No matter how many couples she sees, they all leave her mind in a wheel of thought. She thinks about her own marriage. She wonders if she gave their marriage the fighting chance that she sometimes counsels her "patients" to give. After all, we all know the vows, the pledges we make to the person we are intending to spend the rest of our lives with. For better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health….till death do us part. That's the idea, to love that person until you take your last breath or until they take theirs. What if you wake up one day and realize that person is not the one? What do you do? Dr. Olivia Pope lives a lavish life in Chicago but she lives alone. She and her husband Jake are now estranged. She feels like the biggest hypocrite so she won't divorce him. But why?

"April, what time is my next appointment?" She hollers as she then says, "Better question, who is my next appointment?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Grant, how could you forget?"

Liv sits back in her chair, breathing out air. The Grants are the perfect picture of the American Dream. They are wealthy and successful. They most certainly live like it. They have 2 kids who they both adore. A very precious dog named Charlie who they are destined to fight over if they get a divorce. They have an amazing home in the suburbs of Winnetka. Fitzgerald Grant is the CEO of Gateway Corporation. He went to school to be a Mechanical Engineer, he loved fixing cars. He graduated with honors and took an idea and ran with it that landed him a patent for a part that is being used around the world which has made him a multi, multi millionaire. He ventured out at 30 and was on Forbes Hot 100 by 38.

His wife Mellie Grant, however, followed in her family's footsteps and went to Law School. She graduated top of her class and fresh out of college got an Associates position at Hamilton Law at the age of 23. When she was 24 she met Fitzgerald Grant who came into the firm looking for representation for his idea. He didn't want anyone to steal it and he wanted to put a stamp on it as soon as possible. That's what Hamilton Law helped him do. Their relationship was a whirlwind at first. Everything was good and then overnight with a 10 year old and an 8 year old, everything went south. They both love each other, at least they think they still do and they want to try and make this work. So, when they were given the recommendation of Olivia Pope, it took some convincing but they took a chance.

Olivia has been seeing them for 4 months and she's figured out a few things. There is love there but is it enough. There is a family there that could have one sign of life, their children. They love their overly comfortable life but aren't sure when their careers became more important for their marriage. The only thing they made time for was their children. Their marriage seems more like a task than a pleasure. But once a week she talks them through it. She likes all her sessions but she has a hard time with the Grants. She doesn't know if it is the presence that Mr. Grant exudes when he enters the room or is the feeling of warmth that covers her once he's left and it lingers in the air and in her mind. It's a weird sensation that she can't figure out. His mystique is mystifying.

She's focusing on those thoughts when April continues, "It's not all bad. It's 60 minutes of looking at . If I were his wife, I would seek your advice on how to resist that man."

Liv appears in the doorway of her office, staring at April, "I am a professional. They are my patients."

"But you aren't blind! That man is gorgeous."

"I won't argue that fact but we are trying to help them remember. I took an oath, first do no harm." Liv laughs going back into her office.

"I supposed he could do you bodily harm in a good way," April responds.

"You are terrible! How many more?"

"After the Grants, you have two more sessions."

"Ahh, it's gonna be one of those days. Love and War…."

"You are the most sought after…"

"I guess I should be proud. Can you order me lunch? I need to make a call."

"Will do boss!"

Liv takes a deep breath and picks up her phone, dialing slowly, waiting for the line to break with a voice. She hears, "Olivia."

"Yes, I just wanted to see...I wanted to...I don't know."

"Are you trying to squeeze me in between one of your sessions?."

"I just wanted to see how you are Jake."

"I would be much better if I was sleeping next to my wife at night."

Liv hesitates and closes her eyes. The sigh she makes hit's Jake in the jugular, "Olivia, I know it was wrong okay. It was one night, I was drunk. I was upset. I missed you."

"I missed you too Jake but I didn't find a guy to pass the time with."

"I've apologized as much as I can. I broke our vows. I know that."

"What did you expect me to do? My mom was sick. I had to go back to DC."

"I was a selfish ass, I get it."

Liv looks at her watch. "I have to go. My 3'o'clock is here."

"Can we have dinner some time this week?"

"I'll think about it," she quickly answers. "I have to go." She hangs up, feeling the weight of their present situation press down on her.

She's broken out of her haze by April buzzing in, "The Grants are here."

Liv gets up. She straightens her clothes, smoothing out her skirt. She neatens her hair as if she's going on a date. It's silly really. She notices this and slaps her face slightly. "Do your job Olivia!" She says under her breath as she opens the door. "Mr. and Mrs. Grant," she says.

They both usher themselves in, taking their perspective spots on the couch. Same thing they do every week. She sits in the center and he sits on the very end of the couch. They both look at each other. They aren't the picture of happiness. They aren't the picture of sadness. They are just the picture of stuck. They are in purgatory waiting for the light to go green.

"How are we today?" Liv asks as she sits, crossing her legs ever so ceremoniously which becomes a must see for Fitz in these sessions when she's wearing a skirt. She feels him look at her, so she pulls on her skirt as much as she can to make sure it's, in her mind, appropriate.

They don't answer her right away. They look at each other. They both take a breath.

"Well everyone try not to answer at once," Liv says.

"We are good I guess," Mellie answers.

"I guess it was not the answer I was looking for, but it's a start."

"Fitz, would you like to add to what she said?"

"We are good, I guess."

Liv shakes her head, seeing that this session is going to be a dental appointment, pulling teeth. "Okay, then what was good about it?"

"Well, we tried to do what you suggested. We spent the weekend together. Fitz's sister took the kids. And we spent time together."

"That's great," Liv says as she sneaks a glance over at Fitz. "Did you pick a place familiar? Or did you pick a place new?

"We picked a place new, somewhere different."

"Fitz why don't you jump in here," Liv says.

"Okay," Fitz says.

"Who picked the place?" Liv asks.

"I did," Fitz says. He squints his eyes, "But somehow I think you figured that out."

"Well, Mellie has said often that you were the romantic one in this marriage and that's what she loved most about being married to you and what she misses the most."

He looks over at Mellie, and there is the glint of adoration in his eyes that he used to have for her, "Thanks," he says to Mellie. Mellie scoots a little closer to him and tries to grab his hand. Liv tries not to be more interested in his reaction but she is. He hesitates and then grabs Mellie's hand.

"I was a little like old time," Mellie continues.

"Fitz, do you walk into that weekend with any expectations or none?"

Fitz lets out a breath, "I had expectations."

"Mellie, did you have expectations?" Liv asks.

"I did," Mellie answers.

"Okay," Liv glances at Fitz who locks eyes with her simultaneously. "What did you both expect?" Liv shuffles in her chair as she presses her body to the back of the chair. A motion that Fitz studies.

Mellie squeezes his hand tighter, "I expected us to try and make a start."

"A start at what," Liv presses as she takes her notes.

"I don't know," Mellie laughs, "A game plan for how we fix this."

"Did you have the same expectation or was it different?" Liv addresses Fitz.

"It was different, I guess." Fitz answers as Mellie looks a little surprised. Liv is very interested in his answer.

"What was it?"

"I wanted to see if being alone with each other felt as good as it feels when we are with our kids together," Fitz answers.

It is a very aware comment from Fitz and Liv is most intrigued by his answer. "And did you get an answer to your question?"

"I think I did," he answers.

"I won't ask you what your answer to your expectations are right now. I won't ask because I have been asking you all to do homework on different questions that have come up in our sessions and for the most part you've been reluctant about answering them, right away. So, I guess we need to start from the beginning."

"As in," Mellie says curiously.

"We are going to go from the beginning. In our next session I want you to bring me homework."

Fitz is getting a little restless, not just with the session but with his feelings, "We aren't in junior high Ms. Pope."

"No you aren't but everything is baby steps. We can't figure out where you went wrong without going to the beginning. You know from business that you have to crawl before you walk," she scolds him in the cutest and discreet way possible. She feels the magnetic wave that short circuits them each session but she tries to downplay it.

"What's the homework?" Mellie asks.

"I want you two to write down the first things that attracted you to each other. The purpose of doing this is for you to bring that moment to memory. The feelings that came with it and if any of those momentary feelings still exist."

"What if we realize they don't?" Fitz asks pointedly.

"Then the experiment is successful. But I don't think you can sum your 12 year marriage up in one getaway weekend." She looks at Fitz, who she knows is being combative.

"Since we are starting at the beginning does that mean we are going to get more of these….exercises."

"You will. We will try to fix what is broken, but if we can't, we will build something that will work for you two and your children. That may be staying married and starting over or it may be ending it all. Whatever the case," She stops and laughs in her head, knowing the words she's about to utter she hasn't applied to herself. "You can give up on your marriage and say you tried, unless you honestly did try."

Mellie caresses the strong chiseled jawline of Fitz, "I'm willing to try. Are you?"

Fitz looks over at Liv as if waiting for her to approve of his words. It's as if she has walked in his head. "The question is for you, from your wife."

Fitz can't figure out if Liv is flirting with him through the veil of her work or if she's just plain tired of his shit. He answers, "I am willing," his eyes still trained on Olivia.

"Make her believe it," Liv answers.

Fitz looks over at Mellie, "I am willing to try."

Liv is now staring at him. She thinks she knows that Fitz is ready to get out of his marriage but she can't sleep at night knowing she didn't do her job. "That's all you can both ask of each other is to try. If at the end you can fix it then you can't."

Mellie looks sad at the thought but she knows it's a definite chance they can't fix this. She gently grazed her fingertips across his knuckles. "Thank you Olivia always for your honesty."

Liv looks at her watch, "Our time is almost up. So, we start with the first time you met and those feelings. That's what we start with next week." They nod in agreement as they get up.

Fitz opens the door for Mellie and she walks out to make the next appointment. Fitz hangs behind and addresses Olivia. "I know you think I'm an asshole or at least I'm acting like one."

"Your behavior can sometimes be challenged and you can be an asshole but I don't think that's who you are. I haven't figured out who you are but I suspect there is a teddy bear under this knight armor."

"I don't want to hurt my wife Ms. Pope but I don't want to lie to her either."

"You are only lying to her if you don't love her anymore. That's a question you have to ask yourself."

"Honey," Mellie says in a commanding yet desperate voice. "Honey, how about next Friday?"

"I better go," Fitz says as he joins his wife and Liv watches Mr. and Mrs. Grant as they step outside of the communication box of her four walls.

Liv stays lost in thought, April clears her throat, "What did he want? An innocent nightcap and sunrise breakfast."

Liv rolls her eyes at her, "No, and you know I can't discuss my sessions with you."

"I see the way Mr. Grant looks at you. He's always so stagnant when he sits here waiting but when you open the door his eyes light up."

"He's a charmer! I am sure that's what fell in love with."

"Okay, whatever you say? I think he wants you to shrink his head. I am not talking about the one attached to his neck."

"I should fire you," Liv says, turning to go into her office as she closes the door. She picks up her recorder and summarizes their session, "The Grants are at a place in their life where they've become complacent and familiar. Their busy lives have become their only lives. They need to work on recapturing what brought them to each other. If it can be done." She stops the recorder, picks up her phone and texts Jake, How about dinner at Geja's, tonight?

He responds quickly, I would love to. I am looking forward to it.


It's later on that evening. Fitz and Mellie are sitting at the massive island in the kitchen. Fitz is helping Gerry Jr with his homework and Mellie is helping Karen with hers.

"Mom, I don't feel like doing it."

"Karen, I know you hate math but you have to honey. Mommy didn't become a lawyer without doing math."

"Mom, you are a lawyer," Gerry answers.

"Sweetheart, daddy had to do a lot of math in college."

"Can you help me daddy?"

Fitz looks at Mellie, "Let's switch. She's having one of those days."

"Honey, come on! It's only 2nd grade math. It's not that hard."

"What about you Gerry, can your old mom help.?"

"I am done. Can I go play video games?"

Mellie looks at Fitz. They've long since agreed to be unified in how they parent the kids. "Sure. One hour but we have dinner together," Fitz answers.

Gerry reluctantly rolls his eyes and agrees. He stops, "Can we have pizza?"

Mellie nods at Fitz, "Pizza sounds great. We will order from Big Tomato's."

Gerry goes to his room. Fitz finishes with Karen's homework. He knows his baby girl so well. "What's wrong sweetheart?"

"Daddy, are we rich?"

Fitz raises his eyebrow to Mellie. "Yes, honey we are. Why?"

"I heard Rachel's mom say I was spoiled and rich."

"Honey," Mellie says, tweaking her hair strands. "You are not spoiled."

Fitz asks, "Do you know what rich means?"

Karen shakes her head, "Does that mean spoiled too?"

They both laugh, Fitz corrects her, "It means that daddy and mommy have money and we have means."

"What's means?"

"Daddy is saying, we have the resources because we are rich to buy things and get things, buy you things."

"Then what's spoiled?" She asks.

"That means we give you too much. We buy you too much but you aren't spoiled."

"But I am daddy," Karen responds which makes them both laugh at her wit and understanding. "Can I go play with my dolls?"

"Yes you can, pizza will be here in a little while," Mellie answers as she hops off the stool and goes to her room.

Fitz smiles, "She's a great kid."

"Yeah she is and Rachel's mom is going to hear from me," Mellie says.

Fitz laughs, "It's just chatter. We don't flaunt our wealth but we don't have to apologize for it either."

'I just don't want them getting bullied, you know."

"Hey, if it goes that far then we kick someone's ass but for now, I think we are good."

Mellie takes a deep breath, climbing on the chair next to him. He wants to avoid the recap they have after every session but he knows he can't. "What did you think about today?"

"Today," he says.

"Our session, what did you think about it?"

"I thought it was good."

"Fitz, what if we can't get back to where we were?"

Fitz wants to avoid this whole session they are having right now, "I don't know." His phone rings, he looks down. "I have to take this. Order my favorite," he says as he walks away and then turns and kisses her temple.

The small gesture is all she needs to get her through the rest of the night, "Yes, carnivore lover, I'll get your favorite."

Fitz takes the call which only took 1 minute. He sits in his office with his door closed. Shaking his head, "I guess you are right , do I want it to work?


Liv is sitting in their favorite booth at Geja's as she traces her fingers up and down her glass of red wine, waiting for him to show up. Her thoughts are on everything and mainly the Grants. She knows when a guy is flirting with her. That is how she and Jake met. He flirted his way into her heart. And then he flirted his way right out by cheating, with the cliched secretary no doubt. Walking in on them going at it on his couch is something she will never forget. That was 6 months ago and they've been estranged ever since. She then feels tender lips on her cheek and the smell of her favorite flower fly across her nose.

"Hey," she says.

"Hey," he answers.

"Geja's….it always got you in the mood."

"Yeah, it did."

"So…."

"Well, it got me in the mood because the whole ordeal is so messy. It's fondue," she answers.

"I want to come home Livvie. I want you to let me come home."

"Jake, we are having dinner at my favorite restaurant which I haven't had in awhile. I thought text messages were immature. I can't avoid you forever."

"Just give me another chance. We start over and this time, I do it right."

"Jake, let's just have dinner for now. Don't ask more of me than I'm willing to give. It's not easy for me."

"I am suffering too. I hate waking up without you."

She sighs, "I walked in on you with your naked ass facing me while you were on your knees jackhammering into your secretary. It's hard for me to believe you hated waking up without me."

"You forgot about me when you went back to DC, at least that is how I felt."

"I didn't forget you Jake, I was worried about my mom. Okay, I'll admit I let that take over but I missed you at night. I used my hand, not another man's penis."

"Is that what you want? At this point I'll do it. You want to sleep with a guy and call it even."

"Are you telling me to whore myself out?"

"Shit, foot in mouth," he breathes.

"Suddenly, I am not hungry. My husband just suggested I sleep with a man to get back and him and we call it even."

"At least you are still calling me your husband."

"I called you because I wanted to talk to you and I wanted to practice what I preach every day to my patients."

"What's that?"

"Giving your marriage a real try before you give up on it."

"Is that what you want to do? Give us another try."

"The problem is, I don't know if I can trust you. I don't know if JoAnna was your only affair. You tell me that was the first and only time but I don't know that."

"I told you it was and it was."

"You told me a lot of things that went out of the window that night. I came home to surprise you that night after our argument. My dad promised me it was okay to go and I did. I was dressed in lingerie under that trenchcoat. I had plans for you."

Jake looks down at his hands, "Babe, I'm sorry. I fucked up royally."

"You are damn right you fucked up. The question I am asking myself right now is why was it so easy for you too."

"Liv," he says.

"This was a bad idea. I am gonna go. Have a good night Jake!" she says.

He grabs her hand and swipes it across his lips, "I'm gonna win you back."

Liv removes her hand from his lips, "Goodnight Jake," she answers as she walks out.

She gets home, having cried the whole Uber ride home. She takes a shower and picks out her favorite silk robe to lounge in as she orders a carnivore's dream of a pizza. She's little in stature but she has a healthy appetite and one of her favorites is pizza loaded with meat, extra cheese and sprinkled with red pepper flakes. This is her night tonight as she thinks about the man she's trying to keep in his marriage. And the man she's trying to be unmarried to.


This story idea has been in my mind a while. Just thought I would take a start at it. We will see if I keep going with it. I am sure you all can see where this story will be going. Oh well, I welcome your feedback. Stay safe and healthy out there. At least we can read and write together.