Bang! Bang! {Part XI}

Friday evening

Fitz enters the bedroom to find Olivia on her knees searching through her luggage. He admires her ass smiling fondly. She interrupts his dirty thoughts, "Stop lusting and hand me that diaper bag," she points behind her toward the bed.

He shakes his head, "What are you doing?"

"I am not carrying whatever that is…I am still Olivia Pope," she produces a giant nylon Prada tote bag. She takes the bag and starts transferring items.

He holds his belly laughing, "You are using one of your designer purses as a diaper bag for leaky bottles and dirty diapers," he cannot even finish his sentence.

"Damn straight…Are you ready for this? The cameras…crowds," she glances up still completing her task.

"I do not care about the cameras. I care that they want to try and I plan to deliver immediately," he states.

She nods, "Me either…let's show the world our normal," she smiles. They pause and turn toward the knock against the partially open door. "Come in," she greets.

The teenagers stand outside the threshold. Karen wears a demure A-line pink dress and Gerry pairs chinos with a light blue buttoned down tucked in with a cognac brown belt. "You guys ready?" Fitz questions. They nod awkwardly.

Olivia's brain fires on all cylinders. "Why are you dressed like that?" They do not respond. "Let me guess…those are the approved outfits," she challenges. They nod quickly. "What would you like to wear?" They both shrug. "Are we doing this are not?" she pushes.

"We are doing this…Yeah, we want to," they assure.

"Fitz, add a stop at the closest mall or something. You two compile a wish list…we are going to give your dad's black card a work out," she throws her head back laughing.


Hidden away from the rest of the world in the Grant Ranch guest house Huck sits next to Javi on a couch facing the large monitor both fully engaged in the video game. Every so often they glance at one another when they are sure the other is not looking. Too curious to maintain his silence the young boy speaks, "The President told me you are very important…he said you keep us all safe. Is that true?"

Huck freezes. Every murderous act; torture technique; pained cry for help fills the space behind his eyes, "I did what I was trained to do and followed orders," he replies in a quiet voice.

Ms. Pope says you sacrificed everything to make sure Mom and me were okay. Is that true too?" Javi turns and stares until Huck is forced to look his son in the eye before nodding quickly. "Thank you."

Kim leans against the doorframe watching the exchange. She cries silent tears and her heart heals just a little. Maybe…just maybe they could find a way to be okay.


Mellie enters the expansive farm house in Iowa. The hundred acre working farm is a staple of Republican politics. The housekeeper greets her and escorts her into the den where all the big money establishment donors are basking in their self-congratulatory glory. The room fills with cigar smoke and the finest Kentucky bourbon. She is the only woman in the room. "Good evening gentlemen…I believe we have business to attend to; specifically how to save our party," she smiles. Fitz and Olivia have no idea what is coming.


Monday morning

Grant Family Weekend…The real Modern Family…The President versus a Stroller…Prada canvas tote and backpack sell out…LeBron's White House Fan…Grant Family 2.0

Abby sits at her desk preparing for the morning briefing. Could there be more fluff in one weekend. The outward cynic rolls her eyes but the real her smiles on the inside; happy for her friends getting their chance at normal.

Olivia enters the office and glances at the multiple monitors tuned to the major network and cable news channels. "How it looking?" she questions by way of greeting.

"Platinum political optics…how long have you had this in the works? By the way a heads up would have been nice. I have some eager young reporters that could have milked this ratings bonanza for all it's worth," she chastises.

Liv shakes her head, "This is not a strategy or a tactic. Fitz and I are going to give those children as much normal as possible. We are not naïve…we know there is a certain amount of political capital but there is an equal amount if not more collateral damage headed our way. I, excuse me, we need you're A-game Whelan."

Abby tilts her head and gestures toward a chair. Olivia lowers herself and exhales a shaky breath. "She convinced the kids that they would be left behind…told them they were nothing more than political pawns he no longer found useful. Abby she went so far as to tell them I would not allow their whiteness to overshadow my brown babies. I mean who does that?" her head shakes violently.

"Republican incubator whore wives…I knew I should not have taken this job. I could totally shoot her if I was still at OPA. Now I have to pretend to play by the rules," she frowns.

Liv laughs, "No, now you have a bigger weapon…the White House Press Briefing Room. You wield the podium; set the narrative agenda…pick the questions by selecting the right reporter," she coaches.

Her eyes dance in delight, "Is it wrong how much I am going to enjoy this?"

"Not in the least. I am going to grab some popcorn and watch you work," she teases before heading out the door.

"Do not forget the wine…it is after five in some country or on some island I have never heard of before," she quips.


Mellie arrives at the Grant Ranch to retrieve Baby Teddy and his nurse. She sighs contentedly. The weekend away from the children gave her time to begin fracturing the Republican Party and creating a path for Nichol's candidacy. The door opens revealing Marta, "Ms. Vaughn how may I help you?" she squints in confusion.

"Marta, how lovely to see you again…I truly miss having you as part of our family," she spins.

"Ms. Vaughn, why are you here?" I am grateful I do not have to pretend anymore.

"I am here to pick up Baby Teddy of course," she offers with her best maternal smile and tries to take a step forward into the house.

Marta exhales in exasperation, "Ms. Vaughn have you checked your messages or even glanced at the news?"

"The news…messages," she stammers. "I, uh…was asked to assist with some political matters on behalf of the GOP and current Governor Nichols. Has something happened to my children? Why wasn't staff sent to find me…I am their mother. My consent is necessary," her voice raises an octave and her tone is rushed.

"I would not want to speculate but since the children returned to Washington, D.C. with their father and his lovely fiancé I cannot begin to fathom why staff would be required to find you. I suggest you contact your ex-husband. Enjoy your day," Marta steps back into the house and closes the door. I admit it…I enjoyed that more than a little.


Gerry and Karen returned to the White House after their first day at the new private school. Coming home at the end of the day is foreign concept. They stand awkwardly in the middle of the residence. "What do we do now?" Karen asks.

"Well, have a snack and do homework I guess," Gerry suggests.

Hours later Fitz and Olivia enter the residence. She carries a stack of folders barking orders into her phone. He walks beside her loosening his tie and reading a briefing document simultaneously. Their normal ritual is cut short by two young voices. "We did our homework…We ordered dinner," they offer respectively.

Karen is on the couch feeding Baby Teddy and Gerry is on the floor picking up stuffed animals and noise making toys. Their body language is shy and nervous. Fitz recovers first, "Great, what are we having?"

"Chicken Alfredo…we got your wine Liv…for some reason they sent popcorn," they continue to speak over and after each other.

"Dining room" Olivia points. They nod. "Well, let's eat," she drops her phone in her purse placing her belongings in the nearest chair.

Baby Teddy is secure in his carrier and only the sounds of a meal being consumed fill the room. "This is too weird," Fitz blurts the truth, "Who wants to eat in front of the television and finish binge watching that show we started?"

An authentic conversation springs to life as they move quickly away from the formal space. "Thank God…I got Teddy…grab my plate…Remind me to review your remarks for the summit…You like your security detail?"


Mellie exits the airport and sits in the backseat of the executive Town Car trying to form a coherent thought but nothing is making any sense. She places the phone on speaker setting and replays the messages again:

Friday night

"Mom, it's Gerry, Dad wants to be a real family and we want to try. We are going to live with him at the White House. I hope you can understand. Please call when you get this message."

Saturday night

"This is Karen. You did not respond to Gerry so I thought I would try. I don't know if you were angry…misunderstood…or deliberately lied but Dad is giving us a chance and we are going to take it. Baby Teddy deserves more than what we got. I don't know if you will call but…yeah, that's all."

Sunday night

"You were warned but per usual you never listen. Despite all evidence to the contrary your delusional mind leads you to believe you are the smartest person in the room. Think carefully about your next steps…testing my resolve can only lead to one outcome-your demise. I am Olivia Pope-bitch."

"Millicent Vaughn, this is War and I am using every weapon in my arsenal as the President of the United States. I recommend surrender but you and I both know you aren't that smart."

The driver speaks from the front seat, "Ms. Vaughn we have reached your destination."

Her eyes snap forward and the sweltering rage gushes out, "My name is Mellie Grant…First Lady of the United States of America. Do not ever call me anything else," she screams before opening the door. She makes her way into the kitchen and grabs a jar of hooch from the cabinet before planting herself in front of the television. The images and commentary send her into a tailspin.

We continue our coverage of Grant Family 2.0. Friday night in Santa Barbara, California the President, his Chief of Staff and fiancé, Olivia Pope and all three Grant children went out for a night on the town similar to every other American family…a trip to the mall and pizza at the food court.

Saturday afternoon found the newly blended family enjoying the California sun on a local beach. Gerry and Karen Grant took surfing lessons from none other than the Commander-in-Chief while Olivia Pope and Baby Teddy cheered them on from the shore.

The White House released photos of the teens first day of school at one of Washington, D.C.'s premiere private schools. While both adhered to the uniform policy they have not abandoned their new signature looks. Karen's ever present red canvas Prada backpack and Gerry's LeBron Soldier XI FlyEase finished their respective looks.

Now we want to prepare our viewers to enter a glass case of feels courtesy of the White House's Communication Team…pictures of Baby Teddy in the arms of the President from the Oval Office…take deep breaths for the next set before you ascend…Olivia Pope with a baby in one arm while directing a Cabinet meeting with the other. Someone cue Whitney Houston and Chaka Khan…'I'm Every Woman'

Mellie screams in rage and hurtles the glass jar across the room. How the fuck do I counter happy ever after?!