Chapter Six

"Not A Love Song"

Airport

The airport was filled to the brim with rude patronage, running to and from boarding gates. Fitz hated traveling around this time of year because most universities were out for spring break and all those midwest and south students chose California for their spring break destination. So he knew the beaches would be packed and the airport would be a sea of chaotic ill-mannered assholes. But that isn't what made this day annoying, Fitz had arrived twice as early on half the sleep and the arrivals board was broken and he'd heard no announcements about his flight.

Fitz sunk back in one of the chairs and pulled his phone from his pants pocket. An incoming call from his fiance made him sit up straight, clicking the button he answered "Tell me you're in California."

The long pause on her end made him uneasy. Mellie was notorious for missing flights and waiting until the last minute to book, but he'd hoped because it was his mother's birthday she would try to be there on time, despite Cathrine's birthday not being for another day, but he wanted them to have time to settle in before they had to be surrounded by his family all weekend.

"I can't make-sorry. I'm with my Mama." Mellie says softly as if that would lessen the blow. "Are you upset?"

"No, it's fine." The sigh he let out was a mixture of irritation and annoyance. "I'll call you later." Fitz heard her start to say his name but hung up before she could choke out another excuse, but not even a minute later his phone was buzzing in his hand-she was calling back. The first time he sent the call to voicemail but after ten missed calls from her, he started to wonder if she was busy with her mother at all. If she had time to blow up his phone, surely she could catch a flight to Santa barbara. "What?" He answered finally, and she nearly blew his eardrum out.

"Why'd you hang up on me, why are you behaving like a child." Her chastising insults boomed through the phone, and Fitz just moved his ear from the receiver. It wasn't often she got so angry and yelled like this but today he didn't feel like being scolded like a teenager, and by his fiance no less. But when Mellie finished shredding him, the line went silent and he could hear it in her short, shallow breaths. She was crying.

"I'm sorry, Mels." Fitz exhaled a breath. "I'm just stressed, finals are three months away and my mother-listen I'm sorry. I was wrong." He did feel bad for getting her worked up but by now he knew the magic words that would flip her switch and it worked every time. Like the sun dries water after it rains, a simple 'I was wrong' was a fix-it-all for Mellie.

"I would love to be there with your family but I'm all my mom has left and when she needs me I can't say no," Mellie says. She always had one of two cards up her sleeve: dead father and tears. And like a lovesick puppy, Fitz was always running to apologize. "I love you, honey. My mom just got here. Call me later K."

"Love you too."

Looking up from his phone, the sky had transitioned from blue and sunny to an ombre of orange and yellow as evening began to claim the day. Watching the sun set below the horizon, Fitz found himself wondering what Olivia was up to.

She's probably studying for the mock exam. He didn't want to break her concentration by calling her so he settled with a text and then stood to go check if there are any updates on his flight.

Olivia had been surprised when Jake called and invited her out with the choice to do whatever she wanted, but even more, she was surprised that she accepted and shocked that she was having a good time with him. After the revelation with her therapist, she'd decided to tell Jake that she wasn't interested but it didn't work out that way, she'd been more worried about hurting his feelings than thinking about her own. And with the news of Fitz's girlfriend, she needed something to take her mind off him. Even though it was wrong to use Jake this way.

Jake called something over his shoulder as he approached the lane and squared up to slide his ball, but between the music and loud chatter that filled the bowling alley, Olivia missed whatever he said. But shot him a thumbs up. Startled by the vibration under her butt Olivia jumped to remove what was causing the sensation,

Fitz: How's the studying going?

Olivia: The outline was super helpful, thanks a lot.

Olivia: Have you landed yet?

Fitz: No, my flight's delayed- some drunk idiot tried to fight the pilot.

Olivia: What?!

Olivia moved away from the speaker that was blaring out top ten pop songs of the year and called Fitz. Sticking her finger in her ear to drown out the noise. "Hello"

"I thought you were studying?" She could tell that his signature smirk had spread across his face.

"I-"

"What's up asshole?" Jake hollered over Olivia's shoulder and into her cell phone, laughing as he took off back to the lane and without pause sent the ball gliding across the pine flooring.

"You're with Jake?" He questioned, heavy skepticism lacing his words. The tone set her back, for a moment she thought she detected a hint of jealousy there but quickly pushed the thought away.

"Yeah we're bowling, it's nothing, really."

"Oh okay well, I don't wanna keep you from the game. Beat him for me okay." Fitz said a hurried goodbye and hung up.

"What'd he want?" Jake asked

"Just to say hi." She shrugged and dropped her blackberry in her pocket. "It's my turn, right?"

Santa Barbara Grant Family Ranch

Fitz didn't arrive in California until after midnight so instead of getting Henry out of bed, he hitched a cab to the ranch. His gaze scanned over the familiar Spanish-style home as the cab rounded the paved driveway, every window was dark indicating that his assumption was correct- everyone was in bed for the night. Imagining the kind of night they had because if it was anything like his mother's birthday last year then they'd need the rest for the next day. His mother was no joke when it came to birthday parties and since she insisted on celebrating the whole weekend, there was really no time to sleep.

But when he opened the door, he found a twinkle of light from Cathrine's reading lamp and she was asleep on the sofa-waiting up for him no less.

"Mom." Fitz nudged her softly, and that was all it took, seconds later she jumped to her feet, launching herself into her son's arms and giving him a tight mama bear hug.

"Oh, sweetheart." Catherine pulled back to get a look at him. "Next time we'll send the jet." Fitz's mother was of average height, and beautiful. Her face was a perfect oval with high cheekbones and her eyes a shade of blue so deep, they were almost violet. With shoulder-length brown hair held back from a smooth forehead by a blue headband that matched the color of her sweater, she projected an elegance that was similar to a 1950s actress.

"How's dad gonna feel about that?" a slight smirk crossed his face. He was teasing and his mother knew that.

"He'll do it for me. Now where's uh, Melody." not exactly trying to mask the sourness in her tone.

"She couldn't make it but she'll call tomorrow."

"She doesn't have to- I just mean if it was worth missing another one of my birthdays it has to be a serious matter." Catherine dusted invisible lint off Fitz's shirt. She sat down, patting the cushion beside her.

"Can we catch up in the morning? I'm exhausted." Fitz says.

"Of course, sweety, head up Lucy already prepared your room. And don't worry about your bags, Henry will get those for you." Catherine smiled gingerly. Fitz clutched the black backpack and nodded.

"Oh one more thing, could I have that antique dealer's number? He fixes stuff right?"

Catherine perked, nodding. "Yeah I believe I have his number somewhere around here, what'd you break?"

"It wasn't me, but my friend has this rare golden egg and it used to play music but it's broken and I just wanted to know if your guy could look at it and see if he could fix it."

"You're a sweetheart, I'll have it for you by the morning, goodnight."

Fitz said goodnight and kissed his mother's cheek, then headed up to his bedroom. After spending a day and a half in the airport he was just grateful to see his bed, but he didn't immediately fall between the sheets; he set his bag on the bed and went to take a shower.

The shower was a much-needed relaxation and a step up from splashing water on his face and under his armpits in the airport bathroom so he wouldn't smell.

With a towel wrapped around his waist and another drying his damped curls Fitz tossed the towel in the hamper as he remembered something. Fishing through the black bag he pulled out Olivia's golden egg, which he had packaged in his Princeton sweatshirt and a pair of jeans to cushion it. Unwrapping the egg he set it atop his dresser.

He did not doubt that the longer it was missing from her dresser Olivia would notice and probably throw a fit. In realizing that her prized possession was stolen. He just hoped he could get it back before she went into detective mode and started inquiring about the missing jewel. But that wasn't all he was thinking about as far as Olivia.

I wonder if she told Jake yet.

Stay out of it!

Fitz elected to put some clothes on, he found some of his old basketball shorts in one of the drawers and an old t-shirt. This works. And in the meantime, he decided not to think about Olivia or Jake. But he found not that thinking about her was torturous. So he sat up and grabbed his phone.

Fitz: Made it home. Sweet dreams, Livvie.

The next morning Fitz was up before everyone else-how? was unclear with the clinking of metals sounding through his bedroom. Still, he got up even though that wasn't nearly enough sleep to make up for the hellish day spent at the airport. But he would just have to make due because he was unable to go back to sleep after reading Olivia's message.

Olivia: Glad to hear. Missing our study sessions.

Olivia: Tell your mom, I said happy birthday!

The deep smile that etched itself across his face couldn't be explained and he certainly wasn't gonna address it while he was engaged to someone else. So he ignored it, going downstairs where he found his mother to be the culprit who was banging pots and pans. In an attempt to wake the rest of the house.

"Mom?"

Cathrine turned fast, and a playfully wicked smirk formed. "Good morning, sweetheart" throwing the pots in the sink with another loud bang. "Are you hungry?"

"What do we have?" Fitz asked, following his mother as she led him away to the dining room. "Everything" His eyes widened at the buffet, a sensation warmed him knowing that even in adulthood he was the favorite-at least to his mother but that was fine with him.

He didn't know where to start so he started off with a small stack of pancakes to make up for the shit food served in so-called first class. Then went munching on a bowl of fruit and orange juice.

"Is Melody avoiding me because I wouldn't help her trick you into a ridiculous early wedding?" Cathrine burst, extending no kindness to him or fiancée Fitz for that matter. By the way, he stopped chewing the blueberry, he'd popped in his mouth and the way his eyebrows jumped to his forehead. Fitz knew nothing of what his mother was speaking about.

"Mom, don't say 'trick' as if I'm some sucker- I love Mellie and I asked her to marry me."

"I know honey," His mother says in a condescending tone that insinuates that she feels sorry for him. "But that was sneaky what she did, her and her tacky mother flying down here to bully me into planning a shotgun wedding." Cathrine chuckled "For a moment I thought you might've knocked the poor girl up."

"Mom," he said warningly. He was the favorite indeed because Andrew got to marry who he wanted and Marcus got to date and whore it up all over Los Angeles without a fight. But when it came to Fitz no woman was ever good enough in the eyes of Cathrine.

She shrugged, pushing on, not seeing that she was upsetting him. "I'm- Are you sure you're ready to get married?"

By this time he'd already pushed the bowl away-his appetite lost to his mother's disgusting rants and insults. "After graduation, we're getting married. Mom, I would appreciate it if you respect my wishes and who I've chosen to spend the rest of my life with."

But Catherine wasn't letting this go. She shrugged, wrapping her arms around her body. Her gaze moved to the window watching the sunlight come through the clouds and light up the dining room. "I could accept this but you've only ever been with her and you're 24 years old- there's never been any other girl? One who made your heart jump or beat a little louder even by just the thought of her?"

Fitz found himself stunned by his own silence. Why wasn't he defending? Why wasn't he saying that Melody does all that for him? When he did find his voice he found anger and frustration lacing his words "Mom, I love Mellie."

Cathrine got up and before she left she laid her hand on his shoulder-not to be mean or anything but to emphasize her sincerity "I believe you love her. But you aren't in love with her." She patted his shoulder and left.

The studio crew squeezed into their respective corners and spots as Big Gerry's countdown started. In under five seconds, the lights were on and the cameras were rolling just in time for the famous opening. It's Tuesday, it's 3 o'clock. I'm Gerry Grant, that must mean you're watching the Grant report. Fitz stood off to the side mouthing his father's opening hook, though he thought it was cheesy and dumb, his father's viewership was unbelievable on the network. But his father could always draw in a crowd.

The hour ran on and Fitz found himself acquainted with the crafts table, listening to his father report the latest on politics in California. But Gerry never knew boundaries, so his commentary spilled over into what's going on in Washington along with a few unneeded critics of the president. Fitz overheard the crew begin to wrap up his father's set, and started over to meet him in his dressing room.

"Fitzgerald." His voice was gruff, and his brows were drawn together in a frown... and yet the blue eyes twinkled with humor. Fitz approached his father with a measured smile and an extended hand. He knew better than to go in for a hug with Big Gerry.

"Dad, you're working on mom's birthday?" Fitz said, more surprised that Cathrine let him out of the house to work, rather than Gerry having enough courtesy to stay home and celebrate his wife but that was who he was.

Gerry ignored the sass that was dripping out Fitz's question, instead chuckling and clapping his son on the back leading him out of the studio. "Glad you could make it to your mother's birthday. I hear that little tail you have couldn't make it." Ignoring the audible sigh that slipped past his son's lips Gerry kept on. "Your mother says she's a snake in your garden, a pretty one no less."

"Let's talk about something else- I hear Andy's divorce is finalized, and Marcus is gonna be a father?" His condescending tone was as annoying as the words, but Gerry didn't take the bait. Whenever these two found each other in the same room, there was no telling who was more irritated by the end of their sparring match.

"Marcus took care of that, and Andrew is even more of an idiot than I thought. But you Fitzgerald you're doing everything I want. Now if you would fix that attitude."

Fitz rolled his eyes and ducked from under his father's arm, standing face to face with him. "Then can I have the keys to the Jersey property?"

A slow smile worked its way across Gerry's face and into his eyes. He could see so much of himself coming through his youngest son if he would only stop fighting it. In his own right Big Gerry was admired by many and just the ring of his name brought people into the room. He could see Fitz doing the same in time.

"We'll talk. Let's head out so we're not late."

"Ever the prankster, you are little brother ." Andrew patted Fitz's twice and smirked.

"Yeah, you're mom's list. You could have mentioned that your girlfriend was coming. I think you got mom's hopes up."

"I think it's finance these days, Marc." Andy chuckled, sipping the dark liquor. "I say you'll regret it."

Fitz's brow creased in confusion at his brother's comments and smiles and poor attempts at jokes. What was so funny and what the hell were they talking about? It didn't hit Fitz right away until Marcus pointed upstairs. But still, he wasn't exactly following along. Without warning, he raced up the stairs, barrelling down the extended hallway to his bedroom. His mother's party was starting in less than 10 minutes and he didn't want to be the reason for the disaster.

In his bedroom, Fitz found his room a mess of clothes, heels, and Mellie's jewels splayed across his dresser. At first, a smile spread form but then he teleported back to the conversation he and his mother had last night regarding Mellie. Suddenly his brother's comments made sense, but he couldn't tell Mellie she was disinvited from the party. In fact, he started thinking, her ditching the event was the best thing for him because it kept the peace.

"Mellie," Fitz called stalking towards the closed bathroom door.

"Surprise baby." Mellie squealed, throwing her arms around his neck. Trying to sound as gleeful as possible was hard when he was in the middle of his mother's happiness and the comfort of his fiance. He was screwed. Fizt sat on the bed running through the itinerary.

Hell. Everyone is an adult. He reasoned.

She was dressed and almost ready for dinner, Mellie gave her lashes a final coat of mascara and peered into the gilt-edged mirror on the dressing table, hoping she hadn't overdone the blusher. "Your mother was…less cold."

"Huh?"

"Your mom, she didn't accuse me of being a gold digger the moment I walked through the door."

"What are you doing here Mellie? I just mean that-"

"I know I said I couldn't make it but that was just because I was afraid."

"Afraid that my mother would tell me that you asked her to plan an early wedding?" Fitz stood, folding his arms across his chest.

"And have you look at me like this." Mellie threw up her hands as if to signal defeat. Grabbing a pair of diamond earrings that Fitz bought her for Christmas. She slipped the studs in and turned to him. "I wanted to surprise you because I know how hard you are on yourself and I wanted to plan the wedding early so that it's one less thing you have to worry about."

"What? We agreed to wait and this is why. My family has always been this way. This is why I wanted to give them time to warm up to you so that when we announced our engagement it didn't seem like a shotgun wedding. But you jumped the gun-"

"Fitzgerald, that woman called me a gold digger and all you have to say is that I have to warm up? this is why I'm not running to hang out with your fancy-ass mother, I'll never be good enough for her, and I'll never have the money she wants me to have." Her voice went high and then cracked next thing he knew her face scrunched as if she were crying. She sat down, dropping her face into her palms.

"Mellie we're trying to have a conversation, stop crying. I'm sorry that she said that I really am but my mother is just being protective that's all."

"Are you serious? Do you even want to marry me?"

"Of course I do, I love you," Fitz says, offended by her initial insinuation.

"Then marry me Fitz, not a year from now but now because we're supposed to be a team and right now I'm in the ring alone and your family is winning."

After turning his head from right to left for a second, he sighed and stood up. "We can't get married right now. I proposed because I thought we could have a nice engagement phase for about two years just until I'm ready."

"So you don't wanna marry me? Two years?" Mellie screamed and then took a deep breath. As if a switch went off in her head, Mellie smiled. "I'm not waiting two years to be your wife." She said, unscrewing a tube of tinted lip gloss. "Get dressed, we don't want to be late.

Without a word Fitz sat back on the bed watching her in disbelief, in all the years he's known her he's never seen her fired up. But her temper isn't what worried him, it was the fact that she sucked all that fire and vitriol back in, put a smile on her face, and walked out like nothing ever happened.

This truly was the first time Fitz wondered if he was making the right decision.

Making her way down the winding staircase. She held onto the polished banister and was so focused on not catching her heels in the carpet running down the hardwood steps that she didn't see Fitz standing by the stairwell until he gave a wolf whistle. He held out his arm and tucked hers under it. "I want to apologize for-for all of it."

"Shhh!" She hissed, mortified. "Let's not worry about that tonight."She shook her head with a heavy sigh and looked around the hall. "Where is everyone? I'm not late, am I?"

"Mom's in the dining room and the others should be down shortly. You look gorgeous, by the way." Fitz said.

They walked into the dining room and Mellie stopped inside the doorway, only just holding in a gasp. The muted lighting on the mahogany-paneled walls set off the elaborately set dining table covered with white bone china plates and bowls, sparkling cut-glass tumblers, and polished silver cutlery. Three crystal vases filled with full-bloomed pink and white roses decorated the length of the table.

Catherine, dressed in a navy velvet gown that fell in soft folds to her ankles, looked up from inspecting the table. "Oh good, there you are!" she said crisply, a faux smile flashed."Fitz, you can both sit over on that side. Mellie, you'll be next to Marcus."

"I want to keep your father and your brothers apart, let's hope that'll keep him off their case this evening."

Right on cue, a red-eyed Andrew charged into the room, closely followed by his date, which he was ignoring. She was looking stunning in a scarlet dress with a sweetheart neckline and tiny straps. And as if in birth order Marcus strolled in, tieless and with a few drinks in him as well.

Immediately they sat down, Big Gerry was soon to arrive, so until then the table erupted in small conversation. Then Big Gerry walked in.

"Happy birthday sweet heart." He said giving his wife a chaste kiss on the cheek.

"Let's eat," Catherine announced

As if summoned by some magic signal, Ms. Susan appeared, carrying a tureen which she laid down in the center of the table before leaving as silently as she'd arrived.

By the time the last course was served, two-fourths of the Grant men were lubricated. Marcus and Andrew were huddled, laughing under their breaths and Gerry was just observing, as usual. Whereas Andrew was content with ignoring the poor woman he dragged into his family home, Mellie extended her the kindness of talking to her. As they were both bored of politics and sports as the tables topic of interest. Fitz had been immersed in whatever crap his mother was filling his head with. Every so often Mellie would lend her eye, trying to catch onto something so she could join in. However, it was like Cathrine was intentionally rambling about antiques and other crap like that.

Rolling her eyes, Mellie redirected her attention to the girl, she was back on to shoes, and shopping which was a topic Mellie could get behind.

Then suddenly Andrew stood, tapping his glass with a fork. The dining room fell silent and everyone's gaze darted to him. "I just wanted to say happy birthday mom, I'd give you the world if dad hadn't already given it to you." He smiled and the group raised their glasses. But he didn't sit back down which caught Fitz's attention. "Also to my little brother, who's getting married. Till death do you part."

Fitz choked on the water he'd been drinking, earning a glare from Mellie. "Thanks, Andy," Mellie spoke up, just for him to slump back into his chair, immediately he and Marcus burst out laughing.

Fitz cast a glare at the asshole he had the misfortune of sharing DNA with, his expression unreadable. "You guys are fucking dicks."

"Language Fitzgerald." His mother scolded. "Andrew, Marcus you're excused." It wasn't a question or a suggestion, it was an order. One they were wise enough to obey.

A look of disappointment crossed his mother's face and Fitz felt a stab of guilt. "I apologize, for the boys, Melody, Fitzgerald." She looked at him meaningfully and he sighed helplessly.

"Thank you, Catherine. I'm- I think I'm gonna turn in tonight." Mellie was up from the table in seconds, heading for the north wing of the house.

Fitz scowled at his mother and father. "You told them?"

"There are no secrets in this family, Fitzgerald," Catherine said without remorse.

"You should go make sure she's alright." Big Gerry said and there was a hint of something that felt like maybe sympathy but it wasn't likely.

Mellie could handle Fitz's mother's nasty attitude towards her because, at the end of the day, she knew whose side Fitz was truly on. But having his entire family against her wasn't what she thought marrying Fitz would be like. She was no stranger to hardship, from clawing her way out of the trailer park her daddy left her and her mother in, to getting herself into one of the best private schools in California, where she met Fitz. And now as she's putting herself through college.

Why she didn't grow up with the silver spoon that Fitz was born with, was a mystery to her, but she was done wishing to change the past, she was forging her future, and that included Fitz, no matter what.

Mellie was already in bed by the time Fitz came into the bedroom, her back facing the door. Fitz touched her shoulder gently.

"Mel?"

"What did I do?" She turned to him in the dark. "Why does your mom suddenly hate me? She used- we used to have something."

From the moment he introduced Mellie and Cathrine, the two became thick as thieves. They'd spent almost the entire summer together last year, shopping, spa days, and the country club. Cathrine even invited her to the family Yacht. But it seemed that the moment Fitz proposed, his entire family turned against her like sharks after blood, baring their teeth. And tonight let her know that they weren't afraid to bite.

"I don't know, Mel. But I promise I won't let them hurt you anymore."

"Fitz I love you, I'm in love with you. I'm not some gold digger."

"Woah," He jerked back. "Where did that come from, no one here thinks that Mel."

"Your mama does, she hates me." Tears glistened in her eyes. Fitz gathered Mellie in a tight hug, shushing her "She won't stop this until we're married, and then she'll see that I'm not after your money."

"I'll talk to her." Two more days of this?

"I promise." Pulling his head from her shoulder, he covered hers in a long warm kiss that left her short of breath. For a moment they clung to each other, their kiss evolving from tender to eager and on to passionate.

…

I'm not writing a Mellie/Fitz love scene, lol

Leave a review, I read every single one. Thanks!