Secrets-Best Kept Secret(s)

Chapter 18

A/N: Hello everyone. Thank you all for your patients with this story. Hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Happy Reading!

It has been two months and Liv still has not spoken to Abby. Abby has reached out and called her several times, but she refused to answer. This was by choice. She and Jay had a secret plan. Jay was to play into Abby's breakdown, and Liv would except her apology but keep her outside of the circle. She needed her to prove her sincerity or show her hand and eventually her true intent. If she felt Jay trusted her, she would eventually reach out to him to try and win Liv's trust, or move on because a part of Liv wanted Abby to do the right thing reason being she didn't speak on her staying with Stephen.

Abby had been pressuring Stephen daily about what's going on at the office. Had Liv been working from home? Was she taking on cases, etc. Stephen being loyal to OPA and Olivia was beginning to get frustrated with Abby. His feelings for her were being ignored and she acted as if their night together two months ago never happened.

Two months ago…

Stephen had brought Abby to his home after she was fired from OPA. She had yet to stop crying and immediately spotted his liquor cabinet and poured herself a drink. "Can you believe Liv fired me? She doesn't trust me Stephen, she thinks I'm jealous of her…I'm not jealous! Do you think I'm jealous of Liv?"

With hunched shoulders "I don't bloody know Abby, are you?" Abby gives him a death stare causing him to relent "No Abby I don't think you're jealous of Liv, but you may have pushed her too soon. You were doing a bit much. I mean interrupting VIP meetings and bossing everyone around and calling shots you had no authorization to do…it just didn't sit well with the team."

"Well why didn't anyone say something. Jay could have pulled me to the side, but instead he went wining to Liv and turned her against me. Why is everyone against me." She complains as she continues to drink playing to Stephen's attraction to her. Pretending to be drunk she walks up to Stephen running her hand over his chest. "You're not against me Stephen. You know I meant no harm, right?"

Stephen can't seem to concentrate as Abby touches him in such a flirtatious and intimate way. "I…I believe you Abby. Just give it some time Liv will come around."

Abby lifts her eyes looking at Stephen feeling the liquor taking affect "I really appreciate you letting me stay her until I can find a place of my own. I just feel alone…you know?" She continues softly touching him before taking his hand into hers. Stephen begins to feel his body reacting to her touch. He quickly walks away and pours himself a drink and gulping down the entire glass before refilling it. "You're not alone Abby. You got me."

Abby takes that as her cue and moves in. Slowly approaching him until they are face to face and can feel each other's breath. "You want to kiss me don't you Stephen?" He hesitates "You can kiss me. I want you to kiss me too." And he does

The kiss leads to an intimate night between the two. Only for Abby to be up and about the next morning as if nothing happened and each time, he brought it up, she would say it happened Stephen let's just leave it at that. It was one drunken night nothing more. No need to talk about it."

Present…

This particular day he was curious as to why Abby was not there when he woke up. He called her several times, but she didn't answer. He noticed that his computer was on, and the security tamper alert was blinking. This told him that Abby must have been trying to figure out his password. Why would she do that? He wondered. Why didn't she just wake him and ask to use his computer? Was there something wrong with her own personal laptop? He brushed it off for now deciding to ask her later and headed out to work.

The last few weeks had been filled with excitement and anticipation. Liv and Fitz had created yet another secret between the two. Names for their twins. Since they both couldn't come up with a name together, they decided to try naming the babies separately. "Okay." Fitz begins "How about you choose a name for our daughter, and I choose a name for our son?"

Liv thinks for a moment "Hmm, I like that idea baby, but what if I don't like the name; you choose and if you don't like the name I choose?"

Fitz shakes his head and smiles "Then we choose another name, but…but." Placing his finger in the air "You can only change the first or middle not both. One of the chosen names must stay and we both must agree on the new name."

"Wow, this is exciting. We get to keep the names secret until the babies are born."

"Yeah, it is, but Livvie you can't tell anyone, not even Jay."

Same goes for you mister." He pulls her in for a kiss before heading out to their next OB appointment.

Today Liv and Fitz were having their 32-week check-up and had just pulled up outside the clinic. As Fitz opened Liv's door his phone rang. He looks at it and tells Liv he needed to take the call and would meet her inside, kissing her on the lips. She nods and continues inside. Once she was all checked in, she took a seat and waited. As she waited, she could hear someone behind her talking in a low concerning tone. Ms. Whalen your procedure is scheduled for next Tuesday. That will give you time to decide. It's still early so if you decide not to have the procedure just give us a call and we will change your appointment to and exam. Liv drops her head in her hands because she knows Abby and Stephen was most likely sleeping together.

Abby thanks the assistant and turns to leave walking past Olivia without noticing her until she heard her call her name. "Abby?" Immediately noticing her tear-stained face.

Abby turns looking at Liv like a deer in headlights "Liv!? W…what are you doing here? I mean it's obvious. That was a stupid question. Umm…hi." She nervously responds

"Hi. So, you're pregnant?" Liv question in the form of a statement "I overheard the nurse talking to you."

"What? I…I…no. I'm just getting a checkup."

"Is it Stephen's?" Liv continues, ignoring Abby's blatant attempt at lying.

Abby squares her shoulders still feeling pissed off at Liv for cutting her off and is now standing in front of her as if she really cares. "I am not pregnant, and if I was how would it concern you, we're no longer friends remember, So, you don't have the right to question me about my personal business. I don't need your fake concern."

Liv crosses her arms and holds her stance. "Does Stephen know? Are you going to tell him?" She continues her inquiry since Abby clearly is hiding something.

Her expression turns dark "As I said I'm not pregnant, and for you to keep asking these ridiculous questions won't make it true."

"Abby, I overheard the nurse, you are contemplating having an abortion. Remember I know you Abby and I know how Stephen feels about you. All I'm saying is if it's Stephen's he has a right to know before you decide and the fact that you are becoming defensive proves that my questions are valid." Liv asserts in a hush tone

"Screw you Liv. It's my life and my business if I am or not and whether or not I will inform anyone is also my damn business." She growls out before storming towards the exit almost knocking Fitz over without a word. "Woe, oh hey Abby." Fitz belted in somewhat shock

Abby continues without uttering a reply. Fitz walks over to Olivia. "What's up with her?" He questions

"I think she just found out she's pregnant, which means she's most likely sleeping with Stephen."

Fitz jaw tightens "Liv I think you should stay out of it."

"But Fitz she's thinking about, no, actually she's scheduled to have an abortion. I think he has a right to know, especially since there's a strong possibility the child may also be his. It's not a coincidence I ran into her."

Fitz looks at her with furrowed brows "You think, or you know?"

"I know she's pregnant, I think by Stephen." Fitz grabs Liv's hand and they both sit down only to be called back when Fitz leans in and whisper in her ear "What if she's pregnant by her ex?"

"Then she'd be at least 5 months and abortion would not even be an option." Fitz shakes his head and chuckles to himself and continue with their appointment. After seeing their two little ones on the screen and learning that they were healthy they headed home and prepare for their wedding in exactly 5 days.

Liv wasted no time calling Stephen to pick his brain. She needed to know if she should tell him about Abby or not. "Hi Stephen." Liv greeted getting a reception she was not ready for

"How could you Liv, you bloody ran her off. She wasn't interfering in your life anymore. Abby bloody left. Packed her bags and just left; leaving a note that says she ran into you today and you practically chewed her head off; for no bloody reason I might add, and she can't take it anymore. What did you say to her?"

"Stephen, I did see Abby at the women's clinic and after overhearing the nurse asked her about not needing to make a choice today. I just assumed she was pregnant, and you may have been the father and had a right to know if she were indeed about to abort the baby."

"Wait…w…what? Pregnant? Fucking Eh, Liv and now she's gone because of you, she's gone. for your bloody sake Liv, you better hope I find her. If she is bloody pregnant and something happens to her or my baby, I will never forgive you Liv."

"Stephen…" The dial tone is all she heard immediately realizing Stephen hung up on her. Liv stares at the phone in disbelief. How did this become her fault? What has gotten into Stephen? Maybe Fitz was right and she should have just stayed out of it and said nothing, but would that be right? It wasn't a secret, especially not her secret to keep, nor was it her secret to tell or was it. Either way someone would have been upset with her and frankly she was getting tired of other people situations coming back to bite her in the ass.

The weekend had finally arrived, and Stephen was still nowhere to be found. He had not shown up at OPA nor had he call or answered any of her calls. So, she decided to let it go and next time take Fitz's advice and stay the hell out of it. Otherwise, it was amazing how everything else came together. Liv managed to make it to 36 weeks without complications. She wanted to be married before her children were born. She was told she may delivery at 37 weeks, reason being they pushed the wedding to this coming weekend. She was also ready to reveal the secret of them having twins because Anna continues to ask her if she sure she didn't have two babies inside of her due to her large stomach. She wanted a simple wedding. Nothing like her marriage to Max, which was large and exquisite with so many people she felt like a stranger to her own event. Not this time. This wedding would be just as she wanted family and friends by invitation only.

Anna and Quinn with Liv's input planned everything perfectly. They help Liv pick out the perfect cream colored free flowing dress. Not the standard wedding dress but beautiful none the less. The yard was decorated with white seating, off white and yellow flowers. The table housed the wedding cake with a hidden message. Wrapped presents were lined along the table as well. It was a beautiful sunny day. The event included people from Fitz firm, Liv's family from her firm, all except Abby. She was no longer considered family according to Olivia. She was not to be trusted. Olivia was not one to just push people from her life without a reason. She believed that when someone showed you who they are, believe them the first time. Abby was the exception, but eventually showed her true colors once again, and Liv was not one to ignore the obvious, if Stephen no longer wanted to be part of the family, then she would just have to accept it for what it was. Liv was hurt that Stephen was gone but he was a grown man who make his own choices.

She had briefly spoken with the team to explain Stephen's absence. No one really cared because people are free to decide what they want concerning their life. Stephen leaving was no food off their tables or clothes off their back, nor money out of their pockets.

Liv and Fitz new home was buzzing with movement. Quinn directed everyone that was not family outside to find seats in the back. Meanwhile Liv couldn't stop crying. Not only were her hormones on overload, but she was starting to feel lower pelvic and back pains. She was afraid her children would be born before she said I Do.

Anna was becoming concerned when she noticed Liv whence in slight discomfort. "Olivia dear are you feeling pain dear?"

Liv immediately tries composing herself. "I'm just so nervous and I just can't keep these tears at bay. The babies are extra active and doing summer salts in my stomach, plus I'm and emotional wreck. I…I…think I'm stressing myself out."

Anna steps closer to her "Oh dear, you have to calm down. You are ruining you make-up and stressing the babies. Please calm down. Why are you so stressed? Do you have doubts about marrying my son?" Greif appears on Anna's face

If Liv's eyes could not have gotten any bigger or they may have popped out of her face "Oh God Anna, nooooo! I love your son. I'm in love with your son. I…I just need a minute. Can you please find Jay and send him up?"

Placing a kiss on Liv's cheek "Sure dear. I'll send him right up."

Anna exits the room in search of Jay. Liv blows out a long breath "Little ones just hang on for at least one more hour. Mommy needs to marry you daddy before you get here." She states robbing her lower stomach as to sooth the pains that are lasting longer and becoming more intense.

There's a tap on the door and Jay walks in. "Oh, my Livvie you look gorgeous."

"Thank you J-man. I need you to give me a famous Jay speech. My emotions are all over the place and Fitz can't see me yet so that leaves you."

"Oh, big sis, I'm not sure I can do much about your hormones, but I do know this is the moment of all moments for you. That tall handsome man downstair is a ball of nerves as well. I need you to pull out the Olivia Pope in you and calm those hormones down. You are ruining your make up." Jay takes the powder brush and covers her tear-stained cheeks reapplying her smudged mask. "There."

"Jay." Liv calls to him

He cuts her off and kneels in front of her "Liv look, I know you are nervous, you can't start doubting yourself now. I see the way you look at that man. I also see the way he looks at you. Please don't tell me you're having doubts because Mrs. Anna will probably have a heart attack if you are."

Liv slightly winces "Jay, listen to me. I am not having doubts about marrying Fitz, I am however at the beginning stages of labor…"

"Wait what? Liv…"

"Jay stop; listen to me. It is not full-on labor but it feels like it's starting…I think, so can you please get this ceremony started. Don't tell Fitz, not yet I have to get married before these little rascals get here. Can you do that?"

"Umm, I don't think that's a good idea Liv, what if your water breaks, and we can't get you to the hospital in time?"

"Jay listen, my OB stated since this is my first pregnancy labor most likely be long and drawn out 12 to 21 hours, so we have time. I want to be married when my babies are born and if you tell Fitz he will stop everything and make me go to the hospital. I promise I will tell him as soon as we both say I do."

Jay relents "Okay, okay, but on a scale of 1 to 10 how is your pain?"

"3." Liv states with certainty

Jay stares at her for several moments "I'm not taking my eyes off of you. Call Quinn and tell her to start the ceremony since I'm walking you down the aisle anyway, but sis I'm not leaving your side until I hand you off to Fitz. Deal?"

"Deal." She agrees now smiling ear to ear before calling Quinn.

The next 10 minutes Liv and Jay are downstairs and could hear the wedding music begin to play. Jay looks at Liv. "You ready?" Liv smiles and nods

The moment Fitz laid eyes on Liv coming out of the home tears filled his eyes. His heart rate picked up and his leg began to tremble. As Liv and Jay walked down the center aisle tears also begin to fall down Liv cheeks. She could feel the contractions getting stronger, but she just covered her mouth with her hand to hide the pained expression on her face. No one new anything different except and emotional pregnant bride-to-be was about to marry the love of her life. So, her expression was justified.

She kept her eyes on Fitz. God did she love this man. Seeing him in his tux with a fresh hair cut leaving that unruly superman curl that always found its way to the front of his forehead brought a smile to her face. In a matter of minutes, she would be Mrs. Grant and she couldn't get to him soon enough. Unfortunately, she was walking much slower than she rehearsed as to not give away the slight pain she was feeling.

The moment finally came where Jay gave Liv to Fitz and stepped back in front of his seat. Fitz is so nervous he thinks his legs may give out. The minister asks everyone to take their seats and begins his dialogue. Something in Liv's eyes tells Fitz something is off. He looks at her intently as the minister speaks mouthing "Are you okay, Livvie?" Liv nods yes but the biting of her lower lip tells Fitz she's not.

He takes both his large hand placing them on both sides of her very large stomach never taking his eyes off of her. He feels her stomach tightening and watches her expression slightly change but before he could read her completely, she grabs both his for forearms clinching her jaw while pressing her nails into his skin.

In that moment Fitz puts a halt to everything, even the minister speaking. "Wait! Sorry minister. Livvie are you okay? Are you hurting? Is there pain?"

All the guests are frozen with concern. Anna and Gerry leaps from their seats and approach the couple. Liv is momentarily gone silent as she squeezes Fitz tighter dropping her head onto his chest answering his questions. Liv releases one of Fitz arms extending her hand towards her in laws finally finding her voice. "Mom dad, please stay seated." They both stop in their tracks

"Sorry minister please continue." She states finally raising her head looking at Fitz. "We are getting married. I will not have these babies until I am Mrs. Fitzgerald Grant. I'm fine Fitz. We can get married and then head to the hospital."

"Livvie, you're in labor?"

"Fitz can we just get married! Please baby let the minister finish."

"No! You're in labor and we are going to the hospital now!"

Liv turns to Anna "Mom please explain to him if my water hasn't broken, we still have time to finish this?" Anna nods but she still agrees with Fitz.

Fitz heart rate is on 1000. "No! We can still get married whenever, but right now I am taking you to the hospital." Liv's grip on him returns and she slams her head into his chest and this time lets out a deep groan. It's stronger and longer. Suddenly a gush of warm liquid expels from her. A gasp could be heard from all the guests. Fitz looks down at the clear liquid splash onto his Christian Louboutin shoes.

Without another word he scoops Liv into his arms and begins carrying her in route to the hospital with his parents, Jay, Quinn, Harrison, and Huck fast on his heals when Liv yells "FITZ STOP!" Her tone pauses him in his tracks and look at her. "Baby please we have to finish the ceremony. I don't want our babies born without becoming your wife. Please baby?" Fitz feels conflicted but his genius mind kicks in. "Minister will you please come with us and complete the vows on the way to the hospital?"

"By all means Mr. Grant I will be honored."

"Tom, you drive. Get the rings ready. Quinn can you please drive my parents? Jay you're our witness. Huck, please secure our home. Harry, can you take care of the guests?" Everyone agreed

Liv contractions increase and become more and more intense. She screams out as Fitz places her into his sedan. "Livvie ba…by?"

"Fuuuuuck! Just get in and get to the I Do's….Ahhhhhh!" Liv screams out never before feeling this type of pain

The minister slides in the front seat as Tom takes off. "Minister please let's just get to the I Do part before…Ahhhh! She breaks my fingers." Fitz painfully belted

The minister becomes a nervous wreck himself "Umm sir, do any of you have the rings?" Tom reaches inside his tux inside pocket and produces the rings. The minister takes them and hands them to Fitz. "Please place the rings onto each of your fingers."

Fitz hands are shaking. His nerves are in overdrive. He retrieves the rings and places Liv's on first then his own. "They're on." He declared

"Do you have vows you want to share?" The minister pondered

"I fucking love you Fitz! Ohhhh my god it hurts!" Liv conveyed as a contraction hit her hard

Fitz becomes beside himself "Breath baby, woo woo woo. Remember what they taught us in class." Fitz urged totally beyond himself.

"Aaaa…mmm…aaaa…mmm, baby just say your vows pleeeeeease!" Liv pleads

"Oh, sorry baby, I love you and I will love you til the end of the earth. Thank you for having my children." Fitz professed as Liv continues to cry about how much it hurts. "Can we speed this up. She wants to be married before we have our babies."

The minister nod and continues "Fitzgerald do you take Olivia to be your lawfully wedded wife for as long as you shall live?"

"I do, I do!" Fitz rushes out

"Olivia do you take Fitzgerald…"

"I do, I do, Oh godddddd Fitz I hate you so much right now. You did this to me, fuuuuuck! Get away from me! Don't ever touch me again! Oh oh oh mmm, shiiiiittt it hurts!"

Tom and the minister laugh but poor Fitz looked so heartbroken "I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The announcement came just in time as they pulled up to the emergency entry. Fitz was still frozen from Liv's declaration. His heart and feelings were still in shock and dismay. Tom jumps from the truck and runs to open Fitz's door. "I'll get a wheelchair." But Fitz doesn't hear him he is just staring at Liv when suddenly she says "Baby I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I…I…oooowww, Fitz help me baaaaaby pleeeease it hurts so bad?" Her please snaps him out of his daze and he scoops her up again in his arms and carries her inside placing her in the wheelchair Tom was swiftly pushing in their direction.

Liv was taken to a room immediately as the ER lobby filled with family and friends.

Fitz couldn't believe that the twins were coming so soon. The OB said they could come early, and she did a great job at preparing them, but it still scared the shit out of him. She told them about the pain, she told them about the contraction, she told them about the water breaking, she also told them Liv labor most likely would be long and drawn out. Turns out she was correct about that too. What she didn't prepare Fitz for was Liv emotional state during delivery. Thank goodness the nurses shared with him the normalcy of a laboring mom spurting out all kinds of mean words. Half she won't remember, half she will but to not take it personal. Pain makes you say all sorts of things in the moment.

Liv immediately asked for and epidural after her examination and was granted the pain free medication. About and hour into their visit Fitz parents, Quinn, Harrison, Tom, Jay and Huck were all present but wasn't much company because Liv had fallen asleep. The waiting was for some was unnecessary. So just before Tom, Harrison, and Huck left Liv had woken up.

"Hi." Fitz whispers

"Hi." Liv beamed "Are you ready to share the 1st secret?"

"I was waiting for you. I'm more than ready." Fitz states as his parents and the family looks at him like spill it already. He takes Liv's hand and turns to his family. "Mom dad, everybody we have something exciting to share." He turns and looks at Liv and she finishes "We were gonna do it at the wedding slash gender revile, so seeing I'm here, we'll just tell you guys…we're having twins. A boy and a girl."

The room erupts in gasps and cheers and congratulations. Anna is just a ball of tears. Gerry couldn't stop the tears from falling either. "Are you serious?" Anna asked and both Liv and Fitz nod

Quinn is just in shock and so are the fella's. But non the less everyone is happy for the couple.

"That explains why your stomach is so large. I chalked it up to you just have a large baby. Fitz was 12 pounds, but you guys pull this one off really well." Anna says with a chuckle

"What's the other secret or secrets? You said first secret.?"

"It's a secret dad." Fitz states with laughter "Their names are the secret. Liv will name our daughter and I will name our son, but neither of us know the name each of us have chosen."

"See you guys are truly a fun couple. I like that." Quinn bragged

The family continues talking until the doctor came in to check Liv in which everyone excused themselves.

Once everyone except Anna and Fitz cleared out as the exam was performed, and Liv was only 5cm. It would be another 9 hours and a second epidural before Liv was ready to deliver. Anna decided to sit with Gerry seeing he was a walking sack of nerves instead of staying in the room for the delivery. Jay and Quinn also stayed at the hospital while everyone else went home.

The moment had finally arrived. Liv was now being prepped for delivery. Still somewhat numb from the epidural but she was ready. She could feel slight pressure with a small amount of pain as she began pushing. Within 5 minutes of pushing their son was born. Fitz was allowed to cut the cord, and so he did with tears in his eyes. He couldn't take his eyes off of his new firstborn child. The nurse quickly cleaned out his mouth and wiped him down before placing him on Liv's chest. He let out a piercing scream after the nurse thumped the heel of his foot but quickly quieted down once he was placed on his mother heard the sound of his father's voice because Liv was too emotional to speak.

Fitz and Liv both were a bumbling mess. Fitz leaned down kissing Liv on the cheek. "Fitz he's beautiful." Finally finding her voice

"Yes Livvie he is. Olivia Grant meet our son Elijah Fitzgerald Grant." Liv eyes shut up to look at Fitz. "Baby are you serious? You named him after both of our dads."

"Yes Livvie I did. I didn't want a junior, but I wanted him to have my name as well."

"Thank you baby. I love you. Hi Eli." Liv beamed

"Mrs. Grant It's time baby two is making her way out. I need you to push on my count." The nurse takes Elijah and Liv continues pushing. Five minutes later their baby girl was born. The moment her lungs were clear she let the entire room have it with a high pitch scream. Fitz quickly cut the cord, she was wiped down and place on Liv's chest. Liv's voice immediately calmed her. "Oh my goodness, Fitz she looks so much like my mother."

Fitz chuckles "So do you, my love."

"Yeah I do don't I. Well baby meet Miya Anna Grant."

Fitz dropped his head and began to cry. The nurse came to take Miya as Fitz and Liv cried together.