Your Turn To Wait –Bonus Chapter
A/N - This bonus chapter is dedicated to Cleo who recently reread this one shot and was kind enough comment on it again. I've always felt this story needed a little more background material, so here it is. Enjoy.
"Mellie, Andrew, thank you for coming. It means a lot to us and I know it really means a great deal to Gerry, Karen and Teddy that you took the time to pay your respects." Isabel says as she and Mia give the couple a departing hug.
"Listen, Olivia and I buried the hatchet years ago. Andrew and I have been together just as long as she and Fitz. We're happy, they were happy. There are no bad feelings, recriminations or regrets. Our lives turned out exactly as they should have." Mellie said with genuine sincerity. "I'm so sorry you and your siblings are without a living parent. I know how that feels. If there is anything Andrew or I can do, please don't hesitate to contact us. I really mean it."
"Thank you Mellie. Hey, let me go get Gerry and Karen so you can say good-bye. I think they're on snack detail and Teddy is wandering around here somewhere. These last few days have really been difficult for the grandkids. Mom was such an integral part of their lives; most of them were very young when dad died, so mom is the only grandparent they've ever known; and now she's gone." Mia leaves, teary-eyed, to find Gerry and Karen while Isabel excuses herself to thank the remaining departing guests for attending the funeral.
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"Okay, is that the last of the mourners?" Mia asks, exhausted as she closes the front door.
"No, I think Ella and Byron are still here. I'm pretty sure everyone is gathered in the living room." Sammy responds.
"Well, let's go join them." Mia and Sammy hug each other tightly. The cold realization that they are now parentless is finally settling in.
"Before I go I wanted to give you all these things I found in my dad's old stuff from his White House days. I sent Aunt Liv the letter from your dad I found several months ago."
"What…wait? You sent the letter. We thought it came from the Postal Historical Society. The postmark is more than 30 years old." Gerry says amazed.
"I know, I thought it rather strange dad had in his possession a letter addressed to Liv from uncle Fitz, so I had it delivered to her. She called to thank me when she got and told me it was added confirmation."
"Added confirmation; confirmation of what", Teddy asks.
"I don't know. She said she had to rush out to run some errands, so I did not have a chance to talk to her about it further."
"So, what do you have?"
"Another letter. This one is from dad to Aunt Liv. And a copy of their wedding ceremony."
"Did you read the letter?"
"No, I figured we could read it together."
"Well open it; let's hear what Cyrus has to say from beyond the grave."
Ella carefully opens the 30 plus years old sealed envelope.
Olivia,
Seven years ago, I walked into the oval and saw the most heart-wrenching sight I had ever seen. Fitz was sitting on the edge of his couch sobbing uncontrollably. Two empty bottles of scotch lay at his feet. In his hand was the letter addressed to you that is accompanying this letter. I had never seen him so distraught. That night, he poured out his heart to me. He spoke of the terrible hurt he had inflicted on you and his heartfelt regrets. He also spoke of his undying love for you. It was as if he was grieving the death of someone he loved dearly. He wouldn't let me read the letter but it did not take much of an imagination to figure out what was said on those tear-stained pages. I offered to mail the letter for him but he said no. He didn't trust me because of the role I often played in keeping you two apart. I couldn't blame him. I would not have trusted me back then either.
Well long story short, once I knew the letter had been mailed I sent agents to intercept the letter before you received it. I could not run the risk of you entering his life again, and then abandoning him for whatever reason. I knew he would not survive another break-up with you. I always told you he was meant for greatness but he had an Achilles' heel- you. I do not remember how I rationalized it in my head at the time but I felt it best for you not receive the letter.
I am sorry. My actions only proved to delay the inevitable. You two are soul mates and there is nothing in the universe that can keep you two apart. After you and Fitz reunited, I didn't see any value in giving you the letter at that point. I hope you can forgive once again. I do love you like daughter and Fitz like a son. Maybe that was my problem and reason for trying to separate you two, as crazy as it sounds. Nevertheless, know this Olivia Carolyn Pope-Grant; I am your biggest cheerleader and proponent. I love you both and I am happy you and Fitz are finally together. I will carry the burden of shameful actions to the grave, but I will also carry the joy of knowing my two favorite people in this world, besides Ella, are living their destiny after overcoming every possible obstacle life threw at them.
Yours lovingly and sincerely,
Cyrus
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By the time Ella finishes reading the letter; all the grandchildren were making their way to the living room to join their parents.
"Based on the date of this letter, dad wrote this the day he had his stroke. He never had a chance to send the letters to Aunt Liv."
"Why is everybody crying? What's wrong?" A very nervous Olivia II asks.
"Oh, it is nothing sweetheart. Auntie Els just read a letter from an old friend and it was very touching." Karen says as she hugs her niece.
Mia, wiping tears from her eyes asks Ella about the wedding recording. It had been years since they family viewed the recording.
"Hey kids, would like to see grandpa and grandma's wedding ceremony?"
"Yeah, that would be so cool", all the nieces and nephews shout.
Gerry turns on the media player and cues up the disk. The scene opens with young Ella walking down the aisle dropping flower petals. She is followed by Teddy carrying the rings on a small satin pillow.
" Auntie Els is that you? Wow, this must have been a long, long, long time ago", the kids shout.
"Geez, thanks guys. I'm not that old. What about Uncle Teddy? Do you think he's ancient too?" Ella questions.
"Yes," they holler, rolling and laughing on the floor as children often do.
"Look, there's Auntie Abby, Uncle Harry and Uncle Huck. They all look so young." Fitz V yells excitedly.
Everyone stands and the camera pans down the aisle to Olivia who is being escorted by Cyrus. She is in a lovely ivory colored strapless form fitting bodice gown with crystal lace appliqués and elongated trumpet skirt. Her veil is an off the face two-tier cathedral length number with organza ribbon edging. She is absolutely beautiful. Half way up the aisle the camera captures her eyes locking onto Fitz. The camera pans back to the alter where he stands dressed in a black on black cut away tux over an ivory French cut shirt and vest. Fitz looks quite debonair.
Olivia and Cyrus reach the altar and Cyrus hands Olivia off to Fitz. He bends down and whispers in her ear, "time for the surprise I promised." A familiar tune starts to play. It takes a second for the song to register with Olivia and when it does, Olivia lets loose the waterworks. Fitz caresses her face, looks into her eyes and begins to sing to her.
"One look in your eyes and there I see I look in your eyes and there I see Here and now Say, yeah, yeah, Here and now (Starting here) Ooh, and I'm starting now Here and now, oh
Just what you mean to me
Here in my heart I believe
Your love is all I'll ever need
Holdin' you close through the night
I need you, yeah
What happiness really means
The love that we share makes life so sweet
Together we'll always be
This pledge of love feels so right
And, ooh, I need you
I promise to love faithfully (Faithfully)
You're all I need
Here and now
I vow to be one with thee (You and me), hey
Your love is all (I need) I need
When I look in your eyes, there I'll see
And I need you more and more each day
Nothin' can take your love away
More than I dare to dream
I need you
I promise to love faithfully (Faithfully)
You're all I need
Here and now
I vow to be one with thee (You and me), yeah
Your love is all I need
I believe (I believe in love), I believe
(Starting here) I'm starting right here
(Starting now) Right now because I believe in your love
So I'm glad to take the vow
I promise to love faithfully (Faithfully)
You're all I need
Here and now, yeah
I vow to be one with thee (You and me), yeah
Your love is all I need"
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
written by ELLIOTT, DAVID LELAND / STEELE, TERRY A.
By the end of the song, there is not a dry eye in the church. They literally have to stop the ceremony and reapply Olivia's make-up. Both she and Fitz are both emotionally overwhelmed by the moment. Once they regain their composure, the ceremony continues, they exchange vows and rings and Fitz gives Olivia a kiss to end all kisses. It is sensual, long and full of tongue. Clearing his throat, the minister asks if it was okay with them if concluded the ceremony. A red-eared Fitz and blushing Olivia nod enthusiastically in agreement and the minister introduces to all in attendance Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III.
"Wow, grandma looked so young."
"Did grandpa always sing", the children ask.
The sons and daughters of Fitz and Olivia are once again brought to tears. They feel so lucky to be the product of such an incredible love story.
"Yes he did, even when we begged him not to;" Sammy jokes. His comments elicit giggles and laughter from everyone. The adults start to share their favorite funny stories growing up. They want their children to know they are the descendants of two very special people. Not just a president and fixer but to two unique souls who came together in love to create a legacy rarely experienced in any generation.
They talked and reminisce until the wee hours of the morning. Sadness gave way to joy and appreciation for two lives well lived. What better way to say good-bye and to celebrate the lives of their parents than to know Fitz and Olivia will live on in them and their grandchildren?
The end.
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I hope you enjoyed this little bonus chapter. Please read it with Here and Now playing in the background. I promise it will make you cry.
BTW – those of you following Desert Princess will be happy to know the next chapter should post soon. I keep editing, the chapter is already 10K words. I'm trying to edit it down. If that does not work, I'll just publish it in two chapters.
Thanks again for reading. Any and all comments are always welcomed. Have a great Labor Day.