A/N: I am so sorry for not updating recently, I've been out of town for the past week and didn't have time to work on this. Here's a look into Mellie's past and her relationship with her father. Reviews and comments are appreciated and I hope you enjoy it.

Song: Lady in Black by There For Tomorrow

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing from ABC's Scandal or anyone/anything else.

"Mom, are you sure he's ok with this? What if he tries to kick him out?" Mellie asked her mother, wondering if her father really was ok with having me over for dinner that evening. He had met me at least two or three other times and never liked me. She usually came over to my apartment to hang out because he didn't want me in his house. We sometimes went to her apartment, but she liked coming home in the summer to visit to lay by the pool. He called me a troublemaker, a snobby rich boy, said that I had never had a real job (despite my being in the Navy and getting honorably discharged after cheating death), that my daddy probably bought my law degree, the list goes on and on for days. I was just as nervous as she was.

What was worse was I had already asked Mellie's mother if I could marry her, and she said yes. Her dad had no idea, but I was planning to tell him after dinner. I was afraid. More afraid than getting shot, more afraid than losing an election. I knew Mellie would say yes, but if she had to choose between her father and me, I don't know how it would turn out.

"I won't let him kick him out, baby," Betty said, getting the chicken out of the oven. We were sitting at the kitchen counter, and I wished her mom would let us help with dinner. But she insisted that because I was the guest and it was so nice to have Mellie home for dinner that she would do all the work. I think she missed her baby being at home, but Mellie really enjoyed living on her own in her apartment.

I was wearing a casual gray suit and pink tie to match Mellie's stunning dress. God, I was nervous. I was going to propose in a few days, but I also wanted to respect her father's wishes. But she was 28 years old and could choose to do what she wanted.

She took my hand into hers and looked over at me.

"You ok? You seem really nervous," she said softly. I played with one of her sweet-smelling curls and smiled.

"I'm fine, baby. I just know I'm not your dad's favorite person," I said.

"That's ok. He doesn't hate you, Fitz. He just...is picky, is all," she said.

I heard the front door open and my heart literally stopped. We turned around and saw her father, Samuel, coming towards the kitchen, the loud thumping of his shoes against the wooden floor officially announcing his presence.

"Fitzgerald, didn't expect to see you here," he said as I got up to shake his hand.

"We planned this dinner over a week ago, Daddy," Mellie reminded him.

"Must've slipped my mind," he shrugged, going to say hello to his wife, then taking his briefcase into his office. He didn't come out until Betty said dinner was ready.

We all sat through the uncomfortably awkward dinner that seemed to last for ages, and I could feel his eyes glaring at me every time I looked at his daughter. I was still trying to figure out when to talk to him; I was afraid he would ruin it all for me.

Her mom got up as we finished and began washing the dishes, finally letting Mellie help her. I offered to help, but was quickly pulled away by her father.

"Fitzgerald, let's go for a walk, shall we?" He asked, getting up from his seat and slowly going towards the front door.

"Yes sir," I said, looking back at Mellie. All I saw was worry in her eyes as I followed him out the door and down the street.

"How are you doing? You seem a little tense tonight," he said, putting his hands in his pockets.

"I'm fine, sir," I replied. "Things have been crazy at work this week."

"Work? So you do have a job," he smirked. I was getting angry. But I loved Mellie.

"Yes sir, at Lucas and Michael's firm. I started there about two years ago after I got home from Kosovo," I explained. I always seem to forget I was in Asheville for a few years, chasing after my girl.

"Military, huh?" He asked, not able to make it seem like he even remotely cared. He only thought I was a pretty rich boy incapable of doing anything but living off my parents.

"Navy SEAL, sir," I shot back as we strolled around the block, knowing I needed to ask him now or I might lose my chance.

"Mr. Richardson," I said, clearing my throat, "I've loved your daughter for the past five years, ever since I met her. She is my entire world, sir, and I would love to ask her to marry me, if it was alright with you."

He stopped walking and turned towards me.

"Excuse me? You? Marry my daughter? Especially when she has so much going for her right now, when she has real goals and dreams, and what are yours? Work at a law firm forever?"

"I plan on running for governor of Texas in the near future," I explained.

"You think you'll win there because your daddy is governor? Because he gets you everything you want? Hell will freeze over before I let you marry my daughter. I don't want you anywhere near her. You aren't half the man you think you are," he roared, starting towards the house.

"I can provide for her, I can protect her," I explained, following him back.

"You can't provide for her forever on a five figure salary for the rest of your life, kid," he growled. "Melanie is a classy woman, a special breed, the best of the best. I don't want her being seen with some...scum like yourself."

It took all my strength not to hit this man, not to tell him how I really felt about his terrible attitude. He walked to the house and opened the front door, going inside. When I tried to go in, he slammed the door in my face.

I still don't know what I ever did to this man to make him hate me.

"I never want to see him around here again!" Mr. Richardson roared as he walked through the living room, drawing his wife and daughter's attention away from the TV.

"Where's Fitz?" Mellie asked frantically.

"You aren't seeing him anymore," he told her sternly, his face red with anger.

"Samuel," Betty growled, not tolerating this.

"That's my decision, Daddy," Mellie said, getting up from her seat on the couch.

"Why would you want to be with some unskilled pretty boy who will never move up the business ladder when there are plenty of other nice, hardworking men you could be with?" He asked, crossing his arms.

"I love him and he works harder than any other man I know," she fired back, going to the window, looking out into the driveway. She saw me leaning against my car, picked up her phone, and started toward the front door.

"Melanie Richardson, don't you dare go out that door," he shouted, following her with Betty on their heels.

"Samuel, you need to calm down before you do something you'll regret. He's a good kid, he has a steady job, why don't you like him?" She tried to get information out of him, but all his attention was focused on Mellie.

She opened the front door and looked out at me, then back at her father, her hand resting on the cold doorknob.

"Melanie, you realize what you're doing, right?" He said, toning it down, trying to sound hurt. But she didn't care.

"If you walk out that door," he said, his heartless eyes staring into hers, "don't bother coming back."

Her heart shattered right then and there into a million pieces, but she couldn't live like this. Her eyes met her mother's, and all she could see was love and agreement. She knew her mother would always be there for her, no matter what.

She couldn't hear her mother screaming at her father as she hit him, she couldn't hear his yelling back. All she could hear was her heart pounding as she turned that doorknob and ran out to me.

"Get in the car," she cried, running to the passenger side. I got in without hesitation and started it up, backing out the drive as her parents ran out. Her father grabbed her hysterical mother and pulled her back inside the glowing house, slamming the door.

I drove as fast as I could away from there, not knowing where I was going. Once I got far enough away from her parents' house, I pulled over at a gas station and turned to the crying girl in the car beside me. I unbuckled my seatbelt and hers and pulled her into my lap, holding her close.

"It'll be ok, baby. Whatever happened, it'll work out. I'm here for you," I assured her as I stroked her curls. Her phone was constantly buzzing with new messages and she let go of it, giving it to me to handle. I opened the messages, all from her mother. She assured her she would come see about her tonight, that she was making her father get help, that she would support her no matter what. She cried for a good ten minutes before finally calming down.

"Mels," I whispered, "Talk to me."

"I hate that man," she mumbled, wiping her eyes. "He told me I couldn't see you anymore. I told him it was my decision and he told me if I walked out the door to be with you to never come back. My own father threw me out," she sobbed, holding on to my shoulders.

I hated him even more, too.

"Mels, I am so, so sorry," I said, feeling guilty. "I never meant for anything like this to happen."

"It's not your fault, Fitz. There's no reason for him to hate you the way he does. I'm old enough to make decisions for myself," she said confidently, sitting back in her seat. "Let's go to my apartment."

I put it in drive and headed towards her apartment, no longer knowing what was in store for the future.

"Mels. Come on, baby. Let's go inside," I said, standing in the parking lot of her apartment with the passenger door open, her still crying her eyes out. I grabbed her purse and put my arm under hers, picking her up. She wrapped her arms around my neck and I locked and shut the car door, then walked around to the front entrance and made my way down the hall to her apartment and unlocked the door. I took her straight to her bedroom and set her on the bed and put her purse down. I got on my knees beside her bed and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Mels, don't cry, baby," I whispered, wiping her tears. She looked into my eyes and sat up.

"What have I done?" She whispered, looking down at her feet. "I'm still paying off student loans. I can't make those with this salary."

"Let me pay them," I said without hesitation. "Mine are covered."

"Fitz, no, I cannot let you do that. I don't want your dad having to pay off your loans and hold that over you," she protested.

"He's not," I said. "My grandparents on my mother's side left me a college fund. And I might have invested in the stock market a little. At least let me help you with something."

"No. I refuse," she said.

"Think it over. Why don't we take a shower and get you in the bed? You'll feel better. Tomorrow is a new day," I suggested, taking off my watch and setting it on her nightstand.

"Ok," she said, standing up and going into the bathroom, turning on the shower. I took off my jacket and shirt, and she gave me a surprised look.

"Oh, together," she said, realizing I meant a shower together. I thought she understood, but I didn't want her to be any more upset tonight than she already was.

"If you don't want to, I understand. Just a suggestion."

"No, together is fine," she told me, taking her shoes and pants off first. "I need to relax."

We finished getting undressed, and I couldn't help but steal a few looks at her. She was absolutely beautiful, inside and out. I was so excited to one day make this woman my wife. She didn't know I was planning on proposing, and I still remembered her father's harsh words earlier.

I brushed it off for the moment being, and stepped into the shower with her. The warm water ran down our bodies and I could tell she began to relax as I washed her wavy brown hair for her. This made me happy; I hated seeing her upset. It hurt me, too. I just wanted to be the man for her that her father never was.

As we washed each other's bodies, we heard a knock at the door, which surprised us. It was a little late for visitors.

"I'll go," I said, rinsing the soap off my body and grabbing one of her fluffy pink towels and wrapping it around my waist. I quickly made my way to the door and looked out the peephole, seeing her mother standing outside. I unlocked and opened the door and let her in.

"Mrs. Richardson," I said, hating I was standing there in just a towel in front of her. She was surprised too, and came inside.

"Please, Betty. Where's Mellie?" She asked, setting her purse down on the gray futon beside her in the living room.

"She's still in the shower," I said. "I'll be right back," I said as I walked into her bedroom, grabbing some jeans and a gray t-shirt I kept over here and putting them on before going back into the living room. I stood by the coffee table and sighed, and I could tell Betty was anxious.

"Are things as bad as I think they are?" I asked, crossing my arms, wondering what actually happened between our talk and Mellie's coming outside.

"What has she told you?" Betty inquired, looking up at me.

"He doesn't want us together and he kicked her out for good," I sighed.

"I tried talking him out of it. He swore to not go back on his word. I don't know what his problem is," she said, shaking her head. "Have you mentioned...marriage?" She whispered, looking toward the bathroom as she heard the shower cut off.

"Not yet. I don't want her overwhelmed," I said. "This is enough for one night."

Mellie came out from her room a few minutes later, dressed in one of my t-shirts and her torn jeans and ran into her mother's arms. I sat down in a chair by the futon and watched as Betty held her hurting daughter in her arms, assuring her she was always going to be there for her and doing everything she could to fix this. She assured her it was going to be ok, that she was grown and could make her own decisions and that that was fine.

I wanted to make them both feel better, but I didn't know how. I handed Betty a box of tissues as she rubbed Mellie's back and wiped her tears, and I felt horrible that I could do nothing right now. I looked at Mellie, her back turned to me, and hated seeing her like this. All because of her father.

I glanced up at Betty and she kissed her daughter's forehead before looking at me.

"We might be a while," she whispered quietly and nodded towards Mellie's room. I nodded and stood up, going over to them.

"If y'all need me, come and get me," I said, hugging Betty. I got down beside Mellie and kissed her cheek and rubbed her arm.

"It'll all be ok, Mels. I'll be in the bed if you want me. I love you," I whispered, stroking her hair. All I got in return was a nod, which was more than I expected, and I went to her room. I turned down the soft blankets on the bed and took off my jeans, then laid down. I hoped she would come to bed soon, but I had a feeling her mother would be here all night.

I woke up around three that morning and felt Mellie beside me in the bed, and I quietly pulled my half of the covers back and got up to see if Betty was still here. I saw her on the futon with a cup of coffee in hand, sitting quietly.

"Hey," I whispered, sitting beside her. "Surprised to see you still awake."

"Surprised to see you up," she smiled softly.

"How is she?" I asked, my heart heavy.

"She's taking it pretty hard. So am I, though. I didn't tell him where I was going when I left. I'm afraid of what he'll do when I go back," she sighed.

"Let me call a friend and I can have him escort you home. It probably wouldn't be the best idea for me to go. He can even watch the house tonight, if you want," I offered.

"I'll think about it," she said. "How are you with all of this?"

I sighed and wiped my face. "Upset. Feeling like I ruined their relationship. A little scared of what's to come."

"Oh, Fitz. Don't feel too bad about it. He's never been around much for her anyway; their relationship was never that great. He was always working and never spent time with her. She's more upset than he is. Don't be afraid of Sam. You can handle him," she assured me. It didn't make me feel any better, though.

"I hope I never have to go face to face with him," I said, getting up and going into the bathroom and reaching into my jacket, bringing back a check. I walked over to the kitchen counter and picked up a pen, and wrote out a check to Betty.

"If you don't mind my asking, how much are her loans?" I asked, hoping she would tell me.

"Why would you want to know?" She asked, noticing the pen in my hand. "Fitz, I cannot let you do that. You don't need to go into debt for her-"

"I'm not," I sighed. "She told me earlier she was worried about paying them now, and she refused my money. I explained that my expenses were covered. I had scholarships, a college fund from my grandparents, and investments in the stock market. I was going to make the check out to you to put in her account since I knew she wouldn't take it directly from me," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. Betty looked at me seriously and I knew she still didn't want my money.

"We make enough money to help her cover them, Fitz. But thank you for your generous offer," she said quietly. I looked back down at the check, wrote it for $15,000, signed it, and gave it to Betty. She shoved it back in my face, and I gave it back to her.

"Please," I said. "Please take it. Make up some story or something how you came across some money at work or a donation was made to help her out, I don't know. Just please take it and let me feel better by knowing she's not so worried," I said, praying silently she would take it. I needed her to take it. She took it and put into her purse, then looked up into my eyes.

"Only for you. Thank you," she said, standing up and hugging me tightly. I knew she was a little worried now too, but I needed to know they were taken care of. I hugged her back and felt good.

"If you're staying the rest of the night, let me at least fold down the futon for you," I said. She smiled and let me, and I went and got her some pillows and blankets, and left her to sleep. I went back into Mellie's room and laid down beside her, kissing her forehead.

I knew now we could both sleep just a tiny bit easier tonight.