Chapter Text
It had been one year since Olivia had arrived at Portia. Her life had changed so much since she’d arrived in this little town, which wasn’t so little anymore. It was growing by the day, and Olivia was happy to see it flourishing. Her relationship with Gust had also been flourishing. She was absolutely smitten with him, and he with her. The past 6 months had been wonderful. They spent many evenings stargazing from Olivia’s upper deck, strolling along the beach, and lighting fireworks on Amber Island.
Emily had taken Olivia to lunch.
“I’m telling you Emily, he was acting weird yesterday. He said to meet him at the beach this evening and it was important. You know what I’m thinking?”
“Wedding bells?”
“What? No! I think he’s gonna ask me to move in with him! Well, probably him with me, since his house is full already.”
“Oooh that’s so exciting!” Both girls squealed excitedly.
“You’re gonna help me get ready, right? I’m still hopeless at this.” Olivia sighed.
Emily laughed. “Me? Have you ever seen me in anything but plaid and blue jeans? We’re gonna need the whole crew.”
That evening, Emily, Ginger and Sonia were gathered in Olivia’s living room. Ginger was weaving Olivia’s hair into a complicated braid, Sonia was applying her makeup, and Emily was comparing two dresses on a hanger.
“These are both beautiful, Liv! On one hand, a little black dress is a classic. But this blue would go so great with your eyes!” Emily said, frantically looking back and forth between dresses.
“Oh, go for the blue!“ ginger said with a smile. “My brother is such a sucker for blue.”
Finally, the hair was delicately braided, the makeup was flawlessly applied, the blue dress was on, and Olivia was ready.
“Ok guys, I think I’m ready. How do I look?”
Ginger had tears in her eyes as she gave Olivia a tight hug. “You look absolutely stunning!”
“Ginger, why are you crying?”
Ginger sniffed. “Oh don’t mind me, it’s just that I get a little envious sometimes.”
“That I’m dating your brother?”
“Funny. No, of your getting all dressed up and having a romantic evening.”
Olivia smiled and took her hands. “Well maybe that’s next on our agenda. I’ve noticed Mint giving you the eye.”
Ginger blushed. “He is awful cute, isn’t he?”
Olivia looked at her friends and grinned. “Alright guys, I’m finally ready! I’ll see you later. You’ll let yourselves out?”
Sonia smiled. “Of course! We’ve just gotta clean up our mess and we’ll be out of here. Go on, you!”
Olivia grinned and headed out the door.
“Ginger! You almost gave it away!” Sonia playfully smacked her friend.
“I’m sorry! I just got so emotional seeing her all dressed up! I’m finally going to have a SISTER-IN-LAW!”
The girls all squealed excitedly and jumped up and down.
“Hurry up, we’ve gotta get all these decorations up for the party!”
Gust had never been so nervous in his entire life. He’d gotten to the beach far too early and everything was already set up. The candles were spread out in the shape of a heart. The engagement ring was in his pocket. Now he just had to wait.
He’d known he wanted to marry Olivia the night they spent together in the hospital. He’d known that he needed to get a ring, but it’s not like Portia had a jeweler. He’d have to wait for the mysterious man to come into town.
“Gust? Could you join me in the living room?” His father had called to him, several weeks later. He was holding a small box in his hands. Gust entered and smiled at his father.
“Yes, father? What did you need?”
His father smiled at him. “I have a gift for you, son.” He handed Gust the small box.
Gust gave him a curious look and opened the box. His eyes went wide. He looked at his father in shock. A tear was running down Gale’s cheek.
“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. That’s a quote I read in an old book a long time ago, and it’s always stuck with me. Gust, I am so happy that you have found love with dear Olivia. You may not want to use it now, but I want you to have it. This was your mother’s engagement ring. And now I want it to be Olivia’s. I know that’s what your mother would want, too.”
Gust felt tears running down his cheeks. He was so overcome with emotion that he just wordlessly hugged his father. He finally sat back and smiled at his father. “Thank you, dad. This means so much to me. And it will mean so much to Olivia when I give it to her.”
Fast forward to Spring. Gust knew that he would be asking Olivia to marry him soon. Traditionally, he’d ask Olivia’s father for her hand, but there was someone else in Portia that was more family than he’d ever been.
Remington had been unsure as to why Gust had asked him to lunch. They’d never spent much time together alone, only with Olivia, so he wasn’t sure what to expect.
When Remington walked in the doors of the Round Table, Gust waved at him from the back. He walked over to the table and Gust stood up and shook his hand.
“Uh, I think we’re a bit past that, Gust.” Remington smiled at him.
“Rem, thanks for coming. Order anything you’d like, it’s on me.”
“Wow, what’s the occasion?”
Gust smiled nervously. “I have something important to ask you.” He cleared his throat. “I know how much Olivia means to you, and how much you mean to her. You know that she doesn’t have any real family, and you’ve become that to her. You’re her brother, it doesn’t matter if it’s by blood or not. And since you’re one of the most important people to her, I wanted to ask you. Would you allow me to ask for Olivia’s hand in marriage?”
Remington’s face broke out into a huge smile. “Aw, man! Of course! And you asked me? That means so much to me!” He got up and pulled Gust into a hug.
Gust was grinning at Remington. “Thank you, Remington. Really. And thank you for never kicking my ass.”
“And thank you for never giving me a reason to!”
He could see Olivia approaching in the distance. He turned around and began frantically lighting candles.
“Gust what is this?” She looked at the candles on the ground. She turned to face him and found him on one knee.
“Olivia. I once said that if Ginger found true love, I would leave Portia and pursue my dream of designing in Atara. But then one day, you arrived. You bounced into my office, sat on my desk, and got dirt on my design, but I didn’t care. You forced me out of my comfort zone and made me realize that my life was empty before you came into it. Olivia, I love you more than I ever thought possible. You are my dream. Would you marry me?”
Olivia had tears running down her cheeks. “Of course I’ll marry you!” She tackled Gust into the sand and kissed him passionately.
He sat up and held the ring box out to her. “This was my mother’s engagement ring. My father wanted you to have it.”
“Gust! That’s so sweet. It’s gorgeous! And it means so much to me.”
Gust pulled her into an embrace and kissed her forehead. “And now, I have another surprise for you.”
“CONGRATULATIONS!” shouted all of Olivia’s friends when she opened her front door. Her living room had been transformed with balloons and streamers. Django had set up a bar in the corner and was serving drinks. Everyone was dressed in their finest outfits.
“You guys!” Olivia shouted when she saw Ginger, Sonia, and Emily. She pulled them into a tight hug.
“Congratulations, babe!” Sam shouted as she pulled Olivia into a hug.
“Olivia, we’re so happy for you.” Remington said as he took Sam’s hand in his. “In fact…”
Remington tapped a spoon to his glass. “Excuse me, everyone! I’d like to give a little speech.” Everyone turned to face him. “Olivia, there’s not a person in this room that hasn’t been touched by your kindness and generosity. Even Higgins.” The crowd chuckled. Higgins glared, but still managed a smile. “You’ve changed all of our lives for the better, and Portia wouldn’t be the same without you. I’m honored to call you my sister. When Gust asked me if he could ask for your hand in marriage, I thanked him for taking such good care of my little sister. And he thanked me for not kicking his ass.” Another laugh rippled through the crowd. “Gust. You truly make Olivia happy, and that warms my heart. I couldn’t think of anyone else I’d want to give her away to. You two are a wonderful couple, and a shining example of true love at its finest. To Gust and Olivia!”
“To Gust and Olivia!” The crowd cheered. Olivia pulled Remington into a tight embrace.
“Remi! You’re gonna make me cry again!”
“Don’t make her ruin her makeup!” Sonia shouted.
“Alright everyone, gather around! Time for a picture!” Said Mei, the shy girl that had employed Olivia as the newspaper’s photographer.
The crowd gathered close. Olivia pulled Gust in by his tie and planted a kiss on him. And that’s the picture that hung on their mantle during their time at Portia.