Part Two

Two weeks later…

"Paging Dr. Grey to the ER, Dr. Meredith Grey to ER."

Elliott heard the page but didn't move. Usually, she wanted to be wherever Dr. Grey, Chief of Neurology, was in the hospital. But she was at the end of a long and exhausting day, too tired to move. She relaxed in one of the comfortable chairs in the quiet lounge, her head back, eyes closed. All she wanted to do was go home, take a shower, eat and climb into bed.

It had been two weeks since Satchel had cancelled his trip back East, and she'd only spoken with him once during the week, and very briefly. They'd played phone tag for all the calls, continually missing each other, and they still hadn't had conversation to address his last comments about the two of them going their separate ways. Each day that Satchel didn't call was a blow to her sanity. Her only solace was every night, before she fell asleep, she would text him and he would respond.

ELLE: JUST MAKING SURE YOU'RE OKAY.

SATCH: I'M OKAY. JUST VERY BUSY.

That was it.

"Elliott."

She opened her eyes to find her fellow med student, Buff Chapman, looking at her. "Hey Buff. What's up?"

"Not much. You leaving soon?" he asked.

"Yes. I just stopped to catch my breath before heading home."

He looked at her. They'd gone out for drinks the previous month, but things had never progressed beyond the level of friendship. As nice and as handsome as he was, he was not Satchel. She'd politely given him the "It's me, not you" speech which left them in a comfortable space to work together without any awkwardness.

"How are things with you and Satch?" he asked, moving to sit on the arm of one of the other chairs.

"That's a good question, Buff."

Elliott jumped up and gasped in surprise at Satchel strolling into the room.

"Satch!"

"Hey, beautiful."

Buff stood as well, smiling at the couple.

"Elle, the man asked you a question and we're both waiting on an answer."

Elliott ate him up with her eyes, loving every bit of him. That smile! She wished she could bottle it. He looked delicious enough to have her falling in love all over again.

"Whatever there is between Satchel and me is between Satchel and me, and no one else," she said, never taking her eyes off her man.

Buff walked over to Satchel and extended his hand. He'd actually brought him to where he knew Elliott would be. Satchel shook his hand, nodding his appreciation, before watching the other man leave the lounge.

Elliott was a bundle of nerves, and so completely unsure. She smoothed a hand over her messy bun and took a deep breath, still wondering what his surprise appearance meant.

"You can come closer. I don't bite," Satchel said, smiling at her.

She moved closer to her love, but they were still separated by a table.

"I'm here meeting you halfway," he said.

Elliott nodded as she watched him."

"I was thinking about coming to California. I was going to make the first move and meet you halfway," she said. "But let's be clear, I made a mistake by taking you and your love for granted. I made a mistake but I didn't end it, you did."

She stopped long enough to gather her emotions. "You will have to come to me and apologize to me for breaking my heart," she said as a tear fell down her cheek. "You broke it, and this is your opportunity to fix it."

Satchel moved quickly around the table, took her hands in his and kissed them. "You're right. I gave up too soon. I let my anger and frustration get in the way, instead of really listening to what you were trying to say. That was wrong," he admitted as he looked at her.

Elliott nodded in agreement.

"I've regretted everything that happened between us the last two months, but my pride wouldn't allow me to come to you and say I made a mistake, until now."

"Your pride? I swallowed my pride when I tried to talk to you at Hakeem's art show, Satch."

Satchel took her face in his hands. "I'm so sorry baby," he said before lowering his head and kissing her lips.

"I love you, Satch," she said, closing her eyes and laying her head on his solid chest. "I don't want anybody else but you."

"And I love you, Elle," he replied.

She leaned back in his arms and looked up at him, tears shimmering in her beautiful eyes. "Then ask me again. Ask me to marry you."

"No."

She looked at him, those big blue green eyes wide with shock. "What?!"

He reached out and tilted her head upward so he could place kisses on her face, and her lips.

"Please ask me again," she whispered, as his lips moved to her throat.

"No."

Elliott looked baffled. "Why not?" she asked.

"Elle, I shouldn't have made you feel that you had to conform to my ways to be with me," he said, looking down at her. "I'm sorry that I tried to change you, and issue an ultimatum on my love for you."

"Wait a minute," she said, shaking her head and holding up his hands. "What's going on here? You say marriage, I say no. I say marriage, and now you say no. What the hell, Satch?" she asked, her voice incredulous.

Satchel chuckled. "Must everything be a fight with you?" he asked, smiling at the beautiful and frustrated young woman standing in front of him.

"You started the fight by changing your mind," she retorted. "So now you don't want to marry me?"

"No, I don't want you to marry me just to make me happy."

"But I want to marry you, Satch. I want to be your wife. I want to have your babies, raise them and grow old together. That is what I want."

Satchel reached out and pulled his stubborn woman back into his arms. He lowered his head and kissed her until he felt her soften against him. It had been nine weeks since he last tasted her lips. Nine weeks that he'd existed without her and that was nine weeks too damn long.

"Satch," she sighed, looking up at him with dazed eyes.

He chuckled before lowering his head again to suck her neck and ease his hands down her body to grip her backside.

She moaned in pleasure. "Mmmnooo," she said, opening her eyes and looking around. "Not here. I'm surprised no one's interrupted us."

Satchel smiled sheepishly. "Buff may have had something to do with that."

"Oh?"

He took her hand. "Come on. Get your things so we can go."

Elliott looked at him before leaving the lounge and going to her locker to grab her things. When she returned, he was waiting. He took her hand again and together they walked to the elevator.

In the parking garage she led him to her Jeep. "Where's your car? She asked, looking around.

"At your place. I took an Uber," he said, taking her keys from her hand and opening the passenger door for her. He helped her inside and closed the door before walking around the front of the vehicle and climbing behind the wheel.

"Where are we going?" she asked, buckling her seatbelt.

"Home."

She looked at him and smiled. "Good. I could use a shower and food, and then we need to clear up some things," she said, placing her hand over his on the gear shift.

"I agree," he said, pulling out of the parking garage and merging into the Friday evening traffic.

They were both lost in their thoughts before Satchel spoke. "Bri helped me to see some things differently."

At her surprised look, he explained. "He was in L.A. last month, and we talked."

The doorbell of his temporary home rang. Taking a sip of his beer, Satchel stood and went to answer the door. He knew it was his best friend Brian Bennett. He'd been in the Bay Area on business, and decided to visit his friend before returning to the East coast.

They'd watched several innings of a baseball game before the subject of Elliott came up.

"So you don't want to get married anymore?"

Satchel looked at the man who, next to Elliott, knew him best. "Come on Bri, the issue is she doesn't want to marry me," he reminded him.

"Doesn't or didn't?"

Satchel frowned.

"Satch, things have obviously changed in the last two months. Leave the past in the past and focus on the future," Brian said, finishing his beer.

Satchel finished his drink as well before walking into the small kitchen to retrieve two more.

"I just can't imagine loving someone and not wanting to get married and spend the rest of your life with them," he told his friend.

"Did she say that or did she say she didn't want to be married?" Brian asked. "That's two different things, Satch."

Satchel shrugged. "I just always wanted to be married and have a family with Elliott. I thought she wanted the same things."

"There are plenty of nice sisters that will marry you and have a bunch of your knucklehead babies. Do you want 'that' or do you want Elle, however that looks."

Satchel remained silent, lost in his thoughts. Even at Hakeem's art show, when he was still hurting and angry, he had to keep his hands in his pockets to stop himself from reaching out and pulling her into his arms. Elliott Grant was his weakness. And his headache. And his joy. And his love.

Weeks later at Nola and Ahmad's wedding reception she'd lit into him and put the ball back into his court. He'd abandoned their relationship and essentially threw away nine years. Now, he was going to have to put it back together again.

Finally, he spoke. "I thought you were a lawyer, not a relationship counselor," he said.

"I do it all, man" he said smiling at his friend before bursting into loud laughter.

Satchel joined him, laughing at his comment, but also thinking about what he needed to do to get his woman back.

Elliott waited for Satchel to tell her what he and Brian had discussed, but when he offered no other information, she relaxed against the seat and closed her eyes for the short ride to her apartment.

X

Satchel set the table while Elliott showered. She wanted seafood and had placed an order from one of her favorite eateries on the drive home. Thirty minutes later, the food was delivered. As he waited for his girlfriend to finish in the bathroom, he checked in with his parents. Five minutes later, Elliott emerged from the bathroom smelling like her favorite Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey body wash, and wearing a beautiful short silk kimono robe emblazoned with cherry blossoms. The robe had been a gift from him because she loved the blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin ever year.

His attention shot, he was no longer listening to whatever it was his mother was saying. "Uh, Mom, I gotta go. I'll talk to you later."

"Did you just hang up on your mother?" Elliott asked in an amused voice.

Satchel stood from the sofa and walked over to her. He pulled her into his arms, nuzzling her neck, inhaling her fragrant skin. God he missed her smell.

"Yep, and it's your fault. Coming out here smelling good enough to eat, and wearing nothing but a robe."

Elliott pushed at his chest and laughed. "Don't even try it, Mondesire. That's all on you. Now feed me, I'm starving."

She turned to walk to the table and let out a yelp when he smacked her backside.

"Hey!" she said in mock indignation.

He laughed. "Just have a seat."

Dinner was a relaxed affair, like old times. No subject was off limits. When they were both stuffed, he banished her to the living room to find something to watch on Netflix, while he cleared the table and put away the leftover food. Elliott topped off her glass of wine, and sauntered away. Knowing Satchel was looking, she put a little extra swing in her hips just for him. Reaching the sofa, she sat and looked back. Sure enough, he was watching. She smiled coyly.

Unsmiling, Satchel Mondesire stood like he'd been mesmerized. Again.

X

"I missed you," he said pulling closer to his heart, as she sat curled up on his lap. He was holding her tight with an expression of complete contentment.

"So I can feel," she teased, running a finger over his lips.

They'd attempted to watch a movie, but were more interested in each other, exchanging soft kisses, and gentle back and forth caresses. Satchel had connected his iPhone to the Bluetooth speaker, and soothing music played in the background. He had a serious music collection which reflected his eclectic taste. It was extensive, and dated back to when his parents were teenagers. He was an old school music guy which had annoyed Elliott at first, but over the years she'd grown to love it as much as he did. She still liked hip hop and some rap, and he tolerated it just as she did his music. Together they'd reached a happy medium.

"I'm sorry, Satch," she said turning and looking in his eyes. "I should have never ignored you. We've always been able to talk about anything and everything. I was angry with you, and I didn't want to say something I regretted."

He kissed her cheek. "Elle, I don't care. If you love me, then you have to say whatever it is you think you need to say. And then we'll talk. But we'll never be able to fix anything if you shut me out."

She took a deep breath, and nodded her head slowly. "I'm really sorry. I regret how I've been acting. You deserve better than that from me."

"I'm sorry too baby, but you have to talk to me."

"I was afraid that I would disappoint or hurt you, and not be a good wife because of my career. I didn't trust your words. Over the years you've been nothing but supportive and encouraging, never once complaining about my crazy schedule. I don't know why I thought that would change if we got married. You understand the fact that medicine is a part of who I am, and that there will always be sacrifices. Marriage is tough. Marriages in medicine are tougher. But you still love me, and want to marry me."

He stared at her, allowing her to finish.

"As a resident we won't have nearly as much time as you'd like to spend together, but if we wait until there's a 'good time to do it,' well, that time will probably never come." She reached out to touch cheek. "I love you, Satch. You said that all I had to do was say yes to what you were asking. I wasn't ready then, but I am now."

He looked directly in those eyes and spoke. "Elle, I'm a better man because of you. And I want to be a better man for and with you."

Elliott smile weakly as her eyes filled with tears. Taking her hand, he continued.

"You're the wife I need and I want all of you. You have all of me, and I'll love you until there's nothing left of me."

Elliott looked at Satchel through her tears. She saw a good, honorable and loving being, a beautiful and earnest man who wanted to give her his whole self. He wanted nothing in exchange but her. All of her.

Suddenly, he lifted her from his lap and set her next to him. Then he moved to go down on one knee.

"What are you doing?" she asked, confused.

"I was getting down on one knee," he said.

Elliott shook her head as she reached out and pulled him up. "What's important is seeing what's in your heart and not seeing you on your knee," she told him. "Plus you did the knee thing before, remember?"

He stood from the floor and then pulled her up from the sofa and into his arms, and she laid her head on his chest.

"Can I stay right here?" she asked.

"How long?"

She smiled up at him. "Is forever okay?"

"Forever with you is what I want." He cleared his throat. "Now, will you, Elliott Christine Marie Grant, do me the honor of becoming my wife, my lover, my confidant and the mother of our children? Will you say yes and marry me?"

Elliott looked at him again. Did she want to face any of her tomorrows without Satchel Mondesire?

"Babe?"

She shook herself as if coming awake. Yes! She wanted ALL of Satchel Mondesire, today and forever. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him passionately, her tongue slipping into his mouth. "Yes," she whispered. "Yes, Bradley Satchel Mondesire II. Yes, yes, yes, I will marry you!"

He reached into his pocket and removed a ring box. Her hand was trembling as he held it and slid the same diamond pavé octagon halo three carat ring set in platinum he'd tried to give her two months ago, on her left ring finger. It fit perfectly.

"I love-"

Cupping his face, she kissed him before he could finish. They held that kiss as he wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her against him, before finally coming up for air.

"I was nervous," he admitted with a chuckle, his arms still holding her tight.

Elliott looked up at him, taking in his handsome face. "As if I would say 'no' again. I love you, Satch."

"I know baby, I love you too."

She held up her hand and gazed at the ring. "This ring is beautiful. You did good, babe!"

Satchel chuckled. "When and where do you want to marry, Elle?"

She looked away from her ring and glanced up at her fiance. "It will have to be between med school graduation, and before I start my residency. Next July?"

He nodded. "Works for me. Have your mom call mine and they can decide what they want for 'their' wedding. Me, personally, I'm going to stay out of the crazy planning. Just give me a date, time and place and I'll be there."

Elliott chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh no, babe, I'm going to be too busy with final rotations and studying for boards to do much of anything. So you're going to have to do a lot of the planning, and reining in our mothers."

Satchel grimaced just thinking about working along with their mothers to plan his and Elliott's wedding. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Everyone in D.C. knew that Olivia Grant had become the consummate hostess over the years and could plan some of the best parties in the city. A wedding would be nothing for her to tackle.

He kissed her forehead. "Whatever you need me to do."

Satchel reached over and picked up his phone. Pausing the music, he tapped the screen and put the call on speakerphone.

Elliott frowned. "Who are you calling?"

He put a finger to her lips to hush her. She shrugged and wrapped her arms around his waist as they waited for someone to answer.

"She said yes!" Satchel yelled.

Elliott jumped a bit at Satchel and the loud cheers coming through the phone.

"Congratulations!" Fitz said.

"I'm so very happy for you both," Olivia added.

"We want you two in D.C. tomorrow so we can celebrate," Thea Mondesire said.

Satchel and Elliott laughed. "We'll be there," Ms. Thea," Elliott assured her.

"Are you happy, princess?" Fitz asked. The seriousness of his tone could be heard clearly through the phone, even with all of the noise in the background.

Elliott looked at Satchel. "Very," she said.

"I'm so proud of you, and I love you, Elle."

She dropped her forehead to Satchel's chest as she got choked up. "Thank you, Daddy."

Satchel ended the call and the music began to play again. He put his arms around his fiancée. "Here's to happily ever after."

Elliott stood on her toes and kissed his lips softly. "To happily ever after…and an awesome ring!"

They laughed together as they began to sway to the music in each other's arms. It was an old George Duke classic, 'No One,' and one of Satchel's favorites. After a minute, he began to sing along in her ear.

There is no one in my life but you,
Baby no one else, will do
Through the sun and rain, through the joy and the pain
I know that our love will remain.

Elliott looked up at her fiancé with tears in her eyes, as he reached out and untied the belt on her robe. He took a minute to take her in, wearing nothing but her diamond navel piercing. It had been two long months. Lifting her in his arms, she wrapped her legs around his waist and ran her hands through his unbound locs. He walked them to her bedroom, still singing to her.

There is no one in my life but you,
Baby no one else, will do,
Through the sun and rain, through the joy and the pain,
I know that our love will remain.

Satchel eased her to the floor. He kicked away his leather flip flops as she reached up and began to undo the buttons on his shirt and their eyes locked. When she finished, he removed it and flung it across the room. She leaned down and softly kissed the deep ridge between his pecs. Reaching down she pushed aside Satchel's hands so she could unbuckle his belt and unzip his jeans. All she wanted was to love him. To cherish him. He helped her drag his jeans and briefs down his long legs, and off.

When he stood before her, resplendent in his nakedness, she took him all in. It had two months and her core was wet, throbbing. She climbed onto the bed and started to crawl away, but Satchel used one arm around her waist and pulled her back against him. Her head fell back against his shoulder as she let loose a deep moan. He pressed kisses along her neck while reaching for one of the decorative pillows and laid it front of her.

"Lay on your stomach, baby," he whispered in her ear.

Elliott glanced at him over her shoulder and smiled wickedly, before doing as he asked. The pillow under her pelvis raised her backside closer. Satchel moved over her and kissed the back of her neck, nibbled her ears and stroked the curve of her spine before stopping at the base. He lingered on her tattoo of a caduceus. He'd been with Elliott and held her hand when she'd decided to get inked the summer before she began medical school. He traced the two serpents and wand with his tongue, while reaching between her and the pillow and massaging her clit until her body shuddered, and her soft whimpers became loud cries, begging him to make her come.

"Not yet," he whispered. His fingers played with her until they were slick, and then he entered her in one deep thrust that forced the air out of her lungs. He grabbed her hips to control exactly how fast and how deep he wanted things to go. She was totally at his mercy. He took his time to make her beg for release. And she did, again and again.

They spent the next eighteen hours getting reacquainted with each other's bodies, and talking. The happy couple remained in their bubble of happiness before finally coming up for air and reluctantly leaving the bed to shower and get dressed. They had to get to D.C. and join their awaiting families and their party.

X

That night in D.C.

Olivia closed and locked her bedroom door and crossed the room to the en suite, pausing to kick off her sandals and pull her sundress over her head. The dress had a built-in bra, leaving her in only a sexy pair of black bikini panties. Walking into the bathroom, she eyed her husband lounging in their soaking tub. His head was tilted back against the bath pillow. The steam from the water had the entire bathroom warm and steamy, and his hair was flattened against his head.

"What took you so long, Livvie?" he asked, eyes still closed.

She grabbed a few hair pins and pinned her hair up into a topknot before pushing her panties to the floor, and stepping into the tub with him. Fitz opened his eyes and instantly spread his legs wider so that she could kneel between them. His eyes eased over her nude body as he savored every moment.

"What took me so long?" she asked. "Your son and your daughter."

"Rowe and Spencer?" he asked.

She nodded. "Who else?"

He chuckled. "They're going miss each other when she leaves in August."

"I don't doubt it, but we're not going to talk about them right now," she said as she reached for the chilled bottle of Krug Grande Cuvee Brut and two champagne glasses her husband had brought upstairs earlier. Handing him the glasses, she filled them both before sitting the bottle on the side of the tub and reaching for one.

He raised a brow. "Oh? What are we going to talk about?"

"We're going to talk about how happy we are that our daughter became engaged to a wonderful young man today," she said before holding up her glass.

"To Elle and Satchel's new beginning."

"To Elle and Satchel, and to one daughter down, three to go."

Olivia laughed at her silly husband before they touched glasses and brought them to their lips for their first sips of the chilly, bubbly liquid.

After a few more sips, she took their glasses and set them next to the bottle. With a devilish smile on her face, she pressed her lips to his as they both got lost in the steam…and created quite a bit more.

All was right in their world.