Chapter 36
Everything was happening in slow motion. It was like a dream, a flashback you watched on your favorite drama series. It was all blurry and things began coming into focus. Just as things began to clear up, it was total chaos and Liv was watching it all unfold in front of her eyes.
Before she knew it, she was being whisked away by Alec and Tom, her service detail for the day. She looked over her shoulder and Vivian was being escorted by Toby. Way back there was flashing lights and Liv could only guess it was Fitz being securely led away, Luther leading his detail.
Knowing it would be her last chance to get a glance, she looked down at the pool of blood Senator Sanderson was lying in. His own blood, so much of it, and as quickly as Liv looked for him, she had to look away from him. When she looked at everyone else, they couldn't see the blood she saw. It looked as though he just collapsed from everyone's view.
The last picture she had in her mind was Big Gerry, kneeling next to his longtime friend. Gerry's hand was on his forehead, his eyes closed, with the realization that his friend had endured an instantaneous, but painful death. Olivia left with the thought of how Gerry would use this against Fitz if he lied about the way Sanderson died.
If there was a positive to Sanderson's death, it was the way it would spin. Huck knew exactly what he was doing, and he made Liv the target without putting her in any type of danger. As quickly as Huck killed and got his job done for Dez, was as quickly as he disappeared into thin air. She just didn't know how he would prove to Dez it was an excruciating death.
The car sped away now, Vivian still trying to catch a glimpse of what was going on outside, then she turned to Liv. "What the fuck just happened?" Her hands went to her head, she pushed her hair back saying, "holy shit, Liv, are you alright?"
The top of Liv's blouse, where Sanderson pulled before he went down was ripped, exposing her bra strap. Protocol was to get her out of there stat. Liv's hand covered her mouth and her eyes filled with tears. "yeah, Viv, I'm alright." She took a deep breath. "Thank God I convinced myself not to bring Grant."
Liv's hand went to her eyes now. She kept them covered as she thought back to the argument her and Fitz had about the event. He didn't want her to come. "NO" she remembered him saying. Her head shook slowly as she whispered, "the dirty world of politics."
Up until last night, it looked like Fitz would be responsible if anything happened to Sanderson, but Huck played this brilliantly, as brilliantly as one can get when it involves a death of a powerful politician. It was certainly nothing to be proud of, but Liv was glad the focus would not be on Fitz. Olivia had an idea of exactly what Fitz would do.
The car came to a screeching stop outside a secure government building in San Diego. Liv and Vivian had to walk between twelve suited men into the building, down the stairs, across a hallway, through two rooms, and down another flight of stairs. There a door opened, and Liv was pulled into the arms of her husband.
His arms wrapped tightly around her as he held her close, putting his face in the crook of her neck. "I told you Liv, this wasn't." Then he just stopped. "Jesus, I thought it was your blood, I couldn't get to you." He hugged her closer and her arms went around him. "I saw the body cam on Alec, I know no one else could see the blood, but when he grabbed you, I didn't know if he had a weapon or something."
Liv was finally able to get it off her chest. "It was Huck," Liv whispered in Fitz's ear. "He was under the podium. He took off in all the commotion. He had to prove his loyalty to Dez." Now Liv's face fell into Fitz's chest, and she sobbed.
Her crying was for Huck, for having him have to go dark, for having him have to kill, for bringing him into this life. She never meant for any of this to happen. Falling in love shouldn't have to be so complicated.
Fitz took her shoulders and pulled her back, just staring at her. He saw the hurt in her eyes, what being the wife of a powerful Governor was doing to her, and he just kissed her forehead. "It's going to be ok." Then, he raised his head in the air and took a deep breath. He knew what he had to do.
"Mrs. Grant, ma'am, spare clothes for you." Tom handed her a pile and gave a nod as Vivian left with him so Liv could change.
It all seemed like hours ago since Sanderson met his demise, but surprisingly it was only ten minutes. The security detail worked rapidly to secure everything, and the local authorities made sure everyone at the event made it out safely.
There was a small bathroom off to the side with only a sink. Liv grabbed the washcloth Tom had given her with the clothes and began to wash her body down as Fitz stood near the window just thinking right now.
His thumb, Liv saw, was rubbing below his lip above the chin, and she knew he was thinking of the right words to tell the people of San Diego what they just witnessed. He put his head down, took a deep breath, and turned to Liv.
He pulled her now clean, naked body towards him and held her close again. His hands rubbed her bare back and Liv's eyes met his as he slightly tilted her chin up and gave her a gentle kiss. "Where is Grant?"
"I decided against him coming since I knew what was going to happen. He stayed at the ranch with Erin and MiMi. You were right Fitz, in all my time hiding from Jax and Chip, I should know better when someone like Dez is on the loose."
"We are not going to stop living our lives because of people like them, no Liv, I refuse." He scratched his forehead now as Liv began to dress. He pulled a paper out of his pocket and handed it to her once she was fully covered.
Her face shot up as she stared at him. She held up the paper. "When did this come?", Liv looked back down at it. It was a copy, but it was chilling. On the page was a clear and precise death threat against Fitz and his family.
"Ever since I'm on top of this bill in DC with the gun control, there's been several, so besides Dez and his goons, we have the NRA and their goons." Fitz took a sorrowful breath. "I never wanted this for you, Liv."
"And yet I still chose to stay, so it's not on you." She handed the letter back and cupped his face. Liv understood the pressure he was under everyday and will be for many years to come. She will be his outlet. Their lips were in a comfort kiss when she pulled back with a guilty breath. "I have to tell you something."
He looked at her, that look of concern. It was as if he thought at any given moment, she would break his heart. Fitz never got over her going back to NY and then to find out she had to hide a pregnancy, his child, it was just something he feared. He always had a bit of fear that she wouldn't want this life and run.
"Tom was able to get into Huck's computer and get messages from him. Huck sent some pictures." Liv grew very quiet before she told him. She knows he's going to lose it. She closed her eyes as she spoke. "Dez has a Grant/Olivia wall of pictures."
Fitz's eyes went wide. "A Grant like in Governor Grant, or a Grant like in our son?"
Liv tilted her head, tight lipped. "Our son, but I'm confident, Fitz…" She had to pull him back to her as he was bolting to the door. "This is why Huck is doing what he's doing. Think of it as a military mission, you can't blow his cover." Fitz did not look convinced, but Liv pulled him back down to her lips. She gave him a secure hug, burying her forehead onto his shoulder. "We'll be ok, I have to keep saying it so I believe it."
Fitz didn't let her go. "We will be ok, Livvie, we will." He had to keep telling himself the same thing, only he didn't say it out loud. There were several taps on the door and Tom opened it.
"Sir, the press podium is set up." Tom informed him and closed the door.
"Go, do your thing Governor." Liv pulled away as he looked at her.
"Come with me, stand beside me on the podium so they can see you're alright," his eyes were pleading with her.
"I can do that." She smiled. This day was supposed to be about family. She needed to show the people she loved Fitz; it wasn't just about a one night encounter. She interlocked her hand with his as they walked out together to tell the people just what they witnessed today.
Tom took the buzzing phone from Fitz and looked at the display. "It's your father sir."
Fitz looked at Liv who nodded. "I have to make a statement make it quick."
"Don't spin this, he was murdered." Big Gerry warned.
"The man collapsed on stage, he had a bad heart. The paramedics told me themselves. He was dead before he hit the ground, mind you almost taking my wife with him."
"Olivia can tell you, the blood was everywhere by the podium. He grabbed her after he was stabbed."
"And just who was he stabbed by? No one else saw any blood, and the paramedics didn't say anything about blood." Fitz lied.
"Fitz, don't do this. He was a family friend for years, don't do this."
Fitz walked away from Olivia now towards the corner of the room. He whispered angrily into the phone, grinding his teeth. "You had him involved with Jax from the get go, you introduced him to Jax's dirty money, this was payback and you know it. Don't tell me what I should or shouldn't do, you don't run things in this state, I do. I have a dead senator and I have to make a statement, goodbye."
Huck was under the podium as soon as the security detail did their search and deemed everything safe. He waited patiently, no time was too long for Huck, not when it came to the safety of Olivia. It was eerily quiet in a soon to be event that would be attended by hundreds of people. He adjusted the small camera he had, the one recording so Dez can get the gory details of Sanderson's death.
Once the footage was shown to Dez and Huck assured him he'll make a backup, the footage will disappear. Huck was sure Fitz would spin this as a death of natural causes and Huck was doing it clean enough for only a small few to know it wasn't. Huck thought back to when he was leaving Dez's headquarters.
"You sure you up to this, Shag?" Dez gave Huck a pat on his shoulder before leaving. "You are still fairly new to the crew. I can get Bruce to.'
Huck didn't let Dez finish. He squinted his eyes and side eyed him. "I got this,' he whispered. Besides, only Huck knew that beyond the train tracks in the woods outside Dez's headquarters Bruce was lying dead from a broken neck.
Bruce got a bit jealous of how fast Huck was working his way up the ranks to be Dez's right hand man. He threatened Huck, told him he would be a dead man. Bruce was going to be Dez's guy, and nothing was going to change that. He even wondered how two pictures were missing off the wall of Dez's main targets of Olivia and her kid. That's all Huck needed to hear to kill him.
Huck nodded and walked away, and Bruce followed. He was mad there was no reaction so he grabbed Huck's shoulder to turn him around. Big mistake. Bruce was dead before he hit the ground, and his hand could leave Huck's shoulder.
Dez put his hands back like he was being held up. "Ok, you got this."
Little by little, Huck heard voices, footsteps, people, and he knew the venue was beginning to crowd up. He held onto the handle of the knife Dez had given him. He thought about the blade and he the only regret Huck had at the moment was it wouldn't be the knife to kill Dez.
The blade was smooth, like ice on a pond, and Huck wanted it to be the blade to slit Dez's throat, but he would have to be gifted another one. With what Huck had planned in store for Sanderson, no doubt Dez would gift him a dozen new knives. Huck would never use the same knife twice to kill someone
Over the PA, Olivia was introduced to take her place at the microphone. "Here to speak on the importance of free meals in our public schools, on behalf of the Governor, is California's own First Lady, Mrs. Olivia Grant."
Huck was looking now at the knees of Olivia hearing her voice, loud, clear, and confident win the crowd over. He smiled, thinking of how proud Abby would have been of Liv. "As a new mom, I couldn't imagine my child having no food to eat. In a safe place, like school, students should all have equal access to good, nutritious food to be served at least twice daily. Families are struggling to make ends meet, and they shouldn't worry about where meals will come from for their children. For five days, twice a day, a total of ten meals, it's not too much for California to feed the children."
"San Diego, you have been chosen to be a pilot city for the free meals for students' program. Beginning next month in the second largest public school district in California, San Diego will lead the way in getting free meals for students started. I look forward to this happening and I thank our Governor Grant for getting this to be the first bill passed as he became our Governor."
Liv stepped away, looking around, wondering when it would happen as she watched Sanderson make his way up to the podium. Liv knew Huck was there, as he said he would be, but how, how would he do this?
"Hold that applause a moment." Sanderson's voice hushed the crowd. "The last thing we need to spend money on is food, especially for the public schools. They have their own local budget; the parents can make do with what they have to pay. It's a small price to feed the kids they want to get a free education."
Huck now had clear access to Sanderson's inner thigh. All the training, he knew exactly where to sever the femoral artery, and he would do it just as soon as….
"The First Lady here, she's delusional. Of course, she is born and bred in New York, she has no idea how things work in California. She's only here let's not forget, because of an adulterous affair that produced a child out of wedlock. Make no mistake, Mrs. Grant should not get the chance to come in here and demand we spend money we don't have."
"May I also remind you; she is in charge of the woman running to unseat me, Mrs. Grant has no knowledge of the politician she is dealing with." Suddenly Sanderson looked like he was lunging at Olivia, when he was falling to his death, having just been denied oxygen and blood flow to his heart with the stab wound.
He pulled at Liv, almost bringing her down, but his hands fell weak and Liv was able to ease him down.
Liv held onto Sanderson as he hit the ground, and she saw all the blood. Even though Huck was right there, not even three feet from her, she didn't see him as he had a hood up and he blended in with the many spectators trying to get a good look at what was going on. He swiftly walked towards the exit and was back in Dez's hideout before Liv was taken into the service car.
Liv pulled back now with Sanderson's hand ripping her shirt as he fell dead weight, his life gone before he hit the ground, and the pool of blood accumulating around him was concerning. Liv was lifted and carted off to her safe place as the authorities were left to piece together what the hell had just happened.
On his way to the safe place, Fitz was briefed on what happened when he was removed from the venue. He listened impatiently as all he wanted was to get to Liv. "Sir he's gone, he bled out," the young paramedic told the Governor.
"Who knows he bled out?" Fitz closed his eyes waiting for the answer.
Clearing his throat, the paramedic took the best guess he could. It only took thirty seconds for him and his partner to reach the stage and he remembered what was going on around him. "The former Governor, your wife, and the two service detail for the first lady."
"Was there anyone else? I mean how did he bleed out? Did he have weapon on him?"
"That's just it, sir, there was nothing, but he had a clear cut to his femoral artery."
"What is your name?" Fitz asked him.
"Kenneth, sir, Kenneth Mattson."
"And your partner?"
Kenneth cleared his throat. "Tanner, Tanner Daniels."
"Good, and I trust this is confidential, how the Senator died, correct."
"Correct, sir." The line went dead, and just like that young Kenneth was part of a political coverup.
Now, less than a half hour since Sanderson met his demise, Fitz stood in front of dozens of cameras and about twenty reporters. Liv stood next to him, her head leaning on his bicep as she watched the reporters jump up and heard clicks of cameras. She didn't even realize the affection she was showing to Fitz.
"Ma'am?", she heard in the distance.
"Liv, he's asking you." Fitz whispered.
"How are you Mrs. Grant?"
"Fine, thank you, I'm fine." Liv gave a small smile, and her thoughts went back to her baby boy. She couldn't wait to hold him in her arms. She had no idea she was getting California to fall in love with their love story.
"I bring you the disheartening news of the death of Senator Sanderson. I have known Senator Sanderson since the age of 7, growing up in the shadows of his friendship with my father." Fitz paused and took a deep breath. "Senator Sanderson shaped me in many ways to understand the politics of California. We did disagree about many issues recently, but we never lost respect for each other."
"Sir, any word on a cause?" "Mrs. Grant, did he say something before he went down?" "Sir, was there anything suspicious about his cause of death?" The questions were flying out of each person waiting for an answer.
Liv stepped over. "Senator Sanderson did not say anything, he simply stopped breathing and went down. He reached for me, but there was nothing I could do." Liv stopped and let Fitz take over.
"Preliminary, not confirmed, it seems the Senator had a massive heart attack. We'll have more for you, and we will have the arrangements, of course. Senator Sanderson will be honored at the statehouse, now if you'll excuse us. I will hand over any remaining questions to Bethany, a spokesperson for San Diego's finest."
As soon as Fitz had hung the phone up, refusing to entertain Gerry any longer, Gerry called Dez on the secure line Huck set up. Unbeknownst to Dez, Huck had access to every conversation that went on with that line. Seeing it was Fitz's father, Huck was all ears.
"Was this you, you did this to Sanderson? I told you I would take care of him."
"Listen BG, I don't have time to waste. That boy of yours is causing problems for me in San Diego. I just found one of my men dead, wouldn't be surprised if it was a Governor's goon who stumbled on my hideout. I want my share of Jax's money, and I'll leave you to the vendetta to your boy."
"Not too fast, are you doing as I asked?"
"Why do you underestimate me so much? I can assure you he is getting the death threats. I have my people sending them in daily. Soon it will be close to home. I know what we have to lose from the NRA if his precious bill goes through, don't worry."
"Good. Jax's will is going to be read in two weeks. I know you're in it, but fuck this up, and I'll be sure there's a typo somewhere." Gerry warned.
"Don't fuck with me BG. I'm doing everything you're asking. You want that little grandkid and daughter in law of yours to be targets, I can do that too. In fact, I'll send one of my best to scare the shit out of them and the two little Nanny's."
Gerry closed his eyes. "No, not yet hold off on that. I just want to know what you did to Sanderson. It was no heart attack."
'No, it wasn't. It was beautiful though, right? Don't mess with me BG, I'll be talking to you."
Gerry glanced over at the monitor as Fitz was leading Olivia down the press podium. He watched as the couple interlocked hands as they reached the bottom and saw Fitz put a small kiss on Olivia's cheek. Gerry just shook his head. Two of his dearest and best friends gone in a matter of weeks, and this all could've been avoided if Fitz never met Olivia Pope.
If they were looking this happy and Fitz had received the death threats already, he had to up the game. He had to stick around for a few weeks with Sanderson's service and funeral, so he would call in the big guns. Olivia had to be stopped before she ruined everything Gerry had worked for to get Fitz the power he deserved.
Before heading out, Liv stopped to talk to Vivian while Fitz met with some of his team to discuss services and statements to be released to the press. In the coming days, he would have to appoint someone for Sanderson's seat. Although it seemed a no brainer to be Joyce Waters, he couldn't make a choice that obvious, and he knew what that would do to Olivia. He had to go a different route.
"So, Waking up the Coast called, they want you on the show next week, Sams About Cooking called, they want you on the podcast, and Ladies at Large, well they want you every day for the next month." Vivian handed Liv the paper. "They love you Olivia, oh and all of them want that blue eyed handsome baby with you and I don't mean Fitz."
That got the first smile out of Liv in a week. "Thanks Vivian, this is…wow…."
"I'm heading over to my brothers for dinner. I'll call you tomorrow, let me know if there's anything I can do, I know you'll be crazy busy the next few days." Vivian stopped and looked at Liv. She pulled her in for a hug. "I know you miss Huck, but he's going to take Dez down, and today, well I think that was a blow to Dez's operations. Sanderson was on his side." She rubbed Liv's back before walking away.
As soon as Liv entered the ranch house, Erin had Grant beyond the door knowing Liv would want to swoop him in her arms. Liv did just that, taking him and giving Erin a soft kiss on the cheek. "Thank you," she whispered as she held Grant's head against her chest.
She pulled him out in front of her and when he saw her face, he smiled that two tooth smile. "MMMM", Grant said and put his head back on his mother's shoulders as if he knew she needed his affection.
Kissing his cheek and holding him close she said, "Mommy and daddy missed you so much." Fitz came up behind them and rubbed his son's light colored curls, coming in a bit thicker now.
"We sure did." Fitz kissed his son and turned to Mimi.
"I know Sanderson was a friend. I'm sorry Mimi." Fitz hugged her.
"He lost his way too, everyone did when Jax was involved. Can't say I don't mourn him, but he wasn't going in the right direction for the state. God acts in mysterious ways."
Liv was lying belly down in the bed while Fitz came out of the shower. She was watching her son sleep next to her in the bed. She was caressing his soft curls, as his eyes stayed closed and he faced his mother, also belly down.
His tiny fist up by his little nose and he took a deep breath with each stroke Liv gently put on his head. "I love you so much Grant Thomas," her finger outlined his puffy cheek and went down to his lips and stopped. "I can't believe you'll be six months in two weeks."
Suddenly Liv felt the warm lips on her back, as Fitz began on her tailbone and gently kissed his way up to her neck. She had just finished feeding Grant and didn't deem it necessary to put a shirt on. Fitz thought that was a wonderful idea.
"My two most precious gifts." Fitz lifted Grant up as his son rested his head on his father's shoulder. "You want him in here, or his room?"
"You going to make me moan?" Liv turned and looked at her husband.
"Loudly." Fitz said with pride. "I've had a long day."
Liv watched through the monitor as Fitz put their son into his crib, tenderly kissing him before putting the blanket up to his mid back. "Love you, Grant." Liv's heart melted and she never would have second thoughts about not letting him know about his son.
Playing along with his wife he got into the bed and said, "Oh, she fell asleep", as he faced her and saw her eyes closed, knowing darn well she wasn't sleeping. He reached under the blanket and rubbed her back down to her ass, which was now uncovered.
"Oh, and she fell asleep naked." He pulled the blanket off and straddled her back. He went down slowly and his lips landed on her neck, and Liv immediately turned around with the chills.
"Fitz," she whispered as he ignored her and kissed his way down her smooth skin passed her stomach and the tip of his tongue found the top of her clit. Fitz began slow, circular motions, as Liv's body responded by her bottom half lifting up.
If he kept this up, it wouldn't take long, and he didn't stop the circular motion. The only thing that changed was his hand reaching up to her breast as his thumb circled around the nipple.
Liv's head was turned to her right, her eyes closed as she felt the numbing sensation building up, and her breathing went a bit faster. "Uh, Fitz," it was a moan as he moved his tongue, once, down the fold and then back up to the clit.
Her bottom went up more, and Fitz's hands went under her, now holding her up as he continued to circle her clit, and the moan that she let out was beautiful as her body stiffened with a powerful orgasm. She had no idea she was pulling his curls through the whole thing, but it didn't hurt him, it made him want her more.
Withing moments, his rock hard erection found her entrance and he was right where he wanted to be, inside his beautiful wife, who was still weak from the orgasm she just finished. He entered her slowly, watching her face with a look of painful pleasure.
He entered her completely now and she opened her eyes, meeting his as she rubbed his cheek when he began slowly pumping his body on top of hers. He had no words, just thoughts of the danger she was in today, and he pumped in faster, harder, his face falling into her neck.
His hands went back as before and lifted her bottom and he could hear himself pounding into her. Her head went back in pure pleasure. "MMMM, God, Fitz, what has gotten….." she couldn't finish, "Fitz I'm coming again, please, I can't…."
He was unusually silent, just pounding his body into hers, not even a grunt, but his body also stiffened, and Liv felt him come inside her. His hands came up on either side of her, stopping on her face. He cupped her face and sank into a long tongue kiss, then fell again into the crook of her neck.
She rubbed the back of his curls, and she knew what he was thinking, but he wouldn't say it. "I know you want to tell me you told me so, so thank you for not saying it."
Fitz rolled off, covered his face with both hands, gave it a rub and pulled her into his arms. "He severed his femoral artery."
Liv nodded. "I know, I saw." She closed her eyes against his chest. "Huck goes big."
"Tomorrow I have to head to Sacramento to put together the service." His head rested on hers.
"I was given a list of shows and podcasts looking for me to be a guest." Liv shrugged.
"Four different news channels want us on for a five minute segment. Apparently, our love is spreading across the state, and people want to see more of us." Fitz paused, "and Grant."
"You're nervous."
"I am, especially with the threats coming through. We seem to be getting them from a few organizations, the FBI will be coming in to assist to see where they're originating from."
Liv took a deep breath. "I give it two weeks, and Dez will be dead, and it will be brutal. If you think what happened to Sanderson was violent, wait until you're picking up Dez's pieces." Liv kissed his chest and rested her tired head. She had no more left in her and she fell asleep safe in her husband's arms.
Before he fell asleep his phone buzzed. "Go ahead."
"Your father is at his place in Sacramento, Bruce Stiller is dead, and we just received word your duplex by the statehouse is being checked for bomb devices."
"A bomb threat?" Fitz asked.
"Yes, sir, three minutes ago the threat came in." There was a long pause. "Sir?"
"I'm here."
"The call came from a burner phone."
"So no trace?"
"No trace, but location."
"I'm listening." Fitz was waiting for San Diego to come out.
"Your father's residence in Sacramento. What do you want us to do?"
Fitz looked at Liv, sleeping peacefully in the safety of his arms. He looked at the monitor, Grant still in the position Fitz put him down before.
"Nothing, don't tell authorities you have the location, tell them no trace at all. I'll deal with this is the morning."
"Sir." The caller ended it.
Way in the back tunnels in San Diego, Huck was showing the moment when he severed Sanderson's artery to Dez. Dez gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Man, did I underestimate you. Of course the wuss ass governor has to cover this up, but I know the truth and we have the evidence. This is fucking great, Shag. With Bruce being gone, I may need you to move up a few spots, you up for it."
"I'm up for it." Huck watched as Dez walked away to call his usual meeting. Losing Bruce was a bigger hit than Dez would admit, but Huck knew. Slowly, things would begin falling apart and Huck would be there to watch every single one.
He looked at the monitor of the warehouse where Dez had his stash of illegal guns to sell. It was one of the monitors Dez had no idea existed. Huck looked down at the palm of his hand. The one picture he had taken of Grant was in it, his smiling blue eyes. "This one's for you little man." Huck looked at the monitor and pushed a button.
Smiling as he heard the loud "What the Fuck?" come from the conference room and a remote alarm go off seconds later, Huck watched as Dez's first true money maker was burning to the ground. "Shag, come out here, one of our gun warehouses just blew."
Huck slowly walked to the room. This was going to be so much fun.