So this has been a long hiatus. I didn't intend for it to be that way. At first that was going to be it. But I at least wanted to finish this story. And now that Scandal doesn't come back until next year. This will be a good outlet to give me some Olake love (and problems). This chap takes place a two months from the last chapter, so no one will be confused. Though some flashbacks appear to explain what went down in that time. So I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 4

"Mrs. Sanchez are all of the appetizers ready? How about the drinks? Is the chicken in the oven now?" Olivia gives off tasks as Mrs. Sanchez politely smiles and nods.

"Yes Ms. Pope. Everything is going great. Just relax okay." The older woman placed her hands on Olivia's shoulder. "There's a reason you put me in charge of this event. I won't let you down okay."

Liv let out a long breath. She had always been grateful of Mrs. Sanchez, the woman of Hispanic descent always seemed worry free, No wonder Fitz liked having her around. "Now Ms. Pope take one of these wine glasses, drink it and go get ready. Everything's under control."

Placing the glass on the counter she exits letting Mrs. Sanchez be. Everyone around her is bustling, it's the big day. The day that she and Fitz let the world know they are engaged. The party started off being a small dinner between a few friends but along the way fellow politicians, and other important people made their way on the list. Fitz had wanted to do something for the public, so this small party was a compromise for them both. It was rough at first getting either of them to budge on an idea but an agreement was made just in time. She remembered negotiating with Fitz.

"Fitz this is a very important moment in our lives. I don't see why we have to invite half of the state to announce that we are getting married."

"Cyrus thinks we should have a big event, inviting city and state officials."

"Why?"

"You know Cyrus he's always thinking fifteen steps ahead of everyone. He wants to make sure my campaign for next year goes without a hitch."

"You know I'm not good with having my public life in the papers. I just want Cyrus and James, Mellie and Andrew, and a few of my friends from work."

"I know sweetie but Cyrus is already on the roll with his invites." She watches him grab a few sheets of paper from his side table. Quickly looking over it, her head continues moving side to side, letting him know this was not going to work.

"Two hundred people is unnecessary Fitz. Why is the Senator on this list? You don't even like him."

"I don't but he is my father so it would be bad if I didn't tell him. Cyrus invited your father, as well."

"What? You know how I feel about my father Fitz."

"Yes. I also know you love him. Besides he's your father and you are his only child. He should be here to see his daughter get married." Sighing because a part of her knew that he was right. She handed him the papers back.

"We are still not inviting two hundred people to a party. The wedding isn't even going to be that big."

"Come on Liv I am a government employee I know at least one hundred people I would want to invite." He could see Liv still wasn't too sure about the abundance of people coming out to celebrate with them, so he thought they could compromise. "Okay let's bring it down to forty people each. Is that better?"

Olivia appreciated that he was trying and she had to budge a bit too. She was marrying a governor and sometimes the politics overlapped with personal. In her line of work she knew this but always thought she could maneuver around it. Feeling like this was the smallest she could get she agreed. "Okay. I can work with that. So that leaves Cyrus and Mellie on my list and there plus ones."

"Woah, Cyrus is working this so he counts as my guest. And Mellie is married to my Lieutenant Governor so she also counts as my guest. That leaves you with your Dad, Stephen, Abby, the intern Quinn, weird IT guy Huck, and…Harrison." Liv knew her list of close people was short but seeing the few names on her list made her feel like she needed to get out more. "Sweetie that's a weird bunch right there?"

"How?"

"Doesn't Stephen break laws like every day, despite the fact that he's a good lawyer? And Abby she always seems so judgmental and gives off a 'Fuck you' vibe to everyone. Then you invited an intern and a guy you barely see on a regular basis." Liv looked at the names. Stephen was a definite having known him since college. He was one of her nearest and dearest friends. Abby was as well. Harrison wasn't a complete stranger, he came to the office sometimes to grab lunch with Stephen and Liv would join them. Getting to know him each time they shared a meal. Quinn, she was new, only working at the company for six months. Working under Abby, Liv hardly saw her, as Abby would have Quinn spend most of the day in the copy room. She was quiet and kept mostly to herself, except the few times Olivia asked her to have lunch with the group. Once she got comfortable she opened up a bit more each time.

Now Huck, she could understand why most people thought he was weird and awkward. Sometimes he was a little off, but he was also really sweet and caring. He'd leave cups of coffee and muffins on the desk for her and Abby. He'd always make sure he updated her computer and technology before anyone else in the office. So again odd but sweet. "They are my friends, my work family if you will. Seeing as I'm always at work it would make sense that I would make most of my friends there."

"That's understandable, I'm just saying they are still a weird group." Laughing she could see it, but she had always made friends with people like that easily. People who were unapologetically themselves. It's why she loved Mellie for the bitch she could be most of the time.

After a few minutes, each of them had their list ready. Most of Fitz list was full of people who worked for the state or city. Liv's was a bit more personal, from the lady that cleaned her home once a week, to her doorman at her old condo. Fitz looked over her list, "Isn't there somebody missing from this list?"

"No."

"A so called best friend who just got back in town. I thought he'd be one of the top ten on your list, seeing as your glad he's back." Liv was silent as she listened to her fiancé talk. "You are glad he's back right?"

"Yeah."

"That does not sound convincing. Didn't you guys have lunch a few days ago, how was it?" She placed her folder down getting out of the bed.

"It went great." She said quickly entering the bathroom and shutting the door. Fitz knew she meant the opposite of that.

Almost bumping into Fitz, Liv snaps out of it. "You okay?"

"Yes. Mrs. Sanchez just kicked me out the kitchen. I'm causing more trouble in there."

"Why don't we go upstairs and I could help destress you."

"While that sounds enticing, I just want to make sure everything goes well. We can save that extra fun for when everybody goes home." She kisses him on the lips, then moves around him.

"We hired the best people for the job." Looking down at his watch, Fitz turns to Liv before she disappears around the corner. "Our guest should be arriving soon. Just breathe. It will be fine."

Jake sat on the couch glancing every two minutes at his watch. Stephen had been getting ready for twenty minutes now. And they were supposed to have left 15 minutes ago. "Stephen what's taking so long?"

Walking out his room fully dressed, he spoke as if he was in no hurry. "Are you trying to be late? Liv is going to kill us."

"How do I look?"

"Everything matches." Jake barely looked at his friend as he kept his eyes on his watch. "Are you ready now? We should have been gone?"

"Stop worrying Jake everything will be fine. If I know Liv, this party is going to be a total drag anyways."

"Do you know what this is even about?"

"No. Harrison and I have bets going on. I think they are announcing his run for next year. I guess we'll find out tonight." Stephen looks at Jake for the first time since he's come out his room. He looks worried. "You okay man?"

"Yeah, last time I talked to Liv it didn't go so well. I'm surprised she invited me to this thing anyways. That must mean we are back in a good place." He had hoped so at least. "Our lunch a few weeks ago, just let me know how absent I've been in her life. I just want to make it up to her."

"You haven't spoken to her since then have you?"

"No. I thought I'd give her some space. I'm glad I did." Stephen avoids eye contact with Jake leading him out the door.

The restaurant around them is full tonight. Stephen was talking to some woman at the bar, and both Jake and Liv knew it was only a matter of time before he disappeared for the night. Her eyes moved to Jake, whose eyes had been glued to the beer in front of him. She supposed he was trying not to wander his eyes but it also made him appear like he didn't want to be here. Sipping a bit of her wine, she cleared her throat, "So how do you like being back? Is Stephen treating you well in his bachelor pad?"

"I've missed this place, that's for sure. And Stephen is still Stephen except now he's a lawyer and a rebel." The corners of her mouth raise a little bit, at the accuracy of her friend, followed by the slight awkwardness that has been there this entire time."

"Why?"

"How…" they both stop not sure who should speak first. "I'm sorry. Go ahead." Jake gives her the floor grabbing his beer.

"Have we always been this awkward after not seeing each other for a long time?"

"This is the longest we have gone without seeing one another, I believe the only other time we went a long time without seeing one another was when I left for the Navy. Even then we kept in contact with one another."

"I think it's because we are so busy now a days. You co running a firm. I'm still not sure what you do but I know you are one of the big dogs."

"Most other people don't know either. We assist political people in cleaning up their appearances and maintain how they are viewed in the public eye."

"So publicist for politicians."

"Sort of, Stephen likes to call us fixers."

"Okay. You fix problems. No wonder you're always working." This time a smile crosses her face, and it's the first time he's seen a genuine smile from her since he got back. "I've missed you."

Once the words leave his mouth he notices a change in her demeanor. It was awkward. Now it seems as if she is distancing herself from him. "Why didn't you call or email me? In this day and age there are plenty of ways to communicate with people."

"Are you upset with me Liv?"

"I should be. You disappear for two years and then you're back for two months and I don't know."

"Keeping in touch works both ways Liv. I didn't see your name popping up on my phone."

"I tried calling you, emailing, and even writing but you never answered back. I thought I did something wrong all this time."

"I never got anything from you."

"But that's the point, if you ever tried to reach me you'd know that I was trying to talk to my best friend, who promised me he would be there and then just forgot all about me."

"Liv…"

"Don't. This time is different. You can't just come back and expect things to go back to normal. We aren't young anymore. If you wanted me in your life you would have made more of an effort. I…"

"I'm sorry Liv. I really am. I had no idea it would upset you this much."

"You were my best friend Jake," the words sting coming from her lips but he lets her continue, "This drink that Stephen tricked me into was a welcome back between old friends. That's all. Welcome back and enjoy the rest of your life." She grabs her bag leaving Jake looking dumbfounded at the booth.

The Valet out front of the Governors manor are standing around in the cool California air. The driver pulls up and Stephen lets him know to be back at 11pm. Jake steps out, "See this party's just getting started."

The two walk to the door where someone is holding a list, "Name?"

"Stephen, I work for Olivia." The Guard moves to the side to let him in but steps in front of Jake.

"Name?"

"Actually he's my plus one." Jake eyes Stephen knowing something is up. "Stephen why am I your plus one?"

"Jake man, just come in."

"I'm not on the list am I. Liv didn't invite me." He laughs realizing it was weird that his friend didn't have a date. "She doesn't know I'm here does she."

"Listen man you and Liv are having a small fight. She'll get over it. Now will you come on, I'm sure she would regret not having invited you." Following the lawyer before him, he needs to see Liv. He thought giving her space would help the situation but apparently it was only making it easier for her to push him away.

"Jake nice to meet you again." The naval officer turns to the man walking into the foyer of the house.

"Governor Grant, how are you?"

"Great. It's good to see that you're here. I thought Liv didn't even put you on the list. She has been going a bit crazy having to juggle work, personal and now a wedding."

"Damn." Stephen said abruptly, "Not like that man. Congrats, really. I just placed a bet on what this event was. I lost a hundred dollars." Jake was glad Stephens outburst had covered his expression because once again he was left in the dark about Liv's Life.

"Anyways Olivia is somewhere around here. Probably with Mellie. Enjoy the party." Fitz leaves the twosome standing in the foyer.

"Are you going to be okay? If you want we can go right now. There's a lounge about ten minutes away." Stephen tried to make him feel better.

"Did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That I wasn't on the list."

"Yeah Abby said your name wasn't on their. I just figured she forgot, that's all."

"I have to find Liv." Stephen watches his friend blend into the crowd.

Olivia sits next to Mellie, who is in a debate with a fellow guest about the best type of wedding dress and Mells is defending the mermaid gown with everything she's got. "Liv please let these classless people know you will be wearing a mermaid gown."

"I still haven't started planning this wedding yet." Mellie smiles, knowing Olivia has no idea what type of gown, much less color palette she has in store for her wedding.

"You know what Patrice. I've grown exhausted talking about this. I'm going to grab a drink with Liv and then we are coming back to discuss just what the hell your husband was thinking signing that bill."

Patrice rolls her eyes at the brunette who walked away with Liv on her arm. "You really like getting under her skin don't you?"

"I'm still trying to figure out why people voted for her imbecile of a husband in the first place."

"One day. I just want to see one day where you make it through without being a bitch. Just one."

"Oh sweetie even with my son, I can't see it anywhere on the horizon." They share a laugh as Olivia clears everybody out of the kitchen. "So what's on your mind Livvie?"

"What?"

"You have a very pensive look about something. Are you going to tell me what it is?" She is about to open her mouth When someone clears their throat. Mellie turns to the new body in the room, "Jakey? What took you so long to get here? I thought you weren't going to make it for the big engagement party."

"Hey Mells. Do you mind if I talk to Liv for a second?" her eyes move between the two sensing some trouble.

"She can stay." Liv answers moving to grab a hors d'oeuvre from the plate. "This won't take long."

Mellie knows these two and she can tell this isn't going to be good, but she moves to the corner to watch it take place. "Fine. I apologized Liv for not contacting you but are you really going to kick me out of your life. You didn't tell me about the engagement or party. I wasn't even on the list to get in."

"Because you weren't invited. How'd you get in?"

"Stephen used me as his plus one. He wasn't sure if you put me on the list or not." She crosses her arm, still listening to him, "There has to be something I can do to make it up to you. So you will stop hating me."

"I don't hate you Jake. I just want to know why? Why you stopped. If you can give me an honest answer, the gates to the friendship are wide open. However until you stop lying to me, this friendship is dead."

"So that's how we are going to end fifteen years of friendship."

"If you subtract those two years you were MIA that's 13. Listen Jake, I don't have anything to say to you until then. So excuse me I have a party to host." She walks away leaving Mellie and Jake alone in the kitchen.

"I still don't know why you just don't tell her."

"I can't Mellie."

"How do you expect her not to be mad then? She knows you are keeping something from her. She's not sure what or why but she can tell."

"You think this is my choice. You think I chose to stop speaking to the first person to ever really give a damn about me."

"I believe there is a reason Jake I just don't know why you don't tell her."

"It's a side of me she's never seen before and I don't want her to. So I can't tell her."

"Well, whatever it is, I guess it's a good enough reason to lose your best friend." Dropping his head Jake knows Mellie is right but how could he tell her the truth without telling her everything.