Ducks For Life

"I'm so proud of you, Lincoln! That is amazing!"

"Thanks, mom." Lincoln said on the phone with a grin on his face. "It's just The Collection, but it was really cool to see my short story published along with other students."

"You got a copy for us, right? And you know your grandparents are gonna want one. Anna too. Use the credit card and buy ten copies. I'll hand them out to strangers on the street. It'll be fun."

"Mom!" Lincoln chuckled.

"What did you say it was called? I remember what it was about. I couldn't stop reading when you emailed it to me, but I forget the title."

"The World According to Lincoln. Kinda lame, I know, but..."

"It wasn't lame at all. It was a creative writing piece from the mind of a baby. I thought it was cute. Except the parts where you wrote me crying. Especially over a tooth. That didn't seem like me at all." It was totally her and they both knew it.

"It's fiction, mom. I might have taken some creative liberties with your personality traits and embellished them for the sake of the story?"

"You're good, and you certainly have a way with words." Olivia chuckled. "And you are definitely in the right field. I'll take that explanation any day of the week."

He knew now was the time to let his mother know about his summer plans. She was not going to be very happy to hear them. "So, I'm going to take a summer workshop here after graduation. There are a few areas that I need to work on to improve my writing and my professor says that this workshop will help a lot."

"Really? I know as your mother I am biased as hell when it comes to you, but I think your writing is amazing all by itself. And I would be lying if I said I wouldn't miss being able to see you all summer long. But if you think you need to take this workshop to better your craft, then by all means, take it." Olivia was impressed with her self control. There was zero whining in that little speech. She had plenty of reason to whine, but instead she let the decision be Lincolns. Huh? Maybe she was getting better at letting go?

"No guilt trip?" Lincoln asked in disbelief.

"Apparently not." Olivia said, just as surprised as her son was. "I didn't give Kate a guilt trip when she told me she wasn't coming home for the summer either. She has a full schedule as a third year and it's the hardest one to get through. You are worked to death, almost literally. I wasn't expecting to see her this summer to be honest. It's sad, but it is what it is."

"What about Carter?" Lincoln asked. "Is he gonna be home?"

"He is already home for the summer. He walked in the door, took his stuff to his room, hugged me goodbye, and drove straight to the bakery – where I suspect he'll live all summer. Except for one week when the bakery conference your dad is sending him to takes place. It's in Philadelphia this year. Carter is gonna love it."

"Are you gonna be okay without any kids home this summer?"

"I still have your father, and he's my favorite person to love on. Besides, you guys will be here for Christmas. I'll focus on that. It's right around the corner."

"Who are you talking to about me, woman?" Fitz asked as he walked in the door.

"Awww, mom is growing up on us." Lincoln chuckled.

"It's your firstborn. Come say hi." Olivia pecked his lips and passed the phone to her husband, listening to their conversation. She watched Fitz walk around as he spoke to Lincoln and her eyes were drawn to his jean covered ass. She remembered that he had been wearing jeans the very first time she saw him. His ass was still one of his best parts, and she reached down and pinched it.

Fitz yelped, turned around, and was rubbing his sore ass when he found his wife smiling up at him. Lincoln was still talking about something he had seen earlier that day, and while Fitz was interested in his kids, his little woman had his complete attention at the moment. He glanced at the phone and touched the mute button. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Mrs. Grant?"

"Touching what's mine." She said playfully.

"That felt more like a pinch." He challenged.

"That too." She propped her hand on her hip. "What are you gonna do about it?"

"Lincoln calls once every blue moon. I can't just hang up on him, Liv." He unmuted the call and listened but kept his eyes on his wife in case her pinchers got restless again.

"What's new son? Your mother is sexually harassing me instead of filling me in on the latest goings on in your life."

Olivia laughed and kissed his cheek. "I'm going to go get ready for dinner. You're taking me out." She whispered.

"Hang on a sec, Link." He looked at his wife and said, "Fine, but I need a shower first. I'll be up in a minute. Ok, I'm back son. Now, what's going on with you?"

"Mom will tell you all about it later. I'm glad I have you on the phone though. I need to talk to you about something serious." Lincoln said.

"Shoot." Fitz said, sitting down in a kitchen chair.

"Ummm, is mom around?"

Fitz got the feeling that this was something serious. "She went upstairs to get ready for dinner. What's up? Are you okay, son?"

"I'm fine, dad. I wanted you to be the first one I told the news to."

"What news?" Fitz asked.

"Don't freak out please. I'm telling you first because you are the less emotional one, and it's really a father son thing. Mom would just shriek and cry and give me a lecture and I don't have time for all of that."

"What's the news, Link?" Fitz asked, trying to get him back on track.

"I had my first piece published here recently. It wasn't a lot of money, but a decent amount."

"That's fantastic, Link. I'm really proud of you. Why would your mom give you a lecture about that? She'd be over the moon thrilled for you."

"That's not the news, dad."

"Oh."

"I'm taking the money I got for it and buying a ring. I'm gonna ask Anna to marry me."

"Holy shit son! That's amazing!" Fitz was genuinely happy for his boy. He knew Lincoln was proud as hell to be able to buy the ring himself with money he made on his craft. "Listen, can I ask you a question? I'm not judging, just asking okay?"

"Shoot." Lincoln said.

"Females are kinda weird about their engagement rings. If you don't have enough money to buy the ring you think Anna will absolutely adore, I'll give you some to put with it so that you can buy the one she will. It's just an offer." He didn't want his son to worry about the ring when it came to proposing to his soon to be daughter in law. The girl deserved the best and Lincoln deserved to be proud of the ring he offered her.

"Thanks, dad. That's a really cool thing for you to offer. But I've been saving my birthday money, grandparents use-it-for-whatever-you-want money, and some of the money you paid me to help out at the bakery when I came home the last few times. When I lump it all together, it'll be plenty to get Anna a great ring I know she'll love and be proud of."

Fitz grinned into the phone. It sounded like Link had been planning this for quite a while. "That's my boy." he said proudly.

"So, now you know why I can't talk to mom about all of this?"

"Oh, yea! She's going to be ecstatic, but cry too." Fitz chuckled. "You should wait until after you've proposed and make an announcement to both families. That's what your mother and I did. We even cooked dinner for them. It was nice." Fitz smiled at the memory of him and Olivia cooking lasagna for their parents. His smile grew wider as he recalled what the two of them had been doing in the kitchen moments before their parents had arrived.

"That's a cool idea! Thanks, dad. Do you think Stephen will want to kill me for taking his only daughter?" Lincoln was seriously worried about how Anna's dad was going to react. More so than his own mother's reaction.

"Son, the two of you have been dating since junior high. If he is honestly surprised by your announcement, I'll be amazed. The man is an attorney. He's trained to look at the facts and the facts have been staring at him for years. I really wouldn't worry about it. Besides, Grant stick up for Grants. If he starts any shit, I've got your back."

"Good point. And I really don't think it will come to that. But I'll keep the offer in mind. Thanks for being so cool about all of this. Please don't tell mom though. I know the two of you don't keep things from each other, but this is different." Link asked.

"Dude! Where's the trust? I got you. She'll never get it out of me. This secret is locked up tighter than Fort Knox."

"Oooooooh, a secret?" Olivia asked from behind him. "What is it?"

"I gotta go now. Nosey is here."

"Good luck with that dad. Love you."

"Love you too, son. Bye" He ended the call and turned to his wife. "I'm gonna go jump in the shower and we can head out to dinner. Give me five minutes." He started to walk upstairs but Olivia grabbed his arm as he passed her. "What?"

"You know damned well what?"

"No, I don't."

"You and my son have a secret. I want to know what it is."

"It's not mine to tell, Liv. The boy made me promise not to say anything. I'm sorry." He leaned down to kiss her cheek, but she turned away.

"No."

"No?"

"No, I don't understand. But I want to, so tell me the secret and we'll both understand." she bargained.

"Lincoln made me promise not to tell you."

Olivia's eyebrows went up. "You and I have been married for a whole hell of a lot longer than you have been his father. Besides, we don't keep secrets from each other. Tell me."

Fitz grinned down at his wife. Why was she so damned adorable when she was trying make a point? Lincoln had to know he was going to tell her? "Okay, but you gotta act surprised when he tells you!"

"I promise!" She said excitedly.

"Link is gonna propose to Anna."

"OHMYGOD!" She said as she covered her mouth with her hands. And then the tears came. Her baby was going to propose to the perfect girl with the...Olivia grabbed the front of her husband's shirt. "What about a ring? He's gotta have a ring, babe! A really nice one. Anna deserves a great ring. Ohmygod, we're getting a daughter in law. Our very first one. Fitz!"

She was ugly crying now. Fitz chuckled and brought her close to his chest. "Babe? You need to breathe okay?" He waited until she wore herself out and her tears subsided. He put his index finger under her chin and brought her gaze up to his. He wiped her tears away with a smile and gently kissed her lips. "Feel better now?"

Olivia nodded and sniffed.

"Lincoln already has a ring picked out. He's using the money he got paid for writing his short story as well as money he's gotten here and there. He's proud of it and is confident that Anna will love it too. That's all that matters. Our son is getting married, Liv. We should celebrate with sex." It made her laugh and that was his goal.

The following weekend, to everyone's surprise except for Fitz's, Lincoln came home from college for a short surprise visit. He informed his parents that he would like to invite Abby and Stephen over and cook dinner for everyone.

Fitz gave him a wink and a nod.

Olivia acted surprised and barely contained her grin. As far as she knew, her son only knew how to make a bowl of cereal. "What are you going to cook? Do you need me to go to the grocery store to get anything? You need any help at all?" she offered.

Lincoln knew she was trying to figure out what the hell he was up to without asking. He had learned a lot from living with her the past eighteen years. "Thanks, mom. I know how much you hate to go to the grocery store. It's okay."

"I don't mind. If you'll write me a list, I'd be happy to grab whatever you need." She was determined to act like she didn't know what was happening.

"Really? Are you sure?" He had her right where he wanted her.

Olivia nodded enthusiastically. "Yea, it's no big deal at all. Your dad will even go with me."

This was news to Fitz. But he had been paying attention to their little game. "Sure. Why not? When was the last time we made out in the grocery store?"

"The last time was the only time and my mother busted us. Remember that?" Olivia asked on a laugh.

He grinned at her and squeezed her hand gently. "I do remember that. Okay, Link. Make us a list and we'll go pick up whatever you want."

"Can I ask the two of you for a favor while you're out?" Lincoln asked.

"What?" Fitz asked with a look.

"I have some dry cleaning that is super important for tonight. Would you mind picking it up for me please?" Lincoln asked with a sweet face.

"The dry cleaners are all the way in the city! We'll be gone forever!" Fitz whined. He took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. "Anything else, your majesty?" Fitz asked with an eyeroll. This kid was pushing his luck here.

"Actually, there is."

"Lincoln Nathaniel!" Fitz warned.

"What?" He asked innocently. "I was just gonna say I really need the two of you back here by four please. We're on a schedule, so to speak."

"It's not going to take us six hours to get a trip to the grocery store and dry cleaners done. We'll be back in plenty of time."

"Then I guess you'd better get going? That'll be all, peasants." Lincoln replied on a laugh.

"Damn brat." Fitz muttered as he grabbed his car keys and his wife's hand and walked out the door.

Once they were settled in the car and halfway up the road, Fitz turned to his wife in the passenger seat and said, "can you believe the audacity of that kid? Having us go pick up his dry cleaning? I was waiting for him to give me a little black chauffer hat."

Olivia giggled. "It's for the greater good, babe. He's got a big announcement to make later and he needs his mind clear of these little details. Just go with it. Besides, I have very fond memories of the dry cleaners."

Fitz smiled at her and brought her hand to his lips kissing it. "You're right. If it wasn't for the dry cleaners, Lincoln wouldn't even have been born. Maybe later we can go down memory lane and have our own little celebration?"

"I like the sound of that." She said smiling back.

At the grocery store, the two of them walked up and down every aisle picking up items that were on the list. It was a weird list, but they promised to go by it, since it was Lincoln's idea, and got everything that was written down in the amounts he requested.

They ran into Cyrus and James while checking out and the four of them struck up a conversation that lasted longer than the visit to the store itself. Knowing they had plenty of time before they were needed back at the house, the four of them moved their conversation to the Starbucks next door. They chatted about everything and filled their friends in on the news of Lincoln's proposal as they sipped their drink of choice.

"Oh god! He can't be old enough to get married! That would mean that Ella is old enough to get married and NO WAY is she old enough to get married. Right, Cy?" James fretted.

Cyrus rolled his eyes and patted James hand. "Ella is not getting married any time soon, dear. She can't stay with one boy long enough to marry one." He pointed at his husband and said, "She gets that from him."

"She's very busy with college right now anyways. She's got a hundred years of medical school to get through before she'll even have time to settle down. Or breathe." James said in a defensive voice.

Fitz and Olivia shared a smile. "She is exactly like Kate. Boys are for flirting with right now. Not settling down with. And I'm fine with that!"

"Let's stop talking about our daughters getting married." Fitz suggested. "When are the two of you going on another cruise?"

"It's going to be a while. Although, I've been nagging him to take some time off, so we can go...somewhere! Today's trip to the grocery store was a huge step!" James joked. "What about the two of you? Have you ever thought about going on a cruise?"

"That would be so much fun. But we are going to be saving up for a wedding now. One day we'll go. Right, Fitz?"

He leaned over and kissed her. "Whatever you want. After the wedding."

Cyrus glanced at his watch. "I hate to break up this happy little reunion, but we've got to get going. Busy day of running errands for us."

"We've got to get going too. Lincoln asked us to go into the city and run an errand for him. I swear that kid is using us because he knows how excited we'll be when he makes his announcement." Fitz said. "You ready, Liv?"

"Yup. Let's go."

"Don't get handsy in the dry cleaners you two." James said with a grin. "We'll see you soon." The four of them said goodbye and went in different directions.

Fitz lucked out and found a parking space right in front of the dry cleaners. Putting the car in park, He looked over at his wife and said, "let's have some fun in there."

Her grin knew no bounds. "Whad ya have in mind?"

"Come in a minute after me and see if you can follow my lead?"

"Give me a kiss first. And make it a good one."

Fitz took off his seatbelt and leaned over into her personal space. He palmed her cheek and whispered, "I love you so much" before he touched his lips to hers in a soft kiss that quickly turned sensual right there in the car for all to see.

Someone tapped on the window and said, "get a room!" before walking away, causing the two of them to break the kiss and dissolve into laughter.

Fitz opened his car door and winked at his wife. "One minute."

Fitz grabbed a red ticket and took his place in the line he knew would be there. It was a Saturday, after all. He spoke to the man in line ahead of him. "Nice day, huh?"

The man looked over his shoulder at the weather outside. "It really is. Beautiful even." He saw a gorgeous woman on the other side of the door, about to open it when he whispered, "holy shit."

Fitz had seen that look on men's faces before when they noticed his wife. He didn't even have to look over his shoulder to know she was standing outside. "You okay?" Fitz asked.

"Yea. Check out that woman though. She is gorgeous." He nodded his head towards the door.

Fitz flicked a glance in the intended direction. Keep your eyes in your head, buddy. She's all mine, Fitz thought to himself. "Meh. She's like a five. Maybe a six."

"Are you high or somethin'?" The stranger asked. "She's a solid ten. Maybe eleven. I'll bet she thinks you're a low number on her scale too?"

Fitz eyed his wife's perfect little form. She was working those jeans. He couldn't wait to get her out of them later on. He shrugged. "I don't care what she thinks of me. I can get a girl like her any day of the week."

"Sheeeeeeet. I bet you can't. I'll bet you twenty bucks she won't even speak to you."

"Really?" He looked back at her as she walked in and completely ignored him as she walked past and got a ticket. Shake that ass, babe he thought. Meeting the stranger's eyes, he stuck out his hand and said, "Okay. I don't have anything else to do while I wait in line. You're on."

Olivia sauntered to the back of the line, behind her husband. With her sunglasses on, she admired her husband's ass. He really did have a spectacular one. Her eyes traveled up to the back of his neck to his hair. Damn those wild curls she loved yanking on. She remembered being attracted to his hair in this same spot a long time ago. Some things never change, she thought. She was going to pull on them later on tonight when she got him to...

"Nice day outside, isn't it?"

A voice interrupted her perfectly good daydream. She sighed and slid her sunglasses on top of her head. The man in front of Fitz was talking to her. She had no idea what he had just said because she had been lost in her thoughts. "Excuse me?"

He smiled. "I said, nice day outside, isn't it?"

"Oh. Yes, it is. Very nice." Why not be polite? "Are you having a good day?"

"I am, thank you. How about you?"

Olivia noticed that Fitz hadn't turned around yet. Hadn't spoken a word to her. She wondered what he was up to? She ignored him right back. "Can't complain. It's a beautiful day."

"With beautiful company." he added.

Jesus. Olivia barely suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. Thank god she was married and didn't have to deal with men like this anymore. He was being nice though. Maybe that's all it was? Giving him the benefit of the doubt, Olivia asked, "what do you do for work? If I may ask?"

"Well, I'm not a super spy, so I think it's safe to tell you." He chuckled. "I own a barber shop across town."

"That's interesting. I'll bet you hear a lot of great stories in a typical day at work?"

"Ohhh yea. I've heard lots of interesting things over the past twenty years there. What is it you do for a living?"

"I'm a lawyer."

Fitz scoffed, but never turned around.

"I apologize on his behalf, Miss. You were saying?"

"Don't apologize for him. Some people have no decency whatsoever. He probably hates lawyers because someone sued him and got his personality?"

"You're funny. Why don't you come up here and stand with me in line while we wait?"

She stepped around Fitz, glaring at him as she moved, and told the stranger, "thank you."

"You're welcome. How long have you been a lawyer? You don't look old enough to even be out of law school."

"You're very sweet. Thank you. But it's been a very long time. How old do I look to you?"

The stranger chuckled nervously. "I'm not playing that game. You don't mess with a woman and her age. One wrong number can cause your death."

"Sixty-nine." Fitz said straight faced.

Olivia glared at him again and threw her middle finger up in his face.

"You know, they say you can tell a woman's age by the way she kisses a man." Fitz said mildly.

Olivia crinkled her face at her husband. This was kinda fun. She wondered what the two of them had been talking about before she came inside?

The stranger said, "I think this one is just trying to get a kiss from a pretty girl?"

Feeling sneaky, Olivia replied to him, "what if I whisper to you my actual age and then kiss this weirdo and see if he can guess correctly?"

"Do you really want to put your mouth on his though? He's a stranger."

Olivia looked at her husband. God, she wanted him right now. This game was making it worse. She knew he saw the need in her eyes that had to be obvious to the world. She watched him lick his lips and almost came undone. Fitz knew that little action was her weakness. As she stared at his lips she said, "He is. But you were too a few minutes ago until I got to know you a little better. Besides, it's just a kiss. It's harmless."

"If that's what you want to do? Whisper your age to me real quiet so he can't hear it."

Fitz kept an eagle eye on this guy. If he so much as touched his wife with his pinky, Fitz was gonna break it off. He was worked up more than he thought he would be, and he could tell that Olivia was too. She cupped the stranger's ear and leaned close whispering the number he already knew. He watched her come stand in front of him. He was going to have to have her soon. There was no getting around it. "You ready for the magic, my Queen?"

Olivia couldn't contain the grin that spread across her face hearing Fitz call her the nickname he had given her when she was pregnant with Carter and Kate. "Let's see what you got."

Fitz pulled her roughly against his body and put one hand at the back of her head and the other one on her waist. He attached his lips to hers in a hungry passionate kiss. He felt his wife pour herself into the kiss as their tongues touched in a familiar age old dance. Towards the end of the kiss, Fitz dipped her, keeping their mouths attached to each other.

The stranger stared open mouthed at the pair of them in complete shock.

The bell over the door jingled and a voice said, "Do the two of you still stay attached to each other twenty four seven?"

Olivia was in a daze, but Fitz pulled away from her lips and quickly turned his head towards the door. "Holy shit! Look who it is, Liv!" Fitz said grinning like a fool.

"You two know each other?" The stranger asked.

"Ohmygod! Charles! Is that you?" Olivia screeched. She wiggled out of Fitz's arms and made her way to the door, grabbing him in a hug.

Fitz looked at the stranger he had placed the bet with, jerking his head towards Olivia. "Sorry to have had some fun at your expense. She's actually my wife and we met here almost twenty five years ago." He reached out a hand to shake the one the stranger stuck out.

"You're a lucky man." The stranger said, grinning back.

"And I know it. Thank you."

"Don't be fooled by these two. They are a couple of exhibitionists." Charles laughed as he hugged Olivia. "I see the two of you are still causing trouble."

"We like to keep it fun." Fitz said, making his way over and shaking Charles' hand. "How have you been?"

"Been doing fine. How about you and your family?"

"Funny enough, that's why we're here. Lincoln is engaged and is having a get together tonight to announce it to us. I'm not supposed to know about it though." Olivia gushed.

"But you blabbed because you can't keep a secret. Is that it?" Charles accused Fitz.

Fitz grinned. "Something like that. You should come by tonight and bring Angie so we'll have someone pretty to look at."

"I might take you up on that. It's been quite a long time since I have seen the kids. I bet they are taller than their momma now."

"They've been taller than me for quite a while now." Olivia admitted. "Please come by the house. The kids would love to see you again and we'd love to be able to catch up with the two of you too."

"I think it can be arranged. What time should we swing by?" Charles asked.

"Dinner should be over by seven. We'll have coffee and dessert."

"Sounds good. We'll see you two tonight. Keep your clothes on this time please." Charles teased. Fitz's number was called out and he and Olivia said their goodbyes and picked up the dry cleaning and headed for home.

"Home. With an hour to spare." Olivia lifted her open palm to her husband and he hit it with his own. "Let's get this food put up and help the boy get things going for a perfect night."

"Is it just me or did he pick weird foods?" Fitz asked. "Who the hell is he planning to feed, just him and Anna?"

"Who knows? We'll help him make the best of it though."

The two of them walked up the few steps to the front door, both carrying several bags in their hands. With Olivia in front of him, Fitz opened the door and followed her inside. They were greeted by a very loud, very cheerful shout of "SURPRISE!"

"What...the hell?" Fitz said.

Their house was filled with people they knew and loved. Olivia saw both sets of their parents, Cyrus and James, practically everyone from the firm and the bakery, Charlie and Quinn, Yvonne and Rob, Abby and Stephen, Thad and Robin and the girls, Huck, even Rob showed up. And somehow Charles had beaten them there? Their living room was decorated tastefully with lots of silver and white. Streamers and balloons and flowers were everywhere. And everyone inside was dressed up. "What the hell is going on?" Olivia asked.

Lincoln, Carter, and Kate made their way to their parents with big smiles. "Here's the deal. I know dad can't keep a secret from you at all. Instead of this being an engagement announcement, the three of us are throwing you an early anniversary party slash renewal of your vows ceremony." Lincoln gestured to the silent crowd. "They have offered to serve as witnesses. Us too."

"What?" Olivia whispered. "You and Anna aren't engaged?"

"Of course we're engaged." Link said with a grin. "But we'll celebrate that another day. This day is about you guys."

"Well, where is she?" Olivia began searching the crowd until her eyes fell on Anna. She motioned her to come join the five of them. When she stood beside Lincoln, Olivia held her arms out, smiling, and said, "hello, future daughter in law."

"Hello, future mother in law." The two of them hugged tightly and both cried happy tears.

"Can I see your ring?" Olivia sniffed. Anna held out her left hand and Olivia smiled through more tears. "It's absolutely beautiful. He did good."

"He did great!" Anna said with proud grin and an arm around her new fiancé.

"What made you decide to do this today?" Fitz asked, still confused as hell.

"Because today is exactly six months from your twenty fifth anniversary, but you won't be here to celebrate with us." Carter said grinning. They had surprised them so perfectly.

"Of course we will. We have no plans."

"Oh, but you do." Kate informed them, handing her mother a small packet. "The two of you are going on a cruise for your anniversary. You leave three days after Christmas and will be gone for a week. Today is for renewing your vows in front of family and friends while it's not as crazy with the holidays. Or as cold."

Tears ran down Olivia's face. She was in awe of her kids. They never ceased to amaze her. She pulled them close and she and Fitz hugged them tightly. "Thank you so much. This means the world to us. You three mean the world to us."

"We wanted to do something special for the two of you because you deserve it. You are amazing parents and are always there for us no matter what. We love you guys." Carter said.

"Besides, you're still crazy about each other. And even though that has caused some embarrassment for the three of us from time to time in our younger more impressionable years, we've never seen two people more in love as both of you." Lincoln said.

"Whaddya say? You guys wanna do this?" Kate asked.

Fitz pulled his kids in for another group hug between the five of them. He felt tears falling down his cheeks. His kids were amazing. "Wait! You sent us on a wild goose chase all day long so you could set this up? I picked up your dry cleaning!" He said with fake annoyance.

"Actually, you didn't. You picked up your best suit. We can't have our favorite groom wearing jeans and a bakery polo." Carter said with a smile.

"What is your mother going to wear though?" He asked.

"Relax, dad. Do you really think we'd let our perfect mother marry you and not take care of her? We've got this." Lincoln informed him.

"Dude, she hasn't even said yes yet." Carter reminded him.

Fitz grinned at his smartass son. He was right. Olivia hadn't agreed to it yet. She would, but he wanted to hear the words. "What do you think, Liv? Will you marry me all over again?"

Olivia looked into the brilliant blue eyes of her favorite person. Even after all this time, there were no doubts. No wondering what life would have been like if she had chosen someone else. It had always been Fitz for her since the day she met him. The first twenty five years had been nothing short of magical. She couldn't wait to get started on the next twenty five years. "In a heartbeat."

He grinned at his wife and leaned down, kissing her in front of their house full of guests as they clapped.

"There's time for that later!" Kate chided them. "Dad, you need to go to get ready in Lincoln's room. I'm going to take mom into you guys' room to help her get ready."

Fitz and Olivia held hands as they walked up the stairs. When they got to the top, Fitz whined, "We don't want to separate though! I've already seen her naked anyways. At least twice."

"Jesus, dad. You two are still so embarrassing." Lincoln said rolling his eyes and shutting the door behind them.

Olivia followed Kate and Anna into her own bedroom, highly curious as to what they had chosen for her to wear for this special occasion. She didn't have to wonder very long. A white garment bag hung from the top of her closet door. Whatever was inside was safely nestled behind the long plastic zipper. She eyed it, desperate to know what was hanging there for her to wear in front of family and friends.

Kate and Anna caught her eye and smiled at each other. "Okay, look mom. I did something. Something that you might get mad at me for doing. Something that I probably should have asked you about first, but it was part of this surprise. If you get mad, get mad at me, okay?"

"I'm sure it's fine, Kate. What's going on?" Olivia asked.

"I found your wedding dress hanging in the closet." Kate nervously began. She started twisting her fingers together. This was the only part of the day that she was scared about.

"Okay. It's twenty five years old. What did you do, set it on fire?" Olivia joked.

"I wouldn't do that, mom. I don't know how to tell you..."

"Just show it to her, Kate. She's going to love it." Anna encouraged. "You made the right decision. Stop torturing yourself."

Olivia looked at her daughter. "Anna's right. Just show me. Whatever it is, it'll be fine. I promise."

Kate swallowed hard and retrieved the handing garment bag. She carefully carried it to her parent's bed and laid it down flat on top of the comforter. Kate pulled the zipper all the way to the end and pulled out the white dress, holding it up for her mother to see.

Olivia eyed the dress her daughter was holding up. It looked kind of like her wedding dress, but different too. The lace cap sleeves were gone. Thin spaghetti straps had taken their place. The scalloped hemline was still there, but instead of being flowy at the bottom of the dress, it was more fitted. It appeared that someone had hemmed a good foot off the bottom of the dress. "Wow."

"Is that a good or a bad wow, mom?" Kate asked.

"A good one. It's gorgeous."

"Really?"

"Really." Olivia said smiling. "I knocked your father's socks off when I wore this dress the first time. Looks like we're going to have a repeat performance the second time around too." She opened her arms and gathered her daughter into her arms, holding tightly. "You are a very thoughtful girl and I'm very lucky to have you as my daughter."

"You're not mad that I had your wedding dress altered? Well, changed entirely?"

"Of course, I'm not mad. It's not like I could wear my wedding dress anywhere ever again. You just made it into something new. And sexy." Olivia looked lovingly at the dress. "My only worry is getting into this thing. It's been twenty five years, Kate."

"Mom, you're as thin as a pencil. This dress is going on you without a problem."

"Yea, but I've had three babies. Babies have a way of making your ass ginormous and leaving it that way."

"Dad still thinks you have a terrific ass." Kate giggled. "He's constantly touching it."

"Hush, you! Give me the dress and I'll go try it on." Olivia said. "This is a really nice surprise. You're amazing." She went into the bathroom and stripped excitedly, remembering to leave her bottom half bare as she had when she married Fitz the first time around. She sucked in a breath after she stepped into the dress and began pulling it up over her ass. Somehow...it fit! Like a tight fitting glove, but it fit! "Holy shit!" She squealed.

"It fits, doesn't it?" Kate called out from the other side of the door.

Olivia opened the door and stepped out.

"Ohmygod! That looks stunning on you! Like it was custom made for you! This is so great!"

"You look so beautiful, Olivia." Anna breathed. She was getting thoughts about her own wedding dress as she stared at her future mother in law.

"Thank you both. This is just...oh! Wait! What is this? Kate!" she giggled.

"Oh yea, I almost forgot about the slit I asked to be cut in it." Olivia stuck out her smooth cocoa leg with a grin. "Very sexy, mom."

"Your father is going to lose his mind." She clapped excitedly.

"I was in charge of the flowers, and I got you a pretty basic bouquet." Anna began. "But it's the thought that counts, right? I'm not very good at this stuff. No one will be looking at the flowers anyways. You don't even have to carry them It's just for.."

Olivia smiled at her soon to be second daughter. "Stop. The flowers are perfect. Thank you for being part of this day. Once you and Lincoln pick your wedding day, we will be kept very busy planning it exactly how you want it. The cake, the flowers, the dresses. It'll be so much fun to help you for your big day. Wait! We have cake, right?"

Kate smiled at her mom. "Really? Carter insisted on that being his part to do. It's beautiful. He really outdid himself."

A knock on the door sounded. "Who is it?" Anna called out.

Abby and Yvonne barged in and her eyes flew open wide at the sight of their friend in that dress. "Is that...?" Yvonne asked.

"Yup." Olivia said with a grin. "My girls did a fabulous job."

Abby squinted at her best friend. "Don't be calling my daughter your girl, Liv."

"Why not? It's not like you wouldn't claim Lincoln on your taxes as your son if I let you."

"Shut up and have a drink." she giggled pouring three glasses. "Fitz looks good, but you look amazing."

"You guys saw Fitz? Of course you saw Fitz. The two of you are like his personal little fan club."

Yvonne looked at Abby and said on a sigh, "haters."

"I'm going to touch up my make up and then I believe I'm ready to go get my man. Again."

"Do you guys need condoms for the wedding night?" Yvonne asked with a smirk.

"Yvonne!"

"Ewww! Aunt Yvonne! No!" Kate said mortified. The three adult women burst into laughter. "I'm going to go take my place. I can't hear any more of this." Kate said. "Let's go, Anna."

Fifteen minutes later, another knock sounded on the door. "This place has turned into Grand Central Station!" Abby huffed. She pulled the door open and said, "What do you want?" There was some mumbling and then Abby said, "Liv? We're going to sit down. It's time to start. Your escort is here."

Olivia was pushing an earring through her ear as she walked into the bedroom saying, "daddy, are you..." The words died on her mouth and a grin split her face. "You're not who I was expecting. But this is a nice surprise." Lincoln and Carter stood in the middle of her bedroom all dressed up in navy blue suits and big smiles.

"Grandad said he'd done the job once and that was all he was required to do." Lincoln explained to his mother.

"He said now it was our job to take care of you from now on" Carter added. "because his no good son in law..."

Olivia raised her eyebrows at her son.

"Okay, I might have made that last part up?" he chuckled. "but he did say the rest."

"Two escorts. And handsome ones at that! How lucky am I?" She picked up her flowers and looped an arm through each of her sons and the three of them headed for the door. "Is your father already downstairs?"

"Of course he is. He got dressed in five minutes, fixed his hair, brushed his teeth, and ran down to the living room. He's been talking to everybody for almost an hour." Lincoln informed him.

Just before they got to the top of the stairs, Olivia took a moment to smooth down her dress and pat her hair. "Do I look okay?"

Carter kissed her cheek. "You look great, mom. Dad definitely got the better end of the deal."

"You get compliments from the writer in the family, not the baker." Lincoln grumbled, shaking his head.

"That wedding cake you made this week was really awesome, dipshit." Carter said with a smirk. "I'm sure mom will be remembering your perfect words while she eats it."

Lincoln flipped his brother off behind their mother's back. He smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "You look regally elegant, mom. You are a beautiful person inside and out and everyone who knows you or meets you sees it. It's part of the reason why dad married you in the first place."

"Yea. What Edgar Allen Poe just said. You already got the old man. There's no reason to be nervous now." Carter added.

"Don't make me cry, you guys." Olivia whispered. "You're being a little too perfect right now."

"Carter likes a girl." Lincoln announced with a wicked grin. "Her name is Savaaaaaannah."

Olivia's head snapped to her youngest son. "Whaa..?"

Carter's eyes went wide before he shoved his brother. "I will kick your ass when this is over, Link!"

"Now we're even for the Julie thing. And I would love to see you try." Lincoln said with a chuckle.

"Oooooookay! Let's go, gentlemen." Olivia said, looping her arms through theirs once again.

The three of them turned the corner and began making their way down the stairs. Thad had the wedding march playing on his phone and held it up with a proud grin as the guests chuckled lightly. Everyone in attendance smiled at her and Olivia smiled back. She was anxiously waiting until she got closer to the bottom of the stairs, so she could see Fitz. Funny how the nerves were still there the second time around?

Fitz saw his wife and his eyes quickly scanned her from head to toe. He wasn't surprised that she looked perfectly radiant. Just like the first time he married her. Her dress was gorgeous, perfectly highlighting every curve that he knew better than the back of his hand. After almost twenty five years together, she didn't look exactly like she did the day he met her. Somehow, after birthing three kids she was still a tiny thing, but her curves were a little bit curvier, which he loved. Her smile still lit up a room every time she walked into one. And she was still his best friend and the only person Fitz wanted to do life with.

She was smiling at someone in their house, but the moment her eyes met his, that familiar spark flew between them. Fitz looked so handsome in his navy blue suit. It was her favorite suit he owned, and while she knew he hated wearing one, she also knew he wouldn't complain about it today. She couldn't wait until her studly groom could kiss her. Her smile grew even wider, her steps became a little quicker, and she couldn't wait to get to where he stood.

When Olivia reached the spot where Fitz and Kate stood, she took his hands, and he kissed them sweetly. "You look stunning, Liv. God, I married well." That brought a chuckle from most of the guests.

The boys let go of their mother's arm and stood behind their dad. "Please be seated, everyone." Rob said, as he stood between the happy couple. Olivia did a shocked double take at him. He too was wearing a blue suit and smiling politely at the crowd, who had just sat down.

"What are you doing up here?" She whispered to him.

"I'm doing your service." He whispered back on a chuckle.

"Is it going to be legal?" She asked with a grin.

"I'm an ordained minister, for your information." He told her.

"NO WAY!" Olivia said a little too loudly.

"Yes way." He said. "Now be quiet so I can marry you two."

"Fine. But we're gonna talk about this later on."

"I figured as much."

The renewal service was beautiful, and everyone clapped loudly when Fitz was finally told to kiss the bride. He looked at his wife and with a huge grin, said, "Are you ready for the magic, my Queen?"

Grinning right back, she replied, "let's see what you got" and put her arms around his neck. Fitz dipped her as he had done earlier that day at the spot where they had met, and the cheering became deafening. Lincoln and Carter clapped their father on the back and Kate handed her mother back her flowers and refused to cry.

The happy couple held hands and wore huge grins as everyone took photos with the phones. Olivia loved the amazing creation that Carter had decorated, especially the two yellow ducks that sat side by side on top of it. "We figured if we're ducks, then you two had to be ducks too." Carter explained. Fitz and Olivia cut the beautiful cake, feeding each other without incident. They sipped wine out of goblets. They happily chatted with their friends and family members, taking countless selfies with just about everyone in attendance.

It was late, and things were winding down. Fitz put his arm around his wife, before stealing a kiss from her and picking up a goblet, clanging against the side of it with a knife. "Olivia and I want to say a few things before we head off to our bedroom to begin the honeymoon and all of you people get the hell out of here. First of all, we want to thank all of you for coming here today to celebrate Liv and me. You're all very important to us and our kids and we couldn't have had better people to surround ourselves with. You all are the absolute best and we love you all dearly.

To our three perfectly amazing, selfless, big hearted kids. You guys never cease to amaze us. Your mother and I will never forget this day and how special it was, and how all of you were the ones to make it happen. You three are the best thing that ever happened to us. Our lives were damned near perfect before we had kids. At least we thought it was. But one by one, the three of you added so much more to our lives than we could have ever imagined. Lincoln, Carter, and Katherine, we are so proud of the people you have become. We love you so much."

"Awwww, group hug." Kate sang.

The five of them met in the middle of the room and they hugged each other one by one before coming together in a group hug. Fitz mumbled something to his family that only they could hear. "I'm not doing that", "Daaaaaad", and "ohmygod, really?" could be heard as the party guests looked on with confused smiles.

Suddenly they all put their hands in the center and Fitz's deep baritone voice loudly yelled, "ONE, TWO, THREE..."

"DUCKS FOR LIFE!" The five of them yelled, throwing their hands up in the air excitedly.