Chapter 37

So far, their first weekend as a couple had been everything. Fitz had been the best of fiancés. He had been perfect from the moment he arrived. Olivia was on the proverbial cloud nine. For Fitz she had been heaven on earth. Olivia was also the perfect fiancé. Their Friday and Saturday had been without peer and so had their Sunday. It was almost two o'clock in the afternoon and Fitz had spent the last forty minutes in the kitchen. Livvy was still sleeping. None of this was surprising after all they had made love long into the morning hours. Just before sunrise Olivia had held onto Fitz' curls as he ravished her. He was a master at oral copulation and all of his expertise was at her command. She had come so hard as he had elicited what she had thought was the last orgasm of the night from her. It wasn't. He had given her more as he took more for himself.

Now at one fifty-six in the afternoon Olivia was currently being kissed awake by the most loving and handsome man in the world. She was so lucky. She opened her eyes to a sea of blue. He was smiling that devastating smile. His curls were everywhere hanging in his face. She needed to keep a camera bedside. She should capture some of these unforgettable glimpses of how fine Fitzgerald Grant truly is! She would start her own personal album. When he was gone during the week, the album would keep her happiness close to 100 percent. And she was tremendously happy. Sometimes it frightened her. Would it always be like this?

"Good afternoon sleepyhead. Are you ready to start our day? I've chopped some veggies for a salad. Chicken, beef, or seafood? What would you like for protein? I also have some fresh berry tarts in the oven. I've been busy while you were sleeping."

"I see. You let me sleep the morning away. You cooked yesterday. I can't expect you to cook for me every day while you are home. I'm not a chef but I'm a decent cook Fitz. You shouldn't always bear the burden of feeding us."

"I want to Olivia. I love cooking for you. For us. It's not a big deal. I don't cook much in New York. Almost every meal I consume is from a restaurant. That's New York life. This is Boston, it's supposed to be different. Plus, I intend to spoil you, Olivia Pope. Get used to it. I intend for you to never want to let me go."

"I never will. We're forever and forever. You know that don't you?"

"I do. Forever and ever. I imagine you want to shower first. Last night was a marathon of body heat, sweat, and lust. I loved every minute of it by the way! I've already hit the shower."

"I do want to jump in the shower. Give me thirty minutes and I'll meet you in the kitchen. Deal?"

"Deal."

Gabriella Garnier walked into the great room. She had just showered after an intense morning workout. Her husband and Papa Joe were watching the news. Fitz and Olivia had made the news yesterday. Were they still headliners today?

"Well, are they still trending?"

"Of course, they are! My grandson is one of the wealthiest men in the world. He's chosen a bride. That's news, my dear."

"I know that but for some reason I wasn't expecting it to be an overwhelming story. Fitz has shunned the headlines for years even before he ended that disastrous marriage to Margot Lily. He doesn't like the limelight. He never has. I hope the press doesn't intend to hound them."

"Gabriella, Fitz is a big boy. He knows what to expect and he will confront it. Security is in place in Boston now, so everything should be fine. Don't get into worry mode. They will be alright."

"Jerry Grant, don't you dare tell me not to worry about Fitz. It's my job to worry about him, I'm his mother. Olivia is becoming the daughter I never had. I worry about her as well. We look at them and see a couple in love, a man that loves a woman and vice versa. There are certain people in the world that see something else. And there's Margot. Remember, she went berserk when Fitz threw her out. She actually thought that he would still have her after what she did. Her kind are of a vengeful nature. Without a doubt she was acting the day she left here. Anyway, it has been years. She had better not try any of her machinations. We must not forget that she plagued our son for almost two years before she realized that her efforts were futile."

"Gabriella, even Margot Lily wouldn't be foolish enough to place herself in our son's path again. Father wanted that ill-fated match and Fitz capitulated. It was doomed from day one. Sometimes dynastic marriages work but not in that case. Fitz has our blood running through his veins and we set a fine example of what marriage should be and what true love is. He has found it. God help anyone that tries to take it away from him. His wears his love for that girl on his sleeves. It warms my heart to see him so content and happy. Olivia is good for him and I believe she sincerely loves him."

"Without a doubt. They remind me of us. Falling in love so quickly and daring to act upon it. It is us, isn't it? We must help them dearest. We must watch over them."

"Only if they request our help, Gabby. We mustn't interfere. You realize that don't you. Fitzgerald wouldn't tolerate it. If our services are needed, he will let us know."

"You're right of course. I've always been over protective of Fitz. How I wish I could've given you more children. Perhaps then I wouldn't be so overprotective of our son. I simply want him happy. I want the two of them happy. They already have distance between them and the completion of a medical education. They need no other distractions."

"And there won't be any. Grant Security is in place and Margot Lily is in the past where she would do well to stay."

True, Margot Lily was on the west coast far and away from her ex-husband but she had a restless night. The news about Fitzgerald Grant and an engagement had rattled her. It had been years now since he had dismissed her from his life. He had kicked her out of his life and his world like she was yesterday's trash. Yes, she had lied and betrayed him but he had been ruthless. She had tried every trick in the book to reel him back in. It had been to no avail.

His mother and father had never wanted the marriage. It had been the old man that had pushed for the union. Fitz greatly admired his grandfather and would do just about anything for him, including marrying her. Margot had thought the old man would be her saving grace. She had gone to him, in actress mode, begging and pleading for him to intervene. Even he would have nothing more to do with her after finding out she had aborted his great-grandchild. Her life was in shambles all over a fertilized egg, which in truth she didn't know who had fertilized it! She had been careless and ended up pregnant. She didn't want a baby!

She was an actress, not a brood mare. And she wasn't Gabriella Garnier as her ex-husband apparently expected her to be. Margot Lily controlled men. It was her forte. She was beautiful with a magnificent body. It had been her ticket to stardom and riches beyond her wildest dreams. She hadn't been a struggling starlet when she met Fitzgerald Grant. She was a fucking movie star! She hadn't wanted or needed a husband. The old man came to her making promises that he couldn't keep! He couldn't control his grandson and neither could she!

There had never been a man in her life that she couldn't control with her body. Most men were controlled by their dicks. One exception was her ex-husband. She had tried everything in her arsenal. In her experience most men liked a woman going wild during sex, sucking them off, telling them they were the best, even if they were faking it. Not Fitzgerald Grant! In fact, it turned him off. What she was offering he had refused to accept. His ego was bruised that she faked her responses to him. He wanted her to enjoy the sex act and she didn't particularly. Sex was more about gaining power than pleasure. She preferred the wham bam thank-you ma'am scenario. She used men. They didn't use her! He wanted an event, a special happening. Sex wasn't a damn special event. At least not for her. That had essentially ended the marriage. That and the fact that he found out about the abortion. He wouldn't touch her again! The bastard!

She had gone back to being the real Margot Lily. There were men and women that wanted her body and they would advance her cause. She found them and went back to living her life. She had lived in his home, spent his money, and did as she pleased until… His lawyers presented her with a dossier of her exploits. They even knew that it was possible that Fitz wasn't the father of the baby. They threatened to expose her, ruin her, and have her blacklisted from Hollywood. Fitz wanted her gone and he didn't care how it was accomplished.

She had known they weren't a love match. In the beginning he was courteous and solicitous of her. At the end he had a notable distaste for her. He didn't try to hide it. He despised her. She threw in the towel and moved on. She couldn't make any demands during the divorce simply because he held all the cards. He still did. Fitz never lied. He would ruin her and make her life miserable if she hadn't signed those divorce papers. She had jumped back into her life and continued as she always had.

Margot sat in her small Hollywood mansion reading Variety and for some reason she was more than pissed. Fitzgerald Grant had rejected her for an island nobody! He had rejected her and turned to someone he met on a fucking vacation? The family that thought no one was good enough for their precious son had accepted an island nobody? It really had her blood boiling.

No, she wasn't on par with Gabriella. No Oscar yet but she was a bona fide star. She had been making three to five million per movie and her entrance into the Grant family had quickly doubled her salary and appeal. When the Grants dropped her, she never regained her popularity. Producers stopped calling. She had been lucky to get any industry work. She maintained her existence on her savings and the divorce settlement. The Grants claimed to have had no part in her woes but she knew they did. All of them had tremendous clout in the industry. She wasn't quite blacklisted but she was definitely on a list.

Only recently had she been offered a few A-list parts again. It irked her that the Grants had been able to manipulate her. All because she wasn't the perfect woman for the prodigal son! She was angry and she had every right to be. She spent precious years in that farce of a marriage. She had expected overwhelming stardom and dividends as the wife of Fitzgerald Grant, daughter-in-law to world class movie producers, and superstar Gabriella Garnier. What she got was bullshit and the shaft! Everyone in the industry knew that they had kicked her to the curb. The why, was immaterial. The Grants were a powerful force. If they didn't want her, she had to be tainted!

Still, why was she so upset? She didn't love Fitzgerald Grant, she never had. She didn't want anything to do with him or his prissy family. She despised them all. If the prodigal son wanted to waste his life on an island nobody let him. She had bigger fish to fry. She had just read for the lead opposite a world renown A-lister. He was married with children. The word was that he had a huge dick and a wandering eye. Margo liked that combination. If she got the part, perhaps they could play!

James Lockheed had been told that Tessa had been into his High Street restaurant twice this week. Both times she had ordered the house specialty, Garlic Butter Crabs. He used to fix them for her all the time when she visited his place. He'd watch her eat those crabs in utter delight. The way she licked her lips and sucked the butter from her fingers were an aphrodisiac! Tessa knew she was making him hot and bothered. When he was thoroughly aroused, he would pick her up and take her to his bed. There he would lick and suck at her until she begged him for release. Then it was his turn to make love to her anyway he chose as long as she technically remained a virgin.

James wasn't a virgin. He had a world class education in the art of sexual prowess from his days at Miss Naomi's Place. Eugenie had been his choice back in the day. He had been eager to try everything and she had let him. Eventually Eugenie favored him as much as he favored her. She chose to meet him outside of the workplace. Their clandestine meetings went on for years. It was non-committable sex that was satisfying. Then Tessa Adderley grew up and crossed his path. Tommy spotted her first but Jimmy had always coveted her. Dreams of the dark-haired beauty taunted him at night. He hung out with Tommy in order to be around her. He could feel the connection between them. It was palpable. His friendship with Tommy kept him from his own pursuit.

He knew Tommy. They had been best friends forever. They shared many things including long held secrets. It intrigued Tommy that Tessa wouldn't let him in her panties. Therefore, it became paramount that he get inside them. This was the type game that Tommy loved to play. However, if the chase lingered, he usually lost interest. James figured he would grow tired of the chase and then he would have an opportunity to make his move. With Tommy off to Med School in the states the coast would be clear! He didn't get that chance since Tommy decided that Tessa's vow of chastity made her marriage material. He declared he was going to marry her. He put a ring on her finger binding her to him.

Tommy's actions left James stunned. He was honor bound to respect his friend's engagement but he couldn't. What he felt for Tessa Adderley was too strong. It was obvious there was an attraction between them. He tried just being a friend to her when Tommy left for the States. He knew about Tessa's long walks on the beach. He had the audacity to join her. It was a way to be near her and dream. Those walks with her were everything. At first, they said little than the usual niceties. Then they broke the ice. They talked about life. They discussed their hopes and dreams. He doubted that she knew that all his hopes and dreams centered around her.

Then one day as they walked, he held out his hand. When she didn't hesitate to take it, he knew he was lost. She had looked up at him with questions in her eyes. He didn't have the answers so he said nothing and they continued walking that day. Later on, in his bed lying there thinking of her he made up his mind to ask her a question. Her answer would determine the course of their relationship. Did she love Jimmy the man she was engaged to? Her answer had been a resounding no. His heart had been so happy. In response to her answer, he had told her that he loved her. She hadn't hesitated at all when she said that she loved him too. The course of his life had changed that day.

When he fell head over heels in love with Tessa Adderley, he stopped seeing Eugenie. All that he had was to be for her. Tessa loved him back or so she said. She had lain with him giving him everything but her virginity. At the time he hadn't worried in the least that she loved him. She had told him so night after night as they had lain together and loved each other. The sex had been different. She wished to technically remain a virgin and so she had. Nevertheless, she had pleased him like no other woman ever could. He was hard as a rock thinking of all the ways they had loved one another. The images of her sweet mouth on his dick. The unimaginable pleasure he felt as he rocked himself between her breasts. She had given him everything, all that she could. And he had loved her well in return. He knew when a woman was well pleased. She had craved the things he had done to her. In the end, it all had meant nothing.

He was older now and so was she. He had suppressed his sexual desires a lot over the years. Yet, he was just man with a man's desires. When he had an itch, he had it scratched. Sex had become a biological function for him. For a while he was basically clinical to his approach. As he moved on from Tessa, he had tried the dating game for a several years. He did one-night stands begrudgingly. One woman in particular had intrigued him for a while. They were together for almost two years. He had a bit of money now so the did many things together. They were compatible but she wasn't Tessa. Yet, he continued in the relationship.

Then he had opened his door one night. Tessa had come to him and in the end he couldn't resist what she offered, the opportunity to thoroughly possess her body. He had truly made love to her in every way. After that night he knew there would never be another woman for him in the love capacity. Tessa got up from his bed and went back to her abusive husband!

Wounded and hurt, he had gone back into the affair with Etta. He knew it wasn't going anywhere. More or less established as a couple, the masses expected them to marry. So did Etta. She wanted marriage and a family. She gave him an ultimatum. He was glad she had. He had enjoyed her company and she was commendable in bed but he didn't love her. The ultimatum date passed and they were over. He had spent the last twenty-five years having selective encounters when he felt the urge. Lately he had bypassed even selective sex. He didn't want it. He wanted something else!

He had been on a spinning wheel since Tessa had left her husband. When she had actually divorced the man; he had been sprung from the spinning wheel onto an unbelievable roller coaster ride. The woman he loved and wanted more than anything was free! He was having her surveilled and getting a weekly report on her. The reports contained pictures of her. They were driving him mad! She was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. And heaven help him, he still loved her!

It was three o'clock in the morning! He had been pacing first in his office and now he was doing the same in his apartment. Maybe he should get into his boat and visit a certain establishment on the next island. In a few months it would be almost a year since he'd had a sexual encounter with a woman. That wasn't out of the ordinary. He had gone months without sex. Yet here he was a middle-aged man with a dick as hard as if he were sixteen again. All he could think about was her and that one night when he had finally had her. It had been more than he had ever dreamed. Over and over, he had come inside of her. He had fucked them both into pure exhaustion and then he had cradled her in his arms and slept.

Tessa had a spot reserved in his brain. She was driving him crazy! He picked up the phone. He thought better of it but he dialed the number anyway. He needed to get Tessa Adderley out of his system right now. He needed to face this problem head on like he did any other problem in his life.

"Mr. Lockheed, is there a problem? I haven't received any notifications from any of the properties."

"No, everything is fine Joel. Nothing is wrong. I have a question about that personal situation I have you looking into."

"The Pope case."

"Yes, the Pope case. She has had dinner at the Café Dupont for several weeks now, correct? She been to the casino in the resort as well I understand?"

"I don't have the file before me sir but if I remember correctly, she's in the restaurant for dinner maybe twice a week. I can't remember the situation for the resort."

"The next time Mrs. Pope steps into either facility, I'd like to be directly informed. I'll need notification as soon as she arrives."

"Not a problem, Mr. Lockheed."

"Thank-you, Joel. Sorry, to have bothered you this time of morning."

"No problem, sir. I will see that you get that information. Have a good morning."

Joel was head of his security team and one of his most trusted employees. They never discussed anything but business and they still didn't. From the very day he had called him into the office and asked him to put a team of men together that he trusted to shadow Tessa Adderley because her husband was a bully, the man never questioned his motives. He never questioned the need for the continued surveillance of the woman. James had defined it as personal and private. He had to say nothing more.

Well, he was about to cross a line he had vowed not to cross. He had wanted Tessa to come to him. He was so certain that she would. However, he was becoming desperate and impatient. The woman was free, goddammit! She was sending out signals and they sure as hell weren't mixed. She was invading his personal space. She had moved into his neighborhood and now she was eating at his restaurant and playing blackjack at his casino!

He hadn't made a decision to approach her directly but he intended to let her know that he was aware of her presence. Once that was done, he would await her next move. As much as he loved her and still wanted her, he wasn't just going to settle for just a small piece of her this time. No way! Finally, he took a deep breath. He exhaled and hoped he had released a lot of his tension as well. His sexual tension was still evident. Thinking about Tessa had him in a semi-erect state a lot lately. He knew what the cure was but the cure wasn't part of the picture right now. He wanted more and wouldn't accept less!

He yawned! He was sleepy as hell. This Tessa thing was keeping him up at night. He decided to shower. It was a cold one. He emerged from the shower smiling. He went to his bed with that big smile on his face. He had made a decision that he could live with. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was asleep. He was bone tired. He slept until his phone rung at nine-fifteen the next morning.

"Good morning, Mr. Lockheed. It's Shelia. You're usually at your desk when I arrive. You have a nine-forty-five and I was just checking to be sure you were okay and remembered."

"I overslept Shelia. I'm glad you called. I'm in the apartment. I'll be right down. No worries. See you in a few."

Tessa Adderley turned over in her bed. She stretched and yawned. She'd had the best dream last night. She had dreamed of she and Jimmy. She had dreamed of them walking the beach and eventually falling love. She had been engaged to another man but she had fallen in love with him anyway. She had always been half in love with James Lockheed. The fact that Thomas Pope had asked her to marry him had seemed irrelevant.

Even in her dreams it was irrelevant because in the end she had still given herself to Jimmy. She had gone willingly to his bed and allowed him access to her body in all aspects but one. On the other hand, she had all access to all of his body which she learned to use for her own pleasure. That summer he had been so wonderful! Jimmy taught her all about sex and pleasure. All of it was so special. He had ruined her for any other man. Her dream of him last night had been so intense that she had shattered in her sleep. She awoke moaning as an orgasm overtook her. She'd had dreams of their encounters before but never on this level.

James Lockheed was being stubborn! She was a divorced woman and she was free. He hadn't made not one move toward her. He knew that she was out there and available. Yet there had been nothing. Was he going to hold it against her forever that she had married Thomas Pope? Perhaps he thought to. That would never do. She knew that he and Thomas had words and a falling out because Jimmy wouldn't involve himself in their situation. Perhaps he wished to avoid the inevitable. A Thomas Pope altercation.

Thomas would go ballistic when he realized there was something between them. Even if he never found out the extent of their involvement, Thomas Pope was going to be furious if she took up with Jimmy. And as sure as the Grand Caymans was an island in the Caribbean, she intended to take up with James Lockheed!

Fitz was heading back to New York City tomorrow morning early. It made Olivia sad. Their first weekend together as couple had been wonderful. Of course, this weekend had been an oddity and she knew it. She had manipulated a perfect weekend for them. They may never see another perfect weekend like that and she knew it. Fitz knew it as well but neither one of them wanted to discuss it apparently. They were both happy and content right now. Why look a gift horse in the mouth?

Olivia had returned from her shower and Fitz had their salads ready. She had chosen seafood and he had blackened salmon to top their salads. Fitz didn't know how to prepare a small salad apparently. Olivia ate until she was stuffed. Fitz devoured his and her leftovers. She didn't have room for the berry tart. She would have one later at dinner if she could even eat dinner. She was still not accustomed to eating so much.

"That was delicious, thank-you. I know you have to leave early tomorrow morning so we will have an early night. Did you have anything in mind for this evening?"

"No, I didn't. How do you feel about watching some of the NCAA tournament later? We can order a late dinner and then off to bed. How does that sound?"

"Whatever you want. I just want to be with you. I'm going to miss you so much. This has been so lovely. If only we can have more idyllic weekends like this. This was anomaly you know. I think from now until graduation may be good for us. When first year starts, I might not be around much. I don't want you here all alone. I'm bothered by the thought. I want this to work for us. I worry for us."

"Come here and sit with me. Sit right here on my lap. Stop being such a worrywart Olivia. I promised to love and support you and I will. This is my home now, here with you. I will come here Friday through Monday regardless of your schedule. Whether you can come home to me or not I'll be waiting. If you have any spare moments, you have but to call me and I will come to you Olivia. This is going to work because we are going to see to it. Trust me, Olivia. Our love will see us through this. I have pledged myself to you. I love you."

"I'm so glad you found me. I think I was waiting for you all of my life. I love you too, so much. I am a worrywart and I never have been before. You've changed your life for me. You are my true knight. You came for me just as Nana said you would. And, you are all I've ever dreamed. You make me so happy Fitz. As long as you love me, I know everything will be alright."

"Everything will be fine. Trust in our love Olivia. Trust the future that we've seen with our own eyes. Remember the baby we both saw you holding?"

"I do remember. His eyes were your eyes. That was our baby."

"Yes, it was Olivia. You and I will marry and we will build a family."

"You are such a special man and I'm so lucky. How about we go over to the club house and swim some laps in the pool? Then we come back here, shower, and get ready for some basketball?"

"Excellent idea, Ms. Pope. I'll alert security. And Olivia, would you wear the black one piece for me?"

"Anything for you, Mr. Grant."

Their excellent weekend ended as it had begun with wonderment, joy, love and a bit of disappointment that it was over. Of course, their good-bye had been bitter sweet but this time there was an element of happiness. In four days, Fitz would be back in Boston. Their lives together had begun. There would be no more drawn-out separations. They were a couple. Boston would be their home for the next several years. The situation wasn't ideal but it was doable. Love was going to see to it.

They had worked off the calories from lunch by doing laps in the pool. Then they had spent a relaxing half hour in and out the jacuzzi. A couple of neighbors that she normally conversed with at the pool had stopped by to say hello. Olivia had her second opportunity to introduce Fitz as her fiancé. It was such a defining moment. She was actually going to be a wife to this wonderful man.

Fitz couldn't have been happier that their love was out in the open. He had wanted the world to know right from the first moment he knew he had found the woman of his dreams. This had been a great weekend. He as looking forward to many more. The lovers watched one game of March Madness and called it a night.

The rest of the night was one of sensual delight. It wasn't a marathon just one single round of lovemaking. A simple round where he centered his attention on Olivia's senses. He had given her two back-to-back orgasms. The first one with his mouth had been merciless and the second even more merciless as he pounded into her. She cried out his name clinging to him. He offered her words of love and praise as she came back to herself. She had opened her eyes to his. His smile was warm and loving. His eyes held fire. As he sought his own release his strokes were now slow, deep and deliberate. He lay siege to her G-spot on his entry and his retreat. Olivia caught fire immediately. She began to meet him stroke for stroke. She was purring in his ear encouraging him to take them both to that place. He hissed and moaned at the delicious feel of her.

"Oh, my darling Livvy, you feel so fucking good. Can you come with me this time? I need to feel your sweet, sweet pussy convulse around me as I spill inside of you. Can you come again for me?"

She could and she did. They both did, spectacularly! Sated and replete, they nestled in each other's arms and slept until awakened by security. Fitz' flight left at four-fifty. Olivia didn't have to be in until nine. Fitz insisted that she go back to sleep. They would talk later. He kissed her good-bye and he was off.

His flight was unremarkable. He went to his penthouse and got ready for work. Fitz was promptly in his office by nine-fifteen. He was immaculately dressed and ready for a full day in court. Drey came in with a file and the information he needed for his first case of the day. She anticipated at max two hours in court this morning and then the Jackson case at three this afternoon. There was a scheduled business dinner at seven-thirty tonight. What did he want for lunch?

Everything was going smoothly just like usual. The weekend had been perfect and jobwise everything was in order. The first day back was going to run just like clockwork. He hadn't anticipated any problems not with Drey in charge. The woman was a good friend and a godsend. She made his life so easy!

"Well?'

"Well, what?"

"Well, what? Don't make me hit you over the head with a law book Fitz! How did the weekend in Boston go? You don't get to just act as if it's not a big deal that you've moved a couple of states away to move in with your girlfriend! I want some details buddy!"

"It was a big deal and it was simply the best Drey! Thanks for your help. I'm officially moved in. Olivia's condo is fabulous and it was a superb homecoming. Most of my things are put away. I have office space, I have a beautiful kitchen in which to play chef, and my engagement is official. Olivia was warm and welcoming. I was over the moon to be home."

"So, you're pretty much saying you two were at it like rabbits for three days, right?"

"Pretty much. I love her Drey. It was like having an early Christmas. Again, thanks for your help. After court today I need you to get me numbers for Thomas Pope. I need to talk to the man."

"He's not threatening Olivia, is he? He can't be that big of a fool!"

"No, that's not the reason I need to talk to him. We will move into our penthouse soon after Olivia's graduation. He has some items of hers that I want returned to her before that time. I intend to surprise her with the items as housewarming gifts. I know I could purchase replacements but Olivia shouldn't have to settle for replicas of things that are important to her. In fact, I insist that she won't."

"I'll have the numbers for you, no problem. As you will see everything went very well in your absence. I couldn't reschedule you this Monday but if you ever need a Monday let me know."

"Right now, anything after noon on Mondays will be fine. I've been assured that leaving Boston Monday mornings isn't going to be a problem. Olivia's days will start early and end late or they could practically go on for days. I intend to be there on weekends regardless of her schedule. Plus, there are holidays on our schedule and even first year residents get days off. I believe we'll be fine. My job is to make Olivia happy on the days I can see her. I'm going to work this, believe me."

"I believe you Fitz because I know how much this means to you. Just know, I have your back."

"Yes, you do. Thanks, Drey."