Hello my Pumpkins in my pumpkin patch. Here in my next chapter in this story. It has a lot of beyond adorable Fitz and Emmy moments. And of course some off the hook ANGST and CHEMISTRY going on for Fitz and Liv. Let me know what you think…and enjoy! ;-)

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Chapter 3: A Pink Blanket, Pink Roses, and "Prince" POTUS…Oh MY!

There comes a moments in one's life Fitz thought were a person has a moment of clarity. A moment that changes their life forever. All of a sudden you see and feel things that you didn't think were possible. So far that has happened to him a total of four times. The first was when his son Jerry was born. Jerry looked so much like Fitz, that he was a "mini-me." He had his personality, hair and of course those piercing blue eyes. He was 15 and Fitz was dreading when he started dating.

His next moment of clarity was when Karen, now 13, was born. The doctor placed her into his arms and he was done. He knew in that instant he would be polishing his gun collection, and not allowing her to date till she was 30. If she did date she would have to be home before dark. Karen was his baby girl and having her made him realize even more how truly lucky he was to have them. They made his loveless marriage to their mother worth it.

Thirdly was the assignation attempt on his life. That event changed him. Almost dying woke him up out of a nightmare. A nightmare of a loveless political marriage to a woman, who yes gave him two wonderful children, but did not love at all. Fitz was so tired of their fighting, yelling and screaming. Getting shot, and surviving gave him the biggest wake up call. He wanted "more." But he had no idea "more" was until today.

Today his only god-child Ella was getting baptized and he was her god-father. But this wasn't his four moment of clarity. That or shall we say "she" was that wake up call he had been searching for his entire life. Now standing before him, after he changed her tire, and she embarrassed him in front of the Secret Service, was his fourth moment of clarity. He was feeling things for her that he didn't think existed. He didn't think she existed until this moment.

Fitz of course had seen beautiful woman before, but Olivia Pope was exquisite. From the tippy top to her hair, to her sexy legs in high heels. He was totally baffled by her and wondered to himself "Where the heck has Cyrus been keeping her?" Olivia was everything he could possible want in one person. A person that he didn't think was even a possibility till this very moment.

Her honesty, and her ability to read his mind like an open book blew him away. Yes she was afraid of him at first, but once her initial shock wore off, her commanding presence, totally floored him. It seemed that she was not afraid to speak her mind not matter the situation or the circumstances. Most people would be afraid to tell off the secret service and the President, but Olivia, just took it in stride. "Wow," Fitz thought.

As he stood before her, he was seeing life for the first time. Everything he dreamed about was before his piercing Grant eyes. What surprised him even more, was when their eyes met, and their hands touched, he immediately felt this connection to her. How is that possible? He had just met her and already he "knew" that he had known her all his life. She was he had been looking for to make his life complete.

When he thought she could not render him speechless any further, she reached into her car and grabbed this "pink blanket." This "pink blanket" with the pony tails and pink ribbons in her hair was her daughter. Emmalynn Grace Pope was his surprise moment of clarity and along with her mother, were healing the wounds of his loveless marriage. Not only that but a hard but good three years as President, and of course the attempt on his life. How can two people do all this for someone in an instant?

He kept looking at Emmalynn, who continued to watch him. Her honey colored brown eyes were locked onto his blue eyes, not looking away. Young children don't tend to lock eyes with adults but this little girls eyes were hooked onto his. He would have found it strange, but this was calming him. She was studying him. She was trying to figure him out, a trait she inherited from Olivia, Fitz figured. She must of be close to three years old, and was wondering how come they hadn't visited Cyrus at the White House yet.

Olivia finally spoke, "Emmalynn can you say HI to President Grant?"

Fitz continued to stand there, waiting watching, and wondering what was going to happen next. His heart was pounding in his chest so hard. He was hoping that Emmalynn was going to like him. He was already so taken with her and Olivia already.

Fitz decided to break the ice. "Hi Emmalynn."

"HI," Emmalynn replied, in the sweetest and shyest girl voice he ever heard. He thought Olivia voice tugged at his heart. Her daughter's voice, did the same times ten. That one word "HI" just became his favorite word.

Emmalynn then whispered in Olivia's ear. "Mr. President, Emmy would like to come closer. She has a thing for faces and she would like to touch your face. That's how she knows if you're a good person or not. If that is okay with you that is?"

Fitz crunched his eyebrows but went along with it. He walked up to Olivia and Emmalynn. He stopped close enough so that the little girl could reach out and touch him. She reached out of her blanket, and placed both hands on his face. She caressed his forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. This adorable gesture, caused Fitz melt on the spot and get goose bumps. If her mother did this, he would just be "done" right then and there.

Emmalynn scrunched her eyes at Fitz again and said, "He good Mummy. Me thinks he okay." She said this leaving one hand on his cheek. She smiled at him again and said, "Hi Ressie Ant," taking her hand down. (President Grant is a mouth full for a three year old to say.)

Fitz replied, finally shaking her hand, "Nice to meet you Emmalynn. You can call me Fitz, if it's okay with your mom," looking at Olivia with a sexy smile.

Emmalynn looked at Olivia and waited for approval. Olivia nodded and she replied, "Fiz," causing both The Leader of the free world, the secret service who heard her, and Olivia to laugh. Her daughter cuddled back up to her mom and became shy again.

Fitz then motioned to Tom to come over and grab something out of the motorcade for him. Tom agreed and brought the car seat with him as he walked back to the car. Fitz walked away briefly, leaving Olivia and Emmalynn watching. Olivia said to her daughter, "I wonder what they're up to Pumpkin. That man that has your car seat is going to put it in the President's car okay? We're riding with President Grant to see Ella, Poppa Cyrus and Uncle James. President Grant is Ella's godfather. Pretty cool huh?"

"O-tay," said Emmalynn.

Olivia decided to put Emmalynn down and fix her socks and hair while they waited for Fitz to walk back in their direction. Olivia was so pre-occupied with her daughter that she did not pay attention to the fact that Fitz was on his way back to her already. Fitz got down to Emmalynn's eye level. Olivia finally realized he was kneeling before them.

Her eyes grew wide when she saw what he had in his hand. Despite how much she wanted to fight the smile, she could not stop it from emerging onto her lips. Kneeling before them was the President of the United States, with TWO PINK ROSES in his hand.

"Two beautiful roses, for two beautiful ladies. But I think you, Emmalynn and your mom are much prettier than these roses." Fitz said looking right at Olivia, causing her heart to skip a beat.

She gulped. "Thank you Mr. President," was all Olivia could muster.

"Tank you, Fiz" said Emmalynn.

"You're welcome Emmalynn and it's my pleasure, Miss Pope. Oh by the way it's Fitz. We are Ella's god-parents. I think you can call me by my first name, don't you?"

"Um, that would be inappropriate. I just met you and you ARE the President."

"Yes but I did change your tire, and you told off my detail. Plus we're god-parents together, and I gave you roses. Please," he begged this time, "say my name. Call me Fitz." He had this smile that was making Olivia's brain short circuit.

"I'll think about it," was all she could say, looking back to Emmalynn. "Where did you get these roses anyway?"

"I had 6 of them in the car, for Ella. I decided why not share them with you both. If, that is okay?"

"Yes, it's…it's sweet. Thank you for your kindness." Olivia said, looking away from him now to Emmalynn.

"Like I said, you're very welcome. So before Cyrus has a heart attack, let's get going. After you ladies." Fitz motioned for them to walk towards his car.

Olivia began to scoop up Emmalynn when she heard her ask, "Fiz carry pease, Mummy?"

She was so shocked that she just looked at her daughter. Fitz was a little surprised too. "Well pumpkin, it's up to, F—" she stopped herself before she could say his first name, "President Grant. If he doesn't mind, it's okay with me."

Fitz was bummed out. He was hoping she was going to say but she caught herself beforehand. He put his arms out, Emmalynn walked over to him and he picked her up. She was light as a feather. As she held her in his arms, Fitz noticed how she was watching him.

"He nice eyes Mummy?" Emmalynn said.

She couldn't answer her daughter's, especially with the Leader of the free world holding her daughter in his arms. Olivia nodded yes, and quickly grabbed her daughter's things and walked to his car, feeling extremely flushed.

The truth was that President Grant had the most perfect eyes she had ever seen on a man before. When he looked upon her, she lost the ability to talk, think, move, and form coherent thoughts. This had never happened before. Those eyes, his eyes where like a needle boring a whole into her heart. But at the same time, they were healing an ache that she thought was getting better.

And, Emmalynn hardly ever took to strangers, but she immediately took to the President of the United States. Olivia figured it had something to do with the roses he just gave to them, but it was more than that. She listened as the Leader of the Free World, walked holding Emmalynn. He started to tell her things about his motorcade, and all the neat things inside.

Her daughter's face lit up, and she asked him, "You have a TV?"

"Yes Emmalynn, I do?" Fitz answered her, as they reached the car.

"Yay. Sophia Mummy. Sophia!" Emmalynn said looking at her Mom.

"Um, what is Sophia?" Fitz asked Olivia as the agents opened the doors.

Olivia walked over to him. She was trying not to laugh, but it was hard.

"Mr. President. 'Sophia' is a show on Disney Junior. It's one of her favorites. It's 'Sophia the First.' Sophia is a princess, because her mom married the King. She's trying to figure out how to fit into her new royal life. I thought being the Leader of the Free World, you would watch it for some pointers," as she reached for her daughter. Fitz placed her in her mother's arms. They touched briefly in the exchange.

Fitz stood in front of Olivia, leaning on the car, "Miss Pope, do you think I need lessons on how to win a ladies heart? I would think that after the roses, I am doing pretty good." He was flirting with her now and both knew it.

"Whoa, did he really just say that!" The only thing Olivia could say was, "I have no words."

Fitz opened the door for her, before stepping onto his side of the car. Both got into the motorcade, and he heard both of them, gasp for air. He watched Olivia place Emmalynn in her seat and place her diaper bag next to her daughter. She gave her the pink blanket, and her stuffed pink Elephant from the bag. Fitz was hoping that Olivia was going to sit next to him but, she sat next to Emmalynn.

Emmalynn watched him and said to her, "Mummy me good. Sit with Fiz. He don't bite."

Olivia was trying to hold in a laugh but before she could stop it from happening, it came out. Fitz was laughing too.

"Emmalynn, you're right Pumpkin. President Grant doesn't bite." She got up and moved over to sit next to Fitz, who could not keep from smiling. "Is that better sweetie?"

"Yes Ma'am. See Mummy, nice Fiz. Right?"

"Yes Emmy, President Grant is nice," looking over at Fitz, then to her daughter.

The car started to move and Olivia and Fitz really didn't say too much to the other. Olivia felt extremely awkward sitting next to the President of the United States. There were maybe 6 inches separating them. If she slid her hand down, and he did the same, they would be touching. She noticed out the corner of her eyes that he would watch her, and when she noticed, he'd look away. Her hands where in her lap, very twitchy. She had them folded together and they were sweaty.

She casually looked over and down at his hands, and noticed his LEFT. He no longer wore his wedding band. So she thought, he was already the "most eligible bachelor" in the world, or on his way to become one. Fitz noticed that she was not wearing a ring either. It made his heart beat faster and his hands sweaty. He wanted to grab a hold her hand and place a kiss on it. He wondered how someone some beyond gorgeous could not be married, engaged, or attached to someone. Well he hoped she wasn't seeing anyone at least.

As the car continued to the church, Olivia smelled his cologne. It had a woodsy, musky, with a hint of a spice she couldn't place. The more it tickled her nose, the more it was having an effect on her body. With each intake of breath into her lungs, the more she smelled "him." Whatever this cologne was, it was enhancing his appeal to her, causing her heart to flutter, among other places.

"So," Fitz asked her attempting to ease the tension, "how old is Emmalynn?"

"Me, going to be three," the little girl said. Fitz turned to her and smiled.

"Yes Emmy, you are going to be three. Next month in fact." Olivia said.

"Wow! When is her birthday?" Fitz asked.

"Emmy, pumpkin, do you want to tell him, or me?"

"Me pease. October 15th."

"Almost Halloween," Fitz said. "Cool Beans."

Olivia sat there listening to her daughter talk to the Leader of the Free World. Emmalynn has always been somewhat shy, but it must be "something special" for her to willingly not only talk to the President but for her to ask him to hold her to. She didn't usually bond to anyone she did not know immediately, but there was something about the President that Olivia sensed, Emmalynn REALLY liked.

Olivia then realized that he said 'cool beans.'

"Cool Beans, Mr. President. Seriously?"

"And what is wrong with Cool Beans Miss Pope?" Fitz asked her.

"Nothing, it just doesn't sound very presidential that's all. You should use it in your next press conference."

"I may just do that Miss Pope." Fitz gave her a sexy smirk now.

"So do you like being the President?"

"It definitely has it perks." Fitz said to her.

"Oh really, and they would be?"

"Well I have a nice house, pretty cool cars, an airplane, and helicopter." Fitz said as he faced her.

Olivia shook her head and tried not to laugh. "Oh it that all, Mr. President."

When 'Mr. President' came out of her mouth this time, he noticed that her voiced changed. It dipped down and got a whole lot sexier. He adjusted himself in the seat, which Olivia noticed. That voice intonation, totally turned him on. It caused every muscle in his entire body to relax for the first time in months. He had not felt this comfortable around anyone in such a long time.

But, she was making him extremely nervous in ways too. This was something he has not felt around a woman in so long. This car ride was feeling like a first date. He sat there taking in her smile, nervousness, her dress, and figure. But it was her facial features that struck him.

Her facial features with high cheek bones, sporting pink blush that matched the roses he gave her and Emmalynn. He loved how her hair glowed in the sun, while they were outside, and even shined now in the car. He noticed how soft her skin looked. Granted they've grazed each other briefly, but to just touch her in every way possible he imagined, would be something he would never tire of.

Then it was her eyes. Her beautiful dark, brown eyes, that immediately pulled him to her. IT was like they were a black hole, luring him closer and closer. The closer he became to her, the more he found he could not pull away. Her eyes were like a magnet and he could get lost looking into them. These eyes of her's, were enchanting, and beautiful.

Trying to think of something to say next, "But Miss Pope, pulling over to help a damsel in distress and not getting my suit dirty, or nails it the best part of being President."

Without realizing she was going to do it, she nudged him. "Oh my, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to do that. It just…well happened." She bit her bottom lip.

"It's okay Miss Pope. I can take it. I won't break." Fitz said trying to ease her mind, noticing the lip bite too. She was just a nervous as he was.

He was thinking of what else to say to her, but her phone rang.

"What?" Olivia said, causing Fitz to snicker.

"Oh hey Cy, yes I'm on the way. My car is being picked up and I have a ride. I'll see you when we get there. Oh you'll be outside, okay."

Then Fitz's phone rang. "Yes Cyrus," Olivia held in a laugh, "no everything is fine. I'm a couple minutes out. I had a situation I had to attend too on the way. It's fine, it's nothing you need to worry about. See you soon. Oh you'll be outside, okay."

Fitz and Olivia just looked at each other. And at the same time they both said "Cyrus is going to be outside," causing both to laugh, as his car pulled up to the church.

"He is going to have a major 'King of Me' moment." Fitz said to Olivia, causing her to giggle again.

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"PRINCE POTUS"

The presidential motorcade pulled up to the church and both Olivia and Fitz looked at each other for a minute trying to take in each other before exiting the car. Fitz wanted to say something else to her, but instead he just looked at her, and her him.

"Mummy, Poppa Cy!" Emmalynn said again. "We see him now."

"Yes Emmy we can see him now. I'll come over and undue your car seat." As Olivia went over to her, Olivia's shoe came off and when Fitz was let out of the car, he accidently knocked it out with him. He saw that he did so, and picked it up.

Once Emmalynn was ready to go, Olivia started to look for her shoe. She saw Fitz walk around to her side of the car, that was facing the church. Cyrus was standing there watching still wondering what was going on. Karen and Jerry were already inside waiting for them. They rode on ahead with Cyrus and James to help out with Ella.

"Emmy, pumpkin, have you seen my shoe? It came off and I can't find it." She was looking everywhere in the car and it just wasn't there.

Her door opened and as she began to place her feet out of the car, her eyes grew wide. There before her, the President of the United States began to kneel on one knee. Her heart skipped a beat and she couldn't breathe. She bit her bottom lip and stared at him. This was probably the most romantic thing she's ever seen. She couldn't however, figure out why he was doing this.

Then Fitz said to her, "Is this what you are looking for? I accidently knocked it out when I got out."

In his hand, Olivia saw her missing shoe. All she could do was nod at him. There were no words that could come out of her mouth.

"Well, may I help a damsel in distress again? I think my suit and shoes will stay clean this time, don't you." Fitz said with the biggest smile on his face. He was not nervous at all and was going to love getting a closer look at her legs. And he would finally get to caress her soft skin.

Olivia gulped and barely got out, "Okay."

With Emmalynn in her lap, she lifted her foot up and he took it in his hand. She felt hands on her foot, and ankle was making her brain go hay wire. Her skin was on fire, and he was only touching her foot. Holy Crap! Her mouth began to dry out and she found it difficult to breath. His hands felt so smooth on her skin, and despite how much she wanted to put the shoe on herself, she allowed him to do so. She did not think, his touch could be so intoxicating and want more of it. She began to imagine his touch all over her body.

She was brought out of this thought when Emmalynn said, "Fiz a prince Mumma! He a Prince."

Olivia looked over at her daughter, feeling her face begin to get hot. Fitz slid the shoe on her foot and held onto her a few more moments. He ran circles, with his thumb for a few seconds as he looked at her. Despite how much he did not want to release her, he knew he had too. Her skin, felt like silk in his hands. All he wanted to do was caress her even more.

He watched Olivia put her foot down and noticed that Emmalynn not only embarrassed her mother but he felt his cheeks begin to flush as well. Olivia nuzzled herself into her daughter's head, causing Fitz to let out a sigh in the process.

"Well Pumpkin, maybe President Grant is one." She looked right into Fitz's eyes causing his whole world to shift again.

"God this woman is perfect," he thought. He outstretched his hand and helped her and then Emmalynn out of the car. As Olivia stood up, holding his hand, their eyes never left the other. This connection both were feeling already was undeniable.

Finally after trying to think of something to say, she said to him, "Thank you Mr. President. This 'damsel in distress' was lucky to have you pull behind her car today."

The only thing Fitz could say to her was "It was my pleasure. And you're right, I would be lucky to have you. Both of you."

Before Olivia could pull her hand away from his, Fitz took her hand and brought it too his lips. He then placed a kiss on the top of her hand, with his eyes locked onto hers. As soon as his lips touched the top of her hand, her breath hitched. He lingered there for a moment, not wanting to pull his lips away. When he finally did, both him and Olivia let out a huge breath that they had been holding in.

Emmalynn saw this and said, "See Mumma, Fiz is a Prince!" This caused her to feel flushed even more because it seemed every thought she was thinking in her mind, her well astute daughter, uttered out loud. Her almost three year old, is wise beyond her years.

Olivia shook her head, and attempted to process not only what he said, but the kiss he placed on her hand, but she literally couldn't. She mouthed to him "Thank –you," and lowered her head.

They stood there for another "minute" taking in the other presence when they heard, "HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!"

Now that could have came from one person, "Poppa Cy!" Olivia then placed Emmalynn down on the ground, and she ran to hug him.

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Okay My little Pumpkins. So I leave you hanging here in this place. How much did Cyrus see of this exchange, well you'll have to wait. That will be in the next chapter, along with the baptism ceremony of Ella. Jerry and Karen will be there also. Do you Emmy will like them? We shall see. Don't worry, no Mellie. There is also no Teddy.

Another question you may have…Is Fitz divorced? Yes he is no longer wearing a wedding band which Olivia noticed. To put your mind at ease he is almost a free man. Those details will come next chapter or the one after. And Emmy's father, you'll have to wait. Olivia (and myself) are not ready to discuss him just yet. Trust me it's worth the wait.

So Fitz and Emmalynn had some beyond cute moments in this chapter. He won Emmy over with the pink roses, you think? Not only that, but Emmy seemed to help out Fitz and Olivia get closer together. One smart little girl. You just have to LOVE what kids say sometimes. And Olivia was pretty speechless numerous times as well. Fitz was totally working his "Grant Charm" through out much of the chapter. And that kiss on her hand, and the him putting on her shoe…whoa major PRINCE CHARMING moments! I am fanning myself. ;-)

As always…please leave me goodies cuz they make me smile. Thank you so much for your support.

Pink Blankets, Pumpkins, and Pink Roses…

Me's