A/N-New Story. Let me know your thoughts. An update from Bound Together will be posted tonight...
Olivia was doing her monthly breast exam when she felt a lump. It was time for her physical so she called the doctor to schedule her yearly physical. She knew that her doctor would examine her breast at that time.
Olivia was 33 years old. She was engaged to Jake Ballard for the last year. They had been together for three years. She thought they were in love, but the last six months had her really thinking whether they should remain together.
Dr. Jackie West was her primary doctor. They had formed a close bond over the last five years that Olivia had been her patient. Dr. Jackie read the note where Olivia found a lump. She had all her patients call her Dr. Jackie. Dr. Jackie completed Olivia's physical. When Dr. Jackie got to the breast exam and felt the lump she was immediately concerned.
Dr. Jackie was always honest with her patients. She was more straight forward with some. Olivia was one of those patients that she kept it 100% real, and never sugar-coated anything with her.
Dr. Jackie stepped back, "Olivia it is definitely a lump. There is some cause for concerns and you need to go for further testing now. We need to know what we are dealing with. I'll send the orders over to the hospital. After you get dressed head over there so we can get the ball rolling."
Olivia went over to the University of Vermont Cancer Center and had the test done.
The next day she gets a call asking her to come in and discuss the findings. She called into the office, and let them know that she had to stop by the hospital and would be in late. Olivia arrived at the center. Shortly after a short black woman walked into the room.
She came over and shook Olivia hand. "Hi Olivia. My name is Dr. Miranda Bailey. Dr. Jackie is my best friend. She asked me to oversee your case."
Olivia gulped, "Handle my case?"
Dr. Bailey pulled up a chair and took her hand, "Jackie was right to be concerned. You have Stage IIB. What that means for you is that we have found a tumor that is more than five centimeters but has not spread to any axillary lymph nodes. Your tumor is six centimeters"
There was a knock at the door. Dr. Bailey opened it up and let the person in. Olivia had not looked up because she was crying. Dr. Jackie grabbed the seat beside Olivia. Dr. Jackie called Olivia's name. She finally looked up to see her. She fell in her arms crying. Dr. Jackie was aware that Olivia had no family or close friends. She had told her about Jake. Specifically she thought he may be cheating. Since she did not have patients until noon that day she came by. Miranda could not disclose Olivia's information because that would be a violation of HIPPA. Jackie knew that it was not good news because Miranda didn't say a word. It was their code.
Olivia calmed down some to continue to listen to Dr. Bailey.
Dr. Bailey said, "I want you to know that I did not disclose any details about what we found to Jackie. I just hinted you might need some support."
Olivia nodded, "I trust you. I know Dr. Jackie doesn't just let anyone in her circle. Thank you for passing that along to her. So what are my options? How treatable is this?"
Dr. Bailey nodded, "It is typically a very treatable cancer. I would suggest a mastectomy which is when we remove the entire breast. Due to how large the tumor is you will need to go through some radiation & chemotherapy. The reason that you will need chemotherapy is because your cancer is hormone-receptor-negative/HER-2. Anything else we can discuss down the road. I would like to schedule the surgery in the next couple of weeks. We are here for you."
Olivia nodded. She spent a few more minutes speaking with them. She scheduled to have the surgery performed in two weeks. She went to the office and spoke with her boss Sally Langston. She told her about her diagnosis. Luckily she had just wrapped up a case so she didn't have to worry about catching someone up to take over. Sally & Olivia agreed that she would work for one more week before taking leave.
As Olivia drove home she realize how scared she was. Olivia's parents died in a car crash when she was 16. A woman who was driving under the influence was driving down the wrong side of the street and crashed into them head first killing all three of them instantly. Olivia went to live with her grandmother who was nothing but supportive of her. The reason she lived in Vermont was because five years ago her grandmother was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. Her grandmother did not check her breasts at all. By the time they diagnosed her the cancer had begun to spread. Her grandmother fought for two years, but ultimately lost the battle. Honestly she probably wouldn't have checked her breast on a regular basis if it wasn't for her grandmother.
Her mother was an only child and she was an only child. She never met her grandfather because he died before she was born. Her grandmother never remarried which is why she had no family.
She pulled up to the condo that she shared with Jake. They met at a charity event. He was a good-looking man. He was a real estate broker. As time went on she realized that he had a really big ego. She loved him, but she was not in love with him. When he proposed she was shocked because it didn't seem that their relationship was headed in that direction. Six months ago her gut told her that Jake was cheating. Olivia really believed that Jake wanted a trophy wife. One who would be willing to do whatever he said. He wasn't interested in a partner.
Olivia got in the house and found Jake in his office working. She went in and kissed his cheek. He put up a finger asking her to wait which she did. Finally he got off the phone. She had sat down on the sofa in front of his desk.
Jake said, "Hello why are you home so early?"
" I had to go to the doctor. They needed me to take some more tests and they got the results back"
"What did they find out?"
"Um, that I have breast cancer."
"Wow, sorry to hear that. What are you going to do?"
"I am going to have surgery to remove my breast, and then I am going to have chemotherapy and radiation."
"That's a lot. I hope everything turns out okay."
"What are you really trying to say Jake?"
"Olivia, this is not working for me. You are not what I want, and now you are sick. I can't take care of you. On top of that you are losing a breast. I'm sorry about the timing, but I can't fake it any longer."
"You are sad and you are sorry. I can't believe that I have wasted so much time on you. You will get what's coming to you. I'll take some things and I'll make arrangement for the rest of my things to be picked up."
Jake tried to talk to Olivia, but she had never been more humiliated than she was when he said that he didn't want her. Olivia packed up two suitcases. She made some calls and found a room at the Made Inn Vermont Bed and Breakfast. She went ahead and paid for a month. She had surgery coming up in two weeks, and wasn't in the mood to find a new place to stay.
Over the next week Olivia broke the news to her co-workers. Everyone offered there support. She was thankful, but she wasn't close to any of them outside of work. She was the youngest lawyer there. It wasn't her dream job. She enjoyed corporate law, but she wanted more.
She was at the hospital doing pre-op. She was beginning to get overwhelmed. She was going through some paperwork when she broke down at the thought of going through this all alone.
Fitzgerald Grant enjoyed giving back. His family ran a successful law firm for several generations. Recently his dad had stepped down due to some health issues, and now he was running the firm. He liked to give back with his money and time. Today he was at the cancer center volunteering. He was walking down the hallway when he noticed a woman crying in the corner.
Fitz went over and leaned down beside her, "What can I do?"
Olivia looked up and saw the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. They were so blue and they calmed her, "I'm sorry what did you ask me?"
Fitz was looking at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his entire life. Her big brown eyes had pain in them, but he saw much more. He could not let this opportunity pass him, "I asked what do you need?"
Olivia said, "I am fine. Thank you"
"I don't think you are."
"My name is Fitzgerald Grant. I volunteer here in my spare time."
"My name is Olivia Pope."
"Wait, are you the Fitzgerald Grant that has the successful family law firm?"
Fitz smiled, "Yes, how did you know?"
"I am a lawyer at Langston & Douglas. I applied to work for the firm when your dad added a crisis management department, but as you know his best friend Cyrus Beene was given the department."
Fitz nodded, "Yes Uncle Cyrus does handle that department. My dad recently retired and I expect Uncle Cyrus to join him soon. Is that something you are still interested in?"
Olivia nodded, "I am or rather I was."
"What changed?"
"I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer so right now I am reluctant to think about the future. I just want to get through tomorrow."
"Well I am sure that you have a support system?"
"Nope, it is just me. My parents died when I was 16. I lost my grandmother to breast cancer. My parents were only children and so was I. My boyfriend decided that I was not what he wanted. Oh God. I am so sorry. You don't want to hear my drama."
"I do. It is why I asked what did you need. It is his loss. I am guessing that you must be having a mastectomy."
"How did you know?"
"My mom had breast cancer. She was beat it, but a couple of years later she was diagnosed with lung cancer and lost her batter three years ago."
"I am so sorry."
"Thank you, but she lived her life to the fullest. She raised me to live the same way. I have a lot of good memories of her. So when is your surgery?"
"In a week. I am here today to do pre-op."
"Do you have any plans after you leave here?"
"No. I am a boring person."
"No you are not. You just haven't found your other half yet, but I bet that will change. So how about I stay with you and we get you through pre-op and then you follow me to my dad's house. We try to eat dinner together once or twice a week."
"Why do you care about what is going on with me?"
"Honestly, I am not sure. When I look at you I see a beautiful person. I feel this connection with you. I would at least like us to be friends. Plus no one should ever go through a battle like this alone, and I won't let that happen to you. I know we just met, but I am asking that you be open. Give me a chance. I want nothing from you in return."
"Aren't you married or at least in a relationship?"
"No to both."
"Why, if you were mine I would never give you up?"
"Well Olivia I am available and maybe you will want me one day and not ever give me up."
Olivia smiled, "Okay. I have nothing to lose at this point."
Fitz kept his promise. He stayed with her the entire time she did pre-op. He held her hand and rubbed her back offering his support. Jake never provided her this kind of support.
They finished up and left the center. Olivia followed Fitz to his dad's home. It was a beautiful home in Stowe.
They walked in and Fitz had Olivia's hand. Fitz called out to his dad who told yelled he was outside. They walked outside to find his dad and Cyrus hitting some golf balls.
Fitz laughed, "Dad no amount of practice is going to help your game."
Big Jerry looked up, "It will give me some time. I'm going to beat you one day."
He noticed that Fitz had a woman with him. He looked at his son. Something was different. Fitz had never brought a woman home. He was proud of his son. He was an excellent lawyer, but he wanted his son to find a woman. Life was more than making a dollar. He use to push women on to Fitz, but it wasn't good. Fitz didn't want to be with a woman just to say he had one. He refused to settle down until he was with his other half. As he looked at them something told him she was it. She was a beautiful looking woman.
Fitz smiled, "Dad I would like for you and Uncle Cyrus to meet my friend Olivia Pope. Livvie this is my dad. We call him Big Jerry and the gruff man beside him is Uncle Cyrus."
Olivia was caught off guard when he called her Livvie. Her grandmother was the only one who called her that. It brought back so many good memories.
Cyrus said, "Wait are you the Olivia Pope that works for Sally Langston?"
Olivia nodded, "Yes sir I am"
Cyrus looked at Big Jerry, "This is the young lady that Sally brags that we missed out on when you had me to head the crisis management department. She is really good."
Big Jerry smiled, "I remember you. You were in our final pool of applicants but my best friend here was tired of being a professor so I had to take care of him. I'm sorry. You really are a brilliant young woman."
Olivia smiled, "It is a pleasure to meet you both. Thank you for the compliments. No need to apologize. You should always take care of those that are closest to you."
Marta came to the door to tell them that dinner was ready. They all went in and washed up and met in the dinner room.
They enjoyed their meal and they talked about a little of everything. Fitz realized how brilliant she really was. She was able to keep up with her dad and uncle with ease. She was more than a pretty face. She was smart, funny, and down to earth.
Jerry said, "Olivia I really like you. I think my son likes you too because he has not brought anyone home since college. Cyrus is considering retiring soon so that head position is going to become available. Did Fitz tell you?"
Olivia nodded, "He did. Unfortunately I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer so I am not sure what the future holds."
Jerry and Cyrus both said they were sorry. Fitz told them that Olivia did not have any family, and was not currently in a relationship. He told them that he would help her any way that he could because this was something she should not go through alone.
Jerry got up and came to sit beside Olivia, "Olivia, Fitz is right. I can only imagine that it is human nature to question someone who wants to help with no strings attached. Fortunately my Miranda taught him to be selfless. Cancer is a battle. You don't want to do this alone. We want you to get through this. There will be some tough days. Days where you want to give up. I pray that you don't. You have too much going for you."
Cyrus spoke up, "I agree. We will all help you. I want to retire and I think that you will be perfect for the job. Sally said that you really wanted that job. Was it your dream job?"
Olivia nodded, "It is sir"
Cyrus said, "Okay then I need you to fight so that you can have the opportunity to fulfill your dreams. Where are you staying?"
Olivia was quiet for a moment. She didn't want to tell them she had no home. Money wasn't the issue. She made a pretty good salary and she had received her parents and her grandmother's life insurance policies. She had invested wisely and had about two million dollars put away.
Olivia decided to be honest, "My boyfriend broke up with me. He said I wasn't the one and he didn't want me because I was going to lose my breast."
Olivia looked up and she could not tell who was more upset in the moment. It was nice that these people cared about her well-being.
Big Gerry said, "I have a rental house in Burlington. I was going to put it on the market, but you can stay there. We can do a month to month lease. I'll just call my broker Jake Ballard and tell him to not put it on the market."
Olivia jumped up and ran out the room. She knew that Jake had a lot of big name clients, but that was a rule. They never discussed their clients with each other. She didn't want them to cause any problems.
They found Olivia outside sitting on the deck. Jerry and Cyrus stayed behind while Fitz went over to Olivia.
Fitz took her hand. She wouldn't look up at him. she was crying. "Livvie talk to me. Tell me what upset you."
Olivia still did not say anything. Fitz thought about what they said at the end that made her so upset and then it dawned on him, "Jake Ballard is your ex-boyfriend. He is the one that you just broke up with."
Olivia nodded, "Fitz, I am so sorry. You all have been nothing but kind. I don't want to come across as ungrateful. I don't want to cause any problems for your family. You don't know me at all. I will stay at the Bed and Breakfast liked I planned."
Olivia just continued to sob. Fitz held her. Olivia heard a phone dialing someone. She looked up to see Jerry on the phone. The person on the other end answered.
Jerry spoke, "Jake this is Jerry Grant."
You could hear the smile in Jake voice. The Grants made him lots of money.
Jake said, "Mr. Grant are you calling about your home in Burlington"
"As a matter of fact I am."
"Well I have several people who have shown interest"
"Well that is the thing. I am no longer putting it on the market. My son's friend needs a place to stay. She doesn't have enough time to shop for a home. All the furniture is still in the home correct?"
"It is sir, but right now you can pretty much get what you are asking. I would hate for you to not get that in the future."
"That is not my concern Jake. Let me ask you this, are you seeing someone?"
"I am dating. I recently ended my engagement. Things didn't work out."
"Oh I hate to hear that. Let me get to the point. The Grant name has a legacy. People look at us and know that we care about the community and people. We are not above them because we have more money than them. I treat people how I want to be treated. I expect those around me to be the same way. I don't employ, contract, or deal with anyone who doesn't have those same values."
"I understand Mr. Grant."
"I was disturbed that my son met a young lady today that was left to battle the fight of her life alone, because her fiancée was an ass. That he was so vain to bring up what she is going to lose like she wants that to happen. Does this ring a bell to you?"
"It does, but my relationship has nothing to do with my job."
"See to me it does. I go to bed at night thinking that the people who I deal with have a heart. They care about others. My son always thought you were a smug bastard. It wasn't that I disagreed with him, but you always did your job and did it well. However it pisses me off to know this young woman who you know does not have any family or close friends was left hanging by you. Even if you ended the relationship you could have tried to remain friends. Offer your support, but you are vain. You want someone who thinks you hang the stars. So while your relationships may not have any bearing on your job it is my choice who I want to deal with. I no longer will be dealing with you. My lawyer will contact you. Any remaining money that is owed to you will be paid. However I no longer will use your services."
"Mr. Grant. I am really sorry. I am sure that we can work something out."
"No Jake we are done. I should have listened to my son, but I am making it right now. One last thing. Olivia is here with us. You are a fool. You lost the best thing that ever happened to you. If she tells me or my son that you have tried to retaliate against her in any way I will bury you. You won't be able to get a job as a janitor when we are done with you. She had no idea I was calling. She didn't want to cause you any problems. That's how I know you missed out on a good one, but I'm not that nice. Have a good life."
Jerry ended the call. He looked at Olivia. "I don't know what will happen with you and my son. Right now your health is most important. You will never be alone again as long as we are around."
Jerry and Cyrus went back in the house. Fitz never let go of Olivia's hand. They sat outside. Olivia sat there and absorbed what happened today. Olivia wanted so much in life, but when her grandmother died she lost her self for a while. Jake had never been one who supported her dreams and goals. It was all about him. She loved working with Sally, but couldn't see herself there years from now.
Her grandmother use to tell her that God makes no mistakes but humans do. As she sat here with Fitz she realized that God placed them together. The odds were one in a million that she would meet the Grants and Cyrus.
She wanted to beat it from the moment that she was told she had breast cancer. Now she really wanted to beat it so she could have a future. She could finally get the chance to work towards meeting her goals. She finally turned and looked at Fitz. They looked each other in the eyes. It was in that moment something inside of her opened up.
Olivia spoke, "I want more. When Nana died a part of me died. Meeting you today wasn't a mistake. I don't want to seem ungrateful. I am grateful and thankful. Your mom raised a wonderful man."
Fitz smiled, "Thank you. My dad did a great job too. It's just that mom always told me that a real man shows emotions. She taught me that money does not buy happiness. It can give you moments of happiness. Part of me is really mad at Jake for the way that he treated you. As you can tell I have never had high regard for him. However part of me is glad that he threw it all away. Now I have the chance to earn you."
Olivia smiled. They went back in and ate desert and talked some more. Fitz followed Olivia back to the inn and made sure she made it in safe. They exchanged numbers and Fitz told her they would keep in touch.
The next day Jerry's lawyer went over to Jake's office and got the keys to the house in Burlington. Fitz had called that morning and paid his locksmith to change all the locks. He also updated the security system since Olivia was single and she would be recovering there. He wanted to make sure that she could press a button and someone who be able to get to her.
Fitz called Olivia and asked if she had any items left at her old place. Olivia informed him that she did. She really wasn't comfortable going back to Jake's house. Fitz had their attorney to contact Jake and make arrangement where she could go with a moving company and get the remaining items.
Each day Fitz found time to spend with Olivia. The night before Olivia's surgery they ate a late dinner since she could not eat or drink anything after midnight. Olivia had decided to have the mastectomy and reconstruction would be done at a later time because of the chemotherapy. Fitz had told her that evening when he got to the house that he was taking off to take her to the hospital, and would be there when she woke up.
Fitz knew she was scared. He remembered his mom actions the night before her surgery. He had prayed to God earlier in the day to give her more time on earth so that he could show her what real love feels like. He wanted to make his mom proud. He wanted his dad to see that he had raised a real man.
He had introduced Olivia to his best friend Stephen Finch. Stephen's girlfriend name was Abby Whelan. She was a feisty redhead. She was the opposite of Olivia, but Olivia liked her a lot. They had dinner with them earlier in the week.
Olivia knew that Fitz was a special person. The last week had been of the best weeks of her life. While she couldn't share this with Fitz, but she prayed that he stayed around. He was a good man. She would be lucky to have him.
