Chapter 1

It was the night of the Democratic National Convention in the great city of New Orleans, Louisiana. There was static and elation in the air that night. They had done it, and tonight had sealed the deal. Governor Samuel Reston of Maryland had nabbed the Democratic Party nomination to be the next President of the United States. His campaign, with the pinpoint expert guidance of its manager wunderkind Olivia Pope, had easily beaten the next closest Democratic competitor, Governor Fitzgerald Grant the third of California. Both men were strong leaders of their respective states, but democratic voters time and again chose the more senior politician to represent its platform. Plus, Maryland had better statistics than California when it came to the employment rate, education rankings, crime rates, lower infant mortality, and such that matter to talking heads. Gov. Reston was well-liked in Maryland, but he was at the end of his second term as governor, and as an older man, closing out his political career.

Both campaigns ran a good clean race. It did not benefit either of them to hit below the belt, especially since the fight against the Republican nominee was going to be the real bleeder. It was a no-brainer decision for Reston to ask Fitz Grant to join the ticket as the Vice-Presidential nominee. After a thorough discussion with his campaign manager, Cyrus Beane, Gov. Grant accepted the invitation to join forces to win the presidency.

It was a match made in heaven. Gov. Reston, although past his prime, had great foresight and surrounded himself in both his gubernatorial cabinet, and his campaign staff, with the best and the brightest. He was unlike most Democratic politicians in that he did not eat his young. He was willing and eager to propel up and coming democratic voices. This was one of the reasons the voters came out for him, and it could be the key to getting him past his republican opponent. Once his campaign had secured the Democratic nomination, it had to decide and vet the best person for the VP slot.

Gov. Fitz Grant was a strong candidate who was likable, youngish at 50 years old, and attractive to many. He had been divorced from his ex-wife, Mellie, for about four years. They had two teenage kids who live with their mother in Virginia where she is currently a U.S. Senator and member of the Republican Party. He was supposed to follow in his father's republican footsteps, but Fitz had his own moral compass. His political values aligned completely with the left. His father Fitzgerald "Big Jerry" Grant, Jr. was mightily disappointed when he could not count on the support of his son once Fitz was old enough to vote. Fitz would refuse to campaign for his father, a former governor and Senator for CA, or even stand on stage to celebrate his victories. As he grew older, Fitz joined the campaigns of democratic candidates. He decided to become the candidate when it seemed the republican party was going down an ugly, dark hole and most in society wanted to stay in the light. He established a solid record as governor, and his ego did indeed want to accomplish something his father never could.

The Reston campaign liked the thought of adding Fitz Grant to the ticket, but they were not sure how his bachelorhood would play out, especially since he was an attractive man. If he were old and ugly, no one would even notice, but a good-looking single man will have people always wondering what or who he's doing in his down time. Still, his political record was strong, and he accumulated a solid second place to Reston throughout the primaries. There was no reason to punish him for what nature blessed him with.

Gov. Reston's campaign manager, Olivia Pope, was set to steer the ship as the ticket's campaign manager, forging a powerhouse alliance with Cyrus Beane. The two campaigns merged with ease as Olivia's political savvy, fearlessness, and cunning was a breath of fresh air to the Grant camp. The Republican nominee, former South Carolina Governor Sally Langston, was a force of her own. Her party, although steeped in the tradition of honoring and advancing patriarchy, found her to be a viable female candidate and were all in with her Bible-thumping rhetoric. Olivia was looking forward to going toe-to-toe with this campaign, and to prove that the American people had sense enough to continue to separate church and state.

Gov. Langston's VP running mate was Andrew Nichols, 3-time mayor of Richmond, VA. This was a chess players move. This play would box in Sen. Mellie Grant, who if she voted for Langston, solidifies her clout with the GOP no matter the outcome, but if she endorsed Reston, would for sure gain her favor for her legislation with colleagues across the aisle who currently had the majority in the Senate, and in the Reston White House should they win. The question on many people's minds was did she hold any loyalty to Fitz? She was playing her hand close to the vest. Mellie's long game was the Oval itself.

One good thing Olivia noticed about the Langston campaign is that she wanted to fight fair, although Olivia could tell that Billy Chambers, Sally's campaign manager, was looking for a fight. He was young and hungry and had something to prove. Nonetheless, they had yet to play a dirty hand to gain favor in the polls. The two campaigns had agreed to three Presidential debates and two Vice-Presidential ones. Olivia would take the lead on debate preparation since she was a debate champion in law school, never losing a competition. She had done a great job in prepping Gov. Reston for his primary debates, and he was mostly prepared to square off against Gov. Langston. Gov. Grant, on the other hand, needed more work as was evident in his performances during the primary debates. She saw that he had charisma and a good agenda. Cyrus had worked wonders in getting Fitz this far, but he knew the spit shine would come at the hands of Olivia Pope. Cyrus had known Olivia as a student of his, his brightest pupil. He had asked her to work on Gov. Grant's campaign, but she had already committed to managing the Reston campaign. He was thoroughly impressed with her success and the fact that she could pick a winner.

Over the next few weeks, the Reston-Grant Democratic ticket had bonded like a new marriage and the happy couple of Sam and Fitz played out in the media like a buddy cop pairing. Olivia couldn't have been happier with the results, but she did worry about peeking too soon. They had about ten weeks before the general election and they had to keep the momentum going up to election day. The campaign was turning out to be a Cinderella story, but who was actually Cinderella? Everything was falling into place for the candidates, but something unexpected started to take shape. The two youngish, single principals in this campaign had begun to notice each other. Fitz sought Olivia's opinions about everything, only after pretending to run things by Cyrus first. Olivia on the other hand, tried to play it cool, but she was definitely attracted to this man, who by many accounts, needed a love interest in order to continue his political career. Olivia had to admit to herself that she liked him. A lot. She looked forward to the time they'd work together each day, and Fitz had taken to inviting her to work with him on extra campaign angles. She knew it in her gut, it was just a matter of time before he expressly asked her out romantically. Deep down inside she wanted him to make that move. Olivia didn't have to worry about that at the moment. Reston and Grant were on separate stumps this week and she missed him. He would text her from time to time, so they weren't out of touch. Fitz and his campaign staff would be rejoining Reston in Seattle in two days' time. Olivia was able to focus on rehearsing with Gov. Reston for his first debate with Gov. Langston that was three days away.

"Great job everyone. Gov. Reston, that was your strongest debate performance yet. We'll do the next rehearsal the day after tomorrow. Get some rest, people, and we'll meet bright and early tomorrow morning. The bus leaves for Salt Lake City at 9am sharp. See you then." Olivia cheered and clapped for the success of their team.

"Olivia, are you up for a late bite to eat? The wife and I are heading over to an all-night diner one of the staffers recommended," Gov. Reston inquired.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm exhausted. I'm going to head up to my room and crash. Enjoy your dinner, Governor." Olivia collected her things and headed toward the elevator to go to her hotel room. Once inside, she had a long hot shower, set her alarm for 6am, and read her emails from Cyrus regarding the happenings of their current stump in Dallas. Everything was going well on their end, and Fitz continued to poll well when he stumped alone. Olivia had just closed her computer and reclined in the bed when a text came through on her cell.

F: Are you asleep? For some reason I don't think you are.

O: The question is, why are you still up?

F: I wanted to tell you goodnight.

O: Then goodnight.

F: But I'm not ready to tell you goodnight.

O: Gov. Grant, it is my understanding you have a busy day tomorrow in Phoenix. You should really get some rest.

F: You're the boss. Going to bed now.

F: How about dinner in Seattle?

O: How about we see how things go once we're all in Seattle.

F: That's a yes!

O: A maybe. Now lights out!

F: Goodnight Olivia.

O: Goodnight Gov. Grant.

XXX

6 Weeks before the General Election

It was the night of the first Vice Presidential debate between Governor Fitz Grant and Mayor Andrew Nichols. The two had met on several occasions, and were politically cordial, but never solidified a friendship. Fitz preferred to make close friendships outside of the friend today foe tomorrow nature of political relationships. He'd grown up seeing how Big Jerry had no real friends nor did he trust anyone, not even his secretary of 28 years. He always thought someone would eventually come for him, therefore his go-to with relationships was to use people until their benefit ran out.

Fitz, Cyrus, and Olivia met for an early lunch to go over likely debate points. Olivia was extremely pleased with Fitz's evolution in his debate preparation. Not only had he learned to be clear, concise, and to the point, his delivery was confident, but not cocky, and his demeanor was relaxed but not lazy. He didn't look like a VP candidate, he looked presidential. This was why Cyrus wanted Olivia for the Grant primary campaign. He couldn't help but to wonder had Olivia been with them all along, would Fitz be the Democratic nominee? In reality, Fitz's transformation had less to do with Olivia the campaign manager, and more with Olivia, the woman whose attention he craved. He needed Olivia, the woman, to see him, to want him, to believe in him. And she saw him. In all his vivid colors. Crystal clearly. She saw him.

Two hours before the debate, Olivia was in Fitz's hotel room going over his look for the event. Cyrus was at the desk going over the latest polling information. She'd picked out a tailored navy lightweight wool suit, a white shirt, and a light blue tie that matched the blue of his eyes. Earlier that day, Olivia sent Fitz to have his hair trimmed and professionally styled in addition to an old-school shaving and facial for his national television appearance. There was potential for the whole world to be watching, and she wanted him to look his best, as Andrew Nichols was also an attractive youngish man. This debate had the potential to become the Battle of the Bros.

Fitz emerged from the bathroom in a robe. He failed to close it, not caring that his boxer briefs would be visible to Olivia if she dared to look. Cyrus was too busy analyzing the latest campaign stats to notice the underdressed candidate prancing around the hotel room. Olivia did indeed notice half-naked Fitz, and she opted to leave the room so that he could get dressed without her being a distraction.

The three of them along with several other campaign staffers met in the lobby of the hotel an hour later to head to the debate venue. They arrived at the venue 15 minutes later where the studio crew was completing sound checks and white balancing the cameras. Fitz sipped a little water while he waited, but not too much as he didn't want to need a bathroom break in the middle of the debate. Ten minutes before the debate was to begin, Olivia looked Fitz over, straightening his tie and dusting off imaginary lint.

"You got this, Governor. You have all the tools you need to win this debate. You are the man for the job and the American people will see it. Let them see you the way you let me see you," Olivia told him, lingering to look in his eyes a little longer than she meant to stare.

"I need one more thing to have everything I need to win this debate," he said with a steely look in his eyes.

"What's that Governor?"

"Say my name. I need you to say my name. You said you see me. Tell me who you see."

"Governor Grant…"

"Who do you see, Livvie?"

Olivia looked at the ground as she clasped her hands in front of her. Fitz stared at her for a few seconds before turning to walk away. Before he could make a full pivot he heard the faintest but unmistakable prayer from Olivia's lips, "Fitz."

He turned back quickly to face her. They exchanged no words, but he did take her hand in his, gave it a gentle squeeze, and turned and walked away toward the stage.

XXX

Cyrus was almost rabid with glee from Fitz's performance at the debate. He ate Andrew Nichols with a spoon! It was evident that the Reston-Grant campaign with its solid lead had everything to lose. Governor Reston had two more debates to complete, and Fitz had one more. They polled well separately in addition to polling well as a ticket. Their policies and agenda were what most Americans wanted, and Olivia knew their strategy had to include getting young people to the voting booth. The key to that was making Fitz the face of stumps focusing on voters under 30 years old. Social media was a major factor in courting young voters, and Fitz was on board to use these platforms to get the campaign's message across.

After leaving the studio, the group headed back to the hotel to have a late dinner. They celebrated with steak dinners and house wine. Cyrus ordered an entire chocolate cake for the table, and they enjoyed the merriment of the night's victory. Cyrus was the first to leave the restaurant and head to his room. He'd had a long day and was ready to call it a night. Olivia was the next to part ways with the group, and Fitz offered to walk her to her room. The rest of the staffers that attended the debate stayed to enjoy their makeshift victory party.

Fitz and Olivia entered the elevator where they were silent on their ride up. Their hotel rooms were on the same floor while the other staffers were on other floors. Fitz stood on one side of the elevator while Olivia pressed herself on the opposite side. They stared at each other until they heard the ding of the elevator reaching their floor. Olivia exited first with Fitz following. He walked her to her room where she bid him goodnight and entered her room. He walked to his room, entered, and let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

Fitz turned on the lamp next to his bed and began to undress. He decided to take a quick shower and brush his teeth before getting in the bed. This debate was probably the single biggest moment of his life and all he could think about was Olivia and her finally saying his name. He grabbed his phone to text her goodnight one last time. He failed to get a response after ten minutes and thought to himself that she was probably asleep already.

One minute later Fitz heard a knock on his door. He got up and looked through the peephole, utterly shocked at Olivia standing outside his door dressed in only a robe. He was only in his boxer briefs and debated whether he should put on his robe or at least a shirt. He opted to just open the door and let her in in the event she was in need of assistance or there was an emergency. Fitz unlocked and opened the door and moved aside to let her walk by. Once he closed and locked the door, he turned to her to see what she needed, only to be met with her mouth crashing on his. At first, Fitz was so shocked, he didn't know how to respond, but once he felt her tongue searching for his, he grabbed her up into an all-consuming embraced and walked her to his bed.

He gently laid her down on her back before breaking the kiss. He just stared into her eyes as if trying to read a book written in another language. Olivia broke his concentration by finally uttering her new favorite mantra, "Fitz."

"Why are you here, Livvie?"

"Because I think you see me too," she answered and pulled his head down to resume their kiss. As one of his hands caressed her face, the other explored her arms and legs as far as he could reach. She stroked his bare back as she realized this was their first time touching each other beyond accidental brushes of elbows and the plucking of lint off clothes. His kiss was glorious, and his hands felt safe and stable. Olivia knew the moment she called him by his name that everything about their relationship would change. She'd known for a while the truth about her feelings for Fitz, and each day seemed to peel a layer back for Fitz to reveal his feelings for her. She couldn't stay a minute longer in her hotel room alone without him. She couldn't get him out of her thoughts, or his name off her lips. That feeling that she had been stockpiling away in her heart finally combusted and blew out in the direction of his hotel room. Now she was in his bed ready to give him everything if he wanted it.

And Fitz wanted all of her. When necessary, they came up for air, but would quickly latch on to each other's mouths as if to not miss any affection the other had to give. "Are you staying with me tonight, Livvie?"

She looked intensely into Fitz's eyes, hesitating to respond as if contemplating going over a cliff. "I'm staying with you, Fitz. I'm with you," she said, smiling with her eyes as well as her mouth. Fitz took her hand in his and kissed it. He leaned in to kiss her neck, trailing down and her chest and stopping just above the knot in the sash of her robe. He pushed himself up on his knees to look down at her, lust shooting laser beams from his gaze.

"Take off your clothes," Fitz uttered in a low, deep command. Olivia obliged by unfastening her sash and opening her robe to reveal her black lace boy-cut panties as her only other apparel. She shrugged out of her robe and looked up at Fitz. He placed a soft, modest peck to her lips before removing her underwear and tossing them on the floor. He stood up briefly to remove his own before gently laying himself on top of her, cupping the top of her head with both his hands as he centered himself between her legs. "Never doubt that I love you, Livvie," he told her inching his lips to meet her. Their mouths met in sync with the meeting of their cores, and he entered her slowly and lovingly. They rocked in rhythm, clinging to each other as they tenderly explored the other's body as they made love. Fitz hoped with his whole heart that this was the beginning of the beginning. Olivia, on the other hand, hoped that this was not the beginning of the end.