A/N: I don't own anything related to Scandal. I appreciate those of you who continue to track along with story, however, things are getting busy at work and I might have to get on a two-week update cadence. I will finish this story, it might just take a little longer than I planned. Thanks for the new reviews, favorites, and follows. I really enjoy reading the parts of the story that resonate with each reviewer. Guest, this Charlie storyline won't be long and drawn out, but it serves a purpose. Remember, all roads lead to Olitz. Hang on, this too shall pass. Clanay, you nor Fitz can hurry Mother Nature. That baby is going to come when he or she is ready : - ). Sweet27, Olivia isn't having twins. Ktss14, I guess Fitz kind of poked Charlie the Bear, although he was already angry with Olivia and plotting mischief. Here we go!
Chapter 19. Water, Water Everywhere
For the past four hours Maura has been sitting in the parking lot of the fast food restaurant located around the corner from the Foundation trying to process what just happened and salvage the vestiges of her dignity. So shaken by Mona's admonishment, she did not realize it was only 8:15 AM when she hurried from the office muttering something about taking an early lunch. She chuckles to herself mirthlessly thinking Mona must really think she is an idiot. Who eats lunch at eight o' clock in the morning? But she needed to escape the condemnation because Mona's words were resurrecting all sorts of emotions that were supposed to have been buried many years ago. However, in reality, the feelings of inadequacy and of not being good enough had not been buried, they were simply laying beneath the surface waiting for the opportune time to reappear.
As the tears stream down her face, Maura is once again consumed by a kind of gnawing emptiness, longing, and frustration about what could have been and what should have been. Failing to fulfill one's potential is a devastating and damaging thing. Angrily swiping away the tears, Maura thinks about that time during her junior year of high school when she stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom every day for six months practicing the speech for her parents. Ever since she was a little girl she dreamed of becoming a teacher, and she had finally mustered up enough courage to ask her parents if she could go away to college to pursue her dream. Her stomach was a ball of knots.
'Go to college, Maura?' Her mother said somewhat amused. 'That's just about the silliest thing I've ever heard. Why would you ever think you're good enough for college?'
'We don't have money to waste on your fantasies Maura; times are hard. Besides, college is for smart people like your brothers. Find yourself a husband and become a good little wife and mother.'
Her father muttered his sage advice without ever looking up from reading his the confidence and support to explore life on her own terms, Maura took her father's counsel and did what her mother and most of the girls her age did at the time; she got married.
Choking back the tears as she stares blankly across the parking lot, Maura shakes her head trying to dislodge the foolish thoughts that led her to believe she could become a teacher, the same foolish thoughts that made her think she could start a career at this stage of her life. Well, everyone must be having a really good laugh at her expense she thinks, reaching over for her purse sitting on the passenger seat. Fumbling inside for a handkerchief, she inadvertently knocks over the purse, causing most of its contents to spill onto the floor.
"Damn. Damn. Damn."
She bangs her fists on the steering wheel and screams out at the top of her lungs, letting a lifetime of pain and frustration reverberate around the interior of the car. Feeling like an abysmal failure, like she can never do anything right, Maura leans back in the seat and rubs her fingers back and forth across her forehead. Maybe she should just go back home, go back to Gerry, go back to a life where everything is predictable.
The parking lot is beginning to fill with the lunch crowd hustling from their cars and into the restaurant. As Maura watches the bustling crowd go to and fro, she notices an old woman whose gait has been slowed by a spine ravaged from age or disease. She is mesmerized by the woman who walks with a cane in a hunched-over posture. The old woman shuffles along at her own pace, seemingly oblivious to all of the people hurrying past her. When the old woman finally makes it to the restaurant door, Maura watches as she struggles to open the door with one hand and hold the cane in the other hand. She wonders how long it takes the woman to perform her daily routine of getting ready to interact with the world.
Maura tilts her head as she watches the woman finally enter the restaurant and sit down at a table with a group who is laughing and enjoying their afternoon. She watches when the old woman joins in the conversation and throws her head back in laughter. She marvels at the woman who is not allowing her circumstance to limit her. She is not cowering in the recesses and feeling sorry for herself. She is not retreating from life because things got a little tough. She is not giving up on life. She is living life on her own terms, regardless of how long it takes her.
Maura dabs the handkerchief at the corners of her eyes, touches up her makeup, then turns the key in the car's ignition.
XXX
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I interfered where I had no business. I'm sorry that I came here and changed things around without discussing them with you first. I'm sorry I've made your job more difficult because I didn't know what I was doing."
"Maura …" Mona says, giving the woman an empathetic look.
"Let me finish. You were right. I was trying to prove something. All of my life I have felt inadequate, not good enough. As a child I was always told that I could never do anything right, and that message was reinforced over and over throughout my marriage, in one way or another."
"Maura –"
"So I wanted to prove something, needed to prove everyone wrong – prove that I could be of value. But all I did was make a mess of things. Mona, I would never knowingly do anything to jeopardize Olivia's reputation", twisting her wedding set. "I know she has worked very hard to build her business – I know how important it is to her."
Mona nods.
"I now realize that I have a lot to learn", she says quickly. "And, if you are willing to give me another chance, to do what I was hired to do, I will work hard to learn everything I need to be an asset to the Foundation."
"Maura, I'm sorry too, sorry for being so hard on you. But I needed to get through to you, to help you understand the seriousness of your actions."
"I understand."
"Now, if you want to learn about how a non-profit functions then Olivia and I are more than willing to teach you. But it's going to take time, it won't happen overnight."
"I understand."
"The people who give money to this Foundation have certain expectations. They want to know how their money is being spent and that we are actually making a difference in the lives of the people we serve. This is serious business."
"I understand that now. It just – well – you and Olivia make it look so easy."
"Well, that's because we've only been doing it for 100 years", trying to lighten the mood.
Maura smiles nervously because she is not sure if Mona has completely forgiven her.
"Maura, now that the plumbing is being replaced in the homes in Springfield Heights, Olivia's number one priority is to get that training program up and running. She's passionate about providing those community organizers the skills they need to fight for their causes. Your work is very important."
Maura nods.
"I've been working for Olivia ever since she started the Foundation; she gave me a chance when others wouldn't. So what I'm saying, this place, it's all her. I don't set the priorities, she does. And she does it based on what she has determined will be most beneficial to the community. I just help to implement her ideas."
Maura nods her head slowly, now realizing that there is a strategy behind the work Olivia and Mona do. Olivia thoughtfully plans out the programs and Mona helps to implements them. This is not a place where things happen haphazardly or on a whim.
"Well, I guess I better get busy designing those courses", turning to go to her conference room-office.
"And Maura, let's consider what happened all water under the bridge."
XXX
Cena runs from the driveway, through the garage, and bursts through the kitchen door trying to escape her father who is spraying her with the water hose.
"Mommy. Mommy", she yells, giggling hysterically and looking over her shoulder at the door leading to the garage. "Daddy wet me", bringing her hands to the sides of her face and laughing so hard she begins to choke and cough.
"Calm down, Cee", turning on the faucet and filling a cup with water. "Drink this - slow", holding the cup to her daughter's lips. "You get too excited."
"Olivia, I don't know what you're going to do once you have two to chase around here", Abby says as she sits at the island patting Ethan gently on the back, trying to coax him to burp.
"You mean three. Fitz can be such a big kid sometimes, especially when he starts playing with Cee or that car of his."
"It must be that Grant blood because Jonathan is the same way when it comes to that monster truck of his. I hate that thing." Abby scrunches her face when she thinks about her husband's truck.
"Fitz has been washing the car for hours now, it's his pride and joy. Can you believe he washes it every Saturday? You would think he was a teenager and it was his first car."
"Well, where I come from teenagers don't have cars like that", rubbing circles on Ethan's back. "They drive raggedy pickups."
"Where are you going with that cup, Cee?" Placing a hand on her hip as she watches her daughter walk toward the garage door with the cup of water. "Finish drinking your water in the kitchen."
"I'm going to wet daddy", stopping in her tracks and giving Olivia her best pouty face.
"No", Olivia says, turning and pulling open the door of under-cabinet sink. Cena sulks and sets the cup of water onto the island top.
"You're going to need this", holding up a large spray bottle and filling it with water.
"Yay", Cena yells, grabbing the spray bottle and running from the kitchen.
"One. Two. Three." Olivia counts, waiting for the yelling to begin.
"Olivia!" Fitz yells as Cena chases her father down the driveway spraying him with water.
"I don't know how Fitzgerald is going to handle two children", and the two women laugh as Ethan let's out a loud burp.
"Hopefully more than two someday", Olivia says wistfully, and Abby tilts her head to the side and gives her friend a warning look.
XXX
Fitz leans back against the bathtub and lets out a sigh of exasperation. It has been another long day and now all he wants to do is enjoy a relaxing bath with his wife. Working on his presentation for the Speaker Series is becoming a second job, and this is what he was afraid would happen when his mother asked him to participate in the program. She now wants to expand his commitment to include three more topics. And while he does not mind helping, he has absolutely no interest in taking on more work.
"What's the matter? Are you ready to get out?" Enjoying the feeling of his hands rubbing her round, tight stomach.
"I'm just tired. It's been a long day."
"Maybe if you didn't spend hours washing that car you wouldn't be so tired. Why don't you just take it to the car wash?"
"What? Are you kidding me?" Turning her slightly and looking at her as if what she said was blasphemy.
"One, I would never take that car to the car wash. That's a superbly engineered vehicle and it deserves to be hand-washed."
She rolls her eyes and leans back onto his chest.
"Two, my being tired has nothing to do with washing the car. I enjoy washing and waxing it - it's therapeutic", he says sincerely.
She shakes her head because she has absolutely no intention of ever hand-washing her car; never have and never will.
"It's mom. She's demanding more and more of my time. She wants me to take on more topics for that Speaker Series."
Olivia shakes her head and smiles.
"I don't want you to feel obligated because of me."
"I want to help Liv, but it's becoming a second job. Mom thinks just because I work from home I'm not really working, so she keeps assigning me more topics."
Olivia chuckles because it is always difficult for her usually eloquent husband to have tough conversations with his mother.
"I have a few ideas but I don't want to interfere with her planning", closing her eyes and enjoying the warm, lavender-scented water waft around them.
"You have to help me out here, Liv. She's killing me", squeezing the towel and letting the warm water trickle over her stomach.
"Remember, the purpose of the Speaker Series is to bring in experts from various fields to share their experiences with the community organizers."
He nods.
"But babe, while you are many things – smart, charming, and ridiculously handsome – you're not an expert on all of those topics your mother has on her schedule."
"Excuse me?" Feigning offense.
"I was thinking we could get help from a few other people. Your mother doesn't have any contacts she can ask to help out with the program so she keeps coming to you. You're her only expert, babe."
He nods.
"I'll give you the names of a few people that you can suggest to your mother."
"I owe you", running his tongue up and down the side of her neck.
"Big time", she says smiling and enjoying him sucking on her neck.
"I guess this is what it's going to be like in the Birthing Center", he says, looking around the bathroom.
"I'm glad they allow children in the room until I go into labor. Showing Cee where the baby will be born made her happy, especially when she saw all of the toys in the playroom."
He nods.
"The kitchen is nice. We can pack whatever food we need and store Cee's snacks and drinks in the frig."
"Maybe I'll bring her some of my special tea", he says proudly.
"She doesn't like that stuff, babe. I'm the only one who drinks it."
"What?" He says in disbelief. "She drinks it whenever I give it to her."
"That's because she likes to please daddy."
He frowns, thinking about the countless times he has given Cena his special tea.
"Are you feeling okay about the delivery?"
"I am, much better this time than I did with Cee. Back then I just didn't know what to expect. I didn't know what the delivery would be like. I surely didn't know anything about Birthing Centers. I didn't even know our hospital had one."
He closes his eyes and thinks about their first pregnancy when he did not know anything about the depression.
"I'm so excited, Fitz. I'm ready to meet our baby", smiling and rubbing her hands together.
"Me too", kissing the top of her head.
They sit in silence for a few minutes enjoying the bubbling water and each other.
"I don't want you to suffer, Liv. If the pain becomes too much, ask for something. Okay?"
"I'll be fine. Natural childbirth is going to be difficult, but I want our baby to have the best start on life that I can give him."
"Kiss me", and she turns her head and gives him a deep kiss. "I love you – more than anything."
"I love you, too. And don't give me that look", laying back against his chest. "Nothing's happening here tonight", playfully slapping his thigh.
"Do you really think we're having a boy?" Massaging her breasts tenderly.
"I don't know, babe. I do pee a lot", and their laughter bounces off the tile and porcelain.
"I love when we spend time alone like this. We don't have a lot of privacy around here anymore", trailing open-mouthed kisses down her shoulder.
"Me too", smiling and feeling at peace.
"Are you okay with the names?" He asks.
"I am. It took us long enough, but I think we made the best choices for a boy and a girl. I think that's a story we can tell him or her years from now." Her eyes are beginning to get heavy with sleep.
Silence.
"Will you be disappointed if we don't have a boy?" Rubbing her foot up and down his leg.
"Not at all. We're being blessed with the greatest gift of all. How could I ever be disappointed?" Draping his leg over her hers.
"Well, if this one isn't a boy, then next time …."
His body tenses and his hands stop massaging her breasts and fall into the water. Realizing what she said, she closes her eyes tightly and holds her breath. She got too relaxed, too comfortable in the moment. She let down her guard. With the warm, lavender-scented water soothing her achy muscles and his large hands gently massaging her body, she allowed her tongue to give voice to the thoughts she has held secret over the past few months.
Even with the morning sickness. Even with having to pee constantly. Even with being uncomfortable almost every day for the last four months. Even with all of that she wants to do it again. She wants to experience bringing a part of them into the world again. The closer she gets to delivering their baby the sadder she becomes that this phase of the creative process is coming to an end. She loves being pregnant and wants to expand their family. She wants to have a house full of laughing, crying, and bickering children running around and demanding her attention. While she did not feel that way a few years ago when she was trying to grow her business, she now wants it. She loves being a wife and mother, more than anything.
"Olivia", he says in an admonitory tone. "We decided."
"We didn't decide anything, Fitz", she says through the tears. "We said we would talk to a specialist."
"I never agreed to that", he says angrily.
"You did."
"You had just gotten back home. What did you expect me to say?"
"So you've been lying to me all of this time?"
"No. I just didn't want to upset you – didn't want to start a fight – like now", he says through clenched teeth. "The water is getting cold, we should get out", standing and splashing water onto the floor. After wrapping the yellow towel around his waist, he reaches for her hand as she wipes the tears with the back of her hand. She takes his hand and stands to get out of the tub.
Neither is able to sleep after her unplanned revelation a few hours ago, so they lay in the dark, in silence, and with several inches of space separating them. They both know the other is not asleep because they do not sleep well if they are touching in some way. With lip quivering, she lay on her side, staring out the window at the full moon lighting up the night sky. He lay on his back with and arm hooked behind his neck, looking up at the ceiling with his mouth set in a tight line. He is angry; no, he is scared of losing her to depression again. The thought frightens him to death.
"I don't want to lose you, Liv", he says as a lone tear runs from the corner of his eye and down the side of his face.
"I know", she says softly, holding onto the pillow tightly.
Silence.
"Do you really want to do this, discuss it with another doctor?"
She nods her head, letting the tears fall onto the pillow.
"I do."
"You're not doing this just for me? Because –"
"I want this, Fitz. I want this for us."
He nods, and after a few moments he closes the gap that has been separating them. He buries his face in her neck and inhales deeply, rubbing her stomach through the silk nightgown.
"Then we'll find someone, maybe in another year. Okay?"
"OK", lifting his hand to her lips.
XXX
Darius slides onto the pew next to Fitz and whispers something in his ear and Fitz nods. Olivia looks over at her husband and Darius and shushes them to be quiet. And Rev. Walker looks over his reading glasses and silently admonishes her when she was not the one who was talking. When the service is over Olivia makes her way to the ladies' room and Fitz walks down the hall in the opposite direction, toward Rev. Walker's office. When Rev. Walker opens the door, he is surprised to see Congressman Guildford is also sitting in the office next to Darius. He glances around the room quickly, thinking about the many months he and Olivia spent in this office for pre-marital counseling.
"Gentlemen?" He says cautiously, observing the grim looks on the men's faces.
"Sit down Fitz", Rev. Walker says, motioning his hand toward the empty seat.
As Fitz walks over to the chair, his breathing becomes shallow and his stomach starts to churn. He hopes Marla's condition has not deteriorated, or worse. He sits in the chair next to Darius and wonders when Rev. Walker added a third chair to his office.
"Thanks for joining us", the Congressman says. Fitz looks at him and wonders why Congressman Guildford is here. Darius didn't mention anything about meeting with the Congressman and Rev. Walker.
"Fitz", Darius begins. "We all know how close Olivia and Marla are –"
"Has something happened to Marla?" He asks nervously. "Is she?" Leaning forward in the chair and looking at Darius.
"No – no", Darius interjects quickly. "Marla is fine, as well as can be expected under the circumstances."
Fitz lets out a sigh of relief, runs his fingers through his hair, and leans back in the chair. He is relieved he does not have to upset Olivia with any bad news, especially bad news about Marla. Congressman Guildford looks at Darius with a raised eyebrow, signaling him to continue.
"Well Fitz, as I mentioned a week or so ago, we have to find a replacement for Marla."
Fitz nods. He has always known that Marla would not be able to resume her position although Olivia is still hopeful.
"We have to move fast on this", the Congressman says quickly.
Fitz looks over at the man and Darius, wondering why they are telling him all of this.
"Fitz, we want you to replace Marla - run for President of City Council - in the general election."
"What?" Looking around at the trio and thinking this must be some sort of joke.
"You're perfect for the position", the Congressman says eagerly.
"I don't understand", looking at Darius with incredulity.
"We need someone who will advance policies that will have an actual impact on the lives of people", says Darius.
"Needless to say, this is all a surprise - unexpected", looking around at the men. His mind still unable to process what his ears are hearing. "I don't know anything about politics – about City Council."
"That would be the beauty of your candidacy", the Congressman says. Fitz furrows his brow, giving the man a puzzled look.
"The people are tired of career politicians. They want someone who isn't in the back pockets of special interest groups."
"Why me? I don't even live in the city Darius", still stunned by the men's proposition."
"First, the City Charter does not require the Council President to live in the city. You simply need to have a physical presence here, a home or a business."
Fitz mouth curls down as he listens intently to Darius speak.
"Both you and Olivia have a vested interest in the welfare and growth of this city. You both have successful businesses that contribute to the city's growth and tax base", Darius says.
"Don't you want to have control over how your tax dollars are spent?" Congressman Guilford jumps in again, and Fitz looks at the overly excited man. The man's exuberance is making him uncomfortable.
"Marla is a liberal Democrat. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a dyed-in-the-wool conservative Republican."
"Your political affiliation won't be an issue since you're not a politician. In fact, that's a nice part of the package."
Fitz looks at Darius curiously.
"You have the kind of background we need in that position", the Congressman interjects, dabbing his forehead with the blue handkerchief. Unable to decipher the meaning behind the Congressman's comment, Fitz gives the man a strange look.
"Fitz, you're a Navy veteran. While in the Navy you had a reputation for helping the little guy. You have a successful business. Your wife is well respected by a large segment of this city. And …"
"And?" His eyebrows raise higher, giving the Congressman a questioning look.
"Well, you're married to Olivia Pope – I mean Grant. And the city's demographics are changing. A marriage like yours will play nicely with the voters."
"Are you kidding me?" Standing abruptly from his seat. "I won't use my marriage and family as political ploys. Have a good day gentlemen."
Darius and Congressman Guildford smile, knowing they have just found their candidate, a man of integrity.
"Sit down Fitz", Rev. Walker says, speaking for the first time. "Please."
Fitz looks over at the man for whom he has a great deal of respect. Rev. Walker has helped him and Olivia through some of the most difficult times in their marriage and he will be indebted to him forever. So he nods, lowers his body back onto the chair, and crosses his legs.
"Fitz, what the Congressman was trying to say is your wonderful family is a confluence of the kinds of values we would all like to see spread throughout our city. Love, honor, and commitment are the types of principles that need to be modeled for all our citizens."
Fitz nods, listening intently to the Reverend. He recognizes spin when he hears it.
"This city needs you, Fitz. With Marla being …. Well, we need someone who can help shape a better future for our citizens, especially those who are living under some of the most challenging of circumstances."
Fitz nods.
"As I said, this is all unexpected. I will need some time to think it over."
"We understand", Rev. Walker says.
"I would need to discuss it with Olivia, of course."
"Of course", the three men say in unison.
"But Fitz, you need to get back to us within the week", Darius says. "Someone from the other side has already thrown their hat into the ring."
Fitz nods.
"We need to get your campaign underway right away", Congressman Guildford says, grinning broadly as he dabs his chin with the handkerchief.
XXX
Now that Maura is clear on what her primary work responsibilities are, she has been laser focused developing the content for the training courses. Thanks to Fitzgerald she now has an impressive slate of speakers who will share their expertise with the organizers. For a while, she was afraid her son was going to be her only expert speaker. Wanting to finalize the first course and have it on Mona's desk for her to review first thing in the morning, Maura heads over to the Foundation after church. As she walks down the narrow hallway, toward the conference room-office, her black kitten heel pumps and nude panty hose are suddenly covered in water.
"What the?" Looking down at the floor.
She walks to Olivia's office and water is everywhere. Items that were once sitting on the desk are now floating in the water on the floor.
"Oh my god", her eyes dart around the room.
With water sloshing around her feet, Maura hurries into the tiny office in an attempt to save Olivia and Fitzgerald's wedding picture and the picture of them smiling happily with Cena. She grabs the two frames floating in the water and looks around the office again trying to figure out where all of the water is coming from. She wades through the water and down the hall toward Mona's office where the same devastation awaits her.
"Oh no."
Maura brings her hands to the sides of her face when she sees Mona's plastic Betty-Boop lunch bag floating atop the water. She runs into the office, snatches the lunch bag from floor, and sets it on top of the metal file cabinet. Kicking off her shoes, Maura splashes down the hall to her conference room-office where she is greeted by a steady stream of water flowing from under the door. She gasps and places one hand on her chest and slowly turns the doorknob with the other hand. The force from the water prevents the door from opening fully so she places both palms on the door and pushes it open, and the water rushes out of the office.
"Oh my god", she exclaims, now standing in six inches of water.
As she stands in the doorway, Maura looks around the room and sees the water is raining down from the overhead sprinkler situated in the middle of the ceiling. Everything has been soaked by the deluge. She looks over at the wooden table holding her assortment of teas and coffees and, unthinkingly, rushes into the room to retrieve them and is drenched immediately by the downpour.
"Oh no."
Maura stands frozen with her hands above her head trying in vain to shield herself from the water shooting out of the sprinkler head. Out of the corner of her eyes she sees her yellow legal notepads sitting on the desk and, wanting to save all of her hard work, she wades quickly over to her desk. But in her haste, she slips and falls onto the floor, and begins to cry as her Sunday dress billowed out around her.
XXX
Every Sunday after church it has become their routine for Fitz to prepare a light dinner for them to eat outside on the deck. And, after dinner they would all go for a swim, but only after Olivia deemed when it was safe to get into the water after eating. Today, however, with only a week to go in their pregnancy, Olivia has opted not to swim, although she feels like she could easily float across the pool. So she reclines on the lounge chair in her bathing suit and cover-up, drafting the plan for the Wraparound Program to support the children in Springfield Heights who have been affected by the lead-contaminated water. Cena is playing with the mountain of toys stacked in the corner of the deck, waiting for her father to finish cleaning the kitchen so she can go swimming. Olivia smiles when she sees Fitz walking onto the deck carrying a glass of his special tea. She taps her fingers on her knee thinking she has to figure out how to get that recipe from him.
"I met with Darius and Congressman Guildford in Rev. Walker's office today", setting the glass on the table next to Olivia, then sitting on the edge of her chair. Olivia shoots to an upright position and grabs her stomach, fearful that something has happened to Marla.
"Why? What happened? Is Marla?"
"Marla is fine", raking his fingers through his hair.
She looks askance at him, realizing something is making him uncomfortable.
"Then why did you meet with Darius and Congressman Guildford?"
"They want me to run for President – of City Council – in the upcoming election", he says quickly.
"What?"
Tears well up in her eyes because the Council looking for a new President eliminates the possibility of Marla ever resuming her position.
"Livvie", he says sympathetically, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
"This just makes it all so real Fitz", muttering through the tears as they fall onto his bare chest.
"I haven't agreed to anything – this is all a surprise to me."
"She's not going to get better is she?"
"She will – she will. She might not be the same as before, but she'll get better", trying to provide his wife some degree of solace.
She holds onto him for a few more minutes before pulling back and brushing away her tears.
"Why you? You don't know anything about city government – about the Council."
"That's what I said. But that's what they like. They like that I'm not a career politician – not beholding to anyone. They like that we have businesses in the city – that we have vested interests in the growth of the city."
"But we don't live in the city."
"Apparently Council members don't have to live in the city."
"Marla lives in the city."
And the tears begin to fall again as she wonders if she will be able to go to Marla's apartment next week to pick up her mail.
"I won't do this Liv if you don't want me to."
"Do you want to do it?" She asks tearfully.
"I don't know. Frankly, I haven't had a lot of time to think about it."
"What about your business? City Council President is a full-time job, and then some."
"I don't know. I haven't thought about anything yet. I wanted to discuss it with you first. So what do you think, is it something we should do?"
"I don't know", staring over his shoulder at the water in the pool. "You can do a lot of good for the city. Do they know you're a conservative Republican?"
"They do. Marla has been terrific, but apparently they want someone with a business background and – "
"And what?" Giving him a puzzled look.
"Well … " Running his fingers through his hair again.
"And what, Fitz?" Looking at him curiously.
"Well, Rev. Walker says –"
"Rev. Walker was at the meeting, too?"
"I told you we met in his office."
"But you didn't say he was at the meeting."
"Why would we meet in his office if he …" Fitz shakes his head in frustration. "Liv, we're getting off track."
And she frowns, trying to understand why Rev. Walker was part of a secret meeting.
"Rev. Walker thinks – well he thinks that we – our family - could be an example for the city. The demographics are changing", he says quickly.
She tilts her head and gives him a puzzled look because she has no idea what he is talking about. He is saying a lot of words but they do not mean anything to her.
"What do the changing demographics of the city have to do with our family?"
"The city is becoming more - diverse", staring at her intently to see if she gets his drift.
"I still don't …" Then the lightbulb finally goes off in her head.
"Are you kidding me? I won't let our family be an advertisement for the Colours of Benneton or anyone else's poster for diversity." She struggles, unsuccessfully, to get up from the lounge chair.
"Are they still around?" He asks, looking at her seriously. "I haven't heard anything about that company in years. They did make some pretty controversial advertisements."
"Fitz, this is not about Benneton."
"Calm down, Liv. I had the same reaction", placing his hand on her thigh to still her movements.
And she frowns, looking at him suspiciously.
"Well, the way Rev. Walker put it, it kind of makes sense."
"So you want to do this?"
"I don't know. We have a baby coming any day now. There's so much we need to consider."
She furrows her brow and looks at him for a long while.
"Do it", and he looks at her in surprise. "You can do so much for the city. If someone has to fill the position then Marla would want you to do it."
"No, Marla would want you to do it", he says with a smirk.
"I don't do politics."
"And neither do I."
"Well you do now. Do it, babe. Run for President."
"Are you sure, even with the baby coming?"
"I'm sure, now pucker", running her fingers through the hairs at the nape of his neck. Feeling somewhat better about the prospect of her husband replacing Marla, she inserts her tongue in his mouth and they kiss deeply until the baby gives her a swift kick, taking her breath away.
"Wow", pulling back and grabbing her side. "That was a big one. I guess he wants you to run for President, too." And he rubs her stomach as they both chuckle.
"Daddy, may I have ice cream, pleeeease?" Cena screams as she runs over from playing with her toys.
"Not today, Princess. It's getting late. The last time you ate ice cream this late we were up all night because you couldn't sleep."
Cena pokes out her bottom lip and sits on the other side of the lounge chair.
"I'm going to get in a few laps before we get ready for bed", standing from the lounge chair. "Are you ready to swim with me, Cee?"
"No", folding her arms across her chest and poking out her bottom lip. Fitz is shocked because Cena never rejects his invitation to swim or do anything else, and Olivia chuckles at the expression on his face.
"Okay. Let me know if you change your mind."
Fitz walks over to the edge of the pool and dives in, splattering water on Olivia and Cena.
"I'm going to get more tea, Cee. Do you want something?"
Olivia struggles to her feet and Cena follows her into the kitchen.
"Cee, I just love daddy's tea", opening the refrigerator and lifting the pitcher of raspberry iced tea from the shelf. "Would you like some juice?"
Still sulking, Cena shakes her head no.
"Would you like to have just a tiny bit of ice cream?" Olivia asks, resting a hand on her hip as she looks at her pouting daughter.
Cena's face brightens until she thinks about what her father said.
"But daddy said no."
"I'm the bossy lady", reaching into the freezer for the container of Cena's favorite ice cream.
"Sprinkles too, mommy", Cena says excitedly as Olivia sets the ice cream onto the island top
"Okay, sprinkles it is."
Olivia walks into the pantry and stands on her tippy toes, stretching her arm to reach the sprinkles that are on the top shelf. As her fingers wrap around the small plastic container, she and Cena gasp at the same time. They both watch, in shock, as the fluid gushes from between her legs and forms a puddle on the floor.
"Cena, go get daddy. Hurry."
With mouth and eyes wide open, Cena continues to stare as her mother wets the floor in the pantry.
"Cena! Get daddy. Now!" Shaking the little girl from her stupor.
Cena takes off running with her pool shoes flipping flopping across the tiled kitchen floor. She does not know why her mother is peeing on the floor but she knows it is important to get daddy. When she gets outside, she sees her father is still swimming laps in the deep end of the pool. She knows she cannot go into the deep end without an adult so she screams for her father, who continues to glide through the water.
"Daddy. Daddy", she yells, but he does not hear her as he swims toward the edge of the pool.
Cena starts running to the side of the pool where her father is approaching, but when she gets there he has already made his turn and is now swimming back across the water to the opposite side of the pool.
"Daddy. Daddy." Cena screams again, trying to catch up with her father as he glides through the water.
Shuh, shuh, shuhis the sound Fitz makes as he glides through the water, drowning out Cena's cries.
"Daddy. Daddy", running and screaming at the top of her lungs as her father finishes his final lap. As she makes her way to the other side of the pool where her father is now resting his arms on the pool's edge, Cena is breathing heavily and her chest is burning from running back and forth.
"Daddy. Daddy."
"What's the matter, Cee?" Looking curiously at his excited daughter. "Do you want to swim now?"
"Mommy's peeing", she says, bending over at the waist and gasping for breath.
"Mommy's always peeing", he says, shaking the water from his hair head as he climbs up the ladder.
"Mommy pee on the floor – in the kitchen", nodding her head up and down as she looks up at her father with wide eyes.
Fitz looks at his agitated daughter and finally realizes what is happening. He takes off running across the patio and through the French doors. Cena takes off running too, trying to catch up with her father. When Fitz reaches the kitchen, he stops in the doorway when he sees Olivia standing in the pantry, holding something in her hand, and staring down at the floor with a look of surprise spread across her face. Cena rushes to her father's side and looks across the kitchen at her mother who is still peeing.
"I told you mommy peed", she says huffing, once again out of breath.
"Are you all right?" Water dripping from his body and now standing in his own puddle.
"We have to get to the hospital, Fitz."
"Stand right here, Cena", walking over to his wife. "Are you all right?" Looking up and down at his wife's face and the fluid pooling around her feet.
"We're going to have another baby", she says in wonderment.
Cena looks at her mommy's stomach and wonders how the baby is going to get out of her tummy.
"We're having another baby", he says goofily, resting his left hand on her stomach and the other hand on her shoulder. "Have the contractions started?"
"Just beginning. We have to get dressed."
Olivia looks over and sees that Cena is frightened and close to tears.
"Babe, let's get upstairs so you can get Cee dressed."
"Are you sure?" He asks anxiously and she nods.
"The contractions are just beginning. Take care of Cee, then you get dressed. I'll take a quick shower and get dressed."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Call Dr. Perry and let him know we're on our way to the Birthing Center."
"Are you sure?"
He has a rich vocabulary and is known for using his oratory skills to win massive judgements for his clients, but in this moment it seems like he only knows three words.
"Babe, calm down and breathe. I'm fine. I just wasn't expecting my water to break today. Let's just follow the plan."
"The plan?" Looking at her dumbfounded.
He has a logical mind and should know what to do, but in this moment he cannot seem to remember anything. They've practiced for this moment several times and he has been through this before, but it all feels so new.
"The plan, Fitz. Get Cee."
And a huge contraction hits her.
"Are you okay?" He asks nervously.
"Contraction. Big one. We gotta go. Where's your mother?"
"Who?"
"Your mother, Fitz. Where is Maura?" She yells.
"I don't know", he yells, hardly recognizing his high-pitched voice.
"We have to get moving. Get Cee dressed."
He nods and swoops her up in his arms.
"I can walk Fitz", and another contraction hits her hard, causing her to double over in pain.
"No you can't", carrying her from the kitchen.
After watching her anxious father carry her mother from the kitchen, Cena looks over at the container of strawberry ice cream sitting on the island top.
"Come on Cena", Fitz yells, and Cena takes off running again.