Olivia's POV

"Mommy..."

I sigh, closing the email window on Abby's laptop. I have so much client work ups I need to get done, but it looks like that's not going to happen. Abby and David ended up going on a breakfast date this morning and then they're going straight to work, so I made Savannah and I some food, cleaned up the kitchen and now I am here, sitting cross legged with my pajamas in the guest room with Abby's laptop, which she generously said I could use.

"Savannah," I pretend to be annoyed as she puts her arms around my neck clinging. But really, I missed my baby girl yesterday and now it's time for her to get a little attention from me. I push the laptop to the side of the bed and hug my daughter back. "You're not going to let Mommy work this morning, are you?"

"No," she giggles and hugs me tighter. "Mommy no work. No school for me, no work for Mommy."

I laugh and brush some curls out of her face. "Is that the way it works, baby?"

She nods enthusiastically, making me laugh harder. She's so brave. She's been through hell and back and she's so strong. She's taking this not being home thing amazingly well. She's been away from Jake longer than this, but I think she knows this time is different. I hope she knows that.

X

Four Years Ago

"Olivia...do not call me."

I sigh into the phone and slip off my shoes. Even though I am only a few months pregnant and have barely gained any weight, my ankles are already killing. That, and this stress. And David isn't making this any easier.

"David," I plead. "Please. I need a favor."

"You should have thought about that before you quit the case," David replies shortly. "I heard you're pregnant. Congrats. Sorry I couldn't make it to the wedding either. But some of us are actually busy, fighting for justice, you know."

I close my eyes. If only David knew how much I missed Fitz. How much I worried about him. How much I wanted to help and how guilty I feel. "I'm sorry. How many times do I have to say I am sorry? I am genuinely asking, David. Because I honestly consider you a friend. And I legit care about Fitz. So tell me. How many times?"

There's a short pause and then a sigh on the other end. "What do you need?"

I smile. People like David are the reason there is some good in the world. "Do you still have access to Fitz's house?"

"This is about the case?" David asks, sounding surprised.

"Something like that," I lie. "Please don't ask questions. I know that I am not in a position to request that of you. But this is so important, David. I need you to get me a hairbrush. His. And send it to me, FedEx, something."

"You need his DNA?" David sounds hopeful. "Do you have a lead?"

"No," I admit. "But this is important anyway. Please trust me."

X

I remember that like it was yesterday.

When I gave birth to Savannah, I was sure it was Fitz's, and not because of the eyes or the damn paternity test.

I just knew.

I remember for a short time wishing that I wasn't pregnant. I was still dealing with guilt and the feeling of incompetence from quitting Fitz's case and I was nervous the baby wasn't Jake's. I was so resentful, so scared and so reckless.

Now, looking at my daughter in her purple footie pajamas and messy hair hugging me, I don't understand how I could have ever felt that way. I have the smartest, the most beautiful little girl in the world. Her father is the most caring, most gentle, most loving man on the planet. And her mother would do anything for her. I run my fingers through her knotty hair. She refused to take it off the braid last night, even in the bath. She started crying when I finally pulled it off.

"Anna," I lift her chin up gently with my hand so she's looking at me. My tone is very soft but serious and she looks a little worried, so I give her a little smile. "Baby, I just wanted to know...are you happy hanging out with Fitz? And Karen?"

She nods, looking at me as if I am crazy or something. "Yup, Mommy. Buh I want you to play wif us too next time."

I smile, bending down to kiss her cheek. "That sounds like fun. When do you wanna go back?"

"Today."

I grin. I probably will bring her back pretty soon, since she seemed to have a good time. I feel like Fitz could sit down and patiently play Barbies with her for hours if that's what she wanted. He would put her before anything and knowing Savannah, she would take advantage of that. I appreciate the time he spends with her but I don't want it to compromise his relationship with Karen or his shot at Secretary of Defense. "Maybe tomorrow."

Just then, I hear a knock coming from downstairs. I literally have no idea what to do. Abby didn't say she was expecting anybody. I gently unwrap Savannah's arms from around me. "Savannah, stay upstairs. Mommy will be back soon, okay?"

"Mommy," Savannah whines. "Don't go."

I take the remote and flick on the guest room TV for her. "Here, baby. Just watch TV."

I put the remote on her lap and reach for my Harvard sweatshirt, putting it over my tank top. I run down the steps and swing open the door without looking to see how it is through the small window.

When I open it and see who it is, I nearly shut it back right away. But I am too stunned to do that.

"Liv," Jake smiles nervously when he sees me. "Hi."

Fitz's POV

I almost choke on my coffee when I see Karen come downstairs in her school uniform. I was expecting her to stay home today - and I was completely okay with that. Yet here she is, in her maroon plaid skirt and matching sweater with 'SHERIDAN ACADEMY' embroidered in white on it. She doesn't say hi or stop to get breakfast. She doesn't even look at me. She just rushes down with her backpack and goes straight downstairs.

I put down my coffee on dining table. I realize now why she coldly asked to be brought home last night - so she could catch the bus and go to school. I decided to stay back here too, only because I was worried about her. I am constantly worried about her, all the time.

I wish it wasn't like this. I don't have to tell you how much Karen means to me. We have been through so much together. All I ever wanted to do was protect her. And make the right decisions after I made so many wrong ones.

It really hurts me to see her this upset. I know that right now, she is not actively trying to make me feel bad. I think she's just dealing with this herself. She's been through so much. She's had such a hard life. I would do anything in exchange of knowing she didn't have to go through this pain.

I close my eyes and sigh. I know I have to go to the White House today. I know I have so much to do. I know that nothing will come from me sitting at my dining room table and feeling sorry for myself and my daughter. I know all this.

Yesterday Afternoon

"Savannah is..." I take a deep breath. I need to do this. No more lies. I just have to say it and deal with the consequences. "She's your sister, Karen."

Karen looks up at me, gaping. She's not shocked or anything. She just looks genuinely confused. "What do you mean? That doesn't make sense?"

I sit up against the couch, feeling uneasy. I don't know how to explain this to her, but in some way, I have to. "Savannah is my daughter. I just found out a few days ago."

Karen swallows and wrinkles her eyebrows together, still looking just as confused. "That's...that still doesn't make sense, Daddy. That would mean...that lady, Olivia...you did it with her?"

"Yes," I can't look at my daughter right now. I inhale. She's old enough to put the pieces together. And even though it's a good thing Savannah is in our lives, it's just so hard to get through this conversation. There are so many painful truths. "It was a long time ago and she had a baby - Savannah. And now she's in our lives. That's a good thing."

"No," Karen snaps. I look up at her. She looks MAD. I knew she would be emotional, being as sensitive as she is, but right now, she looks plain angry. Her face is turning red and her palms and fingers are balled up into fists. "This isn't a good thing! Savannah is four years old. Four or five years ago, you were still with Mom. You cheated on her!"

It is so much more complicated than that. Mellie cheated on me too. But telling Karen that would only make matters worse, so instead of justifying it, I just nod apologetically. "Yes, sweetheart, I did. And I am sorry."

Karen just looks at me, her eyes brimming with angry, wet tears.

I feel so bad. This is a lot for her to take in. I clear my throat. The situation is bad as it is, so I will lie to make her feel a little bit better. "I told your Mom. I said sorry. I didn't lie. But she left anyway. She left because of me. It had nothing to do with you. She loved you very much, Karen. She would stay if it weren't for me. I'm so sorry, sweetheart. She loved you."

"It doesn't matter," Karen's voice breaks. The tears come rushing down her face. I instantly get up to comfort her, but when I approach her, she jumps out of her sofa and stumbles to the door.

"Karen," I call out. "Please, sweetheart. I am sorry. I just had to tell you the truth. I never, ever wanted to hurt you. If I had known sooner, I would have told you right away. I know it's unfair. And I know this is hard-"

"No, you don't!" Karen sobs, facing the door. "You called me reckless. You called me irresponsible. But you never think of anybody but yourself, Daddy."

X

"Thank you," I nod at the Secret Service agent who picked up the pizza I ordered.

I grab two plastic plates and go up and through the many rooms and halls before I get to the master bedroom, where Karen has been locked up for hours after she broke my heart this afternoon. I knock on the door. "Karen? I have food, sweetheart."

Usually I would leave her alone and let her deal with this emotionally, because I know that's what she needs. But she hasn't been out of the Blair house bedroom ever since we spoke about it and therefore, hasn't eaten.

I wait another minute before turning the doorknob. Surprisingly, it isn't locked. I walk in to the dark room and flicker on the lights. Karen is facedown on the king bed, covered in duvets. For a second, I actually think she's asleep before she shifts and looks up at me. Her blue eyes are puffy and I know she's been crying into her pillow.

I walk over and scoot next to her on the bed, balancing the pizza and plates before setting them on my lap. She doesn't stop me from sitting, but she doesn't exactly cozy up to me either. She just remains neutrally silent next to me.

"I know you haven't eaten." I tell her softly. "And I was worried about you. I wanted you to have your privacy, but I was worried, you know?"

She nods a little, rubbing her eyes.

I look at my lap. Words cannot describe how awful I feel. I seeing my daughter this upset - too heartbroken to even yell or curse at me. "Karen. Do you want to talk?"

She shakes her head before falling back on her pillow. I open the box and put two slices of cheese pizza on a plate before placing it in her hands. She picks the crust with her neon green coated fingernail.

"I just wanted to say I am sorry," I close the box. I'm not hungry myself. I just need her to be taken care of. And I need her to understand. "I know I have said that a lot, but I mean it. I never meant to hurt you - ever. I know I have failed at a lot of things. When you were younger, I couldn't protect Gerry. I still cry about that sometimes. I couldn't make your mom stay. And nowadays, I can't seem to make you smile."

She doesn't say anything.

"What I am trying to tell you is," I lean over and kiss her cheek. "I know a lot of things haven't been fair. But you're such a strong, brave girl. And I want you to be happy. I want that so bad, Karen. You mean the world to me. That's why we're here, right now. So I can get this job and take care of you."

Silence.

I go on anyways. I need her to hear me out. I need her to know everything I am saying is from my heart and genuine. "Things are going to be better, sweetheart. I am going to make sure of that. But I need you to know something. I know it's hard, but Livvy and Savannah are going to be a bigger part of our lives. I know you dislike them and I understand that. That's okay. But they're family."

She doesn't say anything. I'm about to call it a night and leave the room, until finally, she clears her throat. "I don't dislike Olivia and Savannah. Olivia is nice and if anyone is my sister, I am glad it's Savannah. I'm not mad at them. I'm just mad. And I need to be left alone. And I need to go home. Can you take me home?"

X

The way she asked me that so calmly, so rationally made me heartbroken. I would seriously rather have her scream and curse words at me. I want her to fight back. Not give up.

I know it's not Savannah she has a problem with. I saw them yesterday - it's like their sisterly instincts were built in. Karen was really protective over her. She didn't let Savannah stand up on fence thing at the lake and she didn't let her jump down the stairs at the Lincoln Memorial. She cared about her.

And I don't think Karen dislikes Livvy either, even though they barely even talked. I think Livvy and Karen have the potential for a great relationship.

But that seems so far away now. I had so much hope yesterday and although I still have most of it, I feel heartbroken after last night. There's no other way to describe it.

I know what I have to do. It probably won't make a difference but it will kill me all day if I don't. I push my chair back and head downstairs and out the door, barefoot. Karen is two sidewalks ahead at a speedy pace. I run after her, the hot gravel under my feet.

"Karen," I call when I approach her. I reached her in a matter of less than five seconds. I guess cardio at the gym really does pay off. "Wait."

She turns around and looks me up and down, surprised. But she still doesn't say anything. Just looks at me, waiting.

"Karen," I repeat, stuffing my hands in the pockets of my sweatpants. "I'll make this quick, and not only because I am a grown man running barefoot across the richest neighborhood in DC, chasing after a preteen girl and the neighbors may very well call the cops."

Karen cracks a little smile, but I can tell she's not really amused. I can tell she's still sad. And the smile is only temporary. I know she's still hurting. And I don't know what I can do about that. "Karen, I know I am annoying you. But when you're at school today, please know that I am thinking of you. And I'm going to be sorry for a long time. I love you. I mean it."

She stares at me, as if she's expecting more. But that's all I have got. That's the truth. I know I am badgering her, I know I am probably annoying the hell out of her. But I also know how much she means to me. She means everything. Her happiness, her safety and her health means everything. I have another daughter but that doesn't change how much I care about this one.

Finally, she nods. She really nods, like she means it. She doesn't say anything, but when I open my arms to hug her, she steps forward.

Olivia's POV

"What are you doing here?" I demand, not really wanting to hear the answer. What I really want is for him to leave, but knowing Jake, that's not going to happen.

Jake buttons a slip on his grey suit. From the looks of it, he was just going to work and decided to stop by. I don't know why he's here and I don't care. He looks anything but apologetic. But even if he was apologetic, I really wouldn't give a fuck. He looks confident - cocky, even. "Good morning to you too, Olivia."

I step in front of the screen door and close it, now barefoot on the porch, the sun shining down on us both. I cross my arms. I'm not scared or nervous. I'm just mad. "You're not seeing Savannah. You're not seeing my daughter. And I'm not going to...apologize to you."

He shakes his head. "I don't expect you to. That's not why I came here, Livvy-"

"Don't," I hold up my hand, my voice filled with so much anger that it's shaking. "Don't you call me that - ever."

Jake holds up his hands in defense. "Is that nickname reserved for the guy who you screwed while being engaged to me?"

"Yes," I don't miss a beat. I don't care if he's being sarcastic. If he's trying to make me feel guilty, he's failing.

He stares at me, shocked for a moment. Then, he shakes his head. "Whatever. Look, I came to apologize to you. That night...I said some things I shouldn't have."

"Jake," I whisper. "For the past six years, you have been saying things you shouldn't have. Our relationship was over a long time ago."

Jake looks at me. I think he is trying to decipher whether or not I mean that. And I do. I really do. "I guess that's true, Liv. I just wanted to hear you say it."

I nod firmly. "Okay, you heard me. Now what?"

He looks down and sighs. After a silent minute passes, he pulls a packet in a clear folder from inside his jacket and hands it to me. "If this is over, and I mean really over, you should sign these. I hired a lawyer - you should do the same."

"I am a lawyer," I reply shortly, taking the papers from him. I don't look at them - I know what they are, what they say. And I will sign them. Just not right now. I can't...do it right now. Not like this. "I'll send them to you, signed, on my own time."

He nods understandingly, never breaking eye contact with me. "Of course. Look, Liv, if you care in any way, I forgive you. I...you did a bad thing, okay? But I treated you like crap. For years...I treated you and Savannah like crap. But it wasn't because I didn't love her or you. I loved both of you guys. Please believe that."

I look back at him. I don't know if he is telling the truth - it's kind of hard to believe him when all that has been coming out of his mouth for years are lies. In a way, I understand that he is apologetic. And I am surprised he forgives me. But being with him is just so painful. Even though it was nice to hear him admit his faults, i don't want him in my life and I certainly don't want him in Savannah's. "Thank you, Jake. But I am serious - you should leave."

He waits for a minute, waiting for me to say more. When he realizes that I won't, he nods and backs up off the porch. "Bye, Olivia."