Disclaimer: Still don't own our lovely show
AN: Yup so I shot Fitz. Surprised you didn't I. Shame on me but things were too cushy. Also, some of you feel Liv is cruel for leaning on Fitz and that she's giving him false hope but I'd like to point out Fitz put himself in that position. He's a grown man. He doesn't have to be her friend or rock,he chose that role, just like he chose to run for reelection and not fight for her. Not to say that Olivia is all squeaky clean but Fitz isn't some innocent pup.
Also, Some of my readers think Olivia is a bad mom for not spending much time with the twins verses the time she spends with Josslyn. However, I'd like the point out, she hasn't spent much time with Josslyn either. Joss spends a lot of time at the WH if you'be spends equal time with her kids her schedule is the same as it was when Josslyn was that age. Remember Olivia would go nearly a week and only see Joss awake an hour of of the day. The only difference is that she has a husband now.
Just some food for thought, though. Onto reading: TISSUE WARNING.
Chapter 49: Ex Factor
It could all be so simple
But you'd rather make it hard
Loving you is like a battle
And we both end up with scars
Tell me, who I have to be
To get some reciprocity
No one loves you more than me
And no one ever will
….
Care for me, care for me
I know you care for me
There for me, there for me
Said you'd be there for me
Cry for me, cry for me
You said you'd die for me
Give to me, give to me
Why won't you live for me
- Lauryn Hill: Ex Factor
"Olivia, we need to speak with you," Cyrus said in hushed tone as she and Mel entered the private waiting area. Olivia could immediately tell he was on edge, jumpy, and agitated. He ushered her towards Mellie who was standing in the corner, her eyes red rimmed.
"Mellie," Olivia met her gaze as she reached her hand out to Olivia's. They shared a knowing look before Cyrus cleared his throat.
"Liv, we pulled Fitz's will and power of attorney to assure we have all of our ducks in a row," Cyrus began to explain.
"What does this have to do with me?"
"You have total control over all decisions as per his will and power of attorney. It's been that way since December 2008," Cyrus shared as both Olivia and Mel gasped in shock. Olivia turned to look at her husband who's jaw was tense. A trait most wouldn't notice due to it barely being tense but she knew him well.
"Why did you do this to me, Fitz," Olivia thought to herself.
"Well, I guess that means I'll be here for a while," she responded in an even tone.
"Have they apprehended the shooter," Mel questioned, changing the topic.
"One. There were two shooters," Mellie answered as Cyrus looked at her strangely.
"Don't give me that look Cyrus Beene," she snapped. "He's family. I don't have the patience to deal with your attitude right now. My husband..."
"Your husband...hmmmf... You're getting a divorce," Cyrus quipped.
"He is still the man I've spent the last 20 some odd years with. Divorce or not, I'm still his wife. I'm still the First Lady. I will have your access revoked if you don't shape up."
"You have no right. Olivia has all the power," he spat in a low, harsh tone. "She'd never let you..."
"Enough, the both of you. You are not putting me in the middle of this. We are a team, we've always been team. Fitz wouldn't...he wouldn't want us bickering right now," Olivia said firmly, cutting off their shenanigans. "Mellie just sit and clear your mind. You need to be prepared for when we make a statement. Cyrus, I need you get me an update on the kids and Sally. I can see her making a power play. If she can prove herself to be a capable president now during a national tragedy then certainly she can run this country for the next four years, and that is the last thing this country needs. She'd undo all the positive strides this administration has made. I also need you to find out what Britta is planning to say. She has to deliver just the right message to calm the fears of the people and give enough to curve the appetites of the media until he's out of surgery."
"Mel, I need you to go home and grab me three suits. Dark colors, only dark colors. I need three short sleeve blouses and three long ones and two pairs of shoes. Underwear and toothbrush. Also, I need my gel, brush, hair pins and four hair ties. Bring them back to the White House, please."
"Jewelry?"
"My emerald cut, 1/2 karat diamonds."
"I'm taking it you won't be coming home anytime soon."
"I don't know. Mel," she stepped closer to him as Mellie went to sit down and Cyrus barked away on his phone , " now isn't the time."
"Don't you think I know that? I just need to know something. The twins are detained with Josslyn because they all with Quinn and the others. You're in fixer mode. I don't need much, just a few answers."
"As soon as I get news on the twins I'll let you know. You know I will. I'm sure they'll be happy to you and Josslyn also."
"Oh Pecas,"Mel sighed. He thought of Josslyn and terrified she must have been. "I'll head home and grab what you need."
"Thank you. Don't talk the press. Not a word."
"I know and Liv, no matter what happens, I still love you."
"I love you too," she said truthfully as he pressed a quick kiss to her lips before he left.
Cyrus approached her and gave her the updates she'd requested. Mellie sat on the sofa looking daze as Hal offered her his suit jacket and a bottle of water.
"Do we know why," Olivia asked Cyrus. All she knew that while at an event for Sally's campaign, two gunmen fired shots, hitting Fitz twice, in addition to two agents and an innocent bystander.
"Some nutty ass right winged fuckers who think he ruined America. Ruined America my ass, that man did more these last 8 years than any president has done in the last 30," Cyrus shook his head. "I hope his spineless ass rats out his brother as the tear him to shreds."
"Not now Cyrus, not now. Get to the White House. I'll meet you there. I just need to speak with Mellie. He's going to be okay, Cy. He'll be okay," she squeezed his shoulder, trying to convince them both with her words. Cyrus looked back at her as she made her way to Mellie.
"Mellie," Olivia called, pulling the woman out of her thoughts.
"Liv," she replied, searching for a hint if doubt, uneasiness or fear but finding none.
"I'm here, if you need me. Our children are going to need us, so I'm here for you and them," Olivia assured once she'd say down.
"I should be saying that to you. You're the one who has to making these decisions for him... You know he made revision to his will back in January, but he's always kept that. He trusts you with his life."
"I know and I'll do everything in my power to make sure he's still around to continue to live his life," she returned with a fire in her. She was in fixer mode. Fitz needed her, their family needed her, and she was going to step up and handle things the way they need to be to ensure his safety and legacy.
Two Days Post Shooting
"The campaign."
"Come again," Mel spoke, turning to look at Olivia who sat on the edge of their bed.
"The campaign, that's when it started. That's when my affair with Fitz began," she met his gaze. Olivia didn't know why but she needed to tell him. Perhaps it was the fallout from the shooting. Perhaps it had to do with the fact they'd been together for five years and had yet to address the elephant in the room. Where this sudden revelation stemmed from, Olivia's gut told her it needed to happen.
"Oh," Mel simple said, crossing his arms.
"He fired me, says it was love at first sight and knew he couldn't be around me. Cyrus forced him to hire me back because I'm the best at what I do and he needed me to win... I knew how he felt; he wears his heart on his sleeve. I tried to fight it, I truly did. I wasn't that person. I couldn't be that person to get involved with my boss, a married man with kids and a wife who adored me. But slowly I fell for him and I couldn't resist, no matter how hard I tried to fight it or convince myself what I was doing was wrong I couldn't stop. "
"The way I felt, it scared me. It was addictive, all consuming, over powering. It was as if I was a different person. As if I didn't belong to myself. There was no other way to live, exist or be if he wasn't in the equation. Being with him was the only possibility: morals, ethics, and consequences be damned. Things were good, complicated buy good. Mellie accepted it, encouraged it even because she's Mellie...and we became this secret little couple with future plans and dreams and a life. As good as things were, I lived in fear. Fear of getting sloppy and messy and being discovered. And then I got pregnant with Josslyn and I ran."
"You ran?"
"I wrote my resignation letter while he was out of town. Gave up my home in Virginia and stayed off the grid with Huck's help. "
"You ran," he gave a nod.
"I ran."
"No note or letter?"
"Nothing, I just vanished. I avoided him, save holiday cards and scarce phone calls, for roughly a year."
"Did he know about Josslyn?"
"No, I didn't tell him until the accident. I was selfish and cruel. Told him she was Camille's daughter. From there, things spiraled out of control. We had this little back and forth tango where we almost feel back into our old ways until he learned of my betrayal. From there our relationship became volatile and toxic. The things we did and said to one another were vicious, brutal, and hateful. There was a great deal of animosity, tension, and bitterness between us. We'd destroyed something beautiful, a love of a lifetime. We both found ways to cope and seek forgiveness and let the other go. I began dating, nothing serious...not until you."
"Not until me," Mel nodded as the pieces fell into place, completing the puzzle he'd been toying with for years. He'd always suspected they'd had an affair but it wasn't his place to ask. Who she slept with and what she did before he came into her life was privileged information, things he'd be lucky to learn about her, because she trusted him but not a necessity to survive.
"Not until you," she confirmed as a smile small graced her lips. She thought of their beginning, his persistence and the lunch dates they'd share.
"You broke his heart and hide his daughter for a year, and I'm sure you threatened at some point to keep Josslyn."
"I did, at the time I thought it was the only way for Josslyn to have a normal life. I regret it, keeping them apart because I now know things could have been differently. Then, then I had to keep my baby safe at all costs. "
"Even after all that, he still worships the ground you walk on. He put you in charge of his life. Before his father, his siblings, his children, even his own wife or Cyrus. He chose you," Mel spoke, realizing how deeply this man was in love with his wife. She'd hurt him in an unimaginable way, abused his trust still he trusted her to raised his daughter, to make decisions about his wellbeing in his most helpless state. "He adores you, he loves you. There's no denying it. Just like you can't deny that you love him. "
"You're right, I do love him," she responded truthfully, looking him square in the eye. "You can't share that much history with a person and not love them, but Mel, I left for a reason. I wish I could cut all ties but I can't. I wish I didn't love him, because you mean so much to me. Husky," she said softly with tears in her eyes as she extended her hand to him. He met her tearful gaze before making slow, cautious steps towards her. He grasped her hand before intertwining their fingers. With his other hand, his thumb swiped away a lone tear. "I love you Mel."
"I know you do," he assured. Mel truly believed she loved him, he wouldn't have married her if he didn't. Many times she was guarded and held things back, but it was the other times that let him knew. The moments when she'd surprise him with lunch. The nights when she'd snuggle close to him, weaving her hand through his waves as they or watched television. The way she knew the exact dish to make to bring him out of a foul mood. It was those little gestures that told him she indeed did love him.
"I don't want to hurt you. I've never wanted to hurt you. You are the last person I'd want to hurt. I just... I don't know how not to love him... I love you and I love our life together. You've been so good to me. I see what I've put you through, the doubt and hurt, yet you've stayed. You put up with more than most would or should. You accept me the way I am. We have a good thing, I don't want to lose that... I don't," she cried as he pressed his forehead against hers.
"Olivia, I told you I'm not scared away easily. I love you too but you have to meet me half way, Jaanu. You have to try. I don't want to lose what we have either. We have a good life, a happy family, and I don't want to break that up..."
"Neither do I. I never thought I'd have this life. One with a husband and beautiful children," she sniffled." You accused me of settling but I didn't. I chose not to settle. I chose not to resign myself a life of lurking in the shadows of a fake marriage. I chose you because you make me feel happy and normal. I chose you because I didn't want to be that person anyone. I chose you because I had the option to choose you and this life... Now I think I've lost it. "
"You have it, you deserve it. I'm not leaving; you just have to work with me, Liv. I know it isn't purposeful but it hurts to see you turn to another man. You said I didn't step up but I did. I asked and you said you were fine. I've never pushed you, Olivia, never," he spoke as her tears continued to stream down her cheeks. "I push and you clam up so I let you work things out on your own, come to me when you're ready. Our relationship has always been that way. You can't get mad at me for doing what I...we've always done. You can't use it as an excuse. You just have to work with me, okay. I'm willing to fight if you are. I need to know, are you" he asked and she nodded.
"Mel, I'm sorry," she apologized tearfully as she took in the pain and hurt etched on his face. She felt guilty. Guilty for hurting such a kind and loving man. One who was devoted to her, who would move Heaven and Earth make sure she was happy. She felt guilty because as much as she loved her husband, she wasn't in love with him. More tragically she didn't know if she'd ever be in love with him yet she didn't know if she'd ever be able to leave him. "I'm so sorry."
"I know," he lowered his lips to hers, tasting the saltiness of her tears as his own began to fall. "I know you are."
Neither knew how they'd gotten so bad. They had been so happy months ago. As much as they hated to admit it, even if they wouldn't voice it aloud, neither knew if they'd survive.
Four Days Post Shooting
"Dear, what's on your mind," Sofia questioned her daughter. She'd been uncharacteristically silent and still.
It was easy for her to sense whatever so going on with Olivia had more to do with the shooting. Knowing her daughter the way she did, she knew Olivia was pushing whatever to truly bothering her aside to focus solely on Fitz and the fallout of the shooting. The second shooter had been captured the previous night, he'd been hiding in a bunker he and his brother had prepared for doomsday. Sally had been sworn into office after she'd rallied up support from the cabinet.
Olivia had been running herself into the ground between working at the White House where she'd been brought in as temporary press secretary since Joyce Armstrong had resigned at the beginning of the year after a near fatal heart attack. Her firm was handling press for the Grant Family in addition to other clients who had them on retainer, and to top it all off the entire family gravitated towards her for guidance.
"I'll never forget the look on your face when you told me Dad died. I don't want Josslyn to be haunted by that," Olivia confessed shocking Sofia. They spoke of Joshua often; however, the pair hadn't spoke of his death in years.
"She won't be. Fitz is strong. You heard what the doctor said, everyone reacts to these drugs differently. The infection is clearing up. Things are brightening up."
"She adores him. If she loses him," Olivia trailed off as she thought of her own father's death. It was something you never got over. Some days were better than others, the ache of missing him was nonexistent at times. Others, especially at times like this , it was gaping and throbbing, reminding her just how much she missed him. It was a pain she never wanted Josslyn to experience.
"God forbid, if the unthinkable happens, Josslyn will have you. She'll have her siblings and her family. She'll make it through it."
"It'll never be enough, it'll never be enough. If she loses him, nothing will ever be enough. Every birthday, every Christmas, every Father's Day. The day she graduates, the day she gets married, the day she holds her own child for the first time it'll always feel as if something is missing. That hole in her heart will always be there. As wonderful as Mel is, as loving and nurturing as he is, he'll never be her dad. Nothing and no one can replace that spot, fill that void. She shouldn't have to live that way... I don't want her to wake up one night because she can't remember what it feels like to hug her dad or what he smells like or even what he sounds like... I don't want my baby to experience that," Olivia confessed, bringing tears to her own mother's eye.
"Libby, she won't," Sofia assured, drawing her daughter in, rubbing circles along hee back. "She won't. Fitz loves those kids and I know he's fighting. He's fighting to see them again. He isn't going to leave them. Not now."
"She asked me if he was going to go to heaven like Auntie Jess. My 6 year old asked me that. No child, should have those kinds of fears."
"No, no they shouldn't, no matter how old they are," Sofia rested Olivia's head on her shoulder. Olivia would never admit but Sofia knew her daughter's feelings for Fitz went friendship. As strong as her daughter appeared to be, she knew on the inside she was just as fragile on the inside, especially when it came to matters dealing with Fitzgerald Grant. With the trying year that's been had, she hoped this ordeal wouldn't break Olivia.
One Week Post Shooting
"Liv," Karen finally spoke after showing up at Olivia's roughly two hours ago. As soon as Olivia opened the door, Karen burst into tears. Olivia ushered her over to the sofa and let her cry in her lap. She could tell Karen needed an escape, she needed a break from everything and everyone. "What was it like when your dad died?"
"Karen," Olivia gasped at her question. She didn't want to think of Fitz dying. It was something she couldn't fathom. "Your dad, he isn't..."
"You don't know that. All they had to do was remove the bullet but then they he got that damn infection. Things aren't looking great. Mom is a wreck; Jerry is in denial; He's a wreck Liv..." she shared. While the Grant Girls loved attending events with their father, Jerry appreciated the more private moments. He'd sit in the Oval read while Fitz worked. They'd jog together in the morning, Fitz complaining all the while. It was the lack of those tiny moments in his daily life that were slowly eating away at Jerry and Karen didn't know how to comfort her brother. "Jossie,...oh Jossie she called me at 3 this morning asking if Dad was still alive because she had a dream that he was an angel."
"Karen...Joss...she...called you," Olivia asked not expecting the young woman's revelation.
"Yes, my baby sister called wanting to make sure Daddy was still here, that he was still alive. "
"She came to my room last night. Said she had a bad dream and didn't think want to talk about it. I thought, I didn't think it was that,'" Olivia tried to process her mind around the words but couldn't. Jessica's unexpected death was a bit for Josslyn to fully grasp. She didn't understand why someone would want to take her Aunt Jess away. Losing her father though, that was a different fear and pain though. One she desperately wanted to spare Josslyn and her siblings from experiencing.
"They keep showing the footage. Every day. It's everywhere I go, Liv. It's making me realize that Dad isn't invincible, and it's likely he won't pull through this. So I need to prepare myself. I need you to tell me what it was like when your dad died Liv."
"When my dad died, it was tragic. It was as if my entire world came crashing down," Olivia recalled, looking at Karen. "One minute I was thinking about showing him how I'd finally corrected my dance and the next my mother was telling me he was never coming home. It changes you and you never get over it. You have good days and you'll be fine. Then you have some days when you wish you could pick up the phone and talk to him. To seek his advice, cry over a broken hear, to hear his laugh. Then it hits you, he's gone. You'll find a new normal but you'll never stop missing him. That's not something you prepare yourself for."
"Olivia," Karen sobbed, "I don't want my Daddy to die. I don't want to live in a world where he doesn't exist."
"Kare," Olivia rested Karen's head in her lap, " Sshhh...you're going to be alright. We're all going to be alright. "
"Mommy," Josslyn whimper as she watched her older sister cry. "Why is KC crying? Did Daddy die?"
"Oh Poppet, no. He's still alive. Come here ,sweet girl," Olivia opened an arm up as Karen sat upright, tears steadily rolling down her cheeks.
"I'm scared," Josslyn cried.
"It's okay to be scared, Poppet."
"Remember what I ...what I told you last night Jossie? That Daddy is a fighter and a hero and very strong. Okay," Karen cried and Olivia pulled her closer to her as well.
"Okay...but what if something bad happens? What if he can't be strong? Will he die? Will he leave us? I don't... I don't want him to leave."
"Oh Josslyn," Karen reached for her sister and held onto her her for dear life as Olivia did the same to her. "I don't want him to leave us either."
Olivia bit her bottom lip, choking on her own unshed tears. Her heart already hurt but listening to Josslyn and Karen cry over the prospect of losing their father tore her to shreds because it was a pain she knew all too well. As she thought she worried about Jerry and how he was coping.
She kissed the top of Karen's head and rubbed Josslyn's arm. She took three deep breaths, knowing it was the only way she'd get the words out.
"It's okay to cry and worry but you have to stay positive and hopeful. You have to pray that your dad will pull through... He loves," she paused as tears burned her eyes "he loves you both and Jerry more than anything in this world. You three bring him so much joy. I know he's fighting to get back to you, to see you smile and hear you laugh and tease him again. He's fighting for you because you are his world."
"And so are you," Karen choked out quietly and Olivia simply squeezed her head. It was all she could do because if she attempted to speak, she knew she'd break.
After doing a final bed check, making sure all the kids were sound asleep, Mel made his way to the master bedroom with a glass of wine and bowl of popcorn in his hand. As hurt as he was by his wife, as much as he was upset with her he wasn't oblivious to her pain. He could tell the toll this experience was taking on her. Despite the complex situation they were in, he'd never wish death on Fitz. If he looked aside the man being in love with his wife, he was a good, genuine person .
"Olivia," Mel called when he didnt see her in the bedroom. He listened intently as he heard a sniffling noise coming from the bathroom. He sat down the tray and followed the noise where he found Olivia clutching her necklace, crying.
"I'm alright," she whipped her eyes but more tears continued to fall.
"Liv," Mel sighed as he sat down next to her , "you aren't alright. From the moment I walked into the house I could tell you were on the verge of cracking," he pulled her to him.
"I didn't want you to see me like this. It isn't fair to you."
"Olivia, I told you we aren't focusing on that right now. You have a lot on your plate and I'm not an ass."
"No, no you aren't. I know how you feel about my relationship with Fitz," she blubbered.
"You do but I also know what losing him would mean not only to you but a slew of people that you love. First and foremost there's Joss. Losing her father would be a life altering, devastating event. Not to mention Karen and Jerry and Cyrus," he held her a little tighter. "Look, you have a lot on your plate and clearly something got to you today. Yes we're in a rough patch right now but you're still my wife. I'm not going to just leave you to cry by yourself," he assured.
"But it's not fair..."
"Damn it, Olivia, just let me decided what is or isn't fair. Let me take care of you," Mel groaned. It was taking everything in him to sit with her, knowing why she was upset but he was doing it. He'd made vows and he did love her. She'd accused him of not stepping up, well here he was. " It's simple. You're hurting, I'm here to comfort you. Stop making it complicated and just let me care for you."
"The kids, they're terrified of losing him. I don't want them to feel that pain, especially Joss. She's so young and her memories would fade. Cyrus is a ticking mess ready to kill Sally, Mellie is a wreck, and I'm holding it all together. I can't, I can't cry or feel because if I do..."
"You'll lose it."
"I can't lose him. I've already lost Jess this year, I can't ... I cant lose Fitz too, Mel," she sobbed out as he ran his hand up and down her bare shoulder.
"I'm here, Jaanu. Everything is going to be alright," his voice soothing as she continued to sob in his arms. It hurt him a great deal to see her in turmoil. While he held her, he prayed. He prayed for Fitz to wake up and be the man he'd been before the shooting. Even if it meant he might lose his marriage.
Eight Days Post Shooting
Olivia entered the playroom to find the twins sitting at their table, surrounded by crayons and paper. With trying to comfort Josslyn and juggle everything else, Olivia felt she'd been neglectful towards her younger two.
"Max, Tanu," Olivia smiled at them as approached their table. "How are you today Thing 1 and Thing 2."
"Mommy," they both exclaimed with wide grins as Olivia reached to hug them and place kisses on their cheeks.
"Can Mommy sit with you?"
"Yasss, " both answered her. Max stood and dragged the chair with his small body, something he'd watched his father do. He then grabbed Olivia's hand and pulled to the chair.
"Well aren't you a little gentleman. Thank you, Max," Liv dished out the compliment as she kissed the young boy's cheek. His hazel eyes brightened as he giggled and offered a dimpled smile much like Mel's.
"Mommy color," Tanya pushed the crayons and paper to her mother with a wide smile.
"Thank you sweetie. What are you two coloring?"
"Happy pic-teres," Max answered.
"Happy pictures for who?"
"Joss, Jer-ree, KC," Max spoke again.
"Sad cause Daddy hert. Picures make happy," Tanya explained matter of factly as if the it was the only logical thing.
"Yes, their daddy is hurt. It's very kind of you to draw them pictures to cheer them up."
"Joss sad. Max no like," Max pouted.
"Neither do I sweetie but you know what you two have been the best little brother and sister. You helped her bake cookies and you're always giving her hugs and kisses. That's really important," Olivia explained as she found herself drawing an orange cupcake.
"Wuv Joss," Tanya beamed.
"Lots an lots," Max added on.
"She loves you both lots and lots and so does Mommy;" she kissed both of their curly little heads. Sitting there with her twins was exactly want she needed. They were her escape, offering her a sense of innocence and kindness and happiness she craved. In that moment with them, all her worries and fears had disappeared. It was amazing how something as simple as coloring could lighten her mood tremendously. It was giving her hope that things would work out for the best after all.
Fifteen Days
Olivia found herself at Fitz's bedside yet again. Every day since the shooting, she'd got sit in his room for a few hours at the end of the day. She'd gave him his sponge baths and daily shavings, knowing he wouldn't want anyone else to see him in such a vulnerable state. When Olivia finished those routines, she'd read the headlines to him and tell him stories about the kids.
However, today was different. Due to swim classes with the twins, two trying cases and Josslyn's performance, Olivia didn't have time to make it to the hospital the previous night. She promised Mel she'd spend more nights at home. Instead, she woken up early, left Mel a note that she'd share lunch with him, and headed to the hospital to spend some time with Fitz.
"Fitz, she was poised and graceful. It was breathtaking to watch. I hate you couldn't be there to see her," Olivia spoke of Josslyn performance, while she held his hand in hers.
"That's why you need to wake up. You have to wake up. It's been two weeks, two long weeks. Tomorrow is Karen's birthday. I can't think of a better way for her to celebrate than by hearing you say "Happy Birthday, KC," "her voice holding hope. She inhaled deeply as the unshed tears burned her eyes.
"Just wake, Fitz, wake up. You made it through surgery. You beat the infection. Stop being a stubborn ass and wake up. Because if you'd don't and Sally remains president, so help me God I will move seas. I refuse to live in a county where that nut job is president but you already know this. You know everything," she whispered the last part. "You're my best friend, my other half. I don't know what I would do without you. It doesn't matter that I'm married. It doesn't how much we've wounded one another; you'll always be the person who knows me the best. You'll forever be the person I trust before any and every one, including Cami. I'm not..." she choked on the tears she hadn't realized were cascading softly down her cheeks. "I'm not ready to say goodbye. I can't say goodbye. I can't let you go so please wake up. I need you... more than I should so please wake up. Wake up do I know everything will be alright," she laid her head next to his and placed her tiny hand over his heart to feel the beat, to remind her he was still alive.
She stayed in the same position for at least an hour, using the warmth of his body and the beat of his heart as a reminder to not give removed her head from the crook of her neck just as the sun began to rise. Once again tears slowly fell, landing on Fitz's shoulder. Watching the sunrise together had always been their special moment.
"Livi," she heard her name and her head shot up.
"Fitz," she breathed, searching his face to find a set of grey eyes staring at her. "Fitz," her lip quivered as she moved her hand to his face. It wasn't a dream. It was real. He was real. She glanced at the various hues of the rising sun before averting her attention back to him. "You're awake," she gasped with a tearful smile.
"You know... I hate ... it...when you cry."
AN: Did you cry? I did. Karen and Joss crying with Liv, fearful Fitz would die. Cue tears. But he's awake! Remember in the begin when they stayed on the phone and watched the sunrise together. We've coming full circle guys. Late night phone calls. Couches and ass grabs. Sharing sunrises. And aren't the twins the sweetest, just like their big sister at that age. And then there's Liv and Mel, that is so messy. She knows Mel loves her and she truly does love him. How could she not but there's a difference between loving a person and being in love with them and that's Liv's issue. Olivia wants to dedicate herself to Mel, who wouldn't he's the perfect guy but Fitz is her other half.
So let me know what you think. What shall happen next? Also, I post a sneak peek on my tumblr so let me know if your review or PM if you'd like the link when I post it. Thanks for reading and reviewing. You all are amazing. (:
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