Chapter 48

Her shift in the Emergency Department had continued to be extraordinary. Last night she had stimulated a baby to take its first breath and just before she checked out this morning she had watched as a ninety-year-old woman had taken her last. She had come in just after two in the morning by ambulance from a nearby senior facility. Old age had finally caught up with her along with her latest bout of Congestive Heart Failure(CHF). Having received treatment in the field, her condition had improved marginally, but she still struggled as her failing heart was losing its capacity to pump.

Dr. Davis, the senior resident had reviewed her chart. Everything that should have been done was done. He conferred with the attending. There was a Do Not Resuscitate(DNR) in place and the particulars were in order. The attending decided to make it a teaching moment. Beginning with field treatment and ending with the treatment done to this point, Olivia and two other residents answered questions concerning the patient. The attending's final questions were: What else could be done for the patient? What else should be done? The patient was dying. The short answers was to make her comfortable and call her family.

As it turned out she didn't have family in the area. She had outlived her husband, her siblings, and her two children. Her only grandchild lived in Oregon. He had been notified but it would be tomorrow night before her grandson would arrive in Boston. The elderly woman was about to die alone. Her chart revealed that she had been a doctor. A dying doctor deserved special care according to Dr. Davis. Who wanted to volunteer for the end-of-life care and consideration of this patient? Olivia did, without hesitation. A DNR specified no more treatment for the dying.

Olivia watched as the endotracheal tube that had been placed in the field was removed. It actually seemed to calm the old woman rather than increase her anxiety. An IV line and oxygen cannula secured in her nose would be all that was left in place. No more orders would be given, pain meds only if the patient obviously needed it.

Dr. Olivia Pope now stood in the room watching the woman. Olivia wondered about the patient's life. Her occupation had been physician, a healer. One of the older attendings spoke of her as legend and a skilled neurosurgeon. As of today, medicine or nothing else could help her. Olivia stood there trying to will the woman to live even knowing that this was her fourth bout with CHF in the last two months. Somehow her body had responded previously to the meds and therapy given. She had improved and was discharged back to her life, but not this morning. The lab numbers on her chart told a different story this time. The nurse assigned to the patient asked if there were anything else ordered for the patient. There wasn't.

"No. No more orders for Dr. Gray. If she needs pain meds, I'll let you know. She was a very respected neurosurgeon, in fact right here at Mass General. However, there's nothing more to be done. She hasn't any family here. I volunteered to see her through her transition."

"No problem doctor. If you need me hit the call button."

"I will."

The final outcome for this patient was a certainty. Olivia had seen the dying as a medical student. It was no different as a doctor. However, the ED gave you a different perspective. Here in the ED, she had seen severe trauma claim lives quickly. She had seen patients young and old come in with debilitating injuries and illnesses that would claim lives. This was her first up close up and follow through. She had volunteered after hearing the history. No one should die alone especially another physician. She was watching the monitor because according to the numbers on the chart, Dr. Gray wasn't long for this world. The chief resident knew, the ED attending knew, and so did she.

Suddenly the woman opened her eyes. There seemed to be a recognition from the woman as to where she was. Olivia could see it. Whereas there had been no movement from the bed, there was now restless movement and agitation. The patient had the look. Her body was failing! Olivia looked up at the monitor. The woman's heart rhythm was changing. It had gone from a sinus arrhythmia to tachycardia, then to supraventricular tachycardia in seconds. The woman's breathing had begun to race trying to compensate for her dying heart.

"Dr. Gray, can you hear me?" The woman's head nodded in the affirmative and she closed her eyes.

"Are you in pain?" Her head went from side to side answering in the negative.

Premature ventricular contractions were now occurring frequently on the heart monitor. Olivia moved closer to the dying woman. She reached out to take hold of the woman's hand. Dr. Gray responded by squeezing her hand ever so slightly. Olivia tightened her grip!

"I'm here Dr. Gray. You aren't alone." Seemingly relieved at Olivia's words, the woman held on. Premature ventricular contractions became runs of ventricular tachycardia which suddenly changed to Bradycardia as the woman's heart beat slower and slower. Her breathing slowed as well. Bradycardia eventually became asystole. Dr. Gray's eye's re-opened as her last breath escaped her. Her grip went slack and her mouth lay open in death. Olivia watched the woman for a few minutes more still holding her hand. When she did let go, an evaluation of her eyes showed pupils fixed and dilated. No pulses were present. She hit the call button. The nurse entered the room and looked at Olivia.

"Is she gone Dr. Pope?"

"She is. Please notify Dr. Brown as well as the Chief Resident."

It was 2:54 am and Dr. Gwendolyn Gray was dead. Dr. Olivia Pope felt a serene sense of sadness about this lost life. Empathy was a must for a good physician and Olivia had plenty but she had four more hours to deal with emergent patients in the ED. She had made a connection with Dr. Gray as she lay dying. She would process it and move on. Olivia left the room to continue her shift.

Fitz was up early. His night had been restless. Today was going to change the trajectory of his life. Nothing would be derailed. His and Olivia's bond was too tight for that. He wasn't worried in the least about where he and Olivia were going. They both had declared their intentions almost eight months ago. Olivia was going to be shaken by Tessa's revelation but they would survive.

When he was Olivia's age, he knew that he had family. A family that he could count on for love and support. Olivia had lost half of that love and support the day she had chosen him. Her father had exiled her brother for his choice but for some reason Olivia had thought her "father" wouldn't follow suit with her. She had always considered herself Thomas Pope's little bit of humanity. He seemed to try his best to cloak his evil around her. He tried to be a better man.

That bit of acting had been for when he believed he controlled Olivia. She had gone off to America and was to come back as a doctor. Then she would marry the man of his choice and follow in his footsteps. Those were his plans, not Olivia's. Once he realized she wasn't controllable Olivia suffered the same fate as her brother.

They had discussed it at length. Olivia loved him and she intended to embark on a life's journey with him. She had prepared herself to lose the love and support of Thomas Pope. What she wasn't prepared for was the fact that Thomas Pope wasn't her father at all! The fact that Tessa had woven a thick cloak of lies around her deception was troublesome for him.

Olivia had been reared on the "saving yourself for marriage" nonsense. Apparently, Tessa was promoting it while not practicing it herself. Olivia had told him that only recently had Tessa told her that she hadn't been truthful about coming to her marriage virtuous. She had experienced love with someone and she had kept the information to herself. When Olivia had told him he had thought little about it. Most of the planet had secrets about youthful sexual encounters that they kept to themselves.

Now as the plot thickened and the truth was being told, it was obvious this wasn't a youthful discretion. It was a liaison she had with James Lockheed as an adult. They had been secret lovers and they had conceived a child. He wondered if Olivia had figured out for herself that whatever was going on between Tessa and Uncle wasn't brand new. Olivia was very smart. It had to have occurred to her that something didn't add up. He had not decided what tact he would take this morning. He hadn't any intention of beating around the bush though. He was going to tell Olivia the truth about her parentage today!

She would be home in an hour. Would she be tired? Would she be hungry. It was too bad that his surprise couldn't remain a sweet interlude where he swept her into his arms and took her to bed. There they could engage in sexual delights for hours. No way he could do that knowing what he did. He had to tell her first. She had to know the truth!

What a night! The shift had continued to be lively and eventful for a weekday night. New life and death had been coupled with gunshot victims, asthmatics, and severe intoxications, to name a few. Treating the sick and injured was very exciting. Olivia was still inspired by her chosen profession but it had been a long night. Finally, it was over. She was going home. If only Fitz were there. It had only been a few days but she missed him so much. Friday couldn't get here fast enough.

During her shift several times her head was filled with thoughts of her mother and Uncle Jim. Fitz suspected a romantic encounter and now she believed it true herself. It wasn't that she couldn't accept it. She could. There was something about their relationship she was missing. She suspected it was because of her closeness to the two of them. Several times tonight, she was found herself racking her brain for answers. She was searching for the connecting dots she was missing.

On the ride home instead of talking with security about her night she closed her eyes and really concentrated on thoughts of her mother and Uncle Jim. If she could only see some future event with them. She was a seer after all. Still nothing! Wait! There's the beach. Olivia recognized it. It was home, the Pirate's Bluff area. A woman was walking in a sun dress and her feet were bare. Her hair was curly and long and the front was pinned back from her face. She smiled believing it to be herself. It was her walking the beach. Where was Fitz?

"Wait for me, sweet girl. You're walking too fast." The voice wasn't Fitz. It was obviously some islander.

"You're walking too slow old mon. And you have the blankets. A girl will be out of notion of giving you what you want if you continue to move so slow!" What? That wasn't her voice!

"You promised."

"I did and I will if you come on."

The woman turned around to face the man and walking backwards. As she walked she proceeded to remove the straps of the sundress from her shoulders. The sundress fell to her waist exposing two perfectly formed breasts. The man had his eyes glued to her chest and he had the biggest grin on his face. He also picked up his steps and hurried up to her. His hands reached out each one taking hold of a breast. He began to caress them before he dropped his mouth to them. The woman's head dropped back and she closed her eyes. She grabbed his head and held it to her. The man sucked, nipped, and laved from one breast to the other. Finally, he stopped, stood back and blew his breath on the wet puckered nipples. There was a sharp intake of breath from the woman.

"I love you, Tess."

"I love you too, Jimmy."

Olivia's eyes flew open. Those people on the beach hadn't been her and Fitz. Clearly it was her mother and Uncle Jim when they were younger. They were lovers before. Uncle Jim had to be the man that her mother had experienced passion with before she married her father. All of this was right before her eyes but she was refusing to see it. She didn't believe it possible so she had been searching for something else to explain what was happening. The truth was that her mother and Uncle Jim had been lovers before and now they were or had already begun to renew their romance.

Her psychic abilities had always been there. They usually manifested themselves in reference to her life. She had seen things in her future and they had truly happened. Never before had she tried to summon up things about others. What she had experienced in the past was mainly intuitive things that would eventually come to past in reference to others. Her "seeing" flashes had mostly involved her future happenings and her past! Yet, somehow, she had delved into the past of her mother after closing her eyes and wishing it to be so.

If only Fitz were here. He could help her understand what all of this meant. Her mother and Uncle Jim had been lovers in the past. Her mother was now divorced and they were renewing their relationship. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Olivia had seen them together. They obviously cared for each other. Uncle Jim was the type of man that would keep her mother safe and he would never abuse her. That counted for a lot if you had lived in the world of Thomas Pope. For now, she was going to leave it alone. The topic was too big for a telephone conversation. She would wait until Friday, until Fitz was home. In the meantime, she didn't want another vision. She was still processing this one.

They would be at Bealle Street shortly. She was going to miss that place. It had been her home for four years. She had studied hard and now she was moving on. Not only from this place but from Cambridge to Boston proper. And the best thing of all was that Fitz was moving there with her. He would be home on Fridays and he would stay until Monday morning. These last few weeks they had gotten a sampling of what their lives would be like. Everything wasn't completely turning up roses but she was so happy. She thought Fitz was happy too. The time that they had, they made the most of it.

When she switched to days, she imagined things would be different. Nothing was better than sleeping in a bed with Fitzgerald Grant through the night. She loved waking up to his kisses and his erection straining to be inside of her. Her mind flashed back to last Monday morning before he left her. She closed her eyes and relived it.

She had come in from her Sunday night shift and it had been an all-nighter. She was dragging, tired as hell. Always straight to the shower after a shift, she finished her shower and came into the bedroom draped in two towels. One surrounded her body. The other was twisted atop of her head. He was awake waiting for her as he aways did.

"Good morning, Sweet Baby. You look drained. Rough night?"

"It was. We barely got a fifteen-minute lunch. I took a bathroom break in order to call you at eleven which was my best five minutes of the night! It was exciting though. I wouldn't have wanted to miss a thing!"

"Of course you wouldn't. Are you doing your hair or are you waiting until tomorrow?"

"Waiting until tomorrow. I'm exhausted. I want to fall asleep in your arms. Are you needy?"

"I'm always in need of you Olivia. I love you and I crave your body. You need to rest. If you feel up to it, we'll play later. Come to bed."

She dropped the towel from her body first. She was practically glistening from her body oils and emollients. She unwrapped the towel from her hair and shook it out. She heard him make a hissing sound. She watched him swallow hard. Was there a luckier woman than she was? This handsome and vibrant man loved her to distraction. And he seemed to always want her sexually. All of his prowess and expertise was for her and her alone. She reveled in that fact.

Olivia got into the bed relieved to be back in his arms. She snuggled close and lifted her mouth for his kiss. She was tired but if he wanted her, she was in a giving mood. And he did want her. The evidence was in plain sight. Fitz kissed her passionately. The kiss was drugging and then he ended it.

"Sleep Livvy. Rest! I'll awakened you before I leave. Sweet dreams."

And sweet dreams she had! He held her for four and a half hours while she slept. She had awakened to the gentle tugging of her breasts and it wasn't a dream! Fitz was going from one breast to the other. Immediately she had caught fire. Her hands ran through his curls feeling sensation after sensation. His mouth left her breasts and she wanted to pull him back until he started a trail of kisses straight down an imaginary line to her core. He whispered he had been dying to taste her! He parted her gently with his hands and used one single finger to collect her flowing juices and bring them to his mouth.

"You taste so sweet. You're so wet. All for me."

He pushed his middle finger deep inside of her while his mouth attached to her love button and started to tease and suck. She had begun to squirm under his assault on her senses. Reaching for his head again she held him to her. Her body was moving in tandem to the seductive movement of his finger within her and the incredible suction from his mouth. Her head moved from side to side as she called out his name in a plea.

"Fitz! Fitz!"

"Come for me Livvy. Come for me Sweet Baby!"

Olivia's head fell back onto the bed and she clutched the sheets as a powerful orgasm overtook her. Fitz had felt the contractions the moment they started. He rose up above her pushing himself inside as her walls contracted around him. The feeling was glorious. He started movements as old as time itself. He hissed and whispered how good she felt. His movements were slow and deliberate as he waited for his Livvy to comeback amongst the living. He wanted her back with him completely for the next phase of their lovemaking.

"Are you back with me Livvy? Can you feel how much I want and need you?"

"I'm back. That was wonderful! This is wonderful. You make me come so good, so hard. Tell me what you want."

"Just you Sweet Baby. You feel so damned good. So wet and so tight. I swear I could fuck you all day."

"I wish you would, I wish you could. You feel good too. Time is short Fitz. Tell me what you want."

His tempo had speeded up and he whispered to her again. "Move with me Livvy. Screw me. Make me spill myself inside you."

The next hour had been remarkable. Multiple orgasms for her and two very explosive ones for Fitz. Their sex life up to this point had been more than she had ever expected possible. It would be this coming weekend before she saw him again. Anticipatory was hardly the word to use. Saturday morning couldn't get here fast enough.

She and Security walked into the condo. They would ask her if she needed anything and if not, they would head to the basement. She didn't need anything but a hot shower and her bed. She would get up around one and contact her mother for a dinner date and time. Suddenly the scent of bacon filled her nostrils. The Bealle Street crew must have ordered out for breakfast for the Mass General crew. The delicious smell of bacon was all the way upstairs.

The smell of breakfast food was drawing her to the kitchen. The guys had never cooked anything up here even though she had told them they could. Someone was cooking in her kitchen. She would drop in and say hello and then hit the shower.

He was standing at the stove. Which meant that his back was toward her. He had on his signature black tee and a pair of expensive jeans. His feet were bare and his head was an unruly bunch of brown curls. She'd know that backside anywhere.

"Fitzgerald Grant! You're in Cambridge!"

"I am. I'm here with you."

"I'm not losing my mind? Today isn't Saturday! You're not supposed to be here."

"No, it's not Saturday and you're not losing your mind. This is a surprise. Aren't you glad to see me?"

"I'm more than glad to see you. I want to run to you. I want to hug and kiss you. But rules are rules. I need to shower first and then I get to shower you with hugs and kisses."

"That you do. Off to the shower then. I'm fixing a light breakfast for us. Hurry back."

Olivia left the kitchen on cloud nine. Fitz was here. She had just relived a most wonderful sexual interlude between the two of them. Right now, the man was standing in her kitchen fixing the two of them breakfast. He was here with her. She didn't know the why or the how. What she was sure of was that she would be with him from this moment until she left for the hospital at six-thirty tonight. This surprise, this early reunion was a blessing in disguise. He was here! She could talk to him about her mother and Uncle Jim. Her startling revelation had kicked her back. Not in her wildest imagination would she have considered such a thing. However, it was true. She needed to tell Fitz.

She would have to call her mother and cancel their dinner date. With the news she had just figured out, she wasn't really prepared to face her mother and Uncle Jim. After talking with Fitz, they could decide how to move forward on the issue. It was news but it was something that they both had suspected. Everyone involved was an adult. As adults they would hash it out and move on with their lives.

Hopefully, her father would let them. She wasn't worried for she and Fitz. Fitz was determined that her father wouldn't interfere in their lives but would her father step back from this revelation about his ex-wife and best friend? Her father was a hostile vengeful man. He would see this relationship as betrayal. And she suspected he would act as the fool he is.

Fitz was here now. He would help her sort through it all. With him by her side she could get through anything. She would get his perspective about the situation and together they all would move on! In the meantime, the love of her life was in their kitchen preparing breakfast. That was a positive thing! It was a wonderful thing. How long he was going to be here she will undoubtedly learn soon. For now, he was here with her and she wasn't willing to share, not today. She also didn't want the news concerning her mother on her plate right at this moment.

Fitz was home! She had missed him terribly and she hadn't even been able to hold and tell him so. At least not yet. She was going to shower, eat the delicious breakfast he was cooking, and then she was going to make love with him!

Well, he had surprised her. He was sure that the last thing she expected was to come home to him in her kitchen cooking. He'd woken up and couldn't get back to sleep. Thinking about what he had to tell Olivia was weighing heavily on his mind. Nevertheless, it had to be done. They would eat first and then they would talk.

Olivia went through her normal routine just a little abbreviated because she wanted to get back to Fitz. He was fixing breakfast and it smelled delicious. She had seen some fresh diced fruit and he was stirring something. Maybe batter for crepes was a good guess. Actually, she had been hungry for some food earlier. Now all she could think about was getting her man into bed. Her fuck radar was on blast. She wanted him!

Her toiletries were done. She was creamed and oiled in all the right places. Her unique scent had been strategically placed. Her curly damp hair framed her face. No make-up other than his favorite purple lipstick. He was casual so she donned casual. A purple sheath dress that was a bit clingy was her choice. No undies were her choice as well. After breakfast she was thinking of a mutual oral transaction to begin with. She smiled and headed for the kitchen.

"There you are looking just as I imagined. You look beautiful. Come here!"

She ran into his arms hugging him with all her might. She looked up at him ready for his kiss. He didn't hesitate. He kissed her passionately. Olivia held back nothing in that initial kiss. She stood on her tip toes to mold their bodies together intimately. She wanted there to no doubt as to how much she wanted him. Their tongues dueled for possession. Their passion for each other was obvious.

God, he wanted her so much and she wanted him. It would be so normal for him to pick her up and take her to bed or if they chose, they would sometimes make love wherever their desires hit them. They had made love in every room in this house including the basement before it was taken over by Security. Olivia was as needy as he was. Unfortunately, this wasn't the time nor the place. Topics had to be broached and words had to be spoken. Words that would change their entire day and more. He broke off the kiss.

"Let me feed you this delicious breakfast Dr. Pope. You've been up all night and if I know you Olivia the most you've had to eat is a cup of soup or a bag of unseasoned popcorn. You need something to sustain and fortify you. I've made one of your favorite, strawberry crepes and bacon. There's real maple syrup or honey. Also, some scrambled eggs and fresh-made mimosas. An appetizing breakfast for my lady."

"It sounds wonderful Fitz. For a minute I had forgotten all about food. That kiss made me want to make a beeline for our bed. I've missed you. Are you sure we can't come back to this breakfast feast after we make out like crazy?"

"We could but I really need to talk to you first. It's very important Olivia. I wish we could put it off but we can't. Let me serve the food and we can talk over breakfast. Have a seat."

"This is about my mother and Uncle Jim, isn't it? You figured it out, didn't you? The proverbial light bulb only appeared over my head this morning. It's amazing, isn't it? The two of them are definitely involved. We figured that out this past weekend. I'm assuming that like me you now know that Uncle Jim and my mother were secret lovers before. I saw them in a vision Fitz. They were both younger. There was little doubt about their intimacy. I had planned to tell you myself this morning. It's staggering news but it's not the end of the world. I have to accept the fact that my mother had a secret life."

"Yes, I want to discuss your mother and Uncle Jim. And we will, after breakfast. Would you like some of everything Olivia? Here sip on this. I made it with some fresh-squeezed oranges, a hint of lime, and some of the '94 du Bellay from your wine cellar. It's chilled and delicious."

"It is that! Wow, that's so good! Fitz, you know you don't have to ply me with wine for sexual favors. I intend to give myself to you freely over and over again. You know that right?"

"I do know that, Olivia. We love each other and we share a lot. In fact, I love you more than anything in this world! You loving me back has been a precious gift. I'm grateful. Eat up, Livvy."

"I love it when you call me Livvy. It makes my toes curl. It also means you're thinking sexy time. I'm one lucky lady. And this crepe is a sure-fire aphrodisiac. It really doesn't even need any syrup. But then everything is scrumptious. Having a chef for a fiancé has its perks."

Fitz was eating but not with his usual gusto. He loved good food and this was good. Olivia's all-night shift had worked up quite an appetite. She wasn't an egg person. There was very little of the fluffy concoction on her plate. She was on her second crepe and another serving of the crispy bacon. Fitz was pouring her second glass of mimosa when she said something about his lack of appetite. Normally he would have had three crepes, a huge serving of eggs, and a rasher of bacon down his throat by now. He was eating but he was literally just moving his food around on his plate.

"Fitz, what's wrong. You aren't eating. You're dilly-dallying with your food. I've eaten more than you. What's up? The thing about my mother and godfather isn't that big of a situation. I can deal with it. She had told me there was someone. It is hard to believe who that someone is but I can live with it. I imagined that you worried how it would affect me. I'm fine. When we see them, we'll talk it out. Get out of your concerned fiancé mood and eat. You're going to need your strength and energy. I can promise you. Eat up and stop being a worrywart."

"I wish my worry was only caused by the fact that your mother and Uncle Jim have a past. There's more to their story Olivia. They were involved in their youth and young adulthood. They were involved before your mother married Thomas Pope."

"I gathered as much. Mother has said she experienced her first taste of passion with that involvement. She experienced love and passion with Uncle Jim. Apparently, it affected her marriage with my father. I can see that now. I suspect it's why the married never thrived. She's been in love with Uncle Jim all these years. The animosity and dislike for each other, it was all a façade. I've seen them together. They've tried to hide it but they couldn't. I believe they're still in love Fitz."

"They are."

"I had planned to talk it out with you this weekend. Then I came home and you were here. You being here made me so happy. I was being selfish. I wanted us to have our happy moment, our reunion first. I wanted this breakfast and then I wanted to us to go to our bed and drown ourselves in passion. I felt the revelation about them was important but not more important than us. I had already processed it in my mind. I wasn't going to keep it from you. No secrets! I hope you understand that."

"I understand Olivia very well. When you came into the kitchen twenty minutes ago and placed yourself in my arms and we kissed; every instinct in my body willed me deepen that kiss, pick you up, and take you to bed. I would have marveled in it! We would've marveled in it. I wanted it so much. I needed you so much. My passion for you is everlasting."

"I wanted that too Fitz. Re-warmed eggs aren't tasty but your crepes can stand the test of time. Why aren't we in bed right now Fitz? And why are you moving your food around on your plate really not eating anything? Something is wrong. What has happened?"

"Olivia, there's more to the story. It's true Tessa and Uncle Jim carried on an affair before she married your father. They ended it after the marriage. Tommy was born and they had moved on until…"

"Until what? What happened?"

Fitz put down his fork and moved his chair next to Olivia. He took one of her hands into his and entwined them. He pulled their joined hands up to his mouth. He placed a tender kiss upon the back of her hand. He faced her, looking her directly in the eyes. He wanted her to see all the love he had for her in his eyes. Then he spoke.

"I promised you truth in all things between us Olivia and I meant it. Two days ago, I received a call from Uncle Jim. We talked and he told me there were things to be said about him, Tessa, and you but it was up to your mother to tell. Everything concerning you Oliva are things I want to know. He said these things were Tessa's to tell. They were things that couldn't be discussed over the phone. They were private things. I immediately send over a secure phone. I wanted know exactly what he was talking about. They received the phone and called me back right away.

The information was simple and straight forward. The two of them had decided to tell a truth that I needed to know. They didn't want you to face this truth alone so they told me. The initial plan had been for your mother to tell you the news. She had only shared the news of your paternity recently with Uncle Jim. She had told him the truth and he accepted it. Now she would share it with you. I was to be your strength and support on the sidelines when Tessa told you. I couldn't play that role Olivia. Not even for your mother.

I must tell you that she isn't happy that I refused to follow the path that she wanted to take, to await on the sidelines. That's not what we pledged to each other. That's not what we are about. We share important things that must be shared. No lies! Not by omission or otherwise. Once I knew the truth, I was obligated as the man that has sworn to love, protect, and support you to tell you. I had only one choice."

"Tell me. What is this truth I need to know."

"Thomas Pope is not your biological father. James Lockheed is. It's fact Olivia. It's the truth."

Olivia squeezed his hand hard. As the truth hit her, her eyes flashed in disbelief. Her mouth opened as if to speak but nothing came out. Fitz pulled her out of her chair onto his lap. He still held her hand and his other arm held her. He was staring intently at her. His heart hurt for her. He couldn't sugar coat this shit and he wasn't going to try. They were only eight months into their journey but he knew Olivia. Like him she was analytical and her logic was fact-based. He had told her the truth plain, simple, and concise. That would be what she wanted.

"Talk to me Olivia. I'm here. I'll always be here."

"Fitz, I'm literally speechless right now. I know what you're telling me is the truth and nothing but the truth but it's tearing at my soul. On its face it seems unbelievable but I know in that same vein that it's true. I loved my father or at least the man that I thought was my father but there's always been a disconnect. I couldn't pinpoint it but it was there. There were times myself I wondered how I could possibly be related to the man. Turns out that I'm not!

My mother wanted to tell me herself? Why now I wonder, as I am in full womanhood? I will be twenty-five years old my next birthday. How could she keep such a thing from me? From my real father? Suppose I had lived my life never knowing the love and support of James Lockheed? What in the world is the true story of this deception?"

"Your mother has said she's prepared to tell you all the facts. If you would like to, we can head to the Bostonian this morning. They are cohabitating Olivia. Uncle Jim moved his things into your mother suite days ago. Both of us had figured out they were involved, to what extent we couldn't have known. What do you want to do Olivia? This is your call."

"I know that I can't face my mother right now."

"I imagine you're deeply hurt and angry. This is overwhelming deception. Your mother told me some of this unfortunate tale. Quite frankly some of her actions were understandable, others are inexcusable. I would ask you to keep in mind that your mother was an abused woman. That abuse shaped her life for thirty years. Everyone of her decisions made in that marriage centered around that. Including her years of parental deception. She had a reason for it. Remember that Thomas Pope had the woman under his complete control for years. Finally, she took control of her life. As much as I detest what has been done, specifically to you, remember she's your mother and I believe that she loves you very much."

''You are such a special man, Fitz. I love you for being you. I'm glad you chose to tell me upfront as soon as you knew. It was the right thing to do. To be sure this news has left me let's just say, shaken and stirred. I still don't want to see my mother right now. And the fact that Uncle Jim is supporting her actions…"

"It isn't so much that he supports her actions, Olivia. The man loves your mother. He's hasn't any choice but to support her."

"He supposedly loves me too. I'm his flesh and blood for goodness' sake! Where's his consideration for me, his daughter that was lied to from birth? What about the lies he was told himself?"

"Again, this is your call. And once you have all the facts, you'll go from there. If you want to talk to them now or later. That's entirely up to you. However, you must talk to them both at some point. You do accept that fact, don't you?"

"Oh my god, Fitz. This news has drained the very life from me. I'm feeling so much disdain for my mother right now. I'm mad at Uncle Jim. On the other hand, I'm relieved that Thomas Pope isn't my real father. I'm hurt that I'm not related to my precious Nana at all. I had wanted to eat your delicious breakfast and have you take me to bed so the two us could engage in orgasmic delight for hours. I know you could take me to bed and make me forget everything but the things you would do to me. You are the most wonderful and giving lover. I can't give back right now. Do you understand?"

"I do, Sweet Baby. Your mind is all over the place. When you have sorted this thing out, we pick up where we left off. So, you don't want to talk to "your parents" today. That's fine. I'll be your sounding board for now. Do you mind if I call them and let them know that I told you the truth and we're still discussing it? No matter what they're kept from you, they love you Olivia. Remember that."

"No, I don't mind if you call them. I imagine they're having a bit of anxiety as well. I love you, Fitzgerald Grant with all my heart." For the first time since he had told her the truth her eyes brimmed with tears.

"I know you do and I love you back." He kissed her tear-filled eyes. "Things will get better Olivia, I promise.