Hello my Pumpkins, I am SO sorry for this delay in posting this tale. I have good through a rough patch lately and it really did a number on me I am afraid. I am getting back into my writing slowly. This chapter took me a while write and I hope enjoy it.
Many of you have asked if the kiss will happen, what will happen, etc. Others have wondered what caused Liv to get burned so badly. Why is she afraid to trust anyone? Well that will go down in a few more chapters. I have plans for these two and I will do my best to keep you interested. After all, October 3rd is a long time to wait.
Enjoy and all of your reviews are my "Breath of Fresh Air." Me's… ;-)
/
Chapter 9: From "Too Close to Breathe…"
As Olivia walked toward Marine One she could not get over how truly pristine and immaculate it looked. She had only seen this on the TV prior to this and was just in awe. The white and green shined as the sun was setting in the background. Most of the helicopter was green but the top was white. Also on its side saw written in bright white letters, United States of America. Her mind started to race but Fitz looked back at her and gave her a huge smile, telling her that is was going to be fine. She put her head down, trying not to blush, because everyone was watching.
Her eyes followed upwards and she saw the top of the aircraft. The propellers long have been still and she marveled at how huge they were. She saw the flag underneath the propellers and the Presidential seal on the door. Its wheels were sitting on three circles on the South Lawn. She wondered how much practice the pilots must have before being chosen to be the pilot for the President. As her eyes took it all in, she realized that it's bigger than she initially thought also. It looked "bloated" and you could probably fit more than just a "few" close advisors and press in there.
As she got closer to boarding the helicopter, she noticed the Marine Century standing guard that was about to salute Fitz as the approached. He seemed to be in his late twenties, and was quite handsome. His uniform looked brand new, and his white gloves reminded her of new snow that sparkled in the moon light. The Marine saluted Fitz, and he saluted him back. He was about to step onto the bottom step, he turned and waved to the press that was taking pictures of them leaving.
Fitz stepped aboard and introduced himself to the two pilots. They welcomed him and congratulated him on winning the election. Fitz then asked the pilots to do a special favor after they lifted Marine One off the ground. The pilots told him that it wouldn't be a problem and would clear it with control. He thanked them and waited for Karen, Jerry and Olivia.
Karen and Jerry turned to wave and went aboard. Fitz introduced them and Mocha. Olivia smiled, nodded and went aboard the helicopter last. Fitz introduced her as the Press Secretary and as she noticed her surroundings she stopped dead in her tracks. The pilots smiled at her, noticing that she was in awe of its plush cream colored seats, carpeting, and inner walls. Her eyes were jumping from side to side taking it all in. She saw Fitz's chair with the "Seal" on it, and one across from it. Then to the other side she saw a long couch. Mocha jumped right into his chair, causing the kids to laugh.
The pilots said to her, "Ma'am you can sit down if you like."
She turned to them and said, "Um, okay." Everything inside everything was white, shinny, and so perfect that she was afraid to touch anything. She just couldn't move. Mocha went up to her and started pawing at her, running back and forth to the couch, Fitz's seat, and then her. But she still wasn't moving.
Fitz sensing she could have another panic attack, walked up to her and took her hand in his. The pilots looked at them, and nodded. She still didn't realize that he had taken her hand until he took the other one in his hand. He walked into her space, and she finally gazed up at him. He said to her, "Breath with me Livy. It's okay. Come on, we need to sit down, so we can get going. Just breathe, it's okay."
"Huh," she told Fitz. She just stared into his eyes, not really registering anything. By now the door were shut and the pilots had went up front. She was still standing there unable to move. Tom and Mitch were there watching Fitz attempting to get her to sit down.
Fitz reached up and caressed her cheek. "Livy, are you in there? It's just US. You, me, the kids and Mocha. Focus on me. Come on sit down with me. Just breathe for me okay. I don't have a brown bag for you to breathe right now." Fitz told her sweetly.
Something in his voice told her that she was going to be fine. That THEY were going to be fine. She had to trust him. She smiled at him, "Oh I just needed a minute. Sorry. I'm good. I promise. I'm not going to stop breathing." She squeezed his hand, and Fitz reluctantly let it go. He placed his hand on her back and led her over to the plush couch. She sat down. Karen and Jerry were sitting in the next section down.
Mocha was sitting in Fitz's seat. He motioned for her to jump down and she barked at him. Tom, and Mitch, who were with them also chuckled, saying to themselves, "We see who thinks she's the President."
Olivia tapped her legs and said, "Come Mocha. Come! Come see me Sugars"
Mocha barked at her, wiggling her butt, and immediately jumped from Fitz's chair to her lap. "Out done by the dog again I see," Fitz said.
He looked at her and said, "Is this seat taken?"
"It's your helicopter, you tell me." She told him back, with Mocha still half in her lap. She raised her eyebrows at him, wondering what he was going to do. She KNEW he wanted to sit next to her, so they could be close, but would he take the step and do it she wondered.
Finally, Jerry from the next section over yelled, "Come on Dad, just sit next to Livy. We ALL know you want to. If you don't Karen and I are going to sit by her so you can't."
"Thanks Jer," he said to him, shaking his head in embarrassment.
Olivia did her best to hold back the laugh. "Out done by the kids this time I see. I guess it beats the dog."
Fitz shook his head, and the kids giggled. Fitz finally took in a breath and sat next to Olivia on the couch. Mocha was now in between them getting a good rub down from both. Every one and a while their fingers would grace the others as they scratched Mocha. They would look at each other and smile. Karen and Jerry then sat across from them. Karen got to Fitz's Presidential chair first, causing Jerry to call it on the way back home. Fitz said only if he didn't want to sit there that Jerry could have it. Both got out their tablets and began to play a game.
They then felt the helicopter lift of the ground. The sun was almost down and the sky has this beautiful winter, white, yellow and orange glow to it. Olivia turned her body and to look out the window. She draped her arm across the back of the seat and placed her head on it. Mocha jumped down and went to sit on Karen's lap. Fitz was happy because now he could scoot himself closer to her.
He watched her a few moments look out the window. He too watched the White House fade in the distance. This was perfect, having her there with him, and the kids. Never before has he ever felt this way about someone and now's she's here with him. It was just THEM. No Cyrus, no staff, and hopefully not too many interruptions. They needed this time to get to know each other and he hoped that she would just let him get to know her more.
All Fitz wanted to do was entice her back into his arms, and hold her again. Sitting this close to her after what happened only a few moments ago was on "repeat" in his mind. The thought of him almost losing her still scared him. In that moment of her unable to breathe, he was unable to breathe.
If he was not there, would she have been okay. When she placed her hands on his chest, to feel his own breaths, knowing that she needed him, completed him in every way. He could still feel her hands on his chest even now. He was craving her touch now. His cheeks even lingered still from her graceful place of her hands on them before.
Then he admitted that he had feelings for her, and she didn't pull away from him this time. That she was his Breath of Fresh Air. She saved him from drowning the day they met. This woman sitting with him now, belonged with him. He needed her, like he needed air to breath. She became his lifeline, his oxygen.
Olivia inwardly could feel some of her barriers around her heart beginning to come down. Olivia could feel his eyes on her, and occasionally she would glance up at him, blush, and look back out the window. His eyes were piercing into her soul, causing her to become nervous. Sensing he wanted to say or do something, she voiced to him, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Fitz edged himself a little closer. "What do you mean?"
She turned to him, still leaning her head on her arm, and said "You never watched me like this before. It's like you're searching for something. You know, the view is SO much prettier outside Mr. President. You're missing it. It's absolutely breathtaking. I have never seen anything more spectacular before," letting her voice trail off. "Everything is just perfectly lit up, bright, and incredible."
Fitz closed his eyes and decided to say what was in his heart. What has been in heart since the day she blew him away in Cy's office. He knew he was taking a chance but this was a chance worth taking. His entire life was planned out for him, until she came along. She changed everything for him, and he decided go with his heart and say it outloud.
"I was searching for something my entire life. And watching you, I've realized I've found it. So, I beg to differ." Fitz stopped and took a breath, he had to get this out. He leaned his head down to her, looking into her eyes even more. These next words he wanted her to know.
Fitz then lowered his voice and uttered, "Where I am sitting; what I am gazing on, is truly the most breathtaking, beyond beautiful, incredible," he stopped placed his index finger under her chin, and lifted her head up to meet his eyes even more, and whispered, "woman I have ever seen. I have never seen anyone more beautiful. Why would I want to look outside, when it does not compare to you."
Olivia felt herself take in a quick audible gasp of air. She placed her hand over her mouth totally in shock at what just came out of his mouth. Her head moved side to side, trying to grasp and process what he just said to her. No one has EVER told her that before. She knows she's pretty but never those words. She tried to place her head down, so he wouldn't see how much his statement affected her. She closed her eyes because the way he was looking at her now, was so powerful that she felt like she was breathing for him, or breathing for them.
She bit her lip, as it started to quiver, as she closed her eyes. With her eyes closed, she heard him say, "Look at me." Her head was still turned attempting to pull away from him. This man is too much for her. This man is too good for her. She does not deserve him. She starts to put her hands down on the couch to move away from him. With her heart racing, his words just touched in such a profound way. A way that she didn't think was possible or allowed. She felt herself almost unable to breath again.
"I can't," she finally got out, barely. Her voice sounded fragile and it was breaking. Those words are not meant for someone like her. They should be said to someone better. Someone, who's earned them; someone more deserving than her.
"Yes you can. Look. At. Me." Fitz told her. He could see that her breaths were becoming shallow again. "Look at me and breath with me. Breath FOR me Livy."
She felt the couch cushion move slightly, then his body so close to her own, too close that she was unable to breathe. She was terrified at how close he was to her now. He was probably inches away. She could feel his breath on her face. It was warm, but terrifying. He is her BOSS, the most powerful man in the world. In this moment he's sending her mind, and body into fight and flight mood.
She tried to move away but then felt his hands on her face. For as large as his hands were, the way he was touching her face, was like she was the finest china doll. No one has ever touched her this way before. His thumb was caressing her cheeks. His touch was light, tender, and beyond sensual. He was conveying through his touch, how much he cared for her. How much he needed her to breathe.
He told her again to look at him. She shook her head "no" at him again. Fitz knew he probably just freaked her out but he was not bound to let her pull away from THEM now. He was finally admitting to her how much she changed his life, and he couldn't bare it if she pulled away. She had become his everything, and he didn't want to hide it from her anymore. If this weekend was to be about them, and the kids, he didn't want her to fear him, or what they could become. But she had to let it first.
Fitz told her again. "Open. Your. Eyes." His hands that were still on his face were soothing her, calming her fears, making her mind come apart at its seams. She swallowed hard and opened them, fighting the tears that were threatening to come out. Fitz leaned in and touched his forehead to hers. Both of them were breathing hard, almost unable to focus. Then in an instant, their breathing matched once again.
With his eyes, locked in on hers, he told her, "You, Olivia Pope are perfect. Perfect in every way, shape and form. I don't want you to ever change who you are for anything. You have become MY PERSON. My person, that I have come to count on, rely on, and need in my life above all others." She felt his forehead leave hers. One stray tear graced her cheek. Fitz felt it hit his finger, and he wiped it away so carefully and tenderly.
Fitz finally leaned forward and kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger there for a moment, relishing how wonderful it felt to finally have his lips on her skin. Her skin felt like the purest silk from Asia, and he did not want to ever stop having his lips on her skin. He pulled away, resting his cheek on her forehead, totally forgetting that anyone else was there except them. He closed his eyes, dropped his hands from her face, and let them run down her arms.
He pulled away only barely, and saw how she was looking at him. He saw in her eyes a flush of emotions in her eyes, mirroring his own. She was about to pull away, but felt him edging closer to her, pulling her back to him, to them. Before he could they both heard, "HA, I get ten dollars," out of Karen to Jerry.
Fitz and Olivia looked at each other, then the kids, turning their bodies to them. He placed his arm behind her body, resting it on the back of the couch. Jerry piped up and said "No way. Dad didn't kiss her on the LIPS sis, SO it doesn't count. I am not paying you anything yet. So HA!"
Olivia put her hands on her face, hiding her embarrassment. Fitz said to the kids. "Did you both specify WHERE this kiss was supposed to happen for your bet?"
"No," Karen said staring at Jerry. "All we said was that whoever kissed the other before the end of the weekend WON the beat. We NEVER said where it had to happen, JERRY!"
"Oh Lord," Olivia said shaking her head in utter dismay.
Jerry said, "No Karen. Dad HAS to kiss her on the LIPS for it to count. That is what the bet is supposed to be. Kissing her on the forehead does not count. It's not their first kiss UNLESS it's on the lips Kar. Geez you've watched how much Once Upon A Time and you still don't know that. Right Liv?"
"Oh no, you keep me out of this conversation." She shook her head from side to side, waving her hands in the air.
"But Livy, Daddy just kissed you. A kiss is a kiss no matter where it is. IT counts right?" Karen asked Olivia, pleading with her.
Karen then turned to Fitz and said, "Daddy what do you think?"
He turned his face to Olivia, blushing and asked, "Well what do you think? Does that count as a first kiss, or" he stopped inching closer to her, "not?" He dropped his voice, wiggled his eyebrows at her, and gave her this smile that displayed these adorable dimples. This caused her to just about lose it. She had NEVER seen this playful, flirty side of him before.
"I'm pleading the fifth!" Olivia said causing Fitz to sit back on the couch letting out the biggest laugh.
"What," she exclaimed at him. "What you are laughing at? Why are you laughing?"
Fitz sat himself up, still unable to talk yet. She poked him and said, "Hey answer me."
Fitz finally calmed himself down and said to her, "You're pleading the fifth huh. Spoken like a true lawyer."
"Well I am one you know. I just didn't write speeches for your sorry butt cheeks. I just don't bake pumpkin crap all the time, fix ties, and watch Once Upon A Time. Oh and take care of my boss who can be a real pain in the behind most of the time," she said poking him.
"Oh really," Fitz asked her.
"Yes, Mr. President," she dropped her voice and got extremely close to him, "I know how to use magic. I can turn into the Evil Queen on occasion. If you're not careful I could curse you." She said to him, then giving him a wink.
"No comment." Fitz said.
She raised her eyebrows at him, and said "No comment. Now who's pleading the fifth," nudging him.
She leaned back on the couch, and could feel the helicopter begin to descend. "Olivia Pope, I have Superpowers," he said back finally. "I've already used some of them already."
"Oh really now. Then if you do, then how come you always pick the most hideous ties for Press Conferences and Interviews with the press core?"
"Well if I didn't, then how else would I get the most beautiful and brilliant woman in the world to get close enough to me so I can be next to her, AND put her arms around my neck, huh?" He bumped her, and watched her face expression. He didn't initially start out picking out the wrong ties, but since it became their thing, he just loved doing it. The thought of being close enough to touch her in any way possible was all he needed.
Olivia bit her bottom lip and shook her head at him. "Well I'll remember that from now on Mr. President."
Fitz was about to lean in closer to her again when the Tom and Mitch told him that they were about to land at Camp David. He was also informed that Cyrus called when they were in the air. Fitz asked what it was about but Tom and Mitch did not know. Olivia shrugged her shoulders because everything seemed in order before they took off. She had not seen Cy but figured it must be important if he contacted Fitz in the air.
/
Special Visitors and Camp David
Marine One was making its final descent to land on the grounds of Camp David. Karen and Jerry now moved next to Olivia and Fitz sat in his Presidential chair. He looked on as the three of them watched the cabins of Camp David appear out of the darkness. The grounds were lit up for their arrival and the Aspen Cabin was perfect.
The helicopter touched the ground and the door opened for them to appear. There was no press, no staff, but Fitz did have a surprise for Karen and Jerry.
Before the kids could leave the helicopter before him, he told them to watch the back doors. Karen and Jerry did so, and just about had a heart attack at who they saw.
"Dad, is that who I think it it?" Jerry asked.
"Oh my gosh Daddy, they're here. You brought them here." Karen said.
Before another word could be said the kids high-tailed it out the door to Marine One. Olivia looked outside and saw an elderly couple waiting for the kids on the back deck. Karen and Jerry ran up so fast to them, they practically knocked them over. They looked to be in their seventies and were just as happy to see the kids.
Olivia looked at Fitz and said, "Your parents?"
Fitz shook his head and said "No, Olivia not my parents. But these might as well be. Come on I REALLY want you to meet them."
"Wait," she said to Fitz, then grabbed his hand.
Fitz looked shocked that she did so, and walked into her space. She looked up into his beautiful blue eyes and said to him, "Before I forget, I wanted to say," she was stumbling over her words.
"Do you want me to write it down for you? I can get my Press Secretary to help out." Fitz said to her, trying to get her to relax.
"Very funny," she scolded him. "I wanted to say thank you for doing all this and for bringing me here. And that in case I forget, I had a really good time."
She let his hand go, but he was grabbed it back. "You're welcome."
Fitz then exited Marine One with Olivia right behind him. Once on the deck and he embraced the couple that Karen and Jerry were clinging too. The woman gave Fitz a light kiss on the cheek and the gentlemen shook Fitz's hand, then pulled him in for a hug. Olivia stood back in the distance and watched as everyone got reacquainted.
The woman then turned to Olivia and said, "Come here dear. Fitzgerald told us ALL about you," causing Olivia to blush. Right away she noticed that she called him 'Fitzgerald.' She swallowed hard, and her mind began to race. Karen and Jerry then walked over to her and took her hands and brought her in to meet the couple.
The woman outstretched her hand for Olivia to take, which she said. "Ma'am?"
Fitz then said to Olivia, "Olivia Pope, this is Elizabeth and Lionel MacCallum. They have known my family and me probably since I was five years old. They practically raised me, my brother and sister when my parents weren't around."
"Nice to meet you both," Olivia said as they finally entered the lodge, glaring at Fitz.
Elizabeth said to her, "So your Fitzgerald's Press Secretary then dear?"
"Yes Mrs. MacCallum I am. I have been working for President Grant for about a month." Olivia said back.
"Oh child, you can call me Liz, or Lizzie. You don't have to be so formal."
"Yes Ma'am." Olivia said.
Before Olivia said anything else, Karen and Jerry whisked her away from Fitz, Lionel and Elizabeth. They walked around the Aspen Lodge taking in the surroundings. There were high ceilings showing the woodwork. Wood floors that shinned like the sun. Comfortable sofas, a rocking chair by the back deck windows, and many pictures on the walls.
She was so speechless that she couldn't believe she was really here with him. They was some other staff but very few. The Secret Service was present outside. She had to keep reminding herself to breathe.
"How about we show you to your rooms?" Lionel said. The kids found the steps right away and were ready to take off but Olivia stopped them. Fitz looked on, and wondered what she was doing.
"Nope, the first one up is a rotten egg!" Olivia said and she took off up the steps with Karen and Jerry yelling "no fair," and taking off after her.
Fitz giggled, and watched on as Olivia took off with Karen and Jerry yelling at her along the way. Everyone down stairs heard them fighting over which room was theirs. Karen and Jerry mostly but it was cute to listen too.
Elizabeth and Lionel looked at Fitz before he went upstairs. "Go get the kids settled. We'll see you all in a bit at dinner."
Fitz hugged them both and was so elated that they came. He went up the stairs, and the staff showed him, Olivia and the kids where all their rooms were. Fitz of course had the biggest and was directly across the hall from Olivia's. His bedroom had a huge king bed (playpen) with a sitting area, a desk that he could work at, TV, and a balcony. Fitz went inside and got himself situated.
The staff then showed Karen and Jerry their rooms. Each had a full bed, with a small bathroom, and a TV sitting area. Then the doors opened to Olivia's room. It was right next to Karen's. The doors opened and she walked inside. On the queen size bed was a cream colored comforter with pillows everywhere. She had a couch, TV, and a rocking chair that was by a window. It was perfect. She felt like this was her room.
Fitz was in his room when he heard the kids across the hall with Olivia. "Come on Liv, can we please?"
He started to walk out of his room, realizing that was Karen's voice that just whined at her. Then he heard Jerry. "Please Liv, Dad is not here. Can we just do this just once? We won't tell anyone."
Fitz peeked his head inside to see Karen, Jerry and Olivia make a bee-line for her bed and jump on it. All of them were in their socks and were jumping up and down. Fitz leaned on the doorway, just watching her and the kids. Then they started having a pillow fight. Jerry got a good one on Olivia and she tackled him down and started to tickle him to death.
Jerry was squealing like a girl. "I'm going to get you Livy. You just wait." Jerry told her, and then Karen started to get him.
Olivia told him, "No you're not. You're not big enough to get me Jerry."
By this time, Fitz had begun to sneak up on them on the bed. No one still realized he was in the room yet. Then Jerry turned his head slightly and Fitz told him to hush because the two boys were going to get the girls.
"Oh no, I bet Dad could get you." Jerry said as Fitz was almost behind her.
"He wouldn't dare. He's not that brave. He's to chicken to do anything like that." Olivia told Jerry, messing him some more.
"You want to make a bet on that," Fitz finally said. Olivia froze in her spot, not knowing that Fitz was directly behind her.
Karen and Jerry backed up, knowing what was going to happen next. Fitz started to reach his hands forward, slowly, ready to grab onto her the moment she moved away. She was mouthing to the kids for help but both shook their heads "no" at her. She could barely breath, knowing he was so close to her.
Finally she felt his chest on her back, and she flinched. She closed her eyes, and tried to calm herself down. All Fitz wanted to do was pull her into his arms, but he was holding back. With his stomach still pressed against her back, her breathing got heavier. He leaned his head down, and she could feel his breath on her neck.
"Come on Dad, get her already." Jerry said.
"Nope, I rather make her wait for just the right moment Jerry. Girls son tend to be impatient, and sometimes you need to make them sweat it out. Right, Olivia?"
She nodded her head up and down, knowing one way or another she was in trouble. Then the kids heard Mrs. MacCallum yell, "Dinner!"
Fitz motioned for them to go, leaving him and Olivia alone in the room. "Say my name," he whispered in her ear. The way he wanted her right now was driving him insane.
"No."
"Say my name Olivia, or…." Fitz let his voice trail off.
"Or what President Grant," Olivia said, as she finally turned her body around to face him. She was kneeling on the bed, starting him down.
"I will get you."
The way he was looking at her, was causing every part of her to want to touch him. She could see desire in his eyes, that she had not seen before.
"What makes you think I want to be caught, Mr. President?" Olivia dropped her voice and eyed him suspiciously.
Fitz stepped in closer to her, leaning his hands on the bed. He watched her eyes get huge. Olivia knew that if she didn't move, he was going to get her. Fitz told her then, "Because I just know."
"Mr. President," Olivia told him sternly, doing her best to find a way out of this situation. She edged herself slowly off the bed, backwards. He got up and rounded the other side. While she did so, his eyes never leaving hers for a moment.
"Not like that," Fitz said. "Say it again." He was directly in front of her now. They were practically touching.
Olivia backed up, and started to walk back away from the bed on her tippy toes. "Mr. President," she said back, but this time more seductively. She began to back away from him, even more. "We can't."
"Yes we can," Fitz replied back, dropping his voice. His grin now was unmistakably sexy.
Olivia then got all twirly and twitchy in front of him. She moved her head from side to side, and bit her bottom lip, trying to hide her nervousness. Fitz was loving every second of this sexy side of her. It was playful, adorable, and to be honest, driving him crazy. All he wanted to do was touch her. Caress her, and be impossibly close to her. More than that, he was positively dying to kiss her.
He was still walking to her, "So was it?" Fitz asked her.
"What was what President Grant?" She answered back still walking backwards away from her. She backed herself into the wall. The way Fitz was walking to her, she knew she was in trouble.
"On Marine One, was that our FIRST kiss."
"Shit," she told herself she knew this was coming. "I don't know. You have the P.H.D, you figure it out."
She was teasing him and started sliding herself against the wall to get away from him. He followed her every move. He blocked her with his huge arm. She didn't realize how muscular his arms were until looking at them in his polo shirt. All she wanted to do was run her hands up and down his arms, and encase herself in them again.
She turned to go the other way but then he put his other arm up. She told herself to breath, because if she didn't, she would faint for sure.
He then told her, "Because if it wasn't our FIRST kiss then no one won that bet. And," he stopped, "I am curious to see who wins. Aren't you?"
"I have no words." She said back to him, causing Fitz to let out a silent giggle.
Fitz began to lean down to her, and was so close to her. He was so close to her again that she found herself that she felt she couldn't breathe again. She held her breathe and closed her eyes. The anticipation of what was could happen was enough to drive her mind crazy. His lips were so close to touching hers when they both heard "DINNER! Come on you two!"
Fitz stepped back and Olivia folded her arms in front of him wondering what he was going to do. Fitz stepped back and finally let her begin to walk past him. Both walked out the door, with thoughts of what could have happened if they weren't literally saved by the dinner bell.
/
Dinner with the Grants….
Olivia and Fitz finally made it downstairs and saw Elizabeth and Lionel finishing placing food on the table. Jerry and Karen were already in their spots leaving a bench seat open for Fitz and Olivia. Olivia shook her head knowing that THESE two were going to be the death of her this weekend. Every chance they got they were trying to get them as close as possible.
Olivia slid into the bench and Fitz did the same sitting himself right next to her. Elizabeth and Lionel cooked a spectacular meal. Olivia discovered that this couple had been with the Grant Family since he was about 5 years old. Her eyes widened at that omission and noticed Fitz blush next to her. They knew Fitz for almost his entire life, over 40 years to be exact.
"So you can tell me lots of blackmail info on him then," Olivia asked Elizabeth.
"Oh yes dear, and then some." Elizabeth. "Fitzgerald has always been the real deal and practically perfect. But he did get himself into trouble now and again."
"Well I may to pry you for some information on him later."
"Pry child no. I can tell you anything you want to know." Elizabeth said.
"Now Elizabeth, you can't be embarrassing the President of the United States like that." Lionel said teasing his wife of over 35 years. "You're making him blush."
Fitz shook his head and LONGED for a marriage like they had. After all this time, Lionel still looked at his wife, like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
"I can to Nel. Both of us have known Fitzgerald a LONG time and we practically raised him. I am a good judge of character. And this Olivia," she then touched her hand, startling her, "is perfect." Her eyes then went to Fitz. Elizabeth then took her hand and placed it on Fitz's. She took his hand and placed it on top of Olivia's intertwining their fingers. She squeezed their hands together.
Both looked down at their hands, and when Elizabeth finally pulled her hand away, they still kept their hands locked into the other. They looked at each other and he could feel her begin to pull her hand out of his own. He started to rub his thumb slightly on her hand causing her to relax. Fitz then picked it up and finally placed a kiss on her open palm.
Olivia felt her breath hitch, and heard the Karen say, "Do I finally win the bet now?"
"Oh no, not this AGAIN!" Olivia said, getting beyond embarrassed.
Lionel and Elizabeth then asked about "this bet" and the kids were happy to fill them in. Olivia got even more embarrassed and almost nuzzled herself into Fitz but stopped herself before she did so. Elizabeth then started to clear the table. Olivia offered to help and Fitz was about to scoot out to let her up. She told him to sit still and she hopped over the back of the bench.
"Ta Da!" This caused the entire table to erupt in laughter. Right when Fitz was getting up to help, Tom came back into the room and told him that Cyrus called again. Olivia checked her phone and apparently the ringer was still turned off.
She immediately turned it back on and she had messages from Cyrus. She was about to call him back but her phone started to ring. Olivia looked at it quite surprised and wondered what was going on that made Cy keep calling.
She excused herself for a moment went by the back deck windows. "What?"
"Where is he Liv?" Cy asked her ticked off.
"Cyrus, geez, Hi. Hello. How are you?" Olivia said back to him teasing him.
"Yah. Yah. Yah. Hi. Hello. How are you?" Cy said back to her, really annoyed.
"What happenend Cyrus? You sound like you are about to have a stroke."
"Where is HE Liv?" Cy asked her again.
"He's helping in the kitchen with the kids, why? What's going on?"
"Can you please have him call me back Liv? It's important."
"Yes, I'll go tell him right now. A war didn't break out did it." Olivia sensed something was wrong.
"No. Every nation we're friends with is fine. But this situation needs his attention. I swear the moment he leaves with the kids, holy hell breaks loose." Olivia could hear the urgency in his voice, and him literally pacing. She could even picture the veins in his head popping out.
"Cyrus! Seriously old man, take a breath, and stop pacing. I bet you are wearing a whole in your carpet." Fitz heard her now and went to check.
Fitz stopped and waited for her to see him. Olivia looked up and shrugged her shoulders. "I am NOT wearing a whole in my carpet. But I am wearing these shoes out. Is he done 'domesticating?"
"Yes Cy, he's standing right here looking at me." Olivia told him, and by now Fitz had begun to walk over to her, sensing something was wrong. The kitchen was pretty much cleaned up and the kids were watching TV with Lionel and Elizabeth on the couch.
"Everything okay?" Fitz whispered to her. "I can hear him all the way over there."
She put her finger up to basically tell Fitz to shush. He chuckled and leaned against the couch. He found it quite amusing watching and listening to her attempting to calm Cyrus down.
"Cy, the President is right here. Do you want to talk to him on my phone or can he call you from the house line?" Olivia asked him.
"The house line is fine. Just tell him, I can't take much more of this issue. I'll be waiting. Bye Liv." Cy then abruptly hung up.
She walked over to Fitz and leaned on the couch next to him. "Cy is fine but you need to talk him off whatever ledge he's ready to fall off of. He's having a meltdown about something. He didn't tell me what, but it must be big for him to call my phone a few times, and to call here for you. He sounded like he about to have a heart attack and a stoke at the same time. You best call him."
Fitz leaned over to her, bumping his arm with his own. She felt her body shiver again, as he so. "There goes a stress free weekend. I really didn't want any interruptions. I wanted this to be just US. You, me and the kids."
"You're the Leader of the Free World. That is kind of hard to avoid. Go call him. I'll get the kids ready for bed. It's getting late anyway."
She started to walk away from him but he got a hold of her first. "Do you know how perfect you are?"
She didn't answer him, but could feel herself becoming flustered. Her heart literally skipped a beat. She tilted her head and looked at him. A small smile began to creep on her face. Her eyes glistened, and she drew both her lips in. She rolled her eyes up, and looked back at him. She shook her head "no," at him.
"I am not perfect," she barely got out. "Not even close."
"Why would she think she was not perfect", Fitz wondered. He walked right back into her space, getting impossibly close again. He reached up and grazed her face with his finger.
"But Livy," he whispered, "you are perfect. Perfect to me, FOR ME."
She felt this thump in her throat that she could barely swallow. "Did he really just say that to me? He's the President of the United States, and he just told me that I am perfect FOR HIM. Is he out of his mind." She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to process, if she could, what he just said to her. But she couldn't. IT was too much.
"Fi- - -" she started to say, but she heard the kids say, "Livy can you come and watch TV with us before bed. The show is almost over."
"Sure I'm coming. Save me room. Then when the show is done, I'll get you two ready for bed. Your Dad has to call Cyrus." She said to them, with her eyes never leaving Fitz's for a moment.
"Okay," she heard both of them say.
She squeezed his hand but before she could pull away he said to her, "Liv, wait up for up me okay?"
"I'll think about it," she said back to him, biting her bottom lip.
Fitz nodded at her and gave her a small smile that she knew was ONLY meant for her. Fitz then went up the stairs to call Cyrus back.
/
The Phone Call...
He sat at the desk in his room and picked up the phone. Cy picked up immediately and Fitz could hear the frustration in his voice. His voice sounded beyond stressed, like a World War had just broken out.
"Cyrus," Fitz said.
"Mr. President," Cy sneered back at him. Fitz could hear the annoyance in his voice.
"Cyrus, what is going on?" I could hear you screaming into the phone when you were talking to Olivia. Did a war break out or something? I've only been gone a couple of hours."
"You know Sir, for the most Powerful Man in the World, with all best technology at your disposal, you could at least return my call sooner. I have been pulling what little hair I have left out."
"Cyrus, just tell me what the heck is going on? Whatever ledge you're on, I promised Olivia that I would talk you off of. James didn't ask for a big smooshy baby again did he?" Fitz said to him laughing.
"No James didn't ask me for a big smooshy baby again. It's just while you are up there at Camp David pretending to be Tarzan with Jane and your little monkeys, I've been dealing with an ISSUE!"
"Cy, can you stop saying that Geez. I am NOT Tarzan and Olivia is not Jane," Fitz said shaking his head. "What happened now?" Fitz asked.
Cyrus then informed him of the situation and Fitz could feel his blood pressure begin to rise. He apologized to Cyrus for causing him anymore stress, and would handle the situation.
He hung up the phone and found the kids already in their pajamas in their rooms. He told them he loved them and would see them in the morning. He found Olivia downstairs watching TV with Lionel and Elizabeth. He tapped her shoulder and told her that he would be a bit longer. She said okay. Fitz went up the stairs and closed the door to his room.
He sat at his desk and prepared himself to make this next phone call. He dialed the number that was given to him. The phone rang a couple of times, and the person on the other end finally picked up.
"Hello Fitzgerald," the voice on the other line said.
"What do you want Mellie?"
/
WHAT! For those of you that were asking when Mellie would be making her appearance in this story, well there is your answer. What does she want? Just keep reading and following and you'll see. ;=)
So, Fitz did kiss her twice but was it the KISS you all wanted. Was it THEIR first kiss? Probably not, but we can't always get what we want, now can we? I am such an Evil Queen to keep dragging this out. But it's so much fun! (He, he…wink wink.) I know you all just want that FIRST KISS to happen already. Not yet my pumpkins, but as you can tell it's coming! When…I am not telling. But it will be worth the wait.
Fitz has also made some of his feelings known for her now. He's finally telling her how much she means to him. Of course she's still freaked out but at least she's not fully running away. Well not yet anyway. He's left her beyond speechless on more than one occasion.
I hope you like Elizabeth and Lionel. They are good friends of the Grants. More information on them will be in the next chapter. But they have known Fitz practically his entire life and are perfect to help these to love birds breath in sync. Oh Fitz in this story is 44 years old.
I hope this chapter helped you breath better and more on their Camp David will be in the next. So you get ONE more chapter filled with Camp David goodness, and OLITZ hotness. Will their kiss happen, or more. Not saying….;-)
Leave me "pumpkin seeds" cuz they make me smile….
Peace, Pumpkins and Peaches….;-)
