A/N This is a sequel to Walk Away. Apparently I'm not satisfied unless I am writing at least two fics at a time. Sigh I'm a glutton for punishment.
"Thank you so much for watching Teddy and Tommy for me." Mellie rushed around trying to find the shoes that she was going to wear out. I can feel her nervous tension and I am curious as to what has Mellie so nervous.
"Of course Mels they are my sons."
"I know Fitz, but it was last minute and this isn't your night." I nod just starting at her. Mellie and I are on a friendly basis so I feel that I can ask her what's going on.
"You ok?" She stops fretting around and looks at me surprised.
"Yeah I am why do you ask?" She cocks her head to the side.
"You seem nervous ." Mellie nods.
"I am nervous." She laughs lightly. "It's so stupid. It really is, it's not like I've never been on a date before." I had looked over to where Tommy sat on the floor playing, but when she mentioned date my head whipped around.
"You have a date?"
"Yeah Fitz I have a date, don't sound so surprised." She mistakes my tone for something else.
"No I didn't mean it like that. I'm just...nevermind."
"Well I have their bags packed already."
"Oh you know what I'm just going to watch them here." Mellie looks at me out the corner of her eye. "It's still your time with them I don't want to take them away. I'll just watch them here that way they won't have to be disrupted and shuttled unnecessarily."
"Ok sure." She seems satisfied with my statement. I don't want to disrupt the boys too much, but I also want to get a glimpse at this guy that she's going on a date with. Mellie leaves the room to finish dressing and I sit on the floor playing with Tommy. Teddy sits on the couch reading a book.
The doorbell rings and I hop up from the couch and head to answer it. I look around and Mellie is nowhere in sight. When I open the door it's like I'm looking in the mirror. Apparently she has a type. He whoever he is extends his hand.
"Mr. President." I look down at his hand before reluctantly taking it.
"I'm at a disadvantage here you know who I am ,but I have no clue who you are."
"Alexander McMichaels"
"Ahhhh McMichaels and Stevens?"
"Yes." I know of the law firm. She really did have a type.
"I see you two have met." Mellie appears behind me.
"We have." I say flatly turning towards her. She gives me a quizzical look, but brushes it aside.
"I won't stay out too late. Kiss the boys goodnight for me." I nod waiting for my customary goodbye kiss, but there is none forthcoming. My spirits fall and I step away and close the door after they walk through it .
Alexander chats constantly on the way to the restaurant, but my thoughts are elsewhere. I can't help thinking about Fitz's behavior. He appeared upset about me going out with Alexander. I shake my head thinking maybe I'm imagining things. Since Fitz and I divorced he's dated here and there so he shouldn't have an issue with me dating.
"You are a million miles away." I shake myself out of my mental ramblings and look over at Alexander.
"Sorry, just thinking about if I told Fitz what story to read Tommy tonight. He is very particular about his bedtime stories."
"You and Fitz seem pretty close still."
"Not still, but more like now. We've had our ups and way down in the dumps." He smiles at me and I return the smile.
"Well I hate a marriage to break up, but I can't entirely be too sad since I have a chance with you now." I don't know what to say to him. I just smile again. We arrive at the restaurant and he leads me in. Heads turn, I'm used to living a public life. Fitz and I divorced before his term was up and I was no longer the first lady, I essentially returned to civilian life except for the constant agents around.
"Would you ever want to return to practice?" I take a sip of my wine before answering.
"Is that why you wanted to go out with me? Is this a job interview?" I say in a teasing tone.
"This is a wife interview." I can't keep the shocked look off my face. "Wow I have rendered Mellie Grant speechless." He chuckles lightly and I join in.
"I do have to admit that took me by surprise."
"I hope I wasn't too forward."
"No not at all. I like forward." He leans back in his chair and stares at me. I feel the overwhelming urge to squirm under his gaze, but I stay still and just look him in the eyes.
"How did he let such an exquisite creature go?" I can't help shifting in my seat at his statement. "I'm sorry that was out of line." I shake my head.
"No it's fine and I'm flattered." I don't really want to talk about Fitz or my relationship with him. I change the subject and I am able to keep any other conversations away from my former husband.
The boys went to bed shortly after Mellie left and I've just been left with my thoughts. I've had a lot of time to do some checking into Alexander McMichaels and to my anger I found nothing out of the ordinary. I was hoping he was a dirty rotten scoundrel, but I guess one of those was enough for her. I sigh wondering what they are doing right now. I look at my watch its half past ten and I am tempted to call her on her cell, but I know that's petty. Although petty doesn't really bother me that much. For the third time in the last thirty minutes I stand and look out the windows, looking for any sign of Mellie and there is none. I stalk back into the living room and flop down on the sofa in full sulk mode. I don't want her out with him and I don't care how childish I'm being.
Finally at ten after eleven I hear the door opening. I sit on the sofa with my arms crossed which is where she finds me.
"Fitz I'd have expected you to be sleep by now." I look at her wondering why she thought I'd be sleep. Was she planning on sneaking him in?"
"Nope." Mellie looks at me and cocks her head to the side.
"Something wrong? Did the boys not behave for you?" Mellie stands on one leg and removes one of her heels. My gaze scans down her body and to her long shapely legs.
"No they were fine. We had dinner, I gave baths and they went to bed without a fuss." Fitz is dry with me and I'm confused about his attitude.
"Thanks again for looking after them." He abruptly stands from the sofa.
"I told you they are my sons you don't have to thank me for being their father." He states gruffly and I crease my forehead surprised by his behavior.
"You ok?"
"Yeah I need to get going." He grabs his jacket and throws it on. His agents are waiting outside for him to take him back to his place. I move forward to hug him and give him a good night kiss, but he side steps me. "I'll see you Mellie." He leaves without another word to me and I stand rooted in place in his wake.
"What just happened?" I mutter to myself.
I know that I was completely out of line with Mellie, but I don't want her dating. It's not right, but I'd rather her be alone if she isn't going to be with me. Mellie wanted the divorce and I reluctantly gave it to her, but that doesn't mean that I don't still want my wife back. She'll always be my wife, she will always be mine. I huff and sit back against the leather seats of the town car heavily. I'm in a pissy mood this was not how I expected my night to go. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf and so I won't interfere, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be happy about this and give her my blessing.