AN: WOW! The response I've gotten from this story is incredible! Thank you so much for all your kind words and inspiration! After about the 3rd review, I decided right then I was going to continue this.

I do have a child, fiancé, and hold down a steady job WHILE I have my own business, so finding time to write is hard but necessary. Today I am forgoing my extra sleep time since it's my late day to bring you guys another chapter. Hope you like it!

IF I don't update as quickly as you would like me to, please be patient with me. As always, leave me reviews! They fuel my thoughts!

Happy Reading!

XOXO

CH 2

"You KNOW each other!?" Harper screeched.

There was silence. Silence because as they stood there with their hands clasp and breathing in sync, nothing else mattered. Fitz stared at Olivia as if he could see directly to her soul and Olivia felt the same. Harper broke the silence yet again.

"Um…Mom…Mommy…MA?" Olivia seemed to come out of her trance at the third variation of her title. She shook her head and reluctantly released his hand.

"Yes-YES? I hear you Harp. Fitz and I are….um…." Olivia began to stumble over her words.

As this exchange was happened between the ladies, Fitz was trying to register their relationship in his head. Did she just say mom? Seriously? Olivia doesn't look a day over 30….and a teenager? Now I know where she gets her beauty from….and those eyes….

Olivia cleared her throat, asking Fitz to assist her in clarifying their status. As if on cue, Fitz began to relay what they were to each other to Harper-well, the PG 13 version anyways.

"Uh, well Harper, I actually know you mother from-well I suppose-about 10 years ago or so. She caught my eye then and she has my attention equally as much now." Fitz winked his eye at Olivia and she tried to ignore the fact that her knees were knocking and panties beginning to feel kind of damp.

"Fitz. You're too much. REALLY." Olivia emphasized the REALLY part. None of this exchange was lost on an inquisitive Harper.

Feeling out of place, Harper excused herself to go back to her new found boy band friends and left the two old lovers alone. Harper had always been taught respect towards adults and leaving adults to talk was definitely a step in the right direction. Not to mention she could cut the tension with a knife right about now.

Fitz motioned for Olivia to take a seat at the bar again. She slipped back on her stool and when he went towards the seat next to her, she noticed a rather tall and large man behind him, looking even more serious than the other 3 bodyguards strategically placed around the room. Fitz caught her line of vision and quickly excused his number 1 bodyguard and best friend, Tom.

"So Livvie how have you been-or does everyone call you Olivia now?" Fitz was turning on the charm as he added that crooked grin she remembered so well.

Olivia felt herself blush and wanted to kick her own butt. "No, Liv….Livvie's fine. Thanks. I've been…busy. As you can see. You? By the way, congratulations on your awards tonight!" Olivia hoped she didn't sound like a school aged fan.

"Thank you. I have been busy as well. I guess all those nights auditioning for spaces in nightclubs really paid off."

I wouldn't know. I didn't take enough time to get to know you back then…Olivia inwardly chastised herself. She made sure to keep a close eye out for Harper, but the more she fought it, the easier it became to get lost in this man. He was sitting before her looking and smelling like a Greek god and she had to cross her legs the opposite direction when she noticed the lone superman curl that found its way on his forehead and to her line of vision.

"So, where's the misses?" Olivia knew good and well he was single. Even if she didn't follow his career out of fascination, one couldn't help but notice the magazines at the checkout counter in the grocery stores. She took a sip of her wine as he answered.

"I guess she's where she needs to be at this very moment," Fitz said. He had lowered his voice when he answered this and Olivia damn near choked on her wine.

Damn, I guess the tabloids failed again.

"Are you ok, Liv?" Fitz began to pat her back. It wasn't lost on his how soft her skin felt. Since she was wearing an open back dress, he couldn't help but to notice.

No. I just spit all over a Grammy award winner.

"Yes. I'm sorry. I got a little…choked." Olivia tried to recover, but from the look she saw in Fitz' eyes, she knew there was no use.

"As of now, I don't have a leading lady. I have been seen out with a few, and judging by your response, you have read the tabloids too, correct?" It was Fitz turn to take a sip of the drink he had ordered.

Olivia took a moment to compose her thoughts. "I noticed, but I don't trust anyone's research but my own, Mr. Grant." Fitz felt his pants begin to tighten at how low her voice became and as if she could tell, she gave him a coy but seductress smile.

"Let me guess….Lawyer right?"

"Yep."

The conversation went on like this for about an hour. They caught up like old friends who hadn't seen each other in ages. Fitz learned that Olivia was owner of her own law firm, Olivia Pope & Associates. He also learned that when they were not touring, she owned a gated estate on the outskirts of Brooklyn. Olivia learned that not only had Fitz won a few Grammy's, but he also was up for an academy award from his role in a major motion picture. Both thought the other's life was like a fairytale, but the truth couldn't be further away.

"So, Harper seems like an extraordinary young lady. Her voice makes me wanna trash all my demos right here and now." Fitz laughed. Olivia couldn't help but smile at his compliment.

"Thank you. She really is. Underneath all of this you see, the singing and performing, is my munchkin. She started singing when she was about 18 months old. Anything that sounded like a tune, from my doorbell to my ringtone on my phone, she could catch the melody and hum along. Harper really has a heart of gold. She is probably the most well behaved teen I've ever seen….very respectful and modest. She doesn't even think she did very well on most performances." Olivia felt like she was rambling, but when she looked at Fitz, she could tell he was leaning on her every word. She wanted so badly to tell him, but the moment just didn't seem right. She decided against it.

"Where's her father?" Fitz asked abruptly. He could tell by the look on her face that he stuck a chord. Something flashed in her eyes….was that guilt?

Fitz tried to soften the blow, "I'm- I'm sorry, Olivia. I didn't mean to bring up any bad blood or memories. I was just curious. I can only imagine if I had a daughter as beautiful and talented as she was, there's no way in hell I would let her out of my sight."

For a lawyer, Olivia could keep a straight face. She could tell someone that it was raining gumdrops and free money and they would probably believe her so she couldn't understand for the life of her how it seemed so hard to lie to this man's face. She refused to make eye contact with him, instead only dragging her fingers around the top of the wine glass she had been nursing. This was not lost on Fitz.

"Olivia?"

"It's fine. Harper is my angel. I have made A LOT of mistakes in my life, but she's the one thing I can say I did right, ya know?" The pained looked on her face told Fitz this was a sensitive area and while every fiber in his being screamed to get to the bottom of this, he knew to back off and give her some space.

After another hour or so, the party began to die down. Harper made her way back to her mother, wishing she could slip off her designer wedges and crawl into her mother's embrace.

"Ready to go, Harp?"

Harper replied after a dramatic yawn, "Yes, please?"

Olivia pulled her phone from her purse as Fitz watched and sent what appeared to be the quickest text message he ever seen. "Max is bringing the car around, baby girl."

"Good. I'm gonna run to the bathroom. I'll be right back." And with that, Harper gave her best attempt and a non-tired walk towards the ladies room.

"Well, Miss Pope. It has been an absolute pleasure reconnecting with you again-"Fitz felt silly being so formal with her considering she had broken his heart so many years ago. He was NOT about to lose her. He'd finally found her! Music business be DAMNED. He continued-"Livvie, I know it's been a long time. I also know that we didn't exactly end on the best of terms, but I can't let you go. Not yet anyway. Not like this. Can we please talk?" He was now standing before her, her legs still crossed and turned to his right side and he standing so that if he leaned forward and touched her leg with his pelvis, she would know for sure he was excited to see her.

Olivia felt like shit. Here he was begging her to even give him the time of day and she had already kept from him the most important thing they had shared-the birth of his daughter so many years ago. Her mind began to play Harper's life like a movie. From birth, to coming home, first steps, first words, school and talent show auditions, the handful of times Harper had gotten into trouble, and now, with her new teen becoming a household name. The pride she felt for her daughter was indescribable, but she felt like a total jackass for keeping this from Fitz. She finally met his gaze and could see nothing but desire and pleas as he waited for an answer.

Olivia, in a bold move, stood up in front of him. He didn't take a step back, and they were now closer than either had bet they would be tonight. She reached up and slid her arms around his shoulders. At the same time, he wrapped his hands around the waist and back he had come to remember inch my inch. He wanted so bad to grasp the luscious booty in his line of vision, but thought against it. When she pulled back, she kept one hand at his shoulder and the other she reached into his coat pocket. When she found his phone, she quickly entered her number into it and returned it to its proper place. Fitz kept his eyes focused on her lips as she stifled a small grin and bit her lip while she typed in her number. Neither noticed Harper as she had exited the bathroom and was not standing at the end of the bar with her arms crossed and silly grin on her face.

Fitz caressed her cheek, tucking on her loose strands behind her ear and wanted so badly to kiss her right here and now. Instead, he settled for a firm but quick enough cheek kiss. He inhaled as he kissed her and her scent-the one she had left in his bed so many years ago- filled his nostrils.

When they separated, Harper took this as her queue to make her presence known again.

"Ok mom, I'm ready." Olivia nodded. She head Harper and Fitz say their goodbyes, something about Harper making sure to keep her vocal chords in good shape with honey and lemon when they felt sore. She heard her daughter thank him and when she looked up, both father and daughter had the same bright water blue eyes as they looked at each other with admiration. Fitz hugged the girl and there it was again- he felt like he needed to protect her for some reason. Harper couldn't deny it felt good to have this man look at her as if he was her protector. Sure, she had body guards, but she wanted nothing more than to take his every word into stride. If he said honey and lemon, that's what she would do. She wanted him to be proud of her and she felt so at home in his arms, it scared her.

Once all the goodbyes were said, Fitz watched as Harper and Olivia made their way to the nearest exit. Tom approached him.

"Sir?"

"Yes, Tom?"

"Sir, if I may speak out of turn for a moment."

"Tom, pretend we are off the clock."

Tom sighed. "Fine. Fitz, dude, you hitting that? Or have you?"

Fitz jerked his head around at Tom's question and felt his cheeks begin to burn.

"I only ask because-well not that I was eavesdropping-but I noticed how she shied away from the question about her child's father."

Fitz stopped Tom right there.

"I noticed. It has all become quite clear to me, Tom. Harper is MY child. I can see it clear as day. I'm not only good for singing…I have a brain too."

"Fitz, you seem extremely calm about this. What makes you so sure?"

"We were together almost 14 years ago, Tom. Tell me Harper doesn't have my eyes? As much as I love Olivia's natural hair state, Harper doesn't have that either. What's there to get upset about? Sure, she should have told me, but this makes me feel SO much better. Here I was watching this little girl and only seeing just that-a little girl. I wanted to protect and nurture her and that thought alone scared me half to damn death since A) I don't care for strangers and B) I don't know her. I was beginning to worry I'd have some unhealthy involuntary obsession with a teenager. I think I can understand why she didn't tell me. Remember how I was back then?"

Tom nodded. Fitz continued.

"But after holding her, looking into the mirror of eyes that looked right back at me tonight, and being in the presence of the woman responsible for the inspiration in most of my songs, I am certain of two things."

"And they are?"

"Olivia Pope is-she is-STILL the love of my life. I haven't gotten over her nor do I want to get over her." Fitz smiled to himself as he ran his hands behind his neck where her hands had been.

"And the second thing?"

"Harper Pope is my daughter and I will make sure to keep eyes and hands around her until my last breath. That is a promise."

/

As Olivia and Harper finally arrived home, Olivia noticed Harper had finally dozed off with her Galaxy phone in hand. Olivia smiled, asking Max to come help her get her daughter to bed. He carried the child to bed and excused himself from their home to go to his small apartment guest house on site.

Olivia made her way to her bedroom and undressed. She stepped under the shower with the water completely on hot. She allowed the stress to melt away and subconsciously found her hands rubbing circles across her now flat belly. She felt awful for not sharing her secret when she had the time tonight and that alone made her weep.

After she finished in the shower, she dressed in cream silk pajamas and made her way out of the bathroom. As she exited, she was startled by Harper, who was standing in her door way shuffling her feet. She couldn't help but smile at the fact that Harper's hair was equally as wet as her own-signaling she had showered- and was donning the same exact pair of pajamas.

"Mom?"

"Harp?"

Harper made her way to her mother's bed and sat criss crossed on the opposite side of her mother. They sat like this for about 30 seconds as it seemed each was trying to read the other's mind. Olivia had always been as honest with her daughter as she could for whatever age she was at. Tonight Olivia prayed Harper hadn't picked up on the situation at hand.

Harper took a deep breath before she began.

"What's the deal with you and Fitz?"