Well, I'm back! That last chapter was hard for some of y'all, some were pretty angry and some were pleased. That is completely fine. I enjoy the reviews and private messages because it tell me that you are invested in this story and some have brought up valuable questions but won't please do not tell me how to write my story. Repetition does happen, because that is the real world. We make mistakes and often times we make the same mistake over again, that is human nature. My stories are planned and outlined before I begin a story. Now, this chapter was by far the easiest chapter written and might possibly the most enjoyable.
Song choice: This Is Us- Soundtrack
Previously:
The check was paid, and the dinner went on without a hitch. Fitz went his way and Olivia went hers, but with the final minutes left before she might walk away with what could be the last time they ever see one another. He felt his heart rate accelerate, his palms dripping with sweat.
Turn around, he called silently, hating himself for the human weakness of love, of yearning, of hope. Look at me. He pleads
Daniel slides her coat on and the two begin walking out the dinner hand in hand. As she passes the arch leading to the door, she turns, her eyes moving swiftly to find his waiting for hers. Hope he knew he had no right to feel detonated inside the cavity of his chest. Their eyes locked across the chaos of the room for a fraction of a second and then she was gone.
X
Olivia had a fitful night's sleep. She went to bed earlier than usual, believing that the equanimity of sleep might offer some relief from her overactive, and over stimulated imagination. But it had proved unwise. She is much too excited and far to awake to sleep. She has to do this, it wasn't the fear of failing that caused her to be restless but the thought of more that stimulated her senses.
She pulls the strap of her purse back on her shoulder as she peers up at the large building. The apartment complex was nowhere near as nice as her luxurious upper east Manhattan suite but this place was charming, character.
She fixes her hair nervously as she looks back down at her phone, confirming the location to be where Fitz resides.
There it was. The butterflies rising in her stomach as stares at the large complex contemplating whether she was brave enough to see him and if he would even like to see her.
Taking a deep breath she presses the buzzer connected to his name, and within a second the door opens and she begins her flight up several stairs until she lands on the third floor where he is standing outside the door waiting for her.
Did he know she would come?
Staring at her, he smirks softly. His smile is quiet beautiful. Rare. Olivia knows Fitz is a pleasant man but to witness him smile…well, it's like a thing of beauty. Hardly appreciated but always luminous.
"What are you doing here, Wonder Girl? Are you lost?" His voice becomes richer with each word, an easy smile remains on his face. And with every step Olivia takes she finds herself moving towards him, not paying attention to the crowded stairwell where people are exiting their homes and beginning their day; something she should be doing too.
"I'm not lost." Olivia shakes her head as she stands firmly in front of Fitz.
His eyes begin to sparkle and Olivia swears she felt her heart give out at that very second.
"How can I help you? You are far away from home. I'm sure Daniel is looking for you."
Her smile falters slightly but she immediately recovers, she pulls a lose strand of hair back. "I had to tell you something and I had to tell you in person."
"I'm listening."
She smiles nervously before covering her mouth with her hand. "I um…I um, I broke up with Daniel." She looks up at him gaging his reaction but somehow he manages to keep everything incredibly under control.
"You did?"
"Yeah." Olivia says softly "I broke up with him the day we saw you at the restaurant."
Fitz closes his arms but he doesn't respond, simply giving Olivia the floor to speak.
"I know what you are thinking; it's been a month and I'm just now coming to find you. Well, I can tell you that I picked you the day I saw you but what I couldn't tell you was that I had to try and do the right thing, but obviously doing the right thing doesn't always correlate with doing the right thing for you. So I broke up with him and stayed to myself because I had to do some work on me first before I could be with anyone else and that's even if you still want me. So I'm sorry that it took me some time to catch up to you, but I'm here now and I would like to see you. If you are single and open to the idea of getting to know me, but I could understand if you chose not to." Olivia's eyes begin to water as she looks at Fitz who remains stoic.
"And I understand if you don't want to talk to me, but I would really like to go on a date with you."
Leaning back against the wall, his signature crooked smile begins to form. "Are you asking me out on a date, Ms. Pope?"
Giggling softly Olivia covers her face with embarrassment, this is actually her first time asking a guy out on a date.
"Yes." She finally answers "so?"
"So?" Fitz retorts sly "That's not how you ask a person out." Fitz jokes
"Well, fine I take it back." Olivia quips causing Fitz to grab her Salvator Ferragamo cream pearl coat.
"Don't you dare."
Dressed in blue jeans and a gray t-shirt, he looks every bit like the man of her dreams.
"I'm sorry"
"Don't say sorry."
"I wasn't thinking, I shouldn't have said what I-"
"I loved what you said." Her eyes sparkle with his own confirmation. "and I would love to go on a date with you."
Olivia's eyes twinkle as she gazes up at him. She hears her phone vibrating but she doesn't pay it any attention. Swept in the momentary bliss.
"Are you going to answer that?"
"They could wait."
"Are you free tonight Ms. Pope?"
"I can be."
Fitz nods his head "Well then, I will pick you up at seven o'clock."
"No."
"What?"
"I'm taking youout" Olivia moves closer to Fitz, completing invading his personal space as she uses her index finger to emphasis her point.
"Olivia, I'm not going to let you woome."
"Why not?"
"Because, I'm already woo'd. Now, I'm going to take you out on a date and we are going to have a great time."
"No."
"Olivia."
"Fitzgerald, I thought I made myself explicitly clear that I was asking youout on a date and since you clearly don't know what that means I will show you how it works."
Crossing his arms, he looks at Olivia though he's trying desperately not to smile at her. "I'm listening."
"For starters, the person who request the date is the one who plans and pays for dinner."
"That is true, which is why I'm taking care of it."
"Fitz." Olivia stares at him "I asked you out."
"No." he shakes his head defiantly "I've wanted to ask you out the minute I saw so technically this is my date."
"Not happening. And if you don't let me take you out on a date then we won't go on one."
"Fine." Fitz says firmly "but, I am taking out for desert and I will be handling the next date."
"You've already planned our second date?" Olivia laughs
"I've planned more than that." His voice is husky, his breath warm on her neck as he gleams down at her.
Olivia feels her cheeks become flush; the change in temperature causing her hands to sweat under his dazzling stare.
Her phone begins to ring again.
"Answer it." He says softly as he looks down at her apologetic smile.
"What." She answers on the phone causing Fitz to chuckle at her abruptness.
"I'm busy right now." Looking down at her watch she looks back up at Fitz "I'm on my way."
"Duty calls?"
"Unfortunately." Olivia slides her purse back up to her shoulder as she fiddles with what to say or do next.
"You should get going." Fitz motions to the stairwell
"Right." Olivia begins walking away.
"Have you had breakfast?" He calls out
Olivia rubs her face nervously "yes."
"Liar."
"No, but I don't really eat breakfast so…"
Fitz shakes his head before opening the door to his rather large apartment that manages to hold his bedroom on one side of the wall and the next several large white canvas that line the floor and the wall.
"Is this where you paint?"
"Yep. my apartment slash studio." Fitz jokes handing Olivia a plate with pancakes and scrambled eggs. "Take this with you."
"Fitz, I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because, I don't want to eat your food."
"You haven't tried it so you don't know whether it is good or not."
"That's not the problem, I'm sure what you cook is great-." Olivia smiles watching as Fitz wraps the plate with foil.
"Good, now you can see for yourself how amazing my blueberry pancakes are." Fitz cuts Olivia off before she could weasel her way out of taking his pancakes.
"Fine."
"I have plenty of pancakes. Now, with the most important meal covered you can face the world." Fitz said proudly as he began walking down the stairs with Olivia.
"You are a dork." Olivia remarks laughing at Fitz.
"Deal with it."
"I can't wait to see you tonight."
"Me too." Olivia nods her head and she means it. She's looking forward to getting to know to Fitz and this time the right way.
"I'll pick you up around seven."
"Okay." He relents kissing Olivia on the cheek as she walks to her car and on her way to work.
/
With her plate of food in one hand and her tea in the other, Olivia pushes the wood door open before closing it behind her. Gently she places her breakfast and mug on the desk and hangs her coat on the rack with her purse.
She covers her mouth with the nails of her fingers to stop from smiling. She actually did it. And now she was going on a date with someone she's been thinking about since the day they met.
"Did you do it?" Abby walks in.
Olivia smirks but doesn't say a word "You want a pancake?"
"You slept with him already!"
"No. yes, but not now." Olivia laughs
"How did he make you pancakes?"
Fixing her hair briefly Olivia moves closer towards her desk and to Abby who is siting adjacent from her.
"He already made them, but he wanted me to eat so he made me a plate."
"Oh, you have it bad."
"I know. It's ridiculous. I'm not that kind of girl, you know? I'm not the girl that giggles when a guy comes onto her or laughs at his corny jokes, I don't do that. That's not me. I can take a guy and I can leave him, it won't affect me but now…"
"Now?"
"Now, all I can think about is this date we are having tonight and what I am going to wear and if it will be as amazing as I expect it to be or will it be worse and we have absolutely nothing in common."
"Are you regretting breaking up with Daniel?"
"No. I wasn't in love with Daniel and the longer I stayed with him the more problems would come. He's a good guy and I'm done with playing games. He can move on and find someone who will love him just like I can find someone."
"I forgot; I was calling you to tell you that Daniel was looking for you."
"About what?"
"I don't know he just came to my office and asked if I've seen you and I told him no so he said if I do to have you come to his office."
Olivia rolls her eyes.
"How has Daniel been?" Abby asked
"He's been fine. He told me he felt this breakup was coming from a long time and it was. We decided that we can work together and continue to be professional because we are."
"Good."
Taking a deep breath Olivia stand from her desk "let me go see Daniel before he comes looking for me."
"I'll be here eating some pancakes."
"Don't eat them all." Olivia barks
/
She knocks on the door and walks in.
"You wanted to see me?"
"I did." Daniel said kicking his feet back to the floor. As he motions for her to sit.
"I'm fine standing."
"Olivia, I'm not going to do say anything, this is business."
Staring at Daniel, Olivia moves to sit at the furthest chair.
"What."
He hands her a file.
"What is this?" Olivia asked looking the heavy file filled with complaints, letters and formal documentation.
"This your next client, he is a wealthy known millionaire and now he's been sued for sexual harassment by former clients and staff. It hasn't hit mainstream which is why we have to work now before it hits."
"Who's the client?"
"Charles Winston."
"What?" Olivia begins searching through the files until she sees his name.
Olivia shakes her head before handing the case back to Daniel "At best I'm a prosecutor and you need an actual defense attorney not a corporate lawyer."
"That's where you are wrong. Corporate lawyers are the best of the best because we are versatile because we do everything and now I need you to find the victims and seal this information."
Olivia folds her arms and stares squarely at Daniel. "You want me to handle this because I'm a women? you think the judge won't see past this very obvious ploy? It won't work."
"Olivia he is yourclient, and he's been our client for years. Take this case, all this will do is help your already outstanding resume."
"Fine."
"He might not be what you assume. Maybe he was falsely accused.? You know that 'me too' movement has been having a ripple effect throughout every job and system."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"That women will take a simple come-on and view it as sexual harassment and sometimes the man doesn't even know the women and they are already spewing accusations."
"Tell me you are joking?"
"I'm not. If a man makes a job he cross the line but men talk like that to one another all the time and you don't hear us screaming harassment."
Olivia cocks her head to the side as she stares at Daniel. "One, the reason men don't have a problem with the sexual innuendos is because it isn't directed at them. It's amazing how the first gay professional football player was blacklisted from the sport because his teammates weren't sure if he was looking at them in a sexual manner? Or that they didn't want to shower in front of him in fear or assault? You remember that right? Two, you spew this misogynistic crap forgetting the most important."
"What's that?"
"That you are a man and you have no say in what and how a women feels."
"Goodness, Olivia I'm just being honest."
"You are talking as if you are someone with experience in that department?" Olivia eyes narrow in on Daniel.
"You know I've never done anything like that and it's offensive that you would think so low of me."
"I'm don't think but your actions say otherwise. I'm not here to pick a fight with you, Daniel. Sorry." Olivia softens up releasing that she's the one in the wrong and that Daniel didn't do anything to her.
"It's alright, I'm sorry too. Olivia, I want us to continue to work together in a strictly platonic way. You broke my heart but I'm passed being angry with you and I want us to continue to work together because you are a valuable member to this firm and to me."
"Daniel and I don't want to create any issues."
"There won't be any. You and I are broken up and its final."
"Okay."
"Okay."
"I'll handle this case. Consider it handled."
/
The July sun was peeking shades of purple and red through the clouds that rolled lazily over the sky, cooling her skin just enough that her peach sleeveless dress would fit perfectly for the summer occasion. The gentle light illuminated flowers on both sides of the empty street , lilies and hydrangeas. The town was surprising quiet, perhaps most of the people were staying inside to keep cool.
Not for Olivia. Not today. Her gaze wanders down to her and Fitz's intertwined hands, waving back and forth with the rhythm of their synchronized steps. She doesn't have to hide any longer.
After much back and forth, Olivia managed to somehow get Fitz inside her limited edition Mercedes CLS class.
"Olivia, let's take my car?"
"No, my date. My world. My rules."
He pouts, clearly flustered that he wasn't able to sway Olivia. Dressed in a white button shirt and black sacks, Fitz looks mouthwatering, somehow he manages to look effortless yet handsome.
"Olivia, isn't a date about compromise?"
"No." She turns her car on with the touch of her keys. "Get in."
"I have my truck, right next to yours."
"I see that but, this is my date which means you abided by my rules. Is that understood?"
Fitz sighs annoyed. "Can I at least drive?"
"No." Olivia opens the passenger door for him causing even Fitz to let out a laugh.
"You are enjoying this way too much."
"I am."
"You are not getting into my panties tonight Ms. Pope."
"I'll be the judge of that." Olivia retorts closing his door and walking over to her side, where Fitz still manages to open the door from the inside of the car.
Knowing that she can't exactly go to her normal places of dining, Olivia did her research and found a Thai place a few miles back from Fitz's place, knowing that nobody she or Daniel knows would come this far out.
They preferred sitting outside on the restaurant patio, were the summer breeze was the perfect air conditioner. An aster flower broke off from the rest of the flowers and floated softly in Olivia's hair as Fitz looked on with amazement.
There was a lightness on Fitz's chest that made it easier to breathe somehow, as if a scalpel had penetrated his chest and created another airway for him to inhale. He didn't even notice that his lips were twitching up into a smile as he watched her talk with a purple flower in her hair.
"What are you staring at?" she said, a grin tugging at her lips.
Fitz tears his gaze from her mischievously sparkling eyes and quickly scanned their surroundings, this feels nice.
"You."
"Are you sure?"
"You're the only women I see." Fitz answers, a grin on his face. He raises his hand and traces her warm, flush cheeks with his fingertips, and she leans into his touch for a moment.
Olivia ignores the skip her heart made at his declaration. Oh, she's falling, slipping dangerously to this unprecedented state of being. How is she supposed to school her actions when everything he does causes an involuntary response?
Their food arrives and both are either too nervous or too hungry to talk at the moment. Why rush the inevitable? This date is far from over.
Fitz watches as Olivia picks off his plate, trying his pad Thai and cheese rolls while Olivia opted for fried rice and shrimp pad Thai
"What do you think about this place?"
"I love it." Fitz answered with a mouth full of food.
"Have you been here before?"
"No, I haven't." Fitz watches Olivia take an audible sigh of relief.
"How was work?" Fitz asked having had enough food in his system that he could finally hold a conversation.
"Not bad, apparently when I was at your place earlier Abby was calling to tell me that Daniel was looking for me."
Fitz lifts his head and raises a questioning eyebrow
"Yeah, apparently Daniel decided to hold an impromptu meeting."
Fitz rolls his eyes knowing it was typical Daniel.
"Does that bother you?"
"What?"
"Me still working at the firm with Daniel?"
Fitz takes a bite of his food, as he tries to find the right words to express how he feels while still remaining respectful.
"No, it doesn't bother me at all. "
Olivia shakes her head in agreement though she's not sure how to process what Fitz said, is she happy he doesn't care or is she appreciative of it?
"It would be foolish of me to ask you to resign from a job you had for many years. And why would I want you to deal with the burden of having to look for a new job and start all over when you are close to making partner and your reputation as one of the best corporate lawyers of New York would come to end possibly because of your job? That sounds selfish and vain, to even think that would be an appropriate question to ask. No way. You have a career and goals, my plan isn't to stay in your way,"
"What's your plan then?"
"Just to walk by your side."
Olivia adjusts in her seat, her eyes flickering from left to right before reaching over the table and kissing Fitz lightly on the lips.
He licks his lips, moaning in pleasure at the taste of her Chapstick.Strawberry.
"If that was all it took, I should tell you that I am completely okay with you paying for dinner."
"Oh." Olivia smirks before reaching over the table to kiss Fitz again.
"Now you are a feminist?"
The breathy laugh he huffed out, the wrinkles forming around his sparkling eyes is just enough to show Olivia that they are two people who are reaching a stage in their life where they are not looking for something frivolous and trivial but something more.
"Thank you for being understanding about my job."
"Why wouldn't I be?" Fitz asked obviously
"Well, Abby feels it's a conflict of interest and it is, but I'm not willing to leave my job of five years, not yetover something that is just starting."
"I completely agree." And he does, why should Olivia have to quit her job before they have even begun. Who's to say what the future may bring. Maybe the end up together and maybe they don't. All Fitz knows is that at this time he is going to enjoy every moment with Olivia and simply let the chips fall where they may.
The waiter places the check on the table.
"Fitz, you said you would let me pay."
"I changed my mind." Fitz retorts
"Why is it such a problem that I pay?"
"Because, I'm old fashion and If a man likes a women then he's supposed to pay for dinner, and be a gentleman."
"And what defines a gentlemen?"
"Well, opening doors, walking closes to the street, driving the car around town, fixing things that need to be addressed. Paying for our first date."
For a long, horrible second, Olivia just stares at him with eyes he can't describe, but then, she laughs. With her eyes glowing openly and happily, Fitz recalls that to the best of his knowledge she has never done this before.
"I haven't dated a gentlemen before." Olivia warmly says tugging Fitz back into reality.
"Well, then there's a first for everything." Fitz says taking the bill and opening his wallet.
Olivia sighs deeply, but she can't help the smile forming on her face.
"How's work?" Olivia's main reason for paying was that she doesn't want to put Fitz in any financial difficulties.
"Well I got fired from that job you saw me at."
"Oh no, I'm sorry."
"I'm happy." Fitz laughed "I start work at Kindred elementary school."
Olivia's eyes widen. "What?"
"I'm going to be the substitute art teacher while the permeant teacher goes on maternity leave. I start next week."
"Oh my, Wow!" Olivia exclaims. "That's exciting."
"It is." Fitz agrees and he honestly is excited about the job.
"Are you looking forward to teaching?"
"I am. Especially art."
"Those kids are going to love you." Olivia declares.
"You think so?"
"I've never be around kids before, not like that." Fitz shares
"Me either."
He looks up surprised by her answer yet comforted in knowing he wasn't the only one.
"Do you want kids?"
Olivia folds her arms, her eyes becoming slightly darker "I don't know, I don't believe I want kids. But I haven't thought about having children. It's not like I had the best upbringing." Olivia laughs sadly "You?"
"Maybe in the future when I'm financially stable and with the right person... Yeah, I want kids."
Fitz, yells at himself internally, the last thing he should bring up is kids and yet he somehow managed to do it on the first date.
"Are you thinking of being a teacher full time?" Olivia asked bring the conversation back to a neutral topic.
"I don't know." Fitz answers honestly "It's a possibility but anything is possible though right?"
"Right."
"How did you find me?"
A nervous laugh escapes. " I googled you." Olivia admits
"Wow."
"I googled you a while ago, but I just had the courage today to act on my feelings."
"I googled you as well." Fitz opens
"Liar." Olivia says with a disbelieving smile on her face.
"Why would I lie? Are you not googleable?"
Olivia laughs "what did you find?"
"Oh just that you are some bad- ass lawyer."
Olivia shakes her head.
"That doesn't say much."
"Well, you don't talk about your personal life and I wouldn't want to read that anyways."
"Why not?"
"It's an invasion of privacy plus, I want you to tell me."
Olivia nods quickly and smiles just the same, she has to keep her emotions in check.
Fitz glances down at his watch. "Ready for desert?"
"How can you still be hungry?" Olivia asked mildly shocked.
"I just am."
"You ate your plate and half of mine." Olivia laughs
"Are you full?"
"Yes." Olivia laughs.
"How are you full?"
"How are you not full?" Olivia retorts
Fitz shakes his head "I'm going to have put some meat on your bones, Liv."
"I have plenty of meat." Olivia laughs.
"In all the right places." Olivia throws a piece of rice at Fitz, giggling like a school girl at his obvious attempt at flirting.
Standing up, Fitz pulls back Olivia's seat as they walk out the restaurant.
"Where to?" Olivia asked as they walk the now populated street.
"Ice cream." Fitz said happily as they walked the street with Fitz staying true to being a gentleman.
"Why do you have to walk closest to the street again?" Olivia asked as they waited at a cross walk.
"Because, let's hope and pray this never happens but what if a drunk driver were to come and not see us. The driver would hit me first and hopefully my hit would protect you from the impact, or if I see a car veering off the road I can push you out of the way at least."
The crosswalk turns to give them the right of way, but Olivia doesn't move.
"Liv, we have to move before it turns again."
"You think like that? My own father never cared this much about me." Olivia whispers, her heart beating rapidly, her voice shaking as if she had just run a hundred miles.
Then suddenly without answer, Olivia is wrapped in Fitz's arms. Gentle, yet so strong it almost feels like wings are embracing her, and she clings back to him with equal force because it is the most natural thing she has done. She buries her face in the crook of his neck, drowning in the warmth of his touch and the intensity of finally knowing what home could possibly feel like.
She swallows back the lump in her throat, not able to comprehend how much the small touch of sincerity means to her. That someone genuinely cares about her life and her well-being. Out of all the men in her life that have come and gone, none have managed to penetrate Olivia's tough skin the way Fitz already has.
Fitz gently takes Olivia's hand, his thumb soothing over Olivia's palm as he gently smiles at her. "You ready to go?"
Looking at the most vibrant blue eyes Olivia nods "I'm ready."
Yes. This is for real. And no Olivia and Daniel will not be getting back together. And finally there won't be a love triangle between the three.
That chapter in Olivia's life is over.
Mostly likely won't be updating for a while.
Until next time
Muse XoXo