Part 44
"Hi."
"Hi," she offers back wistfully, and with no further prompt needed, instinctively Fitz strides over and climbs in the bed, settling himself beside her.
She winces slightly, as she manoeuvres herself so that she's snuggling up against his chest. "You okay?" He checks, worried about her causing herself further injury.
"Yes, I'm fine, just sore… but I need this more…" she admits, as she clings to him like a limpet.
A moment's pause- "Earlier, you said you wanted to talk?" Fitz enquires gently.
She raises her head and looks up at him, as he stares down at her with eyes filled with concern and love… "I do, but I need just one minute…"
"Just one?" He asks with a tentative smile.
Despite it all, she returns his smile, although it doesn't quite reach her eyes… "Okay, maybe two…"
He can tell she's holding back. So used to being strong, she finds it hard to be weak, even when she's at her most fragile. And he's acutely aware that emotionally, she's barely let go; although she did a little the night before, it's was only the tip of the iceberg. However, he decides not to push her, because with something as huge as this he knows she will eventually unravel in her own time- He just hopes that when the time comes he will be capable of providing her with the all support and comfort she requires to get through it; although considering how much they will be juggling very soon, this was not going to be an easy feat.
You see their end goal was still in sight, but the journey there was not going to be as they planned or even expected.
Firstly, they had the emotional backlash of her attack to deal with; which inevitably included an in-depth police investigation, further questioning, and a court case… Then there was the media's intrusion into their lives, and with that came the American people's views, the good, the bad and the ugly. They had banked on escaping to Vermont with their privacy intact- not much chance of that now. And then of course they had the kids to think about; Karen and Little Jerry. Although shocked and horrified to find out that Mellie had been conspiring with his Father's to get rid of Liv, something positive had sprung from this poisonous pairing; the messy custody battle that Mellie had promised him may no longer be on the table. Because if justice is rightfully served, Mellie will be placed behind bars, and therefore the State will award him sole custody of the children. But that would involve uprooting Karen and Little Jerry from the only home they know, which could prove to be very unsettling for them, especially when you take into consideration that they would be affectively losing their mother too. Then finally add a tenuous pregnancy to the mix and it was fair to say Fitz and Liv had a rocky few months ahead of them.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Her soft voice pulls him from his thoughts. It seemed the 2 minutes was over.
"Tell you about what sweetheart?"
She looks up at him incredulously. "The Press, the fact that our entire lives are out there for the world to see… I had to hear it from that… that man… Do you have any idea how that made me feel?"
"Livvie, I swear, I was going to tell you… I was just hoping to shield you away from it a little while longer, you'd been through so much already, I didn't want to add anything else on your plate…"
She shakes her head. "I don't like being kept in the dark Fitz, not when it comes to something like this…"
"I'm sorry…" He offers sincerely, and explains… "I made a judgement call, maybe I was wrong, but I was only trying to protect you."
She sighs in recognition, "I know, and I understand that… but right now, we need to remain open with one another…" She pauses, her expression forlorn… "Maybe if I had remained open about going to see my Dad, maybe we wouldn't be here now…"
"Liv…"
"No, don't tell me this was not my fault… because you and I both know, if I stayed home as I had promised, those men wouldn't have had the chance to do what they did to me… I have to live with that Fitz… And I also have to live with the fact that my father lies upstairs hooked up to a ventilator, fighting for his life, because of me…"
"Liv, stop it…"
"Why? After all it's the truth! I lied to you Fitz… and by doing so, I almost brought us to our knees… Don't you see, that's why we can no longer keep secrets from each other- even if we believe it to be the right thing to do at that time…"
"Believe me Liv, I have no objections on that front… and I will strive to always remain honest with you… Which includes me repeating over and over again, for eternity if I have to; that this is not your fault; truly it is not; for the true blame lies at the hands of my Father and Mellie. The only thing you and I did wrong was dare to fall in love. And regardless of what has happened, or the journey that lies ahead of us… I have no regrets, and neither should you."
She starts to well up… "So you're not mad at me?"
"Never, as long as you remain by my side, I could never be made at you… I love you Liv; your stubbornness and wilfulness included… As without them, I would have probably lost you to those men last night… And that doesn't bear thinking about."
Tears escaping her, she can't contain her emotions a second longer, as in turn she professes her undying love for him too, safely enclosed in his warm embrace… "I love you too Fitz, more than you'll ever know."
Lovingly, he plants a kiss to the top of her head. "I love you more."
Xxxx
"Bed rest?!" She's not happy, although the pain she's currently in would dictate just that… But the prospect of having to remain in bed until the end of this pregnancy terrifies her greatly, for she knows she will go stir crazy…
"Doctor Rosen, exactly how long must Liv remain on bed rest?" Fitz enquires on behalf of Liv, as well as himself; similarly thinking, that Liv on bed rest would probably drive the both of them insane…
Dr Rosen responds with certainty, "I'd say 2 Months at least…"
"2 Months, you've got to be kidding me…" Liv groans aloud in protest.
However, stern in his response. "I kid you not Miss Pope, however if you choose to ignore my advice, it's at your own risk, as well as your baby's." He warns in all seriousness; on which note, Fitz answers for the both of them… "Bed rest it is then… Is there anything else that we should keep an eye out for doctor?"
"Apart from the obvious, such as spotting and cramping, no… But if you can keep Miss Pope's stress levels to a minimum that would also be helpful, as her blood pressure is an additional concern of mine, although considering what she has been though, it's a given that her blood pressure is high… Therefore, I will prescribe her a short course of blood pressure tablets, with a follow up appointment with her OBGYN in a week's time to determine whether or not the dose should be extended."
"Thanks Doctor, I really appreciate you coming out here to see her."
"Well as they say, money talks… Although, having said that, under these circumstances I am more than happy to assist you and Miss Pope on this matter- I have always been an advocate for equality among races, as well as class and gender alike… And what has happened to Miss Pope is a prime example of the prejudice that still exist in this country. I simply abhor it and proudly stand for change, and with that being said, this consultation is on me Mr Grant."
Dr Rosen then turns to Olivia, and squeezes her hand gently… "I know this is hard for you Miss Pope, you've been through the ringer that much is clear, and therefore I appreciate your frustration… But I do beseech you, for your own sake to adhere to my instructions an advice."
She immediately softens, taken back by his previous speech. "I will, I promise… and I'm sorry for coming across as ungrateful, because I am anything but… Thank you Doctor Rosen, honestly, I can't thank you enough."
He gives her a tight smile, "The pleasure is all mine Miss Pope." And with a brief salutation Dr Rosen sees himself out.
Maybe, just maybe, the world in which they existed was more open to their relationship than what they had once originally envisaged...
