Mellie woke up to find Fitz's place in the bed empty. She rolled onto her back and sighed. She knew she shouldn't have let him in last night, but she could never say no to him. He had a way of making her feel like she was the only one that existed. Mellie knew he was probably on his way to Olivia right now. Mellie ran her hands over her face and saw that it was only five thirty.
She got up, put her robe on, and went down the the kitchen.
Mellie turned on the coffee pot. She yawned and walked to the counter. She saw a piece of paper with Fitz's handing writing hurriedly scrawled onto the paper. Mellie smiled because it reminded her of when they were first married. He used to write her notes every morning before he left for work.
Mels,
Sorry I couldn't say goodbye. Life hasn't gotten any simpler since I left the White House, I'm afraid. Last night wasn't enough for me, Mels. Call me once you get up. We have some things to talk about.
I'm still yours,
Fitz
Mellie smiled to herself. She hoped he meant what he said. She couldn't take anymore heartbreak. She didn't have enough fight left in her to make it through another time. She called him, but he didn't answer. He must be in a meeting with the sitting president. She decided to go back to sleep for another hour before she had to get Teddy around for school.
Fitz finally got a break, so he pulled out his phone to call Mellie back. She answered the phone with a raspy and slurred voice.
"I'm sorry, Mel. I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay. I have to get Teddy around for school soon anyway."
"Can we have lunch today if you aren't busy?"
"Sure. I'll call you once I get Teddy to school."
"Okay. Bye, Mel."
"Bye, Fitz."
Mellie got around and woke Teddy up. He wasn't in the best mood, but Mellie had more patience than usual. She helped him eat and get dressed, and she eventually got him out the door and to school.
"Mommy, I don't want to go today. Can go back home with you?"
"No, sweetheart. You have to go to school. We're already in the school, honey. You can't go home now."
"Mommy, everyone really likes you. They won't care."
Mellie shook her head and laughed. Teddy thought kindergarten was so rough. She walked him to his class, kissed him goodbye and left. Mellie tried was one the phone with Fitz as Teddy's principle approached her.
"Mrs. Grant, hello!"
"Mr. Winslow, please call me Mellie."
"Mellie, I was wondering if..."
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Winslow, but I have to go!"
Mellie put the phone back up to her ear an couldn't help but laugh. She knew he was gong to ask her out. He'd been trying to do it since she first started dropping Teddy off at school. Fitz laughed as Mellie told him what had happened.
"You're quite a catch, Mel."
"He seems to be quite smitten with me. He acts like an awkward teenaged boy trying to ask a girl out for the first time."
"You just have that affect on men, my dear."
"So where do you want to meet for lunch?"
"I'll come pick you up. Don't worry about a thing."
"What should I wear?"
"Whatever you want. Just something casual."
"I need more than that, but I'll figure it out." Mellie hung up and went into her closest to decide what to wear. She had plenty of clothes, but she couldn't decide what was best for lunch with you almost ex husband.
Mellie decided on a red sundress with a white cardigan, and she went into the bathroom to touch up her curls and her makeup. She heard the front door open and knew it was Fitz. She heard him come upstairs and into the bedroom.
"Can you grab my purse out of the closet, please?"
"Of course."
"And a pair of white heals, please!"
"Yes ma'am!"
Fitz came into the bathroom and handed Mellie her heels. "So we're are we going?"
"Just get in the car and enjoy the ride."
"I don't like surprises, Fitz."
"I know, but you'll like this one. I promise. I asked Cy to pick Teddy up, and he's keeping him until we get back."
"How long are we going to be gone?"
"Long enough." Fitz grabbed her hand and led her out the door and to the car.