Chapter 5. You Snore
Dr. Fitzgerald Thomas Grant the Third is in love and he doesn't care who knows or what anyone thinks about it. He doesn't care he's acting like a lovesick teenager as evidenced by him sitting in his office daydreaming about his girlfriend with whom he wants to spend all of his time.
Fitz and Olivia have known each other for 10 months and have been in an exclusive relationship for seven months and he thinks living together is the next logical step for them. He has gotten used to her staying at his apartment one or two nights a week, but he wants more. She, however, is unwilling to give up her apartment.
Fitz reclines in his chair, opens his phone, and reviews The Plan, his strategy for guiding him through the process of achieving his goals, or so he thinks.
The Plan
Step 1: Date casually for a few months
Step 2: Commit to an exclusive relationship
Step 3: Live together
Step 4: Propose/Get Engaged
Step 5: Get Married
Step 6: Start a Family
It all seems logical and straightforward to him. What could possibly go wrong? Unfortunately he didn't think about the myriad of factors that could derail his plan.
Later That Evening
"Liv, I'm going to take a quick shower before we go. I'm expecting a call from the hospital so answer my phone if it rings."
"OK", she says, sitting on the sofa scrolling through the emails on her phone.
"Do you remember my password?"
"How can I forget it, Fitz? You need something more secure than Granted123. Anybody can hack into your phone with that password."
"I have nothing to hide, Liv", he says, walking to the bedroom.
She shakes her head because sometimes he can be so naïve. She wonders if it's a Wisconsin thing and makes a mental note to find out more about his family. She continues reading her emails about the new team she will be leading to design a commercial building on the outskirts of Phoenix. She's excited because this is the third major project she will have led while at Stearns. Fitz is excited too because she won't have to travel out of town. Fitz' phone rings, interrupting her reading.
"Dr. Grant's phone. How may I help you?" She smiles because she's acting like Lauren.
"This is Chief Beene at Children's Hospital, may I speak with Dr. Grant?"
"Dr. Grant is in the shower at the moment. Can I take a message?" She's having fun playing Fitz' secretary.
"And you are?" Cyrus asks gruffly.
"Olivia - Pope."
Cyrus rolls his eyes and runs his hand through the few strands remaining on his head.
"Just have Dr. Grant call me when he gets out of the shower."
"I'll give him the message, Chief Beene", Olivia says cheerily.
Olivia smiles thinking she might have missed her calling. As she sets his phone on the sofa her finger hits the Notes app and her eyes grow wide when she sees The Plan.
"Are you ready?" Fitz asks while walking into the living room, hair still damp and ready to go out for their planned evening.
"Fitz, what's this?" She asks holding up his phone.
"My phone?" He answers slowly, wondering if it's a trick question.
"I'm talking about this document called The Plan", shaking the phone at him.
His eyes widen and he looks at her blankly.
"What is it, Fitz?" She's getting upset.
"It's nothing. Just something I've been playing around with", trying to sound casual.
"Is it nothing or is it something?" Now she is angry. "Are you planning our future without involving me?"
"No- not at all", he protests, unconvincingly. "I just like to document the steps needed to -"
"Are you kidding me? Is this some sort of game you're playing? Do you have a bet with someone – that Dr. Heller?" Looking at him in disbelief.
He hates when she cuts him off before he can finish his thought.
"Liv -"
"Fitz, you have to let our relationship evolve can't create a schedule and think everything is going to happen according to your plan."
He glares at her when she cuts him off again. "Will you just let me talk for one minute?" Raising his voice in frustration.
Her eyes bulge because she has never heard him raise his voice. He's usually so calm. She folds her arms across her chest and glares at him.
"Liv", he starts again, more softly when he sees her battle stance. "I'm structured and organized. I set goals and devise plans to achieve my goals. I can't just stop."
"Do I have a say in your plan? Suppose I don't want to go along with your plan?"
"Liv -"
"Fitz, I am a human being who has feelings. I'm not an object that you can ..." She throws the phone at him in frustration. "I don't want any parts of your checklist, or your schedule, or whatever it is!" She stomps from the room in a huff and slams the bedroom door.
That's why I didn't want to show her The Plan.
XXX
After Fitz thinks enough time has passed for Olivia to have calmed down he knocks softly on the bedroom door before entering.
"I'm sorry", she says, sitting on the bed and looking up from her phone. "I overreacted."
He's shocked because he was prepared to apologize, to fall on his sword, so they could get past the misunderstanding and go out for the evening.
"Baby I love that you plan and organize, but Fitz you can't plan every aspect of our lives. You have to let things happen organically."
"Liv, all of my adult life I have made plans to accomplish the most important goals in my life. You are the most important thing – person to me and I wanted you - to be with you. So I just wrote down my ideas."
"I get that setting goals and making plans to achieve your goals is part of who you are. I really do get it and I wouldn't want you to change for anything in the world. But Fitz, when it comes to us – well I think sometimes you can be too methodical – too scripted."
She looks around the bedroom and thinks about how his apartment is always ordered and organized, nothing is ever out of place. He looks at her somewhat confused.
"Babe, you can't have a plan for everything. You have to let things happen naturally - not try to plan every aspect of our relationship. Frankly …" She begins again more carefully because she doesn't like confrontation and doesn't want to hurt his feelings. "At times you can be a little controlling."
"Liv, I never want to control you."
"I know, but some of your behaviors sometimes feel a little controlling. You might want to think about why you seem to need to control everything in your life. What do you think will happen if the great Dr. Grant isn't in control all of the time?" She's trying to lighten the mood.
"Bad things can happen, Olivia, if you don't think things through", he says with conviction.
"Fitz, we can't always prevent bad things from happening. Some things are just outside of our control."
He nods, not adopting her belief.
"Tell me about your life before you became a doctor – your earlier years?"
"I guess we're not going out tonight", realizing their plans have now changed.
"Do you have pictures of you as a teenager?" She's smiling, sitting up in the bed, getting excited about gaining some insight into the young Fitzgerald Grant.
"I do."
"I bet the girls were all over you."
Fitz goes to the huge walk-in closet and returns with a photo album. He sits next to Olivia on the bed and opens the album. He shows her the huge house, with the wraparound porch, in which he grew up. He shows her pictures of his parents, Gerry and Anneke; he has their eyes. He shows her pictures of his younger brother Tristan.
"Wow, Fitz, you and your brother could pass for twins. Are you sure your parents aren't telling you something?" She asks jokingly.
"Tristan hates whenever anyone says we look alike."
"Why? Anyone with eyes can see that you two really could be twins."
"I guess he just always wanted to be his own person."
Olivia continues flipping through the photos.
"Fitz, you were involved in a lot of activities, very outgoing. You were on the lacrosse team?"
"Yup."
"And rugby?" She examines the pictures closely.
"Yup."
"Tough sports. Wow, is this your church?"
"I was on a couple of the youth ministries. I really enjoyed that work, helping people." He smiles with a distant look in his eyes.
"I didn't realize you were that involved in your church. You look so happy, Fitz. So carefree."
"I was. I had a good life, Liv. My parents made sure of that."
"I can see that", she says, coming to the end of the photo album. "I didn't see any pictures of your girlfriends. Where are the pictures of all the girls whose hearts you broke?" She's teasing him.
"I really didn't date in high school – too busy I guess."
"Too busy? I would think you had to beat the girls off of you", she chuckles.
"Nope."
"I can't believe there wasn't a special girl who caught your eye while you were in high school, Fitz. You were a very good looking guy."
"Were?" He raises his brows." You mean I'm no longer good looking?"
"Very good looking", pecking him on the cheek.
"What changed, Fitz?"
"What do you mean?" He looks at her curiously.
"You were obviously very outgoing and active. Now you're so serious – so structured." She eyes him closely.
"I grew up, Liv." He says brusquely, closing the album and walking back to the closet.
She looks at him retreat into the closet and wonders if there is something he isn't telling her. She would love to meet his family one day to get the scoop on the young Fitzgerald Grant. She's sure Tristan can tell her a lot of stories about his older brother's escapades.
"By the way, Chief Beene called while you were in the shower", she yells after him.
One Month Later – September
Olivia is bone tired and just wants to sleep for the next 24 hours. She flew back to Phoenix today after wrapping up the project in Chicago. She has to make one last trip to The Windy City when the private school opens next month. Living between two cities was beginning to take its toll on her body. She's glad her next project is in Phoenix.
She steps from the shower and grabs a towel and wraps it around her body. She's glad she let Fitz convince her to come to his apartment from the airport because she loves his huge shower with all of the pulsating jets. She smiles thinking about the various settings they've used when making love. She grabs a smaller towel to dry her hair. Looking in the mirror she makes a mental note to schedule an appointment to get her hair trimmed. It's been awhile. Fitz would prefer if she never got it cut. Damn, she thinks, looking around the bathroom for her favorite lotion. She wonders if Fitz moved it again. Living between two apartments is becoming more challenging. She doesn't know if her personal items are at his place or hers. She wonders how Fitz manages to juggle living between two apartments. Then she chuckles knowing he probably has it all organized in his phone. She flashes back to their "discussion" about The Plan and wonders if she could tolerate living with someone who is so structured. She would be afraid to leave anything out of place. She shakes her head as she walks to the bedroom and crawls between the cool, crisp sheets. Fitz called earlier to let her know he has an emergency surgery and wouldn't be home until late so she'll have the king-sized bed all to herself for a while. She falls asleep as soon as her head hits the firm, down pillow.
Fitz finally gets home after performing a 12-hour operation on a seven-year old boy with a brain tumor. It was a long and messy procedure but thank God everything went well. The boy will have a long recovery but he will be fine in time. He smiles when he sees Olivia sleeping in his bed. He's glad the Chicago project is finally over. Flying back and forth to Chicago every other weekend was wearing him out, but he would do anything to be with her.
Fitz strips down to his boxers and crawls in bed behind Olivia and instinctually cups her breast. He inhales deeply, taking in the scent of her hair. He loves her hair. He loves when she lets it grow long. He nuzzles his face in her neck and let's her scent lull him to sleep.
After a while his mouth is open and his warm breath flows onto her neck. Then the grunting and snorting begins, waking Olivia from her slumber. She rolls her eyes because his snoring has been waking her since she started staying at his place. She hasn't gotten a good night's sleep in about two weeks. Co-workers have begun to remark how tired she looks and how irritable she's been lately. Olivia peels his hand from her breast and slides out of the bed thinking she can't do this for much longer. She snatches her pillow and stomps to the living room to sleep on the sofa, again.
The next morning Fitz shuts off the alarm on his phone then goes to the bathroom to empty his bladder. He feels refreshed and energized after getting a good night's sleep. After washing his hands and brushing his teeth he walks into the living room to find Olivia. He looks a bit puzzled when he sees her sleeping on the sofa with the cream-colored throw wrapped around her body. He smiles at his girlfriend then walks into the kitchen to start the coffee maker. Olivia awakens when she hears noises coming from the kitchen and scrunches her face because her body aches. She drags herself to the kitchen and Fitz turns around with a huge smile, looking well rested.
"Kiss me", he says, smiling brightly.
She gives him an unenthusiastic peck on the lips.
"Why were you sleeping on the sofa this morning? Are you still having trouble sleeping?" He asks with concern.
"Fitz, I've been staying here on and off for almost two weeks and I haven't gotten a good night's sleep since. I'm tired all the time."
"Is it the mattress? Do we need to buy a new set?"
"No, Fitz, it's not the mattress. The mattress is fine", she says tiredly.
"Then what is it? Why aren't you sleeping? Maybe you should see someone."
"Fitz", she whines. "I'm not the problem, it's your snoring. It's just awful. You sound like a freight train. You wake me all the time in the middle of the night then I have to come out here to sleep", she says, looking over at the uncomfortable sofa.
He looks shocked.
"I snore? Is it that bad?"
"Fitz, surely I'm not the first to complain about your snoring."
He looks at her befuddled.
"Come on, Fitz. Surely someone has told you about your snoring in the past."
"Never."
She looks at him in disbelief.
"Well I can't sleep with you, Fitz."
"And I can't sleep without you", he interjects.
She looks at him in surprise.
"I've tried, but your snoring is too much – I can't take it. I need to go back to my apartment."
"No!"
"No?"
"I mean don't go, please."
"But Fitz, I'm just tired. I need to sleep."
"I'll get help", he says desperately.
"Help? What kind of help?" Unsure of what he's suggesting.
"I'm not sure. But there are a lot of different interventions nowadays."
"Fitz, I don't want you -"
"I'll make an appointment for a consultation. I'll call Natalie today. She's an ENT. Hopefully she can get us in soon."
"Us?"
"Yes. You'll have to tell her what you're experiencing - describe my sleeping patterns."
Olivia looks uncertain.
"Come on, Liv. I don't want this to be an issue for you - for us."
""I don't know, Fitz. I need to think about it."
"Come on Liv, there's nothing to think about. Just tell Natalie what's happening." He looks at her pleadingly.
She hates when he pushes her to make a quick decision. She looks into his eyes for a moment then agrees to go with him to his appointment.
"OK", she says reluctantly, thinking she's gives in to him too often.
XXX
Fitz and Olivia sit in the chairs in front of Dr. Natalie Whisher's desk holding hands as the doctor looks at her laptop screen reviewing Fitz' medical history. Dr. Whisher looks up from the screen, removes her eyeglasses, and closely assesses Olivia's appearance. She smiles tightly, knowing this is the woman Fitz brought to the gala.
"So Fitz, according to your chart you seem to be in good health. You should know, however, that research has found that snoring not only can lead to exhaustion, headaches, and high blood pressure, it could also have more serious health effects. We should run some basic tests to get a baseline of your numbers - to see if there is an underlying issue."
"OK", squeezing Olivia's hand lightly.
"So, are you still doing the kickboxing thing?" She asks, smiling sweetly.
"Taekwondo. And whenever I can find the time."
"I remember you were really into it for a while. I started to think it was an obsession."
Not liking the flow of the conversation, Olivia slides her hand from Fitz' hand. Fitz looks at her from the corner of his eye and shifts uncomfortably in his chair.
"Well Dr. Whisher ..." He says, trying to shift the conversation back to the purpose of his appointment. "What's next, how do we find out if I have a sleep disorder?"
"Let me ask, uh …" looking at her screen again. "It's Olivia, right?"
Olivia stares at the pretentious woman and wants to slap that smirk from her face. Fitz reaches for Olivia's hand but she folds them on her lap. Dr. Whisher nods and continues.
"So, uh, Olivia. Tell me what your experience has been - when Fitz is asleep."
Olivia glances at Fitz briefly then begins.
"Well Dr. Whisher, about an hour and a half or so after he falls asleep the snoring begins. The sound is awful, most nights I have to go sleep on the sofa."
"I didn't know you were sleeping on the sofa most nights", looking at Olivia in surprise.
"I see. Can you tell me what is happening before the snoring begins?"
"Well it depends", Olivia says, reflecting on the most recent incidents. "If he gets home late, after a long surgery, and is really tired, he'll snore."
"Is his mouth open or closed when he's snoring?"
"Usually open."
Dr. Whisher nods her head as she types notes into Fitz' chart.
"Can you tell me about Fitz' sleeping position? Is he on his back? On his side?"
"Usually on his side because he likes to spoon." Olivia looks at Fitz and smiles shyly, and he smiles too.
"I remember", Dr. Whisher says softly, but loud enough for Olivia to hear.
Fitz' eyes stretch wide, shocked by Natalie's comment. Olivia stands abruptly from her seat and looks between the two of them.
"Livvie ..." Fitz reaches for her arm but she pulls away.
"Natalie, you obviously know as much as I do about Fitz' sleeping habits so why don't you answer your own damn questions." Olivia storms from the office, ignoring Fitz calling after her. He runs from the office and catches up with her at the elevator.
"Liv. Livvie", he says, somewhat out of breath.
"Why would you bring me here, to meet with a woman you used to fuck? How humiliating."
"Liv -"
He reaches for her arm and she yanks away again, glaring at him with contempt.
"For someone who is supposed to be so damn smart you're such an asshole. Are you still fucking her?"
"No! Of course not!" Shocked by the question.
"Well I'm done", she says, frantically pushing the elevator button. She needs to get away from him before she does something she might regret. "You don't have to worry about fixing your snoring problem for me because we won't be sleeping together again."
When the elevator doors open she walks in quickly and he begins to follow.
"No! You wait for the next elevator."
"Livvie, I ..."
Olivia pushes the button repeatedly to close the doors, struggling not to cry, as Fitz stands in the hall looking confused.
"Shit, shit, shit", he says through clenched teeth as the elevator doors close.
XXX
Fitz decides to give Olivia time to cool down before trying to contact her again. He knows if he pushes her to talk before she's ready she will shut down even more. But now it's been three days and he still hasn't heard from her and he is growing more anxious. He misses her because they have been inseparable since officially becoming a couple eight months ago.
Every hour on the hour for the past three hours Mrs. Teller looks out of her peephole to watch Olivia's young man sitting on the floor outside of her apartment. Finally she opens her door to put the man out of his misery.
"Psst."
Fitz groans and keeps his head bowed between his bent knees, not in the mood today to talk to the old busy-body. He performed a 10-hour surgery on a three-year-old girl and he is exhausted.
"Psst." The old woman calls to him again.
"What is it now, Mrs. Teller?" Fitz asks tiredly.
"I know where she is."
Fitz perks up and scrambles to his feet.
"Where is she? Is she okay?"
"I knew that would get your attention. I've been watching you sit out here for the past three hours. Was wondering how long you were going to wait for her."
"Mrs. Teller, please", he whines.
"You must've really messed up this time. What did you do?" She's being nosey again.
"Mrs. Teller, I don't -"
"You want to know where she is, don't you?"
Fitz sighs and tells the old woman everything that happened.
"I know you're not a stupid man, but you are a naive man." Mrs. Teller begins her lecture.
Fitz starts to protest but Mrs. Teller raises her hand to stop him.
"You are a kind and good man and you think everyone else operates from your same set of principles, but they don't. Some people are always working their agenda. Not thinking that your ex-girlfriend wouldn't be angry that you are bringing your new girlfriend to her to discuss your little sleep problem was naive of you. And put yourself in Olivia's shoes. Think how you would feel if she asked you to discuss a personal matter with an ex-boyfriend."
Mrs. Teller can see the thought bubble forming above Fitz' head.
"Now you get it", the old woman says, nodding her head and pulling her shawl around her shoulders. "Natalie was paying you back, punishing you for dumping her, and now you're surprised." She shakes her head in disbelief. "And now you may have lost Olivia too."
"Where is she Mrs. Teller? I need to apologize."
"Sometimes an apology isn't good enough. Sometimes people need to know that they've been heard. You need to really understand how Olivia must have felt when she realized she was comparing notes about you with your ex-girlfriend."
Fitz nods.
"She's in New York, on business for two more days."
"I forgot", he says, closing his eyes.
"You have to start listening with your heart, not just your ears. And you have to start speaking from your heart, not just your mouth."
"Thank you, Mrs. Teller", he yells as he rushes onto the elevator. "You're a real angel."
The old woman smiles, pulls her shawl tightly around her shoulders, and closes her door.
XXX
Olivia is glad she had this business trip to New York City scheduled because she is so angry with Fitz; she needed to get away from him for a while. She still can't believe he was so insensitive and disrespectful to have her meet with his ex-girlfriend to discuss his sleep problems.
Olivia stands in the lobby, out of the path of the hotel traffic, with her colleague and principal architect, Phil Avaya, discussing their earlier meeting with the design team. They are both excited their firm has been selected to design the new headquarters for the popular technology company in downtown Phoenix.
"Olivia, I'm really thrilled to be leading this project. Winning this contract is a coup for the firm", Phil says, placing a hand on Olivia's arm.
"I'm excited too, Phil. This is the biggest contract Stearns has ever won. This project is going to really put us on the map", she says, smiling brightly.
"Well, we should really go out and celebrate but I have to get upstairs and call Meghan. Every night she wants to update me on the wedding plans." Phil rolls his eyes as if he's bored with all of the wedding stuff, but actually he is quite anxious to hear what his fiancée has to tell him tonight.
"We'll celebrate another time. I'm a little tired and just want to get to my room and relax. Rain check?"
"Rain check. By the way, you're still coming to our wedding aren't you?"
"I wouldn't miss it for anything. I have to see the last of the bachelors actually get married."
"I love her Olivia."
Olivia smiles and the two colleagues hug and Phil pecks her on the cheek before he walks to the elevator. Olivia goes to the front desk to exchange her defective room keys then walks toward the elevator.
"Olivia."
Olivia stops in her tracks, she'd recognize that voice anywhere. She turns and comes face to face with the man who's at the center of her ire.
"What are you doing here?" She asks with an edge to her voice.
"You won't return my calls", taking a step toward her.
She takes a step back. "I have nothing to say to you", pushing the elevator button.
"Please, Liv. Can we go someplace and talk."
"Talking is over."
"Hey, Olivia. Good meeting today", Marsha and Daniella say, heading out for a night on the town based on their attire.
"It was", Olivia says to the two woman, giving them a fake smile.
"Then I'll say what I need to say right here - in this lobby. I'm sure your colleagues would love to hear what I have to say." He smirks because he knows how closely Olivia guards her privacy.
She scowls at him. "Fine. We can talk in the bar."
Fitz nods and follows Olivia as she struts toward the hotel's bar. They sit across from each other in a booth in the back of the bar. The happy hour crowd has begun to fill up the space.
"Would you like to see a menu?" The young, redhead waitress asks, looking between the two.
"No", they say in unison.
"Well, can I get you something from the bar?"
"I'll have a glass of your house Cabernet."
"And I'll have a scotch - on the rocks", Fitz says.
"I'll be back shortly with your drinks", tucking the menus under her arms as she walks away.
Olivia taps her gel-manicured nails on the table top and glares at Fitz.
"I'm sure you didn't come all this way just to stare at me", she says coldly. She knows she's being a bitch and she doesn't care. He humiliated her in front of that bitch doctor.
"I'm sorry", he says sadly.
Olivia rolls her eyes, tired of his lame apologies. The waitress returns with their drinks.
"Is there anything else I can get you?"
"No", Fitz says quickly.
The waitress nods and walks away as they each sip their drink.
"I flew across the country to apologize to you and to explain."
She looks at him blankly, determined not to make this easy for him.
"Liv, I don't want to lose you because of a -"
"Are you some kind of sick pervert?" She asks bluntly, cutting him off.
"What?" Fitz asks in shock.
"Do you get off by having women you fucked discuss you while you sit back and watch? What's next, you want to watch me and Natalie fuck?"
"You're being disgusting."
"Don't you dare try to judge me - chastise me. I'm not the pervert here!"
"Stop calling me a pervert. You know better." He yells over the music that is now way too loud.
"I don't know anything except you humiliated me and I won't forgive you for that."
"Please, Liv. Just let me explain - hear me out. After you've heard what I have to say – well if you still don't want to see me again then ..."
He shakes his head in annoyance because the music is too loud and he has to shout so she can hear him.
"We can't talk here. It's too noisy. Can we discuss this in your room?"
She eyes him for a moment, then nods.
"And you better not try anything", she snarls.
Fitz places a few bills on the table to pay for their drinks then follows Olivia back to the lobby. As the elevator ascends to the 10th floor she stands in the far-right corner with her arms folded. They ride in silence.
XXX
"Nice", he says, looking around the deluxe room.
"Sit", she says, pointing to the small, round table in the corner of the room holding local magazines, today's newspaper, the room service menu, and a couple bottles of water.
Fitz sits and crosses his legs while Olivia stands across from him with folded arms.
"Sit, Olivia. Please?"
She sits at the table across from him, strumming her fingernails on the hardwood table top.
"You're not going to make this easy for me, are you?"
Olivia glares at him.
"Olivia - Liv. I'm sorry. Please know that it was never my intention to embarrass or humiliate you." He looks at her for a moment then continues.
"Liv, my surgical cases are about solving problems. On a daily basis I have to make decisions - weighing the possibility of saving patients from slow deterioration or constant pain against the danger of making them worse. I have to be decisive inside and outside of the operating room. When I'm in the operating room a moment's hesitation can result in the loss of life. Perhaps this sometimes carries over into my personal life."
"Perhaps?"
"Liv, my snoring was a problem for you – for us - and I wanted to solve it immediately because I wanted you to stay with me – not go back to your apartment. So I came up with what I thought was the most expedient way to solve the problem. Unfortunately, I didn't think about the implications of my decision."
"Fitz, I understand that you have to be decisive when making life and death decisions, but this wasn't a life and death decision. You could have taken the time to consider other options to solve your snoring problem other than consulting with your fuck buddy." Her anger is rising again.
"Okay first, Natalie is not my fuck buddy. I have not seen her in almost a year. We had a brief relationship, a few dates actually, and it didn't work out. She wanted more and I didn't so we decided it was best to end it."
"Fitz, was the decision mutual or did you decide to end things with Natalie? Because it's quite obvious she's harboring some resentments toward you."
"Yeah, that was a surprise. I thought we were okay. I don't understand why Natalie would do such a thing." He shakes his head.
"That's my point, Fitz! You shouldn't have been surprised by Natalie's reaction – you should have expected it."
He nods his head.
"And you should have predicted how I would react when I discovered I was discussing your sleeping habits with your fuck buddy."
"Liv –"
"Don't Liv me. Don't be so damned naïve, Fitz. As you analyze the various factors for a surgical procedure you need to start analyzing the emotional fall-out of your personal decisions. I was so damn angry with you."
"Was?" He gives her a hopeful, puppy dog look.
"Don't give me that look", she says, kicking him lightly under the table.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think. I simply saw Natalie as a solution to our problem, nothing more. And Liv, I do understand how you feel. I get what you're saying. Of course you wouldn't want to discuss our personal issues with someone I dated. I just wanted to solve the problem." He slides his hand across the table and places it on top of hers.
"Good. I'm glad you get how I feel."
I found a new ENT, by the way", he says smiling.
"Good", she smiles reluctantly.
"Olivia, who was that guy kissing you in the lobby earlier?"
XXX
The clothes are discarded quickly and she lay atop him in the king-sized bed, lips fused together. She holds his face between her hands and kisses him deeply. He opens his mouth and her tongue is once again at home. He moans and squeezes her ass, his tongue now roaming the interior of her warm, wet mouth.
"I've missed you so much", she says, looking deep into his eyes.
He captures her lips again and rolls her onto her back as her juices stream down the inside of her thighs.
"I was going crazy without you", he says huskily as his lips trail down her throat. "Don't leave me again - shut me out again." His mouth is on a breast and he licks the mound like a starved man. She opens her legs and he glides the head up and down her slit, further stimulating the flow of her juices. And she moans at the slow, delicious torture.
"Protection", he exhales.
"No", holding him tightly.
He looks into her eyes and nods.
"I trust you", pulling him down. "I need to feel you – all of you."
He glides in effortlessly and they both gasp. They're flesh to flesh and the feeling is amazing. His unsheathed rod feels extraordinary.
"Oh my god, Fitz."
Completely connected they stare into each other's eyes enjoying being one again. Their eyes convey all of the love words cannot sufficiently express. She grazes her fingernails through the sides of his soft curls and pulls him down for another searing kiss. Then she smiles, her subtle signal, and they begin the slow and pleasurable ride, completely enraptured in one another.
Tonight their lovemaking is so sensual, transcending their usual coupling. It feels ethereal. The connection is as spiritual as it is physical. He strokes slowly and tenderly and she moves in kind, silently consenting to surrender their hearts to each other. Then she begins to cry because she knows this is something more. He cups her face and kisses her tears away.
"I love you", he whispers in her ear, in the dark, in her hotel room. Unplanned, unpracticed, and unscripted, and from the heart.
He slides his hands under her bottom, lifting her to meet his thrusts. Her breasts bounce as he thrusts vigorously.
"Oh my god, Fitz. Oh my god. Don't stop. Please, please don't stop."
"You like that, Livvie? Tell me you like it." His veins strain against his forearms as he holds her and thrusts.
"Yes. Yes."
His swollen head teases her spot and she arches higher, beckoning him to hit it, needing him to hit it. Beads of sweat dot her forehead and her mouth hangs open.
"Deeper, Fitz. Harder", she pleads.
He rests his forehead on hers and strokes deeply. His eyes are shut tightly and his mouth is slightly agape as he thrusts harder and goes deeper. Then he hits it and she screams out in ecstasy.
He lowers her onto the bed and kisses her open mouth, and then begins to work on his pleasure. His rapid pumping transitions to long, deep, rhythmic strokes and he feels like he's on top of the world. He doesn't want to cum but he wants to cum. His sac tightens and he thinks if he died right now, in this moment, everything would be okay. He gasps unexpectedly and releases, flowing endlessly into her channel.
"My god, my god", he screams, squeezing her tightly.
She holds him tightly and they kiss and he continues to grind slowly as he softens, relishing the last of his pleasure. Their hearts pound against each other's chest; they're vibrating. Her legs fall from his waist, onto the no longer crisp white sheets, and he slumps onto her. He's breathing heavily, unable to speak, and seemingly unable to move.
"That was …" She's grinning broadly, rubbing circles on his ass.
"Phenomenal."
Laying on their side, face to face, he drapes his long leg over her hip.
"Now kiss me."
Pre-dawn
Fitz wears only his boxers as he sits in the contemporary, wing-backed chair situated adjacent to the bed and watches her sleep. He marvels at the woman who has changed him forever. Having no contact with her for the past three days has him off his game and his colleagues have noted as much. He has been distracted and unorganized. He's been grumpy and short with the staff, throwing surgical tools across the operating room when the surgical nurse handed him the #10 scalpel he requested when he needed a #8.
He runs his hand through his hair thinking he cannot continue on like this, dividing his mind between work and her. His work has been getting the short end of the stick lately. Hell, he'd even canceled a surgery to fly across the country to try to win her back. He barely recognizes the man he has become. He wonders if she realizes how much she controls him. He has to get his shit together.
She snores lightly, interrupting his reverie, and he smiles. She would deny until the end of time that she snores too. He looks at the clock on the nightstand and shakes his head. It's 12:45 AM in Phoenix. He should be asleep, but here he sits in the dark gazing at the woman he cannot seem to function properly without, gazing at her like a lovesick teenager.
Having her move in with him will solve his problem, at least alleviate his anxiety about losing her, and allow him to focus on work again. He decides to ask her again to move in with him when they return to Phoenix. He yawns, knowing he needs to get some sleep, so he crawls into bed behind her and snakes his arm under her arm and cups her bare breast. He nuzzles his face into her neck and inhales deeply, loving the scent of her hair, of her.
"Fitz?" She says half asleep.
"Go back to sleep", he says softly, pulling her closer. In that moment he knew that his heart has been lost to her forever.
XXX
The week-long architectural design meetings are scheduled to end at noon today and Olivia hopes they can wrap up things early so she and Fitz can explore New York City. While Olivia is at her meetings Fitz stays at the hotel and tries to get some work done. He sits at the small, round table and pulls his laptop from his leather satchel and reviews the case he rescheduled while he waits for room service to deliver his breakfast. The surgery would be pretty routine, although long. He closes the file, returns the laptop to his satchel, and reaches for his phone and calls Cyrus.
As Cyrus Beene sits in his office at Children's Hospital, he is more than a little miffed after learning the errant Dr. Grant canceled a surgery that has been on the schedule for months. He is further enraged when he is informed that Dr. Grant will be out of the office for the next three days.
Cyrus sucks in a roomful of air and his body swells, causing him to look like one of those oversized balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He's tried to be patient with the younger doctor but he has gone too far. Things are getting out of control. Dr. Grant is getting out of control. Something has to be done. Cyrus looks down at his ringing phone and taps the phone icon.
"Where the hell are you, Dr. Grant?" Cyrus roars into the phone.
"Good morning to you, too, Chief Beene", trying to make light of the matter but failing miserably.
"I don't have time for pleasantries when my head surgeon starts canceling procedures without notice. Do you know how much your little disappearing act is costing this hospital? We had a whole surgical team ready to go and you call out fucking sick. Did you think about the family - how they would react to the last-minute change?"
"I'm sorry, Cyrus. I had a personal matter that needed my immediate attention."
"Who is she?"
"What?"
"Is it the woman you brought to the gala? Is she the reason you've been walking around here with your head up your ass this past week?"
"Cyrus -"
"Don't Cyrus me, damn it! Something or someone has you off of your game lately. You need to get your shit together before things get too far out of control. Do you understand, Dr. Grant?"
"Yes."
"Fine. We'll discuss this further when you return to Phoenix."
Cyrus disconnects the call and Fitz sits at the table looking dumbfounded. He really has to get his shit together.
XXX
Olivia's meeting ends at 12:30, a little later than she hoped, but on the bright side Fitz is waiting for her back at the hotel.
"Hey, Olivia. We saw you last night with that fine specimen of a man. You go, girl", Marsha says as she and Daniella stroll by the conference room, giving her a knowing look.
Olivia blushes as she hurries from the conference room and down to the street to catch a cab back to the hotel. She slides her card key into the lock, enters the room, and smiles when she hears the shower. She slips out of her clothes and walks into the steam-filled bathroom and slides open the shower door, startling Fitz.
"I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to scare you. I just thought you could use a little help", she says, smiling mischievously.
"I can always use your help, Livvie", giving her that stupid smirk she loves so much.
He bends down and gives her the kiss that always takes her breath away, then he reaches down and strokes her pocket, and she begins to moan.
"I'm going to teach you a lesson for sneaking up on me", thrusting his finger in and out of her heat.
She lifts her leg onto the bench, giving him more access and he strokes her nub until she gasps and slumps against his chest.
"Now if you don't mind Miss Pope, I would like to finish my shower."
XXX
After a day of touring the Big Apple Olivia and Fitz return to the hotel and start packing their bags to head back to Phoenix tomorrow. Fitz has been silent since they returned to their room from dinner.
"Babe, are you okay? You've been quiet since we got back from dinner."
"I'm fine, Olivia."
Her antennae go up. Something is definitely wrong if he is using the O word. She walks behind him and wraps her arms around his waist as he stares out the window.
"What's the matter, babe? Tell me." She runs her hand up and down his chest soothingly. He shakes his head.
"Tell me", she says softly, kissing his back. His body is tense.
"I've been distracted, not focused", running a hand through his hair.
She freezes because she knows what that means.
"Fitz ..."
"Cyrus wants to kick my ass, again. I've canceled surgeries that have been on the schedule for months. I can't go into that room - not like this. It's unfair to the children and their families, Liv."
"Fitz ..."
"I'm finding it increasingly difficult to compartmentalize - to separate my professional life and my personal life these days. You've changed me Miss Pope." He smiles weakly.
She looks up at him with trembling lips.
"I love you, Liv, more than anything. You're on my mind all the damn time."
She wraps her arms tightly around his waist and rests her head on his back. They stand like that, in silence, for a few minutes.
"Come back to me, Livvie."