Against All Odds
A/N: Hello my fellow Olitzers. I told you guys this story was working my brain. Well here it is. I hope you all like. This is a beautiful romance from beginning to end of course with some twists and turns that challenges our couple love affair. Let's begin the back story starting with Fitz. Here we go! I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS. FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.
Happy Reading!
Chapter 1
Fitz…
Trip also known as Fitz birth name Fitzgerald Grant III sits back thinking about how he got here on top of the world with more money and businesses than he could ever imagine. It all started when he was just 12. His father to his knowledge was a successful business owner. They had the large home and the fancy cars. His father gave him and his mother everything. His mother on the other hand was somewhat of a materialistic type of person. No matter what his father gave her she always wanted more. More attention, more clothes, more of his dad's time and more presence when it came to his business deals.
At age 17 his father was killed during a drug deal take over. It was then Fitz realized what his dad actually did for a living. This is the moment his life changed forever. "Fitzgerald you are the man of the house now. It's time for you to step up." Anna Grant states to her son. "You have to take over the family business. I will introduce you to some people and they will give you instructions on what to do. Your daddy is gone Fitz and you now have to take care of everything. I can't do it alone I need you son." Things weren't as simple as him mom made them seem but over the next 10 years he became what people referred to as one of the best in the game. This distribution game put a strain on him and his mother's relationship. He distanced himself from her after 6 years in the game and forced her to stay away from this life. He financially took care of her from abroad. Not seeing or visiting her much because her definition of love was how much money he could give her. After realizing he was yet again day dreaming he got himself together and prepared himself for tonight's events at his new night club Pleasures.
Olivia…
As Liv is finishing up with her study assignment she heads to the bathroom to get dressed to go out to this new club her best friend Abby has convinced her to go with her to. As Liv is putting on her makeup her phone rings and Abby's voice comes through with much excitement. "Liv!"
"Why do you keep calling me?" Liv responds
"Because I'm trying to make sure you getting ready."
"I'm putting on my makeup. I just finished my homework and I had to wait until Ginny got ready to go to her bible meeting."
"Well I hit up one of my old flunkies and bought me this banging outfit. I'm going to be the baddest chick in the club.
"And as sexy as that sounds, why are you putting so much energy on this?"
"You got to live more Olivia Marie. You have not been out since you was with that stupid ass dude Russell."
"Ah because I'm trying to graduate from college it helps if you study."
"One night in New York let's do this."
"Okay we gonna do it but I can't do it unless you let me get off the phone so I can get ready."
"Alright…alright my uber is her anyway imma go home and get ready I will meet you at the train station at 8."
"Yeah alright bye." They both hang up and Liv thinks about how she came to be here at 24 years of age.
Raised by her grandmother Edna Mae Pope she thinks about her mother Maya Marie Pope she never got to meet. She carried her mother's middle and last name but wishes she had more. It would be told to Liv by her grandmother that her mother died in childbirth while having her at age 21 due to a car accident. Her father was some guy named Elijah who was more concerned with his career than having a child. She never met this Elijah guy to this day with no last name she could only hope that one day he would look for her and want to get to know her but she wasn't very hopeful about this ever happening. She comes out of her day dream and continues getting ready so she could meet up with Abby and try this club thing.
Fitz…
Fitz and Tom are in route to the club when Fitz receives a phone call. "Yeah." He answers not very concerned about who is calling
"Where you been Trip I've been calling you It's been weeks. You said we were supposed to hook up?"
"It's been hectic and I didn't say that."
"Disagree all you want you know I'm right."
"Look Amanda I told you I'm handling business. But keep that thang right and tight I'll hook up with you later."
"Yeah alright you better show up Trip and handle this business over here I'm not playing."
"That business doesn't pay it costs just stay by the phone imma call you later." Fitz says before ending the call and then dialing another
"Yeah." Mellie answers
"We straight?" Fitz quickly asks
"I would have called you if we weren't." Mellie responds and hangs up continuing doing what she was doing before Fitz called.
"You and these chicks man they be blowing your phone up but Mellie I don't see how you deal with her…she's rude…she's got you too close to the curb..."
Mellie was Fitz eyes and ears. She was born and raised in the upper east side of Philly and knew everyone. Coming from a working class family who never move out of the neighborhood she pretty much lived in the streets as her parents worked their asses off to give her a good life. She liked what the streets offered and like a sponge sucked up everything there was to learn. Many people looked out for her because they thought she was and orphan. She met Fitz when he first moved in her neighborhood and put him up on who's who on the block. Fitz was the first guy who didn't try to sleep with her or use her for his own gain. He kept her pockets' paid and when she turned 18 paid for her first apartment after her parents kicked her out once they realize she was more interested in the street than college.
"Yeah but she keeps me tight she keeps me on point with my shit plus she has an ear in these street. It's these hang arounds I need to get rid of and find me a main chick but forget all that who is this dude we're meeting?"
"His name is Andrew Nichols but he goes by Drew. He's legit. Huck already checked him out. He's from the west coast and just looking to expand but he needs you his other distro got busted. So he's looking to get established uptown."
"You trust this dude?"
Yeah Trip I wouldn't bring him to you if I didn't." Tom answers and Fitz just nods as they arrive at the club both men exit the truck dressed to the nines. All heads turns as they enter the club. The women all stop what they are doing for a chance to just say hi. "Hey Trip, Hey T." Tom's street name. The many women and men alike greet the two as they walk in. The stage is lit with a local performer singing on the main stage. VIP is full as well. Both men greet the patriots and the security staff who clears the way for them to walk through. Fitz hugs many of the women as Tom blocks unknowns from approaching Fitz. As they reach the VIP reserved for him and his team Fitz turns and listens to the artist on the stage.
Olivia…
Liv and Abby arrives at the club and is surprised that they got in free. Unknown to them Tom already put Abby and a plus one on the list. She and Tom have been off and on here and there because Abby wasn't looking for anything serious but she would hit Tom up from time to time. Tom not wanting to seem soft never revealed to Abby how he truly felt about her. So he never said much when she would disappear from time to time seeing other men but was always happy when she would reach out to him.
Abby was Liv best friend. She lived life on the wild side. She was outgoing and always down for some fun with the man with the most money. Fitz never showed interest in her and so much as told her so which is when she took her chance with Tom. Liv much more reserved loved Abby and never judged her but truly accepted her for who she was. Her Ginny even loved Abby and always looked at her as if she was her own granddaughter. Abby ran away from home at age 17 and hooked up with guys from time to time to fund her lifestyle which was to live lavishly without much of a care in the world except her beste whom she met when they both were just 18 years old on the subway one day when Liv boyfriend Russell at the time beat the crap out of a guy for disrespecting. Liv and Abby have been best friends ever since.
As Liv and Abby checks out their appearance in the mirror of the very large ladies room Abby can't control her excitement. "I know I'm the baddest chick in the place tonight. This spot is jumping. I'm about to get mines."
Liv looks at Abby through the mirror "You need to slow down Abby."
"What we said we was gonna have fun tonight. Now let's have some fun. Alright?...Okay?"
"All right." Liv says looking at Abby with an uncertain expression but decides to try and enjoy herself.
"Now I think I'm good to go."
"Go, I'll be out in a minute." Liv says needing to give herself a prep talk
Abby agrees and heads out to the bar without Liv. She spots Tom standing at the bar and approaches him while smiling from ear to ear. "Hey T."
"What's up Red who's your friend you walked in with?"
"Oh that's my girl Olivia why?"
"Cause Trip wants to know."
"Yeah that my girl Liv. She's in college and kind of boring. Buy me a drink and I'll tell you more."
Tom agrees and texts all the information about Liv to Fitz as he talks to Abby. Liv finally exits the bathroom looking for Abby when Fitz approaches her.
Meantime Huck and Harrison known as H is completing a transaction outside of the club before heading inside to meet Fitz telling him everything went off as planned. After completing his meeting with the new guy he approached Liv. "How are you doing queen?" Liv turns to see who has her by the arm she snickers.
"You tell me King." She responds with much attitude as she shifts her purse from her hand to the pit of her arm leaning back on one leg.
"Does the queen have a name?" Fitz answers with a smirk of his own accompanied by his crooked smile he begins to circle Liv.
Watching him she begins to walk as well causing both of them to circle each other in order to remain face to face. "Oh, so we just…gonna play this game all night?"
Fitz chuckles "I could go all night, all night long."
"I bet you could." The insinuation doesn't go unnoticed by Liv as they continue to circle each other finally coming to a stop.
"Look at all this." Fitz motions as if he's showing the entire club. "See all these distractions pretty distraction and all I can seem to focus on is you."
"Really?"
"Yes. So let's make a deal. I guess you name right and you leave with me right now no questions asked…"
"That not going to happen." She says cutting him off.
"Olivia. How you doing beautiful?" He quickly says throwing Liv off guard
Liv stops and looks him dead in the eyes in wonderment. "How do you know my name?"
"Pope, right?' He pauses "Straight out of Georgia right?"
Liv shift her stance and places her purse back in her hand. "Okay, this is too weird for words. How do you know my name?"
Fitz feeling confident and very much attracted to Liv decides to ignore Liv's question "So, you saying I won? Did I get it?"
"I mean…" Liv is thrown off as Fitz continues to talk
"Where I'm from, you make a deal you stick to your deal."
"Really?"
"Yes really. You should be leaving with me right now." Fitz says showing off his hundred watt smile when someone calls his name giving Liv her escape walking away quickly as he turns to see who was calling him.
"What up Trip my guy, what are you doing up this way?" The guy asks
"Hey brother." Fitz put out his hand in a stop motion. "I don't know you."
Suddenly Harrison walks up "Let me make the introduction, this Jake Ballard, This Rich Green and their home girl
"Elizabeth." The female speaks up quickly feeling herself stating her positon and the fact that she can speak for herself
Fitz stares down Jake immediately not liking him or his crew. "They're making a few moves in the street Trip…" Harrison begins to shares
Rich interrupts Harrison. "A few moves? I don't know who you talking to we make big moves."
Harrison not liking Rich's disrespect or tone. "I'm talking to you." He takes a step forward when Jake steps between them
"Hey no disrespect it's all respect here." Jakes says trying to diffuse the situation he can see coming
"I don't understand what this conversation is about." Fitz finally speaks looking around to show that Jake is wasting his time
Jake tries his hand again "I respect what you're doing in the streets, I just wanted to say…"
Fitz interrupts again not feeling this conversation or these guys "I'm sorry, I don't know what it is you think I do…" He shakes Jakes hand as Jakes looks down at the handshake confused "But hey, it was a pleasure meeting you. Enjoy your night." He continues looking at each of Jake's crew "All right, turn up, order some drinks stay easy." Fitz walks away leaving Jake and his crew standing there. He swag is on point as he heads outside as to try and catch up with Olivia seeing that she and Abby was headed for the exit.
As Liv and Abby stands on the sidewalk outside the club Liv is confused as to why Abby wants to leave when she was the one who wanted to come here in the first place. "You rushed me to come here, and now you're rushing me to leave. What's up Abbs?"
"Chill Liv, we are not leaving."
"Then why are we outside?"
"We're waiting on Trip and T. to come out."
"What you could have seen them inside."
Mmm-mmm. Then Rich Green would have seen me."
"Who is Rich Green?"
"The scary looking guy with the gold tee."
"Girl half the guys in there have gold tee's."
Abby laughs "True. Well, I used to fuck Rich Green and I don't want T. to know."
"T. and Trip are like brothers."
"That's why you gave him my information. Abby you wrong. How you gonna do me like that?"
"I told him your name I can't help it he texted Trip." Liv sighs and looks off not really mad at Abby because Trip was kind of cute and somewhat interesting. She just needed to play along until this night was over.
"Come on Liv, here they come." Abby says as she notices Fitz and Tom Harrison and Huck headed outside of the club and Tom walks up to Abby while Fitz walks up to Liv.
"Hey, so they are about to bring the car around, what are you ladies trying to get into?"
"You know what they trying to get into." Fitz says with a smile looking at Abby knowing she down for whatever.
"I say we riding with yall." Abby shares
"I like that idea." Fitz adds looking at Liv with his piercing blue eyes.
"Because we too lazy to catch the train, right Liv?" Abby eyes Liv hoping she would go along with her but before Liv could answer there is a commotion taking place behind them starring none other than Jake and his crew beating some poor guys down, pulling out a gun threatening him with it.
Fitz first reaction is to protect Liv. He grabs her by the waist as Tom grabs Abby and they run towards their truck which pulls up just in time. Within 10 minutes they arrive at a restaurant after convincing the ladies to at least let them take them out to eat.
Fitz leaves Harrison and Huck to watch over the club. Once at the restaurant they order and Abby digs in while Liv is somewhat hesitant. "Oh, my God, this is so good." Abby comments when she notices the table is just a bit too quiet for her liking. She needed to get Liv talking.
"Yeah, nothing works up an appetite like being caught up in a brawl possibly getting shot at." Liv says directing her statement and making sure Fitz understood how she felt.
Fitz looks at her but doesn't say anything as he tries to figure out how to break down Liv's walls.
"You know, Liv really loves lobster." Abby looks at Fitz as she speaks
"Is that right?" Fitz questions
"Mmm-hmm." Liv looks at Abby really wishing she would stop being so thirsty
Well, you should, uh, come down to the restaurant, my chef makes… (kissing his fore finger and thumb) wonderful lobster." Fitz continues to watch Liv for any sign he has a chance but Liv is not impressed. She has been down this road before with Russell her ex. He wined and dined her spent money on her, but it all came with a cost with him putting his hands on her claiming her as his property vs his girlfriend. Liv did not want to go through that again.
"You got your own restaurant?" Abby's eyes gets big as saucers as she inquires
Tom jumps in wanting to impress Abby "My man Trip got the hottest restaurant in the city. Maybe I can take you sometime?"
"I'd like that we already in there." Abby comments with certainty "Ain't that right, Liv?"
"Yeah. Maybe." Liv looks directly at Fitz as curiosity peaks her interests.
"I gotta go to the ladies room, like, now." She pauses and looks over at Liv. "Liv."
"I'm good." Liv says not wanting to play Abby let talks behind their back game.
Seeing Liv is not going with her Tom volunteers. "I gotta go too." He and Abby leave the table with sex on their minds. Liv already knows what Abby is about to do rolls her eyes.
"Why does it got to be so much violence out there?" Liv says still thinking about the events at the club
"Why are you talking to me like I'm responsible?"
"I'm just saying…sorry. You're right. I apologize." Liv slumps back against the booth they are seated in "But I'm just saying…"
"What are you going to do about it? Do you have something in mind to stop it?"
"Me?"
"Yes you."
"I don't know that's up to the politicians, I'm still in school." She says feeling defeated
Fitz sees this and changes the direction of the conversation "Oh you're in school? What are you majoring in?"
"English literature."
Fitz chuckles "You trying to be a writer, huh?"
"I am a writer."
"Cool let me read some of your work." Fitz gives her his million dollar smiles again
"No, I'm sorry but I don't let strangers read my work."
"You do know that when you sit down and converse with someone, technically you're not a stranger anymore, right?"
Liv decides to cut to the chase and just give Fitz her true thoughts about him. "Mr. you do know…"
He interrupts her. "Fitz…My name is Fitzgerald but my family calls me Fitz and now I'm sharing that with you since you refuse to call me Trip."
She's surprised truly surprise but continues her statement. "Listen Fitzgerald, you seem like a really nice guy. I appreciate dinner, and you taking us home was really nice, but I know what you do."
"Oh do you?"
"Yes and I've been there before and I know most girls…"
"I don't date girls." Fitz adds with his half crooked smiles "I date women."
Liv feels heat go throughout her core at this sexy ass man sitting across from her. He's not just handsome and smells like a women's dream and her walls seems to be breaking down. She tries to compose herself and not show him that he's getting through to her.
"As I was saying I know most women would just take the money and food…"
Fitz doesn't let her finish before he speaks again "So, you think, you really think I care more about what's in between your legs than…" He taps his temples indicating the brain
"Come on…We both know you're not interested in reading my work. All you wanna do is hit. And that's good for you. But that's not who I am…Okay?"
"Thank you for keeping it 100, I appreciate that." Fitz sits back against the booth. He is very impressed with Liv. His heart actually speeds up. So he decides to take a page from her book and keep it 100. "I don't hide what I do. It was something I've done since I was 17. I made a conscious decision to continue once I became an adult. I'm a young single successful criminal. Yeah that's what I do. That's not who I am. I love reading, I love music, I love art anything involving stimulating the mind and my intelligence I love. So I apologize. I assumed you being a writer you could possibly have written something that could do that."
Liv smirks letting her guard down just a bit as she sit back once again. Abby and Tom returns all smiles. "What's up Liv? Ya'll good?"
Fitz looks at Liv. "We good?" presenting the question to her leaving the ball in her court.
She doesn't answer but instead says "I'm ready to go. Can we leave now?" She is discombobulated. She is caught up in her feelings. She is attracted to this handsome specimen of a man. She is wet in her core. What the fuck she thinks. I need to get away from this man. She's feeling things she's never felt before. She needs to leave before she finds herself underneath this man in his bed. Time is of the essence. She needed to leave now.
Without question they all leave. Fitz drops Abby and Tom off at Tom's place first giving him more time with Liv without them. "Trip take care of my girl." Abby says leaning into the passenger side window. "Liv are you in good hands." Liv smirks but gives no reply thinking this is probably a bad idea. But she is used too Abby ditching her for a guy she wants to spend time with. She would normally catch a uber but something about Fitz made her feel safe.
As they drive to Liv's house a pin drop could be heard. "Are you from here?" Liv finally breaking the silence asks
"Yes born and raised. What about you?"
"No we moved her from Georgia after my mother's passing from a car accident my Ginny raised me moving us here to be closer to her sister but she has since passes too."
"Sorry to hear that. Ginny who's that?"
"My grandmother I couldn't say granny. I had a speech impairment when I was young. I would say Ginny instead of granny and it stuck."
"So you don't have any siblings?"
"Nope I'm an only child?"
"Me too I still have my mother but I don't see her much."
"Why not?" Liv gives him a curious look
"Let's just say she's the reason I'm in this life. Not the reason I stayed but she's the reason none the less."
"Wow. Now I'm the one who's sorry."
"It's no biggie. I can stop anytime I get ready."
"Why haven't you?"
"You want the truth?"
"No please lie to me…of course I want the truth."
"I've never had a reason to." He stops at the red light and looks at Liv. "Maybe you could be that reason."
"You would give all this up for me? Aren't you a made man? I'm sure it's probably not that easy."
"If I had someone like you in my life Livvie I would. The odds would be against me but for someone as beautiful as you I would."
"Fitz you don't even know me." She says not mentioning him calling her Livvie. No one has ever called her that. She liked it and could get used to it.
"I know I like you, from the moment I saw you I knew I had to talk to you. I don't know it's something about you that just draws me in. You are different from the average women I have come across. You got my attention without even trying. You're not just beautiful, your classy, and educated, and intelligent. You also have a great amount of self respect and I like that in a woman. "
Liv don't know what to say. She's overcome with desire from his words. She squirms in her seat crossing her legs which doesn't go unnoticed by Fitz. So she looks straight ahead and notices she has reached her neighborhood. She instructs Fitz to pull over two houses from where she lived. He does. "If my Ginny sees me getting out of your truck she will have the entire prayer group casting demons out of me."
Fitz laughs "No we don't need that. I will just wait here until I see you get inside safely. It's a nice neighborhood and all but you never know when someone is lurking."
Liv smiles and exits the truck but turns to Fitz. "Thank you for the ride. I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome."
Liv closes the door and heads up the street while Fitz waits for her to safely get inside just as he's pulling off his phone rings he sighs once he sees it's Amanda. He answers with a fake yawn as if he was sleeping "What's up Amanda?"
"It's damn near morning, what happened?"
Yawning again "I was knocked out."
"Yeah well I've been waiting all night for you."
"I had a long day let me call you tomorrow." Fitz not giving in to Amanda says right before hanging up the phone laughing at himself at how rude that was but not caring because he now had his site set on the most beautiful women he's ever met and he'd be damn if he'd let anyone mess up his chance with her. Olivia Pope yeah she's the kind of women you marry, nothing like these women who throws themselves at him for a little change and some clothes.
A/N: This is just the beginning. This is based off one of my all time favorite movies. I wonder if any of you can guess which one. It involves one of my favorite scandal characters. Let me know in the reviews if this scenario sounds familiar. Also tell me what you think about this chapter. I can't wait to read your thoughts. Until next time….