A/N: Rest your fluffy hearts! This is a short chapter because I didn't have much time and I needed to get my thoughts and feelings out before it went away. Enjoy!


I could tell by the way you smile
I could feel it in your touch
And I knew this heart of mine
This time would fall in love

All the hopes and promises given
And the pain that life can bring
Will build our will and commitment to face anything

I will love you faithfully, forever unconditionally
And my love I promise
Everything I have is yours
You're everything I prayed and waited for
And my love I promise you


"That's it?" Fitz asked Stephen as he closed the trunk to the rental SUV.

"Unless the ladies have more bags hiding," Stephen quipped from the opposite side of the trunk. They were heading to Chestnut Mountain Resort for the weekend with Olivia and Abby as a Valentine's getaway. A week ago Fitz had approached Stephen with the idea and they were both down for it. Fitz basically wanted to get Olivia away from Chicago for a while to recuperate from the emotional wounds inflicted upon her by her grandmother. He knows that she doesn't believe that she is to be blamed for her parents' death, however, he couldn't help but notice how despondent her mood was as of late.

"We're going to be gone for two days and one of their bags is much bigger than our two combined." Fitz said, laughing.

"We can hear you!" Both men burst into laughter at the sound of Abby's voice reprimanding them from the vehicle.

They then moved stealthily around the vehicle, Fitz moved into the driver seat and Stephen hopped into the backseat next to Abby.

"Finish talking about us?" Olivia gave him an arched eyebrow with a smirk on her face.

Fitz closed the gap between them and kissed her lips chastely. "Yes," he murmured against her lips.

"Hey! Break it up! We haven't even left yet and you two are already nauseating!" Stephen jokingly said.

Ignoring him, Fitz simply kissed Olivia again but this time a little longer before he pulled away.

"Fine, fine, I get you're in love and whatnot so I'll let you pass," Stephen grumped and everyone laughed. It was no secret that Abby and Stephen weren't having sex. Abby wanted to put it off to ensure that their relationship was based on more than sex. Stephen didn't mind it but his body did. It had been close to a month since he had been without sex, but he was ok with it because Abby was worth it.

The ride from Chicago to Galena, Illinois was expected to last three hours. On their way up they conversed about everything and nothing. They laughed at the expense of each other. Abby having a big mouth was sure to rebroadcast the almost shower sex that Olivia and Fitz had. Stephen howled with laughter, that was until they started roasting him about his last minute objection. This was one of the closest moments they had experienced with each other in a long time.

On the final hour of the trip Olivia passed around peanuts and other snacks she'd purchase for the long ride. As the chatters dwindle down only the music could be heard in the background. Olivia snuggled herself deeper into the leather seat as she cast her eyes outside the window. She watched the snow covered trees and grass. The scene made her mind conjure thoughts of experiences that had brought her to this point of her life. She recalled memories of when she was younger, a sixteen year girl who worked at the convenient store after school. For as long as she remembered she thrived to be independent. She loved having the power to say and know that she was able to accomplish something herself. It wasn't pride, no... It was the furthest thing away from pride. She needed to be independent so that people won't have to do anything for her, because if they did, it was a possibility that they would throw it back in her face. That was something her grandmother did continuously to her when she was growing up. By the time Olivia had turned sixteen she worked so that she could buy her own things. She was grateful when the nagging stopped. She no longer needed her grandmother's money for clothes and other miscellaneous things besides food and shelter she would have had to ask her for. If she didn't have the money for it she simply went without. She rather she had a little with peace than much without any.

Olivia worked throughout her high school years, they were many things she missed out on that many high schoolers experienced. But, it was a worthy sacrifice because at the age of eighteen she was able to move into a studio apartment in a fairly ok spot in Chi Town. The place might not have been up to par, but it was the first place she could've truly called home after hers was burn to the ground. The emotions she felt each time she turned her keys in the locks was overwhelming. There was no one telling her what they'd done for her or demanding her to do their bidding. For the first time since her mother had died she felt happy.

The memory cast a small smile on her face as her eyes now cloudy with unshed tears continued to stare at the white frost.

With his hands on the steering wheel Fitz looked across at Olivia. Her expression appeared as though she was in another world.

"You're quiet," Fitz stated softly so that they can be in their own bubble, even though both Abby and Stephen were snuggled together fast asleep.

Olivia turned her head and the water from her eyes spilled onto her cheeks. She quickly wiped it and gave him a small smile.

"Everything ok?" Fitz asked, concern very evident in his voice. His face wore worry lines, his eyebrows knitted together and his forehead carried frown lines.

"Yea," she replied softly. Seeing that her simple answer wasn't enough to assuage his disquiet Olivia decided to open up to him.

Her voice was soft and quiet as she spoke to him. "I was thinking about the different hoops and hurdles I went through to be here. When I was younger, some days I had no clue what my life would turn out to be when I got older, but I'm here. I'm in a place that is better than I had hoped for." She smiled brightly as she relayed the last sentence.

Fitz extended his right hand to her, Olivia took a hold of it and entwined her fingers with his.

"I'm glad you're here because I don't know what I would do without you. Probably would still be miserable and trying to make up for my past indiscretions. Your love saved me." He squeezed her hand tightly as he relayed the last part to her.

Olivia studied him as his eyes focused back onto the road. She had never loved someone more than how she loved him. He was her everything, her source of strength and comfort. It was very risky to entrust him completely with her heart but she won't have it any other way. She trusted him and like always she hoped that their love will be enough.

The two stayed silent as they finish their journey to the resort.


"Ooo... This is an easy one," Abby squealed as she held onto the blue and white catchphrase game. They were all settled into the two bedrooms cabin's quaint living room, they had dinner earlier and had already prepared for bed when they decided to play the game. They were currently on their second round. It was boys against girls and so far the guys were losing.

"Lay it on me, Abby!" Olivia said beside Fitz on the sofa.

"He's British, hot and he models," Abby gave out her clues with a smirk.

"David Gandy!" Olivia immediately blurted.

Abby jumped up and down excitedly because that was the last point they needed to win the game. The girls hi5 each other and victory danced while the men sulked.

"I want a rematch," Fitz demanded.

"Nope." Olivia shook her head no. "You'll just lose a third time. So to save the remaining parts of your egos I beg that we call it a night."

In good merits Fitz got up from his seat, picked Olivia up and tossed her across his shoulder into a fireman carry. Olivia giggled energetically while she screamed for help.

"Good night!" Fitz called over his shoulder as he began his trek to their room.

"Please keep it down! Remember they're other people here." Abby sassed.

Olivia flipped her the bird. "Olivia Pope!" Abby called out her full name in shock at her friend's behavior.

Olivia burst into another fit of giggles at Abby's facial expression before she shouted, "good night, Red! Good night, Stephen!" She was in such a good mood and it didn't have anything to do with the two glasses of red wine she consumed during dinner. Ok, maybe it did a little.


The minute the door was closed to their bedroom Fitz walked over to the queen size bed and threw her unceremoniously on top of it. Olivia giggled again, however, this time she was experiencing deep belly laughter – not the light giggles from earlier.

"What's so funny?" Fitz asked, finding her amusement to be infectious.

"I...don't...know," she said in between laughing. She was so darn happy that everything seemed funny to her.

"Ok, in the meantime you're laughing I'm going to get butt naked." And when he said that Olivia laughed even harder. Now she was holding onto her sides as the laughter shook her entire body. Tears were streaming down her face as she laughed and laughed.

Fitz postponed his full strip down, he realized that her laughing spell wasn't letting up anytime soon. Instead of taking off all his clothes, he stripped down to just his boxer briefs and joined her on the bed.

"Are you finish?" Fitz asked when her laughter seemed to be under control when she was only making cooing sounds. The minute he asked her that a new wave of laughter came about.

"I'm so sorry," Olivia said in between laughing. She was trying to stop but her body seemed unable to.

Eventually, she was able to stop and she was left wearing a ridiculous grin.

Fitz smiled happily next to her, loving the fact that she looked so happy and carefree. It had been a few weeks since her eyes sparkled so brightly. He found that moment to be perfect enough for him to give her his Valentine's Day gift.

Watching him leave the bed, Olivia asked, "Where are you going?"

"I'll be right back," was all the answer he give.

Olivia watched hungrily as his back muscles undulate with each step that he took. His body was that of a Greek god. He was tall with wide shoulders, slim waist, muscular thighs and biceps, his abdomen was strong like steel and defined, his face was chiseled, his lips small but yet full and his eyes piercing blues.

She watched as he padded back to her with a little blue box in his hand. Olivia's heart began a thumping rhythm that increased with each step he made in her direction. Her mind swarmed with thoughts of what could possibly be in the box that he held. She was both excited and apprehensive when thinking of what it could possibly be.

Lowering himself back onto the bed, Fitz sat up and urged her to do the same, Olivia obliged and sat facing him. He smirked when he saw the anxious expression her face carried.

"Relax it's not what you're thinking," he told her as a means to calm her down.

"Oh," she returned, she felt a little disappointed although she didn't know why.

Fitz gently pulled on her bottom lip as he told her, "Stop pouting."

Olivia give him an eye roll before fixing her mouth into a smirk since she didn't want to give him the benefit of smiling.

"That's a little bit better," Fitz teased.

Impatient in her behavior, Olivia asked, "What's in the box, Grant?"

"Patience is virtue, little lady," he continued his teasing assault.

"If you don't..." Olivia began her threat and he caved. He didn't want to hear what she was going to say because he knew whatever it would be would hurt him the most.

"Alright, Ms. Rush Hour, no need for threats." He chided playfully.

Olivia smiled victoriously as she watched him expectantly. She watched as he took several deep breaths that caused his toned chest to rise and fall.

With the mood shifted from playful to serious Fitz opened the box containing the 24k gold infinity ring.

"I bought this about three weeks ago, even though it's a Valentine's gift it's also a promise. Livvie, this ring symbolizes that one day I promise to marry you. A promise to be your husband and one day father to our kids. By the way, do you want children? I don't think we've ever talked about that," Fitz interrupted his speech to ask. He didn't want to impose his dreams onto her.

Olivia simply nodded yes as she tried her best to contain the uncontrollable laughter threatening to rise again.

"Oh good," he smiled in relief, showcasing his beautiful straight teeth. He cleared his throat before he continued. "What I'm trying to say is, this ring is a promise to you that one day we will have our own family. We already have each other now, but one day we will have our own. I want you to see the promise that I'm in this with you for the long haul. Through the good, the bad, the nice, the ugly, I promise to be here with you. I love you so much, sweet baby."

Olivia didn't try to hide the fact that she was crying. Instead, she let it flow freely as she hurled herself into Fitz' arms and began attacking his lips.

"I love you, I love you," she rushed out as she hungrily kissed all over his face.

"I love you too, Livvie. You're the love of my life." Fitz returned in the same sentiment. His heart has never felt so full but yet so light in his life. He was full of her love but yet unburden by it. He was free and happy.

When their lips connected so did their hearts as it expressed their commitment and love for each other. Their souls danced to a song of redemption as their clothes were strewn across the bed. Their breathing synchronized as Fitz made his way inside of her tight channel. His body became one with hers sealing their fate. A fate that wasn't bleak and hopeless, but one that was hopeful and bright. Their bodies moved to the rhythm that was so uniquely theirs. Fitz intertwines their hands above her head as the full weight of his body pushed her deeper into the soft mattress. They murmured I love you and I need you, and other sweet sentiment that were not only sweet but true. They meant the words they spoke because they knew that a love like theirs did not come easy. The slickness of their skins glazed with sweat allowed their bodies to move against each other freely as the building of their orgasms increased. As Fitz the dominant lover increased his pace he sent them spiraling into euphoric bliss. They clung to each other as they experienced their first soul orgasm. Not only did their bodies made love but also their souls.

Lying spent in each other's arms, Fitz retrieved the discarded box and took the ring out and slipped it onto her left index finger.

Olivia stared at the ring and smile, it was perfect something she would have definitely chose for herself.

"I love it, thank you" she kissed his mouth in gratitude.

"You're welcome, sweet baby."


A/N: So I decided to update this quick because last chapter was rough. Claris was a meany and I don't think she will be back again. No promises yet. Mostly leaning to not writing her again but who knows what will change in the future chapters.

Big question, should I move on with a time jump from here for the next chapter or you want more of their weekend at the resort? Also, how cute was the moment with him gifting her the ring? Adorbs. Finally, I don't know if it's just me, but sometimes I would have laughing spells where I laugh for no reason and I can't stop, it feels good too. Or I'm crazy? Lol

Also, we learned a bit more of the life Olivia lived in her earlier days through her memories.

Please let me know what you enjoyed about the chapter, I appreciate your continuous support, and also your reviews. It keeps my muses flowing. Thank you!

Oh, and if you did not know I wrote a one shot called 'Carpe Diem' based off of my love for David Gandy. Lol

Until next time

Xoxo