So I wrote a thing. Not sure where I'm going with it, but it should be interesting. Please read and let me know what you think. Be kind. Thank you.
TBOT
Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III
Along with Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Satchel Mondesire Senior
REQUEST THE HONOR OF YOUR PRESENCE AT THE WEDDING OF THEIR CHILDREN
ELLIOTT
CHRISTINE MARIE GRANT
and
BRADLEY
SATCHEL "SATCH" MONDESIRE II
SATURDAY, JULY 7TH
4PM at UNION CHAPEL
55 NARRANAGANSETT AVENUE
OAK BLUFFS, MASSACHUSETTS
Reception to follow
July, Tisbury, MA, Sugar Hill
Fitz Grant reclined on a beach chair, his long legs stretched out before him, on the private beach of his family's Martha's Vineyard compound. He along with his brother, cousins and friends were smoking cigars, drinking snifters of Double Barrel's aged bourbon, and trash talking while their wives held court a mile away by the pool. As the sun slowly made its descent behind the clouds, they'd decided to build a large bonfire and it blazed beautifully against the backdrop of the ocean waters.
They were all relaxing before the big day, and the reason three generations of Grants and Popes had all converged on the island: the wedding of Elliott Grant and Satch Mondesire. It had been a busy week of pre-wedding parties, showers and luncheons, which would culminate in the wedding at two 'o clock the next day, followed by the reception on the front lawn of Sugar Hill. Earlier, the wedding party along with a few family members and friends had attended the rehearsal dinner at the Oaks Bluff home of his in-laws, and he'd invited everyone back to Sugar Hill.
"So cousin, how does it feel to be father of the bride?" Sumner asked before sucking in a mouthful of tobacco, and then blowing out a cloud of smoke.
Fitz took a long sip of his drink before answering Sumner. "Honestly cousin, I don't think anything can prepare me for tomorrow. I've made peace with it, knowing that even though it's breaking my heart that she's leaving, it is also a new beginning for her. But you already know this."
Sumner nodded at his cousin. He did in fact know. His eldest daughter, Nola, had gotten married the previous summer and now she and her NBA player husband, Ahmad Gaston, were living in the Bay Area, where he played power forward for team blue and yellow.
"Elle's my first, and she's special. When she left for college, I was heartbroken and I missed her, but I always knew she would come back home. She's going to be gone after tomorrow, and it's hard to imagine life and our home without her. I'm a strong man, but just thinking about it is making my heart very heavy."
All of the men were quiet. Patrick Grant was the only dad present without a daughter, but the others were commiserating with Fitz, and definitely thinking about that day.
"Don't get me wrong," Fitz continued, "ever since the engagement party, the excitement and energy of planning Elle's wedding has been the happiest time of my life. Even after seeing all of the invoices and signing the checks. And I have three more!"
There was a round of laughter.
"When we arrived on the island, a wave of emotions hit me full force. I realized that I'm being moved to a new position as the number two man in her life." His voice caught as he said those last words, prompting Ford Grant to reach over and rub his brother's shoulder. He was feeling some kind of way too. His beautiful niece, with the identical eyes, held a special place in his heart and he wasn't ready for her to get married either.
"Well cousin, I'm a year in, and I can honestly say, it does get better. Elle's marrying a good man," he looked at Brad Mondesire and nodded. "You just have to get through tomorrow. And at least you won't have to fly across country to visit. She's still going to be in D.C."
Fitz nodded. Sumner was correct. Elliott had matched at GW in their Neurology Residency Training Program. She would be in D.C. for the next four years.
"You know who's very happy about tomorrow?" Sumner asked.
"No, who?" Ford asked.
"Our mothers! They'll be even, with one married grandchild each."
Everyone laughed, the mood lightened.
"Are they still competing?" Patrick asked incredulously.
"It's not so much a competition as being able to brag and gloat over their beautiful granddaughters weddings," Ryan, Sumner's brother, responded.
More laughter.
Holding his cigar between his thumb and forefinger, Harrison blew out a series of smoke rings. "When's Noah going to settle down, Sumner?"
Sumner relit his cigar and pushed out his lips. "Only time will tell. My son is too transient and too much of a free spirit to settle down. He's busy with his career as a sports agent, and that's okay. He'll get married and start a family when he's ready."
Most of those present were aware that Charlotte Wright, Harrison's daughter, and Noah had had a brief relationship that ended amicably. What they didn't know was that the two were seeing each other again, and had been for the past six months.
Harrison lifted his snifter toward Sumner, smiling. The men continued talking until they were joined by their wives.
X
The couples were all huddled together, wrapped around each other. There were several charcuterie boards along with bottles of wine and champagne, and snifters of bourbon flowed like water all around. Harrison had called it a family friendly orgy and loud laughter rang out through the night air.
Olivia Pope Grant eased her tired torso against her husband's broad chest, as she sat between his legs. His chin rested in her curls, and his arms were wrapped around her, his fingers brushing gentle caresses against the backs of her hands and her forearms. His touch was loving and easy. They were enjoying themselves before reality set in.
"I spoke to our son earlier," she said. "He and Hayes III were hanging out on Aunt Caro's front porch with a group of kids from the neighborhood. He promised that he would be in bed by one, and couldn't wait to end the call."
Fitz chuckled. "I'm sure there were girls in that group."
Olivia nodded. "You would be correct. Our sixteen year old son loves the ladies."
"A regular chip off the old block," Fitz said. "He gets it from his daddy," he added before breaking into loud laughter.
Olivia pinched him before joining in the laughter.
When they calmed down, Fitz spoke again.
"How are you, Livvie?"
Olivia sighed. "Exhausted. It's been a long day. The last six months have been quite busy, and I've been going nonstop. This wedding better go off without a hitch," she said chuckling.
Of course they'd hired Roxanne and her team to coordinate the engagement party and Elliott and Satchel's wedding. Olivia, Satchel and Thea Mondesire had made a lot of the decisions since Elliott was in the middle of her final clinical rotations, studying for the medical licensing exam and getting ready to graduate medical school.
Fitz laughed. "Everything will be perfect, Livvie. Roxy and her team have everything under control. You've checked and double checked everything, so just relax. And if you're tired, you can go on up to bed."
She shook her head. "I'm too wired, Fitz. Our baby is getting married tomorrow," she said as if she still couldn't believe it.
He squeezed his wife closer. "I know. It's finally starting to hit me too, and I don't know how to process it."
Olivia lifted their joined hands and kissed her husband's knuckles. "I know babe. It's bittersweet and a little sad. But our daughter is happy and in love. They made it through the drama of last year and are starting a new life together as husband and wife. We're going to have to let her go."
Fitz nodded.
"Besides, we knew this day would come ten years ago, when they first started dating. And tomorrow's a culmination of that. Satch is a wonderful young man and he loves our daughter, probably as much as you love me. He will make her happy and keep her safe, just like you did."
Fitz's eyes were glistening with tears as he listened to his wife. He just didn't want to think about his first princess leaving home forever, to begin a new life with her new husband.
Olivia snuggled deeper into her husband's embrace. No other words were spoken, they weren't necessary.
"Daddy told me what you guys did earlier at the rehearsal dinner."
Fitz's eyebrows rose in surprise. "He did?"
She nodded. "Yes, he did."
"Well it was his idea. We all just went along."
Earlier…
Satchel and Elliott were talking to a group of their friends when Ford tapped him on the shoulder. "Follow me."
Satchel looked at Elliott and she shrugged. He turned and followed Ford into Eli and Maya Pope's home. They walked into the large living room where a line of men, including his father, uncle and best friend, were standing in silence.
"What's this?" Satch asked.
"No questions. Just sit," his father said as he pushed him towards an empty chair.
"Bradley Satchel Mondesire II, did I raise you right?"
His father's unexpected question and no-nonsense tone had Satch's attention. "Yes, Dad. Absolutely."
"Then don't embarrass me. Treat your wife like the rare gem she is. Show everyone how a real man loves a woman. Russell?" he called to his brother.
"Endurance," his uncle Russell added. "Brian?"
Satchel's best friend, Brian Bennett, spoke. "Faithfulness. Noah?"
"Patience. Ford?"
"Honesty. Harrison?"
"Satisfaction," he said with a devilish grin, and everyone laughed.
One word prayers flowed from man to man, ending with Fitz. "Satch, I wish your union every good thing because that's what you're marrying. My daughter means the world to me. As I told you ten years ago, and again last year when you asked for her hand in marriage: hurt her and I'll have to hurt you. Are we clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"You have my love and respect. I can't add anything to what these fine men have already said except enjoy your last night as a single man."
"Son, are you crying?" Brad asked.
"Something like that,"he said before standing. The men in the room moved in and hugged Satch and shook his hand before returning to the Pope's large backyard, where a large air conditioned tent had been set up for the rehearsal dinner.
Present…
"That was a beautiful thing you guys did." Olivia angled her head and looked at her husband. "I love you Fitzgerald Grant," she said before kissing him.
They were soon pulled out of their bubble when Ford called his brother's name, and they joined the conversation going on around them.
X
An hour later, the bride-to-be and a few of her bridesmaids, including her sisters, returned from their outing and joined their parents on the beach. Fitz and Olivia looked lovingly at their four curly haired daughters as they approached them.
"Hi, Mom. Hi, Daddy," they said as each leaned over and gave their parents a kiss.
"Hello, ladybugs," Olivia responded.
"How was the party?" Fitz asked.
"It wasn't really a party, Daddy," Maxwell answered. "Me, Spence and Sloaney are too young to drink, so we just hung out at Loft and played a few games of pool and darts."
"Nola had to leave to pick Ahmad up from the airport, so we called it an evening," Elliott added.
"Well we all have a long day tomorrow, so we'll be packing up soon." Olivia said.
"Okay," the triplets said in unison before they turned and walked away to join Satch's sister, Asher, and a few of their cousins on a blanket, away from their parents.
Elliott took a seat on the recliner between her mother's legs, and leaned back against her chest. Olivia wrapped her arms around her daughter.
"Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Daddy. I am so happy, and I'm going to have the perfect wedding."
Olivia leaned down and kissed Elliott's curls. "You don't have to thank us, sweet pea. We're your parents, and we just want you to be happy."
"Your mother's right, princess. We just want to make your wedding day special."
"Well it will be, Daddy. I can't think of anything else I could possibly want."
Fitz and Olivia had spared no expense on their daughter's wedding.
"Just enjoy your day, sweet pea."
Elliott nodded.
Olivia tried to stifle a yawn, but she couldn't shake the lack of energy brought on by the lack of sleep.
"Livvie, please call it a night. You've been going full throttle all week. I don't want you to crash and burn before we get our daughter down the aisle tomorrow."
Everyone laughed.
"Go on up and go to bed. I'll take care of our guests." He tapped Elliott's shoulder and she stood from the recliner. Then he helped his wife stand to her feet before finally standing with her. Olivia stood on her toes and kissed her husband, and then her daughter, before making her rounds and saying goodnight to everybody. Fitz and Elliott watched as she, along with Cecily, August and Mela walked towards the big house and disappeared.
Elliott put her arm around her father's waist and began to walk him away from the bonfire and down the beach. They walked in silence for a while before either of them said a word.
"Are you ready for tomorrow, princess?"
"Yes, Daddy. I'm ready. You don't need to worry."
"I just want to make sure this is what you want. I don't want you to make a commitment if you're not ready." He glanced at his daughter.
"Daddy, don't you think it's a little late for this conversation? I mean, I'm getting married in a little over fourteen hours. Are fathers of the bride supposed to get cold feet?" she asked chuckling.
"Every father, on the eve of giving his daughter away has cold feet. It's nothing personal against Satch. He's a fine young man. I just want to make sure you said 'yes' to his proposal because you're ready to get married."
Elliott stopped walking and looked up at her father. He had a concerned look on her face. She knew why.
"Daddy, I wouldn't be marrying Satch if I wasn't sure. I love him with all my heart, and I'm marrying him because I don't want to live without him. Because when I think about being without him, I feel sort of dizzy and sick, and I don't want to lose him again."
Fitz smiled at his baby, his eyes watered a little. "Believe it or not, that's exactly how I feel when I think about losing your mother for any reason."
"I believe it," Elliott said, before taking his hand and continuing down the beach.
"You know Elle, I don't know what I'm going to do now that you're all grown up, getting married and making a life with your new husband."
"Daddy I'm getting married, not leaving forever."
"I know, but I'm going to miss hanging out with you. I could always count on you to listen to my corny stories and humor your old man."
"We can still do that, only now you'll sometimes have an extra pair of ears listening. Satch really loves and respects you, you know."
He nodded. "I know. I guess I like him…as much as I could like the man who's making me give away my first princess," he said quietly. "I couldn't hand you off to a man I didn't think deserved you, Elle. But Satch is the one."
Elliott kissed his cheek. "Yes he is, Daddy. Thank you."
Fitz didn't respond. He just pulled his daughter into a tight hug, kissing her curls. The moment brought back memories of the first time he held the daughter he didn't know he had. Now, like then, he didn't want to ever let her go. They stood holding on to each other. Fitz sighed, but still didn't speak. He didn't need to because Elliott understood.
He finally let her go and she reached up and wiped a tear from his cheek. "It's going to be okay, Daddy. Satch is understanding and supportive, and he will never feel put out or neglected if we don't get to spend a lot of time together because of my career. I know that now."
Fitz finally smiled.
"I'm ready, Daddy. I love Satch and he loves me. We're in love," she said, trying to reassure him. She knew his reluctance to let her go physically and emotionally was partially a result of her pending nuptials, but also because of the fallout from the previous year, when she'd turned down Satch's proposal and when all hell had broken loose.