A/N: My infinite apologies for taking so long to update. I was having a really tough time finding the inspiration to write for this story. I promise I will not let so much time pass between updates again. Thanks for sticking with me. I hope you enjoy this installment. Please read and leave a review. I love to read your feedback!
Chapter 2
"Ignore it" Fitz murmured against her neck as he neared his climax, "They'll go away."
"It sounds like Mellie" Olivia returned pushing him back slightly so she could look into his eyes.
"Well that shot the mood to hell" Fitz lowered her to her feet.
"Fitzgerald" the voice at the door again. Olivia reached for her clothes, hurriedly pulling them back on.
"Maybe if we're really quiet she'll go away" Fitz whispered, pulling on his own clothes as fast as possible. The sound of Mellie's voice was the emotional equivalent of a cold shower. He looked in Olivia's direction seeing worry register on her face. Though Mellie had signed the divorce papers he knew that Olivia believed she would always interfere in their lives.
"She'll never go away" Olivia finished buttoning her blouse and slid her feet into her shoes, "You might as well open it."
Fitz frowned, "I'm sorry Livvie, I don't know why she's here." He pulled Olivia into a quick hug and placed a light kiss on her temple, "I love you."
She didn't respond just busied herself straightening her hair and picking up the folders she had brought into the room with her. He reluctantly moved to the door and flipped the lock.
"Mellie" he tried to sound nonchalant, "What are you doing here?"
"I came to pick up the children" Mellie tried to look past Fitz into the room, "Didn't your lawyer tell you? I wanted them with me for my birthday."
Fitz struggled to stifle a laugh, "Your birthday? Since when do you care about holidays or birthdays? You're here because of the primary, you're trying to get on television or do something to sabotage me."
"Don't be so cynical, Fitz" Mellie sounded as supercilious as usual, "I just want to spend time with my children. Besides, you seem busy with your…"
"Be careful what you say next Mellie" Fitz warned.
"I was going to say Olivia, you seem busy with Olivia" Mellie maintained, "Hello, Olivia. Sounds like you're still enjoying my husband."
Olivia moved in close to Fitz, "Hello Mellie" she did her best to sound confident, "and I think you mean ex-husband."
"Semantics" Mellie waved her hand in a dismissive manner, "Now where are my children while you two are here doing…."
"The children are finishing their school day" Fitz interrupted, "and if you'll excuse us I have to get to an interview." Fitz took a step past Mellie pulling Olivia along with him. Olivia struggled to keep up with his pace, chancing a glance in Mellie's direction.
"I'm not going away, Fitzgerald" Mellie called behind them.
"I don't doubt it, Mellie" he responded without turning. Fitz reached for the doorknob and held the door open for Olivia to walk inside then turned to Mellie, "You should go put your feet up or something. Pregnancy can't be easy at your age."
The door closed leaving a stunned Mellie standing alone in the hallway. She had come to pick up Gerry and Karen but had hoped to spend time with Fitz as well. She still couldn't believe he had chosen Olivia. She never lost; there was never a fight she couldn't win, never a result she couldn't buy. Olivia and Fitz looked like a team and she feared she had lost her hold on Fitz forever. Even with the divorce finalized she never gave up hope that they might reconcile. She wondered just how things could change so much over the course of a year.
Olivia sat by Fitz's side as he answered James' questions. He looked confident, she thought. She had never seen him so at ease and felt so thankful that he seemed to be hitting his stride just as the primaries were starting. She worried that Mellie's presence would shake him and make him second guess himself. Instead he was calm and cool; answering questions better than she had ever heard him. She excused herself and went to find Cyrus and the rest of the campaign team.
X-X
Fitz finished his interview and set out to find Olivia. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed her but got her voicemail. He walked to the conference room that doubled as the Karen and Gerry's classroom. He quietly opened the door, hoping not to disturb the children. He stopped dead in his tracks as he stepped through the door. There she was, Olivia sitting in her Christian Dior suit, Gerry on her lap, reading to him. They were facing away from the door and Fitz stepped quietly towards them. Olivia would let Gerry try to read a page, quietly correcting incorrect words and enjoying his satisfied smile when he figured out a difficult word on his own. They finished the book and Olivia set it aside.
"Do you want to read another one?" she asked quietly, stroking his headful of curls. He was the image of Fitz, brilliant blue eyes, a smile that could melt your heart, and the messy curls she imagined Fitz would have if he let his hair get longer.
"Maybe you can tell me a story and I'll rest" he lay his head against her chest, cozying himself as close to her as possible. Olivia picked up another book and began to read.
"No, I want you to tell me a story, not read to me" Gerry interrupted, "Tell me about dinosaurs."
Olivia thought for a moment then began to tell the story making it up as she went along. Fitz tiptoed up behind them. Gerry lifted his head slightly, taking notice of his father approaching. Fitz put his finger to his lips urging Gerry to stay quiet. A slight giggle escaped the boy just before Fitz's hands reached to touch Olivia.
"Ahhh" Olivia shrieked, nearly jumping out of the chair when Fitz tickled her neck. Gerry and Fitz erupted in fits of laughter. Olivia grabbed Gerry's sides to tickle him just causing an increase in his amusement.
"Stop, Liv Stop" he giggled trying to push her hands away, "Daddy, make her stop, make her stop."
"How can I make her stop?" Fitz chuckled as he cherished the sight of Gerry laughing with Olivia.
"Kiss her, Daddy" the little boy laughed, "Call her Livvie and kiss her. Make her stop, Daddy!"
Fitz bowed and placed a light kiss on Olivia's neck then the corner of her jaw. Immediately she stopped tickling Gerry and moved her hand to run her fingers through Fitz's curls.
"Good job Dad!" Gerry laughed and high-fived Fitz, "We did it!"
"Hey, no fair" Olivia whined, "I was outnumbered" She smiled up at Fitz as he and Gerry laughed together.
"Dad and I will always win, Liv. You can't beat us" he beamed at Fitz, "Right Dad?"
"I don't know Son, Olivia is a pretty smart cookie she may stop falling for our tricks" he grinned at Gerry then Olivia. Fitz let his fingers glide along Olivia's neck, "Where is your sister?"
"She went somewhere with Uncle Cyrus" Gerry returned.
"I think she was going to help him fold campaign flyers" Olivia offered, "I wanted to be sure to get reading time in with Gerry. You know she loves to help Uncle Cy."
"Should we go try to find them?" Fitz asked expectantly, "We were going to have dinner with the entire campaign staff, remember?"
Olivia saw a touch of nervousness in Fitz. He had been extremely confident lately but the prospect of such an important primary the following day seemed to have him a bit tense. She knew having the kids close was a welcome distraction from the pressures of the campaign. It had been difficult to coordinate but she was glad that she had taken the time to find tutors who would travel with them to teach Karen and Gerry. She had also made each of them a book with fun facts about each state they would travel to as well as making it a point to plan side trips to interesting places in each state. Sometimes Fitz was able to take the kids, other times she took them. She looked forward to the day when they could take similar trips as a family but for now she would be satisfied with the little time they had to spend together.
"I should remember" she laughed, "I was the one tasked with setting the whole thing up."
She stood and took Gerry's hand, "Shall we go to dinner, Sir?" He blushed up at her and buried his head shyly into her side.
"Livvie, can we get married?" he murmured shyly, swinging their hands back and forth.
Olivia couldn't help but laugh at his use of Fitz's nickname for her, and when he was proposing to her to boot. She peeked at Fitz who moved in closer to her, lacing his arm around her waist, "Are you trying to steal my girl, Fitzgerald Thomas Grant?" he laughed, "And using my name for her too."
Gerry giggled again, his face still crimson. Fitz stepped ahead of Gerry and Olivia to hold the door for them then walked close to her side as they made their way to the room where their dinner was to be held. Fitz wished he could hold Olivia's hand and, for a moment, was jealous that his son could love her so openly whilst Fitz couldn't. They reached the meeting room and Fitz again held the door for them. He couldn't help but take a long look at Olivia's backside as she walked. The way her perfectly tailored trousers hung over her flawless ass brought a stirring in his pants. He quickly looked away before his thoughts could bring about further effects.
"Why is Mellie here?" Fitz heard Cyrus' voice before he saw him, "Are you trying to send me to an early grave?"
"I didn't know she was coming" Fitz muttered in return, "She wants the kids to spend her birthday with her."
"She's up to no good"
"I'm well aware" agreed Fitz, "We just need to keep an eye on her and be sure she doesn't find her way in front of a camera."
Olivia spotted Karen sitting at a table folding flyers with a few campaign staffers. She and Gerry walked in their direction.
"Olivia" Mellie's voice would never cease to bring a measure of dread to Olivia. She stopped and turned in the direction of the voice.
"Mellie" she smiled tensely, "Nice to see you again."
"I'm sure" Mellie's response was equally stiff, "Hi Ger" she turned to her son, her voice becoming syrupy sweet.
"Hi" the little boy answered, not letting go of Olivia's hand.
Fitz approached and Gerry moved quickly to his side, "Daddy, can I sit next to Liv at dinner?" he asked.
"Gerry, I have a surprise for you," Mellie gave him her best loving mother look as she spoke in the same saccharine tone, "You and Karen are going to spend the night with me. We're going to go to dinner and go see a movie. Anything you two want to do."
Gerry looked from Mellie to Olivia then to Fitz, "Do I have to?" he whispered, "Liv and I were going to have reading time again. And Liv said I could have dessert tonight."
"I'm going to leave the three off you to discuss this, I need to find Cyrus" Olivia attempted to extricate herself from the uncomfortable situation.
"No Olivia, stay" Mellie gave her an icy stare, "This conversation clearly involves you."
"If you don't mind taking Gerry with you" Fitz passed Gerry's hand to her then turned back to Mellie, "Let's go talk about this somewhere we can have some privacy."
Olivia felt pain shoot to her belly. She knew Fitz had chosen her, she knew their relationship was strong but she also didn't trust Mellie. There was some reason she showed up right before the primary and she hoped Fitz was able to stay focused and not let Mellie throw his concentration. She tried not to let her fear show but she was sure Fitz saw it when he looked at her.
"Perfect" Mellie smirked at Olivia, "There is plenty I'd like to talk to you about…..alone."
Fitz stepped close enough to Olivia to speak in a low tone, "I'll be right back. Keep an eye on the kids. Don't worry." He brushed his hand lightly against hers as a means of reassurance. Olivia smiled shyly. Then she watched Fitz and Mellie disappear out the doors of the meeting room. Mellie ran her hand along Fitz's bicep when she walked past him out the door producing a surge of nausea in Olivia's gut.
"Liv" the sound of Gerry's small voice shook her attention from Fitz, "You're hurting my hand."
She looked down and saw his little hand squeezed tight in the grip of her tense fingers, "Sorry Ger" she released his hand and ran her hand through his unruly curls, "Let's go see what Karen is up to."
X-X
Fitz led Mellie into a nearby meeting room and closed the door behind them.
"So smart that you wanted to speak alone" she moved close to him, too close, he thought.
"Cut the crap, Mellie" Fitz took a step back and crossed his arms, "Why are you here?"
"I wanted to see the children for my birthday and make sure that you hadn't forgotten about them while you're shacking up with your…"
"Mellie, I am not going to let you call Olivia names. You know that I care about our children" his irritation was evident in his voice, "They love Olivia and she loves them."
"She's not their mother" Mellie spat, her face a dark crimson.
"She isn't trying to be their mother" Fitz maintained, "She is being a role-model and a teacher and a friend."
"A role model who fucked their father while he was still married to their mother" Mellie screamed, "Maybe I should go find one of those nice reporters and tell them that. I'm sure you haven't told the American people that you're screwing Olivia Pope and that you have been for the better part of a year. Family values, Fitz. Americans don't want a philandering cad to be president."
"And I highly doubt they want a frigid bitch as their First Lady" he growled in return, "Of course, given your current state I suppose the frigid part was just with me."
"You have to keep bringing that up" she rolled her eyes.
"Mellie, what do you want?" he let out a deep sigh.
She moved close again, "You, Fitz. I want to be a family and raise this baby."
"You've lost your mind" he was incredulous; "you have honestly taken leave of your senses. You are pregnant with another man's baby. You slept with that man to get back at another woman. We never had a marriage, it was an arrangement. You never loved me and I never loved you."
"I loved you, I love you Fitz."
"I don't love you" he was matter of fact, "I am in love with Olivia. Go be with Jake or Robert. Find your happy, I've found mine."
"Why do you love her?" Mellie shrieked, "Why are you willing to do anything for her, give up anything for her? What happened to the singularly focused Fitzgerald Grant I married?"
"I don't want to do this"
"I deserve an explanation" her eyes stayed trained on him, pleading, "Why her?"
"Mellie, this isn't a conversation I want to have with you right now" he ran his hands through his hair, "But since you insist on forcing the issue I'll tell you. Why Olivia? Because I'm not a means to an end for her. She doesn't need me, she wants me. She wants me to be successful and happy not so she can say that her husband is somebody but because she believes I deserve to be happy. She's good to the children and she's good to me. She's kind and caring…"
"And young and beautiful…"
"Yes, she's beautiful. She is a gorgeous human being inside and out" Fitz insisted, "And her age has nothing to do with it. She's accepting of people and non-judgmental. She's strong and intelligent and I count myself blessed that she chose to give me her love."
"All the things I'm not…"
"Mellie, you asked, you wanted to know so I told you" Fitz's voice softened, "If they kids want to go with you tonight that's fine but I don't want their routine disrupted so if they say no I think they should stay here."
Mellie looked up at him again, this time her eyes shining with unshed tears. He thought about reaching to touch her shoulder but stopped himself. He wasn't sure how to react to this Mellie. He didn't know if this was real or simply a plan to catch him with his defenses down.
"I'll go ask the children if they want to go with me" she muttered. Fitz gave a half smile this time allowing her to come closer to him. He was shocked when she abruptly pulled him into a kiss.
X-X
Fitz had been gone for what seemed like forever. Olivia glanced at her watch wondering what he and Mellie were talking about and if she should go look for him. Gerry and Karen were busy chatting with some of the campaign staff and folding flyers. She stepped close to Cyrus, "I'm going to go find Fitz."
"I think that sounds smart. I don't trust Mellie at all" the older man patted her shoulder, "Liv, as much as I hate to think about it, the man is crazy about you. I see the worry on your face but you have nothing to worry about. He loves you Liv and he's not going to let Mellie get to him."
"I'll be right back" her face still revealed concern. She hurried out of the room and began checking nearby spaces wondering if Fitz would have taken her into a room or simply around a corner. She heard Mellie's unmistakable screech and followed it to a meeting room at the far end of the hall. She opened the door a crack and was about to speak when she saw Mellie pull Fitz into a kiss.
She felt her hands go numb and a hot fog settle over her senses. She blinked several times, her vision fading in and out. She took a step back to let the door close and bumped into a nearby trashcan causing a clatter that drew the attention of both Fitz and Mellie.
"Liv" Fitz called pushing away from Mellie and moving towards the door, "Olivia."
"Fitz, let her go" sang Mellie.
"Mellie, go home" Fitz returned, still in pursuit of Olivia. He finally caught up with her just after she reached the doors that led to the hotel courtyard. He grabbed her arm to stop her, "Olivia, look at me"
He saw nothing but pain when her eyes met his. He moved his hand to her cheek using his thumb to wipe away the single tear that glistened there. He stared into her eyes watching the emotions flow past, "Why did you run?"
"You kissed her" her voice was barely audible.
"She kissed me," he corrected, "Probably when she saw you coming."
"What did she want?" he could tell Olivia was hurt and afraid.
"She's just trying to shake me" he replied, "I'm not going to let her get to me."
"You kissed her" Olivia relived the sight in her mind.
"Livvie…."
"You're only supposed to kiss me" he had to smile at her vulnerability. It was a part of her that she let precious few people see. He pulled her against his chest.
"I only want to kiss you" he whispered into her sweet smelling hair. He felt her hands slide around his waist, "Are you ready for dinner?" She nodded.
X-X
After the campaign team finished dinner, Fitz gave a short thank you speech.
"I think he is going to pull this one off" Cyrus muttered to Olivia as Fitz finished his remarks.
"He is" Olivia beamed.
"Thanks to you" Cyrus turned his eyes to Olivia, "Since, you know, he really is different. You give him something he never had before."
Olivia blushed slightly at Cyrus.
"I didn't mean that," he admonished with a laugh, "Although every hotel we've been in can attest to that."
"Cy…"
Their conversation was interrupted by Fitz returning to the table, "I have to get my rest for tomorrow."
"Yes Sir, you want to be well rested" replied Cyrus.
"Dad can I have another piece of cake?" Gerry asked from across the table. Fitz looked in his direction and almost bursting out in laughter at the little boy with chocolate from his chin to his eyebrows.
"Looks like you've had plenty of cake, why don't we get back to the suite and you can get a bath?" Fitz replied.
"I better get going too" Olivia commented, not meeting Fitz's eyes, "I have some work to do before I go to bed."
"Yeah, I have to finish looking over the last set of poll numbers" Cyrus added, "See you in the morning Liv? Breakfast at six?"
"Can we make it seven?" Liv replied, "I was thinking of actually waiting for dawn before I get out of bed." They both chuckled and Cyrus agreed before excusing himself.
Olivia said goodnight to Karen and Gerry, and Fitz walked them to the suite. Jackie agreed to bathe the children and put them to bed.
"Do you want me to ask Olivia to come read you a bedtime story?" Fitz asked.
"Can you both read to us?" Karen responded.
Fitz agreed then walked through the door to the adjoining suite to call Olivia.
X-X
Olivia looked around, making sure no one had followed her then knocked quietly on the door. Seconds later the door opened and she walked past Fitz into his suite. He was wearing cotton pajama pants that were the same blue as his eyes. He had his Navy t-shirt on and his curls were loosely tousled. She smiled at the sight of him in comparison to her jeans and fitted sweater.
"They're waiting in their room for you" he breathed in a tone he reserved for her, "I think they picked a book."
Olivia strode into Karen and Gerry's room and greeted Jackie then sat on the edge of Gerry's bed, "What are we reading tonight?"
"I want 'Where The Wild Things Are'" Gerry enthused.
"I want 'The Giving Tree'" Karen declared.
Fitz and Olivia read both books, alternating each reading a page. Olivia pulled Gerry's covers up and tucked them around him before bending to place a light kiss on his forehead. She couldn't resist the urge to push the curl from his face.
"Good night Liv, love you" he whispered.
"Love you too" she replied.
Fitz tucked Karen in and kissed her goodnight before he and Olivia switched places, her kissing Karen goodnight and him making sure Gerry was tucked in. They walked back towards the common door leading to Fitz's suite. He was unable to resist the urge to let his hand gently brush her thigh. She felt a heat rise in her almost immediately.
"I guess this is where I say good night" she whispered after they had closed the door between the two rooms.
"Stay" he whispered against the soft skin of her neck.
"Fitz…." She giggled, "I shouldn't. I have poll numbers to go over. Things to prepare for tomorrow. We need everything to be ready."
"Including the candidate right?" he asked taking her hand and pulling her towards the suite's bedroom.
She peeked in his direction and felt color rise to her cheeks, "Of course" she murmured.
"Then I need you to stay" his hands ran along her sides and under the thin sweater she wore.
"Fitz…"
His hands reached the clasp of her bra which he nimbly unfastened. He lifted his t-shirt over his head. She could smell his cologne and whiffs of his soap, the mixture distorting her thoughts. She reached out to touch his powerful chest, her fingers roaming the muscles. The perfection of his physique never ceased to amaze her. He pulled the covers down on the bed then drew her to him. She expected him to forcefully put her onto the mattress but instead he picked her up slightly and laid her gently against the soft, cool sheets. She gasped in surprise before he lifted her sweater over her head then moved on to her jeans.
When their clothes had been tossed aside he sat back, taking in her beauty. She was the most perfect woman he'd ever seen. She moved her arm to cover her breasts but he caught her wrist stopping her.
"Don't" he breathed, "I like looking at you."
She returned her arm to where it had been, fixing her eyes on his face, "Kiss me" she smiled. He obliged beginning with a soft peck at the corner of her mouth then moving to cover her mouth with his, "You are the only woman I want to kiss for the rest of my life" she heard him say before plunging his warm tongue into her mouth. Whether from the words or the sensation she felt moisture pool between her thighs. She wanted him, needed him with her, touching her, feeling her, inside of her. She thought of the time they spent together when they weren't able to touch. That wasted time spurred her desire. They had so much time to make up for and for an hour they did their best. Worshipping one another, kissing the points no one else knew existed, and touching the places no one else could touch. The next day would be about business, the election, and Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III. But, in that time they were Livvie and Fitz, two lovers infinitely entwined in one another. When they lay as a spent mass of drenched limbs the only thing that existed was their love and the promise of their bright future ahead. She settled against his chest and he ran his fingers along her spine.