It took some time but Liv eventually got used to the restrictions her new development had on her. Her morning sickness was usually present not so much in the mornings but in the middle of the night. She was most alert in the early afternoons, and waking up in the mornings had become a struggle. As promised she had began to delegate to Harrison in preparation for when she would need to take leave for the baby. She had a couple of weeks till her first trimester was officially over and they were both looking forward to finally telling the kids about the baby. Though Liv was initially apprehensive, she was almost confident that both Gerry and Karen would be excited by the news. If she were honest, it was Karen she most worried about. Karen battled with her relationship with Mellie, and though it had gotten significantly better, she still longed for a mother daughter relationship and she clung to Liv in the absence of her mother. Liv didn't mind of course, she loved Karen, but she knew that if either Grant kids were going to have possible problem with her being pregnant, it would be Karen.
"Hey Liv, are you still coming to my game tonight?" Gerry asked between mouthfuls of cereal.
"I have a meeting this afternoon, as long as that doesn't go over time, I am there and if it does go over time I will just catch up. Kare, are you happy to hang with Peyton till I get there?"
"Yep, she's helping me with a project. While Ger's at practice we'll be in the library. "
"Great, is that the science one?"
"Yes. I know Science isn't your forte." Gerry choked on his cereal amused. Liv scoffed in mock outrage at the implied dig. She threw a napkin in Gerry's direction and turned to address Karen,
"That breaks my heart little girl."
"I'm sorry Liv. I love you! You know I worship the ground you walk on. You're one of the smartest people I know, if it were Math, English, History, anything else but Science, you're my go to. After that concoction we tried to build last year I thought it was best to seek the help of someone who's actually good at science."
"I don't even know how to respond to that." Liv replied clutching her chest wounded. Karen stood to her feet and wrapped her arms around Olivia's middle.
"I do love you a whole lot."
"Yeah Yeah. I love you too. Go grab your bag, we're leaving in five." Liv dropped her lips to Karen's forehead before turning her towards the door to gather her belongings
"Are you done chuckles?" she asked turning to Gerry who just grinned at her sheepishly.
"She has a point Liv. You suck at Science."
"Scoot. I can't even look at you right now." She said aghast.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, but you know, and I know that Karen and I are right." He said kissing her on the temple before following Karen out of the kitchen.
"Brats, the both of you." She called out after them with a shake of the head.
Fitz found Liv in her office going though the proposals in Cy's office. Though she was the Communications Director, she still spent a lot of time advising both Cyrus and Fitz.
"Hey Honey, the kids get off to school okay?" he asked giving her shoulder a brief squeeze before sitting down beside her on Cyrus' couch.
"Yeah,"
"You know you don't have to take them to school every day. That's what the drivers are for."
"I know. I like doing it. It gives them a sense of normalcy. It makes this place more homey for them. I find being there to drop them off, or pick them up gives them that chance to just be them, and talk about anything that comes to their mind before they get a chance to filter it. Right after the baby is born, I won't be able to do it for awhile, so I want to make the most of it while I can you know."
"I do sweetheart. I also know you get a lot more tired a lot quicker than before. I just don't want you to be pushing yourself too hard and spreading yourself too thin."
"I'm not. I promise. Harrison and Quinn have never been busier. Trust me."
"I do. I just worry about you."
"I know baby. Have you eaten?" she asked,
"Not yet. I thought I would come and get you. We can take a quick stroll before heading up to the residence for some lunch.
"That sounds nice. You ready now? Before I pick up another file?"
"Yeah let's go."
Hand and in hand they walked through the Rose Garden. They enjoyed the serenity that came with just being together. How each other's presence was enough for them both. Anyone with sight could see how Liv tempered Fitz and balanced him out. How they equally complimented each other. Brought out the best from one another. They weren't perfect, and when they fought, they fought with the passion so clearly evident between them.
"Do you want a girl or a boy?" she asked,
"As long as they're healthy Liv I don't mind. Any child that is a mixture of the both of us is going to be remarkable. I just can't wait to meet them, to see their life unfold before us."
"Me too."
"Have you decided on where and where you'd like to get married?" he asked, knowing that she was still trying to decide what kind of wedding she wanted.
"I've been thinking about that, and I thought we can just have a private ceremony. Us, the kids, Uncle Cy, Coop, James and Ella." Fitz stopped walking to take a long look as his fiancé.
"Is that because you don't want to walk down the aisle pregnant? Are you worried that people are going to assume I asked you to marry me because you are pregnant?"
"Maybe? I honestly didn't think I cared, but I guess I sort of do." she admitted.
"You deserve the wedding you've always dreamed of Liv. That shouldn't be compromised simply because we're expecting. This is your first and only wedding if I have any say in it, and it will be my last, so I want you to have what you've always dreamed of. People will always talk. That's something we have absolutely no control over, but it doesn't mean it should weigh in on what you want. You and I both know that proposal was long time coming, way before our little peanut came along."
"I know you're right. I do. How about end of February, early March? We can have the ceremony at the cathedral and the reception in the ballroom."
"That's in six weeks. We did just talk about lightening up your load not adding more to it."
If we're having it here it means it'll just be picking out menu, motif and order or service. I'll let Quinn handle most of the worrying."
"Are you sure you're happy to get married within the restrictions of these White House grounds." He pried.
"I'd be happy to marry you in top of a camel as long as it meant I was married to you."
