A/N Not sure if this is going to be Mellitz end game at this point, but the focus of the story is Mellie and Fitz and their relationship. If that's not your thing well you've been warned.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or Scandal.
He said that he needed to make a stop in New Hampshire to stomp for the party during the mid-term elections, but I know that's not his only reason for leaving. Just like it wasn't the last time he disappeared to New Hampshire. I can't fight anymore, I don't want to fight anymore. Ever since Gerry died I realized how short life truly is and it shouldn't be wasted being unhappy. I sigh as I look in my closet trying to figure out what to take with me. I've decided to go home, to Asheville. I don't know if I will settle there or return to Washington after his term is over I just know that I can no longer stay in this marriage. I deserve better and no political office is worth my self respect, there isn't enough love in the world that can excuse being disrespected at every turn.
Finally I throw a few things in my suitcase. I can always purchase what I need once I get settled. I've arranged to rent a house in a gated community. Of course I didn't rent it in my name, but used a dummy corporation to do so. Sometimes being a lawyer in my former life does pay off. I head towards Teddy's room and get his small suitcase out of the closet. I pack a few of his clothes and some of his favorite toys. Fitz will pretend to throw a fit when he realizes that I've taken Teddy with me, but despite his constant declarations to the contrary I've always been the more involved parent. He's just fooled himself into thinking he was better because he was a better father than his own, but it's not really a great feat to be a better father than Big Gerry, just don't go around raping. He definitely has the cheating and lying down pact.
I clear my head of these thoughts. I have to get the packing done. I have arranged to leave tonight. And I want to make sure I have what I need. I do not plan to ever return to this place. I will not deny Fitz his right to see Teddy, but I won't be the one bringing him here. Finally I get Teddy's bag together. I look down at my watch and notice that I have about an hour before I need to head out. Teddy is already sleep and I am praying he stays asleep for the entire trip. I walk back into the bedroom I once shared with my husband and I look around one last time, taking it all in. Where did it all go wrong? I never imagined that this dream that we had would turn into the nightmare that helped tear us apart. I sigh as I remove my wedding band and place it on the nightstand. I have no use for it anymore. Soon I won't be Mellie Grant anymore, but Melody Sinclair. I'll reclaim my former self.
Finally the time has arrived. The White House staff come to collect our bags. I gently lift Teddy out of his crib and cradle him in my arms as I walk to the waiting car. I'd asked that there not be a motorcade. I want this done as discreetly as possible. I want to be able to settle into my new home without a media circus. I owe this to myself and my son. Once I get settled I will tell Karen what is going on. I know she won't be upset. She's been imploring me to leave her dad for some time now. Despite how I may feel about him I don't want her to hate him, after all he is her father.
I settle into the town car. Every now and then I glance over at Teddy who is buckled into his seat. He is still sleeping and I say a thank you for the small miracles. The last thing I need right now is to deal with a cranky toddler. Finally we arrive at the air force base and I am quickly whisked onto the waiting plane. I turn around to look at D.C. one last time before boarding. I know that this is goodbye.
Two Days Later
I have a spring in my step. I've spent the last two days with Olivia, the love of my life. I told Mellie I was going to be in New Hampshire, but that wasn't entirely the truth. I made a brief appearance in New Hampshire and then I met Olivia in Vermont. I needed the escape. Dealing with all my family issues was becoming too much for me.
I stride into the residence preparing myself for the onslaught of questions and insults that will be hurled my way by Mellie. I notice that she isn't anywhere to be found and I breathe a sigh of relief. I assume that she's in her office or at an event. I decide to go check in on Teddy, but his room is empty and noticeably tidy. I furrow my brow in confusion, but I shrug it off and guess that Marta took him out for a walk or to some outing. With nothing else to do I go to my office and begin to look through the days briefings.
I get lost in my work and I lose track of time. Standing from my desk my muscles scream at being left in the same position for so long. I check my watch and notice it's past 6. I've been at it for nearly four hours straight. I find it somewhat odd that Mellie hasn't made an appearance. I would think she'd be back from wherever she was today. A thought flashes through my head and I walk out of my office toward the reception area.
"Lauren can you check the VP's schedule for today?" She types in few commands and then begins to read off his schedule. I step behind her to look for myself. Andrew is still on a trip to China. "What about the First Lady's schedule?" She brings up Mellie's schedule and I am surprised to see it is clear. Can you call her office for me and ask them to have her meet me here?" I turn and go back into my office. I'm confused about what she's been doing all day.
After about 5 minutes there is a soft knock on my door.
"Come in." Lauren enters the Oval and I notice trepidation on her features. "Yes?"
"Sir I was informed that the First Lady is not in her office."
"Well where is she then?"
"I….I do not know sir. Apparently she hasn't been to her office all day today and she canceled all of her appointments beforehand." I stand from my desk and come around to stand right in front of Lauren.
"Call up to the residence and have her come down." She looks away briefly.
"I already did sir, ummm she is not in the residence."
"What?" I don't know what I'm feeling at this moment, but something is certainly not right. "Get Cyrus for me…." She hesitates. "Now!" I'm pacing the floor when Cyrus enters the Oval. "Where the fuck is my wife?"
He stops in his tracks and looks surprised at my question.
"Why would I know where your wife is sir?" I'm not in the mood for his snarkiness right now.
"If she is with him I swear….."
"If by him you mean the Vice President sir I doubt that the First Lady of the United States could have snuck out of the country with no one being the wiser. Why don't you contact her security detail and I'm sure they can fill you into the whereabouts of your wife sir." I cut my eyes at him, but don't say anything as I go over to the phone to call Mellie's security detail.
What I hear leaves me in complete confusion. I hang up the phone and just stare.
"Sir?" His voice pulls me from my thoughts.
"She's in North Carolina." He nods.
"Visiting her parents?"
"I would assume, yes. I must have forgotten that she told me that she was going to visit them." Cyrus nods
"Is that all sir?" I absentmindedly nod in the affirmative his way. I decide that I must have forgotten about this trip, but there is just a feeling I can't shake. I head up to the residence. I don't check on Teddy I assume Mellie has him with her. Once I enter our room there is something different. I can't put my finger on it. I go into the bathroom and take a shower. I notice a lot of Mellie's things are missing, but of course she took them for her trip. I exit the bathroom and head toward the closet to grab something to sleep in. Again I notice her things absent, I rationalize it away. Of course some of her clothes are missing she took them with her. I dress and exit the closet. As I am passing her side of the bed something on the nightstand catches my eye. I stop and walk over and what I see laying there causes my heart to drop.
I reach over and pick it up, needing a closer look because surely my eyes are playing a trick on me. I bring it close to my face and it is indeed Mellie's wedding band. She had been just wearing the band of late. Maybe she decided to go back to the set that she usually wore. I stride over to her jewelry box, opening the first drawer my heart starts to beat wildly in my chest. I come face to face with her wedding set, laying neatly in her jewelry box.
She took her ring off and left it. I'm alarmed. Maybe she just forgot it is what I rationalize. I'm not yet willing to think about why I am reacting this way. I walk quickly over to the phone and dial her parent's house. I assume she's staying with them. Her mother informs me that Mellie is not with them, that they have not seen her.
"What the hell is going on?" I mumble to myself. I pick up the phone again and dial the head of her security detail. He assures me that she is in Asheville and that she has men assigned to her and Teddy. I ask for a detailed status report within the hour.