It's almost three o'clock and I haven't seen Huck all day. For days now he's been held up in his office. Whatever is going on with him has nothing to do with my father. I figured that out when I walked in on watching rules of etiquette. He was so invested in the video he didn't notice me. Ever since then I've been waiting for him to tell me the issue. But Huck isn't a very straightforward person and he doesn't like to ask for help. Between all the secrecy with Quinn these past weeks and Huck, I feel like the odd man out.
I peer over into the conference room, noting Quinn's sudden extended lunch. However, I'm done playing guessing games, so I start to his office, and as I reach it the elevator dings, and Quinn steps off smiling wider than the room. I'll handle whatever that's about later.
"Huck?" I spot him in the pocket of the room, knees bunched to his chest staring off into space. Because I'm used to finding him like this, I crouch before him. "Huck, what's going on, what happened?"
"Did- did your father contact you?" he asks
I shake my head "No, I think your interference worked. Talk to me."
"Uh, Kim wants to have dinner. She's gonna let me see Javi."
"Huck that's good, it's what you want right?"
"Uh, I can't go." Then he lodged his head between his knees. "I'm broken," he muttered.
"I don't believe that and neither will Kim or Javi. They think you died, Huck. Your son will be happy to meet you." I say. "What if I went with you? I know you're having a hard time, so let me help. Okay?"
"When is it?" I ask.
"Tonight. Five-thirty, Earnest dr."
"Okay. Huck look at me. Meet me at my apartment in an hour." I stand and extend my hand to him. "Let's go, we have somewhere to be."
As I pass the conference room I summon Quinn to my office. In the months I was away, Quinn stepped up and kept what was left of OPA up. An impressive feat because it's no secret why my clients are drawn to the firm. There's no OPA without OP and Quinn retained quite a few high-value clients. This is why we have lights in this place. Because of that, I've given her more responsibilities and liberties in certain areas. But I'm always looking for other improvements.
"What's up?"
"Do me a favor. I need you to meet with Lori Darden tonight. I already know your stance on her case but I don't need you to shake her. Just update her and make sure she understands what's at stake." I noticed the way her shoulders deflate. I sigh "Quinn"
"What? I didn't say anything. I won't say anything I shouldn't. But Liv, c'mon she's guilty, her company-"
"That's exactly what I don't want you to say to her. Update her and leave your opinions out of it." I say. "It's simple. The file is in the bottom drawer." I give as parting words.
I hope she understands the weight of the task and won't let her emotions override what's in the best interest of our client and the firm. She's not Harrison or Abby and she doesn't even hold a candle to Stephen but she has more potential than I gave her credit for. So I'm willing to trust her with this.
The sun is sitting on the building across the street when I get to my apartment. It's peaceful, I've grown to appreciate the beauty of a sunset. Before I didn't pay it any mind because twenty-four-seven I was always on the go. It doesn't register right away why my apartment suddenly feels emptier than I left it this morning. Someone's been here, and by default, my suspicions rise to my father. I can only imagine what he was doing here, planting cameras and bugs. Anything to have but a small connection into my life. Now that his spy is out of the picture. The living room is clear but I can't trust it, not for a second could I think about putting my hands down.
I snatch the french doors open revealing my closet. The left side of my heart breaks off and falls in the pit of my stomach. It was just suits so why do I feel so violated and alone. He had a key but I didn't see this coming. I pull out the first drawer and sitting neatly folded on top of my garments is his navy shirt. I question if he left it on purpose or mistakenly. This feels like an end. "I'm gonna be sick."
Bay windows are free drive-in movie theaters, except it isn't a movie it's someone's life. In the movies, the cast is pretending to live a flawless life or pretending to raise a wonderful family. Despite that, it doesn't stop me or anyone else from getting caught up in the story. When I was a kid I watched every family movie I could get my hands on because my mom died and that was the only way I knew what a loving family looked like. In those movies wives are happy and the husbands are honorable and the kids are grateful. Only in the movies does happily ever after exist.
It's easier to escape into the unknown unimportant part of life. And I think Huck appreciated that freedom, he didn't have to be the honorable father. There were no stakes. We've been sitting in the car for the past thirty minutes watching his family through the bay window building a puzzle as time ticks away. Neither of us says anything, but I think Huck knows how much I envy him for having his family only feet away. And the only thing standing between is a door.
"I can't come inside," I say. And he nods understandingly. "But, Huck, I need you to promise me that you won't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you." I swallow hard and try to prepare my words. "I'm pregnant. So if I ever go missing it was at my father's hands."
"Your father wouldn't hurt you. It's his code, no women or children."
"He killed the President's son. I'm basically a walking incubator at this point. Listen to me, Huck." I take my hands off the wheel so I can fully face him. "He would hurt me."
"I promise." He says.
We sit in silence for a few more minutes.
"Go be with your family." I don't drive off until he's inside and even then I stay longer. He looks happy, happier than I've ever seen him. And maybe his movie is just starting. Huck needed me tonight but in an entirely different compacity than I assumed.
My phone rings.
"Abby, why are you calling?" I place the call on speaker and start heading out of the residential area.
"This is not good Liv. I'm gonna tell you something and you can't utter a word of this to anyone because if you do. It'll be my head on a platter." Abby has a flare for the dramatics. "The first lady is trying to make a bid for a senate seat, to launch her own political career."
"Is she trying to hire me?" I chuckle.
"Someone whispered in a reporter's ear that the first lady and the president don't share a bed. There are rumors of separation floating around. But his numbers will sink lower than…low... I don't know. I want to hire you. You don't have to be in the room with him, everything can be done behind a veil."
"No. I don't work for or with the house anymore. That ship sailed a long time ago. And Abby, don't let Cyrus find out about this call because when he gets the chance he'll use it against you." I hang up because I know Abby will be sore about the rejection. I flip through a few stations before it lands on the news pundits, podcasters are on one tonight.
It's Antarctica in the white house. With the first marriage on the rocks, trusted sources say the president and first lady haven't shared a bed since Grant's first term. What a shocker am I right. I honestly wasn't fooled by America's baby stunt they pulled. The first lady needed the party to feel sorry for her and so she trapped Grant with baby number three. How convenient. I feel bad for him personally.
That was just one of the many idiots to pick up a microphone and think because they have a podcast their opinion somehow matters. But in my line of work, if you have enough media pull, you control the narrative until somebody bigger and badder pulls the same stunt with a different narrative. It's a never-ending cycle of gossip.
I dial Quinn while exiting the elevator but it's unnecessary because she's sitting at the table. Hands clasped thinking of how she's going to break it to me that she lost the client and did everything I told her not to do. As I said, she's no Stephen, Abby, or Harrison. She's not quite ready to leave the nest.
"Did Lori call you?"
"We're gonna table that discussion for tomorrow when I can actually fix it. Right now I need you to get me a schedule of the First lady's upcoming events."
"Are we taking on the white house as a client, because I've read the blogs and- Right I'm on it," she says? "Have you seen Huck?"
"He's busy tonight," I call out.
Cyrus stormed into OPA, carelessly pushing my doors open. I'm surprised to not see his army of secret service that uses as shields. But what else do I expect from a man who capitalizes off his husband's death to secure a few votes? Cyrus was lost years ago in the fight for power. And what power he did command solely remains in an office he occupied in the White House. I'm not now nor have I ever been afraid of Cyrus Beene. It's laughable. Nonetheless, I let him stroll in here and spout his threats and he gets to walk away thinking he's shaken me to the core. Quinn is out of her seat, clutching the gun Huck gave her. And Cyrus is staring at me with steel eyes waiting for me to wither under the pressure.
"Doesn't this ever get old?" Cyrus says.
"What you barging into my office? Like you own it or my time. Yeah, Cy, it does get old" I know why he's here. And I don't have anything for him this time.
"Whatever you told him, whatever you two promised each other, quit it. Wait it out. Three and a half years is nothing compared to a lifetime together. It's more time than James and I had together."
"Please tell you two aren't stupid enough to start this again. No, I'll tell you what will happen. There will be an investigation, they'll dig up everything. James, Jacob Ballard, that guard dog of yours, and when that happens Fitz, the love of your life will be impeached. Because you two were stupid enough playhouse. Parading around in cheap fantasies of a life you're never going to have. Dreams are meant to be out of reach. That's what you go to bed for, Liv." He's breathing like he ran a marathon. I just look at him and watch the madness cloud his vision.
"Let's pretend I do know what you're talking about. Whatever he and I supposedly have going on is none of your business. See if I were you, I wouldn't throw stones while living in a glasshouse. You, dear friend, are worried about the wrong relationship getting out. Because the press would eat you alive if they found out about Michael." The horrified look on his face gave me all the ammunition I needed. "So I'll say it again. I don't know what you are talking about."
"Uh, is there a problem?" Huck says from behind Cyrus, and he freezes.
"Go home, Cyrus," I say.
"Impeachment will not be my president's legacy." He points his finger square in my face. Huck moves between us and Cyrus back off.
"Are you okay?" Hucks asks
"Yeah, I'm fine."
It's past midnight when I make it home. Blowing up at Cyrus wasn't exactly on my to-do list this week but it felt good to release that tension. My body feels lighter despite everything else. A hot shower summons me the moment I cross the threshold. As exhausted as I am, surprisingly I'm not ready for bed. I go to turn on the tv but then I side against it because I know all the channels will be filled with White House speculations. Instead, I make a bowl of popcorn and curl up on the sofa. It's irrational and frankly impulsive, but oddly enough I wanna hear his voice. Someone once told me we breathe in sync. So I pick up the phone and dial the number from memory. My throat tightens more after each unanswered ring. Then...
"You answered?" I say
"I did"
"We should talk"
"Open your door" My eyes snap to the door, but my body doesn't budge.
"Olivia, open the door," he says
"What are you doing here?"
"You said we needed to talk. Here I am"
Tom nods to me as I shut the door. Fitz stands near it, gazing over the room until his crystal blues fall on me. I tug at the hem of the shirt and take a couple of steps back. Then tonight resurfaces, Cyrus, Abby, Mellie.
"I've always liked you in my shirt." He says.
"Why are you here?"
"I wanted to see if you were still you."
"Why wouldn't I be?" He turns his head sharply and raises his brow implying that I know the answer. And in a sense I do. I wonder the same about him.
"Did you leak the rumors about you and the first lady?"
"That's not what you wanted to talk about. Just for once be real with me. This game is insulting to both of us and I'm tired of it. So ask me what you really want to know."
"Do-" I sigh. "Do you still love me?"
"Yes"
"I don't want you to make me any promises okay. And please stay over there" A swarm of butterflies hatch in my stomach. My palms are soaked and my shoulders are weighted. "Impregnant"
There it is. It's slight but I catch when his defenses drop like a soldier surrendering on the battlefield. He wants to run over here and make a million promises to prove that he's worthy of me and this pregnancy. But if he touches me I'll surrender and I can't do that right now.
"How far along are you?" He's inspecting me, looking for the change, not just in my appearance but in everything.
"thirteen and a half weeks" I whisper.
"Jesus Christ Liv." Fitz rakes his fingers through his dark curls. "You didn't tell me because you didn't want to carry on to full term?" I try not to be offended by his assumption, even though it hurts more than I'll ever admit out loud. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I found out the night your child died."
"What about the next day? Or how about before you deserted me?"
"You needed to be with your family, you didn't need this-"
"STOP TELLING ME WHAT I NEED," I thought his hand might go through the wall. Tom opens the door "Is everything alright, Sir?" Fitz takes a shallow breath then waves Tom off.
"Ma'am?" I nod softly and then he goes back into the hall.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you" he sighs "This is something I needed to know. Maybe not the same night- Livvie you should have stayed with me"
He sits on the sofa, and after a few minutes, I join him. "Are you and the first lady gonna deny the rumors?" I ask.
"I don't know"
There's a bit of theme I have going with these chapters. Leave a review and let me know your thoughts. Until next time.