The meeting between Jake and Fitz was taking a bit longer than Olivia had anticipated. She wondered if it was even a meeting at all. The look on Fitz's face was one of anger and she didn't think it was going well for Jake at all, not that she cared one bit. She was just missing her time with Fitz.
With a cup of tea in front of her, Liv stared out the big café window. As she was before Jake insulted her, she was watching the leaves swirl around in the wind. It was exceptionally windy today in Vermont and all the leaves that had already fallen were being scooped up and taken away by the wind.
The ones in the trees, even if they tried, they couldn't hang on. Liv watched as the colors of the leaves glistened in the daylight and she saw as they let go. That's exactly what she was doing, she was letting go. She was letting go of Derek and attempting to start a life with Fitz.
At first, Liv felt guilty, as if she was betraying Derek. But, after talking to Fitz, and knowing he genuinely loved her, it was a bit easier to accept. Although it scared her, Olivia was ready to move on, she just had to decide how. As the leaves swirled in the wind, so did her thoughts.
Did she just ruin a friendship between Jake and Fitz? She didn't understand how someone like Fitz was friends with someone like Jake. She liked to think it was professional, but she could see it had been personal. From the day she saw them in the lobby, she knew it went farther than boss and employee. Liv took a deep breath and sipped her tea.
Olivia saw her paintings over in her mind. She began to piece them together to gather something for her final canvass. She still had a far way to go, but she needed to work, because in just a few weeks, Autumn leaves, and then what? What will happen with her and Fitz? She looked towards the lobby as if that would speed the meeting up a bit, but all she saw was Adam sitting, reading a book.
Behind Adam was Fitz's office. The door closed, and what Olivia couldn't hear, but Adam could was the sound of yelling, intense yelling, and Adam couldn't remember a time he heard his boss so mad. Jake had crossed the line this time, Adam feared, and Fitz wasn't having any of it.
Although he heard the yelling, he couldn't clearly make out the words that were being said. Adam did know, in the five years working for the Grants, Jake and Fitz were good friends, or were they. Now, Adam had his doubts. Maybe, after all these years, Fitz just tolerated him. Adam was never fond of Jake and having been at functions with him thought he was the very definition of douche. He just hoped things behind that closed door didn't get violent.
Adam looked over at the café. He saw Olivia staring out the window. She was beautiful, he had to admit that. From the moment Fitz saw her, Adam knew his boss fell hard, and he deserved happiness. There were too many woman that used Fitz. They just wanted to have a handsome, rich, and powerful man at their side. They didn't care for his best interests.
Olivia though, Adam continued to stare, she cared. He saw her treatment of him when he was hurt. It's not because she is a medical professional, it went far beyond that. Olivia showed him affection, care, and went the extra mile to make him comfortable.
Had Adam not seen that for himself, maybe he would have thought Olivia was just another gold digging woman, but she wasn't, she was different. Yes, Adam liked Olivia for how she treated Fitz, because if anyone deserved any sense of stability in his life it was Fitz. Olivia was the perfect match for Fitz, and Adam would do anything to make it happen.
He worried though, he worried about Fitz getting too close, and Olivia leaving. She made it clear from day one, she wasn't sticking around, she was just here for the fall. What would happen when it was time for Olivia to go once Autumn leaves?
Adam tuned out the yelling going on behind him and continued reading his book. Whatever became of Jake, he deserved and far be it from Adam to interfere.
As soon as Jake walked into Fitz's office, he knew this wouldn't end well. He immediately saw the framed picture of Olivia on Fitz's desk. He picked it up, looked at the way she was admiring the leaves of the tree, he shook his head in disbelief, and set the picture down.
"I didn't know you and her had a thing, I really thought you were on your vacation." Jake said nervously.
"You put your hand on her, I saw it. You continuously mock her, and you say things to her that are inappropriate. I am sick of you and your treatment of women, and it stops here today." Fitz was trying his best not to punch Jake in his smug face, but it was getting harder to control his anger.
"Fitz, you can't be serious, you're acting like this over a woman. Come on, how many women have come and gone in your life, no one ever came between our friendship. Twenty years, Fitz, I've given twenty years of friendship to you. I have helped you build your company and break away from your father, don't do this over some leaf watching pretty face." Jake went to pull a chair out to sit.
Fitz kicked the chair by the legs, causing Jake to fall, as he missed the chair going to sit. He shook his head. "Unbelievable" he mumbled as he struggled a bit to get up, back to the standing position. "Are you for real Fitz, come on."
Fitz didn't say a word. He walked around to his desk. He could see, unlike Jake, the camera monitors from around the resort. He saw Olivia sitting in the café staring out the window. She was safe and she looked content and that's all that mattered to Fitz.
"You let 12 units in Chicago get damaged. You allowed a group of college students to break furniture and vandalize these units. You seriously don't think the company is footing the bill for these to be fixed, do you?"
"I had no idea what the group was doing until it was reported, and it was too late by then. Are you saying I have to foot the bill for the damages, come on, since when?"
"Since your incompetence has gone too far. My father is fuming. He wants you fired, and although I rarely agree with my father, I am starting to understand why firing you is the best option."
"Fitz, I'll pay for the damages, it's fine, you're letting your thoughts over that woman get the best of you. She's just liked the rest, she'll use you as always, get tired of your kind ways, and dump you, just snap out of this ok."
Fitz dropped the pen. He folded his hands within one another as restraint. He took a deep breath, took another look at Olivia on the monitor. She wasn't like the other ones, not by a long shot. She was special, she had his heart, and there was nothing he wouldn't do for her. He knew she loved him and that's all that mattered.
"My father wants to fire you and I wasn't on board with it, but now I am. The only chance you have in remaining in the Grant company is to work for my father's team. I am letting you go. Jennifer is taking over the Chicago resort effective immediately. So, your choice is simple, join my father's team or walk out that door unemployed."
Jake's shoulders slumped. "You just said your father wanted to fire me. I can't believe this is even real. Fitz, I didn't do anything to that girl, I did nothing, I just think she's beautiful, thought I had a chance with her. I had no idea you were this involved." He pointed to the picture on the desk. "Cut me some slack here."
"I've been doing that for twenty years. I have been cutting you some slack. That was my problem. I shouldn't have been so compliant with your treatment of women, and I was. Your work ethic has been horrible from day one and I am tired of defending you to my father. Make your decision Jake before I make it for you."
Jake rubbed his hand over his mouth. "Working for you father's team would be torture. He's so demanding, so unfair to his workers, just give me another chance."
Fitz's eyes didn't leave Liv's face on the monitor. He thought back of her standing up and Jake grabbing her. He felt his face flush with anger. "Ballard, you're pushing it."
"Fine, I'll work for Big Gerry. I really can't believe you are doing this over some woman that collects leaves. You've really lost your mind. Where am I going to work for Big Gerry? He owns the better resorts anyway. So, do I get Hawaii?"
Fitz stood up, walked to the chair Jake was sitting in. Jake looked up at him confusingly and was not expecting his backhand to land on his mouth. Jake felt blood rush to his lip that was now split open. "What the fuck?"
"You're a lucky guy Jake. My father is groundbreaking on a brand-new resort. He needs someone to oversee the construction and then take over as soon as it's complete. So, while your wiping the blood from your disgusting mouth, you can began preparing your life in Thailand."
Jake froze, his hand covering his mouth. He pulled his hand away, eyebrows raised in shock. "THAILAND, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND?" Jake screamed.
"Ok, then it was nice having you as an employee of Grant enterprises, your final paycheck is withheld to pay for costs of damages in Chicago, bye Jake."
Jake hung his head in defeat. "Fine, have it your way. Tell Big Gerry I'll be there in a week."
"See, you are pathetic. You know you would get a job nowhere else so you just give in. You tell him yourself. I am finished with you Jake. I never want to see you again. Stop by Adam out front, he has your ticket to Thailand, you leave in the morning and if you don't use that ticket, you can buy your own."
Jake shook his head, walking towards the door. He stopped just before he opened it. "Do you even know her name?"
Fitz squinted at him. "What?"
"Her name. She never told me her name. I never did get her name. I would at least like to know the woman responsible for ruining a 20-year friendship."
"You ruined that friendship all on your own, Jake. Enjoy your new life in Thailand." Fitz turned and looked back at the monitor before focusing on the paperwork in front him.
Adam handed Jake the ticket along with a few tissues. "Your lip is bleeding, you may want to clean it up. Good luck, Mr. Ballard." He gave a sympathetic smile.
Jake turned and looked towards the café. Olivia's back was to him. "What's her name?" he asked Adam as he nodded towards Olivia.
"Afraid I can't give that information out on our guests; you should know that Mr. Ballard."
Jake took the ticket from Adam. He placed the tissues on his split lip. He gave a bow, took one more look around the lobby and headed out the door. As Jake drove away, he looked at all the leaves blowing in the wind. One thing was certain, he would never look at a tree in fall the same again. But, where he was going, it was a season he would never have to witness again.
As soon as Jake left, Fitz called his father. "He's your problem now. He is heading to Thailand, told him he could oversee that resort. Do what you want with him when he gets there. His ticket is for tomorrow, but he wants a week. Fire him, keep him, I don't really care anymore."
"Wow, son, I hope this girl is worth it".
"What makes you think it was her? Jake had this coming, you said it yourself, even wanted him fired. It's about his work ethic and you know it."
"Ok, if that's what it was. I will straighten him out here and when I get back to the states, I would like to meet her. She stole your heart, and I thought that thing was locked up forever. I am happy for you son, you deserve it."
Fitz laughed. Jake was in for a rude awakening working for Gerry, but he deserved everything he gets. Fitz still had to call Jennifer but couldn't take another minute away from being with Olivia.
Olivia saw Jake leaving and walked towards Fitz's office. She wondered how things went, wondering why Fitz hadn't come out when the meeting was over. She hoped things were ok. She saw Adam content reading his book.
"Adam, I have a question for you. What is one thing about Fitz not many people know about? If I was to do something for him, what would be the perfect surprise?"
Adam chuckled a bit. "You better not tell him this came from me; I would be fired for sure."
"Ok," Olivia said smiling. "Is it that bad?"
"Not bad, just surprising. He's a brilliant businessman, can make a selling in a heartbeat, but he has a weakness. His light saber. His idol is Luke Skywalker. Since I am a Star Wars buff, we talk, sometimes for hours, about how to beat the Dark Side and be the perfect Jedi."
"Star Wars?" Olivia laughed. "He seriously has a light saber?"
"He does" Adam nodded. "Bring out his inner Jedi, and you have him hooked."
Olivia looked at his office. She wondered what was going on in there. Fitz probably just needed some down time after being with Jake.
After Jake walked out of his life for good, Fitz thought about his words. He wasn't wrong. Fitz was on the wrong end of women for years. He never had feelings for a woman, not one. Women threw themselves at him, and he just took advantage of it. Then, he wouldn't call them or he would never hear from them again.
His father wasn't wrong either, being surprised that one woman grabbed his heart like Olivia had. Everything just felt so right when she was around. He thought of all the times the women he had walked out of his life and how he did the same to them.
He wasn't proud of it, not like Jake, and for years they had that in common, who could get the most women to notice them. Now, thinking back, Fitz felt horrible. He wanted so much to forget that part of his life. He was doing so well when Olivia walked through that lobby a few weeks ago.
He had his reservations about getting involved with her, but she was different. She didn't throw herself at him. He had to earn her, he had to do something he had never done before. He had to get a woman to notice him. It gave him such adrenaline and his quest to become hers was well worth it.
Jake was wrong, Olivia was not using him. The way she looked at him, told him she loved him, that was real, and that was a moment he would never forget.
He looked forward to their morning walks, even if they walked in silence. Being outdoors with her, watching her love for nature, her passion for the changing leaves, and just listening to her talk, it's all Fitz ever wanted in life. She truly completed him. He just had one doubt, one fear, what was going to happen to their relationship when Autumn leaves?
He poured himself a small glass of scotch. He just ended what he thought was a friendship. He sent one of his biggest confidants to Thailand to work for his father. Jake wouldn't last three months, but it's the money Jake lives for, so maybe he would. He held the glass in the air. "Bye Jake." He had enough. He missed Olivia and he opened the door to his office.
As soon as the door opened, he saw her. Their eyes met and the smile that formed on her face brought light to the dark lobby. God, Fitz needed to wake up to that every morning. "Hi" he said, "sorry it took so long. Come in."
"Hi. It's all good. The café staff was very nice and chatting with Adam has been quite entertaining." She walked towards the office. Before entering she reached up and kissed him gently on the lips. "You ok?"
"Yeah, fine, just missed you." Fitz rubbed his hand on her back as he guided her into the office.
She walked to the window watching as the leaves were forming piles, as the wind died down. Fitz came up from behind wrapping his hands around her waist. "You look gorgeous in this dress."
Olivia was wearing a long sleeved, maroon dress. It was very casual, and it was the first thing she had grabbed. Not planning on doing much she tossed it on just to bring Fitz his snacks.
"You know," she said, ignoring his compliment, "it was very windy today, and now the trees are close to becoming bare. I was watching in the café how the leaves couldn't hang on to the branches, they had to let go, and so now they are piling up, see."
Fitz let his lips gently brush her neck as he looked with her out the window. He saw the piles beginning to form, she was right.
"It's like they go to a place where they are needed" he said. "They seem to gather together because they need one another."
Liv turned to him after he said that. "That's right. That's exactly what I was thinking." She looked in his eyes, something was off. "Fitz, you sure everything is ok."
"It's just been a long day." He rested his head in the crook of her neck holding back tears. He couldn't explain his emotions. It was a mixture of the love she gave him, the love he had for her, and the fear of losing her.
He began kissing her neck, and they moved from the window as he held her up against the wall next to the window, using his chest. Her hands wrapped around his neck, their lips connected, and Liv could feel his emotions, as he pushed up against her.
He pulled back. He didn't want to be too rough with her. She looked at him. "Why did you stop?" Her breathing was heavy. "Fitz, it's fine."
He opened his pants before walking back to her and continued kissing her. He grabbed her ass and gripped her tight as he picked her up wrapping her legs around his waist. He began kissing her neck again and stopped at her ear.
"I love you so much Olivia. So much, in such a short time. You are so beautiful."
Liv rubbed his curls as she felt him reach under her dress and, with one hand pull her panties down. Liv's stomach couldn't handle the anticipation. She never felt this for someone and she was afraid of what was coming but she was looking so forward to it.
"Take me Fitz, please, take me."
Fitz didn't need to be told twice. He pushed his pelvis up and with her back against the wall, Fitz gripping her tight, he slid right into her, thrusting up. Liv gave out a moan of such pleasure, it forced Fitz to pump slightly harder, as Liv pulled his curls now, rather than rub them.
Fitz was lost in the sensation of feeling her so deep inside. He was grunting with each thrust as her breathing grew rapid and her legs went weak around him. Her feet were just dangling over his hips, as he continued to pump his way into her.
"Oh, my god, Livvie." He felt her begin to shake, her orgasm hitting her hard. With her small frame, and his muscles, Fitz had her tight in the air against the wall. He had no intention of letting her go and kept thrusting into her during her orgasm.
Her face fell into his neck and feeling her breath against his skin was all he needed. He grunted a few more times, lost himself once again in the smoothness of her neck, and emptied himself into her.
After a minute, she looked at him, smiling. "That was…that was just incredible. You've done this before?"
Fitz could feel himself blushing. He has done this plenty of times, but it never felt like it just did. No one could compare with the feelings Olivia gave his body. "You haven't?"
She shook her head innocently. "No, I haven't, but I hope you don't do this with anyone else ever again, because I want that to be all mine."
"Sold, Ms. Pope, all yours." He kissed her as he gently let her down.
"You have work you need to finish up?" Olivia asked.
"I do, I have to clear up some paperwork and make some calls. Maybe about another hour."
"Ok, well when you're finished come over, we'll have some dinner, and we can talk." She kissed him gently. "I'll see you later Mister."
Olivia changed into sweats and an old t-shirt. She had two blank canvasses in front of her, but before she began on those, she stared at the big canvass.
She placed paint on her final painting with slow strokes and continued a bit faster. She had begun her final piece and when she stepped back, it was just as she wanted. It was only the beginning, but it was just how she wanted.
She turned towards her two empty canvasses in front of her. She began painting, becoming lost in the pictures she had in her mind. Although she hadn't yet finished the painting of the bridge, she was now paint deep in the swirling leaves she saw today.
She was giving the pictures the final colors when she heard Fitz come into the cabin. Not being distracted one bit, she put the brushes to the canvasses, finishing both at the same time. She took a step back and was pleasantly surprised how happy she was with the paintings.
"My gosh, Liv, that looks just like what we saw outside my office window." Liv was staring at the same painting. There were a few bare trees and piles of leaves, along with leaves scattered amongst the ground. Each leaf and the piles had their own unique colors.
"And that looks like what I walked to the office in today. It was so windy, and the leaves were flying everywhere."
"Yeah, that's what I was watching when Jake….well anyway, while waiting for you in the café, I was watching as the leaves were blowing everywhere." The picture showed the leaves in the air, blowing off one big tree and Liv captured more of a brown color for the leaves. It was the least colorful of all her pictures, but it told the most compelling story. It showed how the leaves had to leave their home to complete their job.
"Well, I am going to let them dry, and you, Mister are in for a surprise."
"Oh, am I now?"
"Yep, tonight, tomorrow night, and the night after, I hope you don't have any plans, because I have a movie, I need to watch each night."
"Ok, and what movie would that be?"
"I have Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. I have never seen them…."
"Wait, you've never seen them?"
"Nope, you interested?"
"How did you know?" He asked as he pulled her in for a hug.
"I have my ways. The pizza place in town also delivered. Funny, when I mentioned your name, they made a pie in the shape of the Millennium Falcon" Liv wasn't too sure she said that right as she pointed to the pizza box. She looked at him and the smile formed on his face is all she needed to know she did something right.
Olivia turned out the lights and cuddled close to him on the couch after he started the fire. He held her close to him, as she listened to him describe the movie, each scene having a meaning to him that he couldn't wait to tell her about.
It was a strange parallel, the passion he had in describing the movie to her compared to the way she described the leaves to him. Liv snuggled close to his chest, feeling his arms wrapped around her, and learned all about the importance of the Force and being prepared to fight the Evil Empire.
At this rate, in this moment, it was just them, two souls they thought were lost finding each other at just the right time. There was still so much to talk about, and that's what their morning walks would be for, but for now, they were in this moment, close to each other. The warmth of the fire and the closeness of one another erasing all their worries.
They both had the same thoughts, although they wouldn't speak of it yet. Buried deep in the back of their minds is what will happen once Autumn leaves?