So this chapter was already in the works, but I just had to post it tonight after the episode that just aired. I have no words about the Olivia Pope we're seeing on screen now. So I think I'll let the following words of my own speak for me. Thanks again for all the favorites, follows, and reviews. It means the world to me when you tell me what you think, even if you disagree with me! Writing this is helping me work through the very complicated feelings I have about Olitz, and I'm glad I get the opportunity to share them with you. If you want some mood music for this chapter, I'm listening to "Lovesong" by Adele and the Candice Glover cover while I write. Happy Reading!
Chapter 3
It took about two and a half days before Olivia noticed she was hungry and suddenly attacked the refrigerator in the suite. She made herself a sandwich and ate some fruit, then drank half a bottle of wine and got back into bed. Her phone had been turned off, she couldn't stand it. Jake was calling. He kept calling. And Fitz kept on NOT calling. Finally, she just shut it off. Olivia glanced at the clock and realized the phone had been off for more than a day. Maybe Fitz had called. Maybe Abby hadn't had a chance to give him the number to the burner phone? Maybe she could rationalize anything when she was desperate.
As soon as the phone powered on it began to ring. Seeing Jake's number flash on the screen, she huffed in frustration and guilt, and answered.
"Hello, Jake."
"Hi."
She didn't respond, the phrase perhaps inconsequential to him, but she couldn't acknowledge it.
"Olivia, I heard. Why aren't you at the White House? Are you handling this? Is this the case you had to suddenly disappear for?"
"I'm not. This is not—no."
"Well then where are you?"
"I'm in a hotel. And I really can't talk."
"Great, I'll let you go. But before I do that, why don't you give me your hotel room number and I can come over later when things calm down?"
"I don't think that would be such a good idea," she sighed. She didn't want to have this conversation right now. "I just—I'm—I need a little time."
"Did you know he was going to do this?" Jake asked.
"No."
"And you haven't seen him?"
Olivia didn't answer.
"Olivia, we both know it won't take long for me to find out where you're staying. We need to talk about this."
"We don't need to talk about anything. He's getting a divorce, it doesn't change anything for you and me."
"Oh really? Is that why you're holed up in some hotel suite on the other side of town? Because it doesn't change anything?"
"My client-"
"We both know there's no client, Olivia. Let me come to you. Let me make this better."
She closed her eyes to the temptation, because if she were being honest, it would be easy to give in and let him take her mind off things. That was all he had ever done was be a distraction.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine, I have you." She tried to make her voice sound lighthearted. "I'll call you later this evening."
"You promise?"
"Promise." She ended the call and continued searching through the missed calls for the distinctive numbers from the White House. Finding none, she immediately silenced the phone and began pacing the room. She had Jake. Her father had command. What did Fitz have? His son was dead. Whew, a wave of nausea came over her every time she thought of it. The finality of the death of a child, the end of their potential, the end of their dreams and joy, the end of their life; but at least he had the White House? She hated herself even more for the thought.
Pressed by the desire to do something for him, to take care of him in some way, she turned on the television and powered up her laptop. She scoured the news and though she found numerous reports about the incredulity of the media at the announcement of the Grant divorce, the tide was already turning. The President had freed millions of Americans from the judgment of divorce. His own party splintering as those with core believes about marriage and family values shunned and sought to separate from their President. Others heralded his bravery and the strength of the First Lady, who had finally released a written statement, still unable to speak publicly.
Olivia listened in abject shock as Mellie's statement was read by one of the anchors. It mirrored Fitz's statement almost exactly, but spoke more about the children, the legacy she and Fitz sought to protect, the privacy they asked for, and their recommitted efforts to the offices they held. It sounded so generic and so unlike the rage she knew Mellie must be experiencing. What on earth had Fitz had to say or do to get her to agree to such a thing? Olivia couldn't imagine if she were Fitz's wife, no matter how bad things ever got between them, that there was anything he could say or do to make her let him go. Once again, her thoughts convicted her. She had done plenty to signal that she wanted to let him go. And he had finally, finally heard her.
She got up again and paced. Who was working on this for him? Who was handling this for the White House? She considered calling Cyrus but she didn't want to contribute to another heart attack. She didn't want to imagine what he was going through right now, watching everything he had worked for and manipulated for and sacrificed for blowing up in his face. Just then, her phone began vibrating in her hand. She looked down at the screen to see it was Abby.
"I guess I'm not fired yet," Abby said as soon as the line connected. "He's vetting people, but he hasn't found anyone he likes yet. Cyrus says I still have a chance if I play my cards right."
"You've got to stay there Abby, as long as you can, I need someone in the White House."
"I understand."
"Ok, what have you heard? Is Fitz—is the President, okay?"
"He's working, he's conducting meetings with Heads of State, he's trying to carry on business as usual, but he's struggling, Liv. People don't understand, no sitting President, no FORMER President has ever done this. It's all anyone wants to talk about. He's going to have to talk about it."
"He doesn't want to talk about it."
"No, he doesn't, but he's going to have to. So, I arranged for a sit-down with Kimberly Williams."
"When?"
"He goes live in ten minutes."
"Abby, you put him on the six o'clock news?!"
"He's going to do one interview, he's going to answer all the questions, and then there'll be no more said about it from the White House or the President."
"He agreed to this?"
"Yes. He wants it done. He wants it over, Liv."
"How could you not give me more time? I need to get down there; I need to be there for this."
"No you don't, Liv. In fact, he asked me not to tell you at all. If he finds out that I even gave you this warning-"
"Thank you, Abby," Olivia said and abruptly hung up. She was too angry with her friend to keep talking. She finished the bottle of wine, fluffed the pillows on the hotel bed, and grabbed her remote.
From where Fitz sat on the couch, he hoped to God that his practiced politician poses were saving him now. He was having an absolute out of body experience. He had promised Mellie he would go over anything he might say first, and there hadn't been time when he'd agreed to do this. He'd known there would be questions, interview requests, but he'd been stalwart in his resolve not to give any for a much longer period of time. But when he was supposed to be having a meeting about nuclear arms dealings and China and the representative asked him about his divorce, Fitz knew that not only would the American people not wait for more of an explanation, the whole world wanted to hear more from him.
Kimberly Williams came in and sat down a few feet away from him while make-up artists and stylists spent a few moments making her camera ready. Then they turned their attention to him for a little bit of powder which he tolerated for mere seconds before he cleared his throat and stated simply, "That's enough, thank you."
"Mr. President, I can't thank you enough for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to me. Is there any chance we can get the First Lady to-"
"No."
"I understand. We'll be going on the air live in a matter of seconds. Abby said we have permission to touch on the divorce-"
"Of course." What the hell did she think he was sitting here for?
Satisfied, Kimberly sat back in her chair and read over her notes again, before turning on the charm and facing the camera when the countdown began.
"Thank you for joining us, I'm Kimberly Williams, and this is Your Evening News, at Six O'clock. By now you've heard the news that sent shockwaves around the globe. The first sitting President in the history of this great nation is doing what millions of Americans before him have done. He's getting a divorce."
Fitz almost laughed out loud at the way her news-anchor voice said the words "DIVORCE". He tuned out the rest of her introduction but his ears perked up when she turned her pose slightly in his direction and he noticed the light above the camera pointed at him turn on and begin to flash.
"Mr. President, I'm going to begin with the question on everyone's minds. WHY are you getting a divorce and why are you doing it now while you're still in office?"
"I have my son to thank."
"You mean little Teddy? America's Baby?"
"No, my first son, Jerry. Losing him made me realize that life is too short to be unhappy."
Fitz noted Kimberly's look of absolute glee while the camera was not poised on her.
"Were you and the First Lady unhappy?"
"Not with our children, but in our marriage, yes, it's no secret that we struggled. We were very happy for a long time. We were partners in every sense of the word. But through no fault of anyone concerned, we grew apart. We faced a decision that many face—do we stay together for the greater good, or do we remain true to ourselves and our now divergent desires by freeing ourselves and giving ourselves the opportunity to be better, happier, more productive people? We decided on the latter. And the First Lady and I both want the same thing for the American People—to find their happiness."
"So you think every unhappy married American should go out and get a divorce?" Kimberly asked. "Many would consider that an incredibly unpopular and irresponsible opinion, sir."
"Yes, I suppose they would. I don't think divorce is the answer for every couple. But it was the answer for us. Mellie and I really worked on it for a long time. Years, in fact. We made this decision after we did everything else we could to solve it. We did it for the good of our family. Our children are well adjusted and this was not unexpected for them. We'll continue to co-parent, and I think everyone in our household is happier. She will always be a good friend and confidant," he lied, using the phrasing she had specifically asked for. "But," he added, "Our hearts lie elsewhere."
Kimberly's ears perked up. "Do you mean you and the First Lady are seeing other people?"
Fitz actually took an opportunity to laugh and release some of the tension in the room. "No, I don't mean that at all. I'm sure one day that will happen for the First Lady and he would be a very lucky man. I mean all the desires of our hearts are just on paths leading away from each other now. And that's okay. But there's no one waiting in the wings for me, despite what some of your colleagues might allege."
"Is the President ready to start dating?" Kimberly asked.
"No, Kimberly, I think I have enough on my plate just being Commander in Chief. I hope one day to find love, just like anyone, but I have the love of my family, my children, and I hope, of the American People. That's good enough for me."
When the interview was over Olivia sat shell-shocked on the bed. What the hell was happening? How could Abby have let him go on national television and say all that? Where the hell was Mellie?
The questions which led to blaming others were cold comfort for Olivia as she leaned back and looked up at the ornate ceiling of her hotel room.
She whispered out loud to the empty room, "What the hell have I done?"
A/N: Thanks to everyone who is still reading. In the next several chapters there is a LOT of Olivia and Fitz and they're going to say to each other some things that may be hard to read, so I'm just warning you now. Shiz is gonna get real. Words are gonna be said. Thank you, and goodnight!
