A/N-As promised I am giving you guys a new story as a gift to you on my birthday. Thank you so much for the well wishes that I received today. This is an AU story. There will be things about the character that are familiar, but I went in a whole new direction with the story line.

Olivia's Story

Olivia Carolyn Pope was a 29-year-old woman. She had just arrived in Raleigh, North Carolina to start her new life. She left everything behind in New York. She had worked for her parents Rowan & Maya Pope. They owned a successful crisis management firm, Pope & Associates. Olivia was successful in her own right, but her parents made sure she stayed in the shadows. She was engaged to be married to Edison Davis who was the CEO of Davis Technologies. She was raised for the most part by her grandmother Velma Pope. She was the only person who ever took the time to see her as a human being who had wants, feelings, and needs.

Olivia's grandparents ran several successful law firms for years in New York, Connecticut, Washington D.C., and North Carolina. She lived in all four states with her grandparents, but she loved North Carolina the most because it was so calm. The people there enjoyed life it seemed like. Olivia's dream was to be a doctor, but her parents refused stating that the Pope's did not produce doctors.

Olivia's grandparents had went to bat for her, but she was still trying to get her parents approval so she let go of her dream and followed theirs instead. Her grandmother was disappointed, but she supported her granddaughter. When her grandfather passed away her dad expected that his mother would pass down the firms to him.

Velma was disgusted with her son and daughter-in-law. She constantly told her son that he needed to treat his daughter like a daughter not an object. He dismissed her so she sold all of the firms. At first Rowan was upset, but he let it go since he knew that he would inherit her estate when she passed.

Olivia's life was turned upside down a year ago when three women came forth and claimed that Edison and several high-ranking officials at his company were sexually harassing them. They had to perform sexual favors to either keep their job or get any type of promotion or raise. They said often times that women still did not get the job or raise after performing the sex act. They had proof. They were ready to destroy Edison & his company. They wanted compensation, but they wanted the harassment to stop.

Edison came to his future in-laws. Olivia refused to help him. For some reason she knew that he was guilty. His eyes had no remorse. Olivia's parents forced her to help them destroy the women. One of them attempted suicide, and while she didn't die she had permanent brain damage. That destroyed Olivia.

Olivia went to her grandmother and told her everything. She told her that she couldn't do it anymore. She couldn't go back and work for her parents. They had no morals at all. She refused to walk down the aisle and marry a man who couldn't keep it in her pants.

When Olivia got with Edison her grandmother made Olivia move the money she saved into an account that only the two of them could access. Velma's private investigator had discovered that Edison's company was losing money left and right. She believed that he wanted Olivia for her money, and her name.

Olivia had not come home for several days, and she had not answered any of his calls, texts, or emails so he contacted her parents. Her parents knew where to find her so they drove out to Velma's estate.

Velma opened up the door. Olivia had not left her bed since she got to her grandmother's home. Rowan bust through the door yelling at Olivia. She knew that he was talking down to her, but it went through one ear and out the other. She had heard it all before. She no longer cared. They were no longer her parents. They were her sperm donors. She heard him call her an ungrateful bitch, and she snapped. Olivia jumped out of the bed.

With nothing but venom in her voice she said, "Fuck you Rowan fuck you too Maya. This here is over. I am no longer your employee. I am no longer your daughter. When you decided that you would pimp me out to a man who you knew couldn't keep it in his pants so you could get a seat on the board of his company, get stocks, whatever. All I know is that you don't care about me. You dangled me in front of him, and he took the bait. As CEO he can't parade his whores or the women he screws over to the SEC or to corporate functions so that is where I come in. It amazes me that you two thought I was stupid enough to buy into the crap you fed me when you introduce us. I went along with it because I had nothing to lose until I learned what he was doing. Instead of for once in your life standing up for me you used my skills against me. You made me destroy those women with their past, but never again. You want a child you can dangle go adopt Edison because I am done. Forget I was ever born. Tell Edison I left his ring at the bank in his safe deposit box that he doesn't think I know about."

Olivia turned around and Rowan grabbed her. Olivia running on pure adrenaline uses her other hand and smacks him in his face.

Rowan was livid. He went to hit Olivia back when they heard a gun cock. They turned and Velma had a 22 Caliber Pistol in her hand.

Velma said, "I should have taken her away from you two pieces of shit, but like Olivia I always hoped that you would remember that she was your child. Apparently we were both wrong, but we won't make that mistake again. I know all your dirty little secrets so what is going to happen is you are going to respect Olivia's wishes. You are going to forget that she was ever born, and I won't blow you & your slut of a wife's lives apart. So we are clear this also means when I pass because I have people watching, and you father and I made sure to pay them more than enough that in death they will watch over our baby. When I say our baby I mean Olivia. If you want to call my bluff I am sure the man you almost killed would love to tell his story."

Rowan and Maya gasped. Olivia smiled. She knew her grandmother was no dummy, but this was impressive.

Rowan & Maya were about to leave when Velma told them she had one more thing to tell them.

Velma smiled and said, "You should continue your illegal activities with Edison. When I pass I left you something, but your father already left a trust that Olivia is going to get access to so she can get the hell away from you two. When I pass most of the estate will go to her so don't get comfortable thinking you are going to live off me. I hope you didn't think we would reward you for how you treated us and your daughter."

Velma called Tom on the phone while everyone was still in the room. None of them knew who he was.

Tom answered, "Velma what can I help you with?"

Velma asked, 'Tom do you have those folders ready to go like I asked on my son and his wife."

Tom said, "Yes everything is ready to go if any of my men feel that you or your granddaughter's life is in danger. Let me know where Olivia decides to go so we can have eyes and ears on the ground. She can live a normal life, but I rather be safe than sorry. Like you said Rowan & Maya don't want to spend the rest of their lives behind bars. It is a good thing that Olivia got out because that firm is shady."

Velma smiled, "Thanks Tom I will be in touch."

She looked at Rowan & Maya and it was clear that they had lost. There was no card left to play that would work in their favor. They left the house.

Olivia hugged her grandmother and thanked her for everything that she had always done for her.

Velma hugged her granddaughter with tears in her eyes, "Livvie if you love Nana then I need you to leave. Go where ever you want and start over. Go to North Carolina and go to Medical School. Find a real man who loves you for you. Let go of the crap your parents have said to you. You are enough. When you meet him. You won't have to change a thing about who you are."

Olivia agreed and that is why she was now in Raleigh North Carolina.

Fitz's Story

Fitzgerald Thomas Grant known as Fitz was a 35-year-old single father to 10-year-old Karen Grant. He owned his own Securities Firm called Grant Securities. Both of his parents were still alive. Gerald & Janice Grant lived in Wake Forest, North Carolina. His parents were both successful lawyers who owned several firms in North Carolina. He had one brother Theodore Aiden Grant known as Teddy who was 30 years old. He followed in his parent's footsteps and became a lawyer. He ran one of their Raleigh offices. Fitz's loved his parents. They never forced him to become a lawyer and supported him when he opened up his firm in the early stages. His parents and brother had referred a lot of clients to him and vice versa. Now he was a successful multi-millionaire.

Fitz was married for almost ten years to Melody Elaine Adkins-Grant. Fitz wouldn't say that he was head over heels in love with Melody, but when she found out she was pregnant he believed in being a man and taking care of his family. He married her and worked to take care of his family. The problems started when Melody thought they should live off of his parent's fortune.

Fitz & Teddy received lavish gifts from their parents, but they didn't expect or demand anything from them. Their parents had worked hard for the money they had. They believed that they should do the same.

Melody dropped out of college. She told Fitz it was until Karen was older. Once she went to school she would go back. That never happened. He would have let it go if she was actually taking care of their daughter, but that wasn't the case. He found out by accident that she had hired a nanny so she could go out with her friends shopping, get spa treatments, and eat lunch without having to keep up with Karen.

When the firm started generating millions Mellie thought that meant she could spend it. She demanded to have a custom-built home which he bought her. He later found out she opened up credit cards that he was not aware of. None of that made Fitz run because he didn't want to raise Karen in two homes.

That all changed a year ago. He was away at a conference in Florida when he got a call from his daughter. His parents were in Europe on vacation. Teddy was in New York meeting with a client that was moving to North Carolina.

Fitz could hear the fear in his daughter's voice. He had to remain calm so she didn't detect his fear.

Fitz asked, "Karen what's wrong baby? Where is your mom?"

Karen said, "I don't know. The nanny quit after mom called her stupid. She has been going out, but she left me food and juice. I haven't heard from her in a day so I called you. I'm scared daddy."

Fitz forced himself to remain calm. Thankfully in the last year he had treated himself to a small jet so he didn't have to find flights when he needed to travel. Fitz told his daughter to stay in her room until he got there. He would be home in a couple of hours.

Karen agreed. She ended up falling asleep so she never heard her mom come in with Uncle Andrew who was her dad's best friend. Melody had no idea that Karen had called Fitz.

When Fitz pulled up he noticed her car in the garage, but he also saw his best friend's car in the drive way. Why would he be here? Fitz had told him he was going to be out-of-town.

He walked in and the house was a mess. His anger was building. He stopped by the kitchen and noticed Melody's purse. It was open and he was looking at what looked like cocaine.

Fitz was beyond pissed at this point. This bitch was wasting his money, not taking care of their child, and doing drugs. He was thinking that it can't get any worse.

As Fitz got to the bedroom door he realized why his best friend was there. He was thankful that their room was on the opposite end of Karen's so she didn't hear them.

He opened up the door and watched his wife as she was riding his best friend like he was a stallion.

He looked to his left and he saw more drugs on the end table. That was it for him.

Fitz yelled, "Bitch stop riding him long enough to get your shit and get out. I will have my brother contact you to find out where to send your shit. "

Melody & Andrew jumped up. She was shocked to see him. She didn't know what to say so she asked a dumb question.

"What are you doing here?"

Fitz scoffed, "You are doing drugs, fucking my best friend, you left your daughter alone for god knows how long and the only thing that can come out your mouth is why am I here? Well I am here to tell you that it is over. Get your shit and get out. As soon as Teddy get's back you will be served and you will get exactly what the pre-nup says and nothing more. Thank you for having an affair. Now I only have to pay you $100,000 and give you a car. Andrew can now take care of you when he finds another job, because he is fired. Don't come to the office or I'll have you arrested. Karen stays with me."

Melody laughed, "You can have the little bitch. I didn't want her to begin with. She is not even yours. I have been cheating on you since college. I needed a man with money. That is where you came in. My other man knew how to put it down. He is the one that I loved. Unfortunately he got killed so you can have her. She just reminds me of the man I really loved so I have no use for her."

They heard crying. They turned around to find Karen at the door. It was clear she heard what Melody said.

Fitz turned around, "Since that is how you feel make sure you sign away your parental rights when you get the papers? Be gone when I get back especially you Andrew. I can't promise to keep my emotions in check."

Karen had already left. Andrew came over to Fitz to try to talk to him.

Andrew said, "Fitz, I am sorry..."

Fitz turned around and punched him, "Fuck you. You can have that whore. It is clear that she doesn't know how to keep her legs closed. What I am pissed about is the fact that you two are doing drugs with my child in this house. If something happened to her I would kill you both. So you aren't sorry. You are sorry that you got caught. I left you in charge of the office so you shut my business down to be with Mellie. With friends like you I don't need enemies."

Fitz went to talk to Karen. She was heart-broken after she heard what her mom said about her. On top of all of that her real dad was dead. So technically she didn't have a dad.

Fitz climbed in the bed with her, "Sweetie, I can't take back what your mom said. I know you use to ask me why we looked a little different, but I didn't know and it didn't matter to me."

Karen looked up, "Why didn't it matter?"

Fitz smiled, "Because you are my daughter. Just because we look a little different makes no difference to me. I held you first, had your first tea party, taught you how to swim, and I can't wait to watch you continue to grow. It doesn't matter that biologically that you aren't mine. In every way possible you are mine. You will remain with me. I don't want to stay here so I say let's get an apartment for a year so you can go to the same school after summer is over, and then we will find another house for us to start over in. What do you say?"

Karen smiled, "I would like that daddy, and maybe you can find someone who really loves you for you."

Fitz shrugged his shoulder, "Maybe, but I am not worried about that. You are the only girl I am concerned about."

A year later he was divorced. Melody had signed away her parental rights for an additional $500,000. Teddy wanted to fight it, but he had the money and if he didn't he would have found it. He was only concerned with Karen. He legally adopted Karen.

Karen struggled for a while after the separation. Fitz initially thought it was because of the divorce, but when he got her in therapy he found out she was scared that Fitz was going to leave her since he wasn't her biological dad. Fitz put in a lot of time and effort on his part. Karen was a lot better.

Fitz was grateful for the support of his family. They never cared for Melody. They told him not to marry her even though she was carrying what he thought he was his child. They assured him he could be a good dad without marrying her. He thought about it, but it wasn't the way they raised him. He couldn't turn those feelings off. When they found out what happened they didn't say a word. They handled everything at no cost to him.

His parents were semi-retired already. His mom decided to go ahead and retire so she could help Fitz with Karen. They all rallied together and Karen was thriving again which is all they wanted.

Karen found swimming helped her relax. Anytime she had anxiety she wanted to swim so they put her on a swim team. It was becoming more than something fun to do for her. She loved competing and had won several small competitions.

Fitz had sold the house they lived in. He wasn't ready to purchase another house so he renewed the lease on their apartment.

Karen loved to swim in the evenings when the pool was empty so she could do laps. When Fitz & Karen made up to the pool Karen saw someone doing laps. They were doing the breaststroke to one end of the pool and the backstroke to the other end. Then she switched and did the butterfly stroke to one end and freestyle stroke to the other.

Karen was in awe as she watched her butterfly stroke. That was the one stroke that she needed work on.

When she came up for air Karen went over and caught Olivia off guard for a moment, but then she smiled at her.

Karen said, "Hi my name is Karen Grant. I swim in competitions but my butterfly stroke sucks. Can you teach me some tips?"

Olivia smiled. She had never met a child that swam for more than fun. That was exciting to hear.

Olivia nodded, "As long as your parents say it is okay I will be glad to help you."

Fitz came up. When their eyes met time stopped. Wow she was beautiful. Olivia had never seen eyes as beautiful as his. His body made her insides tingle. Fitz composed himself.

Fitz leaned down, "It is just Karen & I. She is my baby and if you don't mind helping her then I am okay with it. I don't mind paying you."

Olivia shook her head, "No I love swimming. I am more than happy to help."

Karen noticed the look in her dad's eyes. Olivia seemed like a nice woman. Only time could tell where this would go.