"Every storm runs, runs out of rain
Just like every dark night turns into day
Every heartache will fade away
Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain"

Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain) - Gary Allan

Olivia Pope-Grant sat down gingerly on the chaise lounge in the master bedroom of her loft apartment. At 80 years old she was still feisty as can be, sharp as a tack and young at heart but a little slower in action. She leaned back taking a deep breath and picked up the book that sat on the side table.

The book was a memoir of sorts about her love and life with former President Fitzgerald Grant. Having just lost Fitz a little over a year ago it may have seemed too soon to publish a book but this particular one had been in the making for years. It had even been his idea.

"Livvie, can you come here for a second? I need to talk to you about something. "

Olivia walked into the study of their house to see Fitz sitting behind the large wooden desk. He pushed the chair back and motioned for her to come closer, pulling her onto his lap when she did. He wrapped his arms around Olivia's waist and started kissing her neck eliciting a giggle from her lips. "Fitz, is this why you called me in here?"

"Mmm no but I just can't help myself whenever you're near. We can talk after." She laughed softly. "Well, the kids will be up in about 15 minutes so it's one or the other."

Fitz huffed out air and looked at her with a pout. As much as he wanted to take his wife on the desk that second this conversation was far too important to not have. "Fine. We'll talk now but you're mine tonight."

"I'm yours every night, Fitz." A smile spread across his lips as he hugged her tightly.

"Now that we have kids and have bought this house we need to amend our wills." Fitz paused to gauge Olivia's reaction but she just nodded in agreement. "And I think you should write a book," he added so fast it was like it escaped in one breathe.

Olivia cocked her head to the side and silently stared at her husband. She knew him well and could see just how serious he was. "A book," she said inquisitively.

"Not right now... after I am gone. Listen, Liv. I did you wrong. All those years keeping you in the shadows. The first 10 years of loving each other were stormy. I am already receiving offers on a memoir for my years in office. But I think this, life changing extraordinary love we share, deserves to be told. I want to know that people years from now will get to see that you were never my mistress. That this is real and tangible. That there is sun after the storm."

Olivia just smiled and nodded her head in agreement.

And so, for the years to come, she kept journals. She documented every milestone, every joyful moment, every fight and every loss. She sat down and chronicled the things that had past and had Fitz complete his own journals as well. By the time Fitz died she had exactly what he had wanted; tangible proof of the love they had shared. The evidence of a love so powerful it overcame the greatest of all obstacles. Human nature.

Olivia sighed and traced over the title and byline with her finger. She hadn't read the book since the day she sent it in for publishing. It had arrived weeks ago but she had been unable to even crack the cover. But today, today she intended to read the whole thing. With a silent prayer, she read the title one more time and readied herself for a trip down memory lane.

After The Storm: My Life Changing Extraordinary Love with President Fitzgerald Grant III

By Olivia Pope-Grant