C.13-Perfect
Fitz checked himself out in the mirror, and decided he needed to shave before he left. He'd been too tired to care about shaving lately but tonight he knew he wanted to look his best. Olivia might have thought his spotty beard was attractive, but he preferred to be clean shaven for their first date. His hair also needed styled, it was an unruly mess of wet curls and he wanted everything to be perfect. It had to be perfect for her. He had been looking forward to tonight all week, finally being able to be alone with Olivia and not be exhausted. Practices had taken a lot out of him with playing two positions, he never seemed to get a break, then he had more work to do when he got home. Today had been a light practice since they had a scrimmage tomorrow and they didn't have to report until noon to get ready. Edward gave him off so he could get ready for the date.
"Damnit."
"Hey, you better get a move on it, or she's gonna be waiting on you."
Fitz turned and glared "I just want it to be perfect for her."
"I'm sure whatever you have planned she'll love. I'm gonna head to the airport, you mother's flight is landing in a half hour, so I'm heading to the airport. Good luck."
"Thanks."
He cut himself shaving and needed to stop the bleeding. It must have been his nerves, he was more nervous about this date than he expected. But then again it was his first date with someone he cared about, plus Brody's comment earlier in the week had been bothering. This week was not a good one for Fitz and his insecurities, first Brody and football then he found out about Jerry. His mother had tried to hide the information when she found out about his upcoming wedding and new "son." But to no avail because once again Brody was there to point out that Fitz was the "unwanted son." He had no idea how Brody found this article but made sure it was posted on his locker this morning. There was a picture with Jerry, his new fiance, Fitz was unsure why someone would want to marry him, he was sure Gerry had dirt on this person. Nowhere was it mentioned about Gerry already having a son, but that this new kid would be attending Stanford to major in Political Science and pre-law. Of course he was boasting on how he would be carrying on the family legacy in politics someday. Fitz had never known what he did to make Gerry dislike him so much, but he had learned to deal with it as he grew older. He was sure he paid someone off or had some kind of dirt to make this happen. Brody ate it up and this was just rubbing salt in a reopened wound. It wasn't like he didn't have enough to stress about for the upcoming date.
Thankfully Edward had given Fitz advice on where to eat and he had already made reservations. There was a popular local band playing down at the park he planned to take her after dinner and then they could walk around downtown. He was going to sweep her off her feet.
The bleeding finally stopped and he worked on his hair. It was unruly and his front curl wouldn't stay back. It would have to do, although Liv had told him multiple times how cute that curl was. H e went back into his room to change. He could see the light on in Olivia's room and figured she was still getting ready. He smiled thinking of her, turned his attention back to himself. He needed to look good though so opted out of the cargo shorts look and wore a pair of J. Crew dark gray shorts with a light purple button down shirt with a pair of light grey slip on vans. He left the top three buttons open and rolled the sleeves, checked himself out one more time in the mirror, sprayed on cologne. He grabbed the flowers he bought her and headed out the door towards the Pope residence.
Olivia was also nervous, she hadn't really been on a formal date before. Brody and her just hung out, he never worried about romancing her, but she knew Fitz would be different and he had been stressing about it all week. There was something else too, and she couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she hoped he would relax since it was a light day for the guys. Fitz didn't give any specifics except they would be going somewhere near the water to eat and she should wear comfortable shoes. Something that was usually so easy for her was stressing her out, she wanted tonight to be perfect. She felt ridiculous and decided on a light pink lace dress and with nude flats, they would be comfortable and stylish. She put on some nude lip gloss, and perfume and headed downstairs to meet Fitz.
Fitz stood talking to Jackson in the kitchen, which helped divert his attention momentarily from the nerves he had. They were discussing the scrimmage when Olivia descended the stairs and all of Fitz' attention centered around her. It was if she walked on water and nothing else would ever compare to her. She took his breath away and his nerves disappeared when she smiled at him
"Hi
"Hi", he moved to her, kissing her gently and giving her the flowers.
"Flowers, again? I've gotten more flowers from you in a week than I have my whole life!"
Fitz blushed as she took them putting them in a vase "Well, you've just never been romanced the way you should be. You look beautiful tonight, by the way"
"You don't look so bad yourself," she playfully hit him on the butt "you ready?"
"Oh dear God! You two make me sick you know that? You know I'm here right? Now do I have to lecture you both about what time you need to be home and all that crap? " Jackson was smiling the whole time, he was really happy but couldn't resist being a smartass.
"No father number 2, why don't you go visit your girlfriend? Maybe try getting her flowers!"
"That was my plan, we were just discussing the scrimmage first. Have fun and behave!" Jackson said giving Liv a hug and Fitz a fist bump as he left.
Livy looked up at Fitz with her big brown eyes and smiled. She grabbed his hand and led him out the door. He put on his aviator ray bans and turned on a mix of some older r and b classics and she laced her arm under his and leaned her head against my arm as he drove.
"Tyrese, "Sweet Lady?" I didn't think you'd know music this good."
"I'm full of surprises."
They drove in silence and she could tell he was nervous and she thought it was more than just the date.
"You know you can relax? You already have me," she kissed him.
He just smiled and didn't say anything.
"Fitz, what's wrong?"
"What do you mean?"
"You've just been so stressed this week, is practice weighing you down? Or is it something else? I saw the news Fitz, and Jack told me what happened at practice with the article. You can talk to me you know, I may not have any advice, but I can listen." She began to run her hand in his hair trying, letting him know how much she cared for him.
He clenched his teeth and stared straight ahead not sure about what he should say. "I just don't understand what I ever did to make him hate me so much. He hasn't called me or made any contact since I've been here. It's not that I want him around….. but when your own father recognizes someone else's child over you, it just makes you question what is wrong with you? Why am I not enough?" he confessed.
"Fitz, you're more than enough, he's just too stupid to realize it. He's not worth the stress it causes. You're so much better off here. You don't need him and there's nothing wrong with you, you have people here that love you."
He smiled "Are you one of those people?"
"I could be " she smiled and moved her hand to his thigh where she gently rubbed his leg while she wrapped her other hand around his arm.
Thank God they were almost there because having her hand on his leg made Fitz want to pull the vehicle over and not even go on the date. He wondered how one girl could have so much effect on me? He pulled into the parking lot, took her hand and kissed it. She understood the the deeper meaning of the gesture behind the gesture.
They walked hand in hand to the restaurant and were taken to their seats outside. The tables were small and cozy, perfect for a couple to sit at. There were lights over head that set a romantic mood and they were close enough to the water to enjoy the gentle breeze blowing through the night. He reserved a corner table, it was more secluded and intimate than the tables in the middle. He reached across the table and took her hand.
"Livy are you cold, I had an extra sweatshirt in the car, I'll go get it for you."
"No Fitz, I'm fine. This menu is amazing, I don't know what I'm going to order it all looks great and smells amazing," she exclaimed.
"Order whatever you want," he already knew what he wanted and instead wanted to focus on her.
He was tracing small circles on her hand with his thumb and staring at her when she looked up.
"Fitz, stop looking at me like that. You're making me self conscious," she was blushing.
"I can't help myself. You look so soft tonight. Everything, from your makeup, to your hair and outfit, its like you have a different style everytime I see you. How do you do it?"
"I'm just very hip and stylish," she laughed.
"I don't know what to get, what are you going to get Fitz?"
"Steak, french fries, corn."
"You are such a guy."
"Would you like me to order a salad instead? Do you think I'm looking fat in purple?" his comment and goofy smile made her laugh.
"Are you going to judge me if I get crab legs? They are such a pain to eat, but good from here."
"I'd never judge you, get whatever you want."
They both ordered and she reached across placing her hand on his.
"This is already the best date I've ever been on, you really know how to sweep a girl off of her feet."
"This is nothing."
"Tell me about your work with Edward. It looks amazing, I'm sure your mom is going to freak out."
"He's really good with that type of stuff, he was showing me things. Architecture might be something I'm interested in. I've never really thought about it before, because Gerry always had my path planned out. It is kind of weird to actually think about it now."
"I've always wanted to be a doctor. I used to love going to take your child to work day with my dad, and I had some many books on it as a child. Jackson still believes he'll be a pro football player," she rolled her eyes.
"Orthopedics?"
"Pediatrics, maybe pediatric cancer, I'm not sure. I want to help kids."
"Wow, pediatric cancer, that's pretty rough, to see little kids that sick."
"They won't be sick, I want to do the research to find new cures."
His smile grew, he knew she was serious and he knew how determine she was. Their food was delivered and they both started to eat. He smiled watching her trying to pulled the crab from the legs.
"Is your steak good?"
"Why are you trying to steal some?"
She laughed as he cut a piece and put it on her plate.
"Do you want some of mine to try babe?"
"You think calling me babe will make me share more?" they both laughed as he cut her another piece and she gave him a crab leg.
Fitz easily finished his meal and Liv was finished after eating half of hers. He paid for the check and walked holding hands towards a park. She smiled as she heard the music and looked up at him.
"You weren't lying when you said you planned to dance with me were you?"
"I wouldn't make you a promise I couldn't keep"
He kissed her cheek and wrapped his arm around her tiny waist. He took her other hand in his and we moved to the sound of the music. He sang the song barely above a whisper into her ear.
"Yes you're lovely, with your smile so warm And your cheeks so soft, There is nothing for me but to love you, And the way you look tonight. "
They were so close and she was so tiny in his arms he was afraid he could break her. He had never had the time to admire her when she was in his arms, there was always some kind of chaos surrounding them, but at this moment there was just peace. Although she was athletic, she was petite and fit perfectly in his arms. Her hand was engulfed by his, further reminding him of their size comparison. She was looking up at me with a tender look of adoration. The way the lights were sparkling in her eyes was a look he wanted engrained in my mind forever. He spun her and pulled her in closer. She hid her head in my chest as he continued to sing
"With each word your tenderness grows, Tearing my fear apart... And that laugh that wrinkles your nose, It touches my foolish heart. Lovely ... Never, ever change."
"Fitz, people are starting to stare at us."
"I don't care, let them."
"You're crazy, you know that right? But seriously, where did you learn to dance so well?"
"Mmmm ballroom classes when I was younger. Having to attend formal events as a politician's son you want to make sure you know how to dance." He smiled and spun her around then pulled her back close.
"Can we dance another song?"
"Whatever you want," he told her placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Will you keep singing to me?"
"As long as I know the songs, I will."
The chords to "You are the Best Thing" started and he smiled down at her singing right in tune
"Baby
It's been a long day, baby
Things ain't been going my way
You now I need you here
You clear my mind all the time
And, baby
The way you move me, it's crazy
It's like you see right through me
And make it easier
Believe me, you don't even have to try…."
They continued to dance for two more songs, until Liv wanted to sit and listen to the band. The sun was starting to set and created the perfect backdrop to the music. She sat in between his legs and leaned back into his chest as he wrapped her up with his arms, kissing her cheek.
"In California, I liked to go to a spot on the beach to watch the sunset. It always made me feel better, no matter how I felt. It was soothing, and made me realize that no matter what happened the day would be over and I could get through it and the next day would be another chance. I know it's cheesy, but it was something I liked to do and I wanted to share it with you."
"I like when you share stuff with me," she intertwined their fingers, looking at their hands as she spoke.
"Are you enjoying the date so far?"
She turned and gave him a doe eyed look. "It's perfect, I don't want it to end" and she nuzzled back into his chest.
"There's still more" he whispered, kissing her cheek again.
They sat there for a half hour listening to the band and watching the sunset. Neither of them said anything but just enjoyed being physically and emotionally connected with the other.
"Let's get some ice cream," he whispered.
"Fitz, I have no idea how you eat so much but still look so good."
"Thanks, but I can't help it I'm hungry," he chuckled.
They walked down the riverwalk, which was like an upscale boardwalk. It was made of historic cobblestone and took you back in time. Olivia made him stop at an arcade pulled him into a photobooth by his shirt, making out with him for the first set of pictures before taking two more, making funny faces, smiling, and kissing. Once she was pleased with the pictures, they continued on their walk.
He found a little ice cream shop and ordered a double scoop cone, with cookies and cream and cookie dough, Livy was indecisive and had to try samples of everything before she settled on strawberry.
"You tried all those flavors and ordered strawberry?"
"Well I wanted to see if I liked anything new, but strawberry was a safe bet"
"Do you want to try some?" She said as she purposely put ice cream on his face, then kissed it off.
He laughed at her and couldn't believe how cute she could be, then she stole a bite of his cone.
"Thank you," she said looking up at me with her puppy dog eyes.
"For what?"
" For everything. For rescuing me the other night, for letting me drive your jeep, for being there for me, but most of all for tonight. This is the best date I've ever been on"
"You know what the best part is?" He took her hand. " It's not over yet, I have one more thing I want to do before we go home, come let's go."
"Where are we going now?"
"You'll see, I found a neat little historic spot online I thought we could visit."
They finished their icecream as they walked down the street. They were smiling and couldn't have been more blissful. Livy was excited to see what the last part of this date would hold in store. That was until they saw what was at the end of the street. There was Brody with the girl from the party. He could feel Olivia instantly tense up and grab onto my arm. Before we could go a different way he approached us.
"Awww now isn't this just adorable. Just remember what I said punk, she'll be back," he laughed as they walked by us.
"What is he talking about?"
"Don't worry about it, let's go." he grabbed her hand and they went back to the jeep to go home, he couldn't take her to the last place not after seeing him and that comment.
"I thought we had one more place,"
"It is getting late, I don't think it'll work out tonight," he was lying but I didn't want to risk running into them again.
They drove were driving in silence until Olivia started running her hand through the back of his hair.
"Fitz what is wrong, please talk to me, I don't understand what is happening? You've disappeared on me." He could hear the sadness in her voice, but didn't know if he could tell her.
"Its nothing."
"If this is going to work you have to be honest, you can't keep things bottled up inside of you."
He sat in silence and she was looking at the window.
"It's something he said the other day. I don't want to get into it."
They drove in silence the rest of the way, he was upset and she was pissed at Brody, herself for not making Fitz realize how much she cared for him, but also at him for letting Brody ruin our date. When they pulled in the driveway she grabbed his face in her hands.
"Fitz just tell me, I don't like you like this, let me help."
"He said I wasn't good enough for you, that I'd never be good enough for you and once you realized that you would come back to him. I wanted tonight to be perfect to show you how much better I was for you. I want to beat him in football to show you, but maybe he's right maybe I'm not good enough."
She kissed him, softly, then ran her hands through his hair and pulled his head towards mine so our foreheads were touching.
"Fitz, you're more than enough. Tonight was perfect, I loved it, every minute. I have never had a better night with a guy in my life, don't let his words have such an effect on you, I choose you, you're who I want, you have to know that."
He looked sad and still unsure.
"Let's go inside, no one is home yet at either of our houses," she whispered into his ear.
When we got inside, she slammed him against the door and started kissing him, slowly at first then more aggressively.
"Are you still doubting whether you are enough?" she asked almost challenging him in a sultry voice, as she began to unbutton his shirt.
He looked at her with wide eyes, then picked her up as she wrapped her legs around him and carried her upstairs to his bedroom. Fitz lightly placed her on the bed, and she grabbed him by his unbuttoned shirt and kissed him. She ran her hands up his body, admiring the view.
"How about now?" she said in between sloppy kisses "do you still not believe me?"
She took his shirt off and threw it on the ground, and let her hands explore his chest and torso. She broke the kiss, sat up and pushed him over taking control. She straddled his lap and took his hands.
"Fitz, I'm falling in love with you, you are going to have to learn to trust me and know that you are good enough. I don't care if you are the starting quarterback, and I don't even care if you play. I could care less about what Brody says. He never did things for me like you do. Tonight was perfect, you're planning, your thoughtfulness, talking to you, sharing secrets,talking to you, we never did that, it was always what he wanted with his friends and at parties. He never took my thoughts and feelings into account" he still wasn't looking at her, so she grabbed his face aggressively, and got inches away. "He's not the one I'm straddling in his bedroom, am I?"
He started kissing her again and ran his hand under her dress and caressing her thigh.
"Fitz take my dress off," she desperately whispered.
Her phone went off before that could happen and she knew it was her mom.
"Don't answer it," he pleaded.
"Fitz if it's my mom she call right back."
It was and their moment was gone. She was finishing her meeting and would be home in about fifteen minutes. She wanted to make sure we were on our way in order to meet the curfew.
She hung up and looked at Fitz. They both knew our moment was gone and she would need to go home.
"Come here, you can at least lay with me until I have to walk you home."
She laid down next to him and placed her head on his shoulder. He kissed the top of her head and she ran her hand over his stomach tracing the lines of those muscles. He watched her intently and she continued up his chest playing with his few soft chest hairs.
"Fitz, it'll be ok, just have faith. Even when we go back to school, we'll have most of our classes together and when we don't you don't have anything to worry about, because you're the only one I want," she kissed him reassuringly.
"Ok, my little fixer, whatever you say."
We laid there a few more minutes, just holding one another. He threw on a shirt and walked Liv home. His parents had just pulled in and she went inside to wait for her mom.
"Liv, it sounds like you two had fun."
"It was perfect….except the Brody part."
"He's just insecure, he's been through a lot, just be there and show him there's nothing to worry about."
She gave her mom a hug and walked upstairs. She checked her phone to see Abby had left a message.
"How was your date with hot stuff?"
She laughed and sent a message that she'd fill her in at practice tomorrow.
She sent Fitz a message before she laid down.
Thank you for the perfect first date, it was better than I could've expected. I can't wait to watch you play tomorrow. 3 Livy
He heard his phone while he was talking to his mom. It was a message from Livy he smiled before writing back.
Goodnight Livy, 3 Fitz.