DISCLAIMER: Scandal and its characters belong to Shonda Rhimes and ABC/Disney.

Grant Ranch - Santa Barbara, CA

Fitz was about to say something when the doorbell rang. He went to answer himself and froze upon seeing who was at the door. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE? YOU OF ALL PEOPLE?"

"What? Can't I be here? We're family after all." the person says with a smirk.

"I don't know your definition of the word 'family' but, you are definitely not in mine. So, again, what are you doing here?"

Sensing that things were about to escalate Paps suggested that Liv take the kids in their playroom so that she could tell them what she would be doing with their father on the campaign trail. Once they had left, he joined Fitz at the front door. Immediately, he was also angered by who he saw.

"And, as I said, we're family. And I came for a visit," she said barely acknowledging Fitzgerald's presence.

"And as I said, you don't factor in my definition of the word family. So, again, Harmony, what are you doing here?" he was starting to get annoyed by her presence.

"I came to see my favorite brother-in-law, is that a crime?"

"Harmony, I was married to Mellie for over 10 years, the only time you came to visit was when we were living in Boston. I haven't seen you since we moved back to California. You never answered to despite all the times I reached out; I sent you emails, tried to call but you never answered. I invited you to every single thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthday but you never came and didn't even have the courtesy of declining my invitation. So, again, what are you doing here? I don't have all the time in the world. I'm a very busy man! So, say what you came here for and leave." he spoke harshly.

"I heard that you and Mel were divorcing. What a shame!" She spoke with a tone that Fitz couldn't quite discern.

"So, that's what this is about? You heard, from your sister I presume, that I was divorcing her and now you remember that we're supposed to be a family? Unbelievable!"

"Oh, no, that's not it. I'm just surprised it took you so long to do so."

Fitz didn't quite get what she meant. But, the tone in her voice caught his attention.

"What do you mean by 'so long'? Is there something I should know?"

"I take it by the tone in your voice that she hasn't told you yet. I think you should speak to my sister."

"Told me what? What the hell are you two hiding from me?"

"It's not my place to share. I just think that you should speak to Mellie. Just so you know, I always took you for a good guy. And I think you were too good for my sister." And with that, she was gone.

Fitz's mind continued racing. He couldn't understand what just transpired with Harmony. What was she talking about? What did she mean? What were they hiding? Why did she tell him? What was she getting from spilling that her sister was hiding something from him?

"Do you know what he was talking about?" his grandfather broke his train of thoughts.

"No, I have no idea what he was talking about. But, I think I should talk to Mel sooner rather than later."

Earlier that day, Somewhere in Santa Barbara, CA

Mellie stormed out of the Ranch without really knowing where she was headed. She didn't really have any friends in Santa Barbara. Even the people in Sacramento weren't really her friends. They were more like rich people's wives who enjoyed gossiping about each other and gloating about where their husbands' money could take them or offer them. Soon she would be the one they gossiped about. She could no longer afford to be their circle, so she could no longer afford to be their friend. So, she went to the one place she knew she would be able to regroup and plan her next move.

"Mel, you do know that these are your kids, right?" Harmony had asked once she had recounted that morning's event.

"Of course I do. And, I'm doing what's best for them?"

"And how is alienating them against Fitz what's best for them?"

"Because they'll get mad at him for wanting to destroy our family and, he won't be able to take them hating him and he'll forget this stupid idea of his to divorce me. I've worked too hard to let him deprive me of being First Lady. There is no way in hell I'm allowing him to divorce me without a fight."

"Mel, have you even told him?"

"What? Are you out of your mind? He would have destroyed me by now. You don't know an angry Fitz. This would make him a monster. And I, for one, don't want to be at the receiving end of what he might be able to throw at me. Not to mention, he'd have his whole family's support. And, that's one family not to mess with."

"You do know he has the right to know, right? I don't even know how you can face him every day with the knowledge of what you did. I couldn't stand it and I only saw him about once a month."

"I'll tell him... Eventually. If this stupid idea of a divorce is carried through. But, if not, I won't. There wouldn't be a reason why I should tell him."

"Mel, you said you would tell him." she reminded her.

"And I will, eventually."

"What if he finds out through the press? You do know that they'll start hounding soon since it's now public knowledge that he wants the Republican nomination. And we both know that they'll start digging up anything in his and your life, right? Imagine what it would be like if he were to find out that way." Harmony implored.

"He won't. They will dig but, they won't find a thing. I'm very good at covering my tracks."

"That didn't stop him from finding out about the affair!" she points out.

"That's not my fault. It's those idiots of bodyguards who couldn't keep their mouths shut." She had found out, through Charlie, how Fitz had come to know about her affairs.

"But, that doesn't change the fact that if someone knew what they were looking for, they would find out the truth."

"Stop being so paranoid Harmony. They won't find out a thing."

"So, what is he proposing to you?" she asked trying to change the subject. Knowing her sister, there was no way in hell he was going to show her the light of day.

"20 million dollars, the house in L.A. and the one in North Carolina. And he keeps the kids and I get to visit once a month. And he keeps the affair secret." she says finally sitting down and taking a sip at her drink.

"It's good, right? You get enough money to live like a queen if you don't want to work. You don't have to keep the kids, cause, let's face it, you're not very maternal. And you get to be able to run for any office if you'd like since you won't be tainted by an affair." She tries to reason with her, Fitz is being more than fair to her, particularly knowing that she wasn't entitled to anything given the affairs. It was one hell of a deal. Not that many people would get 20 million in an instant without working and adding two mansions to that; it would be paradise.

"It's alright, manageable. But, it's nothing compared to being First Lady and, you know as much as I do that's what I worked for my entire life. And, I won't let Fitz's stupidness deprive me of something that is rightfully mine."

She was tired of Mellie ranting on how she had sacrificed her life for Fitz, how being First Lady was to her a fundamental right. She missed her sister. She missed the girl who used to stay up late studying because she wanted to be a lawyer. Somehow, she wished they had never found out what their mother did for a living and have the little money they had frozen by the courts. She missed the Mellie who wanted to change the world. She always hoped that she might get her back one day. But, all she ever saw lately was this brat who believed that everything in the world was her God-given right. She couldn't take it anymore. She needed to get what she was truly feeling off of her chest.

"It's manageable? Mel, don't forget where you come from. Before Fitz, you could barely afford to keep a roof over your head. I had to sacrifice my own education, so you could go to law school and do something for our family. I worked day and night to ensure that you got money to pay your rent and get some food. So, don't you dare start about what's rightfully yours because you had nothing and Fitz had everything? And as you made me sacrifice everything for you, you did the same to him. You made him sacrifice what was rightfully his and his family for you over what?

When you married Fitz and it was like I didn't exist. Like all I did was nothing. Can you imagine that he cared for me more than my own sister? And imagine that I had to live knowing what you did. Now, you think that you found someone better, so, you're going to do as if Fitz's sacrifices were nothing. That man made sure that you lacked for nothing. He gave you everything you desired to make you happy. When you had the kids, he tried to do everything in his power to know why you changed.

But, he didn't know you as I did. Cause, if he did, he would have known that you thought you found someone better and toast him to the garbage like yesterday's paper. Do you know that he used to call me to find out what was going on with you? And, once you had the kids and refused to take care of them, he did. He took care of your children as a mother should. He knows your children as a mother should. In all these years he never complained about your absence in your children's life. He learned to live with it. But, Mel, you destroyed him.

You say that you don't want to be at the receiving end of his anger but you have no one but yourself to blame for putting you in that position. So, don't come in here and play the entitled in front of me. I am your sister, I know you. You are lucky he's even giving you this deal. If it were someone else he would use the prenup you signed against you and not give you a dime. I think you should remember that you had nothing and have nothing if you're going to fight him on this. Don't you dare say it's 'manageable' just because you got a taste of how it feels to have money? Don't forget that unlike you, he grew up in that world and knows his way around it.

He's a good man Mel, he deserves to know the truth. After all, he's done for you, the least he deserves from you is knowing the truth and some happiness. So, let the poor man be. He did nothing wrong to you. All he wants is some happiness and I think that you owe him that at least. Tell him the truth or I will." She challenged.

Mellie swallowed hard. Never in her life had her sister spoken to her in such a manner. She always tried to protect her from everything. She gathered the courage to say "You wouldn't."

"Oh, I would and I will. I don't recognize who you are anymore. And, it's about time you start facing the consequences of your actions." And with that she stood up and left, leaving a fearful Mellie behind.

Grant Ranch - Santa Barbara, CA

Shrugging his shoulders, Fitz reentered the foyer looking for Liv. He thought that they should get some work done on the campaign, most of their time so far had been consumed by the divorce. His grandfather told him that he had sent them into the playroom so the kids wouldn't overhear the discussion that was being held in case it escalated. Once in the playroom, he was welcomed by a very excited Karen.

"Dad, Liv is awesome. You remember the video game you got Gerry on our birthday?" She asked giddily. He nodded not knowing where she was going with this. "You know how no one can beat Gerry at it?" He nodded again. "Well, that's not true anymore. Liv just beat Gerry 4-1. You should have seen the look on his face, priceless." She sang and begun to laugh.

Gerry was extremely embarrassed. Not only did he lose the game he thought he mastered, but, he lost to a 'girl'. He was humiliated.

"Liv. Hunh? Since when are you calling her that?" he asked amused. He couldn't believe how this woman could continue to surprise him.

"Well, you called her that and we asked to call her that and she said she didn't mind," responded Karen.

He turned to Liv "I didn't know you were a gamer. Never would have paged you for one."

"Well, there's a lot about me you don't know governor. But, my best friend and I, play from time to time. Mostly when I'm bored because I don't have a case or when he stays over."

He barely knew her but the thought of another man staying at her house didn't sit quite well with him. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy.

"Well, that must be amazing." He said trying to hide his emotions. But, it was a little too late as she had already seen the jealousy in his eyes and thought it was the cutest thing ever. Get a hold of yourself, Liv, he's not even divorced yet.

"Anyhow, I think we should probably get to work. And Gerry, losing to a girl isn't the end of the world," he said looking at his son who couldn't even make eye contact he was so embarrassed.

"Oh yeah, we should probably get to work," she said standing up and putting her jacket back on, and taking the glass of orange juice the butler had given her. She started walking towards Fitz who was at the door when Karen called her.

"Oh, Liv, thank you very much. You don't know how amazing it was to see Gerry lose! You just made my year, I swear." she says laughing again.

"Hey, this isn't the end of it. You better watch out for my revenge. I won't have mercy on you then." Gerry says trying his best to have the upper hand in this situation.

"Sure, Gerry, anytime you want. But, know that I'll beat you again," she says with a wink.

"Don't be so sure of yourself Liv. You never know," he calls out as Liv and her dad head to his study. Liv can't do much but laugh and call out "We'll see" at Gerry. And Fitz couldn't help himself but chuckle.

Fitz was in awe of how amazing she was with his kids. Not only was she amazing with Karen but Gerry too. He couldn't believe this woman. He just hoped he would get to know more about her.

Fitz asked his grandpa to stay for part of the meeting. He wanted Senior to everything that was going on. Fitz had always been close to his grandfather, but the two of them had gotten much closer since the twins were born. He could always rely on him to be straight with his grandson.

"Paps, you can ask any questions you need. I already told Liv and I think you deserve to know the truth as well." Fitz said once they were in the study, with the door locked.

"Okay, I only have two questions. The first is are you leaving Mellie for someone else?" He asked with a no-nonsense voice.

"I was expecting this and I think it will be a frequently asked question. And no, I'm not leaving Melie for anyone. I am just doing what's best for my kids and I."

"Okay, so, if you're not leaving her for anyone, why now? This isn't the best time THREE." His grandfather hadn't called him 3 in a long time. It reminded him of the countless weekends he'd be at his house in DC when trying to escape life at boarding school. When his grandfather called him that, he couldn't lie to him. So, Fitz told him what happened with Karen and how he came to that decision. Satisfied with Fitz's answer, Paps told him he was going to nap seeing how he hadn't gotten much sleep because he was worried.

Once, he was gone, Liv was the first one to speak. "Governor, I wanted to run something by you. When you talked about your wife yesterday, I couldn't help but think that there was more than met the eye. So, I wanted to ask you if you were okay if I put someone on her to get a complete background check so, we don't get any surprises if anything were to come out in the divorce or the campaign."

Fitz didn't answer at first which and Liv gave him time to process.

"I think it's a great idea. Earlier, it was her sister on the porch. She said something that raised a lot of questions in me. Apparently, Mellie has this huge secret and I'm not sure if she'd willingly say what it is. But, I can't help but think that it's something that will change the course of our lives forever. And, for you to say that you think there is more raises more than a flag in my book."

"Okay, so it's settled then. By the way, do you think your driver could drive me to the airport to get Huck, I think he'll be able to help and so that I can get a rental car. I don't want to keep burdening you."

"You're not burdening me Liv. You can use my driver as often as you need to."

"Not that I don't appreciate the offer, but, I think I need my own autonomy."

"By the way, who's Huck?"

"Ow, yeah, he's my best friend and he generally helps me with my cases sometimes. He's a tech god. He's the one I want to do the background check on your wife."

"Please say, Mellie, I am divorcing her after all. And, if you think your friend is the best then I trust your judgment." He couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy again. Apparently, this Huck character played an important role in her life. He just hoped that there was nothing between the two of them.

"Yeah, he's the best at what he does. By the way, when will your lawyers and Mellie be here? Weren't we supposed to meet today to finalize your divorce?"

"The lawyers are supposed to come by this afternoon. And, Mellie, I don't know where she is. She stormed out after telling the kids that I was abandoning them."

Liv couldn't believe this woman. After all, Fitz had told her about Mellie and how she didn't care about her children, she couldn't understand how she could just give up on a guy like Fitz and much less Karen and Gerry. They were amazing kids. She didn't know what to say.

All she could come up with was "I'm sorry."

"Oh, God, please don't apologize. The kids know better than that. And, it's not your fault if Mellie is... well Mellie."

"No, I'm sorry you had to endure that for so long."

He didn't know what to say except "Thanks."

The air in the room became thicker and Liv had a hard time breathing. She desperately needed to say something.

"So, I think I came up with a way to handle the press." She said, trying to break the tension.

"Okay, go on."

"I think you should do a press conference as soon as you file but, don't take questions. Since I think you'll have temporary custody of the kids, I think you should take them somewhere, just the 3 of you. That way you all escape the scrutiny of the press and you get time to rebuild and bond together. They need reassurance that you'll still be their dad and I think that you taking time to be with them will show them that.

You'll say that divorce is what is best for your kids. You taking time off, from work and campaigning, to spend with your kids will be gold for the press. I think you should take about 2 weeks. The filing itself should not be a problem, but the divorce itself won't be finalized for six months, per California law. That puts us in a bit of a tight situation since it means that your divorce will be finalized right around the time of the Iowa caucuses. I'm hoping to have change public opinion enough by then that it won't be a factor. But you should know that having that reminder might affect the campaign. Once you come back from your gateway with the kids, I want you to do an in-depth sit-down interview. I want you to be as honest and candid as possible in this interview. You need to show them how much you care about your kids, so they'll believe you when you say the divorce was in their best interest. I want to revamp your public image, so I think we should push the official campaign launch at least until Labor Day. You want there to be a lot of speculation surrounding your candidacy. From now until, the official announcement, I want the public to only think of one thing when it comes to you; a father. It is your most relatable quality and it undercut the questions about your age and maturity. By "the time the official campaign launches, all the voters will remember isn't that you just divorced your wife and announced your run for the presidency, but that you are a father trying to build a better future for his children."

"I don't want my kids used as campaign props. I know what it is like to be paraded around, and I don't want that for them."

"I will try to protect your children as much as I can. But for this to work, you cannot be seen dating around. I'd advise you not to date anyone in public until at least six months after the divorce decree." She looks at him pointedly.

"I understand. I do not think I am anywhere near dating at the moment. After over a decade of toxicity with Mellie, I need some time to be by myself before I can fully be there for someone else." He says with eyes pleading her to understand. Part of him wants to say screw you and ask her out as soon as the papers are filled, but he knows that if he really wants to give them a shot, then he needs this time alone.

"I understand." There is so much promise in that sentence, as though she read his mind and answered all of the unasked questions. They would take their time.

"I think it's a good plan. The only thing that I might want to tweak might be the interview. I don't want to be asked only questions journalists want to know the answers to, I also want questions from real people, real voters."

He can almost see the lightbulb go on in Olivia's head. "We can make it a two-hour special. The first hour, a no-holds-bar interview. Followed by a televised downhill event immediately afterward. That will make sure that you are the topic of conversation for at least two weeks. And it can also create additional buzz for the actual announcement when the time comes." We're going to be a great team. Olivia thought to herself.

"That's brilliant." He says with a smile. "The kids and I will start brainstorming gateway ideas. But, I don't feel comfortable telling Cyrus where we'll go. I feel like he'd use it as a photo op, and don't want that for them. I don't want the kids to be pawns in this. He already used them on fathers' day, I think that it was more than enough."

"Fair enough. By the way, you should start thinking about what will happen to the kids once we go on the trail."

"You heard them, no boarding school. And I sure as hell don't want to leave them

at my parent's, so I think I'll campaign with them."

"Okay, if that's the case, you should start looking for tutors then."

"I guess so." He says tiredly.

"I should get going if I want to avoid traffic," she said looking at her watch. "I should be back a little before meeting with your lawyers. But, I think that meanwhile, you should speak to Mellie about what her sister said. At least give her the opportunity to tell you the truth herself. You never know."

"I wouldn't hold my breath where Mellie is concerned." He replies with a hint of sadness in his voice. "By the way, I think you might want to stay at the ranch going forward. We're looking at almost two months before the announcement. I don't think you intended to stay at the Four Seasons for that long. Besides, Cyrus is already staying at the ranch. I think it'd be better and more efficient for the campaign."

He dared to ask not knowing what she'd say. He hoped she would say yes because having her close would help him know her better. For some reason he couldn't quite say, he craved to have her as close to him as possible. Get over yourself, Grant. Look at her, there is no way in hell she's single. Besides, you're the one who said you needed time. Don't give mixed signals. She couldn't believe it. Was he actually asking her to stay at his house? She wanted to say yes in a heartbeat, there was nothing more she wanted than to get to know this man. But, reality came back to her and, she couldn't say yes.

"I don't want to impose, I was actually looking into getting a condo nearby. I was thinking about calling in Huck and Harrison to help, so, I need a place for my team. But, thanks for the offer." She said apologetically.

Part of him was disappointed but another part also knew it was for the best. He needed time, he just hoped that Olivia felt the same spark and was willing to wait for him.

Please tell me what you think. Your opinions are welcomed and desired.

JLG20