Chapter 5-Almost

At some point during the night, Olivia couldn't take the emptiness of her bed. She was tossing and turning, never able to get comfortable. She had wanted to go through her boxes, especially to find her cell phone, but the two hours she spent making sure Fitz was ok put a damper on those plans.

She could easily get up and do it now, but the clock read 2:45 am, and she had no energy to do anything, despite being wide awake. Not being able to toss and turn anymore, she got up and made her way to the living room. She still couldn't believe her furniture was in and put into place. It was all thanks to Fitz and the wonderful people she had met her first full day in Rutland.

Fitz! That's all she could think about. She couldn't stop looking in his pained eyes during his episode. Olivia was no doctor but that was all the signs of a PTSD blackout. She knew because it's something her mother taught her. That's what her mother had to look for in Olivia in the months and years following the accident. He just seemed so lost to the world, and Olivia couldn't imagine what demons such a beautiful soul could be carrying. She had to hold all her self-control from going back there to check if he was alright.

She decided to make her couch her next area of comfort. She leaned her head back on the cushion and closed her eyes. She saw Fitz walking up the driveway just two days ago. From the moment her eyes met his there was something, Olivia wasn't sure what it was, but it was something that drew her to him.

It didn't help that he was pure gold. He had no hesitation offering her dinner, walking her back on the first night, and helping her without judgement when she couldn't find the strength to drive. "Oh Fitz", she said in a whisper, "what can I do to help you?" Suddenly her thoughts turned from admiration to intimate. She started to think of when they almost kissed outside of Sophies and almost in the dark bathroom. It was too soon. She can't just kiss someone she hardly knew, then his defensive move when she reached to touch him. There was just too much she didn't know, they didn't know, about one another. But God, she couldn't get him out of her head.

She got up another time and rummaged through the kitchen. She hadn't bought anything for the refrigerator thinking she had no electricity, she had nothing to drink, except some leftover wine from dinner. Eh, why not. So, at 4am on a Sunday morning, she was drinking wine. How her life has already changed.

Last Sunday she was in bed early in her NYC condo, ready to ride the subway at 6 am and perform her ten-hour workday. She didn't miss it, didn't think she would. She would be in contact with Mr. Harris though to put some finishing touches on the job. She wouldn't be completely free for at least another month.

She made her way back to the couch. She was laying down, hand on her stomach as she rubbed over her scars. Only the jagged one was risen above the skin. The rest were superficial and couldn't be felt to touch. Her other arm was across her eyes as she was lost in thought about the accident, about all the things she missed out on as a result of the accident, and then he clogged her thoughts. The dark side of her thoughts, Edison Davis. She heard Abby say his name again and a chill went up her spine. How dumb she was to fall into his trap and let him date her, almost control her for a year. What was she thinking and now he has a connection to Rutland?

Olivia turned to look out the window. The sun was beginning to light up the dark sky and she was eager to see the sunrise again. Suddenly, she heard footsteps, fast paced footsteps. She was able to make out the shadow of Fitz jogging. As soon as the daylight shone, he was jogging, like he waited for the light. "Keep the light on." What was it about the darkness with him? She watched as he approached her house. She wasn't sure but he seemed to pause as he passed the windows, like he was looking in, but she was certain he couldn't see her. He continued his jog.

Fitz woke up in the bed. He jumped out of his sleep and Daisy was above him, checking on him. He patted her head. "I'm alright girl, did I fall asleep while Olivia was in the shower? Ugh, she must think I am a terrible person. Did she walk back alone, in the dark?" Daisy barked.

Fitz figured Daisy knew something. He went to pull his shirt off, and he smelled it, he smelled her. His shirt had a slight scent of coconut, he remembered her scent when she held her head to his chest by the car. Had she given him a hug, cuddled with him? Why couldn't he remember anything?

He quickly dressed for his jog as the sun was coming up. He was looking forward to all day today. He had something special planned for Olivia and then dinner with the McClellan's. He was certain Liv would adore his three girls and Lara. Lara was a true Rutland girl, like Abby, but with less spunk. He was eager to see her reaction to Olivia, a true-blue city girl.

As he began his jog, he tried to remember just when he fell asleep. He remembers Olivia starting the shower and yelling, "I am going to use all the hot water." Then, his thoughts paused.

He thought of her during dinner telling him she was going to brave her own shower with the cold water and no light if need be. Taking a shower in the darkness, and a feeling of panic went through him. Oh no, God, did she witness one of his PTSD episodes? He thought of her showering in the darkness and his own experience, and, maybe not, maybe he made it to the bed and fell asleep.

He jogged past her house. Two lights were on which made him happy. He peered in the window, didn't see any movement and continued. Thoughts of her filled his mind. Did she really lean in to kiss him outside of Sophie's or was he imagining that? The dark bathroom, when the light came on, they were getting close, did she want to kiss him. The thought made his stomach tighten. Her beauty was out of his league. He was sure she was running from something in NYC, he just hoped it wasn't hurting her inside.

He wanted to pull her close, to comfort her, and to let her know she would be safe with him. He saw her reach to rub his back and he tried to grab her hand with the least of aggressiveness. He could tell she knew it was a defensive move, but Fitz couldn't chance it.

His welts were risen. If she rubbed his back, she would feel three of the most hideous welt marks. Three long bumps going across and down his backs. At least the other scars were superficial, but he couldn't chance her feeling them. He continued to jog and tried to put the thoughts of what he had planned for today into his head.

Olivia had a thought after Fitz jogged out of her sight. On his way back she would greet him with some pastries she got from Sophie's. What good way to say nice jog than with some carb filled pastries? It would give her an excuse to make sure he was alright.

A loud ring followed by three loud bells dings startled Olivia. The noise was coming from one of the boxes. It dinged one more time and Olivia found the box, opened it, and found her cell phone. Only Huck had the number, and the texts were from him.

Olivia, I hope you found the phone. Two minutes later.

Liv, I need you to text me that you have the phone. Two minutes later.

LIV, WE HAVE A SERIOUS EDISON PROBLEM! That was the last text.

Rather than text him back, she called him, and he picked up on the first half ring. "Liv, did you get there ok? Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, all moved in, but too busy to get to the boxes with the phone, I just located it, what's going on with Edison?"

"I got a hit on your apartment camera. He was in there, snooping around. I went in about ten minutes later, I wasn't too far from your place. I scared him, but he was rummaging through your things. He put some things in his inside coat pocket, but I couldn't get them or see them."

Olivia stayed silent for some time. She was trying to remember if she left anything of significance out, she couldn't. She had nothing in her apartment about Rutland, she made sure of that, so whatever Edison took couldn't be anything of importance, at least she hoped.

"How the hell did he get into my apartment?"

"The guy at the front desk, Dante, he let him in."

"Dante, that kiss ass douche. He has been wanting a job at one of Edison's firms for two years. He probably just sealed the deal on a job for letting him in the apartment. What a jerk. He doesn't even care if he loses this job though so alerting management will be useless."

"Liv, I will keep my eyes and ears open, but be careful ok, Edison grilled me wanting to know where you were. I told him you were in France visiting your mother for a few weeks, but I don't think he was buying it."

"You can't get rid of me that easily, I will find you." Olivia closed her eyes and rubbed her brows.

"Thanks Huck. I'll give you a call later on tonight. I appreciate all you are doing."

"Anything for you Liv, so how's the country life?"

"I don't know just yet, a few good things, but nothing worth bragging about yet. Talk to you soon Huck."

In the distance, Liv saw Fitz approaching from the opposite direction. She threw on a pair of leggings and a NYC hooded sweatshirt. She grabbed a six pack of muffins. Chocolate chip? Blueberry? Raisin? What the hell were they? She shrugged and jogged out to the path he was running on. He slowed down and paused when he saw her.

"Hi" she said. "I come bearing treats, but I am not sure what kind." Her lips curled to the side as she shrugged.

"Hi" he said. Fitz gave a slight chuckle; she was so adorable. "Looks good, perfect way to put back on what I just burned. Come on." She jogged alongside him, holding the mystery muffins and when they approached his house, Daisy came running out. She greeted Liv first. Fitz looked down at her, "so much for loyalty huh?"

Liv laughed. "Jealousy will get you no where Mr. Grant."

They were sitting at the island in the kitchen just like the first night with dinner. Fitz had poured some orange juice for them and took out some k cups of coffee. Liv assured him she wasn't a coffee drinker and he just left them sitting in the middle. One bite of the muffin and Liv said "chocolate chip, and so good. Leo really can bake." She looked at Fitz.

"So, I was wondering how I should dress on this little adventure you are taking me on this afternoon."

"You can leave on just what you're wearing. We may get a little dirty." Fitz could feel his face flush when he said that. "I'm sorry, that didn't come out right."

Liv laughed, flashing that beautiful smile Fitz couldn't get out of his thoughts. God, the way she smiled and laughed just brought him a comfortable feeling. "I meant, we will be outdoors, so dress casually, like what you have on."

"Sounds good", she said as she lost herself in his eyes again. She really needed to stop doing this to herself. The last thing she wanted was Fitz to carry her extra baggage.

Fitz's phone started ringing. He looked down and looked at Liv. "Sorry, I have to take this." She waved her hand as he walked out towards the back just behind the glass doors. She could hear his voice getting loud. She walked closer to the door to see if she could hear, even though she shouldn't have.

"Dad, I heard you loud and clear the first time, I don't want anything to do with it."

Big Jerry: "Mellie and her father are my closest friends. They are having a hard time with her mother's death; she is going to reach out to you. I need you to be there for her."

"Jesus Dad, why can't you get it, I am not a problem solver for her, she has to get through this on her own."

Liv could only hear Fitz's side, so she had no idea who he was talking about, but she knew he was talking to his father. Was he talking about his mother? Maybe he has a sister?

Big Jerry: "All I am asking is if she reaches out to you to be a friend for her. Her father is very nervous and worried about her. She hasn't been herself. He is scared. You should know fear. It's a familiar feeling for you."

"Fine dad let's end this here. If I hear from her, I will take care of it. Yeah, good talking to you also, bye."

Fitz rubbed his hand on his face trying to calm the anger. He shook his head, he wanted nothing to do with the Sinclair's, but his father would be relentless. He felt bad about Mellie losing her mother, but it wasn't something he could help her with. He promised to be her friend, cared about her, but the last visit, she had gotten too bossy. If she reached out to him though, he would be a friend, just like he'd been in the past, it wasn't in him to be mean.

He walked back into Olivia cleaning up and told her not to worry about that.

"It's fine, is everything ok?" she asked nodding towards the phone. Fitz looked down at the phone.

"Oh yeah, fine, just some family stuff." He quickly changed the subject.

"So, you'll want to bring a change of clothes with you so you can shower before we head to the McClellan's for dinner. That's if you don't mind taking another shower here. I believe I owe you an apology."

"An apology for what? Of course, I wouldn't mind taking a shower here again. I can't thank you enough for sharing your hot water."

"I obviously passed out on you last night. I didn't realize how tired I was." He looked at her with pleading eyes. "Livvie, did I fall asleep on the bed?"

Liv looked down, not able to face him. "No, Fitz, you were on the floor, I helped, well Daisy and I helped get you to your bed. You seemed distant though, like something had a hold on you. I think you…"

"Stop, Liv, please, stop." Fitz buried his head in both is hands. Liv walked over to him and reached up to his hands. She pulled them down and held on to them, interlocking their fingers once more.

"I'll stop, but when you're ready, Fitz, let me in, ok.?"

Fitz smiled. "Touché, Ms. Pope." Then he just looked in her eyes. He was about to lean down when his phone started ringing again. Liv turned away. "I'll let you get that. See you at noon", as she left towards her place.

That was it. No more thoughts, good or bad. She was just going with the flow of the day. Liv looked forward to her outing with Fitz. She couldn't imagine what he had in store for her, but he seemed excited about it and so she would be also. She began unpacking another box, this one had her pictures in it.

Growing up in the city was both good and bad. As big as the city was, there was always so much to do, but when there wasn't you still had your click of "friends." Many people assume because you live in the city there aren't clicks as in the "burbs" just so many people in one spot. The playgrounds look so crowded, but it was a neighborhood playground and the kids who went there as young children grew to hang out in the very same parks as middle schoolers and teenagers.

Olivia never did like the crowded parks of kids. Aside from being with Nikki, Olivia didn't like to hang out, wasn't into playing sports, she just liked reading and daydreaming. Olivia took an exceptional liking to the season of Autumn. She loved all the colors and being in the city, there weren't many colors of Autumn around.

However, Olivia and her parents lived in the shadows of Central Park. Central Park has a magnificent beauty in the Autumn season that cannot be described in words. Liv's father started taking her at a young age to bask in the beauty of Central Park in Autumn. The first time Liv saw all the golden, red, orange, and yellow leaves it took her breath away.

Eli made it an annual tradition to take Liv just on the same date each year to the park. They would walk through what is known as the "The Mall" between 66-72nd streets. The yellow leaves from the Elm trees swallow you and you are lost in your imagination. It was here, when Liv was 11, the last time she would go with her father, that he had a park street artist capture Olivia under all the yellow, red and orange of those magnificent trees. It was a painting that Liv held close to her heart. She was so carefree and alive in this painting and knowing her father was smiling while it was being painted, it brought more meaning.

On that day, the leaves were still full of color but so many had fell to the ground. She was crunching leaves below her feet and using her foot as a rake to make piles. She made a pile so high at one point, she was able to fall back into it. Her father just sat on a bench and watched the happiness he was able to provide for his daughter.

She never went back to that spot after the accident. It held too many emotions for Liv to bear. Instead, she found another spot in Central Park and would go each year with Maya and absorb the beauty of the Autumn colors. However, as much as Maya tried, the pain was still there. Looking at the colors never had the same beauty it did before the accident, and Liv related that to her body.

Her body would never have beauty again, despite being beautiful up in the trees like the leaves, when they fell, they cracked under the footsteps. That's how Liv felt. Covered up, she may have beauty, but when she was ready to let go, like the leaf from a tree, the beauty was lost, and she became fragile.

Olivia was holding the painting in her hands. She put the picture up on the wall in her living room across from the fireplace. She figured when the fire was going it would bring a glow to the picture. That gave her comfort, and that picture would always bring happiness to her heart.

It was this reason she wanted so much to see the foliage in Vermont, she wanted to see the gold, the red, the yellow, and the orange beauty of the Vermont trees. She was hoping to get outside during the week and go for her first jog to catch what was left of all that colorful beauty.

After she hung the picture, she needed some uplifting music. Her go to gal Whitney was awaiting her and rather than use her air pods this time, she put on her speakers and hit play. She had a few minutes before Fitz would pick her up and she wanted to be in a good mood.

She hit her Whitney playlist and the music started glaring through the speakers. For the rest of the picture unpacking, Liv didn't look at the pictures, she just piled them for now and started dancing to the rhythm of the music. Whitney's vocals came through:

Huh, yeah, woo

Hey, yeah, huh

Ooh, yeah, uh huh, yeah

I wanna dance…

Liv put her thumb up to her lips as if it was a microphone. It was something that always made Maya laugh. "Girl, you think you're on a variety show, don't you?" She began to sing in tune with Whitney.

Clock strikes upon the hour

and the sun begins to fade

Still enough time to figure out

How to chase my blues away

I've done alright up till now

It's the light of day that shows me how

And when the night falls

Loneliness calls.

Liv's hand went down her body as if she was performing for an audience. She stopped the music for a moment. "Loneliness calls." She knew that all so well, but stop, play the song, and she continued with her solo performance sorting her pictures to the beat.

Fitz just finished feeding Daisy. "You ready girl? You're going to love where we are taking Livvie, yes you are" Fitz was rubbing Daisy's face much to her happiness. "We need to bring you plenty of these because you are going to lose a few, I believe." Fitz held up six tennis balls. He figured that would be enough, but he was sure Daisy wasn't going to find them all, so he had to have backup of more than three.

He grabbed the picnic basket lunch and the blanket he had prepared. Liv couldn't stop talking about the foliage in Vermont and she seemed down that she hadn't had a chance to take it in. Fitz knew the perfect spot they could drive to. It had rows of trees with all different color leaves and the crunch of the ones already fallen echoed on the trail.

He couldn't wait for Liv's expression. This time of the year they should have the trail to themselves. Bringing Daisy to play catch, she would probably lose a few of her tennis balls under piles of leaves, that's why he chose to take quite a few. He packed a few ham and turkey sandwiches a bottle of wine and some spectacular Vermont cheddar. He thought of her smile and couldn't wait to see it on her face as he headed towards her place.

"I don't understand why you just won't settle for Mellie. The gal likes you Fitzgerald. I know what you are hiding from, but if you open up to her, she will understand."

"Dad, don't you get it, it's not about opening up, it's not about what I am hiding, it's about not having those kinds of feelings for her. I am not going to commit to a lifetime with someone I don't want a lifetime with, it's not that hard, but for you it is."

"You're embarrassed of the scars on your back. You won't let any woman touch you because of those scars. Come on, remember yourself in high school, in the Navy, you had women all over you, what's changed."

"Just because I had women all over me, didn't mean I took advantage of them. I had 4 or 5 tops that I had a relationship with, and none of them fulfilled me, like Mellie, she doesn't fulfill me."

"Well, they will be in town tomorrow for a week. I hope you can find time to spend with her and just give it a chance. My grandbabies aren't going to make themselves and I need someone to carry on the Grant name. "

Fitz just shook his head. He had nothing in common with Mellie. He didn't even know what she liked, but he'll give it a try.

The only thing Mellie seemed to like was sex. That was not what Fitz had in mind, but Mellie was so persistent and since she was, he was able to be in control, to watch what he let her touch on him, and was careful with his body. He just didn't think she would respond so sadly when he rebuked her advances for a relationship.

Besides realizing he needed to move on to a new life elsewhere, it's where Fitz put it in his mind, he was not cut out to be in a relationship. He could never make a woman happy and any woman who knew the coward he was as a POW wouldn't want to be with him anyway. Mellie had every right to be upset, but he knew the truth, and that's what mattered. He was content he was not going to love or be loved.

Now, standing on the porch of the woman who made his heart beat stronger just by looking at her, he stared in awe. The screen door was still up. He would have to fix this for her and prepare her for the winter. The music was blaring, and he looked in before he rang the bell.

Olivia was bopping to another Whitney song. She must have sensed his movement at the door because she looked at the porch. She didn't stop her dancing and opened the door pulling him in and having him dance. Fitz started to blush.

"Sing with me Fitz, ready? Come on sing with me." He saw her hold her thumb up to her mouth and he laughed. He let go of her hand and just watched her.

Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody

With somebody who loves me

Somebody whooo, somebody whooo

To hold me in his arms, oh.

She put a hand around his neck, finally getting feel of his soft curls, but continued to pull him to dance. She rocked her hips side to side, and he tried to keep up with his hands on either side of her hips. Her thumb once again at her mouth and she sang to him the lyrics he heard loud and clear.

I need a man who'll take the chance

On a love that burns hot enough to last

So when the night falls

My lonely heart calls.

Liv stopped. She stopped the music and was breathing a bit heavy. "Sorry Fitz, Whitney brings out the best in me."

"That was exciting," he said with a smirk. "You ready to go." He looked around for a bag she may have packed and stopped, frozen. He stared at the picture she had put up on the wall. "Is..is that you? That's gorgeous."

Liv looked at the picture. "There's nothing like NYC street art. I was eleven in that painting, didn't even know it was being done."

Fitz stared at it, she looked so happy, so carefree. The artist caught every fall color and if you listened you could hear the crunch of the leaves beneath her feet in the picture. "wow, this is amazing Livvie, you look so happy there."

"I was", she said looking at it with him. They looked at each other at the same time.

"Come on, Daisy is waiting in the car." He pulled her hand, grabbed her bag and they headed off to his surprise. After seeing that picture Fitz couldn't wait any longer to get there.

In the car, Fitz was giving Liv a live tour of the roads they were on. He pointed to houses saying names of families who lived there. He mentioned some farms that grew fruit, pumpkins, and had apple picking. His eyes never left the road and Liv found herself staring at him for brief moments of time.

She was listening to him, but she was thinking back to the phone call. He had sounded angry, somewhat hurt also. She wondered the type of relationship he had with his father, what was his family like? "So, what do you think?" Liv felt his hand touch hers.

"I'm sorry, what?", she didn't hear the last part of what he said.

"I know it may sound weird, again, but could you close your eyes, and keep them closed. We are almost there, and I want to see your expression."

Liv nodded, "I can do that." She closed her eyes and felt the car make a left and two rights. She heard Daisy panting in the back. The car came to a stop and she heard Fitz exit the car. He grabbed something from the trunk. For some reason, a feeling of excitement escaped Liv and she took a deep breath. She heard her door open and felt his hand grab hers.

As soon as she was out of the car, he positioned her body to the way he wanted her facing, and said "Ok, Liv, open them." Liv opened her eyes to a spectacular view of never-ending fall colors. Trees decorated with natural fall colors filled the sight in front of her and Liv had to catch her breath. It was like nothing she had ever seen, and it made Central Park foliage seem like a dwarf.

"Fitz, this is…. this is just….thank you." She looked down at what he grabbed from the trunk. He held up a picnic basket and a blanket. "Would you like to have lunch under the fall foliage Ms. Pope?"

"I would be honored to have lunch. How did you know I would love this so much?"

"You talked about the fall foliage since you got here, I figured this was the perfect spot for you." He cleared away some leaves and spread the blanket out. He pulled out a tennis ball and tossed it for Daisy to run after it, while he set up.

As they were eating the sandwiches, he watched as Liv couldn't stop staring up into the trees. Daisy was laying down now, worn out from chasing the ball and looking for it amongst the leaves about five different times. "So, Ms. Pope, what's your story? What's something you can share with me?"

Liv looked at him, thinking. She took a sip of the wine. "Nothing of much excitement. To share something very personal, I love the fall so much because of my dad, he had that picture of me painted. He took me every year to Central Park to see the fall colors. He died though, that picture was the last trip we took to the park." Her eyes started to fill with tears, and she stopped talking. She didn't want to make this a day of sadness.

Fitz cut in, "well I stumbled upon this area because I took a wrong turn in the car. I was brand new to Rutland and I was trying to find my way just driving around and suddenly I was being gobbled up by trees. I come here often for the quiet, even more quiet than where we live. The canopy of trees just gives me a feeling of peace I cannot explain. I feel free."

"Have you ever not been free?" Liv asked curiously.

Fitz just smiled and took out the cheddar cheese. He held it up to her, and she knew he was avoiding the question. She wasn't going to push. "Certified Vermont Cheddar" he said, "designed to blow away your taste buds."

He held a slice up for her to take, but instead, she held his wrist and took a bite out of the slice in his hand. He just watched as she tasted it. "This is good, wow" she grabbed the rest of the piece with her hand and put in her mouth.

While she was still chewing, she jumped up. She pulled Fitz by the hand and said "Let's go. Let's make piles." She walked slowly with her eyes closed hearing the crunching of the leaves. She thought of the memories it brought back and then she turned to Fitz. "Like this", she said as she was sweeping the leaves into one big pile and then she picked some up and tossed them at him. He retaliated and picked up more to toss at Liv. Daisy came over running wanting to play also. Liv tossed a ball and her and Fitz continued to pile and throw and pile and throw, both screaming in playful laughter. It was as if they were two children, carefree in the world.

They stepped back after a few minutes. They had made a mountain out of all the leaves. Fitz was staring at the mountain and turned to Liv. "What now?"

"Now, we fall back into the pile. Like this watch."

Liv stood, back to the mountain and let herself fall back. The leaves caught her, almost like falling into water. She stood up and replaced the leaves she squashed. She turned to Fitz. "You ready?" She pulled him by the hands and turned him, so his back was to the leaf mountain. Doing so she kicked one of the tennis balls and Daisy almost jumped on the pile, she had to stop her by tossing another ball in the opposite direction.

Fitz stood there, ready to fall back, but hesitated for a moment. "Come on Mister, don't be a chicken." Liv gave his shoulders a slight push and he wasn't expecting it. He grabbed her wrists and they both fell together. Fitz laying in the pile and Liv directly on top. Midway in the fall Liv wrapped her hands around his neck for a better grip and that's how they were staring at one another. Liv couldn't take the heat she was feeling through her body and the look of desire in Fitz's eyes, as they seemed to have turned grey. Fitz felt the pounding of her heart on his chest, and it covered up exactly what his heart was doing also. He reached up and took a leaf out of her hair, caressing her cheek as he brought his hand back down. She leaned in, ready to feel his soft lips when an avalanche of leaves came over them.

Daisy had not forgotten about the ball she lost in that pile and she was kicking her paws sifting through the leaves, leaving Fitz and Liv under their own Daisy made pile. Liv couldn't stop her laughter from coming out and her body started to shake with the laughter as she buried her head in the crook of Fitz's neck.

Hearing her laugh, he began laughing, as he wrapped his arms tighter around her waist. Daisy had ruined the moment, but both seeing themselves through piles of leaves made for one funny sight. They both sat up, next to each other and Liv was holding her stomach.

"Are you ok, Liv?"

"Oh Fitz, I haven't laughed like that for years." They both looked up as Daisy dropped the ball between them. "She found it". Liv picked it up and handed it to Fitz.

"She sure did. Not great timing girl." He reached out and pulled Daisy in for a hug. "We better start heading back and getting ready for dinner." He stood up and reached his hand down for Liv to grab and he pulled her up.

She helped him clean up the picnic area, turned and gave one last look at the beautiful colors, and grabbed Fitz's hand as they headed back to the car together. Liv's thoughts were filled with happiness and she couldn't remember a time after the accident she had felt this overwhelming feeling of happiness. Before she got by the car, she noticed something at her feet. There were two identical tri-colored leaves of gold, red, and orange. She picked them up and gave one to Fitz. "A souvenir because I never want to forget this day," she said with a huge smile that melted Fitz's heart.

He got into the car with a feeling of comfort. He had made her happy and for the first time since the darkness came into his Iraqi cell Fitz felt a feeling of comfort and pride because he made Olivia Pope smile today and took some of the sadness out of her eyes.