After someone had asked for an update, I decided to work on this story. One of the pitfalls of fan fiction writing, is that when you are trying to get inspiration, another idea pops up. Then you have a new story to add to the ones you are working on. Since we are about 50 days away, I am sitting on a Sunday night watching summer "Scandal" . Hope you enjoy my update.
Olivia was enjoying her break from the frigid Washington weather. Every day, the temperature was averaging in the seventies in Santa Barbara. Walks on the beach and great food was part of the prescription for the pregnant First Lady. Fitz still had to run the country, but if the truth was known, he was enjoying his break as well.
"The weather is great." Fitz smiled as he walked out onto the patio. He was nursing a glass of ice cold orange juice as he shielded his eyes from the sun. He had another idea in mind as he surveyed the sky. Olivia was more interested in her plate of eggs and sausage. Baby Grant was making her ravenous. There was so much do here in California, but it would have to wait. Olivia went to pet the horses, but she couldn't ride because of her condition. There was also snorkeling , but the scuba would have to wait as well. Fitz had talked with Rosa, and she packed a lovely picnic lunch. He had a special way that they could have a memorable day and it be an adventure.
Wiping her mouth with the silk napkin, she got up and then through her arms around her husband. He looked like a model no matter what he wore. Today he embraced the casual by wearing khakis with a navy blue LaCoste shirt and Gucci loafers. The jacket was clearly his with its Presidential logo on it. The Pacific winds blew his brown curls around and the sun beat down on his tanned face. The blue grey eyes were shielded by a pair of Boss aviator glasses. Olivia still couldn't believe that this man was hers.
"What's up for today?" she smiled as she put her head on his shoulder.
"When the car comes around, we will be leaving." He said nonchalantly. At that moment, a black BMW pulled up and Tom came from the back seat. Fitz nonchalantly handed the basket to Tom and then he put it in the trunk. Slipping his arm around Olivia's waist, he led her to the car .
"You're being very secretive ." she whispered.
"Do you trust me?" Fitz asked.
Olivia knew that she could. She could only say Yes to him. But Fitz had his own plans. The car rolled toward an old barn that was located on the Grant ranch. Olivia had not seen this part of the property and was excited to see what fun activity that Fitz had for today. She noticed that there was a small airstrip next to the barn. At this point , the car stopped and Tom hopped out of the car. There was a small plane that was next to the barn.
But what caught Olivia's attention was when a man opened the doors of the large barn. It turned out it wasn't a barn at all, it was an airplane hangar. In the hangar was a rather large plane. It was smaller than a jet, but bigger than a regular plane.
"Well, let's go." Fitz said as he led Olivia from the car. He walked over to the plane and looked it over. It had been ages since he had gone up and was itching to get behind the wheel. A smile came to his face. Olivia was still puzzled.
"Are we waiting for the pilot?" she asked curiously.
Fitz curled his lips in that cute way and then put his hands in his pants pockets. "Nope." He said matter of factly.
"Well , you surely didnd 't bring me all the way out here to just look at this old plane." Olivia said.
"The pilot is already here." Fitz assured her. "You seem to forget that I was a Navy pilot."
It all came together in her head. Olivia had asked him about his Navy days. Yes, there was somethings that he couldn't tell her , but he did have some great Navy stories between him and Jake. Olivia was in for a treat because she was going to be flown by the President himself.
The basket had already been put in the plane. Fitz had taken in a map and was reading it. Olivia walked over and looked at the plane. It was a bright blue and seemed sturdy enough. She ran her fingers along the side of the plane . Bent over a bench, he studied the paper and then folded it.
"Okay, I think I know where we are going now." He said confidently
"Fitz, how long has it been since you've flown?" she asked with trepidation.
"It's been a while, but once you get in the pilot seat , it all comes back." Fitz smiled. He opened up the door and then helped Olivia in. Tom had stationed himself on a small plane designed to follow the President's . Olivia saw the headphones on the seat and then put them on her head. She pulled the Prada sunglasses from her bag and put them on. Fitz situated himself in the pilot seat and did a mental check of all the equipment. "Obviously, we will be flying under the radar, but I have found a little island out in the channel. I thought it would be a nice place to have a picnic and you would finally get to see me in my element. " He turned on the radio and began to get permission to take off.
"Niner, niner, this is Eagle One. Permission to take off." Fitz said into the radio. He could hear the air traffic controller echo back. "Permission granted, eagle one." He turned the key and then pulled the stick as the plane rolled down the runway. Olivia braced herself because she honestly didn't know what his driving would be like.
"I know that you were in the Navy and a pilot, but I hope you know that if you do any of those fancy twirls , I will throw up." Olivia said this as the speed increased and the plane taxid down the runway.
"I have ridden with the Blue Angels, but no hon, no fancy stuff. Just a pleasant little jaunt in my plane." Fitz continued as the plane slowly went up into the air. He had an intense look on his face. "Sit back and enjoy the ride." She rested her hand on her stomach and braced herself.
Cyrus was overwhelmed with paper work. He just scanned the papers with his glasses on the bridge of his nose. Abby came into the door and then put down another pile.
"More work I see." Cyrus groaned. "But I love it." He grinned.
"Have you really always wanted this?" Abby asked.
"That's why I was in the closet for about forty years. I thought I could handle it. I began as a comptroller and married my wife Janet. It wasn't so bad. " Cyrus explained. "I have gotten almost everything I wanted, except the Oval. This is the closest I will ever get to it. Luckily, I have a friend like Fitz who is allowing me to be his VP after Andrew left."
"I thought I would see my honey and join him for lunch." James smiled as he entered the door. He leaned down to kiss Cyrus.
"Where are the kids?" Cyrus asked as he looked around.
"They are with Marta. Karen is at her friends house, along with her detail." James said. "I just wanted us to have some alone time." James cooed. "After the 20th, I know you won't have any time." James was beating around the bush, but he knew what he wanted. He was trying to ask about wanting to return to his post as White House Press Secretary. It was the post he had when he supposedly was killed. He knew that he would have to make his move soon.
"I'll see myself out." Abby smiled as she closed the door.
Cyrus got up from the desk and then put his coat on. James was just putting off the inevitable. Cyrus knew that something was up.
"Well, are you coming dear, or not?" Cyrus asked.
"Coming dear." James replied. He licked his lips. He would get around to it soon.
Olivia couldn't believe how beautiful it all was. She looked down and saw the blue Pacific. It was all so peaceful and tranquil. She could see the look of contentment on his face as he maneuvered the plane. He was calm and not troubled. His large hands rested on the wheel.
"Enjoying the view?" Fitz turned to the side where Olivia was sitting.
"Breathtaking." She said . "You look happy."
"Flying always gave me freedom. If I could fly, it meant that I didn't have to listen to my father. It let me have the wings and the control I wanted. I was one hell of a pilot. I had one of the best records in my unit, maybe the whole Navy. If I wouldn't have gone into politics, I would have become career. Who knows where I might have been. I could have been an admiral by now. "
"Instead you chose the glamorous life of politics." Olivia smiled.
"And then I would have never met you." He said as his lips brushed her cheek. He looked down .
"There it is." Fitz exclaimed. Olivia saw the island that was below. He pulled the stick and then the plane began to taper off as it came closer to the ground. The trees came into view as the plane went down and touched on the grass. Olivia felt the bump as the plane landed. The wheels skidded to a halt.
"Smooth three point landing, I haven't lost my touch." Fitz smiled.
"Is there anything you can't do?" Olivia exclaimed.
"I do have my specialties, and you know what those are." He took his hand and ran it through her hair.
Cyrus led James through the White House cafeteria. Both of them were carrying trays. James thought it would be the perfect time for his question. "Cy, I think I am ready to return to my job now." James replied.
"I'm sure The Post would be glad to have you." Cyrus smiled.
"No I mean , I want to be White House Press Secretary again. No, scratch that, I want to be Director of Communications." Cyrus stopped dead in his tracks. He hadn't counted on this at all.
