Chris could not believe his eyes. In the flesh was Melissa. Not Melissa his wife. Melissa the woman he met.

Melissa smiled at her soon to be ex-husband, "It sounds like you are trying to play hard ball. We both know that is not a smart idea."

"You sound mighty brave in front of these people. Not the same person that has been hiding. It is a nice front though."

Melissa looked at Olivia who smiled at her. She knew that Melissa needed this moment.

She looked at Chris, "When I left you I was running. I had no where to go. I allowed you to take me apart piece by piece. I accept that. It was my decision. I almost let you win until I realized we created two perfect beings who deserve better. I can't take back the damage that I have allowed to be inflicted on them. You will never be allowed to hurt them again. I am going to show them how to fight for what you believe in. Today is not about you. It is about me. Trust me we will have our day in court."

"What does that mean?"

Melissa turned to the executive, "Olivia has explained to me that there is a job offer on the table."

Chris was still yelling that there was no way to prove that the work wasn't his.

In a moment that even Olivia wasn't prepared for Melissa pulls out a USB device that she hands over to Olivia who immediately plugs it into her computer.

When Olivia saw what it was she pulled up her laptop so that everyone in the room could review the footage. The girls had taped their mom working out the data. There was footage of them working with her as well.

When it ended Melissa looked at Olivia, "I wasn't hiding this from you. We have always been honest with each other. The girls were scared that Chris might try some last-minute trick, so they gave this to me. They said you would be able to use it to help us."

"I will…"

Olivia looked at the executive, "Now that you have all the evidence before you. What is your final decision?"

The executives excused themselves for a moment to discuss and confirm they were comfortable with the decision that they had already made. It wasn't so much about the decision changing. Now that they had a better understand of how valuable Melissa was they needed to make sure they got her.

After a few moments they returned. They addressed Melissa first, "On behalf of GE we would like to apologize for the way that your work has been used. Although we used your findings we never would have agreed to this farce that Chris has come up with. It is clear that you are an intelligent woman, and we would be lucky to have you. We happen to have an executive who plans to retire in the next year. I can tell that you are hands on and being an executive doesn't sound appealing. This role is a little bit of both. You will spend a lot of time on the floor, and I think that your ideas along with others can allow us to create some really great things. Since she is not retiring immediately that gives you time to prepare for the job. We also would like to provide your girls with scholarships for college and internships if they are interested."

Melissa smiled, "I think that it an acceptable offer."

"Good we will a package put together for you and get it send over to Mrs. Grant."

"Thank you."

The executive turned to Olivia, "Mrs. Grant in light of the new evidence that Melissa presented today we would like to rescind our off to Chris."

Chris and his lawyer were in shock. Chris yelled, "You can't do that!"

Olivia smirked, "Wrong. Melissa was my backup plan. You never expected Melissa to come in her and defend herself. That is how foolish you are. You didn't accept the deal. You haven't signed anything, so the deal can and has been pulled and there is nothing that you can do about it."

He turned to his lawyer, "Is that true?"

He nodded

Chris looked at them, "I will ruin you."

"No, you won't…"

He turned and looked at Olivia

"See there is a reason they call me the best. Make no mistake about it. I am the best. I can and will spin anything. You don't have a leg to stand on. You barely have a toe. Sure, there are going to be a few people who felt like the company should have known what you were up to, but I can and will spin it. You are a very deceptive man, and when I show them that this isn't the only job that you have lied to it will help my case. More importantly how are you going to explain that you never did complete college? I could go on, but I do need to save some of this for later. For right now all you need to know is that you are fired."

Chris was livid. He wanted to knock Olivia out, but he knew that he couldn't do it with the people in the room. He would need to regroup.

Before walking out he looked at Olivia, "This is not over…"

Olivia smirked, "Maybe…Maybe not…"

When he walked out the door Melissa let go of a breath that she didn't know that she was holding.

She looked at Olivia, "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to cause any problems."

"You didn't cause anything. You provided the nail in Chris's coffin. It also solidifies that you were telling the truth, and the company didn't know what was going on."

"I am just worried about you. I feel like he is going to try and come after you."

"You would be right. One way or another he is coming but trust me I can handle it. I might not have big men walking beside me, but I am protected."

The executive was also concerned.

"Mrs. Grant, I appreciate all that you are doing for us. Most clients I am sure wouldn't care about your safety. I don't operate that way. If you feel more comfortable going back to the original offer, then we can accept that."

"Thank you for thinking of me, but when I take on cases I plan for hiccups and what a person may or may not do. I have eyes in places that some would never expect. Chris can bring his best, but I assure you he is no match for this firm."

Everyone felt it was best to trust Olivia. She and her firm were the best for a reason.

Once everyone left Olivia sat down and sent emails to the appropriate parties. She looked at her watch and realized that it was past lunch time.

She headed home. As soon as the door opened she heard laughter. It was what she needed to leave her problems at the door.

She stopped in the kitchen first where she found Sam and Sheldon eating lunch and working on homework together. They found ways to make it fun for him. With his home life secure he had become an honor student.

"What's going on in here?"

Both kids stood and greeted their mom.

While Sheldon was explaining his project, Sam went and heated up some food for Olivia.

Once he was done explaining and showing her what they had done so far Olivia smiled at him, "I am really proud of you buddy. Keep up the good work. When I get done with this case you and I can go do something fun together for all your hard work. How does that sound?"

"Really good."

Olivia got up, so she could go check on Fitz and Stefon. Before she left the kitchen, she leaned over and kissed Sam, "Thank you helping out around here while I get this case wrapped up."

"We are family. Besides who needs a reason to hand out with two cool brothers."

Sheldon laughed at his sister.

Olivia nodded and left the kitchen. She made her way upstairs. Since it was quiet she decided to change clothes before she made her way to the nursery.

A few minutes later she walked into a sight that never got old for her. Fitz was relaxing in the glider with Stefon. It was nap time, but it looked like he was going to talk to his dad until she showed up.

Both sensed when she came in the room. Like clockwork both of their heads turned towards the door, and she got the same smile from both that melted her heart.

She walked over to them. Fitz leaned over and kissed her, "How are you?"

"Better now that I am home."

"We can talk after this one goes down. It shouldn't take long. He should have just about babbled himself sleepy."

Olivia laughed and looked at their son, "Were you telling daddy that mommy was late getting home."

Stefon immediately started grinning.

"I know. Mommy is so sorry."

He started babbling again which just warmed her heart.

He started tugging at her shirt.

She sat down and got them comfortable, so he could eat. It took no time for him to latch on.

Fitz leaned over and kissed her forehead, "I'm going to grab a shower. I smell like spit up."

"I'll be in there shortly."

As they suspected it didn't take long for her little man to be out. She held him for a few minutes longer. Motherhood completed her in a way she never expected. It made her feel more powerful and in control. She needed that especially when she was dealing with cases like Melissa.

She put him down before heading to the room. When she walked in the room she smiled at her sexy husband who had dozed off.

She was about to let him sleep when she heard him say, "You better not leave me."

Olivia laughed

She ran over and jumped on him. She leaned down and properly kissed him. When they pulled apart she looked down at him, "Hi…"

"Hi baby…"

"You look tired. Stephon must have been a handful today."

"Not really. He was a little feisty right before you got here. He was ready for you."

Olivia sighed, "I'm sorry…

Fitz sat up and looked at her, "Don't ever apologize to me again for working Liv. Men are not made to feel guilty for working, and then coming home to their family. We don't do that in this household. My girls will know that their work is equally as important as any man. Life happens and that is what happened today."

Olivia climbed in his lap, "Thank you. I just don't want to be get so engulfed in a case that family becomes second."

"It will happen sometimes, and that is okay. You are a crisis manager, and a damn good one. Now you are combining those skills to save women and children. There will be more cases like Melissa where you will live, eat, and breathe the case. That is okay because that is what makes you the best. Once it is okay then you will come back home to us, and you will get your piece of normal back. That is who you are baby, and I not only accept that but love that. I don't want you to change."

She just hugged him tighter. He was her safe place.

He kissed her hair, "What happened today?"

Olivia filled him in. He knew about the plan. He was pleasantly surprised to find out the girls had taped them working on the formulas.

When she finished Fitz said, "We expected him to be mad, but I take it that he was pissed."

"More like royally pissed."

"I assume you have a new game plan prepared."

"You know it. I sent it to your email for you to review when you get a chance. I know you were handling the children."

"Thanks honey. I'll look at it…"

They continued to talk until they heard a tap on the door.

Sam was at the door.

Olivia looked up at her daughter, "Is everything okay?"

Sam nodded, "It is. I came up here to let you know that you guys are going out tonight. Kimmie will be over soon. We are on baby-sitting duties. All you guys need to do is take a nap, and then enjoy your night. We have everything planned. By the time you wake up mom your dress will be in the bathroom."

The couple looked at each other in shock. They hadn't had a date night out since Stefon was born. They could use it, and besides it was clear that a lot of planning had went into the evening. They were not going to disappoint her by declining.

Sam came over and sat between her parents. They both hugged her and thanked her for thinking of them. Although she was an adult she loved these moments with them. She didn't get this kind of love and attention from her biological parents.

After a nap the couple proceeded to get ready. As promised there was a dress in the bathroom when Olivia woke up.

She was impressed with her daughter's choice. She had selected a Dolce & Gabbana peony print charmeuse midi dress. She paired it with a pair of Calvin Klein sandals, Christie Nicolaides earrings, and a Chloe clutch.

A car service was there to pick up the couple. The couple didn't know how long they had been in the car. They were enjoying their kid free night.

They pulled up in front of the restaurant. When they got out Fitz smiled, and Olivia couldn't stop giggling. They were at a restaurant called The Kitchen Restaurant. It was a high-end restaurant that offered a five-course meal in a convivial open-kitchen setting.

Olivia had told Fitz that she wanted to go there with him, and he had mentioned to Sam that he wanted to take her when they had a chance to go out again.

Olivia looked up at her husband, "How did she know?"

"We were talking over lunch one day, and I told her that you were dying to go there for dinner, and the first chance I had I was going to take you."

"I'm so happy. Not only about eating dinner here with you tonight but being loved so fully by you and the kids."

"I feel the same way."

They were escorted to their seat. They found out that their daughter had already paid for dinner. They would be enjoying a five-course meal with a wine selected for each course. Once seated they were given their arrival wine MV Delamotte Champagne, Brut, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cóte des Blancs, France.

Fitz looked at his wife and could tell she was in heaven. Before leaving he made sure that she pumped enough milk, so she could enjoy the evening. It was a good decision. He could tell she was relaxed already.

For their first course they had Escabeche of Hawaiian Shutome (Early Orchard Fruits, Nasturtium, Almonds and Saffron-Poached Hearts of Palm). It was paired with 2016 Marisa Cuomo White Blend, 'Ravello', Costa d'Amalfi, Campania, Italy.

The second course was Agnolotti of Corn (Summer Truffle, Burrata Custard, Salad Burnet and Wild Pecan Butter). It was paired with 2015 Henri & Gilles Buisson Chardonnay, 'La Perriere', Saint Romain, France.

After the second course there was an intermission. You could walk around and sample food at the chef stations or head out to the patio and relax by the fire. The couple decided on the second option with three more courses to go.

Olivia didn't even try and sit beside him. She sat on his lap. It surprised him a little because she was the consummate professional in public unless they were out of the country where no one noticed them.

He looked up at her, "Everything okay?"

"Fine, I just think there are things that happen in life that make you pause and look at how you are living?"

"Does this have to do with Melissa?"

"I guess it does."

"You have helped families before. What makes this case stand out?"

"I have helped other women who have been dealing with domestic violence, but Melissa feels like me. Melissa reminds me of the road I was headed down. God gave me a chance to get out when I called you, and I took it. Now that I have you I feel like I take our life for granted. I take you for granted. I know what God has blessed me with it. Working on her case has just been a lot emotionally."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"You do enough. I just want to work on me a little more."

"That's fine baby. Just remember we are always a work in progress. I would never tell you not to work on yourself. I just ask that you not be too hard on yourself. I also think with just having Stefon that your hormones are still a little out of whack. Take that into consideration."

"I will. Thank you listening and talking me through it."

"No problem love. That is what I am here for."

They headed back in for the second part of their dinner.

For the third course they enjoyed Ham of Sonoma County Duck Breast with wild elderflowers, carameled cherries, Tokyo turnips, and verbena. It was paired with 2013 Alphonse Mellot Pinot Noir, 'Les Herses', Sancerre, Loire Valley, France.

The fourth course was Peppered Butter Poached Beef Tenderloin with Estero Gold "Fondue", Leek Compote, Crispy Sunchoke and Morel Mushrooms paired with 2013 Inama Carmenere, 'Oratorio di San Lorenzo', Riserva, Colli Berici, Veneto, Italy.

For the dessert course they enjoyed a Frangipane and Apricot Tarte with Earl Grey ice and blueberries. The final wine of the night was 2014 Chateau Filhot Late Harvest White Blend, Sauternes, France.

The couple decided to walk around for a little bit. Let some of the food and wine settled. It had been the perfect date. It also settled Olivia's nerves, and reminded her that she was doing just fine.

When they got home the night continued. The kids were taken care of. Now Fitz was going to take care of his wife. They enjoyed a candlelit bath. It was like they were cleansing each other. Life had gotten busy, and they had put their relationship last. Things were not as hectic, and now they could focus on each other a little more.

Afterwards Fitz took her to bed where he made slow sweet love to her. it was that kind of love that you think only happens in romance novels. It put her first. He kissed, licked, sucked, and touched every inch of her body. Orgasms were plentiful, and she was left beyond satisfied. When she closed her eyes that night she smiled. She had made it out of the storm, and boy was her life sweet.

After their date night Olivia didn't feel guilty about being busy the next couple of weeks. She spent a lot of time with Melissa who was adjusting to living on her own with the children. They were working with her to get her accounts established.

The divorce papers had been filed. Chris tried to dodge being subpoenaed, but Olivia was again a step ahead of him. She knew where he was. She played it smart by letting him think that his dodging was working, and when he let his guard down he was served.

There was no pre-nup in place. Melissa requests were simple. She wanted 50% of their martial assets. She wasn't requesting alimony, and she would forfeit child support if Chris gave up his parental rights to the girls.

Chris was livid. Where the hell did she get off thinking that she could get half. She wasn't the one out there doing all the work? Truthfully, he didn't care about girls. They had served their purpose. Still he had to make it look like he cared. The only solace he had was that he had hid some of his money stashed away. He never expected his wife to leave him, but he didn't feel like the government was entitled to all his money. Plus, he had done a couple of deals that weren't on the up and up.

The little comfort that he did have went out the door when he went to court a week later. The numbers that he had in mind were no where to close to what his wife's attorneys had come up with. His lawyers might have been confused, but he knew that once again Olivia Grant had one upped him. He was over this bitch. She was ruining his life. She had to go before he lost everything.

He was so lost in thought that he almost missed the judge ruling. He entered in alimony at $20,000 a month. Since he was not voluntarily giving up his parental rights he would pay $10,000 a month in child support as well as half of the children's school tuition. A forensic accountant would go over the records before final judgement was set. Chris could remain in the house since Melissa had already found another home for her and the children, but she was requesting that the house be sold, and she get 50% percent of the proceeds. They also had four other investment properties that she was asking to receive two of them in the final settlement.

Chris was seething as he got up to leave the courtroom. He was boiling when he turned and saw Olivia standing in the back of the courtroom with a smug look on her face.

He stomped out the room and placed a call to his private investigator. He wanted Olivia followed. He wanted her schedule. He needed to get her alone and vulnerable. She was going to pay for trying to ruin his life.

Three weeks later Olivia had come back in town. She had arrived back from D.C. two days early to surprise Fitz. She had been traveling for the last two weeks to each one of the safe houses. It was important to her that she was more than the face of the foundation. She wanted the staffs to know who she was. She liked to interact with the families and let them know they were more than numbers. It kept her humbled. She also enjoyed spending time with Vanessa. She was her number two, and she had learned to trust her implicitly. This time allowed them to determine what was working for the foundation, and what changes needed to be implemented. At each location they would gather ideas about the upcoming gala so that everyone was included.

It was tiresome, and she missed her family terribly. She had pulled some long hours, but it was worth it. She knew that Fitz had been out of town, but he would be getting in later tonight. The two younger kids were with Kerry. Sheldon wanted to hang out with Sam, so he was staying with his sister.

Since she had time before Fitz got home she decided to stop by the office. The rest of the team was on a much-needed vacation. When Olivia started the foundation, they decided each office would close two weeks in the summer at different times so the other office could handle the load of the closed office. Despite being the boss she didn't mind doing menial tasks. She made sure that she was comfortable wearing her favorite sweat suit and sneakers. She had decided to pull her hair back into a ponytail.

She turned off the alarm using the FOB on her keyring. She stopped and grabbed the mail and headed to her office.

She sat the mail down and was about to turn around when someone said, "For someone so powerful you would think that you would be smart enough to have protection around you."

"What makes you think I don't?"

"I've been following you."

"Obviously not close enough…"

Olivia turned to grab something when she felt the man come behind her. He was about to grab her, but Olivia was expecting it and grabbed his wrist and punched him in the stomach. He doubled over and fell to the ground. She turned to run of the door when Chris walked in.

"Hello, Mrs. Grant. Good defensive move on my investigator. He wasn't expecting that, but as he said you really should have protection around you. After all you are a powerful woman."

"That I am."

Chris pulled out a knife. "Have a seat. Let's talk before I cut up your pretty little face."

Olivia sat down in the chair across from him, "I guess I'm not the only one that isn't smart. My face might be cut up, but I still have my memory."

"See this is where I am smarter than you. Now that my trusty agent over here has gotten over that punch he will be able to inject you with ropinirole. If you are wondering that is well it is a dopamine agonist that is used to treat Parkinson's disease, but the major side effect of the drug is that it causes major memory loss. Oh, dear you won't be able to tell that husband of yours why you are no longer beautiful. That's okay. We will leave him a note telling him how the stress of running the foundation got to you."

Olivia looked at him wide eyed, "Do you really think this will have any bearing on your divorce proceedings?"

"Why of course. Your mental state is going to be called into question. Then it won't help that when they go back and search the records they won't find those accounts that you said had money in them. You will then be certifiably crazy. I don't even want my job back at this point. I am just going to enjoy the nice settlement they will be forced to give me to avoid an embarrassing lawsuit."

Olivia nodded her head, "You planned this out didn't you."

"With precision…"

"Before you get to work can I ask you a question?"

"Why not after all your world is about to be ripped apart?"

"Did you come up with this plan on your own? I assume your trusty investigator over there helped you."

He sneered at Olivia.

Chris smirked at her, "That is my brother as well as my investigator. Be nice to him. He did help me. I can't take all the credit. My brains and his investigative skills have gotten us far in life."

Olivia sat back in the chair and shrugged her shoulder. It was beginning to piss Chris off that she didn't seem scared at what was about to happen.

"Why are you getting comfortable? You do know that you are in danger."

Olivia hunched her shoulders, "One more question then we can go ahead and get this party started. Since your brother has keen investigative skills let me ask this question. When he was surveilling, me did he not notice any of the small details."

Chris and his brother were confused. He thought it was just Olivia trying to buy herself more time, but he decided to bite.

"Such as…"

"I am the consummate professional. When I travel for business I never wear casual clothes not even for travel. I never know who I might run into. It also allows me to keep my head together."

"Okay the games are over."

Chris stood up and grabbed Olivia by the arm. Just like she did his brother she grabbed his wrist and kicked him in his balls. His brother stood up to grabbed Olivia when someone grabbed him by his wrist and tossed him to the ground.

He yelled, "What the hell?"

"You should never put your hands on a woman. Especially when that woman is my wife."

Both men looked at the man in shock. Fitz was supposed to heading to the airport right now. What was he doing here? Before they could get their bearings together another man came in the room. He helped Huck put them in chairs and tie them up. They were moved in front of Olivia's desk. When they looked at her she was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Gentleman, you both know my husband, but let me introduce you to the other man in the room. This is Huck. He is my brother from another mother which I am sure that neither of you care about that, but what you might care about is that he is part of my security. What would make you gentlemen think that a powerful woman like myself would be dumb enough to walk around without security. No, you see the dumb ones are the two of you for thinking that I would walk around with two bulky men and make it obvious that they are protecting me. That would make it easy for goons like you to come after me. If it has not sunk in yet, then let me make it clear to you. I wasn't the one being surveilled you were."

She wanted to grin at the look on their faces, but she remained professional on the outside. She just let them sit there and marinate on what she just said.

Olivia then sat forward and looked at them, "I'm sure that you are wondering what is going to happen to you next. Well if you didn't learn when you were watching me then let me tell you. I'm a fun individual. Aren't I honey?"

Fitz smiled and nodded at his wife, "Oh baby you are loads of fun!"

"See, spoken from the man that knows me best. Now that you know I am loads of fun here is what is about to happen. I'm heading home where my children are waiting on me. The two of you are going to spend some time with my husband and brother. It wouldn't be much fun if you found out everything tonight, so you will just have to wait, but I assure you I won't disappoint."

She got up and walked over to her husband and leaned up to kiss him, "I'll see you at home honey."

He handed her the keys to the car, "Be careful. I had Sam to pick up desert to go with dinner."

"Okay. I love you…"

"Love you more…"

She went over and hugged Huck, "Don't get drunk tonight. Save that for another time."

Huck simply nodded at her to let her know that she understood.

Before she walked out the door she said, "One more thing. Those accounts that you established to transfer the money after you attempted to ruin my life well we found them. Don't worry they will get put to good use. You will see."

With that she walked out the door. It was at that moment that they realized that they weren't really restrained. It took nothing for them to get their hands freed.

They stood up and turned around where Fitz and Huck were smiling at them.

Huck looked at Fitz, "Let the drinking begin…"

A/N-I know some may be mad where I left it, but I decided to cut off. The next chapter will conclude the fun. The store is also ending soon, but I still have a little story left to tell. Until next time check out the date night outfit on my Twitter account kimberl17711667…