“Olivia?” she heard Fitz’s voice from the doorway. She turned to look at him, hoping he couldn’t see the tears that had fallen down her cheeks.
“I just needed some air” her voice was thin and flat.
“Liar” he sat down next to her and took her hand, “What’s wrong Livie?”
“Nothing” she tried to smile but he noticed it didn’t reach her eyes, “I’m just tired, I guess.”
Fitz took her upper arms and turned her slowly towards him, “I know this isn’t easy Livie, but if we have any chance of surviving you have to talk to me.”
“You need to get back inside; people will be looking for you.”
“Olivia, I don’t care” he looked sincerely into her eyes, “I can tell that you are upset. How am I supposed to go inside and pretend like everything is fine when you’re out here hurting?”
“Because you want to be President” Olivia tried to look away but Fitz held her chin, maintaining their eye contact.
“Livie, I can’t be President without you, I won’t” he spoke softly allowing his thumb to roam over her lips and cheek, “We have a plan, remember?”
“I think we need to discuss the plan” she whispered against her better judgment. The pleasure of his touch made her question her statement even as it left her lips.
“Is that what has you so upset?” he continued to caress her face.
“I think we made a mistake, I think you should run with Mellie” she forced herself to move away from him, “Maybe once you get elected it would make more sense for us to be together.”
“No” he caught her hand and pulled her into an embrace, “I don’t want Mellie to be my First Lady. I want to be with you, I want you to be my First Lady or not my First Lady. I just want to be with you Livie.” He kissed her hair as he held her against his chest.
“You should get back inside” she spoke against his chest then took a deep inhale of his masculine scent.
“Can you come back in with me?” he asked, “I need you by my side Livie. I promise we can talk about this later. I just need you by my side tonight.”
“Fine” she sat up straight and wiped her damp eyes.
Olivia forced herself to smile as she returned to the bar for a second glass of wine and began to socialize with some of the guests. She did her best to avoid Cyrus and Mellie and focused on lobbying supporters on Fitz’s behalf. After shaking what seemed like her millionth hand Olivia glanced towards the door and noticed Fitz looking at her as he spoke to one of the guests. She took a sip of her wine, her eyes staying on Fitz. He gave her a wink and a smile that she felt all the way down to her toes. Her cheeks pinked at his gesture before she forced herself to look away again. Olivia began to walk towards the bar.
“Olivia, are you ready to go to Grandma’s house?” Karen walked up behind Olivia.
“I sure am Karen” the little girl’s enthusiasm was infectious. Olivia had considered skipping the dinner at Elizabeth’s house but she didn’t want to disappoint Karen. She also looked forward to talking to Fitz’s sisters again. She needed to talk about Fitz and their relationship and his sisters were the only people who she felt had both her best interest and Fitz’s in mind.
“Karen, are you ready to go Sweetie?” Fitz asked as he approached them.
“Can I ride with Olivia, Dad?”
“If its okay with her its fine with me,” he smiled at Karen then at Olivia, “Are you sure you don’t mind Livie?”
“Sounds like fun” replied Olivia while they started towards the exit.
“You’re making her day,” Fitz whispered touching his fingers lightly to Olivia’s, “You’re like a rock star to her.”
“And I thought you were the rock star, Governor” she grinned in response, “Isn’t that what you told me in New York?” Fitz couldn’t help but laugh.
The campaign staff and VIP guests made their way to their cars for the trip to Elizabeth’s house. The first town car pulled up and the driver opened the door. Mellie, Gerry, Cyrus, and James climbed in and the driver closed the door,
“Where is Fitz?” Mellie asked, puzzled, “and Karen.”
“I think Karen was riding with Liv” responded Cyrus, “I’m not sure where Fitz went.”
Mellie took a deep breath, trying to remember that there was a member of the press in the car. She looked out the window trying to spot Fitz but couldn’t find him among the mass of people.
“Well we need to be sure he has a ride” Mellie said in the sweetest tone she could manage.
“I’m sure Olivia will give him a ride” James offered.
“I wouldn’t worry about it Mellie,” Cyrus concurred, “I think Liv wanted to talk to him about some campaign business.” He was trying to sound cryptic so James wouldn’t catch on.
“It’s not them talking I’m worried about,” Mellie muttered, fisting the skirt of her dress to keep from screaming.
Fitz, Olivia, and Karen walked towards Olivia’s waiting car.
“You didn’t have to walk us to the car,” smiled Olivia, “I promise I won’t lose her.”
“I know she’s in good hands” he returned her smile and placed his hand on the small of her back.
“Dad, go find Mom and Gerry. I want to spend time with Olivia by myself” Karen interjected.
“Okay, I know when I’m not wanted” Fitz gave Karen a hug, “Be good, Olivia isn’t used to kids.”
He let go of Karen and turned to Olivia. Suddenly the situation was awkward. Normally they would kiss when they left one another even if they had to sneak away to share their goodbyes. Both knew they couldn’t kiss in front of Karen but both wanted, needed contact with the other. Finally Fitz reached out his arms and hugged Olivia.
“I love you” he whispered in her ear as they embraced, “I can’t wait to have you all to myself.”
“See you at your Mom’s” said Olivia, “I’ll take good care of her.”
They broke their hold on one another. Fitz let his hand slide down Olivia’s back and skim over her rear end before allowing it to drop to his side. Olivia felt a tremble radiate through her then cease as his hand fell from her. She turned back to the car and followed Karen into the backseat. Fitz walked back towards his car to find Mellie and Cyrus. Mellie was relieved to see him approach.
“Honey, where were you?” Mellie asked in a sugary voice patting his thigh.
Fitz reached down and took Mellie’s hand, removed it from his leg, and placed it in her own lap. He gave her a fake smile and turned to talk to the other passengers in the car. During the trip to Elizabeth’s Cyrus prepped Fitz regarding the press that would be present as well as the donors he should be sure to meet with.
Olivia and Karen chatted all the way to dinner, laughing as though they’d known each other forever. Karen talked about school and her friends. It warmed Olivia’s heart to hear Karen discuss her love of learning and she couldn’t help but smile. Then Karen’s tone abruptly changed, “I’m going to miss my school next year” Karen said.
“Why do you say that?” Olivia asked.
“Mom said Gerry and I are going to change schools next year,” Karen whispered in reply.
“Really?” Olivia was surprised by Karen’s statement, “I thought your dad wanted you to stay in school in Pennsylvania.”
“No, Mom says we are going to boarding school.”
Olivia felt the blood drain from her head. She felt dizzy and nauseated; she would need to choose her next words carefully.
“Karen, I don’t think your brother is old enough to go to boarding school. Do you really think your mom will send you if you want to stay at your school?”
“She said she can’t have us messing everything up for her and Dad when he gets elected.”
Karen sounded so small and timid. Olivia peeked in her direction; she was small, far too small to go away to boarding school.
“Did you talk to your dad about it?” she asked cautiously.
“No, I don’t want to upset him” Karen shook her head, “He’s so busy and I don’t want him to get mad at me.”
“Sweetie” Olivia reached out to hug Karen, “Your dad would never get mad at you for telling him how you feel. He loves you more than anything. You and Gerry are the most important people in his life.”
“Will you help me talk to him?” Karen asked into Olivia’s shoulder, “Daddy is much happier when you’re around.”
Olivia felt a familiar knot forming in her stomach and her nausea returned. She took a minute to consider the situation. She felt like a liar and a cheat and wondered if Karen and Gerry could ever really like her after the truth about her relationship with Fitz came to light. She genuinely cared for Karen and Gerry but she wondered what Mellie would tell them about her and whether they would ever believe that they were important to her.
“I’m much happier when he’s around too” Olivia barely whispered then quickly added, “And when I’m with you and Gerry.”
“When you have kids are you going to make them go to boarding school?” Karen asked moving her head off of Olivia’s shoulder.
“I don’t know, maybe when they’re older” Olivia replied honestly, “I went to boarding school when I was in high school.”
“Even if they didn’t want to?”
“No, I don’t think I could make them if they didn’t want to,” smiled Olivia, “Talk to your dad, I’m sure he’ll hear you out.”
Olivia wondered if Fitz knew about Mellie’s plan to put the children in boarding school. She just couldn’t conceive of it and she promised herself that she would ask him about it when they were alone.
The car pulled to a stop in front of Elizabeth’s house and the driver opened the door for Karen and Olivia. Fitz rushed back to their car offering his hand first to his daughter then to Olivia in order to help them out of the car. He maintained contact with Olivia’s hand even after she was well clear of the car.
“Daddy, did you notice that Olivia and I have almost matching dresses?” asked Karen taking Fitz’s other hand. The contact with his daughter’s hand shook Fitz from his trance and he turned his attention to Karen.
“Well, two pretty dresses for two pretty ladies,” smiled Fitz not allowing himself to look in Olivia’s direction.
“We need to talk to you later, Dad” Karen said earnestly.
“Oh, should I be worried?” chuckled Fitz, “Are you two ganging up on me?”
“Karen has something serious she would like to talk to you about and I said I would help her out,” stated Olivia causing Fitz to turn his attention to her. Fitz swallowed hard.
“Is everything okay?” Fitz whispered, “I mean is this one of those conversations that a girl needs another girl there for?”
Olivia couldn’t help but laugh at Fitz’s discomfort, “She’s eight years old Fitz. What do you think she’s going to tell you, that she’s pregnant?” Olivia could barely maintain her composure as they walked with the group towards the house.
“No” said Fitz just a little too loudly drawing a few pairs of eyes in their direction, “That is totally not funny!”
“Well what kind of girl thing do you think she wanted to discuss then?” she laughed at his continued discomfort.
“I don’t know” Fitz blushed, “All of that girl stuff….I don’t know anything about that.”
“You seem to know your way around my girl stuff” Olivia whispered allowing her hand to brush against his leg. Fitz felt a surge of desire and suddenly his pants felt tight.
“Fitzy!” called Sarah rushing up to hug her brother.
“Hey,” Fitz was thankful for the distraction, “Is everything all ready?”
“Yup, we have everything set up. The caterers are busy in the kitchen. The backyard is all set up with the tables and dance floor. The band is here and so is the DJ” replied Sarah, “Anything else you can think of?”
“No” Fitz replied, “I guess I’m just nervous. I need tonight to go well.”
“Don’t worry, Big Brother,” smiled Sarah, “You have all of your girls here for you. It will be great.”
Elizabeth stood at the door to greet everyone. Olivia felt calmness settle over her as she stepped towards Elizabeth.
“Hi Mrs. Grant” she smiled reaching out her hand towards Fitz’s mom.
“Oh, Olivia, so formal,” Elizabeth smiled and pulled Olivia into a hug, “remember it’s Elizabeth.”
“It’s great to see you again, Elizabeth”
“Hi Mom,” Fitz smiled from behind Olivia, “Thanks again for hosting dinner tonight.”
“Oh Fitzy, you know it’s my pleasure,” Elizabeth pulled Fitz into her arms without entirely releasing Olivia causing his leg to press firmly against Olivia. The contact caused a stirring within Olivia and she wondered if Fitz felt it to. Almost as if he could read her mind Fitz turned as he escaped his mother’s arms allowing the front of his pants to brush against Olivia’s backside. Olivia felt an unmistakable firmness with the contact, allowing herself a small smile. Just as Fitz brushed past Olivia, Mellie approached to greet her mother in law.
“Hi Elizabeth” she smiled warmly.
“Mellie” Elizabeth replied stiffly, patting Mellie’s arm.
Mellie had never been very close with her in-laws but she felt extra distance over the past few days. She wondered if Fitz had told his mother and sisters that he was planning to divorce her. She was also curious what they would say when they finally found out that he was having an affair with Olivia. There is no way Elizabeth will stand for her son having an affair with her thought Mellie. I’ve finally found my secret weapon.
Elizabeth greeted Cyrus and James then moved to the patio where she found the family and many of the guests mingling. She saw Olivia sitting in one of the patio chairs chatting with Karen and Gerry. When she finally located Fitz she saw him gazing in Olivia’s direction, oblivious to what was going on around him. She moved towards him, touching his arm to drag his focus away from Olivia.
“She really gets along well with Gerry and Karen,” she smiled sincerely, “How are things going?”
“She’s quitting the campaign” replied Fitz quietly glancing back at Olivia.
“Mellie?” asked Elizabeth.
“Not entirely” Fitz responded, “Things have gotten complicated. Livie and I thought we had a plan and Mellie just won’t go along with it. Mom, she just wants to be First Lady, she doesn’t care if she’s miserable.”
“Fitz, I told you before that you are a strong man and you can have the future that you want,” Elizabeth took his arm, “Do what you need to do to get rid of her. We’re all on your side. We’ll help you.”
“I wish it was that easy, Mom” Fitz began to allow his doubts to bubble to the surface, “She will ruin me. She’ll ruin Livie and I can’t let that happen. I don’t care about being President or any of that. I care about Olivia and I will do whatever I have to do to protect her.”
“Mellie is no match for the Grant women,” insisted Elizabeth, “The girls and I have talked about it. We have all seen you with Olivia. She is smart and beautiful but she’s so much more. She is great with your kids, genuinely good with them. And she brings out a part of you that I never thought I’d see again. And the way you look at her, Fitzy, it’s so obvious that you love her. I never thought I would condone divorce, especially for people with such young children, but I believe that there are people you meet in your life that are meant to change it. I believe in true love which is why I want to give you this.”
Elizabeth handed a small box to Fitz who looked at her inquisitively.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“I never gave it to you before because I didn’t think Mellie should have it” began Elizabeth, “but I think you should give it to Olivia when you feel that the time is right.”
Fitz opened the box and gasped, “Mom…”
“What’s that you have there Fitz?” asked Mellie appearing out of nowhere at his side.