A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Reality
Fitz sipped on his coffee as he read over the notes that Cyrus left on his desk. He had twenty minutes left before his meeting that started at nine am. At times he hated meetings especially those that started first thing in the morning but this meeting was different. It was one of a series of meetings he have had for the past six months that focused solely on one issue: the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The only thing that made this meeting different from previous ones was that this was the last one he would have before his speech that night.
The purpose of these meetings was to create a time table for troop withdrawal. It was a promise that Fitz made to the American people during his presidential campaign and it was promise he planned to keep. It still angered him at times that his predecessor started two wars before leaving office and made little to no progress during his time. Fitz understood that wars weren't won over night but he no longer felt these wars were necessary. He was tired of the wars straining the economy which directly affected the American people. He was tired of watching the news and seeing images of the men and women who lost their lives. And just as important as his other reasons of wanting to end the wars, he was tired of knowing that families were left with eternal grief and pain because of the cowardly act of terrorists.
The meeting lasted for two hours and it was successful. He had a functional and effective plan that he believed most would be satisfied with. It may require a few minor changes along the way but Fitz didn't mind that. The rest of the day went on as it normally would. By five o'clock, he was meeting with one of his speech writers to add the finishing touches to his speech. After they were finished, Fitz was left alone in his office until it was time to give his speech. Fitz starred out of his office window as he slipped into his own little world.
Someone opened the door to the Oval Office and closed it shut. Fitz was so lost in thought he didn't realize someone came in until the person spoke.
"I wonder if my husband wants to spend a few minutes with me before his speech." Mellie said playfully. She stood at the door waiting for a response.
Fitz spun around in his chair and laid eyes on his wife. He was happy to see her. "You know I always have time for you." She was making her way to his desk and he got up to meet her half way. "How are you honey?" Fitz asked once he got to her.
"I'm fine," Mellie said.
"Good," Fitz said.
He lowered his head and gave her kiss. He then took her by hand, leading her over to the sofa he had in his office. When Fitz sat down at the end sofa he pulled her into his lap. She kicked off her heels before turning her body more towards Fitz.
He draped one arm across Mellie's lap while the other one rested on the arm of the sofa. "Are you comfortable?"
"Very comfortable," Mellie said with a smile. "How are you doing by the way?"
"I'm doing fine as well. Extremely happy with the way the withdrawal plan is turning out."
"That's great. I knew when you became President you were going to do everything in your power to end these wars. They've been going on long enough."
Fitz nodded. "I am a little worried though."
"Worried about what?"
"That the American people would think that I'm not ending these wars fast enough. In spite of having a plan in place I know they want a fast turnaround. And I'm not sure if they will think my plan is fast enough."
"Well Fitz, everything does take time. Especially when it comes to doing what's best for this country as a whole. Ending wars are not that simple. Besides, you are accomplishing a lot with this considering it's only your second year in office."
Fitz took a deep sigh. He ran his hand down his face and gave her a simple "I know" because he knew that he wife was right.
"Then stop beating yourself up, honey. You're doing a great job and you're making progress. When America hears your speech tonight they are not going to hear a President making an excuse to drag on the wars. They are going to hear a President that is trying to keep his promise to do right by the people that elected him." Mellie was hoping that he understood what she was saying. She hated when he tried to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. At times he did it when he was Governor but she noticed he seem to do it a lot more since becoming President.
Fitz smiled at her. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Just remember you can't save the world in one day."
Fitz let out a small laugh. "That's impossible to do but I wish I could sometimes."
"I know, Fitz. That's what makes you a great man and a wonderful President." Mellie then gave him a kiss on the forehead.
"How are Gerry and Karen?"
"Right now they are doing some last bit of homework but they're doing going. They're still trying to figure out what they want to do when school lets out for the summer. And you know they didn't hesitate to mention that they can't wait to go out to the ranch in California," Mellie said.
"Like always," Fitz said with a nodded.
Mellie nodded in agreement. She placed her elbow on the back of the sofa and began to play Fitz hair with her finger tips.
He leaned his head back on the sofa, closed his eyes, and rubbed Mellie's back. He knew he didn't have long before his speech but he just wanted a moment to relax. Having a calm and peaceful moment was hard to come by as President so when those moments arrived, no matter how small, he wanted to take advantage of it.
"You know I've been thinking about something," Fitz said. He still had his eyes closed.
"You have?" Mellie asked. She was hoping he wasn't going to bring up what they've been arguing about on and off lately.
"Yep. It's about us."
"What about us?"
Fitz opened his eyes before lifting his head from the back of the sofa. He wrapped his arms around Mellie's waist and then answered her.
"I was thinking that we should take a weekend trip to Camp David. It's been a while since we've been there. We can use a little get away."
"I would love that, Mellie said.
Fitx smiled. "Good. So that means I get a kiss for coming up with a great idea, right?" Fitz asked playfully.
"Of course you do," Mellie said with a smile. She slightly tilted her head before pressing her lips to Fitz's one.
They shared a long simple kiss then Mellie felt Fitz's arms tighten around her. She slipped her tongue into his mouth and kissed him deeply. He slipped his hand into her hair and matched the deepness of her kiss. Mellie began to moan lightly until she heard something.
That something was the sound of Cyrus clearing his throat.
Mellie pulled back from Fitz and looked over her shoulder at Cyrus.
"Hi Cyrus." Mellie said somewhat shyly.
"Evening First Lady. Mr. President it's nice to know that you and the First Lady are enjoying each other's company but we should be going." Cyrus tapped the face of his watch to drive his point home.
"Right," Fitz said.
Mellie turned back to Fitz and they smiled at each other.
"We can finish this later," Fitz said.
"Deal." She gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Mellie wiped off the lipstick that was on Fitz's bottom lip with her thumb. Then she shifted so she could place her feet back onto the floor and stood up. She slipped her shoes back on while Fitz went to grab his jacket from the back of his chair.
He put his suit jacket back on and straightened out his tie. He told Mellie that he would see her later and he and Cyrus left the office. A few minutes later, Fitz arrived to where he was set to give his speech. He gave himself a few seconds to collect his thoughts and began his speech.
"Good evening. War has always been an inevitable event that has been part of mankind since the beginning of time. We have been taught that war, in simple terms, is conflict between two opposing forces. Where one force decides to do harm at all cost and the other force fights to keep that from happening. Unfortunately, on September 11, 2001 our country would see the beginning of war when a group of Al Qaeda terrorists chose to attack us on our homeland. That day thousands of lives were innocently taken, hundreds were willing giving to save the lives of others, and millions were left grieving. As a country, we grieved and consoled one another that day and continue to do the same today."
"That horrific day would lead us to a crossroad that became a crucial point in our history. We were faced with two simple choices. Either choose defeat and hope for the best in the future or choose to defend our country by fighting back. The choice was a given. We chose to fight back. We chose to hold Osama Bin Laden accountable for his actions. And we chose not to stop until he was brought to justice."
"But just like any other war, we have and continue to deal with realities that come with it. War affects a country economically and publically while it affects individuals physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether these individuals are on the battlefield, working behind the scenes, or love ones who support our men and women in uniform. But as a country, we know that it is time to put an end to this senseless suffering. Our main goal for going to war has been accomplished which means that there are new steps that need to be taking. These steps will move our country forward. So tonight, I can proudly say that I'm going to keep my promise I made to you almost three years ago. A promise to bring these wars to an end and bring our love ones home."
"Within in the three years the Iraq and Afghanistan war will be over. Troop withdrawal from Iraq will begin by the fall of this year and it will be completed by the summer of 2011. As for troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, it will begin on January 1st of 2012 and will be completed by the January 1st, 2013. I'm aware that this transition seems like a long time but it is necessary in maintaining the safety of this country. As your President I ask for your time and patience so I, along with many others, can finally bring all of our men and women back home. God bless you and God bless these United States of America."
Fitz walked back into the room after taking a shower and putting on his boxers and a pair of Navy shorts.
"That was a great speech you gave tonight," Mellie said. She watched Fitz moved around the room, doing a few things before he got in bed.
"Thanks" Fitz said.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just tired." Fitz slid into bed and moved towards the middle of it.
"Are you sure?" Mellie asked as Fitz turned on his side to face.
"Yes," Fitz said with a half smile. He stretched his arm out and she curled up next to him. He watched as she closed her eyes and tried his best to relax himself but he couldn't. Fitz wasn't being completely honest with Mellie. It was true that he was tired but there was something that was bothering him. He had every intention to forget about what he always had on his mind lately, at least for tonight, but he couldn't.
"Mellie?"
"Yes Fitz?"
"We should really try to have another child."
"Fitz," Mellie said with slight irritation. She opened her eyes and saw Fitz looking at her waiting for a real response.
"I don't want to talk about this tonight."
"Why not? You've never really given me a straight answer about this," Fitz said. He pulled away from her and sat up in the bed. Mellie did the same.
"I just don't think we should have any more children. We have Gerry and Kerry, that's more than enough."
"But I thought you wanted to have any child? Especially after how heartbroken you were over the miscarriage."
"You're right, I did. I'm still heartbroken because the miscarriage was hard to go through and I never thought I would experience that. But as time went on I've come to terms with it. Realizing that I still had Gerry and Karen allowed me to have some peace about it."
"Is that the only reason you don't want to have another child?"
"Fitz, what are you talking about?"
Fitz took a deep sigh. He didn't want to draw conclusions but he felt like there was something Mellie wasn't telling him. "I'm asking are you afraid to get pregnant because you think you may have another miscarriage or is there another reason?"
"There may be," Mellie said. She knew that Fitz was shock because she was shock at herself. She was trying her best not to tell Fitz the truth but instead she was ready to be honest with him.
"Then what is it?"
"I don't want to have any more children."
Fitz looked at Mellie with pain in his eyes but didn't know what to say. It never occurred to him that she wouldn't want another child. He knew he shouldn't be upset because they did have two children already but he was. Instead of arguing with her he mumbled something and turned off the lamp.
"What did you say?"
He didn't look at her but did respond. "I said I guess you being heartbroken about the miscarriage is nothing but bullshit." With that, he laid back down and turned his back to her.
"Fitz, I'm sorry."
"Good night, Mellie."
A/N: Okay, that wasn't the greatest speech in the world but it got my point across, hopefully. Anyway thanks for the reviews, favorites, and follows even though the first chapter was incredibly sad. Still can't believe I did it considering I hate to see Liv hurting but it was needed for the story. As for this chapter, it was interesting to write because Mellie actually is not as bad as she is on the show. I know it was hard to stomach the Mellie/Fitz affection but you survived so congrats lol. Just keep in mind Olitz is endgame. Until next time, let me know what you think.
