Chapter 34: Something Blue

"I will not lie. I want all of you. Even the parts you refuse to give anyone. Especially those parts. ~J. Rose

OPOV

Hal opened the door for Olivia and she eagerly climbed out of the back seat of the unmarked towncar. It was early in the morning and she made her way over to the path leading to the orchard field. The sun was bright and she instinctively took her black sunglasses from the top of her head and slid them into place on her nose.

The grounds were lush and exactly how she remembered them. Their wedding was now a few weeks away and many changes were brewing for the new First Family to be. The renovation of their private residence in the White House was nearly complete and they were now in true countdown mode.

Olivia looked around and smiled, adjusting her purse to her other arm. The last time she was in Vermont was for the OPA reunion and although she loved Washington, there was simply something special about this land that had come to mean so much to the both of them.

She continued down the long path and could begin to hear voices in the distance. Her bag grew heavy and she was about to adjust it again when she felt a vibration against her body. She quickly reached in and mulled around the inside of her purse, finally pulling her cell out and placing it to her ear.

"Have you arrived?" The deep voice asked on the other end. Olivia smiled into the receiver and couldn't help but miss him. This was the final stage in their wedding planning and she deep down wished he could be a part of it.

"I'm walking up now," she replied, eyeing the team of people before her.

The moment Olivia came into view everyone stopped and stared in her direction. Celeste was speaking to a tall gentleman taking measurements and Olivia waved hello to her from across the field. She watched her point to something and continue the conversation for a bit before making her way over.

"Give me a call when you're done and fill me in. I'm in between meetings now." Olivia could hear the regret in his voice.

"I will." The sign she had made for him caught her eye and she stared at it for a few moments before continuing.

"I received a call from Dr. Thompson on the way here..." Her voice broke away and Fitz immediately responded.

"And...?" He asked, eager to hear more.

Olivia continued staring at the words she had carved into the wood long ago: May this land see the love in our hearts, the laughter of our children, and a lifetime of spending one minute together. She focused on the line pertaining to children, reading it again in her head.

"And? What did she say, Liv?" Fitz asked, repeating himself. She shook her head and pushed her thoughts deep down, bringing herself back into the present moment.

"And she reviewed some information with me. She wants me to begin charting a few things for a couple weeks. It's supposed to help pinpoint when I'm most fertile."

Olivia could sense his apprehension through the phone but she didn't say anything more, waiting for his reaction.

"Sounds formal..." His reply was shorter than expected and it made Olivia slightly disappointed.

"Formal?" She quickly countered.

"Don't forget... half the fun is trying. And there's going to be lots of that." She smiled at his tone and felt herself slightly blushing. Celeste began walking over towards Olivia and she took that as her cue to end the call.

"I'll talk to you soon."

They exchanged 'I love you's' and she quickly placed her cell back inside her purse, extending the other hand to her wedding planner. The young woman motioned for her to follow the other gentlemen near the center of the land. After a few introductions were made, the tall gentlemen explained what the next few weeks would entail.

The actual ceremony would take place on a gazebo like structure Olivia and Fitz approved a few days ago. A small reception would follow in the same area afterwards. A large elegant tent would be set up in between the large oak trees. Olivia watched the architect's gestures as he pointed to different parts of the land. They were planning to accompany about 20 total guests, complete with an intimate dinner and dancing.

Olivia knew they wouldn't be staying too long after the ceremony but both she and Fitz wanted to provide their guests a nice evening regardless of their absence. The three of them continued to walk the field while Olivia mentally tried to picture everything in her mind. After all questions were asked and answered, Celeste politely excused the two of them, asking Olivia to come inside to see something else she had been working on.

The women made their way towards the house, passing Hal along the way. He was standing at attention by the large French doors and opened them the moment he saw them approaching. The Estate was mesmerizing and seeing it again made her realize just how much she truly missed it. Memories of Fitz flooded her conscious at every turn and she again wished more than anything he could be there.

Olivia set her things down on the island in the kitchen and offered Celeste something to drink. A small stack of mail was on a nearby counter and Olivia thumbed through it quickly before fixing both of them a glass of water. She listened as her wedding planner read a check list of things still left to do, one of them being a final fitting of her bridal gown. Olivia had arranged for her dress to be delivered later that day and Vera Wang was gracious enough to send her personal assistant to oversee the fitting. She prayed no other alterations would be needed, secretly wanting the gown to remain at the Estate for selfish reasons.

Once the check list was finalized, they walked upstairs and turned left. One of Celeste's many tasks was to transform one of their many guest rooms into a bridal sitting area. Olivia wanted a room both she and Abby could get ready in separate from her bedroom and she was excited to see the finished product.

Celeste stepped back and allowed Olivia to walk ahead and enter. She immediately stopped once inside and took in a breath. Three large free standing mirrors stood against one wall in a tri-folding pattern. A small wooden step rested in the center so Olivia could turn and see every angle of her dress perfectly. To the right of the mirrors was space obvious for make up and hair and to the left was a small area intended for nails.

Olivia slowly walked the perimeter of the room and looked at each detail Celeste had arranged and coordinated. She could tell a great amount of thought went into the planning and she couldn't have been more pleased with the results. The petite woman remained near the door and simply smiled, adjusting her glasses a few times. Olivia found the sight so endearing.

"I'm so pleased, Celeste. It's exactly what I wanted." She felt herself beaming and didn't care. It truly was exactly what she envisioned.

"I've also taken the liberty of clearing a few things out next door. I needed to make room for the gifts that arrived this morning." Olivia's face dropped as confusion began to set in.

Gifts?

For a moment she wasn't certain if she heard Celeste correctly and before she could ask anything, she left the room, motioning for Olivia to follow. Her legs suddenly felt heavy. The wedding would be small and she couldn't imagine OPA already sending over presents! This only left one other option and for reasons she couldn't explain, that option bothered her immensely.

Celeste opened the other spare bedroom and in the middle of the floor were gifts. Lots of gifts...all shapes and all sizes. She quickly tried to count them and stopped when she reached the number seventeen. An uncomfortable feeling continued to settle deep within and she turned to Celeste wanting answers.

"You said they arrived this morning. I'm assuming they were sent from the White House?" She knew her tone was more formal than before and she tried not to allow her body language to show her true emotions.

Celeste explained Lauren reached out to her yesterday and they coordinated a time they could be delivered. Olivia listened and nodded, glancing back over her shoulder at the items covering nearly half the room. She wondered if Fitz knew about the gifts. Why didn't he mention anything? Olivia had been spending a lot of time in the White House and this never once came up.

Olivia left Celeste talking mid sentence and went towards the pile, picking up one of the smaller boxes. She slid the card out and opened the envelope reading the following words carefully:

Mr. President and Olivia,

Congratulations and Best Wishes to both of you.

With Kindest Regards,

John Rhodes

Olivia read the name a few times, her stomach now in knots. John Rhodes was a United States Senator. She eventually returned the card to it's envelope and thanked Celeste again for all her efforts. She asked if they could touch base again in the morning, explaining her dress would be arriving soon and she had a few things to take care of. Celeste expressed her understanding and excused herself, eventually leaving Olivia alone in the guest room.

FPOV

Abby stood in front of the President and handed him a piece of paper. They were in the Oval Office and Fitz had just finished up a meeting when Abby requested to see him.

"The Gazette is running a piece on Olivia. I received an advanced copy of the article this morning and I think you should read it." Abby's face was pale and he could tell by her mannerisms she was anything but pleased. Fitz raised his arm and took the document from Abby, placing his reading glasses on. Large bold letters draped the top of the article:

RAISING A POPE

Fitz leaned back in his chair and was about to start reading when he noticed Abby still standing before him rather awkwardly. He didn't want to be rude so he wasn't sure how to address the fact she should have excused herself by now. Fitz lifted his eyes and held Abby's gaze. Within seconds she suddenly got the message and left the President alone in his office.

The article was short but well written and it struck every nerve in Fitz's body. It centered around Olivia's past and how little the American people really knew her. The author made it clear she found it highly odd the future First Lady of the United States had no trace of parents. She further explained despite her efforts and many attempts she could not obtain Olivia's birth certificate.

Fitz threw the paper on the desk and stood, tossing his reading glasses aside. He made his way to the window behind him and peered through the curtains. The sky was an overcast and he focused on a maintenance worker tending to the grounds, his subconscious now working in overdrive. The article didn't surprise him. It was written to raise questions and although he knew the real answers would never be found, it didn't stop him from wanting to shield Olivia from any pain.

He stood there for a long while until a knock on the door sounded, interrupting his thoughts. The door to his office opened and he turned to see Abby once again standing before him.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, Sir. But I need to know how I should handle this. Do you want me to tell Olivia?" Her voice was concerned and Fitz appreciated the way she was handling this. Abby coming to him meant she was respecting them as a couple, giving him the option to tell Olivia, not as the president but as her future husband.

"I'll talk to Olivia. Thank you for bringing this to my attention." Abby nodded and quickly disappeared, leaving him alone. He checked the time and knew Olivia would more than likely be calling soon. Fitz couldn't help but wonder how she would handle the news.

A pang of worry hit him and without thinking he returned to his leather chair and pressed a button on his phone. Within seconds Huck entered and approached him. Fitz handed him the article and once again leaned back in his chair, his left foot now propped up on the side of his desk. He watched a serious of emotions spread across his lead agent's face, his body tensing before his very eyes.

"Does Liv know?" Huck eventually asked handing him back the paper.

Fitz shook his head and the two men problem solved through various options - one of them bringing the author in for questioning. Unfortunately, none of the suggestions sat well with the President. After a few more minutes of discussion, Fitz ended the conversation letting him know he would touch base with him later on that afternoon. Huck excused himself from the Oval Office and Fitz checked the time again. He had a busy afternoon ahead and didn't want to wait much longer. Fitz was contemplating on calling Olivia when his cell phone suddenly rang.

"I was just about to call you," he said into the receiver. Fitz stood and made his way over again to his previous spot near the window.

"I was finishing up with Celeste and then I had my final dress fitting. It took longer than expected." She didn't sounded like herself but he wasn't sure why.

Olivia shared all the details regarding her meeting with Celeste and reviewed some questions she had pertaining to the ceremony itself. Fitz listened and it didn't take long for him to realize something was definitely bothering her. She should've been happier, especially when talking about her dress. Fitz could hear something off in her voice.

"Livvie, what's going on? Did something happen?"

Olivia at first tried to brush off his question before eventually asking one of her own.

"Did you know we were getting wedding gifts delivered to the White House?"

Fitz found the question odd and remained quiet for a brief moment trying to decipher if this was the reason she was upset.

"Lauren mentioned it. I had them sent to Vermont since you would be there today." Fitz paused and wondered if maybe he should've kept them at the White House. "Did you want them upstairs? I didn't think it would be a good idea with the renovation."

"Having them here is fine. I just didn't realize we were receiving them in the first place. Have you even seen them? We've gotten at least 20 already." He found her tone confusing and truly didn't understand what the issue was.

"No, I haven't seen them. I'm not even sure where Lauren was keeping them...I honestly assumed you knew they were beginning to arrive. I knew Secret Service was inspecting each one and then having them re-wrapped. I can't believe Huck didn't mention anything to you about it."

Silence filled the line and Fitz placed his free hand inside his pocket, continuing to look out the window. This conversation completely took him off guard and he hated something like this seemed to have her upset.

"One of the gifts is from Senator Rhodes..." She finally replied, her tone blatantly annoyed.

"Why is this bothering you?" He finally asked straightforwardly.

"We don't need gifts, Fitz. Why didn't I think to make a statement regrading this. We could've asked for donations to be given to a charity. WE should've chosen a charity-" Fitz cut her off and didn't allow her to continue.

"You're right, WE don't need gifts. But it's a nice gesture and I don't regret receiving them. I'm a sitting president who's remarrying while IN office. Yes, we're going to receive gifts and more than likely it will be from A LOT of people. This is normal, Olivia. It means people are happy for us!"

Fitz could feel his own frustration building, his response feeding off her annoyance...an annoyance he still didn't understand. More silence fell between them and he decided to try and change the subject. There were bigger issues needing to be addressed and he didn't want to keep Olivia in the dark about them any longer.

"If this means that much to you I will have Lauren return them all. Or we can arrange to have them all donated ourselves...I'm good with whatever you want. But there's something else we need to talk about- something Abby brought to my attention this morning."

For the next few minutes he filled her in about the article and Olivia immediately asked to read it herself, telling Fitz to fax it to her ASAP. She didn't seem upset by the news and didn't ask a lot of questions other than who else knew about it being written. Fitz mentioned the different scenarios both he and Huck discussed earlier but Olivia didn't seem interested in any of them.

"I'll take care of this," Olivia stated. He could hear the determination in her voice and he recognized the tone all too well. She was shifting into fixer mode and Fitz didn't question her plans. After all, this was her area of expertise, not his.

"Lauren will fax it now. And I'm serious about the gifts, Liv. Just let me know."

They exchanged goodbyes and Fitz sat down once again behind his desk, pushing another button on his phone. Lauren appeared within seconds and he handed his secretary the article requesting she send it to Olivia immediately.

"Right away, Mr. President. I actually just got off the phone with President Torricelli's secretary. All your requests will be taken care of. His Secret Service will make the arrangements. He would also like to offer you and Ms. Pope an invitation to his private island. According to his secretary it's about an hour boat ride away from where you're staying." Fitz could see the excitement in her face and he couldn't help but appreciate how happy this wedding made her.

"Give the information to Huck and have him contact the head of Torricelli's security. Make it clear I'm VERY interested in this option." That was Fitzgerald Grant code meaning 'make this happen.' Lauren flashed him a wide school girl grin and quickly excused herself. Before she left the office, Fitz called her by name adding on another task.

"Lauren...I'd like to speak to President Torricelli myself and personally thank him for his generosity. Make the arrangements."

He watched Lauren close the door behind her, leaving Fitz alone in his office. He was torn, his inner thoughts conflicted. He worried about Olivia yet couldn't get the vision of her in a bikini out of his head. Maybe he should've mentioned the gifts to her himself. Perhaps they should donate everything to charity. He sat and thought for a moment until his phone rang, bringing him back into the present. It was Lauren letting him know his next appointment was on their way in.

OPOV

Olivia waited for the fax to come through in her upstairs office, her chest now filling with anxiety. She knew something like this would eventually surface and she was honestly surprised it hadn't happened sooner.

Her face and name were everywhere- making headlines weekly in newspapers across the nation. For the past few weeks the focus varied and constantly shifted; some stories focusing on her professionally while others focused on the impact their marriage would have on the country as a whole. It was unavoidable and something that came with the territory when you agree to marry a man who happened to be the President of the United States.

It was a small price to pay considering she was getting to spend the rest of her life with the man she loved.

She didn't bother sitting down to read the article. She paced the floor of her office and concentrated on every word, rereading certain paragraphs over again. The author, Maribeth Bacall, was a well respected journalist which made Olivia feel even more threatened. This wasn't someone writing gossip or tabloid trash. This was a real journalist asking honest questions...questions anyone holding a public office would be expected to answer.

Olivia was about to read the article for a third time when her head began to ache. The dark cloud her parents left resurfaced and she could feel the weight of her past looming once again overhead. She decided instead of reading the article she should pour herself a glass of wine- a remedy that never failed her.

She made her way down stairs and searched for a bottle of Cabernet. It was early in the afternoon but she didn't care. She found a bottle tucked away in a top cabinet and wasted little time pouring herself a generous amount. Her throat welcomed the sensation and she eventually sat down on a nearby barstool and looked around the Great Room. The sunshine peered throughout the windows and she loved the fact they chose to keep them uncovered. It made everything feel so open and warm...and it was exactly how she wanted a home to feel. She sat in silence for a while when she heard her cell vibrate. She immediately thought it was Fitz calling to check on her. She knew he was concerned with their earlier conversation and she didn't blame him. Her behavior concerning the gifts wasn't exactly 'bride to be' material. She picked up her cell and to her surprise the area code on the caller ID flashed an international number- an area code she knew all too well.

It was Michael.

Olivia answered the phone and warmly greeted him. It had been a long time since they spoke to one another and she was actually quite surprised he was calling. They exchanged hellos, each of them asking about their significant other. After some small talk was exchanged he stated the purpose of his phone call. He was leaving for France tomorrow and was expecting to stay there until the wedding. Fitz had arranged a private plane to fly them in for their special day and he wanted to let Olivia know there would be a slight change in plans.

He didn't need to explain any further. Olivia immediately knew the purpose of his trip to France. She was certain Jacqueline Bordeaux had reached out to him and she wasn't surprised in the least of his decision to see her in person.

"What about Rosa?" Olivia inquired. "I'm certain we can arrange a plane for each of you if needed." It was just as important for Rosa to attend as it was Michael. They admired them both a great deal and having them present would mean the world to them.

"Rosa is actually coming with me. She's never been to France and has invited herself!" He was laughing at his own words, his voice carefree and amused. It instantly made Olivia miss him and his thick, Latin accent.

Michael soon changed the subject and began to share how proud he was of all she was accomplishing in such a short period of time. He mentioned the interview at OPA and also the work both she and Jacqueline were planning to accomplish at the international level. Olivia stood and headed towards the over-sized chair nearest to the fire place. She sat down tucking one leg underneath the other and rested her hand into the side of her head, listening to him continue to praise her. The situation she was currently struggling with came to mind and she couldn't resist bringing it up to him.

"An article was written about my past." A journalist- well respected- is asking questions...it will more than likely be printed in a few days." Michael was quiet and took his time, as he always did, before responding.

"You're not a reflection of your parents, Olivia." It was a classic Michael statement and one Olivia heard him say many times before. Unfortunately, it didn't make her feel better.

"I know. Michael. I'm not. But it doesn't make it hurt any less." She responded honestly with the first thing that came to her mind.

"I know it doesn't. What makes you so special, Olivia is how much you have overcome. Don't forget to acknowledge that. Your past can be your greatest asset if you allow it room in your life. Everything has a place...even your past. It made you who you are. Maybe it's time you embrace what is."

She thought for a moment, pondering his words and didn't reply right away. There was that word 'embrace' again. Fitz used that exact word when they were preparing for the State Dinner. Maybe they were both right. She couldn't change her past but trying to avoid it wasn't the answer either.

"Thank you for calling, Michael. It was so good to hear your voice. And thank you for traveling all this way for us. We can't wait to see you. Give Rosa my love." Her eyes filled with tears, the emotions she tried keeping down were now surfacing.

"We wouldn't miss it."

Olivia ended the call and remained seated for a while still thinking about their conversation. She looked out the window at the beautiful greenery and admired the view. In just a few weeks their home would be filled with people she loved...all there to celebrate and witness one of the most special times in her life. Eventually, she stood and picked up her wine glass. She took a slow drink and decided to go back upstairs, wanting to see the guest room filled with gifts again. She was hoping to look at the room from a different perspective, hoping this time she would have a different reaction and would see the room for what it was- a representation of entitled happiness.

Something she still had trouble thinking she deserved.

She walked back upstairs and took another drink before opening the door. The beautifully wrapped presents were exactly as she left them. She sat on the floor next to a tall package, slowly examining each card within reaching distance. A small gift near the center of the pile suddenly caught her attention. It was addressed solely to her and she recognized the name on the return address. She carefully opened the envelope and read the following hand written message:

We hope this gift finds you in time for your special day. Ana really wanted to buy you this with her own money. She sold lemonade every weekend for nearly a month trying to earn enough! You both have impacted her life in a great way and as her mother all I can do is thank you. She tells me everyday she wants to be just like Olivia Pope. I tell her everyday she couldn't have picked a greater role model.

Sincerely,

The Jones Family

Olivia reread the last few lines again, tears filling her eyes. She picked up the small box and opened the beautiful wrapping. Inside was a pale blue handkerchief with the initials OCG embroidered in dark navy. Attached was a beautiful silver pin intended for Olivia to fasten it to something if she so chose to.

It was her something blue.

She placed the handkerchief back inside the box and stared at it for some time overcome with emotion. At a time in her life when most women would have their parents honoring the bride to be with certain marital traditions, Olivia had other people in her life making certain she didn't go without. Who would've known a biracial eight year old would have made the biggest impact on her.

Olivia reached for her wine and wiped the few tears that fell down her cheeks. After she finished the glass she picked up her gift and stood, closing the door behind her. She walked to the room next door and saw her wedding gown hanging near the large mirrors. It had been a perfect fit and to her relief didn't require any additional hemming.

She knelled down and lifted the dress from the bottom, pinning the blue handkerchief discreetly inside. Olivia smiled as she placed the dress back into it's rightful place, smoothing the bottom evenly so it wouldn't wrinkle. As soon as it looked perfect again, she stood and admired her gown once more before heading downstairs.

When she reached the kitchen, she picked up her cell and searched through several contacts before finding the phone number she was looking for. She pressed the send button and sat on the bar stool listening to the ringing on the line. Finally, a voice came on and answered.

"Good Afternoon, The Washington Gazette..."

"Good afternoon. This is Olivia Pope. I'm calling for Maribeth Bacall."

FPOV

It was nearly 6:00 in the evening and Fitz was in the White House's official dining room, having dinner with Cyrus and a Chief Justice who was about to announce his retirement. The men were in the middle of a discussion when the topic of his upcoming marriage came up. The Chief Justice wanted to offer his sincere congratulations while he had the President's undivided attention.

"Ms. Pope spared my family a great deal of embarrassment a few years ago...truth be known she knows half of DC's most kept secrets." Fitz could see the embarrassment in his eyes and instantly wanted to ease his mind.

"My fiancé knows all my secrets too...it's a wonder she still wants to marry me." His tone was light and charismatic and exactly what was needed to change the mood.

It didn't take long for their conservation to change yet again. Fitz was listening to Cyrus and the Chief Justice disagree on an issue when Lauren entered the room. He motioned for her to approach them and she quickly apologized for interrupting their dinner.

"Mr. President, the phone call you requested has been arranged. I have him on the line now." Fitz immediately stood and so did the two gentleman at the table. He quickly excused himself and walked with Lauren back towards the Oval Office. The White House translator was waiting and he extended his hand to shake it with the gentleman.

The phone call was brief but productive and something Fitz was glad Lauren could make happen. He could only imagine the look on Olivia's face when he finally shared the news. Most of the honeymoon details were being kept a secret and this would be no exception. He wanted to indulge Olivia in every way possible. She deserved the honeymoon of a lifetime and he took great pleasure planning every single detail of their upcoming trip.

He thanked the translator, Xavier Pham, for his time and watched him leave his office. Fitz checked his watch and decided to stand and return to the dinner he had previously interrupted. He was about to open the door when Huck entered, stopping him from leaving. He wanted to inform him the journalist who wrote the article on Olivia, Ms. Bacall, was on her way to Vermont. Apparently Olivia personally invited her over for dinner that evening. Fitz stood and processed the information before finally continuing out the door.

"Would you like me on this, Sir?" Huck asked, walking next to the President. This was Huck's way of asking Fitz if he was comfortable with Olivia being alone with this person.

"No...I'm certain Hal has things under control." Huck remained quiet and he took his silence to mean he himself must have issues with Olivia's decision. He patted Huck's back firmly in appreciation for his loyalty. He loved the fact the head of his Secret Service cared so much for his future wife.

OPOV

Daniel opened the front door of the Vermont Estate and escorted Maribeth Bacall into the kitchen. Olivia extended her hand to the woman and offered her a drink. The award winning journalist looked around the room in awe, making several comments on how beautiful the structure of the home was. Small talk was made for a short while before Olivia finally invited Maribeth to sit down to eat. They were halfway between courses when the topic of the article finally worked it's way into the conversation.

"Tell me, Ms. Pope...is this dinner on or off the record?" Olivia studied the brunette carefully before responding.

"Right now, we're just two people eating." Olivia replied evenly. The two woman stared at one another for a short while until Maribeth finally spoke again.

"I was hoping to get a statement from you or the White House...which is why I decided to share an advanced copy. Turns out I got something even better. A one on one with the future First Lady herself. Looks like I made the right decision."

She picked up her glass of wine and raised it to Olivia as if she was patting herself on the back. Her face was amused but Olivia didn't find the gesture funny.

"Maribeth...were you raised by your parents?" Olivia asked through sips of her wine, ignoring the journalists previous statement. The woman nodded and shared her parents were from a small town in Iowa and they still lived there to this day. Olivia smiled and set her glass down, resting her arms flat on the mahogany table.

"Do you visit them often?"

"I do...some," Maribeth answered. "But not as often as I'd like. What about you, Ms. Pope? Are your parents alive?"

Olivia was waiting for this question and immediately answered.

"The last time I saw my mother was before she left to catch a plane oversees. The flight crashed that day. Her body was never found. I was twelve years old when that happened." Olivia watched Maribeth's eyes widen, her body shifting uncomfortably in her seat. The room grew silent and Olivia continued.

"My father was devastated by the loss and didn't know how to cope. He shipped me off to boarding school soon after. I spent the next several years either alone or attaching myself to friends. It was a very lonely life, especially for a young girl who needed a mother. Even as a adult, my father found it difficult to have me in his life. We lived in the same town but never really saw each other. He passed away a little over a year ago...from congestive heart failure. He was a museum curator and one day didn't show up for work. I found him in his apartment. He died alone."

Olivia took a breath and continued watching the woman sitting across from her. She wasn't being completely truthful but she also wasn't completely lying. Olivia was simply doing the best she could with the circumstances at hand. The truth was the world wasn't ready to know the monsters she had for parents...and she refused to share certain parts of herself with just anyone.

"I want you to know, Ms. Bacall, I didn't have the best parents. In fact, I've spent most of my adulthood trying to overcome the set backs I've experienced in my personal life. You can't find any information about my parents because I'm good at my job and have made certain this part of my life remains private. I'm a living, breathing, miracle and I've fought a long and difficult road to find healing...and happiness. I'm sharing this with you because I hope you'll understand why I've chosen to keep certain things from the public."

Maribeth was quiet and Olivia could tell she was completely taken back. Soon, her journalistic intuition kicked in and it wasn't long before she began trying to make sense of what Olivia had shared.

"It's clear you're giving me an exclusive, Ms. Pope. Allow me to share these few details about your life...about what made you the woman you are today. So far, every interview you've given has been about your position as First Lady or about your relationship with the President. Use me to educate people. You're a successful, strong woman who has overcome many odds against her. The American people want to know you. I give you my word if you allow me to share this, no journalist will ever question your past again."

Olivia remained quiet and took another drink of wine. Her plan was working and Maribeth was doing exactly what she predicted. After a few moments she finally stood and retrieved a large envelope from the kitchen. Inside was information pertaining to what Olivia shared about her parents.

The half truths she told in order to protect herself and the people she loved most.

Maribeth took the envelope and quickly opened it, looking over each item carefully. She stopped when she came to Olivia's birth certificate and looked up, a combination of shock and awe spread across her face. She continued looking through the documents and held up a picture for Olivia to see.

"You were on the swim team?" She asked, her voice slightly surprised.

"I was." Olivia confirmed, looking at a picture Harrison sent, per her instructions.

It was a photo taken during her teenage years when she attended an all girls preparatory school. She knew the picture would confirm being shipped off by Rowan and also make her seem like an ordinary girl just trying to fit in.

Olivia remained quiet for a moment, allowing Maribeth to finish looking through the documents before finally adding her one request.

"I have one non-negotiable," Olivia blatantly stated, crossing her arms in front of her.

"Name it," Maribeth replied, setting the envelope down.

"I know the Gazette offers scholarships every year to students who've overcome adversity. I want a full scholarship set aside for a young lady that will be graduating in ten years. The scholarship will need to be placed in a trust until she reaches eighteen. I will make the arrangements and contact your office."

"I'm certain I can make that happen..." Maribeth's voice was a bit taken back and filled with curiosity.

Olivia motioned to Hal who was seated in the corner of the room. He instantly stood and headed towards the front door. That was Ms. Bacall's cue her time with the future First Lady was over.

The women walked to the door and Olivia extended her hand again to the journalist. Maribeth continued to look at Olivia inquisitively and finally spoke.

"I appreciate your time, Ms. Pope. And I thank you for inviting me to your home. I know how private you are and I have to admit, I'm feeling quite honored right now." Olivia smiled and opened the oak door for her guest.

"I look forward to the rewrite of the article. And please keep the title...it's starting to grow on me." Maribeth smiled and Hal eventually motioned for her to leave, closing the door behind them.

Olivia stood in the foyer deep in thought. She suddenly missed Washington and especially Fitz. A lot happened today and naturally he was the first person she wanted to share the news with. Hal soon entered and announced Daniel was driving Ms. Bacall to the airport before disappearing and leaving her alone.

She returned to the dining room and began to clean up the dishes when a thought occurred to her. Why was she staying when her heart was somewhere else? Hasn't she spent enough of her life depriving herself from what she really wanted?

It was fairly early and she honestly didn't want to be in Vermont without Fitz any longer. She really missed Washington and couldn't stop thinking about returning. As soon as she finished in the kitchen, she called for Hal from the other room. He quickly reappeared and asked what she needed.

"Let the President know I'll be home tonight."

FPOV

Fitz was on his way back to the Oval Office when he got word of Olivia's change of plans. He wondered why she decided to cut her trip short but didn't question it. He knew Olivia would share her reason soon enough. When he approached his office Lauren was gathering her things and appeared to be leaving.

"Goodnight, Lauren." He stated, heading into his office.

"Goodnight, Sir," she replied. "Your portrait arrived. It's by your desk."

Fitz entered and immediately saw what she was referring to. It was the portrait they took under the Cherry Blossoms at the Ritz Carlton and the first formal picture of them as a couple. He opened the large box and carefully took out the framed picture. It took his breath away and he instantly knew Olivia would love it.

He set the large frame on the ground and leaned it against his desk, stepping a few feet back to admire it from afar. It would look perfect in their private residence upstairs and he couldn't wait to show Olivia the finished product.

Fitz glanced at the clock on the walk and checked the time. It was a little after 8:00 which meant Olivia would be landing in a couple of hours. He decided he would have the picture taken upstairs and serve as their first official piece of home decor.

He sat behind his desk and opened his nightly briefing folder that awaited him. A few moments later, Huck entered and Fitz motioned for him to take the portrait.

"Escort her straight upstairs when she arrives."

Huck nodded at his request and disappeared, carrying with him the first official portrait of the future Mr. and Mrs. Grant.

It was half past 10:00 when Fitz finally called it a night. Olivia had landed and would be arriving any moment. He gathered a few items and eventually headed upstairs with Huck two steps close behind. Their private residence was nearly complete and he could still smell the fresh coat of paint on the walls down the hallway.

Fitz walked around and couldn't believe the transformation. There was a large seating area that led into a private kitchen. On the other side of the floor was their bedroom, adjacent to two smaller rooms, one that belonged to Teddy and one that could be used as a nursery. On the other side was a small office connected to a family media room. And finally two more rooms, one of them belonging to Karen.

Every room matched the blue prints perfectly and he was pleasantly surprised how much larger the entire area now seemed. The President made his way back into his new bedroom and this time focused on it's newest addition. The portrait was leaning in front of the fire place and would eventually be hung above it, serving as the focal point of the room. Furniture was scheduled to arrive soon, the last detail before the private residence would be one hundred percent complete.

He stood in place admiring the picture once again when he heard Olivia's heels across the hard wood approaching. When she entered the room he turned to face her, stepping aside so she could get a clear view of the frame. She stopped mid step the second she saw it and froze...her face speaking volumes. He quickly joined her and wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her into him.

"Welcome home," he whispered into her ear, kissing the back of her lobe softy. Her eyes continued to look ahead and it was a few moments before she was able to find the words.

"It's beautiful." Her voice was soft and he admired her profile, unable to take his eyes off of her. He loved the way her mouth would curve up when she liked something because it made her cheekbones stand out.

"It arrived a few hours ago...I couldn't wait for you to see it." He smiled the words and continued looking at her.

Fitz eventually took her by the hand and led her on a tour, showing her each room, one by one. They took time sharing what they liked the most and discussed different possible arrangements for the furniture. When they got to the room intended for a nursery, Olivia quickly shared her hopes for the empty space. Fitz watched as she motioned to different areas, showing him the best place for the crib in her opinion. Visions of a very pregnant Olivia took his mind over and he couldn't stop himself from smiling.

Suddenly the room grew quiet and he knew his soon to be wife was thinking of having a child. He could see the hope all over her face and he couldn't stop himself from hugging her.

"It's going to happen, Livvie. God knows how much we want this. He's brought us this far..." He smiled at Olivia and she kissed his cheek, grabbing his hand and squeezing it.

"It's late..." She replied, looking towards the doorway.

"It is...let's head out. This will be our new home soon enough." He patted her backside and picked up her purse, handing it to her.

They walked hand in hand down the long hallway and made their way back to the side entrance and eventually inside the unmarked town car. Olivia snuggled in close to Fitz and began to share her day in Vermont from start to finish. He could hear the excitement in her voice when she described her final dress fitting and could only imagine how beautiful she would soon look in it.

She moved from topic to topic and he enjoyed listening to all she had to share. He was especially interested in her dinner with Maribeth Bacall and was pleasantly surprised when she stated a NEW article would indeed be written.

"I was very selective in what I shared but I think it was a good move. My team really pulled through and had everything ready by the time she arrived." Her voice was matter of fact and Fitz kissed the side of her temple.

"I'm glad you were selective. You had every right to be." He felt Olivia's head grow heavy and he wondered if she was growing tired. She was leaned against his shoulder but continued to share about the rest of her evening.

It was nearly 11:30 when they pulled up to Cleveland Avenue. They were both eager to exit the car, walking straight upstairs when they entered their home. Both of them began to simultaneously undress when Olivia mentioned her conversation with Micheal. She shared he was doing well and was planning a trip to France when she disappeared into the bathroom.

Fitz was in the middle of putting his clothes away when Olivia returned. Her hair was pulled back and she was rubbing lotion on her hands. They eventually climbed into bed and assumed their usual position: Fitz's arm wrapped around Olivia, her head resting on his chest. He could smell her lotion all over and he couldn't resist kissing one of her hands.

"I'm so glad Jacqueline reached out to Michael. It was so good to hear from him...he said they were looking forward to the wedding." Her voice was soft and she rubbed her hands gently across his chest while she spoke.

"I'm glad too. I'm just sorry I couldn't be there today. I know you wanted me there." He felt the need to apologize although he knew Olivia understood.

He was planning on taking an entire week off for their wedding and honeymoon, and that in itself was no easy task. Very few people knew when their actual wedding would be taking place which meant his absence would need to be strategically planned.

Olivia lifted herself off his chest and climbed up onto him, her legs now straddling his lower abdomen. Fitz massaged her outer thighs and watched her closely, her face difficult to read.

"I opened one of the gifts today. It was from Ana's family..." Fitz's eyebrows rose at the mention of her name.

"It was actually addressed to only me," she continued, her voice stressing the words 'only me' in a playful tone.

"But I thought it was ME she had the crush on?" Fitz replied, his voice pretending to be wounded. It made Olivia smile and he couldn't remember a time she looked more radiant.

"It was a blue handkerchief...with the initials OCG on it." He saw her eyes twinkle at the words, slightly becoming glossy.

"Your something blue?" He asked, wanting to make certain he understood the gift. She nodded her head at the question and a tear fell down her cheek, her emotions now spilling over as if they were waiting for this precise moment to finally release.

Fitz instantly sat up and brought her into his arms, wrapping her tight against his body. He felt her heavily exhale and knew in that exact moment why she returned to DC. She had an emotional day and just like him, when things became too much, they looked to the other for comfort.

Just like any married couple would.

They embraced for a long time before Olivia finally broke contact. Her face was still emotional and he smoothed the few strands of hair that had fallen out of place. He kissed the corner of her mouth softly and knew she was exactly where she needed to be.

"We don't have much time left here," she said, her voice low and melancholy.

"No, we don't. But it sure has been a good house for us..." Nostalgia set in and they sat for another short while, continuing to hold one another close.

"We've made so many memories here..but it's time to make new ones. And besides, I'm ready for my new initials." Olivia smiled up at him and lovingly touched his cheek.

Desire took over and Fitz cupped the bottom of her chin and kissed her intently and with purpose. He lifted her silk nightie over her head and kissed her neck, his lips making an imaginary line straight to her mouth.

He finally returned to his original position on the bed leaving Olivia once again straddled around his waist. She rose to her knees and positioned her body over his shaft, slowly lowering herself down onto him. The tightness was overwhelming and his head instinctively flew backwards, a deep moan radiating into the air.

Olivia's hand went to her core and Fitz could feel her hand against his own skin. She began to touch herself and his eyes quickly opened at the realization of what was occurring. He loved watching her and took great pleasure in knowing she was a woman who didn't shy away of taking charge of her own sexual pleasure.

Her eyes were closed and her hips began to thrust back and forth. Her other hand was at her breast, massaging herself in the most sensual manner. His dick was beyond hard and the second he watched her mouth part in pleasure...a pleasure she was herself creating...he felt his precum spill inside her.

The friction between them began to lessen and he easily slid in deeper. Olivia was in her element and removed her hand from her clit and up into her hair. Fitz watched her release the band from the back and shake her head side to side. Her long hair fell around her shoulders, nearly touching her nipples. His fingers dug into her backside, pushing her harder into him.

Olivia's hips were relentless, riding him with a rhythm that drove him absolutely crazy. Their sounds intertwined and he nearly ejaculated hearing her yell his name loudly in the air. He felt her walls expanding and he wanted her to orgasm. Fitz slid his middle finger between them finding her center and tugging at her pearl the way she liked. It was Olivia's undoing and she quickly began to tremble uncontrollably, her cries echoing into the air.

The moment she calmed, Fitz lifted her up and over, now switching positions. She was now on her back, her legs spread wide for him to enter. He forcefully pulled her hips towards him and entered her slowly... until every inch of him was back inside.

Fitz stayed propped on his knees, Olivia's legs draped around each thigh. He watched her massage her own breasts again and again, her eyes now locked with his. She began to speak to him- begging him to fuck her harder- her words bringing forth a lust deep within. His rhythm increased, his grip around her hips hungry with each and every thrust.

Olivia began to cry out and he knew she was once again reaching her own pleasure. His rhythm steadied until she finally calmed and he eventually lowered himself down slowly on top of her. She wrapped her arms around him, kissing his neck several times with an open mouth. Her touch was warm, her tongue soft and he could feel himself slowly building.

Fitz buried himself into her and felt her legs wrap around his waist, her heels pushing his backside down into his skin. His release came quick and Olivia's grip around him tightened until he had no more of himself to give her. His body was spent and they were both exhausted, their breathing now heavy and sporadic.

He slowly pulled out from her yet his body stayed drawn, not wanting to be too far away. Olivia pulled him in close and his head rested gingerly inside the crook of her neck. He kissed it gently several times, wrapping one arm around her stomach, pulling her within inches of him. Fitz whispered one last thing before finally drifting into a deep sleep.

"I can't wait for you to see your something new."