A/N: This has been one of the hardest things I have tried to do. I have learned so much through this writing experience. I am going to end this story here, and begin work on another, because I am determined to improve as much as possible. Apologies to those I confused and to those who didn't like the story. I can only promise I will be back, and I will be wiser and more aware of the writing. I am leaving this story open in case I re visit it in the future to let you know how Fitz and Liv are doing. I will also update you on the growing of Kendell and how her brother and sister embraced or did not embrace her. Thank you for your reading and all your comments and reviews, negative and positive they are greatly appreciated.
Chapter 16—The End Game
The car stopped right in front of Olivia and Kendell. Quinn got out of the car to let Liv in the front as she took Kendell from her. "No, Olivia said, I am not going. I am going to stay here. Take Kendell. I did not come here to run away. Mellie has to be stopped and it has to be tonight. I am not going anywhere". Olivia looked at Huck. "How did you miss this, Huck? How did you not know she was coming up here?"
Huck still had her signal in North Carolina. "She must have left her phone with the tracker and picked up a burner phone. I did pick up a call from one of her Secret Service agents to one of Fitz's. He told her where to find the president. They aren't going to keep her away; she is the First Lady. By the time I realized that you were already calling me".
Liv gave Kendell a kiss goodbye, handed Quinn her bag, and headed back inside. If she didn't solve this tonight, she wasn't ever going to have what the life she wants. No more running, no more being afraid, and if Fitz wants her, he must choose her, tonight.
As she was heading back to the house, Liv's phone was ringing. It was Abby. "I have questions coming about a baby Fitz was photographed with at the luncheon today up in Boston. You do know that it's Kendell he was photographed with. The press loves it, though, Liv, they see him as a natural with children. The only thing, what do I say when I start getting questions about who the baby belongs to? I didn't even know you were with Fitz."
"I found out where he was, and I came up here to be with him for a few days. Problem is that Mellie just found us also. I am going to deal with that now. For now, hold off any comments about the pictures from today. I am going in to talk with Fitz now, Mellie is here too. I will call you and let you know everything going on."
Liv walked back into the cottage. Mellie was sitting on the love seat and Fitz on a chair from the kitchen. They were both shocked to see her. Liv sat down right next to Mellie, looked at her directly in the eyes and said "This stops tonight, the way it stops is going to be your choice, but let me tell you the choices aren't going to be what you want to hear. That's not my problem. I am not running from you anymore, I am not afraid of you anymore, and I will leave the rest up to Fitz how he wants to approach this."
Liv turned to Fitz. "I have two things that can bring down Mellie. I plan to use them unless we come up with something more suitable and we spare her any jail time. The first, I have Hal on tape admitting to an affair for well over a year with Mellie. He admits on the tape that she pulled the strings to get him out of the drug charges, but I am guessing you already knew that. Hal also admits that it was Mellie who wanted Karen to be abducted. You have the suicide note, as do I, and I will go to the police. I also have it on recording that she set up my brother, Marcus. She was going to use those pictures to cry sexual assault. That's the reason I sent him to Chicago. I want him as far away from her has possible. She is not going to use my family against us Fitz."
Mellie put her hands up. "Just stop, please. I am tired, I am exhausted, this game is getting old. I can't do this anymore, and quite frankly, I don't want to. I am sick of thinking about Olivia Pope every day. I get it, Fitz loves you, you love him, and the hardest part of all of this is you have a child together. That's your golden ticket Olivia. I am many things, Olivia, but I am not going to jail as a criminal. So how do you suggest we all get out of this? What's your end game Olivia?"
"See Mellie, it isn't only MY end game, it's Fitz's end game also. We are in this together, and that's' how we are going to solve this. I also think you should tell Fitz how you found us. I think Fitz needs to hear who he can trust on his secret service detail."
"Enough, Fitz finally said. We are going to move forward with the truth. Mellie, you want to stay out of jail. You want things to go your way, we'll play that game, but this is it, no more surprises, no more threats, and no more manipulation. It ends here. Your main goal is political power. It always has been. After the election, we are going to announce our separation. You are moving back to California, where you will be seeking to become governor. Being First Lady for another four years will only stand in the way of your political aspirations. We'll announce the separation one month after the election, and after the inauguration, you'll be moving out to California. Soon, we will grow far enough apart, maybe a year down the line in to my second term and we will get a divorce.
Mellie, although content, was not thrilled about the arrangement. Twenty years of her life has been spent with this man. She didn't love him, she loved his power, and holding on to that was breaking her. She nodded towards Olivia, "and what does she get in the deal."
Liv looked at her and said, "that's none of your damn business, what Fitz and I work out between us, you will hear on the news. I am sure they will be happy to report this story as it develops. It could begin as early as tomorrow when Abby identifies the baby Fitz was seen taking pictures with from today. The baby that took such a liking to Fitz and made him look like the presidential father that he truly is." She looked at Fitz, "Abby is waiting for a call from you to let her know how she should proceed with questions about the pictures for today."
Mellie interrupted, "you can't do that to Karen and Jerry, don't you think they have a right to know they have a sister, and what will be going on between their parents?"
As much as he hated to admit it, Mellie was right. He did have obligations to them to let them know what was going on. Their lives were going to be just as affected as his and Mellie's. He looked at Olivia. "What about you? Are you ready to be thrown into a media circus when this comes out?"
Liv looked at him and smiled. "yes Fitz I am ready for anything with you. I came up here to take what is mine, to stop running, and to stop being afraid. When I saw Mellie standing over Kendell's crib that was my breaking point." She looked at Mellie, "so thank you, thank you for bringing out the fighter in me, because I am not letting you win in this. You have called me a whore, a slut, and family wrecker, none of which describes me. So, before we go any further, I want it known that you are done coming after me. All the attacks, all the sneakiness, all the intimidation and mind games stop here. Your word, Mellie, because you are the one with the most to lose."
Mellie couldn't believe that twenty years of marriage, two kids, and law degree had come down to this. As much as it was hard to admit, it was her own fault. Had she not agreed to marry Fitz to begin with, she would never have been in this situation. He was right, it truly was all about the power. There was still time though to make a name for herself, break free from being First Lady, and begin to live her life. She was done trying to hold on to power. Fitz was never going to love her, not the way he loves Olivia. And, as she stated, it was getting exhausting. She wouldn't only have Olivia to fight, she would have Fitz and the White House too eventually turn against her. It was time to let go.
Liv had three months to put her life in order. She had three months to prepare to be with the man she loves. She would be raising a daughter with him and she couldn't be happier than she was right now. She had been on the run too long. She had second guessed her decisions too many times, and she was ready to make the right choice for not only herself but for Kendell as well.
Fitz spoke with Mellie. Once the election was over, and the separation was public knowledge, they would work on a divorce lawyer. Being what Mellie had put them through for the past few weeks, it was going to be amicable. Fitz would arrange a meeting for Karen and Jerry to meet Olivia and Kendell. Mellie would be the one to tell them about the split, they simply grew apart.
Before Mellie left for the night, she handed Fitz a list of the secret service agents that weren't very loyal to him. She didn't say anything to Olivia, she called for her car and told Fitz she would meet up with him tomorrow afternoon, where they would finish the last of the trail and wait out election day together as a family one last time. She left knowing she was defeated, but relieved to be moving on, soon to be meeting her goals for once, without any criminal activity needed to do so.
Once Mellie left, Fitz and Olivia were left to face each other. Oliva started off with the regret she had made with her decision to leave a year ago. If she had never left, this never would have happened, and this could have been avoided. She told Fitz she would never run again, yet she almost did that again tonight. She wanted him to truly believe her when she said she wanted this to work. She was ready to be with him, to raise Kendell with him, and hopefully extend their family when they were ready.
Fitz wanted Olivia to be certain what she was giving up, what she was willing to do, and to be ready for the life she was about to get herself in to.
"Fitz, I am choosing you. I have had my time to think, and after all that has happened, I have grown through this. We will take the next three months to do our soul searching, we have that, and I am willing to make this work to be with you. Now what are you going to tell Abby to do about the questions about those photos with Kendell?"
"Right now, we are in search of the baby's identity. Sometime down the line, it will be revealed that after Mellie had an affair with Hal, I looked elsewhere. I was unfaithful too, and unbeknownst to me, that affair produced a baby girl. That baby girl was the one I was photographed with at the luncheon. When that is revealed to the nation, that is when you and Kendell will come out of the shadows you have been hiding in for so long, and we will live together as a family. Of course, that only works if you want me. Do you want me?"
Olivia stared into Fitz's eyes. There was nothing she was sure of in all her life. She wanted him, she loved him and there wouldn't be another day to go by that she would ever hide in the shadows again. She was ready to take her place beside the man who grabbed her heart the very first time their eyes met. "Fitzgerald Grant, you are stuck with me" as she reached up and pulled him down for his lips to meet hers.