A/N: Unfortunately the time is here. This is the final chapter of the story, accompanies with an epilogue after. I want to thank everyone who has read this story. Your words of encouragement has meant a lot to me. I've written other stories before, but there was something about this one that became like my own special project for me. I hope you enjoy reading the ending, because I surely enjoyed writing it.

Chapter 20: An Anniversary to Remember

May 27th, 1979

Olivia laid in bed fully awake. It was six in the morning, and they had to get going soon, but there was still some time to spare before they had to be up, and watching Fitz sleep was one of her favorite things to do. He had her securely wrapped in his arms, so she flipped around, carefully as to not wake him, just so she could look at his beautiful, peaceful face while he rested. She wouldn't be able to do this for a while, so she decided to take advantage of it while she still could.

In the past couple of days Fitz and Olivia talked more about their future plans leading up to graduation. Fitz was scheduled to begin working in the California state capital immediately after their graduation weekend. Olivia couldn't imagine being away from him for more than a couple weeks. They decided that she would look into taking the California bar exam so she could practice law there and join him in California by the end of summer at the very latest. The time seemed to have flown by, and now here they were the morning of Fitz's departure.

They graduated yesterday, and after getting a celebratory dinner with her Cyrus, Mellie, Marcus, and Mia, they retreated to Fitz's apartment to enjoy their final night together before his big move. Stephen, well aware of the situation, went to Abby's in order to give the couple the privacy they needed.

She wiggled closer to him in the sheets so her head was against his chest and placed kisses along his collarbone. He stirred slightly in pleasure still in a deep sleep, but Olivia saw him hardening beneath the blanket. She tactfully removed the blankets and sheets from the bed, making Fitz stir again and shiver slightly from the cold air hitting his naked skin, but he remained with his eyes shut tight. As for how he managed in the Navy being such a heavy sleeper, Olivia would never know.

She ran a hand up and down his torso, followed by placing open mouth kisses on every inch that her hand touched. His hips jerked upwards, as she got lower.

"Livvie," he mumbled in a subconscious state, and hearing that he was dreaming about her was only turned her on all the more. She straddled on top of his thighs, holding his member in her hand and stroked it. He shifted his weight, feeling something on top of his legs, which finally did the trick of waking him.

"Liv?" he questioned groggily, looking up at her as she was hovering over him.

"Good morning," she said swiftly flicking her tongue over his sensitive tip. This got him fully awake.

"Whoa, sweet baby," he lowly groaned. She took him in, just halfway, circling his opening with her tongue, making him hiss loudly. "Oh god!"

She continued licking and sucking, massaging his balls with her spare hand. Fitz squirmed, feeling himself lose control. She eased up, feeling his body tense. She was incredibly turned on hearing him moan for her. Her core was now aching too, and she wanted him. She moved her head back up to him, placing a kiss on his Adam's apple, then went back down, squatting over him, perfectly in line.

She lowered onto him in a quick, fluid fashion that made them both cry out from the immediate contact. She was panting as she rode him and Fitz threw his head back in bliss.

"Fuck, I love you!" he chanted, his hips working overtime into her.

"I love you to!" she replied. "Come with me, baby.

Olivia felt herself losing her resolve, and could tell Fitz was close too. His thrusts gained new speeds that shook Olivia to her core. She gripped her muscles tightly around him, sending him off, spilling his seed into her. She immediately followed, spilling her juices all over his cock.

Fitz groaned in pleasure, slightly chuckling "I'm certainly going to miss being woken up like that."

They got ready for the day, dressing in their clothes, and Fitz gathering his bags. They both moved at a much slower pace, likely because they were dreading the future hours. Eventually however they made their way to the airport, Olivia going with him to see him off.

"Hey, we'll be okay, remember? We'll make this work," Fitz whispered soothingly as he grabbed Olivia's hands.

"I know, I know, and I want this for you," she assured him and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"And I'll be on the lookout for law firms in California, and then you'll join me."

"Right," she sniffled. "And we'll call each other three times a week?"

"At the very least," he responded, he reached down and cupped her cheek turning her face towards him. "We're going to get through this. And you'll be in California in no time."

"No time," she repeated, more so to reassure herself. "And you'll call me right when you land?"

"The first payphone I can find. I promise."

"I love you," she told him with pleading eyes.

"I love you too."

"Madly?"

"Deeply," he answered. It had become a new phrase for them. He pulled her in for a long kiss.

July 16th, 1979

Olivia was back home in McLean spending the week at her childhood house with Cyrus and Louie. It was her birthday week, and she promised Mellie that she would celebrate with them in DC as opposed to in New York with her friends. Truth be told, this being her first birthday without her mother, she kind of wanted to spend it at home doing something quiet with Cyrus, Mellie, and Marcus rather than going out clubbing with Abby and Quinn.

The separation from Fitz had been hard on her. They kept true to their word, calling almost every single day, despite the long distance charge. They even went back to writing heartfelt letters to each other, just as cute little reminders that they loved each other. Still it was taking a toll on her that he was so far away; having become so reliant on always having him there, she missed him desperately.

On top of that was also the pending move to California by August, and job decision. She hadn't told anyone about her plans to move to California by August, not even Abby. She was worried about moving across the country, taking the bar, and trying to find a job at some law firm there.

She was all set on moving to California to be with Fitz…that was at least until one of her professors who she met with contacted her with an incredible job opportunity working for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the Upper East Side. She met with the recruiter last week, just for the sake of networking, and was offered a position the next day. She told them that she would get back to them by the end of the week, and she was still completely clueless about what to do.

She wanted to be with Fitz more than anything, but the chance to have a career as an art attorney, fresh out of law school, at the Met nonetheless - that was also part of her dream.

The phone downstairs went off and Olivia ran to it, knowing exactly who it was on the other end.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"How's McLean?" he asked her.

"Boring as usual," she grinned. "It's even worse when you're not here."

"I wish I could be," he said solemnly.

"I know and it's ok. I understand. I don't want you to feel bad."

"Only three more weeks," he said. "And then I'll get to see you in person, and I'll take you out to properly celebrate a belated birthday on your first night."

"Mhmmm…sounds fun."

"Is everything ok?" Fitz asked, noticing that she sounded slightly off.

She knew she should have told him about the job offer she got, but she couldn't bring herself to. She couldn't handle hearing the disappointment in his voice if she told him that she was considering staying in New York. And she also didn't want to him to feel guilty if she turned the job opportunity down. She recognized that she valued Fitz far more; she couldn't bear to hurt him, and decided that she would turn it down and not tell him.

"Nothing, just three more weeks is still a really long time," she lied.

"I know, but it will go by quickly. We made it this far."

"Yeah, I know. I just really miss you," her voice cracked.

"I miss you too. It's been so long," Fitz relented. "I sleep better with you."

"Because I tire you out," she said jokingly.

"Because I'm just so used to having you in my arms," he said, making her heart melt at the site. She couldn't do it. She couldn't even consider staying in New York. She had to be with him. Tears pricked her eyes. Fitz heard her sniffle slightly from the other end of the phone. "Livvie, please don't cry."

"Sorry, let's not get too sad right now," she apologized. "Um…tell me about your day? Busy day grabbing the Governor of California's coffee?"

"Insanely busy," he joked. "He asked for a decaffe this time."

They stayed on the phone talking to each other about their days for the next hour, until he had to go and Olivia hung up. She hit her head against the wall, hoping it could help her think straight, but all it did was worsen an oncoming headache, and make Louie stare at her like she was crazy. She decided to head outside in need of some fresh air to clear her head. She went outside in the late evening onto the front porch to find Cyrus sitting by himself, nursing a glass of scotch.

"Hi," she greeted him.

"Hi," he said back. "Were you on the phone with Fitz?"

"I…um yeah," answered Olivia. It came to her attention that while all of her friends knew that her and Fitz had taken the next step, she didn't tell Cyrus or even Mellie or Marcus about their new relationship status. "We um-"

"I know," Cyrus said, taking a swig of his drink and started chuckling to himself. "Believe me I know. Did you know he called me up shortly before you two started law school, right after you two saw each other again? He asked me if I had any connections with the administration at Columbia because he wanted to have a couple of classes with you?"

"He did?" Olivia asked shocked. She liked that she always had at least one class a semester with Fitz, but she had no idea that it was purposely scheduled so.

"Yep. At first I thought it was about having someone he was comfortable with since he already knew you. And that kid had already gone through so much that I figured I'd call in a few favors for him. Then just before last summer when you had your internship at the Smithsonian, he called me practically begging to help him secure some kind of internship in DC."

"I had no idea…"

"That was when I figured it out," Cyrus went on. "I told him I'd help him, but he would have to find his own living arrangements."

"Why?" Olivia asked. She always wondered why Fitz went ahead looking for an apartment that summer as opposed to just staying with them, it was probably for the best since they ended up having their brief little fight back then, but she still wondered about it.

"I don't know," Cyrus shrugged. "I guess I was hoping that with his own place that you would be more willing to uh…spend a few nights there every now and again."

"You were trying to play matchmaker?" Olivia laughed.

"I tried…" he shrugged his shoulders once more.

"I got a job offer the other day from the Met…to be an art attorney…" she shared for the first time with him.

"So, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know," Olivia admitted quietly. "Working for the Met, that would be my dream, but Fitz is in California, and he's-"

"The most important person in your life," Cyrus finished Olivia's sentence. "I get it, I do. I know I'm not normally one to be giving advice, but when you find someone like that, who makes you feel that way, don't let them go."

His breath hitched getting caught in his throat, "Don't give up on them, no matter how hard it might seem…just don't."

Olivia looked down at her feet, processing Cyrus' words, knowing exactly where they were truly coming from. She felt a pain in her heart for him and where his current feelings stood, hiding in a shadow.

"You should call James. He probably misses you," Olivia spoke up and gave Cyrus a knowing look.

"Wha- how did you-"

"Worst kept secret in Washington," she smiled and giggled.

"It's complicated, Liv," he explained.

"No it's not. Screw what society says! You love him, and you should be with the person you love. You deserve to be happy with James."

"It's not easy, Liv…I can't…I'm a top DC lawyer and..."

"And you're also one of the bravest people I've ever met," Olivia added. "You weren't afraid to be with my mom, even when majority of the country was against it."

Cyrus felt tears beginning to swarm his eyes at the mention of Maya. He missed her desperately, she was always there to help him in situations like this when he needed guidance, and now he was on his own. He also grew concerned that with Olivia's knowledge of the truth, she would be mad at him, not for who he was, but for living out a lie for her entire childhood.

"Olivia, I loved your mother, I did. It was just different."

"I know," she replied. "You were best friends, and she loved you too."

"I didn't want to hurt her," he started to cry a little more.

"You didn't," she assured him. "You gave her a friend, and a companion, and a father to her daughter when she needed one. She loved you too, Cyrus, just differently."

Cyrus grinned at her, "You're pretty brilliant, you know?"

Olivia reached over and embraced Cyrus in a big hug squeezing him tightly.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?" he asked, looking confused.

"For being such a great dad. I never said it to you before but-"

"Olivia it's ok, I understand. You don't have to."

"But I want to," she said, giving Cyrus the biggest smile he had in months.

July 20th, 1979

Olivia blew out the candles from her cake while Cyrus, James, Mellie, Marcus, and little Mia all cheered from the table. She liked the idea of spending her birthday quietly at home instead of doing anything too crazy and intense. She only wished that Fitz could have been there. She called him earlier that day, and they spoke for a bit, but it was during the workday and eventually he told her he had to go.

In only two weeks though she would be on a flight seeing him once again, and moving for good. She was eager and excited to start her life in California with him. She still had to politely decline the Met's job offer, which she planned on doing first thing after the weekend. After that she would spend the next two weeks packing up and saying her goodbyes. It was worth it no doubt to be with the man that she loved, the man that she had loved for her entire life.

It was a surprisingly chilly night for July so she grabbed a sweater from her room and headed downstairs, opening up the back sliding door.

"You going outside?" she heard Cyrus asked and turned around.

"Um yes, I just need to take Louie out," she said and patted her leg for the old dog to follow her.

"Ok…well James and I are going to be watching a movie in the living room if you want to join us," he offered and Olivia brightly smiled.

"Thanks for the offer, but I think you two have some talking you need to do alone."

Following her advice from that night a few days ago, Cyrus called James up the next day, multiple times, until he finally answered. Cyrus told him about how much he missed and apologized for turning him away and becoming so distant towards him after Maya's funeral. In a final plea he asked James if he would at the very least come to Olivia's birthday celebration if not for him, then at least for her sake. James reluctantly agreed, making it clear that he would be there only for Olivia, or so he told himself. Convincing him to stay longer for a movie, Cyrus hoped that this would be a good chance for them to work things out.

"Mhmm, just don't be out too long. It's a little cold," Cyrus said and turned away.

She couldn't help it, but every year on her birthday she thought about Fitz and the night that he left. Now that they were together, but not actually together for today, her mind had been wandering to that same night over and over again and she needed the space.

She took Louie outside, walking around the yard with him for a little bit, until she decided to sit out on the old tree house. She gently lifted Louie up into the air to get him onto the first platform before climbing up the ladder herself. Mimicking that same night, she sat out, legs dangling over the edge with Louie by her side staring up at the full moon that beamed its brightness down on her.

"We have to stop seeing each other like this," she heard a deep baritone voice come from behind her. She whipped her head around in disbelief.

"Fitz?"

"Hi," he said inching closer towards her.

"Hi," she muttered, squinting her eyes almost in almost a confused state. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to wish my girl a happy birthday," he grinned and came closer. Olivia blinked, realizing that this was not her imagination playing tricks on her and got up, leaping into him and kissing him longingly. It had been too long and the separation was too much for either of them as they continued to make out and hold one another. Finally Olivia pulled her mouth away, desperate to talk to him.

"How did you get here? I thought you weren't able with work and everything."

"Cyrus flew me out here," he explained. "He called me a couple of days ago and told me that you could use some more…uh friends at your birthday celebration."

"Oh my gosh," Olivia blushed sweetly. "So you're here for the weekend?"

Fitz looked down, "um…not exactly…he uh…he also told me about your job offer at the Met."

"Fitz…"

"Why didn't you tell me? Livvie, that's amazing! Congratulations! That is literally your dream job," he said in a truly enthusiastic tone.

"I'm not taking it. I was going to call them right away on Monday and tell them. I don't want it if I can't be with you. I don't care about that; I care about being with you. I'm still going to move to California," she said frantically, hoping and praying that Fitz would be understanding and believe her sincerely when she told him that she was happy just by being with him and didn't care about where that would be or what job she would have while being with him.

"I don't think that will be necessary anymore," said Fitz. "I quit my job yesterday."

"What? Fitz, no you can't! I won't let you do that for me," she raised her voice a little more hearing about the sacrifice he just made for her. "I don't mind moving, I swear."

"Well regardless of what you do, I'll be moving back to New York either way."

She looked at him questioningly.

"I got a job offer back over there," he explained, "at the ACLU headquarters in Manhattan."

"What?" she asked out of complete shock.

"Yep…before Cyrus called me…well…someone's extremely connected stepfather apparently reached out to the ACLU and told them about a former well-respected member of the union whose son just recently graduated from Columbia Law and was looking for a job with the organization in New York."

Olivia froze, remembering the stories that Cyrus used to tell her and Mellie about Big Gerry and Maggie's involvement in the ACLU during the Civil Rights Movement, That was how he first met Big Gerry and Maggie Grant all those years ago. And now using his powerful connections, Cyrus called to tell the current members about Big Gerry's fresh lawyer son, securing a job position for him.

Fitz would work for the esteemed institution that his parents admired. The organization that Fitz admired his parents for being part of – and located in New York nevertheless. She felt overwhelmed with emotions and gripped him tightly in a hug.

"Best dad ever," she cried, digging her head into Fitz's chest.

Fitz smiled hearing the words coming out of Olivia's mouth. "Yeah, he is a pretty amazing dad."

Olivia loosened her embrace and looked up at him, "Fitz, I don't want you to think that you have to give up everything to be with me. I-I mean if you want to continue working in California, even with this offer, that's ok. That was what we planned. I don't want you to think that I would go back on my promise and-"

He stopped and cut her off with a quick kiss before she could say anything more.

"Livvie, ten years ago I made a different promise to you that I would come back home, and that is what I'm doing."

"And home is…New York?"

"It's anywhere with you," he answered.

He lifted her into his arms once again and kissed her, this time passionately. And even though they had known each other for so long, sharing multiple intimate experiences throughout the years, something about this made Olivia feel as though she was kissing him for the first time again.

He set her down on the floor and they walked together to where Olivia was sitting. Fitz plopped down by her side, taking note of the old dog by her and wrapping his arm around her to scratch his head cheerfully and lovingly as he always had. They sat, looking up at the moon, same spot, same time, ten years later. He stared at her taking her in until she turned his head to look at him.

"So," she asked seeing him stare intensely at her, "what happens now?"

Fitz took a deep breath, "We go back to the city, start our jobs, eventually get married, move into a house with a white picket fence and have 2.5 kids," he laughed a bit before going on, "continue working until we retire, and then I guess we'll just grow old together."

"I don't know," Olivia rolled her eyes playfully looking at his wide grin, "to some people that might sound pretty mundane."

"Not with you it's not."