Chapter 10

"Are my dad and stepmom home," Karen asked her secret service agent as she and Teddy rode in the car on their way to spend the weekend with their father.

The agent replied, "Ms. Pope is home with your little sister. Your father had a work meeting, but he should be home in about an hour, or two."

Teddy said, "Livia might let us make smores. Can you ask her, Karen?"

Karen smiled. She answered her baby brother, "You can ask her yourself. I'm sure she won't say no to you."

It was Friday afternoon, and Karen was glad it was their time to spend with their father. She hated being in the White House. She actually resented it. She actually resented her mother. She had never asked how she and Teddy would feel if she ran for President. She just did it. Then demanded that Karen come home from school most weekends to spend time with her, but she was the president, and something would always inadvertently come up that pulled her away from her children.

It wasn't that she didn't love her mother. She did love her mother very much. She wouldn't trade Mellie for anything. She was also proud of her mother's accomplishments. But, eight years in the spotlight was enough for anyone. However, try a possible sixteen years. Then add on to that being the only daughter of the first female president. She didn't stand a chance.

These days she only ever felt normal when she was with her father, and Olivia. You know as normal as one could possibly be with a father who was the former president. Things were more relaxed with her dad, and Olivia. Her mom constantly pushed her about following in her footsteps. Olivia was in the political world, but she didn't push political interests on her. Olivia encouraged her to do whatever it was that made her happy. Sometimes Mellie made Karen wish that she had chosen to go to college back west. That way she wouldn't have to be tortured with these talks about her future as often.

She was in her second year at Georgetown University. She would never admit it to her mother, but she had chosen to go there because that had been the school that Olivia had attended for law school. She admired Olivia, and hoped that now that she and her father were married, that they would get closer to one another. She was a little giddy at hearing that Olivia was home, and her father wasn't. That meant she'd have some alone time with Olivia.

They pulled through the gate of her father's home. When they were out of the car they walked into the house. It was quiet. She helped Teddy out of his coat. She took off hers, and called out, "Hello?"

Olivia came around the corner. "Karen! Teddy Bear! I'm so glad to see you guys. It's so quiet around here without you. Plus your dad is so boring."

Things were still a bit frosty between Olivia and Fitz, but Olivia would never take it out on Karen, and Teddy. She'd suck it so that they had a great weekend. It was bad enough that they had argued, and were strained in front of their infant.

Both Teddy, and Karen laughed. Teddy lunged at Olivia, and she caught him. She lifted him briefly to kiss him on his cheek. He asked, "Livia, can we make smores? Pllleeeeaaassseee?"

Olivia ruffled his hair and said, "Sure buddy. Karen you want to help?"

"Sure. Do you want me to start the fireplace," Karen asked following Olivia, and Teddy into the kitchen.

Olivia walked into the pantry saying, "No, it's already on. Your father started it before he left."

Karen walked over to the kitchen sink, and washed her hands. Teddy walked over with the step stool that Olivia kept in the kitchen for him. He washed his hands, excited for the sweet treat that he knew was coming.

Olivia reached into the drawer for a couple of skewers. She handed Teddy the marshmallows, a Hershey's bar, and a package of graham crackers. Then they all retreated to the fireplace in the family room.

Karen asked, "Where is Ava?"

Olivia sat down on the floor and answered, "I just put her down for her nap. I tried to wait for you guys to get here, but she wasn't having it. She wanted a nap. How's it been being back on campus?"

Karen sat on the floor playing with a marshmallow and skewer. She said, "It's good. I like my classes, and all."

"But," Olivia prompted.

Karen took a deep breath saying, "I don't really want to live on campus this year. I was going to ask you and dad if I could stay here?"

Olivia was careful not to react. She was surprised with Karen's request. She didn't have a problem with it, but she was just Fitz's wife. Karen needed to speak with Fitz, and Mellie about that. She said to Karen, "I don't have a problem with it. I just think that it's something that you should discuss with your mother, and father. Plus, I'm surprised. I would think the last thing you would want to do is live with your dad. I thought you were going to say you wanted an off campus apartment."

Karen rolled her eyes. She said, "My mother is the current president. An apartment would be out of the question. It would never happen. I know that I'm lucky that I even get to live on campus at all. However, if I was to live here I wouldn't be under complete lock and key like I would be at the White House. Here I'm still protected by secret service, but because we're not in the White House, I'm not completely suffocated, you know?"

Olivia smiled, and nodded. She said, "I get it. You still have to speak with your parents. I'm afraid that I won't have much say in this one. Your father will ask if it's ok with me, and I have no problems with it all, but that's about as far as my opinion will go. Have you spoken with your mother about it yet?"

Karen shook her head. She said, "No, not yet. I wanted to make sure that it was ok with you, and dad before I said anything."

Teddy said, "I heard the door. Is that daddy?"

Liv shrugged. She wasn't thrilled about seeing her husband at all. She said, "I don't know Teddy Bear. Why don't you go see."

Teddy took off running towards the foyer.

A few moment later Fitz walked in carrying Teddy on his shoulders. He said, "All my babies are home. Karen rose from the floor, and walked over to hug her father. Olivia stood, and placed a plate with the completed smores on the coffee table.

Fitz released Karen, and sat Teddy on his feet. He walked over to Olivia reaching into his pocket, and pulling out a small box. He said, "Livvie, I brought you something." He leaned in to give her a hug.

Olivia returned his hug. Fitz was still trying to redeem himself from their argument. She wasn't mad any longer, but to be honest she was still hurt. Hurt enough to not be feeling him at the present moment, but he was her husband, and their children were around so she had to play nice.

She took the box that he held out to her. She opened it. Inside were a pair of Tiffany graduated drop diamond earrings set in platinum. Olivia recognized the earrings as a pair that she and Abby had been discussing one afternoon. They were close to seven thousand dollars. He had been giving her gifts for days. He was up to about close to twenty thousand dollars in gifts. Gifts that she didn't need.

She smiled at Fitz. "Thanks, Fitz. These are beautiful."

He put a hand on her cheek and looked into her eyes begging her silently to forgive him. Although she was still hurt, she couldn't stay mad at him too much longer. It was too exhausting being mad at someone you love as much as she loved him.

She placed a kiss on his cheek, and whispered into his ear, "We'll talk later, but we're good."

Karen walked over to them, and took the earrings from Liv's hands. She inspected them. She said, "Well, I know where to go to borrow earrings. Dad I need to ask you something."

They all sat down. Teddy rushed over and sat on the floor in front of the coffee table attacking the smores. Olivia made a mental note to vacuum when he was finished.

Fitz said, "What's up Karen."

She took a deep breath and said, "So, I was talking to Liv. I was telling her how I'm not really feeling living on campus this semester."

Before she could continue Fitz interjected, and said, "Absolutely not. This is not a topic for discussion. You're a target simply because your mom is president. Living on your own is out of the question."

Olivia said, "Maybe, you should stop assuming because it makes an a-s-s out of you, and listen to the actual question." Olivia couldn't help the snarkiness that escaped from her lips. She was careful not to curse since Teddy was sitting right in front of them.

Karen gave Olivia a smile of thanks, and then continued, "I know that I can't live alone. That logistically that makes protecting me much more difficult than it already was. I was wondering if I could stay here with you, and Liv. It's close to campus, and it's easier for me to be protected, because you know, you're the former president."

Fitz smiled. It pleased him that Karen wanted to live with him. He would like nothing more. He asked, "Have you considered staying at the White House with your mom? Service can make sure that you get to class on time."

Karen looked at her dad with pleading eyes. She said, "I know that dad, but I don't want White House living. I can't have friends over as easily. I want to be some kind of normal. I know that this is Liv's home too. I asked her. She said that I have to talk to you and mom, but that if you all were ok with it, then she's ok with it too. Please daddy?"

Fitz smiled on the inside. He couldn't remember the last time Karen had called him daddy. He appreciated that she wanted to live with them. More time with his children was something that he had been craving since Ava's birth. He said, "Ok, we both know that your mother isn't going to be to happy with this. However, if you can get her to agree then I don't have a problem. Before you ask, no. I'm not going to Mellie about this. It's your idea. So you have to speak with your mother about this."

Karen jumped up. She asked, "Can service take me there now?"

Fitz and Olivia laughed at her enthusiasm. He said, "You're an adult. You can go wherever you want."

Karen was so excited that she ran to the door.

Olivia stood and said, "You know Mellie is going to be pissed. Not only that I go back to work very soon. She's going to hold this against me. Come on Teddy. Let's go wash your face and hands. Then we can get you some water."

Fitz grabbed Olivia's hand as she moved to walk past him. He asked, "Are you sure we're good? I know that Mellie can be a brat, and that she might just be with this situation. I don't want to add anything on top of our already bad situation."

Olivia gave him a look. She chuckled humorlessly. She said, "Our situation isn't bad, Fitz. You go around assuming things, and making a fool of yourself. I'm no longer mad at you. I just think that you're a fool. The fool that I love, but a fool nevertheless. I can handle Mellie. We want to do what we can to make sure that the kids are happy. If staying here is what will make Karen happier, then that's what we should do."

Fitz smiled at Olivia saying, "God, I love you."

She met his eyes with a soft smile of her own saying, "I love you, too. I love you too Teddy Bear! Let's go get you cleaned up, buddy. Fitz, can you vacuum in here?"