Chapter Twenty-one: Living or Existing
*Time jumps ahead*
*Noah and Jonah are loosely based on my sister's kids, my twin nephews Haiden and Aiden who were born prematurely and spent months in the hospital.*
Fitz's mind had been going a mile a minute since he got a call from one of the nurses at the NICU. He barely could register what the nurse said, and he was already moving to the door before the call was even over. He managed to inform Althea about the phone call before he ran out the door. Fitz was glad she'd decided to stop by that morning because she could watch McKenzie while he went to the hospital. In all his hurry, he almost forgot to call Olivia. He called her on his way to the hospital and told her to get to the hospital.
When he reached the hospital, he went straight to the NICU. He'd walled those halls so many times before, he could do it with his eyes closed. When he got to the NICU, the nurse he'd spoken to on the phone met him at the doors. She told Fitz that earlier that morning Noah had a seizure and as a result, his brain began to swell. He was now in emergency surgery to relieve the building pressure.
Fitz didn't know what to do with the information. He was stunned, numb, frozen in place. He sat in the nearest chair, trying to calm his nerves. His thoughts kept going to everything that could go wrong, and knowing he couldn't do a thing about it. He felt helpless as a father and as a healthcare professional. He was a doctor and couldn't help his son when he needed him.
Fitz knew he needed to stay calm. He had to for Olivia's sake. The nurse told him that when she last check she had with the surgeon was that performing Noah's surgery, everything was going fine and Noah was stabilized. Fitz had to hold on to that. He knew that performing surgery on infant Noah's size and so young was very risky. But he had to stay positive and pray that everything would be alright.
Fitz was sitting in the waiting room, with his head in his hands when he heard the NICU sliding doors opening. He looked up and saw Olivia almost running to him.
"What- what happened?" Fitz hadn't given her all the details over the phone, just that Noah had to have emergency surgery and she needed to get to the hospital. "Where's Noah? Where is he?"
Fitz just grabbed Olivia and hugged her into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and squeezed tight. He could feel her tears seeping through his shirt and his tears were falling onto her head.
"Noah had a seizure." Fitz spoke into Olivia's hair as he still had a tight grip on her. "His brain started to swell, so they had to perform an emergency craniotomy."
"Fitz. But he's so small he's only four months old."
"Last check with the nurse she said that everything was going smoothly. We just have to wait now and pray that things continue to go smoothly."
They both sat back down in the chairs, they weren't going anywhere anytime soon. Fitz called Althea to update her on what was happening and he was sure she'd call the rest of the family to inform them as well. All Olivia and Fitz could do now was sit and wait. Olivia tried not to think about what they were doing to her baby boy in that operating room. Being a psychiatrist, she went to medical school. So she knew what a craniotomy was and what the surgery entailed. Now all she could think about was her baby boy laying on that operating table alone, not understanding what was happening to him. Noah had only been on this earth four months and already he'd been through more than most adults. Olivia wished she could take all their pain away. She wished she could fix them with a snap of her fingers, heal them so they could come home. But it didn't work that way. There was nothing she could do either, except sit and wait. Sit, wait, hope and pray.
X
Noah was in surgery for three hours, and it felt longer to Olivia and Fitz as they waited helplessly in the waiting room. When the surgery was complete, the surgeon came and spoke with them both. He told them that the surgery was successful, and there were no complications. Noah was stable and was in the ICU and they could see him shortly. Fitz and Olivia both had been holding their breaths until they got that news from the surgeon. They looked at each other and exhaled in relief. They were still holding hands, neither one of them wanting to let go. They needed each other's strengths.
It was almost an hour later before they were able to go see Noah. He was still in the NICU, but he was now in another area, away from Jonah, for post-surgery recovery. The surgeon had warned Olivia and Fitz for what they would see when they saw Noah again. and while they prepared themselves beforehand, they still weren't ready to see their baby boy all bandaged and bruised in his little incubator. Before his surgery, he and Jonah both were moved from their incubators to hospital cribs. They were steadily gaining weight and they were able to maintain their body heat. So they were slowly transitioned from their incubators to hospital cribs. Although if they began to drop their body temperature, they could be moved back into their incubators at any time. Since Noah was just out of surgery, they thought it best to move him back into his incubator for the time being.
When they saw Noah, he looked entirely different from the last time they saw him. Because of his surgery, his little face was swollen and they could see the bruising around his eyes already beginning to form. He had a large bandage around his entire head keeping his wound clean. He didn't look like their little boy, because of all the swelling. But although he looked like he had been through hell in the past few hours, Olivia knew her baby boy was a fighter and he would pull through just fine.
Since they were born, Noah has always been the baby with the most problems. Jonah had his own problems being a preemie, but Noah got the worst of it. He was much smaller than his brother, and just weeks after they were born they had a case of jaundice that luckily cleared up after about three weeks. Then it was discovered that Noah now had necrotizing enterocolitis, which is a gastrointestinal disease that causes infection and inflammation in the intestines, a disease that is very common with premature babies. Luckily the doctors felt that Noah didn't need surgery and instead was given a cocktail of antibiotics for treatment. And because at the time he was unable to tolerate surgery, a peritoneal drainage tube was inserted into his stomach to drain excess fluids. Noah did, however, have to stop his regular feeding which Olivia was not a fan of. Both of the boys were finally beginning to feed through bottles, but when Noah got sick he had to receive his nutrients through an intravenous catheter.
With all the progress and improvements they made, it seemed that they took two steps forward only to be knocked back three. Olivia wanted to be able to take both boys home at the same time, but the way things were now, Jonah might be coming home before Noah gets to. Olivia hated the thought of having to leave one of her boys in the hospital.
"I hate this." Olivia stroked Noah's hand in his incubator. "I just wish I could take all his pain away. He's only a baby, he shouldn't have to deal with all of this."
"I know. But hopefully the worst is over." Fitz tried to assure Olivia. "And now, he can heal from this and get back into a crib next to his brother."
Olivia tried to stay positive, but she couldn't help but think about the fact that she could possibly go back to Los Angeles with only one of her boys. And as hard as they tried not to, they both thought about it. They loved both of their boys so much already and the thought of not having one of them around anymore was just too much to take.
"Just wait, in a blink of an eye, they're going to be as big as their daddy and towering over their mama." Olivia smiled. "Isn't that right big guy." Fitz whispered, and he reached inside the incubator and stroked Noah's hand until his little hand curled around his much larger finger.
X
"I hate that I have to do this." Olivia was in a bad mood, and she'd been in a bad mood all morning. Today was the start of Nora's trial and Olivia was heading back to Los Angeles to testify for the prosecution. It was one thing to make Olivia go back to L.A. to face Nora, now she had to do it only one week after her son had major surgery. Olivia was already on the fence about testifying, but after Noah had his surgery, Olivia told the lawyers that she wasn't coming back to L.A. to testify. And instead of being understanding of Olivia's situation and postponing Olivia's testimony until the later portion of the trial, he told Olivia that he would subpoena her to testify. And that meant if Olivia didn't show up today she could be fined and/or jailed for contempt of court.
"It will only be a few hours." Fitz tried to assure her. He knew this was about more than her not wanting to leave Noah. he knew she was nervous about facing Nora again and about testifying, although she wouldn't admit to either.
"I know." Olivia's said, as she poured herself a cup of tea. It was only a little after nine in the morning, and the trial was set to begin at 1 that afternoon. But the prosecutor wanted Olivia to be there early so they could go over her testimony again.
Fitz noticed Olivia's hand shaking as she poured her tea. He reached out and held her shaking hand until it stilled. "Liv I wish you would let me go with you." Fitz had planned on being there for Olivia along with the rest of her family. But Olivia told him yesterday, while they were at the hospital visiting the boys, that she wanted him to stay here in Santa Clarita just in case something happened with the boys. Fitz knew her family would be there for her, but he felt like she needed him as well. He could see the nerves in her eyes and knew that she was not handling this as well as she wanted everyone to believe.
"That's it, I'm coming with you." Fitz just decided.
"Fitz no. I need you here."
"Olivia the boys are fine. Jonah is fine and it's been a week since Noah's surgery and he's only progressed since. They are in the safest place they can be right now, surrounded by nurses that have fallen in love with the both of them. We will be a phone call away."
Olivia didn't say it out loud, but she wanted him to be there as well. Ever since they first started dating Olivia knew she could count on Fitz when she truly needed him. She knew she could lean on him when she felt down, she knew that she was safe with him. And that's how she felt when she was with him, safe. These past months living with him again, she was constantly reminded of why she fell for him all those years ago and why she married him. His compassion, warm heart and spirit, and his nurturing character. He loved to take care of others, especially those he loved and cared for. And although Olivia truly wanted him to stay close by the boys, she desperately needed him by her side today.
"What about Soph?"
"Quinn is watching Thea's kids. We'll drop Soph off with Quinn and Huck and then head to the courthouse."
Olivia gave Fitz a small smile and a head nod, a silent 'thank you' for being there for her.
X
Olivia's leg was bouncing a mile a minute. She was in the courtroom with her family, waiting for her to be called to the stand to testify. The courtroom was mostly quiet and throughout the room, you could hear Olivia's heels clicking against the floor. Fitz was seated next to her on her left, her mother was on her right followed by her father and Curtis. Thea, her husband, and Fitz's parents were in the row directly behind them. Olivia was shocked to see Fitz's parents in the courtroom, she wasn't aware they would be there. But she was grateful that she had so many people supporting her. Even her friends who were taking care of her and Thea's kids while they were in court.
"I call Olivia Pope to the stand." Ms. Novak, the prosecutor for the case said.
Everyone turned to look at Olivia as she remained seated. She'd zoned out completely and didn't even hear the prosecutor calling her name. It wasn't until Fitz nudged her that she snapped back. She popped her head up, looking back at all the faces staring at her. When she looked up to see the prosecutor waiting and realized that her name had been called, she finally rose from her seat. She steadily walked to the witness stand, and after being sworn in she took a seat. She kept her eyes either on the prosecutor or she would glance at her family sitting in the gallery. she didn't dare look in Nora's direction, she wanted to pretend that she wasn't even there.
"Thank you for being here today Ms. Pope." Ms. Novak said, and Olivia wanted to respond that she wasn't given a choice, but she kept quiet instead. "Ms. Pope do you recall the events of the day in question?"
"It's not exactly something a person can forget." Olivia has had plenty of nightmares, she remembered every detail.
"Could you please tell the court what happened when the defendant approached you in the parking garage?"
Olivia cleared her throat. "Uh… the uh." Olivia didn't know how to address Nora. "I heard my name called and when I turned around Ms. Trenton was there."
"And how was her demeanor?" The defense was arguing that Nora was not in her right mind, so it was the prosecution's job to show that she was.
"She was calm." Olivia said simply.
"What happened when you questioned Ms. Trenton?"
"I- She told me she was tired of waiting. She said that I had her baby and she wanted it back."
"And then what happened?"
"Before I could react, she injected me with a syringe. I passed out."
The prosecutor held up an evidence bag with a syringe inside. "This syringe was found by detectives and the defendant's fingerprints were found on the syringe." She laid the bag on the witness stand, right in front of Olivia. "Ms. Pope you were found by Santa Clarita detectives in an outside shed chained and bound to the ground, do you remember how you got there?"
"Ms. Trenton drove me there. I was in and out of consciousness."
Ms. Novak went back to her table and picked up some photos. It was a picture of the concrete floor Olivia was chained to in the shed. The picture showed the handcuffs bolted to the dirty flooring and Olivia's blood. She walked past the jury box holding the pictures for them to see.
"Is this the room you were kept in?"
Olivia hadn't seen that picture before. Of course she knew what the place looked like from personal experience. But seeing those cuffs bolted to the ground and a pool of her blood was making her stomach turn.
"Y-yes."
"Could you describe it for the court please."
Olivia shrugged with a heavy sigh. She had the picture, why did she have to describe it. "It… was a shed. It was a normal dirty shed with a single light in the ceiling. When I woke up I was chained to the floor and I couldn't move. I was injected with a paralytic agent which left me paralyzed from the neck down."
"What happened when Ms. Trenton returned to the shed?"
"She was convinced that I somehow stole her baby girl and that I was now carrying her child. She told me-" Olivia paused, closing her eyes to block everything out. Talking about what happened that night was beginning to get to her and she was brought right back to that night. Her wrist started to ache as if she was still handcuffed to that cement floor. She could feel the fluorescent light on her face, the humming and chirping of the crickets outside. She could hear the shed door opening and Nora's footsteps getting closer to her. She moved her hands to her healing scar on her stomach, feeling the exact moment Nora pressed that cold steel into her stomach.
"Ms. Pope?"
Olivia opened her now red eyes, willing her tears not to fall. She looked up at the prosecutor who was still waiting for her to finish.
"Could you please tell the court what happened when the defendant returned to the shed?"
"She came back with a tray of surgical tools." Olivia answered. And once again the prosecutor held up an evidence bag, this time the bag had the scalpel Nora had used to cut Olivia with. She held it up for the jury to see as if this was a second-grade show and tell. And again she put that bag down in front of Olivia.
"Could you please tell the court what happened next?"
"She cut me. She tried to cut them out of me. I passed out from the blood lost and when I woke up the detectives were there. I was taken to the hospital where I had an emergency c-section."
"You gave birth to two identical twin boys, correct?"
"Yes."
"Could you please explain some of the medical problems they have had as a result of their premature birth."
"They were both born with extremely low birth weights. They have breathing problems because their lungs had not fully developed yet. They were both jaundiced after they were born. One was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis and required a IV tube for feeds and another tube inserted into his stomach to drain fluids. And just last week my son had a seizure that caused his brain to swell, he needed surgery and could possibly have brain damage for the rest of his life. They've only been on this earth four months and they've already been through more and have been poked and prodded more than an average human would in their lifetime."
"Thank you Ms. Pope." Ms. Novak walked back to her table confident that she'd painted an ugly enough picture for the jury. "Your witness."
Olivia looked out to Fitz and he mouthed 'breathe' and Olivia took a few slow deep breaths before the defense attorney asked his first question.
Nora's lawyer, Mr. Burger, stood and fixed his suit jacket, he poured a glass of water and carried it over to Olivia. She gratefully took the glass and sipped the water to coll herself and calm her nerves.
"That was some ordeal you went through." He waited until Olivia finished taking a few sips of her water. "Ms. Pope did you know my client before the incident?" Olivia hated when people asked questions they already knew the answer to.
"Yes."
"She was a patient of yours correct."
"Yes."
"Without speaking on what occurred in your sessions Dr. Pope could you describe in your professional opinion Ms. Trenton's mental status."
"In my personal opinion, Ms. Trenton is a schizophrenic with manic psychosis and severe depression."
"Mhm. Schizophrenic, manic psychosis, severe depression. That doesn't sound like the well and sane woman that the prosecution is trying to portray." Olivia didn't answer, because it wasn't really a question.
"Is there a question your honor." Ms. Novak objected from her seat.
"Move it along Mr. Burger."
"Do you hate my client Ms. Pope?" Mr. Burger asked and Olivia was taken back. That's not what she was expecting him to ask.
"Excuse me?"
"Ms. Trenton, do you hate her?"
Olivia didn't know how to answer that question. She was supposed to hate her right? After everything she'd put her through, Olivia should loathe the woman. She should want her dead. But for some reason, that level of hatred wasn't there. She of course didn't care for the woman, but she couldn't truthfully say she hated the woman either.
"I'm not exactly fond of her."
"This is the woman who kidnapped you, drugged you, chained you to a concrete floor and tried to cut your unborn children from your womb."
"I know what she did."
"And yet, you don't feel any hatred towards her? Why is that? Is it because you know she is not responsible for her actions-"
"Objection." Ms. Novak spoke from her chair, but her objection was overruled by the judge.
"By your own statement, in your professional opinion as a mental health specialist, you said Ms. Trenton was a schizophrenic, suffered from manic psychosis and showed symptoms of severe depression. How can a woman with so many mental health issues possibly be in complete control of her actions?"
"Even the sickest individual can have moments of sanity." Olivia said. Although she believed Nora to be a sick woman, she also knew that Nora was sane enough to plan this entire crime without anyone knowing or catching on and then to execute the plan and almost get anyway with it.
"I know you can't speak on the specifics of your sessions with my client. But it's a matter of public record that Ms. Trenton's family was involved in a car accident and as a result, both her husband and child were killed in the crash."
"Yes."
"LIAR!"
Oliva flinched when Nora shouted out and the judge banged his gavel to silence the unruly woman. It was the first time Nora had said a word during the trial and Olivia was thrown off by it. She hadn't seen Nora since that night in the shed and she was not thrilled about being in the woman's presence again.
"Counselor control your client."
"Yes your honor. But this further proves my point that this woman is not well. Ms. Pope do you blame my client for what happened to you?"
"She was the one who kidnapped me."
"Yes. But given what you know about her and her history. Given what you know about her mental health. Can you confidently say that you hold my client mentally competent and therefore legally responsible for her actions?" Olivia didn't answer, she didn't know what to answer. Mr. Burger was asking her things that she hadn't yet thought about. Yes, she knew that Nora was not a well person. She knew that Nora should have been recommitted and needs to be medicated. And although Olivia knew she wasn't well, she wasn't sure that meant she should be free from responsibility. Olivia was thinking as both a doctor and a victim and it was making her head hurt. She wanted someone to pay for what she went through and what her boys now have to go through. But she wasn't sure she could live with knowing she put a mentally ill person behind bars instead of a mental health facility where they could potentially get help.
"Do you think my client needs to be in jail Ms. Pope?"
Olivia looked from Mr. Burger standing in front of her to Ms. Novak sitting at the prosecution table. Olivia could tell she wanted her to say 'yes'. Then for the first time, she looked at Nora. She'd made it a point to advert her attention everywhere but at the defendant's table. But as she looked at Nora now, she didn't see the woman who drugged her in a parking garage. She didn't see the woman who cuffed her to a concrete floor and she didn't see the woman who attempted to cut her children from her womb. What she saw instead, was a scared and confused woman.
"Ms. Pope?" Mr. Burger repeated when Olivia didn't answer him. "Do you think my client deserves a jail sentence?"
"I- I don't know." It was the only answer Olivia had.
"No more questions, your honor."
"You may step down Ms. Pope." The judge told Olivia and she was very thankful. She did it, she testified, it was over.
Olivia stepped down from the witness stand and walked back to her seat. Just as she passed the defendant's table, Nora jumped up and grabbed Olivia by both arms. It all happened so quickly that no one had time to stop her. Her attorney and a court officer both grabbed a hold to Nora and tried to pull her away. Olivia didn't know what Nora had planned to do, but Olivia was frozen with fear and shock, both making it impossible for her to move. Nora was shouting and ranting but Olivia had no idea what she was saying because she was speaking another language.
"Order! Order! Court officers!" The judge kept banging his gavel, but it was doing no good. How many court officers did it take to control one woman? Apparently the magic number is three. Mr. Burger had been pushed aside and two officers pried Nora's hands off of Olivia. The third grabbed her by the legs and together the three of them carried her off and out a side door. The entire time, she continued screaming and shouting out in another language.
"You okay baby girl?" Olivia felt her father touching her shoulder and she exhaled. Curtis pulled Olivia into his side, hugging her tight. "Come on, let's get you out of here."
X
"I'm just glad this is all over now." Quinn said, refilling everyone's cups.
They had left the courthouse and everyone went over to Quinn's since she was the one watching the kids. She'd fixed everyone a late lunch and they were all relaxing now. The women were sitting on her back porch, watching the kids and Olivia playing and the men were in the garage trying to help Huck figure out what was wrong with his truck. Olivia had distanced herself from the adults because all they seemed to be discussing was the trial and Olivia didn't want any part of it. Besides, she was having fun at the tea party with her baby girl and Isabelle. It had been entirely too long since she visited her favorite goddaughter, and she was enjoying the distraction.
"Well it won't truly be over until the end of the trial." Adelle said. "But I'm just ready for everything to get back to normal. I hate seeing Olivia this way. She's changed so much, I hardly recognize her."
"Fitz told me he thinks she's seeing a therapist now. So maybe that'll help her." Thena said, making sure to speak low enough that Olivia couldn't hear them talking about her.
"Oh well that's good. I'm surprised though, you know how she hates talking about her feelings." Quinn said.
"I worry about her going back to work though. And I think she does too, I tried to talk to her about it and she just ignored me altogether-" Adelle stopped talking when she noticed Olivia coming their way. All the ladies turned and plastered their best smiles.
"Are you all done talking about me?"
"Yeah just about." Adelle said and the rest of the ladies laughed.
"I feel like I haven't seen you in forever Liv." Quinn said. She'd been by to see the boys a couple of times, but she couldn't always make the trip. "We have to have a girls day soon. Abby, Erika and I were planning to make a trip up there. Fitz promised to look after Sophia for a day while we kidnap you." Quinn regretted her choice of words the minute they left her mouth. She stilled, and so did the other females at the table. They all stared at Olivia waiting to see what her response would be. "Olivia I'm sor-"
"Stop Quinn please." Olivia said, before Quinn could finish an unnecessary apology. "Relax everyone." Olivia noticed everyone's demeanor changed, and she'd also noticed how everyone was walking on eggshells around her. All-day long, everyone has been treating her like some special case. Constantly checking on her. Are you alright? Do you need anything? Can I get you something? How are you feeling? It was becoming annoying. Olivia appreciated all the concern, but it was beginning to get on her nerves. Was she okay? no, but she just wanted to pretend for a few hours that she was.
"E, Quinn I would love for you all to come up for a day. I've been in desperate need of a mani and pedi for a while now." Erika and Quinn smiled, but they were still looking at her weird. "Will you all please just relax?"
"Mama!" Luckily Sophia's loud voice broke up the awkward vibe in the was holding a flower in her hand that she'd obviously just plucked from Quinn's flower garden, because the roots were still intact.
"Sorry Quinn." Olivia said through laughter as she picked Sophia up and sat her on her lap.
"Honestly don't even worry about it. That garden is already doomed. Between Javier always riding his scooter through it, Jackson's monster trucks and Belle cutting them, I just gave up a long time ago."
Olivia laughed again, when Sophia shoved the flower in her face trying to get her to smell the flower. She had it so close to her face, a few petals made their way up her nose. "Mmm smells good."
"So Liv do you have any new pictures of my nephews?" Erika asked. She too had not been able to visit as often as she would like. Business was really booming during wedding season, so she was constantly at the shop filling flower orders for impatient and anxious brides.
"You know I do." Olivia took out her phone and pulled up the file she reserved for the boys in her gallery, Sophia had her own as well. "I swear I turn it into a photoshoot every time we visit them. But Fitz is much worse than I am. I try to at least make sure I'm taking quality photos. Fitz just whips out his camera and starts snapping away. He's got like five different pictures, but he has fifteen of the same pictures each."
"Yeah, that sounds like my brother."
"What sounds like me?" Fitz asked, as he and the rest of the men walked onto the porch to join them. "Have you all been talking about me this whole time?" He sat on the arm of Olivia's chair and she leaned into him, not thinking about it. They were together for so long, she always felt familiar and comfortable with him. They'd been doing that a lot, acting very comfortable with each other. They always seemed to have a reason to be around the other or to touch the other. Whether it was an arm around the shoulder while they watched a movie on the couch. Touch of the arm when they laughed, playful hitting, wiping something off the others face or how they were currently positioned. Fitz on the arm of Olivia's chair, his arm on the back of the chair and her leaning into his body, resting her arm on his thigh. They never talked about how close they were getting, or where this closeness was leading. But both Fitz and Olivia were enjoying it. Olivia was enjoying having someone to lean on and take her mind off of things. And Fitz was enjoying being a part of a family again, having someone to go home with and having someone to take care of.
"Up." Sophia said, reaching out for Fitz to pick her up. "Fee." That was her new name for Fitz. Olivia and Fitz both tried to get her to say Fitz and so far, all she came up with was Fiz and Fee. Fitz answered to both.
"Fitz we should probably get going soon, I want to get back to visit the boys before it gets too late." Olivia was speaking to Fitz, but he wasn't paying her any attention. He was busy playing with Sophia, lifting her in the air and blowing raspberries on her stomach. She would squeal every time Fitz would lift her into the air. It was Soph's favorite thing ever, but Fitz gave Olivia a mini heart attack every time he lifted Sophia into the air until he caught her again. Olivia was watching Fitz and Sophia with adoration and the rest of the ladies were watching her watching them. Quinn and Erika gave each other a look, and they both made a note to talk to Olivia about her relationship with Fitz. But they would table that conversation for when they all got together for a girls day. It would be just like old times with good food, gossip, and cosmos.
X
"One, two, three!" Olivia counted off, before sliding down the short water slide with Sophia sitting on her lap. It was a particularly hot Saturday, and Oliva and Fitz thought they would take Sophia to a water park instead of spending the day inside the house doing nothing. This particular water park was perfect, because it had many different attractions. Fitz and Olivia spent most of the time in the smaller section for smaller kids, since they had Sophia. But they didn't mind, they were just enjoying seeing her have so much fun. For a while, all she had wanted to do was go down the bright blue slide that was a tad too big for her. Whenever she made it to the bottom by herself, she would plop down to the bottom and go under the water for a moment before she came back up laughing. And although she was wearing a life jacket/floaties Olivia was still nervous.
"Sophia, don't go too far." Olivia said from her spot on the edge of the pool. She and Fitz were sitting in the shallow water, not far from where Sophia was playing with her water toys.
"She's fine Liv."
"My nerves are not going to be okay, until we leave." Olivia said jokingly. They had gotten to the water park earlier that morning and there weren't that many people at the park yet. Not, it felt like the number had tripled and she was uneasy. Her first problem was that she didn't want to let Soph out of her sight, which wouldn't be easy in the bright green swimsuit she had on. And secondly Olivia just felt uncomfortable around so many strangers. She hadn't done a lot of activities in the past few months, mainly just going to restaurants. And now she felt like someone was watching her , when in reality no one was paying her any attention, except for Fitz.
It was his idea to come to the water park this morning, and he was glad he made the suggestion. He wanted to get Olivia out of the house, and he knew both Sophia and Olivia would have a great time at the water park. He remembered back to when he and Olivia were dating, and most of their dates involved either the beach or a swimming pool or water park. Fitz and Olivia both turned into big kids when they were anywhere near water. And when Olivia came undressed, revealing her bathing suit underneath, he really knew he made the right call to bring her here.
Olivia has never been shy. She's always been the type of woman that was very comfortable in her skin. And she has blemishes and scars from childhood accidents, just like everyone else. And it never bothered her before. But now she has a scar on her abdomen that is very noticeable. She uses creams and bandages that are supposed to help clear the scar, but she can still see it. She doesn't want other people to see the scar on her stomach, but mostly she doesn't want to be reminded that it is there. If the scar was just from her c-section alone, she would be fine with it. But the fact that most of the scar tissue is a result of what Nora did to her, she wants to keep it hidden away. And maybe if she ignores it long enough, it will go away. So instead of wearing a two piece bathing suit or a revealing one piece, like she would normally do, Olivia chose to wear a simple one piece baby blue bathing suit. She could feel Fitz looking at her from the moment she took off her cover up. And while Olivia liked to think of herself as a confident woman, she just didn't feel the confidence she once had. But when Fitz looked at her, she felt desired, which was something she hasn't felt in a long time.
"Hey let's take her on the lazy river." Fitz suggested. He went over to the splash pad Sophia was playing on and scooped her up, making her accidentally dump her water on a woman's head that was sitting in the water with her child. Fitz apologized to the woman, but he was laughing as he did so, because Sophia found it hilarious.
When they got to the lazy river, Olivia grabbed a tube and sat in the middle with Sophia on her lap. Fitz swam next to them and steered them away from the edges.
"She's loving it aren't you kiddo." Fitz smiled, watching Soph splash in the water with a laughing smile on her face. Fitz would have never thought that he would fall in love with the little girl like he has. It was hard not to love Sophia. She was the happiest, most energetic and sassiest toddler Fitz knew. And she had a smile like her mother's, one that was so infectious and could light up any room. Fitz took Sophia from Olivia's lap and she immediately knew what he was about to do.
"Fitz don't you dare." But before she could get away from him, Fitz swiftly flipped her inner tube and Olivia went under the water shouting his name. "Fitz!" He got away as fast as he could with a kid hanging on his neck.
After about another hour, Sophia started getting cranky. And Olivia knew it was about time for her afternoon nap. So they decided to call it a day. They packed up everything they'd brought with them and packed up the car to head home. Both Olivia and Fitz were worn out from the day, and neither of them felt like making lunch, so they stopped at a Raising Cane's the way home. The inside dining room was packed so they went through the drive-thru and ate their food on the car ride home. They had the air blasting and a movie showing in the back for Sophia to watch, she was sure to be sleeping when they got back to the house.
When they finally pulled up in the driveway, no one moved to get out. They didn't realize how tired they were until now. Running away in the hot sun with a toddler would wear anyone out. They looked in the back seat and sure enough, Sophia was slumped over in the car seat sleeping hard.
"She'll probably sleep for a few hours with the day she's had." Olivia said. "Thank you for today. And for every other day these past months. I know I've been a nightmare at times and you're still putting up with me. And for helping out with Sophia-"
"Olivia I already told you, you don't have to thank me for that."
"I know but," Olivia put her hand on Fitz's arm that was resting on the middle console. "I mean it Fitz, I really do appreciate you."
Olivia looked into Fitz's eyes, and he was staring right back at her. They both felt it and they knew the other felt it as well. That magnetic pull that was always present when they were together. That desire that they both had for each other and would forever be present between the two of them. It was present the first night they met on that dark road and it was present now after what felt like a lifetime together. Fitz wasn't sure what to do. He knew what he wanted to do, and that was kiss Olivia. But he didn't want to make a move and it be the wrong move. Luckily for him, Olivia made the decision for him. Her left hand was still on his arm, making small circles in his skin with her fingers. And she used her right hand to guide his face down to hers, closing her eyes as she covered her lips with his. Fitz fell right into place, closing his own eyes and falling into her kiss.
Kissing was like an Olympic event for these two and they were gold medalists. Before Fitz met Olivia, kissing was just a kiss. He never got much from a kiss. But when he met Olivia, he learned just how erotic a kiss could be. He realized how one kiss from the right person could make his lips tingle, could cause a heat to build in his chest, make the hairs on his arms raise and cause a tremble in his fingers. Olivia was that one person for him, and he was glad he found her.
Fitz took control of the kiss, holding Olivia steady by the back of her head. He wished like hell they weren't separated by the console, because he wanted to touch so much more than just Olivia's shoulders and arms. He heard Olivia moan, when he pushed his tongue in her mouth, sucking on her bottom lip. He loved to play with her lump lips, licking, sucking, biting and he knew it always drove Olivia crazy. Fitz had no idea where this kiss was leading, but he was going to enjoy the moment as long as it lasted. Which unfortunately for him wasn't very long.
They both pulled back from one another, when they heard a group of loud kids on bikes and skateboards going past them. When they looked back at each other, neuter spoke because they were waiting on each other to say something. When it was clear he wasn't going to say anything, Olivia smiled at him and then got out the car. Fitz followed her and grabbed their bags while he got Sophia out the car. When they got inside, Olivia went off to take care of Sophia, putting her down for a nap and Fitz went to his own room to wash the pool water from his body. He thought about that kiss in the car and about what it meant. He didn't know if it even meant anything. Maybe it was a thank you kiss, and appreciation kiss. All he knew was that they had done much more in the past and it only led to trouble, and that was the last thing Fitz wanted. Especially since things were going so well between him and Olivia, so he wasn't going to read too much into this kiss just yet. As Fitz took his shower, he half expected Olivia to join him. And he hoped that she would, so he took longer in the shower than necessary, but she never showed up. After what happened in the car, Fitz was no longer sleepy, but he was still tired. So he got in his bed to relax for a while.
After Olivia took Sophia a quick bath, she put her down for a nap. When she walked past Fitz's door she heard the shoer going in his room. She was half tempted to go in and join him, but she stopped herself and went on to her room. She remembered the look of uncertainty on his face in the car after they kissed. Olivia didn't know what Fitz was uncertain about or if it was a look of regret. Olivia knew she didn't regret what happened between them in the car. And honestly, she was shocked it didn't happen sooner. she and Fitz had been doing well lately, and they were getting closer and closer. It almost felt like they were married again. When they were just happy all the time and so comfortable and at peace with each other. She had some semblance of happiness. Even with everything going on in her life, she felt happy with him.
After she took her own show Olivia laid in her bed. She tossed and turned to a good twenty minutes before she gave up on sleeping. She gave herself five minutes of staring at the ceiling before she got up. She walked down the hall to Fitz's room. She thought about knocking, but she didn't want to wake him if he was sleeping. So instead she just opened the door. She could hear his even breathing, but she couldn't tell if he was asleep because he was laying on his side with his back to the door. He was under the covers and she could tell he was shirtless.
Olivia walked to the bed and lifted the covers to join him in bed. She wasn't expecting anything to happen, Olivia just wanted to be close to Fitz so scooting as close as she could get to him and snuggled into his back. Fitz felt the exact moment Olivia came into his room. He heard his door open and decided to wait to see what Olivia would do. He was nervous when he felt her lifting his covers and then sliding into his bed. As bad as he wanted to make love to her, he didn't think it was the right time. He felt Olivia nuzzle into his back and when she stopped he figured she'd found a comfortable spot. He turned around to face her. She looked so small curled up behind him and she looked so sweetly innocent when she looked up at him with her big brown eyes.
Fitz silently opened his arms and Olivia moved into them, resting her head on his chest enjoying the smell of his shower gel. She put an arm around his waist and Fitz hugged her into his body, tangled his legs with hers. He kissed her forehead and together they both exhaled before closing their eyes and drifting off to sleep.
X
"Mmm. I had no idea how much I needed this." Olivia sighed, sitting in a cushy chair with her feet up while one man massaged her feet and another worked on her shoulders. She was in a white robe with her hair messily piled on top of her head. She was on a girls day out with Quinn, Erika and Abby. They'd come to a spa that Abby recommended. It was an only female spa and lounge and the staff was all male. They had enjoyed a luxurious soak in a hot, then full body hot oil and stone massages by a couple of men with strong hands. Now they were lounging around in their complimentary robes getting facials and foot massages. All while being served an assortment of fruits, sweets and virgin cocktails by some handsome, half dressed men.
"How did you find this place Abby?" Erika asked, as a man wearing only black boxers and a black bowtie served her another strawberry. She was a bit uneasy in a place like this. When Abby said she knew the perfect spa for their girls day, this was not what any of the women were expecting. But Quinn and Olivia were both pleasantly pleased. Especially after the massages they just received. They were both relaxed.
"Oh what's the matter Erika?" Abby asked, as she let one of the waiters feed her another strawberry. "Not enjoying yourself?" She teased and Olivia and Quinn laughed at their shy friend.
"This just isn't the type of spa I was expecting."
"One of my ex-friends brought me here once. And the experience was just heavenly." Abby was relaxing back in her chair, still letting the waiter feed her from his tray.
"I don't think Stephen would be too pleased if he saw you right now."
"Oh relax, I'm not doing anything wrong. You just need to relax, Harrison will never know."
Erika turned red just at the mention of Harrison's name. She smiled thinking about the last time she'd seen Harrison. It had been another memorable moment in her office.
"Oh look how she blushes." Quinn commented. "I take it things are going well with Mr. Perfect."
"I guess so." Erika shyly answered. She had no intention of talking about her love life with Harrison, especially not in front of a bunch of men.
"He must be doing something right to put that smile on your face." Abby smirked and leaned over towards Erika in interest. "What is that man doing to you my dear."
"He's waxing that ass is what he's doing." Olivia said, making Abby and Quinn and a few of the men laugh. Erika, however, was not amused.
"Olivia! I don't want to talk about this in mixed company."
"Oh honey please, everyone in this room knows what sex is."
"Damn E, I was hoping when you finally got your cherry popped, you wouldn't be so uptight anymore." Abby said.
"I am not uptight. I just don't care to kiss and tell like some people."
"Don't get snippy with me Miss thing." Abby turned to Quinn and poorly whispered so everyone could still hear her. "She gets dicked down by one man and now she's got all this mouth."
"Oh shut up." E grabbed a grape and tossed it at Abby, popping her in the back of the head. Again everyone laughed.
"But seriously E, you're okay with Harrison right?" Olivia asked. She'd been so focused on herself and her kids the past months, that he didn't get much time to catch up with her girls. And Erika ws like a younger sister to Olivia and she always looked out for her.
"Yes. I'm very happy with him."
"Awe, is our sweet little Erika in love." Olivia cooed, making Erika blush even brighter.
"You guys are the worst."
Oliva started laughing, then stopped when she felt a hand on her calf and raising higher up her leg. She looked down to the man massaging her feet. He was staring back at her from his seated position. He didn't say a word as he slowly slid his hand up her leg, squeezing and massaging her calf muscle before moving further up. The girls were still engaged in their conversation. Olivia knew she was still in full view of them and she tuned them out. She watched the man's hand travel up her leg toying with the hem of her short robe. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, picturing Fitz's face. She envisioned it was his hands massaging her skin. His hands squeezing her thigh and smoothly sliding underneath her robe, rubbing her inner thigh. She sighed, thinking about Fitz trading his hands for his lips and trailing a line of kisses to her most treasured spot. Olivia gripped the sides of her seat just envisioning Fitz's lips on her.
Abby noticed Olivia had gone quiet. And when she looked her way, she noticed what the man was doing and how his hand was disappearing underneath Olivia's robe. She silently got the girls' attention and nodded towards Olivia for them to see as well.
When Olivia felt the man getting extremely close to her panties, she knew she had to stop him. She used her other foot to push his arm back, making his hand fall from beneath her robe. She looked at him and he stared back, still not sawing a word.
"Um, thanks guys. We're fine now." Abby said dismissing the men, so she could see what the fuck her friend had going on. The man massaging Olivia winked at her then got up to leave with the rest of the waiters.
When he left, Olivia took a large sip of her cocktail, wishing like hell it wasn't virgin. She didn't notice all eyes were on her until she looked up and saw Abby, Quinn and Erika all giving her a look.
"What?"
"Don't what us, what the hell was that?" Abby said. "So you were just going to let him finger fuck you right in front of us."
Olivia rolled her eyes. "Stop being so dramatic, he was only rubbing my thigh."
"Mhm. Seemed like more than a thigh rub, the way you were writhing in that chair."
"Writhing?" Olivia chuckled. "Please stop reading so much into things. It was a little innocent touching'. it wasn't even about him anyway." Olivia said the last part under her breath, but they still heard her.
"Oh really? And who was it about then?" Quinn asked, although she already knew the answer. She'd seen how Olivia and Fitz were acting at her house when they thought no one was paying them any attention. "Does his name rhyme with ritz?" Olivia looked at Quinn with false confusion as if she didn't know what Quinn was implying.
"Come on Liv, what's going on with you and Fitz?" Erika asked, glad the conversation had switched from her love life to Olivia's. And she also was just as curious as the other two women. She'd seen how her brother and Olivia were getting closer lately. During the few trips she'd made to see them and the boys, she'd noticed how they'd fallen in sync with the other. They moved together like a well-oiled machine. And she noticed how they behaved when they were lost in their own bubble. The laughing at their own inside jokes, the playful hitting and joking with one another. The way they always found some way to be around the other and just the look of adoration in their eyes. Erika was brought back to when they were married.
Olivia sighed, she honestly didn't know what was going on between her and Fitz. It had been a few days since they kissed and slept in the same bed, and they haven't talked about either. When they woke later that day, neither of them commented on the fact that Olivia had joined Fitz in his bed and they just went about the rest of their day. Nothing was weird between them, which Olivia was grateful for, but she did wish Fitz would at least acknowledge that something happened between them, and that something had been happening between the two of them for a while now.
Olivia told the girls about the kiss in the car and how she slept in Fitz's bed that afternoon.
"So he didn't even say anything?"
"No. I woke up and he was still holding me and he was staring at me. I thought he was going to say something, but he only smiled at me and then got up to go to the bathroom. He took so long in the bathroom and I just left to check on Sophia. And now I feel like he stayed in the bathroom on purpose hoping I would leave so he wouldn't have to talk to me." Olivia looked sad. Now she knew how Fitz felt when they started sleeping together again and Olivia was the one dodging Fitz.
"So how are things now?"
"They're fine. I thought things would be weird between us, like they were last time, but it's not. He just pretends like nothing happened, so I guess I have to too."
"Well not if you don't want to pretend." Quinn said. "If you want to talk about it then make him."
"But I don't know what I want to say." Olivia said honestly. "I've enjoyed spending time with him and living in that house with him, it feels like we're married again. And with Soph around, it feels like we're a family. And I'm not saying I want to get remarried tomorrow, but I wouldn't be opposed to us trying again."
"Okay, so that's what you need to tell him."
"But I don't know if he feels the same way. I mean last year he did want to try again, but I didn't. Now I feel like some wishy-washy chick and I hate those types of women. And I don't want to put myself out there and be turned down."
"Olivia you'll never know unless you try." Olivia shrugged. "So what are you going to do? Pretend that you don't have feelings for the man and continue to be sexually frustrated?"
Olivia laughed. "Who said I was sexually frustrated?"
"Judging by the little display you just put on, you are beyond frustrated." Abby said. "And you need to tell Fitz how you feel and let him pop those cheeks before you combust." All the ladies burst out laughing, including Erika who was disgusted at the thought of her brother having sex with anyone.
"I honestly don't even know if I can."
"What do you mean? It's been four months since you had the boys. You are more than capable." Quinn said. She knew all about waiting six weeks before having intercourse again. She and Huck used to countdown until her time was up.
"I don't mean physically, I know I can. I mean mentally, I don't know if I'm ready for it. I can feel desire for him, and I have had some very erotic dreams about him lately. But I'm worried that whenever the time may come, I won't be able to perform."
"I never thought I'd see the day that Olivia Carolyn Pope had anxiety about performing in the bedroom." Abby was amazed. "This is the same woman who basically gave me an entire lesson on the art of fellatio. And it got me a husband too."
"Hold the hell up, why wasn't I invited to the master class?" Quinn looked offended, but everyone just laughed at her.
"Look Liv I think you'll be fine. You and Fitz have never had a problem in that department. You just need to worry about telling Fitz how you feel."
"I'll think about it." Olivia took another sip of her glass. Over the rim of her drink, she could see Erika was lost in thought about something. "You okay E? What's got you thinking so hard over there?"
Erika was hesitant to answer at first. "What exactly did you teach her?"
Olivia shocked, was the little church mouse asking about fellatio tips? "Are you asking me for tips as well little miss?" Olivia smirked.
"What? No. I was… just curious about what you told Abby." Erika was turning red and everyone was enjoying making her squirm.
"Well why are you curious if you don't plan on doing it? Besides, I don't know if I can teach you the same things. I've seen Harrison in a pair of basketball shorts, and I know what he's working with. You might need the advanced course." The ladies laughed as Erika embarrassedly sank down in her chair and covered her red face with her towel.
This is what Olivia needed. A day out with her girls to just gossip, share and laugh without a care in the world. She could always count on her girls to put her in a better mood no matter what.
X
Two Weeks Later
Nora's trial had finally come to an end. It had lasted a lot longer than anyone anticipated, it seemed that the state had a solid case against Nora. The evidence was overwhelming and it seemed that a guilty verdict was inevitable. But Nora's defense attorney was doing everything he could to get his client off or sent to a psychiatric facility instead of a prison sentence. He'd brought a bunch of doctors who were basically all saying the same things. Olivia didn't attend any more of the trial after she testified, nor did she keep up with it. But Ms. Novak would give her updates from time to time.
So now that the trial was over and the attorneys were giving their closing arguments and the jury would come back with a verdict. Olivia and Fitz traveled back to LA to attend. Olivia still had mixed feelings regarding Nora, but she knew that she wanted a guilty verdict to be given today. She needed a guilty verdict so she could put all this behind her and finally move on. Olivia's parents and siblings were in attendance as well as Fitz's parents and this time Erika was there as well. They sat on the first two benches directly behind the prosecution table. And once again Olivia's nerves got the best of her, her legs were shaking the entire time the attorneys were giving their closing arguments.
"Infections, multiple surgeries, breathing problems, possible brain damage and endless pain for two small innocent lives forced to spend the first few months of their life away from family and hooked up to machines in an incubator. And a mother who could have missed out on her children's life, who almost missed out on raising her children. A mother gone, a sister gone, a daughter gone. A family destroyed because of the actions of one woman. One woman who was so desperate to become a mother herself that she was willing to potentially take a life. Now the defense will want you to believe that because of Ms. Trenton's previous health issues that his client is not responsible for her actions. But she was sane enough to purchase illegal drugs and surgical equipment online. She was sane enough to kidnap a woman and take her to her torture chamber in Santa Clarita and attempt to cut her unborn children from her stomach. And then when she was discovered she was sane enough to escape capture and elude officers before she was arrested holding a child at gunpoint. There is only one woman responsible for all this carnage and that woman if the defendant Nora Trenton. And now you all have a decision to make. You can find Ms. Trenton not guilty and opened the door for every criminal to use a mental health defense, or you can find her responsible for her actions. Thank you." Ms. Novak returned to her seat confident that she would get her guilty verdict and raise her winning percentage.
Mr. Burger stood up next and addressed the jury. "I'm going to keep this short and sweet for you all today. We know the facts of this case, we've heard all the evidence presented by the prosecution and we've heard the testimony of the victim. We know what happened and we know who committed the crime. There's no denying that. And normally yes, I would suggest you come back with a guilty verdict, but there are other circumstances in this case. The fact that my client has numerous mental health issues is not an excuse nor does it excuse her to go out and commit other crimes. But it does shed light on how mental health issues can cause a person to act erratic and do some things that they would never dream about if they were a sane person. My client had been off her medication for several months before she kidnapped Ms. Pope. She was not in her right mind. Before this incident, Ms. Trenton was able to hold down a job and be a well-functioning member of society. Ms. Trenton can be that woman again by being found not guilty, so that she may enter into a mental health facility where she can get the help she needs. Thank you."
X
"What the hell is taking so long?" Althea was a nervous wreck, she didn't know where her nerves had come from all of a sudden. She'd been trying to stay strong for her sister, but ever since the closing arguments and the jury left to deliberate Althea had been on pins and needles. She needed the jury to come back with a guilty verdict or she just might jump over the railing and beat Nora's ass herself. It would be her trial everyone was attending next.
"Just relax Thea, these sorts of things can take some time." Curtis said, sitting next to Olivia on a bench on the courthouse hallway. He was holding her hand, rubbing his thumb across the back, hoping to keep her calm.
It had been a few hours since the jury left to deliberate. Everyone had gone to eat lunch and come back and the jury still wasn't back with a verdict. And although Olivia wasn't saying it out loud, she was nervous. This should be an open and shut case. They have more than enough evidence to find Nora guilty, so why were they taking so long to come back? The more time went by the more worried Olivia got. She didn't want to work herself up, but it was getting harder not to, especially when she could tell her family was getting nervous just as she was.
Just when Thea was about to lose it, Ms. Novak came up to them from another hall to tell them the jury was back. Everyone paused in the hall and took a collective deep breath before they followed Ms. Novak back into the courtroom. Olivia held Fitz's hand in one hand and her father's in the other. Her mother was clinging to her husband's arm and everyone else followed. Someone was holding onto someone else, nerves getting just about all of them.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury I in the case of the people vs Nora Trenton have you reached a verdict?" The judge asked the head juror.
"We have your honor."
"The defendant will please rise." Nora and her defense attorney stood up. "Proceed."
"On the charge of aggravated assault, we find the defendant Nora Trenton not guilty."
Olivia felt her heart sink. Not guilty? How could they not believe all the evidence they were shown. Olivia didn't even want to hear the rest of the verdict, because she just knew it would be all guilty and Nora would go free. She tried to get up and leave, but Fitz and her father pulled her back down to her seat.
"On the charge of Kidnapping, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of attempted murder, we find the defendant guilty."
Olivia went from despair to utter relief in a matter of seconds.
"Members of the jury the state of California thanks you for your service, you are dismissed. Nora Trenton, you are remanded for sentencing." The judge banged his gavel and Olivia felt like she could finally breathe. She looked over to Nora being handcuffed by the court officer and then walked out the side door out of the courtroom.
Her parents were shaking the prosecutor's hand, thanking them for a job well done. When they walked out of the courtroom, everyone was lighter, the mood and energy in the air felt different.
"I can't believe it's over." Olivia whispered mostly to herself.
"It is over babygirl." Curtis hugged his daughter and kissed the top of her head.
"We should all go celebrate." Adelle suggested.
They all moved to leave, but Olivia stood in place.
"Liv you coming?" Fitz asked when Olivia didn't move with everyone else.
She looked up at him, her eyes were already glassy. "Yeah, can you just give me a minute?"
"Okay." Fitz understood what she needed and he led the rest of the family down the hall so that Olivia could find a quiet place to be by herself.
There were way too many people in the courthouse halls, so she found a stairwell to the off to the side. She walked down a few steps before taking a seat and finally exhaling. It was over. For months this was the moment she was waiting for, the moment of peace. She could go to bed tonight and not worry about a nightmare. She could walk outside without feeling the need to check behind her every few minutes. She could relax and live her life. All Olivia could do was cry. Cry tears of sadness and joy. She was sad that she even had to endure this and sad that she felt it would always be a part of her. But also tears of joy at the fact that she survived it all and had still had the chance to raise her children. And for the past few months, Olivia has been merely existing, not living. She went through every day just trying to get to the next. And at this moment, Olivia understood that she'd been given a second chance at life and she was not going to waste it. She had the love of family and friends and she made the decision that she was no longer going to just exist but live her life to the fullest and not in fear.
X