Up all night with a sick kid = Update. I simply write what my brain tells me to. It's not real!

It had been a few minutes before Liv and Fitz finally came up for air. When they did, they locked eyes with one another, not quite ready for their moment to end. A clearing of a throat seemed to pull them out of their moment, and they soon found themselves surrounded by Susan, Maya, Eli, Gerry, Aunt Mable, and Aunt Marjory.

"Now, dear, sweet children of ours. Care to explain?" Maya asked as she and Susan approached Liv and Fitz.

"Can't you tell Maya? They're doing the horizontal cha cha slide! Uhn huh, all up in it like "Hands on ya knees, hands on ya knees. Uh. Uh. Uh. Uh. How low can ya go, can ya go down low? All the way to tha Flo? How low can ya go? Mhmm that's what's going on." Aunt Mable answered with her hands still on her knees.

"Oh Good Lord Jesus in heaven! PLEASE take me now!" Liv cried as she covered her face with her hands of sheer embarrassment.

" Mmmhmm I think your right Mable. My guess is judging by the size of that hickey Liv ALMOST perfectly concealed on her neck, they were going at it this morning too." Aunt Marjory added for extra measure.

"Oh my god!" Liv screamed as she turned her head and buried it into Fitz's chest. She had never been more humiliated in her life.

"Liv you act like you were just carried down to earth on a purple unicorn. We know about the birds and the bees, and we can see that you two obviously do too." Aunt Mable said with a sly grin.

Being called out on your relationship is one thing. Being called out on your sex life by your 87 yr old aunt, is grounds for therapy. Sensing this could get out of control quickly, Fitz stepped in.

"Listen, we will answer all of your questions AFTER the party. This kind of isn't the place to discuss what Liv and I may or may not be doing."

Susan and Maya both rolled their eyes at Fitz while inside they were gushing. Eli and Gerry were glaring at Fitz, although internally they were giving each other a hi-5, well maybe Gerry was. Liv was after all Eli's baby girl. As much as he wanted his Liv and Fitz together, he wasn't going to be giving any hi-5s until he knew his baby girl was being treated right. Even if the man in front of him was the same man he knew as a boy.

"Answer me one question and we will continue this later." Susan said as she stepped closer to her son.

Fitz swallowed hard as he knew what was coming. He also knew neither of them could lie to their parents. "Ok mom, shoot." Fitz said.

"Are you two a couple? Or are you just indulging in the... Uh... Horizontal cha cha slide like aunt Mable said?"

Liv buried her head further into Fitz's chest after she heard Susan's question. Were their parents really asking if they were a legit couple or just fuck buddies!? Maya saw Liv hiding, and her frustration began to get the best of her. She wanted an answer just as much as Susan did.

"Olivia Carolyn Pope, look at us when we are talking to you!" Maya said in a low yet stern voice. Leave it to Maya Pope to turn her almost 34 yr old daughter, the formidable Olivia Pope, into a 4 yr old girl again. Liv looked up and Maya almost fell out laughing at how red Liv's face was.

"Well, your mothers asked you two a question." Gerry chimed in.

"Yes, what do you two have to say for yourselves?" Aunt Marjory asked with her hands on her hips.

Apparently Liv and Fitz were more in sync than they realized because they looked at one another, then back to their family and simply yelled "Surprise!"

When Liv saw no one showed any emotion, she decided to just go ahead and confirm their assumptions. "Yes. We are a couple." Liv responded. She knew Fitz wouldn't answer either way, as he didn't want to put her on the spot. She also knew they couldn't lie to their parents. Besides, they're adults, what's the worst they could say.

Susan and Maya looked at one another and looked at their children. "HALLELUJAH! GOD IS GOOD!" Maya shouted. The men followed with "ALL THE TIME!" while Susan finished with "ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!"

Liv and Fitz looked at one another and already knew their wedding was being planned. Little did Liv know, Fitz truly planned on keeping the vow he made to Liv 29 years ago. Little did Fitz know, Liv was anxiously waiting for the chance to say yes. The only questions left were where, when, and how Fitz would pop the question.

"So, how long have you two been, you know... "A couple"." Aunt Marjory asked, using air quotes to emphasize a couple.

"Nine of the most glorious days of my life." Fitz stated proudly as he stood behind Liv and slid his arms around her waist. There was no need to hide anymore, so he could be as close to Liv as he wanted. Well, maybe not as close as he wanted to be in the present moment.

"Alright, you two lovebirds go and enjoy your party. Let grown folks talk." Aunt Mable added shooing Liv and Fitz off. Now that she got her answer, there was no further need for them to be subjected to the prying and planning of their parents.

Happy their children were FINALLY together, the Popes and the Grants took their seats at their table and collectively EXHALED.

"So, how long do you think until he proposes?" Maya asked with a devious grin.

"I'd give it til New Years."Eli responded with a smile.

"I'm with Eli." Maya said confidently.

"I'll give it until Christmas." Susan said, knowing her son.

"I'm with Susan." Big Gerry added as he looked over and watched their children coming dangerously close to a full blown make down by the pond.

"Care to put some money on it?" Aunt Marjory asked, causing everyone to look her way.

"What's at Stake?" Eli asked, rather interested. He was never a man to turn down a surefire bet.

"Ok, whichever couple is the closest wins, and the other couple pays for the wedding." Mable said with a smile

"I like that!" Big Gerry's voice boomed.

"How do we tell?" Maya asked, making sure the lines were clear.

Mable went on and drew an outline. Any proposal until the November 24, as well as the week between Christmas and New Years, would result in the wedding being paid for by both families. November 25th through December 25th belonged to the Grants meaning if Fitz proposed anytime during that period, the Popes would pay. Fitz had to propose between January 1- 31 in order for the Grants to pay. The only catch was, it wasn't the proposal that counted. It was Liv's acceptance that would determine the winner. Judging by how cozy they were, no one at the table thought that would be a problem.

They all signed the paper in acceptance of the terms, and Mable folded the paper and placed it inside her wallet. Susan and Maya immediately went online and began Google-ing wedding gowns for Liv while the rest watched on adoringly as Liv and Fitz clearly fell more and more in love with each passing second.

They watched how tender and careful Fitz was handling Liv, as if she were a porcelain doll. If they only knew...

The highlight of their day was when Karen and Jerry joined them by the pond. They saw how loving and attentive Liv was with the children, and how she seemed to bond with them on as if they were her own. They were definitely growing into a family unit, far quicker than any of them could've imagined.

Liv and Fitz sat across down at the pond, far away as possible from their. They decided if they were going to celebrate a party the way they wanted they would. Which is why their tongues had been engaged in a full blown tug of war for the past ten minutes. Deciding that oxygen breaks in 15 second intervals weren't nearly long enough, both came up gasping for air.

Fitz scooted in closer to Liv before picking her up by the waist, and settling her between his legs. Liv declined back and moaned as Fitz's arm wrapped around her waist.

"You know, they're probably over there right now, trying to decide who's going to pay for the wedding." Fitz said as he kissed the top of Liv's head. Liv loved how Fitz's lips were constantly making contact with some part of her body.

"Hmmm, I'm sure Aunt Marjory and Aunt Mable will help them decide. Meanwhile, I wonder how many wedding gowns I'm going to be slapped with when we head home tonight."

Liv didn't have to wait long for her answer. Her phone pinged, alerting her she had incoming texts. She unlocked her phone and laughed as she had texts from both Maya and Susan, both with pictures of gowns asking if she thought they were cute.

"Ok, this is seriously going to far Liv! We just told them not even ten minutes ago we just began seeing each other and they're already picking out wedding gowns!? We need to seriously talk to them."

"Relax babe, we will. Fitz, you know they have been dreaming of this day for 29 yrs. Let them have their moment. Besides, when the time comes, I already know what my wedding gown will look like and who's going to make it."

"Oh really?" Fitz asked as he snuggled into Liv further.

"Yep."

"Tell me about your dream wedding." Fitz said, smiling because they were talking about their wedding already. Then again, they have known each other forever, how much more could they possibly learn. Fitz closed his eyes and listened to Liv detail their future.

"We'll have a June wedding. Paris. In front of the Eiffel Tower and we will share our first kiss as husband and wife at midnight, when it's lit up so beautifully. I loved it when we went right after high school. We will fly our closest friends and family out, and whoever else wants to join will have to hop across the Atlantic on their own. We'll sail around the Mediterranean Sea for ten days, and we'll make love morning, noon, and night. Then, we are going back to Italy where we first made love. We'll spend a week there and make love some more, maybe even add our first Olitz Grant to the clan. We'll be on the flight home, not the jet but first class, just for you to live out your fantasy. You'll try to lure me into the bathroom to join the mile high club with you. I'll say no and act shy when I really want to. You'll whisper in my ear that you'll take care of it yourself and I'll become jealous of your hand and join you in the bathroom. We'll go at it so hard, and loud that the little old lady who is sitting ten feet away will blush when we emerge."

"Mmmm, sounds good. And how many children will we have?" Fitz asked as he continued picturing all Liv was describing.

"Two. We'll have a boy with your dark brown hair and sparkling blue eyes. People will wonder how your blues dominated my browns, and we'll explain that being Mediterranean, my grandmother had the most piercing blue eyes that only come second to yours. And a girl with honey brown hair and grey eyes... Maybe hazel. Both will have a head full of your curls, and I'll get mad when everyone gushes over how much they look like you just spit them out."

"Technically won't I be spitting them out? Well at least my-"

"Yes babe."

"Livvie, you've really thought about this, haven't you?"

Liv turned in Fitz's arms and cupped his face in her hands. "Everyday for the past 11 years."

"I love you Livvie."

"I know. I love you too Fitz."

Liv and Fitz just sat there looking at the beauty that surrounded them. They were so lost in the visions of their future, Liv almost jumped out of her skin when Karen asked if she and Jerry could join them.

"Of course Kare Bear. Your daddy and I always have time for you and Jerry Bean."

Karen sat down between Liv's legs and rested her head on Liv's lap. Liv's hands immediately began stroking her hair. Jerry was positioned on the opposite Fitz on Liv's other side. They were quiet until Karen decided to speak.

"Liv, are you and my daddy boyfriend and girlfriend?" Karen asked as she looked up at Liv.

"Would you be ok with it if we were?" Liv asked cautiously before responding.

Karen sat quietly for a moment, trying to formulate her words. "I would be happier if you were getting married, but, it's a start I guess."

Shocked by Karen's admission, Fitz turned to Jerry. "How about you bud? How would you feel about me and Liv being together as a couple?"

"Dad, when you get married, because you will, can Liv be our mom?" Jerry asked in a hushed tone.

"Jerry bean, I'll never be your mom, Mellie will always hold that title. But, I love you like you are my own son, and I would love to someday adopt you when I become your step-mother. That way you will be as much mine as your father's."

Since Jerry seemed pleased with that answer, Liv decided to finish. "But answer your original question, yes, your dad and I are boyfriend and girlfriend."

"Sweet!" The kids yelled in unison.

"You know, I was thinking. What if we went for a picnic tomorrow before we head back to DC? Karen, you and I can make the lunches if you'd like to help me." Liv suggested, causing Karen and Jerry to perk up even more.

"Yea!" the kids shouted in unison, looking to Fitz to see if it was ok.

"But, I wanna help too!" Jerry began to cry. Jerry may have looked like Mellie, but he had his father's sensitivity through and through. He didn't like being left out. Especially when it was an activity that meant spending time with Liv.

"Of course you can help Jerry Bean." Liv said as she tousled Jerry's hair. Liv turned Fitz, and gave him a pouty face he simply couldn't say no to.

"A picnic it is." Fitz responded as he savored the children's joy in the moment.

"One last thing, will there be Jelly beans there?" Jerry asked as the candy was his one guilty pleasure.

"For you Jerry Bean, we will grab the biggest bag we can find." Liv replied as she pulled Jerry in closer to her.

The rest of the party went smoothly, the highlight being the cutting of the 8 tier all white birthday cake Liv swore was meant to be a wedding cake. Seeing as how Liv and Fitz were officially, and now thanks to their parents, publically a couple, they decided to have fun with it.

Liv and Fitz cut the first two pieces, and decided to feed one another. While Fitz was honorable and fed Liv a normal sized bite of the cake, Liv opted to smash the cake all over Fitz's mouth. Opting for quick revenge, Fitz immediately pulled Liv in for a kiss, getting cake all over her face as well. Needless to say, tons of pictures were taken for the scrapbook their mothers decided they wanted to begin.

Soon the party was over, and everyone began making their way home. The Pope-Grant clan, gathered at the Grant ranch naturally, as Karen and Jerry were approaching their bedtime. Wanting to spend as much time as possible together, Liv and Fitz decided to read with Jerry and Karen by the fire.

The four of them were stretched across the oversized sofa. Liv and Karen were laying on one end, with Karen snuggled into Liv's side. Fitz and Jerry were at the other end, positioned similarly. Karen and Liv were currently engrossed in Charlotte's Web, while Fitz and Jerry were submerged in The Chronicles of Narnia.

"The kids really do love her, don't they?" Susan asked as she and Maya watched from the kitchen.

"They really do. You can see she loves them just as much too. Maybe, maybe we should fall back on the wedding plans for now. I mean when discussing it with them. We don't want to drive them apart from the stress." Maya said, watching the little glances Liv and Fitz were shooting each other.

"Let's let them have their family time." Susan said as they crept back into the kitchen.

Karen and Jerry both fell asleep in the middle of their stories. Managed to lift both children and carry them up to bed. Liv wasn't far behind. Once the kids were tucked in, Liv and Fitz spent the next hour preparing a plan a course of attack when going down into the kitchen to deal with their parents. It didn't take long as Liv realized the only way to counter this was with a preemptive strike. Satisfied with their plans, Liv and Fitz went downstairs and joined their families in the family room.

Fitz poured Liv a glass of wine before leading her over to the love seat where she snuggled into his side.

"Ok, before you all begin fire questions and wedding plans at us, we would like a chance to talk." Everyone nodded and Fitz began. As Liv handed everyone a packet.

"What Liv is handing you is our endgame. We have discussed this in great detail and we have decided that this is what we want. Now, although it won't happen overnight, we are putting your minds at ease, and letting you know that when the timing is right, Liv will have the Grant name." Fitz looked to Liv who seemed to be prepared to take over.

"This is the plan for our wedding and honeymoon. We will be officially married in Paris in front of the Eiffel tower at midnight. 11:59 is when I want to be pronounced husband and wife, and I want fireworks set off while we share our kiss on the stroke of midnight. Who comes and how long the ceremony is will be up to you moms. I don't care as long as I get what I want." Liv took a breath as she realized she had said that all in one breath.

"Now, Fitz and I have detailed where we want to honeymoon and how we want to travel home. Since we know our fathers would be insulted if we said we wanted to pay for our own wedding, that they too secretly wanted for so long, we just hope they can agree peacefully on who will pay. Furthermore, I choose my gown. I know the gown I want, and I know who will design it. As for the rest, we honestly don't care what you plan, as long as what we want stays in the forefront. With that out of the way, Fitz and I will leave you all to your planning and anticipating of not the where's, but the when."

Fitz couldn't believe Liv's plan had actually worked. They were so busy going over the packets that were given to them, they seemed to have forgotten Liv and Fitz were in the room. Deciding this was the prime time to slip out, Fitz grabbed Liv's hand and headed towards the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of wine, some strawberries, and two glasses, before leading Liv to the guest house.

Once inside, Fitz started a fire and laid a blanket and pillows down on the floor. He poured them both a glass of wine and sat down next to Liv. They sat quietly for a moment, simply embracing the first calm moment of the day.

"So, what did you think about today?" Liv asked as she snuggled into Fitz's side.

"I think that today was so chaotic, that I never gave you your present, and I still haven't had the chance to open my present from you."

Fitz sat up and pulled out the gift Liv had given him before she left for Santa Barbara. He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a small box and handed it to Liv.

They opened their presents at the same time, and Fitz gasped as he saw the diamond encrusted pocket watch Liv had bought for him. He opened it and saw Liv had the inside inscribed. "Life is too short. Never take 'One Minute' for granted."

"Wow Liv, this is amazing. Thank you."

Liv gasped as she opened the tiny ring box and saw a gold infinity ring, with two diamonds set in the center. It was inscribed with "How many 'One Minutes' can our infinity hold?" Liv placed the ring on her left index finger as it was too big for her ring finger.

Instead of verbalizing her thank you, Liv's mouth attacked Fitz's in a blazing passion. Her hands slid into his hair and Liv moaned as Fitz bit gently on her bottom lip. Their tongues dueled foe dominance as each felt a great urgency to express all that words could not in that moment. Starved for air, they broke the kiss, leaving both of them panting as they gazed into one another's eyes.

"Fitz, I'm ready for you to unwrap your second gift."

"Two gifts? What's the second?"

"Me."