Fitz has been gone a couple of days for his meeting out of town. Liv is going through her notes from the morning. It's been a particularly tough morning. Her cases have gotten more and more delicate and difficult. April buzzes in.
"Yes," Liv says.
"Mr. Ballard is here," she says.
"Jake," Liv says.
"Yes! Shall I tell them to send him up," April asks.
Liv hesitates for a moment. "I guess so." Liv gets up from her seat and opens her door to her office to wait for him.
"What do you think he wants?" April asks.
"I'll know in a minute, I'm sure," Liv says as they both wait for him.
Jake comes into the eyes of Liv and April, "Hello," he says. He can see that Liv is a little surprised by him being there. "I am sure you are surprised to see me."
"Yes," Liv answers. "Come on in," she says as she leads him into her office. He walks in, looking around. He hasn't been there since she moved. She turns and looks at April and stretches her eyes and closes the door. "Have a seat," she says. Her phone rings and she looks down to see it is Fitz. She looks at Jake, "Just a second," she says.
She answers the phone and turns away, "Hi," she says softly. Jake can tell she doesn't want him to hear.
"Hi," Fitz says.
"I really can't talk right now," she whispers.
"Why are you whispering?" Fitz asks.
"Well, Jake is here. Call me back," Liv says quickly.
"What's he doing there?" Fitz says, immediately jealous.
"Not sure! I gotta go," she says quickly.
"I love you," Fitz says.
"I do too," she laughs as she hangs up. She takes a breath and turns back to Jake. "I am sorry about that," she recovers.
"So it is true," Jake says.
"What is?" Liv asks as she takes a seat.
"What I thought I heard when I called you the other night? And what my sister told me. I didn't believe her at first but I am guessing that was him calling just now," Jake finishes.
"Jake what are you talking about?" Liv asks.
"My sister told me you were seeing someone but I was hoping she was wrong. Then when I saw you at the club the other night, there was no guy hanging off of you and then…"
"And then…," she looks at him. "What did you mean when you said you called the other night?" Liv asks.
"You were beautiful that night in the club. I saw you and I wanted... I wanted to talk to you," Jake replies.
"Jake we talked in the club. There is nothing else to say," Liv says.
"I heard you two," Jake says.
"You heard who?" Liv asks. She's still confused. "Are we talking about the guy I had one dance with? He wasn't my date."
"No, I mean later," Jake says. There is a look of pain on his face.
"Later…," she throws her head back. "I don't have time for these games Jake." She looks down at her watch, "I have patients coming in 20 minutes. What are you talking about?"
"I called you twice that night. I wasn't sure it was you until I heard your voice," Jake says.
Liv at first is still lost on what he's talking about and then she remembers the two calls, "That was you," she says.
"Yep," he says annoyed. "That was me."
"Jake," she says.
"Take them off," Jake repeats. Liv remembers that is what she told Fitz.
"Jake," she repeats.
"Then I heard you tell him to lay down. I couldn't believe my ears actually. You were never that commanding with me. Then I thought, I must have the wrong number," Jake continues.
"You listened," LIv says. She's more disgusted by the thought that he did more than anything.
"I asked many times. You never took me that way," Jake says.
Liv gets up from her seat, "I am not having this conversation with you and you have no right."
"I have no right to question who this woman is that I was married to for 6 years," Jake says.
"You have no right to question what I do in my sex life now. We are divorced Jake. We are done," Liv reminds him.
"Who is this guy? My sister said his name is something lame like Tom," Jake says as he sees Liv is going for the door to let him.
"Goodbye Jake," he says angrily.
"I want to know who this guy is that you barely know and you are already sucking his dick," Jake says crassly.
Liv slams the door. She's so angry she doesn't even know how to answer him. "Excuse me," Liv responds.
"Now you are ashamed. You didn't sound ashamed on the phone. In fact, you sound like you were proud of yourself and enjoying every minute," Jake spews.
Liv gets close to him, "You want to know why you always asked and I turned you down. You really want to know?" Liv asks him. She's so mad she can't see straight.
"Yes!" He yells.
"He makes me feel like a woman. He makes sure I am as satisfied as he is. When he makes love to me I never want it to stop. With him, I don't feel like I am obligated to serve him. I want to. He respects me, no matter what we do in bed."
Jake squints his eyes, "I always made you feel like a woman. The sex was always good."
"No, you made me feel like a whore you got off the street sometimes. You know what you always said, Come on, don't you want to suck my dick? Make me feel good. That's not the way you talk to your wife. That's how you talk to one of the trash skirts you slept with," she answers.
Jake is surprised. "You never told me you didn't like it. We talked dirty doing sex, you liked it. Besides, there are no nice ways to ask someone to get on their knees for you."
"Maybe not! But he has never asked me. He gave to me and I wanted to give to him and when I was ready, I did it," Liv guts him with these words.
Jake doesn't recognize the woman in front him. "Are you in love with this guy?"
Liv answers before she realizes she does but she doesn't regret it, "Yes I am."
Jake is stunned. He walks to the door as she begins to open. He stops, "Is he the reason you didn't give our marriage a chance?"
"No, he's not. He's just the reason I realize we had no chance," Liv answers. "Now goodbye!"
He looks at Liv hurt. This may be the moment he really realizes their relationship was over long before he allowed himself to see it. "Goodbye Olivia!" He walks out and walks past April briskly, noticing Liv's next appointment is sitting on the couch. He slams the door.
Liv takes a deep breath. She looks over at April and then to her clients. "I am sorry about that. If you can give me a few moments. I will be ready for you." The Cory's shake their head understanding after the scene they just witnessed.
"Can I get something for you?" April asks.
"I am okay," Liv answers as she closes her door to take a much needed moment to breathe and exhale. She didn't expect that conversation to happen but she was happy. She was happy because it was something she had been holding inside a long time.
Mellie is sitting with her best friend Rachel at a spa in downtown Chicago. The conversation with Fitz has been replaying in her mind for almost a week. What's been ringing in her head is the acceptance of them being over.
"So, you say he didn't even bat an eye," Rachel says.
"Stupid me! I thought he was upset to see me like that with another man. I thought that would get to him. No, it didn't. He told me he was happy that I found someone."
"Well that's nice of him. I mean, he could have said something else," Rachel answers.
"I was bent over a kitchen island taking it from behind from my co-worker and my ex husband walked in on it, in what used to be our house."
"Used to be and ex-husband. Those are the key words," Rachel reminds her.
"I think he's dating someone," Mellie reveals.
"You think so!"
Mellie shakes her head. "Yeah, I think so. It almost looked like he was relieved to tell me that it was great I am moving on. He really looked relieved," Mellie says sadly, taking a sip of her white wine.
"He's a highly desirable man and very good looking. Are you surprised that some little woman picked him up as soon as she could?"
Mellie laughs. "Thanks for making me feel so much better about it."
"I am sorry. I am just saying. You were the envy of a lot of women. You were married to a package. The package was very nice," Rachel unapologetically points out.
"I am going to be so angry if she is younger than me. You know, some young little bitch with breasts that aren't sagging. You know she probably has a perfect ass that is yoga and pilates inspired. And of course she will look like a perfect trophy in a picture with him," Mellie rolls her eyes.
"You know Fitz is not like that. He's not stuck on looks," Rachel says and then she regrets the way it comes out. "I am sorry Mellie, I didn't mean it like that. What I mean was, he has never been superficial. He's always just been about being content and happy."
"I know what you meant. He says he never cheated on me. I believe him. If he wanted to, he certainly could have. I don't know how to explain it. There is something about him now that I never saw before. There's a twinkle in his eyes. There's a joy in his eyes. Maybe it's because he got rid of me but I think there is someone in his life."
"Why do you think that?" Rachel asks.
"Like I said, there is something about him. I asked if he had someone, would he tell me," Mellie continues.
Rachel can see that Mellie is harboring some pain, "What did he say when you asked him if there was someone?"
Mellie stares off, "He said he would tell me. He said he would tell me if there was someone. I don't know. I think he's trying not to hurt me. I think there is someone and he's just waiting for the right moment."
"Well, you have to wish him well. You have to want the same for him that he wants for you," Rachel answers.
"Is this sexist thinking on my part to feel like it's much easier for a man to know he is replaced than it is for the woman," Mellie asks.
"I think men and women have a natural instinct to protect what they love. It's just human nature but we are also people that have to learn how to be adults. It's hard to be an adult sometimes. I'd like to think that Will would never think of replacing me but truth is, some marriages last and some don't. You gotta know when to let go," Rachel tries to express.
"You sound like our old therapist," Mellie laughs.
"Is she profoundly smart like me?"
Mellie laughs again, "Yeah, she is. She was good. She made us confront those ugly parts of ourselves we never wanted to look at. I thought once we saw the ugliness and faced it, then we would try to fix it."
"Then she did her job. She made you see the possibilities whether you liked what they were or not," Rachel explains.
Mellie is looking down at Nicoise salad picking through, "You know, she made me see our marriage was never what we believed it to be. She made me see how much I didn't have that feeling with Fitz that I have with Richard."
"And Richard is married," Rachel says.
"I suppose that's why I always feel like Richard and I are Chicago's dirtiest little secret. I slept with Richard the night before our wedding and when I miscarried I was so relieved because I was so afraid the baby was Richard's. I never even told Richard," Mellie reveals.
"Did you tell Fitz?"
Mellie looks away. The embarrassment is there. "No, I never told Fitz. He was relieved. We had just gotten married. We didn't need a honeymoon baby even though that's storied," Mellie laughs.
"Oh my god Mellie," Rachel says, shocked by her admission.
"I figured it was all for the best," Mellie answers.
"No harm, no foul!"
Mellie drops her head, "Something like that."
"You never told me this secret," Rachel says shocked.
"A girl has to have some secrets," Mellie says. "Well, I suppose all that helped kill my perfect marriage."
"Your marriage wasn't perfect Mellie," Rachel reminds her.
"Exactly the point. It wasn't perfect, so me having secrets just made it more real."
Rachel can see all of this is now eating away at her. "Mellie you need to figure out what you want out of life."
"What do you mean?" Mellie asks.
"You and Fitz are finished, now you and Richard are together but he hasn't left his wife. Are you going to be the other woman for the rest of your life? You are an accomplished lawyer. You are not a partner in a firm. You can do better than this. If Richard is truly in love with you, then he will do what he needs to do," Rachel explains.
"He can't do that. Not right now," Mellie says.
"He can't or he won't?"
"I can't ask him to leave his wife Rachel," Mellie says.
"After everything you two have been through. If he loves you, now that you are free, he should do it for you," Rachel is now annoyed with Mellie at this point.
"He has always loved me," Mellie says.
"Then he should do something about it. Don't you think?"
Mellie drinks more of her glass than she should, "Yes, I guess so."
"Can I ask you something? I want you to be painfully honest with me," Rachel says.
"What?" Mellie says rolling her eyes.
"Did you cheat on Fitz with Richard after you were married?"
"I almost did but we just fooled around a lot and that's the truth but we didn't have sex until after the divorce was final," Mellie admits.
"Then why won't you let Fitz go?" Mellie asks.
Mellie has no answer and the conversation is left right there.
It's later on that night. Liv is in bed. She's lying on her stomach with her feet kicking talking to Fitz. They are enjoying the time to just talk to each other even though he will be home in 2 days. This feels like an eternity not seeing each other.
"You are trying to distract me with your sexy voice and having me envision what you are wearing or not wearing but I want to know what happened with Jake?"
"I don't want to talk about him," Liv answers.
"I don't know what happened," Fitz pushes. "I have a feeling it has something to do with me and you just don't want me to get upset about it."
"That was just on the phone that night when we were making love," Liv reveals.
Fitz starts to giggle, "We make love a lot. Could you be more specific?"
Liv lets out a breath, "That night Mellie was there and you…"
Fitz immediately knows what she means, "What do you mean he was on the phone?"
"You remember someone called. That was Jake. I knocked the phone off the hook and.."
Fitz stops her, "And he listened to us make love."
"Yeah, he did." Liv doesn't want to go further in this conversation. She knows she can't tell him everything Jake said. It's just going to make him angry.
"Well good," Fitz says.
"Good," Liv laughs. "Why is this good?"
"Because he heard you in the throes of passion. You were in immense heat because you were being made love to right. Maybe he will go away now and leave you alone. When is he going to give up on the fantasy that you two will somehow find your way back to each other, "Fitz explains.
"I could ask the same question about you and Mellie," Liv whips back.
"What does Mellie have to do with this?" Fitz says.
"Nothing! Nothing at all," Liv answers. "You are still scheduled to come home Sunday right."
"No Olivia! Answer my question," Fitz says sternly. He's now sitting up in the bed to have what he knows will be a nice argument.
"Forget I said anything," she answers.
"You know I am not in love with my...with Mellie," he fixes.
"Your wife! Is that what you wanted to say?"
"No, I wanted to say my ex-wife. You know that," Ftiz answers. "I am not going to fight with you about Mellie. She's not important."
"I understand she came to talk to you. I get that. She didn't have to stay the night. What did she do, cry just enough that you opened your door."
"You know why she stayed," Fitz says.
It all hits her like a ton of bricks that she's still upset about it. She thought she had let it go but she hasn't. The fear is there which she knows Fitz won't understand. They have children together and that will always keep them bonded but how bonded? He can hear her breathing into the phone. "I know why she stayed. I just question why you felt the need to do it."
"I told you why Liv, come on."
"She came to talk to you and she could have left after she was done. A movie with you and the kids and then it was too late for her to leave so she stayed over. What did the kids think of that? And then you bring me over."
"It was late. I just thought it was a good idea. A good idea for our kids to see that we are friends and we won't be fighting," Fitz explains.
"I get that but her sleeping over. I don't know. I just don't think it was a good idea," Liv finishes.
There is a silence that they both don't like. Fitz knows what she means but how do you make her feel better about it. "Liv," he says.
"I am going to bed. I am tired. It was a long day and Jake coming by for a friendly visit just made it worse. I'll talk to you tomorrow," she says hanging up.
Fitz throws his head back on the headboard, slamming it kind of hard. "Damn," Fitz says looking at the phone. He wants to call her back. He shakes his head. That's not how he wanted their call to go.
Liv sits holding the phone. She wants to call him back but she also wants him to understand where she is coming from and what she is feeling. Her day is officially one she wants to forget.
Mellie and the kids are shopping. Mellie loves to shop on the Miracle mile. All of her favorite designer stores are there. Karen is begging for yet another American Doll and Gerry rather be anywhere but where he is at the moment. He wants to ask her a question that won't have a good result no matter how he presents it to her.
"Mommy, can I get a dollhouse for daddy's house?" Karen asks.
"Honey, you would have to ask your dad. I am sure he wouldn't mind but you have your dollhouse at home," Mellie explains.
"Why does she get whatever she asks for?" Gerry says. "You don't need another doll Karen. You are always losing them. Dad had to drive all the way home because you forgot one."
"I didn't mean to," Karen defends her position to Gerry.
Mellie is stuck thinking about what happened. She's so grateful the kids never knew what happened. "Gerry you are getting new skates today that you asked for."
"Really! I can," Gerry asks.
"Yes, your father and I talked about it and we decided you can get the new pair. They are really expensive so we expect for you to take care of them.
Gerry is surprised, "Cool. I will take care of them."
Mellie stops to address Karen, "You are only at your dad's on the weekends. You don't really need one there," Mellie tries to compromise.
"Dad would let me have one," Karen persists.
"I am sure he would but you are getting another doll, which you don't need. Let's table the dollhouse talk for a while plus I can't speak for what your dad allows at his house," Mellie says calmly. She stops for a moment realizing the acceptance in what she says. "Are you guys okay over at your dad?" She decides to open that can of worms.
"It's cool. I could play hockey down some of the hallways and never run into anything," Gerry says.
"I hope you aren't playing hockey in your dad's house," Mellie answers.
"No but sometimes we throw the ball back and forth," Gerry chuckles.
"He's still a big kid at heart," Mellie smiles and she feels the warmth in those words.
"I like it because you can see the whole world from daddy's window," Karen explains.
"It's not the whole world Karen, it's Chicago," Gerry corrects.
"It is a beautiful view Karen," Mellie says.
She can see they don't understand exactly what her question is, "I mean, do you like the setup. I know this has been so different and kind of weird for you guys since we got a divorce. I mean are you okay with only seeing your dad on the weekends?"
"It's okay! Dad makes sure we do a lot when we are there. Sometimes it is cool when we just do nothing," Gerry answers.
"And what about you honey?" Mellie says Karen.
"I love it at Dad's house and his friend brings cupcakes to us," Karen says.
Mellie's antennas immediately go up. "His friend," Mellie says.
Gerry quickly looks at Karen, "One of the ladies that live in the building. She's really nice," Gerry says.
"Does she bring cupcakes often?" Mellie asks.
"No just last time," Karen says nonchalantly.
Before Mellie can ask another question, she looks up and sees a familiar face. "Olivia," she shouts.
Olivia turns around to see Mellie and the kids coming toward her. "Mellie," she says as she looks at the kids.
"So good to see you. This is Karen and Gerry. You heard us talk about them a lot," Mellie says.
"She's the cupcake lady mom," Karen says.
"What?" Mellie asks Karen.
Liv can almost imagine what this means. She shoots a look at Gerry and looks back at Mellie, "I've actually met the kids last weekend." Liv figures she might as well narrate this before Mellie learns more than she needs today.
"Oh you did," Mellie says, put off by the admission and the comfortable energy she can clearly see between Olivia and her kids.
"Yes! As it turns out, we are all in the same Condo. Funny coincidence," LIv tries to make light of the growing uncomfortableness between them.
"You live in his building," Mellie says to make clear.
"Yes! Imagine our surprise," Liv says.
"Imagine," Mellie slowly rolls off her tongue.
"Once I found out. I thought it would be nice to bring them some cupcakes," Liv responds. "He told me he has the kids on the weekend."
"Mom," Karen says. She's ready to say something else. Liv's heart is literally beating out of her chest.
"Mom that's the waffle cone shop. Can we get one?" Gerry quickly slides in to deflect.
"I don't want a waffle cone," Karen says. She turns to say something to Liv and Liv gulps just waiting for the wallup to hit them all.
"Come on…," Gerry says, pulling her along. "Remember we aren't supposed to talk when the adults are talking," Gerry says, pulling her away.
"Wait Gerry," Mellie says, passing him some money. They walk away.
"They are really adorable and well-mannered," Liv says. She is bracing herself for how this conversation can go. Will she have something to tell Fitz tonight?
"Thank you," Mellie says. She's on the side of caution. "Fitz didn't tell me you two were in the same building."
"It was a total surprise. Who knew we had the same taste in living? He's way up there in the penthouse. I'm just on a lowly floor in the building," Liv tries to joke.
Mellie seems to take the explanation in stride. The wheels are turning in her head and Liv can see it. The question is where does the wheel stop and on what subject. "I need your help," Mellie says.
"You need my help. What do you mean? I'm not your therapist anymore," Liv explains.
"I know. You were my therapist which is why I think you can be honest with me," Mellie says.
"Honest with you about what?" LIv asks cautiously.
"Have you seen Fitz with a woman?" Mellie asks.
Liv thinks in her head, this is the perfect time to exercise her right to silence. Her silence would be suspicious. But what can she say? What can Dr. Pope say to Mrs. Grant, her former patient whose marriage didn't survive. Have I seen him with me? She says to herself. She looks at Mellie, "What do you mean with another woman?"
"Do you think he's dating someone?" Mellie asks.
"What kind of help do you need from me?" Liv asks softly.
Mellie takes a seat that's near them. "I know it's none of my business. I know that his life is his life now but I want to know. There's a change in him. He seems so light now. I just see a glow about him. I'd hate to think I made him that miserable that he was not happy."
"Mellie, I don't think for a second that Fitz felt miserable with you. Living in fiction is not necessarily misery," Liv explains as she realizes she's being the therapist and these are lines that she can't cross. She can't afford the
Mellie smiles, "Fiction."
"That may not have come out the right way. You know what we discussed in our sessions. We don't need to rehash that," Liv continues to walk the fine line. Mellie can see that Liv is not budging on the thought.
Gerry and Karen are still eating their waffle cones. Karen asks, "Why can't we talk to ?"
Gerry looks at her, "Remember what dad said. It's a secret for now."
"Why can't mommy know the secret too?" Karen asks with the innocence that comes with that age but her precociousness always gets the best of her.
"Because dad asked us not to and we don't want to make mommy sad," Gerry explains. He's far smarter than he's given credit.
"Why would mommy be sad?"
Gerry looks at her, remembering the story Fitz told him about catching the right fish. "Because mommy wasn't the right fish," he answers.
Liv is still wondering how to let Mellie down easy with her request but there's no way she looks good in this. "I am not going to spy on Fitz."
"I am not asking you to spy. I just want to know who she is," Mellie clarifies.
Liv's phone rings and it's Fitz. "I need to go. I have a few more stops to make."
"Will you think about what I asked?" Mellie says.
"It was good to see you Mellie. Say goodbye to the children for me," Liv excuses herself. Mellie watches her walk away.
The kids come running back. "Ms. Olivia left," Karen says.
Mellie now has wires that are crossing all over in her head. She has questions but there's only one person she can ask. She looks at Karen, "Yes, Ms. Olivia had to leave."
"Can we get my doll now?" Karen focuses on her immediate task at hand.
"Can we get my skates?" Gerry says.
Mellie stops. "If there was something mommy needed to know, you would tell me right?"
Gerry and Karen look at each other. "I guess so," Gerry answers.
Mellie takes them at their words, for now, and they leave.
Liv has made it back home. She wants to talk to Fitz about this immediately but she knows he will just get upset and find a reason to come home early. After the way they left things last night, she doesn't want to have another problem. She decides she is going to tell him when he comes back because she dodged a bullet this time but she knows next time she won't be so lucky.
"Hi Mama!"
"What's up baby?" Maya answers.
"Nothing just wanted to talk for a minute," Liv covers.
"Okay, I will ask again. What's up?" Maya is not buying it. It's a power she's always had when it came to Olivia. She always knew when something was wrong and her daughter needed her.
"I ran into Mellie and the kids earlier. The kids immediately reacted to me," Liv explains.
"Oh boy! And you and Fitz haven't told her yet."
"No, we haven't. He wanted to get this week over in Detroit and then we were going to deal with this."
"Well, what did the kids say?"
"They just acknowledged they knew me and that little Karen is a firecracker. She wanted to talk more but Gerry stepped in," Liv says.
"His son! What did he say?"
"He didn't say anything except to pull Karen away. I then explained that it was surprising to both of us that we were looking at the same building."
Maya slightly chuckles, "Well that wasn't a lie!"
"No, it wasn't. It came close and then she basically asked me to spy on Fitz."
"What do you mean spy?"
"She wants me to be her lookout for who Fitz is dating. She wants me to try and find out if there is a woman in his life and who she is."
"Hell," Maya belts, "She wants you to spy on yourself."
Liv shakes her head, "Mom, this is not funny. This is serious."
"What did you tell her? She really has a lot of nerves," Maya contends.
"Well, I….told her of course I couldn't do that. It was just a squaring conversation. I felt myself being pushed further and further into the corner. She's telling me how her ex-husband looks happier than he's ever looked and she thinks it's because he's moved on."
"I can't believe she felt embolden enough to ask you something like that, of her ex-doctor no less. You aren't the help. You aren't on her payroll and at her beckon call," Maya says angrily.
"Mom, calm down. I let her down easy but she's a ticking time bomb. I am worried what she will do when she does find out. Fitz and I didn't cheat on her and Jake but Mellie is not going to believe that," Liv explains.
"But it is the truth," Maya answers.
"I treated this woman. She likes to pretend that things are real when they aren't. She will make herself believe what she has to, to deal with this news. I just have to be careful. We have to be careful," Liv continues.
"What did Fitz say?"
Liv closes her eyes, "We had a fight last night. So, we haven't talked. I think he's giving me a minute to cool off."
"A fight about what!"
"Wouldn't you know it? We fought about Mellie," Liv says snidely.
"I am going to say this once. He is yours now. Don't let that woman come between you two. If you do, it will be your fault, not hers."
"I know that," Liv answers.
"Well, you make things right with him when he gets home and try to figure out how to deal with Ms. Manners"
"I love you," Liv says softly.
"I love you too baby. Call me later!"
"I will," Liv says blowing a kiss into the phone and hanging up. She tries Fitz. His phone is going to voicemail. She leaves him a message, Hey! I hope we can talk tonight. I am going out with the girls again, same club. I promise, I will wear the frumpiest thing I have in my closet. I miss you and I'm sorry about last night. She hangs up, hoping she didn't completely screw everything up. She knows her mother is right, don't let something that is not a problem, become a problem.
The girls are at the club again. Liv had a great time the other night. She loves to dance, so any chance to dance is fun for her. She of course has dome some harmless flirting, it's the club after all. But when the guys get too close, she cuts them off at the knees.
"Does Fitz know that his Livvie Poo is out at the club tonight? When the cat's away the mouse will play?" Sonja says.
"Yes, Fitz knows where I am. I left him a message. I think he's really busy plus I kind of picked a fight with him last night," Liv explains.
"What did you two fight over? Let me guess, what position you liked more during sex. You two are rabbits," Abby jokes.
"No!," Liv rolls her eyes. "Mellie, the subject of the hour."
The waiter comes with their drinks and sits at the table, Abby responds, "What did Mellie do now?"
"I guess I was pissed about last weekend, you know, him letting Mellie stay over. I think it bothered me more than I was letting on, so I picked a fight. I mean after what happened with Jake yesterday," Liv's agitation shows.
"Jake suffers from small balls syndrome. His head is so big, he needs somewhere to house those dots," Abby laughs as she says it.
"Well men hate to know someone else owns the territory they still want to be on," Sonja adds.
"I shouldn't have let that make me pick a fight with Fitz. I am gonna make it up to him when he gets home," Liv resolves.
"Oh I am sure you are, little rabbit," Sonja laughs.
"Can we go dance please?" Liv says.
"Let's go! You need to give those Stuart Weitzman's a work out," Abby pulls her arms.
They all start dancing. They always pick this club because the music choices are great. They are eclectic and always fit the moves. Tonight is 80's and 90's night and they are dancing the night away.
They are dancing together when he walks up, the guy from the other night, Russell. "Can I steal a dance?"
"You just don't give up," Liv laughs.
"Not when you are the sexiest woman in the room," Russell says.
"Excuse us," Sonja says.
"Taking my foot out of mouth. I just want to dance," Russell answers.
In the distance, Fitz is watching this. She has no idea he decided to come home when he got her message. He hated the way they left things on the phone and he had time to think about what she said. He wanted her to know he understood what she meant and make it up to her. Liv decides to give Russell that dance. Fitz tries to play it smooth but he will let everyone know soon enough she belongs to him. Abby catches his eye in the distance and gives him a nod. She is the only one who knows he was coming to surprise her. She didn't tell Sonja because she didn't want to screw it up.
Liv starts to dance with Russell, he takes note that once again, no one is hanging off her arm. "Alone again. I am one lucky guy that your guy doesn't like the club scene."
"He's not in town," Liv answers.
He raises his eyebrow in approval, "When the cat's away, the mouse will play."
"No, he knows that I am with my girls. He can completely trust me," Liv shakes her head.
"Funny, I don't trust me. I have come to this club every night looking for you," Russell confesses.
Liv takes a breath, "Russell, I would be lying to you if I said you weren't a very attractive guy. I would be lying if I didn't say you weren't eye candy. But you have to be someone else's eye candy. I am taken."
"I told you before, he doesn't deserve a sister like you."
"Maybe he doesn't. Maybe I don't deserve him. I like him. I like him a lot. I'm very satisfied with him," Liv responds.
"How many times am I going to have to try before you give in?" Russell is so sure of himself. He is thinking that he has scored with her but she's playing hard to get.
"Listen, my friend Sonja over there is an awesome lady maybe you should take another look," Liv suggests.
"I can't take another look. I am too busy looking at you. I've been watching you dance all night and wishing it was me that caramel skin is rubbing up against," Russell needles.
Liv steps away from him. She knows this shouldn't go any further. "I think that's enough. I think one dance is enough."
Fitz is watching this. He can tell that Liv is blowing him off and he couldn't be more proud. He's sipping his scotch, grinning from ear to ear. Just as this is happening, Jake walks in with a blonde. Fitz doesn't see him and they don't see him.
Russell stops her, "I am sorry if I am pressuring you. I just think…."
"It's okay but I do appreciate the dance and the compliments but.."
"But you really do love this guy," Russell finishes.
"Yes, I really do and I really miss him," she says as she's ready to leave the dance floor but the DJ interrupts the music asking for everyone's attention.
He continues his speech, "You know I don't do dedications often but this one was special. We are all about love here. If there is a very sexy woman named Olivia Pope here, I need you to stand in the middle of that spotlight." As he says this, the spotlight is put in the middle of the floor.
Liv is confused and turns around and looks at Abby and Sonja. Her eyes are so stretched. She mouths to them, What the hell!
Jake is now all ears for what's happening. He didn't know Liv was there until that very moment. He gets up from his seat, so he can see. He walks away from his date immediately, she asks, "Where are you going?"
"I'll be right back. Just order more drinks," he says as he keeps walking toward the floor so he can see.
"Are you Olivia?" Russell says. "You would never tell me your name but from the look on your face, you are who they are looking for."
"Yes, I am Olivia," she answers. Abby runs up to her. Folks are moving off the floor. She looks at Abby, "What in the hell is going on?"
"You better get in the spotlight," Abby says.
"What is going on?" Liv says as Abby pushes her into the spotlight.
Before Abby can answer, the DJ says. "Come on Olivia! Where are you? Fitzgerald Grant says he would like to have the next dance with you. He loves you and he's sorry."
The moment the DJ says Fitz's name. Jake's face becomes red with anger. "Son of a bitch," he says.
Liv buries her face in her hands. She's shaking in anticipation and fear, all at the same time. She could smell Fitz's cologne the moment he got close. She looks up at him, "What in the hell are you doing?"
"I wanted my girl to know how important she is to me," Fitz answers. "And I wanted her to know I'm sorry."
Liv drops her head on his shoulder and then looks up at him, "I am sorry too."
"May I have this dance?" Fitz says as Slow Jam by Usher and Monica begins to play.
"Definitely," she smiles as she doesn't care if the whole room sees it. She plants a kiss on him. This draws whistles from everyone who is witnessing this fairytale moment.
"Mmmm," he moans softly. "I should do this more often."
"You better," she answers as they begin to dance.
So I dropped in on the dance
Just to take a glance
And there this lovely thing was.
She was more than enough
I asked for her hand
Said would you like to dance.
So please that I had asked
She quickly took my hand
And we danced and fell in love on a slow jam
Liv and Fitz are totally mesmerized by the other. They've forgotten that they are on display. They also don't know Jake is watching it all and he now knows who the mysterious voice has been all along.
"You knew about this didn't you?" Sonja says.
"Well I was scared I was gonna fuck this up. He was so upset about their little argument. He wanted to do something romantic," Abby answers.
"Well, he knocked it out of the park," Sonja answers as she looks back at them.
Liv and Fitz are holding each other so close. "I can't believe you did this."
"I had to do something," Fitz laughs.
"Who taught you how to slow dance?" Liv laughs.
"Dancing is like sex, you just need a good partner. I've definitely got that," Fitz whispers in her ear. The treble of his baritone voice saturating her ears is like sex.
"Everyone's watching us," Liv says shyly.
"I don't care," he says with that charming grin that gets her every time.
"You know what I want to do right now," she says.
"I hope it's the same thing I want to do," Fitz answers.
"Make up," she answers as she places a kiss on his neck.
He laughs, "Me too!" He picks up, which surprises everyone. It brings cheers and whistles.
"Fitz put me down," she laughs hitting his shoulder. Abby and Sonja are almost in tears.
"Never," he says as he starts moving off the floor. Everyone starts clapping. Abby runs to deliver her purse as they get off the floor and everyone stops dead in the tracks because facing them is Jake Ballard and he wants some answers.
It's about to go down!
