Chapter Fourteen

Olivia's POV

I'm in full blown panic mode. I just knew it in my gut that something was going to happen today. I should've told Fitz to skip it all together. We could've just spent time together at our spot.

"Liv?" Edison says breaking me from my thoughts. I can still feel Fitz standing behind me, but I can also feel him emotionally retreating to the person he was before, and I can't let that happen. I know in this moment I am powerless, but I won't let Fitz get away.

"I'm sorry…I'm just in shock. I wasn't expecting you to come down until days before the wedding," I tell him.

"Well, I decided to surprise you. Now come here and give me a kiss," he says pulling me closer to him.

My heart clenches. The last thing I want to do is give him a kiss especially with Fitz standing right here.

"Wait babe. Let me introduce you to Fitz," I say and putting a little space between us.

Fitz is standing there, and I can tell that he is extremely uncomfortable. I hate putting him in this position but it's the only way that I can dodge the kiss.

"He works in the brewery that my dad owns," I tell Edison.

"Nice to meet you, Fitz," Edison extends his hand out.

I can tell that this is the last thing Fitz wants to do but he extends his hand out and shakes Edison's hand.

"Nice to meet you too. If you would both excuse me, I need to go find my mom and Mabel," he says and walks away.

"Wonder what his problem is," Edison comments.

"He's just had a rough life. Now why don't we dance for a bit before we find my parents."

He doesn't say anything instead he pulls me in closer and we sway to the next song that was playing. My heart feels torn as I'm in his arms. Part of me really wants to give everyone the middle finger and leave, leave everything behind and just be free. I want to be free to love Fitz out in the open instead of the shadows. I look up and I see Fitz looking right at me. He is standing next to Eleanor and Mabel who gives me a knowing look. She can feel the heartache that I'm currently feeling.

I see Fitz tell them something and then walk away. He disappears into the crowd, and I feel like he took my heart with him. For some reason I can feel that he is pulling away and I don't know if I could handle losing him. In that moment I know I must do everything in my power to really reassure him that I am in this with him.

We finish dancing to the song and Edison pulls me away from the dance floor. Ever the politician, he makes me introduce him to people and he charms everyone he meets. I have to play the doting fiancé when all I want to do is run into Fitz's arms.

We meet up with my parents who were near the stage. I knew my father was gearing up for his big speech.

"Edison! I see you found Olivia. Did you tell her the good news?" my mother says with a distain in her voice. In that moment I knew she was angry with me for dancing with Fitz.

"Yes, I did and not yet, but I guess this is the right time. Guess what baby?! I'm staying in town until the wedding" he responds pulling me in closer.

My heart drops. I don't know how I'll be able to keep seeing Fitz. Things just got more complicated. I was speechless and before anyone pushed me to say anything my father was introduced.

God, I feel like crawling out of my skin. I take a couple of deep breaths and try to lean into Edison's embrace. Try to act like a happy couple, I tell myself.

"Good afternoon everyone! Hope everyone is having a great time today. Today we are celebrating the annual town founding. It's been 300 years since our town has been founded and we continue to make it great every single day! Thank you to our local vendors for providing great food and entertainment. It's because of you that I love to do my job."

I roll my eyes because I know it's not true. Everything he is saying is bullshit. Knowing he is stealing money away from the brewery and pretty much had Gerry murdered has my blood boiling but all I could do is play the happy daughter.

"Now I would like to introduce to you Edison Davis who is running for state senate in the upcoming election. He is also my daughter, Olivia's, fiancé. Let's bring up the happy couple."

Fuck. This was the last thing I wanted to do but before I can try and get out of it, my mother gives me a look. I sigh and grab Edison's hand. We walk up stage together and that's when I notice his campaign manager, Jen to the side taking notes. I should have known this was going to be a campaign event. Nothing with Edison was about us and I can't believe I'm now just realizing it.

Edison talks for a few minutes, but I tune him out. I look out into the crowd, and I still see Mabel. I need to get to her so I can know what Fitz said and to take her back to the nursing home. We get off the stage and Jen starts talking strategy with Edison. She basically drags him away which is fine with me. Before I could make it one step forward, my mother stops me.

"Yes mother?" I ask.

"You need to watch yourself Olivia. I saw how you were looking at Fitz earlier. What did I tell you?! I told you to stay away from him and by the looks of it you haven't! You could destroy everything we have worked so hard for, all because you can't keep it in your pants!"

I gasp. I can't believe my mother is speaking to me this way. All I have ever done was try to make her and my father proud, but it has really hit me that I can't.

"I am watching myself mother. I am doing the best that I can. I don't know what you think you saw but nothing is happening between Fitz and I. Now if you will excuse me, I need to find Mabel and take her back to the nursing home."

Before I can step any further, she grabs my arm.

"What about Edison?!"

"He's fine. He is with Jen and I'm sure they are talking about what next steps to do for his campaign since he is staying here until the wedding."

I walk away before my mother can say anything more. I'm ready to be done with today. All I want to do is find Fitz.

Babe, I really had no idea he was coming. Please text me when you can – Livvie

I sigh and make my way through the crowd. I get stopped several times and I try my best to play the part I'm supposed to play. I look at my phone and still no response from Fitz. My heart drops. I can't imagine what's going through his mind.

I finally make it to where Mabel is sitting with Eleanor. I give them a small smile as I approach them. I don't know how Eleanor is feeling towards me especially after standing next to Edison on stage.

"Well hello Olivia. Come sit with us. It seems like you're dead on your feet," Mabel says to me.

"Oh, I don't want to impose. I just came to check on you and see if you were ready to go."

"Nonsense Olivia. Sit with us for a minute then you can take Mabel home," Eleanor says to me with a kind smile on her face.

I smile back and in between them.

"So how are you feeling?" Eleanor asks.

"I don't really know what to say other then I'm sorry that you had to see that," I say to Eleanor. I hope she knows that I would never purposefully hurt Fitz.

"You don't need to apologize for anything Olivia. I know that you didn't do any of that on purpose. Plus, I know how you truly feel," she gives me another kind smile.

"But your family on the other hand, I would like to give them a piece of my mind. Oh, and Edison is just as slimy as I pictured him!" Mabel says cutting in.

I try not to laugh but fail causing them to laugh as well. It feels good to be surrounded by genuine people.

"Where's Abby? I haven't had the chance to talk to her."

"Oh, she didn't stay long. She just came to check in on me, but Stephen was taking her out on a date."

"That's really nice of him. Umm did Fitz happen to say where he was going?"

They both give each other a look before Mabel grabs my hand.

"He didn't say much just that he needed to get out of here. He wasn't in the best mood after seeing Edison. I think he is struggling with a lot of things," Mabel says.

"Knowing my Fitz, he probably went for a walk to clear his head. He really cares for you and as much as I know I shouldn't say this especially here, he loves you so much that he doesn't know what to do with himself."

I feel my heart break even more. I try to keep my emotions in check because the last thing I need to do is cry in public.

"But he hasn't texted me back yet. I'm really worried about him."

"You'll be okay. Try texting him again to let him know that you're not going anywhere," Eleanor says.

I take her advice and text him again.

We should really talk. Meet me at our spot tonight. – Livvie

The three of us talk some more before Mabel is ready to go home. We say our goodbyes and Mabel insists on walking back to the nursing home. Luckily, it's not a long walk.

"Has he texted back?" she asks.

"No and I'm worried."

"He will. Trust me. He loves you so much and you'll hear from him."

We greet the receptionist and walk towards her room. She doesn't want me to do anything for her as she gets ready to get into bed. While she is the bathroom, my phone dings.

I agree. We can meet in fifteen. – Fitz

I breathe a sigh of relief.

"By the looks of it, I guess he texted back," Mabel says as she makes her way into her bed.

"Yes, he did. We're going to meet up in thirty minutes so I should head out soon."

"Okay well I'll leave you with a piece of advice. Make sure that you both listen to each other. You're both feeling a lot including being overwhelmed about your situation but the only way you will get out of this will be sticking together."

I smile, "you're right and I will make sure to let him know that I'm not leaving. Our situation isn't ideal, but I love him, and we will get through this together."

"Go and we will talk another day."

I give her one more hug before walking out her door. My nerves are going crazy, but I know what I need to do.

Fitz's POV

The minute that Edison interrupted us it's like everything hit me at once. Olivia and I have been in this bubble where we both have felt that nothing could touch us but that's not the reality. Dancing with her was a mistake. Coming to this event was a mistake. After Olivia introduced us, I knew that I had to leave. I couldn't watch them play happy couple even if I knew the truth about them.

I walk over to Mabel and my mom to say my goodbyes. I don't say much to them and don't even mention where I'm going. I just need to get out of here.

"Fitz, don't you run away from that girl," Mabel scolds me.

"I'm not running away but I just can't be here and watch them act like a happy couple," I tell her back.

"You're running and that's fine, but you knew what you were getting yourself into," My mom says.

I stay silent because she's right. I knew what I was getting myself into the minute I got into a relationship with Olivia but that doesn't make it any easier.

"I'm just going to head out and clear my head about things. I don't think I can be here a minute longer especially when she is out there dancing with him."

I can't even look back at Olivia. I just need to get out of there. I say one last goodbye and I don't miss the look that they both give me. I feel like my heart was just ripped out of my chest. I wish I could just grab Olivia out of Edison's arms and back into mine. But I know I can't do that especially in this setting. For now, I just need to walk away from it all. I need to clear my head and mend my heart. I walk away and don't look back.

I know that Olivia is also hurting. I could see it in her face, but I really have to protect myself. I can't forget what my number one priority is and that's to get justice for my dad. It's always been my priority and I'm not going to let anyone derail that.

I decided that I would just go back to the apartment where I can piece more information together. I think I can finally get a breakthrough and if I do the question becomes what do I do with this information. That's one thing that Olivia and I haven't discussed much about, and I don't even know if I can include her in this anymore.

As I step into my apartment, I feel my phone vibrate. I can feel it in my gut that it's Olivia, but I don't know if I want to even look at the message. I decide to just open the message and my heart breaks a little more.

Babe, I really had no idea he was coming. Please text me when you can – Livvie

I sigh and decide not to text back. I just need a clear head and texting her back won't give me that. I look at my dad's computer and know that I should get started. I decide to just sit down at the dining room table and look through everything we have found. Everything points to Eli doing illegal things, my father finding out, and somehow Eli feels threatened enough to kill my dad.

I groan. Just why did my dad need to confront Eli?! He would still be alive if he didn't do that. But then again knowing my dad, he would be looking out for all his workers and not just himself which was something that Eli lacks.

Knowing that the brewery is going under now makes me want to fight both Eli and Ben for my right to half of the brewery. Many of them have worked there for years and now could lose their only source of income. I need to find the answers I'm looking for. I can't let Eli and Ben win.

Going back to the files I found more and more of what my dad was looking at. It also looked like he contacted someone from the local newspaper.

Was he going to expose Eli in such a public manner? Did he consult this with Brad who in turn told Eli?

I groan then push the papers off the table in frustration. In times like these, I just want to give up and forget all about my dad's legacy, but I can't do that. I know I'm getting closer. There must be one person in this town that I can trust with this information: someone other than Liv.

I take a deep breath and start picking up the papers from the floor. I hear my phone ding from the table, and I know it's Olivia again.

We should really talk. Meet me at our spot tonight. – Livvie

I sigh because I know she's right. We can't leave it like this. I don't know where we stand and that needs to be fixed.

I agree. We can meet in fifteen. – Fitz

I get myself together the best I could and leave my apartment. I don't know what lies ahead for us, but I hope we can figure it out.

I pull up to our spot at the barn and Olivia isn't there, yet which gives me some time to gather my thoughts. I get out of my car and walk towards the barn. This place has always given me a sense of comfort which I need after today's events. I close my eyes and take in a deep breath. I try to release all the tension in my body.

"Fitz?"

I turn around and Olivia is walking towards me shyly. In that moment I can see how we are both struggling. We both are hanging by a thread.

"Hi."

"Hi."

We continue to walk towards each other until we stand in front of each other. I can't handle the tension between us, so I pull her into me. We hold onto each other tightly as if this would be the very last moment between us. I can feel her tears on my shirt. The quiet tears start to come out as sobs.

"Shh…it's okay Livvie," I tell her even though I can't be sure things will be okay. In this moment it really feels like it's ending.

"It's not okay. I've hurt you," Liv says pulling away.

"No Liv, you haven't hurt me. We knew that this was going to happen. He wasn't going to stay away forever."

"He wasn't supposed to be back yet, not until the wedding. But now…"

"Now what?"

She pulls away from my arms and turns away from me.

"He's staying until the wedding. This is a disaster!" she says raising her voice.

I don't know what to say. My heart feels even more crushed than ever before. I knew I had to let her go. We couldn't do this, not when he was around. This made things even risker and I couldn't put us through that.

"Well say something Fitz!"

"I agree. It's a disaster and being around each other right now is risky. We know Ben is onto us, we can't have any more close calls. We should really just stay away from each other."

"Stay away from each other?! Fitz, you don't mean that do you?!"

My heart is torn. I want to stay strong, but I also know what's the smarter move.

"Fitz, please. Don't do this to us. I love you and I can't go through all of this without you."

Tears start to fill her eyes again when she turns around to look at me.

"I can see it in your face that you don't want to let me go so don't. We love each other and we are in this together," she says getting right in front of me again.

She grabs both of my hands and silently pleads with me. I feel my defenses breaking down. I don't want to let her go. I don't think I truly have it in me to let her go and survive it. She would be taking my heart with her if she did. I can't imagine my life without her in it and if this is just another hurdle, we must go through then we will.

"Fitz?"

"I can't let you go Livvie even though I know I should. We're in this together."

She smiles through her tears, "we're in this together."

Nothing else is said as we pull each other into a passionate kiss. Everything we are feeling is being poured into it. Her hands are tugging on my hair and my hands are all over her body. All our fears have washed away. In this moment all that matters is us and what we feel for each other. She pulls back from the kiss, and we are both panting with need.

"I need you Fitz, right here, right now," she says.

This was not how I pictured our first time together but if I'm being honest, I want her as much as she wants me.

"Are you sure? I wanted it to be special" I ask.

"Yes, I'm sure Fitz. It's already special because I love you."

I didn't need to hear anything else from her instead I pull her into another kiss. I move my hands down her body and lift her up. Her legs wrap around my waist as I move us up against a wall. She hits the wall with a thud.

She runs her fingers through my hair and tugging me closer. One hand is on her neck and the other is making its way down her body. I've never been so thankful that she was wearing a dress for easy access. She whimpers as I tease the edges of material of her thong with my fingers.

"Fitz," she pleads.

I dip one finger into her thong, feeling her slick wetness which increases my want for her. In one second, I rip the material off her.

"You're so wet, Livvie."

"All for you. Please Fitz."

"Please what?"

I slip another finger in her causing her to moan out. My mouth is on her neck sucking lightly knowing I couldn't leave a mark. I let go and start to kiss my way down her body, pulling a strap of her dress down so I can suck on her tits. She pulls on my hair even tighter and groans loudly. I continue to make my way down until I'm right where I want to be.

"Can I get a taste Livvie?"

"Yes baby, please. I need your mouth on me."

I hear her breath hitch when my tongue hits her core. I lick and suck on her clit building her up to an orgasm. I would want to take it nice and slow but with her I lose all control. I insert one finger inside her but give her no time to adjust before I put another on in. I move my fingers in and out all while sucking on her clit.

"Oh god. Fitz I'm close."

I hum into her and keep pushing her more and more to the edge. I can feel her tensing until she explodes into my mouth, giving me a nice taste of her. She groans and rides out the rest of her orgasm. I give her a kiss on each thigh before standing up.

"Hi," I say.

"Hi," she says with a laugh.

There aren't any more words before she pulls me closer and starts taking off my shirt. Every sense of restraint is out the window, and we are tugging on each other's clothing. I grab the condom from my wallet before my pants hit the floor. I lay her down on the banket that we have here for our picnics.

"Liv…" I begin, wanting to ask for permission before we go any further.

"Please," she gasps. "I want this. I want you, Fitz. Make love to me."

That was enough for me. My body covers hers and our hips fit together, as if they were made for each other, as if we were made for each other. I hold myself over her body and her hands are on my biceps.

Our eyes met and it's like nothing else matters but us in this moment; not her family, not mine, just us. The head of my dick settled against her causing her eyes to roll back and she lifts her hips to meet mine.

I ease myself into her slowly. I didn't want to rush this. We both groan with pleasure as we come together. I drop myself to my elbows bringing her into a sweet kiss and whisper sweet nothings to each other. I pick up the rhythm and she follows my lead. We are in sync just like we are about many things.

I move one of her legs higher as I delve in deeper to her. Olivia groans at the change of position but welcomes it. All sense of control is lost, and we are moving faster.

"Fitz," she cries. "I'm close."

"Come with me," I breathe against her ear.

She drags her nails down her back as we both fall into oblivion. My orgasm hits me just as hers hits.

"Fitz!" she cries out.

"Liv."

We ride it out and just let ourselves feel in this moment. We slow down and just give each other sweet kisses. I just feel deeper in love with her, and I knew that wouldn't change any time soon.

AN: Hope this chapter was worth the wait! Thank you for your patience. I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year and had wonderful holiday season!

XOXO