"Alright, the first thing I want to show you in our house is this window wall right here," Fitz said.
He led Olivia over to the opposing wall in their bedroom. The wall was comprised of many floor-to-ceiling windows. Two ornate French doors were situated in the middle of the windows. Olivia walked closer to the doors and peered out of them. She gasped as she stepped onto a huge balcony that was connected to their bedroom. Their bedroom's balcony was suspended over a large, lighted, blackbottom pool. The view was simply magnificent. Olivia could see a beautiful white marble fountain resting in the middle of the pool, while an ornate rock waterfall streamed gracefully on the end. Several torchlights illuminated the pool area, so Olivia could also see a huge hot tub off to the left of the pool, as well as another building off to the right. An enormous flower garden rested on the side of the pool, slightly under the balcony. Olivia realized that when she and Fitz got up in the mornings, they would be able to come out to this balcony and see their resplendent, exotic pool, surrounded by exquisite flowers, with nothing but miles and miles of greenery in the background as far as the eye could see. Olivia could smell the sweet scent of roses and other blooms wafting into their bedroom as she stood on the balcony and admired the surrealistic view.
"Fitz! Oh my God!" Olivia exclaimed. "Fitz! Oh my God! This is so gorgeous! This view…Oh my God!" she stopped, speechless.
"You like it? I know how much you love to swim," he said. "And see that- that building over there? A two bedroom pool house- you know, for when we have out of town guests."
"Fitz, I don't even know what to say. This is just-so, so beautiful! I love it!"
"I'm glad, but you haven't even seen it all yet, baby. Let's take care of that right now." Fitz loved seeing Olivia happy, and he couldn't wait to show her more.
Fitz led them out of the master bedroom and through second floor of the house. "This mezzanine floor- I was thinking it could be our personal living space. There's a theater, a library, and a conservatory that we have strictly for our use. We could use the lower floor as our entertaining floor- that's where the big catering kitchen and ballroom are located. The top floor we can just keep open for a live-in staff. Or whatever you think is best."
"Sounds great to me," Olivia said. Her eyes were as bright and round as a child's. Fitz had bought her a dream house right in DC's backyard. They could visit Vermont on the weekends and live here during the week to be close to the city. Olivia was so excited- she could finally see their future. She was standing in it.
They continued their tour of the house, walking hand in hand. "I left most of the rooms mostly empty so you could decorate." Fitz said. "Or you can just move your things out of your condo here. Whatever you want to do."
Olivia shook her head. "No, I think I want to start completely fresh here. I just want to leave that condo and everything in it in the past. I want a completely new start," Olivia said.
"I think that's a great idea!" Fitz enthused. "When you get ready to go shopping, l'll just give you my black card. Don't worry about a thing- get whatever you like. Or just hire someone to decorate. Whatever you want- I trust your judgment."
Olivia smiled at him. "You're really too good to be true."
Fitz smile at her kindly. "No, this is just what I've always wanted," he said. "I know you don't need anyone to take care of you- financially or otherwise-but I've always fantasized about spoiling you, giving you everything you've ever wanted." He paused for a moment to kiss her. "So really, this is my dream come true."
"Mine too," Olivia said. She had never felt so blessed in her life.
Fitz grinned at her and squeezed her hand. He motioned toward a large, empty bedroom. "So, I thought this could Karen's room, and the room at the end of the hall could be Teddy's. The main house has six bedrooms total, but I was thinking we could turn two of them into offices for each of us. Or we can just fill them all up with children. Either way, it's fine with me." Fitz smiled. "But just let me know about any changes you want to make- you know we can do whatever you want."
At this point, Olivia was nearly spilling over with happiness. "Fitz, you're really too much," Olivia smiled as they toured the house. "This is all too much! But it's perfect! I'm serious, I couldn't have picked a more perfect house for us!"
The happy couple continued their tour of the mansion. Fitz showed Olivia the house's gym, two game rooms, three kitchens, bar, and lots of other spacious, empty rooms that could be turned into whatever they wanted. Eventually, they made their way to the first floor. Fitz led Olivia past the elevator into a bright, beautiful tearoom.
"I know how much you love your tea, so here's a nice room for you to drink it," Fitz said.
Olivia looked around. The tearoom seemed to be made entirely of windows. Large French doors with intricate beveling led outside to the patio. A chaise lounge and a bookcase laid next to one of the windows, while an antique tea cart laid on the other. "Fitz, this is gorgeous! I bet this whole room is just flooded with light during the day!"
"It is," Fitz smiled. "And see that beveling on the doors? It makes the most stunning shadow patterns during the day. I can't wait for you to see it." Olivia beamed in response.
"So, do you want to look at the pool area up close?" Fitz asked, knowing what the answer would be.
"Of course! You know I'll probably spend all my spare time out here when it gets warm enough," Olivia said happily.
"Eating barbeque?" Fitz teased.
Olivia wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Not hardly. You know how much I hate barbeque," Olivia chuckled.
Fitz laughed and led Olivia from the tearoom into a beautiful flower garden that was situated in front of the pool.
"This is a traditional English garden. I figured since we have all those orchards and fruit trees in Vermont, it would be nice to have a lot of flowers here. It's mostly roses, lilies, and orchids. We can add more flowers too, if you want."
Olivia stopped walking and paused to stroke her finger against a large, beautiful white orchid. The happiness in her face was undeniable.
Fitz grinned. "I know how much you love orchids. You used to keep them all the time in your old place."
"Do you even know how much I love you? This is perfect, Fitz. All of it is just perfect. I don't even know what to say."
"Just say you're happy," Fitz said, suddenly serious.
"I am. You make me so happy. Thank you for all of this," Olivia said. She couldn't think of words important enough to express her feelings.
"I love you. Thank you for just being you," Fitz said in his deep voice.
They embraced in a warm, tender kiss. After they separated, Fitz kissed her nose playfully. He had a mischievous gleam in his eye. "I have an idea. Do you want to go swimming? We can break in the pool."
"Now? It's so late!" Olivia said incredulously.
"Of course now. We're wide awake- why not?" Fitz said, a hint of challenge in his voice.
"I don't have a suit," Olivia said.
Fitz shook his head in disbelief. "Livvie, you're at home. You don't need a suit."
Olivia looked nervous. "What if someone sees us?"
Fitz looked unconcerned. "Livvie, you're going to live here very, very soon. You might as well start to get used to the Secret Service being around. You know I'll always have a detail for the rest of my life, and since we're planning on spending the rest of our lives together, we may as well just start acting normally around them. After we're married they will be a part of our lives forever. So just act naturally…disregard them. Besides, they know not to watch any sensitive moments. They're professionals, you know. Anyway, if anyone did anything to infringe on our privacy in any way, I would make it my life's mission to ruin them. It's as simple as that.
Olivia hesitated. "I don't know…"
Fitz had already pulled off his shirt. "Come on. Live in the moment." He unzipped his pants and started to pull them down.
Olivia smiled. Seeing him shirtless was very convincing. "Okay… on one condition."
"What?"
Olivia wore a mischievous expression. "You have to agree to a little friendly competition. A swimming race."
"Sounds interesting. What does the winner get?" Fitz asked.
Olivia made a thoughtful expression. "Hmm…. why don't we agree that the winner gets to call all the shots for the rest of the evening? The loser has to do anything the winner wants all night."
"Anything?" Fitz raised his eyebrows suggestively.
Olivia laughed. "Anything. But who says you're going to win? The pool is my wheelhouse!"
"Okay, I know you're like a shark in the water, but I'm a pretty fierce swimmer too. I was a Naval officer, remember?"
"Well Okay, let's stop talking and see," Olivia said confidently.
She stripped down and jumped into the pool. Fitz pushed his pants off and followed suit.
Fitz immediately swam over to Olivia cupped her slim waist in his large hands. He bent down to kiss her but Olivia stopped him.
"Fitz! I thought we were racing? I was serious!" Olivia laughed.
"So am I," Fitz said huskily. He started to pull her closer to him. Olivia squealed with laughter and slipped out of his grip, throwing her head back in glee as she escaped him. Fitz splashed over to her again, both of them laughing merrily.
"Okay, okay! No more funny business, Mr. President. I'm really serious! A fair, proper race. One length of the entire pool. This is sudden death. No rematches. Bragging rights are at stake here. Also, the honor and dignity of the country you run. And, just a reminder-if you lose, you have to do everything I say for the rest of the night."
"Yes- but if I win…" Fitz raised his eyebrows suggestively again. Olivia laughed.
"Yes, I will have to do everything you say!" She raised her eyebrows at him mockingly.
"All right, Ms. Pope. Let's do this," Fitz said, finally serious.
Fitz and Olivia both waded over to the edge of the pool, each of them on either side of the large fountain in the middle of the pool.
"So- from here to the other side of the pool, right?" said Fitz.
"Right," Olivia confirmed.
Olivia and Fitz each got into position, both somber.
"We go on three, okay?" Olivia said. "One, two, three!"