AN: Hi everyone! Thank you for all of your thoughts and nice comments about the first chapter. I'm still getting used to this platform and not being able to reply to everyone's comments, but I really appreciate them all. I did want to note one thing- someone asked why Olivia would need to "navigate" her sexuality when she's committed and happy with Fitz. I completely get that! For me (as a bisexual person), accepting your sexuality is a whole process of learning and loving yourself better, not necessarily just exploring dating other people/ different genders. In this series, I would love to dive into some moments where Olivia has to confront some of that process (like actually face the fact that she let someone she loved walk away to preserve her own image)! Just my thoughts! Let me know what you think! For now, enjoy this next chapter!

The silence is immediately overwhelming. She can hear Teddy's finger tapping away at the screen of his tablet, blissfully unaware of the conversation going on, his face annoyingly close to the screen and his bright blue headphones secured on his head. He's sat on the floor in the corner of the room, and Karen is glad that he's in his own world for now.

She wants him to know, someday, but he's only six, and thankfully has yet to endure as many tense family discussions (read: screaming matches) as she has; she's okay with keeping him in the dark right now.

The limited furniture of Karen's college apartment makes the set-up that much more awkward—Liv sat in the middle of Mellie and Fitz on the plush, grey fabric sofa, tucked as closely into Fitz's side as possible and holding his hand, trying to keep him anchored—in check. Karen sits on the other side of him, curled up by herself in an olive-green armchair.

She looks so small like this, Olivia thinks to herself, watching in agony as Karen fidgets with the frayed holes at the knees of her jeans. She's never had one of these moments—not with her parents or grandparents or even trusted friends—but has considered it enough to imagine just what Karen is thinking.

The anxiety rushing through her must be immense, considering every word, every insult that could be hurled toward her once she tells them.

Mellie had arrived only a few minutes prior, scooping Karen up into a hug while still on the phone with her Chief of Staff. Before she could get swept up into another call, Karen quickly alerted everyone that she needed to talk, which led them to here, all of them huddled around the cramped living room.

"So, what's up, sweetheart?" Fitz starts, breaking the tension, sensing from Olivia's grip on him that she already knows what's going on. That fact makes him simultaneously anxious and comforted that Karen felt willing to confide whatever this is in his girlfriend… but not him.

Karen takes a deep breath and locks eyes with Liv who gives her a reassuring smile and nod. A silent you can do this.

"I have something I want to tell you all…I—uh—I wrote it down if you don't mind me reading it." The lack of response gives her the go-ahead as she reaches into her back pocket and opens the Notes app on her phone. Before she can talk herself out of it, she's reading.

"Dear Mom and Dad,

"First, I want to express my love and gratitude to both of you. The last several years have been anything but easy, but with time and perspective, I've come to realize just how lucky I am to be supported by you two. The opportunities and love I've been given, even when I didn't deserve them, I will always cherish. I want you to know that the words I'm about to share are not meant to hurt either of you, but rather to be open and honest about an important part of who I am.

"I am bisexual. While I'm at it, I should tell you that I also have a girlfriend. This has become a crucial part of who I am that I've kept hidden for far too long. Today, I hope, is a step toward self-acceptance and an opportunity for me to live an authentic life, with the person that I love.

"While I haven't often acknowledged it, I know the importance of the Grant image. I know how important it is to both of you, and while I've started to understand the legacy attached to our name, it has also instilled in me a deep fear of disappointing you both. I also understand the potential backlash our family may face as a result of my coming out. And for that, I am truly sorry.

"But Mom…Dad," she continues, her voice starting to break while stealing a quick glance up at their stoic faces. "I cannot continue to deny my own happiness or pretend I am someone that I am not anymore. Keeping this secret has taken a toll on my mental health and as I enter this new phase of my life, I don't want this weight of secrecy to have a grip on me anymore. I believe that being honest with you both, with myself, is essential to maintain the healthy relationships we've finally built with each other. Not sharing this with you made me feel like all of the progress we've made would have been for nothing.

"I think about the years that we spent hiding so many secrets as a family, more than most people do. After Jerry died, I started to realize how all of this—the lies, the hiding, the forced images that we portray—are so full of shit. And I've tried. I've tried to hide and pretend, but the more that I do, the falser it feels. I'm not promised tomorrow, just like Jerry wasn't, and I can't waste any more time being someone I'm not.

"So today, I'm here, fucking terrified yet hopeful, ready to embark on a new chapter of my life where love and truth are at the forefront. I am proud to be your daughter. I am proud to be a Grant. And I'm proud to be me.

"I don't know what the future will hold, and I know it may take you a while to process this information. Please know that I want to hear your concerns and answer your questions. I love you both, Karen."

As she finishes her meticulously planned speech that she stayed up until 3:30 AM finishing the night before, Karen realizes her hands are shaking so she quickly drops them into her lap and pulls her knees into her chest, hiding for whatever comes next.

Then, she sees Olivia's face.

Damn, the pregnancy hormones. Tears stream down Olivia's cheeks, silent, panting breaths causing her shoulders to shake. Somehow in this moment, she sees Karen… but she also sees herself… and even crazier, she sees her daughter.

Afraid. Shaking. Wanting nothing more than to let someone in.

She sees Karen, willing to step into the fire and come out the other side stronger. But then she sees herself, cowering away from doing the same when she had the chance. Then, she sees the face of her unborn daughter and, in that moment, makes a vow to never make her child do this. Never make her feel this terrified to be herself in the face of those who love her, regardless of whoever she ends up being.

Liv locks eyes with Karen, nodding at her again. You did so good. I'm so proud of you.

A sniffle from Olivia's left breaks their revelry, and she glances up to see Fitz's face also stricken with tears. In a millisecond, he stands up, and just as she thinks he's about to turn and walk out of the room, she watches him step toward Karen.

"Come 'ere, Bear," he whispers, his voice thick and groggy as he opens his arms. She stands up and is instantly wrapped up in a hug. She doesn't realize she's sobbing until she hears him soothing her. "Shhh, it's okay. You're okay…"

She feels a smaller hand rest between her shoulder blades. "Karen, baby. It's gonna be okay… Shhh," Mellie comforts behind her. They switch places so that she can hug her mom too, and suddenly Olivia feels very much out of place.

Staying seated on the couch, she watches the scene before her for a few more seconds. Watching as they exchange embraces and quick reassurances: we'll figure it out, don't worry, we love you. Liv finally excuses herself from the room—later, she'll blame it on her current need to pee every five minutes, but really, she just feels like an intruder and wants to give them privacy.

She's not entitled to those moments—they are not for her. Those private family moments of joy or sadness or hardship have never been for her, and she's often run from them in the past, as she is doing now, hiding in Karen's little apartment bathroom.

She is not a Grant, but at the same time, she's really starting to feel like one which is confusing and scary altogether. And for the first time, with her fingertips tracing circles around her swollen tummy, Olivia realizes that maybe she wants to be a Grant. Maybe she wants to be a family.

Thirty minutes later, the tears are dried up and Olivia emerges from hiding, and the more difficult conversations come.

How long have you been dating this girl? From Fitz.

Why didn't you tell us sooner? From Mellie.

Who all knows? From Fitz.

Are you're sure you're bi, because baby, being gay is okay too… From Mellie.

Can I have a snack? From Teddy.

Are you wanting to go public with it? Right now? From Mellie.

Did you know, Liv? From Fitz.

Olivia lets Karen lead the way, answering question after question, until they've all but exhausted every topic. Aside from a few implications of "don't ask, don't tell" and a snide comment about it being "a phase"—which was quickly shut down—everything went surprisingly okay.

Mellie eventually apologizes, needing to take some scheduled conference calls in a few minutes, prompting the conversation to halt for the time being, until family dinner later that evening. With final hugs and a whispered thank you to Olivia, Karen tells them all good-bye before shutting the door to her flat.

She lets out a sigh of relief and a quick, surprised sob before opening her phone and dialing the first number on her screen.

"Kay, baby, I did it."

"Are you sure you're okay, Fitz? You know it's okay to still have questions. I know you're concerned for her."

Liv has been trying to press him all night since they left the restaurant where they all had dinner together, one last celebration before the big day tomorrow. He's been more quiet than usual, which means she knows he's thinking, and he knows she's going to make him talk.

It's a new dynamic of their relationship—talking.

Fitz crosses the room, now dawning his undershirt and boxers, crawling onto the bed to lay down with her finally. He captures her lips in a sweet kiss, the smacking of their lips loud in the quiet hotel room. His hands immediately start to roam her body, tracing the lacy edges of the soft white bralette and panty set she has on.

Having a furnace strapped to her stomach has made her choice of night-time outfits limited, and while she picked this pair out tonight to stay cool, she doesn't mind the feeling of his fingers all over her naked skin.

Their kisses quickly become heated, his tongue tracing along her bottom lip begging for entrance. She opens willingly to him and as his tongue sweeps over hers, his hands continue tracing her skin, up her thighs, over the tight skin of her round belly, cupping her full breasts. His thumbs brush over her nipples through the delicate lace concealing them, their heightened sensitivity lately causing shivers to cascade through her at the slightest touch.

She pants and moans into his kisses and feels her arousal seep onto her panties, dampening them—that's when she realizes just what he's doing.

And while she's willing to give him comfort sex, willing to let him get out of his head for a little bit, she knows he needs to talk tonight. He needs her to make him talk this out.

So, frustratingly, she pushes him away—really, she's 26 weeks pregnant… she should get an award for the strength needed to push this man away—and makes him look into her eyes. He knows why she's stopped him, and as terrible as it feels to stop, he's thankful for her ability to center him.

Fitz flops back into the fluffy pillows, helping her turn on her side to cuddle up with him, her belly resting against his hip, her head against his chest. She stays silent, knowing he's thinking.

"I am worried for her… Not because she's bi, but more like—I don't know—I guess I'm worried for the response she's going to get. I feel like no matter how supportive Mellie or I are, we still cannot shield her from it, and as her parent, that feels terrifying," he explains, squeezing her in tighter to himself as he talks. Olivia listens and hums at the right times to let him know that she hears his concerns but doesn't offer anything more until he continues. "It's also like…how did I not know? I didn't have any idea! She's talked about boys all her life, had boyfriends…Even now, after everything, I feel like I've worked hard to know her, but I still couldn't see that—" He pauses. "I couldn't see that she was hiding a part of herself. And that makes me feel like shit."

The rhythmic stroking of Olivia's thumb across his sternum pauses, and she catches his eyes again. "Fitz… You didn't know because she wasn't ready for you to know. It's an incredibly intimate thing, letting people in like that. Sexuality is complex and it's different for everyone… We want it to be easy—clear-cut, black and white—but it's not. In a lot of ways, we see what we want to see, and like it or not, what you saw for Karen before today was the image you wanted for her. A heterosexual, uncomplicated, cookie-cutter life."

"But—I want her to be happy, I always have! Just because I wanted her to have an easy life, an easy relationship, doesn't make me a bigot… I wanted her to have what I didn't…" His voice is shaky, his ears tinged red in embarrassment.

Liv cradles his cheek in her palm, trying to comfort him yet again. "Honey, I didn't say you were a bigot… I don't think you are one. I think we, of all people, know what it's like to love someone so uncontrollably, recklessly… so wholeheartedly that it almost blinds you from reality. You know what it feels like to try and push away the person you truly love. It leaves you worse off than that "perfect" illusion of a life you had before… Eh—I don't love equating her coming out with our…infidelity…but you get what I'm saying. If she picked the "easier path," don't you think she could end up exactly where you were ten years ago?"

"Mmm," he hums, kissing her palm still resting on his cheek. "I hadn't thought about it like that… Damn, it's like you're smart or something."

She rolls her eyes and laughs at his teasing before she goes on. "You and Mellie? You are scared for her, and I get that—I really do. But Karen? She's not scared of who she is. Sure, she was scared to tell you, but the fear that you are holding onto about the rest of her life? She doesn't have that, and in order to continue your relationship with her, you can't bring that feeling to her."

"I get that, and I don't want to be afraid for her… I mean, I want to meet her friend—" Liv shoots him a look and slight smack to the chest. "Her girlfriend, sorry… learning, here. God, see? I don't want to keep fucking it up. Like, that's probably why she told you and not me, right? She knew I wouldn't handle it well?"

She sighs, knowing they were destined to end up here. "No… I don't think so. First of all, she told me because I'm not her parent. My role in her life has been fairly unique… on an "as needed" basis, and in this moment, she needed advice. Secondly, coming out is fucking hard, and she wanted to know someone would be on her side. You can't fault her for not knowing how you would react, Fitz. It's not like you have really publicly supported LGBTQ causes or issues…"

"Woah, wait. My Chief of Staff for 7 years was gay! We even had a gay White House wedding. How is that not "publicly supporting"?" Fitz's expression almost makes her laugh, the incredulous look of a white man considering the implications of his actions for the first time.

"Yes… You supported Cyrus, but do you feel like you did anything to support the community itself? With all of the power you had, did you put pressure on Congress to pass Equal Protections laws? Your Supreme Court nominees… famously not the biggest champions of gay rights. Did you use any executive powers to codify same sex marriage? You did some great things in office, Fitz, but don't act like your quiet acceptance of an individual would count as public support."

As her words settle over him, the air becomes tense. It's been a while since she's been this straightforward with him, since they've had a reason to be at odds like this. He's never been great at accepting criticism, but when it comes to her, for some reason, he's still willing to listen.

"Ouch," he chuckles under his breath after a few moments. "I know you're right, but it's still a little hard to hear. So, if she's thinking those same things, how do I show her that I want to try? How do I make sure she knows that I will support her?"

"I don't know, baby. I mean, for me, I would want you to actively show up. I would want you to speak out on those issues, do what you can with the status that you've earned to make a difference. But, I'm not Karen. You need to ask her. Ask what she needs from you, and she will tell you."

She can feel him nodding his head in agreement, and they let a comfortable stillness fall over them. Her fingers trace little patterns and circles through the patch of coarse curls on his chest, and he resumes his favorite nighttime activity—caressing her bump while their baby jumps around inside her before settling down for the night.

These moments of quiet have become treasured by the both of them, especially as the days of talking out and sitting with their feelings have become more frequent. Having the opportunity to lay together, thinking, with the comfort of precious innocence between them, brings her more peace than she would have ever expected before this pregnancy.

She feels his lips rest on her forehead, warm and soft. If they hadn't been in the middle of a conversation, she might have already fallen asleep.

"What did you mean, 'for me'?" Fitz asks, finally breaking the silence.

"Hmm?" Her eyes are closed as she mumbles sleepily into his chest. It's been a long day.

"You said 'for me', Liv. 'For me, I would want you to show up.' We've never talked about this, but you know so much. Have you thought a lot about this?" His tone is curious, not hostile but calm and inquisitive, like he's trying to catch up with everything he's been behind in…all at once.

The question wakes her up. She could talk her way around it, sure. She could say she's Olivia Pope, and that fact alone makes her have to think about all kinds of scenarios. But her thoughts go back again to her unborn daughter. Of how she would want her to handle these questions. Of how she's tired of holding this back from him, even if it had been unintentional in the past.

Now, he's asking her, and she wants to tell him. So, she does. She tells him about why she's thought so much about this. She tells him about Mariah. About feeling unsure about her identity after so many years avoiding it. She tells him that she never wants him to doubt her love for him, that this doesn't change anything about how she feels about him.

She cries and tells him how proud she was of Karen for doing something she couldn't all those years ago.

And he holds her and listens. She knows he's actually listening to her because he doesn't try to comfort her or silence her with a kiss when her talking becomes frantic. He holds her, rubs her back, and listens.

"I know it's a lot, and I'm sorry that I've never told you. Especially after everything today, I just—"

And that's when he cuts her off, because if he's learned anything from today, he's not going to let her lay here and apologize for sharing her heart with him. He grips her chin lightly in his fingers, angling her face up to see him—to see the love and longing in his eyes—and brings their lips together once again.

"I love you," he whispers into her lips, not letting her go far. "I love every part of you, even the parts I'm still learning about. Thank you for telling me."

"Fitz, you don't—I understand if—" She tries to reason with him, let him know it's okay to be confused or upset or whatever he's feeling, but he doesn't let up.

"Olivia… I've waited years, decades, to be with you. I know a lot of terrible things you've done over the years, and this? You telling me about a past relationship, about your sexuality, is not one of them. If anything, this makes me so fucking happy because I know Karen has someone who truly understands her."

Liv props herself up on an elbow, getting a better angle to stare at him. She's dumbstruck. This man never fails to surprise her. "Let me get this straight… We've been together for almost ten years, and I just now told you that I had a serious, committed relationship with a woman, and what? You're okay with that?"

Fitz chuckles and sits back up in the bed, helping her sit up as well and settle across his lap, straddling him so that they are face to face. "You want me to be mad at you?"

Laughing, she shakes her head. "No! But I'm a little weirded-out by the immediate support, if I'm being honest. Don't you have…like…questions? Things you want to ask me?"

He pauses, considering like she's just given him a very serious assignment. "Hmm… Have you had feelings for any women since college?"

"Yes," she answers simply, giving him a sneaky smile.

"That's all you're going to give me? Who? Anyone I know…?" He smiles and squeezes her hips fondly as he teases her.

The mood lets her breathe and encourages her to tease him back. "You know… At the beginning of her presidency, I was totally crushing on your ex-wife. The power…mmm…you know how much of a turn on that is for me—"

"Okay, ma'am. That's enough," he laughs, tangling his fingers in her soft curls and tilting her head back so he can suck kisses along her neck.

She hisses when she feels his teeth nip at her skin. "Any other questions you feel like asking?"

"I wanna ask about your sex life, but I'm learning that maybe that's frowned upon, so I won't," he growls against her skin.

Liv lets out a loud laugh in response. "Good call, baby. I'm not giving you the satisfaction of telling you who was better at giving head, either. Granted, maybe the secret was just to get me pregnant because anything you do now is like… out of this world."

He groans as she rolls her hips over him, knowing what that does to him, and he smiles up at her. "Mm-mm, you just don't want to admit it was me... Pregnant or not, Livvie, you've always liked my mouth on you..."

"Well... You've had a several year advantage, and the fact that you're the love of my life helps a little too, mister," she replies as she rests her forehead against his. "But I'm serious... If there are real questions you want to ask me, or things we need to talk through... I'm an open book. No more secrets."

"No more secrets. I like the sound of that. We deserve that. She..." Fitz looks down between them. "She deserves that from us."

"I agree," she nods and leans into him to peck his lips again.

He grins against her mouth, drinking in the moans that emanate from her as his hands slide around her back and grab her ass, helping her grind her hips more efficiently into his, despite her belly getting in the way slightly.

"Are you tired, pretty girl?" He asks, rocking his hips up into hers.

Her heaving chest and dilated pupils are an easy give away, and she's already turned him down once tonight, like hell if she's going to do it again. "Are you gonna try to prove yourself or something?"

"Well... I never knew I had such competition until tonight," he jokes in between kisses. He rolls her over gently and begins crawling down between her thighs.

"No competition, baby... Love you so much... Ooh."

AN: Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know- were you surprised at the Grant's reaction? How do you think it will go when they actually meet Karen's girlfriend? :) xx