A/N: This story was inspired by a tweet on Twitter related to basketball. It was the picture of Tony from Scandal playing basketball and Kerry posting with a basketball to honor Space Jam.
Keep in mind I do not own the characters mentioned in this story. The characters of Fitz and Oliva belong to Shonda Rhimes.
I hope you enjoy the story. Just a little one shot.
A Family that Dribbles Together
Josephine Grant had been in the backyard practicing her dribbles and shot every day this summer. Her father watched from the kitchen window as his daughter's brow furrows when the basketball clanked off the front rim and bounced to the left of the court. At 10 years old she would have playdates with the local neighborhood kids which consisted of watching movies and swim parties, but there was dedication to the craft Josephine was determined to master. His daughter had a goal, and it was to make the basketball team this year.
Looking at his daughter a smile crept to his face. Josie as he and his wife called her was the spitting image of her mother. At 10 years old it was clear she was going to pass her mother in heigh by the next year. All it would take is one good growth spurt.
Fitz attention was now drawn from the backyard at the sound of the door leading from the garage opening. That meant one this, his wife had come home. While Olivia didn't need to work, she loved her job, and he would never stand in the way of her pursuing her passion. She had worked hard to become a pediatrician and he loved her work ethic. The couple has been married for 15 years now. They had weathered their fair share of storms. Many of outside sources had tried to impact their union, but they'd pushed through and were stronger for it. Fitz is a former professional baseball player. He now is an announcer for the local MLB team. It wasn't a hard decision for him to leave the game when He had his future with Olivia and his children waiting for him. Fitz couldn't imagine his life without his wife, two daughters, and son. His 3-year-old son, the youngest of his kids had recently been down for a nap so they had about a good hour before he woke up demanding attention. He had worn himself out. Their middle daughter 6-year-old Alyssa was at her best friend's house for the afternoon. They would have to pick her up for the evening in a little while.
Olivia entered the home and headed towards the great room. There she saw her husband standing in the kitchen. There he was leaning back against the sink with his legs crossed at the ankles wit his strong muscular arms folded across his chest. Her eyes raked over her husband. Even after 15 years of marriage he still made her heart flutter. There he was dressed as casual as can be in jeans, white t-shirts, and flip flops the typical California boy. His curls were held back by a pair of sunglasses perched on top of his head. His skin sun kissed; he was just beautiful. After taking in the view of the love of her life waiting for her, she dropped her work back in the bar stool sitting at the island and made her way around it to seek comfort after a long day at work in the arms of her love. Wrapping her arms around his midsection she inhaled the scent that was uniquely his and it brought a sense of calm to her hectic day.
Bending down Fitz placed a soft kiss on top of his wife's head. Wrapping his arms around his wife he rubbed his large hands up and down the expanse of her back. He could feel the tension leaving her body. Olivia had significantly reduced her workload. She was only going into the practice 2 times a week and soon she would only be a special consultant on certain cases. Her partner at the practice who also was her best friend understood the need for her to cut back. They had brought in a new physician so to start seeing Olivia's patients. She was had been shadowing Olivia so the parents and new patients would be comfortable with the transition.
Realizing the house was so quiet, she tilted her head giving her husband a questioning look. He leaned to the side, so she had a clear view of the backyard. Out there was her mini me making a layup and then dribbling to an imaginary spot taking a shot. When the shot didn't go in the basket as planned, she stomped to get the ball. Picking it up with a roll of the eyes and puff of air. Liv observed from the window and then asked Fitz "How long has she been out there?" Olivia remembered those days of endless practicing. The last thing she wanted for her daughter was for her to be too hard on herself. She is too young for that type of pressure.
Glancing at the watch on his wrist he unwrapped his long limbs from around his wife and headed to the sliding glass door that opened to the spacious backyard. H knew Liv had set a strict limit on time spent by their daughter. He fully agreed with that. He and his wife had both been on the athletics path and didn't want that to be their daughter's sole focus.
Instead of turning around, the minute Josie heard the door open she said, "Five more minutes Dad." Without ever turning around.
"Josephine Grant, how long have you been out here?"
"Mommmmmmmmmmm" Josephine whined.
"Don't mom me. You know we want you to do something besides putting that ball in the hoop all day. There is more to life than basketball."
Josie looked to her father for help, but he held up his hands.
"You don't understand mom. Tryouts will happen in two weeks. I want to be ready. Dad understands, he is an athlete."
With a dry chuckle, Olivia Pope stepped out onto the expansive deck. When Fitz observed his wife's posture, he knew his daughter was about to be schooled. Even in high heels, Olivia Pope could run circles around anyone on a basketball court. Don't let her petite size fool you. The funny thing is their children had no clue about Olivia's love for basketball. She watched games casually. He often wondered if she regretted her decision not to pursue basketball as a career. He knew she'd be successful.
She never talked with her kids about that part of her life. All they know her as is a doctor. Her trophies, awards, and newspaper clippings are all at her parents' house. Many of which have been boxed up for many years. Maybe it was time to share this part of her life with her daughter. Stepping onto the blacktop in their designer heels she eyed her daughter.
"Pass me the Rock."
The look on Josie's face was priceless.
"Don't take all day. If you were in a game and your teammate called for you to pass, you have to make a split-second decision before the defender realizes your teammate is open."
With a clap of her hands, she commands again "Pass me the rock."
This time Josie bounced passed the ball.
Olivia wanted to say something about that lazy pass but thought better of it.
Taking the ball in her hand. She palmed the ball. Which was quite impressive considering g she was petite, and her hands weren't that large. Olivia remembers spending hours learning how to compensate for her hand size and adjusting her fingers to just the right position to allow her to do that.
Again, Josie's face was one of shock.
"Close your mouth dear. You'll catch flies." Olivia quipped before she began dribbling.
"So, what are you working on?"
"A mid-range shot. That is where you are not in the key, but not out near the three-point line."
"Josie, I know what a mid-range jumper is."
"Okay, so you know basketball language. I forgot you watch games."
"My dear daughter."
Shaking her head. This little youngster is a sassy mix of herself and her father. Not always the best combo.
Taking a few dribbles, Olivia throws up a shot from the free throw line. With a bounce on the rim, it falls in. That little bounce annoys her because she is obviously rusty. Nothing but net is what she wants to hear. She tells Josie to get her rebound.
Grabbing the ball, she tosses the ball back to Olivia.
"Lucky shot."
Looking at her daughter with that smug look on her face. It was like she was looking at herself at that age. Dribbling to the right she pulls up a small jumper mid-range mind you and all you hear is the swish of the net.
To say that got her daughter's attention was an understatement. She didn't have to tell to get the ball for her this time. Her daughter eagerly ran to retrieve the ball, bouncing it hard back to Olivia.
"Hey mom, can you do that again?"
"Let's see. This time she took a step further to the right and threw up another shot. In it went."
"How do you know how hard to throw the ball up? I've been trying all day and I can't hit that shot. You did it twice and in high heels."
"Looking at her daughter she told her with lots of practice."
"Practice? When? Mom I never see you playing basketball. EVER!"
Fitz decided to answer this.
"In another lifetime your mom was a basketball star."
Liv laughed. Your first mistake was using the past tense. I am a basketball star Mr. She slammed the basketball into his chest. You up for a little game of horse?"
"What are we playing for?"
Mindful of the observant daughter and her listening ears.
"How about if you win all you can eat chocolate pudding? I know you love chocolate pudding?"
"If you win, you can have a banana split with lots of whip cream. You do like bananas don't you Livvie?"
With a choke at his statement, she coughed.
"Do we have a deal?"
Before Liv could answer, their daughter chimed in. "I like chocolate pudding and I've never had a banana split, but if mom likes it. I'm sure they are good."
Chuckling, you young lady are going to your Nana and Poppy's house for dinner and you know she will have treats for you and your siblings. So, after I beat your dad, you need to go shower and change your clothes. Your overnight back is already packed.
"Come on old man. Let me show your daughter how it's done. "
So, the game of H-O-R-S-E began.
Olivia was ready to take the final shot and beat Fitz. Either way she was the winner and so was Fitz. What meant more though was Liv showing Josie her skills. She dribbled a few extra bounces. Look at her husband and could see the pride in his eyes.
Josie shouted, "come on mom you can do it."
With that Olivia took her shot and it was clean. The ball traveled through the air, through the rim, nothing but net.
With her arms in the air, she did a little dance as her daughter ran over and wrapped her arms around her midsection and said "You did it mom. You beat dad. Now you can have your banana split."
Fitz laughed at his daughter's innocence. "Josie, I'm definitely going to make sure your mom gets her banana split." He came over and kissed his wife soundly on the lips.
"Grossssssssssssss" Josie exclaimed at the sight of her parents kissing.
Patting her back, Olivia ushered her daughter inside the house. Go shower and change your clothes. I'm going to do the same and meet you back downstairs in 30 minutes.
Fitz go check on our son and make sure he isn't awake yet.
With that the family got ready. Olivia and Fitz were excited to leave the kids at her parent's house for the evening and have a little fun of their own.
