Fitz's POV

"Thank you," I call as Lena generously takes the last box off the Blair House porch and brings it inside. I have about a week until the approval hearing at I could use all the time in Pennsylvania Avenue I could get. "You can go ahead take that to the master bedroom, please."

I lean back against the wall next to the door and cross my arms. Directly across from the Blair House, past it's gated front, lays the White House. It's not even six am and the sun is just rising into the light blue horizon. I never imagined I would be in DC ever - let alone residing across from the most powerful house in the world. The home of the President of the United States. I have given up everything to get here. Back in prison, I had given up all hope of rebuilding a political career for myself. I should be happy. I should be content.

But thinking about all the compromises and sacrifices...it simply is not worth it to me.

"Fitz?" a voice interrupts my thoughts and drags my view down on the porch. It's Olivia, holding the hand of my smiling daughter. "You have a visitor."

I smile back and bend down, allowing Savannah to jump into my arms for a hug. "Well, good morning. What are you doing up so early?"

"Barbies," Savannah lets go of me long enough to point to her backpack. "I wanna play wif you and Karen."

I get up and nod to the door. "Karen is inside, Princess. I'll come join you guys in a minute."

"Bye Mommy!" Karen calls as she disappears inside. I watch her curly haired ponytail jump behind her head and smile. She's really the world's most beautiful little girl. And I cannot believe I am lucky enough to be her father.

I turn to Livvy, who is walking up the steps. Even though it's super early in the morning, she's already dressed like she's going to the Eisenhower Executive Building. She's wearing a white lace, full sleeve dress with matching heels. I will never understand how she can look so pretty and sexy yet so motherly all at the same time. "Livvy. You look nice."

"Thank you," Livvy replies, reaching the last step and stopping directly in front of me. She folds her arms and smiles. "You don't look too bad yourself. Oh, and I am sorry for bringing Savannah in so early. I have a client meeting this morning. She got out of bed kind of cranky, although you could never tell from how she is acting right now. Anyways, she'll probably fall back asleep within the hour and wake up around noon."

I nod. "That's fine. It'll give me time to get some work done for the approval hearing."

"Right," Livvy's face lights up. "Secretary of Defense. Fancy. When is the hearing?"

"In a little less than a week," I tell her. She nods and I nod back. It's weird - this small talk. It comes very naturally, very conversational, but it's just not us. It's not Livvy and I five years ago, laying down in a motel bed, drunk and spilling out our deepest emotions and regrets in life. I love talking to Livvy but I think that since we share an emotional bond (for God's sake, we have a KID together) we should talk a little deeper. "Livvy. Do you have a minute?"

She nods right away. I think she was thinking the same thing. "Yeah. I think we need to talk about some things. But can we do it out here? I will never not be amazed by DC sunrises."

I smile genuinely. It's so beautiful how Livvy is in love with the little things in life. Even five years ago, I knew she was not a materialistic person. Savannah is like that too. It's a great quality to have. I walk over past us to sit on a white wire swing on the side of the porch. She follows me and accepts my hand as I offer to help her sit. Her fingers interlock in my mine tightly and it just feels so natural, like we've been doing it for years. "Can I ask you something?"

Livvy smoothes her lap with her hands and stares straight ahead. "You can ask."

"It's about your husband," I swallow. This was bothering me all day yesterday and I hate to ask it, but I need to know. "Did he ever, uh, hurt Savannah? I'm only asking because she never talks about him and I never mentioned him because of that. It's just...Anna means the world to me and if he ever touched her...I just need to know, Livvy."

She leans back on the swing and kicks her legs up, putting the underneath her and sitting on them. She stares off into the distance for another minute before finally turning to face me. She sighs. "No. He never hit her or touched her like that. If he did...believe me, Fitz, he would be out of the picture way before he actually was."

I nod slowly. Words cannot tell you how relieved I am to hear her say that. Even though I know Livvy would do everything to protect Savannah, there are some sick bastards in the world. And if Jake happened to be one of them...let's just say I would be back where I was for five months, five years ago, facing assault and possibly homicide charges. "I'm happy to hear that. Although I trust you. You would never let Savannah be in a position to get hurt. Did he uh...hurt you, though?"

"In an emotional way," she replies, then shakes her head. "I feel stupid for even saying that. There are so many women out there who go through actual, physical abuse every day. So many helpless women. So many of them are my clients. They never complain. Yet here I am...whining because my husband called me a 'bitch' and didn't come home for a few days. I feel so pathetic."

I shake my head firmly. It hurts to hear her belittle herself like that. "That logic is what's pathetic, Olivia. Just because you weren't beaten to a pulp, doesn't mean you aren't a victim of domestic abuse. Your husband, calling you things like that and acting that way is manipulative. It's harmful. It's toxic. He was hurting you. Don't make yourself feel bad for what he did."

"I cheated on him, Fitz," she looks me in the eye, her voice shaking. "Five years ago, I made the mistake that threw off the relationship. Don't get me wrong - I love Savannah more than anything in the world. But that doesn't excuse what I did to our marriage. Our relationship."

I look at her, directly back into her brown eyes. I know I never miss an opportunity to express this, but her eyes are so stunning. Green, blue, silver and whatever light colored eyes are so overrated compared to her dark brown ones. I am just so infatuated with them.

And I believe her - I know she doesn't regret Savannah. And I know that cheating is a wrong thing, I do. But I also believe she needs to stop blaming herself. I love her too much to see that happen. "You need to forgive yourself, Olivia. Marriages don't work out. It happens. It's okay. Mine didn't."

She turns away and says quietly, "It's not the same."

"What do you mean?"

She puts her hands in her lap, still not looking at me. "Jake and me? You and Melinda? It's not the same. I read the papers, Fitz. I saw the prime time talk shows, ranting about your marriage. I know she walked out on you and I know it wasn't your fault. And knowing Mellie, I sincerely think she was unfaithful. Am I wrong?"

"No."

"That's what I thought," she scoffs. "Yeah, you cheated but I don't think you did it out of spite. I...I don't know why you did it. All I know is that Jake and I are horrible people. Whereas you did nothing wrong in your marriage, on your part. You stayed. That's...everything."

I look off into the same direction she is looking. DC isn't my ideal place but it's starting to feel like home. Home is wherever the people you love are. And everybody I love is on the residence right now. Everyone that means anything to me. "You're right. I didn't sleep with you out of spite for Mellie. I did it...I did it because it felt right. You and I? We feel right, Livvy."

Liv doesn't say anything for a minute. I don't know what she's feeling. I never know. But she reaches her hand over and rests it on my thigh. Then, after a serious moment, she laughs softly. "I don't want you to think that the day I sign divorce papers, I come running to you. I'm not that desperate."

I grin. "I know that."

"Fitz," Livvy clears her throat, her voice now serious again. "The other day, you said not to worry about things. But I am worried. I'm worried about Karen. I'm worried about your job. I know you love Savannah, but you have hardships in your life you need to get through. It's not like the world stopped when she came into your life."

"I know," I sigh. I try not to show her that I am worried too, because I seriously am. She's right - the world didn't stop. The paperwork kept piling on and my relationship with Karen got worse. Granted, it's better now. We talk now, not about this whole ordeal, but small talk, which is better than nothing. Karen was always pretty mature, so I think in the end, she will understand and everything will be okay. "I told Karen. She was upset, but it'll be okay."

"What?" Olivia cries, finally turning towards me. "No, Fitz! It most definitely is not okay. I don't want Karen to hate me."

"She doesn't hate you," I assure her. "And She's not uncomfortable being around Savannah. She even said she's glad Savannah is her little sister. Karen has nothing against you. She's just a hormonal kid and..."

"And?" Livvy demands.

I sigh. "In a way, she misses her mom. She loved Mellie. The reasoning behind that is beyond me, but she did. And her being gone...Gerry being gone really affected her. Karen has been through a lot and she's a sensitive girl by nature. She'll be fine - she just needs time."

Olivia just shakes her head. "It's not fair, Fitz. Karen doesn't deserve this burden. You should have waited."

"Savannah is not a burden," I cut in sharply. "And Karen is not stupid. She was asking questions and I wasn't going to lie. I am not a liar. I'm not you."

"Wow," Livvy scoffs and I sigh.

I didn't mean to say that, it really didn't. But in more ways than one, it's true. Olivia lies - it's what she does. "Look, Livvy, I didn't mean it like that. It's just...you never told Savannah I am her dad. And I am fine with that, that's okay, it's not my place. But on top of that, you didn't tell me I was her father. And I...I keep on thinking that if we had never run in to each other and started talking again, you would have never told I was her father. You wouldn't have bothered."

Olivia's POV

It is taking everything in me not to get up and leave right now. He is asking me questions I can't answer. He's telling me things I don't want to hear. "That is not true! I would have told you, eventually. I'm not the condescending bitch you think I am."

He shakes his head. "I never said that, Olivia. Stop trying to make me out like Jake. I have no interest in hurting your feelings, okay? I'm just telling you facts. You lied and never explained to me why."

I turn away from him. He's right - one hundred percent, undoubtedly accurate. I am just throwing shit at him because that's what I do - I ruin relationships. Fitz is a good guy and I know he's trying not to accuse me of anything. He's just calling me out on what I already know - I am a liar. "I have my reasons."

Fitz sighs. "I know. And I am trying to understand that. Because no matter how confused or upset I may be, at the end of the day, having Savannah is all that matters. It's just... I know what's best for Karen. I had to tell her. I had to. I crossed a line calling you a liar. You did what you thought was best at the time. You trust your gut. I respect that."

I nod. I know that he knows what's best for Karen. I said it once and I will say it again - I think that Fitz is pretty much the best father out there. For both Savannah and Karen. I just am concerned for Karen. I know the girl has been through a lot.

"The reason," I swallow. "I haven't told Savannah you're her father is because she never even considered Jake as a dad. As far as I can remember, she never even called him that. And she's young. Maybe it's unrealistic but I was hoping that in a couple of years, she would grow up and already think of you as her dad."

Fitz nods understandingly and opens his mouth to say something but I cut him off. "It's important that you know that, Fitz. I'm not planning on running away with her or anything. I'm so happy she has a father like you."

"Just as happy as I am that she has a mother like you?" Fitz asks, a smile playing on his lips.

I roll my eyes and playfully punch his shoulder, but inside, my heart is warming. I do everything to be a good mom to Savannah and for Fitz to say something like that means the world to me. "Thanks. I guess you're not too bad yourself."

"What?" Fitz jokingly looks offended. "Say I'm best dad in the world. Say it."

"Eh," I shrug my shoulders, smirking.

Fitz unexpectedly reaches out and grabs my sides making me laugh. "Say it, Olivia."

I giggle, trying to wiggle out of his light grasp. His arms are wrapped all the way around my waist now and his hands are turned up tickling me. "No..."

"Say it," Fitz repeats, making me laugh even harder. "I'm not letting go until you say it, Liv."

"Fine," I chuckle, out of breath. "You're the best dad in the world."

Fitz releases me, beaming. "I'm glad you admitted it."

I roll my eyes at him but stay smiling, collecting myself. "You're annoying, you know that, right?"

"So Karen says," he replies. He's smiling but I can tell that he's being a little more serious than he's letting me know. I mean, teenage girls can be tough to raise, especially when you're a single father, I guess.

But I think that Karen and Fitz's relationship goes a bit further than that. I think Karen is seriously hurting and I don't blame her. I lean back on the swing and clear my throat. "How is she? Karen, I mean. I know you say she's going to be fine, and I believe that. I just think it's a little more complicated. I hope I am not overstepping."

"You're not," Fitz inhales, shaking his head. He looks both tired and frustrated, talking about this. I think I am right - they're having a hard time. But I just sit quietly and let him speak. "Karen is...well, she is her mother's daughter. She can be emotional, possessive, impulsive. She's my little girl and I love her to death but she can give me quite the headache. These days especially, it seems like I can only do wrong in her eyes."

I nod solemnly. It's not like I don't have anything to say - I have plenty. But as sweet as she is, Karen is not my daughter and it is definitely not my place to tell Fitz what to do. So I opt for looking over the spruce trees and buildings of Pennsylvania Avenue, as the light yellow sun rises above.

"Livvy," Fitz speaks up. "I know you want to say something. Please. Go ahead."

He doesn't have to tell me twice. I turn to him. "I know teenage girls. I was one once. I was in the same situation Karen is now - my mother was gone and I was with my single father who was working hard at his career. She loves you very much. But she's been through a lot. You have to understand that. And you have to give her time."

He looks at me closely and nods. I can tell he's taking my advice seriously. I know he really cares about Karen and doesn't want it to be this way.

"Even if she acts like she's mad at you," I go on. "That may not be the case. She just may be battling with her own feelings, her own demons and she's taking it out on you. Let her. Give her space but comfort her when she needs it. And don't just pat her back or hold her hand. Hug her. Hold her. She needs to know she has you. Sometimes telling her isn't enough."

He nods again, firmer this time. I don't know if he's just nodding to make me feel better and he is going to disregard all of this or if he is actually taking everything I am saying into consideration. Knowing Fitz and knowing how much he cares about Karen, it's probably the latter. All I can do now is wait and see how this plays out. I don't want Savannah being in Fitz's life to compromise his relationship with Karen. "I hope she feels better soon, Fitz. Just know it's not your fault."

Fitz swallows. "It feels like that a lot of the time, but I guess you're right. Thank you, Livvy. I mean it."

I lean back in my chair and he puts his arm around me. Not in a weird way - his arm was stretched out on the top of the swing, so when I leaned back, it was naturally wrapped around my shoulders. I don't scoot over though. "Fitz? Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask." Fitz says.

I close my eyes and scoot closer to him, so my back is leaning on the side of his body. He just has something about him that makes you want to be physically closer to him. "Do you miss Mellie?"

Fitz exhales. It's after a few seconds that he answers. "No. I miss someone being a mom to Karen. I miss my daughter having a female figure in her life. I miss thinking that there was any hope at having a regular family. I miss all of that. But I don't miss Mellie. Do you...miss Jake?"

I lean over and wrap my arm around Fitz's body. I don't know. It just seems natural. "I don't miss Jake. I know for a fact that I don't miss him. But...yeah, I don't miss him."

"But what?"

I sigh and close my eyes. "There was a time where I thought he was the love of my life. I really did. I gave up so much to be with him. To make him happy. To try to fool us into having a normal life. I can never get that time back. Savannah can never get it back. It just...breaks my heart."

"I'm sorry," he actually brings his arm around now and squeezes it around my shoulders. So I'm practically laying on his chest now and his arms are wrapped around me. I could get used to this. "I really am sorry."

He doesn't say anything else, but he doesn't have to. I'm here with him. He's here with me. And the world is just going on around us. I know he's sorry and not just because he says so. "Thank you."

"Livvy," he traces a circle on my shoulder with his finger. "I have to ask you something - only because it would bother me forever if I didn't ask. Savannah is here. She is...with us. With me. Are you-...can you be with me too?"

I look up at him. "What are you asking, Fitz?"

He shakes his head. "I'm just thinking, it might be good for Savannah and maybe even Karen if you spent a few nights here, in the Blair House."

I scoff and turn away from him. I sit up straight. "I don't think that's what you're thinking, Fitz. I think you want me here for you. Not for Savannah, not for Karen...but you."

"Olivia," Fitz pauses and sighs. "I didn't hear a 'no'."

I sigh too and push a lock of light brown hair away from his forehead. "Because I didn't say no. I'll think about it. I will really think about it."

And I will. Lately, I am just in process of making every decision right - for Savannah if not for anyone else. I pull away from Fitz and fix my own hair. If I am going to be honest (which is something I will seriously try to be this time around) I want to stay with Fitz. I want that because I miss him, I miss us. He's right - we feel good. He's always right.

But I just don't want to get hurt. I don't want Savannah to get hurt. I know I said I trust Fitz, and I do, but there was also a time I trusted Jake. I trusted him to be a good father to my daughter. I trusted him to keep my heart safe. And failed me. I don't think Fitz would but there's no way to be certain. I can't...deal with getting hurt again. "It's...hard. I am...kind of fragile right now, if you couldn't tell. It's not your fault, Fitz. That's just what it is."

Fitz runs his hand through his thick hair, his eyes fixed on the street in front of us. "I would never hurt you, Livvy."

"I want to believe that," I look straight at him, but he doesn't look back. "I seriously want to believe that. But I have heard it before."

"Jake did you wrong," Fitz looks at me too, his voice raised. He doesn't sound mad - just desperate for me to listen to what he is saying. "He was passive aggressive. He played you. I'm not saying I am perfect - you know more than anybody that that's not the case. I am flawed. I make mistakes - a lot of them. But I would never put anything above you or my daughters."

"I just," I look at my lap. I don't know what to say - I want to trust him. For the most part, I do trust him. "It's not a matter of not wanting you, Fitz, because believe me when I say I do. And...there is no reason for me to distrust you."

"So why do you?" Fitz demands, his eyes full of pain.

"I am just trying to do the right thing!" I whisper. "For once in my life, I need to make the right decision, the one that ends up with nobody hurt and everyone happy and everything right and good for once. I am trying so hard to do the right thing. I just...I don't know what that is."

"I'll show you what that is," Fitz replies and not wasting another second, he leans forward, grabs my waist and presses his lips against mine.