Olivia tried to stifle a yawn as she stepped in front of a mirror for what felt like the thousandth time in a matter of hours. Abby, her sweet best friend and maid of honor, had woken her at the crack of dawn with a crystal glass of mimosa and rushed her through a shower. She then was swept up in a whirlwind of curling irons, hairspray, blush, and eyelashes. Olivia had had little time to think about anything which seemed to help keep her nerves at bay.
She glanced down at the thin, silver watch encircling her wrist. It had been an engagement present from President Grant, and she had worn it everyday without fail for the last year and a half. The watch served as a reminder of the life that she left behind in order to stand in the sun with her soon to be husband. A life that, though she missed the power and the high she got from wielding it, had almost cost her her freedom, her career, everything that she held dear. As she thought, she watched the hands shift to three o'clock. In a matter of three hours, she would finally be walking down the aisle with Fitz waiting for her at the end. It all still seemed like a dream. Like at any moment she would wake up, alone in her apartment, and none of the last year and a half would have been real. The thought made her breath catch in her throat as she willed herself not to cry.
A soft smile wandered across her face as she thought of how far they had come since leaving DC. They were able to laugh with each other again. He had put the twinkle back her in eye that had at one point gone dim. She had given him back the spring in his step, knowing everyday that she would be waiting for him when he came home. They were able to make the life together that they had dreamt of ever since they shared their first moment on the campaign trail almost ten years before. Olivia knew that nothing short of death would or could prevent her from being with Fitz. She would give up the world as long as it meant she would have him by her side; she knew he would do the same.
"Liv. Liv. Olivia!" Abby's exasperated tone of voice drew Olivia from her thoughts. "It's time to put your dress on."
Olivia turned to see Abby standing behind her, her wedding dress draped across her arms. She smiled at her best friend and nodded as slipped her robe from her shoulders. Lifting her arms, Olivia heard the ruffling of the crinoline as Quinn helped Abby pass the dress over her head without destroy the braid and curls that flowed down her shoulders.
Tracing the lines of the lace beneath her fingers, Olivia watched as Quinn, Abby, and Mellie fussed over each of the small white buttons that ran down her spine. The three women had been fussing over her all morning, making sure that she had plenty of mimosas and popcorn, being the absolute best maid of honor and bridesmaids she could have ever asked for. She surveyed each of the women behind her, thinking again about how far each of their relationships had come in the last few years.
She had almost destroyed her relationship with Abby Wheelan. Between the blackmail, the murder, and the flat out lying, Olivia was still surprised that her best friend had forgiven her for all the wrongs that she had committed. Abby's capacity for understanding even when Olivia's plans had a hand in the death of her would be fiance, David Rosen, shocked her even greater still. She was more than thankful that the red head had found forgiveness in her heart because Olivia knew that she wouldn't the person she was today if she hadn't.
Glancing over at Quinn, Olivia couldn't help but smile. From saving the young woman's freedom to almost costing her her life, Olivia had to admit that she owed Quinn more than she would ever be able to repay. So much of the horrible tragedies in her friend's life were because of Olivia's actions and choices. While she wasn't exactly sorry that those things happened, she was sorry that the sacrifices at Quinn's expense had been so vast.
And then there was Mellie. Oh the irony of Mellie Grant being a bridesmaid in Olivia's wedding was almost more than she could handle, especially since the man she was marrying was Mellie's ex-husband, but the animosity that the women had had for each other had melted away. They had become thick as thieves since Olivia's departure from DC, skyping whenever they could, texting and calling any hour of the day and night. It was funny because Olivia now couldn't imagine her life without Mellie almost as much as she couldn't imagine her life without Fitz.
Olivia was once again pulled from her thoughts as Mellie swept Olivia's hair over her shoulders and tucked the clip for her veil amidst the curls and braids piled at the base of her neck. She caught the woman's eye in the mirror and mouthed a silent "Thank you" because she had no other words to express her gratitude. A firm squeeze of her shoulder was given in reply as Mellie spread the veil over her shoulders, allowing it to float down her back. The silent gesture caused tears to well up in Olivia's eyes. She was more than thankful for Mellie's willingness to be her bridesmaid after everything they had been through together.
There was a soft "Ahem" from behind the women causing them to turn towards the voice. Behind them stood Huck, dressed in a jet black, loosely tailored tux. Olivia could see the unshed tears that filled his eyes as she took two steps towards her oldest friend. She gave the man a warm smile before folding into his embrace. If Olivia was truly thankful to have one person in her life, it was Huck. The man had been through more than his share of hell in life but he still made Olivia a top priority from protecting her to even agreeing to walk her down the aisle. While she and her father had repaired the relationship after his testimony about B613 and her move to Vermont, it only seemed right to Olivia to ask Huck to give her away.
Pulling back from their embrace, Olivia lovingly patted Huck's cheek and whispered with a smile, "You clean up good, my friend."
"The same could be said of you, Liv." he returned, a watery smile crossing his lips. "Everyone is ready to begin whenever you are. I think Fitz is going to jump out of his skin if we don't get this show on the road soon."
"So the man with nerves of steel when it came to being president, has the jitters about walking down the aisle again?" Olivia asked with a hearty chuckle. The man she was about to marry never ceased to surprise her. She knew he wasn't nervous about marrying her. He was nervous about the press ruining their special day. They had both gone through extreme lengths to keep the location of the wedding a secret, which so far seemed to be working.
"He's not nervous, Liv. He's just ready to get out of his monkey suit." Quinn piped up behind her.
This sent the whole group into fits of laughter. If there was one thing they all knew about Fitzgerald Grant, it was the fact that he absolutely hated having to wear a tux. He had practically begged Olivia to let him wear a black suit, but she eventually won out because she knew that Fitz would be waiting at the end of aisle in the same black tux that Huck was wearing beside her.
Taking Huck's hand in one hand, she picked up her bouquet in the other. She made her way towards the door as the rest of the bridal party grabbed their own flowers.
Turning to face her closest friends, she said, "Let's get this show on the road!"
They had decided to have the wedding in the backyard of the Vermont house with the spectacular view of the mountains as the backdrop. Olivia knew that the double french doors in the living room were open because she could hear the sounds of hushed voices and soft classical music as she and Huck made their way down the hall. Quinn, Mellie, and Abby took their places in front of her, ready to make their entrances.
Abby turned, grabbed Olivia's elbow, and gave it a tight squeeze as she said, "I love you, Liv. I'm so glad you finally get your happy ending."
"Abby Wheelan, don't you make me cry right now." was all Olivia could say in reply. She switched her bouquet to her other hand, taking Abby's in it. "I love you too, Abby. I couldn't make it through without you. Thank you for everything."
Before Abby could reply, it was her time to walk down the aisle. Olivia saw her wipe a tear away before it had the chance to mess up her makeup. As Abby walked out the doors into the backyard, Olivia's breath caught in her throat. The nerves that had been kept at bay all day were finally upon her. Her grip on Huck's arm tightened as she heard the music change to the soft melody of 'I Can't Help Falling In Love With You.' Fitz had practically begged her to walk down the aisle to this song so much that she couldn't have said no even if she wanted to.
She took a deep breath as she and Huck stepped over the threshold out into the sunlight. She heard of collective gasp as their guest took in her dress but the only person she saw was Fitz. He was waiting for her underneath the oak tree at the end of the aisle. Standing under the arbor that he built just for their day, she could see the tears already streaming down Fitz's face. As she took in the sight of him in his tux, she noticed that he had indeed decided to forego a bow tie, and she loved it. She couldn't take her eyes off of him. Without even realizing it, she and Huck had come to stand under the arbor.
Olivia was startled from her daze as the minister asked, "Who gives this woman to marry this man?"
Huck cleared his throat and loudly replied, "Her family and I do." He turned and smiled at Olivia. Then after giving her a kiss on the cheek, he passed her hand into Fitz's before taking his place in line behind Quinn.
"We gather here today to join two people who have been through many trials to be together." the minister continued. "Olivia and Fitz have overcome many obstacles and their love is stronger than ever. They are a true lesson on what love is. Will you place take each other's hands?"
Olivia turned to hand Abby her bouquet. She saw all three women standing behind her had tears running down their cheeks. Smiling at her best friend, she turned back to the man in front of her and took his hands in hers.
"Fitz and Olivia have written their own vows to share with each other today. Fitz, will you please share your vows with Olivia."
Grasping her hands tightly in his, Olivia felt tears welling up in her eyes as Fitz began his vows.
"Ten years I have loved you. When we met, things were not easy. I mean I was married." A peel of laughter erupted from the crowd. Fitz glances over Olivia's shoulder to Mellie, who was laughing with a genuine smile on her face. She nodded towards Fitz as he continued. "But even after I wasn't, we still went through so many struggles. From wanting to be together so badly it hurt to the verge of hating each other for our most questionable actions, nothing has stopped us from making it here."
"We are finally making a life together. And nothing could make me happier. So today, I take you not only to be my wife but to be my home. No matter where life may take us or what we may go through, I will stand by you." Fitz's voice cracked as more tears streamed down his face. His vows came out in little more than a whisper that Olivia could hear as he went on, "When you are weak, I'll be your strength. When you are angry, I'll be your peace. When you are sad, I'll be your happiness. I love you, Olivia, with every piece of my heart. For all the days of my life."
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Olivia began her own vows. "I never dreamt of the big white wedding dress or a house with rooms to fill with children. I dreamt of being a lawyer and making a difference in the world. And then, I met you. The moment that I realized I loved you, that all changed. I could see myself in the dress walking down the aisle towards you. I saw myself having your children. And it scared the hell out of me."
Fitz's eyebrows shot up as a smirk shot across her face. "I thought at one time I could live without you, but I was wrong. So wrong. The times without you in my life were the worst I've been through. You were my guiding light and without that light, I lost my way. But you never gave up on me. You loved me enough to guide me back. I am so thankful to become your wife. Today I take you not only to be my husband but my home. When you are scared, I will be your courage. When you are tired, I will be your rest. When you are discouraged, I will be your motivation. No matter what we encounter, I will love you with everything I have. For every day for the rest of our lives."
As Olivia finished her vows, Fitz's released her hand just long enough to wipe away his tears. Taking her hand again, he could do nothing but return her smile.
"The symbol of the wedding band represents a love with no end. Fitz's and Olivia has decided to exchange rings as symbols of their love and dedication for each other." the minister said as the couple took the rings from Abby and Teddy. "Fitz, take the ring, place it on Olivia's finger, and repeat after me. I, Fitzgerald, take you Olivia to be my wife. With everything I have and everything I am, my heart belongs to you. I give you this ring as an eternal symbol of my love. Forever and always."
Looking deeply into Olivia's eyes, Fitz repeated, "I, Fitzgerald, take you Olivia to be my wife. With everything I have and everything I am, my heart belongs to you. I give you this ring as an eternal symbol of my love. Forever and always." Finishing, he pushed the ring onto Olivia's finger, squeezing her finger and smiling when she squeezed back.
Turning to Olivia, the minister said, "Olivia, place the ring on Fitz's finger and repeat after me. I, Olivia, take you Fitz to be my husband. With everything I have and everything I am, my heart belongs to you. I give you this ring as an eternal symbol of my love. Forever and always." She pushed the ring onto Fitz's finger, impatiently waiting for the minister to say the words she had been longing to hear for ten years.
"With the exchanging of vows and rings, by the power vested in me by God and the state of Vermont, I now pronounce you husband and wife." Smiling at the couple in front of him, he said, "Fitz, you may kiss your bride."
As the crowd erupted in cheers, enormous smiles spread across Fitz and Olivia's faces. Olivia felt her new husband wrap his arms around her waist and dipped her, his lips crashing into hers. Finally letting her up for air, they intertwined their fingers and threw their hands in the air.
"I would like to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald Grant." the minister announced, barely heard over the another loud round of cheers.
As they made their way back up the aisle into the house amidst the flurry of cheers, clapping hands, and smiling faces, Fitz leaned over and whispered into his new wife's ear, "We finally did it, sweet baby. You and me for forever."