Fitz is overjoyed at her reaction. He smiles at her with appreciation for her response and for the first time since they started on this journey, it feels like they are figuring things out.
After kissing her once more he said, "Thanks for the apology. But thinking about how we've behaved over the years. One thing is clear. We have got to communicate better Liv. We can't keep pulling off stunts to get each other to understand our points."
She agreed with him and said, "You're welcome for the apology. Again, I appreciate you hearing me, and I agree, we do need to do a better job of communicating. I want this time to be the worst of us; so we can get to the best of us by not repeating this insane cycle." He nodded as he replied, "Agreed, I want off the merry-go-round too. So how do we do it?"
After taking a breath she said, "We do it by agreeing to listen to each other of course, and show each other we hear each other. If we have questions we talk about it. We don't make assumptions, or judgments and we trust each other."
As soon as she made the comment she knew that was a huge statement, and it mostly applied to her. He's always trusted her but she's never fully trusted anyone, and that was at the core of all of this. She's always waited for the other shoe to drop with him, sort of expecting him to mess up. The unfairness of that bothered her deeply.
She looked at him as she said, "I know that statement was like the pot calling the kettle black. But, I want you to know I do trust you, and I am working on getting better at being consistent with it."
He was impressed that she'd self-assessed so well. He felt like she deserved a break, and wanted to take it a step further, so she understood this wasn't all her. So he replied, "I appreciate you working on yourself babe. But the truth is we both have issues we need to work through. With the parents we had, it's no wonder we are both off base on how to have a healthy relationship. But the one thing that is the best about this, is we are willing to work through our flaws, to make things better."
She agreed with him wholeheartedly, they really are trying to make the situation better. She felt the anxiety in her body reduce significantly as she looked into his eyes and said, "Yes we are. I am more than ready to fix us, and give us a real shot."
He smiled as he said, "Good, I am too. I appreciate you for being so honest with me babe, as well as yourself. That took guts; I'm proud of you." She smiled as she said, "Thank you. I am a work in progress. "He smiled as he replied, "We all are babe. That's what makes life so interesting, and challenging." She pecked his lips as she said, "If I had a drink. I'd drink to that."
He responded, "Let's see if we can make that happen. What do you have?" She smiled as she said, "I have wine, and I have scotch." He grinned as he said, "Wow, scotch, my favorite. I'm impressed." She smiled and winked as she replied, "Don't be. I know my man." They chuckled as he said, "Yes you do." After sharing a few more kisses, she got up to get them glasses, to partake in a drink before eating dinner.
As she poured their drinks, things felt settled. She felt like allot was worked out and they had the basic ideas of how to move forward locked down. Now it was about putting the ideas into practice. For the first time they had an honest conversation, and agreed they both have work to do individually, as well as together.
By acknowledging their own issues and facing them willingly. They are learning how to communicate, and learning to trust each other's judgments and give each other the benefit of the doubt. Once she let her guard down and started seeing things from his point of view, she no longer resented him for forcibly moving her into the Whitehouse.
She now saw he really did have dual intentions of protecting her the best way he knew how, and also being in control. To be fair, she's played the control card their entire relationship. Which is why she knows her own control and trust issues, are what made his actions appear to be more sinister than they really were. As much as she hated to admit it; her parents really have had a tremendous impact on her life. But now she was learning how to change that, for the sake of her future happiness.
As they sat on the couch, and enjoyed their beverages, He asked, "So what food did you get?" She replied, "Lamb chops, with mint jelly, grilled asparagus, and cheddar mashed potatoes, with chocolate cake for dessert."
He smiled as he said, "Damn, my favorite meal huh?" She smiled replied, "Yes, I know what my man likes, in more ways than one." He responded, "Yes, you truly do baby. No doubt about that at all." As he spoke he sensually caressed her face and she pressed her face into his hand. They stared at each other for what seemed like hours, before sitting down to eat.
The night was pure magic, it was the most mature and productive talk they'd ever had. They had a great dinner and talked about how they can make this situation work the best for them. She agreed to keep her security detail for the most part, with an exception from time to time. But she'd permanently stay at her apartment. He agreed to that, but wouldn't budge on her getting a better security system for her apartment, and she agreed to those terms. She also agreed to attend some Whitehouse events, but not all, and he agreed to spend some nights at her house, so she's not always at the White House.