"Hey Dad, where's Liv?" Karen asked as she entered the Oval. She had just come from Liv's office which was uncharacteristically empty.

"Is she not there?" he replied looking at the time confused.

"No, maybe she's gone to get Teddy." Fitz had a quick look at her calendar which was synced to his own.

"I have nothing on her schedule so she should just be around. Was there anything in particular you needed?" he asked knowing there were some things that only Liv was privy to. Karen sat down on one of the couches as Fitz joined her.

"No, I just wanted to hang with her for a bit. Make sure she was getting some down time in between all of her responsibilities. She doesn't stop otherwise." Fitz gave his daughter an appreciative smile.

"Thank you for looking out for her Princess," Karen shrugged

"She's always looking out for us, it's just what families do. Hey Dad, when did you and Liv last have date night on your own without the munchkin?" Fitz looked thoughtful for a moment and his face dropped a little when he realised it had been awhile.

"A few weeks maybe," he answered.

"Why don't Gerry and I hang with Teddy this weekend and you and Liv do your own thing. Go somewhere overnight, for the weekend if you can."

"Is everything alright Kare?"

"Yeah Dad, Liv hasn't said anything or displayed any concerning behaviour. I just think it's been awhile that you two have really done anything together that wasn't required or for your jobs. Something that's just for you,"

"Thank you honey. Let me sort out both our schedules and get back to you."

"Cool, I am going to go in search of your wife and drag her to have ice cream with me." Karen stood to her feet and leaned down to give her Dad a hug.

"She's happy Dad, don't panic. She just deserves to be spoilt more often than she is and that's no reflection of your failure to do so, because I know you spoil her plenty, she just deserves that and more. That' s all." Fitz held his daughter tightly,

"I'm really proud of you Kare, you and Ger. I couldn't ask for anything more. I'm so glad I have you home with me, and that we get to be a family. I love you kiddo. Thank you for loving Liv as much as I do."

"She loves us just as much, if not more, if that were even possible. I love you too Daddy." Karen said dropping a kiss to his head before heading out in search of Liv.

After Karen had left his office, he picked up the phone to clear his own schedule. He felt a little bad that it had taken some prompting from Karen to realise that it had been awhile since he and his wife had had some alone time. They were doing well, and though they no longer saw Dr Stanley as often, they saw him regularly. While it was something that they had started in hopes to repair what had been broken, it had become a necessary non negotiable in their marriage. It allowed them to talk openly and honestly of things that happened long ago that they would never feel comfortable bringing up outside his office. Dr Stanley's office was their safe space, and when they were done with the session, they left it there.

Karen found Liv in the kichen with a pint of ice cream and a spoon. The sight of her stepmother dressed in her Louis Vuitton suit and SJP heels hoeing into a tub of her favourite ice cream was enough to bring out a hearty laugh that brought Liv out of her reverie. She looked up at Karen and grinned sheepishly.

"This image is worth a million dollars given the right tabloid." Karen teased as she took a photo with her phone whilst Liv was in mid bite.

"You love me way too much to sell me out kid." Liv answered pointedly.

"True, but its still good evidence to have. It's a slideshow worthy photo. Olivia Carolyn Pope Grant, sophisticated, graceful, flawless."

"You're hilarious little girl." Karen gave her a big pout before whining,

"You started without me. I was in search of you for this very need." Olivia chuckled and handed her a spoon that she just so happened to have beside her, as though she had predicted one of the kids would eventually find her.

"I'm sorry. I did have a quick look for you but I guess you weren't home yet. I was going to drop you a message, but my phone started beeping incessantly till I turned it off declaring 'offline' for at least half an hour. So why the need for ice cream?" Liv asked.

"Is there ever a reason required for needing ice cream? What's yours?"

"Touché,"

"Judging from the bleh feeling I would imagine that the monthly fairy is coming to visit."

"Great, I can't wait." Karen said sarcastically as Liv laughed. More often than not they synced in timing, which made those few days a month interesting for the Grant boys having two hormonal female Grants.

"Why am I sensing that there's more to your need for ice cream that what your evasiveness is implying?" Olivia said suspiciously looking at the young girl in front of her.

"Because you have annoying super sonic senses." Karen replied dryly.

"So talk. What's his name?" Karen groaned and took the tub of ice cream from Liv and dug into it with gusto making Liv laugh. Karen took a mouthful and let out an exasperated breath before telling Liv about her boy issues.

It was a half hour later when Fitz found them both in the kitchen with their almost empty tub of ice cream. He couldn't quite hear their conversation but he could see through body language that Karen was confiding in Liv and Liv was listening intently as she occasionally gave Karen's knee a comforting pat.

"Is there any ice cream left or did you two manage to eat it all?" he said announcing his presence. Liv and Karen looked up and smiled at him as he approached them.

"You don't need the ice cream Daddy," Karen teased patting his stomach. Fitz gasped in mock horror,

"Ouch kiddo, below the belt." He replied holding his hand to his chest.

"Don't listen to her honey. I like you with a little extra padding." Liv added,

"I'm not feeling very much love from either of you right now." He declared wounded. Liv wrapped her arms around his middle,

"I'm kidding."

"No the damage has been done." He stated feigning hurt somewhat dramatically.

"I feel like we're having a family meeting and Gerry is missing." Liv pointed out amused.

"Give him time, if he's in the building his beacon will eventually lead him to us.

"Actually, I came in search of you to let you know that I have planned a weekend away for us. I checked with your team to ensure you had nothing pressing, and Cyrus has agreed to clear my schedule, so you and me this weekend." Liv raised her eyebrows,

"Really, and where are we going?"

"You will find out when we get there. Get packing. We leave tomorrow after my 10am conference call with the Prime Minister of Japan."

"Come on Liv, I'll help you." Karen said taking Liv's arm.

"Are you sure you can be away this weekend?" she asked still confused trying to mentally check his original schedule."

"Yeah Sweetheart. Get packing." Before Karen could pull her out of the room Liv paused and placed a hand on his cheek before dropping a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you baby." Fitz smiled and kissed his wife,

"You're welcome my love. I'll see you two at dinner. I have a few more calls to make."

When Liv and Karen got to Liv's walk in closet she found her favourite overnight bag was already sitting there opened. She smiled at Fitz's thoughtfulness knowing he had gone into their room before seeking her out to take it down from the top shelf knowing she couldn't reach it. It was one of the things she loved most about him. Truth was she didn't fully realise how much she was missing their alone time till he suggested they have one. Both their jobs were demanding and their devotion to their family, to the kids didn't allow them to consider compromising their those times with them. She was glad that he had suggested it. She appreciated how hard he had worked for them to get to where they were.