Chapter 28

"Liv, Livvie, you need to look at me." Fitz had her shoulders in his hands. She was facing out the window, lost for the moment and Fitz needed the car to stop. "Livvie, please, just look at me."

She turned her head and met his eyes. It brought her back to the place she needed to be. Her eyes were filled with tears right now, but Fitz couldn't go without Erin, or he would lose Liv. He couldn't chance that.

He looked at her, so gently, and caressed her face. "Fitz", she whispered, "we can't go without her, please."

Fitz nodded, to Gerry's surprise. Gerry was shocked at the whole scene unfolding in front of him. The way his son looked at her, the way she calmed with his touch, it was love, he couldn't deny it. Suddenly something snapped in him, and it was a tunnel to anger. How could his son be so stupid to let a woman take him over like this?

Yes, Gerry loved Emma with every ounce of his heart, but it wasn't like this. They did it the right way. This Olivia she was ruining him, and it angered him. He worked hard to get Fitz to where he is. He took a few deep breaths as the car was about to leave the lot.

"STOP THE CAR ALEC!" Fitz didn't mean to yell, because it startled Grant. His small body jumped the car seat and he began to cry.

Gerry went to get Grant out the car seat to help calm him. "Don't you dare touch him." Fitz warned his father. Liv looked over at Gerry, giving him a side eye.

"I have him." Liv grabbed him, lifting him to her arms, and he calmed with his mom's touch. Fitz enclosed them both in his arms, resting his forehead on Liv's. He gave her a gentle kiss.

"I'm sorry Livvie, sorry big guy, daddy didn't mean to scare you." Fitz looked at Tom. "Stay here with Liv and Grant, I'm going back in there. Alec and you, watch them, I am going to bring Erin out."

Liv looked out the window. The well lit house with people going in and out, Erin could be anywhere. She put her arms a bit tighter around Grant, looking across at Big Gerry. She felt his stare, and it was making her uncomfortable.

Gerry did just that, stare. They looked like the perfect family. Fitz's eyes closed as he kissed Olivia again on the forehead and rubbed Grant's curls. "Daddy will be right back out, ok, stay with your mom." Not knowing there was any danger, Grant smiled as his head rested now on Liv's shoulder and Fitz opened the door.

"Son, you can't go back in there, not after the media frenzy you just caused, plus Jax is…"

"Jax is dead, nothing is going to change that. I don't care if he is eaten by sharks and piranhas, his condition won't change. My wife's mother is in there, who knows who Jax sent to get to her? I'm going in, if you're not coming, leave the car I don't want you around my son." Fitz went to leave but Tom grabbed him.

"Sir, Alec can…." He didn't want Fitz going alone.

"No, Tom, you stay here. I'll have Evan's security in there also. I can't wait another minute." He turned and looked at Liv, she just seemed so lost.

Liv was kissing Grant's cheek now, having calmed him down from his crying and she rocked him. "We'll find Nana, I promise caterpillar, we'll find her." Grant looked at his mom and smiled now, still with a tear in his eye. His forehead went back to her shoulder as he rubbed his tired eyes.

"Liv, look at me." Fitz turned her head by her jaw with his finger waiting for Gerry to get out of the car first. "I'll get her, ok, but you need to be here with Grant, don't follow me, Livvie."

"I won't," she whispered, "But we need to get to MiMi too." Liv wasn't sure what MiMi had to do with anything yet, but she knew Fitz was worried about her.

"Huck is with her, she's fine. I'll be back, give me a half hour, ok." He looked at Big Gerry. "After you, I don't trust you."

Gerry shook his head in disbelief. "Going to just leave a dead man on your property. What the hell?"

"Shut up, or go away, I don't need this now." As soon as Gerry was out of the car, Fitz went ahead of him, walking towards the house. He avoided the media facing the other way as he walked towards the back of the house, making sure Gerry stayed in his sight. He had a bad feeling about his father accepting Jax's death.

Fitz walked to the back entrance. Evan was just handing the microphone back to the host of the party and Fitz gestured him to the room where Erin was last seen. Cameron was already there. Fitz looked at his father. "You can go."

"But the ranch house."

"It's my problem, not yours, go." Fitz looked back over at his two friends.

"Liv can't find her mom, Erin, the older red head."

"While you were speaking at the podium, she was right over there." Evan pointed to the now empty spot.

Fitz knew this house as well as the ranch house. He occupied it for eight years as mayor, having divided his time from the ranch to here. He saw his father enter the room with all the guests. He looked and pointed at the door in the corner. "Cameron, come with me. Evan go with the guests." He nodded in his father's direction.

"Keep your eye on him Evan, let him go mingle with his corrupt buddies." He nodded to one of Evan's men, "you, your name is?"

"Nate, sir, uh, Governor."

"Nate, come with us, ok" Evan nodded for Nate to do as Fitz instructed.

There was a door that led to another room and Fitz heard talking behind the door. The voices were getting loud then lowering, it was a man and a woman's voice. Fitz went to open the door, but Nate pulled him back. "I'll get that, sir."

He pulled the door opened and the voices stopped. Lying on the floor was Erin, a wound above her eyebrow bleeding. Fitz ran to her; she was semi-conscious and she was whispering Liv's name. "I have you Erin, you're safe." Fitz looked up to see Dez, and the girl who must be Fallon.

Erin was watching the scene as Fitz announced to the state and to the party guests that he was married. He signaled towards Liv to come up to the podium and saw the three of them standing there as a family.

Erin's eyes filled with tears, as Liv finally looked happy, something she knew was hard for her since everything that went on with Chip and Abby. Erin covered her mouth, her hands cupping over it, as she breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone in the room was all smiles for the Governor.

Suddenly she heard a female voice. "You're Olivia's mom, right? Erin?"

Erin looked at her, on her guard. "Who wants to know?" She was facing Fallon now.

"Just come with me, ok." Fallon went to grab Erin and Erin pulled back, learning from experience (and from Liv) not to trust anyone. With the force of pulling back, she tripped, and Erin fell to the floor, hitting above her eyebrow with the impact. The back door opened, and Dez ran out as they dragged her into the room.

"Shit Fallon, that wasn't supposed to happen. We have to get her out of here. I thought you would get her to walk towards here, what the fuck?"

"The bitch just pulled back. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't make a spectacle; in case you haven't noticed there are quite a few people out there." They looked at Erin.

She just laid there, and began to come to, moving her head from side to side.

"Fuck, Dez, the Governor isn't just going to leave her behind, what the hell are we going to do?"

Dez pulled his phone out. Hopefully Jax was there, if not, at least close. It was too late though, as the door pulled open, and Fitz walked in with two of his guys.

They both tried to make a run for it but ran right into Nate. Nate grabbed Dez by the collar and put him in a neck lock securing his arm around his back, as Cameron grabbed Fallon and held her the same way.

Fitz looked at Nate. "Do you know where the stairs are to the basement?" Nate nodded.

"I do sir. Take them both?"

"Both of them, yes down to the basement. Evan will come down with further instructions. He stopped in front of Dez's face. "Your boss is dead, you're on your own now, and you fucked with my family. Prepare to suffer, you piece of shit." He watched at Nate grabbed his collar and took him towards the basement stairs, Cameron followed close behind.

Evan saw him holding Erin and waved to him that it was clear, leading him to the back door where he came in. Fitz noticed Gerry look in his direction, Gerry was talking to Sanderson over in the corner, and Fitz didn't even hesitate, he just carried Erin out to the car to join Liv and Grant and head home, leaving Gerry there.

Liv put Grant back in his seat, sleeping. He had fallen asleep while she fed him across from a very embarrassed Tom. She looked towards the movement coming to the car and she jumped to open the door, which Tom stopped. "Ma'am, I got it."

He opened the door and Fitz put Erin down on the seat, while Tom went up front with Alec. "She's fine, Liv, she's fine, just a bad cut." The car began to move, it was a few minutes away from the ranch house, but Liv didn't sit still.

She put Erin's head on her lap, using a tissue to wipe the blood away. "This looks like it will need stitches. Mom, are you ok, what happened?" She was caressing her hair now. "Who did this?" She looked at Fitz.

His jaw was clenched, and he had tears in his eyes. "Dez and I guess Fallon. Evan is holding them for me. I have to get to MiMi, Livvie."

"I know." Liv said softly, grateful to have Erin safe. The car headed now to the ranch house. The Grant First Family of California left behind Gerry, the ball, and a dozen reporters scrambling to get the news about the Governor's family and where he whisked them away to.

Wesley Sullivan was 8 years old 40 years ago. He was the biggest Dave Winfield fan and the biggest Padres fan, and tonight was the night. After his dad's shift at work on the police force, they were heading to the Padres game. The seats were first row in right field right behind Dave Winfield.

Wesley was outside on his front lawn. His mother had given him a gift, a brand new Dave Winfield jersey, the number 31 so shiny and smooth on the back. This was going to be the best day ever. His dog, Jackster, was playing catch with his baseball. Wesley was breaking in his glove because he was sure Dave would toss a ball to him in right field.

Jackster brought the ball over to him and put it down. The dog sat at Wesley's feet and Wesley bent down to pet him. "Tonight, Jackster, daddy and me are going to the baseball game. It's the Padres game, and they're going to win. It's a gift because I helped mom so much with Emily." Emily was his baby sister, only three months old, but Wesley had been a great big brother helping his mom whenever she needed it.

After about an hour of playing catch with Jackster, Wesley went in for a snack. "What time is dad coming, soon the game will start."

"Oh, I'm sure he's on his way, my love, don't be so anxious and the time won't take so long." His mother ruffled his hair and put his Padres hat on his head. The phone rang, and she went to get it, Emily sleeping in her seat.

Wesley looked out the window and saw two of his dad's friends from the police force coming towards the door. It was Pete and Markie. Wesley ran to the door and opened it, they didn't look too happy and they asked Wesley where his mom was.

Wesley doesn't remember much after that. His ears hurt too much after the blood curling scream he heard his mom let out. Along with the scream, Emily began crying and everything was a blur. Wesley was still a bit too young to understand, but the next few days was just a foggy memory.

People were coming in and out of the house with food. His mother couldn't even talk or stop crying. There were news cameras and then his father was in a box, covered with a flag. All the officers from the police force were lining the streets, and Wesley didn't understand why he never saw his father again.

He never did get to go to the Padres game, and as the years went on, he finally understood why. His life was miserable from the moment those two officers came to the door, and Wesley, at the age of 10, two years later finally understood why.

His father was shot, in cold blood, a bullet to the head walking the beat in broad daylight. He was talking to his partner, also shot and killed, about the game he would be taking his son to that night. Wesley understood death clearly now, because he was sitting next to his aunt at his mother and his sister's funeral. His life was spared only because he ran out of the burning house.

Mrs. Sullivan was so distraught after the death of her husband. She was left with two kids and no job. Her grief was overwhelming, and she couldn't live with the pain anymore. She deliberately knocked a candle onto the couch, and watched as the living room went up in flames.

Hearing the smoke alarm, Wesley ran from his room. He didn't see his mother burning on the living room floor, and he ran out of the house to get a neighbor to help. The firefighters found the bodies of his mother and sister, leaving Wesley alone with only a distant aunt to raise him.

Growing up, Wesley heard the rumors about a Jax Putney being the one that killed two police officers in cold blood. Wesley dedicated his life to one day taking the life of Jax Putney. He tried to follow his father's footsteps and become a cop, but he couldn't do the job.

He did go to school, majoring in criminal justice and he became a private investigator. He didn't live a rich life, but it paid the bills, and when he got the call one day from a Dolores Phillips to follow Jax Putney, it was the call he was waiting for.

Dolores opened up to him her vendetta against Jax and although Wesley felt Dolores had every right to kill him, he didn't want her to pay any type of criminal price for killing a scum like Jax. Wesley was planning it all, despite hearing Dolores's plans, he was planning to be there so she wouldn't have to do it. He would have the perfect get away, and Jax's killing will go unsolved. He was sure Dolores wouldn't spend a moment behind bars, and the brilliant Governor Grant would have the perfect story as to why Jax Putney died on his property.

He posed as staff one day at a party at Jax's house. He got into Jax's study, and he searched for the gun used to kill his father. When he finally found it, it was sweet justice, but he handed it over to Dolores so she could go through with her plan.

Now, he waited, and on the night of the ball, his car parked several miles up the road from the Governor's ranch house, he was on the beach front property. Having training in gun practice, he knew where to shoot MiMi so no serious damage would be done.

After he shot her, he waited and he watched, with his parent's wedding picture and his sister's baby picture in his hands, as Jax Putney took his last breath under water. When the water cleared away, Wesley walked up him, the tide long gone now. He stared at his cold dead eyes. "Rot in hell you piece of shit. If I had done this a long time ago, so many lives would not have been hurt by you, but it's over now." He saw someone come and take MiMi to safety. Knowing she would be ok, he turned to leave. As quickly as he got on to the property, he secured the gun with him, and got off the property.

By the time anyone would get to Jax's body, Wesley would be across state borders already in Arizona, then to New Mexico where he would begin the rest of his life, under another identity. He would live with the gratification of knowing Jax Putney was dead, and he had a helping hand in doing it.

Tom headed right over to the beach, meeting Luther there. Jax's body remained in the hole, untouched, instructions from Fitz.

Looking over in the direction Huck carried MiMi away, Tom noticed her phone lying in the sand. He was able to secure it and put it inside his jacket pocket. As he was doing that, his phone rang. "Governor."

"Huck is on his way over. He has further instructions from me. I am going to settle Olivia and Grant and I'll be there. I'll need five more agents here, only the best Tom. Get Toby, call him. He's over at Evan's, he needs to be here, not on the beach, here in the house. The rest I'm leaving up to you."

Fitz turned now. MiMi had been stitched up, the bullet removed from the doctor Huck had come over. She was sleeping with the help of pain medication. She should be out until the morning. She needed to stay completely off her feet for at least three days, if not longer.

The same doctor stitched up Erin. He stitched up her wound. Three stitches needed above the eyebrow, no concussion. She was sitting up in Liv's bed rocking Grant in her arms.

Liv sat on the edge of the bed, watching them when Fitz entered after his phone call to Tom. He was still in his tux, and he looked exhausted. Liv jumped up. "What's happening?" He pulled her to the hallway to talk to her.

Although it seemed like days had passed, it had only been an hour since he made the announcement and received the call from Huck about Jax. He looked at Liv. "Are you ok?"

She crossed her arms, nodding her head. "I'm fine. Thank you for going back in there, Fitz, to get Erin. I would have…" She stopped. Her hands covered her eyes. "I don't know what I would have done if something happened to her."

"Shh, I know." He grabbed her close to him. "Look Jax Putney is definitely dead. Toby is here, Alec is here, and Huck is coming with me. I'm not going to be any longer than I need to, but I don't know how long I'll be gone. Cameron is coming over with Linda Marshall and a few others from the staff to be notified about Jax's death."

Liv couldn't believe it. He was really dead, Jax was really dead. She dreamed of this day. Liv took a deep breath. "What about a statement, about us, about the family you introduced? There is so much going on now Fitz, everything just seems… We shouldn't have…"

"Livvie, stop, it's going to be fine. Go back in with Erin and Grant, check on MiMi when you can or send Alec. Keep your phone close. This is good, Livvie, he's gone, we don't have to worry about him anymore."

As Liv watched him walk away, she couldn't feel as confident as he could. Maybe Jax was out of the picture, but there was something not right in her gut. Jax, she was sure, had arrangements upon his death for others to take over, and it was probably changed recently with the death of Chip. She walked into her room taking a sigh of relief as Grant lay sleeping in his cradle, and Erin was comfortable under the covers, peacefully sleeping as well.

She shouldn't have, but she did. She turned on the television, low, and listened to what the news had to say about everything that was happening in California tonight.

Evan said goodbye to the last of his guests and faced the media still lurking outside his home. "Mayor Sanchez, any comment about Governor Grant? Did you know he was married, had a son?"

Evan faced the cameras. "Governor Grant will be issuing a statement tomorrow. You saw how happy he is with his family. I'm sure the people of California will embrace Olivia and his son, Grant. Wait for word from the man you want to hear from, but this is a good thing. Have a good night."

He entered the basement now and Nate was standing against the wall, his arms crossed. He had Dez in handcuffs, and his hands were locked behind the chair. Fallon posed no threat; she was just giving him a headache with all the threats she was spewing.

"So what now, you pansy?" Dez looked at Evan. "Are you waiting for your Governor to wipe your ass because you can't do it yourself." He spat at the floor looking up at Evan. "Fucking coward, get me out of the cuffs."

Before Evan could answer, the door to the basement opened. "You heard the guy, get him out of the cuffs." Big Gerry walked in with Sanderson.

In the few minutes Gerry got Sanderson's ear, he turned from becoming an ally to Fitz back to being Gerry's closest friend again, and now Gerry was in control and Sanderson was there for it. Fitz just dug a hole and Sanderson wasn't sure he would be able to get out of it. He noticed the sand all over Gerry's suit, but didn't ask what that was all about just yet.

Evan looked at Nate. "Give me the keys, Nate, guard the door outside, make sure no one else gets in here, only the Governor." Nate tossed him the keys and went out.

"What the fuck to you want Gerry?"

"Let the boy go, you heard me, let Dez go. Fallon, Dez, myself, and Sanderson will leave, no one the wiser, we have arrangements to make." Gerry was sure Evan knew Jax was dead.

"No, he's not going anywhere until Fitz." Evan didn't expect Gerry to grab his collar. He did though and put him up against the wall.

"Listen you shit." His voice was a soft whisper, only Evan could hear. "You remember Natasha, right?" Gerry saw the blood drain from Evan' face.

"You shit, you promised." Evan said, still grimacing from being held against the wall.

"Yeah, well promises were made to be broken. Imagine my son finding out what you did to that poor girl. Broke her so that she killed herself. You know that could still be an accessory to murder if we dig deeper, I could have some friends from the force look into her death." Gerry smiled.

"You wouldn't." Evan wasn't so sure now, but he had no choice that night but to go to Gerry, then Governor and father of his best friend. Natasha and him took it too far and although it was consensual, she cried rape. Gerry talked to her, and Evan never could see her again.

Natasha tried for months to get in touch with Evan and he blew her off completely, she overdosed and killed herself with a note to Evan. It was a note that Gerry had destroyed, or so Evan thought.

"I still have the suicide note. Imagine if my son gets that, imagine if Santa Barbara knows what their mayor is capable of, now, let. Dez. Go. Don't make me say it again." He dropped Evan's collar.

Evan rubbed his face with both hands. Defeated, he unlocked the cuffs freeing Dez, and he punched Evan right in the jaw, knocking him cold to the ground. Gerry opened the door and Nate turned to him, giving him a nod. Not expecting the others to come out with him, Nate, too was blindsided by Dez, and he was knocked cold.

Gerry, Dez, Sanderson, and Fallon headed to the car waiting for them and off to Jax's place in Avila Beach. They had a funeral to plan, although Jax's body still was on Fitz's property. Gerry looked out the car window, realizing he just declared war on his son.

He couldn't help it. The way Fitz looked at Olivia, the way he comforted his son and his wife, it was something Gerry could never bring himself to do as a father, as a husband, as much as he tried. Emma's death took a piece of his heart he never got back.

Jax, although evil, had been a friend through it all, and hearing of his death tonight, reading what he had done to MiMi, it brought back all the emotions in Gerry. He wasn't going to be happy for his son, his son grew disloyal to him. He chose a woman over him, and that was the last straw.

As he headed to the Avila Beach house, he turned on his cell phone to see if any news outlets had gotten word about Jax Putney's death.

"Any sign that MiMi was here?" Fitz watched as Huck inspected every area of the house.

"It's all clear, no sign of her ever being here. The cameras were all disabled too, so we have no idea who shot her. I can't find anything Fitz; she had this planned out well."

Fitz's hand was in his pocket. He nodded, looking around. "I would think this was something she had planned for years." He handed Huck the note.

Huck read the note in disbelief. "She carried this with her all these years." He shook his head. "If I had known." He stopped before he said anything.

"If I had known." Fitz said taking the letter back from Huck. "He would never have known Liv and Abby would still be alive because I would have killed the fucker before Chip was 11." Fitz looked at Cameron heading their way.

"Everything is set, I have a camera crew coming to the front of the house, what's going on with Jax?"

"Medical Examiner is on his way." Linda Marshall came into the room and Fitz nodded to her.

"Long night Governor? Congratulations on the marriage, and your son is a doll, as handsome as daddy." She smiled.

"Thank you and thank you for understanding the privacy of the marriage."

"Word going around is everyone is happy for you. Olivia is stunning, and the word is they are so glad it was her and not Mellie, now what's going on here." Linda saw lights on outside on the beach.

A few more senior staff entered, and Fitz began. "Here's what we know, Jax Putney is dead. He drowned after falling into a ditch out there on the beach. He smells of booze, hard liquor and it's expected he was here to get Grant." Fitz looked out the window. "The crew is here for me to make a statement. Prepare to have a busy Sunday, folks, just wanted to give you all the heads up."

Before the coroner's team left with Jax's body in the body bag on the stretcher, Fitz signaled for them to wait. "I want the body being wheeled into the vehicle while the camera is rolling, and I am speaking."

The team froze and just looked at him. "Sir?", the coroner said.

"Did I say something unable for you to understand?" Fitz looked at him.

"No sir. As you wish." He gave the ok to his team and watched Fitz head to the cameras.

As soon as Gerry entered the Avila Beach house, a chill ran up his spine. He would never see Jax at this place again. This place where so much was plotted, planned, and carried out. Gerry took a deep breath and looked around. He saw a bottle of Black Label on the bar.

He poured a glass as he turned on the tv, the other three plopped down on the couch to watch, in solemn silence. Breaking news and Fitz's face, looking like it was 3 in the afternoon, not the morning, was on the screen. The man never looked bad in front of a camera.

Liv was watching the same thing Gerry and his entourage was watching, and she took a deep breath. "Fitz" she whispered to the television.

"Tonight, at my home in Santa Barbara, Jax Putney was found dead. Preliminary investigations and camera footage has Mr. Putney, shortly after I left for the ball, enter my property. His car was found in the driveway." Fitz pointed and the camera focused on the car. "There was an infant car seat in the back with a bag containing baby clothes and diapers. Jax Putney had intention of kidnapping my child, not knowing I would be announcing him to you wonderful people at the Mayor's Ball."

"Also, on the camera footage, Mr. Putney was seen stumbling around, unable to walk straight, and a bottle of whiskey was found on his front seat, and it was half…" he paused "full." Fitz saw the coroner nod. As the body began its trip to the back of the vehicle, Fitz continued.

"It's unfortunate but Jax met his fate by way of high tide. Sometimes the beach gets slight holes in the sand, and with his drunken state, it seems Mr. Putney, in his quest to kidnap my son, was stuck in a hole during the tide. He drowned and was found several hours later by one of my security men inspecting the grounds after we arrived back from the mayor's ball." Fitz heard the car door close.

"My office will be issuing more statements tomorrow as the investigation continues. One individual wanted for questioning as a possible eyewitness is Senator Grant, my father. He was seen arriving late to the ball with sand on his suit. We will have more information for you as it become available. Thank you."

Fitz walked towards Cameron. "What is it?" He could tell the look on Cameron's face was not good.

"Dez is gone, your father….Evan and Nate were both knocked out cold. They're ok but bruised up bad."

Fitz ran his hand through his hair. He gave a sighing laugh. "Good. Thanks Cameron. Go get some rest. I'll see you back here at noon tomorrow." Fitz couldn't stand being away from Liv for another minute. He would deal with Evan and Nate in the morning.

Heading into his main house, three security guys by the door, Huck, Luther, and Tom inside, Fitz never felt better. Jax was dead, and he just made his father takeover his spot as enemy number one. Fitz was no dummy, and he knew his father knew something. Seeing the sand on his suit he wouldn't be the least bit surprised if his father killed Jax, for the wrong reasons, not for MiMi's honor.

Fitz looked into his bedroom. Only Grant was sleeping in the cradle, no one else was there. He heard whispers coming from MiMi's room and Alec nodded at him. "Mrs. Grant is in there Sir."

Fitz stood in the doorway. Olivia was rubbing MiMi's forehead. MiMi was sleeping, still out from the pain medication. He could tell Liv was crying as she was talking. "You will always be a part of Grant's life, MiMi. You saved Fitz, sacrificed your life, your body for him, how could we ever repay you?" She leaned over and gave her a kiss on her forehead. "We love you."

She felt Fitz's hand rub her back and she stood up, sobbing into his arms. He caressed her hair. "It's ok Livvie, let's go to bed, we're going to have a long day."

After finally getting out of his tux, he comforted himself next to Olivia holding her close to his heart. She looked up at him, pulling him down to her lips. She took a deep breath. "You ready to go to war with your father, because I heard what you said and I'm sure he did too."

"I really don't want to talk about my father right now." He pulled up above her, kissing her neck, down to her breast.

"Fitz, your father is…"

"Going to defend Jax's honor, I know, I don't want to talk about it." He continued to kiss her, making her feel the best she's felt all night.

"We're still going to have to be on high alert." She continued.

Fitz stopped. He was directly above her face now, and she cupped his. "If I promise you we will talk in the morning, will you stop talking for twenty minutes?"

Her eyes danced with his. She became tight lipped. "Why?" She saw his head go down, kissing his way past her breast, on to her stomach, her inner thigh, and tasting her. It was just what he needed to end this confusing, horrible, wonderful night, and as he felt her legs bend in pleasure, Fitz was certain about one thing: Come after his family and it will be a mistake.

While Liv was losing all control of her body, her eyes closed as she rubbed his curls. For a brief moment she forgot about her nerves when Fitz was announcing to the state about her, her anxiety when she thought she had lost Erin, her sadness when she heard about MiMi, for that twenty minutes, she was lost in the pleasure her new husband was giving her, and she was so confident he would always protect her and Grant no matter what the circumstances.

Gerry threw the glass that was empty now at the wall behind the bar. He had heard the final part of Fitz's speech, telling the media he was wanted for questioning. "You little shit", he shouted as the glass shattered into pieces.

Fallon was sleeping on Dez's lap on the couch and Dez let out a loud laugh. "Jax may be dead, but he lives on, your son got the same reaction out of him like you just had. Hey, you raised him."

"What the fuck are we going to do?" Sanderson asked Gerry, now genuinely worried. "And how did your tux get filled with sand?"

Dez sat up now, he too wanted to know. "Did you see Jax on that beach, Senator? You covering up something?"

"Shut the fuck up both of you. Of course I didn't see anything. You think I wouldn't have helped him had I seen something? I saw the gate opened, I went to check it out, then you texted me about what Fitz was doing, and I took off. The text scared me, the sound from my phone, I should say, and I fell onto the sand." Gerry shook his head. "I had no idea Jax was on that beach."

"The question is, how the hell did he get here, why would he go there?" Dez looked at Gerry.

That Gerry knew the answer to, but he wasn't going to say anything, yet. Fitz may think his precious MiMi is out of trouble, not even mentioning her tonight, but he knows she had a motive. He'll use it when he needs it. Fitz wants to go to war, Fitz will have a war on his hands.

Wesley Sullivan was halfway to his destination in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He figured without stopping, he would be at his new home and still have some time to rest before beginning his new job as overnight security at a nearby supermarket.

He looked out onto the dark road his car was cruising on. He couldn't be certain, but he thought he saw the dead eyes of Jax Putney looking at him from the dark side of the road. He caught his own eyes in the rearview mirror, and he smiled.

"The world is free of Jax Putney." He said out loud. Wesley didn't know about Fitz's statement tonight. He would find out eventually, but for now, he said out loud., "do your thing Governor Grant, drag Jax Putney's name through the grinder."

It was 4 am. Soon the day would begin. Fitz was standing by the window in his bedroom, Grant in his arms. He was rocking his son who woke up with some happy noises. Mindful not to wake Olivia, Fitz scooped up his son and now had him, his head resting on daddy's shoulder.

He gave Grant a kiss on the temple, as Grant's eyes were growing heavy again. "You and your mom are my greatest gifts, Grant." Fitz's big hand cupped the back of Grant's head. He gently put him into his cradle, kissing him as he went down.

He was able to go under the covers with Olivia. Like instinct when his head finally hit the pillow, Liv put her head on his chest, as he wrapped his arms around her. His eyes finally closed, sleep overtaking him, and he finally, in close to a year, was able to sleep without the threat of Jax Putney being a danger to his family ever again.

Everyone sleeping now in various rooms of the Avila Beach House, Gerry stared at the screen in front of him. He was the only one not sleeping. He had the screen on pause. He stared at the three Grant family members from the ball. Fitz had just called Liv up to the podium and the photographer snapped a photo of Fitz's arm around Olivia while he was holding Grant.

Liv was smiling looking at Fitz, and Fitz was smiling looking at Grant. Grant, who had the looks of Fitz, Gerry was sure won the hearts of everyone, as his gorgeous blue Grant family eyes looked at the camera, with the slightest smile on his face.

"It's going to be such a shame to ruin such happiness, but you brought this on yourself Fitz." Gerry hit the button on the remote, making the room grow dark. He finally fell asleep dreading the planning he would be doing for Jax Putney and his final resting place.