Oliver opened the door and held it open for Allie who was helping bring in some of his belongings. Allie looked around there hadn't been much for furniture, "I guess our Inspector doesn't do much entertaining?" Oliver shook his head no. Oliver took Allie to the room he was staying in, and she set his items on a small dresser while he put some of his possessions away. Allie wanted to see the rest of the home, she felt she was seeing who William had become, which was dark and dreary. Oliver caught up with her and asked what she thought. "I think I want to buy him some house warming gifts, so when he comes home it feels like it. What do you think?" Allie asked. Oliver smiled, "I think he would either love it or hate it. I am guessing he will be thankful so I think you would live to see another day." They sat in the kitchen while Allie made some baked goods to keep Oliver from starving and made a list of things that would make it feel like home, yet still a man's home. "Oliver, would you like to come with me to pick out these things?" Oliver nodded and suggested that they go early Monday after he gets off work, he only has to get medically cleared and turn in paperwork l which will only last the morning and then they could go to dinner after. Allie made two loaves of bread, and filled a jar up with biscuits. After they cleaned up the kitchen together Oliver asked if she would stay a little longer and dress his wound, but he wanted to bathe first.
Allie warmed water and filled the tub, while Oliver started a fire to keep the room warm. Allie went to excuse herself but felt a hand wrap around her waist, Oliver whispered in her ear between peppering jerk neck with soft kisses, "Please stay, join me, we will make alone time but it may be less frequent so let's enjoy tonight." Allie nodded and turned to face him. They had undressed and got in the tub. Allie sat with her back against Oliver's chest. They had taken turns washing each other and got out as the water slowly lost its warmth. Oliver gave Allie a shirt to wear, and sent a message to Eliza letting her know that Allie was staying with him and would be spending most of the day with tomorrow. Allie redressed his wound, and they laid together in bed talking about their past and their future, as well as plans for the next day. Oliver asked her to join him at the doctor's and when he dropped off the paperwork to Scotland Yard to be introduced to his father. Allie asked if things would change if his father did not like her, Oliver reassured her that nothing would change even if his father did not agree with his relationship. Allie enjoyed being physically affectionate with him, but their conversations made her feel closer to him emotionally. They fell asleep wrapped up in each other's arms.
Oliver woke up alone. After momentarily worrying about where she might have gone he smelled something wonderful coming from the kitchen. He quickly got ready for work so they could get on with their day together. Allie had prepared more food for him to take to work and for breakfasts while he was on his own. Allie also prepared ham, eggs, and toasted bread for breakfast. He stood and observed her quietly working in the kitchen, she sensed him there and left from where she was washing dishes to greet him. Allie hugged him tightly, Oliver lowered his head to kiss her and said, "This smells amazing, you have been busy." Allie stated she was too excited about today and could no longer sleep despite not wanting to leave his bed. Oliver pulled the chair out for her to sit, he noticed across from him a calendar that had a huge circle around the day Inspector Wellington was due back and three days checked off. He smiled knowing his mentor would be home soon to sweep Eliza off her feet, and be surprised at his newly furnished home. Oliver and Allie quickly finished and hoped in a coach to head to the doctor's office. In no time at all they found themselves at Scotland Yard. Oliver and Allie stalled getting out of the coach, Oliver could tell that she was nervous and eased her fears by saying, "Everything will be fine love, if it isn't for whatever reason, I will be there beside you, and it will be my father's choice to be involved in our lives or not." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her wrist.
Fitzroy turned his paperwork into the reception area, and then the two made their way to Commissioner Fitzroy's office. Oliver knocked and his father opened the door, "Detective Fitzroy I wasn't expecting to see you today please come in." Oliver entered and held the door for Allie. "Father there is someone I would like you to meet. This is Miss Alexandra Scarlet, and we have just began courting." Allie held her hand out to shake his Father's hand and was welcomed by a warm smile. Commissioner Fitzroy shook her hand gently and placed a kiss on it saying, "It is nice to meet you my dear, tell me about yourself and how you two met." Oliver was shocked that his father was taking this so well, they sat and visited for an hour before his father had to be at a meeting. Allie hugged his father which caught him off guard and said that she hopes to see him again soon, she told Oliver that she was going to get them a coach. Oliver stood to follow and heard his father clear his throat, "You have done well for yourself Oliver, it appears you two get along well. I have something for you to give her when you feel like it is the right time." His father unlocked the safe that was in one of his drawers, he pulled out a ring box and gave it to Oliver saying, "This is your grandmothers ring she wished to to be given to you once you had found the person you wanted to spend your life with." Oliver opened the box and the ring was gorgeous just as he remembered it, a beautiful ruby surrounded by small diamonds. Oliver gasped, "Thank you, you don't know what this means." His father stepped up to him and placed his hands on Oliver's shoulders, "It means I am proud of the man you are becoming, I owe many thanks to Inspector Wellington." Oliver nodded and bid his father goodbye.
As Oliver left to meet Allie in the coach he couldn't believe the encounter that they just had with his father. He joined her in the coach, Allie leaned over and kissed his cheek, "That went much better than I thought it would." Oliver agreed, he wanted to give her that ring that very second, instead he asked her where the should start looking for furnishings for the inspectors house. They purchased several items that were to be delivered later in the afternoon. They got to the restaurant for an early dinner. They sat facing each other enjoying each other's company and talking about their day. An ensemble started playing beautiful music and Allie got an idea, "I should ask them to play at Ivy's wedding! We would need to have the reception somewhere to dance, that is the missing piece!" Oliver offered, let me talk to my aunt, or we could swing by together and see if she wouldn't mind hosting! She loves having parties and would probably offer up some rooms for people to stay in as well. It's only her in a big mansion." Allie asked, "Really? Let me talk to the ensemble and see if they would be interested." Allie walked over and asked the group while they weee in between songs. Oliver watched as the men looked over Allie and took her hand to kiss it, he felt a pang of jealousy. Allie made her way back to the table looking excited, Oliver asked, "Good news?" Allie nodded gleefully and they finished dinner quickly so they could visit his Aunt, before the Inspector's furnishings were to be delivered.
Oliver and Allie pulled up to his Aunt's home. Oliver offered his hand to Allie to help her out of the coach. By the expression on Allie's face, he knew she wasn't expecting this type of grandeur. "Oliver, I wouldn't want to impose, she isn't expecting us." Allie said worriedly. Oliver took her arm in his and lead her up the stairs, "I promise you she will be overjoyed to meet you, and help with the reception." Oliver knocked and a butler greased them, "Good day Detective! Let me take you to the sitting room, while I get your aunt!" Oliver nodded, and they followed the butler into the sitting room, Allie tried to take everything in, "Oliver! This place is gorgeous!"
"Well Thank you dear!" Oliver's Aunt had just walked in just in time to hear the compliment. Oliver smiled and introduced Allie, "Aunt Lydia this is my paramour Miss Alexandra Scarlet." Aunt Lydia smiled from ear to ear, "What a beautiful couple you two are, to what do I owe the honor?" Oliver asked knowing how nervous Allie was, "We come asking for a favor, this coming weekend on Saturday we will be celebrating our dear friends wedding and I had mentioned to Allie how much you loved to throw parties in your ballroom. We were wondering if you would be interested in hosting the reception, everything else is taken care of in respects to food, music, and decorations we would just need the space." Aunt Lydia beamed, "How exciting! I would love to offer my dining hall as well! Also if the wedding party would like to stay the night we have plenty of rooms and I would host a bridal breakfast the next morning if you would like!" Allie spoke up, "That is very generous of you! I appreciate it greatly and it will be a beautiful surprise for the couple." Aunt Lydia nodded, "Anything for you and Oliver my dear, hopefully you will consider having your wedding here as well, come summer my garden is exceptional, and it would give me great joy." Allie nodded, "Thank you, that is very kind." Oliver nodded, "Hopefully that will be sooner than later, I can't imagine waiting to spend my life with her any longer than I have to." Allie blushed. Aunt Lydia took Allie's arm, "Come my dear, let's show you around." Allie was looking around the ball room, it was the most beautiful place she had been in. Aunt Lydia stood by Oliver, "She is very beautiful Oliver, and kind." Oliver smiled tenderly, "I would marry her today if she would let me, she is an angel." Allie walked back over to them, "This place is an absolute dream, thank you again for making the future Mr. And Mrs.Potts's a day to remember." Aunt Lydia pulled her in for a hug, "Anything for you love, thank you for caring for Oliver while he was injured you have made quite an impression." Oliver and Allie bid Aunt Lydia good bye, they returned to the restaurant to let them know the address of the reception, as well as the caterer and floral shop. Everything was coming together perfectly.
Oliver and Allie returned to the Inspector's home, Allie sent for Eliza via a messenger. After all Eliza knew him better than anyone, and wanted her opinion. Eliza arrived shortly after closing her office nervous as she had never been in William's home before. Eliza was nervous the whole way, Allie didn't say why she needed her and hoped it wasn't bad news. Oliver opened the door after she knocked. Eliza felt like she had physically walked into William as she stepped inside, it was overwhelming to her senses. She took a deep breath feeling as if he was the air she breathed, it was both comforting and yet it evident that William was still gone. Allie came rushing to her from the sitting room, "Lizzie, I need your help, I have bought a few items to make this feel more like home for when William returns and while Oliver is here, and you know him better than we do and thought your opinion would be valuable." Eliza smiled, "That was very kind of you Allie, I am sure William will love coming home to a clean, well furnished home." Allie laughed, "I hope he will spend more time here and have you over, I can't believe you have never been here before. Let me go check on dinner, you and Oliver can start I will be back in a minute." Oliver led Eliza into the sitting room, it was full of furnishings. Oliver placed his hands on his hips, "I am guessing you think she went overboard?" Eliza nodded, "That is one way of putting it, has she told you how much money she inherited?" Oliver shook his head no, "I don't dare ask her, she has never asked me about my finances, I am sure by now she knows I come from money. She met my Aunt Lydia today as I suggested we use her ballroom for the wedding reception. Allie hired an ensemble that we heard at our lunch to play for the reception, and my aunt has offered us her dining room, spare rooms for those that wish to stay the night, as well as a bridal breakfast for those who stay." Eliza's eyes became glossy, "What a gift she has given to Ivy and Barnabas, today Ivy said you agreed to be a groomsman and walk with Allie down the aisle. She told me that she had written to the Inspector that Barnabas wished for him to be his best man and escort me down the aisle but she had never heard back, so you may be his best man now and he might ask his assistant to take your place since you are taking Williams place." Oliver nodded, "Everything will work out I promise."
Eliza and Oliver started placing chairs and a couch over a large rug in the sitting room, a desk was then placed in front of a window with a chair. Allie stated that dinner was ready, and they went into the dining room which clearly had been set up with help from those that delivered the table and chairs. It was coming together nicely. Allie made a delicious dinner and Eliza helped clear the table as Oliver started in the second bedroom getting it set up, then they would just have to finish William's master bedroom. In the kitchen they had placed a small table that had been in the dining room, shelves were tidy, stocked, and organized, there were plenty of baked goods and food prepared for the upcoming weeks so Oliver would be well fed. They placed new mattresses, pillows, and bedding as well as a new dresser and mirror in William's room. New bath towels were also set out and a suit was hung in front of his armoire still covered with a long tissue sleeve.
"Allie? Where did this new suit come from?" Eliza inquired. Allie froze and her eyes met Oliver's who also looked white as a ghost. "Oh, we had found that laid over a chair. Must have been for something special." Oliver regained color in his face, Eliza didn't need to know Allie had went to the tailors and had them make a matching suit that would compliment Eliza's dress at the wedding. Thankfully they had the Inspectors measurements. Oliver also had a suit made to complement Allie's dress, but again even Allie didn't know about that.
They had turned an empty house into a well furnished comfortable home, complete with the delightful smells of home cooking. Oliver called a coach for Allie and Eliza. Eliza was getting on her shawl and hat while Allie was saying goodbye to Oliver. Out of the corner of Eliza's eye she saw Allie walk towards her only to be stopped by Oliver's hand lightly grabbing her arm to stop her. Oliver pulled her in to a tight embrace and placed a kiss on Allie's lip, and lightly said I love you, I will stop by the office tomorrow? Allie nodded and was heard saying I love you and will miss you. Eliza looked away and wished William was here.
On the way back to their home Eliza and Allie excited spoke about the reception and wedding that was now five days away. Allie told Eliza all about Oliver's Aunts generosity. They walked in the door and retired for the night as they had much to do at the office and come Friday they would be decorating the church and ballroom. Allie's dreams were filled of dancing with Oliver, and watching Eliza's surprise when William shows up to walk her down the aisle as Barnabas's best man. Eliza dreamt of William, tonight she had been the closest to him she had been in months. She dreamt of him inviting her over after work for dinner and drinks, and then asking her to stay the night. Eliza felt like she was coming out of her skin, but eventually slipped off to a deep restful sleep and the feeling of his warm strong arms around her.
William was half way home as he stood on the dock and looked up at the stars. He had wished on each one of them twice by now that Eliza would be ready to take the next step with him. He didn't care about Scotland Yard anymore, he would ask Eliza to officially become a permanent Detective duo, she of course would always lead and he would support her in everything. At this point she could tell him he could stay on at Scotland Yard and he would do whatever she needed him to do so she would know nothing was going to stand in his way to her. She was his world, he had known this but tried to live between two worlds that constantly bumped into each other creating unnavigable grey areas for both of them. He had sent a telegram to Oliver saying he was making great time and was projected to be back Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning. He wanted to surprise her at the wedding and knew how hard it would be if he arrived Friday afternoon to stay away, but the closer to her the better. She wrote that she wouldn't tell him she loved him in a letter, and hoped she still felt that way. He yearned for her, craved her presence.