xoxo
X
She looks down at Washington, watching the once larger-than-life monuments become smaller the further she is away. Her eyes close as she recalls the precise moment she saw everything she knew to be true was a lie. She bites her lip tightly to stop crying. How could this happen to her?
The stewardess comes on the intercom, alerting the passenger that they are free to move on the plane, but Olivia remains seated. Isn't that how her life has always been? She's always stuck in limbo with nowhere to go and no one waiting for her at home.
It's a vicious cycle Olivia has found herself on. Her self-destruction and fear worked in tandem to keep her on this merry-go-round. No one notices she has run away. She doubts that they have even noticed her absence. After all, they are no more.
Her phone vibrates, and Mellie is calling her. Her thumb hovers over the green call button before finally hitting ignore and turning her phone off completely.
She can't continue to be everyone's savior when she is the devil.
X
A soft moan passes through Danny's lips as the sunlight peeking through the maroon curtains taps against his face. He blinks slowly, simultaneously lifting his head from the pillow, wondering how long he's been sleeping, why the other side of the bed is empty, and why it's so quiet.
Emitting a soft sigh, he pushes the covers off him and moves to sit on the edge of the bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. When he hears a very faint sound of the television coming from the living room, that lets him know Ryan's awake. He rises to his feet and makes his way to him.
He's been staying with Ryan since he was released from the hospital because Ryan didn't want to be alone. After being updated on everything that went down with Olivia, Danny didn't mind keeping him company if it made him feel better because right now, his shoulders are a bit heavy.
Upon entering the living room, a smile manifests when he sees Ryan curled up on the couch, wrapped in his black silk robe.
"Can't sleep, huh?" He asks, walking around the couch.
"No." He murmurs. "Did I wake you?"
"Nah." He smiles, glancing down at him. "Lift."
With a small smile, Ryan sits up, and Danny sits down, a leg resting against the back of the couch and the other on the floor, giving Ryan enough room to lay between them. He curls back up, resting his head against Danny's chest. He emits a sigh when Danny's arms wrap around him.
"Everything will be okay," Danny assures, pressing a soft kiss upon the top of Ryan's head. "This will pass."
"As everything usually does." He smiles, caressing Danny's chest. "Thank you for being here."
"There's no place I'd rather be." He murmurs, sincere in his words. "How are you feeling? Really?"
Ryan sighs. "I wish this entire situation never happened. Although I knew it would, it shattered her."
"You were the only person capable, Ry. You know that everyone knows that."
"I know. I only wish Olivia could've seen the light on her own."
"She did. She saw you."
His words bring a smile to Ryan's face. The statement has so much truth and power that it puts things in a whole new perspective for him. Ryan knew he was the key to unlocking Olivia, and he knew she was jealous and insecure, and his presence amplified those feelings for her, but he couldn't put his finger on why until now.
Yes, Rowan manipulated Olivia into believing Ryan was the issue, and she was intelligent enough to realize that, but he also saw how she looked at him.
So much hatred and many conflicting feelings are going through her head.
He sacrificed nothing to get where he is. Not even a speckle of himself was lost on the path he chose for himself, whereas Olivia sacrificed almost everything, including herself, to get nothing in return. She's a warrior indeed, but with so many battles to face comes irrefutable loss, and she lost which was her doing and her doing only.
She didn't try to ruin him because he's good. He recognizes that. She wanted to ruin him because he reminded her of who she wanted to be.
And who she once was.
Shifting himself on the couch to sit up, he casts his gaze on Danny and places his hand on his chest. There's a sparkle in his eyes, and Danny can see that.
"Who would've thought you'd have a Ph.D. in Ryan Lewis?"
Danny chuckles, slowly sitting up, wrapping his arms around Ryan's waist.
"You're good. I know that you know that. It's why you're a threat. Eli and the company he keeps will stop at nothing to drag you down into their playground. They want you to have nothing, but there's a reason why that'll never happen."
He snakes his arms around Danny's neck. "Why's that, Mr. Ford?"
"Aside from you being the most beautiful man I've come to know, inside and out, It will never happen because you understand who you are and what you want to do. I know you already know this, but the point is that there's nothing anyone can do to take away what you've built for yourself." He smiles.
"There's no hook attached to your back, leaving you open to the clutches of darkness. There is no voice in your head calling and tempting you to a fate that you don't want. It's just you. And you already know this too, but that alone makes you so fucking powerful."
Moving a hand to Danny's face, thumb caressing his cheek, Ryan leans in and kisses him. The love and admiration are prevalent, and butterflies fill his stomach. He's never met anyone like Danny, ever. He feels strong yet so soft, powerful yet vulnerable, desirable yet nervous, and it's insane how someone could make him feel this way.
He's happy.
Falling into the kiss, Danny coaxes Ryan's legs around his waist and wraps his arms around him, holding him even tighter. The heat rises as they drink each other in with the kiss, their bodies becoming one as the desire begins to take hold of them.
"You know what I think?" Danny asks in a whisper, slowly pulling Ryan's robe down his shoulders, digits grazing along his burning skin.
A soft hiss escapes from his lips. "What?"
"I think . . ."
There's a knock on the door, interrupting their moment. Danny shakes his head and kisses Ryan once more, chuckling afterward.
"I think I'm going to get the door."
Ryan snickers and moves off his lap, feeling the cool air wander over him, while Danny makes his way to the door. Before he answers, he calms himself because the last thing whoever's on the other side of the door needs to see is him protruding from his underwear.
He opens the door, confused.
"Hi. Is Ryan home?" Huck asks, hands tucked in his pockets.
"Yeah, and you are?"
"Huck?" Ryan asks, surprised. He quickly fixes his robe and makes his way to the door. "What are you doing here?"
"I was hoping we could talk, but if you're too busy I-"
"Come in," Danny says with a smile, moving out of the doorway. Huck enters, taking a quick look around and closing the door behind him.
"We've never met. I'm Danny. Ryan's boyfriend." He extends a hand to him.
Huck shakes his hand firmly, a smile creeping onto his face.
"Nice to meet you, Danny. I'm Huck, and I'm happy you're still alive."
Danny chuckles, glancing over at Ryan and then Huck. "Nice to meet you. I'm happy to be alive too. Would you like anything to drink?"
"I'm okay. Thank you."
"Okay." He nods, pressing a soft kiss upon Ryan's cheek. "I'll be in the room. You two need to talk."
Ryan smiles. "Okay, thank you."
"Anytime." He shoots him a wink and disappears into the bedroom.
"You're okay?" Huck wonders.
"I am," Ryan confirms. "Thank you."
"Good. Danny's nice. I like him."
"You do?" He asks, taking a seat on the back of the couch. "Why?"
"He makes you happy."
"He does." He chuckles, folding his arms across his chest. "I'm sorry, Huck."
"You don't have to apologize to me. You did nothing wrong."
"I did. What I did at QPA was unprofessional."
"What you did at QPA was human." He counters. "And badass. It takes a lot of guts to go up against Olivia, and at that moment, you were the only one able to. You did well. Her monster is afraid because, for once, she finally saw the light."
Ryan smiles. He wanted to continue talking about the events, but there were more important matters to discuss
"The case. How did we do?"
"We won. Malory Klein was the ringleader, and she'll be going away for a long time. I found her trying to leave the country. She was detained immediately."
"Good, and the other parents?" He inquires.
"A slap on the wrist. They'll remain under constant watch for a year." He informs. "Malory blackmailed them into helping her, so they had no choice. If they had gone against her, who knows what could've happened with the children."
"And the children? Where are they?"
"They're safe. Back at home with their parents. Malory's children, however, are staying with their father somewhere in Texas. He gives his thanks."
Ryan's delighted to know everything worked out and even happier knowing the children are alive and well. Just as he goes to speak, Danny approaches them with a bit of urgency, attracting their attention.
"Sorry to interrupt, but they need you at the White House, Ry."
X
"You have disappointed me for the last time, Ballard," Eli says, standing next to the hospital bed. He focuses his gaze on an unconscious Jake, who remains in critical condition, the frustration clear.
"You couldn't do one simple thing. It's no wonder Olivia treated you like a dog."
It's silent, only the sound of the cardiac monitor echoing around the room. That didn't stop Eli from speaking. He's angry, at a loss, and perplexed by Jake and Olivia's negligence of the situation and their failure.
How could two people he raised from fire and brimstone be so incompetent? After everything he taught them, why were they still embedded with weakness? Why did they still seek what he told them was unobtainable? It's a shit show.
Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulls out his phone and dials up Olivia. The phone goes straight to voicemail which angers him. Where the hell is she? He tries again, and the result is the same. He's seen this before. She's gone.
Vexation flows through his veins as he begins to pace back and forth. His breathing becomes heavy. His mind becomes clouded with overwhelming darkness, hands trembling uncontrollably, and he must now get those hands dirty. Again.
Reverting his attention to Jake, he reaches into the inner pocket of his coat and pulls out a needle filled with a mixture of synthetic opioids strong enough to take out an elephant. Slowly, he proceeds to the bed and takes hold of Jake's hand.
"I'm sorry, son, but you have failed me, and I can't live with that because that would mean I failed you." He huffs, voice escalating in tone. "And I don't fail." He laughs dramatically. "I do not fail."
Silence ensues, and he releases Jake's hand, grabbing the intravenous cannula (IV) and sticking the needle inside the small, flexible tube. He goes to inject the formula into the tube but is interrupted when a nurse walks in.
"Sir, I'm sorry to do this, but-"
"Did you know this IV has a hole in it?" He asks to give himself some time. "My son is already lying on his deathbed, and no one thought to check this? Your job is to save his life, not jeopardize it."
"I'm sorry, sir." She approaches him as he slips the needle back into his pocket. She takes the IV into her hand, examines the hole, and begins to switch it out immediately. "I don't know how this could happen. It must've been a different nurse. I'll make sure this doesn't happen again."
With a nod and a fake smile, he makes his way to the exit, his demeanor wasting no time to change as he scowls at his failure.
X
She lands at JFK with only a small tote. The trip was not for a vacation but a necessity. What Ryan revealed to her can't be absorbed prematurely. She must process the information and dive into their family's decay. The many family secrets that have been hidden have finally managed to emerge, which leaves Olivia unsure of the truth and what it means.
When she walks into her hotel room, she doesn't say a word. She doesn't even acknowledge the people smiling at her or attempting to talk to her. She's not in the mood to pretend. She has been pretending for so long that she doesn't even know who she is.
For the first time in a long time, Olivia Pope is tired.
Her shoes are the first to fall. The way she carries herself and the power she exudes make her appear to be six feet tall, yet right now, she staggers to walk to the bathroom.
The jacket she's wearing falls next. The idea of perfection weighs her so heavily that she can feel her shoulders stand slightly taller as the weight she carries slowly falls to the floor.
There's a long wall mirror catty-cornered in the room. Olivia approaches the mirror wanting to prove that she is unfazed by the information loaded onto her. She wants to prove that no one in that room managed to touch her.
She attempts to fix her shirt, somehow still carrying her persona that she must be perfect and put together, but then her eyes fall on her hand. There's a slight tremble as she silently acknowledges the commitment she has worked so terribly hard to destroy.
One by one, she unbuttons her shirt until her blouse slides off her shoulders and to the floor. She turns the shower knob entirely to the right, watching the hot steamy water rush out of the showerhead onto her cold skin. She jumps at the contact at first. The water is uncomfortable, yet she embraces the sensation, watching as the water cascades down her skin.
Her hair's smooth, straight texture turns thicker and curlier as the person she struggles to find is slowly emerging.
Her skin begins to prune, the once fiery water becoming refreshingly cool. She wipes her face ferociously, unsure if it's her tears or the shower falling on the crown of her head.
She touches the cold tile. Her wet feet paddle to the sink, where she wipes the damped mirrors to find the person she has longed to see.
Her eyes water as she stares at the person in the mirror. Her lips, nose, and eyes are the same, yet she can't find the person she once was. There was a time when she would look at herself in the mirror and smile at the person she was, proud of her accomplishments and morals. Her story of fighting for the people reflected her values. She was a good person once upon a time.
But now.
Her lips begin to tremble. She has her issues; she knows this much. But she wanted to believe that her father loved her, she knew better, but it's hard to lose the one parent she did have. Regardless of his reasons, the one parent who wanted her still wanted her.
If Ryan is telling the truth, what does this say about her? Is she this unlovable that her mother left her to start a new family without her? And Ryan. The water falls down her forehead, and she stops the downpour yet freezes at the sight of him in her. She sees it now. He was still waiting for her to see the looks he would give to her when she threatened him.
She attempts to pull herself together, yet she continues to fall, and this time there is no one there to catch her. She has made sure of that.
Quinn, Abby, and Huck she has failed them. Though if she were, to be honest, she's failed them more than once and has often used their love for her to her advantage.
It's not fair what she has done to them.
She ruined Abby's relationship with David. Quinn was engaged to a man and had a normal life before destroying it for her desires and Huck. Huck saved her as much as she saved him, yet she requested Huck to work around temptation and placed him in compromising positions out of her own needs.
That's the thing with Olivia; her needs exceed the desires and happiness of others. She sees that now.
The Hudson River was right at her window. The blueness of the water reminds her of his ocean eyes. The look on his face when he saw that she was the one that caused Ryan all this pain and turmoil gutted her.
He gave up on her.
Olivia shakes her head at the memory, looking up at the mirror and finding swollen red eyes reflecting hers.
No matter the cruelty she displays, her heart always manages to beat at the thought of him. Despite her attempts to assuage him from her life, she is entwined forever to him, or at least she thought she was, but then Ryan showed up.
Ryan was never the problem, but when she looked at him, she hated him. Rowan's commands gave her a reason to attack him, but her thoughts were hers. Olivia had an excuse to hate him, and she did for many reasons.
He appeared like magic and managed to take the life she was still working towards in a matter of weeks. The person she loves was now taking advice from another, he no longer needed her to survive, and it showed. The friends she called family were looking to Ryan for answers, and the White House she wanted so bad, was being run by a man who had not sacrificed anything to get it.
It's unfair.
And Olivia grew tired of losing. One can handle only so many losses, and Olivia refuses to accept another. That is on her, no one else, but after Ryan's revelation, she knows the truth.
Reaching the end of her descent, all Olivia can do from here is rise. After all, it's in her bloodline.
X
"You wanted to see me, sir?" Ryan asks, entering the Oval Office dressed casually in an all-black Givenchy Paris destroyed hoodie with matching sweatpants and a pair of grey and black Jaw low knitted sneakers from the same designer, closing the door behind him.
His demeanor is calm, but the random call has him over-analyzing what this could be about.
"Yeah, I'm glad you could make it." Fitz looks up from his desk with a smile, rising to his feet and making his way over to Ryan.
"Really?" He folds his arms across his chest.
"Yes. I was hoping we could talk about a few things and-"
"Listen, if you called me here to scold me about how I handled the Olivia situation, then-"
Before finishing his sentence, Fitz pulls him in, hugging him close, leaving Ryan caught off guard. With their various talks about Olivia, Ryan figured Fitz would be angry with him, which is the last thing he wanted for their friendship. However, that isn't the case.
"I didn't call you here to scold you, Ryan. I called you here to apologize." He's sincere. "And to see how you're holding up."
Emitting a sigh of relief, Ryan reciprocates the hug. "I'm okay." He assures. "Thank you, but you have nothing to apologize for." He pats Fitz's shoulders before taking a seat on the couch, crossing his legs.
"Her actions are not yours, nor are they a reflection of you. If anyone should be apologizing, it's me. For keeping my relationship with her from you."
Fitz smiles, shaking his head as he moves to the table next to the couch, fixing two glasses of scotch.
"I'll admit, the old me would've been pissed, but just because there's a great friendship between us doesn't mean I need to know everything right away." He hands a glass to Ryan, putting the lid back on the crystal decanter and taking a seat next to him.
"You would've told me eventually. I know that."
"I would have." He confirms, taking a sip of the scotch. "I didn't want you to find out that way, but it was the only way with the streak she was on."
"Hey, I don't blame you for the choice you made. You were able to handle the situation in a way that didn't intervene with the work we're doing together." He smiles, taking a small sip of scotch.
"I am still sorry, though."
"Why?" He raises a brow, tilting his head slightly to the left.
"Because you should've never been in this predicament. What Olivia did or attempted to do is inexcusable and unforgivable." His tone deepens.
"Fitz."
"It's your life, Ryan." His brows furrow. "You could've lost it due to Olivia going on a jealous and insecure rampage. How are you not affected by it?"
Ryan shrugs. "Because there's a bigger picture, Fitz. Feel how you want about Olivia's actions, but she is my sister and the woman you still love." He makes that clear.
"I may be indifferent about the situation because I don't know where she stands, but my issue was never with her. It was with Eli. He's the parasite, and I hope that after our heated discussion at QPA, Olivia finds a sense of self and freedom."
"That doesn't excuse her actions." Fitz retorts calmly, setting his glass on the table, "but you're right."
"As you said before . . . what she tried to do is inexcusable." He downs the rest of his scotch. "However, where there's a will . . ."
Fitz smiles. "There's a way."
"Exactly."
"So, now that the truth is out, what do you expect?" He raises a brow, leaning back against the couch, resting one foot over the thigh of the other. "Better yet, what do you want?"
"That's easy." He smiles. "I want Olivia to see that she's not alone."
X
She sits on a bench parallel to a water fountain in Central Park, legs crossed, hands cradled around a warm cup of tea. After her moment of truth, she's still a bit on edge. Although she has knowledge of the truth regarding her family, she figured being outside would help alleviate what she still feels.
She watches as children run around the fountain, laughing amongst each other. That elicits a warm smile as she takes a small sip of her tea. As she enjoys the children's youthful energy, one stands out: a doe-eyed, brown-skinned girl with curly black hair dressed as a princess throwing and catching a bouncy red ball, looking as happy as ever.
She knows she shouldn't stare, but she can't help it. In some strange way, the little girl's gracefulness as she plays amongst the other children reminds her of herself. Or what she used to be before her trip to the dark side. So fair, so free, it makes Olivia tear up.
She misses herself.
Olivia wipes her eyes, unnoticeable to those around her. Surprise takes over when the red bouncy ball rolls by her foot. She's so focused on the ball she doesn't see the little girl standing before her until she looks up.
"Hi." She smiles, picking up the ball with her left hand. "Is this yours by any chance?"
The little girl nods, swaying back and forth with a nervous smile.
She holds the ball out to her. "Here you go."
The little girl steps closer and takes the ball. "Thank you. I don't know how many times I let this get away from me today."
Olivia chuckles. "Sometimes, it can be a good thing."
"Really?" She winces. "Why?"
"Well, sometimes, it's okay to let things go between you and I. Leads to better things." She smiles, her words mirroring her inner thoughts.
"So, wait. If I let my ball go, what better do I get?"
She chuckles. "A better ball."
The little girl's face lights up. "Wow. I should've let this ball go ages a-"
"Olivia!" The little girl's mom calls out to her as she approaches them, attracting their attention. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Where have you been?"
"Sorry, mommy. I lost my ball, and this lady found it for me." She points at Olivia, who stands up, not wanting to be disrespectful.
The mother turns her attention to Olivia. "Thank you, I - wait. You're Olivia Pope."
Olivia nods, a smile manifesting on her features.
"Oh, my goodness, I'm such a huge fan of yours!" She exclaims, filled with exuberance. "As a black woman trying to make a name for herself, you're like the staple for all of us. I even named my little girl after you, and I have a son named Oliver, but he's over by the churro cart with his grandma."
That warms Olivia's heart as she glances down at Olivia and sees a smile on her face. She didn't realize her impact, but here she is, hearing it from a mother. Not a client, not someone with a political background from D.C. who she's had run-ins with, not her affiliates, just a mother doing the best she can for her and her children.
"I'm honored." She smiles. "I hope this isn't too much to ask, but can we hug?"
"Of course. I am always here to spread love to my fellow woman." She chuckles, stepping close to Olivia and pulling her into a warm hug which she reciprocates.
"Thank you. I never got your name."
"Alicia. Alicia Copeland."
"Thank you, Alicia."
"What did I do to deserve your thanks?" She asks, ending the hug and grabbing her daughter's hand, a smile on her face.
"You gave me everything I needed."
X
"Hey, Ry. Have you seen my tie?" Danny asks, making his way from the bedroom to the living room.
"I put it over the couch so I could tie it because you suck at tying them." He chuckles, walking from the kitchen with a glass of water.
"Please, I don't do that bad." He laughs, buttoning the last button on his shirt before slipping a hand around Ryan's waist, pulling him closer, "but you do it better."
"Mmm, I'm glad you're aware." He smiles, putting his glass on the end table beside them and grabbing the tie. "Busy day today?" He begins to slowly and carefully tie the tie around Danny's neck.
"Yeah. Fitz is getting new security detail after the shooting incident. He wants to be ahead of the curve if something happens again. Wants me to lead."
"Makes sense." He smiles. "You're more than qualified."
"You think so?" He gently caresses Ryan's lower back.
"I do." He confirms with a nod, sincere with his words. He makes sure the tie is perfect before placing his hands on Danny's chest.
"You're strong, intelligent, brave, observant, kind, captivating . . ." His hands slowly rub down Danny's abdomen. "Not to mention, you're good. One of the best."
A smile manifests on Danny's face. "I didn't think you'd notice." His hands rubbing up Ryan's back.
"Funny." He chuckles, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "You'll do great. The president didn't make a mistake when he chose you."
Danny smiles against Ryan's lips. "I'm happy to have you by my side." He admits, sealing the small spaces between them. "You have no idea."
"You can tell me over dinner, but you have to get going. You have things to do, and I-"
There's a knock on the door, attracting their attention.
"Guess I'm going to get the door this time." He snickers as he goes to answer the door while Danny puts on his suit jacket.
Glancing out of the peephole, Ryan's brows furrow as he opens the door.
"Mom? Hi. What are you doing here?" His confused demeanor turns warm as he greets her with a hug.
"I just wanted to check on my son to ensure he's okay." She reciprocates the hug. "So, how are you?"
Danny approaches them before answering, wrapping an arm around Ryan's waist and pressing a longing kiss upon his cheek.
"I have to go, but I will call you later, okay?"
"Okay." He smiles. "Before you go, Danny, this is my mom, Maya. Mom, this is my boyfriend, Danny."
"Shit, I'm sorry." He apologizes, extending his free hand out to her. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Lewis."
"It's nice to meet you too, handsome." She smiles, shaking his hand, admiring him. "And please, call me Maya."
While Danny chuckles, Ryan scoffs at her compliment, knowing this was coming.
"Thank you, Maya. You've raised a wonderful son." He glances back at Ryan, shooting him a wink.
His words make her smile, but she doesn't want to give him the impression that she already likes him, so she plays it cool.
"You seem to be making him happy, but I'm not too sure yet." Her gaze narrows. "I need to feel you out."
Ryan folds his arms across his chest. "Mom."
"It's fine, Ry. She's right." Danny assures, shifting his gaze to Maya. "I haven't had a chance to have a conversation with you, so now that we've officially met, would you be open to having dinner with us?"
"I would love to." She smiles. "I'll have Ryan give you the details on when we can make that happen."
"Perfect. Until then, Ry, I'll be seeing you later, and Maya, I'll be seeing you soon."
"Okay." They say simultaneously as he disappears on the opening elevator.
"Come in, mom." He moves out of the doorway, allowing her to walk inside.
"So, this is where you live?" She sets her bag down on the chair and moves to sit on the couch, crossing her legs as she looks around.
"Yes." He closes the door behind him, sitting on the edge of the chair, crossing his legs and folding his arms in his lap. "You like it?"
"I do. It fits you perfectly." She smiles, reverting her attention to him. "So, how are you, Ryan?"
"I'm good." He confirms with a nod. "I'm happy the truth is out now. What happens next is up to her, but she saw what I needed her to see."
"That's good. What would you like Olivia to do with the information you presented to her?"
"I want her to see that she's not alone. I can imagine that being awkward at first since she spent a lot of time hating me for reasons I couldn't control, but I am here for her." He assures.
"She doesn't have anyone else."
"This is the man I raised you to be." She smiles, placing a hand on his knee. "I think you having a relationship with your sister is all I've ever wanted for you because you two are so similar and yet so different."
"I can see why you'd say that." He chuckles, "I'm more than open to that. The daughter you used to raise is still somewhere in there." He places a hand over hers.
"However, it's no longer up to us. We have to wait and see for the ball is in her court."
"I am lucky to have a son as good as you." She gives his hand a gentle squeeze. "You never cease to amaze me, and I hope that one day, I can see you and Olivia together as one. Could you imagine how good that would be? How powerful you'd be by each other's side?"
"I'm already enough on my own, so I can imagine how things would be if she and I were by each other's side." He chuckles. "They wouldn't be able to take us."
"Chile, they can barely take you." She laughs, causing him to laugh as well.
"That's true." He shakes his head as they continue to laugh, relishing the moment.
"Indeed, it is. Although we may lose our way sometimes, it's always been in our bloodline to double back and be the best version of ourselves we can be."
"Exactly." He agrees. "There is no ceiling to our growth."
"Which is why those who are against us will lose."
X
After an eventful day out, Olivia enters her hotel room, setting her bag on the dresser. She steps out of her heels and closes the door behind her. As she makes her way to the bed she so desperately craves right now, she removes her jacket and tosses it into the lone chair in the corner opposite the mirror.
She crawls onto the bed with a soft exhale and curls up in its center, pulling her phone from her pocket. She stares at it like some unknown object, but that's because she's afraid. Afraid of what will happen if she turns it on— afraid to rejoin the society she left.
But she takes a step.
Turning the phone back on, she's met with over twenty missed calls from Mellie, less than fifteen from her father, two from the hospital regarding Jake's condition, and none from anyone else, but she smiles to herself because, for once, she's taking time for herself. Everyone's always in need, and she's always there, but now that the tables have turned, it's quiet.
But she doesn't care. She loves the silence.
Setting her phone down, she sprawls out on the bed and closes her eyes. For once, her mind is clear. No stresses, nothing is weighing her down, just peace and quiet. That turns out to be short-lived because her phone begins to vibrate. With her eyes slowly opening, she grabs it and looks to see who's calling.
It's Maya. Her mother.
With a smile manifesting on her features, she answers it quickly.
"Hello, mom."
"Hello, Olivia." Her voice is soft in tone.
"You're calling me." She's surprised, sitting in bed, bringing her knees to her chest.
"I wanted to see how you were doing and answer any questions you may have. It would be wrong of me not to."
Olivia is relieved. She didn't expect a call from her mom, but here they were on the phone. She has many questions, but she hopes she gets the truth.
"Is it true? Is Ryan my brother?"
"It's true." She confirms. "You share me as a mother, but you have different fathers. Eli being yours and Donovan being his."
Olivia smiles. It now makes sense as to how Ryan is so free. He didn't have any adverse influences around him.
"Is he younger or older?"
Maya chuckles. "Believe it or not, you're older."
"Really?" She asks, raising a brow.
"Hard to believe, right?"
"Yes." She chuckles. "Do you think he hates me?"
The question causes the call to go silent for a moment.
"I don't think he does, but that's something you'll have to ask him if you want answers, Liv."
"Okay. Why didn't my dad tell me this?"
"Because he doesn't want to lose you to someone good. It's why he never cared for you and Fitz's relationship. It's why he saw Fitz as your weakness."
Her heart flutters at the mention of Fitz's name, but she doesn't get lost in what that makes her feel right now.
"He's afraid of Ryan . . . my dad."
"He is. He pretends to be the big bad wolf when he's a little pig scurrying to build his perfect home. Too bad perfection doesn't exist."
Olivia snickers. "Ryan is perfection."
"Ryan's perfection comes from his confidence he took years to build. He's just as flawed as us, but that's why I love him and you. You're perfect to me in every way, Olivia. Always have been." She admits.
"I never wanted to leave you."
"I understand that now."
"You do?"
"I do. As you call him, Eli isn't the best for me, but he was the only family I had because he painted this picture that you abandoned me and that he was all I had. However, having this conversation with you now, I can tell that you would've been here for me had it not been for him."
Maya smiles, Olivia's words warming her heart. "Had I raised you, you would've been right along with your brother. Free from his toxic ass behavior."
Olivia laughs. "Maybe then I wouldn't be so consumed with this idea of being so flawless for him. The pressure-"
"I am aware, Livvy, so I'm glad we talked. I never want you to feel like you must be someone or something you're not for anyone other than yourself. You get to choose your path. That's what I told Ryan growing up, and that's what I'm telling you now."
This conversation feels good. It feels right. Making amends and reconnecting with Maya was needed, and she sees that now. Based on this conversation, she sees the influence her mother could have on her life, which makes her happy.
"I'm sorry we didn't get the chance to talk before, mom."
"It's okay. Everything happens when it's meant. I'm sorry for not being there for you when I should've been."
"I forgive you." She smiles. "We have time to build our relationship now. I would love it if we-"
There's a call on the other line.
"Hold on, mom." She clicks over. "Olivia Pope."
"Hi, yes. My name is Monique Shaw, and I'm calling because I need your help, Ms. Pope. My daughter has gone missing, and no one's looking for her. I'm afraid she's-"
"Whatever, you don't say dead." She moves to the edge of the bed. "The last thing you need to think about is losing your daughter. She is alive, and I will find her. I can assure you. I promise."
It's wrong of her to promise this, seeing as she didn't plan on returning to work. Not to mention she has no one to help her, and she doesn't want to rely on the White House, but just like Monique's daughter, Olivia is still quite lost herself, so not only will this case help her find Monique's daughter, it may also help Olivia find herself.
"Meet me at Lafayette Square Park tomorrow at noon. Okay? We will find your daughter." She promises.
"Okay, thank you, Ms. Pope."
The call ends, and Olivia switches back over.
"Mom? Are you still here?"
"Of course, I am. Everything okay?"
"I got a work call about a missing daughter. I told her I'd help her."
"Then you help her." She smiles, although Olivia can't see.
"I want to . . . I'm going to, but I will need help, and right now, I don't have help. I'm by myself."
"You're never by yourself, Livvy. You know that. You're afraid, and that's okay, but you know what you must do. You can feel it in your gut. Take a leap of faith."
Her words wash over Olivia, bringing a smile to her face. She is afraid, but sometimes fear pushes people to do the unthinkable.
"Okay."
X
She stands outside his apartment door, wondering if he wants to see her. Since returning to D.C., he has been the only person on her mind. She's afraid that she may have pushed him too far, but Olivia doesn't have anyone else, and she doesn't want to do this or be alone. She's desperate.
She takes a few deep breaths with shaky hands to calm her nerves. How will he react when he sees her? Will he accept her? Will he forgive her? Will he agree to help her? All these questions are going through her mind, but she's here now, and there's no turning back. It's time to take a leap of faith.
Emitting a sigh, she knocks on the door and quickly folds her arms across her chest to protect herself if things go wrong. She looks around the hallway, her heart beating out of her chest as time slows. Her first instinct is to run and pretend she never came, but she wants this. She needs this.
The sound of the door unlocking attracts her attention. The door opens before she can adjust, and staring back at her is Ryan, bewilderment etched into his features. He's taken aback by her sudden appearance. However, that fades, and he stares at her with a raised brow.
"Hi, Ryan. I'm probably the last person you want to see, but I need your help."