"How's my son feeling today?" Fitz asked staring out of the window to the rose garden.
"He's doing really well. Much better than yesterday."
"And how's his incredibly gorgeous, loving, sexy mother holding up?"
"I'm fine."
"Livvie, have you slept yet?"
"I will Fitz. I've just been busy with Zion and work. Something had to be cut back." Liv said as she began to prepare dinner.
"Livvie you know you don't have to work. I can provide everything you and Zion could ever want or need."
"I know but I like working. I like feeling that I'm doing something to leave my mark on this world. Besides, I love setting this example for Zion. I don't want him raised a spoiled rich kid. I want him to know the value of a dollar, what it feels like to accomplish something yourself. Not to struggle, but to appreciate the things he has. You and I were given everything by our fathers Fitz. Even though i know you'll see to it that Zion will have the best opportunities, I want his mind to remain grounded."
Fitz understood where Liv was coming from. He agreed. Fitz wanted to give his son the best so he could become the best, and Zion Thomas Pope was already paving his road to greatness.
"Is he awake?" Fitz asked anxiously. Liv smiled at the joy that was radiating from Fitz.
"Yes he is." Liv said passing the phone to Zion. Liv smiled when she saw Zion's face light up when he realized it was Fitz on the phone.
Liv turned and walked towards the kitchen to get dinner started. It was only 12 in the afternoon, but she wanted to get the ribs into the slow cooker so they could cook slowly. Both Zion and Fitz loved Liv's ribs, and Fitz would be there by the time they were finished.
No sooner than she had turned the crock pot on, Liv heard a knock at the door. She heard Zion yell "I'll get it mommy!" and Liv responded telling him to look at the monitor first and made her way to the door. As she reached the edge of the dining room Liv heard Zion yell.
"Daddy! You're back!"
Zion jumped into Fitz's arms and held on to him tightly. Liv stood there for a moment and watch the two loves of her life embrace one other. Liv watched as the tension slowly left Fitz's face and he began to relax holding his son.
"I wasn't expecting you for a few more hours." Liv said alerting Fitz that she was in the room.
"Today was a surprisingly light day and I couldn't wait to come see my little man." Fitz said as he closed the door and walked over to Liv. He leaned in and gave her a kiss. "Or his beautiful mother." He continued looking into her eyes.
Fitz's lips found Liv's again and they became lost in the moment.
"Um daddy, could you put me down! You and mommy are squishing me!" Zion cried still trapped between the two.
Fitz broke the kiss and apologized to Zion, setting him down.
"Hey Zion, who's your favorite president?" Fitz asked kneeling down beside the little boy.
"You daddy!" Zion said laughing. Fitz should have known that would have been his answer, but he had to ask anyway.
"Ok, a president other than me."
"Abraham Lincoln. Mommy says he was a man of the people."
"He's my favorite too. So, what if I told you that I had a little present for you from uncle Cy?" Fitz asked as he walked over to the door and picked up one of two bags at the front door.
"I love presents!" Zion said as he began to jump. "Ouch! Mommy, my boo boo leg!" Zion cried pointing at his still fairly new stitches.
"Have a seat Zy. Mommy will get you some ice and your next dose of medicine."
"Ok mommy, thank you." Zion said and then looked up at Fitz. "Ok daddy, what is my present from uncle Cy?"
Fitz walked over to The sofa and sat down next to Zion. He handed him the bag, and watched as be peeked inside. Once Zion removed the paper, he picked up the present and yelled.
"It's Abraham Lincoln! Daddy it's Abraham Lincoln!" Zion said excitedly.
"Yes, and he said that since we are no longer going to be in the White House, he won't need it anymore."
Liv came into the room and gave Zion his medicine and placed an ice pack on his leg. When he was finished taking his dose Zion looked up at Liv.
"Mommy, uncle Cy gave me an Abraham Lincoln from the White House." Zion looked at the bust of the president and then looked back up at Liv. "Mommy, why is his head flat? Is that why he always wore the top hat?"
Liv laughed at the boy's curious mind. "We'd have to ask uncle Cy that sweetie." She said as she placed the bust on the coffee table.
"Hey Zion, I was wondering if you'd be up to going out today? That is if it's ok with mommy." Fitz said looking at Liv.
"Sure! Where are we going?" Zion asked, his eyes brightening instantly.
"It's a surprise, but I think you'll enjoy it."
Zion turned to Liv and looked up with puppy dog eyes. "Mommy, can we go with daddy to see the surprise? PLEASE!"
Liv looked at Fitz wondering what he had up his sleeve. She was sure it would be something she'd object to once they were there, but she couldn't say no to the father and son's first outing.
"Sure. Go get dressed." Liv said smiling at them both. Liv could tell by they way they both jumped up and Fitz flew into Zion's bedroom with him in his arms, that Fitz and his mini me were going team up on her a lot.
A few minutes later, Zion and Fitz came out of the room. Liv noticed that Zion was wearing a black suit and blue tie with his dress shoes.
"Zion, what are you doing in a suit?" Liv asked more so shocked because he protested whenever he put it on her.
"I want to look just like daddy!" Zion said standing tall and proud next to Fitz. Liv looked and noticed that he even had on his exact replica of Fitz's flag pin with 48 stars on it that Quinn had made for him.
Liv stood there and couldn't do anything but smile at Fitz and his mini Fitz. Liv pulled out her phone and turned on the camera.
"Ok. Before we leave, I want to get a picture. Say cheese" Liv said before taking a few pictures of the two of them together. When she was finished Fitz picked up Zion and headed over to the door. Liv ran into the kitchen and turned to crock pot on low just in case they'd be out for a while. When she came back, she grabbed her coat and purse and noticed that Fitz had already put Zion's pea coat on. They serious looked like twins as Fitz picked him back up and opened the door. Tom was standing in the hallway and Fitz turned to him ignoring Hal.
"Tom, meet Zion who hopes to one day be the president of this great nation." Fitz said the smile evident on his face.
"Nice to meet you Mr. President. Tell me, are you up to the super secret task we have in store for you today?" Tom asked the little boy. He couldn't get over just how much he looked liked Fitz. To see them separately no one normally made the connection, but together, they were almost identical.
"I'm ready Tom."
"Ok, then let's go." Tom said taking the little boy into his arms. He looked at Zion on the way down to the garage. "You know Zion, I am in charge of the president's secret service. This means I have to keep him safe at all cost."
"So why are you holding me? I'm not the president."
"Oh but you are the president today sir, and your chariot awaits." Tom said as they walked towards the car that was waiting for them. Tom opened the door and sat Zion inside of a booster seat and strapped him in.
Liv looked at Fitz truly enjoying how Tom and Zion were interacting with one another. Zion Thomas Pope; President of the United States of America. This was going to be a day they would never forget.
Liv and Fit got into the SUV on either side of Zion. Tom jumped into the driver seat and they were off. Zion had fallen asleep on the way over so he missed seeing the entrance to the building. Either way Fitz knew he would enjoy the surprise.
Tom parked in the garage and walked around to help everyone out. Fitz held Zion ad they made their way into the doors of the building. They walked through a few hallways and finally came to a wall. Fitz punched in a code and the wall opened. They stepped inside the room and Fitz realized it was time to wake Zion.
"Hey sport, look at where we are."
Zion's eyes grew big as he took in the appearance the the actual oval office. He walked around looking at every piece of art, every busy, every picture. Liv began to cry as she saw just how excited he was to be standing where not many others were fortunate enough to go. Zion turned around and saw the resolute desk on the other side of the room he walked over to it and looked around.
"Where's the bed?" Zion asked curiously. He thought that since his headboard was a replica of the resolute desk, there surely had to have been a secret bed somewhere.
"There's no bed in here Zion. Only in your room."
"Can I sit at the desk daddy?" Zion asked trying not to jump again.
Fitz nodded and walked over to Zion and helped him into the chair. Liv stood there and watched as Zion took in the view of the oval from Fitz's point of view. He saw both of his parents standing there watching him.
"Mommy, daddy, can we call uncle Cy? He's GOT to see me now!"
Fitz walked over to the desk and picked up the phone dialing Cyrus' office.
"Cyrus, you've been summoned to the oval by your commander in chief Zion Thomas Pope."
Cyrus was silent for a moment as he pictured a tiny version of Fitz sitting at the oval. Even before he knew Zion was his child, Cyrus often looked at Fitz as a child sitting behind the resolute. It's was after all how he acted at times.
"Please tell the president that I will be right over." Cyrus said and then hung up.
Two minutes later, Cyrus was out of his office and inside of the Oval. He stood there and watched as Zion sat in his suit playing the part of the president very well. He walked over to the desk and played into the fantasy.
"What can I do for you today Mr. President?"
"Uncle Cy! Its me, Zion!" The boy said laughing.
"I know, but since you are the president have to address you as such. Now, I am your chief of staff so I am here to help you in any way I can."
"Do you fire people for me too Uncle Cy?"
"Yes I do. Just let me know who you want fired, and I will see what I can do."
"I want you to fire Hal. He looks at my daddy weird and I don't like it. I want a new man with Tom!" Zion said his tone serious as ever.
"Mr. President, do you have reason to believe he would harm the president?" Cyrus asked maintaining his role.
"Yes. And he blinks too much. I don't like him."
"Zion!" Liv yelled surprised Zion was acting this way. He had never been so disrespectful before, and Liv was mortified.
"Livvie, the kid has a gift. Let him talk." Fitz said walking closer to Zion.
"What else Zion? What do you think about Tom?"
"I love Tom daddy. Tom likes you. But Hal, he scares me. A lot. I think he would tell our secret daddy."
Fitz thought long and hard about his days with Liv in the White House. Mellie knew far too many details about their relationship even from moments when she was out of town. In fact, the only moments she never brought up, were the ones where Hal wasn't on his security detail that night. Fitz looked at Cyrus and shocked everyone with his next response.
"Call Tom and have Hal released from of my detail."
"Mr. President, with all due respect sir, I thought we were just playing a game."
"A game that resulted in my son pointing out things I should have seen long, long ago. Do it Cy."
"Yes sirs. I will get right on it." Cyrus said looking at Zion. The boy did have his mother's gut, and when he felt something bad was going to happen, Cyrus learned to listen. It only took one time for him to ignore Zion to realize the boy shouldn't be disregarded due to his age.
"Cyrus, I want a report of everything Hal has been doing on his phone. I want to see what he's been up to."
"Yes sir." Cyrus said again turning his attention to Zion.
"Is there anything else I can do for you sir?"
"Can you make a bowl of ice cream appear?"
"If your mom says it's ok, I can have it up here in five minutes." Cyrus responded looking at Liv. She nodded and Cyrus picked up his phone.
"I need a small ice cream Sunday brought up to the oval." Cyrus said and hung up. He looked over at the boy who couldn't have been any happier than he was at the moment. "Well Mr. President, I'm going to get started on your task. I will see you this weekend?"
"Yes Uncle Cy. Thank you, and thank you for my Abraham Lincoln." Zion said as Cyrus nodded and walked out the door. A few moments later Lauren came in with a bowl of ice cream.
"Mr. President, I have your ice cream si..." Lauren said freezing when she saw Liv and Zion in the office.
"Ms. Pope, it is so great to see you!" Lauren said giving Liv a hug. "Who is this handsome fella?" Lauren asked. The closer she got to the child the more she could see Fitz in every way.
"Lauren, I believe the president is waiting for his ice cream." Fitz said motioning to the little boy.
Lauren caught on immediately and played into the game as well. "I'm sorry Mr. President. Here is your ice cream Sunday sir. I'm Lauren, your secretary. Anything you need, you press this button and I will do my best." Lauren said showing Zion the intercom button on the phone.
"Thank you!" Zion said as he grabbed his spoon and dug into his treat.
Lauren walked over to Liv. The expression on her face was a mix of sadness and joy. Lauren always loved Liv, and was devastated when she left for good. Now she saw why, and was happy that she was back.
"Thank you Lauren." Liv said as Lauren hugged her one last time and walked out of the oval, closing the door behind her.
Fitz and Liv sat on the couch and watched Zion enjoy himself. They heard the buzzing of the intercom and looked to see what Zion was doing.
"Yes Mr. President?"
"Thank you Miss Lauren, that was the best ice cream Sunday ever!" Zion said sitting back with a mouth covered in chocolate.
"Anything for you Mr. President sir." Lauren said and the line went dead.
"So Zion, what do you think of daddy's office?" Liv said walking over to Zion to clean him up.
"I love it! I love it so much that it is going to be my office one day!" Zion said shriveling up his nose as Liv wiped his face.
Fitz knew realistically he'd probably never see the day Zion entered office. He was 52 when Zion was born, but he knew he'd get there someday. Liv walked back to the sofa and sat next to Fitz.
"This is amazing Fitz. You are amazing. Look at how happy he is!" Liv said as they watched the little boy get up and walk over to the window they'd stood in front of so many times. Zion stood there and leaned against the window with his hand in his pocket. He looked like he was in deep thought. Fitz got up and stood behind his son, adopting the same stance. They both stood there together and looked out of the window of the oval and into the Rose Garden. Liv thought the opportunity was too good to pass up and took a picture.
As Zion came out of his thought, he turned to Fitz. "It's lonely here. Daddy, are you lonely being here all by yourself?"
"Sometimes it gets very lonely. Bit the job is also very busy so that helps." Fitz replied to the little boy.
"Daddy, I know what I want from you and mommy for my birthday." Zion said grabbing Fitz's hand. He led Fitz over to the sofa and they both sat down.
"What do you want for your birthday Zy?"Liv asked caressing Zion's cheek.
Zion looked up and Liv, then at Fitz. Then he placed Liv's hand inside of Fitz's and placed his hand on top.
"I want daddy to live with us. I want us to be a family. I want you and daddy to not be lonely anymore. That is what I want."
Fitz and Liv looked up at one another shocked at their son's birthday wish. It was what they wanted, what they've always wanted. Three weeks had now dwindled to a little more than two. The question that remained was were they ready to move in together so quickly. Could they coexist while still learning all there was to know about the other? Could they achieve their happily ever after while disrupting Zion's life as little as possible? Only time time would tell, but they were both willing to find out.
Zion stood and grabbed Fitz's hand. "Okay daddy, the work day is done. Let's go home. I want to watch tennis!"
Liv and Fitz stood up and put on their coats. Fitz bundled Zion up and they made their way back through the secret wall and through the tunnels where Tom and Jason were waiting
Tom and Cyrus must've found something because Hal was nowhere around. Fitz would find out what later. For now, he was spending time with his family and that was all that mattered.