A/N: Here it is! It's just a taste I wanted to get out there!
1
"So…the dry food is in here," Olivia opened the pantry, revealing a lidded container of kibble for Hillary, "…and the wet food is here," she pointed to the top shelf. Half a can a day in the morning and then a cup of dry, spaced out throughout the day. "The vet has her on a reduced calorie plan."
Kathleen nodded and smiled, "I got it…don't worry." She put her hands on the detective's shoulders. "Olivia, it will be fine."
Olivia smiled and sighed, taking Elliot's daughter in a hug before stepping back and turning around, picking up a full-grown Hillary from the sofa and holding her in her arms. "You're gonna love this fur ball. She's the sweetest thing." Olivia rubbed her cheek against the cat's whiskers, Hillary closing her eyes and purring instantly.
It had been four months since Alex surprised her with the 8-week-old kitten on their doorstep and she had become a big, beautiful, glossy-furred, healthy cat. Much had happened in those four months. Olivia moved in with Alex, adding her own furniture touches here and there, but selling many of her belongings in order to downsize. Olivia had decided, fairly early on in the living situation, that she loved Alex's penthouse for many reasons—the access to Central Park, the weight room, the pool and sauna, the distance from both of their jobs, and the spacious roominess of the attorney's abode. Olivia and Alex had even set up an office that had two desks in it for the women to share.
Work was still work and Olivia struggled daily with the choice of whether to continue doing what she was so good at or giving it up for good. Some days were rougher than others but, at least, she hadn't had a complete meltdown or swung at anyone since that morning more than five months ago. Now, they were taking another, much-needed break from the city to officially celebrate their engagement and begin the festivities.
Olivia nuzzled Hillary's soft fur, kissing her gently.
Alex walked in and put a large, full duffel on the floor next to the sofa before taking Hillary from Olivia, and cradling her in her arms. "Liv, why do you keep calling it a reduced-calorie plan? It's a diet." Alex shook her head and smiled at Kathleen. "Mama Benson doesn't want to admit baby's got a weight problem," the attorney whispered.
"No one likes the word diet, Al. She's more likely to stay on it if it's a lifestyle change." Olivia smiled facetiously.
Alex shook her head and placed their cat back on the sofa.
"So, we'll be gone three weeks, Kathleen. You're sure it's OK…you don't have any trips to take for your summer break, or anything?" Olivia questioned, moving into the kitchen to put the breakfast cups and bowls from the drying rack back into the cabinet.
"No, I'm off for the summer, Olivia. Besides...your apartment is dreamy, guys. After the double-scheduled class year I've had at school, this is a vacation to me."
Alex stepped into the kitchen carrying a bottle of spray cleaner, her tight, white jeans hugging her slender hips. Olivia glanced down at her backside as she put the bottle underneath the sink and then stood back up, the brunette's mouth almost salivating. "We've left some cheat sheets for you about the TV, the alarm system, washing machine and computers. But, if you need us, you have both of our cells and my parent's beach house number, right?"
Kathleen nodded. "Yes…"
"Cleaning crew is coming next week and they stay for about two hours. They have a key and they let themselves out. Make sure Hillary doesn't go out."
Olivia came up behind Alex and put her hands on her shoulders, wanting to comfort her in so many other ways hearing the worry in her fiancé's voice, but the detective refrained. She rested her chin on Alex's left shoulder. "Kathleen's got it covered, Babe." Olivia smiled at Kathleen.
"I know…I just…" Alex turned her face, now inches from the brunette. Olivia watched the blonde's eyes dip down to her mouth and then back up into her eyes. She smiled and quickly pecked Olivia's cheek, her dilated pupils demonstrating she also wanted more.
But, they were about to spend three weeks in Southampton having various celebrations her parents had planned. She would see her brother, they would have their engagement dinner and make it official, they would plan…
Olivia couldn't wait to get in the car on the highway, rolling along the coast in Alex's beamer, the wind in her hair, the gorgeous sunny weather of June…
"I think we're all set." Alex tried. "You ready, Babe?"
"You bet I am…" Olivia smiled, briefly squeezing the blonde's waist from behind.
Olivia leaned over Hillary, hugging her and nuzzling her face once more. "You be good for Kathleen," she said softly before scratching her behind the ears and turning, moving toward the front door, throwing her purse over her shoulder and picking up the handle to a medium-sized suitcase.
Alex grabbed the duffle and her purse, as well. "We'll call…" Alex said, ushering Olivia out the door.
Olivia tried, being forced through the threshold. "Call us if you need anything, Kath…" Alex nudged Olivia further out the door with duffle. "Bye!" she laughed.
They were off to another vacation in paradise and Olivia couldn't wait to be with the woman she loved.
It was perfect.
