The Prince meets his Princess
Chapter 1
I removed the original story and edited in "The Queen". Also a lot of content editing.
When I read the "'published" story of how Meghan met Prince Harry it reminded me so much about the first meeting between Olivia Pope and Fitzgerald Grant. The attraction between the two seemed to mirror each other. I imagined what it was like and what was the conversation like as they attempted to become a couple with so much baggage from both of them and the added baggage of his family obligations and expectations.
Here is my take…..I will continue through a few chapters just to stop their possibility conversations from rattling around in my head.
All characters are the property of Ms. Shonda Rhimes
EPOV
Eugenie Windsor is an English princess in a changing world. Her father's brother is the future king of England…. she is royal, but she knew even with a royal title she had to find a way to earn a living. Her mother allowed her to be a free spirit, so she had dabbled in various branches of the arts in her early years.
Ginny, as family and close family called her, recognized early she would not be another Shakespeare or Picasso, so she turned her thought to maybe acting or even fashion designer. A couple of years at the fashion institute in Paris told her fashion was her best option but she decided to spend one year at UCLA's school of Drama to see if she possessed even one acting gene.
It was there at UCLA she met Olivia Pope and Abby Whelan, two unlikely friends. Abby's red hair and Olivia's ancestors did not make the associates list for her on paper but in real life they were perfect for each other and became close friends..
Olivia saw her standing looking confused and asked if she needed help. Ginny accepted, and discovered Olivia was heading to the same classroom. She was about to find a seat alone until Olivia invited her to sit with her and another friend. Olivia took the aisle seat and told Ginny to leave one seat empty and move to the other one. The empty seat was soon filled by the redhead who then switched seats with Ginny, sandwiching her in between them . They stayed that way the whole year. Ginny shared stories from her English royal life Abby and Olivia the royalty of the American college campus. All three have remained close ever since, over ten years.
Ginny returned to the UK and became a fashion designer who also filled in for official family functions when requested. Olivia become an actor and Abby became an agent managing Olivia's career along with a slew of other actors she met along the way.
May 2016 Ginny was headed to Canada at the request of the wife of the new Canadian Prime Minister. Trudy Trudeau, needed a new wardrobe to fit her new position and Ginny was called. Knowing she would be there the palace asked if she would act as their stand in for an upcoming formal function…...,
Ginny told Abby and Olivia about her visit so the three agreed to meet her , all deciding to stay with Olivia during the stay. Olivia lives full time in Los Angles but lives in Canada 6 months out of the year where her hit series is filmed. Mrs. Trudeau hoping to add a little flavor to her first formal event decided to invite the entire cast from the popular show. Now Ginny would not only see two friends again they would also spend the evening together at a very formal diplomatic function.
OPOV
Olivia was headed for class when she noticed this girl looking at the paper in her hand and at the building. Knowing the feeling Olivia stopped to help. She introduced herself and discovered the girl, with the thick British accent, and the too perfect English, was headed to the same class as she was. The two followed the signs to a room hidden in a corner of the building.
Olivia took the aisle seat and told Ginny to leave one open. Soon that seat was filled by Abby who changed seats with Ginny and they sandwiched her in. Throughout the year both help translate the sometimes-confusing American English into British English for her. Ginny returned to England after one year but all three kept in touch. Now Ginny, who had become a celebrated designer , was coming to Canada for two weeks' and Olivia was looking forward to seeing her friend who she had not seen in a while. She was also getting an invite to the first formal affair of the new government and Ginny had a special surprise she was making two original dresses, one for Olivia and one for Abby.
Ginny was expanding her formal line so her two friends were both getting originals as a thank you gift for their kindness ten years ago. . Abby's was bright green which made her long red hair pop. Olivia's was white which accented her Carmel skin. Once the ladies realized they were not only invited but were also being treated with one of a kind dresses, they could not wait for the event. Ginny assisted with the basic arrangements for the dinner and helped update and tone down Mrs. Trudeau wardrobe before returning to the UK, until the event.
FPOV
Fitz was the second son of the future King of England. He was fourth in line, that fact pleased him as he had no desire to move closer.. Even that far removed he has numerous official duties. He had been asked to represent the family in Canada at the first formal dinner being given by the new administration. This was exactly the kind of function Fitz usually filled in for. His father would make a state visit at a later time later and his older brother (the future king , second in line) was staying close to home as his wife was expecting their second child very soon. His grandmother, the Queen, had curtailed her official duties leaving much of the day to day royal duties to the younger generation. . This was great for Fitz who had just finished his final tour in the military and was more than happy to trade his military camouflage for a military dress uniform that dates back over a thousand years.
His uncle's daughter, Ginny that he saw often, was part of the advance preparation group and would be returning with him for their four days stay. They both were single, about the same age and were close so the trip was a win win for him.
Ginny talked to Olivia by phone to tell her about the dresses and asked if she was seeing anyone.
"nope,….. since my marriage ended I've been keeping a low profile. I usually spend six months filming and three months traveling the globe talking to girls in underdeveloped countries. That keeps me busy… I haven't had the time to be lonely or meet anyone."
"I'm coming with one of my royal cousins, he's unmarried, I am sure you have heard about him I'll make sure you are sitting at his table, maybe next to him."
"Please don't fix, me up, I am not interested."
"not a fix up, you both need someone your own age to talk to during the evening, even someone to dance with. Every woman needs someone to tell them how great they look and the dress I designed will make you look very very good. . Trust me, you don't have any idea how stuffy these affairs are… I guarantee , you will appreciate being at a table with someone about your same age ,…. sitting next to that person,… perfect….."
"I don't want special treatment, shouldn't I sit with the other member of the cast?"
"Nope, no, never. The cast will not sit together, each table will have a good mix. That way the conversation will flow. Abby is sitting next to, Stephen, a longtime friend of my cousin."
"will we meet before the dinner?"
"probably in the receiving line but not before."
"have we met before,…. I can't recall?"
"nope, he came to visit when I was at UCLA, but he was a wild child then, I remember you found something else to do when he came to see me. He's better now,… not seeing anyone….. the last serious woman was over two years ago. You two should be ok for part of one night, …..I hope ."
"Why don't you and Abby stay with me the night of the event then we can sit around and unwind together afterwards."
"Do you have the room for both of us?"
"I have a 2-bedroom suite, we will make room."
"That's a deal, we will come to your suite to dress about five"
Both Ginny, Fitz (and the finished dresses) arrived in Canada 2 days before the scheduled event. They made their required and recommended official visits and after the final fitting of the dresses things were a go for the evening.
Abby and Olivia arrived, as scheduled at 5pm for the 8pm event. Once Ginny returned to the suite they all dressed …Ginny going down early for the receiving line meeting Fitz on the way to the ballroom.
"I did not see the table seating yet. Who am I sitting at the table with and a better question, who am I sitting next to?"
"You are sitting between two beautiful woman the PM's wife and an old school chum of mine Olivia Pope."
"School chum…. do I know her?"
"Don't think so, I thought after your six months tour you would appreciate sitting between two smart beautiful women."
"Ok, as long as she doesn't take it as more than a seat at dinner,….. why was she invited and why is she sitting at this table?."
"She's in one of the most popular TV shows in America . Her permanent residence is in Los Angles but since the show is filmed in Canada she stays here during filming. Trudy Trudeau knows her through her charity work and thought her group would be a good addition to the event. It should be fun , it will give you someone your age to talk to."
"Is this your idea of a blind date?"
"Not really, you both are single and about the same age…. that's about it, nothing else ….no pressure on either of you."
"ok, we are about the same age and it will give me someone to talk to , I hope she can dance…. can she?"
"I spent one year with her, yes….she can dance."
Olivia and Abby went down to the ballroom at 7:00pm, standing in line with the other attendees. Both Olivia and Abby were impressed at the pomp of the event and the beautifully decorated room.
Neither Fitz or Olivia were interested in meeting the other, so their minds were more on others around them than wondering about the person who would share their dinner table.
After they passed Fitz in the receiving line , Abby remarked to Olivia," he's cute, I hope he has grown up the past ten years since he came to LA.."
Olivia agreed, "he is cute…. Dinner should be interesting."
.
Fitz saw the beautiful Carmel skinned woman standing in the receiving line, dressed in a simple but…. well-fitted long white dress, her hair straight falling long down her back, when she spoke to others in the receiving line her eyes lit up. He was so busy looking at her he zoned out when she was introduced to him and missed her name .
The receiving line was ending and he had yet to see, or be introduced to, the woman he is supposed to sit next to tonight. Deep down he really wished it was the beauty in the white dress. Fitz looked around the room hoping to get a glimpse of the dress, nope no luck the large crowd was blocking the view of the room. He would have to find out where she was sitting and somehow get a dance with her.
The six people in the receiving line , Fitz, Ginny, PM and his wife and the Province governor and his wife all left for their tables. When Fitz arrived at his table the seat on his right was vacant so maybe, he though …. Ginny's friend may have cancelled.
As Fitz turned to his left to talk to the PM's wife he saw the woman in white talking to some people a few tables away. There she is, I'll see when she is sitting and make sure I get at least one dance. He watched her move around the various tables stopping to talk to many of the attendees then saw her move towards him. Thinking she must be sitting at a table somewhere close he turned his attention to Trudy Trudeau so it would not appear he was watching her.. . Fitz heard the chair next to him move then felt someone sit down. Not wanting to stop the conversation her kept talking until Mrs. Trudeau reached around him and spoke to the person who was now occupying the chair..
"Olivia, I'm so glad they put you at this table."
When she said Olivia, Fitz slowly turned to his right expecting the worse. There sitting next to him was the woman in white whose eyes were deep brown and sparkling. He looked back at the PM's wife and then whiplashed his head back to Olivia.
"Trudy,….. great to see you…nice table I wonder who arranged this?"
"Ginny, I would guess, I hear you guys go back years."
"A few…. Harry… right… how are you. You seemed zoned out when we were introduced earlier. I'm Olivia…Olivia Pope."
Fitz was still reeling, the one woman he wanted to sit next to was sitting next to him,….. Ginny I owe you.
"My friends call me Fitz, since my complete name is Henry David Fitzgerald Andrew Windsor Mountbatten ... I'm glad we are sharing a table together."
Ginny could see Fitz's table and from the smile on his face he looked very satisfied with the seating arrangement he had complained about not an hour earlier.
At these affairs the seating and conversation proceeds in an organized manner. The Queen or her stand in, talks to the person to their left the first part of the dinner and on her right the last part….the rest of the table does the same thing.. Fitz was very aware of the protocol, but he was trying to talk to Olivia who was trying to talk to the person on her right who just happened to be a young handsome Canadian Marine in his full dress uniform with a chest full of medals. Olivia had been told about the proper direction of the conversation, so she excused herself for a moment and leaned into Fitz saying, "I believe you are supposed to be talking to the PM's wife. It wasn't until after Olivia reminded him that he begged her apology and turned to talk to Trudy Trudeau.
Darned this dinner is going just too slow, when can we change partners was all Fitz could think about
When dessert was served Fitz was finally able to turn to Olivia but the marine on her right was not giving her up that easily. Just before she turned to him Fitz heard the man say, remember the first dance is mine, which Olivia acknowledged.
Finally …Fitz was finally able to talk to her but he was silent, he could not find anything to say. His mouth kept opening but nothing came out as she looked at him with her big brown eyes, encouraging him to start the conversation. Finally, after numerous attempts by him was futile Olivia began the conversation.
"Ginny said you just finished 6 months away, is there anything you can talk about that's not top secret., something if you tell me they would not have to lock me away for twenty years ."
'It's not that bad, nothing much to tell that would create that kind of problem for you. Ginny said you guys were at UCLA together."
"yes, for a full year…... I let her experience what you guys missed when you let us get away but then she explained what we lost by leaving …. in all we both lucked out."
"yes, we both did… I know I did."
"You did how do you figure that."
"I now have the privilege to sit next to you."
"Nope "is it ok to call you Fitz for tonight …. Fitz …...we have the privilege of sitting next to each other."
That was it Fitz was in love, totally head over heels in love. Beautiful, smart, sharp, knows how and when to compliment and that dress fits everywhere it should but is still ultra feminine….….where has she been all my life.
Dinner sped by after they began to talk. All too soon it was time for the after-dinner toasts and speeches and finally it was Fitz's turn. As he reached the temporary podium he could see the Canadian Marine restart his conversation with Olivia. Whatever they were saying they both were smiling broadly, too broadly for Fitz.
As he finished his speech the event was opened for dancing. Per protocol Fitz was supposed to dance with the PM's and Provincial Governor's wives. Then he was slated to dance with some of the older dignarities wives. As he danced with each he could see Olivia and the Marine had not changer partners for three songs, once when he danced with Abby while Stephen danced with Olivia. As he and Ginny passed each other on the dance floor she gave him a quizzical look which resulted in a quick chat after the present dance ended and the next began.
"What happened, why so glum, you were full of smiles when dinner began?' Ginny asked
"I did not realize there were so many protocol dances, when can I dance with my partner of choice."
"When we are at home there are usually several others to help, but today Fitz, it's just you to represent the male line of the family. I had help for you, I thought, but it seems Stephen is smitten by Abby. Who haven't you danced with that you want to dance with?"
"Olivia…she's been dancing with the same Marine all night."
"That Marine saved the life of his platoon and a village. His first day home he pulled a family from their burning crashed vehicle. To add to that when we asked his favorite show, it was Olivia's and his favorite actor…
"don't say…Olivia…. you win."
"what was it you said an hour ago about you hoped she did not expect anything else but a dinner companion….. exactly what are you now expecting ."Ginny said giving Fitz that what happened look.
"Ok, Ginny …. I misspoke…...sorry, …..that still does not give him the right to dance with her all night."
"He's leaving for another tour soon and Olivia knows that…. she's giving him his dream night. Be a big boy about it. By the way what are you doing later?"
" From the looks of it resting after a night of dancing, ….. I hope I can get one with Olivia."
"I suggest you let her continue with the Marine. Between Olivia and Abby, I am sure he will have a lot of tales to tell his fellow soldiers., be patient. If you aren't too tired you can join us in my room later."
"I think I will skip that, I'm going to try to see if I can spend some time with Olivia after this is over."
"Olivia will not be available to spend any one on one time with you tonight."
"Why not, have you planned for her to watch the sunrise with the Marine?"
"Nope, she is going to watch the sunrise with me…. she and Abby along with Stephen are having an after party get together later."
"You could have led with that, Ginny."
"Why….. I was having too much fun after remembering your earlier comments..."
Fitz gave Ginny a hug and returned with gusto to dancing the night away. He returned to his table for a short breather and saw Olivia sitting.
"Its been a busy night on the dance floor for you Fitz, you are pretty good" Olivia complemented him
"I'm ok, Ginny told me about the Marine, thanks for giving him so much of your attention tonight."
"I did not do anything special, it's the least I could do for all that he, and others like him….., they all have sacrificed so much."
"do you think I can prey on your guilt and get one dance before the night ends, I did just spend six months in a war zone..."
"HDFAWM 'I'm all yours."
"What did you just call me?"
"I just used the first initials of your name, is that ok."
"You remembered my full name, or did you know it before?"
"Of course, I remembered…. and I did not know it before…. I've spent a lifetime learning how to remember lines"
"Ms. Pope you are an extraordinary woman."
"Mr. Windsor -Mountbatten, I will agree with your statement, how about that dance."
FPOV
She feels wonderful, like she belongs in my arms. I need to find a way to keep her around. I'm very interested in her can now I have to find a way to make her interested in me.
OPOV
Nice very nice…... too bad he is the bad boy prince. No way will I become another notch on his royal bedpost.
They all ended up in Ginny's room which had grown from three old friends having a cooldown and reminisce to over ten people all talking at the same time.
Fitz finally got Olivia alone in a not so quiet corner of the room. .
"Olivia …...I would like to see you again, …soon."
"Not sure when I will be in the UK, I'm leaving for Botswana soon for a couple of weeks and I will be traveling the next month but no-where near the UK."
"why Botswana?"
"to talk to girls about girl things."
"Do you do this often?" Fitz said with a shrug of his shoulders
"I travel about 2 months each year doing that or something similar."
"would you mind if I joined you there?" Fitz said and held his breath for an answer
"what will that entail?"
" It would entail getting to know each other better, I would like to get to know you better without the world looking over our shoulders. if there is any hint of me seeing anyone their life would become a nightmare."
"are we planning on seeing each other?"
"don't know, but if we spend two weeks visiting together I am sure we both will find out if seeing each other is a wanted option for either of us… May I call you?"
"Fitz you are a member of the English Royal Family, I am a divorced American actress, not sure how far "getting to know each other" could ever go. I am not interested in a casual affair, no matter the bio of the other person."
"why don't we exchange numbers then we can talk about your reservations about a friendship with me. Is that something you are willing to do?"
"of course…I'm sorry if I seem judgmental before I even know you?"
"Trust me Olivia I have quite a history to be judged . A lot of very bad baggage but today right now…, now is the first day of the rest of our lives. Maybe my baggage and your baggage will cancel each other out."
They shared numbers before rejoining the group just in time to call it a night, or was it an early morning.
Two weeks later when Olivia and Abby got off the plane they were met by royal guards who escorted they to a waiting Land Rover where Fitz , and Stephen , were waiting.
That's my first chapter, . What do you think? Be gentle.
This story kept rattling around in my head after Meghan and Harry announced their engagement.
Next chapter….. their conversation about their past and the possibility of a future together.
There will be a Girl From the Hamptons update since there will be a Christmas wedding