Since Olivia was unaware of the events taking place. Her anger toward Fitz was fueled by his absence that weekend from the children's lives. She was fuming after she got the call from Fitz and now she had to tell her kids he wasn't coming. To say she was pissed was an understatement.

As predicted, the news that the children would not be with their father that weekend didn't go down very well. There were a few tears and a great deal of cuddling to compensate for his absence. By the time Stephen arrived they all seemed a little adult male deprived.

Stephen managed to bring a calm to the situation by suggesting they get out of the house for the night. He spotted a carnival a couple miles down the road from their house and thought a night of fun might be the best cure for what ailed them.

After gorging themselves on hot dogs, cotton candy, and popcorn. Stephen doled out tickets so the kids could start riding some of the kiddy rides that he and Olivia could stand by and watch and wave as the kids went by. This gave Stephen the opportunity to talk to Olivia.

"Now that the kids are out of ear shot, how are you?"

Olivia huffed out, "pissed would be the accurate description of of how I'm feeling these days. I can't believe that the first chance Fitz gets to bail on his kids he takes it. Something about a damn emergency business trip."

"Listen Liv, you know I don't have any love for the guy, but maybe there is a legit reason to be out of town."

"Damn Stephen no need to stand up for the douche bag. If this is what happens when we are separated, what the hell is going to happen when we are divorced!"

At the mere mention of a divorce sent Stephens heart soaring. He never thought in his entire life he would have the opportunity to have Olivia in his life. He needed to play this cool so things can turn out in his favor.

"Liv, I'm not taking his side, but I don't want you to turn into one of those divorced wives that are angry all the time. In time I hope to see the old Livy back from our college days. You have a new set of circumstances and your going to have to be civil at the very least for the kids. Come over here and give Uncle Stephen a hug." He smirked.

Stephen slid over to give her a hug and she nudged him a little before she let him hug her. For a brief second Olivia was at peace in Stephen arms. She could not remember the reason why they never hooked up in school before. Oh, yeah he was a man whore.

"Now was that so bad?"

"Yes, you smell!" She cackled as she shot off the bench before Stephen could run after her. He picked her up and spun her around as the kids laughed at how silly they were being.

After he sets her back down and they stop howling at each other, they looked into each other eyes like they've never seen each other before. They're stare down was interrupted by the kids calling for their mother to come play with them. She breaks the stare as she begins to walk away but turns around to look at Stephen like she never has before. Stephen knows in that moment she is seeing him with a brand new pair of eyes and he was half way there.


Fitz and Kyle were at the island in the kitchen eating a sandwich when Huck walked in. He paused for a moment as he watch Fitz and Kyle mannerisms were so similar and they had no idea what the were doing.

"I have a friend in Chicago that can get me the medical records for Mellie. We can establish conception way before the date she is claiming to have had sex with you. Kyle will fill in the blanks also. What do you want to do about the embezzlement?"

Fitz put his sandwich down and got up to pace. A habit he had picked up from his wife a while ago.

"This has to be a one shot deal. If we don't nail Mellie on all fronts she will get away with this."

"We need to get in touch with David Rosen and fill him in on what is going on and provide him with all the evidence we have. I want him there with an arrest warrant when we are through with her. Also, I want every news agency out to watch her perp walk. I want her to burn!"

Fitz's and Kyle's Dad came back in the room right after Fitz's final statement.

"I'm with you son, but there is one thing we haven't considered yet." He turns to Kyle.

"What are you going to do about the baby if she goes to jail son?"

Kyle puts his sandwich down too and looked at his father with weary eyes.

"I don't know what to do. I'm not exactly father material. You all know what a looser kind of life I've been living. I'm not even sure I can love anyone let alone a little baby that will require a lot from me."

He plunged his face in his hands mulling over what was in front of him.

Their father went over and put his hand on his son's shoulder.

"Kyle I know that things didn't go well for you growing up and you never knew what it felt like to feel a parents love son. But let your mother and me help you. Come home with me until the baby is born so we can all get to know you and help you prepare for the baby."

Kyle lifted his head with tears in his eyes as he looked at the father he was meant to have all along.

"I...I would love to come home with you sir."

"It's Dad, right Fitz?"

Fitz had the same kind of tears in his eyes as well. "You bet!"

"Well if you three are going to be all Oprah up in here, I'm going to my room to get things set up for Monday."

They all laughed as Huck made his exit.


That same night after Olivia put the kids down for the night, her and Stephen were sitting in the den enjoying her favorite bottle of wine together. They talked about old times and what was going on in Stephen's life. By the time Olivia looked up and notices the time they have polished off two bottles of wine and it was late.

"Hey Stevie it's really late and the twins will be up at the crack of dawn raring to go."

She tries to stand but Stephen grabs her hand to make her stay where she was. Olivia gives him a questioning look.

"Liv...why did we never get together? I felt like we had a connection our freshman year until Fitz came into the picture."

Olivia pondered his question until she spoke.

"I don't know. We were such good friends the moment we met and deep down I didn't want to mess with that dynamic."

"So, you felt what I was talking about?"

"Yeah, I guess. But that all changed the moment I met Fitz. You forever fell into the friend zone."

Stephen still had his hand on her's as he started to lightly rub his thumb over her fingers. He made up his mind in that moment to finally come clean with her. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

"Liv do you want to know why I haven't been able to build or keep a lasting relationship with anyone? It was because of you. Every woman I've been out with or dated long term never matched up to you. I am your friend, but I don't just love you as a friend. I love you as a man who has waited a lifetime to find you and now that your about to be free, I don't want to waste another second telling you how I really feel about you. I made that mistake the last time and Fitz swooped in and grabbed you up. I just want to know if you will give me the chance this time."

Olivia looked at Stephen not really shocked as more mesmerized by his declarations of love. She did feel something for Stephen back then, and if she was being honest with herself she still felt a little spark now for him.

"Listen Stevie, we've gone through two bottles of wine and it's late. I hear what your saying and the only answer I can give you right now is, let me think about it. Things always look different in the cold light of morning. I do love you Stephen, but I need to get through this divorce with Fitz first and clear my head a little bit before I make a major decision like this. If me leaning on you is making thing difficult for you, we can take a step back for now."

"No! I just wanted to let you know how I feel. Like I said I want you to know you have another option. If you decide that we should remain friends, then I'll respect that, but if there is a sliver of hope, I want to take it."

They both stood up and hugged each other as always, but this time Stephen pulled her in and gave her a soul stirring kiss. After they broke apart Olivia patted Stephen on the shoulder as she moved toward the stairs to her bedroom.

What they didn't know was two pair of eyes saw the whole thing.