Life is actually very simple. We just insist on making it complicated.

- Confucius

November 25th, 2015

1:09 PM

Grant Estate

Los Angeles, California

Fitz's POV

Mellie is the first one that catches my eye. But her ocean blue eyes are not on me - they're inside of my passenger seat when I open the door for Olivia.

Liv slowly stands up, her mouth close to my ear. Everyone in the front yard has basically shut up and all eyes are on us. "Fitz...I don't feel right about this."

"It's okay," I promise her in a whisper. "Everything is gonna be alright."

I'm trying to convince myself the same thing. I close the door for Liv but she stands wearily by the car as I go to the trunk to take out our bags. Everyone is staring at the both of us until my Aunt Katherine comes up to me with a smile and hugs me. Everyone kind of warms up and resumes talking and laughing after that.

Everyone except Mellie.

"It's so nice to see you, Fitz," Aunt Katherine gestures her husband to signal a butler to help me with the two bags I'm balancing. She and her husband follow me as I walk back and stand next to Liv. Aunt Katherine smiles at her slightly. "And who is your friend?"

"This is Olivia," I tell her, loud enough for the rest of my family on the yard to hear as well. "She's my..."

I really don't know what to say. I don't want to degrade her by calling her my student. And I don't want to make anyone presumptuous by calling her my 'friend' because God knows what that can interpret to in my family.

"Liv," Liv speaks up, forcing a smile that looks remarkably genuine.

I look at her, smiling to myself. Yeah. She's my Liv.

Everyone kind of approves of that answer and goes on talking about other things. They mostly smile at Liv and then continue gushing me with hugs and kisses. My eyes shift to Tom, who is coming from the backyard, shirtless and dripping from the in ground swimming pool. He sees me and gets the biggest grin on his face.

"Fitz!" He approaches me and gives me a huge bear hug.

"Ugh," I pull away from him, but I'm laughing. "You got chlorine all over me. If Big Jerry gives me hell about this, i'm blaming you, Tom."

Tom laughs too. "I would not wanna be on Uncle Jerry's hit list." He looks Liv, back at me and smiles. "So...you go to grad school, become a TA and bring home pretty girls?"

Liv giggles and holds out her hand. "I'm Liv."

"Hi, Liv," he takes her hand and pulls her into a wet hug. "I'm Tom."

"Hi, Liv," Mellie comes up behind Tom and kind of swats him away so she can shake Liv's hand. She smiles really fake. "I'm Mellie. I'm Fitz's fiancée."

"Nice to meet you," Liv smiles back. "Fitz has told me so much about you."

"I wish I could say the same for you!" Mellie chuckles.

I lower my eyes. I'm so embarrassed right now. Not because of Liv. Because of Mellie. Does she ever wake up and, I don't know, decide not to be a total bitch? I'm just glad she doesn't know that Liv and I were a second away from kissing. All hell would break loose.

But Liv doesn't even blink. She just laughs too. If Mellie is making her uncomfortable, I can't tell. "Fitz was so kind to invite me to stay with your family until Thanksgiving break is over. You're a lucky woman."

"I know I am," Mellie's eyes lower, sizing Liv up and down. "But I don't really think it was his invitation to give."

Liv doesn't say anything. She seems completely unfazed. She doesn't stoop down to Mellie's level and she definitely keeps her calm and class.

I, however, am completely pissed off. "Mellie. Enough."

Mellie looks at me innocently, like she has no idea what the hell I'm talking about.

But Liv just touches my arm. I don't know if she knows how crazy that'll drive Mellie but she does it anyway and smiles at me. Mellie walks off and I know I'm gonna have hell to pay later "It's okay, Fitz. Let's go see your dad."

Everything inside the house looks different than when I was here just a couple months ago. But my father has it completely remodeled for no apparent reason every few weeks or so. It still has three floors, six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. It has a huge basement and balcony with a in ground pool. The backyard has a full size tennis court, even though nobody in the family plays. That part never changes. It's a lovely house - the one I grew up in. But every time I come back here, the less familiar I become with it. The more I feel like a stranger.

I walk slowly, making sure Liv is close to me. Everyone greets me and everyone is warm to Livvy, which i thank god for.

I find my Big Jerry standing by the kitchen island, a margarita in his hand. But what's more upsetting than the face of my father is the fact that Mellie is standing in front of him, mumbling. I know what she's saying and I don't know how he'll react.

"Liv," I whisper, trying to put on a calm smile. I really don't know how this is gonna play out. "Looks like Mellie beat us there."

I can actually see the worry in Livvy's eyes and I clear my throat. "Just walk around. Make yourself at home. I'll handle my dad and Mellie."

"Fitz," Liv grabs my arm, her voice low and kind of panicky. "Where are you gonna be?"

"I'm right here," I promise her softly. "If anyone gives you a hard time - which I doubt they will - just come get me and I swear I'll call them out myself..."

But Liv still looks really uncertain.

"Livvy," I mumble. "I said I was gonna take care of you...didn't I?"

She kind of nods, looking away.

"Answer me, Liv..."

She looks at me. "Yeah."

"Good," I desperately want to hug her, or better yet, kiss her and tell her everything's gonna be alright. But I just have to settle for a tight smile and a squeeze on her forearm.

"Dad..." I approach them both carefully.

Mellie clutches her glass of wine like she wants to throw it at me and Big Jerry looks downright tired of it. All of it. I know he really doesn't care if Liv is here - he just doesn't want to start any drama. "Son, we need to talk. What's this about you bringing some girl along with you?"

"Liv is a student in Cy's PoliSci class," I sigh. "She's in a bad place and I wasn't gonna let her stay on campus all alone during break."

"So you brought her here?" Mellie narrows her blue eyes. "We do not run a charity, Fitzgerald."

"Mellie," I inhale. It's getting harder and harder to put up with her shit. "This girl has been through hell and back. I know you can't relate but-"

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Mellie hisses.

"Enough! Y'all sound like kids," Big Jerry cuts us both in a lowered voice. He turns to me. "I really don't care if this girl stays, Fitzgerald." He gestures to Mellie. "Just fix this. Whatever it is."

Then he walks off. I realize he didn't even say hi to me. Not that I care.

I turn to Mellie. It's hard to feel sorry for her when she's being such a bitch about this. And I seriously don't use that word lightly. "Mellie, can you just calm down?"

"No," Mellie closes her eyes. "I am so sick of being told to calm down like I am some kid. Like I'm stupid. Because I am not. You wouldn't just bring a girl here, Fitz. No matter how generous you need everyone to think you are."

"Liv is just a friend," I mutter through my teeth. I'm not completely lying. I just want Mellie to chill the hell out. Liv doesn't deserve any of this. "I'm not lying, Mel. Can you just stop being so goddamn rude to her?"

"If she's just a friend, why does it matter so much?" Mellie demands.

I sigh. Her whole logic doesn't make any sense. Why would I want my fiancée to be nice to my mistress? I never had sex with Liv. The kiss...didn't happen. So I never cheated on Mellie and her accusing me is so insecure and bitter. Not completely wrong, but still. "I don't know what to tell you, Mellie. I am your fiancé. I didn't cheat on you. I won't. But I need for you to stop being so mean to Liv. She's still my student and I still care about her."

But Mellie is not listening. She isn't even looking at me. When she speaks, her voice is kind of shaky. "How could you do this? How could you bring her here in front of the family...and make me look this bad?"

I roll my eyes. Does Mellie even care about this relationship? Or does she just care about how it looks? "Whatever."

"It's not whatever!" Mellie mumbles. "Everyone here-"

"Look around you!" I cry. "Nobody here gives a shit Mellie! Nobody except you."

I push past her and go look for Livvy.

November 25th, 2015

1:22 PM

Grant Estate

Los Angeles, California

Olivia's POV

"It's nice to meet one Fitz's friends," the lady in front of me says. She crosses her legs and leans back in the poolside chair. "He really doesn't have that many."

"Oh my god, Mom," Tom rolls his eyes and opens the door. He offers me a Pepsi and I take it. "Can you stop being so depressing?" He turns to me. "Fitz actually does have friends. Just not a lot of...pretty, female friends."

I grin and open my Pepsi. I'm sitting in the backyard on a chair besides Tom - Fitz's cousin. Tom and his mother and the only ones here from Fitz's mom's side of the family. From what I can tell, Fitz's mom isn't here. Turning to Tom's mom, I clear my throat. "Mrs. Larsen, your nephew is the sweetest man I have ever met."

"Thank you, honey," she reaches over to pat her son's knee. "I wish I could say the same about Tom here."

Tom rolls his eyes as his mom laughs, gets up and walks back inside the house. He sighs and turns to me. "So...are you having fun?"

I look around the huge backyard. There must be around a hundred people here if not more. It's hard to keep track of everyone but, besides Mellie, they've all been so kind to me. They make the situation a lot less awkward than it really is. "Yes."

Tom nods and looks around with me. "So what's the deal with you and my cousin?"

I take a sip of my Pepsi. "What do you mean?"

Tom leans back in his chair and drinks his own soda. "You know what I mean. Fitz... has a hard time talking to people. And all of a sudden, he brings a girl home? To his fiancée? She must be pretty damn special to make him take that risk."

I laugh. "Mellie is kind of intimidating."

"Intimidating?" Tom chuckles, shaking his head. "Babe, you're lucky you've made it across the front yard. Fitz...he must be going through hell right now."

I look back at the huge house behind us. "I feel really bad about this whole thing..."

"Don't," Tom takes another sip of his soda. "Mellie is irrational. She always has been, ever since I met her four years ago."

I press my lips together and take a deep breath before I ask the question I have been wondering ever since I got here. "So why the hell is he with her? Mellie is the complete opposite of Fitz. He doesn't seem to love her at all..."

"He doesn't," Tom shrugs matter of factly. "At least, I don't think he does. I sure as hell don't. But Fitz...he's a soft guy. He won't wanna hurt Mellie - he never does. But it just so happens he ends up being the one who gets hurt."

I shake my head. I'm not trying to judge Mellie when I know absolutely nothing about her. But I just think Fitz deserves so much more. "When are they getting married?"

"Why?" Tom grins. "Are you hoping to be the one up on the altar instead?"

I roll my eyes. "Tom, Fitz and I are not like that."

"Well," Tom shrugs again. "Then that's your loss. Fitz is...well he's one of the best guys I know. You would be lucky to have him...and Olivia? I think he would be lucky to have you too."

November 25th, 2015

6:36 PM

Grant Estate

Los Angeles, California

"Fitz," I slowly approach the lawn chair he's sitting on by the corner of the deck.

I don't know if he's regretting this whole thing. I don't know if he's mad at me. I have been circling the whole party for the last five or so hours, scared to approach him. I never meant to make things difficult between him and Mellie...

"Livvy!" Fitz's face lights up when he sees me. He smiles warmly and I smile back - happy he's not angry at me. "Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere."

"You have a big property," I giggle. "I was inside the house for some time and I got lost more than I'd like to admit. It's huge."

"Eh," Fitz shrugs his shoulders like it's nothing. "It's alright."

My eyes lower to his lap, where a little girl - no older than maybe one or two - is sitting. She's adorable with two blonde braids and sleepy emerald green eyes. "Who is this cutie?"

Fitz smiles at her. "This is my cousin's daughter - Elizabeth." He rubs her back gently and she rests her head on his stomach. "She's beautiful, isn't she?"

"Yeah," I can't stop smiling, seeing him being so good with little kids. "She is."

Fitz's smile makes it's way back up to me. "Are you hungry? I think they're doing hot dogs and pizza, which is crazy because I can't remember the last time we are something besides steak."

I laugh and sit on a lawn chair next to him. The sun is setting and everything looks so amazing. I never thought I could be this relaxed in but right here, next to him? I am. "I'm not that hungry. I had a burger about an hour ago." I look around us. Most people are heading back inside but Fitz isn't even paying attention them. His eyes are on the sunset ahead of us."Fitz - are these many people gonna be here tomorrow during Thanksgiving?"

He laughs softly, his eyes still on the deep orange sky with whirls of lilac and yellow clouds. "God, no. But some of these people are spending the night, so you can go ahead and take my room and I'll take a couch downstairs."

I look at him. "What about..." I take a deep breath. I don't want to mention it but I should. "What about Mellie? Wouldn't she wanna sleep with you in your room?"

Fitz presses his lips together. "Mellie's not staying the night."

"Oh," I raise my eyebrows. "Why not? Is she coming tomorrow? Where is she right now?"

"She's not here," Fitz mumbles and looks down at Elizabeth and helps her off his lap. She runs back inside the house and we're virtually the only people out here. It's clear that he doesn't want to talk about Mellie and that's perfectly fine with me. But then he surprises me. "You seem like a girl who stands her ground. I'm surprised you didn't curse her out."

I grin softly. "I just didn't see the point. Starting unnecessary drama would just make things harder for you."

"I can handle it," Fitz shrugs.

But I hope he knows I wouldn't put him in a position like that. I can take the shit Mellie throws at me. He prepared me for it. And I could have cursed her out very easily. But I just didn't think it was worth it.

I clear my throat. "So...your family was nice. I still didn't meet your father, but." I shrug.

"Consider yourself lucky," Fitz looks at me.

I laugh and shake my head.

Fitz grins too. "But seriously, did anyone give you a hard time?"

"No," I tell him honestly. Except Mellie.

"Good," he nods. "Because if they did..."

"What?" I grin.

Fitz grins too. "Let's just say those two years of karate Big Jerry forced me to take would finally be worth it."

I laugh. I know Fitz wouldn't actually put his hands on anyone, he's too sweet, but hearing him talk fake badass is really funny to me. It's also pretty cute. "Thank you. I can go to sleep at night now."

Fitz laughs again, turning to look at me. I don't think I'll ever be over how incredible his eyes are. They're deep blue, but not the shade that makes a big deal about itself. It's beautiful nevertheless.

I'm glad things aren't awkward between us. And I'm glad he's not mad at me. If he were...let's just say I'm used to having people against me. Fitz Isn't one of them. If he was to actually be angry at me...that would break my heart. And I don't think my heart can really take much more of that at this point.

"Fitz," I clear my throat after a comfortable minute of mutual silence. I know he doesn't want to talk about this - I understand that. He doesn't want to talk about a lot of things. But I need to. "About Mellie..."

"Olivia," Fitz uses my full name, which makes me look up at him. He's staring back at me, those beautiful blue eyes wet. Tears are formed on the rim, threatening to spill. And his voice is low, like he is trying to hold it together.

The weight of this whole thing is catching up to him. It's hard being here, being judged, and being on edge. We made a mistake in the car. And maybe this whole thing was a mistake too. It's catching up to me too, so I completely understand. But crying? I never thought Fitz cried - ever. He just seems so strong. He is six foot something and he's in amazing shape. He seems like the person whose broad shoulder you cry on - not the one that breaks down. I don't know why he's crying. But I do know this - it makes me want to cry too.

"Fitz..." I reach out my hand and rest it on his bicep. For the first time since I have been here, I don't care about what people think. If they can see me, I really don't give a shit. Fitz took care of me and I'm gonna be here for him. Especially when his wife Isn't. "Fitz..."

"I'm sorry," he mumbles, turning away. The tears actually spill from his eyes and onto his cheeks. I don't take my hand off him though. "I'm really sorry, Livvy..."

"I'm not," I whisper. Oh my god, seeing him cry really breaks my heart. But I have to be strong. For him. "Fitz...i'm not sorry. Look at me." He shakes his head. "Look at me, Fitz."

He doesn't. I bring my other hand up to the side of his face and force it in front of mine. I feel his jaw under my palm and I can tell it's clenched. He is trying to prevent from actually breaking down sobbing. "Fitz...I'm here for you...I'm right here."

Fitz looks at me. I think I said the right thing there. But he's still crying. It's not enough. He really doesn't know how much I care about him...how I would do anything to see him smile.

I brush my thumb against his cheekbone, wiping away a tear. He did this to me last night and I don't think he grasped how much it really meant. But he smiles when I do it, so maybe he's beginning to understand.

But that's not enough. I'm realizing nothing will ever be enough. I'm already falling for Fitz, even though I have spent the whole day trying not to. And what I am about to do is just as much for me as it is for him.

I lean over, place one hand on the back of his neck, curled in his hair. My other hand rests on his chest. And I close my eyes, leaning into him, so close I can feel his breath on me.

I don't know if it's the right thing to do. Actually, I know without a doubt that it isn't.

But I lean in and kiss him anyway.

AN: OHMYGOD! :) They kissed (finally). Did anyone see them? How is Fitz gonna react? Why did Olivia even do that? And where is Mellie? I'm gonna answer these questions in a couple of days! If y'all haven't noticed, my updates are coming a little more slower, maybe after every two days or so, but I promise you they'll always be there! Like Fitz (or Liv!) would say, I'm here for you guys. :)

I know a lot of you wanted Liv to really stand up to Mellie, but I didn't think that that fit the flow of Liv's character - at least for now.

I hope you guys liked this chapter and like the story so far in general. What do y'all think Fitz's career goal is? I'm not only asking out of curiosity, tbh. I'm asking for suggestions, lol.

Tell me what you like reading about (and what you don't) in the reviews. That way, I know what to incorporate (and what not to) in future chapters. Because, as y'all already know, your feedback means the world to me!