Chapter 3
It had been awhile since Jake had been stationed at his home Navy base. Of course he hadn't grown up in California so it wasn't technically his home but after spending four years of college here, the place had been near and dear to his heart. It was somewhere he didn't mind calling home. Stephen had let him borrow his car for the evening and Jake planned to make the best of it. He had been at the Navy base all morning and now he was going back to the apartment. Two weeks he had been home and it still felt weird being back. He couldn't put his finger on why but of course Stephen would infer it had something to do with him not seeing Olivia yet. He had been taking his time on letting her know he was back, scared that their friendship was deteriorating, from their lack of communication the past few years.
He had scheduled a few house visits for the day. Mostly apartments near the base just in case. He loved Stephen but he just couldn't room with him again. It nearly drove him insane in college. Glancing at his watch its 2:45 and he thinks it's enough time to go to Stephen's, change, meet a few realtors and then head out for drinks later with some old friends.
His conversation a few days ago with Stephen plays over again. He figured that Stephen must have been a great lawyer, observing him like some specimen in a lab. Though Jake believed he was a good lawyer, didn't mean he was right about anything he said. Stephen's imagination always got the better of him anyways.
Once back in the empty apartment, Jake alters his outfit and with a little time to spare he decides to help his buddy out by straightening up the mess he has seen for the last few days. The TV plays in the background until all tasks are done; he debates whether or not to continue watching the TV or leave earlier. Viewing the current program, he passes on the show and makes his way to Finch's office.
####
Walking into the building he's directed to the tenth floor where Stephen's office lies. As soon as he gets off the elevator it's hectic and he can see people constantly moving and bumping into him. He reaches the receptionist desk, where he sees a blonde woman with curls taking calls. Jake waits patiently for her to finish, and smiles kindly at her. "Hello. How may I help you?"
"I'm looking for a Stephen Finch." She takes her time to look at the names until she finds him.
"His office is down the hall on the left. It's cubicle number 6." Moving through the office, he comes in contact with a red head searching the web. She smiles politely at him and he returns the gestures before walking towards her.
"Hello. I was wondering, could you tell me where cubicle 6 is?" Her face scrunches up and he suspects it is because she has no time for this conversation.
"You're friends with Stephen?"
"Yes." Looking him up and down, he feels like there's something she wants to say, and she does.
"Do you frequent whores as well?" He's taken aback by the question.
"No. Would that be a problem?" She doesn't answer his question but sends him on his way.
"He's the next aisle down." She busies herself again with whatever is on the computer screen in front of her.
"Thank you." He goes down the aisle and sees Stephen looking through some papers. He waits for the man to notice him and it takes him all of two minutes. "So this is what you do all day?"
"You're here early?"
"I got bored at your place." Jake observes his friends small office space. It lacked personality but he was sure Stephen just being in the vicinity brought it to life.
"I hope Abby didn't give you any problems."
He points in the direction of where he has just come from, "Are you talking about the red head who asked me did I frequent whores?"
"Yeah, she's a bit aggressive but she means well. I'm going to be about another twenty minutes here. But about those drinks?"
"Are you turning down free drinks?" It wasn't like Stephen to turn down free anything.
"No. Never. Something important at work has come up. There's this charity event tonight. I completely forgot that I have to go. Boss wants me to make an appearance."
"You're getting your free drinks somewhere else. That's fine. I'll go back to the apartment and make other plans."
"Or you can be my plus one. I'd rather take you than anybody else."
"I'm having a hard time believing that. I'm sure you know of a few professionals that can assist you." Stephen knows what he's hinting at but ignores it.
"But I want you." Stephen clutches his heart mocking sincerity. Jake crosses his arms.
"Alright what time do I have to be there?"
"Party starts at 5, so be there by 6," Understanding the altered events for the night, the captain nods and turns away. "Oh and Jake…wear that outfit I like."
"The blue one. You got it babes." The two share a laugh before Jake exits the office.
###
Abby stares intently as she watches Stephen's friend walk away. He sounds familiar but she cannot place where she has heard that voice before. She goes back to the ringing phone, before trying to remember gives her a headache.
"Hello, how may I help you?" Listening to the other caller, she takes notes until she notices Cyrus making his way to her. "Alright, those copies will be given to Ms. Pope as soon as she gets here."
"Gabby!" The man never seems to pay the assistant any mind. She gathers that from the fact that he constantly calls her the wrong name. She fixes it as politely as possible.
"It's Abby sir."
He disregards the comment with a wave of his hand, "Where is she?"
"She won't be back for ten minutes." She didn't need to check Liv's schedule because she understood every part of it.
"Let her know that she needs to get these to Karen as soon as possible. We only have a few more days to get it done." He hands her a stack of papers and Abby places it in another small file beside the first.
"Yes Mr. Beene." She watches the man disappear into the office two doors down. She wasn't a fan of Cyrus, he was rude and vindictive. She only saw him show kindness to Olivia, his husband and his little girl Ella. Other than that, Abby thought the man had sold his soul long ago.
The only reason she dealt with him was because of Olivia. Now she had met Liv four years ago, and the two became good friends. It wasn't until Liv beat her abusive ex-husband with a crowbar that they became even closer. Abby had felt indebted to her but Liv didn't want her to feel that way. She only wanted Abby safe away from her violent counterpart. Now to make up for that, Abby would follow Liv over a cliff. But with Liv it had never come to that. Liv gave her this job to have a new start and Abby was very grateful.
Checking her watch she sees that ten minutes have passed exactly and she can hear a faint voice as she approaches. "Tell the Senator that it's handled. And if he has another problem tell him it'd be best to keep his penis locked away until the campaigns over."
Olivia struts towards the red head, and notices her style. It's has gotten more tailored, elegant, and from the looks of it expensive from the items she use to wear years ago. Placing her cell phone back in her oversized purse, Olivia greets the woman warmly. "Hey Abby."
"Hi Liv." The two women are now standing a few feet away from each other.
"You have anything for me?"
"Yeah Cyrus wants this to get to Karen ASAP." Handing over the stack of papers, Abby watches Liv look through it.
"Send it to Lauren instead. Tell her if it doesn't get to where it needs to go, she'll have a problem with both Cyrus and me." Nodding her head Olivia finishes, "If that's all Abby you can have the rest of the afternoon off to get ready for the charity event. You are coming right?"
"Yes. I bought my dress yesterday."
"I think I have enough gowns to be set for life." Abby chuckles and Liv walks into her office. "Are you going with Stephen?"
"He's giving me a ride, but I think he's also giving Harrison a ride as well."
"Harrison's coming. That's great. Stephen needs to associate with some more male friends."
"Stephen had another guy in here not too long before you came. He says he's a friend of his but he doesn't buy whores?" Looking up Olivia shows a quizzical face.
"Somebody besides Harrison, I have to meet this guy."
"He's coming to the event tonight." Liv gives her a look, "Stephen told me about it at lunch." The sound of Abby's phone ringing goes off in the background. "Okay, I have to go Liv. I'll see you later."
"Thank you Abby."
###
Night life in Santa Barbara was always curious to Olivia, besides the endless political parties, gatherings, charities, campaigns or other events. She had never really experienced it. Most of her time was spent building a name for herself; working long hours to get a job done and not being able to hang out with friends because she needed to pull an all-nighter. Of course, Stephen would get on her about it, Abby tried to understand, and Mellie was there on those nights when it would be too much. She had some pretty amazing people in her life that loved her and cared for her. Sometimes she didn't feel lucky but when she remembered things like the fact that she was 32 and owned half of a firm with Cyrus made it all worthwhile.
"What are you thinking about?" Fitz' fingers intertwine with hers, glancing down she tightens the grip, the flash of her engagement ring catching her eye.
"How lucky I am to have you in my life." Bringing her hand to his lips he gently brushes them against the skin. "Do you think we are going to have fun tonight?"
"I have to think that. Though…" Liv smiles, "we can always sneak off and have some fun of our own. All you have to do is give me a sign."
"Sounds like a plan." Liv shuffles to grab her purse, "Are you prepared for your speech?" The question has another meaning and Fitz picks that up.
"You mean am I ready to tell California that I'm marrying the love of my life?"
Her smile at deciphering what she actually means causes him to grin as well. "Yes."
"I want to scream it from the rooftops." The limousine pulls up in front of the hall and Olivia steps out. They arrive a little late but they like that. Majority of the paparazzi have gone and they can just ease their way inside. Stepping into the hall the event is moving along. Arm in arm the couple makes their way inside. They stop here and there to talk to a few city councilmen and the mayor of Santa Barbara. They have greeted with the important people, when Liv sees Andy and Mells talking at their table.
"I see they sat us with the interesting people."
"Livvie." Mells hurries to her best friend's side, big smile on her face. "Andrew here was starting to bore me."
Not even looking up from his plate, Andrew speaks, "I can hear you sweetie."
"Sorry. I love you." She says. "This place is making me wonder why I chose to get into politics. Didn't you put this together?"
"I can't make this evening fun, Mells. You know that. That's up to the guests."
"If you say so." Olivia takes her seat next to Fitz and Mellie returns to hers. "Isn't Cyrus supposed to be coming to this thing?"
"James doesn't want to leave until Ella goes to sleep. She wasn't feeling well and he wanted to make sure everything was okay before leaving. That was an hour ago so they should be on their way now."
Mellie leans into her husband as he finishes the items on his plate. "Are you guys going to tell everyone you're engaged? I can't wait. I already started making plans for the wedding and its not even mine."
"You know the deal I helped plan yours, now you help plan mine." Olivia remembers how stressed out Mellie had gotten the closer it got to her wedding. She stepped in to help take off some of the pressure and when it was all said and done Mellie promised when Liv's day came, she would be there to take off some of the stress.
"I still don't understand that." Andrew jumps into the conversation. "Don't you have any ideas of your own?"
"She's not picking out every little detail. But she can help me with the big stuff." Liv defends her decision to have Mells assist planning her wedding.
Fitz enjoys the conversation being held between the friends. "To answer your question Mellie, I'm going to let everyone know during the speech I'm giving."
"If you can't tell I'm very excited. It never crossed my mind that Liv would get married."
Leaning her head on her fiancé's shoulder, "Neither did I."
There is finally some silence when a woman comes over and greets the table. "Hello everyone, sorry to interrupt but Governor Grant they are ready for you."
####
"Jake what took you so long?" Stephen is standing outside talking to a beautiful woman in a red long gown, now getting in a taxi.
"I had to stop by the base to grab something." Stephen begins to lead him into the building.
"You're two hours late. They just got through the last speech." Jake doesn't understand what the problem is; now that the formal stuff is done all the fun stuff can start. He has been to his fair share of political events and he knows the good stuff doesn't start until the formalities are done.
Before he can answer, he sees the woman from the office appear, "Why did you leave us with him?"
Stephen knows immediately who she is talking about, "What Huck?"
"Yes. He's very scary. Like he would chop my body up and throw it in the river," Abby whispers very loudly, leading the surrounding people to stare at them.
"I like him." Jake hadn't noticed Harrison until he spoke from behind Abby.
"You like everybody Harrison."
"I didn't like you?" She pauses, waiting for him to finish the sentence. "I'm joking. I love me some Abby. So feisty." He gives her a chaste kiss on the cheek. Its then that Jake realizes that they haven't noticed him here talking to Stephen.
"Why don't you hang out with them more, instead of you other female friends?" Stephen laughs off the comment, as if he has something up his sleeve to say back, though Jake is distracted by the glare from Abby. "Did I say something?"
"No." She lightly shakes her head, "You sound familiar. I can't remember from where."
"Oh Harrison, you already met him. Abby this is Jake, my friend from the Navy."
"You mean the friend you barely talk about."
"Yes that one."
"Jake. Jake. Jake." Abby repeats the name as if the idea is right on her tongue. "I know that name and that voice."
"I just told you. This is my friend that I talk about."
"Stephen you barely talk about us. I know Jake here doesn't believe you go screaming about him from the rooftops." Harrison lowers his head, snorting at Abby.
"We should go inside. I didn't come out here to socialize with you three all night." They walk inside and Jake sees the table where they have all come from. Abby takes a seat between Harrison and Stephen leaving Jake to sit next to Huck.
Looking at the person next to him, he believes Abby's feelings towards him are right. He doesn't know why but the guy next to him kind of gives him a different vibe. Not necessarily bad but he wouldn't want to be left in a room with him. "You invited me to this event and I don't know what it's about."
"New client needs some campaign money. The same reason for most of the events we throw."
Glancing over the half eaten plates on the table, Jake searches for the table of food.
Stephen notices the gesture, "You hungry?"
"I could go for something to eat."
"The table is over there." Jake gets up and eases over to the counter. The assortment of food makes his stomach happy. The plate is full and the thought of something to drink passes his thoughts. Walking over to the bar he waits behind a brunette.
"This is all the liquor you have." Jake eavesdrops on the woman's conversation.
"Yes Ma'am. If you like we can check the kitchen for something you would prefer?"
"That sounds like a good idea. I'm going to need something stronger to get through this." It sounds like something an old friend would say. Taking a chance he calls a name.
"Mellie!" The brunette whips around at the mention of it.
"Jakey! Is that you?"
"Yes." She goes to him giving him the biggest hug she can. "What are you doing back here? Wait, why didn't I know you were back? I can't believe Livvie didn't tell me. Unless…"
"She doesn't know." The captain can read the disbelief on Mellie's face.
"Well come on."
"She's here?" He asks being dragged through the small crowds of people. She finally leads him to a table half full of people.
"Livvie, Guess whose back?" Jake can see that Liv is enjoying a conversation with the people around her. When she turns to see the new arrival he can see the smile on her face. Just then his lips seem to turn upward at the sight of her.
"Jake."
"Hi."