Part 28
Fitz's initial reaction was to stay clear of Huck, because he can't help but find him incredibly strange and unnerving. Here he was, this stranger- lurking around in the shadows, ready to attack and protect Liv, although he barely even knows her. Who does that? However, for some reason Liv seems to trust Huck implicitly, as she tells him that whenever he can't be around, she would feel a whole lot safer knowing that Huck was close by, watching over her at night. Of course in hind sight this wasn't exactly the time to turn away offered help, because in truth they needed as much support as possible, so eventually Fitz relents and decides to give the man a chance; but only after a thorough interrogation, where he finds out that Huck is a widowed ex-army officer, highly skilled in the art of war and combat, which at the very least means he can have confidence in Huck's ability to protect Liv.
With Huck fully on board, together; despite Liv's reservations, they devise a plan to get her out of here. Although to be fair a lot was already being set in motion. Having secured a deposit with the bank a few days ago, all Fitz had to do was get his lawyer to rush ahead and secure the contracts on the new house. Then as soon as that was done, he would arrange for Huck to take Liv up to Vermont. Huck would then leave Harrison in charge of his business, whilst he stayed with Liv, until Fitz could join her. In the meantime, Fitz planned to approach Eli and tell him that under no uncertain terms, to stay away from Liv and that more importantly he was not afraid of him. If anything, it was Eli that should worry for his safety if he foolishly decides to pursue this vendetta. God knows he had the manpower to crush Eli underfoot, and if that failed- the look in Huck's eyes told him that if called upon, he would happily put a permanent end to Eli himself. Although he really hopes it will not come to that.
On another personal note, Fitz needed to have "the talk" with Mellie, it was time he told her that he was leaving her for someone else. He owed her that much, before presenting her with divorce papers, plus he wanted to keep the break up as amicable as possible for the sake of the children. His plan on starting a new life with Liv, had always included having his kids around; he loved them unconditionally and so naturally he wanted them to be a part of their lives too. But Mellie could be very vindictive, and he had no doubt in his mind that left to her own devises she will go out of her way to make things difficult for him. Therefore in an attempt to cushion the blow, or sweeten the deal- whatever way she intended to see it, he was offering her a very tidy divorce settlement. If Mellie went along with his terms and conditions, she could continue living in the big house and he was prepared to keep her in all the luxuries she has grown accustomed to over the years, just as long as she agreed to him having the children every other weekend and share the holiday time with him 50:50. In his eyes, he wasn't asking for much, however if she was incapable of playing nice, he was not opposed to playing hard ball either; leaving her with as little as possible and only giving her enough money to tend to his children and nothing more. At the end of the day, it was her choice- although he prays for all parties concerned that she will accept it, take what is offered and move on.
Xxxx
Yesterday Huck had offered to follow him to Eli's house, but Fitz had gratefully declined. This was something he needed to handle himself; face to face and man to man- otherwise he would only appear as weak and incapable of fighting his own battles, and then Eli would be convinced that he had the upper hand- Which he did not.
To say Eli was shocked to see him on his door step, would be an understatement… "Wow, you really do have some nerve coming here!"
"Needs be, because we need to talk Eli!"
"TALK? I suggest you get off my doorstep right now, before I get reach for my shotgun and blow you to kingdom come!" He threatens, meaning every word.
Unfazed. "Eli, look around- it's in the middle of the day, no matter what you say to Liv, you and I both know that you were never made for incarceration. If you try and take me out in broad daylight, you will be caught and sentenced with first degree murder, and with you being a black man and considering my political profile, they'd more than likely push for the death penalty."
"Political profile, what a joke… Once the world finds out about you and my daughter, you'll be shunned and outcast from society and office. No one will want to associate themselves with you, let alone fight for justice for your untimely death. God knows your wife would be last in line- knowing you left her for, what is it your people like to call us… oh yes, a nigger. If anything, she'll commend me for pulling the trigger!"
"I don't care what anyone has to say, I have the right to fall in love with whoever I choose, black or white- And whether you, my wife or society wish to accept that fact or not- I don't really care, because I WILL be with Liv regardless of what anyone else thinks or feels! And believe me, I will happily defend my decisions till the day I die- which, let me assure you will not be by your hands, or anyone else's who fails to see the beauty in our love! Because I will destroy anyone that comes in my way, before they even get a chance to make a move- and that includes you! So if you don't want your daughter to lose another parent- stay the hell away!"
He scoffs… "You naive fool- if you really loved my daughter, then it should be you who stays away… You think you're so invincible but you're not- The problem is, you have no real insight into what your own people are like- you are completely blind to it! They will despise this union more than anyone else, your family and friends included… Because they will deem you a traitor, someone who loves blacks more than your own kind. And then they will seek and exact revenge, to such extents that death will almost seem to kind in comparison. They will hurt my child to get to you, she will suffer unimaginable cruelty and pain, until they finally decide to put her out of her misery and take her from you. And why, all because of you love her, and wish to prove a point! Well over my dead body, or yours- either way it doesn't matter to me!"
"I will never let anyone hurt her, and that includes you too!" He proclaims fiercely.
"Oh you have no idea, because it's already happening- Don't you see that ship has sailed?! As we speak they are watching you; Liv too, just waiting for the opportunity to strike and bring an end to this cursed affair! And I refuse to lose my daughter over this mess, all because you couldn't keep your dick in your trousers! As her father, I will not- CANNOT allow that to happen! Therefore for Liv's sake only, I give you this one and only chance to walk away; go back to your wife and simply forget about my daughter- or otherwise I will kill you- and I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't enjoy it!"
Not about to back down either, vehemently he responds in kind… "Then Eli you should probably know, I will never walk away from Liv, so I guess I've just declared war- the only difference is, you won't see me coming!"
Really, is that so? Don't test me, Eli thinks menacingly, quickly losing his composure; the opportunity he afforded Fitz to back away, is now dashed aside in fury; as on auto pilot he turns and reaches for his gun, aiming it at him, ready to end this right here and now… Time for talking was over, it was time for action.
Blindsided, Fitz looks at him like a dear caught in fog lights; totally unprepared, there was nothing he could do to stop this… No, it can't end like this… it can't! But it looks like it will- and suddenly he is bombard with thoughts of Liv and his children, as a vision of a future that will never come to pass now flashes before his eyes…
Meanwhile Eli fingers the trigger... his mouth curling into a malevolent smile, as he bores into Fitz's soul with eyes filled with hatred.
