Today was update Monday, but due to this snowstorm hitting my city this chapter was a little delay. I figure it's probably still Monday somewhere . . . so update Monday lives on. Here is a new chapter. Do not own Scandal or its characters. Please excuse any typos. Happy Reading, and as always reviews are greatly encouraged.


A Couple Weeks Later . . .

Olivia and Fitz both were very busy lately which made it hard to spend much time together. Olivia decided to get dressed for her mother's wedding at the White House just so she can spend a few extra moments with Fitz after working on some campaign materials.

Olivia was doing her makeup in the bathroom in Fitz's master bedroom. She muttered to Fitz who was in the other room. "It's crazy . . . it took my mom over 20 years to say yes to even dating Malcolm, but then after only a year of dating . . . they turn around and decide to get married."

Fitz sat on his bed looking over briefings on his IPad as he waited for Olivia to finish getting dressed in the bathroom. His tie was toss in the chair with his suit jacket and his shirt was slightly unbuttoned with the sleeves rolled up. "I guess when you know . . . you know . . . Malcolm seems like a really good guy."

Olivia applied light eye shadow to her eyes to bring out the color in the dress she planned to wear to the wedding. "I agree . . . if my mom cannot be with my dad, I want her to be with Malcolm . . . he truly was there for my mom through the hard time, even when I was being a wild rebellious teenager." Olivia laughed slightly thinking about the craziness she used to get into. "If any other man proposed to my mother and then turned around wanted to actually marry her two weeks later . . . I would be suspicious of him and probably have a huge problem with the situation . . . but with Malcolm its odd, I am finding this world-wind romance to be very romantic and slightly ironic that my mother took over 20 years to say yes to dating but is happily getting married after an only two week engagement."

Fitz put down his IPad knowing his next statement will get a reaction out of Olivia. "Wouldn't it also be romantic if I attended the wedding with you . . . you know one of the advantages of having a boyfriend is . . . a built in wedding date . . . I have several suits . . . you just say the word and I can be ready in less than 10 minutes."

Olivia still in the process of getting dress, muttered from the bathroom. "We already discussed this, you attending the wedding as my date is like telling the world we are together . . . something we agreed we wouldn't do until a few months after your inauguration."

Fits sighed. "Then I can just go as just another guest at the wedding . . . I am pretty sure you mother wouldn't mind if the President of the United States crashed her wedding . . . plus I want to see butterfly perform her flower girl duties . . . we have been practicing in the Oval Office all week."


- Flashback begins -

Earlier this week in the Oval Office . . . .

Fitz was going over provisions in a bill Congress wanted him to sign, when he heard his door open. The list of people who could just walk into his office without knocking was a short one. Fitz smiled when he set his eyes on Lily who was one of the few people on that short list.

Lily just quietly sat in the chair in front of his desk and swung her legs. "Daddy are you busy?"

Fitz responded. "A little . . . looking over a bill I am thinking about signing."

Lily smiled. "When you sign the bill, it will become law right daddy?"

Fitz nodded his head. "Yup . . . so I have to read it very carefully to make sure it's the best thing for all Americans."

Lily nodded. "Oh . . . ok . . . then I'll just sit here and wait until you are finishing and not busy . . . that seems important." Lily continued to swing her legs.

Fitz smiled and put the bill to the side. "I am never too busy for you butterfly . . . now come here."

Lily came over to Fitz and he lifted her onto his lap. "So what's going on?"

Lily wrinkled her nose, as Olivia often does when she is thinking hard. "Well you know my Nana and Malcolm are getting married soon."

Fitz nodded. "Yes, It's really exciting . . . your mommy told me your dress is really nice."

Lily smiled. "It's very flowy at the bottom and the top has these really pretty shiny beads." She paused as she bit her lips. "but I not sure I want to go to the wedding anymore."

Fitz raised an eyebrow. "Why not butterfly . . . I thought you was excited about the wedding."

Lily nodded. "I am . . . I was . . . but now I realize being a flower girl is a big responsibility . . . I walk out first before Nana . . . what if I throw out to many flowers in the beginning and don't have any for end . . . or I toss flowers in someone's eyes . . . or I make nana trip on them . . . I could mess up the whole wedding."

Fitz rubbed his youngest daughter back to comfort her. "It's going to be okay Lily . . . how about . . . how about, me and you practice you walking and tossing out the flower . . . I have never been a flower girl . . . but I have seen a few of them in weddings before."

Lily looked up at him with a wide eye expression. "Really . . . you would practice with me . . . but you are busy with your bill."

Fitz nodded his head. "I have time . . . Congress isn't expecting a decision immediately . . . so yes I will help you practice . . . you know every speech I make, I have to practice it a lot before its perfect . . . so me and you are going to practice being flower girls, so when the wedding happens you will be prepared."

Lily smiled. "But we don't have the flower petals or the basket."

Fitz stood still holding her in his arms. "Well . . . it's your lucky day your daddy happens to have a huge rose garden in his backyard and access to Easter basket from last year's Easter Egg Hunt at the White House."

Thirty minutes later . . .

With the help of his receptionist, Fitz and Lily managed to gather several baskets and fill them with petals. They also borrowed an rectangular area rug from the residence and ran the rug from the door to Fitz desk, about the distance Lily would be walking.

Lily took the first walk across the rug nervously dropping flower just on the right side.

Fitz smiled. "You are doing really good Lily, but smile sweet girl, everyone wants to see your pretty smile and hold your head so they can see the shiny beads in the front of your dress.

Lily nodded and lifted her head and smiles as she dropped flowers and made it from the door to the desk. "Your turn daddy."

Fitz stood up straight holding the basket in his dominate hand. "Sweetie you did really good but you should walk a little slower and toss flower to the left and to the right."

Lily smiled and nodded her head as she took mental notes. "Daddy, remember you have to smile and hold your head up so everyone can see the pretty beads in the front of your dress."

Fitz began to chuckle "Oh I forgot about my pretty breads." He touched the front of his chest like there was beads there.

Lily began to giggle as she took a turn after Fitz was finish. After an hour that day and several practice session the following days, she began to get confident in her flower girl abilities and was excited about showing everyone how amazing she is as a flower girl.

-Flashback End -


Olivia smirked, "Yeah are lucky I found out about your flower girls practice sessions from your cleaning staffing complaining about the rose petals found in random spots in your office. . . I was beginning to get jealous, thinking you were sending another female roses."

Fitz smirked. "I would never send you rose . . . ever."

Olivia popped her head out the bathroom to look at Fitz. "What!"

Fitz laughed. "I would never send you roses when I know you prefer Lilies."

Olivia went back into the bathroom. "Good safe Mr. President."

Fitz sighed. "You are trying to distract me by talking about my favorite flower girl . . . I still think I should come with you to the wedding."

Olivia sighed as she slid on her heels. "Fitz we discussed this and agreed you wouldn't attend the wedding . . . plus you have that big speech tomorrow on foreign policy you should be focusing on."

Fitz shook his head knowing he would not win this battle with Olivia. "Fine will you at least take video and photos of Lily for me."

Olivia finally walked out the bathroom wearing a dark blue sleeveless Christian Siriano dress. "Uhm can you get the zipper for me . . . of course I will take plenty photos and videos . . . it will be like you were there."

Fitz's mouth slightly dropped at the sight of Olivia in that dress. "You look stunning." He climbed off the bed and came to help her with the zipper. He slid the zipper all the way up and laid light kisses on the side of her neck. "You sure you have to go to the wedding right now . . . I can get you out of that dress in less than five minute sweet baby." He looked at her with lust-filled eyes.

Olivia chuckled as she pulled away from him. "None of that . . . you might leave a mark . . . yes I have to go right now . . . I am already behind schedule." She grabbed her clutch that matched the dress and retrieved her cellphone. She pressed in her passcode, and saw an alert about a text message. The text was from Edison Davis and it read, "Looking forward to seeing you at the wedding."

Olivia looked over at Fitz who was now sitting on the bed again just admiring how amazing her body looked in the form fitting dress. She thought to herself, she had to tell him Senator Davis was going to be at the wedding, because keeping it a secret would make it appear as if she had something to hide. "Fitz I have to tell you something . . . Senator Davis will be attending the wedding."

Fitz shot up to his feet. "What do you mean Edison is attending the wedding . . . oh no then I am attending as well . . . there is no way I am leaving you alone with that man . . . he tries to make a move on you ever chance he gets."

Olivia shook her head. "And I turn him down every chance I get . . . I am quite happy in the relationship I am with you . . . so Edison is not even a factor . . . alone . . . there will be close to 200 people attending this wedding . . . I just wanted to tell you because I didn't want you to find out later about it."

Fitz nodded. "I am happy you told . . . so now I have time to get into my tuxedo and attend as well."

Olivia sighed. "Fitz you are not going."

Fitz shook his head. "But your ex-boyfriend can attend huh . . . why is he attending anyway . . . you two aren't together anymore so his invite card should be revoked from all Pope family-related gatherings."

Olivia shook her head as she tried to calm Fitz down. "His card has been revoked . . . but he is good friends with Malcolm, my mother so-to-be-husband, for over twenty years . . . Malcolm is the one who first introduced me to Edison in the first place."


-Flashback-

Almost 15 years ago at a Florida Country Club . . .

Olivia fidgeted with the sleeve of her black blazer as she looked around the room full of the wealthy and politically connected of the state of Florida. She was not supposed to be there, she thought to herself as she took a sip of her drink. A week ago, she was graduating from high school in Europe and now she is supposed to schmooze and network for the nonprofit her mother formed in her father's memory, Fallen Warrior.

Sophia Pope was a master at rubbing shoulders with the rich and prominent, she managed to triple the amount of donation she received in her first year of operating in her second year. Unfortunately, for Olivia, her mother was pulled away to fill-in for a coworker at the hospital and Malcolm suggested Olivia filled in for her at this event.

Malcolm approached Olivia as he looked at the glass in her hand. "That better be soda young lady."

Olivia shrugged, "What if it's not . . . in Europe young children have wine with their dinner daily."

Malcom rolled his eyes at the cutting response he received from the teenager. "Well you are back in the United States and here the drinking age is 21 . . . if you forgot."

Olivia shook her head, "relax . . . its Sprite . . . you really think the bartender would give booze to a minor . . . have we been here long enough . . . can you take me home now."

Malcolm shook his head. "We been here less than ten minutes . . . have you tried to talk to anyone . . . everyone here is quite nice and would certainly be open to giving and supporting a nonprofit that supports the troops and veterans."

Olivia shrugged her shoulder, "This isn't my scene and everyone seems to be already talking to someone else . . . it would be rude to interrupt an ongoing conversation."

Malcom grabbed Olivia hand and led her through the room until they approached an African American man in his early 30. "Ed it's been too long . . . I shouldn't be surprised you are here . . . I saw your mother the lovely Savannah when I first arrived . . . should have known you wouldn't be far"

Edison smiled. "Yes I am quite fond of my mother . . . does not make me a momma's boy if that is what you are inferring . . . you know with my potential run for Senate next year . . . I need to network with the right donors as early as possible . . . campaigning isn't cheap."

Malcolm laughed. "Yeah I did hear you were dipping your toe in politics . . . I shouldn't be surprised the Davis family have a long history in politics." Malcolm paused and shook my head. "I am being rude . . . Ed this is Olivia Pope . . . she is here representing the Fallen Warrior nonprofit and will be attending Princeton University in the fall . . . and Liv this is Edison Davis . . . an attorney and possibly the next Senator representing our state of Florida." Malcolm saw someone he needed to speak to enter the room. "Will you two excuse me."

Edison looked over Olivia and smiled as he his attention immediately focused on her big brown eyes and lips. "So Fallen Warriors huh . . . I heard of some of the good work you guys have done with our troops from Malcom."

Olivia nodded, as she looked through Edison not giving him much eye contact. "Yeah . . . my mother runs the nonprofit really . . . I am just filling in for her today . . . so I cannot really go into details about the good work we do with the troops." Olivia muttered with a hint of sarcasm, being very familiar with politicians like Edison who pretend to be interesting in your cause to get your vote or donation.

Edison nodded his head. "Well I am sure you do your part . . . I can use a smart young lady like yourself on my campaign team to help reach out to the college students."

Olivia shook her head. "I'll have to decline your offer . . . going off to Princeton in three weeks leaves little time to help with your campaigning and I am not that into politics."

Edison moved in a little closer, the volume in the room rising with the more people enter the room. "Well the next campaign cycle is not for a year from now and I was not planning to start actively campaigning until next summer . . . you should be back from Princeton by then I am guessing." Edison could not put his finger on it, but it was something about Olivia that made him want her around him.

Olivia sighed, "Yes I'll be back next summer, most likely but nothing personal . . . I don't believe in joining sinking ships."

Edison raised an eyebrow at Olivia's boldness. "Sinking ship . . . far from it, I honestly believe I have a good chance of winning and becoming this state next senator and I will serve this state with great proud and get things done."

Olivia smirked slightly, "I did not mean to offend you or come off as harsh . . . but your chances of winning is slim . . . you are going against a 8-term incumbent . . . this man has been Senator of this state longer than you have been born . . . lacks scandals . . . has access to more money than you . . . and has name recognition . . . short of deciding to retire or him dying . . . you have a slim chance of even breaking 10% of the vote . . . that's being generous."

Edison chuckled slightly trying to hid how much Olivia's brutal truth affected him. "Well for someone who says she is not into politics you sure give a pretty good political analysis."

Olivia shrugged, "I am not into politics . . . I do enjoying reading and analyzing the facts . . . but I do wish you the best of luck with your political aspirations." Olivia began to walk away recognizing a woman who just walked in as one of the people her mother specifically asked her to talk with.

Malcolm walked up catching the end of the exchange between Edison and Olivia. He smirked. "Well let me apologize now . . . Olivia . . . well she can be brutal with her words at times . . . but she is a really smart girl and a pretty good judge of situations." Malcolm, also thinking trying to take a seat from a 8-term Senator as a losing battle.

Edison just smiled watching Olivia walk away with this lovesick look on his face. "No apology needed and I am not naïve, I know it's a long shot for me to win this election . . . I may lose badly but at least I put me feet in the water, and when old man Senator Madison steps down either voluntarily or involuntary, I'll be there to take his throne."

Malcolm nodded, "I know that look Ed . . . she is too young for you and like a daughter to me . . . she is off limits."

Edison shook his head. "Don't be like that Malcolm . . . she is 18 and it's not like I would not treat her right . . . Olivia is the type of woman you marry and grow old with."

Malcom rolled his eyes. "You are already old . . . way too old for her."

Edison smirked. "She is an adult . . . I am sure you have little say in who she dates."

Malcolm shrugged. "ok but I warned you . . . the lashing she just gave you is only a taste of what she is capable of doing."

Edison did not give Malcolm warning much attention. He did campaign to become Senator the next election cycle and only carried 5% of the vote losing worse than Olivia predicted. Senator Madison however had a heart attack to everyone surprise, despite being quite healthy for his age, which resulted in a special election four years later. Edison successfully convinced Olivia to join his campaign team for his second run for the vacate senate seat, and she was a big help in his win getting him the young voters and Hispanic voters. Naturally, Olivia and Edison working so closely together resulted in them becoming good friends, and then lover once he moved to Washington D.C. as a senator and she moved there to attend Georgetown Law School.

Flashback End -


Fitz was not put at ease by Olivia's explanation of why Edison was attending the wedding. "I still don't see why he needs to be there . . . so him and Malcolm are old buddies . . . doesn't mean he needs to attend his ex-girlfriend's mother wedding."

Olivia looked at the time on her cell phone. "You are just going to have to trust me and trust that our relationship is strong and Edison is no threat to that . . . I love you." Olivia leaned in and kissed Fitz's lips, as she left a frowning Fitz sitting on the bed.


A couple hours later . . .

The wedding ceremony was not long, but meaningfully. Sophia and Malcolm wrote their own vows expressing their love for each other. Everyone just finished the dinner portion of the reception and were now gathered on the dance floor showing off their best moves.

Lily buzzed around the reception ballroom, charged up from her two pieces of cake, with her secret service detail, Jeff, following close behind.

Olivia shook her head as she watched her hyperactive three-year-old drain the energy from poor Jeff. She goes to grab another glass of wine, when someone grabbed onto her hand. She turned slightly and saw it was Edison Davis immediately.

Edison smiled as Olivia turned all the way around to face him completely. "I was beginning to think you were avoiding me Ms. Pope . . . how is it possible this is the first time I am seeing you in this stunning dress." Edison eyes quickly scanned her body, specifically over each curve of it.

Olivia played coy because truthfully she was trying to avoid him. "Oh there are almost 200 people here . . . quite easy to miss people . . . how are you Senator Davis . . . how is the campaigning going." Olivia intentionally pivoted to a discussion of his campaign, aware how low Edison is polling and hope this will make him retreat and not want to talk about it.

Edison smirked immediately knowing what Olivia was trying to be. Years of dating and watching how she worked in the political world did provide him with some insight on Olivia's tricks. "Well I am doing quite well personally . . . could be doing better with my campaign if you would have joined my team . . . but I respect your decision on that front . . . but why talk work . . . when the music is amazing and the dance floor is waiting for us."

Olivia shook her head. "Oh I must decline my feet are killing me, I was actually going to sit down."

Edison shook his head as he stepped in closer and leaned into her ear. "I will not take no for an answer Liv . . . give a quickly sinking presidential candidate a life jacket." Edison placed his hands on her hips holding her in place.

Olivia closed her eyes and thought to herself, this is not a good idea.

Edison whispered in her ear. "I am perfectly content just holding you like this all night if you don't dance with me . . . just one dance, what is one little dance going to harm."

Olivia smiled and shook her head, "Fine, one dance between old friend." She placed her arms around his neck as they begin to dance together.


Meanwhile at the White House . . .

Fitz tried to keep himself busy, but he found it hard to concentrate with thoughts of Olivia and Edison being together at the wedding distracting him. His mind was put at ease, however, when Olivia began to send him video of Lily performing her flower girl duties at the wedding ceremony.

The video showed Lily wearing a white dress that had flowy layers at the bottom and had a beaded sequin bodice. Her hair was down in its natural state of little curly with a flower headband. Lily happily walked slowly holding her head up as she smiled and toss flower from left to right.

Fitz could not help but cheer during the video as if he was cheering for his son running for a game winning touchdown in a football game. "Come on princess you are almost there."

Lily in the video successfully made it to the end and then stood to the side as they practice. A huge smile appeared on her face, knowing she performed her duties as flower girls perfectly like her daddy taught her.

Fitz received a few more photos after that initial video, but all communication ceased for an entire hour. This sent panic through Fitz's body. He decided to see if other people posted about the wedding on social media. He figured Edison or one of the other 200 people at that wedding would post about the wedding . . . in the age of social media . . . there were someone posting selfies.

Fitz had no trouble finding photos of the wedding and was surprised by how many politicians and Washington power players attended this wedding. He had no idea Sophia and Malcolm was this connected. Even Jake Ballard, his old friend who works for the Pentagon, had photos from the wedding on his social media page. Fitz freeze, however, when he came across a picture of Jake and his latest girlfriend Vanessa posing for a picture, that caught Olivia and Edison, in the background, standing very close together with him leaning in to her.

Fitz shook head. "Hack no." He immediately walked out of the Residence on a mission.


Meanwhile back at the Wedding Reception . . .

Olivia and Edison were dancing around the dance floor. In the beginning, it was uncomfortable, but after a while, it became like old times as they talked and caught up. Olivia thought to herself, despite the disaster they were as a couple; she sometime missed the friendship they use to share.

They were about to dance to a second song, when Olivia felt a tap at her shoulder. She turned and saw Jackson, one of Fitz's primary agents, dressed in a tuxedo.

Olivia tried to hide her surprise at him being there, but she was surprised, because Lily already had a detail, so there was no reason a second secret service agent needed be here. Then it dawn on her that Fitz's primary detail normally was never far from the President. Olivia eyes widen as she looked around, but did not see Fitz.

Jackson smiled. "I am sorry to interrupt, but may I dance with Ms. Pope."

Edison muttered. "No you may not . . . " He attempted to protest a man that appears to be secret service interrupting their dance.

Olivia cut Edison off. "Its fine Edison . . . it was nice dancing with you, maybe I'll catch you on the dance floor later."

Edison smiled and kissed her hand, as he gave a side-eye to Jackson.

Jackson took the place of Edison and began to dance with Olivia in silence.

Olivia broke that silence when she was certain Edison was far away. "What are you doing here . . . Jeff is here . . . so you aren't here for Lily's protection . . . and you sure as hell are not here for my protection . . . because I don't have nor do I need a detail."

Jackson swallowed. "He . . . felt bad he could not attend the wedding with you, so he sent me to make sure you had someone to dance with."

Olivia wrinkled her nose, "I had someone to dance with . . . "

Jackson sighed not wanting to betray the President's trust and revealed he saw a photo of Olivia and Edison looking too cozy. "Ma'am I am just doing my job . . . I have order to dance with you."

Olivia sighed. "I respect that you have a job to do . . . but your job is to protect the President not babysit me."

Jackson nodded. "My jobs is to be at the service of the President . . . right now being at his service means dancing with Miss Pope . . . I am not that bad of a dancer . . . I took classes in my youth."

Olivia shook her head. "You are quite good at ballroom dancing but that is not the point . . . you know what I am just going to trying enjoy the remainder of the reception off the dance floor and I will deal with your boss tomorrow." Olivia left the dance floor to grab a drink and check on Lily.

Jackson meanwhile remained at the reception to keep an eye on Olivia and to be available to her if she came back onto the dance floor.


Two hours Later . . .

A sleepy Lily held Olivia hand as they walked to the limo she arranged to drive them home. She figured she would be drinking and did not want to drive them herself under the influence.

Jeff climbed in first and Lily followed him. She began to squeal loudly. "Daddy!"

Olivia's eyes widen when she ducked her head inside and saw Fitz casually sitting there. She climbed all the way in and Jackson climbed in after her.

Olivia raised an eyebrow.

As if Fitz read her mind, he answered the question she had on her lips. "I thought I would pick up two of my favorite girls."

Lily excitedly told Fitz all the wedding and the huge wedding cake. "Daddy the cake was as tall as you are and I did really good as a flower girl . . . everyone was complimenting me and told me I was the best . . . practice does make a difference."

Fitz smiled. "See I told you, you would be amazing . . . your mommy sent me video and I must say, of all the flower girls I have seen, you definitely are the best."

Olivia did not say a word; she instead turned her attention outside the tinted windows.

After a while, Lily passed out in Fitz's arms halfway through the ride, after recapping for him everything that happened at the wedding from her perspective.

Fitz cleared his throat. "Are you seriously not going to say a word to me this entire ride?"

Olivia turned away from the window and looked into his eyes. "Maybe . . . am I still entitled to talk to you if I want or are you going to have your agent take that decision away from me, as well?"

Fitz sighed knowing sending Jackson inside would make Olivia not too happy with him, but the alternative would have been for him to go in himself. "I know you are upset with me."

Olivia shook her head. "Upset does not describe at all what I am feeling about you right now . . . you handled me tonight . . . you enforce you position again me . . . you controlled me . . . that is unacceptable . . . disappointed better describe what I feel about you . . . disappointed you have such little faith in me . . . in us . . .."

Fitz frowned. "I do have faith in us . . . it's just . . . I saw a picture of you and Edison . . . he was standing so close to you it practically look like he was kissing your neck and you were letting me."

Olivia felt her blood boil at the fact that Fitz was painting her as this promiscuous cheater. "Let him kiss my neck . . . he was not kissing my neck nor would I let him do that while I am in a relationship. . . do you even know who I am Fitz, seriously . . . do you really think I would cheat on you."

Fitz shook his head. "No, it's just I saw that picture and it just enraged me in a way I never felt before."

The limo stopped and Olivia noticed they were at the White House. "Oh no we are going back to my place, we are not staying at the White House tonight . . . so you and your agents can get out and the limo can take me and Lily home." Olivia folded her arms.

Fitz shook his head. "No you are staying here." He began to slid out with Lily still in his arms. "Our daughter is exhausted and we are already at the White House . . . she can be in her comfy bed sooner not driving another hour and half to your place." He got out the limo with Lily and headed inside the White House.

Olivia was about to protest but does not want to wake Lily and expose her to the ugly fight that was happening between her parents. Olivia instead decided she would go home and pick up Lily tomorrow. "Uhm Lily will be staying here but I would like you to take me home driver." The driver another agent shook his head. "I am sorry ma'am but I have orders not to leave the premise with you."

Olivia eyes widen as she thought, he is doing it again trying to control her and use his position to enforce his will. "Oh hell no . . . you will take me home . . . better yet I will call a taxi or a friend to come get me." The agent exit the car, "good luck, getting someone to retrieve you . . . the president has not cleared anyone else to come on premises."

Olivia frowned. "Then I'll walk from the White House and catch a cab from downtown."

The driver exited the limo and just left Olivia alone inside.

Olivia thought to herself, she would not make it three blocks in these heels with her light jacket in this cold windy . . . and now rainy night . . . the rain started to fall. She shook her head as she finally exited the limo after over an hour sitting alone inside it.


Meanwhile inside the White House . . . .

Fitz had just changed Lily into her pajamas and tucked her in. He made his way to his room and sat on his bed waiting for Olivia. He knew she was pissed at him, so he was prepared to wait her out.

After a while, he looked at his watch and noticed an entire two hours had passed since he left her in the limo. He stood and walked out his room going up to Tom. "She cannot still be in the car?"

Tom shook his head. "No, Sir she came inside the White House about 30 minutes ago."

Fitz rubbed his head confused. "If she is inside the White House . . . where is she."

Tom looked down the dark hall of the south wing of the Residence, which held about eight normally unoccupied guest rooms.

Fitz sighed. "You wouldn't happen to know which room she went into."

Tom shook his head. "No Sir . . . I just saw her walk towards that direction."

Fitz nodded his head and walked past Tom and towards the south wing. He opened and checked inside each room making it to the very last one on the right before he saw a figure laying in the bed of the darken room. He noticed Olivia was not sleeping because her body was not slowly rising and falling as it did when he had watched her sleep a few times when they shared a bed.

Fitz climbed out of his shoes and got into bed wrapping an arm around Olivia. "Are you going to serious pretend to sleep and not talk to me?"

Olivia lay there for a second with her eyes closed as she weighted her option. She turned around to face him in order to move his arm off her body. "Oh do I have a choice . . . whether to talk to your or not . . . I thought you were in complete control of my every movement and decision . . . like a dictator."

Fitz sighed as he sat up and reached over turning on the light. "I am sorry." He looked deeply into her eyes and saw the hurt in them.

Olivia sat up as well and shook her head. "Sorry for what?"

Fitz took deep breath. "I am sorry you are upset, but I am not sorry I had my agent prevented Edison from making moves on my girlfriend."

Olivia shook her head. "You don't get it . . . you are so busy being jealous and possessive . . . you don't realize you are the one I love and want to be with . . . why on earth would you think I would jeopardize that for someone like Edison . . . I have already been with him and it didn't work for a reason."

Fitz shook his head. "I am human . . . and when I saw him pretty much appearing like he was kissing your neck, I lost it . . . he was being inappropriate with you and it appeared like you were letting him from the angle of the picture I saw."

Olivia took a deep breath. "Let him . . . in the years you have known me when have you ever seen me let anyone do anything inappropriate to me . . . I have gone against presidents and foreign leaders on a daily basis . . . I am quite capable of taking care of myself . . . I don't need you jumping on a white horse to save me . . . I can save myself."

Fitz leaned back and allowed Olivia's words to sink into his brain. In all the years, he has dated girls he has always been the one expected to take care of a woman, be the knight on the white horse, but he had to accept Olivia could take care of herself without him. "I am truly sorry . . . you Olivia Pope are a special kind of woman . . . admittedly this type of relationship is new to me . . . I am going to make mistakes and make a fool of myself . . . but I need you to realize it comes from a place of love . . . I am deeply, crazy, in love with you Olivia Carolyn Pope."

A hint of a smile came onto Olivia's face before she removed it and replaced it with an expressionless look. "And I love you . . . but this relationship will never work if you think its ok for you to use your power and position to control me . . . I am not someone you can control and subordinate when you feel insecure about a situation . . . I want to be your partner not your underling . . . I want to walk by your side not behind you . . . I am aware you are the President of the United States but when it comes to us, as a couple, we have to be equals."

Fitz nodded his head. "I very much would like you by my side and again I am sorry you felt like I was subordinating you in any way . . . I respect that you are a strong independent woman . . . those are qualities I love about you especially compared to the women of my past." He leaned in and kissed her hand. "Please work with me Livvie . . . I am not perfect but I want to try to be a better person for you."

Olivia smiled fully now, as she leaned in and kiss his lips. "I am far from perfect myself, but I also want to be a better person for you."

Fitz pulled her into his arms and embraced her. He stroked her back softly taking in her lovely scent. "Now can we go sleep in my room?"

Olivia shook her head. "No . . . I don't want the kids to walk in on us, both Lily and Karen are in the Residence."

Fitz sighed. "I think it's time to tell them about us . . . I hate not having you in my arms at night."

Olivia nodded her head knowing the feelings. "I think it's time to tell the children too . . . Gerry has a long weekend next weekend maybe we can have a BBQ next Sunday after I come back from New York City with Lily . . . is your schedule busy on Sunday?"

Fitz smiled. "Short of a civil war happening there is nothing keeping me from that BBQ . . . don't worry about my schedule I will make it work."


AN: So to answer a few questions raise in reviews, Lily is still 3 years old at this point in the story. I am working on chapters ahead of the ones released, where she is 4 years old and jumped ahead in my AN last chapter. Her birthday is in spring . . . a play on her name because flowers tend to bloom in the spring.

Mama Pope (in my story named Sophia) got engaged after Fitz's birthday and before this current chapter.

Recaps:

- Fitz and Lily have flower girl practice in the Oval Office

- Olivia declined Fitz's offer to be her date for the wedding repeatedly

- Flashback of Olivia meeting Edison Davis for the first time (even as a teen Olivia gave brutal political truths)

- Lily successfully completed her flower girl duties and Fitz cheered her on like a proud father.

- Edison wanted to dance with Olivia and would not take no as an answer (Olivia gives in and dances with him)

- Fitz saw a photo from the wedding via Jake's social media page and his jealous/possessive side came out

- Fitz sent an agent to block Edison's advances on his girlfriend

- Fitz and Olivia have an argument but eventually makeup

- Fitz and Olivia decided to tell the kids they together

Preview: Olivia's trip to NYC

As always review, I really like hearing everyone's thoughts! LM1.