Chapter 4: Control
"Ok, tell me again why we are doing this?"
"Because I don't have anything to wear." Olivia answered as she browsed through dresses with Abby.
She ended up having a wonderful night with Abby and Harrison. It was relaxing yet full of laughter. When she got up the next morning it hit her that there's something she needed to do.
I must get a dress for homecoming. I want to go there looking nice. Not for anyone special of course. It's simply wanting to wear something new for a fun occasion.
She almost had herself convinced of that.
Not wanting to go shopping by herself she decided to call Abby.
"Hello Abby?"
"Hey Olivia! Did you have fun last night? You seemed to be having fun. I hope you had fun."
"I had a great time last night," Olivia reassured her, "thanks for letting me join you and Harrison."
"No problem. Is there something you need?" Abby asked.
"I was, um, wondering if you wanted to go dress shopping with me?" Suddenly Olivia felt like it might be a dumb idea.
"Sure. What are you dress shopping for? Do you have a special date? Uh oh who's the lucky guy? Do I know him? If not you're going to have to tell me all about him!"
"No," Olivia laughed, "I just need something to wear to the homecoming dance on Friday."
"You want to dress shop for homecoming? Why?" Abby asked with confusion in her voice.
"I just thought it would be fun. You don't have to but I'd thought I'd ask."
"Ok. Let's do it! Where do you want to meet?"
"That one seems fine Olivia."
"I want something more than fine." Olivia could feel herself getting frustrated at not having found the right dress.
Abby furrowed her eyebrows. "It's just a high school dance. Who are you trying to impress?"
"No one." Olivia quickly replied. She watched as Abby held up a dress to herself then shook her head and picked out another one. Olivia smiled.
"Who are you trying to impress?"
Abby shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not shopping for a dress for homecoming I'm just looking for something new to wear for a date tonight."
"A date with you?"
"I already told you about him." Olivia looked at her with confusion. "Leo Bergen."
"Huh? I know I had a couple drinks but I could've sworn you described him as a disgusting barely human being who made his living getting criminals off and completely destroying the justice system. In fact when talking about him I'm pretty sure you used the word disgusting about five times."
"Yeah, but he's great in bed." Abby said with a laugh then got serious. "You remember when I said there's just some people you have that connection with. Well he's one of those people. There's just something between the two of us that I can't explain. He's like an irritating pimple that I can't get rid off."
"You're are too much Abby. I'm glad you came shopping with me."
"Yes, back to the shopping. Who are you trying to impress?" Abby asked again.
Olivia grabbed a dress off the rack. "I think I'll try this one." She said before rushing off to a dressing room.
It took her awhile but Olivia believed she finally found the perfect dress.
"What do you think about this one?" She asked Abby.
"Oh, I love it! It's just right. Simple and beautiful. It's fits you perfectly."
Olivia turned around to look at herself in the big mirror outside the dressing room. She adored the dress.
This is amazing! Coral is not one of my favorite colors but this pastel version looks great! I love the cap sleeves and how the dress is fitted at the top and then flares out just above my knees.
"I love that it's belted too!" Abby added.
"Me too! It's thin so it's not overpowering the dress and I love the gold color. I just love the whole thing! This is definitely the one! I just need some gold high heels and I'm set."
Olivia observed herself one more time in the mirror.
He's going to love this. I just know it.
Olivia ended up spending most of the day hanging out with Abby before she had to leave to get ready for her date.
"I can't believe you didn't pick out a dress." Olivia told her as they reached their cars.
"Why spend all that money on a new dress when Leo's just going to rip it off." Abby told her with a wink. "Call me tomorrow Ok?"
"Ok. I'll talk to you then. Bye Abby and thanks again." Olivia said before they got in their cars to leave.
Olivia had a wonderful Saturday night of watching old movies, eating popcorn, and drinking wine. Sunday was a different story. She tried to distract herself all day. She had a long chat with Abby who gave her nothing but words of encouragement but by nightfall Olivia was nothing but a bundle of nerves. Olivia looked at the clock. 10:05.
I have to get out of here. I need some fresh air. A long walk might help me to relax. The park a few blocks near the river would be a great place to walk to and simply try to chill out.
Olivia changed out of her PJ's and headed out the door. It was a beautiful cool night with the moon seeming as if it were just within reach. When Olivia reached the park she decided to find a quiet bench to rest on. After walking off the main park path Olivia found the perfect spot.
This is beautiful. She thought as she rested on the bench under the willow tree. She took the time to close her eyes and just breath in the cool air.
"Fitz did you get Jerry to sleep?" Mellie asked as Fitz walked out of his son's room.
"Yes, it only took a couple stories. In fact by the middle of the second one he was out."
"Well you have more patience than I do. I swear that child drives me nuts on purpose."
"That's because it's so easy to do." Fitz said with a laugh.
Mellie grabbed herself a drink. "Right because you're the perfect parent. Made to be a father."
"Pretty much. If you put more effort into spending time with Jerry you would understand him better. You should join Jerry and I at the football game this Saturday."
I highly doubt she will but it's a nice jester to offer. If she does go she'll probably drive me nuts but she really does need to spend more time with Jerry.
Mellie gave a sarcastic laugh. "You know I hate sports. Anyways I doubt you sincerely want me to go but I might surprise you and do so."
"Sure Mellie. Hey, I'm going out for my walk. If…"
"I know call you if anything happens. Fitz it's the same thing every week. Maybe if you didn't talk to me like I'm an incapable teenager Jerry would have more respect for me."
Well, maybe if you didn't act like one…we'd all have a little more respect for you.
"Bye Mellie." Fitz said as he closed the door. Every Sunday night after he put his son to bed because Mellie always failed to do so, he went for a walk to the park to relax.
Time to get ready for another week. Though this week is going to be vastly different. I've never been nervous to go to work before. I've had no reason to but now that's changed. Once I get to my spot I need to think up some kind of game plan for tomorrow. Go over different scenarios of what to do when I see Olivia. Preparation is the key. It will be the key for every time I know I'm going to see her.
Fitz was already attempting to do so when he noticed a person sitting in his spot.
What the hell? No one is ever in my spot. That's why it's my perfect place to think.
He was about to turn around when out of curiosity he decided to see who the person was.
If it's someone I've seen before around the park maybe I can kindly ask them to leave.
He stopped in his tracks when he came around the bench.
"Shit!" Fitz said not realizing he had said it out loud.
As soon as he said it her eyes popped wide open.
"Principal Grant?" She asked. He could hear the mixture of confusion and astonishment in her voice.
"Um, Hi Olivia. How…How…How are you?"
Oh well that's embarrassing. I don't know whether to run or see if she minds me staying unless she decides to leave. That would be somewhat of a relief but mainly disappointing.
Olivia had been somewhat leaning back on the bench but now she sat completely upright.
I can't believe this. She thought as he asked how she was.
I'm freaking out is how I am. Actually caught up between being freaked out and pleasantly surprised.
"I'm doing alright. Just thought I get some fresh air before the big day."
Partly true.
Olivia decided to take a chance and asked, "Do you want to join me?"
Fitz couldn't believe what she had said. "Excuse me?"
Olivia smiled. "Do you want to join me?"
"Sure." He replied trying to sound calm.
"So, what are you doing out here?"
"I take a walk here every Sunday night. It helps me to clear my head and prepare for the week. Basically you're in my spot." He told her.
"Well Principal Grant now it's my spot. Unless you want to share…"
Fitz pretended to think it over. "I'd be willing to share if you're willing to pay $100 per visit."
Olivia laughed.
Oh how I love that laugh…
"In that case Principal you can have it. I'm sure I can find another one."
"Not as good as this one." Fitz said as he casually put his left arm across the back of the bench.
Olivia felt like she was in control until he placed his arm on the bench behind her. Instinctively she almost slid in closer to him but caught herself.
It seems like the natural thing to do. To get a closer…
Fitz watched her carefully he could feel that he had put her on edge. He couldn't help but want to do more. He moved a little bit closer to her.
I feel like there's heat radiating off of her body or is that me? I'm tempted to take this a little further but that would spell doom for me.
Olivia felt as if she was going to have a panic attack. She tried desperately to get her breathing back to normal.
What do I do? He's so close. Ever so tempting. I need to get back in control.
Olivia moved slightly away from him and managed to look him in the eyes.
"You know Principal Grant I don't think you want me to find another spot. I think you'll share this one with me for free."
He gave her that charming yet mischievous smile.
"What makes you say that?"
Olivia smiled right back at him. "Because Principal I have something you want." With that she stood up and started to walk away. She stopped when she heard him say.
"You know Ms. Pope…you can call me Fitz."
"Of course I can. Bye Principal Grant." She said without glancing back.
I'm not going to get any sleep tonight. She thought as she walked away. I might've pushed the envelope just a little to far…but I had fun doing it.
Fitz sat there stunned and completely turned on.
I thought I had everything in control. Damnit! I guess this means another night in the guest room…