Downfall

I See My Future In Your Eyes

One Year Later:

"Wow! You look hot." Olivia blushed as Chloe closed the door behind her. She twirled around, giggling slightly at the sight of Chloe in curls and her turquoise gown. It was so very unChloe-like, but she had agreed to all of it for Olivia's sake.

"You look pretty." Chloe shrugged, tucking a curl behind her ear and stepping toward Olivia. She reached for the pearl earrings laying on the vanity and helping Olivia secure them in the holes in her lobes. Chloe adjusted Olivia's hair, placing the lacy veil on her head and adjusting it.

"They're only going to have eyes for you. You happen to be one sexy bride." Chloe winked, smoothing the back of Olivia's dress before standing back to survey her friend. Olivia had chosen a toned down, simple dress. Chloe always imagined that her friend would have a large, over the top wedding, but after the media circus that had surrounded her over the past year, she had decided that smaller was better. Olivia hadn't wanted the pomp and attention and Fitz...he had been down that road once before and it had ended badly. He had been more than happy to have a smaller affair – telling Olivia that a wedding didn't have to be lavish to be special.

"His are the only 'eyes' that matter," Olivia responded, twirling in front of the mirror. The ball gown twirled with her, the hooped skirt accentuating her tiny waist. Chloe adjusted the off-shoulder straps and checked the zipper one final time – they didn't need any wardrobe malfunctions today. Satisfied with Olivia's dress, Chloe stood to the side and grabbed the bouquet of red and white roses. Olivia took the bouquet in her hands, holding them in front of her and admiring herself in the mirror.

"Are you ready?" Chloe held her own bouquet of red and white water lilies – it had been Olivia's idea that Chloe's bouquet should represent her birth month.

"I think so."

~*~

"Mellie is pissed that we went public."

"Are you?" His eyes snapped to her as he tilted his head to the side.

"How long have I been begging you for this moment? Hell no I'm not pissed."

"Good," she smiled. He loved her smile. She walked around his desk, perching herself on the edge and giggling when he moved his chair closer, placing his hands on her hips and looking up at her. "She's not going to make this easy, is she?"

"She'll try to give us hell, but I will make sure it backfires on her."

"Why can't she let it go?"

"Because she wants to look like a saint to the press. She doesn't want the negative attention that she's already receiving because of our divorce announcement. Everyone assumes that it is entirely her fault and..."

"It's not all on her, Fitz. You and –"

"Our marriage was over long before you came in the picture, Liv." His face twisted in confusion when she hopped down from the desk. Awkwardly straddling him in the desk chair, she sat in his lap, resting her head against his shoulder. His arms found their way around her, holding her to him.

"I'm scared of what she's going to say."

"Leave Mellie to me."

~*~

"Miss Pope! Miss Pope!" Olivia turned in surprise at the sight of the journalist rushing toward her. She gripped her coffee tighter and hunched her shoulders, trying to push past the man running toward her. She was at her car, hand on the door, when he shouted his question: