1 Year Later: Christmas

Liv has started her residency at Lenox Hill. It feels like a dream but she's so close. Everything was going according to plan. Everything she mapped out for herself is doing what she thought it would, except for falling in love. She and Fitz have been going strong and she sometimes feels crazy that she's so helplessly in love with this man. It's been one year of pure magic and she can finally see that picture in her head. She can see a big beautiful house with that white picket fence and children. That was something that wasn't in the plan. Being with Fitz makes her see all of those things.

"Knock…knock," Liv hears on the other side of the door.

"Come in Liz! Why are you knocking?" Liv asks.

Liz opens the door, "These came for you, of course, you lucky bitch." Liz is holding a humongous bouquet of assorted roses. Liv can do nothing but blush. Liz pulls out the card.

"That is private," Liv says, pulling for the card.

Liz pulls it back, reading anyway, "To My Everything! I can't wait for our date tonight. I've been waiting for this since last year. Don't be late. Love, Fitz." Liz rolls her eyes, handing her the card. "I really hate you for finding Mr. Wonderful."

"I'd like to think he found me," Liv smiles, looking at the note.

"So where is this date?"

"Somewhere special," Liv answers coyly.

"Come on. You know my love life and sex life is sour now since I broke up with that jackass Jake. I need some excitement."

"Not at my expense," Liv says, getting up so she can take a quick shower. "I hate getting dressed here because everyone gets in your business. But I won't have time to go home and change."

"I'm surprised you still have your apartment. I thought Fitz would have begged you to move in with him by now. If I were you I would stick to that sex god like glue."

"You are so embarrassing and he has asked me to move in with him," Liv says as she holds up 3 dresses. She's been shopping for this date for 3 weeks and can't figure out what to wear.

"And why won't you move in with him? You are both at each's houses all the time and you are at his brownstone more since you have become a sex addict," Liz jokes, pointing at one of the dresses. She looks a little confused. "I've heard of dressing for the season but why are all your dresses red?"

Liv rolls her eyes, "It's a special date," Liv stresses. "And I am not a sex addict. I just happen to want no other dick before me but his."

"I knew he was a sex god," Liz laughs as she takes in Liv's shoe choices. "Wear the sexy shoes? You want to land on that dick at the end of the night."

"It's also cold out and I have no idea where he is taking me," Liv laughs. Before she can put Liz out, her cell phone rings. Her face quickly illuminates, "Hi!" Liz rolls her eyes.

"Hi," Fitz says. "Did you get them?"

"I most certainly did. I got them as a special delivery via Liz." she says as she looks up at them again. "Fitz, they are beautiful. You didn't have to do that."

"I most certainly did. I told you I'd always surprise you and woo you. I meant every word and tell Liz I'm sorry you can't tell her where we are going on our date," he lightly chuckles.

Liv looks at Liz, "Fitz says he's sorry you can't know where we are going on our date."

Liz gets up from her chair, "That's fine, just make sure you can get it up tonight. My girl is gonna look hot and she needs hot sex too and crooked walk in the morning."

"Get out Liz," Liv laughs.

"Tell her the sex will be hot and never ending," Fitz counters.

"I am not repeating that," Liv laughs.

"Tell her," Fitz says.

"What did he say?" Liz asks. Liz tries to grab the phone. Liv reluctantly puts it on speaker, per Fitz's request.

"I said Liv will have hot sex all night and all morning if she doesn't beg me stop and I can get her to beg," Fitz says. Liv has turned 3 shades of red. She'd never tell Liz but she's pretty sure she's soaked with need.

"I like you," Liz answers.

"Goodbye Fitz and Liz goodbye. I have to finish up so I can get home and get dressed," Liv interjects.

"I wasn't done," Fitz shouts.

"Oh yes you are," Liv giggles.

"I would love to hear more," Liz adds.

Liv hangs up on Fitz and pushes Liz out of the door. She's now more than embarrassed but needs to get dressed.


Fitz is still sitting in his office. Business has been so good in the last year, more business than he thought possible. They've had to hire a new associate by the name of Quinn Perkins who is perky and more perky. Marcus has a crush and Fitz finds it all hilarious. Fitz is ready to take a new direction in his life and tonight will be the start. He is planning to surprise Liv and he hopes it goes as planned.

Marcus burst through his door, "I'm gonna ask her out."

Fitz plays clueless, "Who?"

"Who else?" Marcus says, walking over to his desk.

"Marcus, you know the deal. No inter-office mingling."

Marcus looks at him surprised, "That was real."

Fitz laughs, "We didn't do a company handbook just for fun." Fitz looks at his watch.

"So you are really going to do it. You are going to pop the big question tonight."

Fitz opens the draw to his desk and pulls out the ring. He opens his box and lets Marcus look at it. "I can't wait to do it."

Marcus takes the ring, taking a look at it. "Man, this is rich."

Fitz gets a worried look on his face, "You think it's too much."

"I think it is perfect. She's gonna love it." Fitz doesn't answer. Marcus notices the worried look on his face. "What's up my man? This should be the happiest time in your life."

"I am happy. She makes me happy. I've truly never been this happy. I want her to be my wife. I want to make her happy," Fitz stops. This is the first time he's ever thought about this, "I want to have a family with her. I want to start over."

"Then what's the problem," Marcus says.

"I just hope she wants the same thing," Fitz says lightly.

"Come on, she loves you. I can tell that. You got her nose wide open just like she has yours. She loves you."

"I know she does but she has had a lot of hurt and a lot of loss and I know it makes her apprehensive but I would never hurt her."

"Of course not," Marcus pats his back. Just then, there's a knock at the door.

"Come in," Fitz says as Quinn comes in.

"Mr. Grant, I have those documents ready for you to look over," she says, trying not to glance over at Marcus. Fitz knows that she's interested too.

"Quinn, I told you all that I wanted you out of here by 3pm. It's Christmas Eve. I'm sure you have a lot to do."

Quinn looks over at Marcus and then back at Fitz, "Are you sure? I know you wanted to see where I was with this case."

"I want to see but I want to see after the holidays. Go enjoy yourself. Go enjoy a New York Christmas. It's a beautiful one," Fitz says as he looks at her and then over to Marcus. "Why don't you and Marcus go enjoy the city tonight."

Marcus looks at him as if he wants to jump out of the window in embarrassment, "I'm sure Quinn has plans."

"Actually, I don't. I am just learning my way around," Quinn says.

"Well perfect! Get out of here," Fitz says.

Quinn and Marcus look at each other. Marcus goes, "Would you like to?"

"Sure! Why not?" Quinn answers.

"You two have fun," Fitz smiles.

Quinn leaves out first. Marcus follows behind her. He turns to Fitz. "I owe you man."

"No you don't. Sometimes you need a little push. So now don't screw this up," Fitz says.

"Does this mean I can mingle in the office?" Marcus asks.

"Be smart about it," Fitz laughs.

Marcus smiles, "And don't worry about it. She's going to say yes."

Fitz takes a breath, "If she doesn't, I'm gonna keep asking her until she does."

"That's it my man," Marcus says as he closes the door.

Fitz opens the ring box again, looking at the beautiful carats that sparkle from the box. He imagines the ring on her finger. He knew he wanted to marry her when they went to Katz's Deli that first night but he didn't want to scare her away. Fitz gets ready to leave as he puts the ring in his pocket to go home and change and get ready. He's been planning this for 3 months. He wants this to be perfect.


Liv is getting out of her taxi with her dress and shoes in hand. She knows she has a couple hours to get dressed but she wants enough time. She goes to the door of the brownstone she's in to find a familiar face standing there. One she hasn't seen in far too long and she's not exactly happy about it.

"Olivia," he says.

Liv stands there looking at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I would have hoped for a better reaction," Eli says.

"Well forgive me. I am not used to seeing you and we aren't exactly a public service announcement for a perfect father/daughter relationship," Liv says.

"I was hoping we could spend some time together," Eli says.

"Are you kidding me right now? I haven't spoken to you in almost 2 years and you show up wanting us to frolic down 5th Avenue hand in hand like everything is okay," Liv says.

Eli can't help but see so much of himself in her. "Of course I don't expect that but you have to start somewhere. I have to start somewhere. I know you don't believe it but I care about you….," he stops himself, knowing how it sounds. "I love you. You are my daughter."

"I guess I should be grateful you remember that I exist," Liv says as she starts toward the door.

"Can I come in for a minute?" He asks.

Liv doesn't want him there but she decides to put that all aside for now. "It's cold out. You can come up."

He takes that as progress. "Thanks," He says as he follows her to her door. He looks around, "How many apartments in this building."

"Just 3," Liv says as she opens her door. She steps aside so he can walk in. He walks in taking in her perfectly appointed space.

He shakes his head in approval, "This is very you. I see your mother's style."

"She had amazing taste. I am glad she passed it on to me," Liv says.

"You are beautiful just like your mom," Eli says, staring at his beautiful daughter who is the woman that he doesn't know. He notices the picture of her and a guy on her mantle but he doesn't address it.

Liv puts her dress down, which Eli takes notice of but he says nothing. "Why are you here?"

"I told you why," he says defensively.

"No, you told me what you think I want to hear. I stopped caring about that a long time ago," Liv spits back.

"I'm trying here Livvie," he says with a hint of desperation.

"You didn't try when mom died. Instead you decided I wasn't your responsibility. You decided living your life as a bachelor was your trying," Liv says as she's angry she's feeling the tears well up inside of her.

"We've been through this, Olivia. I just couldn't….," He is trying to find the words.

"You couldn't live without your wife. But you could live without your daughter," Liv says, trying to gather her emotions.

"You were the greatest thing we ever did together," Eli says, trying to come closer to her. He can tell she needs to be comforted.

"And the greatest thing you ever failed at. If it weren't for Grandma Alice, I don't know what would have become of me."

"She hates me and I supposed she taught you to hate me," Eli defends.

Liv shakes her head, "She loves me and took care of me. She doesn't hate you. She's never said one bad thing about you to me. She hates what you did. I hate what you did. I wanted a father when I lost my mother. Instead I lost both my parents."

"You have to give me another chance."

"I want you to go. I have plans tonight and I don't want to be late," Liv says.

"A date," Eli tries to pry.

Liv doesn't answer. She just looks away. She doesn't want to let him in too deep.

"I'm in no place to act like the warden dad to your dates. I just want…if it is a date, I hope he's a good guy."

"He's an amazing guy," she softens.

Eli knows he can't push too many buttons, "How long have you two been seeing each other?"

"A year," she answers.

"Sounds serious," Eli says.

Liv has been thinking about this for a while now. She and Fitz have been going so great that she is thinking about the future with him. "I think it is."

"I would like to meet him someday," Eli says skittishly.

She's not ready for this Eli. "I really need to start getting ready," Liv says.

"Does he have a name?" Eli asks going toward the door with Liv right behind him.

"Fitzgerald," Liv answers.

"Sounds very New England," Eli answers. He turns around, "Does he make you happy?"

"Yes he does," Liv says quickly.

Eli shakes his head. "That's all I want."

"Thanks," Liv offers.

"Merry Christmas!," he says as he reaches in his pocket and hands her something. "Just a little something."

Liv looks it over, "You didn't have to."

"Yes I did," Eli says as he leaves.

Liv stands there wondering if she should open now or tuck it away like she does everything else he gives her. Truth be told, she is very curious.


Fitz has taken a shower. He's checked in with last minute details for tonight. He wasn't nervous like this when he proposed to Mellie. He knows this is different. Olivia is different. He knows that she's feel that place that not even Mellie filled. Liv is his soulmate and he's sure of it. She's the missing link for him. Just then, his doorbell rings. Fitz thinks to himself, Who could that be? He goes to the door to find the last person he expected to find there.

"Mellie," he says.

"Merry Christmas," she says. Fitz is too shocked to think at first. "Fitz, Merry Christmas!"

"Mellie, what are you doing here?"

"To see you silly. Can I come in?"

He feels bad because he wants to ask her to leave. But he doesn't want to have the conversation that they will undoubtedly have about their daughter. "Sure, come in. I am getting ready to leave in a little while," he explains.

"Oh," Mellie says a little sadly as she looks around. She notices the photo on the mantle next to their daughter. Fitz looks so happy with this beautiful woman. They are looking at each other like there's no one else in the world.

Fitz's phone rings, "I need to get this." He goes toward the kitchen as Mellie continues to look around. She has only been to his place once. He notices there is more than one picture of this woman that adorns his home now. She can hear a few of his muffled words in the distance. He's telling someone this has to be absolutely perfect. This is not going the way she thought it would go. Just then Fitz comes back in, "Sorry, I had to get that."

"That's okay! Looks like I couldn't have come at a worse time."

"No, it's not that it's just…." He doesn't know how to exactly explain this.

"You have a date," she finishes for him.

"Yes I do," he says. He knows she must have noticed the picture on the mantle and by the piano.

"What's her name?" Mellie asks.

"Olivia," he answers and there's this smile that just naturally forms whe he says her name.

"Olivia," Mellie repeats. "She's certainly beautiful."

"Yes she is," Fitz continues to blush.

"Must be serious. There's pictures around."

Fitz ushers Mellie to have a seat. "It is. I told you about her when we spoke last Christmas."

Mellie wanted to believe that maybe that didn't work out. "That's great."

Fitz knows Mellie. He can tell there's a sadness. "What about you and your guy? Last time we spoke."

"I caught him cheating, right before the wedding," she answers.

"I'm sorry. I truly am," Fitz says.

"I suppose I was jumping into things. I didn't know him like I should have," Mellie says.

Fitz feels bad but their past is the past now, "The right someone is out there. You have a lot to offer that person."

"I often think our lives would have been different if she had lived. We would be happy. Maybe our family would have grown."

"Maybe," Fitz says.

"You are probably wondering why I am here," Mellie says.

"Kind of," Fitz answers.

"I thought we would have Christmas Eve dinner and talk about old times. You know but you have plans."

Fitz hesitates. He doesn't want to discuss his new life with her but she needs to know that things are about to change. "Yes I do. Very important plans. I'm going to ask her to marry me tonight."

Mellie feels her heart drop. She realizes she waited too long to try and fix things. "Oh…that's wonderful. I'm happy for you. I see the way you light up when you say her name. She's a lucky woman."

"I think I'm the lucky one. It's weird. Our daughter brought us together. I went looking for some solitude for our daughter and found her."

"Really," Mellie says.

"Yes and well, here we are."

"I suppose I should let you go. You have to get ready. This is a very big night," Mellie says. She feels like she's out of place in Fitz's life now. She gets up from her seat.

"How long are you in town for?' Fitz asks as he opens the door.

"I'm here until the new year," she answers.

"Well, let's get together and have lunch or something," Fitz offers.

"I'd like that," Mellie says. "I'd really like that."

"Okay sounds good," Fitz says.

Mellie goes out of the door. She turns to him, "I am happy for you. You look happy."

"I am," Fitz says.

"Good luck tonight!" She smiles.

"Thanks," Fitz smiles as gives her a kiss on the cheek. "It was good to see you."

"Good to see you too," Mellie says as she leaves. Life goes on, she thinks to herself as she leaves.

Fitz finishes getting dressed because he really wants tonight to be perfect. His biggest dilemma now is if he should get on one knee or not. That could make or break the proposal.


It's 3 hours later. Liv is nervously sitting in the town car. She has no idea where the car is taking her. She has been trying to guess what Fitz could have up his sleeve and every time she tried to pry it out of him. He wouldn't let up. As much as she knew they would be celebrating their 1 year anniversary. Fitz gave her no specifics except, she's going to be surprised.

Liv decides to try, "Okay Tom, can you tell me where we are going?"

"Ms. Pope you know Mr. Grant would kill me if I spoiled this surprise."

"I wouldn't tell on you. I'd act surprised," Liv tries.

"My lips are sealed ma'm," he says.

She notices they are going into the heart of the city. They are going towards Rockefeller Center. She's a little confused because she thought they would be doing something romantic and alone. Not that she minds being in the first place they met. She notices there is something odd about the plaza tonight. She looks out of the window to see Fitz standing there with his feet planted on a red carpet.

"Oh my God! What have you done Fitz?" She says.

Tom stops the car, getting out, as he goes to her side of the car, opening. Fitz reaches for her hand. "You look beautiful," Fitz says.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she says softly.

"I haven't seen you all day. Can I have a kiss?"

"I would be disappointed if you didn't," she giggles as he goes in for a kiss. "What are we doing here?"

"We are celebrating our anniversary. The night that my life changed forever. And this is the spot where it happened."

"This place is usually jumping. It's almost like a ghost town," Liv notices.

Fitz takes her hand. "Just come with me," he says. They walk down this red carpet. They walk out into an enclosed area where the room is decorated and Liv notices there is no one there but the two of them. She notices the rink is empty too..

"Fitz, what have you done?" She asks as she looks around at all the beauty Fitz has created.

"I have created our first night, even down to dinner."

"I thought my nose deceived me and I smelled pastrami but that can't be," Liv says.

"Oh it is! It will be cooked to order," Fitz says.

"How did you do all this? You rented out the entire rink," Liv says amazed.

"I sure did and we are going to have our own private show," Fitz announces.

"What do you mean?"

Fitz plays coy, "You will see later." He pulls out the chair for her to sit. `

"The suspense is killing me," she laughs.

"I know…" he winks as the waiter comes by with Liv's favorite red wine, pouring them a glass.

She's staring at this wonderful man. He always thinks of everything where she is concerned. "I want to move in with you," she blurts out.

Fitz almost drops his glass of wine, "What?"

"I said I want to move in with you," she repeats. Fitz is speechless which was not the reaction she was looking for. "I was hoping you would be a little more excited."

Fitz finally snaps out of it, "I'm…happy. This is exactly what I wanted. I just didn't expect it."

"I know I've been saying no ever since you asked me and it's not that I didn't want to. I was just scared. Something happened today that got me thinking."

Fitz takes her hand, kissing the top, "Can I ask what happened?"

Liv hesitates. She doesn't want to tell him about Eli. It's not a conversation she wants to have on their special night. "Someone asked me if you make me happy…"

Fitz interrupts, "And…."

"And I didn't even hesitate. I answered yes so quickly, I surprised myself."

"You make me happy. You make me crazy. You make me feel all those things I never thought I would feel again and I never felt before," Fitz admits.

"You make me feel the same way," Liv smiles, taking the palm of his hand and laying a gentle kiss inside.

Fitz just stares at her. He's now having second thoughts about going all the way here with the proposal. Maybe they should just take this step first and the marriage can come later. Just then the waiter walks up, "Are you ready for your meals?"

Fitz laughs, "Yes, this will be the fanciest way to eat a delicious and greasy pastrami sandwich."

Liv rubs her fingers together, "I can't wait."

They sit and have their pastrami sandwiches, laughing and talking about their year together. There is a twinkle in Liv's eye that Fitz wants to remember forever. He just hopes that twinkle is there when the night is over.

"Are you ready for your surprise?"

Liv finishes twirling her french fry in the ketchup, "I think I am."

"I know you love to ice skate and if it weren't for that accident, who knows how far you could have gone. I know that you said one of your favorite movies is Ice Castles. The story behind it. How she faced her disability head on and still found the will to skate," Fitz explains.

"Yes," Liv smiles.

"So, I know that song and her performance at the end was your favorite. I thought having someone skate it for us would be perfect," Fitz continues to explain.

"What?"Liv says a bit confused.

The lights come on, on the plaza, on the rink. Two skaters come on to the ice and take a bow at them.

"Fitz," Liv whispers.

"I listened to that song and that's exactly how I feel about tonight. This is how I feel about you. I don't ever want this feeling to end with you. I want to spend my life with you," he smiles. He moves his chair closer to her, facing the rink. She rested her head on his shoulder. The song starts to play, Through the Eyes of Love, as the skaters begin to skate.

Please don't let this feeling end.

It's everything I am.

Everything I want to be.

I can see what's mine now.

Finding out what's true..

Since I found you..

Looking through the eyes of love.

Liv turns to Fitz, tears are falling. Fitz takes his thumb and gently wipes them away. "I'm so in love with you," she whispers.

Fitz's eyes grow wide. This is the first time she said that. "I am so in love with you Olivia Carolyn Pope." He places a gentle kiss on her lips as they turn their attention back to the rink.

Please don't let this feeling end.

It might not come again.

And I want to remember.

How it feels to touch you..

How I feel so much..

Since I found you..

Looking through the eyes of love.

Now I can take the time

I can see my life.

As it comes up shining now

Reaching out to touch you.

I can feel so much.

Since I found you.

Looking through the eyes of love.

Liv is just full of emotion. This is a moment she will never forget. They both clap for the dancer. Fitz feels like it is now or never. What Fitz nor Olivia know,there are two pairs of eyes watching from a distance. Fitz was able to rent out the rink but it doesn't stop onlookers from looking.

Fitz gets on his knee. He takes a breath.

"Fitz, what are you doing?" Liv asks, holding her hand to her chest.

"The song says, I can see my life. I can see what's mine now. Since I found you… You are mine. And I hope you are mine. I want you to be my wife. I want to walk through this life with you."

Liv knows what is coming and she can't hold her emotions. "Fitz," she repeats as he pulls out the box.

"Olivia, I want you to remember this moment when I ask you to be forever. Will you marry me?"

Liv shakes her head, "Oh my God!"

"It doesn't have to be now, just someday, when you are ready," he says, opening the box. "Will you be my wife?"

Liv is left staring at the beautiful diamonds sparkling in front of her as Fitz waits for her answers. As do the two pairs of eyes watching.


What will Liv say?