Here's the latest installment to the story. As always, feel free to leave a review. I love hearing from fellow gladiators:) Happy reading!

Olivia was standing in Fitz's kitchen and cleaning his house for him before he arrived. She was visiting for the weekend and wanted to do something nice for him. It was their first time being together since they returned back to the states from St. Bart's and she couldn't wait for him to get home.

As she walked to the laundry room to start a load of dirty clothes she heard his house keys jingle in the door.

"Hello? Anybody home?"

Olivia walked out to the main room. As soon as they met eyes her face lit up and he dropped his back to meet her halfway.

"Hey you." He gave her a charming smile as he slowly slid his arms around her waist. He leaned down to sweetly kiss her.

"Mmmm. Hey hot stuff. How was work?"

"It was good. Got a lot done this actually." He kept pecking her lips over and over sweetly."How's my beautiful fiancé doing?"

She put her arms around his neck.

"I'm fine," she began giving him sweet kisses along his jaw. "I love when you call me your fiancé."

"Mmmm. Fiancé," he said in a low voice.

"Mmmm, say it again."

"Fiancé," in his sexiest voice followed by a sensual kiss.

She tilted her head to the side and smiled widely. Her glimmering eyes, beautiful high cheekbones, and full lips put Fitz in a trance.

"You hungry?" He asked.

"Yeah. I already started dinner. The chicken's marinating in the kitchen."

"Well look at you. Miss Susie Homemaker."

"When I have time on my hands I don't mind playing housewife. You know that. C'mon you can hang in the kitchen while I finish dinner." She reached up for a quick kiss before breaking away from him.

As she turned around he slapped her butt and bit his bottom lip.

"Go finish making my dinner woman!" He growled playfully as he gave her a devilish grin.

She turned around with her lips pursed and one eyebrow raised.

"Watch it, Grant."

He raised his hands innocently as they walked into the kitchen.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding."

They made dinner together and talked as they caught up on each others happenings. As they finished eating Fitz stood up to bring their dishes to the sink. He rolled up his sleeves and began washing their plates. Liv watched on from the island countertop as she picked at the pan of leftovers.

"All the partners at the firm keep asking if we've picked a date," he said casually as he diligently cleaned their utensils.

"And you tell them what?"

He looked at her and paused his cleaning.

"That my amazing fiancé and I have yet to decide."

"Good answer. I'm working on it. There's alot to consider with the timing of everything. It's not like we've been engaged for months. I think we're allowed a window of time to figure it all out."

"I agree. But don't get too stressed about it. As long as we're married by then end of it all, I'm fine with whatever. You know, Liv, I was thinking about a themed wedding."

"Theme?"

"Yeah. Like rock-n-roll, or 70s?" He was joking but Olivia clearly wasn't amused.

"What exactly is your gameplan anyway, if you don't mind my asking."

"Gameplan?" He was drying his hands and turned around to face her. He stood with his tall frame against the counter and his arms crossed.

"Yeah, as in what's going on in that brain of yours? What's the endgame looking like? After the wedding?"

"I got a plan," he said nonchalantly.

"Okay...and the plan being?"

"Getting married and having a lots more sex."

"That's cute," her serious tone was laced with sarcasm."How about you try that again."

"Well, I plan on marrying you, getting you pregnant, and growing old. By the way I've already found a nice plot for us to be buried side by side. We can also do one on top of the other, in which case I get the top. You know I like being on top." He winked at her. She stared at him, noticeably annoyed.

"Right. Well, that sounds simple but we live in the real world. So, I'll ask again, what's your endgame?"

"I'm not kidding. We gotta get you knocked up ASAP. You think Cyrus and James will babysit for date night?"

"What?"

"When we have kids, we'll need a reliable babysitter. James is like the gay version of Martha Stewart so I trust him with my child."

"What are you talking about? Can you be serious for five seconds please? Can you do that for me? Jesus, it's like you have Tourette's tonight," she muttered.

"I'm just playing around Liv, relax."

"I am relaxed," her body language proved otherwise.

"Could've fooled me."

"I am relaxed Fitz. But when I ask how exactly you plan on working out this marriage idea, I'd appreciate an adult conversation. Not jokes about where our caskets are being laid or how you want a rock-n-roll themed wedding. How about where are we going to live? Or what am I supposed to do with my firm if you can't leave your position in New York? Marriage is actual work, you know. It's not just a fun wedding and reception followed by a fantasy life."

Fitz's demeanor changed completely from playful to serious.

"Olivia. Out of the two of us, I think I know best what a marriage entails. So you can cut the condescending crap."

"I'm being condescending? Excuse me for being the only one that has serious questions about our future. That sounds like a promising marriage waiting to happen..." Her sarcasm was now evident.

"Because of a joke? Jesus, Liv. I guess I shouldnt be that surprised considering that it is you we're talking about."

"What exactly is that supposed to mean, Fitz?"

"You know what it means. If you're having doubts or getting cold feet can you let me know now so I can brace myself. I don't think I can survive another one of your moments when you walk away as soon as things don't go exactly your way."

"I've never walked aw-"

"Oh, really Olivia? Really? You're gonna completely ignore the fact that this is what you do? You push and push and push. It's impossible sometimes with you, I swear." He threw his hands up in the air, clearly irritated.

"Is there ever going to be a day where you don't throw that in my face? I made a cold, hard decision to leave the White House. Maybe it wasn't what you wanted, but its what I needed to keep from losing my mind. Was it easy? No. But I dont need you bringing that up every time you want to prove a point. Especially considering that it was years ago! We have some serious decisions that need to be made about our future. I'm not the bad guy here Fitz! I'm not starting this marriage with two feet in the ground already. Do you hear me?!"

"Liv, do you want to be married to me?"

"What?"

"You heard me."

"Why would I accept your proposal if I didn't want to marry you?"

"Okay, I'm just making sure, because from anyone looking in, I'd say it looks like you're trying to find reasons why we won't work. I'm too in love with you to not make sure that you definitely want this."

"Fitz, you know I do," she was insulted that he would even ask her such a question.

"Okay. Well then I think that before things escalate further we should go to bed..."

"No, we're talking about this right now."

"No!" He slammed his palm flat on the table."We're not! We're not discussing this anymore tonight Olivia," he said sternly.

He walked out of the kitchen as she sat on the island in shock. 'How dare he raise his voice at me like that' she thought. She never allowed anyone to yell at her without serious consequences to follow.

That night Olivia had every intention of sleeping on the couch. But she decided that she wasn't going to punish herself because he lost his temper. She had every right to sleep in the bedroom too, she told herself.

Late into the night she eased into the bed, not speaking a word as she settled in. Fitz was already in the bed with his back to her, but as she got situated he moved to lay on his back. Olivia was on her side, refusing to turn around to face him. Moments later Fitz broke the silence.

"I shouldn't have raised my voice tonight in the kitchen."

Olivia didnt respond.

"I was angry, but I shouldn't have raised my voice. And I'm sorry for bringing up that stuff from forever ago."

No response.

"Anything Liv? Can you say something? At least so I know you heard me."

She let out a sigh."Okay."

"Okay?"

"I said okay," her voice still agitated.

"What can I do to make this right?"

"Just go to sleep. We'll talk about it later."

Fitz knew that he was asking for trouble if he pushed the conversation further, so he stopped talking. He wanted so badly to reach over and rub her back, or touch her arm. Anything to feel her and to show her that he was sorry. But he knew his fiancé too well to try that. So, he conceded and did his best to fall asleep, feeling like half the world was in between them.

The next morning Fitz was up early reading the paper and drinking coffee as Olivia walked in the kitchen. She was wrapped in her ivory silk robe and her hair in a low messy bun. She sat on a stool right next to him and looked at him face to face. Her expression looked blank, which wasn't surprising to him.

"Fitz, I understand what you were saying last night. I...I just don't want to feel like I'm the only one taking this seriously. We have to make a lot of decisions and I feel like you don't understand that. So I feel like I'm alone, trying to figure it all out while you get to enjoy the ride."

He put his newspaper down and turned to look at her square on.

"Livvie. I know that this is serious. I understand we have a wedding to plan. I need to get my job situation figured out. We need to find a house. We need to really talk and get a good plan that works for both of us. I didn't mean to upset you. Okay? I'm sorry," he paused to stare into her eyes,"Come here."

He pulled her into his body as she leaned into his shoulders without lifting her arms. She let him hold her for a minute as he kissed her cheek. His hands had started to rub her back in a soothing circular motion. He leaned back to look at her.

"Can I get some smooches?"

She nodded her head 'yes' as she lifted her hands to cradle his face. They began kissing sweetly but it wasn't long before their tongues and lips were slowly dueling one between their passionate sensual kissing they fit in small talk.

"I hate when we argue," he said against her pout as he nipped her bottom lip.

"Me too."

"And I hate sleeping in the same bed as you and not even touching you. Last night was torture," his mouth lowered to kiss her neck.

"I know. But I was really mad Fitz," his soft smoothe lips against her neck were taking her breath away as her fingers massaged his hair.

"I'm so sorry Liv," he raised his face to look her in her eyes.

"I'm sorry too."

Their mouths met again, this time more aggressively. As they stood up and Fitz leaned into her roughly, her back being pushed into the edge of the counter. He was holding her face with one hand and groping her ass with the other.

"I'm going to make love to you right now," he whispered in her ear as his tongue flicked her earlobe, followed by a light tug from his teeth.

"Right here? We can go take a shower."

"Uh-uh. I want to lay you down on that table and show you how sorry I am."

"Fitz..."

"Let me show you." He whispered in her ear.

Without giving him a response she gave him a seductive look and took his hand to lead him towards the living room.

"I said the table," he said as she was pulling him along.

"I want the couch."

Olivia removed her robe casually, took off her top and bra and laid on her back. He undressed as she watched. Before he eased on top of her he peeled off her panties. He slowly placed himself above her, situating himself in between her legs. The back of her head rested on the arm of the couch as he got comfortable. It was as if they were moving in slow motion until he aligned his body with hers and eased himself inside, the entire time never losing eye contact.

"Fitz," she gasped faintly.

His hips began shifting his hard erection in and out of her warm entrance gently.

"God, Olivia. You feel so good," his lips kissed hers softly. She let out a faint whimper as she clenched her jaw and her eyes fluttered.

As he began making love to her he held her waist down so that he was the only one doing the work. Her back was slightly arched as she met every one of his smoothe thrusts. After moments of silent movement with occasional grunts and moans, he began whispering in her ear.

"I'm so sorry baby. I love you. Do you feel how much I love you?" He asked in a low tone.

Her hands reached up to hold around his neck.

"Do you feel that Liv? God,you drive me crazy sometimes," his hips were riding in a deep circular motion to make sure she felt all of him. His body weight on top of her felt heavy but she loved being so close to him. It felt like magic to her, leaving her speechless as her face reflected both pleasure and pain.

He lowered his head slightly to keep talking in her ear as he moved in her.

"You drive me crazy baby. I'm so sorry for last night."

"Fitz," Olivia loved how he was moving in and out of her. Slow but intense. Her nails giving deep scratches along his lower back. She knew he was sorry, but this was the best apology she could ask for. This powerful man begging for forgiveness and exclaiming his love. It was heaven.

He lifted his face from her ear to look into her eyes.

"I love you." His hips made deeper and longer motions into her. A few times he'd go as far as he could, and stay there until her eyes showed she couldn't take any more.

"You're so deep Fitz," her high-pitched voice assured him that he was loving her just right.

"I want you to know how much I love you."

"I know," she said gasping for air as she licked her lips and watched the intensity in his face.

"Anything you want feel how hard you get me?" His voice was strained as he held onto her and gave her delicate kisses.

"God, yes."

"Tell me Liv. I need you to say it."

"I feel how hard I get you."

Hearing her say this almost sent him over the edge. But he focused on her face wanting to give her more. He himself looked as if he were in a trance, a daze, as he spoke firmly.

"Tell me you love me."

"I love you."

"Say it again," he said intensely as he stared into her brown eyes.

"I love you Fitz." She was more than turned on by his commands. At that moment she knew that he needed to feel her love too. She stopped prolonging the inevitable and allowed her body to be taken by him completely. As she climaxed he groaned and pulled her onto him closely to feel every pulse that was sent through her body to his. It was mind blowing how good she felt. Within seconds his body reacted to the sensation and he reached his own finish.

His body finally gave out and dropped limp on top of hers. He didnt want to pull himself out. His body rested against her soft brown skin as he wrapped his arms around her tiny frame, both of them catching their breath.

"Can we just lay here for a minute?" He asked as he laid his head to the side on top of her chest.

"I don't think we have a choice. I can't feel my legs right now."

He looked up at her as she placed her palms on her forehead and looked to the ceiling.

"It was that good?"

"It was that good," she assured him as she began combing his hair with her fingers. He laid his head back down on her chest and closed his eyes before letting out a sigh of relaxation.

"I found a house in Alexandria I want you to look at."

"What?"

"I found a house in-"

"No, I heard you. When did this happen?"

"I've had my eye on it for a while. Before St. Bart's actually. But I didn't want you to get scared at the thought of buying a house. I know that's a big commitment."

"Well so is getting married."

"True. So then you'll come with me to look at it?"

"Of course. Just let me know and I'll clear my schedule."

"And I've been talking to a few people. There's a couple of really good job opportunities for me here in Washington that I've been eyeing."

"Fitz. Why didnt you say any of this last night? This is what I call a severe delayed reaction."

"I don't know. I don't know what happend last night. I really don't."

"So have you started taking meetings about the positions?"

"Nope. Not yet. Alot of emails and a few conference calls. I have most of the proposals with me so we can look over them together this weekend. I wanted to use your professional opinion."

"Okay."

"And one other thing you might not be too happy about..."

"What?"

"My mom's throwing us an engagement party."

"No. Not happening. Not even a chance."

"The invitations have already been sent out."

"Fitz!"

"I know this is a big deal. Honestly, I didn't know when to drop the bomb on you. I tried to get out of it. She insisted."

"Lord knows you can't say no to your mother." She said under her breath.

"Hey."

"I know. Sorry. I guess it could be worse." She took a few seconds to compose herself."When and where?"

"Next month, on the 17th. And it's being hosted on The Ranch."

"We're having an engagement party in California in three weeks?"

"We'll fly your mom and some friends in. It won't be too bad. I promise."

He opened his eyes and lifted his head up.

"Separate showers?"

"We can take one together. But no extra playtime. I want to go over those job proposals before the weekend gets away from us."

Fitz stood up and placed his hand out to help Olivia off the couch. He picked her up and cradled her in both arms as he kissed her lips.

"That was good makeup sex," he said proudly.

"Yeah. Just think of how much more you're gonna owe me after this engagement party."

"Trust me, I know."