Hard times

"Fitz."

"Hmm?"

"I mean don't get me wrong, I don't mind sitting in silence but being silent will not bring you to success."

Fitz sat there staring at the clock on the mantle piece in the therapist room. He had been there for forty five minutes and he still wouldn't talk.

"Your girlfriend is extremely concerned."

"Okay."

"Okay, so that means I need you to explain some things."

"I told you before. I have nightmares of her dying. If you can tell me that she's not going to die then you can't help me."

Fitz got up and left out of the room without a second thought.

"Mmm."

"It's good right!"

"My favorite, Annie!"

Olivia held Serena and they both continued to eat their blueberries and watch cartoons. The door opened and Olivia smiled.

"Hi, baby!"

"Hi." He said as he came to her. She reached up and kissed him soundly. Serena giggled and held her arms out.

"Hi uncky!" He picked the little girl up and gave her kisses on her cheek.

"How's my sweet girl?"

"Great! Annie me watch cartoon."

"That's awesome." Fitz looked at Olivia and gave her a weak smile.

"You didn't go did you." Olivia said as she picked up a few blueberries that went astray. It took him a minute to say anything as he tried to collect his thoughts.

"I did go."

"You didn't speak."

"I did."

Olivia gave him a look that made him turn away.

"Barely. Fitz, please talk next time. Please?"

Fitz sighed and nodded.

"I'll think about it. It's not easy talking to some complete stranger."

"I know it's not but she could help you, babe. Try for me, that's all I ask."

Fitz let Serena down and leaned in and kissed Olivia.

"I'll try."

"Hey kiddo. Got you some food. Bacon cheeseburger with curly fries."

"Thanks, dad."

Lindsey sat up in the couch and sighed. They were living in a hotel until he could find a place to live permanently. Lindsey didn't mind at all as it was better than being with her mom. Her phone had been ringing off the hook as her mom tried to get a hold of her and ask her to come back. There was no way she was going to go back. Her mother caused all of this and now it was time for her to deal with her consequences.

"It's only temporary until I can find somewhere."

"I'm not complaining."

"I know but I just wanted to tell you. Do you still plan on going to Connecticut?"

"I don't know. I mean it's so much going on here. I don't think I can leave you alone."

Dylan pulled his daughter in and held her.

"Hey, listen. Don't worry about me alright? You need to get into what you love again, it will keep your mind off of everything. I promise I'm okay."

Lindsey hugged him and let out a sigh.

"I just, I can't believe this."

Big Jerry rubbed her back and sighed.

"It will be alright. She will come back."

"I should've told you. I should've let you know and damned what anyone else said. I ruin everyone's life."

"Don't say that. Don't you dare be hard on yourself like that. We will fix this okay?"

"Alright."

"I'm worried about him. He's just having a rough time and I don't know how to help him." Olivia grabbed her glass of wine and took a sip.

"Well you two are legit glued to each other so I don't know why he feels like that. Bless his heart he's really scared huh?"

"Yeah. I mean oh my goodness. If you could hear him- it breaks my heart. He cries out and even when he wakes up he's still in a state of grief. I love him so much and seeing him like this is scary. How can I let him know that I am not going anywhere. But I can't because I don't know that. God could take me right now. Ugh this is awful."

Lisa squeezed Olivia's knee and gave her a look.

"I think I know what you two could do."

"What?"

"Go to church. Talk to my pastor about it. Is Fitz religious?"

"He was raised catholic but he doesn't really talk about God much. I'll ask him to go with us. I haven't even gone since Serena's christening."

"But you still have faith. I don't know what else would help."

"Lin!"

"Hey."

"I'm so glad you are coming! I don't think I would be able to go without you."

"I call bull. You would so go without me."

"Can you just let me love you for a few seconds. Damn."

"Get a crutch up your ass."

"And Lindsey is back. Come on let's go get a seat."

The girls made it too the bus and everyone greeted Lindsey warmly. Thankful that she was okay and coming with them.

Kim looked at her best friend and knew she was going through a lot.

"Hey. Talk to me."

"It's a lot, Kim. I don't know what my life is anymore. It's like it's all a lie."

"I can't imagine what you are going through. Just know that you got me and eventually it will get better in time. Love you, Lin."

Kim hugged her and Lindsey genuinely smiled for the first time.

"Love you so much Kim."

Olivia stood there staring at him as he looked over some papers. Fitz looked up at her and she stood in place. Fitz took off his glasses and put his pen down.

"Yes, babe?"

"I have a solution. Maybe."

Fitz leaned back and stared at her, waiting for her to speak up.

"Let's go to church."

"To church?"

"Mmhm. This Sunday. With Lisa."

Fitz couldn't remember the last time he was in a church. He had no reservations against it but he just didn't know how that would help.

"Okay. I'll go if you want me to."

Olivia's eyes lit up, "really? You will go?"

"Yeah. Baby I don't mind going to church."

"I know I just. It's something we've never really talked about so. I didn't know how you would react." He chuckled and stood up, moving toward her.

"Having you makes me believe even more that there is a God." Olivia smiled and kissed him.

"I just want you to get better. Us to get better because I'm hurting too seeing you like this."

"I know. I'm sorry. I love you so much."

"I love you too."

"So, he hasn't kept his promise."

"Nope. Not at all. Apparently he's spending time with his bastard child and her mother."

"Mm I see. I really liked the Grants. Too bad I'm about to make there life hell."

Victoria smiled at her husband and clasped her hands.

Fitz was on his break and decided to stay put in his office. He really wasn't in the mood to stop working. Keeping his mind busy kept his mind off of his problem. His phone rang and he sighed.

"Hello."

"Stormy."

Fitz face lit up at the sound of her voice.

"Hi, mama."

"I have a bone or two to pick with you, boy. Why haven't I talked to you?"

"I'm sorry. I've been so busy with work and so much has happened around here."

"You bet it has. Big Jerry has been MIA for almost a month now. Darlene has been too. Girls trip I heard from a few people."

"Yeah."

Fitz shifted in his seat, allowing the silence to linger.

"What's going on?"

"He's uhm. He's with his mistress and her daughter. His daughter."

"Oh stormy. I'm sorry baby. That man has brought you so much heartache."

"I'm okay."

"Lying to me now? What is wrong with you?"

"I have Olivia so it softens the blow."

Grace let out a cackle which made Fitz smile.

"No wedding yet? I'm not getting younger son."

"I know. It will happen soon" Fitz wondered if he should say something or not. "Mama?"

"Mhm. What is it?"

"I've been having nightmares lately. About Olivia. About her uhm dying. I don't know what to do. I know it's a dream but I wake up and I feel scared still."

"That's nothing but the devil. He attacks what we love the most. Trying to get in your head and ruin your happiness. The thing is God is in control. He always has a reason for doing things. We are all going to die one day but you just got to cherish each day like its the last. Don't be afraid, baby. You'll miss out on being happy."

Fitz felt his throat go dry and he tried to hold back the tears.

"Do you want me to pray with you?"

Fitz wiped his eyes and nodded.

"Yes."

"Heavenly father, we come to you today to first say thank you for starting us on our day. Thank you for keeping us out of harms way. Lord, I ask you to please cast away all bad thoughts out of my baby's head. Fill them with your love and your mercy. Bind the devil right now, lord. He has no place in our heads and our hearts. I know that you have a plan and a reason for everything so if it's in your will let it be. Please just put your arms around my son and his lovely girlfriend. Let your love shine through the both of them. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen."

"Amen. Thank you so much mama."

"Any time baby. Now go get some lunch okay?"

"Alright. I love you."

"I love you too. Give Olivia my love."

"I will. Talk to you later."

"Bye baby."

"Bye."

Fitz hung up the phone and felt an overall peacefulness wash over him.

The power of prayer. Man I tell you.

Lindsey and Kim put there bags down in their hotel room and marveled at how nice it was.

"Coach Wheeler did it this time. Damn." Kim was looking around the room with awe. Lindsey shook her head slightly. "Yeah. She seriously did."

"Are you hungry?"

"Yeah I am I'll text wheeler and let her know we are going to get food. Text Stephanie and the others and see if they want to go."

Kim gave her a thumbs up and got to work texting their other friends. Lindsey got the okay from her coach and decided to call her brother.

"Hey, Lindsey."

"Hey, Fitz. I was just calling to let you know that we made it. We are about to go find something to eat."

"Aw okay let me know where you guys are going and Olivia and I will come meet you. I mean if I that's okay with you." He stammered remembering that she was a senior in high school.

"I wouldn't have called you now if I didn't want you to. I'll let you know what we decide on."

"Alright. See you soon."

"Okay. Bye."

Kim grabbed her cream colored Michael Kors cross body and eyed Lindsey.

"I can't wait to meet your brother. I bet his hot."

"Oh my goodness. No Kim!"

Kim laughed and flipped her hair.

"Okay fine I guess he's off limits."

The two left the room and met the others in the lobby.

"So if we see a chipotle first I think we should eat there." Stephanie said as she checked her phone for new by food places.

"That sounds good." Kim said looking at Lindsey for reassurance. Lindsey smiled and everyone else was on board.

"Hey I just got a text from Lipari and she said that we need to be back by seven and meet her in her room at 7:15 to go over our work." Will said as he glanced up at the group

"That's plenty of time. Let's head out."

Together some of the debaters and speech kids walked to the nearest chipotle.

"That was Lindsey. She's in town at chipotle. Want to come with me?"

Olivia got off of him and smiled.

"Of course I want to go." She put on a pair of jeans and her riding boots. Fitz was already in the living room waiting on her per usual. She grabbed her purse and they left.

Big Jerry's phone rang and he answered it.

"Hello?"

"Get ready for a storm you sleazy prick."

The line went dead and he looked back at his screen with much confusion.

"Fitz!" Lindsey yelled waving at him from the entrance. Fitz and Olivia waved and walked toward the group.

"Hey!" He said as he gave her a hug once he was done Olivia went in for hers.

"I'm glad you made her safe. How are you?"

"I'm better. Glad to be away and with the team."

"That's great." Olivia said with a huge grin.

"Oh I'm sorry everyone. This is my brother Fitz and his girlfriend Olivia. Olivia, Fitz this is Kim, Ashley, Stephanie, Catherine, Taylor, Will, Chris, Charles and Jason."

"Hi everyone!" Olivia enjoyed seeing teens hanging out.

"Hi!" They said smiling at Fitz and her.

"Have a seat." Kim said as she pointed to two open chairs for them.

"So are you all excited for tomorrow?"

"Oh yeah most definitely." Stephanie said as she took a bite of her food.

"These two were on the speech team at some point."

"Oh seriously? What did you do?" Catherine asked.

"Well I did Duo and DI for a year and then went into debate." Olivia explained.

"I did debate all the way through." Fitz said smiling at them.

Fitz phone and Olivia's phone simultaneously started to ring. Olivia and Fitz shared a confusing look before answering.

"Hello?"

"Fitz. Turn on the news."

"I'm not at home what's going on?"

"Hello?"

"Liv. Are you home?"

"No, why? What's wrong?"

Fitz and Olivia both looked at each other and hung up the phone. Lindsey sat there worried and staring at them.

"What's wrong guys?"

Fitz swallowed hard and he stood up.

"Lindsey I think we should take you back to the hotel."

Breaking news. Former governor of California, Fitzgerald Thomas Grant II known as Big Jerry has reportedly been involved in a car crash where he is in critical condition. He was in New Jersey visiting his daughter Lindsey Dwyer who he was reunited with recently. His son Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III is a successful attorney and resides in Connecticut. Reports say that weeks ago his daughter was involved in a crash and these events could possibly be acts of terrorist on the Grant family. Stay tuned for more developing information.

DAMN! A lot going on in this chapter right?! I will confess that I have been working on all of my stories for the past two weeks. Being off from school has made me want to pour some goods into these stories. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope to hear from you all! Thank you for always being so patient and charismatic in the reviews! Xo