Hi guys, just want to apologise for the delay in posting... I blame a horrible week at work, and then followed by a crazy (but good) weekend.

Thanks as always though, enjoy...

Part 13

It's amazing what a hot bath and clean fresh clothes could do for the soul. An hour ago Olivia was an emotional wreck, and now she was a woman on a mission; ready to sort her life out. Looking at the situation from a new perspective she realised that in a roundabout way, her father had done her a huge favour by throwing her out. Because now she was forced to find herself her own apartment, and with that came the freedom to do as she pleased, without daddy breathing down her neck. It also meant she was free to spend more time with Fitz.

The plan was also financially viable, she had some money in savings which she could use that for a deposit, and considering how generous Fitz had been with her salary at NOW, she was certain that she made enough money to pay for rent and also live. Olivia had it all mapped out.

In truth, all this planning and new focus provided her with a distraction that did not afford her the time to dwell on some of things that her father had said to her; albeit in anger- some of it held a great deal of truth. Yes, she loved Fitz, and yes, despite knowing that what they were doing was wrong, they had given into temptation all the same; as their need to make love to each other became too fierce to ignore, but with that held huge ramifications for his marriage to Mellie. By being with her, Fitz had committed adultery and if the knowledge of that ever came out, not only would it ruin his family, it would also ruin his future career in politics. And although Fitz had confessed time and time again, that he had no care to run for governor, she knew that he was the right man for the job, and deep down she knew that he knew it too. Their affair could cost him everything- but what she was also beginning to realise, although she favoured denial at this present moment in time- this affair would cost her just as much.

Growing up, her parents had tried their best to shelter her from the world and with it, the undeniable prejudices that still rung true in America. And to be fair, they had done a very good job in doing so; she had spent most of her childhood in blissful ignorance- happy and content, where race never really played a factor. Ironically, it wasn't until she was twelve years old, when her own mother was killed at the hands of 2 white men, during a racist attack did she eventually get a taste of it, in its cold, unjust and horrific glory. The loss of her mother had burned a hole into the heart of her family, but unlike her father who turned his grief into hatred, it drove Olivia to rise above it, striving to find a solution that would change how America viewed race, but through the eyes of the law. It had been a tall order, but if anything it kept her motivated and remained the driving force behind her success so far. And although she came across a great deal of injustice along the way, she never really feared racism, but instead always chose to face it head on.

But that was before she started having an affair with a white married man.

It was one thing to be black in land of civil unrest, but being black and sleeping with a white married man… Well, you were simply asking for it- almost begging to have a cross staked and burned on your front lawn, whilst handing them a noose to tie around your neck for good measure. As much as she tried to ignore it, because her heart dictated otherwise, she knew her affair was with Fitz was extremely dangerous, and on a great many levels too. Not only in the eyes of white men, but in the eyes of her own people too. There was no doubt about it, her father's reaction to her sleeping with a married man would have been tame in comparison to his reaction if she had told him that Mr married man was also white- and that in itself said it all. She was facing banishment from her own kind, and prosecution from the whites.

Therefore, although she may have gained new found freedom with the turn of events, she would be naïve to believe that it extended beyond that from her father, to the freedom that she required to openly pursue the man she loved.

She looks up at the clock and thinks of Fitz, they were supposed to meet at 2pm. So much had happened since they made love, she's barely had time to reflect on what they shared, or the significance of what that night meant to her. Fitz was her first, the first man she's ever trusted enough to share her body with, but more importantly share her heart with. This was huge stuff, this was love, but with it came a host of painful, devastating, life-changing and extraordinary emotions and some difficult decisions ahead. Olivia, had never been one to rule with her heart, but yet here she was now running full steam ahead, to be with someone that her head was telling her he was all so wrong. Seriously, what was happening to her? Could love be that powerful, that it could completely overrule sensibility? She supposes it could be; after all look what their love had done to her and Fitz. God she was desperate to see him... To think he had no idea of what was going on, although when he does find out it will probably trouble him greatly. Because she felt troubled too. She had been so tempted to call him up, because just hearing his voice would be all the reassurance she needed right now, but she knows she can't risk Mellie answering the phone, so she relents, realising she will just have to be patient and wait it out.

In the meantime, she will hang around at Harrison's and start looking for apartments in the newspaper; hopefully that will keep her busy. Thank god for Harrison really, because if he hadn't have found her, who knows what would have happened? Such a sweet young man. She smiles wistfully, as she attributes that fortunate blessing of being found by Harrison to her Mother- her own personal guardian angel. It seems she had been watching out for her all along. Thank the heavens for her watchful eye, because right now she needed all the guidance and protection she could get.

xxxxxxx

After a long hot shower, Fitz was eager to split, because every time he looked at Mellie, or looked at his kids he was hit with a wave of guilt. He loved his children, and although he didn't love Mellie he did care for her. But when it came to Olivia- the love he felt for her ran so deep, it was like his whole body was consumed by her. How can finding the woman you were meant to be with, be so destructive to all those you love around you? Why did life have to be so unfair? If he followed his head, he'll be stuck in a loveless marriage, but if he followed his heart and chose to be with Liv- he could possibly lose everything else. But losing Liv from his life was something he could not fathom, he knew it from the very first kiss, and last night when they made love it only confirmed in perfect clarity, they were meant for each other.

So where do they go from here? What was their next step?

It was a question he was saving for later; because he felt they needed to answer that one together- as two people in love, about to embark on a journey together.

Even if the path ahead was filled with mine fields.