AN: Guest, you and Abby are right, Olivia needs to get those other Grant women out of her house. Bringing someone into your home, family or otherwise, can be disruptive sometimes. Remember what happened when Mona moved her brother into her home? Olivia doesn't see the problems because of everything that is on her plate, and she likes having the big family she never had. Renee, in Chapter 14 Olivia and Fitz caught Nora with Devon in their family room when they returned from the cooking class. Charlie first appeared in Chapter 2. He and Olivia had a business relationship but he always wanted more than she was willing to give. You know she only has eyes for Fitzgerald Grant. Remember he didn't to do that small job in the timeframe in which Olivia needed completed. Now he needs her and wants the Springfield Heights contract. Kkimberly49: Nora is playing a dangerous game. She has been picking up strange men for quite some time, not knowing anything about them. Remember, Olivia told her in Chapter 14 that she didn't know anything about Devon. Also, while we see what Nora is doing, we don't know why she is doing it. As for Amir, remember in Chapter 15 when Marcella told Olivia that Amir not going to college was complicated. We'll find out why it's so complicated. Two broken people coming together can't be a good thing. These two have a lot to work out, but I won't spend too much time on them working through their issues. After all, this is an Olitz story. Finally, Olitz will always be the focus of the story, but we need to understand the people in their orbit.
Busy and short work week coming up so I might not be able to update next week. Here we go!
Chapter 18. A Storm is Building
Charles (Charlie) Barber chomps on his $1200.00 Gurkha Black Dragon cigar as he paces back and forth across the hardwood floors of his apartment in the elite Freemont Building, the place he has called home for the past 10 years. He bought the apartment when his business was in its growth phase, when the money was flowing in like water. In the first few years after acquiring the business, Charlie had more work than he and his crew could handle. He was the go-to plumbing contractor for every major government and private industry contract in the city. His business was in such demand he had the luxury of cherry picking projects, turning down those he had no interest in pursuing, which usually meant they were not lucrative enough for his consideration.
But since the economy took a nosedive, he no longer has the luxury of being selective. When the financial markets tanked, his high-end clients stopped spending money on non-essential infrastructure projects, and his government contracts were not renewed because city officials were tightening their financial belts. Now, the money only comes in trickles, and it is not enough to sustain the lavish lifestyle he has grown accustomed to living. No longer privileged to cherry pick projects, Charlie now accepts the smaller jobs he never would have given the slightest consideration in the past. But the current state of his finances requires him to increase his cash flow any way he can, pride be damned.
Since the lucrative contracts have dried up, volume not cost, is now what is most important to Charlie. He needs to sign as many low-end customers as possible and move quickly from one job to the next. Rushing to move on to the next job, he began doing shoddy work, which has resulted in a slew of lawsuits filed by disgruntled customers. The combination of lawsuits, bad investments, and overspending required him to file bankruptcy and close his original company. However, under the bankruptcy laws, after a few months he was able to restructure his debt and reopen his business under a new name.
Charlie glances around the luxurious apartment and it sickens him to think that one day he might have to leave this place. The Springfield Heights contract was supposed to be his golden goose, the project that would help him to become financially solvent again. But that bitch Olivia awarded the contract to some second-rate plumber. He shakes his head, walks over to his well-stocked bar, and pours two fingers of the expensive Hine cognac. Savoring the smooth brandy on his palette, he looks out of the floor-to-ceiling wall of windows, down onto the city he once owned, and plots how he is going to pay back Olivia Pope for ruining his life.
XXX
The next morning Nora leaves the house early, long before any of the family has come downstairs for breakfast. She wants to get to the Center before Marcella arrives so she can talk to Amir to establish the ground rules for their relationship. She smiles as she pulls into the Center's parking lot, thinking about the safe word she will give Amir.
She is on a high as she struts happily into the Center and down the hall to the community room.
"Good morning, Marcella. Isn't it a beautiful day in the neighborhood?" She says playfully, looking around the room for Amir.
"Good morning," completely nonplussed by Nora's upbeat demeanor. "You're early again", eyeing the woman suspiciously.
"You know what they say?"
"No, I don't know what they say", Marcella says, crossing her arms over her chest.
"You're so silly, Marcella. Everybody knows the early bird always catches the worm."
"And what does the late bird get?" Marcella mumbles under her breath.
"Did you say something, Marcella?"
"So what time did you and Amir finish up here last night?"
"Oh, not too much longer after you left. We painted another section of the mural, cleaned up everything, then left around 9:00. Where is Amir, by the way? He's usually here by now", her eyes darting around the room.
"Amir called out sick today", Marcella says, tilting her head slightly to the left and squinting at the overly chipper woman.
"I see", Nora says, trying to hide her disappointment. "Well, I hope everything's all right – that he's okay", walking over to the cabinet and pulling out the paint brushes. "I guess I'll just work on the mural by myself today."
"No, that's Amir's project. You will only work on it with him – when he's here", Marcella says forcefully, halting Nora's movements.
"Oh – okay. So what do you want me to do today?"
"You can go out back and pull up those weeds. Then use the hand mower to cut the grass. After you're done back there you can clean the bathroom, it's a little messy in there today."
Marcella stares Nora in the eyes for a while before turning and walking to her office.
XXX
At the Foundation, Maura sits at her desk in the conference room concentrating intently on her notes for the training curriculum. She still arrives to work early, usually before Mona, to work on her project and handle other things around the office she has noticed need attention.
Maura's heart stops beating for a brief moment when she hears someone across the room clear their throat. Thinking that horrible Charlie has returned, she reaches for her phone.
"Excuse me", a frail, elderly woman, says standing in the conference room doorway clutching her purse. "I don't mean to disturb you, but I was looking for Mona."
Maura is relieved when she sees someone other than Charlie standing at the door.
"I'm sorry, but Mona has not arrived yet", setting down the phone and fingering her pearls.
"Oh, I see", the woman says sadly. "I caught three buses to get over here this morning to talk to her. Do you know what time she'll be coming in?"
"Not until after noon I'm afraid. Is there something I can do for you?" Maura asks, standing from her chair and walking over to the woman.
"Well, I'm not sure", the woman says somewhat timidly.
"My name is Maura Grant, and you are?" Smiling politely as she extends her hand to the nervous woman.
"Betty – Betty Talley" shaking Maura's hand.
"Well Mrs. Talley, why don't you have a seat", turning slightly and motioning her hand to one of the chairs tucked under conference table. "And tell me what has brought you over here this morning."
Mrs. Betty Talley looks around the space before walking fully into the conference room. She has been to the Foundation a few times to talk with Mona, but she has never come this far back into the office.
"It's all right. You can sit down right here."
Mrs. Talley shuffles into the room, clutching her purse even tighter.
"May I get you something to drink – coffee, tea?"
"Oh, a cup of tea would be nice if you don't mind."
"Not at all."
Maura walks over to her private assortment of coffees and teas that are carefully organized on the small table she brought into the office a few days ago. Maura drops one of her favorite tea bags into the cup, then fills it with hot water.
"Sugar – cream?" she asks, looking over her shoulder at the older woman who is sitting patiently at the table.
"No – no. Plain will be just fine", glancing around the room.
Maura sets the steaming cup of hot tea on the coaster sitting on the table in front of Mrs. Talley, then slides onto the seat next to the woman.
"So, what brings you here this morning, Mrs. Talley?"
The old woman sips on the hot tea before looking up at Maura.
"Ooh, this is good tea. Thank you very much."
Maura smiles.
"Well, I told Mona that I can't keep buying that bottle water. All I get is my Social Security check and there's just not a lot left over after I pay my bills."
Maura frowns because she has no clue what the woman is talking about.
"Why don't you start from the beginning and tell me everything you told Mona", Maura smiles politely.
"Well, ever since we found out that the pipes in our homes are contaminated with lead, I haven't been drinking that water coming out the tap. It was making me sick.
"I see", Maura says.
"So I've been buying cases of bottled water whenever I can afford to, but it's getting harder to do that", she says sadly.
Maura looks at the woman sympathetically and nods, wanting her to continue.
"Well, I see they've started changing out those old pipes in some peoples' homes in Springfield Heights, but nobody has contacted me to tell me when they gonna change my pipes. I can't keep buying bottled water. It's just too expensive."
"I understand", feeling badly for the woman. "And you discussed this with Mona?"
Mrs. Talley nods and takes another sip of tea.
"Well, I'm sure something can be done to move you up on the list."
Maura does not know if a list actually exists but she wants to give the woman some hope. Mrs. Talley looks at her and smiles.
"So you mean you gonna get me on that list?"
"You mean you're not already on the list?" Maura asks stunned. "I thought –"
"I believe it's just an oversight. The workers are out there every day. You can talk to one of them and get me on the list. I can't buy food and water too", the old woman adds quickly.
"Don't worry about it, Mrs. Talley. Give me a few days and I'll take care of it for you."
"Aww, you're such a sweetheart. They should keep you around here", slurping up the last of the tea. "This is really good tea. Can you tell me where I can buy me some?"
Maura smiles and walks over to the table and reaches for the tin of tea that came in the basket Fitzgerald sent her.
"You may have this", handing the tin to Mrs. Talley.
"Oh, I couldn't take all of your tea", the woman protests weakly.
"Don't you worry. I have plenty more at home", placing a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder.
"Thank you. You're such a kind lady – and pretty too."
As she walks back to her desk she smiles, thinking she can definitely do more around here than create training courses.
XXX
The baby's furniture is scheduled to be delivered later this morning and Olivia and Fitz have been sitting in the nursery on an old chair Fitz brought upstairs from the garage trying to figure out the best layout for the furniture. They have been discussing where to place the furniture for over two hours and have not come to an agreement yet.
"I didn't think the furniture would arrive in time", leaning back against his chest while he rubs her stomach.
"You have to trust me Liv", kissing down the side of her neck.
"Remember, we're taking Cee to Abby and John's tomorrow to meet Ethan. I'm glad Abby came up with the idea for Cena to spend some time with Ethan."
He nods in agreement
"How are you feeling? You've been moving awfully slow these past few days."
"I'm miserable babe", she says in her whiny voice. "I'm huge and I just can't seem to get comfortable – sitting, standing, laying down …"
"Well, I read something that might help", kissing her neck again.
"What do you mean?" Turning her head to look into his eyes.
"We can help things along – give Kix a little encouragement", sliding his hand between her legs.
"Are you kidding me?" She says in disgust. "How can you – how can you even think about sex at a time like this - when I'm feeling so miserable."
"Liv, I am will to do anything and everything to help you to feel more comfortable. This is not about me at all. It's all about you, babe. All about you", trying not to laugh at the look of horror on her face.
"Mrs. Grant – Mr. Grant – the delivery men are here", Hilde says excitedly, bringing her clasped hands to her lips as she stands in the doorway of the nursery.
"Thank you, Hilde. Tell them I'll be right down. Stay here Liv, I'll show them up."
XXX
The delivery men are clearly frustrated with the Grants. They have been at the house for over an hour waiting for the couple to decide where to place all of the furniture.
"May I make a suggestion?"
The lead delivery man looks back and forth at the couple who are nowhere near to making a decision. He knows if they do not get out of this house soon they will be behind schedule for the rest of the day.
"We've done this many times, ma'am."
"Please do", Fitz says, and Olivia nods.
Fifteen minutes later the furniture is set up in the nursery and the delivery men are on their way to the next appointment.
"This looks terrific babe", looking around the beautifully decorated nursery. "The baby is going to be so happy in here", she says excitedly.
"Go – go downstairs and sit down", Hilde says. "I need to clean everything for our baby", she says excitedly.
Fitz and Olivia look at each other in surprise because they have never seen the usually stoic Hilde get excited about anything.
XXX
As Fitz pulls the car into John and Abigail's driveway, Cena starts to bounce up and down in her car seat when she sees the huge blue truck parked in the driveway.
"Uncle John's truck", she yells.
"Calm down, Cee. Use your inside voice", Olivia warns.
"I like Uncle John's truck, mommy. It's so big."
"But you don't have to yell", opening the door and rolling out of the car as Fitz walks around the back and lifts Cena from the car seat.
"I like Uncle John's truck, daddy."
"It's a nice truck, Princess."
Olivia rings the doorbell and John opens the door immediately.
"Oh my god, Liv. You look –"
"Don't say it", she says gruffly, pushing her belly past him and walking down the hall.
"Cee-Cee", John's says enthusiastically as he reaches for his niece. "How is my favorite niece?" Bouncing the little girl up and down in his arms.
"Look at Biker Princess, Uncle John", shaking the toy in his face.
"Wow. She looks just like you. Are you still riding your bike?"
She shakes her head up and down.
"Daddy take me to the park."
"Hello, brother. Come in brother."
"Good morning, John."
Fitz gives his brother a firm handshake, pecks Cena on the cheek, then walks down the hall to find Olivia.
"Fitzgerald", Abby says brightly, standing and giving him a peck on the cheek.
"Good morning Abigail", smiling politely as he takes a seat on the sofa next to Olivia.
"Cena, don't you look pretty this morning", Abby says.
"I have Biker Princess", holding the toy up so her aunt can see her toy.
"Wow, she looks like a real daredevil."
"Daddy buy it for me", yelling again.
"Daddy did a good job", looking over at Fitz and smiling.
John sits in his chair and holds Cena on his lap, who glides the toy up and down her uncle's arm. After a while, she squirms from John's lap and crawls onto the floor and starts to roll Biker Princess back and forth across the floor.
"Olivia, you look like you're ready to burst", Abby says, gawking at her friend's stomach. "How much longer do you have?"
"Three weeks", Fitz responds, bringing Olivia's hand to his lips.
"Well, she doesn't look like she is going to make it to three weeks. You need to do something about that, Fitzgerald", giving her brother-in-law a double wink and Fitz' face reddens immediately.
"Abigail", John admonishes his wife.
"What? You know that's what we did to hurry Ethan along."
Now it is time for John's face to redden.
"And Olivia, don't believe that mess about taking long walks. You and Fitzgerald have to do the heavy lifting to get that baby out of you."
"Oh God, Abby", Olivia says, bringing a hand to her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter.
"Enough, Abigail. Little ears are in the room", John says firmly.
Abigail waves her hand at her husband dismissively and rolls her eyes.
"So Olivia, have you two settled on names yet?" John asks.
"No, not yet. With Cena I knew right away. But this time I'm having the hardest time coming up with names."
"I'm open to almost any name except Fitzgerald", Fitz says.
"I like your name babe", smiling and squeezing his hand. "It's a family name."
"Some traditions need to be broken", he says tightly.
"I like Aidan", Cena says softly while spinning Biker Princess on the floor. The adults stop talking and look over at the little girl.
"What did you say, Cee?" Olivia asks, somewhat startled. "I like Aidan. He goes to my school."
Fitz groans thinking he has another boy to contend with.
"Do you have a name for a girl, Cee-Cee?"
"No", she says, almost imperceptible.
Abby smirks at Olivia when the wailing starts to blare through the baby monitor. Cena whips her head around and looks in the direction of the noise.
"Well, that's my signal", Abby says, standing from her seat. "Let's go, Olivia. Ethan needs you to squeeze his chubby cheeks."
Olivia giggles as Fitz helps her to stand from the sofa.
"Come on, Cena", Abby says, extending her hand to the little girl. "Let's go meet your cousin."
XXX
Cena holds tightly onto her mother's skirt and peeks around her wide hips watching as Aunt Abigail lifts a screaming Ethan from his crib and lays him onto the changing table.
"He is so adorable, Abby", smiling brightly as she walks over to the changing table and dragging Cena along who is still clinging to her skirt.
Cena peeks at Ethan's little body squirming on the table. Aware of Cena watching, Abby discretely cleans Ethan and changes his diaper.
"He poop mommy", Cena says with a scrunched face.
"He did, but he smells so much nicer now that he is all cleaned up."
"Would you like to hold Ethan?" Abby asks, looking at the awestruck girl.
Cena looks up at her mother and Olivia nods.
"Sit on the rocker, Cena", Abby says, carrying Ethan over to the chair.
Cena climbs onto the rocker and looks anxiously as Abby places Ethan into her arms.
"Hold his head up with your arm like this, Cena."
Sitting in the rocker stiff as a board, Cena nods and looks down at Ethan who is blowing spit bubbles.
"He's blowing bubbles, mommy" giggling as she looks at the bubbles forming on Ethan's lips.
Olivia looks at Abby and mouths thank you.
XXX
"Fitz, I can't believe what I saw", John says, updating his brother on his visit to their parents' home.
"What do you mean?" Setting his coffee cup onto the coaster.
"The place was a mess. I've never seen the house look like that. Hell, I've never seen him look like that."
Fitz furrows his brow, John's signal to say more.
"He obviously had been drinking for awhile, and food – fast food – containers were all over the place."
"What?" Fitz says in disbelief, now leaning forward. He knows that his father never eats fast food.
"Mail and papers were thrown all over the place. It was just a mess."
"What did he say?" Looking at John with concern etched on his face.
"He blames everyone, of course. He thinks we all hate him."
Fitz sighs and shakes his head.
"He misses mom."
"Mom isn't going back, John. She's on a journey - trying to find herself – working and everything."
"I know. Well I helped him to get everything cleaned up. Got him in the shower and got him some real food in the house."
Fitz nods.
"You might want to stop over there – let him know that we all don't hate him."
Fitz nods again.
"Has Bennie gone over there?"
"I don't know. I haven't talked to Bennie lately", leaning back in his chair when he hears his wife and Olivia coming down the stairs.
XXX
When they enter the restaurant, Fitz rushes down the hall to the restroom and Olivia and Cena walk over to the hostess podium to check in.
"Just the two of you, ma'am?" The hostess asks, smiling at Olivia and her adorable daughter.
"No, there are three of us", Olivia says politely.
"My daddy is here", Cena yells.
The hostess looks at Olivia and smiles, waiting for her to confirm the little girl's claim.
"Yes", Olivia says smiling. "He just stepped into the restroom for a moment."
"Daddy", snatching her hand from her mother's hand and taking off running toward her father. "I told the lady you are here."
"Thank you Biker Princess", swooping up the excited girl in his arms.
"Now that daddy is here I guess I can take you all to your table", the hostess says smiling.
XXX
Fitz pulls the table back so Olivia can slide onto the booth seat. The hostess smiles, thinking the woman looks like she is going to burst in any minute.
"I'll be back with the booster seat for your daughter."
"Thank you", Olivia says, shaking her head as she watches Cena climb onto Fitz' lap.
"Cee, you selected some really nice stuffed animals for the baby", Olivia says.
"I like them, mommy. The baby's going to like them, too. Guess what daddy", she says excitedly, pivoting to discuss what has been on her mind since they left Abby and John's house.
"Yes, Cee?"
"I saw Ethan and he pooped", giggling when she says the funny word. "And it stinks too, daddy."
"Ethan pooped?" Giving his daughter a fake look of surprise.
"And Aunt Abigail let me hold Ethan and he blow spit bubbles."
"Wow", Fitz says. "Did you catch the bubbles?"
"I can't catch spit bubbles, daddy", laughing at her father's silly question. "Will our baby blow bubbles?" Looking at her mother.
"Maybe not in the beginning, but in time our baby will blow bubbles too.
"Can I hold our baby too, mommy?"
"You sure can, but only when daddy or I are in the room. Okay?"
Cena nods her head up and down.
"May I have ice cream, mommy?"
"Not today, Cee. It's getting late. You'll be up all night."
Cena pokes out her bottom lip and looks down at her hands.
"Just this one time, Liv", Fitz says, giving his best puppy dog face for his daughter's benefit.
Olivia looks at her husband for a long while, then looks at her sulking daughter.
"You're going to be up with her all night if she can't sleep because of the sugar."
"What kind of ice cream do you want, Princess?"
"Strawberry daddy", smiling brightly. "And sprinkles too."
"Cee, when we get home you have to show me where to put the toys we bought for the baby. Okay?
"OK, mommy."
Olivia gives Fitz a look that says their daughter is going to be just fine when the baby comes home.
XXX
Fitz sits on the sofa in the family room typing an email to Geoffrey about their newest client who seems to be having some serious problems with his company's union. With a barefoot resting on the edge of the coffee table, he balances the tablet on his knee, and sips scotch from the sweating glass. Periodically, he glances over at the television screen to watch the ESPN hosts debate the merits of the latest quarterback trade. Maura walks into the room and smiles when she sees her son is sitting on the sofa alone. She rubs her hands together and thinks this is the perfect opportunity to talk to him about participating in the Speaker Series.
"Fitzgerald", sitting down on the sofa next to him.
Fitz looks up and smiles at his mother who seems to be the happiest he has seen her in quite some time.
"Where is everyone?" She asks, looking around the room.
"Liv and Cena went to bed early. We had a long day."
"And Nora, is she home?"
"I don't know?" Taking another sip of his favorite scotch.
"She's been working late at the Center a lot lately. I think she's finally found her niche."
"That's good. Maybe she'll stop partying every night and picking up strange men."
"Fitzgerald!"
"What? You know what she does. I don't want that kind of behavior around my daughter, mom."
"She's just young."
"She's not that young. But she is irresponsible and promiscuous. She should think about seeing someone – think about getting some help."
Maura rolls her eyes thinking her son can sometimes be such a hard ass and unforgiving, just like his father.
"So, it'll be any day now", wanting to change the subject. "We'll be having another baby around here soon", clasping her hands in anticipation.
"Actually we have another three weeks", taking another sip of his scotch.
"I see the furniture has finally arrived. It's absolutely beautiful. The nursery looks beautiful."
"Liv didn't think it would arrive in time. I told her she worries too much."
"The baby needs someplace to sleep, Fitzgerald."
"Well, the nursery is all set up now. Hilde worked all day yesterday helping us to get everything in order."
"I see", not interested in hearing anything about Hilde.
"We took Cena over to John and Abigail's today so she could see Ethan."
"You did? How did it go? Olivia said Cena is having some difficulty with the idea of having to share mommy and daddy."
"I think she's going to be fine. She really got a kick out of seeing Ethan. Abigail let her hold him. I think that helped a lot. She's starting to understand the baby won't be a threat to her."
"That's good. That's good", building up the courage to ask him about the Speaker Series.
"Fitzgerald … "
"Yes mom?" Looking up from his tablet.
"Well, you know I have been working on the curriculum for Olivia's training program?"
"Mhmm. Liv said you gave a fantastic presentation. I'm so proud of you, mom."
"Thank you, son. It's all so exciting."
"That's good", smiling at his mother.
"I really want this program to be successful. I have so many ideas."
"Like what?" Setting his tablet on the sofa and giving his mother his full attention.
"Well, I designed the curriculum based on Olivia's needs and everything I read in the books Mona gave me. I even even added a feature neither Olivia nor Mona thought about", she says proudly.
"That's terrific, mom", genuinely happy that his mother has found something she enjoys doing.
"I'm glad you think so", she says slowly. "Because I am going to need your help, Fitzgerald."
Fitz furrows his brow wondering what kind of help his mother needs from him.
"My help?" He looks at her curiously.
"Yes, your help. I added a Speaker Series to the training program. This is where experts come in and share their professional experience with the activists. It's an opportunity for them to gain insight into how experts apply the concepts they will learn in the real world. I would like for you to be one of our speakers."
"What?" He says in shock.
"Yes. You have so much to share – from your days in the Navy to starting your own business. You are one of the leading negotiators in the country, Fitzgerald. I'm so proud of you", giving him the proud mother smile.
"But I don't know anything about community activism."
"You don't have to. You know about helping people. You know about negotiation. You know about leadership."
"I don't know, mom", running a hand through his hair.
"Come on, Fitzgerald. You'll be terrific", looking at him pleadingly. "You're so influential and well respected. The community can learn so much from you."
"Who else do you have lined up to speak?"
"Well, no one – at least not yet", she adds quickly when she sees the look on his face. "Please, Fitzgerald. Just this one time."
He sighs heavily and takes another sip from the glass.
"I'm sure Olivia will really appreciate your help as well."
Maura has played her last card. She knows her son will do anything for his wife. Fitz leans against the sofa's back cushion and looks at the desperation on his mother's face.
"Okay. I'll do it - but just one time", running his hand through his hair.
"Thank you. Thank you", bouncing happily on the sofa and giving him a peck on the cheek. "You won't regret it. I promise."
Fitz groans internally, wondering what he has gotten himself into.
"And Fitzgerald …." Bringing her clasped hands to her chest.
He takes another sip of the now diluted scotch, preparing for his mother's next request.
"Yes, mom?"
"Who is Charlie?"
XXX
Fitz has been tossing and turning in bed all night, thinking about what his mother told him about Charlie bursting into the Foundation and threatening Olivia. He shakes his head when he thinks about Mona toting a gun in her purse. It is all too much. He looks over at his sleeping wife and becomes angrier because she did not tell him about the incident. He closes his eyes thinking he does not know what he would do if anything ever happened to her. He loves her with everything that is in him and will do everything within his power to protect her. The thought of Charlie or anyone else threatening her enrages him.
As the sun begins to rise, Olivia starts to stir in her sleep because her bladder needs relief. He knows she always goes to the bathroom around this time every morning so he lay on his side and watches her, waiting for her to waken. Olivia rolls onto her side and slowly opens her eyes because the urge to go to the bathroom has awakened her. These days she is never sure if she really has to pee or if Kix is just laying on her bladder.
"Oh my god", she screams when she sees his dark blue eyes staring at her in the dark. "What are you doing?" Hitting him on the shoulder. "Why are you staring at me? You almost made me wet my underwear", breathing heavily.
"Why didn't you tell me about Charlie?" Nowhere close to smiling.
"What? I - I was going to tell you."
"When the hell were you going to tell me? It happened three days ago", springing up from the bed and pacing around the room.
"Fitz", trying to get out of the bed to get to the bathroom. "So much has been going on for these past few days. I honestly didn't think about it. Besides, Charlie is harmless."
"He fuckin' threatened you."
"Don't cuss at me."
"I'm not cussing at you. I'm just cussing", yelling in frustration.
"Well stop it. You're upsetting the baby and I already have to pee."
He rolls his eyes thinking what else is new.
"Give me his contact information", rapidly moving his fingers back and forth, demanding Charlie's information.
"What?"
"You heard me. I want his information – his phone number and address."
"Why?" Looking at him suspiciously.
"Because I want to talk to Charlie."
"No, it's over. I won't have you getting involved."
"I'm already involved. Now give me his information."
"No. Let it go. I want my husband around and our children need a father."
"And you're my wife and I won't have any man threatening you. It's my job to protect you."
She gives him a long, hard look before stomping toward the bathroom.
"You need to get ready for church", slamming the bathroom door.
"And why the hell didn't you tell me mom wants me to be one of her speakers?" Walking over to her nightstand and picking up her phone.
"She's your mother!" Yelling from behind the bathroom door.
Fitz scrolls through the list of contractors Olivia evaluated for the Springfield Heights project, and when he hears the toilet flush he quickly sets the phone back onto her nightstand. He rolls across the bed and slides his phone from his nightstand.
"Get me everything you can on a Charles Barber."
XXX
Maura likes having the office all to herself for an hour or so before Mona arrives, especially on Monday mornings. Being alone in the office gives her sufficient time to rearrange things the way she likes, restock the supplies cabinet, and spend some time enjoying a cup of her favorite tea. So when she walks down the hall toward her office this morning, she is surprised when she sees the light on in Mona's office.
"Oh, good morning Mona", Maura says with a tinge of surprise in her voice. "You're in awfully early today. Is everything all right?"
"I'm fine and good morning to you. Get your tea, Maura. I'll be in to talk to you shortly."
"Oh, all right", turning her head slightly as she eyes Mona.
For the past few days Mona has been trying to figure out how she is going to approach Maura about a few things that have been bothering her. Although Maura has some annoying habits like moving around furniture and plants, hanging new pictures, and reorganizing the supply cabinet, the changes she has been making around the office pale in comparison to her latest antics. The woman has crossed the line and Mona needs to handle it right away, nip it in the bud.
Uneasy about having to reprimand her boss' mother-in-law, Mona takes her time walking to the conference room. Before tapping on the conference room door frame with her red ink pink, she inhales deeply, thinking this is what management is all about.
"Hi, Maura" Mona says somewhat nervously. "Can we talk now?"
"Of course", taken aback by the nervousness of the usually confident woman. "Have a seat, Mona. Tea?"
"No, thank you. I've already had my coffee", sitting in the chair in front of Maura's desk.
Mona glances at the assortment of coffees and teas sitting on the wooden table Maura brought into the office a couple of days ago.
"Maura, there are a few things I need to discuss with you."
"Okay", she says slowly, sensing this is not going to be a pleasant conversation.
"Maura, since you started working here you've begun to involve yourself in matters outside of the scope of your job."
"I don't understand", Maura says, fidgeting with her wedding set.
"You're involving yourself in matters that are of no concern to you.
"Are you worried about what I'm doing?" Maura asks smugly.
"No, I'm concerned about what you're not doing", staring intently at the woman. "You were hired to develop training courses, but you have done everything but that since you've been here."
"Excuse me?" Maura says defensively.
"You came here because you needed to test what it feels like to work, not because you wanted to help the communities we support. Well this is not a game, we don't take what we do here lightly. We're dealing with real people with real problems."
"What?"
"Maura, you're a meddler. You like getting involved in things that's none of your business. And because you don't know what you don't know you cause problems that I have to clean up."
Her chest rising and falling, Maura looks at Mona with wide eyes.
"Maura, this is a business, not your household. Here, business decisions are made based on the laws governing our Foundation, based on experience, and based on knowledge of business management. None of which you know anything about. You can't just make decisions based on your gut."
"I don't know what you're talking about", Maura says with her heart pounding in her chest.
"Over the last few days you have taken the liberty to order office supplies that we don't need and from vendors we don't use. You are moving things around and I can't find a thing any more. You're talking to the World Water Day and Women's Day planning committees and setting dates without any knowledge of what it takes to meet those dates. You're doing all of this without talking to me first."
Maura's begins to frown.
"I said nothing in the beginning because I know this is your first time working in an office, but I guess you took my silence as consent; you crossed the line."
"What? You have no right."
"I have every right. You have no idea what it takes to run a 501 (c)(3) – to help the people we serve. You breeze in here and start giving advice about matters you know nothing about, setting expectations and getting hopes up about things we can't do a thing about."
"Are you talking about Mrs. Talley?"
"Yes."
"That woman needed my help."
"You can't help Mrs. Talley because you are clueless about what we do here. You're disrespecting people by giving them misinformation and you're disrespecting me as the office manager. And, you're disrespecting Olivia, who has poured her heart and soul into this Foundation. Your actions can damage Olivia's reputation – damage something she has worked hard to build. I won't let you destroy all of her hard work just because you can't mind your business – because you need to prove something."
Maura is fighting back the tears.
"You don't know anything about the Springfield Heights program, how the families were selected, how the funds are to be allocated. But you go around making promises to people, promises we have no way of keeping.
"Well that woman asked –"
"And when she realizes that we cannot fulfill the promises that you made she is going to be upset. And I say we because Olivia and I have always worked as a team around here. There are no superstars here. We don't tell people what they want to hear, we tell them what they need to hear. I told Mrs. Tally – more than once – that we could not help her, and I directed her to the proper agency. The Springfield Heights program is for homeowners and Mrs. Talley is not a homeowner. She is a renter. If you had bothered to ask me you would have known that."
Maura glares at Mona for a long while as she bites on her lower lip.
"Now, if you want to work here and do what you were hired to do then I am more than happy to have you stay."
Mona glares at Maura letting her know that she means business. And tears well up in Maura's eyes because she is hurt and embarrassed. Her worst fears are coming true.
"But if you want to do anything more than what you were hired to do then I don't need you here."
"Enough. I get it. I made a mistake", she says, thoroughly flustered because Mona's admonishment stings. It brings back memories of how Gerry would berate her for making the tiniest of mistakes.
"Mona, if you don't mind, I will be taking an early lunch today."
Not waiting for a response, Maura hurries from the conference room and out of the front door. Sitting in her car in the parking lot, Maura is not quite sure where she should go, what she should do.
XXX
Fitz looks over at his buzzing phone and snatches it up quickly from the desk in their home study. He listens intently to the voice on the other end and scribbles a few notes on a scrap of paper. He grabs his phone and stuffs it into his pocket as he walks into the living room.
"Hilde", trying not to startle the woman.
"Oh, Mr. Grant, you startled me. I was thinking about how things are going to change around here in a few weeks once the baby is born."
Fitz smiles politely.
"Hilde, if Mrs. Grant asks, let her know that I needed to go to the office and I should be back in a couple of hours."
"Not at all, sir. The Mrs. is having her daily nap. I'll let her know when she wakes up."
"Thank you, Hilde", smiling politely again before walking down the hall and grabbing his car keys off the table in the foyer.
XXX
As he strides through the lobby, the doorman smiles and gives him a knowing nod.
"I think you want the 57th floor, sir. The door is open."
Fitz nods and presses the elevator button and takes the smooth ride to the 57th floor. He looks at his image in the mirrored elevator and inhales deeply. When he reaches Apartment 5709, he slowly turns the door knob and let's the door swing open fully, giving him a full view into the spacious apartment. Standing in the doorway, he assesses the space before entering.
"What the fuck are you doing in my home?"
"Nice place", Fitz says, circling the room slowly.
"How the hell did you get in here? You just can't walk into my fucking home."
"One, you had no problem bursting into my wife's office uninvited. I thought I would return the courtesy. Two, you and I both know this place won't be yours for much longer."
"Go to hell."
"Not quite yet, Charlie", walking over to the man with the towel wrapped around his waist. "You threatened my wife, and nobody threatens my wife."
"She could've been mine if I wanted her. I could have fucked her a long time ago – way before you came along. She begged me to, you know?" Smirking at Fitz. "But I wouldn't have her."
Fitz nods, reflecting on how he and Olivia laughed about Charlie when they were in DC.
"Right", taking a few steps toward the man.
Not getting the rise out of Fitz that he wanted, Charlie ups the ante.
"That bitch cheated me out of that job."
And those were the last words Charlie was able to speak with a full set of teeth. Fitz' fist crashes down onto the side of the man's face, sending teeth and blood flying across the room. Charlie stumbles back against the wall, causing one of the light sconces and mirror to shatter to the floor. Fitz lunges across the room and pummels Charlie's face, splitting his eye with his pounding fist. Charlie raises his knee and jams it in Fitz' gut, causing him to double over. He brings his fist down onto Fitz' right cheek, breaking the skin. Fitz stumbles backward, and Charlie grabs one of the wrought-iron candlestick holders from the table and swings it wildly, and Fitz jumps back with each swing.
"I'm going take off your fucking head", charging Fitz like a mad bull.
Fitz steps aside and Charlie stumbles, losing his balance and falling to the floor. Fitz snatches the candlestick from Charlie's hand, tosses it across the room, and pounces onto him. Crashing his left fist down onto Charlie's face over and over and over. Charlie curls into a ball trying to shield his face from the assault and pleads for mercy.
"My wife is dead to you. The Foundation is dead to you. You come near either one again and I'll kill you." Breathing heavily, Fitz gives Charlie another swift kick in the ribs before leaving the apartment.
As the elevator descends slowly to the lobby, Fitz catches a glimpse of his new image in the mirrored elevator. His hair is a wild mess and he sees the cut on his right cheek.
Shit.
He knows Olivia is going to be upset when she sees that he has been in a fight.
XXX
When he parks in the driveway he looks in the rear view mirror and sees that his right cheek has begun to swell.
Shit.
He grabs the water bottle sitting in the cupholder and dampens his handkerchief. Trying to remove the last traces of blood from his cheek and alleviate the swelling before going into the house, he holds the damp cloth to his cheek for a few minutes before exiting the car. As he slides from behind the steering wheel, he notices that his left hand, which is scraped from bashing in Charlie's face, has begun to swell.
Great.
He shakes his hand trying to ease the throbbing pain.
"Daddy. Daddy", Cena yells as she runs down the hall to greet her father. She stops suddenly, mouth hanging open, and eyes wide when she sees her father's face.
"Cee", trying to whisper to his dumbstruck daughter, but the little girl is frozen in place, unable to move or speak.
"Cee, where's mommy? Is mommy sleeping?" He prays that Olivia is still asleep so he can get cleaned up and delay the inevitable.
"Cena", he says a little more forcefully, trying to bring the girl out of her haze. "Where's mommy?" He asks again in a whisper.
With mouth and eyes still wide open, Cena points in the direction of the family room.
"Shit", raking his fingers through his hair in an effort to look normal.
"Ooh, daddy said a bad word."
"Cee, what's taking – "
Olivia's mouth falls open when she sees her husband's bruised face. And in an instant, her shock turns quickly into anger.
"You didn't", grabbing her stomach instinctually.
"Liv, sweetheart, let me explain."
She shakes her head rapidly from side to side and holds up her hand to silence him.
"You promised me."
"I did no such thing", taking a few cautious steps toward his wife. Cena stands in the middle, between her parents, looking at her father.
"Just give me a minute. Let me explain", he says desperately.
Cena turns her head and looks at her mother.
"I don't want to hear it", she shouts. "You could've been …" Her worse fear has been triggered again.
Cena turns her head and looks at her father, waiting for his response.
"I won't apologize, Liv. I won't have some man threatening you. I'm you're husband and I will protect you", balling his fist and wincing silently from the pain.
Cena turns her head and looks at her mother, who is squinting angrily at her father. Remembering what he said about protecting her during their sessions with Avril, she nods her head slowly.
"Go sit down and let me clean you up."
"Sit down daddy", grabbing her father's injured hand. He cringes in pain as Cena tries to pull him toward the family room.
"I hope he looks worse than you", Olivia says, glancing over her shoulder as she waddles into the family room.
"Much worse. So much worse", smiling nervously and thinking he has not heard the last about the incident from his wife.
XXX
Because he never excelled academically, Charlie always knew college was not going to be his pathway to a better a life. He knew if he was ever going to make it out of the neighborhood, he would have to use his natural abilities to create the kind of life he imagined existed beyond the walls of Tilghman Park. Ever since he was a child, Charlie has been good with his hands. He could take a thing apart, reassemble it, and make it work better than it had originally. So, after he was graduated from high school, he served as an apprentice for one of the premiere master plumbers in the city. He learned a lot from the old man, and in time became a master plumber as well. And, when the old man died, Charlie bought the business from the man's daughters, which included the extensive client list. Acquiring that business enabled him to start a new life, escape a life of poverty, and never look back at that hell hole known as Tilghman Park.
Charlie has worked hard to craft a new image, worked hard to erase any trace of the poor and violent community of Tilghman Park. Always dressed impeccably in the finest bespoke clothes, to the untrained eye Charlie looked the symbol of success. But Olivia Pope would never give him a chance to develop a romantic relationship with her, regardless of how successful he was. Always citing being too busy growing her business, she rejected all of his invitations to go out for coffee, a drink, or do anything that could be construed as a date. He frowns, thinking she rejected him because the stench of Tilghman Park still hung over him like a cloud. Whenever he was around her, he thought she could smell the stench that no amount of tailored clothes and expensive cologne could mask.
When Charlie discovered Olivia had begun to date someone, he became enraged. All of this time she had been making excuses, lying to him about being too busy. But when that melanin-deficient motherfucker came along, she willingly and quickly gave herself to him. She even allowed herself get knocked up by him – twice. She should have been his. Those kids should be his.
As he crawls to his feet, Charlie looks around the room that is now in shambles and thinks how unfair life is for people like him. Regardless of how high up in the sky he lives, how full his walk-in closet is with tailored-made suits, how broad his art collection was becoming, and how far he can travel around the world, he will never be like Olivia and Fitz. There are certain things money just cannot buy.
Bending down and picking up the pieces of his life, Charlie becomes filled with rage and hurls the remnants of his prized possessions across the room. He watches as they crash against the wall and fall to the floor again.
"You're gonna pay for this shit, Olivia."