The Belly Tales: Adventures of Liv and Fitz
A/N: As noted in my other story, sooo sorry for the long lag between updates...I hope this chapter was worth the wait. :) As always, thank you so much for the amazing reviews. Hope you enjoy! xo
Chapter 10 – Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady
"Hampton"
Silence.
"Hampton"
Silence.
"Hampton!" Olivia sighed with exasperation. "You know that only works with possums right?"
Silence.
Silence. Two can play at this game, Olivia mused.
Silence.
"Olive Oil," Hampton exclaimed in a sugary tone. "It's been a whil—"
"Why did you help him?"
"since we'v—"
"Hampton…why?"
"spoke." He sighed, resigning himself to the verbal lashing he was sure was imminent. "He asked me to."
Silence.
"Oh come on, Liv…" He got out of bed and began pacing as he gripped the phone tightly. "What was I supposed to do? He's been in my corner since the day I met him. 14, closeted and alone; not fit to carry my family's name, let alone its legacy. He saw me. This man who would become great, took the time to see me; and in spite of what he saw – or maybe because of it – he loved me, not as his future wife's brother but as his brother."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "How could I not help him? How could I give him anything less than what he's given me?" His voice held no malice as he softly asked, "how could you?"
"Hamp" she warned.
"No Liv, please listen to me. He wants to be happy. You know that better than most. I didn't understand it until now but...you see him. You see the boy with the big heart. You see the man that's president too, but you see the boy with the big heart. Everyone deserves the chance to be happy, why not Fitz?"
Silence. Her heart was pounding violently in her chest. She doubted he knew the whole story, or the extent of their story, but he knew enough. He knew enough to understand all the reasons why 'no' was the rational choice, the responsible answer; and yet, Hampton not only implored her to say 'yes' but gave her the slightest bit of hope that perhaps 'yes' was the only answer.
"Liv, if you wanted to, you could stop this train. You're perhaps the only one who can. But I'm asking you not to…and frankly, I don't think you want to."
Silence.
Silence.
"Liv?"
"Ok" she stated softly. "Ok."
"Ok!" Hampton silently did the Rocky dance the length of his hotel room. He took a moment to gather himself and he said, "so what's next?"
"You do what you do best…get down and dirty."
"You make it sound sexy." He shamelessly flirted.
"Keep it honest Hamp…there will be no fabrications…we're just striping away the lie I help create five years ago. Got it?"
"So Liv, Fitzie…really?" He asked, effectively changing the subject.
"Hampton Astor…"
"Just saying…I thought I was more your type." He plopped back down onto his bed and smiled knowing she was shaking her head on the other end of the phone.
"Campton," she paused for dramatic effect, smiling widely at her nickname for him. "You're a little…gay."
"Oh honey, you're my BIGS." He whined playfully. "Remember that when you get tired of Fitzie and his perfect hair and chiseled chest and his…"
"Hampton, I gotta go." She laughed and began to hang up. "Oh wait, what the hell is a BIGS?"
He started laughing in earnest and struggled to get the words out. "It means, it means you're the Bitch I'd Go Straight for." His chuckles turned into a combination of giggles and coughs. "Bye Olive Oil!" He hung up before she should say a word.
Olivia and Fitz sat perfectly still in the middle of the sofa in his private office in the East Wing. Each were experiencing varying degrees of shock.
It had been close to two hours since Cyrus and Mellie stormed out of the office in dueling fits of rage. They had not been prepared for the possibility that Olivia was not on their side. They had been wholly unprepared for the fact that Olivia was unwilling to fix the mess they were convinced Fitz caused.
'Olivia, you're smarter than this." Cyrus yelled in disbelief. 'You two won't be riding off into the sunset" He'd sneered in disgust.
'And as for your child, it wi—'
'Cyrus, I'd be very careful about that you say next." Olivia warned her mentor.
'Yea, Cyrus...I'd be very careful…' Fitz stood behind Olivia in a show of solidarity. "Because if you don't, I'll shove my foot so far up your ass, you won't need polling data to know the probability of needing surgery to dislodge it.'
Before Olivia could stop her reaction, she'd broken into a fit of giggles at the witty imagery and turned her head, briefly making eye contact with Fitz.
'Oh my god, you two are disgusting.' Mellie rolled her eyes and regarded the couple in front of her with disdain. 'Why would I go along with this?' Mellie was referring to the plan Olivia laid before them as what she saw as win-win.
'Because this is happening…whether you're on board or not.'
Mellie had fought to keep her mask of disgust in place but panic slowly crawled up her spine.
'Then what's in it for me?'
'A chance to control the narrative.'
It had been 30 minutes since the doctor left the room. Olivia had been immediately suspicious when Fitz asked her to stay behind to talk. Less than 30seconds after Cyrus and Mellie exited the room, Hal escorted Dr. Ramsey through the door.
'Did you bring the thing?' Fitz asked as he shook the doctor's hand.
'Yes sir.' Dr. Ramsey responded gesturing to the large bag he was carrying. His eyes danced nervously between the President and Olivia. He tried not to wiggle when he felt beads of sweat form along his lower back as he watched Olivia silently regard the President with narrowed eyes.
'Nice to see you again doctor. Is the President ill?' She'd asked sweetly, her eyes never leaving Fitz's face.
Fitz had the good sense to lower his eyes to the ground and appear sheepish.
'Umm, actually Liv," he shifted his weight from his left foot to his right before meeting her eyes. 'He's here for you.'
'Is he now?' She crossed her arms in defiance.
'You haven't had an ultrasound yet. And I can't very well waltz into your next doctor's appointment now can I. So I brought one to us.'
'hmm.' She turned to the doctor and gave him the once over. 'I assume he's filled you in.'
'Y-yes ma'am.'
'Fine.' She sighed heavily and plopped down onto the sofa. "Let's get this over with.'
So there they sat, frozen. Olivia stared straight ahead and tried to concentrate on her breathing. She felt Fitz shifting his position on the couch. Out of the corner of her eye she watched him slowly turn his body toward hers and extend his right hand toward her stomach. Without hesitation, she slapped his hand away. A huge smile spread across his face as he reached for her again only to be batted away a second time.
"Ok, everything's go—"
"Don't talk to me."
"Livie, come on, it's not that ba—"
"I said don't talk to me." She snapped.
"Olivia…"
"One. One and you weren't going to touch me for a couple of months." He arched his eyebrows in amusement.
'Ahh, here we are.' Dr. Ramsey proclaimed.
'Is that our baby's heartbeat?' Olivia asked; her voice filled with wonder.
"Baby, calm down…"
"Two. Two and you weren't going to touch me for a year…AT LEAST."
'What is that?' Olivia asked as she fought the panic that was overtaking her.
'That Ms. Pope, is another heartbeat.'
He fought the smile that tugged at his lips. "Livie, you don't mea—"
"But three. THREE. You are NEVER touching me again." She turned to glare at him.
'Ok seriously, stop fucking with me.' Olivia was finding it hard to breathe and her vision was starting to blur. 'What is THAT?'
'Ms. Pope, I need you to breathe.' Dr. Ramsey was concerned she might pass out. 'Just breathe.'
'Fitz…Fitz, what is that?'
'Uhh…' Fitz was struggling to find his breath as well. His collar was suddenly too tight as he frantically pawed at his neck in an attempt to loosen it. 'Uhh.'
'Congratulations folks, you're having triplets!'
'Get the fuck out.' Olivia began gasping for air as she glared at Fitz. 'Seriously, get out! You too Fitz!'
"NEVER…EVER…AGAIN!"
"Livie…" He warned, growing serious.
"THREE"
"I know."
"As in, one, two, THREE."
"I know."
"I can't have three children."
"Livie…" he slowly leaned into her space, making sure he did not touch her.
"I can't." She was terrified. She thought of all the ways their plans could go wrong. What he if changed his mind and ran for a second term. What if he stayed with Mellie. What if. One kid she could handle. It would be hard no doubt but she could do it. Three, however, three she could not do alone. She needed him - now more than ever.
"Hey," he whispered and lightly touched her face. "Look at me."
She met and held his stare. "We can do this, together. We can do this."
"Together?"
"You and me." He whispered as he peppered kisses along her jawline. As he inched toward her lips his hand caressed her stomach, caressed his babies. "Kiss me."
"What part of 'never again' wasn't clear?" Her actions belied her words as she slowly turned her face toward his mouth.
"Please Livie…" He breathed against the side of her lips. "Just one kiss…" He softly positioned his lips over hers but didn't apply any pressure. He mumbled, "promise."
She rolled her eyes and pressed her lips against his. He grabbed her face as she tried to pull away and deepened the kiss. The mutual need for air caused them to break contact.
"Liar"
"You loved it." He smirked and set about nibbling on her neck.
"Simmer down K-Fed."
Her squeals of laughter echoed down the hall as Fitz pushed her deeper into the sofa and tickled her mercilessly.