A/N: A bit lengthy (sorry). Thanksgiving in Rutland will be before or during the weekend. Thanks for everyone still reading. Hope you enjoy and leave a review if you can.
Chapter 14—Huck's Arrival
Two weeks later—The Day Before Thanksgiving
No one knows that truly happened when Fitz entered his home and the door closed with a pregnant Mellie inside. The only guess Olivia could give was she manipulated him in someway to feel sorry for her. Olivia couldn't get angry with Fitz. It wasn't in his heart to be cruel. Being angry was one thing, but downright cruel, to a pregnant woman, Olivia would be surprised.
The day after she left Fitz to go talk to Mellie, Olivia woke up with a bit more love in her heart. Fitz had told her he was falling in love with her. It scared her, the kind of getting on a roller coaster for the first time scared, but she was willing to take the chance. She felt too much for him, had so many unanswered questions, and refused to let him be lonely.
Now, two weeks later, she couldn't get him to open up as to why Mellie was still in town and living at his house. Lara, Abby, Sophie, and Olivia had all kept their promise to one another and kept Fitz busy and away from Mellie. Lara asked Fitz to take Alyssa to and from her soccer games because the games conflicted with Brianna and Chloe's dance lessons.
On certain nights, Olivia would accompany Fitz and they would stay to watch Alyssa at practice or to play the game. It gave Olivia more of a sense of belonging in Rutland and she was getting to know some of the soccer moms she longed to be one day.
Sophie had Fitz come to the store at least three nights a week. They were knee deep in making meals for the community center for both Randolph and Rutland. Countless numbers of out of work families, low-income families, homeless families and disabled veterans came for a Thanksgiving dinner. There was plenty of food needed to be cooked and delivered. Fitz was helping on every angle.
The Vermont Lake Monsters had been the main sponsor of the food donation along with the Sheriff's Association of Rutland. Olivia was the only one who knew Fitz was an owner of the baseball team and had no doubt he was the main reason these families, veterans, and those in need had a hot meal on Thanksgiving.
Abby had invited Olivia and Fitz to go out a few times on a double date with her and Leo. Abby had a blast showing Liv around Rutland and driving to neighboring towns to tell her the history of each place. Olivia liked this the best because she was usually in the back seat with Fitz while Abby and Leo occupied the front seats.
They were like two lovestruck teenagers in the back, holding hands and giving each other puppy eyes. Olivia swore since he said he was falling in love with him, a smile never left his face. She was concerned though on what hold Mellie had on Fitz.
Keeping Fitz out of Mellie's company had also had a bump in the development of his relationship with Olivia. They hadn't been able to spend much time alone together, and if they did, it was quick. Olivia did miss being in his arms, and they hadn't yet found the right time to talk in depth about important things.
Olivia hoped after Thanksgiving, things would slow down a bit and they would get some quality time with each other. Liv needed to know what was going on with Mellie. Things just weren't making sense.
Tonight, most of the people in town were crowded at Sophie's. Meals were being plated, desserts (made by Leo and Abby) were being packaged, and cars were being filled for deliveries.
Many eyes were on Olivia and Fitz. The people in town were happy to see the fiasco in the park didn't deter Olivia away. She had gotten so many compliments about their performance. Most of all, what cradled her heart, was hearing how people were happy to see Fitz out and about.
Tonight, in Sophie's, space was limited, so Liv sat on Fitz's lap while they plated cookies and filled up food trays. At times, Liv would turn to talk to him, being lip close and they would smile at each other, eyes always connecting.
This didn't go unnoticed from Sophie who couldn't thank Olivia enough for staying. She couldn't imagine how secluded Fitz would have become had she left town. Sophie was growing to love Olivia with each passing day, and she was happy to see the friendship her and Abby were developing.
Most of all, Sophie was happy about the plan Olivia had to distract Fitz from Mellie. Liv and Sophie spoke on more than one occasion about why she was still in town, but they couldn't figure it out, and Fitz wasn't talking. Olivia needed to get him alone, it was just a matter of time and being patient.
It was here, tonight, at another town gathering like the park festival, Olivia would realize just how detached Mellie was from reality. Olivia couldn't figure out if it was purposely or the woman was just dense.
Perhaps it's what Olivia feared, Mellie is in love with Fitz. She is so in love with him, she thinks she can win him over, but Fitz hardly pays any mind to her. Even Daisy has spent most of the past two weeks at Olivia's house.
Whenever Fitz leaves to go home, Daisy walks to Olivia's room and hops on the bed. She refuses to leave with Fitz, despite his efforts to get her to go. Olivia takes Daisy's cues; dogs have great intuition about people. Olivia does worry constantly that Fitz may have an episode and with Daisy not there, who knows what Mellie would do? So far, it's been a good two weeks.
At one point, Fitz needed to get up to go to the kitchen. He got close to Olivia's ear. "Should I pick you up, while kissing you, or will you just get up like a good girl." His voice, his lips, and his breath, so close to her ear, Olivia couldn't move at all. Her body was shivering, as she faced him.
She leaned in to kiss him quickly before moving, but first said, "You keep making me shiver like that, you're going to be stuck where you are."
"Oh yeah, Livvie, then something else may make you move because of what your body so close does to me.".
"Fitz,", she gave him a loving tap on his shoulder, pecked him on the lips, and as she got up, she heard the noise level suddenly get lower.
Sophie's was alive with conversations and chatter when all heads turned as Mellie walked in. All eyes then turned to Fitz and Olivia, and Olivia didn't know how much longer she was going to stay silent about Fitz's intentions. If only she knew what the hell went on that night, she left him with her.
Fitz didn't even care Mellie walked in, and after letting Olivia out of his arms, walked casually back to the kitchen.
The three McClellan girls were assigned door duty that night. As each person entered to help in some way they were the directors to send people to the various stations where help was needed. When Mellie entered and the place became silent, all you could hear was little Chloe. Once the words came out of her mouth, Olivia thought if the child knew the definition of regret it may have been what she may have felt.
Like dogs, though, children have an intuition about them, and a child speaks the truth, especially one being brought up without lies surrounding her. In the dead silence Chloe's voice was loud "No one needs your hewp here Mewwie, you can weave. We are not thankfuw you are here."
"CHLOE SUE!" Lara yelled. As much as Lara disliked Mellie, she was not going to have one of her girls show disrespect in this town amongst all these people. Chloe pouted just a bit, but her frowning stare never left Mellie's stare.
Abby broke the tension a bit when she started to laugh and walked over to Chloe. She scooped up the child and said, "don't be sad, Chloe, you only said what everyone was feeling, let's go get a pumpkin cookie from Cookie Monster." Abby smirked at Mellie.
"Chloe is right, you're not welcome here, I don't know why you're sticking around." Abby turned and walked to the back with Chloe in her arms.
Mellie was unscathed by anything that just went down. She walked quietly, smiling at all the stares and sat at a table near Sophie. Sophie said a few words to Mellie and retrieved back to the kitchen.
Everyone stopped and went back to doing their share of helping and Olivia couldn't take her eyes off Fitz. Something was off when this woman was around, and she was determined to find out what it was.
Two weeks ago
When Fitz entered his home, he didn't even acknowledge Mellie. He tossed off his shoes and headed up to his bedroom. He didn't have Daisy with him, being Liv sent her to Lara's, and Fitz welcomed a long, hot shower.
During his shower, thoughts of Olivia standing in the interrogation room filled his heart. Never had someone come to his defense, not even his father as Olivia did tonight. He knew she lied to Bryce about why he hit DJ the second time, and that alone proved what he felt, Olivia had feelings for him as much as he had for her. There really wasn't anything they wouldn't do for each other.
He could still feel her breast in his hand, so perfect, and if Mellie hadn't opened that door, Olivia would've felt exactly what her touch did to him. Hell, just thinking about it now caused an erection in the shower he tried to ignore. He couldn't stop the words from coming out, because he was falling in love with Olivia Pope.
His thoughts then, unfortunately, went to Mellie. She was the one constant when he left Santa Barbara to keep in touch with Fitz. He wasn't ignoring the fact that she had visited him often, unlike his father. She was the one piece he had of his time before capture. She was always his friend, but what she did, deliberately attack his happiness, he wasn't having it. As much as he was grateful for her friendship, in times that were dark, this was something hard to forgive.
He wasn't the father; he knew that for sure. What she did after she left on the 4th of July was her business, but if she tried to go public with the lie, he was the father, he would ask for a paternity test to be done. He would legally force it. After the night he had, he just wanted to get to bed. He will deal with Mellie in the morning. His bedroom door securely locked; he went to sleep. He had no idea Mellie was downstairs on the phone speaking to his father.
Mellie had called Big Gerry after Fitz walked in the house and didn't even acknowledge her presence. She knew her father had to have been in touch with Big Gerry and she didn't feel like speaking to her father right now. She called Big Gerry and told him everything she had witnessed from the park to the porch.
Mellie tossed and turned in the guest room of Fitz's house. She had no doubt after talking to Big Gerry that Fitz would have no choice but to let her stay there until after the holidays. She needed to get checked by a doctor having entered her second trimester without any care yet. When she decided she was keeping the baby, she thought Rutland would be the best place to raise the child.
She had every intention of talking to Fitz, hoping he would sympathize with her, and perhaps let Lara help her in choosing a doctor. After all, the woman had three mongrels of her own, Mellie was sure she would help her. Mellie just wasn't prepared with what she saw in the park.
She wasn't nearly as prepared with what she witnessed on the porch tonight. Who the hell rang the bell? They both looked surprised when the door opened, and now Fitz probably thought she was spying on them. Whatever, she was determined to hang on to his friendship even now when the reality of him never loving her was sinking in.
Here now, back at Sophie's, Fitz came out from the back, not making eye contact with Olivia, but ignoring Mellie at all costs.
Olivia turned Fitz's eyes to focus on her. She wasn't going to control him. He knew she was there for him, as much as he was there for her. She had proven herself by staying, by standing by him, and by supporting him.
"We don't have to stay, Fitz. We can take Daisy and head to my place. I'll put on a movie; we can cuddle. I miss cuddling with you. I can make my specialty popcorn, have some wine. How does that sound Mister?" She was rubbing the back of his neck as she was talking to him.
"Cuddle, huh, that's sounds good. What movie do you have?"
"It's a thriller. Fatal Attraction, you know that one. A crazy woman goes after someone else's man, seems fitting." Her head turned to Mellie who was watching their every move.
Fitz needed to coordinate a schedule with Sophie about distribution tomorrow. "Let me talk to Sophie, and I will be back in a few minutes."
Lara came over with Chloe once Fitz walked away. Chloe still had tears in her eyes. Chloe looked up at Olivia and Olivia kneeled to the child's eye level. "Why are you so sad, Chloe, don't be sad."
"I want to watch the pawade tomorrow with you and Fitz, I want to show you the pwincesses in the pawade." She was just shy of whining and Olivia never saw Chloe have so many mood swings.
"She's asking if she can sleep over at your place, Liv, I don't want to intrude, I know…."
"It's fine with me, I have no problem if you're ok with it. Fitz is coming back with me now; we can swing by your place and pick up some things for her. I love watching the parade, it reminds me of home, well, my former home." Olivia thought back to NYC. It would be fun to watch it through a child's eyes.
Hearing she was going to stay by Olivia's, Chloe ran to find Fitz. Lara turned to Olivia. "Ever since that incident in the park, she hasn't been herself. I think she is afraid of Mellie. She never saw Fitz so helpless. She's been having nightmares. She thinks Mellie is hurting Fitz. She has this dream of you and him being married, but Mellie messing it up." Lara paused. "I'm sorry, Liv, I know that sounds crazy, but this is what she wakes up saying. I think she really needs to see the two of you together, kind of like the night you came to dinner."
"No, it's fine. I'll talk to her. We'll watch the parade together tomorrow and I'll see if she talks to me."
Lara nodded. "Thank you so much. Bryce is on his break. He's at the house, he'll have a bag ready for her. You have my number if there's a problem, shoot me a call and I'll be there."
Fitz came out of the kitchen holding Chloe high in his arms. She clung to him as she usually does and when Fitz stopped to talk to Mellie, Chloe buried her face in Fitz's neck. The child refused to look at her. Same, kid, I feel the same, Liv thought.
"Mellie, do you have somewhere to go tomorrow? I am leaving early to serve at the community center in Randolph. I won't be home. Maybe you can take a meal to have it for tomorrow, some dessert also." He didn't wait for an answer, as he walked towards Olivia.
"I hear you have a house guest tonight. Looks like Fatal Attraction is going to turn into Aladdin?" Olivia smiled agreeing with him as the three of them, along with Daisy in tow, left amidst the smiles of most of the people in Sophie's.
Two weeks ago
Fitz woke up ready to go for his jog at 6:15 as his normal routine. He wasn't expecting Mellie to be sitting at the island in the kitchen. Fitz walked past her to grab his hydro flask of water to drink before his run.
"So, what, you're just going to pretend I'm not here, pretend I am not carrying a baby, ignore the fact that I need help, I need a friend." Mellie's voice was almost in despair.
Fitz squinted at her. "Oh, don't you play the little victim Mellie. I don't know what kind of game you are playing, but you know damn well I am not the father of that child. Frankly, I don't give a damn who the father is, but you don't come here and pull a stunt like you pulled last night."
"Aww, did I ruin your little romantic rendezvous with Miss Olivia Pope? Who the hell his she anyway Fitz?" Mellie crossed her arms like she was having a tantrum.
"NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS!" Mellie jumped, she never heard Fitz get so loud. "Keep her name out of your mouth, pack your things and leave. I do not want you in this house. You were a big girl and got yourself pregnant, be a big girl and take care of yourself. Why aren't you asking the father for help? Or have you slept with so many men, you don't know who the father is?" He took a breath, put his water bottle back in the fridge and was about to head out when his phone rang.
Fitz took one look at the display and looked back up at Mellie. He shook his head in disgust. "You really are deplorable. You stop at nothing to get what you want. It's not happening this time." Fitz answered the call.
"Dad, it's early on the west coast is everything ok?"
Big G: "Don't play that game with me boy, you know damn well everything isn't ok. I asked you to watch out for Mellie, didn't I, what's this I am hearing about a woman in your life?"
Fitz: "Dad, that's not your concern. I am an adult, what I do with my life is my business. Mellie didn't even tell me she was showing up, and then she shows up pregnant, you do know I am not the father. She's not staying Dad."
Big G: "No one has to know you're not the father. Raise a family in that little town. That would be noble of you unless the town doesn't know your history. Do the fine people of Rutland know what a traitor to their country their savior is?"
Fitz: "Dad….
Big G: "No son, do they? Because as quickly as you toss Mellie, I can have the FBI there wanting you for questioning about your time in Iraq. Your files are classified, but any reporter can get that information from the right person. No Navy pilot spends two years in Iraq. Were you selling secrets to the Iraqi government? Did you father a child over there? What exactly was the reason you were there so long? Your back may show Congress there is a need for hearings. Did they torture you into talking?"
Fitz's stomach was now in knots. His eyes beginning to fill with tears. He just shook his head as he was watching the sunrise. He closed his eyes remembering his first kiss with Olivia. He took a deep breath.
Fitz: "Why do you have to be so cruel? Why can't you just let me live my life? You are still so bitter I didn't go the path of the life you chose for me? What the hell do you want me to do for the Sinclair's dad?"
Big G: "Let Mellie stay until after the holidays. Let her get her mind together. After the holidays, help her on her way. I'll talk to her father. Surely, he'll be happy he's going to be a grandfather. I understand there was a problem on her last visit with your mental health. You would have some explaining to do about not being the father, now, wouldn't you? You're in a predicament boy, choose wisely."
Fitz heard the line go dead. He didn't even reenter his house, he began his jog, it was all he could do to clear his mind. His father was right. He couldn't tell people he didn't remember what happened on July 4th because of his history.
He couldn't even tell Olivia or his friends why he was going to let Mellie stay until after the holidays. Besides his father, only Sophie knew of his capture in Iraq and about his scars on his back. All the files on his capture and his release were classified. Congress, his father, the President, they all had to pull some illegal strings to get Fitz released. Finding out his was a POW was not something Fitz intended on bragging about.
Fitz never thought he could hate anyone, but the hate he had in his heart for his father was real after that conversation. He refused to give it another thought. His thoughts went back to Olivia from last night. That would be his comfort zone.
From the time he arrived back from the jog, to tonight at Sophie's Fitz hadn't said a word to Mellie. He found it easy to ignore her and with him being busy, found it even easier. The holidays couldn't be over soon enough. As he left Sophie's with Chloe and Olivia, Fitz looked forward to finally getting some time to speak to Olivia.
Bryce had just left the hospital when Fitz and Olivia pulled into the driveway to pick up Chloe's things. They all entered the house when Bryce told Chloe to go up and pick two board games and two stuffies (animals) to bring with her. He needed to talk to Olivia and Fitz. There had been some changes in DJ's problems, and he just had been updated after two weeks of hearing nothing.
Aside from having his nose repositioned and plastic surgery (twice) to repair his fractured cheekbone, when Fitz hit him the second time, he twisted his leg on the very uprooted branch Olivia twisted her ankle on that night. DJ didn't fair too lucky as Liv. He had a clean break of the tibia, and the bone was piercing his skin. It was an open fracture, and it was going to take months to heal.
Imagine DJ's frustration when he found out Fitz was not being charged with any type of assault. When he was ready to speak to Bryce, Bryce told him there wasn't enough evidence to indicate Fitz wasn't acting in self-defense.
"He assaulted a police office, damn it." DJ was yelling and echoing on the hospital hallway.
"You didn't identify yourself as an officer and it was pitch dark in the woods. I hear you had dropped your flashlight, Fitz acted on instinct thinking he was going to be assaulted."
"Bryce, this is bullshit and you know it. Look at me. My face is shredded, my leg is damaged. I may never work again. How is this fair?"
Bryce wanted so badly to bring up the family he killed so many years ago and suggest to DJ that perhaps it's karma, but he refrained. "DJ, the good news is, it did happen when you were on the job, so no medical bills for you." Bryce turned to leave promising he would have Lara sent a bouquet to brighten up the room.
"I swear to every God, Bryce, you and your boy Fitz, you're going to pay dearly for this. He doesn't get to waltz into this town and run it. Pray I don't heal too quickly because you're in for a fight."
Bryce gave a friendly nod. "I'll start praying tonight."
When he stopped talking, Chloe came back down the stairs, struggling to carry her two games and her two "stuffies." She had chosen her "Pinky" she won at the festival and a small brown teddy bear her sister Brianna had given her.
She handed the board game "Pretty, Pretty Princess" to Fitz. "I can't wait to pway that with you Fitz, right Owivia?" Olivia's eyebrows rose in humor. "Oh, Chloe, I cannot wait." It was clear Fitz had no idea what he was getting into. The other board game was Trouble, but it was because Chloe liked the pop of the dice in the middle, she didn't know how to play it.
Bryce kissed his youngest daughter goodbye and said he'd see her for the turkey dinner tomorrow. He looked at Olivia and Fitz. "I expect you two to be here also. Sophie, Abby, and Leo will all be here, so please, don't just drop off Chloe, stay."
Liv didn't answer. She was distant since Bryce told them about DJ. She couldn't help but think if it wasn't for her, Fitz wouldn't have been in this situation. Now he had DJ to worry about. She shouldn't have been so immature to run. She did, though, and look what happened. She shook her head without realizing it. This is why she wouldn't let herself be loved.
Fitz turned to her after they settled in the car. "Don't blame yourself for this, Livvie, DJ just found an out for hating me all these years."
"He wouldn't have found an out if I didn't…." she stopped because Chloe was listening, and she was confused enough. "Let's just go. Chloe, what are we watching tonight? Aladdin? Belle? Ariel?"
"Oh, I want to watch beeeeeeeeeeeeeeuty and the beast….I wuv that movie, when the beast roars and becomes a pwince." Daisy was lying on the back seat next to Chloe. She just grunted.
"Kind of like someone I know." She rubbed Fitz's curls. "You roared with DJ, but then you became my prince again."
"I'll tell Huck to come on Friday, instead of tomorrow." Olivia had told Fitz all about Huck. She had no choice, because Huck was worried about Edison sending someone up here now that DJ was out of commission. He didn't want to stay away much longer. Olivia didn't tell Bryce or Fitz about the connection yet; she would leave that up to Huck.
She tried Huck's cell, but it went right to voicemail, which was odd. It never went to voicemail. She tried the one burner phone number she had for him. He picked up on the first ring, "call you back, on a job." Olivia didn't have time, before the line went dead to even say hello. She'd figure Huck would call before he began his trip, so she wouldn't worry.
Fitz kept questioning her if Edison had ever hurt her before that bruise and she kept having to reassure him he hadn't. She couldn't take seeing that anger come out again in Fitz. It wasn't him, and if he ever saw Edison again, Olivia could only imagine what Edison would look like, after what DJ now looks like.
"Yeah, Friday would be better since we are going out tomorrow. I am looking forward to meeting with Huck. I have a lot to thank him for. He's a genius for what he's done to Edison. Remind me to never get on Huck's bad side."
"You two can chat military jumble. He was in the Army, and he was over in Iraq a few times also. I am sure the two of you could swap war stories, get some testosterone going." Liv laughed.
Fitz squirmed at the comment and tried to fake a smile. Liv turned and thought about her conversation with Edison and what Huck had done to Edison. It really was genius.
Huck had infected the software on all three floors of Davis Enterprises and Edison Davis was beside himself. Olivia had watched the CNBC business report daily since she "resigned" from Financially Yours. Today, Olivia got to see Edison and the television did him no justice.
He was as worried as they come as the reporter asked if he had any idea where the hacking came from. Edison said he had his best guys working on it, and he would get to the bottom of it.
Olivia laughed. "Oh no you won't Edison. Huck is too good. Next time watch what you say to me." She said to the TV.
Two days after he saw the pictures of Olivia and Fitz, Edison had called the number she gave him. It was a burner phone and he had that figured out when she answered. Edison filled her ear with empty threats, and Olivia refrained from laughing in his ear because she knew what Huck was working on.
Edison: "This is Olivia Pope", he said in a squeaky voice.
Olivia: "Edison, are you mocking me? Is there a problem?"
Edison: "Don't ,Olivia. I told you I would find you. You just don't get to run away from me and out of my life. How is my quaint little Rutland doing these days?"
Olivia: "It's thriving, Edison. Fitz is a business genius. This town is in a surplus, in fact the festival put them in the black and the businesses raked in thousands. Fitz is quite the kisser also."
She knew that jab would burn him good. It's what he said back that had Olivia irate. Even though she told herself not to let him get the best of her, she couldn't help it.
Edison. "Does he know I've had you, Olivia? Does he know that you were mine far before you were his? Maybe I'll let Fitz know just how boring you are in bed. If he's still with you, you must not have slept with him yet. Keep your lights on Olivia. You never know when I'll arrive in Rutland."
After Olivia heard him disconnect the call, she called Huck. He already heard the conversation and told Olivia he was halfway packed to get up there.
Olivia had told Huck about Fitz. She told him how they met and about their relationship. Besides her mother, Huck had to be the happiest for Olivia. She always considered Huck more like a brother than a friend. Right now, Olivia had needed Huck to stall Edison. He couldn't come up with everything going on with Mellie. She needed Edison to have a big distraction.
Olivia knew Huck was skilled in technology, but she never would have guessed he could pull off the huge caliber of hacking that the news was reporting. Olivia made a note to herself to never doubt him again. Why did the Army ever let this guy out of their grasp?
Two days after that phone call, Huck was able to hack into the master server of Davis Enterprises and infect it with an untraceable malware. That kept Edison from making any spontaneous trips up the small rural town he threatened so many years ago.
"If you want to watch the movie tonight, we'll have to play the games tomorrow little bean," Fitz was talking to Chloe as he carried her inside the house.
"OK, I can change on my own." She grabbed the bag from Fitz and hopped down to Olivia's room. "This so going to be so so fun."
Fitz turned to Olivia and backed her up against the wall. He didn't hesitate while he had the moment, and his lips just devoured hers. He swished his tongue around as he felt her hands rub up and down his chest.
He was so deep in the kiss, and he wasn't letting up. He heard Olivia give a moan and push back, she needed a breath. He pulled away. "God, Fitz, that kiss."
"You have no idea how much I've missed you Livvie, no idea. He kissed her right cheek, then down to her neck, when he felt her shiver, he smiled. He made his way back up to her lips but stopped before it got too deep again.
"I am staying tonight. I am not going back to that house with her there. Hopefully we'll get to talk more, Livvie. There's an explanation, just give me time ok. It's more complicated than you think. I won't shut you out, but there has to be a right time and place for this. Promise me you understand and you'll give me time."
She looked deep in his eyes. She could see the hurt, the hunger, and for a moment she wished she hadn't agreed to let Chloe stay. "I promise Fitz, after what I've put you through…"
"Stop, Liv, we aren't going there."
"Going where, Fitz?" Chloe came out in her turquoise Ariel pajamas looking rather curious.
"We aren't going there," he poked Ariel on her shirt, "there under the sea. Tonight, we are going to a magical castle where a beast lives." He put his hands up and gave an evil laugh as he chased Chloe into Olivia's arms squealing.
"Come on, let's go make some popcorn while Beast Fitz gets the air mattress up and the movie ready. I make the best popcorn on Earth, Chloe, did you know that? It's my thing, kind of like Leo's cookies."
"Reawwy? I can't wait to taste your popcorn Owivia."
Chloe had never seen air popped corn before. She stared at the machine the whole time and when the bowl was full, she took a handful of popcorn and ate it one at a time. "This mewts in my mouth, Owivia, it is the best."
Olivia laughed; this little girl was something. She put the bottle of grape juice and three cups on a tray. Chloe carried the popcorn bowl in, and Olivia carried the tray with the wine substitute of grape juice out towards the living room.
By the time "Be Our Guest" was blaring through the television, Chloe had fallen fast asleep with Pinky in her arms. Fitz carried her, cradle style to Liv's bed. Liv watched him lovingly as he took care of Chloe with such delicacy. He took her to Liv's bed so the two of them could clean up the area before calling it a night themselves.
When Fitz came out, Liv was sitting horizontal on the air mattress, back up against the couch. "Thank you for letting Chloe stay. She's a great kid, I am sure she is confused with everything going on."
"You're going to make a great father one day Fitz. You are amazing with Chloe."
"Well, I am not going to be a father to Mellie's kid, no matter what she thinks." He sat down and Liv covered his lips with her finger. "Shh, don't say her name."
"She is a great kid, I'm excited to watch the parade with her tomorrow." Liv wasted no time, she brought one leg up and around Fitz's waist, as she straddled him, fully clothed. She leaned down and gripped the back of his neck so his lips deepened into hers.
Her breathing became heavy and his body was so receptive to the kiss, but Liv couldn't bring herself to stop. He tasted so good and she missed him so much. Their tongues were all over the place, in and out of each other's mouth, sharing saliva, and suddenly, Olivia felt his erection.
She was sitting right on top of it, and it was big. Her hips gave a forward motion, and Fitz moaned, loud. He gripped her shoulder, pushing her body down more to feel it, and he pulled his lips away. "Livvie, geez, what you do to me." Fitz hadn't felt this alive since his time with Natalie.
"Not like this though, with a three year old in the other room." Fitz took a piece of Liv's hair and put it behind her ear. "I want my first time with you special, and all night into the next night." Liv's body gave way to chills.
She rubbed on his erection one more time. "I can't wait for that Mr. Grant." She smiled seductively.
Liv tensed he was a bit uncomfortable, and she stretched her legs out, so she wasn't straddled anymore. She calmed down by resting her head on his chest and he caressed her hair. Not daring to ruin the moment by mentioning anyone's name, Liv put her arm around his chest and moved to the side, so he was holding her in his arms, her head on top his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
The rhythm of his heart slowly drifted her off into sleep. Just before she felt herself fall into her dream, she said "I love listening to the sound of your heart Fitz, just knowing you're alive brings me happiness."
He continued to gently caress her hair and whispered back the words she knew he couldn't hear. "It beats for you, Livvie, because at this point, without you, I don't know if it would still be beating."
Meanwhile, at Fitz's house, Mellie was disappointed when she arrived back and Fitz was not home. She wanted to speak with him about not spending Thanksgiving dinner alone. Clearly, by him not being there he didn't care much for what she wanted. It still was not going to deter her from her task at hand.
She had managed to get the number for a doctor. He was at Sophie's packing meals with the town. He had approached her and offered an appointment for an ultrasound on Monday morning after she had pleaded with Lara to help her. At least if Fitz comes with her, hears the heartbeat, there may be some sympathy in his heart not to let this baby grow up without a father.
Alone in a big house, not meant for her to be in at all, Mellie fell asleep on the couch. She drifted off thinking how she could convince the town of Rutland that Fitz may be the father of her child.
While Liv, Chloe, Fitz, and Daisy all lay sound asleep in Liv's house, lurking in the darkness behind Liv's house was a stranger new in the town. Dante, Olivia's former doorman and security guard from her condo, was now working for Edison. His mission not too difficult at all: Get to Rutland, find Olivia Pope and bring her to him. "Do not mess this up, Dante. You come back with my girl, they'll be a nice payday for you and a comfy job in corporate waiting for you. How does head of security for Davis Enterprises sound?"
"Sounds good, boss. Don't worry, I won't disappoint. You want Olivia Pope in this office, she'll be here. Give me until Monday." Dante left Edison's office. Edison had no idea what a poor choice he had chosen for head of security. Edison was too caught up on getting his network back on track, so he didn't give it much thought for the moment.
Dante was so poor at knowing the first thing about security, he had no idea, Huck had heard every word of the conversation, and was on his way right behind Dante as he began his drive to Vermont. Now, lurking behind Liv's home in her quiet mountain view backyard, Dante would never know what it would be like to work for Edison, and he would never get the title of head of security.
When Liv had called Huck's phone to tell him not to arrive until Friday, it was too late. He was already in Rutland watching every move Dante made. Dante found out where Olivia lived from one of the locals thinking he was a relative to Olivia. Dante had no idea he was being followed, and Huck had every intention of killing him the moment he made it his mission to get Olivia. Nothing was going to come in between Liv's happiness and Huck would do anything to make sure of that.
Knowing the reasons Dante was there, Huck wasn't going to give him one chance to get any closer to Olivia. Dante didn't even hear the footsteps as they approached him. All he felt was a sudden grip on his neck, and with one quick twist, Dante took his last breath thinking of all the nice things he was going to buy with his hefty new salary.
Welcome to Rutland Huck.