A/N: I cannot say anything except thank you. The reviews and the private messages keep me going. You all are wonderful, and I am glad you are enjoying the story.

Yes, Big Gerry and Mellie are the truly deplorabe for playing on Fitz's weaknesses, but that's how they are. Big Gerry for his fame to be in tact and Mellie to gain something. Fitz is torn. Although he hates his father, he's still his father, his only living relative.

There is no shame in being or ever being a POW, a soldier, or a veteran, but Fitz never understood that because his father has made him feel otherwise and until it comes from someone he loves, he will always deem his military service as a failure.

Olivia, although coming along, is still haunted by the tragedies in life, not feeling worthy of being loved.

Olivia and Fitz will both face the challenge, the true test when they reveal their scars and the stories behind them to each other. Until that, they cannot come together sexually yet, both being too scared.

Please enjoy the chapter and I thoroughly enjoy reading all the reviews.

Also, I am in no way making fun of Chloe's speech. She is based on a child I know and she talks just like her.

Chapter 15— Thanksgiving

Fitz was rubbing his eyes, yawning as the wide awake three-year-old tried to help him out of the air mattress. At some point during the night, Chloe made her way out to the air mattress where Olivia and Fitz had fallen asleep. Daisy had followed her and when Olivia woke up, it was quite the sight.

Olivia was on Fitz's right side, Chloe on his left side and Daisy's chin was resting upon his knees. Fitz had a secure arm around both Liv and Chloe but was sound asleep. Olivia just laid there and watched for a few minutes. She could get used to this. Their child, a dog, and a secluded house in the woods, the only thing she needed to do to complete her dream is learn to make jam.

Chloe had jumped from her sleep shortly after Olivia had. Chloe came out and greeted her outside just before the sunrise. Chloe sat with Olivia and watched as the dark sky lit up with beautiful colors. "Wow", Chloe said, "that is so beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeutiful. It looks like the Wion King sky."

"Have you ever watched the sunrise, Chloe? I don't get to see this so clearly in the city where I lived. This is one of my favorite things about living here."

"Oh, no, Owivia, I am not awake when the sunwises, it's awready turned on in the sky when I wake up. I am just excited to be here with you and Fitz. He was cuddwing you when I went in the bed wast night. I towd you he wuvs you so so much."

"Thank you, Chloe, you did tell me that. Chloe, what makes you so scared or mad around Mellie, you know she would never hurt you. She's upset with me and Fitz, and we are working on that, you shouldn't get so upset around her."

Chloe cuddled more towards Liv, as Liv tightened her grip on the child. "I don't want to tawk about Mewwie, she's just not nice, and I don't want you and Fitz to be fwiends with her. I want her to go away and stay away, she said she would go away the wast time she was here at the fireworks."

Olivia's eyebrows crossed in confusion. "Chloe, what do you…"

Daisy started scratching at the door that she wanted to come out by them, and Chloe's attention was lost to that. She jumped up and opened the door. Daisy ran out and was sniffing around the grass. Olivia was so lost in thought; she didn't notice Daisy's interest in some movement that was going on across up the mountain.

Olivia turned to see if Chloe was coming back, and she noticed her pulling Fitz up from the mattress. Liv laughed at the sight and walked in to help her. "Good morning Fitz, let's pway Pwetty pwetty pwincess." Chloe ran to get the game, and Olivia was watching her run, when she felt Fitz's hand on her chin.

She turned to look up at him as he guided her lips to his. The softest morning kiss was planted on Liv's lips, as he pulled her into a hug. "Good morning beautiful. If you set up the game, I'll go make some pancakes. I have to shower and leave in about an hour and get a start to Randolph."

"Mmmm…Fitz, don't let go", Liv pushed her head deeper into his chest as his big arms folded around her. This was her favorite place, laying down, sitting down, or standing up, she loved his arms wrapped around her. She never thought she would let herself feel safe in a man's arms, but he had this effect on her.

Daisy gave a sudden bark outside, and Fitz jumped to the door. He gave small whistle and Daisy came walking back. He turned to Liv "Sometimes, in the morning there could be foxes or a rare coyote out there, she probably saw one and was barking." Daisy retreated to the house and followed Fitz into the kitchen.

Next to the syrup-stained plates, Chloe had set up the game. Liv had her cell phone out, ready to take the picture as Fitz was crowned the pretty-pretty princess. He had collected the most jewelry and it was a fight to the end, but he claimed the crown from Chloe. When Liv got the phone, Chloe jumped on Fitz's lap to straighten out the crown and Liv got a picture of that, along with the two of them smiling in the camera. Fitz was a great sport, as he went off to get ready.

Chloe helped clean up. While she was in the kitchen with Liv, she noticed her two drawings on the fridge. She tilted her head looking at them and said "Hey that's what I dwew for you. Wemember I am going to be a fwower girl at your wedding." She smiled and thanked Liv for putting them on the fridge.

"I told you I would they are beautiful pictures. Let's get ready, the parade is starting soon. Chloe got herself dressed in Olivia's room. When she came out, she had the picture of Fitz and Olivia from the sunrise. "Owivia, can I pwease pwease pwease have this picture? I can put it in my woom and it will keep Mewwie out of my dweams."

Fitz looked at Liv, confused by what Chloe was saying. Liv nodded towards Chloe. "Sure, you can have the picture. Put it in your bag so you don't forget." When Chloe ran back to the room, Olivia was just about to talk to Fitz about what Lara told her last night, but Bryce walked in with a brief knock.

"Daddy!" Chloe ran to her father's arms. "Did you know Owivia makes the best popcorn? It mewts in your mouth. She has a magic machine that pops it out. She has my pictures too on her fwidge, I took a picture of Owivia and Fitz though. "

"That is great, Gobble Bear. Hey Liv, was she a problem?"

"Not at all, Bryce, she is the perfect guest."

"I jumped on the air bed and fewl asweep with Fitz and Owivia, they looked so so peacfuwl together."

Liv looked embarrassed. "Sorry about that, I didn't know Fitz was staying. He didn't want to…." She stopped because of Chloe listened, but Bryce nodded understanding.

"Look, Owivia, it's starting." Chloe ran to take her spot on her the couch.

Bryce looked angry at Fitz, and Fitz asked if everything was ok. "What's this I hear you have a woman in bed with my daughter present?", but Bryce couldn't keep the serious face that much longer and started laughing.

"Shut up!" Fitz gave Bryce a push. "Come on, I have to get going."

Fitz turned to Liv. "See you in a few hours. I should be back around two, then we'll head to Bryce's." He leaned closer to her ear, "I'll feed you some turkey later."

She pushed him away, "stop, Fitz," he knew what that did to her. She turned to Chloe who was too engaged in the acts being performed in front of Macy's on the TV, so she grabbed the back of his neck and devoured his lips with hers. "I can't wait for the turkey; I hope there's hot gravy too. By the way, I love the feel of your lips." Fitz pulled away. He couldn't get used to being spoken so nicely about. The things she did to him, for him, the way she brought happiness to his heart was so overwhelming.

"Livvie, you are going to make me walk out of here embarrassed." She walked with him out to the driveway to help along when Bryce's radio chimed in.

"Sheriff, you need to get to the mountainside across from the Jennings place, about a mile up. We have a DOA, white male, mid-thirties, looks like he broke his neck falling down the mountain. He's a mess. I called the ME and coroner, but with it being Thanksgiving…"

"OK, GEEZ SMITH, I don't need an explanation on what today is. You are sure it's DOA? Any identification? You know what, never mind, I am heading there now I'm at the Jennings, um Ms. Pope's place."

Liv shuddered a bit and gave herself a hug. She turned to the house; she didn't want Chloe in there alone. She crossed her arms, and just ran to the door, with Fitz chasing her. "Liv, you are sure you're ok? Let me take Chloe home and you can come with…

"No," Chloe whined. She pointed to the TV. "Wook, Owivia, the bawwoons are coming, there's Spiderman."

"Fitz, I am fine. I am going to watch the parade with Chloe and get ready. Lara is coming by around noon to pick her up. We'll be fine."

Fitz kissed her temple. "Text me if you need anything."

Once Fitz left, Liv used the burner phone to call Huck. When he picked up on the first ring, Olivia said "you didn't call me back last night."

"Uh, yeah, sorry, the job took longer than I thought. Umm, what's up?"

"I was calling to tell you I am going out to dinner to let you know you can head up tomorrow, but if it's too late and you're on your way, it's fine. I will be back by nine tonight."

"Uh, yeah, that's fine." Huck was parked under an overpass that led to I-95, he made sure his car wasn't seen.

"Huck, where are you?"

"I am getting some things ready, and I am heading up there. I will take it slow. I will see you in the morning ok. Is Fitz going to stay with you tonight?"

"I don't know, why would you ask that?"

"Just curious. Enjoy your dinner. Bring some there for me for tomorrow, leftovers are always the best."

She ended the call, but something seemed off. Huck wouldn't lie to her, but he wouldn't be completely honest with her either.

Liv took a deep breath, worried, but putting up a front for Chloe she sat on the couch to try to get her mind on the parade. Chloe jumped on her lap. "I would wuv to see the pawade in fwont me for weal."

"I can do that" Liv assured her. "How about next year, we go to the parade in New York, would you like that?" Liv could easily get tickets through Mr. Harris, and she owed him a phone call anyway.

"That would be so so fun, Owivia, can I tell Bwianna and Awissa when we go home?"

Liv shook her head, but her mind was elsewhere. "DOA, white mail, broken neck." Oh God, Huck, what did you do? She couldn't shake the feeling he had something to do with it.

Chloe skipped out the door to the driveway holding Lara's hand. In her other hand she had the picture of Liv and Fitz. Olivia was carrying Chloe's stuffies and games. Lara just had a good laugh looking at the pictures of Fitz as the pretty princess. "There isn't anything he wouldn't do for her, for us, for the family. You're lucky Olivia. He's really coming out of his shell, things ok, you know..." and she nodded towards Fitz's house.

"Yeah, he still hasn't told me much, but we are ok. He's looking forward to dinner tonight. Has he been there before for Thanksgiving?"

"The first year after he came to town and hasn't been since. He's spent Thanksgiving, Christmas, almost everyday secluded, by himself. You've opened up something in him. Look, I introduced Mellie to the doctor, my OB/GYN. She hadn't had any medical care and she's in her second trimester. It isn't the kid's fault who the mother is. I didn't want you to be upset if you heard. "

Liv nodded her head. "I guess she's sticking around then. Chloe almost opened up this morning but got distracted. I'll try again another time. Did you hear about the DOA found up there?"

"Yeah, Bryce called me earlier. It's kind of creepy. From what I am hearing, clear fall from the mountain top, unlucky guy. Ok, Liv, thanks so much for keeping Chloe and for the picture, she loves it. I'll see you later. You'll love your first Rutland Thanksgiving."

Liv sat on her bed, Daisy snoring at her feet. She looked around her bedroom. She missed the picture already, but she would get another one made, she couldn't break Chloe's happiness. What did she mean about the fireworks though? How low could Mellie be, knowing Fitz was having an episode and leave him alone? What kind of person is she? What did she say to Chloe that had her so shaken?

Liv stopped so she could get ready for dinner. Since her mother moved to Paris four years ago, Olivia's Thanksgivings had been spent in an office building. She would be the only one there and she would catch up on so much work. She closed out the rest of the world and just worked. She couldn't remember the last time her Thanksgiving was happy, no matter how much her mother tried.

"And there goes Santa Claus, he's going to be in Macy's department store for a few weeks, do you have your list ready for him Olivia?" her father always waited with her to watch the end of the parade. Every year he said the same thing about Santa.

"Dad, you know I am getting too old to believe in the old man with a beard and elves, right?" she looked her dad with smiling eyes.

"Oh no! Maya did you hear that? Our little girl is saying there is no Santa! I never thought I would hear the words." Eli put his hand on his forehead and pretended to faint. Olivia walked over to him and poked his stomach, as he sat up in laughter from the tickle.

"I don't care if you doubt his existence, we are still making our yearly trip to Macy's, going ice skating at the Center, and watching those lights sparkle on the tree. There is nothing like Christmas in New York, and nothing like spending it with my two favorite girls." Eli always had the same tradition after Thanksgiving, always spending as much time together as they could.

"Come on you two, the turkey is ready. I hope I didn't overcook it again this year. Remember, Eli, last year how dreadfully dry it was?"

"What do you mean Eli, mom, I remember also. I had to put a whole can of cranberries on it to moisten it up." Olivia laughed.

Her mom chased her with the potholder on her hand. "You get, young lady, you are lucky to have food at all."

"I know, I know mom, there are so many others less fortunate. I told you I promise I will help them one day when I am rich."

The three of them sat down to the small feast of Thanksgiving they called their own. The Pope family in front of a few dishes of turkey, gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberries, corn and pumpkin pie for dessert. It wasn't much, but it was theirs and they talked about the upcoming holiday season. Christmas in New York was spectacular, and Liv loved walking around the city to see all the lights and hustle. Little did they know this was their last sit down together as a family. In three days, their lives would change forever when a car decided to run a stop sign.

Liv and Eli cleaned up since Maya cooked all day. The food wasn't gourmet, but it was food, and it was theirs. Later that evening, all three sat down to read, Eli doing the New York Times crossword puzzles he saved during the week. It was a peaceful Thanksgiving night, and it would be the last time Olivia really felt any thanks in her heart.

Three days later, with the vase of flowers in her hands, Liv sat in the passenger side as her dad started the car. "Are you sure you want to hold that vase, Livvie? You can put it in the back, we can secure it."

"No, dad, I want to, these are special for mom. I don't want the flowers ruined in any way. These are her favorite and she's going to love it. Besides, it will go well with the leftovers we are still eating from Thanksgiving. It will give the table a more cheerful look."

Eli was so caught up in making sure his daughter was buckled in and the vase held tight, he didn't even realize he didn't buckle himself in. He put the car in drive and within two minutes, passing two intersections, Olivia's life changed forever.

All Olivia can recall after coming home after over a month in the hospital was seeing leftovers still in the fridge. Her mother, so busy with hospital visits and the funeral, she never did clear out the fridge. Olivia took one look at the leftovers, thought back to the night her and Eli packed them in the containers they still sat in, and fell to the floor sobbing. Thanksgiving was never the same.

Fitz had come and they began on their way to the McClellan's. "You look gorgeous Livvie."

Liv rolled her eyes, hearing his voice say it never got old, but Liv just had to tease him. "What?" he asked, "would you rather I say you look…"

"Watch it Mister. Oh, I spoke to Huck. He should be here by morning. Did you hear anything more about the DOA found this morning? How do they even find a body there?"

Fitz nodded his head. " The Rutland Sheriff's office has a team that search the mountainsides each day, making sure no one is lost, cleaning up dead animals, and so on. I guess that's how they came across the body. Anyway, Bryce called me before. Right now, it's a John Doe, no ID, no cell, nothing at all. Best assumption they have is he was visiting from out of town with relatives and took a tour of the mountains. From the sound of it and the way the body looked, he took quite the tumble down a slope with plenty of branches. The poor guy never had a chance, looks like a clean break of the neck immediately. At least he didn't suffer with all his other bones cracking in half."

Liv shuddered. "Fitz, you don't need to get so graphic, please." She had no desire to hear or even think of bones cracking, let alone a neck being broken. Still, something didn't sit right with Liv. Something felt off, like there was a connection to her somehow.

"So, tell me about Huck. How did you two meet and become such good friends?" They were a few minutes from the house and Liv began telling him how Huck came into her life after being named CEO of the company.

"Funny, I would walk past him everyday when I would go up the subway stairs. He was homeless, a homeless vet, and it broke my heart. I hate what this country does to veterans when they have sacrificed everything. They are the forgotten heroes. So, just so you know I admire you for your service. Anyhow I began bringing him breakfast, then lunch, and sometimes even dinner. I would sit on the subway stairs with him because what made me any better?"

Fitz reached over and grabbed her hand, rubbing it in his. "That's something Liv, I am sure he thought the world of that, having someone who acknowledged him like that."

"Well, after talking to him for a week, I could tell this guy was smart, super smart, and had a knack for technology and so many other things. I know he's skilled in martial arts and is just an overall badass. I gave him money to clean himself up, he came in for an interview with the executive board and we hired him on the spot. Not one computer mishap or hacking glitch since Huck came on board. He's that good. I can't wait for you to meet him." Liv took a deep breath as they pulled into the driveway.

"I can't wait to meet him. Maybe we can have him stick around and open a martial arts studio. That's one thing Rutland is missing. The kids would love it." He looked at Liv. "Livvie, are you ok?"

She couldn't hold it in anymore. She put both her hands on her face, covered her eyes and let out a cry. She tried to breathe it back in, but the thoughts of having a family Thanksgiving scared her. She was too emotional. "Livvie" Fitz jumped out of the car and went to her side. He opened the door and helped her out of the car, so she had something to lean against. He leaned against the car and pulled her to his chest. "What's going on?"

She looked up at him and he gently wiped the tear ready to fall from her eye. She told him about her memory before and said she was trying to be strong, but it just all hit her at once. "I always miss my father more this time of year, I guess I am just preparing myself to be out of loneliness and being around people again, I am sorry about that outburst."

He looked down at her caressing her face with the back of his hand. "Don't ever think you have to apologize, not to me anyway. That wasn't an outburst, those were your feelings, and never feel ashamed letting your feelings out to me." He leaned and kissed her softly and it was one of the best feelings she could've had at that moment.

"I won't lie, it's a big family atmosphere in there, but go with it ok. I am right here for you."

Liv reached up and put her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a hug and holding him on her shoulder. "Thank you, Mister."

They heard little squeals of laughter coming from the porch and saw Alyssa and Brianna waving. "Mom, Fitz and Olivia are hugging in the driveway," Brianna yelled in.

"Hey, you two, get in here or go get a room, either way, I am eating my share with or without you." Abby's voice could be heard coming from the house and Fitz grabbed Liv's hand to guide her inside.

Every one was seated and Bryce began to say grace. He did the normal thank you for everything speech. When he was finished, he looked around. "Anyone else?"

Chloe, not being shy at all said "Me, I want to thank Sophie, Abby, and Weo for the food. Thank you for making Fitz happy with Owivia and I hope Mewwie goes away tomorrow, Amen."

Lara was about to say something, but Bryce squeezed her hand nodding against it. "Let her be", he whispered.

Food was being served, chatter being done, and silverware clanging on dishes. Everyone was talking at once, but each knew what the others were saying. It was a great atmosphere. Suddenly, Bryce's radio gave a static, and the officer called for the Sheriff.

Bryce got up to take it in the other room. Liv's face must've drained color, and Chloe noticed it. "You ok Wivvie?" Everyone looked at Chloe confused. Abby said, "What did you just call her?"

"I said Wivvie, that's what Fitz cawls her, he says Wivvie, wight Fitz."

"Fitz smiled, I do, she's Livvie, it's a nickname I call her."

"Can I say that too Wivvie?"

It distracted Olivia's thoughts and she rubbed Chloe's back, "of course you can Chloe. I love hearing the way you say it."

Alyssa and Fitz got into a heated soccer conversation and before dessert was served, Olivia had some time to go talk to Sophie in the kitchen. "Fitz just said he would explain everything in time, but it's terrible he's a prisoner in his own home. He doesn't even want to go there. Lara hooked her up with the doctor to be checked on Monday."

Sophie shook her head. "I will never get that woman. Every time she is town, she thinks Fitz owes her something. His heart is pure gold, but sometimes it's in the wrong place. I'll talk to the doctor after the appointment on Monday. I don't know what William can tell me, but I'll get a feel of what's going on. I do hope he does a paternity test for Fitz. It's so complicated in Vermont and with Mellie being a lawyer I am sure she knows this. If one of the parents isn't disputing the paternity but one is, it becomes a court proceeding here. The baby could be 3 before this is all over." Sophie had a worried look on her.

"He isn't the father, Sophie. He was having an episode on July 4th because of the fireworks. He told me after he left the station. She left him like that. No way Fitz can do anything physical during an episode. Did you see Mellie at the fireworks that night?"

Sophie shook her head, "no, I was working the kitchen for the food, I didn't see much going on outside, but it doesn't surprise me, that's how Mellie is, she's all for herself. If anyone here thought she was involved with Fitz, well you know how this town loves him, she wants some of that love, but she isn't well liked."

Abby walked in. "Are you two coming out for dessert. There's plenty." Sophie went out. Olivia stayed behind to talk to Abby.

"I have a friend from NY coming tomorrow. His name is Huck."

Abby laughed, "Huck, now that sounds interesting."

"Yeah," Liv smiled, "he's an interesting guy. I am going to bring him by the store, could you make him feel as welcomed as you made me feel?"

"If he's a friend of yours, he's a friend of mine. Of course, I will make him feel welcomed. I'll even send him in the back with Leo and they could bake some cookies."

"Did Bryce mention anything about the radio call he received?" Olivia asked.

"Oh yeah, nothing new. They cleared the scene. No sets of footprints, no anything. It's a real mystery who this guy was. No one has called the station mentioning a missing relative. It's like he just fell from the sky. Weird huh? It's creepy that it was right by you. Maybe it will scare Mellie away, although maybe the guy saw her face and that's what made him stumble, she could scare Frankenstein." Abby walked out of the kitchen as Liv followed.

On the way home, Fitz wasn't much for talking. His thoughts were all over and he was trying to calm his nerves. He thought of Olivia before. How could he be so unstable and take care of her emotions at the same time? This whole situation with Mellie couldn't be making things better for Olivia.

This body found in the mountains, right across from her. Was this guy watching her, was he sent from Edison. That thought did cross Fitz's mind. What if he's so caught up in getting rid of Mellie, something happens to Olivia. The thought panicked him, and he felt himself beginning to sweat.

"Hey 625, how you doing?" Fitz looked up from the cold dirt floor as the sunlight came through the door and Mike walked into the cell.

"Why are you calling me 625?" Fitz asked.

"You're free today. Day 625. Do you notice any soldiers with me? They are gone. I came to say goodbye. In about 30 minutes, you're going to hear a copter. That's Americans here for you. Good luck to you and remember this, you're alive for a reason, man, go make the most out of your life."

Mike turned to walk away. "Wait!" Fitz yelled, "you can't just walk out, I need some answers, please. Besides you never knew my name, my real name, you never asked."

Mike put his hand in the air. "No way, don't tell me. I know you are someone important, they fought like hell to get you out. I can't know your name. Some illegal things were done. I have to go, ahead of the choppers, I can't be seen here."

Fitz looked confused. "I thought you were caught, like me, but the language…"

"Soldier, I am a CIA operative. I recruit the Taliban for American use. This mission, two years in the making, and I know it was hell for you, but it was productive to me. The two Iraqi's that lashed your back, they're dead. Killed them myself. The other two, didn't want the same fate, they are now working under American forces. You're a hero in your own right, 625 ,the torture was worth something."

"So Mike isn't your real name? You know you are the one that kept me alive. You gave me hope to keep living everyday with the promise I would get out of here."

Mike shook his head, "You stayed alive yourself, you could've done anything you needed to die if you wanted, but here you are. Don't mess it up, I'll be looking for big things from you."

"I have a plan. I plan to marry the woman I love. I want to have children with her, be a father, leave a legacy better than this."

"Good to know, man, good to know. I look forward to hearing the news of you being married with little 625's running around." Mike turned to leave.

Fitz grabbed Mike's shoulder. He heard the chopper blades faintly approaching. He gave Mike a huge hug. "Thank you, you'll never know the strength you gave me, good luck."

Mike patted Fitz's back. "You'll have the scars forever and when you see them, just try to think of the good that came out of it, the other two caught with you, they didn't fair as well. Good luck to you."

With that, Mike walked out of the cell, without closing the door. Fitz exited a few minutes after him, no sight of Mike anywhere. The copter blared overhead and landed a few feet from Fitz. Fitz took one last look at his cell, his home for two years, and was helped by three Navy officers who saluted him and led him on to the copter.

This is what he was thankful for, but he could never say that at the dinner table. His father made it clear how horrible it was for the country that he was captured, that he made the U.S. engage with terrorists.

"Fitz, did you hear me?" Liv nudged his shoulder. They had just parked in her driveway, but Fitz hadn't spoken a word the whole ride.

"Sorry, Livvie, what?"

"I asked if you were ok, you haven't said a word. You want to drive yourself home, you can just bring the car back tomorrow."

"I am not leaving you here alone with a dead body being found a mile up the mountainside, Liv, I'm not. I also made a decision about Mellie; I'll talk to her in the morning. Let's just go inside, I am exhausted."

Fitz had decided two could play the Mellie game. She wanted to call his father, he's going to call her father. He's certain Big Gerry hasn't called Wilbur Sinclair yet, and the man has no idea he's going to be a grandfather. Let Fitz be the one to break the good news to him. We'll take it from there.

Liv was laying in bed when Fitz came in to say good night. He had just hung up with Bryce and there were no new developments. He felt better being there with Liv, rather than leave her alone. Daisy didn't seem to mind, as she was already asleep, stuffed with turkey at the end of Liv's bed.

"Where are you going?" Liv asked Fitz as he turned to leave the room.

"The air mattress. I don't want to…."

"Fitz, come here, please. You already said your first time with me is going to be special, unless it's tonight, I want you here where I can lay in your arms. You know how your arms make me feel."

Fitz closed his eyes. He was battling his demons tonight and as much as he wanted to join Olivia, he needed some time to his thoughts. He had so much thinking to do. "Ok, I am going to be back in a few minutes."

Olivia couldn't hold her eyes open anymore. She tried waiting for him, but he took longer than expected. Before she fell asleep, she called to him, just to make sure he was alright. "Fitz?"

"Yeah, Livvie, just getting a drink of water, I'll be in." When Fitz walked in, Liv was sound asleep, she looked beautiful, so peaceful. Fitz longed for the day they could be together with no boundaries. He took a moment to truly take her in. Her smooth, gorgeous brown skin, her brown eyes, closed for now, hopefully dreaming of him.

He climbed in next to her, holding his head in his hand, just staring at her. "I love you Olivia. I know you don't want to hear that yet, but I love you, and you do deserve to be loved." His thoughts went back to the dark days in the cell. What if I hadn't lived? What if I had taken my life? What if Natalie didn't break it off? What would have become of Olivia?

She continued to sleep motionless next to him and he started to imagine the time before he met her. He never left his house, had no reason to be alive. He just wanted others to be happy, but now, she made it so much more worthwhile to live and he was trying. He was trying to break away and live, but it was so hard.

He wouldn't be free to love her until he could break away from his father, until Mellie was out of his life for good, and until he could fight off these demons inside. She didn't deserve his baggage, but he had so much love to give her, and he needed her to accept it.

The true test would come when she sees the scars, when she finds out the truth about his past. She spoke so openly tonight about respecting the veterans, what about the ones who couldn't fulfill their duty? His father always told him what a failure he was in the U.S. Navy. As much as Fitz tried to fend off that thought his father's words always haunted him. Should he have died in Iraq, and since he didn't why was he alive today?

He couldn't resist the urge anymore and he caressed her smooth cheek. She turned towards the touch, opened her eyes briefly, and lifted her head to his chest, falling right back to sleep. He held her tight, hoping to squeeze out the demons she had in her as well. Soon enough the connection they have will come to light.

Yes, Olivia Pope, Fitz thought, you are the reason I am alive today. You are the reason I didn't die over there. If it's to be with you then all the torture was worth it, and nothing anyone can do will change this. Fitz couldn't think anymore, it started to hurt. He began to shiver, and he was trying to back off the attack. He couldn't do it, not with her in his arms.

He felt her breath on his neck, her chest moved with slow rhythm up and down, and he closed his eyes and saw Mike smiling. "Soldier, this is why you lived, stay in the moment." That's all he needed to fall asleep. Throughout the night, not one of them moved.

Olivia on his chest, safe and secure, and Fitz holding her as close to his heart as he could, dreaming of how he could ever thank Mike. He is the reason Fitz can love again, and he wanted so much to reach out and touch Mike, to shake his hand and hug him one more time, and with Mike smiling behind Fitz and Liv in his dream, Fitz was able to sleep peacefully through the night.

Huck had taken a picture of Dante just after he killed him. His cold dark eyes staring into nowhere. His neck clearly out of place. He took the next picture, right after Dante came swirling down from the mountain top, his body shriveled from all the broken bones.

He sent, first a cartoon picture of a turkey to Edison's number from Dante's phone. "Happy Thanksgiving, Boss" and followed it with a picture of Olivia.

Edison texted back within seconds. "Happy Thanksgiving, I take it you found her, good work."

Huck texted back, "oh I found her, but you are the one who should be thankful very thankful."

Edison: "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Huck: "It means be thankful that this is me and not you, because if you come at Olivia again, it will be you," and with the message, he sent the pictures of Dante's body.

Edison couldn't answer back even if he wanted to, his phone had broken into pieces as he dropped it to the floor.

Huck laughed at himself, but no one was going to come between Fitz and Olivia. He would knock on Olivia's door some time after the break of dawn. He knows Fitz is in there with her and he's fine with that. The only worry Huck had is the reaction Fitz is going to have when he sees the man he knows as Mike is now going by the name of Huck.