black and white ✰ g.w.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The Weasley and Wood families seemed more excited about George and Olivia's engagement than they did, and while the couple were thankful for their families' support, it seemed to be all any of them ever wanted to talk about. In fact, that was exactly what Helena and Elizabeth were discussing with Olivia one afternoon while Fred and George worked with customers down in the shop.

"So," Elizabeth began, petting Athena who sat in her lap and purred, "have you two started any wedding planning yet?"

"Oh, no," Olivia told her. "We're going to wait on that. We don't want to take away from Bill and Fleur."

"Understandable," Elizabeth reasoned.

"Do you at least have any ideas for when you do start planning?" Helena questioned.

Olivia thought. "Well... we have pretty much already decided that it's not going to be a huge ceremony like Bill and Fleur are planning. We just plan on inviting our family and our closest friends, and that'll be a lot of people as it is."

Helena chuckled, well aware of the large size of both families. "That's true. Have you thought about who you want to walk you down the aisle?"

"I haven't needed to," Olivia said honestly. "The answer's obvious. It's either going to be Grandpa or Ollie. Whichever one wants to, I guess."

"Well, I can tell you right now, they will both jump at the opportunity, dear."

Olivia gave a small smile as someone whom she hadn't so much as thought about in a very long time came to her mind and refused to leave.

.｡❅*⋆⍋*∞*｡*∞*⍋⋆*❅｡.

"All right, darling?" George asked her that evening. He had been getting ready for bed when he noticed the concentrated look on her face as she sat in the bed, absentmindedly petting Athena who sat in her lap.

"Hm? Oh, yeah. I'm all right," Olivia responded in a quiet voice, hardly looking at him.

George raised his eyebrows at her. "Very convincing." He sat down next to her on the bed. "Love..."

Olivia looked over at him and upon seeing the worried expression on his face, knew she had to tell him something even if she didn't want to. "Grandma and Aunt Elizabeth were here earlier and of course we were discussing our wedding. The topic of who would walk me down the aisle came up and... I was reminded of the fact that most women have their fathers walk them down the aisle... and I don't even remember what my father looks like. And it's not that I want to and I certainly don't want him to be at our wedding, much less walk me down the aisle. With everything he put my mum and Ollie through, I don't want him anywhere near me - or them - ever again. I just... I don't know, it's stupid."

"It's not stupid," George told her, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. "You have every right to wonder about your father."

She gave a weak chuckle. "I'm just now realizing I've never told you anything about my father."

"That's all right, love. I don't need to know anything about him if you don't want me to."

She gave him a small, grateful smile. "I love you."

He returned the smile. "I love you too."