He eases her up and sits her on a table that somehow found its way there. In their haste they don't hear the crash of the lamp nearby; it's only about their lips playing against each other, the rubbing of their hips, occasional sounds being let out, and fingers playing with hair while others are putting pressure on the skin teasing each other. Then it's clothing falling on the floor making a pool around his feet as he's taking her in, the beauty of her nakedness, the loving smile on her lips. Ultimately he lifts her up as their chests meet and they can feel their heartbeats forever in sync. How they managed to stay away from one another this long is a total mystery; they can't stay apart for more than a second, at least now. The movements of their chests coordinated; once one falls the other raises inhaling the air the other exhales. He puts her on the bed, kisses trailing down her body until he can feel the fabric of her panties, he's about to take them off; he raises his face so that their eyes can connect while he's discarding her underwear when…
DANG DANG DANG DANG.
Groaning, he reaches for his phone to unlock it so that the alarm can stop. Another dream. Another night spent thinking about her. The dreams have worsen since that party, since that kiss they shared, she had to have some kind of spell over him, all he did was thinking and daydreaming about her. She was affecting him in a way he thought he would never ever feel again for anyone. After those years, he was positive he had gained back full control over himself. He knew he was wrong but wasn't ready to accept it just yet. He gets out of bed and gets ready for what he knows will be a very long work day.
"Grammy!" the little girl squeals letting go of her mother's hand to run where her grandmother is.
"Samantha, come here baby," the old lady replies smiling before turning to greet her daughter, "Hello Jennifer, it's nice of you to," she starts before stopping in her track; she didn't see her daughter holding the device to her ear until Jenny held her free hand up signaling she was busy at the moment.
She opens the door to what used to be and still is her bedroom at her mother's house. Nothing changed since she moved out from the familiar house; the walls are still the same pale lavender color, her teenage bed still covered with the patchwork quilt she made with her mother when she was ten and she smiles when she opens the little trap behind her vanity and finds what she calls her treasure; a couple photos she never shared with anyone, no one knows about them and she still feels so guilty. So guilty she'll never know what true love is. She takes a picture out of the little stack and tenderly runs a finger across the boy's face. She's doing the right thing, she knows it. She takes a deep breath and dials the number, it's only seconds before the other end picks it up, "Big Gerry, how are you?" she greets her uncle.
"Jennifer, I'm fine thank you. How lovely to hear from you," the old man says in a cold distant voice.
"It's been some time since the last time."
"To what do I owe this phone call?" he goes straight to the point. He knows there's always a reason his family calls him, usually it's when they need money, need him to pull some strings to get a certain position, and his time is precious every minute is precious and he's already willing to end it. His work needs him and that's gold, that's the most important thing he needs.
"Well I won't take too much of your time but I think you'd like to hear this."
"Jennifer, I don't have time for gossip goodbye," and he's already ready to hang up chastising himself for picking up at the first place.
"She's back in his life," Jenny says quickly, almost in one quick breath and she waits. She waits until she can hear him swear under his breath. Of course he remembers, how could he not, after he had to drag his son back to what looked like a life, a life he set up for him and waits until his ungrateful son takes the golden opportunity his father is offering him.
"How do you know?" she can tell he's pissed, furious because he may be totally out of his son's life but he knows what effect that girl has on him, what kind of spell she has over him, because all he's been working on, his legacy, the boy he has made from scratch, he has collected whatever was left from him all those years ago and has built up a man who could take after him. Only he could only see his son as a failure. He was too tender, too eager to put himself in a relationship, a loving relationship. He was great when it was business related but he needed a wife by his side, for appearances' sake and that was his biggest struggle; the boy was too invested when it came to women, he tried to instill in him what women were really good at and the only thing he's ever gotten were looks of disgust. So he did what he knew would be best for him and the only way he had to make his son date someone he knew shared his point of view and would push him. He set him up with an appropriate woman. Mellicent.
"After he left with Samantha the other day he brought her somewhere and she was there, they kissed in front of the girls Big Gerry you need to do something that woman can't just walk in again in his life and leave him like she did."
Jenny had a point and he hated to admit it but one thing held his attention; if that woman had a daughter there was no way he would allow his son to date her again. No. "You said girls? She's a mother now, end of the story he won't come back to her."
"She's not the girl's mother she was just keeping her. Sam said the girl's parents were away. Listen you can't let him be with her that's why I called you, you do what you need to do."
"All right, I'll take care of it," and he hangs up. He dials another number, "you need to claim my son, I don't care how you do it seduce him for all I care but I want you two married within a year."
"I won't go back to a man who doesn't even call you back after taking you to dinner I have my pride Gerry."
"Mellie, you want to be a part of the Grant family, right? That was the deal with your father."
She swallows because that's her endgame. "I want in but not like this, he's not even worthy of my time, you find another way."
"Mellicent, your only fucking way in my family is my son so move your ass and go to work," he screams.
She could hear the occasional chat, the sound of the silky cellophane wrapping clients' orders; Abby's voice giving directions to the delivery guys, the sound of the writing on a paper for what she supposed were orders that should be taken care of in the next few days. The activity in the shop was buzzing especially considering this time of the year. The work load was unbelievably heavy this year and it kept her extra busy even when she was home. Lots of work also meant she was free from any form of Abby-like speeches. Or so, she thought.
It was beginning to get pretty late and she was grabbing her purse on her way to close the shop; no one was left there usually, she was the first one in, the last out.
"I'm taking you out," a voice says making her jump, a hand covering her pounding heart.
"Geez Abby, you almost killed me, I nearly had a heart attack," she nearly yells "Where are you taking me?"
"Somewhere. Come on we're going."
The day was nearly done and his nerves were raw. He felt like he would murder the next person who came to his office if he had yet again to review their work. It was a hard case and he was finally beginning to see the end of it, but he wouldn't be celebrating until it was done and his client was officially on the clear for good. His temples were throbbing, he was tired but not tired enough obviously or so he would have gone home a long time ago. He definitely needed something to work on. After all, he could write what he needed himself. He was about to take his notepad where all his notes were kept when his office door opens but no one talks.
"If it's not good enough just come back to work, I don't want to repeat myself yet again," he yells visibly annoyed.
"No wonder your staff is tip toeing around you, you're in a shit mood," Cyrus laughs.
"I would be more pleasant if they did their job."
"Fitz, give them some credit, they're working their butts off for you. They are the best give them some time. Come on, I'm taking you out, you need to chill a little."
"Fine," he says grabbing his coat.
The music was way too loud for his liking, he was sitting on a bar stool barely listening to what Cyrus was saying, there were too many people out there, too many women staring at him, it was worse than when he was with his family. He hated gathering so much attention. A few people from the firm joined them and they started talking, keeping Cyrus's attention far away from him – which was convenient, enabling him to get lost in his thoughts. A man sitting next to him waves at the bartender and asks that two drinks are served to two women sitting in a booth. Actually a couple men were staring in the same direction. He turns his head and freezes into place. He downs his drink in a gulp, throws a couple bills on the counter and makes his way outside without a word to anyone, only boiling inside.
He was turning crazy, and even the fresh breeze didn't help soothe him. Somehow, without even lifting a finger she managed to get to him, and boy did he try to forget about her. He did every possible thing he knew could work; from drinking to multiple one night stands. But still, no matter how beautiful the woman was, there was only one woman he craved, his heart craved and seeing her captivating so many men's attention only emphasized what he had so stupidly lost. It was ripping his heart all over again. He missed her more than he cared to admit.
He turns, more than ready to go back inside, figure some scheme out to come out of misery when the last voice he wants to hear fills his ears.
"Fitz!"
Shit.
She was sitting in a booth right next to Abby and could feel one too many pairs of eyes fixated on them. That's why she hated going out so much; she wasn't used to being under such scrutiny, it made her feel exposed, naked and only made her walls rise higher. She was feeling the need to protect herself, her privacy. She managed to make everyone believe her wounds healed when they were only raw and hurting, she couldn't trust any man even if she wanted it, it grew into an automatic way of self-preservation. At one point a wave of calm invaded her, making her relax almost instantly and she knew better. She knew better than to question how she could possibly feel that way, only one pair of arms managed to protect her the perfect way, one heart could make hers beat normally when it panicked or make her feel so loved it scared the shit out of her or managed to breathe in sync with her. She had had a terrible day and didn't want to add to her misery; because if she were true to herself that was her life now and she had to accept it.
Little by little she turns her face so that she could scan the room. She knew for sure he would be there, sitting somewhere and she panicked. She was in panic mode, every bit of the relaxing sensation had left her and now she sat there clueless. She would never know. Suddenly she felt an overwhelming need to just go out, leave the room, and breathe the fresh nightly air. It would be a bit too cold and it was exactly what she needed. She could feel her cheeks redden from the heat rising within her. She stands up and Abby's hand grabs her wrist almost right away.
"Where are you going?" Abby asks quizzically.
"I'll be right back I just need a moment outside, I'm suffocating here," she replies in one breath.
"Just hurry back, okay?"
Just like that she opens the door and comes across the last thing she wishes to witness. She knows she shouldn't care, she knows how unfair it is to feel the way she does but she just… she can't help it. The air is stuck in her throat refusing to reach her lungs and help her system work, help her blood bring oxygen to her body, and she stands there shocked for a second before putting on her mask again but she knows she looked shocked a second too long. She knows that because of the way sadness mix with remorse in the gorgeous blue eyes that meet her brown ones. She knows that because she can feel all the apologies in his features when she doesn't understand in the first place when he would feel sorry like a little boy caught eating cookies he was forbidden to touch. He owes her nothing and that much she knows.
"Fitzgerald, are you listening?" a woman's voice screams bringing the both of them back to reality, to their frozen bodies but their eyes are still connected refusing to give up the hold the have on each other, their souls feel like magnets as they just keep moving forward to meet the other, their other half. The air is thick, tension quickly building up, hearts beating fast, their breathing becoming easier and more steady as they feel like life is being infused in them once again. A whirlwind of emotions hits them mercilessly as if it was the first time they actually saw each other, like they are complete strangers and not previous lovers.
"Yeah…," it's the only thing he manages to say while still looking at her and he can't help it. Sure Mellie is a beautiful well educated brilliant woman and dating her would be way easier since he wouldn't be – even slightly – in love with her. It would be an easy going boring arrangement of a marriage if he even got there. But she doesn't stand a chance in comparison with the breathtaking and perfect woman standing before him. And suddenly, he realizes what he needs to do, what he has to do. If life taught him one thing, it was to grasp the opportunity before it slips between his fingers, "Mellie, you need to go," he says firmly without even looking in her direction.
"But…"
"Now. Go." And he turns his attention to her and she can see the determination in his face and it scares her. That's not the man she was at a date with, it's not the easy going easily manipulated man she knew. It was a very determined one, she never saw his eyes lit up like this. Somehow, she feels the tension between him and the other woman. She mumbles something that goes unnoticed and walks away.
Who the hell is she?
As soon as Mellie disappears, Olivia turns on her heels, ready to go back inside, come up with an excuse, drag Abby with her and just go home. The only place she really feels somehow protected. But then his hand grabs her wrist, "I didn't tell you to go," and when she doesn't budge but still tries to escape, "Olivia…"
"Stop."
"Olivia, please." It's a plea, sounding a bit more desperate than he meant it but he doesn't know what else to do, how he could catch her attention, make her hear him out, he just needs her attention for a second, no more. It's only a matter of a blink of an eye and he knows she might give up to what he's about to ask. Just one minute looking at each other's eyes, right into the depth of their souls, in an intimate way only the both of them know how to.
"No, just forget I was here, I'm sorry I didn't know you were here, I didn't know you would be outside otherwise…. I wouldn't have come out and cause this between you and your girlfriend… I'm sorry," it's too quick, too fragile, too easy to break because that's how she feels and she hates him for that. She hates him for having this kind of power over her, her eyes never meeting his. He pulls her hand so that she's moved towards him effortlessly and uses his hands to steady her but she won't look at him instead her face is down looking somewhere in the sidewalk.
She's not my girlfriend, is the first thing he wants to tell her but for some weird reason he doesn't. "Olivia," it's a soft whisper full of tenderness, it feels like a soft caress. It feels like touching silk, feeling the material smoothly glide under her fingertips, "please just look at me," she can feel his warm breath on her forehead as she's trying so hard to deny him, to push him away, to keep him for breaking her again because this time, she won't survive. Ultimately with the softest touch, he curves the fingers of his right hand under her chin lifting her head up so that they can make eye contact and right when he feels her defenses weaken, he slides his other hand around her middle bringing her closer to him.
For a minute their worlds stop. For one minute, it's just them, it's just their bubble, a glimpse into what they were, what they used to be, what they had before it shattered. For one minute, everything feels right, their burdens seem like they don't exist, and they feel so light only filled with love.
Until a car passing by nearly makes them jump –only his grip on her tightening.
"Have dinner with me," and she's already mesmerized, she wants to say no, to tell him to stay the hell away from her, to leave her alone, that her heart is still shattered, that her world is barely standing that the slightest crack will make it crumble. She wants to give him a list of the reasons why she will never accept but the only thing she feels like doing is folding and giving up. She forgets about everything as they start afresh. Before she knows it, she's nodding and a huge smile magically replaces his sad face. He leans down to kiss her forehead as her eyes shut peacefully for the first time in what seems like forever.
HiHelloHowAreYou, I know it's been 84 years since the last update and I'm really really sorry about it. Some of you may know why it's taken me so long to get this up and for those of you who don't the answer is a mix of blocks, family coming over without forgetting going back to school... ( a HUGE thank you to LoreneMichelle41 for everything). I hope you enjoyed this and please let me know what you think it's a huge help to me
