Chapter 22
Olivia sat down in the upholstered chair and sighed, "Guys, I seriously do not think we're going to find a dress. I really am going to get married in jeans." They'd hit Saks first, since Laura was a buyer there, and while there had been some gorgeous suits and she'd even bought one so she'd have something nice for later in her pregnancy, nothing had been what she wanted to get married in.
"Well now we're actually in a shop that sells wedding gowns so we might have better luck," Alex reminded her. Laura had apologized that she hadn't been able to stay longer but she had pointed them in the right direction.
"It's our third wedding shop," Olivia groaned. "Seriously, I'll just get married in my jeans. Fin won't mind."
"You will though," Warner laughed at her. "Sit there for a few minutes and rest. Alex is telling the manager that we have a pregnant woman in dire need of a cold drink and a wedding dress, in that order."
Olivia rolled her eyes and shook her head, "What was I thinking?"
"You were thinking of being married before you gave birth," Alex chuckled as she came into the little room, followed by an elegant woman with a tray of icy looking drinks.
"I was," Liv sighed and looked at the woman. "Let me put it this way, I want something that won't look completely over the top when I stand next to my fiancé. This is what he's wearing." She showed the woman Fin in his gorgeous charcoal suit. "I'm pregnant with twins and the wedding is in three weeks."
"Well, I'm guessing that you won't want something overly fluffy," The woman studied the picture. "What's the venue?"
"Wedding at the courthouse, reception at Belluchios," Liv sipped the drink gratefully. "I'm not completely huge yet but you're right, I don't really want a ball gown. I'm not a fan of the clinging silhouette either."
"Hmm..." The saleslady considered the picture, "The suit is a very classic style so you could have almost any style gown that isn't over done. A ball gown wouldn't suit either of you I think." She handed the phone back to Liv and smiled. "Why don't I bring some of the empire waist gowns and let you see them. That way you don't have to dive in and try anything on right away."
"She's been on her feet for a while," Warner smiled. "Anything where she's sitting sounds like a very good plan."
"Well hydrate, the lemon ices are great for that," The saleslady smiled, "I'm Regina and while I'm getting a few gowns together why don't you have a look at our book and see if anything really strikes you. That way you're at least resting for a bit."
"Well we could look around too," Alex said suddenly. "Why don't we see if there's anything you'll like?"
"All three of you have been on your feet," Regina said smiling. "You deserve a rest. Relax and look at the book for a few minutes. I'll be right back." She disappeared and Liv shrugged sipping her drink and pulled the book closer.
There were some gorgeous gowns that if she'd had time and nothing to do but plan the perfect wedding she'd love to wear. There were some simpler gowns though, slender without being form fitting that might suit her. Something in ivory or another paler color but not glaring white.
"This is pretty," Alex showed her a picture of a gown with ruffles cascading from the shoulder to the knees.
"I want to marry the man, not scare him half to death," Liv laughed. "I don't think he's ever seen me wear ruffles. I'm not sure our wedding is the place to start."
"The man would probably demand to know where his real fiancée was," Warner chuckled. "So something attractive but not too ornate, feminine but not fussy, you want lovely but not too sweet."
"And now for the real miracle, something that doesn't make me look like a whale," Olivia patted her belly.
"I think we can accommodate you Ma'am," Regina had returned with a rack of dresses and a tray of cookies and sandwiches. "I thought maybe something to eat while we discussed things."
"I think you might just be a lifesaver," Olivia couldn't help laughing. She hadn't wanted to come to this shop, it was something she was used to considering out of her price range. "Mel was just saying what type of dress I'd need. I looked at suits before but..."
"Suits can be wonderful, especially for a second marriage if you don't want too much of a fuss," Regina agreed. "But for a new mother, your wedding day... even if you are getting married at the courthouse, you still need a gown to be married in. Something you can show your daughter."
"To that end," Liv found herself on the other side of an interview. Regina quizzed her about her hobbies, her relationship, and just about every other aspect of her personality.
"God this is strange," She laughed finally. "That's the one thing we haven't talked about, and it really explains so much about both of us."
"What's that?" Regina had taken a seat and opened a page in a lovely leatherbound journal and just like any good cop she'd made notes of the conversation.
"I was just thinking how odd it is to be on the other side of an interview," Olivia shared a look with Melinda and Alex. The lawyer grinned and the ME just chuckled. Regina tilted her head expectantly and Liv elaborated. "My fiancé and I, we're both cops. We're with Special Victims at the one six."
"So both highly motivated, driven people, sensitive work, very sensitive natures underneath the exterior shell," Regina smiled. "And how did the two of you meet?"
"We work together, he transferred in...oh...more than nine years ago now," Liv grinned. "He had a pony tail and wore a track suit. And I still couldn't stop staring at him."
"I remember those track suits," Warner rolled her eyes. "The man was undercover way too long. It was a relief to everyone's eyes when he finally started wearing three piece suits."
"Yeah except I couldn't stop staring at his ass in those nice suit pants," Olivia couldn't help giggling. "Thankfully he didn't notice. Or if he did he didn't say anything." She shook her head and smiled at the sales woman. "We've been friends for a long time."
"Friends make the best husbands," Regina grinned. "Now did you see anything in the book that struck you as something you'd like, maybe with an alteration or a different color?"
"I did, a couple of things," Liv nodded and showed her the pages. "They're simple, slender silhouettes but not clinging. I just don't want to wear bright white. Something muted, with a silver or ivory undertone... that I could see."
"Then lets see how you like these," Regina noted the pages in her book and stood to move a few dresses to the back of the rack she'd brought in. "I thought that you might not want a strapless style, the boning that's required for the support can be uncomfortable, especially with breast sensitivity during pregnancy." She explained as she took out a gown and hung it up for them to see. "If you aren't having any particular sensitivity then of course, strapless is an option and we'll adjust accordingly."
"That's lovely," Olivia tilted her head, "And I like the style, but the fabric makes the skirt...poof quite a bit." She frowned, "Let me try it on, see if I like it better when I'm wearing it. Maybe the layers will be just what I need."
"This one is similar to the gown you saw in the book, its champagne in color. I can easily order it in ivory or the color we call moonlight, its a white with a silver undertone to it," Regina hung up another gown, the skirt a satin chiffon while the bodice was overlaid with lace. "It is strapless but we can easily alter it to add straps if you like. Something in chiffon that would drape down your back would be lovely. Simple but beautiful."
"No train," Melinda commented, "That's a plus for you Liv. Trust me, I hated mine by the end of the reception. It was just long enough that it got in the way."
"I don't mind a train, as long as it can be take up out of the way for the reception," Liv explained quietly. "A little one isn't bad. I just couldn't picture a ball gown with a five foot length behind me at the courthouse."
"Oh I've seen worse," Alex commented. "Trust me." When Regina looked at her quizzically Alex grinned, "I was an ADA for years. The courthouse seemed like a nuthouse on bad days."
"On good days too," Liv commented. "I really like the one in champagne. Its pretty without being too fussy. And Fin will actually recognize me."
"Always a good thing," The sales woman laughed. "It's an usual name, Fin. I'm guessing its diminutive?"
"Short for Odafin," Oliva chuckled. "I'm going to be Olivia Benson-Tutuola."
"I wouldn't have thought you'd go for the hyphenated name," Warner commented with a teasing grin.
"I wouldn't but we work in the same squad, two detective Tutuolas might be confusing," Liv shrugged as Regina took the gown off the hanger and they entered the fitting room. "So at work I'm still Benson."
"That'll make it easier for Stabler to adjust," Warner commented in a low voice.
"Is he not?" Alex's tone was concerned, "He isn't always the most..."
"Supportive, understanding, compassionate?" Melinda Warner offered in a dry voice.
"You know that is my partner and I can still hear you right?" Liv rolled her eyes and grinned at Regina. "My partner and my fiancé tend to rub each other the wrong way. It makes for an interesting squad room."
"The tension can't be good for you," Was all Regina said as she helped Liv into the gown. "I brought a strapless bra in your size, I think it'll work for now. If you like the gown we can play with our options."
"I love how it feels," Liv smiled as her hands slid over the fabric.
"Well lets see how it looks," Regina grinned as she finished the last hook and eye. She opened the door and held it for Olivia to walk through. "You'll get a good look in the mirror as you walk out. That's what your future husband will see."
Liv took a deep breath and moved forward until she was in the middle of the room and staring at the mirror, "Oh my god." She blinked in shock, "Its..."
"Liv you're gorgeous," Alex sounded as if she was choking and when Liv looked at the attorney her friend was swallowing hard.
"Olivia if you don't buy this dress you're insane," Warner told her flatly. "It's flattering, you look beautiful and its you. Its just you."
"Okay," Liv nodded and looked at Regina. "Is there anyway we could figure out what it would look like in the moonlight color you were talking about? I love the style of this, its beautiful and the strapless aspect isn't bothering me at all. If we can figure out of the other color suits me... I'd love to be able to order this today."
"I have a gown in your size in the right color, but the style is very different," Regina warned her. "I don't want to discourage you because I can order the dress in moonlight and it'll be here in three days. We'll have plenty of time to make any alterations."
"Lets see the color first," Alex suggested as Liv was momentarily distracted by the feel of the dress under her hands again.
"I'm going to see if I can find some shoes for you," Melinda was a woman on a mission as she hurried out.
Fin came home to the sound of feminine laughter and couldn't help grinning. "So how did it go?" He called as he and John walked down the hall.
"Found a dress, shoes and a recommendation for a hair stylist," Liv called back. "Are you guys ready for dinner?"
"Yeah we're- Whoa," Fin stopped and his partner barely kept from bumping into him. "Damn Liv, you look..." He shook his head. "I'm gonna have to change into something besides my jeans."
"You like it?" Liv grinned at him, her smile infectious. It, was a dress in bright red with slashes of black that wrapped around her body and hugged every delicious curve.
"I might just have swallowed my tongue," Fin blinked. "Gimme five minutes. John have a seat, maybe Alex'll give you the time a day."
"I hope this means I get to continue my attempts during dinner?" John asked as Fin took the results of his list into the bedroom. Five minutes turned into ten as he hopped in the shower and scrubbed a day of New York grime off his skin. When he came out Liv was leaning against the vanity and eyeing him with a smug little smile. "Babygirl you look like the cat that got the canary, dipped it in cream and then made all the evidence disappear," He grinned as he toweled off and began to get dressed.
"You're better than a canary," Liv grinned at him. "I can't wait to marry you."
"The feeling," Fin traced one finger down her jawline, loving how soft her skin was, "Is very very mutual Babygirl." He pulled on his shirt, buttoned it and had a tie around his neck before he even registered what his hands were doing. Liv's pretty hands fastened his cuffs and he couldn't help kissing her again, "Of course seeing you in that dress, now all I want is to take it off you."
"That's for after you feed me," She grinned at him as he pulled on his jacket.
"Is that a promise?" He called after her as she strolled out the bedroom door.
"Babe, that's a threat." Her laughter trailed back to him like a blaze of fire along his nerves.
"Oh is it ever," Fin groaned and grabbed his wallet and keys. He hadn't even realized he'd put his shoulder harness on until he was holstering his weapon and clipping on his badge. Liv probably had done the same thing, only in her purse. She'd laughed once and told him she always bought purses that had two sections, one for her gun, badge and notebook, the other for her personal stuff.
"We set?" He asked as he entered the living room.
"We are," Liv was still smiling. "Mel's leaving us though, her husband got tickets to a play so she's abandoning us plebeians for a night of culture." She kissed Warner's cheek, "Thank you so much for today."
"My pleasure, even if Laura abandoned us before the quest was completed," Melinda shrugged. "I'll see you at the shower if not at work."
"Oh yes," Olivia grinned and shook her head. "Everybody in the precinct has been invited, I swear."
"No, I think there are a few of the male uniforms that Kathy missed," John shook his head, a smile flickering over his lips.
Fin laughed as Olivia just groaned in mock dismay.
Author's Note: So I've never been wedding dress shopping, though I have window shopped and looked through countless magazines. I've never had a 'wedding and reception' so to speak. But I've listened to three separate people plan their weddings and receptions and it seemed that the dress was a major part of the whole thing.
So like the apartment, I spent some time looking for wedding dresses that could be worn if the bride was pregnant. I also noticed that when Mariska Hargitay got married she wore a strapless gown, so in a nod to her I picked one of that type. If you want to see the dress I picked take the spaces out of the link below. It won't be the right color, but that's the dress. Just picture it in a pretty pale silver or ivory.
I hope you all are enjoying this. I know I'm having fun writing it.
P.S. Okay so the link won't work right, sorry about that folks. Go to Light In The Box . com and search for maternity wedding gowns. Then look for one that says Empire Strapless Court Train Chiffon Tiered Wedding Dress WSW0164- p52428