Three hours later Olivia landed near D.C. On the car ride back to D.C. she called Franklin who was out with Lilly. Next she rang Jake. She was moderately surprised he even answered.
"Hey, how are you?" she asked when he answered.
"Hey Liv, Im good. You?" he said trying to be casual.
"Good. Umm, can we meet and talk?" she got straight to the point.
"Ahhh, sure, I will be home in an hour if you want to come over?"
"Ok, sure Jake."
"Ok Liv, see you then." And they hung up.
Olivia went home first, had a shower, changed her clothes and then headed over to Jake's house. He kissed her cheek when she knocked on the door, which is something she hadnt done for a very long time.
"Franklin told me you were out last night." He stated, letting Olivia know he knew exactly what this was about and where she was last night. She swallowed but nodded.
"I don't really know how to begin." She confessed looking at the floor. When she looked up at him again she had tears in her eyes. "I never wanted to hurt you. I hope you know that." He nodded slightly. "I love you Jake, I do, I'm not lying when I say that. But he is my soul mate." He didn't say anything, he only stood with his arms crossed. She approached him and uncrossed them, and grabbed his hands. "You have made me so happy, and I'm sorry it has to be like this, but I really hope we can still be friends. I still want you to be around, for Franklin and I don't want to have to avoid each other, because that would make me very sad."
"I think I will need some time, before we can be friends again, but I hope that someday we can be as well."
"If you don't want to come to Ella's tomorrow I will understand, but we would all like it if you did come." She said kindly.
"I already have a present for her so I will be there."
"Ok, well I guess I will see you tomorrow?" she asked.
"See you tomorrow." He said and she kissed his cheek.
XXXX
Olivia went back to her apartment. She hopped in the lift from the parking lot and at ground floor Franklin and Lilly hopped in.
"Hey Liv." Lilly smiled, hugging her.
"Hey Lil. Good to see you. What are you two up to tonight?"
"We just grabbed some food, might watch a movie." Franklin said.
"What have you been up to?" Lilly asked.
"I umm, just went to see your Dad, then I picked up Ella's present."
"Cool." She didn't pry, which Olivia was thankful for.
They had been in the apartment for about 10 minutes when Lilly came to say goodbye. "Dad said he wants to take me out for ice-cream, so I'm heading off, but I'll see you tomorrow." She hugged Olivia again and Franklin walked her out.
"So you picked Fitz?" Franklin asked walking up to and sitting on her bed where she had work scattered. She didn't respond.
"Cause if you picked Jake you would be over there right now instead of here."
"When did you become so observant?" she asked with a small smile.
"Hmmm, probaby around 5 years ago. I learnt from the best." He joked. Olivia shook her head at him.
"So what happens now?" Franklin asked.
"We havnt really figured any of that out yet." She said leaning against the headboard.
XXXX
The next morning Olivia went over to James and Cyrus' early to help set up. She was wearing a very pale blue dress which had a matching jacket, very simple. Ella greeted her with a running hug and a squeel that caused momentary deafness. "Happy birthday my little munchkin." Olivia said picking Ella up, something she was almost too big for.
"Aunty Liv, where is Franklin?" the little girl asked.
"Am I not good enough?" she feined hurt before she began tickling Ella. She writhed and wriggled in her arms.
"PLEASE STOP AUNTY LIV. PLEAAAAASE." Ella squeeled and Olivia relented. "I was just wondering, you usually come together, is he not coming?" she asked sadly.
"Of course he is coming, I'm just here early to help your dads set up. He and Lilly will be here a bit later." Ella made a grossed out face.
"Are they being boyfriend and girlfriend? Gross!" she said and Olivia laughed. Then Ella grabbed Olivia's hand and pulled her towards the steps. "Daddy said you would help me get dressed and do my hair." Ella said excitedly.
"Hang on Els, I should probably say hi to your dads first don't you think."
"Fine." Ella huffed, reminding her somewhat of Cyrus. Ella changed directions and pulled her to the back yard where Cyrus and James were putting up all the decorations. It was like a sea of purple. Cyrus was off in a corner seemingly yelling at someone on the phone, he waved at her before resuming his conversation. James however stopped what he was doing to greet her.
"They delivered moave flowers instead of purple, which is not good enough for his precious princess." James said shaking his head. "Good to see you Liv. Thanks for coming early, we appreciate it."
"I hear I will be a stylist today." She raised an eyebrow at him.
"She always loves it when you do her hair, you don't pull or brush too hard, and it always looks so much better when you do it." He explained.
"It's fine James, I don't mind." She smiled reassuring him she really didn't. Ella pulled on her dress.
"Can we go now?" she asked.
"Ella." James said sternly.
"May we go now, please." She rephrased. James nodded approvingly. Olivia smiled.
"Now what would her majesty like me to do with her hair today?" Olivia asked her as she took her hand and they walked back inside.
An hour later and the birthday girl was ready for her day. She was wearing a beautiful white dress that flared out at from her waist and when she spun around it revealed a rainbow petticote. She had on white shiny flats and a white ribbon in her perfect hair.
Ella convinced Olivia to play dolls with her before they went down stairs and time got away from them, before they knew it Olivia's phone was ringing.
"She was asking for you. Where are you?...We are playing dolls in her room." She hung up.
"Who was that?" Ella asked.
"You will see." Olivia winked. A couple of seconds later Franklin walked in with a gift bag.
"FRANKLIN!" She said running to him.
"Hey chickidee. Happy birthday! Here is your present" he said putting her down and handing her the bag. She sat down right where she was and opened the bag. Inside she found some science kits, a white lab coat and glasses and a tiffany bag. She looked at the cool volcanoe, constelation and green goop kits in awe.
"Will you help me do them Franklin?" she asked him very nicely. "Of course Ella, that's why I got them. I even got myself a white lab coat and glassess too."
Ella then moved onto her blue bag. She opened it to find two boxes, one containing a pair of simple gold hoops, and the other a gold bangle. She took the gold bangle out and put it straight on her wrist. "Look Aunty Liv, now we match!" she said excitedly.
"I thought you might like that." She said pulling her onto her lap. "Would you like to wear your earings as well?" Ella nodded. Olivia asked Franklin to pass her the box and she put the earings on her. She stood up and ran to her mirror and squeeled.
"Daddy is going to love these. Lets go show him." She said running to her door.
"Wait for us Els." Olivia said standing up from the floor and putting her heels on.
"Hurry up Aunty Liv….Please." she said remembering her manners. She skipped down the hall with Franklin and Liv behind. They got to the stairs and Ella spotted someone who had just walked in. "UNCLE FITZ!" She yelled as she ran down the steps. He grabbed her as she was close to the bottom and twirled her around. "This is the best day EVER!" she said giving Fitz a kiss on the cheek when he held her on his hip. Olivia smiled from the top of the steps where he was yet to notice her.
"Does Jakey get some lovin' too Ella?" Jake asked walking up next to Fitz. Ella turned in Fitz arms and Fitz handed her to Jake with only a small hint of annoyance. She kissed his cheek too. Then Jake put her down.
"Look what Aunty Liv got me. We match!" She said holding up her wrist and shaking it so everyone could see.
"What about my present." Franklin said as he walked Liv down the stairs. She looked down at the steps to avoid the awkward tension filling the room. Both men looked up when Franklin spoke and they both saw Olivia at the same time. When she got to the bottom of the stairs she looked at Ella, not wanting to look at either of them because she didn't want to hurt or upset the other. Thankfully Ella spoke.
"Is Teddy here Uncle Fitz?"
"He sure is, already out the back." And with that Ella pulled her away quickly wanting to show her dads her new jewelry and find her Teddy. Franklin went to find Lilly who said she would help in the kitchen before he went upstairs, leaving Fitz and Jake alone in the foyer.
"Jake." Fitz said in greeting holding his hand out to shake.
"Fitz." Jake shook his hand more tightly than normal. Then he pulled him in a little closer, almost menacingly. "You have hurt her before, and if I hear that you have done it again, I will personally rearrange that pretty little face of yours." Jake released and his normal demanour returned.
"Jake, I have no intention of hurting her again, but I will hold you to that. Thank you for being good to her Jake." Fitz said trying to find come to some form of truce with his friend. "I hope we can be friends again." He extended the olive branch.
"Maybe one day. Take care of her." He said before walking to the yard to join the rest of the group. Fitz followed after remaining to think for a few moments.
Olivia was tasked with playing with Teddy and Ella until a couple of Ella's friends arrived and the two went off with the kids. Olivia smiled as they ran off.
"Hi." He said coming to stand next to her, not too close.
"Hi." She returned.
"How was your flight?" he asked casually.
"Good. Yours?"
"Good." He responded.
"THE PARTY HAS ARRIVED!" They heard shouted from the the back doors. The entire party turned around to see Jerry, Karen, Mellie, Andrew and another girl behind them. Olivia and Fitz walked towards the greeting circle. Karen greeted them both first with kisses on the cheek. Then Jerry stood off to the right holding the shy girls hand.
"Dad, Liv, this is May."
"It's nice to meet the both of you." She said holding her hand out for Olivia to shake first.
"Nice to meet you May." Olivia shook her hand, smiling knowing who this was.
"May, great month." Fitz joked as he shook her hand. Olivia turned to him.
"Really? That's what you came up with?" Olivia asked looking at him. They both smiled at each other.
"Well, good to see you both." Jerry said kissing Olivia on the cheek and shaking his dads hand before moving on to introduce May to everyone else.
"You look nice today." He said shyly to Olivia once Jerry and May moved on.
"Thank you." She blushed slightly.
"Can I get you a drink?" Fitz asked.
"Sure." She said and Fitz turned to get them.
"Liv, im so pleased to see you and Fitz have figured things out." Mellie said when she was close enough not for anyone else to hear. Olivia smiled weakly.
"I always thought that you and I could have been really good friends if it werent for…everything, but I hope we can work on that." She said.
"I would like that." Olivia responded honestly. Mellie hugged her and Andrew said a quick hello. Olivia watched as they walked down the lawn towards Ella when Fitz came up beside her, handing her her wine.
"What did she want?" he asked somewhat annoyed. She shot him a look.
"She wants us to be friends." Fitz laughed. Olivia wasn't sure why so started to second guess Mellie's intentions.
"That's what I told Jake as well." He could see her begin to panic. "He told me that if I hurt you again I will have to face him." Olivia looked away sadly. "We are a civilised bunch arent we." He joked. They sipped their respective drinks before Fitz was called over by Cyrus.
"Duty calls." Olivia said and Fitz gave her a weak smile before making his way over to Cyrus. Olivia looked around the party and saw Franklin, Lilly, Jerry, May and Karen congregated on some outdoor furniture. She made her way over to them. She was stopped a number of times but some of the parents, those from politics anyways.
10 minutes later she eventually reached the group and sat down. They were in the middle of a discussion about ISIS when she interupted. "Guys, you know this is a party right. A five years olds party at that. Lighten up." They all chuckled. "So where is Andre today?" she asked Karen.
"He has a few things he needs to do before he comes over for the party." She said smiling.
"And how is the party planning going?" Lilly asked.
"Good, really good. Im really excited."
"Well, if you need help, just ask." Olivia offered.
XXXX
The cake had been cut and eaten, the farmyard was packed up and the guests were slowly filing out. Olivia was sitting inside on a comfy lounge that watched over the back garden. She was admiring the sunset when Ella came up the stairs through the doors next to her, looking very tired.
"Hey Els, you ok?" Olivia asked. Ella nodded. "Come here." Olivia held out her hand and Ella trudged over. Olivia picked her up and sat her on her lap. Ella snuggled into her chest and Olivia leaned back and wrapped her arms around her.
"Did you have a good day today?" Olivia asked. She felt Ella nod.
"I wish every day was my birthday." She said softly as her eyes began to close. Olivia smiled and rubbed her cheek and hair as she fell asleep. Olivia could have fallen asleep here contently and placed her head ontop of Ella's and closed her eyes. She let her mid run.
She didn't know how long they had been there when Olivia felt some sort of blanket being thrown over them. She opened her eyes to see Fitz sitting on the table in front of the lounge smiling tenderly at them. "Hi." He said when he saw her eyes open.
"Hi." She croaked. Aparently she had fallen asleep.
"Don't worry, you havnt been out too long, everyone is just helping pack up. You stay here and cuddle the birthday girl and I will put her to bed when we are done."
"Thank you." Olivia whispered. She thought he was leaning forward to stand up but he removed her shoes, a tender gesture. She tucked them up under the blanket on the couch. He wished he could kiss her head, but knew it wasn't the place. After he placed her shoes on the ground he went back outside.
As he walked outside and saw Franklin tipping a table to put away. Fitz went over to help. "Need a hand?" he asked.
"Sure."
They picked up the table and carried it to a truck with all the items they had hired for the day. They put it in the truck and Franklin jumped off the back of it. As he landed he spoke. "You know, if you hurt her, there will be hell to pay."
"Between you and Jake, I'm certain of it." He smiled and Franklin walked past him.
Half an hour later everything was cleaned up and the sun had well and truly set. Everyone walked inside, pretty tired themselves.
"Lets get this little one off to bed huh?" James asked as he looked at Olivia and Ella with a smile.
"Do you mind if I take her?" Fitz asked.
"Of course not."
Fitz approached quietly, even though Olivia was awake. She moved the blanket off of them and Fitz reached down to pick her up. He leaned his whole body down so that her head was on his shoulder, then he put one arm around her back and the other under her knees. As he lifted her her arms went around his neck. He slowly carried her up. James followed to get her changed. They returned a few minutes later and the group bid their farewells.
XXXX
The next night Olivia's phone rang at about 9pm, she knew who it was.
"Hi."
"Hi."
"Your calling me."
"I'm calling you." They were quiet. "Have you been thinking?" he asked.
"Maybe." She said.
"Are you going to tell me?" he asked intrigued. "Please."
"Fine. 10 months from now you start dating, strong, succesfull women, but nothing will come of them because your only true love is to your country. Then, you call me in for some crisis and then we are seen together a bit more, then a couple of months after, at the beginning of your last year as president we announce that we are a couple. Then we go from there." She heard him groan.
"A year. You expect me to wait a year to be with you."
"We waited this long." She shrugged.
"Which is precisely the problem. I don't want to wait any more, especially not a year."
"I will think about the practicalities of revising some of those dates." She said businesslike.
"Thank you."
XXXX
The next weekend Olivia was at home, doing some work while Franklin was with Lilly when there was a nock at the door. Olivia opend it to find Karen standing there, she had been crying.
"Karen, what's wrong? What's happened?" she said ushering her inside.
"I thought I could do this myself, but I can't, I need your help." Karen said still crying slightly.
"Of course Karen, what is it?" Olivia asked concerned. Karen handed her a large folder. Olivia opened it and looked at the tabs distinguising the items within. Dress, catering, guests, invitations, flowers, decorations, cake.
"You need help with your birthday." Olivia said. Releif washing over her. But Karen shook her head before she opened the compartments entitled MISC and pulled out a folder. She handed that to Olivia and took the rest of the documents.
Olivia looked at the docuements. "YOUR GETTING MARRIED?" She yelled.
Karen had never heard her yell before, not like this. She blinked in shock. Olivia continued to read through all the documents.
"Your getting married?" she asked more collected this time.
"We wanted it to be a surprise. It all happened so quickly. I got accepted for midwifery, Andre got the job at the smithsonian, then he had the Eifel tower closed to the public and he proposed, so we thought we would just kill two birds with one stone, but it is too stressful."
"Who knows?" Olivia asked.
"We told Jerry, because he is Andre's best man, and I told my friend Sarah, because she is my bridesmaid and needed to get time off work and a plane ticket. But that's it." Olivia nodded.
"So what is the problem?"
"Secret service had to have everyone cleared for the party, but they called me today to say that the celebrant has some sort of criminal history so they cant clear him and I will never find someone at such short notice. And because I havn't been telling people who the order is for, the cake people canceled saying they had some senators wedding."
"Ok, a cake isnt too bad. I can organise that, and I think we can pull some strings for someone to officiate."
"Thanks Liv. You're a life saver." She said hugging Olivia.
"You know Ella will be upset if she isnt part of it." Olivia said.
"Don't worry, she will be. I knew that if I gave her a dress for her birthday James would put her in it for my birthday."
"Clever." Olivia commended.
"And Teddy is ring barer, but I can control what he is going to wear."
"Your lucky you told me, I was planning on wearing something white!" Olivia laughed.
"And I was going to have Franklin as the photographer, but then he wouldn't be in any of the photos, and wouldn't get to enjoy it, so I changed my mind."
"So are all of Andre's family coming too?"
"Yeah, thankfully they love me so it wasn't suspicious."
"Where is everyone staying?" Karen's face drained.
"I hadn't thought about that." Karen confessed. Olivia already had an idea.
"Don't worry, I'll sort it out."
XXXX
At work on Monday Olivia breifed her team and told them that the wedding was their main priority.
Olivia then got to work. She called Verna Thornton and asked her to officiate at a wedding this weekend, without giving specifics. Verna trusted Olivia and agreed. Next Olivia pulled Abby into her office.
"Abbs, I know your busy at the moment, but would you like to make the wedding cake?
"Seriously?" Abby asked and Olivia nodded. "I would love too. I havn't baked in so long."
"Well, take the rest of the week, practice, whatever. Just bring me a cake on Saturday.
Next she rang Lauren and asked her to help out with getting Blair House up and running for the weekend. She didn't ask to many questions which was good.
Just after she hung up with Lauren her phone rang.
"What?" she answered.
"What are you doing talking to my secretary?" he asked light heartedly.
"Karen just asked me to help with a few things for the party. She realised that a couple of her friends form France and some of Andre's family didn't have anywhere to stay after the party so we thought Blair House would work."
"Oh." He said dissapointedly. "I thought you might want to talk to me." He said coyly.
"Your cute." She smiled at his shyness.
"Well I guess I will let you go."
"I have a few minutes." Was her response, hearing he was reluctant.
"Thank god! What do you think I should do about this darn pyscal cliff?"
XXXX
While Karen had only asked Olivia to help out with those few things, they ended up speaking every day about what else needed to be done, which Olivia knew would be the case when Karen told her it was a wedding, and she truly didn't mind at all. Olivia became the default party planner, so when the day came around Olivia was a little nervous.
The party was due to start at 3pm and Olivia picked up the cake at around mid day before heading over. The only other person there when she arrived was Mellie's mother who had stayed overnight. They were were having lunch when Olivia arrived and Karen looked like she was about to throw up until Olivia arrived.
"Are you ok Karen?" Olivia asked honestly concerned for her physical wellbeing.
"Im just really nervous."
"It is going to be fine. Happy birthday by the way!" Olivia handed her a small gift bag.
"You didn't have to get me anything Liv. What you are doing is enough." But she opened them anyways. In a small velvet box was a pair of simple diamond studd earings, and in another box was a stunning diamon hair piece. Inside the lid of the hairpeice box it read Something new. Karen smiled widely, loving her gift.
Olivia then went out to the rose garden to ensure everything was going smoothly and directing people. Fitz spotted her out there at some point and snuck out to see her.
"Hi." He said happily. She turned around, a little bit surprised.
"Hi."
"I thought Karen was arranging everthing herself?" He asked.
"She was, but she needed some last minute help with a couple of things."
"A couple?" he said raising his eyebrows.
"Shouldn't you be running the country?" she joked.
"I gave myself an early mark."
"Did you now?"
"Perk of the job." He shurgged before they both laughed. Olivia pulled her vibrating phone out. "Why don't you go spend time with Karen then, she is a bit nervous." She said before answering her phone and walking off.
He took her advice and went up to the residence to hang out with Teddy and Karen. He convinced Karen to play cars, which seemed to relax her somewhat, that was untill her best friend showed up and she was instantly nervous and fidgetty again. Fitz thought it was strange for her to be so out of sorts for a party, but let it go, after all it was her 21st.
Karen's hair and makeup lady was running a little late which caused Karen to freak out even more. She rang Liv from her room.
"Do you think you could check on Dad and Teddy, just make sure they are presentable."
"Of course Karen. Just relax, it is going to be fine."
"Thanks Liv."
Olivia made her way to the residence and towards where she now knew Fitz resided. She knocked and entered. Fitz was facing his drawers with only a towel around his hips. She watched his back muscles move as he retreieved his underwear and singlet. He hadnt heard her knock so when he turned around to see her staring at him he was pleasantly surprised. Her eyes thoroughly looked him up and down. He gave her a few moments before he interupted by clearing his throat. She shook her head and blinked once.
"I'm sorry, I will let you get ready." She said about to exit the room, blushing slightly.
"Liv, its fine. What's up?" he asked approaching her. She turned around and he was so close, his chest right in her line of sight. It was like a magnet, she couldn't pull her eyes away. He took another step closer, now he was close enough to touch. She licked her lips without noticing.
Fitz loved seeing the desire in her eyes. He gently removed her handbag from the crook of her elbow putting on the groud, before he grabbed both her hands and placed one on either of his pecs. She bit her lip and looked at him. He was now returning her lustfilled gaze. He moved his hands down to her waist and took a few steps towards her, moving her back as he went until she felt the wall behind her and she inhaled sharply. Fitz then leant down and kissed her, lightly tugging on her bottom lip. Then they turned their heads and the passion ignited. Olivia kept one hand on his chest, and the other moved to his slightly wet hair. He pulled her close with one arm and grabbed her face with the other. Fitz then moved his hand from around her waist down to her luscious bum and squeezed. The moan that escaped her mouth seemed to rouse her better judgement though and she pushed him off her.
"I came in to check if you were ready. You need to get dressed. I'm going to turn around so you can get ready." She said turning around. He came up behind her and pressed his erection into her bottom.
"Oh, I'm ready." He whispered into her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.
"Fitz, stop. This is Karen's day. I'm going to go check on Teddy, and when I get back you better be dressed. I have your tie, so don't worry about picking one." She said opening his arms so she could leave the room. He laughed as she left.
Olivia went and found Mellie getting Teddy ready.
"Hey Mellie. Karen asked me to check on the boys. And I have Teddy's bowtie." She said retreiving it from her purse. She handed it to Mellie and she thanked her.
"Also, I think Karen said she wanted to borrow a set of your vintage pearls."
"Oh ok, do you mind doing this while I go get them?" Mellie asked.
"Not at all." Olivia kneeled down to put Teddy's tie on. "Lets go check on your Dad." Teddy ran to his dads room and thankfully he had clothes on when she entered this time.
"Look at you handsome." Fitz said as he picked Teddy up.
"Thanks Dad." He smiled shyly. When Fitz put Teddy down Olivia walked up to him.
"Dads turn fo his tie huh?" she asked Teddy who nodded. Olivia flipped his collar and tied his matching bowtie. Both Teddy's and Fitz's were a baby blue.
"Hey Dad! We match!" Teddy exclaimed.
"That's pretty cool." Fitz said.
"Do you think Jerry matches us too?" he asked.
"I dunno buddy. Why don't you go find him." And Teddy ran out. "What's with the matching ties?" he asked. She only shrugged.
"What the birthday girl wants the birthday girl gets." She stepped away as she finished. They heard Teddy squeal and assumed Jerry was here so they went to say hi. She gave Jerry a knowing look when she saw him. He was already wearing his suit but not his tie. As she kissed him she tucked it into his hand.
Then Olivia went to check on Karen. Her hair and makeup was finished and she looked stunning. She was in her underwear but Olivia could see Mellie's pearls and the hairpeice she had given her all secured on her person.
"Hey Liv, how is everything going?" she asked anxiously.
"Just fine, I think everyone should be arriving soon." Olivia said calmly.
"Hey mum, do you think you could greet them, I'm not ready yet."
"Of course darling." Mellie said kissing her cheek. Olivia felt her phone vibrate and saw Verna's name come up.
"I'll be back soon." Olivia said smiling and walked out just after Mellie. Verna had just arrived so Olivia went down to greet her.
After Olivia hugged Verna, Olivia escorted her into the party and off into a quiet corner of the garden.
"Olivia, please tell me I am not marrying you and the president today?" she asked. Olivia looked at her confused. Verna chuckled. "I have known that boy since he was this big" she said putting her hand as close to the ground as possible without bending. "You two breath in sync."
"No, it's Karen and Andre." Verna smiled broadly.
"Fantastic."
Olivia proceeded to give her the rundown of where everything was going to be happening etc. Olivia was walking back to check on Karen when she saw Andre looking suspicous in a corner. It was almost comical.
"Andre, are you ok?" He swallowed but nodded.
"Is she ok?" he asked.
"She looks about as nervous as you. Don't worry it will be fine. Is your family here yet?" he nodded and pointed. "Go relax, I wil come and get you." She rubbed his back as he walked away.
About half an hour later, it appeared that most of the guests were there. Olivia had to ushered everyone else out of the residence until it was just Karen, Sarah and Olivia.
"Dress time Karen." Sarah said pulling her dress out of her cupboard. Sarah's dress was hanging up on the outside of the cupboard. It was a baby blue elegant floor length dress that everyone thought was what Karen was wearing.
She put on the dress and she looked absolutely stunning. The dress was relatively simple. It was lace from the waist up and had little shoulders. There was a white ribbon at her waist and from there it was white tule. Olivia had a tear in her eye when she saw her in her dress. She cleared her throat befores speaking. "Lets get this show on the road shall we?" Karen nodded.
They walked down to the Oval office and Olivia had her wait there. She went out to find Andre, Jerry, Teddy and Ella. Andre was to wait outside the Oval, but the rest needed to go inside. Next, Olivia ushered everyone from one section of the garden to another, explaining that there was a sprinkler malfunction and then she set verna up at the front. She walked back towards the Oval and spoke to Andre.
"So when I give the go ahead I want you to walk down there towards Verna. Hopefuly everyone will stand aside once the music starts and they get the picture." She then gave him his tie to change.
"What's going on in here." Fitz asked as he entered the room. His breath was caught when he saw Karen standing there in her dress.
"Just on time." Olivia said as Fitz stared at Karen.
"Are you ready to walk me down the isle Daddy?" Karen asked and tears formed in Fitz's eyes. He nodded and embraced Karen in a hug.
Olivia bent down to Ella and Teddy. She placed a bag in Teddy's front pocket. "So you two, follow Andre down and then when Sarah and Jerry get there they will tell you where to stand ok." They both nodded.
"Is everyone ready?" Olivia asked to the room. Everyone nodded, so Olivia pulled out her phone and gave Quinn the go ahead for the music. She then ducked her head out to give Andre some warning.
As the music started everyone was a little confused. Olivia had Ella and Teddy come to the door and they moved off once Andre was far enough ahead. Next Jerry and Sarah, after the same time between the kids and Andre. Then after a much larger gap, Fitz and Karen. Olivia remembered a ribbon she had retreived from some flowers which matched the blue of the parties and quickly tied it around her wrist.
"Something blue." Olivia said and winked.
By the time Fitz and Karen were walking towards everyone, people had caught onto what was happening. She was slightly anxious about Mellie's reaction, but she appeared to be smiling broadly, her hands together in front of her chin. Olivia waited till the isle disipated before she walked up on the edge.
Karen and Andre's nerves seemed to dissapear when they were up there together, with their friends and family beaming up at them.
Verna performed a lovely service and when the rings went on there wasn't a dry eye, including Olivia's. After the kiss Karen and Andre asked everyone to return to the marquet for food and festivities.
While the evening didn't proceed like any other wedding reception, Karen made a point to include the daddy daughter dance, knowing it was something her dad had always looked forward to. However, they made it a parent child dance. So as Fitz and Karen took to the floor, so did Andre and his mum. There weren't a whole lot of other parent child combinations, other than on Andre's side, and Mellie and Jerry. As soon as the non immediate family joined, Franklin asked Olivia to dance which made her heart soar.
A couple of hours later it was clear that everyone was having a great time. There was croquet and badminton to play, and music, and an open bar. How could you not have fun. Olivia was thoroughly enjoying watching everyone else from her spot at a table in the corner, something she had picked up from Jake. It was quite late in the night when Fitz finally found her sitting there. He sat down in the chair next to her.
"Your sneaky." He said smiling. She smiled back. "Allthough I would have liked to have know before I had to walk her down the isle, thank you for all your help, she is having a really good time." He looked over to the dance floor where husband and wife were swaying back and forth.
"Was my pleasure, truly." She said after sipping from her glass, which was now empty.
"Can I get you something stronger?" He asked seeing as he was almost finished his scotch. She raised an eyebrow at him.
"I don't think that is a good idea." She shook her head looking around the room.
"Why not, there is barely anyone left, just have some fun?" he said, his next weapon was the puppydog look. He didn't have to use it though because she got up and walked to the bar. He followed. He ordered a scotch while she perused the spirits.
"Can I have a peach snapps, vodka and lemonade."
"Wow, your really hitting the hard stuff."
"Cheers." They said as they were given their drinks. They sat back at a nearby table, and were joined by several different people over the next hour or so, and had drank 2 or 3 more drinks each.
"This is the last call for slow dancing. From here on in it is only upbeat dance." The DJ announced over the microphone. The couples from the remaining guests all joined the dance floor. Olivia avoided looking at Fitz, but she heard him put down his glass and move his chair. She turned to put any hopes of a dance to bed, but the smile that greeted her when she turned eliminated all thoughts temporarily and before she knew it she had placed her hand in his.
Olivia was initially very wary of where they were, but once she noticed that almost everyone else was consumed by the person they were dancing with. She slowly loosened up in his arms. When he felt her relax he ever so subtly pulled her closer. When she noticed she blushed but looked at him.
"You know I might have to revise my initial decision to wait till we are out in the open."
"I think that would be wise." He said seriously.
"But, it wont be tonight so don't get your hopes up, or anything else for that matter."
"Too late." He said with a subtle hip thrust.
The next song that came on was some old funk song so Fitz decided to stay on the dance floor. Until about midnight they all danced and laughed and drank some more.
So next updates wont be as quick as I have a gap to fill in, but I think it will be worth the wait :)
Please review, they keep me going.