Liv and Fitz spent 5 days in Australia. The 18-hour flight for LA to Gold Coast was fun and relaxing. They talked and compromised on a few things like Liv's name. Fitz wanted her to drop Pope and go by Grant. Liv wanted to keep Pope because of her surfing career. They compromised with Pope-Grant as her official name. They took a few selfies at the airport and on the plane. She introduced her new husband to her fans. She also announced her pregnancy. Both announcement sent her fan base into a frenzy. There were a lot of congratulations and cute couple comments, but she was happy to finally share this part of her world with him.
He kept his jealousy in check during press day as she interviewed several hot surfers. He acted as her personal assistant/photographer. His only problem was when she interviewed her friend, Tyson. He felt like they were still a little too friendly compared to her relationship with the other guys. She tried to explain that in the surf world, he was her close friend. He didn't like that thought and he made sure she knew it that night in their room when he punish fucked her. She knew how to push his buttons and loved their aggressive sex.
He stood on the sidelines while she worked as a reporter on competition days. He had room service waiting for them both days after she was done. It was a special time for them. After her 3 days of working, they did their mini honeymoon. The first day, they took in some sights and visited places like the museum and national parks. Today, they took a short flight and spent the day in Sydney.
Tonight was their last night and they were having a romantic dinner at a seafood restaurant on the coast where you can see the waves crashing against the rocks. Liv was smiling and happy as she sat across from her husband who looked handsome and proud to be with her.
He noticed her staring after the waiter took their menus, "What is going on in my wife's beautiful head?"
She smiled, "Just you. I still can't believe we are married."
He took her hand and kissed it, "Yeah, I thought I was going to have to club you over the head and drag you to the altar."
She scoffed playfully, "You are such a caveman."
He shrugged, "Only with you. I would die for you and Nugget."
Liv pulled her hand back and reached into her purse, "Speaking of Nugget, I want you to have this."
She handed him a sealed envelope and he felt his heart was about to burst, "Are you sure?"
She nodded, "Yes, I am sure."
He flipped it around in his hand, "You said you didn't want to know. Why now?"
She sighed, "You have been so amazing on this whole trip. I am more in love with you today than I was yesterday. I hope to be even more in love with you tomorrow. You wanted to know the sex of our baby and I changed my mind at the last minute. You loved me enough to let me have that moment. Now I want to give it you."
The envelope contained the baby's sex. They were both at the doctor's visit looking at the sonogram. The doctor wrote the sex down on a piece of paper and sealed it in an envelope in case they wanted to know later.
Fitz took a deep breath and opened it. He got choked up as he read the paper.
Liv braced herself, "What does it say?"
He wiped the tear that had fallen from his eye, "Nugget is a girl."
Liv opened her mouth in shock and awe, "Are you serious?"
He turned the paper and showed her. It said, 'Baby Girl!'
Liv started crying and Fitz was out his chair putting his arms around her. They drew a few curious glances but none of that mattered. After she settled down, he took his seat when the waiter brought their food.
Fitz laughed to himself before he spoke, "She needs a badass name. Something that says my daddy will fuck you up if you mess with me."
Liv laughed at him, "Oh my god. I can just see you know. Biker daddy looking gruff. You will not grow a beard. I like you sexy and handsome as you are now."
He nodded, "Ok, what do you think of the name, Harley?"
Liv scrunched up her face, "Like Harley Quinn from the Suicide Squad?"
He shook his head, "Like Harley Davidson."
Liv looked at him for a moment, "You want to name our daughter after your motorcycle?"
"It is cute. Motorcycles are in her blood. Just look at her parents and grandparents. You are a biker chick now whether you like it or not. This name says badass."
Liv ate her food while she thought, "ok but Davidson will not her middle name nor the name of any other children we have."
He agreed, "You pick the middle name."
"How about Harley Rose Grant?"
Fitz tried to swallow his emotions, "That is a beautiful name. A rose is one of the most precious flowers in the world. Harley will always be precious to me. Thank you for giving her to me."
Liv was crying, "Thank you for giving me you."
He took her hand again and kissed it, "You always had all of me. I was just too stupid to tell you. You are it for me, Mrs. Grant. You and Nugget are all I need."
Liv laughed, "Is she still Nugget?"
"She will always be my Nugget."
X X
Liv and Fitz walked towards the baggage claim area at LAX to get their luggage and head home. They were severely jet lagged and looked forward to sleeping in their own bed. As they walked into the area, they saw Skull, Beth and a few other members from the club. They had a somber look on their face and tried to force a smile when they saw them.
Beth laughed as she hugged Liv, "You look good, Liv. Looks like your honeymoon helped you relax."
Liv smiled, "It did. We had a great time together. Australia is always so beautiful."
Skull nodded his head to Fitz, "Bones, you look like you enjoyed it."
Fitz frowned, "Cut the small talk shit. What happened? Why the fuck are you guys here?"
Liv got angry at him, "Fitz, that is no way to talk to your friends."
Skull sighed, "He is right, Liv. Something happened."
Fitz grabbed her hand, "What?"
Skull looked around before answering, "The strip club was shot up the other day. No one was injured because it was when the club was closed. Some of our other establishments were hit as well."
Fitz was growing impatient, "What does any of this have to with us? Was my shop hit or something?"
Skull rubbed the back of his head, "No not the shop. It was your house."
Liv felt like the wind had been knocked out of her, "Our house!"
Fitz pulled her into his arms. He kissed her temple and tried to calm her down, "It's okay baby. I got you." He looked at Skull, "What's the damage?"
He shook his head, "Not much. They trashed the kitchen and Liv's shop. They spray painted the walls with sayings like 'You can't hide from us' and on the baby's door, it said, 'You will never see your child grow up'.
Liv gripped him tighter and cried harder. He tried his best to soothe her.
Skull continued to talk, "We figured we would escort you home to get some things. You can stay at the clubhouse. We are on lockdown for the time being. I got a few ears and eyes doing some recon work for us."
Fitz nodded, "I need to touch base with someone to see if they have the proof we need yet."
They grabbed the luggage and took off. Fitz made Liv stay in the truck while he went into the house. He felt angry because someone had violated their space. He made a vow to make them pay.
He and Skull were the only two to enter the house. While he packed a few things, he asked Skull, "Why didn't you tell me all of this before we got home?"
Skull sighed, "Bones, that was your honeymoon. I may have never taken Beth on one, but I do know that time should have gone to her. Club stuff wasn't that important."
Fitz became agitated, "Our house was. My wife is probably shaking with fear and I can't do a damn thing about it."
Skull raised his hand in surrender, "We will find them. We will make them all pay even if it is my brother."
Fitz nodded and they left the house. Everyone at the clubhouse welcomed them with open arms. They wore their matching kutte and hung out with the crew. They were back home and it was time to get down to business as usual.
X X
They had been on lockdown for a week and a half. Liv was going stir crazy. She was having cabin fever, but no one seemed to care. Right now, Fitz was gone again to talk with his informant. This was the third meeting he has had since they were on lockdown. He refused to tell her anything except he had everything under control.
She had talked with her parents and friends. She knew that sooner or later she would eventually have to go back to work. She was not sure how Fitz would take it. He had her watched all day and night. He was adamant about her safety being a priority but right now, she wanted to choke someone.
It was after 4 when Fitz finally comes back. He was smiling and carrying a box when he entered.
"Hey, babe. I thought you would be napping?"
She glared at him with her arms folded over her chest, "Where were you?"
He took off his jacket and shrugged, "I was out handling some business."
She shook her head, "Married people aren't supposed to keep secrets from each other. That tells me that you don't trust me. If you don't trust me then why the fuck did you marry me? Is it because I am pregnant? Are you scared I would take the baby from you?"
Fitz jaws tightened, "No! If you ever leave me, I will drag your ass back here screaming and kicking. I married you because I love you. You are it for me, Bunny."
She raised up on her knees, "Then tell me what is going on. Who are you meeting that has you gone all hours of the day? I deserve some answers."
He dropped his head, "You do deserve answers but unfortunately I can't give them to you right now. It's better if you don't know."
Liv shook her head, "I think it's better if I leave."
He clenched his jaw, "It's not safe. You could get hurt out there."
A tear fell from her face, "The only one hurting me right now is you."
He fell to his knees by the bed and grabbed her hands, "Just give me time to work everything out. I promise it will be okay. Please Bunny?"
Tears started streaming down her face, "I wish we were back in Australia where it was just the two us. No bullshit. No drama. We have been married for almost 3 weeks and I am contemplating a divorce."
He kissed her hands, "You are not contemplating shit. You are not leaving me or divorcing me. You and Nugget are my life. I will make this work. Right now, you are just tired. I will take a shower then I will come back and give you my undivided attention."
She didn't respond as he stood and went to the bathroom. She took deep breaths while she heard the shower running. After a few minutes, she heard a ding coming from the nightstand. Fitz had left his phone while he showered. Normally she would not check his messages but the not knowing was eating at her.
She picked up his phone and read the message on the locked screen. It was from Denise.
'When are you available to meet again? I have what you need.'
She felt like the air had been knocked from her lungs. Why was he meeting her? Was he cheating on her? The message said again. That means they have met at least one time before.
She put the phone down when she heard the water turn off. She laid down in bed facing away from his side. He came out oblivious to her inner turmoil. He put on his boxers and walked around to her side of the bed, "I bought something for you today."
She realized he had picked up the box he brought in with him. She didn't respond to him. He tried to hand her the box, but she refused to take it.
He kept his tone light, "I saw this in the store the other day and I ordered it for you." He opened the box to reveal a beautiful professional Canon camera, "I remembered how you said your passion was surfing and photography. I know right you can't surf because of the baby. You can't work in your studio because of the lockdown. I wanted to give you something to occupy your time and say I love you."
Liv looked at the camera. It was a beautiful gift, but she had to wonder if it was a guilt gift. Was he feeling guilty for lying to her and cheating? Once again she didn't acknowledge him. She basically stared off into space.
When he reached out to touch her, she flinched. His eyes widen with panic, "Bunny, don't do this!"
She never responded or acknowledged him. He put everything away and climbed into bed with her. She tensed when he wrapped his arms around her body, pulling her back to him.
He kissed her shoulder, "I love you and Nugget so much."
Again, she was silent.
After lying there for what seemed like hours, Fitz fell asleep. Liv knew now was the time to leave. She slipped out of bed and changed her clothes. She texted Abby and coordinated her ride. One of the teenagers, who was having cabin fever also, had told her about a hole in the compound walls. It was in a dark corner they kept covered with branches. She would leave through there. She wrote Fitz a note and left it on the nightstand by his phone along.
She managed to lose her tails by slipping out of the first-floor bathroom window. She met Abby at the designated spot and she breathe a sigh of relief as they drove away.
X X
Fitz woke up sometime after midnight. He'd only meant take a nap then find food for Liv and Nugget. He knew she was having a hard time with everything. He was just trying to protect her and keep her safe. He rolled over and felt for Liv, but she was not there. He looked towards the en suite bathroom but saw no light. He got up and threw on a pair of jeans then went in search of his wife.
A few people were still up around the kitchen and tv area but none of them were Liv. He walked around for a few minutes searching but coming up empty.
He stopped in front of the tv which caused everyone to look at him, "Any of you seen my wife?"
Everyone shook their head. One guy spoke, "We thought she was with you. I saw her go into the bathroom earlier, but I didn't see her come out."
Fitz frowned in confusion as he walked back towards his room. He grabbed his phone only to see a message from Denise but not his wife. He growled in frustration because she knew to contact Skull not him. It was Skull's idea to use her to gather information. He was just the go between guy. The last thing he needed was Liv finding a message from her and thinking he was cheating.
He cleared the message and dialed Liv's number, but it went to voicemail. He tried a few more times but got the same results. When he put his phone down, he saw the letter on the nightstand.
He picked up the letter and read it:
BONES, BY NOW YOU HAVE FIGURED OUT THAT I AM GONE. I TRIED BUT I COULDN'T LOOK AT YOU AND SEE THE MAN I LOVE ANYMORE. I NOTICED IN YOUR DEFENSE OF YOUR REASONING FOR MARRYING ME, YOU NEVER SAID YOU TRUSTED ME. I CAN'T IN GOOD CONSCIENCE BRING HARLEY INTO THIS MARRIAGE. I AM TIRED OF CRYING MYSELF TO SLEEP. I AM TIRED OF THE CLUB COMING FIRST WHILE NUGGET AND I COME SECOND. I TOLD YOU BEFORE WE MUST BE A PRIORITY NOT AN OPTION. I LOVE YOU AS FITZ. MY FITZ. YOU WERE MY FITZ IN AUSTRALIA. THAT WAS THE HAPPIEST TIME OF MY LIFE. LEAVING YOU IS THE HARDEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE BUT IT'S WHAT I THINK IS BEST FOR ME. I WILL NEVER KEEP YOU FROM YOUR DAUGHTER. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HER FATHER. THAT IS A FACT I CAN NEVER CHANGE EVEN IF I WANTED TO. I WILL BE IN TOUCH ABOUT THE ANNULMENT PROCESS. IN THE MEAN TIME, YOU ARE FREE TO MEET WITH DENISE AS OFTEN AS YOU LIKE.
GOODBYE
LIV
He ripped the paper and let out a howling scream. A few doors opened, and people ran into his room expecting the worse. He looked up at Googles standing in the doorway, "Track her phone, Now!"
Goggles nodded and took off. Everyone else stood in the door watching as Fitz started getting dressed. He was furious. He was stomping and slinging shit out his way.
The guys made way for Skull to enter the room. He closed the door behind him, "What's going on, Bones?"
He slammed his hand on the dresser, "That bitch texted my phone! I told you not deal with her. She is fucking playing with my life. Now my wife is gone."
He showed Skull the message from Denise. Skull nodded, "She makes it seem like you are cheating with her."
"Exactly. But I will deal with that later. I need to find my wife."
Skull opened the door for Fitz. He met Goggles downstairs who informed him of the hotel Liv was in. Fitz hopped on his bike and rode hard. When he got to the motel, he asked the clerk for the room number. The guy refused. After Fitz choked him against the wall, he relented and gave him information. Fitz walked to room 107 and knocked on the door.
Liv's voice was heard on the other side of the door, "Who is it?"
He growled, "Your husband who will knock down this fucking door if you don't open it."
He heard the latch and pushed his way inside once the door opened, "What the fuck, Bunny? I told you that I would find you if you ran. Did you think I was playing?"
She looked defeated as she sat on the bed, "No, I thought they were just empty words like your wedding vows."
His nose flared in frustration. He knew he had to tell her, "It's Rebel!"
Liv was confused, "What?"
Fitz took a deep breath, "He is the traitor in our mist. He was the one who knew the gun route and he was conveniently missing that night. He has been doing rouge unassigned missions like driving by our house and the shop. He knew we were out of town. It's him."
Liv shakes her head, "What does Denise have to do with this?"
He starts pacing, "I knew a guy in HOH. We were in the joint together with Rebel and Devil. He told me that Devil and Rebel were talking and meeting more. Skull wanted proof and I couldn't do that to my guy and risk his safety. Skull found out that some of the club whores started hanging out with the HOH after we kicked them out. He called Denise. I was just running point collecting information. We had proof that Rebel has been to their compound, but we needed to proof of them together. She was getting that, but she was wrong to send a message on my phone. She knows I am married. I would never do that to you."
Liv shakes her head, "It's too late. You should have told me this before now."
He nodded, "You are right, but I wanted to eliminate your stress. I also didn't want to tip off Rebel if you started acting differently around him. I was protecting you."
"You should have let me make that decision. Instead you made it for me."
He pleaded, "You are so right, and I will never make that-"
He stopped when he heard rumbling in the distance. He knew the sound of motorcycles. It didn't sound many, but they were getting close.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Skull.
Skull answered, "Yo!"
Fitz looked out the curtains, "I got noise coming my way. They don't sound like ours."
"Shit, we are heading out. We will be there in 10."
The motorcycles stopped in the parking lot of the motel.
Fitz whispered to no one in particular, "Hurry up, muthafucker!"
Two bikes with two riders stopped near his. He recognized Devil, but the other rider stayed back in the shadow.
Devil got close and yelled, "Bones, I know you in there. I can't believe you would leave your wife to be with a worthless slut. Although, speaking of worthless sluts, I don't think Denise will be making that meeting. She is indisposed right now or is it decomposed? I get those mixed up."
The other biker laughed.
Fitz finally yelled back, "What do you want?"
Devil shook his head, "You should have taken the deal. We would be rich by now, but you had to be selfless. Now your child will never meet its daddy."
Fitz checked his watched and motioned for Liv to get on the floor on the other side of the bed. He turned back to Devil, "Why did Rebel take it?"
Devil laughed, "He is a smart man. He was angry because his brother valued you more than him. His brother always saw him as a fuck up."
Just then the other guy ran forward with his gun pointed at the room, "Company is coming."
Fitz dove towards the bed as the first shot came through the window. He tried his best to cover Liv from the falling debris. She screamed as bullet flew over them and on the bed. The shooting lasted for a few minutes, but it felt like an eternity.
Devil and his friend took off as the Hell's Angel crew got closer.
Fitz jumped up to check and see if they were gone. Once he confirmed it, he ran back towards Olivia. The first thing he noticed was blood coming out of her head. The lamp had fallen on her before he had first gotten to her. The second thing he noticed as she was out cold. He didn't know if it was from shock or injury.
He panicked and screamed her name. She didn't respond. She was like a limp noodle in his arms. Everything after that was a blur. From the ambulance being called to going to the hospital. One thing was for sure, the Hounds of Hades were going to pay.