Georgia on My Mind {Part XXV}
Inauguration
The President-Elect of the United States and his Chief of Staff wait in the staging area for the Oath of Office ceremony to begin. Olivia attaches a small flag pin to his lapel. "I bought this at auction…it belonged to Eisenhower. It is very rare…only 48 stars," she explains.
"You didn't have to," she cuts him off.
"I wanted you to have something special on your day," she continues.
"You are my something special-every day," his large hands caress her torso and hips. He takes one small step back reaching inside his suit jacket, "You are wrong about one thing…today belongs to both of us. None of this would have been possible if we had not come together. This day is the beginning of us changing the world," he holds out his left hand palm side up. Olivia looks at the small leather box and then back up at his loving, blue eyes. "It's your ring…very old, very rare. It even has a name-Doux Bebe. It was my great-grandmother's…her father bought it at auction in Paris for her debutante ball. I was suppose to give it to my wife but," he shakes his head. "I…it never felt right so I kept it and now I know why…because I was suppose to give it to you. This ring belongs to you," he shares his whole heart in this moment alone with her.
Liv lifts the lid and removes the ring, "I do not need a ring from you…I am not that girl you win at the end of the movie."
Fitz nods, "I know…but if you could just wear it…even if the worst happens…I will know that you are out there and we will be okay," he implores with pleading eyes.
"You want me to wear a ring called Doux Bebe," she taunts playfully.
He shrugs slightly, "It means Sweet Baby but you can call it whatever you want," he smiles. She stares at the ring and allows the fullness of their love to fill her. Finally she slides it onto the only digit it fits-the index finger of her left hand. He lifts her hand and places a tender kiss on top affirming their union.
Before things escalate adolescent voices announce their arrival, "Please have your hands above the waist…We already need therapy…," Karen and Gerry tease.
"Leave them alone…they have to get it in while the cameras are off" Bishop chide the sister and brother.
"Ha-ha-ha," Fitz responds sarcastically before checking his watch. "I still have twenty minutes so you may want to look away," he quips.
Olivia slaps his bicep. "Stop. Hey guys…I have something for each of you," she greets. He watches her in wonder. How does she do it all? She pulls three velvet pouches from her clutch purse resting on a nearby table. "Karen, this is a replica Equal Rights Amendment pin," she attaches it to the lapel of her red cashmere winter coat. "Those women would be so proud of you," she hugs her awkwardly and Karen squeezes her tightly. "Now Ms. Bishop, this is a button from Chisholm's 1972 presidential campaign," she introduces.
"Un-bought and Un-bossed," she responds proudly with a large smile.
"That's my Girl," she offers her fist.
"And for you," she moves in front of Gerry. "This is a replica of the United States flag when California became a state…only 31 stars," she pats his shoulder a couple of times.
He looks down at his navy wool coat and back at her. What is her angle? Does she have an angle? I do not get this at all. "Th-anks, he stutters.
Huck moves among the throng of people. The Capital Mall is filled to capacity with eager citizens but he is on a mission. I will keep my family safe. He knows the routes the Secret Service will cover and anticipates the gaps the Metro Police can handle. His fear is what B6-13 can accomplish and if he is still enough to stop them. His sobriety makes him rusty but his determination pushes him forward. He darts down an alley and climbs the rusty fire escape of an old building. He breathes a sigh of relief. The lawn chair, large black duffle and red toolbox remain untouched. His phone vibrates, "What Harrison?"
"Man, where are you? I told you my tailor was going to hook you up for the ceremony."
"I am where I need to be. I am the Gladiator on the wall. You guys have a good time…I have the watch," he disconnects the call.
Abby and Olivia fall onto the couch in exhaustion. "I cannot believe we still have to find the energy for Inaugural Balls. How many are we attending?"Abby huffs and closes her eyes.
Olivia yawns, "I have no idea how many…I thought the parade would never end. I know we are all about the people," she uses air quotes, "But the enclosed, heated Presidential Box was a godsend."
Abby retreats to the kitchen and returns with bottled waters, "So I am guessing you will not be back tonight."
Liv's brow knits together, "Why would you make that assumption? We cannot have your first Press Briefing focused on a booty call."
"Do not do that…now that things are getting really real…do not sabotage the best thing to ever happen to you…that idealistic, prince charming is standing at the edge of the cliff ready, willing and able to jump. Do not make him fall for nothing," she admonishes turning to face her best friend.
"I am not…the optics. I…we need a plan," Abby cuts her off.
"You have a plan…you become First Lady. He stood on the dais in that ballroom on Election night and went all in…what are you afraid of?"
Olivia touches the inner corners of her eyes failing to stop the stinging tears, "When I am not in his arms…when he is not nearby do you know what my father's voice inside my head says?" she looks over at her friend. "Love makes you weak. How do I combat that? I am not ready for us to be over…he is the only man I have ever loved but I do not know how…not really," she confesses.
Abby squeezes her hand, "The ugly truth is he does not know how either…not completely. He spent his life under the thumb of a vile tyrant of a father and the past decade plus in a dead marriage…Neither one of you is normal and leading the free world makes things more bizarre but no less real." she encourages.
She takes a deep breath, "I can do this…we can do this…we are better together," she places her thumb on top of Doux Bebe and presses down to draw strength to move forward.
Inauguration night
Falcon Down birthday gala dress re-purposed
Daydreaming and I'm thinking of you…He's the kind of guy that you give your everything…Your trust your heart, share all of your love…'til death do you part…I want to be what he wants…I'm loving him a little bit more each day…It turns me right on when I hear him say…Daydreaming and I'm thinking of you…
Olivia turns around slowly in front of the full length mirror. The gauzy layers of white fabric float around her legs. The intricate gold and silver boning across the chest glistens under the lighting in her room. I hope he likes the finished product. She smiles to herself. She had never dressed for a man or cared for his opinion. Fashion was her domain; the playground where she allowed her femininity to run free. Her fingers run through her freshly straightened strands when she hears the sirens and notices blue and red lights bouncing against the dark night. She turns off her mood music. No he did not.
The television playing at the lowest in the background confirms her suspicion…
The Presidential motorcade is making an unscheduled trip down Wisconsin Avenue through a residential neighborhood. Olivia Pope, Chief-of-Staff and First Girlfriend, is believed to reside in the area. It would appear the wait is over…Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III and Olivia Pope first public date will be the Inaugural Balls.
Liv grabs the coordinating evening bag and moves toward the front. She swings the door open before he can knock. Fitz's eyes drink her in slowly starting at the top of her glistening hair to her perfect goddess gown. His eyes return to her face and remain on her magnetic brown eyes. The one place he finds all her love and devotion. Before he can think or filter or reason he blurts, "Marry me…I do not want you to tell me to think about it or tell me it is too soon. I want you to say yes because if you love me even half as much as I love you then it is worth the risk…marry me Olivia Pope," he demands with passion.
Her mouth opens but she does not respond. She walks past him and on to the elevator. His stomach drops and his heart feels as though it no longer beats. He finds it hard to breath but somehow his feet follow her inside before the automatic door closes. They descend in silence. He can feel the tears and knows without a doubt her rejection will end his life. She is my whole world. The exit the building to bright flash of cameras and harsh voices of reporters shouting questions:
"Who are you wearing? Look this way…What ball are you attending first? How are the kids handling the new relationship? Is this really the first official date? Will the President get a good night kiss?
Fitz plasters on the practiced political smile and masks his face before taking a step toward the waiting Presidential limousine. He stops abruptly when Olivia moves directly in front of him placing her left hand against his chest making sure Doux Bebe makes the morning headlines. She throws her hair over her shoulder smiling brightly at the camera. She looks up at him with a flirty smile, "Yes."
He blinks trying to get his nervous system functioning again; "Yes?" he seeks reassurance. She nods with enthusiasm. He slides his arm around her waist and up her spine before dipping her backwards. He ravishes her top lip before taking his time with her bottom. He can never prove it but he honestly believes the plumpness of that lip is somehow sweeter and he will never get enough.
When he returns her to an upright position she is lightheaded and floating. She does not notice that the cameras have stopped flashing and the reporters are no longer yelling. Their unbridled passion and love renders the clamoring paparazzi mute. Fitz keeps his hand on the small of her back and guides her into the waiting car. This is the beginning of the rest of their life together.