Disclaimer: I do not own Scandal
Chapter Four
The night you danced like you knew our lives would never be the same
"So the camera will be here and you two will sit here. I'll be in the chair right next to you." Kimberly Mitchell walked Fitz and Olivia through the setup for the baby announcement interview.
Originally, Olivia wanted to wait another couple of weeks, but David's nomination still hadn't gone through and as a result of the indecision of the Senate, Fitz's ratings were down. This was hopefully going to help change all of that.
Sensing Olivia's distress, Fitz allowed Cyrus to speak with Kimberly for a moment while he spoke to his wife, "Livie," he murmured, cupping her face as he did so, "we don't have to do this today. We can wait until what we first planned. My ratings and David's nomination will be just fine. I promise."
Taking a deep breath, Olivia shook her head. "No, let's do it. I'm mostly just nervous about having our private life in the public eye, but I have to get over that."
Nodding, Fitz replied uncertainly, "If you're sure."
Leaning up, Olivia pressed a small kiss to his lips. "I'm sure, Fitz. Besides, it's not like I'm going to be able to hide this for much longer at any rate." She rested her hand on her stomach, smiling when Fitz's hand joined hers. "Let's do this, then I have an idea you may be interested in, but all of the politicians will probably hate."
SCANDAL
Olivia smoothed out the skirt of her cream colored dress nervously as the cameras were all panned towards them. When Fitz slid his fingers through hers, all of Olivia's nerves seemed to settle.
When the director called "action," Kimberly turned and smiled warmly at the young couple. To be honest, Kimberly understood Olivia's nerves perfectly. She was so young and had more responsibilities than most people twice her age. It was normal that she felt out of control.
"Well," Kimberly began, "the last time I saw the two of you, President Grant, you'd only just won the election." It was true. The only post-election interview Fitz opted to do was with Kimberly because she'd done such a great job during the affair scandal that went on during the election.
Fitz flushed lightly, "Honestly, it still feels like a dream. Like I can't believe the American people trusted me enough to protect them."
"Since we're sitting in a parlor in the West Wing, I'd wager to say it's not a dream." Kimberly grinned, "So how has the transition been?"
Fitz looked at Olivia and she nodded for him to continue. "It's been good. Challenging, as you can imagine. We're still getting used to the fact that everyone wants to know everything about our personal lives."
"And the fact that we have hashtags associated with us." Olivia giggled.
Kimberly nodded, "I still don't quite understand the point of those." She admitted. "I must be getting old."
"Then we all are." Fitz chuckled. "I suppose that's been the biggest transition outside of how horrible politics is in general."
"It's not what you thought it would be?" Kimberly asked.
Fitz shook his head no. "I think people thought because I'm young and have no political experience I could be manipulated or bought, but they're finding I can't be. We can't be. We won the election cleanly. We intend to leave the White House in four or eight years that way."
"Speaking of clean elections," Kimberly glanced at Olivia, "how have you been doing since the kidnapping?"
Olivia automatically leaned further into Fitz. When he squeezed her hand reassuringly she found her voice. "It was hard. It was even harder coming to terms with the fact that I knew the people involved. Andrew Nichols was at our wedding. I went to college with Lizzie. I trusted Billy."
"And my father's involvement was enough to cause us to question who to trust." Fitz added.
"But we have each other and my parents and Jerry and the family we've formed here." Olivia smiled up at Fitz and nodded.
"We have more than just that." Fitz moved his hand from her knee to her tummy. "We've having another baby. Olivia is pregnant."
Twining her fingers through his, Olivia smiled brilliantly up at her husband, "Our little family is growing."
Even though Kimberly already knew that Olivia was pregnant, she acted appropriately surprised. "Oh my goodness! Congratulations President and Mrs. Grant, that's wonderful news. You must be so excited."
Fitz wrapped his arm around Olivia's shoulders and drew her into his side, pressing a kiss to her temple. "We really are. We talked about trying, but it was still a surprise to us."
"A wonderful surprise." Olivia amended.
Kimberly just beamed at the young couple for a moment. They were so devoted to each other and they were so in love it took her breath away. She vaguely recalled Abby's words from her first visit with the Grants while they were on the campaign trail . . . they're like that fairytale couple you read about, but don't believe really exists. . . it was absolutely true.
"Do you know what you're having?"
Kimberly's words forced Olivia and Fitz to focus on her once again, "Not yet." Fitz told her.
"But you'll be the second to know once we find out." Olivia winked at her.
SCANDAL
Olivia couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear as she cleaned up the dishes from their family lunch. Fitz would have to return to the Oval soon, but she should have just enough time to shot him her idea after he put Jerry down for his nap.
"Well, our little monster is finally fast asleep." Fitz slipped his arms around Olivia's waist and pressed a kiss to her neck. "Cyrus poked his head in. My ratings are up and the interview doesn't even air until tomorrow night." He continued, "So, before I go back to work, my question is, what is your idea?"
Pulling back, Olivia turned in his arms and stared at him straight in the eye. "Abby."
Fitz's brow furrowed in confusion, "What about crazy Red?"
"Abby is brilliant and poised and confident." Fitz nodded at Olivia's assessment. "She thinks on her feet and isn't easily rattled. Her connections with the local PD and the Feds is extraordinary and the media bows to her. . ."
"Ah." Fitz nodded, "You think she'd make a good Press Secretary."
"No." Olivia corrected sharply, "I think she'd make the best Press Secretary."
"Do you think we should make the offer and announcement before or after David is confirmed?"
Olivia smiled at Fitz's unwavering belief in her ideas, accepting Abby as the new Press Secretary with no problems. "Before." Olivia answered certainly, "And do it before our interview so we have a distraction in between."
Fitz hesitated a moment before asking, "Are you sure you're okay giving Abby up? She's' a core member of OGA and she's been there from the beginning." He pointed out.
Olivia nodded slowly, "I am. It's not to say that she isn't wanted or won't be missed, but this is an incredible opportunity for her. And her job up there is to protect you and it's one I know she can do better than any other man or woman I can think of."
Leaning down, Fitz brushed a kiss over her brow, "There's one woman I can think of who could do a better job than anyone in the world, but she already owns her own company and is the First Lady of the United States of America as well."
Shaking her head, Olivia murmured, "Go stop a war somewhere. And get Abby in your office today." Turning him around, she gave his ass a playful swat, giggling as he shook it for her on his way out the door.
SCANDAL
Knocking on the door of the Oval Office, Abby grinned, "Permission to enter the sacred chamber of the Leader of the Free World."
Fitz and Cyrus looked up, "Permission granted, Mrs. Whelan-Rosen."
Strutting in, Abby took a seat on the sofa after giving Fitz a mocking salute, "So, what does the President of the United States and his Chief of Staff want with a fixer?" She grinned at them, "Because in case you missed it, you're married to the best of the best."
Fitz grinned back at her, "It's not a fixer I'm in need of. It's a White House Press Secretary."
Abby's eyes widened comically, "Surely you don't mean me. Surely you mean you want me to help you find a proper and experienced candidate."
"Abby," Fitz stopped her rambling, "you're both qualified and capable. So what do you say? Can I make the announcement today?"
SCANDAL
"A surprising announcement came out of the White House today. Abigail Whelan-Rosen was appointed as the White House Press Secretary. Her husband, David Rosen, is in the midst of confirmation hearings with the Senate for Attorney General."
"Despite the backlash her husband is receiving in his confirmation hearings, there isn't much negative press regarding Abigail Whelan-Rosen's appointment to White House Press Secretary. IT seems Grant's choice to place a Democrat, and more importantly a woman, behind the podium as the voice and face of the White House is a popular one."
SCANDAL
"You, Mrs. Whelan-Rosen, are a smash hit." David climbed into their bed next to her. "Tomorrow I want to ditch the gang and take you out to celebrate. Just the two of us."
Humming, Abby drew her husband over so he was hovering above her. "That sounds nice. I just can't believe we're both going to be working in the West Wing. It's crazy how life happens."
SCANDAL
XOXO
MAF