A/N: I can not believe we are 13 chapters in already with still so much yet to happen. Loving all the reviews and the private messages, I so appreciate my readers. Happy reading and I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 13-Ranch house

Olivia didn't so as much squirm in her seat, nor did she look at the slime that sat next to her. She continued to stay focused, eyes in front, on the judge. She is Olivia Pope, and she doesn't crack. She's not going to now either.

Jax wanted her to be afraid. He wanted her to feel the fear, that's why he sat next to her. She figured he thought he would feel the vibe coming from her. Maybe he would hear shallow deep breaths, or maybe he would hear her heart pounding, but that wasn't happening today, so Jax was shit out of luck.

Instead, Liv felt Fitz's stare. She knew he was watching her, depending on her, and she wasn't going to let him down. He is the father of her child and letting Fitz down, she would be letting Grant down, and that wasn't in her game plan. She was dressed in the white suit Fitz gave her, he wanted her to slay and slay she will. Now all she could do was wait.

Fitz was trying to listen to the judge. The judge was a friend of his from college. Fitz had helped him up the ranks at Santa Barbara University when he had just become mayor. Judge Halloway never asked for favors, and Fitz never gave him any. He was a professional, honest judge, and Fitz had confidence in him.

Fitz also had all the confidence in Olivia. This was unprecedented, a governor wanting a plea deal for a murderer, but it was the domestic violence he was focused on. Most of these cases, as Fitz had seen, the woman was seen as deserving it, deserving it because she didn't leave the man after years of abuse.

He didn't want a jury trial, a chance for the defense to make Jake look like he was provoked. He needed this plea deal. He would not only come out as bold for proposing it, but he would also be on the phone immediately with his legislature to draw up a federal bill. This was his first big step as Governor to make a difference.

He looked over. He saw Jax, entirely too close to Olivia. Fitz had no idea how Olivia wasn't the least bit fazed. Her focus hadn't left Judge Halloway, she was stellar, just straight faced. Whatever happened between her and Jax outside just added ammunition to Olivia's game.

It was just like waking her up the night they first met. She was in a sound sleep and one gentle touch brought out a bat and a threat to beat him senseless. Fitz had to smirk, yeah Jax, he thought, nice work. You just struck out, and you don't even know it yet.

"I understand we have a plea deal." Judge Halloway looked at both lawyers.

The courtroom became abuzz. Jake yelled from his seat. "What the hell?" and he looked at Peters. Peters stood up.

"Your Honor, we did not agree to any plea deal," Peters said amidst all the buzzing.

The gavel struck. "Order. Quiet the courtroom or you're all out of her, I mean it." He turned to Sykes on the prosecution. "Mr. Sykes, you have some explaining to do."

"Your Honor, if we may, approach the bench." Sykes looked at Peters. Jake was whispering something in Peters ear. Peters was shaking his head, strongly disagreeing with whatever Jake was telling him.

Fitz saw Jake look back at Olivia. Peters then looked back at Olivia. Peters leaned in, tapping Olivia on the hand.

"What?" Olivia's eyes never left the front the courtroom.

"Ballard is suggesting you sit wing with me. He wants you to approach with me as part of counsel."

"No."

"Mr. Peters, I'm waiting, and I don't want to wait." Judge Halloway warned.

Peters, being just like his partner Flannery back in NY, arrogant and self-serving said, "Your Honor, we are requesting Olivia Pope to join us at the bench."

Olivia knew it was her way to chambers to get Jake to accept the plea. As much as she denied wanting to be part of it, she needed to be part of it. It was part of the game plan. Her shoulders dipped in frustration, and Jake smiled. "You know I need you, come on."

Olivia looked at him momentarily then back at Judge Halloway. "Ms. Pope, will you please approach with counsel?"

Mr. Sykes began. "Your honor before we begin jury selection, we have a plea we'd like to offer Mr. Ballard. We were unable to get a hold of Mr. Peters before court today, so this is how we had to it, my apologies."

"Your pushing your boundaries a bit here Mr. Sykes, but I see Ms. Pope came back all the way from New York, so I'm going to allow it. You'll have fifteen minutes in my chambers. You better come out with something worth this waste of time."

Judge Halloway looked back at Olivia. "Are you ok with this Ms. Pope? I understand you came for consulting purposes."

"I'm fine, thank you Your Honor." She glanced over at Peters and walked casually back to her seat. Before she sat down, Jax grazed her hand, and she pulled away looking down at him.

As she sat, Jax whispered, "It's in your best interest and your child's best interest that Jake does not take a plea, you get that right."

Olivia licked her lips, grabbed her laptop bag and proceeded to the defense table. She sat down where Mr. Peters once sat, leaving the chair between her and Jake open for him when he returned from the bench.

Olivia was too distraught outside the courthouse to realize this was playing just how she wanted it to. Her thoughts of Abby outside the courtroom opened her mind to the brilliance that was her as a lawyer. Jax was relying on pure guessing. In roulette, it's 50-50 black or white. In gender it's 50-50 boy or girl. Jax took a guess that Grant was a boy.

Babies are normally born with curly hair. Had Jax said light curly hair, maybe Liv would have stayed believing the bluff, but he didn't, he just said curly hair. Jax thinking Davis was the father was the backbreaker.

Jax knew Fitz as a baby, he had to know what Fitz looked like as a baby. Had Jax ever taken one look at Grant, there would be no doubt who Grant's father was. Grant was the spitting image of Fitz as a baby, even Fitz had acknowledged that fact.

Grant also had the most powerful two weapons Olivia could provide. He had Huck and Davis by his side. He now had all the security that come with being at his father's ranch, so no, Jake not taking the plea wasn't in Olivia's best interest.

"Court is adjourned for a half hour. Counsel will proceed with the defendant to Chambers."

Fitz watched as Olivia picked up her bag and led the way in front of Peters, Jake, and the sheriff's officer. He watched as her hand stopped the officer. She said something to the officer, and it was at that moment Fitz had a feeling he had nothing to worry about.

"The shackles on the feet are not necessary officer, haven't we established this months ago?" She had to establish Jake's trust again for this to work.

The officer shrugged and unlocked the foot shackles. Jake gave an elbow to Peters. "She's already better than you."

Tom and Luther, Fitz's two details in the courtroom with him stood up and formed a screen in front of him. Tom put his hand out and Jax's shoulder walked into it. "Sir, stay in your seat please, or make your way out of the courtroom, just step away from the Governor."

Jax looked at his shoulder, Tom's hand still resting on it. "Fitz, you want to tell your goon here to take his hand off me."

Fitz didn't say a word. He tilted his head towards Jax. "I have nothing to say to you Jax."

"You have my son, you shit, what's that all about?"

"Your son committed a crime, he's in the custody of Homeland Security, maybe you should have raised him not to be a criminal, a murderer. When this session is finished, I'll make my way to Los Angeles, Chip will be extradited to New York, not to worry."

Jax pushed his shoulder forward, but couldn't' budge, Tom was too strong. Luther took a step over also, closing the screen so Fitz was out of Jax's sight now.

Tom turned Jax around, and as he did Fitz said. "He jumped bail in New York Jax, that was a dumb move. Now with this trial making headlines, his sentence will be guaranteed jail time. Justice, don't you think, for the young girl he murdered there and her family?"

As much as Jax wanted to turn and punch the little punk, he didn't. "You may think you have connections because this is your state, but I have some things in my corner too, don't be so sure this will turn out the way you want. That little lady in there isn't all she seems. I own her, and she knows it."

Fitz stood up now. He could feel the heat in his face. Luther turned to him and stepped in front of him. "Sir, don't, this would be catastrophic if you did anything." Fitz looked at Luther. He was right. He watched as Tom walked Jax back to his seat and Fitz wouldn't sit until Jax sat first.

He rubbed his hand over his face. He knew Jax got to her, but how or with what he didn't know. He closed his eyes. "I hope you're ok in there Livvie."

Sykes and his legal assistant, Peters and Olivia, and Jake all sat at the empty top table. Sykes began. "We're offering 20 years per victim, possibility of parole after 15 for each victim. It's a deal never before made, and it's in your best interest.."

"Are you nuts?" Jake said. He looked at Peters, "tell him he's nuts."

Peters didn't say anything. He looked at Oliva. Jake looked at Olivia. "Fine then, you tell him he's nuts."

Olivia pounded the table, making all the men jump. "No, you're nuts, Ballard, are you out of your mind, jump on this deal, or do you really want to take your chance with a trial by jury?"

Jake sighed a laugh. "Yeah, maybe I do."

Olivia dug in her bag and pulled out a pile of something. She turned to Sykes. "Mr. Sykes, what's the jury looking like?"

Sykes gave a shrug, "possible 9-3 women."

Liv put the pictures on the table like cards being dealt. She put down nine women silhouettes, and three men silhouettes. "Take a look Jake. 1 in 4 women are victims of domestic abuse, 1 in 4. How many women are you looking at on that jury who hasn't been a victim herself? All nine? Maybe six? Possibly three? How would you know?"

"Maybe none." Jake said.

Liv rolled her eyes with a smile. "Maybe none huh? Look at me. Am I a victim of abuse?"

Jake licked his lips. "You? Nah, not by a longshot."

"Good, because my best friend was murdered by her abusive husband, so if I'm sitting on that jury, I am not even hearing what he" Liv pointed to Peters "has to say about you, you're already guilty. The trial can take two days, two weeks, or two years, you're still guilty and I will convince every damn juror" Liv pointed to the pictures, "that you are guilty."

Jake turned to Peters. "If the jury finds me guilty?"

Sykes didn't let Peters answer. "Two consecutive life terms no possibility of parole."

Jake looked at Olivia now, almost pleading with his eyes. "What are you Jake, 30? 35?'

"I'm 32 years old."

"So, you take the deal, you get out in 30 years, you're still 62. You stay in shape; you could be a nice looking 62 year old. You don't take the deal, you don't see sunlight ever again, you're in until you die. You want to die in prison, don't take the deal."

"What if I have you as defense counsel? Peters here is proving he's not up for the challenge."

"I live in New York. I am here only for today. I quit his firm, tell him why Mr. Peters."

"She quit because we took her friend's alleged murderer on as a client."

"Tomorrow, I'm leaving back to New York. I am only here to finish what I started back in May. I told you back then your defense wouldn't be ready, now you're seeing I am right. I am not taking your case Jake; it is in your best interest to take this deal." She looked at her watch. "We have five more minutes, what's it going to be? You have a Governor willing to let this deal go through, you're not going to get that ever again."

Jake looked over at Sykes. "She's right Jake, this is the best I could do. The offer is good for five more minutes."

"Or" Olivia chimed in, "You take your chance with them." She pointed to the silhouettes. "What's to say one of the men on that jury doesn't have a daughter, a sister, or even a mother who has been a victim of abuse. You could be their revenge."

The room grew silent. It seemed like hours to Olivia who just wanted to have Grant in her arms. She crossed her arms and waited. Everyone looked at Jake when he began talking to Peters. Peters nodded his head.

Fitz had been on the phone the whole time Olivia was trying to convince Jake to take the deal. He had spoken to Huck, Dolores, the Chief of LA Homeland Security, and the head of his security. Their baby boy was sleeping soundly in his crib in his nursery, Dolores absolutely in love with him.

"Oh my God, Fitzgerald, he is all you. It's like I'm looking at you."

"Thank you, MiMi, take good care of him, we'll be there soon."

Huck got on the phone. "Is Liv ok, she called me screaming making sure Grant was safe."

Fitz told him about Jax getting to her. He hadn't talked to her yet, so he doesn't know what was said. "Thank you for getting him there safely. I know he's in good hands."

"This place is gorgeous Fitz. You may be able to convince Liv to stay."

"Well, you and Davis make yourself at home. We're still waiting on what Jake decides to do." Fitz hung up with Huck.

"Your father is on a flight now. He will be touching down in LAX at 6 pm then getting a car to the ranch, so figure ETA maybe 8 or 9 o'clock." Fitz hung up with his contact.

Fitz was now talking to the head of Homeland Security. "When Jax Putney arrives, let him see his son. He thinks I'll be arriving there, but I won't be there until tomorrow. Call me with anything else, and you can let him have legal there after Jax arrives." Fitz turned as Olivia came out of the chambers.

She didn't even look at Fitz as she walked to the back of the courtroom and took the seat closest to the door. Fitz nudged Tom who stood up. Fitz went over to Jax to distract him, taking Jax's focus off Olivia. "Jax, I've cleared it so you can see Chip once you get to LA." He handed a card to Jax. "That's head of Homeland Security."

Tom was coming back, so Fitz turned back to his seat. While Tom approached Olivia, she was told to go the car behind the courthouse, and Fitz would join her after he was done in here. Olivia was just waiting to see Fitz's and Jax's reaction to Jake's decision.

"Well gentlemen?" Judge Halloway looked at both lawyers. "I understand we have a deal."

The courtroom went crazy again. Fitz clapped his hands, once, and fist pumped in the air, turning to Olivia with a smile, but Olivia had her head in her hands. She looked up at the judge as he spoke. "Mr. Ballard, as per the plea deal, please explain to the court what happened on the night of the murders."

Olivia didn't want to hear the details. "One for you Abby, the next one will be yours." She whispered. She saw Jax turn to her and jump out of his seat.

She stood up at the same time, and left the courtroom, almost running to the exit. She didn't know that Tom had stood up with Jax and told him he needed to be seated until court was over for safety and news outlet reasons. Jax pounded on the chair and sat in complete anger and frustration as Jake gave the gory details about what he did to Vanessa and then watched her father die.

Jake was sentenced to two consecutive 20 year terms. He was led away, no shackles on his feet, as per request from Peters, his lawyer. Jake turned to look at Olivia, but she was long gone from the courtroom already.

Fitz shook Sykes's hand. "Good work."

"Wasn't me, it was Olivia Pope. That woman was brilliant in there. She almost had me accepting the plea deal. She said she's leaving back to New York. If I were you, Fitz, I'd do anything I could to get her to work in the Attorney General's office. She won this for you, I can't take the credit."

Before leaving the courtroom, Fitz walked up to Judge Halloway. "I always knew you were something, but this." Halloway pointed to the defense table. "This was bold of you, giving a murderer a plea deal."

"Think of it as what it does to the domestic abusers. Right now, minimum is five years, that's usually done on parole. This is bound to guarantee jail time, even a registry if we can get federal to accept the bill."

Halloway stood up. He put his hand out to Fitz. "Congratulations, Governor, I mean it. I see many more good things coming in your term, just stay out of any controversy and stay away from your father's politics."

Fitz nodded. "When have I ever been my father?" He shook Halloway's hand.

"Never, which is what makes you special. Don't be a stranger, ok."

Outside, the reporters rushed up as far as they were permitted as Fitz exited the building. He put his hands up so he could talk without questions first. " I would like to thank Mr. Sykes for his legal work and time spent on this case. He was given this case back in May, not very prepared, but we knew our goal. Domestic abuse was just the first of many issues we will defeat. Mandatory jail time, that's what we see for the future of these abusers."

"Are you off to Los Angeles now?"

"Charles Putney is accused of a murder in New York State. He is on bail, which he has jumped, and we are working with the Governor of New York to have him extradited as soon as possible. As for the charges here, we'll have to see what happens in New York."

He turned to walk away, thanking the reporters. Tom and Luther leading the way to the car in the back. The door opened and Liv turned to see Tom and Luther take the front, Luther driving, and Fitz hopped in the back seat.

Her gaze didn't turn from the window she was looking out. She had to compose herself to get the strength to talk. The car pulled away.

"Where are we going?" She asked without looking at him.

He reached over and took her hand, which she closed her eyes to his touch. "Heading to the airport, quick flight to the ranch. We'll be there in about an hour."

Fitz moved closer to her. She didn't move away, which was a good sign. "Liv" he whispered.

"Fitz, I can't have you promising you'll protect me from Putney, I told you he's in the shadows. I've been dealing with him for a long time, I know his tricks."

"I know, Liv, I'm sorry." She turned to him, and he saw the hurt in her eyes. He reached to her face, caressing her cheek. "Want to talk about it?"

"He just came out of nowhere. He came from behind. Then his voice in my ear. I felt a chill up my body. That's when he grabbed me, here." She pointed to her bicep. "He pulled me around the courthouse, and I saw a uniformed guard. I thought I was safe, but he knew Putney, he didn't even acknowledge me. Putney talked to him, called him by name, and the guy turned and left."

"What was the officer's name," Fitz said grinding his teeth, closing his eyes.

"Does it matter? I told you, he owns law enforcement, judges, lawyers, politicians, you name it, he owns it."

"Just tell me the name."

"Austin. That was his first name. The tag on his uniform said Reynolds."

"Jax gave me an ultimatum, have Jake deny the deal and my curly haired baby boy will live. Have Jake take the deal and he…." Liv covered her mouth, she shook her head, "and he dies."

"Son of a bitch." Fitz pounded the seat.

"He thinks Davis is the father. I guess from the rest stop trade. Said he would kill the father first, then me, then the baby, then he changed his mind, he said if Jake takes the deal, he kills the baby first."

"Liv, and you still convinced Jake to take the deal?"

"I know Jax's game. He's never seen Grant. He doesn't know if he's a boy or a girl, or if he has curly hair. So, I called his bluff, and…" she looked at Fitz. "You win."

He pulled her to his chest, and Liv never felt something she needed more than that. She wrapped her arm around his waist. "You must have been so scared, Liv, I'm sorry."

"Grant was brought into this world, on my decision and he didn't ask for this danger. This is the second time his life was threatened and he's alive for one month. I don't know where we go from here Fitz"

"We'll relax at the ranch Liv; things will fall into place." He looked out the window. "We're approaching the airport. Let's get on the plane, we'll talk more."

As the plane was in the air, Fitz sat close to Liv. "What happened in those chambers? I thought for sure he wouldn't take the deal. And don't try to BS me, Sykes said it was all you."

"I've been dealing with dirt like Jake for years, I could read him and that's what I did, I read him, I knew exactly what strategy to use, and I used it." She walked over to him, there was room for two on his seat.

She sat next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. He rubbed her hair. "I looked at Jake and I saw Chip. A wife beating shit who got off on abusing women, and I let that guide me."

"Then I looked at Sykes, he reminded me of you, trying to do what's best for the people here in California, and I couldn't let you down." Fitz's hand grasped her shoulder, and he pulled her close to him.

"Finally, I looked at Peters and thought of my career. The reason I quit that firm while pregnant with Grant, they took on Jake, and they are taking on Chip in New York. I wasn't going to continue working for a firm like that. I saw Grant, and the future we needed to provide for him, and all that put me in my slay mode."

Fitz laughed. "And slay you did. Thank you, Livvie, thank you so much."

She caressed his cheek, looking at him. "You're so welcome, Fitz." He kissed her softly.

"I can't imagine having to do that knowing Grant was threatened, but you did. Just proving my point how brave, how bold you are. You're a driving force."

"I'm still vulnerable being a mother."

The pilot announced they were approaching their landing. Fitz looked at her. "Ready to see Grant?"

She took a big, deep, breath sigh of relief. "You have no idea."

If Liv even tried to paint a picture in her mind what Dolores would look like, she would have done the woman an injustice. She was greeted with Grant sleeping so peacefully in a Uppababy Vista V2 Stroller. He looked so comfortable, and it was something Liv never got to see. She didn't need a carriage hiding out with him.

Holding onto the handle was the most heavenly looking woman. Dolores was tiny in size, but her heart was giant. She gave the most comforting smile when Liv exited the car, and almost ran to see Grant. Liv peered into the carriage, saw him sleeping, rubbed his cheek gently and looked at Dolores.

"Hello, my darling, you must be Olivia, and Fitz did you no justice by saying how beautiful you are, you are absolutely gorgeous, a glowing mommy look on you." She pulled Olivia down for a hug.

Olivia could smell a softness to her. It was almost as if she smelled of baby, it was so inviting, and Liv squeezed her a bit closer thanking her for watching over Grant. "Thank you, Dolores for taking care of our baby."

"Call me MiMi, and Grant is just perfect, just like his father at that age. That's the age Fitz was when Emma hired me to help her. He has his quiet personality also, nothing fusses him. You did well young lady, enjoy every minute with your baby boy, and I am right here if you need me."

"MiMi." Fitz hugged her. "Was he a bother?"

Dolores gave him a swat with her hand. "A bother, not a chance. He is pure delight."

Liv watched the exchange, and Fitz easily had a foot and a half height difference on Dolores, but Liv could tell how much he respected her. It was a beautiful thing to watch, Fitz interacting with is MiMi.

Dolores stood up on her toes and pulled Fitz down to kiss his cheek. She whispered something in his ear. He nodded his head and hugged her. Dolores looked at Grant, tapped his chin. She looked at Liv. "I'll be in my room, it's three doors down from your room and right next to the nursery. Your room and my room are equipped with baby monitors, if he fusses, don't you worry, I'll be there."

"Thank you MiMi." Liv felt weird saying it, but it fit, and Liv smiled.

"Enjoy the grounds with the Governor, Olivia." Dolores went inside.

"Are you hungry? You want something to eat? Do you want to go to the room? Whatever you want to do, Liv."

Liv looked around. She noticed a small garden a few yards from where they were standing. There was a bench facing a gorgeous display of flowers. "Can we head over there with Grant?"

"My thinking garden, sure." Fitz put his arm around her as she pushed the stroller, just staring in at Grant.

His eyes closed, dressed in a blue short sleeved shirt and tiny little blue pants. Dolores had put white socks on him, and his feet looked so tiny in them. His hair was pushed a bit to the side, but you could still see his curls. He looked so comfortable, and you would never know his life was threatened just a few hours ago.

"This place is beautiful, Fitz. It's so quiet right here, so peaceful." Liv was leaning up against him, her hand interlocked with his as she looked at the garden. The carriage was next to Fitz as he rested his head on hers.

"When I was younger, I used to come here and just read. I would read for hours. Especially the months after my mother died, I would sit on this bench and read. MiMi would come out, sit next to me and just listen to me read aloud. She would tell me it's why the flowers grew so beautiful because they liked to hear my voice. I believed her."

"You do have an intriguing voice Fitz, sexy also if I may say."

Fitz kissed the top of her head. "How are you feeling, really feeling Liv. You said you were vulnerable being a mother, you know that's not true."

"It is true Fitz, he's my weakness and my strength. I let Jax's words take control of me. I don't know what's going to happen when the state, when the Putney's learn that he's your son, it's going to make you vulnerable."

"You don't worry about that. We focus on the present now, and the present is letting you get to know this place, to live here for a week, if not longer and be comfortable."

Liv raised his hand, as their fingers were still interlocked. She raised her fingers up, then back down gripping his hand again. "What about your father?"

"Liv, after what happened today, everything that happened, I want you to relax, ok, just promise me you will relax. Take in the peacefulness, the serenity the ranch has to offer, ok."

Liv sat up, she looked at him, and his eyes were pained, thinking he put too much on her. It was the least she could for him. She squeezed his cheeks and pulled him to her. She kissed him. "Ok."

After a gigantic dinner, with way too much food, Huck and Davis joined Liv and Fitz discussing what happened at the courthouse. "One day Liv, you're going to let me do it, and I am going to skin Jax and Chip until they die screaming in pain." Huck closed his eyes. "Oh, that will be a beautiful sound."

"Huck!" Liv yelled. "The Governor is right here, watch it."

"Sorry." Huck said.

"For what, I didn't hear anything I wouldn't agree with."

Liv stood up. "I'm not hearing this. While Grant is sleeping, I'm going to take a long hot shower."

Liv stood in the shower, letting the water beat down on her body. She was soaking wet from head to toe, just letting the steam flow, and the water drip off her. She looked over at her bicep where Jax had grabbed her. "Your son, your little curly haired boy, he's dead." She closed her eyes, faced the water so it hit her face, and tried to drown the words out.

"He's dead, baby goes first, he's dead." Liv was just feeling the anxiety from the day. She took a chance, calling Jax's bluff, and it was still scaring her a bit, but that's who she was. "You're Olivia Pope, and what did Abby always tell you? Gladiators don't run." She whispered in the shower.

She washed herself, her hair, her body and with her hands against the wall, she watched the soap swirl down the drain in a circular motion.

"That's right, it's coming full circle, Chip, you're going down the drain, and you will rot in prison for what you did to Abby."

She stepped out into the bedroom, and she watched the scene in front of her. Her heart almost melted, and she just stood and stared. Grant was in the middle of the gigantic king-sized bed, and Fitz was over him, making the funniest noises.

Grant was just looking at him, moving his head towards the noises and focusing on his father's face. "What's the tiger say? The tiger says ROAR. What's the dog say? The dog says woof. What's the baby say? The baby says daddy. Right, say daddy." Fitz kissed Grant's cheek. "You're looking at me? I'm daddy, da deee"

"Cheating are we a bit, Fitz?" Liv laughed and joined them on the bed. "He's so focused on your voice." Grant turned his head to the new sound. "It's ok handsome, you can say daddy first."

Fitz's thumb was in Grant's hand. He was moving his hand up and down with the grip. Fitz just looked at Liv. "I love you so much Livvie, I want you to make this your home, his home, our home for the next week. Tomorrow, we'll walk on the beach, we can watch the sunset from the balcony in the beach house."

She leaned into his hand. "Don't you have a state to run?"

"I'll run the state, and I'll be back to watch the sunset. Do you like the room?"

"Beats a hotel room, that's for sure, this place is amazing."

"Next door is his nursery, then my childhood bedroom, then MiMi's room. The monitor is there, next to the bed. It's video and audio, so you can see and hear everything going on in his room. MiMi has the same thing."

"I'm going to feed him. I promise I will look around all day tomorrow when you're at work and I'll let MiMi guide me."

"I'm going to take a quick shower, and I'll be out." He kissed her and went into the bathroom.

Fitz's phone buzzed on the bathroom sink just before he stepped into the shower. "What's going on?"

"He's about a half hour away Governor. He's alone, no detail with him, just the driver."

"Ok, let him in, and don't let on there's anything going on or that I even know he's arriving."

"Copy that Governor. What about his access to the house?"

"Let him roam free, I'm ready."

Liv was on the bed her back to him when he got out of the shower. That silk toned skin back that was the very first thing he saw when he met her. She had on a pair of satin black pajama shorts. Fitz couldn't help but wonder what her ass would feel like when he moved his hand on them.

Grant was sleeping, but still latched on, sucking away. Liv had her arm under her head, and the other arm around Grant. She was drifting into sleep and opened her eyes when Fitz's shadow walked by. She looked up at him standing next to the bed.

"Hi" she whispered.

"Hi, little man almost done?"

Just as soon as he said it, Grant's lips dropped off, and he was asleep. "I'll take him into the crib. MiMi already has the lights going on the mobile and you can hear the soft baby music."

Liv nodded her head slowly, she was exhausted. Fitz picked up Grant, kissing Liv, as he watched her drift off to sleep. He deliberately turned off the baby monitor and walked with Grant to his room. Dolores was waiting in there, her hands on her face.

"You sure you don't want me to take him into my room Fitz, your father can be very spiteful."

"I'm fine Dolores, go back to your room, it'll be fine." Fitz picked up his phone. "He's heading up there."

Fitz walked over to the corner of the room, holding his son close to him, Grant's little face facing out, resting comfortably on his father's forearm.

Big Gerry had called Jax. Jax was livid, screaming about what Fitz had done to Chip. Jax was on his way to see Chip, and he didn't have much time to talk.

"But how did it go in court? All I'm hearing is Jake took a plea."

"Yeah." Jax said. "I don't know what you were worried about with Olivia Pope, he took a plea and I am guessing she is the one who talked him into it. I don't know what kind of game you and this Governor son of yours is playing but do not use me as a piece in it, it won't work out well, you hear me?"

"Jax, I have no idea what's going on, I haven't spoken to Fitz."

"Well, speak to him, and when you're done, call me so we can straighten out this Chip mess." He hung up.

Gerry was now in the ranch house. He hadn't been here in years, but it brought back so many memories of Fitz's childhood. Gerry would come home on weekends; he would take Fitz for walks along the beach teaching him the insides of politics.

He headed up to Fitz's bedroom, not quite sure what he would find. No one on Fitz's staff would talk to Gerry or give him any information. As he walked passed Dolores's room first, he noticed her door closed. He walked passed Fitz's childhood room. He stepped inside and clicked on the light.

He remembers decorating the room with him, and on his shelf still sat the picture of Gerry holding Fitz. Fitz couldn't be more than two months old, and Gerry was smiling with pure delight. He was glowing, so in love with his son. Fitz was facing the camera, although asleep, but comfortable in his father's arms.

He rubbed his thumb over the picture. He shook his head. "All you've worked hard for son, you can't just throw it away, not like this." He took a deep breath, put the picture back and continued to walk towards Fitz's room.

As he passed the next room, one that was once empty, he noticed some lights coming from it. He crossed his eyebrows in confusion, and he walked in. It was darkness beyond the small crib that Gerry was standing over. He heard lullaby music and he stepped into the room.

"What the hell is a crib doing here?" He said out loud. He looked into the crib, leaning over, but finding it empty. He took a deep breath. "Maybe he doesn't know yet" Gerry said out loud, staring into the crib and feeling around just to be sure there wasn't a baby in there.

"Know what yet dad?" Fitz emerged from the dark shadows of the room into the light. Gerry turned and his body grew cold. He was staring at the very picture he just held in his hand, only Fitz was holding the baby. The baby that looked just like him.