A/N Hello Olitzers, Gladiators! :) I wanted to approach Olitz in a more dramatic manner than in my first fanfic -"Wild Cat". I hope that you'll find it interesting as I do. Rating of this story will eventually change to M (you are warned!;)

Chapter 1

Christmas Eve at the Grant family mansion on Block Island was always an event to be at. Four-story mansion was big enough to welcome all Grant family members scattered across the States during a year. People were mingling in the big salon drinking champagne, children running around massive Christmas tree, but the host of the evening was outside on the balcony, quietly looking out at the beach.

It was snowing lightly, but Fitzgerald Grant III didn't mind. He didn't let himself be affected by such meaningless things as snow, as well as anything or anyone else for that matter. It will be four years, day before New Years eve...Four desperate years of self-loathing, going through the motions, guilt, loneliness and heartache.

And borderline alcoholism! He reminded himself taking another sip of scotch before putting his glass on the table. Champagne was never his thing. Not after his wedding seven years ago to be exact. SHE use to love it. SHE used to love this mansion too. Fitz was more than ready to give it away to the Block Island Conservation Society after the New Year, like his father demanded in his will. He missed that silly old man and his golden heart as much as mom who passed away ten years ago. It seemed everyone he ever loved was leaving him.

Waves of the Atlantic Ocean were crashing down on the rocks nearby and Fitz closed his eyes breathing in the fresh air. He was 50 years old and despite his excellent health and amazing physic, he felt old, like he lived two separate lives, one before and one after HER.

"Honey! What are you doing out there?!" he heard a high-pitched voice behind him that brought him back to reality in no time.

"You'll freeze to death!" a pail, tall woman wrapped her arms around his waist and he couldn't help but cringe, feeling her so close.

Mellie Trusk was a pretty woman of 45 years and they have been dating on and off for about two years now, even though she's been his friend since elementary school. Trusks and Grants were family friends

for decades. They were two of the richest and most famous families in Rhode Island.

Fitz pulled away from Mellie, dredging the thought of having to speak to her at all.

"I won't freeze, Mellie. I just needed some air."

"How rude is your brother not to come home for Christmas?!" she took his hand pulling him towards the salon, and Fitz rolled his eyes.

"We know Seth is nothing if not rude and carefree! He sent me a postcard from Capri island, can't you imagine?"

Mellie laughed, sounding like a squirrel, which Fitz hated the most.

"Capri?! I thought that boy was in Milan for his exhibition?"

"Yeah, I thought so too." Fitz shrugged his shoulders walking to the fireplace that warmed the room nicely.

"He was in Milan seven days ago, but he decided to take a vacation while he's there and Capri was forever on his playboy check list."

He couldn't believe his little brother. How did Seth Grant had the patience to travel the world and date so many women was beyond him. There were often two or three women at the same time. Fitz was bored to death with one and tried to escape her romantic ideas as much as he could. Set was 40 and a well known photographer in the States. He lived with Fitz most of the time, except when he wanted to entertain his lady friends, then he usually went to his apartment in New York.

"Honey..." Mellie touched Fitz's hand. "I know this time of year is extremely difficult for you, but can we look a bit further to the future? You getting out from this house and starting your own architectural bureau in New York is a giant leap!"

"I know it is." Fitz sounded tired. Mellie was twisting his arm about moving in together in New York, but he didn't have the will nor the patience for that. He was focused on getting his job done. He respected her and her companionship, but pretending for it to be a serious relationship wasn't good.

"OK, you Grant people and our guests, can I have your attention please!"

Fitz's aunt, Angela Grant was ready to make a toast. About twenty people in the salon focused on the smiling blond woman in her 60ies. She came to the mansion a year ago to take care of her sick brother Big Jerry and stayed after his death in the summer. Fitz and Seth were happy to have her around the house and she was glad to cook for her favorite nephews.

"I know this year has brought us, as a family some serious heartache and pain.." she started off looking at Fitz who bowed down his head. "And many years before this one...But, that's life for you, people. It's not always roses and sunshine and in these painful times I hope we'll learn to treat each other with more love and respect than before..."

"Blah, blah, blah! Pain, death, tears...Oh, you are a sorry ass bunch, aren't you?!"

Everyone looked at the "intruder" behind Angela's back and Angela screamed with joy.

"SETH?! You crazy boy!" she hugged him closely "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!"

Fitz was more interested in the person standing behind Seth's back. He moved away from Mellie to get a better view and was met with a pair of sparkling dove-like brown eyes. A young woman was looking at him, gripping tightly the ends of her white coat. Her hair was black and probably pressed before it had contact with snowflakes outside. One curl was forming on her forehead and Fitz found himself wanting to touch it desperately. Mellie gripped his hand and he stepped back, not being able to turn his gaze away from the mocha skin beauty.

"And who is this heavenly creature?!" asked Angela, after she hugged Seth and became aware of a person who came in.

Seth pulled the woman closer to him, hugging her around her waist.

"Another bimbo!" Mellie whispered to Fitz and he let go of her hand in disgust.

"Family, friends..." Seth was being dramatic as ever. "Meet Olivia Pope, my wife!"

"Your WHAT?!" Fitz was in front of him in a second, clenching his fists, while the room was filled up with gasps and surprised reactions. Mellie dropped down her champagne glass, completely outraged.

"Babe, meet Fitzgerald, my grumpy pants big brother." said Seth, winking at Fitz.

"Knock it off, Seth." she smiled for the first time trying to overcome the awkwardness of situation. She

held out her hand to Fitz and nodded. "Nice to finally meet you, Fitzgerald. I'm Olivia."

"Hi Olivia." he shook her hand disinterestedly. "Could you excuse me and my brother for a few minutes?"

She nodded moving out of their way and aunt Angela hugged her.

What kind of crazy family is this?! she thought, while people were approaching her to meet her and congratulate on her marriage. Mellie was the only one pouting on the couch and feeling jealous of all the attention towards Olivia.

Situation in the Grant family kitchen was different, a lot more hostile. Fitz was almost spitting fire balls at Seth who calmly fixed an espresso.

"You want one, bro? Sure looks like you need one." Seth laughed at Fitz who paced back and forth in the kitchen.

"Is this some kind of a holiday prank? Cos I could live with that, Seth! I'm not a particularly funny man, but I could actually forgive you for the bullshit you pulled on us tonight."

"Is this a wedding ring on my wedding ring finger, Fitzgerald?" Seth flashed the ring in front of Fitz's face. "Liv and I are really married! I thought you'd be thrilled?!"

"Me?!" Fitz stopped walking. "What does that have to do with me?"

Seth crossed his arms and sipped on his coffee.

"You can relax now, bro. I'm married, we don't have to move out of this house anymore! I know we both thought dad has gone kookoobananas when he specified that one of us must get married before New Year's or the mansion will belong to the Conservation Society...Now I actually think it was a brilliant idea."

Seth put down his coffee mug and Fitz lost it. He grabbed his brother by the collar of his shirt and slammed him against the kitchen door.

"Listen, you IDIOT!" he fumed "I don't know where did you find this newest fling of yours, but I'm not letting you or her spend a single night in this house!"

"It's not just yours, Fitz!" Seth pushed him away and Fitz ended up braking some dishes from the counter-top in the way.

"And don't you EVER call Liv 'a fling'! She's MY WIFE! I love her!"

"How could you love her, idiot?! How long have you known her?! Five days, seven days?!" Fitz was yelling loud, but no one could hear them because of the music in the salon.

"We've met last year at an exhibition in London. She's a photographer too. We've connected instantly, but she refused to go out with me, because of my reputation..."

"Smart girl." Fitz rolled his eyes and Seth smiled.

"She really is! We've been in contact on the phone from time to time, but when I realized we had a joined exhibition in Milan, I knew I had to act now or never."

"Now or never IS your middle name!" Fitz was leaning on the fridge. He had to admit that he never saw Seth mesmerized like this. His brother was actually blushing while speaking about a girl. Fitz was that man once...

"She almost fainted when she discovered that we were on the same program there. I asked her to go out with me. We enjoyed so much that we decided to go to Capri to our mutual friend, fellow photographer Cyrus. He was her teacher. We spent the most amazing few days on that magical island and on the night before her trip back home, I proposed and strangely enough, she said yes!"

Fitz was getting angrier by the second listening to Seth's story. He had no clue what came over him. Deep down he knew he should be happy that Seth decided to grow up and settle.

"This is insane! You don't know that woman at all! She could be a gold digger..."

"I AM NOT!"

Olivia was in his face out of nowhere. Her eyes were moist like she cried. She must've heard the whole argument! Fitz was breathing heavy while this petite woman was in his space. This is the most unpleasant man I've ever met! His eyes were stormy gray and she just couldn't stop looking into them. Her breasts were going up and down fast, to the point where she touched his firm chest. He almost jumped away from her, feeling the electric shock sensation when they've touched. She bit her bottom lip not willing to step back and Seth pulled her into his arms.

"Liv, stop scaring poor Fitzgerald!"

Fitz licked his lips trying to wash away this strange feeling that started in his stomach.

"Seth, I'm tired. Can we go to your room, please?" Fitz heard her angelic voice and felt a twitch in his stomach again. What the hell is happening to me?!

"Of course, baby!" Seth grabbed her hand and pushed her to the door. Then he stopped remembering something.

"And when we wake up, this dear creature of my big brother will make us some coffee and thank us for keeping his ass at home! Nighty night, Fitzy!"

They were gone and Fitz heard them giggle in the hallway. He was unable to move. He didn't know what was happening to him and he felt a sudden wave of anger. He would convince Seth that he made a mistake. He didn't want to stay at this house anymore, especially with that Devil's woman under the same roof.

This is going to be a long night...he sighed.

A/N What do you think, Olitzers? What happened to Fitz and he became so bitter? How will Fitz handle this situation? Please review and tell me how much you love it or hate it. XO