responsible in filling the void of their father's absence. Olivia found that each Grant child had a different bond to Isobel. Though Teddy was older, Isobel was the one who looked out for him.

"Where's Kare?" She asked,

"With Dad at some Daddy and Daughter Dance." Olivia's heart involuntarily tightened, knowing it was yet another thing she deprived her daughter of.

"That's great. She'd love that, despite the cameras and what not, its something they get to do together."

"That's how she talked herself into putting a smile on her face for the world to see."

"Atta girl. So what are you up to?" She asked as she stirred the spaghetti sauce on the stove.

"Just finished my last exam this afternoon so Miss Ella has set me free and I've been watching crap on TV while devouring most of a whole pizza on my own."

"Nice." She said shaking her head.

"Dad, Kare and I are going to celebrate when they get back which should be soon. I almost snuck out and headed your way."

"Now that would have been interesting."

"Wouldn't it?" He replied with mischievous laugh.

"Your Dad would flip and Uncle Cyrus would have a coronary."

"I doubt Dad would be surprised and Uncle Cyrus wouldn't be Uncle Cyrus if he didn't."

"That's true." Liv and Gerry stayed on the phone till she had to feed Isobel.

Truth was she tried to avoid the TV as much as she could not wanting to follow his campaign. She didn't find she had the same need to know as she once did. In a way having Isobel curbed her need to see him, as all she had to do was look at her daughter's face and there he was.

Isobel was just about finished with her dinner when Liv's phone rang again. She smiled as she saw Karen's face flashing on the screen.

"Hey Sweetheart, how was Daddy and Daughter Dance?"

"Meh, it was alright. Surprisingly the old man still has some moves in him." Karen teased making them all laugh.

"Hey Liv, we sort of have a favour and I'm so sorry it's last minute but we weren't quite so sure if we would finish early enough tonight."

"Okay, hit me with it."

"Well you know Ger took his last exam today before college bound and we wanted to do something for him and you know Ger he doesn't like theatrics but I know he really misses you guys, we all do. It's been weeks." Karen rambled. It had been weeks since he started campaigning.

"Land your plane Kare," Liv encouraged though already knowing what was coming.

"Can we come over? Dad's organized to switch cars at the hotel and have minimum detail to not draw attention. We've run it past Tom, Jack and Huck and they think its doable. Please Liv? We miss her. We miss you both:" Olivia inwardly groaned, she had never been good at saying no to any Grant.

"Sure. As long as Huck, Tom and Jack are sure."

"Great, we'll see you soon. Don't go to any trouble. We're bringing everything."

"Alright then, I guess I'll see you soon."

"Yay, can't wait. See you soon Liv."

"See you soon Hon."

Olivia hung up the phone and groaned. What did she just get herself into? She hadn't been a room with Fitzgerald Grant since that night at the restaurant. Every time he saw Isobel, Huck had been the one with her. She herself couldn't believe that she had managed to not see him for over two years. Obviously he had an open invitation to the special occasions in Isobel's life, her christening and her birthdays, but due to understandable circumstances he wasn't able to come to any of them.

"Guess what Little one? Mommy has a surprise for you." Isobel's face lit up and she clapped happily.

"What Mommy?"

"It's a surprise but it'll be here soon enough so why don't I get you all cleaned up huh?" Having shared her food with her clothes, the table and surrounding areas Olivia took her in for a quick shower while Huck and Abby waved them off to clean up. Olivia had just dried her hair when she heard the gates to her house open. From her upstairs bedroom she saw their car drive through her driveway. She felt her heart momentarily stop as the car doors opened. Gerry and Karen were immediately out of the car running for the door while he hesitated behind them feeling as nervous as she was feeling.

"Liv..." She heard Karen's voice call out as she entered the front door. Olivia picked up Isobel from where she was playing on her bed and headed downstairs.

"Look who's here Bellie Boo?" She said as she carried her down the stairs pointing at Gerry and Karen who grinned at the sight of them. Without waiting for them to get downstairs they ran up to meet them flinging their arms around them both.

"We missed you too." Olivia said amused hugging them both hello. As Gerry took Isobel from her she wrapped her arms around Karen as they walked down the stairs. Fitz who had watched their reunion felt like the outsider looking in.

"Mr President." She greeted with a nod. Fitz smiled, needing a moment to take her all in. Two years was a long time and though he had always known it he realised just how much he missed her:

"Hey Liv." Olivia took Isobel from Gerry,

"Hey sugarplum, look who's here to see you. It's Daddy." Just as Olivia went to hand her over, Isobel looked alarmed and threw her arms around Olivia's neck burying her face on her shoulder. Fitz's face fell, his heart breaking at the realization that he had been away for so long that she didn't remember him. Sure he got to see her briefly every day through FaceTime but they all knew it wasn't enough.

"Hey sweetheart, you talk to Daddy every day. Remember?" Olivia said trying to put out the fires from all angles. Isobel raised her head and looked at him,

"Hi Baby Girl. I'm so sorry it's been ages since I've come to see you." When she felt that Isobel had relaxed in her arms she handed her to Fitz. As Isobel wrapped her arms hesitantly around his neck, Fitz hugged her tightly against him his eyes filling with tears as he did so. Not wanting to invade the privacy of their moment she led Gerry and Karen to the kitchen.

"Poor Izzy bear." Gerry said sympathetically.

"Poor Dad. He must feel awful." Karen added.

"They'll be reacquainted soon enough." Olivia said trying to reassure them both as she grabbed bowls and spoons from her cupboard while Karen unpacked the numerous tubs of ice cream they had brought over.

"Are we waiting for the whole campaign to join us for ice cream?" Olivia teased.

"We weren't sure if the whole gang was over and we didn't want to under cater," Gerry called out from her walk in pantry.

"Besides one can never have too much ice cream." He reasoned as he came out of the pantry holding chocolate fudge topping, sprinkles and other toppings. Fitz who had entered the kitchen with Isobel still in his arms observed just at home his kids were in Liv's house. Definitely more so than at the White House.

"You two okay?" She asked softly meeting his gaze,

"Yeah, we're still warming up." He replied rubbing Isobel's back soothingly as she yawned.

"You're more than welcome to put her to bed. Hey Bellie boo, Daddy's going to read to you tonight okay?" Isobel looked at Fitz and nodded before dropping her head back on his shoulder.

"Her bedroom's up the stairs in your right, follow the purple, you won't miss it. I'll get these guys set up and say goodnight."

"Night Izzy bear, we love you." Karen said giving her little sister a hug goodnight closely followed by Gerry.

Olivia caught up with Gerry and Karen for a bit before heading upstairs to check on father and daughter. The sight before her brought tears in her eyes. Fitz was laying on Isobel's bed while she lay draped over him, her head resting on his shoulder, his one arm wrapped around her little body while the other still hanging loosely outside the bed, book still in his hand while they were both fast asleep. Knowing she would have to wake him eventually she allowed him the precious moments with his daughter for a little while longer. She pulled Isobel's blanket over them both and kissed both their heads before heading back downstairs. Olivia was quick to wipe the tears from her eyes but as she came down the stairs she knew she wasn't fooling any of them.

"They're both out like a light. We can wake your Dad when it's time for you guys to go." Karen and Gerry nodded and handed her a bowl of ice cream and the three of them headed to the media room to watch a movie.

Fitz woke a little while later and tucked Isobel in. He found Olivia between his two eldest engrossed in one of their favourite films.

"Really? Again? You three have an unhealthy connection to this film." They all turned to him and rolled their eyes before turning their heads back to the movie.

"Ice cream is in the freezer. We left all the toppings on the kitchen counter. Help yourself." Olivia said absently. Fitz chuckled and headed to the kitchen to grab himself some ice cream. They had about an hour before they headed back. He looked at the photos along the wall, photos mostly of Isobel in her various changes in the two years. How he missed so much. Liv sent him photos via Huck or his kids regularly so he had seen most of them, but he hadn't seen nor been a part of any of them. He looked at the drawings all over their two door fridges. Drawings obviously done by his daughter. Stick figures, clearly he could see Olivia holding Isobel's hand. Huck, Abby, Harrison, and Quinn behind them. Gerry and Karen on the other side of Isobel and there was a line stick figure in the corner away from everyone else and he didn't need to guess who it was. He knew it was him. At the age of two his daughter had already learned not to expect him or need him and it broke his heart.

"Hey do you need a hand?" Liv asked coming into the kitchen after he had been gone for a little while."

"No I'm good." He replied realising he had yet to open the freezer door to get the ice cream. Olivia realising what had cause his momentary pause opened the freezer door and grabbed the ice cream and began to fill a bowl for him.

"I've missed out on so much." He said somewhat unnecessarily.

"Fitz,"

"How do I explain that to her when she's older? How do I make that up to her."

"You will. You love her and she knows that. When she's older she'll understand that we did this for her own protection. As bad as I feel that she misses out on you, I'm glad that she wasn't caught in the middle of our scandal. That would have been more damaging than whatever this is."

"Mr President we should get going." Tom said regretfully giving Olivia a small smile. Out of all his details it was Tom she had the softest spot for.

"Thanks for letting us just come and disturb your peace."

"Of course. The kids know this is as much their place as Bellie's, they have their own keys."

"And thank you for that. It means a lot to them to still have you."

"They always will." She promised.

"Bye Liv,"

"Goodbye Mr President." Olivia replied.

The kids came in a few seconds later to give her their his goodbye and promised to visit soon.

"Bye Liv, we'll call you tomorrow. Love you." Karen called out as she climbed into the car.

"Love you too."

"All of you." She added only to herself.

That night a loud ear piercing scream woke Olivia. Knowing immediately it was her daughter she jumped out of her bed and ran straight into Isobel's room. She got to the door just as Huck made it to the top of the stairs. The sight of her daughter sobbing as she cried out for her Daddy just about broke her heart. Olivia realised she had woken to find that Fitz was no longer there.

"I want Daddy." She cried shaking in Olivia's arms.

"Daddy had to go home sweetheart."

"I want Daddy." She sobbed.

"How about we give him a call and you can say a proper goodnight." Isobel didn't reply and just kept crying. Huck handed her the phone and placed a hand on her shoulder before heading back to his house at the back after securing the grounds.

"Liv," Fitz answered worriedly by instinct as well as the fact that Liv never called. Before she could get a word in he heard his daughter crying out for him sobbing uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry to call you. I thought maybe if she spoke to you she'd calm down." Olivia said desperately.

"You never have to apologise Liv. Especially not for this. Let me put you on FaceTime so she can see me."

"Okay." Liv flicked the phone so that Isobel could see her father,

"Hi sweetpea. Daddy's right here. I'm sorry I had to go while you were sleeping and didn't say goodbye. I didn't want to wake you."

"I want you Daddy."

"And I want to be there Princess."

"Then why aren't you here?" His two year old asked with tears in her eyes. Fitz put his shoes back on,

"Daddy's on his way back Baby girl."

"Fitz no." Olivia said knowing what a risk he's taking,

"Liv, I won't always be able to run back when she needs and wants me. Tonight by the grace of God I can. I want to. She's only two and she's already lived through so many disappointments when it comes to her Dad. For once I want to be able to give her what she wants."

"Okay, we'll see you soon." Olivia hung up the phone and hugged Isobel close and tight assuring her that Daddy was indeed on his way because he loved her so much. Within twenty minutes she was opening the door for him.

"Hey, thank you so much for coming back."

"Of course. Hi sweetheart Daddy's here." He said taking Isobel in his arms.

"Daddy," she said wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his middle.

"Daddy's right here baby girl and Daddy loves you so much." Olivia felt her walls begin to crumble and left the room before she lost it all together. It was one thing for her to be able to live without him. It was easy to justify their choices because it protected Isobel but seeing daughter lose it was too much. She couldn't help but be angry at him for not fighting hard enough for them.

Fitz found her an hour later sitting on the bottom of the stairs lost in her thoughts. The redness in her eyes was a tell tale sign that she had spent that last hour crying. Wordlessly he sat beside her.

"I'm sorry Liv."

"I wish that made me feel better." She said honestly.

"But it doesn't. I thought we were doing okay. I thought I was doing enough and I guess I'm not."

"Liv, you are enough. That little girl wants for nothing."

"Except for the one thing neither of us can have." Olivia answered hollowly before standing to her feet. Fitz grabbed her hand and pulled her to his lap wrapping his arms around her. He cupped her face with his hand.

"I'll pull my name from re-election."

"No, not like this Fitz. Not as some bandaid to fix whatever this is. If you chose to run its because you want to run."

"I can't see you like this. I can't bare the thought of Isobel being that upset again. I can't Liv."

"You have to. This is the life you chose and choices have consequences. Unfortunately, this is ours. If I had been strong enough, I would have kept walking instead of coming back after Amanda Tanner. Instead I brought a little girl into this world whom I love more than anything and certainly have no regret in having and she lives in a half existence because the safest thing for her is for no one to ever know she exists."

A special thanks to those who take the time to review. This is a little therapeutic after the last episode which still has my head spinning.