Hi Olitzers, I am so sorry for leaving you hanging for a week! I had a minor case of writer's block. I promise it won't happen again. I really appreciate the reviews for the story; you guys really brighten my day. I appreciate you all so much! Here is chapter 10! Read, review and Enjoy!

As the days passed and the news about Mellie's indiscretions took over the airwaves, the approval ratings were rising for Fitz. The media painted him as the husband trapped in a loveless marriage with a political gold digger of a wife, who whored herself out for power and prestige. Fitz and I have not been able to talk for the past week; I had been busy wrapping up the Hartwell case.

Vincent Hartwell was running for Congress, when he was accused of murdering his wife. Long story short, his half-brother framed him. Hartwell's half-brother, Frances was jealous of Vincent's success and his relationship with his wife, Maria. In a fit of rage, he broke into the Hartwells' home, and murdered Maria in cold blood.

I was opposed to Fitz wanting me to have a security detail. However, as I thought about it, I was getting used to the idea. After what happened with Ballard, I knew Fitz wanted to protect me from anything like that happening again. I was too independent. My childhood with my parents, led me to having an impervious wall of armor on me, unable to let people see the real me. I was too much of a coward to let people care about me, to allow them to show me that they actually love me. I needed to be able to accept other people's help, especially those who cared for me.

I was in my office at OPA, looking at a selection of promise rings from Boone & Sons on my desk. I was taking the first step in earning Fitz, to show him how much I loved him. I looked at the gold wrap around ring on my finger. Fitz gave me this ring during the first campaign, after Big Jerry's funeral. 'This is a promise to remind you, that my love for you is pure. I do not know how this election will turn out. There is a 50-50 chance for me winning or losing. Livvie, the start of our relationship was unconventional; there is no denying that. But, what I know for sure is that even though our relationship is unconventional, that we fell in love with each other in the most unlikely of circumstances, I want you to know that I will get out of this prison of a marriage, and marry you one day. That is my promise to you. I want you to know that my love for you is always pure, that I will love you forever. Whenever you doubt yourself or my love for you, I want you to look at this ring, and remember, that my love is forever.'

Usually, in romantic relationships the man does not show his feelings freely, while the woman openly expresses her feelings for him. Well, in this case, with Fitz and me, I was the hesitant one. I was going to change that dynamic. Fitz deserved better from me. Our relationship was completely one-sided. He always expressed his love for me, not caring what anyone else thought or said about it. He always gave me choices, free reign in where our relationship went. Whenever we broke up, I was the one who initiated it. The only times he initiated the breakup between us, was when he 'let me go,' at the restaurant when he left for the G8 Summit, and after the rough sexual encounter in the closet after Ella's christening. I was going to stop being a cowering idiot, being afraid. I was going to step up in this relationship. The first step, was giving Fitz a promise ring, making my feelings known, and giving him the chance to decide where this relationship was going.

"Jack, can you drive me to the White House please?" I ask him. Jack is Tom's twin brother. When Tom was ordered by Fitz to assign agents for my security detail, Tom chose his younger brother as the head agent for my detail. I didn't need to be worried, because Jack was just like Tom in every way that mattered. He was kind, loyal, friendly and a no-nonsense Secret Service agent. "Yes Ma'am," he replied escorting me from OPA.

"Livvie, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?" Fitz asked me. He stood erect beside the Resolute Desk, as I walked in the Oval. The promise ring was in my pocket. I thought about what Fitz just asked me. 'Why was I there? Was something wrong?' When ever I came to the Oval, in the past, I usually ranted and raved about being summoned. I was being a complete and total bitch, having an attitude because of my control issues. That was about to change. I am going to change, to be the woman that Fitz deserved.

"Nothing is wrong. I came because I wanted to see you. I want to give you something," I say, taking the ring box out of my pant pocket. "I need to tell you something. I am going to give you the chance to make the choice of where this relationship is going to go. Fitz, you have always showed me, you loved me even though I didn't deserve it. You have always given me choices, even though I haven't given you choices." I paused, opening the ring box. "You loved me, even though I didn't love myself. The reason why I rejected your affections, pushing you away, because I didn't recognize real love when it was staring me in the face. I wasn't shown love when I was young, I was never told I was loved so I didn't recognize it. Falling in love with you scared me. Falling in love with you so quickly and so deeply really scared me. When we were in the hallway, during the first campaign, that was when I fell for you. When you ran out the clock on your marriage, that night James interviewed Mellie on Prime time, that was when I knew how serious you were about us."

"Fitz, I am giving you this ring as a promise of my commitment to you. I know that I haven't given you much reason in the past, to show you that. You have shown me on numerous occasions that you love me, that you would risk everything to be with me. You said you would give it all up for me, I just had to say the word. Well, I am here to give you the chance to choose what you want; where you want this relationship to go," I paused looking at him. I looked into his beautiful blue eyes, making eye contact, so he would finally know how serious I am.

"I know I am cliche using song lyrics, but I need you to teach me how to love you, Fitz. I want to know what love truly is, so I can fully surrender my heart to you. I want to show you that I love you. I want to reciprocate my love, like you show you love me so effortlessly. I need you in my life, Fitz. I want to be the woman you deserve. I want to be the woman by your side," I said pouring my heart out to him. "Will you accept this ring, as my promise to you? I know I am a work in progress. What I know for sure, is that I can't live my life without you. You are my happiness. Will you accept me and take me as I am, and teach me what love really is? I want to show you that I am done running from you. I want to be with you wholeheartedly. Our relationship has been completely one-sided, up until this point, and tonight I am going to change that. Fitz, I love you."

Fitz took off his wedding ring, and I placed my promise ring on his finger. The ring was yellow gold with a band of white diamonds embedded all around it. There were tears in his eyes. "Yes Livvie, I will accept this ring. I love you. I love you so much," he replied, his voice hoarse, holding back tears. Then I kissed him with all my might. This was the beginning of a new start for us.

Alright guys, that was chapter 10! Again, I am so sorry for the week long wait. But I hope this chapter was worth it! Liv is finally stepping up in this relationship, putting her heart out there for her man. It's about time, right? Tell me what you think in your reviews with comments, thoughts, and predictions! I will try to have chapter 11 up by Wednesday. Until next time...Tay