Olivia was born and raised in San Francisco. She currently found herself in Seattle. This place had been her place of residence for the past three years. It was a nice city, but it was not her home. Home was and will always be San Francisco. Not every place she has been fortunate to visit just could compare. Let me give you a little background on Olivia Pope.
The youngest daughter of Catherine and Joseph Pope. She at 34 years old Olivia was really coming into her own as a woman. She had worked her way up the corporate ladder was right where she wanted to be. Olivia Pope was a planner. She had planned her life and did not do well with surprises. Ever since she was a little girl, she lived on a rigid schedule. She was completely different from her siblings. They often teased her about how serious and rigid she was. She remembers her older sister asking her parents are you sure; they did not give you the wrong child at the hospital. Her parents chastised her sister for teasing her, which delighted Olivia to no end. Olivia Pope was definitely a daddy's girl. Her father for sure thought his wife was having a son. It was not until the doctor announced it was a daughter did it sink in that he was the father of two girls. Disappointment was never an issue for Joseph Pope. The minute the doctor placed his little LIvvie as he called her into his arms he was a goner. Olivia indulged his father's love of sports. They would sit and watch games together and they truly enjoyed each other's company. About 4 years later her parents welcomed another child. It was the boy that her father always longed to have, but in Olivia's mind, her bond with her father was stronger than the gender her father and brother shared. She often teased Harrison that he was could never fill her shoes. Speaking of Harrison, he was he calling her now.
"Olivia Pope, speaking how may I help you?" She was at work of course and had to remain professional at all times.
"Liv, cut it out. You know who this is and why I'm calling." Harrison said quickly. He did not have time to play her game. He was going to have to turn his phone off in a few minutes and he needed to make sure his sister would be at the airport to pick him up.
"Yes jug head. I got your flight information. I will be at the airport when you land. Just give me a call when you land. Have a safe flight. Oh and PS. I love you. Thanks Harrison for doing this." Liv responded.
"You know I've got you Liv. I'll see you in a little bit." Harrison replied before closing his phone. Flying was not his favorite, but he was not afraid. He just did not like the hoops you had to jump through to travel now days. Yet, when his father asked him to help his sister, he did not hesitate.
Liv leaned back in her chair. She would be working in this office for one more day. Olivia was asked if she was interested in heading up the San Francisco office of the investment firm where she currently worked. The manager and her mentor was retiring. She had recommended Olivia for the position. It was hers if she wanted it. At first Olivia was hesitant and questioned her qualifications. Her mentor reminded her that she was more than capable and she would not have recommended her if she did not think she was capable. Olivia met the woman her first year of college when she interned at the firm. Olivia had worked hard and climbed her way up. Being single when asked to work in a couple of different locations she had accepted, which is how she had ended up in her current location of Seattle. She is looking forward to being back home. She feels like she has missed a lot being away. Her sister now has two kids. Her parents are getting older. Her grandmother passed away about 10 months ago and that was such a hard time. Olivia was named after her. They shared a special bond and Olivia would call her weekly. She missed those calls. She realized how much she needed and craved her family. This job offer came at the right time.
Shutting down her laptop Olivia dropped in her tote and got up to leave. Heading out of the office, she stopped at her secretary's desk and asked her how she was doing.
Jennifer looked up from her monitor and gave Olivia a small smile. When she first heard about Olivia's job offer, she was a sad. Olivia was a great boss and she was going to miss her. Olivia on the other hand had talked to higher ups and wanted to know if the current secretary would be staying and if not she would like to offer Jennifer the position. Come to find out the current secretary was looking to cut back her hours and eventually retire. She wanted to stay on during the transition period just so things would work on smoothly and she could pass on her current knowledge to whomever would take over her role. She had been with the company for 30 years and she knew Olivia when she was an intern. To see her come to this point was a pleasure to watch. She had communicated with Jennifer on several occasion so she was not surprised when Olivia wanted to bring her with her. When Olivia approached Jennifer, she knew it would be a big step to move to San Francisco. Jennifer was more than excited to move. It would mean she would be closer to her family whom where in Southern California. That was driving distance and she just was excited for the change overall. The move came with an increase in salary and a housing bonus to get her started. Everything was wrapping up nicely. As it was almost noontime, Jennifer and Olivia were asked to come into the conference room. As they approached the glass doors, they saw everyone inside. The door opened and claps could be heard. Her boss had nice words to say about both Olivia and Jennifer. Olivia was always sentimental and saying goodbye was not her thing. She teared up and then profusely apologized for crying. She was choked up, but managed through saying something nice and personal able about each member of the small office team. In some way, each one of them had helped shaped Olivia. This was one of the best locations she had worked in within the company. She would be in communication with many still, but that was not the same as seeing their faces every day. After cake was shared, they all got back to work except for Jennifer and Olivia. They were done for the day. Olivia confirmed Jennifer was all set. The movers would be picking up her stuff tomorrow as well as Olivia's. Lauren was flying to SF tomorrow while Olivia and Harrison were going to drive down. She was looking forward to spending some time w/ her brother and she wanted to drive her car down.
An hour later Olivia headed to airport. She pulled into arrivals section just in time to get a message from jug head that he was about to exit. She was glad he had sense enough to just pack a carry-on. Harrison sharp wit, swag and gift for gab had made him a very successful employee at the marketing firm he worked at. She looked up to see her brother walking out of the airport looking like he stepped off the pages of an ad in GQ. He had on the perfect pair of denim jeans, a leather jacket, a white t-shirt, tucked showing a black leather belt and aviator shades. He tipped them down on his nose to look at her vehicle as he approached. Once he got to the car, she hopped out and walked around to the passenger side to give her brother a hug. After he tossed his back in the trunk of her Audi Q5 and hit the lift gate button to close it he picked her up and spun her around all the while Liv faux complained put me down all the while laughing. This was her little brother who was a good 8 inches taller than she was. Once the silliness ended, she asked about his flight, which he said was a good one. They got in the car and Liv pulled away from the curb letting know they were picking up takeout since all her dishes and everything were packed up for the movers to come get tomorrow. That was fine with Harrison. He told her his preference of food and they headed in that direction. Once food was picked up. Liv and Harrison arrived home and the first thing Harrison wanted to do was take a nice hot shower.
Liv on the other hand settled on a stool at her counter and make her nightly call to Abigail. Abigail Whelan has been her best friend for as long as she can remember. They grew up next door to each other and she is currently the architect handing the remodel of Olivia's new flat. This was the flat her grandmother had left to her. I guess she always knew that Olivia would return home. While others got different parts of her grandmother's estate, the flat she lived in was passed on to Olivia. Olivia's parents lived in the upper flat and it is where she and her siblings grew up.
Hitting the FaceTime button, she waited for the redhead to appear. When she did, she said "Well hello Abigail Whelan. How are you this evening?" Abby signed and answered with a resounding "No!"
Olivia sighed. She had been begging Abby to give her a sneak peek at what had been done in her place. Olivia has been the most difficult client Abby has ever dealt with. Mostly because she is a micromanager. She knows Abby will do the very best for her bestie, but Olivia finds it hard to give up control. In addition, Olivia while working investments fancies herself an interior designer so she had input into every detail. While The Whelan group was handling every aspect of this remodel of this flat Olivia's touches were in every aspect. Olivia and Abigail consulted weekly and sometimes daily on decision-making. Abigail's older brother Fitzgerald was the project manager overseeing his construction crew making sure this project went to completion without any mishaps. He had not communicated with Olivia. He left that part to Abby and just made sure Olivia's wishes were executed. Little did Abigail and Olivia know, but his crew finished two days ago. He would take Abby over to the project tomorrow to make sure nothing was missed and the movers would deliver Olivia's belongings in two days. Abby had plans for where all the large pieces of furniture would go. Olivia's mother had come down and checked out the place, but she had been sworn to secrecy. To say Mrs. Pope was in love with how everything turned out was an understatement. Fitz had called her downstairs two days ago to ask her opinion and she began to squeal with excitement. She hugged Fitz tightly and said she will love it. That is all Fitz wanted to hear. The Pope's were like family and he knew his mother wanted them to do the best work on all projects, but for them she wanted a little extra.
While Olivia and Abigail were face timing a male figure in a tight fitted t-shirt walked into her kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water, and began drinking it. Olivia was distracted while Abby kept talking. When Abby did not get an answer to her question. She noticed the far away gaze Olivia had on her face. She was looking at the screen, but not at her. Instead over her shoulder. Abby looked over her shoulder and realized Fitz was at the fridge behind her. Looking at her friend again, she snapped her fingers bringing live out of her haze. Abby called out to Fitz "Come say high to Liv." Fitz slowly turned around and made eye contact with the screen Abby had set up on the counter.
Walking over Fitz said "Hello, Olivia."
To which Olivia let out a breathy "Hello, Fitzgerald."
"Are you ready for your move? Harrison make it there okay? "
"Yep, he's here now. Would you like to give me a sneak peek at the work being done on my new home?"
"No can do. I'm under strict orders for this one poking Abby in the arm not to share anything with anyone."
The pout on Olivia's face was adorable. Then she stuck her tongue out at both of the Whelan siblings and each got a good laugh.
Fitz gazed at the screen again and before the silence got too awkward; Fitz cleared his throat and told Abby he was heading home. He had just stopped by to drop off some music to Stephen and he would see her tomorrow. Kissing his sister's temple, he gave Olivia a little wink that made her eyes go wide and a smirk to grace his face. "Good night Olivia, have a safe drive."
Olivia just smiled and said "Thanks" hoping not to arouse any suspicions. She knew Abby and the way she was looking back and forth between Olivia and Fitz she was not going to let whatever was going on in her head.
The minute the door closed Abby said, "What the hell was that, Olivia? When are you Olivia and him Fitzgerald?" You have always been Fitz and Liv. I want answers.
"I don't know what you are talking about? Both our birth certificates have those names on them. What are you talking about?" Olivia looked Abby straight in the eyes. They were now having a staring contest.
Abby was the first one to blink and Olivia released a breath she had been holding when Abby took a sip of her hot apple cider and moved on to another subject. While Abby was talking Olivia's mind was racing.
About 6 months ago, Fitz had to travel to Seattle to bid on a project for The Whelan group. While he was up there Abby asked him to have dinner with her. She had been worried about Olivia being alone after the loss of her grandmother. Well Fitz was there for four days and he spent two of those days hanging out with Olivia. On the second evening, he took her out to dinner. After dinner, they went to a jazz club to listen to some music. When he was dropping her off that evening as Fitz leaned over to brush a piece of hair that kept falling in her face behind her ear they kissed. To say the kiss was amazing was an understatement. To this day when she thought about it, her insides warmed. The thing was Olivia always had a crush on Fitz growing up. He was her best friend's older brother. Now she was not sure where things stood between them. That wink just now threw her for a loop. She resolved as long as he acted cool about things she would do the same. If he wanted her, he would have to pursue her.
Fitz went downstairs to his flat. He and Abby purchased the two flat building that was on the other side of their parent's home three years ago. The building needed extensive work. Abby and Stephen got married a year ago so now all three live in the building. When Fitz plopped down on the couch in his living room he thought about Olivia and that kiss. He said well this should be interesting. Maybe his 2018 will end with a little excitement. Placing some wood in the fireplace, he allowed his mind to wonder. Olivia was no longer little Livvie. She was a grown woman and ever since that kiss he could not get her out of his mind. The softness of her lips. The feel of her curls as he brushed them behind her ears. He had a problem. He had fallen for Olivia and now he had to make sure she felt the same. As he got ready for bed he called his mom to see if she wanted to meet him and Mrs. Pope tomorrow to see Olivia's new flat. Of course she did. She also reminded him that his brother, his wife and two kids were going to be home in three days. This time of year, everyone would come to town. Everyone had time off work and school during the holidays so they all got together. They would try to go up to Tahoe so the kids could see the snow, but this year they would be spending all their winter break in the city. Fitz had a plan to help his niece and nephew get over the fact they would not be going to the snow. He was going to show them winter in the city could be just as fun.
Against his better judgement, Fitz sent a two-emoji text to Olivia. A kiss and sleepy face hoping she understood what he was saying. She replied immediately with heart eyes emoji. Fitz went to bed with a smile on his face, as did Olivia. Both were nervous and excited for what this winter would bring.