Ok so, this was supposed to be part of the epilogue, but because of the fact that it has clearly taken on a life of it's own, I've decided to post this as an update. I will still be posting thr epilogue on Wednesday, but I think it's best I separate this from what I have in mind for the end. There won't be a time jump from this to the epilogue.
December 30, 2014
Liv sat on the beautiful white sand with her knees bent and her hands stretched behind her offering their support of her frame in the sand. She was looking out into the crystal blue waters, and inhaling the scent of the fresh air around her. There was a gentle breeze that was blowing, causing her hair flow to the side along with the wind. It was a beautiful day on Davanti Grodo Island, but for Liv, this was one of the hardest moments she's ever had to endure. She looked over at the silver box that rested in the sand between her feet, and couldn't stop the tears that threatened to fall.
It had been a year since Jerry had come banging on their bedroom door, demanding their immediate presence at Eli and Maya's home. When they had finally dressed and arrived to the home, they were shocked to see all six children were there, all in Karen's room. Jerry seemed to be the only child that knew or understood what was going on, as the children had been told to stay in Karen's room until they were told to come out. As they took in the look of shock on their mother's faces, and the look of sorrow reflected on their fathers, Liv and Fitz quickly realized why they had been called.
Aunt Mable had passed away in her sleep that night. Maya went into her room to help her with her morning medication, and had found her resting in her bed. She immediately knew by the peaceful look on aunt Mable's face that she had passed on, but that wasn't what had brought her to her knees.
What had brought Maya to her knees, was the fact that aunt Marjory had passed on beside her. The two lifelong friends were holding hands as eternal sleep overcame them, together, in the same night. Fitz immediately instructed Jerry to take the others home, while he prepared Liv to day goodbye to their aunts.
Neither aunt wanted to be buried. They felt it was a waste of money, and they didn't like the idea of being stuck in a box underground. They wanted to be free in death as they had been in life. They had decided to be cremated, and they wanted their ashes released someplace with sand and sun, someplace where the family would often visit and feel their presence around them. Once more, they wanted their remains kept together until it was time for them to be released. So Davanti Grodo island it was.
Liv picked up the platinum box that served as their aunts' resting place for the past year. She ran her hands over the top of the box, her fingers playing along the curves of the box's etchings. Although she knew they wouldn't be with them forever, the pain of losing them still hurt more than anyone could ever know.
From the moment she and Fitz had become a couple, Aunts Marjory and Mable had been a fixture in their lives. Liv thought back to their aunts' reaction to when it was revealed there was something going on between her and Fitz, and couldn't help but smile at their aunts' lack of filter.
Flashback
Fitz turned Liv in his arms and placed the softest kiss on her lips. The kiss escalated quickly as Fitz's tongue swept across Liv's bottom lip causing her to moan. Fitz pulled Liv in closer as her fingers locked into his hair as she began sucking fiercely on his tongue. Both of them seemed to forget where they were as their tongues continued dancing with one another's masterfully, while Terrence, Liv's ex, stormed off and left the country club. Maya and Susan witnessed the entire thing take place and stood stunned yet elated as Eli and Gerry as well as Mable and Marjory all gave each other knowing glances.
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.
End Flashback
Liv wiped the tears from her eyes, and she couldn't help but smile as she recalled the day she and aunt Mable were making breakfast for the family. They thought they were losing her back then, but all she needed was her YaYa.
Flashback
Liv awoke the next morning, surprised she was in Aunt Mable's bed. She honestly thought Fitz would have taken her upstairs. She knew he couldn't sleep without her. She was shocked she slept as well as she did without him. Liv stretched and turned, only to find Aunt Mable wasn't in her bed.
Liv jumped up and ran to perform her morning ritual. When she finished, she ran into the living room, in search of her aunt. When she entered the living room, she smiled as she saw Fitz, sleeping on the sofa with his laptop on his chest. Liv moved the laptop to the coffee table, and covered Fitz with an afghan that was resting on the back of the sofa. She kissed his forehead and smiled as he shifted slightly, but didn't wake up.
Liv continued her search for Aunt Mable, and a huge smile crossed her face when she heard the older woman singing in the kitchen. Liv walked into the doorway and stopped. She rested against the frame and folded her arms, as she lovingly watched her now 88 yr old aunt who seemed to be feeling much better. Aunt Mable was in her own world as she was preparing breakfast for the families. Instead of calling her, Liv began singing along with her, and joined her at the island, to help prepare their meal.
I know sometimes it seems as if
We're standing all alone
But we'll get through it
Cuz love won't let us fall
As the women sang together, it was clear that the powerful voice that emerged from Liv's tiny frame was definitely a Pope trait. They shared a warm smile, but never missed a single lyric.
Count on me through thick and thin
A friendship that will never end
When you are weak I will be strong
Helping you to carry on
Call on me, I will be there
Don't be afraid
Please believe me when I say
Count on me
In the middle of their singing, they hadn't realized Maya, Susan, and Aunt Marjory had joined in, and they too began to help prepare breakfast. The women thought Liv had a beautiful voice and she didn't use it often enough. So when they got to the next part, they sat back and listened to Liv who was in her own little world, belt out the lyrics like Whitney and CeCe with Aunt Mable providing backup.
There's a place inside all of us
Where our faith in love begins
You should reach to find the truth in love
The answers' there within, oh
I know that life can make you feel
It's much harder than it really is
But we'll get through it
Just don't give in
Liv turned as she realized the room was filled with the women in both of her families, and almost stopped singing until they all joined in again.
Count on me through thick and thin
A friendship that will never end
When you are weak I will be strong
Helping you to carry on
Call on me, I will be there
Don't be afraid
Please believe me when I say
Count on me
When the song came to an end, the were women were stunned to hear the applause of Eli, Gerry, Fitz, and the kids. Fitz had arrived just as Liv belted out her solo and he was once again rendered speechless by her voice.
End Flashback
It had been almost ten years since that moment, and every moment after with their aunts only seemed to get better. Liv missed being able to climb into bed with aunt Mable at night when she couldn't sleep. She had had many nights like that during her pregnancies, and aunt Mable would just hold her and tell her stories of her childhood until she fell asleep. As much as she missed them, Liv knew that she was blessed to have had the time that she did with their aunts, as their advice and guidance would be something that she could always reflect on as time went on.
XxXxX
Fitz exited the villa in search of his wife. He knew this weekend would be harder for her as they weren't there to vacation as much as they were there to finally say goodbye to their aunts. He walked towards the edge of the hill their home was perched on, and saw Liv, just sitting in the sand.
Even from this distance she was a vision. The way the sun was hitting her hair served to highlight the chocolate brown streaks that were flowing with the wind. He wondered why she wasn't sitting on one of the sofas as they had set them out, along with the bed by the water when they had arrived. He turned and motioned to their parents that he had found her, then set off to join his wife.
"Hey, there you are. Are you okay?" Fitz asked as he walked towards Liv who was now wiping the tears from her eyes. He could tell by the puffiness of her eyes that she had been crying for quite some time.
"Yea, I'm okay." She responded as she looked up and offered Fitz a genuine smile. "I'm just reflecting, ya know?"
"I know. I can't believe it's been a year already."
"Me either. I miss them everyday."
"Mind if I join you?" Fitz asked as he wanted nothing more than to hold his wife in his arms right now.
"I'd be offended if you didn't." She replied as she turned her sights back towards the water.
"You know they're up there, tearing heaven up." Fitz said with a chuckle.
"I wonder if they've found their filters up there." She said, thankful Fitz was bringing her out of her own head. He always had a way of making her feel better, with very few words.
"Nah, not even Gabriele at those pearly gates could filter those two." Fitz said causing Liv to release a full bellied laugh.
When she called, she placed her hands on Fitz's knees. "Are the kids okay?" She asked as he sat behind her and pulled her body into his chest.
"The children are fine. Karen and Jerry are taking care of our fearless four. Our parents were providing backup, but they're on their way down here now so we can all say good bye together."
"Ok."
The two of them sat, looking out over the water for a few more minutes until their parents arrived. Fitz stood and helped Liv to her feet, and together they made their way to the coastline, and gathered around the platinum box.
They each took turns regaling stories of the aunts, and each said a small prayer, before their ashes were released into the wind. Fitz held onto Liv as her hands gripped tightly at his shirt. She tried to maintain her composure, but the sobs turned into wails in no time. Their fathers stood comforting their mothers as they too were having difficulty saying good bye to the women who had played such a huge role in the joining of their families.
After a half hour had passed, their mothers were able to compose themselves enough to join the children back at the house. Fitz had asked Liv to stick behind for a little bit as he just wanted to take a walk on the beach with her.
When their parents were out of sight, Fitz took Liv's hand in his, and began leading her towards the waterfront bedroom. "How are you feeling?" He asked as his thumb began tracing soothing circles on the back of her hand.
"I don't know. I mean I miss them terribly, but I'm glad they are together, and neither of them are suffering."
"I understand completely."
They walked for a while in silence, both reflecting on the events of the day. About a hall hour later, they reached their waterfront bedroom set up which had been sectioned off from prying eyes. Fitz walked them over to the sofas and sat down on one. He looked on questioningly as Liv walked to stand behind him. He visibly tended then relaxed as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and began nibbling on his ear.
"Liv?" Fitz moaned out as he realized how quickly his wife's mood had shifted.
"I know my emotions are everywhere, but I just need to feel close to you right now. Please, Fitz..."
Fitz reached up behind him, and pulled Liv over the back of the sofa, so that her head was resting on his lap, her legs draped over the back of the sofa. She let out a hearty laugh, and he immediately felt the weight of the world, slipping off of his shoulders.
He looked into his wife's loving eyes, and couldn't help but wonder how she managed to become more beautiful with each passing day. She had always been beautiful to him, but over the past ten years, she had honestly become even more breathtaking than she had ever been.
He brought his mouth close, and she moaned as she could feel his breath tickling her lips. He continued gazing into her eyes as his tongue darted out and swept softly across her lips. When she gasped from the sensation, Fitz pulled her close to him and snaked his tongue into her mouth. What began as a slow and sensual kiss, quickly grew in urgency. Liv's hands slid into Fitz's hair and she tugged harder than she intended to, as Fitz was sucking the life out of her body. She pushed him away gasping as she was reminded her lungs desperately needed oxygen.
Both of their breathing was labored as they stared into each others eyes with the intensity of a thousand suns. Fitz smiled as his hand cupped her face, before lowering his head, and capturing her lips again.
Fitz nibbled on her bottom lip, as his hand slid down to cup her breast. He could feel her growing restless, and knew how to put her body at ease. Fitz hand slowly slid down her body, until it rested been her thighs. With surprising force, Fitz pushed her thighs apart, and he bit down on her bottom lip as his hand cupped her core.
"You are so fucking wet." Fitz growled as he slid her panties to the side and began sliding his fingers between her folds.
His eyes remained locked with Liv's, as his fingers continued coaxing her body to the brink. Her chest was heaving, and her pants were turning to whimpers, as her hips began thrusting against his hand.
"Do you like that Livvie?" Fitz asked as he could see her biting her lip to stifle her screams.
"Do you... Like it?"
Liv's hands slid into Fitz's hair "Oh yeah..." She breathed out huskily, before pulling Fitz into her with such force, his lips crashed against hers.
He moaned into her mouth as he slipped one finger inside of her and was welcomed with her warm wetness. "God I wish this were my tongue sliding in and out of you right now." Fitz breathed against her neck. She was tense that he wasn't surprised it didn't take long before he felt her stiffen up, and her essence coat his fingers. As she came down from her orgasm, Fitz removed his hand and slowly drew each finger into his mouth. He knew she now felt completely relaxed, and he smiled to himself as she watched him lick her essence off of each finger.
"Do you feel better now, sweet baby?"
"Much better. But what about you?" She asked as she could feel his erection pressing against her shoulder.
"This was all about you. We can play a little later. That is if you're up for it." Fitz responded as he placed another kiss on Liv's lips.
"I love you Olivia Carolyn Grant."
"I love you too, Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III."
Liv swung her legs to the front of the sofa, so her feet were resting on the armrest, her head still resting on Fitz's lap. She straightened her cornflower blue sundress, and looked over the water as the sun set, while Fitz lovingly stroked her hair. They remained on the sofa in this position, until the sun had fully set.