Chapter 2: Welcome to Woodstock

When Fitz stepped off his plane into the fresh Vermont air, he instantly felt at peace. His things were being transported to his new home that very minute. The home he had previously owned, the one that was bought for just this moment, he had sold. Two years ago, when everything felt as if it was crumbling down around him, he sold it. He had regretted it until when he decided he was to move back. He knew it was the right move to completely start fresh and new.

The new house was a work in progress but almost to the point of completion. Built from scratch, just like the other one. Three floors with seven bedrooms, five full baths, two halves. He had a designated purpose for every single spot.

The first floor had all the essentials, spacious kitchen, beautiful living room, both a casual and formal dining room. Add-ons included a small movie theater and two patios - one located in the back leading into the backyard and one connecting to the sunroom, a place to read his morning papers. Two rooms were also located on the first-floor meaning space for two offices.

The next floor is where the majority of the bedrooms lied. Shaped as a square with two long halls connecting them, two rooms were on each side. The master and three children rooms, one may be used for a future nursery, Fitz had it his way.

The third-floor bedroom would be for Jerry. Not only his room but a man cave for when he came home from school. He was only a three-hour drive away and Fitz wanted to make up for the time he had lost with his oldest son.

As his detail loaded the car with his items, Fitz took in his new surroundings. He was ready to lead his life, but first, he had to go find his leading lady.

XXXXX

Olivia and Abby were working away at the new caseload they had just received the day prior. For a small town, it seemed that every business possible had some sort of legal issue. Olivia wasn't complaining, although the move was the best thing for her, her profile has ceased a bit. She was no longer Olivia Pope, DC's greatest fixer, she was now Olivia Pope, the best lawyer in Woodstock, (a town not many people have heard of.) Still, she was happy but she needed as much business as possible to be able to pay her bills.

"Abby, let's take a break. I am hungry and I am just not finding the evidence we need for this case yet." Olivia sighed. They had been going through the files for at least three hours and had found zilch.

"I go for a Gettysburger run. Are you up for it?" Abby said as she shoved the paperwork back in its rightful home.

"So many carbs, but yet I so don't care." Olivia smiled. Another thing she didn't have to give up moving to Vermont. Gettysburger was a national franchise. Something both Abby and Liv were grateful for.

Both women bundled up, preparing themselves for the frigid Vermont Winter weather. Mid-January to early February was always the worst. Olivia had considered driving them both to the restaurant but decided against it considering it was only a five-minute walk away.

"I think it's time we both go on a date," Abby said abruptly.

Olivia looked over and gave her a confused glance.

"A date?"

Abby nodded.

"You mean a date, date? Like with another human being? Like dinner and movie, date?" She sputtered out.

"Yes, Liv, a date, date. With another human being. Dinner and movie or just dinner even. Just a date." Abby responded, letting out a little laugh but very serious about her comment.

"Abby, we can find you someone great, but you know I don't date."

"Come on Liv, what has it been over two years? For me, it's been over one and I really need to redeem myself."

"I still don't understand what was wrong with Tony. What a catch he was." Olivia laughed out.

Abby blushed and glared at her best friend, mostly because they swore they would never mention his name again. Abby swore off dating for a year because of that man. She wouldn't, no, couldn't make that mistake again… ever.

"Oh, shut up. At least I been on a date, unlike someone I know" Abby laughed.

Olivia became silent. It couldn't have already been two years, could it? Two years of without his touch, two years without his kisses. Two years?

Before she knew it, she as being broken out of her own thoughts by a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No, no. Abby, it's fine. You're fine. You're also right. It's been way too long since everything. Dating, being with someone else, getting laid." Olivia let out a slight smile.

"I'm ready. I need to get back out there. There has got to be someone for you in this town. There has to be someone in Vermont that I can be with, someone to love me and for me to spend my time with. There's someone for both of us. We just need to start searching."

"Well, now we know our next mission. First, we get laid, then we fall in love. In that order. Deal?"

"Deal."

XXXXX

Upon arrival at the house, Fitz picked up the phone and called his daughter. Fitz's first night would also be Karen's first night staying in their forever home. He wanted it to be completely finished before any of his children stayed over but Karen, also only being around three hours away at boarding school, insisted on staying with her father and helping him move in. Fitz knew she just wanted a legitimate excuse to skip a few days of school, but this one time he was okay with it.

"Karen, honey, how far out are you?" Fitz had sent a car to pick her up even though Karen could drive on her own and her parents had bought her a car to keep on campus. He said he wasn't comfortable with her driving in the snow yet, let alone for that amount of time. So instead she was picked up at 2:00 in the afternoon at school, giving Fitz enough time to somewhat prepare for when she got there.

"Only thirty minutes away dad, there was no traffic and the snow is minimal on the roads today." Karen chirped out. She was excited to see her dad for once. For the first time, in a very long time, there would be no photo-ops or interviews; no pretending or feeling caged in. She still had 1-2 secret service agents with her most times but for the most part, she was starting to feel somewhat normal again. For the first time in forever, she could truly enjoy her father's company.

"That's great honey, I'll see you soon. Call me if you need anything sooner. Love you."

"Love you more." With that Karen hung up her phone and leaned back, enjoying the rest of her ride.

Fitz set his phone down and walked upstairs to the second floor. None of the rooms had been completed but he did have a cleaning company come in and tidy up the entire place, including put sheets on all beds and put towels out in all the bathrooms.

As he walked to the master, he stopped at the room just before it. He peered in and looked around. The smallest of all the rooms, but probably the one he was most excited for. The nursery. Fitz could only imagine what their baby would look like. What it would be like. How much he would love it, maybe even them.

He stopped and stared for a while, daydreaming and hoping about his second chance. He couldn't help but think about if he didn't get it. If she had already moved on or didn't love him anymore. What would he do? Shaking his head, removing himself from his own thoughts, Fitz promised himself he wouldn't think like that. He would find her, he would love her with everything he had and she would love him back. No doubt about it.

XXXXX

Once Olivia and Abby entered Gettysburger, they split up. Abby went to dave the two a seat at a corner booth, while Olivia stood in line to relay both their orders. It seemed as if no matter the time of the day, the restaurant was always hoppin', even more of a reason for the two women to be strategic.

Olivia was looking up at the menu, even though she knew exactly what she wanted when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to be met with the prettiest hazel eyes staring at her.

"I think you may have dropped this." She looked down to the stranger's hand, only to see her very long to-do list from this morning. Olivia smiled politely at the man.

"It appears so. Thank you so much." She said as she took it from him.

"Long list you got there. Busy lady huh?" Olivia turned back around to respond, but also giving her an opportunity to get a better look at his features.

The hazel eyes she had already noticed, had little green specks in them. The mystery man had a nice build, he had to be around 5'11. Olivia knew what over six foot looked like and this guy definitely wasn't it. But still, he was very cute. His toned arms stuck out, leading her to notice he, as a whole, was in great shape.

"You could say that." The man smiled back at her and nodded.

"Can I guess?"

"Excuse me?" She was now confused.

"Can I guess your profession?"

"Sure, why not." Liv let out a slight laugh when he scrunched his face, making it obvious he was about to start trying. He was charming, that was for sure.

"Do work in medicine?" He asked finally.

"Ha, no. I can't say I am much of a blood person or any bodily fluid for that matter."

"Really? Not any?" The man smirked.

Immediately the blood rushed to Olivia's cheeks, turning her already rosy cheeks from the cold even redder.

"Ehem" The sound came from behind next to the talking pair.

"Sorry to interrupt this little flirt session, but miss you're up in line." An older gentleman said from behind them.

"Oh, right. Sorry about that." Liv stepped up in line and ordered for Abby and her. She looked over to see the guy ordering as well. She smiled slightly to herself. Could this be her chance to start dating again?

When she got to the register, she began to pull out cash to pay for her orders when the same big hand covered hers before she could get it out.

"No, let me." He smiled. Olivia looked at him and then pushed his hand away gently.

"What? No, you can't. Thank you but it's both my friend and I's order. I can't ask you to do that." Olivia said even though she was quite flattered.

"You didn't ask, I offered. Plus any friend of yours is mine, or at least I'd like them to be."

"Lady, you have already held me up once. Just take the damn money and move along." The same grump from before shouted from behind them.

"You heard the man, there isn't much of a choice. I'm paying."

Olivia nodded and relented.

"Next time it's on me." She said as she grabbed the tray of food.

"Next time? You want there to be a next time?" He smiled for the hundredth time at her, he couldn't help it. There was something about this girl.

"Oh um, well…"

"Because I would love there to be."

"Really?"

"What about tonight? Too soon?" Olivia was shocked. Not even twenty minutes ago, Olivia wasn't even open to talking to a man, let alone going out with one.

"7:00?" She managed to get out.

"Dinner at Prince & The Pauper?" He offered

"You know I have been meaning try it. Apparently, there's some of the best red wine in the state."

"I have heard the same, so how about it?"

"Dinner at 7:00. Let me give you my number."

As Olivia was exchanging numbers with her mystery man, Abby walked up behind her to take the tray out of her hand.

"If I knew you were going to get so distracted, I would have stood in line," Abby said with a knowing smile.

Olivia laughed and turned to face her,

"Abby this is - We have been talking this whole time and I still don't know your name." She looked up at him.

"Wes. Wesley Thomas " He smiled back at Abby.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." She shook his hand.

"And you? I have asked you out and I still don't know yours."

"Olivia. Olivia Pope."

It's killing me too that they haven't met! Just wait until next chapter, that's when things will start picking up. Just curious, who actually likes Jake and roots for him on the show?

Thank you so much for reading! I'll be back with more soon :) Xx

UPDATE: So I wasn't aware how much this fandom hates Jake. My bad lol. So, I have changed it to someone random. Going forward, if there is something about your story that displeases you, feel free to voice, I love feedback but we can still be nice while doing it. New chapter should be uploaded today or tomorrow.