Collecting her bags from the carousel in the Washington Dulles International Airport, Olivia went to find the driver she was certain her father had sent to pick her up from the airport. Finding signage with her name, Olivia smiled confidently at the driver who gathered her bags. "Good afternoon Ms. Pope. I hope you had a pleasant flight."
"I did, thank you. "
After she was packed into the car, Olivia silently contemplated her thoughts which were immediately filled with Fitz. It was shocking how captivating and warm he was. It's like she was drawn to him, a moth to a flame, and it was both incredibly exciting and terrifying. I feel so strongly towards him. But that's impossible. Isn't it? It was a weekend. Get it together Liv!
With that final thought, she felt the car come to a stop outside of her childhood home. Walking inside, she was greeted with a warm hug from her father, Eli.
"Olivia. How's my girl?"
"I'm good Dad; everything went fine. We've got a lot to talk about and some hard decisions to make, but I am so glad I was able to explore options. Thanks for sending me Dad. You don't know how much this weekend has meant to me."
"I'm glad to hear that baby girl. I can't wait to hear all about it and where you are leaning toward applying. I have no doubt you will get in wherever you apply."
"I certainly have a lot to think about."
"Well, we'll take it one step at a time. First step is dinner." Her father smiled. "We have until early summer to assess the thorough pros and cons list, I am sure you'll make.
Eli and Olivia laughed warmly as they made their way to the kitchen to fix dinner. Making meals with her dad was always something that relaxed her, though she mostly followed instructions versus having an actual aptitude or a joy for cooking that often showed on her father's face and the attention he paid to the cooking process. She was happy to share her weekend experiences and the interesting people she'd met, though she carefully schooled her thoughts and expressions when referencing the interactions most on her mind involving Fitz.
…
March 27, 1990
Arriving back to boarding school after Spring break, Olivia was surprised to have mail already waiting in her box. Grabbing the envelope, she sat at her desk, deciding to unpack her bags afterward. She carefully opened the envelope and began to smile as she read through it.
Olivia,
I hope this made it back before you did. I want to make sure you know just how serious I take my letter writing. I hope you can feel me smiling; just the thought of you makes me smile. 😊 I didn't expect to meet you, but I'm so glad I did.
P.S. I just have to know, are you a book person or movie person? And why?
FG
Olivia could not help but laugh as she fought to stop smiling. Deciding to write him back, she quickly pulled out her stationary, addressing the envelope to the return address of the one she had received. She wondered about fate and timing and the impossibility of having met someone like him at this point in her life. As she thought of him, she once again felt the strong pull of a connection so new, yet so familiar.
…
April 10, 1990
Fitz was glad to be home after a rather difficult visit with his father. Gerry hadn't taken it well when he learned that he had broken up with Mellie last month. He was on the receiving end of a seeming never ending monologue of the importance of a wife and a woman of breeding and culture to his future political aspirations. Unaccustomed to Fitz pushing back, Gerry expected him to beg Mellie's forgiveness and get back on track, but Fitz new he wanted to build a new track all together. He had never been fully sold on politics but was more interested in making a difference. Did that mean following in Gerry's footsteps as a Governor? He pondered silently. With a sigh, he gathered his mail and went inside. Sorting out the junk, he froze when he read a letter with a return address for Olivia Pope. With a smile, he dropped the stack of unopen mail on a table and carefully opened her letter before sitting to read it.
FG,
It was a nice surprise to have a letter so soon. I guess you do take your letter writing seriously; duly noted. 😊 Is that even a real question? Books all the way. Books inspire creativity and imagination. Even when I am left angry after reading a book, I can't help but have a healthy respect for the characters, the emotions and the stories that writers imagine and bring to life in books. Now that's not to say I can't appreciate a good film, but there just often seems to be so much more detail in books. And don't get me started on films based on books. I somehow imagine scenes and people differently. You know? How about you?
P.S. I can't wait to see how you answer that question.
P.P.S. Your letter made me smile…
Olivia
Not fighting the grin that crossed his face, he quickly went to his desk to compose a response. Writing to Olivia was quite addictive. There were so many things he wanted to know about her. He imagined all the things they probably shared in common and wondered about the unique differences. He couldn't wait to learn more.
…
April 19, 1990
Arriving back to her dorm after an intense swim meet and dinner, Olivia was ready to relax and wind down for the evening with some light reading after finishing off the assignments she intended for later in the week. Picking up her mail before opening the door, she quickly sorted through the contents, hoping to find a new letter. With a smile, she was rewarded with her prize and sat down to open and read her ongoing conversation with Fitz.
Liv,
Are you really going to call me FG? Come on Liv, that's just mean…
I love what you said about books. I love to lose myself in a good book and appreciate finding answers I did not know I was looking for. Honestly, I don't know if films can hold a candle to a good book in most cases. But I'm open to being proven wrong. But if we are appreciating books and films separately, what's your "never gets old" film genre that you always go back to?
P.S. I'm on my way to the beach for some volleyball and some time with the waves. One of my favorite things about California. Do you like the water?
P.P.S. What are your plans over the summer?
FG
Would she always have a ridiculous smile on her face and the urge to write him back immediately? She sometimes wished mail traveled faster, but being in such different parts of the country, she knew that waiting between posts would continue to be a factor. With humor, she started her response and considered all that she wanted to say, knowing she would have to make it count.
…
May 3, 1990
Fitz dropped his keys and the mail on the in table before making his way to the bar cart in the corner and the bourbon front and center. While he had thoroughly enjoyed the work he had been doing with a local firm, it served as additional reminder with the partners' connection to his father. Gerry used the weekly check-in calls to pressure him into a relationship he didn't want. The mere fact that he had weekly calls with Mellie and inserted himself in the role of matchmaker was something he was just going to have to ignore. Sifting through his mail, he felt a smile lessen the resentment and frustration bubbling to the surface. With a small sip of his bourbon, he went to work opening his letter.
Fitz,
Liv huh? Only my friends call me that. Is that your way of asking to be my friend? As to the FG, I was only being supportive by addressing you, based on your signature. Though I did imagine your face as you were reading it. Haha!
My go to genre would hands down be action adventure. What's yours? I don't know if we can be friends if you don't do action adventure films so answer carefully.
It must be amazing spending all that time on the beach and in the water. I absolutely LOVE the water, though I find myself in pool more often than the ocean. Swimming is so therapeutic and always great for clearing my head or thinking through something. This is my second year on the school swim team, so I'm glad I've found my people in swimming, otherwise I'm convinced my dad would've found a way for me to be in some art league since he's so passionate about his work at the Smithsonian.
When school ends in two weeks, I'll spend some time at my family home on DC and complete a 4-to-6-week internship at a local law firm. Then my dad and I will go to Cape Cod for a month to relax and recharge before I head back to school for the beginning of August. We usually do a bon fire party to end the summer as I have some friends who live there year-round. It is always a lot of fun and this is the second to last with us nearing the end of school.
P.S. This will probably be my last letter before the summer since I will be bouncing between places. I will miss this exchange and look forward to starting again during my senior year. I wish I got a chance to learn more about your summer plans.
P.P.S. The best thing about the end of this school year kicking off the summer with my birthday celebration. I'm looking forward to beach time.
Your Friend,
Liv
Fitz knew that this would be his last chance to send a letter for a while. It amazed him how quickly he'd grown attached to their exchange. While he sometimes felt like his world was enflamed around him, he took solace in hearing from Olivia. He knew he would miss the anticipation of reading what she was up to and learning the quirky little details that told him who she was and who she was becoming. Gathering his thoughts, he began to write his final letter for the three months of summer. He didn't know if it would arrive before she left, but either way he wanted to send it.
May 12, 1990
Liv,
Of course, we are friends. I suppose I just knew before you did; I'm smart like that. And as a smart guy, I absolutely love action packed films. I can only imagine you loved "The Hunt For Red October" and "Another 48 Hrs" as much as I did. I saw a commercial promoting "Total Recall" later coming out this summer that I'll have to see when it comes out. What have you watched lately? Or are you a marathoner who will be taking them all in this summer?
I'm sure you're thrilled to be done with almost 3 months off. I say almost because I know the law firm will be no walk in the park. You strike me as the above and beyond worker who the law firm will try to keep.
I hope you enjoy your time at the beach recharging and celebrating your birthday. I'm glad to know I won't be the only one to miss my growing collection of letters.
P.S. I have a few friends in Cape Cod. Wouldn't it be funny if our paths crossed this summer?
P.P.S. Happy Early Birthday Liv.
Fitz
Ok folks! First round of letters done. The question is does she get the letter in time and how does she react to the possibility of seeing Fitz over the summer? Let me know your thoughts as always.