"Yes we do," she replied.

He stepped into the apartment.

"Why did you go behind my back and sort out payment with the hospital, don't you think as their mother, maybe you should have told me so that I don't feel like an idiot when the hospital calls me to tell me my bill is paid in full and also that they wanted to thank me for the donation in Luna's name that I knew nothing about."

Fitz walked past her and sat on the couch and Olivia followed, standing directly in front of him

"Are you going to answer me or are you just going to sit there."

Fitz ignored her and laid back on the couch. He took off his jacket and loosened his tie.

"How were the girls today?"

"Seriously?"

"I've been calling you all day, if you answered my calls I could have told you about the hospital bill. How were the girls today?"

"They're fine," she said flatly. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Custody and child support."

Olivia huffed and shook her head. It was what she was dreading. When he would finally bring up custody and want to split it. Her heart sped up in her chest and she tried to calm herself.

"Olivia, please just sit here and have a conversation with me."

"I'm not talking about this."

"I've done everything you've asked no matter how much I didn't agree with it for the sake of the girls. That was my compromise, now it's your turn."

"My turn to compromise? What by giving them to you? No. I'm not talking about this," she said, suddenly tearful.

Fitz shook his head and stood. "Why are you crying?"

He waited for an answer but there was none.

"Look, I'm sorry I haven't helped financially with them. I'm really fucking sorry okay- it's just that we haven't really had a moment to catch our breath since I found out about them-"

"-It's fine I can take care of them."

"That's the point Olivia- you shouldn't have to do it alone. I'm their father, they'll need to be able to spend time with me at the whitehouse-"

"No."

"What do you mean no?"

"No, this is working. We have a routine-"

"A routine that works for you," Fitz said. "I don't need to explain to you how fucking demanding my job is. Sneaking in and out of her apartment several times a week isn't working for me. Once we figure out how we're gonna split them between us, Tom or one of the other guards can bring them to me."

"And how soon do you think the press is gonna find out that you have two infant twin girls in the residence?"

"They'll find out and I want them to. Our agreement was that we'd keep it quiet until Luna was done with treatment. She's almost done and so that's why we're having this conversation. We're not together Olivia but we're still their parents so this is how it has to be done."

"So you're punishing me for not being with you, is that it?"

"What part of what I just said is a fucking punishment?"

"What would you call it? Taking my fucking babies from me for several days a week is a punishment."

Fitz chuckled humorlessly."What's your problem?"

"You think you can come into my life and lay down all the rules. We were doing fine before you showed up and I'm not gonna let you ruin my life by taking my daughters. Our routine is working and we'll stick to it."

Fitz sighed, "I'll start by taking them for two days. The weekends work best for me but I know that once you start working again you'll probably want to spend time with them on the weekends too so we might have to alternate."

Another set of tears flooded her eyes and she wiped them before they fell.

"They are not your kids, they are mine. Legally, they are mine, they are not yours so you don't get to make any decisions, I do and I say the routine stays."

He ignored her and continued. "I want my name on the birth certificate-"

She cut him off and walked away.

"No- I'm done talking about this. We're not talking about this. Fucking go kiss them goodnight and get out," she said tearfully.

Fitz followed her as she walked to her bedroom and overtook her then leaned her against the bedroom wall, gently holding her in place by her waist. He leaned over towards her, so close that she could feel his breath on her skin. She missed him, so much it made her heart ache and she wasn't sure why she was feeling so much anger towards him so suddenly and so much fear about the future.

"I know you love them," he said softly, "and I know this is hard but we have to figure out how to do this together. I am their father Olivia. I want my name on the birth certificate, I want us to hammer out a custody agreement and I want you to tell me how much you spent on them since you found out you were pregnant up until now so I can give it back to you along with monthly support."

"Your name does not go on the birth certificate because if it does then it'll be a day before the entire world finds out," she said as she wiped her eyes.

"I don't care. I'm not gonna keep them hidden forever."

"This conversation is over," she said, trying to control her anger by breathing deeply.

He leaned back, putting more space between them."Olivia, let's be amiable. This doesn't need to be a fight."

"Get off of me," Olivia said.

"Livie-"

At that moment, anger overcame her. In a sudden eruption, she slapped him as hard as she could and then covered her mouth with both hands in shock the moment she realized what she did. It was deadly silent for a second after. His eyes opened wide and he stared at her, shocked. That wasn't something that she'd ever done before.

He stepped back and at the moments his chest began to rise and fall heavily as he breathed, trying to calm himself.

"I meant what I said," he said through clenched teeth. "You're going to give me more time with my daughters whether you fucking like it or not because there isn't a judge in the country who won't grant me full custody just so I could owe them a favor. You either give them to me for two days, or I'll take them for seven. Figure out which one it's gonna be then let me know."

He walked away and headed to the door. Olivia broke into a sob as her worst fear was realized.

Fitz grabbed his jacket from the couch and walked over to the door and let himself out.

When Olivia heard the door slam she knew he was gone.


The next morning Olivia took Luna to visit Dr. Porpentine, she left Lana with Bonnie because she knew it would be a quick check up. She was still reeling from her encounter with Fitz but she managed to pull herself together enough to function. She arrived at the hospital a bit late for her appointment but still ended up waiting a half hour to see the doctor. When the doctor finally called her into his office and asked her to sit, she was surprised because he usually began their visits by examining Luna.

Before Olivia could ask her question, the doctor began;

"I know you are anxious, so let me just say it; your daughter is in complete remission."

Olivia smiled, feeling a weight lifted off of her, "complete remission?"

"Yes, all the signs and symptoms of her cancer have disappeared, which is amazing. I expected remission but not complete remission so congratulations."

"Wow, I mean, I just can't believe this is finally over," she turned to Luna, "Did you hear that sugar bun? No more cancer."

She peppered her with kisses all over her face. Dr. Porpentine laughed as he watched them interact.

"As a doctor, I must remind you that the cancer can come back. If she's in complete remission for 5 years then she is cured."

Olivia smiled.

"Just let me have this moment. It's been a rough few months."

He smiled back at her. "Of course. We'll talk details on your next visit but for now only good news - well, I'm gonna let you go now, you can share the good news with your family."

Olivia left the hospital shortly after, she had been expecting the news but actually hearing him say it, drastically changed her mood. She was happy, even with all the stress of her argument with Fitz, she was happy but she wasn't exactly sure who to call. She was angry with Abby, so she wasn't going to call. She sent Bonnie home when she arrived and after entertaining the girls for a while she put them down for their nap.

A few minutes later, Abby opened the door with her key and walked in. "What are you doing here?" Olivia asked, surprised.

"I'm here to see my god daughters."

"I think maybe you're at the wrong place. Go to your bff at the White House. I think that's where you're needed."

Abby rolled her eyes.

"I only did that because you were wrong, I know you don't like to hear it but you were wrong Olivia, he's their father. We've been friends for almost 15 years and we tell each other the truth."

Olivia shook her head.

"He took my fucking dignity, he took my peace of mind, he broke my heart and now he's taking my kids and you're helping him! Whose side are you? Huh Abby because if it's not mine, I need to know. You're supposed to be my friend remember, not his! I don't have anyone else. All I have are you and them."

"I didn't know he would try and do that."

"That's why you should mind your business," Olivia snapped. "I know him. Last night he told me that there isn't a judge in the country who wouldn't grant him full custody just so he could owe them a favor and you know what? He's right. He doesn't even need to file to establish paternity because all he'll need is a statement from Dr. Porpentine saying that he was tested as a related donor for Luna."

"I'll go talk to him," Abby offered apologetically.

"No, you've done enough." Olivia shook head and felt tears trickle down. "I feel like I'm going crazy. I slapped him last night. I got so angry that I just did it and now he's so fucking mad at me but why does he need them? They're all I have, he has Karen. I feel like even losing them for a day is too fucking unbearable, much less two. I'm not trying to keep him away from them. He can come here anytime he wants to see them but I don't want him taking them. I'll fucking die if he takes them from me," she said as she wiped her eyes.

Abby realized what was happening but she didn't want to suggest it because she knew it would anger her more.

"I'm sorry."

"I forgive you and I'm sorry for yelling at you, I just sort of had that building up."

"It's okay. I prefer it when you tell me how you feel. It's why we know each other so well and that's why I'm gonna say this-" Abby sat beside her, "Don't hate me but I think you need to see someone."

"For what?"

"Maybe you need medication again. I think you're having a manic episode."

Olivia stood from the chair. "No. I'm not having a fucking episode, I just don't want to lose my daughters. That doesn't make me manic, it makes me angry."

"Okay, maybe you're right."

Olivia shook her head and began sobbing again. "Why the fuck would you say that? You're making it seem like I'm crazy."

"Olivia I'm not," Abby said. "I thought you might be but if you say you aren't then I believe you."

Olivia nodded and calmed down.

"So what are you gonna do about the whole custody thing? Are you sure you don't want me to talk to him?"

"No, I think you've done enough," Olivia said with a humorless chuckle as she wiped her eyes again.

"So what do we do then?"

"I just want to take them away and give myself some time."

"He's gonna say you kidnapped them."

"I don't fucking care. He wanted two days and I know that he needs time with them but the exact thing that I was worried about happened. The first sign of disagreement or the first time he's pissed off he goes from like 0 to 1000 and there's no fucking talking to him or calming him down."

Abby shook head and sighed. "Okay well whatever you need to do, I'll help."