Disclaimer: Shondaland/ABC owns these characters. But I've taken the Gladiator oath as a writer: #OLITZ4LIFE #JAMMMmmmmm

No Mellie or Joke: Public Service Announcement for any accidental non-Olitz readers

"…Brrr… it sure looks like hell hath frozen over in Washington DC… 10 inches of snow is what we all woke up to this morning. Schools, airports and government offices are closed. People are advised to stay off the roads as we've already had a few bad weather accidents. What about the Valentine's Day street parade? Is that cancelled? Actually, no the DC chief of police says that's going ahead once the snow ploughs have cleared the roads…"

"…We have a wedding at the White House today, and boy, is it going to be a white one. But a little bit of snow won't stop a Presidential Wedding from going ahead. Word is the First Bride's dress had to be flown in by a military helicopter. That is after the commercial flight it was meant to be flown in, first class, was cancelled. Even Valentine's Day events around the city are still going ahead, but my recommendation to you is: if you're heading to the National Mall, take a shovel and wear thermal underwear…"

"…The blizzard that swept through the northeast of the country may have put a pall on Valentine's Day flower deliveries, but nothing is going to stop the first White House wedding in 128 years. The folks up there were prepared for the snow storm and it's all systems go, as is the party on the U Street Corridor, though from what we hear it's now being called the Snow Party Downtown…"

Fitz switched off the television and turned to Jerry and Tom, both resplendent in their tuxedos with red silk ties and rosebud boutonnieres.

"Let's do this," he grinned.

Olivia stood in front of the window staring out at the thick snow on the ground. The bitter wind had subsided, settling the flurries of snow and the sun was out, shining its bright light on the snow covered tree branches outside her window at Trowbridge House.

The wedding would have been warmer indoors, but when Fitz had called to ask if she wanted a change of venue – from the Rose Garden to the Red Room – she said no.

It didn't feel right to get married anywhere but the Rose Garden; the place where she and Fitz first declared the painful truth of their love. And the place where Fitz had offered, and she had accepted the promise of a future together. Now she and Fitz would finally become husband and wife in 'their place', in the Rose Garden.

She moved away from the window, breathing in the quiet of the room. The hair stylist, make-up artist, photographer, videographer, their assistants and Felicia had left, ostensibly to give her a moment to herself. She sat down on the edge of an armchair, willing herself to take that minute when all she wanted to do was race down and meet Fitz, who she knew was waiting just as impatiently for her.

In a few minutes her father would knock on the door and it would be time to walk through the basement tunnel.

Olivia got to her feet and walked over to the floor length mirror to take one last look at herself. Thankfully her dresses had arrived, and they were a perfect fit. She glanced from her ballerina-style up do, down her ivory white wool coat to her Louboutin ivory pumps. Other than her mother's earrings she wore no jewellery, and she had a stylised ivory satin flower in her hair instead of a veil.

The only thing missing now was her bouquet. Hopefully Felicia could find out what was causing the unexpected delay. Unexpected because unlike the weather delayed Valentine's floral deliveries all across the city, Olivia's flowers were arriving from the White House flower shop, that got its supply from the greenhouses above the West Colonnade.

"Olivia." Her father's authoritative voice broke into her thoughts, prompting her to hurry forward and open the door.

Rowan was wearing a charcoal grey morning suit, brightened with by a red silk jacquard tie, and matching handkerchief in his breast pocket.

Olivia smiled, watching her father's usually stern expression soften. For a moment, he looked at her, a sheen appearing in his eyes. "You look beautiful."

Olivia's felt a ripple of surprise at the emotion in his face and his voice. "Thank you, Dad," she said quietly, and after a pause she added, "You look handsome."

Rowan hesitated, then came into the room, closing the door. "Olivia, there is something I need to say to you, now that we have an unexpected cessation in hostilities."

"Dad.."

"Olivia, please, let me say this." He paused, looking at her. Then said quietly, "You are my daughter. I love you. I may not have shown that to you with affection, or even kindness at times. But I do love you and I want the best for you, always. And that is why I want you to know that I'm happy; I'm happy that you have found a man who makes you happy."

Olivia looked at her father, ignoring a sudden urge to give him a hug. Instead she said softly, "Thank you."

"But…"

Olivia sighed.

"But remember that in this marriage, you will be judged at a higher standard than your predecessor."

"Fitz loves me."

"I'm not talking about Fitz. I'm talking about the public who will stand in judgement of the first African American wife of a white Republican President. That is a heavy burden to bear, but I know you will bear it. Felicia and I will help you."

Olivia stopped herself from rolling her eyes, and muttered, "Thank you, Dad."

"Good. That's all I wanted to say. Shall we?"

She slipped her hand through the crook of his arm in relief and hurried her steps towards the door.

Press release from Parsons School of Design…

When you become the First Lady of our nation's Commander in Chief…

…Ms Olivia Pope will be wearing a sleeveless, ivory silk-Mikado dress. The dress is shaped to fit with a round-yoke neck, structured bodice, and straight knee-length skirt. The bridal effect is enhanced with an embellishment of hand embroidered lace and bead trim at the neck; in addition to a close-stitched row of ivory satin buttons from neck to lower back…

…The bridal daywear ensemble will be completed with an ivory wool-silk coat. The coat is an ultra-feminine military style, with a raised round collar and subtle trumpet sleeves. The single-breasted, asymmetric opening tapers down to a tulip hem above the knee. Embellished with ivory satin buttons along the opening…

Olivia paused on the landing, gripping her father's arm, surprised to see familiar faces among the White House household staff, waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

Then as she and Rowan reached the last step, one by one the senior staffers stepped forward and handed her a rose, in shades of white, pink and red; while at the same time, softly murmuring their best wishes.

The last staffer to step up was the White House Chief Floral Designer, who took the impromptu bouquet from Olivia's hands and deftly tied the roses with a red satin ribbon and handed them back, with a smile. "Your bouquet, ma'am," she murmured, as Olivia blinked away unexpected tears. "We wanted to surprise you."

There was another surprise waiting for Olivia in the basement. Right at the entrance of the cold clinical tunnel was an agent, in the driver's seat of a golf cart decorated with ribbons and balloons. The sight made Olivia chuckle as she and her father took their seats in the back, and she laughed out loud when the agent drove with 'Here Comes The Bride', playing on a portable radio.

She felt giddy with happiness by the time she entered the Cabinet Room and was greeted with squeals of delight from Quinn, Abby and Karen.

"You guys look so beautiful!" Olivia cried, giving them all a hug.

"Like the coat," Quinn grinned.

"Can we trade?" Abby asked, seriously.

"Mom, you look amazing," Karen said, her arms around Olivia's waist.

"So do you, Baby K," Olivia smiled.

The girls were wearing red organza and satin dresses, with matching red wool overcoats. Quinn and Abby were wearing red roses tucked into their French Braids, while Karen had rosebuds circling her ballerina bun.

Then Peter walked into the room carrying Teddy and Olivia rushed forward to give them hugs.

"You both look very handsome!" she grinned, taking Teddy in her arms so Peter could re-adjust his tie. Both boys were wearing black tuxedos with red satin cumberbands and ties.

Teddy looked especially cute in his custom-made baby Tux, and he seemed to find Olivia's outfit fascinating too, staring and cooing, then casually made a grab for her head.

"Give me that child," Rowan muttered as Olivia ducked in time.

Then the dogs barked and Olivia laughed, going over to pat them. They were all wearing red bow ties and had red leads, but only Daisy and Rex were attached to the red wooden sled, made of carved wood and roller skate wheels. This was done to avoid a repeat of the runaway dog train of the previous day, and it had been decided that Karen would sit in the sled holding Teddy on her lap.

Just then James entered through one of the glass paned doors and said, "Ready?"

And everyone quickly got into place. Quinn reached for Darth's lead and went out first, to be met on the open walkway by Huck; followed by Abby, holding Poppy's lead, paired with Harrison.

Next Olivia handed Karen her flower basket, while Peter took hold of the leads for Rex and Daisy and carefully pulled out of the room.

Olivia heard laughter through the open doorway from the small gathering of their friends, then the music of the Marine band changed from preppy show tunes to the Wedding March, and Rowan reached for her hand, tucking it through his arm.

They stepped onto the red carpet, strewn with rose petals, then paused at the sight of the Marines standing on either side of the platform, each one holding a red heart-shaped helium balloon.

Beaming with delight, her gaze arrowed towards the wedding gazebo, where Fitz, Tom and Jerry were waiting. And as their eyes met, Fitz blew her a kiss, sending another ripple of laughter through the seated crowd.

The final few steps to reach Fitz seemed to take forever, but finally they made it. And Olivia couldn't stop smiling, barely noticing that Rowan patted her hand before she slipped it from his arm and stepped towards Fitz, who immediately leaned forward whispering, "You're breathtaking" and kissed her.

"Daddy, you're supposed to wait until after," Karen protested, making everyone laugh again.

And then he was helping her onto the dais, and the officiant began speaking. "We are here today to witness and celebrate the union of Fitzgerald Thomas Grant the Third and Olivia Carolyn Pope in marriage."

At which point, Fitz leaned in and gave Olivia another kiss, prompting the officiant to say dryly, "I believe that's my cue to hurry up."

There was more laughter that drifted into silence, as the officiant continued with the blessing: "May you stand united always in your love of each other and the love of your family. May you find joy in the good times; compassion and understanding in the sad. May you find strength to see each other through adversity, and the wisdom to grow and change with the seasons of time and circumstance. And may you find happiness even in the stillness and silence of each other's company. May you realise these blessing in the life you will share from this day forward…

"...Please repeat after me, Do you Fitzgerald Thomas Grant the Third, take Olivia Carolyn Pope to be your lawfully wedded wife, sharing your path, equal in love, through the joys and sorrows you will face in your life together?"

"I do."

"And do you Olivia Carolyn Pope, take Fitzgerald Thomas Grant the Third and his children, Fitzgerald Grant the Fourth, Karen Michaela and Theodore Wallace to love, cherish and keep in the life you will share together?"

"I do." Olivia said a split second before, Jerry, Karen and Teddy said,

"She does."

"We do."

"Blah!"

"The little dude agrees."

Again there were ripples of laughter.

"Now do we have the rings?"

Peter stepped forward carrying Teddy and Jerry reached over to unbutton Teddy's tux pocket and then he looked horrified, just as Fitz looked horrified, then Peter muttered, "Stop playing, man."

Jerry grinned handing over the rings, as Olivia chuckled and Fitz gave a wry look, and glanced down to make sure he had Olivia's eternity band that she usually wore on her index finger, and his new gold band with an eternity symbol engraved on the inside.

Taking her ring, Fitz gazed deep into Olivia's eyes and said huskily, "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you, which has no beginning and no end. I am yours today, and for all our tomorrows."

Blinking back tears, Olivia murmured in turn, "I give you this ring, as I give to you all that I am and accept from you, all that you are."

Then the officiant said, "I now declare you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, Mr President. Again."

Wrapping their arms around each other, they kissed as cheers, whistles and clapping erupted, and red balloons were released to float up to the sky.

And after being surrounded by hugs and kisses, the newly wedded couple eventually made it to the Oval Office to sign their marriage certificate.

"…I hope all you folks watching at home can hear me, because the moment we saw those balloons go up, on the big screens at the National Mall, the crowds here went wild, hollering and screaming. Some were even crying. With joy I think. And I'm pretty sure I've burst an ear drum! Oh and there's another roar, because we've got the Blue Angels doing their fly past… Hey! Did they just do a love heart? Sure looked like a love heart…"

"…The party has just begun on U Street. They're popping champagne and passing around cake. But it looks like the snow making competitions have been upstaged by a kissing contest. Although the clear winner in that department is our President. Loved the way he planted that smackeroo on the new Mrs Grant. He didn't just kiss her once. I lost count how many times he did kiss her - before, during and after the ceremony. Le Sigh big time…"

"…Okay, admission time. I'm a hard core cynic when it comes to Valentine's Day. I don't do roses and chocolates when February 14th rolls around. Nope, not ever, that's not for me. What you'll see me doing is celebrating at a Stupid Cupid Party or Worst Date Ever Happy Hour. But that all changed today. I gotta say there's just something that turns you into mush watching two people in love. And the new Mrs Grant didn't just marry the President, she said 'I do' to the whole family…"

Back at the White House, the formal pictures had given way to candid shots with dogs and stray balloons photo-bombing frequently. Not that Fitz or Olivia cared as they were kissing in most of them.

"Jeez, Dad, do you realise you're wearing more of Mom's lipstick than Mom is?" said Jerry dryly, then roared with laughter when Olivia and Fitz hauled him between them and kissed his cheeks. This prompted a laugh from a watching Rowan and Cyrus, who glanced at each other, then went their separate ways.

Once the photos were taken, the kids ran off to play in the snow, taking the dogs with them, while the adults drifted into conversation, enjoying pre-luncheon drinks and canapés.

Then Tom appeared to tell Mr and Mrs Grant their car was ready to take them to church.

The Secret Service standing on the Portico steps was impressive, but the sight of what they had done to the Presidential limousine had Olivia and Fitz breaking out in laughter.

"We heard you wanted a Vegas Wedding, sir," Tom said solemnly. "Since you couldn't have that, we thought this might work instead," he added in reference to the giant sparkling love hearts on top of the car, proclaiming the words 'Just Married'.

"You don't seriously expect us to drive around the city in that, do you?" Fitz shook his head with a rueful grin.

"Yes, sir."

"Come on, Fitz. It'll be great!" Olivia laughed, taking hold of his hand and blowing a kiss to Tom and the other agents. "Thank you, guys! This is awesome!"

"Awesome?" Fitz raised a brow, once they were snuggled up inside.

"Awesome," Olivia grinned.

Fitz smiled, looking at her shining with happiness and he felt a fierce, protective joy. "We're married, Mrs Grant."

"I know, Mr Pope."

"Hey, that makes me sound like your dad."

"Eww!"

He laughed, tightening his arms around her as the car exited the gates and entered Pennsylvania Avenue. Then glanced around when she gasped, "Look at all those people!"

There were people waving at them, holding up signs and taking pictures, but the crowd noise was blocked out by the sound proofing in the car.

"Let's go and say hello."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Do you realise that this is the only time I'm going to have alone with you, for at least another couple of hours?"

Olivia settled her head on his shoulder and said softly, "Don't think I don't know when you're hiding something from me."

"What makes you think that?" he mumbled against her forehead.

"I know you," she smiled as the car made its way slowly towards the two DC churches where they were to receive blessings as a married couple.

Wedding Luncheon Menu on the White House Chef Instagram…

Starters…

Caribbean Jerk Chicken skewers with cucumber cilantro dipping sauce

Tempeh pot stickers with soy dipping sauce

Mini lobster rolls

Mac and Cheese 'muffins'

Halal lamb koftas with mint yogurt dipping sauce

Miniature fish tacos

Antipasto kebab skewers

Smoked Barbeque Ribs (halal)

Stuffed mushroom with fresh herbs

Vegetable samosas

Halal beef sliders (vegetarian option: spiced chickpea patties)

Afters…

Dessert Buffet &

Wedding cake: Red Velvet Cake with Ermine Icing and sugared roses

Jerry's Instagram…

1) Teddy nodding off during Rowan's speech (yep, it was boring); Teddy snoring during Dad's speech (too Presidential)

2) Ella likes the cheesecake pop on James' plate more than hers; changes her mind and hands it back to James, half eaten

3) Baby K shares her root-beer float with her dress; Abby and Quinn help clean her up.

4) Mom and Dad caught kissing again (x20!) and there's Cyrus looking on (dis)approvingly as we all wait for cake

5) Peter and Harrison lead the kids in a hip hop dance, to the music of Yo-Yo Ma, Bobby McFerrin and the Marine Band

6) Virginia Guilford, Sameera Hussein, Carlita Mendoza and James Novak tell Mum the secrets of marriage. Here's Mom shocked, amazed, 'I ain't doing that' and laughing

7) Huck and Oscar assist Zeke do magic tricks. Dad wants to know how they got Darth into a hat, let alone how they pulled him out of it. Answer: Classified

8) Hank Guilford and Obeid Hussein talk about the Seahawks winning this year's Superbowl. Hank said Bruno Mars was great with his James Brown moves, but Beyonce shut it down in 2013 (literally!)

9) Tom smiles getting his third slice of cake from Felicia. There's a line of Marines waiting after him; Carlita comes over to help

10) Mom and Dad dance the wedding waltz, then the Macarena, and here's me shaking my head at Dad's moves; here's me going to rescue Mom

11) Mom and Dad thank the clean-up crew, with hugs, kisses and wedding thank you gifts.

12) Mom and Dad thank the White House kitchen and wait staff. More gifts and hugs. "Great Job!" Now they have to get ready for the evening session. That's for the grown-ups (read: Boring!) so no pictures from me…

A/N: Well, that was the wedding part One… I've waited long enough to see OLITZ married, so went all out in describing my version of events! Took a long time deciding on what Olivia should wear, changed my mind so often I thought Jerry would be running for President by the time I finished this chapter. Anyway, I thought I should post this before the bridal outfit gets changed for the 9999999th time!

But I did have a LOT of fun researching wedding outfits; discovering Cristobel Balenciaga and (the real) Dior and that I like fashions of the 1950s when dresses were designed for women not Sponge Bob Squarepants.

Have also acquired a whole new vocabulary in fashion: tulip skirt, bell skirt, balloon skirt, trenchcoat, steampunk, Lolita etc, but it's still not enough – there were so many outfits that looked good in pictures that I didn't know how to describe in text, and I'm also not sure how fabric feels from Google images- so I wasn't sure which fabric combinations would create static!

Anyway as Google gives 50 different versions of everything… here's where I got my inspiration for Olivia's outfit : Pinterest number: 259590365995095040 for the top part of her coat (forget the fabric in the actual images). The bottom half is based on Ted-baker-button-front-plaid-tulip-skirt-light-grey on Lyst DOT com. Olivia's dress has been ripped off from Rose Clara 204 Badajoz/101 Babel styles.

Also the wedding party has too many men – Tom and Jerry (heh, heh, couldn't resist) plus Harrison and Huck, but we'll take it that Harrison and Huck just escorted Abby and Quinn down the aisle and then took their seats. I just didn't want to leave them out!

The wedding ceremony was inspired by Google searches , including this fantastic site that gave the wedding speeches – I can't find the link in my multiple notes. Will try and include it in the next chapter…