A/N This fic is nearing the finish line I may have two more chapters left but I thank you all for reading and commenting. It is greatly appreciated.

1 Week Later

Despite Fitz's assurances, Mellie was still struggling with what to believe and who to trust. Her mind kept replying all that Andrew said to her everything that she saw in the pictures that he'd showed her. She just couldn't believe that Fitz was the one that truly realized she was gone. Mellie just knew it was Karen or even Cyrus, but not Fitz.

"Mom" Karen tentatively walked into the room. Mellie smiled seeing her baby girl.

"Yes sweetie." Karen came over and climbed onto the bed with her mom.

"You ok mom?" Mellie hugged her daughter to her chest.

"Yes honey I'm ok." Karen looked up at her mom.

"Don't do that. Don't act like I'm a baby tell me the truth. Dad trusted me with the truth why can't you?" Mellie frowned.

"What truth did your dad trust you with?"

"That you were missing. He knew it was a big risk telling me because I had to keep it a secret to keep you safe, but he trusted me. I want to know if you are ok mom?"

"No baby I'm not, but I don't want you worrying about me."

"How can I help?" Karen said softly.

"Just be here." Karen nodded and laid back down on her mom's chest.

"I'm so glad you are home. I know dad is too." Mellie didn't say anything she had her doubts that Fitz was as happy to have her home.

Two Days Later

The Grant family packed up so that they could go to Santa Barbra. The more Mellie thought about it the more she liked the idea of getting out of the stifling air of the White House. Getting away from D.C. period would do her good. It'd been so long since she and Fitz visited Santa Barbra. After the long plane ride they finally reached their house. Mellie went straight to the expansive backyard and took a deep breath of the fresh air.

"I love living in the White House, but I miss this place." Fitz stated as he walked up behind her. She nodded in agreement.

"It's always nice to return here." He came to stand next to her.

"Have you thought anymore about talking to someone?"

"Yes and I will, but right now I just want to enjoy this time."

"Of course." Fitz and Mellie stood outside enjoying the fresh air for a couple minutes more before deciding to join Karen and Teddy inside.

After the family dinner Mellie retreated to hers and Fitz's bedroom. She took a long hot bath, trying to wash away all the stress in her body. She pulled herself out of the tub when the water started to cool. Mellie dried herself off and Fitz appeared in the doorway.

"You need me to lotion your back?" Mellie jumped a little startled by his sudden appearance. Her first thought was to turn him down, but then she decided against it.

"Yes." Fitz walked over and grabbed the bottle of lotion. Mellie turned away from him and lowered her towel, exposing her back. He squirted lotion on his hand and rubbed them together trying to warm the lotion. He spread it all over her back and Mellie shivered slightly. It'd been so long since she'd felt his hands on her. He rubbed the lotion in , Mellie was about to replace her towel when he leaned forward and kissed the back of her shoulder. His arm came around her waist and pulled her slightly against his body.

"I thought I was going to go crazy when I realized you were missing." He said into the side of her neck. Mellie closed her eyes trying to squash the doubt that was creeping in. "I know that we've had a lot of problems, but you are my wife and the mother of my children. I love you Mellie, I care about you." Fitz's hand slowly made its way up her bare torso, he brushed across her nipple that quickly hardened at his touch. Mellie moaned and felt the heat rush between her thighs.

"Fitz we shouldn't." Mellie stepped out of his embrace and pulled her towel back up, she turned to him and gasped when she saw the look in his eyes. It was a mixture of love, lust and regret.

"Let me make love to you Mellie." He stepped closer to her. His lips only inches away from hers. Mellie leaned in and closed the gap between them. Her lips tentatively moved across his, Fitz parted his lips slightly and she slowly slipped her tongue into his mouth. Fitz pulled her flush against him needing to feel her against him. Mellie's hands moved down his back to his backside she pushed him into her tighter. Fitz reached down and hoisted her into his arms, carrying her into the bedroom.

Fitz sat her down on the floor and removed her towel before pulling his shirt over his head. He pulled her back to him, needing to feel her skin on his.

"God I was so scared Mellie. I thought I'd never see you again and that just hurt me so badly." Mellie was stunned at his words. She looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes. He bent and tenderly kissed her forehead.

Mellie reached down and undid his belt before unbuttoning his pants and pulling down his zipper. She reached in and slowly took his silky shaft into her hand and began to rub him. Fitz captured her mouth again and he moaned into it when he felt her light touch. Mellie pulled his pants and boxers down and he stepped out of them. He picked her up again and laid her down on the bed. Mellie opened her legs in anticipation of having her husband inside of her. He slowly crawled up her body placing soft kisses as he went until he settled between her thighs. Fitz reached down and dipped a finger into her heat making sure she was ready for him.

"I'm ready Fitz. I need you please." He grabbed her thigh and opened her legs slightly wider before settling between them and placing his manhood at her entrance. He looked her in the eyes as he sank into her. Mellie held onto his forearms, she bit her lip to try to stop from crying out at the delicious pleasure that was spreading through her body. He bent down and pecked her lips before starting to move within her. She clinched down on him when his tip brushed her spot.

"Shit." He hissed. He was soon pulling almost entirely out of her and slamming himself back in. Fitz rolled them over until she was on top. He grabbed her hips and moved her along his length.

"Make love to me Fitz. I need you so bad." Mellie stated softly. Fitz sat up and pulled her to him, holding her against his chest as he continued to slowly move inside of her. Mellie held onto him for dear life. He knew that she was still afraid especially since Andrew had not been found. There was no doubt in his mind that Andrew would come after her again. He rolled them back over, taking a hold of her thigh and holding it tightly against his side as he plunged into her repeatedly. He knew by the increased rhythmic clinching of her muscles that she was close. Mellie's fingers dug into his back and she wound her other leg around his back.

"Cum for me baby." He bent and kissed her heatedly. Fitz shifted his pelvis until he was sliding against her spot. A strangled scream erupted out of her and was caught by his mouth.

"I'm almost there Fitz. I'm so close." He could see the desperation in her eyes, that she needed this release and he was determined to give it to her. He pulled out and pushed back into her over and over. Mellie shut her eyes tightly as the exquisite heat started to spread. Finally the room was replaced by bright white as the unspeakable pleasure raced through every fiber of her being. She heard herself screaming out his name, but she felt like she was having an out of body experience. Fitz could no longer contain his release he pushed into her one more time before stilling and spilling his essence into his wife.

"Mellie oh Mellie I love you so much," He breathed into the side of her neck as the bliss bubbled to the surface. Mellie started to come down, she rubbed his back. She whimpered slightly as he continued to move his hips against hers. Fitz caught his breath and looked up at his wife. He kissed her softly, before pulling out of her. She hated the loss of him. Fitz laid next to her and pulled her into his arms. Mellie held onto his forearm.

"I'm scared Fitz." It was the first time she'd expressed it.

"I know you are baby, but I won't let him take you away again."

"You won't be able to stop him." He drew back and looked her in the eyes.

"If I have to kill him with my bare hands he will not harm you again." Fitz kissed her gently and she laid her head back on his chest, silently praying that he was right.