Merry Christmas my little Pumpkins. Here is the next chapter and enjoy.

Chapter 4: Hot Chocolate

7:00 pm…Departure to the North Pole..

Olivia, her team, Cyrus, James, Stephen and Georgia were sitting on the couches on the train began to pull away from the station. Stephen and Georgia were on one couch snuggling. The site of their cuddling made her miss Fitz more and more. How she wished she was in his arms right now. Stephen looked up and saw her glance away, and he and Georgia calmed down a bit.

Olivia then got up and went to sit on the couch in the back of the car in the back of the room. She needed "a minute" to herself. She watched the scenery go by her as the train sped down the rails. She heard the "clickety clack" of the wheels on the track and it relaxed her some. Her mind was going just about as fast as the train now.

She listened to all the conversations around her. Quinn and Abby were trading baking secrets, which was funny because she had no idea that Quinn could bake even. Harrison and Huck were talking about computers, and some new "spy" things he saw in the newest "Bond" movie that came out a few months ago. He was wondering if anything in the film was real and Huck couldn't respond too much. Truthfully he didn't know.

Stephen and Georgia were talking about seeing their families tomorrow. From what she gathered Georgia's dad liked Stephen but her mom heard that he has trouble staying faithful and that made some unlikeable. He had not cheated on her since their marriage and would not do so. He was doing well going for the "normal" life.

Cyrus and James were again talking about adopting a baby. From what she heard Cyrus he did not want a baby because he already had one. He was too busy babysitting the United States of America for a real baby. Despite how much he did not like Fitz and Liv's relationship, Cyrus knew that it was not some affair or just sex. He in time realized that Olivia was Fitz's love of his life and vice versa.

Cyrus watched Olivia sit in the back by herself and eventually joined her.

"You okay Liv?" Cy asked her.

"Yah, I guess so. It's just hard seeing couples right now for me that's all. I miss him Cyrus I really do. Most of the time I just bury it and try to forget about him, but no matter how hard I try I just can't let go. He's the love of my life."

Cyrus put his arm around her. "It's going to be okay Liv. I know I tell you he's fine all the time but I know he's not. Would you like to see him after he gets back from the holidays? It's against my better judgment, but I know he needs you."

"Cy, do you think he would see me after all this time. I don't want to pick things up where they left off or anything. I just need to tell him that I am sorry for everything. Sorry that I hurt him. Sorry that I keep running away from him."

"He needs to hear that coming from you. From me, it just wouldn't have the same effect." Cyrus said smiling, then nudging her arm.

"No Cy, I don't think he's your type." Olivia said teasing him.

"Nope, he's too tall and I don't like the curly hair bit. And the blue eyes do nothing for me."

"Very funny. Now you're teasing me old man."

"Yup, cuz you make it so easy. Merry Christmas Liv and I'll set something up with him for you after the 1st of the year."

"Thanks. Cy." She then kissed him on the cheek.

"Hey you two in the back, no making out with my husband." James yelled.

At that point, Cy and Olivia got up and sent to sit with James.

/

The conductor, Tom Hanks, came back into the car. They were about to start handing out the hot chocolate. It came in white mugs, with a red ring around the top. It tasted like pure molten chocolate and it was delicious. As they drank the hot chocolate, the conductor, started to read the book to everyone.

It was kind of silly because there were no kids in the room, but everyone thought it was kind of nice. As Olivia listened to the words of the story she watched everything that was going by the windows. She noticed that the train went by some of the malls in the area, the some buildings of the Smithsonian, and other local tourist areas. Many of these places she had only passed by but never went in herself.

After the train got out of the city some, she looked at all the houses in the suburbs. Many had icicle lights hanging from the roofs, twinkling in the Christmas Eve moonlight. Others had the huge C9 colored lights that made the houses look like the Griswalds from National Lampoon's Christmas. The temperature must have dropped outside because anyone they saw walking the streets, were bundled up fairly warm.

Olivia listened to the story, she noticed as if on cue the train started to slow down some. As if the "Polar Express" knew it was almost at the North Pole. Tom Hanks read these words;

"The mountains turned into hills, the hills to snow-covered plains. We crossed the barren dessert of ice – the Great Polar Ice Cap. Lights appeared in the distance. They looked like the lights of a strange ocean liner sailing on a frozen sea. '

There,' said the conductor, 'is the North Pole."

(The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg)

As he finished this sentence the train stopped. The doors to the car opened and some of Santa's helpers boarded the train. The elves were dressed with red Santa hats on their heads, Red little suits, and red and white stockings. They looked so cute. Then one of the elves approached Olivia.

"Excuse me, are you Miss Pope." The elf asked.

"Um, yes. What can I do for you?"

"I was told to hand this." The elf handed her a blank envelope.

Olivia took the envelope, confused and said "Thank you."

"Santa will be in just a few more minutes. He's visiting the other cars ahead of you right now, handing out the bells." The elf said to everyone.

"Oh Miss Pope," said the elf, "seeing is believing. Have a Merry Christmas." And with that statement the elf left the room.

/

Olivia looked at Cyrus and could not imagine what was inside the envelope. She opened the piece of paper that was inside and gasped for air.

"Liv, honey. What is wrong? You look like you just had the wind knocked out of you." James said to her. Everyone else in the car came over to see what was going on.

She could not answer him. She just stared at the piece of paper in her hands not believing what she was seeing. It was like her mind was playing tricks on her.

She finally got out. "I, um, holy mother of god," sounding very winded.

"What in heaven's name are you reading? You look like you've seen a ghost." Cyrus asked her.

Olivia's hands were now shaking and so was she. Every bone in her body felt like it was going to fall on the floor in pieces. She literally could not breathe. She could not find any words to speak. She has not felt this out of control since the night her and Fitz had their fight in the rose garden.

"Cy, did you know about this?" She barely got out.

"Know about what Liv." Cyrus asked. "What the hell are you reading kid?"

"Oh for goodness sake let me see." said Abby taking the paper from her.

"Holy Shit!" yelled Abby.

Stephen then grabbed the paper out of her hand and read;

"This is the official divorce decree of Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III and Mellicent Grant. Upon the signing of this document, hereby parties will be officially divorced."

Stephen looked down and both the President and First Lady signed the document. It was stamped and notarized.

"BLOODY HELL!" Stephen got out. "Liv! Liv! Are you okay?"

She just sat there not saying anything. She could not say anything. There were no words right now. She felt like her whole universe just tipped itself on its axis and she was falling into some kind of black whole. How could he have done this and not breathe a word of this to anyone? A sly politician was an understatement.

"Um can someone get her some water. Liv talk to us please." Stephen asked her. Cyrus just sat there probably in just as much shock as she was. Quinn started rubbing her back telling her to breathe. No one in the room knew about their relationship so her reacting this way must be strange to everyone but Cyrus and Stephen.

"Cyrus, did you know about this?" Stephen asked him.

"Good Lord no." Cyrus got up and tried to call Fitz. After a few rings, Mellie answered him. She said that he was down at the stables with Karen and Jerry. Cyrus did not dare ask her anything and decided to wait till Fitz got back to him.

Olivia finally got out. "You mean you didn't know. How could he not have told you? He didn't tell you. He tells you everything Cy."

"Shit Liv, not everything. I had no idea. I didn't even hear anything from Mellie. I thought she would have fought him on this. This could mess up his Presidency." Cy answered her.

Harrison finally asked her, "Liv, I know you and the President are close, but I don't understand what is going on? Why would you be this upset?"

Olivia couldn't answer him and was still shaking. Everyone was gathered around her and Cyrus now. They were all looking at each other trying to figure out what the heck was going on.

"Harrison, Quinn, James, Georgia, and Huck," Stephen said for her, "Liv does not want to get into it right now but I am sure she will explain things later. Right LIv?"

All Olivia could do was nod her head up and down. She just kept staring at the piece of paper with the "Official Divorce Decree" of the President of the United States, the Love of her life, and the First Lady. She KNEW that when she did see him, BOY oh BOY was he going to hear it and then some. How the HECK was she going to FIX this?

Then she looked up and as she heard the door open. The conductor asked everyone to take their seats. "Santa" was about to come on into their car.

/

Hello my little pumpkins. I know, no Santa yet but it's worth the wait. So how do you all like that little extra something she got from Santa's helpers. Talk about a conversation starter. For once Olivia's is speechless.

I hope to put "Santa's" chapter up today. Merry Christmas to all and to all an "OLITZ" day.

Luv me milk and cookies cuz they make me smile.

Peace, Luv and Pumpkins….

Me's