Executive Orders

CH 77 | Resolutions And Revelations

Fitz was still smiling when he entered the Oval a few hours later. He glanced at his desk clock as he took his seat behind the Resolute desk; it was still early, the sun had barely crept over the horizon but you couldn't tell it by the lightness in his heart. Even the stacks of folders and memos waiting for him didn't faze him in the least - he looked to the coffee service that had been wheeled in and was waiting for him. Neither Olivia or Karen would approve, but what they didn't know, wouldn't hurt them...

He couldn't help the mischievous grin that came to him as Fitz poured himself a cup, adding cream and sugar and taking a deep sip, savoring the taste. He reached for one of the folders, trying to keep his mind from the time, but he couldn't help himself from wondering if it was too early to call his daughter. She'd told Olivia that she was fine, but still...

Hi desk phone rang and a glance told him that it was his private line. Knowing that it had to be Karen, relief flooded through him.

"Hi, baby girl." he said as soon as he picked up.

"Hi Dad, I didn't interrupt anything too important, did I?"

"No - and I've told you a million times before - and I'll tell you a million times again if I need to - there is nothing in this world that's more important than hearing from my favorite daughter."

"Your only daughter -" and Fitz could hear the smile in her voice as she corrected him. "- but thanks, Dad - that's what every girl wants to hear, that she's more important than the threat of thermonuclear war and the possible collapse of western civilization as we know it."

"Don't let your head get too big about it - I might have to draw the line at invading aliens. Then you might just have to get in line like everybody else."

"Good to know."

The sound of her laughter was just what he needed. "So, how's school - and why did you call the White House last night?"

"School is fine. I have one last essay to turn in and then I'm free for the holiday."

"But why did you call?" he prodded gently.

"Can't it just be me checking in on you? I do watch the news - and maybe I was just a little worried."

"It could be that, but something tells me it's something more."

"Why? I see you on TV and it's easy for someone who knows you to see the stress that you're under and when you haven't been eating the way you should ..." and here Karen tried to hide her concern, but a voice dropped - just a little. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Eating right and stuff like that. Stress isn't good for you, you know."

"It goes with the job, sweetheart." Fitz said. As much as he was enjoying his daughter fussing over him, he knew that there was something more behind her words - he could feel it. "Honey, is that really the only reason that you called last night?"

The little silence that followed told Fitz more than he wanted to know and his heart fell a little. "Karen?" he prodded her again. He heard her take a breath and something inside of him clenched.

"I- I don't know, Dad..."

"What don't you know, honey? Whatever it is, talk to me and lets see if we can figure it out together."

She was quiet again. And then the words seemed to just burst out of her. "It's Mom - I think that she has a plan for Thanksgiving - and not the one you two agreed to."

Fitz's heart sank even as his mind begin to spin with the possibilities. "Your mother and I agreed that you all would spend the holiday with her, but then you and your brothers would fly out and spend the weekend with me here in DC."