Chapter 7
A/N: It here finally, I don't want to bump the rating so will go with strong T in a section or two.
As for the premiere: It isn't over . Enjoy the newest installment Thanks to all of you for you kind words. They keep me writing.
Chapter 9
Fitz buried his head in his pillow and tighten his grip around Olivia as the sun began to stream though the sheer curtains on the balcony's French doors. He waited for a while for sleep to claim his tried body again. He laid next to Olivia breathing in her soft, sweet scent, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide of grief he was experiencing. He knew it was time for him to take care of her. He knew they both needed to grieve together and move on. Moving on, Fitz laughed to himself. How where they supposed to move on from this? He slipped quietly from the bed and stared out over the balcony to the orchards. They have to take one day at a time. Today they were going to live in the moment, in the here and now not tomorrow not next week, today. Fitz walked downstairs and started making plans for the day.
OOO
Lesley called Jake early the next morning. "Ballard." He answered quietly.
"Did I wake you?"
"No, but I did sleep at the office. I wanted to make sure our VIP didn't cause any problems."
"Have you been doing that for the last three days? You sound horrible."
"No, I just didn't get a lot of sleep last night. It was something Rowan said about Liv It's like..."
"He had inside information about just how to hurt her."
"Yeah, and Huck and I can't figure out how."
"I think I may know the answer but I have to get back to you when I have some evidence."
"Okay." Jake said with some uncertainty. "Did you talk to Fitz?"
"He would like to you make sure that our guest is properly reminded of his mistake and would like a personal meeting upon his return to D.C."
"You want me to keep him screaming for mercy but alive." Jake let out a breath. "That may be easier said than done with Huck around. He's extremely loyal to Olivia."
"So is the President, he feels Olivia would never forgive us if Rowan where to die. He also feels that death is too good for our guest. I have faith in you Jakey." Lesley teased
"I'll see you in few days."
"I'll call if I get that evidence for you or we need anything."
OOO
Fitz returned a short time later with a breakfast tray in hand. He was rather pleased with himself. He's plan, for the day, was coming together perfectly. When he entered the room he noticed Olivia was awake and sitting up in bed. She didn't look pleased with him. "You left me alone again." Olivia looked up at Fitz ignoring his morning offering. Fitz could see ruminates of her latest round of tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, my love. Fitz was quickly at her side. "It was only for a moment. You need to eat." Fitz said as he put the tray of fruit, eggs, toast, juice and coffee down in front of her on the bed.
Olivia shook her head. "I don't want to eat...
" Olivia." Fitz start the concern obvious in his voice. "You need to eat."
"I don't want to eat in bed." Olivia explained. "I would like to go out there." Olivia pointed to the balcony. "I would like to enjoy the morning sun and have a peaceful breakfast with the love of my life. Is that too much to ask?"
Fitz looked outside. He came around and helped Olivia to stand. "It's not too much at all." Fitz said as he leaned in for a kiss. "Good Morning, Sweet Baby."
Olivia returned the kiss and greeting. "Good Morning, Mr. President. Fitz helped Liv into her robe and slippers and they walked slowly together onto the balcony.
"I'll be back with breakfast." Fitz leaned down putting his hands on either side of the chair, he kissed her once again. "Don't go away."
OOO
"Cyrus Beene."
"Good Morning."
"Can we just go with morning?" Cy asked his Deputy as he leaned back in his chair.
"Sure." Lesley said as she walked the path through the orchard. "Fitz want you to see what you can find out about our Leo, Sally and Rowan situation. We want to press our special guest.
"Do any of you have any idea what the hell you are doing?"
"We do and personally I will not stand by and watch as Sally Langston tears apart the best man I know and the love of his life in the name of morality, God and country."
"We are sure Rowan really is the one who attacked, Liv?"
"Cy, I know you don't want to believe it. No one want to but it's true. He did it. He as much as admitted he shattered both Olivia and Fitz's world as they know it. He attacked her."
"I'll let you know if I hear anything else or find a smoking gun."
"Thanks Cy."
"She make it through the night?"
"It wasn't bad from what I was told. It gets a little bit better each day."
"Good. Remind Fitz he has to call the Wicked Witch from time to time over the next few days. "
"I'll make sure he calls today. Have a good day Cy."
OOO
"What do you want to do today?" Fitz asked while holding Olivia hand across the breakfast table.
"I want to get out of the house."
"We can't exactly go out on the town and we have a lot still to discuss."
Olivia pulled her hand out of his. She began playing with the food on her plate. "I know."
Liv took a small bit of toast. "I know . I just can't wrap my head around all of this."
Fitz took her hand again and squeezed it. "I understand. I do. Why don't I give you and official tour of the house and show you around the grounds today. There are a couple of special things I would like to show you."
"I just want to relax together. I want to talk and be us for today."
"I couldn't agree more." He picked up the plates and stood up. "I'll be right back." He walked in and left Olivia for a moment out on the beautiful balcony.
OOO
Fitz left and spoke with Lesley, Tom and Hal to set his plans in motion for the day. Today like yesterday was all about Olivia. Olivia needed to know that it was okay to grieve. They needed to grieve together but they also needed to be themselves.
Olivia was staring out over the grounds from her chair on the balcony. The pain was less than it was yesterday but still very much there. She turned around when she heard the door to balcony open Fitz walked over to her and smiled. "Ready to start the day?" Fitz knelt down and took her hand.
Olivia squeezed his hand "I...one minute I am and the next minute I want to just curl up and cry."
"I know. I feel the same way but we can't go on like that. Fitz scooped her up in his arms and brought her into the bedroom. "I'm going to help you get dressed and we will enjoy the beautiful day.
Fitz her dress in loose fitting pants and a wrap around sweater. "This is one of your favorite sweaters. I love the way you look in it."
Olivia moved uncomfortably. The pain asserting itself for the day. "I look horrible. The pain in my ribs just won't give up."
Fitz wrapped his arms around and picked her up. "I may have just the thing for that. Let me get you down stairs and put some things together and then we will start our day. Olivia couldn't help but smile a bit as Fitz carried her downstairs and deposited her on the sofa in front of the huge class windows. It was one of the things she liked most about the house.
She stared at the fireplace as Fitz left her and spoke with Hal and Tom. She couldn't help but look at the fire as it flickered and she flashed back to their first...fateful night in Vermont. Olivia was suddenly filled with a white hot pain. That night was so special. He had done so much to make their dreams come true. He saw their future and made it real. They had a dream. They had a wish. They wanted a life together, children and a future with love. They made a wish and it came true. It came true and then it was taken away. Olivia felt her chest tighten and then felt someone grab onto her arm. "Miss Pope...Miss Pope. Olivia, what's wrong." Hal knelt down beside her. "I need you to talk to me." Olivia couldn't breathe.
Fitz came back in and saw Olivia panic stricken on the sofa beside the fire. He rushed to her side. "Liv, Livvy, look at me. Come back to me Sweet Baby." Fitz reached up and brushed a piece of hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. "There you are." Fitz said as he looked into her eyes.
"He took away our wish. He stole everything from us. Fitz..." Olivia's tears were following freely now. "I need to get out of this house."
"You're wish is my command, Sweet Baby." Fitz gathered her gently in his arms and carried out the side door off the kitchen. He carried her to the door of the little greenhouse and set her down. "I wanted to show you this before we went over by the pond. Are you up for this? Olivia shook her head and leaned closer into Fitz as they walked through the greenhouse. It was amazing. He had thought of everything: Fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables.
"What else are you hiding in our dreamland." Olivia whispered as she looked around in awe.
Fitz laughed. "You'll just have to wait and see. He helped her walk the short distance back to the door. Would you like to walk over to the bench or shall I carry you." Olivia reached up and winced slightly. Fitz took the hint and carefully gathered her up in his arms for their short walk to the bench. Olivia had spent a lot of time on this bench since she'd been here and it seemed more prefect and calming now as Fitz held her close as she cried a new round of tears. He sat silently with her as she cried. He pulled a soft, warm, plaid blanket around them and held her as she grieved again for their child. When she calmed again. Fitz reached up and kissed her lips. He brushed her stray tears away. "Do you want to talk about what happened in the house?"
"I was sitting in front of the fireplace thinking about our first night here. "Olivia put her hand over her stomach. Fitz left her shift and placed his hand over hers under the blanket. "That night was so special so us. We made a wish and that night it came true. He took our wish away. My father came into my house and took away our dream. Our child. I want him to pay. How can he even be my father? I love this house. I have incredibly fond memories of our night together but he tainted them by doing what he did. How can I be his daughter. I'm not a monster but he is."
Fitz could feel the wetness of news tears hit the sleeve of his shirt as he held Olivia securely in his arms. "I don't know Livvie. I know I love you and no matter how hard he tries there is nothing your father can do to change that. " Fitz wiped his own fresh tears away. We will get through this together and we will make new memories in this house. We will grow old together in this house."
Olivia looked up at him, wiped her tears and shook her head. "We will. Won't we."
"Yes, we will." Fitz held her tightly and they sat together under the blanket in the crisp morning air breathing in synch.
OOOO
"What do you mean you don't know where his is?" You have to know where his is? He's our key to this election. He wants Sally to be the next President. I need him to help make that happen.."Cyrus stopped dead his blood ran cold. Leo Bergen was in fact working with the monster Eli Pope. "You need to find him. He has information that will bring the current administration to its knees. A position I understand Grant enjoys." Leo paused. "See that you do. " He screamed as Cyrus quickly walked away and dialed Jake Ballard.
OOO
"Do you want to continue our tour." Fitz asked adjusting the blanket around them.
"I need to move and my ribs are killing me. I thought this was getting better but I think it feel worse today."
Fitz guided her off his shoulder carefully and stood. Hal noticed the movement and approached them. Fitz nodded and scoped Olivia up in his arms as Hal collected the bag and blanket that Fitz left behind and followed. "Hopefully, our next stop will help with your discomfort. I think it's something you will truly enjoy.
"Your back has to be bothering you?" Liv said as they walked toward their next destination.
"My back is fine Liv. You're as light as a feather." Fitz smiled and kissed her. "I need you to close your eyes." Fitz whispered as he stopped and looked in to her eyes.
"Fitz? I...every time I close my eyes I see his face. I relive the nightmare. Don't make me do that."
"I'll be here with you the entire way. Please Sweet Baby. Close your eyes. He can't hurt while I'm here."
Liv knew Fitz was right She buried her head further into his shoulder and closed her eyes. "I'm right here, Livvie. Fitz carried her to their destination and slip open the sliding glass door. Fitz felt Olivia relax as he walked into the room. "Keep your eyes closed, Livvie
Olivia did what she was told as he set her down on a soft surface. where ever they were it was warm and there was something familiar about it. The smell? The heat? It smelled like chlorine. "Can I open my eyes?"
Olivia could feel Fitz standing over here. He leaned down and kissed her. "Yes you may."
Olivia opened her eyes to find that she was lying in front of her very own indoor swimming pool. She looked around in awe. "Fitz." She whispered. The walls were a light cream and the pool house had sliding doors, large windows, and padded lounge chairs. It was private, yet light and airy. The pool itself was large and included a Jucuzzi off to the right.
"What do you think?"
Olivia kissed him passionately. "It's perfect. It's all so perfect."
Fitz smiled at her and kissed her back. "I'm glad you like it. Would you like to go for a swim?"
"Fitz, I can't swim now. I have stitches in my head and my bones and muscles haven't healed yet. "
"You can come swim with me. Fitz took her in his arms and whispered. "We could get lost in here for hours. Let's get changed. Fitz gathered her in his arms and walked toward the back corner of the pool house. He walked through a door in a larger changing room. Olivia noticed a shower and padded bench with the bags from earlier next to it. Fitz set her down on the bench and kissed her. He smirked a little as he continued to kiss down her collarbone and untied her sweater pushing it off gently. "Fitz."
"Shh." Lie back and enjoy it. He made quick work of the sweater and continued to kiss down her exposed skin. He stopped when he reached her waistband He carefully slid her pants down Olivia wanted him to keep going. She needed him to help her feel alive but she knew it was too soon. He would stop but oh how she wished he would. "Fitz please."
Fitz place butterfly kiss over her panties. "I wish I could sweet baby. How I wish I could." He stood up and reached for the bag. Fitz reached for Liv's bathing suit top and bottoms. He stood her up and quickly removed her panties and helped her in to the white string bottoms. Fitz noticed a small smirk across her face.
"You are enjoying yourself, aren't you."
"Speak for yourself. This is sweet torture." Fitz said as he knotted the final tie. Fitz reached around her back to unclip her bra but Olivia grabbed at his wrist. "What is it?"
"Take your shirt off first." Liv whispered. She suddenly needed to feel his skin against hers. Fitz stepped away and made quick work of his Navy T-Shirt and jacket. He lifted Olivia back up on the bench and put a hand on either side of her. She leaned into him and kissed his chest.
Fitz closed his eyes soaking in the light touch of her lips against his skin. He reached behind and discarded her bra. He placed light kisses over the newly exposed flesh before tying the white halter top around her neck and back. "Feel better?" Fitz looked at the lust in her eyes.
"Much." Olivia laid down on her side and allowed Fitz to put the kinetic tape on her ribs. When he was finished he picked her up and walked back out to the pool. He sat Olivia down on one of the chairs poolside and handed her a swim cap. "What's this for?"
"To protect the stitches on your forehead. " Fitz helped her put it on and smile. "You look so cute."
"Why thank you Mr. President. Would you like to go for a swim with me?"
Fitz picked her up and walked into the pool carrying her the entire way. "I would love to. How are you doing right now really?" Fitz asked cautiously as he held Olivia as she floated on her back."
"I don't understand why this happened? I don't understand how my father could go so far? I know he doesn't like you. He does like the idea of us. He doesn't find you appropriate for me but I can't help that I love you. He's never found anyone I've dated appropriate. I see him every time I close my eyes. You are the only one I feel safe with. You are a constant reminder that I'm safe..."
"But?"
"But, then I remember what we had. what he took away and I get angry. I get angry and then I cry because I realize what you lost. I know if it came out your re-election wouldn't be a certain but for the first time in my life I was happy. I was truly happy and he ripped it away from me...from us."
Fitz knew she was still trying to process what had happened to her. All he could do to help was reassure her would be safe. "Your father will never forget what he's done to you. I promise you."
"Fitz, you've already made an enemy don't push your luck. My father is not..."
Fitz pulled her up and wrapped his arms around as he stood at the side of the pool. "This isn't your fight Olivia. It's mine now. You want him to pay for what he did to you...to us...to our baby. Right?" Fitz held her as she nodded. He kissed her with a loving passion. "Then let me fix this for you."
Olivia held onto Fitz for dear life and kissed him like it was the only way she could breathe. The floated around the pool and allowed the serenity of their surrounding heal their open wounds. They would be alright as long as they had each other.
