Chapter 19
Moving out (College World Series)
Liv tilted her head against the frame in the doorway. She stared in at the dorm room she called home for the last four years. This was the final time in her life she would look at it. She was off now with the softball team to Oklahoma for the World Series.
The bland gray dresser still had the tape on it where Liv kept Fitz's picture for her whole stay. There wasn't ever a night she went to sleep without looking at it. A small teardrop wet the corner of her right eye as she looked over at Jazzy's spot.
Wondering where her best friend was, if she was even alive at all, most nights, had her cry with worry. Between missing Fitz, worrying about Fitz, concern for Jaz, and her well being, Liv's senior year was far from happy.
The lone bright spot was making the world series with her teammates and winning the runs scored in a season title. She was now the record holder of that stat at the University. That was the first thing her father packed up. He looked at the trophy, much like a new father looks at his newborn, and cradled it in his arms. To say he was proud was an understatement. At least Liv conquered one of her goals.
Her father's hand caressed her shoulder now, and she took a small sniffle through her nose. "I know it's bittersweet, Liv, but you accomplished all you set out to do. The next time back on campus, you'll have your own apartment and you'll be full steam on becoming an attorney." He kissed her cheek and turned off the light.
Liv put her head down, and for a moment she heard the echoes of laughter between her and Jazzy. The long nights of sitting up in the bed talking about nothing and everything. The door closed with a small slam, and so did this chapter of Liv's life. She was finished being an undergraduate, having gained her criminal justice and political science degrees, she was set to begin law school in September.
There was nothing more she could do in this dorm building, no more thoughts about Fitz in that dark lonely room. It was time for her focus to be on softball, get studying for the bar exam, and exert herself fully to law school. Her softball career would soon be coming to an end, Fitz never having seen her play a single game.
It was time she moved on from Fitz. Seven years is a long time to be hung up on someone you haven't seen or heard from. She was sure, someone with his looks, his money, and his military status had certainly moved on.
Eli handed his daughter her bat to put into her softball bag. He was going to drive her to the team bus over at the gym and head home, up I-95 alone. Olivia would worry until she got the message he was back. With all she would need now in a luggage bag and her backpack, she kissed her father good bye.
"Come back with the World Series Trophy, but if you don't, still hold your head up high, baby girl, you came this far."
Liv nodded and watched her father drive away. As the car made the turn, Liv swore she saw a figure standing there, smiling and waving. Fitz, it certainly did look like him, but it was an illusion.
Trish gave her a pat on the back. Looking in the direction Liv was looking, Trish said, "don't worry, he'll be fine, you'll see him soon." With that she hopped on the bus. Trish may have been talking about Liv's father, but Liv was thinking that of Fitz.
Present Day
Fitz stood in the doorway of the small base apartment in Nevada. He was standing in the door way, leaning his head on the frame, much like Liv was doing so many years ago in her college dorm. Everything was packed away and Fitz was getting an early flight to their house in San Diego.
His new job as Top Gun recruiter and trainer would begin in a few days, the only thing, Liv wouldn't be there with him. His heart was aching, but she wouldn't be long. She had to go back to Jersey to close out her apartment, sign off on her job, and bring anything back she would need for their new home.
At a very pregnant 20 weeks now, they were heading out in a bit for her final ultra sound in Nevada. There they would get recommendations for doctors on the San Diego, specifically Point Loma base. They had both come to terms with building a life together now, moving forward with their forever they had waited so long for.
Her hands wrapped around his waist and her head rested on his back. "You ok, Mister?" Liv was blinking back tears, taking in his smell. She was going to miss him more than she would admit to him, but she didn't want him to see her crying.
He turned fully now, wrapping her in his arms. "I'll be alright. I am happy Jaz is going with you, and I am even happier Jalen got stationed at the same place. We get to raise our families together." Fitz planted a kiss on her head. He put his hand on her round belly. "How are my boys?"
"Getting comfortable in there. I am eager to see how they've grown. We haven't seen them in four weeks. They must miss us." Liv looked up, smiling now, but still teary eyed.
Fitz gave a small rub to Liv's eye. "Hey, it's just two weeks, and they will fly by. Your parents are coming back with you, Jazzy will be helping you pack, Bess will be going crazy over JJ, and you get to meet little Avery. I bet Quinn is looking forward to that."
"Yeah, I'm excited. And how lucky was she? All she had was 20 minutes of labor and the little girl slipped out. I hope she can talk some sense into our boys." Liv rubbed her belly.
Fitz leaned down and gave her a soft kiss. "Come on, we don't want to be late for the ultrasound."
Final Days (Germany)
Fitz and Connors were called into the Admiral's office together one Sunday afternoon both wondering what they did wrong this time. There was nothing they could think of offhand. Giving a shrug they entered the office awaiting their punishment.
"I have no idea why Connors is involved in this," the Admiral said with a smirk, "but the two of you are being transferred, moved to the Naval Academy in Maryland. They really want you to begin shaping the future of the Navy." The Admiral scratched his head in wonder.
"I mean I can understand Fitz, but Connors." Then the Admiral stopped. "I am just playing around Connors. Honestly though in a week, you two are finished here in Germany, the Naval Academy awaits."
Fitz took a seat just to take it all in. He would be on the east coast, not close to Livvie, but close enough. She had two years of law school, then he was sure she would be close to her parents, at least he hoped she would. If anything he could catch maybe one game of the World Series, providing Alabama made it farther than the first round.
Connors walked over to Fitz. "You alright buddy, it's not that bad, you know. I think we'll be fine instructors. We're getting the ones that are top notch but are having trouble finding their way."
Fitz nodded. "No, I know that Connors, I'm just thinking how this time is coming to an end for me. I actually tried my luck here at dating, and now I get to back to America."
"Yeah, maybe now you'll be with the one you truly love. You're not fooling me Fitz, there is someone."
The Admiral came in before Fitz could answer that. "Ok, Commanders, here are your assignments. You're getting a fine group of recruits. The NAVY wants them, they have potential, but they haven't always been the most upscale of citizens, maybe you can change that. Good luck to you." He dismissed them and gave them the rest of the time off to pack.
Sitting in his empty barracks now, he looked one last time out the screen door. Every morning with the sunrise he would walk over to that door. Sometimes he would see her figure walking towards him, he would wait patiently for her to reach him, but she never would.
On other days, he would simply think about her. He wondered what she was doing how she was feeling and if she could ever forgive him. His Livvie was always on his mind, and now he was going to be in the same country as her again. Maybe, by some miracle their paths would cross.
Present Day (ultrasound)
"Hello Olivia and Captain. Ready for your 20 week ultrasound?" The doctor looked over Olivia's body frame, specifically the belly. "Good shape. I'll see you inside the room as you get set."
Olivia was lying down, Fitz's hand interlocked sitting next to her awaiting for the monitor to go on. For some reason, Liv's heart was beating a bit faster with some anxiety, and she took a deep shaky breath.
Fitz kissed her forehead. "I'm right here, my Livvie, everything will be fine." Fitz caressed some of her hair back.
Liv nodded. "I know, this just gets so nerve wracking. Am I doing everything I need to do? Am I taking care of my body? Are they doing alright in there? I am overthinking." She gave a squeeze to his hand as the doctor came in.
"Have you felt any movement with the twins?" The doctor began spreading the gel around Liv's belly.
"Oh, yes." Fitz answered for her. "Especially at night when Livvie is sleeping, they are jumping around in there." Fitz jumped right in before Liv could speak.
Liv squinted at him. "And how exactly do you know that?"
Fitz smiled. "You three are all I think about."
"Yes." Liv answered. "I feel movements, sometimes for a few minutes, other times a quick kick here or there." Then it was silence, and they heard the strong thumping of the twin's hearts.
"Looking good, looking good, mom and dad." The dr. stopped the movement and snapped some pictures, looking up at some of the data display.
All Fitz and Liv could see were two figures moving around. The dr. pointed to each feature explaining things but looking at the monitor. "Development seems well. They are about 10 inches now, growing nicely. You're doing well taking care of them Ms. Pope."
Fitz leaned over and kissed her cheek. "See, you're doing fine." He smiled.
After the exam the doctor gave them a summary of the ultrasound. "The twins have hair on their bodies, not unlikely, very common in fetuses at this stage. The growth of organs and development of brain are all intact." She looked over at Olivia with a bit of a concerned look.
"I understand you're doing some traveling in coming weeks."
"Yes, I am moving here from New Jersey. I am leaving later today, and will meet up with Fitz back in San Diego on the base. Is that ok?"
"I'm looking at your history here Ms. Pope, you have to take it easy. Pregnancy with twins can be very unpredictable. I have been in contact with your ob/gyn in San Diego. The date you get there, go to see her the very next day. You may not have an ultra sound, but let her get to know you." She handed both of them the cards for the doctor.
"Should we be concerned, doctor?" Now Fitz's heart was beating rapidly. He was nervously rubbing Olivia's back.
"Not concerned, cautious. If you were still my patient I would put you on light bed rest once you hit 24 weeks, but let's see what your doctor says out there. When you are in New Jersey, you make sure you report any differences or anything you don't feel comfortable with." She looked down and picked up the sleeve of ultrasound pictures. "There's one here where you can see their faces, it's not too clear, but you can make out the features. Good luck to you both, Captain and Ms. Pope." She left the meeting area leaving Fitz and Olivia with a lot to think about.
Law School (year one, Alabama)
In her first lecture hall, filled with so many wanna be lawyers, Liv caught the one guy giving her the stare down. He was fine as fuck, and Liv found herself unable to stop glancing at him, as he caught her eye back.
In the background, there was faint sound of a professor talking about court cases that made history in Alabama and the majority of them would be helpful to know to bring up in court litigations.
When the class was finally over, Liv snapped out of her daydream. What did she think she was doing? She was fantasizing about a guy, and it wasn't Fitz. She felt a chill run up her spine. That couldn't be real, could it? She put her final book in her backpack and spun to leave the hall.
There was wall stopping her. It was a wall of abs, and she was about as tall as this dream guy's abs ended. She looked up at him, his tone brown skin and his dark brown eyes looking down at her. "Pardon me." She said in an embarrassed, raspy voice.
He smiled, a wide beautiful smile. "Are you alright?" His hand brazed her shoulder and Liv looked down at it.
He pulled back. "Sorry, didn't mean to touch you. My name is Darryl, Darryl Simmons. You are beautiful."
Liv gave a shy laugh. She took a deep breath. This wasn't happening. She closed her eyes and quickly opened them. She nodded. "Olivia, Olivia Pope, are you new to Alabama?"
They began walking towards the outdoors. As Olivia waited for an answer, she thought about Fitz. Stop it! Her conscious yelled loud and clear to her. He's moved on, she told herself, she's sure of it.
"Yeah, I went to Baylor for my undergrad, but got better financial aid here, so I moved here about a week ago. Do you know any good places to eat?"
Liv shrugged. "The cafeteria is always a good place to begin."
Darryl held his arm up for Liv to interlock hers with. She paused for a moment, heard the voice inside her head say take it, damn it, so she did. They walked casually to the cafeteria on what would be a very short lived romance.
The next month, after going on a few dates, having a few memorable sleepovers, Darryl got an envelope in the mail. He tossed it to the side looking concerned, but not saying anything about it. Liv and him continued on their date, just watching movies on his TV in his apartment.
Thinking she was asleep, she heard Darryl open the envelop. "Fuck." She heard him say. Liv was able to raise her head to see him holding a picture of an ultrasound. In his other hand a big square paper with dark black marker written, "It's yours!"
Now Liv didn't try to be sneaky. She jumped out of the bed, as Darryl tried to stop her. "No, wait Olivia, I can explain."
"Oh, no, I don't need an explanation." She quickly got dressed looked around and left. She thought it was the end, but it was only the beginning of the poor choices she would make with men Never thinking she would have a chance with Fitz, she didn't hold on to romance long at all.
As much as Darryl angered her, she envied him. It was what she dreamed of with Fitz, to have his baby. Why did she keep on holding on to the hope that she one day would?
Darryl never returned to class, and Liv never saw him again after she left that night. It was just for the best anyway, Fitz would always be the one.
Present Day
Fitz was sitting back straight up against the headboard of the bed. Liv rested on his chest as his arms engulfed her. She held up the sleeve of the ultrasound pictures. She squinted a bit at them.
Bringing the one of the faces a bit closer to their eyes, Fitz tilted his head on to Liv's. "They definitely look like me. Spitting image." Fitz smiled.
"Oh, you think so Mister, huh? Well they get their brown eyes from me." Liv laughed.
"I hope they get everything from you." Fitz pulled her closer, kissing her forehead now.
Liv looked over at the wall. Her two bags were packed. Jaz would be coming in another hour and they would head to the airport with JJ. Jalen was going to Texas he was going to pack up their place they had there. They all would meet back in San Diego.
Closing her eyes now, not wanting the tears to fall, she buried her head in his chest. "I'm going to miss you Fitz. You're going to be all alone out here."
Fitz shrugged. "I'll be fine Livvie. I'll be working all day, packing when I come home, then in a week I get to set up our new home in San Diego. I can't wait to see it, and then put the finishing touches on it with you."
Her shoulder went up. "It's really happening. Our forever is beginning, finally. But I do have a bit of a surprise for you when you get to San Diego."
"Oh, yeah, what's that." At that moment, Fitz's phone buzzed on the nightstand. He looked at the display and then at Liv who had sat up now. She was smiling. "What's this about?" He smiled.
"Answer it and find out." Liv had planned for Mason to come out to San Diego so Fitz wouldn't have to move in alone. Mason was on summer break from MIT and he was happy to do the honor.
"Why are you bothering me during alone time with my Livvie?" Fitz answered.
"Well, wait until it's alone time with me. Wait, maybe not, how many women on the base at San Diego?"
"Still Mason? Geez, we have to find someone for you, anyone, maybe we'll have an auction. Wait, hold on, the base in San Diego, what is that supposed to mean?" He turned to Liv confused.
"I'll be meeting you out there on Wednesday of next week. That's what your lady said to do. I don't mess with a New Yorker, not one who's pregnant anyway."
"Seriously, you're coming out here? For how long?"
"Until the day before Liv comes back. She needs me to make sure you don't wreck the new place. She cares about you Fitz. She doesn't like the fact you'll be alone, so I'm the chosen one. It'll be good to catch up."
"Sure will, this is great. See you next week Mason. Try to find someone beforehand."
Fitz turned to Liv. She just smiled. Then she scrunched her face. "You aren't mad, are you?"
"Quite the opposite. Thanks so much because I wouldn't have called him like I should have to make any plans like we promised. Now let's use the time we have left wisely, huh Livvie." He began kissing her rounding stomach, and worked his way up to her neck.
"Fitz, Jazzy is going to…" His lips stopped her from moving any further.
"Jazzy." He stopped and kissed more, pulling her leggings off. "Will be another half hour". Kissing her again and sitting her up to take off her shirt, he continued. "I need you so much right now Livvie."
Using his shoulder he gently pushed her back down to the bed. "Those ten years, Livvie, they destroyed me." He was talking into her neck. "I am going to miss you much."
He took off his clothes to match her and kneeled up just looking at her. "Since we found each other again we haven't been away longer than two nights. I tried to hold back how much I'm going to miss you, I don't want you worrying." He just looked at her tears in his eyes.
It was pulling at Liv's heart strings. "Fitz," she whispered softly. She didn't have any words. Her hand went to the back of his neck swirling his curls, and they continued their kissing. Liv needed to feel him before she left, and she was happy this was happening. "Come here, Mister."
Fitz entered her slowly, softly, mindful of the rounding belly, and she pulled him down to her lips, until his penetration had her turn her head in anticipation of her orgasm which was so close.
"Livvie," with a deep breath. "Look at me Livvie." He was pushing now, a bit harder, as he felt her walls close around him.
Her head turned back towards him and her eyes met his. "I love you so much Livvie, so much. It's always been you and only you." He took one more deep breath as he climaxed and landed his head onto her chest.
Fitz returning to the US
"So what say you little math man, can you make time for your high school buddy?" Fitz had just arrived at his quarters in Maryland and he was talking to Mason.
"Like the East Coast of America. You're really on the East Coast of America." Mason couldn't believe it.
"I certainly am, can't you smell me?" Fitz laughed.
"I'm doing an internship, but I can ask for a week off, will I be allowed to stay on base with you?"
"As long as I know in advance and I get clearance. Besides I have a week before my new assignment begins so it's perfect."
"Yee haw, I am seein' Fitz." Mason chanted.
"Whack. Can't wait to see you buddy."
When Mason arrived a week later on base, Fitz hadn't been out of his room much. He was studying the newest jets manuals, getting to know their engines in preparation to begin his new assignment. Mason's arrival was a welcoming distraction.
As soon as Mason put his bag down on the bed across from Fitz, he saw her picture hanging up. "What the hell? What happened to Lillian whatever?" Mason saw Liv's softball picture hanging up.
Fitz shrugged. "Mason, I tried, I really tried. I can's shake her man, she's my drug. I need her."
"Have you even been in any contact with her?" Mason was so shocked. "I really thought things were going well with Lillian."
"They were until I called her Liv's nickname twice in conversation and once during sex." Fitz blushed. "I'm hopelessly in love."
"And now you're on the East Coast again, is she?" Mason asked.
"As far as I know, she's doing law school at Alabama." Fitz took a deep breath, now looking at the picture. "I'm still holding out hope, Mason, one day."
Mason shook his head in disbelief. "Are you even going to try to reach out to her?"
"No, if it happens, it happens. Maybe one day when I have too much to drink and I can't think straight I'll do something foolish, but until then, just a wish my heart continues to make."
"So, what's on the agenda Commander. Ooh, that sounds sexy, Commander Grant." He laughed.
"Two days in DC, visiting my dad, doing some sight seeing then back here for the bar scene and maybe some…."
"Women. That's what I'm talking about." Mason clapped.
"Maybe some pickup baseball games with the Navy squad, Math Geek."
"Oh, yeah, that too." Mason seemed disappointed.
"We can do the bar scene, and women, just don't expect me to be as into it as you are." Fitz warned.
"Man, if you don't eventually marry Olivia, I don't know what I'm going to do with you. Our retirement home is going to be difficult to room with you." They both left the room heading to the bar.
Somewhere in the back of Mason's mind he was wishful thinking that his best friend would be able to enjoy his time out, but even if he did, it would be a front. It would be impossible for him to get over the woman he loves, the true love of his life.
Present Day
"That phone call from Mason, the fact that he's coming to spend time with me, it brought back memories, painful memories when I first came back from Germany."
Liv was rubbing his curls, both just coming down and feeling each other's rhythm of breathing. "How so, Fitz?"
"It was my first time back on the East Coast since, well, you know, the 14th of February. I was in Maryland, but it was close enough and it was the first time I got to see Mason since he visited me at Top Gun, four years earlier."
"What kind of memories?" Fitz rolled off her now, so she can begin to get dressed.
He pulled his boxers up. Lying on the bed, he remembered. "Trying to move on from you. He came to the base and spent a week. We visited Dad in DC, then back to base. We were bar hopping and women catching, well he was anyway. I think it was when he realized for real I would never be over you."
Fully dressed now, she placed her head back on his chest, being in his arms for the few minutes they had left. He rubbed her hair, gently, still remembering.
"I tried Livvie, I really did, I tried to move on, but you had a hold on me. Like you said, I didn't know how much those two nights shaped your life, well they shaped mine too, and the piece of my heart you owned, you still own, well it made it hard to live without."
"I tried too, Fitz. I tried and it was toxic for me. The choice in men, it was as if I picked the ones I would have no desire to every be long term with. Darryl." She stopped, and gave a sighing laugh. "Well, I knew I was destined to fail with men when he opened an envelope with an ultrasound picture."
Fitz just stared down at her. "it wasn't mine, it was his so called ex girlfriend, he left her after he got her pregnant. I never saw him again after that. Doesn't matter, you were always my thought."
"Then, there was Jake." Fitz said.
There was a loud knock on the door. "Let's go, Liv, get dressed. I have a child with me." Jazzy laughed.
"Saved by the knock." Liv hugged him tight before they got up.
Jazzy came in, handing JJ to Fitz. "Here, practice a bit, I have to use the bathroom."
Fitz stood there looking at JJ who was looking back at him. "Hi JJ, you miss your daddy?"
JJ's face scrunched and he began to cry looking at Fitz's unfamiliar face. "Oh, no, no, don't cry, I didn't mean it, JJ." Fitz began bouncing him up and down. Liv just watched with the biggest smile.
"Here, want to be an airplane?" He gave JJ a quick spin around making a plane noise, and JJ smiled. "There you go, that's better."
Fitz brought the bags to the waiting car. He had help for them waiting at the airport and gave them the number of the company helping them with their things. They thought it best to say their good byes here.
Jazzy and JJ got in the car as Liv turned to Fitz. "I'll miss you Mister, I'll call every night."
"I know, Livvie." He hugged her. "I love you." He kissed her stomach. "And I love you my boys." He looked back up at Liv. "You have no idea how happy you made me when you made the decision to move out here. I will never forget what you're giving up." He kissed the top of her head.
"Love you too. I'm not giving up anything. I'm choosing you, which I would have done at some point." Before it got any harder, Liv went into the car and watched as Fitz became smaller and smaller through the window.
"You two were apart for ten years, you'll survive two weeks, Liv."
"I know. So, you ready for Jersey?" Liv asked Jazzy.
"Question is, is Jersey ready for me?" Jazzy laughed.
The buildings were a blur as the car hit a cruising speed to the airport. Liv rubbed her belly. She took a deep breath; Jaz was right two weeks is nothing compared to the ten years they spent apart. Liv squinted out towards the daylight, going with confidence her decision was the right one, and closing the chapter on her life so she can begin her new one with the only man she'll ever love.
A/N: This story is coming to an end. We'll have one more full blown chapter than an epilogue. Thank you all for continuing to read this. It started out as a one shot and will end with 20 chapters, because of you and your encouragement to continue it. Happy reading.