xoxo
X
She stands at the edge of the land, relishing the sun rising on the horizon, dressed in her pajamas and an ivory Bottega Veneta contrast-panel belted trench coat. It's like a dream come true. It was an ever-changing blue, clouds shining like diamonds as the sun's radiant beams began to warm her slightly chilled skin as the brisk breeze blew through her hair.
She's relaxed, breathing evenly, hands upon her stomach as she now knows that the child growing inside her was made from her love for Fitz. She still must tell him, but it was better this way because it gave her time to process her emotions before anyone else. Nonetheless, she knows he'll be happy because it's something they both want.
This once scary predicament has now become something she's looking forward to; motherhood. She never thought this would be possible for her, let alone her and Fitz, especially with their rocky relationship road. But through every bumpy ride, there's always smooth sailing to lead them to their desired destination without doubts or regrets.
The brisk breeze chilled down her spine, causing her to fold her arms tightly across her chest. She knows she should get back to the house and to bed with Fitz's arms wrapped perfectly around her, but she can't seem to leave, not wanting to look away from the sunrise. So, she stays, but she's no longer alone. The serenity speaks to her.
Approaching her from a distance, Eli heaves a heavy sigh, not knowing what to expect when she realizes he's there. He's more afraid than anything. After some alone time, Eli realized it was time to start treating his daughter with respect, which he gave to a son that wasn't his flesh and blood— the care she deserved as his child and as a woman. And after seeing how she's changed, he regrets not doing it sooner.
Although she's enjoying her moment, she can feel that someone is around her, so she turns around only to be unimpressed but still somewhat shocked that her father is standing in front of her. However, she doesn't say a word as her gaze wanders over him. He looks terrible, but she can see the effort where he tried to make himself look presentable.
"Hello, Olivia." He says with a smile, tucking his hands in his coat pocket. "It's nice to see you."
She scoffs, brows furrowed. "What are you doing here? How did you know where I was?"
"I used B613, and I'm here because you aren't answering any of my calls, and I need to talk to you."
"So, you're command again?" She inquires, raising a brow. "And we don't have anything to talk about."
"No, I just used it to find you." He affirms. "That's all. And we have a lot to discuss. Starting with the fact that I haven't been the b-"
She raises a hand to stop him. "If you came all this way to apologize, you don't know me." She steps closer to him. "This is pathetic, Eli. I shouldn't be giving you the time of day. I should be inside, drinking hot chocolate and spending time with my real family, but I'm entertaining you."
The family comment hits him where it hurts, but he remains firm in his stance. He wasn't expecting this to be easy. He knows that if he wants her back in his life, he must earn her.
"You're still standing here because, believe it or not, you're curious about what I have to say, and no matter how much you dislike me or hate me, I am still your father." Jabbing a finger at her.
"There's always the benefit of the doubt when it comes to me."
She bursts into dramatic laughter, a hand clenching her stomach and the other covering her mouth. The audacity of Eli to come here and expect some kumbaya moment after the years of manipulation baffles her, and for once, she's in the position to treat him the same way.
"You are no father to me." She says, words venomous.
"You cared for Jake more than you cared for me, and now that he's dead, you feel you can waltz back into my life with some masquerade believing that you deserve my forgiveness when you don't. It doesn't work that way. Not anymore."
She's calm, but her words hurt him more than he's able to show. Had he been a normal father, this wouldn't be happening. He wouldn't feel like he's on his last rope, and she wouldn't feel the need to isolate him from her life. But this isn't a perfect world, and sometimes what someone may want the most, they can't have.
He attempted to ruin her, and now he's paying the price.
He glances towards the house with a heavy sigh, his foot tapping a cadence upon the grass as he catches a glimpse of everyone inside. Eli can't stand the sight of the smiles on their faces knowing that he must leave here with the last memory of his daughter being the one where he made her feel worthless because he couldn't stand the thought of her leaving.
But now, she's gone.
His gaze returns to her, and she's still as calm as she was when they started this conversation. There's no change in her stance, not a change in her demeanor. Nothing he said affected her in any way, and for once, he felt defeated. She's happy without him. Everyone is happy without him, which means he no longer has a place.
"Tell me something. Why am I undeserving of your forgiveness?"
"That's easy." She smiles. "You took everything that made me special and used it against me because it was beneficial for you. I was the warrior fighting all your battles so you could get to this place of unobtainable power only for you to take my sword and turn it against me, and I can't forgive you, but I also can't thank you enough."
His brows furrow. "Thank me?"
"Yes." She nods. "Had you not turned the sword against me, I would have never known that I needed to change. And now that I did, and I'm facing my demons head-on, conquering them one by one, there's no ceiling I can't reach." She focuses on the house.
"I have a wonderful mother, wonderful friends, the love of my life, and I now have a brother. We have a lot in common. So that I thank you for."
He doesn't know what to say. What can he say? Had he not been in his way, he could be a part of the life Olivia is now building for herself, but things are different now.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye, Olivia."
"It is." She smiles. "Goodbye, Eli." She places a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before making her way back to the house, newfound confidence in her walk.
"Take care."
With tears welling in his eyes, he watches her walk away before departing to his car. And in the distance, Huck watches Olivia and Eli go their separate ways before making his way inside the house.
X
"You know, the entire time we've been here, I have yet to spend time with you," Cyrus steps onto the front porch where Ryan sits, carrying two plates of food. He hands his friend a plate of food, pulling the door forward with his leg.
"How have you been?" He inquires.
"Thank you, Cy." He smiles, setting the plate on his lap. "I've been good. It feels surreal to have come this far, and I honestly have no regrets." He focuses his gaze on Cyrus.
"Everything that happened— happened for a reason, and it turns out it was all worth it. How are you?"
Cyrus sits next to Ryan, setting his plate on his lap and crossing his legs at the ankle.
"I'm peaceful. There aren't a million things running through my head for the first time, allowing me to focus on relaxing and enjoying some downtime." He smiles.
"But I am happy to hear you're in a good place after everything. You've experienced your fair share of bullshit and didn't let it change the person you are. That's a gift not too many people have."
"I agree." He chuckles, taking a piece of bacon to his mouth. "It was probably more than anyone could handle, but I wasn't raised to let anyone or anything affect me. However, my feathers were ruffled when they went after Danny, but he got me together."
Cyrus chuckles, taking a forkful of eggs to his mouth.
"The good thing about that is that he wasn't afraid." He smiles, glancing over at him. "That's something you need because when you fall back, you know he'll catch you and probably fight the fight for you if you let him."
"That's true." He smiles. "So, what does Cyrus Beene have on his agenda once this trip ends? Rushing to work at the foundation, or will you take a break? Explore other options."
"I think I will explore other options to see what else is out there." He says, taking a piece of bacon to his mouth. "I never really got the chance to see what else I liked because, at the time, I wanted to do what I'm doing now. However, I know that no matter what, I will be at the foundation, just not at this time. What about you?"
"I think that would be good for you. You've been in the White House for both of Fitz's terms and helped him when he started on the circuit. You deserve some alone time." He smiles, placing a hand on Cyrus's shoulder.
"And me? I think I'm going on vacation with Danny. He mentioned it to me the other day, and I could use some fun in the sun."
Cyrus grins, nodding as he listens to Ryan's words. He can tell his friend is in a good place, and that's all he wants for him.
"Do you think he's the one?" The question brings a smile to Ryan's face. "Danny."
"I do." He confirms with a nod, a faint blush rising to his cheeks. "I know he's the one."
"Cherish it. Not every day you come across someone that makes you shine even brighter than you already do." He smiles, placing his hand atop Ryan's. "Don't squander it for anything or anyone. Otherwise, you'll have me to deal with." He shoots him a playful wink.
Ryan snickers. "Trust me, that last thing I want to do is go against my good friend, Cyrus Beene."
"Good." He laughs. "I love you, and I am extremely happy for you, happier that you came back and even happier that you never stopped being a good friend."
"Thank you, Cyrus— so, so much." He smiles. "I love you too, but are you about to propose? Because I don't look the part." He jokes, taking another piece of bacon to his mouth.
Cyrus chuckles. "You know what they say. Love tends to happen when you're looking a mess."
Ryan bursts into laughter, as does Cyrus. "In that case, where's my damn ring?"
X
Knocking on Danny's door, Fitz tucks his hands in his pockets. Hearing the news that Danny planned to propose to Ryan inspired him, so he wanted to quickly chat with him to see where his head was with everything while also sharing his plan. With this being their last day in Vermont, it was either go big or go home.
The door opens, and standing on the other side is Danny. He smiles, moving out of the way to let Fitz in and closing the door behind him when he enters.
"Good morning. What brings you by so early?" He walks over to the bed, taking a seat on its edge. "Here to challenge me to another game of football?"
Good morning." He chuckles, moving over to the chair and taking a seat. "I am not here to challenge you to a game of football. I am here to see if you put any idea into how you're proposing."
"I did." He chuckles. "I want it to be as normal as possible because I know Ryan isn't the type of person to be impressed by the overextravagant."
Fitz snickers. "Same as Olivia."
"See, you get it." He chuckles. "So, I thought of asking him right outside in the front, away from everyone. No decorations, no music, no nothing. Just me talking to the man I love hoping he'll want to spend the rest of his life with me."
"I think that's perfect. That makes the moment much rawer and truer to who you both are." He smiles. "Then again, no matter what you did, I think it would suffice because you two love each other. And with that, you never have to think too hard."
"Yeah." He smiles, nodding. "You're right about that. Thank you."
Fitz grins. "It's what friends are for."
Danny leans back on the bed, using his elbows to prop him up, gaze narrowed.
"So, what's on your mind, Fitz?"
Heaving a heavy sigh, Fitz moves to his feet and walks over to the window before turning to face Danny, smiling buoyantly.
"You inspired me to make a gesture of my own."
"Really? How so?" He asks, raising his brows.
"Just the act of doing something because you love someone so much has always been a beautiful thing to me." He smiles. "That's something I've always lived by if I'm being quite honest."
"It's also how you ended up in a lot of trouble during your presidency." He laughs, as does Fitz. "However, I understand where you're coming from, man. So, what's the gesture I inspired you to make?"
Fitz smiles. "Well, I think I'm going to ask Olivia to marry me."
"Holy shit," Danny says, moving to his feet, mouth agape with incredulity. "Are you deadass?" He asks, making his way over to Fitz. "Don't play with me."
"I am very deadass." He laughs. "I think it's our time too, but don't worry, it won't overshadow your moment."
"That's amazing, man!" He exclaims, pulling Fitz into a hug. "None of that matters. What matters is that you're doing what will make you and Olivia happy in the long run."
Fitz reciprocates the hug, patting Danny on the back before pulling away, smiling.
"You don't think it's too soon, do you? Be honest."
"Who am I to say?" His shoulders rise and fall. "The heart wants what it wants, so who are you to deny it? That's how I see it with Ryan, and that's how you have to see it with Olivia. Sometimes we have to take a chance and gamble with everything in us. Sometimes it fails, but it is the most rewarding feeling you can ever feel when it doesn't."
"You're right." He huffs. "I think that I'm just afraid she'll say no."
"And, so what if she does?" He folds his arms across his chest. "Her saying no isn't the end of your relationship. Her saying no means you continue to do whatever you can to love and cherish her until she's ready to say yes."
Fitz sighs. "Is that what you would do?"
"I think that's what anyone who loved someone as much as you love Olivia would do."
Fitz is pleasantly surprised. All this time, Danny could give him good advice, which he never knew.
"You're right." He tucks his hands into his pockets. "Whether she says yes or no, I know that she will still be the love of my life, and I will be hers."
Danny smiles, placing a hand on Fitz's shoulder.
"And that, my friend, is what I call growth."
X
She makes her way to the bedroom walking as quickly as possible. After her run-in with her father, there's a sour taste in her mouth, although she handled it the best way possible. In some ways, she feels good. In other ways, it's bittersweet. However, she could feel it in her gut that saying goodbye to him was the only thing that would allow her to keep prospering.
There is no point in sacrificing all her hard work, rebuilding herself into the woman she is now, for someone who made her feel at her lowest, right?
She removes her jacket, becoming overheated as she thinks about Eli's audacity to show up at a place she deems sacred. Marcus walks in her direction, so she keeps it together, giving him a small smile before disappearing into her room and shutting the door. She leans against it as she drops her coat, taking deep breaths.
She didn't even notice Huck sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I can take care of your father for you if he's causing you trouble."
His voice startles Olivia, her eyes widening as her gaze lands on him.
"Huck? What are you – how did you know about that?"
"I was outside when he arrived. Saw you two talking." He rises to his feet, walking over to her. "Do you need me to?"
"No." She places her hands on his shoulders. "No more killing. He won't be bothering me anymore."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm – gonna be sick." She brushes past Huck, quickly making her way to the bathroom, lifting the lid of the porcelain bowl and vomiting into the toilet, slowly falling to her knees.
Huck, now filled with worry, follows behind her. When he sees her hunched over the toilet, he first fills a small cup with water before tending to her, pulling her hair back and kneeling beside her. She turns her face to him, eyes watering. That's when he puts it together.
"You're pregnant."
"Yes. Huck."
"Are you happy?"
She wipes her mouth with her arm and nods. "Yes."
"Good." He smiles, using his free hand to rub her back. "You'll be a great mom. Have you told Fitz yet?"
"Not yet." She sighs, shifting to sit beside the toilet, smiling at his words. "I plan on telling him tonight."
"He's going to be so happy." He says, elated. "Whatever you do, don't overthink it."
She snickers. "Have you met me? I'm good for doing that."
He chuckles, reaching up and grabbing the cup of water, handing it to her. She takes a sip rather quickly.
"True, but you have to try hard not to; otherwise, you'll drive yourself crazy well beforehand."
"Is this coming from your experience?"
"It is."
Silence ensues before they burst into laughter. It's a very peaceful moment, and she's glad to have spent it with Huck.
"I'll take your advice and apply it once I get off the floor and freshen up."
He smiles. "I'll leave you to it." He rises to his feet, making his way to the door.
"And Huck."
"Yeah?" He turns to face her, a smile upon his face.
"Thank you."
X
Standing outside in the front, Danny watches as an all-white 911 Carrera S Cabriolet Porsche pulls up to the house. After his conversation with Fitz, he figured that two people were missing; Maya and her husband Donovan, Ryan and Olivia's mom, and Ryan's dad.
He wouldn't allow them to miss a pivotal moment like the one he planned for Ryan and Fitz has in store for Olivia. And although Donovan isn't Olivia's father, he's more than happy for her and never once spoke negatively about her regression.
First, to get out of the car is Donovan dressed in a grey, tailored Thom Browne striped two-piece suit and tie with a pair of dark brown Prada Spazzalato leather monk-strap shoes. He closes his door and walks over to the passenger's side, flashing his award-winning smile at Danny as he opens the door for Maya.
Taking Donovan's hand, Maya steps out of the car dressed in an all-white Dolce & Gabbana satin midi dress and yellow sunflower-embroidered point-toe mesh pumps from the same designer. Her hair is long and draped over her right shoulder as usual. Donovan closes the door behind her before they make their way over to Danny.
With a delighted smile, he greets Maya with a warm, welcoming hug and a kiss on her cheek before greeting Donovan with a firm handshake into a hug.
"How was the drive up here?" He asks, tucking his hands into his pockets. "I can imagine it being very long."
"Chile, we flew here the moment you called us." Maya chuckles. "Vermont isn't that far if you fly private."
Danny chuckles. "Makes sense. I'm thrilled you two could make it."
"We're glad to come, although we're not sure why we're here," Donovan says, snaking a hand around Maya's waist. "Did something happen?"
"No, nothing happened at all." He smiles, pulling out a small black box from his pocket. "I called you here because I planned on proposing to your wonderful son tonight, but I wanted to get your blessing before I did."
Both Maya and Donovan's eyes widen, glancing at one another and then at Danny.
"Are you sure you're ready for this, son?" Donovan asks. "This is a huge step, and I don't want this to be one of them impulse moments that can lead to either you or our son getting hurt."
"I don't think this is an impulse decision, D." Maya murmurs, gaze wandering over Danny. She can see the confidence in his eyes, and based on their conversation; she knows he's ready. He has to convince Donovan.
"I think he's ready."
A hum sounds off as Donovan folds his arms across his chest.
"What makes you ready, Mr. Ford?"
"It may sound cliché, but he makes me the happiest I've ever been. When I wake up next to him every day, I know I want to spend the rest of my life with him. He's intelligent, funny, caring, inviting, warm and human. He's also gorgeous and handsome, but that goes without saying." He smiles, stern in his demeanor.
"Who he is to the world can't compare to the man he is behind closed doors. I love him, sir. I know that. I feel that. And nothing can deter me from spending my life with him for as long as he'll have me, which I hope is forever." He quickly wipes the tears welling in his eyes.
"This relationship isn't a game to me."
Donovan pulls Danny in and hugs him tightly. He's beyond pleased with the man's answer. His son is one of the most important people in his life besides his wife Maya, and as a father, it's his job to make sure he's in good company, and based on what Danny told him, he can see that Ryan will be more than okay.
"You have my blessing, Danny." He smiles. "I think you'd make a great addition to this family."
Maya smiles, placing a hand on Donovan and Danny's back.
"I told you this one was a keeper when I left the restaurant."
Donovan chuckles. "I see that for myself now." He releases the hug. "Thank you for being good to our son. It means the world that he's found a home in you."
Danny smiles, wiping his eyes. "I can assure you he'll always have a home in me."
"Good. Ryan needs that." Maya says, rubbing both of their backs. "You have my blessing, too, but you already knew that."
"That I did." He smiles, giving her another hug. "You guys want to see the ring?"
Donovan grins. "We'd love to, future son-in-law. But before that, are there any more surprises?"
Danny's thoughts drift to what Fitz told him as he fiddles with the black box in his hands.
"There is just one more surprise, but you can't say anything."
X
"Hi." Fitz enters the bedroom to see Olivia sitting on the bed, curled up in her white robe, watching the news. "How are you?" He asks, kicking off his shoes and making his way over to the bed, sitting on its edge.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"Hi." She smiles, moving over to him, pressing a kiss upon his lips, deciding to sit on his lap, his arms wrapping around her.
"I'm feeling good. How are you?"
"I'm good." He smiles. "I couldn't find you around the house, so I figured I'd come to where you like to spend most of your time."
"Smart man." She chuckles, resting her head on his shoulder. "My father came here."
The admittance takes him by surprise.
"What?' His brows furrow. "Your father? Eli? Was here? How the hell did he know where we were?"
"He used B613." A sigh. "I couldn't believe it either."
"What did he say? Are you okay? Did he try to-?"
"No." She places a hand on his back, rubbing slowly in circles to relax him. "He wanted to apologize for how he treated me, prioritizing Jake over his flesh and blood."
"And what happened?"
"He can't just waltz to Vermont and think that words will make up for everything I endured." She chuckles. "That's not how my life works anymore. I worked hard to get to where I am, and I don't plan on ruining that for one man, so I told him it would be our last time seeing each other."
He can't help but smile. Olivia's growth has been a journey worth watching, and he's proud to see her stand on her own two feet again without using anything or anyone as a crutch.
"I'm proud of you, Livvie." He presses a kiss to her temple, rubbing her side.
"You've always stood up to him somehow, but you put your foot down and stopped enabling his behavior this time. And I know you have to feel conflicted because regardless, he's still your father, but you did what was best for you. There were no outside sources, no one whispering in your ear, just you and your gut. Which is always how it should be."
She smiles, placing her free hand on his face. It feels good to know that those closest to her can see her growth because it hasn't been an easy road. It's been a road filled with potholes, cracks, and roadblocks, but she's where and how she wanted to feel.
Free.
"Do you always know what to say because you're a good man? Or are you just an outstanding politician?"
He snickers, pressing another kiss to her temple. "I think it's a little bit of both. Remember that you gave me the tools in my political arsenal to use as I see fit?"
"Looks like I've created a monster." She laughs, as does he, leaning in and resting her forehead on his chin. "I can't believe our vacation is over already."
"It doesn't have to be. We can stay here for a little while longer. There's no rush to get back to D.C. now that I'm no longer president."
The idea entices her. "And we can do whatever we want."
"We can, but that also means you can do whatever you want." He smiles against her forehead. "For it's only the beginning."
It's true. This step is the restart of a hectic life. There are no ceilings to her growth or hopes or dreams she can't reach. Not anymore. She's free from the hindrances keeping her back from reaching her true potential. She's found her light. Not only within the people she loves the most but, more importantly, herself.
"I love you, Fitz." She smiles. "Had we not crossed that line, this wouldn't be possible. I am grateful for every moment we have shared, whether bad or good, because I learned a lot about you and myself." She readjusts herself on his lap to stare into his ocean blues, combing a hand through his thick curls.
"I am fulfilled with our journey and can't wait to see where life takes us next."
He can't stop himself from smiling. This talk is more than anything he could ever ask for. The candidness, the honesty, the passion, he can feel all of that when he listens to Olivia speak.
"No regrets?" He inquires, moving a loose strand of hair from her face.
A chuckle. "None. I don't live with regrets. There's also something else that I don't regret."
"Really? And what's that, beautiful?"
"I'm-"
The sound of a knock on their door attracts their attention before she can even utter the two words he would love to hear.
"Going to answer that." She chuckles, sliding off his lap and making her way to the door. She opens it to see her mother standing on the other side. "Mom? What are you-? Hi."
"Hi, baby." She pulls her into a welcoming hug. "Danny called me here."
"He did? Why?"
"You'll see when the time comes. I don't want to ruin it for him." She chuckles, attention shifting to Fitz, who makes his way over to greet her with a hug.
"How are you, Fitz? Taking care of my Livvie?"
"I am." He smiles. "I'm glad you're here. Does that mean your husband is with you, too?"
"He is." She scoffs. "Watching some football game with Marcus, David, and Danny."
"That is right," Olivia murmurs. "It's football night." She turns her attention to Fitz. "Do we have popcorn here?"
"It's in the cabinet above the fridge." He smiles.
"Before you two join the others, I wondered if I could have a quick one-on-one with Mr. Grant." She raises a brow. "Is that okay, Livvie?"
Olivia glances over at Fitz, who smiles back at her.
"That's okay with me." She chuckles. "Just don't grill him too hard." She pinches his cheek before leaving the room as Maya enters, closing the door behind her.
"Is everything okay?" He's curious.
"Everything is wonderful." She smiles, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I just wanted you to know that you have my blessing if you plan to propose to my daughter tonight." His jaw drops, agape with incredulity.
"There isn't a man on this earth who loves her as much as you do."
"Wow, I wasn't expecting - you don't need to hear about how I feel about her?"
"Chile, no. Your actions have proven that to me. And I know there have been times when they've gotten you into trouble, but I can see why you did certain things and reacted certain ways." She chuckles.
"The only person that you have to explain your feelings to is Olivia Pope because she's who you're proving yourself to, not me."
He nods, opening his arms for a hug, which she gladly accepts.
"Thank you for allowing me to love your daughter." He murmurs. "And I know you told me you didn't need to hear why, but just know that she's my better half. I wouldn't trade the love I have for her for the world. She was there as a beacon of hope from the beginning, and although we strayed away, she never stopped being that for me." He smiles.
"She is the reason I was put on this earth, and she will be the reason behind my smile. So, thank you, Maya, for giving birth to someone so extraordinary."
"Imagine me doing the opposite." She laughs, as does he. "Do you have a ring?"
"I do." He nods, making his way over to his nightstand, opening the drawer and pulling out a little black box. "It's extraordinary, and I hope she likes it." He holds out the box to her.
She smiles, taking the box. "I know she will."
X
Dressed in a tailored, salmon Alexander McQueen wool-blend jacket and matching trousers with a pair of grey Jimmy Choo Penn suede and leather derby shoes, Ryan checks himself out in the mirror. Whatever Danny has in store, he wants to make sure he looks his best, fixing his sleek, side-parted wavy hair and putting on his diamond ring and necklace from Tiffany and Co.
His phone dings, attracting his attention. He walks over to the bed and unlocks it. Danny's message on the screen tells him to come outside for some surprise. Ryan responds with okay, love, and a blue heart emoji, tossing his phone on the bed. He rushes to the mirror, doing one more quick check before making his way to the door.
As soon as he opens it, he's startled by Fitz standing on the other side. He looks dapper in an all-black Prada single-breasted nylon-gabardine suit and Spazzalato-leather penny loafers from the same designer. There's a smile on his face.
"I'm sorry for scaring you." He chuckles, placing a hand on Ryan's shoulder. "You okay? You look nice. Where are you off to?"
"Startled?!" A hand clutches his chest. "You almost gave me a heart attack." He chuckles. "But thank you, so do you. I'm meeting Danny in the front for a surprise. What about you?"
Fitz grins. "Thank you. And I'm going to surprise your sister."
"Huh." He folds his arms across his chest. "Your surprise doesn't have anything to do with Danny's surprise?"
"No. Of course not." He smiles, playing coy, knowing what Danny's surprise is. "I have no clue about what Danny has planned for you. We're friends, but he doesn't tell me everything."
"So, you say." He chuckles, patting Fitz on the shoulder as he makes his way to the front. "I'm onto you, Fitzgerald, and whatever you have planned for my sister, make sure it's everything she could have ever imagined!"
Fitz's laugh echoes in the distance. "Will do!"
Ryan walks through the quiet living room, shaking his head with a smile. He's unsure of what's in store for him, making his nerves get the best of him as he closes in on the door. He's never felt such a way before, and he can tell by the hairs standing up on his arms and neck that this will be something worth everything.
As he approaches the glass doors, he sees Danny standing tall with his hands in his pockets. He's dressed in an all-white Balmain satin-collar single-breasted velvet blazer with matching satin trousers and Mike suede ankle boots from the same designer. The look is topped off with Tiffany and Co's Tiffany CT60 3-Hand 34mm watch. He looks confident.
Something about the way Danny looks is different. There's a distinct look in his eyes that Ryan can see from afar, and it washes over him, making his heart race. He's never been the type of man to be nervous, but here he is, watching instead of walking. He falls into this loop of whether he should or shouldn't, only to build himself up to see what the man has in store for him.
He clears his throat and departs from the house, exhaling as he gradually makes his way to Danny. With every step he takes, his heart palpitates harder, faster. He can feel an insane amount of fear washing over him, but when he gets close enough to see a look of gratification on Danny's face, he smiles, and all his fears wash away. If only the nerves would follow suit.
"Hey there, handsome." He places a hand on Danny's face, kissing his lips. "How are you?"
"Even better now." He smiles against Ryan's lips, hands moving to his hips. "You look amazing."
A faint blush rushes to Ryan's cheeks. "Says you." He peels back a little. "Is this your surprise? Because I must admit, I was expecting much more from you."
Danny chuckles. "Well, let me not waste any more time." He reaches into his blazer pocket, pulling out a little black box with Ryan's initials engraved on it, prompting tears to form in Ryan's eyes.
"Do you love me as much as you say you do?"
"Danny . . ." His gaze focuses on the box, folding his arms across his chest. "What are you-?"
"Do you love me as much as you say you do?" He asks again, his demeanor unwavering.
Wiping the tears from his eyes before they fall, Ryan nods to confirm.
"I love you more than I have ever loved anyone. You know this."
"I do." He bends down on one knee, opening the ring box and holding it towards Ryan. "Which is why I want you to do the honors of making me the happiest man on this earth because every day I've spent with you, I've realized that there's no one else. You surprised me when you first arrived at the White House and haven't stopped." He chuckles, as does Ryan.
"You have been a focal point of happiness since you agreed to take my arm in yours, and from that point on, I knew you were the man I wanted to be with." He clears his throat, trying to stop himself from crying.
"You are the most magical, intelligent, unstoppable, charismatic, funny, handsomely beautiful man I have ever encountered, and I love you with all my heart. You are my person. You are my drive. You are my reason, and I don't want to waste any more time."
Ryan sniffles, wiping his eyes. "I love you, too. But, if you want me to marry you, you have to ask me." He chuckles.
"Shit, you're right." He snickers, tears flowing down his cheeks as he removes the ring from the box. "Ryan Oliver Lewis, would you do me the honor and marry the hell out of me?"
Ryan smiles, leaning down and cupping Danny's face in his hands. His thumbs brush away his man's tears, and his lips find Danny's for a passionate kiss.
"I would love to marry you."
Danny doesn't hesitate to kiss Ryan again, spinning him in his arms. After setting Ryan down, he removes the ring from the box, torn between belief and disbelief that he got the man of his dreams. His heart is overwhelmed with exuberance as he takes Ryan's left hand into his own, sliding the ring onto his finger and gazing into his hazel eyes.
"I love you, Ryan Lewis."
"I love you, too, Danny Ford."
Danny wraps Ryan in his arms with an exuberant laugh, eliciting shrieks from excitement, peppering his face in kisses while spinning him around.
He said yes.
X
Having witnessed Ryan and Danny's moment from across the land to allow them the space and respect they deserve, the others cheer happily. With tears in their eyes, Abby, Cyrus, and Huck quickly wipe them as they make their way to the newly engaged couple. However, before Olivia can walk, Fitz grabs her hand and leads her in the opposite direction.
She's taken aback by the sudden action, but she doesn't put up a fight and wraps her arms tightly around his waist. She's curious to know where he's leading them and why now, but she doesn't question him not wanting to ruin the subtle beauty of the moment. She lifts her head with a smile, focusing her gaze on his.
"I can't believe they got married."
He chuckles. "That's harsh."
She playfully smacks his chest. "Not like that!" She laughs. "I mean, I can't believe they got married here. It was something I never saw coming."
"I knew the entire time." He laughs, pressing a kiss upon her lips. "He told me he was doing it the day you and Ryan caught us playing football."
"And you didn't tell me?"
"I didn't. If I had told you, there would've been a possibility that you would've mentioned it to Ryan." He chuckles. "I know how you two get when you get around one another. Nothing is off-limits."
"That's true." She snickers. "I would've been too excited."
"Exactly my point." He chuckles. "They deserve it. I've never seen two people so fitting for each other besides us."
"Yeah." She chuckles in agreement. "We're the pioneers of this love shit, aren't we?"
He smiles. "That we are, beautiful."
And beautiful she is. Olivia shines dressed in a black Mary Katrantzou Millais celestial-jacquard frill-sleeve dress and Gianvito Rossi Manhattan 70 patent-leather stiletto sandals. Her hair is straight, sleek, and dark, parted perfectly down the middle, and she compliments the look with a shimmering diamond choker and bracelet from Tiffany and Co.
"Always flattering me, Mr. Grant." She smiles. His compliments never cease to make her swoon for him. "So, can I ask where we're going? We've been walking for some time now."
He chuckles at her words, pulling her even closer to him, thumb caressing her side as he leads them to an overgrown willow tree on the opposite side of the land. He's never shown anyone this, and he wants her to be the first. Not only that, he's hoping this will be the moment Olivia Pope will become someone more than just his girlfriend.
"I just wanted to show you this tree." He smiles. "It's a willow tree. It's been growing for years now."
"What's so special about it?" She asks, focusing her gaze on the tree. It's beautiful. "Sorry if that sounded harsh."
"It didn't." He assures, removing himself from her as he walks to stand underneath it while she watches with her now folded arms.
"This tree has a maximum lifespan of seventy-five years, but according to history, this tree has been here for over a hundred years and counting. It's overgrown, but it looks just as beautiful as it was back then." He smiles, placing his hand on the tree before facing her.
"I fell in love with this tree, and this tree reminds me of you."
Her gaze narrows. "Are you calling me old, Fitzgerald?" She teases, chuckling.
"Not in the slightest." He smiles. "Has nothing to do with age and everything about how beautiful you are. No matter how bad or good the circumstance, you continue to grow. You've broken every mold that society has placed on women, and you're still standing, and that is one of the things I love about you most." He smiles, making his way back over to her.
"You're not like everyone else, and I don't expect you to be. Same as this tree."
"Where are you going with this, Fitz?" She raises a brow, curious, heart drumming against her chest. "Why are we here?"
"Because I love you." He says, unwavering. "Because every day I wake up, I never expect you to still be in love with me, yet here you are. I have learned only one thing this past year: I cannot exist without you. I cannot breathe without you. I'm not perfect, but I'm worth it, and I hope you see that in me as you listen to my words." He steps closer to her.
"All I want to do is make you happy, Olivia Pope. Where I end up in history doesn't matter, nor does my presidency. It's you, and it always has been you. I caused you pain. I made foolish decisions, I was childish, but in the end, you are and have always been the light at the end of the tunnel. I gave myself to this nation, but now, all I want to do is give myself you." He pulls a small gold box from his pocket, bending down on one knee.
"Fitz . . ." She murmurs, tears welling in her eyes. This gesture was something she never felt worthy of, but seeing Fitz on one knee, everything begins to fall in place. She's always been worth it.
"What is this?"
"This is me taking a chance." He opens the box, revealing a ring that shines brightly under the stars, which she examines.
"It's ancient, rare, one of a kind. It even has a name: Doux Bébé. It was my great grandmother's ring." He smiles. "Her father bought it from an auction in Paris. She wore it at her Debutante Ball. And at the time, I was supposed to give it to Mellie, but I didn't. It just didn't feel right, so I kept it, and now I know why." He smiles, watching as the emotions take over her.
"It's because I'm supposed to give it to you."
She swallows hard, hands trembling under her folded arms. She can't decide what she wants to focus on, Fitz's ocean blues or the ring. So, she focuses on both.
"Doux Bébé. That's its name?" She inquires, voice wavering, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"You can call it whatever you want. In English, Doux Bébé means sweet baby, so." He chuckles lightly.
"You want me to call a ring, sweet baby?" She chuckles, dropping her arms to her sides, fixing her gaze on his.
"I just want you to be happy. I want to be a reason that you're happy." He emits a soft yet wavering sigh. "So, will you marry me, Olivia Carolyn Pope?"
She takes a moment to think about it. Marriage was never supposed to be in the cards for her. Not Fitz, not her pregnancy, not her love for him, but here she is. No armor, no wall to keep the light at bay. Just him. Fitz is taking a chance on her, on them, and Olivia is too. And when she gazes into his ocean blues, welling with tears, she can see the ending of their movie for the first time, and it's extraordinary.
"Yes." She nods, excited. "I will marry you."
Fitz's world is spinning, and in the center is Olivia Pope. She said yes, which took him by surprise. He rises to his feet, cupping her face in his hands. He takes a moment to admire her before kissing her with a feverish passion, feeling his tears like streams down his cheeks. He removes his hands and opens the box, retrieving the ring. With a smile, peeling away from the kiss, he takes Olivia's left hand in his own and slides the ring onto her finger, gazing into her browns.
"I love you with my entire heart, Olivia Pope." He murmurs against her lips, feeling her hands cup his face. "Thank you for making me the happiest man I could ever be."
"No." She peels back a bit, focusing on his stare. "Thank you for making me the happiest woman I could ever be, and I love you, too." She grins, cheeks flushed with red.
Wasting no time, Fitz wraps her tightly in his arms and lifts her off the ground, kissing her.
He can't believe it. Olivia said yes.
X
Back at the house, the group collectively celebrates Ryan and Olivia's engagements with a bottle of overpriced champagne, dramatic laughter, and tons of inaudible words from Abby, Cyrus, and Huck as they're still going through the motions of the sibling's surprises. It's a moment no one saw coming: a double engagement on their last night in Vermont.
"So, now that both of you are engaged, what's the next step?" Marcus asks, pointing at Danny first. "Starting with you. Go."
Danny chuckles. "One word and one word only. Vacation."
"Fitz?" Cyrus asks, emitting a heavy sigh as he finally calms himself. "What about you?"
Fitz smiles, taking a small sip of champagne. "I think Liv and I will stay here in Vermont. Take some much-needed time off."
"Nice. You could use some time off." Huck says with a chuckle. "What will you do when you come back, Liv? Run another campaign? Go back to QPA? Work with Fitz and the others at the foundation?"
"I honestly haven't decided." She smiles, resting her head on Fitz's shoulder. "There are so many possibilities. I might try something different."
"Different could be good," Abby assures with a smile. "What about you, Ryan?"
Ryan smiles, folding his arms across his chest. "I'll be taking some time off to enjoy my engagement. No distractions."
"Where to?" Fitz asks, raising a brow. "Anywhere in particular?"
"Somewhere hot," Danny answers in laughter, causing everyone else to laugh. "I have some ideas in mind, but I'm keeping it a surprise."
"Surprises are a lot of fun," Quinn smiles.
Olivia chuckles. "I think that's something we all can agree on."
"I know you, of all people, didn't just say that," Maya walks over to Olivia. "You never liked surprises, Livvie." She laughs.
Everyone snickers.
"Hey!" She exclaims in laughter. "I'm warming up to them!"
Ryan confirms with a nod. "It's true."
"Well, I'll let you have this one." Maya chuckles. "But, would it be okay if I speak to you and Ryan privately?"
"Yeah. That's fine with me." Olivia nods. "Ry?" She turns her attention to him.
"Yeah." He smiles, pressing a kiss upon Danny's lips before making his way to the backyard, with Olivia and Maya following suit.
Once outside, Maya closes the door behind her and immediately pulls Olivia and Ryan into a hug.
"I am so proud of you two." She's sincere. "My babies have come so far, but remember, this is only the beginning." Her gaze drifts from Ryan to Olivia. "Cherish every moment you have with them because you never know what tomorrow may hold."
"We will," Olivia assures with a smile.
"Of course, we will," Ryan says in agreement.
Maya smiles, tears welling in her eyes. This moment is everything.
"I'm so happy I was able to experience this moment with you two. You have no idea how happy this makes me. The two of you got engaged at the same damn time. That's something you don't see every day, and it's sure as hell something I didn't expect, especially for you, Olivia."
Olivia's brows furrow as Ryan turns his attention to her.
"And that's not a diss to you, Livvie," Maya assures. "You were never the type to want this life. Not this soon, that is, but to see you here, taking a chance because it makes you happy, is all I ever wanted for you." She smiles, as do Ryan and Olivia. The latter's eyes welled with tears.
"The best parts of you are finally coming to the surface. And no matter what that bastard Eli told you, know that I always wanted you to be the best version of you, no matter your missteps, no matter your choices. And, I love you very much." She quickly wipes the tears from her eyes. "Both of you." Her gaze drifts to Ryan and then back to Olivia.
"We love you, too, mom." Olivia and Ryan say simultaneously, pulling Maya in for another tight hug.
Who would've thought that Olivia would've found her real family at the end of all this? It's kind of surreal. Everything she prided herself against because of time or circumstance has come full circle to this moment, and she's incredibly proud of herself.
"Now . . ." Maya sniffles, chuckling afterward. "Show me the rings. Mama needs to see if my babies are getting what they deserve."
Olivia and Ryan chuckle, wiping their eyes and extending their left arms. Maya takes their hands in hers, admiring the beauty of the rings.
On Olivia's hand, she's wearing a gold; Diamond-Encrusted Infinity Ring. It's beautiful, and the way it shines let's her know that Fitz took his time to make sure this ring was made for her. The shape of the ring itself makes her feel that Olivia and Fitz's love is forever. No matter what.
On Ryan's hand, he's wearing a platinum, Radiant Cut Diamond Eternity Ring. Just like Olivia's, it's beautiful. It lets her know that Danny is in it for the long run and that he'll love and care for Ryan no matter what. It was made for him, and she can tell their love knows no bounds.
"They're beautiful. Perfect." She nods, smiling, delighted. She's quick to wipe the tears from her cheek. "Just promise me something."
"Anything," Ryan says, wiping his eyes and wrapping his free arm around Olivia's arm.
"Promise me that no matter how deep you get into your respective relationships, you'll always remain true to who you are."
Ryan smiles. "You know you don't have to worry about that. I promise."
Olivia chuckles. "I promise, too. I love who I am now. I don't want to hide that."
"Good." Maya grins. "And one more thing."
Ryan's brows furrow. "What is it?"
"Anything, mom," Olivia smiles.
Maya chuckles, cupping Olivia's face in her hands. "I know this glow anywhere, so what are you waiting for, honey? Tell that man you're pregnant."
X
He walks through the house's halls with long, decisive steps, making his way to the bedroom hastily. He received what appeared to be an emergency text message from Olivia that stated she needed to talk to him alone and that she'll be waiting in the bedroom.
He isn't sure of what it could be, seeing as everything between them has been nothing but paradise, so he's indeed nervous. Clenching his jaw, he exhales as he reaches the door but doesn't go in. He counts to three before entering the room and closing the door behind him.
His gaze fixes on Olivia, who sits on the edge of the bed, legs crossed, arms folded in her lap. She can see the worry on Fitz's face, so to alleviate that, she flashes a smile to let him know this isn't anything terrible.
The gesture still doesn't help him, but it's nice to see her smile.
"Are you okay?" He asks, walking over to her. "Your message seemed urgent."
"Because it is urgent." She chuckles. "But it's nothing, or I hope it's nothing bad when I tell you."
He folds his arms across his chest. "What is it? Any more suspense, and my heart will burst out of my chest."
She chuckles, rising to her feet. She gazes into Fitz's ocean blues, placing a hand upon his face feeling the tension leave his body from her touch.
"I love you more than life itself. I've proven time and time again regardless of how I went about it." She smiles. "It was always you. All roads lead to you." Jabbing a finger at him, thumb caressing his cheek.
"So, what I'm about to tell you isn't something that will hurt either of us. What I'm about to tell you calls for celebration." She removes herself from his orbit and goes over to her nightstand. Opening the drawer, she pulls out a somewhat long black box and walks over to him, holding the box out to Fitz.
"Let this alleviate the stress you felt when you received my text message."
With his eyes locked on hers, he tries to find some sense of doubt, something wavering inside of her, but he can't, and although that pleases him like never before, he still doesn't know what to expect. He takes the box from her with a small smile, watching as she folds her arms across her chest. She's impossible to read, which is always something that both intrigued and frightened him, but he trusts her words.
He opens the box with a sharp exhale, and inside lies a pregnancy test. His eyes begin to well with tears as he takes it from the box, quickly wiping the tears from his eyes so that he can properly read it. His emotions run amok, and his heart is so loud he can barely hear himself think. He's always wanted to start a family with her, and this is the beginning of that,
His teary gaze returns to hers, and all she does is smile. She doesn't move; she doesn't speak; she doesn't even cry because it's a celebration. It is a celebration of the life they created together and the life that's growing inside her. They are indeed in this together. He places the pregnancy test back in the box, holding it close to his heart, a sign that it means the world.
And before he can utter a word, she says two that will change their lives forever.
"I'm pregnant."