Disclaimer: I don't own Scandal because if I did we wouldn't have to wait until September to get a new episode.
AN: I know I say this with every update but I just love all of the comments and reading your thoughts on the story. Please, tell me what you think. It motivates and gives me new ideas. This chapter is the longest yet. Also the next few chapters will be somewhat heartbreaking so be forewarned. Now onto the story...
Chapter 4: The Trouble With Love Is…
The trouble with love, yeah
It can tear you up inside
Make your heart believe a lie
It's stronger than your pride
The trouble with love is
It's in your heart
It's in your soul (doesn't care how fast you fall)
You won't get no control
(and you can't refuse the call)
See, you got no say at all
Kelly Clarkson : The Trouble With LoveIs…
In the weeks following Olivia's phone call, Fitz found it easier to sleep. He was up to five straight hours, which was a vast improvement. Knowing Olivia missed him, that she still loved him, that a part of her needed him was enough for him. It made him feel a little less lonely. It gave him hope, and he felt the best he had in months.
More importantly, he was thrilled about what the night would bring. The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner was that evening; it was his chance to get Olivia alone. It didn't matter what tactics he had to use. The plan was for them to sneak away to their spot. He would take whatever she was willing to give.
"Ms. Pope, you have a fine group of individuals working alongside you. Thank you for all your help," Mrs. Floyd thanked as she hugged Olivia. Mrs. Floyd was a elderly woman who came from old money. Her granddaughter had gotten caught up in the wrong crowd and had been accused of killing her boyfriend over drugs. Olivia and her team worked their magic, got the charges dropped but also made sure Mrs. Floyd's granddaughter received the treatment she needed.
"It was my pleasure Mrs. Floyd," Olivia said kindly with a smile, wishing her the best of luck.
Ever since she'd called Fitz, Olivia's head hadn't been in the right place. She was slipping. She tried to blame on it Josslyn's sickness, but that wasn't completely the reason. She missed Fitz; her body physically ached for him. That's why she knew tonight would be difficult. Being so close to him, being on his turf.
Shaking those thoughts, Olivia glanced down at her phone. She quickly collected her belongings and bid everyone a good night before hurrying out of the office. She wanted to have some quality time with Josslyn before she got ready for the evening. Tonight was a big night and she knew traffic was going to be crazy with all of the press and celebrities flying in.
Olivia walked through her front door and quickly made her way to Josslyn's room. Sofia, Olivia mother, was sitting on the love seat Olivia had in the nursery, while Josslyn amused herself on the floor with her toys.
"Hi, Poppet, Mommy's home," Olivia beamed as she scooped her little girl into her arms. She placed two kisses on each cheek and Josslyn smiled in return. "Did you have fun with Nana today?" She asked as Josslyn toyed with her necklace.
"She sure did. We took a walk, went to the park and had a great nap," Sofia said as she walked over to Olivia, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Hi, Ma," Olivia greeted and returned the gesture.
"Hi Libby. How was work today," she inquired as she began to tidy up.
"It was good. We finally finished up that case," she said, grabbing her daughter's favorite stuffed animal before making her way to the rocking chair. "Ma, you don't have to do all that. Go home for a couple of hours, relax," Olivia said.
"You do realize I'm the mother and you're the child. I don't do anything I don't want to do. Now you spend some time with my sweet grandbaby over there and leave me to my devices," Sofia shot back.
"Nana is just bossy, isn't she Poppet," Olivia said, receiving a gurgling noise from Josslyn. "See, Ma, Joss agrees with me," Olivia said with a smirk.
"I'm sure she does. She's going to be a know it all, just like her mother," Sofia smiled. "I am going to run home quickly, pack my overnight bag, and then I'll be back here in a jiffy," explained Sofia.
"Ma, take your time. We'll be fine. Plus I want some alone with with this little one before tonight," Olivia assured.
" Whatever you say, Libby," Sofia said kissing her cheek. "Nana will be back soon, Jossiepoo," Sofia smiled at her granddaughter, kissing both her chubby cheeks.
"Come on, Joss, let's walk Nana to the door," Olivia said as the trio made their way to the front door.
"Do you need me to pick anything up while I'm out," Sofia asked.
"No, Ma! Now get to going," Olivia said, a tad bit annoyed. "Now wave bye-bye to Nana, Joss," Olivia said as she took the baby's arm and waved it lightly.
"Love you both," Sofia said as opened the door.
"Love you too," Olivia returned before closing and locking the door behind her. "I thought she'd need leave," Olivia said to Josslyn who giggled which made Olivia laugh. Logically she knew Josslyn couldn't understand her words but she couldn't help but love the response she'd received. "Now let's see about getting you fed," she said as she went to put Josslyn in her playpen before making her way to the kitchen.
As people made their way inside, Fitz greeted them, along with Mellie. The standard handshake, smile, and quickly hellos. When Olivia walked in, he couldn't help but to do a double take. Her hair was in soft curls, the front pulled away from her face. Her floor length, ivory dress, clung to her like a second layer of skin, hugging her in all the right places. She was flawless.
"Don't stare. It's unbecoming," Mellie warned, pulling Fitz back to reality. He quickly composed himself, going back to his regular routine.
"Liv, you look stunning," Mellie greeted with hug and smile ," don't you agree honey," she asked Fitz, toying with him.
"Beautiful," he smiled, letting his hand linger on hers.
"Thank you, Mellie, Mr. President," Olivia returned before making her way down the line.
"Did you have to put me on the spot like that," he hissed at his wide.
"Oh cheer up, you'll get your alone time," Mellie assured.
As the night progressed, everything went smoothly. Speeches were made, food was eaten, liquor was drunk. Soon the dance floor was filled as performers made their way to the stage. Fitz and Mellie danced awhile and Olivia made her rounds. When Mellie caught Olivia dancing with Cyrus she made it her mission to get Olivia and Fitz together.
"Liv, I can't have you keeping Cyrus to yourself all night before James cuts in," Mellie joked.
"Oh, of course not," Olivia smiled stepping away from Cyrus, giving Fitz the side eye. As the one song ended, the four applauded.
"Now if you'll excuse us," Cyrus said as he held his hand out to Mellie as the new song began.
"Livi," Fitz said holding out his palm for her to take.
"Mr. President," Olivia returned as she placed one hand in his own and the other on his shoulder. When he placed his hand on the bare skin of her lower back, Olivia felt a chill down her spine. "Watch your hands, President Grant, we're in public," Olivia cautioned.
"You look stunning tonight," he complimented with grin, completely ignoring her previous statement.
"Don't do that, we're in public," Olivia hissed, making quick eye contact before turning her head and smiling at a fellow guest.
"I have no clue what you're talking about. I'm just complimenting my favorite former employee," he said coyly with a smile.
"Don't," she said curtly.
"I miss you, Livi," he whispered.
"We are in a room full of people," she tried to reason.
"I don't care. Look at me please," he pleaded.
"No, people will know," she said.
"I don't care. I love you."
"Don't...don't, your wife is ten feet away," Olivia said. She didn't want to look at him. She knew she shouldn't but she did anyways.
"Meet me in our room, fifteen minutes," Fitz said.
"You can't just leave during a function," Olivia said logically.
"I'm the president. I can do whatever the hell I want," he smirked.
"Be reasonable," insisted Olivia.
"Fifteen minutes," he stated, leaving no room for argument as the song ended.
Olivia looked around the room as Fitz walked away. She quickly made her way back to her seat to compose herself.
Olivia looked around the room and wondered why she had even come. She knew nothing good would come of them meeting here, alone. Outside of this room, there were buffers keeping her from doing something she might later regret. This room, however, was filled with nothing but memories she created with Fitz. She looked down at her phone and noticed she'd been there for twenty-five minutes.
"Perfect," she thought," I can slip away and head home to Josslyn."
As she walked through the door, she made contact with a solid yet warm mass. She looked up to see the very man she was trying to escape run.
"Going somewhere, Livi" Fitz smirked as he pulled her into the room with him, making sure to lock the door.
"You're ten minutes late; I was leaving," her tone curt.
"The Prime Minister was talking nonstop, it would have been rude for me to just walk away without an explanation," he said backing her into a wall. Olivia, catching the double meaning of his words, decided not to comment. She didn't want a fight.
"I see, well you have me here, now what do you want," Olivia questioned.
"To talk, you're always running away from me. I like said, I miss you, Olivia," he said sharply staring down at her.
"I told you before President Grant, if you'd like to talk, set up an appointment," she said , turning her face from his piercing eyes.
"Damn it, Olivia, can't you me an inch," he said out of frustration, taking a step back from her.
"So that you'll take a mile, no," she replied shaking her head. She refused to give into his demands.
"You don't understand, do you? You don't understand what you've done to me," he roared,"Don't you think I'd rather move on? Don't you think I'm tired of the sleepless nights? Don't you think I want to be happy? But I can't because nothing has been the same since you stormed into my life two years ago. I am one of the most powerful men on this planet, yet I can't get the woman I love to give me the time of day. Do you know how pathetic that sounds, Liv," his tone cynical.
"Every time I call you I say it's the last time, that I can move on, but that's a lie, because two or three or four weeks later, I'm calling you again. Needing to hear you voice just to get a few decent hours of sleep to function the next day. And my pride, that's gone. I've thrown my pride out the window months ago," he said, the sadness in his eyes present. "All I want is you. Any piece, anything you can give me. I'll take it. I need you. Don't you understand, you've crawled under my skin. You're in my soul. You made me love you," he sighed, somehow making his way back to her during his speech.
"You're married. You have a family. You are the President of the United States. I've never doubted your love for me. Love isn't the issue here. Don't you think I'd rather have fallen for someone more normal? Who isn't married. Who isn't the leader of the free world. Do you have any idea how difficult it is for me to have a conversation on the phone with you, let alone be here alone with you? I want to say no but I can't. So no, I can't give you anything. If I give an inch, it will just spread, and I won"t allow that to happen. And I can't be your dirty little secret," Olivia spat back, her voice fierce and sharp.
"You aren't my dirty little secret and we both know that. I'll walk away; I'll leave it all behind. All you have to do is say the word," he said honestly, his eyes locking with hers.
"I ... I can't ask you to do that, Fitz. This is your dream."
"A dream I wouldn't have if it weren't for you," he said rationally shaking his head. "I was content with life before you. I didn't need love. You ruined me Livi," he said woefully, pressing his forehead against hers
"Fitz, I... I'm sorry," she apologized with tears in her eyes. "I just..." she began but was cut off by his lips crashing down hers. Instinctively, Olivia gripped his hair, losing control completely. She gave into the magnetic force that had been pulling at them. Intoxicating euphoria ran through the both of them like a drug. Fitz let out a breathy moan into her mouth as Olivia pushed his suit jacked off his shoulders. His hand pushed the material of her dress up, ghosting across her bare skin. He reached for her legs and out of memory they wrapped around his waist as he pressed her body flesh against his.
He couldn't place his finger on it but something was different about her. She felt the same yet her body held a softer, curvier feel. Was this change because of him, of their distance? Or had he just forgotten how soft her body was? The sheer intensity and pleasure he felt being so close. He pushed those thoughts out of his mind and buried his face in the crook of her neck, peppering kisses along her neck, causing Olivia to tilt her head and release a moan.
"Please, Livi," he whispered into her ear. His fingers inching up her thigh.
She wanted to say no, to resist him but she couldn't. It was easy to forget how wrong this was when he nipped her ear. She writhed against him, needing to be closer. This was the touch she craved for months; her body wouldn't let her give it up.
"Sweet baby," he sighed, his eyes now gazing into hers, breaking down her last wall. Liv nodded slowly, wordlessly answering his question. Fitz hoisted her up, making sure she was secure. One hand on her ass and the other wrapped around her waist, before his lips crushed hers again. Her hands worked at loosening his tie and unbuttoning his shirt as he made strides across the room to the sofa. He laid her down gently as he hovered over her with hooded eyes and a devilish smirk.
Olivia reached up and worked at his belt, her expression mirroring his, brown eyes dark with lust. Just as the metal of his belt buckle collided with the wooden floor a knock sounded at the door.
"Mr. President, it's been thirty minutes," Hal's voice came through the door as Olivia and Fitz stared at another, holding their breath like two children who had just been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
AN: Here I am once again. So we've meet Liv's mom and we got to see more of baby Josslyn. Reviews get a sneak preview to the next chapter. Thanks for reading.