Chapter 32

Liv was quite refreshed from her very long hot shower. She took her time. Grant was finally sleeping under the watchful eye of Erin and Liv was feeling her exhaustion. The almost four month old was teething something bad, and he was off his sleeping routine.

Letting the hot water beat down on her body, Liv took this moment of alone time to assess everything that happened and was going to happen in the coming days and months. Foaming her body with her body wash, she paused and froze for a moment when she reached her right side.

For a brief moment, Chip's face came into her mind as he lunged the knife into her, and she stopped her hand in mid air. Blinking back the tears, she continued to scrub her body, a bit more on that side. "I am so glad you're dead, you little shit, and I hope you greeted your father in hell."

Turning her face into the stream of water now, she let the pressure hit her body as she watched the bubbles from her body wash go down into the drain. She put her head down, now letting the water hit the top of her head and drip down the sides of her face.

She sobbed for a moment, covering her mouth and nose with her hand. Her other hand keeping her balance placed on the wall under the shower head. "Abby", she whispered under her breath. "Oh Abby, how could it be a year already tomorrow." Her eyes shut tight, her body soaked in water, and she saw the blood rushing down her beautiful friend's face. "I haven't even had time to mourn you."

Taking a deep breath in and turning now, her back to the stream getting its fair share of the hot water steaming the bathroom, she opened her eyes. Chip's face front and center squeezing her cheeks together with his bloody hand. "You were too late for the bitch redhead, and now, she's dead."

Liv swatted at his hand, hitting nothing but air, then she stopped. With a final rinse of her body, she turned her face back into the water and turned it off. It was quiet, peaceful, and for the moment Liv heard Abby's voice. "I'm at peace."

Continuing her silent cry, drying her body, she looked into the steamed filled mirror. Wiping some of the steam away she looked at herself. "I failed you, Abby, but your memory will live on." She felt a chin on her shoulder and saw her friend smiling at her in the mirror.

"Remember Liv, at home, when mom was away at the convention? We had a shaving cream fight in the house, and we were filled from head to toe in white foam. You turned on the shower and dared me to go in with all my clothes on."

Liv laughed at he memory. "I remember. I was wearing my high school senior shirt. I loved that shirt."

"You did, you slept in it every night. Anyway, I jumped into the shower." Abby said.

"But not without pulling me in." Olivia finished. "We were drenched, fully clothed uncontrollable laughter as we watched the shaving cream circle the drain."

"Then mom." Abby put her forehead on Olivia's shoulder, "mom caught us good."

"She did." Liv nodded. "Opened the bathroom door and saw us standing there, clothes drenched and shaving cream everywhere." Liv's head went down in laughter. "One of my happiest memories."

When Liv looked back up, Abby was gone. She wiped the mirror one more time, hoping it would bring back Abby's beautiful face, but it didn't. "I'll love you forever Abby." Liv blinked back tears as she exited the bathroom.


Towel wrapped around her body, and drying her hair with another towel, Erin walked in with a sobbing Grant. Even his little pain cry wasn't loud. His shoulders just shaking every other second, tears filling his blue eyes, and his face flushed from the pain. "I've tried everything Liv, he's just so miserable, it's breaking my heart." Erin handed Grant over to her.

"Oh, my goodness, my boy, what is going on?" He gave a tiny fist rub to his eye and recognized his mother's arms and voice. He rested his head on her shoulder as she sat down against the headboard to begin to feed him.

Immediately latching on, he took deep gulps as Liv pat his back to calm him. "There you go, precious, all better with mommy, right?" Erin rubbed his head and looked at Olivia.

"You've been crying." Liv could never put anything past Erin.

She took a deep breath. "A year tomorrow."

"I know." Erin whispered. "Seems like yesterday."

"Remember the shaving cream?"

"Do I remember the shaving cream? I didn't know if I wanted to laugh, cry, or keep the two of you away from each other for a month."

Liv laughed. "I was thinking about it in the bathroom. It was like Abby was right there reminiscing with me." She looked down and saw Grant had exhausted himself into a sleep and had latched off.

Placing him carefully down on the bed, he didn't stir at all. Liv put both her hands over her eyes and rubbed her face. Erin gripped Liv's wrists. Pulling Liv's hands away from her eyes and looking sternly at them.

"There was nothing you could've done. Stop putting yourself through this Olivia Carolyn."

Olivia crossed her arms, looking over at Grant. "I would give anything for her to be in his life, Momma, you know that right."

"I do, and the first thing Abby would tell you is that she's at peace and you need to raise him. Keep her memory alive through him, but don't keep doing the guilt thing to yourself." Erin looked around. "Where's Fitz?"

"In his office. He's been putting things in order to be governor related free tomorrow. He just wants family time for us."

"That man is gold, Olivia, truly he is." Erin looked down.

"It's someone Abby deserved."

"She made a bad choice, Olivia, it's no one's fault. We didn't know. You didn't know, you weren't even in the country."

"And if I had been…."

"STOP" Erin's voice got loud. "I'm not having it. Tomorrow will be emotional enough. You have a teething baby to tend to. I put a teething ring in the freezer. If you need it, just hold it up to his gums for a few seconds. That should help if he's up during the night." Erin leaned and gave her kiss on her forehead. "I love you Olivia, and we are together. We'll go to the thinking garden and talk about Abby tomorrow."

Olivia nodded. "I'd like that." She watched Erin leave the room, and she stared at Grant. "I'm missing your daddy right about now." She got her pajamas and began to read her notes on the shelter. Jury selection for Katie's ex was coming up, this had to be a first win for Liv.

She was trying to do something, anything, to get the thought of Abby's lifeless body in her arms out of her head. With anger throughout her body, Liv tossed the index cards against the wall. "Why didn't you just stay put, Abby? Why?" She stopped and looked at Grant.

Taking a few more sobs, she picked up her baby boy and walked him to his room. "Luther, I hate to be a bother, but could you get me his teething ring out of the freezer please downstairs?"

"No bother at all, Mrs. Grant."

Luther returned. "Take a break, Luther, I'm just going to be in here with him, he's teething and will not sleep long. I'll be in the rocker."

Luther just nodded, tight lipped, knowing he wasn't taking a break and closed the door for her. In the darkness of the room, she put Grant in his crib and let her body go down against the wall. She sat in the dark, hearing her son breathe, and she cried her tears for Abby and for all that she was missing in their lives.


Huck was relentlessly pushing buttons on the keyboard. The screen was changing so fast, in blinking motion and it was making Fitz dizzy. He turned away from the laptop and walked towards his desk. Huck was in a different universe right now.

"What exactly am I looking at, Huck?"

"I'll let you know when I find it." Huck was on some live feed from San Diego, knowing Dez was there. He lost him going into an alley with Fallon, and he couldn't get his location.

"Not on what you're working on, on Olivia. What can I expect tomorrow, tonight? What will her state of mind be?"

Huck stopped. He looked up at Fitz. Giving him a squint from his eyes, he said "You remembered it's Abby's first year anniversary?"

"The day she was killed, yeah, Olivia told me." He looked back at Huck. Huck seemed to be flattered.

Tapping the keys, a bit slower now, Huck didn't look up from the screen. "She's going to be a wreck. She blames herself, always has. After the funeral, she was off to California, then." He paused. "She met you, came back to NY, quit her job, and then the pregnancy." He looked now at Fitz. "Liv has an extremely tough exterior, but inside, she hides her vulnerability."

"I saw some of it at the hotel the weekend we spent together. I know she's never been completely forthcoming with Abby's death with me, I just want her to know I will be there for her."

"Bottom line, she never had time to mourn, and she doesn't talk much about it. I can't shake the scene of seeing her rocking Abby's body in her arms. It's going to be an emotional day."

Fitz had a file in his hand. He placed it on his desk. Leaning back in his leather chair he took a deep breath. "I'm having a dedication to Abby in the thinking garden tomorrow. The person I loved the most, my mom is memorialized there, and I think Abby should be there for Olivia."

Huck shook his head. "That's good, very good, Fitz, she'll like that. Olivia likes to be alone with her thoughts." Again, his eyes never left the ever changing screen.

"Do you think you could watch over Grant for us early this morning? I want to take Liv to the beach for the sunrise. I think it may take her mind off a few things. I have a tent set up already. Just a little quiet time before the emotions of the day begin."

"Sure" Huck wasn't distracted at all by the question. "What time?"

"Well, if Grant is sleeping, then you can just get to his room. If he's in our room, I'll have to tell Liv, but I'd rather it be a surprise. So maybe around 5 am?"

"Sounds good. Don't worry, it'll be a surprise." Huck gave a small smirk and went back to being frustrated, not knowing Dez's whereabouts. It was too eerily the same as when he lost Chip.

Fitz opened the file he placed on his desk. It was a face he recognized his whole life, up until now. He looked at the Senate picture of his smiling father, and he didn't know him anymore. The picture was clipped to the file, and he lifted it from the bottom to read the notes.

It was nothing he didn't know. He could've written the notes himself. The years his father was mayor, the years his father was Governor, his laws, his failures, his marriage, his child. Then, all about his work in the Senate, his stint as Majority Leader, which was current.

Then, it hit him, the very reason he got this folder on the man he thought he knew. It was all there in black and white, and it was classified, but Fitz was able to get the information. There was a list of names in three columns.

First column: Suspicious deaths

Second column: Million plus dollar donors

Third column: Putney owned politicians.

Fitz read down the long lists of names. Each name a familiarity to him, whether he remembered their faces or not, Fitz rarely forgot a name. His hand was resting on his forehead now as he read. Huck was right, his father was a very bad man and judging by the dates, it all began after Emma died.

"Fitz, did you hear me?" Huck was standing in front of his desk now.

Looking up and blinking himself back to reality, he looked at Huck. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"This is bad." He handed Fitz a picture of Fallon's dead body, picked up from a drone satellite that Huck was able to focus in on for that alley, but there was no sign of Dez, Huck couldn't locate him anywhere.

"What happened?" Fitz stared at the dead girl.

"Not too sure, I lost him when he got in the alley. He went in with her but left alone. He's stoned and unhinged, not good for someone like Dez."

"Don't tell Liv." He closed his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief. "She's going to be a wreck. I'll tell her when the time is right. My father?" Fitz asked.

"Memorial is scheduled for tomorrow, same time as Abby's. He hasn't left Avila since returning from Sacramento. News media has been alerted and they will be here, not there. Just be prepared for questions about Jax. The police chief didn't make any friends on the Putney side tonight."


They had all gathered in Mimi's room for the press briefing. Fitz already knew what Chief Nagel was going to say as he was briefed. He didn't want Olivia to hear the details, but they promised each other no more secrets.

Mimi was rubbing Olivia's back as Nagel began speaking. "Jaxton Putney was found late Saturday night on the beach grounds of Governor's Grant's Santa Barbara home. Mr. Putney was pronounced dead at the scene having drowned. No foul play has been identified, and it seems Mr. Putney died as a result of a kidnapping gone wrong.

The state was not yet aware of the Governor and his marriage to Mrs. Grant or were they aware of his son Grant. Mr. Putney had information in his car that he had knowledge of the baby. A baby car seat was found secured in the back seat, along with several pictures of Grant. The pictures were taken at the duplex the Governor owns just outside Sacramento by the Governor's mansion. The screen went to pictures of inside the car.

The pictures are of Mrs. Grant, Governor Grant, and their young son. It is clear Mr. Putney had one thing on his mind when he stepped onto the property. His blood alcohol level was .25, and it seems he was unable to maintain balance on the sand.

His death is conclusive with a drowning, happening at high tide as he was trapped in a sand hole. Nothing further at this time."

Despite all the questions being shouted by the reporters, Nagel walked away not answering any of them. He was not very loyal to Fitz, and he felt something more to this met the eye, but he had no proof. Nagel would be at the memorial service honoring Jax's life.

Liv turned to Mimi after the briefing. She gave her a soft kiss on her cheek. "Thank you, Mimi. You did the world a favor." Visibly shaken, Liv walked out.

Nagel had questioned Fitz when the pictures suddenly appeared on his desk in his office the day after Putney was found. "Know anything about these Fitz?"

"You're the fucking Chief of Police, why don't you know anything? The guy has had it out for my wife well over a year now, do your fucking job." He slammed the phone down. Tom had delivered them just as he said, and he had Liv to thank for having that photographer take them.


She was right, it was going to look poorly for Jax. "Liv was right about those pictures," Fitz reminded Huck.

Huck just took a deep breath. "Yeah, whatever. Give me all your loyalties in San Diego, I have to get Dez."

Fitz reached in, gave Huck a list. As Huck was walking away, Fitz reminded him he'd see him in the morning.


Big Gerry and Sanderson were watching the news the night before they were to bury Jax Putney. All the guests accounted for, and the yard was set up for his memorial. Jax would be buried next to the still fresh grave of his son, Charles. Also lying in the plot is Jules, Jax's love.

Not paying much attention to the screen and the news, Gerry was dialing Dez's phone over again. It kept going straight to voicemail. He then tried Fallon's phone over again, same thing, right to voicemail.

"Something isn't right." Gerry rubbed his face with concern. "I can't get a hold of Dez or Fallon and they both are supposed to be here, should've been here hours ago."

"Probably hit a party and are passed out drunk in a hotel room together. You sure do know how to pick your allies, Gerry." Sanderson shook his head. "What are we going to do about Waters, she is back in the running."

Gerry waved his hand, "yeah, I know, she isn't going to know what hit her. No pun intended."

Sanderson laughed. "That's wrong. Will the media be here tomorrow?"

"You know I wanted it to be a big to do, just to piss Fitz off. Jax getting coverage, being remembered, but I went against it. Instead, I'm going to have WJSF here and I'll do an interview. What do I have to say, well you just stay tuned." Gerry gave a wink to Sanderson and held up his scotch glass.

"You have any strategy in there to keep you son at bay, that boy is killing me a slow death Fitz. He has these bills he wants done by Friday. Friday, did you hear that? Wants them on his desk to sign, and you know what? He has the partisan support he needs. Anything and everything you left as governor is going down the tubes with your kid."

Gerry listened intently. "Tell me about the bills."

"Crazy shit. Human trafficking, climate change, mental health, and he has all the heads of departments on board. He's going to get his wish."

"What time on Friday do you think you'll have the bills on his desk?" Gerry knew his son better than Fitz thought he did and now he has a plan.

"Should be by 2 in the afternoon, I can't believe the Senate is going with it."

"He's their golden boy, Sanderson. He's going to put California on the map again when he runs for president."

"Yeah but will he run as a Dem or a Republican? Sure doesn't look like he'll be Republican."

"Oh, he will. He still has his morals, his love of family. Progressive Republican, I know you're an old timer, look it up." Gerry was still thinking.

Sanderson waved him off. "I'm heading home. See you early tomorrow for the service." He stopped and looked up at the picture of Jax and Charles. "I still can't believe they're gone."

"I know, just a crazy series of events." Gerry shook his head. "So unfortunate."

"Hey, Big G, is Olivia right? You're giving money from Jax's estate towards domestic abuse."

"It's complicated, but yeah, the money is there. Olivia knows it's there and she caught me off guard."

Sanderson gave a chuckle. "Poor fucker isn't even buried yet, doesn't have a grave to roll in, but he's screaming from hell that's for sure."

Gerry tried Dez and Fallon one more time. He left a message for both. "Where the hell are the two of you, service begins at 9 am tomorrow. I expect to see you both here."

Gerry then reached out to his office in DC. He needed clearance for the Governor's mansion on Friday. He needed to be there when Fitz signed those bills. It was just the setting he needed to go forward with his plan.


By 2 am, Fitz had finished everything, giving instructions to Linda Marshall and taking the day off to be with his family. Tom had given him all is good sign for the beach house and Fitz was looking forward to some serene quiet time for Olivia.

He was well aware the jury selection was coming up for Kate Monti. Her case made a brief news report when she was found on State 84 bloody and unstable. It was alleged she was beaten at home, dragged to the car, and dumped on the side of the highway. Her husband thought she was dead, but he was wrong. The prosecution asked for Liv's assistance in court. She couldn't say no.

"Another fool if you ask me." Fitz said out loud, knowing how good Liv was in jury selection. Until that time he wanted her to relax. He was surprised she wasn't in bed sleeping and he looked around the room.

"Sir, in here." Luther pointed to Grant's door. "She's been in there for a few hours now. She didn't look well going in, she looked." He paused, "very sad."

"Grant?" Fitz asked.

"He's had a few bursts of crying, but nothing prolonged. I gave her his teething ring."

"Thank you Luther. Go ahead and get some rest."

Luther nodded and at Fitz's request, he did. He was told not to let Olivia out of his sight to know where she was at all times. He had done that and was ready for some rest.

Fitz opened the door slowly. He took a sigh of relief when he saw Grant sleeping quietly in his crib. His head turned to his left, body straight. Fitz stroked his cheek with his big finger and gave him a small pat on his covered chest.

Liv wasn't in the rocker and for a moment Fitz's stomach dropped, thinking she had got by Luther. He was about to walk out when he noticed movement next to the crib by the wall.

Liv's knees were up to her chest and her forehead was resting on her knees. She was sleeping in that position and Fitz had no idea how. Her hands were wrapped around her knees, and she was breathing deeply.

Resting his hand gently on her shoulder so not to startle her, he gave her arm a small rub. "Liv, Livvie, are you alright?"

Her head went from side to side, and she lifted it. "Abby?" She said out loud. "That you?"

Fitz's hand found her cheek and he cupped it. "Livvie, it's Fitz. Let's get you to bed, ok."

She looked into his eyes, the light from the hall giving her full access to the blues she loves so much. Her eyes filled with tears even though she tried to hold them back. "I miss her, Fitz." Her arms went around him pulling him to her in a hugging grip.

"How's Grant?" Fitz whispered just to take her mind off things.

She rubbed her forehead on his shoulder. "He's ok, for now. I gave him a feeding and soothed his gums with the cold teething ring." She turned her head back to the comfort of his neck.

Fitz stood her up with him. They walked arm in arm to the bedroom where Liv's head hit the pillow and she was sleeping. Fitz spooned her in his arms and fell asleep shortly after.

She thought she was dreaming when she felt him waking her up. "What is it?" Liv jolted out of her sleep.

"Come take a walk with me." Fitz was smiling like it was 7 in the evening and not 440 in the morning.

Liv looked at him like he had five heads. "Have you been drinking?"

He couldn't help but laugh, he wasn't expecting that. "No." He laughed. "I want you to come for a walk with me, just say yes, ok?" He got up and put both his hands up for her to grab and get up.

"You're weird, Governor. What about Grant?"

"He's fine." They walked down the stairs. "Huck is with hm."

"Oh, ok." Liv said, then her head turned around. "HUCK?"

"Yeah, Huck, he's with him, when I checked he was showing Grant how to log into the FBI database."

Now it was Liv's turn to laugh as they followed the trail to the beach. "Why are we on the beach at 5 am in the morning?" Liv looked over and saw a lighted tent. "What's that?"

Fitz interlocked her hand with his. "Come see."

Inside the tent was a plush blanket down to cover the sand. There was a small bouquet of lavender in the corner giving the tent a heavenly smell. There was also a small bottle of wine and some strawberries.

Liv sat down on the blanket. "What is all this Fitz?"

He shrugged. "I know how emotional today will be, I just wanted you to have some peace before we start the day." He opened the front of the tent. "Look."

Liv peeked out to see the sun just beginning to glisten on the water. She stared at it, her face glowing from the light it was beginning to shine. The water looked a dark purple as the sun, not yet up, gave a fire orange glow to the sky.

Putting her hand over her mouth, Liv began to softly cry, seeing the heavens in that sky and knowing it was a sign from Abby.

"She said to me the day I don't get a text from you I know Chip is arrested and I'm walking home." Liv shook her head.

Fitz realized she was beginning to talk about this day last year. He put his arm around her and let her rest her head on his shoulder. They both continued to stare at the orange sky.

"I thought my text went through and Huck had counted on me to tell her to wait, but it didn't go through, and I was too absorbed in my damn meeting to realize that. Abby, damn stubborn redhead, left the building."

Fitz put his head down. He didn't want her blaming herself, but he wasn't going to interrupt her at this moment. She needed the cleanse.

Liv used her hand to wipe a dropping tear. "Huck found the footage. The fucking weasel Chip followed her, and when Abby got to her brownstone, she was going up the stairs. The bastard yanked her hair from behind, causing her to lose her stepping. Her head hit the concrete step and she was gone at that moment."

Liv took a deep breath. Not once did she lose her composure, although the tears were quite steady now. "He watched her fall, dumped a bottle of alcohol on her, then he saw me come running and he ran the opposite way. We had it all Fitz, Huck had it on camera and we were going to nail him, but we couldn't get a trial."

Looking now in front, the sun began to peak just a bit, the tip of it, slowly making its way from the ocean to wake up the coast. The colors of the sky changing before their eyes, and Liv looked down at the sand. She picked up a bit and let it glide down through her fingers.

"I saw her, Abby, I saw her, lifeless and I just cradled her in my arms. Wake up Abby, come on, wake up for me. But she didn't. I would never see her awake again." Her eyes closed tight, and she cuddled closer to Fitz.

"She would never get to see a sunrise again, we would never laugh together again, I had no one to tell my secrets to." Fitz felt her wet tears as she buried her face in his neck.

He pulled her away, wiping her tears away with his thumbs. There was nothing he could say now to have her feel any better, and suddenly as if it heard its name, the sun popped fully out from the ocean giving the beach a magnificent glow.

Liv smiled through her tear-soaked eyes. The beginning of a new day, a year without Abby, but her life changed drastically. "I'll continue to keep her alive, Fitz."

"I know." He whispered as she faced him and took him into a deep kiss.


"Make love to me Fitz, please." Fitz closed the tent over, laying Liv down on her back.

She continued to deeply kiss him, pulling him into her. "I need you so bad right now; I want to feel my husband inside me." Her breathing getting heavier by the second, her heart pounding, her core aching.

Fitz reached under her shirt, caressing her breast, feeling her heartbeat. "Livvie, you sure?" They had no protection again.

She stopped, looking him in the eyes. "Emma Abigail Grant," she said looking at him. "Let's make a girl." Liv heard him groan. How could Fitz deny her?

"Livvie"

Within seconds he was guiding his erection right to her entry. Her legs wrapped around his back, and he gently put himself into her, feeling her walls close around him.

Massaging the back of his head, the curls she loved so much, she put her lips back on his, feeling him inside, then pulling out, pumping back in, and pulling back out. He was driving her insane, but it felt so good, so gentle, so relaxing, and she just went with it.

Fitz's breath began to get heavy, and his mouth left hers to circle the nipple of her breast. He looked at her, her hand still messing with his hair, her other hand weakly on his back. "You are sure, Livvie?" He felt he couldn't hold on much longer.

With his voice now in her ears, she thrusted her bottom up, taking him in deeper and moaning as she hit her climax. She shook her head in agreement, as she felt him take a long hard breath and he released into her.

After a minute, he rolled to his side, and she put her forehead on his chest. She was wrapped tightly in his arms, and she felt the warmth of the sunlight now hitting the tent, heard the ocean waves hitting the shore, and she looked weakly at him breathing deeply.

"I love you so much Fitz, thank you for this. In my life I have made three good decisions. One, making love to you in that hotel room, two, having Grant, and three marrying you. I will never regret any of them." Her eyes closed and she fell asleep, naked, wrapped in her husband's arms.

Fitz kissed her forehead gently, letting her sleep off her sadness. He clicked his phone, looking behind Liv's back. "Anything?"

"Nothing Fitz, he's disappeared."

"Ok, we'll get him." Fitz texted but wasn't so sure.

"What's going on with your end?" Fitz texted someone else.

"Your father is taking the podium at Jax's memorial, then an interview for a station that's here. Want the live stream, Sir?"

"No, I want nothing to do with him at all. Just make sure he stays put and give me a summary of the interview. Is Dez at the service?"

"As far as I know your father can't locate him or the girl."

"The girl is dead, go tell my father that. Keep me posted."

Everyone was beginning to gather in the thinking garden. Huck was on his way over with Grant. Liv hadn't moved from Fitz's embrace, but she needed to wake up and get ready.

Fitz squeezed her body a bit closer to his and she stirred around. He saw her eyes blink open and looked around, then up at him.

"Hi" Her shoulders went up as she kissed his chin.

"Hi, I have a surprise for you."

"You do?" She tilted her head at him. "Look." Her head went down now. "I'm sorry if I am pushing you about another pregnancy. If you're going to make a run for pres…"

"Stop, it's fine. We're married, there's nothing wrong with it. You know how I feel about fatherhood. It's you I worry about. I know how you worry about exposure."

"Well," she gripped his chin. "I'm slowly getting over that." She gave him a soothing kiss. "Now what's my surprise?"

He opened the tent as Huck bent in with Grant. Liv sat up with the blanket wrapped around her. "Hey my big boy." She reached for him and kissed him on his cheek. "How's my guy today?"

"He's good, Liv." Huck looked at Fitz. "Can I see you?"

Liv placed Grant down and let him latch on for feeding. She was rubbing his head of small curls telling him about his Aunt Abby. "This is all she would let me do if she knew you. Only feed you, the rest she would take care of, she wouldn't let you out of her sight." She kissed him, his blue eyes looking at her, like he knew she was sad today.

Liv didn't hear Fitz open the tent. He watched as she told Grant the story of meeting Abby. His son was falling asleep as Liv caressed his tiny cheek, as she was holding back tears. "One day, Caterpillar, you will understand."

"Here, let me take him, go into the beach house and get dressed. Huck is bringing Erin to the thinking garden. I am going to take him surfing."

Liv had to laugh. "You are not taking him surfing, stop that."

"Oh, yeah, we are, you watch. Which board do you want Grant? You want the blue one or the orange one?" Fitz smiled looking at Liv.

"I love you Mister." She was off to change.

Fitz walked on the sand, holding Grant who was no longer tired. He was looking at the water with his father as his father explained the waves to him. Fitz had no idea, yet, that his father was doing a live interview and the very child Fitz held in his arms was the subject Big Gerry was speaking about.


WJSF: It's no secret Jax and the Governor were bitter enemies, how did that affect your friendship, and how are you here after Jax died attempting to kidnap your grandson?"

BG: Still some speculation on that. Chief Nagel is leaving his suspicions open, we'll get to the bottom of it. If anything, I think Jax wanted to congratulate Fitz, try to make amends."

WJSF Your son is diminishing bills you put into place as your eight year stint as Governor. Is there any tension with the two of you?"

BG: "It's all the game of politics. I'm tending to the needs of the state in DC, and he's tending to the needs here."

WJSF: You had a confrontation with your new daughter in law at the shelter. Seems you're not eye to eye with her on the domestic violence front."

BG: "Olivia has a lot to learn coming from New York. Accusations all the time come from women seeking attention and so forth, Olivia can tell you more about that."

WJSF: "Thank you Senator for your time and condolences on the loss of Mr. Putney. Are there any words you would like to say?"

BG: In the coming weeks, and during the first term of my son's Governorship you will hear plenty of rumors and accusations. The Putney family, although no longer with us, shouldn't be dragged through the mud. Stay tuned as the Grant men face off with what's best for the state both here and in DC." Big Gerry smiled at the camera, as confident as the lies he was telling.

It wouldn't be until later tonight that Fitz would hear his father's words, right now he was in the thinking garden with curious eyes from Erin and Olivia on him. He stood in front of the plaque he had covered and was ready to unveil honoring Abby's life.

Liv listened as Fitz told the story of Olivia meeting Abby and Erin taking her in. He looked at them both, Grant on Erin's lap, and said "I wish more than anything I could bring her back and you could be happy with her, but that's impossible. Instead, along with my mother, I would like her honored here in our thinking garden. This way you always have a peaceful place to come and talk to Abby."

He watched as Erin pulled Olivia to her, and she rested her shoulder on her mother. The plaque uncovered. There was a clear picture of Abby and below it said Loving daughter, sister, mother, and friend. Below that read Missed and loved every day. Then there was a engravement of angel wings.

The plaque was in front of a bench, and much like Fitz did to remember his mother, he gave Liv and Erin a spot to mourn Abby.

Liv got up, taking Grant with her, and gave her husband the biggest hug. "I love you so much, Governor." She kissed his cheek and then rubbed the plaque with Grant. It was such a bittersweet moment when Erin walked over.

Fitz instructed the cameras that were waiting to get the moment, and then he was interviewed about the plaque and how the Putney family destroyed Abby's life. It was quite the opposite of what Big Gerry had to say, and Fitz made sure he presented it much better than his father.

They got through the one year anniversary with many tears and memories. The Grant family, with Erin were off to Sacramento where regular business would resume.


As Liv and Fitz were getting ready for the day, Fitz turned to Liv. "I'm taking Grant with me to the mansion. I'll have Erin there, but I want him there when I sign the bills."

Liv looked at him in the mirror. She was off to the courthouse to begin jury selection in the trial for Kate's ex-husband. "Fitz, I'm not…" Then she stopped. "That's fine." She swallowed.

"I want him on my lap as I sign bills into place that will secure a better future for him. These are bi partisan bills passed and history is in the making Livvie."

Sanderson stood behind Fitz's chair along with Senator Fletcher as the press was recording live the signing of these historic bills. The surprise of Fitz having his son with him was something the cameras were eating up.

The people of California were watching in awe as their Governor felt confident enough to have his son present and shown to the state as he signed bills that would better the way of life in California. Fitz did not lose many points today, that was certain.

Tom walked over to Fitz and whispered something in his ear that made Fitz's smile fade for a moment. Fitz nodded and pulled Grant closer to his body. From the door on the side, Big Gerry walked in, unannounced. Sanderson stepped aside, pulling Senator Fletcher with him.

Now, the cameras had the golden ticket. Three generations of Grants being recorded and pictured, as Gerry put his hand on Fitz's shoulder. Gerry leaned over and went face to face with Grant, smiling at his young grandson.

It would be a picture that would hit the front of every paper and news report in a few hours, and Fitz tried everything in his power not to put a knee to his father's nose and break it on live television.