Chapter 3

Seed Time and Harvest

Olivia was madwoman. Her delicate position did not match her disposition. When the labor and delivery nurse announced that her cervix had not effaced at all, she pounded her fist onto the examining bed and bellowed, "I am not going anywhere until these babies are out of me! Fitz, handle this and make them admit me now! I'll be waiting outside for my room." Olivia motioned for Fitz to assist her with redressing. She held on to his arm for leverage as she slid off the bed. Without a look back, she waddled out of the room.

Fitz looked as the nurse with chagrin. "I'm sorry. She's feeling so uncomfortable…"

"Mr. President, there is no need to explain," the nurse interrupted, "This is my job. Expectant mothers can be demanding at this delicate time and with good reason. We'll get you all settled in a private room with the safeguards that have been put in place. The wing will be keycard entry only. I'll get a wheelchair and have Ms. Pope escorted to a room."

"Thank you, Nurse Sanchez," Fitz replied shaking her hand.

"Liv, why won't you get some drugs?" Gerry held Olivia's arm as they walked down the long corridor outside her birthing suite. They had the entire wing to themselves. Olivia had been there for 5 hours.

"I can do this without an epidural. Stop badgering me or I'll banish you like I did with your father and sister." Olivia walked gingerly down the hallway. She alternated between leaning on Gerry and the wall. When a contraction hit, she would squeeze the nearest thing to her, sometimes Gerry's hand or the hallway railing.

"Let's have a conversation and forget that I am in labor. I need to take my mind off the pain."

"Okay, well….I don't want to be homeschooled anymore. Can you talk Dad into enrolling us into a high school? It's boring being at home all day and those cheesy field trips are the worst. Karen has made some friends in the homeschool network, but I haven't. I guess the tables have turned. She is popular. I'm not. I don't care about that it's just that I want to be in a real school. I want to play lacrosse again."

"Let's stop walking for a minute," Olivia propped her shoulder against the wall. Gerry stopped beside her and took a seat on the floor. "An apology is inadequate, Gerry, but I am so sorry for how Fitz and I…our relationship has affected you and Karen…the constant changes and the move away when you were settling in at Sidwell. Have you spoken with your mom about a new school?"

"No. She's mad because I won't live with her in California. She doesn't want Karen to come there. I can't leave my sister. I don't want to be so far away from any of my brothers or sisters. I'll be going to college soon. Karen and I have never had a perfect life. Mom and Dad have always been…different. Please talk to Dad about the school."

"Get up and stop using your Grant charm on me. I'll see what I can dooooooo…" Olivia squeezed her eyes shut and tried to breathe as her stomach hardened with a contraction.

"Olivia, why aren't you lying down?" Mildred Pope rushed to Olivia. She rubbed her shoulder, and then pulled a hair tie from her purse. She pulled Olivia's hair back into a ponytail. Olivia smiled at mother who could work magic with anything taken from her purse. She could mend a ripping seam, fix a button, bandage a scrape, or resolve any mini personal hygiene crisis.

"Gerry, where is your father? Why isn't he with Olivia?" Mildred asked with a sour expression on her face.

"Gerry, you and Karen should drive over to Starbucks and get a Frappuccino or something. Thanks for walking with me." Olivia smiled as Gerry hugged her. He greeted Olivia's mother and exited the hallway.

"Well, Mommy. Walking worked!" Olivia smirked as she remembered what else she and Fitz had done to hasten the labor. "I am in labor, slow labor, but labor, nonetheless."

"You should be laying down. When are they going to put the monitor on you?" Mildred asked with concern.

"I'm only three centimeters. The doctor said I could walk until I am six centimeters dilated. I can take the pain better when I am standing and walking around. If I lie down, I will probably give in and take the epidural." Olivia resumed walking slowly up the hallway.

"Baby, there are no rewards for giving birth without an epidural. Why go through that unnecessary pain? Was this his idea?" Mildred's expression bordered on disgust. "I am glad you aren't wearing that ring." Mildred rubbed Olivia's hand.

"Mommy, you have to stop. I do plan to wear the engagement ring again. I love him and we are going to be a family. Give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't want you two at odds with each other all the time."

Mildred ignored her plea. "I have been meaning to ask you this for a couple of weeks, but any word from Nate? How is he? I called his mom, but she hasn't heard from him since that postcard he sent months ago."

"I haven't heard from him. I hope he is okay." Nate's disappearance was a mystery to Olivia. She was going to look into it once she had some time.

"Ms. Pope it is time for us to put you on the machine to monitor your contractions. You'll have to lie down for 20 minutes," Nurse Sanchez said as she appeared around the corner.

"Do I have to? I do much better with the pain when I am walking. Can we wait another 20 minutes?" Olivia pleaded.

"Olivia, stop being ornery!" Aunt Diane walked around the corner behind Nurse Sanchez, her arms outstretched. "We are finally going to meet these twins! You and Fitz are crazy for not finding out the sex of the babies." Aunt Diane hugged Olivia and kissed her on both cheeks.

"Hello, Mildred," said Aunt Diane said with less enthusiasm.

"Diane," Mildred replied in acknowledgement more than greeting.

Olivia's mother and aunt had a strained relationship. Mildred was jealous of the closeness between Diane and Olivia. Diane didn't like the way Mildred treated her brother, during their marriage.

"It's so good to see you Aunt Diane! Mommy, why don't you get Fitz? He is in the private waiting room."

Olivia called out to her mom, "And Mom, be nice please."

"I am always nice." Mildred walked away.

Diane helped Olivia get in the bed when they returned to the room. They waited for the nurse to get the machine ready. "I can't wait to meet these babies. How are you doing with the move, living with two teenagers, and Fitz full time? You were worried they wouldn't like you because of the divorce. "

"Aunt D, these last 6 months have been more peaceful than I could have imagined. Karen and Gerry have been respectful and accepting of me. They been wonderful. They ask my opinion on things, but I don't try to be their mother. I'll never force a relationship with them. Nothing is perfect, though. Mellie hasn't signed the divorce papers yet. She doesn't see them as much as she should. Gerry just informed me that he wants to enroll in school, which is going to draw attention to us. Fitz and my mom don't get along. I am absolutely terrified of taking care of two newborns. Despite it all, I think the worst is over. Fitz and I are engaged as you know. We are going to be a real family. Finally, there is nothing standing in the way of our happiness. I can't tell you how good that feels after all our drama. Knock on wood of course." Olivia knocked on the wooden rolling table.

Fitz looked at his watch. It had been 30 minutes since Olivia ordered him and Karen to leave her alone when they insisted that she stop the walking and rest. Fitz chuckled as he stood to go back to the birthing suite. He'd decided that 30 minutes was enough time to let her cool down.

His phone rang. It was Demarchelier.

"Hello, what have you found out?" Fitz asked.

"Three days ago he was spotted in DC. We are getting close to him. I have some other, more pressing, news. You father wants an audience with you?"

"Why? The job of being my fake father ended when I resigned as President and defected from The Organization."

"You misunderstand, your real father, His Supreme Eminence…"

"Stop. You took care of this for me. I am out of The Organization. I have defected. Why does he want to see me, when I have not ties to him anymore?" Fitz started pacing the floor. His breathing becoming ragged and his heart beating faster.

"Søren, please have a seat and listen to me!" Demarchielier raised his voice.

Fitz stopped in his tracks. He hadn't been addressed by his given name in years. "Don't ever call me that again."

"Hear me out, please. I have been your personal attaché since you were 13. I know you. I know your father. I know your life. Let me give you some perspective. You are the son of the most powerful man in the world. He has given you everything…"

"But an authentic life. My life has always been one big secret. I am not Søren Michael Avenir, and he is not my father. I am Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III. I don't want to speak about this again, especially today with Liv giving birth. My life is finally going in the right direction."

"You will not escape this. I did as you asked me…submitted your defection, but you had to know that he wasn't going to let his heir leave so easily. This threatens stability and power of The Organization especially since you are supposed to become the next SE. Talk to him. Maybe you can resolve this…come up with some sort of compromise. Think about Ms. Pope, Karen, Gerry, your twins. Do you want him and his entourage to appear at your house one day? Do you want Ms. Pope and your children to find out about this from anyone but you? This isn't just about you anymore. Do you think you he will allow you to keep me as your attaché? Don't go to war with your father because ignoring him will be a declaration of a war you can't win."

Fitz felt nauseous. He cursed himself for being so naïve as to think he was finally free. He wondered why everyone always wanted to control him. He was born into an organization that was all about control. Even in his fabricated life people wanted to control his him, Cyrus, Mellie, Hollis, and even Olivia with Defiance. Here he was, hemmed in again.

"Set up a meeting for a month from now. I can't do this until Liv is settled with the babies at home. I don't plan on Olivia, Karen, or Gerry ever finding out about this. I need you to help me prepare for this meeting. When can you come to Atlanta?"

"I can coach you over the phone. I don't think it would be a good idea for me to be in the same room with you and risk someone seeing us. No one can ever know our connection. It will help them figure out your true identity," Demarchelier said.

"That is the least of my worries. Nate already knows something, yes?" Fitz didn't notice Mildred walk up to the private waiting room door.

"I still don't think it is a good idea," Demarchelier countered.

"I need you. I can't get through this without you!" Fitz pleaded.

"Okay. I'll be in touch." Demarchelier disconnected the line.

Fitz took some deep breaths to calm himself down. He exited the door and met Mildred just around the corner.

"Hello, Fitzgerald, Olivia sent me to get you. The nurse has made her return to the bed so they can monitor her contractions." Mildred smiled and linked her arm through his.

Fitz was taken aback by the change in her demeanor. She touched him and smiled. She was usually so cold to him.

"Thanks, Mildred. She has been so stubborn and ornery today. I am glad she is finally resting."

"No, Thank you, Fitz. You have been so good to my daughter. This is a great day. Why don't you go on to the suite? I need to stop by the ladies' room." Fitz patted her hand that rested on his forearm and then continued down the hallway.

Mildred stepped into the ladies' room. She checked the stalls to make sure they were empty. She pulled out her cell phone and pressed the play button to make sure she had recorded Fitz. When she purchased her cell phone, she'd never thought she would use the recording feature, but she was thankful that the annoying customer service representative had given her instructions on how to use it. Mildred smiled at the clear replay of Fitz's voice.

"That is the least of my worries. Nate already knows something, right?"

"I need you. I can't get through this without you!"

"That philanderer! He cheated on this wife with Olivia and now he is cheating on Olivia with someone else," Mildred whispered to herself. "I need to stop this marriage before it happens. How does Nate know about this?"

Mildred almost dropped her phone when it buzzed in her hands.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Mildred. This is Nathaniel."

"Nathaniel! Oh, I can't believe it is you? I was just asking Olivia about you. Where are you? You mother is so worried."

"How is Carrie? Where is she?"

"We are at the hospital in Atlanta. She is in labor as we speak. I'm sure we have many hours to go before she gives birth. She is well. I can't say that I am happy about the father of those twins. He is a womanizer. I am sure he is cheating on Olivia. I have a feeling that you know something about that."

Nate knew that it wasn't a good idea to share what he knew with Mildred. He had to play this smart.

"Mildred, he is not who you think he is. Olivia is in danger. I do have some information that I cannot share right now. I need your help. I'm in Atlanta, and I need to see Olivia before she leaves the hospital. That is the only way I'll be able to see her alone. Do you think you could get me in to see her? I'm sure he has it secured like Fort Knox."

"I'll see what I can do, Nathaniel. I am glad you are back. I feel much better about everything now. Can I call you on this number?"

"Yes, thanks, Mildred."

"You are now at five centimeters, Ms. Pope. Do you want the epidural? We have to do it now. Quite frankly, I recommend it. The pain is only going to get worse. Your stress is going to put the babies into distress." Dr. Olivera walked to the sink, discarded her gloves, and washed her hands.

Olivia turned her head. A single tear escaped from her eye and ran down her cheek. Fitz stood by her side holding her hand. He kissed the tear and helped her push back up on the bed and cover her legs.

"Baby, you have made it almost twenty hours. You need to rest. Get the epidural. It won't hurt them. I wish I could take the pain in your place." Fitz kissed her brow that was beaded with sweat.

"I wish you could feel this pain too. I'm never letting you touch me again." Olivia squeezed his hand as a contraction overwhelmed her.

"Okay. Get the anesthesiologist. I'll do it." Olivia closed her eyes taking a deep breath to calm her breathing.

"Why didn't you make me do this earlier?" Olivia's face held a contented grin. The epidural had finally taken effect. She still felt tightening when she got a contraction, but there was no pain.

Fitz smiled and hugged Olivia tighter in his arms. They were alone in the birthing suite. Aunt Diane and Mildred were in the cafeteria. Karen and Gerry were camped out in the private waiting room.

He lay beside her on the hospital bed. His body spooned hers, and his head was propped on one hand while his other hand rubbed her stomach under the hospital gown. Olivia closed her eyes enjoying the feeling of his hands on her body. It was so quiet. This was a nice respite from the pain she had endured for hours.

"Livy, how are you feeling?" Fitz whispered in her ear.

"Wonderful…it's so quiet…this is nice. Probably the last peace we will experience for years." Olivia snuggled deeper into her pillow and closed her eyes.

Fitz began peppering small kisses behind her ear and on her neck. His hands moved between her legs, caressing her softly there.

"What are doing, Fitz? I am in labor." Olivia grabbed his hand but he wouldn't move it away. "Are you…what is that against my back?"

"Don't worry I'm not going to do anything drastic. I want to feel you one last time before the onion rings make an appearance. Let me know if you want me to stop."

He kissed her and slid two fingers inside her. She gasped. She was puzzled at the sensations she was feeling. Isn't an epidural supposed to numb me from the waist down? Olivia stopped wondering and opened her legs wider, enjoying it all.

"Push, Olivia! I can see the head crowning. You can do it honey!" Fitz held her up as she bared down on his arm. He was looking from her face to the mirror on wheels that set beside Dr. Olivera. It let them both see the progress of the labor. Olivia refused to look at the mirror because it made her lose focus. Aunt Diane and Mildred each held one of Olivia's legs while Nurse Sanchez and Karen held up the other. They were like human stirrups.

A head with a shock full of black hair in contrast to its pale coloring appeared. The shoulders, chest, and the remainder of the body came next.

"Baby number 1 is out. Suction! It is a girl!" Dr. Olivera suctioned the mouth and handed her over to the nurse to place on Olivia's chest.

Olivia was weeping openly. She was speechless, but totally in love with this little creature. She couldn't take her eyes off her little face. She was squawking and flailing her arms. Everyone in the room marveled in their own way. Fitz walked around to the foot of the bed to cut the cord.

"She's beautiful!"

"A girl!"

"Look at all that hair!"

"I love you, Olivia." Fitz kissed Olivia's brow and the baby's little hands and feet before the nurse took her away.

"We're not done here, people! We have more work to do. Ms. Pope, when you feel the tightness again, I need you to push," Dr. Olivera said forcefully.

"Olivia, you are doing great," Aunt Diane said.

Mildred was smiling and crying. Karen just looked stunned.

"Karen, are you okay? You seem a little shell shocked." Olivia said as she laid back on the pillow for a little rest.

"Karen you should go check on your little sister while they clean her up," Fitz said.

"That was unreal. Wow!" Karen walked over to the bed where the nurses were cleaning, examining, and swaddling the baby.

"I hope we haven't scarred her for life." Olivia said between breaths.

"I think Gerry would have been overwhelmed so that is why he is in the private waiting room," said Fitz. He felt Olivia squeeze his hand gently.

"I think it is time to push." Olivia lifted up aided by Fitz. After seven rounds of pushing, the second baby, a boy, was born. Everyone was amazed at his shock of red hair.

"Where did that come from? Liv do you have something to confess to Fitz? Red hair?!" Aunt Diane said jokingly.

Fitz's expression went blank. He thought of his mother's red hair. He nor any of his real siblings inherited it, but here it was reminding him of his past. Fitz pushed those thoughts from his head.

Everyone but Fitz rushed over to watch the nurses work on the male child.

Dr. Olivera delivered the afterbirth and stitched Olivia's episiotomy cut.

"One of each…a boy and a girl. I like that, honey. What are we going to name them?" Fitz brushed Olivia's sweat drenched tresses from her face. She smiled and laid her head back on the pillow exhausted.

"Yes. You name the girl and I'll name the boy. How about that?"

"That sounds good," Fitz kissed her fingers. "You need to sleep."

"No, they are hungry. I need to feed them." Olivia set up just as the nurses came to the bed each holding a baby. Diane and Mildred left the room to give them privacy. Karen stayed still totally enthralled by everything that had transpired.

"Okay, Ms. Pope, it will be best to nurse them together as much as possible so you can get sleep. They will probably have different nursing personalities so you'll want to switch breasts. Let's just work on getting them to latch on. The lactation consultant will give you more training." Nurse Sanchez helped Olivia place both babies at her breasts using the specially made pillows. They both latched on at the same time.

"Look at them go! They must be hungry. Does it hurt Liv?" Karen asked.

"No. It's okay."

Fitz and Karen rubbed their little heads as they nursed. Olivia closed her heavy eyelids and took a deep breath. She felt totally content for the first time in a long time.

In the early hours of the morning, Olivia rested in her room alone. She was in a deep sleep at 3:30. The babies wouldn't be in for another feeding for an hour or so. She had convinced Fitz to take Karen and Gerry home so they could sleep and get cleaned up. He resisted until she asked him to run some errands to prepare the house for the babies. Diane joined them to offer assistance.

Mildred insisted on staying to watch over Olivia and the babies. She had racked her brain to try to find a way to get the two security guards to leave the door. She had finally succeeded by asking them to carry two giant stuffed bears from her car to the room. She explained that she wanted to surprise Olivia with them when she awoke.

Mildred phoned Nate and told him he would have about 15-20 minutes to visit depending on how long she could stall the agents.

Olivia's sleep was so sweet that a contented smile rested on her lips. She felt a hand on her cheek and she roused and covered his hand with hers, knowing it had to be Fitz.

"You are so beautiful, Carrie."

She opened her eyes and met Nate's deep brown eyes instead of Fitz's grey ones. She couldn't stop the gasp that escaped from her lips.

"Nate! What are you doing in Atlanta? How did you get in here?" Olivia moved to sit up but her stitches pulled against her episiotomy scar making it uncomfortable to move quickly.

"I can't stay, but I need to talk to you about Grant. I have some information about him that you need to know...information he's been keeping from you. He is not who you think he is. I can't explain now, but you are in danger. Don't tell him I was here or that I contacted you. I am going to visit you in a couple of days with more information. I need you to arrange it so we can talk privately. I have to go before he and his people catch me. You know me, Carrie. I would never hurt you. I'll be in touch soon." Nate kissed Olivia on the cheek and disappeared out of the room before she could utter another word.

Olivia's breathing became labored. Her contented feeling began to dissipate. She had no idea what Nate was talking about. His visit left her with an ominous feeling that her newfound tranquility had come to an end.