A/N: So, this is a Blitz and Elle creation! This will be an interesting story of sorts, and be written in a different way, but I think you all will enjoy it! If you have questions, remarks, or whatever please let me know! I love the feedback; it helps me write! So some quick points before we start…first, it will not be set in NYC, it will be set in Charleston, SC. Two, Abbie's twin is Jane from Rizzoli and Isles. Three, Elle is Elle Greenaway from Criminal Minds and so is Spencer Reid. Bill and Laura are again from Battlestar Galactica. Now, I hope you enjoy. It should be a hell of a ride if my weeks of planning have achieved anything! :)
Alex drove the block of the upscale Mt. Pleasant neighborhood again, waiting for her fiancé to give her permission to pull down her family's driveway. Despite it being the end of November and having the heat blasting in the car, the world outside was still fairly green, only the maples leaves had begun to change colors showing autumns presence. The differences of the southern coastal climate still puzzled her in comparison to her former years in New York.
Looking over at her fiancé, she could see how incredibly tense the redhead was becoming by the way she kept bouncing her leg. Taking a deep breath, Alex calmly assured, "Casey, we don't have to do this today. I can drive to that coffee shop up the block and you can leave me there and go back without me."
"No," Casey sighed, "Pull over baby, I need to get out for a second and get some fresh air."
Alex saw a spot near the park down the street and drove to it, pulling in and parking her Volvo SUV. As they exited the car, the chill of the late autumn air caught her off guard causing her to shake hard. Quickly retrieving her and Casey's jackets from the backseat, she walked to the redhead, who had her arms wrapped tightly around herself, passing her the North Face. Slipping into their jackets, Casey took Alex's hand and led her through the park.
As they walked down the path, weeping elms and beautiful azaleas lining the lake, Casey seemed to retreat into her head. It was something Alex had become quite accustomed to over the last eight months. However, whenever the aspiring writer would zone out, she would always come back to the blonde eventually, a bright smile on her face, describing in detail where she had traveled to in her mind.
"I use to play here as a little kid with my sisters," the redhead began as her conscious mind rejoined the blonde, "Abbie and Jane would always climb that tree over there and Elle and I would build a fort in those bushes."
Alex couldn't help but smile at the excitement in her fiancés voice. Looking at the landscape, she could easily imagine the two black haired twins in the trees, their ivory skin standing out against the bark, while the young brunette Elle and red haired Casey hung back in the bushes. Thinking over the many family pictures she'd seen of Casey's, she couldn't help but smile. The three older children had clearly taken after their father in resemblance, while Casey had taken after their mother.
"Elle and I have always been inseparable, until her senior year in high school. She just became distant then. We got it back you know, when I started college, but then she went to the FBI and everything changed. I guess Spencer just helped fill my spot. Although, now we don't talk as much anymore. I love Spencer though, and he is so good for her. He makes her happy and reigns her wild side in some, she's better when she is with him." Casey rambled until Alex pulled her into a tight hug.
She knew what was bothering the redhead and she felt terribly responsible. "I've got you," Alex whispered into her fiancés hair, "Nothing will ever change the way I love you."
Pushing back, Casey looked up at Alex, tears threatening to break free from her eyes, "You know the twins are going to be merciless, I just hate that they all are going to hate you. It's not fair..."
Alex cut her off with a kiss. Pulling back just enough to speak, but still pressing their foreheads together, Alex assured, "I can handle it, Casey. We will be okay. We will manage. Even if your family hates me till the day I die, I promise to love you and support you with them. They are your family after all. We will work it out."
"I know, it's just not fair." Casey sighed as she pulled away and walked over to a bench near the lake. "I love you with every fiber of my being, Alex, and I just don't think it's fair that they might not ever give you a proper chance."
Watching her go, Alex spoke, "Life isn't fair. At least I can say that I will always try to work with them. I will always try to make it work for you, us, and whatever children we one day have. I love you, Casey, I'd do anything for you."
Sitting down, she wrapped her arm around the redhead. "We will manage, I promise you. But today, if you want to go and just enjoy your sisters, then I understand and am fine with it."
"Thank you, but I have put this off for far too long. We are engaged, Alex, and I want to plan a wedding with you. I don't want to keep my family out of my life forever." Casey sighed leaning her head into the blonde's shoulder.
"They won't be, I promise." Alex whispered kissing her head.
The couple sat and watched the water for a bit before standing and making their way back to the SUV. As they climbed inside and Alex started the car, she looked to her fiancé, "Are you sure, Casey?"
"I am positive." Casey said in a confident tone.
Nodding, the blonde drove up the block making the loop again to head back towards Casey's parents' house. The car was silent with the exception of the warm air blasting out of the vents. Seeing the familiar house, Alex slowed and looked over to her fiancé.
"You are sure about this?" She questioned once more.
"Yes."
"And you are doing this for yourself not me?"
"Yes, Alexandra." Casey huffed, "I'm sorry, I know you are asking because you love me and are concerned, but yes, baby, I am sure. Please pull in. I have to rip this Band-Aid off today once and for all. The sooner we get in there, the sooner I can get it over with once and for all."
"Such a romantic," Alex teased pulling down the driveway of the ivy covered brick two story house.
"Bite me." Casey replied placing a quick kiss to her fiancés cheek as she placed the car in park.
Alex smiled at Casey before taking a moment to look at the quiet house. The front and side porches were decorated for the holiday, pumpkins and pilgrims along with tasteful wreaths on the doors. "It's beautiful," she sighed.
"Yeah, Mom always goes all out," Casey replied opening the car door.
As they stepped back out into the cold, neither woman spoke. Alex simply took Casey's hand and followed her up the steps to the side porch. Opening the door, Casey called out, "Hello, family!"
Alex looked at the family pictures adorning the wall of the hallway. There were pictures of Casey and her sisters from infancy on. Alex couldn't help but smile at them, it was so easy to pic little redheaded Casey out.
"We are in the kitchen!" Jane called out.
"With margaritas!" Her twin Abbie quickly followed.
"Hurry up! Spencer is outside with Dad! We are having girl talk! Abbie is about to spill the beans on who she is dating now!" Elle's voice called out.
"Give your sister a moment. She just got in." Laura's voice corrected her daughters.
"She just got in?" Abbie loudly interjected, "She lives in Charleston! We came in from New York and Virginia!"
Looking to Alex, Casey whispered, "Moment of truth," before leading her through the hall towards the living room. On the way, Alex couldn't help but continue to look at the family photos hanging on the wall. The one catching her eye the most was one of Casey and Elle hugging at Elle's wedding, her heart sped up at the sight.
The redhead and her green eyes sparkling as she had her cheek pressed against her sisters. The brunette and her deep brown eyes shining. Their arms wrapped around one another as they both wore big happy smiles. The picture was almost haunting for Alex to look at and it took her a moment to break away from it.
As they reached the large living room, Alex smiled thinking of another time, before suddenly finding herself and her fiancé standing in the kitchen doorway. Watching the women move around in sync with dishes and cookbooks, Alex smiled. They were definitely a well-oiled machine. It made her long for her own family gatherings.
Casey looked over her sisters and mother busily fixing dinner. No one had noticed her or Alex's presence yet. Squeezing Alex's hand tightly for strength, the redhead blurted, "Mom, Jane, Abbie and Elle, we are here! Everyone," she continued as her mom, and sisters looked up the shock quickly falling over their faces, "This is my fiancé, Alex!"
The shock on her sister Elle's face was remarkable and quickly followed by her dropping the casserole dish she was holding.