Chapter 2
(1 year ago in Vermont)-
Olivia got out of the helicopter Fitz had sent her and threw her bag over her shoulder. She walked to the door of their home and leaned in to stick her key in the door. It swung open before she could.
Olivia found herself staring face to face with the President of the United States.
He gave her a sad, lopsided grin that melted her heart immediately. Olivia vaguely wondered how the hell the leader of the free world managed to beat her to their home in Vermont, but now wasn't the time to ask that question.
Olivia hurried inside and was immediately in his arms for the first time in ages. The fireplace crackled and illuminated the room in a beautiful shade of bronze as they stood in the living room of their home and embraced each other feverishly. His arms felt so good around her- he smelled slightly of scotch, woods, and a campfire. Olivia felt so safe with him.
They continued to embrace for what felt like ages. This was one of the reasons she loved Fitz so much- they said so much with their silence. She couldn't talk right now, and Fitz didn't make her. They were both so relieved to be in contact with one another- both of them had worried they would never get to feel each other ever again. The kidnapping, their huge argument- it all just fell away in the time that they held each other.
Olivia didn't realize that she had started crying from the happiness of being so close to him.
Fitz pulled back and saw her tears.
"Baby- I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry about everything. I just hope you can understand- I know what I did was selfish and irresponsible but I had to. I know the sacrifices you've made for me and my presidency- but I would do it all AGAIN to save you! You are everything- I couldn't let..."
Olivia stopped crying and looked at him in disbelief.
"WHY are you apologizing? It's because of you that I'm standing here right now! I'M sorry! I was out of my mind before! I felt so guilty about all those innocent lives being snuffed out on my account! People are dead because of ME! So many people dead because of my father, then the war on top of everything that has already happened! But I know why you did it because I would've done it too! I love you so much and it scares me…" She couldn't finish her sentence.
Fitz stared at her, then he stroked her face with his hand. "That's exactly how I feel. But Livvie, you aren't safe now that practically the whole world knows how I feel about you-which is why we can't see each other anymore. We have to end this once and for all."
Liv couldn't breathe. "What-what do you mean? I know I messed up after I got back, but I was just so traumatized from the kidnapping, my father, and everything else! I'm so sorry for how I treated you! Why can't you forgive me? I thought you loved me!" Tears started streaming from her eyes again.
Fitz stepped closer to her. "There is NOTHING in this world that you could do that I wouldn't forgive you for! I love you more than anything in this world! But I can't let your association with me put you in danger. I will never forgive myself for letting this happen this time!"
Liv continued to weep. She had come to let Fitz know that she was finally completely invested in their relationship after all these years-and now he wanted to end it. It was just too much. Fitz pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair.
"Baby- you are more important to me than anything. If this happened again- I would make the same decision. You don't want me to resign-you always wanted me to put the republic first, remember? The only way I can do that is if I know that you are NOT in danger. We've got to end this now for your sake!"
Olivia stopped crying. She wiped her eyes and squared her shoulders. He was right. Of course he was. Rigging the election, Jerry's death- all the scheming and cheating to get him in the White House and to keep him there-it had to mean something. She KNEW what kind of president he could be- she would just have to learn to live without him.
"Alright. You're right. That is how I feel. If this is how it has to be, then this is how it has to be. We're patriots, right? This is all for the country we love. Some people aren't meant to be happy-they're meant to be great." She echoed a wise sentiment from Cyrus.
Fitz stared at her in astonishment for a split second, and then they both looked at each other with mutual understanding. He then kissed her sweetly on the lips. It was his way of letting her know that he agreed with her completely.
Olivia sighed deeply into his kiss. His kisses had been all she thought about since their argument.
Fitz broke away from her abruptly. "Livvie…" he said in his deep voice.
Olivia cut him off. "Make love to me. I just need to feel you right now. Please- just this last time…"
Fitz looked into her big beautiful brown eyes and saw that familiar heat behind them. He wanted her so badly…and she wanted him…
Even if it had to be for the last time.
Fitz picked her up and took her upstairs to their bedroom without another word.