Chapter 48
Davis Tooney was pleasantly surprised to see his friend Senator Gerry Grant on the elevator heading up to owner's suites. He was holding a small girl's hand, looked to be about 4 years old.
"Senator, how in the world are you?" He took Gerry's free hand and gave it a hearty shake. "This the little granddaughter you stopped taking my political donations for? You were the best darn Majority Leader of my time, that's for sure."
"Mr. Tooney, Davis Tooney, long time no see. This is Chloe, Chloe is a very good friend of the family, and she happens to be from Vermont, she is not rooting for your team today." Big Gerry looked at Chloe. "Mr. Tooney owns the Giants, like Fitz owns the Lake Monsters."
Chloe looked up at him, eyebrows crossed. "Pweased to meet you. Sowwy your team will wose tonight." She shrugged and shook his hand. "Are you as nice a Fitz?"
"I'd like to think I am." He responded and looked back at Gerry. "I am working out a trade with him, for Trent."
"Whoa!" Gerry stopped him. "He's had problems with Fitz, you may want to think twice of having that boy part of your team."
Tooney put his hands up in defense. "I know all about the problems, however, my shortstop just went down with a torn ACL, I am desperate, and he is the most seasoned one out there."
The elevator gave a ding acknowledging they reached their floor. "Come over to the homeowner's suite for the fifth inning, I'd love to chat more with you. We are honoring Fitz during the seventh inning also. Any veteran is a hero of mine, and your son deserves all the honor."
Gerry gave a small smile and slight nod, the guilt taking him over. "I'll be sure to stop by." He stopped his words and both men, including Chloe stopped in their tracks to see a small crowd gathered.
"Uh oh." Chloe said. "Do not get Fitz mad." She never let go of Gerry's hand.
Trent was standing now, his hands in the air as if he was being held up. "Easy there, Grant boy, I was just talking to the lady."
Olivia was now wrapped in one of Fitz's arms, her other arm around his waist. She pulled at him. "Come on Fitz, let's just go to the box. He's not worth it."
"Fitz, come on, I just want the trade to go through tonight, why can't you just…." Trent couldn't finish.
Fitz reached out and grabbed Trent's shirt. He twisted it a bit. "Because I won't give in to your demands after the shit you've pulled in the last few months, you hear me?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Gerry pushed Fitz's hand down. "Fitz, Tooney is here. Let him talk to Trent." Gerry turned to see Sparks standing behind Fitz, always having his back.
"Sparks here." Gerry nodded towards Sparks. "He can take care of the baseball talk, ok, let's get Olivia inside with Chloe and have something cold to drink."
Fitz's stare never left Trent's eyes. Fitz heard Tooney speak next. "Boy, don't ruin this for yourself," he was speaking to Trent, "why do you cause trouble."
Trent took a hard swallow. "My apologies Mr. Tooney. I saw, umm, well I was, it was just that." He couldn't talk.
Liv looked at Tooney. "Mr. Tooney, I am Olivia Pope, I am Fitz's fiancé. As I was walking, Trent deemed it necessary to stop me and say some inappropriate things to me. He was never fond of Fitz and that's fine, it's all business, the game of baseball, right."
"Fitz just wants a few days to finalize things with MLB, go over some clauses in Trent's contract that may hold up the trade anyway, so rather than wait on formality, Fitz thought it best to wait for clearance, so he figured Sunday night the trade could down."
Fitz's eyes softened, and he looked down at Liv. At the moment, Liv didn't know if Fitz was mad with her or wanted to kiss her, but she couldn't take back what she said now, so they waited.
"We all came here tonight to enjoy baseball, so let's enjoy baseball." Mr. Tooney looked at Trent. "No harm waiting until Sunday. This little one already told me we are losing tonight," he looked down at Chloe. "So I'll take this loss. Let Fitz clear up the clauses and consider yourself lucky I still want you on my team."
Trent nodded at Tooney, not looking back at Liv and Fitz and walked towards his visitor's box. "Fine, I'll wait for your call." He walked away, practically crying, knowing he would have to sit through watching Fitz be deemed a hero this game.
The small crowd began to walk away as the game was about to begin. Liv had taken Chloe's hand from Gerry as Sparks and he walked towards their box. Now, just the three of them stood there. Chloe was distracted with her poster looking at all the autographs she had from the players.
Leaning in towards Liv, Fitz did give her a gentle kiss on her lips. She rested her forehead on the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry I got involved like that; I just wanted you to snap out of the anger."
"I know." He whispered. "It still makes me crazy and with you…" Liv covered his lips with her finger. She tilted her head down to Chloe.
"Be careful, we have ears. Let's just go enjoy the game, ok." She still figured he had no idea he was being honored during the seventh inning.
They opened the door to the suite and Chloe let out a big "WOW!" She ran up to the windows in front of her and looked out so impressed at what no one else was impressed by. "Now this is how to watch a game."
The box filled with laughter and Owen walked up to his little friend handing her a Drumstick ice cream cone.
Throughout the game Fitz became more relaxed and was able to kick back and have a few beers with Pete, Sparks, and a few of Gerry's political friends. Lucia, Leticia, and Liv sat together, keeping an eye on the kids, who did nothing but eat just about everything in sight.
During the third inning, Fitz was handed the flyer about the seventh inning from Gerry. Fitz's head tilted tight lipped, and he pushed the paper back to Gerry. Gerry was about to say something, but Fitz walked away, visibly upset.
Liv jumped up and followed him to the suite door, where they were the only ones in the corridor. "Did you know Livvie?"
"I did know, but I only got the same paper you just looked at right before the incident with Trent. I didn't have much time to take it all in. Fitz, it's an honor."
"I'm no hero, how many times do I have to keep saying that?"
"And how many times do I have to keep reminding you that you are, that is how the country sees you. They can't live your torture, but they can make you feel like it wasn't all for nothing. And not for anything Fitz, but I truly hope this is one of the last times we are having a conversation like this. You deserve recognition and your home state is proud of you, embrace it." Liv took a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears.
Fitz's shoulders slumped. He hated seeing her cry. He rubbed his forehead. "Will you come down to the field with me?" He whispered.
She looked up at him, surprised at the question. "If that's what you want, you know I will. I told you I will always be here for you."
"Ok." He wrapped his arms around her, giving her a kiss.
Fitz apologized when he re-entered the suite to no one hearing of it. He walked up to Gerry. "I think the more you stop feeling guilty about the whole ordeal, I'll begin embracing the role this country wants me to play, you did nothing wrong, we've established that."
"Escuchalo a el" Lucia told her husband. "He's right, it doesn't help you are guilty all the time."
"I'll be one proud father to see you on that field, son. You deserve the recognition California is willing to give you and Davis Tooney speaks very highly of you."
Until the seventh inning, the focus was now on the baseball game. The Lake Monsters were gathering up a rally in the top of the seventh just as Fitz and Liv were leaving the box to go down to the field. The game had been scoreless up until that point when Jordan Lewis stepped up to bat. With the bases loaded, he smacked one right into the bay, making it a quick 4-0 game in favor of the Lake Monsters.
"Huh," Liv chuckled as they were heading out. "If that wasn't a big middle finger to Trent McDaniels. Way to go Jordan."
Before the door closed, Chloe was telling the boys. "I towd you he would hit a home wun, he pwomised me in the wocker woom." Chole said proudly.
"The San Francisco Giants invites you as always to honor our veterans before the seventh inning stretch Tonight we are honoring a state hero, who had served time, including three tours in Operation Enduring Freedom. Decorated with dozens of awards, this stand out pilot served two tours in Afghanistan and one tour in Iraq.
While in Iraq, being shot down, he was a Prisoner of War, enduring, but surviving two years of torture, never letting the American hero die in him. Today we welcome him back to California, we welcome him back San Francisco, and we say thank you for your service and your display of enormous bravery.
Giant's fans, please give a warm welcome and a big thank you to Lt. Commander Fitzgerald "Fitz" Grant the Third."
The crowd erupted in a standing ovation, as Fitz walked out, holding Liv close to his body. He waved to all angles of the crowd, bowing his head in appreciation. A sudden chant could be heard in the ballpark, and he stopped as Liv looked up at him smiling.
"Thank you, Fitz, thank you Fitz, thank you Fitz," could be heard over again, loud and clear and Fitz just stood there for the moment and took it all in.
"Now", the announcer came back, "Please join us in the singing of God Bless America."
Fitz's ears were still ringing, and he hadn't even noticed that he was saluting the flag, something he never thought he would do again, as Liv just rested her head on his chest. "Well deserved, Mister," she whispered.
With a final wave to the applauding crowd, Liv and Fitz made their way back to the suite box. Chloe had fallen sound asleep in Gerry's lap, DJ in Leticia's lap, and Owen in Sparks's lap. 'Looks like the kids are tired out." Fitz said to Liv.
Gerry walked over to them. "Tooney called me a few minutes ago. He set up a floor at the Regency for tonight with a late check out tomorrow. If you two don't mind, we can take a few rooms rather than heading back to Santa Barbara tonight."
"Do you have anyone you trust to go check up on Daisy?" Fitz asked.
"Me hare cargo de ello." Lucia said as she dialed a phone number. "Cecelia, our neighbor and friend will go over."
"Thank you."
Final score, Lake Monsters 4, Giants 0. Axel Roberts had pitched a complete game, one hit shutout. Before they left the suite for the night, Davis Tooney wanted to come in to say his goodbye. He was a bit disappointed to see Chloe sleeping.
"She predicted it, even down to the player. The Rutland boy came through for you tonight, Fitz. You took a chance believing in him over Trent, good call."
"Thank you, sir, and yes, Chloe would never go against a Rutland boy, after all it's her hometown also. Thank you so much for the honor during the seventh inning."
"Son, you embrace that title proudly. My grandfather served in WWII, he was shot down at Normandy and he never forgave himself when he came home paralyzed. He felt he let all his soldiers down. Depression overtook him and he never was the same person. Don't ever let it get that bad."
Fitz nodded towards Liv who was talking to Letecia. "I can't and I won't, sir. I'll be a father soon, too much to live for." He shook Mr. Tooney's hand who congratulated him.
"Tell that little one to stop the predictions for the next two nights." He turned and spoke to Gerry as Fitz gobbled a still sleeping Chloe out of his lap.
Liv and Leticia stayed in San Francisco for the remainder of the games with the kids, while Gerry and Lucia flew back home. Liv figured she may as well take in the sights and sounds of the Bay area while she had the chance.
While Fitz went about his ownership business, Liv and Leticia walked around going to the Golden Gate Bridge, riding cable cars, and eating at restaurants. By the time 7pm came around, the kids were exhausted and that was fine with the ladies, who enjoyed talking over ice cream they didn't have to share.
"Do you think Two Shot will ever walk again?" Liv asked.
Wrapping her sweater around her shoulders, Leticia gave a shrug. "I pray every day that he will, but I also pray he doesn't push himself too hard and make it worse. Does Fitz feel guilty?"
Liv took a deep breath. "Every single day, he may not tell me he does, but I can see it in his eyes. He feels he never should have gotten Sammy involved."
"He would've done it regardless if Fitz asked him to or not, that's the kind of friendship the three of them have."
"You were with Sparks during the prime of the friendship, I can imagine you would know."
"They were inseparable, it's something I had to grow accustomed to. I was marrying Devon, but he came with two kids." Leticia laughed scooping up a spoon of mint chocolate chip.
"I'm just glad Sammy and Monica agreed to the house in Rutland, I think it will do wonders for Fitz to have them close by, especially with the babies coming, so close in age."
Leticia reached over and took both Liv's hands. "You have no idea how happy we are for the both of you. Fitz was scaring us for a time, we really thought he would…." Leticia stopped.
"Take his own life?" Liv finished, feeling tears burning in her eyes.
Leticia licked her lips, biting her upper lip, feeling ashamed, but answered, "yes, he was so secluded, so dark Liv, it was terrible and none of us knew the true reason."
"I know, we've talked about it at length. I don't think I was in a place as dark as him, but I felt I would always be alone."
"After meeting you, Sparks came back and couldn't stop talking about Fitz's new found happiness, and I will admit Liv, I was nervous, I didn't know you, and after N…" Again, she stopped.
"Natalie, I know, Leticia, I can't blame you, you love Fitz, it's only normal."
"That New Year's gala when you walked in with him, you could feel the glow throughout that ballroom and there was no doubt you two were meant to be."
"I've learned so much about him being here with him. His love for flying, his carefree teenage years, his time before that last deployment, he was just so happy. That was all taken away and I'm so angry, but I'm also ready to live a life with him and build a family together."
Leticia leaned back now smiling. She picked up another spoonful of ice cream, as did Liv. Lifting their spoons in the air, Leticia said, "Amen" and they took in the ice cream.
With only two more days remaining for them in Santa Barbara, Fitz and Liv were figuring out things to do and preparing a schedule for when they got back to Rutland. They had just settled in for the night, when Gerry knocked on the door, causing Daisy to walk over and sniff, making sure it was no one dangerous.
"Dad?" Fitz let him in the bedroom.
"Lucia and I were talking. Sparks is heading back tomorrow with his family. Would the three of you like to come with us to Disneyland? We would like to take Chloe and I know her family will come out one day, but we would like to have the time for just her."
Fitz looked over at Liv, who was smiling. She nodded in agreement. "Sure, Gerry, tomorrow?"
"Well, we were thinking we'd go tomorrow when Sparks left and stay two nights there, using one full day in the park."
"It's only a car drive away, really not even two hours, so yeah, dad, sounds like fun. Would Cecilia mind tending to Daisy again?"
Daisy poked her head up hearing her name and then grunted. Humans, she thought, never staying put.
"Already taken care of, son. Let's have a good time, ok. No shenanigans like the one time we were there when you were a kid. Good night Olivia."
Fitz got into bed with her, Chloe sleeping in with Sparks and the family for the last night. He reached over to kiss Liv, and she stopped him. "Do tell, what shenanigans? Come on, spill it what did Little Fitz do?"
"Aww, I was eight years old, don't make me embarrass myself." His lips went to her neck, and she pulled away.
"What did you do little eight year old Fitz? Did you get yourself in trouble?"
Fitz moaned. "Let's just say having a father who was a Senator helped in me not getting banned for life from Disney properties."
Liv busted out laughing. "Fitz, you were eight, what could you possibly have done?"
Fitz swooped his arm around her waist, getting her under him now. He went down to kiss her and stopped right above her lips. "If I tell you, will I get my reward."
She pulled his head down, meeting his lips, slipping her tongue in as her other hand rubbed his growing dick inside his sweats. She heard him moan and she pulled back. "You'll be rewarded, I promise."
"I'm holding you to that, Livvie." He reached over and opened the drawer, the same drawer that had his first flying lesson photo album. Liv noticed a few more photo albums in there, and Fitz moved some around. "Ok, here it is."
Fitz pulled out an album, it had the Disneyland Logo across the front and in bold letters it said "Disneyland, 1995." Before he opened the book he looked at Liv. Liv was looking, smiling casually at the book anticipating what she would see.
She looked up at him as he paused. "Come on, I can't wait." He pointed up to the shelf over on the wall.
Liv followed the point in that direction. "See that, the Mickey ears?"
"Yeah, I noticed them, just thought they were one of your childhood favorite things."
"Well, they are, but that's why I did what I did and I'm about to tell you, but first, you need to understand something."
"Ok." Liv said cautiously.
"I was a tiny, scrawny little boy, like little. At eight years old, I was still fitting into very small clothing. You wouldn't think I would grow into the muscular dream I am now."
Liv covered her mouth as not to laugh out loud.
He poked her. "What's so funny?'
"Stop it." She said laughing now. "Let me see my little scrawny Fitz."
"Anyway I was a huge Mickey Mouse fan. I watched Fantasia all the time. I watched old cartoons of Mickey Mouse and even though Disneyland was so close, my father never found the time to take me with all the politics. Finally, the time came and we were heading there, and I couldn't wait to meet Mickey Mouse and tell him I was his biggest fan."
Fitz opened the book and Liv covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh my," she whispered. He was so damn adorable. He had the curliest head of hair and he was wearing a red shirt with Mickey's arms spread up. He was wearing the tiniest jean shorts, and Fitz was right, he was one scrawny kid.
His glistening blue eyes looked at the camera waving with one hand and pointing to his shirt with the other as he was entering the park. He had the biggest smile on his little cute face. Liv rubbed her hand over the picture. "I wish I could hug you back then, God, you're so freaking adorable."
"Yeah," he agreed, "but a little mischievous devil was brewing in there, just saying."
Turning the page now, there were more pictures. Some with Gerry and Fitz, others with Fitz and different characters. Liv paused before the page turned and staying fixated on the one captured when Fitz wasn't looking at the camera.
It was a close up of his face, his eyes dominating the picture, he had on the Mickey ears that he showed her moments ago, a strap under his chin to hold them in place, and he was just staring at whatever was in front of him.
"This picture," he said pointing at it, "was moments before disaster, but not for me, for my father and for Mickey."
Liv looked at him now and he met her stare. Their eyes just dancing with one another, and Liv smiled. "What could you possibly have done?"
As he turned the album it was clear now that his father had captured a picture of Fitz staring at the figure in front of him. He was in a line waiting to greet Mickey Mouse and it seemed like a long line, still Little Fitz had his eyes on the prize.
"I waited, Liv, maybe about 20 minutes, and I couldn't wait to get there. My Mickey Ears in place, my autograph book ready, and my heart pounding. I tried to cut a few people, and each time my father had to pull me back. Easy there, you'll get your turn. I took a deep breath, I was his biggest fan, not everyone in front of me."
Liv put her face in her hand, shaking her head. "No patience, huh?"
"Not eight year old me." Fitz pointed to the next picture. "This kid in front of me, Rodney, was a little brat."
"Was he there with you? How do you know his name?"
"He turned to me, looked me up and down, at my shirt, at my Mickey ears, and he said Hi I'm Rodney. I said I am Fitz, but my eyes never left Mickey."
Then he poked me on my shoulder to get my attention and I looked at him. "What?" I said. "He stuck his tongue out at me and said I'm going to meet Mickey before you, so there."
I looked up at my dad who noticed nothing, and I remember my cheeks burning with anger. So, I said, I'll still meet him. Not before me, he said in the most ha ha voice. Then he turned back around, and I was just so mad."
Liv looked at him. "I don't like where this is going."
"My father looked at me and saw my eyebrows crossed, mad as ever. Fitz, don't worry, we're almost to the front, you'll have your turn, Mickey's autograph, and so many pictures, just be patient. He turned and continued talking to the family behind us."
Liv turned the page, but there weren't any more pictures. "I don't see any with Mickey." Liv looked at him.
Fitz gave a sighing laugh. "I never met Mickey that day. Rodney took one step towards him and before handing him his autograph book, he stuck his tongue out one more time at me and said see I told you, ha ha."
"Little eight year old Fitz had a temper?" Liv asked now, biting her bottom lip, eyebrows raised, waiting for the story to finish.
"Oh boy, did I ever. I let go of dad's hand, and before Mickey could even take Rodney's autograph book, I grabbed it and threw it in the fountain. Rodney screamed HEY and I turned to Mickey. By this time Rodney went to push me and I stepped over, so Rodney fell, right at Mickey's feet. The commotion began, and Mickey's bodyguard took him away with security running over to retrieve the book and find my parent."
"Gerry was right there with you right?"
"Yeah, in stunned silence. The guard took my hand and gave me over to Gerry while everyone was feeling bad for dumb Rodney. I'm sorry, Sir, I'm going to have to ask you leave the park. I looked over at the fountain as a worker pulled the soaking, ruined autograph book out of it."
"Fitz, Oh my God."
"I know, but when I saw the worker try to hand it back to Rodney, Rodney began to cry and looked over at me. I stuck my tongue out at him and said ha ha, you didn't meet Mickey before me."
"What the hell did your father do?"
Fitz shrugged. "I remember being brought to a security office. I was sitting at a Mickey shaped table. My father came out of the back office, shaking hands with whoever apologizing and thanking him. He took my hand and I said what about Mickey? My dad handed me an autographed postcard and said meeting him will have to wait for another day, we're lucky we're even allowed to come back."
Liv's smile was hard to hold back now. "Did you get a Disney ban?"
"No, my dad talked the guy out of it, but I had to leave for the day. It wasn't until the next year when my dad had time off from the Senate that I got to meet Mickey and by that time I was into the Power Rangers or something." Fitz shrugged.
Liv pulled the album out of his hands and placed it on the floor. She straddled him so her legs were wrapped around his back, her hands clasped in the back of his neck. He looked up at her and she said "I love learning about your life Fitz, you don't know how it touches my heart."
She cupped his face and gave him a kiss. "Time for your reward, don't worry Rodney won't do anything to bother you and stop you from getting what you want."
She heard him groan as he slipped her panties off, his hardening erection under her. He kissed in between her breasts, taking off her bra and interlocked his hands behind her back. He pulled back and just looked at her. "Anyone ever tried to stop me from getting this reward, they would get far worse than a throw in a fountain." He kissed his way down to her stomach as she threw her head back, and he came back up, devouring one of her breasts in his mouth.'
Her mouth open now, she brought her head forward making sure her their lips were interlocked when he held her ass in place and entered her fully, while she still sat with her legs behind him. She began to slowly rock her body forward and back, still engulfed in a deep kiss with him.
He pulled away, rubbing his hands now up her back, and again taking one of her breasts into his mouth, as her hand caressed his cheek. Hearing his breathing become a bit heavier, his hands grabbed her hips, and they moved in rhythm with her.
Her body now, beginning a small sweat, began to feel the sensation of his love making. "Fitz." She whispered out loud. "Hold me, I'm almost there."
"I have you Livvie." He pulled her down to his lips, swirling his tongue inside, and he heard her moan, stifled by the kiss, she continued to moan. He pulled back and looked at her, her head going back with her eyes closed, still using the back of his neck as an anchor.
"Fuck, Fitz. So good." He felt her tense up and her head fell to the crook of his neck, as he let her ride out the remaining end of her orgasm. He turned her onto her back, her legs now straightening out, and he continued to pump into her.
His chest up, her hands on his chest, her head turned in weakness, she heard him say, "you are so fucking beautiful." With a few more deep thrusts into the woman he loves, he lost himself in his climax and his head fell to her shoulder.
She rubbed his back softly, then up to his curls and closed her eyes feeling nothing but pure love for this man. "This time in Santa Barbara," she whispered, "I loved every minute of it Fitz. I can't wait for this baby to be born and start our family together."
His head came up looking into her eyes, he smiled at her. "Yeah? I loved having you a part of it, a chance to see my life before my darkness." He rubbed her stomach, "I can't wait for our little one either, Liv."
Holding his head in place now she continued to dance with is lusty eyes. "Darkness, light, hurt, anger, and love, I'm here for it all Fitz, always remember that."
She guided him now to another kiss, moving up to a more comfortable position on the bed. They stayed like that, kissing and touching each other's bodies. The bodies scarred, but the souls healing, and they continued to showed their love for one another, falling in love again each day.
Liv felt him getting a growing erection again, and she stopped the kisses, smiling. "You know, Fitz, it's going to be a long night."
"That's what I'm anticipating, Livvie. I can't wait to get back to Rutland and begin our forever together, so yeah, let's make it a nice long love making night in Santa Barbara."
He didn't have to say it twice, as Liv began kissing down his chest, turning him so she was back on top again.