"The great Olivia Pope, don't let her hear you say that," he gives me an eye and I continue, "long story short you know I don't have a relationship my birth mom aka FLOTUS and I met Liv on my dad's campaign trail and ever since then we connected on a mother -son level. I call her mom when it's just us and it's like our little secret and bond. Anyways every 23 of the month it's our visit day, she hasn't been here in a while because she's been busy but I guess whatever it was is over and she's here now.

"That's why you are always gone for whole day once a month, it makes since now. Moving on do you think she will like me? I practically had my hand down your pants, which was mortifying that she caught that."

"She will love you. Come here," I gently pull him to me, "she will love you because…. cause I love you."

I can't believe I just said that but every word is true. I do love him and I want him to know. I can see the shock on his face and he is silent for a while. I panic because what if he doesn't feel the same way and I just confessed to him.

"Did you just say you love me?"

"I did and I do. You don't have to say it…"

"I love you too. I've been wanting to say it all day today, for the last week but I was too scared. I guess that's why I came back the way I did today, I couldn't hold it in anymore and I had to get back to you."

We kiss like it's our last time but before things gets to heated there is a knock on the door and we fly apart.

"We will talk later about us being love," I say sending him a wink.

Rolling his eyes, "gosh you're a cornball."

"But you love this cornball."

"Yeah yeah let's go to dinner where I have to show my best side to Olivia Pope aka your mom."

We all climb in a town car and Zaire sits with space between us. At first I get a little mad but I calm down and know he's just doing it out of respect and a little nervousness. Liv was the first one to break the silence that followed all the way from the room to the car.

"So… you two are together, how long?"

"7 months," declares with a big smile and I can swear I saw him puff out his chest.

"Really could have fooled me with that desert in-between you two."

"We…"

"Look guys from what you have told me Jerry you're gay and I'm assuming you are also Zaire; this is not some game to you right?"

"No ma'am its not. I'm gay and in this with Jerry."

"Good. I am happy to hear that but it's your love life that you have to live. I hope you find love and it finds you. I know you guys have your reasons to hide cause but I want you to be open around me. Hold hands, gaze into each other's eyes, all that because believe me those stolen moments are what can make you guys strong because it's just for you. The world is cruel, your fathers are political figures, your different races, and you're gay. There are going to be tough times ahead but as long as you communicate, and love each other things should be good. Believe me stolen moments come a dime in a dozen."

She gets a faraway look and I know she's thinking about my dad. Squeezing her knee she gives me a smile but it doesn't reach her eyes.

"Thanks mom."

"Thank you miss Pope."

"Again so formal Olivia or Liv please."

"Thank you Liv."

"Now that is settled the real fun begins," she says aw we pull up to the restaurant. All I could think was let the games begin because we are going into battle with one of my favorite people in the world.

We arrive at an Italian restaurant and go thru the back to not be seen. We are shown to a private room and we are seated by our waitress who takes our drink order. We are sitting next to each other and Liv is across from us smiling, and I can see it in her eyes she's enjoying this and is about to attack.

"Zaire tell me about yourself.

Clearing his throat and sitting up straighter, "there is not much to tell. I have straight A's but math is my hardest subject but Jerry is great at it so he helps me it out, I mean he tutors me, he doesn't do the actual work for me. My father has a seat on the senate and my mother is a stay at home mom. And I have a younger brother," he rushes out in one breathe.

"I know all about that but I want to know about you. What makes you, you?"

"Sorry I guess over the years I got use to the basic answer because people really didn't want to know about me. My father says that I can never show weakness and never gi ve people a reason to see one."

"Your father sounds like mine. Mine use to tell me that I had to be twice as great just to get half of what they have."

Something told me that 'them' meant those who had lighter skin tones.

"But enough of the deep stuff, spill."

"Right back to me, I like soccer and basketball but I love playing basketball more than soccer. I draw, play guitar for fun, play video games and I love to read."

"What do you like to read?"

"Just about anything but right now I'm stuck on comics, anime, manga."

"Jerry loves video games and I know you guys have competitions and veg out on Sundays."

"We sure do. Jer here swears he can beat me in any dancing game but won't play one against me."

"You haven't played our favorite yet?"

"Nope I've been saving it. Zai here thinks that I have the 'white boy can't dance syndrome'."

"Jerry, no I don't."

"He does."

"We will just have to show him how we get down when we get back."

"I did learn form the best."

"That you did, but hey your pops can cut a rug too kid," she says sending me a wink.

Our waitress makes her back over and we order some food. I order Chicken Parmigiana, Liv orders the Eggplant Parmigiana, and I order Chicken Cacciatorie and Cheese Manicotti. We eat and still talk about everything. I love that Liv doesn't show any sign that she loves many less and that she actually is taking a liking to him and our relationship. I feel free, and beyond loved at this moment.

"Zaire what do you want to do once you graduate?"

"Since my father is in politics which means that's where I'm headed."

"But?"

"But I want to be a lawyer/ fixer. Actually just like you Liv you are like my ideal."

"Aww that's flattering and I say go for it. Don't stop till you get there because that's how you have to take on a case. I'm not going to lie it's going to be tough but if you work hard I know you can make it and you always have me in your corner if you ever need it."

"Thanks Liv."

I lean over and kiss my boyfriend on the cheek, "see I told you it would be fine."

We finish eating and pile back into the town car and make our way back to the school. Liv talks to us a little about her case and what's going on back in D.C.