Meanwhile, normally after therapy, Olivia likes to enjoy a quiet ride to clear he head and process what she's uncovered in her sessions. However, today isn't one of those days. Just as she settles into the drive, thinking of how to approach Fitz this evening about a topic that's been hanging over their relationship for so long, her phone rings.
Instantly she snaps from her thoughts and recognizes the name on the monitor right away. She also knows if she's receiving this call, something major is afoot. She takes a breath and answers, "Hello." Immediately she hears, "Hi Liv, it's been a while." She agrees as she replies, "Yes it has Kayla. How's the family?" She smiles as she replies, "They're doing great, thanks for asking. I see you're still kicking ass and taking names as always, and looking great doing it." Olivia grins as she responds, "Thanks Kayla, I'm glad the family is doing well. But I'm sure this isn't a catch-up chat. So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
There's a pause and she hears a door closing, then the tone changes to a whisper, "I thought you should know that the prelim on Warren is done; and Rosen is already gunning for you. He's assigned Rollins and Boykin to the case. They're meeting with Commissioner Rossetti now. Boykin is a good guy, and a good cop. But he is a stickler for following leads. Which honestly should work in your favor to a degree. He won't be led around by his nose by anyone. But I don't know Rollins."
She appreciates the info on Boykin, and is glad that in times like these, having a source working in police plaza is extremely valuable. Interested in knowing more of what's going on, she replies, "Are the Mayor and Police Commissioner playing ball with Rosen?" She confidently responds, "No. They're not sharing his zeal in coming after you. But, at the same time I think they're both just trying to make sure they get this right. They can't afford to be at the root of some political ploy that blows up in their faces at this juncture of their careers."
She agrees as she says, "That's true. It's a campaign year for Mayor Cardwell, so he's staying clear of any political bombs. And Commissioner Rossetti is in too vulnerable of a spot being the first black female Police Commissioner in DC, to make any waves that will upset her bosses."
Kayla agrees as she replies, "Exactly, she just got a call from Cardwell not long ago, she was wrapping it up when I escorted the detectives into her office. From what I heard when I connected the call, it sounds like they are both trying to get on the same page with an approach to the investigation."
Olivia nods as she asks, "Really, is Rosen on the call?" She responds, "No, just Cardwell and Rossetti. Which is why Boykin and Rollins waiting to see her sparked my attention."
Olivia is also intrigued by her meeting with the detectives so early in the investigation. So, she responds, "I agree her meeting with them isn't standard procedure. I wonder why they're coming to her office before a briefing with Rosen, or why he wasn't on the call."
Kayla gives her two cents as she replies, "Word is, they already met with Rosen. So, if I had to guess. Rosen doesn't know they're here. And it's likely the Commissioner wants to set some guidelines for them before they meet with anybody, so they understand the sensitive nature of the investigation."
Olivia agreeably replies, "Yes. That sounds plausible. And I'm sure because Rosen doesn't know it's happening, when he finds out, he will be madder than hell about it. And likely assume I have put my hand in the pot to steer the course of the investigation somehow. Which will make him even more enjoyable to deal with when they come to interview me."
Kayla hears her annoyance and says, "I feel for you. Is there anything I can do to help?" She sighs as she replies, "I'd appreciate it if you'd keep me in the loop with any new developments." She nods as she responds, "Sure. I owe you big time and will always have your back, like you had my brother's."
She smiles as she says, "Thank you Kayla. Give your brother and the rest of the family my best, and stay safe, okay? I don't need you getting into trouble trying to help me." She nods as she smiles and replies, "No problem, Liv. I'll check in when I have more details, and of course I will be careful." She responds, "Okay. Talk to you later. Bye." Kayla replies, "Bye."
When the call ends, she shakes her head, knowing it's the beginning of something big brewing. And she needs to use all her resources to stay ahead of the game. While in route to the Whitehouse, she calls Huck and briefs him on what she just learned from Kayla.
He agrees to run a check on the detectives, so they know what kind of men they're dealing with. Which means, uncovering their secrets if there are any, just in case things go sideways. Or they take on the drive of their misguided leader Rosen, trying to put her on a list of suspects she has no business being on concerning this investigation. But he also advises, "Maybe calling Rossetti wouldn't be a bad idea. You two have history Liv. So, she's likely going to see this for what it is, Rosen trying to flex his muscles to settle a grudge."
She agrees, but says, "I don't want to pull that card if I don't have to Huck. Let's let it play out, and handle this as we always do by being prepared for what may happen. Remember, we never know who is watching. And we can't afford to make any visible mistakes." He nods in agreement as he replies, "That's why you're the boss. I'll touch base when the work up on the detectives is done, and do some poking around to see what Rosen thinks he has that connects you to the investigation." She nods as she replies, "Good idea. And I will reach out to you once I talk to Fitz later today." He responds, "Sounds good. Bye." She replies, "Bye."
When the call ends, she feels better about the situation, for a moment she had some concern. But, in reality she knows she didn't have anything to do with Warren's death. She just has to make sure Rosen doesn't use this investigation to avenge past losses to her. She's quite tired of his white hat, black hat metaphors. Even though in this instance, she's clearly donning the white one, exemplifying her innocence.
As she turns onto the Whitehouse property, making her way through the gate. She sees Marine 1 taking off as she parks. Knowing he is still in the midst of his day, she's happy to know that will buy her more time to settle into her thoughts, and layout their conversation. There's allot of ground to cover, and she's glad they'll have the whole night to do it.
Upon making her way to the living suite, she jumps in the shower to wash the day off of her. Then changes clothes into something comfortable. Knowing she has about 2 hours before the munchkins are home from school; she orders a snack from the kitchen, and sits down in the sitting area of the living suite to think out how she wants to lay out the conversation. She's confident he will not know how to take her positon, but she knows deep down he will appreciate her perspective. He doesn't need her permission, but she knows he'd like to have it.
An hour later she has settled on a strategy and to her delight, she has an hour to spare before the munchkin invasion happens. She decides to check on her love, to see where he is mood wise. She sends a text, "Hey there. Hope you've had a great day. Will I see you at dinner?" There's a delay of about 10 minutes, and he replies, "Hey there yourself. I know you've had quite a day today, it's been a long one for me for sure. But it's thankfully winding down. So, I will definitely make it to dinner, and also story time for the munchkins."
She smiles as she reads his text, and replies, "Great. They'll be super excited. It's been a bit since you've made tuck in time, let alone story time. And us catching up in person is definitely something that needs to happen."
He agrees, and can feel some of her tension through her text, despite her not relaying much. Still, he says, "Whatever it is babe. We will find a way through it. We always do. I love you." She grins as she responds, "Love you too. See you soon." He responds, "Definitely (smiley face)." The text causes her to giggle at his silliness. He brings her joy in so many ways. He's the ultimate teammate. And she is ecstatic to know that together they will and can face any and everything, coming out on the other side victorious.
The quiet of the moment washes over her and she relaxes in it. The serene sound of peace, is ever eluding at times in this house or just in her life in general. So, to be present in the moment and have more than a few minutes to take a breath, is a welcomed treat. After stretching out on the chaise lounge, for what feels like a few minutes, turns out to be a whole hour. She awakes to the sound of knocking on the door, that are waist high. At first, she doesn't know what the sound is, and has to pause for a second to figure it out.
She then hears, "Livy, are you in there?" She then laughs as she thinks to herself, duty calls, and she wouldn't have it any other way. She gets up and opens the door, only to almost get tackled by them as they energetically hug her and she hugs them in return.
After greeting them, she walks them through their after-school routine of changing from their uniforms to casual wear, and getting them their after school snack. She listens intently as they fill her in on their day, and she shares their cheese and cracker snacks. She finds their little personalities so interesting. Ella is shy, but when she gets to talking, look out. Whereas Teddy is a ball of energy all the time. They are very different, but also allot alike too.
While they're spending quality time, they're joined by big sis Karen. She comes into the kitchen where they're seated at the island, chatting. Karen joins in on the conversation with all smiles as she pulls up a stool. Olivia loves to see how she interacts with them, and doesn't hesitate to entertain their questions and comments. She's truly settled into the big sis role and it looks good on her.
Their chill session continues for another hour before they're joined by Fitz. He walks in all changed into casual wear, and pulls up a stool. Olivia brightens up when she sees her love smiling and refreshed. She loves when he wears jeans, and a fitted pullover. How can something so simple looks so good on him? Then again, she hasn't found anything yet that doesn't look good on him.
She comes back to the moment as he embraces her, and they share a kiss. The kiss is met by comments from both Teddy and Ella, "OOOW you're kissing." Their remarks make everyone smile. They continue to relax for a few more minutes before Ella heads to dance class, Teddy goes to piano lessons, and Karen goes to her biology study group, leaving Olivia and Fitz alone.
As they walk down the hall hand in hand, they make small talk as they head to their favorite place to chat, the rose garden. Upon finding their favorite bench, they take a seat, and relax for a few seconds before beginning to talk about their day.
She fills him in on her day regarding the Warren investigation and what she's learned about her father and Jake's beef, as well as how Jake is behind Warren's murder. And she saves the realization she made in therapy for the last. When she finishes, he looks at her and says, "Damn, why does it feel like no matter what we do; we always find ourselves trapped playing defense against these people?"
She feels his pain, it's the very question she's been pondering all day and he got there in a matter of minutes. It leads her to the next topic she's needed to talk to him about for a while, and recent developments underscore the necessity for the conversation to happen right now.
She looks at him as she responds, "Because we've been doing it since day one. One after the other, in one way or another. We have been playing defense against my parents and as of late Jake. And I wish I could say it was just a matter of them just being assholes, and bothering us. But their antics have graduated to people being killed. And while he wasn't my favorite person, his life being taken is bridge too far." He agrees with her, and equally he feels her pain and sees something more brewing in her eyes.
He takes her hand, and looks deep into her eyes as he asks, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't waste a moment, she plainly says, "That as long as they're alive, we will continue to have these kinds of issues."
He sits in amazement for a second at what he's hearing. She just said exactly what he's thought for quite some time, but never out loud. It's the one thing he's never said to her, that he wanted to, but wasn't sure just how to frame it. There's really not subtle way to say something like that. Especially when two of the aforementioned are her parents.
