Fitz POV

"I'm okay Huck. I just wanted to tell you that I'm going to stay tonight.

When I heard the words leave her mouth, my heart went racing and I turned as quickly as possible and went back to the deck. I didn't want her to think I was eavesdropping, so I focused on cleaning up our bowls and glasses while trying to make as little noise as possible. I had just gotten everything balanced in my hands when I heard the door open and she came out to stand in front of me. She looked from me to the pile of mess in my arms and softly laughed before taking a few things from me and heading back inside. She probably could sense that my nerves were getting the best of me and I honestly needed to have a moment where she either explained herself or I went someplace alone and thought about all the possible things that this could mean. I knew her choosing to stay over didn't mean THAT, but I wondered what made her come to that decision. It had taken me nearly begging and pleading for her agree to come out of her house and into mine. When she came up behind me and added the few dishes to the stack I had started soaking in the soapy water, I moved to the side and watched her.

"What just happened?" That came out fast and rude but I couldn't stop the word vomit from spilling out.

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't mean to push you…. I didn't expect…. I mean I heard you tell Huck…. You were on the phone…. You don't have to ….."

"Fitz, stop."

She placed one of those soft hands on my forearm and I felt my dick twitch unexpectedly. Wow dude, it's been a while, but chill the fuck out. Don't be pervy.

"I wanted to stay, I just knew that I had to follow my gut immediately or I would find reasons to change my mind and go home."

"I wouldn't be upset if you changed your mind and decided to go home."

Liar.

"I know you wouldn't, but I would. It wouldn't be being honest with myself. I want to be here. With you."

"Well good because I want you here with me."

My smile was cheesy and I didn't need anyone tell me otherwise. I was happy as hell to have her staying over and I couldn't wait to mentally stress over what the sleeping arrangements would be for tonight. At least I had THAT to stress over. I knew my smile didn't fade as I began to lightly scrub the dishes before loading them into the dishwasher but I couldn't stop myself.

"Here, let me."

She moved closer and took the large plate from my hands before delicately placing it into the dishwasher exactly where I would've placed it. I inwardly released a sigh of relief seeing that. It would've been bad if that pet-peeve of mine would've shown because it was a big one. I had my ocd ways and loading the dishwasher was one of them but once again Olivia surprised me.

We continued to load the dishes silently. It wasn't an awkward silence and I was grateful for that. Olivia had kicked her shoes off a while ago and I loved the way I towered over her small frame. It wasn't the first time I noticed it, but seeing as though I hadn't been this close to her in weeks, it was completely on my mind at the moment. It was a few seconds later that we were finished and she leaned against the island as I grabbed a wash packet from under the sink and popped it into the dishwasher. It started the g*d-awful noise it made and I looked up to find her staring back at me. I took her in for a few minutes, wondering what she was thinking as she watched me just as intently. She didn't seem nervous, but I knew it was possible that I was making her nervous.

"I need to be honest with you and say that I need you to make the rules and I'll follow."

She instantly looked confused and began to fidget with the hem of her shirt before looking back at me.

"Do you not trust yourself with me?"

"I don't."

I wanted to be as honest as possible.

"Why? Do you think you'd take advantage of me?"

"Never" that answer was immediate.

"I know that. You're the first person I've trusted in a long time, Fitz."

"I know I am and that's why I want to follow your lead. I just know how much I really like you and if I'm the one calling the shots, I might take things too far and if you're not ready I would feel like an asshole. I don't want to do anything to push you away."

She looked as though she was letting the words sink in and nodded her head slowly, and I released the breath I was holding. I hadn't screwed things up just yet.

I finished wiping down the counter and hung the dishtowel on the oven's handle when I heard her voice behind me.

"Do you think you have something I could wear to sleep in?"

I nodded and gestured for her to follow me upstairs. My mind immediately thought about her changing and slipping into some of my clothes. I hadn't even dug deep enough to know everything about her, but I knew I wanted to. Even more than I wanted to witness her slip into my clothes one day before we both climbed into my bed at night, I wanted to know her.

"Fitz?"

I snapped out of my day dream at her soft voice and nodded before moving to the drawers that sat opposite the bed. I rummaged through the drawers before pulling out a wrinkled large grey t-shirt then dug through another and stood up with a pair of jogger pants. I knew both items of clothing would swallow her frame but it was the best i had and at least she'd be comfortable.

"Will this work?" I asked her and she nodded before taking the items from my hand. I didn't turn to leave right away and when I saw her gaze meet mine, I immediately took the hint and excuse myself from the room.

"Fitz" Olivia called out making me freeze as I was closing the door. "Don't you wanna grab something to change into? Then we can both be ready for bed? We can umm, just talk? I don't know."

I could tell she was unsure but was trying. I nodded and moved to grab the pj's I had thrown on my dresser from the night before and left the room quietly.

It didn't take me long to change and I jogged down the steps for my phone and saw that I had a missed call from my mother. I wasn't sure why she was calling but I figured it had something to do with CJ. She should've been asleep by now but I know my mother lets her stay up well past her bedtime. I called back and started double checking the locks downstairs as I waited for her to pick up.

"Daddy!"

"Bug, what are you doing with Grandma's phone?"

"I just have it, Daddy."

"Well where is she I need to talk to her."

"Why?"

"Because she called me so I need to know what she needed, nosy-pants."

"But I called you, Daddy."

"Did grandma know you took her phone to call me?"

I assumed was shaking her head on the other side as if I could see her.

"Ceej, talk I can't see you."

"No she didn't know I called you. She was cleaning the kitchen and I was watching my movie and wanted to tell you about it."

"Well that was a long while ago, why do you still have grandma's phone? Where is she now?"

"She's sleep. I was sleep too but I woke up because I missed you."

I ran my hand across my face and turned to look at the steps, wondering if Olivia would come down if it took me any longer. This didn't happen often- CJ "missing" me- unless something had changed in our life which now explained the phone calls from my little girl. Since Olivia left, she had become a little clingy and I noticed. It was the same when her first babysitter that is trusted her with had moved out of state after two months of caring for CJ. I saw the way it broke my little girl and decided I couldn't let that happen again. She was so young but loved with her whole heart and when that bond was gone, she was devastated. Her actions now only left me wondering if in that short period of days she had formed a small connection with Olivia that was now gone.

"I miss you too, Bug. Why don't you climb in bed and I'll sing our bedtime song to you."

"Will you sing it two times?"

"If you answer when I call your name, I'll sing the chorus an extra time. Deal?"

"Deal."

"You tucked in? Got Mr. Waffles?"

"Wait!"

I heard a few patters of footsteps, a bag being unzipped, more footsteps then a huff.

"Got him!"

Her voice was a whisper and I could imagine her holding the raggedy stuffed rabbit up to her face with one floppy ear being rubbed methodically under her nose. It was a habit she'd done for as long as I could remember. Once she'd mastered rolling over, she'd snuggle into the then large rabbit in her crib and sniff it all night. Fitz took a deep breath before he sat down on the couch and began singing the only song he sang to his little girl when she couldn't sleep.

I don't get many things right the first time

In fact, I am told that a lot

Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls

Brought me here

And where was I before the day

That I first saw your lovely face?

Now I see it everyday

And I know

That I am

I am

I am

The luckiest

"Bug?"

I knew she would be asleep and whispered that I loved her before hanging up the phone. I stood up from the couch to go up stairs and was shocked to turn around and see Olivia leaning against the banister. I was immediately embarrassed knowing she had been listening. I had only sung for CJ and never had a reason to sing for anyone else. I shook the thoughts from my head and moved closer to her, noticing the tears in her eyes.

"Olivia, what happened? Did something happen? Did Huck call?"

I saw her shake her head before turning and going back up the stairs and into my bedroom. I chastised myself for questioning whether I should follow her up, before taking the steps two at a time and following her into the bedroom. She was lying on her side, facing the wall and I watched her shoulders slightly shake as she continued to cry.

"Livvie, please tell me what happened?

Liv POV

I hated crying in front of him, but hearing him be so gentle with his daughter stirred something inside of me that I wished didn't exist. After he handed me the clothes, I waited until the door closed behind Fitz before bringing the sweat pants and shirt to my face and inhaling. I knew they were clean, but they not only smelled like laundry detergent. The entire bedroom smelled like Fitz and the only difference in his clothes is that they smelled like him and I loved it. His scent had become so familiar to me and the past two weeks were near torture not having it surrounding me. I moved into the master bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror as I changed clothes. My body looked better than it had weeks ago when I could see the partial outline of my ribcage. I had lost at least twelve pounds in the past four months and my small frame didn't make that a good thing. Being in the house with Huck left no room for skipping meals and he made it his business to keep the fridge stocked with things that I would indulge myself in back home. My body was regaining nutrients and I could see my shape filling out to what it used to be before my life became one that I had no control over. This pleased me. If my new life would consist of me trusting Fitz, then I knew it would go farther than dinner and dessert in his backyard.

Don't think that way, Liv. Just enjoy this while you have it. No thinking about a future with Fitz. You don't deserve to think that way.

I finished dressing after realizing how long I had been analyzing my body in the mirror and went to open the bedroom door expecting Fitz to be there. When he was nowhere in sight, I moved to look in CJ's room and the office but they were both empty. I moved to the stairs and walked slowly as I heard his muffled voice speaking to someone. I almost went back upstairs, but stopped when I heard a certain word escape his lips.

"Bug"

Now that was a weakness for me that I couldn't deny. I loved hearing him and his daughter interact. He wasn't a pushover, but he was also completely captivated by his little girl and it showed. I could listen to the two of them talk for days and never get bored. Listening to the one-sided conversation was just as wonderful. I could only imagine her being scared or uneasy on the other line from his responses and it wasn't until I was on the last step that I froze.

He was singing to her. His voice was deep, yet gentle and he was singing one of my favorite songs that my own father used to sing to me.

"Now sweet Caroline, do you know why I smile every time I see your face?"

"Why Dad?"

"Because now that I have you, I am the luckiest."

Hearing Fitz sing that song, the same song my father sang to me when I was a little girl, to his own daughter opened up unexpected floodgates and I broke down. I stood there as tears poured down my face and closed my eyes picturing our nightly routine. We would both lie on our backs facing upside down with our feet against the headboard and I'd lay my head against his shoulder while he sang. His voice was horrible and always off key but it didn't matter to me. He'd sing the first verse and the chorus before he'd turn the cd on to play in my bedroom through the night.

"Olivia, what happened? Did something happen? Did Huck call?"

I bolted up the steps as fast as I could and found myself drawn to his bedroom. I was on his bed, wanting to be comforted simply by his scent but wasn't sure how much it would help. He wasn't there right away, but seconds later when I opened my eyes, I was aware that he was now on the bed next to me. I refused to look at him, but the tugging I felt on my waist broke my walls down and I didn't think twice about letting him embrace me. His hold on me was firm and I appreciated him allowing me to stay in his embrace silently. I found that the more I let him in, allowing him to see me and physically embrace me while I'm feeling broken, that I was able to let go of what was plaguing me. He was able to break down my walls without me knowing what was happening and on a level I wasn't familiar with, I welcomed it.

"You can tell me anything, Livvie."

I had appreciated his silence as he held me. I hadn't wanted to talk about it until that name left his mouth. It had easily become my weakness and I found myself unable to ignore his request.

"When I was little…. Probably up until my eighth birthday, I was the biggest daddy's girl and he was my world. I see so much of our relationship in you and CJ, but she has it better than I did. I've always known that before five p.m. he was not Daddy, he was a businessman. It was all about work until the clock struck five and then he was all mine. I could smile and laugh and hug him whenever I wanted after five. He'd give me piggyback rides and he just loved me and I knew it."

I could feel his hold on me tighten when an unexpected sob escaped my lips and as if it were a second nature, I burrowed further into his chest.

"He always sang The Luckiest to me. Every night that he was home he would sing it to me. It wasn't every night though. When I was younger it was every night, but the older I got he would work for days at a time nonstop and I wouldn't see him at all. It became a normal to me and he was cold when he was home. Even after five it was as if he were a different person, but every once in a while he would come in my room once I was nearly asleep and sing our song. He'd say that he was the luckiest to have a little girl like me and he would never forget that and when I heard you singing that to CJ I just….. he just… "

"Livvie…"

"He lied! He was a liar and a criminal and he had me fooled that I was the most important thing in the world to him and I wasn't."

Fitz POV

A fresh wave of tears poured onto my shirt and my heart broke for her. I knew her father was dead, but I wanted to kill him with my bare hands.

"He changed and it hurt and I hated him but I was still there for him in the end! I was there for his last breath and I wanted to hate him so bad but I couldn't. I still loved him after everything he put me through and his choices ruined my life."

"Olivia you being there with your dad to the end just shows how much stronger you are than him. You love with your whole heart through so much pain, and you still fought your way out of a horrible situation. Even if he didn't know how to show it, I know you meant the world to him. As a father I know that no matter what choices you make in life and no matter how crazy everything might get, your child, your baby girl is what matters the most to you. I'm sure he took his last breath grateful that it was you there with him. You were the best thing he ever did, Olivia."

It was like a dam inside of her broke and she cried for much longer than I expected. I knew that her father had hurt her, but I only knew how much she had been dealing with it from the amount of tears she released. The only bright side of her crying this way was knowing that she felt comfortable enough to do so with me.

According to the alarm clock on my nightstand, nineteen minutes had passed and I knew that Olivia had fallen asleep. I leaned back on the pillows, cautious not to wake her and when I was finally comfortable, I released a sigh of contentedness. She was broken, yet strong. Scared, yet brave. Flawed, yet perfect. She was everything I wanted and I just hoped she felt the same way that I did. There was no way I could stop myself from feeling the way that I did about Olivia Pope.

"I love you."

AN: Just wanted to say I know the song wasn't out when Olivia would've been a kid, but I love that song and it worked. I don't usually do AN for this story, and I won't begin to. This chapter was super short because I wanted to get that grieving of her father out there, but the next chapter, I hope, I will make up for this short one.