Olivia sat in the interrogation room and waited for Tucker to begin the interview. After a few minutes the door opened and Tucker walked in, carrying a manila folder. She sat up and folded her hands, setting them on the table in front of her.
"You know that you have the right to have your union delegate present," he said setting the folder on the table.
"I don't need him here. I didn't do anything wrong."
"A father of a six year old boy is dead, your bullets in his chest, and you don't think that you did anything wrong," he said leaning on the table.
"He raised his gun to shoot me. What was I supposed to do?" she asked forcefully. "He shot my partner, and after I identified myself as a police officer he turned and raised his gun to me."
"How many times did you pull the trigger?" Tucker asked.
"You already know the answer to that." He raised his brow and clenched his jaw. "Twice," she said with a sigh.
"Witnesses claim that he was shot the second that he turned to face you, and never raised his arm," Tucker said. "Care you explain that?"
"You and I both know that witness statements are unreliable," she said. A knock sounded at the door before it opened. Cragen and the Chief of Detectives stood in the doorway. "Excuse me Agent Tucker, may we have a word with you and Detective Benson."
"We're sort of in the middle of something," he said standing straight.
"Agent Tucker, I think that you are going to want to see this," Cragen said. Tucker rolled his eyes before picking the folder up off of the table and following the two men down the hall and into Cragen's office, Olivia on his heels. Cragen closed the door to his office as the chief turned on the television which stood on a stand by the window.
"What's all this about?" Tucker asked folding his arms.
"Your department investigated Detective Benson's case, and found a couple who witnessed the altercation in front of Walker's building," Cragen told him.
"We've interviewed a number of witnesses already, all with similar stories. What's so special about this couple?" Tucker asked.
"Well, they were kind enough to hand over a cell phone recording that they took of the shooting," the Chief of Detectives said as he pressed play. Everyone watched the TV as the event unfolded, exactly as Olivia had explained. After Cragen paused the video with the remote, the two men turned to Tucker, who grinded his teeth nervously. Olivia smirked by the door as she watched Tucker squirm.
"Well, I hope that you can understand our mistake," he said glancing down at the door. "We were forced to verify the statements of the witnesses that we interviewed."
"That being said, I think that it's time for Detective Benson to get back to work," the chief said. Olivia smiled lightly as she stepped forward. Cragen opened his to drawer and took out Olivia's badge and gun. She reach across the desk, taking them from her captain.
"Thank you Chief," she said nodding to the older man.
"You're welcome. Don," he said looking to Cragen. "Tell Elliot we are thinking of him."
"I will," Cragen said.
"Have a good day," the cief said before he and Tucker walked out of the office. Olivia smiled as the door closed behind them. She placed her gun on her belt along with her badge.
"How's Elliot?" Cragen asked.
"He's doing really well. I went and saw him this morning before my ass chewing," she said adjusting her gun.
"I'm going to head over to the hospital now, with John and Fin," he said taking his jacket off of the back of his chair. Olivia nodded as Cragen walked past her and out of the office. "Oh and welcome back," he called over his shoulder. Olivia smiled as she reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out her cell phone.
Olivia stood in the kitchen and sipped on a glass of wine as she waited for Mark to finish getting ready. She smoothed out the front of her gold and white strapless dress. She walked through the apartment, her gold strapped heels clicking on the hardwood floor. She knocked lightly on the door of the bedroom before walking in.
"Holy hell you're worse than a woman," she said as Mark stood in front of the full length mirror as he buttoned up his white dress shirt. He laughed as Olivia walked past him, still carrying her glass of wine, and into the bathroom to make sure everything was in order. She stood in front of the counter, setting the glass down by the sink. She looked at her reflection, turning her back to the mirror and looking over her shoulder. Her dress was strapless and white which fit her bust and hips snuggly flaring out just slightly above her knee. Large gold and chocolate brown stencil-like flowers on the dress matched her large gold hoop earrings, bracelets and heels. She leaned forward and checked her make-up in the mirror and adjusted her hair slightly which was straightened and flipped out at her shoulders, with some pulled back into a brown clip. She turned off the light of the bathroom and walked back into the bathroom where Mark was tying his champagne colored tie. "You look very handsome," she said with a smile.
"Yeah, well I have to try extra hard considering I am going to be with you most of the night. I want people to know that the best looking guy there is the one marrying the most beautiful woman there," he said. Olivia laughed lightly as Mark stood up and looked at his reflection in the mirror one last time.
"You know, it's not exactly great to be late to our own rehearsal dinner," she said as she followed him out of the bedroom.
"Maybe everyone else was late and we are on time."
"Nice try," she said finishing her wine before setting the glass in the sink and walking toward the front door.
"Oh and by the way, you look beautiful," he said as she walked past him into the hallway.
"Thank you." Thirty minutes later they pulled up to the bar and lounge where the rehearsal dinner was held. Mark pulled the SUV to the curb and turned off the ignition before getting out and helping Olivia out of the car. He took her hand in his as they walked up to the building and opened the door. The bar was filled with the wedding guests and the wedding party, along with Mark's entire family and Olivia's colleagues. The room erupted into applause and noise as Olivia and Mark stood in the doorway. She laughed as they started greeting everyone.
An hour later Olivia stood at the bar next to Mark and Casey, a shot glass in her hand along with the others. Elliot came up behind Olivia and reached over her shoulder, raising his shot glass in the air.
"I need to make an announcement!" he shouted over the various conversations going on in the bar. Everyone gradually quieted down and looked over to Elliot. "I want to say congratulations to the happy couple, and wish them all of the happiness and joy in the world. Good luck Mark and Olivia," he said loudly. Everyone raised their glasses and Olivia and Mark raised theirs to meets Elliot's before taking the shot. The room cheered and applause as they put their glasses back on the bar. Mark turned around and shook Elliot's hand.
"Thanks man," Mark said.
"Take care of my partner. And don't do anything wrong or else she will hurt you," he said laughing. Olivia laughed as Elliot released Mark's hand and turned to Olivia.
"Thanks El," she said rubbing the side of his bicep.
"Congratulations Liv," he said with a smile. After a few seconds of silence Elliot stepped forward slightly. "Come here." He pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. She laughed lightly as she hugged Elliot.
Olivia walked around the room as the guests ate their dinner, saying hello and talking to them. She walked over to where Mark's father was sitting, talking to another man, both appearing to be finished with their meal. "Olivia!" he exclaimed standing up as Olivia walked around the table.
"Eric," she said smiling as he kissed her on the cheek lightly. "Tonight is absolutely incredible. Thank you so much for arranging all of this."
"Oh, please. I love my son, and I love that you love my son, therefore I love you," he said with a light laugh. Olivia smiled as she took a sip of her glass of white wine. "Olivia, I don't think that you have ever met my brother, Charlie," Eric said motioning to the man sitting at the table. He had a tanned complexion, strong facial features like his brother, and dark brown almost black hair with streaks of gray.
"Oh it's nice to finally meet you. Mark has told me so much about you ," she said shaking his hand as he stood up.
"Wonderful to meet you. Eric tells me that you are a detective," he said releasing her hand.
"Yep. Uh just about ten and a half years now," she said nodding.
"Amazing. Congratulations on the wedding and everything. From what I can tell Mark is a very lucky man."
"Well he has made me extremely happy and has introduced me to his amazing family," she said motioning to Eric.
"Good answer," Eric exclaimed wrapping his arm around Olivia's shoulders. They all laughed as Olivia continued to talk to the men.
Mark stood at the bar, sipping his drink as he watched Olivia talk to his father and Charlie. He smiled as he watched his father wrap his arms around Olivia's shoulders. The bar was pretty much empty being that everyone was eating dinner.
"Can I get a beer please?" Mark heard behind him. David was standing behind him, leaning over the bar after just ordering his beer.
"What are you doing?" Mark asked laughing.
"What are talking about?" David asked, confused.
"Every single time that I have talked to you tonight you've had a beer in your hand? Ever think about taking a break."
"Why should I? My little bro is getting married tomorrow and I get to witness the spectacular event," he answered as he took the glass of beer off of the bar. "Plus, dad's picking up the bar tab so who cares. Tonight's all about a celebration!" He held up his glass before taking a drink. Mark laughed as he took a sip of his own drink. "But in all serious man, you nervous?"
"Na," Mark said shaking his head. "I'm ready. I want her to be my wife."
"Well, you know the whole family loves her, so she passed that test." Mark nodded before taking another sip of his drink. Three hours later people were mingling in the bar while others were still seated at the table, conversations going on in both places. Mark walked from the crowd and over to Olivia. She smiled as he took her hand in his before kissing her lightly.
"I love you," he said softly after they parted.
"Love you too," she replied with a smile.
"The guys were talking about leaving for the hotel shortly so I didn't know if you wanted to leave as a whole wedding party or if it didn't matter."
"Uh, I think that it may look more organized if we left as a wedding party," she said. "So you are all taking the SUV to the hotel and Anthony is driving." Mark nodded. "Is he okay to drive?"
"Oh yeah. I think he had like two beers," he said.
"Okay. We can call the limo driver like twenty minutes before we want to leave and he can come by and take us. You have everything you need? The tuxedos? Shoes? Everything?" she asked.
"Everything is in the trunk of the car," Mark replied.
"Okay," Olivia said with a smile. Casey walked past Mark and Olivia towards the bar, catching the attention of the couple. "Casey!" Olivia called.
"What's up?" she asked turning around quickly.
"We were thinking about the entire wedding party leaving at once, sort of like a grand exit sort of thing. Do you want to spread the word to the rest of them for me?" Olivia asked.
"Sure. I'll call the limo driver and have him here in like half an hour, forty five minutes," Casey said. Both Mark and Olivia nodded.
"Sounds good, thanks Case."
"No problem. Great party by the way," she said smiling before heading back toward the bar.
"I want to talk to you once last time as your fiancé," he said as he took her hand and pulled her to the back of the resteraunt. Olivia smiled as they walked through the resteraunt and out the sliding back door leading to a filled parking lot, with trees and flowers lining the rows of cars. "As unromantic as this is, it's quiet which is what I want." She smiled as she stepped up onto the curb and stood under the tall tree, flowers surrounding her.
"In less than 24 hours we'll be married," she said smiling. "You sure that you are ready?"
"I have waited my entire life to marry the woman of my dreams. And she is standing under a tree with me, in the back of a restaurant, looking absolutely stunning. I am absolutely ready to marry you and call you my wife." Olivia smiled before leaning in an kissing him.
"The next time that I see you, you'll be standing at the altar, waiting for me," she said softly. Mark smiled before leaning in and kissing her lightly.
Thirty minutes later Mark and Olivia were back in the bar, surrounded by their wedding party and guests. Eric walked behind the bar and stepped up onto a crate in an attempt to get the guests' attention. "Excuse me! Can I have everyone's attention?" he shouted. The crowd quieted as eyes landed on Eric. "I want to thank everyone for coming tonight and celebrating the wonderful union between my son, Mark, and his beautiful bride-to-be Olivia. For the last toast of the night before they run out of here with the wedding party, if everyone could raise their glasses," he said loudly. The room obliged as Mark wrapped his arm around Olivia's waist as she raised her wine glass in the air, and he his beer. "I wish you two nothing but the best in life and love. Be good to each other and love each other through all of life's hardships. I love you both very much. Congratulations. To Mark and Olivia."
"To Mark and Olivia," some of the people in the room repeated before taking a sip of their drinks. Mark and Olivia walked to the end of the bar and both hugged Eric before saying goodbye to the rest of their guests. After saying their goodbyes Mark and Olivia walked out of the bar and into the parking lot where a white limo was waiting, the driver standing by the back door. Everyone stood in the parking lot and began to hug and say goodbye to each other. Olivia hugged Anthony, David, John and Greg goodbye before wrapping her arms around Mark's neck. She hugged him tightly as she felt his arms around her back.
"I love you," he whispered in her ear.
"I love you too," she whispered back. She smiled as they parted. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll be waiting," he said. He kissed her cheek lightly before Olivia turned to walk toward the limo where her bridesmaids were waiting. "Take care of her!" he called to them.
"We will," Casey called back laughing lightly before climbing into the limo, followed by Megan, Amber and Shannon. Olivia waved to Mark, before climbing into the limo.