Covered Bridges:

Welcome to the Sequel to Christmas and Vermont: A Christmas President. If you HAVE NOT read that story please do not start with this one. I am picking up directly where the other story left off and you will need its background to understand what happens in this sequel. This is my first sequel I have ever done so I hope it lives up to the first.

"What is the meaning of a Covered Bridge? It is to protect and create a complete enclosure to ensure the wooden structural members of the bridge are hidden from the harsh weather elements. Fitz is Olivia's "Covered Bridge." Shielding and protecting her from Washington's harsh world. Currently dating privately and when the time is right, their relationship will go public for all to see. With his help and others, he knows that she will become this country's best First Lady they have ever seen, but most of all HIS First Lady. Here is their Journey along their Covered Bridge."

Enjoy and leave Pumpkin Seeds...Me's

/

Chapter 1: The Princess and the Frog. . .

"Coming Home to D.C." January 5, 2014

As Marine One began its final approach into the D.C. area, all Fitz could do was look out the window. He heard Cyrus talking to him about his meetings for tomorrow morning, the kids school, James asking for a baby. But none of it mattered. He looked at Mitch and Stephen and they both knew their boss well enough to know that he was thinking of Olivia.

He had left less than two hours prior, and already his heart felt her absence. He touched the pin on his suit jacket, and whispered her name inwardly to himself. He could still feel her lips pressed against his as they kissed one final time. His scalp could feel her fingers raking through his air. Her tiny hands helping him get dressed, fastening his buttons, tying his tie, and caressing his face. He hoped he would feel her touch for a while longer, but he knew it would disappear.

He closed his eyes, and heard her own words of "I love you too. I am in love with you too," in his ears. He himself had never been truly in love before, but he knew he fell head over heels in love with her the moment he saw her on the video her class sent. Her "melted chocolate eyes" pulled him quickly without wasting a moment. Her voiced called to him like a mermaid calls to a sailor on the seas. Everything about her pulled him into him.

Now that he found her, the hardest thing he had to do was walk away. They spent practically three weeks in each other company. Once they discovered they had been neighbors, they were together nonstop. But Christmas Eve everything shifted into focus, when they both realized who they were to the other and as his lips touched hers. For the first time it became clear that he finally found everything that he was looking for in life; Olivia..

If that first kiss could have lasted forever, he would have found away. He finally smiled at the memory of how she "tasted," like raspberries. He was drowning in the warmth of her mouth. The way she was kissing him back, and her hands going through his hair. He ached for her so much, and being away from her now was going to be extremely difficult.

He thought about Christmas Morning, waking up in each others arms. Fitz thought he had dreamed Christmas Eve, and that she ran away from him, but Olivia did not. She kept assuring him that she wouldn't leave him. Even after her "reality check,' her moment of realizing who she was dating, she did not push him away. She did at first, but then once she was back in his arms, all was right in his world.

After their heart breaking encounters towards the end of his trip, he was scared that she was pull away from again. But instead, she clung to him even more. Karen and Jerry gravitated to her so quickly. She became the mother to both, that his kids had always needed and desired.

But what broke him, was the fact that he could not bring her home with him to D.C. How he wanted to. He knew Cyrus would have a fit if she lived in the White House with him so soon in their relationship but even if she was close by, it would have been easier for them to see each other. He missed her desperately all ready and they hadn't been apart that long.

Fitz continued to look out the window as Marine One began its journey back to the White House. It was now over the Potomac River. He could now see the Smithsonian, Lincoln's Memorial, and the Capital Building. He looked in the distance and The White House was getting closer.

"Mr. President it's almost time," Cy said to him, getting his attention.

"I know Cy," was all Fitz said as a response.

"Sir, we'll get her here don't worry." Cy told Fitz back attempting to reassure him.

Fitz nodded and then started to take off his suit coat. Cy gave him a strange look because it was probably in the twenties outside.

"Sir, it's freezing outside. What are you doing?" Cy asked. Marine One was now on its final approach.

"Cy, Livy's pin from her grandfather is on my suit coat. I want to step off Marine One with everyone seeing it, taking note. I know she's watching and I want her to see it. The cold won't bother me. It's a short walk." Fitz told him, leaving no room for a debate.

"Fine, but I best not have to call your girlfriend down here to nurse you back to health if you get the flu," Cy grumbled. "I knew I should have taken that stupid job at Harvard."

"Well if that what it takes, then consider it handled." Fitz told him with a smile. "I'd love to see her in one of those sexy nurses outfits."

"Mr. President," Cy said sternly.

"I'm kidding Cy. Well maybe," Fitz said to him, flashing a devilish grin that sent James laughing now. "I'll be fine."

"Like I said, the Princess and the Frog," Cy mumbled causing Jerry and Karen to start laughing, watching Marine One nearing the White House's South Lawn.

/

"Go Get Them Tiger…"

Marine One was finally over the White House grounds over the South Lawn. From the windows Fitz could see the barricades for the press already set up ready to take the first family's pictures. Fitz was missing Olivia terribly and couldn't wait to get into the Oval and talk to her, hearing her sweet voice again.

The chopper finally set down slowly, and Karen and Jerry sat next to him and showed him something on their tablets. IT was a picture that they got from Olivia. Fitz squinted, and looked at it, and finally laughed. IT was her covered in Christmas lights from head to toe, lit up.

"Look what they did to me for going on the roof," was what the caption said, causing Fitz to laugh even harder.

He clicked the next picture and it was a video of her friends wrapping her in the lights. Abby was holding her still with Tom, Huck and Harrison wrapping the lights around her body. Olivia was cursing up a storm, saying that Fitz was going to throw them in jail.

"Quinn you recording this," Abby asked her. Fitz and the kids saw the camera shake. "We have to make sure DA-POTUS sees our handy work."

"Guys come on, let me out of these lights," he heard Olivia wine. "OH my god you are not going to send him this are you?"

"OH yes we are Liv," Harrison told her back.

"He told you to stay off the roof. You wanted the lights, so now you have them." Abby said, scolding her.

"This is SO NOT fair! Fitz you're not even here and this is ALL your fault. You're supposed to protect me, remember." Olivia pouted at him through the video. "You wait till I see you again. Come on guys let me go."

Fitz was about crying because he was laughing so hard. Finally he saw Olivia hop away, and wiggle out of the lights. When she did so, she shook her butt to the camera, knowing Fitz would enjoy that.

"Ha, I'm free," Olivia said. "I HATE you all right now." She threw pillows at everyone. "I hope that made you all laugh. Now do me a favor Fitz and go get them tiger," and blew him a kiss.

"Livy," Fitz said, touching the screen. "I miss you sweetheart."

"I love you forever." She told him, hugging herself. Fitz hugged himself and touched the screen again. "Now show them who you are. I'll be watching," and the video ended.

"I need a barf bag," Cyrus bellowed. "You two are going to make me sick."

Fitz chuckled and looked up and saw the door to Marine One open. Both Marine Sentries stand on each side. Mitch and Stephen stepped out first, already in position with the other agents outside waiting for Fitz and the Kids to emerge.

He finally stood up and made sure that his suit coat went up to the residence with the rest of the family's things. He grabbed on to Karen and Jerry's hands. "Remember Daddy she's watching us." Karen said making him smile.

"Yah Dad. If we do anything wrong she'll whoop all our butts." Jerry said.

"Yes she will. Come one let's go." Fitz told the kids and got ready to step out of the chopper first.

/

Back in Vermont… From 50 to 48

Olivia was in the kitchen getting some popcorn, as she heard Abby yell, "Liv come on, the door to Marine One are opened and the Marine's are there. I am sure he'll be coming out any minute."

Olivia practically dropped her bag of popcorn running out of the kitchen. The Marine's were standing guard, at attention, waiting for Fitz and the kids. She sat next to Abby on the couch, but soon realized that was not close enough to wear she wanted to be. She got up, and sat on the floor next to the TV.

"Abby you sent him that crazy light show video right?" She asked rather impatiently. "He is going to need that right now."

"I don't know Liv, I asked Huck to do it for me. You know he's the best one for that kind of stuff." Abby told her.

Olivia looked to Huck and assured her that Fitz not only got the video but that he even watched it. "How do you know he watched it?" She asked him kind of surprised.

"Because I embedded it with a code that told me if he viewed it," Huck pointed out. "Plus I sent it to his private email and the kids email address. I got the receipt that it was opened. I am sure the kids showed it to him."

"Thank you Huck." Olivia said to him.

"No problem," he told her back. He then pointed to the screen and he heard the news anchor begin to speak;

"We are now waiting for President Grant, and children to emerge from Marine One. This will be the first time seeing the First Family, since the President left on vacation three weeks ago. The White House still will not disclose where he was, but rumors are being reported that he was in one of the upper three New England states.

Over the Holiday season, the White House had gotten numerous "President Grant" sightings anywhere from close to the Canadian border, to Rhode Island. Someone even thought they saw him at a Christmas tree farm, but the White House will not confirm or deny that rumor. All the White House has stated was that the President was enjoying a quite family holiday. Let's hope he did so.

Oh here's come the President and the First Children now…" the new anchor stated.

Olivia watched in bated breath as her man, stepped off the chopper. The Marine's saluted him, along with Karen and Jerry. He waved to the crowd that had gathered, and to the press. She noticed immediately as he walked, was with swagger and confidence. It was so "Presidential." She marveled at how relaxed he indeed looked, his hair was perfect, and his blue eyes shined brilliantly.

"Dang Liv he looks hot!" Quinn said, causing Olivia to blush.

"Yes he does Quinn. That's my man right there." Olivia pointed out. "He looks really good but where's his jacket," she wondered. As she watched him through the cameras, she noticed then why he took it off. She watched him glance down at the flag pin, and give a special smile to the camera. Olivia knew immediately that smiled was for her alone.

"He's not wearing it Quinn because he wanted the world to see my Papa's Flag Pin that I gave him for Christmas." Olivia pointed out placing her hands over her heart.

"But no one knows that you gave it to him," Quinn pointed out.

"Yes that's true. But that is not what matters. What matters is that he knows I am watching him, and he wanted me to see it. He had probably worn one on his jacket in the past but this is different. I am with him Quinn, and that alone for Fitz everything." Olivia told her.

Quinn smiled. Olivia then heard the reporters comment;

"President is seen here walking with his son, Jerry and daughter, Karen. The family seems to be closer than before and even happier. It also seems that the President could have gotten a special Christmas gift. One would not notice but if you look closely at his flag pin there are not fifty stars on it. There are forty-eight stars. IT would seem that the President acquired a very special Christmas gift."

Olivia blushed and wondered if Fitz was asked about the pin what would tell them. They did not discuss anyone noticing the slight difference in the pin, and she hoped that he could dodge the question well.

Abby saw her face worry, and told her, "Liv he's the best politician in the world. I am sure he'll do great."

"I hope so Abby. But the press seems to find a way to drag it out of you eventually don't they?"

"I don't know Liv. We are not used to that way of life. That is probably of the many reasons he wanted you to stay behind. He wanted to make sure you were safe." Abby told her trying to reassure her.

Olivia watched the rest of the broadcast and once Fitz was inside the White House, she turned it off. The rest of the night her friends and her chatted, made dinner, and helped her put the lights away. When it was just Tom left, he kept her company for a while. He knew she belonged to Fitz, but it didn't stop him from wanting to be there for her in any way possible.

/

Best Friend Time

She sat on the couch pulled a blanket to her. Tom noticed that she was looking up at Rose Point and the house now was in darkness. He could only imagine what she was going through. He watched her labored breaths she was taking in, and her eyes watch Rose Point, looking for any signs of life.

Olivia knew that Nigel was going to keep the house open for her, but even when the staff had all gone home, she could still see some lights of life of there at the house. Rose Point used to be a symbol of hope to her. Once Fitz arrived and turned her world upside down, Rose Point became her life, her oxygen, her everything.

But she began to realize that it was not Rose Points bricks, furnishings that drew her to that place; it was Fitz and the kids. She missed him so much already. They became her family so quickly that she didn't even realize it. She not only became the "First Girlfriend" while they were here but she became someone's best friend, the love of their life, their soul mate, but most of all their everything and a Mom.

"You want to bounce it off," Tom asked her.

"It's just strange you know." Olivia commented back, still looking up there.

"What Liv," Tom said, sitting closer to her.

"I know they've only been gone a little while but it seems like so long ago they were here Tom. Karen and Jerry engrained themselves in my heart so quickly that I didn't even realize it. Those kids are wonderful you know, and so is he," letting her voice trail off.

"And," he questioned her.

'It's just," she stopped.

"Tom, it's just," her voice was breaking more.

"Liv it's okay. I'm here. I know I am not Fitz but I am here if you need me okay." Tom told her trying to comfort her.

"I know you are and I don't want to mislead you in any way. I care for you so much and I don't want you to get false hope that now that's he gone and let you think….," she tried to say but Tom stopped her.

"Olivia," he said finally holding her hand. Olivia looked up at him. "I know I can never be Fitz to you. And you know what I don't want to be him. I am not him. I know that I'll never be able to live up to his image in your eyes."

"You're just saying that because he's the President of the United States." Olivia teased him, squeezing his hand.

"No, that's not why," Tom said. "Being President is his job Liv, but that is not who is he is to you or most importantly who Fitz has become. You don't see him that way. The moment you eyes connected with his, the moment you woke up in his arms, it changed you forever."

"Tom I…" Olivia tried to say.

"No I need to say this to you. Olivia I have loved you for a long time. And I always hoped that we would become a couple. We could have been great together, but as your best friend I never pushed you into anything. I now understand why." Olivia could feel herself beginning to cry. Tom wiped her tear away. "Hey no tears okay."

She smiled at him. "I knew you always felt that way about me but to hear you say it," her voice was breaking.

"It's okay. Yes my heart is broken but time heals all wounds. I am just happy that I can still be by your side to help you through this. I want that Liv if that is okay. I am not going to lie that it hurts. But he can give you a life you deserve. Fitz can give you the world, and then some. You are his world and the kids." Tom told her, watching her face take it all in.

"I just didn't expect to ever find him, never mind who he really is. I also didn't expect to fall for his kids so fast. The last few weeks I became not only the "First Girlfriend," but a "Mom" too. No one has ever given me that before. He not only gave me his whole heart and his entire being Tom, he gave me so much more. I feel like when he comes back to get me, that I won't be ready. What if I fail him?" Olivia said not sure of things.

"Olivia Carolyn Pope, you are my best friend. Any man would be lucky to have you by their side and Fitz knows that. He would protect you from anything and anyone if you let him. He has the means. But most importantly Liv, he's your Gladiator. You just have to let him. Don't push him away now that he's gone."

"But what if I'm not…" Olivia began to fear the tears in her eyes.

"Olivia the nation's capital is not going to know what hit them when you get there. Like you tell Fitz, show them who you are." Tom voiced to her, hoping to offer her hope.

"Just don't shut him out." Olivia said out loud, not only for herself but for Tom to hear.

"Don't shut him out." Tom said back. "Come one lay your head down and when you fall asleep, I'll go and lay you down."

"Tom you don't have to do that. Fitz may get upset."

"Well he'll get over it. He'll have to. I'm here and I promised to watch over you for him. And that is what I am going to do," he told her not leaving any room for discussion. Olivia got up and went and changed into something that if she did fall asleep it would be fine. She knew she had to go back to work tomorrow, and made sure everything was ready.

She sat next to Tom on the couch and laid her head on his chest. He put his arm behind her and rested it on her back. He heard her relax and turned the TV on for background noise. Olivia watched it with him, and around ten o-clock, he realized she was asleep. He was about to get off the couch when her Dad came in.

"Mr. Pope," Tom said, making sure he knew he wasn't trying anything.

"Is she okay son," Louis asked him.

"Yes she is fine. We talked and I know this will be hard on her, but I am here for her. Abby, Harrison, Quinn, and Huck are as well. Fitz is a lucky man to have her, Mr. Pope." Tom said finally getting up of the couch, and then scooping up Olivia with him. He heard her whimper for Fitz in her sleep, which broke his heart a little bit.

"Yes Fitz is a lucky man Tom. But so are you. You are her best friend. If anyone can keep her safe and protected it's you." Louis told him as he walked down the hall to her room. As Tom was carrying her down the hall, Louis heard her cell phone ring. It was by where she was sitting, before Tom carried her down the hall.

/

The Frog Missing his Princess…

Louis walked over to her phone and picked it up. "What?"

"Livy? You alright," Fitz asked into the phone, not realizing it was her Dad just yet. For a spit second, he sounded just like his daughter.

"Lord son no, it's Louis," he told Fitz. "I didn't realize my voice sounded so feminine," letting out a small laugh.

"Ah no Sir, I mean well you don't. It's just," now Fitz was flustered by her Dad.

"Relax Mr. President. I know you thought and hoped it was her answering the phone. I am not going to petition Congress to have you impeached or anything, don't worry." Louis told him back, hoping to make him feel better.

Fitz sat back in his chair in the Oval. "Where's Livy? Is she okay?" Fitz thought she would be awake still waiting for his phone call, but now he began to get concerned. Did she go out? Was she alright? Did she still want him?

As if Louis could hear his thoughts, "My Boy Olivia is fine. You have nothing to worry about. She fell asleep and Tom carried her to bed. He just went down the hall."

Fitz stood up from his desk and let out a labored breath. He didn't like the idea, and could feel himself, getting a tad bit jealous. It should be him doing these things. She was HIS girlfriend, his everything. "He carried her to bed," Fitz said trying to remain calm, but Louis could hear it in his voice.

"Now Fitzgerald," her father boldly said to him, as Tom emerged from the bedroom. "Tom is her best friend, and they hung out a bit after everyone else left. He is here for her and you have to be all right with that."

"Sir, I meant…" Fitz stammered.

"I just don't like…" Fitz tried again.

"I am very protective…" Fitz then tried to say but Louis stopped him.

"I know. You are highly protective of those you love. And when it comes to my little girl, you protectiveness kicks into high gear," Louis told him with a smile. "She doesn't need a hero Fitz. She just needs you to love her."

Fitz sat, and let his shoulders fall down. "I just miss her so much already and I haven't been back a full day yet. I just want to go back up there and tell her I changed my mind, and bring her home with me where she belongs."

Tom knew her Dad was talking to Fitz. He shook his hand, and would be by in the morning to see Olivia before school. He was going to bring her coffee to help start her first day back. Tom whispered goodbye and was out the door.

Louis thought for a moment and went to go look at his daughter asleep. "Son my daughter loves you with every fiber in her being. Don't you ever doubt that for a single minute of every day. She offered to move there to be with you already, but you wanted her here to keep her safe. I respect you for that Fitzgerald. But now you have to trust in that decision you made."

"I just feel like I don't know what to do without her," Fitz said, rubbing his forehead. "Cyrus didn't put anything on my schedule tonight thank god but I feel so lost. I tried to relax in the residence but found myself becoming more anxious to hear her voice again. I just need her. I didn't realize how much I grew accustomed her to presence in everything I do already."

"Fitzgerald, you're in the Oval Office right," Louis asked.

Fitz smiled. "Yes Sir."

"How many World Leaders do you think stood where you are now, without the one they love? Our most brilliant President's didn't always have their First Ladies within arm's reach you know."

Fitz got up and stood on the seal. He stood there and turned around in a circle and stopped. He placed one hand in his pocket, and sighed.

"Fitzgerald you know I am right." Louis said to him.

"I know." Fitz admitted mostly to himself but he wanted Louis to hear him. "I just can't wait to get her here. It can't be soon enough."

"It will happen when the time is right," her father said to him. He heard Fitz sigh and figured he was walking around.

/

"Covered Bridges…"

"Daddy, tell Fitz to stop pacing, and that I am fine." Olivia said half asleep. Fitz heard her and a smile crept across his face. "He's going to turn into a Frog like Cyrus said."

"Livy," Fitz voiced.

Her Dad said goodbye quickly and handed the phone to her. She snuggled into the pillow that he slept on, and its scent filled her nose. She hugged herself and the shirt she was wearing.

"Hi," she said to him, feeling the sleepy smile creep on her face.

"Hi," Fitz said back leaning against the window in the Oval. "I miss you."

She hugged herself even more. "I miss you too. Twenty Three People Mr. President."

"What," Fitz said, not sure what she was saying.

"Twenty three hard working Americans are staying late because you are working in the Oval. Twenty three people are staying late so you can call me." Olivia finished staring up at the ceiling, smiling.

"How did you know that?" Fitz asked.

"I have my secrets," she said dropping her voice. She heard him grumble on the other end, knowing the effect that voice has on his body.

"Do you now," Fitz huskily asked her back. "Care to elaborate."

"Nope," Olivia teased. "You'll have to get it out of me next time you see me Sir. Plus if I told you Mr. President, my boyfriend would think I was flirting with you. I can't have that," she lowered voice.

"Oh really," Fitz said, sitting down at his desk. He put his hands up by his face, doing his best not to smile. "So this boyfriend of yours, does he know that you really are flirting with the President of the United States? I would hate to make him jealous."

"I won't tell him if you do the same. I can be our sexy dirty little secret," Olivia said in a whisper that caused Fitz to moan into the phone's receiver.

"I love you," Fitz voiced in a tone that caused her to melt into the bed on the other end. He heard her sigh, and whimper.

"And I love you too. You hold onto that when you start ruling the world tomorrow morning. Don't be late on your first day back either. I don't want a phone call from Cyrus whining."

"I won't be. I have the perfect way to wake up tomorrow." Fitz teased, attempting to get a rise out of her.

"Fitz, what are you up to. You worry me when you say things like that." Olivia sat up in the bed. She was about to get up when Fitz started talking again.

"Olivia lay back down, and don't start pacing. This is not a pacing in circles situation. Relax," Fitz told her. "I have everything under control."

"Oh God, you didn't get Karen and Jerry a dog did you?" Olivia asked worried.

"Lord woman no. Are you out of your mind? The staff would probably quit if I did that. Karen and Jerry are bad enough. But this idea…," he let his voice trail off, "is something pretty special."

"Fitzgerald," Olivia voiced. "You best not be back up here by tomorrow morning. I don't need you M.I.A. your first morning back."

"Oh ye of little faith in my Presidential Superpowers my love," Fitz told her, now beginning to laugh.

"You know what I am going to go back to bed. I am too tired." Olivia was not only playing into his game, she was going to win. "Goodnight Mr. President."

"Livy wait," Fitz practically screamed. "Don't go. Okay I'll tell you."

"Good boy," she told him, now playing with her hair.

"Why do you have to sound so sexy right now? I am not even there to do anything about it." Fitz told her back, running his fingers through his hair.

"Fitz you're changing the subject. Now spill it Mister."

"The kids transferred the video of you with the Christmas Lights to my phone. So when the alarm goes off, I will hear your voice, calling me out of my dreams. That way your voice is the first thing I hear every morning Livy. I can't start my day without hearing your voice or seeing you." Fitz whispered.

Olivia was so surprised that she didn't know what to say to him. She could feel herself begin to cry. Fitz could hear her over the phone beginning to sniffle. She missed him so much already, that she didn't know how to start her day without him either. After hearing her on the other end, stifling back her emotions, Fitz felt his own tears in his eyes.

"Livy," he expressed to her in the sweetest voice.

"What?"

Fitz laughed. "I'll call you in the morning so the first thing you hear is my voice telling you that I love you. Okay."

She nodded. "Okay."

"Then you can record it for later, and if you ever get really pissed at me, you can play it and get un-mad," Fitz said with a devilishly grin.

"FITZ!"

"What are you wearing?" He spoke in an innocent tone.

"You are incorrigible," Olivia said softly, dropping her voice. "Well it just so happens your Navy t-shirt and my panties. Nothing else."

"Are you trying to kill me woman? How am I supposed to go to sleep now thinking you of in nothing but my shirt and panties," he asked her, with a strained voice. "You didn't sleep like that when I was there." Then he thought about it some more. "Did Tom put you to bed that way?"

Olivia could feel his blood pressure rise, through his voice intonation. To put him out of his misery she decided to end his suffering. "No he did not. I had pajama pants on. After I woke up I took them off my soft silky legs I just put lotion on."

"Olivia you are not playing fair." Fitz bellowed.

"Life is not fair in love and war President Grant. You best remember that for the future. I play to win by the way." Olivia said to him seductively.

"And what do you think you won," he asked.

"You."

"Livy," was all he could say back. His heart melted even more. He looked at the time and realized it was close to eleven. She must have sensed it and both just breathed on both ends of their lines, listening to each other. Each one took and let out a breath at the same time. He sighed and she did the same.

"You should go," Olivia said first.

"I should go," Fitz said back, not wanting to hang up. "One minute."

"One minute," she answered back. She placed herself back down in the bed, and covered herself up. Olivia then placed her nose against the pillow he slept on while he was there, and brought his shirt up to her nose. He heard her take in another breath and knew why. He smiled, wishing he had something of hers.

He stood up and looked out the window and gazed in Vermont's direction. He moved the curtains only slightly, missing her more and more by the second. He placed his hand on the glass and told her, "I'm coming back for you."

"I know. I'll wait for you Fitz…forever." She was now crying.

"I. Love. You. Livy," he breathed out.

"I love you too. Goodnight Fitz."

"Goodnight Sweetheart," he said back holding back his tears. He heard her hang up and placed the phone in his pocket. Fitz placed his hand one more time against the window starring in her direction. He was lost in his thoughts when felt the phone vibrate in his pocket.

He took it out and saw a text from Olivia. It was their new "Apple Dress Girl" picture. He rubbed his thumb against it and brought it to his lips. He kissed the screen and continued to look at their photo. "I can't wait to bring you home and marry you Livy. That day can't come soon enough."

Fitz then walked out of the Oval and up to the residence. He said goodnight to Karen and Jerry. They already knew that Olivia talked to him because they could tell by his smile. She texted them before he made up to the residence, a "family" photo that was taken from the Polar Express. He smiled and told them he would see them at breakfast.

He walked into his bedroom and was happy that the staff didn't unpack. He placed his suitcase on the bed and unzipped it. While he was taking out his things, he smelt and felt something different. He moved his clothes out of the way, and saw her grey "Georgetown" t-shirt she wore to bed a few times.

He immediately brought it to his nose and smelt her lavender conditioner. "Oh Olivia," he whimpered out. Fitz pressed the shirt against his chiseled chest, and imagined it was her. After a few moments, he placed it on "her side" of the bed, and went to get changed. He came back and got in on "his side" with her shirt, right with him, against his chest.

Fitz was about to send her a text, but he heard his phone ding. He saw the text and it read "Your welcome…Covered Bridges."

He texted her back, "Covered Bridges," and spoke to himself, "I love you Livy," drifting off to sleep smelling the sweet scent of lavender.

/

Okay my pumpkins, I am firstly so SORRY for the delay in posting this first chapter. I know I promised last week but "life" happens and the #ComputerFairy didn't like me for a while. Plus I was away this past weekend, dealing with issues, and couldn't type.

But here's your first chapter for the sequel to Christmas in Vermont. This story probably won't posted again for about 2 weeks. I have other tales that are calling my name.

I hope you all enjoyed and leave me tons of DINGS with BLING.

Peace, Luv and Pumpkins….Me's

P.S. Look for me on Twitter as ScandalMistress.