"Are you sure this tie looks straight? I want it to be perfect for Verna."
"If you would stop pulling at it, it would be. You're more nervous than a virgin on prom night."
"What's a virgin?"
Liv and Jerry turned around to see Huck and Javi come in wearing their suits when Javi asked the question. Fixing his tie, Liv bent down to Javi and adjusted his.
"Something that you don't need to worry about. You look very handsome, bud. Did you see Nana?" Liv asked him as she helped loop his tie.
"Nana looks really pretty! Mommy too."
"I've got the rings," Huck reminded them. "I'll attach them to the pillow just before he comes down. Fitz is ready with her whenever you are."
Gathering everyone together to head down to the terrace, Liv took hold of Jerry's hand. "Are you nervous?"
"Of course not," Jerry laughed, giving her hand a light squeeze. "But I think you are."
"I'm fine. I don't have to recite vows in front of everyone."
Standing at the back of the terrace, Huck waved off to the piano player in the corner for her to start as he walked to his seat at the front. Once everyone was sat down, Jerry started for the front and shook hands with the preacher. When he turned back towards them, Liv gave Javi the go ahead. Just as rehearsed, Javi took the steps down towards his parents and sat between them. Following him, Liv was just about to walk when she felt eyes on her. Shaking it off, already aware those eyes were Fitz's, she kept going until she reached Jerry. Standing beside him, she turned around to them as Fitz appeared and kept his walk going. Everyone waiting for Verna, Fitz kept his eyes on Liv. Almost tripping once, Fitz looked away long enough to recompose himself and get to the end of the aisle. While everyone watched Verna stroll down the aisle, Fitz was staring only at Liv. The ceremony drowned out in his mind, the only thing he could focus on was her. Taking the bouquet from Verna just in time for the ring exchange, he still was barely mentally there.
I've got to get her to talk to me. She bailed on the rehearsal dinner last night. She's not going to walk out of the reception. We have got to talk. Dad's definitely not going to let her get away from here so close to returning. If we just have a face-to-face conversation, I can make her understand.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife, Jerry, kiss your bride."
Everyone clapping away, Jerry kissed Verna. After hugging both Fitz and Liv, they led the guests into the ballroom and started the reception. Seeing Fitz follow in with Cyrus and Michael, Olivia held back in the crowd to let everyone through when someone tapped her shoulder.
"You do look great in that dress, Liv."
Turning around, Liv smiled up at Tyler. "I didn't know you were going to stay for the wedding. Figured you'd be upstairs relaxing before you take off tonight."
"And miss the party? Surely, you're mistaken. Besides, it looked like you could use a friend. One who wasn't going to push you to talk to certain people if you didn't want to. I can be a buffer if you want."
"You're a lifesaver. I definitely could use a buffer for a bit."
Heading into the ballroom, Liv went with Tyler to the bar and ordered drinks before finding seats at an empty table on the side.
"Excited to see Steph and Chloe? Steph seemed pretty thrilled at this surprised you aren't telling her," Liv smiled and took a drink.
"She doesn't know I'm coming home. Chloe wanted it to be a surprise. Just in case something came up and I couldn't make it. We don't want to get her hopes up only to crush them."
"You know, from what I've seen, you are a great dad. I bet you're an even better dad when you're around her."
Verna and Jerry made rounds to guests while they all waited for dinner to be served. Saying hello and thank you's to some, Jerry made note of where she was in the room. When dinner was ready, Jerry had to DJ make the announcement to have a seat. Staying where they were, Liv and Tyler sat away from Cyrus and Michael with Kim, Huck, Javi, and Fitz. Though Fitz was very aware of where she was. Just after the main course was starting to be finished, Jerry stood with his drink and took the microphone.
"Good evening, friends and family," Jerry started. "Verna and I would like to thank all of you for coming out to enjoy this day with us. Fifty years in the making." Jerry bent down and kissed her while the room applauded. "I know, I know, about time. It took so long. Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing though. We might have been together and apart and together and apart. And together and apart, a few times, but both of us have done pretty well, if I may say so myself. Traditional ways are for boring people, right?"
"Absolutely, honey!" Verna laughed.
"I might be old but never boring. You probably noticed during the ceremony, an untraditional party at the front. My son, Fitzgerald, the man of honor. And the best woman, Livia. Now, when Verna and I asked these two to be part of the wedding, we put no strings on it. We didn't want the parties, or the big to dos. What we didn't tell you is that we did still expect the toasts." The crowd laughed as Jerry walked over to Fitz. "The psychiatrist says not to put extra pressure on them."
"I told you not to let them stress out about a speech," Verna called out.
"Same thing, sweetheart," Jerry smiled and clapped Fitz's shoulder. "Just don't embarrass me."
Taking the microphone from him, Fitz gave him a hug and let him go back to the head table. "I can't say I wasn't expecting this. But you're pretty safe, dad. I don't think I have any embarrassing stories that don't also embarrass me."
"Good, keep it that way!"
"Well, like his said, I'm Fitz, Jerry's son. And I have the oddest title today. Man of honor. Never heard that term before. When Verna asked, I'm not sure if she was nervous or afraid that I might say no. She was stuttering so much, I even asked her if she needed help hiding a body," Fitz laughed with everyone else. "But I think we all know she's too above board for that. Have you even ever killed a spider?"
"Are you kidding? I hate the rain," Verna smiled.
"Well, alright then. You know, when dad told me he was seeing someone, I thought he'd run into the ex-wife. Zena… oh I was going to have it…"
"Embarrassing," Jerry called out.
"All of us here know about your ex-wife dad. But anyway. I thought for sure Verna had enough of his crap years ago. I waited to hear him say that she was done with him. But when I heard him start talking about you, Verna, I knew this was permanent. Dad loves you and has since before I was born. I'm glad you two got your happy ending. So, Verna, I hope you can put up with his crap for the rest of your life. I really don't think he's going to let you go. Now, welcome to the family. To Verna and Jerry," Fitz smiled and held his glass up.
While everyone drank, Fitz went to their table and hugged both of them before going to Liv. Handing her the microphone, Fitz left his fingers on hers for a moment, locking eyes on hers as she stood up. After several seconds, Tyler cleared his throat getting Fitz's attention. Looking over at him, Fitz's eyes grew wider at the sight of him. Seeing he was about to say something, Tyler shook his head and motioned for him to leave. Looking back to her, Liv shook her head at Fitz trying to hand back the microphone.
"You'll be fine," he told her and let go of it. "It's not difficult. Just look at Dad and Verna or me. I promise, I'll be right here."
Slightly nodding, she stepped behind her chair as he took the empty seat beside where she was sitting. "I don't do public speaking. I leave that up to these guys." Looking at Jerry, he smiled and nodded. "You two look great together. I think we all can agree on that. Jerry, I'm glad you got back in touch with the love of your life. I don't think I've ever seen you happier. Verna, I've seen a lot of sides to this guy, maybe not as many as you but I know for a fact this is the best side. You've made him a better guy. You know, I was actually the reason these two are back together. After a session with Verna, my car broke down and the only person I could call was Jerry. I think I waited longer to get out of there than I did waiting for him to get there." She heard people laugh and felt a bit more at ease. "You two belong together. I'm happy for both of you. Verna, if you need help keeping him in line, you've got my number." Verna smiled and blew her a kiss as a thank you. "Jerry, this is a change. And we both know I don't do well in it. But now you have a wife so our routine for coffee and breakfast every Monday either stop or include her now. You've been my mentor, my rock, my best friend. Losing you would be unimaginable. But luckily, I'm gaining another friend. Hopefully one that remembers we still have doctor patient confidentiality."
"My lips are sealed," Verna laughed.
"Good! I'm glad I get to witness the happy ending for you two. It's been a long time coming. Congratulations."
While everyone toasted them again, Jerry came over with Verna to her and hugged her tight. "If anything, I'd be losing you, Livia. You'd never lose me." Jerry kissed her cheek and stepped aside for Verna to come in.
"That was sweet, Olivia. Thank you. And thank you for coming home," Verna told her while they hugged.
Taking the microphone out of her hand, Jerry turned towards the full ballroom. "Thank you all again for coming. We'll have the cake cut in just a few minutes and then we can all enjoy some of what the new generation calls dancing." Jerry led Fitz and Verna over to the cake table to cut it, leaving Liv with Tyler at the table.
"You did great, Liv. Public speaking isn't that bad," Tyler praised her.
"I've seen Jerry and Fitz do it a thousand times and it always seems unsettling. But I made it through, and I see why Verna said not to tell me I would need to do a speech."
"Yes, that was probably the right call. You'd have been stressed out about it for months."
"Thank you for staying. You ready to head out? I can call Lucas to come get you whenever you're ready."
"Grab a piece of cake to go and I'll grab my suitcases."
Heading over to the table, Liv picked up two slices of cake and walked out of the ballroom. Fitz was helping dish the cake to plates and watched her leave. Tempted to go after her, he stayed beside Jerry for several minutes. By the time he was able to rush out of the room into the lobby, Liv was no where in sight. Taking a seat on the side against the wall, he waited hoping she was only in the bathroom and would be out soon.
"Got everything?" Liv asked as she grabbed his third bag.
"Think so. Are you going to go back and enjoy the party?"
"For a little while. The ring bearer was adorable. Think I might have to share a piece of cake with him."
Tyler laughed stepping off the elevator in the lobby again. "I'm sorry I didn't get to meet him officially. Javi seems like a great kid."
Watching Liv and Tyler walk out to the valet, Fitz was about to stop her when he heard Jerry a few feet beside him.
"She's not leaving. Let her be and come back to the ballroom," Jerry told him.
Though he was going to argue, he noticed that the bags they were pulling out were not Liv's suitcases and instantly felt better. "Okay, I'm coming."
Lucas put the bags in the car and allowed them their time to say goodbye. Hugging each other, Liv let him kiss her cheek.
"I owe you big time for coming out here with me. Thank you for putting up with me."
"I'm on a private jet to see my wife and daughter. I think it's the least I could do. How about this time, we don't say goodbye? Until next time? We need to keep in better contact. Stephanie will want to meet her Aunt Olivia."
"But I'm not her aunt, Tyler."
"You would have been. Stephen loved you more than he could say. And you took care of Grandma Beth. You are family. A marriage certificate doesn't need to be signed for that to be true."
"You're the best. Get to those girls safely and call me when you land."
Waving him off, Liv went to join the party again. Seeing everyone dancing around, having fun, she spotted Verna and Jerry on the dance floor enjoying themselves. Taking the chair she was at before, Liv sat and people watched and ordered another drink.