AN: Thank you for all the reviews on this story! I don't like to write a lot of angst (bad drama and so on…) because I feel like we have enough of that on Thursday nights. There will be a few issues to overcome in this story, but trust and believe OLITZ IS ENDGAME!
***I DO NOT OWN THESE CHARACTERS!
CH 3
Olivia looked at her daughter. She knew this was coming soon and she honestly didn't know what to say. She wanted to be as honest with her as she could, but she felt like this conversation was something she wanted to have with Harper and Fitz together. On the way home, Olivia had devised her plan of action in her head. She knew she needed to speak with Fitz on a more personal level, but she was terrified that once he found out the truth, he would leave her. She was grateful for the attention she was receiving from him, but the truth had to come out. She then wanted to sit Harper down and have Fitz and herself discuss things with her. Even though Harper was only 13, she displayed wisdom and maturity far beyond her years.
"Harp, Fitz and I knew each other from a long time ago-"
"Right. He said over 10 years ago. Why didn't you end up with him?"
Olivia was taken aback by the question. "What do you mean?"
Harper gave her mother a raised eyebrow. "Mom, he looks at you like you are a steak dinner and he's a 7 year hostage! Come on, how long do you expect me to buy that story that the STORK dropped me on your doorstep?"
Olivia couldn't hide the shock on her face. She felt her cheeks flush as realization hit that she was no longer talking to a little girl, but a young teenager.
Shit, Shit SHIT. She doesn't know, does she? Olivia asked herself.
Harper took her mother's silence as an OK to continue. "I'm just saying. I know what sex is and I know how attraction works. Fitz likes you, mom. It's not like he only wants you for your money."
Olivia and her daughter shared a slight chuckle at this.
"Harp, for right now I just need you to relax and focus on your music. Whatever happens between Fitz and me is personal, but anything that affects you WE will definitely bring to you. Can you accept that for now?" Olivia had her fingers crossed.
Harper seemed to ponder this idea for a minute before agreeing with her mother, "Ok."
Olivia kissed her daughter's forehead and Harper stood to leave. She walked towards the foot of Olivia's California King Size bed and began to shuffle her feet. Olivia didn't have to look at her mini-me to know what she wanted.
"Come on, munchkin. No kicking and talking in your sleep."
Harper's eyes lit up and she jumped on her mother's bed with her knees, pushing herself into the air and landing on her back next to her mother. Her hair splayed across the pillow behind her, she turned and faced Olivia. There they lay; holding hands and Olivia watched as the facial features of her beautiful daughter softened and she fell asleep.
Olivia had a harder time falling asleep. She eventually turned and lay on her back, staring at the ceiling, and seeing Fitz' face smiling back at her. She prayed she didn't lose him as she knew what she had to do.
/
Across town, Fitz sat in his study. He was wearing only a pair of silk pajama bottoms and nursed a glass of the best scotch money could buy. He could have any woman he wanted and he knew this, but ever since his night with Olivia so long ago, the player life had definitely lost its touch. He sat, thinking about not only the striking beauty that had come into his life yet again, but the miniature version of her that half belonged to him. He would bet his life that Harper was his daughter. Something in his gut told him he was not even close to being wrong.
Watching her on stage brought him such joy. The way she commanded the attention of everyone in the room as she sang one of his dear friend Whitney's classics. There had not been a dry eye in the house as Harper threw her own version of what the song in, but kept alive the spirit of the late singer.
He had so many ideas in his head right now. He wanted more than anything to not scare Olivia away. He smiled as he thought about how different he must be compared to other men. Sure, he had only recently found out about Harper, but he felt the attraction to her. He was more disappointed than pissed that he had missed milestones, but he planned to not only make up for lost time, but to make new memories as well. He was gonna make Olivia sweat for a little while because even though he understood, he still thought she was wrong. When it was all said and done, she would understand why he was so calm about the entire ordeal. Not many people knew that Fitz wore his feelings on his sleeve and they weren't easily knocked off…but when they were, his easy going spirit allowed for quick recovery.
Fitz downed the rest of his liquid fire, setting the glass on the table and went to lie down. He too lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, and the beautiful face that filled his imagination was that of the one he lost-but had a chance to get back…
Olivia Pope.
/
Olivia woke up to the sound of her bedroom door closing. She assumed Harper left to go through her morning ritual. She turned over to find her alarm clock and was instantly met with Harper's smiling face as she squatted by her bed.
"WAKE UP SUNSHINE!"
Olivia almost peed herself. She jumped clear across the bed as Harper fell to the floor in laughter.
"HARP! GOODNESS, WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT THAT!? ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME!?"
Harper's laughter died somewhat as she looked at her mother with an apologetic expression. Olivia couldn't stay mad long, so she took one of the many pillows on her bed and slung it at her daughter. They halted all play when Olivia's phone rang. Harper's curiosity got the best of her, and even though she knew better, she peeked at her mother's phone. Her inkling had been right.
"Mr. Right is calling you, mom."
Olivia gave her a stern look, followed by a soft smile.
"Alright, Miss priss. Go decide what you want for breakfast and I'll be there soon."
Harper took the hint and left the room, making googly-eyes at her mother. Oliva shook her head, picked up her phone, and answered.
"Olivia Pope?"
"Livvie. Good morning, sunshine."
Olivia couldn't hide the smirk on her face if she wanted to.
"Morning, sir. How are you?"
"Better now that I hear your voice."
The conversation continued lightly for a few more moments. Fitz had every intention of calling her and setting up a date on his turf to make her sweat and reveal the truth. He thought at least he could get a kick out of it while lightening the situation. Olivia beat him to the punch.
"So, I was wondering…."Olivia started.
Fitz was quiet as a mouse.
"I mean, I hate how we….well you know, I just wanted to….can we talk?" Olivia was struggling with her words-something she NEVER did.
It took everything inside Fitz to not burst into laughter.
"We are talking, Liv."
Olivia sighed.
Fitz bit his lip to not laugh.
Silence
"Do you want to come have dinner with me Friday night? Harper will be with one of her girlfriends so we should have some privacy." Olivia finally found the words she was looking for only to have Fitz play hard to get.
"Why, Miss Pope, are you asking me out? Why on earth would you need privacy? From what I can tell, Harp is comfortable around me."
Olivia sat on her bed and tried not to stutter anymore.
"Fitz, it's just an offer. I figured you would like some quiet time and a home cooked meal and maybe we can….catch up."
"We already caught up at the party, Olivia. So now why don't you tell me what this is really all about?" Fitz voice put off certain sternness, but if you were sitting his face, you wouldn't be able to not laugh at his expression.
"Fine. It's fine. I just thought…" Olivia sighed and got quiet.
Fitz finally decided to chuckle a little and ease her mind. "Olivia, I would love to. I am allergic to Cinnamon, but a home cooked meal sounds wonderful."
Olivia was so shocked, she didn't think about what came out of her mouth next. "Oh, no worries there. Harper is too. I don't even keep it in the house, so…"
"She is?" Fitz asked.
Olivia froze as if Fitz could see her.
"Uh, yeah. Weird hunh?" She was trying to downplay her sudden bluntness. I'll text you my address. How does 7PM sound?"
"Great. Have a nice day, Olivia."
"You too, Fitz."
Olivia disconnected the call and fell back on the bed. She was inwardly terrified of Fitz' reaction, but was hopeful that he would at least give her a chance to explain herself. She quickly gathered herself and headed out to the kitchen to share breakfast with her leading lady.
/
The week seemed to fly by and before she knew it, it was Friday and Olivia was in the grocery store gathering ingredients for her dinner with Fitz. She planned something simple. Rosemary chicken, asparagus, and macaroni and cheese were on the menu. She had become obsessed with it when she was pregnant with Harper and this NEVER changed. Harper didn't mind it all the time as it was her favorite dish as well.
Olivia got home, got Harper ready to go to her friend's house, and did some last minute cleaning. It was now 5:30PM and she needed to go shower and change clothes. She opted for something comfortable simple. She wore her favorite pair of black tights, a loose-fitting coral long sleeve top, and accented it with wooden bangles on her wrist. She applied minimal mascara and opted for Baby Lips instead of a full face, as tonight was promised a few tears, and she swept her mid back length hair into a side ponytail, draped over her shoulder. She quickly sprayed her favorite perfume on her pulse points and gave herself a once over in the mirror. She then began a ritual she had started long ago. Pep talking herself.
Ok Olivia, FOCUS.
You can do this.
All you need to do it get through dinner and be completely honest.
Try not to beat around the bush too much, but don't just force it out…
He will think you don't give a damn. Be yourself, only different.
What the hell does that mean?
Ok, be gentle, but honest. After all, he deserves the truth. Right?
RIGHT.
She opted to not bring out the scrapbooks of Harper's life until she was certain Fitz wouldn't run like the wind when she told him. She remained barefoot, trying to keep the atmosphere in the room light and comfortable.
She was opening the oven to take out the chicken when her doorbell rang. She burned herself being too nervous. She sprinted to the door, her finger in her mouth to cool off the burning, gave herself another once over in the mirror by the door, and opened.
Fitz stood outside for about 30 seconds before he actually found the nerve to sound the doorbell. Tom was leaning against the car watching his buddy and prayed for strength. Fitz could pretend this didn't bother him if he wanted, but even if it was a little bit, Tom figured he HAD to be nervous. Fitz stood there with one hand in his pocket and the other holding half a dozen white lilies. He opted to wear a nice pair of dark jeans and a turquoise button down. He remembered how she loved red wine and made sure to bring a bottle as well.
He had already rehearsed what he would say when she opened the door, but when she did, he was completely speechless.
There she was.
So beautiful.
He was speechless.
She was….PERFECT.
A/N: I hate to do it, but I have to stop right here for now…..
I'm actually at work right now, but the ideas keep popping up in my head so I had to make this chapter NOW. I know it's short…the plan is to update again with the dinner tonight when I get home and settled. If it doesn't happen, don't worry! I can't quit writing about these two yet!
PS: I promise the future chapters will be longer.
