"Now, I want you three to make sure you are on your BEST behavior for Fitz. Liv, I don't care how you act."

"Yes mom." Gerry said with his head hung low.

"Oh, and make sure you call him daddy as much as possible. Olivia and her son..."

"Zion mom. His name is Zion."

"Whatever. They need to have a reminder that you are Grant children. You do this properly, and I will have a nice surprise waiting for you when you get home."

"But he's not our dad, he's our brother." Karen shuddered. Thinking of the fact that their mom was married to their brother was creepy. To think about the fact that they were led to believe he was their father made Karen sick to her stomach. But Mellie was her mother after all and in spite of her evil schemes, she loved her with all of her heart.

"Karen, you will do as I say with no argument. Why? Because I am your mother and I know what is best for you. Now straighten up, slouching is for common folk like Olivia Pope."

"And what about our neph- brother?" Karen asked not really knowing how to refer to Zion.

"He is Olivia's child. He wasn't raised by Fitz from birth like you three were. He wasn't coddled and held or loved by YOUR father. He didn't even want the boy, so Olivia lied and hid the truth from him"

"I cant picture Liv doing that mom." Karen said realizing her mother was once again up to no good.

"Well I'm sorry you are too young and naive to see Olivia Pope for what she really is Karen. You must be unfortunate enough to get that from your father. That is after all how she stole him from me. Now come on, they are waiting. It's just for today, and I'll be back later on tonight to take you all home." Mellie said as she grabbed Karen and Teddy's hands and made their way up to Liv's door. Mellie knocked on the door and turned to the kids one last time.

"Remember what I said. Guilt him, shame him, do whatever you need to do. $380 million depends on this children. What he did was wrong and he should not be living happily ever after with Olivia Pope." Mellie said. The kids nodded, feeling sick to their stomachs. They loved Fitz and they loved Liv. No child ever wants their parents to divorce, but Karen was beginning to see why Fitz had left her.

Mellie turned and force a faux smile onto her face as the door opened. Karen and Jerry stood there with their mouths wide open as Fitz answered the door holding Zion. They couldn't believe how much he looked like their... Fitz.

"Hey guys. This is Zion. Zion, this is Karen, and Jerry, and Teddy." Fitz said as he pointed to each child. "Come on in."

The children made their way inside of the house and took a seat. Mellie turned to Fitz once they were settled.

"I'll be back around 8 to pick them up."

"They can spend the night Mellie. I haven't seen them in months."

"Well Fitz, that is very kind of you, but I'd prefer that OUR children didn't spend the night at your..." Mellie paused as she looked at Zion who was still in Fitz's arm. "At Olivia Pope's house. 8 o clock Fitz, have them ready."

Fitz closed the door as Mellie entered the elevator. He turned to the kids and set Zion down. The threw of them sat frozen on the couch and Fitz knew something was wrong.

"What is it? What's going on? What does your mother have up her sleeve?"

"Fi.. Da... Dude." Gerry said as he struggled with what to call Fitz. He was 17 yrs old, almost an adult. He didn't agree with what Mellie was planning, but she was his mother. At 15 Karen felt the same way. Teddy who was 5 didn't quite understand and did as he was told. After all, Fitz was the only father he knew, and Mellie had never really corrected his thinking in the matter.

"Daddy, can I have something to drink." Teddy asked. Fitz watched as Zion's eyes shot straight up at him. Teddy was the youngest and Fitz knew he didn't understand what was going on. However Zion wasn't happy with someone else calling Fitz daddy. Fitz thought for a moment debating on whether or not he should call Liv, and decided to wait. "Sure Teddy. Do either of you want anything to drink? How about you sport?"

Karen and Jerry declined, and Zion opted for apple juice.

"Ok, I'll be right back." Fitz said as he walked towards the kitchen. Karen shot Teddy an evil look and he sat back in his chair quietly. Mellie was scary to many, but to Teddy, Karen was terrifying.

Fitz returned a few moments later and handed Zion and Teddy their juice.

"Thank you daddy!" they both squealed at the same time. Zion shot Teddy an evil look.

"Stop saying that!" Zion screamed.

"Stop saying what?" Teddy fired back.

"Stop calling him daddy!"

"He is my daddy! You need to learn how to share! He was my daddy first!" Teddy screamed on the verge of tears.

Zion lunged at Teddy, a move that shocked both Teddy and Fitz equally. Fitz grabbed Zion by the waist seconds before he struck Teddy and hoisted him into the air.

"Zion, calm down. We do not hit okay? No matter how upset you may be."

Zion looked at Fitz with hatred in his eyes. His eyes began to gloss over, and tears began to form.

"You are my daddy! Not his daddy! I WANT MY MOMMY! NOW!" Zion screamed as he fought to get down.

"Zion, calm down."

"PUT ME DOWN! I HATE YOU!" Zion screamed fighting his way out of Fitz's grip. The moment his feet hit the floor, Zion ran into Liv's room and locked the door behind ran after him and knocked on the door.

"Zion! Open the door!"

"NO! GO AWAY! I WANT MY MOMMY!" Zion cried as he reached for his phone off of Liv's nightstand.

He dialed Liv's number and wiped the tears from his eyes.

"Zion what's wrong baby? Mommy is working."

"Mommy, I want you to come home."

Liv heard Fitz yelling for Zion to open the door and her heart sank.

"Zion, what is going on? Talk to me."

"These people are here and the rude lady took them here, and this boy called daddy - daddy, and daddy didn't stop him. I hate daddy. He lied to me mommy!" Zion cried as he fell back on Fitz's pillow.

"Teddy, Jerry, and Karen are there?" Liv asked. She looked at her calendar and sure enough, their visit was marked on red. With everything going on at the OPA, Liv forgot it was today.

"Yes and I hate them! Make them leave! Come home mommy!"

Liv heard Fitz still pounding on the door.

"Zion Thomas Grant, open this door!"

"I'm a Pope! GO AWAY!"

"Zion, where are you?" Liv yelled onto the phone trying to get her son's attention.

"I'm on your bed. I locked the door. Come home mommy!"

"I'm on my way."

Liv alerted her team that she had to leave and raced out the door. She managed to hit every green light on her route, and made it home in record time. Liv came bursting through the front door, and saw Karen and Jerry sitting there frightened. Teddy looked up knowing he had started trouble.

"Hi guys." Liv said trying to maintain her cool."

"Hi Liv." the children said in unison. Liv walked towards the bedroom, following Fitz's yelling. She stopped when she heard Karen's voice.

"See what you did stupid! I told you to not listen to mom! Now they are going to hate us!"

"But she's our mom Karen! We have to listen to her!" Teddy yelled back now in tears.

"Yea stupid, but now the only dad we have will hate us because you had to go and upset his son!"

"I'm not stupid!" Teddy screamed.

"Say something else and I will punch you! Shut up Teddy!"

Jerry sat frozen in the middle. As the oldest he should have broken them up, but he couldn't think to act. Liv walked towards the door and rubbed Fitz's back.

"I'm here. I've got this." Liv said as calmly as she could. Fitz turned around and Liv saw the tears streaming down his face.

"It's ok, I'm here. I've got this." She said again and she kissed him gently.

"He said he hates me Liv. My only son hates me." Fitz said louder than he expected to. Teddy had obviously heard Fitz's words, because he was in the hallway moments later.

"You are my dad too! Mommy said so and she wouldn't lie to me! Why don't you love me like you love him?! Is it cause I'm not Liv's baby!? Mommy was right about you! You are a jerk!"

Fitz's face flushed red with anger and Teddy immediately regretted his words yet he stood his ground. Liv turned Fitz towards her and cupped his face in her hands.

"You go deal with Mellie's children, and I will deal with Zion." Liv said as she went to a vase by the bedroom door and grabbed the key to her room. She turned to Fitz and smiled as she saw him standing there in disbelief. He spent a half hour banging on the door, and there was a key all along.

"I've got this. This isn't the first time he's locked himself in the room." Liv placed the key back in the vase and entered the room, closing the door behind her.

Liv walked over to the bed and laid down next to Zion.

"Hey Zy Zy. Tell mommy what's going on."

"He is MY DADDY! Not his!" Zion said as he began to cry even harder. Liv rubbed his back and placed her face inches from his on the pillow. She said a quick prayer that the right words would come out of her mouth.

"Zion baby, Fitz is your daddy. He is only your daddy. He didn't lie to you."

"Why is that boy calling him daddy then?"

"Because your daddy was such an amazing person that he took care of that little boy when he was a baby. Your daddy is the only man he knew, and that is why he feels like your daddy is his daddy too."

"Does daddy love him?"

"Yes."

"Then he doesn't love me! He can't love us both!"

"Tell me something Zion, do you love mommy?"

"Yes."

"And do you love daddy?"

"Yes."

"See, you can love more than one person. Zion you are a very intelligent boy, and you are very lucky to have a mommy and daddy that love you so much. We will always love you. One day we will have another baby and we will still love you."

"Well that's different." Zion said.

"Really? Why is that?"

"Because that baby will made from your heart and daddy's heart just like me. Those kids weren't made from your heart and daddy's heart like I was."

Liv sighed as she continued trying to get through to her son.

"Zy, do you love uncle Cyrus and uncle James and Ella? Do you love Uncle Huck and Uncle Harrison and Aunt Quinn and Aunt Abby?"

"Yes."

"Were they made from your heart, or do they live in your heart?"

"Live."

"The same thing is going on with those three children out there. They weren't made from daddy's heart but he took care of them when they were babies. They live in his heart. So I need you to share daddy because they don't have a daddy and your daddy pretends to be their daddy so they can have one. Okay?"

"Okay mommy"

"That's my boy. No more tears okay. You are my son. We do not cry, we what?"

"We Pope the people that upset us. We crush them with kindness but we are not doormats. We do not let them walk on us."

"Right. Now give mommy a hug and a kiss."

Zion got up and did what he was told before picking up his phone again. He looked at it and then at Liv.

"Mommy, I want uncle Huck."

"Then you call uncle Huck Zy if that will make you feel better."

"Can uncle Huck come get me? I want to go to your job."

"Sure. Uncle Huck is working on a super spy computer project in his office today. If you behave, maybe he'll let you stay and watch."

Zion's eyes lit up as he picked up the phone to call Huck.

"My mommy said to come get me so we can be super spies on your computer today." Liv looked at Zion giving him a warning glance and Zion changed his wording. " I mean, uncle Huck, mommy said it's ok if you want to come get me so we can be super spies today. Please?"

"I'll be there in 30 Zy. Are you spending the night?"

"Can I!?"

"Ask your mother."

"Mommy, can I spend the night at uncle Huck's!?"

"Sure Zion. After we talk to daddy. I think you owe him an apology."

"Ok mommy... Uncle Huck mommy said yes, but I have to say I'm sorry to my daddy first."

Liv couldn't hear what Huck was saying but could gather by Zion's responses.

"I said I hate him."

"Cause a boy called him daddy."

"Cause he's my daddy not his."

"Yes."

"Yes."

"No."

"I'm sorry uncle Huck. I'll do better." Zion said with tears in his eyes. Liv knew Zion was getting an earful. As much as Huck couldn't stand Fitz, he always demanded Zion be respectful of him regardless of his feelings. He was after all Zion's father.

"Ok uncle Huck. I'll see you when you get here." Zion said before hanging up the phone.

"Now, let's wipe your eyes and go out and be good hosts to our guests until Uncle Huck gets here." Liv said as she held her hand out for Zion. With Liv beside him Zion had all the confidence in the world as he made his way into the living room.

"Look it's the cry baby." Teddy taunted as he saw Zion coming closer.

"Go find your daddy! Loser!"

"Teddy!" Fitz yelled.

"Zion!" Liv yelled.

"Apologize! NOW!" They yelled together.

"I'm sorry." the boys said together, neither of them really meaning it.

"Now Zion, I want you to go talk to your daddy. I'm going to have a chat with these three."

"Yes mommy." Zion said with his head low.

"Yes mommy." Fitz repeated. Liv watched the two of them make their way into Zion's room and she made sure they had closed the door before Liv spoke.

"Now, Karen, I want to hear it from you. What was your mother's scheme for this week?"

Karen looked at Liv who was clearly irritated, but her eyes were soft when speaking to the girl. She swallowed the lump in her throat knowing she was in trouble.

. xxxxx

"Zion, you know daddy loves you don't you." Fitz asked as he pulled the little boy into his lap.

"Yes daddy. I'm sorry I said I hate you. I don't hate you. I hate them."

"Zion, do you remember what it was like when you would read stories and talk to my picture and pretend I was your daddy?"

"Yes."

"Do you remember how happy we were when we were finally able to be together?"

"Yes."

"They used to have that Teddy. I used to be able to see them all the time and spend time with them like I do with you now. Only Karen and Jerry's daddy died. He's not coming back."

"What about Teddy?"

"He doesn't know his daddy. So I pretend to be his daddy so he can be as happy as you are that you have a daddy. But no one replaces you. You are my son and I love you more than life itself. So I need you to do me a favor ok?"

"Ok."

"Can you pretend to share me with him? Because every night it will be just us and he will go home to his mommy while I stay here with you and mommy. We do good things for people because we are the good guys right?"

"Right."

"So will you help me out?"

"I guess."

"You guess?" Fitz said as he began to tickle Zion.

"Yes! Yes! YASSSS! Just stop tickling me!" Zion laughed as he tried to push Fitz's hands away.

"That's my happy boy. Now give daddy a hug." Fitz said as he pulled Zion into his arms.

"I love you daddy."

"I love you too son."

They sat there embracing one another until there was a knock on the door and Liv entered.

"Huck is here for Zion."

"Huck?"

"I called him daddy. I don't want to be here with those people."

"No! I want him here with me Liv! He is my son and we need to get through this."

"And we will Fitz." Liv said, her tone was cold letting Fitz know the decision was final.

"He can't be taught that it's okay yo run from conflict and damn sure not bullying! He stays!"

"He's going."

"Olivia!" Fitz yelled causing Liv to turn around. The look in her eyes told him that he had gone too far.

"Zion, go wait with uncle Huck until I come out." Liv said. She watched Zion run into Huck's arms before closing the door and turning to Fitz.

"5 - Your ex wife dropped HER children off at OUR home specifically for the purpose of insulting and hurting OUR child. She'll be lucky I don't bash her face in.

4 - Huck has been in Zion's life since the day I found out I was pregnant with him. Whatever your feelings are about him, he's not going anywhere.

3 - When Zion is upset, he needs to be able to choose if he wishes to remain in the situation that is making him uncomfortable. To leave does not make him weak. To walk away makes him more of a man than many.

2 - Zion does not need to be here to witness what is about to happen and when I say that, I mean I am going to make those children sing like they have never sung before. If you aren't ready for what is about to go down, maybe you should go with Huck as well.

1 - You are his father that is true, but I am his mother. And if you ever come at me again like I don't know what's best for our son or like I'm not considering his best interests there will be hell to pay. Do I make myself clear!?"

Fitz looked at Liv completely stunned. She had witnessed Cyrus and even James earn a countdown when they had gone too far, but never had she done it with him. He had to admit Liv was right. He was still getting to know Zion and he still needed a better understanding of where Zion's mind was at times.

"Okay. I'm sorry. I just worry about this situation. Mellie is relentless and I don't want Zion being hurt. He needs to be prepared."

"Fitz he needs to be a child. He only gets one shot at that. WE need to be prepared which is why I'm going to drag it out of them."

Fitz stood and walked towards the door.

"After you." he said holding his breath. He went to turn the knob, but Liv grabbed his hand.

"After this." Liv said as she pulled her head down to his and kissed him slowly. When they broke the kiss Liv opened the door.

"I love you Fitz."

"I love you too Livvie."

The two of them made their way into the living room and said their goodbyes to Zion as Huck made his way out the door with him. Once they were gone, Liv and Fitz walked over to the chair. Fitz sat down and pulled Liv onto his lap.

"Now, who's going to go first." Liv said looking at Karen.

Karen broke and told them everything. She told them how Mellie had been googling Zion non stop and an article came up in a Santa Barbara newspaper calling Zion the richest toddler in the world. She told them how Mellie read that Zion was worth $380 million because of the money Big Gerry had left in his will. Karen went on to tell them about how Mellie thought they were entitled to the money more than Zion was and how she wanted them to come and upset Zion thinking Liv would make Fitz leave and they would get the money instead of Zion. Liv let all of Karen's words sink in before responding.

"Ok, Fitz, how about you take the kids to go get something to eat. Spend the day with them. Enjoy your time together." Liv said. Her face remained motionless as if Karen's words meant nothing. Liv's eyes however, told a different story. A story that made Fitz wonder if medics would be needed by the end of the night.

"Liv..."

"Fitz..."

"Do you think?"

"I think you should do what was planned for today. Take the children out and enjoy your time together."

"And you?"

"I'm fine." Liv said. Fitz could look in her eyes and tell she was lying.

"At least I will be."

Karen, Jerry, Teddy, and Fitz all swallowed hard at the tone in Liv's voice. Karen and Jerry were younger at the time, but they had seen Liv angry, and they knew they never wanted to cross her. Fitz looked at Liv and knew he was entering a battle he wasn't going to win.

"Fine, but we are sticking close to the area."

"That's fine." Liv said. It didn't matter what Fitz said or did, Liv always had another card to play.

Fitz took the children out and they had a great time. They went to the arcade and bowling, and finished off the evening with pizza. Liv sat at home preparing her next move. At 7:45 Liv received an alert on her alarm system that someone was approaching her floor. She looked at the monitor and saw that it was Mellie. Liv waited until the elevator stopped and Mellie stepped off before punching in a code that would disable all access to her floor. She punched in a code that not even Fitz knew existed. Instantly the key pads on the stairwell and the elevator shut off. The only way to turn them on was the control panel inside of Liv's apartment. Liv heard a knock on the door and waited a few moments before answering it.

"Hello Mellie." Liv said colder than ice.

"Liv." Mellie said getting more and more nervous by the second. "Where are the children?"

"With Fitz. Come in. I think it's time we had a heart to heart."

Mellie ran towards the elevator and noticed the buttons weren't working. She went to the stairwell and found that it was dead bolted shut. She was trapped on the top floor of a sound proof apartment building with Olivia Pope.

Mellie swallowed hard as she made her way inside the apartment. Liv motioned for her to sit and she did. Mellie sat there for a moment watching as Liv walked across the room and grabbed a bottle of wine and a glass. She offered Mellie a glass but she declined. Liv sat there and filled her glass and drank it straight down before pouring herself another. This glass she sipped.

"Now Mellie, we are going to talk about how badly you fucked up messing with MY son."