"So how did last night go?" Olivia asked, running her fingers through his hair. Watching him as he was now sliding her leggings down from their current high-waisted position.
"It was okay. I think we made some progress in at least starting to think about next steps. And I will say that...we're moving away from the consistent insults all the time. Which is also a plus," he said, pulling her leggings off one leg at a time.
"That is a plus," she nodded, feeling the softness of his curls under her hands. "I don't appreciate the insults at all. Not my baby."
He looked up at her and smiled, giving her a wink. But then he shrugged, looking at her uncertainly.
"I just wish I could...see into her brain sometimes," he said, sliding her white silky thong down her legs.
"Yeah. Things would definitely be a lot easier if that were the case," she agreed, watching him.
He dropped her thong over the side of the bed and extended back upward, looking at her now almost naked body.
Her shirt was already gone, but her bra still remained.
"Yeah. But…I'm just staying confident about it. Trying to," he said, instinctively reaching around her back for her bra clasp. "That's the only thing that keeps me sane. Along with you. And K."
"Is that right?" Olivia smiled.
"Mhm," he nodded, feeling around for the clasp. "And I need that right now. Because along with dealing with Mellie, work has been…just crazy lately, too."
"Yeah? What's been going on?" she said, looking at him intently.
He furrowed his eyebrows, analyzing her bra, since it clearly had been kicking his ass for about 30 seconds now.
"Oh, Fitz, sorry, it's…here. It's on the front," she laughed, gesturing to the front clasp on her bra. Which, was actually a new one.
Ah yes, one of these bras.
"Oh. Shit. That's right, I like these ones," he nodded, identifying the front clasp and undoing it as she giggled. "Is this…yeah. This one is new."
"It is new! Thank you for noticing," she said, smiling at him as her perfect breasts came free of her bra. He pulled the straps down and she took it off completely.
He bit his lip, looking at her pretty smile and her now bare chest below him. "You are…very welcome."
She pulled on his tie, smirking up at him.
"Tell me what's been going on at work, baby," she said, watching him smirk as he knelt above her.
He was fully clothed — wearing everything except his suit jacket. She, on the other hand — completely naked.
"Well..." he began, leaning down and taking her nipple in his mouth.
She gasped quietly, holding his head against her chest.
His warm mouth was doing the absolute most in the best way — sucking, and pulling gently with his lips. Circling his tongue in such a teasing manner and watching how it affected her.
Her eyes were closed and she was laying so relaxed on her bed, letting him have full control.
"Like I told you last week we've got a new executive in the division that I'm...sort of taking under my wing," he explained, kissing his way across to her other breast.
He took that nipple in his mouth now, letting his tongue do the work. But then he paused again.
"He knows what he's doing, I don't have to babysit him or anything. But as far as switching companies goes, he's just had to adapt to how...JPM does things and I've just been helping him with that. He's a great guy and...he's been really appreciative," Fitz nodded. "It just...adds to my responsibilities and things I have to think about."
"...Right," Olivia nodded, biting her lip in pleasure.
He smirked, and continued on.
"But there are other execs getting him situated too, it isn't just me. Andrew's been helping, so has Cyrus. My assistant Ethan has been...assisting him a lot as well. It's a team effort."
"That's...that's good," she whispered, becoming even more relaxed.
"Yes, it is. But along with that, just...the stress that comes with nearing the end of quarter one. A few board presentations. A whole new risk evaluation model that...we're trying to implement right now. And just the everyday fires I tend to have to...put out."
"Right. Right...you told me about...the new...model," she said, squeezing onto his hand.
He smiled, bringing her hand up to his mouth to kiss it gently.
"Yeah. But I won't bore you with any more of that."
"No, no — it isn't boring at all, I asked," she said, opening her eyes to look at him. "I love hearing...about what you do, and who you work with and...how important you are. I...really do."
He chuckled. "I know, Livvie. I'm just busy with, um...some other things right now. More important things."
"Oh. Like...what?" she asked breathlessly.
He brought two fingers up to his mouth and wet them, and she studying him the entire time. She watched, smirking, as he brought those two fingers down her body.
She inhaled sharply, feeling him start to tease her. He circled her opening with a finger, watching how she reacted to it.
And that, along with the kisses he was planting on her chest, had her weak.
He'd managed to have her almost shaking already, and he hadn't so much as started to finger her yet.
"I'm just...having fun with my girlfriend," he whispered. "That's all."
"That's…all," she laughed quietly, widening her legs for him.
He noticed, looking down at her open legs for him.
She looked back at him pleadingly, holding into his arm that was bracing himself above her.
He smiled. "Should I stop teasing?"
"Please," she whispered with a smile.
"Mmkay," he chuckled.
He inserted his finger inside her again, this time not as slowly.
He went all the way in, watching her face contort.
Even the brief teasing had her wet.
But he decided to make things...wetter.
He pulled his finger out and scooted down the bed, getting a good look at her naked body from a different angle.
Beautiful.
She panted, watching him intently as he lifted her legs, and guided them over his head.
Her heart raced and she smirked, resting her feet on his back.
He brought his index finger back into the equation, but this time added his middle finger. Slowly. With his face right there, he got to see everything up close. And my, what a show that was.
Her breathing was growing faster, and he felt his pants tighten as he became harder. He just ignored that part.
Because her clit was right there in front of him, begging for his attention. And he was happy to oblige. He craved her. He craved the position they were in right now. And he had to admit, he was pretty sure Olivia would take it any day he wanted to give it to her. Which...would be every day if he had it his way.
He knew the effect it had on her; it was her favorite. His too.
He leaned in and let his tongue do the work, and she instantly responded.
"Oh...baby," she whispered, her muscles tightening. "Oh..."
"Hmm?" he responded.
She clutched at her sheets, unable to look at him. So he wrapped his other arm around her hip and rested his free hand on her stomach. The other hand was quite busy, pumping two fingers in and out of her slowly.
She instinctively reached down and laced her fingers in his on top of her stomach. It was at least something to hold on to — kind of.
And now she couldn't help but look down at him, finally opening her eyes as she steadily panted.
His eyes were the ones that were closed now, as he did what he did.
Did what he could do.
He was so incredibly good at what he was doing right now, and she was pretty sure he downright knew it. It was something he did with such confidence. Such pleasure.
His fingers hit that spot repeatedly. Expertly. And his mouth complemented perfectly. Skillfully.
If she thought she'd been shaking before...her body was just about convulsing now. All that tension, building up. All those things he was doing so right.
He paused, as her clit throbbed. He admired her body, and the place his head had just been buried in.
She whimpered quietly, almost begging him to resume.
He pressed a soft kiss to her clit, looking up at her pleasured face.
"You are killing me right now," she whispered.
"Oh no. That's...that's not a good thing," he whispered back, pressing another kiss to her clit.
She opened her mouth in awe, feeling the constant throb. Feeling desperate for contact again.
He'd pulled his fingers out of her too, which were glistening wet from her body.
"Please..." she moaned, biting her lip as she watched him.
He smiled and used his tongue heavily now. Against her clit, circling her opening. Sliding inside of her.
She'd said "please" after all.
He resumed his fingers and mouth combination not long thereafter until she couldn't even speak.
He pulled his fingers out at the perfect time; knowing exactly when, based on her body language and her murmurs of his name. And he tasted her as she came.
She kept feeling his tongue against her skin, and looked down to see probably the sexiest thing she'd ever seen. Her cum slowly ran down her skin, and partially out of his mouth.
He'd seen that through all the way to the end, that was for sure.
He kissed the soft skin on the insides of her thighs, making his way back up to her face.
What a nice journey that was. She was so perfect.
But she needed a moment before she could even remotely begin to talk to him, or move. She hadn't even moved from her position; wide open legs as she laid there exhausted on her back.
But slowly, she unbent her legs and stretched them out, before laying in a more comfortable position.
She was still panting.
"Oh...my God," she whispered, looking at him.
He had kissed his way up, and now planted one on her lips with a soft smile.
"Fitz."
"Hmm?"
"Do you know...how good you are at that?" she whispered, breathing hard.
He pecked her lips once more and then her cheek, nodding at her.
"Yes...actually," he whispered back.
She laughed. "Good. You are...talented, baby."
"If I could do it every day, I would," he smirked, kissing his way back down her body.
"Oh God, that sounds amazing. What a...stress reliever," she giggled, letting out a big sigh.
"Good to know," he nodded, settling down and laying his head on her stomach, resting his arms on either side of her bare hips. "Next time you have a stressful tutoring session, you can just...call me."
She laughed. "Now that's an idea I can get behind."
"When's your next one?" he asked.
"Tomorrow," she answered. "I don't have a set schedule yet because I'm new, but soon I'll be able to decide which days I want to work and I'll be assigned to certain students."
"That's great, Livvie," he said happily. "And how do you like it so far?"
"I really like it! I did it back home too, I just didn't do it as often as I'm going to do now because I had another job at home. But...doing it just about part-time now will be a good way to earn some money," she nodded.
"And you're just tutoring English, for the most part?" he asked.
"Yeah. Language and Composition, editing, help with Literature essay-writing. All my favorite things," she smiled. "Although, I did qualify to tutor in almost all core subjects. So...that gives me more flexibility and opportunity to get more hours, too."
"Mmm," he replied, kissing her just below her belly button. "That's because you're fucking brilliant."
She smiled and looked at him cutely. "Well thank you, baby. How sweet of you."
"How honest of me," he corrected.
He returned to kissing her skin, giving each square inch of her hips and her abdomen some attention. And she watched contently, playing with his hair while he did.
He eventually tilted his head, looking up at her with a smile.
"Whatcha thinking about, smiley?" she asked.
He shrugged.
"Just...you. And how much I love you."
She looked at him sweetly.
"Really?"
"Really," he nodded. "My mind goes there often."
She sighed contently.
"I love you too, Fitz."
"Yeah," he nodded, snuggling his head against her tummy. "I know. And that's...the best feeling. In the world."
"It is," she whispered with a smile, playing with his curls. "Indescribable."
He looked up at her and nodded in agreement. "Yes. That's exactly right."
"Mhm. I get it. I'm in the same boat you are here, mister," she laughed.
"Oh, you mean the...never been in love with anyone and still have a hard time explaining everything it makes you do and feel. But...all you know is...it's...the best...boat?"
"Yes, that's the boat," Olivia nodded in agreement.
"Right. More like a...ship, if you ask me, actually," he said.
She burst into laughter.
"You're right. So are we talking like...a steamer or...a pirate ship, maybe?" she asked.
He chuckled, shaking his head at her.
"You are so funny."
"You've been telling me that since day one," she smiled.
"I've meant it since day one. And no — I'm still not smoking anything. I...don't even think it's possible. I couldn't smoke anything if I tried. And yes...I have tried. I didn't do it right. Although...maybe I should try harder, because that would probably...do wonders for my anxiety —"
Now she was cracking up again.
"You are the funny one," she giggled.
He shook his head. "No way. I will fight you on this."
"Oh, really? You're going to fight me, huh?" she challenged.
"Yes. Because I don't...try to be funny. I'm just awkward and I say...awkward things, and it makes you giggle. Which...by the way — I love. Because your laugh is angel-like. But you, on the other hand, are just naturally funny," he shrugged.
"Oh — this is our fight? I was expecting a little more action than that," she teased.
"Oh. More action and...less words sounds...kind of tempting to me," he noted.
Now she was laughing again.
"See!" she exclaimed.
He looked at her funny. "What?"
"You don't try to be funny and it's why you are. You aren't awkward. You're adorable and I love you. And I'm so glad you think I'm funny. Because like I've told you before — every time you laugh, a baby is born. So...we might as well get to the baby-making."
He chuckled, shaking his head at her.
"We seem to be excellent at that particular...activity," he nodded.
"Exquisite you might say," she agreed.
"Yes. Exquisite," he laughed.
She sighed, holding the side of his face with her hand.
"I don't want you to go."
"I won't," he said. "I'll stay here a while longer."
"Really?" she asked hopefully.
"Really," he nodded, intertwining his fingers with her free hand. "All I ever want to do is be with you."
"I don't know."
"You don't know what?" Fitz asked.
"I just...I want to be a team, Fitz. No matter what, we've always been a team for K, and...if we ended things, I don't know how that would work. I don't know how to do that, or if it's even possible."
"Of course it's possible. Divorced parents all over the world do it. Not every divorce is...bad, Mell. Not every divorce goes down like...your parents' did. We just need to move forward together. Don't you want that? Because that's what I want. And that will be good for Karen to see."
"I don't..." she sighed, putting her hands up to her face. "I don't even know how we would go about that."
She was extremely stressed out — he could see it. And he could feel it, and relate.
"We start by agreeing. Agreeing that this is what needs to happen. Things will go so much smoother from there if we're...on the same page. Things like...telling Karen, and filing the papers. Abby has already said she'd help us do it. She's done it before, for her cousin. It can go smoothly, Mellie. It really can. If we're a team. Like...we should be."
She shook her head, letting out a deep sigh. He could tell she was panicking a bit inside. Yet another thing he could relate to.
"I just...I don't...I don't know how to do this, Fitz. This is all we've ever known and...this is what's worked," she said, panicked.
"Mellie. This hasn't worked," he said, as gently as possible.
"Yes it has! Yes it has — it worked until you went and —" she yelled. But then she realized how loud she had gotten and she cut herself off.
"Do we need to go downstairs?" he asked sternly, but quietly.
"No," she shot back. "No. I'm fine."
He sighed, but continued. "Okay, so you think this has worked. But answer this — do you realistically think you could even continue this...this sham now? I know the answer to that question for me — but what's the answer to that for you? Because, look...you say you won't hate me forever, but sometimes I'm not so sure."
"I don't...I don't know," she said, putting her hands up to her stressed face.
"I think you do," he said. "I think you know how fucked up things are, and have been. How we have made things. I think...you know what needs to happen."
"You fucked them up more than I ever did!"
"Don't just blame me, Mellie. I've done things, you know I won't hide from that. But I'm not the only reason things are the way they are now," he shook his head.
"Oh, please. Give me a damn break, Fitzgerald —"
"Mommy? Daddy?"
Both of their eyes went wide and they looked toward the bedroom door, which was currently closed. But the muffled, innocent voice had come from just outside of it. She shouldn't be up, it was really late.
Jesus, who knew how much she had heard.
Fitz was nearest the door, so he eyed Mellie and they instantly lost the anger in their expressions before he opened it.
Fitz opened the door and looked down, seeing Karen looking up at him almost sadly.
"Hi, K. I'm sorry, did we wake you?" Fitz asked, crouching down.
"No," she shook her head. "My stomach did."
"Oh no. Your stomach, huh? Is it upset?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Do you think you're going to be sick?" he asked.
"I don't know. I don't think so. But...maybe?" she questioned. "It just doesn't feel good."
Mellie got out of bed concernedly and walked to her, putting the back of her hand against Karen's forehead to feel if she was warm.
"Anything else feel wrong, baby?" Mellie asked gently, adjusting her hand's position on Karen's forehead.
"No. Nothing else," Karen replied.
"Hmm. You're a little bit warm," Mellie noted. "Why don't we get you back to bed, okay? We'll take your temperature and give you some medicine."
She nodded solemnly, and Fitz stood up from his crouching position and picked her up afterward. Mellie on the other hand, went to their bathroom to grab some medicine and a thermometer.
Fitz rubbed Karen's back as they headed to her bedroom together, and she laid her head tiredly on her dad's shoulder. He knew she was probably sleepy, but he could also tell she was just not quite herself. Sad, a little off, and probably just feeling gross.
"You're okay, sweetheart," he said gently, laying her down in bed.
She reached for her covers and pushed them down as far as she could.
"Too hot?" he asked.
She nodded, looking at him as she laid her head sleepily on her pillow.
He took note of her long-sleeved pajamas and went to her dresser to grab something cooler for her to sleep in.
"Here, why don't you put these on instead, okay? They won't be so hot," he whispered, bringing a tank top and shorts for her to wear.
"Okay," she whispered back.
"I'll go refill your water for you," he said lightly, grabbing the empty water bottle by her bed.
"Thank you, dad," she said quietly.
"Of course."
He left her door slightly ajar and went to get her some nice, cold water. Extra ice, too.
He came back to Mellie sitting on the bed next to Karen, holding a thermometer up to Karen's mouth and waiting. It beeped and upon looking at it, Mellie nodded.
"Just a little fever. Not too bad," Mellie said. "We'll get you all better, okay? And the medicine will help with your stomach."
"Okay. Thank you," Karen said.
"You're welcome, K. Try to get some rest, okay? Resting is the best thing you can do. And there's a bucket down here just in case you think you're going to be sick."
Karen nodded, but looked at both of them intently.
"You were fighting," she said nervously.
Fitz's heart dropped, and he looked over at Mellie — who he could tell felt the same way as him.
Normally, this would be a scenario that they would downplay to Karen. Not outright lie — she clearly had heard. But perhaps they would attempt to brush it off.
He, instead, took the opportunity to tell the truth. Because it was what was right, and because she deserved to know.
"We were having a disagreement," Fitz nodded, looking at Karen.
"I know parents have disagreements. Like you told me, dad. But...are you supposed to have a lot? Are you supposed to...pretend that you don't?"
Mellie froze, and Fitz could remember the exact moment he felt what she was feeling now. It was so long ago, that she had said something like that to Fitz and Fitz alone. When she had brought up the instances of her parents pretending, and of all their arguments. It had only happened once, and it had about brought his world crashing down.
Of course Fitz had told Mellie many times of the incident, but she didn't take it seriously from him. Nothing was quite like hearing it firsthand from your daughter.
And now she was.
Karen took her parents' brief silence as a bad sign and started to panic. Another thing she had done the first time, too. It was very clear she knew what she was talking about — but that the topic still made her a little nervous to address.
"I'm sorry. I don't want to make you mad. I'm sorry," she said worriedly, looking between them.
"Hey, hey. No. You didn't," Fitz shook his head.
He looked to Mellie, but was afraid he wasn't going to get any help from her at the moment. She looked stunned.
"Mom and dad are...going through some things right now," Fitz nodded honestly, looking at Karen. "We don't want you to worry about it, okay? But we are going to be a lot more...open, about things with you going forward."
Karen nodded slowly. "Okay."
Mellie nodded slowly in agreement. Seemingly the only thing she could do.
"Okay. Now try and get some sleep, okay? Like mom said, rest is the most important thing right now. Right?"
"Right," Karen nodded, giving them both a faint, tired smile.
"Alright. I love you," he said, squeezing her hand affectionately.
"Love you," she murmured. "Love you, mom."
"I love you so much, Karen," Mellie whispered, coming to kiss her forehead.
Fitz waited for Mellie, and then headed down the hall with her after leaving Karen's door open just slightly.
They walked into their bedroom, and he could sense the feeling in Mellie. The defeated feeling he had experienced, too.
"Mell," he said gently.
She shook her head, heading into their bathroom.
"Mellie. Hey," he said, catching up with her.
He grabbed her arm gently, turning her around to face him.
"No, I can't. I..." she said, pulling away from him and refusing to meet his eyes.
He sighed, watching her go through the same emotional pain he'd already experienced, and still experienced.
She looked at him solemnly, almost like she wanted to cry. She probably did want to.
But she didn't. Instead, she stood there, unsure of what to say. She just stood there in disbelief.
He would never be the one to say "I told you so," so he didn't really know what to say in this scenario. He just tried his best.
"I know how you feel."
She swallowed hard and shook her head.
"I just...I just want to go to bed. I just...need to go to bed," she said quietly.
He did wonder if perhaps for Karen's sake, that he should stay upstairs tonight. But if she really did wake up and she found out he wasn't sleeping with Mellie, so be it. Probably something she should know anyway. It was the truth.
"Okay," he nodded. "Night."
She nodded hesitantly and looked up at him.
"Night," she responded, slowly heading to the bathroom.
He almost felt bad for her.
He knew the feeling and it wasn't a good one. And he figured she was having flashbacks to her own childhood, remembering what it was like to be in Karen's position and feeling those things.
That aspect, he couldn't relate to, and was partially why he didn't want to get on her too hard at the moment.
But he also knew that she hadn't always understood exactly the severity of what Karen had said to him months ago. She had doubted what Karen really knew and thought before now.
But clearly, there wasn't much room for doubt now, after hearing it all from Karen herself. Poor Karen, who was feeling sick and hearing her parents argue yet again.
God, this all needed to end.
And perhaps tonight, with Karen speaking up again this time in the presence of her mother — they were a little bit closer to getting there.
Fitz felt the strain in his muscles with every pushup. He felt the tension in his abdomen throughout his entire long, agonizing plank.
Planks could "step on legos," as Olivia once put it. She'd been correct about that one.
His run on the treadmill felt longer. All his weights felt heavier. He felt heavier, when he repeatedly pulled himself up on the pull-up bar. Because he worked out insanely hard — while mentally working through what his next move should be with Mellie.
Maybe this was the time to capitalize, because she'd heard something she needed to hear from their own daughter. Exactly the person she needed to hear it from.
Or maybe this was the time to shut up about it all and give her a little space, because he had to admit, the feeling she was experiencing now did suck. He'd felt it all himself.
He didn't know.
Sometimes he wished there was a book out there written about what to do in situations like these. Had anyone else had a shitty marriage based on obligation — and then fallen in love with someone staying in their house — before trying to really make things right?
Probably not.
Maybe he should pitch the idea to Olivia when she became New York City's greatest book editor.
He hopped down from the pull-up bar, wiping the sweat from his face with his sweat towel.
Looking down at his sweaty self, his muscles tensed and flexed with every exhausted, deep breath.
He put his hands on top of his head, panting as he made his way slowly over to one of the mats on the floor. He slowly got down, bracing himself with his palm on the floor, and laid down, catching his breath.
That was a good workout.
He sighed, looking up at the clock and seeing that he better head upstairs pretty soon.
So after a few more minutes of rest, he grabbed his shirt and slung it over his shoulder, chugging the rest of his water as he went upstairs.
After grabbing his protein shake, he climbed the final flight of stairs to check on his little girl.
When he peeked into her bedroom he saw she was still completely passed out, which made him happy. At least for now she wasn't feeling icky.
But still, when we entered their bedroom, he gently woke Mellie up.
"Hey. Mellie," he whispered, touching her arm.
She gasped, startled at his wake up call. Probably still not used to someone else sitting in their bed at this time of morning.
"Oh — hey, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Just me," he said.
"You scared me. Sorry," she whispered, laying her head down. "What is it?"
"I just wanted to ask if you knew how your day was today; if you could call in or not. If Karen had a fever last night I'm assuming it's best she stays home today," he said quietly.
She nodded, sighing. "Yes. She should."
"I have a big meeting this morning. But I can call in if I need to. I just need to know now if that's the case so I can give some heads up."
She nodded, putting her palm to her face.
"Um...okay. I think it should be fine. You go, I can stay," she nodded tiredly.
"You sure?" he asked. "I can."
"Yeah. It's fine."
He nodded. "Okay. Thank you for that, Mell, I'll try and come home as early as I can. I checked on her just how; she's sleeping so I didn't want to wake her."
"Okay. That's good, at least," Mellie noted. "I'll check her temp when she wakes up."
"Okay. I'm going to...go get ready for work then. But...I'll check on her before I head out. Go back to sleep if you want, sorry I scared you," he said.
"It's okay."
He walked to the bathroom a little bit confused, but definitely not upset about how that entire interaction went down.
Hmm. Even the most basic of conversations seemed amazing with Mellie when there was nothing remotely insulting or negative about it.
Well, aside from the fact that their sweet daughter was ill. Poor K.
Hopefully, it was a 24-hour bug and she'd be back to her normal self tomorrow.
The hot water in the shower felt nice on his skin. He stayed in the shower a tad too long probably, but he was mentally preparing for the big day he had ahead of him, and that caused him some anxiety.
Hot water was a godsend.
He wished this morning was one where he got to see Olivia, but he was going in a little bit earlier than normal to prep, so unfortunately, he'd have to wait a few days to see her again. That always sucked.
For now, he'd have to settle for a good morning text, and texts throughout the day when both had the time.
After getting ready for his day, he looked at himself in the mirror, analyzing everything about his appearance. He approved.
He checked on Karen, who was still sleeping, he fed Hank and himself, had a cup of coffee in the process, and then was out the door. He left a feel better note for his Karen on the counter, assuring her he'd be home from work early that day.
And he made sure to keep that promise.
"Hey."
"Hey," Fitz greeted, walking in the door and removing his jacket. "How is she?"
"She's alright. Still not feeling great. Steady fever all day," Mellie informed him, as she stood by the stove.
"Hmm. Okay. What do you think? Stomach flu?" he asked.
"Yeah, I think so. Or just a bug. It's been going around at her school, remember. She hasn't been sick yet, but she doesn't have an appetite and everything else she's experienced leads me to believe that's what she caught."
"Alright," Fitz nodded. "Is she resting now?"
"Yeah, she's napping a little before dinner. She didn't sleep well last night so I think she's exhausted, but having a hard time getting to sleep."
"Yeah. That's too bad. I feel awful for her; the flu is never fun. I'm sure she's sad about missing GT club more than anything, if I had to guess," he said.
"Very," Mellie agreed. "We had to have a little chat about how she absolutely could not go, because she's contagious."
He smiled, shaking his head. "She's determined, that one. Even when she's sick."
"That she is."
He glanced at the stove, looking like she was preparing something. "You making dinner?"
"Yeah I thought...maybe we could have soup tonight. Easy on her stomach and...my mom's recipe is the best," Mellie nodded quietly.
"Yes..." he nodded. "It is. That's a great idea."
She nodded, turning back to the stove silently.
Everything about her just sounded...defeated. Though honestly, he felt like she was realizing now — that he had been right about Karen this whole time. So being genuine was the least she could do.
He appreciated that, even if she was a bit late to the party. Or...very late.
He headed upstairs to change out of his work clothes and then worked for a while until dinner. Since he wasn't cooking tonight, he had a little extra time to get additional things done, which was good.
Unfortunately, Karen couldn't even muster up a smile when she woke up and they brought her her soup. And that was never a good thing to see as a parent. Your child, clearly not feeling great. Not their normal happy selves.
It certainly would not be one of those nights that he could get giggles out of her from tickling her. Tonight would be much more lowkey than that. All he hoped was that tomorrow she showed signs of getting better. It had been about a day, after all, so perhaps there was a chance it was just a 24-hour bug and she'd be feeling better tomorrow.
The night was lowkey, that was for sure. Fitz had been able to tell since yesterday that Mellie needed her space. She was processing, which was fair. But he'd given her a day, so he figured it was okay for him to head back upstairs to talk with her later that night.
He'd already said goodnight to Karen long ago, and most definitely didn't plan on getting into any yelling matches tonight; he just wanted to see how Mellie was feeling and thinking from last night. So, he entered their bedroom.
The door was slightly open, so he pushed it further and then shut it quietly behind him, looking at Mellie in bed.
She looked tiredly up at him from her book, shaking her head.
"I was just about to go to sleep, Fitz."
He nodded. "Can we talk first, please?"
"About what?"
"You know what," he said quietly.
She sighed, looking down at the comforter sadly. "I don't want to...talk about that."
"I get that. I didn't really either. But it's not something you can just ignore, Mell."
She scratched her head, looking as if she could cry.
"I've never been...so taken aback before," she admitted.
"I know. It doesn't feel good. Hits you like a wall," he agreed.
"I don't...I don't know what to do with that, Fitz. I don't know what to do, okay?" she whimpered, putting her head in her hands.
Now he truly did feel bad. She hadn't been easy to deal with throughout all of this. She'd truthfully been a pain in his ass. Almost all the time.
But they'd pretty much talked nonstop about this for months now, all while he knew it scared her, and she didn't want it, and he was the one who'd betrayed her.
He could see all the defeat and pain right in front of him now. No anger, no disgust, nothing toward him.
Just defeat and pain.
There seemed to be a lot of pain going around this house right now.
"I think you do," Fitz said gently. "I think you know what we should do. What we need to do."
She wiped her eyes as the tears fell from, and sighed.
And for the first time now, she didn't even respond. She just sat there and cried.
Oh shit. Now what?
He stood there awkwardly, not knowing whether or not he should go and try to...hug her or something — or just keep his distance and comfort her from here.
They were definitely not affectionate in any way, at least honestly affectionate.
But he didn't have any more time to decide what was best, because they both heard something down the hall. Karen, groaning in pain.
Fitz's lifted his head and he looked toward the door, listening closer.
Mellie wiped her face, looking worriedly up at Fitz as she listened too.
"Mom...dad..." Karen said loudly, sounding like she was trying her best to be as loud as possible but it took a lot of effort.
Fitz looked back at Mellie with a worried look, and she pulled back the covers and got out of bed immediately.
He opened the door without another word between them, and they walked quickly down the hall.
"Baby?" Mellie asked loudly, composing herself.
"Mommy. Daddy...please," she cried.
They opened the slightly ajar door and saw her in bed, holding her stomach.
"Hey. Hey. What's wrong, honey?" Fitz asked, right behind Mellie as they surrounded her bed.
"My stomach hurts. My stomach hurts," she said, crying.
"Have you been sick?" Mellie asked, sitting down on the bed. Fitz sat down on the other side, pulling her covers down.
"No. No," she shook her head frantically.
"Hmm. Okay. Hey, try to calm down, okay sweetie?" Mellie asked calmly. "Do you want me to go get you some more medicine?"
"No! It doesn't...it doesn't help. Mom, it doesn't do anything," she said, sobbing now.
Fitz's heart picked up its pace, watching his daughter unable to stay still. In so much pain, and sobbing now.
A dreadful thought hit him. A dreadful, very unlikely thought. But now he was panicked. Because given what he'd seen thus far, maybe it wasn't so unlikely.
"Karen, where does it hurt?" he asked.
"Here, dad. Here," she said, placing her hand on her abdomen. She wasn't able to be specific enough, so he couldn't be sure, but he placed his hand on her abdomen and her chest as Mellie felt her forehead.
"She's burning up," Mellie said worriedly.
"Her heart's racing," he said, feeling the tiny fast beats beneath his hand. Her abdomen, her chest, her face — all of her skin was hot, and her heart felt like it couldn't keep up.
Karen couldn't stay still. She writhed in pain, and then let out the most worrisome, loud shriek.
"Something's — wrong. It's not right. It's not right, I know it!" she shrieked, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Mom, dad, please help. Please help me — it hurts so...much. It hurts!"
"Oh God. Oh God," Fitz panicked, looking at Mellie. "I know what's wrong. I know what it is."
Mellie nodded worriedly, showing a flicker of fear in her eyes as the awful realization washed across her face, too. But when she looked at their daughter, all she showed was calmness, and not a bit of worry.
"Okay, baby, everything's going to be just fine. Just fine. We're going to go and get you checked out, okay?" Mellie said gently. "The doctors will make it better."
Karen couldn't even nod, she just cried uncontrollably in bed, grabbing at her abdomen.
"I'll go get my phone to call ahead and get our shoes. You grab her. Meet at your car," Mellie whispered frantically, as Fitz nodded in agreement.
Mellie raced out of the room so they could divide and conquer — hopefully so they could get out of the house as fast as humanly possible.
Both were frantic inside, but Mellie had a much stronger sense of calmness wash over her as they figured out the seriousness of what was at stake. She knew what it took in an emergency like this one. She was a nurse, and dealt with it all the time. Being calm always helped.
Fitz just thanked the heavens that she was, because he was having a hard time being calm himself, since it was imperative that they get to the Emergency Room now.
Because both knew now, what the problem was. The problem that often masked itself as the flu, or just a simple stomach ache. Especially in children, who couldn't describe the pain as anything other than an upset stomach. The symptoms were different for everybody, but the common ones were showing themselves for what they truly were. Mellie could see it now, probably cursing herself for not seeing it sooner. And Fitz was cursing himself too, because he'd gone through the same exact thing as a child, when he was only a couple years older than she was now. And he so desperately wished he had seen it.
The problem wasn't the flu, or a 24-hour bug.
The problem was her appendix.
Alright, there you are. I gave you two chapters, but as a tradeoff, I'm leaving you on a bit of a cliffhanger.
I know it ended on a more scary note, but I hope you can see that otherwise, things are progressing in the right direction. And that, at least, is a good thing.
Stay tuned.
Read on,
~T