Chapter 6
The interview flows like a perfect song and dance. Olivia is poised and answers the questions with grace and confidence. She briefly discusses her upcoming projects and philanthropic work. She doesn't miss a beat as the audience holds on to her every word. The green light in front of Fitz flashes and alerts him to enter the stage. He sucks in a gust of air, holds it until he turns the corner and enters the stage. He exhales the moment he sits next to Olivia on the blue velvet couch. His thumb circles her knee, bringing her comfort. The studio fills with a thunderous applause and the audience screams with excitement. He can barely hear the words Robin is speaking. Robin pauses and smiles at the audience. She flaps her hands up and down, signaling for them to take their seats.
"Wow!" Robin states.
Olivia smiles, leaning her shoulder into Fitz's.
The audience erupts in applause again.
Robin turns to the audience and opens her arms, points to them, "This is the effect you have on your fans. Alright…let's try and settle down. Welcome Fitzgerald Grant…how are you?"
Fitz gives a crooked smile. "I'm wonderful, Robin."
He shifts on the couch, inching closer to Olivia.
Robin glances down at her blue note card, "Since the play ended, what have you been up to?"
"Enjoying the down time. I have a few projects coming up that will keep me busy." Fitz responds.
"Can you tell us about them?" Robin questions.
"Some behind the scene work. Directing a few episodes on a couple different shows." Fitz states.
Robin smiles, "Let's not prolong the real reason the both of you are here today. There is an announcement you want to share."
Olivia reaches for his hand, gently squeezes it, and gives him the ok to speak. "What can I say Robin...I'm in love with an incredible woman."
The audience erupts in screams and cheers. Some of them are on their feet, clapping loudly.
They both glance at each other with a soft smile.
"When the movie 'Love on the Horizon' was in theaters, viewers fell in love with the characters Ben and Stella because of your on-screen chemistry. Fans all over social media had paired you two together and wanted you to be together in real life. When did this romance begin?" Robin asks.
Olivia chuckles, "I was in a relationship when the movie was filming and released. Fitz and I were only co-workers at the time."
"Olivia is a wonderful woman inside and out. I knew she was in a relationship and I respected it. We recently connected sometime around the play." Fitz states.
Robin flips the note card to the back of her stack, "Olivia, you're extremely private with your personal life. What made you want to publicly announce this relationship?"
"Social media has a funny way of embellishing the truth, Robin. I wanted to be honest about my love life." Olivia answers.
"There has been discussions about the movie being turned into a sitcom. Would either of you consider doing it?" Robin asks.
"Absolutely!" Olivia answers.
"Yes!" Fitz states.
"Olivia, your father Nathaniel is here, let's bring him out." Robin states.
Nathaniel walks out, waves to the audience, and sits in the chair opposite from Fitz and Olivia.
"Hi, Nathaniel." Robin states.
"Hello, Robin." Nathaniel states.
"What are your thoughts on their relationship? You're a major director and producer in Hollywood. Do you think this will have an effect on their careers? Was this the right move?" Robin asks.
"I'm elated they are dating and decided to announce it on tv. We are ahead of the paparazzi. As you know Robin, I met Olivia's mother Vivian on the set of the movie I directed years ago." Nathaniel states, pointing to Vivian sitting in the front row.
"Yes, that's right." Robin states with a smile.
Nathaniel smiles, "They will be fine. It's Hollywood, Robin."
"Any new projects for you, Nathaniel?" Robin asks
"I'm always working, Robin. You'll see my name around soon." Nathaniel answers.
"Olivia Pope and Fitzgerald Grant have made it official. It was great seeing the both of you. Thank you for coming Nathaniel. That's all the time we have today." Robin states, smiling at the camera. The theme music from the show plays loudly on the studio speakers, Olivia and Fitz step into the audience, autographing pictures for fans. Olivia blows kisses to Robin as they exit the stage.
Nathaniel struts down the hallway toward Olivia's dressing room, "That went extremely well."
"Yes," Vivian states, squeezing his hand. They step inside the dressing room, waiting for Olivia and Fitz to return.
Olivia rushes in the room, heading straight to Vivian, embracing her. "I miss you mom."
"Olivia it's been too long. I miss you baby girl." Vivian states, pulling her from the embrace, brushing the curly strands of hair from her face.
"How are you feeling? Your father told me about your anxiety. Did you call your therapist? What about the meds, Liv? Did you try anything different?" Vivian rapidly asks, glancing at Nathaniel.
"Mom please calm down. I've had a lot on my plate." Olivia looks away, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Michael…things with him were stressful, but Fitz has been wonderful. My anxiety is subsiding. I don't want to take the medication. I'm still seeing my therapist." Olivia answers.
"Livvie, please don't overdue it." Vivian states.
Olivia glances at Fitz, "Mom I won't. Fitz will make sure of it…right?"
"I'll keep an eye on her." He blinks.
Vivian exhales. For the past months, she has been worried sick about Olivia, forcing her own anxiety to return. Vivian miscarried three times before giving birth to Olivia. She was anxious throughout her entire pregnancy and after giving birth. She didn't fully enjoy the experience of being a first-time mother because of her anxiety. She swore her anxiety rubbed off on Olivia.
Vivian beams, "I love when you smile, Liv. My princess is finally getting her prince."
Olivia wiggles her body in a dance from excitement. "He's finally mine, mom."
Vivian hugs Olivia, whispering, "He'll always be yours, sweetheart. I'll make sure of it."
Vivian walks over to Nathaniel interrupting his conversation with Fitz, "Excuse me can I borrow him for a minute?"
"Sure," Fitz states, walking over to Olivia, brushing his lips against hers.
Vivian squeezes Nathanial's hand, "Look at her honey…she's happy. We haven't seen that smile in a long time. I want her to stay happy. I don't want Michael anywhere near her Nate. Promise me you will keep Olivia happy."
"I will Viv…I will." Nathaniel states.
Olivia saunters over to her parents, "Why the serious faces?"
"Oh…nothing baby girl." Vivian smiles.
Nathaniel turns his attention to Fitz, "What's next?"
"A small vacation. Away from the cameras for a week." Fitz responds.
"When do you leave?" Vivian asks.
"In a couple of days." Fitz states.
Vivian claps her hands together and smiles, "Wonderful!"
"I need to take this pretty lady to lunch. I'll see you both when you return." Nathaniel states.
Olivia hugs her parents telling them goodbye. She takes a few deep breaths before linking her hand with Fitz's. She feels the tension and her stomach settling. She has an appointment to see her therapist tomorrow. She has Fitz. She's going to be just fine.
X
They board a private jet several days after the interview. "Where are we going?" Olivia asks excitedly, looking over at Fitz.
"You'll see." He states, with a grin.
The plane lands on the runway and they exit, entering a black sedan. Olivia peers out the window as the car whips down the road. She realizes they are in Mexico. She turns to Fitz and nuzzles her head on his shoulder, "Thank you, Fitz."
"This trip is for you…for us." Fitz states as the car comes to a halt.
Olivia steps out of the vehicle and the warmth from the sun immediately hits her skin. She is grateful she decided to wear her hair natural for the trip. She puts her hand up on her forehead, shielding the sun. She is mesmerized by the waves crashing against each other on the distant shore. It's comforting and relaxing. She releases a breath she has been holding. She is knocked out of her trance by Fitz's deep baritone voice. "I rented all 9 villas. We will have plenty of privacy. A chef will prepare our meals every day. The butler will handle any of our immediate needs. The maid will keep our room tidy and provide turn down service every night." He caresses her cheeks, gently. "The only thing I want you to think about is the amount of times I am going to make love to you." He places his dark aviator sunglasses on his eyes and wraps his arm around her waist.
They step inside the low-rise seafront villa. The coolness from the air conditioner pricks Olivia's skin and she briefly shivers. She places her white Prada bag on the bed and walks around the villa. It's cozy and the light-yellow walls make it warm and inviting. She moves carelessly like a child in a candy store through the dining room, living room and massive marble bathroom. She runs her fingers over the glass walled rainfall shower, thoughts rush to her mind about Fitz pleasuring her in the shower. She imagines her back being up against the tiled wall and Fitz hoisting up her legs, entering her slowly. Her breathing hitches and she steps out of the shower. Olivia strolls to the infinity pool, bends down and dips her fingers inside the warm water. Fitz leans against the wall and watches her, "You like it?"
She looks up and meets his eyes, "I love it Fitz."
"Where's your phones?" He asks.
She raises her eyebrow, "My purse…why?"
She follows him inside the bedroom and watches as he digs his hand in her purse retrieving both phones. She carries two phones, one for all of her public pictures and posts. The second one is for her personal use. He turns them both off and places them inside the safe in the closet.
"No phones." He states.
"Fitz, I can't just disappear from social media without an explanation." He huffs, retrieves the phones from the safe and places them in her hands, "One post!" He grumbles. She walks out to the private beach and draws a heart in the sand. She snaps a picture of the heart with the message:
Taking a teeny break from social media. I'll be back soon.
He takes her phones and his phone, places them in the safe. "Now you're all mine." He states, playfully. Olivia giggles as he spins her in his arms. Olivia smiles, capturing his lips, hungrily. She pulls back from the kiss, "What do you want to do first?"
"You," he groans, somewhat out of breath from the kiss. He lifts her to the bed, covering her lips with his. Olivia scoots up on her knees, pulling her dress over her head and tossing it to the floor. She releases her bra and throws it to the side of the bed. She slowly pulls down her panties, watching Fitz undress. His erection stands at attention, strong, thick and hard. She licks her lips, inching closer to the edge of the bed where he is standing. Her pussy vibrates as he moves closer to her, hovering over her. His head falls in the crook of her neck, he sucks on the flesh until she whimpers from the pleasure and pain. He licks down to her breasts, sucks in her right nipple and circles his tongue around it. He sucks in her left nipple, palming the right breast, teasing her opening with the tip of his dick. Olivia pants, squirms under him, "Please, Fitz…I want you…I need you inside me." He licks his way down her body, until he reaches her core. He rims his tongue around her clit, fast, then slow, before pushing his tongue through her slit. Olivia grips his curls tight, as her pussy clenches down on his tongue. Her juices flow like a fountain and he laps it up, drip by drip. He stands from the floor, lips glistening from her juices, lifting her from the bed. She feels weak, barely able to stand from her orgasm. She falls in his arms. He kisses the side of her neck, and sits on the bed. His blue eyes glance up at her, his voice is deep and filled with sex, "Sit on it."
She captures his lips and straddles his lap. His dick is so close to her center, it twitches. She makes him wait, knowing that it's burning him on the inside. "Tell me you want me, Fitz." He swipes her lips with his tongue, "Give me what's mine." He demands. She loses all of her control at his demand. She never takes her eyes off him, gliding down slowly on his hard length. She rotates her hips, taking him deep inside her pussy. Her head drops on his shoulder at the sensation. He's the perfect fit. "Fitz, you feel soooo good," Olivia whispers in his ear. Fitz tangles his hands in her hair and pulls on it. Olivia leans her neck back, bouncing up and down, stretching her walls. He trails his tongue up her neck, sucks in the flesh, marking her. His lips greedily devour her lips.
"Mmmmmm," Olivia moans into the kiss. Her body jerks from her orgasm, milking him with her juices. They move in sync for what seems like a lifetime. Slow strokes…fast strokes…gentle…hard…Olivia's body vibrates over and over in pleasure causing Fitz to release his seed deep inside her. He cradles her in his arms, trailing his fingers up and down her back mimicking the movements of playing the piano. She whispers "I love you." He holds her tight and whispers the same thing. She's never felt this kind of love. She wraps her arms around his neck as a tear falls from her eye.
X
Olivia dangles her feet in the cool crisp water of the infinity pool. She stares at the clouds as the sunlight bounces off her dark sunglasses. She smiles as she watches Fitz swim to her. "Are you getting in this morning?"
"I am," she chuckles.
He swims off. It's been like this for the last three days since they've been in Mexico. Wake up, make love, swim, make love, breakfast, relax, massages, make love, dinner, watch the sunset. It's exactly what she needs. Cutting the outside world off. Her attention has been on Fitz. She hasn't thought about work one bit. Fitz watches Olivia like a hawk for any symptoms of her anxiety. He's been gentle except for in the bedroom and she isn't complaining. She meditates and has a cup of her favorite tea each morning before waking him up. It helps calm her overthinking. She sighs. It's time to tell him the truth about Michael. Her stomach does somersaults and she feels like she is going to throw up. She grips the edge of the pool, breathes heavily. She motions for Fitz to come over to her.
The water swishes as he swims back to her. He moves between her legs, lifts from the water, and kisses her. "I need to talk to you." Olivia states.
He pulls back, noticing the concern on her face. "Liv what's going on? I everything ok?"
She runs her hands through his damp curls, "I'm ok, I need to tell you something."
He lifts himself out the pool, dries off with the towel from the side of the pool. He sits next to her and his long legs rest in the water. "Ok I'm listening."
She can't bring herself to look at him, she focuses her attention on the swaying of the trees. "I covered up something for Michael three years into our relationship. Michael cheated on me. I found out when he was in a car accident with the woman. Her name is Yvette. She was pregnant with his child. The accident was serious and left she was in a coma for 3 months. The baby was born prematurely and stayed in the NICU for some time. I paid the police department and the hospital staff to keep quiet about the accident. I know I should have ended the relationship with Michael, but I was scared for my career. I stayed with him. I knew if the story broke about his infidelity and baby, I would have been torn apart by the media."
Tears rapidly stream down her cheeks. "I kept him from his child. I made him promise he would never see Yvette or the baby. I had him banned from the hospital so he couldn't see them. I sent her money every month in exchange for her to keep quiet about the accident and the affair. I told her I wasn't leaving Michael. She agreed to keep quiet. Michael started drinking heavily. He hated me for months and I didn't care. He begged me for Yvette's contact information but I refused to give it to him. He continued to drink and I pushed him more by wanting a baby. I told him he needed to forget about his other child and give me a baby. My father was angry at Michael for his distrust and warned him that if he ever hurt me again he would intervene. I tried to keep everything a secret for a long time causing my anxiety to go through the roof. I am no longer sending Yvette money. I'm afraid she will try and sell her story to the paparazzi."
Olivia still refuses to look at Fitz and see the disappointment in his eyes. He reaches over and squeezes her hand. "Liv, I had no idea you went through all of this. Why didn't you tell me?" He asks.
"So, you could hate me for being an evil person." Olivia answers.
"I could never hate you, Liv. What does this mean for us?" Fitz asks.
Olivia sighs, "If the story comes out my career will take a hit and so will yours. It will be in shambles, I'm sure. Our entire lives will be thrusted in the media."
He swallows hard. His heart races and he hesitates before speaking. He's thinking. She notices his hesitation and her shoulders start to shake, tears flow faster down her cheeks and she wails, slightly, "I don't want to lose you Fitz. If you want to break up, I'll understand."
"Liv, I'm not going anywhere." Fitz states.
She throws her arms over his shoulders, embraces him tightly, kissing his lips, cheeks, forehead.
He breaks her kisses, "We need to be honest with our managers and PR department. They need to know what's going on. We have to be smart about this, Liv. If the story comes out, you need to do all of the things that help to keep your anxiety under control. I meant when I said, we're in this together."
She nods and rests her head on his shoulder.
X
Fitz hands Olivia her cell phones once they step inside the limo on their way to his apartment in New York. She immediately presses the button on the side, turning them on. She sighs at the amount of emails, voicemails, and text messages that are listed. She starts with the text messages, answering them quickly. She sees a text from Abby and laughs. She hasn't seen her in months. They co-starred in the movie together and became really good friends. She dials Abby's number.
"You better be dead!" Abby states, answering the phone.
Olivia giggles, "If I was dead I wouldn't be calling you…Hello to you Abbigale."
"I've been blowing your phone up since the interview. Great job by the way." Abby states.
"Didn't you see my social media post. I was away on vacation." Olivia answers.
"I don't search your social media daily, Olivia. I have a life. Fill me in about your romantic getaway." Abby asks.
"It was beautiful Abby. I needed it. We had a great time." Olivia answers.
"Great. You deserved it Liv after dealing with that asshole Michael." Abby states.
"Don't bring him up…ever. Are you still jet setting across the world with Liam?" Olivia asks.
Abby giggles, "I am. Things are going really well."
"I am so happy for you." Olivia states.
"Thank you, Liv. Did you get the news about the movie being turned into a sitcom? They named Rhonda Jenkins as the writer and producer. The first table read is in two weeks." Abby states.
"Yeah we signed on for the show before we left. Did you get a chance to read the script?" Olivia asks.
"Nope! It's known in the business that Rhonda gives the script the same day as the table read." Abby answers.
"Rhonda's a bad ass writer and producer. She has a lot of shows on network television right now. I think we're in good hands." Olivia states.
Abby chuckles, "As long as I get my check. I don't give a damn."
Olivia chuckles, "I'll see you in two weeks."
"Absolutely. Talk to you soon." Abby states, hanging up the phone.
Olivia walks inside the kitchen, kisses Fitz on the cheek. He is busy sautéing chicken breast and chopping vegetables. "I just hung up with Abby. She's excited about the sitcom. Can you believe we start taping in two weeks without a script?" Olivia asks, opening a bottle of red wine. She takes two glasses out of the cabinet and pours the liquid in the glasses.
"I'm not worried, Liv. We can handle it." He answers, placing the vegetables and chicken in a pan.
She takes a hearty sip from her wine glass, "I guess you're right. We are professionals."
"Exactly." He states, turning her in his arms, kissing her.
Olivia blushes, "I hope we get a lot of love scenes."
He takes a sip from his glass, "If the script is anything like the movie we will have several. You know what that means?"
Olivia smiles, "A closed set."
He brushes his lips against hers, "Yes and trailer sex."
Olivia chuckles, "You're a mess, Fitz."
He smiles and returns back to cooking.
X
Nathaniel sits in his office with his feet planted on the top of his wooden desk. A cigar dangles from his fingers, smoke fills the room. He glances at a picture of Olivia and Vivian on his desk and smiles. Olivia is his world. Vivian's miscarriages nearly destroyed him. He watched her deteriorate as a woman with each doctor visit. When she finally gave birth to Olivia he vowed to protect her with every cell in his body. He tried to give her space as a father and let Olivia make her own choices. He never liked Michael and as much as he tried to tell Olivia he was no good for her the more she clung on to the relationship with him. Olivia begged him to keep his distance when Michael cheated because she had a plan. He listened. Tina contacted him about Michael blackmailing Olivia and interfering with her relationship with Fitz. He knew he needed to get rid of Michael.
"Bring him in!" Nathaniel demands over the intercom.
Huck sternly walks in and roughly throws Michael down in the chair.
Nathaniel takes a drag from his cigar, blows the smoke in the air, "Michael St. Clair, we meet again."
Michael shifts uncomfortably in his seat and rambles, "Nathanial I'm sorry…Please know I'm sorry about Olivia. I…I…never meant to hurt her."
Nathanial pushes a glass of bourbon to Michael. "Let's drink like old times, I know you've been lying about your recovery."
Michael gulps the brown liquid down. He keeps his eyes etched on Nathaniel.
"You tried to blackmail my daughter?" Nathaniel asks.
"I only did it to try and get her away from Fitzgerald Grant. He's no good for her Nate. I thought if I could get a chance to talk to her, she would see I am the only man she needs. Instead, she pushed me to the side like trash." Michael states, sitting up in the chair.
"You are trash Michael. Fitzgerald Grant is a better man than you. Have you checked his resume? Do you know he comes from good stock? His family is part of the Hollywood dynasty. His grandfather and father created this town. You might want to consider how you speak about him." Nathaniel places the cigar on the ashtray, "Now that's who I want for my daughter. Not some low life from the bottom of the barrel." Nathaniel circles and stands in front of Michael, "You've hurt Olivia for the last time.
Michael attempts to stand, "She doesn't want me anymore. I'll leave her alone."
Nathaniel laughs and forcefully pushes Michael back in the chair, "Not so fast, I find that hard to believe."
Nathaniel walks back to his desk, and presses the intercom button again, "Bring them in." Tom, his other bodyguard ushers Yvette and his daughter Kaylee inside the room. "You've been looking for them…right?"
"Why are they here Nathaniel?" Michael asks.
"I ask the questions." Nathaniel states. "I was in the neighborhood, so I picked them up." He chuckles, sits on top of his desk, and crosses his legs. "Before you got here, I gave Yvette two choices, she could save herself and the kid or she could save you. Do you know which one she picked?"
Michael lowers his head and speaks softly, "Save herself and Kaylee, I hope."
"Correct! She didn't hesitate when she made her choice either." Nathaniel answers.
Michael glances at Yvette, "Yvette I'm sorry."
Nathaniel slaps Michael across the face. "Shut up."
"You brought this on yourself, Michael. If you had only done the right thing by Olivia. Kaylee and I would be fine. You know I didn't want you. We were a mistake. A drunk mistake. I told you to keep Olivia happy, so we could keep getting the money from her. I was saving that money for Kaylee and now I have nothing!" Yvette yells.
"Let me get this straight. The both of you were using my daughter? Two snakes in the fucking grass. Yvette this is yours." Nathaniel states, tossing an envelope on the desk. "It's a one-way ticket for you and the girl to wherever you want to go and plenty of cash to start a new life. Don't come back to LA. If I get a whiff that you've returned, I will make your life a living hell. Get them out of here Tom." Nathaniel booms.
Yvette hurries out the door with Kaylee, following Tom. Nathaniel lifts the remainder of his cigar and takes a drag. "Now what to do with you, Michael."
"Just let me go, Nate. I won't bother Olivia, I promise." Michael begs.
"Promises are made to be broken, Michael. Huck you're free right?" Nate asks.
"I have time sir." Huck states, placing a red tool kit on the desk, opening it.
Nathaniel pats Michael on the back. "Yeah you won't bother Olivia again, I'm sure of it. Huck you've known Olivia since she was a baby. You've protected my family like they were your own. Make him pay for the hurt he caused Olivia. Clean my office when you're done. Michael it was great seeing you."
Nathaniel leaves out of his office, closing the door behind him. He moves swiftly as he hears screams echo from his office. He finds Vivian in the building lobby. He smiles and kisses her cheek. She glances up at him and blinks rapidly, "Did you fix it Nate? Is he going to leave Olivia alone?"
"Yes, Viv. I promised you I would always protect you and Olivia." He answers.
Vivian smiles, "Thank you, Nate."
Nathaniel dials Fitz's number when he enters the limo. "Fitzgerald, Michael won't be a problem anymore. Keep my baby girl happy." Nathaniel states, hanging up before Fitz can utter a word.
"Who was that?" Olivia asks, nuzzling into Fitz's chest.
"Your father. He said Michael won't be a problem anymore." Fitz states.
Olivia knew exactly what it meant…her father called Huck.