Chapter 26
25 years ago
Ten year old Fitz was sitting in the sun after a very long day at school in his thinking garden. His legs were up on the bench, knees to his chin and his arms folding across his knees. His eyes were watered down, leaving wet marks on his arms.
His father better not come and see him crying, he wouldn't understand. Fitz didn't want to bother MiMi either. She was always there for him, always comforting him, but for this he felt he was acting like a baby, I mean after all it was just a book right?
Fitz looked up at the beautiful lavenders growing in the garden. He could smell the fragrance of them in the air and it brought back the most peaceful memories of his mother. His mother loved lavenders, and it's the one flower Big Gerry made sure he had planted in that garden.
His father was hurting with the loss of Emma, Fitz knew that, but he had his politics to bury himself in, and Fitz saw him drifting further and further into the dark dirty underground of the political world. For a moment his sadness left him, and he felt anger looking down at his book beside him.
"Fitz, honey, what's going on, what's the matter?" He heard MiMi's voice coming towards him and he couldn't wipe the tears fast enough. He tried, and MiMi saw it. She tilted her head to the side looking at him. "Fitz, talk to me, are you missing mom? I can smell the lavender too, her favorite right?"
He nodded looking back now at the lavender in the garden. His legs came down and MiMi saw what really had him upset. "Oh, Fitz, what happened to your book?"
Although he was a ten year old boy, he still needed love, right, there was nothing wrong with that. His MiMi loved him and his father wasn't around to show him any type of affection. He fell into MiMi's arms. "I'm sorry I am crying, so sorry MiMi, but Chip, that stupid, dumb boy, that Chip ripped it to shreds."
MiMi gripped his head holding him close to her as he rested his head on his shoulder. He was crying, but the words still came out. "He saw me sharing it with Mrs. Linden, the Reading teacher, she was so impressed I knew it front to back without looking and she had me read it too the class while she held it up." He closed his eyes again, as tears fell down and he buried his head again in MiMi's shoulder.
"After school one of Chip's dumb friends pulled my backpack off before I exited the building, he scooped the book out and threw to Chip."
MiMi didn't care Fitz was talking about another ten year old boy, she wanted to squish his face and force his tongue to bleed. He was taking right after his assaulting dirtbag of a father. "Fitz, I am so sorry, I know that book could never be replaced, I'll try my best to piece it back together."
Fitz finally let go of his MiMi. He picked up the book. "You will always be my Giving Tree, Fitz, I will always be so proud of you and all you do. That's the words she said to me as she gave me the book. Two days later she died." He rubbed what was left of the cover of The Giving Tree, his mom's favorite book, then his eyebrows crossed.
"Aww, Little Fitz and his Giving Book, little Nerd, give this. Then he ripped each page out, one by one as his friend held me back. I hate him so much, but yet my father still talks to Jax like they're best friends. Why doesn't my father see the evil in them both?"
Fitz shoved the book away and walked towards the lavender. He wanted to be close to his mother and the scent she loved so much. Fitz saw a car enter the driveway and his father had arrived to stay for a few days. Big Gerry waved to Fitz as he got out of the car and walked towards him.
MiMi cooked his favorite meal for dinner, homemade meatball subs with tater tots, just to make him feel a bit better. After his father arrived, they spent a few hours in the pool and went on the beach for some surfing time. All the time, MiMi noticed Fitz held in his emotions and listened intently to all the political lessons his father was giving him.
Lying now soundly sleeping in his bed, MiMi took the current book he had fallen asleep reading and placed it on his nightstand. His cheeks were a bit burned from being in the sun all day and his hair a bit lighter, but at least he was able to sleep.
She looked up and saw the torn book next to the picture of Emma. MiMi took a deep breath, shaking her head. Her hate for the Putney's would know no boundaries, but for when the time is right. Now, she had Fitz to raise, and raise him she would. He would be more powerful than any Putney, she was sure of it.
"You son of a bitch, then you should've come here, we were surfing, I would have given you the heads up you didn't need to go and off…" Gerry stopped his voice in mid sentence.
"Surfing? Big Gerry, you've lost your mind haven't you? You've known me ten years, I am deathly afraid of the ocean, you know that." Jax's voice cut a pain through MiMi's body as she approached Gerry's study.
He was on the speaker phone while Gerry did some work at his desk. "God as my witness, Putney I didn't think you were afraid of anything. You own a beach house for God's sake what the hell?"
"I like looking at the beach, on a cruise ship on the ocean, but I won't walk near it. That riptide, drowning is my biggest fear, nope, you'll never catch me walking near the ocean. Anyway, look for that envelope to arrive at the mansion, two days you said?"
"Yes, I'll be here for two more days then send it over. I'll take care of it, don't worry. See you soon Jax." Gerry pushed the button and saw MiMi standing there. "What is it?"
"Your boy getting bullied by that Chip kid, and don't you shame him for it Gerry. He can easily get himself into trouble going back at him but he won't because of you and what it would do to you. Keep that boy away from your son." She put the torn book on his desk. "Little Lucifer went and ripped apart the book Emma gave him. Her last gift to him and he tore it apart in front of him, you know why, because your son can read, and that boy can't. Stop choosing Putney over your boy, will you?"
MiMi picked up the book and stormed out of the office. She placed the book back by Emma's picture and picked up the frame. "I'll do better Emma, but he is a gem, he'll be fine, and Putney will get his when he least knows it's coming." MiMi knew his weakness now, and it's knowledge she will never forget.
Present Day
Olivia walked back to the bedroom. She had a small light shining in from the corridor and she was able to see Fitz's features as he slept.
It was a rarity for her to see him sleeping. He was always awake, taking care of Grant, doing Governing work, or just holding her. She was always the one to fall asleep first, to wake up second, and to take Grant from him. Every time she looked at him, the burning came back in her heart. She couldn't ignore the love she had for him. He meant so much to her, she wanted to be happy with him, to stop hiding.
Climbing into bed now after having the exchange with MiMi, Liv had a weird feeling, something was off with MiMi and she couldn't pinpoint it. Her gut told her something was pulling at MiMi's heart. "I need you and Fitz to continue to be happy, to love like you do, and give Grant the best life." Why was MiMi speaking like she was going somewhere?
Ever since Abby collided with Chip, Liv had an emptiness in her heart. She thought back to the night in the hotel room, how lonely she felt, and how her feelings towards Fitz came on so quickly. Once she left, before she knew she was pregnant she felt the need to be with him, that unexplained want in her heart, the burning.
Love, that's what it was, and she thought of him every day. She turned now and looked at him so peacefully sleeping. What if she didn't have Grant? Would she have tried to have a life with him? She told herself of course, because she truly loved him and fell in love with him that weekend.
"I would hope you're bringing Grant too." Evan's words played over in Liv's head. Her hand now behind her head as she looked back at the ceiling, unable to turn off her thoughts. She closed her eyes.
Should I? She thought long and hard. Thinking back to that small apartment she was crammed into in New York with Grant, Huck, and Davis. Her eyes opened. Davis. "Give him your life, Liv". She heard Davis's voice clear as day. God how she missed him.
"Make that life I saved worth living, you go on living." Davis's words echoing in her head. Then he died, because she wouldn't let him kill Chip when he could have. Her heart began to ache. She didn't want to let life pass her by anymore. Everything was happening so fast.
Feeling MiMi's hands on her cheeks from just a few moments ago. "He's done hurting you, hurting Fitz, and I'll be damned if he ever gets near Grant."
Why was Liv still the only one living in fear of Jax? Everything that had transpired in the past year, the birth of their son, the love of the people surrounding them, Fitz's love for her. Turning her head and looking at him again, she rubbed his face. "Fitz." She whispered. "I want to be yours, forever."
His eyes opened, blinking, then looking at her. His eyebrows crossed and his head shot up. "Livvie, is Grant ok? What's wrong?"
Turning and rubbing his chest, guiding him down to his pillow and facing him, Liv said "Nothing. I have a lot on my mind. Sorry I woke you up."
He took a deep breath. "It's fine, as long as you're alright." He took her hand and gently kissed the back of it. "What's going on?"
"Let's get married." She took a deep swallow. Watching his reaction, it felt like two tons was taken off her shoulders.
"Say that again." He stared wide eyed at her.
"Let's get married, before the ball, in the thinking garden, with Grant and those we love around us. Evan can perform the ceremony tomorrow."
"Too…wait, what? Tomorrow? Liv, where is this coming from?"
Being married, it sealed the deal for him as Governor. He wasn't out of wedlock with a child. When Fitz did introduce Liv, she would be his wife and her history with Putney, to keep Grant and her safe, Fitz had to keep their relationship a secret.
"I don't want to hide anymore; I don't want to pretend anymore. I want to be with you, to be your partner. I want everyone to see us, is that selfish?"
Fitz picked up his phone, before she changed her mind. "Evan, yeah, I know it's late, shush, and listen. I need you here tomorrow at eleven a.m, think you can handle that? Good I'll see you then. Bring your wedding officiating book or whatever." He hung up before Evan could question him. "We can go at 9 to process the marriage license, Livvie, you sure about this?"
Her shoulders went up, tears filled her eyes. "I've never been so sure of anything in my life."
Fitz smiled and gobbled Liv up in his arms. "Ok, then, let's get married. Want to tell me this plan and how this all came about in less than five hours?"
Grant's eyes were following the deep voice of his father. Fitz was on the phone speaking to his fifth person of the morning. Liv was sitting holding Grant on her lap as he was sitting upright looking around. Fitz continued his conversation but looked at his son, making him smile with the sound of his voice.
"You're not hearing me, I said to get the station there for 3pm today, I don't care they want the interview earlier, they are getting it at 3:15, that's that. I am not leaving Santa Barbara until after noon today, so I won't be there."
"Fitz, hang up, come on, your family is having breakfast." MiMi nodded over to Erin and Liv. Liv had since handed Grant over to Erin and Liv was talking to him, showing him the pictures in his number cardboard book.
Erin looked at Liv. "You two were out early this morning, is everything alright, you two good to go to the duplex?"
"Yeah, mom, just fine." Liv smiled following Fitz's voice, like Grant was doing.
Fitz held his finger up to MiMi. "I'll be a minute more." He kissed her head. "Tell the EPA in my office by 2 today, tell Demp to go to hell, and tell the station by 3, got all that?" Fitz grew silent.
After a few seconds, he said "Good, and I'll see you then. Thank you."
He slid into his chair beside Olivia and kissed her cheek. He whispered something in her ear, and she covered her eyes. They had made a decision that morning and it was a big decision and Liv nodded as she covered her eyes.
Erin looked over at her. "Liv, what is it?" She looked worried at Fitz. Bouncing Grant up and down on her lap, she said it again, "What is it?"
Liv took a deep breath. She took Erin's hand. "Erin, we have decided to take Grant to the ball with us. We need you to be there with us, just in case he gets a bit agitated. Would you please come with us?"
Erin looked up at MiMi then over to Fitz. "You want me to go to a place where Jax Putney will be?" She took a hard swallow. "I don't think that's such a good idea, not that you shouldn't bring Grant, that I should be the one there, MiMi, maybe you should go instead."
MiMi reached over to grab the syrup. "Erin the only way the man loses is by confrontation. Show you're not afraid of him. You'll have Fitz's secret service team there, hundreds of people, politicians, that Jax knows, you're safe, trust me, you're safe." Besides, I'll be killing him that night, you have nothing to worry about. MiMi's thoughts were racing.
"Erin, you have nothing to worry about, I assure you. With our son there, nothing is going to happen, I will make sure of that." Fitz reiterated.
Liv gripped Erin's hand. "I was the same way Erin, I was afraid of everything Putney, we can't live like that. He loses once he sees your fear of him is gone."
"What about all his people? You know how many people he has behind the scenes."
"They won't be there." Fitz shook his head. "They won't be anywhere near there."
"I don't have a dress." Erin thought she found her way out of it.
"Oh yes you do." Liv smiled. "Right MiMi?"
MiMi smiled right back. "Yes, you do, and I'll show you after breakfast."
Erin turned Grant around, so he was facing her.
She put her nose to his, kissing his forehead. "You ready to meet the state of California?" She asked him and Liv saw tears forming in her eyes. She shrugged. "I don't know, now that it will become a reality maybe I don't want to share you with millions of others, they are going to be in love with you though."
Ignoring that anyone else was around, she pulled him to her shoulder and rested her head on his. "Nana loves you, baby boy. Let's get your parents out of secrecy right."
Fitz cleared his throat. "We have another announcement." He looked at MiMi. Before he went on, he called up towards the room upstairs. "Huck, Huck, we need you down here. You hear me?"
At the same moment, the doorbell rang. Olivia tensed up for a moment. Tom came in. "Sir, Vivian is here."
"Send her in." Fitz looked at Liv. "One of the phone calls I made. I thought you may want her to be here today.
Liv smiled, tilting her head onto his shoulder. "That's great, thank you for thinking of her."
"Hey y'all." Vivian waved, was introduced by Olivia to Erin and MiMi, and she gave Grant a big kiss.
'Look at you all Governor Junior. God, he looks more and more like you every time I see him." Vivian said to Fitz as she took a chair next to Erin.
"Hey Vivian." Huck came down. "What's up?"
MiMi pointed to the empty chair. "Have some pancakes."
"I'm not really…" Huck stopped. He began taking a few pancakes to his plate knowing better than to argue with MiMi.
"Evan is on his way over." Fitz looked at Liv. He nodded to the table. "You tell them." He walked over and took Grant from Erin. He stood behind Liv, his hand resting on her shoulder and Grant had his head resting on his father's shoulder. Grant was bored with the conversation going on, and he was drifting to sleep in the comfort of his father's arm.
Liv took hold of Fitz's hand on her shoulder. Before she began speaking, she put her forehead on the back of his hand. In a very shaky voice, she began speaking. "Not only are we going to be introduced as a couple, parents to Grant, Evan has decided to come here upon our request. We are going to be married." Liv looked at her watch. "In just a bit under an hour, I am going to become the first lady of California." She blew air out of her mouth, and tears formed in her eyes. "We went early this morning and got the marriage license already. It's all set."
"Oh yes!" MiMi jumped up. She practically ran over to the three of them, "This is wonderful news. Oh Olivia, the state is going to love you." She bent down and took Liv into a hug.
"Thank you, this way nothing will be held over Fitz's head about an unwedded Governor, and he will take it from there. We will take it from there." She corrected herself. Liv looked at Huck. "Jax will be made enemy number one, in his quest to harm Grant."
She has known Huck for almost ten years. If she had seen him smile three times in those ten years, that's a lot. He smiled when he found out she was pregnant, he smiled when Grant was born, and now he smiled at her.
"Great choice, Liv, really it is."
Fitz walked over to MiMi a sleeping Grant still in his arms. "Right in front of the lavenders MiMi, I want my mom a part of this."
MiMi smiled looking at him, tears in her eyes. She cupped his face. "Your mom is a part of everything you do." She pulled him down for a kiss on his cheek. "I'm so glad I get to see you married, to someone you love before I go."
"Go where? MiMi, you're not going anywhere, you hear me?"
She began walking to clean up the pancake mess. 'You just never know dear."
"Ok" Fitz rubbed his sleeping son's back. "Wedding ceremony in a bit, very casual wear, obviously, and then a few months down the road, we'll have a big wedding inviting more guests."
"So, the next two nights, we'll be on a mini honeymoon, right?" Liv smiled up at him. For once in her life she felt comfortable, comfortable in this crazy decision she just made. Why couldn't she be happy? Why couldn't they show off their beautiful baby boy? If anything, she would have more protection, and Grant would have double the protection. Jax did not seem to be the powerhouse without Chip doing his dirty deeds.
The table cleared and Liv and Fitz went upstairs, they had their vows to write. They still couldn't believe they were doing this, but what had been normal in their relationship to date?
JAX
He was hungover, per usual, since his son was brutally murdered by that bitch Olivia Pope. His alarm went off, and he wanted to break the thing the noise was coming out of into shreds. He lifted his head. "Shut the fuck up." He told his clock.
"Sir." One of the housekeeping ladies had come in. "Your fitting is here for your tux for the ball, and you've received a certified letter."
"I'll be down shortly, leave it by where I'm getting my tux fitted." He calmed down a bit. "The ball." He said to Chip's picture. "You would be going if you were here. Evan, that little turd, always up Fitz's ass, well he's making a damn ton of money, but my donations, I'll own him, you watch son, he can't stay on Fitz's side too much longer." Jax picked up the invitation that Dez got after he made the anonymous donation. Four more days and Fitz would be ousted for the lying, sex crazed, father that he is. "The night of the ball, " Jax continued to his son, "that's going to be some night, son."
Next to the certified letter was a glass of Johnnie Walker black label just ready to be downed. Jax looked at the clock. It was 9 a.m. but it was 5 o clock somewhere. He held the glass up as the tailor walked in. "Cheers, Bernie, you want some?"
"Uh, no sir, thank you." He began measuring Jax up and down, and within ten minutes he wrote out a receipt and gave it to him. This will be ready for pick up Thursday afternoon, make sure you…."
"Yeah, yeah, try it on, and get back to you. I don't know why I pay you what I do, overpriced." He watched Bernie leave and he picked up the letter.
"What the fuck is this?" Before he opened it, he poured himself a bit more, and took it down. He pulled out he contents, the letter and the picture of the gun. "Holy Hell." He never remembered moving so fast this late in life, but he did, with the letter, picture, and envelope in his hand.
He went to his only access study, finding the key behind his picture of Jules. He opened the study, not remembering the last time he was in there. It had things in there that could put him away for three consecutive life sentences. He unlocked the bottom drawer to his desk.
The last time he sat at that desk had to be about five years ago. This wasn't a room he frequented much and only one other person knew it existed and that person was dead. Chip always liked to browse in the room, looking at his father's life of crime. Yes, Jax was proud of what he got away with, and it was something he would never apologize for.
He slumped his shoulders, Chip was on his way in following his father, but Abby. "That fucking redhead." He said it to himself and looked at the pages he was holding. He pulled the drawer opened and Jax would bet all the blood drained from his face. "Son of a bitch." He looked around, as if the gun got up and walked away by itself. He didn't even know when it went missing and so many people have been in and out of the place.
"NO!" Jax screamed. He looked up at the camera in the corner of the room. "Sick fuck, I got you." Still, Jax rubbed his face in distress. That was his gun, his first kill gun, the gun that got him started. It had the blood of two San Diego police officers on it. There was no statute of limitations on murder in California. "How the fuck did anyone know that was there?"
He walked to his computer room, pushing buttons and looking at monitors, he pulled the one up of his secret study. He saw the door opening to the study, and looked at the date, a week ago, no one was in the house, not even his employees, it was their day off. Someone knew his routine. He couldn't find any other footage from that day either.
The footage skipped, never getting a sight of the person who walked in. Jax didn't know if it was a man or woman. The next footage running was an empty room again. All Jax had was a door opening, and then nothing. He banged the desk and put both hands through is hair. "Holy fuck, someone has that gun."
He looked back down at the letter. "Grant Ranch house, Beach house." His thoughts going back. "I haven't been to that place in 25…." He stopped. "Dolores, oh Dolores, I should have killed you when I had the chance, now you fucked up."
One more read of the letter. "Night of the ball? Oh, you want to kill all my fun MiMi, protecting your little Fitz still? Well, it isn't happening, I could kill you, retrieve my gun and be back to embarrass your guy and his bitch easily. I was getting to the house anyway, MiMi, I'll be carrying that little Grant baby out with me as an added bonus. You're still a dumb bitch. I was going to send someone to do it, but I'll be happy to kill you and take the little rugrat. Maybe I'll get a piece of Abby's mother, too. I think she always had a thing for me." He laughed. This was going to be easier than he thought and he relaxed a bit.
Feeling a bit calmer now, Jax locked up his study, first securing the letter and picture of the gun, and went back downstairs. He had a bottle of black label to finish before Dez and Demp came over. He also had a phone call to make.
"Demp, you dumb ass, you ready to finally take it to the governor, or are you going to continue to let him embarrass your ass."
"I'm ready, sir, I have a meeting with him in a few hours, well the house does about all these bills." Demp would do whatever Jax needed him to, his hate for Fitz ran deep, and he wasn't about to hide it.
"Good, come on over, meet with Dez and myself, we'll help you take down the little shit."
The sun was glistening in the sky. If Liv had picked any other day, it wouldn't have been this perfect, she was sure of it. Erin stood behind her in the master bedroom, MiMi was tending to Grant, getting him dressed for the occasion.
Erin stopped doing Liv's hair and brought her cheek down to hers. "This isn't the wedding I dreamed of for you. However, I know in my heart you are marrying a man you love, a man who loves you, and that makes my happiness overtake my dream." She gently kissed Liv on the cheek. "You look beautiful."
This was far from what Liv dreamed for herself. Less than a year ago she was hell bent on ever getting married, or ever having kids, now look where she was. She remembered the anniversary of Abby's death coming up and she rubbed Erin's hand.
"I see that sun shining out there, taking spotlight on the garden and I am sure it's Abby here with us. I know what the next few weeks will bring in memories, but having good ones to replace the dreadful ones may help us along in time. I just wish she could have been here to witness this, as rushed as it is, she would have taken it all in stride."
Liv was wearing white, a simple square neckline, short sleeved dress that went just above the knee. It was something she had picked up because it was white and she thought of wearing it in court one day. She never dreamed she would be marrying Fitz in this, but it would do for the occasion, she just wanted to be his wife.
MiMi carried Grant over to Liv. Liv covered her mouth to hide her great big smile. "Oh my gosh, MiMi, he looks so handsome, and his hair." She had to laugh.
"I figured a little style for the gorgeous boy. He is going to break plenty of hearts in his teen years, Olivia. Remember I told you that."
Grant's light colored curls had been wet down and slicked off to the side. Most hairstyles would have gone straight, but not his, the curls stayed and he looked just a bit older for his three months. The hair, though brought out more of his blue eyes, and with MiMi still holding him, Liv cupped his little cheeks.
"You are so handsome, my caterpillar." Grant blinked and smiled as if he knew exactly what his mother was saying. "And, look at his clothes." Liv looked up at MiMi, "you spoil him too much."
"Darn right I do, and I have an ally with me in that now, don't I Erin?"
"You sure do." Erin said between applying her lipstick. "Although I don't know if I could top that suit. It's simply adorable."
Sporting a plaid jumpsuit MiMi had picked up for him the first week she met him, it was khaki in color with light plaid lines, a bowtie, and a white short sleeved undershirt. He had on white socks, and the tiniest light brown moccasins Liv had seen. She couldn't believe this was her little baby boy.
Vivian entered to tell them everything was set. Cameron had arrived with Evan and the small crowd, much like the same crowd gathered for Davis's memorial was waiting in the garden. "Cameron brought rings." Vivian whispered and walked with the three ladies and handsome little boy to his parent's marriage ceremony.
Just a half hour later, Olivia had become Mrs. Fitzgerald Grant, first lady to the state of California. The vows quick and simple, both proclaiming their love for one another. Evan proudly announced that Fitz may kiss the bride, and that kiss took a bit of time to end.
Dressed in an Armani grey suit, looking as gorgeous as ever, Fitz let the lips of his wife go, and she rested her forehead on his shoulder. He could feel her sob and he hugged her tight. "This is a good thing, Livvie, don't cry."
"I know it's good. It's emotional and I am overwhelmed with happiness."
MiMi walked over with Erin, who was carrying Grant, and Fitz took him in his arms. With MiMi at Fitz's side and Erin at Liv's side, Vivian was snapping some pictures. Grant was in the middle of his parents just taking it all in.
"Reception in the house, plenty of food, the only people that will be missing will be the bride and groom. Enjoy." Fitz announced. He turned to Evan and Cameron. "Thank you both so much, and I'll see you Saturday at the ball."
With the private jet packed and some teary goodbyes, Governor Grant and his new wife climbed in and left Santa Barbara behind for a few days. They had an hour flight to take it all in and a surprise night that Fitz had planned at the duplex.
Once the plane began movement for takeoff, Liv fell into Fitz's lap. She cupped his cheek and got as close to his lips as she could. Looking him in the eyes, the blue eyes that took her to a heavenly place, she said in the softest of whispers, "I can't believe we did this." Her lips landed on his as he embraced his Mrs. in his arms, hugging her and holding her as the plane took off.
Big Gerry
The ringing of his desk phone startled him momentarily. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "what is it Barbara?"
"Call for you, line one, won't give his name, said he has news about Fitz."
"Put it though." Another weirdo. Gerry had been getting so many calls, threats about containing his son and his attack on gun owners, oil companies, and taxing the rich. His son was doing a fine job of gaining enemies.
"Senator Grant?" The voice was obviously disguised, sounding almost robotic.
"Speaking, what can I do for you? Do you have a name, a city you're from in California?"
"Anonymous, from Santa Barbara." The robotic voice said. "Just wondering what you think about the marriage today of the Governor and Olivia Pope? Took place in the very garden you had made for your late wife. It was beautiful and had it not been hush, the people would have fallen in love with the little family. Congratulations on your daughter in law. Why weren't you there? Just some questions for you to think about Senator." The line went dead.
Big Gerry's two hands covered his face. He took a deep breath. He had no intentions whatsoever of going to Evan's ball on Saturday. This call, if it was truth, was a game changer though. He pushed his button on his phone. "Barbara get me Evan Sanchez on the line, right now please."
"The mayor of Santa Barbara?" she squealed back.
"Yes, the mayor, now, please. Tell him I need to speak to him on a secure line."
"Senator? The line is secure, this is Evan, what's going on?"
"I need in to your ball on Saturday. Fitz doesn't need to know, could you do that?"
Evan thought about Olivia, how Gerry kept the pregnancy from Fitz. Fitz is very upset with his father; he wasn't so sure about this. "Senator, I…"
"For God's sake boy, I've known you since you were eight years old, I practically raised you and your brother at the ranch house, go ahead, say no to me. Remember, though, I know things about you."
Evan closed his eyes. Fitz was definitely not his father's son. "Fine, I'll put you on the guest list. Just make sure you control your boy Jax. I know he's coming, as an anonymous donor, I don't want any problems, you hear me."
"Evan, don't hang up." Gerry pleaded.
"What?"
"Did he do it? Did Fitz get married today?" Gerry tried to hide the sadness in his voice, but it cracked when he said the word married.
"Fitz is happy Gerry, why can't you just accept that? Just because your full narrative wasn't filled doesn't mean you didn't do a good job with him. I have to go, see you Saturday, and don't tell Fitz I let you just come, you hear me?"
Evan's avoidance of answering the question directly was all the confirmation that what the caller said was true. Who was the caller? Who else knew that shouldn't know? One more phone call before taking the Senate floor.
Gerry used his burner phone for this one. The greeting could have been a lot worse than it was. "You have some fucking nerve calling me, what do you want?" Jax Putney sounded as happy to hear from Gerry as Gerry was calling him.
"Why the anonymous ticket to the ball, why not just show your intentions from the start?"
Jax saw Dez and Senator Demp enter the sitting room. He got up and took his conversation to another room. "Your son may just get lucky. I hear you won't be there, that's a shame. I was going to oust his little girlfriend and baby boy. That's right, I know it all, and you know what, it may not be me who does it, but this state may not take well to his lifestyle. So much for your political genius of a boy."
"Why wouldn't it be you?"
"As much as I want to be at the ball, I have other plans I can't ignore. Don't know if I'll make it, but I have a plan B" Jax looked in at the two sitting waiting for him. "On Saturday, keep your news channels on, this is going to be something."
Jax hung up to join his two. Gerry looked at the phone. To oust Fitz would be something Jax would live for, what would have him not go. Gerry didn't like this; something was going down and he had a very bad feeling about all of this.
Governor and Mrs. Grant
This was a harder goodbye than leaving her in the hotel room. Fitz's driver took the newly married First Lady of California and left her a few blocks from the Governor's mansion at the women's wellness center. He watched as Luther followed her inside, and the car drove away.
Fitz looked at his wedding ring. He had no intentions of removing it. Anyone bold enough to ask him, Fitz would tell them to wait for the ball. He entered his office and a team of five California EPA members greeted him.
In just under 45 minutes, Fitz had been on the phone with a few leaders from around the state and the people in the room to cut down on high risk pesticides. It had been a campaign promise, and Lana Garces, the Secretary of the EPA couldn't be happier that Fitz doubled down on that promise.
"So honored and happy to be serving you Governor. The elimination of these pesticides, gradually will support agriculture, and contribute to community well- being." Fitz signed the bill in front of Lana and her team with the pictures being snapped, as he sat behind his desk with he team around him.
The reporter for the EPA got a few quotes from Fitz, one being "my children will grow up and live in a stare where their father played a pivotal role in eliminating pesticides that could otherwise be a serious health issue. I would like to thank Ms. Garces and her fine team at the EPA for working so diligently on this."
The young reporter finally noticed the wedding ring, and whispered something to Lana, but it was too late as the team was being escorted out of the office to make way for the interview for the news station to come in. Santos Alvaro, the reporter Fitz promised an inside scoop to before the ball excitedly entered the room and sat down with the Governor.
Several blocks away, Liv was sitting with a middle aged woman. Her name is "Loretta" and her face is difficult to look at. Three days ago, Loretta's boyfriend of two years caught her talking to her accountant outside her office building.
Not realizing and of course not asking, Xavier drove away in a blaze of anger waiting for her to come home. He showed her cell phone pictures of what he saw and when Loretta began to speak, he shut her up quickly by backhanding her, followed by a series of punches, that left her face a bruised and battered mess.
As Liv learned this wasn't the first time Xavier had done this, but it had been several months, and Loretta thought it was over, but she learned the hard way that it wasn't. Loretta looked at Liv's hands when she reached out to comfort her.
"You're married? Is he good to you?" Loretta caressed Liv's new wedding ring.
Liv nodded. "He is, but that doesn't mean I don't understand your circumstances. Let's go over all your options." Liv spent three hours there, speaking to Loretta for two of them, and meeting a few other women. Finally finishing up for the day, she did a follow up call with Vivian to remind her to stay on the judges they were looking into. Loretta's case may be put in front of one of them.
Her and Luther were now heading to the duplex and Liv had the butterflies in her stomach, much like the day she was beginning kindergarten. She couldn't wait to make love to Fitz as his wife. These days leading up to the ball will be so exciting, yet so nerve wracking, she needed him in so many ways.
Fitz took the five minute walk to the Capitol building where his Legislature thought they were ending the day. He had other plans for them, of course. There was a large gathering of various groups outside the building urging the legislature to pass a bill to stop the high gas prices.
Taking a moment to address the groups, Fitz assured them that was his intention and the first bill up on the agenda. "Rest assured, we are taking down the fuel companies, and if this Legislature will not help up, we keep going further up." The applause from the crowd was loud and Fitz walked into the meeting.
"4:00, Governor, we're about to shut it down." Demp stood up ready to adjourn the house.
"Like hell you are, sit down, Scott, and shut up. Fletcher and her team worked long hours on this bill, let get this passed."
Demp laughed. "You have nerve, yeah, let's not." Demp had taken most of the day while Fitz was doing his job at the mansion to get votes against Fletcher's bill. He was one short of getting the bill denied, when he presented that assemblyman the information Jax had given him.
The bill needed 54 votes to be voted against, and it was stuck at 53, until Demp got a hold of O' Leary. O' Leary had been behind the wheel of a hit and run of a bicyclist, and Jax covered it up for him. Never knowing when Jax would cash in on the favor, O'Leary found out it would be today.
Having no choice, O'Leary voted for the bill not to pass and in a rare defeat, Fitz had to swallow his anger. After seeing Demp talk to O'Leary and O'Leary running out before having to face Fitz, Demp looked at him. "Can't always get your way pretty boy."
As Demp turned to walk away, Fitz grabbed his collar. "You wanna watch yourself Scott, I don't play nice."
Demp took a hard swallow, looking down at Fitz's hands. "You want to control your temper Fitz, Governor." Scott crossed his eyebrows, spotting the ring. Fitz let go of him and the rest of the legislators left in the room grew silent.
"Something you want to tell us Governor?" Demp pointed to the ring.
"In due time, in the meantime, get your act together and the dam bill passed, stop kissing Putney's ass Demp, he isn't always going to be around to support you, you remember that."
Visibly angered and red faced, Fitz left by way of the back entrance, not having the desire to talk to the groups still protesting outside, he wanted to get back to Olivia and celebrate as two newlyweds should.
MiMi
MiMi knew the ranch house better than anyone. She had made it her home for 25 years and she was aware of every camera, every lose nail, and every misstep. This is why killing Jax and watching him suffer was going to come so very easily.
When Fitz brought Olivia and Grant to the ranch house, MiMi was aware how security was beefed up even more, but Huck had no problem talking to her about the new cameras, where they were located, and the measures taken to keep the Grant family safe.
Fresh off seeing her pride and joy marry the woman his loved, MiMi's quest to take down Jax never felt so right. She only wanted happiness for Fitz in his life, and being with Oliviia made him happier than MiMi had ever seen.
Being a father was a dream come true, and looking in Grant's eyes was just looking in Fitz's eyes. Oh how Emma would have loved that boy. MiMi owed it to Fitz to rid the world the Jax Putney and in just one night, it would happen.
The ball was tomorrow and everyone in the town of Santa Barbara was stirring about it. The news outlets were hinting about Fitz and who he would bring. It had been questioned if Fitz was wearing a wedding ring, as no one could be certain.
Some of the legislators were on camera saying indeed the Governor was wearing a ring, but not being seen in public since Monday, it was hard to confirm. On the phone, with the news station, MiMi heard Fitz say earlier today that Evan's Ball would have more surprises than anyone was ready for, and everyone should pay attention.
MiMi was sitting on the sand outside the beach house. She watched as the waves came crashing in, and with the sound so peaceful in the background she closed her eyes. This past week had been a lifetime for her.
When Fitz and Liv returned from their getaway, the smiles were unending. Grant went for his three month checkup and was given a clean bill of health. He was growing each day, and MiMi cherished every moment she got to spend with him.
Grant was now 13 pounds, and his head of hair was filling with back head curls. MiMi could close her eyes and see every part of Grant from his blue eyes to his small birthmark on his back thigh. Opening her eyes, her job had to be done, she didn't come to the beach and the house for nothing.
She began setting her trap for Jax. It was going to be a fast set up but a slow death. She measured the tide perfectly, and she knew the time it would hit the hole on the beach Jax would be stuck in. MiMi had dug a hole for now, a practice kill, and watched as the tide came in right on time. It filled the hole in minutes and Mimi anticipated watching Jax struggling for breath in less than 24 hours.
"Dearest Fitz:"
By the time you find this letter I would have already been arrested for the murder of Jax Putney. My only regret I have in all of this is not being around for Grant as I was for you.
Your life with Olivia is a gift. The two of you were brought together for a reason, don't think that meeting in the hotel room was coincidental, it was fate, and it gave us the best thing ever, the life of Grant Thomas Pope.
Oh how I wish I could see him take his first steps. I could see the smile on Olivia's face, much like Emma's smile when she saw you walk for the first time. I wonder what his first words will be, if I recall, yours was book. Your mother was so proud of your reading skills, she was proud of everything.
When Emma died I promised her your well being would be second to nothing in my life. I don't regret a single moment I spent with you. Watching you grow and seeing you succeed as Governor, is my promise to Emma being fulfilled.
I am so sorry it had to end like this. I am willing to spend my life behind bars because Jax Putney will not be a threat any longer to you, Olivia, Erin, and most importantly, Grant.
Watching you marry the love of your life, a woman you were meant to be one with was one of the happiest days of my life. I don't want you to ever think I gave up anything for you, because I didn't, it was always my destiny in life to make sure you succeeded.
My reasons for killing Jax go far and many. The priority being the night you won your awards and your father won reelection, Jax wanted to kill you. Catching him outside your room, ready to go through with the kill, he cornered me. It was that night Jax raped me. As a result of the rape, I had to have an abortion and I was told I would never be able to bear children.
After hearing the stories of what the Putney's did to Abby, did to Erin, and did to Liv during her pregnancy, it only gave me more ammunition to do this. This has been 25 years in the making.
I love you Fitz with all my heart. Every ounce of feelings I have of love is dedicated to you and Grant. Please tell your son how much his MiMi loves him every single day.
Yours Always,
MiMi
MiMi sealed the letter in an envelope. She would put it in Fitz's inside pocket of his jacket of the tux. On the envelope, she wrote "Open only after you've revealed Olivia and Grant to the people." MIMI