Chapter 11
Christmas at the Grant household was much like Thanksgiving had been: hectic. All of Fitz's and Mellie's immediate families agreed to come to their house because it was easier to accommodate the kids that way. After the exchange of gifts and Christmas dinner, everyone milled around the kitchen and living room area. Fitz made sure to leave the door of his study open, just in case his phone rang. As pathetic as it was, he was hoping to hear from Olivia. She had kept her promise and called him when she landed in Atlanta, but he hadn't heard from her again. She didn't leave him a number where he could reach her, so he was left to wait and wonder.
"Fitz, are you okay?" Mellie asked, stepping into his line of vision.
He snapped his head to her direction and smiled quickly. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"You seem preoccupied."
"I'm fine. Promise."
Mellie raised an eyebrow but seemed to let it go and Fitz spent the next couple of hours trying his best to seem interested in what everyone was talking about, though he never moved too far away from his study. The more the hours drifted on, though, the less hopeful he was that he would hear from Olivia. He had just started to load the dishes when he heard the sound of his phone ringing. His heart leapt into his chest and he looked around a few times before sneaking into his study and closing the door behind him. He got to the phone right before it stopped ringing.
"Hello?" he asked quietly.
"Hi," Olivia said. "Is this a bad time?"
Relief came over Fitz's body and he smiled and shook his head. "Not at all." He sank into his chair and got comfortable, putting his feet up on the desk and holding the phone between his ear and shoulder. "I wasn't sure if I would get to talk to you. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas to you, too."
"How's it going at your aunt's?"
"Good," she sighed, and he could tell that she was moving around, getting settled. For a brief moment, he imagined her in bed and his mind quickly wandered to what she might be wearing. "My aunt and uncle seem really happy to have me here."
"Why wouldn't they be?"
"I don't know," she sighed again. There was a brief pause in conversation and Fitz worried that maybe he had stumbled onto a sore topic. "I was never really that close with them," she continued. "I was surprised when she invited me and I thought it might be awkward, but so far, so good."
"I'm glad to hear it. And it's better than hanging around your apartment alone, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I suppose it is. What about you? How has your Christmas been?"
"Forgettable," he admitted with a little chuckle. "Lots of family over and a bunch of gifts I neither want nor need."
"Hmm...sounds fun."
"Plus my father's here and he's kind of jackass."
Olivia laughed, which made Fitz smile. "Trust me, I know all about jackass fathers."
"We have something in common, then."
"It would appear that way."
Fitz continued to smile and before he could stop himself, he blurted out the question that had been lingering on his brain. "What are you wearing?"
"Wow, seriously?" she chuckled. "Did you really just ask me that?"
"What's wrong with asking that?"
"Nothing, other than that it's the cheesiest line a man can ask over the phone."
"Well I can't help it. You sound all comfy, like you're lying in bed."
"I am," she said slowly.
"Naked?"
"You wish."
His grin widened and he was about to push the envelope even further, when there was a light tap on the door and Mellie poked her head in. She eyed him suspiciously and he quickly dropped the smile on his face.
"Who are you talking to?" she asked.
"Jake," he said, before he could think of any other answer. "Wishing him a Merry Christmas."
"Oh. Well, tell him I said the same. And hurry up. Everyone wants to play Charades."
Fitz nodded and she closed the door behind her. He felt a prick of guilt when he returned to his conversation with Olivia.
"Sorry about that," he said.
"Was that your wife?" she asked quietly, and he could tell that the jovial mood between them had been ruined.
"Yeah."
She sighed heavily. "I should let you go."
"I'd rather you didn't."
"I shouldn't have called."
"Please don't do that," he begged in a low tone. "I'm glad you called. I've been hanging around my office all night just hoping that you would. Don't feel bad. Please."
A few tense silent seconds passed before she said "okay."
"I guess I should go. Everyone's playing Charades and I'll need a significant amount of scotch to make it through the night."
She appeased him with a soft laugh. "Good luck with that."
"When do you get back into town?"
"The 2nd."
"Do you have a ride? Can I pick you up?"
"You don't have to do that."
"I know I don't have to, but I want to."
She hesitated. "I get in really early."
"Doesn't matter. I'd love to pick you up if you'll let me."
Olivia didn't respond for what felt like hours. Fitz was sure that she was going to tell him no, so he was pleasantly surprised when she said, "the flight lands at 8. Gate 4."
"I'll be there."
"Okay. Now go drink your scotch and play your game."
"Sleep tight. And Merry Christmas again."
"You too."
...
On the morning of January 2nd, Fitz woke up with the same excitement that he used to feel as a kid on Christmas morning. He and Olivia had talked a few times on the phone and every time they spoke, he felt like she was letting him in a little bit at a time. He gave Mellie some excuse about going to the gym and running errands, and he was out the door in plenty of time to catch Olivia once she got off the plane. And when he saw her standing on the curb, bags in hand and looking more relaxed than she was the last time they were together, he felt a little flutter in his heart...the same flutter he'd felt when he'd had his first crush.
There was a soft smile on her face when he pulled up next to her and parked his car. He got out and walked around the front of his car towards her, and she had an almost shy expression.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi."
"Can I take your bags for you?"
She nodded and he took the bags and placed them in his trunk. They both got into the car and neither of them spoke for the first couple of minutes, as nervous anticipation filled the air between them.
"How was your New Year's?" Fitz finally asked.
"It was good."
"What'd you do?"
"I went out with my cousins to a club. It wasn't anything special but it was fun hanging out with them. What about you?"
"I played with the kids all day and fell asleep before the ball dropped."
"Wow," Olivia said sarcastically. "You're a real party animal."
He smiled and a comfortable silence fell over them. As he continued to drive to her apartment, he took the wheel with his left hand and slid his right hand onto her thigh. He wasn't sure how she would react, but she covered his hand with hers and interlaced their fingers. They stayed like that until he pulled into the parking lot of her complex. Fitz carried her bags up to her apartment and rested them against the wall near the door.
"Thank you," Olivia said. "For picking me up. And for carrying my bags."
"You're welcome."
Nervous energy filled Fitz's body and he tried to discreetly figure out whether they were alone or not.
"So...when does Jill get back?"
"Tomorrow."
"So you're here alone?"
"Yes."
Fitz was sure she hadn't meant for it to, but her 'yes' had come out in a heavy whisper and he couldn't help the twitch in his pants. He started to walk towards her and the closer he got, the more her eyes widened. He finally stood directly in front of her and, acting on instinct, his hands went to her hips. She gulped but didn't move away.
"I thought about you a lot over the break," he admitted quietly. "I couldn't stop thinking about you, actually." He removed one of his hands from her hip and cupped her cheek. "Especially that kiss you gave me at the airport. I want some more of that."
Olivia's eyes closed briefly and she allowed him to brush his lips against hers before she shook her head. "You know we shouldn't," she said. But her voice was weak and lacked any conviction.
"I know," he whispered back. He pulled her close to him and walked until her back was against the door. "But it's your choice. You can tell me to stop, and I'll go home right now. Or you can lock that door, and let me show you how much I want you."
She swallowed hard and he watched the indecision flash in her eyes. He really wasn't sure which one she would pick, until he watched her hand slip down and her fingers reached behind her body.
And she locked the door.