Girl from the Hamptons
Chapter 10
Olivia and Fitz continued to send each other messages during the train ride back to Harvard. A couple of times Olivia had to keep from laughing out loud as Fitz described the looks Mellie was giving him. Their cat and mouse game was disturbed by Harrison.
"What are you and Fitz talking about?"
"What are you talking about Harrison I'm not talking to Fitz I'm working on the final summation of my assignment for Prof. Beene's class."
"shush …...you are talking to me remember. Unless Fitz thinks the same part of the summary is as funny as you do…... you are talking to each other. Plus, you both have the same goofy look on your faces, beware the wicked witches are watching you both. I suggest you tell Fitz to keep typing as we talk, it will look less obvious is you both don't stop at the same time."
"Harrison…You are family how could you think such a thing" Liv retorted at him.
"I am family and I love you…... that's why I came to warn you, it's the same goofy look Stephen has on his face when he looks at Abby and not the one that Charlie has on his when he looks at you."
"ok…...conversation over we should be in the station in a few. When can we meet that girl that will put that goofy look on your face."
"Not for a while…not for a long while. Liv, I want to graduate and get established first…...maybe enjoy life a bit more."
"Harrison, I am not sure that perfect girl will still be around when you decide to look for her."
"Liv, if she isn't that's not the worst thing. I have a ton of cousins who have kids I can borrow from time to time. Put me on the short list for godfather of your first one, if it's a boy…."
"Why a boy?"
"A boy I can be buddies with …. without a wife…...a girl nope."
"ok…. you are on the short list for godfather of the first male child…but that will not come for at least another five years by then that perfect girl may be part of your life."
"that's a deal."
Harrison and Olivia ride in silence for a while until he leaned over and whispered in her ear.
"Should I cancel my planned Christmas trip to come to your wedding?"
"What are you talking about…... what wedding and keep your voice down."
"I wasn't sure, now I am. I knew all the cryptic talk was about something really big."
"are you sure your favorite uncle did not spoil the beans to his favorite nephew?"
"Nope…...favorite uncle never said a word. As I think about it with my uncle everything goes in to him, but he never spills anything... Do you think he is just using me to keep tabs on you?"
"I don't know you are his favorite nephew."
"Yes, that's right but you are his favorite daughter."
"that's a very good point …. make plans to stay close by during Christmas…that's all I will say."
"That's enough…. I get it. When will you tell everyone else?"
"The day before, except Abby I'll tell her when the semester ends in case she is heading somewhere warm."
The train had pulled up to the station as Harrison and Olivia packed their laptops away. She saw Fitz giving her a smile just before he turned in the other direction and walked off the train.
"See, I told you,….. I knew you two were talking," Harrison said as he grabbed Olivia's bags containing her electronics devices and small carry-on case as she put on her coat.
Charlie, and Huck, were waiting for them in the station. With Charlie came the expected hug and light peck on the cheek. Huck warned him "keep it simple and short" …...which he did.
Fitz watched as this group piled into Charlie's car not happy about anything that had happened the past few minutes. Seeing her chance Mellie tapped Fitz on the shoulder as he stood just looking into space in no particular direction with a pensive look on his face…..
"what are you thinking about Fitz?" ….
"'Just wondering if Olivia and I will have the time to go over our presentation before class Tuesday."
"you were thinking about a class assignment, you looked sort of spaced out. Didn't you see her during your trip to work on it?"
"Why would I see her during a school holiday to discuss a class assignment …. this was family time for me I assume it was the same for her…. Yes, I was spaced out thinking about the project…. it's an important assignment and an important grade. An A from that class is like a referral from the dean."
Mellie stepped closer to Fitz … right into his personal space . He was inclined to step back but with Mellie it was best for him to appear that her invasion into his personal space did not bother him.
"Fitz, I left you alone while we were on break. I just wanted to give you time…... time to think about us without pressure from me, my dad or your dad. I still want to be with you and I miss you. " Mellie moved even closer putting her hand on his upper arm..
"Since we have been apart I hope you have changed your mind. I know you are a man with needs, let me come with you now and take that the edge off both of us. I know you need relief as much as I do., how about it?"
Fitz had to grit his teeth to keep to from laughing. Mellie was correct he did need to take the edge off, but she was not the person he wanted to take that edge off.
"Mellie…. why go back, why open that door again. We tried it when I was away for four years. Nothing has changed, I know we are not right for each other….. we don't love each other ."
"Fitz…. We are right for each other , being right has nothing to do with love…. love is different. Finding the person you love and being right for each other only exist in books…...not the real world. People in our class marry to move to a higher position, socially and financially …. To gain more power …. people in our group do not marry for love. Love may become a by-product but it's not why we marry."
"Mellie….do you really think that way…. how can you think that way?... you are too young to be so jaded. Love is out there. Sometimes you have to look really hard to find it but it's there."
"did you find your storybook love?"
"it's not about me you should be thinking about…. it's your future you should be thinking about…. there is someone out there that will love you and meet all the other requirements "those" in our class think are important."
"I'm not interested in looking…. I found the man, it's you. It's time for you to accept us as a couple it's time to take the next step….. you will be my husband, the father of my children. After we are settled into our rightful place in society you can have as many mistresses as you choose but hear me I will be your wife, you will be mine…that is not a wish that is a fact ….case closed."
Fitz turned to look directly at Mellie…. he knew a storm was coming but he did not know it would reach this level. He was very afraid for Olivia. There is no doubt that Mellie would hurt her but with her statement did it mean she would also hurt him. He had to find a way to tone down Mellie until he could find out what she has planned. Would she hurt him, would marrying Olivia protect them or would Mellie hurt them both…? if he married Olivia would it hurt or help? Fitz had to think fast he could not let Mellie see how rattled he was.
Andrew was at the station to pick up his roommate. He saw Mellie talking to Fitz and saw his body language begin to change as Mellie kept talking, he knew right away there was a problem, so he hurried forward towards them to see if he could stop the train wreck he knew Mellie was causing.
Fitz stood there watching Mellie's lips moving but her earlier words had spaced him out. He was more interested in what she had said than what she was now saying. A hand suddenly landed on his shoulder, it was Andrew.
"Hi, Fitz…. hi Mellie…. guess you did not see me waiting for you. Mellie do you need a ride there is plenty of room Jake is coming from New York on a later train."
"Sure, Andrew that would be great but only if you have room for Elizabeth. Fitz said I should stop by your apartment soon we have some catching up to do maybe I will drop by later and spend the night."
Andrew knew this was a complete lie but since Fitz was quiet he decided to play along with Mellie.
"Tonight, would be a bad idea we have a study group, that includes Fitz…... You remember this is the last two weeks of this semester and most of us will be cramming hard …. why don't you put off your catching up until the weekend? You guys had a week what happened?"
"It was family time for both of us and what I have planned did not need any family interruptions…. I can wait …. this weekend it is."
All four headed in the direction of the car with Andrew and Fitz leading the way.
Fitz sat in the front seat with Andrew, Elizabeth and Mellie climbed in the back as soon as their cases were loaded. Mellie and Elizabeth chatted all the way to the apartment, with no input from Fitz and little from Andrew. Mellie exited the car reminding Fitz to keep this weekend free because he would be spending it with her. "I'll come by about six…we can have dinner together" was the last comment from Mellie Fitz heard before she turned to walk to her door followed by Andrew and Fitz with their bags.. Fitz mumbled something under his breath that no-one seemed to hear.
The two returned to the car and Andrew gave Fitz a puzzled look
"want was that all about Fitz?"
Fitz just shook his head like he was trying to shake off a bad dream . As soon as the car turned the corner Fitz told Andrew "take me to Olivia's apartment right now."
When the car pulled up in front Fitz was out of the car before it stopped. He started ringing the doorbell then pounding the door when no-one answered. He called Olivia on the phone just as the car carrying Olivia, Harrison and Charlie pulled up.
"Where have you guys been?" he rushed over to the car opened the door and grabbed Olivia's arm…... almost dragging her to her door.
"Open the door, hurry up."
Everyone was looking at Fitz, not knowing what to make of his frenzied actions…..no one could understand what was wrong with him. That had just seen him at the station…. what had happened that quickly.
"would you guys get in the house" Fitz snapped at the group slowly walking towards him standing in the door.
When everyone had finally gotten into the house they started talking at once all looking and crowding around him. Fitz finally told them all to sit down.
With a deep breath Fitz told them "Mellie just threatened me, she said I was going to be her husband, either I was hers or no one else..."
"What…. was the chorus from the crowd…are you sure you heard right?"
"yes, I am sure…"
Andrew raised his hand to quiet the crowd, with all eyes on him he started to talk. "I did not hear what Mellie said but I know whatever she said unnerved Fitz. I could not hear her, but I could tell from Fitz's body language it was something he was not comfortable with. Then in the car she insisted on spending the weekend with him saying they had some catching up to do."
"what….". Olivia jumped up,." the only catching up is her catching a well-earned ass whipping from me."
"Whoa cuz…...Fitz tell us everything. Are you concerned about your safety, Liv's safety or both?" Harrison looked from Olivia to Fitz hoping to get an answer he could understand.
"Both"
" Fitst your dad and now Mellie…We have two weeks until the semester ends we are going to have to go into a real protective mode for you both until the holiday break., we need to get everyone together, where are they where is everyone else ?" Harrison asked
"They are all coming back today on a later train," Fitz replied
Harrison pointed to Charlie…. "Charlie…. call Huck …. we will all stay here until everyone is back on campus."
They all started to talk at one and among themselves …they had to figure out what was on Mellie's mind and if she was making a solo threat or does she have help with her plan. Huck came in but stood on the sideline as the group kept discussing the what if's."
Very shortly Abby and Jake arrived, and the conversation continued but no-one was able to come up with any answers. Huck listened to them talk and let the conversation run its course until he stood up which let the group know they should shut up …they all turned their attention to him.
"Fitz…... when you get home throw away everything in your house. Buy new toothbrushes and toothpaste and mouthwash, …. everything in your bathroom that you use daily. Dump everything in the kitchen sugar, coffee and tea. Matter of fact don't eat anything that you left in your house during the break. No deliveries, pick everything up or eat where you purchase the food."
"why Huck, do you know what Mellie has planned?" Jake asked
"no way to know… the system I installed should tell us if anyone entered the house but until I check the tape the only thing to do is to be careful."
"Huck ….who do you think Mellie is after Fitz or Liv?" Abby cut in
"no way to tell until she does something…. Fitz, you are welcome to my sofa for the reminder of the semester."
"'Huck whatever Mellie has planned I am not certain it will end when the semester ends" …
Across Town
Mellie what's going on…..are you and Fitz back together?" Elizabeth gave her a questioning look.
"Yes …Fitz hasn't accepted it yet but yes we are back together. My mom told me to tell him we are going to be together. Don't let him decide …..tell him ….so I told him in no uncertain terms we are going to be together."
"what if he decides it's not what he wants?"
"It's not up to him…. if he continued to say no I have a back-up plan in place that will definitely change his mind."
"what's the plan….do you need my help?"
"nope this is a plan that's best handled alone just come when I call you …if I call you…. the less you know the better. I'm spending the weekend with Fitz…then it's done. I'm going to use all the l harassment stories now circulating to benefit me."
"Mellie how do you know it will work?" Elizabeth asked.
"Elizabeth….it will work, or I will destroy his life. We are both from prominent families so of course they will believe me." Mellie smiled thinking about her plan.
The group around Olivia and Fitz went into protective mode. Jake and Andrew returned to their house to make things seem normal.… Huck went with them to check the security system to make sure it had not been tampered with…... everyone else, including Fitz, piled on couches and floors and stayed with Abby and Liv for the night. They were all trying, in a group think, to figure out what Mellie would do next.
Fitz called his mother to update her and to see if she had any ideas about Mellie. Mona Grant listened closely and decided to see if she could find out if her husband was involved in any way. All this while trying to help plan a wedding and honeymoon getaway for the couple. After talking to her husband, she decided whatever Mellie was planning did not involve the Grant parents what was the plan…. she did not know.
Then it hit her…. Mellie would find a way to force Fitz back into her life…. that would mean she would do something that would discredit him or the family, blackmail she would blackmail him. The present atmosphere of sexual harassment was ripe and could be used. A call would not do she needed to make a trip to see her son …to talk to him in person.
Without any fanfare Mona called Maya Pope and asked her to meet her in New York and together they would go to Harvard to talk to their children.
It's not the easiest thing for two prominent women to move about undetected so the two-used holiday shopping to hide what they were doing. By Tuesday they were sitting in Dr. Beene's office waiting for his class to end so they could talk to their children.
Surprise was an understatement, both Fitz and Olivia were coming off a super debating session and were both pumped, almost to the point they had forgotten about the "Mellie' problem. When they both saw their mothers in the office they quickly returned to earth.
"What's wrong… why are you both here …. what happened?" Olivia asked as she hugged both women...
"I think I know what Mellie has planned for Fitz." Mona answered. "Both Mellie and Fitz are part of a group where any scandal could really hurt Fitz, now and later in life. I believe… no ... I know she is going to try to use the on-going harassment scandals to blackmail Fitz. No proof, the only proof will come when it's too late, after the fact. We need to find a way to stop it from happening before she is able to put her final plan in motion."
"We know what's planned but we can't predict when it will happen or how. We have some information but not all. Fitz…. Go back to your apartment… I'll make sure Tom and James are at the house. Other than when you are in class make sure you are around two other people... Once the wedding is over we can play her game our way with a stronger hand."
Both Olivia and Fitz listened to their mothers trying the stop a problem before it happened while going over the final plans for their wedding.
The couple decided Saturday Dec. 23. 1pm. in Mary Beene's living room. This would give the couple time for a short celebration before their flight out of Boston for two weeks in a very warm climate away from their worries here. …. Where…... the mothers would not say. The wedding party, very small…. Mona Grant, Pope parents and fellow conspirators. Small …but still an Anderson wedding with the groom in tails and the bride in a designer gown that she was fitted for during the Thanksgiving break. Scaled down did not mean hot dogs for the wedding party. Scaled down meant 2 kinds of caviar instead of four. Vows could be/would be can be renewed with a combination graduation party in 2 ½ years. Jerry Grant would be told later since he was not a fan of the bride and this was the bride's day, so Jerry Grant received a unanimous no vote from the three women. Was Mona worried, nope she still had an unopened box of black plastic garbage bags ready to be filled.
Cyrus marveled at the two women. In under two hours they had worn three hats. They had played the part of protective mams bears and neutralized the Mellie problem as much as possible. As proud parents of the bride and groom they had planned a wedding and honeymoon AND as proud parents of college students they showed their pride as their children discussed their take down of the Roosevelt detractors.
He saw first hand at how well women wear their various hats without missing a beat. As he watched Olivia, he softly whispered "Caroline she is a goddaughter you would be proud of."
Maya looked up to see a tear running down Cyrus' face and she knew why so she turned away and allowed him to have his private moment in the middle of the chaos in his office.
The immediate problems solved the mothers headed out a side door to the airport to the Anderson plane…. Maya to New York …Mona to Washington all ready for the next shoe to drop.
Olivia left with Charlie who took her home to confer with the rest of the group.. Tom and James were waiting to take Fitz back to his house.
Olivia was unable to tell the group everything that happened only saying that she appreciated everything they were doing, and things were being handled. Huck listened as she talked then followed her into her bedroom as everyone was setting in for the night.
"Olivia…. tell me everything….and I mean everything"
Olivia told Huck about Mona Grant's suspicions concerning Mellie. Huck listened and added…." I agree with Mrs. Grant, but I believe her claims would be physical battery with bruises to fit her story Fitz can't be left alone."
"our problem…. Mellie can outwait us…. we can't stay on high alert for three years, we have to find a way to neutralize her in case she tries something else."
All Huck did was nod as Olivia was talking.
The rest of the week went without any incidents. In Thursdays class Abby and Stephen annihilated the pro-Roosevelt group setting the stage for the next class Oliva /Fitz vs Abby/Stephen but all were more worried about the weekend and the Mellie visit.
It was 7pm Friday and no Mellie which left the five men jumping each time a telephone rang or a car stopped in front of the house. Finally, at 8pm Jake called Mellie's phone ….no answer…. He then called Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth this is Jake…..…how are things going. Mellie is not answering her phone is she there?"
"Jake….no Mellie is not here she left for home this morning."
"when is she due back?"
"Jake I'm not sure, she did not say." Jake was looking at the four other men as he talked to Elizabeth shrugging his shoulders as the conversation progressed.
"She woke me up this morning pounding on her door to let her out of her room."
"why would you have to let her out of her room?"
"because someone came into to the apartment during the night and took all the knobs off all the doors including mine. I had to call maintenance to get out. All the knobs were missing including the inside front door knob. Also, her phone was found in her bathroom which also did not have a knob. Maintenance said it's probably a prank since nothing was taken and no-one was hurt but it shook her up so badly she left campus for home. Tell Fitz she will not see him this weekend."
Jake hung up the phone and started laughing as the other four men kept looking at him with that WHAT look on their faces.
"what" …. everyone kept saying.
Jake could not stop laughing. Finally, he told the group to sit "looks like Mellie met her match…...someone took all the doorknobs off all the doors in her apartment and put her phone in the bathroom. Not sure what else was done but she left the campus. Maybe we will find out more later."
Everyone started to laugh…. more a laughter of relief than a laughter about the incident. At Olivia's place everyone was sitting around waiting for the call that Mellie was there. When they were told what happened they all were hugging and laughing. All except Huck….. which Olivia noticed.
Earlier…3am Mellie's apartment. A lone figure entered the apartment and took all the doorknobs off the doors from the inside so neither Mellie or Elizabeth could open their bedroom doors or Mellie her bathroom door. The lone figure took Mellie's phone and left it in her bathroom but not before inserting a tracking chip.
There was a greeting card left next to her phone….the message " best wishes to you .. yesterday will stay where it belongs… in the past". Mellie did not wait to figure out if this was a prank she knew it wasn't because of the card and the message .. This was a message just for her… she rightfully assumed it had to do with Fitz but she could not make a creditable complain without implicating herself. Looks like a draw….. what she doesn't know, there is a tracking chip in her phone which will be very beneficial in the future..
Who was behind the lone figure. Was it Huck. Was Mona Grant or Cyrus behind it. Remember Cyrus is very protective of his goddaughter and Mona of her son. Was it Charlie who has grown to really like Olivia or even Andrew who saw what effect Mellie had on Fitz. . Whoever was the lone figure or was behind the figure and the missing doorknobs…. it has nullified Mellie for now.
On with the wedding and the first leg of the honeymoon. ALL able to happen without the couple looking over their shoulder , worrying about Mellie, for now.
.