Chapter 2-Nice to Meet You.
As Fitz took a step closer towards the porch, Liv protected her space and took a step down. She crossed her arms under her breasts, almost as if she was hiding her hands. Fitz took notice to this. He also took notice to her right arm above the elbow. She clearly had the early signs of a bruise. From the looks of it, it was fresh and beginning to turn purple.
Fitz didn't move any closer in fear of frightening her. But she was beautiful. He quickly scanned her features. The most amazing brown eyes, that swallow you whole. The silkiest brown skin he has ever seen. She wore a white t-shirt that fit her perfectly. Her faded blue jeans brought out the beauty in her legs, they seemed muscular, a jogger probably. She finished off with a pair of black Chuck Taylor Converse. She was breathtaking and Fitz took a deep breath to talk again.
Before he could speak, she nodded, her hands never moving, and said, "Thank you, glad to be here. My name is Olivia, Olivia Pope" She looked down at Daisy resting comfortably now at Fitz's feet. Daisy felt her job was done for now. She got them to meet, at least. "I know this is Daisy." Olivia smiled down at Daisy.
Fitz's heart skipped about two beats when he saw her smile. He wished it never left her face. She was beautiful without the smile, but the parting of her lips just made her face shine even brighter. Olivia looked back up at Fitz, whom she noticed blushed a bit. "And you are?", she asked tilting her head towards him.
This time Liv took a quick look at this handsome, gorgeous man standing in front of her. He was tall and had the most magnificent curls on the back of his head. His eyes were currents of blue, just like the ocean, and he wore a dark blue tee shirt that clearly showed his biceps and his muscular chest. In the corner of the shirt was a Navy Seal emblem from the Naval Academy. She couldn't even begin to describe the way his dark blue jeans fit him perfectly, and if she had any courage, she would ask him to turn around so she could catch a glimpse of his ass. She made a note to stare once he turned to walk away. His New Balance running sneakers he had on made her guess he was a jogger. Maybe they did have something in common.
"Fitzgerald Grant, Fitz for short, so please call me Fitz." He smiled. It was the most charming smile Liv saw. He didn't mean for it to be, it just came natural for him and she squeezed her hands tighter under elbows. She figured her heart was beating so fast, it may make a rhythm right through her tee shirt.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Olivia." He looked behind her and nodded towards the place. "So, you bought the Jennings place huh? If you don't mind me asking, where are you from?"
Liv glanced back at the house. Suddenly it looked bigger than when she first looked at it, but her eyes may be playing tricks on her. "Yeah, I bought it, kind of on a whim, a change of scenery so to say. I am from the City, New York City."
There was a moment of awkward silence and Liv realized how ridiculous she must look standing with her hands buried under her elbows and her arms crossed. What impression would she make on him? Yet each time she glanced at him; she took a deeper breath. She finally looked at Daisy again. "You have quite a pooch there. She has some personality."
Fitz looked down at Daisy and patted her head. "Yeah, her and I have some superiority matches, just seems like she always wins, though, isn't that right Daisy." Daisy looked up at Fitz, panting a bit and continued to rest at his feet.
"So, Ms. Pope, do you need any help bringing anything inside? Bags or groceries, or anything?"
"Please, call me Olivia, and no thank you, I am good. I packed light today. All my things will be arriving tomorrow. Liv looked up at the darkening sky. She suddenly realized she hadn't eaten, and she didn't have any food. She finally unhooked her arms and saw Fitz glancing at her bruise. She rubbed her hand conscientiously on it, pulling at her t-shirt sleeve, and let it go.
He didn't feel comfortable asking her anything just yet. He was about to thank her for her help with Daisy when she asked. "Is there anywhere around here that delivers, you know take out, anything at this point?"
Fitz gave a little chuckle. "City girl, huh? No, nothing is open at this time in good old Rutland. Everything usually closes by five on a Friday night. Do you need some food? I have a pot of spinach ricotta ravioli in a homemade tomato sauce sitting on my stove. I always make too much food; you're welcome to come over and have some."
Liv took a small step back. She gave a brief smile and she noticed Daisy perked her head up right after the invite, never taking her eyes off Liv. Liv looked down at Daisy. "What, do you want me to take him up on the offer? I don't know this man", she looked playfully at Fitz. Her gut told her all the right things. He was genuine, but he had a darkness about him. Not a violent darkness, like Edison, a personal darkness. He seemed to be hiding some demons of his own.
"Well,", Olivia continued, talking to Daisy, but glancing at Fitz. "A charming, handsome man is standing by my house in the middle of the unfamiliar to me woods with his cute doggy, shouldn't I be weary about going to his place for some food?" Daisy jumped up and moved towards Olivia swatting her hand with her nose to pet her.
She looked back at Fitz. "I think Daisy is trying to tell you it's ok. I assure you Ms…." Fitz stopped. "I assure you Olivia, I am not a serial killer, scouts honor." He held up three fingers and flashed that smile again.
"Ok, since you sounded so convincing, I'll take the chance. Let me just grab my jacket, oh and my pepper spray. I can never be too careful."
Fitz's face dropped in concern, and Olivia let out a chuckle this time. Fitz would now swear under oath that it was the cutest sound he had ever heard. "I am kidding with you Mr. Grant, just us city girls could never be too careful."
Fitz breathed a sigh of relief. He watched Olivia turn into the place and shouted at her, "it's Fitz, not Mr. Grant. Mr. Grant is my father." Fitz looked at Daisy as he waited for Olivia to come back out. "Nice move girl, I owe you one."
Fitz tossed the ball in front of Daisy to begin their walk to his place. "Come on", he said to Olivia, "we'll walk behind the house so you can see the sun set behind the mountains. Daisy ran ahead to get the ball and the two walked on crunchy leaves, as Liv seemed stunned by the beautiful November foliage still so vivid. "So where are you from Fitz?" Hearing his name come out of her mouth brought chills up his spine. It just sounded so right coming from her mouth.
"I've been here for five years now. I am originally from Santa Barbara, but I was in the Navy for a while, so I've been on bases and overseas. I found my home here in Rutland to settle down." He looked at Liv who had stopped her walk and he took the moment to take in the beauty of what he saw.
She was staring at the sunset and with the colors of the sky glowing on her face, it was the picture-perfect moment he wished he had a camera for. "Wow", she said.
"Wow", he said. But he was staring at her the whole time. "Yeah, you never get used to that, I would never take it for granted. "
Liv made a mental note to plan a jogging time for when the sun would be setting. She could be ending her jog at the sunset. This view was breathtaking, and she wanted to jog again. It took away her anxiety and she hadn't done it in almost a year since she started working ten-hour days at the office.
The three of them continued their walk to Fitz's place, Daisy full speed ahead now excited that she would have company over.
Making friends never came too easy for Olivia, especially after the car accident. Her friends she had before the accident treated her like a porcelain doll, too scared to damage her anymore than she was. They slowly faded away from her, and Olivia found herself entering her last year of middle school all alone.
She was aware of the stares and the sympathy. She noticed how differently the teachers treated her compared to the other students. It made Olivia so uncomfortable, but she was in a world of sadness, so she never said anything. She just tried to make the best of each day and make it through the sadness.
All the girls started to become interested in the boys they teased since kindergarten. Suddenly the annoyance became an attraction and gossip was flying around the middle school on who was dating who. Olivia eventually found her way back to her click of friends, but it was never the same. She felt they just accepted her to be nice.
Every night when Olivia was home, she would undress down to her underwear and stare at her scarred body in the mirror. She would rub her hands across her chest down to her stomach. The scars were so large, especially in the areas where the larger chunks of glass were caught. She remembered hearing the doctor telling her mother how lucky she was a major artery wasn't cut and there was no significant internal bleeding.
There was one scar, on the left side of her torso, just under her rib cage. It was about six inches from where her rib cage ended, and her waist began. The piece that was lodged there was jagged and the scar showed it. It looked horrendous, and every night she rubbed it, hoping it would erase. Then, she would hear the impact of the car that blindsided them, and her head would pound where she would have to lie down.
It was nights like this, as a young teenager Olivia started crying herself to sleep. After the headache would subside, she would look over and see her father, blood streaming from his head with dead eyes staring at her. She shut her eyes tight, but that image would never go away, and she would have to think of the good times. The times of him dancing with her to Stevie Wonder songs and singing her to sleep.
One of the worst days came during Physical Education class at school. As usual, she waited in the locker room until all the girls left, then she would change. Only this day, the teacher was absent, and no one told the girls. They all piled back in as Olivia was in her sports bra. All ten of them stopped short and just stared at Liv's scarred body. Liv couldn't grab her shirt fast enough and by the time she did cover up, the damage had been done.
Liv remembered how you could hear a pin drop in that locker room, and she couldn't look at the sympathy stares from the girls who once called her their best friend. She ran out of the locker room that day, out of the school building and didn't stop running until she ran to her room and cried for two hours in her bed. The reality of what her body looked like hit her hard and she didn't know how to live with all this pain.
Fitz opened a beautiful stained glass window door to his place and Daisy ran in first. He let Olivia step in after and she caught the aroma of tomato sauce. It smelled divine. His wood floors were meticulous, and she caught sight of the kitchen to her left. It was something out of a food show.
There was an island to sit at straight on from the huge fridge. Fitz led her to the kitchen area and pointed to a stool. "Please have a seat, I am just going to heat up the sauce and moisten the ravioli. It will take about five minutes for the bread to warm up. Would you like a glass of red wine while you wait?"
"A man after my own heart. I love red wine. Thank you." Olivia said. She looked up and took a deep breath in as she stared at the never-ending ceiling above her. This place was beautiful, made with love and care.
Fitz felt a wave of comfort through his body. A man after her heart was right. He had no idea where to begin with her, but he was certain he didn't want it to ever end.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE NAVY? BOY ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?" The yelling was still fresh in Fitz's head after all these years. Eighteen years old and about to graduate high school, one of the prestigious ones in Santa Barbara. Fitz had scholarships to every dream college, but he had no interest. He wanted to join the Navy. His father wanted him to go into Political Science. He had just walked in on one of the many "women of the week" his father had sitting on his lap.
She jumped up quickly and adjusted her skirt. It was obvious what was under it a second ago. She left the room so Fitz could have it with his father. Then the yelling began because a man like Fitzgerald Grant the second could never just talk.
"It's happening Dad, I leave tomorrow to begin my training at the Naval Air Station in Florida, that's where I choose to go." Fitz spoke calmly and refused to let his father's anger get to him anymore.
"You aren't going to survive two days there, and if you do, if you're lucky, you won't last a day in combat. God help us all if you go into combat." His father got up from his desk, swatted the papers his son was showing him onto the floor and left the room. As he was leaving, he said "Go ahead boy, go ruin your life. It's typical of you."
Fitz picked up the papers that had the acceptance of him into the Pilot program. He had decided months ago it was what he was doing with his life. He waited for the very last moment to tell his father for this reason. He wasn't going to let his father dictate a life to him. He set out to prove his father wrong. Everything his father thought of him he wanted to prove him wrong.
At the Station Fitz trained hard. It didn't come easy for him, he accepted he was privileged his whole life and never worked hard for anything. He was determined to do the best here. This was a new start and he wanted it done right.
At the Flight School Fitz was challenged both academically and physically. His best classes were in aerodynamics and air navigation. Once he got behind the controls of a plane, it came so natural to him. Upon completion of Student Naval Aviators program, he was top honor in his class and transferred to Corpus Christie for a 22-week intense training program.
Fitz learned and mastered how to navigate the best planes the country had to offer. When he thought back to the wrong turn he took in the skies over Iraq, he never forgave himself. He could still feel the shake and the heat as his plane was going down. He deployed using his parachute but was scooped up by five Iraqi soldiers. He still dreams of their faces and can still feel the first kick to the back of his ribs that knocked the wind out of him.
Now, when he looks in the mirror, he is thankful he cannot see the scars, the welt marks that prove his father right, he wasn't cut out for the Navy. Once he feels that kick over again, it puts him into a light sleep where he dreams of torture and darkness.
Olivia watched as Fitz maneuvered his way around the kitchen. She thought of her talks with Harold. Was this Harold's life? Did he go home after a long day at the bakery and cook dinner for his family? Fitz had his hands covered with oven mitts as the pulled the tray of ravioli out of the oven.
He placed it in the middle of the island and as he did that, Olivia decided to help and grabbed the bread that was warming in the oven. For a second as they both walked to take their seats, Olivia imagined a life where she prepared dinner with her husband, one she always dreamed of having.
Olivia savored every bite of the food Fitz had made. She didn't want to make it obvious, but it was one of the best meals she ever had. Her mother was not much of a cook, neither was she. Her father tried and was almost a mastered chef at the time he died. Olivia was lucky she didn't burn her toast in the mornings she had time to make it.
"You're enjoying the food, Olivia?" Fitz broke Olivia's trance. She had a piece of bread in once hand and her fork holding a half ravioli in her other hand.
"This is amazing Fitz; you made this all from scratch?"
Fitz blushed as he nodded. "I did. Even the ravioli is fresh pasta. The only thing not homegrown is the ricotta. That's Vermont cheese for you. I have a garden where I grow the vegetables." His head pointed towards the big bay windows.
Olivia looked over, but it was too dark to see outside. She could only imagine what wonders were out there in the open, judging by the enormity of this house. She also noticed the fire burning behind her. She was so engrossed in the aroma, she failed to see that when she walked in. Along each side of the fireplace were two giant towers of firewood.
They sat with empty plates in front of them and chatted for a bit. It was small talk. Two strangers, just met, learning bits and pieces about each other. They both knew there was more than an attraction between them, but they did an Oscar winning performance in ignoring that.
"I cannot thank you enough, Fitz. I was very hungry, and I realized I had no food in the house. You were right, my city never sleeps, I have to get used to where I am for now. I need to get adjusted to country living for the time being."
"For the time being? You just bought a house. Don't you mean you need to get adjusted to living in the country?" Fitz didn't want to sound too nervous, thinking he may have scared her away.
"Actually, this is a trial run for me. I am giving myself three months. If I get used to this life, I sell my condo in the city and stay. If I can't adjust, I keep my condo, and I have a country home to visit at my disposal." She side eyed him, not thinking he was liking her plans.
"Well, then I have some work to do. I have to get Ms. Olivia Pope to fall in love." Fitz paused seeing her chest rise with a deep breath. "Fall in love with Rutland, Vermont. There is so much here it will win your heart over." Fitz didn't convince himself that he just spooked a demon inside her, and he needed to change the course of the conversation.
"What music do you like, Livvie? I mean City. Wait, sorry, I meant to say City Girl. It got caught up with Olivia and City and came out Livvie, I apologize." It was then he heard a grunt come from Daisy, and it was a sign he was striking out.
Liv's head turned to him. "Livvie? Wow, I haven't heard that name in years." She loved the way it sounded coming from him though, even though it was one of the last words her father ever said to her. Both he and her mother called her Livvie during certain conversations. "It's fine, you don't have to apologize, I liked the sound of it."
"Okay then, Livvie, what music do you like?"
Liv thought about her father's collection of albums. She now had all the songs on her music lists. Tons of Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston. Stevie for dad, Whitney for her. Fitz seemed interested in what she was saying and even though she mentioned Stevie Wonder, she didn't mention her father.
Liv looked away again, noticing the towers of firewood and realizing something else. She had no electricity in her new home and no firewood. She wouldn't even know how to start a fire anyway. Her shoulders slouched, but she was not going to be a damsel in distress to Fitz. The last thing she wanted was for him to think she was needy. She already proved she didn't have a meal for herself tonight.
"My turn," she said, diverting her thoughts. "I get to ask you a question now. What books to you like to read? Do you have a favorite author?" It was a weird question, but Olivia loved to read. It was her way to escape her dark world and she had plenty of time to do that on the subway rides in and out of work. It was also a distraction from the sleep she lost each night to avoid her nightmares.
"No, you will laugh at me, I cannot tell you the books I like to read, you'll laugh and that will just make Daisy run away again." Fitz laughed.
Liv held up three fingers like Fitz did before. "Scouts honor I won't laugh, I promise. How about on the count of three we say the author we like together? This way we don't have time to laugh at each other." Fitz nodded in agreement and Liv began the count. "1, 2, 3 Sue Grafton." They said it in sync and no way Liv was going to laugh at that, she was shocked. She didn't think anyone read Sue's alphabet series books about a private detective.
"You're not serious." It was the most comfortable Liv felt since she met him. "That is so weird. I thought I was the only one in creation that liked to read her alphabet books."
"No way, I love them, but I don't advertise that. There's just something about a Navy man reading a book with a big letter on the front of it. Besides, she was a California girl, so. One day we will have to read together." He noticed she had just released some tension and when he said the word together, she stiffened up again.
Liv jumped down from her stool and grabbed her plate. Fitz stopped her.
"Don't worry, I will clean up, we should walk you back to the house." He gave a low whistle as Daisy walked over, sulking. "Don't sulk Daisy, it's getting late, Olivia is moving in tomorrow, she needs her rest."
She slid her jacket on and Fitz took another look at that bruise. It was a little darker than before, proving it was fresh. What happened to this beautiful woman?
"Fitz, thank you so much, really, I think I remember the way back, I should be fine." She did want him to walk her, but she didn't want him to know she had no electricity or fireplace. It was going to be a chilly night, but Liv survived worse.
"Nonsense, no way you are walking back alone, do you know how many bears are waiting for you outside?"
Liv looked up at him, genuinely startled and Fitz gave his own chuckle. "Got you back City Girl."
Liv let out a sigh of relief then Fitz said, "No bears, only coyotes." Again, he saw those beautiful brown eyes stare helplessly at him and he laughed. Even Daisy gave a stop it grunt.
"You're shameless Fitz. How about halfway, walk me halfway. I have to get used to finding my way home, right?"
Fitz reluctantly agreed. She didn't know halfway yet, so he can get away with walking her closer than halfway as they headed out.
On the way back Fitz told Liv two places she had to go for tomorrow. "The first stop is Sophie's. You will find everything you need there to stock your kitchen. The next place is El's Lumber. They sell firewood and you will need that for your fireplace."
Liv remembered the names and thanked Fitz for the advice. She also noticed her lit driveway. Mrs. Jennings never took out the sensor lights and Liv could see they were closer than halfway. She turned to Fitz.
"Thank you once again". She knelt and gave Daisy a hug. Her tail was wagging rapidly again. "And thank you Miss Daisy, you were the perfect hostess. I loved meeting you today."
Somehow Fitz knew those words were for him and he said "She loved meeting you today also Livvie. She looks forward to seeing more of you."
Liv nodded and headed towards her new home. Fitz watched as she walked away. He saw her enter her dark house and knew she had no electricity. There would have been an electrician working on her property and he would have noticed that. He turned and walked away wondering why she had no qualms about sleeping in a dark, cold place. He wasn't one to judge though, because that's exactly where he went, if ever he fell asleep. He went to his dark, cold place also.
That night, as Liv lay fully dressed as she was for the day on her air mattress, she shivered. She tried to calm herself down, trying to fall asleep in this dark quiet place. She found comfort thinking of the eyes of Fitzgerald Grant. She imagined being wrapped securely in his arms and hearing the peaceful sound of his heartbeat. For the first time in a year, Liv did not have a nightmare as she drifted off to sleep with the view of the sunset dancing in her dreams.
Daisy jumped up on the bed with Fitz. "You really like her don't you girl?" Fitz knew he wouldn't get an answer. Before Daisy could get comfortable, Fitz took off his shirt. It was a habit not to take it off until he could cover up with blankets. Even though no one was there to see the welts, he knew they were there as much as he wished them away.
Daisy was already snoring at the end of the bed as Fitz turned on his side. He imagined the dark brown eyes of Olivia Pope looking back at him. He reached out to caress her imaginary cheek and thought of the pain he saw in her eyes and the bruise on her arm. His eyelids closed and for the first time in a long time, he drifted off to sleep dreaming of a sunset glowing on her beautiful face instead of his dark prison in Iraq.