A/N: I don't own anything Scandal related. Here we go.
Chapter 4. Meet Me at Sparky's
When Fitz arrives at his parents' home he does not walk up the steps and through the front door as he has done countless times over the course of his life. Instead, he walks around the back of the house and down the hill 200 yards where, unbeknownst to his parents, he and his brothers played many times as kids.
As he stands facing The Pit, the name the kids gave the dried-up water well that stands at the base of the hill, Fitz shakes his head when he thinks about the silly, immature act of 20 years ago. He will never forget that day as long as he lives. Although the well is now covered by a round metal sheet that permanently seals it from ever being a danger to anyone again, the sight of it still sends chills down his spine.
"Do you remember the first time we ever came to this place?" Fitz asks when he hears Bennie walking toward him.
"I do." Bennie says, stopping for a moment and fixing his eyes on his brother's back.
"I was 16 and you were –"
"Nine." Walking over to the brother he has idolized his entire life.
Still looking at The Pit, Fitz nods and stuffs his hands into his pants pockets.
"Mom always told us never to come down here but we didn't listen. Well I didn't listen. And back then you followed me everywhere I went. Wanted to do everything I did."
Fitz smiles at the memory of his little brother always wanting to tag along with him.
"Well I was older and I should have known better. I should have been looking out for you. But you know me, I was stubborn and a little too cocky back then."
"A little?" Bennie chuckles mirthlessly. "Mom finally got dad to cover it up after that day", Bennie says, now standing next to his brother who continues to stare at the well. "She had been trying to get him to do it for years before ..."
Fitz nods.
"I haven't been here since …" Fitz shakes his head at the memory.
"A lot has changed since that day", Bennie says.
Fitz nods repeatedly as he stares at the stone structure.
"You wanted to see me?" Bennie asks, standing shoulder to shoulder with his brother.
"We need to talk Bennie", finally turning to face his brother. The brother he loves. The brother who will always hold a special place in his heart.
Fitz has been dreading this moment for quite some time, well ever since he told Olivia he would handle Bennie and the rest of his family. But he did not handle them, in fact he did nothing. He has avoided having this conversation with his brother, using contrived excuses to dodge the inevitable. And now that the moment has come he does not really know what to say. He is a trained lawyer, trained to use his language skills to persuade and convince others to bend to his will, but in this moment he feels completely inadequate. How does he talk to his baby brother about both of them having feelings for the same woman? This is the question Fitz has been grappling with for weeks.
"Because of you I am everything that I am today, Bennie. I owe everything to you. I owe you my life. If you hadn't run and gotten mom …" Fitz shakes his head at the thought of how differently things could have turned out.
The brothers remain silent as they reflect on that tragic day.
"Why didn't you ever say anything to her about how you felt before I came back?"
Bennie exhales deeply before responding.
"I didn't want to chance losing her friendship. I guess I didn't want to scare her away."
"That's no way for you to live, Bennie. She didn't even know."
"I know, but I have always been willing to take any part of her I can get."
Fitz frowns as he stares at the metal sheet covering The Pit.
"What do you want me to do, Bennie? Do you want me to stop seeing her? Is that what you want?"
"Yes."
Fitz closes his eyes tightly because in an instant the simple, monosyllabic word his brother spoke had the power to crush him, the power to break him. As the three-letter word reverberates in his ears, his heart sinks to the level of the 100-foot-deep well.
"Don't do this Bennie, please." Fitz looks at his brother pleadingly. "I love her, Bennie."
"So do I", Bennie says stoically.
"You don't love her. You think you do, but you don't."
"I loved her before you even knew her, Fitz."
Fitz runs his hand through his hair and turns from his brother and looks up at the sun. He immediately thinks about the many sunsets he and Olivia have shared and a tear trickles down his cheek.
"She'll find someone else, Bennie. If not me then there will be someone else."
"That's okay. I can handle that. What I can't handle is looking at the two of you together at every family dinner and every holiday and always being reminded of my inadequacies. She and I can go back to the way things were before you came back. We can still be friends. But I can't be friends with her right now - not knowing …"
"Bennie –", Fitz says empathetically, turning to look at his brother.
"Don't you fucking pity me, Fitz. You and John always get whatever you want. Everything comes so easy for the two of you. For once I'm going to get what I want. You owe me this, Fitz!"
Fitz stares at his brother's angry face for a long time and nods slowly and repeatedly. He no longer recognizes the man standing before him, the brother who saved his life. He wonders what happened to his little brother while he was away for all of those years.
"Fine. Consider my debt paid in full." Fitz says as he walks away from his brother and the water well that almost consumed him 20 years ago.
XXX
Two weeks have passed since Fitz met with Bennie at the water well and he has been avoiding Olivia ever since, and it hurts him deeply because he knows he is hurting her. He knows she suspects something is wrong because they have gone from spending all of their time together when he is not traveling to only having brief, innocuous conversations over the phone. He could hear the pain in her voice when he would say he had to end their calls after only a few brief minutes. After a while she stopped calling. And he misses her. He misses seeing her. He misses talking to her. He misses making love to her. He misses watching sunsets with her.
Fitz knows the way he has been behaving lately is unfair to her and he knows he has to stop it. He has to end the pain he is causing her and the pain he is causing himself. He has to move on and allow her to move on. He owes Bennie.
As he watches her walk toward his table he smiles instinctually because that is what she does to him. Although she looks absolutely beautiful he recognizes the sadness in her eyes because they are a reflection of his. He stands when she reaches the table and gives her a weak smile that she does not return. He does not attempt to greet her with his usual kiss because he knows he would not be able to stop kissing her. So instead he simply pulls out the chair so she can sit. And for a few moments they simply stare at each other from across the table.
"Hi", he says hoarsely.
"Hello", she replies flatly. And her response hurts but he understands.
Olivia wears a blank expression on her face and tries desperately not to cry as she studies the face of the man she thought she knew, the face of the man who broke her heart. She has not seen him for two weeks and whenever she called he was always short with her. He is being mean to her and she does not know why. She does not know what she did wrong. So no, she will not give him the satisfaction of letting him see her fall apart.
"Thank you for coming."
She nods as the waiter comes over to take their drink order. He orders a scotch on the rocks and she does not want anything.
"How are you?" He asks, nervously pushing the napkin back and forth on the table.
"I'm sure you did not ask me here just to find out how I am doing."
He nods as the waiter returns with the drink and sets it in front of him. He wraps his hand around the cool glass and stares at the brown liquid because it's too painful to look at her sad face.
"Olivia …" He begins and she tenses.
He looks at her face and wonders what the hell he is doing. What purpose will it serve to end things with her? Who benefits? He owes Bennie but does he have to pay with his happiness? As lawyer Fitz is all about winning, but in this situation no one wins. He loses. Olivia loses. Bennie loses because he will never have the kind of relationship with Olivia he wants. He cannot do it. He cannot let her go. He will not let her go. So he chooses.
"Olivia", he looks into the eyes he has missed so much. "I love you and I am so sorry."
She tilts her head and narrows her eyes because she is angry and confused.
"I've been distant – intentionally."
She looks at him with a blank expression because she needs him to state more than the obvious. And he does. For the next hour he tells her how Bennie saved his life 20 years ago. He tells her how he feels he owes Bennie. He tells her about the pact he made with his brother and the price Bennie wants him to pay. And he tells her the price is too high. He tells her he does not want to lose her.
The tears stream down her face because she now has an answer. She now knows he was not rejecting her but he was trying to pay off a long overdue debt to Ben. She wipes the tears from her face with the linen table napkin.
"I need a glass of wine, Fitz"
He grins and flags the waiter. The first glass of red wine served to calm her nerves. The second glass served to summon the courage to say what is on her mind.
"Do I not have a voice in this?"
"What?" Looking at her confused.
"You and Ben have made an agreement – a decision about my life. You two decided to tear my life apart without any input from me or consideration for my feelings."
"Liv."
"Do you and Ben think you can just pass me back and forth between the two of you like I'm a piece of property?"
"Liv, I didn't think."
"No, Fitz you didn't think about my feelings. You just tossed me aside without an explanation and that hurt."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know what to do. I owe Bennie. I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?" He asks with urgency.
She sips her wine before responding.
"Fitz, when you asked me to be your girlfriend you said communication would be important for us to work out our differences."
He nods.
"But you didn't talk to me. Actually you stopped talking to me. You decided how to handle this situation without consulting me and that's just unacceptable."
"You're right. I should have discussed it with you. We should have talked it through together. I'm sorry and I promise it will never happen again. Can you forgive me?"
She looks at him as she swirls the wine in her glass. She loves him and she has missed him but there is something about him that is nagging at her but she cannot put her finger on it. So she dismisses the feeling and lets her heart rule her head. She nods.
"Say it, please. I need to hear you say you forgive me."
"I forgive you. You're forgiven." She smiles and he slides his hand across the table and caresses hers. And they grin at each other for a few moments.
"I need to talk to Ben", she says.
"No. I'll talk to him again", he says somewhat uncomfortably.
"I need to do this, Fitz. Maybe I should have talked to him sooner – when you first told me."
"Liv, you're under no obligation to reciprocate feelings for someone because they like you."
"I know, but no matter what Ben is still my friend. We've been friends for a long time, Fitz. I think talking to him is the least I can do."
"Fine, we'll do it together."
"No, I should do this alone."
Fitz looks at her intently then smiles.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Come with me to DC. I have a few meetings on Thursday but after that we can do whatever you want – spend some time taking in the sights. I've missed you and I don't want to be without you while I'm gone."
"OK."
"OK? You mean you'll come?"
The wine has her feeling real good and agreeable so she simply nods.
"Would you like another glass of wine?" He asks, grinning at her mischievously.
XXX
Olivia is packing her brief case preparing to leave the office for the day when Mona walks by her office.
"Mona, I'll be leaving a little earlier than usual on Wednesday. Fitz and I are going to DC for a few days."
"So Mr. Wonderful is back? I'm happy for you Olivia."
Olivia smiles and looks around checking if she is forgetting anything.
"And Olivia, you should try to meet with Congressman Guildor while you're down there."
"Already have a meeting scheduled with him. Good-night, Mona."
"Have a good trip, Olivia."
XXX
While Fitz is in meetings with his clients Olivia meets with the congressman from their state. Olivia knows funding for social service programs is getting more and more difficult to obtain so it is important for her to maintain close relationships with elected officials at all levels of government – federal, state, and local. Councilwoman Briggs taught her to always have multiple streams for funding her programs so when one source dries up another is always available. Since Olivia has worked with Congressman Guildor on a few projects back home, she thinks he will be open to extending his constituent services to include some of her programs. As Olivia's meeting with the congressman begins to wind down, she receives a text message from Fitz saying he is running late and to meet him at Komi Restaurant in DuPont Circle. Before leaving for the restaurant she and Congressman Guildor arrange to meet again to discuss her programs in more detail when he returns home.
Olivia takes a taxi to the restaurant and is seated immediately because Fitz called earlier to make the reservation. As Olivia waits for Fitz, she reviews the notes from her meeting with the congressman.
"Well, well, well. Look at who I run into all this way from home."
When Olivia hears the familiar voice she looks up at the man standing next to her table.
"Hello Charlie", picking up her water glass and taking a sip.
"I see you're still looking good, Olivia."
Olivia rolls her eyes and sets down the glass.
"May I join you?" Not waiting for a response Charlie reaches for the chair across from her.
"No, Charlie. I'm waiting for –"
"Sorry I'm late sweetheart", Fitz says as he hurries over to the table and pecks Olivia on the lips. He sits in the chair Charlie pulled away from the table.
Charlie's eyes almost bulge out of his head when he sees Olivia's lips press against the stranger's lips.
"Good-bye, Olivia", he says with finality while completely ignoring Fitz.
"Do you know him?" Fitz asks as he settles into his seat.
"Charlie the Contractor", she says and they both burst out laughing.
XXX
A few days after returning from Washington, DC Olivia called Ben and asked him to meet her at one of the gang's old hang-out places. She did not know exactly what she was going to say to him but she knew she had to be the one to end the dissension between the two brothers. As she sits in her office thinking about the strain Ben's attraction to her is having on her and Fitz' relationship she reflects on her friendship with Ben over the past 15 years. She smiles as she recalls the first time they met.
The Popes moved to their new town because Calvin Pope got a job promotion which required the family to move to another state. Olivia was 13 years old at the time and anxious about starting a new school in the middle of the school year. She was nervous on her first day at Sewell Middle and High School because she did not know anyone and she was not the most outgoing person. And the suburban school being a huge maze did not help matters any. The whole experience was quite nerve-wracking for her. Fortunately Sewell had a Buddy Program where new students are paired with a current student who is in the same grade. The Buddy Program was implemented to help new students get acclimated to their new school environment.
Benjamin Grant, who prefers to be called Ben even though his family calls him Bennie, was assigned to be Olivia's buddy on her first day at Sewell. Ben introduced Olivia to all of his friends, showed her around the campus, and took her to Sparky's Malt Shoppe for the first time. Soon they became good friends and he would hang out at her house a lot and sometimes she would go over to the Grant's home. When they graduated high school both went away to different out-of-state universities and talked on the phone periodically. After graduating from college they both returned home to pursue their careers. Ben enrolled in medical school and Olivia worked for various social service agencies as a copywriter before starting her own nonprofit organization.
As Olivia reflects on her friendship with Ben, she cannot recall ever thinking that Ben was attracted to her. He never said anything to her and she knows she did nothing to make him believe she considered him to be anything other than a friend.
XXX
Olivia sits in the red leather tufted booth at Sparky's Malt Shoppe, the popular hang-out for Sewell students and looks around thinking the place has not changed much over the years. She is somewhat anxious as she waits for Ben to arrive because she still does not know what she is going to say to him. What does she say to her friend, the brother of her boyfriend, who has a crush on her? While she does not know exactly what she is going to say, she knows she will not patronize him by saying he is handsome and someday he will find someone who deserves him. No, she will not say anything like that and nor will she feel guilty.
Olivia waves Ben over to the table when she sees him walking through the door. In that moment she realizes for the first time how much he looks like John with his dark hair and brown eyes. He smiles brightly when he reaches the table.
"I hope you still like chocolate malts because that's what I ordered for you", she says playfully as he slides into the booth.
"Thanks Liv", he says as the waitress sets the tall, frosty glass in front of him." I haven't had chocolate malt in years."
"How many malt shakes do you think we drank in all the years we were at Sewell?"
"Way more than can ever be healthy, especially now knowing what I know as a doctor."
They both chuckle.
"But …" she begins.
"It has milk in it", he continues, smiling broadly.
"And that makes it healthy", she finishes.
They laugh out loud at what they used to say to justify consuming way too many shakes. Olivia's laughter trails off as she looks at Ben.
"Why did you never say anything to me Ben – tell me about your feelings for me?"
Ben face reddens from embarrassment and anger.
"He had no right to tell you", pushing his malt shake aside.
"Ben, this is not about Fitz."
She watches as he clenches his jaw.
"I honestly never knew you had those kinds of feelings for me. You never said anything."
"Would it have mattered? Would you have given me a chance?" Looking at her intently.
"I honestly don't know Ben because you never gave me a chance."
He gives her a puzzled look.
"Ben, you decided to remain silent - to keep your feelings secret from me. How could I ever consider giving you a chance if you never let me know how you felt? You took the choice from me. And that's on you - no one else."
Olivia is trying to be kind but she also needs to be firm and leave no doubt in Ben's mind her position on the matter. Ben looks at her as though a lightbulb was just flicked on in his head.
"I'm sorry Olivia if I have put you in an uncomfortable position. That was never my intention. And you're right, this is all on me. I can't be jealous of something I never had."
"Ben, you can't try to control Fitz because you saved his life. That just isn't right."
Now Ben is really angry because his brother told her everything.
"Ben, I would like for us to remain friends, but only if you want that."
"I guess it doesn't matter what I want because it seems like we'll be seeing a lot of each regardless."
17 Months Later
For the past 45 minutes Fitz has been waiting at Olivia's apartment for her to come home from work. He stopped at her favorite restaurant and bought everything on the menu she likes, to go. He set the dining table, lit candles, and turned on soft music. As he surveys his handiwork, Olivia opens the door.
"So what's the celebration?" Looking around and assessing the room."
"You work too hard and I wanted to do something special for you tonight", smiling then pecking her on the lips.
"Aww, that's so sweet of you babe. Pucker again." And this time he kisses her passionately until she pulls away.
"Something smells really good, Fitz. Did you cook? She eyes whim suspiciously.
"No. Now let's eat" he says, taking her hand and guiding her to the table.
After dinner they sit on the sofa cuddling and enjoying the soft music flowing through the speakers.
"That was good, babe", she says smiling. "You have to do that more often. I really didn't want anything from a cardboard box tonight but I knew I was too tired to cook."
"I have Remy's on speed dial", smiling and rubbing his hand up and down her arm.
Olivia shakes her head and chuckles.
"Your dad told me to tell you 'hello'", Fitz says casually.
"What are you talking about?" Looking up at him like he has lost his mind. "My parents are still in Senegal – will be there for another eight months."
"That's true, but I spoke with them today."
"Today? Is everything okay? Are they all right?" Jumping up from the sofa.
"Calm down, Liv. Everything is fine, your parents are fine", trying to hold back his laughter.
"Then why are you talking to my parents?" She demands as her heart races in her chest.
He stands from the sofa and tries to stop her pacing.
"Liv, everything is fine. I promise."
"Something must be wrong Fitz", she says through the tears. "I don't know what I'm going to do without them."
"Liv –"
"What happened, Fitz? Tell me what happened", she yells, close to hysterics.
"Liv, stop it!" Grabbing her shoulders.
"Stop it? What do you mean stop it? Something has happened –"
"Nothing has happened to your parents. I asked your father for your hand in marriage", he screams.
"What?" Looking at him astonished.
"Will you marry me? Will you be my wife?" He asks nervously.
Olivia freezes and stares at him wide eyed, unable to breathe.
"Breathe baby, breathe."
When Olivia regains her composure, she swats Fitz on the shoulder.
"No I won't marry you", she screams, pushing him away. "You scared me. I thought …"
He embraces her tightly, not allowing her to pull away.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. You just jumped to conclusions."
"Marry me", he says with such intensity she is taken aback.
"Marry you? What do you mean marry you?"
"I'm proposing to you, Olivia. I want you to be my wife. I want to be your husband. I want us to spend the rest of our lives together."
Still in shock, she looks at him a moment before responding.
"What did my father say?" She asks seriously and he looks at her dumbfounded.
XXX
Now that Olivia is over the shock of Fitz' proposal she is ready to once again discuss their differences and how the y might impact their marriage.
"But Fitz, sometimes we see the world so differently."
"But we share the most important values and beliefs. We already talked about that."
"I know, but your parents –"
"You won't be marrying my parents. You'll be marrying me."
"Fitz, your parents are staunch Republicans. It would be hell having to debate them all the time. Your father is very opinionated and you know I can't just keep quiet."
"I love you more than anything, Liv. Don't let my parents' political beliefs come between us. I swear I won't."
"Fitz, your mother resents that I have my own business – that I have a career – that I work a lot of hours. What century is she from anyway?"
"Then we won't tell her", he smiles playfully.
"Be serious Fitz", nudging him with her shoulder.
"Olivia, I want you to have a career if that's what makes you happy. You love your work and I wouldn't expect you to give up your business just because we got married."
"I don't know, Fitz. If we did this I wouldn't want us to end in divorce."
"Liv, you have always been my endgame. Do you love me – want to be with me?"
She looks at him.
"Fitz, you know I have strong opinions and beliefs about social issues and I must have someone who is okay with that. I need someone who will respect my choices and beliefs.
"Liv, we both want the same basic things: someone who respects them, and someone whom we can trust and confide in. We both want children. We both are driven and passionate about our work. While our political beliefs are somewhat different –"
"Somewhat?" Olivia arches an eyebrow and looks at him incredulously.
"Liv, I am not going to lie, I do have some strong views about some political and social matters, but that won't be a problem for us. Look at James Carville and Mary Matalin. He's a Democrat and she's a Republican. And they have kids and have been married for a long time."
She looks at him skeptically.
"If we do this then we will have to agree to have a sense of humor about our differences and agree to disagree."
"All right."
"And we have to agree that we won't try to change each other, change who we are at our core."
"All right."
"And we have to agree to always try to openly communicate our wants and needs." She says, looking at him pointedly.
"All right", he says. "And …" He puts on his most serious face.
"What?" Arching her eyebrow again and waiting for him to finish.
"We have to agree to have lots of sex."
"What do you mean?" Her mouth is hanging open.
"If you hadn't noticed, Liv. I like sex – lots of it."
"Well what does that mean – a few times a week?"
"Every day – a couple of times a day."
"Are you crazy? I can't agree to something like that. I get home late most nights and I am –"
Fitz is laughing hysterically.
"I'm just kidding, Liv."
"Are you sure, Fitz? Because that could be a deal-breaker", she says seriously.
"I'm sure. But I will enjoy making love to my beautiful wife as often as I can."
She examines his face for a long while before answering.
"Okay – yes. I'll marry you", sticking out her left hand and waiting for him to put the ring on her finger.
XXX
Fitz and Olivia walk hand in hand into the restaurant where his family is waiting. They are running a few minutes late because now that they are practically living together Olivia is finding that Fitz really does like having sex a lot.
"I know what has you grinning Captain", Nora says getting up to give Olivia a hug. Bennie and his parents roll their eyes.
"You have a dirty mind Nora", pecking his sister on the cheek.
"Hi, everyone", Olivia says, waving with her right hand as she holds on to Fitz' hand with her left hand.
"You look lovely Olivia", Maura Grant says smiling.
"Thank you, Mrs. Grant."
"Sit down. Sit down." Gerry Grant says, waving his large hands in the direction of the open seats.
Olivia slides into the booth next to Bennie and he shifts uncomfortably away from her. Fitz slides into the booth next to Olivia and drapes his arm over her shoulder and unknowingly brushes Bennie's shoulder slightly. After about an hour of lots of chatter, appetizers, and drinks the waiters bring out their entrees.
"So are you going to tell us why you invited us to this wonderful restaurant?" Gerry asks as he digs into his lobster. "Not that I'm complaining, especially since you're picking up the tab for all of this."
Olivia looks at Fitz and smiles.
"Don't you want dessert first, dad?"
"Of course I want dessert, but I also want to know why we are all here."
Olivia feels a sneeze coming on and grabs her napkin and brings it to her face.
"Oh my god, Olivia. You're engaged."
All eyes watch Olivia as she finishes sneezing into the linen napkin.
"Let me see. Let me see." Nora demands as she reaches across John to grab Olivia's left hand.
Olivia is grinning broadly, proudly displaying her fiancée's good taste in engagement rings.
"You did well, Captain. I'm proud of you. Congratulations."
"Thanks, sis."
"Wow Fitz, that's a good looking ring. Congratulations, brother and welcome to the family Liv."
"Thank you, John."
"Fitzgerald, you sure know how to surprise everyone. Congratulations son. And I echo John, welcome to the family Olivia", says Gerry.
"Yes, Olivia – Fitzgerald. Congratulations", Maura says, glancing quickly at Bennie.
"Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Grant. I am so happy to be joining the family."
"Well no more of that Mr. and Mrs. Grant business. You're going to be Mrs. Grant too, so it's now Gerry and Maura."
"Thank you", Olivia says, smiling brightly.
John looks at Bennie encouraging him to congratulate the newly engaged couple. After a moment Bennie lifts his glass and offers a toast.
"Congratulations to the best brother a guy could ever have. No offense, John."
"None taken", John says, raising his hands in surrender.
"And to his beautiful fiancée. Congratulations Olivia. I hope you and my brother will have many happy and wonderful years together."
"Aww, Ben. Thank you", pecking him on the cheek. "That was so sweet."
"Thank you, Bennie" Fitz says then orders champagne to celebrate the occasion.
XXX
Nora is excited that Olivia is going to be her sister-in-law. She always wanted a sister when she was growing up as the only girl in a house with three raucous brothers. Although Olivia is several years older than Nora, she looks forward to hanging out with Olivia to discuss girl stuff and to go shopping.
Since Fitz and Olivia announced their engagement a few weeks ago, Nora has begun to volunteer at Olivia's nonprofit a few days a week. Olivia is enjoying the extra the help and getting the inside scoop on the Grants.
"Liv, I want you to meet some of my friends. Now that you and the Captain are engaged you should know some of my friends since they hang around my parents' house a lot."
"Okay. I don't think I know any of your friends. Were they at Fitz' Welcome Home Party?"
"A few were there and you wouldn't know them because they're a couple of years younger than you and Bennie. The two groups didn't hang out together."
"I see." Still focused on the latest report on the water crisis.
"So you'll join us for lunch on Thursday at Remy's?"
"Sure, sure. I'll be there."
"And Liv …"
"Hmmm?" Liv says, not looking up from the report she is reading.
"I love my brother but he can be pretty bossy at times."
"Really? I've never seen that side of Fitz", finally looking up from the report.
"Well he can be just like our father sometimes. Just don't let him push you around like dad does mom."
Olivia looks at Nora not quite sure what to make of this bit of information.
XXX
"I have had my eyes on Captain Grant for quite some time", Allison remarks while twisting her blond hair where the dark roots are beginning to show. "It's such a shame he's now off the market."
"Such a shame. He's the best looking of all the Grant men – not that they all aren't lookers", Bethany corrects quickly.
"I wonder who the lucky girl is." Allison says.
"I wonder if she will fit in with our gang." Anne says. "It will be awkward if she doesn't since Nora wants us to be friends with her."
"Is she from around here?" Allison asks, sipping on her iced tea.
"I think so. She's friends with their little brother, Bennie."
"Bennie is hardly little any more. Have you seen him lately? I think he might be the second best looking of the Grant brothers."
Nora joins her friends at the table and interrupts their talking.
"So what did I miss? What did I interrupt?"
"Nothing", Allison says. "Just a little girl talk", smiling deviously.
"Well I'm a girl so spill it, Beth. What did I miss?"
"Well …" Bethany begins, anxious to share the gossip. "Allison was just telling us how she always had the hots for Fitz and is bummed that he is off the market."
"Really?" Nora says looking at a red-faced Allison. "I never knew you had a thing for my brother."
"It's not the kind a thing a girl goes blabbing all over town."
"Well set your sights on someone else because he is head over heels in love with Olivia, who should be here any minute", looking at the time on her phone.
After a few minutes Olivia walks up to the table and Nora jumps up to give her future sister-in-law a hug.
"Liv, I'm so glad you could make it. Everyone this is Olivia, Fitz' fiancée'."
Olivia smiles at all of the stunned faces.
XXX
As Olivia sits in her office, she smiles when she reads Fitz' text saying he is grilling steaks and vegetables for dinner tonight. She cannot believe how much his cooking skills have improved. As Olivia enters the apartment she sets her purse onto the table near the door and walks into the kitchen where Fitz has apparently been busy preparing their dinner. She wraps her arms around his waist and kisses down his neck. He smiles as he concentrates on seasoning the meat laid out on the counter. Olivia peeks around him and smiles.
"Those are really big steaks, babe."
"Do you have an appetite?"
"I didn't eat anything after you told me we were having steak for dinner."
"Good. Everything should be ready in about a half hour."
"I had lunch with Nora and some of her friends today", she says, watching him now slice vegetables to grill.
"That's nice. Did you have fun?" He asks, focused on slicing the vegetables.
Olivia grabs a slice of red pepper from the cutting board.
"It felt a bit awkward."
"Why?" Looking up from the cutting board.
"Do you know Allison – Nora's friend?"
He frowns, thinking about the question.
"I don't think so but I've been gone for a while. Why?"
"I think she has a thing for you, babe."
"What?"
"I think so. Bethany let something slip and Allison almost chewed off her head. I felt badly for poor Bethany."
"Well I don't know Allison and I only have a thing for you. Now pucker."
"Does your family know you are now a chef? You're getting pretty good at this cooking thing." Ignoring his request.
"No, they don't know that you've domesticated me. And don't tell them."
"Well you needed to know how to cook. I won't be around all the time to prepare your meals, Fitz."
"I said pucker", wiping his hands on the towel before turning around and wrapping his arms around her waist. "You're staying tonight, right?"
"I guess so since I won't be able to move after eating half a cow", glancing over at the steaks on the counter.
XXX
After dinner Fitz and Olivia sit on the balcony unable to move after eating the huge steaks and grilled vegetables. Olivia smiles as she watches the sunset.
"What are you smiling about over there?" Fitz asks as he lays back on the chaise lounge.
"The sunset and us getting married", she says dreamily.
Fitz nods and looks over at the setting sun.
"I think we should have premarital counseling", she says walking over to the lounge chair and sitting on his lap.
"Premarital counseling? We already talked about our differences, Liv – our expectations and how we won't try to change each other. Besides, I already know everything I need to know about you. You're kind and giving. You want children. And you can bake."
She nudges him playfully.
"Be serious, Fitz."
"I am. Those things are important to me", he says grinning wide.
"Babe, I think it would be helpful if we talked to a professional – someone who can guide us through the things we need to be mindful of as a couple."
He thinks about this for a while. He is not sure counseling is necessary since they already made their agreements.
"Do you think counseling is really necessary? Do you really want to do it?"
"Yes and yes."
He is still hesitant to agree. He just does not think they need it.
"Why are you so seeing reluctant to see a counselor?"
"It just makes us seem broken before we even get started."
"That's just it Fitz, counseling will help us to highlight areas that may need attention so we don't get broken later."
He nods as he thinks about what she said.
"Okay. Who do we see? How do we even select a premarital counselor?"
"Well, my church provides this service. Rev. Walker is a licensed marriage counselor."
He nods, still processing everything she is saying.
"Besides, Rev. Walker requires premarital counseling before conducting a marriage ceremony."
"So are we getting married at your church?"
"Well, yeah. I've known Rev. Walker all of my life. Triumph Baptist is my family's church."
"Well my family has a church too. I'm sure my parents are going to want a say in where we get married."
She looks at him in disbelief.
"Fitz, you hardly ever go to church. I go all the time."
"My schedule doesn't allow it. Besides, it's my family's church."
"Fitz, where we get married is not about your family, it's about where we will have the greater spiritual connection. Church is not as important for you as it is for me."
"Why would you say that?" Now getting defensive.
"Fitz, why are you making this such a big issue?"
"I'm not. You just seemed to have figured everything out without discussing it with me."
"Well, that's what I'm doing now."
He sighs heavily.
"Babe", running her hands through his hair. "It seems like we are really going to need premarital counseling."
He looks at her with a tense face then they both laugh out loud.
"I guess we do. Now pucker."