A Match to remember
Chapter 10
WHAT
Both Olivia and Fitz were looking forward to their last night before the trip to meet his family. They talked with Marcus and Mary and decided they would all carpool with Fitz …that way they could have that needed discussion in the privacy of the car. If they needed a car Fitz had a car and a truck…. they could use his car.
They both wanted to make this night one to remember because they did not know when they would get another chance to be as free with each other.
One freedom Olivia loved was looking at his naked body and Fitz did not have any shame in having it on full display. She took her time…...not knowing when she would get another chance …...tracing along his tattoos…again asking him to explain them to her.
She started tracing the drawings from his arms across his chest to his groin. Fitz twitched as her fingers moved lower and lower. Olivia stopped her movements just below his abs where the drawings ended. "Why did you stop here?" she asked as she continued to trace down his V point to the drawings on his legs. "'Because it's a tad tender in that spot for a tattoo pen."
Olivia continued to rub her fingers in a circular fashion… Fitz smiling and flinching as Olivia replaced her fingers with kisses.
"Are you teasing Ms. Pope?"
"Nope…. you said certain spots are sensitive I just want to see how sensitive."
Olivia continued to kiss along his chest as she traced her fingers down his leg.
"Ms. Pope you are teasing …."
"Don't you like it?"
"I love it but there is only so much I can take before I demand equal time."
"You can have as much equal time as you wish for as long as wish "Olivia responded as she continued to place kisses along his chest.
Fitz tried to change the conversation to focus on something else
"I am thinking about adding a new one…"
"what kind?"
"just the year 2017,"
"I thought each one has its own special meaning….…what's the special meaning with 2017?"
Fitz started to run his fingers along her abdomen
"Now look who is teasing."
"Its not teasing if it's my way of showing you what I am going to do to you later…. Now. back to the new tattoo…. maybe I should just add Olivia…...that's more to the point…. it would explain everything no questions no doubt about the meaning."
"sounds great unless something goes wrong between you and Olivia."
Fitz moved his hands lower…" Olivia I don't intend to let anything to go wrong."
"Fitz sometimes things just don't happen like we want them to… no matter how much we may want things to be different."
"Olivia…...tonight no negative thought…...I accept tonight as the first day of the rest of our lives…let's treat it that way not as a maybe but as a certainty."
Fitz stroked across the top of her mound … this move signaled her to open her legs…she complied willingly.
He moved to take her breast in his mouth as he rubbed along her folds slipping one finger into her as he opened her outer lips with his fingers. "relax and enjoy this…. Let me show you why I will never let you go and why you will never want me to leave."
Olivia relaxed and let the enjoyment from the foreplay take over…. the bad would always be there …. now was the time to enjoy the good…as his fingers began to slide into her it was not just a good the feelings …it was a great feeling…. absolutely without comparison and the night was still young. She did not have to fantasize about what could happen she could relax and let it happen. Maybe she would also fulfill a few of his fantasies.
Both were not in rush to start the day. So many reasons to stay in bed not many for getting up but both knew it was necessary.
Olivia called Marcus and they decided to meet for breakfast at 10am…... they would finalize the trip then.
Fitz was busy getting his clothes ready when Olivia walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him laying her head on his back.
"I hate this…. I don't want to lose us to the world…I just wish we could stay here forever."
"So, do I but think you are closer to me now since you are not returning to DC."
"Still a lot of miles between us. I'm going to miss not waking up next to you. It's only been two days, but it already feels like something I have been doing a lifetime."
"Olivia we will work on that I'm not going anywhere, and I am not going to let you get away, not again…. we will figure out what we want to do….…ok. It's either Chicago or Iowa… we will decide where we want to settle."
'" Fitz what if your family don't like me…. they may think it's too soon for us to think of building a life together…we have only known each other a couple of months…...most of that time we have been apart."
Fitz began to rub Olivia's arms "I want my family to like you, but I will not let them put a time on how long we have to know each other before we know that person is the one. If they make life in Iowa impossible then Chicago it is. With you opening your new firm Chicago may be the obvious place for us to settle."
"Fitz…. Iowa is your home …. it's were your roots are planted…your entire family lives there. Me I don't have those deep roots so picking up and resettling is easy for me because it's what I have done the past ten years."
"Olivia you are trying to solve problems before there are problems …lets see how this goes. … …. You have met Mary and she loves you. Let's not create a problem or anticipate one. I can't imagine they would not like you because I love you."
"Love Mr. Grant?"
"Yes love Ms. Pope and the way you were lusting over my body last night there is no way in hell you will easily give it up."
"It's not your mind that is the attraction …...not your conversation…not those dreamy blue eyes…. not that mess of curly hair…... it's your body…is that what you are saying."
"'All those except the conversation are parts of my body…. I'm talking about another part…the part you left out."
Olivia started to kiss his back as she moved her hands down his chest to his groin softly stroking him…."'Are you saying this part…...this is the part that will keep me in your life?"
"All I'm saying I am willing to use everything to keep us together. I remember every moan every…... sexual utterance from the last two nights …. mine and yours. I am not willing to easily give up the last two nights or the first day we met. "
…...why are you so sure about everything Fitz?"
"Olivia finding you again against all odds was an impossible task that became possible. Usually I would have not been in those seats the first day, …, I recognized your jacket while I was sitting in the food court and later I saw it in the stadium. I told you I was on a beer run but I was looking for you…. that was pure luck in a stadium that holds 23k… a venue spread over 46 acres that has the capacity of 40k+. day. I knew you were somewhere in the stadium. I remembered the seats from the first day and I hoped you were sitting in the same seats again…. I went to the general area hoping I would see you and I did. The coat I recognized…... what if you had worn a different coat….…we were meant to be. I say fate brought us together and our love will keep us together."
"Love… there is that love comment again?"
"Yes love….what I feel for you goes beyond like so it must be love" Fitz wrapped his arms around Olivia and began to pepper her neck and face with kisses "…what about you …a little like I hope if not I have enough to share until you catch up."
"It's a strong like, very strong like..."
"Very strong like…. I can work with that…. I intend to work on deepening that strong like over the next few days.".
Fitz hugged her closer…..." we got this…no doubts no loud silent thinking …we got this…. It will work."
"What about Mary and Marcus?"
"What about them Olivia…?"
"You are comfortable with us acknowledging our friendship what about them…...…what if they want to become a couple?"
Fitz wrapped his arms around her…" then they should Olivia …it's not up to us it's up to them…isn't it?"
Olivia grabbed his arms as she rested her head against his chest "nope Fitz it's not all on them it's also on your family and friends. You said you were not willing to deny our relationship…that I am able to accept but what about Mary. Like it or not society has different rules for men and women. Where we will stay during our visit. ….. our interaction …your family and friends will be looking at everything and especially looking close at Mary and Marcus. We have to handle our time together in a way that will not put a spotlight on them."
"What are you saying Olivia?"
"I'm saying we should make our first meeting with your family and friends as neutral as possible…...as friends not as lovers."
"Olivia, I told you I am not willing to hide you or hide my feelings for you."
"We would not be hiding we would be making the best first impression possible as we build a long-term relationship with your family."
"When did you decide all this, I thought I kept you busy with other things last night?"
"You did …...it's just some thoughts I just finally put them together."
"You are worried about Mary's reputation…what about yours?"
"Fitz…. I'm worried about all our reputations …. but Marcus and I will leave…. you two will remain. I don't want anything to happen that will cause a problem…... I hope we will someday return."
"There are few guarantees in life, but I can guarantee you will return to Iowa."
"And how can you guarantee that?"
"You will come back to inspect my new tattoo and I want you to come back, so I can show it to you."
"The tattoo…that's your draw?"
"You tell me …you spent over an hour admiring them last night. Wasn't that your original interest in me. Just a guess…am I right?"
"Partially…. when I first saw you and Jake coming up the stairs I wondered how two handsome men could mar their bodies like that. When I saw … the tattoos and the muscle shirts. I though you two were "easy rider wannabees" …. bad boy bikers. Remember Jake's hair was all jelled and sticking up like spikes. I expected you to insult everyone around you. I was totally impressed by your easy manner …. you even said goodbye when you left. That is one reason I responded when you spoke the next day. You were so polite…. so soft spoken..."
"You assumed…?"
"Guilty…
"I spoke because I had been sneaking looks all day…...I wanted to look into your eyes …I wanted to hear your voice. As for Jake's hair and our dress…. we dressed like that to shock others in the courtside seats….it was our way of acting out.
"You did get my attention."
Olivia continued to trace her fingers along the vine running across his shoulder and down his chest.
"I just love the path of the vine as it moves from your arm down your chest and from your leg up, up and up. ….… the vine is like a Picasso…One never gets tired of looking at a work of beauty."
"I thought you felt why would such handsome men mar their bodies."
"That was before I saw the entire canvas."
"That's the reason I know you will be back …you have exclusive rights to view my tattoos anytime and I expect you to use those rights as much as possible."
"Fitz you are shameless…. are you saying I have the exclusive rights to view your body?"
"yes, view my body and use it as much and as often as you wish. Use any part of my body that you wish…anytime you wish."
"That may require a permanent place for me in Iowa or a permanent place for you in Chicago."
Fitz took her face between his hands and kissed her "Ms. Pope that is something that is easily arranged just say the word and by next spring one of us will have relocated."
"If only we could live our lives from this room the world seems so much simpler here, but the wicked world awaits Fitz…. let's get this trip on the road."
The two had a shower then met Mary and Marcus for breakfast.
"Hi you two…. we have been here two days, and this is the first time we have seen each other." Mary said as she hugged Oliver and then her brother.
The four settled in for breakfast keeping the conversation light in case there were ears, or prying eyes, on them. After breakfast Marcus and Fitz went to get the bags while Mary went with Olivia to check out of their rooms. They guys dropped the ladies off to do some shopping while they returned the rental car.
Olivia looked at shopping in Mary's basket…. two boxes of condoms. 'Mary really" ….
" Olivia I would guess you picked up a couple of boxes while you were out yesterday. Don't rain on my pleasure parade. "
The two giggled like schoolgirls hiding their faces with their hands. "All I will say is anyone who makes negative comment just don't know... If they knew if they only knew."
"Fitz is correct you really say what you think Mary…that's good."
"So how many boxes did you buy?"
"Mary a lady never tells but I brought two boxes with me and bought two more yesterday. I guess by telling my lady badge has been revoked..."
"Olivia trust me the last thing most men want in the bedroom is a lady."
The two gathered their shopping and were still giggling when the guys drove up "What are you two so happy about?"
Olivia mimicked zipping her lips "A lady never tells." That brought another round of giggles from the ladies.
"Marcus this is what we have to look forward to for the next two hours."
When the guys returned the "discussion" began in the parking lot...
Fitz, Marcus and Olivia wanted to keep things as neutral as possible not to bring too much attention to the two couples when they returned home. The ladies would ride in the rear the men in front. The same when they got home…either both would stay with Fitz, who had the room or Olivia would stay with Mary, Marcus with Fitz... Mary would not agree at all she looked at the three like they were spacemen, with three heads.
"Look. you three...I am not going to hide Marcus…I am an adult and if he says it's ok I am either going back to DC with him or back to Chicago with Olivia. I am leaving Iowa for Chicago, by way of DC or straight to Chicago."
Neither Marcus, Fitz of Olivia said anything
"Marcus told me about the new firm…I know I can be of use… if not I will get a job as a teacher. Chicago is a big city I am sure I can find something. Unless Marcus doesn't want me around I am not going along with being politically correct, Iowa style, …... the boys, and girls, staying together and sitting together …. it's a waste of time and effort..."
"Olivia, Marcus it's going to be a long ride home. You can see my sister doesn't accept. being pigeonholed."
The four stood there next to the car until Fitz gave in. "Ok sis let's talk while we ride."
Mary continued "Let's call a truce…...…let Olivia drive I will ride up front with her you and Marcus take the back … we can talk about our plans. Olivia can you drive on the highway…. Fitz give Olivia your keys. "
Fitz gave Olivia a look "Are you sure you can handle this car…?"
Olivia got into the driver's seat without a comment indicating she could handle it and she could drive on the highway.
Fitz reluctantly agreed as he and Marcus settled in the back seats, Olivia in the driver's seat with Mary riding shotgun, an apt description …the atmosphere in the car was frigid. To raise the temperature a little Olivia turned to Mary after adjusting the rear view mirror and seats and said….."'now let me see if I remember….keep the car between the double white line and the shoulder…..right of the double white lines and to the left of the shoulder and don't go in the ditch…right….…alright which way do I go?"
That made all four laugh and eased the tension in the car. Mary directed Olivia on to the highway as the two couples talked among themselves with the person in the seat next to them.
Mary turned in her seat, so she could look at both men in the rear as she spoke.
"Fitz, Olivia I know you both are concerned about our reputation and so am I. My question to Marcus do you want me in your life….do you want me to have a permanent place in your life?"
"Mary, we have known each other for over a month…we talk every night. We have grown to know each other over that time because we have talked about everything. We have jelled. I want you in my life, but I don't want to create a problem for you. If I had been thinking with my big head I would have invited, you to Chicago which would have made more sense now that I think about it… Some may think we haven't know each other long enough…some may think we don't have anything in common, but I want to give us a try…... whatever happens I am going to settle in Chicago unfortunately I don't think I have the genes for farming.…... We can have a long-distance romance, or we can stay in Chicago together. I haven't talked to Olivia about us sharing the house with her. Since we will be in this car together for the next two hours this is the perfect time …...We are all together now with no outside chatter… Liv?"
Olivia had been listening to the conversation and joined when Marcus asked her a question…. Fitz remained silent.
"The house can easily accommodate three of us…it has three floors and enough bedrooms if we are worried about aesthetics. Mary can work with us or she can follow her training as a teacher. ... We still need hands to set up the office and Mary is a teacher, so she should be able to fill a lot of roles. Later if she chooses she can stay on with us or find other employment. She is welcome to stay with us until she decides …... stay with us or go off on her own... That's my input…. Fitz?"
"Olivia, Marcus you all have been honest, and I will not do any less."
"Mary you are my sister…younger sister…I want you to be happy but most of all I want you to be with someone who deserves you. You are talking about moving to a new city…. alone…. if things don't work out I don't want you to leave things at home in a way you alienate the family and you would find it hard to come back."
Mary bristled when Fitz talked about being alone
"Fitz, I resent you treating me like a baby, but I am also glad to know you are so protective of me. You are wrong I would not be alone. I have watched you and Olivia. I have seen you change the past two months, change for the good. I see how you look at her now. I saw how you looked at her in Chicago. …how could you feel that the woman that has captured your heart would not look out for me….…I would not be alone. Life and love does not come with guarantees... If we want this to work, Mary pointed between her and Marcus, it's on us to make it work that is something we must work on. If we both want it, we should be willing to put forth the effort to make it work.
Mary reached back over the seat for her brother's hand…...
"50% of marriages don't work but that doesn't stop people from getting married. I want to try to build a solid relationship with Marcus …...if he is willing so am I. I don't want to look back with regret… A good relationship is part hard work and part luck... Look what almost happened to you and Olivia it's only luck that you two found each other again and connected …. look what you two would had missed if not for luck now you guys have a lot of hard work ahead. "
"If I had not answered your phone that night Olivia called I don't think you would have ever discussed her with me. My meeting Marcus was pure luck now we must do the hard work to make it work. If we want it… it will happen because there isn't anyone who can make it not happen except us.
Fitz settled back in his seat realizing everything Mary had said was true. Knowing now what he could have easily missed his chance of a life with Olivia... ….
They rode for a while, the car quiet …the only sound the hum of the car wheels against the pavement. Finally, Mary spoke up.
"I understand what you are saying about not burning my bridges. Olivia can stay with me…... Marcus can stay with you and I won't make any permanent moves before the holidays…. ok?"
FITZ shook his head in disagreement….
"are you saying no"
"yes, I'm saying no to your sleeping arrangements."
"What's wrong with the arrangements?"
"nothing other than Olivia and I are in two different houses."
"Big brother I am just as protective of Olivia's reputation as you are about mine…. I want her reputation to be as intact when she returns as mine."
"How do you know she will return?"
"Fitz, I have never seen the look on your face as I see when you look at Olivia. I know you will not let her get away…even if the return is only to bring the grandchildren to see their grandparents."
"Whoa…. Grandchildren" … Both Olivia and Fitz said at once….
"Olivia I'm sorry as I told you my sister doesn't have a filter."
"Marcus should we make a wager I bet these two will be married by spring, or sooner. If you two love each other why wait?"
"Mary" …Olivia said…" we have only known each other for two months…this is the first time we have spent any time together."
"How long do you have to know each other to know that person is the one. Don't you believe in that Grant gut feeling. How well do you think most divorced couples knew each other? You both know going in you will have to work a little harder which may be a good thing. You may be part of the 50% of successful marriages because you know it will take an effort and maybe… just maybe…. you will be willing to make that effort."
"Mary where did you get all this wisdom when I wasn't looking?"
"From my big brother."
Olivia looked at Fitz in the rear-view mirror and smiled…...knowing Mary was right all he could do was return the smile.
Marcus spoke up…."so we are handling this as we are just friends."
With everyone remaining silent he took that as a yes.
"Ok friends now…. when do me make our move to more than friends….?"
"During the visit Olivia could offer Mary a job as her office manager that should give us both room to maneuver."
"Fitz we are adults we should not have to maneuver our feelings."
"In a perfect world you are correct, but we have to live in a world that is. I want a life with Olivia…. I want to be her husband…...the father of the children you have so adeptly given us…...…Olivia will be a part of my life and I also want her to be an important part of our family. Our decision to be together will not be based on how the family feels about us right now…... but years from now when family photos are taken, and lineage is discussed I want our children to be part of that discussion and in those photos. I am not sure how Olivia's family feels about her marrying me…. our marriage is not one sided with one family's feeling being more important than the others."
Olivia interrupted Fitz…..." this is the second time I have been married off and I never got to say anything."
"Olivia…. We can solve that …. will you marry me?"
The car went silent
"Olivia Pope…. will…... you…... marry… me…... Fitzgerald Grant?"
The car was still silent as Olivia gripped the steering wheel
Mary leaned forward to try to look at Olivia hoping not to make her lose control of the car "Olivia would you give my brother an answer."
Olivia looked at Fitz in the rear mirror "that's not the most romantic proposal I have ever heard of…...…not the way I ever envisioned being proposed to."
"Ms. Pope it may not be the most romantic, but it is the sincerest and the best I could do on short notice. "
Olivia looked at the road to make sure it was clear then looked in the mirror at Fitz…..." Yes"
"WTF…...we spent an hour hashing out a plan then you two just blew it all up in 30 seconds …. what now?" Marcus threw up his hands.
'Mary…look for a place for me to pull over… where we can figure this out …we just destroyed plan A now we need plan B and possibly C.
Mary saw a sign for a rest area…while a restaurant was a better choice they needed privacy…plenty of privacy.
The four got out of the car, Marcus, Mary and Fitz leaning against it, Olivia pacing
Mary looked from Olivia to Fitz to Marcus…." it's easy just tell the truth. You met Olivia…you fell in love…you lost contact then reconnected. You decided you will not chance losing her again, so you proposed…the truth simple."
The four looked at each other…. all finally realizing the truth worked…no evasions nothing to hide...
"Mary, we came up with plan A because we were trying to protect you and Olivia."
"Fitz that horse has left…and your proposal will save me…. there will be such an interest in your quick engagement they will forget about me…. wow saved by the truth."
"Olivia …. I hope this does not feel like a shotgun wedding."
"Nope not a shotgun wedding but it does feel like a shotgun engagement."
The group laughed, each shaking their head. '
"Olivia stop walking" Fitz said as she walked pass him again. "Are you sure about this …is this what you want?"
"Is this what I want….is this what you want you asked me remember."
"Hell, yes it's what I want …if possible we would get married as soon as possible."
"So, lets do it…we can get the marriage license Monday and you guys can be married by Wednesday. We have two days to plan the wedding…let's do this." Mary clapped her hands.
'Wait…...Wait…" Olivia said he hand in the air. "This is moving too fast."
"What's too fast…next week, next month in three months if you are getting married later why not sooner…. what is the holdup?"
Olivia and Fitz looked at each other and agreed…." let's do it…let's get married."
Mary hugged Olivia Fitz shook Marcus' hand just as another car pulled into the rest area ...
Seeing who was in the other car…. Mary looked at Fitz….". I think we are going to need a plan D."