Chapter 34

Olivia had left the comfort of her husband's arm early this morning. She had her hands full with clients. OPA had already made a name for itself. And since it had become known that she was the actual wife of the President, not just his mistress, business had really gone nuclear. OPA did excellent work, the percentage rate for favorable outcomes were off the chain. Whether clients were coming out of curiosity or because clients thought they knew what they were doing she didn't know. For sure they were making a butt-load of money. Everyone had gotten raises even before Fitzgerald Grant said she was his wife.

She had started her business from scratch and turned it into a powerhouse. She was thinking now that she was married to the President of the United States she would have to give it up. No one had said anything yet, but she feared she may have to give it up. She wouldn't want to but she would. She loved her job, but she loved Fitzgerald Grant more.

The White House counsel had come to Fitz within days after his marriage announcement to advise that there may be some problem with his wife working outside of the home in such a high profile business. They cited conflict of interest and possible emolument clauses. Fitzgerald Grant knew constitutional law backwards and forward. He had researched this actually years ago when he first fell in love with Olivia. There had never been any doubt he was going to marry her. He just didn't know if he would be in office or out.

He knew she wouldn't want to give up her job and she shouldn't have to. There was a simple solution to the problem. He hadn't gotten around to asking Olivia if she would be willing to donate her salary to charity. He would in turn pay her dollar for dollar her salary out of his pocket, hell he would even double it or triple it for that matter. If she wanted to work, she would work. He had more money than Croesus even before he inherited his father's billions. He hadn't touched a dime of that money, yet. She knew he was rich, he had told her so after they were married in Vermont. Once he finished his second term he intended to spring it on Livvie just how rich he really was. He intended to pamper her and make sure she lived like a Nubian Queen for real.

Tonight was the night they were going to decide which network they would use to tell and sell their story to America. Olivia had basically written the script they were going to press forward. It was indeed true they had met when the President was a candidate and they had fallen in love. The President's marriage had been over. He and the first lady still shared a residence but not a marriage bed. The marriage had been over for a number of years. For the sake of the children they had stayed together.

The President and Olivia Pope started a long running affair. After several years Olivia Pope had decided to end it. The President briefly reconciled with his wife and their last child was conceived. Unfortunately they were still unable to sustain the marriage because in fact the President was still in love with Olivia Pope. The former First Lady and the President had remained friends through all of this. Mrs. Grant knew of the President's deep affection for Miss Pope and she decided to end the marriage and allow the President follow his heart. He pursued Miss Pope once divorced and he married her. Olivia Grant was indeed pregnant but unless it was brought up during the interview they wouldn't mention it. If they had to verify the pregnancy and a due date, they would be vague and say the child was due this winter.

The President divorced his first wife and married the present wife on the same day. Was their marriage legal? Yes it was. It was just awkward and tacky. If they could avoid specifics they would during the interview. He had wanted Olivia Pope more than he had ever wanted anything in his entire life. He wasn't going to let her get away this time. He asked her and she said yes. He whisked her away and married her. It was a love story and who better to tell it than themselves. They had a plan and it seemed workable.

At OPA they were working on quite a few cases. Some demanded a lot of time while others could be wrapped up in a matter of days. There was one case that Olivia Pope had kept to herself. The first letter had come in personally addressed to her. It was a typical business envelope containing a single sheet of paper. She had opened it. Pasted on a white sheet of paper was one sentence made from letters cut from newspapers and magazines. The one sentence was precise and clear, "Get Out of the White House You Black Nigger Bitch." A second letter had come a little over a week later. The same MO as the first letter this one said, "Can You Read Bitch, Get Out of the White House?"

Olivia expected the hate that she knew she would get from the racists and bigots in the country. Plenty had come into the White House itself and had been intercepted, lots of it never even seen by the President's new wife. Some people would never accept inter-racial love on any level. Theirs was on the highest level. The President of the United States of America had thrown his White wife out of the White House, installed his Black mistress in her stead, and had the audacity to marry her. They had been splashed across national newspapers for days. Not to mention the tabloids. There was an international feeding frenzy as well.

As of yet the Congress had no real ammunition for impeachment, even though a few in his own party wanted his head. They were playing the immorality card. However the majority of his party believe it or not had no intention of giving up the White House or the marginal control they had of both Houses simply "because the President preferred dark meat" was how one tabloid headline had read."

Though the headlines were brutal, they weren't as brutal as Olivia had thought they would be. More than sixty percent of the press had been positive. America did love a good love story and as for the rest of the world they seemed to see it as a novelty. They loved it. The President of the United States of America was in love and it showed. He practically beamed when he spoke of his new wife. Olivia was a beautiful woman; they understood why the President would fall in love with her. And since the marriage was over, why shouldn't the tall good-looking President find someone to love.

Olivia was a fixer and she would fix this. She was going to suggest to Fitz that they give the interview to Oprah. She had called she wanted the interview for her network. Oprah was a Black woman that was practically revered by all of America. Of course Oprah would not be manipulated. She would want the unvarnished truth about them. They would basically have to tell all she wanted told. It wasn't going to be easy telling their story but it had to be done.

They would have to be detailed about how they had started and how painful the affair had been for them both. The love they had felt had been so strong they were unable to stop it from happening. And once they had started they couldn't end it. She didn't want their story to become too syrupy but they had to relay to the American people what had happened and caused both of them to stray from the strict moral codes they had for themselves. She also felt they should just announce the pregnancy the night of the interview. They were happy and proud about the pregnancy. They should let the world know! There was a possibility the nation would be more accepting with a baby involved. She wouldn't accept sensationalism for her baby but he was now part of their total package.

Olivia also knew she had to tell Fitz about the letters. In fact she should have told him the moment she received the first letter. He was going to be livid. She had thought she and Huck would have found the perpetrator by now. They hadn't. It could have been all bluster, the implied threat to her. But it could also be some crazed individual that actually meant her harm. She was under Secret Service Protection so she felt safe to a certain degree. But she had carried her own weapon for years and she knew how to use it. The only place she didn't carry it was into the White House. She knew she was safe there. But none of that had anything to do with this situation. She should have told her husband.

So the Grant's had both gone to their perspective jobs and had great days. He had left the Oval for the day and was spending some quality time with Teddy. Tonight was a family dinner night. Three nights out of the week they shared a sit-down meal with the children no matter what. There were many other nights that were family nights as well. But three were always scheduled. Olivia wanted it understood that the children were a priority for them. Karen was a teenager living a teenager's life and some nights she just didn't want to be bothered she said.

"It's nothing about you guys dad, I love you and Livvie to death and Teddy too. But more than three nights a week of watching you two looking at each other like you could eat the other one up is a little embarrassing. I know your story of undying love, how long you two have waited to be together, you two need time alone. You know I usually eat with Teddy on nights that aren't family night. We are fine. We know you love us dad. And the fact that you chose a woman that loves us enough to want to be a mother to us is a great thing. You are the most important man in the nation, the world for that matter. The entire world looks to you for leadership. When you aren't running the country you deserve to spend time with your family, but you are also a newlywed dad, you need to spend alone time with your wife."

Karen had always been his little firecracker, she spoke her mind and dared anyone to tell her she couldn't. She was wise way beyond her years. Her perspective was a good one. They had gone with it and life in the White House was good.

Fitz arrived at the residence and was informed that his wife was not home yet so he and Teddy were having a fine time playing hide and seek. There were many places that even he with his six foot-two frame could hide. Olivia arrived at the nursery/playroom as Teddy was looking for his father. He put his finger to lips to tell her to keep quiet. "Daddy is hiding Livve I have to find him. Now that you are here you can help me. He will be so glad to see you. My daddy loves you Livvie almost as much as me. Come on you go that way and I will go this way, okay?"

"Okay Teddy." Olivia loved this little boy so much. Olivia flashed back to the days right after Teddy had been born. Fitz had shown her the first pictures of the little tyke. She had looked at the pictures and started to cry. She hated to cry in front of Fitz, he always took it so personally. But this baby should have been their baby, not his and Mellie.

"We are never going to have a life together Fitz and start a family of our own. She is never going to let you go. Another baby in her eyes is another twenty year commitment. I should never have asked you to go along with it, I shouldn't have agreed to it!"

"Olivia I take the blame for this one. We were in a quandary Olivia, Mellie had outed us on national TV we were in shock Olivia. It was fool-hardy, she roped us in. Like you, I knew it was wrong but I did it anyway. My own body tried to keep me from doing it. But Olivia this baby is innocent in all this. I watched him come into the world. His mother had her labor induced to manipulate me, she risked the life of this child. She is the absolute worse. This baby was not even born yet and she was playing games with his life. We have to love this baby Olivia as if he were mine and yours because we are all he has right now. In my heart you are his mother Olivia. After this latest manipulation you have to see how unfit his birth mother is!"

With tears streaming down her face she turned to him. "I know that Fitz. I could never hate a child of yours. Your children are an extension of you and I love you with all my heart. My heart just got so heavy thinking about it all. Mellie is such a bitch. Her manipulation is so draining. She knows this baby will bind you to her for years and I don't want to wait years to have you for myself."

"You are not going to have to wait years Olivia, trust me baby. Trust me and wait for me. Say you will wait for me Olivia." He then had started to put small sweet kisses on her neck and ears as he asked her to wait for him. She couldn't think when he was kissing her like that, she would agree to just about anything. And she had. She had promised to wait and she had. He was now her husband.

Teddy pulling on her hand brought her back to the present. "Look for his shoes Livvie. My daddy has such big feet you can see them sticking out of his hiding place. Don't tell him though, because I always want to be able to find him. My dad is my very best friend. He loves me no matter what I do or say he will always love me. So you see I can't lose him."

"I do see Teddy. He is my very best friend too. And I never want to lose him either she said as her eyes filled with tears. Let's find him Teddy."

"Shh quiet Livvie. If he knows you are here. He may come out. He loves you the mostest of anyone in the whole wide world. Come on Livvie but keep your voice down."

Just as Teddy had said the shoes had given the President away. Scrunched up as tight as he could be he still couldn't hide those feet. "Tag daddy, I found you."

Fitz came out with the biggest grin on his face. He had heard their whispered conversation. He loved these two people so much. "Yes you did Teddy, good job. Hi Livvie you are a bit early aren't you?"

"A bit. I thought to spend some time with this little guy before dinner. But I see he has been having all types of fun with his daddy. Maybe I can play catch-up tomorrow. Dinner is in less than thirty minutes. I am going change into something more comfortable ok? You two carry on."

"We have been at this for almost an hour Livvie, this was our last adventure. I will join you. Lorraine are you out there?"

"Yes, Mr. President," the nanny said. "Come with me Teddy, let's freshen up for dinner."

Fitz grabbed Olivia hand and kissed it. "I missed you today Mrs. Grant. How was your day?"

"The usual. And yours?"

"The usual." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. "God I miss you so much when we are apart. I am glad you are home."

"I was thinking we should go with Oprah for the interview Fitz, America loves Oprah. If she believes in our love story we just might be able to pull this off."

"Amazing Livvie, I was thinking Oprah too. She would be an excellent choice. We sit down with her at the White House and tell our story."

They walked hand and hand into their suite of rooms. As soon as he closed the door he was all over her kissing her and telling her how much he loved her. Eight hours is far too long to be away from her. "Livvie I missed you,"

"And I missed you too." She had moved fully into his arms and was pressed closely onto what was rapidly becoming a huge erection. She smiled at him. "I can feel how happy you are to see me," she said as she ground her body into his. "Do we have time for a quickie?"

"Olivia we have time for whatever you want. Your wish is my command. But we can do this now, hurriedly and still make our six o'clock family dinner night or we can wait for after dinner. I will give you whatever you want Sweet Baby. If we are late, Teddy will never know why, But Karen is another story. She knows we are burning up the sheets. She sort of called us out the last time we rolled in a little late. If you hadn't blushed from your head to your toes when Teddy asked about the "glow" you had we may have gotten away clean," he laughed out loud.

"Ok let's cool this down and get out of our work clothes. Because there isn't a doubt in this world if let you make love to me I will be glowing like a neon sign. You are the best lover in this entire world Fitzgerald Grant. I am a very lucky girl."

The Grants were on time for dinner. It was a delicious meal. The family interacted just as a family should. A mother, a father, and their children it was idyllic. They had planned to tell Karen and Teddy about the baby tonight and they did. Teddy was very happy to know he was getting a sibling. He had asked them if they could make him another brother like Jerry. And would they promise to protect him from the bad men that had taken Jerry away? They had told him only God could determine whether he got a brother or a sister. But his father had promised him he would protect him, Karen, the new baby, and Olivia. The little boy was genuinely excited.

Karen in her usual pragmatic way stated the obvious. "I thought you had a baby bump! Of course I knew it had to be only a matter of time. You two are like teenagers. But that is a good thing. It is so obvious how much you two love each other. You are the type of parents that should have children. I am so happy for you and Olivia daddy. You are already great parents to me and Teddy. When is the little bundle of joy to be born?"

"We are expecting a Christmas baby Karen. I am going into the last trimester of my pregnancy."

You could see Karen calculating the months in her head. The girl was a teenager for the ages. Fitz was a little put off by it though. He didn't want Olivia embarrassed in any way. "Karen…"

"Let me Fitz. You take Teddy over to the dessert table and let him choose whatever he wants. She took Karen by the hand and they walked to the far side of the dining room. "Karen as you know I have loved your father for a long time. Even when he was married to your mother I loved him. I have had a long ongoing affair with your father. When he divorced your mother he asked me to marry him right away. I said yes because I loved him and marrying him has been my lifelong dream. But I had made a commitment to him even before that. I do believe my baby was conceived before we were married, but it doesn't matter one way or the other. Even if your father hadn't gotten a divorce, I had planned to have a baby or babies with him. I had chosen him to father my children and I was ready. I was committed to him, the relationship, and the love we share. This baby was made in love Karen."

Karen came up to Olivia and hugged her then. "Livvie please don't misunderstand me. I am thrilled that you and daddy are pregnant. It is wonderful news. I was just curious is all. Whether this baby is born seven, eight, or nine months after you and daddy said I do is irrelevant. I guess you two saw me adding the months in my head. That's just teenage bullshit. I love you LIvvie just as much my dad does. I am going to love this baby to death. I just thought it was off the chain how quickly my dad knocked you up Livvie, that's all. Forgive me for being obtuse."

"What did you say?" Olivia said laughing.

"You got knocked up Livvie, by the President of the United States of America.

Olivia's laughter grew louder she had backed against the wall with laughter.

Fitz came back into the fray holding little Teddy's hand. "What's so funny ladies," Fitz asked? His mini me asked in the same tone of voice, "Yeah, what's so funny ladies?"

Your daughter thinks it is funny that I got "knocked up" by the President of the United States.

"Karen?"

"As I told Livvie I know you two love each other and of course sex is a way of expressing love. But I guess I really didn't think you two were actually doing it to the extent of making a baby. You are sort of ancient daddy and Livvie as beautiful as she is, is way over thirty. You two are old and you are still kicking it. It's kind of cute but it's funny too."

The Grants both replied simultaneously, "I'm not that old!

Shaking his head her father said, "Karen I hope you apologized to Olivia. That is not exactly nice."

"Fitz I understand where she was coming from. She did apologize and I accepted her apology. Let's move on people. We have dessert to eat. We are a family that is all that matters. And we as a family are going to have a baby!"

They finished their desserts and another lovely family dinner. While the other Grants had devoured their desserts Olivia had just picked at hers. Her entire appetite had been dulled because this was also the night she had dubbed "Tell him about the letters night" and her husband was going to be mad as hell with her. Family Dinner Night concluded with one of the Grant's deciding the last activity of the night. Tonight it was Karen's choice. They did everything from bowling, sitting down for first run movies, pool party swims, playing card games, reading stories out loud, bingo nights, to charades.

Family fun night, Olivia's idea by the way, had gone over well. Teddy loved it so much and even Karen seemed to get a kick out of it. The President loved it. The way his wife interacted with his children was a constant joy to him. It was something he had always wanted to see, his children happy and to know a mother's love. With the exception of movie night which was only on a Friday or Saturday night the Grant after dinner shenanigans usually extended the dinner by another thirty minutes or so. Teddy's bedtime was eight o'clock and he loved it if they sometimes ran over. But for the most part it didn't, the President ran a tight ship. Karen chose thirty minutes of charades. She loved seeing her dad and his wife make fools of themselves, it was hilarious.

Lorraine came in for Teddy it was his bath time. Some nights Fitz performed the ritual himself. Teddy loved Livvie he had said but he didn't want her to see his "private parts." Karen had lived a boarding school life for a long time. She had actually been granted an unusual privilege, she chose her own bedtime. At the plush boarding school she had attended most of her life before her dad had come for her as long as you did your school work and caused no problems you could do just about anything you wanted.

If you could afford to be at Saint Anne's you were not just rich, you were exceptional! She was a straight A student that managed her time well. She never missed assignments and she was always ready for school on time. Going from boarding school to being at home and going to a private school had been a breeze for Karen. One would have thought the death of her sibling would have thrown her off kilter. Instead it had intensified her resolve. Her father was so very proud of her.

The kids were tucked in and the adult Grants were finally in their wing and all alone. "What's on the agenda tonight Mrs. Grant before we turn in for a night of sheer delight? Are we going to catch Game of Thrones tonight or watch it later in the week?" They were fanatical about the show. They recorded every episode but some nights they couldn't wait and would watch with the rest of the world.

She had thought about getting right into bed and letting Fitz make her forget all about those letters and maybe let it go for another day, but she knew she had already overstepped with this issue. Her husband was going to be royally pissed. "Let's watch it later Fitz, I have something I want to talk to you about first. She walked over to her purse and pulled out the letters. Her hands were shaky as she gave them to her husband.

"What are these Livvie?" He noticed everything concerning his wife. Her hands were trembling just now. What was wrong?

"They were sent to me at the office. Open them and read them."

As he read them you could see the rage that was forming within him. That someone thought they could send this type of garbage to his wife was unbelievable. Someone was going to lose all sense of self for this. He would see them rot in Hell! However he calmly said, "When did you get these Olivia?"

She knew he was seething. She could see the veins along his temple filling with raging blood. Merciful heavens she was in deep doo-doo. "Fitz I got the first one ten days ago."

He raked his hands through his curly hair and he just turned, looked, and stared at her for about a minute before he barked, "What the fuck did you just say?"

"She swallowed several times before she could say anything, her mouth had gone Sahara Desert dry, "I got the first one ten days ago."