A/N: I fully expect to hear feedback from this LONG chapter. I'm sure some will be positive and some will be negative. All I ask is that everyone gives things a chance to unfold in future chapters. Let me know what you think. As always, ENJOY!
Chapter 21
Olivia sat next to Lorelei on the couch across the room from Fitz and Mellie. She knew Fitz had to do his best to keep up appearances but it was still tough to watch him sit so close to another woman. She saw them whispering back and forth to one another and, unable to read their lips, wondered what they were discussing. She saw a look of alarm cross Mellie's face as their conversation appeared to end.
"I'm going to go put Karen to bed" said Fitz standing and walking towards the playroom to collect his daughter.
Olivia kept her eyes on Mellie, trying to read her emotions. She wrung her hands, clearly pondering whatever Fitz had last said to her oblivious to the lively conversations going on around her.
"Olivia, what made you leave your law practice to join the campaign?" Elizabeth asked.
"Cyrus and I have known each other since I was in law school" explained Olivia, "When he called and asked me to help out I couldn't refuse." Olivia beamed at Cyrus who sat hand in hand with James on the loveseat, "And, of course, as soon as I learned more about Fitz it was clear that he would make an incredible President."
"We Grant girls are inclined to agree" laughed Taylor looking around at her Mother and sisters, "but I guess we're a little biased."
"I know Fitz was so happy to have you join the campaign" added Elizabeth, "he called me the first day he met you to tell me that he was sure he was going to win because of the new secret weapon on the campaign."
Olivia felt herself flush; "I don't know about all that…" she managed.
"Oh, come on Olivia, give yourself some credit" snorted Mellie taking another long drink of the scotch in her hand, "You know you are just the thing Fitz needed."
"Mellie" Elizabeth chided.
"She is Elizabeth, bringing Liv onto the campaign was the smartest thing Cyrus could have done" Mellie's words were slightly slurred, "She's talented, bright, and isn't she just the most stunning woman you've ever seen?"
Fitz pulled the covers up over Karen then brushed a stray hair from her face and kissed her cheek.
"Good night Sweetheart" Fitz whispered, "I love you."
"Daddy?" Karen said quietly, "Can Olivia play with us tomorrow?"
"Kar, Liv is here to work, she's helping me get elected," responded Fitz.
"But she read Gerry a story for bed and I didn't even get to play with her, Daddy," whined Karen, "I want to show her my Barbie dolls and we can go swimming and color and jump on the trampoline…"
"Honey, that's a lot to do," laughed Fitz, "How about we ask Olivia if she wants to spend some time with us here at Grandma's tomorrow?"
"That would be great Daddy; can I go ask her now?" Karen's excitement shown all over her face.
"I'll ask her when I go downstairs, you need to go to sleep" smiled Fitz kissing his daughter's forehead. "Good night Daddy" she muttered as her eyes closed.
Fitz stood up and walked towards the door, turning off the light.
"Daddy, give Olivia a good night kiss for me" Fitz heard Karen's small voice say from under her covers. He felt his heart race briefly as he imagined kissing Olivia then he continued downstairs feeling content. His exhilaration was short lived as he heard Mellie's voice, "…isn't she just the most stunning woman you've ever seen?"
He felt rage and possessiveness boil within him as he immediately knew Mellie was speaking about Olivia. He flew down the remaining stairs, instinctively going to Olivia's side.
"Enough" his voice boomed, shocking even him with its emotion. His declaration brought everyone's attention to him. He looked down at Olivia, she looked timid and browbeaten, and he couldn't stand to see her hurting. He fought the urge to take her in his arms settling instead for taking her hand, a gesture that was not lost on Mellie.
"You think I don't see how you look at her, Honey?" Mellie tried her best to sound harsh but her voice just sounded pathetic. Tears stung her eyes as the pain inside her bubbled to the surface.
"Mellie, you're drunk" Fitz's voice had softened slightly.
"Maybe I am Fitzgerald but you need to hear what I have to say," anger flared again in Mellie's eyes, "Everyone can see that you're interested in Olivia. Even she sees it…." Mellie's stare moved to Olivia as she spoke, "that's why you're leaving the campaign isn't it Liv?"
Olivia felt a range of emotions rushing through her, anxiety, happiness, fear, regret, and sadness clashed within her. She wanted to blurt out Mellie's secret, she wanted to declare her love for Fitz, she wanted to run and hide, but she knew she was too strong a woman to allow Mellie to intimidate her.
"Mellie, there are various reasons I'm leaving the campaign" Olivia mustered her strength to answer but as she lifted her eyes to meet Mellie's she felt herself moving. She rushed through the French doors and onto the flagstone patio outside. She was embarrassed and repentant that the scene had unfolded at Elizabeth's house with Fitz's entire family watching. She didn't want them to think poorly of Fitz and she didn't want them to dislike her. She pulled her blazer tighter around her as she walked out into the dark gardens, sure that a walk in the brisk fall air would clear her head, she always did her best thinking as she walked.
Inside the house Elizabeth and her daughters sat speechless as Mellie and Fitz continued to argue. Lorelei rose from the couch, retrieving her coat from the mudroom and walking outside in search of Olivia. Taylor and Sarah excused themselves to the kitchen where they could still hear what was going on but they weren't in the middle of the barrage. Sarah poured them each a glass of wine and they sat on the stools at the peninsula. Elizabeth remained in the living room offering moral support to her son.
"Why are you so mean to Olivia?" bit Fitz gesturing towards the door through which Olivia had left, "What did she ever do to you?"
"It's not what she has done to me, Fitz" Mellie countered, "It's what she's done to you."
"What are you talking about?"
"The way you look at her…." Mellie's tone was quiet and wounded.
"The way I look at her? So you're attacking Olivia because you think I'm attracted to her?" Fitz made her feelings sound silly.
"You look at her the way I wish you'd look at me" Mellie whispered.
"The way Robert Owens looks at you, Mellie?" Fitz's voice hardened again as the memory of the note he'd read engulfed his thoughts. His comment struck Mellie fiercely as he watched the fight drain from her body.
"I need to go…" her voice was barely audible as she straightened her jacket and moved to retrieve her purse, "I think we should take tonight to think about what we both want." Mellie walked into the study where she found Cyrus and James sitting in front of the fireplace talking. She felt a twinge of jealousy as she saw the men so happy.
"Are you gentlemen ready to leave?" Mellie asked in her most polite tone. Cyrus and James gathered their things and bid farewell to Elizabeth and her daughters. Mellie rushed out of the house without a word to anyone, collapsing into the backseat of the car.
Lorelei walked across the grass searching for Olivia, eventually finding her seated on a bench in one of the small English gardens. As she approached, Lorelei considered what she would say. Mellie had been nothing short of cruel to Olivia and she stood her ground allowing Mellie to disparage her. Clearly she was a strong woman; she had resisted criticizing Mellie, though Lorelei was sure Olivia had plenty to say.
"Olivia" Lorelei said quietly taking a seat next to Liv on the bench, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine" murmured Olivia wiping tears from her eyes, "I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry?" asked Lorelei, "Mellie is the one who should be sorry. She caused the scene."
"I shouldn't have come tonight" Olivia whispered, "I should have gone back to New York."
"We loved meeting you, Olivia," Lorelei put her hand on Olivia's arm, "It's obvious he cares about you."
"But he's married to her," Olivia began to cry again at the seemingly hopeless situation, "I care about him a lot too."
Lorelei pulled Olivia into a friendly embrace hearing small sobs resonate from her. Lorelei looked up as she heard someone approach and saw her brother, concern written all over his face.
"I'll let you take it from here" she whispered as Fitz gathered Olivia in his strong arms, "I'll be inside." Lorelei squeezed Olivia's arm as she turned to walk back to the house.
Fitz held Olivia against him then pulled back looking into her eyes, "Hi"
"Fitz…" Olivia's voice sounded hollow, "She knows."
"She doesn't know Livie, she sees that I'm attracted to you but she doesn't know"
"I'm sorry that happened in front of your family," she whispered, "I hope they don't hate me."
"Hate you?" Fitz chuckled at the ridiculous nature of Olivia's comment, "How could anyone hate My Livie?" He ran his fingers lightly along her cheek and jawbone hoping to coax a smile from her. She closed her eyes enjoying the sound of his nickname for her echoing in her head. "Walk with me Livie." Fitz draped his jacket over her slender shoulders then took her hand leading her down the stone garden path.
"Over here is the pool," he gestured to their right. As they got closer Olivia could see it was anything but a simple pool. It had grottos built in and waterfalls. Off to the side she saw several Olympic length swim lanes, "Taylor was a swimmer" he said as he saw her look in that direction, "My parents supported anything we wanted to do."
He wrapped his arms around her as they looked out over the pool. He wanted to show her the places where some of his best memories were made. They continued walking across lush lawns and perfect gardens, Fitz pointing out the place where he had his first kiss, where he and his sisters had built a tree house, where his sisters used to make him play tea party, and where he used to go just to escape the world. Olivia adored seeing all of the places that were so special to Fitz. As they approached the back of the house Fitz put his arm around Olivia's waist feeling no need to hide his affection for her. The couple walked through the door and into the kitchen, Olivia shrugging out of his jacket. Fitz draped the coat over the back of the chair then pulled Olivia's body against his. Olivia felt the burning imprint of each of his fingers as they splayed over her lower back.
"Thank you" she whispered fussing with imaginary lint on his shirt without making eye contact.
"For what, Livie?" he asked as his skin sparked beneath her touch.
"For sharing all of those special memories with me" breathed Olivia, "For letting me read to Gerry. For letting me into your life."
"That's what you do when you love someone," Fitz smiled as he lay hot kisses down Olivia's silky skin beginning just below her earlobe and tracing a path to her pulse point then to her collarbone. Olivia's skin felt molten where his kisses landed and just as her skin melted beneath his touch so did her sadness and any sense of doubt buried inside her. She whimpered as his lips left her flesh but soon felt them touch hers, a moan leaving his mouth and taking up residence in hers. Olivia's hands involuntarily moved to grip his brown curls as his left hand found her hair, his right remaining spread against her spine. Olivia could feel Fitz's firm erection press against her abdomen as their tongues danced and caressed together. Fitz concentrated on every agonizing second of kissing her. He didn't ever want to let her go, when their bodies were close together it was as if he could do anything. In these moments, that was when he was Presidential Fitz, Olivia was his lucky charm and was quickly becoming his reason for getting out of bed in the morning.
"Fitzy…I'm telling Mom" teased Taylor walking into the kitchen giggling. Olivia abruptly ended their kiss, her cheeks burning crimson, wiping furiously at her lips and instinctively moving out of Fitz's reach.
"Liv, it's okay. They know how I feel about you" Fitz pulled Olivia back to him. She still felt uncomfortable but did her best to appear relaxed. Lorelei, Sarah, and Elizabeth came into the kitchen just as Fitz was pulling Olivia towards him.
"Olivia, I'm so sorry for the way Mellie spoke to you earlier," said Elizabeth advancing to embrace Liv, "I hope you know that isn't the way I expect people to behave in my home."
"No need to apologize Elizabeth," Olivia returned her warm embrace, "I'm used to it."
"She's a bitch" snorted Sarah taking a gulp of wine.
"Yeah, screw her" agreed Lorelei, "we've always believed she didn't deserve Fitzy. We honestly never understood what he saw in her other than that DAR appearance and good breeding."
"Girls" scolded Elizabeth, "It's not our place to comment on Mellie and Fitz's relationship."
Fitz's sisters laughed and rolled their eyes in unison as they continued to enjoy their wine. Olivia really felt a bond with them. She liked how protective they were of their brother and she appreciated that they didn't hate her based solely on the unfortunate situation in which she and Fitz found themselves.
"Fitzgerald, why don't you show Olivia to the guest room" pronounced Elizabeth patting Olivia's arm, "And then I think you and I need to have a little chat."
"Okay Mom" his voice sounded like a ten year old ready to get a lecture. He hung his head slightly as he took Olivia's hand and led her up the steps to one of the guest bedrooms. Fitz made sure she had towels and toiletries while his sisters found her clothes to sleep in and a change of clothes for the next morning. Olivia thanked the girls for their generosity as they exited the room, leaving Fitz and Olivia alone.
"Good night Fitz" she breathed as he closed the distance between them, "Thank you again…for everything."
"Good night Livie," as he said it his hands moved over her slim torso and their lips joined in a soft kiss.
"I think you better go have that conversation with your Mother, Fitz" she turned away from him and made her way to the queen size bed, climbing under the covers and flipping on the television to watch the news. Fitz followed her to the bed, pulled the comforter over her slender body, and kissed her lips sweetly.
"I love you" he whispered as his lips left hers.
Fitz turned and went to the kitchen to face his mother. He wasn't sure what to expect. As Fitz walked into the kitchen his mother was seated at the table with a cup of tea, another cup waiting for him across from her.
"Fitzgerald, what are you doing?" his mother asked as he took a seat.
"Mom?"
"I can see that you care about that poor girl upstairs" began Elizabeth, "and it's pretty clear that she has feelings for you."
"I hope she does Mom," uttered Fitz taking a sip of his tea, "I love her, I'm sure of it."
"And Mellie?" Elizabeth asked.
"I don't think I ever loved Mellie," muttered Fitz, "Dad picked her, and she was the right girl for me to marry. But she wasn't the love of my life."
"And you think Olivia is?" his mother looked at him skeptically.
"She is Mom" he looked directly into his mother's eyes, tears brimming, "I have never been so sure of anything in my life."
"What makes you so sure?" She pressed him for further explanation.
"When I look at her she takes my breath away. My first thought when I wake and my last thought before I go to sleep is her. I want to be near her constantly. I want to touch her and hear her talk and see her laugh. I want to make it my life's purpose to make Olivia happy," he clarified. He felt so many things for Olivia but had difficulty putting them into words. He realized that the best way to describe how he felt about this fabulous woman was a single, simple statement, "Mom, I love her enough to give up running for President."
He looked to Elizabeth, waiting for his words to sink in. He saw a flash of understanding cross her face. They sat for a moment, neither speaking. Elizabeth had always taught her son to stand up for his beliefs and never stop fighting for what he wanted.
"Then I suggest you do what you need to do to hold on to her" Elizabeth winked at her son then reached for his hand, giving it a loving squeeze, "She seems wonderful."
Fitz and Elizabeth continued to talk as they finished their tea. Then Fitz excused himself, "I better get to bed Mom, it's been a long day and an even longer evening." He bent down and kissed his mother then ascended the stairs to his bedroom. Fitz stripped down to his boxer briefs, draping his clothes over a chair. He walked into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Regarding himself in the mirror he thought he looked tired and old and rundown. He rubbed his eyes, splashed water on his face, dried his face and hands, and paced back through the dark bedroom towards his bed. As he took a seat on the edge burying his face in his hands he felt two small, cool hands run from his shoulders down his back.
"You look stressed, Governor Grant…" her voice was quiet but heavy with desire. She scooted closer to him as she spoke, close enough for him to feel her breath arouse every inch of skin it touched on his back, "is there anything I can do to help you with that?" Her lips were mere millimeters from his ear as she spoke. She allowed her tongue to trace his earlobe then nipped at it lightly. Fitz felt a now familiar passion flare within him as he turned, pushing Olivia down to the soft sheets.
"Livie…" he growled as he knelt over her. He gazed up and down her body, realizing that she had put on his shirt. Fitz knew she had done it on purpose, she knew he adored her in his clothes.
"You like?" she giggled as she fidgeted slightly under his intent gaze.
"Understatement of the year…" he began at the top button of her shirt, nipping and licking his way down as he unfastened the buttons, "understatement of the century." He pushed the shirt aside, pausing to take in her velvety mocha skin. He resisted the temptation to move quickly, allowing his hands to dance from her abdomen, down her hips and over her thighs. He traced her knees and her shins then down to her perfectly painted toes. Olivia felt craving rush through her with each touch of his fingers. She watched him as he scrutinized every inch of her form suddenly feeling shy and insecure.
"Fitz…" she whispered both pleading and longing in her voice.
"Shh…" he refocused his attention on her lips, "I don't want to rush Livie."
Olivia's lips parted slightly as Fitz's lips dragged a hot trail along the shell of her ear. She closed her eyes yielding herself to him. He traced a path along her jaw before reaching her lips where he outlined them with his finger. Fitz still couldn't fathom that this perfect woman who made him feel so amazing was so close to him. Before he could lose himself any further in his thoughts his mouth sought out hers yearning to lose itself in her. Fitz felt his erection strain against his underwear spurring his desire. He ran his right hand down her left arm entwining their fingers and pinning her hand above her head then skimming his hand back along her arm bringing it to rest in her luscious curls. He repeated this with her opposite hand totally exposing her body to his touch. Olivia's cheeks were pink with need her lips plump and moist beneath his. Fitz brought his lips against Olivia's décolletage as he whispered, "What do you want Livie?"
She opened her chocolate eyes, peering deeply into the twin indigo pools of his. Every thought in her brain fused together in a haze of overwhelming want. She bit her bottom lip as she contemplated. What do I want? She reached up to caress his face, running her thumb along his bottom lip.
"Fitz…"
He leaned into her as he repeated his question, "What" his lips touched the column of her neck, "Do" then moved to her collarbone, "You" burning a trail to her sternum, "Want" continuing the molten path to her hip bone, "Livie?"
"You" Olivia choked as dampness pooled between her thighs.
"Tell me exactly what you want Olivia" his breath skimmed her hip, "I want to do what you like."
His concern for her pleasure mixed with the sensation of his touch sent Olivia's pulse racing. She pulled him up to her so their noses were nearly touching, "Fitz, I want you, all of you. Let me show you." Suddenly Fitz found himself on his back with Olivia's petite thighs straddling his muscular abdomen. He watched as she slipped his shirt off her shoulders, tossing it to the floor. She grasped his wrists bringing his large hands to rest on her shoulders then guided them down to her breasts pressing herself into his palms. Fitz smirked faintly as her nipples hardened beneath his touch allowing the stiff peaks to run back and forth between his fingers. She arched her back and closed her eyes allowing the pleasure to wash over her. Olivia slid her hips down his abdomen allowing Fitz's cotton covered hardness to drag through her wetness coaxing a groan from deep within him. She slipped off his underwear marveling at his girth as it sprang free from its confinement. Olivia wrapped her diminutive hand around his length stroking him several times before he caught her wrist, "You're going to make me cum Livie" he growled. She reached her finger to touch the tip of his cock then brought it to her lips licking the pre-cum from it then licking her lips. He tasted salty and sweet on her fingers and she wanted more. She shifted herself back up his body until her moist entrance rested just above his shaft. Olivia stilled herself briefly bringing Fitz's hands to her hips. Before she could prepare herself Fitz pulled Olivia down hard onto him, burying himself inside her wetness. Every expletive flew through Olivia's brain as gratification reached every point of her body at once. She had wondered if they would ever be like this again. She felt him lift her off of him removing all but the tip of his cock. She sensed the pain of the void he left for just a split second before he submerged himself again in her softness. They quickly found their rhythm as Fitz let Olivia be in control. He watched as she rubbed circles around her clit joining his hand with hers as she stirred closer to her release. The sight of Liv pleasuring herself and showing him how to satisfy her was mind-blowingly erotic. Fitz watched her face as she approached orgasm.
"Look at me Livie" he growled moving his hands from her hips to her breasts, "I want you to look in my eyes when you cum." Her eyes sprung open both in surprise and compliance. The mere meeting of their eyes sent Olivia hurtling over the edge as she ground her hips into Fitz's feeling her walls squeeze his shaft as he pinched her firm nipples between his fingers. Olivia worked to regulate her breathing as Fitz leisurely moved himself in and out of her.
"That was incredible, Fitz" she ran her hands up and down his muscular chest then leaned down to kiss his lips gently.
"Oh, we're not done Livie," he smiled against her lips then buried his tongued in her mouth. He rolled them over so he was now on top of her. Their mouths moved in sync, exchanging everything that went unsaid between them. Their kisses alternated between loving and thorough and carnal and urgent. "Turn over Livie" Fitz instructed her, "on your knees."
"Fitz…what kind of girl do you think I am?" she giggled as she obeyed his directive.
"My girl…" he replied pressing the head of his cock against the threshold of her wetness, "my gorgeous, sexy, flawless, dirty girl." Fitz thrust as hard as he could as he finished his statement. As he reached her center she felt herself growing even wetter as she fisted the sheets, burying her face in a pillow to muffle her moans, "shh….Livie….there are other people in the house…" he laughed, pleased with the effect he had upon her. Fitz pressed himself deep into her dampness feeling the room begin to spin. He felt his orgasm building as he kept the relentless pace and just as he thought he might not hold on much longer he heard Olivia groan, "Oh fuck me Fitz…" Passion swept through him as he spilled his hot seed deep inside her as her walls milked every last drop from him.
They laid in a drenched, entwined heap as their breathing returned to normal. Neither wanted to speak for fear of ruining the perfection of the moment.
"Was that okay?" Fitz asked daring to break the silence, "I didn't hurt you did I?" He ran his fingers lightly over her shoulders.
"That was so much better than okay," she admitted.
"And you're okay? I mean I didn't hurt you?" Fitz sounded concerned.
"I'm fine, Fitz." Olivia assured him, "Are you okay?"
"I think I may have a scratch or two," he laughed rubbing his shoulder blade, "but I'll live."
Fitz pulled Olivia against him so her head could rest on his chest then he pulled the sheet and comforter around them. They drifted off to sleep in a sea of rapture holding tightly to one another. Day broke several hours later. Fitz woke to warm morning light glinting off of Olivia's bare back. He ran his fingers through her hair relishing the feel of its silkiness. He listened as people began to stir in the house, momentarily overlooking the fact that his children were right down the hall. Then he heard his mother's voice, "Fitzy, time to get up sleepy head. Karen and Gerry are anxious to start the day" she called as she opened the door to the bedroom.