A Match to remember
Chapter 17
The first argument … Root Beer
Olivia struggled into the house with bags that contained todays ingredients for dinner. She needed to make two trips but she was determined to make one. Her being here was a double surprise for Fitz….first with her being here early…she was expected this weekend and making dinner today. The plan was to prepare a meal that was not 75% animal protein.
. Fitz was not expecting her back until the weekend and she was going to do her best to prepare a meal he would enjoy that was not a cookie cutter of his daily meals..
She saw Fitz' car so she knew he was at home. Sitting her bags on the table she was about to call to him when she saw takeout, flowers, wine and a jewelry box on the table. Why would Fitz have all the things he needed for an intimate dinner, including jewelry, … she was in Chicago.
She saw him walking into the room …"' I heard the door I thought you were not coming in until Friday…. that was the last thing you said before you ended the call this morning." He walked up to Olivia and gave her a hug.
"Are you disappointed…. Is my being here early a problem for you ….maybe a surprise you do not want?" She waved her hand towards the items on the dining room table " It seems you are expecting company …..did you invite Hazel to take my place?"
"you surprised us….we just got out of the shower….She's already here in the bedroom."
"That comment is not coming across as intended or accepted as expected …Mr. Grant…. Would you accept the same comment if I made it to you in Chicago?"
"Come on Olivia I was just kidding."
"Kidding about another woman in my bedroom when l am not expected for another week….flowers, wine, take-out and jewelry on the table….this not a good way to keep a long-distance marriage on a sound footing."
"What's wrong ….is this our fight…if so I will go back into the bedroom and come back in again."
Fitz released Olivia and walked out of the room …. counted to ten then returned to the living room to start the unexpected reception with his wife all over again.
No seeing Olivia in the living room he went into the kitchen expecting to find her unpacking the bags…. but only saw the bags she was carrying earlier. "Olivia where are you…. come on I'm sorry? Fitz checked every room…no Olivia. He checked the porch and backyard nothing. When he headed back towards the open front door he wondered how she got past him. Walking into the living room still thinking he was talking to Olivia who had to be somewhere in the house he said "I have something special for you, a treat I am sure you will love "…. before he said more he cut short his next sentence when he saw his brother John standing in the doorway.
"What's the special treat or wasn't that comment made with me in mind?"
Fitz walked past John…. did you see Olivia
"Yes… I just passed her on the road she said she was going for beer, so I waved her on. Its not like you to ever run low on beer Fitz. That's why I stopped I knew I would find something cold here but since your frig is empty too I guess I'll stop at mom's…. dad always has some in the frig in the barn. Do you at least have something cold except water that will hold me over until I get there?" … John opened the refrigerator door to see the refrigerator stocked full of their favorite beer. Grabbing one he returned to see his brother walking through the house shaking his head.
"There is beer here I wonder why she said she was going for beer?
John watched his brothers face turn from a furrowed brow to desperation.
"What way was she headed?"
"Towards town…. to the store …or moms or anywhere else down that road."
Going back into the house he pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket and dialed Liv's number. It went to voice mail after the first ring. He tried again…same thing. He called his mom to see if she was there …." Olivia she wouldn't be here now aren't you expecting her this weekend?"
It was then he remembered the comments they had exchanged. Olivia thinks I have another woman. He looked at the flowers the bottle of wine and the take-out meal on the table. WTF.
OPOV
Olivia loved Fitz and she knew he was a real catch from those blue eyes which changed to grey when he was aroused to his mass of curly hair. She would only secretly admit to herself she was jealous of him…she believed he loved her but then "what's love got to do with it?"
She is two years older …that of course created its own doubts…he is a real hunk…. Her mind started to spin with thoughts everywhere….how many of the women they interacted with here were old sexual conquest of his. Who was the woman he was planning on entertaining tonight.
She knew if she had been in his circle and he asked her once he would not have had to ask twice. Not considering herself an easy lay…. but for him she would have considered it. He smelled good…. whatever after shave or cologne he wore melded with his body odor….He smelled like all man all the time. She was in love with him, but she knew he had to have some effect on other women because he had them on her….
She had seen them looking at him …like he was that bead of sweat running down the side of a cold glass of water on a hot day. Today she decided to surprise him and what did she discover…. take-out, wine, jewelry and flowers …. the four headed hydra all that was missing was a bed and the house has three.
She was just driving…not knowing where she was going but she had to get out of Iowa…. away from Fitz. They had been married under six months and already he was taking auditions for her replacement. She found herself sitting at a crossroad surrounded by everything green with someone knocking on her window….it was a Grant…of course who else … it one of his uncles ,...Harry Grant ….,the mixologist.
"Do you know you almost wiped me out about two miles back. I have been following you every since."
Olivia looked out her window at a smile and a pair of Grant eyes looking back at her…. The facial expression showing some concern.
"Move over let me drive you where ever you are going …otherwise you and some other Grant are going to end up in the ER…. where to?"
Olivia just gave him a blank stare.
"Tell you what …. I'm headed about twenty miles to check our dairy operation…. ride with me I need the company. We will take your car because I always wanted to drive one of these big expensive foreign cars and now is my chance."
"What about your car?" she asked
"I'll call one of my nephews… someone will pick it up and take it to my house I'll tell them it stopped and I hitched a ride on a comet…..smile that's in reference to your driving…... This truck is in the shop more than it's on the road but it's my baby."
Olivia looked at Harry trying to figure things out but two things the Grant men had in common …eyes the color of water around a Pacific Lagoon and a smile that said trust me. It was a no-brainer she lost the fight the moment Harry stopped. In addition… she needed the distraction .
"They know if I call for something it's important. Stop worrying so much…. now come on around and sit … let me have a drive this machine." Harry walked around the car and opened the front passenger door for Olivia…
." If you feel better, you can sit in the back and call yourself Ms. Daisy, but I will not let you tell me how fast to drive. Come on ride with me, I'm driving, I would appreciate the company."
About ten minutes earlier
Harry …. was on his way to one of the weekly checks on the farm made by one of the brothers. This week it was his turn to check the family's two satellite dairy operations and the main barn. He was sitting in one of the pull off spot he often stopped when he was in the area…. It reminded him of his childhood, the parts that did not include 14 hours days planting, maintaining or harvesting their crops. He would bake in the 100 summer heat and freeze in November when the northern winds came early . ...
Once this deserted crossroad area had a small grocery store that sold the best rock candy he ever tasted. The store sold everything the people in the area needed in between their visits to the main town over thirty miles away. Often he and his brothers would walk the five miles from home, to the store, after their evening chores. Sometimes the ladies who lived nearby would leave a list of something they needed for the next day hanging in the mailbox. No money was exchanged the bill was settled at the end of the week…..….. They were sometimes surprised by a couple of coins that were wrapped in the note to say thanks… The Grant family developed a reputation of being helpful and honest. Something that would really count later as those around them sold their land and wanted to deal with someone they considered both fair and a friend.
It was also the place the local Greyhound bus once stopped twice daily, east bound in the morning west bound in the evening…. once a week the passenger train stopped there rather than take the riders thirty miles down the road…..sitting here brought back memories, good and bad.
His phone rang it was favorite niece Mary….his favorite because she was named for his wife …
"Mary my favorite niece?"
"Yes ….my favorite uncle."
"is this a friendly call or do you need my expertise?"
"Friendly and expertise"
He could hear the concern in his niece's voice, but he did not ask questions he just listened for what was coming next.
"Uncle Harry …. Where are you?"
"I'm at the old Coy crossroad about to head north to the dairy…what can I do for you?"
"Did you see Olivia?"
"Olivia….is she here now I thought she was coming in on Friday…"
"Nope she drove down earlier today"
"so why are you looking for her …where are you?"
"I'm in Chicago."
"Why are you looking for her…is something wrong …isn't she answering her phone?
"she and Fitz had a slight problem, and she is not answering her phone. She called me about 30 minutes ago to tell me she made it…Fitz just called saying they had a problem and she left."
"What kind of problem…..physical?"
"Nope it's not like that…she came home …. she saw some flowers, take out and wine and she thinks it was for another woman."
"Take out, wine and flowers…. where?"
"On the table in their house…"
"And she shouldn't think this why?"
"Because it's not true."
"Niece…. if Mary walked into our house and saw the same thing you just described I know she would think the same thing. Right now, you would be visiting me at the hospital…. or worse."
"But Uncle Harry …she never gave him time to explain."
"Yes, women do seem to add 2+2 and get 10…what can I do for you?"
"If you see her call and let me know…please."
"Did they have an argument?"
"No… no argument ."
"Anything physical happened?"
"Of course, not…."
"Was he planning an evening with another woman?"
" NO…..he has …he has the woman he wants .."
"So why the flowers, wine and takeout if not to share with another woman?"
"The takeout was for him tomorrow. The flowers and wine are Olivia's favorite if she couldn't be here at least he could enjoy his meal with things that reminded him of her."
"Sounds logical….how did you find all this out?"
"Fitz told me when he called to see if she had called me."
"And you believe him."
"Of course I believe him… I am not the family member to lie to."
… if I see her I will call you…is she still driving that fancy foreign car?
"Yes. And probably too fast since she is agitated. I suspect she is somewhere turned around trying to find the main highway to get back here.""
"OK…I will call you if I see her"…. just as Harry was about to end the conversation a Black Mercedes sped past…it was Olivia.
"Call and tell Fitz to sit still for a minute and don't get everyone's dandruff up. Before he puts out an SOS give it a minute. She may just need a little time to figure out the most painful way of killing him and then hiding the body."
"Uncle Harry this is serious."
Harry shook his head…."Mary 25 miles in any direction is a Grant house so someone will see her…. Tell Fitz to give her another 30 minutes and if you haven't heard from her, or you, I'll start the search myself."
Back to the present…Olivia in the car with Harry heading to the dairy.
The two droves in silence for a time …. he ignored his phone the first two time it rang but answered the third. He hated driving and talking on the phone…..the car had blue tooth capabilities but his phone and this car was not paired so he knew he had to pull over if he was going to talk any length of time.
"Hello"
Olivia could not hear the caller but could identify the caller from the answers from Harry…" Hi Mary what's up niece…make it short I'm driving and talking."
"Have I seen Olivia yet?"
"'Have I seen Olivia today?" he looked at Olivia she was shaking her head.
"I am sure she is ok…..it's impossible to leave without one Grant spotting her…. Did you call Fitz and tell him to give her some room…give her another hour …. …. If I see her I will tell her to call you or I'll call to let you know I saw her. . We have big plans around her coming in this weekend ."
Olivia listened as the conversation ended
"Ok I'll see you later this week-end."
Mary knew from the conversation, what her uncle did not say, Olivia was either with him or he had seen her so she relaxed and waited for a follow-up call from him .If anyone could locate Olivia without a big fuss it was Uncle Harry. Now if she could get Fitz to wait before he got more people involved.
….Harry...started to talk to a silent Olivia who had scrunched herself into a ball in her seat.
"Olivia my parents inherited a lot the Grant land some from grandparents some from unmarried aunts and uncles. Those who remained unmarried did it by choice that's why you will see so many unmarried Grants. …There were nine original Grant children each given an equal share …each one added more land, girls and boys. GF Grant told his children…. don't marry anyone you don't expect to spend a lifetime with. I have a slew of second tier relatives …. 4 brothers and four sisters in my immediate family …. maybe 50 children between us all us. Remember this family history so you can pass on to your children."
Harry …. turned down another road that unfortunately looked to Olivia like the one he had just turned off green, green and green with patches of brown. He turned to look at Olivia who was now looking out the car window .
"Don't worry we are not lost. If you ever try to figure out where you are all the crossroads have names, all East West roads begin with the letter G….….at night look for one of the reflector lights. The younger kids call them the Two Towers Lights, but they will give you an idea where you are. Red, blue, white and yellow. This is not so necessary now with all the fangled GPS and phones. . Years ago, a many Grants have spent the night on the side of the road. Too much alcohol and too little sense of direction. Sun rises in the east so the red lights are on the east…..blue west. White north because that's the direction the snow comes from."
Still nothing from Olivia
" Niece I can't believe I'm sharing all this great information and you don't have one comment….not one question."
Still nothing from Olivia …...Harry started to talk again…. .
"There isn't one divorce in this family….…. sounds farfetched at this time with microwave marriages but it's true…they are either with the person they married, they are too young to get married or like Mary waiting for the right person. Like her brother Fitz…..waiting to choose the right one."
…Harry drove to the highest point on the road very flat road pulled over and took out his phone …."Mary it's your uncle Harry." He got out of the car still talking on the phone walked around to the other side and opened the door for Olivia. Olivia listened as he talked…." Call my nephew and tell him to relax his wife is in good hands …. that's all I have to say…don't say where the information came from …she just needs a little more time. "
Harry walked to the back of the car and opened the trunk " I hope with all the bells and whistles on this car you remembered to pack a cooler with water and maybe a sandwich because I could use the snack I packed in my truck. I had a light lunch today because of the party but I could really use something to take the edge off. Olivia got out of the car and opened two built in coolers one contained beverages the other one food. Harry saw a couple of sandwiches , one marked Corned Beef,…."Is this really Corned Beef or an urban rip off?"
" Try it …Fitz loves it …"
"Men in love will say anything let me critique it." He took a bite and shook his head in the affirmative …" not bad for city food. What do you have to drink."
Without a word Olivia offered him a bottle of water or a root beer.
"Root Beer….my favorite….did you stop at the store. They have the best root beer in the state."
The two leaned against the trunk of the car , Harry …. enjoying his "city sandwich" and a bottle of root beer….Olivia had a bottle of water.
"I called Mary to put you at ease…. I don't want you concerned about your safety because we are miles from anything with two legs…even Grant's and we are everywhere. Second, she will get a message to Fitz, so he can slow his motor down…she will let him know you are ok…. she will not tell him who you are with or where she got the information. The call to him is saying chill it. The Grant farm is like Vegas…. what happens here stays here."
"'That sandwich was pretty good…lets get going."
The two got back into the car Olivia remaining silent so Harry started talking again.. Normally he would have put his favorite road music on but it was in his truck ….sitting on the side of the road.
"Years ago, and I am not reminiscing about the good old days…. those days were only good 49% of the time. My dad told me the things that helped our farm, and family."
"My ancestors took the advice of this guy in Alabama. He talked about rotating crops…. you may have heard of him his name was George Washington Carver….." Harry. smiled at Olivia. "My family rotated and rested 30% of the land every year. We did not make a lot of money, but we had a good crop every year without a lot of lost work hours or seed … because we rotated and rested we did not wear out the land. As others gave up…. the family bought the land. We had a lot of luck and a lot of smart family members."
Harry looked over at the still silent Olivia
"My uncle Nathaniel (we call him Nate) suggested adding a dairy farm…We sent his son to school who learned everything he could in the 1-year course to see if it made sense. It did …we thought.. As we added cattle we discovered we needed horses. If anyone had an idea there was a discussion and a vote."
"We learned owning cows….and contrary to what you city folks believe milk does not come from the refrigerated section of the store." He smiled as did Olivia…"wow a smile its a miracle."
" We learned at a dairy someone is on duty 24/7 ,….. cows don't celebrate holidays or take vacations. …... It's either mucking out the stalls, hosing down and cleaning the equipment , fixing broken equipment, taking the cows to new pasture or bringing them home at the end of the day. Then starting all over again the next day . It was wearing us out."
"My dad saw a truck on the side of the road and recognized the guy,Nance, as one of the dairy workers from a closed dairy, one adjacent to our property. We bought the land and considered opening the dairy but had not decided to expand because the one herd of cows was enough of a headache but we knew owning the land was important."
." They struck up a conversation while my dad…..the most non-mechanic in the family….helped fix his car. He offered Nance, and the entire extended family a job .The next day the young boys were bringing in the cows to be milked. Within a week we all saw we were in the way so we got out of the way."
"The family opened the old dairy . Nance and his family were offered a regular salary along with a cut of the profit , they stayed in the house on the land.…...". Olivia that was over 50 years ago. The family is still there. Each year as we increase our herd… his son, Ned, is now in charge. Ned can pick his own workers. He is a good manager….. two of his sons do the hard work ….we treat him fairly and he treats the workers fairly. It's a form of co-ownership but co-ownership with fairness. If the price of milk goes down we have held aside enough of the profits over the years so no-one loses a job or misses a full paycheck. If your children decide they will share in the Grant farm experience…. if only during their summer visits. We have it all here even hayrides, scary stories and bonfires at Halloween. "
…He was just trying to keep Olivia from thinking too much so he kept talking.
"Same thing with the poultry and the specialized vegetables and herbs. We can grow just about anything here ….and grow it at a profit. A fish farm is next we just don't know enough about fish farming yet. As soon as someone steps up it's a go. We just need more room so if a small parcel comes up we may give it a try."
" That's the way it was starting with the school which is now the Technical College. It was an idea with no profit for the family. Now more of our kids are staying home because they can get the training here and we have the jobs where they can make a good living. More people leads to more businesses which leads to more money being made and spent here . What started out as no profit is now profit for everyone. The stores can offer the same prices without the 100 mile drive."
Olivia has not said anything but now she seems to be listening so Harry started his best argument.
"Olivia, we Grants are a handsome lot, that's not bragging it's a fact….my GF Tommy was over six feet…blue eyes and wavy sun bleached hair... I remember him even as an old man …. he was still a looker…still tall …that sun bleached hair nearly all grey."
"I can remember the men in my family when we went to town or to a County Fair …. On the farm in those days many men wore their hair long so you can imagine the scene my dad, his brothers, his nephews and his sons walking through town or down the midway. Jeans with perfect creases and perfect fit.…. blue eyes blazing waves flowing in the air. The girls were so thick we were beating them off with fence crossbars…. Every day when we boys were out with our fathers they reminded us…. don't use a woman for self gratification. If you are not willing to spend the rest of your life with a woman…. take a pass. …. descendants later we have never had a divorce."
"We have had one near miss…., ME, ….my brothers, sisters and the rest have held true to his GP Tommy's creed …don't marry at 18 if you are not willing to be there when she is 80…. Darn that sandwich was pretty good. Next time you come down put one in the cooler for me, one for Mary too, …it was great …. now I could use a cup of coffee to top it off..."
…Harry …. did his inspection at the first mini site …. He put the figures into his case…he would give them to Olivia to enter into the tally sheet while he drove, give her something to keep her busy.. Getting back in the car he smelled coffee. Taking a sip he said "Olivia you are a catch …. a real catch. You make a great sandwich and an even better cup of coffee. I guess this overpriced car is worth it's price"
The two drove to the farm and inspected the milking operation. This was a norm…..the brothers could spot a problem better than an inspector so they rotated through the different farm operations …looking and picking up items that could develop into a problem before they became a problem. What one may have missed one week the other would catch the next... They now supervised more than they were involved with the day to day operations….until it was time to plant the soybeans…then it was hands on from the first seeding until the harvest. It was still the main crop and no-one was ever allowed to forget that.
As they headed back the sun was setting which was …. best part of the day..." Now I see why you were driving so fast…this is a real machine. I'm might consider giving Mary one for her birthday…..but only consider."
They reached the crossroad where he left his truck. " I see someone picked up my truck…which way Olivia home or do you want to drop me off and continue where you were going ?...I think your husband is worried about you."
"I don't know where he is." Olivia said softly…..these were the only words she had spoken on the drive back..
" Let drive by the house…if the cars are there he is there. If he is there you two can come to the party together I think Fitz would love to see you now and at the party. Drop me at home."
Olivia sighed
"I told you there had been one near divorce….me. Your mother-in-law Margaret caught me before things got too far. I'm glad she did. I jumped to a conclusion and would have ruined things for me and Mary if Margaret hadn't yanked my chain…hadn't given me time to cool down.…... it's something Margaret and I have never talked about but I always remember and I will always appreciate ."
" I assume you guys had a little problem…kind of like the one all married people have….two things ….. you need to explain why you left and where you have been and Fitz needs a cover story in case someone says anything …. a way to save face in case for both of you .…. He called his sister…Who else saw you except Fitz and did you say anything to them?"
"I saw John …I told him I was going for beer."
"And you did…. the root beer in the cooler. I hope you have extra… It's your favorite drink with your sandwich and you went out for some."
"For three hours…. Why didn't I answer my phone?"
"What phone… have you heard your phone ring since we have been together…..it's probably where all females phones are ….in your purse at your house…. since your I can do anything machine never picked it up. . I bet you put it on mute when you put it in your purse ."
"What about you …. how did we end up together?"
"That's the easiest one of all…. you saw my car and gave me a ride to the dairy which you did."
"Is this the same type of cover I can expect for Fitz?"
"Margaret covered for me when I jumped to the wrong conclusion and she has never had to repeat it. I have never been asked or offered to provide a cover story for my bothers , sisters or anyone else in this family. We don't give cover for infidelity. In the past maybe how much one won or lost at cards , on football games or on the races but that's all."
" Fitz is a great guy…. He waited a long time to find the woman he wanted…. to be there with him when he turns 80. He called Mary before I saw you….from what he told her he said something stupid which I then assume caused you to do something stupid. It's a cover story for two great people who love each other who both did, or said, something, for lack of a better word, stupid."
"You knew all along….all the while we were together?"
"I knew there was a fixable problem I'm the problem solver in the family….personal, electronics, mechanical. Haven't you learned that?"
"Now let's get you home…drop me off and remember you went out for beer…. root beer…. you saw me stranded and gave me a ride…. simple…. don't add don't subtract. The missing phone answers its own question."
"Why didn't you call Fitz?"
"'Why would I call Fitz there was no reason for me to know he was looking for you….you did not have your phone to let him know you were with me ….if for some reason Mary tells him we talked I'll just say I told her …my excuse for not calling him …Poor cell reception….happens all the time in that dairy pocket. The only people who know the absolute truth is you, me and Mary. Mary knows when to hold and when to fold ….her mouth is not as unfiltered as most think."
"Ok….simple lets go with the truth ….it's bent a bit but it's the truth. Olivia small fissures can destroy rocks and marriages. Fitz may think you don't trust him-...make him question himself ...you may feel there is someone else in his life...neither are true but its a small crack. The secret never let that crack develop."
FPOV
I have spent the last two hours waiting to hear from Olivia …nothing. Except for my brother John no-one has seen her…. her phone going directly to voicemail. Today is the eighteenth birthday for a family member… I was tasked with picking up some of the food for the birthday girl who loves Asian food so while picking up the food for the party I picked up some for myself which could be reheated the next day. I also picked up some flowers and a bottle of wine, favorites of Olivia. She would not be there the next day, but I could surround himself with things she enjoyed so in a way she was there.
When she walked in earlier today I could not have been happier but then it all fell apart with one careless comment. Now I am sitting alone waiting some something…some news. Did I do something that would make Liv believe I would bring another woman into our\r house… into our bedroom. I sent the food with my brother John earlier and after being told by Mary to give her some space I finally got that call…. a call from Mary.
"HI Fitz…"
"Hi Mary" …. she could hear the dejection in his voice.
"I just received a call that Olivia is ok, and she should be home soon stop worrying …Are you dressed for the party?"
"Party…. Mary I'm not thinking about a party."
"Why don't you get dressed so when she gets home you will be ready to go….. you are the god-father…. I think you would be the one-person Raven would miss."
"Mary I am not in a festive mood…. not tonight. Did the caller say where Olivia was in Iowa or Illinois…? when is she coming home….is she somewhere safe?"
"What does mom always say about you…. you worry too much… If Olivia allowed the person to contact me she's ok and she should be home soon. Would you like to tell me again …what happened? Maybe I missed something."
"Honestly Mary nothing …I came home to change clothes and Olivia came home early . My job was to bring Raven's favorite food , so I picked some up for myself to reheat tomorrow. I made a comment about Hazel in the bedroom. Olivia looked at the food, the flowers and wine coupled with my comment convinced Olivia I was cheating. I would never cheat on her I love her. "
"Fitz you are my brother and I will say this without hesitation…you….my father…. all my uncles , cousins and my brothers are hunks, but you are the top of the hunk chain. I can understand why your wife would think you would cheat…. hell, if you were my man and not my brother I would believe you would cheat…'
"Mary I have never given Olivia any reason to be jealous."
" I can't believe you are unaware of the male hormones you throw off. They don't affect me but for years I could see how it affected other women…..I bet you have turned down more sex than the average man is offered in a lifetime…except my other Grant relatives of course."
"Olivia has never shown a sign she was jealous …. hell, my hormones must not work on her remember she walked away from all those my male attributes you just described."
"she discovered she loved you...sounds silly...she was in love but never thought about what it meant until she thought some other woman was harvesting in her melon patch...She came down early when we heard about a wife walked in on her husband with another woman in their home. That was probably on her mind…. give her a break. She's in a long-distance marriage with a man she has known less than a year…give her some slack. Get dressed and go give the birthday girl a hug from me. Your wife will be home soon….I will see you Friday."
Fitz headed for the bedroom so he did not see the car turning into the driveway. He took out the outfit Olivia had bought him for his birthday. Eddie Bauer boot cut jeans…a perfectly fitting navy American Giant long sleeve Tee and a hoodie in the same color. Remembering what Mary said he took another look at himself and smiled…. darn not bad for a country boy , sex on a stick is it ….ok Mary I agree I do look like a piece of prime beef.. As he walked back into the living room the front door alarm chimed and he stopped in his tracks. There stood Olivia with a bag in her hand …she gave him the once over as she walked by…"you dressed already. Give me fifteen minutes…I went for root beer.." She took one out and handed it to him.
Fitz shook his head…." Is that the story you are going with Olivia Carolyn Grant?"
"What story I told John I was going for beer …. here is the beer...root beer."
"Why didn't you answer your phone…. for three hours?"
Olivia walked over to her purse and pulled out her phone…remaining as unconcerned as she could but her heart was racing.
"Where were you?"
"I saw your uncle …broken down on the side of the road and he asked for help. I knew I could help him, get the drink and make it back in time for the party. Why the third-degree Fitz."
'Which uncle?"
'Uncle Harry."
"why didn't uncle Harry call me?"
"You need to ask him…. He said the cell reception was bad….. I think he wanted the company and wanted to tell me some Grant family history in a setting that I would remember. Give me ten minutes to get ready?"
Fitz looked at his wife's retreating figure heading for the bedroom. The story she just told had so much truth intermingled with so many obfuscations it could only have come from the Grant master storyteller Uncle Harry who had unwittingly become the central character.
Fitz took two giant steps following her into the bedroom pulling at her clothes…ripping buttons off her blouse.
"Fitz, we don't have time I have to get dressed and you are already dressed and looking kind of smart."
"We would have had the whole afternoon if you hadn't left for "beer". After our tiff I was looking forward to make-up sex and make-us sex is what I expect."
" What tiff…. we haven't had a tiff …..I came home then remembered I had not stopped for the root beer I like with my sandwich….so I went back out. If you tear one more button off my clothes you will be having make-up applied to your eye in the ER. I promise you a most enjoyable evening when we get home and you can call it whatever you wish. You were not expecting me anyway …right."
The party was, as usual, a success…held again at the church….It was more central and with no host everyone could leave when they got ready . Olivia was sure Fitz did not believe her but she delivered an award winning performance….. even she was beginning to believe the story by the end of the evening.
. The night ended with gifts and the personal gift every Grant female has an option for on her eighteenth birthday...even if married. Years ago it was a pearl necklace with matching earrings..…..that evolved into a bracelet with her initials or the pearls. The boys….simple…...cowboy boots. When Margaret presented the blue case to Raven Fitz pulled Olivia closer just enough to get her attention making sure she saw the case. The same case she saw for a fleeting moment early in the day. He was trying to prove a point but what could he prove…..she left for beer she came home with beer…root beer.
Later at home Olivia was in the bathroom completing her nightly routine when Fitz stepped out of the shower and dried himself of. He walked up to the counter behind her... completely nude. Never saying a word he took the towel she was using to clean her face ….closed the bottle of open creams ...then took her legs and spread them apart and started fingering her . Motioning her to arch her back and looking directly at her in the mirror he entered her in one smooth motion. For the next 30 minutes the sounds of sex….great sex filled the air….each time Olivia was nearing her orgasm Fitz would withdraw and make her wait.. The two kept eye contact the entire time. Finally he started to talk as his strokes became more forceful and urgent….she knew this time he would not stop . Just as she felt her walls close around him and his pelvis started its pounding motion he continued talking….still keeping eye contact in the mirror. .
"Olivia don't you ever do that again…..don't you ever walk out on me. I am not sure where you thought you were going because I told you in my vows Grants don't do divorces…..I would never cheat on you I'm more worried about you cheating on me but it's good to know you love me enough to be jealous. If this was our first fight and first make-up sex while I don't look forward to any arguments I love the sex. ..
Fitz sat on the bathroom stool and pulled Olivia down on him as he continued his sexual onslaught. With his penis in her to the hilt he opened her legs and use his fingers to manipulate her clitoris . There were sensations Olivia did not know where they started and where they ended.
Using the edge of the sink as leverage Olivia stood up just a tad and started rocking back on Fitz who stopped her …. then told her… sit..use your muscles to me come…grab me with your muscles and she did. The sounds of sex vibrated off the bathroom walls as Fitz held her close trying not to fall off the stool.
"Woman do you think I would give up this for a one night stand or even an affair. If there is better sex out there I don't want it…from that first night together I knew I would never find any satisfaction anywhere better than you."
Fitz held on to her as he kept talking….telling her how much they loved each other….how they were the perfect fit…..how she has been the only woman in his heart and would ever be in his heart.
"From that first night I have put everything I can into our lovemaking, into our relationship... into making a home together…I don't want you to ever think there is anything out there better for or to because there isn't anything out there better for me. Every moment we are together I want to prove there isn't anything out there better than me for you . I may have to work hard but I'm wiling.".
Later that night as Olivia listened to her husband breathing she understood marriage was hard work, but she had married into a family who would justify the hard work. Olivia also knew they were saved by a wise man who was a member of an equally wise family. They have not become successful because of luck….they worked just as hard in their personal lives as they did building a successful business.
As Fitz shifted in his sleep he pulled her close and whispered in her ear …." root beer" … I don't believe the story about root beer you and uncle fix-it hatched but it was good really . He needs to put it at the top of his saves."
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