We pick up where we left off. All three standing there staring at each other. It's like a ping pong of eyeball movements. Liv is literally that saying, "shaking in her boots," right now. She's waiting for the rush of anger to come out of Mellie's mouth but it goes the opposite.
"The Cupcake Lady is dropping off more cupcakes. The kids aren't here," Mellie says.
Fitz and Olivia look at each other. "I know they aren't here," Liv responds.
"Then what are you doing here," Mellie asks as she looks over at Fitz.
Fitz scratches his head, "Mellie," he starts.
Mellie looks at Fitz. She knows that body language when he has something to tell her that she won't want to hear. She looks at Liv who has the same look on her face. Without them saying a word, she gets it. The lens becomes painfully focused.. "Is this a fucking joke?"
"Can we sit down?" Fitz says as she tries to motion to the table.
"Can we sit down?" Mellie says.
"Mellie, let's just sit down and start from the beginning," Liv says, which angers Mellie more. It sounds like Liv is being her shrink and that just angers her more.
"Are you my therapist now? Or the woman fucking my husband?" Mellie spews.
Fitz jumps in, "Mellie, please don't talk to Olivia that way."
"Well, I'll decide how I need to talk once you answer my question," Mellie responds.
"Mellie, he's your ex-husband and yes I am seeing him," Liv says calmly.
Mellie looks at Fitz incredulously. She's not quite sure how to proceed. She looks back at Liv. "How did you do it?"
"How did I do what?" Liv asks.
"Mellie can we please sit down?" Fitz says again. Mellie takes a seat. She sits across for them. Fitz gives Olivia this look, this sense of protection as he sits next to her. Mellie notices it all. There's a comfortableness and their eyes are talking to each other. And most of all, she sees it, there's love in their eyes.
"How long has this been going on?" Mellie asks.
"No matter how we explain this, this is not going to make you feel better or us feel fetter," Fitz explains.
"Feel better about the fact that our marriage ended and she was supposed to keep that from happening," Mellie answers.
"I didn't break up your marriage Mellie. You already know that," Liv defends.
"No, I don't know that. I know that we came to you for help and you acted like you wanted to help us. Now that I think about it, you were never truly over the moon about saving our marriage. Now I know why," Mellie says snarkily.
"It wasn't for me to save your marriage. That was up to you and Fitz. It was up to me to make you two see if you could. My job was to have you two talk to each other. To get you to communicate and talk about your problems and see if those problems could be fixed." Liv can see this is an uphill battle that she will have to endure.
"And you made sure those problems weren't fixed. At what point did you two decide a more 1 on 1 physical approach?" Mellie asks, looking at Fitz.
"We never had an affair. We never cheated on you Mellie," Fitz says.
"Am I supposed to believe that? I am not a fool Fitz. YOu think I am too stupid to figure that out.," Mellie answers.
"Yes I am expecting you to believe that because that is the truth. We never slept together until after our divorce," Fitz answers.
"Mellie we both realized that there was something special between us. The moment I realized I found myself attracted to him, I did the only right thing I could do," Liv says.
"You opened your legs and showed him the secrets of the universe," Mellie says with venom.
Fitz hits the table, "Mellie, that's enough!"
"Enough what?" Mellie asks him.
"Mellie, you reserve the right to be upset. You even reserve the right lash out. But you are going to talk to me with the same respect I am giving you whether you believe I deserve it or not," Liv tells her.
Mellie has never seen Olivia this way. She flinches from her words. "Fine," Mellie says looking away.
"That's why I stopped being your doctor Mellie," Liv continues. "That's why I referred you to Elizabeth. I wanted to do the right thing before the wrong thing happened."
Mellie looks as if things are falling more and more into place. "That's why you dropped us."
"I had to because it would have been wrong to continue to treat you, knowing I had feelings. I couldn't trust my feelings or my advice to you. I could tell you what you wanted to hear or I could try to manipulate your problems and make it worse. I didn't want to do either so I dismissed myself," Liv says.
"And what about you?" Mellie looks in Fitz's direction. "Do you have anything to say?"
"Mellie, Olivia did everything right. I did everything wrong. I knew I never should have started those sessions with you. I knew where my head was before we even met with Olivia. I knew I wanted out. I never should have played that game with you and even Liv," Fitz says as Liv, without hesitation grabs his hand and squeezes it.
It just makes Mellie see red, "When did you two start sleeping together?"
"Almost two months ago," Fitz answers.
"And the condos?" Mellie continues.
"I told you, we had no idea that we had the same real estate agent. That is the first time I ever met the children," Liv defends.
"Mellie, I went to Liv and told her how I felt before she ever told me what she was feeling. I connected with Liv in a way I didn't know was possible. I could feel it in our sessions. It was a while before I knew she was feeling the same thing," Fitz tries to explain.
"The moment I realized there was something there, I excused myself," Liv adds.
Mellie laughs. It's a laugh you usually hear when someone is having a break. "Mellie, I don't know how else to make you understand."
Mellie continues to laugh. Liv knows what kind of laugh it is. At this moment she's worried what Mellie could do next. "Mellie are you okay?"
"First do no harm," Mellie says through her laughter. Those words hit Liv. That's the guilt she's been feeling since this started. Mellie looks at Liv. "That is the doctor's oath, isn't it? First do no harm."
"I never harmed you Mellie," Liv says.
"Let's see. You didn't help my marriage. My husband and I got a divorce and you are sleeping with him. It looks like you did more harm than good," Mellie says calmly.
"You can't blame her Mellie. I won't let you blame her," Fitz says.
"I won't blame her. There's no reason for that. But I can definitely hold her accountable for her part in this," Mellie says as she grabs her purse and jacket.
"Mellie I never saw this happening. It was happening and we couldn't ignore that," Liv says in her and Fitz's defense.
"Tell me something Dr. Pope, when you were screwing my," she stops and looks at Fitz. She continues, "My ex-husband did a part of you feel any guilt. You had to ruin my marriage to take him."
"That's not fair," Fitz says.
Liv is stung by her words but not without an answer, "A marriage is a union by two people who are in love. You two came to me asking me to redefine that for you. The lack of love took him away from you. You can't blame that on me."
"You Bi…" Mellie starts.
"Be careful Mellie," Liv responds.
Mellie storms out of the living room toward the door, "I am going home. My children will be home soon," Mellie says.
Fitz goes quickly behind her, "I'll come over and talk to them tonight," Fitz says.
"Don't bother," Mellie says as she goes for the door.
He grabs her arm and then lets go, "Don't even think of stopping me from seeing my kids, I will fight you."
"Did you forget Fitz? I am a lawyer. I know how to fight this too," Mellie says.
"I am warning you," Fitz says.
"I am warning you," Mellie answers. "Tell Olivia she'll be hearing from me soon."
"Mellie," Fitz says as she slams the door. Fitz hits the door with the already bruised fist from his fight with Jake. "Damn," he shouts out of pain and frustration. He turns to see Liv standing not far away.
"She's going to go after my license," Liv says.
Fitz is holding his wrist. He goes over to her quickly, "No she won't. She can't do that."
"Yes she can Fitz. She can try it and who's to say it wouldn't work. I am not the first doctor to get involved with her patient and lose their license," Liv explains.
"But I wasn't your patient when we got involved. She can't use that against you," Fitz says.
"I gotta go. I have to be prepared. I have to find myself a lawyer, just in case," Liv says, looking around for her purse.
"Where are you going?" Fitz asks.
"I am leaving. I shouldn't be here, especially now," she says as she scurries to the door.
"Liv, don't leave like this. Let's just take a minute. Let's just calm down," Fitz says as he tries to bring some calm.
"I am calm and I need to think clearly. I haven't been doing that and look where it got me," she says as she tries to open the door. He's keeping the door closed with the palm of his hands. "Let me go Fitz."
"No, I am not letting you go until we sit down and talk about this," Fitz says.
"Please let me go," she says shaking her head.
He reaches down and tries to kiss her, she turns her head. "Liv," he whispers.
"I need to go," she says softly. She's trying not to look at him. She knows if she does, she'll break down.
"You need to go but you want to stay," Fitz says nuzzling her lips.
"Right now, our needs aren't important. Your wife is."
"I love you and Mellie isn't going to stop that, no matter what she does. She can threaten us all she wants but as long as we fight her together, everything will be fine. We can't let her win," Fitz says.
Liv has rested her body against the door, "And we can't let her lose either. Either way she's going to be a problem. I can't give her any more reasons," Liv says.
"I love you," Fitz says.
"Fitz, stop it," Liv answers.
"I need you," Fitz continues as he is finally able to kiss her lips.
"No Fitz," Liv whispers as he deepens the kiss and moves down her cheek and neck. "Fitz we can't," Liv answers.
Fitz is moving his lips down her chest. Her buttoned shirt is in the way. He looks at her. Their eyes are locked into each other. He starts to unbutton her shirt with his free hand. "We can. We didn't finish our morning, remember."
"You have to let me go," Liv says softly.
"Please don't run. Don't run from me," Fitz pleads as her buttons are undone. He grabs her breast massaging it.
"I need to protect myself, my job," Liv is explaining as Fitz unbuckles the jeans she's wearing.
"I am going to protect you," he promises as her jeans fall to the floor. They are kissing as he's pushed her into the wall. His body is pressed to hers.
She realizes this is going to happen, right now. She begins to unbuckle his pants as she steps out of hers. She pulls at his boxers, ripping them down. "We shouldn't," she says as he kisses her stomach.
He turns her around, which causes her to gasp, as he pulls her panties down unceremoniously. He's kissing her down her spine. He stops, licking her neck. "I'll let you go. I don't want to push you. I don't want to run you away. What do you want?"
Before she even thinks about it. She finally utters the words she asked him a long time ago, "I want you to fuck me," she answers.
He enters her slowly, pulling her ass into him as he strokes her center. The welcomed intrusion of him entering her is amazing. It's the first time but it's what she imagined it would be. It's perfect. He slowly starts to thrust into her. The sound of their skin meeting and the force of them pushing into the door is all they hear. He goes in as deep as he can. She growls. They have both steadied their hands to the door as Fitz picks up his thrust. She growls again.
"Am I hurting you?" He asks.
She shakes her head no, as she utters, "Oh… there! There!," she says through her grunts. He let's go of the door as she's planted both her palms to hold her up. He's massaging every part of her. He's massaging her nipples and stroking her pot as he thrusts into her harder and harder, trying not to go too deep. That will to leave is replaced with the need for him to fill her more. She can barely stand any longer. She drops her head to his chest as he's relentless in his pump.
"You feel good...you feel so good baby," Fitz whispers in her ear, gently biting her neck.
The passion she's feeling right now it's unrelenting in his entrapment of her. She can't get enough. She's surrendered her body to him. He gently lifts one of her thighs up as he digs his fingers into her. He's kissing her shoulders and biting her skin, sucking circles on her back.
"Don't….don't stop," she says as she feels the wetness of his skin on hers. He's filling her and it's good. The more he strokes her clit the more her stomach swells. Her walls begin to swell around his fingers. They are both going to come together. "Harder," she saya faintly as he does it. She slaps the door in response as she releases all over his hand.
He pours into her. They both scream pleasure. Their legs are barely strong enough to hold them both up. His face is buried into her back as he kisses her skin. "I promise you. I am going to protect you."
Liv is out of breath. She reaches her hand back stroking his head and hair. "I don't want her to take everything from me, including you."
"She won't," he says, still planting small kisses to her shoulders. He turns her around to face him. "Do you trust me?"
"Of course I do," she says. How can she not? She's opened herself bare to him. She's standing here bare to him.
"Then we will figure this out," Fitz finishes.
"Okay," she says staring in his eyes. She trusts what she sees there. She trusts his words. She has to believe him.
"Good," he says, picking her up surprisingly, bringing to her to his enormous sectional couch and laying her down. He walks over to grab a blanket and she begins to laugh. He looks at her, "What are you laughing at?"
"You still have on your socks," she says.
"I was otherwise too engaged to worry about that," he chuckles, getting the blanket, bringing it to them. He lays down, placing her on top of him.
"Are you going to take them off?" Liv asks.
"No I'm not," Fitz laughs.
"Why not? It feels funny," Liv says.
"These socks are going in the Field Museum," he announces.
"Why?" She asks.
"Because these are the socks that Olivia Pope asked me to fuck her in. I will never forget it," Fitz laughs.
Liv buries her face in his chest, "I can't believe I said that."
"Well you can't blame being drunk this time," Fitz says.
She slaps his chest. "Wasn't very ladylike," she says. "I just, in that moment. I needed to feel you and nothing else. I was so scared."
"You have no reason to be scared," he says as he kisses the top of her head.
"Fitz," she says as she shivers.
Fitz can feel her shivers, "Hey what's wrong? I'm right here. I'm right here."
"I love what I do," she says.
He's stroking her back, "Believe me, I love what you do too."
She laughs, "I mean my work. My job. I put a lot of work into my practice. I don't want to lose it because I let down my guard. I went with my feelings, my heart.
"You won't lose it all," he says. He pulls the cover tighter on them. "Look at me," he tells her. She lifts her head to look at him, "My wife is not perfect. And this situation is not perfect but we did nothing wrong."
Liv takes a deep breath, "I hope everyone else sees it that way."
"Do you regret us?" Fitz asks.
"Why would you ask me that?" Liv says upset.
"I don't want you to regret anything and I don't want to stand in the way of career but I do want to spend the rest of my life with you. I hope you want that," Fitz says with a hint of fear in his voice. He can't figure out where her head is right now and that scares him.
She is speechless. She is not sure she heard him right. "Did you say you want to spend the rest of your life with me?"
"Yeah, I did. And this is not me asking you to marry me. That will come but I already know what I want and I know I want you," he answers. She drops her head. He scoots up resting up on the arm of the couch bringing her with him. "The question is, do you want me?"
"You know that I want you. But I don't want to have to choose. I don't want to have to choose between my dreams and you," Liv answers.
Fitz stares at her, "I have the answer then," he finishes.
"What's that?" She asks as she draws circles around his chest.
"You make me a part of your dreams and everything else will take care of itself," Fitz says.
Her heart jumps. He always knows the perfect thing to say. "You are already in my dreams. You know that."
"Then everything is going to be fine. We are going to be fine," he says tracing her face.
They lay like this for a few hours. He holds her until she falls asleep. He knows she's worried. Fitz is as in deep thought as she is. He knows that Mellie is going to wage war on the both of them and he knows he has to protect them both. He just needs a good plan to do it.
It's the next morning. Liv stayed the rest of the evening, when she left this morning he could feel it. He could feel it in her body. She's putting up a wall between them. He knows it is to protect herself. He knows that she's scared and he has to do something. He called Mellie but she refused to answer his calls. He calls Antonio and asks him over to his office. Antonio comes in.
"You asked me to come to you. This must be serious," Antonio says.
"Yes it is," Fitz says taking a breath. "Would you like a drink?"
Antonio looks at his watch, it's 11am. "A little early but a few sips won't hurt."
"I have got a serious problem," Fitz says as he sits in his chair facing Antonio.
"This wouldn't have anything to do with you professing your love to your girl at a club the other night, would it?" Antonio says with a laugh.
Fitz looks surprised, "How do you know about that?"
"My sister was there with her boyfriend. She thought it was the most romantic thing she had ever seen. She remembered your names. You've got it bad man, a song dedication on an open mike," Antonio says.
Fitz's cheeks turn red, "We had a fight. I had to make it right. But that's another dumb move on my part. Maybe I shouldn't have blasted it that way."
"Hey! You do what you gotta do. My sister remembered your name was Fitzgerald. It's a rare name. I could only assume it was you," Antonio continues.
"Well, your sister wasn't the only one there," Fitz says.
"Really, who else?" Antonio asks.
"Olivia's ex-husband was there and it turned ugly," Fitz explains.
"That would explain that little cut above your eye and those knuckles," Antonio notices.
"Yes and it turned into a pissing match and then he disrespected Liv and tried to kick the shit out of him."
Antonio laughs, "Understandable."
"And then we decided we needed to tell Mellie and we did yesterday," Fitz explains.
"How did that go? She can be a bitch on wheels," Antonio laughs.
"It didn't go well and that's what I want to talk to you about. Olivia might need a lawyer," Fitz says.
"Why?" Antonio asks.
"I didn't tell you the entire story. I told you I would let you meet her in time. That I wanted to keep her all to myself but there was a reason I didn't want to talk about this," Fitz says carefully.
Antonio straightens in his chair, "Okay, well spill it."
"Olivia was the doctor we were seeing," Fitz says.
"The marriage doctor you were seeing was this Olivia. The one you have fallen madly in love with," Antonio realizes.
"Yes, okay! Yes!" Fitz says.
"Damn! No wonder you didn't want to say anything man. That's sticky. That's messy," Antonio says shaking his head. Then he says it again, "That's messy!"
"It's very messy and telling Mellie yesterday was even messier," Fitz says.
"Well, I hate to tell you. She has to be wondering if that's why she couldn't fix her marriage. She has to be wondering what part Olivia played in that."
Fitz gets up, putting his hands in his pocket, "Of course that was her questions and you know me. Once I want something I go after it. I don't always weigh out my options when it comes to my personal life. I knew Liv was the one and I didn't want to chance someone coming in and sweeping her off her feet," Fitz explains as he turns to Antonio.
"But…," Antonio says.
"But...I don't want this to hurt her. I don't want this to affect her practice. She's a good doctor. She did help us. She helped us face reality. That's why she stopped seeing us when she saw she had feelings for me. She didn't want there to be the conflict."
"You are afraid Mellie is going to go after her practice and her license," Antonio says.
"Exactly and in the back of my mind that was of course a possibility but in the back of my mind, all I cared about was having her. That's a little selfish of me. And she's scared to death. She's afraid Mellie is going to come after her. Mellie all but said she would," Fitz explains.
"I am going to ask you this and you know I am not judging. I don't care if you did but did you and Liv sleep together while you were under her care?" Antonio asks.
"No we didn't. It was hard but we didn't. We didn't start spending real time together until I asked for a divorce and she asked for one from her husband," Fitz explains.
"Okay, I am just thinking. Mellie is a lawyer. She can use that to her advantage with how she goes after Olivia. Olivia needs to have a good lawyer ready. I'll get some names for you."
"Thanks so much," Fitz takes a breath, "You know it is very interesting to me."
"What's that?" Antonio asks getting up.
"Mellie wasted no time getting back in the fold with this guy she was seeing off and on before we got married. I am pretty sure he's still married. In fact, I know he is. It makes me wonder."
"Makes you wonder what?"
Fitz says as a matter a fact, "It makes me wonder just how much reaquatining they had to do once we got divorced or was the re-aquaintance already there?"
"You think she was seeing this guy while you were married," Antonio says.
"I think there is a very good possibility," Fitz answers.
"Then you better do your homework."
Fitz laughs, "It's not that I care. Because I don't but I wonder if I need to have my arsenal full just in case."
"I've always learned you can never go wrong being prepared for battle."
"I think so too. Thanks man for your help and now that the cat is out of the bag, maybe we can do lunch or dinner. I would love to introduce you to Liv," Fitz says with this smile on his face that Antonio is not used to seeing.
"I've never seen you smile like this. She must be the one. I told you before I want to meet her. I want to meet her," he says as he goes out of the door.
Liv has been seeing couples back to back this morning. She has to admit her mind hasn't been all there. She's been worried about Mellie Waiting for her to drop whatever shoe she is going to drop. She knows that she and Fitz have the truth on their side but explaining the truth is a different story. She decided to take a long lunch since one of her afternoon clients cancelled.
She is sitting in the courtyard of her building, having a salad talking to her mom, "Yes mom I am okay."
"I can hear it in your voice that you aren't okay. What did Mellie say?" Maya asks.
"I am more worried about what she didn't say. She said I would hear from her and that's a threat. I know it is."
"Honey, you knew going in that…"
Liv stops her, "Yes I did know and I blame myself for not stopping and putting it all into some perspective before jumping in heart first.
"The heart wants what it wants Olivia," Maya answers.
"Yes but I talk to people about the heart and the mind and truth and honesty everyday. I should have talked to myself about it," Liv chastises herself.
"Olivia Carolyn Pope," Maya says sternly. Liv just rolls her eyes "And don't roll your eyes," she says.
"How did you?"...Liv asks.
"I know you. You pout and you roll your eyes. Do you love him?" Maya says.
"Mom that's really not the point right now," Liv answers.
"That's very much so the point. Now answer the question," Maya instructs her.
"Yes I do love him. I have fallen helplessly for him."
"Then you know what I am going to say next," Maya continues.
"But I worked hard mom," Liv tries to explain.
"Yes you do and your father and I couldn't be more proud of you. You are black woman, a doctor, doing very well. You are running your own business. We love to brag about you and your accomplishments. But you know what else we want for you," Maya asks.
"What is that?" LIv asks with tears in her eyes. Her mother's words are what she needed to hear right now.
"Above all, we want you to be happy and your life to be fulfilled. Not just with work but with love. That man loves you and he's going to fight that barracuda with tooth and nail to protect you. He's not going to leave you to fight this by yourself. I am sure of it and you know that too," Maya says.
"But what if she tries to take his kids from him. He can't protect him and me. I can't ask him to fix my mess if it comes to that," Liv says.
"That's a strong man. So let him be a man. What did he tell you?"
"He said he wants to spend the rest of his life with me and he's not going to let Mellie ruin that," Liv answers.
"Then trust him," Maya answers.
"Mom, I do. I just want to be realistic. We might have to make decisions for the good of all, not just ourselves."
"Olivia, I know you are scared of the unknown. HIs wife sounds like a woman who can make your life hell. If she does, show her what you are made of. Don't let her win without a fight."
"How did Fitz put you under his spell?" Liv laughs.
"I don't know but I'll punish you for the rest of your life if you let that perfect man go," Maya says. "And don't say I can't punish you. I am your mother I have a say so in your life until the day I die."
"He's not perfect," Liv laughs.
"But isn't he?" Maya retorts.
Liv throws her head back laughing. "Fine, he's close to it." Liv looks at her watch, "I have to go."
"Wait a minute, are you saying he asked you to marry him? That is what it sounded like to me. He wants to spend the rest of his life with you," Maya says excitedly.
"No he didn't ask me. But he told me that it is coming. He just knows that I am the one," LIv says.
"Thank God! I've been waiting to plan the proper wedding. The one with Jake wasn't it," Maya jokes.
"Mom," Liv says. "Behave yourself."
"I am going. Just remember what I said," Maya says.
"I will. I love you. Give daddy my love. I may come up for a few days," Liv says.
"Don't if you are coming to run away," Maya returns.
"Are you serious?" Liv says.
"Dead serious! Bye!" Maya says hanging up.
Liv is about to get when she hears behind her, "Now that I have a name, Olivia Pope. We meet again."
She turns to see Russell standing there. She drops her head laughing. "I guess we do."
"Who do I owe for this?" Russell asks.
"Owe for what?" Liv asks.
"Me seeing you sitting here. I mean my meeting actually brought me here but it brought me straight to you. Third time's a charm." he says.
"Third time's a bust," Liv says as she's gathering her things.
"Wait, why don't we talk a little more," Russell says touching her arm.
"I am sorry. I have to get back to work and you distinctly said you have a meeting," Liv reminds him.
"Listen, I'll give your Vanilla Cat some props. He threw some damn good punches for you and he was the last man standing. I like that. I was impressed but I sincerely doubt he's that impressive otherwise," he says proudly.
"Why is it always a dick contest with men? Who has the biggest? Who has the strongest? Who uses it better?," Liv asks which surprises Russell.
"Because we have to satisfy our women and at the end of the day, that's the biggest tiebreaker," Russell answers.
"No, you see," Liv starts as he caresses his face. "No, that's the cherry breaker. The tiebreaker is how you treat me out of the sheets. You can be good in bed and be a son of a bitch out of the bed. A woman wants to sigh when you walk in a room. Or she wants to feel her skin burn from your simple touch. She wants to get lost in your eyes when she looks at you. She wants to know that her heart is safe with you, not just her heart." she says.
At this point Russell is lost in Liv, "Give me a try."
"No, I already have a tiebreaker and very long cherry breaker and I'm quite happy with it. Now if you will excuse me," LIv finishes and walks up the stairs. He watches the sway of her hips and naturally her ass as she walks away.
Russell shakes his head, "You struck out man. That's one lucky bastard," he says.
Fitz is at Mellie's door. He's been calling her all day. She won't answer and he can only imagine what's going through her head. He rings the doorbell more than once. Finally, Gerry came to the door.
"Dad, what are you doing here?" Gerry says.
"I need to talk to your mother. Is she here?" Fitz asks.
"She didn't go to work today," Gerry answers.
"Can you ask her if I can come in?" Fitz says.
"Of course you can dad," Gerry says leaving the door open. He doesn't know what's transpired between his parents in the last 24 hours.
Fitz walks in slowly. Gerry yells for Mellie, "Mom! Dad's here!" he says.
Before Fitz can take a breath, Karen comes running toward him. "Daddy," she says.
"Hey Peanut! I missed you," Fitz says.
"I missed you too Daddy. Can I stay at your house tonight?" Karen asks.
"No Peanut! You know you stay with your mom during the week and Gloria takes you and Gerry to school and picks you up. Daddy's house is not close enough to school," Fitz carefully explained.
"But I want to stay with you," Karen says.
"I will pick you and your brother up from school Friday, as always. I promise," Fitz says.
"Karen, can you go to your room? I need to talk to your dad," Mellie says appearing on the stairs.
Fitz can see that Mellie is seething. He quickly tries to detract Mellie from them fighting in front of the kids. "Can we go to the guest house?"
"Why?" Mellie says with searing eyes.
"I am not going to argue with you in front of the children," Fitz says.
Gerry comes in, "Dad can you help me with something for my project," he asks.
"As soon as I finish talking to your mom," Fitz says.
"Cool," Gerry answers as he goes upstairs.
Fitz starts walking toward the guest house as Mellie follows. "Can you open it?" Fitz asks.
"I haven't changed the locks," Mellie says.
He opens the door and they go in. "Mellie we need to talk about this whole situation."
"What is there to talk about Fitz? You've been screwing our marriage therapist," Mellie says.
"And you are screwing a married man," Fitz fights back. Mellie's eyes widened.
"Fitz...I…" Mellie starts to try and explain.
"You are throwing stones. I did a little digging and I'll do more if I have to," Fitz tells her.
"Are you threatening me?" Mellie asks.
"No, I am not threatening you. I am just reminding you. Everything we told you yesterday was the truth. We never cheated. We didn't sleep together until after the divorces were final," Fitz says again.
"She used all our failures against me and took you," Mellie says which is delusional but she says it anyway.
"Mellie, you and I were over long before and you know that."
"I don't want her around my children," Mellie answers.
"What do you mean?" Fitz says.
"You can do whatever the hell you want but she can't be around my kids," Mellie finishes.
"Mellie, they are my kids and that's at my discretion when they are with me," Fitz answers.
"They are my kids too and if you are going to have them around her then the weekend arrangements are off. We can bring this back to court," Mellie says.
"This is ridiculous," Fitz says. "You are going to tell me who I can and can't have my children around."
"I have a right," Mellie says.
"Okay, then I don't want my children around Richard. A married man who you bring to this house and bangs you in the kitchen. Not a good example for the kids, don't you think?"
"This is my house now," Mellie fights.
"And they are my kids. The shoe is on the other foot. You can fuck him whereever you want. But I don't want him around my children. If you bring me to court, that will be my argument."
Mellie has a defeated look in her eyes but there is something else there too and Fitz can't quite put his finger on it, "We are done talking," Mellie says.
"I suppose we are," Fitz answers. He swings the door open, walking out. He goes upstairs and helps Gerry and then leaves.
Mellie is in her office. She makes a call. The person picks up. "I know I'm calling late but I need your advice on something."
What does Mellie have up her sleeve?
Liv is up eating take out. She's watching television when her phone rings. She answers. She hasn't talked to Fitz all day. He knew she needed some space and she appreciated that he gave it to her.
"Liv don't hang up," Jake says.
"Jake, I am not talking to you, not now. Not ever!" Liv answers.
"Just listen to me," Jake says.
"Jake, why do men think it is okay to say whatever is on their mind, no matter how it hurts the person whose ears it saturates. Especially when it's a woman. I expected better of the man I was once married to. What you did to me made me question what I lived with for all those years?"
Jake cuts her off, "I was the man that loved you. I will forever love you. You didn't give me enough of a chance."
"Jake, I hope you have a good life. I've told you that more than once. I still mean it. But we are done. We are finished. If you love me, act like you do and stay out of my life," Liv says.
"Livvie," he says.
"It's Olivia and goodbye," Liv responds and hangs up the phone. She takes a breath and her doorbell rings. Her phone beeps. She looks down to read, Please let me in!
She goes to the door and opens in. Fitz starts to speak, "Livvie, I know…" Before he can finish, she grabs the back of his neck, pulling him into a kiss. The kiss is hot and wet. It's sloppy. She's holding his head so tight. She takes all of his tongue into her mouth as she sucks his bottom lip. She's moaning in satisfaction. Fitz has to break away for some air, "What is that for?"
Liv is out of breath, just as he is. "You deserved it."
Fitz comes further into the door as she closes it. "I don't know what I did but I am glad I did," he says with a laugh.
Liv is taking off his jacket, "You love me," Liv says.
Fitz is surprised by her words, "Yes I do. Did you just realize that?"
"No I didn't. I just realized today all the things about you that are gonna make me fight whatever comes our way," Liv says.
"I won't question that. I'll just be glad that it happened," Fitz answered.
"I thought about how I would feel if I never got to see you walk in a room again. All those things I feel when you do and you plant your eyes on me. How I sometimes can't breathe when I'm around you because so much of you fills me. How I can't sleep at night when aren't in the same bed and I am wondering if you can't sleep too. How making love with you brings me to tears. I know I said I would give you up if I have to. I can't do that and I can't give up my job. I need both of you," Liv explains herself and now she's out of breath finally getting all of that off her chest.
He takes her in his arms, "I am not giving you up either. You don't have to give anything up. I told you, I am going to protect you. I am."
"Mellie is going to come after me. I know she will. I've got to prepare myself," Liv says.
"We are going to prepare ourselves," Fitz corrects her. He picks her up and takes a seat in her large chair. "I do love you and you might as well start etching that in your brain woman. I don't want to have to explain that ever again," Fitz says spanking her ass.
She jumps and laughs, "I like when you say it though."
"I won't stop saying it but if you ever doubt it again. I may have to spank you a little more," he teases.
"I wouldn't be opposed to that," she answers sexily.
Fitz laughs, and says, "Check."
"Check what?" she asks.
"You aren't opposed to me taking you on a door and you aren't opposed to spanking. I think our bedroom adventures just got better."
"I thought our adventures were already good," she says.
"Well, I am having a vision of me turning you around and spanking you while you are chanting my name. It's a beautiful picture," he says as she feels a little rise in his pants.
She gets up from the chair, standing between his legs. She grabs a hold to his rising member, "Why don't we go test it out?"
She starts to walk away and he slaps her ass, "Did you take your vitamins this morning?"
"Did you take yours?" She asks. "I mean I don't know what you older guys take these days."
"I'll show you who's old," he says as he starts after her. She starts running to her bedroom as she's laughing.
They spend the rest of the night enjoying each other and enjoying each other. They know the sleeping dogs are lying but they won't sleep for long.
Who is Mellie calling?
Fitz is doing his homework on Mellie. What will he find out?
Liv has decided to go all in with Fitz no matter what. Will it literally smack her in the ass?
