LIV'S POV
"You're in a weird mood today, you okay?" Abby said as i sat down in my office after a briefing.
"I'm fine" i offered her a seat "how was your night with Tom?"
She turned more red than her hair.
"It was .. Amazing!"
"Did you two.. You know?"
"No" she laughed "we made out but we mostly just talked"
"So did you give him your number?"
"If he wants to see me again he'll figure it out" i smiled "what about you and Fitz?"
"What about us?"
"You had the apartment to -"
"That's why everyone went home?! So Fitz and i could have sex?" She nodded
"You guys are something else, we slept in separate rooms. We aren't even together"
"Fitz is traveling across the country for you every weekend, he's trying"
"so am i, i just am not ready. We still have a lot to work through"
"But you want to work through it?"
"I do" i nodded and sighed when my phone started ringing. She got up and shut the door on her way out
"Olivia Pope" i answered
"Hi Livvie"
"Hi" i smiled and felt like i was 18 all over again "Fitz?" I called out as i heard nothing from the other line
"I'm here"
"What are you doing?"
"I just got out of my second meeting, i have to go to a picnic now"
"You hate picnics" i laughed at his grumpy sound
"Ants and food don't mix alright?"
"Avery can't wait to have picnics"
"Are you joking?"
"No, she said it was on her mickey mouse clubhouse show"
I listened as he mumbled curse words through the line.
"Relax, that's months away and-"
"I'll still be here Liv" he reminded me "i know i'm earning back your trust but i swear i'm not going anywhere"
"Okay" was all i could manage to say
"So, what do you want to do this weekend?" He asked
"Fitz, you don't have to come every weekend-"
"What do you want to do Livvie, it'll give us something to look forward to"
"Well, i was going to tell Avery we could start planning her birthday party since it's in 3 weeks"
"I can't wait to see her again"
"She misses you already, she didn't stop talking about disney ice"
Fitz laughed and i twisted my necklace
"Fitz?"
"Yes Liv?"
"When you come over do you think we can talk?"
"About?"
"Everything, once and for all"
"You're ready for that?"
"I'm not a child Fitz"
"I just know i hurt you-"
"I'm sure Fitz"
"If that's what you want"
"Liv?" Abby stuck her head inside my office "Your one o'clock is here"
"I'll be right out"
"You have to go"
"Yes"
"Go make people scared of you"
I laughed "goodbye Governor"
(Break)
"Hi baby girl" Emily said surprised as i walked into the Grant family home as Avery was in the back with Big Gerry.
"Hi mama"
"Mama? You're in a good mood" she kissed my cheek as i leaned against her on the couch "where's my grand baby?"
"Avery's out back with Dad"
"How are you?"
"I'm fine, i feel like i haven't seen you in forever" it was now Wednesday night and with work, Avery's routine and her ballet classes on Monday's and Wednesday's and swimming on Thursday's i was swamped. Fitz and i hadn't talked since Monday when i was at work other than a few texts.
"Well you're busy" she waved it off "how's her nightmares?"
"She's still sleeping in my bed"
"Liv" she warned "3 months co sleeping? She's going to get too attached to that what happens when Fitz and you finally get your shit together?"
"MOM!" I shrieked shocked
"I heard he spent the weekend with you two"
"He did"
"Don't get distracted what happens when he wants to sleepover and Avery is in the bed?"
"He loves Avery and that is not going to happen anytime soon" she shot me a look
"You're worse than Abby"
She laughed as Avery came inside the back doors, both noses red from the January weather.
"Aves comes say hello to Nana Em"
Avery skipped over and i watched as Emily smothered her with kisses, making her giggles fill the house. I had never been so content than when i heard her giggles.
(Break)
"Fitz didn't come last night" Avery said kicking the passenger chair of my SUV as we drove to her appointment on Saturday morning. I was annoyed already that he hadn't even called but then again i was the one who let my guard down.
"No baby"
"But he said he was" she kicked harder. Avery didn't get angry so this side of her was something i didn't know how to handle.
"I know, we can call him after okay?"
"I don't want to call him"
I frowned but didn't push it as i helped her out of the SUV. She pushed my hand away and gripped Lyssy as we walked towards the office door. Rachel took her in right away after i warned her about her bad mood. I sat down on the chair and crossed my legs as i started answering emails. My leg shook faster and faster as the time went on until i heard the door open and feet quickly enter. I looked up to see Fitz. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a pull over sweater with a coat.
"I'm sorry" he huffed as he sat down beside me
"She's angry"
He looked over at me "I fell asleep when i was dropping my bag off at my parents last night, i woke up this morning and rushed her first thing"
"Why did you drop it off?"
"Because your apartment is yours and Avery's and i want it to work out this time so i'm not pushing you"
I tried to hide my smile as he leaned over and kissed my cheek.
"You look beautiful"
I scrunched up my face and looked down at my jeans, boots and coat.
"You not your outfit, though i don't mind the jeans" he looked down at my jeans and smirked
"Behave" i turned back to my phone and we sat in silence for the rest of the time until the door opened and Avery came out in the same foul mood as when she entered.
"Fitz!" She gasped and ran over to the chair as i went over to Rachel
"She just missed him" she assured smiling and said she would see us next weekend.
"I thought you weren't coming! Mommy was sad too"
Fitz's brow furrowed "i'm sorry, i made a mistake i didn't mean to make you doubt me again" he looked at Avery but he was speaking to me.
"How about we go home for some lunch?" I offered. He nodded and stood with Avery. The car ride home was silent even with Avery in the car. When we got home Fitz worked Avery out of her shell and within minuets she was the normal laughing Avery.
"Nap time Aves" i heard Fitz whisper as i laid on the couch. I must have fallen asleep while they were playing with the hot wheels set Fitz had brought over claiming that girls should play with boy toys too and vice versa. Avery had loved the set so i was happy.
"Mmm kay" Avery whispered as they left the living room. I groaned and rolled onto my back pulling up the blanket utterly drained from the past week. I didn't fall back asleep but i wasn't ready to get up. I lifted my feet as Fitz came over to the couch and put them under his legs.
"You're tired" he noted
"Avery started swimming this week" i smiled "just gotta get used to the double duty"
"Maybe you should hire someone to help out"
"Like a nanny?"
"Or a babysitter"
"I don't know"
He put his head back against the couch cushion and turned towards me
"I'm sorry Livvie"
"It's okay Fitz-"
"No, you both looked so hurt when i got into the office today. I don't want you to feel like that all over again"
"Just" i sighed standing up and wrapping the blanket around myself and planting myself in his lap. He tensed but immediately held me as i laid down and put my head against his shoulder.
"Just hold me, for right now. Just for one minute" i whispered
He rubbed my back until i eventually fell back asleep