A Match to Remember
Chapter 11
Meeting the Family
Mary said "do we have a plan D
Fitz mouthed " Why?"
Mary waved at someone over Fitz's shoulder "Hi Mellie what brings you out this far…. Are you leaving or returning?"
"I'm going to check the tires Mary." Fitz walked past her to the auto where Liv was now standing with Marcus and both were looking at the person getting out of the car.
Mellie looked around….."Are you having car trouble….. …can I help?" Mellie walked over to the group…..Marcus and Olivia just watching as she neared Mary ….…Mary who was about to be hugged by Mellie as Fitz had walked to the far side of the car and was now looking at the tires.
Mellie moved closer and hugged Mary…."Your mother invited me to your cookout ..she said you had gone to pick-up two of the people who were helping with the water project in Puerto Rico" with that Mellie looked at Marcus and Olivia. Olivia took the lead and extended her hand…something told her this was a person who could disrupt everything they thought we had solved.
"Hi I'm Olivia this is Marcus , intentionally leaving off their last names….trying to appear very informal. We are here to meet with as many of the people we can to thank them for their donations and to tell them how the donations were used. I heard Mary call you Mellie may I call you Mellie? "
By this time Fitz had circled the car and was , unknown to Mellie, standing behind her. Olivia watched Mellie put on a fake smile as she tried to both greet of them and look for Fitz while appearing not to look for him.
"Why are you guys parked here …..what happened to Fitz?"
Fitz knew the only thing to do was bite the bullet….'Hi Mellie what brings you out this far."
Hearing Fitz' voice behind her Mellie turned and nearly ran to Fitz throwing her arms around his neck in an attempt to kiss him which Fitz managed to sidestep without looking too obvious. "Fitz when I heard about the cookout I decided to get some of those rolls you like….you know the ones. I though they would be a nice surprise. I remember when we had dinner you said how much you enjoyed them" Mellie looked at them then the car …... " Why are you guys parked here…..?"
The four looked at each other wondering who had the best believable lie available. Mary being Mary with her unfiltered mouth spoke for the group. "Fitz thought he felt something as he was driving so we pulled over to check. Fitz did you find anything wrong?"
"Nope….it was probably just something on the road the tires all seem ok. Lets get back on the road we still have to stop at the store…I'll call mom to see if she needs to add anything."
Mellie had moved to Fitz' side and put her arm around his waist….."where are you going after the store?"
Fitz looked at Mary for a quick answer….she was happy to help …."we are going to drop Marcus and Olivia off so they can change and rest then we will all get together at our parent's house since they have more room and are better equipped for a large crowd."
Mellie turned to Olivia and Marcus….:"what hotel are you staying…it's a long ride from the nearest hotel to the Grant farm?"
Olivia knowing where Mellie was going stepped in " Mellie…..we are not staying at a hotel the Grant's have been gracious enough to put us up during our stay. " Olivia said Grant….. she purposely did not specify what Grant. That answer satisfied Mellie who wrongly assumed Grant meant Margaret and Gerry Grant. She was so overjoyed and giddy with the thought of maybe having some personal time with Fitz …..Mellie only heard what she deemed was important to her …..something that was in her best interest noting else mattered. This time she missed a lot by her indifference..
"Do you guys need me to do anything …I can drop Marcus and Olivia off while you two are shopping."
"Nope " , Fitz spoke up "we want to give Marcus and Olivia a look at the town but we appreciate you asking. We will see you at my parents house in about three hours."
Mellie walked over to Olivia and Marcus shaking their hands….. she gave Mary an air kiss then turned to Fitz who had somehow disappeared and was now sitting in the drivers seat leaning over telling the others that they had to get going…..…then waving to Mellie as she walked to her car.
They waited until she drove off before all let out a loud sigh of relief.
"I am so proud of everyone…you deflected well …you guys could take your show on the road." Marcus said….. "Olivia being all casual…hi I'm Olivia this is Marcus….knowing her handshake was fake….saying we are not staying at a hotel we are staying at the Grants….but never which Grant.".
"Mary making Fitz pretend he was an auto mechanic as he checked the tires all the while circling his car several times to keep out of her grasp . You guys were a joy to watch. I can't wait for the second act later at the house. Today should be something special. Now would someone explain who is Mellie and why was all that tap dancing necessary."
"Back in the car all….we will draw less attention and to make certain I will drive….ok Mary."
They all got back into the car….men in the front ladies in the rear.
"Marcus what Fitz is trying to say is Mellie is a former squeeze and doesn't want to acknowledge she is a former and would like to become a present…..Olivia interrupted …."she has lost her present squeeze position permanently."
Fitz laughed….".listen at you Ms. Pope…two hours in the car with Mary and you are sounding like her clone."
"Hush you two"…Mary will you continue," Marcus spoke up…"…I better be to be brought up to date so I wont say the wrong thing before you two talk to Fitz' parents".
Mary who had been banished to the rear seats by her brother continued. "Mellie and Fitz were childhood sweethearts until he enlisted. When he came back their mo-jo was gone…Fitz accepted that and moved on….Mellie is still stuck in then 20th century waiting for her Mr. Good Bar (aka Fitzgerald Grant) to return. Got it Marcus?"
" Mellie is his former girl trying to make us believe there is more between them than there is….Olivia is his new fiancée who was trying to make her believe there is less between them than there is….If this were a movie I would give the award to Olivia for waiting until Mellie left to claim her Mr. Good Bar….Yup…I got it…by the way Ms. Grant where is your Mr. Good bar do I need to keep my eyes open for someone I may have to meet under the oaks at dawn for your hand?"
"'Marcus you are my Mr. Good bar."
"That is what I want to hear." Marcus took her hand that was laying on her lap and kissed it. "That's is about as much PDA that is possible for the rest of this night and maybe tomorrow. Are we still going with plan B or is it C now.
"Marcus this isn't funny…..you and Mary are as knee deep in this drama as we are ….say one more word about Oaks and Good Bar and I am going with plan M."
"Plan M…..leave Marcus twisting in the wind …..all alone."
"Sorry Olivia the whole scene there was just too funny no let it go with any comment. Are we sticking with the plan.."
" Some of it with a slight modification….I'm dropping you three off at my house … then I am going to see my parents. Mary knows my house she can get you guys settled in. With Mellie sneaking around watching I better tell them before Mellie tells her own version."
"What's to tell ?" Marcus asked
"Marcus with Mellie one never knows…..I rather not take any chances." Fitz answered.
Olivia held her hand up….."you are going to tell your parents you are engaged to a mysterious woman they have never met and expect them to say ok?"
"Olivia I want to tell them before Mellie spreads her own interpretation of what happened earlier today ….I will tell them now and introduce you to them later."
"Fitz, Olivia, Mary this tale changes by the hour. First it was complicated…we simplified it now it has become complicated again."
"Marcus it's not complicated it's still simple because we are sticking with the truth ….with a few omissions….it's just the timetable of the truth has changed. I hoped I could drop you guys off then go pick up my parents…bring them to my house . They could meet Olivia and we could tell them together., Now with typhoid Mellie loose I'm left to tell them alone. Tomorrow we both can meet with them and talk. …The good thing it takes the heat off you Mary."
Mary patted her brother on the shoulder…"Thanks big brother for taking the heat off I really appreciate it."
"'Mary that's one of the requirements of an older brother."
Fitz called his mother to see what additions had to be added to the shopping list. " Fitz there is no need to stop your father and John picked up everything we will need for tonight.'
"Ok mom I will see you shortly, " He addressed those in the car….."nothing to stop and buy but I better pick up a couple cases of beer…some wine for Olivia and some scotch for me….Marcus what is your drink of choice. … " Scotch is good for me Fitz….. Marcus answered "
Fitz dropped all three at his house knowing Mary could get them settled … it also gave Mary and Marcus some time together. He took off to the short drive to see his parents going over what he was going to tell them and how he was going to tell them . He knew the optimum way was to introduce them to Olivia first but he did not want then to get Mellie's version first, whatever it would be.. He did not want his parents to meet Mellie's version of Olivia.
He spotted his parents with sister Dot setting up tables …..brothers John and Bill were manning the grill. Fitz gave everyone a hug and asked his parents if he could talk to then in private.
"In private…what about …did you get married while you were away?"
Fitz turned white as all the moisture left his mouth. He asked his parents to follow him to a secluded spot…. away from his siblings.
"What is it Fitz…what is so secret you can't discuss it in front of John, Bill and Dot….did you elope…if so where is the bride."
"Nope mom I did not elope but I did propose on the drive here."
Margaret Grant's mouth dropped …."you what?"
" I asked Olivia to marry me on the drive here."
"First….who is Olivia ?" his mother asked
"Olivia is a woman I met when I was in New York…we connected. She is also the person in charge of collecting donations in this area for Puerto Rico."
"Isn't she's the person who supposedly is coming to thank us for our donations….how did you two getting engaged factor in?"
"Mom it just happened…..on the ride here we started talking and I asked her to marry me."
"Did she accept?"
"Yes and we decided to get married next Wednesday….here if possible."
"How long have you known her Fitz ?"
"I told you I met her while I was in New York."
"And you want to get married so soon….is she pregnant?"
"Nope mom she is not pregnant…we are getting married because we love each other."
"Fitz it's too soon…wait a while….…let us get to know her…..by the way where is she… is she afraid to meet us thinking we would say no but you would convince us it's ok."
"Nope she is at my house with Mary settling in I'm going back to get her later. I came to see you because I saw Mellie on the way here and you know how she likes to embellish . I wanted to talk to you before you heard anything that isn't true."
"Fitz I'm not sure what you would consider untrue since you just said you proposed and you are getting married on Wednesday."
"Yes mom but Mellie doesn't know that."
During this time Gerry Grant had remained quiet….Fitz looked at his dad…and back at his mom
"Dad what do you think?"
"Do you love her?"
"Yes I do ."
"Does she love you?"
"Yes she does."
"Case closed…..you have my blessing I just wished you would have brought her to meet us when you gave us the news."
"I know…..everything today happened backwards. I did not even ask her until we were nearly here. If we had not seen Mellie we were going to tell you after the party but Mellie forced me to do it this way."
"And she did not think enough of you, or us, to come with you?"
"'I think she was still trying to get her head around the proposal when Mellie showed up."
"Fitz I think it's too soon….right Gerry?"
" Are you asking for my honest opinion Margaret?"
"Yes…I am didn't you hear me."
"I think we have raised five children and taught then to think for themselves. If this is his decision who are we to question his judgement."
"Gerry they have only known each other for what….two months…I have never heard him talk about her …I don't know anything about her …I want to meet her before I give my ok….I would think you would want the same thing."
"Margaret over 30 years ago our parents said the same thing …we were both young and in love…they thought we were too young…..that we did not know what love was. Today I love you as much as the first day we met at the County Fair. "
"I'm still not satisfied with the whole thing…..what's her name again and who are her people…where are they from….is she hiding from us….what aren't you telling us Fitzgerald?"
"She's from DC and she is an attorney …..went to school at Georgetown then Harvard Law. I met her in New York in August."
" If you met her in New York…how did she end up in Chicago when you said she was from DC?"
"She is an attorney …teaching and working in DC. She has been living in Chicago the past year writing a paper on clean water around the world. I met her at the US Open when I was there."
"Did you pick her up or did she pick you up….are you letting your little head do the thinking?"
" MOM…No-one picked anyone up…..not really….but thinking about it I picked her up…I saw her at the US Open when I went with Jake."
"Was she one of the "hostesses"….?"
"Mom she is an attorney …law degree….,passed the bar in New York. She was part of the group that volunteered to help the hurricane victims."
"I think we need to ask Huck to look into her background before you marry her."
"Funny you should say that Huck knew her before I did….he met her over five years ago. It's because of him we are together."
"What did Huck do?"
"When we met…we became fast friends but just friends and I asked her to come visit me here. I really thought we hit it off well."
"Hit it off…...what's hit it off?"
"Mom we were friends….nothing more. I did not even have her number until the day before she was going to leave for home. We sat in the same seats next to each other for three days and talked about everything. We spent one whole day,… the Friday before she left,….. shopping and talking…getting to know each other. During dinner I suggested that she should come to Iowa for a visit and get to know each other better as more than friends. She agreed but as soon as she returned home she decided we would never work."
"Never work….why?"
During this whole time Gerry Grant was listening to his wife and son talk . He picked up his son's phone laying on the table and looked at the screen saver photo….he knew why she felt they would never work. Gerry remember a call that Fitz received while they were together and saw the photo of the caller, the same photo he is now looking at….…he noticed the tone of the conversation then … how he excused himself to talk….how Fitz was smiling when the call ended.
'Why couldn't you work…why did she believe that?"
"Olivia said we were just too opposite…..City and Rural…..Urban and Country."
"City Rural….Urban Country….why is that a problem?"
Gerry Grant showed his wife his son's screen saver page. Margaret looked from the photo to Fitz and back again.
"Mom I love her and it's important for me that she feels accepted by you, by the whole family."
"Are you asking our permission….if we don't accept her you will not marry her?"
"Nope…that is what she said…..but I told her my family is one that's inclusive you would accept her. I want you to but if you don't it will not change anything between us…we are getting married. I hope we can do it here. That shows I am not hiding her …she is not hiding from my friends and family and my family accepts our decision. If you feel it will create a problem we will get married in Chicago. I wanted to tell you I am not sure what Mellie is spreading you know she will make a mountain out of a molehill. Mellie lies when she knows the truth…..I am not sure what story she is spreading by now."
Fitz got up from the table
"I need to get back and get cleaned up…we will see you in a couple of hours. By the way a guy that works with her is at my house his name is Marcus. Please make them feel welcome. We can talk more tomorrow. We will pick up the license tomorrow we hope we can get married here.. We hope you will agree but we both understand this is your home. Olivia said to me …. we have a big family you guys have to live here….she and I can move on."
Fitz hugged his parents and headed back to his car.
Both Margaret and Gerry sat looking at each other
"I'm giving my ok Margaret….I don't care what others think I don't care what the other family members think. Haven't you seen the change in him the past six weeks. He has been a different person. When he first came back from New York he was down then all of a sudden he perked up ….by the time he returned from Chicago he was like a schoolboy. I had never seen him smiling and whispering on the phone so much. He's in love….he feels the same thing for her as I felt for you….don't rain on his happiness. It's ok if you don't totally accept her right away but give her….give them a chance. "
"Gerry do you really feel that way…are you willing to accept them as a couple?"
"Margaret we don't have a choice…your eldest son has found the woman he intends to marry, sooner than later….we raised them to be accepting to the world….are we now saying accepting unless it involves our family."
"Gerry you are right, I know that, I just never expected this….our oldest son….our most level headed child telling us he's marrying a woman we have never met."
"Whatever happens lets not let show any lack support for them."
Dot, Bill and John came over to their parents…."'What was that all about. I have never seen Fitz so serious." John said
"Will you do the honors or should I ?" Margaret answered "Its usually the father of the bride.
"Who is Mary marrying?"
"Not Mary… Fitz."
"Who is Fitz marrying…..surely not Mellie…..at least I hope not" John added.
"Lets get back to getting the food together…you will meet her later."
"You mean she came with the people who are here to thank us for our donation."
"Nope she did not come with the people who came here to thank us for our donation….she is the person who is here to thank us for our donation."
"You mean he is marrying Olivia Pope?" Bill said
"You know her…..you know Olivia ?"
"Yes…I met her when I went to visit Georgetown….she was the guest lecturer one day for Professor Beene …..she is a bad ass. Is she going to be my sister-in law….wow great. Fitz could not have done better. You know her grandfather came up with the process that makes spell-check work. He was finding improvements for the computer before there was a computer. "
"How did you find this out?"
"One of the guys in my computer group was talking about a guy named Horace Lewis who was a tinker. He came up with all sorts of things that make the computer work better. I am not sure how he found out Olivia is his granddaughter because her mother married a man named Pope."
" I wonder why Fitz did not mention this?"
"probably because he does not know."
"So she is keeping things from him already?" mother Grant said.
"Maybe" Bill answered" maybe it never came up or maybe it wasn't that she never told Fitz maybe Fitz just never told you during your very animated discussion. I hope she does marry him. That means I have a direct connection to Georgetown,.. Olivia and Dr. Beene….…then the White House."
"Billy Grant slow down…..how did we get from Georgetown to the White House?"
"It will be POTUS….. William Edward Grant not Billy Grant . How did I make that connection….easy…..…Dr. Beene is the head of the Political Science Department and Olivia is a very smart attorney. That's two things I will definitely need if I want to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave."
"Brother William…..first you need to graduate from high school." His brother John teased.
"I never thought about it until I heard Olivia and Dr. Beene . They encouraged everyone to strive for something other than being one of the five richest men in the country….That said I'm aiming at the top….the top executive in the country….. What time will they be back?"
"Mr. President would you make sure the meat is done and not burned before you take over as leader of the country."
"OH Ma" , Bill said as he walked back to the grill…"they both made me think I could do better than even I imagined."
Gerry Grant looked at his wife and his two children …"no wonder Fitz proposes during a 10 minute drive home . If she could impress Bill she will be a great addition to this family. When was the last time Bill was impressed by anyone.."
Margaret Grant took a deep breath…."ok I will give her a chance…but I still need to meet her."
"I believe that's all that Fitz asked when he was telling us about her…give her a chance."
The group all returned to their assigned chores just as the first group of visitors started to arrive.
The group was soon over thirty strong and they were all extended family on either Gerry's side or Margaret's side. Every woman had some type of dish and every man was unpacking some type of beverage ….. water, juice beer, soft drinks and someone decided to make a punch where no ingredients were listed.
.
Back at Fitz' house
Mary saw Fitz pull into the driveway and went out to meet him.
" so how did it go?"
"Fitz shrugged his shoulders."
"Which one ?"
"Mom…she said it's too soon to make such an important decision….she wants us to wait."
"Dad…..surprisingly he was agreeable ."
"Even after you explained the urban rural difference?" Mary said with a raised eyebrow
"Even after….. he opened my phone's screen saver page." Fitz answered as he held up his phone
"That's right I forgot you have a photo of Olivia as your screen saver page on you phone."
"Yes Mary…..I told you I have been serious about her since New York….it was the photo I took when she wasn't looking and the one I showed Huck. I consider it my good-luck piece or should I say good luck photo."
The two siblings returned to the house
"Where are they now?"
"Marcus is in the shower…..Olivia I believe is resting after her shower."
"Marcus is in the shower and your hair is wet….any connection there?"
"Don't be a hater just because you did not get a chill pill piece before you left….I needed something to calm my nerves and he needed something to calm his. Now we both feel better. You know there is time for you and Olivia to take some of the edge off." About then they heard a car horn and looked out to see brother Bill getting out of the car with his girlfriend Lori in tow. "Oh well that window has closed."
"
.