Olivia leaned against the headboard giving Fitz more access to her neck. He peckered a trail of kisses on her collarbone and tightened his lips over her skin. He didn't ask if she cared about being marked. When he realized he wasn't getting the reaction he was expecting, he pulled back. "What are you thinking about?"

"Everything,"

"Can you be more specific?"

"What if Mila is right about my mom?"

"Do you think she is right?"

"I don't know."

"I think you should give her a chance."

"What if she wants something?"

"Do you think she wants money?'

"No, I don't think she knows about your wealth."

"Our wealth." Fitz corrected.

"I don't think she wants money. My mom would never ask me for anything. Maybe she wants my connections?"

"She has a job. I don't think she's here to use you. Maybe she is really sorry."

"I hope so."

"I'm sure she's expecting a gift for her wedding. I don't know what she wants."

"That's understandable. It has been 18 years."

"Mila doesn't want her here. I know she is being protective."

"She needs to step back and let you live your life. It's not her decision."

"I know that. I'm sorry I can't do this right now."

"What do you want to do?"

"Cook dinner. I know you're tired of eating me. How about some real food?"

"I will never be tired of eating you."

XXXX

Fitz didn't know what to say seeing all the broken glass scattered around Karen's apartment. She sat at the kitchen table. Almost too calm.

"You threw all of this stuff?"

"We had a fight."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. We're not getting back together."

"That can be good."

"That's not why I called you here. I want to let you know in person that I'm moving tomorrow."

"Where are you going? What about your classes?"

Karen shrugged. "I'm dropping out for now. I've always wanted to live in Colorado."

"You're dropping out of college to go skiing?"

"It's more than that. I need a change of scenery. We can still talk a few times a week, and I will fly out here so that we can continue our therapy appointments. I don't have a reason to stay in DC anymore."

"You're just going to move to Aspen and be a socialite?"

"Yeah. I'll marry a rich guy. It's not like I have to worry about money."

"You are getting an allowance every month, and it comes with stipulations."

"Dad, you cannot treat me like Mila. I don't have to work for anything. I know you want to be fair, but you also know that if I don't get the money from you, I'll get it from Grandma and Grandpa."

Fitz knew Karen was right. He couldn't throw money at her like Mila. Karen had options. If she asked for an apartment in Aspen, she would have it. She knew his mom and dad very well. Money could fix anything in the Grant family, and Karen was going to take advantage of that.

"Okay, do you need a ride to the airport tomorrow?"

"No."

"Well I guess we don't have anything else to talk about."

"Goodbye Dad."

"Goodbye Karen. I hope you find yourself in Colorado."

XXXX

"Is Karen okay?"

"She's moving to Colorado."

"Who's in Colorado?"

"I don't think she knows anyone there. I know she wants a fresh start, and Aspen is her favorite winter vacation destination."

"Is she going to work in Aspen?"

"Probably not. I think she wants to be a socialite."

"You're okay with that?"

"I want her to be educated and have a career, but she can be rich and dumb. The same for Mila. I won't cut her off financially if she quits college; she doesn't need to know that."

"No she doesn't. I'm sure she would drop out tomorrow if she knew that."

"I want Karen to stay in DC. At least I know she's okay here."

"You can still call her everyday."

"I feel like I'm failing again. I thought we were making progress with therapy and jogging in the park. It's like we can't get anywhere. It hurts to know that I'm the cause of so many of her issues. I quit drinking; I poured out my Scotch collection, and I'm still failing at everything. I feel so useless."

"You are not useless. You saved my life. I wouldn't be here without you."

"You don't need me anymore."

"I still need you. Now more than ever."

"Would you be terribly upset if we didn't clean the kitchen until tomorrow?"

"I can clean the dishes."

"No, let's just leave it and go upstairs. I want to hold you until I fall asleep. Can you do that for me?"

Olivia was trying to smile, but it was difficult. She always ended the day with a clean house, "We can leave the kitchen like that. I'm okay with it for now. Let's not make it an everyday thing."

"Are you joining me in the shower?"

"Yeah, that sounds like a great way to end our day."