Two Months Later

"Lovers of Liberty. We are now officially getting into the swing of fall and DC has turned to a new leaf compared to when the year began. Our Madame President continues to be in good spirits given that her latest rating is still consistently ranking in the late sixties. To add to that, it is reported that her and boyfriend, former Press Secretary Marcus Walker are going strong in their relationship. She seems to have it all under control doesn't she then. Quite a development compared to the previous roll in the hayride of an administration. Her ex-husband though, former President Fitzgerald Grant also appears to be in a chipper mood now in life after at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Sources say that he is happily settled back in his hometown of Santa Barbara and that he's been enjoying his time again under the California sun. Maybe there's someone out there making his life more fun these days. Given our former POTUS colorful past, a new lady in his arms would not be surprising to hear. Well folks America has always been a sucker for happy endings and after the events that transpired since last year's election night, rest in peace to Frankie Vargas now that he's in the arms of the Lord, it looks like the last quarter of this year is off to a good note this time around. Good night and God speed, America."

"Something wrong with the Sole meunière?" Rowan asked seeing that his daughter has barely touched her plate since dinner began.

"Um no, it's fine. I'm just not really that hungry," Olivia replied with her eyes cast downwards on her food while poking the boiled potatoes with her fork. She reaches for her wine glass and takes a sip.

"So Olivia, your father tells me that you are now teaching in Georgetown. I think that's great. How are the students these days?"

She looks up from her plate and lands her gaze on Linda, her dad's girlfriend. The two of them have been steadily dating for almost three months and recently her dad has been inviting her along to their Sunday dinners almost every other week. According to him, they both went to the same university but belonged to different majors with Linda majoring in Museum Studies. The two undergrads then got to know each other more when they interned for the same museum during one summer break but were with different people back then. A few months back, they bumped into each other when Linda was visiting the Smithsonian and from there, both have reconnected since then.

"Well, they have a unique style of learning. I guess it is part of their generation but they are very eager and participative."

"What do you teach again? I think Eli said something about communications." Olivia couldn't help but wince internally at hearing her father's real name. Something that she now has to get used to ever since her father has sort of become a normal senior citizen.

"Public Relations. I teach to the new batch of the masters program. Well, I'm just a part-time lecturer there. Not like a full-blown professor since it is just a once a week session for now."

"Still it must be an honor for these young men and women to learn from a former Chief of Staff and a well-known campaign manager that made two Presidents. You're like an idol to them."

Olivia responds with a soft smile. So far she has no problems with her and she appears to be of someone with good character. Truthfully, she doesn't care that much when it comes to her dad's personal life. However, she can't help but feel a bit envious knowing that her dad of all people just so happens to be the one in between them living a normal life somewhat successfully while she just seems to can't get a foot in.

"What else has been keeping you busy? Are you seeing someone these days? With someone as gorgeous and brilliant as you, I'm sure that you're never running out of suitors," Linda lightheartedly joked.

"Oh no! No, no. There's no one. I'm perfectly fine and single," she quickly answered. She saw from the corner of her eye her father appearing to be either unfazed or putting on a really good show of being calm and relaxed in front of his girlfriend.

"Well, that's also nice to hear dear. I'm sure you know what is best for you. Oh, looks like my ride is almost here, Dan just messaged me that he is five minutes away."

"Why don't you invite him here and join us?" Rowan offered after learning that Linda's eldest is nearby.

"Honey no need but thank you. We need to be back home anyways. You know he makes sure to never miss out tucking Casey in with a bedtime story. How about we do dinner next time in my place? Is that okay with you, Olivia?"

"Oh yeah sure, I mean yeah why not right dad?"

"Honey I'd be happy too."

After bidding each other goodbye and walking Linda out, Rowan returns to the dining area and once again finds Olivia playing with her food. He went back to his seat and poured himself another glass of wine.

"So how's President Grant?"

Olivia looks up, bewildered based on her scrunched expression. "She's doing obviously well. I mean you hear what the news outlets say. She's doing great."

Clearing his throat, he asks again. "Perhaps I should have been more specific. I meant former President Grant. How is Fitz?"

"I don't know. Why do you ask?" she said, sounding uninterested.

"I'm just curious over how you've been doing. That's all."

"What do you want, dad?" Her annoyance now on display after rolling her eyes this time.

Rowan releases a frustrated sigh as well at how this conversation he is trying to have with her is faring. "Look Olivia either things are okay or they're not. I don't understand why you always prefer to overcompensate and complicate things."

She takes a sip from her glass and then proceeds to grab the bottle in between them to pour herself another. "There's nothing to talk about because there nothing going on with me and him dad. Besides he's no longer here. He is now living in Santa Barbara."

"But I thought his house was back in Vermont," he said with his brows knitted. "He just left and you're fine with that?" He continues after getting a mere shrug from his daughter as a response.

"Can we please stop with the pretense dad now that your girlfriend is no longer here."

"Olivia I'm just asking here."

"Really now because from what I can recall, you made it clear over the years just how much you disapprove of me and him. How you did everything in your power to destroy this relationship and take him away from me! Because of you, we could never be together!"

She's now starting to get riled up after failing to tamp down her irritation. How dare her dad, of all people, be asking these kinds of questions after all the damage that he caused?

"God damn it, Olivia! Will you ever stop being so ungrateful and vain?!"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" she angrily replied, matching with her father's raised voice.

"When you and your friends, including him, were out of options and moments away from facing a lifetime in jail not so long ago, who helped you out?"

Refusing to answer back, she simply stared down at her drink.

"I helped you get out of that dire situation so that you can still freely live the life that you want, including your boyfriend's and keeping his legacy intact because I'm damn sure you were worried over that too." Sighing heavily, Rowan tries to calm himself down by opting to drink water instead of their serving of Shiraz. "I know the things that I've done and the implications that came with it. While I do keep on telling you just how much alike we actually are, to your unfortunate dismay, there is one thing that keeps us apart."

"And what is that then dad? Please do continue the lecture," she mockingly replied for here she is again being subjected to his usual sermons.

"I honored my choices, Olivia," her dad said, more calmly this time. "At this point and in my age, I'm done convincing you that everything I have done was for you – to help you reach your goals while also looking out for you. I don't deny though that some of those were also for my gain such as in the case of Jerry Grant."

Her breath hitched at the mention of the young Grant, a topic that is still deeply a sore spot for her.

"Yes, I willingly did it knowing that it will permanently ruin your relationship and I really didn't care about that at all. I always made it clear with you on where I stand on your relationship with him. But we can't deny the fact that what I did, delivered what you truly wanted and placed utmost importance to, which was to get that win. When I asked then what you wanted the most, you said was to make sure that he wins, to which I gave. Tell me, Olivia, after finding out of his son's death, was the first thing that came into your mind was how you now have a sure win in your hands?"

With both of them already knowing the answer, she stayed silent.

"The answer is yes because that's who you are. Winning, no matter how you get it even if it means putting someone or any of your relationships in jeopardy, is what you value the most Olivia. Losing was never an option for you. Think about it, since we're being truthful here, why did you never truly choose him?"

Finally, she looks up, flushed with rage by her father's insinuation.

"I may have been a factor in your relationship's downfall but in the end, the choice was always yours on whether you wanted to keep that man in your life or if you would rather have him on the side when you don't want to decide between him and Ballard, or him and the next Presidential run. "

"Well then go ahead. Tell me what I should have done then since you're the expert here," she bitterly scoffs back.

Loudly heaving an exasperated sigh, her dad pauses for a moment. "Were they both even aware by just how much you have them wrapped around your finger? Maybe they were but when it comes to you there was only one answer for them. One that is driven by emotion over logic especially that boy that you claim to only truly love. That even when you decided to run away and leave him for that other boy, his friend turned the biggest rival during his darkest hours, still just couldn't get it into his thick skull that no such love could have survived any of that. Sadly, you too despite making that choice fully knowing the permanent damage it will bring to you two, one that is beyond repair."

As much as she didn't like what she was hearing, what she hated more is the truth that she refuses to acknowledge behind those words. She knew her father was right back then when after coming back with Jake from the island, made her question on how could any love survive given what happened.

The only answer she knew, it couldn't.

"I was always repulsed by how much he made you weak, made you be the opposite of the champion that I raised. But watching the supposed most powerful man on the planet allow for everything to be destroyed including his family, the nation, and embarrass himself for the love of one woman—the woman he chose that did not chose him back. Didn't you resent him for that and rejected him after he greatly disappointed you for failing to meet your expectations. Didn't you say after publicly leaving him and your relationship that it was for the best? What about that little plan that you and Jake cooked up right before the wedding because it's him who you wanted to be with?"

"That's unfair! Fitz and I were already separated at that time! You cannot— how about we cut the long and winding speeches and just tell me that it's my fault then," she angrily huffs back.

"Did you ever actually want him, Olivia? You may love someone but never really want to be with them. Not fully. Have you ever thought of that?"

Left feeling tongue-tied once again, she looks away and went back to finishing her glass as she starts thinking that it's time for her to leave.

After a minute of silence in between them, Rowan decides to break the ice, or more like thaw it as he sees his daughter trying her hardest to put on a straight face and appear to be over this discussion.

"Have you heard back from him?"

"What?"

"Have you heard back from Fitz? A call? A text message?"

She looks at him completely confused over this sudden change of topic. "No."

"Well have you tried reaching out to him then?"

"What?! Of course not! Why would I in the first place? Dad why are you suddenly asking me these?" She can now see her dad looking like he's in somewhat between feeling awkward and aggravated as he tries to think of what to say next.

"Because I'm trying to be a dad here! A dad trying to give some boy advice to his daughter who just somehow cannot over get over her ex-boyfriend for years now," he frustratingly said.

Olivia lets out a tired sigh at that. While she and her dad have been regularly meeting for their Sunday dinners and have developed a more than cordial relationship, they were still nowhere near the father and daughter relationship that she used to long for.

"Like you said dad, the relationship is beyond repair so it's useless for you to give any more unsolicited advice."

"Well, it's no secret that I'm not good when it comes to relationships so to find myself now be actually in one after years of just—thinking they're just limitations, really comes as a surprise. But if there's one thing that I will share with you is that you cannot avoid the reality of constantly having to make sacrifices and choices if you want to actually be in one. Marriage is a sacrifice. Perhaps the greatest sacrifice you will be making. Raising a family is a sacrifice. Commitment is a sacrifice. It's the universal truth. You can't have it this way and that. Otherwise, just end it and mean it."

With her glass now empty, Olivia reaches for her Prada and starts getting ready to leave.

"Thanks for the dinner dad. Just message me if next week will be at Linda's and her address. Bye."

Rowan shakes his head as he watches his daughter leave and over another futile discussion when it comes to her personal life. Deep down, he knows that one of his daughter's greatest fears is to end up being alone just like him before Linda came to his life.

But just how long will she avoid confronting it?

"So are you in?"

"Pass."

"What? Liv, come on. I don't understand why you wouldn't just say yes. It's just a double date with me and Leo," Abby whined. She and Leo were currently at her place for pizza night. The two of them are now officially back together and Leo since then has become a regular guest at her place.

"Maybe Connor is simply not her type, actually what or who is your type Liv?" Leo inquired.

"I—I don't have a type. Look you two, I'm perfectly fine and have no interest in dating anyone these days," she said as she rolls her eyes at them as she digs into her pizza.

"Hey whatever happened to Senator Shaw by the way?" Abby suddenly asked.

"Nothing," she quickly replied.

"I highly doubt that since you were so quick to avoid the topic!" Her friend jokes back.

"Wait you have a thing with Senator Shaw?"

"He asked her out on a date."

"Nothing happened. There's no 'thing'. That case is closed," she sheepishly said before taking another bite of her pizza.

After a couple of seconds of awkward silence among the three, Leo speaks up. "So something did happen or was going to happen but it ended even before that something happened."

"Something like that," Liv timidly replied.

"Oh my God, so what is it then? Come on Liv you never said anything to me about this," Abby nags at her friend.

Rolling her eyes once again, she figured since it was no longer a situation that it's not a big deal anymore but before she begins to share, she gives Leo a one over.

"Hey, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Well isn't it just a bit weird that you're here when this is something that is supposed to be only talked about between us girls," she judgingly said.

"Well isn't it weirder for you to ask your friend's boyfriend to step out and wait for you two to finish your girl talk," he snapped back.

"Liv it's fine. It's just Leo anyway," Abby calmly said as she reassures her friend.

"Fine, whatever." With a deep breath in and a deep breath out, she begins telling her story. "He asked me not so long ago. For a date this time, like a real dinner date at the Equinox in Connecticut Avenue. So, I agreed to it as long as it will be low-key. He got us a private room and it was nice and all. Then I realized while in the middle of dinner that it was like the first time since forever that I've been out on an actual date with a three-course meal and delicious souffle at the end," she recounts.

"Seriously?" Leo interrupts.

"What?"

"You've never dated at all before that?"

"When you're busy building the next President do you think I would have the time to entertain dating?"

"Just because you're a campaign manager doesn't mean you can't have a dating life you know," Leo said like it was a no-brainer which without a doubt irked her.

"Anyways going back, so dinner went fine and…and we agreed to head back to my place after. So there we were…and well you know we started—"

"We're not a bunch of high schoolers here Liv. We all know what happens next. So you went back here after dinner, hooked up, and he ended up spending the night here."

"Leo!" Abby elbowed her boyfriend for once again butting into her friend's story and tried to shush him. "Okay so if the date went well and there was that...then what happened along the way?"

"Nothing happened actually. That was what I was going to say," she said as she lets out a tired sigh.

"What?!" The couple in front of her both said at the same time with their shocked faces.

"We didn't end up doing it. It stopped and that's it. That's how the date ended." She laughed a little after looking back at what happened between her and Shaw.

"Well, why then? Did he do something wrong?" her friend asked

"No! He didn't do anything wrong!" She quickly clarified. "We were making out and getting handsy with each other. Then eventually our clothes were starting to come off and before going further, I just…I just stopped and suddenly found myself wide awake, no longer feeling the effects of three bottles of wine, and just found the whole thing weird."

(Flashback)

"Oh fuck," she moaned out loud after feeling him slip another finger in.

"Do you think we need protection? I have it's just in my wallet."

"Ugh no. I'm on the pill so we're good. Get in here!"

Why are we still screwing each other when we both know that you only wanted me when I was still unavailable?

Quickly she shut her eyes tight as the tries to ignore what she just heard in her mind. At the same time, she feels him remove his fingers and spreads her thighs as he settles comfortably in between them.

Between me and him, he's the one who you could never really let go of. You would rather give up Vermont which you proved not so long ago but never him. How about we finally keep it real.

Not only does she keep on hearing him but she can now see it all being played out almost like watching a scene straight out of a movie. Trying to focus on the person that she is physically with and not the one invading her mind, she grabs him and moves on top of her as their lips collide.

I was trying to save us.

There is no us! There is no this, there is no Vermont, there is no jam, there is no future!

"Ugh wait!" Quickly he scrambles away from her while she slowly opens her eyes.

"Did I— did I do something wrong? Are you okay?" She can hear the concern loud and clear in his voice. After a while, she starts to get up as well.

"No, no you didn't. I'm fine. It's not you. It's just…"

"I don't think I can reach this jelly anymore?" He lightheartedly jokes to which made her chuckle and appreciated her company for trying to make light of a now embarrassing situation.

"Could you…" She motioned with her head to her dress on the floor to which he quickly grabbed and handed it to her.

"Thank you."

As she started covering herself, she can hear the sounds of clothes being shuffled to find him now putting his pants on. With both of them now looking somewhat decent, she lets out a loud sigh as they both remained silent for a while on her couch.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah it's fine. Just something felt off—not you okay. There are just some things in my mind and I… Can I ask you something?"

"Well yeah sure."

"What were you expecting out of this date?"

"That we will both have a good time so I can get a second date with you."

"So are you looking to be in a relationship with me then?"

"Well I don't know if it would lead into that but I guess if things go well for us. Look, I like you. I'm attracted to you and wanted to get to know you better which is why I asked you out. If you're really not actually into this then okay just let me know."

What's wrong with her? She never had any problems when it comes to finding herself in situations like this before. She never ever questioned herself when it comes to sex.

"What if I tell you that I'm only here to have sex."

"So why not? Just two good looking people having sex."

She laughs back in response which got him to laugh along with her. Somehow finding humor in the absurdity of all of this. Eventually, her nerves were no longer bouncing all over the place, and find herself to be much calmer. Turning to his side, she looks at him as she began to speak again.

"Dinner was nice and I did have a good time. Thank you for the time and company. Here's the thing with this. If we sleep with each other then most likely we will fall into a pattern because there will always be a next time no matter how much I say that there won't be. This pattern which I don't know when or how it will stop. Or how often it will be in a stop and restart program. I guess it's not much of a problem if we're really only after sex and getting our dose of orgasms here and there. The problem is… the problem is when feelings start to get involved. Things then start to become messy and murky then before we know it, we find that things have taken a turn for the worst. Believe me, I've been here for quite a really long time, and spoiler alert, there was no happy ending for everyone. So what do you say then?"

(End of Flashback)

"So I take it he left."

"He basically said no to being her bed buddy and rebound— hey ow!" Leo winced after feeling his girlfriend slap him on his arm.

"Maybe I should have asked you earlier to step out had I known you would be so opinionated"

"Olivia, we share the same job profession. It is practically in our nature to critique everything."

She rolled her eyes at him as she picks up another slice of pizza.

"But you're okay with it right?" Abby asked out of concern for her friend.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I actually feel really relived you know that we were able to clear things out before this spiral into another messy situation like that."

"Into like another what Liv?"

"Another Jake situation," she reservedly said with the guilt still eating her up a little.

"Another who?"

"Jake. Jake Ballard, her other ex-boyfriend and Fitz's long-time rival when it comes to Olivia."

"Abigail I'm right here you know!" Olivia called out her friend as she finds herself feeling both annoyed and embarrassed to have the spotlight on her and her complicated past.

"So like I said, he didn't want to be another rebound. What happened to you and Fitz anyway? Did you two break up since he is no longer here in DC?"

"My God how many times do I have to keep on saying that there's nothing with me and Fitz! Let me just tell you what Marcus shared with me, he decided to go back to Santa Barbara because he prefers living there and not here okay. End of story."

Both Leo and Abby didn't say anything back so the three of them finished their pizza mostly in silence with some small talk here and there about their current jobs.

"So how about some wine guys?" Abby offers as she gets up from her seat and proceeds to the kitchen.

"Oh thank God."

With a deep breath in and deep breath out, he takes in the majestic view of the calm and clear blue sea in front of him. Standing outside of their villa and with a cup of coffee at hand, life could not get any better than this, he thought. The past couple of weeks have been probably the most liberating couple of weeks that he has had since practically forever. He can't recall the last time he was allowed to be reckless and have fun without constant surveillance and be reminded of his duties to the nation. He can't even remember anymore the last time he could feel the sun shining on his face.

As much as he has been enjoying his time under the sun, he wishes though that his kids were here with him. Karen, who has recently taken up photography as a hobby would have loved exploring throughout this island and his youngest Teddy would have enjoyed being near the crystal-clear blue waters.

Suddenly he can feel someone else's presence followed by a pair of soft and smooth arms wrapping around him from behind. Returning the hug, he then turns around and faces her. Her once pearly white and porcelain skin have now turned into a beautiful shade of tan and her usually straight hair now has some loose waves in them. She flashes him with her usual warm smile, the one that just adds an overall extra glow to her serene aura. As she stands up a little and brings her face closer, he closes the distance between them by capturing her lips with his and felt her smile into the kiss.

"Hi"

"Hi"

And just like that, happy two years to this story! Thank you for the reviews in the previous chapter. It was interesting going through them especially how it reminded me of people's reactions and tweets after the episodes. Whenever I read that for some of you, it feels like you are watching the show again, to me it feels like I'm somewhat doing my job as a writer so thank you so much! I know that ending would for sure would frustrate probably almost all of you just like how the show always did. What's going to happen next or rather what happened to Fitz during those past two months?

Stay safe and take care!

PS. Am I the only one who preferred Leo over David?