Always in My Dreams

by dustypencils

AU. Olivia and Fitz have been married for 6 years and have a four-year-old daughter named Cena. Olivia runs a nonprofit she founded and Fitz is a retired Naval officer who negotiates business deals for high-profile clients. Olivia has left their home and Fitz does not know why or where she is. Find out how these two came together and why Olivia felt she needed to leave her family.

49. Chapter 49 Enemies of the Family

A/N: I own nothing related to the television show Scandal or the book Goodnight Moon. I was taken aback by the number of reviews for the last chapter, hence, so many responses. It was so unexpected. Sister1256, Marcella spilled the beans. Glad you enjoyed the chapter and house descriptions. Sweet160717, some reviewers don't think Fitz is so naive to Victoria's advances because he's so crazy about Olivia. Some think he's just an idiot. We'll see which is true, or maybe both. Charleighxo, I'll add you to the list of reviewers who thinks Fitz is Fitz is an idiot. Yes, not a good move to take Victoria house hunting, but think about if they really viewed the house together. When he was upstairs, she was downstairs. When he was in the backyard, she was in the house. So, while they went together, they were not together. Is Fitz hypocritical or protective? Hmm. CERESHELENA, can you scream any louder. I think almost everyone hates Victoria. She's not a nice person. Conwun, adding you to the list of reviewers who thinks Fitz is naïve to Victoria's actions because he loves Olivia deeply. Reader575, Vicky McCrazy, I love it. Don't worry too much about those documents. They're just standard documents for the weekly council meeting. Rheta won't tell Fitz what Victoria said because she does not want to risk losing the sales commission. Kandyse4olitz, I added you to the naïve and trusting column when it comes to Fitz. Symone0939, you have a good memory, Fitz has been warned. Monica, Fitz would rather live in Church Falls, but he is willing to do what is best for his family. He's a family man. Hint. Keep in mind, Liv wanted to remain in the city, but Fitz bought that big house in the suburbs when they got pregnant with Cena. She compromised - maybe it's his turn. What makes you think Liv is pregnant? Glad you liked the house. I want that house. Liv really needs to start treating Bowtie better. He's such a sweet and loving pooch. Guest Lyn, I don't see men as naive when it comes to a woman like Victoria, although this is how many reviewers are interpreting Fitz' behavior. Are you giving Victoria too much credit or Fitz not enough? Dennis is not naïve when it comes to a woman who wears a dress like that and walks like that. For the record, I know some young men who are as clueless as you believe Fitz is and in need of an ego boost. Hang in there, if you choose, to see how this unfolds. Appreciate the review. You're right, house buying is very personal, that's why they did not get the house Victoria toured. The big giveaway was Olivia's concern about the busy street, the girls' bedrooms on different floors, and the house not feeling like a family home. Victoria didn't care about any of that. Emma, glad you enjoyed the chapter. I'll add you to the list of reviewers who think Fitz is oblivious to what's going on because he is so in love with Liv. Guest 1, Marion has her own problems to deal with. She thinks she has handled Victoria. Is it a good idea to tell a friend you think some woman is after her husband? I don't know. Guest 2, I really am not trying to make Fitz look stupid. As you can see from the reviews, his behavior can be interpreted in a few ways. We'll soon find out what 's going on. Glad you enjoyed the chapter. Guest 3, keep in mind, intelligent people can do irrational things. Just saying. Let's see if you're right about pictures showing up. Guest 4, I'm adding you to list of reviewers who think Fitz is an idiot. You know Olivia doesn't have any authority to fire Victoria. Guest 5, I had to create another column for you since you think Fitz is a loveable, clueless and dense and not suspicious idiot, not like us chicas. And yes, he is masterful. Guest 6, there are two or three black Mormons. Guest 7, Victoria is a little delusional about whether her opinion matters about the house. "Respect yourself and STAY in your lane TRIFLING HEIFER'" LOL Guest 8, Victoria won't be around any longer than needed. BTW, Liv wants to move to the city because she wants her daughters to live in a more diverse environment. Liv is a modern day working woman. Remember the pre-marital counseling sessions long ago with Rev. Walker? Fitz has to save himself. You can't be falling off the couch dozing because of the political mumbo jumbo. Do you know how long it takes to write that mumbo jumbo? Too funny – I'm falling off the couch laughing. Bennie will be making an appearance soon. And, there is definitely a fox in Liv's hen house. Happy New Year to you! Guest 9, Hoetoria? You're killing me. Guest 10, I'm not dragging out the story, you know I don't get paid by the chapter. There is a timeline, which has been defined throughout. Guest 11, I want the readers to experience a range of emotions (positive and negative) when reading this story, that has been the case from the beginning. You know your tolerance for negative emotions and I understand this story no longer meets your needs. Thanks for reading. Olitzalltheway, glad you're enjoying the story haven't gotten bored. Can't believe you read 48 chapters in a few days.

Thanks again for continuing to support this story. I love all the reviews. A lot is happening in this chapter, so don't blink. Here we go!

Chapter 49. Enemies of the Family

Olivia Grant loves her children more than anything in the world, she really does. She loves spending as much time with them as possible, but right now, as she leans back in the chair watching her two girls play on the floor of their home office, she wishes the Church Falls School District had consulted her calendar before scheduling three consecutive teachers' in-service days. The truth is, she should have consulted the school's calendar, which is posted online and mailed to families at the start of the school year. In either case, having two young children home all day while trying to finalize the recommendation for Bryson is proving to be challenging to say the least. And, this is only day one.

Olivia shakes her head, smiling as she watches Cena trying to teach Jolie how to talk and walk. Each time Cena stands Jolie to her feet, the little girl claps her hands then plops back down to the floor, and laughs hysterically. Cena is a patient soul, so she starts the process all over again. It warms her heart to see Cena is finally getting over the loss of her friendship with Asha. Leaning back in the comfortable chair, Olivia thinks how resilient children are as she runs her fingers through her long locks; she needs another trim. She missed her last appointment with her stylist because the meeting with Donald at the Satell Institute ran overtime, again.

When Cena yells for Jolie to say ball, Olivia concludes she is not going to accomplish any work this morning. So, she claps her hands two times and Cena, Jolie, and Bowtie all look in her direction.

"Cee, how would you and Jo like to go see daddy - have lunch with daddy?" Cena's eyes brighten and she jumps up and down with excitement. She likes going to her father's office because he pushes her around in his big chair.

"Jo, we're going to have lunch with daddy and he's going to push me in his chair", Cena informs her sister. Jolie smiles and claps her hands because her big sister is smiling.

"I'll have Hildie pack a lunch while we get dressed", Olivia says.

"Can Bowtie go too, mommy?"

"No."

"Can I wear my hat? Please – please?" Wrapping her arms around her mother's legs.

"Of course you can. Daddy will like that."

Happy she is going to wear her favorite outfit, Cena scrambles to her feet and runs toward the stairs with Bowtie hot on her heels.

XXX

Cena smiles as she stands in front of the floor-length mirror in her bedroom. She looks like a little sailor: dressed in a warm red and white striped crew neck sweater; dark denim skirt with double polished brass buttons down the front, red leotards, and brown calf-length boots. Olivia tops the outfit with the navy-blue jacket designed with shiny brass anchor buttons and captain's stripes on the sleeves. She nods as she assesses her daughter's appearance.

"We better get going, Cee."

"My hat, mommy", pointing to the box on the top shelf in the closet.

"Can't forget that", standing on her tip-toes and sliding the box containing the sailor's cap from the shelf. "Here you go, baby", placing the cap on top of her daughter's two long braids. She smiles, thinking about when Fitz bought her the same cap while they were in Monterey many years ago.

"Let's get Jo so we can leave. I'm sure daddy is going to be hungry."

"Daddy's stomach always makes that noise when he's hungry", Cena informs her mother as they walk down the hall toward the nursery.

"It's call growling, baby. Daddy's stomach growls when he's really hungry."

"Like the tiger at the zoo?"

"Kind of like the tiger at the zoo", Olivia chuckles as they walk into the nursery. She slides on Jolie's red sweater with the nautical crystal buttons, then they all head downstairs.

XXX

"Thank you, Hildie — everything looks just wonderful", sweeping her eyes over the picnic basket. Olivia hopes Hildie is feeling better since she insisted on returning to work early.

"I even packed some of those rolls Mr. Grant loves, ma'am. I wrapped them in special paper so they can stay warm until you get to the city."

"Thank you, Hildie. Mr. Grant is really going to enjoy them."

"Have a good lunch, ma'am. I'm going upstairs to change the linens."

"We'll see you in a few hours, Hildie", lifting the picnic basket from the island top. "Come on Cee - let's go surprise daddy."

As Olivia looks into the mirror hanging above the foyer table, she pulls on her navy-blue coat with military detailing. She wonders if she has gone overboard with their nautical-themed outfits. She shrugs off the thought, knowing Fitz will get a kick out of it.

"Cee, have you seen mommy's car keys?" Looking around the foyer because she usually sets her keys on the foyer table.

"They're in the kitchen, mommy", pointing in the direction of the kitchen.

"Thank you, baby", stroking her daughter's cheek. "You are such a big help to mommy."

Carrying Jolie in her arms, Olivia rushes down the hall, through the family room, and into the kitchen where she spots her keyring on the island. She snatches the keys and rushes back to the foyer where Cena is waiting patiently.

"Come on baby, let's go see daddy", grabbing the picnic basket from the foyer table.

"JoJo's the baby, mommy. I'm a big girl", Cena says with all seriousness.

"Yes — you are", stroking her daughter's face. "Well let's get going big girl."

XXX

As she pulls into the parking lot, Olivia wonders if it was a good idea to rush into the city to surprise her husband with lunch without calling first. She does not know if he already has lunch plans or if he will have time to eat with her and the girls. She thinks about calling him, but that will ruin the surprise.

XXX

When Fitzgerald Grant strolled into the council president's office after being sworn in, Victoria Sanchez decided immediately he was her ticket out of the secretarial pool and into respectable society. She was unaffected by his wife standing next to him and holding his hand. Olivia Grant was nothing more than a minor and surmountable detail. The seduction is subtle, stealth-like, undetectable to the unsuspecting or the indifferent. First, she gains his confidence, demonstrating her ability to effectively manage the office and meet his administrative needs. He values professional competence. Next, she becomes his friend, hanging on his every word as he drones on and on about his family and hobbies. Then, she lets nature take its course.

With a smile on her face, Victoria stares into space, thinking it is time to reel him in. To help him along, she went down to Ranstead Street and spent a large portion of her last paycheck to buy a small bottle of perfume in the same line of the expensive toiletries he bought for Olivia. This morning, before squeezing into her dress, she dabbed a little on each wrist, in the bend of her elbows, behind her knees, and inside her ankles. Maybe today will be their first kiss.

As Mark pushes the food cart toward the reception area, he watches Victoria's red lips stretch into a smile, and he licks his lips. He would do anything, and he means anything, to have those lips on him.

"Good morning, Victoria", Mark says, adoringly.

"Hello, Mark. And how are you doing today? She asks in her most cheerful voice.

"I'm fine - thank you for asking."

"You can go right in - the council president is working so be super quiet", she cautions the young man.

XXX

Shifting a sleeping Jolie in her arms, Olivia frowns when she enters the empty reception area. Jolie feels like a ton of bricks so she sets the picnic basket onto Victoria's desk and readjusts Jolie in her arms. She glances around the area wondering if Fitz is in a meeting.

"Where's daddy?" Cena asks, looking up at her mother with wide eyes. Olivia looks around the reception area again and decides to wait in Fitz' office.

"Come on Cee - let's wait in daddy's office", grabbing the picnic basket from the desk.

As she walks toward the office, she realizes he is in because she hears him telling that old joke she has long tired of hearing. She knows from the deep-throated laugh, his head is thrown back and he is showing a mouthful of teeth. She wonders how many times Darius has had to listen to that joke. Holding Jolie close to her chest, she balances the picnic basket in her right hand and pushes the door open with her foot, Cena takes off running into the office.

The smile on Olivia's face quickly fades when she sees him sitting shoulder to shoulder at the small conference table with Victoria, who is laughing a little too loudly. Smirking triumphantly, Victoria leans slightly closer to Fitz and runs her fingers through her tresses. Eyes resembling those of a deer caught in a car's headlights, Fitz springs to his feet, banging his knee hard on the edge of the table, and toppling over his chair. Olivia's chest rises and falls as she glares at her husband from across the room. He has seen that look more than once and knows she is beyond angry.

"Daddy, daddy", Cena yells, as she runs over to her father.

"Liv – sweetheart - I didn't know you were coming to the city today", he stutters as he picks up Cena without taking his eyes off his wife.

"Daddy — mommy said we surprise you for lunch."

"Liv -"

"Hello, Olivia - join us - please", Victoria says, waving a hand over the mass of uneaten food.

"It's Mrs. Grant and I need to speak with my husband—alone", her eyes never leaving his panic-stricken face.

"Of course," slowly uncrossing her long legs and sliding from the chair. Victoria takes a moment to straighten her dress then looks over at Fitz. "Fitz, would you like me to save your lunch for later?"

"I want your sandwich, daddy."

"Leave it, Victoria", still looking at his wife.

"Of course. Hello, Cena. Don't you look pretty today", smiling at the little girl who has her father's eyes.

"Hi", Cena says softly.

"Get out! Now!" Olivia screams at the obnoxious woman.

Cena eyes pop wide and she tightens her arm around her father's neck. She has never heard her mommy yell. Jolie squirms in her mother's arms and starts to whine, and Olivia rocks her back to sleep.

"Such an adorable baby", Victoria says on her way out the door.

Tears of anger sting the back of Olivia's eyes and she feels like she is going to be sick. She feels like she might faint. Fitz knows to keep his distance from his wife when she is this angry, so he remains silent as she walks over to the chairs in front desk. She sets her purse and the picnic basket onto the desk, then sits in one of the chairs. Needing to do something with her shaking hands, she twirls the crystal buttons on Jolie's sweater, then removes the sweater and hat. Fitz slowly sets Cena onto his chair and she immediately begins to devour her father's sandwich.

"Liv— "

"Are you unhappy in our marriage?" She asks as she stares out the window. The sun is high in the sky.

"What? Of course, not", looking down at Cena then back at his wife.

"Then what's going on here, Fitzgerald?"

"Nothing — it's just lunch", he says, still standing next to his daughter's chair.

"May I have something to drink, daddy?"

Keeping his eyes on his agitated wife, Fitz reaches for his Styrofoam cup half-filled with diet cola and hands it to his daughter.

"Thank you, daddy."

"Liv – "

"I won't pretend I didn't see what is going on here."

"This tastes nasty, daddy", Cena scrunches her face when the diet cola hits her tongue.

"It's just lunch, Liv", he says solemnly.

"It's more than lunch - don't you try telling me otherwise", struggling to control her anger so she does frighten the children.

"Let's not do this now, Liv", he says, looking down at Cena, who is enjoying his sandwich. "Can we talk about this tonight - at home?"

"Maybe you shouldn't come home tonight", she snarls, as she puts on Jolie's hat and sweater. She wipes the tear from the corner of her eye and stands to leave.

"Liv …"

"Come, Cee. It's time to go", refusing to look at him.

"I'm not finished eating, mommy", looking up with mustard on her face.

"You can eat at home."

"But – "

"I said let's go, Cena", Olivia says tersely.

"Go with mommy, Princess. You can finish eating at home." He glances at Olivia as he wraps his unfinished sandwich and places it into the white paper bag.

"Let's go, Cena", grabbing her purse from the desk and walking toward the door. Fitz rushes across the room and places his body between his wife and the door.

"Liv, it's not what you think", his eyes filled with panic.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Way", she snarls through clenched teeth, shifting Jolie in her arms. Seeing the anger and hurt in her eyes, he nods and steps away from the door.

"Can we play a game when you get home, daddy?"

"We'll see later, Princess", still looking at his wife.

"Pucker, daddy." He bends and pecks his daughter on the lips as his wife storms from the office. "Bye, daddy", Cena says merrily, swinging her sandwich bag as she skips from the office trying to catch up with her mother.

"Bye, Princess", he says, gripping the doorknob tightly. "Dammit", he growls, as he watches his family walk away.

"Have a good day, Olivia. Bye-bye, Cena." Victoria smiles, as she pretends to type.

"Bye", Cena says, looking over her shoulder at the smiling woman as her mother pulls her by the hand down the hall.

You'll be divorced in two years if you walk out of that door. Is that what you want for your children?

Olivia remembers Avril's words but she continues walking down the hall toward the elevator.

XXX

Victoria glances at the clock in the bottom-right corner of the monitor and smiles. The day is going much better than she planned. Olivia Grant showing up unannounced with the children, then storming out as quickly as she arrived is nothing short of a gift. Maybe she will write the woman a thank-you note on her personal stationary for delivering Fitz to her on a silver platter. That is what that bitch gets, showing up here without an appointment.

Victoria checks her appearance in the mirror, running her tongue over her lips to make them appear more inviting. She swipes her hands down the front of her dress and grabs a yellow No. 2 pencil from the pencil holder on the desk before walking into the office. It is time to do what she does best, console another beleaguered husband after having an argument with the wife. If he is ready, she will close the door, crawl on her knees under the desk, and suck him dry. Of course, she will swallow, they all like it when she swallows.

"Fitz, is everything okay? Olivia seemed upset when she left." He turns from the window, looking the worse for wear.

"I'm fine – thank you, Victoria." She walks closer to the desk, slowly stroking the yellow No. 2 pencil and he frowns.

"I'm here for you - whenever you want me", gliding her tongue over her red lips.

His face hardens at the subtle, yet unmistakable invitation, and she is no longer confident of her decision. Shuddering under the glare of his ice-cold blue eyes, she nervously plays with the pencil in her hand.

"You should leave, Miss Sanchez."

His words are a punch to the gut, knocking the wind out of her, and she is finding it difficult to breathe. She was not expecting the rejection and the abrupt dismissal. She knows she should be moving, exiting the office, but her feet will not cooperate. Her mind is racing, trying to think of a clever response that will unring the bell, rewind the clock, make him think he did not hear what he heard, did not see what he saw. But she has been struck speechless and is unable to organize her thoughts.

"Fitz -" Looking at him glassy-eyed.

"Leave. Now", he says with a level of harshness she has never heard from him.

"I'll just clear away the rest of our lunch", she says nervously, and his body stiffens at the reference to the events earlier.

He turns toward the window again as she teeters precariously on the five-inch stilettos toward the conference table. Her hands shake uncontrollably as she fumbles with the Styrofoam cups and half-eaten food. She balls the paper napkin stained with red lipstick and tosses it into the waste bin with the rest of the trash.

"I see Oliv - Mrs. Grant has left her picnic basket. Shall I -?" Her voice small and defeated.

"Leave it. Close the door on your way out."

When the door closes shut, he exhales, shaking his head in disbelief. He cannot believe what just happened. Maybe he has been married too long. Maybe he should have paid more attention to the gossip. Maybe he should have listened to his wife's cautionary words. The whole feels surreal. He slides the phone from his pants pocket and calls Olivia, but the call goes directly to voice mail again. With face set hard, he buttons his shirt sleeves, slides on the suit jacket and walks briskly past her workstation. His tie is crooked, but she thinks better of straightening it.

Victoria is terrified and does not know what to do or where he is going. Her well-tested plan for seducing men, married or not, has failed. She underestimated Fitzgerald Grant. She thought he was like all the others. She never considered he would not want her. They all want her.

XXX

Janice Roberson loves fresh flowers, and each week she has a fresh bouquet delivered to her office. As she admires her favorite tulips, she waits patiently for the council president to arrive. He called 30 minutes ago wanting to meet with her as soon as possible. He sounded somewhat anxious and she was more than willing to shift a few appointments on her schedule to accommodate his request. The word has already begun to spread throughout City Hall that Mrs. Grant made a surprise visit to her husband's office, but stormed out immediately after catching the council president in a compromising position with his attractive assistant.

Mr. Mayor is going to love hearing this bit of news.

Janice smiles when she hears the knock on the door. She picks up one of the documents on her desk and pretends to read.

This should be good.

"Come in", Janice calls out, holding the document loosely in her hand.

"Mrs. Roberson, Council President Grant is here to see you, ma'am."

"Send him in Poppi."

For all his faults, Janice does appreciate the new council president bringing a certain style to City Hall not typically associated with politicians. He wears perfectly tailored designer suits; stylish, but conservative shoes that are always highly polished; and he obviously has a wide array of ties and pocket squares. His dress code is definitely a carryover from the business world.

When Fitzgerald Grant enters her office, Janice sees immediately the man's usually polished appearance is somewhat off today, and with good reason she thinks.

"Council President Grant -it is so good to see you", Janice says, as she stands and extends a handshake.

"Mrs. Roberson, thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice", trying to maintain an even tone as he accepts the handshake.

"Not at all. I always have time for our new council president. May I offer you something to drink, sir?" Sweeping her hand toward the table across the room holding a fresh pot of coffee and other beverages and snacks.

"No -no, thank you', he says quickly.

"Have a seat, council president." Fitz remains standing until Janice takes her seat.

Always the gentleman.

"So - Council President Grant - what brings you down to the second floor today?" Janice asks as she adjusts herself in the chair.

"I need to make a staff change", he says without equivocation.

"Oh? Is someone on your team not working out?" Feigning ignorance.

"I will need a new assistant."

"Really? Is Victoria not working out - not performing her duties to your standards?"

"Miss Sanchez is a competent assistant —however — I will need someone who is a bit more mature."

"More mature - I see. So - do you want to terminate Victoria?"

"No - not at all. Perhaps you can find Miss Sanchez another position elsewhere in the Hall."

"I can do that. When would you like this change to occur, sir?" Eyeing the man closely.

"Immediately", he says without hesitation. Janice slowly nods her head up and down thinking Mrs. Grant must have put the fear of God in the man.

"I'll take care of it right away. Your new assistant will be in place first thing in the morning."

"I appreciate your prompt assistance, Mrs. Roberson."

"Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?"

"That will be all - thank you", Fitz says, standing and walking from the office.

"Have a good day, Council President Grant", Janice says as she picks up the phone and presses the phone number on speed dial.

XXX

"It seems like our girl has overplayed her hand", Janice says, leaning back in her chair and fingering her pearls.

"What do you mean? What has happened?" The anxious voice on the other end demands.

"Your nemesis just left here - and he was none too happy – shaken really. As white as the proverbial sheet."

"Get to it Janice - I'm in no mood for word games today."

Janice smiles because she knows the mayor is becoming more desperate with each passing day. The media is unrelenting, attacking him daily and demanding he step down until the charges of corruption are adjudicated.

"Council President Grant has requested a new assistant – requested that Victoria be transferred - effective immediately."

"Real-ly?" Wilson's interest is now piqued and he leans back in the chair with a devious smile on his face.

"He says he wants someone who is, and I quote, a bit more mature", Janice chuckles.

"Well – well — well."

"My sources upstairs report that Mrs. Grant surprised her husband earlier with lunch - picnic basket and children. Apparently – she's the one who got the surprise. The word is she stormed from his office with the children in tow."

"This is good, Janice – really good. That self-righteous bastard struts around my house like he owns the place – like he's some goddamn choirboy. It's time to tighten the screws on Grant."

"I'll leave the tightening of screws to you, sir. I have to find our council president a more mature assistant by tomorrow morning. I'm sure Mrs. Grant won't tolerate another young, pretty helper. Have a good day, Mr. Mayor", hanging up the phone and smiling at the bouquet of flowers when she sees another tulip is blooming.

XXX

Victoria has been jittery since he left, and that was almost 45 minutes ago. Her head snaps up when she hears his heavy footsteps walking toward the reception area. She relaxes somewhat when she sees he is alone. For some reason, she half expected him to return with security to escort her from the property. Ashen-faced, Fitz stops at her workstation and runs his long fingers through his hair. She knows he is still upset.

"Is everything all right, Fitz?"

"I have asked Mrs. Roberson to find you another position – in a different department", he says coldly.

"What?"

"Mrs. Grant is upset and I don't ever want to give my wife any reason to doubt my fidelity."

"Fitz – I'm so sorry. It was a misunderstanding - I misunderstood. I can call Mrs. Grant - explain the lunch was innocent." Fitz shakes his head slowly, half listening to her protests.

"It's done, Miss Sanchez. I'm sorry if I have given you reason to think otherwise. My wife – my family – are everything to me. No one will ever interfere with that. You should gather your things and go see Mrs. Roberson for your new assignment. There will not be a decrease in your salary or pay grade. Everything remains the same", he says before walking into his office and closing the door.

Everything remains the same. Everything remains the same.

She does not want everything to remain the same. She wants a different life. She wants out of this hell hole. She looks over at the closed door thinking she should try to speak with him – try to get him to change his mind. But she thinks otherwise. She will give him a day or so to calm down, give him time to realize he made a mistake.

Victoria slides open the bottom desk drawer, removes the designer purse, then glances around the reception area. This has been her domain for the past five months. Nobody got to see him without her permission. She was his gatekeeper. She quietly walks down the white marble hall toward the elevator, brushing the back of her hand across her cheek. She presses the elevator button and wonders what Olivia has that she does not have. She is so tired of having to start over.

XXX

With raised brow, Calvin peers over his reading glasses at his precocious granddaughter who is checking her watch again. This is the third time this evening the little girl has glanced at her watch.

"Cena, why are you so interested in the time this evening?"

"My daddy said we could play a game later. What time is later, GranPop?" Looking innocently at her grandfather.

"Later is whenever your father arrives. You won't be playing a game tonight, Miss Timekeeper. It's time for bed", glancing at his wife with concern as she rocks a sleeping Jolie. Olivia has been in her bedroom all evening and Fitzgerald is long overdue home from work.

"Aww, GranPop."

XXX

The house is still, except for the usual sounds he hears every night when the family is sleeping. Floor boards creaking, the ice maker in the refrigerator churning out ice, and plumbing vibrating from air trapped in the pipes. Stirred from his slumber by an unfamiliar sound, the hackles on his back rise and his ears perk up. Bowtie sits up in the doggie bed and looks down the hall in the direction of the muffled sounds. They are not the usual sounds he often hears coming from the bedroom. He listens a while longer, then trots down the long hall. The sounds become more prominent the closer he gets to the room. He nudges the door open with his nose and peeks into the bedroom. He is not allowed in this room. But, he cautiously walks across the large room toward the sounds and pushes open the partially closed door, cocking his head to the side as he watches her hug the toilet bowl. When her body lurches forward again, he lay his head on her leg and Olivia lifts her tear-stained face from the bowl and looks down at the dog, and she begins to cry again. Bowtie looks up at her with his big brown as if to say everything is going to be all right. Olivia leans against the cool wall, stroking the family pet's head as the tears stream down her face.

XXX

Fitz has been calling Olivia for hours, and when the calls goes to voicemail again, he throws the phone against the wall and plops down into the chair. He looks around the Second Empire -style office wondering how the hell he got here. He walked away from a successful business to help resuscitate a dying city where everyone has an agenda, even his former assistant. He leans back against the chair and stares at the photographs of his family's smiling faces on the credenza. He closes his eyes, thinking this job is not worth losing his family.

Dream

"It's one of the most prestigious universities on the West Coast", smiling proudly as he stops the car in front of the guard shack.

"You must be really smart", she teases as the young man walks over to the driver's side of the door to greet the visitors.

"Good morning, sir – ma'am. How may I help you today?"

"Captain Fitzgerald Grant – I scheduled a visit – a tour for today."

"Yes, sir", the cadet snaps to attention and salutes. Fitz smiles, thinking about the many times he manned the guard shack at The Naval Academy. The cadet looks down at the clipboard and puts a check mark next to the captain's name.

"Sign here please, sir", handing Fitz the clipboard with an ink pen attached. Fitz smiles as he scrawls his name onto the sheet of paper, thinking the clipboard looks like the same one he used to hand to visitors at the Academy.

"Have a good day, sir – ma'am. You can park over to the right in the visitors' lot", motioning his head in the direction of the parking lot.

"Thank you, ensign."

"Thank you", Olivia calls out from the passenger seat, waving at the young man.

"As a matter-of-fact I am – smart that is", cocking his head to the side and giving her that goofy smirk that is beginning to grow on her. "I spent a lot of time in that building over there", pointing to Hamman Hall. "I loved it here", he says in a wistful tone. She stares at his profile, beginning to see another side of him.

"Why did you move back home – to Church Falls?"

"It was time. I spent 12 years in the Navy and there wasn't anything holding me here - not any longer. Besides - I was ready to start my business."

"No girlfriend?"

"No girlfriend. I had just ended things with Mellie."

"Why?"

"It was time. After three years of dating I honestly couldn't see myself spending the rest of my life with her."

"And it took you three years to figure that out?" She wonders if this is a pattern with him. She wonders if he gets bored after being in a long relationship.

"I knew we weren't right for each other for a while – but she wanted to make it work. She thought if we got married things would change - I knew otherwise. I knew a marriage wouldn't last. When I get married - it's forever—no divorce. Grant men don't get divorced, Miss Pope."

"Wow - you sound like you take those vows seriously", she says playfully.

"Don't you?" Staring into her eyes with a level of intensity that makes her feel uneasy.

"Yes – of course I do", she stutters, taken aback by the seriousness of his tone.

"Good — now let's go to the gymnasium — I want to show you where I practiced fencing", pulling her along.

"I didn't know you were a fencer", trying to keep pace with his long strides.

"Master of the Sword."

"Should I be impressed?"

"Yes."

"I want a tee shirt, Fitz."

"We can go to the commissary after we leave the gymnasium."

"Fitz - you have to slow down", trying keep pace with him as he pulls her toward the building located on the other side of the campus. "Wow, this building is huge. Is there a pool inside?"

"Of course – Olympic size."

After touring the gymnasium, they stroll over to the commissary to get Olivia a tee shirt. He learned something new about her today. She likes to collect tee shirts.

"I think I'll get this one", she says, holding up the oversized gray shirt with blue letters that spell NAVY.

"You can wear it tomorrow when we go to the farmer's market."

"I told you Fitz — I collect tee shirts. I don't wear them."

"Put this on", smiling as he places the traditional sailor's cap onto her head. He brushes her bang to the side, pulls the brim down a bit over her forehead, then steps back to admire her. "Perfect", delighting in her simple beauty. He likes that she does not wear a lot of makeup, a little nude lipstick, eyeliner, and mascara.

"Let me see", stepping in front of him to look into the mirror. She adjusts the cap a bit more, smiling as she turns her head from side to side. "I like it", says as she straightens her ponytail.

"Keep it on. I like the way it looks on you."

"Aye – aye, captain", saluting as she bursts into laughter.

XXX

They got up early the next morning because Olivia wanted to go to the farmer's market and check out the locally grown produce and he concealed his disinterest. After a leisurely breakfast of waffles topped with lots of syrup, whipped cream, and berries, they take off for the 40-minute drive to the market. He is dressed in khaki cargo shorts, a white linen, short-sleeved shirt, and white tennis shoes. She is wearing white shorts, the gray Navy tee shirt he convinced her to wear, and the sailor's cap that she likes a lot. With the convertible car top down, they sing at the top of their lungs as he drives over the highway. Today he learned Prince is her favorite artist, and she learned he does not have one. He likes all kinds of music.

"I hear they have really good weed in California", she says while bouncing in the seat to the music. He slams on the brakes, stopping the car in the middle of the highway.

"What did you say?" Looking at her somewhat in shock.

"What the heck is wrong with you?" Looking over her shoulder to see if a car or truck is going to rear-end them.

"You get high?"

"No — not anymore. I tried a little Mary Jane while in college. Who hasn't?"

"I haven't. Do you use other drugs?"

"What? No — of course not. You need to get this car out the middle of the highway", her voice rising a few octaves.

"Drugs are bad, Olivia. They will ruin your life."

"Drive, please." She is not in the mood for a lecture from a goody-two-shoes.

He removes his foot from the brake and continues the drive to the farmer's market. He has also learned today she gets high, or used to get high, and that disturbs him. He will have to find out more from Bennie. She glances at his profile, thinking he sounds like one of those public service commercials that tell people to say no to drugs. Such a prude.

XXX

They have been at the market all day, walking over the gravel-covered ground going from stand to stand sampling the various foods and drinks all made with ingredients indigenous to the area. They ate so much free food they did not need to buy lunch. She fell in love with abalone and wants to take some back to Washington. She can spend more hours here talking to the vendors about their unique products, but again, she catches him glancing at his watch and it is starting to annoy her.

"I wish I could take some of this abalone back home", she says, eyeing the molluscs at the seafood counter.

"And do what with it?" Looking at her as if she has lost her mind.

"Cook it, silly", playfully slapping him on the arm.

"I told you I don't cook – have no interest in cooking. Besides - you saw how long it took that guy to pound that stuff." Olivia rolls her eyes and continues to examine the abalone.

"My mother doesn't cook either – well she does - but she's not a very good at it", she says as they stroll through the produce section. "Do you think we can take these back on the plane?" Holding up an artichoke.

"Why would you want to? You can get Brussel sprouts back home."

"Fitz, these are artichokes. Monterey is the artichoke capital of the world. You lived here all those years and you don't know that?"

"I told you - I don't cook."

"Well you eat — don't you? Sheesh."

"How about these?" Holding up a container of blackberries.

"You can get blueberries in Church Falls, Olivia. I'm sure Bryson's sells blueberries."

She rolls her eyes again, thinking this man is not as smart as he claims and he is beginning to get on her nerves. He sneaks another peek at his watch.

"Everybody knows some of the sweetest blackberries grow here", she says in a snarky tone as she sets two containers into the hand basket he is carrying.

"What about – "

"Olivia, we gotta get going. You can get any of this stuff back home."

"Fine", she says grumpily, tossing the peaches back into the bin.

"I'll get in line and pay for this", he says, walking quickly toward the cashier.

Olivia folds her arms across her chest and drags behind him, thinking there is no point in coming to a farmer's market if you're not going to buy the locally grown foods. She doubts they are suited for each other. He is too anxious, always checking his watch and walking too fast. Waiting in the check-out line to pay for her produce, Fitz glances around the space looking for Olivia. He thought she was behind him.

"Olivia", he calls out, beckoning her with a hand while stuffing the wallet into his back pocket. She purposely walks slower, thinking just because he was a captain in the Navy, he better not think he is going to boss her.

He wonders what is wrong when he sees the sour expression on her face as she walks slowly toward him with arms folded across her chest.

"Let's go", grabbing her hand and pulling her through the market toward the parking lot.

"Will you give me a minute and just slow down", pulling her hand from his. "You should have told meyou didn't want to come to the market. I could have taken a taxi."

Ignoring her outburst, he tosses the bag of blackberries in the trunk and jumps behind the steering wheel as she opens the passenger door. Before she could fasten her seatbelt, he is speeding from the parking lot.

This is not going towork. This is not going to work. She repeats to herself as he drives like a madman down the highway.

"Please slow down – you're driving too fast", she says holding tightly onto the door handle.

"I'm barely going the speed limit", he says, focused on getting to their destination.

Olivia now realizes agreeing to join him on this trip was a mistake. She thought it would be a good way to learn more about him since he lived in Monterey for so many years. She has learned all she needs to know about him. The man is obviously unhinged, unbalanced, or something. Maybe he needs to smoke a little weed to chill out. When she gets back to her hotel room she is going to book the first flight back to Washington in the morning. She cannot bear spending another day the man.

She glances up at the green and white highway sign that indicates they are heading toward Carmel Beach. She wonders if he knows where he is going because she is pretty sure their hotel is in the opposite direction.

"We're here", he announces proudly as he runs around the car and opens her door. He reaches for her hand, which she promptly ignores.

"Mr. Grant – Mr. Grant", a sweaty man who appears as anxious as Fitz, calls out as rushes toward the car. "We must hurry, sir."

"Come on, Olivia", Fitz says anxiously, pulling her by the hand as he follows the man. She frowns, trying to snatch her hand from his.

"Fitz, please.Do you have to …. Oh my god", eyes wide with surprise when she sees the table on the beach set for two. It's looks absolutely magnificent: white linen table cloth, real china, silverware, and crystal flutes. She looks at him with mouth wide open and he grins stupidly.

"Have a seat Miss Pope", pulling out her chair as the waiter stands off to the side with a white linen napkin draped over his left arm. The waiter fills their glasses with champagne then discreetly disappears to start the soft music.

"Fitz - when did you do all of this? Everything looks so beautiful."

"I have skills you know nothing of, Miss Pope", enjoying how the flickering candles cast a warm glow over her face.

Forty-five minutes later, the anxious man returns to the table and whispers into Fitz' ear again. Fitz nods and extends his hand, and she happily slides her hand into his. They follow the man to the edge of the ocean where a blanket is spread on the beach. She sits between his bent legs and leans back against his chest. The waiter brings over desserts of blackberry pie topped with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. He sets another bottle of champagne and flutes on the ground next to the couple and disappears again.

"Open", he says, sliding a spoonful of blackberry pie and ice cream into her mouth.

"Mmm", she moans, enjoying the intermix of pie and ice cream.

"The sweetest blackberries in the state", he says, pecking her on the cheek.

"You mean you know the difference between blackberries and blueberries?"

"Yup. I told you — I'm smart." She brushes her lips over his and the brim of the cap pokes him on the forehead, and they both laugh. He turns the cap around so she can kiss him properly.

"Now kiss me", moaning when he tastes the blackberry pie on her lips.

The nervous man hurries over to the smooching couple and clears his throat a few times, and look at him and laugh. They have been laughing a lot since they got to the beach. The nervous man points anxiously to the sky, where Mother Nature is putting on another spectacular show.

"It's the most beautiful sunset ever, Fitz."

"It is", he says, not taking his eyes off her face.

In this moment, he knows he never wants to have dinner on a beach with anyone else. He knows he never wants to share blackberry pie and vanilla ice cream with anyone else. He knows he never wants to share a sunset with anyone else. He knows he never wants to be with anyone else and he certainly does not want her to be with anyone one else. He knows he has to figure out how to make this incredible woman his wife.

After the sun has dipped behind the horizon, they sit with the blanket wrapped around their shoulders, staring out at the ocean.

"Did you bring all of your girlfriends here while in the Navy – Captain Grant? You said you and Ty were popular with the ladies"

"Nope."

"Not even Mellie?" She probes.

"Not even Mellie." Olivia smiles, thinking he is someone she can definitely work with.

End Dream

Fitz always kisses his girls goodnight, no matter what time he arrives home, and tonight is no different. He sits on Cena's bed and kisses the top of her head, thinking he has not combed her hair in ages. Hair time used to be their special time together.

"Daddy, we didn't play a game tonight", Cena says half asleep when she smells her father's cologne.

"We'll play tomorrow. Go back to sleep, Princess."

"You have to read Goodnight Moon."

He kicks off his shoes, slides the book from the nightstand, and leans back against the headboard. Cena flops onto her side, resting her head on her father's stomach, listening to the soothing timbre of his voice.

In the great green room

There was a telephone

.

.

.

Cena eyes close slowly and she is back to sleep before he finishes reading the first page. He pulls the cover over her small shoulders and kisses her cheek. He turns out the lights then walks down the hall to the nursery to kiss Jolie goodnight. He smiles, thinking she will be a year old in a few days. The baby's first birthday is always a special event in the Grant family. He exhales as he walks down the hall to their bedroom. He has to make things right.

Bowtie's bark stops him in his tracks, and he frowns when he sees the dog laying in their bed and atop his pillow. With confusion written on his face, he looks over at his wife who is exiting the bathroom and drying her hair. She glares at him with a look that says, don't-you-dare ask.

"Hi."

"Hi", she says flatly, locking eyes with him. Then, in an eerily calm voice, she begins.

"In this room - only the truth will be spoken." He stares at her for a moment, then slowly nods his head up and down as he recalls Avril's words.

"Did you kiss her?" Staring at the spot under his left eye that always twitch when he is trying to conceal something from her.

"No — of course not."

"Are you sleeping with her?"

"No — I would never."

"How could I not know you are unhappy?"

"I'm not unhappy", he says solemnly.

"What I felt when I walked into your office …. There's a certain intimacy between you two. That look on her face. I could have …."

"There's no intimacy, Liv. There's nothing. I was just telling a joke."

"To think that you shared that part of yourself with someone else hurts deeply", she says, shaking her head.

"I didn't."

"She's pretty."

"Liv— "

"Are you no longer satisfied with your life – our life?"

"Of course, I am."

"Do you want a divorce? Do you no longer want this marriage?"

"Of course not."

"Then what is this all about? Why are you - a married man - paling around with your assistant?"

"I don't believe this. You're accusing me based on a supposition of what may or may have not have happened."

He places his hands on his hips and she sneers at him because he has slipped into lawyer mode, which means he is in defensive mode, and so is she. The battle begins.

"Say whatever you want. I know what I heard and I certainly know what I saw."

"It was just a lunch. I was telling a joke."

"It wasn't just a lunch. You took her to see a house for our family. You had lunch with her in public. Now you're having lunch with her in your private office — yukking it up like you're old buddies. Should I continue?"

"I've eaten lunch with my employees plenty of times. Sandra and I often had lunch together — even dinner meetings - you know that. This was no different."

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why won't you see that woman is infatuated with you?"

"I don't have time to wonder if my damn assistant has a schoolgirl crush on me. I have real threats to worry about.I have a mayor I have to keep my eyes on. I don't have time for these distractions."

"She's hardly a schoolgirl. She's a grown woman who is trying to come between us and you're letting it happen.

"I'm her employer, Liv - the law doesn't allow me to reprimand her because she has a crush or is infatuated as you put it."

"Don't you dare talk about this in legal terms. And — don't you dare try to minimize what is going on here."

"Do you think so little of me — think that I would fall for my assistant?" She knows a red herring when she smells it and she will not be distracted. She knows his techniques.

"Don't try to turn this on me. I warned you about her."

"Her behavior was self-defeating – it has nothing to do with us", waving his hand dismissively, as if he is swatting away an annoying fly.

"It has everything to do with us — and stop trying to pretend it doesn't. You're many things - but stupid is not one of them. You opened the door for this to happen. This is on you."

The room is fraught with silence. No amount of deflecting or obfuscating will change the fact that he unintentionally allowed the boundaries between him and his assistant to be blurred. He pinches the bridge of his nose and expels a heavy sigh. His tone softens.

"I didn't cheat, Liv — never have — never will. Honestly - the thought never crossed my mind. But — I do take responsibility for inadvertently setting up a situation where my actions could be misinterpreted."

She rolls her eyes and continues.

"You're right – this is all on me. Perhaps I should've seen it —but I didn't. Did I hear the whispers about her personal life? Yes. I don't know the details — but I didn't want to hold the gossip against her. Everyone deserves a second chance, Liv."

"Are you out of your mind? That woman is trying to destroy our marriage and you're standing there talking about second chances. Excuse me if I'm not feeling very forgiving."

"She means nothing, Liv. She's inconsequential. Why won't you believe me?" He looks at her pleadingly and Avril's voice rings in her ears again.

Listen to what he is saying, don't just hear.

"I told you to be careful — that she could get the wrong impression."

"I transferred her — to another department."

"How could you let it get this far?"

"What do you want me to say — that I messed up? That I took my eyes off the ball. That I should've seen it along with the myriad of other things I've missed? Tell me what to say, Liv, and I'll say it."

Tears stream down her face, she is trying to determine if she still knows the man standing before her. She is trying to determine if he has reverted to old behaviors when he and Ty chased every skirt in California. He sees the doubt and distrust in her eyes, and it is all his fault. His heart grows heavy because he promised never to give her cause to question his love, even if it was unintentional.

"Livvie, you know I'm not that man anymore — haven't been for a long time. I never look. I haven't looked at or wanted another woman in that way since I met you. You made me a better man." She rolls her eyes because everybody looks. Hell, she even looks at times.

"You can question my judgment - but you can never question my love. You can never question my commitment to you – to our family. I would never do anything to jeopardize our family. I swear."

She brushes the tears from her cheeks and he takes a few cautious steps toward her.

"Livvie, I'm sorry."

"You broke my heart."

"Never." He takes a few more steps toward her.

"What else is going on? What else don't I know?" She asks through the sniffles. The questions are innocent enough, but the answers have the power to tear them apart or bring them closer together.

"What?" She gasps and takes a step back when she sees the muscle under his left eye twitch. He is stalling. There is more.

"Answer my questions, Fitz. What else is going on?"

The force of her demand belies the nervous energy pulsating through her body, so she holds her breath, steeling herself for what is to come. He sees the fear in her eyes and admonishes himself for letting it get this far. He has wanted to tell her, should have told her the first time it happened, but he always found a clever way to push it aside. He always found a way to rationalize shielding his secret from the person he loves more than anything. Although many nights when she was asleep, he took the coward's way out, whispered his secret into her ear, foolishly hoping she would hear his confession while she slumbered.

With hands stuffed deep into his pants pockets and shoulders now slumped, he tries to summon the oratory skills he learned in law school and perfected in his practice, but he falls short. Right now, he is not a lawyer sitting across the negotiating table staring down an adversary. Right now, he is a husband who has been keeping a dark secret from his wife and she wants answers. His mouth opens and closes, but nothing comes out, and she frowns.

In this room - only the truth will be spoken.

He slowly lifts his head and the sadness she sees in his eyes wrench her heart. She knows whatever he is going to say will change them forever. The butterflies in her stomach dance faster as he begins to speak in a low tone. She leans forward slightly, straining to hear his words.

"After the accident — after Charlie tried to …."

She shivers at the mention of the name she never thought she would hear again in this life time. She inhales and exhales rapidly because whatever he is about to tell her has nothing to do with his assistant. Whatever he is about to tell her started long before Victoria Sanchez came into their lives.

"When we went up to the lake house — we had been through a lot, Liv. Cena wasn't walking — Jo almost …. But when we got up to the house – everything was perfect. We were back - we were ourselves again", he says with intensity. She crinkles her brow, desperately trying to remember every minute of those days they spent alone at the lake house five months ago.

"When you were downstairs — preparing breakfast — I — I - had an incident."

She tilts her head to the side and frowns, trying to understand what he is saying. She is not sure what he means by incident and she does not remember him telling her anything about an incident.

"When you were downstairs - I was overcome — gripped by a sudden surge of anxiety — fear. It was overwhelming. My heart was pounding and I couldn't breathe. I thought

I was dying, Liv."

She clamps a trembling hand over her mouth and time seems to have stopped. She is no longer breathing.

"I didn't know what was happening at first — then – after a while I realized …. I had a panic attack." His face is flush with shame.

"What?" She says softly, her hand covering her heart.

"So - I took a pill - and it made me feel better — took away the anxiety — took away the fear. So — when I had the next attack — "

She gasps, and staggers backward. Her trembling hand reaches behind her for something – anything that will stop her from collapsing to the floor. Her fingers grip the edge of the vanity, upsetting the silver tray that holds her daily jewelry.

"Oh, my god, you've had more than one attack?"

"Liv", he yells, rushing toward her.

"Stay there. Just. Stay. There", raising her hand in a stopping position. She starts pacing around the room in circles, and he closes his eyes because his worst nightmare has come true. His heart shatters into a thousand little pieces because now she knows he is weak.

"You've been having panic attacks for the past five months and you've said nothing – I knew nothing. Oh my god — how could I not know? How could I be so blind? How could I not see you were in pain?" She stops pacing and stares at him with horror on her face.

"Liv –"

"Are you getting high? Oh my god — are you addicted?"

"No – of course not."

"You hid this from me. You've been lying to me all this time. You've slept in our bed – we've made love – and you've been keeping this — this secret."

"I'm sorry", he says meekly as tears rolldown his face as well.

Bowtie whimpers as she pounds her small fists against his chest and he does not try to stop her. He deserves her punishment.

"You've been wearing a mask all this time. You've been hiding from me."

"Liv –"

"You don't get to do this to us. You don't get to kill yourself. You don't get to leave us all alone."

"Liv, we can talk about this — but you have to calm down." He tries to wrap his arms around her trembling body but she pulls away from his embrace.

"I'm not going to calm down. I find out that you've been suffering – taking pills all this time …. Where are they? Where are they?" Frantically tearing at his shirt and pants pockets.

"I don't take them anymore. I swear."

"Then why do you still have them?" She asks in an eerily calm voice. Unable to formulate a credible response, he stares at her. "I. Said. Where. Are. They."

"They're at the office."

She rushes across the room, snatches open a drawer, and grabs a pair of black yoga pants. "We're going to get them."

"Liv - we don't have to go there tonight. I can –"

"I said we're going to get them — tonight — now."

XXX

The drive to the city is quiet and tense, both are deep in their thoughts. So much has been said, yet so much more needs to be said. As he navigates the truck through the desolate city streets, he glances at her out the corner of his eye. Even with the street lights shadowing her face, he can see she is upset, scared. She brings a trembling fist to her lips, silently admonishes herself for not seeing signs of him being anxious, or worse, taking pills. Feeling inadequate, she shakes her head because she does not know how a person behaves when they are taking pills.

They do not hold hands as they silently walk across the empty lobby toward the elevators. When the elevator dings and the doors slide open on the third floor, they make what feels like a mile-long journey down the marble hall to his suite of offices. She frowns at the empty desk in the reception area, thinking it ironic the woman who tried to destroy her marriage is, in some way, responsible for her husband's secret being revealed. Tonight.

What she meant for evil, God meant for good.

His walk of shame over to the desk is humiliating to say the least. He slides open the middle drawer, where he keeps the pens, pencils, paper clips, rubber bands, and watches as the brown plastic bottle slowly rolls forward. She closes her eyes, wondering if the pills were in the drawer when she cleaned the office.

Why didn't I see them? "This is the prescription from the accident. You've been taking them all this time."

"No -"

"Don't lie to me – not anymore."

"Liv -"

"You didn't trust me enough to tell me", sadness filling her voice.

"I didn't want to disappoint you – not again." She looks at him wild-eyed, trying to understand what he is saying.

"Disappoint me? Disappoint me? What are you talking about?"

He thinks about Big Gerry, who always said do whatever is needed to protect the family from enemies, even if you stumble trying.

"What kind of man am I if I can't protect my family? You almost died. Cena and Jo almost … I can't shake it, Liv - can't get it out of my head."

"Oh, babe - you are not responsible for what that madman did. I should've been here for you", caressing his face.

"This is not your fault, Liv. This is on me."

"This is on us. I am your wife and you don't suffer in silence. You let me help you." She wraps her arms tightly around his waist and lay her head on his chest. Lulled by the rhythmic beat of his heart, she starts to cry. "You know I can't do this without you - don't want to do it without you", she cries into his chest, and he hugs her equally as tight. "How are feeling now? When was your last attack?"

"I don't know if it's going to happen again, Liv — and that scares me."

"We're going get through this – together - I promise. But this all stops tonight - no more hiding - no more secrets. We only hurt each other when we do that. From now on we have to be open and honest about everything. Okay?"

He nods, and for long time they stand in the middle of his office wrapped in each other's arms, each knowing they have entered a new phase of their marriage. Each knowing they have to do better.

"I'm pregnant", she says softly against his chest, holding her breath and waiting for his response.

"I know", and she looks up at him with surprise in her eyes. "I know every part of your body – how every part of you feels - how every part of you tastes. You feel different - taste different when you're pregnant."

"Are you –"

"Upset? No", he says softly, leaning back and looking into her eyes. "Concerned? Yes", tenderly caressing her face. The tears stream down her cheeks and spill over his hand.

"I'm all right – I'm fine", she says emphatically. She does not want him to worry about her.

"I want that to be true – I want you to be okay."

"I'm scared, Fitz. I don't want to get sick again."

"I know – I know", wrapping his arms around her again.

"I want this baby", she says in a faint, small voice.

"I know. Me too. We're going to be fine – our baby is going to be fine. We'll meet with the doctor", kissing the top of her head and she nods.

"I want us to meet with Ben tomorrow — talk to him about the pills."

"That's not necessary, Liv."

"It's necessary for me. I won't turn a blind eye to this, Fitz. I need to know my husband is okay. Our children need to know their father is healthy", she says firmly.

"I'm not hooked, Liv. I only on took one every now and then."

"That's the point - you shouldn't be taking them at all." He nods in stoic resignation. "I'm calling Ben in the morning."

"Don't— not until after Jo's birthday. Please?" She studies his face for a long while then nods in agreement.

"Is there anything else I should know?" She asks, holding him tighter. He decides in the moment not to tell her about the security detail he hired to follow her and the girls. He does not want her to worry, not now.

"Nothing", he says, kissing the top of her head. "And - for the record - you're the prettiest girl I've ever seen."

XXX

Face nestled in her neck, he smiles in his sleep as he inhales her unique scent. He snuggles closer, his fingers instinctually caressing her flat stomach through the short silk nightgown. He has not been this relaxed in months. Down the hall, Cena and Bowtie play in her room, taking advantage of day two of the three teachers' in-service days. When they hear Jolie babbling, they walk down the hall to the nursery where they find the little girl holding onto the crib's rail and bouncing up and down.

"Do you want to walk, Jo?" Jolie laughs and waves at her sister and the dog as they enter the room. "Sit down, Jo", Cena directs as she pushes the wooden stepstool over to the crib. She lowers the rail and lifts Jolie from the crib. Happy to be free, Jolie bounces up and down in her sister's arms while Bowtie keeps a watchful over both girls.

Cena stands Jolie to the floor and starts to repeat the lessons for how to walk. After a few attempts, Jolie's feet finally decide to cooperate, and she takes a few unassisted steps toward her sister before dropping to the floor.

"Get up, Jo - and do like this", Cena says, demonstrating for her sister the proper way to walk. Jolie pushes up from the floor and once again takes a few wobbly steps. "That's right, Jo. That's how you do it. Let's go show daddy and mommy", taking her sister's tiny hand and guiding her down the long hall. Bowtie follows closely behind the girls.

As the trio creep into the quiet bedroom, Cena places a finger to her lips, cautioning her little sister to be quiet. Standing on unsteady feet, Jolie puts a finger to her lips, too. Cena climbs onto the bed and pulls open her father's eyelid.

"Daddy - wake up, daddy. JoJo's walking." With one eye propped open by his daughter's small finger, Fitz slowly opens the other eye. "JoJo's walking", Cena repeats, her face impossibly close to his. Fitz removes his daughter finger from his eyelid and rolls onto his back. "Look", Cena says, pointing to Jolie who is uncertain of what to do next. Fitz turns onto his side and smiles when he sees his baby standing a few feet away from the bed. He slides the phone from the nightstand to capture the historic moment.

"My Angel is walking", he says with the biggest smile." Jolie claps her hands because her father's smile signals he is happy.

"Liv – wake up. Wake up, Liv", he whispers with urgency, not wanting frighten Jolie. "Liv", shaking her shoulder with more force.

"What — what?" She mutters, hugging her pillow tighter.

"Mommy - wake up. JoJo's walking, mommy", Cena yells, bouncing up and down on the bed.

"Sit up, Liv. Show mommy you can walk, Angel. Come on - walk for daddy." Olivia slowly pushes herself up against the headboard and yawns.

"Mommy — "

"Look Liv, Jo can walk", Fitz says, videotaping the little girl who is smiling at her father. "Walk for daddy, Angel. Come on - walk for daddy", bending at the waist and beckoning Jolie with his hand. Realizing the moment has finally arrived, Olivia crawls across the bed waiting for her baby girl to put on a show.

"Walk, JoJo", Cena directs, kicking her legs up and down on the bed.

"Come to daddy, Angel. Come on."

Jolie looks at her father's face, then at her sister and mother. They all seem to want her to do something but she does not know what to do. So, she drops to the floor and begins to cry. Fitz scoops her up in his arms and rocks her back and forth. Olivia gives her husband a look that says you woke me up for this? He shrugs his shoulders and gives her a look that says, I tried.

"I'm going to the bathroom", Olivia says, crawling out of bed feeling absolutely awful in a wonderful kind of way.

XXX

"Good morning, Council President Grant", the middle-aged woman stands and greets him cheerfully when he enters the reception area. "My name is Elizabeth Handley - I'm your new assistant", extending a handshake with a pleasant smile.

"Good morning, Mrs. Handley", he says, accepting the handshake. "We'll meet this afternoon to discuss my expectations for your role."

"Of course, sir. There's a fresh pot of coffee in your office on the credenza."

XXX

It has been less than 24 hours since Victoria Sanchez was transferred to another department and City Hall is abuzz with speculation about why she no longer holds the prestigious position of assistant to the council president. Some say Mrs. Grant literally caught them in the act when she made a surprise visit to the office yesterday. Others say the two women actually got into a hair-pulling fight and the council president had to pull them apart. A few more say, Victoria is pregnant with the council president's love child. The rumors will continue to fly until the truth is discovered and long afterward.

As he hurries down the hall to Fitz' office, Darius' heart feels like it wants to burst through his chest. He is not sure if his rapid heart rate is due to walking too swiftly, or because he is afraid of what he might not see when he reaches Fitz' office. He stops short of the reception area and his heart sinks when he sees the older woman sitting at the workstation. The rumors are true, Victoria no longer works for Fitz.

"Good morning, Councilman Moton", Mrs. Handley kindly greets the agitated man. Darius grumbles something unintelligible as he stomps into Fitz' office.

"What the hell is going, Fitz? This place is buzzing about you firing your assistant."

"Transferred— not fired", Fitz says, not bothering to look up from the papers he is reading.

"Semantics", Darius growls. "Why the hell did you fire her?" Darius demands.

"Hiring and firing are two of the many authorities I have as council president", not feeling the need or wanting to explain his decision to Darius.

"Don't be coy with me. Tell me why the hell you fired her", the veins in his neck on the verge of exploding. With brow furrowed, Fitz looks up at the man then tosses his pen onto the desk. He will not tolerate another one of Darius' tongue-lashings, not today.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why do you care if I transferred Miss Sanchez?"

"We don't need another damn scandal around here. This city still hasn't gotten over the Marla and Wilson mess. They certainly are not ready for a damn sex scandal."

"There's no sex scandal here, Darius", Fitz says, walking over to the credenza to pour another cup of coffee.

"The perception of impropriety is just as bad as an actual scandal. Again - why the hell did you get rid of your assistant?"

"It's complicated", bringing the steaming cup of coffee to his lips. This coffee is really good, Mrs. Handley might work out after all.

"You see — that's the problem - there shouldn't be anything complicated about your relationship with your damn assistant."

"Former assistant."

"Nobody likes a smartass, Fitz."

"I'm sorry, Darius. It's just …"

"She might launch a lawsuit against you."

"A lawsuit - for what? I didn't fire her - I know better than that."

"She might accuse you of sexual harassment - that you forced yourself on her."

"No such thing happened", Fitz says in disgust.

"Do you even want to be mayor of this fine city? If you do then this thing with your assistant better not be complicated."

"Miss Sanchez misunderstood her role. She thought there was something more -"

"You mean you were fucking her?"

"What?" Shocked by the accusation.

"She finally got her hooks into you, too. I thought you ..." Realizing he has said too much, Darius closes his eyes and runs his hand over his face. Another secret is revealed.

"What the hell is going on, Darius?" Setting the coffee cup onto the desk. Darius lowers his head and stares at the floor.

"Wilson has a penchant for pictures", Darius says, rubbing his fleshy fingers over his forehead. "Yvonne was just getting over her illness – I couldn't hurt her like that."

Fitz stares blankly at the man until it finally registers what Darius is saying. He sits on the edge of the desk and shakes his head, wondering when does all the madness stop.

"I met Victoria Sanchez at an event several years ago — three to be exact - when I was considering running for mayor. My exploratory committee gave this party — and there she was — just standing across the room looking beautiful as ever. It started before I even knew what was happening. And after a while - I was hooked."

"It went on for - well that doesn't matter now. Wilson found out about us - had pictures – lots of pictures. He threatened to send them to the media - and to Yvonne. I couldn't let Yvonne find out about the affair. So - I did what Wilson wanted - I dropped out of the race. Hell – I never really got started."

"You mean he blackmailed you? Why didn't you tell me any of this, Darius?" Looking at the man in disbelief.

"Do you think I wanted to advertise that I cheated on my wife – that I was a fool? I had already lost my chance at ever becoming mayor — I didn't want to lose everything else. I didn't want to lose my job — my family."

"What else have you done for Wilson? A man like that doesn't stop asking because he got one thing."

"I couldn't let Yvonne find out. I had to protect my family." The sentiment is not lost on Fitz. He nods his head up and down.

"So - you sold out the people of this city to keep your affair secret."

"Don't you dare lecture me. She was coming after you, too."

"You mean you knew?" Fitz says, taken aback by the revelation.

"So - you did you fuck her."

"Is that all you care about?" Fitz says, looking at the man as if he has lost his mind.

"I'm not here for a damn lesson in morality", Darius snaps.

"Then why the hell are you here — to get your girlfriend her job back? Well that's not going to happen."

Darius is agitated, nervous really, and be begins pacing around the room.

"I won't be renewing your chairmanship on the Appropriations Committee", Fitz says.

"What?"

"During the background check, interviewers ask if there is anything in your background that can be used as blackmail – anything that could jeopardize your role as a public servant."

"You're quoting fucking regulations right now?"

"I can no longer trust you, Darius. Your affair with Victoria opened you up to blackmail. It has influenced our interactions. I don't want to worry about your motives when we have disagreements."

"What is my crime - falling in love with a woman who is not my wife?"

Stunned by the confession, Fitz shakes his head in disappointment. "Your actions have nullified your effectiveness as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. I will announce next week that I will be seeking a new chairman."

"You're now the paragon of virtue? You fuckin' hypocrite."

"I cannot ask you to resign your seat — only the people of this city can do that. However, nothing prevents you from stepping down."

"You're judging me?"

"I don't give a fuck about your libidinous behaviors. What I care about is how you have put this city at risk."

"So – you're now the moral authority? Wait until Olivia finds out what's been going on around here."

"My wife knows I would never betray her."

"Everybody isn't a goddamn saint like you, Fitz."

"I'm no saint— far from it. But I do have certain values I won't compromise – not for anyone."

"We'll see how long your values hold up - how long you stand on your high horse when Wilson comes after you. Wilson promised his donors he would privatize the city's police department — hand it over to them. Do you know how many tens of millions of dollars we're talking about? This game is all about money - and Wilson is in deep. He's dealing with some dangerous people who want what they paid for. They won't let you or anyone else get in their way. You remember what Charlie tried to do to you and your family?"

Fitz' face reddens and he looks at Darius with contempt. "Again - why are you here?"

With mouth slightly agape, Darius looks at Fitz dumbfounded because he has no idea why he is here. It all seems so damn ridiculous. He is married with children and twice he has ruined his career because of an affair with a woman who no longer wants him.

"I love her, man",looking helplessly at Fitz.

"Good-bye, Darius."

"What the hell am I supposed to tell Yvonne about my chairmanship?"

"The truth."

XXX

Feeling better about his situation than he has in months, the mayor leans back in his chair, laughing out loud as he blows smoke circles in the air. He has a solution to his problem and right now life cannot get any better. Grant will be more than willing to vote to privatize the police department to keep those pictures off the Sage Report, and to keep that pretty little wife of his from finding out what he has been up to with his assistant. He grimaces at the picture of the happy couple as they exit the truck. He sneers at Grant's hand low on the woman's back as he ushers her across the busy street.

Such a fuckin' gentleman.

This is his money shot, his insurance policy. The pictures will keep Grant in line and get those motherfuckers off his back, get them the police department, and keep him out of jail. Chomping on the cigar, he gathers the pictures from the desk, stuffs them back into the manila envelope, then tosses the envelope into the desk drawer on top the burner phone. It is good to be the king, he thinks as he takes another sip of the expensive bourbon.

The ringing phone jolts Wilson from his private party and he frowns at the desk drawer. There is never a conversation when those bastards call. He only listens and takes orders. He is a fucking order taker for a bunch of nameless and faceless pricks who got him elected to office. He has been avoiding their calls for weeks, but tonight he does not mind answering the phone. He will tell those motherfuckers they will have their damn police department and Grant will hand-deliver it to them on a silver platter. He pushes aside the envelope and answers the cheap burner phone.

XXX

The truly powerful people, the people who really run the city do not hold political offices, they remain in the shadows, never revealing themselves to the candidates they sponsor for elections and certainly not to the unsuspecting public. They simply hide in the shadows, pulling the strings of their puppets so they can line their pockets with taxpayers' dollars. This arrangement has worked for decades, until recently when Mayor Wilson got greedy. The man disrupted the order of things and the puppet masters are not happy.

The elevator dings once and the doors slide open. The man steps out onto the fifth floor, looking right then left. It is after nine o' clock at night and the staff is long gone. His footsteps clomp on the marble hall as he makes his way to the city's chief executive suite of offices. He stops in the reception area and glances around the room, thinking he has paid a small fortune for this office and has not gotten the return on his investment. He shakes his head from side to side, then pulls the burner phone from inside his jacket pocket. He presses the phone number on speed dial.

"Hello, Mr. Mayor."

Wilson's eyes are close to popping from his head when he realizes the voice on the phone is standing in his doorway. He squints, trying to identify the shadowy figure.

"May I come in?"

With phone pressed to his ear, the man waits in the doorway until granted permission to enter.

Reeling from shock, Wilson finally nods and the shadowy figure steps inside the office, into the light, and the mayor collapses into his chair. The man closes the door behind him and slides the phone into his pocket. Eyes wide with surprise and fear, Wilson studies the man's face as he tries to straighten himself in the chair. He has lost the ability to speak.

"I wanted to stop by and personally inform you the committee has voted to shut down this little experiment. This is done – over", waving his hand in the air as if he is swatting away an annoying fly.

Wilson manages to find what used to be his voice and tries to protest. "This is bullshit."

"Tomorrow— you will walk out front, hold a press conference, and announce you are resigning from office to focus on your upcoming trial."

"After all I've done for you people."

"It's over — "

"I didn't know you were …. I didn't know Grant was …."

"If any of those pictures in that drawer happen to find their way to the media - well you don't want to imagine the possibilities of what could happen. Fitzgerald Grant is not Darius Moton — he's my son - you've gone too far. I should have taken you down after that shit Charlie pulled."

"I didn't know what Charlie was planning. The man was uncontrollable - insane. He went rogue."

"Shut it down", Gerry snaps, infuriated by the reminder of what happened to Fitzgerald and his family. "And Daniel — he's dead to you - he's our guy."

Wilson's eyes grow wider, if that were at all possible.

"Toss the burner phone - you won't need it where you're going. Don't worry - our judge will make sure your sentence isn't too harsh."

Gerry turns to leave, but stops abruptly, as if he just remembered something else he wanted to say.

"Call your friend in Human Resources — tell her to get rid of that Sanchez woman. I don't want her in this building. I don't ever want her near my son and his family again. Good night, Mr. Mayor."

XXX

She took more care than usual when getting dressed this morning. She wants to look especially nice for him. She knows if she can only talk to Fitz he will realize he made a mistake. She knows once they talk he will reinstate her and things will return to normal - nothing will have changed. When she enters the lobby of City Hall, the large, round dark sunglasses do not disguise the fact that trouble has walked through the door. Dennis jumps down from his chair and hurries across the lobby, placing his rotund frame between the interloper and the path to the elevators. He has been given orders.

"Ma'am — I can't let you up today."

"What? I work here", looking down her nose at the old police officer while trying to step around him.

"And — I'm going to need your access card", blocking her path and extending his hand, waiting for the card.

"Get out of my way", she says with venom dripping from her lips. She will not be treated like some common, low-level employee.

"I'm just following orders — ma'am."

"Orders – whose orders? This is a mistake. I need to talk to Fi — the council president. He will fix this."

"Well — well — well. And what do we have here?" Darrin sings as he circles the women who is shielded by the oversized sunglasses. He looks her up and down and a guffaw escapes his throat. "Karma is a bitch — bitch", snatching the access card from her hand and giving it to Dennis. "I'll let Mr. Grant know I didn't see you", he says with a flick of the head as he scurries toward the bank of elevators.

She does not realize she is shaking as she watches Darrin's smirking face disappear behind the closing elevator doors. Seeing she is upset, Dennis steps closer and tries to console her.

"Can I do something for you, ma'am?" Touching her shoulder lightly.

"Take. Your. Filthy. Hand. Off. Me", her voice filled with contempt. How dare a glorified security guard touch her or pity her. Two days ago, he would have been groveling at her feet, begging to lick the bottom of her shoes.

"It's time to go, ma'am. Don't make me escort you from the building."

"Go to hell. Every last one of you can go straight to hell."

Passers-by stop when they hear the raucous occurring across the lobby. They whisper and point in her direction. Everybody knows what has happened. Now the object of ridicule, she turns quickly and the sounds of her heels echo throughout the lobby as runs from the building. Dennis leans back in his comfortable chair, folds his hands on his belly, and resumes watching the activity in the lobby.