A/N: I am overwhelmed by how well this story is being received, at least the first chapter. Thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites. Keep it up! ;-) Here's the next installment. BTW, it will be a few more chapters before we get back to Wisconsin. We need to first find out how they became a couple.
Chapter 2. Ella
Olivia Pope is a compassionate and sympathetic woman. She feels deeply and relates to other people's problems on a personal level. Her friends are important to her, they're her family, that's why she left her conference early and is now waiting anxiously for the plane to land at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. As the plane taxies to the gate Olivia and Fitz exchange contact information, promising to connect with each other. Once the plane is safely at the gate and the Fasten Seatbelt sign is turned off, she excuses herself, climbs over her new travel companion, and dashes down the aisle and off the plane as quickly as possible. Fitz shakes his head and wonders what has her in such a hurry.
Olivia arrives at Phoenix Children's Hospital in record time, she's sure she has broken a few driving laws on the way but she doesn't care. She has to get to Ella. She walks quickly down the dingy tile floors on the third floor looking for James and Michael. A man sitting at the nurses' station directs her to room 312 where she finds the two fathers huddled around their daughter's bed.
"James, Michael, how is she?" Olivia asks out of breath as she enters the room hurriedly. She looks between the two distressed men and then over at her precious little girl whose tiny body is connected to so many wires.
James jumps up immediately at the sound of his best friend's voice. He tells her about what happened to Ella, how she fell while at the playground. He tells her about the medically induced coma she is in to reduce the swelling of her brain. He tells her they're waiting for the pediatric neurosurgeon to return from out of town today to review Ella's case. Olivia crosses her arms as she listens intently to James' report on Ella. She looks between the two men nodding her head, trying to make sense of what she is hearing, then she walks over to Ella.
"Hey baby, girl. This is your godmother, baby, Aunt Livvie." Tears begin to run down her cheeks as she rubs the girl's little hand. "I need you to get better because we have so much to do. Remember you promised to give me a facial on our next spa night? And we have to make those Mickey Mouse pancakes. And ..."
Olivia is overcome with emotion and brings a hand to her mouth to suppress her crying. Michael walks over and wraps his arm around her shoulders as her body shakes.
"She's so tiny Michael", gripping the man's arm tightly.
"I know. I know." And he loses his battle with the tears once again.
XXX
Olivia knows she has to be strong for James and Michael. She can't fall apart because she is their support system. They need their friend, Ella's godmother. But right now she needs to get out of the room for a while. Between the incessant beeping of the monitors and her friends muffled sobbing Olivia feels like she's being smothered, like the walls are closing in on her.
"I'm going to the cafeteria to get us some coffee and snacks", she announces abruptly, reaching into her purse to retrieve her wallet.
The two men nod as she exits the room quickly and rushes down the hall in search of a restroom. She pushes open the door and runs into the last stall and breaks down in tears.The pain and suffering in the hospital room is too much – she feels overwhelmed.She shakes violently and her wallet drops to the floor and her body follows. She pounds her fist on the cool tile wall cursing the heavens for allowing this to happen.
As Olivia walks back to Ella's room carrying the tray of coffee and snacks she chides herself for being weak and selfish, for having a meltdown while her friends keep vigil over their daughter. She has to keep it together she thinks as she walks into Ella's room.
XXX
When Fitz deplaned at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport he retrieved his car from the parking garage and drove directly to the hospital to consult on the case he received on his last day at the conference. He reviewed the patient's case and MRI results on the plane and ordered another MRI when the plane landed in Phoenix. The results of the latest MRI should be downloaded to his laptop by the time he gets to the hospital.
Fitz sits in his office at Phoenix Children's Hospital reviewing the chart of the four-year old African-American girl who was admitted yesterday with severe Traumatic Brain Injury. He scrolls through the file comparing the results of the two sets of MRI. His lips curl down when the second MRI confirms the injury is vascular. He shakes his head and closes his laptop. He slips on his white coat and heads downstairs to room 312 in the Pediatric Unit to deliver the news to the parents. He hates this part of the job.
Dr. Grant is informing James and Michael of their daughter's dire condition when Olivia walks into the room carrying the tray of coffee and snacks. James is beside himself and Michael is trying to console him. When she hears the doctor deliver the prognosis, Olivia drops the coffee tray and the black liquid flows quickly across the floor, and puddles around the feet of the man in the white coat. Fitz turns around at the sound and they stare into each other's eyes, shocked that misfortune is the cause of their paths crossing again.
"Olivia", James cries out.
Olivia is at James' side instantly, rubbing her hand up and down his back, trying to console the inconsolable.
"Dr. Grant says there is no hope for our Ella. He says the brain damage is too extensive."
James crumbles to the floor and Michael follows him. Their pant legs absorb the black liquid that is pooled on the floor. Olivia glares at Fitz with disdain and he looks at her helplessly.
"Outside!" She says angrily, pointing to the door. He nods and follows her into the hall.
She is fuming. "What did you do? What did you say to them?"
"Olivia -"
"What did you say?" She screams at him.
The staff sitting at the nurses' station looks over at the commotion and shakes their heads. They've seen this scenario too many times. Fitz dons a more professional demeanor and begins again.
"I'm sorry, Miss Pope. I reviewed the little girl's chart and -"
"Her name is Ella, damn it. She has a goddamn name. Don't you dare treat her like a fucking statistic."
She is shaking violently and he doesn't know what to do.
"She has a name, Fitz. She's Ella and she's my goddaughter" Anger is now displaced by despair. "You cannot tell me, tell us, there is no hope. You have to do something", she says brokenly as she collapses to the floor.
With all of his years of medical training and practice, in this moment he feels completely inadequate. His heart is breaking for the woman he just met hours ago. He pulls her from the floor and wraps her in his arms.
"Olivia, I'm sorry, but there isn't anything I can do." He says softly while stroking her back. "There isn't anything anyone can do. I am so sorry."
XXX
The funeral services for Ella are incredibly difficult for everyone, especially her parents. It is always difficult to lose a loved one, but to lose a child so young just seems so unfair. Olivia is devastated but tries to comfort James as she sits next to him in the front pew of the church, across from the tiny white casket. As she stares at the casket she wonders how this could have happened. How could her precious little girl be gone so soon?
Fitz watches her from a pew at the rear of the church. He watches her at the grave site as the tiny white casket is lowered into the ground. He sees how deeply she's hurting and he just wants to take her pain away.
Fitz calls Olivia a few days after the funeral to check how she is doing but she doesn't answer her phone. After the fourth day of calling and not getting an answer he decides to go to her apartment. He rings the doorbell and knocks on the door for several minutes and there is still no answer. He's not sure what to do at this point; he doesn't have a plan. Should he call the superintendent to open her door? Hell, he doesn't even know how to contact the superintendent. Should he call the police? And say what, a woman he barely knows isn't answering her phone or door? He's perplexed as to what to do next.
"She's in there", the old woman across the hall calls to him. "I always know when she's home and when she's not."
Fitz turns around and looks at the old woman questioningly.
"Are you her boyfriend?" The old woman asks, looking at him suspiciously.
"We're friends", Fitz says flatly, not interested in talking to the woman.
"Well, boyfriend or friend, she needs one of you right now. She's in pretty bad shape - never seen her like this before. You need to go in there and check on her. She keeps a spare key in there." The old woman points to the fake potted plant sitting on the little table outside of Olivia's apartment.
Fitz is unsure of what to do. He doesn't want to violate Olivia's privacy nor does he want to leave her alone in so much pain. The old woman pulls her shawl around her shoulders and nods her head toward the flower pot again, encouraging him to get the key.
XXX
Fitz walks into the dark apartment and feels for the light switch on the wall near the door. He pushes the switch and an amazing open concept room is illuminated by the recessed lights installed in the high tray ceiling. Fitz looks around the room admiring the decor.
The walls are painted pewter with chamois wood trim. Colorful large prints are hung strategically throughout the room. A huge white sofa with lots of pillows and a white fur throw draped across the arm is flanked by two taupe-colored, upholstered, mid-century occasional chairs. A large, square glass and wood coffee table sits on a platform in front of the sofa displaying two large hurricane candle holders, a blue ceramic tray, and a book on Matisse's cut outs.
A long rectangular fireplace is carved into the floor-to-ceiling, neutral-colored marble wall across from the sofa. On the wall next to the fireplace is a long, wooden credenza hosting vases and metal work. Above the credenza are a series of staggered wooden shelves featuring models of the buildings Olivia has designed. The taupe-colored, floor-to-ceiling window treatments dressing the huge windows are closed.
As Fitz looks around the room he hears a muffled sound and follows the noise down the dark hall until he finds what he thinks is her bedroom. He hears her sobbing in the darkness, the moon provides the room minimal light.
"Olivia?" He calls to her softly.
No answer.
Fitz enters the room hesitantly and his eyes adjust to the darkness, allowing him to see Olivia curled up in the middle of the huge, plush bed hugging a pillow and crying. He walks over slowly and sits on the side of the bed, careful not to startle her.
"Olivia", he says, touching her shoulder gently.
She looks up into his deep blue eyes and wraps her arms around his neck and cries even harder.
"She's gone, Fitz. My little girl is gone", she says in a trembling voice.
"I know. I know. I am so sorry."
He removes his coat and shoes and no words are spoken as he leans back against the upholstered headboard and stretches his long legs on top of the plush, white down comforter. He looks at her sad, tear-stained face and opens his arms, silently coaxing her to lean in. She looks at him hesitantly then crawls into his side. She lays her head in the crook of his neck and drapes her arm lightly across his stomach. He runs his hand soothingly up and down her arm as her tears roll down his neck. She squeezes her eyes shut tightly, trying to quell the tears, without victory.
"Let it out, Olivia. Let it out." He holds her more tightly as her body trembles against his body.
When it's apparent she has no more tears to shed she falls asleep against his chest, and the sun begins to rise. He swaddles her in the bed covers and goes to the bathroom, his body is stiff from sitting up all night. He catches a glimpse of his tired reflection in the mirror as he washes his hands. He needs a shave and a shower. Again he wonders what the hell he is doing here.
XXX
Fitz walks quietly through her bedroom and makes his way to the kitchen. He needs to call Lauren and have her cancel his morning appointments, and he needs coffee. The kitchen is beautiful with the high-end stainless steel appliances and farmer's sink, white subway tile backsplash, and espresso hardwood floor. He looks around thinking it doesn't seem like too much cooking goes on in here.
"Good morning, Lauren", Fitz begins as he rifles through the drawers looking for a spoon to scoop the coffee. "I'm going to need you to cancel my morning appointments. I have a personal emergency that I have to handle. Yes, everything is fine – will be fine." He pours the water into the coffee maker and presses the Brew button. "And Lauren, tell Chief Beene I will be in the office later this afternoon."
The wonderful aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air and his stomach growls as he listens to Lauren recite his afternoon schedule. He remembers he didn't eat dinner last night so he looks into the refrigerator for breakfast food but only finds a half loaf of multigrain bread, an expired container of Greek yogurt, and a Granny Smith apple. He considers going to the store to buy breakfast but he doesn't want to leave her alone.
As Olivia walks down the hall she is curious about the strange voice she hears coming from her kitchen. She stops mid-stride in the doorway when she is confronted with the back of a tall man talking on the phone and pouring coffee into one of her mugs. Fitz turns around with the phone to his ear and the coffee pot in his other and halts his movements when he sees her standing in the doorway. They stare into each other's eyes and she takes his breath away. He thinks she looks absolutely beautiful in her bare feet with red-eyes and wild hair, and all he wants to do is take her in his arms and make everything better. Her brows furrow as she looks at him curiously, pulling her long gray sweater around her body, wondering what is he doing in her kitchen holding her coffee pot. After a moment her eyes flicker and as she recalls the events from last night. Fitz regains his composure and mouths good morning as he listens to Lauren. He smiles and holds up the coffee pot and she nods her head slowly.
"Okay, Lauren, I need to go now. Yes, I will see you this afternoon. Good-bye, Lauren."
Olivia wonders who Lauren is as she sits at the table, pulling a knee up to her chest. A bit more self-conscious of her appearance she runs her hands through her hair, trying to tame the untamable.
"Hi", he says, placing a mug of coffee on the table in front of her. "Cream – sugar?" He asks as if he's entertaining her in his home.
"Hi. Cream please."
"I would have made you breakfast but you don't seem to have much food", he says while setting the cream on the table.
"Coffee is fine. Thank you."
He smiles again and sits at the small table and crosses his legs, unsure of what to say.
"What are you doing here? How did you get in?" She asks with a scratchy voice.
"Your neighbor across the hall told me about the key in your fake flower pot." He smiles nervously, not sure if she is upset about him entering her apartment uninvited. After all, he is a stranger.
Olivia rolls her eyes. "Mrs. Teller is a busy-body. But why are you here?"
He becomes a bit uneasy and doesn't quite know what to say. Why the hell is he here? Why is he taking keys from fake flower pots and entering a strange apartment to check on a woman he barely knows?
"I was concerned when you weren't answering your calls so I thought I should stop by to make sure you were all right." He tries to sound confident and nonchalant, but he's holding his breath, waiting for her response.
She stares at him for a moment and blows the surface of the steaming coffee.
"I see", she says, taking another sip of coffee. "Thank you. That was very kind." She gives him a soft smile.
They stare at each other awkwardly, neither knowing what else to say.
"Well, I should be going", standing from the table with his coffee mug.
"I'll take care of that", looking at the mug in his hand.
He smiles, sets the mug on the counter, and walks to the bedroom to get his coat.
"May I call you later - to check on you?" He pulls on his coat.
"I'll be fine."
"I'll call anyway." He gives her a small smile and walks out of the kitchen.
She nods.
XXX
"Psst", the old woman across the hall beckons him over with her wrinkled hand as he walks toward the elevator.
Fitz looks over at the busy-body and she waves him over again.
"Is she okay?"
"She'll be fine, she just needs some time", walking back to the elevator.
"Well you better not let too much time pass before getting back over there." The old woman calls after him. "That's if you want her."
Fitz glances over his shoulder at the incredibly forward woman, shakes his head, and walks into the elevator.
XXX
It's been a month since Fitz left Olivia's apartment and he hasn't seen or heard from her. His calls go directly to voice mail. He doesn't know what to think. Does she think he overstepped by using her key to enter her apartment? Is she embarrassed because he saw her in such a vulnerable state? As the thoughts run through his mind his cell phone beeps, alerting him of a new text message. He smiles.
Olivia: Hi. Been away on business. Lost my phone. Lunch 2day?
Fitz: Hi 2 U. Yes 2 lunch. Where?
Olivia: Open the door.
Fitz walks around his desk, opens the door, and sees Olivia holding two greasy bags.
"So Miss Pope, you must think I'm a cheap date."
"I wanted to thank you for checking on me – for being so kind", she says somewhat shyly as she walks into the room.
"How did you find my office? No one can ever find my office", not realizing how goofily he's grinning at her.
"I designed this building. I know where all the bodies are buried in this place. No pun intended." She winks at him.
"You're an architect?"
"I am. Let's eat", she says setting the bags on the small conference table.
They spend the next hour catching each other up on what's been happening in their lives over the past month. She tells him that she's living in Chicago temporarily, working on a new project. He frowns. She tells him that James and Michael are grief-stricken and she doesn't know what to do - how to make it better for them.
"You can't make it better for them. Grieving is a painful process they have to go through. There are no shortcuts, Olivia." He wipes his mouth with the paper napkin then walks over to his bookshelf and slides a hardcover book from the shelf. He leans against his desk and stares at her for a moment.
"How are you doing, Olivia? I know Ella's death has been quite painful for you as well." He looks at her with sympathy.
"I'll be just fine", she waves her hand in the air dismissively, trying to sound brave.
"Which means you're not fine", gazing into her sad eyes.
"I just need some time", she says softly, looking down at the wrinkled paper napkin in her lap.
Fitz walks back to the table and hands her the book, and she looks at him curiously.
"On Death and Dying, by Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. Dr. Ross wrote about the five emotional stages of the grief process. It's not a linear process, Olivia, and not everyone experiences all of the phases. You may keep this copy."
She looks at him for a moment then reaches for the book.
"Thank you", she says softly, trying not to cry.
He nods his head and admires her for a little while.
"Have dinner with me." He asks the question quickly, not wanting to go another month without seeing her.
"Can we finish lunch first?" She's trying to be playful.
"I'll pick you up on Friday - at 7:00."
Okay, Dr. Grant", she says smiling a little brighter. "And you better not be late."
XXX
The old woman looks through her peephole at the man, who for the past 15 minutes, has been pacing outside of Olivia's apartment and glancing nervously at his watch. She opens her door and calls to him, interrupting his pacing.
"Psst."
Fitz turns around to see the old woman waving him over. He groans to himself, not interested in having another conversation with her.
"Why are you pacing up and down the hall and looking at your watch?"
"I'm waiting for 7:00", he says somewhat irritated.
"Why are you waiting in the hall for 7:00?"
"I told Olivia I would pick her up at 7:00 for our date. I didn't want to be late so I guess I got here a little early."
"So why don't you just knock on the door?"
It's an innocent question, but it's a question he doesn't want to answer.
"You're nervous aren't you?"
"I guess I am - kind of", he says somewhat embarrassed.
"What are you nervous about?"
The old woman's probing questions are really beginning to annoy him.
"You like her, don't you?"
"I guess I do."
"And you want her to like you too?"
"I do."
"Then that's why you're pacing up and down this hall. You're nervous because you don't know if she likes you as much as you like her."
"I guess you're right", he says sheepishly.
"Well she does like you because she's been opening and closing her peephole for the last 40 minutes, before you got off of the elevator. Never seen her do that before, so I guess she's nervous too."
He smiles brightly.
"Now go knock on her door before you walk a hole in the carpet."
"Thank you", he says as he walks across the hall with a little more confidence in his stride.
"Psst", the old woman calls to him again.
He groans and walks back over to the old woman as she adjusts her shawl around her bony shoulders.
"Make sure you take her dancing, she really likes to dance."
The old woman watches the blood drain from his face.
"What's the matter? You do know how to dance, don't you?"
"Actually I don't." He looks down at the floor red-faced.
"You mean you can't dance - at all?" The old woman tilts her head to the side and looks at him in astonishment. She can't imagine there could be anyone in this world who doesn't know how to dance.
He shakes his head no, feeling more embarrassed.
"Where are you from that you don't know how to dance?" She's fascinated by this bit of information.
"Wisconsin."
"You can't even polka?" She asks incredulously. "Now I know they polka in Wisconsin."
He rolls his eyes and shakes his head wondering how he keeps getting pulled into conversations with the woman.
"I guess I never took the time to learn."
"Head in the books all the time I bet. Well, if you ever want to learn how to dance come knock on my door. I used to be a professional dancer." She beams brightly.
Fitz gives the woman a doubtful look, skeptical of her claim.
"I might not look like it now, but I was a pretty good dancer in my day." The old woman throws her hands in the air and twirls around, showing off her moves.
Fitz shakes his head at the old woman's antics.
"It's 7:00", she says, not looking at her watch.
Fitz takes a deep breath and rings Olivia's doorbell.
Earlier That Week
Fitzgerald Thomas Grant the Third is a logical and rational man. He is structured and organized and sets goals to accomplish the most important things he has identified for his life. He creates detailed action plans to ensure he achieves his desired results. And getting Olivia Pope to go on a date with him was one of his top goals. So here he now sits in his office at the hospital trying to plan their first date. He wants their date to go well because he is really attracted to her and she is stirring unfamiliar feelings in him.
Fitz hasn't been on a date in quite some time so he's racking his brain trying to figure out what would make a great first date. He wants it to be fun and lively because he knows Olivia is still mourning the loss of Ella. While he knows one night on the town won't heal her mourning, he hopes it will provide her a respite from her emotional pain.
Since Fitz doesn't really know anything about Olivia's likes and dislikes planning their date is proving to be somewhat challenging for him. He knows she's an architect and likes art because he saw all of the artwork in her apartment, but that's about all he knows. So he decides to Google what's happening in downtown Phoenix this Friday night to get some ideas. He smiles when his search reveals their first date will fall on First Friday. Problem solved.
The First Friday art walk is a cultural event in which the Jackson Street art galleries of downtown Phoenix stay open late and host receptions for their current exhibitions on the first Friday of every month. Jackson Street is an active cultural, dining, and retail district; and one of the most appealing residential neighborhoods in downtown Phoenix. It offers a range of design showrooms, inviting shops, and boutiques of all kinds and for every taste. It's the perfect first date, Fitz thinks – arts, inner-city architecture, and urban nightlife.
Date Night
"So tell me, why did you become an architect?" Fitz asks as they walk down Jackson Street trying to walk off the huge dinner they ate about an hour ago.
"Well, as a little girl I really didn't like playing with dolls all that much. My dad would always say, "Livvie, those little people will need some place to live if you don't want to play with them. You don't want them to be homeless do you?" She laughs at the memory.
"So I started building houses for them out of blocks at first, then I started using anything I could find in my toy chest or around the house. When I got older my dad saw that I was beginning to design some pretty elaborate houses for the dolls so he taught me how to draft my designs on paper and, as they say, the rest is history."
"What about you?" Looking up at the side of his handsome face.
"Oh, I don't design doll houses", trying to suppress a laugh.
Olivia swats him on the arm.
"Funny man. You're a funny man."
"Would you like some ice cream?"
"I think I would", she says.
They walk down the street and stop in front of the Gelateria and she gasps.
"Oh my goodness, a gelato shop. You said ice cream." Her eyes are wide.
"What's the difference?" He asks innocently.
"I can't believe you've never had gelato. If you had it before you would know it definitely isn't ice cream", she says excitedly.
"You sound like a gelato expert", giving her a silly smirk.
"Let's go inside and get some. I haven't had any in ages."
Olivia orders a cone of cherry gelato and Fitz orders chocolate. They take their cones of the creamy delight to an empty table at the back of the store. She scoops a spoonful into her mouth, closes her eyes, and moans as the cream makes contact with her tongue. He looks at her moaning with her eyes closed and knows he wants her in his life forever.
"This is good gelato. I have not had gelato this good since I lived in Italy."
"You lived in Italy?" He asks, tasting his chocolate gelato. "This is really good. It definitely isn't regular ice cream."
"I lived in Rome for three months, part of Georgetown's Study Abroad Program."
"You went to Georgetown? When? I have friends who went to Georgetown."
"I wouldn't know your friends, Dr. Grant, since you are so much older than me", she says chuckling before the words finish leaving her mouth.
"Now look at who's the funny one", he smirks.
"I see you really like your gelato. You know what they say, once you go gelato you never go back." She smiles teasingly.
"And I can see why. It's amazing."
After leaving the Gelateria they stroll down Jackson Street which is teeming with people because it's an unseasonably warm November evening. They meander in and out of some of the art galleries because all of the galleries have their doors wide open, encouraging passersby to come in and check out the latest exhibitions. They stop at various street vendor tables checking out the goods they're selling, and they stop to listen to musicians playing an eclectic mix of music. It's a lively atmosphere and Olivia is having more fun tonight than she has had in a long time.
XXX
"Fitz, I had such a wonderful time tonight, even though I ate way too much at dinner - then there was the gelato", she smiles.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself tonight, Olivia." He's smiling goofily at her again.
"I really need to get downtown more often. It has such a wonderful mix of architectural styles. And the art galleries …
"I haven't laughed so hard in such a long time", he says, shaking his head. "I still can't believe you almost bought a $50,000 painting."
"I didn't know. I swear I didn't know. I thought the price tag said $500.00."
"Well it was too funny. The woman had it all wrapped. You should have seen your face when she asked if you wanted to use more than one credit card." He's laughing out loud and she's laughing too.
"I really loved that painting, Fitz, but I was so embarrassed. I guess she never wants to see our faces again."
Their laughing trail off and they look at each other for a moment and smile.
"I guess I better get going", looking at her more seriously.
"OK", she says demurely.
"May I call you again?" He's holding his breath.
"OK." She smiles.
"OK", he says, slowly expelling the breath he's holding. "Well good night, Olivia."
"Good night, Fitz", unlocking her door and entering her apartment.
Yes! Pumping his fist in the air when he hears the locks turn inside the apartment.
XXX
Eight days after First Friday Olivia and Fitz are going on their second date. He wants to take her to one of his favorite East Indian restaurants. He loves East Indian foods, but Olivia, not so much. However, since meeting Fitzgerald Grant she's finding herself doing many things she never thought she would do.
"So do you prefer designing commercial buildings or residential homes?" He asks while digging into his rajma.
"Although the firm I work for is focused on designing commercial buildings and luxury homes, which I thoroughly enjoy, I think low- to moderate-income families deserve the opportunity to live in well-designed, well-built affordable homes, not the drab, soulless public housing built by HUD up until the 1980s. Just because someone has a low income doesn't mean they don't deserve to live in a functional and attractive home, Fitz."
He nods, now dipping his bread into the chole. She sneaks a peek at him sopping up the mixture and thinks, he really likes that stuff. He notices she isn't eating much and thinks, she's not a big fan of Indian food.
"Working on those kinds of projects will give me the opportunity to do interesting and creative work. Since federal funding for affordable housing continues to be reduced, firms have to be thoughtful and innovative in designing these homes."
Fitz tears a piece of bread, dips it into the chole, and feeds it to her. She's hesitant at first but opens her mouth to receive the offering. He watches for her reaction.
"Mmm. This isn't bad at all." She says in surprise.
He smiles realizing he has to encourage Olivia to try new things. She tears a piece of bread and continues.
"Unconventional materials like corrugated aluminum, unpainted cedar siding, and green elements like solar panels and rainwater capture systems can be used to keep costs down."
Her eyes light up as she talks about her work.
"I am writing a proposal for the firm to consider forming a unit to build low-income public housing. More firms are doing it, that's why I was at the conference."
She becomes a bit sad remembering the circumstances that caused her to leave the conference early. He nods.
"I feel like I'm doing all of the talking again, Dr. Grant, and you are still a mystery."
"Okay, what do you want to know? I'm an open book. Ask me anything." He takes a sip of water then leans back in the booth.
"Anything?"
He nods.
"Hmmm." Olivia puts her index finger on her pursed lips pretending to think about what she wants to ask him.
"Okay, so why did you become a pediatric neurosurgeon?"
"That's easy", he jumps right in.
She dips her spoon into his bowl to taste the rajma and he smiles.
"Ever since I was a kid I have been intrigued by the human mind, what makes us all tick - why we do what we do. I wanted to understand the behaviors and mental processes of people. I wanted to know if our behaviors are inherited or if they are learned. The whole nature versus nurture thing. I've always wondered how siblings who are raised in the same household, by the same parents, can turn out to be so dramatically different", he says somewhat sadly.
She nods, listening to him intently.
"So initially I wanted to be a psychologist and I got my Bachelor's degree in psychology. Then I decided to go to medical school with the intention of becoming a psychiatrist, but I became intrigued with neurosurgery. I had a deeper need to do more than just understand human behavior, I needed to actually see and touch the physical thing – the brain, with all of its nerve cells and blood vessels that houses of our thought processes. So I completed my residency in neurosurgery and settled on the sub-specialty of pediatric neurosurgery.
"Wow, what a journey."
"But I really enjoy helping children to lead normal and productive lives. Some of my patients suffer from uncontrollable seizures, Liv. Some have more than 100 seizures a day. If I can use my surgical skills and knowledge of the workings of the brain to help them live productive lives then I am happy."
She marvels at his dedication and passion for his work.
"Fitz, sometimes you say patients and other times you say children. Why is that?"
"In the operating room they're my patient, outside of the operating room they're children. I don't look at the children whose brains I cut open as little darlings, if I did I couldn't do my job. I've been trained to focus on the task at hand - to solve the problem."
"I see", she says softly, remembering when she screamed at him outside of Ella's hospital room.
"Fitz", she says softly, looking down at her bread plate for a moment, then looking into his dazzling blue eyes.
He gives her a slight smile, waiting for her next question.
"Fitz, was there really nothing that could be done for Ella?"