A/N: Hi everyone. I know that you all are used to more consistent updates from me, but I'm trying. I think it may be a bit more difficult for me, now that Scandal has returned. I don't know if it's the fact that Scandal is ending, or if it's the fact that the current Olivia is one I'm not too familiar with. It's kind of messing me up with my writing, but if you can be patient with me we will push through this together. FYI: I love Olivia, and I hope that she can learn and heal from everything she's currently going through.

Chapter 11

The next morning the Grant/Pope home was up and busy early in the morning. They were preparing for their family photos. Olivia was secretly excited. She would never admit it aloud, but she had always longed to have a loving family who went on vacations together, and took cheesy family photos.

She was sitting at her vanity applying her makeup. Karen was in her bathroom using her flat iron. Fitz had Teddy standing on their bed, as he helped him get dressed. Fitz said to Karen, "What was her mood like when you told her?"

Karen placed the flat iron on the bathroom counter, and walked into the bedroom. She said, "I mean, she was shocked at first. I don't think that she expected it. Then mom asked why I didn't want to live at the White House. I explained it to her, and she said that it was ok. She said, that she understood my reasoning, and if it was alright with you two then she was cool."

Fitz gave Teddy a high five and said to Karen, "Did you make sure to tell her that you would still be there for your weekends?"

Karen replied, "Yes dad. I told her. She's still my mother. It's not like I was telling her I was leaving her for a new one."

Olivia was in the process of lining her lips when a laugh slipped through. She didn't mean to laugh, but Karen had a way of getting to her with her antics. Olivia shook her head and said, "Sorry."

Fitz eyed his wife from across the room. He loved seeing Olivia being light, and care free. It was something that hadn't happened a lot over the years. However, since they'd been back together after his presidency it was something that happened more often, and he loved that.

Teddy asked, "I gots to wear a tie?"

Olivia looked over at her boys and answered. "No ties, Teddy bear! You can be nice, casual, and relaxed today. You too, daddy."

Olivia was shooting him sensual daggers with her eyes. She had called him daddy. It was something she had recently started to say to him. It was amazing how such a simple word that he'd heard over the years, could completely turn him on. His children had called him that over the years, but hearing his wife say it to him, well that was something else. It was also how she said it. The inflection in her voice. The sparkle in her eye. Now as he looked over at her he couldn't help but wish the children were sleeping, or something.

He winked at Olivia. Karen walked back into the bedroom and asked, "Why are we taking pictures?"

Olivia replied, "Because that's what normal people do. I know that none of us are too familiar with what normal families do, but we're going to fake until we can get it right."

Karen left their bedroom, and went to her bedroom. Fitz put Teddy on his feet. He looked the little boy in the eye and said, "Be careful to not wrinkle your clothes. We have to take pictures in a little bit, bud."

Teddy nodded her his head and ran from the room. Fitz said to Olivia, "I guess I'll go get Ava dressed."

Olivia stood from her vanity dressed in thigh high boots, and a navy blue sweater dress. Fitz unconsciously licked his lips. He loved the way the dress fit her. It accentuated every last one of her curves. She said, "Don't worry about it. You go get dressed. I'll go get her dressed."

Olivia walked across the room on her way to the nursery. Fitz intercepted her before she could cross their bedroom threshold. Fitz needed just a small taste of his wife. They hadn't shared any real physical contact since their argument, and he missed that closeness. He pulled her into his arms palming her ass in the process.

"Livvie, I think I need a kiss," Fitz whispered.

Olivia chuckled, "Fitz, you're too much. Let me go. We are going to be late."

Fitz leaned in and said, "Just a quick kiss, Livvie."

Olivia smiled at her husband shaking her head. She hadn't kissed Fitz in days. He had kissed her cheek a couple times, but other than that since their argument there had been little physical contact between the two. Olivia looked up into her husband's face. Fitz smiled that smile that she loved. He leaned in, and she stood up on her toes. There lips collided, and for both Olivia and Fitz it felt like coming home. The first kiss was soft. No tongue just lips clinging. However, Fitz felt a little bite on Liv's end. So he went back in for a second kiss. This one was full of tongue and passion.

The kiss was so good that Fitz forgot that they had a house full of children, and that their bedroom door was wide open. He lifted her up, and pressed her against the nearest wall. Olivia was getting caught in the kiss as well, but she managed to think reasonably. She placed her hands on his chest. Bad idea. That man's chest. Olivia shook her head, and then said, "Fitz, not now. We have to finish getting dressed. We have to go."

Fitz pecked her lips a final time, and then sat her on her feet. He shook his head to clear it of the lust that was clouding his judgement. Fitz looked at his wife and said, "You owe me."

Olivia straightened her dress, and turned to leave. She tossed over shoulder, "You are the reason we were out of sync. I think that means, that you're the one who owes me."

Fitz took a deep breath. That woman was going to be the death of him. At least he would die a happy man.

Olivia was in the nursery changing Ava when Teddy ran into the room. "Livia, Livia! I thinks Ava wants a doggie."

Olivia looked down at the adorable dark haired little boy. She said, "Oh she does? How do you know?"

Teddy reached into the crib through the bars and played with his little sister's toes. He said, "She's a baby. All babies need doggies to protect them."

Olivia hid a smile. During her pregnancy while she would be working at the White House she would see Teddy often. Sometimes Millie would take a break after Teddy got home from school to spend a few moments with him. On several occasions Olivia would go up to the residence to speak with Mellie about something urgent. On those occasions Olivia often hear Teddy pleading with his mother to get him a dog.

Thinking about it for a moment Liv decided that she wouldn't mind a dog. She was sure that Fitz would like a pet as well. To Teddy she said, "Well, I think you may be right. I'll talk with your dad about it later. Can you do me a big favor Teddy Bear?"

Smiling like the little charmer that he was he said, "Yes! I will do whatever you wants."

Olivia stooped down in front of him and said, "We are leaving in minute. Go put your shoes on for me. Make sure you put them on the right feet."

"Ok, Livia! I'm a big boy. I can do that," Teddy said while running out of the room.

Karen walked into the nursery and said, "He is so care free when he's here. That's why I want to stay here. I have never really experienced care free until now. Plus, your someone who I admire. I want to get to know you better. I hope that we can become close."

Olivia continued dressing the infant. She was taken aback by Karen's comments. Olivia felt that it was time to have a honest conversation with Karen. She said, "Karen, can you come in, and close the door behind you."

When the door closed Olivia continued, "Karen I owe you an apology. I feel like I owe it to you, and Jerry most."

Before Olivia could continue Karen said, "I'm confused. What exactly are you apologizing for?"

Olivia cleared her throat and said, "You're old enough to know. As a matter of fact I know that you do know. Your parent were married when your father and I started our relationship. Actually your father and I have been together since before he was president. I just want to apologize for any part that I played in breaking up your family. It was selfish, and I should've considered, you and your brothers' feelings more."

Karen came to stand beside Olivia. "You're right. I do know what happened between you and my parents. However, I'm also old enough to know that my parents didn't have the best marriage. I'm not blind. There was a disconnect between my parents. There was also a disconnect between my mother and Jerry. There is sort of a disconnect between the two of us. I love my mom. I love her to death, and I wouldn't trade her for another, but our relationship isn't perfect. My mother can sometimes lack emotionally. I'm old enough to know that my father deserves better, and that you give him better."

"Nobody's marriage is perfect. My marriage isn't. If anyone ever tells you otherwise they're delusional. However, getting involved with your father certainly didn't help things between them. For that I'm sorry. I would never want to intentionally do anything to hurt you, or your brothers," Liv explained.

Karen placed a hand on Olivia's shoulder. She said, "Olivia, both of my parents are happier apart. Everything's better with them apart. They're better individuals. They're better parents. Things are better this way. Mom is happy with Marcus; although, I think she wants more, and her presidency is getting in the way of that, but she happier. Dad is happy. Teddy and I are fine. We have the best of both worlds. My mom is the president. My dad isn't. I can play the whole my mom's the president card, and when I don't want to be burdened with that responsibility, then I can run to you, and dad."

Olivia smirked, "I'm glad we could be of service."

Karen walked over and sat in the rocking chair. "Anyway, I want you to know that I don't hold any grudges against you, or anything."

Olivia picked up a squirming Ava, and turned towards Karen. She said. "Well, I'm glad to hear it. I'm also glad we had this opportunity to talk."

Karen smiled, standing and taking Ava from Olivia's arms, "Go get dad. It's time to go take a family portrait. Oh, I want to thank you, Liv?"

Liv paused at the door. She turned toward Karen with an arched brow asking, "Thank me? Thank me for what?"

Looking down at the little baby Karen replied, "Dad told me that you wanted to wait to take the photos until we were here. I have plenty of friends with divorced parents who are now remarried. I know about the bitchy stepmoms. The ones who resent the children from the previous marriage. Who only married him because of how it could benefit them. You know the ones who has a baby, and all of the sudden his older children are supposed to be erased from his memory because of this. You don't mistreat us. You don't try and keep us from him. You want to include us in Ava's life. It's a good thing."

Olivia shrugged. Karen said, "It's everything, Liv. Dad even told me that we're are having dinner with your parents tomorrow night. It's really like Teddy and I have two families. It's cool to kind of be normal."

Olivia chuckled and opened the door, "That's because you haven't met my parents yet. Let me know if you still feel the same way tomorrow, after dinner."

Karen laughed and said, "Liv, everyone says that about their parents."

Olivia walked out saying, "Don't say that I didn't warn you."