A/N-Some big questions are answered in this chapter. Thank you so much for the reviews and the support. It means the world to me...
It had been about a month since the interview. The nation was behind Fitz and their family. There had been several gifts that had been sent to their home from leaders around the world. They sent them to the White House and Sally made sure that the family received them.
Sally was holding her own, but it was clear that the public wanted the President they voted for back. Governor Reston made the mistake of bad-mouthing the President. He listed all the reasons that the public would be fools to want him in back in office.
There was no initial back lash at his statements, but that all changed the day that he decided to call the President a fool for marrying his mistress. While he was subtle when he said it everyone immediately picked up on the other part of the statement when he said especially his black mistress.
Olivia & her team never had to anything. The public lynched the Governor. Several politicians from both side of the aisles remanded him for the comments that he made. By the time it was all said and done not only had the Governor ruined his chance to ruin again, but he was forced to resign. The protesters lined up. Several organizations spoke out. He finally realized that no amount of damage control could save him, and he resigned.
It was heart warming for the couple to see the love and support they had. Fitz was getting better everyday. He had picked his rehab schedule back up, but when he became tired or wasn't having a good day he didn't force it. Olivia and the kids were okay with that.
Olivia had begun to go back to the office two to three times a week since the kids were out of school. Many times one or both of them were with her. They would help around the office. Her team would allow them to help on small tasks.
Ironically Huck was the closest to the kids. He had recently connected with his son after Fitz & Olivia made some calls. Initially Kim gave Huck a hard time, but one day she came home to find the President at her house. She invited him in and he sat down and confirmed as much as he could tell her while still protecting National Security. Fitz wanted her to know that him leaving was an act of love and not betrayal.
Huck was curious about Kim's sudden change of heart. Kim would never tell him, but Javier spilled the beans one day that the President had talked to Kim on his behalf.
Huck had no doubt that the President loved Olivia and his kids. What was shocking not only to him but Olivia's entire team was that he loved and cared for them almost as much as Olivia. Huck tried to thank him but Fitz would not allow it. He kept telling him that's what families do for each other.
Fitz had called them to discuss something that he wanted to do with everyone. They were on board and begin to make it happen for him.
Fitz had decided to release a statement regarding the scandal that surrounded the comments that the Governor made.
Abby assisted him and they got the statement over to Kimberly for her to break exclusively on the 6:00 news.
Fitz made sure that everyone was seated to watch the news. Kimberly Mitchell came on air. She recounted the events that led to Governor Reston having to resign. Then she states that this afternoon she received a statement from President Grant. She let the public know that his was his first and only statement that he was going to make regarding the Governor.
The statement read:
"I want to take the time to thank the nation for their love and support through this difficult time in my life. I understand that as President it is natural for people to perceive me a certain way. However at the end of the day I am a human just like everyone else. I have needs and wants. I own the mistakes I made while married to Melody Francis. Staying with her was not only caused me grief but my children. I could no longer allow that. While my time in office has not been perfect I would like to think that I have made strides for the better. As I continue to get better I am seriously contemplating whether I will return to the White House or not. It is something that my family and I have to discuss. It is why I am taking my wife and kids to Greece for a month. It will be at my expense. I am telling the public ahead of time because I don't want anyone to think that I am out flocking in another country, and I don't care about the future of our country. I am doing this because I need some real downtime. Since I have been shot I have not been able to relax or take time off. Also my wife deserves a proper honeymoon. She requested when the time came if it could be a familymoon. She wanted to spent time with me and well as the kids. I am a father and a husband. Being President is a job it is not who I am, but if I am going to return to that job then I need to step away so I can regroup. Allow my family and I so personal time to talk it out and decide our future. Once I return I will sit down with Kimberly and discuss my future. Again thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your cards, gifts, and well wishes. It means more to me that I can ever describe."
Olivia & the kids looked at him. Yes, we leave in three days to go to Greece. It is why I have been rehabbing so long to prepare for the time away. They have given me exercises and things to do while we are gone. I have spoken with your team. The last week I am flying everyone down so they can take a vacation as well. Abby is working to make sure that everything is set. He looked at Olivia and told her I overheard you and Karen talking on the trail and you both discussed Greece being a trip you always wanted to take. Jerry has always wanted to travel the world so I want us to experience this as a family...
They were immediately excited. It was going to be the trip of a life time and that had a whole month to enjoy it.
Jerry looked at his parents, "Mom did you really tell dad that you wanted us to come with you when you finally were able to have a real honeymoon."
Olivia grabbed Fitz's hand and smiled, "I did and the word that your dad used in his statement of a familymoon were my exact words. Your dad & I will find time alone. We have been l together on and on for some time so I don't feel the need to be taken somewhere alone. I just think it is more important for us to heal and continue to grow as a family."
Fitz nodded, "At first I was shocked at her request but the more I thought about the more she is right. We have been apart more than we have been together. Soon you guys will leave us to make your own path. We just want to enjoy you while we can. The time will come few and far between when you get older."
Karen looked at her parents, "I know that Jerry & I are going to leave the nest at some point, but I didn't wait this long to have parents to leave this behind. Not only do I need the two of you, but I want the two of you in my life. You mean everything to me and I don't want to navigate life without you."
Jerry nodded, "Yeah I agree with Karen!"
Fitz & Olivia smiled at the kids. Fitz said, "Whenever and however you need us we are there. Especially now that Olivia is officially your legal mother. I was going to wait till we got to Greece to tell you so we could celebrate, but this seems like a more appropriate moment. We can still celebrate in Greece."
Fitz looked around and could not tell who was more emotional at the moment Olivia or the kids. They ran over and tackled Olivia with hugs. It was a special moment for the family. Tom & Hal looked on smiling.
They were happy for all of them. They had all been through hell because of Mellie so it was nice to see them genuinely happy. The agents had become fond of the family. It was more than a job to them. As agents you are not often noticed. Granted it that is part of the job, but because they deal with high-profile people and politicians they looked down at the agents. The President, Olivia, and the kids were never that way with them. They tried to make sure that got personal time, they fed them, and asked how they were. Simply put they treated then like human beings.
It was hard at times to sneak the President and Olivia around, but once they knew the couple was really in love and it was no affair it became easier. The kids were not spoiled and entitled. They made their jobs easy.
Olivia was still in shock. She was officially a mother. It was no longer a temporary role. No one could take them away from her. They were really her kids. The more she thought about it the more emotional she became. She didn't realize how much she wanted them to be hers until Fitz said that she was officially their legal mother.
As Fitz looked on he could see that Olivia was processing the reality that she was a mother. He never questioned her ability to be a good parent, but he knew that she did. She didn't have the best examples to look at growing up. It was something he never questioned. She was too good of a person not to be a good mom.
Olivia looked up and she was staring into the eyes of her husband. For the first time since he had made the announcement she smiled. Fitz always told her that she would be a good mom. Not once did he ever question that when the time came she could handle it. When she found out in the hospital that she had guardianship of the kids she was scared out of her mind although she never showed it. She knew what the kids had been through, and she was in love with Fitz. She knew she couldn't let him down. Now she knows that he was never worried. He had no qualms that should something happen to him that his kids would be fine in time.
The kids finally looked at Olivia, "Mom are you okay?"
Olivia smiled at them, "I am more than okay. I didn't realize how much I wanted to be your mom until you dad just told us that I am legally your mom. Just the thought that no one can take you away from me just is a little overwhelming at the moment. Make no mistake that these tears are nothing but happy tears."
Everyone nodded and enjoyed the moment. After a bit they got to talking about the trip. Everyone needed to get some things before they flew out. Fitz made some calls, and got them to open up the mall three hours early the next day to allow them to shop without having to shut anything down.
The day had finally arrived and everyone was excited to begin their vacation. Fitz had a private jet which is what they were going to use to travel. It was going to be a long day for them. It was an eleven-hour flight and there was a seven-hour time difference between D.C. and Greece.
It was a little after one in the morning when they arrived at Greece. Fitz had rented a villa for them to stay in. When they arrived they immediately knew that it was going to be a trip to remember.
Fitz found a villa that had private access to the beach. There was breathtaking views of the beach from several rooms in the villa. It had a lot of room for them to move around in. There were six bedrooms and six bathrooms.
While you could not see it as clearly as you could in daylight the garden was beautiful. There was a barbecue there which Fitz was looking forward to using.
Olivia noticed the large table under the pergola. She looked forward to them enjoying some meals together at that table.
Fitz had definitely thought of her when she noticed the infinity pool. As part of the rental they had 24 hour concierge services which is what completely sold him.
The owner had emailed him a complete guide of activities that they could do. Right now the family just wanted to get settled in and relax. There was another villa that the owner owned next to the one that they were staying in. It was three bedroom and three baths. He wanted to make sure there was enough room for everyone once her team came. To the surprise of Tom & Hal he gave them the keys. He wanted them to have some time away from them so they could relax on this trip as well.
The first week was low-key for the family. They spent a lot of time at the beach. They cooked meals together. The girls went shopping. Jerry & Fitz spent some quality father and son time together. Everyday Fitz would do his exercises. He rarely had to use a cane at this point. He enjoyed doing exercises on the beach. Olivia joined him everyday. They would do his speech exercises and memory exercises. He had made leaps and bounds and they were so happy for him. Fitz had insisted that she didn't have to do it with him. This was a dream for her to be here.
Olivia smiled at her husband and reminded him that she was only here because of him. Spending some time out of the day to allow him to continue to heal was not a burden.
The second week they did a lot of sight-seeing. They seen Sissi's Palace, Mount Olympus, Mount Athos, Lake Plas tira, and Melissani Cave. Fitz went with them on some of the trips, but the sites that had more walking and not a lot of areas to rest he stayed behind. The kids enjoyed it all whether it was both of their parents or just Olivia. They had never had a family trip where it was all fun. No interviews, no press that their mom had leaked their location to, they were dressed like teenagers on a summer day not ready for the camera to catch them.
Fitz had gained a lot of his strength back so the bedroom was also beginning to heat up. They had begun to have some heavy make out sessions. Sexy time in the shower or a candle lit baths. They enjoyed the relationship that they were building. It was one that was concrete and would last the test of times.
Fitz initially was concerned that they couldn't do very much in the bedroom, but it ended up being a good thing. It allowed them time to really get to know each other again. They did something that they hadn't done since they were on the trail they talked about everything and nothing again. They remembered all the reasons they fell in love with each other before they allowed life to get in the way. It reminded them that their relationship was based on more than sex.
Sunday night they were having dinner outside when the doorbell rang. Tom went to get the door and to Olivia's surprise it was Huck.
The kids ran over to greet their Uncle. They had grown attached to him. Javier also loved hanging out with the kids especially Jerry. Jerry was the big brother that he always wanted.
Everyone but Olivia knew why Huck was there. The kids asked about Javy and Huck opened the door and Javy came out. Everyone was happy to see him. Kim had taken great care of him, but like Huck she didn't have a lot of family so an additional benefit of reuniting with his dad was getting this extended family.
Fitz turned to Olivia, "Tomorrow morning we are going to fly down to Santorini for a week where I have rented a small villa for us. I knew that you would want someone familiar with the kids even though they are older so Huck volunteered since he can research from anywhere if a case came in. I also thought it would be nice for Javy to enjoy Greece for a little longer than a week so everybody wins."
Olivia could only smile. God she loved this man, and he was hers. She was looking forward to the time alone with her husband. Olivia nodded and allowed her husband to hold her for a moment.
She got up and properly greeted Huck and Javy. Olivia could never thank Fitz for what he had done for Huck. Huck was a new man to her. He was still reserved and kept to himself, but you could see in his eyes that he was happy. Being a dad and an uncle gave him life. She knew that her team and especially Huck always feared that once she got with Fitz that there would be no room for them. They never expected the opposite that even Fitz leaned on them for love and support. That he loved them without reservation or judgment. He wasn't misfits to them. Fitz marrying Olivia was a bonus for everyone.
After desert the couple went up and packed for the week. Tom was coming with them and Jack & Ethan were sent down. Jack was Tom's brother and would be joining Tom, and Ethan was one of Tom's best friends would be hanging back with the kids. Huck was the unofficial third agent so the couple was comfortable leaving them with him.
Fitz had made sure that there was money on the kid's credit card so they were able to shop and go places. Fitz also left a card and money with Huck. Fitz had gotten Javy a pre-paid card and gave it to him as a gift. Javy thanked his Uncle Fitz and Auntie Livvie as the card said it was from the both of them.
Monday morning they said their good-byes and headed out to enjoy a week alone. This was their honeymoon. The villa that Fitz rented for the week was breathtaking. First of all it was situated on top of a cliff. There was a fireplace, a private lounge, and a dining terrace. There was a great view of the volcano from the villa.
The first night they stayed in and enjoyed the villa. The view was more than Olivia could ever imagine.
Olivia was laying on Fitz's arms when she became emotional. Fitz pulled her up to him. He gave her a moment to get her emotions and thoughts together.
Olivia finally composed herself, "I am so happy to be here with you. I am happy that you are alive. I am happy that you are my husband. I am happy we have the kids and they are stable and happy. I am glad that my OPA family now understands that you love them as much as I do, and would never want to be rid of them. I am thankful that you took the time to get Kim to take Huck seriously. I love that we have a bright future ahead no matter what we decided. At the same time I sometimes feel like I don't deserve any of it. I never had any real belief that this would come to pass. No matter what you said I always dismissed it. It's my fault that you got shot. If I would have just trusted you and really believed in our love I could have saved us from a lot of pain. I want you to love me like you do, but I am just not sure that I am really deserving of the love that you and the children have given me. Sitting here on our honeymoon in your arms right now means everything, but I also wonder why. I know that I am putting a damper on what is supposed to be a romantic week."
Fitz waited until Olivia finished and he took a couple more moments to compose his thoughts. He didn't want to discount Olivia's feelings.
Fitz said in an even voice, "I'll be honest with you Livvie there were times that I didn't understand you. I didn't understand what more I could do to show you that I loved you. I kept telling you that I was willing to give it all up for you, but you know that wasn't fair to you. You shouldn't live with the burden of my life changing for you. You should live with the fact that I chose you, and on my own I did what I had to do to make it possible. It is why I talked to you before I let you go. It is why I wanted you to have a say in who and what was in your life, because if you really love someone that is what you do. When I divorced Mellie and cut Cyrus out of my inner circle I did it for me first and foremost and then the kids. I told Andrew from the beginning that if down the road getting you back happened then it was a happy side effect. I don't think I've fought more for our love and relationship. I think that we have both given it our all, but in different ways. We deserve this Livvie. We deserve to live and be happy together. We deserve to raise Karen & Jerry and add to our family. We deserve to take care of our team and know that we will always go to bat for them. We deserve to take over the world. We have fought and have went through more battles than we can count. You have given almost a piece of your soul to get me to the point I am now. You have done more for Jerry & Karen in the last year that Mellie ever did. They feel normal and loved Livvie. They wake up and are content with who they are. Don't you dare discount yourself. Are we all sad that we lost some time? Yes. Are we sad that this could have all been lost and we never got to this point? Yes, but thank God he said that we have more stories to tell. More to do. More to offer the world and that is what I hold onto. I get to wake up beside a wife that loves me for me. I don't feel pressure to be anything but Fitz Grant, and you know since the day I was born that has never been allowed. I finally have a partner that agrees that our children need room to grow and find out who they are. I have a family that loves and supports me. I have it all with you Livvie. So you deserve everything that you have. Everything that we have. It is time to begin the book on Fitzgerald & Olivia Pope-Grant, and I think that is going to be great."
Olivia looked up and stared Fitz in the eyes. He was calm. He spoke with love and conviction in his voice. For the first time she got it. They both had made mistakes, and they had lost so much, but they now had a chance to write their story without any interferences.
Olivia smiled and caressed her husband's face. Fitz loved this Olivia that was relaxed and enjoying life. She wasn't so worried about plans and optics but just lived and enjoyed her life.
Fitz kissed her hands, "I love you so much Livvie it hurts. When I was in that coma I was frustrated because I could hear, but nothing was happening. I thought I was losing my mind. There was no way that you were there, but then I would hear the news that you left on. Whatever we decide I just want my wife and kids happy. I want what is in front of me. I want you happy and looking forward to living."
Olivia with tears again welling up in her eyes, "I love you too Fitz. I have been in love with you for so long. Even when I couldn't admit it I loved you. I love what we have and I have no doubt that we can build on it. It is why I think we should come up with a plan for you to return as President."
Fitz gasped. He wasn't sure what to say. As he got better he kept get this feeling that he wanted to finish what he started. He was torn because it was about more than him.
Olivia grabbed his hands, "I have been thinking about it quite a bit. The kids and I have talked. While I am nervous about my role as First Lady I have no qualms about being by my husband's side. You have given up too much to throw in the towel especially when physically and emotionally you can do the job. The kids can continue at Sidwell. Nothing has to change for them. We can still be great parents. I ran it by the team, and I think that you should make Abby your Chief of Staff. Quinn will be mine. Harrison can be the Communications Director. Huck does what he does. We can figure out something more official. I'd like if he became my SSA but it would be up to him. We all want this for you if you want this."
Fitz now had tears falling, "You know I do. As I've gotten better and hear the support that we have I want to finish what I started. I feel like with you and the kids and the team I can go in and do really great things that I am proud of. I will only do it if you understand that you are not ornamental. I don't want you spending your days picking china patterns and planning parties. I want you to come up with an aggressive platform that only Olivia Pope would dare to do. We got all in for the next two years, and if we get re-elected great, but if not we continue on with life. You open OPA back up. I speak and write a book."
Olivia smiled, "Deal. I think when we get back that we prepare to be back in the White House by November so that we can do the holidays from the White House. We can be a family in front of the nation. It allows us time to work your way back in the White House. We can make some minor changes to the residence. We can throw Jerry his "Sweet Sixteen" party that we have been planning. I think Sally will be happy. She was doing well for a while, but she has been floundering as of late even with our help. Hopefully we can get re-elected and that will given her enough time to prepare to run on her own."
Fitz nodded, "Sounds good. Since we have discussed all the important things I say that we head to bed and tomorrow we begin our honeymoon, and finish our family vacation before we head back to our hectic life."
Fitz looked at Olivia and he could tell that something else was on her mind. He moved his head so their foreheads were touching. "We are all in. No more secrets. Tell me what you want or what you need."
Olivia nodded, "I want our dream. I want babies and I want our house in Vermont for when we are done with D.C. or when we want to take a break from the hectic life. I want it all Fitz."
Fitz pulled her completely on his lap, "Then we will have it all. I promise"
Fitz leaned in and kissed Olivia with all of the passion that he could muster. He wanted her to feel all the emotions that he could not express. She was doing the same thing. When they finally came up for air and looked at each other. It was a silent agreement they were moving forward with their life. They had closed the chapter of Mellie, Jake, Cyrus, and Big Jerry. They were not starting a new book, and telling their own story the way they wished. And it was going to be great.
A/N-So this is part one of their honeymoon and familymoon in Greece. You now officially know that the couple intends to head back to the White House. Everyone wants him to finish what he started. Next up is the second part of their trip in Greece. I may change the story from T to M depending up how my writing goes.
