It had been one full month since Olivia found out that Jake was cheating and was also bisexual; she filed for divorce but she never revealed why to anyone (especially the media) she knew it wasn't her story to tell; only her mother and Clara knew. Jake apologized and quickly had his things moved out of their homie. When in court, she nor Jake put up any fight to save their marriage and thankfully when they first gotten married, a prenup had been signed. Day by day, Olivia took all things in strive, she was glad that things were moving swiftly and would be over soon.
Although things seemed to be going well, she'd been physically and mentally drained which flared her autoimmune disease, lupus, causing her to be hospitalized on more than one occasion. During her latest visit, she vowed to prioritize her health and get herself back on track, and every day since then she seemed to be better and looking healthier.
Her relationship with Fitz hadn't progressed at all and they hadn't talked in a month. She knew that he was aware of her divorce, but she was not about to throw herself at him just because. If he wanted her, this time he'd have to earn her. She was not going to just fall into his arms without a second thought, she'd learned so much since the last time doing that. But for now, she was done stressing over him, her sons and her health was her main focus.
X
"Boys? You guys better be ready!" Olivia shouted from downstairs.
She was taking her sons to meet up with their dad so they could get a better understanding of what was happening with their family. Olivia was a nervous wreck over it too. She didn't want to disappoint her children by breaking up the family but there wasn't anything she could do. Her heart wasn't in her marriage anymore, truthfully, it hadn't been for a long time, and now with Jake's new discovery, things would nor could ever be the same for them, so a divorce was absolutely necessary in their situation.
"I am! I'm ready, mom!" Asher shouted back, coming down the stairs.
"What about you Nolan," Olivia asked. She shook her head when her oldest yelled back "almost".
"Nolan Grayson! You have five seconds left." Olivia warned as her younger son snickered.
He knew Olivia meant business when she added their middle names to the threat.
X
Olivia, Jake and the boys were meeting up at Mr. Chows restaurant and when they arrived, Jake was already there so they were seated with him. The boys hadn't seen their dad in a while so Olivia sat in silence, allowing them to make small talk and catch up with each other. Then, she shifted her gaze to Jake's, once catching his eyes, she silently let him know that it was time with a nod.
"Boys, I believe you're both old enough to understand what's going on, and I believe you all have a right to know why we're divorcing.. So, Jake, would you like to tell them?"
Jake nodded. "Nolan, Asher, you guys know I love you both very much and I never meant to hurt your mom or our family but the older I've gotten, I've learned to be honest with myself. And with that being so, I have fallen in love with another person. We love each other very much and I only hope that you guys will understand where I am coming from when I say that I would love to have your support on the decisions that I make and will be open to meeting my partner one day."
Olivia huffed as her eyes welled up with tears. She wasn't exactly sure why she was even on the verge of crying after hearing Jake say that he was in love with someone else, but she was. She wasn't in love in with him so she couldn't understand why it tugged at her heart. Truthfully, she was relieved that Jake had found someone to love, she wasn't happy that he had cheated but who was she to judge? She'd done the same thing...she just never got caught.
Nolan was a bit thrown off, he felt like his dad was talking around something. He had already heard some of the rumors on why his parents were divorcing, and his dad just confirmed that it was because of infidelity. He wanted to know who the person was. What woman was worth it. "Who is she? Who's the woman," he asked.
Jake glanced at Olivia, then he looked between his sons. He knew this moment would make them or break them. Taking a deep breath, Jake answered, "Well, his name is Michael."
Nolan frowned as his dad's words dawned on him. "Huh? What in the hell do you mean 'his'? What are you trying to say?!"
"Hey! Nolan watch your mouth." Olivia warned.
"Are you saying that you're gay? What the hell, dad," Asher asked just as angrily as his big brother.
"Asher Jay Ballard, what did I just say? Watch your mouth," Olivia said. Their reactions were expected, but she still wanted her children to be respectful no matter what. She knew this wouldn't be easy for them to process because it damn sure wasn't easy for her. She had no issue with Jake and his sexuality, she loved people regardless of the sexual preferences, but in her position, it was a bit harder to accept since she'd been deceived for so long.
"It's fine, Liv. I understand if you guys are angry, hurt, confused or whatever, and you have every right to be. I haven't been truthful with any of you or even myself, but now I am. I just ask that you don't let this affect the relationship that we have." Jake pleaded to his boys.
Nolan couldn't believe what he was hearing. He tried to keep his comments in but he just couldn't. "What 'relationship', dad? The only time you spent time with us is if mom made you or if Asher and I called and begged! But now I know that it was because you were too busy out with your boyfriend to even give a shit about us! It has always been me, Ash and mom, you never cared and you were never there! All those late nights at the studio, but you still weren't the breadwinner, mom was. You've just been getting by."
Olivia quietly gasped. She couldn't believe her son had so much anger and resentment towards Jake. Had she known, they would've had this little discussion elsewhere, in a more private setting. "Ok, Nolan. That's enough! No matter how upset you are, he is still your father."
"I don't have a father." Nolan got up from the table and stalked away with Asher right behind him. Olivia tried to go after them but Jake grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. "Jake, let go! I have to stop them!"
"Keep those ungrateful ass kids away from me. I'll tell the court that I want nothing from you nor do I want custody of them. I'm ready for all of this shit to be over with so I can finally be free and live happily."
Olivia couldn't believe that he had actually said that. They were just kids! She knew they were going to need some time to adjust to the information about their father but rather him understanding that, he'd rather toss them aside like they didn't matter. His words showed just how much they meant to him, and she'd never beg him to be a father if he didn't want that for himself.
"Don't you ever disrespect my children like that again, but you got it, Jake. You won't ever see them again. By the way, you weren't the only one having fun outside of this bullshit ass marriage. Fitz and I fucked in those sheets plenty of times...Oh, and I hope Michael gives you a disease." Olivia grabbed her things and rushed out of the restaurant.
Cameras started flashing from almost every direction once she made it outside and she couldn't spot Nolan and Asher anywhere. Once valet brought her car around, she got in and drove home. On the way there, she used the car's bluetooth to call Asher and Nolan, but her calls were ignored.
Once she was home, she searched all over and they weren't there. She began to cry from frustration, "Shit!" She screamed. She just hoped that they were ok.
She then called each of her sisters and asked if they were at their houses, and they all said no so she immediately drove to her mother's house with a plan to meet her sisters there.
X
"Livia, baby, I need you to calm down. Nolan and Ash are smart boys, they just need time to process all this mess." Maya assured her. She knew that Olivia and the boys were meeting with Jake tonight, and as expected, they didn't take the news so well.
"What 'mess'? I thought they already knew about the divorce? What happened," Grace asked.
"Lib, I think it's time to tell them." Clara advised her big sister. "Me too, baby." Maya added.
"Ok...Y'all are scaring me. Olivia, w-what's going," Tamia asked as Alice and Grace nodded in agreement. "Right. What is really going on? Are things worst than we know?"
After hearing those words, Olivia couldn't keep her composure any longer and the tears started to flow before she could even explain. Things were so much worse. She was sobbing so hard that it was impossible for her to speak. Her sisters and mom just held onto her until she gathered herself up long enough to explain everything.
Once she finished explaining, the tears began to flow again and this time she knew she wouldn't be able to stop. She felt light headed and sick to her stomach, and before she knew it, everything around her became black.
X
"God in heaven, please help my daughter." Maya prayed as she paced the hospital floor.
"Guys, how long have we been here?"
Maya sighed as she shook her head angrily. "Two hours too long and they still haven't told us anything! I am about to lose my composure and go off!"
"Mom, just stay calm," Clara said.
"I am calm, Clara! I just need answers on what's going on with my child," Maya said as her eyes moistened. She threw up her hands and walked away for some fresh air.
X
Another ten minutes had passed and the Lewis/Pope family still had not received any information on Olivia's condition. They were getting restless by the second as they waited in a private area. They finally thought they were about to receive some information when the door opened, instead Fitz walked in with Nolan and Asher at his side as he carried Katie.
"Now where have you two been?! Your mother was worried sick about you." Clara fussed at her nephews. She was not at all pleased with their behavior, but she was happy to see that they were safe.
Alice shook her head and added, "You two know better than to do something like that!"
Nolan sighed, he was the oldest so he always spoke up for him and his brother. "We're sorry. We just needed time away from dad so we went to Fitz's house. We told him that mom said she was ok with it, but then the word spread that Olivia Pope was hospitalized and that's when he knew something wasn't right and he immediately drove us here."
Tonight has already been a complete mess, and now some damn staffer, or visitor has leaked Olivia's hospitalization to the press, Maya thought as she shook her head. "Well, Fitz, I'm glad that you got them here safely," she said, giving him a side hug.
"No problem, Maya. So how is Livie? Is she alright," Fitz asked as he looked around the room. He was confused as to why they were still out in the waiting area and not with Olivia.
"Your question is just as good as ours, Fitz. We've been here for nearly three hours and no one has said anything to us...Absolutely nothing," Tamia relayed.
"What? Are you serious? Give me a second."
"Fitz...Just wait-" Clara said. Everyone knew how hot headed Fitz could get. They didn't want him to cause any commotion. Especially with the media just outside the hospital.
"You guys have been waiting. I'm just going to ask a few questions and get some answers." He waved them off and headed for the front desk. The woman working the front desk immediately got Fitz the answers he needed and told him that the doctor would be out shortly, after he had made his threats.
The entire situation had Fitz pissed off, because he knew he only got the answers he wanted because he was a white man. Olivia's family had been there for hours and they were completely ignored. If Fitz could change one thing in the world, he knew it would be the way people of color were treated. Racism enraged him and racist people were so damn stupid in his eyes. How could you hate someone just because of the color of their skin?
The doctor was directed to them shortly after and was able to answer all their questions, then the family was able to go in to see Olivia. Everyone went in except for Fitz. He knew he needed to calm down.
"Look at my baby," Maya mumbled as her voice cracked. It's never easy for a mother to see her child lying in a hospital bed, knowing that there was absolutely nothing she could do to help the hurting child.
"...Mom?" Asher choked out. He was for sure a mama's boy. Everywhere that Olivia went, Asher was going to be by her side. It hurt him so badly to see his mom in a hospital bed.
"She's going to be alright, Ash. Come here bro, don't cry," Nolan said, holding back his own tears and comforting his younger brother. They might've picked and fought a lot but one thing Olivia taught her boys was to always be there for each other, and that moment showed that they took her words to heart.
"Yeah Ash, mommy's going to be alright.." Olivia mumbled, before a weak smile broke through.
"Livia! You scared us! Don't do that anymore!" Tamia exclaimed as she wiped tears from her cheek. She was so happy to hear her big sister's voice and to see that smile on her face. Although Tamia teased Liv a lot, she has always looked up to her, and just the mere thought of losing her had brought her to tears.
"I'm sorry, guys." Olivia apologized. She was embarrassed and was sincerely sorry for scaring her family. "I just had so much on my plate- I couldn't handle it anymore, but I actually feel better now."
"Well, find a new tactic for feeling better. Don't pass out on us, girl," Grace said, laughing.
"Grace, you are so silly! I'll try not to," Olivia said as she chuckled.
"Livia?" A small voice said, coming from behind Maya. Everyone watched Olivia's reaction with smiles on their faces. They knew she'd fallen in love with the little girl.
"Katie?! Oh goodness! What are you doing here," she asked, calling her over. She allowed Katie to get in the bed with her and stroked her hair as she listened to what she had to say.
"Daddy brought me and Asher and Nolan to see you." Katie explained.
"Oh? Where's your daddy now? Wait- wait- boys, what were you doing with Fitz," Olivia asked confusedly.
Nolan answered again. "Well, we knew you would call grandma and your sisters once we left...and we know you and Fitz aren't talking so we went there because you wouldn't suspect it."
Olivia shook her head at her clever kids. She was relieved that they were safe with Fitz and not roaming the streets by themselves. "My sneaky boys," she giggled.
Asher was still having a hard time accepting that everything was ok. He felt like his mom was in the hospital because of him. If he'd stayed with her at the restaurant then none of this would've happened. "But we're sorry, we didn't mean to make you come to the hospital."
"Asher, it is not your fault, or even Nolan's. Truthfully, I have not been taking care of myself. I've been so stressed about everything, but now I'm ok. Really. I'm going to get better, and I'll try not to put any of you through this again."
X
Olivia was now alone with Tamia and Katie. Eventually, everyone else had left once they were certain that Olivia was going to be fine.
"Katie, uh- when is your daddy going to come to get you," Olivia asked.
"Never! I- I told him that I wanna live with you," Katie said through her giggles. Olivia knew she was only kidding, but she indulged the child anyway. She gasped and asked, "What! Did you really, Katie?!"
Katie doubled over in giggles. She was happy that she "pranked" her Livia. "No! I just kidding! But we can call him?"
"Sure we can, Princess." Tamia passed Olivia her phone with a smile. She watched Olivia call Fitz on FaceTime as Katie laid next to her, waiting for her daddy to answer.
Once Fitz answered, Katie fired off and told him everything as Olivia and Tamia just listened, then she told him how Olivia wanted to see him (which Olivia never said) but Olivia didn't deny it, she only gasped and playfully rolled her eyes at the child as she chuckled.
After their "talk", Olivia ended the call, and five minutes later Fitz came walking into Olivia's room with balloons, get well cards, and a huge teddy bear; Olivia realized that he'd been at the hospital's gift shop the entire time.
Olivia could only smile at the sweet gesture.
"Daddy!" Katie exclaimed once she saw her dad. Fitz smiled as he put down the things he purchased. "Well, hello, ladybug! Have you been buggin' Olivia and Tamia?"
"Nooo! I only bug you," Katie answered sassily which had Olivia and Tamia laughing. Fitz shook his head. His daughter already had so much personality.
"Katie, would you like to come with me to the snack machine so your daddy and mo- Olivia can talk in peace," Tamia asked Katie, then she winked at Fitz and Olivia.
They both had heard her- and they both knew what she trying to accomplish by taking Katie out of the room.
"Yes! See-ya later, Livia. Daddy cried for you all the time," she blurted out of nowhere. Olivia giggled as Fitz shook his head. For the life of him, he couldn't understand why little kids said the most irrelevant things at the worse times.
"Oooh, I like her! She just serves all the tea. Come on, Katie. Come tell me more that you know," Tamia said as she took Katie by the hand and walked out of the room.
Fitz and Olivia shook their heads and laughed as they watched them go. "So, I heard from ladybug that you've been crying for me?" Olivia teased and Fitz could only laugh at her silliness. "I don't know what she's talking about, Liv."
"Mhmmm." Olivia giggled.
The two of them talked for a while about her overall health and her lupus, and eventually Tamia texted Olivia, letting her and Fitz know that she and Katie had left and were now at Maya's.
Then, Olivia told him about the whole incident with Jake and the boys. He tried to keep his composure as she told him the things Nolan had said, but he couldn't. He laughed loudly, and his laughing eventually made her laugh too. "Fitzgerald, cut it out," she said, shaking her head. Only he could have her laughing at such a serious matter.
After they settled, they apologized to each other about everything and eventually made up by making out. "No matter how bad things get, I will always love you, and be there for you, Livie."
"I will always love you too, Fitz. Thank you for taking care of my boys and bringing them here," Olivia said as Fitz held her hand in his.
"No need to thank me. I'll always look after those boys as if they're my own. You, Nolan and Asher are so important to me."
Olivia felt butterflies in her stomach as his ocean blue eyes stared at her intensely. Fitz was the most perfect man, and she was so grateful for him. She wished they could've made up for better reasons, but she was happy they did nonetheless. "Come here," she said, patting the empty space on her hospital bed.
Fitz frowned curiously. "Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you, Liv."
"Fitz, I'll be fine. I just want to feel you next to me. Please."
Fitz nodded. He kicked off his shoes then climbed into the bed with her. Olivia snuggled into his side, lying her head on his chest and throwing her right leg over both of his. She smiled contently as he wrapped an arm around her and snuggled her in a little tighter.
Fitz found himself humming the melody of "I Will Always Love You" as he stroked her hair. Olivia chuckled. "Wow. Ok, Dolly Parton," she said making Fitz chuckle as well. Then, he said, "Oh, come on, baby, we all love Dolly but I'm humming the preferred version. I am The Whitney Houston."
Olivia shook her head. "God, you're a mess," she laughed loudly.
Fitz decided to stay the night at the hospital with her, and when she was released the very next morning, Fitz was the one to take her home.
Hope you enjoyed!