Part One

"There. That's perfect," Olivia smiled as she stepped back to admire her own work. Karen's face beamed back at her before turning enthusiastically towards the mirror at Olivia's bathroom vanity. Karen gasped and then fell silent. Her brown hair fell in thick waves, the right side swept back by a beautiful pin, a gift from her-what was Olivia to her, exactly? Not a stepmother, her dad's girlfriend? Still the Fixer? Whatever her title, Karen still wasn't sure, she did feel strongly that she could call Olivia her very good friend and right now Wedding Savior Extraordinaire. Karen's lip trembled as she looked at Olivia in the mirror. They didn't speak but Karen's expression said it all. She was ready now.

"What time are you taking pictures? This is just the test day, you don't have to be too nervous."

"The photographer will be here in about twenty minutes, so I guess I should get downstairs," Karen sighed. "And I'm not nervous-not anymore. Now that I finally figured out what to do with this," she gestured to her hair. "I had no idea the air up here would affect it so much."

"You're preaching to the choir," Olivia chuckled. "Make sure you get something to drink at least before you start-it's warm today."

"I will," Karen said, enthusiastically hugging her and then bouncing out of the room.

Olivia shook her head and followed her down the stairs at a much more measured pace. She watched Karen move around the kitchen with her phone in one hand and a smoothie in the other as she Facetimed with her fiance, Brian. He was still in the cabin on the property-Fitz wasn't ready to share a house with his daughter and her soon-to-be husband. Olivia thought it was silly, they were adults, but she didn't argue. She let him pretend to be scandalized by it all, still. To Olivia, it didn't seem real that Karen was a year away from graduating college but taking the summer and fall off to get married. How could she possibly be ready for something like this? Still, she wasn't the mother and up until a few weeks ago she had decided to stay out of it completely until Karen had come to her begging for help.

A knock at the door took Olivia from her thoughts. "Abby," Olivia said, "I wasn't expecting you until later. But I'm glad you're here." She angled her head in the direction of the kitchen and Abby followed her gaze towards a bubbly happy Karen.

Abby nodded, "How's the child bride to be?"

"Abby," Olivia scolded.

"Well come on, Liv, do you really think she's ready to get married?"

"No, I don't, but she's in love and it's not up to me to have that fight. Did you bring the files?"

"Yes," Abby said as Olivia ushered her into the living room. They spread the work out on the table and Abby took out her laptop and began searching for a place to plug in.

"Oh, here," Olivia said, pulling one of the batteries from a drawer underneath the table top. "Fitz hates the cords and wires, so this will charge it and give you access to the wifi."

"Fancy," Abby said. "So, how has it been up here? Do you miss DC?"

"Hardly," Olivia said. "When Fitz and I got back together we said we wouldn't spend more than 10 days apart. I've broken that rule no less than six times and he always comes to me. This is important-it's Karen's time. It's his turn. I'm happy to be here-especially because my good friend is willing to let the Secret Service fly her up here in a helicopter with a week's worth of work."

"Well it's so quick by helicopter from the airport-I can't complain. Does Fitz always come home that way? I bet it's super sexy to see him get off that thing and walk towards the door with that hair of his blowing in the breeze." Abby's eyes practically danced at the thought and Olivia laughed out loud.

"Yes, it was amazing the first time it happened, but I have to tell you that the idea of him in that thing on a regular basis scares the hell out of me. So I've asked him to just make the drive with Secret Service. I don't care if it takes longer. I want him to be safe."

"Wow, you sound like such a...wife," Abby said with a smile.

Olivia smiled back, but her smile fell when Abby looked away, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. "What's wrong, Abby?"

"Nothing," Abby said, huffing and shaking her long red hair. "It's just-the last time I was here, the last time we were here together-"

"I know, but that's all over now," Olivia said encouragingly. "Fitz and I put things back together, you and Quinn haven't killed each other at QPA-"

"I still say it should be OPA again."

"Abby, it's hers now. And I am very happy to consult and freelance."

"Fine," Abby said with a wave of her hand. "She's doing a good job, but things could be even more productive with you at the helm and that's all I'm going to say about that."

"Good," Olivia nodded. "Do you want some coffee?"

"Sure," Abby said, "and sorry about the 'wife' comment," she added as she followed Olivia into the now empty kitchen. "I know you're not crazy about that title."

"I'm not a wife," Olivia said, "And that's fine. Fitz and I are fine the way things are."

"Is it weird, helping Karen with the wedding?"

"What?" Olivia said as she pushed down on the French Press and poured a cup for Abby. "No-I mean if you ask Mellie, she's probably glad that I took over helping Karen plan as long as I let her take credit for everything in the press. And that's fine with me."

"Please," Abby said as she took a sip and savored the delicious brew, "Mellie is fine bone china and pearls, you're the one with the modern chic taste. And now that you and Fitz have gone public, everyone is going to know the Olivia Pope Stamp when they see it on this wedding."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Abby, but really Karen is leading the charge. She knows what she wants, I'm just helping her decide."

"And you're not thinking about what it would be like to plan one of these for yourself?" Abby asked.

Olivia shrugged, not wanting Abby to see how she really felt. "Why would you say that?"

"Because you've mentioned Fitz three times, you take your coffee the same way he does now-I've seen him with that French Press a million times when I worked in the White House, and you were lucky if you remembered to set your coffee machine for Folgers at home. The two of you don't make a move without each other, and you've synced your schedules. You're helping his daughter who has been nothing but an ungrateful brat up until this point-"

"Abby," Olivia warned.

"See? You're doing it. The mother thing. The wife thing. And don't get me wrong, I think it seriously looks good on you. You're different, you're relaxed, you look...happy. And as your friend I would be remiss if I didn't ask you if you could get a little happier with a ring on your own finger?"

"The travel schedule is perfect," Olivia said, choosing not to answer Abby's last question. "Summers and holidays in Vermont, the rest of the year in DC or Georgetown, it works for us. As for the rest of it," Olivia waved a hand not finishing her sentence. She walked back over to the living room and Abby followed.

For about an hour they worked in relative silence, until they both heard the sound of several jeep tires crunching on the gravel driveway.

"Fitz," Olivia said with a warm smile. She walked over to the window and looked out, her smile growing broader. Abby joined her and they watched as Fitz greeted Karen. She looked beautiful in a teal blue dress and sandals, a bunch of wildflowers in her hand. She and Brian were taking engagement photos and today had been an opportunity to test her hair and makeup for the wedding.

Olivia had thought Fitz would make himself scarce today, he still wasn't 100% behind the idea of his only daughter getting married so young. Olivia was glad he changed his mind. He hugged Karen and spun her around, his daughter laughing loudly while hugging her arms tightly around her father's neck. Olivia's eyes went to the photographer-a friend of hers that she'd asked to do the photos as a favor. Olivia nodded and smiled with internal satisfaction to see that he was right there to capture the magic of the moment. Olivia trusted that these would not end up in the tabloids, but would be a cherished private photo.

"Is that Reece?" Abby asked, pointing to the man behind the camera.

"Yes," Olivia said, turning back to the table to give the group outside their privacy.

"How much did you have to pay him to leave the stalker-azzi life in Malibu for the weekend?"

"It was worth every dime. He's an excellent photographer and I can trust him not to leak these. We have enough on him, he's a vault."

"Well while he's on the east coast, maybe I can convince him to work on a project or three for me," Abby said, walking back to the table so that they could work. Abby noticed that Olivia wasn't working though, she had an eye on the door. "I'm sure he'll be in soon," Abby said with a secret smile.

Olivia blushed at being caught. She and Fitz hadn't had much time together since she'd come up-Karen was here for the weekend, and the hair and makeup people were all over the property. Some of the other vendors had practically taken up residence too as they determined where best to have the ceremony and where to place the tent for the reception. Olivia was happy to have them all here, but she wanted to be alone with Fitz.

"It's fine," Olivia said. "I just missed him."

"Should I go work at the hotel? I'm sure we can video chat when you're ready, I don't have to be here."

"No, don't you dare, I missed you too."

"Yeah but it's only been a week since you've seen me," Abby joked. "How long has it been since you've seen Fitz?"

"He was supposed to come back last night, but he said he had something to take care of, so he took the morning flight."

"You sound suspicious," Abby said.

"Well I was, but his assistant called and told me he was just working with Marcus on some foundation business."

"Oh. Well what's so wrong with that?"

"Nothing," Olivia insisted.

"Liv," Abby said.

"Well, our anniversary is coming up."

"Which one?" Abby said curtly.

Olivia slapped her arm playfully.

"THE one-the one that fixed us and healed us-it's been three years, Abby, and I thought that maybe...it's stupid. All this wedding stuff with Karen has clearly rotted my brain."

"Oh, Liv," Abby said softly.

"I didn't think that I would be the kind of woman who liked being in a relationship like this. You know me, I value my independence-I cherish my space and privacy. But after everything that we've been through-Mellie's up for reelection and I think she's going to win easily-I don't know I just thought that this would be our time."

"And isn't it?"

"Oh I'm so happy with him," Olivia almost gushed, putting her hands over her face in embarrassment. "It isn't that. I can't believe I'm saying this-but what if he never asks me again?"

"Again?"

Olivia nodded. "He asked me a long time ago, more than once, when things were REALLY complicated. It wasn't right then, we both knew it. We've been waiting for it to be right again, at least I have, and I don't know, maybe I've put Fitz through too much."

"Liv, you've been through a hell of a lot yourself. Besides, I thought you didn't want to get married."

"I thought I didn't want it, either. I don't know that I need a big fancy wedding with 500 guests the way that Karen is planning, but," Olivia sighed, "I think I'd really like it if he asked me. And I'm not sure he's ever going to again."

Before Abby could answer, the door swung open. Olivia quickly wiped away the tear that had sprang up and stood to greet Fitz. He marched straight to her and enveloped her in a warm bear hug, letting his luggage drop to the floor with a thud. Olivia's hands went to the back of his neck, and then around to cup his face as she kissed him once more. Abby cleared her throat and they both chuckled in embarrassment.

"Why don't I at least move this upstairs to your office," Abby said. "I'll see you later, Liv. Welcome home, sir," Abby extended her hand in greeting to Fitz.

"Abby, how many times do I have to tell you that you don't have to call me 'sir,' or 'Mr. President?' It's Fitz," he said giving her a quick hug. Abby smiled up at him warmly, grateful at his lack of formality.

"Yes sir-er, Fitz," Abby quickly corrected. "I'm just gonna take my coffee and computer and work upstairs for a bit. Liv, just text me if you want to finish this later tonight and I can go back to the hotel."

"Hotel?" Fitz asked. "With all the bedrooms here?"

"I'm already checked in there, think nothing of it, I even have a chopper on the lawn to take me back," Abby said with a wink and grin at Liv.

"I thought that was you," Fitz said looking to Olivia. "You flew Abby in? You won't even let me-"

Olivia elbowed him as she heard Abby giggling up the stairs. "Never mind that. I just want to focus on the man in my arms," she said, kissing him again, deeply this time. "I missed you."

His hands traveled down to rest low on her back and on the top of her ass. He squeezed appreciatively and Liv moaned into his mouth.

"You better watch out," she laughed when she felt him growing excited at her nearness.

"Why?" his look of intensity warmed her down to her toes.

"Because there are vendors and workers everywhere. Someone could come in at any moment."

"Then let's go upstairs."

"Fitz," Olivia replied, staring at his lips instead of his eyes, "wouldn't it be inappropriate to disappear while your daughter is outside taking photos?"

"Let's be inappropriate," Fitz said, recalling a conversation they'd had years ago. "She won't even notice we're gone. Besides, I know they're going to take a few in the barn and a few down by the river before they come back in. The cloud cover is giving them great lighting," he added quoting the photographer, Reece.

"Okay!" Olivia said, grabbing his hand and running up the stairs.

Author's Note:

There will be a quick part two posted before tomorrow night's crossover episode of HTGAWM. I had this little idea in my head that wouldn't go away, so I decided to put it down on paper before the episode took me in another direction. For those wondering and still reading and reviewing my other stories, thank you. It is my full intention to finish them-it's hard to be inspired when the canon stories veer so far away from what I feel is the truth and heart of the characters. So if the muse remains, you'll see updates before the series finale. Otherwise, it may have to wait until the show is done for me to have clarity. I'm sure I'll be inspired to do some additional one-shots, too.