DISCLAIMER - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and all characters are property of NBC and Dick Wolf.
A/N - Sorry this sequel has taken so long! I promise I'll have some more chapters up soon :)
-Chapter 1-
Alex's internal alarm went off at 6 AM sharp every morning, and Sundays were no exception. Her eyes slowly fluttered open and as she looked to her left, her heart swelled in her chest. Olivia was fast asleep, small noises coming from her mouth and little twitches here and there. She was obviously dreaming, and Alex didn't have the heart to wake her. She just laid there, staring, for what seemed like an eternity. Everything about Olivia was perfect. The way her hair fell on the pillow, the way her legs were tangled in the sheets, the way her skin still smelled faintly of perfume. This is exactly what Alex always wanted but took her so long to get. After a long while of admiring her beloved, she hopped out of bed and into the shower. Olivia always slept in late when she had the chance, so Alex knew she had time for her usual morning run before Olivia finally woke. Not ten minutes later, she was dressed in a black North Face windbreaker, black leggings, and her favorite turquoise and neon yellow Nikes. After adjusting her Yankees baseball cap, she took one last look at her sleeping beauty and was out the door.
Running through Central Park was always the same for Alex. The same route, the same motions, the same faces. But today seemed so different. She noticed how blue the sky was and how green the trees were. She noticed how the early morning sun reflected off the lake and scattered bits of light. She noticed the grand architecture of the American Museum of Natural History, and she even noticed the park bench on the corner of 81st and Central Park West where she and Olivia had first shared a cup of coffee 12 years ago. Everything always came back to Olivia. She had been going through the motions for over a decade, trying cases and filing motions and intimidating the hell out of defense attorneys. But it seemed like everyday was the same. She was always waiting for something, wanting something more. But today, on this chilly April morning, she finally felt whole.
Alex raced back to the apartment in record time, eager to see her detective. When she pulled her house key out of her jacket pocket and opened the door, the smell of bacon immediately assaulted her senses.
"Hey baby, are you making breakfast?" Alex asked as she wrapped her arms around Olivia's warm torso.
"Of course. You probably just burned a million calories, so I need to fill you up," Olivia said as she turned her head and gave Alex a kiss.
"Well I'm no expert, but I think you filled me up pretty well last night."
"Don't sell yourself short, Counselor. You're an expert on many topics," Olivia said with a sexy smile. That smile was the one Alex could never resist. So smug and self-assured, it turned her on like nothing else.
"Alright you little comedian, let's eat some breakfast before I forget about my stomach growling. What's on the menu?"
"Bacon, scrambled eggs, French toast, hash browns, orange juice, and coffee."
"Well that's quite a spread, Chef Olivia. I think I could get used to this. Where'd you learn to cook anyway?"
"Elliot actually taught me," she replied with a chuckle. "My mom was never very domestic, and neither is Elliot, but Kathy taught him how to cook a mean breakfast while the kids were growing up. This is really the extent of my skills. Although I do make the world's best chocolate chip cookies."
"Sounds like you know your way around a kitchen more than I do. I can't even remember the last time I turned my stove on."
Both women sat on wooden stools at the island enjoying the first home cooked meal either had had in years. The New York Times was spread out across the counter, Olivia engrossed in the sports section and Alex checking the stocks. Their silence was comfortable and familiar, like they'd been doing this for years. Finally, Olivia asked the question that had been bouncing around in both their minds.
"So what do we do about work?"
"Well, we don't necessarily have to say anything just yet. I mean this is still kind of new…" Alex trailed off.
"Alex, there's nothing new about this. I'm in love with you. We've only officially been together for less than twelve hours, but this is it for me." Her tone of voice bore no uncertainty, and it almost made Alex's eyes well up with tears.
"You're sure? I know you're not gay, Olivia. This would be a really big life change for you."
"I've never been more sure. My sexuality has nothing to do with this. I may not be a lesbian, but I know there's no one I'd rather spend the next 50 or so years with." Alex couldn't really find the words to reply. No one had ever told her that she was 'the one,' and there was no one in the world she would rather hear it from.
"I love you too, Olivia. So much. We'll tell our bosses tomorrow, okay?"
"Alright. The sooner the better, I guess. But you know one of us will have to transfer." Olivia was less than thrilled about this prospect. Alex had just come back to Special Victims after yet another hiatus, and she was definitely not ready to lose her favorite coworker so soon.
"I know…" Alex sighed. "But you can't leave SVU. It's your entire life. I wouldn't mind going back to Appeals. Or maybe even Homicide. I hear they're looking for another ADA."
"Well let's just see," Olivia replied. "We have all day to come up with a plan, and I'd rather not use the better part of the morning discussing work." She shot Alex her sexiest grin, that same one she had used earlier. Breakfast and the newspaper were quickly forgotten as mouths fused together and clothes were shed. The new couple spent not only the better part of the morning, but the better part of the afternoon and evening in the bedroom, coming out only once or twice for a glass of water.
xx
Around seven, hunger finally hit the detective and the attorney. They decided to walk down to Alex's favorite Thai restaurant a couple blocks south. Halfway through the meal, Alex's Blackberry rang.
"Cabot."
"Hey darlin'. How's my favorite beautiful blonde?" Alex recognized the deep Texas drawl immediately, and she thought it best to step outside for her conversation with the very loud, very inappropriate Abbie Carmichael.
"Hey there pal. Haven't heard from you in a few weeks. How's DC these days?"
"You know, same old boring fucking politicians around every goddamn corner. But I finally won that embezzlement and racketeering case after six fucking months of no sleep."
"How you convince anyone you're an eloquent, well-spoken attorney is beyond me," Alex said rather sarcastically.
"All part of my charm, sweet pea. So how's New York? I really miss that place."
"Pretty much the same. Rotting garbage, diesel exhaust, the usual. Today, however, is much better." Abbie could hear the teasing in Alex's voice and knew something big was up.
"I wish it were because I called, but I'm gonna assume you got laid last night."
"This morning, too," Alex said with a smug grin.
"So who's the lucky lady that wiggled her way into your pants, Cab?"
"I'll give you three guesses, and the last two don't count."
"Shut the fuck up! You did not fuck who I think you did!" Abbie yelled loud enough for everyone in a fifty foot radius to hear.
"I certainly did, Miss Carmichael."
"How the fuck did that happen, Alex? I thought Olivia was hopelessly straight!"
"Well she kind of is, but as of last night, she's pretty not-straight. But it's a lot more than that, Abbie. She told me she loves me." Finally, the tears started flowing. Alex wanted to cry since after the concert when Olivia first said the words, but now the tears were in full force. "She loves me and she said that she wants to spend the rest of her life with me."
"Oh, honey, don't cry! I'm comin' down this weekend with Serena and we can all celebrate. How does that sound?"
"Oh, I don't know… perfect? Thanks, Abbie. You're the best."
"No problem, Cab. Only the best for you."
xx
Monday morning came all too quickly. Alex and Olivia were both nervous about telling their respective bosses about their new relationship, but they knew it was the only way to maintain their squeaky clean reputations. When they parted on the steps of 60 Centre Street, Olivia felt like she might throw up.
She finally got to the 1-6 and went immediately to the Captain's office. She knocked twice and could only hope he wasn't in. But no such luck, as he opened the door just a second later.
"Hey Liv, what's up?"
"Captain… there's something I need to talk to you about."
"Ok. Take a seat."
"I think I'd better stand," she said with mock bravery. "Cap, I've just started seeing someone, and I thought it would be best if I told you right away…"
"It better not be Amaro," he said jokingly. "I can't afford to lose another detective."
"Oh god, no! It's not Amaro! Captain, I'm dating Alex."
"Cabot?!"
"The one and only," Olivia replied nervously. There was a very long, almost excruciating silence before Don finally processed this information.
"Well, I can't say that I'm surprised."
"What?"
"Oh come on, Olivia. I doesn't take a genius to notice that you two have had the hots for each other for years. Alex was always pretty brazen about it, but you've been much more subtle. I have noticed though."
Olivia let out a relieved sigh. "So you're really not upset?"
"How could I be upset? My favorite detective in New York and my favorite attorney in New York shackin' up? I'm just glad that you finally pulled your head out of your ass long enough to realize that you're in love with the girl."
"Well… okay." Olivia finally showed her first real smile since walking into the precinct.
"Anyway, I just got a call about a rape victim at the Chelsea Hotel. She says it was one of the security guards. She's in pretty bad shape. Bring Rollins with you." And just like that, the conversation as over.
Olivia and Amanda spent a few hours at the Chelsea, getting the victim's statement, interviewing witnesses, and investigating the crime scene. As they were headed out of the building and back onto 23rd Street, Olivia's phone rang.
"Benson."
"Hey there beautiful."
"Hey yourself. How'd it go with the boss?"
"Amazing actually. He didn't seem surprised at all."
"Me too! Cragen said he's happy we finally realized we love each other," Olivia giggled into the phone, which did not go unnoticed by Rollins.
"There's more though," Alex said with a hint of playfulness. "Obviously I can't work for SVU anymore, so I thought maybe they'd just transfer me to another unit. But they're actually giving me a promotion!"
"Are you serious? What position?
"Bureau Chief for Homicide! He said that the DA's office had been considering me since the current Chief is retiring, and that if I wanted the job, it was mine."
"Oh sweetie! That's so great!" Olivia almost screamed. Amanda started to chuckle at the sight of the always composed detective acting like a 16 year old girl, and Olivia decided it was time to get off the phone. "I'm really happy for you, baby. I have to go though. I'll talk to you later tonight."
"Alright, I love you."
"I love you too."
Once Olivia was off the phone, Rollins gave her the once over. "Well that was quick. First date Saturday night and you're already saying I-love-you's?"
"Yeah… it's a little more complicated than that. I've known her for years."
"Her? Since when do you go for girls, Benson?"
"Since Alex Cabot…"
"Oh, I see. Well I'm really happy for you, partner. You couldn't have picked a more beautiful, intelligent woman if you tried."
"Thanks," Olivia said with a shy smile.
Amanda linked her arm through Olivia's to fight the chill and continued walking down 23rd. "Now all we have to do is find me a girl, and we'll all be one big happy SVU family."