A/N- With Liv and Fitz being miles apart, I'm trying the best sequence for this to be reader friendly. Hopefully I'll hear more in the reviews. Happy Reading. Enjoy.

Chapter 6—Avoiding the Truth

Olivia felt the bed move signaling Fitz did not and was not leaving. She turned her head, on the pillow, now facing the wall. Putting her hand under the pillow to puff it out, fighting the urge to look at him.

"I asked you to leave." She whispered. She had no more strength left in her. A good, hearty cry is what was needed, and it wasn't going to happen while Fitz was there. Letting him see her vulnerability is not something she wanted. The tears were beginning to build, though as thoughts of Erin were running through her mind.

"I know you did, but I'm just not ready, I need to know…." Fitz stopped because the phone started to buzz.

Liv gave a sniffle, regained her composure, and answered. "Huck, what's going on?"

"The doctor said she needs surgery on her leg, it's broken." He paused. "She's going to need internal fixation, which means screws and a rod to put her shin bone in place. He hit her clear with the bat breaking it in two." Huck took a deep breath.

"When is the surgery?" Liv blinked and a tear fell, she tried to quickly wipe it away, but Fitz saw it all happening. Turning her head, the other way, she waited.

"It's in a few hours, but you have to be in court Liv, don't get disbarred, then Putney wins twice. I got this; I'll be there for her."

"I don't want the Ballard case, Huck, I don't want it."

"You know what you have to do, just do it, ok, you'll be back Tuesday morning. I'll keep you posted on the surgery."

"Can I talk to her?" Liv sat up now, she crossed her arms, holding the phone with her shoulder.

"The doctors gave her a sedative and pain medication; she'll sleep through until the after the surgery."

"I want to kill the guy Huck, I really do. This time I want to kill him." Liv watched as Fitz put his head down. He didn't like hearing her speak like that. "How do you know it was Jax and not Chip?"

"Because I already killed the guy and he pleaded with me to spare his life right after he said Jax's name. It was beautiful slitting his throat. He had a tattoo that said Boozer on his right forearm."

"Boozer?" Liv said the name. Fitz's head shot up, but Liv didn't see that. His eyebrows crossed. He knew that name, one of his father's workers.

"Just get some rest Liv. I'll hold it down here."

"Tell her I love her, ok, Huck, just let her know I love her." She put the phone down and turned on her side, weeping quietly.

Fitz moved so he was sitting right next her, while she lay on her side, facing him. He began to rub her back. "Liv."

"How did you not know Chip was married? Your Lt. Governor? Doesn't he have to be a resident of California?"

"They've lived here since I was younger. My father was always comparing me to Chip with his father, always bragging about me. Chip traveled to New York frequently. I just never knew he was married."

"You didn't know, then, that he was injured about a year ago?"

Fitz shook his head. "No, I may have heard it in passing, something about a fall off a horse and injuring his leg, but no."

"After he beat Abby the first time, after she had the miscarriage, I took the bat and broke both his kneecaps. Tonight, the attacker broke both kneecaps of the guy guarding Abby's mom." Liv closed her eyes, trying to keep the tears in. "It was a message to me."

"I had a restraining order against him, didn't you know that, wouldn't you have been told that, he can't hold public office with a restraining order."

"My father knew, I am sure, but he kept it from me, he keeps everything from me, but that's changing. After tonight, Livvie, I promise that's changing. What are you going to do about Jake Ballard?"

Liv took a deep breath. She couldn't think anymore. "I have to go to court, if I don't, I can be disbarred. He wants his trial moved up., it's scheduled in April. He wants me as his lawyer, but I'm not doing it. I'll see what I can do with the trial, but I'm not staying on, I just can't afford to be disbarred."

Fitz laid now next to Liv. He pulled her to him. "You're exhausted Liv, you need your rest."

She closed her eyes nodding her head. "I'm sorry I yelled at you. I just couldn't believe you were with Chip, like the best of friends. It spooked me. Has he donated to your campaign? He donates everywhere all around the damn country, he has a judge, law firm, and politician bought in every state."

"He had, but all that is going to change after this weekend, Liv, I swear. I am going to take control of my life."

"Fitz, you're a Republican running in a state that usually favors democrats, the last thing you need is to…

"Don't worry about me, ok."

"Ok."

"Do you think you're still in danger from him, Chip, the Putney's?"

"Oh yeah, his father was blazing mad with that restraining order, had my boss tell me to let it go, but I wouldn't. Chip is after me because of the beating he got. He never told his father a black woman attacked him. "She put her forehead forward on his chest, as he continued to rub her back gently. "He's trying to get out of a trial, hasn't been arrested yet. That's next on my agenda when I get back, I want him arrested on murder charges."

Liv wouldn't say it, but when he sat on the bed, she was glad he didn't leave. Feeling his soft caress on her back, she looked at him.

"You have to go, Fitz. It has to end here."

Fitz bowed his head. "I know." He whispered.

Liv watched as he jotted something down on the same pad Vivian used the other night. "My private cell number, call me anytime, I mean it."

She nodded. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I love you too, Livvie." He didn't look at her, as he stood and quickly walked towards the door.

She couldn't see as he took one last look at her, she was laying with her eyes closed. He took in her beauty. How the hell did this happen? How did he fall so fast for her? He couldn't marry Mellie, he was done listening to his father, and he was going to deal with Putney. This was his problem now, and he was leaving this woman he loves to become a better man.

Before it became any harder than it already was, Fitz took one last look around the room. He looked at the bat leaning up against the wall and he smiled. The first time he saw her over him with that bat he fell for her.

Liv was beginning to fall asleep as the man she fell in love with about the same time he fell for her left her room. Her thoughts would be turned off and she would finally be sleeping peacefully.

Fitz

As Fitz opened Liv's hotel door to exit, he was greeted by two of the security detail. They had been acting on his father's orders and Liv's room number was on the list he had provided them. Fitz looked at them and turned them towards the elevator.

His security detail was a lot of things, but stupid was not one of them. They knew right away the young lady in room 782 had protected him and he had no reason not to accept her protection. They also knew there was more to why he stayed there for two nights.

"If you say anything at all to my father about where I was, you will be fired, and begging for work throughout the state of California, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir." They said in unison.

"If this leaks in any way, I will know who it came from, so can the two of you be trusted?"

"Yes sir." Again, in unison.

Big Gerry breathed a sigh of relief when his son walked off the elevator into the small café. He stood up and went to put his arm around Fitz, but Fitz sat down and looked coldly at him.

"Where's Boozer?"

"You're gone for almost three days and that's the first thing you say?"

"Yeah, it is, where's Boozer I have a job for him, I need to talk to him."

Big Gerry pulled out his phone, pushed a few buttons and put the phone to his ear. Boozer wasn't answering. He hung up and repeated the process. This time calling a different number, and someone picked up.

"Where's Boozer now?"

"As far as I know he went back to California, why?"

"He's not here and I haven't heard from him."

Jax took a hard swallow. "I'll get back to you."

Big Gerry looked at Fitz. Something was different. He could tell by his actions, his words, his body movements, and his overall attitude. "Son, is something wrong? Everything alright?"

"Linda Marshall." Fitz said not answering any of Fitz's questions.

"Come again?" Big Gerry said

"Linda Marshall, do I stutter?"

"What about that no good traitor?" Big Gerry didn't like Linda. She had run against him for the Senate seat causing him to spend millions of unnecessary dollars on a runoff.

"I want her as my Lt. Governor." Fitz said it with a straight face. "I'll thank Chip and Jax, but Chip is not being considered. I want Linda here on the campaign trail as soon as possible."

"Son." Before he could continue, his phone buzzed. "I see. Well, that doesn't sound good. Keep me posted. Ok, bye."

Figuring he needed a little backup; he began dialing a number. Fitz stopped his hand. "No, you'll call Mellie, when I tell you to call Mellie."

"Son, what in the world has gotten into you? Have you lost your mind?"

"Tom." Fitz's one trusted security detail turned towards him. "Give me my cell phone please."

Tom looked at Big Gerry and cleared his throat. "Sir, your father had your cell phone terminated."

"What?" Fitz squinted. "You what?"

"Relax, I have a new one here for you, I couldn't take the chance someone got to your phone."

Fitz wasn't worried about that, he was upset because he left his old number for Liv upstairs, now she would have no way to get a hold of him. He took a deep breath, calmed his nerves, and began dialing.

"Ms. Marshall, Fitzgerald Grant, good, good, sorry for the early call. I wanted to ask you to join me, to be my Lt. Governor, would you like that, accept that?"

He nodded. "I understand, absolutely, ok then, we have a team, I will see you in San Bernardino on Thursday. Yes, I am going to announce it shortly." Fitz saw the podium set up. "Good to have you on board."

Big Gerry shook his head in shock. "Son, you're." He stopped as Fitz made another phone call, raising his finger to Gerry to quiet down.

"Chip, yeah, good, how are you? Still in New York? Oh, good not too early. Look, thanks for asking about the Lt. Governor, but I'm going another way. Yeah, my father told me about the restraining order and pending charges against you. I don't need someone with a domestic abuse record looming on my campaign, you're too risky right now. Take time and get your problems solved. Yeah, had a nice long talk with my father, he let me know everything, sounds terrible. Oh good, yeah sure looking forward to seeing you next week. We'll talk more then."

"What the hell are you doing Fitz? You're throwing this all away in a matter of minutes. Why did you go and say that to Chip?"

"Is it not true? Does he have a restraining order against him? Isn't he getting set to be arrested on pending murder charges? Were you just going to let me pick someone like that as a Lt. Governor?"

"Of course, no, I was going to tell you, just with the wedding and everything. I had already spoken to Jax earlier letting him know our reservations about Chip. Do you know, though, how much they have donated to your campaign?"

"Well, good, I saved you the talk. Give all that money back, I don't want Putney money. Now about the wedding. Call it off. It isn't happening next week, and I'll be damned if it happens at all."

Gerry stood up now. He pointed at Fitz, the voices getting louder, and it was attracting the two reporters waiting by the podium. "Don't you dare try to call this off, you know what it took to get it pushed to next week."

Fitz looked passed his shoulder and noticed the reporters coming their way. He quickly stood up, ignoring Gerry and walked towards the reporters. "Gentlemen, if you'll just have a seat by the podium, I'll have a statement ready in a few moments." Fitz guided them back towards the podium.

Fitz closed his eyes when he suddenly heard Mellie's voice from behind. He had no way of hiding his dislike anymore and when his eyes closed, he saw a picture on his mind of Liv soundly sleeping in her bed upstairs. He wanted to run back to her, but Mellie's arms wrapped around him.

"Fitz thank God you're ok."

Making sure the reporter's backs were to them, Fitz unhooked Mellie's arms from around his waist. He turned to her, coldly staring at her. "I just told my father, the wedding isn't happening next week, don't know if it'll happen at all." He turned away, with Mellie's mouth dropping wide open and walking over to Gerry.

Fitz did what he does best and took his place behind the podium, waiting for the cameras to start so he could speak to the people of California.

The camera light brightened the podium, and Fitz turned on that beautiful smile. "Thank you for being here today. I decided to take a few nights and stay over in the beautiful city of Oakland. Can't just do one day and night in Oakland, so here I stand."

"Were you at your bachelor party?" "Is the wedding between you and Melody Sinclair next week?"

Fitz held his hand up. "If you'll let me speak, thank you."

"First, I would like to announce that a candidate for Lt. Governor will be introduced on Thursday in San Bernardino, so mark your calendars for that."

"Second, no, I was not here for a bachelor party, no the rumors of the wedding being next week are NOT true. Mellie is here with me, but she will be leaving today. I am staying one more day, as you know the Jake Ballard hearing is tomorrow. I stand firmly in my promise to get domestic abusers prosecuted with stiffer sentences. I plan to be in the courtroom tomorrow showing support for the prosecution."

"The defense has brought in an attorney from New York, does this worry you?"

"No, not at all, it's obvious they are desperate, it's Mr. Ballard who should be worried. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Fitz stepped down from the podium and was being led away to a private back room of the café. His father grabbed his shirt collar before the door could close.

Tom, out of instinct, pulled at Gerry's hands, releasing them from Fitz. Fitz straightened his shirt and smirked. "What's wrong dad, am I pissing you off?"

"No, not pissing me off at all, just don't think this is over with, just yet." Fitz walked away with Tom, Mellie chasing after him.

"Stay on him, like hawks, you hear me?" Gerry yelled at two of his Secret Service detail. His phone buzzed.

"Jax."

"Boozer's dead. He was found in his hotel room, throat slit, left hand gone."

"Holy Shit, Jax, what the hell?"

"I have no idea, but I'll find out. Chip just called too, what's going on with Fitz?"

"I'll find that out, looks like we both have some work to do." Gerry hung up, shaking his head.

Jake's Hearing

Liv was the first one in the courtroom. She woke up at 6 a.m. and packed her room up. She left her bags with the hotel and headed to the courtroom with her laptop, some notes, and her burner phone.

She wanted to leave the hotel before she saw anyone from the Grant detail, or even Fitz himself. She took one last look at the bar, where she met Vivian and Rick, she bowed her head and thought how much her life had changed in three days.

Dressed in all white, pants and a sleeveless blouse, she was sitting on the bench outside the courthouse when the doors finally opened. Liv couldn't look at her notes anymore, her head was beginning to hurt. She had no idea who the judge would be, never being before one in California.

There was some shuffling in the back, and the prosecutor walked in. "Leonard Stykes," Liv saw his hand, and she reached out and looked up. "Olivia Pope."

He was an older black man, and Liv didn't recall the name. She looked confused. "I thought the prosecutor was supposed to be". She looked down at her notes, "Bayley Lidel."

Leonard shrugged. "Change of plans, I guess. I heard wonderful things about you Ms. Pope, hopefully this doesn't get too heated."

The courtroom began buzzing and Liv didn't turn around. She had no intention in getting vested in this. She was here for a hearing and out she would go. She was dreading seeing Jake Ballard in person but had to do her best for her career.

"Leonard, good to see you. I hope you get 'em today, good luck to you." Liv couldn't look up. She recognized Fitz's voice the second she heard it.

"Don't let any hot shot New York lawyer." Then the pause. "Well look who we have here." Liv closed her eyes. She also recognized Gerry's voice as well. "Aren't you the young lady from the hotel?"

Liv cleared her throat and stood up. Focusing on Gerry, she smiled. "Well, hello again Senator Grant, I take it you found your son safe and sound? What brings you to the hearing?"

"My boy." Gerry held out his hand towards Fitz, "he's not fond of domestic abusers and murderers, so he's here to be sure the trial stays where it should give the prosecution time. He'll be governor by the time Ballard goes to prison. Fitz, come on over I'd like you to meet someone."

Liv fidgeted a bit. "Sir, that's not necessary. I'm not staying on; I am just filling in until the firm gets a lawyer for Mr. Ballard."

Gerry ignored everything she said. "Fitz, this young lady was at the hotel, she was disturbed a few times on account of you, now look, she's defending Ballard. Your name Ms.?"

"Pope, Olivia Pope." Her eyes glanced up at Fitz. "Pleased to meet you Mr. Grant. Glad it all worked out. Your father was a bit worried about you."

Fitz grazed her hand. "Likewise, and thank you. Yes, it all worked out. No harm done to me at all, I was well taken care of."

Liv nodded, gave a quick smile, and sat down. The door in front opened, and Jake Ballard entered in shackles, both hand and feet. Liv stood up and looked him up and down. She hated to do it, but as his lawyer, she had too.

"Are the shackles necessary bailiff?"

The guy just shrugged. "Ask the judge when he comes out."

Once the judge was seated, Olivia asked for the shackles to be removed from Jake's feet and just handcuffs left on. "Your honor, my client is no threat to escape, and surely will not do so with handcuffs on, I don't believe the foot shackles are necessary and quite frankly, a bit inhumane." Liv stared straight faced at the judge.

"Bailiff, take them off, leave the handcuffs. Now Ms. Pope, we'll continue. Proceed."

"Your honor, my client, Mr. Ballard has been held now for 145 days. He's asking for a trial date, originally scheduled for April 24th of next year, to be moved up and granted for June 24th, of this year, about a month away rather than and absurd 11 months. He has time served, and the unnecessary waiting for one with no bail pending surely puts in question the legal system as it is being abused in California. This is all a political game to make sure a newly Republican Governor is in office, and he can have a big win under his belt in his first few months. Moving the date to June, it leaves the current administration in, and it doesn't look like the judge is caving into politics."

The judge side eyed Olivia. "Watch it Ms. Pope, tread lightly, you're out of line."

"Your honor, if I may." Leonard had jumped in. "Mr. Ballard is accused of not only slitting his wife's throat but causing the heart attack, with poison that caused the death of his father in law. This is a double murder. He is a danger to society, being a skilled and trained military operative. His trial date is set for the date so the prosecution can prove without a reasonable doubt that Mr. Ballard is indeed guilty."

"Your honor, if Mr. Sykes is so sure of the evidence and the crime perhaps the trial should be sooner. The sooner this danger to society is in prison, the sooner Mr. Sykes can protect the society. If this trained military operative did the crime, then the prosecutor should have the resources necessary in a timely matter to put Mr. Ballard behind bars."

Now the judge crossed his eyebrows in confusion. "I'm getting confused as to what side you're on, Ms. Pope."

Olivia was about to speak, but the judge held his hand up. "Enough. Mr. Sykes, it's true, Ms. Pope is right, use the resources you have, the evidence you've compiled and get yourselves together over there." He turned to Olivia. "This isn't a complete win for you either, though. The trial will be set set to begin on February 24th, giving ample time for both parties." With the gavel pounding, court was adjourned.

Jake turned to Olivia. "Well, nice job beautiful, I'll see you on February 24th, or before then as we put our defense together." Jake licked his lips.

"No, you won't." Liv cringed. "This was a favor, I'm done, you will not see me again. Quite honestly, the defense is in no way ready for a trial date of February 24th, either, you may have just sealed your own fate. You should have taken more time and not fight it. Dumb move on your part."

"Oh, I will see you again, Mr. Peters and Mr. Flannery already promised me your defense. They are getting good money to represent me."

"Good, then they can represent you. Good luck Mr. Ballard." The bailiff shackled Jake's feet, and Liv watched him getting led out, Jake never stopped looking at her. Liv shivered a bit and stood up to leave. She turned and bumped right into Fitz who was standing right behind her.

She looked up at him, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. "Mr. Grant."

"Nice work." He whispered. "I don't agree with the outcome, but you are something else. Criticizing the next administration? You must have faith in my campaign."

Liv looked around, the courtroom emptied now, except for one of his service detail. "If you'll excuse me, Mr. Grant, I have a plane to catch, and you have a wedding to attend."

He wouldn't move, and he took his chances. He lifted her chin. He bent his head, and he met her lips, softly. "Goodbye, Livvie." He reached in to give her his new number, but she bolted passed him towards the door.

They both were oblivious that Big Gerry captured every move that was made as he was standing in the doorway and watched Fitz's every move. As Liv walked out, she nearly knocked Gerry over.

"Were you hiding my boy all weekend?"

Liv's heart began to pound. "Senator, if you please, I have a plane to catch, and I have to go."

"Answer the question, were you hiding my boy all weekend? Did you sleep with him young lady? He is engaged to be married."

Liv bowed her head. She was about to say something when she heard Fitz. "Dad." As soon as Gerry looked up, Liv made her way around him and left the building taking one last look at Fitz as she left.

Present Day (Olivia and Baby Grant)

"And that's the last time I saw your father, Grant. He still doesn't know about you, but I'm trying to change that." She watched her son sleep quietly in his cradle. Only two weeks old, two weeks of having him in her life, and Olivia's heart was bursting with love.

She wasn't expecting him so soon. He wasn't due until February, but the labor pains wouldn't stop, and the stress was taking Liv to a whole other level. By the advice of her doctor, he was healthy enough to come out, and labor was induced.

Truth was also, Liv was afraid Putney knew her due date, and would have her watched. She never felt secure and ever since Abby's beating and then death, she had to alter her schedule, and she hated it.

It was a decision she wasn't sure of when she decided to keep the baby, but now, looking at him, she wouldn't have changed her mind for anything.

She rubbed his head. "I tried, Grant, I tried to let your daddy know, but your grandpa wouldn't have it. Your grandpa knows you exist and one day, hopefully he will come to grips with your existence."

After several attempts, through Vivian, to get a hold of Fitz, Gerry called the phone Liv had put aside for Fitz. Gerry had seen Vivian hand Tom a piece of paper. Tom nodded and gave it to Fitz who put it in his suit jacket pocket as he greeted would be voters.

Once he took the jacket off, Gerry got the paper, saw the number and called it. Liv picked up. She had just found out she was pregnant and had reached out to Vivian. Vivian made the hour long trip to Sacramento to get the number to Fitz.

When it was Gerry on the other end, she told him. She broke down and told him to please have Fitz get a hold of her, she didn't want the decision to be just hers to make to keep it or terminate it. "Do what you want, he'll never know." Gerry hung up the phone.

Using his card, she still had from the weekend, five months now into the pregnancy, she called Gerry's number. "If you have any kind of heart, you'll tell him, I kept the baby. We are due in February."

"He's a married man now." Gerry lied. "Let it go young lady, it was just a fling. He's had many, and he'll have many more, you just happened to be irresponsible. Forget Fitzgerald Grant, forget the Grant name." The phone line went silent.

Liv looked around her new living quarters now. She didn't hate it, but she didn't like it either. It had her feeling like a prisoner, but Huck had to take the most precautions possible. With Chip's being free, she couldn't take any chances.

Once Liv got back from her weekend, Liv got word Chip was no longer in the running for Lt. Governor of California. She smiled to herself knowing Fitz took care of that. Fitz not only dumped Chip, but he also chose a woman running mate. It would be the first time a woman would serve as Lt. Governor if Fitz would win.

"It was a win for us, Grant, your daddy taking care of us, and he doesn't even know it." She remembered the phone call from Vivian two days after Liv had left California.

"All I know is Papa Grant is one pissed off man. There was yelling and arguing going on in the lobby after Fitz came down from your room."

Liv kept in touch with Vivian. She never told Vivian about the pregnancy, but Vivian kept her in the loop about Fitz. She just spoke with her yesterday and was shocked to find out Fitz was still not married to Mellie. Gerry had lied to her.

The number Fitz left for her on the pad next to the bed was out of service. The first time Vivian had called Liv she was saying the marriage never happened the week after that weekend, but it had been postponed and moved to the original date in October. Liv had no idea what was going on, but she couldn't burden herself with it.

"Mellie's father had a stroke in North Carolina, and she had to leave Fitz right before the election, it was still a mystery to the state why they didn't do a rush marriage after your weekend. I don't know how much more I can find out, but Mellie was here for the Inauguration, and that seemed odd."

"You've been great, Vivian, really. If ever you can get remotely close to him, please give him that number. Vivian, only him, not his detail, not his father, just him, ok."

"You know I will for you Liv. Take care, ok."

Liv had a new burner phone reserved for Fitz after the conversation with Gerry. Liv looked at the "Fitz phone." She longed for the day it would ring.

Since that weekend, though, Charles was arrested. Even thought it was on murder charges, the judge still granted 5 million dollars bail, which was met easily. Chip was a free man awaiting trial. Only someone with connections could be on bail waiting a murder trial.

Now, the prosecutor in Chip's case had just lost his next motion against Putney, just this morning, to have one of the camera angles that shows Chip's face clearly, brought into evidence. The judge saying it's an invasion of privacy using a residential camera as evidence and it could set a precedence for future cases. Now what was once an easy winning case was crumbling and Liv was afraid to admit Chip may beat this.

Liv was working non stop with Quinn. They had to work virtually, never being in the same room or area. They kept the Putney notes sealed. If anything happened to either one of them, they had all the evidence against Chip. The prosecution was happy for the help, and Olivia wished she could be the one prosecuting the bastard.

She thought of Abby all the time. She told Grant stories of his aunt, of his grandma Erin, and kept pictures of her around the place. Liv longed for her best friend, her trusted guide, she missed her so much.

The trial was now moved further back to March, and Liv didn't know how much more she could take. She longed for Fitz, just to talk to him. He was so easy to talk to. She took a deep breath, trying to escape her thoughts.

Grant grunted a bit, a little squeal, but stayed asleep. Liv rubbed his back, blinking back tears. She had to do everything possible to protect him. It hadn't been an easy pregnancy, hiding it from everyone, quitting the dream job she loved, and traveling to New Jersey for doctor's appointments.

She was threatened, warned, and even attacked, told to drop the case against Chip, deem it an accident on Abby, whom the defense claims was drunk and stumbled down the stairs, but Olivia refused and would fight to the death to get him behind bars for life.

Huck, meanwhile, had been trying to get a hold of Fitz. Liv didn't know it when he first began but the morning before bringing Grant home, Huck admitted to her he was trying. She didn't stop it, or try to stop it, but his father had put up some firewall, and Huck couldn't break it down. Liv figured as much with the connections Big Gerry had in DC added to his power in California.

Having been able to move Erin Whalen to safety to Missouri with her brother and his family, Liv had given her a few burner phones and was in contact with her about the trial. She missed her dearly, but she would much rather her safe than a target for the Putney's. The only time they would take her out of hiding would be to testify against Chip, if that day ever came. Erin did not know about Grant, having to keep his birth secret, Liv couldn't chance Putney finding out, possibly seeing pictures of him.

Liv suddenly felt a chill go up her spine thinking about Chip. She picked up Grant, now resting him on her shoulder as she tried to hold in her emotions. While six months pregnant with Grant, Chip had attacked Liv.

Holding Grant close to her body now, she thought of the attack. She had a scar on her lip from the ring Chip wore as his fist was up against her mouth, a reminder all the time of the danger she was in.

Liv was grabbed from behind one night as her and Davis, her guard, went for a walk. She told Davis to wait as she ran back into her old apartment to get something she had forgotten (her Fitz phone.). She didn't think it was dangerous since they had just exited the building. He offered to go, but she'd rather him stay outside just in case.

It was the night of the election in California, Fitz winning by a landslide. His face all over the news with his choice for Lt. Governor. It was the first time Liv had seen him since the weekend. He looked happy, relieved, and Liv noticed there was no wedding band on his left ring finger. Liv needed to take a walk to clear her mind.

When she went back into the building, Chip grabbed her from behind in the hallway and put her up against the door. He smelled of alcohol, and his arm was closing in on her throat fist against her mouth and she could taste the blood. He looked down and noticed she was pregnant, not being able to see her up this close to notice before as he watched her.

"You fucking ruined my life, bitch, you and that restraining order, these chump charges. Your friend is dead. She was drunk and fell, leave it alone." He looked down again.

"And looky here, a baby on the way." He pulled out a knife and pointed it to her stomach. "Too soon for the little thing to come out?"

Liv's leg wouldn't reach his groin if she tried, and her breath was leaving her as she tried to stay conscious feeling the blood now come out of her mouth, and trickle down her outside jaw. She wasn't going to give Chip the satisfaction of control, so she remained quiet neither trying to scream or fight back.

The air returned to her lungs quickly, as Chip fell sideways after being hit by Davis. Fearing Liv had taken too long, he entered the building just in time. Liv sunk to the floor gripping her neck, gasping for air, and wiping the blood from herself.

Davis held her asking her over again if she was alright. Liv just nodded, holding on to him for dear life. The only conclusion she could draw was Chip saw the election results. The election just sealed the deal and brought realization to Chip. Fitz put an end to Chip's political career, Liv was sure of it, but Chip had no way of knowing the connection. He was just angry because it was Liv's fault there were charges at all.

She held her stomach as Davis helped her up and held on to her leading her back to the apartment. Her lip required to two stitches, which he did for her right there. Liv refused to go to the hospital for obvious reasons. They went to the car leaving Chip to be found by someone soon, probably his own people. Although the guard wanted him dead, he was following orders given by Liv, Chip was not to be killed under any circumstances.

Holding Grant close to her, she took his smell in, shivering the memory away, that beautiful baby smell calmed her, and she began reciting his father's favorite book.

"In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.

One Sunday morning the warm sun came up…

And POP out of the egg came a tiny, very hungry caterpillar."

She stopped and rocked him and walked over to the sunlit window. She looked out to the quiet street and wondered what Fitz was doing now. Had he finished moving into the Governor's mansion? Was Mellie eventually moving in with him? Most of all was he happy?

With poll numbers dropping at the beginning of October, close to the election, pressure was on Fitz to get married. There were rumors, at first, the quick ceremony that never took place was because Mellie was pregnant, and they needed a quick marriage. Being Republican, the Grant campaign had to denounce that rumor.

She looked down at Grant, he was quiet for now, just resting on Liv. Liv thought to when she discovered her pregnancy.

On July 31st, Liv woke up after a week of vomiting and exhaustion and finally confirmed her suspicions, she was pregnant. She stared endlessly at the pregnancy test, and just cried until no more tears could come out. What had she done?

She had to confront Huck and tell him the truth about why she had inquired about Fitzgerald Grant. She assured him Chip was no longer Fitz's friend, although she wasn't quite sure herself, but she wanted Huck to like Fitz, not make him a target.

"He's the father of your child Liv, I would never hurt him, but that doesn't mean I have to trust him, when are you going to tell him?"

"He's all over the state right now on a campaign trail for governor. He's heavily guarded and I am certain he is married. I don't know when I'll tell him."

Grant began crying now, a hunger cry, and Liv continued to sit on the windowpane, watching now as the sunlight disappeared behind the clouds, rain surely coming through.

She lifted her shirt and Grant latched on, sucking as if it was his last meal. She looked down at him, seeing Fitz more each time she looked at him. She took a deep breath. She was scared Huck would get a hold of Fitz, but also anticipating he did. Her heart wanted so much to see him and to see him hold his son.

She rocked Grant a bit to calm him while he ate. She began where she left off, having memorized the book by now.

"He started looking for some food.

On Monday he ate through one apple. But he was still hungry

On Tuesday he ate through two pears, but he was still hungry."

She saw Grant pull back and she stood up to walk and burp him at the same time. There were three small knocks, and the locks began to click, all four of them that Huck had installed. Huck was back and she took a deep breath anticipating the news.

"Got it." Huck said

"Got what?" Liv walked over to the cradle, putting Grant back in it, now sleeping.

"Fitz's schedule for the month. He's going to be in Oakland on the third week of February."

"Jake's trial" Liv remembered.

Huck pulled out a piece of paper. "It's time Liv."

Liv looked at the paper. It was a slip for a plane, reserved for travel that week. The hotel reservations were for the Ritz Carlton in room 782. Liv just stared at the sheet.

"Huck, he has no way of knowing…"

"I got this Liv, the schedule, I got it. For you, for him." He rubbed Grant's little head in the cradle. "I need some rest. I'm going to think and work some more on getting direct hold of Fitz. I won't stop Liv." Huck walked into the bedroom and closed the door.

Liv just kept staring at the paper. A private plane, no doubt for her, Huck, Davis, and Grant. The room, for obvious reasons just for her and Grant, but how, how the hell would she or Huck get word to Fitz? She didn't doubt Huck, shouldn't ever doubt Huck.

She took a deep breath. The only time she could sleep was when Huck was home. She was too afraid to close her eyes any other time. Afraid that when she woke up, Grant would be gone, or she may never wake up at all.

With Grant sleeping soundly in his cradle, Liv was about to lay on her bed right next to him. She was about to close her eyes, when the sound she had been waiting to hear for months stung her ears. On the night stand next to her, the Fitz phone began to buzz.