So it's been almost a year since i've updated, and I can only apologise, but it has been quite a year and sadly writing this story has been on a bit of a back burner, but it seems the writing bug has resurfaced, so lets see how long it remains, hopefully until i get it finished.

Part 19

"Excuse me?"

Eli cannot fathom, or more accurately, bring himself to digest what his best friend has just told him. Initially, his reaction was one of pure confusion, as was Maya's. Understandably so, seeing that less than an hour ago they did not even know their daughter was pregnant…. let alone… this…?

But no matter how difficult, Fitz chooses to press on, and regrettably sets out to destroy his longest and dearest friendship. He has no other choice but to be honest with Eli, because present circumstances dictate that now is not the time for fear or weakness… No… now is the time for strength; not only in support of Liv and his love for her, but also for his baby… "Please believe me, this was not the way we wanted you and Maya to find out, but we're here now; Liv's in surgery and our baby could be in trouble, and you needed to know that…"

"Your baby?!" Eli pauses, visibly his whole body begins to tremble, as he finally processes the full extent of his best friend's betrayal. He shakes his head, as if doing so will somehow dispel the ghastly visions that are beginning to root in his mind… "You're the father?!" Registering the distinct change in his tone and demeanour, instinctively, Maya places herself in-between Eli and Fitz, acutely aware that her husband's anger is mounting thick and fast… "You and my little girl… together…" the words get stuck in his throat, making him feel nauseous at the mere thought… "Please tell me this is some sort of SICK joke?!" He spits out, in complete and utter disgust, at which point he finds himself turning to Franklin, in need of an explanation from the man he believed to be dating his daughter… "What the hell is going on here? I thought you two were together?"

Struggling to take in Fitz's revelation himself, all Franklin can offer is… "Liv and I broke up 3 weeks ago, when I found out the baby wasn't mine…" then he adds… "But I didn't know it was his…" making his own revulsion known.

Feeding off Franklin's obvious distain, mingled with his own, Eli looks at Fitz with such contempt and hatred in his eyes, that it makes Fitz take a step backwards… "So, what was it exactly, huh? An affair, a one-night stand… or given your track record over the last couple of years "fucking" is probably more appropriate?! I take it sex with escorts just ain't cutting it these days, now that you have my beautiful and naïve daughter to take advantage of?"

The room falls deadly silent. Eli's crassness and subsequent disclosure, has everyone feeling incredibly uneasy, and just as equally shocked. In addition to this, Fitz is also left feeling extremely incensed that Eli could stoop so low as to air one of his most private and shameful indiscretions. His time with escorts… It happened during a very dark chapter in his life, and long before he started developing feelings for Liv. At that time, he indulged in their expertise to break up the crippling loneliness and isolation he felt after losing his wife, and in all the ways that truly mattered losing his daughter too. Somehow, it had made logical sense, the physical fulfilment and emotional detachment they offered, it was exactly what he needed to get by. After Mellie died he was left so broken, that he had vowed to never fall in love again; why would he willingly put himself in such a vulnerable position; not when the risks involved in loving someone that fiercely and then possibly losing them were so high? But after some time, the use of the escorts also left a massive toll on him as well, such self-loathing and depreciation; he grew ashamed and repulsed by his actions, that eventually he confided in Eli, desperately seeking his best friend's help and guidance. Back then, Eli got him through it; he had his back like any good friend would, whilst promising to take his secret to the grave. But with Eli airing his dirty laundry so callously for all to hear, it has made one thing abundantly clear in Fitz' eyes now, Eli was never going to have his back again. And my god did that hurt.

Fitz takes a brief moment to pull himself together and with what little dignity he has left he responds to Eli's questioning… "Liv and I… we were… it was complicated, before I left for Vermont, we started to develop feelings for each other, I tried to fight it, I really did, but when I realised I could no longer deny how I felt about her, I left… but then Liv came after me… and we… Look, I know this is hard for you to hear; it's been hard on us in many ways too, but the truth is I love her…"

"I don't understand?" Maya interjects, addressing Fitz for the first time since he entered the room. Like Eli, none of this sits well with her at all, but she's also trying to make some sense of it all, not so much for Fitz's sake, but for her young pregnant daughter still in surgery. "Does Liv feel the same way, is my daughter in love with you too?"

"Yes, she is". He answers truthfully.

"So how did she end up with Franklin?"

"I hurt her…" He lowers his head and admits that due to his cowardliness he pushed her away, and right into Franklin's arms instead. "I knew how it would look in your eyes; I was afraid of the impact our relationship would have on those around us and the judgement it would bring… and if I'm being truly honest, I was terrified to open myself up to love again… So, I sent her away, believing it was for the best, not only for us, but for everyone else concerned too…"

"The best?!" Eli erupts… "Shame you didn't think what was for "the best", before you slept with your best friend's daughter! "The best" would have been to send her back before bedding her and carelessly getting her pregnant. "The best" would have been to stay well away from my family and NEVER come back!"

"But I had to come back… I had to make sure she was okay…"

"You just don't get it?! How can Olivia ever be okay, caught up in this sort of scandal! God, we were as good as family, I loved you like a brother Fitz, making Liv practically your niece… So whatever it is that you claim to have with her, in my eyes, it is so far from love it's damn near abusive… You had a responsibility to look out for her, but instead you used her, threw her out like trash afterwards… and if to add insult to injury you get her pregnant… You've ruined her life! So, if you really wish to do best by her… I suggest you go back to Vermont, leave her be, because as far as I'm concerned, you've done enough damage. AND I DON'T WANT YOU ANYWHERE NEAR HER!" Eli warns, nostrils flaring, ready to attack dare he even think to oppose him…

Nervous, Fitz's throat feels very tight, because he senses that Eli's control over his anger is slender, but he made a promise to Liv, he was going to love and support her no matter what; he was never leaving her again. Therefore, whatever Eli had to dish out, he was prepared to take it. And with a conviction, not even Eli can deny, he retorts, "I know you're angry and I understand why… But I'm sorry Eli, whether you can accept it or not, we love each other, Liv's carrying my child, and this time I'm not going anywhere…"

In a blink of an eye and before anyone can intervene, blinded by pure rage, Eli's fist suddenly connects with Fitz's jaw, sending him flying… Maya, Franklin and Quinn quickly jump in, pulling Eli away, as he roars out… "YOU MAKE ME SICK! STAY AWAY FROM ME AND STAY AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!"

It's at that precise moment that James Novak walks in, his face scrunching up in displeasure at the turbulent scene taking place in his maternity ward… He takes one look at Fitz's busted lip and quickly deduces that the proverbial cat has been let out the bag… Maya spots him entering first, immediately hushing those around her, before anxiously asking James how her daughter is doing… "Is Liv okay?"

"Yes Maya, you'll be glad to know that both Olivia and the baby are well… the procedure was successful and she's resting in recovery." He then coolly walks over to Fitz, offering him his hand and helping him onto his feet. The tension in the room is so thick, it's close to suffocation, but nevertheless he relays his patient's clear instruction… "Olivia has asked to see you, and only you."

If looks could kill, Fitz would surely be a dead man. It seems that Eli is out for more than blood, but none of that matters, because right now Liv needs him; she's his main priority. And so, without any further exchange, he follows James through to recovery, leaving the others behind.

"Fuck this!" Eli seethes aloud, tearing away from the others and storming out of maternity.