Before going in Fitz gives Liv a hug and a kiss. When the hug breaks he says, "You're going to need that Livy." After Amber and Liv walk in; they hear the sound of the machines, and see the lights on the monitors, well before they see Karen.
Once they get behind the curtain; it is unreal. There are tubes running from every direction, and various sounds coming from the several machines working, to monitor her progress. It's quite overwhelming to see her in this condition; Amber holds her hand, as Liv breaks down.
The only word to describe her feelings in the moment is heartbreak. Amber comforts her until Liv gets it together, and calms herself. They look at Karen, her face is beautiful; she looks asleep, but also tired.
The minutes tick away slowly, as Liv and Amber gaze upon Karen lying lifelessly, in the hospital bed fighting to recover. Liv is ready to leave Karen in peace; her and Amber decide to go back into the hall way.
As they enter into the hallway; Fitz comes over to her immediately, and hugs her. She cries a little on his shoulder, trying not to break down again. "It's heartbreaking to see her like that isn't it?" He asks sounding so sad. She replies, "Yes it is Fitz. But I had to see her. Despite all the tubes, her vitals look good. Let's just pray she comes back to us." Everyone nods in agreement.
Moments later the food arrives; Liv doesn't have an appetite now, but knows Fitz is going to ensure she eats every bite. She sits down with him, and they eat together in the waiting room. While the kids go back in to sit with Karen, after eating their food. As they eat; Liv sees how tired Fitz looks, and knows she probably looks just as tired. She doesn't want to be in this situation for nothing in the world. But she's glad they are able to be in it together.
She agreed earlier to take a break, eat, and take a nap, and she knows soon he will be collecting on that promise. As she finishes her salad, he says, "Looks like you're done. So you're ready to go nap right?" Liv looks at him with reluctance; she doesn't want to go, but agrees to do so because she is pregnant and she did promise. But she tries to get him to address his own needs too. She says, "I will take a nap Fitz. But you have to promise me, you will take one too." She's hopeful he agrees.
To her surprise he says, "Okay, I will crash on the couch in Karen's room for a few hours; if you will nap in the family suite." She smiles as she says, "Agreed. But we have one other issue we have to discuss." Fitz knows her too well, he says, "If she shows up Liv. I will behave. But I am not calling her. I know she didn't cause the accident; but she did cause our daughter distress because of her selfishness, greed, jealousy, and deviance, and that is unforgivable." He says with agitation in his voice.
Liv understands his point; she just wants to make sure he or Jerry doesn't become violent, causing a public relations nightmare. So she says, "Okay, so you promise no bickering, or violence between you, Jerry and her, right?" She asks for clarification. He takes her hand seeing she is worried. He says, "Stop worrying Livy. I promise I will mind myself and Jerry. Relax baby, I know I can't have a breakdown like that; I understand the situation and my position."
She looks into his eyes, and sees the sincerity in them. She believes him and trusts him, so she relents. Seeing that she's relenting; he takes her hand and walks her to the family ICU overnight suite. After leading her into the room; he goes inside with her, and agrees to lay with her, until she falls asleep. Once she's sleep; he gets up and goes into Karen's room to rest on the couch. While Jerry and Amber decide to go back to the hotel for the night, to return in the morning.
As he enters the room; he tries once again to prepare himself for the image of Karen's condition. Fitz walks into the room with a heavy heart; he pulls a chair by her bed, and sits down holding her hand. He begins speaking to her. He says, "Karen, I don't know if you can hear me or not. But if you can honey. Please know that your daddy loves you.
DNA doesn't make you my daughter, and me your father. The love we share makes us family. Nothing your mother told you changes anything Karen; I need you to fight to live right now sweetheart. Don't worry about anything else; just come back to us. We miss and love you very much." He says with tears in his eyes, and pain in his heart, pleading for her to get better.
After sitting by her side for some time; he kisses her good night, and prepares to get some rest himself. He settles onto the surprisingly comfortable couch in Karen's room, and rests behind the curtain drawn, separating the sitting area from the bed area. As he lies on the couch for what seems like hours, he eventually drifts off to sleep.
He closes his eyes for what he thinks is a few hours; only to look at his watch when he wakes, to see that it's now 9am. He actually slept for 6 hours; he wakes up feeling rested. As he prepares to get up; he feels a different air in the room, as he hears the door open. He takes a breath, and says nothing; he stays put on the couch behind the curtain.
He hears a gasp and then hears, "Oh my God Karen. I am so sorry for everything I said. I didn't mean it I swear." Fitz knows the voice too well, and wishes he could forget it. He realizes she is alone; which for him is a good thing. Because he isn't sure if he can handle seeing Andrew right now. He sits up on the couch and continues to listen to her talk to Karen.
She says all the usual words the guilty spew, when looking for forgiveness of wrong doing. Fitz is not impressed. But in his head, he hears Liv saying let her have her equal time with Karen. Let this be about Karen; not the paternity situation, that's irrelevant right now. Fitz remains quiet the entire time; because in his heart of hearts. He knows he has nothing positive to say to her, and he wants to do the right thing, by putting Karen first, and not the drama.
Because she thinks they are alone she says, "Karen despite what I said. I hope you didn't tell anyone about the secret. This will destroy everything; your trust fund, the family name, even your relationship with Fitz." Fitz feels himself getting angry; she is actually telling her about the potential monetary loss she can suffer as a result of him not being her biological father. He shakes his head, and thinks to himself, she's the fucking devil.
Still remaining quiet; he's thinking this has got to come to an end soon. He then hears the door open, and Jerry's voice saying, "You need to go. She doesn't want or need to see you." He says in a direct and cold tone, but he's controlled. She looks up at him and says, "Jerry, I'm sorry I hit you. I was out of control, and you have a right to be mad. But I am here; because we need to fix this Jerry.
We have a lot at stake here. I assume Karen told you what I said. Am I right?" Jerry is outdone by her response. Even now she doesn't see past her greed and secrecy. He says, "You're a real piece of work; you came here not because your daughter was hurt in an accident. But because your greed, and being afraid your secret will out. Well too late. We all know about it, and if I were you. I would leave before dad and Liv see you." His tone is harsh and filled with anger.
Mellie feels her anger bubbling; how dare he disrespect her. She attempts to reign him in by saying, "Damn it Jerry, regardless of how you all feel about me right now. The accident is not my fault! You can't blame me for this. I didn't mean the secret was more important than being here for her. You're twisting my words. I can't believe no one called me to tell me what happened. I had to find out through a third party; that's ludicrous! I am her mother!"
Jerry walks over to her and says, "The accident isn't your fault, but all the chaos surrounding what happened is your fault. That's why no one called you Mellie. We are done with your drama. I for one am sick and tired of your antics, and they need to stop. You harass Liv and dad for no reason, and you guilt me and Karen into coming to see you. Only to insult and assault us when we get there. I don't know what your problem is.
But I know that I am done trying to understand. As of yesterday when my sister called me balling her eyes out over what you said to her, and after you struck me. You lost the right to call me your son, and her your daughter. Karen and I have parents that care for us in dad and Liv. So we don't need you or your controlling, manipulative, devious actions that you call love. I just feel especially sorry for Teddy. He has to deal with your craziness at least for another 14 years. Before he can walk away from to too." Says Jerry, with coldness in his voice that Fitz recognizes all too well.
Mellie sits in shock at Jerry; his rage at her is flowing so easily. She realizes he is serious, by his tone, and the look in his eyes. Seeing that all is lost; she doesn't try to apologize any further; she cuts to the chase, as she says, "Well, you are your father's son for sure. You're just as emotional and illogical as ever." Jerry says, "Don't you dare speak ill of my father; he's twice the person and parent you are."
Mellie has had it with his anger toward her; she angrily says, "I am still your mother Jerry. DNA cannot be changed! So show some respect." She says with a scowling look. But she's not ready for his reply. He says, "Well, thank goodness blood relation doesn't make a family. Love does, and clearly you have no clue of what that looks like."
Fitz although enjoying this exchange; decides this has gone far enough. He stands up, and as he walks from behind the curtain, surprising both of them. He asks Jerry to go outside for a minute. Jerry looks at his father with a pleading look. But it's refuted, and he does as he is asked. Once the door closes, Fitz says, "Mellie what you need to do right now. Is say your peace to our daughter and go."
Mellie is in shock and dismay over what she is hearing from both Jerry and Fitz; she's speechless. First Jerry attacks her, and now here comes Fitz to lower the boom on her, with his judgmental stare. She thought she was alone with Karen; she didn't know Fitz was behind the curtain, and she didn't know that Karen had already told them about Andrew, being her father. After reprocessing the situation; she says, "Fitz, I am still her mother. You can't kick me out, or prevent me from seeing her."
Fitz walks closer to her as he says, "As long as you behave; your right. I will not remove you from the hospital. But let's be clear, this and every visit needs to be about Karen, and her well-being. Not about the paternity situation, or trust funds. We want positive, loving energy around her. Not all that chaotic mess you bring with you, everywhere you go." She responds, "Fitz, I don't think you understand. I didn't mean for her, or anyone else to find out about the paternity."
He replies, "Mellie, I don't think you understand. I don't give a damn about that right now, and once again. This isn't about you. It's about Karen, like I said. Now do you think you can abide by what I am asking of you?" She can't believe he's disregarding her this way; but feels she has no choice, but to comply with his demands.
So she says, "Yes. I will follow the rules." He responds, "Good, now I will leave you to your visit. However, there's one other thing." She asks, "What is it?" He replies, "You will continue to address me as her father, when you speak to her about me. Because I have earned that right. Do you understand and agree to these conditions?" He asks hoping she says no. So he has a reason to dismiss her.
