Chapter 32 It's time.
Oh god... Fitz thought as he heard the front door open and close.
"Isn't anyone going to welcome me home?"
Jerry looked up at his dad with raised eyebrows and wide eyes.
"It's ok. Go say 'hi' to your mom."
Fitz turned around to see Mellie entering the room.
"Welcome home mom!" Jerry said before he ran and gave her a hug.
"When I asked for a welcome I didn't mean run me over!"
Jerry let go of his mom. "Sorry..."
Mellie patted him on the head. "It's ok. I'm glad someone has shown some enthusiasm."
Jerry gave her a slight smile as he headed back over to sit on the couch.
She just got home and already she has our son feeling bad.
I don't even think she realizes what an ass she is towards him sometimes.
"Fitz would you carry my bags into the bedroom? I feel exhausted. I'm sure you can afford to miss a touchdown or two." Mellie told him with a nod towards the tv screen.
"Only for you Mellie." Fitz said sarcastically as he got up and walked over to grab her bags.
"The sarcasm is completely unwarranted." She told him before she followed him to the bedroom. "Besides aren't you going to ask how my trip was?"
Nope.
Without waiting for a response Mellie began her story.
Is this shit ever going to end? Fitz thought as he sat on the bed listening to Mellie.
What did I do to deserve this?
Maybe I'm being punished for the fun I had this weekend. She senses I've been a little too happy and now she's making up for lost time in the "torture Fitz" department.
"...anyways besides Cindy being incompetent at times, the weekend was a great success!"
"I'm happy for you." Fitz said unable to cover up the lack of interest evident in his voice.
"Well what exactly did you and Jerry do this weekend? Anything that was actually productive? Perhaps educational?"
"Jerry's friend invited him to a college football game so he was gone most of the weekend. In fact he got home about a couple hours before you did."
Mellie frowned. "Well then what did you do? It must have been a disappointment not having the weekend alone to spend with your son." She said while she squinted her eyes at him. "What did you do with all that time?"
Fitz couldn't help the grin that appeared on his face.
Simply had an amazing time with the woman I love. Going to the festival, dinner, the drive in...her apartment. Finding out she's in love with me too and then getting to spend the whole night expressing that love. Experiencing true lovemaking for the first time...
"I didn't do much." He said as casually as possible. "Just used the time I had to relax and enjoy the quiet."
Fitz waited for Mellie's face to show some sort of reaction to what he said.
I can't tell whether she believes me or not.
"You have that ridiculous grin on your face because you got to spend the weekend alone?" She questioned.
"Pretty much."
Mellie shook her head but let the subject go.
"I think I'm only going to work half a day tomorrow."
Fitz immediately perked up when she said that.
"I'm simply too exhausted. I believe I'll call Cindy after I unpack and tell her I'll be in after lunch."
There's my opening. I couldn't ask for better timing than that.
"That's actually good because I'm taking the day off tomorrow."
"According to you, you didn't do shit all weekend and yet you're taking tomorrow off?" Mellie asked with a laugh. "Sometimes you're the definition of nonsense."
If I got even half a penny for every time I wanted to slap her I'd be rich.
"Yes, because I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you alone." He told her.
"We're alone right now..."
"I mean without Jerry around."
She raised an eyebrow at him.
"It's very important Mellie."
I feel bad that I'll be breaking the news before she's supposed to go into work but I have to take advantage of this window of opportunity.
"Fine Fitzgerald. Though if it has to do with Jerry playing some kind of contact sport or if it has anything to do with Cyrus I don't want to hear about it."
"It doesn't." Fitz said barely able to keep the annoyance out of his voice.
"Good. Now let me finish unpacking. I want to get this done before I call Cindy." Mellie grabbed a suitcase and plopped it on the bed. "You know what I need?"
A drink.
"A drink." She said as she let go of the suitcase zipper. "Eh I'll unpack first."
Fitz shook is head and got up. When he looked at the doorway he saw an uncertain face looking back at him before it disappeared.
Jerry.
Olivia tossed and turned in bed.
1225. Damn I need to get some sleep. She thought as she turned her back to the clock.
I knew I should've taken a sleeping pill. She rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling.
I wonder if he's talked to her yet? If he did, how did it go? Is he even still at the house? Knowing what I know about Mellie she would probably kick him out. Though he has no where to go. I'm sure he would call me if he needed anything.
I want so badly to call and find out what's going on or what went on but I know I can't do that. I have to wait till tomorrow...
Olivia glanced at the clock again.
I mean I'll have to wait till later on this morning.
I think I'll have the answer to some of my questions when I see the look on his face at work.
Happy, Scared, Anxious, Relieved, Terrified...
I don't know. The only thing I know is that I wish everything was done and he was here right now. I wish I could feel his strong arms wrapped around me again and his warm body pressed against mine.
Instead I'm spending the night worrying over every little thing.
Olivia flopped over onto her stomach.
Maybe I should call off of work. Maybe I can call and leave a message right now!
She switched to her left side.
Ugh! I can't. If things didn't go well he's going to need me to be there for him and not hiding away.
Damn, I wish I could simply fall asleep. It's not healthy to be having all of this stress.
Olivia rolled over to her right side.
Abby doesn't need a guidance counselor...
I do.
I never thought I'd ever be in this situation but then who does imagine that they'll end up in a loveless marriage. I thought love would come at some point during Mellie and I's time together I just didn't expect it to be with someone else.
"Alright Mr. Grant you are good to go. I'll file this with the court today and we'll go from there."
"Thanks for seeing me on such short notice Mr. Cooks."
"Anything for Cyrus. I mean his divorces paid for two of my kids' weddings."
That has to be a joke...
"I'm kidding. Well, no, it is true but I'm happy to help a friend of Cyrus's."
I didn't think I'd need a lawyer, but last night I couldn't help thinking about how important it is to not fuck this up. I decided I should have some counsel to guide me through this process. Hopefully Mr. Cooks will only be needed for filing for my divorce. I don't want to end up having to fight over a bunch of shit in court with Mellie though I have to be realistic and know that it could come to that.
"I'll call you and let you know when everything's gone through." Mr. Cooks said before he got up and reached out a hand to Fitz.
"Alright. You have a nice day." Fitz said before he shook the lawyer's hand and walked out of the office.
Now comes the tough part...facing Mellie. Fitz thought as he walked out of the building and took a deep breath.
I don't even know how I'm going to begin to tell her.
Fitz sat on a nearby bench.
"Mellie it's over. I filed for divorce and there's nothing to talk about." He said in a stern voice.
Eh, I don't think that's the way to begin. I sound like a parent punishing their child. He thought with a heavy sigh.
Maybe I should go the enthusiastic route. Make it sound fun...
"Hey Mellie! I'm back! And guess what? I filed for divorce! Let's do a happy dance!" Fitz exclaimed while he spread out his arms.
An elderly woman walking by frowned and shook her head in disgust as she entered the building.
"Sorry just practicing!" He called out after her.
Shit. I have to just put it out there but be as sensitive as possible in doing so. And not only that but I'm going to have to try to keep my cool regardless of how Mellie responds.
Fitz got up from the bench and headed in the direction of the parking lot. He smiled at a passing officer.
I may be needing his, well most likely his whole department's protection starting today...
"Cyrus I don't have a lot of time. The day's about to start and-" Olivia paused for a second. "Why are you looking at me like that? What's with the Cheshire cat grin?"
"What happened this weekend?" Cyrus asked.
I guess Fitz didn't talk to Cyrus this weekend. Though what makes Cyrus think I'm going to tell him anything?
"I don't know what you're talking about but if you called me to your office for-"
"Don't act like you don't know anything Ms. Pope." Cyrus said as he put his hands on his hips. "I mean first Fitz calls and says he's taking off of work and then he calls me a couple hours later asking for my divorce attorney's information. Something had to have happened..."
"Fitz isn't here today?"
Cyrus rolled his eyes. "You're really going to go this way? You can confide in me Olivia. Who am I going to tell anything to?"
Only the whole damn school. I do not want to be the next 'Sally Langston Looney Bin' gossip story. Especially when it seems that story trickled down from the staff to the students with such ease.
"Now it's my turn to roll my eyes." Olivia said. "I had no idea that Fitz wasn't going to be coming to work and as for anything else you'll have to ask him."
"Despite your bitchiness this morning," Cyrus said with an exaggerated sigh, "I'm going to give you this gift anyway."
"A key?"
"Always wanting to make the school a place where parents feel their children are welcomed into a warm-loving environment while at the same time making it a miserable experience for any of those rotten kids who think they can get away with shit. I took the liberty this weekend of having locks put on all the closet doors. I'm tired of kids thinking they can sneak away to 'make out' and do the 'nasty' in them."
I can tell he's about to go off on a tirade. Why does he even work with kids?
"Cyrus, what does any of this have to do with that key?"
"Ah yes! Well, the janitors have keys to all of the closets except one. The one I saved for you and Fitz."
You got to be kidding me!
As if reading her mind Cyrus continued, "Hey I caught you two in his office! That could've been anyone. And that room is not sound proof. So as a gift I decided to give you a key to the closet down by the wood and metal shop classrooms. With all the drilling, sawing, and shit that goes on no one will hear a thing."
I don't even have a verbal response for that.
Olivia shook her head, took the key and threw it in a nearby trash can.
"Cy- I-"
No I really don't have the words.
Olivia shook her head again and left the office.
"So Principal Grant isn't here. Hmm...Do you think Mellie's capable of murder?"
"That's ridiculous Abby!" Olivia said.
"No, I don't think it is." Harrison said.
Olivia laughed. "Harrison you're the most levelheaded of all of us and you actually think Mellie is capable of murder."
"Damn straight. Bitch is crazy and you know how well I read people and situations. I mean you guys didn't even have to tell me anything for me to get the basic idea of what happened this weekend."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, Criminal Minds." Olivia said sarcastically. "This is-"
"Even if she's not capable of murder," Abby interrupted with a lower voice, "I'm pretty sure she's the type who would castrate a man without hesitation..."
"Shit Abby! That makes even more sense." Harrison said.
"Both of you are the crazy ones! How do we go from me telling Harrison that 'Fitz probably isn't here because he said he was going to file for divorce' to castration." Olivia whispered harshly.
Abby gave Olivia a knowing look. "Really Liv? We're talking about Divorce and Mellie...how could we not end up at castration?"
I know Abby and Harrison are being ridiculous but I am worried about Fitz. The same questions from last night have been running through my head throughout the morning. I still have half a day to get through at work! It's not even guaranteed that I'll hear from him today or tomorrow or the next day. I don't know when he's going to be able to let me know how everything went. I don't even know if he went through with the divorce filing. What if-
Olivia felt an arm wrap around her from her right side. She looked to see Harrison smiling warmly at her.
"Don't bother driving yourself crazy over what you can't control."
Olivia nodded and Harrison removed his arm.
"Now, about the latest episode of Criminal Minds..."
Fitz pulled into the driveway and cut off the engine.
It's really that time. Time to let Mellie know that I'm done being in this unhealthy relationship. I'm done putting Jerry through all the hurt of hearing us do nothing but argue. I want him to be in a place where he gets the love and attention that he needs.
Hell I want to be in a place where I get the love and attention I need. And I want to be with someone who I can give plenty of love and attention to.
Fitz rested his head back and closed his eyes.
If Liv, Jerry, and I could simply be given a chance at becoming a family...
Fitz allowed his mind to circle around the possibilities of that thought before he opened his eyes and reached for his seatbelt.
After a deep breath he got out of the car, walked to his front door, and slowly opened it.
This is the next step on a winding road that will hopefully lead to a happy ending.