A/N-Just a reminder that this chapter gets pretty heavy. Stay with me. This needs to happen. After this I have some pretty fun things in store for them.
The first week Fitz was home he was still uncomfortable at time. Olivia stayed by his side. She worked from home. Any conferences she handled from the office at home.
The medicine allowed Fitz to sleep so she was able to get a decent amount of rest. Maya was done with her treatments and had gotten a lot of her strength back. They all offered to help with Fitz. She would allow them to cook or bring food by, but other than that she took care of Fitz.
Over the next couple of weeks he was able to do just about everything himself. Olivia would work a half a day at the office. She updated Fitz on what was going on with their clients.
He was not pressing her about work. She knew deep down that Fitz had been tired and this was a welcome break.
By week four he began to get a to get a little restless so when she got in from the office she would pack them meals and they would go to the park. They would walk a little in their neighborhood so he could get some fresh air.
Many evenings they spent talking about anything and nothing. It was like old times for them. Although Fitz was not driving they had a couple of dates. They went to the movies, they went to dinner a couple of times, and Olivia always loved museums so they visited a couple.
Six weeks had finally passed. He felt great. His body enjoyed the break, but he was also ready to be back in the real world.
Dr. Price gave him a clean bill of health. He could return to all physical activities. He would have to continue to take the blood thinning medicines.
Olivia had taken the day off so they could spend some quality time together. Since it was a Friday they would have the whole weekend together.
Once they left the hospital Fitz decided he wanted to stay in and asked Olivia if he could cook dinner. She was okay with that.
They had decided that Olivia would just stay with him. Once Fitz went back to work they knew they would be busy, and the downtime they would want to spend with each other and their family and friends.
Some nights Olivia slept with him and some nights she slept in her room. Fitz was fine with that. Over the last six weeks he could tell Olivia was coming into her own and he didn't want to mess it up.
They went grocery shopping for the house. They went by Target to pick up some household items and personal items that they needed.
They went and picked up some movies that they wanted to watch at some point over the weekend.
When they got home they got everything in and put it away. Olivia went into the office that was now their office. He had called in his designer who added a second desk and made it more neutral than masculine.
Fitz knew Olivia was a little tired. The firm had been busy. She handled everything with ease as he expected her too, but he knew she needed some down time. He needed her to know they were in this together.
He went to his master bathroom and made a bath. He added some lavender bath salts and bubbles. He lit some candles and dim the lights.
He ordered her some new silk lounge wear. She use to wear these a lot, but he noticed that she did not seem to brace how beautiful she was. He had an idea why, but he needed to show her that she did not need to downplay her beauty for him.
He went to the office where she was sitting at her desk reading an email. She looked up at him and smiled.
Fitz said, "There is something for you in the master bath that you should go check out. I am going to get dinner started. Relax for a bit.
Olivia nodded. She got up to head to the bathroom. She stopped in front of him and leaned on her toes and kissed him ever so gently.
She put her arms around his neck, "Thank you for being my gladiator and being patient with me. It has meant everything to me. I love you."
Fitz held her for a moment, "I love you more. Go relax."
Olivia went to the bathroom to find the bath waiting for her. As she took off her clothes she found the silk lounge wear for her to put on. There was a note which she opened that brought her to tears. It said:
"Letting you go Livvie was never an option for me. We can wish to get that time back but we can't. God did it for a reason. We have fought so hard to get here that we won't take it for granted. With me know that I love your beauty and I never want you to hide. Get your sexy back. I'm helping you out. In your room I got these for you in several colors. I only expect you to be happy and love yourself. Love you Fitz"
She should have know that Fitz would have caught on that she struggled still with her image. Jake had torn her down over time. He never wanted anyone to look at her. She wasn't afraid to make love or be intimate with Fitz. She just wanted everything out in the open so she could finally leave Jake in her past, and move on with Fitz
Olivia's favorite dish was shrimp scampi. She had not had it in some time. Jake hated seafood and anything that he hated he thought she should feel that way. Fitz was so mad when he had overheard her telling Abby this one day.
Fitz had prepared all her favorites. He made a caesar salad for them to start with, shrimp scampi for dinner, and he had picked up a raspberry chocolate New York cheesecake for desert. He had ordered a case of Shiraz that was delivered to the house and he took out a bottle for tonight.
Olivia came in the dinning room to find that Fitz had set them up a candlelight dinner. She had tears in her eyes. She almost forgot how it felt to be catered to.
Fitz helped her to her seat. He asked if she was okay and she nodded. He brought their salad and pasta out before he sat down. He went and grabbed the wine and a couple of wine glasses and brought them out.
When Olivia seen the wine and realized that everything were her favorite she could not stop the tears from falling.
Fitz did not know what to think. He went over to her and leaned down.
Fitz took her hands, "Livvie talk to me."
Olivia leaned down and fell into Fitz. Fitz just held her until she composed herself.
Finally Olivia calmed down but she did not move. What he heard her say almost broke him.
Olivia sat up and faced him and repeated, "I almost forgot that I could like things and that I had things that I enjoyed. I can't believe that you remembered and that you cared enough to do this."
"Livvie, I can't erase the pain that you have had to endure. What I can and will do is show you how you are supposed to be treasured. He had a gem and he tried to break it, but he didn't win. You did. We have time. I'm here every step of the way. You are establishing your career and we are going to conquer the world."
They held each other for a few minutes. I think they both needed that moment to accept that they had each other.
Fitz got up and they enjoyed a nice romantic evening at home. Fitz had turned on some soft music. They laughed and talked about everything and nothing for the first time since they reconnected with a sense that they were moving forward.
They finally finished dinner and they cleaned up the kitchen and started the dishwasher. Fitz pulled out the cheesecake. The look on Olivia's face made Fitz jealous of the cheesecake at the moment.
Olivia fixed them some tea and Fitz cut them each a slice of cheesecake.
They settled in the den. After they finished their desert and sat there for a moment Olivia felt comfortable talking to Fitz.
Olivia spoke, "My first mistake was when he convinced me to go to Stanford. Deep down I knew he was trying to get me away from you, but I felt stuck. I had already rejected you. I didn't know how to tell you I lied and I wanted you, but I was just so scared of losing our friendship."
"I'll be honest Livvie. That had to be one of the worst days of my life. I was so lost. I knew that we were adults. You had a right to change your mind. I guess deep down I knew the reason that you were leaving. It hurt that you chose him over me."
"I know and I am sorry. When I look back on that night I felt like I was throwing us away, but on the other hand I never expected you to be done with me. I was so confused."
"Hindsight 20/20 I would have handled that very differently Liv."
"Fitz, hindsight I would have never been with Jake. I would have trusted us to fight for each other, and if we did not work out that we could find a way to stay friends. However I don't think we would be broken up. I think we would be married with kids with multiple offices around the world."
"I wanted that for us so much Liv. I waited to ask you because I wanted to make sure our friendship was rock solid. I had feelings for you in high school."
"I know. When we got to Stanford He immediately isolated me. He had me to change my number a couple of times. He kept talking about how pathetic you were that you could only be my friend if we were together. He said the others had sided with you. At first I fought back, but he kept at it. Finally I started to believe him. I felt that if you guys wanted me in your life you would have used Huck to find me."
"Well I stopped talking to them for a while. I couldn't get over you leaving so I left and transferred to Yale. When we reconnected years later Huck would search when I asked. Whenever we got close we lost you. Huck thinks Jake had an inside man to throw us off, but I knew you were smart so I thought you didn't want to be found so I had him to stop."
"I had no friends. I went to school, debate, and came home to cater to him. One day when I complained about being his maid he back-handed me. At first he would only hit me when I said something smart or I didn't do what he asked, but once we graduated and his dad gave him more responsibilities it seemed like he hit me for the fun of it. If he was drunk it was a full on beating like I was a punching bag."
"You never told anyone Livvie."
"Once I graduated law school and passed the bar I completed an internship. The company offered me a job. Jake wanted me at his beck and call 24/7. One night he beat me off and on all night. He told me to call them and tell them I had been in a car accident and could not take the job which I did. That scared me for a while from speaking out"
Fitz was in tears, "Oh Livvie"
"I was so tired Fitz. When you guys first opened the firm you worked a case for a Senator that was accused of child molestation by his ex-wife."
"I remember she was mad that he had divorced her and married his mistress. Thier marriage had been set up and they never really loved each other, but he had truly fell in loved with his current wife. The ex had tried to taint him."
"Yep. Most people thought you were a fool for taking him, but I knew that you had to believe him. Jake seen me watching you do an interview with him after you got him cleared. I didn't know that he was watching me. Seeing you made me really want out and Jake caught on to that. A couple of weeks went by and there was peace. No yelling no hitting. He came home from work with some guy name Charlie. He had pictures of you and mom. Jake looked at me and in the calmest voice I had ever heard him. If you think of trying to leave me for that bastard I will have them shot dead while you watch them die and he walked out the room. I never thought of leaving again"
"Did you at least have a wedding when you got married?"
"Nope a judge came to our home. He purchased an engagement and wedding band that I wore out in public, but he would take them back when we were home. I think the only reasoned he married me was so that I could not be used against him for his crimes."
"When did you lose your baby?"
"It was three months before we went to Maryland for business. I was on the pill. He slept around a lot and I was okay with that, but when he did not feel like meeting one of his whores that is where I came in. I had a sinus infection and was given antibiotics. Jake came in hammered demanding to have sex. I kept telling him no because I was on the medicines. He slapped me, bent me on the bed, and raped me. A month later I was pregnant. I told him and he was pissed. He told me to make sure I didn't get pregnant. He just started punching me like I was a punching bag. I woke up the next morning in the hospital. The hospital was convinced he had done something to me. I convinced them it was an accident for the most part . The nurse was insistent that I do a rape kit which I did and allowed her to take photos. I wasn't mad that I lost the baby, just the beating that he put on me."
"How did you guys end up in Maryland?"
"Edison wanted to expand the business in the Baltimore area. When you refuse to help him they began to grasp at straws. They had me looking for legal loopholes for them. Edison's business main office is in Baltimore. One night when they were drunk is when I searched his phone for your number."
"Did you call me the night you found my number?"
"No, I was still debating whether it was worth putting you and mom's life in danger. I was scared and tired. I wanted more for myself. Although he emotionally, physically, and mentally had broken me I still wanted a chance to conquer the world. I just didn't know how and if I had anyone left who loved me."
"Livvie, what made you call that night? Why did you finally take that chance?"
"Edison wanted to sleep with me. Jake was going to allow him. Sleeping with Jake was one thing. Technically he was my husband. However I decided I rather die that allow him to prostitute me out. He was mad that I refused to sleep with Edison and beat me. He told me when they got back I better remember who made all the decision in our relationship. I knew if I didn't get out that I was going to have sex with Edison that night either by choice or force."
Fitz needed a moment to absorb all of this. He could never understand how men treated women this way;especially when they profess to love them. Fitz looked at Olivia and wondered if they could ever truly have a meaningful relationship.
"Yes, I think we can."
Fitz looked up, "What did you say?"
"I said that I believe that I can have a relationship with you. Do I still have some issues? Yes, but I am still working with Dr. Sherry. I got out. I survived and I have decided that I don't want to waste a second chance at life. I don't want to miss our chance."
"What is that you want Livvie?"
" I want to fall in love with you more and more each day. I want us to work hard and help other during the day. At night I want us to date and enjoy our life. I want to be intimate with you. I want one day for you to make love to me. You will be the first and only because with Jake it was only sex and no love when it happened. I want us to eventually buy our dream home. I want you to propose to me and show me off to everyone. I want a wedding. A real one. It doesn't have to be big. I want a honeymoon. I want babies. Three maybe four if you talk to me sweet enough. Down the road when we are older I want us to build our second home in Vermont where we go to get away from the madness. Where the kids can play in the orchards and I can make jam. One day when we are done conquering the world we settle down there. I am scared. I am scared that I might not get what I want. I am scared that you don't want this."
Fitz pulled Olivia into his lap, "I want all of that and more with you Livvie. I don't want to push you. I don't want to add to your pain. I want us to date, but I don't want to cause you any more harm. Some nights I can't sleep because I can't get that image of you out of my mind when I rescued you. To know that you had more painful nights than that one hurts me. I should have fought for you more. I should have continued to follow the trail. I was going to have Huck find you again the following Monday. Your mom had called me and said she had a bad feeling. I agreed with her. I just want you happy. It is why I don't push you. I like you being here. I like when you sleep in the bed with me. It is not for sexual reasons. We will get there when we are ready, but I just like you close. I like to feel your heart beat."
"Do you want me to sleep in the bed with you?"
"Are you comfortable being in the bed with me? Are you okay when I pull you on my lap or am I trigging something?"
"No when I am with you I feel safe. I just didn't want to make any assumptions?"
"No, I never want to sleep without you again. I never want to live without you again?
"Me either Fitz. I dreamed of the days that I have now. Although it is scary that I wasn't here to take care of mom."
"Livvie, your mom and even my mom were never mad. You are their baby. Mom loves that you are back. She missed her daughter calling her Ma. Luckily they caught your mom's breast cancer in the early stage due to her getting a regular mammograms. We took care of her like you would have. I know that if something ever happens to mom that you will take care of her."
"I will, but still know that I am grateful. I don't take it lightly anything that you did. Even making sure I was a part of the firm. How did the others feel?"
"Considering that everything was split four ways they were fine. I think it was more they thinking about me. They never said anything but I knew they were concerned. It wasn't like I never went out or tried, it was just that no one was you, and I did not think it was fair to be with someone who I had no intentions of remaining with."
"It doesn't scare you to love me Fitz?"
"No, it scares me that I was close to not having this with you."
"You tried to return the favor by having a heart attack."
"Well technically I wasn't trying to have one. I was frustrated that we were at this impasse and I was not sure how to fix it. I was angry that it seemed like you were fixing everyone but us. Then when you came and said that you were taking a trip I just couldn't shake that it was to get away and leave me. I just didn't want to think about it. That morning I had planned to work a half a day. I was going to call that afternoon and try to talk and see if maybe I could come for a couple of days, but that didn't happen."
"I really was not going to leave you. I really just wanted to take a vacation. I had not taken one since we went to Miami for spring break. I wanted to relax before thrusting myself into work. However I called mom every morning and she told me she was worried about you. Her and Ma tried to get you to relax some and you were not. I had changed my flight to come home later that day until you had the heart attack. I couldn't believe that you refused surgery."
"Well Dr. Price assured me that I needed to have it within 24 hours. He made sure that I was stable. I knew that Huck had called in a favor to get you flown on a private jet so it wasn't immediate life or death. I felt sure that I was going to make it out of the surgery, but I needed us to be okay before I took that chance. I needed you to know that I loved you and I was willing to wait for you."
"Honestly I am glad we talked before you had the surgery. If anything would have happened and we had not talked it would have killed me. I think that I am not so traumatized as many expected because I knew for a long time that Jake did not love me. It was all about control. I was over it a long time ago. I just couldn't risk losing you and mom. I was glad to know that you still loved me."
"Oh, and that press conference was scary good. You would think that you had handled the press forever."
"Well considering that this is what I have always wanted to do made it easier. The other thing was I wanted to make you proud. You fought for me. I needed to do the same. I couldn't let what you all had worked so hard for be put under a cloud."
"I was surprised that you didn't flat-out deny a relationship with me."
"I saw no need to. It is our firm so being with you breaks no laws. I am also single again. The biggest reason is that I needed you to know that I was not ashamed of what we were trying to build."
"You have really spread your wings over the last six weeks. The clients love you. Quinn loves you. Abby, Harrison, and Huck are thrilled that you are back. We are fielding potential new clients thanks to you."
"No we have that opportunity because of you. You had the pieces in play and I just used them. Truthfully I could have taken on a couple more, but since the crisis management side is our area I wanted to select them with you. I look forward to us working together.
"Do you want to tell me anything else about Jake? We can talk about any issues you have, but I don't want you to relive this pain."
"No in 60 days the divorce will be final. I just want to concentrate on us. Now that I have healed from my injuries. You have healed from your surgery. My emotional scars are healing I just want to move forward."
"Are you ready to date me? Do you want to be my girlfriend?"
"Yes, I want to be your girlfriend and date you. You have been patience with me and taken things slow and I appreciate that."
"Anything for you Livvie."
"Anything"
"Yes, what do you want? To redecorate the house."
"No this works. I'll have more say when we buy our next home."
"True so what do you want."
"A dog."
"Really Livvie."
"Yes, I have wanted one for some time."
"Okay we can get a dog. We'll go get one this weekend."
Olivia hugged Fitz. She enjoyed being treated this way.
Fitz looked at Olivia and smiled.
"Livvie, I won't always get it right. We will argue and disagree, but I will never put my hands on you. Until the day you die I promise to treat you like the queen that you are."
Olivia nodded and just cuddled with Fitz.
"It is nice to be held. It has been a long time."
Fitz just held her. He heard her breathing become shallow and knew that she fell asleep. He picked her up and carried her to bed. Once he covered her up he made sure that the doors were locked and the alarm was set. He made sure all the lights were off.
Fitz had a friend who was a breeder. He sent him and email to see if he had any dogs they could come and look at this weekend. He was surprised to find Stephen was up and responded back letting him know that he had a couple available. They could come anytime between 2-5 on Sunday. He confirmed he would be there. He decided he would surprise Livvie.
He climbed into bed. It was the first time in years that he felt at peace with himself and his life. He wanted to pull Olivia close, but he didn't want to overwhelm her. He turned to face her. He was about sleep when he heard her say, "Hold me please"
Fitz pulled her into him and they both began to breathe in sync. It took no time for they to fall asleep.
A/N-I hope that you are enjoying this. I plan to post multiple chapters of this story at one time. Next up you will see Fitz surprise Olivia to get her a dog. What kind of dog do you think she will get? After that you will see some times jumps. You will see them working together and them dating. By the end they may or may not have been intimate. I have not decided. I would appreciate your support and views.