Before I begin this chapter, please let me start off by saying thank you. I had no idea that my stories affected so many of your lives. Since Friday I've been flooded with comments both here on FF and on twitter of people asking me to continue. I've read some of you are homebound or Ill. Others use my stories to escape their own lives. I truly overwhelmed with the outpouring of love you all have shown for me. With that said, I am a gladiator and you all are right. It's my story to be told the way I see fit so I'm going to do this my way. Now, if you all will join me, I've got some people to piss off... Over A FanFic Cliff!
Liv walked into her room and laid down. Fitz and Zion were sitting on the sofa completely into one of the tennis matches Liv had recorded earlier in the year, and was sure she left them with enough popcorn and grape juice to hold them over until the end.
Liv laid there staring at the ceiling trying to sort through the past weeks events. Fitz came back into her life at the perfect time. What were the odds of him showing up only hours before Zion got hurt and needed him? What were the odds that he would be there, a perfect match to give blood when Liv couldn't? What were the odds that he would embrace everything as easily as he did? No questions asked, no arguments. Fitz just slid into the father role as if he hadn't lost any time at all. As for her friends, what were the odds that everyone including Cyrus was there for her no questions asked? Whatever the odds were, they were definitely in her favor.
Liv closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep but she couldn't. She honestly felt like she had been sleeping forever. With Fitz being out of the picture, she was able to rest knowing he could remain president with his image untarnished. Now he was back and things were perfect. Too perfect.
Maybe it was just that she had never before experienced complete happiness. Maybe it was the fact that nothing in life was ever easy. This situation Liv found herself in was easy. A little too easy. Either way, Liv decided to let things go for the moment. Zion's birthday was in a little less than two weeks and Fitz was already beginning to have his items brought over to the apartment.
They decided that they would take things slow, and Fitz would stay in the guest bedroom. Liv believed that their living arrangements would allow Zion to get to know Fitz, and adjust to having to share Liv. Slowly as time went on, they'd be able to sleep in the same bed. For now, Zion was used to having Liv all to himself, and Fitz wanted to respect that.
"Hey are you sleeping?" Fitz asked poking his head through the door.
"No, just thinking. Where's Zion?"
"He fell asleep during the match so I laid him down. Are you up for some company?"
"Always when the company is you." Liv said sitting up on the bed.
Fitz walked over, sat down, and put his arm around Liv pulling her close. The moment their bodies touched Liv relaxed. It had always amazed Liv how just Fitz wrapping his arms around her could ward away all negative thoughts and feelings. Liv laid there silently and allowed the feeling of Fitz's love take over.
"So tell me, what you were thinking about?" Fitz asked as Liv began to relax. He knew that it would take time for her to accept that everything was really happening. Liv had spent years believing that they would never be together.
"I just keeping thinking that this is all a dream. That I'm going to wake up tomorrow morning and still be nothing more than your mistress. That you'll still be in your third term just as you were when I walked out, and..."
Fitz tilted Liv's head and stared into her eyes. Even though her face remained calm, Fitz could see the pain and fear in her eyes. Fitz pulled Liv to him so she was now straddling his lap, and cupped her face in his hands.
"Look at me Livvie. I know that things weren't easy before. I know I've done and said things to hurt you and I can't begin to tell you just how sorry I am for that. I am sorry I can never take those moments back. But I want you to hear me when I say that this is real. We are real. This is our time and we are going to embrace it and enjoy loving one another every minute of everyday for the rest of our lives. No matter what happens from here on out, it's you, and me, and Zion."
Liv looked into Fitz's eyes and could see the sincerity inside. Fitz pulled Liv closer and held her tightly as she rested her head on his chest. They laid there silently enjoying the embrace.
After a few moments, Liv stood and walked over to her bookshelf and pulled out an album. She sat down on the bed and handed the album to him.
"What's this?" Fitz asked staring at the book.
""I wrote you a letter every day of my pregnancy. I wanted you to know that you were always in my heart." Liv said looking into Fitz's eyes.
Fitz opened the book and began reading letters. Each one detailed different points in Liv's pregnancy. Just reading them made him feel like he was experiencing it through her eyes. He read about the joy, the pain, the frustration, and guilt Liv carried with her every single day.
Fitz closed the book and set it aside. He pulled Liv back onto his lap and held her. They remained in silence until Liv's phone rang.
"Hello Liv" the voice said over the phone. Liv recognized the voice immediately and jumped up to her feet startling Fitz. Liv knew this wasn't a friendly call.
"What can I do for you Mellie?" Liv responded, her voice void of all emotion. Fitz too jumped up and rushed to Liv's side upon hearing her name. Not wanting to wake Zion, Fitz lowered his head to Liv's and listened in on the conversation.
"Well Olivia it appears that a congratulations have been in order for a very long time now. I was completely unaware that you had a child." Mellie said, the sarcasm high in her voice.
"I see that he is the most adorable thing ever. Tell me, how is Fitz taking all of this? You know, the tiny tot he never he had. I couldn't imagine he would be too happy with you at all right now. I mean you and I both know that learning about the child his whore hid from him probably destroyed him."
Liv stood silent for a moment and focused herself. She knew mellie was up to something, and then it clicked. Liv closed her eyes and heard a low clicking sound on the other end of the phone. Huck had trained Liv to tell if someone was recording a phone conversation and one common tell was a low clicking tone. The method used was normally done by people that had minimal knowledge of this type of thing. Of course Mellie fit that description. Instead of giving in, Liv placed her finger to Fitz's mouth as if telling him to keep quiet. The look in her eyes assured him that she had everything under control.
"Hello, Olivia, are you still there?" Mellie asked again curious about Liv's lack of response. Liv walked around to the side of her bed and picked up Fitz's phone and sent a text. She waited a few moments for a response before responding.
"What do you want Mellie?" Liv asked again. This time her tone was calmer and Fitz watched as the corners of Liv's mouth twisted upwards into a devious smile. Fitz knew then Liv's mind was already at work.
"So tell me Mellie, how are your children doing today? I would ask Fitz but since the revelation that none of his children are yours, I'm guessing he doesn't have a lot of contact with you."
Liv stood there for a moment and waited for a response. Clearly Mellie didn't know that Liv had learned that piece of information. It was never made public. Liv loved knowing she had the upper hand in all of this. Liv looked at Fitz when she spoke her next sentence.
"Mellie I guarantee you that when you watch the news tonight you will not be disappointed." Liv said and hung up.
Liv walked over to Fitz was still standing there speechless. He should know better than to question Liv. This is after all what she does for a living. But the fact that this matter involved Zion, Fitz wondered if she was thinking clearly.
"Livvie, what are you planning." Fitz asked looking at her with concern. Liv had already stated she didn't want Zion hurt in all of this. But Fitz also had faith in Liv and he knew that timing was everything.
"Mellie knows about Zion. We need to release this story before anyone else does. We need to set the narrative. I've contacted my team. They are on their way over now."
"Why your team?" Fitz asked curiously. He had seen Liv's mind at work during the campaign, but he had never seen her in action when dealing with an actual crisis.
Liv began pacing back and forth across the floor and Fitz knew she was in her gladiator mode. He sat on the bed and watched as the phases of her thinking took place. After a few moments she stopped and looked at him.
"Fitz, you are leaving office in nine days. Which means that there will be possibly a week of dealing with the press. Samuel Reston and his appointments will take over after that with the inauguration. If we spin this properly, if we get under this now before Mellie sinks her claws into it, America will love you even more."
"So what's the plan?"
"We are going to break this story first. You are going to address the nation and tell them everything. Beginning with the devastation you felt when you discovered Mellie's children weren't yours. How you sought comfort for this heart breaking news in the arms of one of your closest advisors. How that closest advisor was there for you in your time of need and things took on a life of its own. How your feelings still remain for this advisor. How you only realized not even a week ago that the moment you shared resulted in the life of a child. How you plan to be in that child's life now that you are leaving office..."
"How I plan to marry said advisor, and spend the rest of my days building on the family we've already started." Fitz added as he walked towards Liv.
"How said advisor would be honored to become your wife and build on the family you've already begun." Liv replied as she pulled Fitz's head down to hers for a kiss. Fitz lifted his head breaking the kiss and looked at Liv.
"How I plan on making passionate love to said advisor right here and now." Fitz said as he picked Liv up and carried her over to the bed. No sooner than he had laid her down there was a knock at the door.
"Your team has the worst timing ever." Fitz said with a pouty face.
"Relax. It may be Cyrus."
"Even worse timing. Let him wait." Fitz said as he climbed on top of Liv. As much as Liv wanted to give into Fitz, as much as she was enjoying his hands exploring her body, she knew they had to tend to business first.
"Fitz, stop. He have to take care of this. Besides, Cyrus is coming to pick up Zion. He's one of Zion's teachers."
"Teachers Livvie? He's three!" Fitz said as he pulled out of the moment.
"Fitz, he's not a normal three year old. He was walking at eight months. He was potty trained in less than a week, and he's been tying his own shoes since he was two! Your superpowers created a super kid! Now come on, we cant keep Cyrus waiting." Liv said as she stood up and walked to answer the front door.
When she opened the door, Liv was surprised to see everyone standing there. Liv looked at Abby and could tell Tom had given them problems about coming in. Fitz looked at Tom and he relaxed.
Liv stepped aside to allow everyone through and closed the door. She turned to Fitz and smiled.
"Fitz, meet your son's teachers. Abby teaches him math, Cyrus does history and English, Huck teaches him science, Quinn teaches him piano, and Harrison teaches him spelling. The only one that isn't here is my father. He teaches Zion martial arts and once he is big enough wants to teach him to play the saxophone. He's also the only person in this room that gives Zion a run for his money playing chess."
Fitz looked at everyone standing in the room and realized they were all a united front. Every one of them banned together and played a huge part in raising Zion. He was thankful to all of them and it showed in his eyes.
Liv looked at everyone and decided since they were all there shed cut to the point.
"Since all of you are here I won't have to repeat myself which is good. I received a phone call today from Mellie. She knows about Zion. So , we are going to release this story ourselves. Im going to write Fitz's speech, and we are get under this before Mellie turns this into a nightmare."
They all stood there and listened as Liv explained the her plan and everything seemed like it would go great. There was however one thought that crossed all of their minds. Abby of course brought it up.
"Okay so, the president is going to say he dropped his pants because the former first lady lifted her skirt which is whatever. The pregnancy and child was successfully kept a secret five years even though Liv remained in DC and is a high profile individual. That I get, she didn't even look pregnant days before she gave birth. Fitz wants to be a stand up guy and be there for the woman and child. We all knew that was coming, it was just a matter of when. All of that is fine Liv. But what about you? What about your reputation? The media will spin this to make you out to be the demon that seduced the president, got knocked up, then hid the fact that he had a child! This will destroy you."
Liv could understand Abby's worry, and it was clearly reflected on everyone else face as well. Liv knew there was only one way to battle this. She and Fitz had to face the nation together.
"Fine, so we'll do an interview with James. We'll lay all the cards on the table. Some of them will be hard to answer, but I'd rather do this with someone that can be controlled. Cyrus can control James. We can own this story. If we do this now, while all eyes are on Reston... It's going to work. I don't care about what happens to me. Just as long as Zion is ok."
"Ok, so when do we break this story? Cyrus asked. He had been the most silent during all of this, but he knew from experience that Liv was very good at what she does. He himself had been on the receiving end of her Pope-ing at one point, and it was something he tried to forget every day of his life. When the formidable Olivia Pope mixed crisis management and motherhood, Cyrus knew that she would own all of America's hearts by the end of the interview.
Cyrus nodded his head believing it could work. He knew there would be some backlash but most likely nothing that couldn't be handled.
"Ok, since you all seem to have this under control, I'm going to get my nephew and we will be on our way." Cyrus turned to Abby. "I'll drop him off at your place around 8?"
"8 is perfect. I'll see you then Cy." Abby said smiling.
Liv watched as Cyrus headed into the kitchen and returned with Zion's medicine bag and ice pack. Then he headed into the room, collected Zion, Huck Hound, and his coat, and reentered the living room. Zion woke up to find all of his favorite people standing there. He jumped out of Cyrus' arms and into Huck's first.
"Uncle Huck, my daddy is here." Zion said his eyes bright with joy as he pointed to Fitz.
Liv watched careful and could clearly see Huck force a smile just for Zion. Liv knew Fitz being around wouldn't be easy on Huck. Since Zion was born, Huck changed for the better. He smiled more, he was more outgoing, Huck had a little normal. Liv could only guess that Zion helped fill the void of not having the son he knew was out there. Huck felt Liv watching him and finally responded.
"I see him! That is the coolest little dude!" Huck said trying to maintain his front.
"Thanks big dude!" Zion said smiling.
Liv looked around and could tell they were all feeling the same way. Zion had been a major part of all of their lives. With Fitz there, and the story being released, they could only imagine the lengths to which they would have to go in order to see the little boy. Zion wasn't just Liv's baby. Not to them. To them, he was a blessing to them all. Liv tried her best to choke back her sadness. Not because it was true, but because all of them should know she'd never do that to any of them.
"Abby, what does Zion need for the weekend?" Liv asked trying to snap Abby out of her thoughts.
"Nothing Liv. Everything he needs is in his bedroom." Abby replied trying her best to smile.
Fitz looked around and picked up on what everyone was feeling. Cyrus seemed oblivious to it, but then again, he wasn't worried about losing Zion. As Fitz's chief of staff he was already cleared to be around him. Fitz looked at Abby who was on the verge of tears and walked to the door. He asked Tom to come in, and closed the door behind them.
"Tom, I want all four of these people cleared immediately. They are a part of Zion's life, therefore things will remain that way." Fitz said never taking his eyes off of Abby. He smiled when he saw the brightness return to her eyes and as he looked around, to the others as well. Fitz continued to look at Abby as he spoke to Tom.
"Zion will need agents as well as anyone he is staying with. Tom, how quickly can you make that happen."
"Two hours at the most sir. We've already begun the planning for Ms. Pope's and Zion's agents."
"Thank you Tom." Fitz said.
Tim nodded and returned to his post outside of the apartment as Zion hugged and kissed Liv and Fitz goodbye. As he was walking out the door, Liv turned to Cyrus.
"No jungle gyms this time." She smiled. Cyrus nodded and he and Zion were on their way.
Once they were gone Fitz turned to Liv and her team who seemed to be in much higher spirits.
"What, you all thought I was going to let you get away? Not that easy. You're stuck with all of us." Fitz said as he placed his arms around Liv's waist. He gave her a peck on the lips and walked further into the living room. He poured everyone a glass on wine and they all sat down. Fitz took a sip of his wine and looked at Liv.
"Let's do this."