"Olivia, this is gonna be great! Rubbing shoulders with fabulous west coast politicians and businessmen. It's right up our alley. I've always wanted to be with a man in politics," Bradford smirked a little to himself and looked out the window at the property they were approaching. His mouth dropped open.
"Somebody makes bank! Fitzgerald is seriously from a rich family! I mean I know he used to be president and all but, Jesus!"
"Bradford, you act as if you're family isn't one of the richest in the country."
"But my family buys boring things like art, and spends money on small but expensive condos within the concrete jungle of New York City. Clearly the Grants spend their money a little differently. I mean, Liv, this house looks like we're driving up to Disney World...on steroids."
"Yes, they come from money, but the Grants are also very sweet. I was around them a handful of times during the campaign and they've always been kind. Besides, the family has owned this property for generations. They just keep building on it."
"Yeah, yeah, I know they're the sweet rich type. I thought FG3 has a crazy sister," he said curiously out of the side of his mouth.
"Crazy? No. Not my biggest fan? Yes. She was basically in love with Mellie. So in her opinion I'm only second best, I guess. Margaret Grant, loving wife of Ken Schuler, the beloved Governor of California."
"Ah, yes. Margaret Grant, affectionately called Maggie. I knew my memory wasn't failing me. She does know that Mellie cheated on him for years and years, right?"
"She told me once, in her own special way, that an emotional affair is worse than a physical one. That's how she felt about Fitz and I before the divorce. But, really, she's entitled to her opinion. I'm sure she wanted to jump out of a window when she heard about our engagement."
"Well, I, for one, am excited to see her. Maggie Grant sounds like just the type of woman I watch for entertainment at events such as these," he wrapped his arms around Olivia's shoulders and shook her out of excitement. "I can smell the money and scotch from here, my dear. This is going to be fun."
As the car pulled up to the front of the main mansion, Olivia saw Fitz waving ready to greet them. He briskly walked over to the car and opened her door. As she got out she could see he was excited that she was joining him for the weekend.
"Livvie,"He hugged her tightly not wanting to let go. She lightly moaned at the perfection of her body against his.
"Hey you," she pulled back to reach up and give him a kiss on his lips. He lifted her left hand to his mouth to lay a sweet peck on her ring finger and smiled at her.
"Mmm, I'm so glad you're here Liv. I thought you were going to find a reason to not make it."
"My own engagement party? How could I not show up?" She joked as she playfully patted his arm.
"Ha! I wouldn't put it past you, Olivia!" Bradford shouted as he walked over towards them from his side of the car.
"The man of the hour!" Fitz broke away from Olivia to give him a firm handshake."Bradford thanks so much for delivering my future bride safely."
"Oh, , You give me too much credit. When I heard Abby couldnt make the trip because of the flu I felt sorry for a minute. And then I thanked my lucky stars that I could take her place in the festivities," he shamelessly said.
"Yeah, I hear she has it pretty badly. But I'm glad you were able to join us. It should be a nice two days. I know Liv could use a friend to complain about everything to," his raised eyes landed on Olivia who stared back innocently.
"Fitz, I know it won't be that bad. I just hate doing stuff that's so public. Photographers and caterers and guests and gifts. You know I revel in my privacy."
He reached over to hold her hands as their fingers played with one another's sweetly. He placed himself directly in front of her to look into her beautiful dark brown eyes. The sun was shining on her perfectly, accenting the golden tones in her brown skin.
"You're making my family very, very happy by going along with all of this. My mother is already singing your praises as her new daughterinlaw. And you know my dad was in love with you from the campaign."
"I know. Its fine. It's just not easy for me. I'd take my stressful job over a dinner party in my honor any a judge from going to jail for an alleged prostituton incident? Easy as pie. A huge party in my honor with my fiancé's family? Not so much."
He chuckled and kissed the side of her cheek.
"Come on, they're setting up the tent in the back."
He led the way as Bradford followed closely taking it all in. Fitz was just as proud as could be as he walked her thorough the mansion towards the back where his mother was ordering people around.
"Look who decided to show up," he smiled as Genevieve Grant turned around.
Mrs. Grant, was a petite woman with a natural glow about her. Her perfectly tailored slacks and light blouse showed off her well maintained figure. Her dark brown hair was almost the same color as her eyes. And her thin smile was reminiscent of her sons. She clearly was where Fitz got his age defying looks. It was almost impossible for many to guess her actual age.
"Olivia," the warmth in her voice melted Liv's heart as she walked over to hug her.
Their embrace caused Fitz to smile as he looked on proudly.
"My future daughter-in-law. Just as beautiful as can be," she cupped Olivia's face much in the same way Fitz grew accustomed to.
"Mrs. Grant you're too sweet. Thank you so much for this. For all of this. You didn't have to."
"Oh, Olivia. Please, I've told you time and time again to call me Ginny. And as far as the party goes, of course! I am more than excited to celebrate such a wonderful addition to the family. Even though I heard Fitz had to use some special magic to get you out here."
"Well, I don't know how special his magic is," Olivia nervously laughed looking to Fitz.
"So then I guess that means you're bedroom skills could use some work, Fitzgerald?" She joked dryly.
"Mother, really?"
"I'm kidding! Loosen up. And is this Abby?" She asked turning her attention to Bradford.
He laughed charmingly.
"Bradford Ellerbe, ma'am. Our dear friend Abigail has the flu so I was summoned to make the trek with Olivia instead."
"Well, Mr. Ellerbe, thank you for that. I love those pants by the way. Classy fellow, I see." Ginny looked him up and down slowly and finished with an impressed look on her face.
"Is Dad around yet? Olivia can say hello before she begins getting ready for the party."
"Your father is still off playing golf with his little friends. They'll be back for the engagement party this evening. In the meantime you kids should freshen up. The guests will be here before you know it. Fitzgerald, show Olivia where she'll be staying. And, Bradford?"
"Yes, Ginny?"
"Come with me. There are a few decisions to make on the rest of the decorations for this evening. I have a sneaky suspicion you could be of some help in this area."
"A woman after my own heart. Shall we?" He extended his arm for her to grab a hold of as they walked away. Fitz and Olivia laughed lightly as they stood together and watched them disappear towards the back of the mansion.
"Let me show you the room," Fitz grabbed Olivia by the hand and pulled her up the grand staircase.
As they entered the room it was obvious that Fitz had made himself comfortable since his arrival.
"Wow. This is the guest bedroom huh?" She was impressed by her surroundings as she walked throughout the large room. The walk-in closet and enormous bathroom added to the impeccable layout.
"Yeah. I know, it's all a bit flashy," he plopped on the bed and motioned for Olivia to join him,"but you've been here before Liv."She took off her jacked and crawled next to him over the messy comforters.
As they snuggled with one another they both let out a big sigh.
"Last time I was here was during the campaign and if you recall I stayed at the Hilton along with the rest of the staff. I didn't even make it past the main floor," she laughed to herself.
"I remember that week. I should've stopped trying to be the boyscout and given you the special tour," he teased her as he lowered his nose to smell her hair.
"Mmmmm...I wouldn't have taken you up on your offer anyway."
"Yeah, right."
They cuddled in silence and enjoyed a few moments of quiet together.
"I can't believe I'm in your parents house about to get dressed for our engagement party."
"It's kinda surreal, right? Just think of all the days we were on the campaign trail, the beginning of my presidency when I couldn't even look in your direction without going crazy. All of those days where we wanted to be together, but we couldn't. And here we are."
"Here we are," she pressed herself into him tightly. He kissed the top of her head.
"I'm so tired. I slept most of the flight over here but I guess it wasn't enough."
"Take a nap Liv. You're allowed to relax."
"I can't. I have to start getting ready." She looked down at her watch to notice that she was running out of time before guests arrived.
Fitz covered her wrist as she looked at it, forcing her to look up at him.
"If you're tired, Livvie, take a nap. You can run a little late to your own party."
"I know. I'm just too wound up right now."
"You need me to unwind you?" He grinned as his hands starting sensually rubbing her neck.
"Mmmm, I don't think we have time," she sleepily responded as she yawned.
He rolled them over so she was on her back and he was balancing himself above her.
"Let's make time, Liv." He began kissing her neck and gently slipped his hand under the hem of her shirt.
"Fitz," she whispered as she held his face and lifted it to look at her."Fitz, we can't. After, I promise."
"Liv, do you feel me right now?" He pressed his hardened length into her thigh."I won't last until after."
"I promise after. I will do anything you want for as long as you want. Right now I can't focus on having sex. Especially good sex."
He rolled on his back as he sighed.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Don't be sorry. I blame my mother, not you," he smiled as he propped himself on his side to look at her.
"I'm gonna go take a shower beautiful. You can take this bathroom to get ready and I'll use the one across the hall." He kissed her nose and got himself up from the bed. Liv's eyes were drawn to his obvious bulge.
"See what you do to me?"
"I know. Trust me, the raincheck will be worth the wait," she winked and seductively licked her full lips causing him to laugh.
They both got showered and dressed separately. Meeting back in their bedroom to enter the party together.
"Wow, Livvie," he lowered his head to quickly peck her full pout.
"Yeah?" She asked innocently and gave a bashful smile.
"You look amazing." He looked her up and down slowly. She was wearing a simply cut white cocktail dress that was just above her knee. And her strappy heels were the perfect accent to her simple yet cute outfit.
"You look handsome as always." He chose a dark charcoal photographers suit and a crisp white shirt.
"Shall we?" His hand extended for her to hold on as their fingers locked.
They entered the party as it had already began and all the guests stopped to turn their attention towards the glowing couple. Everyone clapped and raised their glasses for a warm welcome to the festivities. Olivia and Fitz spent a large part of the evening socializing with friends and associates of the Grant family. They mingled and took pictures for local newspapers and websites. They barely had time to sit and eat before the next guest was being introduced to them, asking about the couples future plans together. Before they noticed, the night was more than halfway over.
"Are my eyes deceiving me? I think I spy that handsome brother of mine," Maggie said as she approached them.
She was just as Olivia remembered. The same height as Fitz, almost his identical twin, just with shoulder length dark brown hair. She was a little heavier, nothing that was unexpected due to the fact that she had kids. She wore a long black dress and her hair was swept in an up-do. Her red lipstick finished the overall look.
"Look who decided to bless us with her presence," He said playfully as he gave her a hug.
"Politics keeps a woman like me busy, what can I say?"
As she pulled back from their hug and held his hands she turned her head and weakly smiled at Olivia who has been standing back politely to let them have their moment.
"Olivia," she acted surprised to see her,"I guess congratulations are in order," she nodded her head as though they were nothing but acquaintences.
"Maggie,thank you for coming. We really appreciate it."
"Well of course. If my brother is going to give marriage another go I should at least be around to watch the show," her cold demeanor didn't go unnoticed.
"I don't believe we've met, I'm Bradford Ellerbe. And you are?"
"Margaret Grant-Schuler. Wife of Ken Schuler."
"Never heard of him."
"The Governor of California?"
"Hmph. Well I'm from the east coast. You know we're a little slow on the news feed over there. I thought the Terminator was still in charge. Silly me," he joked trying to break the ice.
"You must be one of Olivia's friends."
"Yes. One of her best friends. So that makes you and I almost family," his tone was playful as he winked. Margaret completely ignored his small talk and turned her attention to her brother.
"Other than lunch yesterday we've barely had time to catch up. Your trips are entirely too short since you've moved out east."
"That's true. But my family is on the east coast, Margaret. Liv and the kids might not like it if I flew to California every time my big sister got bored." He rubbed Olivia's back affectionately. Maggie winced at the sight of them in obvious love.
"Well, Ken should be here shortly. I'll send him in your direction when he arrives. In the meantime I'll let you two mingle. I have a few people I need to chat with." She walked away quickly and Bradford excused himself to go get a drink. Fitz and Olivia were left standing alone.
"Maybe one day she'll get used to us," she said in a low voice so only he could hear her. They shared a sweet smile."How about you take me over to a quiet corner so I can have a seat."
"You're getting worn out aren't you."
"A little. I don't know if its something I ate or not but I'm not feeling too hot. Maybe that seafood didn't agree with me."
"I hope you're not getting that same stomach bug as Abby. C'mon we can go take a breather in that back corner."
"Lead the way ."
They hid themselves in the emptiest part of the room at one of the large circular tables that hadn't been used all night. Fitz sat closely next to Olivia as they got lost in their own world, talking quietly and whispering in each others ears. They joked about some of the bizarre conversations they had with the guests that evening. Fitz was smiling and laughing at everything Liv said as he gently caressed her long Fitz's father approached them.
"Fitzgerald!"
"Dad," he responded in an irritated tone due to being interrupted.
"You all look like two lovesick teenagers over here in this corner. You do realize this whole shebang is for you?"
"Yeah I know. Just trying to get some quiet time with Liv."
"Well quiet time is over my boy. Your brother-in-law finally arrived and has been looking for you. There are a few people he wants to introduce you to."
Fitz looked at Liv.
"It's fine, Fitz. Go ahead and chat. I'm actually gonna sneak away for a bit and run up to the room to check a few emails. Harrison was supposed to be sending me some information."
"You sure? I can blow them off."
"Don't be silly. I could use a few moments of quiet time anyway."
"Well I'll sneak away shortly too and meet you up there okay? Wait for me and I'll be up in a bit," he leaned over for a quick kiss before standing."I love you."
"Love you too. Take your time. I have plenty of work to keep me busy."
About half an hour had gone by of him socializing with various politicians. Fitz was dying to get out of there so he casually left the party to find Liv. Most of the guests had left anyway so he didnt feel bad. As he made his way to their bedroom he looked in and didnt see her. Right before he turned to leave he heard a noise come from the bathroom.
"Liv? You okay?" He asked as he walked into the bathroom and knocked.
Fitz opened the door and looked down to find Olivia kneeled on the ground in front of the toilet. He immediately lowered himself to be right next to her.
"Livvie,"he said softly as his hand rubbed her back. She barely raised her head up, her breathing slightly staggered.
"I'm okay, I just-"
"What can I do? You want some water? Ginger Ale? If you need medicine I can run to the store..."
"No, I'm fine. I just got a little sick. Guess this means no more seafood for me." She flushed the toilet and leaned over to sit with her back against the wall as she sat on the floor trying to regulate her breathing.
"I'll get a thermometer. Maybe you have a fever," he stood to begin a search for one.
"No.I don't think I have a fever," she said as she rubbed her forehead and let out a faint sigh. Her chest was lowering and rising shallowly and she looked up at the ceiling.
He inched over, still on his knees, to be next to her and rub her back again. Her usually rich brown skin looked pale and clammy. Her eyes seemed glossed over and her lips looked swollen from wiping her mouth so much.
"You sure? You really don't look well. Maybe something you ate was-"
"I think I'm pregnant Fitz."
He immediately halted rubbing her back and stared at her with his mouth open, speechless. She rolled her head to the side as it rested against the wall to look at his reaction. His entire face had dropped.
"We're pregnant?"
"I said I think..."
"Have you taken a pregnancy test?"
"No."
"Don't get my hopes up kid," he joked, trying to make her feel better."You probably just have the same stomach bug as sick doesn't always mean pregnant Liv." He began rubbing her back again to try and relax her.
"I know that. But lately I've had a few days like this where I just feel like shit. I'm exhausted no matter how much I rest, and my body feels weird. Not to mention my boobs have been killing me. All I keep thinking is that this is how I felt last time. Exactly how I felt. Just...off."
"Okay. Well then I'll be right back. I'll run to the store and get some tests," he said seriously as he stood up.
"Don't bother. I have two with me in my luggage," she muttered while her hand lazily swung towards the direction of the bedroom.
"Really? Where? I'll grab them."
"I'll get it. I'm not dying, it was just a little throw up." She braced herself and wiped her tired eyes before standing up to walk to her suitcase.
He followed her and sat on the bed as she dug through her belongings.
"So if you packed those for the trip..." He trailed off trying to put two and two together.
"Like I said, I've felt strange for a couple of days now. Seemed smart to pack them just in case."
"Oh. You want me to go in the bathroom with you Liv?"
"Wait here. Nothing less sexy than seeing your fiancé pee on a stick."
"I've watched you linger about your business, half dressed, on the commode, inches away from me, while I'm brushing my teeth. I'm pretty sure we're past the shy stage in our relationship," he gave her a sweet thin smile as he touched her hand,"but I'll wait here anyway."
"Hang tight," she let out a sigh and went to use the bathroom. It didn't take long before she walked out and sat right next to him on the edge of the bed. They waited shoulder to shoulder staring in the direction of the bathroom.
"No matter what it says, I love you. Either way we'll figure it out, together. Okay?"
She responded by throwing herself backwards to flop on top of the comforters. Her hands covered her eyes as she groaned."I cannot believe this is happening! At my own engagement party!"
He chuckled at her dramatic moment and reached over to gently rub her stomach with his hand.
"It could be worse Liv. Really. Do you want some ginger ale while we wait? I'll get you some. Or some tea? How about crackers?"
"Fitz, I feel like you're freaking out."
"No, not at all. I just want you to be allright, okay?"
"Thanks," she sat up and lightly kissed his shoulder before she leaned against it."My stomach feels a lot better right now. I guess I just had to get it out of my system. I'm really trying to process what's happening right now."
He lifted his arm to pull her into him.
"That's allowed, Liv," he said as he spoke into her hair and kissed her gently.
"Hey Fitz?"
"Yep?" He held her hand ready to do anything she needed from him in that moment.
"I think it's been five minutes."
So what do you think?! Pregnancy scare or the flu? Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Still deciding on the direction of the next chapter. Do me a favor and leave a review! It always helps for a little feedback from the readers. Until next time!