Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Here is a new Chapter. If anyone wants to read Chapter 1 – 17, just search by writer "Lunaming1" Disclaimer: Don't own Scandal or its characters . . . just love the tv show and writing about it. Happy Reading and as always reviews are greatly appreciated.
Despite how busy Fitz was with running the country, he made spending time with all his children a priority with all of them under the same roof. Before campaigning for the presidency, weekly movie night was a tradition he had with his eldest children to maintain their bond. With Gerry in Africa working with the Peace Corp and Karen away at boarding school, weekly movie night faded away until now.
The four of them sat in the living room watching Fitz's State of the Union speech from the previous year. Lily happily stared at the screen as Fitz in the video discussed education policy.
Karen raised an eyebrow, "Why are we watching your State of the Union speech for family movie night."
Fitz motioned his eyes on Lily, "I thought since this is Lily's first family movie night we should watch her favorite movie and which apparently is my 2013 State of the Union speech."
Gerry chuckled, "Yeah she is definitely a mix of you and Olivia."
Fitz rolled his eyes at his son's sly remark.
Gerry nervous fidgeted with his fingers, "while we are on the subject of politics dad" He paused for a second as he tried to word what he was about to say perfectly in his head, "I know being Fitzgerald Thomas Grant IV creates the assumption that I to like you, grandpa, and great grand would go into politics . . . but after the year I have had . . . I no longer think that is how I want to spend my life."
Fitz had a surprised look on his face, "Ger I'm quite surprised, a big argument you made for going to Africa was to become more worldly and connect better with the people in order to become a better leader in America."
Gerry nodded, "yes my original goal was to develop my leadership skills but after my experience in Africa . . . I no longer wishes to be a politician to make change in people's life . . . I instead want to become a doctor and actually save life."
He paused as he reflected on a tough experience he had, "I watched a little girl no older than Lily die because there were not enough doctors to treat everyone at the clinic . . . things like that should not happen."
Fitz rubbed Gerry's shoulder, "I completely understand . . . yes there is a legacy of Grant men going into politics but that does not necessary mean you have to follow that path . . . if becoming a doctor will make you happy than you know you always have my support."
Gerry bit his lip, "Great . . . because I also decided I don't want to attend Yale."
Fitz shook his head, "wait but we have already visited Yale, you got accepted, we picked your dorm, and bought Yale apparel."
Gerry looked nervous like a five-year old boy about to get yelled up, "I know dad and I will pay you back all the money you already spent but with my decision not to go into politics, I don't think its necessary to attend Yale and Georgetown has a highly rank 8 year pre-med program, an amazing Pediatrics clinic, and is closer to you so I can spend time with Lily."
He looked down at the toddler glued to the television, you missed years with her, so have I and I for one don't want to missing anymore of her life.
Fitz was slightly disappointed his son would not be attending his alma mater, but he could not fault him for his reasoning, "while I wish you reconsider Yale, I understand and respect your decision."
Gerry smirked slightly, "So you understand it so much . . . will you tell mom I not going into politics or Yale for me?"
Fitz laughed, "oh . . . no way . . . that's a talk you will have to have with her."
Karen looped her arm with Fitz's, "Since Ger is staying in the area, I was thinking I could stick around too . . . I don't want to go back to boarding school." She paused, "while I have made some great friends, I want to be back with my family."
Fitz did not say anything as he thought it over in his head, weighing the pros and cons of having Karen back at the White House, "Karbear while I was never completely on board with sending you to boarding school so far away, your mom and Cyrus did have a point about safety concerns and your ability to have a normal childhood experience."
Karen nodded, "I know . . . I know . . . I have heard the reasoning behind it a million times but . . . many Presidents' children before me did not go to boarding school, the Obama children and Chelsea Clinton all went to Sidwell and they had pretty normal childhoods." She gave him big eyes, "please dad."
Fitz caved unable to resist her puppy dog eyes, "Fine, I'll talk to Cyrus and get the paperwork started to transfer you to Sidwell."
Karen quickly hugged Fitz, "thanks dad you're the best"
Fitz laughed, "Did you two ask to have family movie night again to spring major things on me?"
Both Gerry and Karen responded at the same time, "No of course not dad."
Lily face frowned up, as she got upset with everyone talking while she was trying to watch the video "Shhhhhhh." She puts two fingers up to her mouth.
All three of them let out a loud laugh at the toddler's frustration at them talking.
Gerry smirked and whispers, "We may have a Grant in the White House in the future after all." He pointed to Lily.
Lily turned and gave him a serious look after he continued talking after she hushed him.
Fitz rubbed her back to calm her down, "leave your sister alone she is trying to get tips for the future State of the Unions she will be making." He kissed her forehead softly.
Karen chuckled and whispered, "yeah Madame President Lily Grant."
A couple hours later . . .
Fitz sat in the Oval Office looking over an immigration bill that just went through Congress.
Cyrus stroll into the Oval Office with a look of surprise on his face, "Mr. President . . . what are you doing here?"
He paused and looked at his Blackberry for the president's schedule, "I thought you penciled in the night off for a movie night with your kids."
Fitz nodded, "yes I did . . . movie night went quite successful, but unfortunately Lily and Karen fell asleep halfway through . . . so I just decided to call it an early night and finish up on a little work I was putting off."
Cyrus walked closer and stood near the window out of range of the Oval Office's camera. "Speaking of putting stuff off, Fitz we cannot keep detaining the 8 people involved in Lily's kidnapping without charging them or arraigning them . . . it's been a month.'
Fitz poured himself a drink, "They are being charged with domestic terrorism." Fitz muttered picking up his drink and standing near Cyrus out of range of the camera.
Cyrus just nodded trying to study Fitz's face but he was unable to read any emotions, "Well sir we still cannot keep them without preceding forwards . . . even though their actions were appalling . . . they have families, colleagues, . . . people who are beginning to ask questions about their absence."
Fitz shrugged his shoulder, "those people should have thought of that before they conspired to kidnap my daughter."
Cyrus poured himself a drink and loosen his tie to release the stress this entire situation has put him through. "I know you are still angry about what happen but Fitz there are rules, laws, and procedures we must follow"
Fitz took a sip of his drink, "Cyrus that is where you are wrong, I'm not angry . . . and I know they are procedures and I am following them."
Cyrus raised an eyebrow, "So you are not just detaining 8 people without a clear resolution."
Fitz smirked, "No . . . I have actually been working on a fitting punishments for James Putney, Samuel Reston, Jefferson Fitzpatrick, Sharon Matthews, Adnana Salif, Charlie, and Billy Chambers."
Cyrus has a surprised look on his face, "are you going to tell me what these fitting punishments are?"
Fitz shook his head, "No . . . just know it's being taken care of"
Cyrus paused, "wait you did not say Mellie's name in the list of people you were dealing with?"
Fitz leaned against the window and took another sip of his drink, "Yes, I intended to leave her out of the list."
Cyrus rubbed his thinning hair, "Fitz . . . I cannot keep rescheduling the first lady's engagements or making up excuses for where she is . . . people are beginning to speculate that she has left you since no one has seen her in nearly 5 weeks."
Fitz shrugged his shoulder, "I will deal with Mellie in due time in the meantime, make sure there are tweets and Facebook messages sent out so she is at least still activity in social media . . . cannot have her absence effect a possible run for reelection."
Cyrus's spirits are lifted with Fitz talking about a reelection run, "So you have not completely against the idea of reelection?"
Fitz shook his head, "No I am not but I will not run as the men I was in the first campaign, if I am going to run again . . . it has to be the real me with all my baggage and imperfections.
Before Cyrus could respond to Fitz's declaration, his assistant's voice sounded through the intercom phone, "Sir you have a visitor."
Fitz responded, "Let him in Lauren."
Jake Ballard walked in dressed in full uniform, "Mr. President."
Cyrus looked at Jake and then back at Fitz, "What is the head of B613 doing here?"
Fitz sat back at his desk and responded vaguely, "We have a private meeting." He paused "I'll see you in the morning Cyrus"
Cyrus is shocked by his dismissal and Jake's arrival. He silently left the room.
Jake has a seat in front of Fitz's desk, "It is nice to see you again Mr. President."
Fitz smirked slightly at Jake's formalities . . . despite the two men being close friends for several decades, "Has the little projects we discussed been handled."
Jake nodded, "Yes, it is being handled" He placed 7 folders in front of Fitz.
Fitz looked over the folders and muttered, "vengeance is upon us."
Jake slightly smirked, "indeed."
Family Movie Night was a success . . . Gerry wants to be a doctor not President . . . No more boarding school for Karen . . . and don't talk during a movie or be prepared to deal with future president Lily's death stare. Fitz is up to something and Jake makes his début in my story.
Preview: Vengeance is upon us for all those who were involved in Lily's kidnapping (including Mellie)
Happy Father's Day :D
