Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to ABC Disney, Shonda Rhimes and the TV show Scandal. All credit to them.

Olivia was up and out of the house before Fitz woke up. She needed to finish some things before their appointment. No one was in the office when she arrived and she enjoyed the quiet time to get things done.

She had been there a whole hour before she was interrupted by her office phone ringing. She glanced at the clock and it was only 6:15.

"What."

"Hi."

"Hi. I see you are finally awake." She says smiling.

"I rolled over looking for my sexy wife only to be met by her pillow. I guess I deserve it after last night. How long am I in the dog house?"

"No, I wasn't trying to punish you or anything babe. I just needed to be here early to get some things done. I was upset with you last night but then I realized maybe it was selfish of me to ask you to give up drinking."

"Selfish? Liv you are giving up your body and making the ultimate sacrifice in carrying apart of both of us in you for nine months. I think I can sacrifice something too. Last night got away from me but it won't happen again. We just started to celebrate me becoming a new father. If I do feel like I want to have a little extra to drink I will make sure I let you know first. Does that work?"

"Yes, I can work with that. Do you have everything taken care of so you can make the appointment?"

"Everything is good Livvie. Don't worry I'll be there." He says laughing.

"I know, I'm just checking...I only have about another hour of silence here before it's non stop busy so I will see you at the appointment."

"Ok, Love you."

"Love you too."

Knock. Knock.

"Who is here this early?" She mumbles to herself.

"Come in." She yells where they can hear.

"Good morning Olivia. I picked up your favorite tea from Starbucks. I hope you don't mind me stopping by."

"Jake how did you even know I was here?" Olivia said eyeing him suspiciously.

"I was here late last night and ran into Quinn and she said you would be in early today. She knows I'm working on being in your good graces so she threw me a bone with the tea." He said handing it to her and standing by the chair in front of her desk waiting for permission to sit.

She takes a sip of the tea to make sure it was just right then nods for him to have a seat.

"I know you didn't just come by to drop off tea. So what's up?"

"I wanted to come by and apologize again about Saturday. I don't want to live in fear of your husband popping up out of the shadows on me." He says laughing.

"Really funny. If Fitz was going to approach you it definitely wouldn't be from the shadows where you wouldn't be able to defend yourself. I'll let him know you apologized again though." She says with a smile.

"Ok and I wanted to touch base on when I should switch partners with Abby and link up with Huck."

"Give him some time to get back into the groove. Next week I will talk with him. Are you and Abby not getting along?"

"No we are, I was just wondering. Well..I should probably be going." He says standing. "It was a pleasure as always."

"Thanks for the tea." She says raising her cup.

"No problem. Anything you need and I got you." He says before heading out.

She just stares at the door then shakes her head. Something is off with him but she just can't put her finger on it. She goes back to work and the next time she looks up its time for her follow up meeting from yesterday.

She gathers her things and heads to the conference room.

"Before we get started is everyone prepared? I don't want a repeat of yesterday." She looks around and no one says anything.

"Okay then let's start."

Two hours passed and even Olivia was surprised at how well informed everyone was. She was relieved too because she really didn't want to fire anyone but wouldn't hesitate if forced. She wouldn't let them see how satisfied she was though. She kept her poker face the whole time.

"Thanks everyone this meeting is exactly what I expect every Monday and if it happens to be a holiday then I expect this same output on Tuesday. Any questions or alibis?"

Everyone is silent.

"Ok. Thanks. I'm out of the office for the rest of the day but I'll have my cell on me."

She leaves and heads to her office. She knew she was going to be late to their appointment so she called Fitz on her bluetooth while she gathered her stuff.

"Hello."

"Hey I'm running behind. I will be about fifteen minutes late."

He sighs.

"I know, I know...my meeting ran long." She says walking out of her office and towards the elevator.

"You know I don't like being here without you and yet that is how I end up every time."

"Just wait for me to get there and we can go in together. I will call ahead now. Ok?"

"That would work if I wasn't already here and seen by everyone."

"I'm getting in my car now. I'll be there shortly. Bye."

"Bye."

She walks in exactly 15 minutes later. Fitz is already in the back and they show her to where he was.

"Dr. Adams, nice to see you again. Sorry for my late arrival." She says shaking his hand.

"Hey babe." She gives Fitz a hug and a kiss.

"Now that you are here we can get started."

"How was the past week? Olivia, lets start with you."

"It was good but we did seem to argue a little more than the previous week."

"What were your argument about?"

"Some of it was petty like I hung up in his face other times it was over bigger things like Fitz' temper."

"Fitz' temper? That's something new. What is going on with that?" Dr. Adams asks as he writes something down on his paper.

"His temper has gotten a little out of control lately when it comes to us."

"How long has he had a short temper?"

"He has always had a short temper but not with me until...I guess within the last year."

"So what changed?"

"I don't know."

He turns to Fitz.

"What changed?"

"At that time I think it was her schedule always taking priority and now I think it is the same. However, I have started to work on it since she pointed it out."

"And what has been your solution to it?"

"Talk it out or walk away until we are calm enough to talk it out. The thing about us is that she has a attitude problem that fuels my temper at times."

"Have you talked about how her attitude affects this relationship?"

"No, sometimes I feel like everything that I do is wrong or is perceived as a temper issue. I don't like that I have eggshell around her not to set her off because it might set me off."

"Olivia, How do you plan to work on your attitude?"

"I don't feel like I have much to work on."

"See, that's where you are both wrong and why you keep running into the same arguments. You both feel that you shouldn't have to sacrifice for the other. It's called pride and ego and those things shouldn't live in a marriage between partners. That also touches on the trust issues that we discussed last week." He takes a drink of his coffee before continuing.

"So here's what needs to happen on both sides when a issue comes up. First, you need to pick your battles. Everything is not worth you fighting over. Example, if she is late somewhere and she calls to let you know it is not worth an argument because it will not change the end result of her already being late. That is a wasted argument."

"Second, both of you need to listen fully to the other before jumping to conclusions. Example, if Fitz comes home late and you were trying to call him and didn't answer because his phone died. Yet, you won't let him explain you just go off thinking he ignored you is the wrong thing to do. Communication and trust will get you a long way. Allow each other the opportunity to tell their side of the story."

"Third and lastly, do not use what the other has done previously to prove a point. If you have forgiven each other then let it go, completely. There's no faster way to break down a person who is doing better and trying to move in the right direction than bringing up the past." He takes another sip off coffee.

"Did that make sense?"

"Yes but it's easier said than done." Fitz says.

"Everything worth having is worth the hard work, is it not?"

"True but-"

"No buts Fitz. It's time to put in the effort to make your marriage work. The honeymoon years are over but you can get them back with hard work. The goal here is to become emotionally, mentally, and physically healthy, right?"

"Right." They say together.

"Fitz how did the past week go? Do you feel like things are getting better?"

"I think the week went ok. We already touched on one of our main issues but one of the things that I feel is overlooked is the fact that Olivia doesn't trust me when is comes to her mother."

"Her mother? I'm not following." Dr. Adams says confused.

Olivia swallows hard because of all the things that she wanted to discuss this was not one of them.

"She and her mom have this love hate relationship which is fine until it boils over into our marriage. They will have a conversation about something and the next thing I know she is in tears. Ok, that's their relationship but I feel like if I'm there to mend the broken heart your mom gives you I should also be able to know what she is saying to bring you to that emotional state. She won't ever discuss that with me though and it's frustrating."

"Olivia why do you feel like you can't trust Fitz with what goes on in those conversations?"

"It's not that I don't trust him. It's that I don't want him to hate her. Some of the things she says regarding our marriage would probably make him hate her."

"You can't close off a side of you like that Olivia. You are in this marriage together. So everything about you needs to be transparent to him and vice versa. He shouldn't have to guess what is going on with you. I am guessing that something happened last week and that's what brought these feelings up?" He says looking at Fitz.

"Yes, we called her mother and told her that we are expecting. She asked to speak with Olivia alone and when I go to check on her she is in tears. I ask her about what happened the next day and she blows me off."

"Would you share what got you so upset when you talked to her?" He asks Olivia.

"She..she said that it was a mistake getting married to someone who didn't want me to take my rightful spot at the top of my father's company. Then she said we weren't ready for a child since Fitz could barely handle me working late when it was just me how would it work with a baby. Lastly, she said that he would leave me and take the baby next time. Of course I put her in her place but it wasn't those things that a made me upset. It made me upset that she couldn't even say congratulations." Olivia said quietly.

"She said that to you?" Fitz said shocked.

"Olivia it seems like your mother is feeling some resentment within herself about what you have in your marriage with Fitz and where you have gotten yourself as far as your career is concerned. You need to let your husband know these things though. Did you think the things she said were true?"

"No I don't. I know Fitz would never take our child away from me. That's insane."

"So Fitz, Can you explain why you would talk Olivia out of taking over a company that she loved?" Dr. Adams said turning to him.

"When people hear that they automatically think that I was being selfish or was doing it for my own gain. The truth is I was the only one that really saw how bad her father's death affected her. She cried all the time and when she wasn't crying she was in a zombie like state. She couldn't sleep and she wouldn't eat. So at the time I didn't think she was ready to head a company when she couldn't even get out of the bed without my help. Everyone had an opinion but no one was there to see her struggle."

"I can see that. So what pulled her put of that state?"

"You know what, I don't even know. Just one day she was back and never thought to ask."

"Olivia can you share what helped you?"

"It was Fitz. I got up one night after one of my naps and he wasn't there. I pulled myself out of bed and went to find him and that's when I heard him on the phone crying. He was pouring his heart out to his father about how he had lost me and didn't know how to bring me back. It broke my heart. I was so wrapped up in my own grief that I forgot about the world around me. So right there I decided that I wanted to live again not just for me but for him, for us."

"I never knew that." Fitz said grabbing her hand and kissing it fighting back tears.

"That's amazing Olivia. The last two things your mother brought up work into my last question for you Fitz. Did you come up with a plan on how you would handle things different should the same situation arise?"

"I did." Fitz pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket.

"I came up with three key things that I would do differently. First, I would express my feelings about the situation early on versus letting all of frustration build up then explode. Second, I would make a effort to see her more during the day. Take her to lunch bring her dinner. Thirdly, I would make what time we did have when she was off count instead of filling it with tension and arguments." He continued rubbing her hands with his thumb.

"That's is a great plan Fitz and if you execute it well it should work. Now Olivia, I challenge you to make a list on what you would do differently if the situation happened again. Yes, Fitz was wrong for leaving but it's not all on him to make it right. You need to meet him half way as well. How did you two fair on the Something New task I gave you?"

"We started off well." Olivia says and they both blush thinking of their table encounter. "But we fell off for a couple days."

"I did bring up the rear some with a custom designed baby book I picked up for us." Fitz added.

"At least you were trying. I know life can get in the way but remember to make your relationship a priority. When was the last time you two went on a date?"

"We went to dinner a couple of weeks ago."

"I said a date. You know where you go somewhere without food and enjoy each others company."

"I don't even remember." Fitz answers truthfully.

"That's what I want you to do at least once before we see each other next week. Remember the three things I mentioned earlier when you go through your day. It won't be easy but it will be worth it." He stands and shakes their hands.

"Don't get discouraged if you get into a disagreement. It's unrealistic to think you will turn into this perfect couple After a few sessions with me."

"Thanks again Dr. Adams." Fitz says as they leave.

"Babe let's go home and change then go to the mall." She says wrapping her arms around his waist in the elevator.

"You sure you don't want to take a nap first? You were up pretty early." He says wrapping his arms around her shoulders and squeezing her close to him.

"Yes. I am going to stop at McDonald's for a ice cream cone before coming home though. I've been craving it all day." She says laughing as they walk off the elevator towards her car.

"Ok whatever you and peanut need but.." he pauses as he pins her against the driver side door and starts kissing her. "Don't keep me waiting too long.."

"Mmmm...have some bath water ready for us babe I feel like getting wet." She says as she sucks his bottom lip.

"God I love you..now go. Hurry home he can't wait." He says looking down at the bulge in his pants.

"I'll be quick. I promise."

They share another kiss and finally part Fitz rushes home to get the water started. He puts his key in the lock to unlock the door but it's already unlocked.

"Liv, did you not get ice cream like you planned?" He yells heading towards the kitchen.

"Nah I didn't want any ice cream." He hears a familiar voice say.

"Rich? What the hell are you doing here?" Fitz says surprised.

"Hey, is that anyway to treat your baby brother?"

A/N: So Olivia and Fitz had another counseling session. How do you think it went? Olivia is starting to get that weird vibe from Jake again or maybe it never left. Fitz' little brother is in town wonder what he is up to. Thanks for reading! Until next time.