Chapter 10

***Summer 2019***

Fitz laid awake in the pallet he made on the floor, tossing and turning. The events of today only triggered him. Memories from the summer of '96 were playing vividly in his head, keeping him from getting any shuteye. Every single time he closed his eyes he felt himself being transported to that benefit dinner, the single dinner that changed his life forever.

***Summer 1996***

Saturday arrived faster than expected, and Olivia and Fitz stayed in bed together, waiting for the last possible second to get out. With the exception of getting food and going to the bathroom the couple managed to stay in bed under the sheets throughout the whole morning and well into the afternoon.

"Come on mister, we have to get up and start getting ready."

Fitz turned over in the covers and put the blanket over his head.

"No, I don't want to."

"Come on, Fitz," she gently shook him.

"Just a little longer?" he urged, making puppy dog eyes at her. He was feeling nervous about the dinner. Fitz wasn't really one who liked attention and having the public's focus on him, which for a future politician wasn't very ideal, considering that was a requirement of the job. Olivia could sense the bit of fear in his voice.

"Are you nervous to give your speech?" she stroked the side of his head and ran her fingers through his curls to get him to relax.

"What? Me? No. I'm a Grant..." Fitz spoke sarcastically. "Ok…maybe a little."

Fitz sat up and leaned his back against the headboard. Full truth was that he was nervous about a multitude of things: the speech, the official start of his career, Liv meeting his parents, Mellie and Liv being in a room together, and the troubled thought Big Gerry put in his head that Liv would leave him once she caught wind of the wildness that comes with being in the political arena.

"What if we didn't go? What if we ran away instead?" he suggested enthusiastically.

"You're kidding!" she laughed.

"No Livvie, I'm serious. Let's just runaway and leave this whole busy LA world behind us. We can run off to an island somewhere, just you and me."

"And where would we go?" she asked.

"I've heard Zanzibar is apparently really nice."

"You want to runaway and go to Zanzibar?" Olivia laughed again. "Fitz, you have nothing to worry about. Your speech is phenomenal…I should know," Olivia grinned. The past couple of days in preparation of the dinner, Olivia offered to help Fitz with his speech. What she thought would be helping a little bit here and there turned into the two of them basically writing the whole thing from start to finish together. Olivia wasn't complaining, she liked helping Fitz with his speech, and the end product was remarkable, a true telling of their amazing teamwork.

"Time to get up," Olivia urged once more before getting out of bed herself.

Fitz held the door open for Olivia as she made her way into the ballroom. Dressed fully in a tux and ball gown, Fitz and Olivia felt that this was truly the start of their professional lives.

"Come on, I think it's time you met my parents for real as my girlfriend," Fitz insisted, taking Olivia in his arm and going toward Big Gerry and Eleanor on the side of the room, where they mingled with their hors d'oeuvre dish.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Trust me, my mother is fine and my father was told to be on his best behavior." Fitz reached his parents and kindly gestured toward Olivia. He prayed that they would follow with their promise and behave.

"Mom, Dad, this is Olivia."

Fitz's parents both observed her, scanning her with their eyes, until his mother released what Olivia thought was a forced smile.

"It's great to meet you, Olivia."

"It's very nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Grant."

"Oh please, call me Eleanor," she laughed.

Olivia nodded her head and looked at Big Gerry.

"And it's great to see you again, Senator Grant."

"Ha, save it. Lying doesn't look good on you, sweetheart." Big Gerry laughed and walked away.

Olivia looked at Fitz concerned, "Best behavior?"

"I mean it's a step up from considering you to be a prostitute," Fitz smirked, but knew Olivia was not taking the situation lightly at all.

"Ignore him, sweetie. I told Fitz I would talk to him before the dinner, and I didn't get the chance to. I'll make sure he receives the talk tonight." Eleanor looked at Olivia with a serious and determined face that made Olivia feel more respectful of her; perhaps she wasn't just some dotty political wife.

"Thank you, Eleanor. I really appreciate that." Olivia smiled.

"Let's go get a drink," Fitz offered and the two walked toward the bar.

While at the bar, Big Gerry and Cyrus pulled Fitz aside in order to get him to mingle with all the right wealthy potential donors prior to his speech. Leaving Olivia by herself, she began aimlessly walking around the ballroom, looking for someone she could strike up a conversation with.

"I love those shoes!" Olivia turned around and saw a lovely brunette only a couple years older than her in a blue gown and diamond earrings.

"Oh thank you," Olivia replied, not knowing what else to do, she decided to take a seat next to the young woman.

"Is this your first political event?" the woman asked Liv.

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"I can tell. Don't worry, you'll get used to them quite quickly. Who do you know here?"

"I'm a-" Olivia wasn't exactly sure how best to respond to strangers with this. She wasn't sure if Fitz was making his relationship with her known to the public yet, "-I'm a friend of Fitz." She decided that was a fair enough answer.

"Oh, well if you're a friend of Fitz's, then you'll be fine. He'll show you the ropes. He and I have been coming to these types of political events together since we were in diapers." she laughed.

Olivia felt a person behind her, and noticed Big Gerry taking a seat of his own at their table.

"Well, Olivia, I see you've already met the wonderful Mellie Doyle."

Did he say Mellie? Olivia thought to herself for a moment before she responded in a way that could have been an overreaction to something with a simple explanation. This woman's name was also Mellie, and she had known Fitz since they were basically born. She must have been part of the Grant family - a cousin or something. That was the only logical reason Olivia could come up with at the moment. Mellie wasn't a very common name after all; it would have been too strange of a coincidence.

"Oh, I didn't realize that Mellie was a family name," Olivia replied with a smile.

Big Gerry and Mellie exchanged confused looks.

"Mellie isn't a family name," Big Gerry declared.

"Well, it's not yet!" Mellie corrected, laughing far too jolly.

Olivia turned in her chair to Big Gerry.

"You see Mellie here is…well…how would you put it? Betrothed?"

"I would say it's more like engaged to be engaged." Mellie smiled, giggling in her same annoying tone.

Olivia felt waves of nausea crashing over her.

"Engaged to F-Fitz?" she stuttered, thinking about the ring she saw in the living room of his apartment, how quick he was to change the subject when asked about it.

"That's the plan. And if all goes well, Mellie here is going to be our future First Lady." Big Gerry smiled at Mellie and leaned in close to Olivia, whispering so only she could hear.

"I'm not sure what kind of lies he may have told you, or what kind of lies you've told yourself about changing him, but the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree. Don't worry though sweetheart, you can keep on seeing him if you like…I would suggest trying to make a profit off of it though. May as well…" Big Gerry got up from his chair and strutted away.

"Are you alright, Olivia?" Mellie reached out.

"I'm fine. I'm good. I just…I have to go!" Olivia got up from her chair and ran out of the ballroom.

This was too much for her. Fitz was engaged! Ok well, not engaged, but planning on being engaged. He even had the ring he was going to use, so he must have been planning on asking her soon. She couldn't believe she fell for him. She should have stuck with her instinct when she found out he was Senator Gerry Grant II's son. She made it out of the building, quickly reaching for her face to try and control the tears that were rolling down her cheeks. She heard footsteps running toward her, and used all her strength to turn around and look up.

"Liv? Livvie? What's wrong?" Fitz wrapped his arms around Olivia's hunched over body. She immediately broke free from his grip.

"Do not touch me!"

Fitz backed away a few steps to give her some space. "What's wrong? What happened in there? Did my father do something? I swear to god Liv if he-"

"No, this wasn't your father, Fitz. I thought I knew you." Olivia began crying, sobs taking full control of her.

"You do know me!" Fitz insisted, his eyes getting watery from watching the love of his life react in such despair. He wanted to know what happened back there that made her so upset. He was in the middle of talking to members of the agribusiness lobby when he saw Olivia make a sprint out of the door.

"Do I? Is your great grandmother's name actually Mellie?" she asked. The words hit Fitz like daggers, and he knew the truth was coming out now. She found out who Mellie was, and this was what he feared.

He walked forward slowly and grabbed hold of her hands. Olivia immediately pulled back. She couldn't let his touch play tricks on her mind. He was too good at that.

"Livvie, I'm sorry. I should have told you the truth. Listen to me, I can explain. Mellie - she means nothing to me. It's just my father. He has this whole vision pla-"

"Planned out. I know!" Olivia interrupted, dissatisfied with his explanation so far. "So she's part of that plan you're following?"

From outside the building they could hear the crowd inside quiet down as a single voice boomed off the ballroom's PA system, welcoming the guests.

"THANK YOU DONORS FOR COMING OUT THIS EVENING TO DISCUSS POLICY AND FUNDING IN PREPARATION OF THE UPCOMING ELECTION."

"She's part of my father's plan, but not mine, Livvie," Fitz explained.

"WE HAVE A NUMBER OF POLITICAL SPEAKERS OUT HERE TONIGHT, SOME OLD FAMILIAR FACES AND SOME NEW ONES TOO AS WE PASS ON THE PARTY TO A NEW GENERATION OF YOUNG CONSERVATIVES."

"And what exactly is your plan, Fitz?"

"I-I don't know, Livvie…" Fitz was stuck. He was dragged into this political world, but knew that if he stayed in it that Olivia would be miserable. This was only day one of life in politics for her, and was already a target.

"Where does that leave us?" Olivia cried. Fitz stared down at his shoes. If Olivia had any chance of staying out of the overly dramatic and manipulative world of politics and stay committed to following her dream of being a singer like she always wanted, then he had no choice. Big Gerry was right. He had to do it, no matter how much it pained him to.

"I don't want to hurt you, I'm sorry," he quietly mumbled, barely loud enough for Olivia to hear. Instant regret filled him, and he scrunched his face as soon as the words came out, wishing to take those words back and revaluate the situation.

"So that's it, then?" Olivia looked up at him one last time for confirmation. Her eyes were stained red with tears, and it broke Fitz's heart.

"PROUDLY CARRYING ON A LONG LASTING LEGACY, WE HAVE A FRESH FACE COMING TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. JUST OUT OF SERVING IN THE NAVY, PLEASE WELCOME SENATOR GRANT'S SON, CAPTAIN FITZGERALD THOMAS GRANT III!"

Fitz looked back over to the doors of the building where his name had just been announced.

"Go, you got a speech to give," Liv instructed.

"Livvie…no. Just…just give me a few minutes…a-and I'll come right out and we'll sort this out. Just wait a few minutes for me, Livvie," Fitz said swapping glances between Liv and the doors.

"I've been waiting for you to talk to your dad about us. I've been waiting for you to make your own decisions. I'm tired of waiting." Olivia breathed. "Go give your speech, Captain Grant."

Olivia pivoted and began to walk away. Fitz watched her walk on, unsure of whether or not he should chase after. He wasn't sure how many seconds had passed, but he was brought out of his daze from the sound of the intercom.

"…, CAPTAIN FITZGERALD THOMAS GRANT III…. FITZGERALD THOMAS GRANT III? FITZGERALD THOMAS GRANT III?"

Fitz turned on his heels and went back into the building to give his speech, knowing full well that Olivia would not be waiting for him when he was done.

***Summer 2019***

Fitz jolted from awake. He didn't even remember how the speech ended up going. He was in a haze the whole time. He tossed and turned more, but sounds of Olivia's crying from that day filled his ears. He let out a long exhale and stood from his spot on the floor. He needed to do some reading to keep his mind occupied and Olivia-free. He reached up and grabbed the string of the light, pulling it too far down, and making it snap off.

"Fuck!" Fitz cursed, now perpetually stuck in the dark. He managed to find his sandals and walked out of the boathouse. If he couldn't read, he would have to find something else to keep him busy.

He heard a pair of loud voices toward the courtyard of the resort. Once he got close, he recognized that he was overhearing Raya and Zeke.

"I didn't say that we shouldn't get married, Raya!"

"You just said that we weren't good for marriage!" she shouted back.

"Because communication is important, and you've been keeping secrets from me!"

"I told you why I invited them when I saw you yesterday, and you told me that you understood!"

"I do! I understand why you would want to invite your possible dads to your wedding, but you could have told before you did it. You should have told me!"

Fitz remained lingering, using nearby bushes to hide his presence.

"If I told you, you wouldn't have let me done it!"

"Because it was a bad idea! Inviting your mom's ex-boyfriends without her knowledge. Raya, that's –"

"That's what?"

"Nothing, just forget it…I have to go anyway."

Fitz heard Zeke's footsteps coming his way and hid behind a few trees to mask himself. Well that conversation certainly answered all the questions he had about why he was here in the first place and who was behind the invite. He came out from the trees and looked onto the courtyard. Fitz breathed deeply as he saw Raya curled up on a bench, crying in the late night air. He should have gone back to his shack. He should have tried to forget what he heard and let Olivia deal with it; this was her daughter. He should have tried to get some sleep instead of comforting a girl he had only met a couple days ago who had a 33% chance of being related to him. Despite all the things he should have been doing, Fitz's feet were moving him forward toward the bench.

"Is this seat taken?" Fitz cleared his throat and sat down next to her. Raya took her head out of her hands and looked up at him.

"How much of that did you hear?"

"Uh, quite a bit. But I won't tell your mom about you being mastermind behind inviting Jake, Stephen and me…although I think she already knows."

Raya laughed a bit and wiped her face.

"Yeah she figured that one out the moment she saw all three of you in the same room. Mom has never been open into who my father was, and I just wanted to have you guys there at my wedding, but now it doesn't even matter." Raya started crying a little harder. "I don't even think there's going to be wedding.

"What makes you think that?" Fitz hesitated for a moment, but then went ahead and put his hand on her back, rubbing it in small consoling circles.

"I should have told Zeke what I was doing, but I kept it a secret, and I messed up pretty badly." She wiped her face once again.

"Listen, we all make mistakes, believe me I would know," Fitz said, trying to cheer her up.

"Take this from someone with a lot of experience in messing things up," he cleared his throat once more, "If they love you, they'll forgive you."

"Really?"

"Really."

"So you and my mom?" Raya shifted in her seat.

"Well, I really hurt her, I understand that she doesn't love me anymore…and I'm coming to accept it."

"She does," Raya spoke quickly before he could say anything more.

"Wha-How do you know?" Fitz was cautious in getting his hopes up.

"I can tell. The more aggressive she acts towards you when she's mad, means the more she cares."

Fitz started to blush. He liked Raya giving him this little bit of hope to hold on to.

"Yeah she does have a habit of doing that," Fitz reminisced.

"But Lauren? Your new wife?" Raya asked fearfully that more drama would erupt between her mom, Fitz, and this Lauren girl. Fitz blinked rapidly at Raya, confused by her statement.

"Lauren?" he shook his head. "Lauren is my assistant," he explained.

"Ohhh. I heard you talking to her, saying you missed her. I guess I shouldn't have assumed that, that was pretty wrong of me. I'm sorry if I jumped to conclusions there and got mad at you earlier."

"It's okay," Fitz nudged. "You wouldn't have known. I haven't exactly been making myself open like Jake and Stephen with getting to know each other, and that one's on me."

Raya shook her head in agreement.

"No, you really haven't."

Fitz let out a sigh, upset to have disappointed Raya. The time he's spent on the resort he's been isolated and distant, not really getting to know Raya, which as he had just recently learned was the purpose behind his invitation. He thought she was a great kid, and the idea of disappointing her upset him.

"Tell you what? What are you up to tomorrow morning?" Fitz asked enthusiastically.

"Not much, why?"

"How about you and I go for an early morning walk?"

"There are some nature trails that go through the resort and have a lot of wildlife," Raya added, far perkier than when her talk with Fitz started.

"That sounds great!" Fitz cheered. "Would you want to meet back at this bench at about 7am? We can go for a walk and talk. You can ask me any questions you have. Full disclosure!"

Raya gleefully nodded her head yes.

"Yes, that would be great! Thank you, Fitz!" Just as soon as her excitement caved in her tiredness showed as she tried her best to stifle a yawn. "Sorry, I'm pretty tired. I better get to bed soon if we're going to be up early."

Raya got up from the bench and turned to Fitz.

"Goodnight Fitz."

"Goodnight Raya…and sweet dreams."

Fitz was pretty proud of himself for how he handled that. She was a great kid, clearly her mother's daughter. He wondered if what Raya had said about Olivia still loving him was really true, or if it was just an attempt to comfort him, turning the tables from when he was comforting her only moments before. Fitz didn't want himself to over think this. Regardless, for the first time in years Fitz felt some sort of true sense of hope.

A/N: This chapter was a rough one to write. On the one hand the fight between Olivia and Fitz hurt, but having Fitz step up to comfort Raya at her time of need was one of the better parts to write. Luckily, it looks like things might be starting to turn around for Fitz, and we'll have a happy Olitz endgame. Some things to look forward to in the next installment: much needed bonding between Fitz and Raya, and a much needed conversation between Olivia and Fitz.