Eli paced back and forth in his office at campaign headquarters with his arms crossed over his chest as he watched the election coverage. He grew more and more anxious with every passing minute. He hadn't even bothered to try and look good. He hadn't shaved, but at least he'd taken a quick shower this morning. He just felt like there wasn't any need to make the effort..

He doubted his chances of winning after what he'd done on television.

When the results started rolling in, he was shocked when he saw that people were responding positively to his message of love… or they were voting for him out of pity, one of the two. He didn’t know.

The campaign staff and volunteers had gathered in the main room, watching the bank of televisions to monitor the results of voting. He joined them for a couple of minutes then retreated back to his office and ended up staring at the photos lined up behind his desk – one of him and Henry, another of him with Ellie and their mom.

Eli breathed in and out slowly.

Soon he would be surrounded by people. Time to put his slightly-scruffy game face on..

There was only an hour left before people started gathering. And that’s when he would really start sweating bullets. Though he had already stated that he was willing to give up the presidency, he couldn't help but feel weary.

He had worked so hard for it, after all.

His eyes traveled to the door of the headquarters, wondering if Meredith even saw the broadcast – silently hoping that she would magically appear in front of him somehow.

It’d been hours since the broadcast. It was all over the news and social media sites. How could she have missed it? She had been out of touch since the scandal broke out. And he had been waiting for her call. If she would just call him…

God, he missed hearing her angelic voice.

But of course, if their positions were reversed, he would have fled the country by now.

Is that what she did?

The mere idea of being miles apart from Meredith made his heart sink. He sat on his swivel chair and rested his head in his hands, leaning over. He closed his eyes, trying to enjoy the peacefulness of his office. Hopefully people would stop bombarding him with questions now that the election was almost over.

When he heard the tapping of heels on the floor, he opened his eyes immediately… it was just Sosie. He looked at her without hiding his disappointment, then turned away.

After his confession on air, Sosie had turned ice cold. She was extremely displeased with what he'd done. And he was almost certain that she'd been the one who leaked the affair to the press.

He turned away from the door to face a TV screen which silently replayed a clip of him. It was an ad he'd made for the campaign. The image was replaced with several people clustered around a table, talking about their take on what he’d said.

He sighed, feeling suffocated and claustrophobic even though he was alone in his office.

His fingers rested on the handset of his office phone impatiently. He had considered calling Meredith a million times. But no… his pride was stopping him.

He had made a heartfelt plea on national TV. And calling her from a landline just to get around Sosie who had his mobile phone would be dumb.

He was desperate, yes. But he hadn’t considered begging – not yet.

Because if Meredith felt the same way, she would come back to him.

And he was blindly hoping that she would…

He groaned in frustration, putting his head on the table. He was so damn tired, but couldn't rest. Everything was just getting more and more intense and complicated.

And a nap was a luxury he couldn't afford, not yet.

He closed his eyes, hoping that when he opened them again, things would be a little better.

“Hey…” said a familiar voice. His eyes snapped open.

He straightened up in his seat to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Before him was Meredith, looking at him with her deep blue eyes. She was panting heavily like she had just finished a marathon. There was an uncertain smile on her lips as she walked toward his desk hesitantly.

Elijah blinked, getting up from his seat, meeting her halfway. Tears formed in his eyes as he looked over her beautiful face. His heart skipped a beat when she reached out to touch his face.

“You… you’re here,” he murmured softly, putting his hands on either side of her face, feeling the warmth of her touch – making sure she was relaxed.

Meredith nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“I’m here,” she spoke softly, her breath touching his face.

“I –“

“Shh…” she shushed him, putting a finger on his mouth. She smiled at him, wiping away the tears that had escaped his eyes. “I’m sorry for doubting you.”

“No. I’m sorry for being a coward,” he muttered, grinning back at her.

He pulled her in for a tight hug, soothing them both after missing out on each other for the past few weeks. Having her back in his arms had brought so much happiness to him, he couldn’t stop tearing up.

So, this is what it means to love..

When Meredith looked up at him, he leaned his head lower and gently brushed his lips on hers before planting a kiss on her temple.

“I love you, Meredith Fields, my princess,” he whispered.

He didn’t understand why, but it felt like a thorn had been removed from his heart when he said those words. He felt lighter because finally, he was able to be honest with her.

He'd finally told her the words he had always wanted to say.

She nodded, then smiled.

“I know. I love you too, Mr. Scott. Or should I say, Mr. President?”

The presidency was the furthest thing from his mind. “You realize that I’m going to hold you forever?” He pulled her closer to his body, their chests pressed against each other.

“Forever?” she leaned her head on his muscled chest, inhaling his scent.

“Forever,” he smirked as he leaned down to nuzzle her neck.

“Sounds good to me,” she responded with a grin.He smelled her hair and kissed her. He devoured her mouth then moved down, latching on her neck, kissing and nibbling on the smooth column of flesh that he missed so badly.

Who would have ever thought that the woman he met at a masquerade sex party, who'd haunted his dreams for weeks would be Meredith?

He'd never expected to meet her again. He hadn't meant to grow attracted to her. And it hadn't been part of his plan to fall in love with her.

But now he had her – for good.

When they broke the kiss, Meredith held his hand and led him to sit back on his chair. She then sat on his lap, teasing him as she rubbed her ass against his throbbing cock.

He groaned.

“Let’s watch and wait for the results,” she said giggling.

“I have a better idea…” he murmured against her neck, feeling like the luckiest man in the world.

As she continued to torment him mercilessly, he reflected. He really was lucky. Whether he won the election or not, he was with the woman he loved. He was never letting Meredith go again, not this time.

He just needed to get past tonight, and then he could put a ring on her finger. Then a little piece of him would be with her everywhere — just as it should be, he thought.

Wedding bells might just be in the White House’s future.