Olivia walked through the large white tent and scanned every detail. The lights would look better as the sun set. She shifted an empty flute slightly for a perfect line. Looking at her wrist, she drew in a breath and lifted her shoulders. It would have to be good enough. Guests were due to arrive, and it was time for her to get dressed.

The Armani would have been perfect, but her body had changed too much. She put her hand on her tummy. There were nerves jumping around with her avocado size baby. She hadn't seen her mother in months, but it was Kurt who she worried about. She and Max disappointed him.

Shaun called to her. "Olivia, Richie is ready for you."

She smiled and took one last look before leaving the tent. The caterers had taken over the kitchen so she skirted past quickly to her room. Sarah had hired a stylist to make them beautiful. The fund raiser was Sarah's social event of the year.

"Miz Sarah was right. You are beautiful. Your dress is magnif."

She tried not to laugh at the fake French accent. Instead, she let him pin her hair and apply more makeup than she preferred. "I like a natural look."

"Of course. To go with your maternal glow."

Her pregnancy was obvious. No more hiding it. When he finished, and she slipped into her dress, she hardly recognized herself. Guests had already arrived as she stepped into the kitchen to check with the caterer.

Once outside she took in the scene of the large tent and the barn lit up. Denny appeared in a suit which didn't quite fit the way it should. "You pulled it off."

"Did you doubt I could?"

He smiled. "You're not bad even though you don't like horses."

"I do. I just have never been around them before."

"Is the guy who..." He pointed to her middle. "... coming?"

"He's on call tonight at the hospital."

"Oh." Denny stepped away. She gave him credit to know he was not in the running.

Her head turned to a car in the drive. She recognized Uncle Michael's Mercedes. Instead of entering the tent, she walked out to greet her parents. As Anita walked to her, her speed reminded Olivia of the end of her first camp session. It had been the most important day of her life - the day she met Max and Zach. Kurt was a stranger, but as she looked at her dad, she saw worry and love etched on his face.

"Darling, you look beautiful!"

She watched as her mother's eyes paused on her middle. "Thanks. I missed you." Their hug was delicate, Richie worked too hard to have her hair ruined. She turned from her mother to Kurt. "Hi, Dad."

"Olivia, I missed you too. Everyone misses you."

She smiled. "I'm sure the agency is surviving without me."

"You'd be surprised, but we're muddling through. Tuesday nights aren't the same."

"I miss everyone too, but I've been busy here."

"It looks wonderful. Picturesque."

"Come. Enjoy."

Lois put her hand on her shoulder. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine."

"And my son?"

Olivia shook her head. "Still stubborn."

"He won't be when I'm done with him." Kurt frowned.

"Dad, please don't. I don't want him if he doesn't want me. He has to decide on his own. Mom had a baby on her own; I can too."

Lois said, "You won't be alone. It's our grandchild, all four of us."

She smiled. "Think about what you want to be called." She stepped into the tent and looked around. The people made it even more glamorous.

Emma stepped over. "Olivia, it's beautiful. Sarah is beaming. There are some important people here."

Olivia smiled as her eyes caught Zach and Ian. She should be used to Max missing events. It was what she wanted to sign up for. Her parents were talking to Ken and Alicia, so she went over to her brother and best friend.

"Ian Gillespie in the country."

He hugged her. "Liv, you grew up in the city too."

Zach coughed. "Except for two months every summer."

Lilli put her arm around her. "How was last weekend?"

"Fine. He didn't make me walk home."

"I bet it was fine." Ainsley giggled.

Ian interrupted. "Can I meet Shaun's mother?"

She smiled. "Sarah is over there with her nephew."

The four followed Olivia. Sarah smiled when she saw Olivia. "Darling, this is amazing. The turnout is beyond expectations."

As she introduced her brother and friends, Sarah was gracious. They spoke for a moment until a line formed with people hoping to speak to the hostess. As they walked away, she heard Sarah praise her.

Zach smiled at her. "You've made a splash."

Ian said, "I'm going to see mom."

"I'll come."

As Anita hugged her son, Alicia said, "Olivia, you did a marvelous job. We've been attending for years, but this is the next level."

"Thanks." She blushed.

"I heard your exciting news. You and Max, what a wonderful match!"

"Max doesn't think so."

"Men can be slow. He'll come around."

Lois frowned. "I haven't heard from him all week."

"He's on call which means he's working or sleeping." Olivia defended him.

Lois pressed her lips together. "I thought it would be different with his new job."

"He's a surgeon." Olivia reminded her.

"At Mass General, Lois, you must be proud." Alicia turned to Olivia. "I wanted to introduce you to my friend Celia Whitby."

Olivia nodded and let Alicia lead her across the tent. She stopped in front of a woman, older than Alicia, who oozed wealth. She looked like someone who traveled in her grandmother's circles.

"Celia, this is Olivia Browning. She planned this event."

Celia offered her hand. "It's lovely. Are you looking for work?"

"Not full time." She put her hand on her bump.

"Of course. I understand. I have young grandchildren. My foundation has several functions a year. With turnover, I don't have anyone to plan them. Most of the events are small, but the largest one isn't until next spring."

"I would be happy to talk further to see if I could help."

"My dear, my friends have led some of my best employees to me. Here's my son, Monty, and you must know Oliver."

Oliver kissed her cheek. "I've known Olivia since she was a little girl."

"Nine." She smiled.

"Exactly. She ran the New York Dwyer Mitchell office."

"Impressive." Monty said. "The agency has an impeccable reputation."

"Kurt Dwyer is here tonight."

Oliver teased, "Don't tell me you want to get in the publishing business."

Monty shook his head. Olivia asked, "What's your business?"

"My company owns a vast assortment of businesses from manufacturing to hotels."

"You're that Whitby?" First Sarah's nephew and then Whitby.

"Guilty."

Oliver laughed and slapped him on the back. "We were getting scotch."

"Nice meeting you." Oliver's friend said, as Duff winked.

She turned to see Zach walking towards her. She smiled at her friend. "Should we take my nephew for a spin?"

She offered him her hand. "Will you be upset if it's a niece?"

"No. Healthy. Now I sound like my brother who knows about every problem."

She ignored him and listened to the Quartet as Zach led her. When he released her into a spin, she gasped. "Max!"

Zach stopped dancing as Max walked towards him. "Can I cut in?"

Zach nodded. Olivia blurted, "Why are you here?"

Max pulled her against him. "One of my colleagues traded me for Wednesday night. It's his daughter's birthday."

"You can do that?"

"Apparently, I'm the new guy. I thought about sleeping, instead I came to see your hard work."

"You can sleep here."

He shook his head. "I have rounds, so I can't stay long."

She rested her head against his shoulder. "A few minutes will have to be enough."

When the song was over, Lois stood waiting for her son. "You came."

"I got the night off, but I can't stay long."

Olivia didn't care as long as he kept his arm around her waist. They stood and talked with their friends and she felt like it was exactly how it should be.

Zach said, "We should find a pub for trivia."

Ian added, "And a shelter needing help, then Livvy will stay."

She felt tears building up. "I'm staying. I might even have a job."

It was Max's turn to be surprised. "A job."

"Planning some events. Part time."

"That's what you should be doing." He squeezed her hip.

"It might not work out. I'll need a babysitter." Max nodded. He didn't smile nor did he frown, a minor victory. "I have time to figure it out."

"Pub night to celebrate?" Max smiled.

Olivia frowned. "I've never played without drinking."

Max winked. "Maybe you'll be better. I remember beating you."

Zach asked, "What did the Dees say about the baby?"

She shook her head. "I haven't told them."

Max's jaw went slack. "Why not?"

"Seb is your friend and I feel weird about the Graham thing."

Zach said, "Why? He's with Mandy."

"I know but he didn't like Max. He called him egotistical."

Zach almost choked on his drink. Lilli banged on his back.

Max gained control. "He's a cracker."

Olivia sighed. "I need to tell them." She didn't want to state the obvious; they would ask questions she didn't have the answers to.

Max said, "Can we talk a minute before I go."

She had tingles because he put on a suit and drove to Dover just to support her. "We can go inside."

The kitchen was crowded with catering staff, but the rest of the house was empty. He cleared his throat. "Liv, we're at an impasse, so I thought of a plan. I want to prove it will never work."

"How?"

"Come live with me with no promises. You get a taste of my schedule and find out I'm right."

Under her breath, she said, "Maybe you are egotistical." She looked into his eyes. "I'll meet your challenge with one of my own. One year. After one year, if I'm still happy you stop thinking it's not permanent. That means you need to keep me long enough to live with our baby, before you kick us out. If you are unhappy, then me and the baby will leave."

"One year?"

"Yup. One year." She held out her hand, and he shook it. "Can we seal it with a kiss?"

He shook his head. "Nope. I need to sleep. Still happy?"

She smiled. "Very." Twelve months was a long time, and she was betting on him falling in love with her and their baby.

Brilliant plan, Doc. Please vote ⭐️